ST. GEORGE — Voters in the southeastern part of East Baton Rouge say St. George's leaders can have access to about $48 million annually, diverting sales tax proceeds collected in the new city away from the rest of the parish.

Saturday's vote clears the way for St. George to control money raised from a 2-cent sales tax. Losing the vote wouldn't have killed the developing city, but it would have left control over services in the hands of the parishwide government.

With 61 of 79 precincts reporting unofficial returns, the St. George tax proposal was ahead by nearly a 4-1 margin. 

St. George supporters had spent weeks spreading the news that a "yes" vote wouldn't raise tax. Voters parishwide had previously approved a 2-cent tax, and Saturday's vote directs tax proceeds collected in the new city to St. George's government.

In an October 2019 election, voters created St. George by a 54-46 margin. After a long court fight, the state Supreme Court this year declared that St. George organizers had followed the law in setting up the city and approved its incorporation.

Also Saturday, Tara voters approved a $135 fee benefiting a crime prevention and neighborhood improvement district and those in Villa del Rey approved a similar fee costing property owners $150 a year.