Two proposed tax increases failed by large margins in Saturday’s election in Washington Parish.

Bogalusa city voters rejected a proposed 12-mill increase in property taxes, which would have been used to stabilize the city’s retirement benefits and pension system.

According to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, the measure failed with 327 voters (22 percent) in favor of the tax increase, and 1,141 voters (78 percent) against it. Turnout was 22 percent.

Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette said that the city would have to come up with a different solution to address the retirement system problem.

“We will continue to follow the suggested suggestions from the Louisiana Legislative Auditors,” she said. “This millage was one of the suggestions. We have a meeting with them next week.”

Voters in Washington Parish District No. 4 also rejected a tax increase that would have been used for a $28 million school bond issue. The additional taxes would have funded a new Franklinton Jr. High School and improvements at other parish schools.

The proposed tax failed with 1,260 voters (37 percent) in favor, and 2,157 voters (63 percent) against it. Turnout was 25.7 percent.

This was the second time the tax question had been put forward to the school district’s voters. It was first proposed in May 2017, and that election failed with 67 percent of the voters opposing and a turnout of 21.1 percent.