ST. GEORGE — Voters in St. George have rejected the city’s proposed Home Rule Charter, according to complete but unofficial election results.
The Home Rule Charter, which outlines the structure and operations of the city’s government, was unanimously approved by an 11-member commission before being put to a vote.
With all 79 precincts reporting, the charter was defeated by a margin of 55% to 45%.
MORE: Voters reject all four statewide amendments
Voters overwhelmingly elected Dustin Yates as St. George’s first mayor, with 65% of the vote. Yates, who was appointed interim mayor by Gov. Jeff Landry, defeated fellow Republican Jim Morgan in the race.
In the at-large city council race, Republicans David Dellucci and Jim Talbot secured the two available seats. They were among five candidates vying for the positions, with the lone Democrat finishing third with 20% of the vote.
A runoff is set for the District 4 council seat. Republican Patty Cook led the race with 45% of the vote, while Independent David Madaffari secured the second runoff spot with 19%. According to complete but unofficial election results, Madaffari edged out Justin Turner by just three votes.
St. George’s proposed Home Rule Charter draws debate ahead of upcoming election
Originally published March 18
ST. GEORGE — Voters in the newly formed city of St. George will head to the polls on March 29 to elect the city’s first representatives and vote on its proposed Home Rule Charter, a document that has sparked controversy.
After the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled last year that St. George could incorporate, an 11-member commission drafted the Home Rule Charter, outlining how the city’s government will function. The commission, composed of St. George residents from various backgrounds, completed the charter in about four months. Members said they kept the city’s long battle for incorporation in mind while shaping its government structure.
The commission unanimously approved the charter’s language.
What is the Home Rule Charter?
The Home Rule Charter serves as the city’s governing framework, much like the U.S. Constitution.
St. George is proposing a government structure centered around a city manager, a system uncommon in Louisiana but widely used in other parts of the country. The city manager would oversee day-to-day operations, including services such as drainage, roads, and litter control.
Andrew Murrell, who ran unopposed for a St. George council seat, told UWK the commission looked to similar-sized cities like Frisco, Texas, and Fairhope, Alabama, for guidance on city manager-led governance.
Murrell believes that by hiring a city manager and privatizing certain city services, St. George can maintain a lean budget while allocating more funds to initiatives that directly benefit residents. Under this system, the mayor and city council would focus on long-term planning rather than daily operations.
The proposed charter requires a comprehensive review every 10 years, with the first review set for 2030. Any proposed amendments, including those from the review commission, must be approved by voters.
Checks and balances in the charter
To prevent a complete turnover of city leadership at once, the charter includes staggered term limits. Additionally, the city manager would propose the budget, which the council would vote on. The mayor would have the power to veto the budget or specific line items.
Murrell argues this system introduces checks and balances not found in the mayor-board form of government. He said the commission prioritized these safeguards, given the legal battles St. George faced to gain incorporation.
One of the key financial safeguards is taxation. If the charter is approved, the city cannot raise taxes without voter approval. Currently, city councils in Louisiana can increase property taxes by up to seven mills without a public vote, Murrell noted.
“St George cannot raise your property tax, sales taxes, or any other tax without a vote of the people,” Murrell explained.
However, if voters reject the charter, this restriction will not apply.
Public involvement in governance
To reflect what supporters call the “spirit of St. George,” the charter includes a public referendum provision. This allows residents to place items on the city council’s agenda by collecting a certain number of signatures. Most Louisiana cities operate under the Lawrason Act, which only allows the mayor to add or remove agenda items.
Salaries for city officials are not specified in the Home Rule Charter. Instead, they will be set by the city council through ordinances. However, the charter states that any salary changes will not take effect until the next term.
Mayoral candidates debate Home Rule Charter
Mayoral candidates Dustin Yates, the interim mayor, and Jim Morgan have opposing views on whether St. George should adopt the Home Rule Charter.
Yates supports the proposed charter, arguing that it will help shape St. George’s future while providing safeguards like term limits and requiring voter approval for tax increases. He believes the charter empowers residents by fostering a collaborative government structure that will help the city thrive.
“I strongly believe in it and that it’s a great starting point. Perfect documents don’t exist, and that’s why it can be amended over time,” Yates said.
UWK was unable to reach Morgan for comment before publication despite multiple attempts. However, he shared his stance on social media.
Morgan opposes the Home Rule Charter and wrote on his Facebook: “St. George Taxpayers Deserve Better than to pay a Mayor Twice the Salary of the Mayor of Dallas, TX., who has 15 times the Population of St. George. The school System must be the Priority, and it is my Priority. I vow to donate 20% of my Salary as Mayor back to the St. George Taxpayers to set aside in a special account to recruit a Top-Tier Performing School Superintendent!”
Morgan also stated that he believes the Home Rule Charter should be rewritten by St. George’s elected representatives and that the city should continue operating with a mayor-led government structure where executive decisions remain in the mayor’s hands.
Early voting is underway through March 22 for the St. George election. Election day is March 29. Voters will also elect two at-large council members and a district four councilmember.
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