Hermosa residents voted down a proposed property tax opt-out Tuesday night, according to town finance officer Shanna Harris.

In an unofficial count that will be canvassed next Tuesday, there were 36 votes against the opt-out and 9 in favor of it, Harris said.

The opt-out proposal would have approved an increase in the town mill levy, from $2.662 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $5.05, according to Harris.

The property-tax increase would have raised about $33,030, Harris said.

The opt-out was needed, Harris said, because of a state Department of Transportation construction project on Main Street to lower the roadway. "The town has to pick up the bill to lower the utility line."

Harris also said that because of new growth, the town needs to expand its sewer lagoon.

Since the measure failed, other options may have to be explored by the Hermosa Town Board, Harris said.

"I think they'll probably look at alternative options. But that will be up to the board," she said.

Although the opt-out vote was set before the Aug. 17 flood that devastated parts of Hermosa, town officials said they would like to use some of the money from a property tax increase to fix streets and other infrastructure that were damaged.

Although the 5.05 mill levy is nearly double that of the current levy, it is still one of the lowest in the area, Harris said.

She said Hermosa has about 200 registered voters.