NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. (WOWO): A referendum that would’ve raised the annual property taxes for those in the Manchester Community Schools district failed in last night’s election.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal that would have added a big athletic complex and made a number of upgrades throughout the district.

Our Partners in News at ABC 21 report that while supporters said the improvements would also have meant better school security, critics said the $16.6-million price tag was too high. They also said the district was paying taxpayers lip service with the security talk, as the athletic upgrades were allegedly the real focus.

If it had passed, the proposal would have meant an extra $70 per year in property taxes for homes valued at $100,000.