St. Johns County voters were adamant: They do not want to pay more sales tax.

Voters on Tuesday defeated a proposal to raise the sales tax to 7.5% from 6.5% to pay for roads, parks, libraries and other needs of a growing population.

The vote was roughly 63% against, according to unofficial results.

County commissioners said the 1% increase would have generated $49.6 million a year for the county, almost $3 million for St. Augustine and $1.3 million for St. Augustine Beach.

St. Johns is one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S., putting stress on roads, schools and law enforcement. The county’s population has grown about 44% in the last 10 years, and there are no signs of slowing down.

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All of the money generated would have gone toward infrastructure needs, the county said. The money could not be used for government operations — for example, to pay library staff.

Sixteen of Florida’s 67 counties — including Clay and Duval — already have a 7.5% sales tax, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

The tax is a combination of Florida’s 6% state sales tax plus any local surcharge. Only one county, Citrus, has no local sales tax. Six counties, including St. Johns, impose the smallest amount: 0.5%.

That did not persuade voters at a time of rising costs. Many residents have said developers — the ones they see profiting from new homes — should foot the bill for needed improvements.