While St. George’s leaders celebrated election wins, the failure of a proposed home rule charter means the city will temporarily operate under state law as officials plan their next steps toward a more efficient government.

Almost a year after the suburb was incorporated into a city, voters in St. George elected their first leaders on Saturday. Residents also voted against adopting a home rule charter, which would have established the city’s governing structure.

The new City of St. George, in East Baton Rouge Parish, elected its first mayor on Saturday.