Your Local Election HQ | KXAN Austin https://www.kxan.com Mon, 06 May 2024 02:22:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.5 https://www.kxan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/06/cropped-kxan-icon-512x512.png?w=32 Your Local Election HQ | KXAN Austin https://www.kxan.com 32 32 ELECTION RESULTS: May 4 elections https://www.kxan.com/election-results/ Sun, 05 May 2024 00:12:17 +0000 https://www.kxan.com/?p=2226353 App users, view full election results by tapping here.

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2024-05-06T02:22:33+00:00
BLOG: Austin disannexation, school bonds results for Central Texas election https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/blog-local-elections-in-central-texas/ Sat, 04 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.kxan.com/?p=2224113 AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's Election Day in Central Texas. Several local cities, counties and school districts are holding elections on Saturday.

Eight cities will elect a mayor, while seven Central Texas school districts have bond propositions.

In Austin, six territories could disannex from the city as part of state legislation passed during the previous session. The legislation specifically targeted areas annexed into cities that have a population of 500,000 people or more between March 3, 2015, and December 1, 2017.

Maps of each of the six areas that could vote to remove themselves from Austin city limits are available here.

Election day resources

As for what it means for the rest of Austin, the City said property taxes will be collected from the areas — should they vote to disannex — until “the area’s share of City debt has been paid off.”

“In sum, disannexation will not have an impact on City revenue,” a City spokesperson previously told KXAN's Grace Reader.

Follow along below for more Election Day updates.

Election Day live blog

Sunday, 9:10 a.m.

KXAN projects Linda Richter, Annisha Williams and John Anderle win Cameron ISD's Board at-large election with 348 votes (24.08%), 306 votes (21.18%) and 292 votes (20.21%), respectively.

In Rockdale, KXAN projects Brad Caffey wins his race for Rockdale council member west, with 225 votes (82.12%).

For Rockdale ISD's Board, KXAN projects Jason Barcak and Karen Kirk Laughlin win Place 1 and Place 2, with 283 votes (60.47%) and 261 (56.13%), respectively.

In Thorndale, KXAN projects Taylor Rowe wins Thorndale ISD's Board seat, with 361 votes (65.64%). For Thorndale ISD's Prop A, the majority of voters passed the proposition for $34.5 million for school buildings, with 467 votes (78.09%) in favor of the measure.

On the city end of things, Shanta Kuhl, Steven Zuehlke and Wayne Green win seats on Thorndale City Council, with 176 votes (33.08%), 153 votes (28.76%) and 124 votes (23.31%), respectively. The City of Thorndale's Prop A — proposing the legal sale of mixed beverages — passed with 209 voters in favor (87.82%).

11:03 p.m.

KXAN projects incumbent Beth Walterscheidt wins Elgin ISD Board District 3 seat with 123 votes (69.89%).

Christina Manzano defeats incumbent Jake Bass for Flatonia ISD board Place 6 with 115 votes (52.04%).

Incumbent Calvin Mersiovsky wins La Grange ISD Board Place 6 with 433 votes (65.81%).

Incumbents Michael Hess and Travis Weiser win Lexington ISD Board seats with 149 votes (36.34%) each.

KXAN projects Bryan Jones wins Smithville ISD Board Place 3 with 585 votes (51.54%).

10:46 p.m.

KXAN projects incumbents Dana Jackson Matson and David Mason win Lexington Council seats with 41 (30.15%) and 34 votes (25%), respectively.

In Llano, incumbents Rob Wilson (1,081 votes, 58.97%) and Dean Campbell (853 votes, 47.21%) win Llano ISD Place 1 and 5. And the Llano Council will have incumbent Laura Almond (316 votes, 28.57%), Kelli Tudyk (235 votes, 21.25%) and Les McDaniel (224 votes, 20.25%).

KXAN projects Rob Hardy will be Sunrise Beach Village Mayor with 211 votes (57.03%) and Jeffrey Cook (234 votes, 39.07%) and Daniel Gower (214 votes, 35.73%) will be on the council.

Incumbent Brad Caffey wins Rockdale Council West with 225 votes (82.12%). Meanwhile, incumbent Jason Barcak (60.47%, 283 votes) wins Rockdale ISD Board Place 1 and Karen Kirk Laughlin (261 votes, 56.13%) defeats incumbent Troy Zinn for Place 2.

KXAN projects Fayetteville Prop. 1 (Local Sales and Use Tax) passes with 82.76% of the vote (24 votes).

In Flatonia, incumbent Joanye Eversole is defeated as Josh Homan (111 votes, 43.36%) and incumbent Allen Kocian (78 votes, 30.47%) win council seats.

KXAN projects incumbents Lynn Conine and Owen Massey win Round Top Council with 27 (45.76%) and 25 votes (42.37%), respectively.

10:37 p.m.

KXAN projects incumbent Phillip Davis wins Lake Travis ISD Board Place 1 with 4,325 votes (51.48%) and incumbent Lauren White wins Place 2 with 4,389 votes (51.84%).

Charlie Torres wins Pflugerville ISD Board Place 2 with 1,915 votes (56.52%).

Johnson City Council will see Kemp Elliot (28.22%, 81 votes), incumbent Teresa Taylor-Babb (28.22%, 81 votes) and Samuel Richardson (24.74%, 71 votes) on the council.

KXAN projects defeat for Blanco Council incumbents Mike Smith and Rodney Thrailkill. Bobby Mack-McClung (165 votes, 24.48%), Candy Cargill (159 votes, 23.59%) and Dennis Moore (142 votes, 21.07%) will be on the council.

In Luling, KXAN projects incumbent CJ Watts will remain mayor with 453 votes (77.17%), Wesley Wells wins Council Ward 4 with 94 votes (75.81%) and incumbent John Wells wins Council Ward 5 with 136 votes (64.45%).

In Martindale, Terri Werner wins Council Place 1 with 80 votes (65.57%) and Laura Sanchez Flowler defeats incumbent Nicholas Stiler for Council Place 3 with 81 votes (66.39%).

KXAN projects incumbents Mark Muniz and Linda Pruitt win Giddings council with 167 votes (41.03%) and 123 votes (30.22%), respectively.

10:26 p.m.

KXAN projects Pete Bega wins Elgin ISD Board District 6. Meanwhile, Elgin ISD propositions A ($366 million for school facilities) and B ($9 million for programs and stadium improvements) pass.

McDade ISD Proposition A ($4 million for school buildings) passes with 51.05% of the vote (97 votes).

KXAN Projects Austin Proposition C (Disannex Blue Goose Road) with all 3 votes in favor and F (Disannex River Place Outparcels) with one vote in favor pass. There are no projections for Austin Proposition B (Disannex Mooreland Addition) or E (Disannex Wildhorse/Webb Tract) as no votes were reported with 100% in.

Incumbent Eric Boyce wins Cedar Park Council Place 4 with 1,330 votes (56.33%).

Incumbent Al Rodriguez wins Elgin Council Ward 3 with 121 votes (52.38%).

Christine Delisle wins Leander mayor with 2,248 votes (51.48%). Meanwhile, Incumbent Na'Cole Thompson wins Leander Council Place 4 with 2,255 votes (52.56%). Incumbent Becki Ross and Pulla Reddy Yeduru advance to a runoff for Leander Council Place 6, KXAN projects. Leander Council Place 2 has no projected winner as Michael Herrera leads incumbent Esmeralda Mattke Longoria by 4 votes with 100% of election day votes in. That could change with mail-in or provisional ballots.

KXAN projects Melissa Fleming wins Round Rock City Council Place 3 with 1,992 votes (65.68%). Meanwhile, Round Rock Propositions A (Municipal court amendment) and B (City staff plat approvals) pass.

Webberville mayor will remain the same as incumbent Hector Gonzales wins with 43 votes (58.11%). KXAN cannot project a winner in Webberville Council Place 2 as incumbent Thomas Trantham leading Heath Stewart by 1 vote with 100% of election day votes in.

KXAN projects Kelly Marwill wins Eanes ISD Board Place 5 with 2,019 votes (35.45%).

10:06 p.m.

Austin Proposition D (Disannex Lennar at Malone) failed with 98.21% (110 votes) and 100% reporting.

Incumbents Kelly Brynteson (30.78%, 2,705 votes) and Jennifer Szimanski (30.24%, 2,657 votes) as well as Matt Sherman (24.56%, 2,158 votes) win Lakeway Council seats. And, Lakeway Proposition A (Park improvements) passes with 67.82% of the vote (2,569 votes).

KXAN projects Travis County ESD Propistions A (Adding Lost Creek to ESD) and B (Lost Creek share of debts and taxes) pass with 55.22% (582 votes) and 90.57% (3,005 votes), respectively, and 71% reporting.

Bastrop CAD Place 1 will be filled by Paul Johnson with 50.70% (2,284 votes) and Place 2 will be John Sabol with 50.20% (2,145 votes) and 100% reporting. Meanwhile, Carol Armstrong (1,438 votes, 61.37%) defeats incumbent Rick Rivera in Bastrop ISD Board Place 1. Kerry Fossler (53.20%, 507 votes) also defeated an incumbent, Jimmy Crouch, for Bastrop Council Place 4.

In Smithville, the incumbent Sharon Seidel Foerster will be the mayor again (53.19%, 392 votes). Incumbent Mitchell Jameson (366 votes, 51.48%) won Council Place 4 and Cathy Meek (60.82%, 413 votes) won Place 5 with 100% reporting.

Sue Prinz Brashar wins Elgin Council Ward 4 with 56.81% of the vote (146 votes) and 100% reporting.

9:56 p.m.

KXAN projects Incumbent Crystal Mancilla will remain Liberty Hill mayor (56.76%, 84 votes).

Shelli Cobb (260 votes, 64.98%) defeats incumbent Mitch Drummond for Taylor Council District 2 with 100% reporting. Meanwhile kelly Cmerek wins District 3 with 90.76% (501 votes). And Taylor Propositions A-F pass.

KXAN projects incumbent Charles Giddens wins Florence ISD Board Place 5 with 54.70% (99 votes) and 100% reporting.

Georgetown ISD Propositions A-D pass, KXAN projects. Meanwhile, Incumbent Jen Mauldin wins Georgetown ISD Place 6 (70.03%, 4,885 votes) with 100% of the vote.

Incumbents James Matlock and Amy English win Hutto ISD board seats with 34.50% (671 votes) and 21.93% (621 votes), respectively, and 100% reporting.

Incumbent Kathy Major (75.15%, 499 votes) wins Liberty Hill ISD Board Place 4 with 100% reporting.

Incumbent Marilyn Tennill wins Taylor ISD Board at-large seat with 80.17% (1,330 votes) and 100% reporting.

Incumbents Rodrigo Reyes (148 votes, 31.62%) and Stephanie Ochoa (133 votes, 28.42%) along with Domingo Valdez (116 votes, 24.79%) win Thrall ISD board seats with 100% reporting.

9:51 p.m.

KXAN projects incumbent Mary Condon and Forrest Hyde win Florence Alderpersons with 42.25% (30) and 35.21% (25) of the vote, respectively, with 100% reporting.

Incumbent Dan Thornton wins Hutto Council Place 2 (51.69%, 473 votes), while incumbent Dana Wilcott (32.86%, 304 votes) and Evan Porterfield (18.81%, 174 votes) advance to a runoff in Council Place 5 with 100% reporting.

KXAN projects Hutto Propositions A-C and E-P pass, but Proposition D (which would reduce the city council quorum) failed.

KXAN also projects Leander Propositions A (Civil Service Law for Fire Department) and B (Fire and Police Employee Relations Act) pass with 99% reporting.

9:41 p.m.

KXAN projects Robert Clark wins Wimberely Council Place 4 with 51.03% (223 votes) and 100% reporting.

Incumbents Mary Jane Hetrick (22.50%, 3,216 votes) and Stefani Reinold (20.86%, 2,981 votes) are joined by Shanda DeLeon (20.63%, 2,948 votes) in winning Dripping Springs ISD board seats, with 100% reporting.

KXAN projects incumbent Courtnery Runkle (219 votes, 61%) wins Hays CISD Board District 3 seat with 99% reporting while Geoff Seibel (54.66%, 1,191 votes) wins Hays CISD board at large with 100% reporting.

Hays County ESD 9 Proposition A (Increase ad valorem tax rate) passes with 55.22% for (582 votes) with 100% reporting.

Hope Hisle-Piper (60.37%, 11,184 votes), Mike Sanders (54.34% 9,956 votes) and Mason Moses (53.62%, 9,693 votes) win places on the Williamson CAD, with 100% reporting.

9:15 p.m.

KXAN projects incumbent James Spradley (86.66%, 2,859 votes) will remain on the Eanes ISD board of trustees with 65% reporting.

9:09 p.m.

KXAN projects Shanta Kuhl, incumbent Steven Zuehlke and Wayne Green win Thorndale Council seats. Thorndale's Proposition A also passed with 87.82% of the vote (209 votes).

Taylor Rowe (65.64%, 361 votes) defeated incumbent Chad Martinka (34.36%, 189 votes) in the Thorndale ISD board seat with 100% reporting.

Jett Hanna (67.80%, 22,452 votes), Shenghao Wang (67.67%, 26,733 votes) and Dick Lavine (28,330 votes, 73.29%) all won seats on the Travis Central Appraisal District board of directors, KXAN projects with 78% reporting.

9:01 p.m.

KXAN projects Catherine Bell (82.69%, 234 votes) defeats Phil Ort (17.31%, 49 votes) in the Granite Shoals Council Place 6 with 100% reporting. KXAN also projects Granite Shoals Prop 1 and Propositions A-P pass.

Richard Westerman (181 votes, 49.18%) defeated incumbent William Haddock (161 votes, 43.75%) for Marble Falls Council Place 5 with 100% reporting, KXAN projects.

Incumbent Mark Bentley will remain Meadowlakes mayor with 85.95% (312) of the votes and 100% reporting. Don Wheeler will be Meadowlakes Council Place 1 with 256 (70.33%) of the vote and 100% reporting. Meanwhile, Carolyn Richmond defeated incumbent Jerry Drummond for Meadowlakes Council Place 3 with 76.58% of the vote (278 votes) and 100% reporting.

KXAN projects Michelle Gaertner wins Bastrop CAD Place 3 with 63.34% of the vote (2,625 votes) and 85% reporting.

8:45 p.m.

KXAN projects Florence ISD Proposition A ($4.5 million for school facilities) passes with 138 votes (67.98%) and 92% reporting.

Burnet CISD Board Place 5 will be filled by Katy Duke, according to a KXAN projection with 100% reporting. Duke received 55.73% (486) votes.

KXAN also projects Burnet Propositions A (Mayor authority to delay votes), B (Two-thirds vote to declare council vacancies), C (Authorize adoption of ordinances), D (Mayor is member of city council), E (Municipal Court judge removal), F (Elections held consistent with state law), G (Delete charter inconsistent with state law), H (Council goals included in budget) and I (Delete obsolete charter provisions) pass, but J (City Secretary hired by city manager) is split 50/50 with 100% reporting.

In Bertram, KXAN projects incumbent Mike Dickinson wins mayor with 7 votes and 66% reporting (63.64%) and Randal Fisher (37.38%, 40 votes) and James Predmore (25.23%, 27 votes) win Bertram Aldermen with 100% reporting.

KXAN projects incumbent Philip Thurman (109 votes, 18.89%), Tommy Gaut (153 votes, 26.52%) and Cindia Talamantez (126 votes, 16.09%) win Burnet City Council seats. Incumbent Dennis Langley was defeated.

8:26 p.m.

KXAN projects incumbents Kristen Nelson (195 votes, 26.97%), Stuart Isham (164 votes, 22.68%) and Tim Sebastain (160 votes, 22.13%) win San Saba ISD board seats with 100% reporting.

8:10 p.m.

Lometa City Council member Crystal Knoy will not be returning to the seat after voters instead selected Derek Talley and Larry Koch, according to a KXAN projection. Talley received 36% of the vote and Koch had 26% with 50% reporting. The top two candidates will become the new council members.

KXAN also projects Mickey Edwards won Lampasas ISD Board Place 1 with 84.66% (447 votes) and 50% reporting.

Incumbent Cristopher Brister and Dusty Duncan won places on the Lometa ISD board with 147 (40.72%) and 86 (23.82%) votes, respectively, according to a KXAN projection with 100% of the vote in.

7:32 p.m.

KXAN projects Austin Proposition A -- Lost Creek Disannexation -- will pass with 93.08% of the vote (1,035 votes) and 65% reporting.

7 p.m.

Polls are closed, but those still in line at 7 p.m. may still vote

2 p.m.

Many cities have propositions up for a vote. They range from disannexations in Austin to city charter amendments to a mixed drink election in Thorndale.

These Central Texas cities have propositions on the ballot:

1 p.m.

With six hours left to vote, there are no long lines reported at any Travis County or Williamson County polling site, according to their wait time trackers.

11 a.m.

No long waits were reported in Travis County or Williamson County as of 11 a.m.

Voters in eight Central Texas cities will pick their next mayor in this election.

These cities have mayoral elections:

  • Bertram
  • Leander
  • Liberty Hill
  • Luling
  • Meadowlakes
  • Smithville
  • Sunrise Beach Village
  • Webberville

9:30 a.m.

Voters in Travis, Bastrop and Williamson counties will elect members to appraisal district boards. This is because of a homestead tax exemption proposition Texas voters approved in 2023.

The proposition changed who sits on county appraisal district boards, increasing the number of members in larger counties. In Travis County, voters will pick three board members in the May election.

According to the Travis Central Appraisal District, the board of directors picks the chief appraiser, approves the district's budget, approves contracts and sets policies. The board members do not appraise property or review property values.

9 a.m.

Several local school districts have bond propositions on the ballot.

Georgetown ISD is asking voters to approve a $649 million bond to address district growth and aging facilities.

Thorndale ISD is asking voters to approve $34.5 million for projects like a new high school and school improvements.

These Central Texas districts have bond propositions:

8 a.m.

Looking for a voting location? Some counties have wait time trackers for voters to check before heading to the polls.

As of 8 a.m., no Travis County polling locations or Williamson County polling locations had a long wait time.

Find more county-by-county election information online:

7 a.m.

KXAN's Christopher Adams kept track of early voting for the May 4 election.

Click here to see how turnout is shaping up in our four largest counties.

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2024-05-05T14:20:46+00:00
KXAN Voter Guide: What to know for the May 4 local elections https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/may-4-2024-voter-guide/ Fri, 19 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.kxan.com/?p=2195671 AUSTIN (KXAN) — The headline-grabbing 2024 presidential election is still several months away, but there are several important local elections on the May 4 ballot.

Several local cities, counties and school districts are holding elections. Early voting runs from Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30. Election Day is Saturday, May 4.

Here's what you need to know before heading to the polls.

What am I going to see on my ballot?

In this election, most voters' ballots will be fairly short. Some people may even only have one race to vote on.

The following cities will choose their next mayor: Bertram, Leander, Liberty Hill, Luling, Meadowlakes, Smithville, Sunrise Beach Village and Webberville

The following cities will choose council members or aldermen: Bastrop, Bertram, Blanco, Burnet, Cedar Park, Elgin, Flatonia, Florence, Giddings, Granite Shoals, Hutto, Johnson City, Lakeway, Leander, Lexington, Llano, Lometa, Luling, Marble Falls, Martindale, Meadowlakes, Rockdale, Round Rock, Round Top, Smithville, Sunrise Beach Village, Taylor, Thorndale, Webberville and Wimberley

The following cities have propositions: Austin (there are six propositions in which voters will decide whether to disannex from city limits. Only voters in the affected precincts will be able to vote on these propositions), Burnet, Fayetteville, Granite Shoals, Hutto, Lakeway, Leander, Round Rock, Taylor and Thorndale

The following counties will elect three members to appraisal district boards: Bastrop County, Travis County and Williamson County

The following school districts will choose board trustees: Bastrop ISD, Burnet CISD, Cameron ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, Eanes ISD, Elgin ISD, Flatonia ISD, Florence ISD, Georgetown ISD, Hays CISD, Hutto ISD, Johnson City ISD, La Grange ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Lampasas ISD, Lexington ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Llano ISD, Lometa ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Rockdale ISD, San Saba ISD, Smithville ISD, Taylor ISD, Thorndale ISD and Thrall ISD

The following school districts have bond propositions: Buckholts ISD, Elgin ISD, Florence ISD, Gause ISD, Georgetown ISD, McDade ISD and Thorndale ISD

Where can I find a sample ballot?

Sample ballots are available on each county's elections website. Use the table below to find your sample ballot:

Mark your calendars

  • Thursday, April 4: Last day to register to vote
  • Monday, April 22: Early voting begins
  • Tuesday, April 23: Last day to apply to vote by mail
  • Tuesday, April 30: Early voting ends
  • Saturday, May 4: Election Day

Hours for early voting are typically Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., although some counties, like Travis County, have extended hours until 10 p.m. on some days. Weekend voting hours vary by county.

Early voting locations

Below are the early voting locations in Travis County, courtesy of the Travis County Clerk. You can also find a list of the locations here.

Election Day voting locations

Below are the Election Day voting locations in Travis County, courtesy of the Travis County Clerk. You can also find a list of the locations here.

What do I need to bring with me?

Under Texas law, voters are required to bring identification with them to vote. Here are the accepted forms of identification:

  • Texas Driver License
  • Texas Election Identification Certificate
  • Texas Personal Identification Card
  • Texas Handgun License
  • United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
  • United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
  • United States Passport

What's not allowed?

Under Texas law, you cannot use most wireless communication devices within 100 feet of a voting station, nor are you allowed to record sound or images in that space. Those restricted electronics include:

  • Cell phones
  • Cameras
  • Tablet computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Sound recorders
  • Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images.

You are also not allowed to wear clothing, hats, flags, etc. that relate to a candidate currently on the ballot within 100 feet of the voting station.

Local county elections offices

Below are links to each county elections website in the KXAN coverage area. Each will have information including phone numbers, polling locations and addresses. You can also check wait times at polling locations.

KXAN will have full coverage on Election Day, May 4.

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2024-04-27T23:33:56+00:00
Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the May 2024 local elections? https://www.kxan.com/news/your-local-election-hq/may-4-2024-turnout-tracker/ Wed, 24 Apr 2024 22:40:12 +0000 https://www.kxan.com/?p=2207132 AUSTIN (KXAN) — With early voting underway, KXAN is keeping track of how many Central Texans have voted in the May 4, 2024 local elections.

The headline-grabbing 2024 presidential election is still several months away, but there are several important local elections on the May 4 ballot. Several local cities, counties and school districts are holding elections.

Here's how turnout is shaping up in our four largest counties:

Early voting runs from Monday, April 22 through Tuesday, April 30. Election Day is Saturday, May 4.

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2024-05-05T00:49:38+00:00
Thorndale ISD voters to consider first school bond in 25 years https://www.kxan.com/news/thorndale-isd-voters-to-consider-first-school-bond-in-25-years/ Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:11:59 +0000 https://www.kxan.com/?p=2210866 THORNDALE, Texas (KXAN) — The Thorndale Independent School District superintendent said the district has asked voters to consider a $34.5 million bond to help it keep up with a growing student population.

TISD Superintendent Zack Kleypas said the district anticipates enrollment to grow as nearby developments are completed. An example he pointed to was the Samsung Semiconductor facility under construction in Taylor.

The district's webpage on the bond proposal said it would upgrade parts of existing schools, like giving its middle school a new security vestibule and connect all campuses with transitional hallways.

Overall, he said one of the biggest parts of the bond would grant TISD the ability to build a new high school and purchase land for future growth.

Statistics shown in videos of the bond proposal project that TISD's student population could grow from 600 to 1,000 in just 7 years.

Kleypas said the district already has a few temporary fixes already in place to accommodate students.

“Right now our district utilizes seven portable buildings. Some of that's for band, some of it's for special education, some of it's for elementary and some for high school. So we've got students outside of our buildings, just about all throughout the district," Kleypas said.

According to the district's website, the financial impact of the bond for a $150,000 home would be an annual tax increase of $250, roughly $21 a month.

For a home valued at $350,000, there would be a $1,250 annual tax increase, roughly $68 a month.

The district has a tool on its website allowing voters to plug in their tax bill information and calculate their expected change. Visit that link here.

Early voting runs from April 22-30, with regular voting taking place May 4.

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2024-04-26T14:12:01+00:00
'Take back the neighborhood': 6 areas in Austin, including Lost Creek, could vote to ditch the city https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/six-chunks-of-austin-including-lost-creek-could-vote-to-leave-city-limits-this-may/ Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:52:03 +0000 https://www.kxan.com/?p=2203101 AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's a neighborhood Leslie Odom describes as "a piece of heaven." She's lived in Lost Creek in southwest Austin for 13 years.

She and her neighbors are in one of six Austin territories that will get to vote this May on whether they want to stay in the City of Austin or disannex after the city wrangled them into city limits less than a decade ago.

"If the City of Austin delivered on the services that they promised us, then guess what? They have nothing to worry about on this vote. But if they did not deliver, Lost Creek is going to show up and tell them that we were not happy, and we think it wasn't fair and we're going to take back the neighborhood that's ours," Odom said. She was one of the people behind the state-level push to make the vote happen.

Last year, Texas passed legislation that gave Odom what she wanted. House Bill 3053 specifically targeted areas annexed into cities that have a population of 500,000 people or more between March 3, 2015 and December 1, 2017.

You can find maps of each of the six areas that could vote to remove themselves from Austin city limits here.

"This is a brand new law so other communities and other areas are watching us under a microscope to figure out what's going to happen to us and what that means for them," Odom said.

According to the City, property taxes will be collected from the areas -- should they vote to disannex -- until "the area's share of City debt has been paid off."

"In sum, disannexation will not have an impact on City revenue," a spokesperson for the city said.

What about city services?

"Following voter approval of disannexation, a City Council vote would be taken to acknowledge the will of the voters. A number of steps would also be taken during the transition as various City services transfer to other providers," the city continued.

Here are the services that would change, Austin said:

  • The Travis County Sherriff’s Office would provide law enforcement instead of the Austin Police Department
  • The nearest Emergency Service District (ESD) would respond to fire-related incidents instead of the Austin Fire Department
  • Austin-Travis County EMS will remain the same
  • For people with Austin Water, the city will continue to provide water and wastewater service. The city says there will be no change in rate
  • The same for Austin Energy customers, but those in the disannexed areas would pay the out-of-city customer rate
  • Austin Resource Recovery services such as trash, recycling, composting, large brush, bulk and dead animal collection, and street sweeping would be phased out
  • The Watershed Protection Department’s Drainage Utility charges and drainage services would end

These additional city services would also be discontinued:

  • Code enforcement
  • Street maintenance
  • Streetlight maintenance
  • Sidewalk and crosswalk maintenance 
  • Traffic sign maintenance
  • Right of way permitting
  • Public Health and sanitation regulation, such as litter on the rights of way
  • Maintenance of drainage infrastructure
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2024-05-02T21:52:50+00:00