If you haven’t noticed, Central Texas roadways are peppered with campaign signs — both professionally printed and hand-scrawled. That’s because it’s election time.
On Saturday, May 6, residents who haven’t participated in early voting in the Lake Travis area are headed to the polls. Voting will take place for City of Bee Cave, City of Lakeway, Dripping Springs, Llano, as well as many other municipalities.
Unlike many elections that roll gently through the Texas hillside, this one is causing quite a stir.
Last week, an article in the Bee Cave Bee about LTYA sparked a hot debate on Facebook. In addition to lively debates over City Council members, there are special election items that have been creating a buzz in Lakeway and Llano.
To prepare you for the big day, we’re giving you a snapshot of the May 6, 2017 Joint General and Special Elections ballot, so you know exactly what’s what.
City of Bee Cave General Election
Council Members Monty Parker, Marie Lowman and Kara King have filed for re-election. Residents Scott Cronk and David Busch will also be on the ballot.
- Get to know the candidates better in a recent article from the Austin American-Statesman
- When you see the official ballot, it will say you can vote for none, one, two or three candidates
- They will be listed in this order: Marie Lowman, Kara King, David K. Busch, Scott Cronk, Monty Parker
- Bee Cave City Council members do not have term limits
City of Bee Cave Special Election
The election item in the Special Election is a road maintenance tax. By Reauthorizing the local sales tax, revenue can be used to maintain and improve local streets. Historically, this tax has been approved by voters, but it must be re-approved every four years.
- Ballot verbiage: “The reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in the City of Bee Cave, Texas at the rate of one-eighth of one percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. The tax expires on the fourth anniversary of the date of this election unless the imposition of the tax is reauthorized.”
- On the ballot, you will vote For or Against
City of Lakeway General Election
Incumbent City Council Members Ron Massa and Bridge Bertram have filed for re-election for their seats. Resident Tiffany McMillan has also filed for a spot on the ballot.
- Get to know the candidates better in a article from Community Impact
- When you see the official ballot, it will say you can vote for none, one or two candidates
- They will be listed in this order: Tiffany McMillan, Ron Massa, Bridge Bertram
- Lakeway council members serve for three-year terms and are limited to two consecutive terms.
City of Lakeway Special Election
Prop 1, as it’s listed on the ballot, is for the $23,065,000 tax bonds for public safety facilities which is the new Lakeway police station you’ve been hearing about. (And yes, that’s $23 million.)
The proposed police station. Where do we begin? How about at the beginning …
Just because you’re hearing about the need for a new police station now, doesn’t mean it’s a new thing. We’ve written about the proposed police station and there’s a great article in Community Impact that provides an in-depth look at the financials.
The cost break down is important because the $23 million bond isn’t just for the police station itself. It includes the costs of things like extending Lohmans Spur, land purchase, architecture and engineering, site development and more.
That being said, Lakeway has already spent $304,000 on consulting and design expenses to date.
- Ballot verbiage: “The issuance of $23,065,000 tax bonds for public safety facilities to include a new police facility.”
- On the ballot, you will vote For or Against
Prop 2 is the reauthorization of a local sales and use tax at the rate of 1/4% to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.
- Ballot verbiage: “The reauthorization of a local sales and use tax in The City of Lakeway at the rate of one fourth of one percent (1/4%) to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.”
- On the ballot, you will vote For or Against
More Local Elections
Dripping Springs will be voting on three open City Council seats. Candidates include: Harrison Schultz, Santos Y. Alba, William Travis Crow, Taline Manassian, Charles Busbey and Bill Foulds. You can get to know your candidates better in a recent article in Hays Free Press.
Burnet and Llano are also holding elections in city and school district races. Llano’s Special Election items are sparking big debates because they involve regulating alcohol — giving businesses a “liquor-by-the-drink” option — and property taxes. You can get the inside scoop from this article in DailyTrib.com.
Does one vote matter? Yes, it does. Need more info? Click here for additional details about Central Texas Spring Elections.
