by MOSES LEOS III
Despite low voter turnout on May 11, Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 8 and ESD No. 2, both entities saw their propositions pass.
But the low numbers raise questions about voter apathy.
Election officials occasionally wandered outside, hoping to draw more attention to Buda City Hall.
“It’s a sunny day, there should be no excuse [to not vote],” said one election official.
All three officials were grateful for a tent – set up by ESD 8 supporters – because it drew attention to the polling place.
On Proposition 1 for ESD 8, a total of 111 people voted, with 56 of them doing so during early voting. Just over 55 people took to the polls on Election Day, with 52 voting by noon.
But with 8,566 eligible registered voters, only 1.3 percent of that population cast a ballot.
Propositions 1 and 2 for ESD 2 also suffered from a lack of voters even as the measures passed. On Election Day, 106 people voted on the ESD 2 propositions, making up a large majority of the 172 total votes counted. Similar to the ESD 8 election, only 1.29 percent of the 13,539 eligible voters turned out for the ESD 2 issues.
The low turnout was not a surprise for Buda Mayor Todd Ruge.
“For May elections, that’s typical,” Ruge said.
He referenced the 2012 May elections, where only five to six percent of voters took to the polls. In Ruge’s mind, there is no clear-cut way to solve voter apathy, which he says is a serious problem that hampers the city.
“It is hard to get people out to vote,” said Ruge. “As an elected official, that is very disappointing.”
Buda Fire Department Chief Clay Huckaby attributed the low turnout to a lack of measures and controversial issues on the ballot.
“I believe that voter turnout was low due to there being so few elections this May,” Huckaby said, in an emailed response. “In years past, there was several elections held during the May elections, including city of Buda Council, state and federal primaries, etc. This May, the only thing on the ballot were ESD Propositions and school board elections, overall voter turnout was really low.”
Despite disappointing turnout results, Buda voters approved all three propositions on the ballot. ESD 8, Proposition 1 passed by a 78-33 vote. ESD 2, Proposition 1 and 2, which were combined as one vote, were affirmed 143-29.
The most contentious measure was ESD 8’s Proposition 1, where sales taxes will be raised by one percent outside of the city limits, going from 7.25 to 8.25 percent. The city and ESD 8 were locked in a fight for more than a year over potential revenue from those areas.
After a bitter dispute, both sides came to an inter-local agreement, where ESD 8 will receive 1.5 of the 8.25 percent sales tax revenue in unincorporated areas. Once Buda annexes those areas into the city limits, ESD 8, the city and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will share .5 percent each of the revenue.
“I’m not surprised that the measure passed. (ESD 8) had a strong, organized campaign,” said Ruge. “(Proposition 1) is a win-win opportunity all the way around. This will be good for the community.”
Some Buda voters believe Proposition 1 is a boon for Buda.
“With the growth we have, I believe in what (Buda Fire Department Chief) Clay Huckaby is asking for,” said Buda resident Mike Cato. “It seems like a logical thing.”
Also in agreement was Melissa Endicott, whose husband is a Buda firefighter. She stood outside city hall with a sign indicating her support of the measure.
“We are a growing district and we are trying to be proactive in meeting the demands of the community,” Endicott said. “In the future, we are going to need more staff. We may also need to build another station. We just want to be proactive about it all.”
Huckaby said he was pleased the measure passed.
“The Buda Fire Department is pleased that the voters approved the Sales & Use Tax Proposition and that the voters have confidence in the Buda Fire Department / Hays County ESD#8 to support the demands and needs of the community for emergency services,” Huckaby said.
ESD 8 is now focused on using the new funds to support the Buda Fire Department.
“As additional revenue begins to come in from the Sales and Use Tax Increase, Buda Fire / Hays County ESD #8 will begin to pay down capital improvement debt which will allow for additional manpower and equipment to be brought on in the future,” Huckaby said.
ESD 2, Propositions 1 and 2 asked voters to decide on whether the Service District should annex the Ruby Ranch Subdivision. Voters passed the measure by a 114-vote margin.
“They are receiving services from (ESD 2), and they want to continue that,” said Mountain City resident Phil Wilbur. “I voted affirmative for (Propositions 1 and 2), so they can join us in paying for it. I want to support (ESD 2) as they expand.”
