Brittany Kelley
HAYS COUNTY — Voters headed to the polls for early voting, Oct. 20-31, and on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, to make their voices heard for several propositions and council candidates. According to the Hays County website, 37,031, or 19.52%, out of 189,688 registered voters cast a ballot. The results listed will remain unofficial until canvassed and certified.
KYLE
Kyle’s ballot hosted 17 propositions and three district races, along with a mayoral race, following the city’s longest-serving mayor, Travis Mitchell, submitting his resignation in July.
The candidates were as follows:
- Mayor: Andrea Villescaz, Yvonne Flores-Cale, Donny Wills and Robert Rizo
- District 1: Bear Heiser, Kyle J. LeVell, Ellen Ermis and Courtney Goza
- District 2: Melisa Medina and Paul Hill
- District 3: Claudia Zapata and Miguel Zuniga
The mayoral race will head into a runoff election, to be held Dec. 13, between Flores-Cale, who garnered 1,746 votes or 32.04% and Rizo, with 2,303 votes or 44.26%.
Flores-Cale is a 14-year resident and previously served as the District 2 council member from 2020-2023, when she ran for mayor, but lost against Mitchell.
A “resident advocate,” Flores-Cale is running to focus on issues, such as water and wastewater resources, restoring relationships between the city and the community and reviving the downtown area.
“As a long-time resident of Kyle, I’ve seen this community grow and change, and I believe it’s important that we continue to shape our future together, mindful of both our progress and our traditions,” said the candidate.
Part of this growth is maintaining road infrastructure, since there is only a single road completed from the 2022 road bond, and ensuring that the city spends taxpayer money responsibly, she said.
Flores-Cale has a bachelor’s degree in business and communications and a master's in legal studies, as previously reported by the Hays Free Press. She works professionally as a paralegal.
Rizo is a fifth-generation Kyle resident and currently serves as the District 2 council member. Additionally, he served from 2019-2022 in District 3. According to his candidate website, he serves on the board of the Hays County Food Bank, the Hays County Historical Commission and is the chair for the CAPCOG Regional Clean Air Coalition.
Rizo has emphasized that an important element for his term as mayor is revitalizing downtown and turning it into the place he remembers as a kid — filled with families and activities to do — adding that he hopes to keep Kyle an affordable place to buy a home, raise a family and ensure a good education for children.
He noted that he has been an advocate for Advanced Metering Infrastructure technology and smart meter systems since 2019, which is currently being installed throughout the city. In addition to this, he hopes to look into reclaiming water, such as purple pipe, to ensure that no water is wasted.
The District 1 race will also lead to a runoff between Heiser, with 2,061 votes or 39.54% and Goza, with 1,404 votes or 26.94%.
Heiser is currently the incumbent for the seat, having served since 2022. His website states that he advocates for: modern infrastructure and smart growth; safe, thriving parks and neighborhoods; and support for families and local schools.
The candidate stated that he has a background in strategic communication and organizational leadership, helping him bridge the gap between residents, staff and regional partners.
In an effort to provide “real results” for residents of Kyle, he has supported the Utility Billing Assistance Program, the Mental Health & Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Program for children, Property Improvement Program, Water Conservation Rebate Program and the Small Business Launchpad Initiative.
In regards to the city’s economic development, he hopes to push for balance, quality employers, local entrepreneurs and overall growth.
“I want to finish what the residents elected me to do three years ago,” said Heiser.
Goza holds a bachelor’s degree in business and an associate’s certificate in contracting. Her campaign focuses on transparency and improving infrastructure in the city. She also works as a commercial real estate agent, which will aid in her ability to plan for the city, Goza said.
If elected, she hopes to create a website that would allow residents to view the money spent for each department and flag items that raise concerns. Goza also supports a three-year projection for the budget.
“I think for me, it’s important — as a hopefully future council member — to bring my skills, my talent together to be able to support our businesses, support our residents and just [ask] for smart infrastructure, smart growth and a good business environment for everybody,” said Goza.
Voters elected Medina, with 1,059 votes or 58.22%, to serve in the Kyle City Council District 2 seat, which was previously filled by Robert Rizo — who ran for mayor — before his term ended in November 2025.
Medina has lived within the district for 15 years. She brings a strong background in office management, with hands-on experience overseeing day-to-day operations, streamlining administrative processes and supporting cross-functional teams, she stated.
She values promoting transparency through open communication between the city and the public, accountability with clear expectations, staff development, community feedback and more.
According to Medina, her vision to strengthen Kyle’s economy will be by supporting small and local businesses, which are “the backbone of the community.” She will focus on creating a business-friendly environment through streamlined processes, local partnerships and resources that help entrepreneurs thrive.
“While my priority is supporting the small and local businesses, I also recognize the value of attracting high-growth industries that align with Kyle's long-term goals,” she said. “I would support policies that ensure these businesses invest in our community — not just through jobs, but by contributing to local infrastructure and quality of life.”
For the final seat on council, Zapata was elected to the District 3 seat, with 3,246 or 62.48% of votes.
Zapata has seen Kyle grow and change throughout the years and aims to focus on road safety, water infrastructure, responsible growth and supporting local businesses. The candidate explained that her experience in technical public policy will aid in her ability to understand the processes for local policy from ideas to implementation.
During her time as council member, she vowed to host regular town halls, community education events and neighborhood meetings to keep constituents involved and informed.
“What distinguishes me is not just my experience; it’s my ability to take community concerns and translate them into actionable policy solutions rooted in both technical skill and deep care for people,” said Zapata.
Of Kyle’s 17 propositions, Proposition N was the only one to fail.
BUDA
City of Buda voters will head to the election polls Dec. 13 to determine the Single Member District C seat between Jeffrey Morales and Kimberly Goodman on the city council, which is currently held by Terry Cummings.
Running for the seat were Jeffrey Morales, Emily Jones and Kimberly Goodman.
Morales, who received 459 votes or 42.58% has lived in Buda since 2014, after moving from Kyle. He has a 25-year-old son, a Hays High School graduate, a 20-year-old son, who is a Johnson High School graduate, and a 12-year-old daughter, who attends Dahlstrom Middle School, according to previous reporting by the Hays Free Press.
The veteran shared that he brings a disciplined perspective to community service and has been involved in the community in various ways, including serving on the board of the Hays County Food Bank, graduating from the city’s and police department’s citizen academies, serving on city boards, participating in donation drives and acting as the Garlic Creek Homeowners Association president.
He ultimately decided to run for council to present the concerns of Buda’s citizens, driven by his love for the community and a strong work ethic, with goals to address project management and traffic, ensuring fiscal health and preserving the small-town feel and historic charm of Old Buda.
Goodman garnered 465 or 43.14% of votes and has lived in Buda for more than 20 years in Cimarron Park and Cullen Country, enjoying serving the community and loving the small-town vibe of the city, according to her biography. She has been a nurse for 24 years with an emergency room nursing background and she was the manager of the emergency room at St. David’s Hospital in downtown Austin for several years before transitioning to her current role of chief nurse executive for Austin State Hospital.
She has two children, Taylor, who is the program director for Austin Angels, and Jace, who is attending college and working fulltime.
She stated that she will protect: the small-town feel and prioritize local, small businesses; manage growth to minimize impact on water, traffic and schools; provide a seat at the table for neighborhoods and homeowners; continue the sound fiscal policy of Buda and “hold the line on taxes”; create more mental health awareness and resources; and increase fentanyl education and Narcan availability for the public.
Incumbent Matt Smith was vying for the Position 1 At-Large seat on the city council; however, due to running unopposed, he was deemed elected.
Of Buda’s eight propositions, Proposition A, which was to increase council pay, was the only one to fail.
UHLAND
City of Uhland voters in Hays County voted against Proposition A, with 140 votes or 59.83%, which proposed the issuance of $4.5 million in road bonds, with priority given to the following street projects: Flint Road, Sunny Ridge Drive, Rylea Court/Kaitlyn Place/Everett Drive, Summer Sun Cove, Misty Drive/Dustin’s Drive/Aarons Court, Grist Mill Overlay (SH 21 to Old Spanish Trail), Harvest Creek, Millcreek, Highland and Cotton Gin Estate.
Additionally, the election to fill the unexpired term for Uhland City Council Place 4 will head to a runoff Dec. 13 between candidates Mary LaPoint, 58 votes or 27.88%, and Alex Crunkleton, 59 votes or 28.37%.
Due to Uhland being in both Hays and Caldwell counties, votes will be combined for the final result, which was not available as of press time.
LaPoint previously served on the Uhland City Council, as well as the chief appraiser of Caldwell County, until her 2018 retirement.
Crunkleton is a husband and father of two and has an educational background in local government administration and economic development, according to his campaign page.
He stated that he will be an advocate for “responsible” balance between economic growth and resource management. He also hopes to increase civic engagement to keep Uhland “a great place for “people to land” in Texas.”
MOUNTAIN CITY
Three Alderman At Large positions were on the November 2025 ballot for Mountain City voters to consider. Voters were asked to select none, one, two or three.
On the ballot were incumbents Lee Taylor and Suzanne Hallam, along with Brett Burich. While Hunt Grundy was listed, he officially withdrew from the race — due to the timing of his withdrawal and the proximity to the start of early voting, Mountain City announced Oct. 17 that it was too late to modify the ballot or cancel the election along with the required office hours.
Voters elected Taylor, 111 votes or 31.99%, Hallam, 120 votes or 34.58% and Burich, 95 votes or 27.38% to fill the Alderman At Large positions.
Taylor has served on the council for multiple terms and, according to his 2025 application, he has resided in Texas for more than 78 years and within the precinct for 41 years.
Another incumbent, Hallam, has also served on the council for multiple terms.
Burich, according to his application, has resided in the state for 35 years and three months, with more than 20 of those in the district/precinct he is seeking election.
Voters also denied the Hays CISD Proposition A, with 9,679 votes or 61.09%, which would have raised the tax rate $0.12, for a total of $1.2746 per $100 valuation. According to the district, the tax rate increase would have brought an estimated additional $26 million in operational revenue.
Additionally, residents within the Hays County Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 1 jurisdiction — 35% of the northern part of the county, primarily in Driftwood, Dripping Springs and Henly — voted for proposition A, with 4,859 votes or 60.13%.
The ballot language read: “Approving the ad valorem tax rate of $0.05 per $100 valuation in North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1 for the current year, a rate that is $0.015565 higher per $100 valuation than the voter approval tax rate of North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1, for the purpose of maintenance, operation and funding of District projects. Last year, the ad valorem tax rate in North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1 was $0.031070 per $100 valuation.”
Since being the first ESD formed in Hays County in 1987, it has been pulling tax money from the district in order to provide emergency medical services to that portion of the county, according to previous reporting by the News-Dispatch. The tax rate was set at $0.025 per $100 valuation in 1987 and the tax cap — the highest an ESD can go without voter approval — was $0.03, stated chief Bob Luddy.
Then, in 1990, the tax rate itself was increased to $0.03 and has stayed the same since. In 2016, an election was held to raise the cap to $0.10, but that was unsuccessful, until it was later approved in 2023.
The proposition on the Nov. 4, ballot, according to previous reporting by the News-Dispatch, is the first time that Hays County ESD 1 is holding an election on the tax rate itself, as the district is not allowed to raise the rate significantly without going to an election, even though the cap is at $0.10.
The proposed tax increase, said Luddy, would provide funding for the following: additional medics for a fourth shift; maintaining 24/7 ambulance coverage; ensuring personnel are rested and prepared to respond; aligning response times with national standards; and maintaining essential equipment and ambulances.
For full vote counts on all ballot measures for Kyle, Buda, Uhland, Mountain City, Hays CISD and Hays County ESD No. 1, visit bit.ly/4qQaumn.
