Megan Navarro
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. According to the Hays County website, 37,031, or 19.52%, out of 189,688 registered voters cast a ballot. Results will remain unofficial until canvassed and certified.
Voters 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, 2025, 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.
Voters in the city of Woodcreek elected current council member Debra Hines to the mayoral seat, with 344 votes or 54.86%. Linnea Bailey was the opponent and received 283 votes or 45.14%.
A mother of three, Hines was born and raised in Woodcreek and is a current Woodcreek City Council member, completing her second term. She graduated from Wimberley High School and holds a master’s degree in teaching and Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and international relations.
She believes drainage and the funding of infrastructure improvements is the top priority for the city, followed by water conservation and the preservation of natural beauty.
“I take the conservation of our city’s resources seriously and plan to preserve and protect the Woodcreek we know and love. We do this by working together as a collective to advocate, educate and support harm reduction,” she said in a questionnaire published on Vote411.org.
Krista Richardson and Linda Swedberg were elected to Woodcreek City Council with 322 votes or 28.65% and 329 votes or 29.27%, respectively.
Richardson, who has served on Woodcreek City Council since 2023, lives in Woodcreek with her husband and two children and is currently a clinical director for a private medical practice. Her top priorities are public safety and water conservation.
“For my next term on city council, I will be committed to practical, proactive solutions that safeguard our residents and preserve our precious natural resources. I pledge to remain fiscally responsible while focusing on projects that will result in the long-term betterment of our city,” she said.
With 36 years of experience in government, including federal, state and county/city agencies, Swedburg is experienced in planning, budgeting and intergovernmental relations. She volunteers as a certified habitat steward with the National Wildlife Foundation to promote a natural, healthy environment.
Her top priorities include safe, well-maintained infrastructure and preserving the natural environment in Woodcreek.
“I want to be part of a council that helps Woodcreek build on recent achievements for its residents while preserving the unique beauty and character of this very special place we call home,” she said in a Facebook post.
The following are the complete elections results, which will remain unofficial until canvassed and certified:
City of Woodcreek, Mayor
Debra Hines: 344 (54.86%)
Linnea Bailey: 283 (45.14%)
City of Woodcreek, City Council (Top two)
Krista Richardson: 322 (28.65%)
Ryan Lynch: 194 (17.26%)
Linda Swedberg: 329 (29.27%)
Jose Tormo: 279 (24.82%)
North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1, Proposition A
For: 4,859 (60.13%)
Against: 3,222 (39.87%)
State Proposition 1
For: 24,981 (68.25%)
Against: 11,620 (31.75%)
State Proposition 2
For: 20,806 (56.87%)
Against: 15,777 (43.13%)
State Proposition 3
For: 19,170 (52.48%)
Against: 17,355 (47.52%)
State Proposition 4
For: 27,411 (75.02%)
Against: 9,125 (24.98%)
State Proposition 5
For: 22,058 (61.64%)
Against: 13,727 (38.36%)
State Proposition 6
For: 16,165 (45.43%)
Against: 19,420 (54.57%)
State Proposition 7
For: 31,265 (85.95%)
Against: 5,112 (14.05%)
State Proposition 8
For: 23,473 (64.19%)
Against: 13,097 (35.81%)
State Proposition 9
For: 19,713 (54.99%)
Against: 16,133 (45.01%)
State Proposition 10
For: 32,587 (89.60%)
Against: 3,782 (10.40%)
State Proposition 11
For: 27,593 (75.76%)
Against: 8,828 (24.24%)
State Proposition 12
For: 18,625 (52.12%)
Against: 17,109 (47.88%)
State Proposition 13
For: 28,859 (79.03%)
Against: 7,659 (20.97%)
State Proposition 14
For: 25,114 (69.15%)
Against: 11,203 (30.85%)
State Proposition 15
For: 21,313 (58.43%)
Against: 12,164 (41.57%)
State Proposition 16
For: 22,001 (60.20%)
Against: 14,544 (39.80%)
State Proposition 17
For: 16,852 (47.13%)
Against: 18,908 (52.87%)
*State propositions only include Hays County.
