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Voters support $137 million in GISD bonds

Georgetown ISD trustees will move forward with the purchase and installation of 42 security cameras at Georgetown High School, and get started next week on design plans for Phase II of East View High School after both Propositions 1 and 2 cinched more than 60 percent of the vote Tuesday.

“It’s a great statement of the priorities of our community,” said Bob Brent, chairman of the Citizens Bond Committee. “Youth and education is top of the list, and it always has been.”

By 11:30 p.m. Tuesday unofficial results from the Williamson County elections office showed that the $90.1 million Proposition 1, which will fund Phase II of East View High School, renovate Georgetown High School, build a new McCoy Elementary campus and storage warehouse, and handle other technology and security upgrades and district-wide renovations, passed with 63.48 percent of the vote; the $47.2 million Proposition 2, which will fund a fourth middle school, 11th elementary school and the plot for a future elementary school site, passed with 60.17 percent of the vote. 12:02am

Initiative passes by overwhelming margin

Georgetown voters gave a hearty toast to the city’s future economic health. Despite a late opposition push against the Local Option Election, Georgetown voters unanimously supported lifting alcohol permit restrictions for retailers on the Square, Old Town, Sun City and Berry Creek, according to unofficial vote tallies. Nearly 80 percent — or 13,511 voters — support what was initially dubbed the Winery Initiative, while 20 percent — or 20 percent voters — voted against the measure. Karin Truxillo, co-chairman of the Local Option Election, called the election landslide a victory for new businesses looking to relocate to the city. “This vote by supporters evens the playing field,” Ms. Truxillo said. “Georgetown is going to reap major benefits as a result of this initiative passing.” With the local option initiative passing, future bars and restaurants will no longer have to purchase expensive liquor licenses for their establishments. Georgetown wineries will also no longer have to meet a quota to purchase a percentage of Texas grapes used to manufacture wine in the city. Opponents against the Local Option Election claim that if the measure passes, Georgetown will run the risk of having too many bars and restaurants in major commercial centers that serve alcohol, a claim dismissed by organizers and city codes and ordinances that prohibit the establishment of bar within 750 feet of another bar in Georgetown. Mayor George Garver said now that the local option election has passed, brighter days are ahead for the city. “The city will see an immediate impact as a result of this vote,” Mr. Garver said. “This is going to be a wonderful thing for our city and its future growth.” 12:24am

Voters reauthorize street maintenance sales tax initiative

Georgetown voters signed off for a third time on the continuation of the city’s 0.25 percent sales tax initiative for street maintenance. Nearly 78 percent — or 13,232 voters — were in favor of initiating the quarter-cent allocation, while 22 percent — or 3,773 voters — disapproved of the measure.

Keith Hutchinson, Georgetown spokesman, said Tuesday night that the quarter-cent sales tax will help pay for various street maintenance projects across the city, adding that the money is taken from the city’s 8.25 percent sales tax revenue collected from everyone — including nonresidents — that shop and eat in the city. Georgetown voters first approved the quarter-cent sales tax in 2002, and reauthorized in 2006 with 72 percent of the vote.

Mr. Hutchinson said under state law, the city must place the item on the ballot in order for the allocation to continue another four years. Since April 2003, more than $10.8 million in sales tax revenue has been collected in Georgetown for street resurfacing and rehabilitation.

The street maintenance budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which began October 1, includes $873,000 in general fund money, and $1.56 million from the quarter-cent sales tax for continued street maintenance. Mayor George Garver said the allocation is another way taxpayers are saving money.

“This didn’t cost our people any additional money,” Mr. Garver said. “This was a very successful proposition that has proven it can pay for itself.” 12:42am

Gonzales unseats Maldonado in District 52 race

State Rep. Diana Maldonado, after winning her House seat in 2008 with less than 50 percent of the vote, conceded Tuesday night to Republican Larry Gonzales, who won with 57 percent. Of the 41,813 votes cast, Ms. Maldonado took 38 percent, while Libertarian candidate Charles McCoy took 4 percent. At a gathering of Williamson County Republicans at the Wingate in Round Rock, Mr. Gonzales said his opponent was voted out of office for not representing the values of her district. “This is a conservative district with conservative constituents and you need to be in line with those principles,” he said. Mr. Gonzales, a long-time staffer at the capitol, said he would have no problem adjusting to his first term as an elected official.

“I’ve been a part of the capitol for so long, the learning curve is going to be zero,” he said. Ms. Maldonado didn’t hold back from castigating her opponent in her concession speech. She said the hallmarks of his campaign were “dirty tactics, lies and dishonesty.”

She also said he was funded by special interests who funneled large sums of money into his campaign. “It wasn’t his campaign, he didn’t lift a finger,” Ms. Maldonado said of his victory. House District 52, which includes Round Rock, Taylor, Hutto, Thrall and parts of Georgetown and northwest Austin, was one of the most hotly contested races in the state. Ms. Maldonado raised less than half the money of Mr. Gonzales, who received hundreds of thousands of dollars more than his opponent — much from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and homebuilder Bob Perry of Houston. As a legislator, Mr. Gonzales said he would try to motivate a discussion about “the role of government.” “You have to step back and look at the big picture,” he said. 12:29am

Farney claims victory in State Board of Education election

Georgetown’s own Marsha Farney, who’s billed herself for months as a “common sense conservative,” has been elected to the District 10 seat of the State Board of Education.

With nearly 99 percent of the race’s 596 precincts reporting by midnight, Ms. Farney received nearly 253,000 votes, securing the win with nearly 56 percent of the vote. Democratic challenger Judy Jennings pulled in roughly 40 percent of the vote; Libertarian Jessica Dreesen rounded things out with more than 18,400 votes.

“I am very proud to be your representative,” Ms. Farney told a crowd of GOP supporters at the Williamson County Republicans’ victory party in Round Rock Tuesday night. “There will never be a day that I work that I don’t remember you … it’s going to be an honor to serve you and to serve our children.” 12:11am