Updated 10:37 p.m. CST
According to unofficial results, George Haehn has won the Buda City Council Place 4 seat. Haehn garnered 52.63 percent of the votes compared to incumbent Cathy Chilcote's 47.37 percent.
Eileen Altmiller took 66.18 percent of the vote to beat Jim Corry for the Place 5 seat, and Jose Montoya beat Taryn Guerrero Davis with 53.98 percent of the votes to take the Place 3 seat.
Proposition 1, which will allow businesses to obtain beer and wine permits, was approved with 79.22 percent of voters in support of the measure.
Growth was the most common subject during the campaign. Haehn said the Buda 2030 Plan will be one of his top priorities.
"We paid $800,000 and spent eight months to develop the Buda 2030 Plan and it seems like it's been put to the side for other issues," Haehn said. "I would like to get as much consensus as I can to focus on the 2030 Plan to develop Buda in a smart and responsible way."
Chilcote said she was slow to get her campaign started because of a "financial situation."
"We'll have to wait and see what the final numbers are," she said. "I think we've both run a hard race. The results right now are not unexpected."
Eileen Altmiller has beaten her challenger Jim Corry by taking 66.18 percent of the vote. Altmiller said she is pleased with the results and will maintain her focus on the community.
"I really care about quality of life issues and I'll continue to work on those," Altmiller said. "Sometimes its boring things, like sewage treatment plants, but sometimes it's parks and libraries.There are a lot of things to work on."
Montoya took the Place 3 seat after his challenger, Taryn Guerrero Davis, dropped out of the race in October. Her name remained on the ballot and Montoya said this caused some confusion for voters.
"I was sweating bullets when the early results came in and it had her leading by 14 votes," Montoya said. "I'm glad it's over and I'm pleased to serve."
Voters also overwhelmingly passed the Proposition 1 which will allow businesses to apply for wine and beer permits, which are much less costly than the current alcohol permits that are available.
Montoya said Proposition 1 will bring a great economic boon to the city but he will also be interested in the social impact the new law has.
"I'd rather see them get drunk in Buda than get drunk in Austin and have to drive back, and hopefully they'll have enough sense to call someone to pick them up," Montoya said.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Posted 8:25 p.m. CST
According to unofficial results, Eileen Altmiller is leading Jim Corry for Dawn Schaeffer's unexpired Place 5 seat on Buda City Council, and George Haehn is leading incumbent Cathy Chilcote in the race for the Place 4 seat.
Altmiller currently leads with 66.06 percent to Corry's 33.94 percent, and Haehn has 54.47 percent, leading Chilcote's 45.53 percent. Jose Montoya was facing Taryn Guerrero Davis in the race for the Place 3 until Guerrero Davis dropped out of the race in October. Guerrero Davis' name did not pull out of the election in time for her name to be withdrawn and Montoya currently leads that race with 50.98 percent to Guerrero Davis' 49.02 percent.
Voters are also turning out in support of the Local Option Proposition, a proposal to loosen the city's liquor laws by allowing establishments to serve only beer and wine. So far, voters have voted 79.22 percent in favor of the proposition.
"I'm encouraged," Altmiller said. "Obviously it's not over until it's over but I'm encouraged by the early votes."
Buda's growth has been a recurring issue throughout the race.
Chilcote highlighted the council's need for experience at the Buda Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum on Oct. 15.
"I've been a strong voice, someone who is not afraid to speak up," Chilcote said. "I stood up to bullies on the council in the last several years. Sometimes I have been the only 'nay' vote, and I'm not afraid to take that road."
At the Oct. 15 forum, Montoya said he was committed to maintaining the city's "small-town feel." Montoya has previously served on the planning and zoning commission and the zoning board of adjustments.
"I want to make sure we don't just become another Round Rock or Kyle," Montoya said. "This is Buda, and I want to keep it Buda."
The passage of the Local Option Proposition will allow establishments to apply for a $900 two-year permit to sell only beer and wine. Previously the only license available to businesses was a two-year mixed beverage license that costs $2,000–$6,000.
Altmiller said the city has passed ordinances that will restrict the placement of establishments with a beer and wine license to within 300 feet of churches. Altmiller also said the permits will provide increased revenue for the city.
"I think everyone wants to make sure that we get all the sales tax income that we can and so I think everyone agrees on that," Altmiller said.
City Council voted Oct. 30 to hold a special election Dec. 8 to fill Sarah Mangham's vacated mayoral seat.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.