Early voting for a Kyle City Council runoff began May 31 after the District 1 race ended in an exact tie earlier this month. On May 17, Kyle City Council voted unanimously to call for a runoff election after incumbent Diane Hervol and challenger Travis Mitchell both received 510 votes. The day prior, a recount of the votes found no mistakes, meaning the results stood. Election day will be June 11. One of Hervol’s main concerns is the city's property tax rate. If re-elected, she would look into bringing more industry to Kyle. “My priority is going to be to see what I can do to reduce that tax rate in the future,” Hervol said. “In order to reduce it, we have to look for additional economic development to help offset the tax rate.” Hervol also said Kyle’s infrastructure is “in serious need of repair,” specifically wastewater lines and roads. Mitchell is also focused on Kyle’s tax rate. “My top priority would be tax relief through debt reduction,” he said. “I believe strongly that we need to create small business-friendly initiatives in Kyle. I’m a strong proponent for comprehensive downtown revitalization.” The most important step to rejuvenate downtown Kyle would be to create a coalition of property and business owners in the downtown community, he said. That group, along with the city, would lay out a vision for what downtown would come to look like in coming years. Both Hervol and Mitchell said they are optimistic going into the runoff. “No matter who you would vote for, the most important thing is to vote,” Mitchell said. Early voting will take place at Kyle City Hall, 100 W. Center Street, and will last until June 7, with the exception of June 5, which falls on a Sunday.