Updated Nov. 7 at 9:37 p.m. 

On Tuesday, voters approved the creation of the Magnolia East Municipal Utility District, which spans 124 acres in Magnolia. All three voters who cast their ballots in the election also elected Douglas Dukes, Phil Evans, Mark Littlefield, Milledge McConnico and James Russell to the board of directors. Propositions to adopt a tax rate not to exceed $1.50 per $100 valuation and authorize the issuance of various bonds totaling more than $218 million for district improvements were also approved by voters Tuesday.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Magnolia City Administrator Paul Mendes previously said the city would benefit greatly from the sales tax revenue the district would provide, as the MUD is expected to generate $127.4 million in annual taxable value at build-out, according to a memorandum from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Original Post: Magnolia East Municipal Utility District propositions see support from early voters in Magnolia
Some Nov. 7 ballots in Magnolia included a proposition for the creation of the Magnolia East Municipal Utility District—slated for the southwest corner of FM 1488 at FM 149 in Magnolia—as well as propositions for a five-person board of directors, a maximum tax rate of $1.50 per $100 valuation and the issuance of bonds totaling more than $218 million for district improvements.

According to early voting results, 100 percent of early voters—all three of them—voted to support creation of the MUD. All early votes were also cast in support of the additional MUD-related propositions, including electing all five candidates to the board of directors.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

A municipal utility district, created by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, functions as an independent limited government entity that can levy a property tax to fund infrastructure and other improvements, according to the Texas Water Code.

According to a TCEQ memo, the proposed MUD—spanning 124 acres—would be developed by Magnolia East 149 LLC, which is managed by Austin-based development company Stratus Properties Inc. The proposed development will feature 600 apartments, 100 hotel rooms and 120 townhomes as well as retail, restaurant and commercial space. Development is set to begin in 2018, according to the memo.