Jason Dishongh and John F. Perez will square off in a June 16 run-off election after the two Leander City Council Place 5 candidates finished neck and neck in the May 12 city election.

Dishongh gained 37.55 percent of the vote to win the most support, but he did not get the necessary 50 percent majority to win the Place 5 seat outright. Perez received 36.29 percent of the vote, and Planning and Zoning Commissioner Sid Sokol, who earned 26.16 percent of the vote, was eliminated from the race.

Three incumbents also retained their spots on the council. Leander Mayor Pro Tem David Siebold successfully defended his Place 6 seat, gaining 57.91 percent of the vote versus 42.09 percent for challenger Randy Caldwell. Also, Councilwoman Michell Cantwell defeated Jerry Perez with 58.4 percent of the vote to retain her spot at Place 4. Kirsten Lynch ran unopposed for her Place 2 seat.

Cantwell and Siebold said after the election they plan to use their three-year extension in office to help Leander along in its growth. In fact, building permits have increased by double digits compared to last year, Cantwell said.

"Our debt is also something we need to get a good handle on," Cantwell said. "We can't be issuing any new debt that's frivolous. We need to address the necessities before we do anything on our wish list."

As the city's residential base grows, Siebold said that should help spur increases in commercial projects, too.

"Eventually that will attract employers," he said.