Posted 9:09 p.m. CST

According to unofficial voting results, Proposition 1 has passed in Kyle. According to the results, 52.05 percent of voters have cast ballots in favor of Proposition 1, which would allow Hays County Emergency Services District No. 5 to collect one-half cent of sales tax in all parts of its service area that are not within the city limits of Kyle. All precincts are reporting.

The district will be able to begin sales tax collections as early as April 1.

ESD 5 President Beth Smith said the measure would allow the district to keep up with rapid growth that has stretched the district's personnel.

"I did think it would probably pass by more," Smith said. "But [I'm] glad that the taxpayers realized it had to pass to help us keep with growth."

The proposition caused a stir this summer when the city of Kyle began annexation proceedings on much of the area in which the district would be able to collect taxes. The district would not have been able to collect the tax had the city annexed the properties.

The annexations were originally scheduled to be completed by late October, but an error on the part of city staff forced the city of Kyle to restart the proceedings. Kyle officials believe they will still be legally able to collect sales tax if they complete the annexations before the end of the year, thus preventing ESD No. 5 from collecting its tax.

According to a report from the Hays Central Appraisal District, the properties to be annexed would generate about $22,000 annually.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.