Voters reject $394M in GISD bonds, embrace property tax relief

Voters on Saturday gave a firm thumbs down to two Granbury ISD bonds that would have added 20 cents per $100 valuation to their property tax rate and gave an enthusiastic thumbs up to two state property tax relief measures.

Also on the ballot were city elections for residents of Lipan and Cresson.

The GISD propositions, which totaled $394 million, were to enable the district to keep pace with its growing student population. Some schools are nearing capacity.

Under the plan, a new high school for 3,500 students was to be built and other campuses repurposed and remodeled.

In final unofficial vote tallies, the propositions were rejected by wide margins.

Early voting numbers indicated that both measures were likely to fail.

In early voting, Proposition A, $355 million to pay for school facilities and land, was rejected in a 65.71% to 34.29% vote split (3,031 votes against, and 1,582 in favor).

Proposition B, $39 million to pay for athletic stadiums, was snubbed by 69.21% of early voters, with 30.79% voting in favor (3,183 votes to 1,416).

The breakdown in unofficial final tallies was as follows:

• Proposition A: Against, 68.64% (5,207); For, 31.36% (2,379).
• Proposition B: Against, 72.75% (5,509); For, 27.25% (2,064).

Shortly after results were tallied, GISD Superintendent Jeremy Glenn issued a statement.

"Granbury ISD would like to thank our community for a strong turnout in this year’s bond election," the statement read. "The facilities proposed on the ballot were truly needed to accommodate future student growth, and provide equity within our district.

"While visiting with voters during the election we recognized there were many economic factors influencing decisions. We understand this was a difficult time for families to consider a tax increase. In the coming months we will take this feedback, study it and figure out how to better address the challenges of student growth in our schools. We look forward to a continued strong partnership with all stakeholders as we work to provide all students in our schools with an exemplary educational experience. Thank you for your involvement and genuine concern for our students, and GO PIRATES!"

State Propositions 1 and 2 were strongly favored by Hood County voters, and the same appeared to be true throughout the state.

At the time this article was published, Proposition 1 was favored by 87% of voters statewide with 1,738 of 4,023 polling locations reporting, and Proposition 2 was favored by 85%.

Here is the breakdown for those propositions in Hood County:

• Proposition 1: Early voting – For, 80.60% (3,672); against, 19.40% (884); Total: For, 80.53% (6,189); against, 19.47% (1,496).
• Proposition 2: Early voting – For, 83.49% (3,833); against, 16.51% (758). Total: For, 83.53% (6,472); against, 16.47% (1,276).

In Lipan, Mayor Mike Stowe won re-election, netting 55.56% of the ballots cast, or 50 votes, to challenger Tim Ross’ 44.44%, or 40 votes.

For Cresson City Council, Dana Perdue won Seat 2 by two votes — 78 to Roy Doolin’s 76 (50.65% to 49.35%).

For Seat 4, final tallies showed Bambi Bridges to have garnered 85 votes (55.19%) to Jack Farr’s 69 (44.81%).

Just over 10% of Hood County's 47,087 registered voters cast ballots during early voting.

With Election Day voting, voter participation was 16.97%.