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Jefferson County courthouse
Local voters who participated in the May 7 elections set up several run-offs, decided most of the races before them and joined with statewide ballot-casters to approve a pair of Constitutional amendments aimed at offering reprieve to homeowners’ taxes.
Both approved amendments concern ad valorem taxes that may be imposed on Texas homeowners, according to information from the Texas Secretary of State. The propositions will lower the amount of property values upon which those taxes are calculated.
Approving the measure with nearly 87% of ballots cast to support Proposition 1, voters authorized the state legislature to “provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.”
That means homeowners who have a disability or are at least 65 years old can qualify to have school district property taxes capped.
Likewise, local voters reflected those statewide when responding to Proposition 2, which proposed to raise the amount homeowners may exclude from their taxes under the homestead exemption. Statewide, approximately 85% of voters approved the proposal to raise the cap on homestead exemptions from $25,000 to $40,000.
Jefferson County races
According to data from the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, 5% of eligible residents exercised their right to vote in the May 7 elections. Approximately 77% of Jefferson County voters approved a Sabine-Neches Navigation District proposition that will authorize the entity to use a portion of its existing maintenance tax revenues to secure funds for deepening the ship channel.
In the race for Port Arthur’s top executive office, incumbent Mayor Thurman Bartie secured 47% of the vote – shy of the majority requirement. The run-off election is set for June 11, pitting Mayor Bartie against Floyd Batiste, who claimed approximately 27% of the vote as the second-place candidate.
Five candidates competed in the race to fill two board of trustees seats over the Port Arthur Independent School District, with Jacori Narcisse and Kimberly Wycoff-Johnson earning the most votes at 25% each.
Orange County
Voters in the city of Orange elected Mary McKenna as city councilor for Place 4 and Caroline Hennigan for an at-large position.
Vidorian voters decided two city council positions and four school district trustees May 7, with only one city council competition heading for a runoff. Nicole McGowan won the race for Ward 2 and Gary Herrera won his race for Ward 5, while Ronnie Herrera and Michael Thompson will be placed in a run-off election June 12. In the races to fill Vidor Independent School District trustee seats, Kimberly Crossley won Position 1, David Camp won Position 3, Gina VanDevender won Position 4 and Mike Marion won Position 5.
Bridge City voters approved a pair of bonds that will result in the construction of a new middle school for 6th through 8th grade students, as well as a new high school career and technical facility. Voters approved the $57-million middle school bond with 65% approving it, while 66% voted in favor of the $14-million career and technical school.
Rebecca Rutledge won her race for Place 3 trustee over the Bridge City Independent School District. Soon-to-be City Councilor Mike Reed won in the race for Bridge City Place 2.
Hardin County
Communities in Hardin County elected a host of officials over election weekend. Kountze’s incumbent mayor, Fred Williams, retained his position with 60% of 198 voters. In Kountze City Council races, Andrea Cutwright won Place 1 and Jack Darden won Place 2.
Sour Lake voters elected two alderpersons, with incumbent Shannon McDonald claiming a wide majority and Connie Murphy earning the second spot.
Voters in the three-neighborhood town of Rose Hill Acres also elected two alderpersons to the community’s council. Lacey Stinebrickner won Position 4 and Chad McCown won Position 5.