Sunrise Beach voters cast their ballots overwhelmingly rejecting a proposition Nov. 4 that would require a city manager/council form of municipal government, according to preliminary Llano County election results.
Proposition A failed 72.2% (296 votes) against to 27.8% (114 votes) for changing the city's form of government. A total of 410 residents voted.
The Village of Sunrise Beach, approximately 900 residents, currently has a mayor/council form of government where the all-volunteer elected councilors steward about a dozen paid city staff.
A group petitioned to put the item on the ballot for the November election.
Early voting went from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31, followed by Election Day, Nov. 4.
Supporters touted the benefits of a city manager who could direct the city in its acquisition and/or upgrades of a new water system.
The municipality's water system is comprised of four groundwater wells – two of which are being used. The city also has a pumping station, clear well and storage tank (atop Sandy Mountain).
Estimates put the project to upgrade the system at $10-12 million.
Opponents decried the salary and benefits cost of a city manager at approximately $110-150,000 dollars per year.
With a .11744 property tax rate and a sales tax, Sunrise Beach generates revenue for a $1.2 million city budget. There is no wastewater system. Residents maintain individual private septic systems.
