Martin, Ort, Berkman, McCary among winners Tuesday night

Voters in Granite Shoals selected new council members, while voters in Marble Falls ISD chose a pair of board members and residents in Highland Haven, Granite Shoals and two emergency service districts decided whether to approve sales tax propositions in Tuesday's general election.

Granite Shoals council

In complete but unofficial returns, it appears that Shirley Martin and Phil Ort will join the Granite Shoal City Council this month after winning election Tuesday night.

Running for the unexpired term in Place 5 created by Todd Holland moving out of town, Martin received 719 votes, or 59.13 percent, compared to 497 votes, or 40.87 percent, for Libby Edwards, who had been appointed to serve in Holland's stead until the election.

The Place 6 race, where Ort was running for the seat formerly held by Will Skinner, saw Ort receive 658 votes, or 51.77 percent, to 613 votes, or 48.23 percent, for Skinner, who was appointed interim mayor last month following the sudden resignation of Carl Brugger.

Had Skinner outgained Ort, the position would have been declared vacant (since Skinner cannot serve as both mayor and a councilman) and the council would have had to appoint someone within 30 days of the election.

Voters in Granite Shoals also reauthorized a one-cent sales and use tax to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets, with 972 votes (61.64 percent) in favor and 605 (38.36 percent) opposed.

The results are still considered unofficial until canvassed by the city council.

Marble Falls ISD

Marble Falls ISD voters returned incumbent Larry “Coach” Berkman to his Place 4 trustee seat while also selecting Mandy McCary to represent Place 3 in complete but unofficial returns Tuesday night.

Berkman received 6,553 votes, or 70.62 percent, to coast to re-election victory over challenger Justin Craig, who received 2,726 votes of 29.38 percent. Berkman, a retired teacher and small business owner, has previously served seven years on the MFISD board.

McCary took in 5,843 votes, or 72.51 percent, to 2,215 (27.49 percent) for challenger Shelley Brasher in the race to succeed Lee Ann Johnson, who did not seek re-election to the board.

The school board will canvass the results later this month.

Highland Haven tax issue

Highland Haven voters approved a two-cent sales and use tax within city limits by a 16-vote margin, 153-137. While there are not many businesses located in Highland Haven, the measure does also affect sales and use tax on items purchased online.

ESD 2 and ESD 5

Voters in both ESD 2 and ESD 5 approved sales and use tax propositions which will allow them to levey a two-cent sales tax in their jurisdictions. ESD 2 voters approved their measure by a 382-151 vote, while ESD 5 voters gave theirs a thumbs-up by a 463-311 margin.