Buda voters approve later hours for alcohol sales
Buda voters on Tuesday gave their approval for a proposition that will allow mixed beverage late hours permit holders the ability to serve and sell alcohol until 2 a.m.
Proposition 1, the referendum for extending alcohol sale hours, passed on Election Day with 58 percent of the vote. This despite the measure only holding 50 percent of the vote after early voting numbers were released.
Buda Mayor Todd Ruge, however, said he “had a feeling” the measure would pass.
According to Ruge, it stems from surveys that showed citizens wanted more entertainment options in Buda, specifically for an older crowd.
“What this will do for the city is it will bring in more revenue, and stop leakage, so we can keep those tax dollars at home,” Ruge said.
Council runoff in Buda
Political newcomer David Nuckels and incumbent Jose Montoya will square off in a run-off for the Buda City Council Place 3 seat.
Montoya, who was in second place behind Nuckels after early voting numbers were released, rallied on Election Day Tuesday to capture 39 percent of the vote.
But Nuckels, who is running in his first political campaign, forced a runoff by capturing 37 percent of the vote.
Place 3 candidate Basil J. Lombardo finished third in the voting with 140 votes, or 22 percent of the vote.
Unofficial final results:
Buda City Council, PL. 3
Jose Montoya
245 votes
(71 early voting) – 39.90%
David Nuckels
229 votes
(86 early voting) – 37.30%
Basil J. Lombardo
140 votes
(40 early voting – 22.80%
Buda City Council, PL. 4
George Haehn
509 votes (100%)
Mountain City City Council
In Mountain City, where three city council seats were up for grabs, Suzanne Hallam, Ralph McClendon and Lee Taylor claimed their seats on the dais.
Hallam, who held the lead after early voting numbers were released, led all five candidates by capturing 138 of the 439 total votes. Ralph McClendon and Lee Taylor both captured 131 votes, or 29.84 percent.
Mountain City City Council (Three seats)
Suzanne Hallam
138 votes
(95 early voting) – 31.44%
Ralph McClendon, Jr.
131 votes
(93 early voting) – 29.84%
Lee Taylor
131 votes
(90 early voting) – 29.84%
Thomas W. Brown, Jr.
22 votes
(16 early voting) – 5.01%
Elva Brown
17 votes
(11 early voting) – 3.87%
