Calhoun County voters rejected a proposed tax increase for Calhoun County Independent School District in the Nov. 3 midterm election, according to unofficial results. The voter-approval tax rate election was defeated with 4,416 votes (73.43%) against and 1,598 votes (26.57%) for. The measure would have raised about $1.5 million a year.
Voters also reelected County Judge Vern Lyssy, who received 4,475 votes (71.90%) to 1,749 votes (28.10%) for challenger Allen Tippit. Precinct 1 Commissioner John Martinez won with 730 votes (59.45%) to 498 votes (40.55%) for Mark Gonzales.
Lyssy said he wants to focus on the hospital, housing and helping industry pay for some infrastructure in the county. Martinez said he will keep working on projects in his precinct, including a fire department station groundbreaking planned for Nov. 16. Election results remain unofficial until they are canvassed.