LEANDER, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Leander voters on Saturday voted to remain a part of CapMetro, continuing a 37-year membership in the regional transit agency and avoiding a financial penalty of more than $40 million.
Final, unofficial vote tallies from city officials showed 58.52% of voters approving Proposition A. Just over 6,600 ballots were cast. The measure prompted strong turnout during both early voting and election day, with about 40% of votes in the race cast on Saturday.
A vote against Proposition A would have immediately ended CapMetro services within Leander, although the city would still be on the hook for its share of CapMetro's debt and other obligations. Officials had previously estimated that price tag, based on a formula in state law, at more than $42 million.
CapMetro collects a 1% sales tax levy in Leander, which amounted to nearly $10 million in 2021. Leander first joined the regional transit agency in 1985, and more than 66% of the city's voters chose to remain a member in 2000.
Opponents of the service say the city doesn't receive enough services for the money, and that the sales tax revenue could be better utilized.
A companion ballot measure, Proposition B, asked voters to approve an increase in the city's sales tax rate from 1% to 2% - but only if voters rejected Proposition A. Voters rejected that measure by a 58% vote.