Garland voters decided on Nov. 3 to return District 2 incumbent Deborah Morris and District 5 incumbent Rich Aubin to the City Council. In District 4, B.J. Williams will return to the Council after a one-term absence.
Garland voters also decided on Nov. 3 to build the new Walnut Creek Branch Library next to Hollabaugh Recreation Center. The City is in the process of retaining a design firm for the library. Design could start in January with construction starting a year after.
The library site at 3925 W. Walnut St. was chosen because it could accommodate a 16,000 square foot building, plus parking. It is accessible by a major street and within a mile of the existing Walnut Creek Branch Library.
The $10.9 million renovation and expansion project passed as part of the May 2019 election. But voters were asked to return to the polls because the new site is within the boundaries of Hollabaugh Park.
The City Council will canvass the results at its Nov. 17 meeting, followed by administering oaths of office to newly elected Council members.
While the District 1 seat was also on the Nov. 3 ballot, the lone candidate has since resigned. The City is awaiting a response to a request for a special election from the Governor’s office. In the meantime, Garland is taking applications from residents of District 1 who are interested in serving in an interim capacity. For questions about the process, call 972-205-2404 or email the City Secretary's Office.
According to Dallas County records, it had been since at least 1990 that Garland’s municipal elections fell on the same date as a presidential race. As a result, the library site drew more than 76,000 votes – far more than any Garland item ever put on a ballot. Previous top local hot-button items included a 2005 election to put beer and wine in Garland stores that drew more than 16,000 votes and a 1996 election to remain as a member city in Dallas Area Rapid Transit drew more than 15,000 votes.
Visit DallasCountyVotes.org for county-wide results.