“The future looks very, very bright for Salado.”

Mayor Skip Blancett said this tonight while celebrating the results of two local option elections.

Village of Salado approved a $10.55 million bond election for the construction of a sewer system for the business district and west side of I-35 in a heavily contested race with 579 casting in favor and 458 voting against. 

The difference was in the early vote when 429 voted in favor of the proposal and 308 voted against the proposal.

On election day, today, as the rains fell for much of the day, the turnout was much lower with 300 voting in the sewer election, splitting their ballots evenly, 150 for and 150 against, according to Precinct 203 Election Judge Eldon Miller.

The proposal for the legal sale of beer and wine was overwhelmingly approved by Village of Salado voters, 783 in favor and 229 against. In early voting 559 voted in favor and 158 voted against the proposal.

Salado Board of Aldermen will canvass the election results at their Nov. 13 meeting and will begin to “immediately work on the project,” according to Mayor Blancett.

Blancett said that aldermen would begin working with Jim Reed and city manager Kim Foutz on putting together a citizens committee with local participants who have experience in engineering and sewage treatment plants.

“The interest in Salado has been far greater than I would have expected,” Blancett said. He added that the board will sit down in a marathon session in early January to begin putting together a plan for implementing what he called “the voice of the voters.”

“We said that we would bring them an option and that their voice would be heard. They have told us what they want.” Blancett said.