Abilene canvasses May 3 election: $20 million airport bond approved; Place 6 winner sworn, Place 5 heads to runoff

The Abilene City Council on May 3 formally canvassed the May 3 bond and general elections, certifying Measure A — a $20,000,000 airport bond — and declaring Travis Craver the winner for Council Place 6. The council also certified that no candidate received a majority for Place 5, triggering a runoff between Kyle McAllister and Miguel Espinosa.

City Secretary Shauna Atkinson presented the unofficial returns during the special meeting, reporting that Measure A passed with 2,738 votes (52.18 percent). Atkinson also reported that Travis Craver received 64.13 percent of the votes for Place 6, and that no candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes for Place 5, requiring a runoff.

Why it matters: The airport bond authorizes up to $20 million in borrowing for airport projects, subject to later steps required by law and financing procedures. The Place 5 runoff will determine the remaining council seat and may affect council composition; the city provided an estimated cost for the runoff.

Votes at a glance Measure A (airport bond, $20,000,000): Canvass approved. City Secretary reported 2,738 votes in favor (52.18 percent). Motion to approve the canvas was made by Councilman McAllister; roll-call reflected recorded “yes” votes by Council Member Beard, Council Member Reagan, Council Member Yates and Mayor Hurt. Motion carries.

Canvass of general election (council places 5 and 6): Canvass approved. City Secretary reported Travis Craver won Place 6 with 64.13 percent; Place 5 produced no majority, prompting a runoff between Kyle McAllister and Miguel Espinosa. Motion to approve the canvas was made by Councilman Yates and seconded by Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Craver; roll-call recorded affirmative votes including Yates, McAllister, Craver, Price, Beard, Reagan and Mayor Hurt. Motion carries.

Officials and next steps City Secretary Shauna Atkinson said early voting for the runoff begins May 30; the transcript did not list a complete early‑voting schedule. Atkinson said the last day to request a ballot by mail is May 27 and that the last day to register to vote had already passed. She provided an estimated cost for the runoff of $50,501.

State set the runoff date: Atkinson initially referenced June 6 but corrected that the runoff will occur on June 7, 2025; she said the date is set by the state. The council did not modify that date at the meeting.

Swearing-in Following certification, the council administered the oath of office to Travis Craver for Place 6. Craver repeated the oath and was sworn in for Place 6. Afterward, Craver addressed the council and attendees, praising voter turnout and civic engagement: “I just you know, I know that the results were result on paper. It's more than paper. I think it's or at least to me, it's a collection of, an incredible spirit in the city of Abilene for people who were the quiet stewards, who were citizens, who show up, and they knocked on doors. They gave money. They prayed.”

Meeting context and public comment The special meeting lasted under 10 minutes on the record and included no public speakers on the canvass items. The council took formal roll-call votes to approve canvasses and to administer the oath; no ordinance adoptions or budget appropriations were made at the meeting.

Ending The council completed certification of the May 3 election returns, swore in the newly elected Place 6 member and noted a state‑set runoff for Place 5 in early June. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:09 p.m.