Contested races and a key water district proposition headline Election Day, following 293 early votes cast
Early voting has concluded for the May 2, 2026, municipal elections, with a total of 293 ballots cast, according to the Terry County Joint Elections Office.
Of those, 239 ballots were cast in the City of Brownfield during early voting, representing potential voters in the mayoral race. In the Brownfield City Council District 2 contest, 25 early votes were recorded.
In Meadow, 19 early votes were cast in the ISD school board election, along with 10 ballots in the city election—indicating at least 10 early votes in the mayoral race.
Also, the total of 293 early votes cast is for Proposition A with the South Plains Underground Water Conservation District (SPUWCD).
With early voting now complete, attention turns to Election Day, where several contested races and a key proposition will be decided by voters across Terry County.
In the City of Brownfield, voters will choose between incumbent Mayor Eric Horton and challenger Chuck Nave. Horton is seeking re-election after serving in the role and overseeing ongoing city operations and initiatives. Nave’s candidacy creates a contested race that will determine the city’s leadership for the next term.
Brownfield City Council District 2 will feature a contested race, with incumbent Vanessa Valdonado facing challenger Elvis Rodriguez. Rodriguez is also currently a candidate in the Terry County Precinct 4 Commissioner Republican Primary, meaning he is seeking both county and municipal office during this election cycle.
District 1 incumbent Paul Vasquez and District 3 Lee Gamez ran unopposed.
In the City of Meadow, a contested mayoral race will also appear on the ballot. Incumbent Natalie Howard will face challenger Brandon Corley. For the Meadow City Council, Chase Flemming and Maria Fraire have filed and are unopposed.
In the City of Wellman, Cody Griffiths and Jake Rempel have filed for council positions and are expected to serve. Incumbent Lucia Ramirez was listed but had not filed at the time of reporting.
Voters will also decide leadership for the Brownfield Regional Medical Center Board. Incumbent Joe Silva has filed for re-election and faces no opposition. Additionally, Rae Campbell is set to fill the position being vacated by Jeffrey Davis, also without opposition.
Proposition A on the Ballot
Some 293 early voters across the SPUWCD have considered Proposition A, now on to the May 2, 2026, ballot, a measure that would increase the District’s maximum property tax cap for the first time since its creation more than 30 years ago.
According to the SPUWCD website, the district was established by voters in 1993 with a maximum tax rate of 2.5 cents per $100 valuation. Since that time, the District has operated within that cap, with Boards of Directors consistently working to control expenses while continuing to provide essential groundwater conservation services to the region.
For decades, that original cap has remained unchanged. However, District officials say growing financial pressures—including inflation, rising operational costs, and declining property valuations—have made it increasingly difficult to sustain programs at current funding levels.
The issue came into sharper focus following a small tax rate adjustment approved in late 2025. While the increase was intended to remain within all legal limits, it was later discovered that the change unintentionally pushed the 2026 tax rate slightly above the original 1993 voter-approved cap. For the average homeowner, the difference amounts to roughly $2 per year on a $100,000 property.
Because 2026 tax statements had already been mailed, the District was unable to correct the issue immediately. To address the error, SPUWCD officials say the 2027 tax rate will be reduced to offset the overage. The Board of Directors has acknowledged the mistake and described the correction as both fair and efficient for taxpayers.
Still, District leaders say the situation highlights a larger concern: the current tax cap, set in 1993, has not kept pace with more than three decades of economic change. In response, the Board has called for a special election asking voters to consider raising the cap to 5 cents per $100 valuation.
Officials emphasize that the proposal does not mean an immediate increase in taxes. Instead, it would give the District the flexibility to make gradual adjustments over time if needed. Under current state law, annual increases are limited by the voter-approval tax rate, meaning any significant jump would still require voter approval.
Based on historical trends, SPUWCD leaders say it could take many years—possibly decades—for the tax rate to approach the proposed cap, even with consistent annual increases.
Importantly, the proposed change would not affect tax bills in 2026 or 2027. Rather, it is intended as a long-term planning tool to ensure the District can continue meeting its responsibilities in groundwater conservation and management across Terry County and the surrounding area.
Residents with questions about Proposition A or the upcoming election are encouraged to contact SPUWCD at 806-637-7467 or visit the District office at 802 Tahoka Road in Brownfield.
Election Day
Election Day is set for Saturday, May 2, 2026. Polling locations for the Saturday, May 2, 2026 Municipal Election is listed below:
