BUDA – Voters in Buda will pick between the old and the new Saturday in a city council run-off election that promises to attract minimal participation.

Former Buda Mayor Billy Gray and city newcomer Scott Dodd survived the May 10 election for a new Buda City Council seat as the top two vote recipients in a three-way race.

Gray received an easy plurality of 180 votes, to 110 for Dodd and 104 for Todd Ruge.

Gray and Dodd are running for an added council seat provided by the city’s passage of a home rule charter last November.

The turnout Saturday is certain to be much smaller than the 13.89 percent who turned out on May 10.

That election also included a race for mayor, won by Bobby Lane, as well as a race for another council seat, won by Ron Fletcher. In addition, voters weighed in on an $86.7 million school bond election.

Gray is a Buda businessman who served on the city council from 1997 to 2000, then as mayor from 2000 to 2002. Gray moved to Buda from South Austin in 1995.

Dodd moved to Buda 16 months ago. He is a construction project manager for an Austin company.

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Dodd beats Gray in Buda council run-off | June 17, 2008
• Voter turnout varies in Saturday elections | May 11, 2008
• Buda’s crowded election | March 26, 2008
• Schools, local councils up for grabs on Election Day | May 10, 2008
• Changing city councils debut tonight | June 3, 2008