Joshua City Council certifies special election, swears in Dustin Deese

The Joshua City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance canvassing the returns of the Dec. 13, 2025 special election and declared Dustin Deese the winner for City Council Place 1. City staff reported 94 total ballots cast, including three ballots returned by mail within the statutory deadline.

Council members then administered the oath of office and Dustin Deese took his seat as council member for Place 1. City staff provided the vote breakdown reported during the canvass: George Graw 19 votes (20.21%), Mark Rayburn 12 votes (12.77%), Shantel Moseley 10 votes (10.64%), and Dustin Deese 53 votes (56.38%).

Officials also reviewed election costs. Staff said the approved election budget was $5,600 and that, as of the morning of Dec. 15, $2,382 had been spent; the estimate for total special‑election costs was roughly $4,500. Councilmember direction was to request a budget amendment to include any needed increases for upcoming elections.

The motion to adopt the ordinance canvassing returns was made, seconded and approved by voice vote without recorded roll‑call (the mayor announced the vote was unanimous). After the canvass and oath, the mayor thanked all candidates for running and encouraged participation in the city’s May election.