It's budget time around the City and all the Council Members have picked up their "budget books" and are looking at the way we intend to spend the tax dollars in the coming year. A couple of good things happening - Travis County Emergency Services is covering the cost of our 9-1-1 service center again in the coming fiscal year - GREAT news - that means that we can back out the $32,000 that was going to that service.
It appears that the tax rate might just go down a little next year. At first glance, it appears that all the necessary services can be covered because of the increase in taxable values in the City. We have seen an appreciable increase in the total tax value in the City - lots of new homes and some commercial holdings - this is good news for the taxpayer.
The first budget work session will be held in Council Chambers on Monday August 12, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. Here is that agenda. There will be reports from department heads and City Manager and discussion of different expenditures. Mayor Pro Tem Taylor will lead the meeting in Mayor DeOme's absence.
Work is progressing on two major proposed projects in Lakeway. Representatives of the Stratus Group made a presentation to the City Building Commission on the proposed development at Glen Heather that would initially be home to a HEB, movie theater, restaurants and shops. The presentation was well received and they are planning a more in depth presentation at the next ZAPCO meeting.
Negotiations are also going on with Lexus over issues in their proposed development North of Clara Van. Neither project is a done deal, both will have hearings before CBC, ZAPCO and the City Council if they move forward - we'll see what happens!
ZAPCO met this week on Wednesday - here is that agenda. Most items were requested annexations and zoning and were unopposed and passed unanimously. A SUP (special use permit) was issued for Lakeway Dermatology for a new office. A SUP was denied for an auto showroom requested by BZ Motors.
CBC also met on Thursday - here is that agenda. All items passed and there were no issues. CBC seemed as a whole impressed with the presentation from Stratus on the Glen Heather development.
The City of Lakeway, LTISD and Travis County are doing a traffic survey on 620 between Bee Caves and North Lakeway to look at possible solutions to the continuing traffic issues.
If you didn't get the newsflash, there was an 84 year old lady that crashed into the Pac Mail in the Lakeway Commons. No one was injured but substantial damage was done to the meeting. 
Vandalism is forcing the Lakeway Dog Park to close for repairs. It seems that some juveniles drove a golf cart through fences, damaging them and caused other damage in the area. As you can see, damage is substantial. Here is a link to more information. Thanks to Devin Monk for the photo's - click on them to see a larger rendition.There will be an informal open house on the Flint Rock Road project to be held at the Activity Center on August 20th from 6-8 P.M. Drawings and maps will be available for viewing. The City is going forward on issuing the bonds to fund this project and that should come to Council on September.
The City is nearing the end of a RFQ for prospective architects to design the proposed justice center - this will be a large project.
Staff has been made aware of a proposal for an Alzheimer's patient care center at the corner of Rolling Green and Lohmans Crossing. This would require a SUP since it is adjacent to residential property. No application has been received at this point - but it would be a relatively small 16 bed facility.
Don't forget about the Honor Flight for World War II veterans. Here is a link to more information. Please support these folks, they helped make our country the wonderful place it is!
And finally - have you ever wondered how to test a battery without a volt meter? Here's the answer! Skip the ad if you want.
Thanks for all the support! If you want to get an email when I publish a new blog, just send an email to lakeway@bain.us and I'll put you on my email list.
Have a GREAT weekend - remember, we are on a once per week watering schedule now, go to http://www.lakewaymud.org/index.php to get your scheduled day and more information!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
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