I was privileged to read to the preschoolers at the Lake Travis Library Monday morning - what a great time and fantastic kids - they are doing a GREAT job at the Library and are serving the citizens and community well!
Also on Monday, Council adopted the Budget and Tax Rate for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. City Council completed the budget process for 2015-2016 last week. Council voted to continue with the current $.17 per $100 valuation; let me try to explain what this means. With the increased property valuations in the area, the average city tax bill will increase approximately $47 for the year – however, if your valuation stayed the same, the tax will stay the same. We decreased the tax rate for the last couple of years, but we also voted in some bond money for Flintrock Road and also the property designated for LTYA use. Our Maintenance and Operations (M&O) rate actually went down from $.1446 to $.1411, about a 2.42% reduction. We absorbed the bond payments last year, but were unable to do that again this year and continue the level of services that Lakeway residents expect. I’m confident with the increases in sales tax and commercial development that we will see our already low $.17 tax rate go down a little next year. My goal as Mayor is to maintain or improve the levels of service we provide, keep the high standards we all moved to Lakeway for and keep taxes as low as possible.
The City is hosting a presentation by Jessica Alderson, Urban Biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife regarding deer management. It will be open to all residents and will be held on November 18, 2015 at Council Chambers. Try to attend if you have questions about our Deer Management Program.
ZAPCO meets in regular session on Wednesday October 7th at 9:10 AM in Council Chambers. Here is a link to the agenda - looks like a fairly long meeting.
CBC will meet Thursday in regular session at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers - here is that agenda.
From Steve Jones:
Municipal Court reported that in September we issued 492 citations, 44 new warrants, and cleared 145 warrants.
Chessie and I met with Chuck Bechtel, HOA representative for Flintrock Falls, this week to discuss coordinating city permitting efforts with their HOA/ARB efforts. We are working together to address unpermitted building activity and compliance issues in the neighborhood.
We have received a few complaints about high water bills in Rough Hollow Highlands. I talked to the general manager of their MUD who informed me that the MUD purchase wholesale water from the West Travis County Public Utility Authority, and their rates are uncommonly high. The MUD said that they pass the cost through to the customer with no markup or fees. The MUD has also spent a considerable amount of time and money contesting the PUA’s water rates to no avail.
The Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce is considering establishing a visitor’s information center, and has inquired about using hotel occupancy tax to help fund one. Staff is working with the chamber to determine if funding is available. You may see an application for this in the future.
A draft of revisions to the short-term rental ordinance is on ZAPCO’s agenda for next week. I hope to have it on your agenda for deliberation this month also.
From Chief Radford:
Routine traffic stops resulted in the following charges; Out of Jurisdiction Warrants X 1, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia X 4, Possession of a Controlled Substance X 1, Driving under the Influence X 1, Driving while Intoxicated X 2.
Officers responded to a Disturbance call on Seawind. Upon arrival it was learned that a person was upset with a co-worker, parties were separated and no charges were filed.
Officers responded to a Plum Drive address for a prior Disturbance call. Upon arrival the two people that had been in an argument were separated, this case is being further investigated.
Officers responded to a Disturbance call on Wester Ross Lane. Three subjects were trying to evict a fourth subject from the property, person four was gone on arrival, subjects were advised of proper procedures for eviction.
Officers responded to a Lohman’s Crossing address in reference to a Deceased Person, subject was found deceased and pronounced by medical staff from Travis Co. EMS.
CID issued two citations for Class C Theft to two subjects in reference to a previously reported shoplifting case that occurred in the 1400 block of RR620 South. The stolen property in the case was destroyed/disposed of before it could be recovered.
CID interviewed a suspect in a previously reported theft that occurred in the 2400 block of RR620 South and obtained a confession. CID is in the process of recovering the stolen property. Due to the unwillingness of the victim to prosecute, the case will be closed without charges being filed.
The Lakeway Police Foundation provided meals this week with the help of Schmidt’s Barbecue and Craigo’s Pizza. We wanted to recognize the hard work of our police staff. Mayor Bain stopped by to show his appreciation and talked with the officers.
In our upstairs foyer is a new set of drawings that were supplied by local kids, thanking the police department staff for all that they do to keep our community safe.
===========================
The Lakeway Police Foundation Gala is November 6th. Tickets can be purchased online. Here is a link to the event page - it's a GREAT night for a GREAT cause. Please sign up or buy a table, support your Lakeway Police Department!
Get out and enjoy the day - see you around Lakeway!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
No comments:
Post a Comment