July HEAT, Lake, Budget and More!

Man, has it been HOT!  It's not over yet - record breaking temperatures for the next few days and the air quality is also an issue.  African dust is still with us.  They're expecting a "cold front" that will bring the high temperatures down to the "low" 100's.  Ugh!  Stay inside if you can.

What about the lake?  Today at 658.38 (681 full) or about 9 feet below average for this time of year - 67% full.  Inflows are about 44 acre feet vs. 1575 going out - about a 1531 acre ft. deficit.  That doesn't include the evaporation from Travis which is more than area consumption!  We are dropping a little less than a foot a week.

Most MUD's in the area have water restrictions going on, please check your MUD's website for watering days and restrictions. 

Council will meet in Special Session Monday evening.  Here is the agenda.

Item 3) is an interlocal agreement with CAPCOG (Capital Area Council of Government) to support the Regional Air Quality program.  They monitor our air quality and help keep us out of non-attainment status.  San Antonio and Houston both have much hight restrictions because of their air quality - unfortunately they share their air quality with us too.

Item 4) Budget work session.  Presentation of the proposed budget by Steve Jones, City Manager and discussion.  Current tax rate in 17.4 cents per $100 evaluation.  Since property values have gone up, this rate should probably come down.  I don't have the current "roll back" rate but I'll try to get that info.
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Looks like the "bark park" will be closing from July 23-27 for improvements approved several months ago, funded by a generous donation in memoriam of Marinelle Thompson and the Lakeway Civic Corporation.  It will open again on July 28th.  Our city is blessed with generous residents that donate and work hard to make it better!

Looks like the pool will close from August 15 to September 17 for repairs.  They are replastering the lap pool and resurfacing the pool deck.  

Looks like Baylor Sscott & White bought Vibra and will integrate it in the BSW family.  Vibra is the rehabilitation facility behind HEB.

Building and Development is reviewing the plans for Jason's Deli that hopes to go in across from High Five in the Oaks.

Photo by LTFR Engineer/Inspector Doug Wheeler

We had a brush fire in Rough Hollow at the end of Peninsula Way.  LTFR was on it quick and took care of it before it had a chance to get out of hand.  

Be careful, watch any outside combustion including grills and cooking areas.  There are still many areas of Lakeway that are close to homes and a fire could impact them severely.  Thanks to the Firewise folks for working hard to make these areas safer!

That's all for now - hopefully the weather will cool off soon.  If you want to be added to my email list, send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get you added.

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us