August Regular City Council Meeting Recap
Lakeway City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 15. Here is a recap from that meeting:

INTERIM CITY MANAGER
City Council approved the Consent Agenda (7-0), which included selecting an Interim City Manager. City Manager Julie Oakley's final day with the City of Lakeway will be on Friday, Sept. 2, upon which time Assistant City Manager Joseph Molis will take over as Interim City Manager.

FINANCIAL REPORT
City Manager Julie Oakley gave an update on the City of Lakeway's financials so far this fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30, 2022. In the past ten months of this current budget cycle, revenue remains ahead of budgeted expectations by $1,049,927, mainly due to higher-than-projected sales tax revenue and a large commercial permit payment. Expenditures continue running below budgeted expectations by $414,932, mainly due to salary savings.

AV ZONING ORDINANCE UPDATE
Following a presentation from Aviation Zoning Committee Chair Ron Massa, City Council voted in favor (7-0) of amending the ordinance pertaining to the Lakeway Airpark. There were additional amendments to the motion, which also included thanking and dissolving the AV Zoning Committee, since their work is complete. Additionally, the vote was made with the understanding that the enforcement piece would be put in. Otherwise, if the enforcement piece does not come, the item will be brought back to City Council before the effective date, which is set for Nov. 1, 2022.

DONATION
A $15,000 donation was made by Mayor & Mrs. Kilgore, which will go towards assisting with employee medical expenses and the victims assistance program. After a discussion regarding the pending revisions to the ethics ordinance, City Council voted (4-2) to accept the donation, with Mayor Kilgore not present, having removed himself from the Chamber to avoid any potential conflicts of interest associated with the agenda item.

TAX RATE PROPOSAL
City Council voted in favor (7-0) of proposing a maximum possible tax rate of .1290, which is about 17% lower than the current tax rate of .1545, and the lowest tax rate proposed in Lakeway's history. With this rate, the average homeowner would save about $40 a year on their City property tax bill. A public hearing will take place on September 12, with City Council voting to approve the FY 2023 budget and tax rate at the regular City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022.

TRANSPORTATION BOND
City Council voted to approve (6-1) a transportation bond that would go to the voters in November. The transportation bond totals $17.5 million and would include a variety of transportation projects including culvert upgrades, road maintenance work, and projects to improve connectivity.

CITY COUNCIL TIME CHANGE
City Council voted in favor (7-0) to move the time of the regular City Council meetings to begin at 6 p.m., instead of 6:30 p.m. The change will become effective Oct. 1, 2022.

WATER CONSERVATION
City Council voted in favor (5-2) of a resolution relating to securing the area's water supply by improving water management policies and promoting water conservation in the region and the Lower Colorado River Basin.

If you would like to review the agenda and watch the video from Monday night's City Council meeting, CLICK HERE.
Back To School Traffic
As many drivers noticed this week, school is back in session. Lake Travis ISD is experiencing a bus driver shortage this school year, which means more parents are on the road to pick up or drop off their child at one of the area schools. A good rule of thumb is that if you can carpool, try to do so during the weekdays. Also, have some patience as traffic delays will be likely while school is in session.

For those traveling on RM 620 in the early morning or late afternoon hours, expect significant delays near Lake Travis High School to the South of Lakeway, and Lake Travis Elementary, along with Hudson Bend Middle School to the North of Lakeway. If you're dropping off or picking up a child at the middle school, please avoid blocking traffic on RM 620. You can also expect delays along Lohmans Crossing Road in front of Lakeway Elementary School during the morning rush hour and mid-afternoon hours. For those parents picking up or dropping off at Rough Hollow Elementary School, please do not park or block Bee Creek Road. Instead, move to the shoulder to allow other traffic and emergency vehicles to pass. Lakeway police will continue ramping up enforcement in school zones, so please watch your speed and keep an extra eye out for children near the roadways. CLICK HERE for more information on traffic, bus transportation and school safety.
Making Upgrades To Your Home? You May Need A Permit
It can be a little confusing knowing when you may need or not need a permit if you're doing maintenance or making upgrades to your home or property. It's always a good rule of thumb to review any project plans with the City of Lakeway's Building & Development Services Department first to determine what permit(s) may be required, before getting started. Permits are generally not required for minor improvements or repairs. However, any project requiring structural, electrical, mechanical or plumbing alterations will require one.

According to Sec. 24.02.081 of Lakeway's Code of Ordinances, the following requires a permit:

  • New construction.
  • Additions (Screened porches; sunrooms; finished basements; carport/garage conversions; outdoor living/swimming pools; boat docks; patios; deck enclosures).
  • New siding or replacement; driveway replacement; flatwork; retaining walls; framing modifications.
  • HVAC addition.
  • Decks exceeding 200 sq. ft., attached to the main home and constructed more than 30-inches above grade.
  • New fence; extension or replacement that alters its original placement or design.
  • Roof replacement or alteration that changes the design, material or slope.

Along with potential delays, work without the proper permit can result in fines and fees totaling well over twice its original cost. Also, if the project requires a variance, but your post-completion application is denied, you may be required to re-work or even remove the improvements. If you have questions, please email the BDS Department at [email protected] or by calling (512) 314-7540.
City Manager Farewell Party

The community is invited to come out and celebrate City Manager Julie Oakley's final days with the City of Lakeway at a special farewell party on Tuesday, Aug. 30 between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Lakeway City Hall (1102 Lohmans Crossing Rd.). This is a come-and-go casual event, with an opportunity to help send well wishes to Julie as she takes the next step of her professional journey. Light snacks will also be provided. Julie recently accepted a position with a top national accounting firm. Her final day as City Manager with Lakeway will be on Friday, Sept. 2. She has worked in various roles with the City of Lakeway for the past 12 years, including Finance Director and Assistant City Manager.
Cool Arts Studio Deadline

Deadline for registering your home art studio to be featured as part of the Cool Arts Show & Studio Tour ends this coming weekend (August 20). The show and tour will take place August 27 & 28. The Cool Arts Show will take place on Saturday, August 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lakeway Activity Center. The studio tours will take place August 27 & August 28 at various home locations throughout Lakeway. A list of those home studios (including times and addresses) will be available to pick up at the Lakeway Activity Center starting next week. If you're an artist interested in participating as part of the studio tour, please call (512) 261-1010 or email [email protected]. CLICK HERE for more information.
Aug. 27 & 28
Monday, Aug. 29 @ 530PM
Tuesday, Aug. 30 @ 430 PM