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August City Council Special Meeting Recap |
A City Council Special Meeting was held on Monday, Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Lakeway City Hall. Here is a brief recap from that meeting:
MOMENT OF SILENCE
Mayor Kilgore led a moment of silence for the passing of Charles "Chuck" Petter, who served the City Building Commission for over 25 years.
BUDGET WORK SESSION
The City of Lakeway Arts Committee gave an update on their budget requests for FY 2023, which included another Austin Symphony Orchestra concert in Spring. City Council voted (7-0) to approve moving the budget request into the FY 2023 budget while it is still being worked on. Then, City Manager Julie Oakley gave an update on the upcoming budget, showing growth of taxable ad valorem (new and current home values) was nearly 24% higher in 2022 compared to 2021, or just over $7 billion for 2022 in taxable ad valorem (property tax) in the City of Lakeway. The average taxable value of a home last year was $604,530 in 2021 and for 2022 is $692,587. Therefore, the No New Revenue Tax Rate (which is the rate bringing in the same amount of property tax income into the city) for 2022 is .1290, which is 17% lower than the current .1545 tax rate. This lower No New Revenue Tax Rate would calculate to a $40 decrease in the average homeowner property tax bill for Lakeway residents if City Council approves that tax rate. The budget discussion will continue through next month, with a final vote on the FY 2023 budget and tax rate taking place on Monday, September 19.
HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION
City Council approved (7-0) the Over 65 Homestead Tax Exemption increase from $15,000 to $25,000 for eligible properties. Senior residential accounts make up about 23% of residential properties in the City, and the change would save eligible properties $30 a year on their City of Lakeway property taxes. The City of Lakeway increased the exemption from $5,000 to $15,000 this time last year.
ORDINANCE CHANGE UPDATES
City Council approved (5-2) the updated Home Occupation Ordinance with a special section on home daycare operations. The vote included several updates in the discussion. CLICK HERE to view the updated version. City Council also voted (6-1) to have the Lakeway Ethics Committee continue revising the Ethics Ordinance, with the updated language brought back to Council at a later date for a potential vote.
TRANSPORTATION BOND DISCUSSION
City Council further discussed transportation projects that would potentially go as a bond to the voters in November. City Council plans to vote on a potential bond at the next City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 15. CLICK HERE to see a list of those projects (scroll to page 50).
If you're interested in viewing the video and agenda from Monday night's meeting, please CLICK HERE.
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Join the Lakeway Parks & Recreation team starting this evening and through next week for multiple events as part of Lakeway's 'Shark Week.' The excitement begins tonight (Friday, Aug. 5) with a Rhythm & Reels showing of the movie "Shark Tale" starting at 7 p.m. at Lakeway City Park. Arrive early (around 6 p.m.) for some live music, pizza slices for purchase by Craig O's and to find a good place to sit for the movie. Then, head over to the Lakeway Swim Center this Sunday, Aug. 7 for a Shark Pool Party from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Ride a shark and take a photo with Sharkie, the Shark Week Mascot. Finally, starting today through next Thursday (Aug. 5 -11), participate in a Shark in the Park Scavenger Hunt. Take a walk in the park and find clues to submit for a potential prize. More details about the scavenger hunt and other activities can be found on our website by CLICKING HERE.
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The White House declared monkeypox a public health emergency this week, which can trigger grant funding and open up more resources for different levels of a federal response.
Austin Public Health and Travis County both have webpages set up with helpful information on monkeypox. The disease is now considered community spread in the Austin area. According to the CDC, monkeypox is not commonly seen in the U.S., but cases have been growing over the past few months across the country and in the Central Texas area. Typical symptoms include fever, malaise, and a rash that may appear as pimples or blisters. Monkeypox is spread by close contact with an infected person, or by touching clothing or linens that were in contact with an infected person's rash or body fluids. According to Austin Public Health, you can protect yourself from monkeypox through the following:
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with rash or scabs from a person with monkeypox.
- Do not touch bedding, clothes or surfaces touched by a person with monkeypox without gloves and clothing, and wearing a mask.
- Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitizer after coming into contact with a person with monkeypox.
- Wear a mask when in close quarters (less than 6 feet) to someone with monkeypox.
Austin Public Health has a limited supply of the monkeypox vaccine and is evaluating those who are at higher risk for getting the disease for vaccination eligibility. You can call (512) 972-5560 for more information or CLICK HERE.
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Indoor Garage Sale
The next Lakeway Indoor Garage Sale will take place Saturday, Sept. 10 from 8 a.m. through noon at the Lakeway Activity Center. This unique event is fun for collectors, families and bargain hunters, and includes everything from children's clothing to furniture. There is no fee for attendees, but a donation of canned food items for local food banks is accepted and appreciated. If interested in learning more, or participating as a vendor in the event, CLICK HERE for those details, including a link to register as a vendor (which opens Monday, Aug. 8).
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Cornhole Tournament
Registration is open for a special Cornhole Tournament at the Rough Hollow Welcome Center starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Teams of two will compete in a tournament for a chance at a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place prize and trophy. This event is free and open to all ages. The event will kick off with the National Anthem by a local singer. There will be pizza to purchase from Craig O's and the Rough Hollow Splash Pad will be open to keep cool, along with other activities for the whole family. CLICK HERE for more details. CLICK HERE to register.
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