[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6460818,"mediaKeyId","5827538-f5a81d5000389825094a87c5cd83fc91","parentId",5827538,"title","Lago Vista council approves release of four utility easements after brief debate; Durbin votes no","audioSeconds",248,"startMs",246000,"endMs",494000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827538-f5a81d5000389825094a87c5cd83fc91&start=246&end=494","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827538-f5a81d5000389825094a87c5cd83fc91/thumbnail_246000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6460818/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Lago-Vista-council-approves-release-of-four-utility-easements-after-brief-debate-Durbin-votes-no","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460818-238d42b9d21022f8bd16e1dd7bbd634c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172849&Signature=onBg3BCzPUCDqoAAfll67otOlvtlQFCbktqwI-XVnvZMJFQHRYIDz7P3PA1fXPVRZupAWDvsbsgejRGW4c6XerIGHKG-ehro0sBpTeP9FxgvKt4iaH-7RndvOYcOPXsR7-fmF3dpc778bEw001c-F-IycdHUdtklrJ569fBZ5dEBy3wAQ3yc2yFYsAOg-NE5XNtqsi2xVrU6-i~0SsEydtrZyalsiPVBRCLgM4N2Dm6RgWrYnv0Rv3g8nlRGp~yXmVbt9hcGX2G4zJswwEEVNvNkZzzJnLSPniN3667fyKWpnBV7EVcK81b04gBBJKVHdqxgQ4RrvmZVX2~LtQRoxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lago Vista","date","2025-09-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Lago Vista City Council voted 6-1 to approve resolutions releasing or vacating utility easements for four properties, after members raised concerns about missing packet materials and drainage at one site.

Mayor Sullivan moved to approve the easement releases for the four properties identified for action at the meeting: 21301 (as read on the record), 4305 Cooper Lane, 3002 Constitution Avenue, and 21709 Oak Drive. The motion was seconded by Council member Roberts and carried by a 6-to-1 roll-call vote; Mayor Pro Tem Durbin cast the sole vote against the measure.

Durbin explained he could not support approving easement releases for properties not included in the original packet that council members had received in advance. \"I would approve the two that are in our packet. I think it's a failure of the packet to not have the other ones in there,\" Durbin said, and he asked for more time to review materials if members or the public needed to raise concerns.

Several council members and staff clarified that only four easements were before the council that afternoon and that the city had received full information for those four. A council member also requested staff verify drainage conditions on the property referred to in the discussion (identified in the meeting as the item that \"backs up to Noble\" and with a steep slope), saying staff should confirm there were no drainage issues before final recording.

The council recorded no additional conditions on the approvals. The mayor called the motion and the resolutions were adopted.

Actions and vote

- Motion to approve resolutions releasing/vacating utility easements at the four identified addresses (Action item B): mover Mayor Sullivan; second Council member Roberts; outcome approved 6-1 (Durbin voted no).

Why this matters

Releasing or vacating recorded utility easements changes legal rights over land and can affect future maintenance and drainage obligations. Council members asked staff to ensure drainage and related issues were reviewed for the property that abuts a sloped, triangular parcel.

What happens next

Staff will finalize the resolutions for recording and was asked to confirm drainage review and ensure documentation for all four properties is complete before final recording.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lago Vista - Special City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved resolutions to release or vacate four utility easements after councilmembers noted missing packet materials and a drainage check; the measure passed 6-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Durbin dissenting.","taxTitle","Lago Vista, Travis County, Texas","taxId",69620,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6460823,"Lago Vista adopts 2025–26 budget, lowers property tax rate to $0.42 per $100 valuation",3242,533000,3775000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827538-f5a81d5000389825094a87c5cd83fc91&start=533&end=3775","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827538-f5a81d5000389825094a87c5cd83fc91/thumbnail_533000.jpg","/articles/6460823/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Lago-Vista-adopts-202526-budget-lowers-property-tax-rate-to-042-per-100-valuation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460823-baabce5f84980c8800153d92f58ba8e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172849&Signature=EQH9~eySeP09hpZ7-DyYVp-jO06lNRNT9KtDSF~VzrljFvNyflbkXXkf8V9xLb7yuVk73Ijj9o7BFOujcwNdosHMuidc0soqohHgJN23gAVSulpMgS~VUeZa1-DxDJsih~UuuNY-5hVsFbvkCYXR1J4BFh~25hWuNOWMN37mL--ViMUuQDR9j0F8C7d~OPL6TPlxbpCPNarTvkHBlPQACuI6wd-FsJMjVkdqSe47AYbJgSNfY-JZ13no0pWdLP1olRp~zeE~87ZWxlEDBT4I7P8HhT5GceRe23yQbWl0WPhkJlaQmvFY6kWAwk5OSxYkrsV~W5lLxLyErAqY4tPYXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lago Vista City Council on a unanimous vote adopted the city\u0000budget for fiscal year 2025\u0000to\u00002026 and separately approved an ordinance setting the property tax rate at $0.42 per $100 valuation, a measure council members said will lower the typical home\u0000owner\u0000bill by about $10 under the council\u0000\u0000proposal.

The budget and tax-rate votes followed a public hearing and an extended council discussion about transfers from the utility fund to the general fund, the size and sustainability of city reserves, and multi-year capital improvement needs. Council members, finance staff and other city officials debated how much of the utility fund reserves should pay for capital projects, and how bond financing and outside grants could be used to reduce pressure on reserves.

The budget ordinance (No. 25-09-25-01) was moved and seconded from the dais and approved by roll call. Council members then approved an amended ordinance (No. 25-09-25-02) setting the tax rate at $0.42 per $100 valuation.

City staff said an accounting correction required increasing the planned transfer from the utility fund to the general fund from $1,000,000 to $1,600,000 to balance the budget. Council members noted that the city transferred $3,600,000 the previous year and discussed whether repeated large transfers from utility reserves are sustainable. \"This amount that we're transferring this year, $1,600,000, is actually the lowest it's been for about three or four years,\" said Councilman Prince, who described why he believes the transfer is sustainable but urged caution on using reserves for large capital projects.

Councilwoman Owen and others pressed for clearer guardrails on reserves and for regular review. \"We need to keep a close eye on this,\" Owen said, citing a model that showed reserve depletion under current capital plans unless changes are made. City staff said they have engaged bond counsel and consultants, and that they will consult the University of Texas to identify appropriate reserve levels.

Officials also discussed the city's capital improvement program (CIP). Council members said the city currently faces roughly $100 million in identified CIP needs (reduced from an earlier estimate of about $255 million), with about $60 million of those needs still lacking identified funding. City staff said cash on hand as of Aug. 31 was about $57 million.

The council also discussed notice language and tax-rate calculations. The published hearing notice included a table required by Texas law that the mayor read into the record; council members clarified that the tax-rate figure the council intended to adopt at the meeting was $0.42. City staff provided a clarified estimate that the tax bill for a median-value homestead (listed in the packet as $330,321) at the proposed 0.42 rate would be approximately $1,387.35, a reduction of roughly $10 from the current bill.

Council members and staff called for continued work on three fronts: (1) shift more eligible capital costs to bond funding where appropriate; (2) refine the chart of accounts and fund allocations so transfers are clearer; and (3) develop reserve policies that set minimum reserve targets and require action if reserves fall below those levels. One councilmember said the council expects ordinances within six months to set required minimum reserve levels.

Motions and votes

- Ordinance No. 25-09-25-01 (adopt 2025\u0000to\u00002026 annual budget): motion by Mayor Pro Tem Durbin; second by Council member Song; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous in favor.

- Ordinance No. 25-09-25-02 (adopt tax rate of $0.42 per $100 valuation): motion by Mayor Pro Tem Durbin; second by Council member Som; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous in favor.

Why this matters

The budget and tax-rate decisions determine the city's revenue plan for operations and capital spending through Sept. 30, 2026. Council debate focused on how to pay for a multi-year CIP and on maintaining reserves that can cover debt obligations and one-time needs without forcing sudden tax or rate spikes.

What happens next

Staff will finalize the budget documents and return with any recommended budget amendments or bond-funding adjustments. Council members asked staff to continue work with bond counsel, financial advisers and UT Austin consultants to set formal reserve targets and to return with options for shifting eligible projects onto bond funding or securing grants.","The Lago Vista City Council unanimously adopted the city\u0000budget for fiscal year 2025\u0000to\u00002026 and approved a tax rate of $0.42 per $100 valuation, while discussing transfers from the utility fund, reserve levels and capital needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6460814,"Public commenter urges civility, says harassment discourages candidates",67,111000,178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827538-f5a81d5000389825094a87c5cd83fc91&start=111&end=178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827538-f5a81d5000389825094a87c5cd83fc91/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6460814/Lago-Vista/Travis-County/Texas/Public-commenter-urges-civility-says-harassment-discourages-candidates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6460814-9d6f9e0114d96193b680d71e6cc1c7f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172849&Signature=e3uHEkE2A0cbk-ATOwIDxtQo9bcudtTdsfKTd2Mqm100eM8Ggyrp9gQilIv1cxI8-ZNHN4d6jWg33MmDNgk7Smh0aufyAJbfFeOHWu87Uk6VZvPcddIB7sT0eI-YxQtEpLXIJTvKNoDv3hdDOCJYhwZkMgVIxd3A~f5TZLEf63Nqs-Qj-CyoylCm-mKQtE4BN6q24epsSi0hLIlUGPAXeI1x4MwN8dI0NdhLQYAzgElVWXQF0NP9mOnwyef~JrgWISDx-OkfxJ44ar-JFPflGEZgkiN2XocM2HBX048zynuJEAkmtYBz0D8yK4rZDep17~KrEBcBdn2zY-~X9ETN4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the council\u0000meeting\u0000public comment period, Amanda Chavarria urged members and citizens to maintain civil engagement in local elections and to reject harassment of candidates.

Chavarria said actions that harass or intimidate people who run for office have a chilling effect on civic participation. \"When candidates are met with harassment instead of respect, it sends a message that standing up to serve comes at too high a personal cost,\" she said. She added that harassment \"discourages participation, limits the voices in our elections and ultimately harms the integrity of local elections.\"

Chavarria closed by calling for a return to respectful debate focused on ideas and solutions rather than personal attacks. The council did not take action on the comment; it was recorded as public input under the Open Meetings Act.","A resident who signed up for public comment urged the council and community to reject harassment and intimidation of candidates, saying such behavior discourages civic participation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lago Vista council approves release of four utility easements after brief debate; Durbin votes no

Lago Vista adopts 2025–26 budget, lowers property tax rate to $0.42 per $100 valuation

Public commenter urges civility, says harassment discourages candidates