Lago Vista’s Economic Development Advisory Committee elected officers, heard routine staff and chamber reports and approved community outreach to develop a community identity plan at its Jan. 8 meeting.

Why it matters: The elected officers will set future agendas for EDAC as the committee tackles the community identity enhancement project, formal EDC bylaws work and bond‑related oversight. The outreach approach will determine whether art, signage or other civic branding gains broad community support.

The committee unanimously elected Justin Laux as chair, Jeff as vice chair and Philip Wyatt as secretary. The votes were taken by voice and the committee then moved to routine staff updates.

Eric Zeno, Lago Vista’s economic development director, said December sales‑tax collections totaled $104,000. He also told members that annual sales tax totals for 2024 were about $28,000 lower than in 2023. Zeno said staff is setting up meetings for the ICSC Red River Show in Dallas (Jan. 29–31) and that the Texas Workforce Commission will present a “skills for small business” program to the city. He said the city is working through procurement for short‑term‑rental tracking software; the bid process has narrowed the field to three vendors and demos are planned, with implementation expected in early Q1.

Zeno also said a developer has purchased land for a proposed mixed‑use project and a development meeting with city staff is scheduled for the next day.

Jennifer, director of the Northlake Travis Chamber, summarized upcoming chamber events and resources: a chamber awards luncheon on Feb. 19, a casino night on Feb. 22, Cajunfest (April 4, outside Lago Vista) and the city’s Lago Fest on April 26. She said the chamber is moving to a larger office with a member conference room and that it will continue training programs and scholarship support.

Council liaison Norma reminded the committee that Councilmember Benafield added the community identity enhancement project to the council’s directives; she said council expects a status report in about three months and that the council hopes to see a tangible proposal within about six months. ‘“I believe in the December meeting, council Benafield did put forward an identity program,’” Norma said, advising the committee to gather public input.

Committee members agreed to ask staff and the chamber to support community outreach. Amanda Harkins, the city’s communications and marketing coordinator, said she manages the city website, social media, the digital sign and the monthly newsletter and offered to host a dedicated webpage and link for submissions. Jennifer said the chamber could amplify the request to its membership. Members suggested involving local schools and staging an open nomination or vote to identify a local mascot, artwork or identity emblem; examples discussed included public art installations such as Nashville’s guitars or themed sculptures similar to other cities’ programs.

The committee also set a near‑term schedule for subcommittee Zoom meetings to finish EDC bylaw work and prepare bond‑oversight recommendations; staff will email members with dates and check the city attorney’s availability for one of the sessions.

The meeting concluded with the committee directing staff to draft outreach language and set up initial public input channels; EDAC said it would review responses in a subsequent meeting and then forward recommendations to city council.