Lago Vista swears in three council members; new mayor outlines water, emergency and innovation priorities

Lago Vista held a swearing-in ceremony for incoming council members and the mayor during a special called meeting at 5:47 p.m. Judge Eckert administered oaths to Karen Gomez (Place 5), Amanda Chavarria (Place 3) and Jess Hall (Place 1). Shane Som was sworn in as mayor and used his remarks to lay out early priorities for the council.

Som said the council will focus on a strategic plan for 2026, efforts to modernize city services and software, and a shift in code enforcement toward education and compliance. He identified two immediate priorities: funding water infrastructure and strengthening emergency preparedness. "Funding our water infrastructure and emergency preparedness are gonna be the first 2 things that are gonna be the top of my list," Som said, and added that "the Texas Water Development Board is coming here to Lago Vista to tour our facilities and to talk about our previous applications and what we can do better."

Som also announced he will create a mayor's advisory task force on emergency preparedness and a mayor's advisory council on faith and service, and he said the council plans to pursue innovation through partnerships with Texas State University's LBJ School of Public Affairs and new permitting software in development services.

Outgoing Councilman Paul Roberts—recognized with a service trophy—offered brief farewell remarks, saying he was "humbled to serve" and expressing pride in ordinances passed to protect open spaces and adjacent property owners. City Manager Charles West welcomed the new members and said staff were already preparing to support the mayor's agenda. The meeting adjourned at 6:07 p.m.