Coverage
Who we watch and where the records live
We report what the City Council, the city's boards, and the Lago Vista ISD school board decide, how each member votes, and what it costs you. We also read the agendas of the Travis County Commissioners Court, the Travis Central Appraisal District board, the LCRA board, the boards of the fire and EMS districts, and the boards of the utility districts. Here is what each one decides and where you can check its records yourself.
City of Lago Vista
What it decides. City property tax, water and sewer rates, zoning, the police, parks, the golf course, and the airport.
What it costs you. City property tax, plus water and sewer bills.
How we watch it. We read every meeting in full, with its video, agenda, backup papers, and minutes. Stories quote the video at the exact moment.
Its records.
Lago Vista Independent School District
What it decides. The school budget, the school property tax rate, bonds, and pay for Lago Vista's public schools.
What it costs you. School property tax (maintenance and operations, and debt service).
How we watch it. We read every meeting in full, with its video, agenda, backup papers, and minutes. Stories quote the video at the exact moment.
Its records.
Travis County
What it decides. County property tax, county roads and bonds, the sheriff, the jail, and the courts.
What it costs you. County property tax.
How we watch it. We read every agenda as it is posted and flag the items that cost taxpayers money. When one matters, we go to the full record.
Its records.
Travis Central Appraisal District
What it decides. The value of every home and business in the county, which sets each tax bill.
How we watch it. We read every agenda as it is posted and flag the items that cost taxpayers money. When one matters, we go to the full record.
Its records.
Lower Colorado River Authority
What it decides. Lake Travis water levels, water contracts with the city, and wholesale water rates.
How we watch it. We read every agenda as it is posted and flag the items that cost taxpayers money. When one matters, we go to the full record.
Its records.
Travis County Emergency Services District No. 1
What it decides. Fire and emergency medical service, and its own property tax.
What it costs you. Emergency services district property tax.
How we watch it. We read every agenda as it is posted and flag the items that cost taxpayers money. When one matters, we go to the full record.
Its records.
Travis County Emergency Services District No. 7
What it decides. Fire and emergency medical service, and its own property tax.
What it costs you. Emergency services district property tax.
How we watch it. We read every agenda as it is posted and flag the items that cost taxpayers money. When one matters, we go to the full record.
Its records.
Firefly Cove Municipal Utility District
What it decides. Bonds and a property tax on homes in the Firefly Cove development, to pay for its water, sewer, roads, and parks.
What it costs you. Utility district property tax, on homes inside the district only.
How we watch it. It has no website of its own, so we watch its state record for new filings, such as tax rates, bonds, and board changes. When one matters, we ask for the records.
Its records.
Travis County Municipal Utility District No. 25
What it decides. Bonds and a property tax on land inside the district, which covers Shoreline Ranch.
What it costs you. Utility district property tax, on land inside the district only.
How we watch it. It has no website of its own, so we watch its state record for new filings, such as tax rates, bonds, and board changes. When one matters, we ask for the records.
Its records.
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