Stories
City Council stories
7 stories, newest first. Each one traces back to the public record and was checked by a person before it ran.
September 2026
- City Council
Lago Vista's City Hall fights itself, and taxpayers foot the bill
From 2021 to 2026, Lago Vista officials and the public brought 16 complaints and claims, by our count. One cost $210,291. One listed $250,000.
- Tax rates
How Lago Vista's tax rate compares with 6 Texas cities
Lago Vista's $0.451988 rate, its no-new-revenue rate, ranks second of six cities. It gets $116 a resident in sales tax and holds a 131% cushion.
- City Council
Lago Vista's General Fund reserve tripled to $16.5 million
The 2026-27 budget passed 4 to 3 at a higher tax rate. Sept. 25 motions to amend it failed. The General Fund reserve tripled from 2021 to $16,475,483 by 2025.
- City Council
Lago Vista's golf course got $2.8 million in public subsidies
Audits show Lago Vista's golf course lost money every year from 2018-19 to 2024-25. The city's General Fund sent it $2.8 million from 2019-20 to 2024-25.
- City Council
Lago Vista's outside legal bills grew 17 times in two years
Lago Vista's outside legal bills went from $27,383 to $468,390 in two years. In 2026 the council added $25,000 after staff cited lawsuits and separations.
- City Council
Lago Vista paid its chamber $228,000 with no signed contract
State law requires a contract and quarterly reports. The records we reviewed show no signed agreement while $1.2 million in hotel tax sat unspent.
- City Council
Lago Vista agreed to pay $210,291 to settle with its city manager
The council approved it 4 to 2 without stating the cost. In 2026 it added $75,000 to the City Manager budget, citing separation costs.