Stories
City Council stories, page 3
45 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 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.