The attached video originally aired on July 30, 2025.
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The city of Lago Vista sent a letter to Travis County commissioners on Aug. 8, asking them not to raise property taxes.
KXAN previously reported July 30 that the court is considering a one-year raise in its property tax rate — from 3.5% to 8% — to help pay for disaster relief in the county. Due to a disaster declaration and state law, county commissioners can raise the tax rate for one year to cover costs related to the disaster.
This led the Lago Vista City Council to approve a resolution requesting that the county refrain from raising the rate.
Lago Vista Interim City Secretary Susie Quinn wrote in the letter that the county should instead reduce spending or postpone other projects while seeking state and federal funds to pay for recovery.
According to the city’s letter, the county’s budget was “nearly finalized” before severe flooding in early July 2025.
“The City of Lago Vista respectfully urges the Travis County Commissioners Court not to adopt a property tax increase beyond the standard voter approval rate in FY 2026 until all internal cost savings, program deferrals, and reserve allocations have been fully considered,” the letter reads.
The letter also suggested that county officials seek funds from state legislators during the ongoing special session. However, with the Texas House frozen for lack of quorum, such funding could not be passed.
The Travis County Commissioners Court met Tuesday at 10 a.m. in a voting session.