A question for Lago Vista City Council.

A healthy tourism economy is an important part of supporting our local businesses. We want visitors coming to Lago Vista, enjoying our restaurants, shopping at our stores, experiencing our beautiful lake and wildlife, and leaving with memories that bring them back. Community events such as our Fourth of July celebrations, Lago Fest, and Beers and Balloons create opportunities to attract visitors and support local businesses. I have advocated for the Chamber of Commerce to receive funding for qualifying tourism activities and will continue supporting opportunities that meet the requirements for Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funding. Importantly, the Chamber is not the only organization that can apply. Local businesses and other entities can seek HOT funding for qualifying events and activities that promote tourism and overnight stays, provided they meet state law and City requirements. David Snyder with is archery business is a perfect example. The connection to taxpayers is simple: A stronger business community can generate additional sales tax revenue, helping diversify the City's revenue sources and reduce reliance on homeowners. My objective is to support responsible business development, promote tourism, manage spending, and ensure new growth contributes its fair share toward infrastructure. A stronger local economy and responsible spending are important components of protecting taxpayers.

Written by the candidate

I do not see these as competing goals. A stronger local business community can broaden our sales tax base and reduce how heavily the City relies on property taxes. However, any use of public money must serve a lawful purpose, follow objective criteria, and produce a measurable public benefit. Supporting local businesses starts with supporting the businesses already here. Lago Vista has a Local Preference Program, and qualified local businesses should know about City purchasing opportunities and understand how to participate. The program should be applied consistently and transparently, while every purchase still considers price, qualifications, quality, and overall value for taxpayers. Businesses also need clear and predictable City processes. The City has begun developing procedures, checklists, and flowcharts for permitting and development services. I want that work completed, kept current, and made easy for businesses and residents to use. Requirements should be clear, timelines should be reasonable, and applicants should have reliable points of contact. That helps businesses plan without lowering the standards that protect residents, public safety, and our community. The Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, and City each have different roles. The Economic Development Corporation can pursue lawful opportunities that strengthen our economy. The Chamber can promote businesses, connect people with opportunities, and advocate for its members. The City is responsible for dependable infrastructure and clear, consistent processes. They should coordinate around defined goals so services are not duplicated and public money is used responsibly. As a Chamber member, I value its work. Any public funding should be tied to a lawful purpose, clearly defined services, appropriate reporting, and measurable results. Hotel Occupancy Tax funds should only be used for activities that legally qualify and provide a measurable tourism benefit. Any other service agreement should state exactly what taxpayers are purchasing, what it will cost, and how the results will be measured. New development should also contribute its fair share toward the infrastructure demands it creates. I want us to support the businesses already invested in Lago Vista while welcoming restaurants, shops, professional services, and other businesses that meet the needs of our community. We can build a stronger local economy without placing unnecessary costs or risks on taxpayers.

Written by the candidate

I don't see supporting local businesses and protecting taxpayers as competing goals. If we do it well, they should support each other. For a long time, Lago Vista hasn't had the commercial tax base that many communities rely on to help pay for City services. That leaves our homeowners carrying a significant part of the load. Growing a healthy local economy gives us another way to strengthen the City's revenue base without simply looking to property owners every time we need more revenue. But I don't think that means the City should just spend taxpayer dollars trying to pick businesses or solve every economicdevelopment problem itself. We now have a Type B Economic Development Corporation, and I see a real opportunity in bringing the strengths of the EDC, Chamber, City and our other community organizations together. They each have different roles, different tools and different people at the table. Let's use them. The Chamber can advocate for and support our existing businesses. The EDC can focus on economicdevelopment opportunities and rally the community for qualityoflife investments that meet its statutory purpose. The City can make sure our infrastructure, permitting, planning, and policies don't unnecessarily stand in the way of good investment. And all of us can do a better job of telling people what Lago Vista has to offer. Our challenge to meet today is finding a way to shore up these vital organizations in a way that pays off for our businesses and taxpayers. I also want us looking for partnerships and outside investment rather than assuming taxpayers have to pay for every good idea. There is untapped potential here. We have the lake, our airport, tourism and recreation, local entrepreneurs and some very talented people in this community. I would like to see us nurture businesses that start here while also being thoughtful about the businesses and investment we attract. And when people come to Lago Vista for a softball tournament, the regatta, an arts performance, a lake weekend or one of our community events, I want them eating here, shopping here and supporting our local businesses while they're here...and then they can go home. :) I say that with a smile, but there is a point behind it. Many of our residents moved here because they love the smalltown feel of Lago Vista. Economic development doesn't have to mean becoming another big suburb. We can invite people here, give them reasons to spend money with our businesses, and still be thoughtful about protecting the character of the community we call home. Every additional dollar of taxable sales generated in Lago Vista helps broaden our revenue base. It doesn't magically eliminate property taxes, and I won't pretend that it does. But a stronger commercial economy means homeowners don't have to be the only place we look as we work to meet the needs of a growing city. To me, that's how you do both: help our local businesses thrive, use the economicdevelopment tools we now have wisely, bring outside dollars into Lago Vista when we can, and make sure taxpayers can see the value they're getting when public dollars are involved.

I think a lot of people don’t realize that a healthy business ecosystem reduces the burden on homeowners. The city historically has never had any real procedure or standards in place to manage many of our funds that legally require such. I’d like to see more strategic meetings across departments and boards, rather than 1 million subcommittees that get ignored. I’m not a fan of wasting peoples time or my own. In my opinion, taxes are like an Angel investor, except they got swindled into granting the money, so you really have to earn their trust and respect. There should be clear documentation, and a clear need. If it doesn’t pass the sniff test, you better be able to articulate yourself to an extent that a fiveyearold can easily understand why you just spent their money without asking first.

Written by the candidate