Episode 121

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Published on:

25th Jan 2026

Is Lakeway the Answer to Escaping Austin's High Taxes?

Welcome to the Building Texas Show! In this episode, we chat with Mayor Tom Gilgore about Lakeway, a beautiful community situated just west of Austin. Discover the charm of the Texas Hill Country and the unique austin lifestyle that makes this area a prime location for real estate. We dive into what makes living in austin texas so appealing, especially in growing residential areas like Lakeway.

Is Lakeway, Texas the best alternative to living in Austin? We explore the massive growth in the Texas Hill Country, managing real estate demand, and the future of this lakeside community with Mayor Tom Kilgore.

00:00 – Welcome to Lakeway, Texas

01:00 – Why Mayor Kilgore Serves in Texas Local Government

03:00 – Lakeway’s Rapid Growth Since 2010

05:30 – Texas Zoning Laws: Property Rights vs. Growth Limits

07:00 – Property Taxes in Texas: How Lakeway Manages Revenue

08:30 – Supporting Local Businesses & “Buy Local” Initiatives

10:30 – Lake Travis Tourism & The Hotel Occupancy Tax

11:30 – Hosting the Special Olympics of Texas

13:30 – Regional Collaboration with Bee Cave & Neighboring Cities

16:00 – Master Planning, Public Input, and Civic Engagement

19:00 – The Reality of Volunteer City Leadership

21:00 – Wildfire Safety & Preparedness in the Hill Country

25:00 – Looking Ahead to 2026 & Community Traditions

27:00 – Final Reflections on Leadership and Service

#LakewayTX #AustinRealEstate #TexasHillCountry #LakeTravis #TexasPolitics #MovingToTexas #texasleadership

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About the Podcast

The Building Texas Show
The Building Texas Show with host, Justin McKenzie, about the balance of business and governance. Each week, we’ll interview the local leaders affecting the issues and uncover the power you have to forge the future.

www.buildingtexasshow.com

About your host

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Justin McKenzie

Based in Boerne, Texas, Justin hosts The Building Texas Show—a podcast spotlighting the bold minds shaping the future of the Lone Star State. When he’s not building teams or building momentum, he’s out exploring, discovering new ideas, or connecting with the people who make it all worthwhile.

As Chief Operating Officer at Charity Ace, Justin helps shape the engine behind the mission—bringing sharp strategy and innovative structure to fuel long-term growth. He believes in business as a force for good, and shows up every day to prove what’s possible when purpose meets execution.