The Lakeway City Council meeting on July 21, 2025, focused on the upcoming budget for the fiscal year, highlighting significant departmental requests and expenditure projections. City officials presented a proposed budget of approximately $21.3 million, which reflects a $1 million increase from the previous year, despite a 1% reduction in operational costs.

Key discussions included the need for new radios for the Parks and Recreation Department, which officials argued would provide better functionality for volunteers during events. The council also reviewed the importance of investing in technology for the Police Department, including a request for additional personnel to address increasing IT demands.

The budget proposal includes a 4.2% increase in salaries, split between cost-of-living adjustments and merit increases, amounting to nearly $521,000. The council emphasized the need for transparency in the budgeting process, with plans to provide citizens with interactive tools to visualize the impact of budget decisions on tax rates.

Upcoming meetings were scheduled to further discuss tax rates and finalize the budget. The next special meeting is set for August 4, where the council will begin reviewing tax rates and general fund expenditures. The regular council meeting on August 18 will focus on proposing the maximum tax rate and setting public hearing dates.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to managing expenditures carefully while addressing essential service needs and community engagement initiatives.