Lakeway Mayor Discusses Balancing Growth, Community Values, and Public Safety on Building Texas Show

The Building Texas Show recently featured Lakeway Mayor Tom Kilgore in an episode examining how the Texas Hill Country city is addressing rapid growth while preserving community values. Lakeway has nearly doubled in population over the past decade, creating challenges in balancing private property rights, infrastructure investment, economic development, and quality of life. Mayor Kilgore emphasized that growth requires discipline, planning, and cooperation, stating, "You can’t turn up the tap and pull up the drawbridge in Texas."

A significant portion of the discussion highlighted Lakeway's role as host city for the Special Olympics of Texas Winter Games and Leadership Conference, an event the community has hosted for five consecutive years. Each year, the event brings more than 1,200 athletes, thousands of family members, coaches, and supporters to the area, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses. Mayor Kilgore noted that the community gains more from hosting than the event itself, saying, "We get to cheer on incredible athletes, welcome families from across Texas, and see our community at its very best." The episode emphasized Lakeway's deep volunteer culture, which supplies hundreds of volunteers to support the Games, reflecting a broader spirit of service that defines the community.

Beyond tourism and events, the conversation explored Lakeway's proactive approach to public safety and long-term planning. The city focuses on wildfire mitigation, emergency response coordination, and comprehensive planning that often occurs years before council votes. Mayor Kilgore discussed the realities of volunteer city leadership in Texas and the importance of regional collaboration with surrounding cities like Bee Cave. He stressed that civic engagement is critical as Lakeway prepares for the future, particularly looking ahead to 2026 and the nation's 250th anniversary.

The episode underscored how Lakeway's community traditions, including its iconic Fourth of July parade and city-wide volunteerism, continue to anchor the city even as it evolves. The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, features conversations with mayors, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders shaping Texas communities. The Lakeway episode is available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms, with more information on the show's website at www.buildingtexasshow.com.