Inside Sunrise Beach Village: How a Texas Lake Town of 800 People Really Works
In a new episode of The Building Texas Show, Mayor Rob Hardy offers an inside look at Sunrise Beach Village, a waterfront city of 800 on Lake LBJ. The conversation explores small-town leadership, parks, public safety, water infrastructure, and why rural Texas communities thrive through service and stewardship.
Sunrise Village Beach, Texas (Newsworthy.ai) Monday Jan 12, 2026 @ 6:43 AM CST
On the shores of Lake LBJ, one of Texas’ most beloved Highland Lakes, a small city is quietly setting an example for what thoughtful, community-driven leadership looks like in 2026.
“We’re not trying to punish people out here. We’re trying to make sure everyone can enjoy what they have. That’s what community policing and public service really mean in a place like Sunrise Beach.”
In the latest long-form episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Mayor Rob Hardy of Sunrise Beach Village for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about governance, growth, and life in a rural Texas lake community of just 800 residents.
Located in Llano County, Sunrise Beach Village is a fully incorporated city with its own police department, municipal court, water system, and five public waterfront parks—three of which include boat ramps that provide lake access for residents and visitors alike. It’s a model built not on scale, but on stewardship.
Mayor Hardy explains why incorporation matters for quality of life, how local control impacts building standards and safety, and what it takes to maintain critical infrastructure in a region experiencing increased attention and growth from across Texas.
The episode also highlights the realities often unseen by urban audiences: unpaid mayoral leadership, volunteer fire departments supported through Emergency Service Districts, and the rising cost of maintaining water and emergency systems in rural communities. After acquiring its water system from the Lower Colorado River Authority, Sunrise Beach Village is investing in long-term upgrades to meet modern state standards—an effort rooted in planning, not politics.
“This isn’t about rapid expansion,” Hardy shares. “It’s about protecting what makes this place special while making sure people are safe, services are reliable, and the community remains livable.”
Beyond governance, the conversation paints a compelling picture of Sunrise Beach Village as a destination—quiet, scenic, and deeply connected to the lake lifestyle that has drawn Texans to Lake LBJ for generations. Visitors don’t need to live on the water to enjoy it, and the city’s parks and public spaces are designed to ensure access without sacrificing character.
The episode is part of The Building Texas Show’s broader mission: telling the stories of Texas communities through the voices of the people building them—mayors, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and civic leaders shaping the future of the state one town at a time.
Call to Engage
Viewers and readers are encouraged to:
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Visit Sunrise Beach Village, Texas and experience Lake LBJ, its parks, and its welcoming Hill Country community
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Watch and subscribe to The Building Texas Show on YouTube for in-depth conversations spotlighting Texas cities, leadership, and the future of local communities
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