🌵 Lake Austin drawdown canceled for this fall

One underrated part of living somewhere for a long time is familiarity.

Not the landmarks. The boring stuff.

Knowing exactly which H-E-B aisle something is on. Recognizing the guy behind the counter. Knowing which lane you need before the road splits. Having a restaurant where you barely look at the menu anymore.

None of that makes an Austin tourism commercial.

But stack enough of those tiny things together and suddenly you realize: this is home.

Maybe that’s why moving somewhere new is exciting—and also exhausting.

You have to relearn where everything is.

Cheers,
Nolan

🏛️ Lakeway approves new tax rate and budget

The Gist: Lakeway City Council approved a 2026 property tax rate of $0.170076 per $100 of taxable value, below the city’s initially proposed maximum rate of $0.1760. For a home valued around the city average of $857,615, the approved rate is expected to add about $29 a year for the average Lakeway property owner.

Council also approved the FY 2027 budget, which includes an estimated $581,665 shortfall. City leaders directed staff to explore using reserve funds to help cover the gap.

Why It Matters: Lakeway says its portion makes up about 9% of the average property tax bill, helping pay for services including police, local road maintenance, parks, permitting and other city operations.

🌊 Lake Austin drawdown officially canceled for 2026

Source: City of Austin

The Gist: The City of Austin has canceled plans to lower Lake Austin by about 10 feet from Oct. 12 through Nov. 30. The drawdown was meant to give homeowners and city crews easier access for shoreline and dock work.

But after concerns about the impact on businesses, recreation and major fall events, including UT football, Formula 1 and the fall wedding season, the city called it off.
Lake Austin will stay at its usual water level this fall.

Why It Matters: Boaters and waterfront businesses can continue using the lake normally. Homeowners who were planning dock, bulkhead or shoreline projects while the water was lower may need to change their plans or wait for another opportunity.

🍸 The gathering spot with serious kitchen chops

1516 Ranch Rd 620 S Bldg F, Suite 200, Lakeway, TX

Gramercy Lakeway operates as a bar for neighbors looking for good drinks and even better food. Built by a welcoming family team, they serves up a low-key setting for late-night plates.

Stop by for Executive Chef Hector’s chicken and mushrooms, a custom cocktail, or Wednesday night live music. This October, sip the pink Cocktail for the Cure in support of Susan G. Komen, dust off your boots for their 6th Anniversary western party on Friday, October 9th with live music by Tylor Brandon, or catch their Halloween bash on October 30th.

🎨 Local canvases, cool brews, and creative days

13215 Bee Cave Pkwy Bldg A,Suite 260, Austin, TX

MK Art + Design keeps the local creative scene lively with custom artwork, hands-on lessons, and paint parties.

Their Urban & Pop Art Exhibition runs Oct. 10–Nov. 6, and they’ll also be popping up at Jester King Brewery on Oct. 24 for the Violet Crown Para-Pet Games. Between the halftime pet lookalike contest, community fun, and plenty of four-legged personalities, it sounds like a pretty colorful way to spend a fall day.