ZacCast

In this episode, Patrick and Chad discuss the latest twists in SB 10 and what a proposed 1% property tax cap could mean for Texas cities. They break down how appraisal methods are quietly shifting more of the tax burden onto homeowners, why the Legislature’s “populist” fixes may actually worsen the problem, and what cities can do to prepare. From the looming pressure to fee out basic services, to the long-term need for more housing supply, they explore the fiscal tradeoffs facing local governments—and why telling a clearer story to residents and legislators is key to surviving the next round of reform.Timeline00:00 - Summer Reflections and Family Adventures06:15 - Legislative Updates: SB 10 and Property Tax Changes12:53 - Navigating Local Government Challenges18:13 - The Burden Shift: Residential vs. Commercial Property Taxes25:32 - The Future of Housing and Urban Development34:31 - Impact of Prop 13 on California's Housing Market40:39 - Understanding Tax Burden and Housing Development41:09 - It's College Football Season, Baby!

In this episode, Chad and Patrick discuss the current state of the economy, focusing on market uncertainty and the challenges faced by city managers in forecasting sales tax revenues. They explore the importance of data-driven decision-making and the use of leading indicators to understand consumer behavior. The conversation reflects on past economic crises and emphasizes the need for caution in navigating current economic challenges, advocating for a measured approach to decision-making during uncertain times.00:00 - Market Uncertainty and Economic Indicators07:28 - Forecasting Sales Tax in Uncertain Times16:38 - Probabilistic Approaches to Budgeting23:39 - Leveraging Data Science for Economic Predictions25:02 - Analyzing Consumer Sentiment and Sales Tax Predictions30:15 - Historical Context: Lessons from Past Economic Downturns33:35 - Navigating Current Economic Uncertainty38:18 - Making Informed Decisions in Times of Crisis41:37 - Finding Balance: Optimism vs. Pessimism in City Management

In this first episode of 2025, Pat and Chad hit a wide range of topics and do our best to avoid derailing the conversation with too much college football.Timestamps04:25 - TPPF Property Tax Proposals29:51 - TPPF on "Home Sharing"40:16 - Congestion pricing in New York City54:12 - Texas AG sues Allstate67:48 - Comptroller's Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26LinksAsterisk (Merriam-Webster)15 Ways to Improve the M&O Property Tax (TPPF)Defending Home-Sharing is About Protecting Basic Freedoms (TPPF)Paxton files suit against Allstate, alleges company secretly collected driver's data to raise rates (Houston Chronicle)Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26 (Texas Comptroller)

This week's episode centers on a Texas Monthly piece titled "Why does Texas have so little public land?" Pat and Chad talk about the article and discuss whether cities can improve their development patterns and fiscal health by emphasizing the acquisition of more public space.Topics00:52 - Why does Texas have so little public land?04:28 - Patrick proposes using public land acquisition to combat fiscally unproductive sprawl07:54 - Distinguishing local parks and green space from urban growth boundaries08:20 - Why do cities cede the public realm of our neighborhoods to the developer?11:07 - Why is public space in single family neighborhoods often so non-functional?13:25 - Life, then spaces, then buildings14:34 - We've moved public amenities to the private realm17:01 - To each his own, sans subsidy17:32 - Should federal land be used for housing?18:47 - Time to debate urban growth boundaries25:08 - What causes us to ignore the pain points in our feedback loops?29:16 - Putting odds on the State of Texas taking a role in growth boundaries35:52 - Obligatory CFB talkLinksWhy does Texas have so little public land (Texas Monthly / AppleNews)Carlton's LandingJan Gehl - First life, then spaces, then buildings

On this somewhat feisty episode of ZacCast, Patrick and Chad discuss the built-in assumptions behind our development patterns, compare development in DFW and Houston, talk traffic planning, and talk about the problems with the electricity rate-making process in Texas. Stay tuned for a semi-lighting round at the end.03:58 - Do we have some built-in assumptions about how cities grow?21:39 - DFW vs Houston: development showdown26:55 - Pre-approved development plans, yea or nay?28:59 - RE: thoroughfare planning34:40 - Electric rate-making woes58:53 - Lightning round begins!58:59 - Calling your shot on interest rate cuts60:01 - Will the #1 ranked Texas Longhorns go undefeated?LinksOne of Collin County’s largest undeveloped tracts sold for massive mixed-use project (Dallas Morning-News)Plano firm buys land for 2,200 homes in fast-growing northern D-FW (Dallas Morning-News)Definition of Tizzy (Google)

Summer break is over and ZacCast is back at full strength. Today's episode is all about the economy. From macro to micro, how can cities prepare for what's next?01:04 - Dr Evil and Mini-me07:00 - What's the deal with the economy?08:02 - The Sahm Rule: triggered11:02 - August inflation numbers14:40 - Real estate and interest rates17:14 - Have cities already been in recession mode?20:28 - Retail's struggles27:58 - Electricity and insurance increases putting pressure on household budgets34:45 - Where do we go from here?42:20 - Has The Great Recession prepared current city managers for future downturns?44:21 - Texas vs A&M: rekindled

In this episode, Patrick and Chad look at the Scottie Scheffler arrest and subsequent dismissal of charges from the perspective of a city manager. What went wrong and how can you do better? Then we consider the legacy of the Progressive Movement's impact on city management and discuss whether the paradigm it ushered in has us thinking about cities the wrong way.05:47 - The Scottie Scheffler mishap from a city manager's perspective27:24 - Does our MPA train us to look at cities the wrong way?Social Life of Small Urban SpacesAmerican Urbanist: How William H. Whyte's Unconventional Wisdom Reshaped Public Life (Amazon)

On this episode, we talk about:The world's most expensive bathroom, the regulations that led to it, and how can we be better in our own cities?Houston is broke, but why? McKinsey suggests automated vehicles will induce continued population expansion into outer ring neighborhoods and rural areasTimestamps00:22 - New TeamZac member01:32 - Setting hiring policy on the podcast02:55 - Generations Z and Alpha03:51 - The difference between Pat and Chad06:09 - The most expensive public restroom14:31 - Can we incorporate staff accountability for getting a project done?16:18 - The Purple Slip19:38 - Can we just empower employees?28:16 - Houston is broke39:36 - On urban highway expansion48:03 - McKinsey on the benefits of autonomous vehicles57:47 - Could AVs eliminate the need for parking?60:15 - AV cabs as public transportation: worst of both worlds?62:04 - Special announcement timeNotesA Close Examination of the Most Infamous Public Toilet in America (NY Times)Houston mayor says the city is broke (Fox 26 Houston)Here's the real reason Houston is going broke (Strong Towns)Autonomous Driving's Future: Convenient and Connected (McKinsey)Smart Bumps

In this episode, we talk about:The sales tax implications of Amazon lockers and whether remote taxpayers should be subjected to detailed audits to verify that their tax payments are accurate;Recent changes to Appraisal Board composition and various other property tax topics a recent Y'allitics episode stirred up; andZoning reform measures likely headed to Texas in the next legislative session.00:30 - April Fool's Day Recap04:30 - No Soap Radio08:45 - Amazon Lockers and auditing remote sales taxpayers25:19 - Changes to Appraisal District board composition46:18 - Zoning reform is coming to TexasLinksY'allitics Episode 267Dunning-Kruger EffectTexas Tribune article on prospective zoning reforms (Texas Tribune)

In this episode, Pat and Chad talk about a couple of big reversals. First, March sales tax allocations in Texas appear to have unwound all of the audit adjustments from last month. Pat and Chad talk about the impacts and how we can put Humpty Dumpty back together moving forward. Then, in the wake of Tuesday's primary elections, we discuss what "local control" means and if our conventional view of the concept might need its own reversal. When should cities have autonomy? Are there first principles we can lean on to identify when a problem should be addressed at a regional or state level instead? A difficult devil's advocate conversation ensues, and we'd love to keep the conversation going with you!

In this episode:(01:20) Sales tax momentum has been slowing for some time now. We dig in to the numbers and issue a red flag warning as cities head into mid-year budget amendments and next year's budget cycle.Sales tax momentum continues to slow in Texas (ZacTax blog)(10:10) An episode of WSJ's The Journal podcast piqued Patrick's interest, so we discuss the UK post office scandal and lessons to be learned for city managers.The Computer Glitch That Caused Nearly 1,000 Convictions (WSJ's The Journal)(29:30) We wrap up with an unplanned chat about the need for a city working group to define software interoperability standards so that cities can wrest power back from ERP and other software vendors.

In this episode, Patrick and Chad talk about softening retail sales figures and changes to the retail real estate landscape. We finish with a March Madness style Christmas movie showdown.The American Store is Shrinking (WSJ)

Newest TeamZac member Maria Skrut joins the show as we talk about a recent NY Times article on the future of drive-throughs. Where does the drive-through rank on the hierarchy of good urban design? Is the rise of the drive-through a result of growing anti-social behavior, as the article suggests? And what is the drive-through's impact on walkability, community development, and social capital?Hungry (but Not for Human Contact), Americans Head for the Drive-Through (NYT)Taylor Swift Meme