To the residents of Tessera and all who’ve raised your voices — thank you. You’ve brought forward serious, well-founded concerns that deserve both answers and action.
Let me start by saying: If I had purchased a home expecting to support my neighborhood through HOA dues — only to later discover those dues were covering parks and amenities used by the general public — I’d be frustrated too. That frustration is fair. And it’s shared.
The Public Improvement District (PID) and development structure that governs Tessera were approved by prior Councils, beginning around 2012 and formalized in 2017. I joined Council in 2021, and had I been serving at the time, I would not have supported the current structure — particularly a model in which a private HOA funds and operates public-facing assets with no shared contribution from the broader tax base. That burden is unreasonable.
Recent documentation provided by Hines confirms that multiple public amenities — including a pool, pavilion, and trails — are located on land now owned by the City of Lago Vista. To the best of my understanding, the pool is located on City-owned land but is operated and maintained entirely by the HOA under the terms of a Park Operating Agreement approved in 2017. The City does not staff, insure, or maintain it, and has no obligation to do so unless a material breach of the agreement occurs. While residents shoulder the cost, the general public may access the pool only during limited hours — typically Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 to 11:30 AM during summer months. The 2024 HOA budget shows an estimated $235,761 in annual costs to operate and maintain these public-facing facilities. That structure, negotiated and approved by prior Councils, now leaves homeowners covering the full cost of amenities that benefit a broader public.
In my view, this is a structural failure — one that undermines public trust, burdens homeowners unfairly, and invites confusion about what’s public, what’s private, and who pays for what.
I support a full, independent review of how these financial obligations were disclosed to homebuyers. If the PID levy or park agreement terms were not clearly and timely disclosed, that’s unacceptable — and potentially actionable under state law. I welcome the involvement of the Attorney General’s Office or any oversight body with the authority to investigate.
More broadly, I’ve recommended a structural reform: replacing our current seven at-large Council seats with a mixed system — retaining the mayor and three at-large seats, while adding three geographic districts. Tessera deserves a dedicated seat at the table — someone directly accountable to the neighborhood. If this recommendation is approved by Council, it would appear on the November 2025 ballot, giving voters the opportunity to authorize district-based representation. If adopted, new districts could be drawn in time for Council elections as soon as November 2026. I will continue to advocate for this change when the Charter Review Committee’s recommendations come before Council — and your public input will be essential.
While I’m out of town this weekend and unable to attend your May 24 meeting, I would be honored to attend your next gathering. I’m also happy to speak with any resident one-on-one. My next Roberts Roundtable is scheduled for Monday, June 2, and I invite anyone interested to email me for the Zoom link.
Thank you to everyone who’s raised your voice. I have great respect for residents who step up to advocate for what’s right. Kudos to the petition author and to all who have taken action.
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