Episodes
87
Latest episode
Sep 2026
Language
EN
The official podcast for local government nerds, from the folks behind ZacTax. We talk about everything from sales tax to city management to college sports, and bring you stories from the front lines of local government administration.
In this episode of ZacCast, Patrick and Chad nerd out on data quality issues before discussing barriers to entrepreneurship at both the national and local policy levels. Are cities unintentionally biasing toward large, national businesses over more resilient local ownership? Only one way to find out...
In this episode, Chad and Patrick explore the recent legal victory of Chuck Morone of Strong Towns, the importance of free speech for professionals, and the complexities of local government finance and policy. They discuss how these issues impact city management, infrastructure, and community engagement. 00:48 Chuck Morone's legal case and victory 03:22 The importance of free speech for professionals 12:14 Property tax calculations and the 'no new revenue' rate 21:30 Potential of land value tax as a reform 30:46 Community engagement in city budgeting 40:29 The importance of transparency and accountability
On this episode... WE'RE BACK! After almost a year, we're back and better than ever. 00:19 Return of ZacCast 05:20 The Impact of AI on Business Operations 29:39 AI in Local Government: Challenges and Opportunities 32:57 Navigating Data Center Regulations 37:45 The Impact of AI on Urban Infrastructure 46:58 Automation and the Delivery Experience 54:34 The Future of Personalization in Services AI for Cities (ZacTax blog) What is a Context Window (ZacTax blog)
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. Timeline 00:00 - Summer Reflections and Family Adventures 06:15 - Legislative Updates: SB 10 and Property Tax Changes 12:53 - Navigating Local Government Challenges 18:13 - The Burden Shift: Residential vs. Commercial Property Taxes 25:32 - The Future of Housing and Urban Development 34:31 - Impact of Prop 13 on California's Housing Market 40:39 - Understanding Tax Burden and Housing Development 41:09 - It's College Football Season, Baby!
In this episode, Chad and Patrick discuss innovations in local government presented at the AFI conference last week, and check in on the Texas Legislature as the session is kicking into high gear. Timestamps 00:00 Legislative Updates and AFI Innovations 11:05 The Voucher Debate in Texas Politics 21:02 Local Government Legislation and Its Implications 32:19 Impact of Corporations on Local Economies 34:04 Legislative Challenges and Political Interests 36:11 Property Tax Legislation and Its Implications 40:10 AI in Economic Development: Innovations and Applications 54:38 Building Secure AI Models for Confidential Data
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 Indicators 07:28 - Forecasting Sales Tax in Uncertain Times 16:38 - Probabilistic Approaches to Budgeting 23:39 - Leveraging Data Science for Economic Predictions 25:02 - Analyzing Consumer Sentiment and Sales Tax Predictions 30:15 - Historical Context: Lessons from Past Economic Downturns 33:35 - Navigating Current Economic Uncertainty 38:18 - Making Informed Decisions in Times of Crisis 41:37 - Finding Balance: Optimism vs. Pessimism in City Management
In this episode, Chad and Patrick highlight 5 bills pending in the Texas House. What are they, and what might they mean for local governments across the state? Join us to find out! Timestamps 00:00 Greetings 07:13 On to the legislative session 14:23 HB 250 16:33 HB 416 30:18 HB 217 37:18 HB 1433 52:21 HB 924 56:21 School funding and wrap-up
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. Timestamps 04:25 - TPPF Property Tax Proposals 29:51 - TPPF on "Home Sharing" 40:16 - Congestion pricing in New York City 54:12 - Texas AG sues Allstate 67:48 - Comptroller's Biennial Revenue Estimate for 2025-26 Links Asterisk (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)
In this (probably) final episode of 2024, Pat has a couple of water related articles to discuss. Join us as we talk about how groundwater use is affecting the earth's axis; how bottled water may be way less healthy than tap water; and of course, as we recap the return of Texas vs A&M after 13 long years. 00:00 - Welcome back... 01:37 - Patrick makes excuses for A&M's performance against Texas 05:26 - National Signing Day updates 11:06 - Are we changing the earth's rotation via groundwater usage? 26:14 - Is bottled water even healthy for us? 35:17 - Unpinning an earlier item 36:46 - Remembering a friend of ZacTax 38:00 - Wrap up Links Earth tilted 31.5 inches, a study finds. So whose fault is that? Humans, of course. - USA Today Drinking bottled water is much worse for you than water from a tap - Science Focus Magazine Fact-checking Patrick "Hats off to Texas ... they physically annihilated us" - Texas A&M Coach Mike Elko Gunnar Helm disputes the idea that Kyle Field is super loud - Twitter Will Anderson says Texas "Hardest Game I've Ever Played In" - Sports Illustrated
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. Topics 00:52 - Why does Texas have so little public land? 04:28 - Patrick proposes using public land acquisition to combat fiscally unproductive sprawl 07:54 - Distinguishing local parks and green space from urban growth boundaries 08:20 - 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 buildings 14:34 - We've moved public amenities to the private realm 17:01 - To each his own, sans subsidy 17:32 - Should federal land be used for housing? 18:47 - Time to debate urban growth boundaries 25:08 - 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 boundaries 35:52 - Obligatory CFB talk Links Why does Texas have so little public land ( Texas Monthly / AppleNews ) Carlton's Landing Jan Gehl - First life, then spaces, then buildings
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