The Strong Towns Podcast ZacTax: How To Build Financially Healthy Cities
May 12, 2025
Chad Janicek and Patrick Lawler, co-founders of ZacTax, dive into the crucial role of financial analysis in enhancing city budgeting and health. They discuss the journey of developing tools for municipal financial management, emphasizing the importance of aligning community needs with innovative fiscal strategies. Through data-driven decision-making, they showcase successful revitalization efforts in Texas. The duo also compares the unique urban management challenges faced by California and Texas, advocating for smart financial strategies that prioritize residents' well-being.
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Early Financial Input in Development
- Cities in Texas are integrating budget and finance with planning roles.
- This coordination improves fiscal outcomes by involving finance early in development approval processes.
Economic Impact Focus Shift
- Texas cities have shifted from valuing growth and FTE count to evaluating economic impacts.
- The focus is now on long-term financial sustainability, not just outward expansion.
Fate, Texas Development Transformation
- Fate, Texas shifted from sprawl to mixed-use, fiscally productive development.
- This small city prioritizes creating great places that balance human and financial needs.