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On today’s episode of the Talk of the Town Podcast, we sit down with Iowa Colony Mayor Will Kennedy to talk all things Iowa Colony, its history, incredible growth, and the exciting future ahead.

Originally founded by the Immigration Land Company of Des Moines, Iowa, the community has a rich history rooted in the early settlers who helped shape the area. Iowa Colony officially incorporated in the early 1970s and has since grown into one of the fastest-growing communities in the State of Texas.

With that rapid growth comes important decisions and challenges. From managing infrastructure and water needs to budgeting responsibly and keeping taxes in check, city leaders must carefully plan for today while preparing for tomorrow.

Iowa Colony is also proud to be recognized as one of the safest communities not only in Texas, but in the United States, a distinction that reflects the community’s commitment to public safety and quality of life.

So sit back and take a listen as we dive into the history of Iowa Colony and explore the bright future ahead for this rapidly growing Texas community.

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On today’s episode of the Talk of the Town Podcast, we welcome Lowell Matheny, Mayor of Liverpool, Texas, for a conversation about the city’s history, growth, and future.

Liverpool has a rich history dating back to around 1827, when it began as a trading post. In 1837, it was formally established as a shipping point for Stephen F. Austin’s colony. The city was named after Liverpool, England, by Commodore Nelson.

Today, Liverpool stands at the forefront of a new chapter. With the Grand Parkway coming through the community, the city is preparing for significant growth, new infrastructure needs, and opportunities for new businesses and development.

What will this growth mean for Liverpool? How is the city preparing for the changes ahead? And what does the future look like for this historic community?

Join us as we sit down with Mayor Lowell Matheny to discuss Liverpool’s past, present, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

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On this special edition of the Talk of the Town Podcast, we take a closer look at the Pearland City Council meeting held on August 10th and the discussion surrounding the Council Rules.

We break down the Pearland City Charter and examine the roles, duties, and responsibilities of the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager. We also address an important question: Do the recent changes to the Council Rules actually change the function of the Mayor, or has the issue been portrayed in a way that creates unnecessary controversy?

Understanding how local government is structured—and where the authority and responsibilities of each position begin and end—is essential to having an informed conversation about the future of our city.

Join us as we take a closer look at the Council Rules, the City Charter, and what they mean for effective governance in Pearland.

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On today’s episode of the Talk of the Town Podcast, we sit down with Brookside Village Mayor Glenda Hundl and Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Murphy to talk all things Brookside Village.

Brookside Village is a small town and the northernmost city in Brazoria County. With a population of around 1,600, it has maintained its small-town, rural feel while facing many of the same challenges that come with growth and development.

We discuss drainage grants, how the Clear Creek Project could benefit the city, and the impact the widening of Mykawa Road could have on the Brookside Village community.

One thing that really stands out during our conversation is how much Mayor Hundl truly loves the city she serves. Her passion for Brookside Village and the people who call it home is evident throughout the conversation.

Join us for another great conversation on the Talk of the Town Podcast!

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On this episode of the Talk of the Town Podcast, we take an in-depth look at Pearland’s water and wastewater rates, the major infrastructure investments driving those costs, and what they mean for residents today and in the years ahead.

Over the past six to eight years, the City of Pearland has constructed or is in the process of constructing—three major water and wastewater infrastructure facilities. We examine why these projects were necessary, how they are financed, and how those investments ultimately impact the rates residents pay for water and sewer services.

We also discuss a significant financial issue facing the City: the encouragement by Mayor Wiltz to add at least $28 million in additional debt to the Enterprise Fund. What could that mean for the city’s long-term financial position and for future water rates? We take a closer look at the potential consequences of continuing to defer costs and what “kicking the can down the road” could mean for taxpayers and ratepayers.

Water rates and utility billing can be complicated, but they affect every household and business in our community. Our goal in this episode is to break down the numbers, explain the decisions behind them, and help residents better understand how Pearland’s water system and billing process work.

This is an important conversation for every Pearland resident. We hope you’ll take the time to listen to the entire episode and come away with a better understanding of where your water bill comes from—and where it may be headed.

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One word can set a whole city on fire, especially when that word is “annexation.” We’re Cameron and Kevin, and we sit down to untangle the real story behind Pearland’s MUDs 2, 3, and 6 after a City Council agenda item triggered confusion, public backlash, and a packed speaker list. If you’ve heard rumors about the city pulling neighborhoods into the limits, we lay out what’s true, what’s legally possible, and what’s being misunderstood.

We walk through the history of these Municipal Utility Districts, why some MUDs were annexed years ago while 2, 3, and 6 stayed in the ETJ, and why the overlap with Manvel’s ETJ makes everything more complicated than a simple map redraw. We also get practical about municipal finance: MUD debt, city tax rates, and the sales tax agreement tied to the major retail corridor in MUD 6. This stuff matters because it drives the incentives and the limits on what any council can realistically do.

Then we explain the process under Texas annexation law after the 2017 changes: petitions, resident votes, and the key detail most people miss, neither a city nor a neighborhood can force the other’s hand. We also connect the dots on fire and EMS funding, ESD property taxes, and the ongoing cost study that could shape future negotiations and service expectations.

If you care about local government transparency, clear communication, and how ETJ services get paid for, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a neighbor, and leave a review.

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What happens when housing affordability collides with local control? In this episode, we examine the rising cost of housing in Pearland and across the Highway 288 corridor, and break down two major Texas bills—SB 15 (the Tiny Lot Bill) and SB 840 that could reshape future development. We discuss what’s driving construction costs, how interest rates and infrastructure affect home prices, and what these proposed laws could mean for neighborhoods, property rights, and the future of growth in Texas. Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, developer, or simply interested in your community, this episode offers a clear, balanced look at one of the state’s biggest issues.

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On the Talk of the Town Podcast, Cameron and Kevin discuss Pearland’s major development stories along the 288 corridor, focusing on how Town Center and Bass Pro Shops came to be. They recount a 2005 open-air mall proposal near Beltway 8/288, how Pearland won Bass Pro how competing plans with CBL led to Town Center securing major anchors like Macy’s and Dillard’s. They describe how Pearland avoided large incentives by letting the market play out, contributing to Bass Pro sitting largely alone and underperforming. The episode also explains how the Greater 288 Partnership helped advance 288 improvements by shifting toll project primacy to TxDOT through key relationships, and briefly notes past concepts like a presidential-heads attraction and a potential amphitheater near Bass Pro.