Episodes 84
Avg. Duration 46m
Activity Sporadic
Since Oct 2019
Latest Episode Aug 2025

Publishing Details

Schedule
Monthly
Format
Episodic
Hosting
feeds.transistor.fm

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

Throwing the kitchen at SB10

Aug 28, 2025 1h Transcript

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…

Will the voucher debate spare Texas cities this session?

Apr 16, 2025 59m Transcript

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.…

This is an April Fools joke, right?

Apr 04, 2025 46m

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…

What happens in Austin doesn't always stay in Austin

Mar 05, 2025 1h 17m Transcript

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!Timestamps00:00…

Hold onto your butts... (property tax edition)

Jan 16, 2025 1h 10m

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…

The earth's axis vs groundwater

Dec 05, 2024 51m

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…

The case for public space

Oct 08, 2024 48m

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…

The housing trap with Chuck Marohn

Sep 26, 2024 1h 36m

On this epic episode, we welcome Chuck Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns. Chuck's bestselling new book, Escaping the Housing Trap, kicks off the conversation, which winds its way through…

The tizzy

Sep 18, 2024 1h 10m

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…

The appraisal district drama

Sep 05, 2024 1h

In this episode, Patrick and Chad drop some hot takes on the appraisal changes recently approved by the Tarrant Appraisal District. We talk about addressing the symptoms of the property tax system in…

What's the deal with the economy?

Aug 14, 2024 1h 3m

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 -…

The Vacation Episode

Jul 12, 2024 1h 3m

Join us as we catch up and chat about life and cities in this grab bag episode:00:10 - Patrick's waterpark excursions02:53 - Patrick reviews Kalahari01:40 - Is Schlitterbahn slipping?12:09 - Kalahari…

The kind of problem a city is

May 30, 2024 57m

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…

Liability Lane

May 17, 2024 41m

In this episode, Pat and Chad talk about inflation remaining stubborn and how cities can/should better report their infrastructure liabilities.00:00 - on pets01:55 - on inflation16:10 - on assets and…

The world's most expensive bathroom

May 01, 2024 1h 4m

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…

The Doom Loop

Apr 23, 2024 1h 3m

In this episode, Chad and Pat debrief from the Utah City Managers Association conference and talk about differences in management cultures among these United States. We talk about the growing concern…

Amazon lockers, appraisal boards, and zoning reform

Apr 04, 2024 1h 5m

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…

The episode about nothing

Mar 22, 2024 39m

Fresh off of Spring Break and without a lot of hard hitting topics to discuss, Pat and Chad bounce between friendly and city topics. 00:12 - Intro00:42 - Spring Break activities03:09 - Paw Patrol…

The Great Reversals

Mar 07, 2024 43m

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…

The (audit) adjustment bureau

Feb 22, 2024 57m

A major sales tax audit adjustment hit cities across the state of Texas in February. Chad and Patrick talk about the adjustment and some issues it highlighted. We follow up with a discussion on the…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does ZacCast have?

ZacCast has published 84 episodes since October 2019, covering topics in Government, Technology.

Is ZacCast still active?

ZacCast is currently sporadic with new episodes monthly. Average episode length is 46m.

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