Johnson City Mayor Stephanie Fisher, in her second term, appeared on the latest episode of The Building Texas Show to discuss the city's groundwater permitting standoff, short-term rental boom, and tourism strategy. The episode, titled "Johnson City, Texas Has a Water Crisis Nobody's Talking About" and hosted by Justin McKenzie, was published May 27, 2026.
Fisher highlighted that 67 of the city's 540 residential single-family water connections are now short-term rentals, reshaping neighborhoods and straining resources. The city relies solely on the Ellenberger Aquifer for drinking water, as it cannot yet harvest its 200 acre-feet of Pedernales River water held under an LCRA permit without millions in infrastructure investment.
The city is seeking a pumpage permit increase from the Blanco Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District, but Fisher acknowledged that previous administrations "put the cart before the horse," complicating negotiations. She expressed confidence in the district's due diligence to ensure long-term water availability.
To address housing and tax base challenges, Fisher emphasized the need for a boutique or resort-style hotel, ideally on the river, to convert through-traffic on highways 290 and 281 into overnight tourism dollars. The area already boasts attractions such as the Science Mill, LBJ National Historic Park, the Old Settlement, Exotic Resort Zoo, and an annual fair and rodeo.
The podcast also touched on Hill Country affordability and 100-year water planning contrasts with communities like Midland and Lubbock. The Building Texas Show, sponsored by Chisos Boots, is available on YouTube and other podcast platforms.
