Johnson City, Texas Has a Water Crisis Nobody's Talking About

Johnson City sits on the Pedernales River — and still can't tap a drop of it for drinking water. With 67 of 540 homes now operating as Airbnbs and no hotel in town, Mayor Stephanie Fisher is fighting to protect affordable housing while trying to unlock one of Texas Hill Country's most overlooked gateways.Mayor Stephanie Fisher — now in her second term — sits down with Justin McKenzie to break down the groundwater infrastructure battle, the Airbnb housing crunch reshaping Johnson City neighborhoods, and the city's plan to turn through-traffic on the 290/281 corridor into a real Texas Hill Country tourism economy.

What We Cover:
→ Why Johnson City relies entirely on the Ellenberger Aquifer despite sitting on the Pedernales River
→ The short-term rental math: 67 Airbnbs out of only 540 residential connections
→ The #1 economic development priority — attracting a boutique or resort-style hotel to the Hill Country
→ LBJ National Historic Park, the Science Mill, and Exotic Resort Zoo as untapped tourism anchors
→ The push for a higher pumpage permit and what's blocking water infrastructure growth
→ What sustainable growth actually looks like for a small Texas town on the edge of a boomGuest: Stephanie Fisher, Mayor of Johnson City, Texas

About The Building Texas Show:
The Building Texas Show is the Texas business podcast covering Texas economic development, the Texas housing market, and the Texas economy. Hosted by Justin McKenzie, each episode features the founders, mayors, and innovators driving Texas growth — from the Texas Hill Country and Austin metro to the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.