Talk of the Town Podcast

Kevin Cole & Cameron Cole

Talk of the Town Podcast with Kevin Cole and Cameron Cole, where we're about local stories, local leaders, and local impact. 

Episodes

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    SPECIAL EDITION of the Talk of the Town Podcast: City Council Roles & Responsibilities

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  2. 5d ago ·  Video

    Talk of the Town Podcast: Conversation with Brookside Village

    Send us Fan Mail 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!

  3. Aug 14 ·  Video

    Talk of the Town Podcast: Understanding Pearland’s Water Rates

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  4. Aug 3 ·  Video

    Talk of the Town Podcast: Annexation Confusion in Pearland

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  5. Jul 27 ·  Video

    Texas Growth Forces Hard Choices On Housing

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  6. Jul 20 ·  Video

    Pearland's Development Journey: From Bass Pro to Town Center

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  7. Jul 13 ·  Video

    From Railroad Stop To Boomtown In Pearland, Texas

    Send us Fan Mail Pearland’s growth didn’t happen by accident. In this episode, Cameron Cole sits down with former Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole to explore the city’s history from its 1894 founding and pear orchard roots to the infrastructure, annexation decisions, and explosive growth that shaped the Pearland we know today. They also discuss Beltway 8’s impact, the city’s fight to remain independent, the surprising NASCAR proposal, and the community projects helping protect Pearland’s future. If you love local history, Texas growth stories, or call Pearland home, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

  8. Jul 6 ·  Video

    “Talk of the Town Podcast: Public Trust in a Time of Change”

    Send us Fan Mail There’s plenty of national political drama out there, but that’s not what we’re focused on. This show is about Brazoria County, and the issues that impact our community. In this episode, we talk about America 250, Pearland’s history dating back to 1894. We also discuss the recent Brazoria County officer-involved shooting not to speculate, but to talk about public communication, crisis leadership, and why investigators can’t always share everything during an active case. Plus, we break down the latest at Pearland City Council, how at large elections really work, and why building relationships and earning trust are essential to getting things done. At the end of the day, this is about bringing people together, having honest conversations, and helping make our community stronger.

  • 8 Episodes

About

Talk of the Town Podcast with Kevin Cole and Cameron Cole, where we're about local stories, local leaders, and local impact. 

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Cole & Cameron Cole
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Talk of the Town Podcast
  • Show Website
    Talk of the Town Podcast