Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Fredericksburg City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 9:00 AM at City Hall at East Campus. Mayor Randy Briley presided. The council approved the consent agenda, authorized the CVB visitor center renovation contract, approved the FISD juvenile case manager interlocal agreement, reappointed the municipal court judge, and received the FY 2027 proposed tax rate presentation. The council then recessed to executive session, reconvened, took no action, and adjourned at 9:43 AM.
Colleen Haley, Pastor of Christ in the Hills Global Methodist Church, gave the invocation, and the council led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Municipal Court Judge Shelley Becker introduced Kimberly Campbell, Deputy Municipal Court Clerk, and Stacy Martin, Municipal Court Clerk/Administrator. Campbell is a Fredericksburg native with more than 10 years of hospitality and tourism experience and began January 14, 2026. Martin, who started June 1, 2026, has more than 20 years of Texas municipal court experience and is pursuing court manager certification. Both briefly thanked the council.
Approved the City Council minutes from the July 14, 2026 Special Budget Meeting, the July 14, 2026 Special Joint Meeting with Gillespie County Commissioners, and the July 21, 2026 Regular Meeting. The consent agenda passed on a single unanimous motion.
David Shields, CVB Board Chair, requested approval of Kendnel Kasper Construction, Inc. as construction manager at risk and authorization to proceed with pre-construction work with SKT Architects. The project covers renovations to the Fredericksburg Visitors Center and a remodel of the public restrooms; the footprint will not change. Construction is expected to begin in mid-to-late October, with a target completion before spring break on March 1. The exact construction dollar amount will be finalized during pre-construction. The council approved the item unanimously.
Judge Becker explained the agreement is the third annual interlocal with Fredericksburg ISD for the Juvenile Case Manager Program, covering duties, confidentiality of school records, truancy, and fine-only juvenile offenses. Changes are limited to the 2026-2027 school year and the new superintendent, Mr. Bowers. The FISD board approved it earlier. The council approved unanimously.
Mayor Briley offered the option of handling the reappointment in executive session; Judge Becker indicated readiness. The council then moved to reappoint Shelley Becker as Municipal Court Judge and approved it unanimously.
Finance Director Krista Wareham presented the truth-in-taxation rates. The current total rate is 0.2274 per $100 valuation, including roughly 20 cents for maintenance and operations and just under three cents for debt. The city receives about 18 cents of every property tax dollar, with 61 cents going to schools, 21 cents to the county, and a small remainder going to other districts. The city's rate remains one of the lowest in the Hill Country compared to Burnet, Kerrville, Liberty Hill, and Marble Falls.
For tax year 2026, the Gillespie County Chief Appraiser's office calculated:
Wareham reported that the no-new revenue rate would generate about $194,000 in new city revenue, the de minimis rate about $592,000, and the voter approval rate about $841,000. New taxable value was lower than last year, resulting in an estimated $200,000 shortfall compared to prior-year revenue. The next statutory dates are: proposed budget filed by August 14; August 18 regular council meeting to set the proposed tax rate; August 26 special budget meeting for public comment; September 8 public hearing on the budget; and September 15 adoption of the tax rate and FY 2027 budget.
Council budget discussion included:
City Manager Clinton Bailey reviewed upcoming items:
The council recessed to executive session under Texas Government Code Sections 551.074 (Municipal Court Judge appointment) and 551.071 (legal matters update). The council reconvened at 9:43 AM; no action was taken on either item. Mayor Briley adjourned the meeting at 9:43 AM.
Here on the way. Come and take part in all of the things that affect all of us. And Father, we pray that you would be with us in these pretty trying times and remind us that no matter how bad things ever get around us, that you are with us. And that it's not up to us to worry about what's gonna happen, but it is up to us to keep our eyes on you. That you would give them the strength and the determination and the stamina that it takes to continue the jobs that have been given to them. Thank you, Father, for the ways you bless us. Help us never to take any of our blessings for granted, even the ones that we consider to be small because none of them are small. And thank you, Lord, for the gift of your son Jesus. And it's in his name we pray. Amen. Indivisible with literacy and justice for all. Honor state one. Moving to item four and play employee recognition. We have an introduction of a new employee, Kimberly Campbell, a deputy municipal court clerk, and Stacy Martin. I believe Judge Becker. Good morning. Good morning. Mayor and council members, good morning. I am really pleased to introduce our two new employees for municipal court. The first is Kemberly Campbell. Kimberly started back on January 14th. She is our deputy court clerk. She is a local. She was born and raised here. She graduated at Fredericksburg High School. She brings um over 10 years of experience in the hospital hospitality and tourism industry. So we are really excited to have her. The second is Stacy Martin. Stacy started on June 1st as our court administrator and clerk of the court. She has over 20 years of experience in Texas municipal courts. She has the highest level of clerk certification that you can get here in Texas. And she is currently working towards becoming a certified court manager through the National Center of State Courts. She moved here from San Antonio, so we are excited for her that she gets to experience Fredericksburg and go around and learn everything that this community has to offer. Well, thank you. Stacy Kimberly, would you like to share any words with us? You're more than welcome. Good morning. I'm just want to say thank you for having me, Mark, for your our great city. I'm from here, obviously, but it's a pleasure to meet all of you and be part of a new journey. Good morning, Councilmembers and Mayor. Um, it's been a great experience moving here, and I am enjoyed the community, and I'm kind of enjoying meeting new people and working with Judge Becker. So you have a very good boss. I will just say that. So