Kerrville City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025

The Kerrville City Council met on November 18, 2025, at City Hall, 701 Main Street. Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. presided. The meeting began with an invocation by Councilmember Jeff Harris and included a financial report, community announcements, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, consideration of three ordinances on first reading, five resolutions, an interlocal agreement, a memorandum of understanding, a development agreement amendment, and board appointments. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Announcements

• Crystal celebrated the success of the Water Street Festival and announced the next date: October 24, 2026.
• A second annual Blue Santa Golf Tournament was announced for December 14, 2025, at River Hill Country Club, benefiting the Kerrville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association.
• Thanks were given to Habitat for Humanity and the Ford Philanthropy Foundation for sponsoring a first responder golf tournament.
• A river cleanup co-sponsored by UGRA and the city drew up to 200 volunteers, counting toward matching funds for upcoming projects.
• Kerrville Pets Alive spayed/neutered 40 animals; at least three more clinics are planned for next year.

Financial Report

Trina Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Finance, presented the fiscal year 2025 end estimates:

• General fund revenues: Property tax came in $59,000 below budget due to lower delinquent collections; sales tax exceeded budget by $147,000 (October up 11%, November up 6%, rolling 12-month average 4.2% over prior year); service revenues exceeded budget by $132,000 (from solid waste surcharge and EMS). Recreation revenues fell $285,000 below budget due to lower KSP and Gough turnout after the flood.
• General fund expenditures: $1.4 million under budget despite flood-related overtime and repairs. Personnel savings offset some costs.
• Water and sewer fund: Water sales were behind budget due to flood and rain restrictions; sewer performed on budget. Overall fund revenues exceeded budget; expenses were $183,000 better than budget.
• Development services: Revenues totaled $1.2 million (up from $841,000 in FY24), though unpredictable. Personnel costs were $25,000 under budget; a new code enforcement officer will be added in FY26.
• FEMA/DRS update: Two projects (emergency protective measures, $951,000, and Bear Creek Bridge temporary repair) have been approved for obligation. Reimbursement of 75% ($700,000) is expected for emergency measures, and $300,000 for the bridge. Parks and public works projects remain pending with environmental reviews and cost estimation underway.
• A budget amendment for any surplus in FY25 is anticipated in January 2026.

Consent Calendar

Items 4A through 4I were approved by a single vote without discussion:

• 4A: Resolution No. 36-2025 – Application for 2027 Solid Waste Pass Through Grant (AACOG).
• 4B: Purchase of one vacuum excavator from Vermeer Texas-Louisiana, not to exceed $135,000 (budgeted).
• 4C: Purchase of one 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 with service body, not to exceed $70,000 (budgeted).
• 4D: Purchase of water meter infrastructure from Core and Main, not to exceed $150,000 (budgeted).
• 4E: Professional services agreement with Freese & Nichols, Inc. for wastewater treatment plant improvements, $640,584 (budgeted).
• 4F: Change order with J3 Company, LLC for Cailloux Blvd. improvements, $215,830 (budgeted).
• 4G: General construction contract with J3 Company, LLC for Bear Creek Bridge temporary repair, $445,995.
• 4H: City Council workshop minutes of October 28, 2025, approved.
• 4I: City Council meeting minutes of October 28, 2025, approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lamoniaca Lacy (Small Business Administration, public affairs specialist) announced that the Business Recovery Center (BRC) would close November 19, 2025; physical damage loan applications are due by November 27, 2025. Economic injury applications continue until April 6, 2026. Her team leader Gabe thanked the community for its hospitality and expressed hope for continued collaboration.
• George Brady (1616 Glenn Road) criticized the mayor for using the word “unqualified” to describe citizens who reference the law, arguing it has a chilling effect on dissent. He urged the council to foster a safer environment for opposing views.
• George Eichner (604 Cardinal Drive, Kerrville Christmas Lighting Corporation) announced a pre-parade street festival on December 6, 2025, starting at 5:00 p.m., with 16 vendors, three food trucks, a heated lighted portable restroom trailer, and Santa Claus. The tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m. will feature a new waterproof Christmas tree costing over $100,000.
• Mikayla Taylor (Kerrville) raised concerns about a $1.4 million civil rights settlement in Hobbs, New Mexico, involving the current Kerrville police chief. She criticized the city’s lack of transparency and called for reform of indemnity ordinance No. 7832 to align with state law, refusing indemnification for violations. She urged personal accountability for officials.
• Joe Martin (Turtle Creek Columbia Advisor, client on Chase Street) spoke on Item 5A: supported the sidewalk amenity ordinance after revisions addressing awning allowances and insurance clarity.
• Bill Rector (705 Water Street, representing UGRA) spoke on Item 5A: expressed concern about the requirement to name the city as additional insured, arguing downtown has flourished without regulation for five years. He requested a six-month economic impact study. Later, on Item 6D, he supported the flood warning interlocal agreement and noted UGRA is adding 16 new sensors and four sirens by June 2026.
• Howard Taylor (Chair, Main Street Advisory Board) spoke on Item 5A: said the board unanimously recommended that the city not be named as an additional insured.
• George Brady (1616 Glenn Road) spoke on Item 6B: questioned why the city manager’s purchasing authority should be raised from $50,000 to $100,000, arguing it reduces transparency. He suggested keeping the purchasing authority at the lower level.

Discussion Items

5A – Ordinance No. 2025-22 (Sidewalk Amenities in Downtown Core) – First reading. Staff proposed replacing the annual sidewalk cafe permit ($50/table) with a one-time $50 permit for all sidewalk amenities (plants, signs, umbrellas, etc.), requiring a 5-foot ADA clearance. Revisions addressed concerns: awnings with logos are now allowed; the additional insured requirement was clarified (estimated $30/year extra). After public comment, council passed the ordinance unanimously.

5B – Ordinance No. 2025-25 (Dissolving Senior Services Advisory Committee) – First reading. Staff reported the committee voted unanimously to dissolve and integrate with the Senior Business Connections of the Hill Country (SBC) at the Dietert Center, which can raise funds via its 501(c)(3). Brenda Thompson (Dietert Center) and Karen Maddox (committee chair) supported the move. Passed unanimously.

5C – Ordinance No. 2025-26 (Disannexation of 79.4 acres) – First reading. Councilmember Harris recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest. The property at 1200 Sheppard Rees Road is to be disannexed because of water pressure issues; the city cannot serve the upper elevations. The frontage along Thompson Drive will remain in the city. Taxes and fees paid are expected to offset services provided. Passed unanimously (with 6 votes after recusal).

6A – Resolution No. 34-2025 (Sidewalk Amenity Permit Fee) – Adopts a $50 one-time permit fee effective January 1, 2026. Passed unanimously.

6B – Resolution No. 35-2025 (Amend Purchasing Policy) – Raises the competitive bid threshold from $50,000 to $100,000 (consistent with Senate Bill 1173) and increases the city manager’s purchasing authority to $100,000. Staff argued it provides flexibility; public speaker George Brady opposed the manager’s authority increase. Passed unanimously.

6C – Resolution No. 37-2025 (Kerr Central Appraisal District Board) – Council voted 867 votes for Pete Calderon and one vote each for Amy Glider, Rick Bowles, Jack Firch, David Garrison, Wesley Holy Camp, Larry Creo, and Rolinda Schmidt. Passed unanimously.

6D – Interlocal Agreement (Flood Warning System) – Partners: KPUB (lead applicant), Kerr County, City of Ingram, UGRA, LCRA, Hill Country Telephone. Application for a “middle mile” broadband grant (~$15 million) due November 20, 2025, to improve flood warning data speed (from 30-minute to 5-minute intervals). UGRA will add 16 sensors and four sirens by June 2026. A separate state fund through the Texas Water Development Board is also being pursued. Passed unanimously.

6E – Memorandum of Understanding (Guadalupe Park Reconstruction) – The city will partner with the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, the NBA (via Texas Sports for Healing Foundation), and the Hill Country Community Foundation. Each NBA team will donate $125,000, matched by the foundation, to rebuild and improve Guadalupe Park lost in the flood. Goal: open by April 1, 2026. Passed unanimously.

6F – Second Amendment to A.C. Schreiner House Development and Management Agreement – Amendments include: extending termination notice from two to five years; eliminating carriage house use for safety; allowing board size compliance with state code; clarifying naming rights; adjusting maintenance reports from monthly to quarterly; adding curb appeal responsibility; and adding bankruptcy default clause. Board and executive director supported. Passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (4A-4I) approved.
• Ordinances 2025-22, 2025-25, and 2025-26 passed on first reading (5C with recusal).
• Resolutions 34-2025, 35-2025, and 37-2025 passed.
• Interlocal agreement (6D), MOU (6E), and development agreement amendment (6F) approved.
• Board appointments:
  • Building Board of Adjustment and Appeals: Caleb Mazell (reappointment) and Kyle Reeves (alternate).
  • Food Service Advisory Board: Michael Clark (reappointment), Danielle Porti (reappointment), Selena Sheets (new).
• Items for future agendas: A report on the Pronto transportation system and an amended budget were requested.