Kerrville City Council Meeting – January 27, 2026

The Kerrville City Council met at City Hall, 701 Main Street, Kerrville, Texas, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. presided, and Councilmember Brenda Hughes led the invocation and pledge. The meeting featured community presentations, a financial and flood-recovery update, consent agenda approvals, a deferred subdivision waiver item, and an executive session. No members of the public signed up for the Visitors/Citizens Forum.

Announcements & Recognitions

• City staff summarized the response to Winter Storm Fern, including 24-hour work by police, fire, public works, and the inclement weather team; roads, bridges, and 200 miles of water and sewer lines were maintained during the event.
• Mayor Herring recognized employees Shane Boyer and Aaron Barnes for completing professional certificates.
• A memorandum was executed for the Louise Hayes Park Playground and Basketball Court with support from the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Mavericks, Texas Sports Healing Fund, and the Hill Country Community Foundation.
• Council announced that the Smithsonian exhibition “Spark: A Place of Innovation” will be in Kerrville May 16 through June 28 at the Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center, a free six-week exhibit.
• The Kerrville Strong competition continues through February 14; Brianna Rodriguez and Brittany Rojas were recognized as week-one winners.
• Commendations were presented to outgoing board members, including Alan Peterson of the Recovery Community Coalition (service December 23, 2023 – December 31, 2025) and members of the Food Service Advisory Board, Planning & Zoning Commission, and Senior Services Advisory Committee.
• Local artist Randall Moroney was recognized for his Matchman Art exhibit on display at City Hall and the Kerrville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Presentations from Community Organizations

• Kerr Konnect – Program Director Whit Madison reported that Kerr Konnect provides low-cost, door-to-door transportation and grocery/pharmacy delivery Monday–Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM within a 10-mile radius of the courthouse. In 2025, the all-volunteer organization delivered 6,368 rides to 302 destinations using 86 volunteer drivers and about 15 office volunteers, serving about 245 members; about 600 rides were expected in January 2026. Medical-related rides made up about 50% of the total, and 98% of rides had at least one end inside city limits. Kerr Konnect has 135 people on its wait list and needs more volunteer drivers. The organization is hiring a third staff member and seeking 1,500–2,000 square feet of office space.
• Kerrville Pets Alive (KPA) – A representative of Kerrville Pets Alive reported that KPA’s mission is to save Kerr County pets from euthanasia and that the shelter euthanasia rate has been reduced by 90% since 2017. KPA funds medical care and surgeries for impounded pets, provides volunteer rescue and transport 365 days a year, and invests in local veterinarians. KPA reported more than $300,000 in public assistance and about $361,000 invested back into the community. Its September pet wellness clinic provided registration for 200 pets, 325 free vaccines, 225 microchips, and 75 pet tags, with 400 residents attending. Spay/neuter and microchip clinics served 300 pets last year. After the July 4, 2025 flood, KPA assisted 350 pets through free and low-cost services, including pet reunification and cremation. KPA decided to decline the city’s offered funding for this year due to donations received, and it plans to open a new Safe Campus near Schreiner University in June.
• Kerrville Service To At-Risk Youth (K’STAR) – Executive Director Melody Lowman reported that K’STAR has served Kerrville and 14 Hill Country counties for 35 years, operating a children’s emergency shelter that serves 200–215 children per year and offers free counseling. After the flood, K’STAR opened Halo’s Closet early to provide clothing, beds, hygiene supplies, toys, blankets, cleaning supplies, and other aid to affected families. K’STAR was named Nonprofit of the Year by the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by the Kerrville Folk Festival.

Finance Report

• Finance Director Julie Behrens presented the December 31, 2025 financial report and a flood-recovery update. The city received a Triple Crown award for financial reporting.
• FEMA obligated $951,000 in Category B emergency protective measures; the city expects reimbursement of about $713,000 within 30–60 days, and donated resources are expected to cover the remaining $238,000 local match.
• Flood-related projects: Bear Creek is complete and insurance-covered; floodplain management was awarded 75% reimbursement; Guadalupe Park is fully funded by outside sources; Drees Street Guardrail is complete; G Street waterline and lift stations are FEMA-approved; the water treatment facility is still pending; Lowry Park and River Trail damages are estimated around $1.5 million; Camp Meeting Bridge funding from the Community Foundation will speed recovery by two to three months; Kerrville Schreiner Park is pending FEMA review. FEMA generally reimburses 75% of eligible costs to return infrastructure to pre-disaster condition.
• Inflation was 2.7%, closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. General fund property tax collections through December were $625,000 above year-to-date budget; sales taxes and personnel/supply categories were also better than budget estimates. Water and sewer funds tracked at or above budget. About 2% of utility customers use text-to-pay.
• Enterprise funds: Kerrville Schreiner Park is running behind budget and will be monitored; the golf course is $27,000 better than budget; the Hotel Occupancy Tax fund is better than budget due to visitors and first responders, but staff cautioned against assuming that trend continues.
• The FY2026 audit will be presented in March, and budget work has begun.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the consent agenda unanimously, covering: Ordinance 2026-01 (second reading) changing zoning at 2905 Memorial Blvd from C-2 to C-3; Ordinance 2026-02 (second reading) deleting Article VI “Solicitations” from Chapter 30 “Business”; Ordinance 2026-03 (second reading) amending the FY2026 budget for post-flood property value changes; Resolution 04-2026 dissolving the Kerrville Main Street Advisory Board; Resolution 05-2026 authorizing a grant application for bullet-resistant components for police vehicles; and the January 13, 2026 workshop and meeting minutes.
• Before the vote, Councilmember Brenda Hughes commented on a citizen’s question about ordinance review. Outgoing City Attorney Mike Hayes said the old solicitation ordinance had wording that created difficulty for the court and that a new ordinance draft is being prepared.

Discussion Items

• Director of Planning & Development David Paxton requested deferral of agenda item 6.A, a major waiver of Subdivision Code requirements for an approximately half-acre tract between Cotton Gin Ln. and Oak Dr. north of State Highway 27. He stated the matter will return at the next council meeting as a waiver of annexation instead, with additional information. No action was taken on the item.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No speakers signed up for the Visitors/Citizens Forum.

Executive Session & Appointment

• Council moved unanimously into executive session under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 and 551.074 to discuss the appointment of a Municipal Court Prosecutor, the employment/evaluation/duties of the Interim City Attorney, and potential litigation arising from the July 4, 2025 Guadalupe River flood.
• Before the executive session, outgoing City Attorney Mike Hayes addressed the council, thanking staff and his family, reflecting on his service since 2001, and highlighting projects including the River Trail, Sports Complex, reclaimed water pond, and efforts related to Tivy Mountain. He encouraged public engagement and civic participation.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Item 6.A (subdivision code waiver / annexation waiver) deferred to the next council meeting.
• Council entered executive session; no subsequent action was reported in the meeting record.
• The council gave a farewell to City Attorney Mike Hayes ahead of his departure.