Kerrville City Council Meeting – March 24, 2026

The Kerrville City Council held its regular meeting on March 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 701 Main Street. The meeting lasted approximately 1 hour and 43 minutes, adjourning at 7:43 PM. Key actions included approval of consent agenda items, a conditional resolution for a federal wastewater grant, continuation of the Atmos Cities Steering Committee membership, design contracts for water infrastructure projects, additional funding for downtown exterior improvements, and board appointments. Public comments addressed birding events, city charter concerns, and the proposed reclaimed water project.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance No. 2026-04 (second reading) – establishing speed limit on Olympic Drive. Unanimously approved on first reading March 10, 2026.
• Ordinance No. 2026-05 (second reading) – establishing speed limit on State Farm to Market Road 1338 (Goat Creek Parkway). Unanimously approved on first reading March 10, 2026.
• Resolution No. 17-2026 – authorizing submission of a Texas Community Development Block Grant Program application for the 2026 Downtown Revitalization Program.
• City Council workshop minutes and meeting minutes from March 10, 2026. All consent items were approved by a single unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Katie Cappel (resident, 913 Red Bed Lane) – Announced an upcoming bird festival on April 11 at Riverside Nature Center (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.), featuring bird experts and activities. Expressed appreciation for the city’s bird blind.
• George Brudie (resident, 1616 Glenn Road) – Questioned the council’s authority to remove the deputy city attorney position, referencing a charter provision (Section 605). Argued the council's action may have been outside its authority and asked for public clarification.
• David Williams (developer, Tybee Commons) – Expressed support for the EDA grant (6A), confirming his development group would provide a $600,000 letter of credit as part of the local match. Stated that even without the third developer, the two committed groups would cover the full $1.2 million match.
• Kerry Wolf (resident, exterior jurisdiction) – Opposed the Elm Creek Reclaimed Water Line project (6C), arguing it represents a “backdoor” to indirect potable reuse. Raised concerns about chemicals in treated effluent (e.g., PFAS), questioned whether TCEQ/UGRA had approved the discharge, and called for a town hall before proceeding.

Discussion Items

• 2.A – Fire Department Awards: Chief Maloney presented the 2025 EMS Person of the Year (Bart Bartlett, EMS Supervisor) and Officer of the Year (Battalion Chief Jaron Floyd, recognized for leadership during the July 4 flood). Both were honored for their professionalism and service.
• 2.B – Doyle Community Center: Executive Director Rae Cardenas provided a progress report. Key statistics: 243 households served monthly by the food pantry, 230 scheduled transportation appointments (202 trips), 35–40 attendees at senior lunch/bingo, and a new partnership with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (35 appointments for a wills clinic). The center also offers ESL classes, after-school programs, and seasonal events.
• 3.A – Audit Overview: Finance Director Julie Behrens and auditor Josh Finley (Forvis Mazars) presented the FY2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The city received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion, with no reportable findings on internal control or federal compliance. Unassigned general fund balance was $14.4 million (35% of actual expenditures, above policy). Net pension liability was $5.8 million (95% funded). The city has achieved the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for 40 consecutive years. Council voted unanimously to accept the report.
• 6.A – EDA Grant for Wastewater Improvements: Asst. City Manager Mike Hornes presented Resolution No. 16-2026 for a grant to fund the Quinlan Creek Interceptor project (estimated total cost ~$6 million, 20% local match). Three development groups (Whiskey Springs, Tybee Commons, Structured Development) are negotiating participation agreements totaling $1.2 million. Council amended the motion to require securing the full $1.2 million in participation agreements before submission. The resolution passed unanimously.
• 6.B – Atmos Cities Steering Committee: Interim City Attorney William Tatsch recommended continued membership for $997.20 per year (4 cents per capita). The committee represents 188 cities in rate negotiations and regulatory matters. Approved unanimously.
• 6.C – Elm Creek Reclaimed Water Line Design: Director of Engineering Kyle Burrow presented a $373,490 professional services agreement with 6S Engineering for design of a 1.6-mile reclaimed water line from the sports complex pond to Elm Creek discharge. The project supports indirect potable reuse and is paired with a grant application for the Water Infrastructure program. Construction costs estimated at $3.1 million. Public comments included opposition and calls for public education. Council unanimously approved the design contract.
• 6.D – Water Treatment Plant Filter Replacement Design: Burrow presented a $221,079 agreement with Freese & Nichols for design services to replace aging filter gallery components (original from 1979). Funded through 2023 Water/Sewer Bonds. Approved unanimously.
• 6.E – Exterior Enhancement Grant Program: Mike Hornes presented a request to allocate an additional $50,000 from Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 for the second round of the program. Statistics: 42 applications received, 24 eligible, 13–14 funded in the first round (leveraging approximately $2 million in private investment). Council added a condition that unserved eligible applicants from the first round receive priority before new applications. Approved unanimously.
• 7.A – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board: City Secretary Shelley McElhannon announced three vacancies. Council appointed Mark Armstrong, Jessica Kearns, and Laura Sutter unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (5A–5E).
• EDA Grant (6A): Resolution No. 16-2026 approved, contingent on securing $1.2 million in developer participation agreements. Vote: unanimous.
• Atmos Cities Steering Committee (6B): Resolution No. 18-2026 approved. Vote: unanimous.
• Elm Creek Reclaimed Water Line Design (6C): Professional Services Agreement with 6S Engineering approved. Vote: unanimous.
• Water Treatment Plant Filter Replacement Design (6D): Professional Services Agreement with Freese & Nichols approved. Vote: unanimous.
• Exterior Enhancement Grant (6E): Additional $50,000 allocation approved, with priority given to previously unfunded eligible applicants. Vote: unanimous.
• Board Appointments (7A): Three members appointed to Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. Vote: unanimous.
• Future Agenda Items: Council requested an update on the Louise Hayes Park project at the next meeting and a town hall/workshop on water issues and the proposed reclaimed water project.