Kerrville City Council Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Kerrville City Council met on September 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included adoption of the FY2027 budget, a property tax rate increase, public hearings, and updates on flood recovery efforts. The council also addressed zoning changes, animal code amendments, a conditional use permit, and board appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of City Council Workshop minutes (Item 4A): Passed 5-0.
• Approval of City Council Meeting minutes (Item 4B): Removed from consent by Councilmember McKinney due to a discrepancy about airport funding. After discussion, the minutes were approved with a 4-1 vote. Councilmember McKinney requested the airport budget be placed on a future agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike and Jan Peruccini (co-founders of Gunny's Warriors): Announced the fourth annual Flags of Honor event from September 11-13 at River Star Park, featuring 500 American flags and ceremonies, open to the public 24 hours a day.
• Madison Perez: Expressed opposition to Flock cameras, stating they violate the Fourth Amendment by collecting vehicle fingerprints without probable cause. She argued that data is owned by private companies and could be shared across jurisdictions.
• George Bruty (1616 Glenn Road): Questioned the structural sustainability of the budget, stating that infrastructure maintenance and asset replacement are underfunded by $4-7 million annually. He asked why the city is creating new departments (e.g., animal services) and maintaining a special ops police unit when county counterparts exist, and why the pavement master plan remains underfunded. He called for real operational cuts.
• Russell Mowgli (1041 Roanoke Lane): Expressed frustration that his homestead exemption and frozen senior tax rate were offset by a $32,000 appraisal increase, resulting in only a $20 break. He also questioned a tax abatement for the Blue Wood apartments project, asking whether the $800,000 estimate was based on current or future tax rates.
• A commercial business owner (Berner Valley Drive): Argued that the ad valorem tax on business personal property is "extortion," as it taxes equipment already purchased. He asked why the city needs this tax.
• George Bruty (second appearance): Argued that the budget process should start with desired service levels and cost, then set the tax rate accordingly. He stated that raising taxes by $490,000 does not solve the $3 million annual operating shortfall, so the council should make real operational cuts instead.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: The council proclaimed United States Constitution Week (September 17-23) and National Recovery Month (September 2026). Representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Kerrville Recovery Community Coalition spoke about their efforts, with two individuals sharing personal recovery stories (39 years and 21 years in recovery).
• Community Foundation Flood Recovery Update: Greg Richards (General Counsel/Chief Strategy Officer, Community Foundation) reported that since the July 16, 2026 flood, emergency financial assistance has reached 731 Kerr County households. The foundation has committed $11.3 million to housing, funded 38 disaster case managers serving nearly 1,400 households, and launched temporary housing assistance (up to three months). The home repair/rebuild program launches September 21. The foundation's role is to provide charitable funding, not direct construction. Case managers were available after the meeting to assist families.
• FY2027 Budget Adoption (Ordinance 2026-20): Finance Director Julie Behrens presented the budget, noting adjustments from the August 25 workshop (including an additional $490,000 in general fund revenue for flood-related capital projects). City Manager Dalton Rice acknowledged the budget is structurally unsustainable due to inflation and underfunding of sustainability funds (fixed asset replacement, CIP, general facilities). He detailed efforts such as reducing FTE counts, cutting $75,000 in software costs, and being intentional about funding sustainability. The council approved the budget on first reading via roll call vote (5-0) and then ratified the vote to raise more revenue (unanimous).
• Ad Valorem Tax Rate (Ordinance 2026-21): Behrens explained that the proposed rate of $0.5995 per $100 assessed value is the disaster voter approval rate, a 6.70% increase from the previous year. The increase is partly due to state-mandated exemptions that removed $141 million in taxable value. Councilmember Smith supported the increase for flood recovery, stating that $490,000 is needed to help fund damage. Councilmember McKinney asked if the rate could be lowered at second reading; Behrens confirmed it could be reduced but not increased. The council approved the ordinance on first reading via roll call vote (5-0).
• Zoning Change (Ordinance 2026-22): Director of Development Drew Paxton presented a rezoning of a portion of 2001 Sidney Baker Street from C-3 (General Commercial) to R-2 (Medium Density Residential) to align with the comprehensive plan. The Planning & Zoning Commission approved it, and adjacent condominium representatives were not opposed. Approved on first reading (unanimous).
• Animal Code Amendments (Ordinance 2026-23): Paxton presented updates to Chapter 18, including feral cat colony management (contract required, limit of 12 cats per colony, increased distance from restaurants to 100 yards), dangerous dog insurance requirements, and liability for animal rescue from vehicles. Councilmember Smith suggested a lower cat colony limit; staff agreed to 12. Approved on first reading (unanimous).
• Conditional Use Permit (Resolution 42-2026): Paxton presented a request for Ace Handyman Services at 403 Schreiner Street (C-2 zone) for an office only, no dispatch or heavy equipment. Applicant Mark Stone (property owner) and Nathan Jones (franchise owner) confirmed the use. Approved (unanimous).
• Board Appointment: The council reappointed Laura Ford, Andrew Gay, and Judy Eigner to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board #1 (unanimous). One vacancy remains.
• Executive Session: The council met in executive session under Texas Government Code 551.074 to discuss the appointment of a Municipal Court Judge. No action was taken; the process will continue in public at a later date.
• Items for Future Agendas: Councilmember McKinney requested placing discussion of the airport budget (from the prior meeting) and a condemnation matter related to Tybee Mountain on future agendas. The council concurred.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted FY2027 Budget on first reading (Ordinance 2026-20) with a roll call vote and ratified the tax increase.
• Approved property tax rate of $0.5995 per $100 (Ordinance 2026-21) on first reading, with the additional $490,000 earmarked for flood recovery.
• Approved zoning change (Ordinance 2026-22) on first reading.
• Approved animal code amendments (Ordinance 2026-23) on first reading.
• Granted conditional use permit (Resolution 42-2026) for Ace Handyman Services.
• Reappointed three members to the TIRZ Board #1.
• No action on Municipal Court Judge appointment; discussed in executive session.
• Future agenda items: Airport budget and Tybee Mountain condemnation to be scheduled.