Kerrville City Council Regular Meeting – September 22, 2026

The Kerrville City Council met on September 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM at City Hall to consider a range of items including budget adoption, tax rate approval, an animal ordinance update, and several resolutions. The meeting opened with invocation, pledge, and community announcements.

Announcements of Community Interest

• Michelle Faust (disaster case manager, Rebuild Kerr) was available for flood-affected residents.
• Community events highlighted: Honky Cat Dueling Pianos, Art in the Park (October 17), Fire Department workshop (October 19), TIRZ grant information sessions, and Water Street Festival (October 24).
• Chief Haley reminded about National Night Out on October 6.

Presentations

• Proclamation: World Teachers’ Day (October 5, 2026). Mayor Herring recognized district Teachers of the Year from various campuses. Several teachers spoke about their work.
• Proclamation: Hill Country Night Sky Month (October 2026). Members of the Kerr County Friends of the Night Sky spoke about light pollution and the importance of preserving dark skies.

Financial Report (Month-Ended August 31, 2026)

• Julie Behrens (Director of Finance) reported that the city received the Triple Crown Award from GFOA.
• Property tax approximately 100% collected; sales tax outperformed budget by ~$288,000 through August, with a rolling average of 4%.
• Expenses running better than budget; flood recovery priorities identified.
• Water fund revenues $185,000 over budget.
• FEMA disaster declared; public assistance grant application filed September 15.
• Budget and tax rate second readings occurred (see below).

Public Comments & Testimony

• George Barudy opposed the potential sale of the former police station (429 Sidney Baker) to the county, arguing it would remove the property from tax rolls and that taxpayers would indirectly pay for it.
• Laura Langston asked about the city’s planning for population growth and its impact on resources such as water and night skies; advised to contact city offices for details.
• Clay Bennett raised concerns about ALPR camera policies, requesting transparency on data sharing and audits; suggested the city may be destroying records by not retaining audit logs.
• Melissa Maechin inquired about the status of the Arcadia Loop Bridge (washed out in flood) and observed excavation activities along the river (state-led recovery search for flood victims).

Consent Calendar

• Items 5A (zoning change), 5D (appointment of special prosecutors), 5E (workshop minutes), 5F (meeting minutes) approved unanimously on a single motion. Items 5B and 5C were pulled for separate discussion.

Discussion and Action on Pulled Consent Items

• 5B – Kerr Emergency 9-1-1 Network FY2027 Budget: Mark Del Toro explained a deficit due to an unfunded state mandate for next-generation 911 services, increasing monthly routing costs from ~$1,200 to ~$8,600. The deficit is $483,000; the network uses reserves. Approved unanimously.
• 5C – Retiree Health Coverage Resolution: Kim Meismer clarified a policy change allowing retirees to purchase coverage based on their own future employment (not a spouse’s) until Medicare eligibility. Four employees currently enrolled. Approved unanimously.

Ordinances – Second Reading

• 6A – FY2027 Budget Adoption (Ordinance 2026-20): The budget includes adjustments for the disaster rate, increasing transfers to capital improvements. A citizen speaker (George Barudy) criticized lack of long-term cost analysis. Council member Harris noted ongoing work on structural funding issues. First motion (adopt) required roll call: all yes. Second motion (ratify): unanimous.
• 6B – Property Tax Rate (Ordinance 2026-21): Set at $0.5995 per $100, a 6.7% increase over the no-new-revenue rate (disaster rate allowed 8% over). Roll call vote: all yes.
• 6C – Animal Code Amendment (Ordinance 2026-23): Extensive public testimony from animal welfare groups (Leslie Jones, Karen Guerrero, Julie Reeves, Charlotte Silvers) objected to changes made during first reading: reduction of colony size from 12 to 10 cats and increase of setback from food establishments from 25 yards to 100 yards. They requested more collaboration. Council members expressed concern about drafting from the dais. A motion to table the ordinance before second reading passed unanimously. Deadline set: no later than end of 2026, with staff to meet with advocacy groups and bring back revised ordinance and contract together.

Resolutions and Actions

• 7A – Stormwater Drainage Utility: Resolution 11-2026 declaring stormwater drainage a public utility, authorizing publication of proposed ordinance and public hearing. Approved unanimously.
• 7B – TIF Mold Remediation Grants: Resolution 46-2026 authorizing up to $100,000 from Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1 for interior mold remediation grants (up to $5,000 per business) for flood-affected businesses within the zone. Approved unanimously.
• 7C – Golf Course Management Services: Authorized staff to negotiate and execute a contract with Southern Golf Management to operate Scott Schreiner Municipal Golf Course following an RFP process. Key factors: local presence, operational efficiencies, and potential for increased revenue. Approved unanimously.
• 7D – Olympic Pool Renovations: Authorized use of up to $175,000 from East Parkland Dedication Fund to cover remaining cost overruns on the pool project (total remaining work ~$250,000; available budget ~$43,000; gap ~$181,000). Approved unanimously.

Board Appointments

• Councilmember Smith nominated three individuals to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals (Gen Carson, Vanessa Von Dolan, Jody Telman). Mayor Herring was nominated for reappointment to the Kerr Economic Development Corporation Board. Council then moved into executive session (Gov’t Code 551.074). Upon return, no further action was recorded in the transcript regarding these appointments.

Executive Session

• Council convened in executive session to discuss the sale of real property at 429 Sidney Baker (former police station), the Zoning Board appointment, and the KEDC reappointment. No action was reported following the session.

Key Outcomes

• FY2027 Budget and Tax Rate adopted with roll call votes all in favor.
• Animal ordinance tabled until end of 2026 for further collaboration with advocacy groups.
• Stormwater drainage utility process initiated with future public hearing.
• Mold remediation grants approved for TIRZ No. 1.
• Southern Golf Management selected to manage Scott Schreiner Golf Course; negotiation authorized.
• $175,000 in parkland dedication funds allocated to complete Olympic Pool renovations.
• 911 network budget and retiree health policy approved.
• No final action recorded on board appointments after executive session.