Kerrville · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kerrville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Granger MacDonald Park Funding and Development
The city is handing the 1.5-acre park site at 1001 Mallard Way to the Upper Guadalupe River Center nonprofit, which pledges to build and maintain the park — with the land reverting to the city if they fail.
Animals Code Revisions for Feral Cats and Dangerous Dogs
New animal code rules cap cat colonies at 15, set feeding distances from businesses, and require property owner permission — though one resident said abandoned colonies still need a city response.
Rescission of Tivy Mountain Eminent Domain Acquisition
The city walked away from using eminent domain to buy Tivy Mountain for a memorial cemetery and park, because flood repairs are eating the budget. The land stays in private hands for now.
City Attorney Annual Performance Evaluation
The City Council will conduct its yearly review of the City Attorney's performance behind closed doors in executive session. This evaluation ensures legal services align with city standards and community needs.
Stormwater Utility Fee Restructuring
Kerrville is considering raising and restructuring its stormwater fees to fix a budget shortfall and pay for crucial drainage projects after recent floods. The new model would charge residents based on home size tiers and businesses based on their total hard surface area.
July 16th Flood Recovery for Parks
City staff provided updates on recovery and repair efforts for local parks following the July 16th flood. These updates help residents understand the timeline for reopening damaged recreational spaces.
Open Rewards Shop-Local Incentive Program
The city is exploring a cashback rewards platform called Open Rewards to encourage residents to spend money at local businesses and keep dollars circulating in the community. Board members expressed interest but requested more solid data on return on investment and actual customer retention before moving forward.
Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Surveillance Concerns
Residents spoke out against the city's use of automated license plate reader cameras, calling them unconstitutional mass surveillance and demanding contracts be cancelled and data deleted.
Town Creek Unit 1 Subdivision Final Plat
Residents spoke out about high-density housing plans along Town Creek, questioning whether developers are bypassing parkland dedication requirements by paying fees in lieu of building neighborhood parks.
Quality of Life Bond Project Status and Remaining Funds
City staff and the EIC reviewed remaining quality-of-life bond funds, pool renovations, and future park project options.
James Avery Traffic Signal Infrastructure Funding
The EIC approved $160,000 in sales tax revenue to help fund a traffic signal near James Avery, improving employee safety and reducing shift-change congestion.
Mold Remediation Grant Program
The city established a $100,000 grant program to help downtown businesses clean up mold and moisture damage left behind by the July flood.
Proposed Texan Store Truck Stop and Fuel Station
A developer is bringing a new upscale convenience store and truck stop to Kerrville, which requires special permits because it sits near a floodplain and includes a truck fueling station. Officials and the developer highlighted economic benefits like millions in property value and significant sales tax generation.
Commercial Parking Ratio Reductions
Proposed changes to the city's zoning code include reducing corner lot setbacks, lowering parking requirements for accessory dwelling units and multi-tenant commercial buildings, and adding new definitions for data centers and battery storage.
State Legal Restrictions on EIC Small Business Grants
City officials explained that strict state laws prevent the EIC from using sales tax revenue for direct small business flood recovery grants, forcing the cancellation of a proposed public hearing.
Habitat for Humanity Mariposa Subdivision Lien Release
The EIC approved releasing liens on 11 completed affordable homes in the Mariposa Subdivision, helping ensure long-term affordability and supporting local housing initiatives.
FY 2027 EIC and KEDC Budget Adoption
The board reviewed and approved the proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, ensuring continued funding for community projects, grants, and administrative operations.
KPUB Residential Electricity Rate Adjustment
KPUB requested a 5% rate increase for residential customers starting in November 2026 to cover rising labor and material costs, following months of delays utilizing rate stabilization funds after the recent floods.
City Attorney Department Staffing and Outsourcing
In a 3-2 vote, the city council decided to eliminate the assistant city attorney position following a proposal by council members. The move alters legal staffing support for the city.
Road Construction
Get ready for a detour! A Kerrville low-water crossing is completely shut down for emergency repairs after getting hammered by severe flooding.
Building Code and Property Maintenance Updates
The city is updating its building regulations to match current safety standards, energy rules, and construction methods. Officials are also considering a new property maintenance code to help address unsafe housing and property conditions for tenants.
Water and Sewer Utility Tier Rate Adjustments
To cover rising costs and eliminate a budget deficit, the city proposed adjustments to water and sewer tier rates affecting most residential customers.
Flood Disaster Declaration
Kerrville is keeping its flood emergency going indefinitely while frustrated locals demand the city actually help them out. The extended disaster declaration means the city stays in crisis-response mode to clean up the ongoing mess.
Infrastructure Failure
Heavy floods caused a nasty sewer line spill in Kerrville, and cleanup is taking longer than expected. If you live near the water, definitely keep an eye on local advisories to steer clear of health risks.
Sewer Overflow
Skip swimming in Town Creek and the Guadalupe River right now because a major sewer spill has the city telling everyone to stay away.
After-School Daycare Placement in Residential Transition Zone
Residents next to 813 Clay Street voiced strong concerns about noise and privacy impacts from a proposed after-school daycare in their neighborhood. Commissioners balanced the community-wide need for childcare against neighboring property concerns by restricting the facility's hours.
Adopt-a-River Trail and Watershed Restoration
The Kerr County River Foundation is leading efforts to restore the Guadalupe River corridor and expand the river trail system with community volunteers and partners. Projects include invasive species removal, native plantings, and GIS monitoring to support long-term ecological health.
Police Chief Appointment
Kerrville has a brand new police chief, Jerel Haley, stepping up to take the reins after Chief Chris McCall's retirement. This leadership change means we could see shifts in local policing priorities and community relations soon.
Proposed FY 2027 Water Fund Budget and Utility Rates
The City Council reviewed the proposed $18.3 million water fund budget, which faces a $130,000 deficit. Staff proposed a 5% increase to water base rates and 7% for sewer to maintain operations, service debt, and fund asset replacements.
Lowest Street Water Tank Infrastructure Update
Engineering staff provided a status report on the Lowest Street water tank project, noting that construction bidding is underway with construction expected to start in September.
Travis Street Booster Pump Station Expansion
The city is moving forward with a $1.3 million pump station upgrade to improve water capacity and support new development near Loop 534 and local schools.
Zoning Code Amendments for Data Centers and Battery Storage
Council discussed potential zoning restrictions, conditional use permits, and strict setbacks for data centers and battery energy storage systems to protect public safety and water resources.
Sale of Former Police Station Property
With the police department moved into a new facility, the city discussed what to do with the old bus station and police building at Sidney Baker. Council agreed to hire a commercial broker to sell the property without deed restrictions to maximize market value.
Downtown Parking Lot Enhancements
The TIRZ board approved a $50,000 grant program to help downtown business and property owners fix up deteriorating parking lots. The program offers matching funds for resurfacing, striping, lighting, and ADA compliance.
City Leadership Transitions and Oaths of Office
The city council welcomed newly elected and returning members while bidding farewell to longtime council member and Mayor Pro Tem Brenda Hughes. Officials emphasized upcoming financial and community challenges, including managing future municipal budgets.
Roadrunner Lofts Multifamily Housing Proposal
A developer is seeking a conditional use permit to build a multifamily housing project on 1.416 acres across several parcels on Washington and Garden streets within a residential transition zone. This project could bring new housing options to the area, but neighbors may have questions about density, traffic, and neighborhood character.
Economic Development Manager Position Funding
A new three-year contract between the EIC and the City of Kerrville ensures dedicated municipal staffing and resources for economic development programs and business retention.
City Attorney Recruitment and Leadership
The city council is actively evaluating candidates to fill the city attorney position. Getting the right legal counsel in place is crucial for advising the city on local laws and operations.
Olympic Pool Summer Closure & Repairs
Severe underground plumbing leaks and structural cavities found during renovations mean the Olympic Pool will stay closed for the entire summer. City officials and contractors explained the challenges, emphasizing the need to fix the infrastructure properly for the long haul while exploring alternative summer activities for kids.
Whiskey Springs Mixed-Use Subdivision Preliminary Plat
A massive 787-acre mixed-use project featuring hundreds of homes, commercial areas, and a golf resort received preliminary approval from the city.
Ordinance Repeal
Kerrville officials just gave in to local pressure and scrapped their solicitation and electioneering rules, which is a huge win for grassroots activists. You can now campaign and hand out flyers without running into the old city red tape.
Cancellation of May 2026 General Election
Due to candidates running unopposed for Mayor, Place 3, and Place 4, the council voted to cancel the upcoming May general election.
Affordable Housing Tax Credit Support
Council supported Roadrunner TXHP LP's tax credit application for new affordable rental housing units near Loop 534.
Infrastructure Expansion and Wastewater Capacity
Staff discussed pursuing federal EDA grants to fund critical wastewater and interceptor expansions, such as the Quinlan Creek line, to unlock northern development.
Property Taxes
Kerrville just greenlit an 8% property tax hike, so expect your monthly housing costs to climb soon. It's a noticeable bump that definitely calls for a budget check.
Firefighter Benefits
Kerrville firefighter families are fighting back against proposed city benefit cuts with a fast-growing petition. If you care about local safety and fair pay for city workers, this is definitely a battle worth watching.
Tax Rate Increase
Kerrville is eyeing an 8% hike in its disaster recovery tax rate, meaning higher property bills for locals soon. City leaders say the extra cash is crucial to beef up emergency response and recovery funds.
Water Restrictions
Kerrville is now under strict Stage 4 water restrictions because recent floods severely damaged the local water treatment plant, forcing everyone to dramatically cut back on their daily usage.
Natural Disaster
Historic flooding has struck Kerrville, sparking emergency search and rescue missions as local services max out. It's a severe weather crisis that demands immediate attention and strains city resources.