Kerrville · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kerrville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Kerrville Family Fright Night Event
The city's annual Family Fright Night at Kerrville Schreiner Park is happening on Halloween afternoon, and city officials may be on hand. It's a family-friendly community celebration, not a business meeting.
Walmart Grand Re-Opening Quorum Notice
The city is letting the public know that enough council members might show up at the Walmart re-opening to technically form a quorum, even though no official business will happen.
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.
Emergency Management and Flood Response Planning
The city may tap a federal 75/25 cost-share program for riverbank stabilization and voluntary buyouts of flood-prone riverfront homes — bought properties would never be built on again. Formal agreements come back to council later.
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.
Establishment of Municipal Stormwater Drainage Utility System
The city is considering creating a stormwater drainage utility to fund much-needed flood mitigation projects. Property owners would pay a monthly fee based on impervious surface area, starting at $2 per ERU in January 2027.
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.
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.
Substance Use Recovery Support and Housing Services
The coalition is reviewing vital recovery support systems, including peer support coaches, outpatient services, and MOUD housing through Project Homes, to strengthen local addiction recovery resources.
City Council Quorum Notice for Zion Lutheran Church Celebration
Members of the City Council plan to attend a local church's 125th anniversary celebration, prompting an official quorum notice to ensure transparency under open meetings laws.
Water Street Festival Attendance
City officials may gather at the downtown block party, highlighting community engagement and local events.
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.
Library Operations and FY2026 Budget Oversight
The board reviewed quarterly updates, library programs, and the FY2026 budget status to ensure effective community services at the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library.
Infrastructure and FEMA Flood Recovery Projects
The city launched a systematic citywide curbside debris collection program utilizing municipal street crews and partner equipment to clear flood-related household and construction waste from neighborhoods.
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.
Art in the Park Community Event Attendance
Members of the City Council provided notice of a potential quorum while attending a local community event at the public library.
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.
Storm Preparation
City crews in Kerrville are gearing up for incoming rain, meaning you might see workers prepping drainage systems and infrastructure around town. It's a routine move to keep streets clear and prevent localized flooding when the weather turns.
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.
Flood Preparation
City crews in Kerrville are getting ready for heavy rain and flash flooding, which means you might run into some street delays soon. It's a good idea to check the drainage around your property now to avoid water pooling.
July 16, 2026 Flood Recovery and Disaster Declaration Extension
The Community Foundation updated the council on its one-year flood recovery efforts, noting $82 million in grants distributed, 100+ families returned to permanent housing, and ongoing support for small businesses and mental health.
2026 Flood Recovery and Infrastructure Repairs
City officials provided updates on ongoing repairs to roads, water lines, bridges, and parks following the 2026 floods. Staff emphasized the meticulous documentation required for FEMA reimbursements and highlighted community volunteer efforts.
FY 2027 Municipal Budget and Property Tax Rate Adoption
The board reviewed and approved the proposed FY 2027 budget, which sets property tax revenue projections based on a proposed tax rate of $0.5846 per $100 of assessed value. Strong growth in commercial property values has pushed revenues higher than originally anticipated.
Scott Schreiner Municipal Golf Course Management Transition
The city awarded a third-party management contract to Southern Golf Management to improve operations, programming, and financial performance at the municipal golf course.
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.
Parking Garage Wayfinding Signage
The board reviewed plans to install clearer free parking signs on the pedestrian sky bridge over Sidney Baker Street so visitors can find the downtown garage more easily.
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.
Park Restoration
Kerrville's local parks are bouncing back after taking a beating from summer floods, meaning your favorite weekend hangout spots are finally reopening. However, the cleanup process is putting a temporary strain on city resources.
FY2027 Proposed Budget and Flood Recovery
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country provided a comprehensive update one year after the devastating floods, reporting $82 million in total grants. These funds have supported housing, small businesses, mental health, and $10 million in direct investments in City of Kerrville projects.
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.
TIRZ #1 Flood Recovery Grants and Program Amendments
The TIRZ #1 board overhauled its exterior and parking lot grant programs to help local businesses rebuild after severe flooding. By dropping the matching fund requirement, extending application deadlines to October 30, and adding $50,000 to each grant pool, the city is making it much easier for storm-damaged businesses to get financial help.
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.
Post-Flood Small Business Financial Relief
EIC board members discussed exploring direct financial assistance or partnering with lending funds to help local small businesses recover from economic losses caused by the recent flooding.
Sidney Baker Commercial-to-Residential Rezoning
A portion of a hotel property on Sidney Baker Street was rezoned from commercial to medium-density residential so a manager's home can be constructed. Neighboring HOA representatives raised questions about fencing, construction plans, and traffic impacts.
Downtown Commercial Office Use
A handyman service requested a conditional use permit to set up an office in a light commercial zone downtown. Residents and owners spoke in favor, emphasizing that the space would be used strictly for administrative work without outdoor equipment storage.
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.
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.
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.
Flood Recovery and Infrastructure Assessment
City officials are assessing widespread damage from a severe flood that struck Kerrville, impacting streets, utilities, and parks just as the community marked the one-year anniversary of the 2025 flood. Staff are working on temporary utility fixes and evaluating long-term recovery costs.
Natural Disaster Response
Severe flooding recently hit the Texas Hill Country, but Kerrville locals are stepping up to help each other bounce back. Expect city officials to drop updates soon on disaster relief and fixing up damaged infrastructure.