Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Kerrville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues with high priority
Downtown Brick Removal and Repurposing
Thousands of decades-old bricks installed through a Main Street marketing campaign are crumbling and creating safety issues. The board wants them pulled up and repurposed — benches, art displays — but first needs council's sign-off, and staff still fields calls from families who bought bricks expecting them to stay forever.
Downtown Parking Lot Enhancements
A board member is pushing for a parking study in the downtown TIRZ district, arguing the problem isn't a shortage of spaces but employees taking the best customer spots. The request will return on a future agenda.
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.
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.
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
The city is updating its animal control code to align with state law, set stricter rules for feral cat caregivers, and clarify rules on tethering, abandoned animals at vacant homes, and keeping chickens or livestock.
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.