Greg Richards: The case for approving the city’s charter amendments

The city of Kerrville, as a home-rule city, has the privilege of self-governance. Much of how we choose to govern ourselves is found in the city’s charter, which is akin to what we know as a constitution.

Having a well-developed, current and accessible charter provides multiple benefits to our community. It defines the powers, roles, and responsibilities of elected officials, city departments, and various branches of government and outlines mechanisms for citizen participation, such as elections, public hearings, and referendums, ensuring that our citizen’s voices are heard in the decision-making process.

The city’s charter provides stability and consistency in governance by establishing the rules and procedures that guide our city’s activities. It prevents abrupt changes in government structure and policies, ensuring that city operations continue smoothly from one administration to the next. 

Our charter allows us to tailor our government to the unique needs and priorities of our community, enabling us to address local challenges effectively. It provides a well-defined and transparent framework of governance that instills citizen confidence in the system. Finally, a well-functioning city charter signals stability and good governance, which can attract businesses, investors, and skilled professionals to our city. This can lead to economic growth and increased opportunities for our residents.

It is crucial to periodically review and update the charter to ensure it remains aligned with our community’s values and aspirations.

Your Charter Review Commission enthusiastically undertook this task with vigor and a positive attitude. Over the course of seven meetings, we read and considered every word of the city’s charter. We sought input from the City Manager, the City Attorney, City staff, the community at large, and a charter expert.

We identified and prioritized changes we felt were important to bring to the community for a vote. I am very pleased to say that the Commission reached a consensus on every issue, leveraging a collaborative spirit to which we were all committed.

The report submitted by the CRC is available on the city’s website. It is very detailed, showing in redline the changes we encourage the voters of this community to consider, and the rationale behind each change. The proposed changes are centered around five themes:

Theme 1: Simplifying and Clarifying the Charter (State Law & Grammar):

• By removing topics that are already covered in state law, we can reduce confusion and potential conflicts between the city charter and state statutes. This simplification ensures that our charter remains a concise and effective document for governing the city.
• Grammar and punctuation changes may seem minor, but they can significantly improve the clarity of the charter. A clearer document is easier to understand for both city officials and the public, reducing the risk of misinterpretation.
• These changes enhance accessibility for citizens and officials alike.

Theme 2: Extending Council Member Terms to 3 years:

• Longer terms allow council members more time to become deeply knowledgeable about the city’s issues, policies, and procedures. This knowledge leads to better-informed decision-making and more effective governance.
• Council members with extended terms have the opportunity to develop relationships and collaborations that can benefit the city in the long run, as they can work on larger projects and initiatives over a more extended period.

Theme 3: Staggered Terms for Council and Mayor:

Staggered terms create a smoother transition of leadership. With regular elections and only a portion of the council up for election at a time, there’s less disruption to the continuity of city government.

By spreading out elections, we encourage greater voter turnout and engagement. Voters can focus their attention on a smaller number of candidates and issues in each election, leading to more informed decisions.

For the upcoming election (two council members and the mayor), the council members will serve a two-year term; the mayor will have one year added to his term for three years.

Then, in 2025, the next two council members elected will serve 3-year terms, and that cycle will continue going forward.

Theme 4: Increasing Council Member Stipends:

• Increasing stipends acknowledges the commitment and effort that council members put into serving the city. This financial support can attract a wider range of candidates, including those who might not otherwise be able to afford to serve in this capacity.
• The current stipend has been in place since at least 1984. At $25 per meeting and an average of four meetings per month, the stipend is effectively $100 per month. The proposed increase to $250 per month is significantly less than just adjusting the historical amount for inflation.
• Eliminating the “per meeting” component will reduce staff time in calculating payments to council members.

Theme 5: Continuity of Government:

• Much of the institutional knowledge, relationships, insight and capacity to effectively operate the city rests in its staff, with the City Manager and City Attorney being key figures.
• Requiring a super majority to hire and fire these key positions ensures that these decisions are made with broad consensus and deliberation. This helps prevent abrupt changes in leadership that can disrupt the city’s operations.
• Continuity in leadership is crucial for maintaining institutional knowledge and ensuring a smooth transition of responsibilities. This provision promotes stability and effective city management.
• A well-functioning city charter is not just a document; it is the embodiment of our commitment to good governance, transparency, and the welfare of our community. It is the bedrock upon which our city’s past, present, and future rest. The proposed changes your Charter Review Commission have suggested have been thoroughly analyzed and thoughtfully considered as a means of maintaining responsible governance, inspiring confidence, attracting opportunity, and fostering the well-being of all who call our city home.

My sincere thanks to Mike Sigerman (Vice-Chair), Danny Almond, Brenda Craig, Jason Gilbreath, Tim Summerlin, and Sandra Yarbrough, whose collective history with the city exceeds 150 years and whose love for this city is without question. Their thoughtful, cogent analysis is deeply appreciated.