The Lead Live Podcast: Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025 episode

The Sept. 11, 2025, episode of The Lead Live reflected on the 24th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, and featured Kerrville Planning Director Drew Paxton, City Manager Dalton Rice, Sgt. Jonathan Lamb of the Kerrville Police Department and Ruben Lopez of Unity Fitness. Discussions covered local governance, post-flood recovery and community fitness.

Rice addressed local tax rates and federal funding, clarifying a 2-cent increase per $100 of assessed value. He warned of potential delays in FEMA payments for flood recovery if federal funding is not secured past Sept. 30. Rice noted 80% of the $39 million general fund budget is allocated to personnel, with 66% for public safety. He highlighted the rising cost of police equipment, noting that a new police Tahoe costs approximately $100,000 to $120,000 fully equipped. Rice and Paxton advocated for a partnership with Kerrville ISD to build a new maintenance garage for large fleet vehicles.

Paxton offered insights into local development, explaining that most complaints about businesses like vape shops and nail salons are driven by the private market, as these uses are typically allowed “by right” in commercial areas.

Sgt. Lamb praised the KPD’s flood response, describing it as a “deployment” with officers working 16-hour days. He noted a KPD dispatcher proactively contacted the South Texas regional hospital system before the final crisis warning. KPD officers maintain high fitness standards, completing a rowing-based evaluation twice yearly. Lamb and Lopez promoted the final 5K Police Department (5KPD) fun run of the year, scheduled for Saturday at Singing Wind Park, with a warm-up at 7 a.m. and the run starting at 7:15 a.m. Lopez, of Unity Fitness, explained his gym offers structured functional fitness classes and hosts a free community workout on the first Saturday of every month.

Upcoming community events included the Walk to Honor and Remember 9/11 event, current art exhibits, and screenings of Field of Dreams and Holes. Weekend activities included a DASA celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month, a KPA free pet wellness event, and the Rocking to Rebuild benefit concert.

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama recently visited the community, providing a morale boost after the flood, with assistance also provided by organizations like the Houston Texans and Texas Rangers.