Full transcript of Brenda Hughes farewell remarks after three terms on the Kerrville City Council

Brenda Hughes delivered her farewell remarks during the May 12 special meeting of the Kerrville City Council, closing out six years of service on the dais. Below is the full transcript of her comments.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to sum up the last six years in under four minutes. And the truth is, I just can’t. So, Shelley, please don’t buzz me.

This job was never about just meetings or motions or votes or potholes. It was about people. It was about small business owners wanting guidance, wanting a chance. It was about families wanting safe streets and safe water. And it was about our first responders who show up every day, no matter what, to take care of the rest of us.

Over the past six years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the very best of Kerrville. And I’ve also had a front-row seat to approximately 500 agenda items, countless executive sessions, and enough emails to last me the rest of my natural life. Yes, we’ve made big decisions. We’ve invested in public safety, improved infrastructure, and worked to guide growth in a way that protects what makes Kerrville so special. These six years have been marked by moments none of us could have been fully prepared for.

We navigated the uncertainty of COVID when every decision carried weight and every day brought new challenges. We endured the winter storm when freezing temperatures tested our systems and our determination. We welcomed the world during the eclipse when Kerrville once again showed its hospitality, pride, and the ability to navigate the unknown. And through each of those moments, this community showed up.

I’ve seen people step up when it mattered most. I’ve seen neighbors reaching out to take care of their neighbors. And I’ve seen this council lead through the most difficult time our community has ever faced. During the flood, when everything felt uncertain, this council didn’t hesitate. We came together. We leaned on each other. And under the steady leadership of our mayor, we stayed focused on what mattered most, and that’s our people.

And now, having been recognized by the State Association of City Managers [confirm exact organization name] as the best city council in the state, that honor reflects exactly who this group has been: steady, collaborative, and committed to serving well. I’ll always be proud of how we showed up in those moments.

I want to thank not only our mayor, but the two prior mayors, Judy Eychner and Bill Blackburn, and our three city managers, Mark McDaniel, E.A. Hoppe, and Dalton Rice. I’d like to thank you all for the privilege of serving alongside you during my time on council. Each of you brought a different leadership style, different strengths, and a shared commitment to this city. Kerrville is better because of your service, and I’m humbled to have worked beside each of you. This role has challenged me, stretched me, and changed me. It’s made me a better listener, a stronger leader, and a deeper believer in this community.

To the city staff — that’s all of you here tonight and those who are not: You are the steady hands behind everything that we accomplish, and you don’t get thanked enough. So, thank you. You’ve answered late-night calls — I believe Jay answered one from me last night — solved impossible problems, and somehow managed to explain complicated budget spreadsheets to this council over and over and over again.

To my fellow council members, both past and present, thank you for the conversations, the collaboration, and even the disagreements, because they mattered. To my family, thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made, the patience you’ve shown, and the grace you’ve given me through all of this. Public service is never just carried by the person sitting in this seat. Families carry it, too. You’ve endured long nights, stressful seasons, difficult moments, and more than your share of criticism. Through it all, you’ve remained my biggest supporters, and I could not have done this without you.

And to my replacement, Crystal, enjoy every moment of this opportunity. There will be long meetings, difficult decisions, and days when the work feels heavy. But there will also be moments that remind you exactly why service matters. Kerrville is worth it. And one piece of advice: never, ever say “this year should be pretty quiet.” Trust me on that.

Lastly, to the people of Kerrville, thank you for the privilege of working for you. It has truly been an honor of a lifetime. I may be stepping away tonight, but I’m not stepping away from this community. Kerrville is home, and that will never change. Thank you.