Mayor Bill Blackburn and City Manager Mark McDaniel addressed guests at the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce’s “State of the City” luncheon on Thursday. According to the Kerrville Daily Times article (link unavailable) published Friday, approximately 300 people attended.
The officials highlighted the following:
- Progress on the Kerrville 2050 plan
- Major projects such as the River Trail, new ASR well, TTHM mitigation, parks, Olympic Drive extension, Legion lift station, Arcadia Theater, AC Schreiner home, parking garage improvements,
- $10 million in streets and drainage repairs
- Steady increases in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue since 2012; approximately $1.4 million was raised in 2019
- Approx. 690 new jobs to be added to the workforce in 2020
- Steadily rising property values approaching $2.2 billion in the city limits
- Steadily rising sales tax revenue totaled $7.3 million in 2019 (up from $6.9 million in 2018)
Workforce Housing Shortage
Workforce housing was a major topic of discussion that relates to an important upcoming decision. City Council will meet on Tuesday to consider a zoning appeal for a workforce housing development known as Vintage Heights, which proposes approximately 500 new home sites just south of Riverhill subdivision.
City leaders named the workforce housing shortage as the most important issue facing our economic future. A sharp decline in new housing starts during the last decade (2010-2019) combined with increased demand for housing has led to a shortage of homes in the $100k-$300k price range.
Vintage Heights has the potential to dramatically change the housing market in Kerrville for years to come. Stay tuned for more information about Tuesday night’s meeting.
Editorial criticizes city leaders for propagandizing
The Kerrville Daily Times editorial board criticized the City for bragging about becoming “a destination for community news.” The Times stated that “everything that you read [from the city] is tinged with internal city messaging and spin.”
The City’s Facebook page reaches about 7,320 people and provides news and information about city projects, events, and services.
Ref.: “Hits & Misses.” Kerrville Daily Times. January 10, 2020.
Power Point Presentation
The visual aids used for the speeches are pictured below.
