“…today I am issuing a Declaration of Disaster, in accordance with Section 418.018(a) of the Texas Government Code, to take effect for the next seven days, which can be renewed as needed by the Kerrville City Council. This declaration activates the City’s Emergency Management Plan, which includes management of medical and health emergencies.”
Mayor Bill Blackburn, March 16, 2020
The City of Kerrville has issued a Declaration of Disaster to deal with the ongoing threats associated with COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus. Mayor Bill Blackburn declared this status in a rare press conference held at City Hall at 5:30 PM on Monday, March 16. The video of this press conference is available below.
As part of this declaration, the city is deploying the following resources and actions:
- Joint operations center with Kerr County, Peterson Health, Kerrville ISD, and Schreiner University to answer citizens’ questions. The center can be phoned at 830-258-1111.
- Dedicated web page within the City’s website at www.kerrvilletx.gov
- Recommendation that CDC guidance be followed as it applies to large gatherings, which currently call for cancelling or postponing all in-person events consisting of 50 persons or more.
- All City advisory board meetings are canceled
- The library will be closed, but will offer curbside service
- Council meetings will continue, but crowds will be limited to 50 persons
- Utility billing office remains open, but customers are encouraged to use drive-in or online payment system
- Development community urged to use online permitting software
- Businesses are NOT being asked to close, but should adapt to the current environment, including ways to practice social distancing
