Rotarian and Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice gave an update on challenges the city is going through after the two recent major flood events. By last May, city officials, staff and related organizations were finally having conversations about how to move beyond the recovery phase of the July 4th disaster and into a positive outlook for the future of Kerrville.
Then, the July 16th flood happened, and the impact has been undeniable. As widely reported, the federal help is slow in coming, and the extent and amount of eventual funds is uncertain. Conversations at the city are now revolving around how to build in resiliency to be prepared for the next flood or natural disaster.
The city has faced numerous issues including employee health care rising costs, property tax revenue with one third of the properties tax exempt or frozen, legislative bills that affect how cities are governed, and keeping the city running with basic services while managing disaster recovery. Dalton stressed that the recovery process will be slower this time around because of lack of funding. Woody debris will be removed if it impacts drainage or public safety, but much of it will remain to help the riparian areas recover naturally. Work on infrastructure, at the parks and on the river trail will just take time.