Fredericksburg · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Fredericksburg public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Hotel occupancy tax grant program rules
Council wants to push the state Legislature for an exception allowing HOT funds for fire/EMS, and to push the county to collect an estimated $4 million more in HOT that's reportedly going uncollected.
Proposed FY 2027 City Budget
The city is building a balanced $27 million budget with tiered raises weighted toward lower-paid staff, a new school resource officer, and a lower proposed tax rate of $0.246646. The Council set a ceiling at $0.260884, but the final rate comes after the September 8 hearing.
Use of General Fund Reserves for Unbudgeted Projects
Neffendorf wants to spend down about $2 million of the $10 million unrestricted reserves on a traffic signal, old city hall work, and other wish-list projects. Others urge caution given possible state tax caps, so a strategy session is planned for early November.
CVB FY 2026 Budget Changes
The 2027 funding agreement with the Convention and Visitor Bureau was tabled after revisions weren't distributed. One resident flagged CVB budget increases he estimated at $1.1 million, much of it advertising. It must be approved before the budget vote on Sept. 15.
Countywide delinquent tax collections contract
Gillespie County taxing entities are picking a new delinquent tax firm; the council voted for Perdue Brandon over the chief appraiser's pick of Linebarger. Costs are borne by delinquent taxpayers, not the city.
Health permit fee increase
Retail health permit fees would rise 4% — the first increase in three years — adding pennies per day for food establishments.
County bond rating and audit concerns
A resident flagged the county's recent bond rating drop, its lack of an audit, and worries that both hurt grant opportunities.
Appointment of City Attorney
After weeks of discussion, the council appointed Barbara Quirk as City Attorney under the terms of the city's letter of offer.
City Leadership Transition
Fredericksburg sworn in a new mayor and two new councilmembers after the May 2 election, and picked a new Mayor Pro-Tem. Longtime Mayor Jeryl Hoover's five terms of service were honored.
Board process reform: packets, staff comments and consistency
Canvass of May 2, 2026 City General Election
The council's official canvass makes the election results final: a new mayor takes office and two councilmembers are seated. A two-vote counting error was caught and corrected by hand recount, and the close margins reflect strong competition rather than division, per the elections administrator.
FY2025 financial audit results
The city got a clean bill of financial health: an unmodified audit opinion with zero findings and fund balance up about $1 million to $20.9 million.
FY2026 mid-year budget amendments
The council adopted mid-year amendments to the FY2026 budget, mostly carryovers for new City Hall construction, the long-delayed bucket truck, and landfill liner costs.