KERRVILLE, Texas — A controversy has emerged over the attendance of Kerrville’s mayor at a crucial emergency management call, as records reveal discrepancies in his account.
During a press conference on July 9, the mayor was questioned about his participation in a statewide call organized by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) on July 3, which discussed potential flash flooding.
“I will tell you personally, I did not receive a telephone call,” the mayor said when asked if he was invited. “I did not receive a telephone call,” he reiterated, adding, “so I wasn’t invited to call. Maybe I’m not a local mayor.”
However, open records obtained by Fox S.A. show emails indicating the mayor was indeed invited to the call, which saw 468 lines connected, potentially representing multiple participants per line. The call was deemed critical as only a mayor or county judge can mandate an evacuation under Chapter 418, according to TDEM Chief Nim Kidd.
“Under Chapter 418, only a mayor or a county judge can mandate an evacuation from a part of their community,” Kidd said. “The governor of Texas or the Acting Governor does not have the authority under state law.”
The city’s emergency management coordinator, Jeremy Hughes, was reportedly setting up a mobile command post during the call. Hughes had announced his retirement on July 2, with his last day being July 24.
Tensions between the city and county were evident in text messages obtained from the mayor’s phone. City Manager Dalton Rice texted the mayor, “The county is reacting poorly to this, but we are assisting, especially since we have unconfirmed reports of kids missing from Camp Mystic and some resorts out west.”
The absence of one of the two key figures authorized to call for an evacuation has raised concerns. An open records request is pending to verify if the county judge participated in the call.