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Kerrville approves first reading to remove obsolete gas-pipeline rules; Atmos franchise and state law remain primary oversight
Summary
On first reading the council approved Ordinance 2025-05 to clean up Article 5 of Chapter 110 (natural gas pipelines), removing provisions now governed by state law. Councilors and staff said the city's franchise agreement with Atmos covers most local matters; a resident's questions about liability and shutoff valves were addressed by staff.
The Kerrville City Council on Tuesday approved on first reading Ordinance 2025-05, an amendment to Article 5 of Chapter 110 of the city code that removes duplicative and obsolete provisions governing natural gas pipelines.
Council and staff said state statute and the city's franchise agreement with Atmos Energy already govern the main regulatory and operational issues related to natural gas service. A city official summarized the practical effect: the franchise agreement sets the fee for use of city right-of-way and allocates responsibilities such as moving lines when necessary; state law governs consumer rates and operator liability.
A resident, identified in the record as Nikki Keynes, asked whether deleting the local ordinance would remove local liability or consumer protections. The city attorney replied that liability and safety obligations are governed by state law and by the franchise agreement. When asked about household shutoff valves during power outages, staff said firefighters have access to or can operate curbside gas meter shutoffs: "There is on the side of your house... there is a shut off valve that fire department would go to if your house catches on fire to prevent gas leak." (City staff/Fire Department representative.)
Councilors described the amendment as a cleanup to reflect current law and the franchise agreement with Atmos. The motion to approve Ordinance 2025-05 on first reading passed unanimously; the ordinance will return for a second reading to complete the adoption process.
