About Bill
Get to know Bill
Bill Blackburn is a retired Baptist minister who has resided in Kerrville for over 30 years. Bill and his wife Deana, a retired schoolteacher, have two children -- Cara and Carter -- and are blessed with eight grandchildren.
Bill has been a public servant his entire life. Ordained to the Christian ministry in 1972, he served as a pastor in various capacities and locations until his retirement in 1999. Bill led the congregation of Trinity Baptist Church from 1984 to 1999.
Upon his retirement, he did not go quietly into the night. Bill founded Partners in Ministry, a nonprofit organization focusing on the needs of children, youth, and the poor in Kerr County. He has also been involved with numerous organizations in the hill country area:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM)
- New Hope Counseling Center
- Christian Women's Job Corps
- Christian Men's Job Corps
- Doyle School Community Center
- St. Peter Upon the Water Retreat Center
- Western Hills Baptist Church
- Sunrise Baptist Church
- Soul Cafe
- Salvation Army Advisory Board
- Kerrville State Hospital Advisory Board
- Leadership Kerr County Steering Committee
- Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country
- Long Range Facilities Committee of the Kerrville Independent School District
- Peterson Regional Medical Center Foundation
- AACOG Criminal Justice Advisory Committee
Bill's community service continues to this day, and he continues to be involved in local government. He was the vice chairman of the 2002 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee for the City of Kerrville. He also served on the Kerr Economic Development Foundation.
For his community service, in 2006 he was awarded the inaugural “Spirit of Texas Award” by the Kerr County Bar Association.
In September, 2007, Dr. Blackburn was named “Citizen of the Year”
by the Kerrville Daily Times and the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Education
Rev. Dr. Blackburn received his undergraduate education at Baylor University, a Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy from Southwestern Baptist Seminary, and pursued post-doctoral studies in biblical studies, medical ethics, and psychology at Oxford University in England.
Writing
Dr. Blackburn is the author of five books with chapters in five more, and over 200 magazine, journal, and newspaper articles. One of his books, What You Should Know about Suicide, has been translated into Chinese. He has just finished a book entitled What Can You Expect of the Pastor?
For eight years, he has been a columnist for the Kerrville Daily Times. He was previously a columnist for the Bryan-College Station Eagle (TX). His columns for the Kerrville Daily Times will be published in book form as The Effective Nonprofit Organization.
Speaking
Dr. Blackburn has taught, led conferences, and preached in sixteen states and six foreign countries. He has appeared on over sixty radio and television shows.
Teaching
Blackburn was a Garrett Teaching Fellow at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, as a Ph.D. student. He has been a visiting
professor at the same seminary. He was an adjunct field instructor for the Center for Studies on Aging at the University of North Texas and has served as an adjunct professor at Schreiner University. He has also served as a visiting professor and Doctor of Ministry supervisor at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University.
Accomplishments as Mayor:
- Restored an air of respect, civility and productivity to City Council
- Active participation, leadership and approval of the Kerrville 2050 Comprehensive Plan
- Provided leadership for collaborative task force in addressing community disruption caused by COVID-19 pandemic
- Pursued multiple economic development opportunities, creating new jobs, new capital investment and additional housing
- Accelerated paving and repair of 277 miles of city streets
- Completed reworking of Zoning Code and Sign Ordinance
- Supported River Trail extension to Schreiner University, development of Sports Complex, revitalization of Arcadia Theater
- And more, all with... No increase in tax rate!
Governing Principles
Bill has identified several principles of good governance that he will strive to embody as mayor. Many of these principles are also identified in the City of Kerrville's Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement for 2018. The principles that Blackburn has identified are as follows:
- Clarify and build on a commonly accepted vision of the city
- Mayor and Council set policy, provide oversight, and leave day to day management to staff
- Hold to a limited role of government and fiscal responsibility as seen in priorities set
- Balance property rights and the common good
- Invite and promote involvement of citizens in seizing opportunities and solving problems
- Promote safety through wise, appropriate, and enforced laws
- Maintain and set policies that ensure smooth, efficient, and safe flow of people, traffic, water, wastewater, and revenue
- Maintain a positive environment for business to operate within
clear, consistent, and reasonable regulations - Cooperate and collaborate with Kerr County and the other local governments in the county
- Protect and promote beauty in the natural and built environment, and preserve the history of the area and historic places
- Maintain excellent city staff by providing fair compensation and benefits, continual training, and support and encouragement
- Carry out all duties in an ethical, legal, honest, and transparent manner
