District 4 Councilman Bryce Boddie is preparing to step down from Boerne City Council at the September 12, 2023, meeting after more than three years of service.
Before one of his final City Council meetings sitting behind the dais, Boddie reflected on his time serving the City of Boerne and the 22,000 residents who call the community home.
His desire to serve the community – and putting people first – came natural for Boddie.
“Boerne has been important to me and my family for the past 20 years. More importantly, service above self, thanks to Rotary, and loving my neighbor, thanks to Jesus; have been top priorities in my life," he said. “Because of those things people are very important to me, and I have been lucky to serve.”
Since being appointed to council in July 2020, Boddie hit the ground running.
His first objective was to get a better understanding of City operations and how City staff work on behalf of residents every day, so his constituents have a better understanding at home.
“Boerne employees make the world go round and if you’re a citizen of Boerne you’re lucky to have them on your team,” Boddie said. “Second, I learned quite a bit about public process. We often don’t worry or show up until it is something that impacts us directly. The public process is quite amazing, weird, and awkward all in one, but one of the only ways to get the truth and be a true part of the process does not happen on a keyboard on a social media group. Knowledge and participation happen in person.”
City Manager Ben Thatcher joined the City of Boerne just three weeks before Boddie was appointed and helping onboard the new councilmember became one of his earliest tasks.
“It was great having Councilman Boddie join City Council right after I started, as he was often asking me some of the same questions I had myself,” Thatcher said. “He has brought great perspective, asked important questions and made sure to support all Boerne residents.”
While in office, Boddie has advocated for increased mental health resources in our community, served on the community-led Kendall County Boerne Fair Oaks Transportation Committee and the Boerne Noise Committee. In his role he felt he was a conduit for constituent concerns and access to staff and policy that can fix problems.
(Boddie and family at 2023 swearing-in ceremony)
Additionally, working with four other councilmembers and a mayor also meant finding common ground – something that was easy for the councilman.
“I’m honestly proud of being a part of folks who are willing to serve their community like my fellow councilmembers and City leadership, past and present,” he said. “Our leadership is stellar and I have really enjoyed working collaboratively with my peers to ensure Boerne is as great a community as it can be.”
“Working with Councilman Boddie these last few months has been a wonderful experience,” Mayor Frank Ritchie said. “He has been gracious in helping me when I have reached out, and Boerne is a better place for his time and dedication."
Though he is stepping down, he remains optimistic that the City’s best days are ahead – even as it experiences friction that comes with a growing community. He hopes City Council and the mayor will continue to strategically plan for the future with citizens at the forefront of those plans.
“We will only be ready for the future by consistently learning and planning,” he said. “It truly is what makes the world go round.”
Boddie was reelected to serve District 4 in 2021 and 2023 and recently moved to a new home outside the city limits and will submit his resignation at the September 12 City Council meeting.
Per the City of Boerne Charter, Boddie can continue to serve as City Council will have 30 days to fill the vacancy. Candidates interested in serving must have maintained residency in District 4 for at least six months. The filing period will open on September 13 and close on September 22 at 5 p.m. All submissions must be filed with the Boerne City Secretary’s Office located at 447 North Main Street.
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