The overview
On top of approving the FY 2025-26 budget, City Council also set the tax rate; approved an ordinance, which carried forward center FY 2024-25 funds; amended prior appropriations and appropriated funds for requirements in city projects and departments; amended existing fees within the general fund and certain restricted funds; and approved projects in a six-year capital improvements program.
- $423,000 for low barrier homeless shelter construction
- $17 million for sidewalks
- $2 million for street lights
- $122.4 million for street maintenance/repair
- $30.4 million for affordable housing
The City Council also voted to add amendments to the general fund and to adjust fees and permits.
“The fact that we are raising fees in certain areas this year in lieu of finding other places to cut and to downsize bothers me,” Whyte said. “It shouldn't be happening, and next year, when we move into even a more difficult fiscal environment, I hope that this body is not going to advocate for an answer that includes continuing to burden our residents with more fees."
The budget also includes funds for 13,723 city positions, including 2,893 police officers and 1,815 firefighters. Sixty-eight civilian positions will be eliminated in the budget, with 35 affected employees relocated to other positions within the city.
Prior to the vote on the budget, both Whyte and District 9 council member Misty Spears made a motion to redirect funding to add an additional 25 police officers to the department, which would raise the number of new officers to the city’s original vow of 65.
“In this budget, we have funding for an additional 40 police officers, which, of course, is 25 short of what we promised the citizens of San Antonio,” Whyte said. “And there is no other way for me to say this, other than I believe that backtracking on the promise of 65 officers to our community is nothing short of government malpractice.”
"If our residents do not feel safe, then they are not,” Spears said. “There is simply no replacement for additional boots on the ground in deterring crime, we made a promise to our city to decrease crime, and still believe this is the most important promise that we have made."
Both motions failed 4-7, with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, District 1 council member Sukh Kaur, District 2 council member Leo Castillo-Anguiano, District 3 council member Phyllis Viagran, District 4 council member Edward Mungia, District 5 council member Teri Castillo and District 6 council member Ric Galvan voting against.
Quotes of note
District 8 Council member Ivalis Meza Gonzalez, Spears and Whyte praised city staff’s diligence and hard work during the budget process.
“Every decision required us to weigh our resources against our responsibilities, and at times, that meant making tough choices that aren’t taken lightly,” Gonzalez said. “I am proud of the work we have done, and remain committed to ensuring that as we face the challenges of the years ahead, the voices and priorities of District 8 will continue to guide my decisions.”
“I want to thank Eric [Walsh] and the whole team for all of your hard work,” Spears said. “Over the summer, the mayor charged me with shifting my focus from orange cone to public safety. ... I appreciate the work of all those departments. ... I know a lot of departments had to go through some cost-cutting, and so I know those were some tough decisions that had to be made, but we appreciate the work of all those departments."
“[In] this budget process, we've agreed to disagree a lot of times, but I am so impressed, first of all, with the new council members,” Whyte said. “... I truly appreciate each one of you and what you've brought to this process, and I think it bodes very well for our next four years, how we were able to very civilly debate this over the past month and get to where we are today."
