In a nutshell
The FY 2024-25 budget for all funds totals $2.8 billion. The general fund saw an increase of $23.5 million, bringing the fund up from FY 2023-24’s operating budget of $633 million to $656 million.
The budget includes:
- $830 million in operating appropriations
- $464 million in capital projects
- $176 million for debt service
- $71 million for the American Rescue Plan Act funds
- $39 million for contingencies
- $703 million in carry-forward funds for capital improvement projects
- $157 million in venue fund reserves
- $76 million in debt service reserves
- $291 million in carry forward funding
Zooming in
Bexar County’s FY 2024-25 budget earmarks $23.2 million for new capital improvement projects like improvements to the jail and juvenile probation facilities, and $18.8 million for new vehicles and the replacement of older vehicles, computer and laptop replacement and the replacement of radios. The CIP funds reserve $45 million for road projects, with $6 million for new roads, $29.5 for existing road projects and $9.5 million for traffic safety, school safety and street rehabilitation projects. $6.8 million is also included for two existing flood control projects.The proposed budget also includes $268 million for public safety, which builds on FY 2023-24’s investment of 50 new law enforcement patrol positions by adding an additional 30 new uniformed positions in the sheriff’s office, eight new deputy constable positions and increased funding for the county’s emergency dispatch operations.
The county has also continued to fund the Public Safety Action Plan to reduce the number of repeat violent offenders on the streets. Known as the Bexar County Sheriff’s Top Offenders program, this plan was developed in FY 2023-24 and is designed to reduce the number of repeat violent offenders on the streets. The annual cost of the STOP program is $1.35 million, according to county documents.
To alleviate the strain on the existing animal care facility, the budget earmarked $188,475 for two animal care technicians and one lead animal care technician. Additionally, the design and construction of a new animal care facility is budgeted at $6 million.
For county employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements, FY 2024-25’s budget contains a 3% cost of living adjustment.
Stay tuned
The FY 2024-25 budget will take effect Oct. 1.