Physical Address 115 Plaza De Armas San Antonio, TX 78205
Mailing Address P.O. Box 839966 San Antonio, TX 78283
CONTACT: Laura Mayes, 210-207-1337; 956-821-7925; laura.mayes@sanantonio.gov Michelle Vigil 210-207-4494; 210-710-2257; michelle.vigil@sanantonio.gov
SAN ANTONIO (August 11, 2022) – Today, City Manager Erik Walsh presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Proposed Budget to the Mayor and Council. The Proposed Budget invests in San Antonio’s ongoing economic recovery by giving funds back to taxpayers through property tax relief and CPS Energy credits. The Proposed Budget also invests in the retention and recruitment of City employees and makes the greatest investments ever in infrastructure and facilities. “The budget proposes to put money back in the pockets of our residents and invests in the retention and recruitment of our City employees who are essential in providing City services,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “The proposed budget reflects both City Council and community priorities, and the City’s commitment to make San Antonio more resilient and vibrant. I look forward to talking with our residents about the proposed budget at our upcoming town hall meetings.” The FY 2023 Proposed total City Budget is $3.4 billion. Included in that amount is the General Fund Budget at $1.5 billion. The Proposed Budget includes $95 million in property tax relief and $50 million in credits to CPS Energy ratepayers. “Considering the harsh realities of record high energy bills and inflation as we emerge from a global pandemic, the proposed FY 2023 budget illustrates the responsible fiscal stewardship provided by City Manager Erik Walsh and his team,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I welcome the opportunity to deliver tax relief and return $50 million in CPS Energy revenue to the public.” Property Tax Relief Providing direct relief to the residents of San Antonio was identified as a priority by the Mayor and City Council at the FY 2023 Budget Goal Setting Session in April. Residents also identified property tax relief as their highest priority through the City’s SASpeakUp trial budget survey. In June, the Mayor and City Council approved additional property tax relief of $22.5 million for a total of $95 million by increasing the City’s Homestead Exemption from 0.1% to 10%, the City’s Over-65 Exemption from $65,000 to $85,000, and the City’s Disabled Person Exemption from $12,500 to $85,000. The City is proposing a reduction of the City’s property tax rate of 1.6 cents from 55.827 to 54.161 cents per $100 in value. San Antonio is one of the few Texas cities that offer an over-65 and disabled persons tax freeze and exemption. This is the 30th consecutive year without a tax rate increase. Electric Bill Credit & Utility Assistance The proposed budget recommends crediting $50 million to all customers of CPS Energy. Of the $50 million, $5 million will be provided to assist eligible low-income residential customers and $45 million will be fairly distributed in the same way the money was collected based on each customers’ energy usage during the month of July. The average residential customer will see a $31 credit on their October bill. “While this $50 million will not solve the problem of soaring temperatures and high fuel costs, as the owners of CPS Energy the City of San Antonio understands the challenges of paying the monthly electric bill, and we want to do our part to help our residents,” said Walsh. Employee Retention and Recruitment The Proposed Budget invests in the retention and recruitment of City employees by raising the entry wage to $17.50 hourly and providing a 5% across-the-board increase for all civilian employees. In addition, there will be a minimum 2% market rate adjustment, with certain jobs receiving higher adjustments. Uniformed Police and Fire employees will see wage increases consistent with their respective collective bargaining agreements. “Our City team provides critical services to our residents day in and day out. These compensation adjustments will ensure the City can remain competitive to recruit people to join our team. Our mission is provide the highest level of service at the level our residents expect,” continued Walsh. Investments in Community Infrastructure The City is proposing to make the greatest investments ever in infrastructure and major city facilities – streets, sidewalks, bike facilities, the Airport, the voter approved Bond Program, the Convention Center and Alamodome. In FY 2023, the City begins implementation of the largest bond program in the City’s history. $160 million is included in the budget to begin implementation of the 2022 voter approved bond program. The proposed budget also increases capacity to manage and deliver bond projects – 38 positions are being added in nine departments. Infrastructure Maintenance: The proposed budget invests $154 million in infrastructure maintenance, including $116 million in streets, $21 million in sidewalks, and adds almost $3 million in new traffic signals and $2 million in alley maintenance. San Antonio Airport: The City is prepared to undertake the Terminal Redevelopment Program, which will add a third terminal to the San Antonio International Airport, as well as a new ground transportation center, parking garage and terminal road realignment. This is the largest City capital project and a major economic generator for the region. The budget proposal adds resources to manage and deliver this project – 30 new positions for the Airport and support departments. The Convention Center & Alamodome: The proposed budget includes $35.3 million to begin implementing a six-year $160 million capital improvement program for the Convention Center and Alamodome. Community Resiliency and Vibrancy Housing affordability Housing Bond: The City continues to focus on housing affordability. The proposed budget includes $136 million for affordable housing resulting in 2,500 new housing units. In total the City will invest approximately $316 million between FY 2023 and FY 2027 through bond funds, the General Fund, CDBG, HOME and other grant funds. The City will also add two new housing navigator positions to help property owners and tenants achieve code compliance and wraparound services, when needed. Parks: The budget makes $19.6 million in new investments in parks and recreation improvements in FY 2023. This includes $7.7 million in renovations and improvements at seventeen parks facilities; $10 million to continue the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program; $1.5 million for operations of new facilities, parks and linear creek ways; and $400k to enhance the City’s summer youth programming Libraries: The proposed budget includes $4.7 million in new investments in the library system. $3.2 million will be dedicated to renovations & improvements at eight library facilities. $1.5 million will go to library materials and will enhance the availability of library books and materials; $74k will support the expanded Texana Resource Center which will open in the summer of 2023. Public Health and Safety Health: Metro Health will see a total increased investment of $5.8 million. Of this amount, $2 million is included each year for five years to develop a partnership with UT Health and UTSA to establish a school of public health, and $3.8 million is included for the second-year funding of SA Forward to support access to care, food systems, mental health, violence prevention, health equity and social justice, technology and infrastructure, and operations. Safety: Economic Development: $10 million in economic development opportunities. Other highlights Animal Care Services: Resources are added to support the veterinarian clinic and enhance customer service. Additionally, the Proposed Budget adds funding for an emergency overflow kennel facility and funding to upgrade and repair animal play yards. Code Enforcement: $230,000 in new funding: $175,000 for two code officers for the Neighborhood Enforcement Team; $55,000 for a code compliance family support liaison Department of Human Services: $3.9 million in new funding to support homeless outreach and hotline; funding to support the lease and operations of the high acuity homeless hotel; operations of a multi-generational center, completed as part of the 2017 bond program; and funding for technology and social services for seniors. Solid Waste: The proposed budget adds a second illegal dumping crew. The Solid Waste Management Department will improve routes to reduce the number of houses on each route, provide more balanced collection routes, and increase collection from four days to five days per week. Development Services Fund: No fee increases are proposed in the budget. Six positions are added to address the increased development activity in the community. Office of Sustainability: The proposed budget allocates three positions to support the implementation of the SA Climate Ready plan and to support execution of Office of Sustainability priorities around municipal sustainability, community climate action initiatives, and sustainable transportation. The proposed budget also includes eight energy efficiency projects and two positions to support the projects, (funded through the Energy Efficiency Fund). Residents are invited to participate in an upcoming budget town hall meeting. Residents can watch the town hall meetings live on the web by visiting www.sanantonio.gov/tvsa or on the City’s Facebook page. Residents can also watch on television channels: AT&T 99, Grande 20, Spectrum 21, and digital antenna 16.1, or listen live by dialing 210-207-5555 and selecting option 1 for English or option 2 for Spanish. In addition, residents are invited to submit their budget questions in advance by calling 311, emailing saspeakup@sanantonio.gov or by using #SASpeakUp23 on social media. View complete schedule for the FY 2023 proposed budget town hall meetings on SASpeakup.
Meetings will be available in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.
Author: Rene Avila (C&E)