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San Antonio Mayor Signals Lean Budget, Smaller $600 Million Bond

Flat property tax revenue from wider homestead exemptions is forcing sharper tradeoffs.

Overview

  • The mayor said the next city bond is expected to total about $600 million, down from $1.2 billion in 2022, and called for “ruthless prioritization.”
  • She linked the smaller plan to “flat” property tax revenue after more households claimed homestead exemptions, which limits how much the city can borrow without raising the rate.
  • Her target areas for bond spending include flood control, streets and sidewalks, economic development, and downtown projects.
  • She set near-term aims to protect public safety and health services, commission a report to guide early childhood and child care, and improve veterans’ access to rentals where vouchers are often refused.
  • She highlighted a Toyota Field agreement tied to a failed MLS bid that requires a $5 million repayment if no team arrived in five years and said the city manager and attorneys should handle collection.