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The City of San Antonio’s budget is the most important action we take every year. My team spends months developing a proposed budget that reflects the priorities of the City Council and the community while continuing to support the services our residents expect.
To stay true to this mission in fiscal year 2025, the city must be resourceful and resilient.
It will be a tight fiscal year. The cost of delivering services is rising, and the post-pandemic rebound is ending. The three primary sources of revenue for the city are property tax, sales tax and CPS Energy, and growth in these areas is not keeping up with rising costs.
By law, the city must propose a balanced budget. At the same time, the community has high expectations for its city government. The most recent Community Survey indicated a record number of San Antonio residents are satisfied with the services they receive.
The city’s dedication to improving services doesn’t stop in tight fiscal years.
City Council identified its budget priorities in April, and residents identified their priorities in the Community Survey. These priorities align. They include streets and sidewalks, services to the homeless, and public safety, among others.
Despite the fiscal reality, the city can continue to invest in these and other critical services by being resourceful.
This year, city departments identified ways to deliver key services more efficiently. As a result of this process, the proposed budget would cut tens of millions of dollars from the General Fund — and do so with no impact to basic services or city employees, and without raising the city’s property tax rate.
In numerous ways, we have tightened our department budgets to reduce our spending.
For example, we can save by aligning workforce development spending. We can save simply by eliminating unnecessary overtime shifts for scooter riding enforcement. The 311 call center is fully staffed and answering more than 96% of calls from residents, so the budget for temporary call takers can be reduced.
These and dozens of other reductions allow the city to remain resilient and continue investing in the top priorities of the community.
We are continuing our multi-year plans in streets and sidewalks, services to the homeless, public safety, animal care, and affordable housing. The budget boosts our investment in street maintenance. To Animal Care Services, the budget will add positions to address critical calls and operate two new spay/neuter surgery clinics.
The budget also adds police officers and adds firefighters to address medical calls.
Before its adoption in September, the budget will likely undergo adjustments. City Council will meet for several workshops to review the proposed budgets of departments.
Residents will also have an opportunity to review the city’s proposed budget.
Starting August 19, the city will host 10 panel-style town halls to educate the community about the proposed budget. These meetings will take place over two weeks across all council districts.
Each town hall will begin with a panel discussion with city leaders before opening the conversation to residents for questions.
Above all, city leaders are there to listen. After all, it’s your city and your budget.
For more information about budget town halls, including dates, times and locations, visit SA.gov/Budget.
