SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council approved Thursday a $2.7 billion budget for the 2018 fiscal year. City manager Sheryl Sculley said the budget focused on the residents top priorities as they noted in an online survey and during community meetings.
The 2018 budget includes:
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- Increasing the street maintenance budget from $64 million to $99 million, including a two-year program to improve the average street condition index to 70 in Council Districts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10
- Sidewalk funding of $5 million, which augments $78 million from the voter-approved 2017 bond program
- 42 new police officers and 43 new firefighters and paramedics
- $1.9 million invested in neighborhood improvements and engagement
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The new budget does not increase the city’s property tax rate. Below are statements from councilmembers and the mayor.
The budget passed unanimously.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg
“The budget is balanced, maintains the city’s AAA credit ratings and begins to reverse historic inequities in street maintenance,” Mayor Nirenberg said. “It keeps us committed to the basics and focused on our residents.”
READ MORE: City uses "equity lens" in $2.7 billion proposed budget
District 2 Councilman William “Cruz” Shaw
"Today in City Council, we passed San Antonio’s first budget to use an “equity lens” in addressing the needs of our community. This is monumental because as opposed to all districts receiving the same amount of funding, districts were given money based on need. Equity aims to understand the needs of the community and fairly distribute resources."
District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran
“San Antonio continues to be the most economically segregated city in the US, and we all share in the shame and disgrace such a designation brings. This budget puts a down payment on generations of disparities and inequities. District 3 and all San Antonio residents deserve a future where they can work, live, shop, play in their own neighborhood. This can only happen if we invest in the communities that have been underserved the longest.
District 4 Councilman Rey Saldana
“Securing funding for basic City services and identifying investments in projects that can improve the lives of our residents remains one of my top priorities for the community that has witnessed the steady progress of a district long-neglected yet full of so much potential. These past six years of service have been fruitful thanks to the feedback and support from residents and I’m especially grateful for the increased funding for our public transit system that will reap benefits to many residents who rely on this mode of transportation.”
District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse
“I voted for the 2018 City Budget to deliver a wide range of core services to the residents of District 6. There is a lot of good work and focus on essential services in our Budget. Some of the reasons I voted for the $2.7 billion Budget include, funding for 42 new police officers and 43 new firefighter/EMS positions; $99 million in street maintenance; and an additional $4.3 million for VIA Metropolitan Transit buses to increase frequency on 10 routes and improves travel time on seven corridors.”
“However, I still have concerns about the budget process, the property tax rate and our lack of focus on putting core services first. I spent my time trying to earn this seat by promising to fight for the community I represent and I will not stop pushing for a discussion and public record vote on the direction of our community and the use of our tax dollars.”
District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
"I am proud to support a budget that begins to address the lack of public investment in many of San Antonio’s older neighborhoods, and strengths our City as a whole. I believe this plan incorporates the priorities of our constituents, shared with us in public forums, emails and phone calls to our district offices, and numerous one-on-one conversations."
"Next year’s budget isn’t perfect – no investment plan of its size ever will be – but I believe it will improve our quality of life and make our communities safer. It provides funding to hire 42 new police officers, including four parks police officers, and 43 new firefighters. The budget also maintains our strong commitment to improving streets, sidewalks, and other basic infrastructure in every Council District.”
District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry
“This year’s budget reflects the hard work of City staff and my fellow councilmembers in ensuring that our City’s needs are being met. My focus continues to be providing funding for the City’s core services. I want to thank City Manager Sheryl Sculley and her team for creating a balanced $2.7 billion budget. I am grateful to all of the organizations and community members who took the time to attend the City’s Budget Open Houses and those who contacted my office to express their budget priorities. Though I was unsuccessful in getting a property tax rollback or a City homestead exemption, I believe the conversation needs to continue about tangible property tax relief for San Antonio residents.
"Our residents expect us to be fiscally responsible with their tax dollars. By exploring a city homestead exemption and lowering our current tax rates, I believe we can provide real property tax relief while continuing to serve the core needs of our city. Public safety, infrastructure, and public facilities have always been at the top of the list for San Antonians; these concerns are often stressed by our neighbors here in District 10 and are the focus of my attention."
