San Antonio Planning Commission Budget Presentation on September 10, 2025

The San Antonio Planning Commission met on September 10, 2025, to receive a detailed presentation on the City of San Antonio's proposed FY 2026 budget. Budget Director Susana Tatum and Capital Delivery Director Mike Shannon led the presentation, covering the $4 billion total budget, a 2.2% increase from the prior year. The meeting also included approval of a consent agenda, discussion of capital projects, bond programs, and commissioner questions on drainage, homeless services, and public safety.

Consent Calendar

• All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously by roll call vote. Commissioners voting in favor: Siegel, Milon, Sánchez, García, Di Suki, López, Olet, Profit. No opposition or abstentions recorded.
• Items 15 and 16 were postponed; item 18 was heard individually.

Discussion Items

• FY 2026 Budget Overview: Susana Tatum presented the $4 billion total budget, comprising restricted funds (e.g., solid waste, recycling) and a $1.69 billion general fund (1.6% increase). The budget includes 13,722 positions, a reduction of 246 civilian positions. To balance the budget, 68 positions were cut in two departments, 65 park police officers were transferred to SAPD, and 121 bond-funded positions were eliminated. A $174 million deficit over two years in the general fund was addressed through expense reductions, savings from completed projects, and shifting certain projects to capital budgets.
• Property Taxes: The property tax rate remains at 54.9 cents per $100 valuation. The budget includes $152 million in property tax exemptions for seniors, child care providers, and a rate freeze for residents over 65. Tax revenue is flat compared to last year.
• Priorities: Tatum highlighted homeless services ($30.5 million, including 1,300 camp cleanups per year, outreach teams, and transitional housing), public works ($122 million for street maintenance, 1,400 projects, 21 miles of new sidewalks), and affordable housing ($30.4 million, targeting 2,800 homes produced, with 13,000 new or under construction by year-end).
• Public Safety: Police funding totals $631 million, adding 53 new officers (28 for a new substation in District 10, 25 citywide). The department aims for 60% proactive policing and 40% reactive; the budget adds 190 of 360 planned officers over five years. Fire Department receives $428.4 million, including 12 new firefighters, $1.4 million for equipment, and $291,000 for drone mapping. Animal Care Services budget is $33 million, with a goal of answering 100% of critical calls by Q4 2026, and two new spay/neuter clinics on the south side, anticipating 141,000 surgeries.
• Capital Delivery Department: Mike Shannon introduced the newly created Capital Delivery Department (188 positions), focused on large-scale bond projects. The FY 2026 capital budget is $250 million, with $220 million for capital projects (facilities, streets, drainage). The 2022 bond program ($1.2 billion, 187 projects) is about 50% complete, transitioning to 65% soon. Shannon discussed accelerating the bond cycle to 2026 (May or November) instead of 2027, pending council and community feedback.
• Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Higi asked about drainage/flood mitigation, medical services for fire, and federal funding gaps. Tatum and Shannon responded that drainage is a priority (four bills in need, seeking state/federal funds; $11.4 million for three flood-impacted areas). The Fire Department is adding two medic units at key stations for medical calls. Regarding federal funding, a weekly group tracks grants; no major impacts yet but some reductions in air quality grants. Commissioner Bustamante asked about homeless camp cleanups: 1,300 cleanups per year (4 per day), with 10 high-priority sites cleaned weekly, 22 every two weeks, and others via 3-1-1 reports. Teams first engage residents and offer shelter before cleanup. On police staffing, the 360 officers over five years are all patrol officers; total sworn will be 2,893 in FY 2026, a ~15% increase.
• Other: Commissioner noted that 2024 EMS funding ($20 billion) came from the county via sales tax and commissioners.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Items 15 and 16 postponed; item 18 heard individually.
• The budget presentation was informational; no formal vote taken. The commission thanked staff for their work.
• Next steps include budget hearings with city council and adoption of FY 2026 budget before the new fiscal year.
• The commission received updates on bond program acceleration (possible 2026 vote) and ongoing collaboration with council on project prioritization.