San Antonio City Council Meeting: Budget Adoption and Air Force Birthday - September 18, 2025

The San Antonio City Council met on September 18, 2025 (9:05 AM - 2:48 PM) to adopt the FY2026 budget, celebrate the 78th Air Force birthday, and address several other items including a clarification to the Council Consideration Request (CCR) ordinance. The meeting included roll call, a proclamation, a mariachi performance, public comments, and votes.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes approved: August 13, 14, 19, 20, 21; September 2, 3, 4, 2025 (voice vote, all aye).
• Items 9-29 approved as a block except item 21 (pulled). Council members highlighted several items: Item 29 (Workforce Solutions Alamo 2026 budget), Item 11 (Mills on Wheels contract), Item 26 (Miller Pond Apartments rehabilitation), Item 20 (amend city council code of conduct re: NDAs).
• Item 21 (CCR ordinance) pulled for individual consideration and later passed after amendment discussions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Consent agenda: Jack M. Finger opposed Item 23 (renaming Rosell Drive to D'Souza Drive after a personal injury law firm) and expressed concern about Item 26 (affordable housing, referring to it as "welfare housing"). He argued tax dollars should not fund street maintenance for a law firm name.
• Budget (Items 4-8): Multiple speakers addressed budget priorities:
  • San Antonio Philharmonic supporters (Steve Zesserman, Martin Gordon, Angela Caporale, Lauren Eberhart) requested restoration of funding to ~$400,000 (2017 levels), highlighting community education, free concerts, and youth impact.
  • Judith Gerwitz (District 8 resident) criticized rising city debt ($13 billion), fading road striping, slow traffic light repairs, and inadequate animal control, urging rethinking of spending.
  • John Melendez (Americans for Prosperity Texas) argued property tax bills rise despite rate cuts due to appraisal increases, calling for structural reform.
  • Jack M. Finger and others opposed property tax increases, noting a ~30% rise in average home values over four years.
  • Mondo Flores (AFSME Local 2021) thanked council for the 2% across-the-board pay raise plus $750 base adjustment for city employees.
  • Rhett Smith (District 8) urged adopting a no-new-revenue rate or zero-based budgeting.
• Item 21 (CCR ordinance): Jack M. Finger spoke against restrictions on council members' ability to file CCRs, invoking democratic principles.

Discussion Items

• Air Force 78th Birthday: Mayor Jones and General Oakland (Nomad) spoke. Proclamation declared September 18, 2025 as the 78th anniversary day in San Antonio. Cake-cutting ceremony.
• Hispanic Heritage Month: Councilwoman Mesa Gonzalez introduced Mariachi Campana de America (two-time Grammy winner) for a performance.
• Budget (Items 4-8) : City Manager Eric Walsh presented a summary of amendments totaling $30.8 million over two years (General Fund $12.5 million). Funding sources included fee increases: parks environmental fee (+$0.50/month), food safety licenses, vacant building registration. Key amendments: 2% pay raise + $750 for civilian employees; 15 additional patrol officers (total 40); $3 million for street lights; $500,000 for radar feedback signs; $1 million for minor home repair program; funding for Metro Health (TB control, youth mental health, SA Kids Breathe, language access); restoration of SA Book Festival funding; delegate agency increases (family violence, rape crisis, Big Mama Safe House, American Gateways). Council discussion included:
  • Councilman White moved to add 25 more officers (cost $1.39 million) funded by reducing computer replacement and delegate agency reserve. Motion failed (voice vote).
  • Councilwoman Spears moved to add 25 officers funded by reducing police overtime budget. Motion failed after concerns that overtime is non-discretionary and would be overspent.
  • Councilman Castillo Anguiano expressed concerns about encampment sweeps, new officers, and lack of crime prevention funding, but supported spay/neuter, COLA, East Side YMCA, and Big Mama Safe House.
  • Councilman Via Gran highlighted District 3 investments ($15.2 million for infrastructure, fire stations, public safety).
• Item 21 (CCR ordinance) : Councilman White proposed clarifying language: CCRs do not expire with term limits; the ordinance cannot be changed without council vote. Councilwoman Mungia offered an amendment to expire CCRs when the primary sponsor leaves office (or when 4 of 5 signatories leave). After debate, Mungia's amendment failed (voice vote 2-9). The original item passed on roll call (10-1, Mayor Jones opposed). Council members discussed the need for further governance committee review of the CCR process.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adoption: Items 4 (consolidated budget) approved as amended, with Mayor Jones recusing on Chest funding. Items 5-8 (tax rates, fees, carryover) all passed on voice votes. Property tax rates set at 21.150 cents/100 (debt service) and 33.009 cents/100 (M&O) for tax year 2025.
• Police Staffing: 40 new patrol officers added (25 proposed + 15 via amendment). Two motions to add more failed.
• City Employee Pay: 2% across-the-board increase plus $750 base adjustment for civilian employees.
• Fees Increased: Parks environmental fee (+$0.50/month), food safety licenses, and vacant building registration fees to generate $9.1 million over FY26-27.
• CCR Ordinance Clarified: Passed 10-1; maintains that CCRs do not expire with council membership and require a council vote to change the ordinance.
• Retirements Recognized: Razi (33 years, Public Works) and Lori Houston (23 years, Assistant City Manager) honored.
• Executive Session: Held from 1:09 PM to 2:48 PM to discuss economic development, real property, and legal issues; no action taken.