San Antonio City Council Meeting on June 18, 2026

The San Antonio City Council convened on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 9:15 a.m. for a regular meeting. The agenda included approvals of consent items, proclamations, recognition of employees, a major incentive package for Toyota, a budget workshop, and a rate adjustment proposal from the San Antonio Water System (SOS). The meeting also featured public testimony on the Toyota and SOS items. The council approved the consent calendar, debated the Toyota incentives, and ultimately deferred the SOS rate increase to a later meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the minutes from the June 3, 2026 meeting.
• The consent agenda was approved, which included routine items such as contracts for the Father Roman Community Center ($7.73 million), Fire Station 21 replacement, Henry Gonzalez Community Center, a right-of-way agreement, a mobility bond contract, and judicial appointments. Councilmembers highlighted several of these projects during discussion.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Mayor Jones read a proclamation declaring June 20, 2026 as Juneteenth Day in San Antonio. Councilmember Mackey Rodriguez spoke about the historical significance of Juneteenth and called for continued action against systemic racism, including police brutality. He invited the public to a protest on Saturday at 9 a.m.
• The council recognized Ana Martinez for 50 years of service with the city as a certified court clerk, and Robert Ibarra, a sanitation driver, who was named National Driver of the Year by the National Recycling and Waste Association.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Toyota Incentive Package: Jonathan Garewitz (President of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce) expressed support, stating Toyota has been a strong community partner. Jack Finger opposed the package, arguing the cost per job (approximately $220,000) was too high and questioning the need for taxpayer-funded training.
• SOS Rate Adjustment: Kevin Didden opposed the increase, criticizing CEO compensation and past water rate hikes. Jonathan Garewitz supported the adjustment, emphasizing the need for infrastructure investment. Jack Finger argued the proposed 26-30% increase over four years was excessive and questioned where previous rate increases went. Jessica Palacios (Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) and Rebecca Villagran (South Texas Partnership) both spoke in favor, citing the necessity for reliable water infrastructure to support growth.

Discussion Items

• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas Incentive Package: Alex from the city's economic development staff presented a package totaling $147 million in incentives, including property tax relief, infrastructure contributions ($20 million from TxDOT), and workforce training. Toyota plans to invest $2 billion to build a 2.5 million-square-foot facility, creating 2,000 jobs at an average wage of $32.36/hour. Councilmembers largely supported the package, citing Toyota's long history in San Antonio (over 20 years) and the economic impact. Councilmember Mackey Rodriguez expressed ambivalence due to the city’s budget deficit but acknowledged the benefits. A motion was made and seconded to approve points 5, 6, 7, and 26; the council then took a break, and subsequent comments suggested approval was granted (final vote not explicitly recorded in the transcript).
• Budget Workshop (FY 2026): Budget Director Fred Martinez presented a preliminary budget facing a $127 million deficit. Options included a 3.5% property tax increase (averaging $3.60/month per household), service reductions, and fee adjustments. Councilmembers debated the tax increase vs. cuts, with many opposed to higher property taxes but open to fee increases and efficiency measures. Several members called for an independent audit of the police department and better communication with residents. No final action was taken; the budget will be refined and presented again in August.
• San Antonio Water System (SOS) Rate Adjustment: Robert Puente, CEO of SOS, presented a four-year rate plan to fund a $3.2 billion capital improvement program. The proposed increase would total 26-30% over four years. Councilmembers discussed infrastructure needs, past rate reductions, and operational concerns (e.g., coordination with city street projects, communication with residents, and assistance for low-income customers). A motion to defer the item to October 2026 was made, seconded, and passed after a vote. No action was taken on the rate adjustment itself.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar was approved.
• The Toyota incentive package was approved (motion carried; specific vote tally not recorded in transcript).
• The SOS rate adjustment was deferred to a future council meeting in October 2026 for further discussion and additional information on operational metrics and community engagement.