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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

San Antonio City Council Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Review - August 25, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, August 25, 2026

BodySan Antonio, Texas

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, August 25, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:54:02

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:43

They're back there.

0:44

City Council.

0:49

Are they out there?

0:50

Let's go.

0:55

One, two, three, four, or five.

0:58

Una mass.

0:59

We have two online.

1:01

Great, there you go.

1:02

Councilman View Garan, would you please turn on the there we go?

1:05

Thank you.

1:05

All right, Madam Clerk.

1:07

Let's see.

1:11

Time is now 9 03 a.m.

1:13

on Tuesday, August 25th, and San Antonio City Council is called to order.

1:17

Madam Clerk, please call roll.

1:20

Councilmember Corps.

1:22

Councilmember McKee Rodriguez.

1:24

Councilmember Biagran.

1:27

She's here virtually, I think.

1:29

Councilmember Mungia.

1:31

Councilmember Castillo.

1:33

Councilmember Galván.

1:35

Councilmember Adorete Gavito.

1:37

Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez.

1:39

Councilmember Spears.

1:41

Here.

1:42

Councilmember White is here virtually.

1:45

Mayor Jones.

1:46

Here.

1:46

Mayor we have Corinth.

1:47

Great.

1:47

Thanks, Madam Clerk.

1:49

This meeting will be reviewing the following departments: human services, health, animal care services, and development services.

1:55

Maria, over to you.

1:57

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

1:59

Mayor, as you mentioned, today we have four department presentations on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget.

2:12

That's great.

2:12

Thanks, Maria.

2:13

So with that, we're gonna start with human services.

2:16

Melody Woosley, the director of human services will begin with the presentations.

2:24

Good morning, Mayor and Council.

2:26

Melody Weosley, Human Services Director.

2:32

And this morning, I will provide a briefing on the human services proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, including our service areas, the budget, proposed reductions, department changes, and delegate agency investments.

2:50

Human services and our delegate agencies promote lifelong success by providing opportunities, effective services, and connections to community resources.

3:01

These are focused on children, youth families, and older adults.

3:26

Through child care quality initiatives and head start and early head start programs.

3:32

Youth programs help people with resources, help young people with resources and support needed to achieve their goals through the ambassador summer internship program, next level opportunity youth program, and project dwarf.

3:49

We are very excited about the October launch of a new school-based violence prevention curriculum in 16 San Antonio Independent School District schools and expanded connections with municipal court and SAPD around next level, which were developed through input from the public safety committee.

4:08

Families strengthening efforts promote long-term financial stability by helping residents reduce debt, build savings, and access resources during crisis.

4:20

This year the VIDA program will prepare an estimated 30,000 tax returns and return 38 million dollars back into the local economy.

4:31

And we are coordinating with Ready to Work and SAPD to connect police academy cadets under financial strain with services and resources to help them complete their training.

5:00

In 2027, we anticipate that 26,500 seniors will actively participate in our meal program, fitness classes, arts and craft classes, computer education, all the while making social connections.

5:23

A new pilot with Well Med Foundation will collect individual health data through screenings at enrollment and periodically over time to compare changes.

5:36

And we will also continue to enhance our financial counseling program and protect older adults from fraud abuse and exploitation.

5:48

The fiscal year 2027 proposed human services budget is 98.8 million, which includes general fund, delegate agencies, and grant funds.

6:00

The budget reflects a 3.8 million increase over 2026 from increases in grant funding, added funding for permanent extended hours programming at senior centers, and implementation of partial year mandates for three bond funded projects to be completed next summer and in the fall of 2027.

6:25

Human services underwent a comprehensive budget review process in fiscal year 2026, which led to 683,000 in fiscal year 2026 savings and an additional $2.5 million in proposed FY 2027 reductions.

6:46

With that, a total of $3.2 million in reductions is proposed in fiscal year 2027, which includes eliminating two vacant positions, San Antonio Education Partnership Scholarship and Outreach Funding, closing three part-time nutrition sites, and implementing line item and citywide reductions.

7:08

Overall, the fiscal year 2027 budget reflects a net increase of $81,000 to the Human Services General Fund.

7:20

And so the city has funded the San Antonio Education Scholarship Program since its inception in 1989.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Budget███████████████████████████27%

Public Health████████████████████20%

Animal Welfare███████████████15%

Code Enforcement███████████11%

Senior Services█████5%

Public Safety████4%

Zoning and Land Use███3%

Public Education██2%

Mental Health Awareness██2%

Summary of Proceedings

San Antonio City Council Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Review - August 25, 2026

The San Antonio City Council convened on August 25, 2026, at 9:03 AM to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for Human Services, Metro Health, Animal Care Services, and Development Services. Directors presented budgets, proposed reductions, revenue enhancements, and program impacts. Council members discussed equity implications, proposed amendments, and expressed intentions to restore certain cuts using alternative funding sources.

Human Services Department Presentation

Proposed Budget: $98.8 million (General Fund, delegate agencies, grants), a net increase of $81,000 over FY26.
Reductions: $3.2 million, including elimination of the San Antonio Education Partnership Scholarship ($2.2 million, affecting 3,300 students), closure of three part-time nutrition sites, and elimination of two vacant positions.
New Investments: $3.8 million for senior center extended hours, partial-year bond mandates for Ella Austin Community Center, Kenwood, and West End multi-generational centers.
Delegate Agency Funding: $11.4 million for 72 awards; planned $5.1 million reduction in discretionary funding for FY28, affecting an estimated 9,350 participants (70% from districts 1–5).
Council Discussion: Councilmember Mungia criticized the disproportionate impact on districts 1–5, calling the cuts short-sighted. Councilmember White supported the cuts as necessary discipline. Councilmember Galvan defended the SAEP scholarship and delegate agencies. Councilmember Corp suggested retaining 55% of SAEP funding. Councilmember Castillo highlighted the role of delegate agencies in public safety and social services. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez opposed the cuts, urging investment in people.

Metro Health Department Presentation

Proposed Budget: $80 million level-funded from FY26, with 552 authorized positions.
Revenue Enhancements: Mobile food vendor inspection reimbursements projected at ~$254,000 under new state law (HB 2844).
Reductions: $3.4 million, comprising $700,000 in efficiencies, $800,000 transferred to Medicaid 1115 waiver, and $1.9 million in program/staff cuts. Key impacts include:
- Elimination of Center for Policy and Health Improvement staff ($692,000) ending maternal mortality pilot.
- Community nutrition consolidation ($400,000) eliminating four positions and sunsetting Por Vida program.
- Mayor's Fitness Council reduction ($180,000) removing one position and student ambassador program.
- Performance management team cuts ($301,000) reducing reporting frequency.
- Four vacant positions eliminated ($356,000).
Council Discussion: Councilmember White commended Metro Health for disciplined cuts. Councilmember Mungia questioned ending the maternal health pilot given disparities. Councilmember Alderete Gavito queried grant opportunities and asked for administrative overhead analysis. Councilmember Corp supported reproductive justice funding. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez criticized cuts to nutrition and women’s health. Mayor expressed concern about immunization and maternal health funding declines, proposing to redirect UTSA public health funding to restore cuts.

Animal Care Services Department Presentation

Proposed Budget: $38 million (up $4.2 million from FY26), 254 positions.
Revenue Enhancements: Dangerous dog permit fee increases, new warrant impound fee ($150), and vaccine fee increases (total ~$52,000).
Reductions: $346,000, including right-sizing line items ($244,000), reducing rescue partner incentive ($42,000), and eliminating one animal care attendant ($59,000) potentially slowing kennel turnover.
New Hospital: 17,000 sq ft veterinary hospital under construction (spring 2027), with 10 new positions and $1.5 million non-personnel funding; East Side Clinic operated by a partner saves $1.12 million.
Performance: Critical call response rose to 93.4%; live release rate 88%; adoptions up 28% to 7,200.
Council Discussion: Councilmember White raised concerns about proactive vs. reactive approach and no-kill goal. Councilmember Mungia advocated for more officers and spay/neuter. Councilmember Galvan asked for non-critical call data and stressed public safety. Councilmember Corp encouraged raising adoption targets. Councilmember Spears urged higher dangerous dog fees and enforcement. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez noted the need for a second campus and fair compensation for new positions. Mayor asked for analysis on spay/neuter capacity and cost-benefit.

Development Services Department Presentation

Proposed Budget: $74 million, 507 positions (157 General Fund, 350 enterprise fund).
Revenue Enhancements: 35% permit fee increase phased over three years (15% in FY27) with a 1% surcharge, developed with stakeholder consensus; code enforcement fee increases for proactive apartment inspection ($100 to $200), vacant lot administration ($250 to $300), used auto parts ($1,000 to $5,000), garage sale ($16 to $20).
Reductions: Elimination of two vacant code enforcement officers in the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET), reducing proactive sweeps from 20 to 10 per year (2 per district) and increasing case load by 2% reactive.
Performance: Meeting service level agreements in plan review and inspections; code enforcement responses within 2–3 days.
Council Discussion: Councilmember White disapproved of NET reduction, calling for more investment. Councilmember Mungia criticized the lack of proactive approach. Councilmember Galvan asked for vacancy details and senior assistance fund data. Councilmember Alderete Gavito opposed NET cuts and supported higher vacant structure fines. Councilmember Corp requested compliance rate breakdown by category and better communication with SAPD on short-term rentals. Councilmember Castillo suggested increasing garage sale stickers. Councilmember Spears asked about unpaid fees and enforcement. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez opposed street light funding cut. Mayor requested follow-up on debt collection and fee enforcement.

Key Outcomes

No formal votes were taken; council directed administration to consider amendments for the budget adoption on September 17, 2026.
Mayor's Proposed Amendments: Use Ready to Work funds to increase funding for San Antonio Education Partnership (to $4.2 million), Next Level (to $500,000), Goodwill Northwest, YWCA Reset, Chrysalis Ministries, and Project Quest (to $4 million). Redirect $1.8 million from UTSA public health contribution to restore Center for Policy and Health Improvement, performance management team, and potentially boost SA Core mental health response targets.
Many council members expressed intent to restore funding for delegate agencies, maternal health programs, street lights, and the Neighborhood Enhancement Team, contingent on revenue adjustments or property tax rate discussions.
The city is projected to end FY28 with a $48 million balance, incorporating the planned $5.1 million delegate agency reduction and other measures.

Meeting Transcript

They're back there. City Council. Are they out there? Let's go. One, two, three, four, or five. Una mass. We have two online. Great, there you go. Councilman View Garan, would you please turn on the there we go? Thank you. All right, Madam Clerk. Let's see. Time is now 9 03 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25th, and San Antonio City Council is called to order. Madam Clerk, please call roll. Councilmember Corps. Councilmember McKee Rodriguez. Councilmember Biagran. She's here virtually, I think. Councilmember Mungia. Councilmember Castillo. Councilmember Galván. Councilmember Adorete Gavito. Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez. Councilmember Spears. Here. Councilmember White is here virtually. Mayor Jones. Here. Mayor we have Corinth. Great. Thanks, Madam Clerk. This meeting will be reviewing the following departments: human services, health, animal care services, and development services. Maria, over to you. Good morning, Mayor and Council. Mayor, as you mentioned, today we have four department presentations on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. That's great. Thanks, Maria. So with that, we're gonna start with human services. Melody Woosley, the director of human services will begin with the presentations. Good morning, Mayor and Council. Melody Weosley, Human Services Director. And this morning, I will provide a briefing on the human services proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, including our service areas, the budget, proposed reductions, department changes, and delegate agency investments. Human services and our delegate agencies promote lifelong success by providing opportunities, effective services, and connections to community resources. These are focused on children, youth families, and older adults. Through child care quality initiatives and head start and early head start programs. Youth programs help people with resources, help young people with resources and support needed to achieve their goals through the ambassador summer internship program, next level opportunity youth program, and project dwarf. We are very excited about the October launch of a new school-based violence prevention curriculum in 16 San Antonio Independent School District schools and expanded connections with municipal court and SAPD around next level, which were developed through input from the public safety committee. Families strengthening efforts promote long-term financial stability by helping residents reduce debt, build savings, and access resources during crisis. This year the VIDA program will prepare an estimated 30,000 tax returns and return 38 million dollars back into the local economy.

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