San Antonio City Council Budget Work Session: Parks, Economic Development, Solid Waste, and Libraries – September 9, 2026

On September 9, 2026, the San Antonio City Council held a budget work session to review proposed FY 2027 budgets for the Parks & Recreation, Economic Development, Solid Waste Management, and Public Library departments. The meeting began in the afternoon and adjourned at 4:04 PM. Presenters included department directors and a library board trustee. Council members asked questions and raised concerns about service levels, staffing reductions, and fee increases. No formal votes were taken; the session informed upcoming budget deliberations.

Parks & Recreation (Director Omer García)

• Proposed budget: $120.4 million, with $71 million from the general fund.
• The department oversees 278 parks, 106 miles of trails, 30 recreation centers, and 25 pools. It is an accredited agency.
• Key initiatives: $10.4 million for tree preservation and mitigation, with a goal of planting 13,753 trees in FY 2027. A survival study found an 81% survival rate for trees planted in FY 2025, and 89% of adopted trees survived.
• Greenway development: 190+ miles of trails completed, with 17 miles remaining to be funded. The 2022 bond allocated $103 million for trails.
• Capital projects: Playground Shade program (12 shade structures per year), Benavides Park completion, Woodland Park improvements, and three new park locations with $175,000 in collaboration.
• The department secured $6.2 million in competitive grants, including $3 million for Lake Woodland and $1.5 million for aquatic communities.
• Council members discussed tree irrigation rules, greenway safety, and the need for a comprehensive park accessibility map.

Economic Development (Director Brenda Hex)

• Proposed budget: $16.9 million, a reduction of $9 million from the previous year, reflecting the elimination of two positions and a $172,000 reduction in the construction mitigation program.
• The department supports business retention, attraction, and international engagement. Key programs: Lift Fund (0% interest loans for small businesses; since 2016, over 400 loans totaling $195 million in economic impact).
• Strategic framework update: New goals include strengthening San Antonio as a global destination, stimulating private investment, developing workforce skills, and focusing on advanced manufacturing and AI.
• A prospective rocket manufacturing investment of $9 million and 200 jobs is in the pipeline. Industrial projects include $200 million in capital investment and up to 3,000 jobs by 2030.
• Council members asked about the Lift Fund's impact, business retention rates, and how the department supports small businesses in underserved areas, especially South Side.

Solid Waste Management (Director Josephine Valencia)

• Proposed budget: Two funds – one for collection and one for maintenance. The department serves 385,452 customer accounts.
• Storm response: Over 11 million pounds of tree debris and vegetative waste were collected following recent storms. The department completed priority areas and expects to be fully caught up by the following week.
• Proposed rate increases: $0.75 per month for each service level, plus a $0.25 environmental fee. The annual permit fee for commercial collectors would increase to $2,250.
• A new transfer station is being operated by city staff after the previous contract ended. $3.1 million is proposed for facility renovations to allow public access and voting.
• The department's internal fleet maintenance shop saves costs: $95/hour vs. $150/hour at private shops. A mechanic apprenticeship program is being developed.
• Council members noted concerns about illegal dumping, shopping cart litter, and the impact of proposed metal recycling regulations on small businesses.

Public Library (Director Cuasmami and Board Vice President Joan Harris)

• Proposed budget: $60.8 million, a 4% increase over the prior year. The increase is driven by national wage pressures.
• Key investments: $379,000 for operations and $2.1 million for furniture, equipment, and computers at the new Carver Ranch Library. $480,000 in computer budget reductions are planned through efficiency measures.
• Staffing reduction: 39 positions will be eliminated, with 17 currently vacant. The remaining 22 staff will be reassigned to other city positions. The reduction is based on a 40% decline in physical material circulation and a 62% decline in staff-handled physical transactions, while digital circulation increased 24%.
• New fee proposals: $10 fee for lost items (currently $20 for lost cards) and a $20 annual fee for non-resident library cards. Estimated revenue: $1 million annually.
• The library system serves 3 million visits annually, provides 2.1 million hours of Wi-Fi, and answers 1.3 million reference questions. Customer satisfaction is 96%.
• Council members expressed concern about the reduction in staff, the impact on adult learning programs (e.g., Learn SLP with 638 sessions, over 4,000 participants annually), and the potential loss of human touch in services. Some requested a detailed plan for measuring satisfaction post-changes.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken; the session was informational to guide council decisions on the FY 2027 budget.
• Council members requested additional information: a list of city properties with lease agreements (Parks), a map of park accessibility features, a memorandum on adult learning program locations and impact, and a list of planned library service changes.
• Several council members expressed support for retaining the 39 library positions and exploring alternative funding to avoid cuts.
• The next budget work session is scheduled for the following day (September 10) with public hearings at 5 PM, where 108 speakers have registered to comment.