San Antonio City Council Meeting - September 17, 2026: Budget Adoption with 2.20% Property Tax Rate Increase

The San Antonio City Council met on September 17, 2026, to adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which included the first property tax rate increase in 33 years. The meeting began with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a celebration of the U.S. Air Force's 79th anniversary. The council considered multiple budget-related ordinances (Items 5-10) after receiving public testimony. After extensive debate and two failed amendments, the council approved the budget package and the tax rate increase by a 7-4 vote.

Consent Calendar

• Items 11 through 24 were approved as a consent agenda without objection. A member of the public (Teresa Gutiérrez) was registered to speak on Item 11 but no individual removal occurred; the full consent calendar passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Support for budget and tax increase:
  • Zachary Carrasco (student, Taft High School) urged support for the wellness council cycling program, stating it provided opportunities for youth.
  • Ed Vanestro (District 4 resident) thanked the council and urged approval of all increases, arguing for better distribution of wealth.
  • Ana Acevedo (on behalf of scholarship recipients) requested full restoration of scholarship funds to $2.2 million and supported the tax increase to maintain services.
  • Paul Rodriguez (Bexar County partnership) emphasized that budget cuts hurt families and students depending on scholarships and nonprofit programs.
  • Father Shane Drennan (COPS/Metro Alliance) argued that the tax increase is modest and necessary to avoid cutting services for the most vulnerable, noting 47% of property owners would see no increase.
  • Rodney Kidd urged protecting arts, culture, and tourism as economic infrastructure.
  • Linda Thomas called for equity and opposed cuts that would disproportionately harm low-income residents.
• Opposition to budget and tax increase:
  • Jonathan McCart (West Community president, representing ~4,000 residents) opposed the tax increase, arguing residents on fixed incomes cannot afford higher costs.
  • Judith Growitz (District 8 resident) pleaded against the tax increase, saying it hurts homeowners and renters alike.
  • Christopher Longoria (Americans for Prosperity, District 10) requested a different path: reject the tax increase, cut 1.6% from each department in FY2028, and reduce council consulting and travel.
  • Jack Finger (Americans for Prosperity) condemned the tax increase as kicking taxpayers while they are down, also opposing fee increases for garage sales, parking, and fireworks.
  • Hope Garza (Americans for Prosperity) argued the tax increase would devastate family budgets and future generations.
  • Maya Alsbury (Americans for Prosperity) requested rejection of the property tax increase, calling it a result of poor fiscal management.
  • Manny García (lifelong resident) asked for a vote against the tax increase to keep San Antonio affordable.
  • John Melendez (Americans for Prosperity director) urged not raising the tax rate and instead cutting wasteful spending.
  • Debbie Banke (recycling industry) opposed a 400% fee increase for recycler licenses, warning it would lead to more abandoned vehicles and hurt families.
  • Carl Schneider (recycling facility owner) opposed the 400% increase, asking for proportional fee increases over time.
  • Clemente Sánchez (apartment association) requested transparency and a fair process for proposed fee increases affecting housing providers.

Discussion Items

• Budget presentation and amendments: The city manager presented last-minute amendments to the FY2027 budget, increasing revenue by $4.6 million over two years through fee adjustments (e.g., vehicle fees, river boat tickets from $15 to $20, library card fees from $20 to $30, etc.). These revenues restored several proposed cuts: nutrition centers, tuition reimbursement, Tamara scholarship funding, historical preservation positions, a culinary program, climate adaptation manager, and five health department positions. Capital improvement projects per district were also increased by $200,000 to $1 million total.
• Councilmember positions:
  • Councilmember Maki Rodríguez (District 2) supported the budget and tax increase, arguing it is necessary and that the city must lead.
  • Councilmember Alderete Gavito (District 3) opposed the tax increase, stating she would vote no but respected the process.
  • Councilmember Galván (District 6) supported the budget, citing the need to maintain services.
  • Councilmember Mesa González (District 8) supported the budget, emphasizing the importance of public safety and infrastructure.
  • Councilmember Corr (District 1) supported the tax increase, arguing that the wealthiest homeowners can afford the modest increase to protect critical programs.
  • Councilmember Castillo (District 5) supported the budget, thanking staff and noting the need for code enforcement and recycling regulations.
  • Councilmember Spears (District 9) opposed, arguing for 1.6% across-the-board cuts instead of a tax increase.
  • Councilmember White (District 10) opposed, proposing a delay to examine across-the-board cuts.
• Amendments considered:
  • Amendment by Councilmembers White and Spears: Add 10 patrol officers ($1.6 million) by cutting $750,000 from senior programs and $470,000 from planning (Tomorrow 2/21 code). After discussion, the amendment failed on vote.
  • Amendment by Councilmember Spears: Add 2 patrol officers paid from District 9 and 10 office budgets ($320,000/year). This was withdrawn after the police chief noted deployment decisions are his responsibility and that officers could not be guaranteed to remain in the northern substation.
  • Motion to postpone the vote on Items 5-10 until the following Friday after a B-session to study 1.6% cuts failed.

Key Outcomes

• Item 5 (Budget adoption): The council approved the FY2027 consolidated operating and capital budget ($4.4 billion) with a motion that excluded funding for Casa Guardian. A separate motion to fund Casa Guardian then passed. The budget includes the tax rate increase and fee adjustments as proposed.
• Item 6 (Ratification of higher property tax revenue): Passed.
• Item 7 (Property tax rate – maintenance and operations): Set at 35.138 cents per $100 valuation, a 2.20% increase from the previous year. Vote: 7-4 (Yes: Corps, Maki Rodríguez, Villagrán, Munguía, Castillo, Galván, Mesa González; No: Alderete Gavito, Spears, White, Mayor Jones).
• Item 8 (Debt service tax rate): Set at 21.150 cents per $100 valuation. Passed.
• Item 9 (Fee schedule amendments): Approved, increasing various fees including recycler licenses, library cards, river boat tickets, and garage sale permits.
• Item 10 (Fund transfers): Approved, allowing reallocation of funds for city needs, projects, and initiatives.
• All other items on the consent calendar were approved.