What to know about San Antonio's new city budget
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San Antonio's new city budget puts more money toward police and fire, Animal Care Services and homeless camp cleanups, but officials will have to rein in spending in coming years.
Why it matters: As federal pandemic relief money dries up, the era of the city having extra cash for projects is over, although there aren't any major changes to city services.
Driving the news: The City Council voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a $3.96 billion budget, including a $1.67 billion general fund, that will take effect Oct. 1.
The big picture: The city's expenses are growing faster than its revenue, and revenue growth is returning to pre-pandemic levels.
- The city will cut $36.6 million in spending over the next two years to workforce and business development, among other things, though city manager Erik Walsh says there will be no major impact on residents.
What they're saying: This is the 12th and final budget that outgoing Mayor Ron Nirenberg has overseen.
- "I'm confident that our investments have helped usher in renewed commitment to the underserved — those experiencing poverty — and lifting up all of San Antonio in this process," Nirenberg said.
How it works: The city's budget consists largely of revenue from property and sales taxes and the city-owned CPS Energy.
- The city's property tax rate remains the same in the new budget.
- But the city's revenue from property taxes typically grows as home values rise, leading property owners to pay more at the same rate.
- The new budget includes about $38.9 million more in property tax revenue than last year.
Zoom out: The city will increase some fees residents pay.
- The bill for an ambulance ride will rise from $1,000 to $1,500 starting in October. One ride costs the city $3,786.
- Trash fees will rise 50 cents per month on medium and large carts.
By the numbers: The city is adding 65 police officers for $6.3 million.
- $44.2 million will go toward homeless services, including the cleanup of 1,300 homeless camps. The city aims to house 500 people.
- Animal Care Services, which has been under scrutiny the last couple of years, will receive $1.4 million for 14 new positions to continue to increase its response rate to critical calls. It will also get $2.7 million for 21 new positions to operate two new spay/neuter clinics with a goal of 41,170 total surgeries.
- $122 million will let the city complete 1,618 street projects and maintain about 370 miles of streets.
- Separately, $21.5 million will go toward sidewalks — constructing about 29 miles of new sidewalk and repairing more than 15 miles.
- The budget includes $35.5 million for affordable housing, which will go toward things like updating homes and rental and down payment assistance.
- Civilian employees will see a 3% raise. Police officers will get a 4% raise.
Zoom in: Alongside the new budget, the City Council approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the union representing firefighters.
- It provides a 20% base wage increase over the life of the agreement, costing the city nearly $110 million over the three years. A 7% raise will kick in Oct. 1.
- More than 97% of union members voted to ratify the agreement.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the cost of an ambulance ride will rise to $1,500 in October (not $1,250).