San Antonio city property taxes to rise
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Illustration: Rebecca Zisser / Axios
The San Antonio City Council on Thursday approved a $4.4 billion budget and raised the city property tax rate for the first time in more than three decades.
Why it matters: The 7-4 vote ended weeks of heated council debate. The average city homeowner will pay an extra $35 per year in property taxes.
- It isn't the only tax increase homeowners may face — local school districts, the Alamo College District and the San Antonio River Authority are all looking to raise taxes. The San Antonio Water System is also seeking a rate increase.
Context: The city faced a shortfall of $158 million over two years. Officials filled the gap with a combination of fee increases, cuts and the tax hike.
- Like other cities, San Antonio faced a loss in revenue stemming in part from declining property values and less consumer spending.
The big picture: Divided councilmembers had reached little agreement on what cuts to make, how to reshuffle money, or even whether to raise the property tax rate at all.
What they're saying: "We do need to maintain our services and maintain what we provide for the least of our community," said District 3 Councilmember Phyllis Viagran, who supported the tax increase.
The other side: "We owed it to our neighbors to make the tough cuts, and unfortunately this budget shows we punted," said Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, who voted against the budget and the tax increase. "With what's left in this budget, our neighbors are left wondering if this tax increase was necessary or whether we can definitively say it's the lowest it could be. I think the answer to both questions is no."
What's next: The budget takes effect Oct. 1.