Cities & Counties
New fire station opens up on Far West Side
By Edmond Ortiz A western Bexar County fire department has now fully replaced a smaller facility with a larger, state-of-the-art station. Officials with Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 2, based in the middle of the growing Alamo Ranch neighborhood, announced Sept. 23 that a newer, bigger version of Fire Station 125 is fully operational…
Bexar County begins construction on animal care complex on Far West Side
By Edmond Ortiz Bexar County has kicked off construction on a $11 million animal care facility in the county’s Far West Side. A Sept. 22 ground-breaking ceremony was held at 6841 Cagnon Road, involving county leaders and other special guests. Catamount Constructors is the lead contractor on the project to build a 17,000-square-foot structure that…
‘Challenging’ finances a common thread in Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall’s new budgets
By Edmond Ortiz While Fiscal Year 2027 budgets have been adopted in Comal, Guadalupe and Kendall counties, officials in these growing counties have voiced concerns about tough fiscal decisions that lie ahead, especially when it comes to rising expenses. Comal County Commissioners unanimously approved a total $214 million budget Sept. 17 that contains a $150…
News Briefs: Fire, police stations to help lost pets; East Side Boys and Girls Club averts closure; railroad safety money awarded in 3 cities
By Edmond Ortiz This edition of News Briefs highlights how San Antonio fire stations and Boerne police can help to reunite lost pets and their owners, and how three cities plan to spend newly awarded federal funds to upgrade motorist safety and mobility at four railroad crossings. Also, the city of San Antonio and local…
Here’s how Bexar County’s new budget affects residents
By Edmond Ortiz Bexar County’s newly approved budget for Fiscal Year 2027 features some spending cuts, a flat property tax rate, a dip into reserve funds, and no pay raises for county employees as county leaders continue to grapple with a budget shortfall and other fiscal challenges. What you should know Commissioners Court voted 3-2…
San Antonio council OK’s budget, tax rate hike, but avoids deeper spending cuts
By Edmond Ortiz The city of San Antonio will raise its property tax rate for the first time in more than 30 years as a divided City Council adopted a new budget that contains many spending cuts, but not the severe decreases that some local leaders and constituents had feared. What you should know Council…
Decision to close Boys and Girls Clubs Eastside Clubhouse draws scrutiny
By Edmond Ortiz Families who count on youth programming provided at the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio Eastside Clubhouse are questioning a plan by the organization to close the facility. What is happening Debbie Powell, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio sent a letter to patrons and partners of the…
City Council backs plan to purchase land for Spurs arena, but not without opposition
By Edmond Ortiz The city and the San Antonio Spurs have overcome another major barrier toward developing a new pro basketball arena downtown. Despite concerns and objections presented by some city leaders and residents, the city is pressing forward with a plan to leverage specific-use public funds to acquire the property that will accommodate the…
City Council approves jail diversion pilot, police chief confirmation, new police union pact
By Edmond Ortiz City Council had a busy morning Sept. 10, addressing key public safety issues, including endorsing a jail diversion pilot program, approving a new collective bargaining agreement with the local police union, and the confirmation of a permanent police chief. Jail diversion program The city will work with the Center for Health Care…
Converse sets up regulations on short-term rentals
By Edmond Ortiz Converse is the latest community to adopt formal rules on short-term rentals. What you should know City Council unanimously voted Sept. 1 to approve a second and final reading of an ordinance that amends the city code to permit the establishment of local laws affecting the operation of short-term rentals. Development Services…