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…
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio City Council is weighing a proposed property tax increase that local leaders hope will help to pare down a budget deficit, but they still face a range of proposed spending cuts and other tough fiscal decisions before arriving at a new budget. The council is also adding a special election…
By Edmond Ortiz City Council will have a special meeting at 9 a.m. Aug. 17 on whether to call a Nov. 3 election on the city’s previous pledge to allocate nearly $500 million in specific-use funds for the San Antonio Spurs’ planned downtown arena. The meeting is to be held at City Council chambers, 114…
By Edmond Ortiz The city of San Antonio is proceeding with the creation of a resident-driven committee that will help to offer ideas on key aspects of a proposed downtown sports and entertainment district, which would be anchored by a new San Antonio Spurs arena. Planning towards the Spurs’ scheduled departure from its current home,…
By Edmond Ortiz The beginning of August is accompanied by plenty of public discourse involving funding for the proposed new San Antonio Spurs’ arena, the construction of a new San Antonio Missions’ ballpark, and what should happen with Wolff Stadium once the Missions leave that venue. Project Marvel debate arises Talks among local residents and…
By Edmond Ortiz August is beginning with the brief closure of a historic downtown nightclub where owners say they will use the down time to install a new fire suppression system as required by the city. Elsewhere in downtown, the owners of a rooftop bar are inviting fans to spend a bit more time at…
By Edmond Ortiz When it comes to spending cuts and adjustments in developing San Antonio’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is reiterating her stance that everything is on the table. Where the mayor stands The City Council will conclude a brief summer break and reconvene in August to face what local officials…
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio’s mayor is wanting feedback on a local panel’s recommendations meant to help increase voter participation and civic engagement. The recent unveiling of the panel’s report comes as voting advocacy groups are re-emphasizing the importance of voter engagement against a background of attempts to dismantle legal voter protections. What is happening…
By Edmond Ortiz Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones continues to press the federal government for more details on its plan to convert a vacant industrial building in east San Antonio into a detention center for undocumented immigrants. What ICE is saying Jones dispatched a letter July 2 to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, doubling down on…
By Edmond Ortiz San Antonio Water System officials have voiced urgency in having City Council pass a proposed water rate hike in order to quickly begin generating revenues to support a series of much-needed infrastructure improvements. But many city leaders say they and their constituents first need proof that the city-owned water utility can better…
