Mayor Says Private Organizations Charging Admission Should Not Rely on Public Funds
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is signaling a new approach to how City Hall spends taxpayer dollars, arguing that private organizations and ticketed events should not receive public subsidies while city leaders debate budget cuts and potential revenue increases.
During a recent City Council budget discussion, Mayor Jones openly challenged long-standing city funding for organizations that charge admission fees, saying residents should not be asked to subsidize services and attractions they are already paying to attend.
“It’s hard to commit here to supporting a property tax increase,” Mayor Jones said, “when we have no idea about the actual operational impact on the community.”
The mayor’s comments came during a review of potential budget reductions and city spending priorities. While she expressed concern about cuts that could affect vulnerable residents, she suggested taxpayer-funded subsidies for ticketed attractions should be among the first expenditures reconsidered.
Mayor Questions Funding for Ticketed Attractions
One example she cited was the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
If you are a private entity charging a ticket fee, you can figure it out.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones
Referencing proposed reductions to Botanical Garden funding, she added that the attraction hosts popular events and would likely be able to sustain itself without taxpayer assistance.
“They have an event called Bubbles and Blooms,” she said. “They’ll be OK.”
Mayor Jones then called for a broader review of all city-funded organizations that charge admission, asking City Manager Erik Walsh to provide a complete list.
“If you charge a ticket fee, then you can figure it out,” she said. “I would like to see that go to zero.”
Taxpayers Paying Twice?
The mayor also questioned city subsidies connected to Fiesta events, noting that taxpayers currently help support celebrations that also generate revenue through ticket sales.
“If you charge a ticket fee, we should not be subsidizing your things,” Mayor Jones said.
For many residents, the issue comes down to what critics call “paying twice” — first through taxes that help fund an organization or event, and then again through admission fees, memberships, or ticket purchases.
Festivals and Private Sponsorships
Mayor Jones also pointed to other city-funded programs she believes should seek private sponsorships instead of relying on taxpayer dollars.
Discussing the Mayor’s Fitness Council, she said the organization should work to secure private-sector support rather than public funding.
“We’ll work to find a private sponsor,” she said.
Mayor Jones raised similar concerns about annual funding for the San Antonio Book Festival, arguing that philanthropic organizations and corporate sponsors could absorb those costs.
“Corporate philanthropy foundations — pick this up,” Mayor Jones said. “I’m not saying we don’t need a book festival. I was just there this last time and it was great. But these are not things that the public needs to be paying for.”
At the same time, Mayor Jones made clear she does not support balancing the budget on the backs of vulnerable residents. She repeatedly distinguished between discretionary subsidies and essential city services.
“If we’re talking about cutting nutrition centers, we’re not going to fund the Botanical Gardens,” she said.
Protecting Essential Services and Lower-Paid Workers
The mayor also addressed city employee compensation, suggesting future pay increases should prioritize lower-paid workers rather than senior officials.
She recommended limiting raises for employees earning more than $150,000 annually and directing available resources toward workers with greater financial need.
“I do want to make sure that if it comes to staff pay, that we are getting the pay increase to those that are the neediest,” Mayor Jones said.
The comments represent one of the clearest indications yet that Mayor Jones intends to scrutinize public subsidies, sponsorships and discretionary spending as part of her administration’s budget strategy.
A Different Approach to City Spending
For taxpayers, the debate centers on a simple question: Should city dollars be used to support organizations that already generate revenue through ticket sales, admissions and private fundraising, or should those funds be redirected to core city services and residents most in need?
As budget discussions continue, Mayor Jones appears to have made her position clear.
“If you charge a ticket fee,” she said, “you can figure it out.”
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