Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is defending her vote against San Antonio’s newly adopted FY 2027 budget and property tax increase, telling residents the city had opportunities to reduce spending and find other revenue before asking property owners to pay more.
The San Antonio City Council approved the $4.4 billion FY 2027 budget on Sept. 17. The adopted property tax rate rises from 54.159 cents to 56.288 cents per $100 of taxable value. The average homeowner with a homestead exemption is expected to pay approximately $2.95 more per month in city property taxes.
Jones Says City Could Have Done More
In an email sent to residents following the vote, Jones said she had spent months looking for additional revenue sources and proposing spending reductions aimed at easing pressure on the city’s General Fund.
We owed it to y’all to make the tough cuts, and unfortunately, this budget shows we punted.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones
The mayor said the remaining spending in the budget raises questions about whether increasing property taxes was necessary and whether the city could confidently tell taxpayers the increase was as small as possible.
“I think the answer to both questions is no,” Jones wrote.
Jones had proposed additional budget changes before the final vote, including millions of dollars in spending reductions and reallocating other revenue sources toward General Fund expenses.
City Faced $158 Million Shortfall
City officials entered the budget process projecting a nearly $158 million shortfall through FY 2028. The adopted plan addresses that gap through spending reductions, new and adjusted fees, other revenue and additional property tax revenue.
Click to Below Mayor Jones Full Remarks
Over two years, the city says the plan contains nearly $90 million in spending reductions, $34.8 million in new or adjusted fees and other revenue, and $90.2 million in available property-tax capacity.
Council members who supported the increase argued that deeper reductions could jeopardize services residents depend on. The budget continues funding for police and fire protection, streets, housing, homelessness programs, parks, libraries, senior and human services and other city operations.
Property Tax Debate Is Not Over
Jones’ message makes clear that the disagreement over how San Antonio should balance its finances will continue beyond this year’s budget vote.
“I look forward to the conversations we’ll have soon to hopefully capitalize on the opportunities we left on the table this year,” Jones wrote.
The FY 2027 budget takes effect Oct. 1.
