Mayor Jones Asks Why Critics Are “So Scared” to Let San Antonio Voters Decide the City’s Separate $489 Million Spurs Arena Contribution After Last Year’s Narrow County Vote
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is doubling down on her push for a citywide vote on San Antonio’s contribution to the proposed downtown Spurs arena, asking why critics appear unwilling to let taxpayers decide.
“Why would some be so scared of letting City taxpayers vote this November on the City’s $489 million contribution to the Spurs arena, in the same way County taxpayers voted on the County’s $311 million contribution last November?” Jones wrote on Facebook.
Her response comes amid growing opposition to her proposal to place the city’s Project Marvel funding package before voters in November. Jones first raised the idea in a memo to City Council, arguing that residents should be allowed to vote directly on what San Antonio has negotiated with Spurs Sports & Entertainment.
At least five additional council members would need to support calling the election before the Aug. 17 ballot deadline.
County And City Funding Are Separate Decisions
Critics argue that voters already approved the arena last November when Bexar County Proposition B passed. District 9 Councilwoman Misty Spears has released an analysis indicating registered voters living within San Antonio also supported the county measure.
However, Bexar County and the City of San Antonio are separate government entities with separate funding commitments. Proposition B authorized the county to use hotel occupancy and rental-car tax revenue for its $311 million arena contribution. It did not place the city’s separate $489 million package directly before voters. The city contribution was instead advanced through a funding framework approved by City Council.
However, Bexar County and the City of San Antonio are separate government entities with separate funding commitments. Proposition B authorized the county’s $311 million contribution, but it did not place the city’s separate $489 million package directly before voters.
Jones argues that San Antonio residents contribute to both funding packages because city taxpayers are also county taxpayers. “Since they pay twice, city voters deserve to vote twice,” she wrote in her original memo proposing the November election.
The county result was also far from overwhelming. Proposition B passed by a narrow margin, strengthening Jones’ argument that city voters should have a direct say on San Antonio’s larger contribution.
A citywide advisory vote is therefore a viable option, although state law does not require one for the city’s funding plan. Jones has called claims that residents already voted on the city’s contribution “misleading,” emphasizing that last year’s ballot language concerned county funding.
The county result was also far from overwhelming. Proposition B passed with 52.14% of the vote, while 47.86% opposed it—a difference of 10,574 votes in a countywide election. The close outcome has strengthened Jones’ argument that city residents should be given a direct vote on San Antonio’s larger contribution.
Spurs And Council Members Say Vote Is Settled
Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO R.C. Buford responded to the renewed debate by reaffirming the organization’s commitment to Project Marvel.
“The vote has taken place. The commitments have been made. The work is underway,” Buford wrote, urging the city to “move forward together.”
Buford said the city’s contribution would rely on visitor-generated and tourism-related revenue that cannot be redirected to streets, schools, public safety or general city services. The Spurs have committed at least $500 million toward the $1.3 billion arena and agreed to cover construction cost overruns.
Local news and critics have also questioned Jones’ motives, asking whether she would have sought another election had Propositions A and B failed last year. Their argument is that the mayor is attempting to revisit a result she opposed rather than simply giving residents another voice.
Jones’ position is that the question is not whether the county election should be overturned. It is whether San Antonio taxpayers should vote directly on the city government’s separate—and larger—financial commitment, particularly as economic conditions and plans for downtown have changed.
City Council must now decide whether that distinction warrants another ballot measure or whether last year’s narrow county vote provided enough public direction to move Project Marvel forward.
