The San Antonio City Council convened on September 17, 2025, for a budget work session focused on proposed amendments to the fiscal year 2026 budget. The meeting highlighted significant financial adjustments aimed at enhancing city services and addressing community needs.

Budget Director Susana Tate presented a series of proposed amendments totaling approximately $11.5 million over two years. Key proposals included a $7.50 increase in base salaries, which would allocate $6.8 million to city personnel. Additionally, the budget aims to restore funding for public safety initiatives, including the hiring of 15 new police officers, which would cost around $3.1 million. Other notable amendments included $500,000 for new traffic safety measures and $1 million for minor repairs across city facilities.

To fund these enhancements, the council discussed various revenue sources. This included eliminating the inner city incentive transfer for fiscal year 2027 and reallocating Alamo Promise funding to the Ready to Work program. A proposed increase in the parks environmental fee by 50 cents per month is expected to generate an additional $4 million, contributing to the overall funding strategy.

The meeting also addressed the allocation of restricted funds, with a proposed $10 million earmarked for capital improvement projects across all council districts. This funding aims to bolster infrastructure and community development initiatives.

In addition to budget amendments, the council engaged in discussions regarding the reporting and management of Alamo Promise scholarships. The city plans to enhance transparency by requiring Alamo Colleges to provide detailed reports on scholarship recipients, including demographic information and job placement outcomes.

As the council continues to refine the budget, the discussions underscored the importance of balancing fiscal responsibility with the need for enhanced public services. The proposed amendments reflect a commitment to addressing community priorities, particularly in public safety and infrastructure. The council is expected to deliberate further on these proposals in upcoming sessions, with the aim of finalizing the budget in the near future.