The San Antonio City Council held a budget work session on September 16, 2025, focusing on public safety funding and budgetary constraints. The meeting began with discussions emphasizing the need to prioritize police funding amidst ongoing budget cuts.

Council members expressed strong support for increasing the number of police officers, with a specific request for 65 new officers to enhance community safety. Councilor Spears highlighted the importance of maintaining public safety as a top priority, referencing survey results from residents that underscored this concern. She advocated for a careful review of budget allocations, suggesting potential cuts to non-essential expenditures to ensure adequate funding for police.

Councilor White echoed these sentiments, stressing the necessity of fulfilling commitments made to the citizens regarding police staffing levels. He pointed out that previous studies indicated a direct correlation between the number of officers on the streets and crime reduction, reinforcing the argument for additional funding.

The discussion also touched on the need for budgetary reductions in other areas to accommodate these priorities. Council members proposed examining fixed assets and potential cuts to delegated agencies, suggesting that reallocating funds could help meet the urgent needs of public safety without overburdening taxpayers.

Concerns were raised about certain budget amendments that could divert funds away from essential services, particularly those aimed at supporting non-citizens. Councilor White emphasized the importance of prioritizing services for San Antonio residents, advocating for a budget that reflects the community's needs.

The session concluded with a commitment from council members to continue reviewing the budget and explore all avenues for ensuring public safety funding remains intact. The council plans to reconvene in October to further discuss these issues and finalize budgetary decisions.