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San Antonio holds second public hearing on proposed FY2026 budget; tax rate to remain unchanged
Summary
City Budget Director Josina Teid presented the proposed fiscal 2026 budget and the council heard public comment on service cuts and nonprofit contract extensions. The council took no action; adoption is scheduled after two additional work sessions.
On Sept. 11, 2025, the San Antonio City Council held a second public hearing on the city’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and the ad valorem property tax rate. Budget Director Josina Teid summarized the proposal and councilmembers heard a series of public comments urging restoration of funding for nonprofit service providers and protections for small local businesses affected by city construction.
Teid said the proposal includes roughly $4.0 billion in total spending, a capital budget of about $1.1 billion and a general fund approaching $1.7 billion. She told the council the proposal would not raise the city’s property tax rate and that new property values in the city are projected to increase by about 1.76 percent. Teid also noted a property-tax relief figure cited in the presentation of $152 million. She said two more budget work sessions are scheduled and the council could adopt the budget on Sept. 15, 2025.
During the public-comment period, several nonprofit leaders and business owners asked the council to restore or extend contract funding. Alison Kankrusher, identified as manager of the RCC Crisis Center, said her agency’s federal and local funding and a contract with the city have been reduced, leaving the center’s programs at risk. Kankrusher reported the center served 653 people in the first 10 months of 2025 and asked that the city restore funding to the prior year level to maintain prevention and intervention services.
Kayla Carter, introduced as founder and president of a nonprofit named Hair that provides services to survivors of domestic violence, said her organization had a city contract of $404,371 and was told the contract would not be renewed; she asked the council to extend the contract through May 2026 so the nonprofit could avoid a funding gap.
Speakers representing the Market Square business community urged the council to continue mitigation for tenants during a planned six-month air-conditioning upgrade. Eva Ramírez, speaking for Market Square tenants and owners, said the improvement affects about 48 small businesses and more than 100 employees and asked the city to continue financial support during the construction period.
Several residents also used the hearing to raise concerns about homelessness and how budget decisions affect people living outdoors. Councilmembers acknowledged those concerns during the council discussion: Councilmember Wait thanked colleagues for not raising the city tax rate and said the challenge is one of spending priorities; other members reiterated the need to protect basic services while finding savings in other areas.
No council action was taken at the hearing. Teid said the council will hold two additional work sessions in the following week and could vote to adopt the budget as soon as Sept. 15, 2025.
Meeting context and immediate next steps: The council closed the public hearing after hearing all registered speakers; staff will provide additional budget briefings at the scheduled work sessions and the council may consider final adoption at the Sept. 15 meeting.
