San Antonio manager proposes $4.04 billion 2026 budget; tax rate unchanged

City Manager Eric Walsh presented the City of San Antonioproposed fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget to the City Council on Aug. 14, proposing a $4.04 billion combined budget, a $1.69 billion general fund and no increase in the cityproperty tax rate.

Walsh opened the presentation by saying, "The tax rate is not changing and is staying the same," and outlined a two-year planning approach that the administration used to narrow an earlier projected multi-year shortfall.

The nut of the plan: reduce projected expense growth while protecting essential services, minimize impacts on vulnerable residents and avoid short-term fixes that create long-term risk. To achieve that, Walsh proposed parking fee and permit adjustments, transfers of eligible operating items to capital, $111 million in spending reductions identified over the summer, and targeted program changes rather than across-the-board cuts.

Key numbers and proposals

- Total proposed city budget (all funds, including capital and restricted funds): $4,040,000,000 (2.2% increase). - Proposed general fund: $1,690,000,000 (1.6% increase). - Authorized city positions in the proposal: 13,723 (net decrease of 116). Walsh said 68 civilian positions would be reduced, 35 of which are currently filled and will be reassigned where feasible. - Capital budget: $1.1 billion, with about $650 million for airport terminal development and $11.4 million proposed to address flood damage at Bridle Creek, Old O'Connor and Old Grissom Road. - Street maintenance: $122 million proposed for the citystreet maintenance program, roughly 1,500 projects and 416 miles addressed. - Homelessness and…