Court directs manager to prepare venue-tax resolution after rodeo presents multi‑year plan for Freeman grounds

Bexar County Commissioners on May 27 directed the county manager to prepare a draft resolution describing proposed venue projects for the Freeman Coliseum grounds and related facilities and to seek a Comptroller of Public Accounts determination about venue-tax eligibility.

The instruction follows a multi-hour presentation from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition (the Stock Show & Rodeo), the Coliseum Advisory Board (CAB) and consultants, who proposed a multi‑phase redevelopment that would replace aging barns, add climate‑controlled flexible exhibit halls and a year‑round multipurpose arena, and rework parking and traffic flow across the site. Rodeo and CAB leaders said upgrades would allow expanded equestrian and trade events year-round and increase economic impact beyond the rodeo’s February peak.

Derek Howard, representing the Coliseum Advisory Board, and Cody Davenport of the Stock Show & Rodeo walked commissioners through a conceptual master plan and economic assessment that projected expanded activity on the grounds would substantially raise annual economic impact. They proposed three new flex buildings, demolition of deteriorated barns, a consolidated livestock and warm-up arena and new circulation bridges to improve load-in and public traffic patterns. Davenport said the plan would create a 2,800-seat nucleus arena to host equestrian competitions, smaller sports, and events that keep visitors on the grounds throughout the year.

“The reason we’re doing all this, quite frankly, guys, is to do what we do best, and that’s to help kids further their careers, further their education, further their dreams,” Howard said, describing youth and community programming tied to the rodeo’s mission. The presenters also framed the grounds as an asset for emergency and humanitarian response—vaccination, testing and other mass events the county has used in the past.

Commissioners debated the scope and process, with requests for more community engagement, workforce development commitments, and clarity about financing and the venue‑tax revenue model. County staff noted legal steps required by state law: to pursue venue-tax financing it is standard to prepare a resolution describing the projects and then submit documentation to the Texas Comptroller for an eligibility determination; that step would not alone put a referendum on the ballot. The motion directed the county manager to draft a resolution describing the conceptual plans and proposed financing—continuing the motor‑vehicle rental tax at 5% and increasing the hotel occupancy tax from 1.75% to 2%—so the court could review and, if it chose, submit the package for comptroller review and later consider calling an election.

The motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners and rodeo/CAB leaders said there will be further public engagement and detailed cost estimates; county staff will return with draft resolution language and updated fiscal analyses in the coming weeks.