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Commissioners approve Bear Metro 9-1-1 FY26 budget; leaders flag wireless revenue shifts and infrastructure investments
Summary
Bexar Metro 9-1-1 presented and commissioners approved a roughly $18.45 million revenue projection and a budget that includes targeted investments in radio towers and mission-critical systems for FY26; presenters warned of gradual wireline revenue declines and noted capital needs.
Bexar Metro 9-1-1 leaders presented their fiscal year 2026 budget to the Bexar County Commissioners Court on July 8 and the court approved the proposal following a discussion of revenues, technological changes and near-term capital projects.
Jimmy Haslucker, chair of the Bexar Metro 9-1-1 board, and Executive Director Brett Snyder said the proposed budget projects about $18.45 million in revenues and includes capital investments and operational improvements. They identified strategic items including roughly $500,000 for operational efficiency and communications improvements and about $1,000,000 for mission-critical systems, including a proposed 250-foot public-safety radio tower to increase range and connectivity, plus facility and security improvements. Haslucker told the court Bear Metro has no debt and serves jurisdictions across Bexar, Comal and Guadalupe counties.
Why it matters: Presenters emphasized ongoing market shifts: wireline revenue continues to decline as more customers drop landlines and shift to wireless services; Bear Metro projects modest wireless growth but warned that the long-term revenue mix is changing. Haslucker noted that legislation and state-level arrangements control fee collection channels; the board intends to pursue legislative conversations about fee structures to sustain 9-1-1 operations.
Commissioners expressed support and asked about advocacy needs with state officials. Commissioner Moody and other court members thanked Bear Metro staff for recent emergency responsiveness during the Hill Country flooding. The court voted to approve the budget.
Ending: Presenters offered to brief new commissioners on Bear Metro operations; county officials signaled a willingness to work with Bear Metro on legislative outreach and to monitor revenue and capital needs going forward.
