Bexar County authorizes judge to negotiate venue-tax MOU; court approves separate MOU tied to downtown baseball and redevelopment

County Judge Peter Sakai won court authorization Tuesday to continue formal negotiations with the city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Spurs over a possible venue‑tax ballot measure and redevelopment of the Frost Bank Center, Freeman Coliseum grounds and nearby property.

The commissioners also approved a separate memorandum of understanding with San Antonio Independent School District, designated bidders and Western Urban LLC to advance a related project — the San Pedro Creek Park District plan that includes a multipurpose venue to host minor‑league baseball and associated private development. Both actions were voted by the court after public comment and rounds of discussion in open session and executive session.

Why it matters: the decisions move the county into the center of negotiations over how a venue‑tax — a combination of hotel‑occupancy and short‑term motor‑vehicle‑rental levies commonly used to fund arenas and related civic projects — could be structured and what projects would be eligible. County staff told the court that, under a range of assumptions, available venue‑tax bond capacity could range from roughly $313 million under a 1.75% hotel‑tax scenario up to about $448 million if the hotel tax were raised to 2% and a junior lien structure were used. Any voter authorization would be separate and must be placed on the ballot.

What the court approved

- Authorization for Judge Peter Sakai to negotiate with the city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Spurs on a nonbinding MOU exploring a potential venue‑tax election and redevelopment of Frost Bank Center and the Freeman Coliseum grounds. Motion: Commissioner Justin Rodriguez; second: Commissioner Clay Flores. The motion carried; the vote was recorded as "aye" by the members present.

- Approval of a separate MOU among…