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 Bexar County, San Antonio ISD, the designated bidders and Western Urban LLC to set out commitments tied to the San Pedro Creek Park District project, which includes a proposed minor‑league baseball facility and private development. Motion: Commissioner Justin Rodriguez; second: Commissioner Clay Flores. The motion carried unanimously.

Court discussion and public comments

Judge Sakai framed the action as an authorization to "assess, explore and evaluate" possibilities and emphasized that no binding agreement or financing decision was made by the court on Tuesday. "There is no deal," Sakai said. He reiterated that any final financing plan would return to court for review and that a ballot measure would be required for voter approval.

Commissioners stressed different priorities during debate. Commissioner Jason Calvert and Commissioner Clay Flores urged that community input and safeguards for the county’s existing assets — including Frost Bank Center and the Freeman Coliseum — be central to negotiations. Commissioner David Moody said he would reserve judgment until fuller financial terms and implementation details, including any effects on the county’s general revenue, were available.

Public testimony included strong statements from East Side residents and community groups. Representatives of COPS Metro and other neighborhood advocates urged the court not to commit public funds to private projects without detailed community benefits; speakers pressed for stronger guarantees on affordable housing, East Side investment and protections for nearby neighborhoods. Several speakers called for the county and city to produce clearer, itemized cost estimates and to hold more public town halls.

Key commitments cited in the approved MOU language and in discussion

- Affordable housing: the MOU for the San Pedro Creek Park District includes a commitment to pursue an affordable housing plan that would be finalized by December 2025. County leaders said they will take an active role in convening stakeholders and potential development partners for the East Side housing component.

- Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum maintenance: court members and staff said that preserving and upgrading the county’s existing facilities will be part of the county’s negotiating position. County financial advisors told the court that keeping those venues viable could require significant capital investment; staff provided an initial high‑level estimate of at least $100 million for needed upgrades and infrastructure to maintain the facilities and repurpose space if necessary.

- Revenue share and operations: the county attorney summarized proposed deal points including arrangements for event revenues, a potential per‑ticket fee floor (a $2 per‑ticket figure was cited in discussion) and shared responsibilities for maintenance and programming. Details will be negotiated and memorialized only if the parties reach agreement and the court approves any final documents.

Votes at a glance (other formal actions taken Feb. 4)

- Approval to authorize County Judge Sakai to negotiate with the city of San Antonio and the San Antonio Spurs on a potential venue‑tax MOU and related redevelopment of the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum grounds. Motion: Rodriguez/Clay Flores. Outcome: approved (court vote: ayes recorded).

- Approval of the MOU among Bexar County, SAISD, Designated Bidders LLC and Western Urban LLC (San Pedro Creek Park District). Motion: Rodriguez/Clay Flores. Outcome: approved.

- Approval to negotiate a 10‑year, 50% tax abatement term for ECCOR Global Inc. (proposal to build a 300,000‑square‑foot manufacturing facility near Elmendorf; $160M investment, minimum 150 new jobs). Motion: Commissioner Calvert; Outcome: authorized to negotiate abatement agreement.

- Reenactment of a countywide outdoor burn ban for up to 90 days (extension based on the Keetch‑Byram Drought Index metric and state statute). Motion: Rodriguez/Clay Flores. Outcome: approved.

- Permit/approval for the Valero Texas Open mass‑gathering events at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa (March 31–April 6, 2025); staff reports and traffic/public‑safety coordination were described. Motion: Clay Flores; Outcome: approved.

- Award of construction contracts and project approvals (summary): WT Montgomery Parkway extension (Phases 1E/1F) — lowest responsive bidder awarded (EZ Bell Construction); Records Center HVAC and generator replacement — lowest responsive bidder awarded; timekeeping system (TimeClock Plus) procurement approved for sheriff and adult probation integration with Workday. Motions carried.

What comes next

Judge Sakai and county staff said the next steps are to continue negotiations, collect detailed financial terms from the city and other parties, convene stakeholder working groups (including the Coliseum Advisory Board, the San Antonio Rodeo, school district leaders and neighborhood representatives) and return any proposed binding agreements or financing plans to the commissioners court for formal approval. Any venue‑tax ballot proposal would require a separate court action to place it before voters.

Ending note

Multiple commissioners, the judge and several community speakers emphasized that whatever emerges from negotiations must be transparent, detail the commitments to affordable housing and East Side investment, and spell out how the county will protect and fund maintenance of its existing civic venues.