Council Hears Workforce Development Proposal
This week, City Council discussed the Mayor's proposed workforce development program, which would be potentially funded through a 1/8 cent sales tax collected over four years.
The initiative proposes investing $154 million over four years to train 40,000 people who have lost their jobs in the pandemic. This Thursday, August 13, City Council will vote on whether to place this item on the November 2020 ballot for our voters to decide.
This tax proposal would replace the 1/8 cent currently directed toward the Aquifer Protection and Linear Creekway Programs.
This tax is set to expire when it has raised $180 million which is expected to happen next spring. Earlier this year, the County Commissioner's Court committed to funding future linear parks construction projects, thus that initiative will continue. However, funding for future aquifer conservation easements remains uncertain. (Click
here to learn more about the linear parks system and
here to learn about conservation easements.)
You can watch City Council's discussion on the proposed workforce initiative
here and share your feedback with my office by emailing us at District7@SanAntonio.gov or calling us at 210-207-0870. City Council will discuss the issue again this coming Tuesday before Thursday's vote.
Fiscal Year 2021 Proposed Budget
This week, City Council also discussed the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (October 1, 2020 - September 31, 2021). This budget proposal was a turning point in our City’s budget-making process. This life-changing pandemic is leading us to reevaluate our priorities and role as a local government. While we will never be able to do everything we wish, nor everything that is asked of us, this proposal moves us in the right direction.
This year’s budget process is different from any other. A record number of residents — 22,000 — participated in the SA Speak Up budget survey; these residents told us they prioritized Public Health services above all other City services. This process is also different this year because it is the first time we see such loud and consistent calls to reduce the budget of a single department: police.
Juneteenth now a City Holiday
The proposed budget declares June 19, Juneteenth, a City holiday. This declaration is an overdue recognition of a meaningful moment in African American and San Antonio history.
Changes in Police Budget
I am glad to see the proposed budget includes an expansion of the Stand Up SA violence prevention program to the Westside of San Antonio. Stand Up SA is an evidence-based violence prevention program in which outreach workers engage in street-level conflict resolution, thereby breaking the cycle of violence. The program has successfully reduced violence up to 30% in some neighborhoods and has been active on the Eastside for years.
Click here to learn more about Stand-up SA.
In the budget discussion, the City Manager also proposed a plan to review SAPD’s programs and the expectations of our police department. He will evaluate alternative ways of providing services for homelessness outreach and mental health, and intends to develop a new model for providing public safety and community support.
However, the proposed police budget is $8.1 million greater than last year, while the entire general fund budget only grew by $6 million. I believe that at the very least, we need to consider expanding the City's current hiring freeze to SAPD. It only makes fiscal sense to hold off on hiring new officers while the department’s functions are being evaluated.
Growing our Investment in Public Health
Our experience with this pandemic as well as input from our community obligate us to ensure public health and social services are adequately funded. I’ve called for increased investment in public health since taking office. I’m glad to see the proposed budget includes an increase in the Metro Health budget. The greater our investment in public health, the lesser the financial and health burden on our population, and the longer our residents will live.
However, this must be a first step toward continued investment in public health. Our local needs must drive our local health budget. We cannot solely depend on grants to determine our health future. To that end, I want the Council to consider adopting a budget floor for Metro Health that ensures it can adequately serve our population.
Street Maintenance Work to Continue
Due to reduced revenues this current year, the City postponed $43 million in street repairs. I'm glad to say that the proposed budget for next year will fund all delayed work and an additional $59 million in street repairs for a total street maintenance budget of $102 million in FY2021.
What's Next on the Proposed FY2021 Budget
Thank you to the members of the public who provided comments during this week's Council meetings. You can access the proposed budget
here.
My office will host a virtual District 7 Budget Townhall on August 24 from 7 to 8 p.m. Stay tuned for details in next week's newsletter.
As required by law, the City will host two public hearings, scheduled for September 2 and September 10. The hearings will be conducted virtually. Details to follow.
City Council will vote on the proposed budget on September 17. With a little more than a month left before voting on the budget, I hope you'll take some time to share your thoughts with me at
District7@SanAntonio.gov or 210-207-0870.
