San Antonio City Council Approves FY 2026 Budget with Focus on Transparency and Public Safety

San Antonio City Council has approved the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, emphasizing a commitment to transparency through a new Taxpayer Impact Statement and a Hybrid Zero-Based Budgeting Model. The budget aims to address affordability concerns for residents and ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Taxpayer Impact Statement and Budgeting Model

During a recent City Council briefing, Councilmember Marc Whyte of District 10 highlighted the significance of providing a Taxpayer Impact Statement, stating, “Affordability is one of the biggest challenges facing working families today. Residents deserve to recognize exactly how budget decisions affect them in plain terms.”

Whyte also emphasized the importance of combining the Taxpayer Impact Statement with the Hybrid Zero-Based Budgeting Model, initiatives he championed upon his election in 2023. He believes this combination will “strengthen accountability, transparency, and public trust,” ensuring a more disciplined and results-driven budgeting process.

Budget Highlights and Key Investments

The approved $4 billion FY 2026 budget includes several key investments:

• Homelessness Services: $30.5 million will be invested in homelessness services, including $4.8 million to extend operations at a low-barrier shelter run by SAMMinistries after federal funding expires. The city aims to clear 1,300 encampments within 14 days of receiving 311 reports.
• Infrastructure: $122 million is dedicated to street improvements, completing 1,464 projects and maintaining 416 miles of road. An additional $17 million will be allocated to sidewalks, including 21 new miles and 11 miles of repairs.
• Affordable Housing: $31.4 million will be invested through the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP), with $22.8 million directed toward home rehabilitation, rental assistance, and down payment programs. The goal is to complete, begin, or plan 13,100 affordable homes by the finish of FY 2026.
• Public Safety: The budget adds 15 more police patrol officers than previously planned, increasing the number of uniformed SAPD personnel from 25 to 40.

Addressing Budget Challenges

The FY 2026 budget was developed amidst a projected General Fund deficit of $21 million, attributed to a decline in property values due to residents appealing taxes and utilizing homestead exemptions . City officials closed the gap by cutting $111 million in spending, shifting costs into the Capital Budget, increasing targeted fees and fines, and eliminating 67 positions, which were filled by existing vacancies.

Public Safety Concerns

Despite the increase in police officers, some council members expressed concerns about public safety. District 10 Councilmember Marc Whyte stated that the budget “fails to deliver on a key commitment to public safety,” noting that it authorizes only 40 new patrol officers instead of the 65 originally proposed in a 2023 staffing study .

The San Antonio City Council approved the more than $4 billion FY 2026 budget, boosting airport funding and increasing police presence .