The San Antonio Botanical Garden is pushing back at Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ proposal to end public subsidies to the nonprofit as the city looks to rein in a looming $158 million budget deficit.
During a meeting last week, Jones said she wants to drop the city’s subsidy to the garden from $1.2 million annually to “zero” — a move officials with the research and conservation facility said would hinder its ability to sustain itself and limit low-income residents’ ability to visit.
“City funding is what helps make our efforts possible,” Botanical Garden President and CEO Katherine Trumble said in a two-page letter disputing claims by the mayor. “A drastic reduction in that investment not only puts at risk annual programming, but community accessibility initiatives that serve those who depend on them the most.”…