San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is entering a difficult stretch of city budgeting, with several expensive decisions arriving at once: possible utility rate hikes, a potential property tax rate increase and a smaller-than-expected 2027 bond package — all while the city continues planning Project Marvel, the proposed downtown sports and entertainment district.
City officials are evaluating a 2027 bond election, but the next package could be far smaller than the $1.2 billion bond voters approved in 2022. City financial staff have warned that a bond of similar size would likely require an increase in the debt-service portion of the property tax rate, which is used to repay bond debt. Exact options are expected to be refined later this year.
The pressure comes as San Antonio faces projected budget shortfalls and slower revenue growth. TPR reported that the city may need to consider both budget cuts and a property tax rate increase as it prepares for 2027…