[00:01:14]
          >> MAYOR JONES: GOOD MORNING. THE TIME IS NOW 9:08 A.M. 
          MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL ROLL. 
          >> COUNCILMAN MCGEE RODRIGUEZ IS HERE VIRTUALLY. 
          >> MAYOR, WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> MAYOR JONES: GREAT. THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. 
          COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO IS INVITED TO INTRODUCE TODAY'S INVOCATEUR. 
          >> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME PASTTER ADAM GAG GUY LAR ON BEHALF OF KINGDOM SOLDIERS MINISTRYIES, DEDICATED TO UPLIFTING FAMILIES IN SAN SAN ANTONIO AND COMMUNITY. 
          KINGDOM SOLDIERS MINISTRYIES HAS WORKED TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF FAMILIES FACING HARDSHIP BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES SUCH AS FOOD, CLOTHING, AS WELL AS PRAYER, MENTORSHIP, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT. 
          THEIR WORK IS ROOTED ROOTED IN BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESIDENTSS AND BEING PRESENT WITH FAMILIES WHEN THEY NEED A HELPING HAND. PASTOR AGUILAR AND HIS TEAM ARE COMMITTED TO BEING A CONSISTENT SOURCE OF HOPE AND SUPPORT FOR SAN ANTONIO FAMILIES. OFTEN TIMES YOU WILL FIND THEM OUT AT COMMUNITY EVENTS EVENTS, PROVIDING YOUTH WITH FREE HAIRCUTS AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR, CONNECTING WITH FOLKS OR GIVING AGAIN HAIRCUTS AND RESOURCES TO COMMUNITY. 
          THEIR DEDICATION TO SERVING AND SERVICE REFLECT THE POWER OF COMMUNITY, FAITH AND NEIGHBORS COMING TOGETHER TO UPLIFT ONE ANOTHER. 
          I'D LIKE TO WELCOME PASTOR AGUILAR. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. 
          GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. I'D LIKE TO FIRST START OFF WE CAN BOW OUR HEAD AND ANYBODY FEEL FREE TO JOIN IN THIS QUICK PRAYER REAL QUICK AS WE GET STARTED. 
          HEAVENLY FATHER, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS MORNING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND PRAY OVER EVERYONE HERE, FATHER GOD. PART OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR HERSELF AND ALL THOSE THAT ARE IN SUPPORT OF THIS CITY WITH THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK THAT THEY HAVE BEHIND THEM. WE WANT TO COVER THEM AND BLESS THEIR FAMILIES, BLESS EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL HERE TODAY, BLESS THE CITY, FATHER GOD. ALLOW IT TO CONTINUE GROWING AND BEING UNITED FATHER GOD IN YOUR PRESENCE. WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE US ALL THAT RENEWANCE. 
          WE THANK YOU FOR THIS TIME TO AS WELL PRESENT HERE TODAY. 
          IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY, AMEN. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, PASTOR. 
          PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: ALL RIGHT. WE'VE GOT A SPECIAL CELEBRATION TODAY. 
          THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER'S 125 125TH ANNIVERSARY. AND I HAVE SOME FOLKS FROM THE ORGANIZATION HERE SO IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME TO THE FRONT. 
          I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION AND THEN TURN IT OVER TO YOU FOR REMARKS. 
          CITY OF SAN ANTONIO HEREBY PREVENTS ITS OFFICIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER 125TH ANNIVERSARY. IN CELEBRATION OF 125IERS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND IMPACT IMPACT, THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER PREVAILS AS A DEVOTED CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT BEXAR COUNTY. 
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SINCE ITS FOUNDING IT HAS ACHIEVED ITS MISSION FOR RESTORE FAMILIES THROUGH COMPASSIONATE TRAUMA- TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. FOR OVER A CENTURY THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER HAS GROWN INTO A CONTINUUM OF EVIDENCE EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION. 
          TCS DELIVERS SERVICES RELATED IN SAFETY, TRUSTWORTHINESS AND EMPOWERMENT AND THAT EVERY CHILD NEEDS TO BE SEEN, HEARD AND VALUED. 
          THE AGENCY PROVIDES TREATMENT FOSTER CARE, MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND FAMILY-STRENGTHENING INITIATIVES INITIATIVES INITIATIVES, THROUGH THE HARVEY HELP CENTER FAMILIES RECEIVE SPECIALIZED TRAUMA FOCUSED OUTPATIENT CARE AND EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPIES THAT PROMOTE HEALING AND STABILITY. AS THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER COMMEMORATES THIS MILESTONE WE HONOR THE CHAMPIONS WHOSE UNWAVERING SUPPORT HAS SHAPED ITS LEGACY. 
          IT HAS BEEN 125 YEARS OF LOVE, HOPE AND CARE AND CONTINUES PROGRAMS FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO JOIN YOU IN CELEBRATING THIS REMARKABLE MILESTONE AND EXTEND HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FOR THE YEARS AHEAD. HAPPY 125TH ANNIVERSARY. PLEASE. 
          >> THANK YOU. I'M THE CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER. 
          ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER, THANK YOU FOR THIS MEANINGFUL RECOGNITION OF OUR 125TH ANNIVERSARY. WE ARE HONORED BY THE CITY COUNCIL'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THIS MILESTONE AND HUMBLEED TO RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE FROM THE CITY THAT WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGEED TO SERVE FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. THIS HONOR BELONGS NOT ONLY TO OUR PRESENT DAY ORGANIZATION, BUT TO EVERY PERSON WHO HAS HELPED CARRY THIS MISSION FORWARD THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORY. IT BELONGS TO THE STAFF WHO SERVED WITH DEDICATION AND HEART. THE VOLUNTEERS WHO GAVE THEIR TIME SO GENEROUSLY. THE DONORS AND PARTNERS WHO INVESTED IN HOPE. 
          THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO HELPED GUIDE THE WORK AND THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE ALLOWED US TO WALK ALONGSIDE THEM. FOR 125 YEARS, THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER HAS STOOD BESIDE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DURING SOME OF LIFE'S MOST VULNERABLE AND CHALLENGEING MOMENTS. THIS RECOGNITION IS A POWER POWERFUL REMINDER THAT OUR WORK HAS NEVER BEEN CARRIED BY THIS ORGANIZATION ALONE. 
          IT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE COMPASSION, TRUST AND PARTNERSHIP OF A COMMUNITY THAT BELIEVES EVERY CHILD DESERVES LOVE, SAFETY, STABILITY AND HOPE. 
          WE APPRECIATE THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WORK AND FOR STANDING WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE PROUD AND HONORED TO BE PART OF THE NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS SERVING VULNERABLE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN THIS CITY. 
          THIS CERTIFICATE REMINDS US THAT OUR HISTORY IS NOT SIMPLY PRESSUREED IN YEARS, BUT IN LIVES TOUCHED, FAMILIES STRENGTHENED AND HOPE RESTORED. 
          AS WE CELEBRATE 125 YEARS, WE HONOR THE LEGACY OF THOSE WHO BEGAN THIS WORK IN 1901. 
          WE THANK THOSE WHO CONTINUE IT TODAY. AND WE LOOK AHEAD WITH DETERMINATION TO SERVE THE NEXT GENERATION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN WITH THE SAME COMPASSION, COURAGE AND HOPE THAT HAVE GUIDED THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER SINCE THE BEGINNING. WE ARE GRATEFUL, INSPIRED AND MORE COMMITTED THAN EVER TO CONTINUING THIS LEGACY OF HOPE, HEALING AND SERVICE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. 
          THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS SPECIAL RECOGNITION AND FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE A LEGACY THAT BELONGS TO THE ENTIRE SAN ANTONIO COMMUNITY COMMUNITY. 
          LASTLY, THANK YOU, MAYOR JONES AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE VITAL WORK STRENGTHENS SAN ANTONIO AND IMPROVES THE LIVES OF ALL WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE HERE. THANK YOU. 
          [APPLAUSE]. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. WOULD ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? NOBODY? OKAY, COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE 
          GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU TO THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER TEAM WHO IS HERE WITH US TODAY. YOU KNOW, THE CHILDREN'S SHELTER IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DISTRICT 7 AND AS Y'ALL CELEBRATE 125 YEARS, YOU ALL AS YOU MENTIONED, Y'ALL WERE DOING THIS WAY BEFORE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS WERE IN PLACE IN TEXAS. SO Y'ALL HAVE BEEN TRULY LEADING THE WAY. 
          IT IS A GRASSROOTS EFFORT TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND ANIMALS IN NEED. 
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AND IT'S JUST A TRUE TESTAMENT TO NURTUREING -- THE NURTUREING, FAMILY- FAMILY-ORIENTING ENVIRONMENT THAT Y'ALL FASTER FOSTER THERE SO MANY KIDS IN NEED. 
          THANK YOU FOR LEADING THE WAY IN CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND ALL OVER TEXAS. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THE NEXT ITEM IS THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. 
          ERIK, OVER DO YOU. >> NO MANAGER'S REPORT THIS MORNING, MAYOR. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO TAKING THE CONSENT AGENDA BEFORE THE INDIVIDUAL ITEMS SO THAT WE MAY CLEAR THE BUSINESS OF THE DAY? OKAY. THANK YOU. ITEMS 8 THROUGH 18 ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THIS MEANS THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED AS A GROUP AND THERE WILL NOT BE A STAFF PRESENTATION UNLESS PULLED FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION CONSIDERATION. PLEASE NOTE ITEM 15 HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN BY STAFF AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED TODAY. ARE THERE ANY -- I'LL BE PULLING ITEM 16. 
          ARE THERE ANY ITEMS COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO BE HEARD INDIVIDUALLY? WE HAVE NO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. OKAY. 
          IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA EXCEPT FOR ITEM 15, WHICH HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN, AND ITEM 16, WHICH I HAVE PULLED. OKAY. 
          IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, EXCEPT ITEM 15, WHICH HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN, AND EXCEPT ITEM 16, WHICH HAS BEEN PULLED. 
          ARE THERE ANY HIGHLIGHTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSENT AGENDA? OKAY. THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, EXCEPT FOR ITEM 15 AND ITEM 16. 
          PLEASE VOTE. >> AYE. >> AYE. 
          >> COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN, WE NEED TO SEE YOU ON THE CAMERA, PLEASE? 
          >> VIAGRAN: I AM ON CAMERA CAMERA. I SENT A PICTURE OVER TO I.T. I CAN SEE MYSELF ON THE CAMERA AND IPHONE. 
          I DON'T KNOW -- THE PROBLEM IS ON THE CITY'S END. >> MAYOR JONES: MADAM CLERK, IS THAT -- OKAY. THE CLERK IS NOT ABLE TO SEE YOU. 
          ANDY -- >> VIAGRAN: THEN I MAKE A MOTION WE SUSPEND THE 
          MEETING UNTIL I.T. CAN FIX THIS. >> MAYOR JONES: ANDY, DO 
          YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION? >> IT'S UP TO THE RESIDEER, MAYOR. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. THE CLERK IS SAYING SHE NEEDS TO SEE THE COUNCILWOMAN AND SO WE WILL TAKE A RECESS UNTIL I.T. CAN FIX THIS. 
          THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: ALL RIGHT, COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ? THERE WE GO. THANK YOU. 
          OKAY. SO WE JUST VOTED. A VOICE VOTE PLEASE FROM THE 
          COUNCIL MEMBERS JOINING US VIRTUALLY. >> AYE. 
          >> AYE. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. 
          THANK YOU. OKAY. THERE'S NO OBJECTION, THE CITY MANAGER WILL PRESENT THE COUNCIL AND DISCUSS ITEMS 4, 5 AND 6 AS A GROUP. 
          INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN ON ITEMS 5 AND -- INDIVIDUAL VOTES WILL BE TAKEN ON ITEMS 5 AND 6. HEARING NEWSPAPER, ERIK, OVER TO YOU. 
          >> ITEM NUMBER 4 IS A PRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO 2027 PROPOSED OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026. 
          ITEM NUMBER 5 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE CITY'S PROPOSED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS TAX AT AT 35.138 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION AND THE CITY'S 
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PROPOSED DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE AT 21.150 CENTS PER 100-DOLLAR TAXABLE VALUATION AS RECOMMENDED IN THE FY2027 PROPOSED BUDGET. NUMBER 6 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE DATE, TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 26, 27 AND THE PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, 2026 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2026 2026, WHICH ARE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M., AND THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026, AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS. AND TWO, SCHEDULING BUDGET 
          WORK SESSIONS. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. 
          ERIK, OVER TO YOU. >> WALSH:  THANK YOU, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. 
          I LIKEN THE PROCESS WE'RE GOING THROUGH WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET. 
          I THINK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF GATES. GATE ONE WAS THE FINANCIAL FORECAST WE PRESENTED TO YOU ALL IN MAY AND THE WORK SESSION WE HAD. 
          GATE TWO IS THE SUBSEQUENT CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD AT THAT BUDGET WORK SESSION. 
          GATE THREE IS THE TRIAL BUDGET CONVERSATION WE HAD IN JUNE. 
          AND THE FUMIGATE FINAL GATE, IS CONSIDERATION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND YOUR EVENTUAL ADOPTION ON SEPTEMBER 17TH. I'LL TALK ABOUT THE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL UP FRONT BECAUSE YOUR FEEDBACK AND GUIDANCE AS WE WENT THROUGH THOSE THREE EARLIER GATES WERE CRITICAL TO THE WORK THAT WE, STAFF, DID OVER THE SUMMER TO LAY OUT A PROPOSED BALANCED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 27 AND A PROPOSED PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 28. JUST A PROPOSED OVERVIEW. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, FISCAL YEAR '27 AND THIS PROPOSED BUDGET IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGEING BUDGETS THAT I'VE HAD TO WORK ON SINCE I'VE BEEN CITY MANAGER FOR SURE, BUT AS I REFLECT BACK ON 32 AND A HALF YEARS, A LOT OF THAT WORKING IN BUDGET, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF A NUMBER OF ISSUES. LIKE MANY COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IN PARTICULAR THE STATE, OTHER TEXAS CITIES ARE DEALING WITH MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH. AUSTIN, FORT WORTH-DALLAS, HOUSTON, CORPUS CHRISTI. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT AS IF YOU DO SEE INFORMATION OR PRESS ABOUT THOSE OTHER CITIES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I NOTICE IS THAT THEY'RE ALL DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES ISSUES, BUT THEIR SHORTFALLS ARE SMALLER. AND THAT'S ONE PRIMARY REASON BECAUSE WE HAVE A FINANCIAL POLICY TO MANAGE AND BUDGET OVER A TWO-YEAR CYCLE. 
          SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE INCREASING RISING COSTS, DECLINING PROPERTY VALUES, WHICH I'LL TALK ABOUT HERE IN A SECOND, AND LIMITS ON OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE REVENUE. WE ENTERED THE BUDGET PROCESS WITH A PROJECTED SHORTFALL OF NEARLY $158 MILLION THROUGH FISCAL YEAR '28. 
          THE SPENDING PLAN THAT YOU SEE -- THE PROPOSAL YOU WILL SEE TODAY REFLECTS THE STRATEGIES AND EXPENSES AND INCREASED REVENUES THAT WE BELIEVE ARE NEEDED TO MAINTAIN FINANCIAL SUSTAIN SUSTAINABILITY AND STABILITY FOR OUR ORGANIZATION. 
          THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE, THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED, BALANCES FISCAL YEAR '27 AND '28 AND ALSO PROVIDES A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR IF FISCAL YEAR '29. 
          I'LL TALK ABOUT THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION. THE LAST THING THAT I'LL ADD ADD, WE ARE SEEN NEGATIVE TAXABLE VALUE GROWTH SINCE 2011, WHICH WAS PROBABLY AN ADVENT OF THE RECESSION. WE MODELED OUR FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS AS IF WE WERE IN A RECESSION. WE'RE GENERALLY PRETTY MODERATELY CONSERVE IN TERMS OF OUR APPROACH IN REVENUE AND WE'RE TAKING THAT APPROACH IN '28. 
          I SHARED WITH YOU ALL LAST WEEK OUR -- THE AFFIRMATION OF OUR BOND RATINGS FROM THE THREE BOND RATING AGENCIES. THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT WE DO NOT ONLY FOR ISSUING DEBT AND ACHIEVING SAVINGS IN TERM OF INTEREST RATE SAVINGS, BUT IT IS A STRONG FOUNDATION OF HOW THIS ORGANIZATION, YOU ALL AND THE STAFF, MANAGE OUR FINANCIAL CAPABILITY. AND HOW WE APPROACH IT. WE HAVE A HISTORY OF POSITIVE BUDGETARY PERFORMANCE AND STRATEGIC MEASURES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FINANCIALLY STABLE. WE HAVE WELL EMBEDDED POLICIES AND PRACTICES. 
          WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT TEAM WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT 
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THAT WE DO AS AN ORGANIZATION OR ANY ORGANIZATION WITH MANAGING OUR EXPENSES ON A MONTHLY BASIS, QUARTERLY UPDATES TO YOU ALL, MULTI-YEAR BUDGETING APPROACHES, AND ADHERENCE TO OUR RESERVE POLICIES AND OUR OTHER FINANCIAL POLICIES. STANDARD AND POOR'S AND MOODY'S, AS I SHARED LAST WEEK, REAFFIRMED US AS AAA AND FITCH AT AA +. THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THIS COUNTRY WITH THE BEST BOND RATING AGENCY. 
          AND I THINK THAT HELPS US FROM A -- CERTAINLY FROM A MARKET STANDPOINT WHEN WE GO TO ISSUE DEBT, BUT IT HELPS US FROM A CREDIBILITY STANDPOINT AS WE WORK ON CHALLENGEING BUDGETS SUCH AS THIS ONE. THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR YOU TOTALS $4.4 BILLION ALL FUNDS. THAT'S MADE UP OF $1.76 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND, $1.4 BILLION IN OUR CAPITAL BUDGET, AND 1.2 BILLION IN OUR RESTRICT RESTRICTED FUNDS SUCH AS THE AIRPORT AND SOLID WASTE AND WATER. THE OVERALL CITY BUDGET INCREASE IS 8.6%, BUT 6.3 OF THAT IS DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TERMINAL OUT AT THE AIRPORT. 
          ASIDE FROM THAT, OUR OPERATING PART OF OUR OVERALL BUDGET IS GOING UP 2.3%. SO WE'VE MANAGED THOSE EXPENSES ACROSS THE BOARD, NOT JUST IN THE GENERAL FUND FUND, AND WE'RE ACCOMMODATING AND THE NECESSARY CONSTRUCTION THAT WE HAVE OUT AT THE AIRPORT, ALL Y'ALL ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THAT PROJECT AND THE ISSUANCE OF DEBT THAT WE TOOK TO THE MARKET HERE ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO. THE GENERAL FUND IS -- IT PROPOSES AT $1.76 BILLION. 
          THAT'S A 69-MILLION-DOLLAR INCREASE IN OUR GENERAL FUND FUND, A 4.1% INCREASE. 
          I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE JUXTAPOSED POSITION THAT WE WERE IN IN JUNE IN THE TRIAL BUDGET WHERE REVENUES WERE PROJECTED TO GROW AT A LOWER RATE THAN OUR EXPENSES EXPENSES. SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE OUR EXPENSES DOWN PRIMARILY THROUGH REDUCTIONS TO MAINTAIN THAT 4.1% INCREASE. OVERALL CITY POSITIONS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 17,000 -- I'M SORRY, 13,739 POSITIONS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND IT INCLUDES 13,676. SO A NET INCREASE, I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR DECREASE IN TERMS OF STAFFING POSITIONS A LITTLE BIT LATER ON IN THE PRESENTATION. SO HOW DID WE BALANCE THE BUDGET THAT YOU ALL SAW IN JUNE FROM THE TRIAL BUDGET? THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU HAD IN OUR BUDGET WORK SESSION AROUND MANDATED EXPENSES, PRIORITY CITY SERVICES THAT WERE PRIORITIZED BY I ALL AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET SURVEY, AND OTHER THINGS THE CITY DOES IS PART OF THE CONVERSATION WE HAD BOTH THE TRIAL BUDGET AND THE PREPARATION OF THIS PROPOSED BUDGET BECAUSE WE FOCUSED ON OTHER CITY SERVICES IN TERMS OF REDUCTIONS AND REDUCED EXPENSES. 
          SECONDLY, WE ARE FOCUSING ON USING AVAILABLE PROPERTY TAX CAPACITY AND I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS LATER ON IN THE PRESENTATION PRESENTATION. 
          BUT WE HAVE WHAT THE STATE HAS GRANTED TO CITIES AND COUNTIES IN 2019 IN IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHICH IS TO UTILIZE UNTAXABLE VALUE. CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE ABLE TO BANK THAT. AND THE EXPRESS PURPOSES AS DICTATED BY THIS LEGISLATURE IN 2019 WAS TO ALLOW CITIES AND COUNTIES TO SMOOTH THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS GIVEN THAT THEY WERE REDUCING THE PROPERTY TAX ABILITY FROM EIGHT AND A HALF PERCENT TO THREE AND A HALF PERCENT. AND SO WE HAVE ONLY UTILIZED THAT ONCE SINCE 2019 AND WE ARE PROPOSING TO UTILIZE THAT UNUSED INCREMENT IN FISCAL YEAR '27. 
          AND THEN WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS BOTH AT THE WORK SESSION, AT THE TRIAL BUDGET BUDGET, INCREASING OUR REVENUE OF SERVICE. WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS 30 -- ALMOST 30 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN NEW REVENUE OVER TWO YEARS, AND THAT'S ABOUT $10 MILLION MORE THAN WE SHOWED YOU ALL IN THE TRIAL BUDGET. 
          WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THOSE AREAS THAT YOU ALL GAVE US FEEDBACK ON, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT HERE IN A SECOND. SO OVERALL AT THE TRIAL BUDGET, YOU WILL RECALL THAT OUR EXPENSES WERE PROJECTED TO GROW -- OUR REVENUES WERE 
          [00:25:01]
PROJECTED TO GROW AT 2.3% AND OUR EXPENSES GROWING AT 6.9%. 
          THE PROPOSED BUDGET BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR FISCAL YEAR '27 HAS OUR REVENUE GROWTH AT 5.1% AND OUR EXPENSE GROWTH AT 4.1%. SO STRUCTURALLY WE HAVE REALIGNED OUR CAPABILITY TO BE ABLE TO COVER OUR EXPENSES AND I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR -- AND NOT JUST FOR FISCAL YEAR '27, AND I'LL SHARE WITH YOU IN A SECOND. 
          PART OF THIS IMPACTS FY'28, '29, 30 AND 31, THAT STRUCTURAL REBALANCING. 
          OUR PROJECTED DEFICIT FOR THE TWO YEARS WAS $157.7 MILLION. 
          WE HAVE $89,006,000,000 IN THE PROPOSED REDUCTIONS OVER TWO. 
          USING THAT UNUSED INCREMENT BOTH IN FISCAL YEAR '27 AND WITHIN OUR FISCAL YEAR '28 PLAN IS 90.2 MILLION. OUR FEE INCREASES THAT I JUST MENTIONED A SECOND AGO ARE $34.4 MILLION. WE REVISED OUR REVENUE AND EXPENSE PROJECTIONS FOR BOTH THIS FISCAL YEAR, PHYSICAL '27 AND FISCAL YEAR '28 AS WE WENT THROUGH THE BUDGET IN JULY WITH THE DEPARTMENTS AND THAT AFFIDAVIT AN ADDITIONAL $17.4 MILLION OVER THOSE FOUR YEARS. AND THEN WE HAVE NEW SPENDING OF $8.2 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND. AND OF COURSE OUR ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENTS FOR OUR FINANCIAL RESERVES, WE LEAVE THERE $48.9 MILLION IN AN ENDING BALANCE OVER AND ABOVE OUR REQUIRED RESERVES, OUR FINANCIAL POLICY, AND REALLY THAT'S MEANT TO OFFSET EXPENSES AND PREPARE FOR FISCAL YEAR '29. THE PRESENTATION THAT WE GAVE YOU DURING THE FORECAST SHOWED THAT WE HAD A PROJECTED SHORTFALL IN FISCAL YEAR '29 OF $206 MILLION. PROJECTED SHORTFALL NOW, THIS PROPOSED BUDGET IN '27 AND THE PLAN FOR '28, REDUCES THAT TO $38 MILLION. 
          OUR FISCAL YEAR 31 SHORTFALL IN THE FIVE-YEAR FORECAST WAS $264 MILLION, AND THE ADJUSTMENTS WE'RE PROPOSING RIGHT NOW REDUCE THAT ALMOST BY 50% DOWN TO $136 MILLION. 
          SO THE RESTRUCTURING OF OUR REVENUES AND OUR EXPENSES, MANAGING OUR EXPENSES, AND ALIGNING THOSE THINGS HELPS US NOT ONLY FOR FISCAL YEAR '27, BUT THERE'S A RIPPLE EFFECT AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. SO IN TERMS OF GENERAL FUND REVENUE, KIND OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING, WE ARE SEEING A DECREASE IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUE OF $8.3 MILLION. THIS IS BUDGET TO BUDGET, A 1.8% DECLINE IN REVENUE. WE HAVE A SALES TAX AT 1.2% CHANGE, ADDITIONAL $4.9 MILLION. GENERALLY -- AND LIKE OTHER THINGS, WE ARE MODERATELY CONSERVATIVE, WE ARE SEEING A SOFTENING, WE HAVE SEEN A SOFTENING IN TERMS OF SALES TAX. THAT'S NOT UNIQUE TO SAN SAN ANTONIO. 
          OTHER CITIES IN TEXAS ARE SEEING THAT AS WELL. WE ARE ANTICIPATING PROBABLY BY THE END OF THIS WEEK OR EARLY NEXT WEEK THAT WE WILL RECEIVE THE NEXT SALES TAX CHECK FROM THE STATE, THAT WILL BE REFLECTIVE OF A LOT OF ACTIVITY THAT HAPPENED IN SAN ANTONIO IN JUNE, PRIMARILY AROUND THE PLAYOFFS. 
          AND I DO ANTICIPATE THAT NUMBER TO BE GREATER AND WE'LL SHARE THAT WITH YOU ONCE WE RECEIVE THAT. OUR CPS REVENUE, WE'VE REVISED OUR PROJECTIONS FOR THIS YEAR FOR OUR REESTIMATE FOR THIS YEAR DOWN $15 MILLION BECAUSE, FRANKLY FRANKLY, IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS GREEN IN SUMMER. WE HAD A LOT OF RAIN AND COOLER WEATHER IN JUNE AND JULY. IT CERTAINLY AFFECTED REVENUE. SO WE MADE THOSE REVISIONS TO OUR FISCAL YEAR '26 RE REESTIMATE. WE ARE PROJECTING CONSERVATIVELY $547.8 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR '27, WHICH IS AN 8.6% INCREASE, AND THEN KIND OF OUR OTHER REVENUES, THERE'S A SLIGHT INCREASE OF .6%. OVERALL OUR REVENUE PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET IN '27 IS INCREASING AT 5.1%. LET ME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TAXABLE VALUES AND PROPERTY TAXES. WE SHARED WITH YOU ALL THE PRELIMINARY DATA THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT IN MAY AND JUNE, AND AT THAT POINT WE WERE PROJECTING A 2.1% DECLINE IN OVERALL TAXABLE VALUES. 
          WE RECEIVED A CERTIFIED ROLL THE LAST WEEK IN JULY. IT GOT A LITTLE WORSE. 
          IT WAS A DECLINE OF 2.7%, WHICH REFLECTS ABOUT A $4.3 BILLION IN LOST TAXABLE 
          [00:30:04]
VALUE, WHETHER THAT'S APPEALS OR EXEMPTIONS OR LAWSUITS OR WHAT HAVE YOU. 
          THAT VALUE, THAT TAXABLE VALUE DISAPPEARED AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NOT ONLY WE ARE DEALING WITH, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY TAXING ENTITY WITHIN BEXAR COUNTY IS DEALING WITH. OUR FISCAL YEAR '25, JUST TO KIND OF RECAP AND GIVE YOU SOME HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, IN FISCAL YEAR '25 WE SAW A 4.35% INCREASE IN TAXABLE VALUE. THIS YEAR, FISCAL YEAR '26, WE SAW NEGATIVE GROWTH IN TERMS OF BASE VALUE, BUT THE NEW IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW VALUES THAT WERE COMING ONLINE MADE UP A NET DIFFERENCE TO A POSITIVE 1.32%. 
          AND THEN FOR .27 BASED ON THAT CERTIFIED ROLL WE'RE SEEING OVER A LITTLE TWO% RAIL THAT WASHES AWAY THE DIFFERENCE THAT WE'RE SEEING ON THE TAX ROLLS. 
          YOU WILL SEE THE TAX RATE THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING BY UTILIZING THE UNUSED INCREMENT. YOU ALL WILL VOTE ON PROPERTY TAX ADJUSTMENT BASED ON THAT UNUSED INCREMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR '27 ONLY. 
          WE'RE PRESENTING TO YOU ALL A FISCAL YEAR '27 AND '28 PLAN. 
          THE PLAN IS JUST THE PLAN. YOU DO NOT VOTE ON THAT. WE ADOPT ONE BUDGET A YEAR. 
          BUT THE PLAN GIVES US KIND OF THE GUIDELINES AND THE GUIDEPOSTS TO MANAGE OUR EXPENSES AS WE GO INTO FISCAL YEAR '27. THAT INCREASE THAT WE'RE PROPOSING WOULD REFLECT ON AVERAGE -- TO THE AVERAGE RESIDENTS HOUSEHOLD AN ADDITIONAL $2.95 PER MONTH. FOR ALL OF YOUR TOWN HALLS WE ARE BREAKING THAT OUT BY DISTRICT SO WE'LL HAVE THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU ALL. IT'S OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE DIFFERENT BASED ON COUNCIL DISTRICTS, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, USING THE AVERAGE AVERAGE -- CITYWIDE AVERAGE IT'S A 2-POINT KNIFE DOLLAR IMPACT ON 47% OF OUR RESIDENT HOMESTEADS ARE FROZEN, WHETHER IT'S THE SENIOR TAX FREEZE OR THE DISABILITY TAX FREEZE, AND WILL NOT BE IMPACTED. 
          SO 47% OF OUR RESIDENTSS' HOUSEHOLDS WILL NOT SEE ANY IMPACT IN TERMS OF THIS PROPOSAL. AND THEN THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NUMBER. 
          GIVEN OUR TAX FREEZE FOR SENIORS AND DISABILITY, OUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS WE ARE FOREGOING IN TAX REVENUE. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PRIOR COUNCILS COUNCILS HAVE SET. IT IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES US UNIQUE. 
          SAN ANTONIO IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE THAT HAS A SENIOR TAX FREEZE. 
          CORPUS CHRISTI HAS IT. I THINK EL PASO HAS IT, BUT NO OTHER CITY HAS THAT, AND THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR SOME TIME AND THAT HELPS INSULATE THOSE OVER 65 FROM ANY ADJUSTMENTS OR IMPACTS OF PROPERTY TAX. IN TERMS OF THE $30.4 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE -- I'M SORRY, NEXT WEEK, NEXT TUESDAY'S FIRST WORK SESSION IS GOING TO BE EXPRESSLY FOCUSED ON THESE REVENUES THAT ARE ON THIS SLIDE, ALL THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO MAKE MAKE, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE REDUCTIONS. SO WE'RE GOING TO DO IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAT WAY YOU'RE NOT SEEING BITS AND PIECES THROUGH EVERY DEPARTMENTAL PRESENTATION. 
          WE WANT TO SHOW YOU ALL THE REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS AT ONCE SO THAT YOU SEE THE BIG PICTURE. AS WELL AS ALL THE REDUCTIONS AND IMPACTS TO SERVICES. GENERALLY SPEAKING, THESE THINGS ON -- THESE AREAS IN THIS SLIDE TOTAL $30.4 MILLION. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT BETWEEN POLICE AND FIRE FEE ADJUSTMENTS AND REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS, THAT IS THE MAJORITY OF OUR $30.4 MILLION. IT IS $21.3 MILLION OF TOTAL NEW REVENUE COMING INTO THE CITY. AGAIN, A LOT OF THIS WAS BASED OFF OF CUTS TO SERVICE SERVICE. AND PART OF THIS WAS PART OF OUR FISCAL YEAR '27 PLAN. EMS TRANSPORT FEES, AID ONLY ONLY, FIRE DEVELOPMENT PERMITS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ALARMS, E-CITATIONS, ADJUSTMENTS TO TOGETHER AND THE USE OF OUR ONLINE SYSTEM FOR NON-CONSENT TOWERS, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER AREAS THAT WE ARE ADJUSTING THROUGH A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, ACS, SOLID WASTE, WHICH WILL HELP BEEF UP OUR INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING BY THE WASTE HAULER PERMITS. 
          WE ARE RECOMMENDING AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE TRIAL BUDGET, A NON-RESIDENT 
          [00:35:03]
LIBRARY CARD FEE OF $20 PER YEAR. AND WE'VE CONSERVATIVELY ESTIMATED THIS AND WE'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS NEXT TUESDAY, AS WELL AS DURING THE LIBRARY BUDGET WORK SESSION, BUT WE'RE GOING TO ROLL IT OUT AS LIBRARY CARDS EXPIRE. 26% OF OUR ACTIVITY AND MATERIAL CHECKOUT RIGHT NOW AT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM IS BEING DONE BY NON-SAN NON-SAN ANTONIO -- CITY OF SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTSS. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RECOVERING THAT COST OF PROVIDING THAT VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. 
          FIESTA, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS DURING THE JUNE PRESENTATION PRESENTATION. 
          WE ARE TARGETING TO RECOVER AT LEAST 50% OF OUR POLICE EXPENSES AS IT RELATES TO FIESTA EVENTS. WE HAVE MET WITH THE FIESTA COMMISSION AND WE'LL GO INTO MORE DETAIL WITH YOU IN THE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CODE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE PROPOSING. SOME CAME FROM THE COUNCIL CONVERSATION, THE PROACTIVE APARTMENT PROCESS, METAL AND USED AUTO REPAIR RECYCLEERS, GARAGE SALE PERMITS. WE ARE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL LICENSING FEE OR PERMIT TO AIR B AIRBNBS, PRIMARILY TO OFFSET THE POLICE EXPENSES AND CALLS ASSOCIATED WITH AIRBNB AIRBNBS, AND A NUMBER OF ADJUSTMENTS IN OUR PARKS AREA. SO WE'RE GOINGING INTO INTO A LOT OF DETAIL WITH YOU NEXT TUESDAY AT YOUR FIRST BUDGET WORK SESSION ON THESE AREAS. IN TERMS OF REDUCTIONS, AND THIS WILL BE PART OF TUESDAY TUESDAY'S PRESENTATION TOO, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU ALL TO SEE IT ALL COMPREHENSIVELY RATHER THAN OVER A PERIOD OF 10 OR 11 DIFFERENT WORK SESSION. BUT THE -- ONE OF THE LARGEST AREAS OF REDUCED SPENDING THAT WE HAVE ARE IN THAT OTHER CITY SERVICE AGENCY CATEGORY THAT WE TALKED ABOUT DURING THE BUDGET WORK SESSION. 27 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE TWO YEARS. WE ARE TRANSFERRING SOME ELIGIBLE STREET MAINTENANCE WORK FROM OUR OPERATING BUDGET TO OUR CAPITAL BUDGET FOR A TOTAL OF $10.6 MILLION IN SAVINGS. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF EFFICIENCYIES AND REDUCTIONS THROUGHOUT A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY. 
          SOME OF THEM PART OF THE LINE ITEM REVIEW THAT WE DID WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT. 
          AND THAT TOTALS 10-POINT -- $12 MILLION. WE HAVE OUR COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE DID THIS PAST YEAR. 
          THE FIVE DEPARTMENTS WE FOCUSED ON WERE POLICE, FIRE FIRE, MUNICIPAL COURT, LIBRARY AND HR. SO THAT EFFORT RESULTED IN $12.8 MILLION IN SAVINGS OVER TWO YEARS. WE ARE UTILIZING THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING FUND WHICH IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE FUND THAT BOTH CITY- CITY-INITIATED TIRZ AND DEVELOPER-EFFICIENT INITIATED TIRZ PAY TO THE CITY TO ADMINISTER. 
          ONE OF THE ELIGIBLE EXPENSES IN TERMS OF THE USE OF TIRZ FUNDS IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING. 
          SO WE'RE USING SOME OF THOSE AVAILABLE BALANCES TO INCREASE, FRANKLY, OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SPEND. I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT HERE IN A SECOND. 
          WE'RE ELIMINATING THE BALANCE OF THE REES FUND, WHICH IS THE PROBLEM WITH ACRONYMS. I CAN'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT IT STANDS FOR, BUT IT IS OUR CAPTURED REFUND FROM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WHERE WE CAPTURED SOME PORTION OF OUR CPS RATE AND SOME OF OUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND OUR WORK IN TERMS OF THE COMMUNITY, IN TERMS OF HEAT ISLAND EXPENSE. THIS FUND WAS PRIMARILY REDUCED WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE LAST FIRE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. 
          WE'RE ELIMINATING THE BALANCE OF IT. THERE'S STILL FUNDING IN THERE THAT SUPPORTS OUR SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE, BUT THAT SAVINGS RESULTS IN $2.8 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS. WE'RE USING OTHER GENERAL FUND PROGRAMS, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE AND WHERE LEGAL, MOVING THOSE EXPENSES TO RESTRICTED FUNDS THAT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO FINANCE THEM. WE ARE PROPOSING AN INCREASE IN OUR PARKS ENVIRONMENTAL FEE OF 25 CENTS PER MONTH. THAT'S A FEE THAT RIGHT NOW EXISTS THAT INDIVIDUALS PAY THAT THE PUBLIC PAYS TO OFFSET PART OF THE TREE MAINTENANCE -- I'M SORRY, THE PARKS MAINTENANCE AND TREE MAINTENANCE IN OUR PARK SYSTEM, SO WE'RE ABLE TO SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $6 MILLION IN THAT AREA. 
          AND THEN THERE'S SOME DEPARTMENTAL RESTRUCTUREINGS. BOTH IN '27 AND '28, WHERE WE ANTICIPATE $5.5 MILLION OVER THE TWO YEARS. SO THAT IS OUR $89.6 MILLION IN REDUCED SPENDING IN THE GENERAL FUND. THE GENERAL FUND DOES 
          [00:40:03]
PROPOSE ELIMINATING 101 POSITIONS. 54 OF THOSE ARE FILLED. 
          AND BECAUSE WE ARE IN A HIRING FREEZE AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, HR HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE JULY TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE THOSE 54 INDIVIDUALS CAN MOVE INTO THOSE VACANT POSITIONS. THOSE EMPLOYEES WILL WORK WITH THOSE 54 EMPLOYEES. I DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY LAY LAYOFFS BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SUFFICIENT ABILITY WITHIN OUR FREEZING OF POSITIONS. AS WE GO INTO FISCAL YEAR '27 I AM ANTICIPATING KEEPING THAT HIRING FREEZE IN PLACE FOR NON-CRITICAL POSITIONS, SO WE HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW WHERE HUMAN RESOURCES AND THE BUDGET OFFICE REVIEW THOSE VACANCYIES AND WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS ON WHAT IS CRITICAL AND WHAT IS NOT. I MEET WITH THEM EVERY TWO WEEKS TO GO THROUGH THAT LIST AND KICK LOOSE ANY POSITIONS THAT ARE CRITICAL, SUCH AS 911 CALL TAKERS OR ANIMAL CARE OFFICERS OR CODE OFFICERS, BUT THAT PROCESS AS WE GO INTO '27, I DO ANTICIPATE KEEPING THAT PROCESS INTACT TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF FLEXIBILITY AS WE GO INTO THE -- AS WE GO INTO FISCAL YEAR '27. SO THE BUDGET PRIORITIES THAT YOU ALL TALKED ABOUT AND THAT WE RECEIVED IN TERMS OF THE COMMUNITY SURVEY:  PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE, SENIORS, HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, AND COMMUNITY SPACES, AND THEN THE COMMUNITY SURVEY REALLY PRIORITIZED HOMELESS SERVICES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOUSING, POLICE, STREETS, FIRE AND EMS. I'LL WALK THROUGH THOSE AREAS TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THIS IS A BUDGET THAT HAS A MAJORITY REDUCTIONS, WE ARE MAKING SOME TARGETED INVESTMENTS IN THOSE PRIORITY AREAS TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE AND THAT WE'VE DONE AS AN ORGANIZATION IN THESE AREAS. 
          LET ME START WITH THE EMPLOYEES FIRST. SO 17,000 -- I'M SORRY, I KEPT SAYING 17,000. 13,700 POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE, THE PROPOSED BUDGET, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS DURING THE JUNE WORK SESSION SESSION, I'M PROPOSING A 3% ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CIVILIAN POSITIONS. FIREFIGHTERS WILL RECEIVE A FIVE PERCENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. 
          AND POLICE, 4% IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. 
          THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE SCHEDULED TO VOTE FOR THEIR TENTATIVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT LATER ON THIS MONTH. WE'LL CERTAINLY MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT VOTE WHEN IT OCCURS BY THE END OF THE MONTH. 
          AND IF APPROVED I ANTICIPATE BRINGING THAT TO COUNCIL IN EARLY SEPTEMBER FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. OUR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WILL SEE -- WE'RE PROPOSING TO SEE AN INCREASE IN CONTRIBUTIONS, BOTH PREMIUMS AND IN TERMS OF ADJUSTMENTS IN TERMS OF OUT OF POCKET AND DEDUCTIBLES. DEPENDING ON THE HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT OUR CIVILIANS PICK PICK, THAT IMPACT WILL BE ANYWHERE FROM $6.34 A MONTH TO 178, A LITTLE OVER $178 A MONTH FOR FAMILY COVERAGE ON OUR VALUE PLAN. 
          ONE OF THE THINGS -- AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN ON COUNCIL FOR AWHILE WILL REMEMBER THIS, WE GO THROUGH A PRETTY DETAILED ANALYSIS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES, AND OUR EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES, DO THEY HAVE THE BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE RIGHT HEALTHCARE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY GO THROUGH OPEN ENROLLMENT IN THE FALL? WE'VE IDENTIFIED 111 EMPLOYEES THAT -- EVEN WITH THE THREE PERCENT ADJUSTMENT ADJUSTMENT, AND THESE PREMIUM ADJUSTMENTS, WILL SEE A NEGATIVE DECREASE IN TAKE-HOME PAY. 
          AND BASED ON OUR REVIEW, AND I SHARED THIS WITH THE EMPLOYEES ON WEBEX THIS MORNING. BASED ON OUR REVIEW, THERE ARE -- WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO DOUBLE OUR EFFORTS WITH THE EMPLOYEES AS WE GO THROUGH OPEN ENROLLMENT, PARTICULARLY WITH THESE EMPLOYEES, BECAUSE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS ARE CRITICAL AND THEY'RE IMPORTANT AND THEY CAN BE EXPENSIVE. 
          AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE NOT BEING TOO CONSERVATIVE IN TERMS OF THEIR HEALTHCARE SELECTION, SO WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH THOSE EMPLOYEES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE THE BEST SELECTION. 
          THE EMPLOYEE -- I'M SORRY, UNIFORM EMPLOYEES, THE PROPOSED TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE POLICE OFFICERS DOES HAVE ADJUSTMENTS TO DEDUCTIBLES, OUT OF POCKETS AND PREMIUMS, AND WE'LL EVALUATE THAT AS THEY GO TO THEIR -- DO THROUGH THEIR 
          [00:45:05]
VOTING PROCESS. JUST TO PUT A MARKER OUT THERE, THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE FIREFIGHTERS EXPIRES NEXT SEPTEMBER, AND SO WE'LL BE NEGOTIATING ON A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THEM PROBABLY BEGINNING IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY OF '27. SO HOMELESS SERVICES. 
          THE PROPOSED BUDGET HAS $30.8 MILLION, AND MAINTAINS OUR INVESTMENT IN THIS AREA WITH A SLIGHT INCREASE. WE ARE FOCUSED IN THE HOMELESS PROGRAM -- YOU'LL SEE THIS IN THE BUDGET WORK SESSION. WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE PRESENTATION THAT MARK CARMONA GAVE YOU ALL IN MAY, OUR SHELTER AND HOUSING FRAMEWORK. AND THAT IS REALLY KIND OF FOCUSED IN THREE MAIN AREAS, COLLABORATEING ON CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INTEGRATION, A PILOT IMPLEMENT APPROACH TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE AND RESOLVE THOSE FREQUENTLY OCCURRING ENCAMPMENT SITES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE CITY, AND THEN MAXIMIZING OUR STREET OUTREACH TO THOSE THAT IN PARTICULAR HAVE MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES. WE DO HAVE THROUGH OUR HOUSING BOND, WE HAVE $9 MILLION IN OUR CAPITAL BUDGET THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THROUGH INTEREST THROUGH THOSE BONDS. AND I'M PROPOSING THAT WE UTILIZE THAT $9 MILLION IN THIS AREA TO REALLY INCREASE BED KATIE, EMERGENCY SHELTER BED CAPACITY, AND POTENTIALLY ENHANCE DAY SERVICES TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. 
          YOU ALL WILL RECALL WE HAVE FUNDED THIS YEAR, IT ENDS THIS FALL, THE LOW BARRIER SHELTER AT CESAR CHAVEZ AND SANTA ROSA, THE HOTEL. THAT LEASE EXPIRES THIS FALL FALL. WE ARE NOT RENEWING THAT LEASE AND DID NOT HAVE MONEY SET ASIDE. PART OF THIS IS THAT NINE MILLION DOLLARS IS MEANT TO PROVIDE A STOPGAP, AND INCREASE BED CAPACITY AT SOME OF OF OUR PARTNER AGENCIES, AND WE'LL GO INTO MORE DETAIL WITH YOU IN THAT BUDGET WORK SESSION, BUT I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ACCOMPLISH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MARK LAID OUT TO YOU ALL IN THAT PRESENTATION IN MAY. IN TERMS OF HOUSING, OUR HOUSING BUDGET PRIMARILY MADE UP OF THE GENERAL FUND, BUT ALSO SOME OF OUR GRANT GRANT -- FEDERALLY GRANT FUNDED PROGRAMS IS $37.7 MILLION. 
          IT IS PROPOSED TO HAVE A 14.6% INCREASE IN ITS BUDGET BUDGET. 
          WE ANTICIPATE BY THE END OF OF -- TO BE AT 50% OF OUR TARGETED GOALS IN TERMS OF HOMES BY THE END OF FISCAL YEAR '26. AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON IN TERMS OF THE SHIP. I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS BOTH AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL AND ONE OF THE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS YOU'LL SEE AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE DEBT MANAGEMENT PLAN AND THE CAPITAL BUDGET, WILL BE ON THE 2027 PROPOSED BOND PROGRAM SO I'M SURE THIS WILL BE A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION. 
          THE BUDGET, THAT $37.7 MILLION, INCLUDES $5.7 MILLION TO ASSIST 1,820 HOUSEHOLDS IN TERMS OF RENTAL AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. 
          IT DOES INCLUDE $500,000 FOR THE VOUCHERS PROGRAM TO ASSIST THOSE 800 HOUSEHOLDS. 
          AS YOU ALL DEBATED THAT ISSUE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT BOTH AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL AND HERE AT COUNCIL, IS THAT WE WOULD REALLOCATE $500,000 OF EXISTING DOLLARS, BUT UTILIZING SOME OF THE EXISTING FUNDS THAT WE'VE GOT, WE'RE ADDING $500,000 FOR THAT PROGRAM IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET. 
          THE PROPOSED BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES MONEY, FUNDS SET ASIDE FOR 497 MAJOR AND MINOR REPAIRS. I KNOW THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH, BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A HUGELY IMPORTANT ITEM IN A PROGRAM THE CITY PROVIDES TO THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES SO THEIR FUNDING IS INCLUDED. AND THEN WE HAVE $12.7 MILLION IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR GAP FINANCING, WHICH INCLUDES FUNDING FOR A PILOT TO INCENTIVIZE THE MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING PROGRAM OR GAP THAT SOME OF YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT, COUNCILWOMAN KAUR HAS TALKED ABOUT. 
          WE'RE SETTING ASIDE FUNDS TO RUN THAT PILOT PROGRAM IN FISCAL YEAR '27, WE'RE PROPOSING TO SET ASIDE FUNDS FOR THAT. OUR STREET INVESTMENT OF $129.8 MILLION IS INCREASING BY SIX PERCENT. PART OF THIS IS DUE TO SOME OF THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE MAKING IN TERMS OF REVENUE, PROPOSING TO MAKE 
          [00:50:01]
IN TERMS OF REVENUE. OUR CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN STREETS AS WE GO INTO FISCAL YEAR '27, IT'S A TOTAL OF 1,999 PROJECTS FOR A TOTAL OF 534 MILES OF OUR STREET NETWORK THAT WILL BE MAINTAINED OR PROPOSED TO BE MAINTAINED GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR '27. OUR SIDEWALK INVESTMENT IS $12.8 MILLION, WHICH WILL CONSTRUCT 12.8 MILES, NEW MILES OF SIDEWALKS AND REPAIR 8.7 MILES OF OUR SIDEWALK NETWORK. AS PART OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PRESENTATION THAT YOU ALL WILL RECEIVE IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET WORK SESSION, WE'LL GO INTO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL IN TERMS OF OUR SIDEWALK MASTER PLAN AND THE NETWORK AND WHAT WE'RE PROJECTING. 
          A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE BOND PROGRAM. 
          WE'LL ALSO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON OUR REVIEW OF OUR STREET SMP PROGRAM, OUR STREET MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. WE ARE MAKING SOME ADJUSTMENTS WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET TO -- THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK YOU ALL DEAL WITH YOUR CIP AND YOUR NAMP FUNDING, IN TERMS OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN COSTS, WE'RE SETTING ASIDE MONEY WITHIN THE PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET TO UTILIZE THAT TO PERFORM THOSE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING AND COST ESTIMATES. 
          THAT WAY YOU CAN MAXIMIZE THOSE DOLLARS THAT ARE ALLOCATED TO THE DISTRICTS FOR THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. SO WE'LL GO INTO MORE DETAIL IN THOSE AREAS. THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING IN PUBLIC WORKS AND WE'LL WALK THROUGH THOSE WITH YOU IN THE WORK SESSION. 
          OUR ANIMAL CARE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS PROBABLY -- I SHOULDN'T SAY PROBABLY. 
          WILL SEE THE LARGEST INCREASE OF ANY GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENT. 
          THAT BUDGET IS GOING UP 12%. THE PRIMARY REASON IS THAT WE HAVE THE NEW VETERINARIAN HOSPITAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION OUT THERE AT THE CAMPUS RIGHT NOW. 
          WE ARE ADDING THE OPERATING FUNDS AND THE POSITIONS TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE THAT NEW FACILITY. AND WE DO -- THE BUDGET DOES INCLUDE SOME REDUCTIONS. 
          MINIMUM REDUCTIONS INTO THE DEPARTMENT. OVERALL, OUR STATS IN TERMS OF WORK AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES CONTINUES TO REFLECT POSITIVE MEASURES, BASED ON THE INVESTMENT THAT THIS COUNCIL HAS MADE OVER THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS. AND I'M CERTAINLY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE EXPECT TO END THIS YEAR, FISCAL YEAR '26, WITH 93.4% OF OUR CRITICAL CALLS BEING ANSWERED. THREE YEARS AGO THAT WAS AT 40%. 
          WE HAVE BEEN HYPERFOCUSED IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING THOSE CRITICAL CALLS. OUR LIVE RELEASE RATE HAS HOVERED THERE AROUND JUST BELOW 90%, AT 88%. OUR SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES CONTINUE TO ESCALATE EVERY YEAR BASED ON INVESTMENTS THAT THE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. WE ANTICIPATE CONTINUING TO GROW IN FISCAL YEAR '27 AT ALMOST 43,000 SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES. WITH ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, IT'S ABOUT ENFORCEMENT. IT'S ABOUT THE LIVE RELEASE. IT'S ABOUT ADOPTIONS. 
          AND IT'S ABOUT SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE MOVING THE BALL IN ALL FOUR COURTS BECAUSE ONE SOLUTION ISN'T GOING TO SOLVE ALL THE ISSUES. AND SO ANIMAL CARE SERVICES CERTAINLY WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN THEIR BUDGET AS PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET TODAY. 
          OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET IS AT $676 MILLION. 
          $676.5 MILLION. WE ARE PROPOSING 27 NEW SAPD OFFICERS TO PREPARE FOR THE OPENING OF THE NEW TERMINAL AT THE AIRPORT IN FISCAL YEAR '28. 
          WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A COPS GRANT FOR THOSE OFFICERS. WE ARE ALSO CONTINUING THE TRANSITION OF PARK POLICE RESPONSIBILITIES TO SAPD BY MOVING 22 PARK POLICE VACANCIES TO SAPD. YOU ALL RECALL WE GAVE YOU AN UPDATE IN LATE MAY. 
          WE APPROVED POSITIONS IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO MOVE VACANCIES INTO SAPD. 
          SOME OF THOSE FUNCTIONS WILL BEGIN TAKING OVER BY SAPD AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER. 
          THOSE POSITIONS HAVE ALL BEEN TRAINED AND RELEASED AND GRADUATED FROM THE ACADEMY. AND SO WE'LL BE CONTINUING THAT PROCESS WITH THOSE 22 VACANCIES AND PARK POLICE. THE PROPOSED BUDGET -- WE'LL GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS IN TERMS OF THE POLICE PROPOSED BUDGET IN THE WORK SESSION. 
          WE'RE EXPANDING OUR POLICE DRONE DETAIL BY REALLOCATING SOME EXISTING RESOURCES. 
          AND LOOKING TO SEE HOW WE CAN USE THOSE DRONES TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE PROACTIVE IN TERMS OF POLICE ACTIVITY. WE ARE MOVING SIX PATROL DETECTIVES THAT ARE 
          [00:55:04]
PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON EVIDENCE COLLECTION IN THE FIELD TO HOMICIDE AND SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT FOR INVESTIGATIVE PURPOSES TO HELP BALANCE OUT CASELOAD AND ADDING THREE CIVILIAN CRIME INVESTIGATORS IN THE FIELD TO TAKE UP THAT WORK. 
          PRIMARILY THIS IS BEING FUNDED BY A REDUCTION IN OVERTIME. 
          AND OVERALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PROPOSED BUDGET HAS $5.4 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS THAT ARE COMING FROM OVERTIME, LINE ITEM REVIEWS, A NOTIFICATION SYSTEM THAT WE DON'T USE VERY OFTEN AT THIS POINT, AS WELL AS THE COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS $451.2 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND. 
          PART OF THE ANALYSIS THAT WE DID IN BOTH POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WAS, AS WE LOOKED AT OVERTIME, GENERALLY SPEAKING, IN ANY ORGANIZATION, OVER TIME IF UTILIZED PROPERTY IS MORE EFFICIENT, COST EFFICIENT THAN HIRING POSITIONS. 
          AND PERIODICALLY WE REVIEW BOTH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS TO SEE WHERE ARE WE SPENDING OVERTIME IN AREAS AND WOULD IT BE A BETTER INVESTMENT IN TERMS OF ADDING POSITIONS AND REDUCING THE OVERTIME. AND SO EIGHT NEW UNIFORM POSITIONS WILL BE PROPOSED TO BE ADDED TO OUR TRAINING ACADEMY AND RECRUITMENT AND APPLICATION PROCESSING. 
          THOSE POSITIONS RIGHT NOW ARE BEING FUNDED BY OVERTIME AND WE'RE BACKFILLING THOSE POSITIONS AT THE STATION. WE WILL SEE SAVINGS BY ADDING THESE POSITIONS. 
          THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL POSITION THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO ADD TO PERFORM AND BE DEDICATED TO ANNUAL SCHOOL FIRE INSPECTIONS. AGAIN, THIS IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE HAVE BEEN UTILIZING OVERTIME. IT'S A LITTLE MORE EFFICIENT FOR US TO ADD A POSITION AND REDUCE THAT OVERTIME EXPENSE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
          OVERALL, THERE'S $3.7 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
          $2.9 MILLION OF THAT IS IN OVERTIME. AND $783,000 IN LINE ITEM REVIEWS AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE IDENTIFIED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET REVIEW. IN OUR SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FUND IS PROPOSED AT $171.6 MILLION. WE ARE PROPOSING A $1 INCREASE IN THE MONTHLY FEE FOR SOLID WASTE. WE STILL HAVE VERY COMPETITIVE RATES IN TERMS OF OUR PEER CITIES. AND THE LOCAL PRIVATE PROVIDERS -- WE'LL SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH YOU AT THE SOLID WASTE BUDGET WORK SESSION. 
          OVERALL, THE BUDGET IS PROPOSED TO GO UP ABOUT $3.1 MILLION AND THAT'S TO HELP SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS AT THE STAR CREST TRANSFER STATION, WHICH WE TOOK CONTROL OF HERE EARLIER THIS YEAR, OR LAST YEAR, FROM A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR. 
          THAT'S ONE OF THREE SITES THAT OUR SOLID WASTE CREWS USE TO REMOVE MATERIAL AND WE'RE ADDING TWO POSITIONS TO KEEP UP WITH OUR CUSTOMER GROWTH. 
          SOLID WASTE VISITS OVER 400,000 HOMES TWICE A WEEK, AND MAKING SURE WE'RE KEEPING UP WITH THAT WORK IS CRITICAL. THE AIRPORT FUND PROPOSED BUDGET IS AT $85.9 MILLION. THE INCREASE OVERALL IN THE OPERATION BUDGET IS AT 3%, WHICH ALIGNS WITH OUR FINANCIAL POLICY OUT AT THE AIRPORT. 
          WE ARE ANTICIPATING TO EXCEED 10.5 MILLION PASSENGERS THIS FISCAL YEAR. 
          AGAIN, 47 NONSTOP LOCATIONS THAT ARE FLYING OUT OF SAT WITH 12 DIFFERENT CARRIERS. 
          THE TERMINAL PROJECT, WHICH WE WILL UPDATE YOU ALL THE WORK SESSION IS UNDERWAY AND IS ON SCHEDULE, ON BUDGET, AND ON TIME TO BE COMPLETED IN SECOND QUARTER OF 2028. 
          AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE 27 OFFICERS THAT WE'RE ADDING FOR TERMINAL C WILL BE FUNDED OUT OF THE AIRPORT FUND. OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FUND, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FUNDS WE FOCUSED ON IN OUR FIVE-YEAR FORECAST AND IN OUR EARLIER CONVERSATIONS ACCOUNTS FOR ALL OUR REVENUES AND EXPENSES RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE CITY. AND OUR REVENUES ARE CERTAINLY CLOSELY TIED TO ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. WE'VE NOT INCREASED OR CHANGED THE REVENUE MODEL AT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SINCE 2008. 
          AND OVER THE LAST YEAR -- WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AS PART OF LAST YEAR'S PROPOSED BUDGET. 
          THAT WE WERE GOING TO WORK DURING THE FISCAL YEAR '26 WITH THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY TO REVISIT THESE AREAS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S CRITICAL FOR US -- AND YOU'LL SEE IN THE BUDGET 
          [01:00:03]
SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING UP WITH OUR COMMITMENTS IN TERMS OF OUR PERFORMANCE MEASURES, OUR PLAN REVIEWS, OUR INSPECTION TIMELINES, TO KEEP PROJECTS ROLLING AND MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS. WE IMPLEMENTED A STRATEGIC HIRING FREEZE IN FISCAL YEAR '26 TO BEGIN ADDRESSING PART OF OUR DEFICIT. THE FISCAL YEAR '27 PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES THE FIRST YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR PLAN TO INCREASE REVENUES BY 35%. 
          BY INCREASING REVENUES BY 15%. AGAIN, WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IN THIS AREA. THE BALANCE HERE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN OPERATE AND RESPOND TO REQUESTS, WHETHER THEY'RE RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL, IN A TIMELY MANNER. TO NOT DELAY PROJECTS. 
          WE BELIEVE THIS PROPOSED PLAN HELPS US MAINTAIN THAT AS WE GO FORWARD. 
          YOU'LL SEE ON THE TABLE THERE AT THE BOTTOM WE DID SEE A CHANGE, A DOWNWARD CHANGE IN NEW RESIDENTIAL THIS FISCAL YEAR FROM FISCAL YEAR '25. 
          WE'RE PROJECTING A SLIGHT INCREASE FOR FISCAL YEAR '27 FOR BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL. AND HOPING THAT COMMERCIAL CONTINUES TO OUTPACE THAT DEVELOPMENT. PART OF THAT RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL ASPECT TIES BACK TO OUR PROPERTY TAX AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR PLANNED TO BE CONSTRUCTED GET THROUGH THE PROCESS AND GET CONSTRUCTED ON TIME. AND THAT HELPS US FROM A NEW VALUE STANDPOINT IN TERMS OF TAXABLE VALUES ON OUR PROPERTY TAX SIDE. SO, I MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PRESENTATION THAT OUR CAPITAL BUDGET IS PROPOSED AT $1.4 BILLION. MOST OF THIS INCREASE IS DUE TO THE LARGEST PIECE OF THAT PIE CHART YOU SEE ON THE SLIDE, WHICH IS THE AIRPORT HAS A PROPOSED SPEND OF $860 MILLION, WHICH IS 61% OF OUR CAPITAL BUDGET IN FISCAL YEAR '27. 
          AND THEN THAT IS FOLLOWED BY OUR NUMBER TWO PRIORITY IN TERMS OF WORK, WHICH IS OUR STREET WORK. THAT'S THE COMPLETION OF OUR 2022 BOND PROGRAM AS WELL AS OUR SMP PROGRAM FUNDED THROUGH CAPITAL BUDGET AT $218 MILLION WORTH OF SPEND AS WE GO INTO FISCAL YEAR '27. AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE CAPITAL BUDGET WITH YOU ALL AND THE DEBT MANAGEMENT PLAN. 
          THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NEW PROJECTS THAT WE ARE PROPOSING TO ADD IN THE CAPITAL BUDGET. THE REMOVAL OF A LOW-WATER CROSSING AT BIDEL CREEK. 
          WE ARE PROPOSING TO CONTINUE THE WORK IN SHORING UP AND REBUILDING THE DAM AT RED BERRY, WHICH FLOWS INTO THE SOSALADO CREEK. WE'RE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS IN TERMS OF REPLACEMENT OF HVAC SYSTEMS AT TWO OF OUR LIBRARIES. 
          WE TRY TO DO THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO KEEP UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS AT THOSE HEAVILY-USED FACILITIES. SO OBVIOUSLY TODAY IS JUST THE BUDGET PROPOSAL. BUDGET TOWN HALLS BEGIN NEXT WEEK. 
          WE HAVE SEVEN SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK AND THREE THE FOLLOWING WEEK. 
          OUR BUDGET WORK SESSIONS BEGIN NEXT WEEK. OUR TAX RATE HEARINGS THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER HERE SHORTLY ARE ON SEPTEMBER 2 AND 10 WITH BUDGET ADOPTION ON SEPTEMBER 17. I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU THE PROPOSED BUDGET WORK SESSION THAT WE HAVE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. ON TUESDAY ALL OF THE REDUCTIONS AND ALL OF THE REVENUE. FREDDIE WILL GIVE THAT PRESENTATION. ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS WILL BE HERE TO CERTAINLY ANSWER DETAILED QUESTIONS. ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, WE WILL COVER -- MUCH LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR AS PART OF THE BUDGET WORK SESSION. PRIMARILY A FOCUS ON THE CITY-INITIATED TIRZ AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. 
          AUGUST 25TH, HOMELESS SERVICES, HUMAN SERVICES, HEALTH AND ACS. 
          ON THE 26TH, WE'LL COVER THE CONVENTION CENTER, ART, VISIT SAN ANTONIO, AIRPORT, AND DSD. ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 WILL BE AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION BECAUSE WE'LL GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE BOND. OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PLAN, OUR CAPITAL DELIVERY, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET PRESENTATION. 
          JUST IN TERMS OF THE BOND UPDATE -- AND I THINK I'VE SHARED THIS WITH ALL OF YOU. 
          BASED ON THE TAXABLE VALUES AND DECREASE IN TAXABLE VALUES, BARRING ANY CHANGE 
          [01:05:04]
THAT WE DISCUSSED AS A GROUP OR YOU ALL HAVE DISCUSSED AS A GROUP IN TERMS OF UTILIZING A VARIABLE RATE APPROACH WITH OUR BOND PROGRAM. 
          OUR CAPACITY RIGHT NOW, BASED ON THE DECLINE IN TAXABLE VALUE, IS $450 MILLION FOR A 2027 BOND PROGRAM. CERTAINLY WE'LL GO INTO A LOT MORE DETAIL WITH YOU ON SEPTEMBER 1. NOT SHOWN ON HERE IS -- BUT YOU'LL NOTICE ON THE CALENDAR WE SEND OUT WEEKLY, WE DO HAVE MARKED FOR SEPTEMBER 30TH A CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNCIL ABOUT THE 2027 BOND PROGRAM. AS SOON AS WE ADOPT BUDGET, WE'RE GOING TO GO STRAIGHT INTO THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU ALL. ON SEPTEMBER 2 WE'LL COVER FIRE, POLICE, MUNICIPAL COURT. SEPTEMBER 8, LIBRARY, PARKS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SOLID WASTE. THE 9TH WE'LL COVER ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION AND HR. 
          AND THEN AS WE HISTORICALLY HAVE DONE, ARE LEAVING TWO BUDGET WORK SESSIONS FOR YOU ALL TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS AS A GROUP AS WE APPROACH THE SEPTEMBER 17TH CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET FOR YOU ALL. 
          SO MAYOR, COUNCIL, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE FRANK CONVERSATION THAT YOU ALL HAD IN MAY AND IN JUNE. 
          IT IS INSTRUMENTAL TO US AS WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET. AND I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE RAMIFICATIONS AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TODAY AND UTILIZING THE UNUSED INCREMENT. IT HAS BEEN 33 YEARS SINCE THE CITY HAS ADJUSTED THAT TAX RATE. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE. I DON'T TAKE THAT RECOMMENDATION LIGHTLY. 
          BUT I DO FEEL LIKE, GIVEN THAT WE ARE IN A DOWNWARD CYCLE, THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AND FOR THE COMMUNITY TO MAINTAIN THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. CERTAINLY, THERE WILL BE -- I'M SURE THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF COUNCIL CONVERSATION ABOUT ALTERNATIVES TO THAT AND WE'RE PREPARED FOR THAT. BUT I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION THAT YOU ALL -- AND THE GUIDANCE THAT YOU ALL AS A GROUP HAS GIVEN US. IT WAS IMPORTANT IN PREPARATION FOR THE JUNE TRIAL BUDGET. FRANKLY INSTRUMENTAL TO THE WORK WE DID IN JULY IN TERMS OF FOCUS THAT WE TOOK FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET. 
          AND THEN LASTLY, YOU KNOW, ALL THE FOLKS BEHIND ME IN THE AUDIENCE, FROM MARIA AND JUSTINA AND FREDDIE AND THE REST OF THE ELT AND DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS IN ALL THE DEPARTMENTS. THEY HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK SINCE LATE MARCH TO PREPARE FOR THE FORECAST, THE TRIAL BUDGET, AND EVENTUALLY THE PROPOSED BUDGET WE HAVE. 
          EVERYBODY'S ON PINS AND NEEDLES BECAUSE AS I SAID AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PRESENTATION, WE'VE GOT ANOTHER MONTH OF THIS AND THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF CONVERSATION AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. BUT APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT THE FOLKS BEHIND ME DID TO GET US TO TODAY'S POINT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU, ERIK. LET ME REITERATE MY THANKS TO YOU AND THE STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED VERY HARD AND TRIED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ALL PREPARED FOR THIS MEETING. I KNOW A LOT OF HARD WORKS GOES INTO MAKING THE DETERMINATION ABOUT THESE CUTS AND IMPROVEMENTS CAN DO WHAT WE DESCRIBED, WHICH IS MINIMIZING IMPACTS ON OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND TRYING TO MINIMIZE LONG-TERM IMPACTS AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES. 
          THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS 
          ITEM. JACK FINGER. >> WELL, MAYOR JONES, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JACK FINGER AND I AM OBSERVING A FEW THINGS FROM THE PRESENTATION MADE HERE A MOMENT AGO. 
          IT'S OBVIOUS THAT YOU'RE NOT LIVING WITHIN YOUR MEANS LIKE WE, THE TAXPAYERS HAVE TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. YOU'RE GIVING A 3% INCREASE IN SALARIES TO THE BUREAUCRACY. AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU RAISING OUR TAX RATES? 3%. YOU'RE GOING TO RAISE OUR FEES FOR, WELL, 
          [01:10:03]
AMBULANCES -- YEAH. YOU'RE GOING TO RAISE OUR GARBAGE PICKUP FEES. 
          AND YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE POLICE FORCE BY A MERE PITTANCE OF 20 OR 30 INDIVIDUALS. SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN CLAMORING OUR NEEDS FOR FOR YEARS. THE CITY MANAGER AT THE BEGINNING SAID WE, THE TAXPAYERS ARE SUFFERING LIKE WE ARE IN A RECESSION. YES, IT IS LIKE WE ARE IN A RECESSION WITH INFLATION GOING UP HOW MUCH? EVERYBODY FEELS THIS. 
          WE CAN'T BUY THE STUFF, THE GROCERIES WE USED TO BUY. AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? INSTEAD OF LOWERING OUR TAXES, FOR US WHO ARE SUFFERING, YOU WANT TO RAISE IT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO INCREASE THE INCOME. THE REVENUE. 
          YOU KNOW WHAT THIS REMINDS ME OF? SOME BUREAUCRAT MANY YEARS AGO HAD A CRAZY -- SUGGESTED TO HIS GOVERNMENT OFFICES. AND THIS IS WHAT HE SAID. 
          I'M REPLACING HIS OFFICE WITH THAT OF THE CITY COUNCIL TAX HIKE. 
          THE PROPOSED TAX HIKE. CITY COUNCIL TAX HIKE, QUOTE, THE BEATINGS SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES. YEAH. 
          THE BEATINGS SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES. YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE? YOU WANT TO ADD GASOLINE TO OUR FIRES. 
          WE CAN'T AFFORD IT AND YOU SAY, WELL -- AND CONSEQUENTLY OUR PROPERTY TAX VALUES GO DOWN AND THAT BRINGS LESS REVENUE IN. WE CAN'T HAVE THAT HAPPEN. 
          WE'VE GOT TO INCREASE THE REVENUE. WHAT DO YOU DO? YOU RAISE OUR TAXES ON PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING VERY HARD TIMES SURVIVING. 
          BUT YOU DECIDE TO RAISE -- WHAT WAS THE BEDS FOR THE HOMELESS? WHAT WAS IT 9 MILLION BUCKS THERE OR SO? YOUR PRIORITIES ARE ALL 
          SKEWED. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. THAT WAS THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON ITEM 5. OKAY. 
          WE WILL MOVE ON TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION. COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE. 
          >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. I'M GOING TO BEGIN WITH THE GOOD. 
          THANK YOU TO ERIK FOR THE PRESENTATION. JUSTINA, EVERYBODY IN THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT FOR ALL OF THE WORK. I KNOW IT'S A TOUGH JOB. 
          I KNOW WE'RE IN A TOUGH SPOT SO I DON'T WANT ANY OF THAT TO GO UNNOTICED WITH, YOU KNOW, AFTER MY COMMENTS SHORTLY. BECAUSE IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT I AM NOT HAPPY AT ALL WITH WHERE WE'RE AT. AND THE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD RAISE TAXES ON THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO RIGHT NOW IS FRANKLY UNCONSCIONABLE. BUT YOU GUYS, THE WORK YOU'VE DONE, IT'S EXTREMELY VALUABLE. ONE EXAMPLE, RIGHT-SIZING LIBRARY STAFFING AGAINST A DOCUMENTED DROP IN USE. THAT'S THE EXACT KIND OF WORK THAT WE NEED TO BE DOING. I THINK I SAW UP THERE $12.8 MILLION THAT WE FOUND THROUGH OUR -- BEGINNING THE ZERO-BASED BUDGETING EFFORT, THESE BUDGET REVIEWS. 
          WE HAVE LOOKED AT THESE DEPARTMENTS. WE FOUND $12.8 MILLION. 
          THAT'S REALLY GOOD WORK BUT WE, FRANKLY, NEED MORE OF THAT. 
          AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE. WE NEED TO MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION TODAY AND THE VOTES THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE. 
          ALL RIGHT. THIS IS A FIRST STEP TO A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE ON THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO. AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. AT A TIME WHERE EVERYTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE FOR OUR CITIZENS. THE THOUGHT THAT THIS CITY GOVERNMENT WOULD SIT UP HERE AND RAISE THE PEOPLE'S PROPERTY TAXES WHEN, FRANKLY, WE JUST HAVE NOT DONE EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN YET, AS A CITY, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FRIVOLOUS, THE WASTEFUL SPENDING IS GONE. OR THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN RID OF ALL OF THE NICE TO HAVES. 
          FOR 33 YEARS WE HAVEN'T DONE THIS. WE WENT THROUGH 9/11. 
          WE WENT THROUGH THE FINANCIAL CRASH IN THE EARLY 2000S. 
          [01:15:03]
WE WENT THROUGH COVID. YET SOMEHOW WE DIDN'T RAISE TAXES ON THE CITIZENS. 
          YET SOMEHOW TODAY WE THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. 
          FRANKLY, IT'S OUTRAGEOUS. OUR TAXPAYERS DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO SIMPLY INCREASE YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET WHEN COSTS GO UP. THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE DIFFICULT CHOICES. REDUCE SPENDING, RESTRUCTURE PRIORITIES. 
          YET TODAY WE TALK ABOUT JUST LET'S BRING SOME MORE REVENUE INTO THE CITY AND RAISE TAXES ON THE CITIZENS. IT'S NOT RIGHT. GOT SO MUCH IN THIS BUDGET. 
          WE ONLY GOT THIS BUDGET BOOK A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. RIGHT? AND MY TEAM AND I WORKED OVER THE WEEKEND AND WE TOOK A LOOK AT IT. 
          SO MUCH MONEY IN HERE TO STILL BE CUT. SISTER CITIES, $300,000. 
          PROTOCOL AND DIPLOMACY, $400,000. GEO SUPPORT SERVICES, $100,000. THERE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SERVICES LINE ITEMS. $2.7 MILLION ACROSS 6.3 POSITIONS. THE WORST OF THESE IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMPLIANCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR $800,000, WHICH ACTUALLY COSTS MORE THAN THE TWO ACTUAL COMPLIANCE FUNCTIONS THAT IT SUPPORTS COMBINED. 
          HUMAN SERVICES COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT. 
          THE DESCRIPTION ON THIS ONE SAYS THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THE INDIVIDUAL ADVERTISING AND MARKETING BUDGET THAT EXISTS FOR THE DIVISION. I MEAN, THE DUPLICATION IS RIGHT THERE IN THE DESCRIPTION. MAYOR'S FITNESS COUNCIL, $700,000. MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN TELL ME -- I THINK MAYOR NIRENBERG PUT THAT INTO PLACE. MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT'S COME OUT OF THAT IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. SA TOMORROW REZONING, CITY-INITIATED REZONING OF PRIVATE PROPERTY TO CONFORM TO AN ADOPTED PLAN. 
          THEN THERE'S DUPLICATIVE EFFORTS. EFFORTS THAT WE SHOULD BE GOING TO THE COUNTY TO WORK WITH THEM ON. DOWNTOWN OPERATIONS, GENERAL FUND, PAYING FOR LANDSCAPING, LIGHTING, SANITATION WHEN WE'VE GOT PID ASSESSMENTS THAT SHOULD COVER MOST OF THIS. HOW WE CAN SIT UP HERE AND TELL THE CITIZENS WE'RE CONSIDERING RAISING THEIR TAXES WITHOUT FIRST GOING THROUGH OUR BUDGET WITH A FINE-TOOTH COMB TO CUT OUT SOME OF THIS STUFF, I CAN'T IMAGINE. AND LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS. 
          THIS IS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WITH THE WAY WE SPEND MONEY AS A CITY. 
          AND LAST NIGHT I WAS THINKING ABOUT IT AND I COMPARE IT TO THIS. 
          IN PEOPLE'S EVERYDAY LIVES, RIGHT? MAYBE THEY GO TO THE STORE TO GET THE GROCERIES FOR THE WEEK. WHILE THEY'RE THERE, THEY'VE GOTTEN IN THE HABIT OF PICKING UP THEIR FAVORITE BAG OF CANDY. 
          WHEN THEY GO TO THE MOVIE THEATER, RATHER THAN GETTING THE MEDIUM DRINK, THEY'RE IN THE HABIT OF GETTING THE LARGE. AT HOME FOR CABLE, MAYBE THEY GET NETFLIX AND HULU. AND YOU GET IN THE HABIT OF DOING THESE THINGS, YOU DO THEM OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. IT JUST BECOMES A PART OF WHAT YOU DO BUT YOU DON'T REALLY NEED TO DO THEM. THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT HERE AT CITY HALL. FOR YEARS WE SPEND ON ALL THESE THINGS AND IT JUST BECOMES A PART OF WHAT WE DO. AND WHERE DOES THAT LAND US? WITH THIS $158 MILLION DEFICIT. YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY. 
          I SAW SOMETHING THE OTHER DAY AND SOMEBODY WAS BLAMING THE MAYOR FOR THIS DEFICIT. 
          AND I SAID, NO. I MEAN, I GOT A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE MAYOR, THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THEM. 
          BUT THE MAYOR CANNOT BE BLAMED FOR THIS BUDGET DEFICIT. 
          THIS IS THE RESULT OF AT LEAST A DECADE'S WORTH OF SPENDING HABITS THAT HAVE TO STOP. AND TO BE IN THIS SITUATION AND SAY THAT THE ANSWER IS 
          [01:20:04]
TO TAKE MORE MONEY FROM THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG. 
          [APPLAUSE] I MEAN, MY BIGGEST OTHER ISSUE OF COURSE WILL COME AS NO SURPRISE. WE DO A STUDY THREE YEARS AGO FOR MORE THAN SIX FIGURES THAT SAYS WE NEED MORE OFFICERS PATROLLING THE STREETS OF SAN ANTONIO. 
          IT SAID WE NEEDED 360. I BELIEVE WE PUT 200. WE NEED ANOTHER 170. 
          I MEAN, HOW MANY INSTANCES OF CRIME AND SHOOTINGS AND WHATEVER ELSE HAVE WE SEEN JUST OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS? WE PARTNERED WITH UTSA ON THAT HOT-SPOT POLICING STUDY THAT SHOWED WHEN YOU PUT OFFICERS, VISIBLE ON THE GROUND IN HIGH-CRIME AREAS, GUESS WHAT HAPPENS. THE CRIME GOES DOWN. 
          I THINK THERE WAS A SLIDE EARLIER TODAY THAT SHOWED COUNCIL'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY. IT WAS THERE IN THE TOP. FOR THE CITIZENS AS WELL. 
          YET NOWHERE IN THIS $1.7 BILLION BUDGET CAN WE COME UP WITH A MILLION OR TWO DOLLARS TO GET SAFFE OFFICERS. HOW ABOUT ANOTHER SAFFE OFFICER IN EACH DISTRICT? WE HEAR ALL THE TIME HOW MUCH OUR CITIZENS WANT MORE SAFFE OFFICERS. MORE OFFICERS ON THE STREET HELPS DETER CRIME, KEEP OUR CITIZENS SAFE. THAT'S OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. 
          WHY IN THE WORLD, IN THIS $1.7 BILLION BUDGET IS THERE NOT MONEY FOR THAT? THIS IS -- THE TAX INCREASE BEING PROPOSED FOR THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR. 
          I DON'T EVEN THINK THAT CLOSES WHAT OUR BUDGET DEFICIT WILL BE IN FIVE YEARS. THIS IS A BAND-AID, FOLKS. IT WILL HELP GET US THROUGH THIS YEAR. IT WILL HELP GET US THROUGH NEXT YEAR. 
          FIVE YEARS FROM NOW WE'LL BE IN THE SAME SITUATION UNLESS THIS CITY GOVERNMENT RIGHT SIZES ITSELF, GETS RID OF THE WASTE. WE ARE BLOATED. 
          AND GETS BACK TO DOING WHAT A CITY GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. 
          THAT'S FOCUSED ON CORE CITY SERVICES, PUBLIC SAFETY, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. 
          WE'VE GOT TO LEAVE EVERYTHING ELSE ALONE. [APPLAUSE] 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR, THANK YOU, ERIK. THIS MORNING IS THE CITY'S FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET. 
          I RECOGNIZE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK AND THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION THAT WENT INTO DEVELOPING THE PROPOSAL, PARTICULARLY THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES BEFORE US. AS A RESULT OF OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC STATUS NATIONALLY. 
          I WANT TO THANK OUR CITY MANAGER, ERIK WALSH, DEPUTY CHIEF CITY MANAGER, MARIA VILLAGOMEZ, JUSTINA TATE FOR THEIR WORK. I UNDERSTOOD WHEN I WAS ELECTED IN 2021 AS A RESULT OF COVID AND THE ARPA DOLLARS WE WOULD GET TO THIS POINT WHERE WE WOULD NEED TO CONSIDER A PROPOSED TAX INCREASE. 
          AND I THINK YOU HAVE COME VERY CONSERVATIVELY WITH THAT VARIABLE, AND I APPRECIATE THIS. IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MENTIONED HERE AND COMMENTS THAT WILL BE MENTIONED IN THE FUTURE, WE CANNOT CUT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS BUDGET. I DO NOT BELIEVE ANY ALLEGATIONS THAT THERE HAS BEEN FRAUDULENT SPENDING. I SIT ON THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. 
          IS THERE PLACES WE CAN TIGHTEN UP? OF COURSE THERE IS. 
          BUT THIS IS ABOUT INVESTMENT. THIS IS ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. AND THIS ONLY HAPPENING IF WE INVEST STRATEGICALLY. 
          WHAT WE'RE ASKING IS NOT FOR THE CITIZENS TO BE BURDENED BUT WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO IS INVEST INTO THEIR CITY. INVEST BACK INTO THE CITY SERVICES THAT THEY EXPECT AND THAT THEY DESERVE. IN INVEST BACK INTO THE INFRASTRUCTURE. I THINK NOW, MORE THAN EVER IS THE RIGHT TIME AS WE LOOK AT THE POLICE CONTRACTS AND BRINGING FORWARD, MAKING SURE WE HAVE A WELL-FUNDED 
          [01:25:04]
POLICE DEPARTMENT. MAKING SURE WE HAVE A WELL-FUNDED CITY DEPARTMENT SO THAT PEOPLE CONTINUE TO STAY. SOME OF THE IDEAS OF THE DEPARTMENTS TO CUT, SISTER CITIES, NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES, WHERE THAT IS WHERE I AM TODAY, CONTRIBUTING AND LEARNING. I THINK IS SHORT SIGHTED AND WORKS IF YOU ARE A CITY THAT IS UNDER 60,000 PEOPLE. BUT WE ARE THE SIXTH LARGEST CITY IN SAN ANTONIO SO WE NEED TO WORK AS A LARGE CITY. 
          SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS ELECTED OFFICIALS IS TO APPROACH THIS CHALLENGE AND DO WHAT WE WERE ELECTED TO DO, WHICH IS MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS AND PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THEY NEED. THIS IS NOT A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO, IN THE FUTURE, HELPING MY RESIDENTS WITH THE HELP OF PROGRAMS FUNDED BY MY OFFICE TO -- AND WORKING IN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT THEIR BUDGET. AND THAT THEY'RE SEEING THAT THIS IS MANAGEABLE. WHEN IT COMES TO FEE WAIVERS AND FEE INCREASES, THOSE THINGS CAN BE REDUCED IF WE LOOK AT RECYCLING MORE, CONSERVATION MORE. 
          WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT OUR RATES STAY THE SAME, IF NOT LOWER, BY REDUCING OUR TRASH CAN SIZE. SO THIS PANIC, THIS GLOOM AND DOOM, I THINK WE KNOW ECONOMICALLY WE FACE CHALLENGES. WE KNOW IT'S MORE DIFFICULT TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND GET WHAT WE NEED. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT IN THE BURNING ERA THAT SOME WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE ARE. 
          I DO LOOK FORWARD TO MORE CONVERSATIONS. I DO LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND MAYBE POSSIBLY ADDING TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS, ERIK, AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING OUR CITY CONTRACTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO FUND SPECIFICALLY THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, WERE MENTIONED EARLIER. I HAVE MET WITH AND TALKED WITH ABOUT MAYBE JUST ADJUSTING TO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AND BEING MOST STRATEGIC ON HOW WE USE THE FUNDS. IN PARTICULAR, AS WE TALK ABOUT THE MOST VULNERABLE AND I THINK ABOUT SAN SAN ANTONIO EDUCATION PARTNERS, THAT IMPACTS ONE OF MY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. AND I HAVE FOUR IN DISTRICT 3, SIGNIFICANTLY. 
          SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT THAT AND WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS. MY BELIEF IS THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INVESTMENT IN THE CITY, AND TRULY A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CAN WORK SUCCESSFULLY IN AREAS ACROSS THE CITY AS THIS CITY CONTINUES TO GROW. SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND AS WE LOOK AT THE BUDGET, I THINK YOU NEED TO PROVIDE MORE THAN A WEEK'S WORTH OF WORK TO TELL ME THAT THIS VALIDATES YOUR CLAIMS OF WHY WE SHOULD CUT BUDGETS. 
          BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH WE'VE BEEN WORKING. 
          I'VE BEEN WORKING ALL SUMMER ON THIS. IN ADDITION TO WHEN I GOT ELECTED IN 2021, KNOWING THAT THIS DAY WAS COMING. SO MY CHALLENGE TO YOU IS THAT WE AS COUNCIL, IF WE ARE GOING TO PREACH THAT WE SHOULDN'T DO IT, THAT THEN COUNCIL COLLEAGUES LOOK AT THEIR OFFICES FIRST TO SEE WHERE THEY CAN SAVE MONEY AND THEN CONTRIBUTE TO PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 
          SO I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD AND HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS. 
          THE REALITY IS EVERYTHING IS GOING UP. CITY OF SAN ANTONIO NEEDS TO PROVIDE SERVICES. RESIDENTS EXPECT SERVICES AND I BELIEVE THE CITY MANAGER AND THE TEAM HAS BROUGHT A GREAT INITIAL CONVERSATION. 
          AND I THINK WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF WHERE WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THIS BUDGET WORK AND STOP WITH ALLEGATIONS THAT AFTER FOUR YEARS ON COUNCIL HAVE NOT BEEN PROVED. SO MY DISTRICT 3 BUDGET TOWN HALL WILL BE HELD AUGUST 18 FROM 6:30 TO 8:00 P.M. ON THE SOUTH SIDE LIONS SENIOR SENIOR. 
          IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS ON, PLEASE REACH OUT TO MY 
          OFFICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON TUESDAY. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. 
          [01:30:02]
          COUNCILMEMBER SPEARS. >> SPEARS: THANK YOU, MAYOR. 
          I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR YOUR HARD WORK PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. 
          I KNOW IT'S HARD AND IT'S HARD TO TRY TO APPEASE SO MANY OF US. 
          WE ALL WANT THE SAME THING BUT HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH. 
          I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S REALLY HARD TO DO. I THINK THERE'S MORE WORK TO DO. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. CAN WE LOOK AT AN ACTUAL BUDGET SCENARIO WITHOUT THE INCREMENT INCREASE AND WITHOUT THE TAX INCREASE? 
          >> WALSH: WITHOUT THE USE OF THE UNUSED INCREMENT? CERTAINLY. 
          I THINK I'M ANTICIPATING THAT YOU ALL ARE GOING TO WANT TO SEE AN ALTERNATIVE. 
          BUT WE DON'T HAVE ONE PREPARED RIGHT NOW. BUT IT WOULD PROBABLY TIE BACK TO SOME OF THE REDUCTIONS THAT WE SHOWED YOU IN THE TRIAL BUDGET THAT WE DID NOT PROPOSE, AS WELL AS SOME ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WE SHOWED YOU IN JUNE. 
          BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY WORK ON A COUPLE OF SCENARIOS, ACTUALLY. 
          >> SPEARS: OKAY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE HOW MUCH WE COULD SAVE IF WE DID A -- JUST AN ACROSS THE BOARD PERCENTAGE-WISE ON NON-MANDATED SPENDING, LIKE A 1%, 3%, 5%. AND ALSO WHICH DEPARTMENTS HAD THE BIGGEST INCREASE, OTHER THAN POLICE AND FIRE AND THE LARGEST DECREASE, OTHER THAN POLICE AND FIRE. 
          I WANT TO ECHO WHAT COUNCILMAN WHYTE SAID. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALSO WHERE WE'RE DUPLICATING SERVICES THAT THE COUNTY -- THAT WE CAN COME ALONGSIDE THE COUNTY OR OTHER SUBURBAN CITIES AND WORK TOGETHER, COMBINE FUNDING. 
          TOP OF MIND WOULD BE ACS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW WE COULD DO THAT. 
          YOU MENTIONED WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE FREEZE ON NONESSENTIAL HIRING. 
          I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALREADY HAVE THE NUMBER ON HOW MUCH THAT SAVES US. 
          BUT I'D BE INTERESTED IN THAT. DO YOU ALREADY HAVE IT? 
          >> WALSH: GO AHEAD, JUSTINA. WE DO HAVE THAT BUILT INTO 
          THE 27-28. >> IT'S ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN FISCAL YEAR 2027. 
          AND WE'RE PROJECTING ABOUT $2 MILLION IN 2028. >> SPEARS: THANK YOU. 
          I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE DETERMINED WHICH PROGRAMS CREATED THE COVID-RELATED -- WITH COVID-RELATED FUNDING AND HOW WE DECIDED WHICH ONES 
          REMAIN IN THE BUDGET. >> WALSH: SO, COUNCILWOMAN, DO YOU WANT ME TO ANSWER AT THE END? I DON'T WANT TO TAKE YOUR TIME. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: FREEZE THE TIME, IF YOU WANT TO. YEAH, FREEZE THE TIME, 
          PLEASE. >> WALSH: SO WHEN THE CITY UTILIZED ARPA DOLLARS, WE EXPRESSLY AVOIDED CREATING RECURRING EXPENSES WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND. 
          FRANKLY, UNLIKE A LOT OF OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE COUNTRY. 
          THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF PROGRAMS THAT WE FUNDED INITIALLY WITH ARPA IN 2021 THAT WE ASSUMED INTO THE GENERAL FUND IN 2022. AND THEY WERE SOME INCREASES TO OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM. THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT FOR SENIOR CENTER HOURS, WHICH WE FUNDED. BUT BY FAR THE MAJORITY OF THE MONEY, PRACTICALLY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT THAT WE SPENT IN TERMS OF ARPA, WAS SPENT ON ONE-TIME THINGS OR WAS SPENT ON ONE-TIME FUNDING OF AGENCIES THAT WENT THROUGH THE COUNCIL PROCESS. SO WE DON'T HAVE -- WE'RE NOT -- UNLIKE SOME OF THE OTHER TEXAS CITIES THAT ARE FEELING THE PINCH BECAUSE OF THE ELIMINATION OF ARPA FUNDS, THAT'S NOT CAUSING OUR ISSUE. BECAUSE WE DIDN'T FUND POLICE OFFICERS WITH IT. WE DIDN'T DO STREET MAINTENANCE WITH IT. 
          WE FOCUSED IT ON ONE-TIME SOURCES. >> SPEARS: OKAY. 
          GOOD. THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR. HERE'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M STRUGGLING WITH. YOU KNOW, IN THE PROPOSAL WE RECEIVED, WE'RE REDUCING EACH DISTRICT'S CAPITAL BUDGET BY $800,000. AND I'M REALLY STRUGGLING ON HOW I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN TO MY CONSTITUENTS WHY SOME NONESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEIR STREETS. SO I'M GOING TO HAVE A REALLY HARD TIME WITH THAT ONE. IF WE CAN -- THAT'S A HUGE DECREASE AND HIT TO EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WITHIN OUR DISTRICTS. 
          I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE THE CLEAR, MEASURABLE BENCHMARKS WE'RE GOING TO USE TO PROVE THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE WORKING AND THAT TAXPAYERS ARE SEEING RESULTS. 
          [01:35:01]
THE ONES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT KEEPING. AND IF WE'VE DONE A FULL REVIEW OF ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS AT THE CITY. 
          WANTED TO THANK JUSTINA. WE HAD A COUPLE OF EXTRA BUDGET TOWN HALLS FOR DISTRICT 9. I WAS TRYING TO REACH ALL THE QUADRANTS EARLY ON. 
          SHE GAVE TO ALL OF THEM AND ART AND MARIA CAME. WE HAD A ROBUST DISCUSSION ABOUT THE TAX RATE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME DURING THIS BUSY TIME. 
          AND ALSO I'M HAPPY TO HEAR YOU'RE GOING TO BE BREAKING OUT THE TAX INCREMENT BY DISTRICT AT OUR TOWN HALLS. THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION I GOT FROM MY DISTRICT WAS THAT. SO THIS PAST TUESDAY WE GOT AN E-MAIL, A CITYWIDE E-MAIL FOR EMPLOYEES FROM OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS ABOUT RESULTS-BASED ACCOUNTABILITY. THE TRAINING ASKS FOR THREE VERY BASIC QUESTIONS:  HOW MUCH DID WE DO? HOW WELL DID WE DO IT? AND IS ANYONE BETTER OFF? THREE QUESTIONS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS. AND I THINK THAT THAT'S A GOOD STANDARD FOR US TO BE USING WHILE WE'RE DOING -- THROUGH THE BUDGET DISCUSSION. EVERY DEPARTMENT -- I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVERY DEPARTMENT ASKING -- IF YOU'RE ASKING TAXPAYERS FOR MORE MONEY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE OWE OUR TAXPAYERS. 
          AND I WANT TO SEE -- I'M CURIOUS ABOUT HOW OUR RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO ANSWER THEM. THOSE ARE THINGS I'M GOING TO BE PUTTING OUT TO MY RESIDENTS AS WELL. WE'RE JUST FALLING SHORT. I THINK BEFORE WE ASK TAXPAYERS FOR ANYTHING, WE NEED TO SHOW WHAT THEY'RE GETTING FOR THEIR MONEY RIGHT NOW. TOM CRUISE SAYS SHOW ME THE MONEY. 
          THEY WANT TO SEE HOW ARE YOU SPENDING OUR MONEY. SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING HARD AT THIS. WE HAVE BEEN DIVING INTO IT AS WELL. 
          COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN HAS BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD. BUT WE CANNOT SPEND OUR WAY OUT OF THIS DEFICIT. LET'S BE HONEST. THE REASON WE'RE HERE IS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ANNEXING OUR WAY ANYMORE. WE CAN'T GROW OUR ECONOMIC BASE ANYMORE. SO THAT IS AN EXPECTED RESULT OF THE CHANGE IN ANNEXATION. WHEN YOU COUPLE THAT WITH OUT OF TOUCH SPENDING, WE ARE IN A BIND. THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE JUST BUILDING, BUILDING, AND BUILDING AND NOW WE'RE IN A BIND. BUT WE CANNOT SPEND OUR WAY OUT OF THE DEFICIT. THE CUTS ARE REALLY A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION. 
          SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IS REALLY THE LONG-TERM PATH FORWARD. AND WE DO THAT THROUGH ECONOMIC GROWTH. SO THAT MEANS MORE JOBS, BETTER-PAYING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS. WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS. I'M LOOKING FOR A RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE'RE SPENDING. MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE JUST REALLY GETTING WHAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO IT. I DO LOOK AT THIS THE SAME WAY AS A HOUSEHOLD DOES. 
          YOU DON'T RESPOND TO A DECREASE IN INCOME BY INCREASING YOUR SPENDING. 
          AND, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES DO THIS ALL THE TIME. THEY PRIORITIZE THEIR SPENDING. THEY DO ONLY THE MUST-HAVES AND NOT THE NICE TO HAVES. 
          WE HAVE TO SEPARATE WHAT WE NEED FROM WHAT WE WANT. I HAD -- ON SLIDE 11 AND 17 -- 11, I GUESS. IT'S SAYING NEW POLICE PATROL BUT -- THIS IS IT. 
          ON 11. I JUST -- I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE DON'T HAVE MORE POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS IN THIS TRIAL BUDGET. 
          THAT'S THE PRIORITY ON BOTH THE COUNCIL PRIORITY AND COMMUNITY SURVEYS. 
          AND DEFINITELY IN MY COMMUNITY SURVEY THEY'RE SAYING THAT. 
          AND HOMELESS SERVICES INCORPORATES BOTH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS WHEN THEY GO OUT TO DO ANY ABATEMENTS OR INTERVENE IN ANY WAY. AND, YOU KNOW, WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO A FIRE AND NEEDS AND RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND WE HAVEN'T DONE THAT. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN BE SURE WE'RE MEETING THAT MARK. I KNOW I HAVE GREAT CONCERN ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS FOR THIS GROWING, LARGE CITY AND POLICE OFFICERS AS WELL. 
          PRESENCE IS DETERRENCE AND WE NEED SOME PATROL. WE NEED SOME SAFFE. 
          I WANT TO ADD AS MANY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN FOR BOTH. IT'S EASILY THE NUMBER ONE THING I HEAR IN MY DISTRICT, FAR AND ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE IS RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY. I THINK WE HAVE TO DO THAT. I MENTIONED THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT. THE HOUSING -- WHERE'S THE HOUSING SLIDE? 
          [01:40:05]
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE A BIG CITY AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HELPING 497 PEOPLE -- THANKS. WITH $15.7 MILLION. THAT IS A TON OF MONEY PER PERSON OR PER HOUSEHOLD. SAME WITH THE HOUSEHOLDS ON THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE. 
          THAT EQUATES TO LIKE $3,000 PER HOUSEHOLD. I WANT US TO BE HELPING PEOPLE BUT I WANT TO HELP MORE PEOPLE AND THAT JUST SEEMS LIKE A LOT PER HEAD. 
          SO I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT. AND A STRATEGY ON THE GAP FINANCING AS WELL. BUT I HAVE SOME IDEAS. I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO DIVE DEEP WITH EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT . 
          I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT AT THE FRONT OF THE BOOK THAT COUNCILMEMBER WHYTE REQUESTED. WE APPRECIATE THAT. 
          MY LAST TOWN HALL IS AUGUST 19TH AT WALKER RANCH, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU THERE AND STAFF TO HEAR THE CONCERNS AND SEEING THE BUDGET BREAKOUT. 
          BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO HERE BUT CLEARLY I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT'S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, IT'S PUBLIC SAFETY, AND WE'VE GOT TO GROW OUR ECONOMY IN A NEW WAY. WE CAN'T ANNEX SO WE'VE GOT TO GROW IT BY GOOD-PAYING JOBS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER -- >> WALSH: MAYOR, I WANT TO REINFORCE WHAT YOU SAID. I DON'T KNOW IF -- I DIDN'T NECESSARILY TALK ABOUT IT IN MY PRESENTATION BUT I DID IN THE LETTER TO YOU ALL ON THE BUDGET. 
          CERTAINLY, WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT BUDGET WORK SESSION. AS PART OF THAT WORK SESSION, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO UPDATE YOU ALL ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK WORK THAT WE'RE DOING. AND THEN THE INCENTIVE POLICY THAT WE NEED TO REVIEW BY THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR. 
          THOSE TWO THINGS -- AND PART OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE CONTINUING TO RECOMMEND TO YOU STRONGLY IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON JOB AND WAGE GROWTH. 
          THAT WE FOCUS ON EXPANSION OF CURRENT EMPLOYERS AND THE RECRUITMENT OF NEW EMPLOYERS TO THE CITY. AND FRANKLY, FROM A SHORT TERM OR LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE, ADDITIONAL PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THIS CITY IS CRITICAL. 
          I KNOW THE MAYOR IS WORKING ON A NUMBER OF THOSE FRONTS IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES. 
          OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH GREATER:SATX. BUT OVERALL, I THINK THE REFLECTION THAT WE HAD OVER THE SUMMER IS WE'RE LOOKING AT NEGATIVE TAXABLE VALUE GROWTH IN THIS CITY. WE NEED TO BUFFER AND BOLSTER OURSELVES. 
          AND EVERYTHING WE DO SHOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF THOSE THREE THINGS. 
          AND WHEN I SAY "EVERYTHING," THAT MEANS MAKING SURE WE'RE MAINTAINING PARKS. 
          THERE'S A BIG QUALITY OF LIFE ASPECT OF THAT. PUBLIC SAFETY IS CERTAINLY CRITICAL. INFRASTRUCTURE IS CRITICAL. BUT THOSE INCENTIVE POLICIES AND THAT FRAMEWORK CONVERSATION THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WITH YOU ALL ALL, AND WE'RE GOING TO INITIATE IT THROUGH THE BUDGET CONVERSATION. 
          HOW DO WE BOLSTER THOSE THINGS AND PUT IT ON STEROIDS? WE NEED TO DO MORE AND WE NEED MORE PRIVATE INVESTMENT. 
          >> SPEARS: TOTALLY AGREE, ERIK. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE GAVITO. 
          >> GAVITO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF, JUSTINA, YOU'RE AMAZING. 
          THANK YOU FOR LEADING THE TEAM TO GET THIS READY FOR US. 
          I KNOW WHILE MANY OF US WERE ENJOYING JULY, Y'ALL WERE REALLY HARD AT WORK. 
          I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE ALL Y'ALL'S EFFORTS. I COME FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD AND I KNOW THAT THINKING ABOUT CUTS IS A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT THING TO DO. SO IT'S NOT LOST ON ME WHAT IS AHEAD OF US NOW. 
          WHILE I THINK THE FIRST ROUND OF REDUCTIONS MAKES SENSE TO ME, I DO THINK THERE'S STILL A WHOLE LOT MORE WORK TO DO. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE UPCOMING BUDGET BRIEFINGS WHERE WE'RE GOING INTO DETAIL ON ALL OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. I CANNOT GET ON BOARD WITH A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE RIGHT NOW AT ALL. I DO THINK THAT, AS I MENTIONED, THERE'S STILL A WHOLE LOT OF WORK TO DO FOR US AS A CITY TO TIGHTEN OUR BELT. 
          TO ME, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE COGNIZANT OF WHAT FAMILIES ARE FACING RIGHT NOW. WE KNOW IT'S HIGHER COSTS AT THE GROCERY STORE. 
          WE KNOW IT'S HIGHER COSTS WHEN THEY'RE GETTING GAS. I CAN'T, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, 
          [01:45:03]
ADD ANOTHER BURDEN FOR SO MANY FAMILIES IN SAN ANTONIO. 
          TO ME, IT'S NOT RIGHT TO DO. WE KNOW WE HAVE A POTENTIAL SAWS RATE INCREASE COMING UP. WE KNOW THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE ALSO FEELING THE PINCH AND CAN POTENTIALLY ADD MORE TO OUR RESIDENTS. 
          AND REALLY THE ECONOMY BEING WHAT IT IS. AGAIN, I CAN'T, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, ADD AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN FOR SO MANY FAMILIES IN OUR CITY. 
          AND I KNOW THAT I MIGHT TAKE SOME HEAT FOR AGREEING WITH SOME OF THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF THE DAIS BUT TO ME THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN ISSUE, THIS IS AN AFFORDABILITY ISSUE. WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING FOR OUR RESIDENTS. AGAIN, THEY ARE FEELING THE SQUEEZE FROM ALL ANGLES. 
          AND WE CAN'T -- I KNOW THAT THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE WORK THAT WE CAN DO. 
          AND THE CITY DOES NOT NEED TO PILE ON ON THEM AT THIS TIME. 
          IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO PUT THESE REDUCTIONS INTO PERSPECTIVE. 
          I KNOW $158 MILLION DEFICIT SOUNDS MASSIVE BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE OF CUTS THAT WE ARE MAKING FROM OUR GENERAL FUND, THIS YEAR WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE A 1.6% CUT IN OUR GENERAL FUND. NEXT YEAR WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE AROUND A 2% CUT IN OUR GENERAL FUND. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY DOABLE. WE ABSOLUTELY CAN MAKE THOSE CUTS. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES, TOUGH DECISIONS? ABSOLUTELY. 
          SO MANY COMPANIES FACE 10% REDUCTIONS. WE'RE LOOKING AT CUTTING AROUND I AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN WHYTE IN THAT WHAT HAPPENED IS WE GOT SO USED TO DOING SO MANY THINGS. I KNOW WE TALK A LOT ABOUT FOCUSING ON OUR CORE SERVICES. IT IS OUR JOB TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER'S DOLLARS. THEY EXPECT THOSE CORE SERVICES TO BE DONE FOR THEM. AND EVERYTHING ELSE NOT NECESSARILY EXPECTED. 
          WE'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CORE SERVICES ARE MET. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THEY LIVE IN A SAFE CITY, THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH POLICE OFFICERS, THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH FIREFIGHTERS. 
          THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET ATTACKED BY A DANGEROUS DOG. 
          WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE CORE SERVICES. AND EVERYTHING ELSE, UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO TIGHTEN UP. BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, 1.6% REDUCTION IN OUR GENERAL FUND THIS YEAR. 2% REDUCTION NEXT YEAR. 
          I MEAN, IS ABSOLUTELY DOABLE. I FEEL AT THE END OF THE DAY IT DOES COME DOWN TO AFFORDABILITY AND I FEEL THAT WHEN WE'RE FIELDING CALLS FROM RESIDENTS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR CPS BILL. 
          FROM RESIDENTS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR SAWS BILL. 
          FOR RESIDENTS ASKING ASSISTANCE FINDING FOOD, I FEEL THAT IF WE'RE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN THAT WE AS A CITY ARE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN FOR THEM. 
          YOU KNOW, IT CREATES A SNOWBALL EFFECT. I'M NOT SURE THAT THEY CAN BOUNCE BACK OUT OF THAT. AND, YOU KNOW, EARLIER THIS WEEK I WAS AT A SENIOR CENTER AND I HAD SEVERAL SENIORS TELL ME, MARINA, WE'RE HAVING TO MAKE THOSE CHOICES ON WHETHER THEY PAY FOR INSULIN OR THEIR WATER BILL. 
          OUR SENIORS ARE ON FIXED INCOMES . AGAIN, US CHOOSING TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON THEM DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT TO ME. ESPECIALLY WHEN, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, CUTTING 1.6% OF OUR GENERAL FUND. WE ABSOLUTELY CAN DO THAT WORK. ONE OF THE THINGS IS -- WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS EARLIER, KIRK WATSON, THE MAYOR OF AUSTIN, HE VOTED AGAINST THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET AND THEIR PROPOSED TAX INCREASE. WHEN I WAS READING THE SUMMARY ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW LEADERSHIP REQUIRES BEING ABLE TO SAY NO. AND WE HAVE TO SAY NO TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE GOT USED TO DOING. AND AGAIN, THESE ARE DIFFICULT DECISIONS. 
          THESE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE DECISIONS BUT THEY ARE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO RIGHT NOW. ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS I TOOK FROM IT WAS HE SAID COMPASSION SHOULD BE MEASURED BY THE LIVES WE IMPROVE, NOT BY THE DOLLARS WE APPROPRIATE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS EXTREMELY SPOT ON BECAUSE SOMETIMES I THINK WE GET SO USED TO SPENDING AND, OH, WE HAVE TO HELP THIS NONPROFIT OR THIS AND WE'RE USED TO DOING THIS. AND THEN OUR BUDGET BALLOONS 
          [01:50:05]
UNDERNEATH US. AND AGAIN, TAXPAYERS EXPECT US TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THEIR TAX DOLLARS AND PROVIDE CORE CITY SERVICES. NOTHING ELSE. 
          SO WE'VE GOT TO DO THAT. I DO THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS ON REQUESTING THE BUDGET WITH NO TAX INCREASE BECAUSE I DEFINITELY HAD ASKED FOR THAT AS WELL. 
          SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AS WE'RE COMING THROUGH THESE DISCUSSIONS. 
          AND, YOU KNOW, I'LL CLOSE WITH THIS. WE UP HERE WERE ELECTED TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS. THIS IS JUST PART OF OUR JOB JOB, YOU KNOW, AND WE ARE LUCKY TO WORK WITH AN AMAZE AMAZING CITY STAFF TO HELP US FIND THESE REDUCTIONS, BUT THERE'S HARD WORK IN FRONT OF US, BUT I KNOW TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT. 
          THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND. WE CAN CUT 1.6% OF THE GENERAL FUND, WE CAN CUT 2% 2% OF THE GENERAL FUND. IT'S GOING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. SO THAT WAY WE DO NOT PASS THE BURDEN ON TO OUR RESIDENTSS. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER MS. IS A MEZA GOÁ. >> GONZÁLEZ: THANK YOU. 
          THANK YOU TO JUSTINA AND MARINA AND THE ENTIRE BUDGET TEAM FOR GETTING US HERE. 
          I KNOW THIS IS A LOT OF CREATIVITY BEHIND THIS PRESENTATION, AND LISTENING TO US AS A COUNCIL, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY. I THINK THE SURVEY -- THE PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE AND THE SURVEY, I THINK THEY [INDISCERNIBLE] AT TIMES. 
          I SEE HOMELESSNESS COME UP A LOT MORE, EVEN WHEN I'M AT H HOA MEETINGS, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE TALK ABOUT REGULARLY. SO I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THIS BUDGET IS BALANCED, NOT JUST FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT ACROSS THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD. 
          AND I KNOW THIS DOES NOT COME WITHOUT DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS, SO I KNOW THAT CONVERSATIONS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE. I DO THINK THIS IS A STRONG STARTING POINT FOR US. THE TOUGH QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE ARE THE TOUGH QUESTIONS I GET FROM MY RESIDENTSS AND THAT I'M RELAYING SO NOT JUST MARK'S PRIORITIES, BUT OUR RESIDENTSS. OUR RESIDENTSS DON'T COME TO CITY HALL EVERYDAY, THEY DON'T COME TO COMMITTEE MEETINGS. THEY DON'T COME TO A SESSION SESSION, B SESSION. THEY HEAR ABOUT MOST OF THE STUFF ON THE NEWS, THROUGH OUR NEWSLETTERS AND ACTIVITIES WE DO WITH THEM. I THINK IT REFLECTS THOSE PRIORITIES THAT WE'RE HEARING ON PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE, HOMELESSNESS AGAIN. SO AGAIN, I DO THINK THIS IS A STRONG STARTING POINT. 
          I SUPPORT EXPANDING THE HOMELESSNESS SERVICES, ESPECIALLY ON THOSE ENCAMPMENT DECOMMISSIONING PILOT TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE THOSE AREAS. 
          I THINK THIS COMES UP IN DISTRICT 8 QUITE A BIT. AND WE TALKED ABOUT WE CAN'T ANNEX OUR WAY OUT OF THIS. SO MAKING SURE THAT THOSE AREAS BECOME WHAT THEY NEED TO BE TO BE A TAX BASE FOR US, RIGHT? SO THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND I WOULD SUPPORT AN ADDITIONAL RAISING OF THIS FEE TO SPUR GREATER INVESTMENT IN THOSE AREAS AS WELL. BUT I ALSO THINK THAT ABATEMENT APPROACH IS ONLY AS STRONG AS THE CITY'S CAPACITY TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL AND PERMANENT HOUSING. SO THAT WAY THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT PULLED BACK INTO THE STREET AND THEN WE'RE HERE AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. 
          SO I THINK AS THIS PILOT MOVES FORWARD IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE HAVE HOUSING READY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO CHOOSE TO LEAVE THE STREETS AND ARE READY FOR HOUSING. SO QUESTION FOR STAFF. JUST -- HAS STAFF ESTIMATED 
          ANY INCREASE IN HOUSING AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT PROGRAM? >> COUNCILWOMAN, WE'VE DONE PRELIMINARY, WE'LL GO INTO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL IN THE WORK SESSION IN TERMS OF THE PLAN THAT MARK LAID OUT TO YOU IN MAY. WE DO THINK THAT WITH SOME ADDITIONAL CAPACITY WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE OR HELP ACQUIRE AS PART OF THAT NINE MILLION DOLLARS IN CAPITAL BOTH IN TERMS OF DAY CENTER AS WELL AS EMERGENCY 
          OVERNIGHT SHELTER. >> GONZÁLEZ: THANK YOU. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF MAINTAINING OUR FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. I THINK ANOTHER COLLEAGUE MENTIONED THE CONCERN ON THE DECREASE IN OUR CIP FUNDING, THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT WE 
          [01:55:05]
WORK WITH NEIGHBORHOODS ON THAT GET A LITTLE BIT OF BOOST COMING FROM US. 
          THEY GET ELEVATE AND WE CAN WORK ON THOSE QUICKLY. SO DECREASING THAT CIP FUNDING IS CONCERNING FOR ME AND MY RESIDENTSS. I AM GLAD TO SEE THE FUNDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS. I THINK IT'S HVAC AT THE BOB ROSS SENIOR CENTER I THINK IS INCLUDED IN THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS. I DO SUPPORT THE COST OF LIVING INCREASE. I THINK OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW OUR CITY EMPLOYEES ARE THE ONES THAT DO THIS WORKDAY IN AND DAY OUT. SO I THINK THIS INCREASE IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEPING THEIR PAY IN STEP WITH INFLATION AND THE OTHER PRESSURES ON OUR WORKFORCE. I DO APPROVE THE PROPOSED FEE INCREASES THAT WERE LAID OUT, INCLUDING THE INCREASES TO THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT FEES FOR BOTH THE TYPE ONE AND TYPE TWO SHORT-TERM RENTALS. AND I HOPE THAT MAKES ITS WAY IN YOUR BUDGET TOWN HALL HALLS. I THINK IT'S JUST IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW THEM SPECIFICALLY THOSE FEES THAT WE'RE INCREASING. 
          AND ALSO DO WE HAVE MAYBE A COLUMN THAT WE CAN INCLUDE THERE THAT SHOWS THEM THE LAST TIME WE INCREASED THOSE FEES? I THINK IT'S -- SO FOLKS REALLY DO KNOW THAT THIS ISN'T JUST A NORMAL, YOU KNOW, FEE INCREASE OR WE REALLY ARE LOOKING BACK TO EVERY POSSIBLE FEE THAT WE HAVE. 
          AND YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT FEES. THE LAST TIME THOSE WERE 
          INCREASED, WAS THAT IN 2008? >> YES, MA'AM. >> GONZÁLEZ: WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERY FEE POSSIBLE. I THINK THAT PROVIDE MORE CONTEXT TO OUR RESIDENTSS. AND ALSO I THINK SLIDE 8, I KNOW WE'LL HAVE THOSE SPECIFIC NUMBERS FOR OUR DISTRICT WHICH I THINK IS SO IMPORTANT. 
          I GOT ASKED THIS QUESTION LAST NIGHT. BUT REALLY GIVING FOLKS THE LAY OF THE LAND OF WHERE WE ARE. I MEAN, YOU SEE 47% OF HOMESTEADS ARE FROZEN. WHENEVER I SEE THAT NUMBER IT'S ALWAYS A REMINDER OF REALLY WHERE THAT PUTS US. I APPRECIATE THOSE EXEMPTIONS AND FAMILIES RELY ON THEM AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. I JUST THINK THAT PAINTS A BROADER PICTURE FOR RESIDENTSS. ON THE REDUCTIONS, THE PROPOSED CUTS TO THE -- I KNOW WE'LL GET INTO THIS IN THE OTHER BUDGET WORK SESSIONS BUT ON THE 48 PROGRAMS FOR THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, 
          THERE'S SOME CUTS BEING MADE MADE? >> WHICH AREAS, COUNCILWOMAN 
          COUNCILWOMAN? >> GONZÁLEZ: THE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING. 
          JUSTINA IS COMING. >> IT'S INCLUDED IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2028 PLAN. 
          >> GONZÁLEZ: SO IT'S COMBINED K THAT'S ONLY IN. ONLY IN 27. 
          IF THERE'S ANY OTHER SERVICES THAT WE OFFER IN THE CITY THAT OFFSET THOSE CUTS. SO WHATEVER THE COMMUNITY IS -- THOSE PROGRAMS PROVIDE FOR THE COMMUNITY '90S CUTS ARE? I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THAT INCREASE TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING. I HEAR THAT EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING I ATTEND MAKING SURE THAT POLICE GET THERE SOONER, THE RESPONSE TIME IS WHAT FOLKS ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON IN MY DISTRICT. MAKING SURE WE HAVE THOSE POLICE OFFICERS THE THINGS THEY NEED TO PROVIDE SAFETY TO OUR RESIDENTSS. 
          I THINK THAT'S IT. THAT'S FOR NOW. THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS. SO AGAIN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT OUR RESIDENTSS KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN, AND THIS IS JUST THAT FIRST STEP IN THIS PROCESS. SO MAKING SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR BUDGET BALANCED AND MAINTAIN FUNDING FOR CORE SERVICES THAT OUR RESIDENTSS CARE MORE ABOUT IS MY FOCUS. 
          SO THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. 
          >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, ERIK, FOR THE PRESENTATION, AS WELL AS JUSTINA, ALFRED AND THE ENTIRE BUDGET TEAM. I APPRECIATE THE DUE DILIGENCE OF YOUR TEAM. 
          EVERY YEAR I'M UP HERE GIVING DIRECTION FOR A BUDGET ON BEHALF OF DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTSS I'M ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK AND THE EXERCISES THAT YOU AND 
          [02:00:04]
YOUR ENTIRE TEAM GO THROUGH TO ENSURE THAT AS WE WORK OUT WAY THROUGH THE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS WE'RE EQUIPPED WITH ALL THE INFORMATION TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION ON BEHALF OF OUR CONSTITUENCY. THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH. WITH THAT I'M PLEASED TO SEE WITHIN THE BUDGET THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE THE THREE PERCENT COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR CITY OF SAN ANTONIO EMPLOYEES. GRATEFUL THAT THE FIRM SHARED AT THE TOWN HALL TODAY THAT THAT WAS GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET. 
          I KNOW THAT'S A PRIORITY FOR DISTRICT 5 RESIDENTSS, MANY OF WHICH ARE CITY EMPLOYEES, SO THANK YOU. SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THIS IS BECAUSE A CITY EMPLOYEE HAS REACHED OUT REGARDING HEALTHCARE COVERAGE AND I'M GRATEFUL SHE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH HR HR, BUT TO CONDUCT AN ANALYSIS IN TERMS OF WHAT HEALTHCARE COVERAGE LOOKS LIKE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES HERE IN SAN ANTONIO IN COMPARISON TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN. 
          HER SPECIFIC REQUEST WAS FOR US TO EXPLORE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND TO COMPARE AND WHERE THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SUPPORT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES REGARDING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO EVALUATEING AND PREPARING FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE. WITH THAT I'M PLEASED TO SEE THERE'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSION AROUND SALARY. WILL THAT ALSO APPLY TO LGC 
          EMPLOYEES? >> YES. YES, COUNCILWOMAN, BUT WE'RE NOT FUNDING COMPLETE COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENTS. SO IT WILL VARY ON WHERE WE HAVE THE BIGGEST NEED IN TERMS OF THE EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE, BUT ANY COMPRESSION ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE DO WHETHER IT'S IN '27 OR '28 OR FORWARD HAS ALWAYS 
          INCLUDED THE LGC PORTION. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. 
          I APPRECIATE IT. I KNOW OUR LGC EMPLOYEES WILL APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL WELL. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T -- IF THEY ASK ME FOR THINK ADVOCACY, [INDISCERNIBLE], THANK Y'ALL Y'ALL. 
          IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONE THING THAT STOOD OUT TO ME AND READING IN THE BOOK IS THE LIBRARY CIRCULATION REDUCTION. AND WITH THAT NUMBER. 
          I CREATED A LITTLE TAB THAT HAS NO EXCLAMATION MARK THAT HAS DECREASED BY 40%. 
          IS THAT BASED OFF THE CIRCULATION OF BOOKS OR ARE WE TRACKING INDIVIDUALS 
          GOING IN AND OUT OF THE LIBRARY AS WELL? >> WE ARE TRACKING THAT, BUT THE PRIMARY RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET REVIEW WAS THAT WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE ELECTRONIC BOOK CHECKOUTS AND VIRTUAL BOOK CHECKOUTS THAN WE ARE THE ACTUAL BOOKS. SO THERE'S BEEN A DECREASE IN THE MATERIAL CHECKOUT. 
          SO THE STAFFING ANALYSIS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION DID AND BUDGET AND LIBRARY DEPARTMENT WAS HOW DOES OUR WORKFORCE MATCH UP, OUR STAFFING MATCH UP TO THE ACTIVITY? CERTAINLY THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT VISIT THE LIBRARY THAT GO THERE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, MAYBE NOT ALWAYS TO CHECK OUT A BOOK, PER SE, BUT WE THINK WE'VE REACHED A BALANCE IN TERMS OF THE NECESSARY STAFFING AT THOSE POSITIONS, AT THE LIBRARY, TO ACCOMMODATE THE PUBLIC TO COME INTO THE FACILITYIES. 
          >> CASTILLO: I UNDERSTAND AND I APPRECIATE THAT BECAUSE AGAIN, FOLKS ARE WELL AWARE OUR FIELD OFFICES ARE WITHIN THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. 
          I LIKE TO GO TO THE COLLINS GARDEN LIBRARY TO READ ON SUNDAYS, RIGHT? I SEE THE TRAFFIC AND I UNDERSTAND THAT FOLKS AREN'T NECESSARILY CHECKING OUT BOOKS OR USING THE COMPUTER, BUT FOLKS CIRCULATING IN THE LIBRARY ASKING FOR FOLKS, STAFFING THE LIBRARY. SO I WANT TO ENSURE THAT THAT WORK IS BEING ACCOUNTED FOR WITHIN THIS ANALYSIS TO ENSURE THAT AS WE SEE TRAFFIC IN OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS USED AS A COOLING AND A WARMING CENTER THAT IT WILL BE ADEQUATELY STAFFED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE CIRCULATION OF MOVING BOOKS FOR FOLKS THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY CHECKING O YOU BUT USING COMPUTERS, UTILIZINGS THIS A WARMING, COOLING CENTER. MOVING ON, I'M PLEASED TO SEE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE INCREASES TO THE METAL RECYCLEING FEES, USED AUTO PARTS, AS WELL AS A PROACTIVE APARTMENT INSPECTIONS BUT I DID HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE FEE FOR THE ALCOHOL AND BENCH REVIEW. CAN YOU OR SOMEONE ON THE TEAM WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THAT IS? WE HAD A -- [INDISCERNIBLE] FOR A TABC APPLICATION SEEMS FAIRLY LOW. MY QUESTION MORE SPECIFICALLY IF THIS IS A LICENSE, FOR EXAMPLE, OF A CORNER STORE, A BUSINESS TO OPERATE AND SELL ALCOHOL. 
          >> SO COUNCILWOMAN, TODAY WE DO NOT CHARGE WHEN THEY APPLY FOR TABC LICENSE WITH THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO. ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS $25 PROCESSING FEE, SO THAT'S 
          [02:05:01]
THE TIME FOR OUR EMPLOYEE, THE ADMIN PERSON, TO GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION AND LOG IT IN. THAT'S WHY IT'S LOW. THE LICENSE FEE FOR TABC LICENSE IS ACTUALLY PAID TO THE STATE NORMALLY. THIS IS JUST A PROCESSING 
          FEE ON OUR END. >> CASTILLO: AGAIN, RIGHT, I APPRECIATE THAT. 
          I SEE THAT IT SAYS DO ZERO AND IT'S GOING TO 25. IT SEEMS LOW WHEN WE LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S THE NEED FOR MORE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SAFETY, WHETHER IT'S THE CORRELATION TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. 
          I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EXPLORE POTENTIALLY INCREASING THAT FEE. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. 
          NOW, I DO HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION, I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OR THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM, BUT I DO SEE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A CONSULTANT DESIGN SERVICES FOR GENERAL FUND IMPROVEMENTS. 
          WOULD THAT MEAN FOR EXAMPLE IN OUR NPA AND CIP PROJECTS WHERE WE SEE CONSULTING FEES FEES, DOES THAT MEAN THE FEES WOULD BE ALLEVIATED BECAUSE THE CONSULTING 
          SERVICES WOULD ABSORB THOSE FEES? >> YES. 
          >> CASTILLO: GREAT. I APPRECIATE THAT. STEPHANIE ON OUR TEAM WILL REALLY VALUE THAT. WE TEND TO SEE OUR CIP AND N NAP BUDGET EATEN UP BY CONSULTANT FEES. AND IF THIS LESSENS THAT, I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT 
          ENHANCEMENT. >> I HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF YOU. 
          AS ART CAME INTO THE ORGANIZATION EARLIER THIS YEAR, HE'S SEEN THAT AS AN ISSUE THAT WE CAN APPROACH DIFFERENTLY FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT. 
          >> CASTILLO: GREAT. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ENHANCEMENT. 
          IN ADDITION TO THAT I DO SEE THE REDUCTION OF TRAFFIC NAVIGATION AS WELL AS CIP. 
          AGAIN, THESE ARE THE BASICS THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS [INDISCERNIBLE]. 
          I WOULD BE REMISS, I THINK I WANT TO EXPRESS HA THAT WHILE WE NAVIGATE THIS BUDGET CONVERSATION I SHARE THE SIMILAR SENTIMENT IN WHICH INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES SHOULD BE OF A LAST RESORT, BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND IT HAS TO BE DONE WITH A BALANCE TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE DELIVERING ON THE SERVICES THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS DESERVE AND EXPECT. WITH THAT BEING SAID, RIGHT, I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC, ONE, THAT YOU'RE OPPOSED TO INCREASING AND/OR EXPLORING THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, BUT YES TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING. I THINK THAT MESSAGE IS DISINGENUOUS TO THE PUBLIC, BUT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AGAIN TO EXPLORE EVERY EXERCISE BUT MAINTAIN SERVICES FOR OUR CONSTITUENCY. SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF THE BUDGET TEAM AND OF ERIK ON THIS ITEM. I LOOK FORWARD TO BUDGET WORK SESSIONS AND THERE'S MANY MORE ITEMS THAT I WANTED TO DIVE INTO, BUT I'LL HOLD ON UNTIL THE BUDGET WORK SESSIONS. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. 
          COULD YOU BRING UP SLIDE 6, PLEASE? SO I WANT TO THANK CITY STAFF FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT THEY DID THIS SUMMER. WE HAD REALLY ROBUST CONVERSATIONS IN JUNE ABOUT WHAT WE ALL FELT. AND WHAT I THINK CITY STAFF HAS DONE IS A REALLY SOLID STARTING POINT FOR US TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AROUND OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR WHEN WE'RE IN A DEFICIT WHILE STILL MAINTAINING THE PROGRAMS THAT MEAN SO MUCH TO OUR RESIDENTSS. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A SLIGHT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE WITH THE UNUSED INCREMENT THAT'S BUILT INTO THIS BUDGET, BUT THIS BUDGET TO ME SHOWS A HAPPY MEDIUM OF WHAT WE WOULD ASK THEM TO DO DO. WE SAID GO FIND REDUCTIONS SO THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING THIS 60-MILLION-DOLLAR BURDEN ON OUR RESIDENTSS. AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DID. 
          IF YOU LOOK AT THIS CHART THERE'S $41 MILLION IN REDUCTIONS THAT ARE ACROSS THE BOARD. IT'S NOT IN ONE DEPARTMENT, IT IS ACROSS THE BOARD. 
          SO THEY FOUND REDUCTIONS HIGHER THAN WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY ASKING OUR RESIDENTSS TO CONTRIBUTE. IT'S ALMOST, ALMOST TWO TO ONE IN TERMS OF REDUCTIONS VERSUS PROPERTY TAX CAPACITY CAPACITY. WE'RE USING JUST AN INCREMENT BECAUSE WE NEED TO HELP SUPPLEMENT TO DO THINGS LIKE A COLA INCREASE FOR THE 13,000 EMPLOYEES THAT WE ARE OFFERING JOBS TO, WHICH I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR -- AS ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TREATING THEM JUST AS WE WOULD WANT ANOTHER EMPLOYER TO TREAT THEIR EMPLOYEES. 
          SO ALL OF THAT TO SAY IN SUMMARY I THINK YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB OF TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO INCREASE THE REVENUE WHILE STILL -- SORRY, DECREASE EXPENSES WHILE FINDING A LITTLE BIT OF A SUPPLEMENT FROM REVENUE. 
          THERE'S ONE MORE THING I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ON THAT SLIDE AND THAT IS NOT ONLY DID YOU GUYS FIND A WAY TO BALANCE THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, BUT WHAT I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED WITH IS THE ADDITIONAL RESERVE IN '28 BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS IS NOT A SHORT-TERM PROBLEM. MOVING CAPITAL FROM ONE SPACE TO ANOTHER THAT IS JUST 
          [02:10:02]
FINANCIAL MOVE AND I COMMEND YOU ALL FOR COMING UP WITH THAT AND FINDING WAYS TO DO THOSE REDUCTIONS THIS YEAR AS WELL. SO I'M GOING TO DIVE IN TO A COUPLE OF -- THERE'S ONE THING THAT WAS MENTIONED ABOUT SENIORS EARLIER AND I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT IF THE PROPERTY TAX RATE, IF YOU HAVE FROZEN TAXES AS A 
          SENIOR, THIS INCREASE IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT YOU, RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT, YES, 
          MA'AM. >> KAUR: TO CLARIFY THERE'S A NUMBER OF HOMESTEAD FOLKS, DISABLED FOLKS AND SENIORS, THIS IS NOT THOSE TO IMPACT AND THESE ARE SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, THOSE ARE SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTSS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS NOT DISADVANTAGEING THOSE FOLKS. SECOND, I WANTED TO SHARE THAT EARLIER THIS WEEK WE WANTED TO GO VISIT ON LORRAINE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE GOOD NEIGHBOR PROGRAM ACT AND THIS WOMAN THAT RECEIVED A BRAND NEW FENCE WAS SO THANKFUL TO NHSD AND THE TEAM THAT HELPED HER GET THIS BRAND NEW FENCE BECAUSE HERS WAS FALLING APART AND SHE WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH STRAY AND ROAMING DOGS IN HER BACKYARD. THAT IS THE TYPE OF SUPPORT THAT OUR RESIDENTSS EXPECT FROM US. AND SHE HAVING NEW FAITH IN THE CITY BECAUSE WHEN SHE FIRST CALLED US SHE WAS VERY UPSET THAT NOTHING WAS BEING DONE ABOUT THE STRAY AND ROAMING DOGS AND WE WERE ABLE TO HELP HER IN A DIFFERENT WAY. SHE'S NOW APPLYING FOR THE MAJOR-MINOR HOME REHAB PROGRAM. THOSE ARE THE SUCCESS STORIES THAT OUR BUDGET OF WHAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE IS ACTUALLY PROVIDING TO OUR RESIDENTSS. THAT'S REAL VALUE FOR EACH OF -- SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT, QUITE FRANKLY, CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE FENCE, THAT'S GOING TO HELP EVERYONE ON THAT STREET. THAT'S WHY I LOVE THE TERM GOOD NEIGHBOR BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE ASKING OUR RESIDENTSS TO DO RIGHT NOW IS TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. 
          BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY THERE ARE SOME OF US WHERE A 30- 30-DOLLAR TAX RATE INCREASE FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT, AND THERE'S SOME OF US THAT HAVE PROBABLY HIGHER THAN THAT PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASES WHERE YOU MAY NOT FEEL IT. 
          IT MAY BE A CUP OF COFFEE A MONTH THAT WE'RE ASKING YOU TO SPEND IN ORDER TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR DOWN THE STREET. AND I DO BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD NEIGHBORS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WANT TO HELP THE PERSON THAT KNOWS THEY NEED IT. AND A LOT OF THOSE OTHER PROGRAMS -- I KNOW YOU WOULD TOO, COUNCILMEMBER. I'M SORRY, I'LL DIRECT COMMENTS TO THE CHAIR. 
          THERE ARE A LOT OF RESIDENTSS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE WILLING TO SUPPORT THEIR NEIGHBOR BECAUSE THEY SEE THE IMPACT. THAT GOES TO THE COMMENT MADE EARLIER THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IMPACT. 
          AS WE GO THROUGH OUR BUDGET SESSIONS I'M EXCITED TO HEAR FROM ALL OF OUR DIRECTORS ABOUT WHAT ARE THE PERFORMANCE METRICS WE CAN SHOW IN OUR DEPARTMENTS WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING, WHETHER THAT'S WITH SIDEWALK SIDEWALKS, WHETHER THAT'S WITH HOUSING, WHETHER THAT'S WITH OUR SAEP FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. ALL THE WORK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING, CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR THE METRICS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT FOLKS WILL WANT TO SUPPORT. A COUPLE OF THINGS ON REVENUE INCREASES. 
          SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES MENTIONED AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE SOME OF THE REVENUE INCREASES. AS I WAS DIGGING INTO THE ACS ONCE, I WAS A LITTLE UNCLEAR ABOUT HOW THEY'RE INCREASING. I LOVE WE'RE INCREASING AGGRESSIVE DOG FEES, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW HOW IT WAS BEING DONE WITH THE TOTAL AMOUNT IMPACTED. IF Y'ALL COULD FOLLOW UP AND HELP EXPLAIN THE IMPACT OF THOSE, WE'VE HAD SO MANY RESIDENTSS THAT SAY WE DEFINITELY NEED A CARROT AND STICK METHOD FOR ACS, SO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE LEVEL THREE DOG I FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD HELP SUPPORT THE IMPACT OF THE BUDGET THERE AS WELL. 
          ALSO I ASKED FOR A COUPLE OF THINGS. PARK TICKETS WE INCREASED LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET, BUT I DON'T THINK IN THIS TRIAL BUDGET WE SAW ANOTHER INCREASE SO ESPECIALLY FOR NOT AS MUCH AS THE HIGHER END ONES THAT ARE LIKE PARKING IN A HANDICAPPED SPOTS. THOSE ONES I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE DON'T DO, BUT PARKING IN A PERMIT ZONE A LOT OF FOLKS DO IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, SO IF WE COULD SEE WHAT THOSE MINIMUM RATES ARE AND TRY TO ADD TO THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AS AN UPDATE. AND ALSO THE BOOTING FEE. 
          SO WE'RE INCREASING TOWING FEES AS A PART OF THIS BUDGET AND WE HAVE SOME TOW TOWERS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT TOW VERY AGGRESSIVELY AND SO WE WANT TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER OPTIONS FOR PARKING ENFORCEMENT. 
          SO IF WE COULD RAISE THAT BOOTING FEE FROM 60 TO AT LEAST 100, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THAT DOES FOR THE REVENUE OPTIONS. AND THEN IF WE CAN SEE IF THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE FUNDING THAT WE CAN ACQUIRE FROM REVENUE, MAYBE THERE'S WAYS THAT WE CAN SAVE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY BEING CUT FROM 
          [02:15:08]
THE BUDGET. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS, OF COURSE PUBLIC WORKS. 
          I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE WORK THAT PUBLIC WORKS IS DOING. 
          I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL CAUGHT THIS OR IF ERIK MENTIONED, BUT THE CAN COMPLIANCE AND OPPORTUNITY ACCESS DEPARTMENT IS BEING SPLIT UP INTO DIFFERENT AREAS. 
          AND SO I'M EXCITED TO SEE THAT THE DISABILITY ACCESS OFFICE IS GOING TO ART. 
          I KNOW THAT PUBLIC WORKS IS GOING TO DO A GREAT JOB OF CONTINUING THAT, BUT I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT GETS THE ATTENTION THAT IT DESERVES AND DOESN'T GET LOST. BUT I TRUST THAT ART WILL KEEP THAT FOCUS. 
          THE 900K IN CAPITAL PROJECT BUDGETS, HALF OF THAT IS FLASHING STOP SIGNS AND SOLAR SPEED SIGNS THAT ARE BEING REDUCED. WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE THAT ON IN THE DISTRICT 1 BUDGET BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT MY RESIDENTSS REALLY ASK FOR, SO THOSE THINGS, THEY HAVE A VERY LONG LEAD TIME, WHICH I'VE LEARNED, SO I TELL MY RESIDENTSS IF YOU WANT A FLASHING STOP SIGN IT MIGHT TAKE A YEAR, BUT WE'LL GET IT FOR YOU. SO THOSE I THINK THE IMPACT OF THAT WON'T BE HUGE. 
          ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE SIDEWALKS UPDATES IN THE S AND P UPDATES THAT HAVE BEEN QUICKING AND QUICK BUILDS, THERE'S SOME FUNDING IN THERE FOR QUICK BUILDS SO THAT WE CAN CREATE TWICE AS MORE BIKE LANES IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWN, WHICH I KNOW WE'RE ALL EXCITED ABOUT ABOUT. FROM A HOUSING PERSPECTIVE, I'M EXCITED TO SEE THAT THE MAJOR MINOR HOPE REHAB DID NOT GET CUT AND THAT WE HAVE SOME FUNDS IN THERE FOR MISSING MIDDLE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM NHSD DURING THAT PRESENTATION. AND ALSO A QUICK SHOUT-OUT TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS. SO FOR FOLKS THAT HAVEN'T HEARD, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO BE TAKING OVER OUR RIVERWALK AND SOME OF OUR MAIN PARKS DOWNTOWN SO THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE BIKE PATROL. 
          WE DEFINITELY LOVE OUR BIKE PATROL. EXCITED TO SEE THOSE CHANGES CHANGES. AND THEN FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FIRE DEPARTMENT I HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO THE GRADUATION LAST WEEK AND SO EXCITED TO SEE THAT THERE ARE A FEW MORE OFFICERS THAT ARE GOING INTO THE TRAINING COMPONENT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I HAD NO IDEA HOW EXCITED FAMILIES GET TO SEE THEIR KIDS GRADUATE FROM THE ACADEMY. IT WAS REALLY SPECIAL TO BE ABLE TO WITNESS THAT. THE LAST THING I WANT TO END OFF WITH, AND COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN MENTIONED THIS, I REALLY DON'T LIKE SEEING THE SAEP BUDGET BEING CUT. 
          I UNDERSTAND THERE MIGHT BE SOME OVERLAP THERE WITH SCHOLARSHIPS WITH ALAMOPROMISE, BUT WHAT I'VE ASKED SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT SIT ON THAT BOARD IS CAN WE FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH OF THOSE DOLLARS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO PROMISE KIDS VERSUS HOW MUCH OF IT IS GOING TO STUDENTS IN DIFFERENT PROGRAMS? THOSE DOLLARS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE THEY WERE EXPECTING THEM, SO A LOT OF THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS COULD BE IMPACTING STUDENTS. 
          LIKED TO CONTINUE TO REVISIT THAT CONVERSATION AS WE MOVE FORWARD. 
          THANKS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER GALVAN. 
          >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. THANK YOU TO THE TEAM, TO ERIK FOR PRESENTATION AND TO THE ENTIRE TEAM FROM THE DEPARTMENT LEADS TO THE CITY MANAGER'S STAFF, THE BUDGET STAFF AND FINANCE TEAM. WORKING THROUGH ALL THESE DETAILS IN A DIFFICULT TIME. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD IN THE PRE-BRIEFING WITH JUSTINA AND MARIA, THE CONSTANT CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH MARIA AS WELL AND THE QUESTIONS YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO ANSWER. 
          IT WAS DIFFICULT AND WE WERE EXPECTING IT SOME WAY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF OR SO THAT THIS MOMENT WOULD COME. I'M GRATEFUL TO SEE THAT FOR THE MOST PART A LOT OF THESE THINGS FEEL MANAGEABLE. I THINK IT FELT A LOT MORE DIFFICULT OR A LOT MORE FRIGHTENING A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND BECAUSE OF OUR WORK YOU MADE IT MORE DISTINCT AND NOT AS DIFFICULT. 
          BUT THERE ARE STILL THINGS THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, I THINK YOU'RE HEARING FROM ALL OF US, SOME TWEAKS WE CAN MAKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SERVICES OUR RESIDENTSS ARE ASKING FOR ARE AS ROBUST AS POSSIBLE AND AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE TOO. 
          ON THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE INCREASE, TO START OFF WITH, I THINK I PERSONALLY NEED TO TALK MORE WITH RESIDENTSS ABOUT IT AND THE COST DECREASE COMPARED TO THE FULL 3.5% THAT WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE. I WOULD DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS OF NOT ONLY WITHOUT A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IN ANY FORM, BUT ALSO ANY OTHER KINDS OF LIKE SCENARIOS WE COULD LOOK AT EVEN WITH THE LARGER INCREASE TO SEE WHAT THAT MONEY CAN GO TOWARDS TO SEE THE IMPLEMENT IN SERVICES. I THINK SOMETHING THAT I STRUGGLE WITH EVEN WITH THIS INCREMENT INCREASE IS THE FACT THAT IT'S JUST MAINTAINING. 
          I THINK I CAN CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THAT AND IT'S DEFINITELY NECESSARY, BUT I THINK FOR RESIDENTSS AND EVEN FOR MYSELF MIGHT THINK ABOUT WHAT DO WE WANT THIS CITY TO BE AND WHAT SERVICES DO WE WANT TO HAVE. WE KNOW THERE ARE SHORTFALLS IN TERMS OF SERVICE DELIVERY AND ACS, HOMELESS SERVICES, THE NEEDS ARE NOT AS MET AS EFFICIENTLY AS FOLKS WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE MET. I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THE NUMBER COULD BE TO IMPROVE SERVICES. IF WE'RE ASKING OUR SERVICES TO PAY MORE, I THINK THEY WOULD EXPECT SERVICES TO BE IMPROVED TOO. 
          [02:20:03]
SO I WOULD APPRECIATE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS IF POSSIBLE. 
          ALSO INTERESTED IN STRUCTURAL CONVERSATION AFTER THIS BUDGET, EVEN THROUGHOUT, ABOUT HOW WE ADDRESS SOME OF THE DECREASE IN TAXABLE VALUE WE SEE IN THE CITY. TALKING ABOUT THE EDF CONVERSATIONS BUT ALSO BEYOND THAT THINKING ABOUT LAND USE AND PERMITTING DEVELOPMENT KIND OF CONVERSATIONS THERE, SITE DEVELOPMENT, NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS, EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AS WELL. I THINK WE HEAR ALL THE TIME FROM GREATER SATX AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT EDUCATION IS A CRITICAL PART OF RECRUITING PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO OUR CITY AND FINDING WAYS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND I THINK SOMETHING WE SHOULD NOT TAKE LIGHTLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR CITY. DEFINITELY INTERESTED IN THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW IT WILL BE A LONG CONVERSATION THAT IT'S NEEDED TO HAVE. 
          I'LL GO INTO A COUPLE OF LARGEER QUESTIONS. I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF THEM TODAY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE OTHER BUDGET WORK SESSIONS FOR THAT. 
          ON THE EMPLOYEE COLA, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF SEEING A COLA HERE AND GRATEFUL TO DO IT. 
          I AM NERVOUS ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS IMPACT TO THAT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WE CAN AVOID THAT IN TERMS OF AVOID A NEGATIVE NUMBER FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. I WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN SEE SOME DIFFERENCE IN AREAS ABOUT HOW WE CAN GET A COLA 2B FOR MANY OF OUR LOWEST PAID EMPLOYEES IN PARTICULAR PARTICULAR, TO ENSURE THAT THE HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS DON'T OUTWEIGH OR GO PAST WHAT THE COLA WOULD BE. I THINK FOR A LOT OF WORKING FAMILIES, INCLUDING FAMILIES LIKE MY OWN, WHEN WE SEE A BIT OF A COLA, WHETHER IT'S IN EDUCATION, IN THE ISDS OR BEYOND IN GOVERNMENTS, WE OF COURSE ARE APPRECIATE OF IT. 
          WHEN HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS GO UP IT MEANS WE'LL BE PUSHED INTO A MORE DIFFICULT HEALTHCARE PLAN THAT COVERS LESS AND LESS AND MEANS MORE OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WORKER THEMSELVES THEMSELVES. SO TRYING TO SEE IF WE CAN BALANCE IT MORE AND SEE WHAT SOME OF THE SCENARIOS WOULD BE IN THE FRAMEWORK WITHOUT RAISING TAXES IN SOME FORM ON THIS PARTICULAR POINT. ON HOMELESS SERVICES, AGAIN, I THINK CLEARLY THE ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR MY RESIDENTSS, BUT ACROSS THE ENTIRE CITY. 
          I APPRECIATE THE PREVIEW OF THE BUDGET OF WHAT THE WOULD LOOK LIKE. I WAS LOOKING AT SOME OF THE URBAN INSTITUTE REVIEWS. 
          I WANT TO MAKE SURE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET MORE INFORMATION BY THE TIME HOMELESS SERVICES PRESENTS LATER THIS MONTH, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THE FULL CAPACITY OF, I GUESS, OUR HOMELESS PREVENTION SERVICES ECOSYSTEM IN SOME FORM. I GUESS WHAT I'M SEEING WITH OTHER CITIES HAVE DONE IS THAT THEY COMMIT TO THIS EFFORT, BUT THERE'S ALSO SOME OTHER FUNDING IN PARTICULAR, STRONG FORM OF FUNDING IN DENVER FOR TRANSITIONAL SHELTER, FOR NON-CONGREGANT SHELTER, FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND MORE OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE HERE LOCALLY. WHAT I AM NERVOUS ABOUT IS WHEN WE DO EFFORTS LIKE THIS THAT ARE STILL CONSISTENT WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING THAT WE WON'T SEE TOO MUCH OF A DIFFERENT RESULT. I DON'T WANT TO SET UP BOTH OUR RESIDENTSS, THE FOLKS IMPACTED BY THIS WORK IN TERMS OF THE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND ALSO OF COURSE OUR STAFF TO A NEW EFFORT THAT RESULTS IN SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR OF WHAT WE SEE NOW FROM PEOPLE BEING APPROXIMATE MOVED FROM SPOT TO SPOT ON A WAITLIST FOR HOUSING. BARRIERS TO ACCESSING CARE TO HELP THEM BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE OR GET OFF THE STREETS IN GENERAL. 
          SO JUST -- I WANT TO BE AS COGNIZANT AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THOSE THINGS AND SEE WHAT THE LOCAL IMPACT WOULD BE HERE. ON SENIOR SERVICES, REALLY APPRECIATE OF COURSE THE CONTINUED FUNDING THERE AND THE FOCUS ON TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE LATER HOURS. I DID NOTICE IN THE BUDGET THAT THERE WAS AN EXCEPTION FOR THE LATE -- I GUESS EVENING USE FOR AT LEAST TRINA LOPEZ CENTER AS WELL AS THE ONE IN DISTRICT 7 THAT SOME OF MY RESIDENTSS GO TO. 
          FEEL FREE TO ANSWER -- OKAY. I'M SORRY, THE COUNT FOR IT WAS INCLUDING THOSE TWO SISTERS CENTERS. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE ARE AND WHY THEY'RE EXCLUDED BECAUSE ONE IS THE PRIMARY ONE IN MY DISTRICT AND THE OTHER ONE MY RESIDENTSS GO TO. I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE 
          COMPARISONS ARE LIKE THERE. >> ALL THE HOURS WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 7:00 TO 7:00. 
          >> GALVAN: THANK YOU. THE OTHER ONE I KNOW I TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE WITH MELODY AND MAR MARIA AND JUSTINA AND HOPEFULLY AGAIN BEFORE DHS COMES TO PRESENT IS LOOKING AT -- I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THE [INDISCERNIBLE] CENTER BEING CLOSED. I UNDERSTAND THE COST SAVINGS OF IT. 
          I COMPLETELY GET THAT. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGER SENIOR CENTERS ON THE WESTSIDE OF SAN ANTONIO. ONCE YOU GO WEST OF 18TH STREET THERE IS NOTHING UNTIL YOU GET OUTSIDE OF 410 410. FOR THE RESIDENTSS IN 
          [02:25:01]
PARTICULAR THERE'S A FEELING THAT I DON'T THINK SHOULD BE DISCOUNTED IS I HAVE TO LEAVE MY AREA OF TIME, NOT ONLY A FIVE-MILE RADIUS, BUT ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE LOOP OF SAN ANTONIO, WHICH HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY THE BARRIER FOR A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTSS, TO GO TO A COMPREHENSIVE SENIOR CENTER THAT IS NICE IN QUALITY. 
          WE PREFER TO HAVE ONE NEARBY NEARBY. AND IN PARTICULAR IN DISTRICT 6 WITH DARNER AND BETHEL, THEY ARE TWO SMALLER CENTERS. 
          WE WILL TAKE WHAT WE CAN GET AT THE MOMENT. I WOULD LIKE MORE CONVERSATION ON THE BACK END BETWEEN MY OFFICE AND STAFF AS WELL AS A COMPARISON ABOUT SPACE BETWEEN THOSE TWO AND OTHER KINDS OF CENTERS IN THE AREA. 
          HOPEFULLY ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE PREFERRED UNTIL -- KNOCKING ON WOOD THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DEVELOP A LARGER SENIOR CENTER IN THE AREA. OTHERWISE I WORRY ABOUT THE TRAVEL TIME FOR SOME OF THE SENIOR CENTER BUSES THAT TAKE OVER AND HOUR AND A HALF TO GET FROM ONE CENTER TO ANOTHER. I UNDERSTAND IN THE BUDGET, LESS THAN FIVE MILES AWAY. I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE BASED ON THE TRAVEL TIME BETWEEN DARNER AND ROBINETTE AS WELL AS WEST END IS BEYOND FIVE MILES. 
          SO THAT'S A BIG KEY PRIORITY FOR MYSELF AND SENIORS IN MY AREA WHO HAVE HAD A GROWING PRESENCE AT BOTH OF THOSE CENTERS, BUT PARTICULARLY DARNER, ESPECIALLY AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CONVERSATION OF REDEVELOPING THE AREA. 
          THAT WHOLE AREA IN MY DISTRICT HAS LOST MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE AREA, IS LOSING WOLF STADIUM, WOULD BE LOSING THE SENIOR CENTER AND IT FEELS AS THOUGH WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE CHANGES TO OUR TAX BASE AND WE'RE MOVING PUBLIC INVESTMENTS FROM ONE PART OF THE CITY -- IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT THE PATH FORWARD, AT LEAST NOT IN MY OPINION. BEYOND THAT, APPRECIATE THE INVESTMENT IN ACS. 
          I'LL HAVE SOME MORE QUESTIONS THERE ON NON- NON-CRITICAL CALLS. 
          OF COURSE I KNOW THAT A BIG FOCUS IS GETTING TO THE CRITICAL CALLS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. PUBLIC WORKS A LOT OF THE SAME SENTIMENT AS MY COLLEAGUE AROUND CIP DOLLARS DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW -- I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET THIS INFORMATION BEFORE THE PUBLIC WORKS MEETING ON THE CONSULTANT PETE WITH NAP AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS. TO REDUCE THOSE COSTS. 
          AND ALSO HAVE TO COVER THE COSTS THROUGH SOME OF THE NA NAP PROJECTS HERE. 
          I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF SERVICE DIFFERENCE IN HAVING CONTRACTORS DOING THIS WORK VERSUS HIRING IN-HOUSE SOMEONE WHO CAN DO THIS WORK AS WELL OR INSTEAD. WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THAT OFFLINE BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING. I THINK THE LAST TWO THINGS, I'LL JUST ASK THE LAST ONE, IS THE LIBRARY CIRCULATION, OF COURSE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IF THOSE STAFF MEMBERS ALSO DO ANY KIND OF PROGRAMMING ON-SITE FOR ANY KIND OF TEEN EVENTS OR ADULT EDUCATION LEARNING. AND ALSO WHAT HAS THE COST BEEN FOR OUR E BOOK, SUBSCRIPTIONS AND LIBBY CONTRACTS. I'VE HEARD THEY CHANGED OVER TIME, BUT I'D LIKE TO SEE WHAT IT MEANS FOR OURSELVES TOO. 
          THANK YOU. >> I'M SORRY, MAYOR. WHAT WAS THE LAST POINT YOU 
          MADE ABOUT THE LIBRARY? THE COST? >> GALVAN: I WAS WONDERING WHAT'S THE COST OVER TIME BEEN FOR E BOOK SUBSCRIPTION OR PUBLICATION SUBSCRIPTIONS 
          AND THEN THE LIBBY COUNTY AS WELL. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. 
          COUNCILMAN MUNGIA. >> MUNGIA: THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO HAS WORKED ON THIS AND EVERYBODY WORKING. JUSTINA, I CALLED YOU LAST NIGHT AND YOU WERE STILL WORKING AT THE OFFICE. GOING INTO SOME OF THE NOTES I HAVE HERE, I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN THE CIP ALLOCATION. I KNOW THAT'S PART OF THE DEBT CAPACITY SO THOSE ARE PROJECTS DONE BY DEBT. SO I THINK MOST OF US WERE INTERESTED IN INCREASING THAT CAPACITY AND I THINK CIP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND WE'RE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF THINGS SUPPLEMENTING GENERAL FUND DOLLARS FOR THESE THINGS. IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OUR PROJECT WHERE WE'RE ADDING SHADE TO PARKS, WE'RE REDOING PARKS WITH CIP MONEY MONEY, WE ARE ALSO DOING STREET PROJECTS. IN MY DISTRICT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH PUBLIC WORKS ON A STREET AND I'VE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT CIP. 
          IF THAT'S GOING TO BE CUTS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 100, IT WILL SEVERELY LIMIT WHAT WE CAN DO IN OUR DISTRICTS, AGAIN, SUPPLEMENTING GENERAL FUND PROJECTS. 
          AND REAL QUICK, WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE SEEING GROWTH IN ALLOCATION? SOY WE HAVE INCREASES IN ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AS WELL AS POLICE AND FIRE ARE A 
          COUPLE OF THE INCREASES IN OUR DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS. >> MUNGIA: SO ACS, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, ARE SEEING THE GREATEST INCREASES IN THEIR 
          BUDGETS. >> YES. >> COUNCILMAN, YOU'RE THE 
          [02:30:05]
SECOND COUNCIL PERSON TO ASK THIS QUESTION. WE HAVE KIND OF A HANDY SHEET THAT GOES A PERCENTAGE INCREASE OR DECREASE. WE'LL SNAIL THIS TO YOU ALL 
          THIS AFTERNOON. >> OKAY. I WANTED TO KNOW FOR THE COUNCIL AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE THREE OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS WHICH YOU WOULD CONSIDER TO BE PUBLIC SAFETY ARE DEFINITELY SEEING INCREASES. 
          MY SECOND QUESTION ON THAT IS HOW MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE FACING CUTS SO WE CAN PROVIDE THAT. I ALSO WANT TO HAVE AT MY TOWN HALL SHOW RESIDENTSS WHILE WE'RE CUTTING A LOT OF MONEY, WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS INCREASE, WE'RE ALSO INCREASING THESE SERVICES THAT ARE HIGH PRIORITIES. AND WE ARE DOING OUR SHARE IN CUTTING BACK ON A LOT OF THINGS. AND I'M VERY INTERESTED IN PERHAPS MORE DETAIL LATER ON WHEN WE GO THROUGH EACH DEPARTMENT, BUT I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE COST SAVINGS ARE REGARDING LATERAL MOVES FOR CITY STAFF WITHIN DEPARTMENTS THAT WOULD MEAN CUTTING PROGRAMS THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY DOING MOVING THEM AROUND AND THAT'S A COST SAVINGS. I'M VERY INTERESTED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHICH PROGRAMS IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS ARE GOING TO BE CUT BECAUSE I WANT TO LET FOLKS KNOW THAT -- WHICH IS GOOD, WE'RE NOT LAYING OFF A LOT OF CITY EMPLOYEES, THERE WILL STILL BE CUTS TO PROGRAMS REGARDLESS. SO EVEN THOUGH METRO HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE, MIGHT HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AFTER THIS BUDGET PASSES, WHAT THEY'RE DOING WILL BE DIFFERENT. AND I THINK WE ALL NEED TO KNOW THAT ALSO. AND I THINK THE EMPLOYEES ALSO NEED TO KNOW THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I THINK TODAY HR TALKED TO A LOT OF FOLKS AND BASED ON SOME OF THE LETTERS I SAW, THEY'RE A LITTLE WORRIED. IT'S INTENTIONALLY VAGUE BUT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE WORRIED THEY WON'T BE BACK. I THINK WE NEED TO WORK ON THAT ALSO. WITH THAT ALSO VERY PLEASED TO SEE THE THREE PERCENT BECAUSE EVERYBODY WHO WORKS HERE IS PART OF THE ECONOMY ALSO SO THEY'RE CERTAINLY NOT IMMUNE TO INFLATIONARY ISSUES. IN THIS FISCAL YEAR YOU HAVE ALL IMPLEMENTED THE CBR STUFF FOR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THIS CYCLE? 
          >> YES, SIR. THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET. 
          THERE'S ABOUT 12 AND A HALF, $12.3 MILLION IN REDUCED REDUCTIONS AS A RESULT OF 
          THOSE REVIEWS, OF THOSE FIVE DEPARTMENTS HERE. >> MUNGIA: WHICH 
          DEPARTMENTS WERE THOSE. >> POLICE, FIRE, HR AND LIBRARY. 
          >> MUNGIA: AND EVEN WITH THAT CUT WE'LL BE HAVING INCREASES. 
          I'M ASSUMEING THAT WE ALSO IMPLEMENTED THE PFM ANALYSIS FOR THE BUDGET CYCLE THIS FISCAL YEAR? GOOD TO KNOW. I WAS REVIEWING THEIR ANALYSIS, THEIR PRESENTATION WE GOT BACK IN MAY. I DO THINK PART OF IT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY AS FAR AS CUTS AND WHERE WE WANT TO CUT AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, PART OF THEIR ANALYSIS THAT WE PAID THEM TO DO FOR US SAYS WITHOUT A CLEAR EMPHASIS ON INTENDED RESULTS, THE APPROACH OF CUTTING EX-SASS CERTIFY BATES EXISTING CHALLENGES AND MAY LEAD TO INEFFICIENCY INEFFICIENCIES OR UNMET PRIORITIES WITHIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES. ANOTHER BULLET POINT, AGAIN, WE PAID THEM TO GIVE US, SAYS PROGRAMS -- IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY CHANGES TO BUDGET ALLOCATIONS, NOT ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES TO PRIORITIES. 
          WE'RE ALL VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT ADDITIONAL CUTS WE CAN MAKE, BUT I WANT TO GIVE A WARNING, A CAUTIONARY TALE THAT CUTTING HERE AND THERE BASED ON LINE ITEMS WE THINK ARE UNPOPULAR OR THINK THEY'RE NOT WORTHY OF GETTING MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND, CAN ALSO LEAD TO INEFFICIENCYIES IN PROGRAMS THAT WOULD CAUSE A WORST SITUATION. I THINK WE ALL WERE LOOKING AT THE EFFECTS OF CUTS, AND IMPACTED COMMUNITIES. IS THAT AVAILABLE, DO YOU KNOW? DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR US 
          US? >> YES, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL BE REVIEWING WHEN WE PRESENT ON REDUCTIONS AND REVENUES AT OUR NEXT BUDGET WORK SESSION, NEXT TUESDAY. 
          >> MUNGIA: OKAY. I'LL BE VERY INTERESTED IN THAT ALSO. 
          I THINK WHILE YOU ALL ARE WORKING I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING WITHOUT THE INCREMENT WHAT KIND OF CUTS YOU WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT IN THAT NEXT PHASE IF THAT WAS A COUNCIL DECISION. BUT I THINK PUTTING THE CURRENT CUTS AND THOSE POTENTIAL CUTS INTO THE ANALYSIS OF WHO WILL BE MOST AFFECTED BY THOSE CUTS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE I HAVE A SUSPICION, WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO BE PROBABLY DISTRICTS 1 THROUGH 6, AND SO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO TELL MY RESIDENTSS LIKE YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE MOST AFFECTED BY THESE CUT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO WANT TO INCREASE ANY TYPE OF PROPERTY TAX. 
          [02:35:05]
SO I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW AND WHAT EFFECT THAT WILL HAVE ON PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES ISSUES. WHETHER THERE'S AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS CUT, FUNDING FOR PLACES LIKE NEXT LEVEL AND THESE CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY AT-RISK CHILDREN, DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO GO, WHAT THAT WILL MEAN ULTIMATELY ON THE BACK END OF THINGS. VERY INTERESTED TO KNOW, YES YES, WHAT CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT THE INCREMENT. AND I THINK THAT WILL BE GOOD INFORMATION FOR US TO HAVE FOR OUR INDEPENDENT -- OUR OWN TOWN HALLS. AND YOU ALL WILL HAVE AN EQUATION. SO IF SOMEONE HAS THEIR PROPERTY VALUE TO BE ABLE TO PUT INTO THIS EQUATION AND KNOW HOW MUCH EXTRA THEY WOULD BE PAYING? 
          >> YES, SIR. >> MUNGIA: OKAY OKAY, GOOD. ALL RIGHT. 
          AS WE GET INTO THE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS I'LL CERTAINLY HAVE A LOT MORE QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF DIVING INTO IT, BUT I DO THANK Y'ALL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE PRESENTED TODAY. IT'S CERTAINLY A LOT OF CHALLENGES, BUT EVEN WITH THE CUTS AND EVEN WITH THE INCREMENT INCREASE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO MORE WITH LESS. I HAD SOME RESIDENTSS AT MY OTHER TOWN HALL COME UP TO ME AND SAY COUNCILMAN, IT IT MIGHT BE TIME TO INCREASE TAX, BUT WE ALSO EXPECT SERVICES TO BE BETTER. SO THIS THING OF WE'RE JUST INCREASING TO MAINTAIN, NOT REALLY A WINNING AGREEMENT FOR THOSE FOLKS WHEN THEY'RE SEEING ILLEGAL DUMPING OUTSIDE THEIR HOME IN MY DISTRICT, WHEN THEY HAVE THESE LOTS THAT ARE VERY, VERY HIGH WITH GRASS, WHEN THEY'RE SEEING STRAY DOGS. SO WE -- UNFORTUNATELY A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE NORMALIZED THESE TYPES OF THINGS BECAUSE WE SEE IT EVERY SINGLE DAY, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EVEN PERFORM AT A HIGHER RATE EVEN WITH LESS BECAUSE WE'RE ACTUALLY PAYING MORE. SO I JUST WANT TO KEEP THAT 
          IN THE BACK OF OUR HEADS. THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. 
          ON THE SECOND ROUND, COUNCILMAN WHYTE HAS STEPPED AWAY. 
          WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE SECOND ROUND? GO AHEAD. 
          PLEASE SIGN IN. >> I SIGNED IN. NO? 
          OKAY. >> MAYOR JONES: IF YOU SIGNED IN, GO AHEAD, 
          COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZÁLEZ. >> GONZÁLEZ: SORRY. JUST A QUICK QUESTION. 
          I KNOW ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES ASKED FOR, ERIK, YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO GIVE US A SCENARIO WITHOUT THE INCREMENT, UNUSED INCREMENT, I BELIEVE. 
          AT THE SAME TIME I'M WONDERING, I KNOW YOU HAVE AN UNUSED INCREMENT FOR '27 AND A POTENTIAL FOR '28, AND WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE IF MORE OF THAT -- MORE OF THAT UNUSED WENT INTO '27 AND NOT 28, WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE OR WHAT THAT WOULD 
          PROVIDE. >> SO THE '27 PROPOSAL AND THE '28 PLAN, THE '27 PLAN ENVISIONS AND PROPOSES TO USE THE INUSED INCREMENT FROM 25 AND '26. 
          THERE IS AN UNUSED INCREMENT IN 2027 THAT WE'RE USING IN '28. 
          SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IF WE MOVED THE UNUSED INCREMENT THAT'S IN THE PROPOSED '28 PLAN UP TO 2027 2027, THAT WOULD GENERATE AN ADDITIONAL $35 MILLION IN 
          REVENUE IN 2027. >> GONZÁLEZ: OKAY. AND THEN I GUESS CAN YOU -- 
          WHAT WOULD COME BACK THEN TO THE '27 BUDGET WITH THAT? >> WELL, THE TAX RATE, THE PROPOSED TAX RATE WOULD BE HIGHER THAN WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING, BUT IT WOULD MEAN 35 -- $35 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE IN '27 THAT WOULD RIPPLE THROUGH AND ACCUMULATE FOR '28. SO WE WOULD -- I THINK WHAT YOU'RE ASKING IS WHAT'S THE IMPACT IF WE MOVE THAT '27 INCREMENT, UNUSED INCREMENT? BECAUSE WE ARE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE JUNE COUNCIL MEETING, WE'RE NOT INCREASING, PROPOSED TO INCREASE UP TO THE THREE AND A HALF PERCENT THAT'S ALLOWED UNDER, SO IT'S CREATING ADDITIONAL UNUSED INCREMENT FOR '27 THAT CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WE'RE 
          PROPOSING TO USE IN '28, NOT IN '27. >> GONZÁLEZ: AND IN 28 WE'RE ONLY PROPOSING THE UNUSED, NOT AN ADDITIONAL 3.5, RIGHT? 
          >> YES, MA'AM, THAT'S CORRECT. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN 
          WHYTE. >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. REAL QUICKLY, I TALKED ABOUT IT WITH MARIA AND JUSTINA IN OUR BUDGET BRIEFING. WHAT ELSE DID IT LOOK LIKE 
          [02:40:03]
WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT IF WE DO 10 ADDITIONAL SAFE OFFICERS. 
          ADDITIONALLY ON THE CIP, I GUESS THE PROPOSAL IS TO BRING IT DOWN TO 200 FROM A MILLION THAT DISTURBS ME AND I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S A COMPROMISE TO GET IT UP TO $500,000, SO I GUESS THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER $3 MILLION THAT WE WOULD NEED TO DO THAT. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THAT AS WELL. 
          THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN SPEARS FOR NOTING THE TAXPAYER IMPACT STATEMENT AND THANK YOU TO STEF FOR GETTING THAT DONE. COMPLETELY AGREE ON GROWING REVENUE, RIGHT? THE ANSWER IS NOT TO ASK PEOPLE TO PAY MORE, THE ANSWER IS TO GET MORE PEOPLE PAYING INTO THE SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE BETTER PAYING JOBS AND MORE MONEY TO SPEND ON PROPERTY AND OTHER THINGS. 
          SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT REPORT FROM THAT FINANCIAL GROUP THAT CAME AND TALKED WITH ALL OF US. ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE THAT BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE 
          BUDGET? >> YES, SIR. >> WHYTE: THAT'S GREAT. 
          LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT BECAUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS OF COURSE GOING TO BE A MAJOR WAY THAT WE GET OUT OF THIS. IT'S CUTTING SPENDING, ONLY SPENDING ON CORE SERVICES, AND IT'S GROWING OUR ECONOMY ECONOMY. 
          MY LAST ISSUE HERE IS THESE BUDGET REVIEWS THAT WE'RE DOING, THIS YEAR WE DID THE BUDGET REVIEWS, WE FOUND THE $12.8 MILLION. WHICH DEPARTMENTS WAS THAT 
          ON? >> POLICE, FIRE, MUNICIPAL COURTS, LIBRARY AND HR. 
          >> WHYTE: SO THERE ARE A BUNCH OF OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS THAT WE HAVE NOT 
          CONDUCTED KNEES REVIEWS ON, RIGHT? >> THIS IS OUR THIRD YEAR. 
          WE REINSTITUTEED THOSE REVIEW REVIEWS IN '23 '23. THERE WILL BE A TARGET OF 
          DEPARTMENTS FOR '27. >> WHYTE: SO POTENTIALLY THIS BODY IS GOING TO VOTE TO RAISE TAXES WITHOUT US HAVING DONE THESE BUDGET REVIEWS ON EVERY CITY 
          DEPARTMENT. IS THAT RIGHT? >> THAT'S A TRUE STATEMENT, 
          YES, SIR. >> WHYTE: AGAIN, I KNOW THESE TAKE TIME. 
          I GET IT AND I APPRECIATE, CERTAINLY WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT, I APPRECIATE EFFORTS TO DO THESE, BUT TO RAISE TAXES WITHOUT HAVING GONE THROUGH EACH DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB TO CUT OUT THE WASTE AND DUPLICATION I THINK IS WRONG WRONG. JUST THIS YEAR, LOOK, $12.8 MILLION. 
          HOW MUCH WOULD WE FIND IN THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS? WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW UNLESS WE LOOK. MY LAST QUESTION IS, ERIK, IF WE VOTE TODAY ON IS IT ITEMS 5 AND 6? LET'S TAKE ITEM 5. IF ITEM 5 TODAY FAILS, WE SHUT DOWN THE CONVERSATION ON A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, IS THAT RIGHT? 
          >> YES, SIR, YEAH. THE BUDGET AS YOU WILL ADOPT IN SEPTEMBER WILL INCLUDE A 
          SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL REDUCTIONS. >> WHYTE: OKAY. 
          >> LET ME ADD TO THAT. WHAT YOU ALL ARE -- WHAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY AFTER THIS CONVERSATION IS JUST SETTING THE SCHEDULE FOR PUBLICATION UNDER STATE REQUIREMENTS AND THE PUBLIC HEARING. BUT IT DOES NOT CLOSE THE BOOK FOR YOU AS A GROUP TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TAX RATE. IF THE ITEM FAILS TODAY, THEN THAT BOOK IS SHUT AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH REDUCTIONS, PERIOD. 
          THERE'S NO OTHER OPTIONS BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO ADOPT THE BUDGET, WE HAVE TO DO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, WE'VE GOT TO DO THE NOTIFICATIONS AND YOU HAVE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET WITHIN A MANNER ACCORDING TO THE CITY CHARTER. 
          >> WHYTE: OKAY. SO WE CAN SHUT OFF THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE TAXES ON OUR CITIZENS TODAY BY VOTING NO TO ITEM 5. WE SHOULD SAY HELL NO TO ITEM 5, VOTE NO, STOP IT NOW NOW, MAKE THE APPROPRIATE CUTS AND THEN MOVE FORWARD. 
          WE SHOULD NOT BE ASKING THE CITIZENS TO PAY MORE. THANKS, MAYOR. 
          >> MAYOR, JUST ONE OTHER COMMENT. >> MAYOR JONES: ERIK, 
          PLEASE, YES. >> MY RECOMMENDATION, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME CONCERN AND OBVIOUSLY MORE CONVERSATIONS AROUND POTENTIAL SCENARIOS THAT WERE REQUESTED, BUT I THINK THE COUNCIL SHOULD MAINTAIN SOME FLEXIBILITY AS WE GO THROUGH THE NEXT MONTH AND YOU LOSE THAT FLEXIBILITY IF THAT ITEM IS CHANGED OR AMENDED TO LEAVE THE TAX RATE THE SAME. WE WILL MOVE FOR AN ADDITIONAL $65 MILLION OF REDUCTIONS THAT FRANKLY NONE OF US WILL HAVE A LOT OF CHOICES ABOUT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. SO THAT'S THE OTHER PART. 
          [02:45:01]
          >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD, COUNCILMAN. >> WHYTE: TINY THING I FORGOT. YOU GUYS HAVE GIVEN US THIS SAN ANTONIO FISCAL YEAR '26 INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS. IF WE COULD PLEASE GET THIS FOR 2027 AS SOON AS WE CAN 
          THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL AS WELL. >> YES, SIR. 
          HEIGHT. >> WHYTE: THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: IN CASE IT'S HELPFUL FOR ANY OF MY OTHER COLLEAGUES, ERIK, IN PLAIN SPEAK WHAT YOU'VE SAID IS WE'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT ADOPT ADOPTING THE TAX RATE TODAY. WHAT WE ARE DOING IS IT COULD BE THERE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN OPPORTUNITY AS WE GO THROUGH THIS FOR THAT TO BE LOWER AND THAT'S THE FLEXIBILITY YOU'RE DISCUSSING, CLOSING 
          THAT OFF WOULD TRIGGER CUTS OF WHAT AMOUNT JUST IN FY27. >> $65 MILLION OVER '27 AND '28. FOR FISCAL YEAR '27 THAT WOULD BE ABOUT $28.6 MILLION ADDITIONALLY. THE BALANCE OF THAT WOULD BE IN '28. 
          AND ONE OTHER THING, MAYOR, YOU ALL ADOPTED TAX RATE WHEN YOU ADOPT THE BUDGET. 
          THAT'S WHEN THE VOTING ON THE TAX RATE GETS SET. >> MAYOR JONES: YES. 
          THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. I THINK THE FLEXIBILITY AND WHAT YOU WOULD DO BY JUST TURNING THAT OFF RIGHT NOW ABSENT AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE THE '28 '28 28 MILLION WO COME FROM, ABSENT THE IMPACTS ON THE COMMUNITY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD DO. OKAY. 
          COUNCILMAN GALVAN, PLEASE. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. 
          REALLY QUICK I JUST WANTED TO ADD A POINT ABOUT SOMETHING COUNCILWOMAN KAUR MENTIONED AND SEEING HOW WE CAN MAINTAIN SOME OF THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS. 
          I THINK IT'S PERFECTLY REASONABLE FOR US TO REVIEW THEM AND TO DISCUSS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THAT FOR THOSE FUNDS. ULTIMATELY, RIGHT, THERE ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE STARTING SCHOOL WHO ARE EXPECTING TO RECEIVE THOSE DOLLARS TO HELP PAY FOR BOOKS, PAY FOR TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION, ET CETERA. 
          I WANT TO BE CAREFUL WITH THAT ONE AND HOPEFULLY DISCUSS IT THROUGHOUT THE NEXT YEAR BEFORE THE NEXT CYCLE AND YEAR FOR SHORTFALLS THAT MIGHT HAPPEN HAPPEN. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO MENTION ON THE PROPERTY TAX CONVERSATION, RAISING TAXES IS NEVER EXCITING, IT'S NEVER DESIRED BY I THINK ANYBODY. I THINK FOR THE CONVERSATION AROUND WHAT THE IMPACT IS TO WORKING FAMILIES, OF COURSE WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT TO WORKING FAMILIES, WHETHER IT'S A DOLLAR, A CENT, WHATEVER IT IS, THERE'S AN IMPACT IT FOR FOLKS WHO ARE STRUGGLEING EVER SINGLE DAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF EXEMPTIONS HERE IN OUR STATE AND CITY FOR SENIORS, FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES, TO BE ABLE TO NOT FEEL THESE COSTS TO THEM, INCLUDING THOSE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. I WANT TO PAINT THE PICTURE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR OUR WORKING FAMILY TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS. 
          WE HEAR A LOT OF COMPARISON FOR OUR PERSONAL BUDGET. FOR A WORKING PERSON FOR SOMEONE ON A FIXED INCOME, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, TIGHTEN THE BELTS FOR EVERYDAY COSTS BECAUSE FOOD GOES UP OR HEALTHCARE GOES UP OR HOUSING GOES UP IN PARTICULAR, THEY DO CUT COSTS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THEY'LL CUT COSTS AND VACATION TIME. THEY'LL CUT COST ON REACTION REACTION, SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY, EDUCATION, CAR MAINTENANCE, THEY'LL CUT COSTS ON ALL DIFFERENT THINGS, ON HOBBYIES, ON THEIR FAVORITE SNACK, WHATEVER IT IS. 
          AND AT SOME POINT IF EVERYTHING KEEPS GOING UP, IF EVERYTHING ELSE KEEPS GETTING WORSE IN SOME FORM, THE ESSENTIALS, THEY HAVE TO START CUTTING BACK THERE TOO TOO. IT HAPPENED IN MY FAMILY. WE STOPPED GOING TO THE DOCTOR. WE GOT BEHIND ON UTILITY BILLS, WE WOULD GET BEHIND ON RENT, WE WOULD GET BEHIND ON ALL THESE MAJOR THINGS TO OUR LIVES BECAUSE WE'RE CUTTING TO THE BONE AT SOME POINT. WHILE I DON'T THINK WE'RE AT THAT RIGHT NOW WITH THE CITY CITY, I THINK WE CAN TALK ABOUT OR WE CAN'T EVEN DISCUSS INCREASE IN REVENUE IN ANY FORM OR FASHION, TAX OR FEE OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE BE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO START GET KUTING TO THE BONE BONE. 
          AND WHEN WE DO THAT THOSE FAMILIES THAT STRUGGLE TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE MOVIES EVERY NOW AND THEN, TO HAVE HULU AND NEXT 96 TO BE ABLE TO WATCH THE FAVORITE SHOWS THAT THEIR CO-WORKERS OR FRIENDS AT SCHOOL OR WHATEVER IT IS ARE TALKING ABOUT. BEING PART OF A LARGER SOCIETY AND CULTURE AND LIFE LIFE. BEING MORE THAN JUST SOMEONE WHO WORKS, GOES HOME AND WORKS AGAIN THE NEXT DAY AND STRUGGLES UNTIL THE VERY END END. 
          WHEN WE CUT BACK ON THESE PUBLIC UTILITIES, THESE PUBLIC SERVICES, WHAT IS LIFE FOR FOLKS LIKE THAT TO NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO THE LIBRARY, TO HAVE WORSE SERVICES THERE, TO HAVE WORSE SERVICES AT THE PARK, TO HAVE LESS MAINTENANCE THERE, TO HAVE LESS SHADE STRUCTURES AT THE PARK NEARBY YOU. 
          TO HAVE LESS THINGS IN THE CITY THAT WILL BE WITHOUT BECAUSE SOME FOLKS FEEL WE SIMPLY CAN'T EVER ASK OUR RESIDENTSS TO BE DO THAT. I WOULD BE WILLING TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION AND I THINK MY RESIDENTSS WOULD BE WILLING TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION HONESTLY AND OPENLY IF IT'S A DOLLAR TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE PARK HERE IN OUR CITY HAS SHADE OVER IT, WHICH IS NOT NECESSARILY PART OF THE CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW I THINK THERE'S A WILLINGNESS TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. WE CAN OF COURSE CUT THE FLUFF BUT LET'S NOT PRETEND 
          [02:50:06]
THAT CUTTING BACK IS ONLY GOING TO BE THOSE THINGS. AT SOME POINT THEY MAY HIT THE BONE AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE OPEN TO THE CONVERSATION TO ENSURE OUR FAMILIES HAVE A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR CITY, WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE THE MEANS TO DO SO. THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE GOVERNMENT IS HERE FOR. 
          THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF HAVING A PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. 
          IN THE LATE 1800S WHEN THERE WAS NO SOCIAL SERVICES, WE HAD TO RELY ON THE WEALTHIEST TO GIVE CHARITY AND SAY, OKAY, HERE. FINE. 
          THE FOLKS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE CAN HAVE SHELTER. WE CAN ADMIT TO EACH OTHER THAT AS A SOCIETY, WE DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT, A GREEN SPACE TO GO TO, TO ENJOY LIFE AND GET OUT OF THE HOME FOR A SECOND. THINGS LIKE THAT ARE THE WORK WE DO EVERY DAY AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. 
          IT'S EASY TO SAY, OH, WE JUST CAN'T DO THOSE THINGS. WE SHOULDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. IT'S EASY TO SAY WHEN PEOPLE WHO CAN'T SPEAK UP BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO SAY I HOPE I CAN GO TO THE PARK THIS WEEKEND. 
          THAT'S WHERE I WANT MY TAX DOLLARS TO GO TO BEGIN WITH. JUST WANTED TO GIVE MY TWO 
          CENTS ON THAT. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: 
          COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: ERIK, WHEN YOU BRING BACK THE OPTIONS FOR US, IF THE VOTE PASSES TODAY ON THE TRYING TO BUDGET, COULD YOU BRING BACK TO US AN OPTION THAT SHOWS US WHAT IT WOULD MEAN FOR RESIDENTS IF WE INCLUDED THREE YEARS OF INCREMENT THIS YEAR AND SO -- LIKE, HOW THAT WOULD AFFECT THIS YEAR AND NEXT 
          YEAR AS WELL. IS THAT TOO MUCH -- >> WALSH: THE SCENARIO THAT COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ WAS ASKING? YES, MA'AM. 
          WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL. >> KAUR: WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL -- IF WE DID NOT DO THE CUTS, IT WOULD BE 30 THIS YEAR BUT THEN LIKE 60 NEXT YEAR, RIGHT? IF WE DIDN'T DO THE RAISE. I'M SORRY. IF WE DIDN'T DO THE PROPERTY 
          TAX RAISE. >> WALSH: $65 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS. 
          $28 MILLION THE FIRST YEAR AND THE BALANCE WOULD BE... >> KAUR: YEAH. 
          IF YOU COULD SHOW US THAT OPTION AS WELL SO WE COULD SEE ALL THREE AND WHAT PROGRAMS THAT WOULD INCLUDE. AND THAT WAY, AS WAS SHARED, WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ON WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO AFFECT THOSE PROGRAMS WITH WHAT WE'RE DECIDING ON. 
          >> WALSH: ONE OF THE THINGS I'M THINKING ABOUT, WE LAID IT OUT IN THE BUDGET WORK SESSION, BUT I'M THINKING WE NEED TO PROBABLY --Y BUT PRETTY QUICKLY ON THE FRONT END, HAVE A WORK SESSION BASED ON THESE SCENARIO CONVERSATIONS. 
          THAT WAY YOU SEE THE FULL OPTIONS AND SO WE MAY MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE WORK SESSION SCHEDULE THAT I SHOWED YOU, JUST BASED ON THIS CONVERSATION SO THAT WE 
          DO THAT EARLY ON. >> KAUR: THANKS. I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. 
          ONE MORE THING COUNCILMAN MUNGIA MENTIONED, IF WE DO INCREASE RATES ON FOLKS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SERVICES WE ARE PROVIDING ARE EXCELLENT. 
          WHEN WE'RE INCREASING 25 CENTS FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THAT RESIDENT WILL NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT BECAUSE SOLID WASTE HAS ONE OF OUR HIGHEST PERFORMANCE METRICS IN THE ENTIRE CITY. ONE OF THE ONES I DO GET COMPLAINTS ABOUT, MANY OF YOU KNOW I USE A LOT OF OUR SPORTS FIELDS, IS THE QUALITY OF OUR SPORTS FIELDS. WHEN I SHARED TO SOME FOLKS THAT THOSE RATES ARE GOING ALMOST DOUBLE, SO THE FOLKS THAT I INTERACT WITH SIGNIFICANTLY WERE VERY UPSET ABOUT THAT. 
          THE STATUS OF THE FIELDS ARE NOT IMPROVING BUT THEIR FEES ARE. 
          IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT, AS WE MEASURE HOW WE'RE INCREASING OUR REVENUES, TO MAKE SURE THE SERVICE IS ALSO GOING TO IMPROVE. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, WHEN YOU GUYS COME TO PRESENT, TO EITHER LOOK AT A WAY THAT WE CAN ASSESS OUR FIELDS TO RATE THEM ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 5 IN TERMS OF HOW BAD THEY ARE. 
          AND THEN -- OR HOW STRONG THEY ARE. SORRY. 
          LET ME BE PURPLE LINING. HOW STRONG THEY ARE. AND THEN ALSO IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN DO A DIFFERENT FEE STRUCTURE FOR FOLKS THAT ARE RESERVING IT ONCE IN, YOU KNOW, A YEAR VERSUS SOMEONE THAT'S RESERVING THE FIELD EVERY WEEK FOR A LEAGUE. AND IF THERE'S A DIFFERENT WAY WE CAN HELP THOSE FOLKS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT FEELING THE IMPACT AS SIGNIFICANTLY, SINCE THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING A LOT TO THE BUDGET. THANKS, MAYOR. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. JUST AS IT RELATES TO THE BUDGET TOWN HALL THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING PLACE IN MY DISTRICT ON MONDAY, THERE WAS INFORMATION THAT I ASKED FOR AT OUR LAST -- BACK IN JUNE, WHICH WAS ESSENTIALLY IF WE WERE TO 
          [02:55:04]
NOT DO THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE AND WE WERE NOT TO INCREASE REVENUE IN THAT WAY, WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT TO SERVICES IN DISTRICT 2 AND WHAT PROGRAMS WOULD BE CUT AND WHAT DOES PARTICIPATION BY DISTRICT 2 LOOK LIKE , AS WELL AS WHAT DOES THE PROPERTY TAX IMPACT LOOK LIKE FOR DISTRICT 2 RESIDENTS, ON AVERAGE. 
          AND IT SOUNDS LIKE STAFF IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET ME ANSWERS TO ONE OF THOSE TODAY. BUT I DON'T THINK BY MONDAY WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR THE REST OF IT. AND SO I'M CONCERNED THAT THE CONVERSATION AT MY BUDGET TOWN HALL IS NOT GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE. I THINK WE SHOULD DELAY IT. 
          I'LL BE WORKING WITH STAFF, HOPEFULLY TO IDENTIFY A NEW DATE. 
          THANK YOU. >> WALSH: MAYOR, A COUPLE OF YOU HAVE BROUGHT UP THE CIP, AND I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF RATIONALE BEHIND THE RECOMMENDATION. WE REDUCED IT BECAUSE IF WE KEPT IT THE SAME AT A MILLION DOLLARS, THEN WE WOULD BE TAKING FROM THE CAPACITY FROM THE BOND PROGRAM. SO BECAUSE HOW WE USED THAT CIP IN THE PAST IS THROUGH CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION UTILIZED OUT OF OUR CAPACITY. 
          I WANTED TO PRESERVE AS MUCH OF THAT CAPACITY FOR THE BOND CONVERSATION FOR YOU ALL. AND THAT'S WHY WE REDUCED IT TO $200,000. 
          OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE CONVERSATIONS AROUND CIP. 
          IF THERE'S UNDERSTOOD THE RATIONALE BEHIND THAT. I KNOW THAT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ALL OF YOUR OFFICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE. BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I WANTED TO PRESERVE IT FOR THE LARGER DISCUSSION AROUND THE BOND. 
          SO THAT WAS THE RATIONALE BEHIND IT. >> MAYOR JONES: THANKS, ERIK. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, FIRST OR SECOND ROUND? OKAY. THANK YOU. 
          I'M JUST GOING TO PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF, ERIK. LAST YEAR WHEN WE INCREASED THE FUNDS FOR THE DISTRICT'S CIP, WE ISSUED DEBT TO DO THAT, CORRECT? 
          >> WALSH: YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. AGAIN, THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM THAT PUT IN THE WORK TO WHERE WE ARE. I KNOW THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK THAT REMAINS AHEAD OF US. IN PARTICULAR WHAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A DRAFT DOCUMENT --L HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION ON IT. 
          BUT IT'S REALLY HARD TO KIND OF APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOME OF THESE THINGS WHEN WE HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED THE DEBT MANAGEMENT PLAN. 
          SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT CONVERSATION. 8.3% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE OVER TWO YEARS IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. 
          IS THAT A FAIR WAY OF DESCRIBING IT, ERIK? >> WALSH: YEAH. 
          THAT'S PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR '28 PLAN. THE PLAN FOR '28 WOULD BE 
          UTILIZING THAT '27 INCR INCREMENT. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. 
          SO JUST BASED ON THE CONVERSATION, THE OPTION THAT WAS PRESENTED EARLIER. 
          IF YOU TOOK THE INCREMENT IN '27, THEN YOU'RE DOING AN 8.3% INCREASE JUST IN ONE 
          YEAR VERSUS ACROSS TWO YEARS, CORRECT? >> WALSH: YES, MA'AM. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: WHICH WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT, I THINK, IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THE OTHER INCREASES THAT WE ARE EXPECTED TO AT LEAST HAVE REQUESTED OF US, SAWS IN PARTICULAR. OKAY. AND TO REITERATE. 
          THIS BUDGET, THE PROPOSED BUDGET, ONLY BALANCES IF YOU INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX RATE 3.9% THIS YEAR -- EXCUSE ME, IN '27. AND 4.4% IN '28. 
          IT ONLY BALANCES IF YOU DO THOSE TWO THINGS, BASED ON WHAT YOU LAID OUT, CORRECT? 
          >> WALSH: YES. BUT YOU DON'T ADOPT THE PLAN -- >> MAYOR JONES: 
          UNDERSTOOD. >> WALSH: SO NEXT SPRING WHEN WE'RE DOING BUDGET WORK SESSIONS, IF YOU ALL WANT TO PURSUE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS OR ADDITIONAL 
          REDUCTIONS, THEN WE WOULD SUBSTITUTE. >> MAYOR JONES: UNDERSTOOD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS CLEAR ABOUT THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT THIS UNDERPINS WHAT'S BEEN PROPOSED. 
          A 3.9% IN FY27 AND 4.4% IN FY28. OKAY. 
          I'LL -- THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I'LL ASK ABOUT. ONE I KNOW THAT IS TOP OF MIND -- I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SESSION ON IT. BUT JUST BECAUSE FOLKS HAVE READ ABOUT IT AND IT'S A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. AS YOU ARTICULATED, ERIK, THE HEALTHCARE PIECE IS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING PARTS OF THIS. 
          THE PRESTIGIOUS, THE ISSUE WITH THAT ONE PROVIDER PRESTIGIOUS AND THE $40 MILLION, HOW DOES THAT -- HOW SHOULD A NORMAL PERSON UNDERSTAND HOW THAT 
          [03:00:04]
$40 MILLION INCREASE CONTRIBUTES TO WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW? 
          >> WALSH: WHEN WE DO THE HR BUDGET WE'LL GO INTO A LOT MORE DETAIL. 
          THAT'S AN INTERNAL SERVICE FUND. WE SPEND $250 MILLION FOR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FOR 29,000 LIVES. AND SO ONE OF OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES IS IF WE FIND OURSELVES WITH ONE OF THOSE INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS IN A FINANCIAL POSITION, THAT WE WORK TO MITIGATE THAT OVER A THREE TO FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. 
          PART OF THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE INCREASING PART OF THAT IS TIED BACK TO THE PREMIUM INCREASES FOR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE POLICE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AS WELL AS CIVILIANS. 
          IT WILL BE NO SURPRISE, WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FIRE ASSOCIATION. 
          THAT WILL BE A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION WITH THEM IN THE SPRINGTIME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY UP IN TERMS OF INCREASING THAT COST IN TERMS OF EITHER COVERAGE, WHETHER IT'S DEDUCTIBLES OUT OF POCKET OR PREMIUM. IT IS NOT A MAJOR DRIVER IN TERMS OF OUR OFFSET. BUT WE'LL GO INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL. 
          WE'LL UPDATE YOU ALL AT THE BUDGET WORK SESSION ON THE CONVERSATIONS WITH PRESTIGIOUS AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD. WE HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS IN THAT SENSE. I'M THANKFUL THAT THE EMPLOYEES HAVE HEEDED SOME OF OUR CAUTIONS AROUND UTILIZING FREE-STANDING EMERGENCY ROOM CLINICS. 
          THAT WORK WILL NEED TO CONTINUE WITH EMPLOYEES AND WE'LL FULLY BRIEF YOU GUYS 
          AT THAT WORK SESSION. >> MAYOR JONES: GREAT. THANK YOU. 
          I'LL REITERATE WHAT I SHARED EARLIER THIS YEAR BUT ALSO IN THE PRE-BRIEF. 
          AS WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET SESSIONS, AN UNDERSTANDING, AS BEST ABLE, THE CUMULATIVE IMPACTS, NOT ONLY OF THE CUTS AND -- ANTICIPATED CUTS IN '27 AND '28, BUT WHAT THAT MEANS IN LIGHT OF CUTS WE HAVE SEEN IN THOSE SAME PLACES IN '25 AND POTENTIALLY '26. I THINK, FRANKLY, AN ANALOGY I WOULD USE -- BASED ON MY BACKGROUND -- ARE THESE ORGANIZATIONS STILL MISSION CAPABLE? WHEN YOU CUT THEM SO MUCH, HAVE YOU CUT THEM TO A PLACE WHERE THEIR LEVEL OF SERVICE OTHER THAN JUST REDUCING WHAT IS PROVIDING, SO IT MAY NOT BE PROVIDING WHAT ONE WOULD ANTICIPATE. SO A TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONAL IMPACT, AS A RESULT OF THOSE THINGS OVER TIME. AGAIN, WE MIGHT BE CUTTING IT THIS TIME BY 10%, BUT WHEN YOU ADD THAT OVER TIME, WE HAVE SEEN POTENTIALLY A 30% DECREASE IN SOMETHING OVER TWO OR THREE YEARS, WE REALLY NEED TO DETERMINE IF THAT IS STILL THE BEST WAY TO PROVIDE THAT OR WE MIGHT WANT TO DO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY. FOR EVERYONE'S EDIFICATION, ERIK, WHEN YOU SAID THE AVERAGE RESIDENT WILL SEE THE $2.95. HOW ARE YOU DEFINING 
          AVERAGE? >> WALSH: SO, THE AVERAGE RESIDENT'S TAXABLE VALUE AFTER EXEMPTIONS IN SAN ANTONIO RIGHT NOW IS A LITTLE OVER $231,000. 
          WE'RE APPLYING THAT PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT, UTILIZING THE UNUSED TAX INCREMENT, TO 
          THAT TAXABLE VALUE. THAT'S AFTER EXEMPTIONS. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. 
          I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTOOD KIND OF WHERE THEY WERE, RELATIVE TO THAT AVERAGE. BASED ON -- I WANT TO GO TO SOME OF THE REDUCTIONS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED. THE HIRING FREEZE IN '27 AND '28, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC'S SAKE, CAN YOU GIVE AN IDEA OF THE NON-ESSENTIAL VERSUS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE WOULD 
          BE APPLIED TO, ERIK? THANKS. >> WALSH: SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE AROUND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS. WE'LL NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES LIKE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT. IT'S PROBABLY EASIER TO DEFINE THE CRITICAL 
          POSITIONS, MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PROVIDE IT. 
          >> WALSH: THE CRITICAL POSITIONS THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE A HIRING FREEZE ON ARE 9-1-1 DISPATCHERS, SOME OF OUR EVIDENCE TECHNICIANS, CIVILIAN EVIDENCE TECHNICIANS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. 
          OUR CODE INVESTIGATORS. OUR ANIMAL CARE OFFICERS. DEPENDING ON STAFFING, IT COULD BE ANIMAL CARE ATTENDANTS. A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS WILL PROBABLY GET CONSOLIDATED AND FROZEN. AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW THAT. HR AND BUDGET ARE GOING TO REVIEW IT WEEKLY. 
          I'M GOING TO REVIEW IT WITH THEM EVERY TWO WEEKS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING POINTS OF NEED AND SQUEEZING DOWN WHAT WE CAN SQUEEZE DOWN IN TERMS OF COST. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: GREAT. OKAY. IT'S BEEN ALLUDED TO BY ONE 
          [03:05:05]
OF MY COLLEAGUES BUT I WILL ALSO BE VERY INTERESTED IN THIS PROPOSED ELIMINATION OF THE COMPLIANCE OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS OFFICE. CUTTING EIGHT POSITIONS, NINE BEING TRANSFERRED. CONSIDERATION THE IMPORTANT WORK THEY DO FOR SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO BE INCREASINGLY IN NEED OF THEIR SERVICES, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CUTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. DISABILITY ACCESS, CIVIL RIGHTS . THE $5 MILLION REDUCTION IN THE DELEGATE AGENCIES IN FY28, 48 PROGRAMS, AND THOSE FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, FAMILY STRENGTHENING, SENIOR INDEPENDENCE IMPACTING 9,350 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS, I KNOW THAT'S IN '28. 
          BUT IF WE ARE UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR BUDGET ONLY BALANCES IF WE DO THAT LATER ON, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW WE ARE ACCOUNTING FOR AND PLANNING FOR THOSE. 
          I'LL COME BACK TO THAT WHEN I TALK ABOUT READY TO WORK HERE SHORTLY. 
          SOME OF THESE CUTS I DON'T AGREE WITH AND I WANT TO WORK WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE SURE WE FIND A WAY TO PUT THESE BACK. IN PARTICULAR, FOR EXAMPLE, TUITION REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. I THINK THAT IS A CRITICAL BENEFIT AND SOMETHING WE WANT FOLKS TO DO, WHICH IS INVEST IN THEMSELVES. 
          AND WE SHOULD HELP THEM DO THAT. IN GENERAL, I'D LIKE TO -- AND IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO IT NOW, I WELCOME THAT. SOME OF THE -- I STILL HAVE A CHALLENGE WITH SOME ASPECTS OF THE THINGS THAT WERE LEFT IN FROM THE TRIAL BUDGET IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THE CUTS THAT ARE PROPOSED. AND I SAY THIS BECAUSE AS HAS BEEN ALLUDED TO BY COLLEAGUES, OUR NEIGHBORS ARE WILLING TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS. I THINK THEY ARE ASSUMING, THOUGH, THAT WE ARE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO CUT OUT AS MANY THINGS OR REDUCE THEM IN A WAY THAT IS COMMENSURATE IN A NEED WITH OUR COMMUNITY IN LIGHT OF THE OTHER THINGS BEING IMPACTED. AND SO, FOR EXAMPLE, I MEAN IF WE'RE LOOKING AT CUTTING A MATERNAL MORTALITY PILOT, WHY THEN WOULD WE ONLY BE REDUCING OUR FIESTA COST BY 50%? RIGHT? IF WE ARE LOOKING AT, AGAIN, REDUCING THE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT, ELIMINATING THE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR OUR CITIZENS, WHY WOULD WE BE GIVING THE SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN A MILLION DOLLARS? IF WE'RE LOOKING AT CUTTING ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO DOES THE CULTURAL INITIATIVES, WHICH OVERSEES THE CULTURAL HERITAGE DISTRICTS, LOCAL MAKERS PROGRAM, LEGACY BUSINESS PROGRAM, CULTURAL CONTEXT PROGRAM, WHY WOULD WE STILL BE GIVING THE BOOK FESTIVAL $150,000? THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT I THINK -- AND OH, BY THE WAY, DOING THOSE THINGS WHILE RAISING PEOPLE'S PROPERTY TAXES AS PROPOSED. THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT MAKE SENSE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN FACT SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE. 
          BECAUSE IF IT'S FIESTA AND MATERNAL MORTALITY PILOT, IT'S GOING TO BE THE MATERNAL MORTALITY PILOT. THAT'S JUST COMMON SENSE. SO GOING BACK TO THAT -- AND IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO IT, JUSTINA, I KNOW THERE'S A BIG POT OF MONEY THAT WE'VE GOT. ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF SO MANY OF THESE CUTS BEING IN THE HEALTH SPACE. THE 1115 WAIVER PROGRAM. AND JUST KIND OF IN GENERAL IF YOU CAN GIVE US THE LOGIC OF HOW MUCH MONEY IS IN THAT POT. 
          AND, TWO, WHAT'S THE LOGIC OF APPLYING THAT THIS YEAR IN THIS BUDGET AND IN THE 
          NEXT YEAR'S? >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO WE'RE PROJECTING TO GO INTO FISCAL YEAR 2027 WITH ABOUT $19 MILLION. AND MEDICAID WAIVER HAS FUNDED SOME PRIORITY AND MANDATED SERVICES IN THE PAST. 
          THAT INCLUDES OUR DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, STAND UP SA, SOME COMMUNITY NUTRITION DIABETES PROGRAMS. SO WE ARE -- AND SOME OF OUR SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED INFECTION WORKLOAD THAT WE HAVE. SO WHAT WE DID IS WE LOOKED AT THOSE PROGRAMS AND IN ORDER TO -- IT IS ONE-TIME FUNDING. 
          SO WE WANTED TO CONTINUE THOSE PROGRAMS FOR AS LONG AS WE COULD. 
          SO WE MADE SOME REDUCTIONS. WE CUT SOME PROGRAMS. BUT THEN THE REMAINING FUNDING AND THE REMAINING PROGRAMS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO FUND THOSE THROUGH 2029. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WE UNDERSTAND -- TO YOUR POINT, IT'S ONE-TIME FUNDING. BUT THAT FLEXIBILITY AND THAT MONEY IN LIGHT OF THE FEDERAL CUTS THAT WE'RE SEEING IN MEDICAID, MEDICARE, CHIP, AND SNAP, 
          IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEE THE BURN RATE. >> WALSH: MAYOR -- OBVIOUSLY WE'RE GOING TO GET MORE INTO THIS AS WE GET INTO THE WORK SESSIONS. 
          [03:10:04]
BUT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF ART BEHIND THE MATH. AND THERE ARE THE REDUCTIONS AND THE LOGIC BEHIND THEM COME FROM A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SOURCES. 
          ONE, DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE ARE PLENTY OF DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATIONS I GOT OVER THE WEEKEND -- OVER THE SUMMER THAT I SAID ABSOLUTELY NOT TO. BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY WERE ACHIEVABLE. 
          I THINK THEY HAD PROBABLY GREATER IMPACTS. I RELY UPON THE EXECUTIVES IN THE DEPARTMENT TO MANAGE THEIR BUDGETS AND THEIR PROGRAMS. THE SECOND KIND OF LENS IS MY PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE. AND THAT OF THE EXPERIENCE OF BOTH MARIA AND JUSTINA AND THE YEARS THAT WE'VE SPENT DOING THIS TYPE OF WORK. AND THEN LASTLY, IT'S THE COUNCIL CONVERSATION THAT YOU ALL HAD IN MAY AND JUNE. I MEAN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BOOK BUDGET -- THE BOOK FESTIVAL WAS TALKED ABOUT PLENTY. I HEARD THAT LOUD AND CLEAR. 
          MAKING SURE THAT I'M ASCERTAINING AND PULLING THAT FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL AS A GROUP. MY OWN PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEN THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENTAL STAFF. AND IT'S NEVER PERFECT. 
          AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A WHOLE MONTH AHEAD OF US BECAUSE YOU ALL WILL UNDOUBTEDLY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THAT AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS A COMPLETE 
          PROCESS. >> MAYOR JONES: I APPRECIATE THAT, ERIK. 
          THANK YOU. AS WE LOOK AT ADDITIONAL REVENUE STREAMS, I WANT TO THANK ALEX AND JUSTINA FOR THE VERY HELPFUL INTELLECTUAL EXERCISE TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT OF THAT READY TO WORK MONEY CAN ACTUALLY PAY FOR SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE CURRENTLY PAY FOR OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND. AND BASED ON THE FY26 BUDGET, IT WAS ABOUT $4.5 MILLION, JUST SHORT OF THAT. 
          IN '27, UNFORTUNATELY THAT DECREASES TO ABOUT 2.1, ONLY BECAUSE THE SAN ANTONIO EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP IS ZEROED OUT. I MEAN, THAT'S ANOTHER ONE I THINK THAT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN, ZEROING OUT THE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 3500 KIDS IN LIGHT OF SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE STILL FUNDED. 
          BUT WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT, AS ERIK DESCRIBED, THROUGH THE PROCESS. 
          IN LOOKING AT THE READY TO WORK THINGS THAT COULD BE PAID FOR NOW, ABSENT A PUBLIC VOTE, I AM VERY ENCOURAGED TO SEE NOT ONLY THE $2.1 MILLION. 
          I HAD MY TEAM GO THROUGH -- I KNOW THAT WAS JUST THE INITIAL ANALYSIS, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. IN LOOKING AT SOME OTHER PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY IN THE DELEGATE AGENCY SPACE. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE -- THE TEAM IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL -- AND WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH JUSTINA AND MARIA ON THIS. AN ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL $3 MILLION. THE REASON THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE USING THE READY TO WORK MONEY TO PAY FOR THOSE THINGS IN THE GENERAL FUND, THAT ALLOWS US TO UTILIZE THAT MONEY ON ADDITIONAL CORE SERVICES. IT FREES UP THAT GENERAL FUND MONEY TO APPLY TO CORE SERVICES. THE CUTS ARE SIGNIFICANT. 
          AS CREATIVE AS WE CAN BE IS WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE. AND AS MENTIONED, A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS WOULD HELP TO RESTORE THE DISTRICT'S -- THE SIP ACCOUNTS. 
          IT WOULD BE MY HOPE BEING CREATIVE WITH THAT READY TO WORK MONEY TO BACKFILL SOME OF THOSE THINGS TO HELP GET US AS CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS AS POSSIBLE. 
          I'M ALSO VERY EXCITED ABOUT ONE POTENTIAL RECIPIENT OF THAT IS THE SAN ANTONIO EDUCATIONAL PARTN PARTNERSHIP . THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS -- IT'S 250, $500 A PIECE. 
          IN THIS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, THOSE AMOUNTS OF MONEY COULD BE THE DETERMINATION WHETHER SOMEBODY GOES TO COLLEGE AND WHETHER THEY DON'T. 
          I'M VERY EXCITED IN THE INITIAL ANALYSIS IT SHOWS THAT READY TO WORK MONEY CAN BE USED IN THIS BUDGET TOWARD THOSE THINGS. NOT ONLY COULD IT BACKFILL THE 2.1 PROPOSED TO BE CUT BUT YOU COULD DOUBLE THAT AMOUNT. 
          I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH MY COLLEAGUES. 
          PROJECT QUEST, THEY ARE ANOTHER ONE THAT CAN BE FUNDED WITH THE READY TO WORK TODAY. NOT ONLY FUNDED AT THE $2.1 MILLION, BUT WE COULD DOUBLE THAT AND IF IT WAS ASSESSED THAT PROJECT QUEST HAD SUCH CAPACITY . 
          VERY EXCITING TO UNDERSTAND THE FLEXIBILITY THAT WE HAVE THERE. 
          I THINK THAT FLEXIBILITY IS ONLY IMPORTANT, AS UNFORTUNATELY THE ECONOMY IS NOT GETTING BETTER AND WE WILL SEE THE IMPACTS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL CONTINUE IN OUR COMMUNITY. DR. JACOB HAS DESCRIBED THE DECREASE IN SNAP RECIPIENTS, WHICH IS WHY HAVING FLEXIBILITY TO HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE IS SO IMPORTANT. I DID ASK, ERIK -- AND I DON'T THINK I SAW IT IN THERE. WE CAN HAVE A FOLLOW-ON DISCUSSION ON IT. 
          [03:15:01]
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN INCREASE IN AUDIT PERSONNEL. THOSE FOLKS PAY FOR THEMSELVES IN THE SAVINGS THAT THEY IDENTIFY. SO I THINK -- AND I THINK BUDDY PROVIDED SOME ANALYSIS TO SHOW WE MAY BE A LITTLE BIT LOWER THAN THE PER CAPITA IN OTHER TEXAS CITIES. I WOULD LIKE US TO EXPLORE THE POTENTIAL TO ADD THOSING THE FOLKS IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THEY FUND THEMSELVES. 
          AS WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL REVENUE AS WELL -- AND THIS MAY BE -- I KNOW YOU'RE CHANGING THE SCHEDULE A LITTLE BIT BASED ON WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HERE. WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT RAISING THE -- THAT DISCUSSION ABOUT THE OPTIONS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT RAISE THE PROPERTY TAX, ERIK. 
          WHAT I WOULD LIKE US TO DO IS ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH COULD WE BRING BACK FROM THE EXISTING PROPERTY TAX THAT WE COLLECT BUT WE FOREGO VIA TIRZ. 
          I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THAT INTO THE CONVERSATION. THERE'S PROPERTY TAX THERE, IT'S JUST NOT COMING INTO THE GENERAL FUND. HOW MIGHT WE LOOK AT THOSE POTS OF MONEY ACROSS THE VARIOUS TIRZ TO UNDERSTAND WHAT CAN COME INTO THE GENERAL FUND. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE -- I KNOW THE PERFORMANCE METRICS FOR ALL OF THE OUTSIDE CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE IS EN ROUTE. 
          THANK YOU. ON THE BOND CAPACITY -- I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FULLER DISCUSSION BUT $450 MILLION IS WHAT WE ARE AT NOW, ANTICIPATED, ERIK? 
          >> WALSH: WITH NO ADJUSTMENTS TO THAT VARIABLE RATE CONCEPT THAT WE TALKED 
          ABOUT WITH YOU ALL, YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR JONES: OF THE 2022 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND, THE $1.2 BILLION, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS UNISSUED? 
          >> WALSH: ABOUT $200 MILLION BUT WE'LL BE ISSUING THAT -- WE'RE ISSUING LATER ON THIS MONTH. THERE WILL BE ABOUT $200 MILLION THAT WILL BE 
          ISSUED NEXT YEAR. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. OKAY. 
          GREAT. THOSE ARE MY INITIAL COMMENTS AS WE BEGIN THIS. 
          AGAIN, REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES AS WE SHORE UP SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR PROPOSED CUTS. 
          UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY, IN PARTICULAR WITH THE READY TO WORK FUNDS. GREAT. OKAY. 
          ANY FINAL COMMENTS FROM YOU, ERIK, ON THIS TOPIC? >> WALSH: NO, MA'AM. 
          I APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION AND THE ENTIRE PROBABLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE AUDIENCE IS READY FOR THE NEXT MONTH. SO WE'LL GET AFTER IT. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: I CAN SEE EVERYONE'S TEXAS INSTRUMENTS CALCULATOR FROM HERE. 
          [LAUGHTER] ON TO ITEM -- ONE SECOND. WE TALKED ABOUT -- SORRY. 
          MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION AGAIN. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 5 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE CITY'S PROPOSED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS TAX RATE AT 35.138 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION AND THE CITY'S PROPOSED DEBT SERVICE TAX RATE AT 21.150 CENTS PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUATION AS RECOMMENDED IN THE FISCAL 
          YEAR 2027 PROPOSED BUDGET. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE 
          ITEM 5? >> VIAGRAN: I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: GALVAN IS THE SECOND. IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM 5. STAFF HAS PRESENTED, PUBLIC COMMENT HAS BEEN HEARD, AND 
          COUNCIL HAS HEARD THE ITEM. >> AYE. .>> GAVITO: NAY. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: ALDERETE GAVITO. >> GAVITO: NAY. 
          .>> MAYOR JONES: THE MOTION CARRIES. WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM 6. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ THE CAPTION. 
          >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 6 IS AN ORDINANCE SETTING THE DATE, TIMES, AND LOCATIONS FOR THE 
          [03:20:02]
FIRST AND SECOND PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 THROUGH 2027 AND THE PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M. AND THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 AT 9:00 A.M., AND AT THE CITY 
          COUNCIL'S CHAMBERS. >> MAYOR JONES: IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 6? 5 AND 4. IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM 6. 
          STAFF HAS PRESENTED, PUBLIC COMMENT HAS HEARD, AND COUNCIL HAS DISCUSSED THE 
          ITEM. PLEASE VOTE. >> AYE. 
          >> AYE. >> AYE. >> MAYOR JONES: THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 7. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE READ 
          THE CAPTION. >> CLERK: ITEM NO. 7 IS AN ORDINANCE ORDERING THE SALES AND USE TAX ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026 IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS FOR VOTERS TO CONSIDER REAUTHORIZING THE PRE-K 4 SA PROGRAM FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE CURRENT AUTHORIZATION IN MARCH OF 2029 AND EXTENDING THE CURRENT 1/8 OF A CENT SALES AND USE TAX FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SAN ANTONIO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION'S TO BE USED FOR THE PRE-K 4 SA PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 379A OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. PLEASE, SARAH. >> BARAY: GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SARAH BARAY. I'M THE CEO OF PRE-K 4 SA AND I'M HERE TO PROVIDE A BRIEF ON THE PROGRAM BEFORE YOUR DISCUSSION ON REAUTHORIZATION. PRE-K 4 SA IS AUTHORIZED UNDER CHAPTER 379A OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, KNOWN AS THE BETTER JOBS ACT. 
          THIS ALLOWS CITIES TO LEVERAGE LOCAL SALES TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF CERTAIN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES INCLUDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION -- 
          >> MAYOR JONES: HOLD ON. PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN. >> BARAY: I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE NOT STAYING FOR MY PRESENTATION. THEY MIGHT HAVE WORK TO DO, 
          I THINK. [LAUGHTER] >> MAYOR JONES: GO AHEAD. 
          >> BARAY: PRE-K 4 SA WAS FIRST AUTHORIZED IN 2012 BY THE VOTERS WITH A 53% APPROVAL. DURING THE FIRST AUTHORIZATION, WHICH RAN FROM 2012 TO 2021, WE OPENED FOUR MODEL AWARD-WINNING EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS. 
          ANNUAL INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS THAT ARE BAKED INTO THE DNA OF THE PROGRAM FROM THE BEGINNING HAVE SHOWN THAT CHILDREN ENTER PRE-K 4 SA BELOW THE NATIONAL NORM IN KEY INDICATORS AND THEY LEAVE WELL ABOVE THE NATIONAL NORM WHEN THEY'RE FINISHED WITH THE PROGRAM. ADDITIONALLY, LONG-TERM OUTCOME STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT OUR CHILDREN, WHEN THEY REACH THIRD GRADE, HAD BETTER READING, BETTER MATH, BETTER ATTENDANCE, AND LOWER SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS. 
          AN ROI STUDY DEMONSTRATED THAT PRE-K 4 SA RETURNED $59 MILLION IN BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY BEYOND THE COST OF THE PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, THE PROGRAM COLLECTIVELY SERVED OVER 14,000 CHILDREN DIRECTLY IN OUR CENTERS. 
          BUT WE SUPPORT AN ADDITIONAL 13,000 CHILDREN IN 119 LOCAL SCHOOLS AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERS THROUGH $21 MILLION IN GRANTS AND OVER 60,000 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING. IN 2020 THE VOTERS REAUTHORIZED PRE-K 4 SA WITH 73% OF THE VOTE. SINCE THEN, WE'VE BEEN OFF AND RUNNING WITH THE SECOND AUTHORIZATION. OUR SPECIFIC PROMISE TO -- I'M NOT ADVANCING. 
          MY APOLOGIES. OUR SPECIFIC PROMISE TO THE VOTERS WAS TO, IN 2020, TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM AND SERVE MORE YOUNG CHILDREN. 
          AT THE TIME, MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES WERE ESPECIALLY SQUEEZED OUT OF THE EARLY LEARNING MARKET BECAUSE THEY DID NOT QUALIFY AND CONTINUE NOT TO QUALIFY FOR FREE PUBLIC PRE-K THROUGH THE EDUCATION AGENCY. AND THEY COULD NOT AFFORD IT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. OUR PROMISE THERE WAS TO SERVE THOSE MIDDLE -- FIND A WAY TO SERVE THOSE MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES AT AN AFFORDABLE RATE. 
          WE HAVE DONE THAT. FROM 2021 TO 2026 WE HAVE SERVED OVER 25,000 CHILDREN 
          [03:25:06]
IN OUR PROGRAMS. WE'VE EXPANDED ACCESS AND ELEVATED THE QUALITY. 
          WE MADE GOOD ON OUR PROMISE BY CREATING OVER 1700 SEATS FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES WHO MAKE UP TO 85% OF STATE MEDIAN INCOME. WE DID MORE THAN THAT. 
          WHEN WE REALIZED ONE OF THE REASONS THAT SAN ANTONIO DID NOT -- WAS NOT AWARDED THE SPACE FORCE EXPANSION -- AND PART OF THAT WAS DUE TO THE LACK OF QUALITY EARLY LEARNING CARE FOR MILITARY FAMILIES. WE WORKED WITH JBSA AND OUR MILITARY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT HERE AT COSA TO DETERMINE WHAT THE NEED WAS AND HOW TO TURN THAT DEFICIT FOR THE CITY INTO AN ASSET. SO THAT THE NEXT TIME THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MILITARY CITY, USA, THAT IS AN ASSET FOR US WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT SAN ANTONIO. SO WE SERVED, SINCE REAUTHORIZATION, OVER 1200 MILITARY-AFFILIATED FAMILIES. THAT INCLUDES ACTIVE DUTY, VETERANS, AND RESERVISTS. ACTIVE DUTY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE PUBLIC PRE-K BUT THE OTHERS ARE NOT, AND SO WE HAVE EXPANDED THOSE OPTIONS. WE HAVE ALSO EXPANDED OUR ABILITY TO SERVE CHILDREN WITH EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS. WE HAVE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE ARE TOO FEWER SEATS AND FEWER OPTIONS FOR THOSE FAMILIES. 
          HEARD FROM FAMILIES THAT THOSE ARE BIG GAPS IN THE SYSTEM AS WELL. 
          IN ADDITION TO EXPANDING ACCESS, WE'VE ELEVATED THE QUALITY. 
          SO WE WORK WITH OVER 90 CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN OUR SHARED SERVICE ALLIANCE. 
          AND 96% OF THOSE ARE RATED QUALITY -- TEXAS RISING STAR THREE OR FOUR STAR. 
          THESE CENTERS ARE LOCATED IN EVERY DISTRICT ACROSS SAN ANTONIO BECAUSE WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT FAMILIES HAVE OPTIONS, CHOICES FOR HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING AND CARE CLOSE TO HOME OR WORK, WHATEVER IS CONVENIENT FOR THEM. 
          THESE PROVIDERS ARE SMALL BUSINESSES, PRIMARILY OWNED BY WOMEN. 
          WE PROVIDE PEDAGOGICAL AND BUSINESS COACHING AND PURCHASING SUPPORTS TO HELP THEM NOT ONLY SERVE MORE FAMILIES AT A HIGHER QUALITY BUT ALSO TO BECOME SUSTAINABLE, VIABLE BUSINESSES. AND WE SERVE OVER 4800 CHILDREN THROUGH THE SHARED SERVICE ALLIANCE EACH YEAR. AND SO WE'VE DONE A LOT IN SAN ANTONIO SINCE PRE-K 4 SA STARTED IN 2012. BUT THERE'S MORE TO DO. 
          LAST JANUARY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF INITIATED A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS, AS WE DO EVERY FIVE YEARS. AS PART OF THAT PROCESS, WE LOOK AT THE DATA ON THE STATE OF EARLY LEARNING IN SAN ANTONIO. 
          SO WE LOOKED AT THE STUDY THAT WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE CITY A FEW YEARS AGO ON THE STATE OF EARLY LEARNING IN BEXAR COUNTY. WE LOOKED AT OUR OWN PROGRAM EVALUATIONS AND OTHER STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE OVER THE COURSE OF THE AUTHORIZATION. THEN WE LOOKED AT CHILDCARE DESERTS FROM CHILDREN AT RISK, AS WELL AS A PILOT -- THE WEST SIDE PILOT PROGRAM THAT WAS DONE BY THE SAN ANTONIO EARLY MATTERS. WHAT THE ANALYSIS REVEALED IS THAT WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS BUT THERE'S STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE IN THE AREAS OF INCREASING ACCESS, STRENGTHENING QUALITY, AND MAKING IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES. 
          IF WE ARE TO BE REAUTHORIZED, IF THE VOTERS SAY YES, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE FAMILIES AT THE LOWEST PART OF THE INCOME SCALE, BECAUSE THAT'S KIND OF OUR BREAD AND BUTTER. BUT WE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS THAT WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND ACCESS THROUGH SOME PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO FIND SOME WAYS TO MAKE CHILDCARE MORE AFFORDABLE AND MAKE IT MORE AVAILABLE. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, EARLY LEARNING AND CARE IS AS MUCH AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT AS IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN OUR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. SO JUST SOME INFORMATION ON THE CURRENT AUTHORIZATION. THE VOTE WAS HELD NOVEMBER 3, 2020. 
          SALES TAX FOR THAT AUTHORIZATION BEGAN APRIL 1, 2021. 
          AND THE SALES TAX WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGH MARCH 30, 2029. 
          THE PROGRAM HAS FUNDING THROUGH JUNE 30, 2029. KEY ELECTION DATES FOR NOVEMBER. AS YOU KNOW, MONDAY IS THE LAST DAY TO AUTHORIZE. 
          A REFERENDUM, PUT IT ON THE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER. IF THIS IS PLACED ON THE BALLOT, WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU WITH WHAT WE CALL THE PROMISE TO VOTERS WITH MORE SPECIFICITY ABOUT WHAT WE -- WHAT OUR GOALS ARE FOR THE NEXT AUTHORIZATION AND WHAT WE THINK WE CAN ACCOMPLISH AND WHAT WE ARE PROMISING THE VOTERS TO DO, AS WE HAVE IN THE LAST TWO AUTHORIZATIONS. OCTOBER 5 IS THE LAST DAY TO 
          [03:30:04]
REGISTER TO VOTE. OCTOBER 19 IS EARLY VOTING. OCTOBER 30 IS THE LAST DAY OF EARLY VOTING AND THEN ELECTION DAY IS NOVEMBER 3. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. 
          I WANT TO START OFF BY OF COURSE THANKING ALL OF THE TEACHERS -- 
          >> MAYOR JONES: I'M SORRY, COUNCILMAN. GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF HERE. 
          MY APOLOGIES. GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: NO 
          WORRIES. >> MAYOR JONES: WE HAVE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. ANDREA RAMIREZ FOLLOWED BY PAUL RODRIGUEZ. 
          AND THEN DIANA ORIAGA AND JACK FINGER. WE HAVE FOUR INDIVIDUALS 
          SIGNED UP. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR JONES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. 
          MY NAME IS ANDREA RAMIREZ, I'M A DISTRICT 5 RESIDENT, A FORMER MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH EDUCATOR, AND I SERVE AT UP PARTNERSHIP. A BACKBONE ORGANIZATION WORKING TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS BEXAR COUNTY FROM CRADLE TO CAREER. I'M HERE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF ORDERING THE NOVEMBER ELECTION TO REAUTHORIZE PRE-K 4 SA FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS. 
          AT A TIME WHEN WE CAN'T ALWAYS COUNT ON FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS, THIS IS THE KIND OF INVESTMENT THAT HAS TO BE SECURED LOCALLY. 
          SAN ANTONIO VOTERS HAVE SHOWN THEIR SUPPORT FOR PRE-K 4 SA TWICE. 
          IN 2012 AND 2020. THIS NOVEMBER WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LET VOTERS DECIDE AGAIN AND GIVE THIS PROGRAM THE LONG-TERM STABILITY IT NEEDS. 
          AS A FORMER MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER, I SAW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN STUDENTS ENTER SCHOOL WITHOUT THE FOUNDATION OR SUPPORT THEY NEED. I ALSO HAD STUDENTS WHO WOULD MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUNGER BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHILE THEIR PARENTS WORKED. THAT EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ISN'T JUST PREPARING A 4-YEAR-OLD FOR KINDERGARTEN, IT CAN HELP A FAMILY STAY ON TRACK. FOR WORKING PARENTS, FINDING QUALITY PRE-K CAN BE DIFFICULT. FAMILIES MAY NOT KNOW WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AND WHEN YOUNG CHILDREN DON'T HAVE RELIABLE EARLY LEARNING AND CARE THE EFFECTS CAN REACH THE ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD AND INCLUDING OLDER SIBLINGS WHO MAY BE ASKED TO STEP IN AS CAREGIVERS. PRE-K 4 SA HELPS ADDRESS THAT NEED BY PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. 
          FOR CHILDREN, THAT EARLY FOUNDATION MATTERS. PRE-K 4 SA EVALUATIONS HAVE FOUND SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN AREAS INCLUDING LITERACY, MATH, COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT, AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION. THAT FOUNDATION DOESN'T END IN PRE-K, IT IS THE FIRST STEP IN A LONGER JOURNEY THROUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND CAREER. SO I URGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT PRE-K 4 SA NOT AS AN ISOLATED PROGRAM BUT AS PART OF THE BROADER INFRASTRUCTURE OUR CITY NEEDS TO HELP CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THRIVE. AND AS WE LOOK BEYOND EARLY CHILDHOOD, I HOPE WE CONTINUE ASKING HOW SAN ANTONIO CAN SUSTAIN THAT INVESTMENT ALL THE WAY THROUGH, INCLUDING PROTECTING FUNDING AUDIO] THAT HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD ON THAT FOUNDATION AS THEY GROW. 
          I LOOK FORWARD TO ENGAGING WITH THE CITY DURING THE UPCOMING BUDGET TOWN HALLS ABOUT HOW WE CAN PROTECT AND GROW THAT CONTINUUM OF SUPPORT TOGETHER. 
          BUT TODAY I URGE YOU TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP. ORDER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION AND GIVE SAN ANTONIO VOTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REAUTHORIZE PRE-K 4 SA FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR INVESTING IN SAN 
          ANTONIO'S CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND FUTURE. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. 
          PAUL RODRIGUEZ. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR JONES AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS PAUL RODRIGUEZ AND I SERVE AS POLICY DIRECTOR FOR UP PARTNERSHIP JUST TO REITERATE A COUPLE OF POINTS FROM MY COLLEAGUE, ANDREA. WE ARE HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF ITEM NO. 7 AND THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN PRE-K 4 SA FOR ALL OF THE AFOREMENTIONED REASONS MENTIONED BY MY COLLEAGUE. BUT I THINK THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT WE WANTED TO ADD, YOU KNOW, IS THAT THE INVESTMENT IS SO SIGNIFICANT. 
          WE KNOW THE IMPACT THAT PRE-K HAS ON KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ACADEMIC AND LIFE TRAJECTORY FOR A STUDENT. TALKING ABOUT THIRD-GRADE READING, COMPLETING MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION, AND ALSO POST-SECONDARY ENROLLMENT AND COMPLETION. WE STAND AS AN ORGANIZATION WITH PARTNERS THAT ARE READY TO SUPPORT THIS CONTINUED INVESTMENT. 
          ALSO IN TERMS OF DATA INFRASTRUCTURE, IN TERMS OF ENSURING THAT WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ABLE TO TALK ABOUT OUTCOMES AND ALL OF THE POSITIVE WORK THAT CAN BE 
          [03:35:02]
DONE WITHIN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRE-K SPACE, THAT WE'RE ENSURING THAT IT IS CONNECTING ACROSS A CONTINUED LINE OF SUPPORT ALL THE WAY THROUGH POST-SECONDARY COMPLETION. AND ALSO EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. 
          WE KNOW THAT THAT IS DISTINCT FROM POST-SECONDARY COMPLETION AND ALSO UP FOR DISCUSSIONS IN A WAY ON HOW THAT IS ALSO SUCH AN IMPORTANT METRIC FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE KNOW THAT FROM A GROUND LEVEL THIS CONTINUED INVESTMENT IS VERY CRITICAL, ESPECIALLY FOR A CONTINUED TIME PERIOD OF 20 YEARS. AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ALL OF YOUR 
          WORK ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. 
          DIANA ORIAGAS FOLLOWED BY JACK FINGER. >> IS THIS ABOUT Y'ALL 
          VOTING ON THE -- >> MAYOR JONES: PRE-K 4 SA. 
          >> OH, NO. I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THAT. I SIGNED UP FOR THE -- Y'ALL 
          VOTING ON THE -- KEEPING THE -- >> MAYOR JONES: THE BUDGET? 
          >> NO. THE MARVEL MONEY. >> MAYOR JONES: THAT'S ON MONDAY. 
          YOU ON MONDAY IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SPEAK ON THE PRE-K 4 SA ITEM. 
          THANK YOU. JACK FINGER. >> WELL, MADAME MAYOR, OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR ILLUSTRIOUS SAN ANTONIO CITY COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS JACK M. FINGER. I HAVE A FAIRLY PERTINENT QUESTION. 
          IS PRE-K 4 SA REALLY WORTH ITS SALT OR IS IT JUST ANOTHER GLORIFIED CHILDCARE PROGRAM? HUH? YOU KNOW, I WAS LOOKING THROUGH THAT POWERPOINT PRESENTATION THERE AND I WAS LOOKING, SEARCHING FOR THE SLIDE THAT TELLS US HOW THE PRE-K 4 SA GRADUATES, HOW THEY SURPASS ALL THEIR OTHER CLASSMATES, AT LEAST A FEW YEARS INTO THEIR SCHOOL YEARS. 
          I DIDN'T SEE IT. I LOOKED -- YOU TELL ME IF I MISSED IT. 
          BUT I DID NOT SEE ANY GRAPH THAT TELLS US HOW THE PRE-K 4 SA GRADUATES ACTUALLY SURPASS THEIR CLASSMATES BY ANY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT. 
          AND, IF SO, BY MORE THAN JUST AFTER FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AFTER THE THIRD OR FOURTH GRADE. INTO THE EIGHTH GRADE. HIGH SCHOOL. 
          I WANT TO KNOW DO PRE-K 4 SA, DOES IT REALLY BENEFIT THE KIDS? FOR ALL THE MONEY THAT WE'VE BEEN POURING INTO IT FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS HERE. 
          DIDN'T SEE THAT. I SEE HOW IT'S PROGRESSING HOW THEY'RE EXPANDING THEIR PROGRAM HOW THEY'RE GETTING MORE PEOPLE INTO IT. THAT'S THEIR MEANS OF SUCCESS. HUH-UH. I DO NOT COUNT SUCCESS AS TO HOW BIG YOU'VE EXPANDED YOUR PROGRAM. I COUNT SUCCESS AS TO IS THE KIDS REALLY BENEFITING FROM IT. AND NOW WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? MR. AUDIO-VISUAL MAN, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT TO SEE WHAT THAT ITEM SAYS THERE. INCLUDING THE UNDERLINED AREAS THERE. 
          AN ORDINANCE ORDERING A SALES TAX AND USE SALES TAX ELECTION TO BE HELD -- REAUTHORIZING PRE-K 4 SA FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS. I REPEAT. 
          A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS. [INDISCERNIBLE] FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS. 
          RETURN THE CAMERA, IF YOU WANT TO. I'M SORRY. 
          FOUR OR FIVE YEARS I CAN SEE MAYBE AS AN EXPERIMENT TO SEE IF IT REALLY WORKED. 
          BUT I'M NOT SEEING ANY, ANY GRAPHS THAT TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. 
          YOU WANT TO EXPAND IT FOR 20 YEARS? EXCUSE ME. 
          [03:40:02]
          >> MAYOR JONES: THAT WAS OUR FINAL SPEAKER. MAY I HAVE A MOTION TO 
          APPROVE ITEM 7 SO WE MAY BEGIN COUNCIL DISCUSSION. >> MOVE TO APPROVE. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO COUNCIL DISCUSSION. 
          COUNCILMAN MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, PLEASE. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU. GOING BACK -- I WANT TO START OFF BY THANKING ALL THE TEACHERS, SUPPORT STAFF, AND LEADERS WHO MAKE PRE-K 4 SA THE SUCCESS THAT IT IS. I KNOW MANY OF YOU, YOU ARE PREPARING FOR A 2028 ELECTION. BUT IT'S BECAUSE OF THE GREAT NEEDS THAT OUR CITY HAS, THE GREAT WORK THAT PRE-K 4 SA IS DOING, AND THE CONFIDENCE I HAVE AND THAT MANY OF US ON COUNCIL HAVE IN THE PROGRAM TO BRIDGE THAT GAP, THAT WE'RE CALLING ON AN EMERGENCY REAUTHORIZATION SO IT WILL GRANT MORE STABILITY. 
          WHEN I WAS A 25-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEACHER RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN 2021, NEARLY EVERY PERSON THAT I MET CONNECTED WITH ME BECAUSE THEY HAD A TEACHER IN THEIR FAMILY. AND NEARLY EVERY PERSON I MET WANTED TO KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES IN OUR DISTRICT. 
          I REMEMBER THAT FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS I FELT AS A TEACHER KNOWING THERE WAS SO MUCH OUTSIDE OF MY CONTROL. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE WORLD MY STUDENTS WERE NAVIGATING WHEN THEY GOT TO MY DOOR OR THE BURDENS THEY WERE CARRYING OR WHEN THEY HAD TO STAY HOME TO BABY SIT WHILE THEIR SINGLE MOM WORKED TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY. 
          I COULDN'T CONTROL WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED OR RETAINED BY THE TIME THEY JOINED MY CLASS. BUT PRE-K 4 SA IS BREAKING DOWN DOORS. 
          PROVIDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE QUALITY EDUCATION AND THEY'RE SETTING UP A GENERATION OF CHILDREN FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS WELL INTO HIGH SCHOOL. 
          AND SO THE EXPANSION OF PRE-K 4 SA HAS BEEN A PRIORITY OF MINE SINCE THEN. 
          AND MY HOPE, WITH THIS FUNDING, IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK YOU'RE DOING, PROVIDING QUALITY PRE-K, WORKING WITH ISDS TO IMPROVE THEIR OFFERINGS, SUPPORTING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AND EXPANDING INFANT-TODDLER EDUCATION BEYOND THE PILOT PROGRAM. 
          BEYOND THAT I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO INVEST IN NEW CAMPUSES. 
          I HOPE YOU'LL EXPAND YOUR PRESENCE AND SUPPORT WE HAVE THREE FACILITIES THAT TREND NORTH, ON THE NORTHWEST, NORTHEAST, AND NORTH SIDE. WE NEED THAT PRESENCE AND INVESTMENT IN THE EAST SIDE AND THE REST OF THE URBAN CORE. SO MY HOPE IS THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FILL THAT GAP. ON ANOTHER NOTE, NOW THAT I'M A PARENT AND I HAVE LOOKED INTO PROGRAMS FOR MY DAUGHTER, I CAN SAY THAT CHILDCARE IS EXPENSIVE AND IN MANY HOUSEHOLDS, INCLUDING MINE, YOU HAVE TO WORK FULL-TIME TO AFFORD IT. 
          AND SO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T MAKE IT WORK OUT FINANCIALLY AND SO THEY ARE STAYING UNEMPLOYED. I SEE HUGE POTENTIAL IN THE INFANT-TODDLER CARE PROGRAM TO DO WONDERS FOR FAMILIES IN SAN ANTONIO, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO OUR WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOALS. THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT WE NEED TO MORE THAN DOUBLE OUR CHILDCARE SEATS, PARTICULARLY FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS. IF WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC SEGREGATION, IF WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THE IMPACTS OF REDLINING AND IF WE'RE GOING TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR THE SINGLE MOTHERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, OR ANY FAMILY IN NEED IN SAN ANTONIO, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SINGLE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS WE CAN DO THAT. SO A 20-YEAR REAUTHORIZATION DEMONSTRATES OUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND ALLOWS PRE-K 4 SA THE FINANCIAL STABILITY AND CAPACITY THEY NEED TO MAKE MUCH-NEEDED INVESTMENTS FOR GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN. 
          I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS MUNGIA, GALVAN, AND GONZALES AS WELL AS MAYOR JONES FOR THE REFILING OF THIS AUTHORIZATION MEMO, AS WELL AS THE COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTERS OF PRE-K 4 SA LONG BEFORE THIS WAS AN ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION. I KNOW WE COULDN'T FIT EVERYBODY ON THE MEMO BUT MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WITH ADVOCATES OF THIS PROGRAM. 
          WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO INVEST WELL INTO ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, AND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMMING. BUT IT STARTS HERE. 
          THIS IS AN ITEM WE ARE SENDING TO VOTERS FOR FINAL APPROVAL SO I HOPE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD UNANIMOUSLY AS A SHOW OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PROGRAM. 
          AND WE'LL LET THE VOTERS DECIDE. THANK YOU, MAYOR. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. IN 2012 -- I'M SORRY. IN THE 2010S WHEN THEN-MAYOR CASTRO STARTED TALKING ABOUT PRE-K 4 SA, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN AMAZING IDEA. I KNEW THAT IT WOULD IMPACT GREATLY THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 3, THE SOUTH SIDE, THE EAST SIDE, AND THE WEST SIDE. 
          I WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT IT THEN. I WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT IT IN THE 2020 RENEWAL THEN ALSO. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS EARLY RENEWAL PROGRAM AND THE YEARS OF 20 YEARS, ASKING FOR 20 YEARS BEFORE WE HAVE THE RESULTS AND THE DATA THAT COMES FROM OUR FIRST GRADUATING PRE-K 4 SA CLASS, WHICH I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT. DISTRICT 3, THE SOUTH SIDE, INCLUDING PART OF THE 
          [03:45:03]
SOUTHEAST SIDE, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE, WITH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, TO CREATE AN INCREDIBLE FACILITY THAT TAKES IN THE TODDLERS, TAKES IN THE 3-YEAR-OLDS AND THE 4-YEAR-OLDS AND JUST CREATES AN AMAZING ENVIRONMENT. AND I WANT THAT CITYWIDE. 
          I WANT US TO OWN OR BE GIVEN THE LAND. WHAT IS PUT FORWARD TODAY I FEEL WAS TOO RUSHED. I THINK WE NEED MORE TIME. I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO DELAY, IF I COULD, BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I CAN'T. IT'S WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT I JUST DON'T THINK NOW IS THE TIME. I WOULD MUCH RATHER MOVE THIS FORWARD IN THE MAY 2027 OR FALL OF 2027 BECAUSE RIGHT NOW -- AND I KNOW I'VE BEEN TOLD, ANDY, HOW IS THIS A REAUTHORIZATION IF WE ARE CHANGING THE MAXIMUM PERIOD OF YEARS FROM 8 TO 20? AND IF THIS HAS NOT EXPIRED? THE OTHER IS I ASKED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE VERBIAGE, A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF THE VERBIAGE OF THE BALLOT LANGUAGE. AND I HAD NOT BEEN PROVIDED THAT UNTIL I GUESS AN E-MAIL WAS SENT YESTERDAY. HOW IS THIS AN ACTUAL REAUTHORIZATION AND NOT A 
          NEW FORM OF WHAT WE USED TO DO? >> SEGOVIA: COUNCILWOMAN, I'M GOING TO ASK RAY RODRIGUEZ TO ANSWER SPECIFICALLY THE QUESTION. 
          WHICH IS WHY WE TRY TO USE SPECIFICALLY THE WORD "REAUTHORIZATION" AND MAKE IT VERY CLEAR IN THE BALLOT LANGUAGE, IN THE ORDINANCE, AND EVERYWHERE WE TALK ABOUT IT THAT WE'RE ADDING 20 YEARS TO THE CURRENT AUTHORIZATION. 
          RAY, IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT. >> THAT'S CORRECT, COUNCILWOMAN. YOU'RE CORRECT. IN THE INITIAL DRAFT THAT CAME OUT LAST WEDNESDAY, IT WAS BASICALLY A CUT-OUT OF THE PREVIOUS ELECTION, WHICH ALSO REAUTHORIZED THE PROGRAM. IN FINALIZING THE ORDINANCE, WE ADDED THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE FOR THE REAUTHORIZATION, WHICH IS FOR THE MAXIMUM OF 20 YEARS, WHICH IS WHAT THE STATUTE ALLOWS. 
          >> VIAGRAN: OKAY. BUT IS THE LANGUAGE -- BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE I GOT OR I STILL HAD -- AND I HAVEN'T SEEN THE NEW ONE -- IS THAT YOU SAY VOTERS TO CONSIDER REAUTHORIZING THE PRE-K 4 SA PROGRAM FOR A PERIOD OF 20 YEARS. 
          IN THE VERBIAGE FROM 2012 AND 2020, WE CALL IT THE SAN ANTONIO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. SO MY CONCERN IS THE SPECIFIC PRE-K 4 SA USE I'M AFRAID IS GOING TO LIMIT US IF WE TRY TO HELP OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY TEXAS A&M AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IF THEY ATTEMPT TO --T AFFILIATED OR USE THE TERM PRE-K 4 SA. 
          SPECIFIC AND I FEEL LIKE IT IS GOING TO EXCLUDE PEOPLE FROM PARTICIPATION OR THE FUNDING THAT WE ARE PLANNING TO COLLECT FOR 20 YEARS OF SALES TAX. 
          >> COUNCILWOMAN, MAY I JUST ADD THAT LANGUAGE IN THERE IN THE DRAFT CAN BE AMENDED BY THIS COUNCIL AT ANY TIME. THAT'S NOT FINALIZED. THE POSTING LANGUAGE, WHICH WAS REQUIRED TO BE POSTED THREE DAYS BEFORE THE MEETING, HAD THE AUTHORIZATION THERE. IF THERE'S ANY TWEAKS THAT NEED TO BE MADE TO THE BALLOT LANGUAGE, WE CAN DO THAT AT THIS MEETING WITH A MOTION AND A VOTE OF THE 
          COUNCIL. >> SEGOVIA: THAT BEING SAID, COUNCILWOMAN, THE CURRENT LANGUAGE, THOUGH, DOES NOT RESTRICT WHAT PRE-K CAN DO. 
          AS DR. BARAY STATED, COUNCILWOMAN, THERE WILL BE A PROPOSITION THAT THE VOTERS CAN SEE IN TERMS OF WHAT THAT TAX REVENUE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SPENT ON. 
          I THINK THE LANGUAGE DOES NOT RESTRICT WHAT PRE-K 4 SA HAS DONE OR INTENDS TO DO. 
          >> VIAGRAN: WELL, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE TODAY VOTING FOR PROPOSITIONS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN VETTED OUT. YOU KNOW, THE TALK OF NEW BUILDINGS -- IF YOU COULD BRING UP THE SLIDE ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU DISCUSSED -- THAT WAS DISCUSSED BY DR. BARAY. LIKE HERE WE GO FROM HERE. HERE ARE OUR OPPORTUNITIES. 
          CAN Y'ALL BRING UP THAT SLIDE SO I CAN SEE IT AGAIN? AND DR. BARAY, CAN YOU 
          [03:50:04]
ANSWER WHAT SORT OF OPPORTUNITIES HAS THE BOARD TALKED ABOUT SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS THE DATA THEY CURRENTLY HAVE AND WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO IF THE RESULTS FROM THE GRADUATING CLASS ISN'T WHAT WE ANTICIPATED? 
          THE OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD. >> BARAY: SO, COUNCILWOMAN, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING -- THE BOARD AND STAFF AS PART OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. 
          AGAIN, LOOKING AT THE DATA, WE KNOW THERE ARE GAPS IN ACCESSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 3. THAT WAS HUGE. THERE ARE GAPS IN PROVIDERS WHO ARE OPERATING AT NON-TRADITIONAL HOURS, WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE HOURS OF 6:00 A.. 
          AND SO THOSE -- WE DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC -- ONE OF THE PIECES THAT MAKES PRE-K 4 SA SO SUCCESSFUL IS THE ARCHITECTURE OF IT ALLOWS THE ORGANIZATION TO EXPAND AND RESPOND AS THE CONTEXT CHANGES. AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE STARTED WORKING WITH CHILDCARE PROVIDERS BECAUSE THEY CAN DO SOME OF THOSE THINGS MORE NIMBLY THAN WE CAN, BUT WE CAN SUPPORT THEM IN DOING THEM. 
          BUT ALSO FOR OUR OWN SCHOOLS, WE HAVE EVOLVED AS THE LANDSCAPE HAS EVOLVED. 
          AND SO WE KNOW THAT THERE'S ACCESS ISSUES. QUALITY CONTINUES TO BE A CONCERN, BECAUSE WE'LL ALWAYS SUPPORT HIGH QUALITY. ONLY 
          >> VIAGRAN: YEAH. I WANT TO GET THERE, BUT THIS SHORT NOTICE AND THE FACT THAT THERE ISN'T MORE OF A CLEAR -- LIKE THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD, THAT IS TRUE, BUT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A CLEAR KIND OF DIRECTION ON HOW THAT IS GOING TO HELP SPECIFICALLY THE CHILDREN IN NEED AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE BEING HARDEST HIT, THAT MAKES IT -- I JUST DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE MOVING THIS FORWARD TODAY. 
          I WOULD LIKE MORE TIME. I'M NOT SAYING, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE I'M GOING TO SUPPORT PREK4SA IN ITS FUTURE VENTURES. IT'S JUST THAT I CANNOT GET MY HEAD AROUND WHY WE WOULD JUMP THIS UP TWO YEARS IN ADVANCE WHEN WE HAVE THE ENTIRE YEAR OF 2027 TO BRING THIS FORWARD A YEAR IN ADVANCE WITH MORE OF A PLAN, AND -- AND LESS QUESTIONS, BECAUSE WHAT I'M HEARING IS LET'S BUILD MORE SCHOOLS, LET'S SEE WHAT'S THERE, BUT I DON'T SEE THE COOPERATION YET, AND I WOULD HAVE WANTED TO SEE MORE COOPERATION WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS DOING THIS WORK. 
          SO YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO BE THERE FOR YOU. I WALK THE HALLS OF DISTRICT 3 AND YOU KNOW THE ARTWORK IS ALL THERE FOR PREK 4 SA. DR. BARAY, WE WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET THAT PRE-K UP AND RUNNING IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR, BECAUSE OF THE RENTAL PROBLEMS WE WERE HAVING FOR OUR FORMER ONE. SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IT TAKES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND I THINK IN SHORT NOTICE TO ASK THEM TO SAY YES WITHOUT -- OR TO ASK ME TO SAY YES CONFIDENTLY, IF THEY QUESTIONED ME, I COULDN'T HONESTLY SAY THAT THIS IS THE BEST -- WE NEED MORE TIME. WE JUST NEED MORE TIME. 
          SO I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED. BUT I WON'T BE SUPPORTING 
          THIS TODAY. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR JONES: DID YOU WANT 
          TO SAY SOMETHING? >> IF I MAY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT NEW BUILDINGS, WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT REPLACING OUR LEASED BUILDINGS AND UPDATING THE ONES THAT WE OWN THAT NEED SOME UPDATING, MORE SO THAN GOING OUT -- THE GOAL HAS NEVER BEEN TO PUT A PRE-K4SA ON EVERY CORNER. IT HAS BEEN TO BUILD A LANDSCAPE THAT WORKS FOR THE FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. SO THAT'S OUR PRIMARY FOCUS, IS FIGURING OUT HOW DO WE HAVE FACILITIES MUCH LIKE WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF OUR LEASED SOUTH CENTER THAT WASN'T WORKING GREAT FOR US INTO THE FACILITY THAT YOU'VE SEEN. SO WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH OUR NORTH CENTER AND WEST SIDE CENTER AS WELL. THANK YOU. 
          >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, BUT THAT WAS AGAIN, ALMOST FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING. 
          SO YEAH. THANK YOU, AND I APPRECIATE IT, AND IF WE HAD JUST HAD MORE TIME, I THINK I WOULD BE 100% BEHIND THIS. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR ORTIZ JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ? >> GONZALEZ: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. WHAT BEGAN AS A FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN FOR 3 AND 4-YEAR-OLDS HAS SINCE EXPANDED TO SERVE YOUNGER CHILDREN WITH EDUCATION CENTERS ACROSS THE CITY PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION, MOST OF IT FREE TO 
          [03:55:02]
THE FAMILIES WHO NEED IT MOST. THIS ITEM CALLS FOR THAT ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 3RD OF 2026 EXTENDING THE FUNDING THAT SUSTAINS THE PROGRAM BEYOND ITS CURRENT AUTHORIZATION. I THINK ACTING NOW WHILE AHEE AHEAD OF THAT EXPIRATION IS ABOUT CERTAINTY AND FORESIGHT. IN FACT, AS PART OF A MOMENTUM 2030 STRATEGY LED BY GREATER SATX, SAN ANTONIO HAS SET A UNIFIED GOAL TO RAISE A REGION'S HIGHER EDUCATION ATTAINMENT RATE TO 45% BY 2030, AND IN THAT, IN THAT REPORT, THE REPORT IDENTIFIES NON-ACADEMIC BARRIERS, SPECIFICALLY FAMILY CAREGIVER RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORKFORCE FLEXIBILITY AS CORE FOCUS AREAS FOR IMPROVING STUDENT RETENTION AND COMPLETION ACROSS SAN ANTONIO'S POST-SECONDARY PIPELINE, AND COMPLETION IS THE KEY WORD, RIGHT? THAT IS WHAT THE GOAL SHOULD BE FOR OUR CITY AND FOR MY COLLEAGUES. ALSO IN 2025, THE HIGHEREDSTUDENTS SURVEY THAT WAS DONE BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO IDENTIFIED 71% OF THOSE RESPONDENTS IDENTIFIED -- EXCUSE ME, 71% OF THE RESPONDENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILDREN IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD INDICATED THAT INCREASED ACCESS TO CHILD CARE WOULD IMPROVE STUDENT RETENTION. SO AGAIN, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MOMENTUM '23 STRATEGY LED BY GREATER SATX OR THE HIGHER ED STUDENT SURVEY, ACCESS TO CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL FOR FOLKS FINISHING, COMPLETING, THAT HIGHER ED EDUCATION. 
          SO I THINK AGAIN, THE PARTNERSHIPS AGREEMENTS, INVESTMENTS THAT MADE PREK4SA SUCCESSFUL DEPEND ON A STABLE, PREDICTABLE SOURCE OF FUNDING IN THE YEARS AHEAD. 
          SECURING THAT FUNDING FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS GIVES THE PROGRAM THE RUNWAY IT NEEDS TO PLAN AND INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE. I'M PROUD TO STAND WITH MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBERS MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, MUNGIA AND GALVAN, WHO SIGNED A FOUR-SIGNATURE MEMO AND TO ALL MY COLLEAGUES WHO ARE SUPPORTING TODAY, ASKING THAT THIS QUESTION BE PLACED BEFORE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER, I ASK FOR THE COUNCIL'S SUPPORT IN GIVING SAN ANTONIANS THAT CHOICE. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. THANK YOU. ERIK, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT? 
          >> WALSH: YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO ADD, I DON'T THINK SARAH HAD A CHANCE TO SHARE THIS PART YET. IN THE COUNCIL CALENDAR, WE HAVE RESERVED A SEPTEMBER 1ST DATE FOR PREK4SA TO COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL AND LAY OUT THE PLANS AND ACTION STATEMENTS AND GOALS, IF APPROVED TODAY. THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT FROM A FACTUAL STANDPOINT. AGAIN, FOR BOTH YOU ALL AS WELL AS STAFF TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FACTS TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE BENEFITS OR THE -- YEAH, THE BENEFITS OF APPROVING THE NOVEMBER PROPOSITION. SO THAT IS ON YOUR CALENDAR 
          RIGHT NOW. >> MAYOR JONES: ERIK, THANKS FOR THAT. 
          APPRECIATE IT. COUNCIL MEMBER WHYTE? >> WHYTE: THANKS, MAYOR. 
          I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT PRE-K EDUCATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. 
          I VERY MUCH APPRECIATED OUR CONVERSATION YESTERDAY. I'M GLAD WE ARE TAKING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERIOUSLY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO. YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR AND FOLKS AT THE STATE LEVEL ARE DOING THE SAME AND YOU KNOW, MY VOTE TODAY IS NOT AN INDICATION OF ANY SORT OF CRITICISMS OR ANY CRITICISM OF THE WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING OR WHAT YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO. SO I WANT THAT NOTED AT THE OUTSET. WITH THAT SAID, I BELIEVE YOU TOLD ME YESTERDAY THERE'S SOME REPORT COMING IN SEPTEMBER, RIGHT, THAT'S GOING TO SHOW US THE RESULTS OF WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON OVER THE PAST PERIOD OF TIME, IS THAT RIGHT? 
          >> WELL, IT WON'T BE IN SEPTEMBER. IT WILL BE LATER THIS FALL, PROBABLY IN NOVEMBER. LATER NOVEMBER. AS WE DO EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE REPORTS AND THEN WE HAVE OUR FIRST COHORT OF GRADUATES, OUR SENIORS THIS YEAR, BUT THERE'S A REPORT COMING ON WHERE THEY WERE AS FRESHMEN IN HIGH SCHOOL. 
          >> WHYTE: SO THIS REPORT, REALLY A REPORT CARD OF RESULTS FOR THIS PROGRAM IS COMING LATER THIS YEAR, YET TODAY, THE EFFORT IS TO VOTE PRIOR TO GETTING THOSE RESULTS. AND I JUST HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THAT. 
          [04:00:02]
AS THE COUNCILWOMAN SAID, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT SIGNING US UP FOR 20 YEARS OF USING TAX DOLLARS FOR THIS WITH NO SORT OF METRICS TO BE PUT IN PLACE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS THAT COULD GIVE US AN OFF-RAMP, I JUST THINK THAT THAT'S TOO MUCH. 
          AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF -- I MEAN, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, LET ALONE 20 YEARS FROM NOW, AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT I THINK POTENTIALLY THIS MONEY, 10, 15 YEARS FROM NOW, COULD BE USED FOR. I MEAN, WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEEDS WILL BE AT THAT POINT, AND SO AGAIN, THE 20-YEAR ASPECT OF THIS PROPOSAL TODAY AS COUNCILWOMAN VIAGRAN LAID OUT, JUST REALLY GIVES ME PAUSE AND IT'S REALLY JUST FOR THAT REASON AND THE FACT THAT I DON'T SEE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE VERIFIABLE METRICS ALL ALONG THE WAY, YOU KNOW, I JUST CAN'T SUPPORT IT BASED ON THOSE FACTORS. THANKS, MAYOR. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. DR. BARAY, IF YOU WANT TO GIVE A SPOILER ON THE REPORT 
          CARD, DO THE KIDS DO WORSE? >> NO. THEY DO BETTER. 
          AND TO BE CLEAR, WE HAVE ANNUAL EXTERNAL EVALUATIONS THAT SHOW CHILDREN DO BETTER 
          EVERY YEAR. >> MAYOR JONES: IS THERE ANY LITERATURE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT EVER, ON THIS TOPIC, THAT SHOWS THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS NOT 
          BENEFICIAL TO THE INDIVIDUAL OR THE COMMUNITY? >> NO. 
          IN FACT, TO THE CONTRARY, THERE'S ABOUT 50 YEARS' WORTH OF RESEARCH -- 
          >> MAYOR JONES: 50? >> YES, OF RESEARCH THAT SAYS IT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO INCREASE NOT JUST ACADEMIC OUTCOMES BUT LIFE OUTCOMES AND HEALTH OUTCOMES. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: WHEN YOU SAY MOST EFFECTIVE, DO YOU MEAN HIGHEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT? 
          >> YES. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY, THANK YOU. 
          COUNCILWOMAN KAUR, PLEASE. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES WHO BROUGHT THIS FORWARD TODAY. COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ, MEZA GONZALEZ AND GALVAN FOR PUTTING THE MEMO TO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA TODAY. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT I STARTED THIS WORK IN POLITICS BECAUSE I WAS AN EDUCATOR. DR. BARAY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE I SPOKE TO WHEN I MOVED TO THE CITY TO TALK ABOUT EARLY CHILD CARE AND WHAT QUALITY EARLY CHILD CARE LOOKS LIKE. SO THE STATISTIC THAT WAS JUST MENTIONED, I WANT TO CLARIFY. THERE IS ALWAYS AN IMPACT TO STARTING KIDS EARLIER IN EARLY CHILD CARE CENTERS. BUT THERE IS A MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR QUALITY EARLY CHILD CARE CENTERS. THE ONE THING THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE IN OUR CITY THAT, THERE IS A VERY BIG VARIETY OF EDUCATION CENTERS UNDER THE AGE OF 5 SO THERE ARE SOME WHERE YOU REALLY DON'T GET ANY KIND OF CURRICULUM-BASED EDUCATION BEFORE YOU ENTER KINDERGARTEN. 
          IT'S REALLY A DAY CARE VERSUS AN EDUCATION CENTER. I JUST WANTED TO REITERATE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF THE CENTERS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED. I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF WAYS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT THAT. ONE, ANOTHER STATISTIC THAT WE KNOW IS THIRD GRADE READING SCORES AND MATH SCORES ARE THE NUMBER ONE INDICATOR TO LONG-TERM SUCCESS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, FOR A KID. AND THAT'S WHAT -- SO I KNOW IT WAS MENTIONED THAT THERE'S NO METRIC FOR SUCCESS, BUT THERE ACTUALLY IS. 
          EVERY YEAR, AS DR. BARAY MENTIONED, THEY DO AN EXTERNAL AUDIT. 
          THERE ARE VERY FEW PROGRAMS IN THE CITY THAT I CAN STAND UP HERE AND CONFIDENTLY SAY WE DO AN EXTERNAL AUDIT AND EVERY YEAR, THERE'S ACTUAL PERFORMANCE-BASED METRICS THAT ARE SHOWN. THE ONE THAT I ALWAYS LOVE TO HIGHLIGHT THE MOST IS THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS OUR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS THE MOST. IF YOU LOOK AT THE IMPACT THAT THEY HAVE ON ECONOMIC AND DISADVANTAGED VERSUS NOT, THE SCORES RISE SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT HAD NOT GOTTEN PRE-K THAT WERE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. THAT WERE NOT IN PRE-K4SA. 
          THAT IS THE MISSION THAT THEN MAYOR CASTRO SOLD TO THE COMMUNITY, THAT IS TRULY COMING TO FRUITION. THERE ARE ALSO VERY FEW PROGRAMS FROM THE CITY THAT YOU SEARCH ONLINE AND THEY GET ACTUAL RESEARCH-BASED STUDIES PRODUCED , THERE'S NO OTHER PROGRAM FROM THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND IT'S AWESOME TO SEE OUR CITY BEING HIGHLIGHTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR A PROGRAM THAT IS TRULY, IN MY OPINION, ONE OF ITS KIND. A REVENUE SOURCE THAT IS CONSISTENT, IT'S NOT -- WELL, 
          [04:05:02]
IT'S MAYBE NOT CONSISTENT BUT IT'S AT LEAST PROTECTED. IT DOES FLUCTUATE WHICH MAKES I KNOW WHAT YOU ALL DO CHALLENGING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THAT PROTECTED REVENUE SOURCE MEANS THEY CAN PLAN 10 YEARS OUT TO NOW HOPEFULLY 20 YEARS OUT SO WE CAN EVEN CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS. THERE'S A LOT THAT WE'RE WORKING ON WITH PRE-K4SA WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING AS WELL. THERE'S A PROJECT DOWN IN THE SOUTH SIDE THAT WE WANT TO START AN EARLY CHILD CARE CENTER FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY OF WAYS THAT WE CAN GROW. 
          THE OTHER THING THAT I LOVE ABOUT THE PROGRAM IS THAT THEY'VE DONE SO DILIGENTLY, IT WASN'T POPPING UP A SITE EVERY YEAR ACROSS THE CITY AND I KNOW COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ MENTIONED THE NEED IN THE URBAN CORE, AND THERE IS A NEED. 
          I KNOW LAND COSTS ARE HIGHER AND IT'S MORE DIFFICULT TO SUPPORT THAT, BUT I DO THINK THE WORK OF EARLY MATTERS AND THE WORK OF GETTING MORE FOUR-STAR RATED EARLY CHILD CARE CENTERS IS GOING TO REALLY HELP WITH THAT. SO ALL THAT TO SAY THERE IS PERFORMANCE-BASED METRICS THAT SHOW THE SUCCESS OF THE KIDS. 
          MY FAVORITE METRIC THAT I LOVE TO SHARE IS THE TEACHERS. 
          THIS IS WHAT I THINK IS THE GAME-CHANGING FACTOR OF PRE-K4SA AND WHY IT IS VERY HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE. THEY ARE THE ONLY, I BELIEVE THE ONLY INSTITUTION THAT IS PAYING BETWEEN 75 AND 95, IS THAT THE RIGHT RANGE, FOR EDUCATORS AND ONE OF THE ARTICLES I WAS READING THAT THEY HAD 322 OUT OF 324 TEACHERS SIGN THEIR CONTRACTS TO RENEW. THAT IS UNHEARD OF IN THE EDUCATION FIELD. 
          THAT'S A 99% RETENTION RATE. THAT'S UNHEARD OF EVEN IN THE CITY IN ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS. THAT IS INSANE. 99% RETENTION. 
          THAT SHOULD TELL YOU ABOUT THE CULTURE, THE COMMUNITY THAT'S BEING BUILT IN THIS ORGANIZATION AND I KNOW DR. BARAY, AT THE HELM YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THAT. 
          I WAS A LITTLE UNCERTAIN, OBVIOUSLY EVERYONE KNOWS I LOVE PRE-K4SA BUT I WAS A LITTLE UNCERTAIN BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANY DATA TO SHARE HOW THIS VOTE WAS GOING TO GO AND IF WE WERE DOING IT EARLY AND HOW 20 YEARS WAS GOING, RESIDENTS WERE GOING TO FEEL ABOUT THAT. I ACTUALLY SUPPORT IT BECAUSE I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER MEZA GONZALEZ WAS GOING TO MENTION THIS BUT WE DO LONG-TERM DEALS ALL THE TIME. 
          WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT ONE ON MONDAY. SO I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK OUR RESIDENTS TO INVEST IN SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW THEY CARE ABOUT, WHICH IS EDUCATION. IT ALWAYS COMES UP EVEN IN THE POLL THAT A PARTNERSHIP DID, I KNOW THEY WERE HERE FOR OUR CHARTER VOTE LAST YEAR. 
          ALL RESIDENTS CLEARLY WANT SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION. I HOPE IT'S OKAY IF I SAY THIS, BUT I TALKED TO SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND THEY DID A VERY BRIEF POLL THIS WEEKEND OF RESIDENTS AND RESIDENTS ACTUALLY POLLED HIGHER IN 73% SAYING THEY WANT A 20-YEAR SUPPORT FOR PRE-K4SA VERSUS THE LOWER AMOUNT. 
          SO I THINK THAT GAVE ME THE CONFIDENCE. THANK YOU TO THE BOARD FOR QUICKLY DOING THAT POLL. I THINK IT'S ALWAYS HELPFUL TO HAVE DATA. 
          I ALSO TALKED TO SOME FOLKS THAT DO CAMPAIGN WORK AND BECAUSE OF THE ELECTIONS THIS FALL, WITH THE PRIMARIES -- I'M SORRY, WITH THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, THERE IS GOING TO BE AN INCREASE IN VOTER TURNOUT THAN WE NORMALLY SEE IN A NON-PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, SO ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THIS VOTE IS GOING TO PASS WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST APPROVAL RATES AS IT ALREADY HAS DEMONSTRATED, AND THEN AS A RESULT, YOU ALL ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO SOME REALLY STRATEGIC LONG-TERM PLANNING, AND I PLAN ON HELPING IN EVERY WHICH WAY I CAN. SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK, AND THANK YOU FOR BUILDING SUCH A STRONG TEAM WITH YOU THAT DOES ALL OF THAT AS WELL. LAST THING I JUST WANT TO SHOUT OUT IS WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT SOME STUFF ON MONDAY FOR AN ARENA DEAL AND I KNOW THAT FOLKS THAT INVESTED IN THE SPURS HAVE ALSO INVESTED IN PRE-K FOR SA AND MAKING IT HAPPEN AND THE FACILITY IN D3 THAT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. SO I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT CONTINUED SUPPORT IN THE NEXT BUILDINGS THAT COME UP AS WELL. 
          THANKS. MAYOR. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL 
          MEMBER SPEARS, PLEASE. >> SPEARS: THANKS, MAYOR. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I THINK -- I ASKED FOR A LOT OF INFORMATION WHEN WE TALKED YESTERDAY BUT FOR ME, THIS JUST FEELS LIKE IT'S NOT RIPE. 
          I HAVE NEVER SEEN A SITUATION WHERE YOU WOULD PROVIDE THE FUNDING WITHOUT A FULL BUSINESS PLAN AND A STRATEGIC PLAN LAID OUT. I DO THINK THIS IS VERY IMPACTFUL WORK. I KNOW THAT IT IS. I KNOW IT'S A SERIOUS NEED. 
          IN FACT, WITH OUR MILITARY COMMUNITY, THEY ARE GREATLY IMPACTED. 
          THEY DON'T MEET THE THRESHOLD OFTEN. THERE'S THIS GAP OF PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED HELP HERE. I WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE NEEDS ARE GETTING 
          [04:10:04]
ADDRESSED, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR MILITARY. BUT YOU KNOW, IT JUST FEELS RUSHED TO ME. I FEEL LIKE WE CAN GET THIS ALL WORKED OUT, UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE COMMITTING MY KIDS TO A TAX FOR 20 YEARS. THAT MEANS THEY'LL BE TAXED ON IT. I THINK THE WORK IS TRULY IMPORTANT. 
          WE KNOW THE STUDY SHOWS THAT IT IS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PLAN THAT WE'RE LAYING BEFORE US MAKES SENSE. I MEAN, HOW DO YOU PROJECT WHAT WE'RE DOING OVER 20 YEARS? THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE RIGHT-SIZING, CLOSING A LOT OF THEIR BUILDINGS. MAYBE THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT LAID OUT BEFORE US YET. THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ARE THEY EXPANDING THEIR PROGRAMS AT ALL? I KNOW THAT THEY DO A LOT OF THIS -- DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR COSTS PER PUPIL IS VERSUS THE MARKET OR EVEN VERSUS THE 
          SCHOOL? >> SO IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT IS ABOUT THE SAME, IN TERMS OF HOUR PER HOUR. WE SERVE CHILDREN FROM 7:15 UNTIL 6:00 P.M. IN THE PROGRAM WHEREAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVE UNTIL 3:00 P.M. 
          AND THEN PARENTS PAY ADDITIONALLY. A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE OUR BUDGET AND DIVIDE IT BY THE 2,000 CHILDREN WE SERVE DIRECTLY IN OUR CENTERS BUT WE DO MORE THAN THAT, SO I DON'T HAVE THE FIGURE RIGHT NOW OF THE MOST RECENT, BUT WE HAVE DONE THAT ANALYSIS OVER THE YEARS AND TO BE COMPETITIVE, WE ARE FOR SURE NOT AT THE HIGHEST END OF THE SCALE, HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE COSTS, CAN COST UP TO $22,000 A YEAR AND WE'RE NOT THERE. SO -- BUT WE LOOK AT THAT 
          VERY CAREFULLY. >> SPEARS: THAT'S CLOSE TO WHAT I PAID FOR EACH OF MY KIDS, TOO. I KNOW IT'S EXPENSIVE. SO I DO, I'M EXCITED TO SEE ALSO WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SENIORS THAT ARE GRADUATING THIS YEAR AND I THINK THAT WE'LL SEE POSITIVE RESULTS I THINK IT CAN ONLY HELP THE ARGUMENT. I JUST THINK WE HAVE TIME FOR THIS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE 20 YEARS. 
          I DON'T SEE THE URGENCY TO DO IT RIGHT NOW. MY QUESTION, TOO, IS WE TALKED ABOUT, I SEE THIS AS A NEED, FOR SURE. THE NIGHT, WEEKEND AND DROP-IN CHILD CARE. BUT THEN WE'RE SAYING THAT'S EDUCATIONAL AND WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY. I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT BETTER, HOW THIS FITS INTO THAT. I DO SEE A NEED BUT IF WE'RE SAYING THIS IS FOR EDUCATION, BUT IF IT'S AT NIGHT, OBVIOUSLY THE CHILDREN WILL BE ASLEEP OR THEY SHOULD BE. THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. THERE IS FOR SURE A NEED HERE. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT WITH SHIFT WORK, THAT IMPACTS OUR POLICE AND FIRE, THAT IMPACTS OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, ALL OF IT. 
          I JUST FEEL LIKE I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS BETTER AND SINCE THERE IS FUNDING THROUGH 2029, I'M JUST NOT READY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS TODAY, AND -- BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WORK. VERY IMPORTANT WORK. THANK YOU. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER GALVAN, PLEASE. >> GALVAN: THANK YOU, MAYOR. 
          THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION TODAY AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR HELPING PUSH THIS CONVERSATION FORWARD TODAY. YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE THE SKEPTICISM THAT SOME FOLKS CAN HAVE OR JUST QUESTIONS THAT FOLKS HAVE ABOUT HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THIS PROGRAM IS WORKING AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS AND IS DELIVERING ON THE RESULTS WE EXPECT IT TO AND OUR RESIDENTS EXPECT IT TO. I SHARED SOME OF THOSE SIMILAR CONCERNS OR THOUGHTS PRIOR TO THIS COMING FORWARD. I BELIEVE WHEN IT WAS PRESENTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, ABOUT THIS IDEA OF WHAT WE COULD BE LOOKING AT IN THE FUTURE. 
          I SHARED A LITTLE BIT OF THOUGHTS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME KIND OF MORE DETAILED PLANS AND I STILL BELIEVE WE CAN DO THOSE THINGS. I BELIEVE WHEN WE MAKE PLANS HERE IN THE CITY, WHETHER IT'S WITHIN HOUSING FRAMEWORK OR PUBLIC SAFETY OR WITHIN HEALTH CARE OR PUBLIC HEALTH, OR PARKS MASTER PLANS, THEY HELP US GUIDE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GO HERE IN THIS VEIN. BUT FWWE KNOW EACH OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS PRIOR TO THE PLAN BEING CREATED OR DURING THE PLAN OR AFTER, WE KNOW THE GOAL HERE. THE GOAL FOR THE MASTER PLAN IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE INCREDIBLE PARKS IN EVERY PART OF OUR CITY, SAME FOR LIBRARIES AND HOUSING, ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS. I THINK THE SAME THING WILL BE HAD AND HAS BEEN HAD FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS FOR F PRE-K4SA, TO EXPAND HIGH QUALITY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY. OF COURSE, THE SOLE PROVIDER OF THAT, IT HAS BECOME AND HAS BEEN A TRUE LEADER IN THE CITY AND THE NATION TO PROVIDE THIS WORK IN THE HIGH QUALITY MANNER IT DOES. TO THE CONVERSATION EARLIER ABOUT THE RESEARCH BEHIND IT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HIGH SCOPES CURRICULUM WHICH HAS BEEN A NOBEL ABEL PEACE PRIZE CURRICULUM. FOR ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME OR 
          [04:15:05]
HAS TALKED TO ME IN DETAIL, MY MOTHER IS SOMEONE WHO IS A CHILD CARE WORKER FOR YEARS, FOR HER ENTIRE CAREER, IS DOING THAT WORK RIGHT NOW, HAS NEVER WORKED AT PRE-K4SA BUT WORKED AT ONE OF THE MODELS AND THEY SPOKE ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CARE OF WORK THAT WAS DONE THERE. THEY WERE ABLE TO LEARN FROM THOSE MODELS AND SAY WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS FOR THE ENTIRE CITY. IT'S EXACTLY THE KIND OF PROGRAM WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE, ABOUT THE BIRTHRATE IN OUR CITY AND POVERTY AND POPULATION GROWTH IN OUR CITY. ALL THESE THINGS COME TOGETHER WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. THE FACT OF FOLKS BEING ABLE TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP A SHIFT NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO HAVE KIDS IN A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION SETTING THAT IS STRUCTURED, THAT IS JUST IMPACTFUL TO THAT STUDENT'S LIFE, WILL HELP WITH HOLISTIC SUPPORT, TOO, IT'S A NO-BRAINER TO TRY TO SUPPORT THIS WORK TO MAKE SURE ALL OUR FAMILIES IN THIS CITY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS KIND OF OPPORTUNITY. AGAIN, WHILE PRE-K4SA HAS ITS LIMITS AND BOUNDS, BEING ABLE TO BE FLEXIBLE, BEING ABLE TO WORK AND BE AVAILABLE FOR HOPEFULLY 20 YEARS AS A STABLE PROGRAM TO POTENTIALLY RECEIVE STATE FUNDING, RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE FUTURE, THAT WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT AND DISCUSSING, WHY WOULDN'T WE TRY TO MAKE SURE IT'S AVAILABLE. THE SAME WAY OTHER ENTITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY DO THAT TO MAKE SURE THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE, THEY ARE ABLE TO SAY CONSISTENTLY WE ARE HERE FOR 20 YEARS WITH A STABLE REVENUE STREAM TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE AND EXPAND AND WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS THROUGH THE STORMS WE SEE IN EDUCATION. THEY CONTINUE TO LEAD. YOUR PROGRAM CONTINUES TO LEAD. ALL THAT BEING SAID, I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ITEM. 
          HAPPY TO BE A SUPPORTER, HOWEVER I CAN BE. OF COURSE, EVEN WITH INTHE WORK WE DO IN COMMITTEE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS THING WITH A FINE COMB AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION WHEREVER WE NEED TO OR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON THIS CONVERSATION WHEREVER WE NEED TO. 
          HAPPY TO BE A PARTNER IN THAT. AGAIN, JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES AND THE INCREDIBLE STAFF ALL THE WAY FROM THE TOP DOWN WHO DELIVER THIS PROGRAM FOR OUR STUDENTS AND JUST STARTED RECENTLY, TOO. 
          THANK YOU AGAIN. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCILMAN MUNGIA, PLEASE. 
          >> MUNGIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR. HEARD A LOT TODAY ABOUT DATA, YOU DON'T HAVE DATA, THERE'S MISSING DATA, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH DATA, BUT Y'ALL HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME AND THERE IS DATA OUT THERE. I RECALL READING THESE THINGS OVER TIME SO I DID A QUICK SEARCH, IN '24, CEO FOR CHILDREN AT RISK SAID IF YOU ARE A TEACHER AND HAVE A CLASS OF 20 AND ONLY TWO OF THEM WENT TO PRE-K4SA, YOU ARE NOW TEACHING TO THE 18. 
          THE OTHER TWO ARE JUST TAGGING ALONG. R IN 2020, YOU DID AN INTERVIEW WITH NPR AND TALKED ABOUT HOW YOU HAVE AN OUTSIDE EVALUATOR THIRD PARTY COME IN EVERY SINGLE YEAR TO EVALUATE THE PROGRAM AND PRE-K4SA SO CHILDREN ARE ENTERING YOUR PROGRAM BELOW THE NATIONAL NORM AND KEY INDICATORS IN COGNITION, LITERACY, MATHEMATICS, AND THEY LEAVE YOUR PROGRAM WELL ABOVE THE NATIONAL NORM, MEANING THEY ARE MORE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN WHICH GOES TO WHAT THE CEO HAD JUST SAID. 
          LONG-TERM IMPACT IS BECAUSE OF THE WAYS OF EARLY LEARNING SO THAT'S IMPORTANT. 
          THEN ARTICLE IN AP 2026 REPORTS STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED PRE-K4SA HAVE SCORED HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE ON THIRD GRADE MATH AND READING, ACCORDING TO THE URBAN EDUCATION INSTITUTE AT UTSA. THOSE OUTCOMES CONTRIBUTE TO WHAT YOU VIEW AS KEY SUCCESSES OF THE PROGRAM, CHILDREN WITH THE GREATEST NEEDS RECEIVE THE SAME QUALITY EDUCATION AS KIDS FROM WEALTHIER FAMILIES. 
          WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT KIDS DO WELL ON THIRD GRADE MATH AND READING? 
          >> THOSE ARE PREDICTIVE OF HOW THEY WILL DO THROUGHOUT THEIR EDUCATIONAL CAREER. 
          >> MUNGIA: RIGHT. SO IF A CHILD IS EXCEEDING IN THIRD GRADE MATH AND READING, THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT SUCCESS CARRYING ALL THROUGHOUT THEIR EDUCATION IS 
          VERY HIGH. >> VERY HIGH. >> MUNGIA: THAT'S PROVEN 
          NATIONALLY? >> CORRECT. >> MUNGIA: THE FACT YOUR PROGRAM IS SHOWING THAT PEOPLE, KIDS THAT GO THROUGH YOUR PROGRAM END UP DOING BETTER ON THAT MEANS THEY ARE PROBABLY ALSO DOING BETTER ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE END 
          OF HIGH SCHOOL. >> YES. >> MUNGIA: I DON'T NEED TO WAIT FOR THE REPORTS TO COME OUT, THE KIDS, THE FIRST CLASS WILL GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL AND DO WELL. WE CAN ALREADY SEE THOSE INDICATORS OUT THERE. 
          I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU ALL DO, I THINK I WOULD HOPE THAT SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE ANTI-GOVERNMENT WOULD APPRECIATE, IS THAT YOU'RE NOT JUST TRYING TO EXPAND YOUR FOOTPRINT OF PRE-K4SA, YOU ARE TRYING TO GET OTHER 
          [04:20:05]
FOLKS UP TO PAR ON THEIR EDUCATION PROVIDING FOR PRE-K. 
          >> YES. FAMILIES NEED CHOICES. WE'RE NOT THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR EVERY FAMILIES. SOME FAMILIES WANT THEIR CHILDREN CARED FOR AND EDUCATED INFASHGZTH-BASED PROGRAMS. WE SUPPORT ALL OF THOSE. 
          FAMILIES NEED HIGH QUALITY OPTIONS THEY CAN AFFORD. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT. 
          WILL. >> MUNGIA: AS SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS AN AREA WITH A DESERT FOR HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE, IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ALL HAVE A LONG RUNWAY TO CONTINUE WORKING AND INVESTING. THERE'S ALSO CHALLENGES WITH LEASES THAT YOU HAVE AND NOT HAVING A LONGER RUNWAY MEANS THAT AYOU'RE HAVING TO CONTINUE LEASING WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION FOR THAT. 
          THAT'S WHY I SUPPORT THIS. I THINK IT'S A CLEAR WINNER. IT'S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THIS CITY HAS EVER DONE IS TO INVEST IN EARLY EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. 
          I DO WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK MY BOARD MEMBER WHO HAS BEEN I THINK SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE INSTITUTION, RICHARD PETTIS HAS DONE A GREAT JOB. 
          THAT'S THE LAST BOARD HE WILL EVER GET OFF OF. HE LOVES IT SO MUCH. 
          THANK YOU. LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING THIS TODAY. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANK YOU. ANDY, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING? N 
          >> SEGOVIA: THANK YOU. JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE CLARIFICATION, ERIK HAD POINTED OUT ON SEPTEMBER 1 THERE WOULD BE A SCHEDULE FOR PRE-K4SA TO DESCRIBE TO THE COUNCIL THEIR PLANS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO THE COUNCIL THAT IF THE MEASURE TODAY IS APPROVED, IT BECOMES A BALLOT PROPOSITION, THEREFORE, NO CITY TIME OR RESOURCES CAN BE USED TO ADVOCATE FOR OR AGAINST THE PROPOSITION. 
          SO THAT SEPTEMBER 1 SESSION IS PURELY GOT TO BE A FACTUAL DISCUSSION. 
          JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLARIFICATION. >> MAYOR JONES: HELPFUL. 
          THANK YOU. THANKS, ANDY OKAY. ON THE SECOND ROUND, COUNCILWOMAN MEZA GONZALEZ. NO? ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? OKAY. THANK YOU. 
          THANKS TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR RAISING THIS. I THINK THIS IS -- IN MY MIND, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO TO SAY THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT NO LONGER BEING THE THIRD MOST IMPOVERISHED MAJOR CITY IN THE COUNTRY. 
          I ALSO THINK ABOUT THE RECENT CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD WITH FOREIGN DELEGATIONS LOOKING AT SETTING UP SHOP HERE AND THEY ARE IN ADVANCED SPACE, AND LITERALLY JUST IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, AND THE CONCERN IS NOT HAVING THE TALENT FOR THE HIGH-END SEMI-CONDUCTORS, SO THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT PACKAGING, WHICH IS GOOD, I MEAN, GOOD-PAYING JOB IS A GOOD-PAYING JOB, BUT TO MAKE SURE IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO HEAR WHEN YOU'RE NOT COMPETITIVE FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU REALLY, REALLY WANT, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. 
          I THINK THIS IS AN INVESTMENT THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE MAKING OURSELVES AS COMPETITIVE AS POSSIBLE FOR THESE THINGS THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR TO US TODAY, FOR EXAMPLE, PHOENIX, THAT HAS A PLANT THERE, IF WE WANT TO BE AS COMPETITIVE FOR THOSE KIND OF THINGS IN THE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE AND I THINK THERE'S NO BETTER TALKING POINT TO THAT THAN THIS COMMITMENT AND RE-UPPING THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I'M NOT GOING TO BELABOR SOME OF THE POINTS MY COLLEAGUES MADE IN TERMS OF THIS BEING NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THAT. 
          DR. BARAY, JUST TO LAY FLAT FOR SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES, I REMEMBER DISTINCTLY WHEN SAN ANTONIO WAS PASSED OVER FOR SPACE COMMAND, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WAS PART OF THAT. THE OTHER PIECES WERE PUBLIC TRANSIT, ET CETERA. 
          BUT WHAT WOULD KNOWING THAT YOU WERE GOING TO EXTEND FOR 20 YEARS, WHAT DOES THAT 
          ALLOW YOU TO DO? >> SO ONE OF THE THINGS IT ALLOWS US TO DO IS GIVE ASSURANCE ALSO TO OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, WE WANT TO EXPAND WE ARE HELPING THEM TO GET MCCYN-CERTIFIED WHICH MEANS THEY CAN ACCEPT MILITARY SUBSIDIES SO THAT WE ELIMINATE WHAT IS NOW SEEN AS A LACK OF CHILD CARE SEATS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES TO ACTUALLY HAVING FAMILIES HAVE CHOICES. 
          THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING. BUT TO DO THE INVESTMENT THAT IT REQUIRES, WE NEED TO KNOW IT WILL BE THERE. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO GET OUT OF THOSE LEASES THAT I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT ARE NOT PARTICULARLY FAVORABLE SO WE CAN PUT MORE MONEY INTO PROGRAMMING AND SPEND LESS ON LEASING BUILDINGS THAT ARE LOVELY BUT PERHAPS NOT AS WHAT THEY COULD BE IF WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD ONE FOR EARLY 
          LEARNING. >> MAYOR JONES: SO APPROVING THIS ACTUALLY, THIS REAUTHORIZATION EARLY, ACTUALLY IS A COST-SAVING MEASURE? 
          >> IT IS. IT WILL HELP US, YES, BECAUSE IT'S PREDICTIVE BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO PREDICT, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PLAN FOR THOSE BUILDINGS BECAUSE WE 
          [04:25:05]
DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE'LL HAVE THE REVENUE SOURCE AND WE HAVE TO STAY WITHIN OUR 
          AUTHORIZED BUDGET, WHICH WE DO. >> MAYOR JONES: IN THIS ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, SWEERNL W WE CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IDENTIFYING ALL THE COST-SAVING MEASURES AS POSSIBLE. 
          AS WE KNOW, COSTS DON'T TRADITIONALLY COME DOWN OVER TIME. 
          THEY JUST KEEP INCREASING. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. OF COURSE, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS. I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING THOUGHTFUL, YOU KNOW, HAVING SEEN FIRST-HAND HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS TO BASING DECISIONS. 
          I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT PRIORITIZING SAN ANTONIO 
          KIDS. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> MAYOR JONES: THIS IS, AGAIN, THE MILITARY KIDS, THEY HAVE OTHER CHOICES. THEY HAVE OTHER OPTIONS. 
          THEY ALSO HAVE MORE MEANS, I WOULD ARGUE, THAN SOME OF THE SAN ANTONIO FAMILIES THAT ARE BEING SERVICED OR NOT BEING SERVICED. CURRENTLY, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE STUDENTS ARE THE CHILDREN OF ACTIVE DUTY? I SAY THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU TALKED ABOUT RESERVE, YOU TALKED ABOUT GUARD OR VETERANS, RATHER, BUT IT'S THE ACTIVE DUTY FOLKS THAT OFTEN WILL ONLY BE HERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. 
          SO WE REALLY WANT TO PRIORITIZE SAN ANTONIO KIDS. WHAT IS, DO WE HAVE A CAP RIGHT NOW ON HOW MUCH WE ALLOW FOR MILITARY, FOR STUDENTS, RATHER, FROM ACTIVE 
          DUTY FAMILIES? >> WE TEND TO HAVE ABOUT 15% TO 20% OF OUR FAMILIES IN AUDIO] ACTIVE DUTY. A LOT OF THEM ARE RETIRED GRANDPARENTS, VETERANS WHO ARE RAISING THEIR CHILDREN. I WOULD HAVE TO GET YOU THE NUMBER YOU HOW IT BREAKS OUT BETWEEN ACTIVE DUTY AND RESERVISTS OR OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT ARE REGULAR RESIDENTS. HAVING SAID THAT, IT'S ALWAYS WITH AN EYE TOWARD ECONOMIC SCALE, SO THE LOWER INCOME VETERANS WOULD HAVE HIGHER PRIORITY THAN, SAY, A HIGHER 
          INCOME VETERAN. >> MAYOR JONES: UNDERSTOOD. WHEN YOU BRING BACK THE PLANS, I DO WANT US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A THOUGHTFUL UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE'RE PRIORITIZING MILITARY KIDS AND IF THAT DOES REQUIRE CAPPING IT TO A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE SO THAT WE'RE NOT TURNING AWAY SAN ANTONIO KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR 10, 15 YEARS, THEN WE NEED TO KNOW THAT. 
          BECAUSE AGAIN, ALL ABOUT SUPPORTING THE MILITARY KIDS BUT IF THEY'RE ONLY HERE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, THANKFUL THEY WERE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO PRIORITIZE OUR OWN. ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS? OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU. 
          THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, IT IS MOVED AND SECONDED TO APPROVE ITEM 
          NUMBER 7. PLEASE VOTE. >> AN ENTHUSIASTIC AYE. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. 
          OKAY. ITEM 16. >> CLERK: AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING LINE-OF-DUTY INJURY LEAVE FOR SAN ANTONIO FIREFIGHTER ROBERT BEYER. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: PLEASE, CHIEF. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COUNCIL. THIS ITEM IS A REQUEST FOR SECOND LINE-OF-DUTY LEAVE EXTENSION AND RESTORATION OF 416 HOURS OF ACCRUED SICK AND VACATION LEAVE USED BY AN EMPLOYEE WHILE RECEIVING TREATMENT FOR A LINE-OF-DUTY ILLNESS. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU SOME QUICK BACKGROUND ON THIS. 
          THAT EMPLOYEE CONTRACTED THE ILLNESS BACK IN AUGUST 2021 AND REQUIRED INTERMITTENT LEAVE RELATED TO THE TREATMENT THROUGH DECEMBER OF 2024. 
          COUNCIL PREVIOUSLY APPROVED RESTORATION OF 144 HOURS OF ACCRUED LEAVE USED FROM JANUARY 6 THROUGH THE 29TH OF JANUARY OF 2023. THE REQUEST HERE TODAY IS SEPARATE FROM THAT PREVIOUS APPROVAL. THIS REQUEST IS RESTORATION OF THE ADDITIONAL 416 HOURS OF ACCRUED SICK AND VACATION LEAVE USED BETWEEN APRIL OF 2023 AND DECEMBER 2024 WHILE UNDERGOING CONTINUED TREATMENT FOR THAT SAME LINE-OF-DUTY ILLNESS. IN THE 416 HOURS, TO CLARIFY, DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THOSE 
          [04:30:05]
COMPLETED TREATMENT ASSOCIATED WITH FULL DUTY AS OF MARCH 31ST OF THIS YEAR. TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 143 PROVIDES THE INITIAL PERIOD OF LINE-OF-DUTY LEAVE AND AUTHORIZES CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE AN EXTENSION BEYOND THAT PERIOD. 
          BECAUSE THESE 416 HOURS OCCUR BEYOND THE INITIAL LINE OF DUTY LEAVE PERIOD, COUNCIL APPROVAL IS REQUIRED TO RESTORE THE EMPLOYEE'S ACCRUED LEAVE. 
          SO THE RECOMMENDATION IS FOR APPROVAL OF THE SECOND LINE-OF-DUTY LEAVE EXTENSION AND RESTORATION OF THE 416 HOURS AND THE BASIS FOR THIS RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE LEAVE WAS USED FOR CONTINUED TREATMENT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THAT EMPLOYEE'S LINE-OF-DUTY ILLNESS. WITHOUT APPROVAL, THE EMPLOYEE WOULD ABSORB THE 416 HOURS OF PERSONAL ACCRUED LEAVE WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF SICK LEAVE AND VACATION LEAVE FOR THE TREATMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE ILLNESS CONTRACTED IN THAT LINE-OF-DUTY ILLNESS. I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THANKS, CHIEF. THIS ONE SEEMED A LITTLE BIT EXTRAORDINARY SO I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND IT, BECAUSE I ALSO WANTED TO UNDERSTAND IF THIS IS NORMAL PRACTICE OR IF WE WOULD BE SETTING A PRETTY EXTRAORDINARY PRECEDENT BY RESTORING 560 HOURS OF SOMEBODY'S LEAVE. SO I GUESS HELP US UNDERSTAND, THE REASON THIS ALSO KIND OF CAUGHT MY ATTENTION IS JUST BECAUSE OF THE RECENT AUDIT ON FIRE DEPARTMENTS OVER TIME, SO WHEN I SAW THAT, THIS ESTIMATE, THE FISCAL IMPACT IS ONLY $20,000, WE KNOW THROUGH THAT AUDIT THAT WHEN SOMEBODY IS OUT, THERE'S KIND OF A WATERFALL EFFECT IN TERMS OF WHO THEN HAS TO COME ON AND BE ON OVERTIME, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. SO ESPECIALLY IN GENERAL, I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE PRECEDENT WE'RE SETTING. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACTUAL IMPACT OF DOING THIS, AND WHAT THIS MAY MEAN FOR FUTURE SIMILAR REQUESTS, PERIOD. SO ANY POINT OF THAT, PLEASE. 
          >> YES, MAYOR. THESE TYPE OF REQUESTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN THE PAST AND BECAUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 143 ALLOWS FOR US TO PRESENT THIS TO COUNCIL, IT IS THE GOVERNING BODY'S DECISION WHETHER THIS IS APPROVED OR NOT, THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE PAST AND HISTORICALLY APPROVED. SO ON THE EMPLOYEE'S BEHALF, HE REQUESTED THE LEAVE BE REINSTATED OR RESTORED TO THE ORIGINAL BALANCES AND THAT IS WHY I'M HERE TODAY, TO PRESENT ON HIS BEHALF THAT REQUEST. 
          >> SEGOVIA: IF I COULD ADD, MAYOR, AS THE CHIEF NOTED, IT'S THE COUNCIL'S DISCRETION SO EVERY TIME WE HAVE ONE OF THESE, I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS PRECEDENT DOESN'T REALLY APPLY HERE IN THAT EACH CASE IS ADDRESSED INDIVIDUALLY AND THE COUNCIL CAN DECIDE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER NOT DRIVEN BY WHAT WAS DONE IN THE PAST. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: UNDERSTOOD. BUT I THINK WE MAY BE RAISING EXPECTATIONS IF WE SEE THIS IN THE FUTURE. SO UNDERSTAND IT DOESN'T SET THE PRECEDENT UNTIL YOU TAKE THE ACTION TO DO IT. HOWEVER, I THINK YOU MAY BE RAISING PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS WHEN YOU HAVE 560 HOURS OF LEAVE THAT WAS APPROVED TO BE TAKEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN RESTORED. ERIK, DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? 
          >> WALSH: YES, MA'AM. I WAS GOING TO ADD THAT THE PROCESS THAT BOTH HR, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GO THROUGH TO VALIDATE BEFORE WE PUT THEM ON THE AGENDA, THERE'S A PROCESS INTERNALLY BECAUSE CERTAINLY, THERE ARE PROBABLY INSTANCES WHERE WE DO NOT BELIEVE STAFF, THE FIRE CHIEF, THAT THE REPLENISHMENT OF THAT LEAVE ONCE UTILIZED FOR AN ON-DUTY INJURY OR ON-DUTY ILLNESS DOESN'T WARRANT IT. SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T SEE AS A COUNCIL, AND SO THAT INTERNAL PROCESS KIND OF VALIDATES THE CIRCUMSTANCES ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AND IN THIS CASE, THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS, THIS WILL BE THE SECOND ITEM, SECOND TIME HE'S COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL, OR THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL FOR RESTORATION OF LEAVE, AND WE BELIEVE, I'M SPEAKING FOR THE CHIEF BUT ALSO FROM MY STANDPOINT, I THINK THIS IS A FAIR THING TO DO IN TERMS OF THE RESTORING OF THAT LEAVE, THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL, THIS FIREFIGHTER, UTILIZED FOR THAT 
          INTERMITTENT TREATMENT FOR THAT ILLNESS. >> MAYOR JONES: AGAIN, THAT AUDIT IS IN MY MIND, RIGHT? SO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY HE WAS ON THAT TYPE OF LEAVE TO 
          [04:35:01]
          BEGIN WITH, THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO USE HIS OWN LEAVE. >> IN MOST CASES, AN EMPLOYEE THAT CONTRACTS AN ILLNESS OR SUSTAINS AN INJURY, THEY ARE OFF FOR A PERIOD AND NORMALLY, IT'S WITHIN A YEAR, THEY'RE BACK AT WORK. IN HIS CASE, HE ACTUALLY DID RETURN TO WORK IN A LIGHT DUTY CAPACITY, WHICH IS WHY THAT TRIGGERED THE INITIAL REQUEST FOR I BELIEVE IT WAS THE 416 HOURS, THAT WAS THE FIRST LINE OF EXTENSION. 
          HE DID APPEAL SOME TREATMENT THAT WAS BEING DENIED AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ARE HERE TODAY AFTER THE FACT REQUESTING THE EXTENSION ON THE SECOND SET OF HOURS, 
          WHICH IS THE 466. >> MAYOR AND COUNCIL, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 
          WE'RE LIMITED IN WHAT WE CAN SAY ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE'S MEDICAL SITUATION. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: IT'S LESS ABOUT THE MEDICAL AND MORE ABOUT THE POTENTIAL PRECEDENT. OKAY. WE WILL TAKE THIS INTO EXEC, 
          THEN. THANK YOU. >> CAN I CALL TO QUESTION? 
          >> SEGOVIA: THAT'S A MOTION THAT WOULD REQUIRE A VOTE. THERE'S NO DEBATE ON IT. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: WE CAN ALSO TAKE THIS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION IF YOU WANT TO 
          UNDERSTAND IT. >> I WILL SECOND IT. >> MAYOR JONES: COUNCIL MEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ WILL NEED YOUR VOTE IF YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THIS. 
          >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: AYE. >> MAYOR JONES: THE VOTE IS TO CALL TO QUESTION TO STOP DEBATE. COUNCILMAN WHYTE SECONDED IT. PLEASE VOTE. 
          >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: AYE. >> MAYOR JONES: THE MOTION CARRIES. 
          SO WE WILL GO TO THE MAIN MOTION, WHICH IS APPROVING THE ORDINANCE. 
          PLEASE READ THE CAPTION, MADAM CLERK. >> CLERK: ITEM 16 IS AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING LINE-OF-DUTY INJURY LEAVE FOR SAN ANTONIO FIREFIGHTER 
          ROBERT BEYER. >> MAYOR JONES: OKAY. ONE SECOND. 
          ONE SECOND. WE ALREADY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. 
          THANK YOU. OKAY. OKAY. 
          PLEASE VOTE. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: AYE. >> MAYOR JONES: THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. WE'LL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. PLEASE REMAIN SEATED WHILE I TAKE US INTO THAT. 
          THE TIME IS NOW 1:46 P.M. ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2026. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO WILL NOW MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 551 OF THE X THE GOVERNMENT CODE AND TO DELIBERATE OR DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.087, THE PURCHASE EXCHANGES LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY, AND LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO LITIGATION INVOLVING THE CITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND COLLECTIVE BARRING JANING PURSUANT TO SECTION 551.071. 
          >> MAYOR JONES: THE TIME IS NOW 2:56 P.M. ON THURSDAY THURSDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2026. 
          THE CITY COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN IN OPEN 
          [04:40:02]
SESSION. THE TIME IS 2:57 AND THE MEETING IS NOW ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.