08.11.2023

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Today’s Forecast

53º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:29 a.m. | Sunset 5:48 p.m.

💸 One billion dollars

By the numbers: What’s in San Antonio’s proposed 2024 budget?

The city manager has released San Antonio’s proposed 2024 budget. | Photo by City of San Antonio

The city’s general spending fund could increase by 5.3% to $1.6 billion this coming fiscal year. This week, city manager Eric Walsh presented the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget to City Council + we’re here to turn the 37-slide presentation into a quick morning read.

💰 Tax changes

The proposed total operating budget is $3.7 billion — up from $3.4 billion from last year — and will include a five-cent property tax reduction and an increase in the homestead tax rate to 20%. The new tax rate will be set at $0.54159 per $100 valuation.

💰 Budget focuses

This year’s budget focuses on five top priorities from residents:

Animal Care Services
The city will increase the overall budget by 26% ($26.9 million total) and will include allocations for 29 new positions, spay + neuter services, and rescues and adoptions.

Police Services
Increasing to $570.6 million, nearly 35% of the general spending fund, the city will add $11.9 million for 105 new officers.

SATXtoday: 2024 budget — The city is proposing the FY 2024 General Fund Budget: of $1.6 billion.
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Photo by City of San Antonio

Homeless Outreach and Encampments
The proposed budget invests $1.4 million and adds four positions to enhance homeless outreach, address homeless encampments, and increase homeless prevention services.

Streets
The city wants to invest $137.5 million towards 1,458 street projects and 29 miles of new sidewalks.

Affordable Housing
With the addition of $41.2 million, the funds will continue the implementation of Strategic Housing Implementation Plan.

💰 New initiatives

A fee increase is coming for solid waste bins. Large bins (96 gallons) will increase from $26.76 to $30.25 ($3.49 per month) and medium-sized bins would also go up $1 per month, from $18.76 to $19.76.

SATXtoday: waste management — The city proposes increases in monthly solid waste fees to maintain level of customer service expected.
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Photo by *ClemSpalding*

What’s next?

City Council will review the proposal and adopt the final budget on Thursday, September 14. Community town halls will run from Monday, Aug. 14 to Thursday, Aug. 24.

Events

Friday, Aug. 11

Tax-Free Weekend | Friday, Aug. 11-Sunday, Aug. 13 | Times vary | The RIM, 17703 La Cantera Pkwy., San Antonio | Free | Take part in some back-to-school shopping with this money saving weekend.
Poolside with Fuzion | Friday, Aug. 11 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Omni La Mansion Del Rio, 112 College St., San Antonio | Free | Enjoy happy hour and live music by the pool.
Let’s Go Party: A Barbie Inspired Dance Night | Friday, Aug. 11 | 8:30 p.m. | The Rock Box, 1223 E. Houston St., San Antonio | $15-$20 | Come dressed up and enjoy themed cocktails while listening to the Barbie Soundtrack featuring Dua Lipa, Ava Max, and more.

Saturday, Aug. 12

Last Chance Market | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Poetic Republic Coffee, 2330 S. Presa St., San Antonio | Free | Grab a cup of coffee and shop from local vendors.
Get Fit at Hemisfair | Saturday, Aug. 12 | 10-11 a.m. | Hemisfair, 434 S. Alamo St., San Antonio | Come for a workout session led by BLAST coach Judy.
Last Blast Summer Bash | Saturday, Aug. 12-Sunday, Aug. 13 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Historic Market Square, 514 W. Commerce St., San Antonio | Free | Celebrate the end of summer and the new recreation area with live music, food, and art.

Sunday, Aug. 13

Guided Bird Tour | Sunday, Aug. 13 | 8-11 a.m. | Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, 10750 Pleasanton Rd., San Antonio | $10 | Grab the camera and binoculars to see 30-50 different bird species.
Salt Flavoring Workshop | Sunday, Aug. 13 | 1-3 p.m. | Rose Hip Market, 116 W. Olmos Dr., San Antonio | $30 | Build your own cooking topping and learn about salt.
Trivia | Sunday, Aug. 13 | 7 p.m. | Chicken N Pickle, 5215 UTSA Blvd., San Antonio | Free | Join The Schwab and test your knowledge about all things sports.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

New Sulphur Springs Road is now closed, thanks to a sinkhole that appeared east of Jasper Hollow. According San Antonio Public Works, the sink was caused by a collapsed storm pipe. Crews are working through the night to fix the damage with the goal of reopening the road by 5 p.m. today.

Environment

Bexar County Commissioners Court approved of a burn ban this week due to dry conditions and lack of rain. The ban will expire on Tuesday, November 7. County residents can only burn waste in burn barrels with metal wire mesh screens. Violators may face a fine of up to $500. (KSAT 12)

Coming Soon

Local food + coffee truck, Kulture Kafe is opening a brick and mortar location on the north central side of San Antonio. Announced this week on its anniversary, the truck shared a post via Instagram of its Coffee Shop Coffee Roaster. An opening date has not yet been released.

Award

Dr. Amelie Ramirez has won the 2023 Association of American Cancer Institutes Cancer Health Equity Award. The award recognizes leadership, mitigating cancer disparities, and advocating for diversity + inclusion. Dr. Ramirez is the Associate Director of Cancer Outreach and Engagement at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.

Sports

The San Antonio Brahmas have secured rights to six players for its upcoming season. These players were either invited to the XFL Combine in July or were part of an XFL Showcase earlier this summer. Players coming to the Brahmas include two local athletes from the University of Incarnate Word.

Family

Come out to the Mission San Juan Museum tomorrow at 11 a.m. for its Reading with a Ranger program. The program occurs every second Saturday of the month. This weekend’s children’s book will focus on maize (corn), and families can craft a corn husk wreath.

State

The beginning of Tax-Free weekend in Texas. Qualifying items — most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks — can be purchased tax free from a Texas business in person, online, or via catalog. The shopping event ends Sunday, August 13 at midnight.

Traffic

🚧 Plan ahead

TXDOT announces major highway closures in San Antonio

Road work begins today on the I-10 and 410 interchange on the city’s east side. | Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

The Texas Department of Transportation is alerting drivers traveling eastbound in San Antonio along I-10 and I-410 to expect major delays at the interchange as its workers continue to build the eastbound I-10 to southbound I-410 flyover ramp.

So what does this mean? All east + westbound lanes of I-10 and all northbound lanes of I-410 will be closed starting tonight at 8 p.m. through the morning of Monday August, 14.

The roadways will be open throughout the day until the interchange closes again that night. The interchange will close nightly beginning Monday, August 14, through Thursday, August 17, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

If you are traveling this way, be prepared to divert your normal travel route onto the access roads and other roadways — may we suggest stopping at a local coffee spot.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Adriana

From the editor

Have you heard about the wildfires in Maui?

I was on the phone with my dad yesterday and he told me him + my mom spent their honeymoon in the historic town of Lahaina. He suspects the place they once stayed at is no longer standing. It is truly devastating what the wildfire has done to the island.

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