2007-2012 Bond

• The program was achieved without a property tax rate increase due to San Antonio's strong economic growth and the City's disciplined debt management plan.
• The bonds were repaid with property tax revenue the City collects on an annual basis.
• Bonds were issued, and each project funded, over a five-year period (2007 through 2012).
• Several proposed projects combined City bond resources with other entity funding to complete needed improvements.

City Council adopted the annual consolidated operating and capital budgets on September 13, 2007, following a series of public hearings. The capital budget provided a list of capital projects, including their funding sources and funding amounts.

In the fall of 2007, City Council approved the creation of a new city department - Capital Improvements Management Services (CIMS) - with a primary responsibility of managing the Bond Program. A total of 134 existing City staff positions were consolidated from four city departments into CIMS. The adopted budget included 18 new positions funded by bond funds to aid in the delivery of the Bond Program.

CIMS managed the City's Capital Improvement Program projects which included the 2007 - 2012 Bond Program through all phases of design, construction and inspection. The department also coordinated the consultant selection, construction contractor procurement and project delivery for all capital improvement construction projects.

Four Community Bond Committees recommended most of the projects. These committees were comprised of 128 residents, who utilized a comprehensive public participation process to obtain community input on potential projects to be incorporated into the program.

Ninety-three percent of the Committees' recommendations were adopted by City Council as part of the bond program put before voters.

The propositions supporting the bond program were approved by voters as follows:

• Proposition 1: Streets, Bridges and Sidewalks Improvements:
  • For: 75.99%
  • Against: 24.01%
• Proposition 2: Drainage Improvements:
  • For: 77.81%
  • Against: 22.19%
• Proposition 3: Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Athletics Improvements:
  • For: 68.57%
  • Against: 31.43%
• Proposition 4: Library Improvements:
  • For: 74.02%
  • Against: 25.98%
• Proposition 5: Public Health Facilities Improvements:
  • For: 74.99%
  • Against: 25.01%