District 10 Councilmember Responds to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

Published on September 18, 2025

The Councilmember cites infrastructure gains, public safety challenges.

SAN ANTONIO (September 18, 2025) – Today, City Council passed the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which increases infrastructure investment, funds more firefighters, and expands the Encampment Response Team to better address encampment cleanups. It also delivers $29 million in savings thanks to efficiencies, reductions, and a critical review through the hybrid Zero-Based Budget model.

District 10 Councilmember Marc Whyte stated, “While there are investments worth noting, the final product fails to deliver on a key commitment to public safety. Despite the positives, the budget authorizes only 40 new patrol officers instead of the 65 originally proposed from the 2023 staffing study.

“Public safety is our number one priority, and this budget fails to meet that standard. Our residents deserve the full commitment of 65 new officers, not a compromise that leaves our neighborhoods under-protected. We cannot continue to deviate from the plan we were told would be implemented. City safety — or lack thereof — can lead to great disparity in quality of life and return on dollars invested by residents, businesses and government alike.”

Councilmember Whyte remains committed to fighting for stronger investment in public safety and will continue pressing for the resources needed to keep families and communities safe.