District 5 Councilmember Provides Statement on Passage of 2027 Budget

Published on September 17, 2026

 

SAN ANTONIO (September 17, 2026) – Today, the San Antonio City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget. District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo provided the following statement:

“Despite difficult financial conditions, District 5 residents resoundingly said that an austerity budget was out of the question. The City responded by making meaningful investments in housing stability, infrastructure, community safety, reliable City services, and our civilian and first responder workers.

“When budget funding is scarce, collaboration is imperative to put forth practical solutions which avoided creating gaps for other priority issues. There is still much work ahead to place the budget on firm financial footing without reducing support for working families. However, today signals a step in the right direction that San Antonio has the ability to successfully navigate this economic downturn without creating negative downstream impacts.

“I am extremely grateful to residents, community organizations, City staff, and colleagues for working together to approve a balanced budget. I look forward to continuing to engage with constituents to ensure public dollars are used responsibly and effectively.

Our work on the 2028 Budget begins today.”

The District 5 Councilmember specifically wanted to celebrate successful efforts to:

• Increase the Affordable Housing Budget by $4.8million.
• Restore funding for the Community Improvement Project funds to $1 million per district.
• Over two years, provide $1 million for the Reproductive Justice Fund.
• Fund a Diversion and Recovery Center Pilot Program.
• Expand efforts to prevent fraud, abuse and exploitation of senior citizens.
• Approve a 3% cost of living adjustment for civilian employees and preserve funding for the employee Tuition Reimbursement Program.  
• Add nine (9) uniformed positions to the San Antonio Fire Department.
• Retain Metro Health staff who work to improve maternal health as well as an Office of Sustainability staffer who works to increase neighborhood sustainability/resiliency.
• Modernize the City’s Traffic Calming Program.
• Increase fees for metal and auto recycling facilities, vacant lots, and dangerous/aggressive dogs.