District 5 and District 4 Councilmembers File CCR

Published on October 17, 2025

 

SAN ANTONIO (October 17, 2025) – Councilmembers Castillo (District 5) and Mungia (District 4) recently filed a Council Consideration Request (CCR) to create a formal Community Benefits Agreement Policy (CBA) that would apply to all future City of San Antonio-sponsored discretionary developments and incentives.

Community Benefits Agreements are legally enforceable contracts between a coalition of community-based organizations and the developer of a proposed project whenever public dollars are used as incentives.

The request prescribes that the prospective policy will lead to Community Benefits Agreements that are:

• Negotiated by and inclusive of impacted groups
• Clearly defined, enforceable, and hold parties accountable to their obligations
• Transparent and accessible to the community and deliver meaningful benefits

Councilmembers Castillo and Mungia filed the request because they believe San Antonio residents deserve a seat at the table when their tax dollars and other public resources are being provided to private organizations. The Councilmembers emphasized that public investments must yield public good.

“When the City provides public dollars or incentives to private developments, our residents deserve a real voice in shaping what those projects deliver,” said District 5 Councilmember Teri Castillo. “A Community Benefits Agreement Policy ensures accountability, transparency, and meaningful returns like affordable housing, fair-paying jobs, and small business opportunities, rather than displacement, pollution, or rising costs. It’s about putting community first when public resources are at stake.”

“Even when economic development projects may have more direct benefits in one particular location, our hope is that this prospective policy will help us develop community benefits that are mutually beneficial and accessible to all residents,” stated District 4 Councilmember Edward Mungia. “In instances when vulnerable populations are impacted disproportionately by development, we have a responsibility to mitigate the impact on them and be responsive to their needs.”

The prospective policy aims to strengthen community trust and ensure that taxpayer-funded projects contribute to equitable growth across San Antonio.