D10 Councilman encouraged by movement on amended CCR ordinance

Published on October 18, 2023

SAN ANTONIO (September 14, 2023) – Today, the City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. “We are proud of the many wins fought for and received in this budget,” Councilman Marc Whyte said. “District 10 got more money for more police, an EMS unit in District 10, more positions towards Animal Care Services and more funds to clean up and remove homeless encampments. These are all great uses of our taxpayer dollars. Commendations to our City Staff and the District 10 team for their tireless work in getting these items in the budget.

There is also a substantial amount of money in this budget being allocated to repair the streets and sidewalks in District 10, and all of this comes just weeks after City Council approved a city homestead exemption of 20%, which was double the amount received last year. “We need to lower taxes,” the Councilman added, “and our city dollars need to be spent on essential city services that make our residents’ lives better.  It is thrilling that substantial funding was allocated to improve the infrastructure in District 10, and when you combine that with the passage of the maximum homestead exemption, District 10 homeowners are being well-served by much of this budget.”

Last week, several councilmembers proposed an amendment to the budget to include funding for what is being called the Reproductive Justice Fund.  Amid some public reports that the intention of this money, at least in part, is to be used to fund access to medical care not legal in Texas.  “This isn’t about a personal belief, but.  about the role of city government, and what we should and should not be using taxpayer dollars to fund.  City government should not be funding access, to certain medical procedures and believe District 10 residents don’t want their hard-earned money to be spent that way.  Because the Council insisted this money be put in the budget, I could not vote in favor of this budget, and instead abstained, hoping residents can appreciate the positive aspects in the FY 2024 budget.”