District 7 Councilwoman’s Statement on 2024 Budget Adoption
Published on September 14, 2023
SAN ANTONIO (September 14, 2023) — Today, the City of San Antonio approved the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito released the following statement:
“I’m excited to see that this budget has placed a priority toward funding our residents’ safety and security. Supporting our first responders, especially after the recent police incidents, was a priority. The allocated addition of funding for ballistic glass in police vehicles provides more safety for our officers when they are out in the community. The addition of 117 police officers to our City will ensure that our streets and neighborhoods remain safe, and our response times grow quicker as our City continues to grow. We pushed to increase the funding of the SA Core team so they can adequately respond to residents experiencing a mental health crisis 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as when calls are at their highest.
“In coordination with Councilmembers in Districts 1, 2, and 5, there is an addition of a spay and neuter clinic, as well as the addition of ACS officers throughout the city. It’s a promise that was made to the residents of District 7. The future District 7, 5 & 1 spay and neuter clinic is a step in the right direction toward getting the City’s stray animal population under control and making our communities safer. This is a huge step forward in getting us to the root of the dangerous loose-dog issue that we have seen plague our city.
“I am happy to support increases to the budget for our homeless population that will ensure we address an issue that the residents of District 7 have brought up to me meeting after meeting. The dual approach of providing outreach services, paired with a faster response for cleaning up homeless encampments, will help enable our neighbors to have peace of mind in their own backyards.
“Efforts to secure funding for a Senior Assistance Pilot Program are important and will ensure that our older adults have access to funds that allow for lawn care when they themselves cannot afford to do so, instead of being fined. This pilot program will help make sure that seniors do not have to decide between paying for food, or gas, or a code compliance citation. It’s the same type of compassion like many had growing up when you’d check in on our elderly neighbors down the street to see they were being taken care of.
“Adopting this budget will serve as a starting line to address all 223 miles of sidewalk gaps in District 7 and reduce the amount of failing, F-Rated streets to zero in the coming years.
“Lastly, I supported the amendment for reproductive healthcare. The intent for this funding is to give women, who sometimes have little to no options, an opportunity to make the best decision possible regarding their own health. We’ll be supporting non-profits who will be focused on women’s reproductive health. The role of city government should be focused on the safety and security of our residents, community health, and partnering with local nonprofits when we are called upon to do so – today’s vote was in line with our role as Councilmembers. We are protecting the health of our constituents. Reproductive rights ensure women have access to healthcare in a state that lacks it. Women’s healthcare is a safety issue, and I am proud to support this amendment.”