San Antonio City Council approves first tax hike in 34 years

San Antonio City Council approves first tax hike in 34 years

SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — San Antonio City Council voted 7-4 Thursday to raise the city’s property tax rate for the first time since 1992.

The 3.9% increase is part of a broader plan to close a projected $158 million budget gap over the next two years. A second increase is expected later, bringing the total rate hike to about 8.5%.

For the average homestead, the first increase would add roughly $49 to the 2026 property tax bill. Senior and disabled homeowners with a tax freeze, representing about 47% of city homesteads, will not be affected.

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and council members Marina Alderete Gavito, Misty Spears and Marc Whyte opposed the increase.

“So many people are hurting,” Whyte said. “The cost of living is so high, and yet our solution is to throw an increased tax upon them.”

Supporters argued deeper cuts could hurt city services, including libraries, parks, animal care, code enforcement and public safety.

The final budget also includes higher fees, 49 new SAPD positions, $129.8 million for street maintenance and raises of 3% for civilian employees, 4% for police and 5% for firefighters.

The budget does not add patrol officers toward the city’s long-term goal of hiring 360 additional officers.

Without the tax increase, City Manager Erik Walsh and city staff would have faced pressure to make deeper cuts to balance the budget.