Today, the City of San Antonio provides more than $1 billion in services. The three primary funding sources for these services are: a share of City Public Service (CPS) revenues that citizens pay for through utility bills; a share of local sales tax receipts; and property taxes. These three sources make up more than three-fourths of the City’s General Fund, a fund that supports the majority of basic municipal services like police and fire protection, street repairs and park maintenance, to name a few (see graph below). Municipal court fines, licenses and permit charges and other fees make up the rest of the General Fund resources. 

At the current tax rate, roughly 58 cents for every $100 of the appraised value of your property supports basic services provided by the General Fund. However, the General Fund also is a product of the local environment. CPS revenue may vary because of weather conditions or fuel prices while sales tax revenue may vary based on the state of the local economy. Therefore, a shortfall may result. The City Charter requires a balanced budget when the budget is adopted for the next fiscal year. Therefore, certain services may have to be cut or reduced to offset the cost of higher priority services. 

Many City services also are supported by Enterprise Funds or Special Revenue Funds. For example, garbage, recyclables and brush collection and similar services are supported by the Environmental Services Fund that collects revenues through user fees included on your utility bill. A Community & Visitor Facilities Special Revenue Fund utilizes Hotel/Motel Occupancy Taxes, facility rentals, and concessions revenues to support the Convention Bureau, convention facilities, arts agencies and other convention/tourist-related activities.

The City’s fiscal year begins October 1. However, the City Council and City management begin in early summer to forecast projected revenues and determine service priorities for that year. In August, the City Manager proposes a comprehensive budget of services for the upcoming year. By the third week in September, that budget is adopted by city council following a series of council worksessions and public hearings that seek community input on budget issues.

 

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