San Antonio Councilman Perry Votes Against Adding Initiatives To November Ballot

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

August 13, 2020

SAN ANTONIO – Today, City Council voted (9-2) to authorize a November election to allocate 1/8th cent sales tax for job training and scholarship purposes not to extend beyond December 31, 2025. This tax was previously authorized by the voters for the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program (EAPP) and Linear Creekways.

“While workforce development is a wonderful opportunity for those who are interested, it is not the shot in the arm that San Antonio needs presently. Our neighbors and business owners need assistance now, not years from now.

In addition to this, we are not allowing voters the opportunity to vote on the EAPP and Linear Creekways. As proposed, the EAPP would be shifted to SAWS which brings up more issues, as it has the potential to negatively impact the City’s General Fund by taking on more debt. With the extra responsibility, SAWS will likely have to raise their rates. The burden of funding the EAPP will lie squarely on the SAWS ratepayers in San Antonio, whereas the sales tax is spread across everyone that spends on sales tax eligible items in San Antonio. Additionally, I am not convinced that there is money saved by having Bexar County take over Linear Creekways. As Bexar County residents, we will still be paying that tax.

The plan presented today had far too many questions and not enough answers. For these reasons, I voted against adding these initiatives to the November ballot. Ultimately, the power is in the hands of the voters, and I am looking forward to seeing what will happen come November.”

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.