Local leaders weigh job cuts or tax hikes to close $158 million city budget gap

 SAN ANTONIO - City leaders are weighing job cuts and possible tax increases as they work to close a $158 million budget shortfall driven by inflation and rising expenses.

District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte said the city has become “bloated” with unnecessary spending and argued the focus should be on core services. “If we focus on this budget in making San Antonio the cleanest, safest city in America, that's that would be a win,” Whyte said.

Some council members have discussed a property tax increase that would add about $70 per year to a homeowner’s property taxes. Whyte said he opposes raising taxes and questioned whether it would solve the city’s longer-term financial problems.

“Even with the tax hike that's being proposed by some of my colleagues, the deficit in another five years will still be over $100 million,” Whyte said. “So, a tax hike would be simply a band aid to get us through this year and maybe next.”

As an alternative, the city is considering cutting about 200 city positions, a move that could save more than $137 million. Another option under discussion would cut funding from certain nonprofits, which could reduce the deficit by an additional $5 million.