Bexar County, facing its worst financial year since the 2008 crash, has conducted a scientific budget survey to gauge residents’ spending priorities. The survey, conducted by the UTSA Center for Public Opinion Research, received responses from 1,300 residents and showed that 46.8% of respondents said the county should cut spending, while 47.2% supported either raising taxes or a combination of higher taxes and spending cuts.

Debt and Spending

The county has a total debt of $2.4 billion, which equals roughly $1,651 per resident. About 64% of residents said they wanted leaders to reduce spending to pay down the debt. Roughly 25% of respondents said they were okay with keeping the current spending and debt plan as it is, while 10.5% weren’t sure.

County Manager David Smith has said that issuing debt was smart policy due to low interest rates. However, two years ago, he called for a pause on new debt to keep the county’s credit rating in check. Assistant County Manager Tina Smith-Dean said the county had been working toward that goal and had not issued any new bonds in two or three years.

Survey Results and Budget Decisions

The survey showed that road maintenance and repairs, public health services, economic development programs, and affordable housing incentive programs were the top-ranked priorities. Survey respondents also said the county should spend less on areas such as creeks and trails, parks, and county buildings and facilities.

County Judge Peter Sakai said commissioners who’ve avoided tough conversations about outstanding projects should prepare themselves for potentially bigger changes this fall. The county’s capital backlog is sensitive, as it includes projects like The Link, which are important to a commissioner but may no longer have support from current elected officials.

Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.