San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has proposed cutting funding for the San Antonio Botanical Garden and Book Festival as part of the city’s efforts to address a nearly $158 million budget shortfall. The city has not publicly revealed a full list of specific budget cuts being considered, but some possibilities have come up during budget discussions or previous plans.

Botanical Garden Funding

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is facing a potential cut in funding from $1.2 million to $1 million in the upcoming FY 2027 budget. However, Mayor Jones has suggested going further and scrapping the garden’s funding altogether, citing the garden’s ability to generate revenue through ticket sales and fundraising events.

San Antonio Botanical Garden President and CEO Katherine Trumble expressed surprise at the mayor’s comments, stating that admissions revenue covers only about 20% of the garden’s operational budget, while the city funding covers about 7%. Trumble also noted that a portion of the city funding is used for capital expenses, and that the garden is aware and prepared for the planned $200,000 reduction in funding.

Book Festival Funding

The San Antonio Book Festival is also facing a potential cut in funding, with the city’s $150,000 general fund contribution potentially being reduced or eliminated. Mayor Jones questioned why the city is bankrolling the festival, suggesting that private philanthropy could support the event instead.

Executive Director Lisa Ayres stated that the festival has other sources of funding, but that every dollar counts, and that losing the city’s funding could impact the festival’s ability to grow and provide services such as author visits to schools.

The city’s budget discussions are ongoing, with a draft budget scheduled to be delivered to the mayor and council on August 13.

Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.