San Antonio City Council is reviewing a proposed $442 million general‑obligation bond alongside a $175 million storm‑water revenue bond that would be backed by a modest storm‑water fee increase. The packages were presented by City Manager Erik Walsh and Director of Capital Delivery Mike Shannon at a briefing‑only council meeting, with a formal vote on the bond issuance slated for Oct. 29. The decision will set the stage for a months‑long process that could place the bond on the May 2027 ballot.
According to San Antonio Report, the $442 million bond would allocate $330 million for street improvements, $50 million for affordable housing and $92 million for parks and facilities. It also includes $35 million for infrastructure projects tied to the city’s Project Marvel. The storm‑water revenue bond would fund drainage upgrades and is intended to avoid a future debt‑service tax rate increase, a concern highlighted by staff analyst Ben Gorzell.
Council members remain divided on the bond’s size. At least four councilors, including District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran and District 4 Councilman Edward Mungia, advocate for a larger $750 million general‑obligation bond, arguing that a higher capacity would better address long‑standing needs and reduce future costs. Viagran warned that “raising taxes in a growing city in light of the current economy seems inevitable,” while Mungia asked, “What would be the cost for not doing some of these years later on?”
Other members, such as Councilman Jalen McKee‑Rodriguez (D2) and Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito (D7), support the $442 million proposal as the “path of least resistance,” though McKee‑Rodriguez expressed concern that none of the storm‑water projects fall within his district or District 6 on the West Side. He urged that “everybody should get at least one drainage project.”
Affordability advocates, including Councilwoman Teri Castillo (D5) and Councilwoman Ivalis Meza Gonzalez (D8), pushed for more funding for affordable housing. Castillo suggested that a $750 million bond could increase the housing allocation, while Meza Gonzalez recommended rounding the total package up to $650 million to accommodate additional storm‑water projects.
Walsh emphasized the need for proportionality in project distribution, noting that bond dollars would vary by district within a 7‑13 percent range based on need. He also highlighted that the proposed $442 million capacity is roughly one‑third the size of the 2022 bond, reflecting a slowing economy and softer property‑value revenues.
Councilwoman Sukh Kaur (D1) warned that a $750 million bond could raise property owners’ taxes by about $1 per month, and she suggested incorporating the drainage projects directly into the bond to eliminate the separate storm‑water fee.
What’s next: The council is expected to vote on the final list of projects in January, with the full bond package slated for consideration in February before being placed on the May 2027 ballot. Residents should watch for upcoming public hearings where district‑level priorities will be discussed, as the outcome will shape San Antonio’s streets, housing, parks and storm‑water infrastructure for years to come.
Sources: sanantonioreport.org
