The City of San Antonio is facing a $158 million budget deficit that it’s trying to close over the next two years. City staff will present a draft version of the budget on Thursday, which will include possible cuts and tax increases.

Budget Cuts and Tax Hikes

The city will need to reduce expenses to at least partially close the $158 million gap. The cut-heavy path would slash nearly $138 million over two years, along with more than 200 positions — many of them filled. The city may also consider raising the property tax, which has not been increased since 1993.

Some council members, like Marc Whyte, have come out against the possibility of a tax hike. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has suggested that the city could divert voter-approved funding for the Ready to Work job training program to free up money for core services.

Ballot Measures

The city may also consider adding multiple ballot measures to the November ballot, including an early reauthorization of a ⅛ cent sales tax for the city’s Pre-K 4 SA program. The current authorization won’t run out until 2029, but some council members have filed memos to force an early reauthorization vote.

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