DEPARTMENT: Office of Management and Budget
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Justina Tate
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
City Council Worksession on the FY 2018 Proposed Budget
SUMMARY:
Staff presentation on the FY 2018 Proposed Budget focusing on, but not limited to, the following City policies and initiatives:
A. Convention & Sports Facilities (including Visit San Antonio)
B. Arts & Culture
C. Tricentennial Office
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The FY 2018 Proposed Budget was presented to the Mayor and City Council on August 10, 2017. The budget is balanced as required by law and reflects the City Council policy direction of budgeting through an equity lens. The City’s Fiscal Year begins October 1.
Equity and equality are two strategies that can be used in budgeting. Equity aims to understand the needs of the community and fairly distribute resources. Equality involves ensuring all parts of the community get similar amounts of resources regardless of need. In the context of the proposed budget, decisions made through an equity lens matter because it determines how the City will allocate resources and set priorities to meet the social and economic needs of San Antonio residents. This Budget proposes an equity approach.
The FY 2018 Proposed Budget includes investments in streets, public safety, and neighborhood services that have the potential to make a significant difference in the quality of life of our community while maintaining a strong financial position.
A total of 10 City Council work sessions are scheduled prior to budget adoption on September 14 to present the budget in detail to the City Council. Since August 10 five budget work sessions haven been held. Three sessions were held during the week of August 14: Transportation and Capital Improvements Department (August 15), Fire and Police Departments (August 16), and the proposed City Debt Plan (August 17). Two additional work sessions were held during the week of August 21: Planning, Neighborhood & Housing Services, Historic Preservation, Health, Sustainability, Human Services and Delegate Agencies (August 22) and Parks, Library and Municipal Court (August 23).
In addition to the budget work sessions a total of six community budget open houses and two public hearings have been scheduled to obtain input from the community about the proposed FY 2018 budget. Four community budget open houses were held during the weeks of August 14 and August 21.
ISSUE:
A budget Worksession is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30 from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 PM at the Municipal Plaza “B” Room. At this session, the City Council will be presented with the FY 2018 Proposed Budgets for the Convention & Sports Facilities, Visit San Antonio, Arts & Culture, and Tricentennial Office.
Convention & Sports Facilities
The Proposed FY 2018 Budget for the Convention & Sports Facilities includes funding from the General Fund and Restricted Funds. Below is a summary of the funding and position counts that would be authorized by the FY 2018 Proposed Budget.
|
FUND |
FY 2018 PROPOSED BUDGET |
AUTHORIZED POSITIONS |
|
Community & Visitor Facilities Fund |
$45,483,838 |
339 |
|
Community & Visitor Facilities Fund (Non-Departmental) |
$3,742,233 |
0 |
|
General Fund (Carver Community Cultural Center) |
$1,050,825 |
7 |
|
Carver Special Revenue Fund |
$472,179 |
7 |
|
Total |
$50,749,075 |
353 |
The Proposed FY 2018 Budget funds the operation and maintenance of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Alamodome, and Carver Community Cultural Center facilities. The Proposed Budget in Non-Departmental includes $3,156,880 for hosting obligations to support major conventions, meeting and events. The Proposed Budget recommends $183,611 for five additional security guard positions for the Convention Center which hosts over 700,000 attendees annually.
In FY 2018, the Alamodome will host the NCAA Men’s Final Four showcasing the newly renovated facility and providing an optimal fan experience through the expanded concourses, lighting, sound, and public wifi systems.
The City Council will also receive a briefing from Visit San Antonio (VSA) on its FY 2018 budget and initiatives for marketing and promoting the City as a destination. In September 2016, the City Council approved a Destination Marketing Agreement (DMA) with Visit San Antonio which transitioned the City’s former Convention & Visitors Bureau into an independent non-profit agency. Visit San Antonio’s work will continue to market and promote the City as a destination for conventions and leisure travel. As part of the DMA, the City will target an annual allocation to VSA equal to 35% of the Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue budget net of the debt service payments related to the Convention Center Expansion. The FY 2018 Proposed Allocation for Visit SA is $23,339,889.
Arts & Culture
The Proposed FY 2018 Budget for the Department of Arts & Culture includes funding from Restricted Funds. Below is a summary of the funding and position counts that would be authorized by the FY 2018 Proposed Budget.
|
FUND |
FY 2018 PROPOSED BUDGET |
AUTHORIZED POSITIONS |
|
Arts & Culture Fund |
$10,052,809 |
12 |
|
Public Art San Antonio |
$682,692 |
6 |
|
SA Film Commission (Community & Visitor Facilities Fund) |
$514,639 |
2 |
|
Total |
$11,250,140 |
20 |
The FY 2018 Proposed Budget maintains funding for Arts & Culture at 15% of Hotel Occupancy Tax (net of debt service for the Convention Center Expansion Project).
Tricentennial Office
The Proposed FY 2018 Budget for the Tricentennial Office includes funding from Restricted Funds. Below is a summary of the funding and position counts that would be authorized by the FY 2018 Proposed Budget.
|
FUNDFY 2018 PROPOSED BUDGETAUTHORIZED POSITIONS |
|
|
|
Personnel Expenses including Temporaries and Contract |
$855,646 |
1* |
|
Tri-Art Grant Program |
$300,000 |
|
|
Marketing & Branding |
$337,526 |
|
|
Fundraising - Sponsorship Evaluation |
$50,000 |
|
|
Program Activities |
$331,000 |
1* |
|
Operating Expenses |
$66,988 |
|
|
Total |
$1,941,160 |
1* |
• The Tricentennial Fund supports 12 positions: 1 authorized position, 9 temporary/contract positions and 2 Volunteers in Service to America (VISTAS)
The Tricentennial Office supports the Tricentennial Commission in planning efforts, identification of potential partners, creation of unique celebration identity, and integration of existing events into the celebration framework.
The FY 2018 Proposed Budget includes $331,000 to support New Year’s Eve celebrations, education and history activities, Commemorative Week, and marketing efforts. Additionally, funding in the amount of $300,000 is included for the 300 TriArt Program. The goal of the program is to inspire a diverse range of art throughout San Antonio and Bexar County that reflects local culture and history. The selected art projects will be displayed in 2018 during the City’s Tricentennial. The budget continues funding in the amount of $387,000 for marketing, sponsorship evaluation, and brand management services related to Tricentennial events.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is a scheduled worksession for the FY 2018 Proposed Budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This presentation provides a briefing on the major initiatives within the Convention & Sports Facilities, Arts & Culture, and Tricentennial Office departments. The FY 2018 Budget is scheduled to be adopted by City Council on September 14, 2017.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is a worksession for discussion of the FY 2018 Proposed Budget and is for briefing purposes only.