DEPARTMENT: Office of Management and Budget
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Justina Tate
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Public Hearings for the 2018 Ad Valorem Tax Rate and FY 2019 Proposed Budget
SUMMARY:
On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers two Public Hearings are scheduled:
1) 2018 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate Public Hearing for the FY 2019 Proposed Budget
2) FY 2019 Proposed Budget Public Hearing
The Public Hearings will provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the 2018 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate for the FY 2019 Proposed Budget and FY 2019 Proposed Budget. The Public Hearing on the 2018 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate will be held at 6:00 PM immediately followed by the Public Hearing on the FY 2019 Proposed Budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The FY 2019 Proposed Budget was presented to City Council on August 9, 2018. The budget is balanced as required by law and reflects the City’s continued commitment to providing public services and programs that enhance the quality of life for the San Antonio residents. Guided by the City Council policy direction and community input, the proposed budget focuses on streets and sidewalks, affordable housing, and filling police vacancies with no increase to the City’s property tax rate.
The Proposed FY 2019 Consolidated Annual Budget, comprised of all funds, excluding transfers, totals $2.8 billion. The General Fund budget is $1.26 billion; restricted funds such as Airport, Development Services, Solid Waste, and Hotel Occupancy Tax total $889 million; and the Capital Budget totals $690 million.
Following the presentation of the proposed budget a series of city council budget worksessions are scheduled from August 14 to September 5. At these sessions, City staff will review the budget proposals with the Mayor and City Council in detail. The budget is scheduled to be adopted on September 13 for the City’s fiscal year that begins on October 1.
State Law requires that a municipality hold two Tax Rate Public Hearings when the Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate exceeds the Effective Tax Rate. The first Public Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 29, 2018 and the second Public Hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 5, 2018.
City Charter also requires that one Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget be held. Staff recommends two Public Hearings on the FY 2019 Proposed Budget to be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 and Wednesday, September 5, 2018.
The 2018 Proposed Ad Valorem Rate Public Hearing will begin at 6:00 pm and the FY 2019 Proposed Budget Public Hearing will begin immediately thereafter.
Notices for the Budget and/or Ad Valorem Tax Rate Public Hearings were published in the Express-News and La Prensa on Sunday, August 19 and Sunday, August 26. Copies of the Proposed Budget are available for purchase and/or inspection in the Office of the City Clerk, 1st Floor, Municipal Plaza.
ISSUE:
On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers two Public Hearings are scheduled:
1) 2018 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate Public Hearing
2) FY 2019 Proposed Budget Public Hearing
The Public Hearings will provide an opportunity for residents to comment on the 2018 Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate and the FY 2019 Proposed Budget. The Public Hearing on the Proposed Ad Valorem Tax Rate will be held at 6:00 PM immediately followed by the Public Hearing on the FY 2019 Proposed Budget.
Citizens wishing to speak at the Public Hearing may individually sign a register for that purpose which will be provided at the entrance to the City Council Chambers beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. Citizens also can register on-line beginning at 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. A link on the Office of the City Clerk’s website at <http://www.sanantonio.gov/clerk/> will be activated that will allow citizens to sign-up for the public hearing. Individuals and/or groups will be heard in the order they signed up to speak.
ALTERNATIVES:
State Law requires that a municipality holds two property tax rate public hearings when the Proposed Ad Valorem City Tax Rate exceeds the Effective Tax Rate. Additionally, the City Charter requires at least one public hearing on the City’s Proposed Budget.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The public hearings on the 2018 Ad Valorem Property Tax Rate for the FY 2019 Proposed Budget and the Proposed Budget will not require City Council action. Final approval of the FY 2019 Proposed Budget is scheduled for September 13, 2018.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item includes two public hearings for the City's 2018 Ad Valorem Property Tax Rate for the FY 2019 Proposed Budget and the FY 2019 Proposed Budget.