City of San Antonio - File #: 20-4663

• File #: 20-4663
• Type: Staff Briefing - With Ordinance
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 8/13/2020
• Posting Language: Ordinance ordering a Sales and Use Tax Election to be held on November 3, 2020, to authorize an increase of 1/8th of one percent of Sales and Use Tax not to extend beyond December 31, 2025 for the purpose of financing job training and scholarship programs through the San Antonio Early Childhood Education Municipal Development Corporation in accordance with Chapter 379a of the Texas Local Government Code and commencing upon the full collection of the Sales and Use Tax previously authorized by the voters for the Edwards Aquifer Protection Venue Project and the Parks Development and Expansion Venue Project; authorizing a contract amendment with Bexar County for conduct of this election; and appropriating funds to pay a proportionate share of the estimated $900,000.00 election costs as determined by the Bexar County Administrator. [Carlos Contreras, Assistant City Manager; Alejandra Lopez, Director, Economic Development]

DEPARTMENT: Economic Development

DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alejandra Lopez

COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide

SUBJECT:

Ordering an election called by the City for a proposed 1/8 cent sales and use tax to provide for workforce development and higher education through the San Antonio Early Childhood Municipal Development Corporation's (the "Corporation") in accordance with Chapter 379A of the Texas Local Government Code.

SUMMARY:

An Ordinance ordering a sales and use tax special election to be held on November 3, 2020 in the City of San Antonio, Texas to authorize a 1/8th of a cent sales and use tax for the benefit of the San Antonio Early Childhood Municipal Development Corporation's (the "Corporation") for the purpose of workforce training and higher education, in accordance with Chapter 379A of the Texas Local Government Code; and to authorize a contract with the Bexar County Elections Office for a proportionate share of the cost to conduct the election. Funds are available from the FY 2020 Adopted General Fund.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, San Antonio experienced a relatively low unemployment rate, yet poverty rates in our community were among the highest in the nation. Low post-secondary educational attainment rates in San Antonio have resulted in a shortage of skilled workers and an abundance of lower wage, low skill jobs. At the onset of the pandemic many working San Antonians were especially vulnerable to the unprecedented economic impact of COVID-19. An estimated 154,000 displaced workers face various financial burdens from housing to food security, making it evident that substantial, continued investment in workforce development and degree completion among our residents is critical to San Antonio's emergence from this and future public health and economic crisis.

In July 2020, Mayor Nirenberg appointed a Workforce and Education Leadership Taskforce consisting of leaders from education, workforce development, ...