DEPARTMENT: Office of the City Attorney
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Andy Segovia, City Attorney
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
May 1, 2021 Special Election
SUMMARY:
This item orders an election on Saturday May 1, 2021 for a proposed amendment to the City Charter allowing the City to issue bonds for permanent public improvements or any other public purpose.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio Charter’s current bond language allows only for the construction of public works projects. The Charter Review Commission (CRC) identified the need to include bond propositions that promoted the growth of our region’s affordable housing stock. Most recently, the CRC reviewed draft ballot language developed by outside bond counsel that would be presented to the voters for approval to allow the City to issue bonds for public purposes that include the provision of affordable housing and economic development.
This proposed language would align San Antonio with other Texas municipalities. Dallas’s 2017 bond program included an initiative to revitalize mixed income housing units. Austin voters approved an affordable housing bond proposition in 2018 that will aid in the construction and revitalization of nearly 3,500 rented and owned units.
City Council was briefed on this item at the February 3, 2021 “B” Session.
The calendar leading up to the Saturday, May 1, 2021 General Election is:
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Thursday, April 1, 2021 |
5:00 pm - Deadline to Register to Vote with Bexar County for the May Election. |
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Monday, April 19, 2021 |
First day of Early Voting by personal appearance for the May Election. |
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Tuesday, April 20, 2021 |
5:00 pm - Deadline for Bexar County to receive an Application for a Ballot to be Voted by Mail. |
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Tuesday, April 27, 2021 |
Last day of Early Voting by personal appearance for the May Election. |
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Saturday, May 1, 2021 |
Election day from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. |
ISSUE:
Because the City Charter’s current language only permits construction for public works, it is necessary to amend the language by bringing the proposed language to the voters so that voters can consider a broader array of bond projects.
Elections ordered are conducted in accordance with the Voting Rights Act, Texas Election Code, Local Government Code, and all other applicable law.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could determine to order this election for the uniform election date in November 2021.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The costs of election services via contract with the Bexar County Elections Administrator for securing polling sites, delivery of equipment, and hiring of election judges and clerks, will be brought at a later date. The Office of the City Clerk will provide other administrative election duties. This does not address the fiscal impact of adoption of any, or all, of the proposed amendments.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance ordering an election on Saturday May 1, 2021 for a proposed amendment to the City Charter allowing the City to issue bonds for permanent public improvements or any other public purpose.