Friends and Neighbors –
We’re still in the first months of 2025, and my team and I have been hard at work on the issues that matter most to our community. Since I last wrote to you, we’ve seen a number of key discussions unfold, and I want to update you on my efforts, thoughts, and the progress we’re making together.
Jail Bed Study: Reforming the System
In January, I penned an op-ed regarding Bexar County’s jail population crisis, which highlighted the growing strain on our criminal justice system. In case you missed it, I’ve linked it here.
In order to identify potential solutions to this growing problem, I asked Commissioners Court to initiate a comprehensive study to evaluate housing solutions for our incarcerated population. As I’ve outlined in the editorial, a mix of short-, mid- and long-term solutions are needed to address the immediate needs of our criminal justice system while also preparing for future population growth.
I will continue to update you on this important issue, and I will demand that Commissioner’s Court does its job on this critical public safety issue.
Project Marvel and Fiscal Responsibility
As a Commissioner, I believe I have a fiduciary responsibility to the County and my constituents to ensure their tax dollars are utilized wisely. With that mindset, I’ve approached “Project Marvel” and a new Spurs arena with a great deal of caution.
First, Project Marvel is a City of San Antonio vision that includes the Alamodome, Convention Center, hotels, parks, and more. It’s important to note that the proposed arena is only one piece of Project Marvel, but it’s the only piece the County has a stake in. The County has a stake in the arena because we own the Frost Bank Center which is the current home of the San Antonio Spurs. If the Spurs leave the Frost Bank Center before the end of their contract in 2032, the County will have to manage the financial impact of this loss to include: lost revenue, expanded programming to fill the gap, new maintenance costs, etc.
Discussions about public support for a new Spurs arena have centered on a reallocation of the existing venue tax, which is a 1.75% sales tax on hotel rooms and a rental car tax. It is important to note that this potential funding is not general fund revenue and will be borne almost entirely by visitors to the Alamo city. However, these are still public dollars so they need to be spent wisely and in a way that benefits the entire community.
With that said, it is in the County’s best interests to ensure there is reinvestment into our existing assets first, mainly the Frost Bank Center and the Freeman Coliseum, before making any investments in a new arena. There is currently work being done to understand what the required investments would be in terms of maintenance and other improvements to maximize the use of the Frost Bank Center and rodeo grounds in the future.
Any investment in the Spurs arena would also have to be contingent on a massive investment from the city in improved infrastructure downtown, mainly in access and parking. This must be worked separately but in parallel with any arena discussion. No infrastructure means no arena.
The new Spurs arena is estimated to cost a hefty $1.5B now and although the arena and Spurs benefit our community, I believe that the majority of that investment must come from private sources, e.g. owners of the team. A proposed deal must be fair and balanced, and it is critical to remember that no matter what the “deal” looks like – it will ultimately be decided on by the voters, not Commissioner’s Court.
We should also consider investments that benefit the vast majority of families in our community who cannot afford the $300-$500 to go to a Spurs game downtown. I believe a great option is improving access to The Rock at La Cantera. My family and I have watched several games there and it is a great atmosphere for Spurs games at no cost. We are currently working on a new conceptualized park design across the street from the Rock which would expand parking and programming options at the Rock as a FREE, family-friendly option for ALL San Antonians. This would be a great investment to include alongside a new arena in a venue tax measure, that would add value for all San Antonio Spurs fans — not just those who can afford arena tickets.
I’ve also made it clear that I won’t support raising the venue tax. We should plan on a reallocation of the current tax and spread it across a variety of projects that protect the county’s assets and provide a benefit and accessibility to all residents.
Ultimately, the voters will be the ones to decide, and if the above-mentioned considerations aren’t incorporated into the ballot proposal, it will likely fail. Plenty of questions remain and better communication between all parties is required in this due-diligence phase if we’re going to align on a proposal to put in front of voters later this year.
If you’d like to read more about my thoughts on Project Marvel, I’ve linked an article below.
San Antonio State Hospital: A Historic Renovation
Another area where I’m focused on solving some problems is with the San Antonio State Hospital. This historic site is in need of renovation to better serve those with mental health challenges, and to potentially be expanded to relieve pressure on the jail and surrounding communities. The other Commissioners and I plan to ask the state legislature this session for at least $60 million in funding to renovate vacant San Antonio State Hospital buildings, which are located on the same Southside campus as the newly-built hospital.
However, this isn’t a fool-proof solution. As long as the state owns and controls the asset, we don’t have the ability to fill those beds with Bexar County patients, or to use as a relief valve for the jail. The state must grant the authority to have a County partner operate the buildings in order for us to locally control which patients are admitted. I have proposed a model in which the state pays for the renovation but allows Bexar County (in conjunction with a mental health provider) to control the use of three of the seven buildings, which would provide 140 beds. 2 of the buildings could be civil beds and one building would be forensic (jail) beds. This allows Bexar County more local control and ability to fill those beds.
Immigration and What Americans Really Want
I recently co-authored an op-ed with Councilman Marc Whyte regarding unauthorized immigration. I sent it out to my email list but in case you didn’t see it, I’ve linked it here.
This critical issue deeply affects our nation, our state, and our local community by negatively impacting not just public safety, but our tax dollars as well. In the op-ed, we highlight just how large the cost is for Bexar County. In 2022 alone, the cost to Bexar County taxpayers for 1,000+ unauthorized immigrant inmates on ICE holds in the jail was more than $2.5 million!
Please take a few moments to read the piece and share with your friends and family. If you can’t access the op-ed due to the Express News paywall, reply to this email and I will forward you the email of the full piece.
Bexar County Auditor’s Office Receives Star Award
Congratulations to the Bexar County Auditor’s Office for receiving the Transparency Star Award from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts!
When our team created the idea last year to obtain a Transparency Tool to show the public where their tax dollars are being spent, the Auditor’s office jumped on board with us.
They were instrumental in providing the data necessary to make it happen and were the boots on the ground doing the necessary work for implementation. In conjunction with setting up the Transparency Tool, they applied to the Texas Comptroller’s Office to show that we’ve implemented the new tool — and that work earned them a Transparency Star from the state.
Congratulations again and thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to true transparency for Bexar County residents!
To view the new Transparency Tool dashboard, visit https://bexar.cleargov.com.
While this is a huge win for our community, it doesn’t stop here. We aren’t resting on our laurels and more needs to be done for the sake of transparency. To that end, we are actively working with our budget office on Phase II to include a budget book that would be available online every year!
City Council Shake-Up and the Road Ahead
We’re also gearing up for significant changes in our city leadership. With four open City Council seats up for grabs in the May elections, we have a unique opportunity for San Antonio to go in a different direction.
As we prepare for this transition, I encourage all of you to stay engaged, ask tough questions, and vote for leaders who prioritize fiscal responsibility, public safety, and a thriving economy. I’m excited to see the fresh perspectives that will be brought to the table, and I’m confident that together we can continue to build a stronger community.
As always, I want to thank you for your continued trust and support as we work together to build a better future for Bexar County. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns—I’m always here to listen and advocate for our community.
