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Julian Castro actually got a few points across on the Colbert Report.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Julian Castro finally proves his citizenship
Julian Castro actually got a few points across on the Colbert Report.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Where do your property taxes go? Neighborhood Services in SA
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
If your neighbor has trashed up his yard call (311) Neighborhood Services for code compliance. The city's code violations include graffiti, vacant dangerous premises, zoning violations, illegal dumping, barbed wire and fences, minimum housing, front and side yard parking, illegal signs, illegal vehicle sales, junked vehicles, weeded vacant lots, garage sales, alley and right-of-way, vendors, hawkers and peddlers. If you want to have a garage sale, don't forget your permit. You are only allowed four garage sales per year, otherwise it's considered a business and not allowed in housing areas.
Along with keeping neighborhoods up to code, Neighborhood Services also offers financial assistance to homeowners who have been asked to improve their premisis but are unable to pay for it through owner occupied rehab and minor emergency home repair. They also teach consumers about the home buying process. Too bad more people didn't know about these classes before they bought a home with an ajustable rate subprime loan.
If you live in an historic district neighborhood services also has funding (up to $65,000) to help you fix up your home to the standards of the neighborhood. If you own rental property there is low cost financing availble for major repairs. Once the money is used the property must be rented to a low income family.
If your a home builder and you want to build low cost housing you can put in a request-for-proposal to use developable surplus city property to build your development on.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
If your neighbor has trashed up his yard call (311) Neighborhood Services for code compliance. The city's code violations include graffiti, vacant dangerous premises, zoning violations, illegal dumping, barbed wire and fences, minimum housing, front and side yard parking, illegal signs, illegal vehicle sales, junked vehicles, weeded vacant lots, garage sales, alley and right-of-way, vendors, hawkers and peddlers. If you want to have a garage sale, don't forget your permit. You are only allowed four garage sales per year, otherwise it's considered a business and not allowed in housing areas.
Along with keeping neighborhoods up to code, Neighborhood Services also offers financial assistance to homeowners who have been asked to improve their premisis but are unable to pay for it through owner occupied rehab and minor emergency home repair. They also teach consumers about the home buying process. Too bad more people didn't know about these classes before they bought a home with an ajustable rate subprime loan.
If you live in an historic district neighborhood services also has funding (up to $65,000) to help you fix up your home to the standards of the neighborhood. If you own rental property there is low cost financing availble for major repairs. Once the money is used the property must be rented to a low income family.
If your a home builder and you want to build low cost housing you can put in a request-for-proposal to use developable surplus city property to build your development on.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Downtown: The place to Live?
As San Antonio has grown, its population has moved farther and farther away from downtown, leaving it mostly to the tourists and the few urban professionals and well-to-do empty-nesters who can afford to live in a luxury apartment over the River Walk. Now Mayor Castro has taken up Mayor Hardberger's banner to make downtown San Antonio a place that San Antonians can enjoy and actually live in.
What would make more people to move downtown? More affordable apartments and single family dwellings, better public schools, a grocery store and better sidewalks and transportation options.
These are all proposed fixes in the SA 2020 initiative. Public planning meetings will be starting in October to dream up a better downtown with possible funding from the upcoming 2012 bond program.
Some ideas proposed by Engineer Andrés Andújar of Parsons 3D/I are
What would make more people to move downtown? More affordable apartments and single family dwellings, better public schools, a grocery store and better sidewalks and transportation options.
These are all proposed fixes in the SA 2020 initiative. Public planning meetings will be starting in October to dream up a better downtown with possible funding from the upcoming 2012 bond program.
Some ideas proposed by Engineer Andrés Andújar of Parsons 3D/I are
for example, to create a linear park along San Pedro Creek, convert the county jail into housing and build a new, energy-efficient headquarters for CPS Energy, making its riverfront office space available to become a more valuable, taxable project. He would take the San Antonio Independent School District out of its headquarters at the entrance to the Lavaca neighborhood and put it in a redeveloped HemisFair Park, which would let the Lavaca property become something more neighborhood-appropriate. He would return Santa Rosa Street to its historical roots as a palm-lined, landscaped downtown boulevard to complement ongoing development there.The benefits to the city as a whole are numerous.
As downtown improves, the taxable value of the property would rise in much the same way it did along the River Walk, ultimately paying back any public investment.
The dense urban core is cheaper to service than far-flung suburbs with everything from police and fire to streets and sewers. So, downtown does more than pay its own way; it subsidizes other areas.
A 2007 study by economist Steve Nivin, then chief economist for the city’s economic development department, found downtown property and activities generate $88 million a year, but that downtown costs the city $62 million a year for basic services.A city is only as good as its downtown. Improving downtown SA is well worth the effort.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Two-Step continues in Texas
Well, despite a lot of controversy and misunderstandings the Texas Democrat's Two-Step primary continues. Most people didn't even know it existed until the primary between Obama and Clinton. Clinton opperatives apparently had never heard of it either and even though she won the voting part of the primary, she ended up losing Texas to Obama in the caucuses. I participated in the caucus just to see what it was like. Some of the people who participated actually voted for Clinton and then sided with Obama in the caucus, I don't think they got it either.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Why did the City Council spend 4 hours to discuss Immigration?
I've heard some people in the blogosphere complain that the city council spent 4 hours discussing immigration in order to show opposition to the controversial Arizona immigration law instead of doing things that need to be done like fixing roads, etc. Well, actually they don't do the nuts and bolts stuff, that's not their job.
The day to day, nuts and bolts business of the city of SA is run by the city manager Sheryl Sculley and her huge staff. All of the articles that I have been writing about where property taxes go has links to the hundreds of people employed by the city to run it. The city council has only a limited role in how the city runs.
San Antonio has a Council-Manager form of government. The council, along with a weak mayor is only responsible for the legislative function of the city. It can pass ordinances, set policy, vote on appropriations and develop an overall vision for the city.
The vote to oppose the Arizona immigration law may seem frivolous, but I can understand its purpose. Mayor Castro wanted the second largest city in Texas to weigh in on this issue before it gets raised as a bill in the next legislative session.
The day to day decisions are actually made by the city manager, who is equivalent to a CEO of a major corporation, the council is like the board of directors. They make the major decisions and are the representitives of the citizenry. If you want to know what the council is actually doing, you know the stuff that doesn't make the news, check out the council agendas.
If you have a problem that needs to be addressed, by all means, contact your city council member and they will help you. But remember, the city is run by a bureaucracy with a limited amount of money and things take time to happen.
The day to day, nuts and bolts business of the city of SA is run by the city manager Sheryl Sculley and her huge staff. All of the articles that I have been writing about where property taxes go has links to the hundreds of people employed by the city to run it. The city council has only a limited role in how the city runs.
San Antonio has a Council-Manager form of government. The council, along with a weak mayor is only responsible for the legislative function of the city. It can pass ordinances, set policy, vote on appropriations and develop an overall vision for the city.
The vote to oppose the Arizona immigration law may seem frivolous, but I can understand its purpose. Mayor Castro wanted the second largest city in Texas to weigh in on this issue before it gets raised as a bill in the next legislative session.
The day to day decisions are actually made by the city manager, who is equivalent to a CEO of a major corporation, the council is like the board of directors. They make the major decisions and are the representitives of the citizenry. If you want to know what the council is actually doing, you know the stuff that doesn't make the news, check out the council agendas.
If you have a problem that needs to be addressed, by all means, contact your city council member and they will help you. But remember, the city is run by a bureaucracy with a limited amount of money and things take time to happen.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Where do Your Property Taxes Go? Municipal Courts in SA
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
Municipal Courts in Texas only try cases that are punishable by fines, like traffic and parking tickets, public intoxication, Class C domestic violence cases, and code compliance. The court can also order a defendent to fulfill their sentence by performing community service. The fines collected by the courts go back into the city coffers, so the courts are also a money making arm of the city government.
Voters in the state of Texas are not only responsible for choosing the governor and state legislators, we also get to choose judges at all levels including Municipal Courts. If you are like me, most of the time you have no idea who these people are. It is also hard to get much information on them. The League of Women Voters sends out questionaires to all candidates to give voters some idea of their positions, of course this is from the candidates point of view and is a bit of a political advertisement.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
Municipal Courts in Texas only try cases that are punishable by fines, like traffic and parking tickets, public intoxication, Class C domestic violence cases, and code compliance. The court can also order a defendent to fulfill their sentence by performing community service. The fines collected by the courts go back into the city coffers, so the courts are also a money making arm of the city government.
Voters in the state of Texas are not only responsible for choosing the governor and state legislators, we also get to choose judges at all levels including Municipal Courts. If you are like me, most of the time you have no idea who these people are. It is also hard to get much information on them. The League of Women Voters sends out questionaires to all candidates to give voters some idea of their positions, of course this is from the candidates point of view and is a bit of a political advertisement.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Where do Your Property Taxes Go? Health Services
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
So 1% of the city of SA budget goes to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. The Health District is responsible for food inspections of restaurants, school cafeterias, grocery stores and any establishment that requires a food license to operate. It also operates the Environmental Health and Wellness Center which is responsible for the childhood lead poisoning prevention program, and air quality. It also established the public emergency preparedness program for bioterrorism attacks and outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases.
The Health District also runs dental clinics and health clinics that provide low cost immunizations for the flu and childhood vaccines. It has also started the Steps to a healthier SA program to promote healthier life styles in SA. The District is also responsible for insect control, issuing birth and death certificates, and running the Women, Infant and Child program (WIC) , a supplemental nutrition program for low income families with young children.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
So 1% of the city of SA budget goes to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. The Health District is responsible for food inspections of restaurants, school cafeterias, grocery stores and any establishment that requires a food license to operate. It also operates the Environmental Health and Wellness Center which is responsible for the childhood lead poisoning prevention program, and air quality. It also established the public emergency preparedness program for bioterrorism attacks and outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases.
The Health District also runs dental clinics and health clinics that provide low cost immunizations for the flu and childhood vaccines. It has also started the Steps to a healthier SA program to promote healthier life styles in SA. The District is also responsible for insect control, issuing birth and death certificates, and running the Women, Infant and Child program (WIC) , a supplemental nutrition program for low income families with young children.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
How to save money on Police Services
Since I've been talking about the city budget and how much of the pie (36% or more then $319 million) goes to police services I thought I'd direct y'all to a great idea for saving money on police services suggested by Scott Henson at Grits for Breakfast.
Scott suggests that the police only get sent out to verified alarm calls.
Scott suggests that the police only get sent out to verified alarm calls.
If you're talking about cutting officers or eliminating overtime, here's a suggestion to put more officers on the street essentially for free: Implement verified response for burglar alarms. About 98-99% of residential burglar alarm callas are false alarms and nearly all the rest of the time the suspect is long gone when officers arrive. Implementing verified response would be like expanding the police force by 10% or more, allowing officers to focus on more important tasks. The reason this suggestion is free to the city, incidentally, is that it essentially eliminates a special-interest subsidy to the private alarm industry that's unjustified based on any cost-benefit analysis. It also would create jobs because the alarm companies must hire staff to verify alarms.I think this is a great suggestion that would be relatively painless for the city to implement and would free up the police for more important duties. Check out rest of the post here.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Texas New Home for Refugee Pelicans
While everyone from Congress to BP to Obama to ordinary citizens are busy playing the blame game, the Coast Guard is actually doing something positive. They just transported rescued, oil cleaned pelicans to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge for release back into the wild. This was a joint effort by the Coast Guard, Texas Parks and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Departments with money from BP. (Click on the links for volunteer opportunities.) I'd like to see more stories like this in the news. Passing the blame around is just talk, what we need to see is action.
Find other posts on this topic here and here.
Find other posts on this topic here and here.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
How Times Have Changed!
According to the San Antonio Remembers Blog in 1954 the San Antonio City Council voted to ban people of color from city swimming pools, making law of a de facto segregation that had existed for 90-plus years. This ruling was particularly cruel due to the fact that it took effect on "Juneteenth", the 89th anniversary of the end of slavery in Texas.
It's funny, I don't really remember segregation in San Antonio but I was born only four years after this ordinance passed.
It's funny, I don't really remember segregation in San Antonio but I was born only four years after this ordinance passed.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Where Do Your Property Taxes Go? The Library
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
My favorite city service is the Library. It's the best free thing you can do in San Antonio. Not only can you do research or check out the latest novel, they have books on tape and CD, cookbooks, craft books, Movies, TV shows and How To videos on DVD and VHS, Music CDs, government documents, and now while you are visiting you can even check out a laptop with free wifi (or bring in your own laptop, the wifi is still free.) There's always something going on at the library, from book clubs to computer training, check out the library calendar for all the events.
SA has several branch libraries scattered throughout the city and it's free for anyone living within Bexar County or if you own property or a business within the county, just bring in a picture ID and a proof of residence, property or business to get a library card. If your homebound, you can still register for an account online.
You can even use the library at home. Logon to the library website to search the catalog and place holds on books that can be picked up at the nearest local branch. You can even check out a digital audio or ebook online without ever leaving home. They have an online service for job hunters at the Tutor.com Career Center. Tutor.com also has Live Homework Help for your student. If you're into geneology check out the Texana/Geneology guides. If you need information, check out the online databases.
I think the Library is well worth the $2.6 million the city spends on it.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
My favorite city service is the Library. It's the best free thing you can do in San Antonio. Not only can you do research or check out the latest novel, they have books on tape and CD, cookbooks, craft books, Movies, TV shows and How To videos on DVD and VHS, Music CDs, government documents, and now while you are visiting you can even check out a laptop with free wifi (or bring in your own laptop, the wifi is still free.) There's always something going on at the library, from book clubs to computer training, check out the library calendar for all the events.
SA has several branch libraries scattered throughout the city and it's free for anyone living within Bexar County or if you own property or a business within the county, just bring in a picture ID and a proof of residence, property or business to get a library card. If your homebound, you can still register for an account online.
You can even use the library at home. Logon to the library website to search the catalog and place holds on books that can be picked up at the nearest local branch. You can even check out a digital audio or ebook online without ever leaving home. They have an online service for job hunters at the Tutor.com Career Center. Tutor.com also has Live Homework Help for your student. If you're into geneology check out the Texana/Geneology guides. If you need information, check out the online databases.
I think the Library is well worth the $2.6 million the city spends on it.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
San Antonio is Solid Gold
The city of San Antonio just received the highest bond rating possible. So why is this a big deal? I means that the city's finances are so solid, with cash reserves of 9% of the annual budget, that it is in no danger of defaulting on loans like many other cities. San Antonio is also listed as one of Forbes top ten most recession proof cities.
Kudos apparently go to City Manager Sheryl Sculley who helped the city raise cash reserves from 3% to 9% in five years. The only other city with a triple triple bond rating is Phoenix, the city SA wooed Sculley away from.
When SA was first courting Sculley they offered her a salary so large many citizens were red with outrage, I can't say I was too keen on the idea. But she has proved her worth. Congratulations Ms. Sculley on a job well done.
Kudos apparently go to City Manager Sheryl Sculley who helped the city raise cash reserves from 3% to 9% in five years. The only other city with a triple triple bond rating is Phoenix, the city SA wooed Sculley away from.
When SA was first courting Sculley they offered her a salary so large many citizens were red with outrage, I can't say I was too keen on the idea. But she has proved her worth. Congratulations Ms. Sculley on a job well done.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Texas as leader in Gulf Restoration
Texas has been exceedingly lucky in the gulf oil spill debacle. So far our beaches and wetlands have been unaffected and it seems likely to remain that way due to ocean currents that are carrying the oil in the opposite direction.
The Nature Conservancy along with the Texas Parks & Wildlife and US Fish & Wildlife Departments have been working together for four years to protect under water oyster beds and sea grass meadows "that comprise the foundation of the gulf's delicate ecological structure." Two years ago the Conservancy started an oyster reef restoration project by colonizing live oysters and creating self-sustaining reefs in Copana and Matagorda bays on the Texas coast. With these two projects Texas could lead the way to recolonizing oyster beds along the gulf coast once the spill is cleaned up.
Who knew that oysters were so important? The average oyster filters 40 to 60 gallons of water a day, sort of like a mini water reclamation plant. Without oyster beds the ocean would be extremely polluted, don't think I'll be eating any raw oysters any time soon.
The Nature Conservancy along with the Texas Parks & Wildlife and US Fish & Wildlife Departments have been working together for four years to protect under water oyster beds and sea grass meadows "that comprise the foundation of the gulf's delicate ecological structure." Two years ago the Conservancy started an oyster reef restoration project by colonizing live oysters and creating self-sustaining reefs in Copana and Matagorda bays on the Texas coast. With these two projects Texas could lead the way to recolonizing oyster beds along the gulf coast once the spill is cleaned up.
Who knew that oysters were so important? The average oyster filters 40 to 60 gallons of water a day, sort of like a mini water reclamation plant. Without oyster beds the ocean would be extremely polluted, don't think I'll be eating any raw oysters any time soon.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Where Do Your Property Taxes Go? Parks and Recreation in SA
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
Parks & Rec recieves a 6% share of the city budget. The city uses this money to maintain 255 existing municipal parks which include athletic fields, nature trails, skate plazas, outdoor and indoor pools, golfing, basketball courts, community centers, lakes, fishing, canoeing, play grounds, outdoor classrooms, picnic areas, jogging trails, fountains and water features, tennis courts, pavillions and gazebos, a YMCA center, gyms, boxing programs, sports leagues, botanical gardens, war memorials and dog parks.
The city also uses an 1/8% sales tax approved in 2005 to buy up property over the Edwards Aquifer to protect it from high density development. This land is set aside as natural areas for hiking and nature appreciation. This is very important to San Antonio because the aquifer is our predominant source of water.
The city is also building a series of Linear Creekway Parks that will eventually connect up throughout the city.
The creekway trails allow cyclists and walkers to move through the city without encountering car traffic.
Parks & Rec also has an extensive series of activities that is presents throughout the year including: talent shows, summer youth recreation programs, nature camps, flamenco performances, song and dance performances, concerts, movies, soft ball leagues, bicycle safety instruction, tennis leagues, dances, and festivals.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
Parks & Rec recieves a 6% share of the city budget. The city uses this money to maintain 255 existing municipal parks which include athletic fields, nature trails, skate plazas, outdoor and indoor pools, golfing, basketball courts, community centers, lakes, fishing, canoeing, play grounds, outdoor classrooms, picnic areas, jogging trails, fountains and water features, tennis courts, pavillions and gazebos, a YMCA center, gyms, boxing programs, sports leagues, botanical gardens, war memorials and dog parks.
The city also uses an 1/8% sales tax approved in 2005 to buy up property over the Edwards Aquifer to protect it from high density development. This land is set aside as natural areas for hiking and nature appreciation. This is very important to San Antonio because the aquifer is our predominant source of water.
The city is also building a series of Linear Creekway Parks that will eventually connect up throughout the city.
The creekway trails allow cyclists and walkers to move through the city without encountering car traffic.
Parks & Rec also has an extensive series of activities that is presents throughout the year including: talent shows, summer youth recreation programs, nature camps, flamenco performances, song and dance performances, concerts, movies, soft ball leagues, bicycle safety instruction, tennis leagues, dances, and festivals.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Where do Your Property Taxes Go? Enviromental Policy--SA
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
The Office of Environmental Policy which receives 5% of the city's budget is involved in several initiatives to make San Antonio a greener city:
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
The Office of Environmental Policy which receives 5% of the city's budget is involved in several initiatives to make San Antonio a greener city:
- Casa Verde SA is a partnership with CPS Energy to assist low income households with weatherizing their homes.
- The Mission Verde sustainability plan, which sets several goals for the city to be part of the future green economy and to reduce carbon use by industry, transportation and city facilities.
- The Green Contractor Rebate program which provides incentives for builders to renovate homes through the Build San Antonio Green retrofit program.
- The Mission Verde Center, a multipurpose education, training and research center for renewable and energy efficient technologies.
- The Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan that provides financial incentives and assistance to residential and commercial customers to install energy saving practices and fixtures to reduce the customer's energy use permanently.
- Solar America Cities to promote and facilitate the use of solar energy in San Antonio.
- The Hike and Bike program
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Vote Today
It's voting day. Today decides the who will be the Alamo Community College District Trustees for districts 1 and 7. Check out the voting sites, just check the links. Your vote really counts in this election, only 1239 people have voted so far, so check out this article to see who's running.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Where Do Your Property Taxes Go? City of San Antonio
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
Streets and Infrastructue accounts for 7% of the City of San Antonio budget. Infrastructure refers to drainage, sidewalks, traffic signals and alleys.
The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of 4000 centerline miles of primary and secondary streets (this doesn't include highways). The Public Works Department for the City of Los Angeles is responsible for 6,500 centerline miles of streets (which does include highways.) When you consider that 3.8 million people live within the city limits of Los Angeles and only 1.4 million in the city of SA, that's 3/10 mile of streets for every person in SA versus 2/10 mile of streets per capita in LA. This means that proportionately LA has a larger tax base and less streets.
Seven percent of the 2010 budget is about $62 million which sounds like a lot of money, but it costs $37,500 just to put down pavement markings on one mile worth of street. Street maintenance is expensive, but then you also have to include drainage, sidewalks, traffic signals and alleys.
It takes a long time for streets to be widened and repaved, and for new drainage and sidewalks to be installed because it costs a lot of money. In order to keep up with all of the infrastructure maintenance the city has a five year rolling plan that is approved annually. But in the mean time, you can still get pot holes filled if you call 311 or go on line to file a citizens request form.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%). I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
(For links to all items in the CSA budget, see past posts.)
Streets and Infrastructue accounts for 7% of the City of San Antonio budget. Infrastructure refers to drainage, sidewalks, traffic signals and alleys.
The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of 4000 centerline miles of primary and secondary streets (this doesn't include highways). The Public Works Department for the City of Los Angeles is responsible for 6,500 centerline miles of streets (which does include highways.) When you consider that 3.8 million people live within the city limits of Los Angeles and only 1.4 million in the city of SA, that's 3/10 mile of streets for every person in SA versus 2/10 mile of streets per capita in LA. This means that proportionately LA has a larger tax base and less streets.
Seven percent of the 2010 budget is about $62 million which sounds like a lot of money, but it costs $37,500 just to put down pavement markings on one mile worth of street. Street maintenance is expensive, but then you also have to include drainage, sidewalks, traffic signals and alleys.
It takes a long time for streets to be widened and repaved, and for new drainage and sidewalks to be installed because it costs a lot of money. In order to keep up with all of the infrastructure maintenance the city has a five year rolling plan that is approved annually. But in the mean time, you can still get pot holes filled if you call 311 or go on line to file a citizens request form.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A Greener Military Presence in SA
Fort Sam, Lackland AFB and Randolph AFB combined are the biggest sources of revenue for CPS, so the bases are asking for CPS's help to reach a 30% energy reduction goal by 2015. The Defense Transformation Institute a nonprofit created to help foster relationships between the military and the local community sponsored a day long Sustainable Energy Workshop on Wednesday to let the public know about what they have done so far and how private industry can get involved to help the bases meet their goal.
The Air Force Real Property Agency is seeking partnerships with businesses interested in putting renewable energy projects, such as solar, biomass or geothermal renewable technologies, on unused Air Force property. To find out about opportunities click on the link and subscribe to their newsletter. I have subscribed and will be posting opportunities as I hear about them.
The Air Force Real Property Agency is seeking partnerships with businesses interested in putting renewable energy projects, such as solar, biomass or geothermal renewable technologies, on unused Air Force property. To find out about opportunities click on the link and subscribe to their newsletter. I have subscribed and will be posting opportunities as I hear about them.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Where Do Your Property Taxes Go? City of San Antonio
A Recap of City of San Antonio revenues and spending. So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%), . I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
I'm going to skip over other services for the time being and focus on the the major areas of spending in the budget. Convention, Tourism and Culture recieve 9% of the city budget. The city manages and maintains several facilities used for Conventions here in San Antonio. Conventions bring a lot of money into the city, not just for government coffers but for private businesses as well, such as restaurants, retail stores, car rental agencies, hotels & motels and tourist attractions. Facilities used for conventions, sports and entertainment include the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, The Alamo Dome, The Municipal Auditorium and the Lila Cockrell Theater. Large, modern conventions are the biggest drivers behind the tourism economy in San Antonio. Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News has suggested that San Antonio's lack of a modern sports facility cost the city the Final Four competition. San Antonio could build a new stadium, but the costs need to be weighed against the benefits. Using a large arena for occasional sports events may not be very cost effective. Also where is the funding coming from to build a new facility, probably taxes.
Money spent on Tourism mostly goes toward advertising and the San Antonio Visitors Center. San Antonio is the 17th most visited city in the US and a very important part of the city's economy. Tourist attractions are only part of what draws visitors to San Antonio, cultural events also bring in tourists. San Antonio's art scene is somewhat under the radar, so the city is working to promote the arts more prominently.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%), . I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
I'm going to skip over other services for the time being and focus on the the major areas of spending in the budget. Convention, Tourism and Culture recieve 9% of the city budget. The city manages and maintains several facilities used for Conventions here in San Antonio. Conventions bring a lot of money into the city, not just for government coffers but for private businesses as well, such as restaurants, retail stores, car rental agencies, hotels & motels and tourist attractions. Facilities used for conventions, sports and entertainment include the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, The Alamo Dome, The Municipal Auditorium and the Lila Cockrell Theater. Large, modern conventions are the biggest drivers behind the tourism economy in San Antonio. Buck Harvey of the San Antonio Express-News has suggested that San Antonio's lack of a modern sports facility cost the city the Final Four competition. San Antonio could build a new stadium, but the costs need to be weighed against the benefits. Using a large arena for occasional sports events may not be very cost effective. Also where is the funding coming from to build a new facility, probably taxes.
Money spent on Tourism mostly goes toward advertising and the San Antonio Visitors Center. San Antonio is the 17th most visited city in the US and a very important part of the city's economy. Tourist attractions are only part of what draws visitors to San Antonio, cultural events also bring in tourists. San Antonio's art scene is somewhat under the radar, so the city is working to promote the arts more prominently.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
San Antonio's North Sector Plan
The City of San Antonio is updating it's Master Plan for the North Sector of San Antonio. The North Sector encompasses all the area from south to north between 410 and the Bexar County boundary and from east to west from IH35 to Culebra/471. The North Sector Plan is the long-range guide to the preferred growth, conservation, and redevelopment of this area in a comprehensive manner.
If you would like to review the plan and make comments and suggestions on it there are two Public Meetings scheduled for this purpose. The first is meeting is Tuesday, June 15, from 6 - 8 pm at Semmes Library (15060 Judson Rd.) and the second is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, from 10 am - 1 pm at Igo Library (13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy.)
See you there.
If you would like to review the plan and make comments and suggestions on it there are two Public Meetings scheduled for this purpose. The first is meeting is Tuesday, June 15, from 6 - 8 pm at Semmes Library (15060 Judson Rd.) and the second is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, from 10 am - 1 pm at Igo Library (13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy.)
See you there.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Where do Your Property Taxes Go? City of San Antonio
There's a lot going on at the City of San Antonio so I'm going to break it down into smaller pieces.
Just a reminder, everything printed in bold, orange lettering is a link, just click on it.
A recap of the 2010 property tax bill of $5,029.23 for a $189,930 house.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case Northside ISD)
So $1,074.42 of your property taxes goes to the City of San Antonio.
The City of San Antonio receives revenues from several sources: Property taxes (25%), Charges and fees (20%), Revenues from Utilities (17%), Grants (usually federal) (15%), Sales Tax (14%), Hotel/Motel Tax (4%), Other Taxes (Short Term Rental Tax, Bingo Tax, etc) (2%), Fines (Library Fines, Traffic Tickets) (1%), Miscellaneous (1%), Intergovernment (0.6%), Permits/Licenses (0.4%)
The 2010 Budget for the City divides general fund expenditures in the following ways: Police (36%), Fire/EMS (26%), other services (Aviation, Community Initiatives, Historic Preservation, Solid Waste Management, Military Affairs, etc) (11%), Convention, Tourism and Culture (9%), Streets and Infrastructure (7%), Environmental (5%), Parks & Recreation (6%), Agencies (4%), Library (3%), Health (1%), Municipal Courts (1%), Neighborhood Services (1%), Economic Development (0.5%), Animal Care (0.5%), . I will take you through each of these items in separate posts. If you feel that you have a better way to spend the money you can post your suggestions on the online Budget suggestion box for the 2011 budget.
The largest slice of the City's budget goes to Public Safety, the Fire Department and EMS, the Office of Emergency Management and the Police Department. These departments have large staffs, many stations and building facilities and large fleets of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances. When the first governments were formed way back in the caveman days, it was the responsibility of the headman to protect his community and that is still the primary responsibility of governments today.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Where do Your Property Taxes Go? Bexar County
A recap of the 2010 property tax bill of $5,029.23 for a $189,930 house.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case Northside ISD)
So $552.66 of your property taxes goes to Bexar County. The property tax represents 52% of the county's revenue. Other revenue sources are Grants and Contributions (25%), Charges for Service (14%), Motor Vehicle taxes (3%), Other taxes (a portion the sales tax, hotel & motel tax, bingo tax and short term rental taxes) (3%), Investment income (1%) and Miscellaneous income (2%).
Bexar County spends its revenue in the following ways: Public Safety (36%), Judicial (16%), General Government (15%), Public Works(15%), Health and Public Welfare (6%), Community Venue (5%), Debt (4%), Education and Recreation (2%), Commissary (1%).
Bexar County is the only government for people who live outside of cities but within the county. It also provides services to anyone living within the county. The county provides similar services to county residents that cities provide, but they cover a much wider territory with a lot less money. Debt being paid by the county refers to bond issue debt and the commissary is in the Sheriff's office.
The county provides public safety through the Sheriff's office, the Bexar County Constables office and the Bexar County Jail. The County also has a medical examiner and a forensics toxicology lab. It also provides fire and emergency services in the county. The county is also responsible for a number of different types of courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, the County Court, District Courts and some Appellate Courts. If you ever find yourself in Probate Court constesting a will, it will be a county court.
General government activities for Bexar County include, issuing marriage licenses, voter's registration, the appraissal district, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and issuing land deeds.
As I mentioned before, the county pays a portion of all public works projects (road and flood) throughout the county. They are also responsible for bridges and storm water quality in the county.
The county's involvement in health and public welfare includes a $6 million donation to Haven for Hope, participation in the University Health System, and the Center for Health Care Services which helps people with mental and developmental disabilities and substance abuse challenges.
Community venues in the county include the River Walk, youth and amateur sports facilities, Freeman Colleseum and AT&T Sports Arena, and Cultural Arts centers like the Museo Alameda. These venues are mostly covered by Hotel and Motel Taxes and Short Term Rental Taxes.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization educates neighborhoods on how to use their infrastructure to encourage walking and biking to area restaurants, schools, businesses and parks. It also offers bicycle safety classes and sets up Bike Rodeos.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case Northside ISD)
So $552.66 of your property taxes goes to Bexar County. The property tax represents 52% of the county's revenue. Other revenue sources are Grants and Contributions (25%), Charges for Service (14%), Motor Vehicle taxes (3%), Other taxes (a portion the sales tax, hotel & motel tax, bingo tax and short term rental taxes) (3%), Investment income (1%) and Miscellaneous income (2%).
Bexar County spends its revenue in the following ways: Public Safety (36%), Judicial (16%), General Government (15%), Public Works(15%), Health and Public Welfare (6%), Community Venue (5%), Debt (4%), Education and Recreation (2%), Commissary (1%).
Bexar County is the only government for people who live outside of cities but within the county. It also provides services to anyone living within the county. The county provides similar services to county residents that cities provide, but they cover a much wider territory with a lot less money. Debt being paid by the county refers to bond issue debt and the commissary is in the Sheriff's office.
The county provides public safety through the Sheriff's office, the Bexar County Constables office and the Bexar County Jail. The County also has a medical examiner and a forensics toxicology lab. It also provides fire and emergency services in the county. The county is also responsible for a number of different types of courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, the County Court, District Courts and some Appellate Courts. If you ever find yourself in Probate Court constesting a will, it will be a county court.
General government activities for Bexar County include, issuing marriage licenses, voter's registration, the appraissal district, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and issuing land deeds.
As I mentioned before, the county pays a portion of all public works projects (road and flood) throughout the county. They are also responsible for bridges and storm water quality in the county.
The county's involvement in health and public welfare includes a $6 million donation to Haven for Hope, participation in the University Health System, and the Center for Health Care Services which helps people with mental and developmental disabilities and substance abuse challenges.
Community venues in the county include the River Walk, youth and amateur sports facilities, Freeman Colleseum and AT&T Sports Arena, and Cultural Arts centers like the Museo Alameda. These venues are mostly covered by Hotel and Motel Taxes and Short Term Rental Taxes.
The Metropolitan Planning Organization educates neighborhoods on how to use their infrastructure to encourage walking and biking to area restaurants, schools, businesses and parks. It also offers bicycle safety classes and sets up Bike Rodeos.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Where do Your Property Taxes Go? University Health System
A recap of the 2010 property tax bill of $5,029.23 for a $189,930 house.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case North Side ISD)
About 39% of the University Health System budget comes from property taxes. Other sources of revenue are Patient Payments (45%), Disproportionate Share Hospital program (paid by the state to cover costs not covered by Medicaid and for indigent patients) (12%), other revenue, such as Donations to the UHS foundation (3.9%) and money from the Tobacco Settlement (.1 %)
The System uses your $505.66 to offer the full range of medical services to anyone needing their services, including: trauma care (the only other trauma facility is BAMC), health education, and CARELINK (a financial assistance program for people who do not qualify for Chip or Medicaid).
The State of Texas ranks the lowest in per capita state health spending, so we tax payers really aren't paying that much for indigent patients. Also the vast majority of public employees in Texas are either teachers or hospital workers.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case North Side ISD)
About 39% of the University Health System budget comes from property taxes. Other sources of revenue are Patient Payments (45%), Disproportionate Share Hospital program (paid by the state to cover costs not covered by Medicaid and for indigent patients) (12%), other revenue, such as Donations to the UHS foundation (3.9%) and money from the Tobacco Settlement (.1 %)
The System uses your $505.66 to offer the full range of medical services to anyone needing their services, including: trauma care (the only other trauma facility is BAMC), health education, and CARELINK (a financial assistance program for people who do not qualify for Chip or Medicaid).
The State of Texas ranks the lowest in per capita state health spending, so we tax payers really aren't paying that much for indigent patients. Also the vast majority of public employees in Texas are either teachers or hospital workers.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Move Toward Zero Waste
The City of San Antonio hopes to eventually recycle 90 percent of it's waste. It takes a lot of time and education to reach this goal so the city is doing it in smaller bites. The first goal is to recycle 40% of our waste by 2020. SA reached an 18% recycling rate this year (up from 5% in 2006) after automated recycling was established in all the residential neighborhoods. The next step is to require multi-family and commercial properties to recycle as well.
Check out the Solid Waste Management website to see which items can be recycled at curbside.
Check out the Solid Waste Management website to see which items can be recycled at curbside.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Where Do Your Property Taxes Go? Alamo Community College District
A recap of the 2010 property tax bill of $5,029.23 for a $189,930 house.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case North Side ISD)
The $258.03 that goes to the Alamo Community College District is used to help support the Community Colleges in San Antonio: Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, San Antonio College, St. Phillips College and Palo Alto College. The Alamo Community College District is a special government with taxing authority and the ability to issue bonds. The bond issues are used to borrow money and are approved by the voters before they can be issued. The district also has an elected board, and right now there is a heavilly contested race in District 7 between Blakely Latham Fernandez and David A. Whitley.
Your $258.03 helps to pay for college operations and to pay off bond issue debt. Operating expenses include, instruction, public service, academic support, student services, institutional services, operation and maintenance of plant, and scholarships and fellowships. Now this is only a drop in the bucket to cover the college's expenses so the rest is covered by state allocations (sales tax revenue), tuition and fees paid by the students, federal (income tax revenue) and state grants and contracts and investments in that order with the majority of funds coming from the state, tuition and the federal government.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case North Side ISD)
The $258.03 that goes to the Alamo Community College District is used to help support the Community Colleges in San Antonio: Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, San Antonio College, St. Phillips College and Palo Alto College. The Alamo Community College District is a special government with taxing authority and the ability to issue bonds. The bond issues are used to borrow money and are approved by the voters before they can be issued. The district also has an elected board, and right now there is a heavilly contested race in District 7 between Blakely Latham Fernandez and David A. Whitley.
Your $258.03 helps to pay for college operations and to pay off bond issue debt. Operating expenses include, instruction, public service, academic support, student services, institutional services, operation and maintenance of plant, and scholarships and fellowships. Now this is only a drop in the bucket to cover the college's expenses so the rest is covered by state allocations (sales tax revenue), tuition and fees paid by the students, federal (income tax revenue) and state grants and contracts and investments in that order with the majority of funds coming from the state, tuition and the federal government.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Where do Your Property Taxes Go? San Antonio River Authority
A recap of the 2010 property tax bill of $5,029.23 for a $189,930 house.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case North Side ISD)
The San Antonio River Authority or SARA gets $30.30 of your tax bill. So what is SARA?
SARA is a regional government entity that includes Bexar, Goliad and Karnes counties. It has a publicly elected board of directors. It's responsible for:
Now luckily the property tax isn't the only place SARA gets money. They also recieve some money from the federal government (income taxes), fund balances (from investments) and grants and donations.
The money from property taxes is used directly for flood control and water quality protection. SARA gets $0.02 for every $100 that your house is valued at. Now as I said before, Bexar County and the city of San Antonio also have some flood control responsibilities. So the next time you have flooding on your property report it to all three of these entities.
So now when you see a SARA board member on your voting ballot, you'll know what that person does.
$58.27 goes to Bexar County Road Maintenance and Flood Control
$30.30 goes to San Antonio River Authority
$258.03 goes to Alamo Community College District (NW Vista, SAC, St. Phillips, etc)
$505.66 goes to the University Health System (University Hospital)
$552.65 goes to Bexar County
$1,074.42 goes to the City of San Antonio
$2,540.31 goes to the School District you are in (In this case North Side ISD)
The San Antonio River Authority or SARA gets $30.30 of your tax bill. So what is SARA?
SARA is a regional government entity that includes Bexar, Goliad and Karnes counties. It has a publicly elected board of directors. It's responsible for:
- Water Resources
- Water Quality
- Flood Control
- Parks
- Utilities (Water and Wastewater)
- Economic Development
Now luckily the property tax isn't the only place SARA gets money. They also recieve some money from the federal government (income taxes), fund balances (from investments) and grants and donations.
The money from property taxes is used directly for flood control and water quality protection. SARA gets $0.02 for every $100 that your house is valued at. Now as I said before, Bexar County and the city of San Antonio also have some flood control responsibilities. So the next time you have flooding on your property report it to all three of these entities.
So now when you see a SARA board member on your voting ballot, you'll know what that person does.
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