[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6502295,"mediaKeyId","5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370","parentId",5545547,"title","Bexar County opens public hearing on proposed venue tax election; no vote taken today","audioSeconds",3974,"startMs",0,"endMs",3974000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370&start=0&end=3974","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502295/Bexar-County/Texas/Bexar-County-opens-public-hearing-on-proposed-venue-tax-election-no-vote-taken-today","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502295-0a3370f60a7ab42dc14c7363c0c9d2ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1770408736&Signature=T69sbQBGTZmJb1GwUKSiSxNQvd8OgvCU8eHHq5OD724hmeXrtTXOBB~GFBnAYTCNEi4SFkYOqFRbECbq5dJnxW35sygyg4CPnisnnLQ8Bow6WjdZrzDbJRVexIvLaDzS4KI~n~eCP7VxkaRpK2LVhpLH2wyMxLpuWMha1dS~JeQPYATaiYecAR6nSb-OoAI3GUnGAH7DGpOTqSi8ZuP45-O1XnuQt5QiNeWybubRwHcSIX~UHueQsq3HLQtmjXc0U4TH87Dffckg9mXKbIicqJBQvj0rO9sclfrOWe4mJM6d4ldYv3btnBvx4EDTT6B4hdT~R65dWfbxI6OEpk9xJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bexar","date","2025-08-05T00:00:00Z","article","Bexar County Commissioners Court opened a time‑certain public hearing on Aug. 5 to take public comment on a proposal to call a November election on two venue initiatives: improvements to Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo facilities, and a proposed new multipurpose arena for the San Antonio Spurs under Texas Local Government Code chapter 334.

The court heard about two-and-a-half hours of public testimony from business and civic leaders who backed the projects and from community groups and residents who opposed using public money. Proponents said the measures would bolster tourism, create construction jobs and support year‑round programming at the East Side venues. Opponents said stadium projects historically fail to deliver promised neighborhood benefits, accelerate gentrification, and redirect scarce public funds from housing, flood control and other infrastructure.

Why it matters: The hearing is the next formal step in a process that could place one or more venue tax measures on the November ballot; the court did not adopt an election order at this meeting and deferred a final decision. County officials said they would move to executive session to receive legal advice and may take further action after that closed session.

What the court heard: Proponents who spoke at length included Peter Holt (speaking for the Spurs ownership), Chamber and business leaders and San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo leadership; they described private commitments to arena construction (the Spurs have publicized a large private contribution) and argued the county and city venues are interconnected. The Spurs’ representative asked the court to let voters decide the plan. Stock Show & Rodeo leaders said upgrades would support year‑round uses and East Side economic activity.

Opposition came from neighborhood organizers and coalitions including COPS Metro, No Project Marvel and Pueblo for Profit, plus residents from multiple precincts and community groups such as the San Antonio Conservation Society. Speakers pressed for independent market and fiscal analyses, more time for public review, clearer guarantees on anti‑displacement protections and affordable housing commitments, and alternatives for spending hotel occupancy and venue tax revenue (for example, aquifer protection, creeks, parks, or workforce housing).

What happened next: At the hearing’s close the judge said the court would go into executive session for legal advice related to the venue proposals and later may take action; no election order was adopted on Aug. 5. County staff and several speakers asked for more public analysis and clarity about community benefits and mitigation measures.

Speakers included (selection): Peter Holt (Spurs), Jeff Webster (Greater San Antonio Chamber representative), Cody Davenport (San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo), representatives from COPS Metro and No Project Marvel (opposition coalitions), Betty Boucher (San Antonio Conservation Society), multiple neighborhood residents and youth advocates who identified themselves by precinct or neighborhood.

What to watch: Any decision by Commissioners Court to order a venue tax election would start a formal statutory timetable (notice, ballot language and, if adopted, project authorizations and funding mechanisms). The court scheduled an executive session for legal advice and may set future public hearings or votes after that closed consultation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bexar - Commissioners Court","oneSentenceSummary","Bexar County Commissioners Court opened a time‑certain public hearing Aug. 5 to take input on a possible November venue tax election covering Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and a proposed new Spurs arena; the court closed public testimony and moved the matter to executive session without adopting an election order.","taxTitle","Bexar County, Texas","taxId",2688,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502281,"Commissioners set public hearing and vote date on University Health tax rate; rate recommendation held steady",2602,4326000,6928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370&start=4326&end=6928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370/thumbnail_4326000.jpg","/articles/6502281/Bexar-County/Texas/Commissioners-set-public-hearing-and-vote-date-on-University-Health-tax-rate-rate-recommendation-held-steady","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502281-9046052dbe80096589d490c6548dc3f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770408736&Signature=I0VCzM2TOWwkC-0PaHmOwbFRo21Q00JUTuq35x3coSVavISdqjo~n~ZEm6VBbMXPv9CDAfM7~aF~kLg4ydadjw-YEIL7UO4lDf3uENYe9f1VIEaNuJYcFl~vD0alyMf54dQI9kqov~r69HwCYZDP9yyY0mRZusj-W7d2ywvTXz1Ei9aHwVW1o6cs-tlHi~WEez7it1znrs0x8G3fY9auIjLvACknDoYySO2HQloMm-bHVopOygsbTg-Vn61V7SkVY9j9c59iWl6jhXSGZlLkjD6fySc66t3DBhLg2qSN6RaguVqJPTuAv-9sGvSZLQjgStG~4VYV25ud5jOWhy-nIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bexar County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 accepted a presentation from University Health leadership on the proposed ad valorem tax rate for fiscal year 2026 and set a public hearing and vote for Sept. 9, 2025. The hospital district asked the court to adopt the existing total tax rate of 0.276235 per $100 of taxable property value (tax rate rounded in presentation) and to set the formal public hearing and vote dates.

Presentation highlights: University Health leaders (including CEO Ed Banas and CFO Reid Hurley) reviewed construction and expansion projects, staffing and utilization trends. Projects discussed included the Palo Alto and Ratama hospitals and the VIDA preventive‑health campus adjacent to Texas A&M‑San Antonio, plus the Wheatley location. Officials reported heavy growth in patient volumes over the past decade (average daily hospital census up from about 458 to roughly 793), increasing NICU census, and surgical volumes rising to an expected 34,000 operations in 2025.

Finances and exemptions: Hurley said assessed values for the hospital district rose about 3.4% year over year. The presentation reiterated previously adopted homestead exemptions (a 20% homestead exemption and an over‑65 partial exemption) and estimated taxpayer savings from the exemptions (roughly $74 million from the 20% homestead exemption). University Health presented a conservative clinical‑services budget projection and said maintaining the current tax rate would add approximately $17.3 million in maintenance & operations revenue for fiscal 2026.

Action: Commissioner Rodriguez moved (seconded by Commissioner Calvert) to set the proposed total tax rate at 0.276235 per $100 and to schedule a public hearing on Sept. 9, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. with the vote immediately after; the court approved the motion. Commissioner Clay Flores later asked that the record reflect she voted yes (she had stepped out and returned). The motion carried.

Why it matters: University Health is a major local safety‑net and specialty provider; tax‑rate decisions affect hospital district revenues and county taxpayers. The court’s action set the statutory public‑hearing process in motion but did not finalize the adopted rate; the Sept. 9 hearing and vote are scheduled to receive public comment and a final decision.","University Health officials presented construction and fiscal updates and asked county support for maintaining the hospital district's current tax rate; commissioners set a public hearing and vote for Sept. 9 on the recommended rate.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502286,"Commissioners approve demolition, boarding and lien for burned property at 27523 Twin Peaks",378,1948000,2326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370&start=1948&end=2326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370/thumbnail_1948000.jpg","/articles/6502286/Bexar-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-demolition-boarding-and-lien-for-burned-property-at-27523-Twin-Peaks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502286-3b90b3431c76eaa3fb0a4eb9d0e3aed9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770408736&Signature=mJRZ1rhFak~vx1T8BB90qerY1Y1r2mkT2zrnIx7nAsjHKiW-sECHo6YG6OKleQFFKtJYJsZjmygPep4liTm4-YHmSf8A~zRtNPtxoMLrO8vqItZe9TjvSvH6xWtIWw7l2Tdc5VkJrQc1HTCiY8BmNMMFYhHIHHtiqk-NXd5UrBF8gxbHyn5yDiuq5JUexWuj6uUzuUh-GxSI-lu7G3GdckC6IKBHKSxK-dBtAJDQILm7w7lZwBNfG8Og4GkSbw1wUnMfZKw67V1oPw7J2VjhnKnXmYk3G-HsSPprHqVyeNBODA34UhgFWxiiUJ3euvcajswFhdaIRSMRM-cy9vX0Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bexar County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 authorized the county to abate property at 27523 Twin Peaks Street (Far North Bexar County), including demolition of a partially collapsed, fire‑damaged primary structure, boarding of a secondary structure and removal of debris. The county will pay the abatement contractor and place a lien on the property to recover costs.

Public Works briefing: Art Reinhardt, Director of Public Works, told the court the site covers about five acres. He described two structures: a primary structure of approximately 6,800 square feet (to be demolished) and a secondary structure of about 3,000 square feet (to be boarded). The main structure partially collapsed after a fire in October 2021, and earlier notices of violation and court steps had not resulted in corrective action by the private owners.

Costs and process: Reinhardt presented a contractor quote of approximately $23,000 for abatement. Reinhardt said the county will contract and pay the abatement contractor, then place a lien on the privately owned property so costs are payable if the property is sold. The property remains in private ownership; the county is taking corrective action under its nuisance/abatement authority.

Vote and direction: Commissioners Moody (mover) and Clay Flores (second) brought the motion; it passed on a voice vote. The judge confirmed that Public Works will now manage these nuisance abatement cases and that the county was directed to be aggressive in enforcing abandoned and nuisance properties to protect neighborhoods.

Clarifying notes: Reinhardt said prior compliance steps included notices, court referrals and fines; owners were unresponsive across multiple years and court proceedings. The abatement process, lien placement and subsequent enforcement follow county procedures and the court’s recently amended order for such abatement actions.","Public Works presented a plan to abate a fire‑damaged property in Far North Bexar County; Commissioners voted to authorize demolition of the primary structure, boarding of a secondary structure and placing a lien on the parcel to recover abatement costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502292,"Commissioners approve DA request to use unused salaries to extend high‑risk intake backlog program",2078,2319000,4397000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370&start=2319&end=4397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5545547-4547266faf5c090a8b2eb2a1a65d9370/thumbnail_2319000.jpg","/articles/6502292/Bexar-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-DA-request-to-use-unused-salaries-to-extend-highrisk-intake-backlog-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502292-a3c361ce7669cd2fa71417e325b62559/orig.mp4?Expires=1770408736&Signature=mVVkx~yY2d944Yjo51UiXzMByi7uAb2Zh6ErlaXUxgj7Dvaoe0U7CbnFjQGNXcfesRvHEaT9rot2zGVH9w8vb~XlHrKixUbcEMHdOLmIr6au2Hj10X3fZXKJe83uCvSCrPUNborKAVNJePOCJTdAqEwJz-~AVRTLFG3dEyHTOcxv6T2Ed-Q-xZtLgc-So7Qh6LQZZT1vB0IHEqkeBntQ5cJ0Jr3n75vgSRCnrZXfFFTTErSHygnpzU8iPOgjHKqUFtoY0aXY09xVuhvB5UWTFQnlYl5HIbZHogOEX~JdsH8hwvdqGeP4y4ol6cybHGE1rRiRX24-8xDehq7Nv-tRCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bexar County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 approved a budget‑neutral request from the County Criminal District Attorney’s Office to use $296,000 of unspent salary funds to continue a high‑risk intake backlog reduction program.

The DA’s office reported the overtime program — which uses existing budget authority to pay prosecutors overtime rather than hiring new staff — has reduced case backlogs in intake since it began in late 2023. Using the office’s updated backlog metric (measuring backlog from case filing date rather than offense date), the DA reported the backlog fell from 6,330 to 4,817 cases as of the day before the hearing.

Why it matters: The DA told the court the program has materially increased case review and indictments while the office struggles with statewide prosecutor shortages, increased evidence volumes (body‑worn camera footage) and Odyssey case‑management growing pains. The requested $296,000 would come from salary savings in vacant misdemeanor prosecutor positions and pay participating prosecutors for evening and weekend overtime work.

Details the DA provided: The office reported a 33% reduction of a subset of at‑large backlog cases and said indictments year‑to‑date have increased by about 40% compared with 2023 (9,100 indictments in the first half of 2025 versus about 6,500 in the same period of 2023). To date the program has spent $269,307 of previously allocated funds and distributed 5,583 case reviews among participating prosecutors.

Questions and concerns raised: Commissioners and staff asked about Odyssey implementation effects, crime lab turnaround times, retention and recruitment of prosecutors, and whether the DA is pursuing outside audit recommendations; the DA said retention and pay competition from other employers remain primary constraints.

Vote: Motion to allow continuation of the program using unexpended salary funds carried (motion by Commissioner Rodriguez; second by Commissioner Moody). Constable support was noted on the record.","The court authorized the district attorney to use $296,000 in unspent salary funds to continue a high‑risk intake overtime program that prosecutors say reduced a previously reported backlog from 6,330 to 4,817 cases; commissioners voted to allow the budget‑neutral extension.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bexar County opens public hearing on proposed venue tax election; no vote taken today

Commissioners set public hearing and vote date on University Health tax rate; rate recommendation held steady

Commissioners approve demolition, boarding and lien for burned property at 27523 Twin Peaks

Commissioners approve DA request to use unused salaries to extend high‑risk intake backlog program