[{"_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",6531637,"mediaKeyId","3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40","parentId",3516335,"title","Court directs manager to prepare venue-tax resolution after rodeo presents multi‑year plan for Freeman grounds","audioSeconds",5527,"startMs",9800000,"endMs",15327000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40&start=9800&end=15327","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40/thumbnail_9800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531637/Bexar-County/Texas/Court-directs-manager-to-prepare-venue-tax-resolution-after-rodeo-presents-multiyear-plan-for-Freeman-grounds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531637-8d82fb2bede77dc93dac3c371216687a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772127&Signature=eHt34VNdNqBGT8Jd5pkMHzQTqxVBXFpB9BJ5-fCiUf8dAT3XSY146UrJK-U7PFX1Z4jaf4miOqrXl16XrQninYmgGtMu5mtIAqn8LsJaJNNDO~Tj9FWUmSN3rza7bDx5-V64~p3IGOzYhyCjb2EBXoZ4GHt0SDAujptiw~pR-M3g~rg5fpM7qFJhI~j3oSdyP4~1DBu~~zr3gq-LCpgqmdYebvN7Va0uxxItZyEvoaIn2-1kBpN~0CoyOEPXYVONgVvLP7VcitVnhIWg2wuylReGHFpXrXGV0T~IcwdLGEp~rdxYN5GWgZ6TQfdPTXOZbMt0iVB72HFIPrgTieqwGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Bexar","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","Bexar County Commissioners on May 27 directed the county manager to prepare a draft resolution describing proposed venue projects for the Freeman Coliseum grounds and related facilities and to seek a Comptroller of Public Accounts determination about venue-tax eligibility.

The instruction follows a multi-hour presentation from the San Antonio Livestock Exposition (the Stock Show & Rodeo), the Coliseum Advisory Board (CAB) and consultants, who proposed a multi‑phase redevelopment that would replace aging barns, add climate‑controlled flexible exhibit halls and a year‑round multipurpose arena, and rework parking and traffic flow across the site. Rodeo and CAB leaders said upgrades would allow expanded equestrian and trade events year-round and increase economic impact beyond the rodeo’s February peak.

Derek Howard, representing the Coliseum Advisory Board, and Cody Davenport of the Stock Show & Rodeo walked commissioners through a conceptual master plan and economic assessment that projected expanded activity on the grounds would substantially raise annual economic impact. They proposed three new flex buildings, demolition of deteriorated barns, a consolidated livestock and warm-up arena and new circulation bridges to improve load-in and public traffic patterns. Davenport said the plan would create a 2,800-seat nucleus arena to host equestrian competitions, smaller sports, and events that keep visitors on the grounds throughout the year.

“The reason we’re doing all this, quite frankly, guys, is to do what we do best, and that’s to help kids further their careers, further their education, further their dreams,” Howard said, describing youth and community programming tied to the rodeo’s mission. The presenters also framed the grounds as an asset for emergency and humanitarian response—vaccination, testing and other mass events the county has used in the past.

Commissioners debated the scope and process, with requests for more community engagement, workforce development commitments, and clarity about financing and the venue‑tax revenue model. County staff noted legal steps required by state law: to pursue venue-tax financing it is standard to prepare a resolution describing the projects and then submit documentation to the Texas Comptroller for an eligibility determination; that step would not alone put a referendum on the ballot. The motion directed the county manager to draft a resolution describing the conceptual plans and proposed financing—continuing the motor‑vehicle rental tax at 5% and increasing the hotel occupancy tax from 1.75% to 2%—so the court could review and, if it chose, submit the package for comptroller review and later consider calling an election.

The motion carried on a voice vote. Commissioners and rodeo/CAB leaders said there will be further public engagement and detailed cost estimates; county staff will return with draft resolution language and updated fiscal analyses in the coming weeks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Bexar - Commissioners Court - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a lengthy presentation by San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and Coliseum Advisory Board representatives, commissioners directed the county manager to prepare a resolution to seek comptroller review of proposed venue projects and financing options tied to motor‑vehicle rental and hotel occupancy taxes.","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},6531643,"Bexar County launches \"Bear responsibly\" gun-safety campaign; court approves phase 2 outreach",1599,4696000,6295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40&start=4696&end=6295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40/thumbnail_4696000.jpg","/articles/6531643/Bexar-County/Texas/Bexar-County-launches-Bear-responsibly-gun-safety-campaign-court-approves-phase-2-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531643-e929722f5c9dda4aad8a907063f3ea02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772127&Signature=gT8q4WutqiB644SqqL49EarXFLRqx51BOtkhn2BvzA6nVGkkeIKnekJsK7-L5lompjHJgOJWDN~Xip4AlyKcoyatvbveTlO0C08G7RAaIJF1lGs6U1D6cFTo14OFZZE24D8rrVtYpuxuU~4LVEukzx8ORuTYDmndy-549WReJBMA~RGXWLIsDsmlNtXDtJjqzub1nadeTySi9QPBo9rV6OrM~pkSrWLPYjdT2HDeCoRHGKTGvZrXKJJh0mya8hVrYqvaxq~BcIwwRdgomuNC0fnj5uajeAbWHmITvsI~6-BZrQCbCGv6KbzehDkQ3kfgD4QLghxyDnw5jdtAIJQIEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bexar County Commissioners Court unanimously approved May 27 a staff direction to negotiate a contract amendment with Texas Creative to fund phase 2 of a countywide gun-safety awareness and education campaign branded “Bear responsibly.”

The Public Information Office and community partners presented research and creative work that the county says will target gun owners across precincts with nonpolarizing safety messages focused on safe storage, preventing accidental shootings and reducing suicide risk. The court’s action directs staff to negotiate an extension through Sept. 30, 2026, at no additional cost under the current contract terms and to expand outreach using community-based partners.

Monica Ramos, Bexar County public information officer, introduced the project and invited partners from law enforcement, public health and community nonprofits. Ashley Landers of Texas Creative presented the campaign research and proposed messaging. Landers summarized findings from a mixed-methods research effort that included a statistically relevant countywide survey and community-based partner input. Among findings Landers cited: about half of surveyed adults reported owning a gun, many owners cited protection as the primary motivation for ownership, and a majority said they support increased access to gun training and safe storage that would not violate the Second Amendment.

“We start our questions focusing on what worries residents the most,” Landers said. “For adults with children … gun incidents worry them more than anything else tested.” She described the campaign’s organizing idea—“Bear responsibly”—and sample assets that include a short URL (bearresponsibly.org), a 30‑second public-service announcement, and English and Spanish creative focused on locked storage and asking household visitors about firearms.

The plan relies on 20 local community-based partners to help shape messaging and deliver outreach; county staff said at least a dozen partner reports were already received and that phase 2 would scale the messaging and add training and safe-storage events. Commissioners praised the branding and the community coalition. Commissioner Justin Rodriguez moved to authorize staff to negotiate the contract amendment; the motion passed unanimously.","Court directed staff to negotiate a phase‑2 contract with Texas Creative (TXC Creative/Texas Creative LLC) to expand countywide gun-safety education, using survey research and community partners to target gun owners with safe-storage messaging.",{"_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},6531646,"County budget forecast warns of structural gap by 2027 without recurring cuts or new revenue",2329,4736000,7065000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40&start=4736&end=7065","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40/thumbnail_4736000.jpg","/articles/6531646/Bexar-County/Texas/County-budget-forecast-warns-of-structural-gap-by-2027-without-recurring-cuts-or-new-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531646-dde406aeee7cc72e51611a6d55578cc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772127&Signature=LJZHXohnAoj9JoZm6djJ9fwuACbNfM6oz~J0aj1EGNsiaOwW-CC59aH54RO4vpJFG7miRs1L28YIaiDlPOH9QF~orPWMyN-~GPgHv4HUxGQhwFZVO3pVoeVyDSApjtSp-RXEJEd80OU1nlX4emS2iOk6gVTvtPgkn64BfWFbejP1LUATuwO1-g1ajKJ3DfWh5nZy3-ioSfDvu8dEoKKggApSVgkKDtdz7hpx3iSL57H0hByVjAOhsWpT7BkwuGp0YtrHh46jg3rbIVZo9kipWBfIZoLgvEJ6snE4-VSGefm7iaR~5ObVXuZT0AmOXwjoyaO-ZDoF-gvnI7a~NrFxFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bexar County budget staff told Commissioners Court on May 27 that under current assumptions the county’s General Fund will become structurally imbalanced within the next several years unless officials identify recurring budget savings or new recurring revenues.

Tanya Gaethon, Budget and Finance director, presented a multi-year forecast based on second-quarter estimates and fiscal-year-to-date data. Gaethon said the county began fiscal 2025 with an additional $190.3 million transferred into the General Fund earlier this fiscal year, and that a larger-than-anticipated fiscal 2024 revenue haul—primarily investment earnings and property tax receipts—helped lift the fund balance. Still, the forecast projects expenditures will exceed revenues beginning in fiscal 2027 and the county will consume fund balance in later years unless structural changes are made.

“The general fund is structurally balanced with $669,000,000 in revenue and $660,000,000 in expenditures,” Gaethon told the court, adding that the Budget Office projects revenues for fiscal 2025 to be $44.9 million higher than certified and that the county expects $81.7 million in expenditure savings tied largely to multi-year ARPA projects that are being carried forward.

Property-tax assumptions in the forecast assume 3% growth (2% from new property plus 1% from existing properties) and conservative declines from the April preliminary appraisal report to July certifications. Gaethon described home sales cooling, rising months of inventory and slower new-building permit growth in 2025 data from the Texas Real Estate Research Center.

To close the projected long-term gap, county staff recommended a set of measures for commissioners to consider, including: negotiating changes to the county health plan (a target 10% cost reduction was mentioned), capping program-change requests at $5 million for fiscal year 2026, reviewing overtime and FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) payments—particularly at the Sheriff’s Office where overtime totals about $22 million annually—and reassessing ARPA-funded programs that have been moved into the General Fund. Gaethon said that without recurring cuts, the Budget Office will need to identify savings because one-time balances will not cover ongoing costs.

On debt, the forecast assumed no new issuances until fiscal 2027 and showed the county’s debt-service fund remaining healthy under those assumptions. Commissioners discussed using growth tools such as public improvement districts and denser housing development to expand the tax base and urged staff to continue to refine assumptions, especially around health insurance and the county’s exposure if state or federal grants are reduced.

No formal vote was required for the presentation; staff were directed to carry the forecast assumptions into the upcoming budget process and to return with details on specific savings options and program-change requests.","Bexar County finance staff presented a long-range forecast showing General Fund expenditures overtaking revenues by 2027 under current assumptions; staff recommended health-plan changes, caps on program changes, and reviewing ARPA-funded programs carried into the General Fund.",{"_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},6531651,"Bexar County extends Alamo Colleges student internship program, funds 50 slots for another year",1255,3419000,4674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40&start=3419&end=4674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3516335-424cce142500ab5450e432682a24ac40/thumbnail_3419000.jpg","/articles/6531651/Bexar-County/Texas/Bexar-County-extends-Alamo-Colleges-student-internship-program-funds-50-slots-for-another-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531651-08f3e0a4e60c087bc22abe46157c13a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770772127&Signature=L6yXQCnXPdZjFndPO3jQrM9INlCV6S4Lxww8ZkqFQ~Sc8u2PhSE3g4Xe4xFADx--2zN1XEjmdRclFIUTorffmC4j0v5nh3Yvc9Y0reA9ugwMAOULlee93qAVxWkpjoDBEz3bYbWfn-sH748imzmXiPkEComSE~YCTB7OKUpKhBDRt5Ca1kes2wfBa04dBnMHxfRA86~MgoinTgKq9-EzcYCvoSyUyfqUbsoc1VTVBNxkf6jUeQs1dX3Kaxl4C4y2UfYKPIVxOVo89irj69xmj3UO8Cs3nnOf60pbAl2uda68ILDliL6MVMr72iHVNlDXxINXvdw4UAKu7FgAPx-xFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bexar County Commissioners Court voted May 27 to extend its partnership with the Alamo Community College District’s student employment program, approving a county match of $65,520 to continue subsidizing student internships across county offices.

The extension funds a county-side subsidy so Alamo College students receive Bexar County minimum pay while the college contributes the larger portion of the wage. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department requested the renewal; Alamo College staff and county supervisors told the court the program has placed 98 students to date and converted 16 interns into full-time county jobs.

The program matches students recruited by Alamo Colleges with county departments. Anna Kawamura, director of Alamo On the Job (the Alamo Colleges internship program), told the court the district recruits students from all five campuses and brings them to county hiring fairs. “We have 36 current students who are placed throughout Bexar County offices and departments,” Kawamura said. Renee Watson of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department described the county’s role in creating job descriptions and supervisory mentors and noted that about 16 former interns have been hired as county employees.

County Clerk Lucy Adami Clark and other supervisors praised individual interns and described work the students had done in the county clerk’s office and other departments. Watson requested $65,520 to cover the difference between the county minimum wage of $17.55 and the Alamo Colleges contribution of $16.29 per hour for up to 20 hours a week, 52 weeks a year for the matched positions. That dollar-and-26-cent-per-hour subsidy was described as the county’s share to preserve student placements and conversion opportunities.

Commissioners emphasized the program’s value as both a workforce pipeline and a mentoring opportunity. Commissioner Clay Flores, who spearheaded earlier county support for the program, said it was “one of the programs I am most excited about” and recognized student placements in his office. The court approved the extension by motion and voice vote.

The county and Alamo Colleges also plan a June matching fair at the Freeman Coliseum to connect departments with applicants and increase placements. County staff said the fair previously placed more than 50 interns in a single event.","Commissioners approved a one-year extension and county match to continue the partnership with Alamo Colleges that places students in county offices; $65,520 requested to subsidize county minimum wages for about 50 internship slots.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Court directs manager to prepare venue-tax resolution after rodeo presents multi‑year plan for Freeman grounds

Bexar County launches "Bear responsibly" gun-safety campaign; court approves phase 2 outreach

County budget forecast warns of structural gap by 2027 without recurring cuts or new revenue

Bexar County extends Alamo Colleges student internship program, funds 50 slots for another year