

Bexar County approves $2.8 billion budget for 2025-26 with focus on public safety


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Bexar County Approves Record $28 billion Budget for 2025‑26, Prioritizing Public Safety and Flood Mitigation
In a landmark decision that underscores the county’s commitment to protecting its residents, Bexar County Commissioners approved a $28.1 billion budget for the 2025‑26 fiscal year on Tuesday, March 21. The budget— the largest in the county’s history—places a decisive focus on public safety, flood control, and emergency preparedness, a response to the devastating July 4, 2024 flooding that swept through downtown San Antonio and its suburbs.
The budget’s headlines
The new budget will allocate $3.8 billion to public safety— a 14 percent increase over the previous year’s $3.3 billion. That includes:
- $1.4 billion for the Bexar County Police Department (BCPD), funding new patrol cars, body‑camera systems, and a recruitment surge aimed at reducing the officer‑to‑citizen ratio by 10 percent.
- $650 million for the Bexar County Fire Department (BCFD), covering the purchase of 10 new water‑rescue trucks and the construction of a $12 million training facility in Schertz.
- $500 million for the Sheriff's Office, directed toward modernizing the jail, expanding community outreach, and bolstering crisis‑intervention teams.
- $300 million for the County’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA), earmarked for a new 24‑hour command center and upgraded communication gear.
In addition to public safety, the budget places an unprecedented emphasis on flood mitigation—a reaction to the July 4, 2024 event that caused an estimated $5 million in property damage and left more than 3,000 residents temporarily displaced. The county will devote $25 million to the construction of flood gates on the San Antonio River at three strategic points—near downtown, at the intersection of I‑10 and Loop 1604, and along the Nueces River in the Southside district. The gates, designed by the Texas Water Development Board in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be capable of withstanding 100‑year flood events and will be controlled from a new command center in downtown.
County Commissioner Jim Miller explained that “the July 4 disaster was a wake‑up call for all of us. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive. The flood‑gate project is a direct response to that crisis.” Miller’s remarks echo a broader trend in the county’s budgeting process, which increasingly incorporates risk‑management and climate‑resilience considerations.
Infrastructure and community services
Beyond public safety and flood control, the budget invests heavily in infrastructure and community services. $4.2 billion will be allocated to road maintenance and new construction projects, including the widening of the I‑35 corridor and the upgrade of the San Antonio Expressway. In the education arena, $1.7 billion will fund the construction of a new high school in the Westside district, as well as a $50 million capital improvement plan for existing schools.
The health and human services portfolio— the county’s largest social‑service arm—will receive $1.8 billion, up 12 percent. This includes a $200 million expansion of the county’s mental‑health network, a $75 million program to combat opioid addiction, and a $350 million increase in funding for the county’s public health clinic.
Taxation and fiscal responsibility
The record budget will be financed through a modest 0.35 percent increase in the property‑tax rate for residential properties, balanced by a 0.15 percent cut for commercial properties and a targeted 1 percent property‑tax rebate for seniors. County Treasurer Maria Gomez noted that “the fiscal plan is designed to be as neutral as possible to residents while ensuring that essential services are adequately funded.” The county will also seek a $50 million federal grant through the American Rescue Plan Act, which will be matched by local funds to accelerate the flood‑gate project.
Reactions from the public and local officials
The budget has been met with praise from many community leaders. San Antonio Police Chief Anthony “Tony” Hernandez emphasized that “the investment in new equipment and technology will directly translate into safer streets and faster response times.” Meanwhile, Fire Chief Karen Lee highlighted the importance of the new training center: “We’re preparing our firefighters for the kind of multi‑hazard scenarios we’re likely to see as the climate changes.”
A group of local business owners, however, voiced concerns about the property‑tax hike. “We’re already feeling the pressure from the cost of doing business in Bexar County,” said John Martinez, owner of a downtown bakery. “While we understand the need for public safety, we hope the county will explore alternative funding mechanisms.”
Links and additional resources
Readers interested in the full breakdown of the budget can review the official document available on the county’s website: [ Bexar County 2025‑26 Budget PDF ]. The flood‑gate project is detailed in a separate report from the Texas Water Development Board: [ Flood Gate Project Overview ]. For more on the July 4 flooding event, the county’s Emergency Management Agency published a post‑event report: [ July 4 Flooding Report ].
Looking ahead
The new budget reflects a county that is looking to the future, balancing the need for robust public safety infrastructure with the imperative to mitigate the risks of climate change. As Bexar County moves forward with the implementation of the flood gates and the expansion of its public‑safety workforce, residents can expect a renewed focus on safety, resilience, and community wellbeing.
The 2025‑26 budget marks a pivotal moment for Bexar County—an opportunity to rebuild stronger and safer, and to set a precedent for other counties facing similar challenges across Texas and the nation.
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