In finalizing the budget, county officials were able to avoid raising property taxes.
SAN ANTONIO — The Bexar County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved next year’s budget, a $2.8 billion plan that accounts for upgraded flood prevention infrastructure, enhancements to various law enforcement initiatives and the ability for county animal control personnel to better respond to emergencies.
The county finalized the 2026 fiscal year budget without raising the property tax rate, officials said in a release. It remains at $0.299999 per $100 of taxable value.
Tuesday’s vote was unanimous.
“We’ve placed a premium on public safety, whether through our commitment to emergency management, flood mitigation and core infrastructure programs, or the marked increases in sheriff and deputy constable positions,” Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said in a press release.
Specifically, the new budget provides $1.3 million in funding for 22 additional patrol positions within the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, 10 adult detention sergeants and six criminal investigators. Each county precinct will receive funding for four more deputy constables, shoring up the public safety improvements provided through the budget.
One of the centerpiece initiatives receiving money through the budget is the NextGen Flood Warning System, a new initiative pushed by Bexar County leaders after 13 people were killed by rushing floodwaters in June. A combination of “predictive modeling,” infrastructure repair and public awareness, leaders say they hope the upgrades will allow Bexar County to be more proactive as potentially life-threatening rain events unfold.
The fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026.