2022 - 2027 SA Bonds $1.2B

GCRanger

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10:10a, 4/21/22

AG

An absurd amount of spending. The $800M bond from 2017 is still being spent. I believe the city is in debt over $2B.

https://www.sanantonio.gov/2022bond
- you can drill down to list of projects but does anyone know where to get details of the specific projects?

highlights
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/02/10/san-antonios-5-year-12-bond-program-goes-to-the-voters/

Some of the highlights in the bond include:

$103.5M for expanding the greenway trail system by another 21 miles
I enjoy the trails but ~$5M a mile seems excessive. Quick search showed other cities doing it for $1M. Why so expensive? Any private funding?
$15.7M for public art -- 1.5 percent of the whole bond (except housing)
This should be completely privately funded.
$44M for two replacement fire stations (FS10 and FS33) and one new police substation (D3)
Why so expensive? Are they resorts? Why replace instead of upgrade? Are they going to new sites and land has to be purchased? Are the old sites being sold and if so is the city getting market price?
$100.5M to reconstruct failed streets around the city

Improvements to 30% of city's parks, including 9 new park properties
$150M for affordable housing
How much housing is this? Is this above, at, below market value? Would it be cheaper to just give vouchers for current available housing?

Right now I'm a No on all the bonds.

7

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bam02

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10:43a, 4/21/22

AG

I default to NO on all bonds. I don't mind paying taxes but I don't trust these California wannabe politicians not to waste it on frivolous stuff you listed.

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GCRanger

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10:54a, 4/21/22

AG

Found the debt info. Love how this isn't rolled up into a nice graphic but instead a complex worksheet that most wouldn't understand.

https://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/Finance/summaryOutstandingAdValoremDebt.pdf

jgh85Ag

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2:08p, 4/21/22

AG

I am sure the city is well more the $2B in debt. SAWS has $3.1B on the books.

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lp01

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6:02p, 4/21/22

AG

From the mysa.com article. This gave me a chuckle.

"San Antonio officials say future development and growth will help the city avoid increasing the property tax rate."

TX AG 88

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9:39a, 4/22/22

AG

Glad I moved out of town (and Bexar Co) a couple years ago!

AggieArchitect04

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12:31p, 4/22/22

AG

Quote:
$44M for two replacement fire stations (FS10 and FS33) and one new police substation (D3)
Why so expensive? Are they resorts? Why replace instead of upgrade? Are they going to new sites and land has to be purchased? Are the old sites being sold and if so is the city getting market price?

Having worked on COSA fire stations I can tell you they aren't cheap. This comes out to $14.7 million which does seem a little high but consider 1) this includes soft costs and 2) price escalations that have occurred and are still occurring.

Aside from this I question the spending/allocation on the other improvements.

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mccjames

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7:49p, 4/24/22

AG

Eff that, freaking new fire stations are Taj Mahals! You can build a 40,000 sq ft warehouse for 5-10 mill and have plenty of extra space for workout equipment!

The insane spending by both the fire and police depts needed to get checked.

Tons of of bosses and not enough workers. Bosses making tons of money. Dealt with that sh t shore building a new warehouse 5 years ago and was shocked at how much of a money grab everything is with permits and approvals.

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AgCat93

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In reply to AggieArchitect04 • 6:47p, 4/26/22

AG

AggieArchitect04 said:
Quote:
$44M for two replacement fire stations (FS10 and FS33) and one new police substation (D3)
Why so expensive? Are they resorts? Why replace instead of upgrade? Are they going to new sites and land has to be purchased? Are the old sites being sold and if so is the city getting market price?
Having worked on COSA fire stations I can tell you they aren't cheap. This comes out to $14.7 million which does seem a little high but consider 1) this includes soft costs and 2) price escalations that have occurred and are still occurring.

Aside from this I question the spending/allocation on the other improvements.

Fire Station 10 was built in the 1910s or 1920s. It cannot be expanded any further and it would be impractical to do so.

Fire Station 33 was built in the early 1970s. There have been renovations and remodeling at that station thru the years but replacing it is more practical at this time.

One reason fire stations are becoming so expensive is COSA insists they be built to LEED Silver or Gold Certification standards. I personally don't see it as necessary. Also, stations are now built with separate male and female sleeping, shower, and dressing areas.