San Antonio faces a $158 million budget gap, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones stated during an appearance on the 6 O'Clock News on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Jones warned that deep cuts to essential services, including libraries, public health, and Animal Care Services, may be necessary.

Jones indicated that even eliminating all general fund spending on these services would still leave San Antonio $21 million short of addressing the budget deficit. "So when we're thinking about the scale of this challenge, that is how deep some of these cuts may have to be," Jones said.

The mayor also commented on the city's property tax rates, noting that San Antonio has not raised property taxes in 30 years. "When we haven't raised property taxes in 30 years, we're not only looking at raising property taxes once, but potentially twice," Jones said.

Jones identified the San Antonio Botanical Garden as a potential recipient of budget cuts, noting the garden charges for tickets. She also discussed the San Antonio Spurs' annual $2.5 million payment to the city as part of a Project Marvel deal, calculating the amount could fund 156 speed bumps at $16,000 each. Jones stated she would argue for revenue sharing and noted the city budget must receive approval by late August or early September, with the term sheet expected to be finalized by the end of the year.