Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State of the City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from a spooky car wash to San Antonio approving its largest city budget in history.
San Antonio City Council approves $3.7 billion budget
The San Antonio City Council approved the city’s largest budget in history on Thursday. The budget will be over $3.7 billion with $20 million coming from unexpected revenue from CPS Energy. Since these funds were not anticipated, the final days of discussing the budget centered on what the extra $20 million would be allocated to.
The council decided on 25 amendments that provide funding for different items such as a mental health team known as SA CORE, a reproductive justice fund and a storefront for Animal Care Services spay and neutering. The city will also see an increase in police officers, fire department personnel and first responders for dangerous animal incidents. The 2024 city budget will take effect Oct. 1.
Spooky San Antonio car wash to reopen
Local San Antonio car wash Super Sudz is transforming into a haunted tunnel on select weekends in October. Located at 6780 Bandera Road, the haunted car wash will be available from 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 p.m. on Sundays. Services include the SuperSudz $23 wash, an air freshener and a $10 coupon for the customer’s next visit. Super Sudz urges its customers to come and enjoy a scary good clean.
San Antonio International Airport secures first nonstop route to Europe
Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced at a news conference for the Aviation Department that San Antonio is launching its first-ever nonstop airline route to Europe. The route will be provided by a German airline called Condor, which will provide its service from San Antonio to Frankfurt, Germany. The route will be seasonal and will begin next year from May 17 to Sept. 6. The city of San Antonio hopes this will establish San Antonio as a desirable travel destination for Europeans.
SAISD proposes closing 19 schools
SAISD is proposing to close one-fifth of its schools in order to ensure that teachers and students within the district are reaching their highest educational potential. After their most recent meeting, SAISD staff presented a proposal that would entail 19 school closures and a smaller set of mergers and expansions for the next board vote Nov. 13.
If the board chooses to implement the proposal, 14 elementary schools, four early childhood centers and a pre-K-through-eighth-grade dual language academy will be shut down by next fall. Although SAISD is being met with concern and disapproval from parents and students, the district hopes that the closures will only expand the availability of academic programs.
