After being rescheduled from Jan. 12, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones successfully held her sixth Town Hall meeting at the Walker Ranch Senior Center in District 9. Yesterday’s meeting addressed the Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the upcoming bond, federal implications and Jones’ 2026 priorities.
Jones briefly discussed topics that coincide with the agenda to give ample time for those in attendance to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
The city’s fiscal year bond was approximately $800 million in 2017; Jones announced that the upcoming bond is expected to be significantly less. The FY 2027 bond amounts to $600 million, and the bond would cover infrastructure projects, affordable housing and potential flood projects.
“There is a $142 million budget gap. Now, the city manager has a plan to close that, but as you and I both know, that budget ain’t closed,” Jones said.
Regarding the federal implications that Jones addressed, the One Big Beautiful Bill was brought up to cause a disruption in funding towards the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program.
“Just to give you a sense of how the higher dose cuts could be, just one section of that $50 million worth is federally provided to San Antonio, which goes to SNAP benefits,” Jones emphasized.
The 2026 priority that Jones predominantly delved into concerned affordable housing in the city. Various types of cost-effective housing were explained for veterans, seniors, low-income individuals and LGBTQ+ youth.
Before concluding her presentation, Jones relayed a message to the citizens waiting for their chance to question her and others who were present at the meeting.
“One of the most important things I think we can do in our community is create a space for conversation,” Jones stated. “We might not have all the answers, but I think showing respect and the willingness to listen and to create expectation on what we are actually dealing with.”
San Antonio resident Effa Farnsworth addressed her question to San Antonio Police Department Chief William McManus.
“I know that you are required to cooperate with ICE, but I’m wondering how far that cooperation will go? Because if I’m being assaulted by ICE and they’re pepper-spraying me in my eyes, like they did to my husband, can I call the police for protection?” Farnsworth questioned.
McManus approached the front of the meeting to address her question.
“When you talk about a local law enforcement agency intervening or interfering with a federal operation, I spoke with the U.S. Attorney’s office the other day about that, and we have to be very careful about intervening with other agencies’ operations, whether it’s federal, local or state,” McManus explained. “But what I will tell you is that if you have a complaint about that, if we take a report, we will explain to you how to make a report to the agency.”
A woman from across the room asked Farnsworth’s husband, Ron, who was allegedly pepper-sprayed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, why he was attacked. He responded, saying he was at a demonstration being held at Dilley Detention Center. The woman then rolled her eyes and said, “Of course, you were at a protest.”
Tensions arose in the meeting room following concerns about ICE. Attendees clashed with each other on whether ICE operations have been getting out of hand or not. One citizen stood up and requested that the conversation topic be changed, directing it to Jones.
Christine Welde, a churchgoer and demonstrator who was present at the Dilley Detention Center protest, addressed concerns of protecting oneself from federal enforcement.
“What is going to keep us safe from federal agencies, like ICE, who are consistently using illegal and excessive force?” Welde questioned.
McManus approached the front to respond.
“I can’t speak for other agencies, federal, state or local, but I can speak for SAPD, all administrations and protests that we’ve handled in the city,” McManus stated. We’ve handled protests, respectfully, and like you said earlier, we protect those folks who are protesting peacefully. But I can’t speak for other agencies.”
