Southwest Community Association

Update On Mayor Garza's South Side Balanced Growth Initiative

Sep 24, 2002

Since our last newsletter, Mayor Garza has told the southside school districts, in writing, that his efforts will ?“retain current school district boundaries?” and ?“maintain current tax base for school districts?”. He?’s indicated that the original concern, based on newspaper articles, that he wanted to take land away from school districts was a misunderstanding. He still expects to be going to the State Legislature for approval of a new type of municipal district?—the details have not yet been decided.
As it now stands, the city is proposing Limited Purpose Annexation (LPA) of land south of Loop 410, between IH-35 and IH-37, down to about the Medina River. This LPA would enable the city to study these areas for three years, to decide if it wants to permanently annex the area. During those three years, residents in the area would NOT have to pay city taxes, but would be subject to compliance with various city standards. Even though those residents would not be paying city taxes, they would be considered residents of city council districts?—and would vote in all city elections (except city bond elections).
At this time, some may think that impact on residents within SWCA boundaries is minimal. However, some questions arise:
What happens if the Mayor changes his mind?
Even though LPA residents won?’t pay city taxes, many of them will become part of District 4. How much of our Council Member?’s efforts and financial support will be diverted to the LPA area, to try to gain their support, at the expense of District 4 residents who do pay city taxes?
We all need to stay informed and watch this process carefully over the next few months & years.
You can contact Councilman Martin at 207-7281, FAX 207-7027, or e-mail ?“district4@sanantonio.gov?”; Mayor Garza at 207-7060, FAX 207-4077, or
e-mail ?“mayoredgarza@sanantonio.gov?”.