1 Demand for City-type Services
Jan 01, 2016
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Demand for City-type Services
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Demand for City-Type Services
Development in the unincorporated area may result in the expectation that the County should provide different, city-type services
SB 89 passed in 1999 made the annexation process more difficult therefore, the City of San Antonio has curtailed annexation
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Demand for City-Type Services
“City”-type Services:
Utilized City’s FY 2010-11 Budget to establish a cost per citizen
Used Unincorporated Area population to establish a budget for these services
Calculated the tax rate needed to pay for these services
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Demand for City-Type Services
Services not provided by the County that may be expected in a more urban unincorporated area setting:
Code Enforcement - $2.4 M. Cultural Affairs - $1.5 M. Customer Service/311 - $805 K. Development Services - $4.3 M. Fire/EMT - $48.5 M. Police - $63.4 M. Solid Waste Management - $20 M.
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Cost for City-Type Services
Bexar County budget would increase by $155 million if implemented in 2012
This does not include costs associated with start-up such as the construction of buildings, vehicles, etc.
Assumes all costs are paid through property tax revenue, no special fees included.
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Legal Challenges/Barriers
Counties in Texas do not have “home rule” authority, they only have powers specifically granted to them by the constitution and state laws
Significant constitutional and/or legislative change would be required in order for the County to perform some of these services
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Fiscal Challenges/Barriers
Tax all property in Bexar County
Tax rate increase of $0.1849 per $100 valuation
Current tax rate is $0.32686 per $100 valuation
Would bring total tax rate up to $0.5118 per $100 valuation
City’s current tax rate is $0.56569 per $100 valuation
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Fiscal Challenges/Barriers
Tax property in the unincorporated area of Bexar County
Tax rate increase of $1.2251 per $100 valuation
Would bring total County tax rate up to $1.552 per $100 valuation
Constitutional Limit of $0.80 per $100 valuation
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Bottom Line
County can’t legally perform many City-type services
No “home rule” or ordinance-making authority
County won’t be legally able to raise taxes to fund this level of services
Roll-back rate limitation of no more than 8% annually
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Other Options Available to Unincorporated Areas
Pursue self-incorporation as new cities
Creation of Special Districts
Self-Assessments, Public Improvement Districts, etc
Annexation by the City of San Antonio (or other incorporated cities)
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Demand for City-type Services