SAN ANTONIO – A renewed fight over a proposed downtown Spurs arena is dividing San Antonio City Hall, with Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones pushing for another public vote and some City Council members pushing back.

Before voters can weigh in again, Jones needs at least six council votes by Aug. 17 to place the city’s contribution to the arena project on the November ballot.

The debate resurfaced after what many believed was a settled issue and has intensified in recent days. During a City Hall news conference about data centers, District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur shifted to the arena issue and voiced frustration about the mayor’s proposal.

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“I’m so fired up today, because we are literally back from break in a really tough moment, one that I never had to experience as a councilperson before,” Kaur said.

The mayor wants voters to decide in November on the city’s share of the arena funding. The project’s funding is described as coming from three sources: $311 million from the county, $500 million from the Spurs and $489 million from the city. The $311 million county contribution was approved by voters last November.

Kaur argued that voters understood what was on the ballot last year.

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“A lot of folks were not confused right they recognized that November was about the county’s contribution $311 million which they live in the county,” Mayor Jones said.

The city’s $489 million contribution is described as coming partly from state tax revenue that must go toward entertainment venues, with the rest coming from revenue generated by the arena and nearby shops and restaurants once they are built.

Jones has been making her case directly to residents, including during a listening session at a local senior center. Some residents said they support another vote. “I believe that we need a vote on this because the circumstances have changed as well as the dollar amount,” Kay Cole said.

Others said they thought the matter was already decided. “I thought that it had already been settled,” Craig Redgelli said.

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Jones said conditions have changed since last year’s election. “The economic circumstances are different now. We’re talking about one maybe two property tax increases given what’s going on. We weren’t talking about that last November. I think folks also recognize the plan has changed,” she said. She also urged a public vote, saying, “Let’s vote, let them vote, let our people vote.”

Jones has acknowledged the city’s contribution does not impact the current budget deficit.

With the Aug. 17 deadline approaching, the key question is whether Jones can secure at least six council votes to put the proposal before voters in November. Kaur criticized the ongoing fight, saying, “We have to make really tough decisions and instead we are here fighting the democratic process,” she said.