At town halls across the city this week residents have been updated on programs that may be slashed to reduce a $158 million deficit.
The News 4 I-Team Waste Watch reveals the cuts range from historic fountains to services that could have a greater ripple effect.
The city proposes closing the Hemisfair fountains at the base of the Tower of the Americas, which could save an estimated $235 thousand. Along with deeper cuts to social programs.
The network of fountains have been a central feature of Hemisfair Park, but the flow of city dollars may soon be cut off.
“I’m not going to say I don’t like fountains but again, there’s other things that money can be used for,” said taxpayer Keith Robinson.
“They don’t want us to have any water in our yards, yeah they should get rid of it,” said another taxpayer, Betty Warren.
The deficit could also dry up $2.4 million in funding for the city’s office of Resilience and Sustainability, eliminating three employees who managed the e-bike rebate and EV charging station programs, which we featured on a previous Waste Watch last year.
Sustainability and climate outreach events will also be reduced from 100 to just ten.
Folks we talked to would rather see those programs cut first before any tax rate increase.
“Cut the programs. People can’t afford it right now with the grocery prices, the taxes, the gas, it’s just too much,” said taxpayer Brenda Torres.
Some of the deepest proposed cuts are to the Department of Human Services. 48 non-profit programs could be slashed for families, young people and seniors, at a savings of more than $5 million.
The long list of non-profits that could be impacted includes the Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center, Meals on Wheels and Catholic Charities. Most of the programs involve counseling and education programs.
Some city council members are urging the programs be kept.
“You defund the non-profits that serve our residents more in need, you then have those who don’t have access to financial resources, community education opportunities or programming, and you very quickly make a vulnerable population much more so,” said District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez.
“That’s why you make a budget, that’s how you live on a budget is by trimming the fat,” said taxpayer Steve Colman.
Landry’s Restaurants which operates the Tower of the Americas says it is “actively engaged in discussions with the city to explore opportunities to keep these fountains operating” despite the budget cuts.