CITY & COUNTY
News from Hollywood Park, San Antonio and Shavano Park
COMPILED BY EDMOND ORTIZ
Bexar County Commissioners Court will meet Nov. 29 and Dec. 13 at 9 a.m. Bexar County Courthouse, 100 Dolorosa St., Ste. 2.01, San Antonio. 210-335-2011. www.bexar.org Hill Country Village City Council will meet Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. 116 Aspen Lane, Hill Country Village 210-494-3671. www.hcv.org Hollywood Park City Council will meet Nov. 15 and Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. 2 Mecca Drive, Hollywood Park 210-494-2023. www.hollywoodpark-tx.gov Shavano Park City Council will meet Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. 900 Saddletree Court, Shavano Park 210-493-3478. www.shavanopark.org MEETINGS WE COVER NUMBER TO KNOW relief money the city of San Antonio is allocating to support local arts and immigrant support organizations. Organizations must meet criteria to apply for funding. 6.5M HIGHLIGHTS SAN ANTONIO The city This is the amount of federal COVID-19 announced Oct. 4 that its TVSA channels, which broadcast various city government meetings and information, can now be viewed on most mobile and tablet devices, and streaming TV boxes such as Roku, Apple TV and Android TV at no cost by downloading the CGM TV app. SHAVANO PARK The police department in September launched a free, voluntary program where local residents and businesses may register their exterior-facing surveillance cameras to help police solve crimes. The city said police will seek consent to view images or footage captured on a property owner’s camera system. For more, visit www.shavanopark.org/ communitycameras.
Hollywood Park council mulls tax freeze scenario
TAX FREEZE EFFECTS Hollywood Park is analyzing how an over-65 property tax freeze could affect long-term finances. Here is a hypothetical look at the next four fiscal years with a projected 4% cost-of-living increase, a 2% rise in property values and a possible recession. Tax freeze No tax freeze
HOLLYWOOD PARK On Oct. 18, City Treasurer Fred Timmons briefed the City Council about possible effects on the city’s finances if the town were to formally consider and adopt a property tax freeze for local taxpayers age 65 and over. Hollywood Park offers a $5,000 exemption for senior homeowners, who must apply to obtain it. Residents Shannon Sims and Mark Cotten who spoke during the meeting said that eligible senior taxpayers— especially those on a fixed income and struggling with rising costs of living —would benefit from added tax relief. But using Bexar County Appraisal District property data, Timmons said by 2026, Hollywood Park could face a budget shortfall and possibly less funds for basic city services if local seniors’ property taxes were frozen in 2023 and if a recession happens. Timmons said if Hollywood Park were to implement a 4% cost-of-living pay increase for city employees and see a slight rise in property values between 2023-26, given projected property tax revenues in a potential recession, the town’s budget shortfall could accumulate and reach a total of $207,091 by 2026.
$50K
$4,948
$1,821
-$1,187
$0
$0
$0
-$50K
-$51,459
-$100K
-$150K
-$127,749
-$200K
-$207,791
-$250K
2023-24 2024-25
2025-26
2022-23 Fiscal year
SOURCE: TOWN OF HOLLYWOOD PARK/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Shavano Park begins long-range plan review
TOWN PLAN REVIEW The Shavano Park Planning and Zoning Commission in August began reviewing six focus areas. Nov.-Dec.: Commercial development Dec.-Jan.: Community engagement & policing Jan.-Feb.: Property maintenance standards & zoning Feb.-March: City talent management & retention March-April: Public infrastructure April-May: City finances May-July: Commission and City Council final town plan review
SHAVANO PARK City Council was briefed Oct. 24 on the Shavano Park Planning and Zoning Commission’s efforts to help update the long-range town plan. Officials said planning and zon- ing commissioners in September finished a Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities analysis and decided focus areas will include commercial development, com- munity engagement and policing, property maintenance standards and zoning, employee management and retention, public infrastructure and long-term city finances. Strengths include outstanding city
services and leadership, security and safety, and a low tax rate, according to the commission’s draft consensus. Weaknesses include aging infra- structure and limited future residen- tial and commercial developments, the commission reported. Opportunities include shaping future commercial development to fit the city’s needs, transforming the City Hall campus area to help build a sense of community, and leveraging bond and grant monies to upgrade infrastructure, the commission said. Threats include city staff retention, oak wilt, infrastructure failures, crime, traffic and the economy.
SOURCE: CITY OF SHAVANO PARK/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
We invite you to join Hope Hospice and friends for a special tree lighting event in honor of loved ones lost. 1st Annual Tree of Lights Thursday, December 8th at 5:30 p.m. Hope Hospice of the Hill Country 29710 US HWY 281, Bulverde, TX 78163 For more information visit, www.hopehospice.net or call 210.686.3131
Christmas Carols Cookie Decorating Crafts Hot Chocolate Photos with Santa
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