Last Updated on January 30, 2024
The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) was created in 1937 by the State of Texas to preserve, protect, and manage the resources and environment of the San Antonio River Basin.
The Annual Budget is focused on supporting the mission, goals, and objectives of the River Authority. Information on the annual revenues and expenditures, to include projects and departmental operating activities, are provided within the publication. The River Authority Board of Directors recently adopted a $318.2 million-dollar budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22 (FY22). The budget is based on a proposed tax rate of $1.858 cents per $100 of property value, a rate unchanged from the current fiscal year. The approved budget, which begins on July 1, 2021, supports projects and organizational goals that advance the agency’s commitment to harmonize the needs of people and nature through our stewardship of rivers and land.
Read along as we share more about our taxing authority and highlight some of the efforts that are part of the FY 22 annual budget.
River Authority’s Taxing Authority
The River Authority has the statutory authority to impose an ad valorem tax for use in planning, operations, and maintenance activities only. The tax is limited to a maximum of two cents per $100 of assessed property valuation. The annual tax rate must be set at the same rate throughout the River Authority’s four-county district including Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties.
FY22 Budget Highlights
Of the $318.2 total available funds for FY22, $39.5 million are General Fund revenues with 92.5 percent generated from property tax. Other major revenue sources include utility Charges for Services of $19.8 million and grant funding of $6.8 million. Another significant source of funding is Intergovernmental Revenue which totals $94.6 million across Capital Improvement Funds. This group of Funds represents investments in the completion of capital improvement projects, such as the collaboration with Bexar County and the City of San Antonio for the construction of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park.
The total expenditure appropriation is highlighted by $51.1 million in General Fund operations; $176.9 million for capital improvement projects (across all budgeted funds); $7.1 million for annual debt service (across all budgeted funds); and $11.4 million for utility operations (excluding debt service and construction and improvement funds).
The FY22 budget includes the authorization of 62 projects across all funds, with 34 projects in the River Authority Projects Fund totaling $5.5 million in new funding for FY22. Highlights of new proposed projects within the River Authority Projects Fund include Predictive Flood Modeling for Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad counties; initiating Phase II of the Escondido Creek Parkway in Kenedy; Freshwater Mussel Reintroduction along the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Walk; Watershed Master Plan Integration; Floodplain Remapping along the Leon and Salado creeks and Medina River; collaboration with the City of San Antonio and Alamo Heights for the installation of green infrastructure; and coordination with Bexar County on the development of the Bexar County Rivers & Creeks Program.
The Board of Directors will act on the final tax rate for FY22 on September 15, 2021, after receipt of the final property valuations in late July. A public hearing will be held prior to adoption of the tax rate and information on the meeting will be available on our website.
Request a Presentation to Learn More!
Interested in learning more about how the River Authority carries out our commitment to safe, clean, enjoyable creeks and rivers through our projects, initiatives, and other efforts? Whether you are a part of a company, organization, neighborhood association, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, Gardening Club, or any other community interest group, you can request a member of our staff to present at your meeting to share valuable information and engage with your members. Simply fill out a presentation request on our website and a staff member will connect with you to coordinate!
