Overview

• COPS/Metro Alliance held an Oct. 10 press conference contending Proposition B understates costs and could raise local expenses, citing potential infrastructure shifts such as relocating the SAWS chill plant.
• Voters on Nov. 4 will decide two county measures: Prop B to use car-rental and a higher county hotel tax share for a new downtown arena, and Prop A to fund upgrades that convert the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum into year-round rodeo grounds.
• The proposed Hemisfair arena is estimated at $1.3 billion, with Bexar County contributing up to $311 million through its 5% car-rental tax and raising its hotel-occupancy tax share from 1.75% to 2%.
• The City of San Antonio would commit up to $489 million, largely tied to rent and property tax growth from $1.4 billion in guaranteed private development and to state-held hotel tax revenues within a Project Finance Zone, with payments contingent on those conditions.
• Spurs Sports & Entertainment would put in $500 million, cover overruns beyond public contributions, guarantee $1.4 billion in surrounding development, and sign a 30-year non-relocation agreement; ballots will display the required notice stating "THIS IS A TAX INCREASE."