Photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Like a Wemby block at the rim, the San Antonio City Council rejected the attempt by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones to put funding for the Spurs new arena back on the ballot in November.
San Antonio City Council held a special session Monday to decide whether voters should be sent back to the polls in November over the city’s proposed contribution to a new Spurs arena and a downtown development plan.
After two hours, in front of a packed crowd in the downtown council chambers, the proposal was defeated by a final vote of 6-5.
The Mayor took issue with a $489 million city contribution, and she wanted the Council to vote on whether to put the city’s arena contribution before voters in November. It was the second time in two years that voters had a say on the issue. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has been pushing for this after her defeat on the plan a year ago.
The city’s $489 million contribution will come partly from a project finance zone the city modified in 2025. The funding includes sales tax money that would normally go to the state, but that the city can instead use on venues, including the new Spurs arena. It also includes lease revenue generated by the arena once it is built.
Councilman Marc Whyte opposed calling a new election, saying it would be wasteful and cost too much at a time when the city is trying to reduce spending.
Former Spurs great Sean Elliott also spoke, and said "now's not the time for complacency."