San Antonio staff preview FY2027 convention and sports budget; $8.1M set aside for Alamodome needs

The San Antonio City Council received a presentation on the proposed FY2027 budget for the city’s convention and sports facilities, including the Henry B. González Convention Center and the Alamodome. Patricia Mosque Cantor, director of the Department of Sports and Conventions, said the department manages the convention center, the Alamodome, the Carver center, the stadium and Toyota Field and that hotel‑occupancy taxes are central to funding those operations.

"Estas instalaciones son más que solamente lugares de eventos, son grandes partes de la economía de de San Antonio, más de 34000000 de dólares para San Antonio," Mosque Cantor said, citing event contributions and examples such as the 2024 Final Four. Mosque Cantor described the HOT tax split presented to the council (a 17% total rate divided into 6% state, 9% city and 2% county in the presentation) and said the FY2027 occupancy revenue projection incorporated a one‑time back payment that affects year‑to‑year comparisons. She also said staff is proposing fee increases (including parking) and an extension of certain contracts to improve long‑term competitiveness.

Staff told councilmembers $8.1 million is set aside in FY2027 for critical Alamodome needs and $6.1 million for FY2028, and that the proposed operating model aims to reduce transfers from the general fund by increasing self‑sufficiency. Councilmembers asked for more detailed, line‑by‑line financial impacts and timetables for the proposed fees and contract changes; staff offered follow‑up briefings and said more detail will be provided in the October session on facility expansion studies.