Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones’ suggestion has sparked debate among council members and city residents. Monday is the deadline to approve measures for the November ballot.

SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio leaders will meet Monday morning to discuss possibly asking city voters to weigh in on a pivotal piece of Spurs arena funding. 

The city’s $489 million contribution to the downtown project would be paid back via future Spurs lease payments, rent paid by private developers, hotel tax money recouped from the state and future property tax growth in the area. That funding framework is outlined in a term sheet approved by a split City Council in August 2025, and didn’t require a public vote.



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November’s countywide election – in which Bexar County residents approved earmarking $311 million in hotel and car rental tax dollars for the arena – effectively triggered the rest of the funding framework. The Spurs’ $500 million commitment is the third funding piece, with the team also on the hook to cover overruns on the new arena expected to cost at least $1.3 billion. 

Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, citing a city financial outlook that’s gotten bleaker in recent months, suggested the idea of specifically putting the city’s commitment before voters this November. She has held listening sessions to pitch the thought directly to San Antonians. 

Jones pointed to the city’s estimated $157.7 million budget shortfall and diminished 2027 bond capacity expectations as reasons for why San Antonio voters specifically should have a say. The funding source for city revenues is not the same pot as where Spurs arena dollars would come from. 

Monday is the deadline for City Council to approve measures for the November ballot. 

At least five of Jones’ council colleagues would have to support her, but many have publicly opposed the thought of another election over the last week. From the steps of City Hall on Friday morning, multiple council members said their focus should remain on creating a balanced 2027 budget.

“That work should not be overshadowed by misconceptions about funding sources that are distinct from the budget we are preparing today, and it should not be spending close to $2 million to have a re-do election,” Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran said. 

“I trust that my residents understood when they went to the ballot box what they were voting for last November,” Kaur said. “There is only one thing that has changed since last November about this arena deal, and that’s that the Spurs made it to the NBA Finals.”

San Antonio has not yet entered into detailed negotiations regarding design and construction of the arena, which would sit along Cesar Chavez Boulevard where the Institute of Texas Cultures used to reside. City staff have said they’re waiting on cost-and-revenue studies and a transportation analysis to begin those talks. 

City documents show Jones initially asked for a special meeting on the issue, as well as on her idea to ask voters to divert tens of millions in Ready to Work funds, on Thursday. A conversation on Ready to Work has not been set, if it is still to happen at all.Â