Helpful Voting Links
Qualifications to vote:
http://www.bexar.org/elections/Registration/registration.html
Register to vote:
http://www.bexar.org/elections/Registration/Register/register.html
Voting FAQs:
http://www.bexar.org/elections/FAQs/faqs.html
FAQs
Will my taxes go up if this passes?
No, this tax only applies to rental cars and hotel rooms
and does not impact local property or sales tax rates.
There are no new taxes associated with this extension.
When is the election?
The election will be Saturday, May 10, 2008.
What is the Visitor Tax?
In November 1999, Bexar County voters approved a 1.75%
hotel occupancy tax and a 5% short-term motor vehicle
rental tax that was used to finance the County’s
$146.5 million contribution to build the AT&T Center. This
tax is authorized by the Texas Local Government Code,
Chapter 334 - Sports and Community Venues.
Why are we being asked to extend the visitor tax?
The County will finish paying for the arena much sooner
than expected. Bexar County voters must extend the Visitor
Tax to fund important projects that will dramatically
improve quality of life in Bexar County.
What can the Visitor Tax be used for?
Chapter 334 of the Texas Local Government Code requires
that the Visitor Tax only be used to fund athletic and
entertainment venues and related infrastructure that
will positively impact tourism. Venues, as defined by
this law, would include a stadium or other facility used
for professional sports, amateur sports or community
events that require an admissions fee. The term could
also include a convention center, auditorium, music hall,
or a tourist development area along an inland waterway,
such as our San Antonio River.
Does the Visitor Tax hurt the tourism industry
in San Antonio?
There has been no evidence of decline in local tourism
associated with this tax. In fact, tourism to San
Antonio has steadily increased over the years. Tourism
industry organizations fully support the extension of the
Visitor Tax and recognize the value in further developing
Bexar County’s athletics and performing arts venues
as well as expanding the San Antonio River. In fact, tourism
to San Antonio has steadily increased over the years.
Who will benefit if the Visitor Tax is extended?
Bexar County leaders identified four specific needs in
our community: San Antonio River improvements;
youth/amateur sports facilities; enhancements to the
Freeman Coliseum, livestock facilities, and AT&T
Center (which are owned by Bexar County); and, performing
and cultural arts facilities. These venues will be enjoyed
by citizens of all ages, of all interests and will enhance
the tourist experience as well. In short, everyone will
benefit if the visitor tax is extended, but the children
of our community will reap the biggest benefits.
How much money will each of the four project areas
receive?
San Antonio River Expansion & Improvements will receive
$125 million; Youth & Amateur Sports Facilities will
receive $80 million; the Freeman Coliseum, livestock facilities,
and AT&T Center will receive $100 million; and, Performing
and Cultural Arts Facilities will receive $110 million.
How were these venue projects selected?
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff and the County Commissioners
identified four areas of need in our community that could
legally be addressed by this tax: river improvements;
youth and amateur sports; enhancements to the county-owned
Freeman Coliseum, livestock facilities, and AT&T
Center; and, performing and cultural arts. Three citizen
groups of more than 75 people were appointed by the Commissioners
Court to review project proposals and to recommend projects
and funding amounts to the Court.
How many/which local citizen organizations had
input into this process?
Dozens of local organizations were represented on the
citizen committees and had direct input into the process
including: San
Antonio Parks Foundation; San Antonio Hotel/Motel Association;
Community Arenas Board; Chambers of Commerce, San Antonio
Hotel & Lodging Association; San Antonio Area Foundation;
San Antonio Tourism Council; San Antonio Sports Foundation;
the City of San Antonio; and, dozens of Bexar County citizens.
Is this a City or County effort?
While this is a county effort, passage of these initiatives
will benefit the entire San Antonio community.
Why are we not using this money for other purposes?
Texas law outlines very specific purposes for which the
proceeds from this tax can be used. Although county leaders
recognize there is a need for more basic services including
streets, drainage, healthcare and education, this tax
cannot be used for those purposes. Instead, it can be
used to fund many needed projects that will dramatically
improve the quality of life, as well as the health and
well-being of Bexar County families and will increase
scholarship opportunities for local youth.
What checks and balances are in place to ensure
these projects are funded and finished?
Members of the Commissioners Court will be charged with
the fiscal allocations to each of the initiatives.
Voting Information:
This is your chance to say YES, by voting to extend the
Visitor Tax. This is a tax that already exists;
it is NOT a new tax. And it is a tax on visitors,
not the citizens of San Antonio. These four initiatives
combine to make San Antonio an even greater community:
the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Everybody,
especially our children, will reap the benefits of increased
scholarship money, greater access to sports and recreational
facilities, and opportunities to learn about and participate
in the arts. Vote YES to all four initiatives
on May 10.
Early Voting Information or questions? Call (210)
335-VOTE
Early Voting Calendar:
April 28, 2008 – May 6, 2008
Monday, April 28 thru Friday, May 2, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m.
Saturday, May 3, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday, May 5, thru Tuesday, May 6 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Early Voting Locations:
BEXAR COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER (DEAFLINK available at this
site) 300 Dolorosa
BALCONES HEIGHTS CITY HALL 3300 Hillcrest Dr
BLOSSOM ATHELETIC CENTER 12002 Jones Maltsberger
BROOKHOLLOW LIBRARY 530 Heimer Road
CANYON RIDGE ELEMENTARY 20522 Stone Oak Pkwy
CASTLE HILLS CITY HALL 209 Lemonwood Dr
CPS ENERGY 911 South WW White Road
CLAUDE BLACK CENTER 2805 East Commerce
CODY LIBRARY 11441 Vance Jackson
COLLINS GARDEN LIBRARY 200 North Park
CONVERSE CITY HALL 405 S. Seguin
CORTEZ LIBRARY 2803 Hunter
EAST CENTRAL ISD ADMIN BLDG 6634 New Sulphur Springs Road.
ENCINO PARK COMMUNITY CENTER-- 1923 Encino Rio
FAIR OAKS RANCH CITY HALL-- 7286 Dietz Elkhorn
GREAT NORTHWEST LIBRARY-- 9050 Wellwood
HENRY A. GUERRA, JR. LIBRARY-- 7978 W. Military Drive
HOLLYWOOD PARK CITY HALL-- 2 Mecca Dr
JOHNSTON LIBRARY-- 6307 Sun Valley Drive
JULIA YATES SEMMES LIBRARY-- @ Comanche Lookout Park 15060
Judson Road
KINMAN HOUSE OF LEON VALLEY-- 6417 Evers Road
KIRBY CITY HALL-- 112 Bauman St.
LAS PALMAS LIBRARY-- 515 Castroville Road
LION’S FIELD-- 2809 Broadway
LIVE OAK CITY HALL-- 8001 Shin Oak
MAURY MAVERICK, JR. LIBRARY-- 8700 Mystic Park
MCCRELESS LIBRARY-- 1023 Ada Street
NICHOLS ELEMENTARY-- 9560 Braun Road
NORTHSIDE ACTIVITY CENTER-- 7001 Culebra
OAKWELL LIBRARY-- 4134 Harry Wurzbach
OLMOS BASIN GOLF CLUB HOUSE-- 7022 McCullough
SHOPPERS CITY MALL-- 660 S.W. Military Drive
SHAVANO BAPTIST CHURCH-- 5047 De Zavala
SOMERSET HIGH SCHOOL-- 7650 South 1604 West
SOUTH PARK MALL-- 2310 S.W. Military
TAKAS PARK CIVIC CENTER-- 9310 Jim Seal Dr.
UNIVERSAL CITY– CITY HALL-- 2150 Universal City Blvd
WETMORE ELEMENTARY-- 3250 Thousand Oaks
(subject to change)
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