government
Mayor Jones wants to defund San Antonio Botanical Garden as city’s budget deficit looms
By Michael Karlis at San Antonio Current (alt-weekly)
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is looking for fat to trim as the city deals with a $158 million budget deficit — and she’s starting with the award-winning San Antonio Botanical Garden. During a presentation last week on the city’s trial budget, Jones expressed alarm that San Antonio spends so much money ...
Key takeaway During a presentation last week on the city’s trial budget, Jones expressed alarm that San Antonio spends so much money subsidizing revenue-generating nonprofits.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
Terrell Hills residents who frequent the San Antonio Botanical Garden may soon find themselves facing higher admission fees or reduced services if Mayor Jones' proposal to defund the garden comes to fruition. The garden, a popular destination for nature lovers and families, has long been a source of community pride and a staple of the city's cultural scene. As the city grapples with its $158 million budget deficit, residents of Terrell Hills and surrounding neighborhoods will be watching closely to see how the proposed cuts will impact their quality of life and access to recreational spaces. The potential defunding of the garden also raises questions about the city's priorities and how it will balance the need for fiscal responsibility with the need to preserve and support community assets that bring value and joy to residents.
About this story
Original reporting by San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is looking for fat to trim as the city deals with a $158 million budget deficit — and she’s starting with the award-winning San Antonio Botanical Garden. During a presentation last week on the city’s trial budget, Jones expressed alarm that San Antonio spends so much money ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by San Antonio Current (alt-weekly) and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michael Karlis at San Antonio Current (alt-weekly). To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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