Updated message from Councilman Justin Rodriguez

Justin Rodriguez (photo)

District 7 Councilman

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to report that after a productive summer spent listening to the needs of District 7 residents, and after much discussion with the city manager and city staff, the City Council adopted the FY2009 budget this week.

I am particularly encouraged that many of the items I championed during this year's budget planning process were included in this year's $2.3 billion spending plan.

Among those items of particular interest to the residents of District 7:

• 100 new Police Officers to enhance Police Ops and implementation of new "Power Shift" that will make Police Officers more available during the busier times of the day


• 60 new Firefighter positions and investment of $5 million in Fire Services including the addition of one EMS unit


• $21 million in added resources for streets and infrastructure using one-time General Fund resources that will accelerate timeliness of planned projects


• $500,000 in one-time resources to contractual graffiti abatement programs in specific high-target areas and 5 additional graffiti abatement officers


• Resources of $500,000 included to expand the current Summer Youth Employment Programs and increase capacity of youth participants to 500


• Allocation of funds for the first year of a Five Year Parks Playground Equipment and Replacement Program


• Improvements in the amount of $5.3 million for Library Capital Improvement projects and operating enhancements


• In addition, I gained support from my colleagues to explore a pilot program that will focus on enforcement of the City's youth curfew ordinance. I will share more details on that program as it develops in the coming months. Once again, thank you to all the citizens who participated in this important public process.

If you would like information about volunteering at a storm shelter or more information on disaster readiness, please visit www.readysouthtexas.gov or visit www.sanantonio.gov.

Warmest regards,

Justin Rodriguez, District 7 Councilman