Council Nullifies Mayor's Bond Chairs in a 7-3 Vote, and the 2027 Bond Fight Returns Thursday
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones named three chairs for the 2027 bond program on Oct. 19; the council voted 7-3 to nullify the picks, handed the review to two of its own members, and takes the bond up again Oct. 29.
San Antonio's 2027 bond program has become the latest flashpoint between Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and the City Council. On Oct. 19, Jones announced her choices to chair the bond effort: Port San Antonio CEO Jim Perschbach, Center for Health Care Services CEO Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison and San Antonio Food Bank executive Mario Obledo Jr. The three chairs are the public face of the effort, charged with building support for the bonds and engaging the public.
Some council members complained they were not consulted in the selection, and the council voted 7-3 last week to nullify those appointments, although all three of Jones's picks remain eligible for consideration. The new ordinance gives Councilmembers Sukh Kaur and Phyllis Viagran responsibility for reviewing candidates and recommending three chairs for full council approval. Historically, San Antonio mayors have selected those leaders themselves.
Backers of the council's move described the change as an opportunity to develop broader representation and community support for the bond effort, and Councilmember Marc Whyte said every district should have a voice. Jones defended her nominees' qualifications, while Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez questioned whether the dispute was a "manufactured conflict." The vote does not cancel the bond effort, but prolonged disagreement could consume preparation time. Jones discussed the bonds on Texas Public Radio's "The Source" on Monday.
The council still must settle the package's size, funding categories and committee structure. Staff recommend a $442 million program intended to avoid another property-tax-rate increase, while some council members favor a larger investment. Kaur and Viagran are expected to review candidates over two weeks, the council is scheduled to revisit the bond on Oct. 29, and it must call an election by early February to put a package before voters in May 2027.
