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San Antonio Proposes $130M+ Tech Budget, Splits Public Works Dept.

What to Know:
  • The city's IT Services Department would receive $94 million.
  • The capital improvement program allocates an additional $32 million for citywide technology infrastructure projects.
  • Another $3 million is earmarked for department-level IT capital outlays.

The San Antonio skyline.
The city of San Antonio’s proposed $4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026 includes more than $130 million in technology-related funding, spanning core IT services, capital improvements and department-level initiatives.

Should the budget be approved, the city’s Information Technology Services Department (ITSD), which oversees enterprise applications, cybersecurity, infrastructure, end user support, public safety IT and data analytics services, would receive $94 million from its main fund.

The capital improvement program allocates another $32 million for citywide technology infrastructure projects as part of a broader six-year, $167 million plan aimed at modernizing network systems, hardware and digital platforms.

Another $3 million is earmarked for department-level IT capital outlays, which include computer replacements, mobile devices, card access systems, cameras, alarms and infrastructure for public safety, library services and administrative functions. Among the largest departmental tech investments is a $710,000 allocation for the San Antonio Public Library to replace computers and related equipment.

Additional department allocations include:
  • $622,000 for the San Antonio Fire Department to support emergency medical technology and IT replacements
  • $301,000 for ITSD’s internal capital equipment
  • $260,000 for the Building and Equipment Services Department to replace aging IT infrastructure
  • $197,000 for Code Enforcement computer replacements

The Office of Innovation is also slated to receive $1.5 million, supporting smart city initiatives, digital inclusion programming, and the Research and Development League. These programs focus on process improvement, data science and citywide innovation support.

The reorganization of San Antonio’s Public Works Department, which establishes a new Capital Delivery Department to oversee major infrastructure projects, could indirectly impact IT operations.

The city is scheduled to consider and vote on adoption of the FY 2026 budget on Sept. 18 following a series of City Council budget work sessions and community input events throughout August and early September. The full FY 2026 proposed budget is available on the city of San Antonio’s website.
Chandler Treon is an Austin-based staff writer. He has a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in literature and a master’s degree in technical communication, all from Texas State University.