(SAN ANTONIO) – The Brooks Board of Directors announced today its adoption of resolutions on four items scheduled to appear on the November 3rd ballot. The resolutions express Brooks’ support of the continued funding of Pre-K 4 SA program, the San Antonio Independent School District Bonds, the City of San Antonio’s Workforce Development Initiative and VIA Metropolitan Transit.
“Each of these ballot items aligns with Brooks mission to promote and develop a vibrant, sustainable community that serves as a catalyst for progressive economic development and regional prosperity,” said Board Chairman Jim Campbell. “The passing of these resolutions is intended to help our community to understand the importance of these ballot items and their potential impact on the Brooks region. Furthermore, we hope this action further encourages our community members to exercise their right to vote.”
Early voting by personal appearance will begin Tuesday, October 13 and continue through Friday, October 30. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.
Appointed by the San Antonio City Council, the Brooks Board of Directors governs the Brooks Development Authority, which owns and manages the 1,308-acre mixed-use campus. The Brooks Board of Directors consists of 11 members, each representing the Mayor and San Antonio’s ten council districts.
The Brooks Board of Directors meets the second Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. For more information, including monthly meeting agendas, visit livebrooks.com/board-of-directors.
Pre-K 4 SA
The Brooks Board supports the reauthorization of the 1/8 cent sales tax allocation to fund the Pre-K 4 SA program for another 8-year term. Research shows high quality prekindergarten has a significant impact on improving education outcomes for the community, and the Pre-K 4 SA was developed to change the educational and workforce trajectory of San Antonio. Pre-K 4 SA operates the South Education Center, which is located off of South New Braunfels Avenue, less than half a mile from the Brooks campus and has had a direct positive impact to the Brooks Community. As an economic development entity, Brooks understands the critical role quality education plays in workforce development. Pre-K 4 SA is currently funded by a 1/8 cent sales tax approved by voters in 2012 for an 8-year term to expire in 2021. View Resolution.
San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) 2020 Bonds
The Brooks Board supports SAISD’s two bond proposals, totaling $1.3 billion. The first bond proposal, Proposition A, is proposing $1.2 billion to go toward the renovation of 36 campuses, safety upgrades for all of the district’s more than 90 campuses, and replacement of aging infrastructure.
The second bond proposal, Proposition B, is proposing $90 million to be allocated toward technology upgrades at the district’s more than 90 campuses. These bonds seek to address critical infrastructure needs, to include CAST Med High School at Brooks, that are imperative to the success of students who live on the Brooks campus and in the surrounding region. View Resolution.
City of San Antonio Workforce Development Initiative
The Brooks Board supports the allocation of a 1/8 cent sales tax to support the City of San Antonio’s workforce development initiative through 2025. The initiative aims to address chronic unemployment challenges recently exacerbated by the global pandemic. Funds will be utilized for a workforce training program directed at offering short-term certificate options for in-demand jobs, as well as funding for completion of 2 to 4-year collegiate programs in growing industries. It is expected that the program can assist 40,000 San Antonio residents in gaining the skills necessary to pursue new and long-term careers. As a historically undeserved area, the benefits of the workforce development initiative have the potential to directly impact households in the greater Brooks region. View Resolution.
VIA Metropolitan Transit
The Brooks Board supports the reallocation of a 1/8 cent sales tax to VIA Metropolitan Transit upon the expiration of the City of San Antonio’s workforce development initiative in 2025. Due to insufficient funding, VIA Metropolitan Transit is the least funded major transportation agency in the State of Texas, resulting in a lack of frequent and reliable service. Tax revenue will be utilized to expand mobility options, rebalance the existing system and improve technology to address advanced public transportation services, operations, passenger amenities, equipment, and other innovative, advanced public transportation purposes.
The Brooks campus is home to the Brooks Transit Center which features convenient, high-frequency bus service along eight routes. The allocations of additional funding to VIA has the potential to allow for improved connectivity to and from the Brooks campus and surrounding community. The Brooks region is expected to support more than 17,000 jobs by 2040, which will drive demand for frequent and reliable public transportation services. View Resolution.