A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS

From Mayor Chris Riley

September 5, 2025

                      WANTED TO LET YOU  KNOW…..   

September 15^th – Fall Clean Up Week Begins. Tiger Sanitation will pick up bulky items such as old furniture, water heaters, appliances and brush by passing down your street only once. Please limit the amount of brush to be picked up to 8 cubic yards. Together we can keep Leon Valley clean! For more information, please call Public Works at (210) 681-1232. Thanks!

Weekends in September – Forest Oaks Community Pool is open from 10 am – Noon (Adult lap swim and water aerobics) and Noon – 8 pm.  Daily pass is $5.00.  The pool will continue to be open, weekends only, through September 28^th.

                        CITY COUNCIL MEETING –September 2, 2025

           The following are highlights of council actions from the September 2, 2025 council meeting which began at 6:30 p.m. and ended at 8:50 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS

Recap of the 4^th of July Celebration – Many of you may recall, it was a rainy 4^th this year.  Attendance was estimated at 9,000, down from the previous high of 20,000. In spite of the weather, it was a successful event. Due to the efforts of Crystal Miranda and Roque Salinas, Community Relations and Economic Development Directors, $45,700 was raised from vendors and sponsors to reduce the total cost to the city. The net cost to the city was approximately $84,000. Our deep gratitude to all the city staff, police, fire and ems for their efforts in making sure the event ran smoothly and providing a safe and fun experience.

Discussion on the City’s Revised Goals and Objectives – In February, 2024, the Council revised the city’s mission and vision statement. In January, 2025, at the Town Hall meeting, the following goals were addressed based on citizen feedback:  Economic Development, First Responders, Infrastructure, Environment, Parks & Green Space, Transparency, Fiscal Responsibility and Citizen Involvement. The staff was then asked to develop some objectives related to the stated goals. The aim in crafting the objectives was to establish a strategic framework that was clear and that would guide the direction of the City. The foundational principle is “To protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents”, by enhancing the quality of life of all residents through effective, equitable and efficient service. A thorough discussion was held whereby council provided feedback and clarification on the objectives reviewed.  The City Manager will now incorporate these changes into the final document which council will approve later this year. It was discussed that this is a living document which should be referred to throughout the processes of city governance.

Discussion of Chapter 15 Zoning – “PD” Planned Development District – This type of zoning district is intended to facilitate a specific development project in accordance with a PD project plan, that may include regulations, uses and other requirements that vary from other zoning districts.  This type of zoning was adopted in Leon Valley in November, 2019. The three new subdivisions in Leon Valley are PD developments. There was discussion on whether the new subdivisions were “superior developments” to what could be achieved thorough standard zoning. There was also discussion on whether we need this specific zoning district since we have little vacant land left to develop.  The city manager pointed out potential areas of development in the future where large lots could be sold and a developer could propose a new subdivision.  The council directed the city manager to research other cities’ planned development ordinances to see how we could improve upon the language in our existing ordinance.  The council wanted to see more specific language on what constitutes a superior development.  This discussion will continue once other cities’ ordinances are available for council to review.

                                        REGULAR AGENDA

Conducted a Public Hearing on the City of Leon Valley Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 – 2026 & Discussion of the Proposed Tax Rate – At the August 19^th meeting the Council’s consensus was to adopt a total tax rate of $.515, which funded the upcoming budget with a surplus of approximately $11,000. The city manager informed the council of a bill which was pending in the 2^nd special legislative session, SB 10, allowing only a 1% property tax increase cap, reduced from the current cap of 3.5%.  This would mean your governing body could not raise taxes over 1% without voter approval.

           A discussion followed on how this new law would require an election if the city needed more money to hire emergency personnel versus raising the tax rate this year without an election to cover the costs of hiring emergency personnel. Some additional considerations were:  1) There have been no additional firefighters hired since 1982; 2) Significant growth has occurred since then and there are more than 500 new homes to be built over the next 3-5 years; 3) Increased number of calls where the City is relying more on mutual aid from surrounding cities/county and on private ambulances; 4) Elections will cost the city around $10,000.

         The foundational principle of protecting the health, welfare and safety of our residents was also a determining issue in council directing the city manager to adjust the tax rate of $.515 to $.545, generating $347,483 to hire three firefighters (one for each shift). The average property tax increase for the homeowner would be $169.30.  A public hearing was held and residents who attended the meeting expressed support for this change.   

The above discussion took place under the assumption that SB 10 would pass. However, as I finalized this letter this morning, it was reported that SB 10 DID NOT PASS before the special legislative session ended yesterday.

PLEASE NOTE: This has not been voted on by council.  Two readings are required prior to the council finalizing the tax rate for FY 26.  This enables the council to receive citizen feedback. The first reading will be on Tuesday, September 16^th at 6:30 pm and the second reading and final vote will be held on Saturday, September 20^th at 9 am at city hall. Please come and let your voice be heard.

Our next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2025 beginning at 6:00 pm at city hall, due to an executive session. 

                              UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, September 27^th – 14^th Annual Community Preparedness Workshop, sponsored by the City of San Antonio Office of Emergency Management from 8 am to Noon, at the Emergency Operations Center. This year’s half-day workshop will focus on flood preparedness.  Attendees MUST register to attend as space is limited.  Register online now using the following link:  https://forms.office.com/g/X8B1WxEg1N. For more information, contact Ashley Carter, COSA, (210) 371-5807 (cell).

Tuesday, October 7^TH – ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – Please mark your calendars to have a simple gathering on your street for an hour or two (6-8 pm). This is a great way to meet your neighbors, your council members, city manager, police and fire department chiefs and staff. The Council meeting for that night has been cancelled. Please register your gathering at www.leonvalleytexas.gov.

        The Council and I are here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help in any way.

Sincerely, Chris

(210) 618-2092 (cell)

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov