Councilmembers Teri Castillo of District 5 and Edward Mungia of District 4 have submitted a Council Consideration Request (CCR) proposing the establishment of a formal Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) Policy in San Antonio. The proposed policy would apply to all future discretionary developments and incentives sponsored by the City.
Community Benefits Agreements are binding contracts between developers and coalitions of community-based organizations, typically enacted when public funds are used to support private projects. These agreements are designed to ensure that developments using city resources provide tangible benefits to local residents.
Councilmember Castillo explained the motivation behind the request: “When the City provides public dollars or incentives to private developments, our residents deserve a real voice in shaping what those projects deliver. A Community Benefits Agreement Policy ensures accountability, transparency, and meaningful returns like affordable housing, fair-paying jobs, and small business opportunities, rather than displacement, pollution, or rising costs. It’s about putting community first when public resources are at stake.”
Councilmember Mungia added: “Even when economic development projects may have more direct benefits in one particular location, our hope is that this prospective policy will help us develop community benefits that are mutually beneficial and accessible to all residents. In instances when vulnerable populations are impacted disproportionately by development, we have a responsibility to mitigate the impact on them and be responsive to their needs.”
The proposed policy is intended to build trust with the community and ensure that projects funded by taxpayers promote equitable growth throughout San Antonio.
