On Thursday, the San Antonio City Council will decide whether to ask voters to renew a sales tax for aquifer protection and park maintenance. This one-eighth of a cent sales tax could potentially have a host of uses. At the moment, the City of San Antonio uses most of the money collected from the sales tax to buy property in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge zone, which replenishes the area’s water supply. The tax was first approved in 2000, and 133,000 acres have been purchased so far through this money. Councilman Ron Nirenberg says this, in turn, prevents development that could otherwise harm the aquifer. “We therefore protect contaminants from getting into the ground, and guarantee that that land takes in the recharge it would normally take in as a natural area.” The money is also used to expand the city’s hike and bike trails, known as the Howard Peak Greenway System. Both programs have had voters approve them thrice. Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer
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