san antonio – The Brooks Development Authority spent thousands of dollars on food, drinks and tickets for the UTSA football suite in fall 2023, according to receipts and contracts obtained by KSAT.
Brooks Development Authority signed a contract in September 2023, paying $18,540 (including 16 tickets) for a suite at the Alamodome, records show.
Chief Strategy Officer Connie Gonzalez agreed.
“Who is using the suite?” KSAT reporter Daniela Ybarra asked.
“So the priority wasn't necessarily usage,” Gonzalez responded. “The priority was to make sure we supported UTSA. But we were able to bring in different partners, different staff, different board members.”
Gonzalez said the Brooks Development Authority exists to attract businesses and quality jobs to Brooks and San Antonio.
KSAT asked Gonzalez whether the suite was used to attract business.
“Our priority and the reasoning behind it, again, was first and foremost to support UTSA Athletics,” Gonzalez said.
Where does the money come from?
The Brooks Development Authority is the government agency that oversees Brooks on San Antonio's south side.
The company is governed by a board of directors appointed by the San Antonio City Council, according to its website.
“But we are not supported by taxpayer dollars,” Gonzalez explained. “So all of our operations are fully funded by leases and sales that we do on campus.”
James Quintero, policy director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, said this is still public funding.
“This is a very questionable use of public funds,” he said. “And because this is public money, the Brooks Development Authority has a responsibility to handle that money in a sensible way, and it's clear that spending money on games and booze doesn't actually serve a public purpose. is.”
I spent thousands of dollars on alcohol and game day snacks.
Brooks Development Authority paid for snacks and alcohol in the suite during game time, records show.
KSAT examined receipts for concessions billed to Brooks for three UTSA home games.
For UTSA's game against Texas State on Sept. 9, Brooks Development paid $1,728.80 for popcorn, nachos, guacamole and other snacks, including a $247.17 service charge and $200 tip. . The total amount spent on beer, seltzer and liquor was $483, according to receipts.
A total of $1,677.23 was charged for the Brooks Development Office suite as a concession for the Sept. 15 UTSA vs. Army game. This includes a service charge of $206.85 and a tip of $387.06. Receipts show $468 was paid for six cases of beer and seltzer, and one bottle of tequila and vodka.
The Brooks Development Office card was charged $2,385.56 for the Oct. 14 UTSA vs. UAB game. Of that amount, $584 was paid for eight cases of beer and soda and two bottles of vodka, according to receipts. The tab also included a $294.21 service charge and a $550.50 tip.
Gonzalez insists the costs help the university.
“How did that help?” Ibarra asked.
“So, I go back to the why and the priorities. It goes back to supporting education, supporting the workforce, and ultimately supporting UTSA,” Gonzalez responded. “Just as UTSA is important to San Antonio, UTSA is important to Brooks.”
“But how does buying hundreds of dollars along with alcohol help UTSA?” Ybarra asked.
“At Brooks, we're not only focused on attracting businesses, but also retaining businesses,” Gonzalez responded. “And part of that is to show off what San Antonio has to offer.”
Gonzalez said the 2023 season will be the first season the company will introduce suites, adding that it will be up to the board to approve another season.
“Do you think this is a good use of money?” Ibarra asked.
“Supporting UTSA and supporting our educational institutions is always a good use of our money,” Gonzalez said.
Quintero disagrees.
“How will the public be improved by spending money on gaming and alcohol?” he said. “I don't think you can argue that the people's lives will get any better.”
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