Two sales tax propositions for Edwards Aquifer protection and linear parks won by a record margin Saturday, an outcome that proponents hailed as proof of the programs’ success.

Support for Propositions 1 and 2 ran near or above three-fourths of the votes, surpassing the previous record of 66 percent support in 2010.

“I think it just indicates what an innovative program it is,” Francine Romero, chairwoman of the city’s Conservation Advisory Board, said of the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program.

Since it was first approved by voters in 2000, the program has secured preservation through purchase of development rights of more than 133,000 acres over the aquifer’s recharge and contributing zones. It and the linear parks program, also initially supported by voters 15 years ago, are funded through a 1/8-cent sales tax that will continue.

The San Antonio Tea Party opposed both propositions, arguing that they amount to excessive taxation and are not needed.

City officials had pondered other uses for the tax, including downtown development, parks and public transportation. But aquifer and parks advocates have said the existing programs were critical for San Antonio’s future.

The aquifer program is funded at $90 million, the same as previous versions approved in 2005 and 2010, but also includes $10 million for water quality demonstration projects in urbanized areas over the recharge and contributing zones, exclusively within Bexar County.

Proposition 2 will support continued development of the Howard W. Peak Greenway System with $80 million, up from $45 million from each of the past two rounds and $20 million in 2000.

Greg Hammer, a member of the city’s Linear Creekway Parks Advisory Board, said the two programs originally were planned for a November vote. But rumors circulated that other forces were “making a play” on the tax for other purposes. City Councilmen Ron Nirenberg and Ray Lopez helped put them a May ballot, and voters have said they want them continued, Hammer said.

“It was important to get it on the ballot as soon as possible,” he said. “More and more, you can see the benefits of these creekway facilities.”

To date, 46 miles of trails have been built, and another 40 miles are planned with current program funds, due to run out in 2016. Passage of the program’s extension is expected to provide an additional 25 miles of trails. Up to about 130 miles of creekways — 110 miles for a circuitous network around the city and 20 miles connecting neighborhoods and points of interest — have been identified for development.

Proponents have said the program, developed primarily through the city Parks & Recreation Department with input from the Linear Creekway Parks Advisory Board, has preserved natural areas, reduced pollution and soil erosion on creeks and rivers, improved water quality and provided venues for exercise.

Proponents of both propositions, including former Mayor Howard Peak, who guided initial passage of the tax in 2000, gathered at Nirenberg’s election watch party on the North Side late Saturday. Kelton Morgan, who coordinated campaigns for both propositions, said they practically sold themselves, and will likely do so again the next time voters consider them.

“I’ll bet the enthusiasm will go up from 75 percent to 90 percent,” Morgan said.

shuddleston@express-news.net

@shuddlestonSA