On July 12, 2011, Bexar County Commissioners Court established the Office of the County Manager in an effort to develop a more effective and cost-efficient re-organization of the functions, offices and departments that report to Commissioners Court. I am honored to serve the Bexar County community in the role as County Manager.
I am mindful of the need to address demands for new and better services for our growing population. With the support of Commissioners Court, I would like to share a number of important priorities and some of the steps I am taking and expect to take to move these initiatives forward:

SERVICES TO THE
UNINCORPORATED AREA
In spite of limited revenue growth, the population of the County is projected to continue to grow. Working with County offices and departments, I already have staff identifying the demand for new services that this population growth will create. Over the next years, we will identify all legal tools and practical options available to provide more “city-like” services to these areas.

CULTURAL AND
HISTORIC COUNTY
ASSETS PROGRAM
Bexar County is blessed to have a number of County-owned historic and cultural assets. One of the most obvious of these assets is our historic Courthouse. In order to ensure that we identify, preserve, highlight, and, where appropriate, augment these treasures, we have established a Cultural and Historic County Asset program. This program is charged with bringing greater public awareness to these County assets.

BEXAR COUNTY
MENTAL HEALTH
CONSORTIUM
In 2008, Commissioners Court took the extraordinary action of allocating general fund money for the institution of a Mental Health Court (MHC) and for the enhanced provision of services by the Center for Health Care Services. This effort will remain a high priority of the County Manager’s office and we will provide assistance and support to the MHC.

COORDINATION OF
ALTERNATIVES TO
INCARCERATION
Bexar County has made great strides over the past few years in initiating programs to reduce the number of individuals incarcerated in our Adult Detention Center, as well as identifying ways to reduce their length of stay, all while preserving public safety.

TRANSPORTATION
Bexar County Commissioners Court has historically taken a leadership role in identifying and solving important transportation issues in the County. The Alamo Regional Mobility, the Texas Department of Transportation, and Bexar County have worked together to develop the “825 Plan”, a comprehensive funding approach for the development of several transportation projects in the region, including the 281 Project, IH-10 Project, and Loop 1604 Project. The goal of the partnership is to address much needed congestion relief in several highly traveled corridors including IH-10, Loop 1604, and US 281.

SAN PEDRO CREEK
FEASIBILITY STUDY
Commissioners Court and the County Manager initiated a feasibility study of redevelopment of the downtown segment of San Pedro Creek. This is one of the Westside Creeks Initiative that grew from successes experienced with the ecosystem restoration of the San Antonio River. San Antonio River Authority was engaged to study San Pedro Creek, selected as the first among the Westside Creeks to be considered for redevelopment.

My office will continue our diligent, proactive efforts to ensure the Bexar County community remains an exceptional place to live and a desired place to visit.

 

About DAVID L. SMITH
David L. Smith, County Manager, graduated from the University of Texas in San Antonio in 1991 with a BBA in Marketing. In 1993, he received an MS in Finance from Louisiana State University. In 1998, he was awarded his second graduate degree, an MS in Urban Administration, from Trinity University.

Prior to joining Bexar County, Mr. Smith’s employment includes several years of retail management and serving as a Research Assistant at Louisiana Real Estate Research Institute. He began his employment with Bexar County in January of 1997 as a Budget Intern in the Planning and Resource Management Department. He has since held every position in the Budget Division. Additional areas of responsibility have included managing the County Economic Development functions and serving as the Community Arena Project Fiscal Officer. In 2004, he became the Executive Director for the Planning and Resource Management Department, and the County’s Budget Officer. In that capacity, he was responsible for administering the activities of three major divisions– Budget, Management & Financial Services, and Human Resources.

In July of 2011, Mr. Smith was appointed the first ever County Manager, by a unanimous vote of Commissioners Court.