Ensuring our public safety officials have what they need to get the job done.
“Every budget cycle I work closely with the DA and the Sheriff to make sure they have the tools they need to do their jobs. My overriding priority is simple: the safety and well-being of our residents comes first.” – Commissioner Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez
One of the Commissioners Court’s most important responsibilities is to develop the county’s annual budget, in which every office and department of the county, including our District Attorney and Sheriff’s office, is funded after long consultations. Since 2005, Commissioner Rodriguez has worked with the DA and the Sheriff to determine their needs and incorporate those priorities into budget discussions. When it comes to public safety, the Commissioner is also working with the San Antonio Police Department and state and federal officials, because he knows that Bexar County residents in the unincorporated areas look to the county government to make sure their law enforcement and fire safety needs are met.
The Commissioner is also looking for solutions to deal with an overcrowded jail that strain our county budget. Bexar County is a large, urban jurisdiction with an estimated 1.7 million residents and an exploding jail population with a nearly 81% repeat offender occupancy. Over the past 6 years, the Commissioner has worked with a number of partners, including the Bexar County Adult Drug Court, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, and the Center for Health Care Services, to develop innovative solutions to reduce recidivism rates and increase offenders’ re-entry success.
