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Javier Salazar

34

Bexar County Sheriff

Elected Position:

Sheriff of Bexar County

On Watch Since:

January 1, 2017

Hometown:

Bexar County, Texas

Meet Javier Salazar, the 34th Sheriff of Bexar County. Since taking office in 2017, Sheriff Salazar has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety and improving the operations of the Sheriff’s office. With a background spanning over two decades in law enforcement, he brings a wealth of experience to his role. This profile outlines his career achievements, the departments he has developed, and the community programs he has introduced, providing a clear overview of his contributions to public safety in Bexar County.

Background:

Native of Bexar County, graduate of Samuel Clemens High School. Holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Alamo Colleges District and a Bachelor’s Degree from Wayland Baptist University. Also holds a Master’s Peace Officer License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.

Experience:

Prior to his election, Sheriff Salazar served 23 years with the San Antonio Police Department, advancing through roles from patrolman to Director of the Department’s Integrity Unit. His career includes time in Narcotics, Executive Protection Detail, Internal Affairs, and as Director of Communications.

Family:

Married to Sarah, with two daughters.

Vision:

Sheriff Salazar is committed to reshaping law enforcement by increasing accountability and maintaining public safety throughout Bexar County.

Achievements:

Active Shooter Training:

Trained over 5,000 residents and businesses in handling active shooter situations since its inception.

Organized Crime and Gang Unit:

Established to combat gang violence and transnational crimes, contributing to a measurable decrease in violent crime rates in Bexar County.

Special Victims Unit:

Development of the Special Victims Unit to provide dedicated resources for tackling sexual assault, domestic violence, and crimes against children and seniors.

Mental Health Initiatives:

Creation of the Adult Detention Mental Health Unit and the Specialized Multi-Disciplinary Alternate Response Team (SMART) to address mental health issues both in the community and within detention facilities.

Innovations in Law Enforcement:

Established units such as the Adult Detention Mental Health, Contraband Abatement Team, and the Public Integrity Unit, which focuses on criminal allegations against law enforcement officers.

Community Engagement and Safety Programs:

Initiated community programs like Active Shooter Training, Gold Badge Business Certification, Pastors on Patrol, and the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy.

Specialized Units for Vulnerable Populations:

Created the Special Victims Unit to address sexual assault, domestic violence, and crimes against children and seniors.

Training and Development:

Sheriff’s Academy Graduates: Over 500 new deputies trained and graduated under his tenure, enhancing the capability and response readiness of the sheriff’s office.

 

Albert Uresti:

01

Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector

Elected Position:

Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector

In Office Since:

2012

Hometown:

San Antonio, Texas

Meet Albert Uresti, the Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector. Elected for the first time in 2012, Uresti has brought over 40 years of municipal, county, and state government experience to the role. Throughout his tenure, he has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving tax collection efficiency and enhancing service accessibility for the residents of Bexar County. Uresti has demonstrated a commitment to serving the community, grounded in decades of public service including his tenure in the San Antonio Fire Department. This profile provides an overview of his professional background and the key initiatives he has overseen.

Background:

  • Education: Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Education from Texas State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Experience:

Prior to his election as Bexar County Tax Assessor-Collector, Albert Uresti dedicated 25 years to the San Antonio Fire Department, progressing from a firefighter to the rank of District Fire Chief. His career also includes extensive leadership experience in city management, where he served as City Manager and Chief Executive Officer for various Texas cities, managing municipal services and optimizing the use of city resources.

Family:

Married to Elsie for over 50 years, three children, and four grandchildren.

Vision:

“I am honored to have been elected as Bexar County’s Tax Assessor-Collector, and I look forward to serving you.”

Achievements:

Innovative Payment Plans:

Spearheaded the implementation of the most diverse property tax payment plans in Texas, including the unique 10-Month Payment Plan, enhancing taxpayer convenience and compliance.

  • 10-Month Payment Plan: Introduced the only 10-month payment plan in Texas for senior citizens, disabled citizens, and disabled veterans, making tax payments more manageable for vulnerable populations.
Service Enhancements:
  • Drive-Thru Tax Office: Established Bexar County’s first-ever tax office drive-thru, improving service accessibility and efficiency, especially benefiting senior citizens and disabled residents.
Tax Collection Efficiency:

Achieved record-high tax collection rates through strategic changes in communication and customer service approaches.

Record Performance:

In 2022, managed the issuance of over 1.6 million vehicle registrations and title transfers, and facilitated the collection and distribution of over $4 billion in property taxes for various governmental entities.

$85 Million in Aid

Successfully integrated the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Grant Program into tax office operations, delivering $85,000,000 in tax and mortgage assistance to families impacted by economic challenges.

Customer Service Innovations:

Enhanced the taxpayer experience by extending office hours, reducing wait times, and upgrading service facilities.

High Citizen Approval:

Uresti’s administration consistently received a 90% or higher satisfaction rating from Bexar County citizens, reflecting strong public approval of his office’s customer service and operational effectiveness.

Reduced Fees:

Successfully negotiated lower fees for debit and credit card transactions, including offering free online checking and savings account transactions to ease the financial burden on taxpayers.

Grant Moody:

03

Bexar County Commissioner

Elected Position:

Bexar County Commissioner

In Office Since:

2022

Hometown:

San Antonio, Texas

Grant Moody is the Bexar County Commissioner for Precinct 3, elected in 2022. He is currently the only Republican serving on the Commissioner’s Court. His professional background includes significant roles in both the military as a Marine F-18 pilot and in the private sector at leading companies such as USAA and Valero Energy.

Background:

Grant Moody was born and raised on his family’s farm in Bexar County. During his teenage years, he managed a cow/calf operation. He graduated as valedictorian of his high school class and pursued further education at the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated as the top Economics major. Grant also holds a Master’s Degree in Statistics and Business Analytics from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Experience:

Before being elected Bexar County Commissioner, Grant Moody served as a Marine F-18 pilot for over a decade, with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Following his military service, he transitioned to the corporate sector, taking on executive roles at USAA and Valero Energy, where his work focused on innovation and business development. His public service includes serving on the Texas Veterans Land Board and founding the San Antonio Liberty Leadership Council. He has also been recognized as a national fellow by the Club for Growth.

Family:

Grant is married to Stephanie Smith, and together they have three children. They are deeply involved in their community in San Antonio.

Vision:

In his role as commissioner, Grant focuses on public safety, property tax reduction, and fiscal oversight to ensure efficient and responsible county governance.

Achievements:

Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Oversight:
  • Advocated for lower property taxes to alleviate financial pressure on Bexar County residents.
  • Critically reviewed county spending to ensure fiscal efficiency and combat wasteful expenditures.
Advocacy for Non-Partisanship in Voter Initiatives:
  • Citizens Advisory Panel: Moody voted against establishing a five-member panel aimed at improving voter engagement, where each member of the Commissioner’s Court, including the county judge, would appoint one member. 
  • Concerns About Bias: He expressed concerns that the appointment process could lead to biased selections, which might not represent the best interests of the community transparently and impartially.
Public Safety Initiatives:

Supporting funding for law enforcement, emergency services, or public health measures.

Prudent Oversight on Voter Registration Funding:

Grant Moody opposed the spending of nearly $600,000 of taxpayer funds, to contract Civic Government Solutions for voter registration. He raised concerns about the potential partisan implications of such an expenditure close to upcoming elections. His vote underscores his commitment to ensuring that county spending is perceived as fair and non-partisan, emphasizing the importance of transparency and impartiality in electoral processes,

Transparency and Accountability:

Advocated for clearer communication between the county government and its citizens.

Community Interaction:

Engaged with constituents through various forums and meetings, listening to their concerns and feedback on county matters.

Enhancement of Law Enforcement:

Successfully negotiated to increase the number of law enforcement officers by 62, aiming to enhance public safety and security across the community.

Opposition to Proposition A:

Played a pivotal role in campaigning against Proposition A, which sought to decriminalize certain offenses like theft, vandalism, and graffiti. His efforts contributed to the proposition’s defeat, with 73% of voters rejecting it in the May election.