Commissioner Clay-Flores’ CommentsThe Precinct 1 staff and I continue to work hard for our constituents. Our most recent Commissioners Court was on June 7th and we passed a lot of important initiatives, including a Bexar County homestead exemption. This is for all homeowners to not be taxed on 20% of your appraised value. Please note, you must apply for this homestead exemption through the Bexar County Appraisal District. BCAD is a separate entity and is not under Bexar County Commissioner’s Court. Please go to BCAD.org or call 210-224-2432. Here are several other important initiatives that we passed:
• You must apply through BCAD to qualify for a property tax exemption from the Bexar County Hospital District (UHS) portion of your taxes for $30,000 for seniors over 65. • Passed $1 million for Village Practice Management to serve primary care clinics in underserved areas throughout Bexar County. • Passed $100,000 to fund the purchase of and provisions of gun locks and safety devices. • Passed $1 million to support county-wide outreach and education efforts on gun ownership and safety. • Passed $14,883,036 for mental health and violence prevention programs, including trauma and de-escalation training, expansion of high acuity and urgent beds. • Passed $20 million for funding for school-based mental health services. • Passed $2.2 million agreement between Bexar County and Center for Health Care Services to provide mental health support services to mentally ill individuals to divert from incarceration. |
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Join us for a free Juneteenth event at the TobinActing on a proposal by Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores, Bexar County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to make Juneteenth a County holiday for the first time. Commissioner Clay-Flores stated the recognition was just the beginning, a gesture that must be backed up with “substance and action.” She stated, “We need to continue to advocate for educational access, political representation, voting rights, health equity, and bridging the wealth gap for people of color in Bexar County and beyond.” In celebration of the County’s first Juneteenth official sponsored event, County Judge Nelson Wolff and Commissioner Clay-Flores are co-sponsoring a free event at the Tobin on Monday, June 20th starting at 2 PM. The afternoon will kick off with the screening of the documentary, Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom. Viewers travel with a Black pastor from the shores of Galveston, Texas to historic Freedmenstown in Houston and throughout Texas, experiencing with him the story of Juneteenth. We will also have a panel discussion with a local historian, artist, and the film director - all who have San Antonio roots! Following the panel discussion, there will also be a musical performance. Tickets and parking are free. Please go to https://www.tobincenter.org/juneteenth for your free tickets.
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New Veterans Health CenterWe are so excited for our veterans to have a new facility that will better serve them. The San Antonio Northwest Health Care VA Center had its grand opening. The new center is located on Highway 151 and includes a 190,000 square foot clinic with primary care, behavioral health, ophthalmology, dental, specialty care, pharmacy, prosthetics, laboratory, canteen, and imaging services. It also includes the Veterans Benefits Administration in order to provide a one-stop shop. The clinic is a Purple Heart Designated facility, honoring our veteran heroes who have received this prestigious distinction.
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Health and Medical PanelsThe Texas Biomedical Research Institute, located in the Northwest part of Precinct 1, held a Global Health Symposium during the month of April. Commissioner Clay-Flores was a special guest panelist who spoke on strengthening social connection and compassion in the face of pandemics. The Commissioner shared about the funding that has been provided to organizations who promote mental health services and other resources that are available in our community. Texas Biomed recognized Bexar County for their support of science during the last several years, and Commissioner Clay-Flores was happy to be a part of that as well.
Additionally, Commissioner Clay-Flores had the privilege of serving as the moderator for a panel of medical doctors discussing the leading causes of health disparities. This panel was held at UTSA’s College for Health, Community and Policy. |
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Get Screened for Kidney DiseaseThe Texas Kidney Foundation observed National Donate Life Month in April by educating the public on transplantation, prevention, and early detection of chronic kidney disease. A kidney transplant is the gift of life. Reginald Ballard, professionally known as “Bruh Man,” through his acting role on the network program, Martin, joined Commissioner Clay-Flores to encourage residents to get screened for kidney disease. Ballard serves as a spokesperson for the Texas Kidney Foundation’s Silent but Deadly Movement. His personal message of his challenge with kidney disease and journey as a kidney transplant recipient from his wife, Edith, is educating the public and motivating thousands of individuals and families to learn more about paired donation and to get screened for early detection of chronic kidney disease. Please go to the following website to get more information on screenings: https://txkidney.org/silent-but-deadly-quiz/ |
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Public Health InitiativesUsing federal pandemic relief funds, Bexar County Commissioners Court approved in early May the creation of the new Department of Preventative Health and Environmental Services. The County will hire a public health director, a nutrition specialist, and a dietitian among others. The creation of this department will allow for a more coordinated response to public health needs, and will also respond to other health issues that are affecting our County. The new department will coordinate closely with the Bexar County Hospital District's (UHS) new public health division. Commissioners Court passed $30 million for funding of this new division, and it will be built across from Texas A&M University San Antonio in the southern part of Precinct 1. Additionally, Bexar County also passed funding of $10 million for a new Public Health School at UTSA/UT Health. |
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Fiesta With Our Senior Centers Commissioner Clay-Flores visited the senior centers located throughout Precinct 1 to pass out her 2022 Fiesta medals. Many of our seniors are concerned about Covid and did not want to drive downtown to the crowded events, so it was important to take the medals to them! Our seniors truly know how to have fun, and Commissioner Clay-Flores had lots of enjoyable visits with them. Many of the members dressed in Mexican dresses and guayabera shirts -- truly brightening up each day with all the spectacular colors. Precinct 1 seniors know how to Fiesta! |
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Thunder Rosa Wrestling ChampionCommissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores presented Melissa Cervantes, also known to the wrestling world as “Thunder Rosa”, with a proclamation for her contributions inside and outside the wrestling ring. Most recently, she won the coveted AEW Women’s World Championship with All Elite Wrestling in front of a sold out home crowd at the Freeman Coliseum. She has founded her own wrestling promotion company here in Bexar County, Mission Pro Wrestling (MPW), which promotes women in the world of wrestling. Outside of the ring, she received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley and worked with adults struggling with mental illness, homelessness, and substance abuse. Thunder Rosa is an activist in the community who stands up and fights for women’s rights.
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Have a question regarding the overall
administration of the Commissioner’s office?
Contact our Chief of Staff Frankie Gonzales-Wolfe at Frankie.Gonzales-Wolfe@bexar.org.
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As Special Projects and Operations Director, Marcus Primm assesses the needs of Precinct 1 and finds ways to contribute to the big picture by ensuring daily operations run smoothly and as efficiently as possible. You can reach him at Marcus.Primm@bexar.org.
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Geremy Landin is the Equity and Social Advocacy Director for Precinct 1, and he is also your go to person if you want to schedule a meeting with Commissioner Clay-Flores. Geremy.Landin@bexar.org |
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Are you in Precinct 1 and have a constituent related issue you’d like to share with the Commissioner’s office? Please reach out to our Outreach and Technology Director, Patty Hernandez at Patty.Hernandez@bexar.org. |
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For senior citizen resources, call or stop by and visit our Satellite Office. Genevieve Trinidad is the Senior Planning and Field Office Director and can be reached at Genevieve.Trinidad@bexar.org. |
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We are working diligently to develop public policies that are forward thinking, innovative and beneficial to all of Precinct 1. If you have an idea, please share it with Art Martínez de Vara, as the General Counsel in Policy at Art.Martinezdevara@bexar.org. |
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Juan Moreno is our intern who has been working with the Commissioner on special projects, but has also been working with constituents issues. You can reach Juan at Juan.Moreno@bexar.org |
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We welcome our mental health summer intern, Henry De La Paz, to the Office of Commissioner Clay-Flores' team. Henry will only be with us for a month, but we are excited about him working on mental health projects with the Commissioner. Henry is from The Valley and is a student at UTSA working on his Bachelor degree in Psychology with a minor in Biology. You may reach Henry at Henry.DeLaPaz@bexar.org.
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Community Resources and Reminders |
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