INSIDER
Local voters send message to Democratic delegates who now hold the power for presidential nomination
Read full article: Local voters send message to Democratic delegates who now hold the power for presidential nominationJust one day after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race, the ball is rolling quickly. We've heard from politicians and we've heard from delegates, but what about the voters?
BCSO deputies losing $680,000 in leave time a year, records show
Read full article: BCSO deputies losing $680,000 in leave time a year, records showBexar County Sheriff’s deputies have lost out on more than $680,000 in accrued leave each of the past two years, internal records obtained by KSAT Investigates show.
Bexar County considers $2.8B budget, raises for employees, officials
Read full article: Bexar County considers $2.8B budget, raises for employees, officialsThe proposed budget includes 5% pay bumps for employees as well as certain elected officials. Non-exempt employees, which are typically hourly workers, would also get a $1,000 lump sum payment.
Separate lawsuits accuse Bexar County Assistant County Manager of harassment, bullying
Read full article: Separate lawsuits accuse Bexar County Assistant County Manager of harassment, bullyingTwo lawsuits filed in Bexar County District Court this week accuse assistant county manager Tina Smith-Dean of creating a hostile work environment, court records show.
Bexar County employee promoted on same day co-worker she testified against was handed proposed termination
Read full article: Bexar County employee promoted on same day co-worker she testified against was handed proposed terminationSAN ANTONIO – A Bexar County employee was promoted to a senior analyst position this summer, the same day officials handed a proposed termination to a co-worker she had recently testified against in a disciplinary case. Records show a veteran Bexar County employee was given a proposed termination the same day a co-worker who testified against her was given a promotion. Fourth EEOC complaint filed against Smith-DeanMultiple sources confirm a longtime county employee this month filed a federal employment complaint against the county, which specifically names Smith-Dean. County officials claim Millan was reassigned because she was uniquely qualified to help several county agencies manage COVID-19 related expenditures. County officials did not provide a list of Gaitan’s additional duties or work she had been doing outside the scope of her position’s description.
Bexar County hires ombudsperson following string of complaints from employees
Read full article: Bexar County hires ombudsperson following string of complaints from employeesSAN ANTONIO – Bexar County officials have hired an ombudsperson following a string of internal and federal employment complaints against management, the KSAT 12 Defenders have confirmed. Allison Highley was hired October 28 and will be under the direction of County Manager David Smith. (KSAT)The latest, filed earlier this month by a longtime county employee, accuses Smith-Dean of retaliation, according to multiple sources. County officials have claimed Millan was reassigned because she was uniquely qualified to help several county agencies manage COVID-19-related expenditures. Memo: Bexar County Manager David Smith directed employees to receive absolutionA third employee accused Smith-Dean late last year of harassment and bullying as part of an internal complaint.
Bexar County Commissioners discuss trimming courthouse security staff
Read full article: Bexar County Commissioners discuss trimming courthouse security staffSAN ANTONIO – Trimming the courthouse security staff was among the suggestions made during a Bexar County Commissioners budget workshop, a suggestion to which the sheriff took strong exception. The halls of the Bexar County Courthouse and Cadena-Reeves Justice Center are virtually empty since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March. Bexar County constables unhappy with proposed county budgetBexar County Manager David Smith took note of the empty halls when he addressed Commissioners Court and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar during a budget workshop on Thursday as they discussed security staffing in both buildings. “We recommend nine vacant court security positions be deleted for, I think, obvious, reasons,” Smith said. There is one more budget workshop scheduled for next Monday before the budget is formally adopted the following day.
County budget analyst who filed EEOC complaints against supervisor reassigned amid COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: County budget analyst who filed EEOC complaints against supervisor reassigned amid COVID-19 pandemicSAN ANTONIO – A Bexar County budget analyst who filed federal employment complaints against her supervisor and spoke out about the behavior of top county officials has been removed from her position and reassigned to a different department, a county spokeswoman confirmed. Alexandria Millan has been reassigned to the county’s purchasing department, where she will help track expenditures related to the county’s COVID-19 response. Sources said as part of Millan’s reassignment, her county email account was disabled and she was ordered to turn in her credentials. An email sent by the KSAT 12 Defenders to Millan’s county email address Saturday morning bounced back as undeliverable. Kelmar Global Investigations was brought in late last year to handle the investigation, due to Smith-Dean’s high-ranking position within the county.
In midst of COVID-19 pandemic, Bexar County budget director resigns
Read full article: In midst of COVID-19 pandemic, Bexar County budget director resignsSAN ANTONIO Bexar County Budget Director Seth McCabe has resigned his position, a memo obtained Wednesday by the KSAT 12 Defenders confirms. The resignation of McCabe, who worked more than 12 years for the county, is effective May 14 and comes in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic that has greatly hindered the countys finances. Bexar County Manager David Smith sent a memo to all county offices and departments last month announcing a hiring freeze and a county-wide halt on capital projects. Bexar Countys annual budget could be in $100-million hole amid COVID-19 pandemic, memo saysSmiths memo indicated the county budget team estimates the potential impact to Bexar Countys general fund budget could be $70 to $100 million -- a revenue loss of 14% to 20% -- and it could be worse than that if the pandemic continues. In an email sent to county staff members Wednesday morning, Assistant County Manager Tina Smith-Dean said McCabe did great work for the county and would use terminal leave from now until May 14.