Bexar County faces leadership transition as manager retires

Bexar County Manager David Smith plans to retire at the end of 2026 after 15 years in the position, creating a transition for the county as it also prepares for a new county judge. 

Smith’s contract is slated to expire Dec. 31, and the Bexar County Commissioners Court will seek a replacement. County Judge Peter Sakai said he expects to finalize a selection process for the next county manager by the end of September. 

Smith, 62, started with the county as a budget intern in 1997 and moved up through the Budget Division before becoming budget officer. He was appointed the county’s first manager in July 2011, when the Commissioners Court established the Office of the County Manager to oversee functions, offices and departments reporting to the court. 

During his tenure, Smith oversaw the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the creation of the San Pedro Creek Culture Park and the designation of the Spanish Missions as a World Heritage site in 2015. He also played a role in managing the county’s finances, including maintaining its AAA bond rating. 

In the county’s latest budget, commissioners faced a $145 million deficit and used $68 million in reserves to balance the budget without raising taxes or cutting services. County Commissioner Justin Rodriguez credited Smith’s conservative estimates and spending plans over the years with helping the county maintain savings that could be used to address the deficit. 

Smith said his retirement will give the county an opportunity for a fresh voice and new ideas. He also identified several challenges for his successor, including property tax revenue that is down for the first time since the 2008 financial crash and the need for major street and drainage projects in the county’s growing unincorporated areas. 

Sakai said the county manager is a critical leadership position and that the selection process will focus on continuity in county operations. 

Photo courtesy of Bexar County