Bexar County asking for changes in ESD operations

Eleven ESDs in Bexar County are not run by similar protocols

SAN ANTONIO – Taxpayers put thousands of dollars into the Emergency Services Districts each year, but not all districts use the funds the same way.

This has created multiple issues with accountability and operations.

Tuesday, Commissioner Kevin Wolff asked Bexar County staff to come up with guidelines so all Bexar County ESDs are operating in a similar way.

"Their oversight is very, very minimal. They turn in an audit report at least once a year and I read in our last audit report that at least two haven't done that," Wolff said.

While the county commissioners appoint ESD board members, their ability to oversee each district is limited.

ESD No. 2 Board President, Gil Perez was removed from office after several grievances were filed against him.  

Perez was appointed to the board by County Commissioner Chico Rodriguez, who said the complaints are serious.

"A couple of them are getting involved a little bit over and beyond a board member'sposition. Sexual harassment, a coupleof ," said Sergio "Chico" Rodriguez, county commissioner.

Rodriguez also said there may be more complaints.

Perez is also an administrator for several other ESDs in Bexar County.

It will be up to the ESD No. 2 board members to investigate the complaints against Perez; however, those members must first come up with a policy on how to investigate the allocations, since no such policy exists right now.

County staff will return to the Commissioners Court in 30 days with a plan.