Please Donate for Further Progress
I am so honored to serve as the commissioner for Dallas County District 4. I hope you feel my efforts to ensure all the people of this district have convenient access to county services have been successful.
If so, please consider a donation to my official campaign here. Any contribution amount is welcome.
In recent weeks, I have led the following initiatives:
CAMP WISDOM PROJECT
We conducted the first public meeting about the $18.8 million improvement of Camp Wisdom Road. This project will make it much easier for residents of southwest Dallas County to travel between Oak Cliff and Grand Prairie.
RECORDS BUILDING RENOVATION
Under my supervision, the retrofitting of Dallas County’s administrative offices and courts is on time and within budget. Soon, Dallas County residents will be able to take care of all their business with the county in a modernized, streamlined center in downtown Dallas.
VOTING CENTERS
I am gratified we on the Commissioners Court have approved the establishment of voting centers across Dallas County. This means on Election Day, you will no longer have to vote at the polling location connected to your precinct. This should make voting easier and more convenient for so many Dallas residents.
TRAIL EXPANSION
Sometime this summer, I will help cut the ribbon on a long-awaited expansion of the Northaven Trail in northwest Dallas County. Our collaboration with the City of Dallas and other governmental agencies will finally result in a contiguous east-west trail connecting the White Rock Creek Trail in northeast Dallas to the Elm Fork Athletic Complex in far northwest Dallas.
I remain committed to improving the quality of life for every resident of Dallas County and making the county’s decision-making process as transparent as possible.
Thank you, again, for whatever donation you can make to my campaign, so I can continue these efforts over the months to come. Adelante!
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County, Elections
Porfavor Doné para el Progreso Futuro
Es un honor para mí servir como Comisionada del Condado de Dallas para el Distrito 4. Espero que mis esfuerzos para asegurar que todas las personas de este distrito tengan acceso conveniente a los servicios del condado hayan sido exitosos.
Si es así, por favor considere hacer una donación a mi campaña oficial aquí. Su contribución en cualquier cantidad será agradecida.
En las semanas recientes, yo he dirigido las siguientes iniciativas:
EL PROYECTO DE CAMP WISDOM
Nosotros realizamos la primera junta publica para el mejoramiento de la avenida Camp Wisdom Rd. con un costo de $18.8 millones.
LA RENOVACION DEL EDIFICIO DE REGISTROS
Bajo mi supervisión, la reconstrucción de las oficinas administrativas y de las cortes del Condado de Dallas está a tiempo y dentro de presupuesto. Muy pronto, los residentes del Condado de Dallas podrán arreglar todos sus asuntos dentro de un edificio modernizado y aerodinámico en el centro de Dallas.
CENTROS DE VOTACION
Estoy agradecida que nosotros, los miembros de la Corte de Comisionados, aprobamos el futuro establecimiento de centros de votación por todo el Condado de Dallas. Esto significa que, en el Día de Elecciones, usted ya no tendrá que votar en su precinto. Esto hará que las votaciones sean más fáciles y convenientes para los residentes de Dallas.
EXPANSION DE SENDEROS
En el verano estaré ayudando a cortar el listón para inaugurar la muy esperada expansión de Sendero Northaven en el noroeste del Condado de Dallas. Nuestra colaboración con la Ciudad de Dallas, y otras agencias gubernamentales finalmente resultaran en un sendero contiguo del este al oeste, conectando el Sendero White Rock Creek en el noreste de Dallas con el Complejo Atlético Elm Fork en el noroeste de Dallas.
Sigo comprometida a mejorar la calidad de vida de cada residente del Condado de Dallas, así como también en mantener la transparencia en el proceso de cómo se toman las decisiones en el condado.
Gracias nuevamente por cualquier donación que pueda hacer a mi campaña para que yo pueda continuar trabajando para ustedes. ¡Adelante!
La Dra. Elba Garcia
Comisionada del Condado de Dallas, Distrito 4
- Published in Dallas County, Elections
Within budget and on time
You will be happy to know the renovation of the Dallas County Records Building complex in downtown Dallas is within budget and on time..
We are slightly more than halfway through the four-year, $200 million project. When the new complex opens in the summer of 2020, Dallas County residents will have a one-stop complex at which they can access all county services.
About 600 employees now housed in three separate buildings will be waiting to serve you in one contiguous, beautifully restored facility that will be tens of thousands of square feet larger than the current complex.
Phase One (Design Development)
Before the first nail was removed from the existing complex, I developed the idea of a Building Study Committee, to be appointed by Dallas County commissioners.
This committee, comprising five people expert in the areas of construction, real estate and finance, examined the buildings involved in the project and recommended the renovations and new construction that would best serve county taxpayers.
Next, the project’s architects designed what the new complex will look like. They also began dismantling certain components of the building (windows, railings, etc.), taking care to document and set aside those deemed architecturally or historically significant.
Artifacts discovered during this take-down phase of the project will reappear in a public museum scheduled for the new complex’s ground floor.
Phase Two (Demolition)
The project is now well into its second (demolition) phase. Entire floors (which did not line up from one building to the next) are being removed. That way, the patchwork of buildings that made up the complex in the past can be more seamlessly connected.
The construction team tells me 2019 will be a key year for the project, in that it’s when we will also see the greatest change to the exterior of the building.
Phase Three (Finish Out)
Once the demolition phase is completed later this year, the project will enter its third and final stage – the finish-out. The construction crew will introduce more level floors, more energy-efficient lighting, etc. Also, some of the preserved architectural features will get reinstalled, so future generations can view and appreciate them.
A Win-Win for Dallas County and Its Residents
As the county commissioner chosen to lead this project, I am very excited to see its progress. We could have located the new Records Building complex anywhere in Dallas County. We thought it best, however, to restore these historical buildings and to anchor these jobs for years to come in the heart of downtown Dallas.
The county has a AAA bond rating we’ve not used for 35 years. By using bonds to finance the complex’s renovation, we will not need to raise taxes for that purpose. So the project turns out to be a win-win for all of us in Dallas County.
I will update you on how this project is proceeding in the coming months. I look forward to welcoming all of you to a new Commissioners’ Court, and other county-government features, in 2020!
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County
Se mantiene en el presupuesto y sigue a tiempo
Usted estará muy feliz de saber que la renovación del Edificio de Registros del Condado de Dallas localizado en el centro de Dallas se mantiene en el presupuesto y sigue a tiempo.
Nos encontramos ligeramente a más de la mitad del proyecto de 4 años y $200 millones. Cuando el nuevo edificio se abra en el verano del 2020, los residentes del Condado de Dallas tendrán un lugar y solo tendrán que hacer una parada para poder recibir todos los servicios del condado.
Aproximadamente 600 empleados que actualmente trabajan en tres edificios separados, estarán esperando para servirle en un edificio contiguo, restaurado y hermoso que será miles de pies cuadrados más grande que el edificio actual.
Primera Fase (Desarrollo de Diseño)
Antes de que el primer clavo fuera removido del edificio existente, yo desarrolle la idea de un Comité para el Estudio del Edificio, asignado por los Comisionados del Condado de Dallas.
Este comité que consiste de cinco personas expertas en las áreas de construcción, bienes raíces y finanzas, examinaron los edificios involucrados en el proyecto y recomendaron las renovaciones y nueva construcción que prestara un servicio más eficaz a los contribuidores de impuestos.
Después, los arquitectos del proyecto diseñaron la vista del nuevo edificio. También, empezaron a desmantelar ciertos componentes del edificio como las ventanas y las barandillas, asegurándose de documentar y guardar los componentes que tienen un valor arquitectónico o histórico significativo.
Los artefactos descubiertos durante la fase de derivación del proyecto reaparecerán en un museo público que está programado para ser expuesto en el primer piso del edificio.
Tercera Fase (Terminar)
Una vez que la fase de demolición esté concluida a finales de este año, el proyecto entrara en su tercera y última fase – terminar. El equipo de construcción introducirá más pisos y más iluminación energéticamente eficiente, ente otras cosas. Más aún, algunas de las fachadas arquitectónicas preservadas se reinstalarán para que las futuras generaciones las puedan ver y apreciar.
Una Ganancia para el Condado de Dallas y para sus residentes
Como la Comisionada del Condado seleccionada para liderar este proyecto, estoy muy emocionada de ver su progreso. Pudimos haber escogido hacer un nuevo Edificio de Registros en cualquier parte del Condado de Dallas. Sin embargo, decidimos que era mejor restaurar estos edificios históricos y mantener estos empleos por muchos años más en el corazón del centro de Dallas.
El condado tiene una clasificación de bonos AAA que no había sido utilizada por 35 años. Al utilizar bonos para financiar la renovación de este edificio, no se necesitará incrementar los impuestos para este propósito, así que el proyecto resulta ser una ganancia para todos nosotros en el Condado de Dallas. Yo los mantendré informados en como el proyecto se va desarrollando en los próximos meses.
¡Espero darles la bienvenida a todos ustedes a una nueva Corte de Comisionados y a las otras funciones gubernamentales del condado en el 2020!
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County
Records Building Renovation Project Update
Glad to report the renovation and restoration of the Dallas County Records Building complex is on schedule and within budget.
On Monday, Jan. 28, I toured the project with several representatives of history and preservation groups across Dallas that I invited to attend. We learned that the project has unearthed many wonderful artifacts that are being carefully stored off-site.
AND, that the project’s completion date is still June 1, 2020 (which happens to be my birthday). More details to come!
Best wishes,
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County
Su voto cuenta. Your vote counts.
So many residents of Dallas County tell me they are tired.
You work and work and feel like you never get ahead. You’re tired of seeing your children’s schools receive fewer resources every year.
I understand.
You tell me you cannot bear what is going on with our immigration system and how our Dreamers do not have a solid future.
You know what is happening on the Mexican border. You have seen the families being separated and children put in cages.
These acts tear our hearts and wear on us all. This is not a great America. This is a sad and frightened America.
So what do we do?
We pick ourselves up and we vote. We vote early through November 2 or we vote on Election Day, November 6. We no longer stand back and let sad and frightened people be elected. We stand up and let our voice be heard all the way to the State House in Austin and to the halls of Congress in Washington, DC.
It is time. Su voto cuenta. Your vote counts.
Vote.
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County, Elections
Stop The Political Shell Games
Stop The Political Shell Games: Everyone Needs To Help Solve Texas’ Property Tax Problem
Texas has seen unprecedented property value growth in recent years. At the same time, property owners have seen their property taxes rise. This has created a frenzy among state lawmakers in Austin over how to “save” taxpayers from their local governments. That’s because it’s easier for lawmakers to blame someone else for problems they create, rather than address the statewide problems it is their responsibility to solve.
Texas lawmakers need to focus on how to use our booming economy to fix the longstanding problems of inadequate school funding and the high rate of uninsured Texans driving up costs in our public hospitals. But all the grandstanding by state officials about local property taxes doesn’t fix anything.
Let’s not forget the Great Recession that the country and Texas experienced in 2008, and the impact it had on local government services.
From 2008 to 2012, Texas saw a dramatic drop in property values. Naturally, this caused a drop in property taxes collected when local governments held tax rates steady and cut services to make ends meet. Holding tax rates steady in both the good and bad years makes the statement that local government must feel the same pressures as the people it represents.
The goals of cities and counties are to increase the quality of life for our citizens. We are the ones bringing investment to our communities. We are the job creators and the economic engines of this great state. The progress we have made as a state is because of local government, not in spite of it.
When you cut through the noise from Austin, what the state is proposing is that cities and counties never increase property taxes and the services they provide. They ignore that the state mandates we provide most of our services, many of which should be the state’s responsibility. Each session, the Legislature mandates that counties provide more services, while telling them to do it with less revenue.
Not once during the recession did leadership in Austin advocate for the effective tax rate. The state sat idly by as cities and counties made the tough decisions, cutting services and struggling to balance budgets, just like taxpayers.
Under the state’s plan, local governments would adopt the effective tax rate every year. That means a county or city would bring in the same revenue each year, and taxpayers would pay the same amount. This sounds great, as long as property values are going up, because it means tax bills don’t.
But when property values drop, tax rates would go up to maintain the same level of revenue. When that happens, state “leaders” will flip-flop and argue against the effective tax rate. The new sound bite coming from Austin and local media will be “local governments raise tax rates as the economy worsens.”
If local leaders are spending too much, hold us accountable at the polls. What we hear from the majority of our constituents are requests for more services: more police and better roads. Over the last 10 years in Dallas County, we have seen increased costs for unfunded mandates from the state, such as indigent defense and minimum standards for jail operations and mental health services. The list goes on and on.
Dallas County spends $145 million per year on unfunded mandates and underfunded programs that should be funded by the state. The simple fact is, if the state stopped pushing its responsibilities and unfunded mandates onto county governments, Dallas County could lower its tax rate 25 percent. That would be an extra $105 back in the pocket of the average homeowner.
The difference between the political grandstanders in Austin and local government is we deliver what the state requires and what the people request. We don’t have the luxury of passing the buck. Dallas County does so while minimizing tax increases on the average homeowner to $7.89 a month over the last 10 years when adjusted for inflation.
Over the same period, Austin has forced school property tax increases on Texans while pointing fingers at school boards. When adjusted for inflation, the average homeowner in Dallas ISD pays $580 more a year in property taxes than in 2008. In the last 10 years, the state’s share of school spending dropped from 48.5 percent to 42.4 percent, and school funding from property taxes increased from 51.5 percent to 57.6 percent.
The latest budget proposal from the Texas Education Agency would slash another $3.5 billion per year from the state’s education budget, resulting in local school property tax increases of 6.8% per year, or 14% over the next two years.
It’s time for state leaders to focus on Texas problems and leave local issues to local governments. Inadequate school funding, record numbers of uninsured Texans, crumbling infrastructure and keeping our highways out of the hands of toll companies — these are serious problems that require serious solutions.
But don’t tell local governments we have to carry our load and your load. Texas taxpayers can no longer afford these political shell games.
Read this opinion piece at The Dallas Morning News
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County
Help Me Move Dallas Forward
New trails. Better roads. Restoring the historic Records Building and reducing deferred maintenance. I am producing results that benefit EVERYONE in Dallas County.
Any campaign contribution you can make is deeply appreciated. Let’s keep working to improve the quality of life here for you and your family!
Help us keep moving Dallas County forward.
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County
Dallas County District 4 Updates
Please read our Dallas County District 4 newsletter to review all we have accomplished on behalf of taxpayers.
Dr. Elba Garcia
Dallas County Commissioner, District 4
- Published in Dallas County
Special Saturday clinic for back-to-school immunizations
As the clock ticks down towards the start of classes, Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) expects parents will soon be rushing to get their children the immunizations they need.
To help parents prepare for the upcoming school year, DCHHS is holding a special back-to-school immunization clinic Saturday, Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The free clinic will be held on the first floor of the main DCHHS building located at 2377 N Stemmons Freeway in Dallas.
Appointments are not required for this event; however, parents and guardians should prepare to bring immunization records for walk-in immunizations.
“Vaccine-preventable diseases still exist in our communities, therefore, it is our goal to support a healthy environment for children in the classroom,” said Ganesh Shivaramaiyer, DCHHS interim director. “Immunizations are routinely offered; however, this special Saturday clinic allows parents yet another opportunity to get their children the immunizations they need.”
Dallas County residents from birth to age 18 in the following categories are eligible to receive free immunizations Aug. 11 under the Texas Vaccines for Children Program (TVFC):
- • Medicaid eligible
- • Uninsured: a child who has no health insurance coverage
- • American Indian or Alaskan Native
- • Enrolled in CHIP
- • Underinsured (as defined by the Texas Department of State Health Services)
Parents and guardians should review immunization records and consult with a primary care provider or a public health professional to determine needed vaccinations. Review Texas minimum state vaccine requirements for students grades K-12.
Get more information on the DCHHS immunization clinic and upcoming immunization events.
- Published in Dallas County