SAN ANTONIO — Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai delivered his second State of the County address Thursday afternoon, touching on economics, public safety and the future.
Sakai spoke before the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce at the Frost Bank Center.
The address came one month after county commissioners approved a nearly $3 billion budget.
Sakai is pushing for greater transparency when it comes to the budgeting process. Precinct 4 County Commissioner Tommy Calvert abstained from voting on the budget in September after expressing opposition to spending caps for various capital projects.
“It’s important to hold us elected officials accountable. I anticipate the start of next year and the following years, we will be instituting some really big changes of how we make the budget more transparent and open,” Sakai said.
Sakai is also focused on improving public safety with the addition of 50 deputies and 16 deputy constables. He said community collaboration will be crucial to bring down violent crime, especially among youth.
“Do we need to create more neighborhood programs? We know that the churches are involved, we may need to support the non-profits in order to get the kids involved and get them off the streets,” Sakai said.
Sakai praised the economic agreement with UK-based company JCB planning to build a new facility in San Antonio, leading to 1,500 jobs. The company specializes in agricultural manufacturing.
“This is the biggest deal for Bexar County since Toyota built the facility here 20 years ago,” Sakai said. “I’m delighted with the progress we’re making to attract new companies to Bexar County and high-paying jobs we are creating.”
Sakai also touched on Bexar County’s growing population and studying the idea of implementing a commuter rail system between San Antonio and Austin.
“I know it tends to be controversial but as a former district court judge, I need the input, I need the information. If rail is the best and most economic use of our taxpayer money, we need to go there,” Sakai said.
When asked about possibly running for a second term in the coming years, Sakai welcomed the idea.
“Perhaps I may need another term to fulfill all my promises but no announcement today.”