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Committee hears staff plan to coordinate second‑chance hiring with Bexar County
Summary
Staff outlined a proposed interlocal approach and best practices (ban-the-box, case-by-case review) to expand hiring of justice‑involved residents; partners including Bexar County and employer representatives described promising outcomes and pledged continued collaboration.
City staff briefed the Workforce Development & Economic Committee on a multi-part proposal to coordinate reintegration and second‑chance hiring work with Bexar County and local employers.
Staff described components of the proposed approach: coordination with county reentry offices, development of incentives for employers, case-by-case reviews and training to create smoother pathways into work for justice-involved people. Staff said a strategic jobs bank and an updated economic development strategy are planned in 2026, and noted that ban‑the‑box policies and individualized appeal processes are among the recommended best practices.
Staff reported program outcomes so far: 459 people placed into work, a median annual salary of about $44,000 for those placements, and 315 hires from the same participant cohort (figures as reported in the presentation). The presentation said 145 participants had used Ready to Work supports to address criminal-history issues during hiring.
Partner speakers emphasized local successes. Deborah Carter, introduced as director of economic development with Bexar County, said the county’s initiative has achieved about a 66% hiring rate for manufacturing placements and announced a July opening of a second site in the city’s west side. Aída Negrón (county committee administrator) recounted personal experience with reentry and urged continued involvement. Toyota representatives described long-term engagement and earlier local hiring successes.
Councilmembers asked for further detail on employer types, industry breakdowns and measures of hiring success; staff said those details could be provided in follow-up materials. Shern Primerg (personnel administration) clarified that the city conducts criminal-background checks after a formal offer has been made.
Next steps: staff will continue coordination with Bexar County and develop the interlocal agreement, pursue strategic economic-development recommendations in 2026, and return with additional data on hiring outcomes and participating employers.
