Achievements of Dr. Elba Garcia
Dr. Elba Garcia embodies a new breed of professional women. She is not just a community leader. She is also a mother and wife, a dentist with her own private practice, and a role model for women from all walks of life.
Achievements on the Dallas County
Commissioners Court (2011 – Present)
- As Chair of the County Facilities Committee led efforts that reduced deferred maintenance from $100 million to less than $15 million.
- Led the charge to have all Commissioners Court proceedings videotaped so taxpayers could see who was in attendance at meetings and how the commissioners voted on the issues before them
- Approved (with bi-partisan support) a ‘Ban the Box’ hiring policy for Dallas County, which increases employment opportunities for qualified job applicants who were formerly discouraged from applying
- Secured funds for the construction and expansion of trails throughout District 4
- Selected to lead and spearheaded the renovation of the Dallas County Records Building complex
- Saved taxpayers millions of dollars by fixing the county’s bail bond system
- Championed and approved funding for a new Animal Cruelty unit created by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office
- Spearheaded the disparity study and efforts to create the county’s first SBE program – the first step toward building a stronger Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) program for the future
- Approved updating of the county’s purchasing and ethics policies
- Accelerated completion of long-delayed Hunter-Ferrell Road in Irving and Grand Prairie
- First Latina elected to the court
Achievements on the Dallas City Council (2001 – 2009)
- Secured funds for Latino Cultural Center
- Spearheaded development for new Dallas Animal Services center
- Led development of new Oak Cliff Cultural Center
- Collaborated with city’s Environmental Committee to institute LEED standards for all City of Dallas buildings
- Unanimously elected by her colleagues to serve as Deputy Mayor Pro Tem of Dallas and, later, Mayor Pro Tem of Dallas, making her the first Latina to hold either position
