Elected in 1996, Sylvia Romo is the first woman, the first Latina, and thefirst CPA to be elected to the position of Tax Assessor–Collector forBexar County. As a testament to her success, she is also nearly the longesttenured Tax Assessor–Collector in Bexar County’s history.
This generally private woman is in a position of great power and responsibility,managing over $2.3 billion in taxes each year. “It’s not a sexy job,but it’s vital,” says Romo. In addition to the billions collected in taxes, she isalso responsible for collecting motor vehicle sales tax and registration feeswhich last year amounted to $360 million in Bexar County. Her office alsocollects in excess of $1.4 million in beer/liquor licenses fees. It is a responsibilitywhich she does not take lightly. Her office must also coordinate allbankruptcy and condemnation proceedings, which affect the tax roll oncethe legal system makes a final determination.Her most recent accomplishment was creatingan investigator position and hiring a certifiedpeace officer to go out and enforce collectionsof the vehicle inventory tax owed by car dealerswho have not paid. “I intend to use this resourceextensively to secure more revenue for BexarCounty,” said Romo.
“If you truly are a public servant, then it’syour job to make this community better,” isRomo’s philosophy. Romo has certainly madeher community better. She developed a senseof justice in elementary school by defending herdisabled cousin from the local bullies. She says,“The boys didn’t know whether to hit me or kissme.” Romo has carried this tradition of justiceinto the political arena, first as a state legislatorand then as a county official.
When she began her career as one of thefirst female CPAs, Romo went to work as theonly Latina in a large firm. On one occasion, amanager stopped her, saying that she was “toofeminine and too nice to succeed.” After completingthe statutory two–year requirement ofwork with a certified public accounting firm,Romo started her own accounting firm. Thebusiness grew with offices in San Antonio, Chicagoand Mexico City. Five years later, she had thepleasure of seeing this manager again at a continuing education seminar. Asshe got into her Mercedes, and he into his Chevy, she took humble satisfactionin proving him wrong.
She initially hadn’t considered a career in politics. A friend, however,who had lost her son in the Army, offered Romo a portion of her settlement,telling Romo, “You are the kind of person we need in political office.” Romoagreed on the condition that she would pay back the loan, and she did…withinterest. She accepted her friend’s challenge, and ousted a politically wellconnectedopponent, block walking neighborhoods in high heels. “I havesince learned to wear tennis shoes when you’re block walking,” says Romo.
Romo was the first freshman member to pass a major Constitutionalamendment, an act that requires a two–thirds vote in the House. Thisamendment functioned by selling general obligation bonds in order to raise$50 million, which would finance the start–up and expansion of women andminority–owned businesses. Her style of legislation is one based on fairness,rather than strict party lines. Romo describes herself as a “Business–mindedDemocrat with a social conscience.” Because she had actually read and understoodthe tax codes, she was in a much better position to evaluate tax legislation.Romo was appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committeeserving as the only woman legislator and the third woman ever appointedin the history of that committee. She sponsored an impressive 92 pieces oflegislation ranging from business and child labor laws to public safety.
When Romo was elected as Bexar County Tax Assessor–Collector,she had her work cut out for her. She first wanted to influence the veryculture of the office, telling her staff, “I don’t want to hear ‘that’s not my job,’or ‘we’ve always done it this way.’” She then revamped the structure andoperation of the office, instituting more customer–based services, such asonline bill–pay. Romo was instrumental in consolidating a tax collectionprogram to include other taxing entities in Bexar County, primarily theCity of San Antonio. A strong believer in education, she expanded trainingopportunities for employees because, “An educated, well trained employeecan better serve the public,” said Romo.
One of her greatest struggles has beenwith home foreclosures. “One of the saddestthings for me is when people lose theirhome…I try to work with the taxpayer,” saysRomo. In one case, a man and his wife bothhad terminal cancer, and were about to leavetheir three daughters with unpaid taxes fromthe home and their debts from their medicaltreatments. To protect the children, as wellas all other victims of similar circumstances,Romo was instrumental in drafting and lobbyingfor the passage of legislation whichprovided relief for taxpayers with extremedisabilities, consequently preventing foreclosuresof their homes
Through measures such as her womanand minority business aid, her relief for familieswith extreme disabilities and many otherinitiatives, Sylvia Romo has demonstrated herpassion and drive to improve her community.Romo’s leadership and innovative skills arethe reason why she was recently re–electedto a fourth term as Tax Assessor–Collector.Although most people don’t like paying taxes,they definitely like Sylvia Romo, who in pastelections has received the highest number ofvotes out of everyone on the ballot.
Romo has accumulated an extensive list of accomplishments, honorsand awards in both her professional and political careers. Romo has givengenerously of her time to her alma mater, UTSA, serving as a guest lecturer.She was named to the UTSA College of Business Advisory Council.Romo speaks to a number of organizations across Bexar County. Shehas served on the board of directors for Girl Scouts of America, GoodwillIndustries and various other boards. Currently, Romo is serving onthe Board of Directors for the Battered Women’s Shelter, the Women’sPavilion and Hispanas Unidas. She is a member of Rotary International,Women’s International Forum, and also a graduate of the FBI CitizensAcademy.
Romo is politically successful, professionally accomplished and personallyfulfilled. Sylvia Romo is proud to have raised four sons, all of whomare college graduates. Bexar County is fortunate to have a dynamic, competentand compassionate Tax Assessor–Collector. Romo is ready to takeon four more years in this challenging role and is open to any opportunitythat comes next.
