Hays County's fiscal future just got a little brighter with a fresh face at the helm of its Budget Office. As announced last month by the Hays County Commissioners Court, Jonathan Blanco, a financial ace with a solid track record from California, is set to manage the county's wallet—which includes the annual budget crafting and oversight. This guy knows his way around a balance sheet, with more than ten years under his belt handling hefty budgets upwards of billions, not to mention grants and all those fun fiscal operations across public, private, and governmental lines.
Speaking with a hint of reverence about his new gig, Blanco didn't hold back his excitement. "It is truly an honor to be here at such a pivotal moment in Hays County's growth," he told Hays County. The man's got skills that extend beyond just crunching numbers—he's a whiz at driving strategic initiatives and leading the charge with teams from different backgrounds to hit those organization-wide goals. When it comes to managing money, ensuring compliance with those ever-entangling government regulations, and forecasting where finances will flow, Blanco is your guy.
The County's got some shoes to fill with the retirement of Vickie Dorsett, and Blanco seems ready for the challenge. "I am privileged to have worked alongside my esteemed predecessor, Vickie Dorsett, before her retirement. Her legacy is one that I am honored to continue, and I am committed to filling the significant role she has left behind," he shared with Hays County.
But Jonathan Blanco isn't just a number-crunching machine. He's also got a life outside the spreadsheets as a devoted husband and dad to a bustling household of five. A combat veteran, Blanco stands tall with his service dog, Leo, by his side—the pair recently planting roots in Hays County as of January 2025. The Blanco clan has wasted no time calling this place home. Details aside, with a pro like Blanco guarding the county's coffers, the budgetary forecast for Hays County is looking up, or at least a lot more orderly.
