Noel Bernal Appointed as Adams County Manager
Posted on: June 3, 2022
At a special public hearing on Friday, June 3, the Adams County Board of Commissioners appointed Noel Bernal as County Manager.
Bernal comes from the City of Brownsville, Texas, where he has served as City Manager since 2018. He will start with the county on Monday, Aug. 8.
“We are thrilled Noel will be joining us to lead the Adams County team,” said Lynn Baca, Chair of the Adams County Board of Commissioners. “With his background, leadership experience, and commitment to serving the public, we are confident Adams County will continue to thrive and foster future growth opportunities.”
“I am honored to join a best-in-class community and organization in Adams County,” said Bernal. “My professional values align with the strong leadership and innovative culture already in place. I’m prepared to serve and harness the talents of our organization as we boldly advance Adams County into the future.”
Bernal has served communities in South, Central, and North Texas throughout his professional career in public service in an executive leadership capacity, including as City Administrator of La Villa; serving as the first City Administrator of Falfurrias; Assistant City Manager for Taylor, a growing suburb in the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area; and Deputy City Manager for Coppell in the Dallas Fort-Worth metropolitan area.
Since 2018, Bernal served as City Manager for the City of Brownsville, the largest city in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas with an estimated population of more than 185,000. He reported to the Mayor and City Commission, providing leadership and management to over 1,400 employees, a $162.3 million operating budget, and 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program of over $119 million, including an International Bridge, Brownsville-Metro transit system, and Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport.
Under his leadership, the “Total Alignment” High-Performance Organization (HPO) Culture framework was implemented, leading to innovations including creation of a NewSpace City strategy establishing the Brownsville Air & Space campus, a public/private middle-mile community broadband investment of $90 million to close the city’s digital divide, and various growth and development initiatives to improve the community’s long-term financial sustainability. He was awarded the 2022 Texas City Management Association (TCMA) Administrator of the Year award for contributions made to his community and profession.
Bernal earned an undergraduate degree and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas Pan American. He is a Credentialed Manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), a Certified Public Manager through the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University, a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia, and has completed the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
His professional involvement includes being a member of ICMA serving as Chair of the Technology and Innovation Advisory Committee, and a member of TCMA where he served as Chair of the TCMA Allies Task Force, a state-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion effort for Texas cities. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN), Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) as ICMA representative, and will soon end his service on the Board of Trustees for the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TMLIRP).
Noel is married and has a son and two daughters.
Posted on: September 9, 2024
Adams County Festival Latino Returns Sunday, Sept. 15
Adams County is proud to announce the return of Festival Latino on Sunday, Sept. 15, noon – 7 p.m., at Riverdale Regional Park. Experience a day filled with vibrant cultural celebrations, including live music, dance performances, art installations, and delicious Latino cuisine. This free, family-friendly event will showcase the rich heritage and diversity of Latino culture in the region.
Posted on: September 6, 2024
Governor Polis Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff In Remembrance of CDOT Maintainers Trent Umberger and Nathan Jones
DENVER - Today, Governor Polis ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, September 9, 2024, in remembrance of dedicated Colorado Department of Transportation workers Trent Umberger and Nathan Jones who were killed in a tragic crash along Highway 6 in Mesa County on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
Posted on: September 5, 2024
Michael Romero Named Adams County Employee of ALL Seasons
The Adams County Board of Commissioners announced Michael Romero as Adams County Employee of ALL Seasons at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon held on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Michael began his career in March 1994 as a Deputy Sheriff in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and retired in May 2013. He then returned to work for Adams County in October 2014 as a part-time Investigations Assistant for the District Attorney’s Office and continues to serve in this role today.
Posted on: September 4, 2024
AANHPI Heritage Takes Center Stage: Dragon Boats Return to Riverdale Regional Park for a Day of Celebration
Get ready for a day of thrilling dragon boat races and vibrant cultural celebrations as the Colorado Dragon Boat Regatta returns to Mann-Nyholt Lake at Riverdale Regional Park on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This thrilling event, now in its fourth year at Riverdale Regional Park, invites families and friends, to dive into the vibrant tapestry of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures in Adams County and Colorado. Join us for this free, public celebration that promises to immerse everyone in the rich arts and culture of the region.
Posted on: September 3, 2024
Adams County Health Department and District Attorney’s Office Come Together to Honor Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with Community Resources and Support
Safeguarding lives and promoting the mental health and well-being of people in Adams County is one of the core pillars at the center of what the Adams County Health Department (ACHD) strives to do. In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ACHD is taking action to remember the lives lost to suicide and work hand-in-hand with the community to create an environment where everyone gets the help and support they need.
Posted on: August 28, 2024
Adams County Commissioners Award $800,000 in Community Enrichment Grants
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Adams County Board of Commissioners (BoCC) awarded $800,000 in Community Enrichment Grants to 31 nonprofit organizations working in the county. These grants support programs to assist county residents with their basic needs and to help them become self-sufficient.
Posted on: August 27, 2024
Project Connects to Honor Lives Lost to Overdoses Ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day
198 lives gone – but honored and never forgotten. In 2023, Adams County accounted for nearly one in ten overdose deaths across Colorado. Just ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, the Adams County Health Department (ACHD) is re-doubling its efforts to protect lives and reduce the stigma of overdose-related deaths, rebranding its Harm Reduction program as Project Connects.
Our promise to the community: Promoting Health, Building Connections.
Posted on: August 21, 2024
Adams County Health Department Stepping Up Efforts to Keep People Safe from West Nile Virus
As Adams County reports its first human case of West Nile Virus during the 2024 season, the Adams County Health Department (ACHD) wants to keep you and your family safe.
August and September are traditionally the two months with the highest number of people catching West Nile Virus from bites of infected mosquitoes. In 2023, Colorado had 634 reported human cases, including 45 in Adams County. Colorado had 51 deaths in 2023.
Posted on: August 1, 2024
Adams County Appoints John Nelsen as New Director of People & Culture Services
Adams County is pleased to announce the appointment of John Nelsen as the new Director of People & Culture Services (P&C). John, who has been serving as the deputy director of P&C since August 2023 and recently as the interim director, brings a wealth of expertise and a forward-thinking vision to his new role.
Posted on: July 29, 2024
Adams County Human Services Center Achieves Remarkable Reduction in Unfilled Positions
Adams County Human Services Center achieves remarkable reduction in unfilled positions
The Adams County Human Services Department is proud to announce a significant achievement in reducing its employee vacancy rate to an impressive 5.8%, far below the national average of 15% for the Human Services field. This remarkable reduction from a 25% vacancy rate five years ago and 20% as recently as January 2023 highlights the department’s dedication to creating a supportive and effective work environment.
