Despite being at the City of Boerne for just two years, Chastity Valdes has quickly become an integral team member through an eagerness to serve and by diving headfirst into learning the inner workings of local government.
She started in the Utilities department before moving to the City Secretary’s Office after her first year, where she is currently the deputy city secretary.
“You name it, we do it,” she said. “Working in the City Secretary’s Office, you touch a little bit of everything.”
Chastity enjoys the variety of the work she does – everything from preparing agendas and packets for City Council meetings to fulfilling public information requests and being part of the team behind election administration.
What does the City Secretary’s Office do?
When the phone rings at City Hall, the calls often get routed to the City Secretary’s Office. Chastity takes pride in being able to respond to residents’ questions even if it falls outside the scope of her immediate duties.
“I don’t like being transferred around when I have to call somewhere,” she said. “So, if I can equip myself with just a little bit of knowledge from each department to be able to answer a question, I will happily do that instead of making someone wait on a phone call.”
Whether it’s helping someone navigate City processes or answering a simple question with kindness and patience, she feels it’s the small acts of service that build stronger communities.
This elevated level of service is only possible through Chastity’s deep love of learning. As such, she is currently pursuing her Texas Registered Municipal Clerk (TRMC) certification.
As a self-proclaimed “paperwork nerd,” Chastity loves to get into the details and ensure accuracy of City records.
“Our work makes a difference by providing transparency to the community and making sure there’s nothing a resident can’t ask for,” she said.
Before coming to work for the City, Chastity was the director of the Boys & Girls Club in Comfort for eight years. In that role, she made bonds with students that have become like family to her. Just last week she attended the high school graduation of a former club student, fulfilling a promise she made to him years ago.
“Watching him walk across that stage was a proud, full-circle moment,” she said. “One of those times you’re reminded why showing up really matters.”
Originally from Miami, Florida, Chastity and her family moved to Boerne more than a decade ago. Drawn in by the small-town charm, she has been proud to raise her kids here, in a place that has become home.
