By Robert Taylor
For 17 years, Heather Bradford has been an integral part of the City of Boerne’s Finance Department. Starting as a finance administrative assistant and then finance officer, she has served as the finance manager for the last two years.
Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to ensuring the City’s financial operations run smoothly, supporting departments, and making a tangible impact on the community she loves.
A Passion for Service and Collaboration
Bradford’s role in the Finance Department covers a broad spectrum of responsibilities. Over the years, she has gained invaluable insight into how each department operates, recognizing that everyone plays a crucial role in serving the community.
One of her key responsibilities is overseeing budget-to-actuals, a process in which she collaborates with different departments to ensure they remain on track with their expenditures for daily operations and ongoing capital projects. Additionally, she manages fixed assets, maintaining records for large purchases, and tracking year-to-year costs on various projects.
Bradford loves her job not only because of the work she does but also because of the relationships she has built along the way.
“I love working for the City and with my coworkers,” she said. “I have many friends across different departments, and it’s nice to collaborate on projects. You can really see that what you do matters, and that is a huge thing.”
Bradford strongly identifies with the City’s core values, particularly service. She believes that being available and responsive to her coworkers and the community is essential to her role. She also values collaboration and integrity, striving to ensure that departments work together efficiently and that financial processes remain transparent.
Shared Success
When Bradford first joined the City of Boerne, the Finance department’s work was largely paper based. Over the years, she has witnessed a complete digital transformation, making financial management more efficient and accessible.
Building on that transformation, staff have continued to prioritize innovative solutions for residents and customers, such as online bill pay and streamlining various processes, such as the short-term rental program.
One valuable aspect of the Finance Department is its culture of teamwork and cross-training. Each staff member is equipped to step in and assist when needed, ensuring continuity and excellence.
Some of Bradford’s proudest moments have been seeing how the department continues to excel even in challenging times, whether due to staff transitions or personal hardships among coworkers. Through teamwork and resilience, they have consistently produced high-quality financial reports and maintained the City’s fiscal health.
This is evident in the many awards the department receives each year, including the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, which they have received 36 years in a row.
In her 17 years, Bradford has seen many people come and go even as the department has grown from five to nine staffers, reflecting the City’s increasing needs. Through it all, leadership continues to foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
On any given day, if you were to pop by the Finance office, you’d probably see a puzzle laid out in the common area with staff completing it piece by piece during breaks. Once complete, staff will donate the puzzle to the library or a local nursing home.
A Deep Connection to Boerne
A lifelong Hill Country resident, Bradford moved to Boerne 26 years ago. Before joining the City, she ran an in-home daycare for eight years, and to this day, she still enjoys seeing the children she once cared for and their families around town.
Boerne is more than just a place of work for her – it’s home. She and her family take full advantage of all the City has to offer, from the parks and trails to the library. Nearly every Saturday, they go to the YMCA, ride their bikes to the library, and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant. Despite Boerne’s growth, Bradford believes it’s the people who keep the small-town spirit alive.
Her journey at the City of Boerne has been one of growth, learning, and dedication. Through her hard work and commitment, she continues to make a difference, not just within the Finance Department, but in the community as a whole.
