Jim Foster was elected Dallas County Judge on November 7, 2006 and was sworn in on January 1, 2007, becoming the 35th Dallas County Judge. Born in Dallas, he is a fifth- generation Dallas County native. His great, great, great-grandfather settled in northeastern Dallas County in 1856, and later served in the Civil War. Foster lives and owns a business in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas.
A US Army veteran, Foster served his country during the Vietnam era, although he had no tours in Vietnam itself. He is a licensed Texas peace officer and received his police training through Dallas Baptist University's Police Academy, and became a licensed officer in 1988.
In his campaign for County Judge, Foster pledged to return harmony and cooperation to the Commissioners Court and plans to place his emphasis on improving Parkland Hospital, clean air in the county, emergency preparedness and bringing the Dallas County Jail up to state and national standards.
The County Judge has many responsibilities not the least of which is presiding over the weekly meetings of the Commissioners Court. Additionally, Foster serves on many Dallas County boards and commissions, including the Housing Finance Corporation, Employee Benefits Committee, Financial Review Committee, Jail Population Committee, Public Defender Program Review Committee, and the Juvenile Board while he appoints qualified citizens to other county commissions, boards and committees. After leading the charge for Dallas County to create its own clean air committee, Judge Foster was appointed as chair the Dallas County Clean Air Emissions Advisory Board.
Although his first official act was to appoint Dallas County’s Director of Security and Emergency Management as Dallas County’s Emergency Management Coordinator, Judge Foster by state law continues to serve as the county’s emergency management director.
He also represents Dallas County on the following committees: Public Employee Benefit Cooperative, Texas Association of Counties, North Texas Commission, Vision North Texas, Public Power Pool, and formerly served on the board of the Dallas Central Appraisal District.
In his first year in office, Foster convened the first in a series of County Judge Summits with adjacent counties to begin work on collaborative issues in the region such as clean air, transportation, and water. The summits have developed an improved working relationship with Collin, Rockwall, and Tarrant counties.
During a visit to Taoyuan County, Taiwan as part of the Sister County Goodwill Partnership, Foster signed an agreement to help promote an exchange-student program between the counties. He also hosted an Asian-American Summit to provide local leaders with information about accessing Dallas County services and doing business with the County.
Foster was also instrumental in creating the Targeted Offender Program (TOP), a crime reduction program in Dallas County which doubled the number of law enforcement officers issuing felony warrants by allowing constable deputies to assist the Sheriff’s deputies in apprehending repeat offenders.
Active in historical and civic organizations, prior to his election he previously served on the Dallas County Historical Commission and served as president of the Dallas County Pioneer Association from 2004 through 2006. He has served as president of the historic pioneer cemetery at Pleasant Valley since 1993 and as president of the historic pioneer cemetery at Cottonwood –both located in northeastern Dallas County. Foster is the author of five books, in addition to serving as chairman of the Dallas County Pioneer Association’s book entitled Proud Heritage, Volume III and the Rowlett Historical Society’s book A History of Rowlett. He is also an active member of Oak Cliff Lions Club.
Prior to becoming a business owner in 1979, he served as the manager of manufacturing for Johnson & Johnson for ten years. Since then, his independent alarm company has installed and monitored burglar and fire alarm systems throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
Judge Jim Foster Newsletter