Jan 07, 2021 Commissioners Court Budget Hearing

[2. Safety Governance & Customer Service]

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>>> BUT AFTERWARD, SO AS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HIRING MORE

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I'M SEEING GREAT THINGS, GREAT IDEAS FOR INVESTMENTS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM. THAT'S HUGE. JOBS, HOUSING, EDUCATION, ALL THESE ARE VITAL TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNAL SAFETY.

THERE ISN'T A CITY OR COUNTY IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAS INVESTED IN YOUTH JOBS AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ECONOMY. THESE ARE AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO BE INVESTING. THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE WERE ALL THE

SPEAKERS TODAY. >> THANK YOU. LET'S GO TO THE BUDGET HERE'S FOR THE DAY, BEGINNING WITH FIRE MARSHAL.

>> I'LL UNMUTE, LAURIE CHRISTENSEN. YOU'RE UNMUTED.

>> GOOD MORNING. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU. I KNOW WE HAD A POWERPOINT. IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN PUT UP? THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR FORE FISCAL YEAR 22. I WANT TO THANK DAVID BERRY AND THE BUDGET TEAM FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE. I WILL SAY IT'S BEEN VERY EASY AND WE APPRECIATE THE FACT EVERY TIME WE'VE MADE A CALL OR EMAIL THAT HAS BEEN RESPONDED TO QUICKLY. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. NEXT SLIDE, LUCINDA? THANK YOU. JUST A QUICK OVERVIEW. WE HAVE NEW ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SOME NEW COUNTY OFFICIALS THAT MAY BE INTERESTED IN KNOWING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US SO WE WANTED TO GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW. JUST DISCUSSING THE FACT THE MISSION OF OUR OFFICE IS TO SAFEGUARD THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE'RE A SPECIALIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BUT PROVIDE MORE TO THE FIRE SERVICE, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, TRAINING.

WE BELIEVE ALL 1777 SQUARE MILES IS SOMETHING WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDER THE CORRECTION OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE? THESE ARE SOME OF THE GOALS WE HAVE. THESE ARE JUST A FEW. I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE SEEN OUR BUDGET DOCUMENT AVAILABLE ON LINE BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE BELIEVE IS SERVICE.

SERVICE IS NUMBER ONE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DO TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE KNOW LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS PART OF SUCCESS FOR ALL OF US. WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES WE'VE HAD TO DO THAT. WE ALSO KNOW THAT RELATIONSHIPS AND NO SUCCESS CAN BE HAD WITHOUT RELATIONSHIPS. WE KNOW WE HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS IN THE PAST AND THIS YEAR HAS PROVEN THOSE RELATIONSHIPS HAVE BEEN CRITICAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE'RE ALSO EXCITED TO SAY WE'VE BUILT NEW RELATIONSHIPS BASED ON THE NEW WAY WE'VE OPERATED. ENHANCED RESPONSE CAPABILITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY'S GOALS, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALWAYS FOCUS ON. WE DO UNDERSTAND WE ARE THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY. WE UNDERSTAND WE'RE THE LARGEST COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE IN TEXAS. WE WANT TO MEET THE GOALS OF OUR COMMISSIONERS AND RESIDENTS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE?

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IN ADDITION, WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS THROUGH COUNTY REGULATIONS AND MOUS. SHE'S ARE JUST A FEW. WE WORK WITH OUR SHERIFF, CONSTABLES, D.A., COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OTHER ENTITIES WE NEED TO HELP. WE DO THAT. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS, CITY OF HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE TOOK OVER THE INSPECTION OF THE COUNTY FACILITIES. THAT RELATIONSHIP I TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, WHICH IS CRITICAL AND CRUCIAL TO CONTINUING THE SAFETY AS WE HAVE ACTUALLY, AS YOU KNOW, USED NRG COMPLEX FOR MORE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE? THIS CONNECTIVITY MATRIX IS SOMETHING THAT WE USE INTERNALLY WITH OUR OFFICE. WE WANT OUR EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR ACTIONS EFFECT SO MANY WITHIN THE COUNTY. I LIKE TO SAY WE'RE THE CENTER OF INFORMATION EXCHANGE TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS.

AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE THE CORE THERE AND EVERYTHING WE DO AFFECTS OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY. SO THAT'S -- WE PUT THAT TOGETHER SO OUR EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION WE RECEIVE BACK THAT THAT IS A BIG PART OF OUR OPERATION. NEXT SLIDE? JUST A LITTLE BIT, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FISCAL YEAR 21 SERVICES. WE WERE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DELIVERY OF CORE SERVICES. AS YOU KNOW, SINCE WE HAVE A SHUTDOWN VARIOUS THINGS DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC. WE ACTUALLY SAW ESSENTIAL SERVICES CONTINUED AND WE SAW THAT WE HAD SOME INCREASE IN SOME OF OUR SERVICE NEEDS. NOT JUST GOING OUT AND VERIFYING THAT THERE WERE SAFE ACTIVITIES GOING ON IN THE COUNTY, BUT CONSTRUCTION. CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED. THAT WAS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE. WE SAW AN INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION AND PERMITS. MAYBE THAT WAS BECAUSE THE OPPORTUNITIES WERE THERE BECAUSE BUSINESSES WERE NOT NECESSARILY OPERATING AND THAT WAS ALLOWING THEM TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. IN ADDITION, THE PREPLANNING SERVICES. AS WE ALL KNOW THERE WERE SOME INCIDENTS IN 2018 WITH FIRES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT WAS COURT ASKED US, WE WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. WE'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH FOR WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES AND THINGS BEING DONE. WE COULD NOT FINDNY FIRE SERVICE OR EMERGENCY RESPONDER DOING PREPLANNING FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. WE CREATED THAT.

WE HAVE A PREPLANNING SYSTEM IN PLACE FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS WHAT THAT MEANS IS THIS, AS WE HAVE GROWN IN THE COUNTY, WE KNOW THAT COMMUNITIES HAVE GROWN AROUND THE FACILITIES. PRIOR TO 2005, HARRIS COUNTY HAD NO FIRE CODE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THERE WERE NO CODES TO REGULATE SO THERE ARE A LOT OF BUSINESSES WE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT. PREPLANNING IS MEANT TO ASSIST THOSE RESPONDERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE SERVICE, EMS AND THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY IN ADDITION, THE TIER 2 RESPONSE INFORMATION DASHBOARD. WE WORKED WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, POLLUTION CONTROL, TO PUT TOGETHER A DASHBOARD SO WHEN SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN, WE CAN ALL COMMUNICATE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND GET THAT INFORMATION TO EACH OTHER SO WE CAN PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. THE COVID-19 COMPLAINT SCREEN PROGRAM. WE WORKED WITH THOSE.

OBVIOUSLY TOUCH-FREE SERVICES HAS BEEN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

WE PLAN ON CONTINUING THAT. WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THE COMMUNITY SEEMS TO LIKE THE FACT WE'RE NOW AVAILABLE 24/7 ON LINE AND WE'RE DOING THAT TO REACH ALL PARTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

NEXT SLIDE. OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE MORE IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS BUT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS WE BELIEVE IS IMPORTANT PER EACH DIVISION. WE HAVE THE TRAINING AND OUTREACH SERVICES. THE WEEKLY FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY OUTREACH ENGAGEMENT. PREVENTION

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WITH THE INCREASE IN ONSCENE INVESTIGATIONS WE'RE NOT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW UP AS MUCH AS WE WOULD. LET'S REMEMBER, NOT EVERY FIRE IS ARSON. I KNOW A LOT OF TIMES THAT GETS CONFUSING BUT A FIRE CAN BE AN ACCIDENT BUT FOLLOW-UP IS CRITICAL SO THAT PARTICULAR HOMEOWNER OR THAT BUSINESS OWNER CAN -- WE CAN GET THAT CLOSED OUT SO THEY CAN GET FUNDS TO GET BACK MOVING FORWARD. YOU'LL SEE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS. WE'VE STAYED STEADY WITH THOSE. WE EXPECT TO SEE AN INCREASE AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN OUR SECOND STATION OPENING THIS FIRST QUARTER. THEN OPERATIONAL SUPPORT. NOT SURPRISINGLY, DUE TO IN-PERSON CLASS DISCOVERY, WE SAW A DOWNTURN IN CLASSES AND PUBLIC OUTREACH EVENTS. YET WE SAW A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ASPECT AND I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

NEXT SLIDE? GAP ANALYSIS. WE TALKED ABOUT THAT, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING INTO OUR THIRD YEAR AND THIS IS GOING TO CLOSE THOSE OUT. I GAVE YOU THE HIGHLIGHTS. WE'LL ASK TO COMPLETE THIS OUT, OUR LAST YEAR TO COMPLETE OUT THESE POSITIONS WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT, THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE HAVE THE SECOND STATION THAT WILL BE OPENING THIS FIRST QUARTER ON THE WEST SIDE. AND WE'VE GOT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT INCIDENT RESPONSE OPERATIONS PLAN. NEXT SLIDE? JUST REAL QUICKLY, THIS IS GAP ANALYSIS SCORECARD. MANY OF YOU ARE USED TO SEEING THIS. THIS IS BASED ON GAP ANALYSIS. WE MAINTAIN THIS SO WE CAN ENSURE WE'RE MEETING THE INTENT OF COURT AND WHAT WAS PASSED AND HOW WE SPEND OUR FUNDS. NEXT SLIDE? CSP STATUS THIS, IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAP ANALYSIS. THESE ARE THE LINE DRAWINGS FOR THE TWO FOAM TRUCKS. DUE TO COVID THERE'S BEEN DELAY BASED ON THE BUILD OUT TIME BUT WE EXPECT TO SEE THAT IN THE THIRD QUARTER. WITH THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT WE HAVE, WE'LL BE OPERATING THAT SECOND STATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER. NEXT SLIDE? OKAY, THESE ARE OUR REQUESTS. I KNOW THAT MR. BERRY SAID YESTERDAY ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO MAKE CLEAR, WHAT ARE WE REQUESTING. COURT APPROVED POSITION TRANSFERS FROM ENGINEERING. THESE WERE POSITIONS WE TOOK OVER TO TAKE CARE OF FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY IN COUNTY FACILITIES. THAT SEEMS TO BE GOING WELL. WE HAVE HAD VERY GOOD FEEDBACK FROM OUR STAKEHOLDERS. THE BASELINE FOR THE BACKPACK POSITIONS WE'RE ASKING FOR, WHICH IS A THIRD YEAR CLOSEOUT IS FOR THE HAZMAT POSITIONS. WE HAVE ASKED FOR THREE ADDITIONAL FIRE ARSON INVESTIGATORS. AS YOU SAW EARLIER, WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN FIRE CALLS AND WE WANT TO CLOSE THOSE CASES OUT SO WE HAVE ASKED FOR THREE POSITIONS. WE'VE DETAILED THE JUSTIFICATION BELOW. TOTAL REQUEST IS, AS YOU CAN SEE, IS LISTED THERE. NEXT SLIDE? TO CLOSE OUT, AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT. THIS IS A NEW WAY OF DOING BUSINESS ON ZOOM BUT WE'VE ENJOYED THAT. ALL OF OUR STAFF IS WATCHING AND WE'RE BEING VERY TRANSPARENT WITH THEM SO THEY UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, THEY UNDERSTAND THE QUESTIONS YOU ASK AND WE CAN ENSURE WE'RE SERVING AT THE WILL OF THE PUBLIC AND COMMISSIONERRERS. THANK YOU AND WE WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU.

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>> COMMISSIONER, SO YOU KNOW, THERE'S AN ECHO.

>> YEAH, I'M HEARING IT. >> LUCINDA?

>> I HAVE MUTED LAURIE CHRISTENSEN AND THEN I'LL UNMUTE HER WHEN SHE NEEDS TO SPEAK AGAIN.

>> OKAY. >> THE FEEDBACK -- ALL RIGHT, PERFECT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK AND THAT OF YOUR STAFF. AND I'VE GOT A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOU. NUMBER ONE, YOUR STAFF AND MINE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A INITIATIVE WE STARTED SOON AFTER THE ITC FIRE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, THE PORTAL WE WORKED TO PUT TOGETHER. HAVE YOU SEEN THAT?

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS ASSISTANT CHIEF EN EN REED RODNY REED. WE'VE SEEN THAT PORTAL AND BELIEVE THAT INFORMATION Y'ALL HAVE SO ELOQUENTLY AND EASILY PUT TOGETHER IS GREATLY GOING TO ASSIST OUR FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITY IN SEEING THAT REAL-TIME DATA. IT'S AMAZING WORK AND I APPRECIATE THAT ABILITY TO WORK WITH YOUR TEAM ON THAT.

>> GOOD DEAL. AND SO TO THAT POINT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE THINKING THROUGH ON YOUR BUDGET ON HOW THAT WILL BE FOLDED IN AT SOME POINT. SO IF YOU'LL -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AS OF YET. BUT THE OTHER ITEMS IN YOUR BUDGET, HOW MUCH OF THIS IS DRIVEN BY THE PINTA GAP ANALYSIS

THE JUDGE DIRECTED? >> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT WOULD BE THE 583 TO CLOSE OUT THE THIRD YEAR. YOU SAW THE

CIP UNDER WAY FOR THE APPARATUS. >> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? CAN YOU YOU.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, YOU'RE GOOD.

>> CHIEF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THIS WEEKEND WE HAD THE FIRE OUT ON S SUMA PRECINCT 3, THAT'S THE EXAMPLE OF THE ISSUE, 75% OF PRECINCT 3 AREA IS UNINCORPORATED. WE HAVE INDUSTRIES DOING THINGS MANY OF US NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT. IT AFFECTS NEIGHBORHOODS, AFFECTS OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID THERE. IN SPRING VALLEY WHEN WE HAD THE CHEMICAL FIRE AND SPILL IN 2017 AND WE HAD A BUNCH OF CHEMICALS END UP IN THE CREEK, WE HAD NO DATA ON THE CHEMICALS BEING STORED THERE. IS THERE ANYTHING, ANY INITIATIVE WE'RE GOING TO BETTER TRACK THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE LOCATED IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY PARTICULARLY OR IS THERE ANYTHING WE'RE DOING

SPECIFICALLY TO IMPROVE THAT? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS ASSISTANT CHIEF BOB ROYAL, WE'RE USING THE GHS DASHBOARD YOU SPOKE TO TO IDENTIFY THOSE LOCATIONS. THERE'S A LOT OF THEM FLYING UNDER THE RADAR AND AS WE ENCOUNTER THOSE, WE'RE TAKING ACTION. NOT ONLY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM, BUT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS AS WELL. WE UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S NO ZONING IN ININCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY SO THE HAZMAT TEAM IS OUT THERE A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE DOING COLD CALLS AND DOING PREPLANS AS

WE ENCOUNTER. >> THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR ME. SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE OPERATING BUSINESSES THAT PUT OUR CITIZENS AT RISK, I WOULD LIKE TO HELP YOU WITH THAT. I'VE GOT SOME EXPERIENCE WITH TCQ AND OTHERS, SO MAYBE WE NEED TO MEET AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO TO IDENTIFY THESE FOLKS.

>> YES, SIR. LET'S MAKE SURE WE DO THAT. BACK IN 2017, THAT WAS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED BUT THE HARRIS COUNTY HAZMAT TEAM RESPONDED AT THEIR REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE AND WE FOUGHT THAT TERRIBLE FIRE AND WE WERE IN

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>> WE HAD NO CHEMICAL DATA SHEETS ON THAT. I WAS MAYOR OF SPRING VALLEY AT THE TIME. AND EVERYTHING WASHED DOWN AND SETTLED IN SPRING VALLEY. I WAS ABLE TO FIND AND TRACK DOWN THE EPA TEAM SO THAT HAPPENED ON THURSDAY. BY SUNDAY WE HAD 90 PEOPLE IN SPRING BRANCH CREEK WITH SPONGES GETTING THAT STUFF UP. THAT WAS AN EXAMPLE, I THINK, OF QUICKLY CONNECTING WITH EPA. THE FIRST CALL WAS STEVE RADACK AND THE COUNTY. WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESPOND AS QUICKLY WITHOUT THE COUNTY FACILITATING THAT. WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT. ANYTHING

I CAN DO TO HELP, LET ME KNOW. >> COMMISSIONER, ABSOLUTELY.

AND OUR FOLKS WERE DOWN THERE KNEE DEEP IN THAT MUCK TRYING TO THROW BOOMS AND CONTROL THAT TO KEEP IT FRO GOING FURTHER SOUTH IT WAS PRETTY SUCCESSFUL BUT IT WAS A MESS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, JUST SO YOU KNOW, I'M WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE AND WE WILL SET UP A MEETING. WE LOOK FORWARD TO TELLING YOU MORE ABOUT THE CAPABILITIES WE HAVE IN PRECINCT 3.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. >> YES, SIR.

>> COMMISSIONER? >> QUICK QUESTION, JUDGE.

CHIEF, YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB, YOU AND YOUR TEAM, AND I'M GLAD THEY'RE WATCHING. I TAKE FROM WHAT YOU SAY THAT IN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S AREA, IF YOU ZONE, YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE MORE POWER IN THE ZONE AREAS THAN UNINCORPORATED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT THOSE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE,

RIGHT? >> YES, SIR, IS THAT CORRECT.

WE HAVE -- I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHIEF PINA AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. WE WORK WITH THEM ON WHAT DO THEY KNOW ABOUT THE FACILITIES AND HOW CAN EACH OF US KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN OUR

JURISDICTIONS. >> ININCORPORATED AREA, THERE ARE VERY FEW RULES UNLESS WE GOT AUTHORITY FROM THE STATE, IS

THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

>> SO I'M JUST ASKING, MAYBE YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER. I JUST WANT TO SUGGEST TO YOU AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND ALL OF US, COMMISSIONER, AND JUDGE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SHOULD WE MAKE AN ATTEMPT FOR BRACKETED POWER IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA WITH REGARD TO THE ISSUES THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF RELATED TO EMERGENCIES? BRACKETED. IT WOULD BE HARD TO DO IT STATEWIDE BUT SINCE WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN UNINCORPORATED THAN ANY OTHER CITIES IN THE COUNTY. IF YOU WORK SOMETHING UP TO SEND TO -- TO TRY TO FIND SOMEBODY, GOOD BIPARTISAN EFFORT, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> I THINK IF EVER THERE WAS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE THAT WE COULD GET SOME SUPPORT FOR IT, IT WOULD BE THIS. I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. WE'VE HAD ENOUGH BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN RECENT YEARS AND IT'S JUST LIKE FLOODING. IF WE DON'T ACT NOW THEY'RE GOING TO FORGET ABOUT THE FIRE IN DEER PARK, THEY'RE GOING TO FORGET ABOUT THE THING IN SET ASSUMA LAST WEEK. I THINK WE MAKE THE TEAM. I WOULD LEAN ON YOUR COUNCIL ON WHO MIGHT BE A GOOD PERSON TO RUN WITH THAT.

>> I'M THINKING, I'M NOT SURE WHAT IT IS, BUT I GET FROM THE CONVERSATION WHEN THIS CAME UP WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S CHALLENGE, WE TALKED ABOUT IT, I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN WE DISCUSSED IT. IF WE WENT UP ON A BLANKET BASIS, TRYING TO GIVE 254 COUNTIES THAT POWER, IT WOULD FAIL.

>> RIGHT. >> WE ARE UNIQUE IN THIS REGARD SO I'M THINKING, LAURIE, IF YOU ALL FIGURE OUT THE WHAT, MAYBE WITH KATY SHORT'S OPERATION WITH THE JUDGE'S OFFICE, ARE THE TWO COMMISSIONER WITH FAR MORE UNINCORPORATED AREAS THAN I DO, FIRST FIGURE OUT THE WHAT. WHAT IS THE POLICY THINGS WE ASK FOR I SUGGEST NARROWLY TAILOR IS. EVEN FOR A PILOT FOR TWO OR FOUR YEARS. OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE PUSHBACK FOR PEOPLE WHO PREFER

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WHEN I WAS THERE. >> HERE'S WHAT I KNOW ABOUT HANDLING CHEMICALS THAT WOULD BE OF CONCERN. YOU HAVE TO GET PERMITS. THERE HAS TO BE CHEMICAL DATA SHEETS. THAT'S RUN THROUGH TCEQ, SO I KNOW THERE'S SOMEBODY SENDING PIECES OF PAPER TO SOMEBODY ELSE ON THIS ISSUE. WE JUST GOT TO GET IN THAT LOOP SO THE FIRE MARSHAL CAN KNOW WHERE THEY ARE.

>> LAURIE, I LEAVE THAT TO YOU AND YOU JUST WORK UP WHAT WHATEVER THE WHO WILL ISSUE IS. IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF SESSION, OBVIOUSLY, SINCE THEY'LL HAVE THEIR OWN CHALLENGES. IF WE FOUND SOMETHING BRACKETED WITH A BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, IT MIGHT HAVE A SHOT. IT'S WORTH MAKING

THE CASE. >> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU, COURT. WE HAVE WRITTEN THIS DOWN AND WE'LL GET

ON THIS TODAY. THANK YOU. >>> CHIEF CHRISTENSEN AND IT'S GREAT TO HEAR FROM CHIEF ROYAL AND REED. THANK YOU FOR

EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THIS POINT I ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAID. I'M JUST REMEMBERING WHEN ITC HAPPENED, THERE WASN'T WANT OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE LEGISLATIVE ACTION, SO I KNOW THAT ENDER HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT AGENDA AS IT PERTAINS TO LESSONS DRAWN FROM PENTA AND ITC, AS A THIRD AND FOURTH TO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES ARE SAYING, CHIEF, THANK YOU FOR THE METRICS YOU'RE USING AND THE PROGRESS.

YOU GUYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY ACCURATE AND PROACTIVE WITH THE WAY YOU CARRY OUT AND YOU PLAN. SO IT'S THE SAME THIS YEAR. THE ONLY PIECE I WOULD MENTION, AND THE SAME FOR POLLUTION CONTROL AND MY STAFF I KNOW IS FOLLOWING UP WITH BOTH OF YOU, IS THE GAP ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED THE CHALLENGE OF INFORMATION. YOU KNOW, THE FACT THERE'S NO ZONING, IT REALLY SHOWED THE IMPACTS WHEN THERE WAS THAT EXPLOSION EARLIER IN 2020, IT FEELS LIKE AGES GO NOW. PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THEY LIVED DOWN THE STREET FROM THIS INDUSTRIAL FACILITY THAT EXPLODED AND SOMETIMES LET THEIR ROOFS TO CAVE IN AND THEIR WINDOW TO BLOW UP. THAT WAS INSIDE THE CITY BUT IT'S INDICATIVE OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN ININCORPORATED AREAS AND OTHER AREAS IN THE COUNTY WHERE PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'RE AT THIS KIND OF RISK. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THERE HASN'T BEEN QUITE A LOT OF PROGRESS IS HOW DO WE INFORM THE COMMUNITY PROACTIVELY AS OPPOSED TO JUST THIS IS THE AIR QUALITY READING, NOW THAT THERE IS A FIRE OR THERE IS AN EXPLOSION. I WILL CONTINUE TO CIRCLE BACK ON THAT THIS YEAR. BUT IF YOU GUYS HAVE A CHANCE TO THINK ABOUT THAT, ALSO BEFORE THE BUDGET ENDS, JUST TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU GUYS NEED RIGHT NOW ON THAT AREA. I KNOW PEN AT A IDENTIFIED THAT BUT I DON'T REMEMBER ANY SOLUTION SO

THAT'S WHY IT HASN'T MOVED. >> I THINK THIS IS ALSO -- WE DON'T HAVE ZONING IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO THEY'RE IN THE SAME BOAT WE ARE. THEY HAVE ALL THESE THINGS IN THE COUNTY AND THERE'S NO WAY TO REGULATE OR -- AS YOU CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED, WE JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY ARE SO WE CAN TAKE THE PROPER, INFORM THE FOLKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND STAY CLOSE THIS THEM. THE OTHER THING IS THERE'S INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS THAT HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE AND THE INDUSTRIES THAT WANT TO DO IT RIGHT, THEY WOULD TURN IN THOSE PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT TO DO IT RIGHT. SO THEY KNOW THE BAD PLAYERS OUT THERE. I BET THAT IF WE GOT THE PEOPLE -- THERE'S MANY OF THEM, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THE EAST SIDE, CHAD BURK AND OTHERS, THEY KNOW THE PLAYERS AND COULD PROBABLY HELP US IDENTIFY THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT PLAYING BY

THE RULES. >> ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

>> COMMISSIONER KEGEL SENDS HIS BEST. HE WASN'T AVAILABLE THIS

MORNING. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'VE WRITTEN DOWN THESE NOTES. WE WILL DEFINITELY, JUDGE, WE'LL WORK ON THIS COMMUNICATION PIECE AS WE DISCUSSED. THE GREAT WORK

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>> CHIEF, JUST BRIEFLY, I REMEMBER THE REPORT SAID THERE WAS A SECURITY ANGLE. WE DON'T WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW WHAT THERE IS BECAUSE THERE'S A DANGER TO SECURITY SO THERE HAS TO BE A MIDDLE GROUND. I TRUST YOU'RE LOOKING AT THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY, YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU. TODAY, AS YOU KNOW, IS QUITE LONG. NEXT IS THE CONSTABLE, 1-8, SHERIFF, COUNTY CLERK, ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, DISTRICT CLERK, AUDITOR PURCHASING, COUNTY ATTORNEY, IGA, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, TREASURER AND TAX ASSESSOR. SO JUST SO MY COLLEAGUES ARE AWARE OF THE LENGTH OF THE LIST AND I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF. WE'LL MOVE ONTO THE CONSTABLES. GO AHEAD,

LUCINDA. >> UNMUTEING CONSTABLE ROSEN.

>> COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU. CONSTABLE ALAN ROSEN, WITH ALL EIGHT OF US SHARING 45 MINUTES, I'LL BE BRIEF. A FEW MINUTES IS NOT ENOUGH TIME TO SUMMARIZE EVERYTHING THE MEN AND WOMEN DO FOR THIS OFFICE AND COUNTY. OUR CORE FUNCTIONS FOCUS ON PUBLIC SAFETY CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL. THE PRECINCT 1 CONSTABLE OFFICE IS A HIGH FUNCTIONING RESPONSIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT PROVIDES MANY SERVICES TO THE COUNTY. WE WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE EMPLOYEES MEET CORE RESPONSIBILITIES WE PERFORM EVERY DAY THROUGH EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES, WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY BY STRETCHING OUR STAFF BEYOND THEIR 40-HOUR WORKWEEK TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE IMPORTANT INITIATIVES MEANINGFUL TO THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 1 IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO NOTE ATE THINGS WORTH NOTING, IN 2020 WE HANDLED 307 CALLS FOR SERVICE. OUR AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME OVER THE LAST YEAR FOR PRIORITY ONE CALLS IS 6 MINUTES 19 SECONDS.

WE VALUE YOUR GUIDANCE THIS UNPRECEDENTED YEAR. SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT WAS SPENT ON ISSUES STEMMING FROM THE PANDEMIC TO PUBLIC SAFETY. YOU HAVE PROVIDED FUNDING FOR SEVERAL IMPORTANT COUNTY INITIATIVES THIS YEAR AND HAVE ENTRUSTED US WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THEM. SOME OF THE INITIATIVES INCLUDE DISTRIBUTION OF PPE TO EVERY PERSON AND EVERY EMPLOYEE WITHOUT A MASK IN THE DOWNTOWN COURTHOUSE COMPLEX. ENSURING SOCIAL DISTANCING AT THE DOWNTOWN COURTHOUSE COMPLEX. SECURITY STORE NRG. THE HOSPITAL -- THE TENT HOSPITAL, OVERFLOW HOSPITAL. JURY ASSEMBLY INFRASTRUCTURE GOING ON RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. THESE INITIATIVES WERE REQUESTED BY THE COUNTY JUDGE, APPROVED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. ANOTHER NOTEWORTHY THING THAT TOOK PLACE THIS YEAR IS LEADING UP TO THE GENERAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER OF 2020 AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WE FORMED WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION SECURITY TASK FORCE. THIS WAS A PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY AND SECURITY OF EVERY VOTE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS WAS NO SMALL TASK GIVEN THERE WERE A RECORD NUMBER OF VOTERS DURING THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE. MORE THAN 1.7 MILLION VOTES WERE CAST IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE TASK FORCE OF A COLLABORATION OF THE PRECINCT 1 CONSTABLE'S OFFENSIVE, HARRIS COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE, HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ALL OF OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS. NOTEWORTHY IS WE DID 6,311 POLLING LOCATION CHECKS DURING THE ELECTION. WE DID 323 PROACTIVE BOMB SWEEPING OF THOSE POLLING LOCATIONS. FOR YOUR INFORMATION, 77 TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE CAME INTO THE TASK FORCE COMMAND CENTER THAT WERE ACTED UPON. THERE WAS THAT RECORD TURNOUT THE TASK FORCE RECEIVED APPROXIMATELY 20 ACTIONABLE ALLEGATIONS OF WRONGDOING THAT NEEDED TO BE ALLEY EVALUATED TO THE LEVEL OF FORM INVESTIGATION DESPITE CLAIMS, OUR THOROUGH INVESTIGATION FOUND NO PROOF OF ANY ELECTION TAMPERING, BALLOT HARVESTING, VOTER SUPPRESSION, INTIMIDATION OR OTHER FOUL PLAY THAT MIGHT HAVE INFLUENCED THE LEGITIMATE CASTS OR COUNT OF A

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I HAVE LONG SAID THAT EXECUTING EVICTIONS IS THE LEAST FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB AS CONSTABLE. NO ONE WANT TO REMOVE SOMEONE FROM THEIR HOME, PARTICULARLY DURING THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC. WE ESTABLISHED A GOFUNDME COUNTY WHICH TO DATE RAISED $250,000. WE KNEW THESE FUNDS WERE A DROP IN THE BUCKET COMPARED TO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OFFERED IN AID BY THE COUNTY, CITY AND OTHER ENTITIES THAT WANTED TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN IMPACT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE POSSIBLE WITH THE FUNDS AVAILABLE SO WE CREATED AN CONVICTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON EDUCATING TENANTS AND LANDLORDS ABOUT THE CDC GUIDELINES. WORKING WITH SOUTH TEXAS COLLEGE OF LAW IN HOUSTON AND LONE STAR LEGAL AID WE PROVIDED LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO OVER 500 FAMILIES IN PERSON. THAT NUMBER GROWS EVERY DAY AS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROJECT. WE ACTUALLY TOOK THE AID TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEEDED IT MOST. HOSTING DRIVE THROUGH AND POP UPCLINICS. WE NOW OFFER FREE CONTINUED LEGAL SUPPORT TO RENTERS GOING THROUGH THE CONVICTION PROCESS. ALL CONSTABLES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY WERE TASKED WITH HANDLING COVID NONCOMPLIANCE LAWS SINCE THE JUDGE ISSUED HER ORDERS. THE MAGNITUDE OF THE EFFORT CANNOT BE UNDERSTATED. PRECINCT 1 HANDLED 7,206 COVID-19 COMPLIANCE CALLS AND DISTRIBUTED 50,000 PIECES OF PPE IN THE COURTHOUSE COMPLEX. WE CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS AND PROPER USE OF PPE. OUR DEPUTIES HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO EDUCATE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC IN AN EFFORT TO GAIN VOLUNTARILY COMPLIANCE. THROUGH ALL THIS WE HAVE STAYED WITHIN OUR BUDGET.

I HOPE THE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT WILL CONSIDER GRANTING A PAY INCREASE FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE ASK FOR THIS AS WE CONTINUE TO DO MORE WITH LESS. WE BELIEVE THIS INCREASE IS NOT ONLY WARRANTED BUT OVERDUE AS OUR MEN AND WOMEN CONTINUE TO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY. AS WE LOOK TO 2021, OUR GOALS WILL BE CONTINUE TO RAISE THE BAR AND OPERATE AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL BY INCREASING TRAINING AND USE OF FORCE AND IMPLICIT BIAS, VERBAL JUDO AND ADDITIONAL SENSITIVITY TRAINING. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH JAD ON PROJECTS GIVEN BY THE COURT. I AM DEEPLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE DO AT PRECINCT 1 WE STRIVE ONLY TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR MY PAST BUDGET AND I THINK I'VE MANAGED IT VERY WELL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MANAGING MY FUTURE BUDGETS IN THE SAME FASHION SO THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU, JUDGE, THANK YOU OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR, MR. BERRY, AND I'M OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS ANYBODY HAS.

>> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY HERE, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, PARTICULARLY IN RECENT WEEKS. JUST BEING THAT FACE THAT, VISIBLE PRESENCES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF ASSURANCE IN -- DURING THIS PERIOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE, THIS IS --

MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. MY APOLOGIES, CONSTABLE ROSEN, I MISSED MUCH OF YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE I WAS ON THE BUT I'M BACK AND I THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU'VE BEEN DOING IN THE MIDST OF THIS. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU'VE BEEN

[00:45:03]

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE?

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU. CONSTABLE ROSEN, GOOD TO HEAR YOUR PRESENTATION AND GLAD YOU'RE OUT OF THE WOODS WITH COVID-19. THANK YOU FOR YOUR STAFF. I JUST -- I WANT TO COMMEND YOUR ADVOCATES THAT WE SEE THROUGHOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING FOR THEIR GOOD WORK. I WANT TO VISIT WITH YOU OFF-LINE ABOUT AN INCIDENT WE HAD YESTERDAY. BUT I WANT TO AGAIN THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOUR STAFF HAS DONE AND INR -- IN TERMS OF WHETHER IT'S THE ELECTIONS OR WHETHER IT WAS NRG DURING THE INITIAL SURGE HOSPITAL AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I APPRECIATE IN A.

>> CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. AS YOU RUN THROUGH EVERYTHING WE'VE FACED OVER THE LAST YEAR, YOU GUYS REALLY HAVE BEEN FRONT AND CENTER, YOUR OFFICE, AND THE CONSTABLE OFFICES AND I APPRECIATE THAT AND I KNOW THE COMMUNITY

APPRECIATES THAT. >> I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW WE'RE ALWAYS THERE FOR EVERYBODY IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT. ANYTHING ANYBODY NEEDS, PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL.

WE'RE HIGHLY RESPONSIVE TO EVERYBODY'S NEEDS.

>> THANK YOU. MY NOTE ALONGSIDE THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PROGRESS NOW THAT WE HAVE DAVE VERY FOCUSED ON THIS JAD, TO THE EXTENT THEY'RE HELPING WITH THIS AS WELL. YOU GUYS CAN HELP US IDENTIFY WHAT KINDS OF ISSUES, ESPECIALLY WITH LIMITED FUNDING, WHAT KINDS OF ISSUES WE CAN FOCUS ON AS THE YEARS COME FORWARD IN TERMS -- TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU ALL HELP US COLLECT OUTCOMES METRICS. NOT SO MUCH HOW MUCH CITATIONS WERE ISSUED BUT HOW MANY FOLKS FROM SUCCESSFULLY DIVERTED AND WHAT HAPPENED WITH THOSE FOLKS. OUT COMES AS OPPOSED TO OUTPUTS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE USE ARE THOSE TEAMS, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, JAD, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY ON THAT AREA, SO YOU CAN HELP US AS WELL KEEP TRACK OF WHERE WE'RE BEING SUCCESSFUL OR NOT BEING SUCCESSFUL AND ALLOCATE FUNDS

ACCORDINGLY. >> YES, MA'AM. I SURE WILL. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING, WE HAD A NICE MEETING AND THINGS ARE PROGRESSING AND WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO IMPROVE EVERYTHING. THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF MY JOB, IMPROVE THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE ANY WAY I CAN HELP THE COUNTY

BRAND, I'M IN. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S NOTICE FOR ALL THE CONSTABLES AS WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK

AND DEDICATION. >> THANK YOU.

>>> CONSTABLE GARCIA, WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING TO THE MEMBERS -- HELLO, JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING TO YOU AND TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT. FIRST AND FOR MOST, I FEEL HONORED AND HUMBLE TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME. AS THE NEWLY ELECTED CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 2, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF. DURING THE TRANSITION WE DIDN'T HAVE SUCH A SMOOTH TRANSITION BUT EVERY HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN SUPER, SUPER AMAZING TO US. AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW OUR COUNTY IS IN GREAT HANDS. THEY WERE ALL AMAZING, SO THANK YOU. I HAVE LIVED IN PRECINCT 2 OVER 23 YEARS. FIRSTHAND I HAVE SEEN THE NEGLECT OF OUR PRECINCT.

PROGRESSIVELY OVER THE YEARS IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I KNOW THAT WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN CHANGE THAT. OUR PRECINCT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN UNDERFUNDED, UNDERSERVED AND UNDERPROTECTED.

OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE EVERY PRECINCT 2 RESIDENT WITH A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE THAN THEY'RE ACCUSTOMED TO. MANY RESIDENTS IN OUR PRECINCT HAVE NOT BEEN AFFORDED THE SAME POLICE SERVICES ENJOYED BY RESIDENTS IN OTHER PRECINCTS.

WHAT I ENVISION IS AN OPEN, HONEST, TRANSPARENT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, COMPASSIONATE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE. I IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR VISION WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE POLICE SERVICES TO EVERY RESIDENT IN OUR PRECINCT. IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, WE DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP. THE

[00:50:03]

NUMBER 4, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A NEED FOR TEN ADDITIONAL FLEET VEHICLES WHICH WILL ASSIST OUR DEPUTIES WITH PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES IN A SAFE, RELIABLE MANNER. OUR CURRENT FLEET CONSISTS OF 42 VEHICLES. 22 ARE SHARED AMONGST THREE PATROL SHIFTS. SHARED VEHICLES ARE OFTEN UTILIZED BEYOND AN 8-HOUR SHIFT WHICH MAY CAUSE SECONDARY SHIFT PERSONNEL TO WAIT UNTIL THE PATROLMAN GETS BACK TO WE CAN TAKE OVER THE USE THAT HAVE VEHICLE. 5, IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, PRIME HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED. BUT MOST DRASTICALLY IN THE PAST YEAR. THE CHALLENGE IS TO OBTAIN FUNDING FOR MORE POSITIONS TO HELP OUR PRECINCT BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE. THE FUNDING IS SEVERELY NEEDED IN ORDER TO PLACE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHICH WILL ENABLE US TO BECOME AGAIN A PROACTIVE POLICE PATROL AND KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE. WE INTEND TO INCREASE POLICE TROLL FUNCTIONS, TARGET ILLEGALLY PROSTITUTION, ILLEGAL GAMING, ILLICIT BUSINESSES, THEFTS, BURGLARIES, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, TRESPASSING ASSAULTS, PUBLIC NUDENESS AND ALL VIOLENT CRIMES IN CLOSING, I GREW UP IN A POOR UNDERSERVED, UNDERPROTECTED NEIGHBORHOOD. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE UNDERSERVED AND UNDERPROTECTED. I'VE SEEN IN OUR PRECINCT THAT'S HOW IT'S BEEN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN PROVIDE OUR CITIZENS WITH THE SAME EQUITABLE POLICE SERVICES THAT ARE ENJOYED BY THE OTHER PRECINCTS. AGAIN, WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING WE WANT, EVERYTHING WE ASK FOR IS WHAT WE NEED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU, YOUR TIME, YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

PLEASE USE ME AND MY POSITION TR COMMUNITIES. I'M HERE FOR YOU AND FOR OUR CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS. THANK YOU AGAIN, SO

MUCH. >> THANK YOU, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA THEN COMMISSIONER HE ELLIS.

>> CONSTABLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELECTION. I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE INFORMATION AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU BECAUSE I SEE THAT WE DIDN'T GET AN OFFICIAL BUDGET REQUEST. NOT FROM YOU, BUT IN THE TRANSITION,

[00:55:03]

IS COORDINATED AND SYNCHRONIZED. >> YES, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU. AND GIVE THAT OTHER ADRIAN GARCIA MY BEST.

>> I SURE WILL. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> JUST BRIEFLY.

CONGRATULATIONS CONSTABLE GARCIA. WE'RE PROUD OF YOU AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ABOUT EQUITY. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU -- I WANT TO SAY TO THE BUDGET OFFICE, I DO THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCES IN BUDGETS BETWEEN THE VARIOUS CONSTABLE OFFICES, THAT MAYBE RATIONAL OR THE VARIATION IN BUDGETS, BUT THE BUDGET OFFICE OUGHTING TO THROUGH THAT. JUST AS I'M GLAD -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR BUDGET TO ACCOMPLISH GREATER EQUITY BUT WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT ON EQUITY. WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT EQUITY AS WELL. IT'S A CHALLENGING THING. KNOWING THERE ARE SERIOUS FINANCIAL RESTRAINTS, MORE COMING DOWN THE ROAD AS A RESULT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION, I THINK MR. BERRY TALKED ABOUT THAT. WHEN WE FIRST CAME OUT TO START THE DISCUSSIONS BUT IT'S GOING TO HIT US DOWN THE ROAD EVEN MORE.

BUT WE DO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO TAKE THE LIMITED RESOURCES WE HAVE AND MAKE IT EQUITABLE WITH ALL AREAS OF THE COUNTY. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT. I WANT TO CHALLENGE THE BUDGET OFFICE TO LOOK AT THAT AS THEY COME UP WITH A FINAL RECOMMENDATION.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR

HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>>> CONSTABLE, THIS IS JACK CAGLE, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I KNOW YOU'RE A FORMER DOPEY STUDENT AND MY DAUGHTER IS STILL THERE, MY TWO BOYS GRADUATED SO GO HORNS.

AWESOME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. CONSTABLE CONSTE

EAGLETON. >> JUDGE, KIRK --

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS TIME THIS MORNING. THE CONSTABLE AND HIS STAFF WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT DURING THIS PANDEMIC THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN THROUGH. WE ALSO WANTED TO THANK KEVIN SEED FOR THE HELP PREPARING THE BUDGET WE SUBMITTED. TWENTY WAS A CHALLENGING YEAR THAT INCLUDED PROTESTS ON TOP OF THE PANDEMIC THAT PLACE ADD STRAIN ON ALL OUT OF ORGANIZATIONS. WE STEPPED UP

[01:00:01]

WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT WE'LL UTILIZE RESOURCES TO SERVE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY, STRIVING TO IMPROVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES WE PROVIDE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOAL SET OUT BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'RE ASKING FOR APPROVAL OF ADDING TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS FOR COMBATING ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES. ILLEGAL DUMPING HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS. THE COMPLAINT VOLUME HAS INCREASED MORE THAN 30% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE ONE TIME COST OF ABOUT 325, 326,000 FOR THE -- EQUIPMENT WITH ANNUAL COST OF $210,000, ON A SIDE NOTE, MEMBERS OF THIS ORGANIZATION, DEPUTIES AND SOME OF THE CIVILIAN STAFF, SPENT THEIR OWN MONEY PURCHASING GAME CAMERAS TO PUT UP TO COMBAT ILLEGAL DUMPING. THEY'VE MADE ARRANGEMENTS AND ORGANIZED GROUPS TO CLEAR UP TRASH AND TIRES AND THINGS OUT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONERS OFFICE TO GET RID OF THESE THINGS. OUR DEPUTIES HAVE STEPPED UP PUTTING IN MANY MORE HOURS THAN IS REQUIRED TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT MISSION. WITH THAT, I WANT TODAY THANK YOU AND LET YOU KNOW WE APPRECIATE -- WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO ALL OF THE CONSTABLES' OFFICES. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION OF

OUR REQUEST. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. AND THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION REGARDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES ISSUE. I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH DR. BABEN ABOUT THIS, AND WE'RE DOING A LOT. HAVE YOU HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE VISION YOU GUYS HAVE WITH DR. BABEN AS TO -- I KNOW THAT THE D.A. OFFICE IS ALSO MAKING A PITCH I THINK. THE D.A. HAS INDICATED THAT THEY'RE GETTING A LOT OF CASES AND THEY NEED MORE RESOURCES TO MORE EFFECTIVELY PRODUCT T PROSECUTE THE CASES. HAVE YOU VISITED WITH DR. BABEN TO ENSURE WHATEVER STRATEGY YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS SYNCHRONIZED WITH WHERE HER OFFICE IS GOING?

>> WE HAVE VISITED WITH DR. BABEN ON QUITE A FEW THINGS, NOT SPECIFICALLY ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES. WE'RE WILLING TO. HE ONLY COVERS THE BAYTOWN AREA OF THE PRECINCT. WE HAVE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME WORKING WITH AND TALKING WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME UNIT AS WELL.

>> AND THEN LASTLY, ONE THING SIMILAR TO WHAT I MENTIONED TO CONSTABLE GARCIA IS THAT I WOULD ASK YOU GUYS TO THINK ABOUT A COORDINATED HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE THAT COULD BE INCORPORATED ON A BROADER SCALE SO I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU ALL, AS THE BUDGETS ARE BEING LOOKED AT AND STUDIED BY THE BUDGET OFFICE, TO LOOK AT A SIMILAR TYPE OF PROGRAM THAT CONSTABLE GARCIA PROPOSED AND GIVING THAT TO US FOR OUR CONSIDERATION AS

WELL. >> YES, SIR, WITH THE SHEDDR -- WE MET WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND WE HAVE DEPUTIES

ASSIGNED TO THE HOMELESS AREAS. >> THAT'S GOOD.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT. >> THANK YOU. CAN YOU SEND ME OVER SOMETHING TO LOOK AT AS TO WHAT YOU HAVE GOT DEDICATED TO THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM? THAT'S OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO ME.

>> YES, SIR, I WILL. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR PRECINCT 3?

>> LET'S MOVE ON TO PRECINCT 4 4 CONSTABLE HERMAN.

[01:05:01]

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR, GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO SPEAK TO YOU TO SHARE MANY OF THE EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING AT YOUR CONSTABLE'S OFFICE IN NORTH HARRIS COUNTY. WE MADE IT A POINT THIS YEAR TO TAKE OUR BUDGET PROCESS SERIOUSLY AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF OF DAVID BERRY AND HIS TEAM AND ALSO PFM FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE THROUGH THIS NEW BUDGET PROCESS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE DID AT PRECINCT 4 WAS REDEFINED SOME OF OUR GOALS. WE WANTED TO ENSURE OUR GOALS WERE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AND THEY REFLECT AND COMPLIMENT THE GOALS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND OUR COMMISSIONERS COURT. JUST TO MAKE A FEW OF OUR GOALS, THE ENFORCEMENT OF STATE LAWS, PREVENTION OF CRIME, REDUCING FEAR IN OUR COMMUNITIES, INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY, MAINTAINING ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE, IMPROVING JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT SYSTEMS, INCREASED MOBILITY AND OF COURSE THE ARREST OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS FOR PROSECUTION. OUR GOALS ARE DESIGNED TO PROMOTE SAFE AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES OF ALL BACKGROUNDS FOR BOTH CONTRACTED AND NONCONTRACTED STAKEHOLDERS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE ASSISTED OUR PARTNER ED GONZALEZ AT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 2020 BY RESPONDING TO RIGHT AT 83,000 CALLS FOR POLICE SERVICE IN DISTRICT AREAS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTRACTS. IN ADDITION, LAST YEAR WE ADDED NINE NEW CONTRACT POSITIONS. THESE GOALS ARE DESIGNED ALSO TO ENSURE WE PROVIDE THE MOST PROFESSIONAL, EFFECTIVE SERVICE TO OUR JUSTICE COURTS. THEY'RE DESIGNED TO FOSTER COMMUNITY TRUST BY BEING TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE SERVE. WE KNOW THAT BY REDUCING FEAR IS NOT ONLY AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE FEAR OF CRIME, BUT ALSO TO REDUCE THE FEAR OF POLICE, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY SOME OF OUR CITIZENS STILL HAVE. OUR EFFORTS ARE AIMED AT FOCUSING ON VIOLENT, DANGEROUS CRIMINALS WHILE EMBRACING REASONABLE DIVERSIONARY OPPORTUNITIES. WE STRIVE TO IDENTIFY AND REDUCE DISPARITIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND IT'S OUR MISSION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL CITIZENS BY WORKING WITH AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT, COMMISSIONERS COURT AND OUR COMMUNITY AND CONTRACT HOLDERS. WE ANTICIPATE OUR PROJECTED EXPENSES FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR TO BE A SLIGHT INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR.

THIS INCREASE IS GOING TO BE DUE TO AN INCREASE IN INSURANCE PER EMPLOYEE WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO BE ROUGHLY $600. IN ADDITION WE'RE ADDING A FEW LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRACTS ON MARCH 1ST. WE DO NOT INTEND TO MAKE ANY ADDITIONAL REQUESTS AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT APPROXIMATELY 95% OF OUR WORKING BUDGET ARE FOR SALARIES AND BASE BENEFITS. AS IN YEARS PAST WE HAVE BEEN GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER MONEYS AND WE'LL ALSO THIS YEAR BE RELYING ON SOME OF OUR ROLLOVER FUNDS TO MAINTAIN EFFICIENCIES. AT THIS TIME WE BELIEVE WE CAN MAINTAIN OUR OPERATIONS AND EXCELLENT SERVICE WITH THE PROJECTED EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED. THE PRECINCT 4 CONSTABLE'S OFFICE IS ONE OF THE CLOSEST FORMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IT WILL BE NO DIFFERENT COMING UP THIS YEAR. WE HAVE A PARTNERED WITH MULTIPLE COMMUNITY AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO PROVIDE CRIME PREVENTION SAFETY PRESENTATIONS TO MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE ATTENDED HUNDREDS OF MEETINGS AND ANSWERED QUESTIONS, BUILT RAPPORT AND WE CONTINUE TO BRIDGE THAT GAP BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE PARTNERED WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND NONPROFITS TO ENSURE STRUGGLING FAMILIES IN OUR PRECINCT DID NOT GO WITHOUT DURING THE HOLIDAYS. I BELIEVE EVERY COMMISSIONER PARTICIPATED IN OUR PAST OPERATION TURKEY DINNER AND WE APPRECIATE THAT, THE ENGAGEMENT. WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN OUR AREAS TO IMPROVE SERVICES WE PROVIDE.

THE PRECINCT 4 CONSTABLE'S OFFICE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BEING A GOOD TEAM PLAYER. THAT WILL BE NO DIFFERENT IN 2021.

LAST YEAR WE PARTNERED WITH OUR ISD'S TO PROVIDE SAFETY SECURITY IN OUR SCHOOLS, WHICH WE HAVE FIVE MAJOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN PRECINCT 4. IN ADDITION WE ALONG WITH AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTED IN ELECTION SAFETY AND COVID RELATED INITIATIVES. I WILL NOT GO INTO THE NUMBERS. I THINK CONSTABLE ROSEN HIT ON

[01:10:01]

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> CONSTABLE, GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. APPRECIATE THE DETAIL. I PARTICULARLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU DIDN'T ASK FOR ANY MORE MONEY AND DURING THIS SEASON OF OUR BUDGETING PROCESS, THAT'S HELPFUL. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO OUT THERE. IT'S VISIBLE AND

NOT GOING UNNOTICED, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, VERY

MUCH. >> JUDGE?

>> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I WAS ALSO GOING TO CHIME IN ON THAT POINT. IT'S ALWAYS BUDGET -- THE BUDGET IN PROCESS IS ALWAYS THE PERCEIVED OPPORTUNITY TO SAY I NEED MORE BUT I WANTED TO APPRECIATE YOUR HELP WITH AN EXAMPLE FOR HOLDING

THE LINE. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WANT TO ADD, I'M NOT ASKING FOR POSITIONS BECAUSE I HAVE RIGHT AT 15 POSITIONS OPEN CURRENTLY. POLICING TODAY IS NOT WHAT IT WAS 30, 20 YEARS AGO. YOU KNOW, THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT COME TO WORK, THEY MIGRATE MORE. I WAS TALKING TO THE SHERIFF THE OTHER DAY, HE HAS OPENINGS. I BELIEVE MOST CONSTABLE AGENCIES HAVE OPENINGS. SO WE WON'T BE ASKING FOR ANYTHING AS LONG AS WE'VE GOT OPENINGS AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR.

>> JUST KEEP -- I SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH CONSTABLE ROSEN ON THIS POINT, BUT YOU GUYS ARE JUST LIKE OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS, OUT THERE ON THE FRONT LINE DURING THIS PANDEMIC. IT'S BEEN PAINFUL TO HEAR GUYS WHO HAVE HAD LONG, GREAT CAREERS JUST TO BE OVERWHELMED BY A INVISIBLE VIRUS. Y'ALL KEEP DOING A GOOD JOB. PLEASE TAKE CARE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> YOUR HONOR? >> YES.

>> CONSTABLE, YOU'RE DOING A FABULOUS JOB. I CAN'T GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT FOLKS WHO ARE EXPRESSING THEIR APPRECIATION ON YOUR RESPONSIVENESS TO THE COMMUNITY. I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'M GOING TO JOIN WITH MY TWO COLLEAGUES IN SAYING IN A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE A WHOLE LOT MORE REQUESTS FOR MONEY THAN MONEY THAT WE'VE GOT IN THE BANK, I THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THE LINE.

REALLY APPRECIATE THAT ATTITUDE AND THAT APPROACH, HOLDINGED LINE DURING THE TOUGH TIMES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WANT TO SAY, I CAN'T GO TO KROGER'S WITHOUT BEING ACCOSTED BY FOLKS THANKED US FOR THE GREAT WORK WE DO BUT THEY'RE NOT THANKING ME AND I KNOW THAT.

THEY'RE THANKING THE DEPUTIES WE HAVE ON THE STREET DOING A GREAT JOB. I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT MY AGENCY, I'M TALKING ABOUT FOLKS AT ED GONZALEZ'S OFFICE AND ALL THE OTHER CONSTABLE AGENCIES. WE'RE GOING THROUGH TRYING TIMES BUT, AGAIN, WE'RE HOLDING THE LINE. AND IT IS SUCH AN HONOR -- I'VE SAID THIS EVERY YEAR, I HAVE ALL FOUR COMMISSIONERS THAT COME INTO MY PRECINCT AND IT'S AN HONOR TO WORK WITH EACH OF YOUR TEAMS ON A DAILY BASIS. WHEN THERE'S PROBLEMS, WE ARE RESPONSIVE.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOU AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO UTILIZE US. THANK YOU ALL AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, CONSTABLE, FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. WE ALL APPRECIATE YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO SEE YOU IN

PERSON AGAIN. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> CONSTABLE HEAP? >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, GOOD

[01:15:03]

BUT BECAUSE OF TIME, WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS CONDEMN BINE THE AREAS I FEEL YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT. YOU HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION IN YOUR EXTENSIVE PACKET THAT WAS SUBMITTED. WE BROKE IT DOWN INTO SEVEN AREAS TO SIMPLIFY IT. I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE GOALS BRIEFLY AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES. ONE MAIN GOAL WAS TO ENSURE A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO LIVE, TO LEARN, WORK. WE DO THAT BY REDUCING CRIME. A LOT OR MOST OF IT FALLS ON THE PATROL DIVISION, THE CONTRACTING PATROL SERVICES AS WELL AS PROACTIVE NONCONTRACTED PATROL SERVICES. OUR PATROLS INCLUDE INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN, VICTIM SERVICES, ANIMAL CRUELTY AND THINGS LIKE THAT. MY OPINION, ONE OF THE WAYS, THE PRIMARY WAYS TO REDUCE CRIME, IS THROUGH MORE VISIBILITY AND A QUICKER RESPONSE TIME. WITH OVER 320,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE LAST YEAR, 105,000 WERE OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTRACTED AREAS. WE DID THIS ALL WHILE BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN A RESPONSE TIME UNDER 4 MINUTES. I HEARD MENTION BEFORE AND I WANT TO CONCUR, I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN THE VIOLENT CRIMES. NOT ONLY IN HARRIS COUNTY BUT IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHICH OF COURSE IS -- INCLUDES HARRIS COUNTY. WELL, I KNOW THAT COMING UP HERE SHORTLY, IN A COUPLE WEEKS ACTUALLY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WILL HOST A CRIME AND SAFETY TOWN HALL MEETING. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT FORMAT AND GREAT BEGINNING TO BE ABLE TO START DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE.

PASTOR WILLY DAVIS WILL BE THERE AND CRIMESTOPPERS, COUNCILMAN EDWARD POLLARD, MYSELF. OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL BE THERE SO THIS IS A VERY GOOD STEP TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THAT DIALOGUE UP WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACE AND HOW WE CAN HELP WITH THOSE CHALLENGES. SADLY, I HAVE TO REPORT THAT OUR INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN CASES ARE UP.

OVER 340 CASES WORKED JUST STRICTLY WITHIN PRECINCT 5 ITSELF. I HAVE TO SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT OUR ANNUAL CRIMES.

OVER 300 CASES STRICTLY INCREASING IN 5. THE SILVER LINING IS WE JUST OBTAINED TWO NEW 100% CONTRACTS WITH THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY TO HELP COMBAT NOT ONLY IN PRECINCT 5 BUT ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY ANIMAL CRIMES AS FAR AS ABUSE, NEGLECT AND ABANDONNENMENT. ANOTHER GOAL IS SUSTAIN ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE. THAT FALLS LARGELY UPON MYSELF BUT ALSO THE TRAINING AND RECRUITING DEPARTMENTS WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THAT WE OBTAIN EXCELLENCE THROUGH INCREASED DATA DRIVEN EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES. SO I THINK GOOD EXAMPLES ARE WAYS THAT -- WE HAVE SALARY STUDIES THAT WE HAVE FOLLOWED THE GUIDELINES AND FOLLOWED THE EXAMPLE OF THE COUNTY ON, BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS SO WE CAN KEEP COMPETITIVE IN THE WORKPLACE. IN OUR RECRUITING DIVISION, OUR GOAL IS TO RETAIN AND HIRE A HIGHLY QUALIFIED, DIVERSE WORKFORCE. LAST YEAR, OVER 200 APPLICANTS APPLIED. OF THOSE WE HIRED 78%, FROM UNDERREFLECTED RACIAL GROUPS. SO OUR TRAINING DIVISION. BEST TRAINED OFFICERS ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THE RESIDENCE OF HARRIS COUNTY. THE COVID EFFECT HAS REALLY HIT US AS FAR AS TRAINING BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN LIMITED IN GATHERING PEOPLE TOGETHER. SINCE I TOOK OFFICE WE INCREASED TRAINING BY 179%.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO INCREASING IT BACK TO 50% ADDITIONALLY NEXT YEAR. AND THAT WILL STILL BRING US UP A LITTLE BIT SHORT OF PREVIOUS YEARS BUT HOPEFULLY AS WE CAN LIFT SOME RESTRICTIONS AND ALL START PUTTING THE VIRUS BEHIND US, HOPEFULLY, THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO AN INCREASE EVEN GREATER THAN THAT WITHIN OUR TRAINING. WE ALSO CREATED WHAT WE CALL ERS, EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL. THIS INCREASES REPRESENTATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN OUR

[01:20:03]

PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB AND CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR IS CONNECT OUR CRIME VICTIMS TO SUPPORT SERVICES. WE INCREASED LAST YEAR BY 15% THE NUMBER OF CRIME VICTIMS WE SERVED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT GO UP EVEN HIGHER. WE SERVED OVER 1100 VICTIMS LAST YEAR AS WELL AS FOOD DRIVES, CLOTHING FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS AND STUFF. WE HAVE TWO GRANT POSITIONS NOW IN OUR VICTIM ASSISTANCE. WE ALSO OPENED AN OFFICE ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN SO VICTIMS WOULDN'T HAVE TO NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF DOWNTOWN. WE FOUND VERY QUICKLY THAT PEOPLE IN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS OR PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME DON'T WANT TO GO DOWNTOWN WHERE THEY'RE UNCERTAIN ABOUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THE PARKING AND WHO TO MEET WITH. SO WE ALSO MET WITH THE MEXICAN CONSULATE GENERAL TO HELP TRANSITION TO THEIR NEW CONSULATE WHICH FALLS WITHIN PRECINCT 5. WE HAVE NAMED A LIAISON TO HELP WITH THOSE THAT THEY REPRESENT. SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT RELATIONSHIP FOLLOWING THAT, BUILDING THE COMMUNITY AND BUILD A COMMUNITY TRUST IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT. I THINK THAT FALLS HIGHLY ON THE ADMINISTRATION BY PROVIDING REGULAR AND TRANSPARENT REPORTING OF DEPARTMENTAL DATA WHICH WE ARE DOING AND CONTINUE TO DO, EVEN INCREASED TO COMMISSIONERRERS COURT. WE ALSO STARTED SOMETHING CALL CHOPPA, A CONSTABLE, CHAPLAIN, PASTORAL ALLIANCE. WE HAVE TAKEN RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND ASKED LIKE BISHOP KEN MURRAY AND PASTOR ED YOUNG AND GREG MOTT TO COME IN AND HELP BUILD BRIDGES WITHIN THEIR CONGREGATIONS TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY. IT REALLY SEEMS TO BE TAKING ROOT AND WE HAVE ASSIGNED AN OFFICER TO DEAL DIRECTLY AND BE PART OF THAT AND LET US KNOW WHAT TODAY COMMUNITY RELEASINGS FALLS INTO THAT. BEFORE COVID WE HAD OVER 120 PROGRAMS, CLASSES AND EVENTS, AVERAGING 45,000 PARTICIPATE AS AN A -- PARTICIPANTS A YEAR. I CAN'T OVERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY RELATION. IT BUILDS THE BRIDGES BETWEEN US EXPECT COMMUNITY. THE LAST AND PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANT GOAL IS PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS AND DISTRIBUTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. PATROL DIVISION, THAT FALLS MAINLY UNDER THE PATROL DIVISION. SO IF WE CAN INCREASE OUR PATROL IN UNDERSERVED AREAS, BUT NOT ONLY BY RESPONDING TO CALLS, BUT THROUGH VISIBILITY. WHAT I HAVE FOUND AND WHAT WE'VE HAD REPORTED BACK TO US IS THAT IT'S GREAT WE HAVE THAT QUICK

[01:25:03]

>> CONSTABLE, TOM RAMSEY HERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

THANK YOU FOR HOLDING THE LINE ON THE BUDGET THIS YEAR. MY -- A SIMPLE QUESTION, WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF ROLLOVER FROM LAST

YEAR TO THIS YEAR? >> OUR ROLLOVER CURRENTLY, WHEN I CHECKED LAST WITH CHIEF BRANSON, MY CURRENT ROLLOVER IS

ANTICIPATED TO BE $8 MILLION. >> WELL DONE, THANK YOU FOR THAT

EFFORT. >> COMMISSIONER, I KNOW THAT A THAT IS A -- I'M VERY AWARE AND COGNIZANT THAT IS A EXTENSIVE ROLLOVER. I DON'T THINK IT'S PRUDENT ON MY PART TO SPEND TAXPAYERS MONEY FRIVOLOUSLY. WE DO DEPEND ON SOME OF THE ROLLOVER -- I DO ANTICIPATE HAVING SOME OF THE FUNDS BEING UTILIZED BEING THESE POSITIONS WE JUST HAVE -- AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE'LL HAVE -- WE'RE HIRIN5 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE WILL BE WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. SO AT THAT POINT WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 14 OPENINGS. BUT WE DO ANTICIPATE WITH SOME OF THE UNILATERAL TRANSFER HAS SETTLED DOWN AS FAR AS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THOSE POSITIONS WILL BE FILLED

QUICKLY. >> WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THAT FACT IS MANY TIMES PEOPLE WILL SPEND MONEY UNNECESSARILY NOT TO HAVE A ROLLOVER THINKING THAT'S SOMEHOW BETTER. FOR YOU TO BE DISCIPLINED TO CONTROL THOSE COSTS, EXPENSES, AND CLEARLY COMMUNICATE WHAT THAT IS, THAT'S HELPFUL TO US I THINK TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS. AND CERTAINLY THIS YEAR, IF WE'VE EVER NEEDED ROLLOVER MONEY, IT WAS THIS YEAR. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE.

>> CONSTABLE, THIS IS -- >>

>> JUDGE, IF I MAY. CONSTABLE, I WANT TO DITTO THE COMMENTS.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR STEWARDSHIP OUT THERE. WE APPRECIATE THE GOOD JOB YOU'RE DOING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES OUT THERE. YOU WERE MY CONSTABLE WHERE MY HOUSE WAS IN MY FIRST TWO YEARS AND YOU DID A GOOD JOB OUT THERE. I MAY HAVE A COLLEAGUE WHO WISHED YOU HADN'T DONE SUCH A GOOD JOB. BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES? CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR EVERYBODY AND I APPRECIATE THE METRICS YOU ARE USING. I KNOW FOR YOU AND THE PREVIOUS OFFICE, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT I AND OUR TEAM SAW, VERY HELPFUL OUT COMES. I WANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MENTION TO JIM AND DAVE WITH JAD AND BUDGET AND THE CONSTABLES, DURING CONSTABLE ROSEN'S REMARKS, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF AT ALL POSSIBLE -- I KNOW YOU ALL WORK TOGETHER VERY, VERY CLOSELY. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW HELPFUL IT WOULD BE TO HAVE CONSISTENCY ACROSS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. I MENTIONED THE SAME TO THE SHERIFF AS FAR AS WHAT YOU ALL MEASURE SO WE CAN HAVE A SHARED UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS. AND OTHER AREAS FOR US TO EXPLORE FURTHER, IDENTIFY BEST

[01:30:03]

POINT. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I

APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>>> CONSTABLE -- >> GOOD MORNING, HONORABLE JUDGE AND HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS, I HOPE YOU HAD A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I WISH YOU HAPPY NEW YEAR. I'M SILVIA TREVINO.

I JUST COMPLETED MY FIRST FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT FOUR. WHEN FIRST ELECTED IN 2016 I WAS HONORED TO BE THE FIRST LATINO TO BE ELECTED CONSTABLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I'M MORE PROUD AND HONORED TO BE THE FIRST GRANDMA ELECTED CONSTABLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM A THIRD GENERATION HOUSTONIAN BORN AND RAISED IN PRECINCT 6, JUST OFF LIBERTY ROAD AND ALLSTAEDT AND RAISED ON THE NORTH SIDE. I REMEMBER WHEN OUR FIRST LATINO BECAME CONSTABLE IN PRECINCT 6 IN 1973. THE LATE CONSTABLE RAUL MARTINEZ A RETIRED HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER. HOW EXCITED OUR COMMUNITY WAS TO HAVE A HISPANIC IN OFFICE. HOWEVER, AROUND THAT TIME, I ALSO REMEMBER HOW PEOPLE WERE LEAVING PRECINCT 6 AND BUSINESSES WERE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CRIME AND GANG PROBLEMS. THE HISTORICAL FIFTH WARD WAS NICKNAMED THE BLOODY 5TH. OUR HISTORICAL BARRIOS WERE KNOWN FOR GANGS. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN. NOW PRECINCT 6 IS ONE OF THE FASTEST-GROWING COMMUNITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. NEW DEVELOPMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PRECINCT ARE GOING UP. KNEW RESIDENTS ARE MOVING IN. AND NEW BUSINESSES ARE OPENING. OUR PRECINCT 6 COMMUNITY IS THRIVING. BUT KNOW WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE AN INCREASE OF CALLS FOR SERVICE, MORE CALLS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WE'RE RECEIVING COMPLAINTS OF ILLEGAL DUMPING, ABANDONED VEHICLES, THEFT OF PROPERTY AND PUBLIC NUISANCES THAT ARE HURTING OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE HEARING CONCERNS OF POLICE REFORM, USE OF FORCE, BETTER TRAINING, DE ESCALATION TRAINING, THE RELEASE OF BODY CAMS AND BETTER POLICY AND PROCEDURES. I DON'T WANT US TO TAKE A STEP BACKWARDS AND SEE THE INCREASE OF CRIME CREEP UP ON US. OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER. THIS IS WHY OUR BUDGET REQUEST WE SUBMITTED TO YOU IS VERY CRITICAL. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL DURING OUR BUDGET HEARINGS. PRECINCT 6 HAS MADE DUE WITH WHAT IT HAS BY CONTINUOUSLY HAVING OUR MANAGEMENT WEAR NUMEROUS DIFFERENT HATS. ALONG WITH SHIFTING AND TAKING DEPUTIES OFF PATROL TO FILL IN THE NEEDS OF OUR DEPARTMENT AND OUR COMMUNITY. GIVEN THE NEEDED RESOURCES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO OVERSEE AN ADDRESS ALL THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS RAISED IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD WHO DIED IN THE HANDS OF POLICE. WE WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ON PERSONAL SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION. WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES TO OUR CITIZENS AND VICTIMS OF CRIMES. WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SECURITY IN OUR COUNTY BUILDINGS FOR OUR RESIDENTS, OUR VISITORS AND OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. WE WILL BE ABLE TO FOLLOW UP, INVESTIGATE AND CLEAR CASES ORIGINATED BY OUR DEPARTMENT. WE WILL BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THE ILLEGAL DUMPING OF TRASH, TIRES, ABANDONED VEHICLES, AND GRAFFITI. WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE APPROPRIATE TRAINING IN DE ESCALATION, CRISIS INTERVENTION, CIVILIAN INTERACTION TRAINING AND USE OF FORCE. THESE NEEDED RESOURCES WILL ALLOW US TO KEEP OUR PATROL OFFICERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS ON PATROL TO DO THE JOB THEY WERE HIRED TO DO AND THAT IS TO PATROL, TO RESPOND TO CALLS FOR SERVICE, INCREASE POLICE VISIBILITY, PUBLIC

[01:35:01]

GOD BLESS YOU, OUR COUNTRY, AND I THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE TREVINO. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. CONSTABLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING THE --

AMONGST THE CORPS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I'M

VERY PROUD OF IT. >> GOOD, GOOD. IN TERMS OF YOUR BUDGET, I SEE THAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR A CAPTAIN'S POSITION, BECAUSE YOU'RE NEEDING CONTROL THERE?

>> YES, WE ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND OUR TRAINING. THAT IS TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO TRAIN OUR DEPUTIES HERE IN HOUSE. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT CAPTAIN TO WORK WITH LOCAL, STATE AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. WE NEED A POSITION LIKE A CAPTAIN TO BE ABLE TO RESEARCH THE USE OF FORCE, TASERS, ALL THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP DURING THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> GOTCHA. IN TERMS OF YOUR -- YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL UNIT, ARE YOU ASKING FOR TWO SLOTS ON THAT. THE -- CONSTABLE ROANS HAD A SUCCESSFULFUL PROGRAM. HAVE YOU ASKED TO COORDINATE THOSE RESOURCES, ASSUMING YOU GO ON LINE?

>> NO, WE HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER ON THAT PARTICULAR MATTER, SIR. I WOULD DEFINITELY, MY DOOR IS OPEN TO MEET WITH ALAN ROSEN AND SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE GETTING -- I ASSUME YOU ARE -- THAT YOU'RE GETTING A LOT OF COMPLAINTS NOT ONLY ABOUT THE ILLEGAL DUMPING

BUT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS. >> MY GOODNESS, YES, SIR.

THAT'S WHERE OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH CAME IN, OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE, PUBLIC RELATIONS, OUR ADDRESSING OUR HOMELESS ISSUES.

UNDER THE FREEWAYS WE HAVE SEVERAL HOUSINGS FOR

UNDERPRIVILEGED. >> I WOULD ASK YOU -- I'M NOT SURE HOW ALL THIS WILL SHAKE OUT. WE HAVE TO HEAR FROM MR. BERRY ON RESOURCES. BUT I WOULD ASK YOU TO, LIKE CONSTABLE GARCIA, THINK ABOUT A HOMELESS UNIT. BECAUSE THAT'S PROBABLY AMONGST ALL THE OTHER CALLS I GET, HOMELESSNESS, ENCAMPMENTS AND THE FREEWAYS ARE A MAJOR ISSUE. AND WE'VE DONE A LOT TO BRING THE CITY INTO A COORDINATED PLATFORM WITH THE COUNTY. SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER PUTTING TOGETHER A BUDGET REQUEST ON HOMELESSNESS AND ALSO VISIT, AS I SUGGESTED, CONSTABLE GARCIA, TO VISIT WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ, THE PROGRAM, ASSUMING IT GETS BUILT S COORDINATED WITH THE RESOURCES AND EFFORTS THAT HE HAS SO THAT WE'RE COORDINATED COUNTY WIDE.

>> I THINK THAT'S AN EXCELLENT IDEA. WE WILL DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO OUR HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

>> GOOD DEAL, THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE THING. I KNOW THAT Y'ALL ARE LOOKING AT OUR ROLLOVER MONEYS.

WE OPERATE ON A $10.5 MILLION BUDGET AT THE PRESENT TIME BUT

[01:40:02]

>> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU HAVE

A COMMENT? >> NO, CONSTABLE, GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE BUT THE COMMISSIONER RAISED MY ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, LIKEWISE. THANK YOU.

>> UNMUTE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I SAID ECHO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S COMMENTS. LET ME ALSO SAY STAR HOPE MISSION IS NOT -- I THINK IT'S REAL CLOSE TO, IF NOT IN, YOUR PRECINCT AND CERTAINLY THEY HAVE HOMELESS RESOURCES AS WELL THAT MAYBE WE

CAN LEVERAGE AND HELP WITH. >> THANK YOU. WE SURE WILL.

WE'LL REACH OUT TO THEM. THANK YOU, SIR.

>> CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND PERSEVERANCE THROUGH

ALL OF THIS. >> THANK YOU, LIKEWISE.

>> JUST TO ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, IT'S A TIGHT YEAR. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD THE OPENING DISCUSSION YESTERDAY. I'LL ASSUME NOT. BUT IT'S VERY, VERY, VERY TIGHT SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT ON IDENTIFYING THE CUAL TAVE ACTIVE AND QUANTITATIVE WAYS TO REFLECT WHY THIS IS URGENT AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN BE SHARED ACROSS DEPARTMENTS, ACROSS EXISTING PROCESSES. I THINK YOU WILL FIND THE MOST SUCCESS IN YOUR REQUEST TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU WORK CLOSELY WITH THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT IN REALLY IRONING OUT WHAT IT IS YOU NEED AND WHY.

BECAUSE THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS IS EXTREMELY LIMITED SO WE WILL EVALUATE THIS CLOSELY, CERTAINLY MY TEAM IS AND IT'S A

VERY TIGHT YEAR. >> ABSOLUTELY. I UNDERSTAND.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> CONSTABLE WALKER. >> YOU'RE UNMUTED, CONSTABLE.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD.

>> YES, I'M UNMUTED. GOOD MORNING. I WANTED Y'ALL TO KNOW THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF PRECINCT 7, WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF PRECINCT 7. I KNOW YOU HAVE A COPY OF MY MISSION AND GOALS AND I WON'T READ THAT. I WILL JUST SAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY. WE CONSTANTLY GET LETTERS AND PEOPLE COME BY AND BRING US ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO LET US KNOW THEY REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS AND ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE WE PROVIDE TO THEM. AND WHAT I AM TRYING TO GET, OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF COMMISSIONER'S MEETINGS, I INFORMED THE COMMISSION THAT OUR VEHICLES WERE ALL REAL OLD VEHICLES. NOT ONE, EVERY VEHICLE WE HAD HERE AT PRECINCT 7 WAS OVER 150,000 MILES. OVER THE LAST TWO COMMISSIONER'S COURTS, YOU WILL HAVE PROVIDED ME WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO RECEIVE VEHICLES. NOW WE'RE AT THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF FUNCTIONAL VEHICLES, BUT WE'VE NEVER REPLACED ANY OF OUR CIVIL VEHICLES. NOW THEY'RE BEGINNING TO BE EXTREMELY OLD. SO I AM ASKING, FROM THE COURT, FOR 12 VEHICLES AND TWO POSITIONS. THE REASON FOR THE POSITIONS THAT I'M ASKING FOR IS OF COURSE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I HAD A NIGHT SHIFT WITH NO DEPUTIES ON THE NIGHT SHIFT. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, YOU ALL WERE ABLE TO GIVE ME FUNDS TO FILL MY NIGHT SHIFT. THIS YEAR, I'M ASKING FOR TWO POSITIONS TO -- THE OFFICERS THAT I HAVE -- I HAVE TWO OFFICERS ON THE NIGHT SHIFT, EACH NIGHT SHIFT, AND I'M ASKING FOR TWO MORE SO WHEN ONE

[01:45:05]

FOR THE COMMUNITIES. >> CONSTABLE, THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU GOT

MONEY FOR VEHICLES? >> I THINK LAST BUDGET YEAR, YOU DID GIVE ME SOME MONEY FOR VEHICLES AND WE BOUGHT SOME NEW VEHICLES. WE WERE ABLE TO GET RID OF -- BECAUSE THE VEHICLES, ALL OF THE VEHICLES WE HAD, YOU COULDN'T REPAIR THEM, YOU COULDN'T DO ANYTHING, SO WE WERE ABLE TO TURN IN THOSE OLD VEHICLES. NOW WE STILL HAVE A FEW REAL OLD ONES LEFT. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR THESE AND HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT COMMISSIONER YEAR, WE WON'T NEED ANY MORE. WE WILL HAVE REPLACED MOST OF THOSE OLD VEHICLES. WE NEVER REPLACED ANY IN THE CIVIL

DIVISION. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU

FOR YOUR WORK. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> THANK YOU. CONSTABLE WALKER, GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE. I HOPE YOU'RE DOING WELL. REMIND US HOW MANY MILES ON AVERAGE THOSE VEHICLES HAVE THAT YOU'RE ASKING TO BE REPLACED?

>> I CAN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT AMOUNT BUT IT'S OVER 150,000 MILES. THEY'RE REAL OLD VEHICLES. REALLY OLD. YOU KNOW, IF I CAN GET -- IF I CAN'T GET THE AMOUNT I'M ASKING FOR, ANYTHING TO HELP AND I'LL WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT TERM AND ASK FOR

MORE. >> THOSE -- 150,000 IS, ESPECIALLY FOR PATROL VEHICLES, THAT GET A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR ON A DAILY BASIS, THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR YOUR STAFF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE. AND STILL REMEMBER THOSE GOOD OLD PAL DAYS.

>> YEAH, I DO. AND I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THAT THE CIVIL VEHICLES WERE NEVER REPLACED. THE VEHICLES THAT YOU ALL HAD GIVEN ME IN THE PAST WENT TO PATROL BECAUSE MY ENTIRE FLEET WAS WAY OVER 150,000 MILES. I CAN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT NUMBERS

BUT IT WAS WAY OVER. >> THANK YOU.

>>> CONSTABLE, THIS IS TOM RAMSEY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. JUST A THOUGHT I HAD. IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF YOU WENT THROUGH A LEASE TO GET SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF UNTIL WE CAN GET YOU NEW VEHICLES IN THERE. SO THAT MIGHT BE WORTH PURSUING,

AT LEAST ON AN INTERIM BASIS. >> WELL, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, ALL OF MY SUPERVISORS HAVE LEASED VEHICLES. WE HAD TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLES WAS EXTREMELY OLD. SO WHAT I DID, I MADE SURE -- I LEASED ALL THE SUPERVISORS VEHICLES. BUT IT'S KIND OF HARD TO LEASE VEHICLES FOR YOUR PATROL OFFICERS BECAUSE YOU CANNOT PUT THE EQUIPMENT IN THEM.

>> UNDERSTOOD. THAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU.

>> YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME. >> CONSTABLE, THANK YOU. I JUST HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE ON THE BUDGET OFFICE ON THIS POINT OF THE VEHICLES. I THOUGHT FOR SOME REASON LAST YEAR THAT I DO RECALL THERE BEING ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT REALLY NEEDED REPLACING. I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD ADDRESSED IT, THROUGH CIP OR AT LEAST FIGURED OUT WHAT KIND OF SCHEDULE THEY NEEDED TO GET ON. IS THAT NOT SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENED AND IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN PURSUE? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS REQUEST IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE PUT ON CIP? IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH ON A -- JUST AS WE TRY TO KEEP UP THE BUILDINGS, WE TRY TO KEEP UP THE VEHICLES.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, THIS IS DAVID BERRY, WE HAVE FUNDED SOME VEHICLES THROUGH COMMERCIAL PAPER. TYPICALLY THE WAY IT WORKS IS THAT ACTUALLY THROUGH FLEET SERVICES, THE VEHICLES ARE PURCHASED AND DEPARTMENTS PAY THE COST BACK OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. AS WE'RE SEEING NOW REQUESTS, THIS IS ONE OF THE

[01:50:03]

LONGER TERM, AND WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS MORNING, WE NEED A MORE COMPREHENSIVE VEHICLE FINANCING PLAN WHERE WE'RE USING THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF PAY GO AND DEBT FINANCING AND POTENTIALLY LEASES. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE HAVE. SO THAT IS AN INITIATIVE WE SHOULD COMPLETE AS QUICKLY AS

WE CAN. >> IT JUST SEEMS THE CONSTABLES SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE. THIS KIND OF THING IS VERY -- YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING YOU GUYS COULD KEEP TRACK OF ON AN OPERATIONAL, ACROSS THE BOARD LEVEL. SO I'M GLAD YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON THAT AND CONSTABLE WALKER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I WOULD JUST SAY, PLEASE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE, GIVEN OUR LIMITED FUNDS, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS CLOSELY, SO TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN WORK WITH THEM ON THE METRICS AND THE OUTCOMES, BASE METRICS, THAT WOULD HELP. LET'S HER FROM COMMISSIONER CABLE THEN MR. GARCIA, THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> YOUR HONOR, ONE OF THE METRICS WE DISCUSSED BRIEFLY LAST YEAR AND WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT FOR ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE STARTED IN SOME OF OUR PRECINCTS. I THINK WE STARTED WITH OUR VEHICLES, WHAT IS CALLED THE FLAT LINE APPROACH, WHICH IS WHERE INSTEAD OF TAKING VEHICLES ON A INDIVIDUAL BASIS, YOU LOOK AT YOUR FLEET AS A UNIT. EVERY YEAR YOU LOOK AT YOUR FLEET AND YOU RETIRE THE VEHICLES THAT ARE TOO TIRED AND REPLACE THOSE SO YOUR BUDGET HAS SOME STABILITY AND YOU MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF A FLEET AS OPPOSED TO MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF INDIVIDUAL VEHICLES. SO WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN CONSTABLE MAY GOT RID OF HER OLD VEHICLES, SHE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN BACK INTO HURRY BUDGET WHAT THE OLD ONES WENT OUT FOR IN AUCTION. THAT'S A ADVANTAGE OF A FLAT LINE APPROACH OR FLEET MAINTENANCE APPROACH, WHICH IS THE TREND IN OTHER PLACES. IT'S NOT OUR IDEA, IT'S SOMETHING WE BORROWED FROM ELSEWHERE. YOU CAN MAINTAIN A HEALTHIER FLEET AND WHEN YOU SELL HIGHER MILEAGE VEHICLES OFF, YOU GET MORE MONEY BACK, WHICH GOES BACK INTO THE FLEET BUDGET FOR MAINTAINING THE FLAT LINE. SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE DAVE IS ON LOOKING AT THE FLAT LINE APPROACH FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE DO NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUT ON THERE. THAT'S A VERY GOOD PRACTICE IN A WE STARTED TO ADOPT. SOME OF OUR AREAS, WE STARTED TO ADOPT THAT IN PRECINCT 4. I THINK PRECINCT 2 MAY BE DOING THE FLAT LINE AS WELL WHERE THEY'RE LOOKING AT FLEET MANAGEMENT, FLEET AS A WHOLE AS OPPOSED TO SO INDIVIDUAL VEHICLES. I THINK IT'S A BETTER PRACTICE. IT SAVES YOU MONEY LONG TERM BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE AS MUCH MONEY GOING INTO DOWNED VEHICLES. YOU DON'T HAVE AS MUCH MONEY IN REPAIRS AND YOU'RE MAXIMIZING THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE FLEET. I WANT TO PITCH THAT IN THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT AND PUT THAT ACROSS WITH ALL.

CONSTABLE IN REGARD TO THE FLEET AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FIRE OFFICIAL SO WE DON'T HAVE HAPPENING WHAT HAPPENED WITH CONSTABLE MAY WHERE SHE HAD A SERIES OF VEHICLES AND WE HAD TO GET A WHOLE BUMP AT ONCE. WE NEED TO ROTATE THEM THROUGH SO WE DON'T HAVE WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS SPIKES AND DIPS. YOU HAVE A FLAT LINE ON YOUR BUDGET AS OPPOSED TO SPIKES AND DIPS.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS IS THE VEHICLE CONVERSATION JUST RESURRECTS WORK WE WERE CHALLENGED WITH AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL. THERE'S NOT JUST THE WEAR AND TEAR THAT PATROL VEHICLES IN PARTICULAR TEND TO GENERATE.

YOU BUT ALSO THEY TEND TO BE INVOLVED IN CRASHES MORE OFTEN THAN OTHER VEHICLES. SO YOU COULD HAVE A BRAND NEW CAR THAT

[01:55:01]

I THINK IT HELPED US A GREAT DEAL. I JUST DON'T REMEMBER IF IT ENDED UP BEING A CURE-ALL FOR THIS COMPLICATED PROBLEM. I'LL JUST STAKE A PIN IN THIS POINT THAT HAVING BEEN SOMEONE WHO DID DRIVE A PATROL CASHING AND THE FLOORBOARD WERE ROTTED OUTED, I WANT TO PRIORITIZE MAKING A COMMITTED EFFORT TO GETTING DEPUTIES OUT OF THOSE ANTIQUATED VEHICLES THAT ARE DANGEROUS. I REMEMBER HAVING TO -- NOT HAVING TO BUT VOLUNTEERING TO DRIVE OFFICER MACK TO HIS LIVING QUARTERS BECAUSE HE WAS A PATROL OFFICER IN THE 60S OR 70S THAT HAD A TIE ROD GO OUT FROM UNDER HIM AND TURNED HIM INTO A FUNCTIONING PARAPLEGIC. AND WE JUST HONORED HIM BY TAKING CARE OF HIM ON A WEEKLY BASIS. WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE OUR GUYS -- THEY'RE ALREADY DOING A DANGEROUS JOB. AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR CONSTABLE, WE NEED TO GET THEM OUT OF THOSE DANGEROUS VEHICLES.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS DAVID BERRY. THE CITY DOES HAVE A CIP PROGRAM FOR VEHICLES. THE EFFORT IS TO SMOOTH OUT THESE COSTS AND HAVE REGULAR PLANNED INVESTMENT. I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT MAKES ALL THE SENSE IN THE WORLD, AND AS AN INITIATIVE COMING OUT THE THIS BUDGET CYCLE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH FLEET SERVICES GETTING TOGETHER THE RIGHT SCHEDULED REPLACEMENTS AND FINANCING PLAN. I SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION. WHAT WE SEE IN BUDGET SUBMISSIONS IS WE'RE PLAYING WHACK-A-MOLE. THAT IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO DO BUDGETING.

I'M HAPPY TO DIG IN ON THAT. >> GOOD DEAL, THANK YOU.

>>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

MR. BARRETT, WOULD YOU JUST LOOK AT A -- WHETHER OR NOT THE TRANSPORTATION FUNDS FROM THE TOLL ROAD WOULD BE A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF REVENUE TO DO ACROSS THE BOARD? EVEN IF IT'S A ONE-TIME DEAL. AT LEAST LOOK AND SEE IF THAT'S -- TALK WITH LEGAL AS WELL. THAT'S AT LEAST ANOTHER FUNDING OPTION.

>> WE'LL INVESTIGATE. I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER OFF THE TOP OF

MY HEAD. >> OKAY.

>> CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS THIS MORNING. OR THIS AFTERNOON.

>> THE LEASING CARS IS KIND OF IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO LEASE PATROL CARS BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT IN IT.

YOU CAN LEASE CARS FOR SOME OF YOUR TOP ADMINISTRATORS, BUT AS FAR AS PATROL OFFICERS, THESE OFFICERS HAVE SO MUCH EQUIPMENT IN THESE CARS, THERE'S HARDLY ROOM FOR THEM. THEY'RE NOT IN LEASED CARS. SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE A POLICE CAR FOR OFFICERS.

>> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT OUR

[02:00:05]

>> HAPPY TO DO THAT. AND WE DO HAVE SOME -- THROUGH CP AND FLEET SERVICES, WE HAVE WAYS TODAY TO SMOOTH OUT THAT EXPENSE FOR DEPARTMENTS BUT WE NEED TO DO IT ON A SYSTEMIC BASIS. NOT JUST A ONEOFF. INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED, WE KNOW WHERE TO GO.

>> GREAT. WE'VE BEEN IN SESSION TWO HOURS SO LET'S TAKE A TWO-MINUTE BREAK Z.

>> IT IS 12:18. WE'RE BACK IN SESSION. WE'RE WAITING TO HEAR FROM CONSTABLE SANDLIN.

>> I'M UNMUTING CONSTABLE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. BUDGET OFFICE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO DAVID BERRY, KEVIN SEAT AND PFM FOR THEIR GUIDANCE WITH OUR BUDGET. LUCINDA, WOULD YOU BRING UP OUR SLIDE SHOW? IF YOU COULD GO TO SLIDE NUMBER 2, PLEASE. OKAY, INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET PACKET IS AN OUTLINE OF THE PRIMARY SERVICES WE PROVIDE THESE INCLUDE THE SERVICES OF CIVILIAN PROCESS, CRIMINAL WARRANTS, PATROL FUNCTIONS, CALL RESPONSE, D.U.I. INTERDICTION AND PROVIDING EXTRA PATROLS AND VACATION WATCHES FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PATROLS AND CHECKS AND FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATIONS ON PERSONS AND PROPERTY CRIMES. WE ALSO PROCESS EVIDENCE FROM THESE CRIMES. WE DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH ALSO THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. WE DO CONTINUING EDUCATION AND GENERAL DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS. WITH A STAFF OF 72 SWORN PERSONNEL AND 18 CIVILIANS WE STRIVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CITIZENS WITHIN THE 514 SQUARE MILES OF PRECINCT 8 WITH NEARLY 300,000 PEOPLE. WITH WE COULD GO TO SLIDE 3, PLEASE. WE WORK TO ACHIEVE AND MAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF SUCCESS PROVIDING THESE SERVICES WHICH IS EVIDENT BY THE PERFORMANCE METRICS LISTED IN PACKET. AS A LEADER OF OUR AGENCY, EVERY SERVICE PROVIDED BY PRECINCT 8 IS FORTUNATE ME AND I WANT TO ENSURE WE ARE MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN EVERYTHING WE DO. THE YEAR 2020 WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE NORM FOR ANYONE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW DEMAND FOR SERVICES WE PROVIDE DECREASE WHILE OTHERS INCREASED. WE ALSO FOUND OURSELVES PERFORMING NEW SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC SUCH AS PROVIDING SECURITY AT TESTING AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES, HOSTING OR PARTICIPATING IN DISTRIBUTING PPE SUPPLIES TO THE COMMUNITY AND HOLDING BLOOD DRIVES TO NAME A FEW. THOSE DEMANDS ARE STILL ONGOING. WITH THAT IN MIND, NOTE SOME OF THE STATISTICS LISTED ON PAGE 3 OF THE PRESENTATION INCLUDE 2019 NUMBERS FOR COMPARISON. WE EXPECT NUMBERS TO RETURN TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS ONCE COVID IS BEHIND US. WE COULD GO TO SLIDE 4. WITH A VAST MAJORITY OF SERVICES WE PROVIDE BEING DRIVEN BY DEMAND FROM THE COMMUNITY, IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT WE FOSTER AND MAINTAIN POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE WE SERVE. WHILE THERE'S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT I'M PROUD OF THE FACT WE RECEIVE SUPPORT AND PRAISE FROM THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. WITH THE REQUEST WE INCLUDE OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS WE INCORPORATE CLEAR, RELEVANT BENCHMARKS FOR THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE. YOU WILL NOTICE A COMMON THEME OF STRIVING TO PROVIDE DILIGENT, PASSIONATE AND MEANINGFUL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH STATED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES LISTED BY THE AGENCY. ESSENTIALLY OUR OBJECTIVES WERE COMPILED WITH A FOCUS ON ACHIEVING POSITIVE RESULTS THROUGH THE USE OF EFFECTIVE AND PROVEN METHOD WHILE INCORPORATING NEW METHODS. MY HOPE IS REACHING OUR STATED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY THAT MAINTAINS PUBLIC TRUST. GAUGING PERFORMANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS, IT'S ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES SO WHEN WE WERE ASKED TO LIST PERFORMANCE METRICS AS PART OF THE BUDGET PACKET, YOU'LL SEE MOST OF THOSE LISTED WERE IN USE. WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE ALL THE METRICS AND VALUES THAT PFM SUGGESTED DURING REVIEW OF OUR SUBMISSION. I TOO AGREE IT

[02:05:01]

>> JUDGE? >> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, GO

AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. CONSTABLE, IT WAS HEARTBREAKING TO -- YOU CONTINUE TO BE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AN YOUR FAMILY. THANK YOU AND YOUR GUYS FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDING ON GETTING THE -- COVERING THE TESTING SITES, FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AND THE LIKE. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING.

AND SIMILARLY, CONSTABLE, I WANTED TO ALSO ASK YOU, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU'RE GETTING IT IN YOUR AREA AS WELL, I'M NOT SURE JUST HOW SIGNIFICANT YOU'RE GETTING IT, BUT I THINK YOU'RE GETTING IT JUST AS BAD AS ANYBODY ELSE WITH MAYBE THE EXCEPTION OF THE INNER CITY OFFICES. BUT HOMELESSNESS. IS YOUR OFFICE -- IS YOUR AREA HAVING ENCAMPMENTS AND

PANHANDLING IN YOUR AREA? >> YES, SIR, MAINLY IN CLEAR LAKE. I KNOW YOUR OFFICE IS PROBABLY AWARE WE HAD A VERY LARGE ENCAMPMENT BEHIND THE OLD HOME DEPOT, THE FREEWAY. BUT JUST RIGHT HERE AT HE WILL CA MINNOW AND BAY AREA, WE GET DISTURBANCE CALLS AT THOSE LOCATIONS, THE PANHANDLERS FIGHT OVER WHO WILL WORK WHAT CORNER BECAUSE SOME PAY BETTER THAN OTHERS. ASSAULTS ARE OCCURRING UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGES. SO WE'RE HANDLING IT WITH PATROL. I'LL BE HONEST, I DIDN'T ASK FOR POSITIONS BECAUSE I KNOW FUNDS ARE VERY LIMITED, BUT IN THE FUTURE, IF WE COULD GET SOME POSITIONS, IF IT'S NOT THIS YEAR OR -- THAT THAT'S FINE. I UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE AT AS FAR AS FUNDING. BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, OUR PATROL DIVISION IS PRETTY MUCH HANDLING THOSE TYPES OF CALLS. WE GO UNDER AND CHECK IN ON THEM. WE KNOW ALMOST EVERY ONE OF THEM BY NAME. AT SOME POINT, WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AS FAR

[02:10:04]

THESE FOLKS RELOCATED. >> GOOD, GOOD. I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO -- AS I HAVE ASKED A COUPLE OTHER OFFICES TO THINK ABOUT CONSTRUCTING A PROGRAM, GET THAT OVER TO ME AND -- AND YOU'VE HEARD THE JUDGE, FUNDS ARE VERY LIMITED. BUT WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WEAVE DONE, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF HOMELESSNESS, IT MAY BE GOOD TO FURTHER BUILD ON OUR ABILITY TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON -- IN THAT AREA. SO NO PROMISES BUT GET THAT OVER TO ME AND LET ME WORK WITH IT.

>> YES, SIR, I SURE WILL. >> THANK YOU.

>>> APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO. I GET GOOD REPORTS ON YOU FROM FRIENDS IN THE SEABROOK, CLEAR LAKE, LAKE CITY AREA. THANK YOU FOR MAINTAINING THE PRESENCE YOU DO CALL MY OFFICE AT ANY TIME IF

YOU NEED HELP. >> THANK YOU, SIR, I LOOK

FORWARD TO MEETING YOU, ALSO. >> DID I COME THROUGH?

>> YES, CONSTABLE. I'M WAITING TO SEE IF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MORE COMMENTS. I WANT TO THANK YOU. YOUR SENT A THOUGHTFUL LIST OF PERFORMANCE METRICS. I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO AND APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENTATION. YEAH, JUST THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THE MAIN THING IS I JUST ASK THAT IN THE LAST THREE --

>> CONSTABLE? >> YESTERDAY, CONSTABLE.

>> I WOULD ASK THAT THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE HAD TO GO INTO ROLLOVER TO MEET BUDGET AT THE START. I WAS WILLING TO DO THAT BUT I WILL TELL YOU MY ROLLOVER IS QUITE LOW. I JUST CAN'T CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND BE ABLE TO PAY SALARIES AND BENEFITS THESE RECURRING EXPENSES OUT OF THE ROLLOVERS SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I EXPECT DAVE BERRY'S TEAM WILL BE WORKING WITH YOU AND THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ON JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION ALSO WHEN IT COMES TO THE

ROLLOVER. >> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. THAT CONCLUDES THE.

>> CONSTABLE? >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> YES, SIR. >> I JUST WANTED TO TELL THE CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I'M PRAYING FOR YOU

AND YOUR FAMILY. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. SO UNLESS I MISSED ANYBODY, LUCINDA, IT'S TIME TO HEAR FROM THE SHERIFF.

>> THE SHERIFF CIVIL SERVICE? >> GO AHEAD.

>> SONNY MIMS, I'M GOING TO UNMUTE YOU.

>> OKAY. >> I'M ALSO GOING TO UNMUTE CHAIR MELANIE MILES, YOU'RE UNMUTED.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS MELANIE MILES, I CHAIR THE SHERIFFS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONER. THAW FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ON BEHALF OF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND THE STAFF OF THE SHERIFFS CIVIL SERVICE OFFICE. THE PURPOSE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION IS TWOFOLD. ONE IS TO CONDUCT AND HEAR THE APPEALS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES. WITH THIS PURPOSE, IT IS TO PROMOTE THE PROFESSIONALISM AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO ASSURE ALL EMPLOYEES IN THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECEIVE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL TREATMENT AT ALL TIMES AND THAT THEY ADHERE TO THE RULES OF CONDUCT OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE EMPLOYEES ARE CURRENTLY DEFINED AS THE RANK OF CAPTAIN AND BELOW. THE SECOND PURPOSE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMPETITION IS TO CONDUCT THE ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAMSAL EXAMINES FOR FIVE RANKS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO DO ALL OF THESE THINGS WITH TRANSPARENCY AND IMPARTIAL THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION IS MADE UP OF SEVEN COMMISSIONERS ALONG WITH THE STAFF OF SONNY MIMS, THE DIRECTOR WHO IS ON THE LINE AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, JERRY MILLER. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE SEVEN COMMISSIONERS TRULY DO REPRESENT THE DIVERSITY OF THIS COUNTY. IN 2020, FOR

[02:15:04]

ANOTHER POINT MUCH PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, THE CONSULTANT COMMENDED THE SHERIFF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ON ITS WEBSITE THAT IT'S EXCEPTIONAL AND THE LEVEL TRANSPARENCY SHOULD SERVE AS A MODEL TO OTHERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. IS.

>> THANK YOU, I'M CHECK AND SEE IF MY COLLEAGUESV QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> I'M GOING TO UN UNSHERIFF ED

GONZALEZ. YOU'RE UNMUTED, SIR. >> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS, AND A SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON HIS RE-ELECTION AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON HIS ELECTION. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SERVING THE NEEDS OF YOUR PRECINCT AS WELL SO WELCOME ABOARD. WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE SPREAD AMONG 1,788 SQUARE MILES IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. WE THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE SUPPORT YOU SHOWED US WITH THE CURRENT BUDGET BUT SO MUCH AS CHANGED SINCE THIS TIME LAST YEAR. THE PANDEMIC CHALLENGED OUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE FAMILY IN NO WAYS NO ONE COULD HAVE MANAGED. WE HAVE BURIED THREE TEAMMATES WHO DIED AFTER CONTRACTING THE VIRUS, SIX PEOPLE HOUSED IN OUR JAIL DIED BECAUSE OF COVID-19 AS WELL. WHILE WE MOURN THESE DEATHS OUR TEAM PULLED TOGETHER TO STAVE OFF A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC OUTBREAK IN THE COUNTY JAIL. THIS WAS DESPITE A RISE IN POPULATION AND SURGE IN COVID-19 AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. IN FACT, THE DEATH RATE WITHIN OUR JAIL IS LOWER THAN THE OVERALL COVID-19 DEATH RATE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY. WE OWE AN UNPAYABLE DEBT TO THE 5,000 MEN AND WOMEN ON OUR TEAM WHO REPORTED FOR DUTY EVERY DAY KNOWING THE THREAT TO THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. I'M HERE TO SEEK A STRONGER INVESTMENT IN OUR TEAM, KNOWING THE PANDEMIC HAS INFLICTED REAL ECONOMIC DAMAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY'S FINANCIAL HEALTH. LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ON THE FRONT LINES OF THREE MAJOR SOCIETAL ISSUES THAT MUST BE DRESSED. POVERTY, MENTAL ILLNESS AND DRUG ADDICTION. THE PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED ALL THREE ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE PROACTIVE STEPS WE HAVE TAKEN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THEM.

OUR JAIL IS AT CAPACITY WITH NEARLY 9,000 INMATES. WE HAVE HAVEN'T HIT THAT MARK SINCE MARCH 2020. THE RISING JAIL POPULATION IS BECAUSE OF TWO PRIMARY FACTORS. ONE, OUR COURTS NEVER GOT BACK TO FULL OPERATIONS AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY DAMAGED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. TWO, THE ONGOING PANDEMIC THAT EFFECTIVELY ENDED HEARINGS AND TRIALS CAUSING PEOPLE IN JAIL TO WAY LONGER FOR CASES TO BE HEARD. TODAY THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STATE IS 215 DAYS OR MORE THAN SEVEN MONTHS. THOSE ARE REAL COSTS. IN PAST YEARS, WE HAD THE OPTION OF PAYING OUTSOURCED PEOPLE TO OUT OF COUNTY JAILS WHEN WE HIT CAPACITY. THAT'S NOT THE CASE AS MANY OF THOSE FACILITIES ARE OUT OF BUSINESS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. I'M PROUD THAT LAST YEAR WE BECAME THE FIRST LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO LAUNCH A SITE AND RELEASE PROGRAM THAT DECREASED THE NUMBER OF SOME PEOPLE JAILED FOR LOW-LEVEL

[02:20:03]

MORE THAN 3,200 ARE STAKING A PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION. MORE HARD COST. I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY I HAVE APPOINTED OUR AGENCY'S FIRST EVER CHIEF OF DETENTIONS, A CIVILIAN POST TASKED WITH OVERSEEING OUR ENTIRE JAIL POPULATION AND OPERATION. SHANNON IS A LONG TIME RESPECTED TOP OFFICIAL AT THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS WHERE HE HELPED OVERSEE COMPLIANCE WITH STATE REGULATIONS AT JAILS ACROSS TEXAS, INCLUDING OURS FOR TWO DECADES. OTHER STEPS WE'VE TAKEN INCLUDE THE LAUNCHING OF PROJECT GUARDIAN TO IMPROVE INTERACTIONS AND CALLS FOR SERVICE INVOLVING PERSONS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. IT GIVES DEPUTIES ADVANCED INFORMATION SO THEY'RE PREPARED BEFORE ARRIVING AT A CALL. WE EXPANDED TELEHEALTH THAT PROVIDES PATROL DEPUTIES WITH INHAND ACCESS TO A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN BY IPAD. WITH THE TRAINING COURSE WE IMPLEMENTED A PROVEN DE-ESCALATION TRAINING AND SCENARIO BASED PROGRAM FOR PATROL DEPUTIES AND DETENTION OFFICERS. WE SUSTAINED THE AGENCY'S FIRST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION LED BY MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT OFFERS A WIDE RANGE OF CONSULTATION AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES. BEFORE NOW, OUR AGENCY NEVER HAD IN-HOUSE MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS SERVING DEPUTIES, DETENTION OFFICERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES. ACROSS THE NATION LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES REPORTED A RISE IN VIOLENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC. WE WERE NOT IMMUNE TO THE TREND. IN 2020 WE SAW THE MURDER RATE CLIMB 27% FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.

WHAT IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING IS OUR INCREASE IS ACTUALLY LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE MURDER RATE INCREASE IN OTHER BIG METRO AREAS. IN HARRIS COUNTY, DOMESTIC VIALS WAS THE PRIMARY DRIVER. THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS KILLED BY A FAMILY MEMBER WAS 36, MORE THAN TWICE THE NUMBER KILLED BY A RELATIVE IN 2019 IN OUR COUNTY. I'M PROUD THAT OUR INVESTIGATORS CLEARED MORE THAN 80% OF 2020 MURDER CASES. THAT'S THE CLEARANCE RATE WELL ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. STILL, I THINK WE WOULD PREFER TO PREVENT THESE MURDERS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THAT IS WHY WE LAUNCHED A BEHAVIORAL THREAT MANAGEMENT UNIT TO TACKLE A KEY COMPONENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. STALKING THE GOAL IS TO PREVENT VOLATILE SITUATIONS FROM ESCALATING INTO HARM OR VIOLENCE. WE HAVE TAKEN OTHER PROACTIVE RESEARCH BASED STEPS TO ADDRESS THE RISE IN VIOLENCE. IN RESPONSE TO INCREASE IN STREET RACING AND ROAD RAGE WE ESTABLISHED A TRAFFIC CRIMES UNIT CENTERED ON LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE LOCAL RACING CULTURE, STREET TAKEOVERS AND STUNT DRIVING. WHILE THE PANDEMIC MAY HAVE REDUCED CONGESTION ON OUR ROADS, RECKLESS DRIVING INCREASED. IN 2019 WE WORKED HARD TO HAPPY HARRIS COUNTY SHED THE STATUS AS THE DEADLIEST PLACE IN AMERICA FOR DRIVERS. OUR PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT WORK HELPED TEMPORARY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FATAL CRASHES IN 2019 TO THE LOWEST IN YEARS. WE SAW THAT NUMBER SURGE IN 2020 TO 148.

THE HIGHST NUMBER OF FATAL CRASHES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

WE CREATED PROACTIVE CRIME REDUCTION UNITS IN ALL FIVE PATROL DISTRICTS, PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES UNIQUE TO EACH COMMUNITY THEY SERVE. WE DEVELOPED A FLOOD RESCUE UNIT TO RESPOND TO RESCUE CALLS DURING FLOODING AND SEVERE

[02:25:04]

RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED THIN. I'M ASKING FOR MORE DOESN'T AND DEPUTIES AND DETENTION OFFICERS WE ALL BELIEVE THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE JAIL. HOWEVER, THE REALITY IS OUR POPULATION IS HIGH AND THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK IT'S GOING TO SHRINK ANYTIME SOON. WE ARE STRUGGLING TO MEET STATE MANDATED STAFFING RATIOS IN THE JAIL AND TURNOVER AMONG STAFF IS HIGH BECAUSE OF THE STRESS THAT COMES WITH MANDATORY OVERTIME THAT KEEPS OUR PEOPLE AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES MORE THAN ANY OF US WOULD TOLERATE IN OUR OWN LIVES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH ALL EIGHT ELECTED CONSTABLES BUT THERE'S ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SERVE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT, THEY ALL DO PHENOMENAL WORK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR TEAM DURING THESE TRYING TEAMS. WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL.

I'M PREPARED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. YOU ALSO HAVE IN YOUR PACKETS SOME MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC ITEMS RELATED TO SOME OF THE INCREASES THAT WE'RE REQUESTING.

>> THANK YOU, SHERIFF. COMMISSIONER?

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. SHERIFF, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR ALL YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. LET ME ALSO JUST CONTINUE TO OFFER PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES TO YOUR SHERIFF'S OFFICE FAMILY FOR THE LOSSES THAT YOU HAVE INCURRED THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, BOTH COVID RELATED AND NOT. AND SO AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK. AND I FIRST OF ALL, LET ME APPLAUD YOU ON THE APPOINTMENT OF SHANNON. I'M FAMILIAR WITH HIM AND I THINK THIS WILL GO A LONG WAYS. SHANNON WILL ALSO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT IT'S ALWAYS EASIER TO INSPECT THAN TO OPERATE. SO I THINK HE'S A LITTLE LIGHT ON TOP BECAUSE HE WILL LOSE HAIR RUNNING THE LARGEST COUNTY JAIL IN TEXAS. BUT IT'S A SMART HIRE. AND I APPLAUD YOU FOR BEING ABLE TO SNAG HIM. TO YOUR REQUEST, I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THE LARGEST UNNAMED CITY IN TEXAS. THAT IS UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. IF YOU WERE TO BE A CITY IN TEXAS, YOU WOULD BE JUST RIGHT BEHIND AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THE CENSUS SAYS BUT YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO OBVIOUSLY THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU DEAL WITH ARE NOT THE CHALLENGES OF THE SHERIFFS OF YEARS BACK. YOU'RE NOT JUST -- YOUR LIVESTOCK ISN'T THE BUSIEST UNIT THAT IT USED TO BE IN THE OLD DAYS. YOU'RE DEALING WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING. YOU'RE DEALING WITH, AS YOU ALLUDED TO, DRUNK DRIVING, FATALITIES AND CRASHES YOU'RE DEALING WITH GANGS. YOU'RE DEALING WITH VIOLENCE.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PARTICULAR YOU ARE A CHIEF OF POLICE. BUT YOU'RE ELECTED TO DO THAT JOB, NOT APPOINTED. I RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES AND OBVIOUSLY APPLAUD YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND HOW YOU'RE DOING IT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IT WITH. SO THAT END, I WANT TO CONFIRM THE DATA I'VE GOT. IT SAYS YOU'VE GOT CURRENTLY 154 154 VACANCIES UNDR YOUR PATROL AND OVER 100 IN

[02:30:02]

DETENTION. IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> GOOD. I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT YOUR HIRING, RECRUITING PROCESS.

ACTUALLY, CORRECT THIS FOR ME. HOW MANY ACADEMY CLASSES ARE YOU RUNNING NOW? IS IT TWO OR FIVE I BELIEVE I MADE THE MOTION AT THE LAST BUDGET TO PROVIDE YOU WITH FIVE ACADEMY CLASSES. WHAT

ENDED UP HAPPENING? >> THE INVESTMENT FOR THE FIVE CLASSES WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE THAN WHAT OUR BUDGET WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAINMENT SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ROLL OUT TWO FULL CLASSES PER YEAR. AND THEN IN ADDITION TO SOME LATERAL CLASSES AS WELL, JUST TO SUPPLEMENT OUR WORKFORCE. YOU KNOW, WE STRUGGLE NATIONALLY WITH RECRUITING AS EVERYBODY ELSE DOES. IT'S NO LONGER A PROFESSION A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WANT TO SIGN UP FOR. THEY LOOK AT MORE THINGS LIKE IMMEDIATE START-UP PAY RATHER THAN LONGEVITY AND OTHER THINGS THAT COME IN THE BACK END WITH PENSION SYSTEMS AND ALL OF THAT SO WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE ACADEMY CLASSES. SOMETIMES WE'RE LANDLOCKED WITH OUR FACILITY, EVEN WITH THE LIMITED NUMBER OF CLASSROOMS AND THE STAFF. SO THERE'S ONLY A LIMITED BANDWIDTH BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO GROW THAT NUMBER SO THAT AS YOU MIGHT RECALL AS WELL, MANY YEARS AGO THERE WERE TWO MASS HIRING PERIODS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD. THOSE ARE COMING OF AGE. THEY'RE COMING DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'VE REACHED THE RETIREMENT AGE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK TO MOVE ON AND WE SUPPORT THEM DOING THAT. BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BRING

PEOPLE IN. >> SO PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, HOW MANY CLASSES CAN YOU -- FIVE MAY HAVE BEEN ASPIRATIONAL BUT REALISTICALLY, HOW MANY CLASSES CAN YOU RUN, FILL, AND PROCESS

IN A FISCAL YEAR? >> I THINK, AGAIN, IF WE COULD -- IF WE COULD REALLY DIG DEEP, WE COULD DO MAX, FOUR.

IDEALLY MORE COMFORTABLY THREE, ESPECIALLY WITH COVID, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE LIMITATIONS IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE CLASSES. I HAVE INCREASED THAT SINCE I FIRST CAME IN TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TRYING TO GROW THE NUMBERS MORE. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT SOMETIMES HAPPENS IS THAT SOMETIMES OUR POOL THAT COMES FROM WITHIN, IT COMES FROM DETENTION OFFICERS.

I WANT TO POINT OUT TO THE VAC SIS YOU MENTIONED, THOSE ARE PCNS ON THE BOOKS BUT WE'RE NOT SITTING ON THEM AND NOT FILLING THEM, WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS.

>> THE -- THEY'RE NOT FUNDED. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING. JUST POSITIONS THAT ARE ALLOCATED ALREADY THAT JUST NEED FUNDING.

>> THAT'S IMPORTANT. >> AND AS YOU KNOW, IN YOUR PREVIOUS ROLE AT SHERIFF, IF YOU LOOK THROUGH -- I MEAN EVERY BUDGET I'VE HAD, I'VE COME IN WITHIN BUDGET.

I'VE BEEN A GOOD STEWARD OF RESOURCES. GOING BACK TO MY DAYS ON CITY COUNCIL. BUT I ALSO HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE TOWARDS THE FUTURE. AND I'M A HANDS ON SHERIFF, I'M ALWAYS OUT THERE TALKING TO RESIDENTS. I THINK YOU CAN SEE FROM SOME OF THE WORK WE'VE DONE THAT WE'RE ONE OF THE MOST FORWARD THINKING, LEADING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS IN THE COUNTRY. THAT WAS ONE OF MY GOALS IN MY FIRST FOUR YEARS BUT PEOPLE WANT TO SEE BOOTS ON THE GROUND. THEY WANT TO SEE DEPUTIES BEING PROACTIVE, REDUCING VIOLENT CRIMES. I TELL YOU, THAT OUR VIOLENT CRIMES UNIT AND OTHERS ARE VERY BUSINESS A BUSY. -- BUSY. IT HS TO BE A MULTIPRONG APPROACH. I BELIEVE ON THE PREVENTION AND SOFT SKILLS THAT WE HAVE ONE OF THE LEADING HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAMS AND MENTAL HEALTH UNITS. WE'VE INCREASED IT ACROSS THE COUNTY. EVERY COMMISSIONER'S DISTRICT HAS A MENTAL HEALTH UNIT AND HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR TEAM AND YOU SEE HOW PHENOMENAL THEY ARE AND HOW PROACTIVE BUT WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE DEPUTIES OUT THERE MAKING SURE THEY'RE CLEARING CASES. NOT JUST GENERATORS REPORTS BUT THEY NEED FOLLOW UP NOW WE HAVE EMERGING ISSUES SUCH AS BOARDING HOMES, GROUP HOMES I WORKED ON WHEN ON COUNCIL. BUT

[02:35:05]

THAT ON AS WELL. >> YOU HAVE URBAN CHALLENGES.

>> WITH THE STRAW IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO LEAD THE NATION IN THE NUMBER OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAYS AND A MAJOR FATAL CRASHES AS WELL.

>> SO SHERIFF, ON THE 154 UNFUNDUNFUNDVACANCY THAT YOU HAY NEW HIRES DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT YOU CAN PRODUCE IN A YEAR, WHETHER LATERAL OR NEW RECRUITS?

>> I THINK WE COULD PROBABLY -- EACH CLASS, OUR GOAL WOULD BE ABOUT 70 INDIVIDUALS PER CLASS. OF COURSE THERE IS SOME THAT

WILL END UPCOMING -- >> ON AVERAGE, HOW MANY --

>> ON AVERAGE, 60 PER CLASS. NEW CLASSES, WE BRING IN ABOUT 120 PER YEAR. THEN THROUGH LATERALS, THEY COULD AVERAGE FROM 30 PER CLASS ON THOSE. THEY COME THROUGH A MODIFIED PROGRAM. SO LET'S SAY -- THOSE WE COULD HAVE MORE FREQUENTLY BECAUSE THEY'RE SHORTER. WE COULD DO MAYBE FOUR A YEAR, SO ANOTHER 120, RIGHT AROUND THE 300 RANGE. PART OF WHAT TAKES A WHILE IS GETTING THEM UP TO PAR TO BE ABLE TO SERVE IN A POLICE CAPACITY. YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE BRINGING THEM ONBOARD, WE'RE BASICALLY PAYING THAT SALARY FOR SIX MONTHS BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY DEPLOYED OUT ON THE FIELD. SO SOMETIMES YOU ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE A ROLLING NUMBER OF VACANCY SIS BECAUSE OF ATTRITION AND

OTHER DYNAMICS. >> I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK OUT A GOOD -- I'LL WORK WITH MR. BERRY ON THIS, A GOOD WAY TO GET YOUR CLASSES FUNDED, YOUR LATERAL AND CORE ACADEMY CLASSES. I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO POINT OUT YOU'VE GOT VACANCIES BUT THEY'RE NOT FUNDED SO YOU HAVE TO COME BACK TO US BEFORE YOU CAN GET CUED UP TO HIRE.

YOU MIGHT HAVE LATERALS THAT YOU CAN BRING OVER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE FUNDING. LASTLY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT YOU DON'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF DISCRETION WHETHER YOU WANT TO FUND DETENTION POSITIONS, THOSE ARE STAGE O COMMISSION REQUIRED. SO THOSE ARE VERY CRITICAL. LASTLY, THE STATUS OF THE HARRIS HEALTH TAKING OVER YOUR MEDICAL OPERATIONS. WHERE

ARE WE WITH THAT. >> AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING, THE LAST ONE HELD, WE HAVE BEGUN HAVING CONVERSATIONS, THERE ARE MEETINGS SCHEDULED AND WE HAVE OUR MEDICAL TEAM STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, WE WERE ALREADY WELL UNDER WAY ON THAT. IT WAS JUST MORE A FUNCTION OF HARRIS HEALTH, THE BOARD AND OTHERS MAKING THOSE DECISIONS TO ACTUALLY TAKE IT OVER AND VOTING WITH THEIR GOVERNING BODY. OTHER THAN THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT DONE SOONER RATHER THAN

LATER IDEALLY. >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF.

APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> SHERIFF TOM, RAMSEY HERE, I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING THESE TOUGH TIMES. I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT AT LEAST IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HOMICIDES ARE UP 41%. IT'S NOT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE NUMBER IS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. I ASSUME IT WAS MIRROR THAT. HOW ARE YOUR RESOURCES FOR DEALING WITH THAT SIGNIFICANT INCREASE

IN CRIME DURING THE PANDEMIC? >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. AS I SAID, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND SERVING THE NEEDS OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS. YES, WE DID SEE AN UPTICK. WITH OUR MURDER RATE, NOT AS SIGNIFICANT AS HPD AND OUR NUMBERS ARE NOT AS HIGH AS THEIRS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO IS WE TAKE SOME PROACTIVE MESSES NOT ONLY IN OUR HOMICIDE TEAM, IT TAKES HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING PROACTIVE MEASURES SO WE DO RESPOND TO THOSE SCENES WHERE MAYBE THE PERSON DIDN'T DIE BUT IT WAS STILL SOME TYPE OF SHOOTING OR STABBING SO WE COULD MAKE SURE WE'RE WORKING TO PREVENT THAT FUTURE MURDER FROM HAPPENING

[02:40:01]

>> HOW MANY INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS DO YOU HAVE OPEN?

>> WE INCLUDED IN PART OF OUR REQUEST SEVERAL OF THE INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS. LET ME SEE HERE. OUR -- MY FINANCE --

>> THAT WILL BE FINE, YOU CAN SHOOT THAT TO ME.

>> I CAN GET THAT TO ME. >> IS THE PERSON YOU -- YOU REFERENCED IN THE JAIL, IS HIS TITLE JAIL ADMINISTRATOR?

>> IT'S A JAIL ADMINISTRATOR, YES. BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A LARGE SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, WE ELEVATED THE TITLE, IF YOU WILL, BECAUSE WE ARE THE SIZE OF SOME PRISON SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF OUR POPULATION. SO WE WANTED TO BE AN ELEVATED TITLE TO RECOGNIZE HE'S MORE NONJUST A JAIL ADMINISTRATOR, IT REALLY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY SO IT IS A JAIL

ADMINISTRATOR. >> SHERIFF, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU, WHETHER IT'S HARRIS HEALTH COMING OVER, GETTING INVOLVED AS WE'RE WORKING ON, ANYTHING WE CAN HELP YOU TO GET SOME HELP IN THAT JAIL SO THAT WE CAN FOCUS AGAIN OUR RESOURCES OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, WE WANT TO DO.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER. WE APPRECIATE THAT. OUR INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS, WE HAVE FOUR CURRENT

OPEN INVESTIGATIVE POSITIONS. >> OKAY.

>> THANK YOU. >> UH-HUH.

>> DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? SHERIFF, JUST A THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR NEW JAIL ADMINISTRATOR. I THINK IT'S BRILLIANT AND COMMENDABLE. A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE NOT DONE THAT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, GO AHEAD.

>> JUDGE, I WANTED TO THANK THE SHERIFF FOR WORKING WITH ME AND MY STAFF, ALL OF OUR STAFFS, ON SO MANY REFORM ISSUES THAT EACH OF US PRESENTED AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH. I SINCERELY APPRECIATE IT. SHERIFF, WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS AND THE KEY IS YOU ON PULLING EVERYBODY TOGETHER, KEEPING EVERYBODY CALM TO GET THOSE THINGS DONE. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON WORKING WITH DAVE BERRY AND HARRIS HEALTH HOPEFULLY SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE, BUILD ON WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE IN THE JAIL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR

REELECTION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, COMMISSIONER, AND FOR YOUR ADVOCACY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOUND REFORMS THAT MAKE SENSE.

I APPRECIATE THAT. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK HARD. WE UNDERSTAND THAT WE SERVE A BROAD CONCINNITY WANTSY OF MANY INDIVIDUALS AND SOME OBVIOUSLY NEED HELP. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE WORK PROACTIVELY TO GET INTO THE PROPER ALTERNATIVES. AS YOU KNOW AND YOUR TEAM KNOWS, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO, FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND KIND WORDS A

FEW MINUTES AGO. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SHERIFF. >> YOU ALWAYS MAKE THE POINT, IT'S PUBLIC SAFETY AND REFORM AND WE CAN DO BOTH.

>> THANK YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND LOOK, THE REQUESTS, I MEAN AS YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE THAT HE

[02:45:03]

BUT I -- I'LL JUST MENTION TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU HAVE THOSE -- I KNOW YOU HAVE WORKED ON THE METRICS FOR THE CURRENT PROCESS, WHICH ARE INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. GOING FORWARD FOR THE PROGRAMS, YOU PROPOSED TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU HAVE THOSE -- THAT EVIDENCE OF HOW IT'S WORKED ELSEWHERE, THE METRICS THAT -- THE GOALS YOU HOPE TO TRACK AND LEAD TO AND WORK ON THAT WITH THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT, THE EASIER IT WILL FOR ME TO SUPPORT. BUT I CAN'T PORTEND LIKE THIS IS GOING TO BE A YEAR WHERE WE CAN PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE BECAUSE I JUST DON'T SEE IT IN THE NUMBERS, SHERIFF. BUT WE'LL --

>> AND JUDGE, I CAN RESPECT THAT. I HAVE BEEN ON THAT SIDE OF GOVERNING BEFORE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. ALL I CAN DO FROM THIS SIDE IS TO KIND OF AMPLIFY THE NEEDS AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE FORESEE. YOU KNOW, WE WOULD LOVE TO BE -- ONE OF MY GOALS IS TO BECOME MORE DATA DRIVEN. HISTORICALLY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HASN'T HAD THAT. WE'VE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS, WE SUBMITTED A TOTAL OF ALMOST 200 DIFFERENT METRICS TO YOUR BUDGET TEAM EVEN NOW AND THAT'S NOT TAPPING INTO THE VAST ARRAY OF DATA WITHIN OUR SYSTEM IN TERMS OF THE JAIL. JUST THE JAIL, WE HAD 60, ALL ENFORCEMENT, OVER 100. THAT TAKES BANDWIDTH TO MEASURE THAT IN TERMS OF HAVING THE ANALYTICS PERSONNEL AND THINGS BUILT IN TO DELIVER SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS IN REAL TIME AND MEASURE IT AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO A LOT OF IT DEPENDS, TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE EXPECTATION AND GIVE YOU THE DELIVERABLES YOU NEED WITH AN AGENCY, YOU KNOW, THIS SIZE.

AND SO THAT REQUIRES PERSONNEL SOMETIMES. SO I KNOW IT'S A CHANNEL ON BOTH SIDES, BOTH OUR NEEDS AND WHERE THE COUNTY CAN AND NEEDS TO GO FINANCIALLY, SO I KNOW IT'S A TOUGH PROCESS.

BUT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AT THE END OF THE DAY AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY THE

BEST WE CAN. >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF. WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THE RINGER THIS YEAR, ALL OF US, BUT ALSO YOU AND I TOGETHER. I SO APPRECIATE YOUR AND YOUR TEAMS' WORK.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> SHERIFF, ONE MORE QUESTION.

IN TERMS OF YOUR CLASSES, WOULD YOU BE RUNNING THOSE SPACED OUT FROM EACH OTHER OR COULD YOU RUN TWO OF YOUR CADET CLASSES AND TWO OF YOUR LATERAL CLASSES AT THE SAME TIME? HOW WOULD YOUR SCHEDULING FOR THE CLASSES OCCUR IN A YEAR?

>> THE LATERAL CLASSES WE COULD OVERLAP EASILY, SO WE'LL BE HAVING SOME OF THAT. IT'S MORE COMMON PRACTICE TO DO THAT. DUE TO LIMITED STAFFING ON THE TRAINING SIDE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DOING A LOT OF NEW TRAINING AND THINGS SO IT'S HARD TO PUT TWO CLASSES SIMULTANEOUSLY BECAUSE WE'RE STILL FAIRLY LIMITED WITH OUR SPACE OUT AT OUR ACADEMY. WE'VE OUTGROWN THAT A LONG TIME AGO. WE'RE DOING A LOT OF OTHER SPECIALIZED TRAINING LIKE DE-ESCALATION. WHAT I WOULD ENVISION IS WE COULD PROBABLY DD DO ONE IN THE SPRING, OUR NEXT ONE STARTS IN MARCH AND LASTS SIX MONTHS. WE TYPICALLY DO ANOTHER ONE IN THE FALL AFTER THAT ONE -- BUT WE COULD MAYBE DO ONE IN THE MIDDLE IN BETWEEN BUT WE WOULD STILL NEED THE STAFF TO BE ABLE TO TEACH THOSE CLASSES THAT ARE REQUIRED BY TKO SO THAT'S A CHALLENGE.

>> IF I COULD BREAK DOWN YOUR CADET AND LATERAL CLASS SCHEDULE FOR THE YEAR SO I KNOW WHAT I CAN TRY TO WORK WITH A BUDGET

OFFICE ON. >> SOUNDS GOOD.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SHERIFF. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >>> NEXT IS THE COUNTY CLERK.

>> I'M UNMUTING TENISHIA HUDSPETH. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> GREAT. GOOD AFTERNOON, HAPPY NEW YEAR, MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT. I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT THE HARD WORK OF THE 2020 COURT MEMBERS AND YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YEARS WE'VE WITNESSED IN HARRIS COUNTY AND OUR NATION. ALSO I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AND WELCOME THE NEWEST MEMBER OF COURT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WELCOME, SIR. THANK YOU FOR THE

[02:50:01]

FOR MANY YEARS I HAVE WORKED WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBERS AND STAFF IN SEVERAL CAPACITIES, AS A MEMBER OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE SERVING FOUR COUNTY CLERKS OVER 15 YEARS I HAVE RESPECTFULLY COME BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PRESENT, ANSWER QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SERVICES, I AM HAPPY TO COME BEFORE YOU TO CONVEY UNDER MY TENURE THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THIS COURT WITH ALL THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO ENSURE EVERY DOCUMENT PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER THROUGH THESE PROCEEDINGS IS RECORDED AND FILED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARDS. WITH ME, COUNT CLERK LEADERSHIP TO ASSIST WITH INQUIRES. MR. MICHAEL WYNN, ANNIE SUMMERALL AND HECTOR DE LEON. MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN HARRIS COUNTY OVER THE LAST YEAR. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE FOR THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE IS THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS IS NO LONGER UNDER ITS PURVIEW. THE COUNTY CLERK IS NO LONGER CHIEF OFFICERS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

IN IN 2021, HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDED AN EXAMPLE OF HOW ELECTIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. AS A MEMBER OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING ON THIS BODY TO ENSURE THE COUNTY'S ELECTIONS UNDER A NEW STRUCTURE WILL CONTINUE TO LIVE UP TO THE STANDARD OF SUCCESS, ACHIEVED IN THE CONDUCT OF THE 2020 ELECTION REGARDING VOTER ACCESSIBILITY, ACCURACY AND SECURITY. I'M GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ELECTIONS. VOTER EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR MANY YEARS. BUT EMBRACE MOVING FORWARD. THE FUNCTION. COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE IS MORE THAN ELECTIONS. THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE STILL HAS THE ROLL OF RECORDING ALL MAJOR EVENTS OF LIFE. ROLE IS TO MAINTAIN RECORDS.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE PROVIDED THE BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE WITH THE HIGHEST CUSTOMER SERVICE AND INTEGRITY. WHILE WORKING WITH CHRIS HOLLANDS, HE TASKED ME WITH LEADING, MANAGING A CREATING A PLAN. IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE UPON THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE CREATED THE CCO CARES PLAN, CLIENT FOCUSED, ACCESSIBLE, RESPONSIVE, EFFICIENT, AND SAFE. OVER THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS, COUNTY CLERK EMPLOYEES FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT BRAIN STORMED, PLANNED AND IMPLEMENTED ADMINISTRATIVE ENHANCEMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH THE CARES INITIATIVE TEAMS. THEY WORKED DILIGENTLY TO HELP THE OFFICE OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY. THE CARES PLAN HELPED IDENTIFY WAYS TO BETTER SERVE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND CONSTITUENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING SUPPORT SERVICES TO COUNTY CLERKS STAFF. OUR OFFICE WILL MAKE OUR WEBSITE MORE INTUITIVE, ACCESSIBLE AND EASY TO USE, IMPLEMENT AND E-COMMERCE SYSTEM LONG FOUR CERTIFIED REPORTS, SIMPLIFY FORMS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTION SHEETS TO PROVIDE FILING ACCURACY, IMPLEMENT TRAINING AND CONTINUE TO REOPEN CAROLINE AND BRANCH OFFICES AND -- CREATE ON LINE CONTACT DIRECTORY AND INFORMATION PAGE. MODERNIZE OUR PHONE AND OPERATING SYSTEM TO DIRECT CALLS AND ADDRESS CLIENT NEEDS, ALL OF OUR FORM LETTERS WILL BE MORE RELEVANT AND HELPFUL TO CLIENTS, UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE THE VIRTUAL CLIENT EXPERIENCE, ENSURE CONSISTENT FEEDBACK, TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES. ENHANCED CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR COURTS AND INCREASE PAPERLESS OPERATIONS FOR EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY. PUT KPI'S IN PLACE TO MEASURE SERVICE DELIVERY TO CLIENTS, ENABLE WORKING FROM HOME FOR AS MANY

[02:55:01]

OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT IS WORKING DILIGENTLY ON THEIR CARES NATIVES THAT ENHANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE, PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT. AND RETENTION EFFORTS. THE COUNTY CLERK'S BUDGET PROPOSAL AND REQUEST IS BASED UPON THE TOP PRIORITY OF THE CARES PLAN. WHILE WE UNDERSTAND IS PRESENTS CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF FUNDING, IMPORTANT PROGRAMS FOR ALL THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY, WE IDENTIFIED OUR TOP PRIORITY NEEDS FOR OUR OFFICE. WE WILL CERTAINLY EVALUATE AND LOOK AT UTILIZING ANY FUNDS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED ROLLOVER FUNDS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE. THOSE NEEDS PROVIDED OUR BUDGET REQUEST AND PROPEL HAVE BEEN NEEDS THAT EXISTED PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND MADE THE EXISTANT STAFFING, PROGRAM AND SERVICE NEEDS MORE EVIDENT. IN THE PAST, CCO BUDGET REQUESTS, ITEMS WERE NOT APPROVED WERE MADE A PRIORITY AND PRESSED TO THE BACK BURNER DUE TO PRIORITIES OF ELECTIONS REQUEST WHILE UNDER THE COUNTY CLERK UMBRELLA. THOSE TOP PRIORITIES CONSIST OF ENHANCING FUNCTIONALITY AND EXPAND THE USE OF ODYSSEY COURT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OUR WEBSITE AS IT PERTAINS TO THE CIVIL PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH COURTS, IMPROVE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY CLERK, PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH MORE EFFICIENT METHODS OF FILING DOCUMENTS AND PROVIDING COPIES OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. ADEQUATE WORKSPACE, ENSURE STAFFING MEETS NEEDS TO REDUCE CUSTOMER WAIT TIMES AND EXPAND ONLINE SERVICES. REDUCE THE WAIT TIME AND IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION PROVIDED ON CUSTOMERS WHO CALL OUR OFFICE. RECRUIT AND RETAIN TALENT, REDUCE AND ADDRESS RECORDING DISCREPANCIES. AS AN OFFICE THAT SERVES ALL 4 MILLION CONSTITUENTS, OUR LONG-TERM PLAN WILL BE TO SERVE AS MANY RESIDENTS AS SAFE AND SECURE AT POSSIBLE DAILY. AT THIS TIME I WILL CLOSE MY PRESENTATION AND WELCOME ANY COMMENTS OR INQUIRESES BASED ON THE PROPOSED BUDGETS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, CLERK HUDSPETH. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU JUDGE. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. THE SHERIFF WAS GIVING CONGRATULATIONS TO SOME OF US HERE ON COURT, BUT YOU DESERVE YOUR OWN CONGRATULATIONS AS WELL ON YOUR ELECTION. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE LAID OUT AND YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATIONS THERE SO YOU'RE GOING BE TO BE ABLE TO STEP IN AND JUST KIND OF NOT HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF TRAINING ON THE JOB, SO TO SPEAK, SO DEAL WITH. AND YOUR REQUEST, THE -- YOU'VE GOT 22 POSITIONS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION OUTREACH. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> NO, SIR. >>> I'M SORRY, YOU'RE RIGHT. I WAS LOOKING UNDER THE WRONG ONE HERE IT IS.

>> YES, SIR. >> YOU GOT 23 POSITIONS THAT

YOU'RE REQUESTING. CORRECT? >> YES, SIR.

>> OKAY. ALRIGHTY. AND A LOT OF YOURS IS SIMILAR TO THE

[03:00:11]

MARRIAGE LICENSES, ASSUMED NAME CERTIFICATES. THESE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE PROCESSED. HOW MUCH OF THIS DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE ON LINE, TO AUTOMATE? HAVE YOU GIVEN THAT

SOME THOUGHT? >> YES, SIR. ACTUALLY, WE HAVE GIVEN THAT A LOT OF THOUGHT IN EVALUATING WHAT SERVICES CAN BE DONE. I THINK A GOOD MAJORITY OF THE WORK WE DO WITH THE COURTS VIRTUALLY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO MORE CERTIFIED DOCUMENTS SO WE HAVE AUTOMAKERSR TEAM IS PUTTING TOGETHER.

DEPENDING WHAT WE GET APPROVED FOR IN THE BUDGET, WE CAN LOOK AT SOME OF THE PROCESS, HOPEFULLY MOVED VIRTUAL. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO SEE WHAT CAN SUPPORT SOME OF THE SERVICES BY LAW TO BE VIRTUAL. ONE OF MY BIGGEST GO TOES AND SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IS WE'RE ABLE TO DO MARRIAGE LICENSES VIRTUALLY. BUT THE LAW DOESN'T PROVIDE THAT HERE. AS SOON AS MARCH HIT WITH THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR, THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS, DESPITE A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, PEOPLE STILL WANTED TO GET MARRIED AND WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT -- THERE WAS A HUGE PAUSE IN ISSUING MARRIAGE LICENSES TO WE LOOKED AT OR GONE AND OTHER STATES THAT WERE ABLE TO DO MARRIAGE LICENSES VIRTUALLY. I'M GOING TO BE ADVOCATING IF WE GET DOCUMENTTATION BY MAIL AS WE DO FOR PROBATE AND OTHER OFFICES, I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND DO A VIRTUALLY MARRIAGE LICENSE AS

THE JUDGES DO THEIR PROCEEDINGS. >> THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>>> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID. THE ELECTIONS WON'T BE IN THE OFFICE, BUT YOUR YEARS OF WORKING ON ELECTIONS WAS JUST SO IMPORTANT. THANK YOU, AND FOR THE ORDERLY TRANSITION THAT YOU HAVE HELPED THEM TO WORK THROUGH IN THIS PROCESS. LOOK, I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU ON WHATEVER IDEAS YOU HAVE IN TERMS OF BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE STATE AND MAKE IT EASY TO DO MORE STUFF ON LINE. YOUR OFFICE WAS KIND ENOUGH WHEN I CALLED FOR A GOOD FRIEND WHO WAS GETTING MARRIED AND HAVING TROUBLE WORKING IT OUT AT HIS AGE AND I THINK WE LEARNED A LOT OF STUFF DURING THIS PANDEMIC ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO VIRTUALLY ON LINE. BECAUSE WE CERTAINLY HAVE TO DO IT OUT OF NECESSITY AS OPPOSED TO THE WAY WE WERE DOING IT. THEY WON'T BE -- IT WILL BE IN AND OUT REAL QUICK IN AUSTIN. YOU KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND AND I THINK YOU GET A LOT OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. THAT ISSUE OF MARRIAGE LICENSES, LICENSES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MY HOPE IS WE CAN HIGHLIGHT HOW MANY PEOPLE STILL GOT MARRIED DURING THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND THE REPRESENTATION OF THOSE MARRIAGES AND PROVIDE SOME STATISTIC CAN DATA. I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING THAT WITH THIS COURT, AND REALLY DOING A STORY AROUND LOVE STILL EXISTS AND IT'S IN THE AIR. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND WILLINGNESS TO WORK OUT WITH US AS WE FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, NEW WAYS AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO

CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE DO BUT DOING IT PARTIALLY AND SAFE. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU FOLKS HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS FOR THE CLERK? >> CLERK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. CONGRATULATION BEGUN ON YOUR ELECTION, AND JUST THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING. AS YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, BUDGET IS TIGHT, WE'RE GONNA FOCUS ON TRYING TO GET THROUGH WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, AND I WOULD MENTION THE SAME NOTE ON GIVEN THAT YOU HAVE SEVERAL REQUESTS TO JUST CONTINUE WORKING THROUGH TO TRY TO IDENTIFY THE METRICS AND EVIDENCE FOR THE NEED SO WE CAN BALANCE ACROSS ALL THE DIFFERENT REQUESTS AND THE REALITY THAT WE HAVE MUCH FEWER FUNDS THIS YEAR TO ALLOCATE.

[03:05:04]

>> UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE. I LOOK FORWARD TO JUST KIND OF LOINING THAT OUT AND DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN. WE ARE UNDERSTANDING OF THE

SITUATION. >> THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR HOW YOU'RE

BEING SELECTIVE WITH EVERYTHING. I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL HEAR FROM THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR NEXT. >> LONGORIA, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY PRESENTATION PULLED UP. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING US OUT TODAY. I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE. TO START OFF HERE IN ELECTIONS WE CREATED AN ENTIRELY NEW DEPARTMENT, AND WE REALLY MADE HISTORIC NATIONAL NEWS WITH HOSTING IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION WITH ALMOST 1.5, 1.65 MILLION VOTERS, AND AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN 2021 WITH THIS NEW OFFICE, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE INVOLVEMENT AND TRULY EXCITEMENT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, AGAIN, WHILE MAKING SURE EVERY ELIGIBLE PERSON CAN VOTE AND IS REGISTERED TO VOTE. HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO SERVE VOTERS OF THIS COUNTY, WE KNOW MAKE INVESTMENTS IN OUR ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE. THESE INVESTMENTS WILL BE PRETTY BIG, AND IN THE FORM OF PERSON DISMEL NEW TECHNOLOGIES, AND OF COURSE NEW MACHINES AMONG OTHER THINGS. WE'LL ALSO NEED TO ADMINISTER AT LEAST TO TWO ELECTIONS THIS YEAR THAT WE KNOW OF AND ALL ANTICIPATING SPECIAL ELECTIONS THAT POP UP AND EXPAND OUR VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU TO ENSURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE AN EXAMPLE TO THE NATION OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO EXECUTE SUCCESSFUL AND WE ARE TAKING THAT TO HEART AND OUR DEMOCRACY STANDS ON THE PEACEFUL TRANSITIONS OF POWER WHICH ARE DIRECTLY CORRELATED TO HOW WE HOST ELECTIONS HERE, REFLECTING ON YESTERDAY.

AND I TAKE THAT TO HEART AS OUR MISSION CONTINUES FORWARD. NEXT SLIDE.

>> SO AGAIN, AS WE TRANSITION, THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AROUND ELECTIONS AND VOTER REGISTRATION INTO ONE DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CCO AND TAX OFFICE AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S NO GAPS IN SERVICES PARTICULARLY WHEN IT CAME TO CLOSING OUT THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS, DECEMBER ELECTIONS AND REGISTERING VOTERS, AND EVERYTHING WE KNOW DO TO CLOSE OUT THE YEAR. HOWEVER, I JUST NEED TO PUT IT OUT THERE THAT THROUGH WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BE DO NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, EVEN WORKING THROUGH THOSE ELECTIONS, WE HAVE UNCOVERED SOME VERY SERIOUS ISSUES AND GAPS IN OUR DEPARTMENT, JUST SOME TOP LINE EXAMPLES OF ANEMIC AND UNDERRESOURCE VOTER REGISTRATION OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT REALLY DEPENDED MORE ON VOLUNTEERS THAN STAFF, A SYSTEM OF WORKING AROUND PROBLEMS RATHER THAN SOLVING THEM, WHICH LED TO OUT-OF-DATE SOFTWARE, MACHINES AND INTERNAL PROCESSES THAT DO NOT REFLECT THE CALIBER AND DEDICATION IN SERVICES THAT I THINK YOU AS COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE EXPECT. AND DISPARITIES IN HOW EMPLOYEES WERE TREATED BASED ON PUNISHMENT AND FAVORITISM INSTEAD OF MERIT, WHICH HAVE LED TO A VERY APPARENT RACIAL DISPARITY AND PAIN OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. WHERE THAT LEAVES US IS THAT WE FOUND THOSE POTHOLES AND WERE VERY MUCH IN OFFICE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

>> WE ARE WORKING AHEAD NOW TO MAY ELECTIONS WHILE THEY TRY TO DO THAT TRAGIC PLANNING.

SO RIGHT NOW FOR EXAMPLE, MY STAFF IS MEETING TO START THAT STRATEGIC PLANNING TO WORK TO THOSE SAFE INITIATIVES WHICH WILL BE TRANSFERRING TO VOTE INITIATIVES WHICH I'LL BE SHARING HERE. BUT I WANT TO BE VERY BLUNT, THERE'S SOME HEARTBURN AS TO THE CREATION OF THIS OFFICE. I KNOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, AND YOU APPOINTED ME NOT TO TELL WHAT YOU ALL THE PROBLEMS ARE, BUT TO FIX THEM, AND I'M HERE TO BE A REFORMER WHEN IT COMES TO VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTION PROCESSES. AND QUITE FRANKLY WE'RE GONNA HAVE SPEND MONEY TO MAKE UP FOR THE POOR DECISIONS OF THE PAST. I DON'T SAY THAT LIGHTLY BUT TO SAY IF WE DON'T SPEAK UP THESE PROBLEMS FOR EXISTENCE THEN WE WON'T BE ABLE TO FIX THEM.

SO WE'LL BE MOVING WITH THAT IN MIND, RIGHT. THIS IS A TIME FOR CHANGE, HISTORIC CHANGE TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM WE SAW IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND TO KEEP PUSHING

FORWARD. >> NEXT SLIDE, SO WITH THAT, I WANT TO PRESENT TO YOU I KNOW YOU SAW THE SAFE INITIATIVES AND THISSED WILL BE SAME CONCEPTS BUT EXPANDING NOW THAT WE GOT THE VOTER REGISTRATION SESSIONS. THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS WE SUBMITTED WERE, YOU KNOW, ONE WEEK AFTER I GOT HERE AND THE OFFICE WAS CREATED, SO THOSE ARE MORE FLESHED OUT ON THE SKELETON OF WHAT WE'RE WORKING WITH, AND MY STAFF IS IN THOSE MEETINGS AS WE SPEAK ON PUTTING LINE ITEMS

[03:10:05]

AND METRICS TO THOSE BUDGETS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> VOTING AND REGISTRATION.

>> THE GOAL IS TO CONTINUE THE HARRIS COUNTY INITIATIVES, SECURE OFFICIAL ELECTIONS AND THEN THE OFFICE WILL EXPAND THAT FRAMEWORK TO THE VOTER REGISTRATION WITH INCREASING ACCESS TO REGISTRATION. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE WILL PROVIDE PROFITS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR ALL ASPECTS OF VOTERS. WE'LL BE REACHING OUT TO YOU AS COMMISSIONERS TO MAKE SURE WHAT WE'RE DOING IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING AND I BELIEVE YOUR MOTION EARLIER ON IN THE YEAR, MAKE SURE WE'RE HAVING PUBLIC MEETINGS AS WELL, RIGHT, THIS IS NOT JUST SITTING IN AN OFFICE COMING UP WITH GREAT IDEAS. WE'VE GOTTA MAKE SURE THIS IS

WHAT VOTERS WANT AND EXPECT OF ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION. >> NEXT.

>> A KEY PART OF THAT IS OUTREACH AND EDUCATION WITH NEW MACHINES COMING ON, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW OFFICE, NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE THE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SO THAT PEOPLE FEEL PREPARED FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS BUT ALSO FEEL PREPARED WITH ALL OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND INITIATIVES WE'RE BRINGING ON AND WE'RE ALSO EXPANDING, RIGHT. YOU KNOW, BEFORE IT WAS VERY MUCH THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF HOW CAN WE REACH OUT TO FOLKS AND, YOU KNOW, SPEAK PERHAPS DIFFERENT LANGUAGES OR VOTED IN THOSE LANGUAGES, IT'S ASKING OURSELVES ABOUT FAITH COMMUNITIES, OUTREACH, ADA IMPROVEMENT EXAMS HOW DO WE DO THAT QUITE FRANKLY PROACTIVELY INSTEAD OF REACTTIVELY.

ARE WE HELPING VOTERS KNOW THERE'S AN ELECTION AND THEY'RE HEARING FROM IT FIRST NOT AFTER CAMPAIGN MAILERS HAVE ALREADY DROPPED. I'M EXCITED AT THIS INITIATIVE AND THINK IT GETS TO THE HEART OF WHAT YOU ALL HAVE EXPECTED FROM AN ELECTIONS OFFICE AND

WHAT WE CAN OFFER. NEXT. >> YOU CAN CALL IT TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION. THIS IS ABOUT, LIKE WE SAID, YOU ALREADY KNOW WE'VE GOTTEN NEW MACHINES COMING AND YOU SHOULD BE SEEING MORE ABOUT THAT IN THE COMING WEEKS.

I CAN'T TALK ABOUT THAT TOO MUCH PUBLICALLY BECAUSE OF THE PURCHASING ASPECTS AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. A BIG ONE THAT I WANT TO FLAG IS WITH THOSE NEW MACHINES WE KNOW NEW SOFTWARE. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ITEM. THE LAST TIME WE UPDATED THIS WAS IN THE EARLY 2000'S, SO WE ARE ABOUT 20 YEARS BEHIND IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, AND MOST OF THE REST OF THE STATE IN WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HOW WE'RE TRACKING THAT INFORMATION.

SO THIS HAS TO HAVE BEEN IN TANDEM WITH NEW MACHINES FOR US TO JUST REALLY HAVE AN ELECTION SYSTEM THAT WORKS. AND ON TOP OF THAT TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION REALLY MEANS DATA, TOO. YOU HAVEN'T HAD TO KEEP PUTTING IN REQUESTS WITH SPECIAL MAGIC WORDS TO GET WHAT YOU LEAD IN OUR OFFICE. WE WANT TO PUT MAPS, WE WANT TO PUT DATA AND PUT IT ALL ONLINE SO THE PUBLIC AND YOU ALL CAN HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE AND WHAT

WE'RE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTIONS AND VOTING. >> NEXT, AND THE BIG E, EQUITY.

IT'S EASY TO PUT THIS OUT. AS WE REFORM THESE PROCESSES IN THE FUTURE, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, WE CAN'T FIX WHAT WE ARE TOO SCARED OR EMBARRASSED TO TALK ABOUT.

AND SO WHAT WITH I WANT TO DO IS SPEAK THOSE THINGS INTO EXISTENCE RIGHT NOW.

WE KNOW EXTERNALLY VOTER REGISTRATION LAGS IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT THE DOMINANT POPULATION, VOTING LOCATIONS LAG WHEN WE DON'T HAVE HISTORIC INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT RIGHT IN THOSE AREAS. EVEN HOW WE SELECT ELECTION WORKERS, YOU KNOW, I WAS PROUD IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THAT WE LED EFFORTS TO HAVE MOSQUES FOR THE FIRST TIME AS VOTING AREAS, A GAY BAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AS AN AREA THAT PEOPLE FELT SAFE AND FEEL THEY WERE REPRESENTED IN HOW WE SELECTED THAT. BUT THAT DOES NOT EXCUSE US EITHER FROM INTERNALLY.

WE DID A VERY -- AND I MEAN A VERY ROUGH ASSESSMENT, AND INTERNALLY WHY WOMEN ARE THE HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEES HERE IN OUR OFFICE, TWO TIMES MORE THAN BLACK WOMEN, WHO TEND TO BE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR MY STFD EQUITY NOR IS IT I THINK WHERE THE OFFICE WANTS TO GO OR WHERE THE COUNTY WANTS TO GO. WE ARE ASKING FOR A STUDY TO HELP US GET DEEPER ON THAT, TO HELP US ASK THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO STRUCTURALLY TO MAKE SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS ON THE FOREFRONT, NOT ONLY TECHNOLOGY AND VOTING AND ALL THOSE FUN THINGS, BUT ON EQUITY AS WELL AND HOW WE CONDUCT OURSELVES. NEXT SLIDE.

>> THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU SAW IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS. THIS WAS KIND OF OFF THE CUFF AS WE RUN INTO THE DECEMBER ELECTION. PART OF THAT IS THE DISPARITY STUDY. PROBABLY BETWEEN GIFT AND 100K FROM WHAT WE HEAR ABOUT

[03:15:03]

>> AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY GETTING AT MORE OF THE CRUX OF WHAT I WANT TO TURN THIS IN AND WHAT I THINK YOU EXPECT IS THE GOALS NOT ONLY OF THE COST OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS, BASED KIND OF HISTORICALLY AND WITHOUT THE INNOVATIONS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST TO THINGS LIKE THAT, ELECTION DATABASE MANAGEMENT, THAT SOFTWARE THAT IS AN EMERGENCY ITEM THAT WE'LL BE ASKING FOR, ADDITIONAL PERMANENT STAFF. WE DIDN'T GET STAFF LIKE A FINANCE OR BUDGET MANAGER. WE'RE PIECING TOGETHER, RIGHT, TO PUT THAT TOGETHER FOR YOU.

WE GOT WHAT WE GOT, WE'RE MAKING WORK, BUT IT'S A SKELETON CREW RIGHT NOW.

VOTE BY MAIL AND VOTER REGISTRATION, RIGHT, THAT PIECE IS BEING MORE PROACTIVE IN HOW WE'RE SHARING WITH FOLKS, HOW TO APPLY ANNUALLY. , HOW TO GET REGISTERED TO VOTE, OR IF THEY'RE IN DANGER OF GETTING KICKED OFF THE VOTER REGISTRATION ROLES, HOW CAN WE CATCH THEM BEFORE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS. AND FUTURE SPACE IS ALSO AN EMERGENCY ITEM. FPM IS WORKING WITH US. WE'VE GOT THE MAY ELECTIONS THAT ARE COMING UP THAT WE CANNOT HOST, WE'VE LOST ANNEX SPACES, WHICH I UNDERSTAND, BUT WE'VE GOTTA MAKE UP FOR THAT SPACE, FOR THE MAY ELECTIONS AND ACCOUNT FOR ALL OF THE NEW MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT WE HAVE, ESPECIALLY IN THE PANDEMIC. SO I WILL LEAVE IT OFF THERE.

I'M SURE HAVE YOU MANY QUESTIONS. AND I AM READY TO ANSWER THEM.

>> THANK YOU. ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA, IS THAT HOW WE SAY IT?

>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND THE BOARD THAT YOU CHAIRED ON THIS ELECTION THAT YOU MADE. YOU MADE REFERENCE TO WHAT'S GOING ON AT OUR NATION'S CAPITOL. AND YOU KNOW, WHEN I'VE IN THIS BLACK SCREEN UP A FEW TIMES IT'S BECAUSE I FINALLY WENT TO BED AT 3:00 A.M. TALKING TO A LOT OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, EVEN A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS FROM OTHER STATES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, AND EVERY TIME I'D WAKE UP, I'D CHECK THE PAPER TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING, I WAS REAL IMPRESSED WATCHING THOSE SPEECHES AND IN PARTICULAR BY SENATOR ROMNEY AND ALSO THE SPEECH THAT WAS GIVEN BY BIG DURBIN. AND I THOUGHT OF TEXAS WHEN HE MADE REFERENCE TO SENATE APPROVES ON THE COMMISSION AND HE MADE REFERENCE TO THE LITTLE COMMISSION THAT LED TO THAT TILDA HAZE COMPROMISE, AND HE ENDED IT BY MAKING A POINT, THAT THAT NOT ONLY ENDED, RECONSTRUCTION, REENSLAVED AFRICAN-AMERICANS AGAIN, BUT LED DIRECTLY TO MANY OF THE VOTER SUPPRESSION ISSUES THAT STILL EXIST TODAY. AND THAT'S ONE REASON WHY I WAS WILLING TO TAKE THE HEAT, AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AGREE AND TO COMBINE THESE TWO FUNCTIONS. ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION. BECAUSE THEY WOULD DIVIDE IT AS PART OF THAT EFFORT, WHICH STARTED WITH ENDING RECONSTRUCTION.

AND MS. LONGORIA WHETHER THEY ARE RS, DS, INDEPENDENTS, IF THEY WEAR MAGA HATS OR NO HATS, WE WANT EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DEMOCRACY. I DON'T WANT TO SPEECH ABOUT IT NOW, I KNOW ALL OF US, REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOUR PHILOSOPHICAL LEADINGS ARE, HAD TO BE DISGUSTED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. AND I FLIPPED OVER AND SAW WHAT WE MAY GO THROUGH, 24TH, 25TH AMENDMENT ISSUE, ANOTHER IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS PROBABLY FOR GOOD CAUSE, IN MY OPINION. BUT LOOK, I'M GONNA BE COMMITTED.

I WANT THE BUDGET OFFICE TO KNOW IT, TO INVEST IN REGISTERING PEOPLE AGGRESSIVELY.

THE LAWS IN TEXAS ARE AT LEAST AS RESTRICTIVE AS THE ONES -- A NUMBER OF OTHER SOUTHERN STATES.

I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I SAID THE LEGISLATION HAD TO FIGHT ON MANY OF THOSE LAWS AND THEN I WENT TO FEDERAL COURT A COUPLE OF TIMES, TESTIFIED AGAINST THE STATE OF TEXAS ON IT.

BUT WE GOTTA GET BEYOND THAT. WE GOTTA INVEST IN IT, AND I HOPE WE'LL ALSO LOOK AT USING OTHER RESOURCES IF THAT'S STUFF THAT WE SEND OUT, MAKE SURE IT'S LEGAL UNDER STATE LAWS THAT

[03:20:01]

SO I WANT TO CHALLENGE IT AND ASK FOR THE PROOF OF WHAT WE DO. WE DID SPEND A LOT OF MONEY BY MAKING IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE IN EVERY LOCATION. I WAS RELUCTANT TO MOVE AS FAST AS WE DID, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT WORKED OUT. IT WAS A GLITCH THE FIRST GO AROUND, ABOUT YOU IT WORKED OUT, AND I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT I'M GOING TO PUSH FOR THAT AND MAKE SURE THE METRICS ARE THERE BASED ON OUR FUNDS. IF WE SPEND MONEY FOR MORE REGISTERED PEOPLE TO VOTE, SOMEHOW YOU GOTTA COME BACK AND QUANTIFY THAT MORE PEOPLE GOT REGISTERED. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO USE TRUSTED MESSAGES OUT OF MY BUDGET THAT I HAVE INFLUENCED. ONE THING IS PEOPLE IN YOUR AGE GROUP, MS. LONGORIA, AND DELGADO, YOUR AGE GROUP, THE ONES IN MY AGE GROUP, YOU'LL KIND OF ONE FOOT OUT OF HERE.

YOU KNOW, MY NUMBERS ARE PRETTY GOOD. WE WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER -- MAKE IT EASY TO GET PEOPLE BACK ON THEIR ROLLS IF THEY HAVEN'T PAID SOME FEE OR FINE, BUT EVERYTHING TRAVIS COUNTY DOES AND MORE. SO I THINK I SAID WHEN I WAS ASKING FOR SUPPORT. I WANTED US TO MIMIC EVERYTHING THEY DO IN TRAVIS COUNTY.

I DON'T WANT US TO YOU MIMIC IT, IT'S A MORE CHALLENGING DEMOGRAPHIC YOU KNOW, MY DADDY WITH THE SIXTH GRADE EDUCATION ALWAYS VOTED. I KNOW IT'S A CHALLENGE FIGURE OUT WHAT THE BASELINE IS THAT YOU HAVE TO GET UNDER STATE LAW BECAUSE WE -- NOT BLAMING IT ON THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAD IT BEFORE, WE JUST DIDN'T KEEP THE MEDICINE RIBS.

WE JUST DIDN'T KEEP NUMBERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO YOU DO IT, DO A GOOD JOB AND I FOR ONE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE. MAKE ME PROUD FOR THE HEAT I

TOOK TO CREATE THIS OFFICE. >> I UNDERSTAND AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE BEEN TASKED WITH THIS MISSION. AND LIKE I SAID, THIS MAY ELECTION IS NOT GOING TO BE A PRESIDENTIAL PANDEMIC. I'M VERY CLEAR ON THAT. NOT EVERY ELECTION IS GONNA BE JUST, YOU KNOW, BLANK CHECK AND GO AT IT. ONE OF THE EXAMPLES I WANT TO POINT TO IS THAT EVEN IN JULY I REDESIGNED THE VOTE BY MAIL LETTERS AND ENVELOPES AT A COST OF ZERO EXTRA COSTS, RIGHT, PER ENVELOPE TO GIVE THEM GROWN AND PURPLE AND BLUE BARS TO EVEN HELP PEOPLE ON HOW THEY FILL IT OUT AND WHICH ONE THEY FILL OUT AND FIGURE OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS.

SO YOU'RE RIGHT, NOT EVERY INNOVATION COST MONEY, IT'S BEEN THINKING CREATIVELY AND THAT'S WHAT I'M TASKING MY STAFF TO DO AND LIKE YOU SAID USING THOSE OUTSIDE RESOURCES AS WELL.

>> AND I WANT TO STRESS THAT AS YOU KNOW -- I MEAN, YOU'RE TOTALLY OUT OF PARTISAN POLITICS NOW. IT IS BIPARTISAN. AND LOOK, YOU KNOW, AT THE TIME WHEN I PUT THE AMENDMENT, I ADDED IT TO A SUNSET BILL WITH THE HIGHWAY COMMISSION AND I THOUGHT AT THE TIME IT WOULD HELP MY SIDE FOR, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

I THINK I CAN CLAIM THAT I HAD MORE REPUBLICANS VOTE EVER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WITH ALL OF THESE FINES AND FEES, YOU KNOW, WHAT MY CROWD GETS KNOCKED OFF BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M PROUD TO HAVE REGISTERED THOSE FOLKS, AND YOU JUST GET IT DONE BECAUSE I'LL BE

WATCHING. >> YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA, I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS IT WELL, AND I'LL JUST TELL YOU THAT PART OF MY FOLK IS THAT HE TESTED WHEN HIS WILL WAS AT -- VOTER REGISTRATION AND IN PARTICULARLY IN THE COMMUNITY, IT MAY NOT BE A FIRST LANGUAGE, BUT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, VERY, VERY CRITICAL. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF -- IT'S ALWAYS HEARTWARMING TO YOU, GO,

[03:25:05]

WE'RE NOT SLEEPING. WE JUST, YOU KNOW, WILL WORK HARD, WE TAKE CARE OF OUR FAMILY, AND WE JUST DON'T PARTICIPATE BECAUSE MAYBE THE WELCOMING MAT ISN'T ROLLED OUT EFFECTIVELY TO OUR COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS, BUT I'M HOPEFUL AND FOCUS ON YOUR OFFICE BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THAT REGARD AND, OH OH BUT OBVIOUSLY WE'RE NOT GONNA LEAVE ANYBODY ELSE OFF. IT'S DEMOCRACY. NO MATTER WHO IT IS, IT'S DEMOCRACY. AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT IT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE -- THAT WE ENCOURAGE IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROMOTE IT.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT 18-YEAR-OLDS, 17 AND 10 MONTHS KNOW THAT IT'S THEIR DEMOCRACY, AS WELL, AND THEN I LOOK FORWARD TO FIGURING OUT HOW WE DO THE OLD LINE VOTE REGISTRATION MOVING FORWARD. SO CONGRATULATIONS, AND I GUESS ONE THING FOR US TO KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU'RE A BRAND-NEW OPERATION. WE COMMITTED TO THE IDEAL OF THE GLACIER ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE SO THIS IS NOT YOU ASKING FOR BEING A BUREAUCRAT AND ASKING FOR -- TO FILL VACANCIES. YOU ARE AN IDEAL THAT WE KNOW TO FURTHER GIVE LIFE TO.

SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THE REQUESTS THAT YOU'VE MADE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH

YOU. THANK YOU. >> ADMINISTRATOR, THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR WORK. I WOULD JUST ASK -- SOMETHING I REALLY APPRECIATED WHEN YOU AND KIRK COLLINS WERE WORKING TOGETHER, THEN CLERK COLLINS, WERE WORKING TOGETHER, WAS WHEN HE WAS PRESENTING, YOU KNOW, NEVER BEFORE DONE IS NUMBER OF LOCATIONS AND 24 HOUR VOTING, AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH MAIL BALLOTS AND ENOUGH IN-PERSON SUPPORT TO WHERE THERE WOULD BE NO LINES, ET CETERA. AND YOU GUYS PRESENTED VERY THOROUGH PROJECTIONS, AND THOSE PROJECTIONS JUSTIFIED THE REQUESTS.

AND FOR THAT REASON, I FELT COMFORTABLE SUPPORTING THE -- AND FELT COMFORTABLE THAT THAT WAS GOING TO MEET THE NEED. SO FOR MY PART, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OF THAT IN YOUR REQUEST, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SAY REGISTERING MORE PEOPLE, WHY -- WHAT ARE YOU BASING YOUR ASSUMPTIONS ON TO DECIDE THAT THIS IS WHAT'S GOING TO HELP YOU RETIRING MORE PEOPLE, HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE AND JUST SO THAT I KNOW WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND SAME WITH YOUR OTHER ACTIVITIES. SO THE BUDGET IS TIGHT. OUR COCOMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS' WORDS OF SUPPORT BUT I CERTAINLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT AND THAT THE INVESTMENT IS GOING TO PAY DIVIDENDS.

I ALWAYS REFER BACK TO THE FOCUS THAT ALWAYS WAS ON TRAINING VOTER REGISTRARS BUT NOT TRACKING WHETHER THEY WERE REGISTERING EQUAL. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'VE GOT PROJECTIONS IN GOLD AND LINK BETWEEN THE PROGRESS THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING AND HOW SPECIFICALLY YOU EXPECT THOSE GOALS TO BE ACHIEVED. ABSOLUTE LOW.

PART OF THOSE WERE TO TURN OUT THE ELECTIONS AND SAY OKAY, ARE WE GONNA MEASURE THAT DATA, WE LOOKING AT OTHER CITIES AND OTHER STATES AND HOW THEY DO IT BECAUSE YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

MONEY DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO, HOW WE'RE GOING TO USE IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE JUSTIFY THAT SO YES, ABSOLUTELY SETTING THOSE GOALS AND OUTCOME INSTEAD OF

[03:30:07]

JUST IDEALS. >> AND TYING THEM TO THE REQUESTS, AND I ASK BARRY TO ALSO LEAN ON HIS TEAM AS WE HE COMES BACK WITH THE FINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THROUGH OUR OFFICES

THAT'S SOMETHING JUST GIVEN HOW TIGHT THINGS ARE AS WELL. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS MY DEPARTMENT'S OPERATIONS AND BUDGET NEEDS FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR AS WELL AS OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GOALS.

I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT COURT'S OFFICE.

WHILE MOST PEOPLE SENDS OUT JURY SUMMONS AND COORDINATES THE SELECTION PROCESS, THE SCOPE OF OUR WORK IS MUCH WIDER. THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE PERFORMS THE DUTIES ASSIGNED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION AS REGISTRAR RECORDER AND CUSTODIAN OF ALL COURT DHIEWMENTS ARE A PART OF ANY LEGAL CAUSE OF ACTION IN THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT COURTS AND IN THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS AT LAW. THIS MEANS MY OFFICE ACCEPTS ALL NEW AND SUBSEQUENT FILINGS FOR THE COURTS, ADDITIONALLY WE PROVIDE AUTHORITIES WITH COURT ORDERS TO EXECUTE.

WE ARE TASKED WITH COLLECTING COURT COSTS, FINES, AND FEES AS OUTLINED IN THE STATUTES.

AND WE SECURE ALL TRIAL EVIDENCE. WE PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS, AND WE EVEN PROCESS PASSPORT APPLICATIONS.

OUR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT IS CENTRAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MY OFFICE ARE MULTIPLE AND VARIED.

WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF MY ADMINISTRATION, AND I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM 2020. THE FIRST ONE I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THAT WE SUCCESSFULLY MOVED JURY OPERATION TO THE NRG COMPLEX TO IMPLEMENT HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH AND CDC GUIDELINES ABOUT COVID-19.

THIS WAS A BIG UNDERTAKING THAT INVOLVED MULTIPLE SECTIONS FROM THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE, THE JUDGES AND OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES THAT ASSISTED US IN THE PROCESS. AFTER TUESDAY'S APPROVAL BY THIS COURT TO RENEW THE AGREEMENT WITH NRG THROUGH OCTOBER THIS YEAR, I AM CONFIDENT WE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE MANAGING JURY OPERATIONS AT THAT VENUE IN A SUCCESSFUL AND SAFE MANNER.

DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, WE EXPECTED EVEN LOWER THAN NORMAL JURY APPEARANCE RIGHTS.

THIS MADE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST PHASE OUR E-JUROR SYSTEM ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF GETTING THE JURORS WE KNOWED TO APPEAR. WHILE THIS PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION WAS APPROVED ONLY FOR THE DURATION OF THE PANDEMIC FOR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, IT WAS IMPLEMENTED SEAMSLY AND WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC. BY PREREGISTERING SUMMONED JURORS WE CAN MORE ACCURATELY PREDICT HOW MANY WILL SHOW UP, WE CAN EMAIL REMINDERS OF SERVICE THE WEEK PRIOR TO APPEARANCE, AND AND THE DAY BEFORE WE BOTH EMAIL AND TEXT A REMINDER. THIS IS INCREASED APPEARANCE RATES FROM THE 22% SUMMONED PRE-PANDEMIC TO NEARLY 90% OF THOSE THAT ARE PREREGISTERED AND ASSIGNED.

WE CAN ALSO CANCEL THEIR SUMMONS AS LATE AS THE NIGHT PRIOR. ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT HAS BEEN OUR ROLE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE O'DONNELL CONSENT DECREE. THE PROCESS INVOLVES SIGNIFICANT MANPOWER HOURS AND THE REALIGNMENT OF PRIORITIES TO PROVIDE DATA ON PERSONAL BONDS, PROBABLE CAUSE FORMS AND OTHER CASE DOCUMENT INFORMATION. OUR CRIMINAL COURT CLERKS WILL REQUIRE NEW DAILY ELEMENTS AND DOCUMENTED NEW PROCESSES IS REQUIRED.

WE INCORPORATED ADDITIONAL DATA ELEMENTS ON OUR PUBLIC WEB SITE AND MET REGULARLY WITH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT STAFF AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT ALL OF LAST THE LAST YEAR TO MAKE CERTAIN ALL OF THE DEADLINES WERE MET.

THIS COLLABORATION WILL CONTINUE IN 2021. IN REGARDS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNOR ABBOT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON THE REPORTING OF CONVICTIONS TO THE TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM ARSEGOUS, MY DEPARTMENT IS GOING THE EXTRA MILE THAT REPORTING IT 25 DAYS EARLIER THAN REQUIRED. PROVIDING THE INFORMATION TO LAW

[03:35:03]

IN COOPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WE ROLLED OUT AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION FOR THE ELECTRONIC FILING AND PROCESSING OF CHARGING DOCUMENTS AND PLEAS. WE LAUNCHED A NEW SYSTEM THAT MAKES DOCUMENT SHARING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT.

THIS IT INITIATIVE CALLED E DELIVERY MEANS THAT OUR CLERKS NO LONGER HAVE TO SPEND A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THEIR SHIFT TRANSPORTING PRINTED DEWPOINTS WITHIN THE DOWNTOWN COURTHOUSE COMPLEX. THERE'S STILL MORE DEWPOINTS TO CONVERT AND WE HOPE TO HAVE THAT COMPLETED THIS YEAR. WE ALSO DEVELOPED AN ONLINE TOOL THAT ALLOWS ATTORNEYS TO SCHEDULE THEIR OWN HEARINGS 24/7 IN SELECT APPELLATE AND SPORTS WILL EXTEND THAT TO MORE COURTS IN 2021. PREVIOUSLY HEARINGS COULD ONLY BE SCHEDULED BY CALLING AND SPEAKING TO OUR CLERK OF THE COURT. WE DEBUTED AN ONLINE OPTION FOR THE PAYMENT OF CRIMINAL FINES IN COURT COSTS. THE SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE TO ALL CUSTOMERS WITH ACTIVE PAYMENT PLANS AND ALLOWS FOR PAYMENTS 24/7 USING A CREDIT CARD.

THE ABILITY TO MAKE THESE ORDERED PAYMENTS TIMELY AND BY USING A CREDIT CARD HAS BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED AND WIDELY USED. THE NOVEMBER OF 2020 WOULD SURPASS $4 MILLION IN A COLLECTION OF BACKLOG AND CURRENT CIVIL COURT FEENS AND FEES. PREVIOUSLY THESE FEES WERE BEING ASSESSED AND RECORDED BUT THE PARTIES RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING PAYMENTS WERE NOT BEING NOTIFIED.

TO REMEDY THIS, IN JANUARY 2019, WE TASKED OUR ACCOUNTING SECTION TO BEGIN BUILDING BILLING THESE FINES AND FAUXES AND COLLECTING THEM. I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE. WE DO HAVE A FEW REQUESTS FOR OUR NEW BUDGET.

OUR NUMBER 1 ASK IS TO GET OUR SALARIES TO A LEVEL THAT IS COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES. WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN 2019 WE HAD MANY STAFF MAKING LESS THAN THE NEW COUNTY RATE OF $15 PER HOUR. OF PARTICULAR CONCERN OUR CLERKS OF THE COURTS WHO ARE FREQUENTLY RECRUITED AWAY BY OTHER AGENCIES DUE TO THEIR EXTENSIVE TRAINING AND KNOWLEDGE. AFTER GETTING EVERYONE UP TO $15 PER HOUR, I APPROVED ADDITIONAL RAISE FOR THESE POSITIONS TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE WITHIN OUR BUDGET CONSTRAIBTS.

WE NOW HAVE OUR ASSISTANT COURT CLERKS AT A MINIMUM OF $18 PER HOUR, LEAD CLERKS OF THE COURT AT A MINIMUM OF $20, AND MASTER CLERKS AT 25. HOWEVER, WE'RE STILL LOSING SEASON CLERKS THAT WE HAVE TRAINED AND PROFESSIONALLY NURTURED BECAUSE THEY GET JOB OFFERS WITH HIGHER STARTING SALARIES FROM OTHER AGENCIES. THE MOST RECENT EXAMPLE IS AN EXCELLENT MASTER LEAGUE CLERK WITH 16 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN OUR OFFICE, MAKING $25 AN HOUR AND OFFERED A POSITION AS A COURT COORDINATOR AT $WHEN IT PER HOUR.

ADDITIONALLY OTHER AGENCIES ALSO RECRUIT OUR COURT CLERKS AT ENTRY LEVEL SAL HE RADIOS RANGING FROM 20 TO 25 AN HOUR. THESE POSITIONS GENERALLY COME WITH NO EXPECTATION OVER TIME UNLIKE WHAT OUR CRIMINAL COURT CLERKS EXPERIENCE ON A REGULAR BASIS AND ALSO WITH NO PERSONAL LIABILITY AND RESULTING IN MUCH LESS STRESS. WHEN WE RAISE THE PIRATES OF THE COURT CLERKS, THE SALARIES OF THEIR SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS MUST ALSO BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY. JUST TO GET OUR CLERKS TO THE LEVELS WE HAVE REQUIRED THE USE OF A SMALL PART OF OUR ROLLOVER FUNDS. WITH THIS COURT'S APPROVAL, WE WOULD LIKE TO UTILIZE MORE OF THESE FOUND MAKE OUR PIRATES COMPETITIVE AND ALLOCATE MORE NEW BUDGETS TO SALARIES. OUR SECOND REQUEST HAS TO DO WITH THE FUNDING OF THE PROBABLE CAUSE COURT'S 24 HOUR OPERATIONS. AT LAST YEAR'S BUDGET HEARING I ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED $100,000 PER YEAR IN FUNDING TO ESTABLISH THE MODEL PROGRAM IN THAT COURT.

TODAY I ASK THIS AMOUNT BE INCREASED TO $250,000. AS DOCKETS HAVE INCREASED, AND ONE DOCKET CONTINUES WHILE THE SECOND BEGINS, WE'VE HAD TO INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL CLERKS TO ANY OF THE THREE SHIFT TOES COVER THE OVERLAP OF THE DOCKETS.

IF A SECOND COURT IS ESTABLISHED AS IS CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED, WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL STAFF TO COVER THAT AS WELL. OUR THIRD REQUEST IS FOR MULTIPLE RENOVATION PROJECTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER AND THE CIVIL COURTHOUSE. WE REQUEST AN ALLOCATION OF 200,000 FOR OFFICER INNOVATION PROJECTS, BUT AT THIS TIME WE'RE NOT CERTAIN IT QUALIFIES AS PART OF THE CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. SPECIFICALLY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER. WE KNOW TO RENOVATE AND IS FURNISH A SECTION ON THE THIRD FLOOR TO ACCOMMODATE MEMBERS OF OUR CRIMINAL COURT'S MANAGEMENT TEAM AND TRAINING STAFFING.

IN THE CIVIL COURTHOUSE, WE WOULD USE THE FUNDING TO RENOVATE THE CUSTOMER SERVICE COUNTER OF THE ACCOUNTING SECTION AND TO RENOVATE THEIR BREAKROOM AND INSTALL A DROP BOX

[03:40:01]

AS YOU ARE AWARE, OUR JURY PARTICIPATION RATE HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY LOW WITH PERCENTAGES HOVERING IN THE LOW 20S FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS. ADDITIONALLY OUR JURIES DO NOT NEARLY REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF OUR POPULATION. IN LATE 2020 MY OFFICE COMMISSIONED A PROFESSIONAL POLLSTER TO CONDUCT A COUNTYWIDE SURVEY ABOUT JURY SERVICE ATTITUDES AND WHAT MOTIVATES HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS TO SERVE AS JURORS AND WHAT BARRIERS PREVENT THEM FROM SHOWING UP. THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY PHONE AND ONLINE, AND GATHERED CLOSE TO 2000 RESPONSES. ADDITIONALLY TWO FOCUS GROUPS WERE CONDUCTED TO DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER IN THE RESPONSES RECEIVED. WE'VE JUST RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING REPORT ON THE SURVEY THIS WEEK. IF WE REVIEW THE POLLSTER'S FINDINGS AND CROSS OUT EACH PROPOSED MEASURE WE WILL DETERMINE WHAT CHANGES WILL GIVE US THE GREATEST REASON FOR THE DOLLAR SPENT. ONCE DETERMINED I'LL COME BACK BACK TO WITH YOU THOSE THAT WILL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT ON INCREASING BOTH GENERAL PARTICIPATION AND PARTICULARLY INCREASING DIVERSITY, AND I WILL ASK FOR FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THOSE MEASURES. THE TWO MEASURES THAT STAND OUT ARE INCREASED JUROR PAY FOR DAY ONE AND PAID PARKING FOR JURORS. AS IT IS, AN HOURLY PAID WORKER CAN IN THE AFFORD TO ANSWER THEIR SUMMONS AS THEY WILL LOSE A DAY'S WAGES. IF WE WANT THEM TO APPEAR, WE HAVE TO COMPENSATE THEM I STRONGLY BELIEVE E-JUROR IS A CRITICAL EXOAN NEBILITY THIS GOAL. WE-JUROR WE ONLY SUMMON FOR THE SCHEDULED TRIALS AND CAN CANCEL AS LATE AS THE NIGHT PRIOR IF THE CASE SETTLED. BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WE CALLED FOR A GENERAL NUMBER OF JURORS WITHOUT KNOWING IF IT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THAT DAY.

IN 2019 WHICH IS THE LAST YEAR FOR NORMAL JURY DATA THAT WE HAVE, A TOTAL OF 556,000 SUMMONS WERE HELD OUT. 124,000, 22.2% OF THOSE SUMMONED APPEARED FOR SERVICE.

OF THOSE, 45,799, OR 37%, APPEARED AND WERE NOT NEEDED AND DISMISSED DIRECTLY FROM THE JURY ASSEMBLY WITHOUT EVER BEING SENT TO A COURTROOM. THEY STILL HAVE TO BE PAID $6 FOR SHOWING UP. THAT WAS A COST TO THE COUNTY OF $274,794.

WHEN E JUROR WE WILL NOT ELIMINATE THIS ENTIRELY. THE SYSTEM WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THREE PHASES AND OUR GOAL IS TO INCREASE THE JURY RESPONSE RATE TO 50% AND TO DECREASE THE JURY DISMISSAL RATE TO 25% WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF FULL IMPLEMENTATION.

WITH TIME AND OUTREACH WE FEEL WITH CAN FURTHER IMPROVE THOSE RATES.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC MY DEPARTMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED PHASE 1 OF E JUROR AFTER RECEIVING APPROVAL OF THE DISTRICT JUDGES FOR ONLY THE DIEWRGTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

IN PHASE 2 PANELS WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED BY 4:00 P.M. THE NIGHT OF THE TRIAL UNTIL 8:00 A.M. THE DAY OF. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO CANCEL JURORS WERE REGISTERED ONLINE IF IT APPEARS WE HAVE MORE THAN WE KNOW. PHASE 3 WILL COMPLETE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM WHEN PANELS WOULD NEED TO BE REQUESTED FOUR TO SIX WEEKS IN ADVANCE AND ALLOW US TO -- WOULD ALLOW THOSE SUMMONED TO ELIMINATE UP TO FIVE DAYS OUT OF 30 THAT THEY ARE UNAVAILABLE TO SERVE. THIS WAS ANOTHER FINDING IN OUR SURVEY. GIVING SOME CONTROL OVER THE DATE THEY SERVE WOULD GREATLY INCREASE PARTICIPATION. THEY STILL CANNOT PICK THEIR DAY, BUT THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO INDICATE WHAT DAYS WOULD NOT WORK FOR THEM. WE IN THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE ARE FULLY READY TO AMEND E JUROR AND WAITING FOR THE JUDGE'S APPROVAL TO PROCEED.

THISSIER MY DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO LAUNCH AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE JURY SERVICE.

IT WILL INCLUDE BILLBOARDS, PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ASSOCIATE MEDIA.

THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO FOCUS ON MAKING THE PUBLIC AWARE OF 95 NEWLY ADOPTED MEASURES SUCH AS A PAY INCREASE OR PAID PARKING. THESE CHANGES WILL ONLY PRODUCE THE DESIRED OUTCOMES IF THE GENERAL MUST BE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF THEM. 2021 WILL BE THE YEAR TO REVAMP

[03:45:05]

AND IMPLEMENTING A PORTAL FOR COURT REPORTERRERS TO SUBMIT PAPER EXHIBITS ELECTRONICALLY.

ANOTHER POINT THOUGH FOR THIS YEAR IS MOVING OUR CRIMINAL COURT SECTIONS BACK TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER ONCE THE POST HARVEY RECONSTRUCTION PROCESS IS FINALIZED FOR OUR AREA. THIS INCLUDES OUR CRIMINAL COURT'S MANAGEMENT TEAM, CRIMINAL CUSTOMER SERVICE, CRIMINAL POST TRIAL AS WELL AS COMPLIANCE PERSONNEL WHO ARE WORKING DATA CONTROL, THE CALL CENTER STAFF, CRIMINAL COURT TRAINERS AND CRIMINAL IMAGING SPECIALISTS. ALL THESE SECTIONS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED SINCE HURRICANE HARVEY, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE THEM BACK IN THEIR PERMANENT LOCATIONS BY MID 2021.

AND EVEN THOUGH JURY OPERATIONS WILL STILL BE HEAD AT ENERGY COMPLEX DUE TO THE DURATION OF THE PANDEMIC, WE ANTICIPATE THE JURY ASSEMBLY PLAZA TO BE READY FOR REOCCUPATION BY THE END OF MARCH. WE WILL WORK DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THE RETURN OF JURY OPERATIONS TO THAT FACILITY AS SOON AS IT'S DEEMED SAFE BY THIS COURT.

WE WILL STRIVE TO MAKE THAT PROCESS AS SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE FOR THE JURORS, THE LEGAL COMMUNITY AND ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN THE JURY PROCESS.

LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS. THIS IS GREATLY NEEDED TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE EVER GROWING BACKLOG IN OUR COURTS. THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE WILL SUPPORT ALL EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH NEW COURTS. OF COURSE AS NEW COURTS ARE CREATED, THIS HE WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT. I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY, AND I AM READY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING WITH REGARD TO THE JURY SUMMONS PROCESS, YOU AND I WERE BOTH WORKING THAT SYSTEM WHEN IT WAS TRULY DIFFICULT FOR OUR JURORS TO COME IN AND THE RATIOS WERE THERE, AND I NO HE THAT OVER TIME THERE'S BEEN MINOR TWEAKS AND THINGS.

AND I THINK THAT THIS SYSTEM MAY BE THE BEST THING TO DO. I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO YOU FOR THOSE EXTRA EFFORTS. A JUROR IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE AND A EARLY THING FOR THE JUDGES TO HAVE A TRIAL AND NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE ONE WHEN THEY ACTUALLY HAD MORE JURORS SHOW UP THAN WERE BEING TURNED AWAY. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT INNOVATION AND APPROACH THAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK.

>> THANK YOU. AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF WHAT THE PROGRAM

COULD BRING TO IT. >> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

>> MS. BURGESS THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE DOING, IS ESPECIALLY ON THE JURY

SIDE. I KNOW IT'S A LOT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT IN WORKING ON THAT HAS INCREDIBLE IMPACTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM. SO YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT ON THESE ISSUES AROUND JURORS AND MODERNIZING THE SYSTEM AND I ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CAN BE ENFUL ON IDENTIFYING THE METRIC SO WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HOPE WILL BE SUCCESS. SO I'M SURE IT WILL BE, SO IT WAS JUST -- WOULD BE SO VALUABLE TO BE ABLE TO MEASURE THOSE OUTCOMES AND NOT JUST THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WE TOUCH BUT TO WHAT EXTENT, YOU KNOW, PERCENTAGE FOLKS REACH OUT TO ACTUALLY SHOW UP OR EXIT SURVEYS OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT CAN BE DONE. SO -- BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU AND

YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU.

>> IT'S 2:07. LET'S TAKE 30 MINUTES FOR SOMETHING OF A LUNCH UNTIL $2:40 AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR.

>> I AM HERE, >> GREAT. SO IT IS 2:44 PM AND THE BUDGET

HEARINGS ARE BACK IN SESSION. >> MIKE POST.

[03:50:03]

GO AHEAD. >> HELLO THIS IS MIKE POST I AM THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND MY BUDGET IS UNIQUE. THE COUNTY AUDITOR BUDGET PROCESS IS DEFINED IN THE STATUTES AND JUST TO GIVE SOME HISTORY IT WAS CREATED IN TEXAS BY THE LEGISLATURE IN 1905 AND I HAVE READ WHAT I COULD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MOTIVATION WAS IT SEEMS TO ME THEY WANTED AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE THAT COULD CONDUCT AUDITS AND THEY WANTED AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE THAT WOULD KEEP THE BOOKS AND W COMMISSIONERS COURT TO APPROVE THAT LIST AND THE TREASURER'S OFFICE IS ASKED WITH DISPERSING THE MONEY IN CASE THAT WASN'T CLEAR TO ANYONE IN ORDER TO GIVE THE AUDITORS OFFICE THE INDEPENDENCE THE STATUTES PROVIDED THE COUNTY AUDITOR WOULD BE APPOINTED THE COUNTY AUDITOR IS APPOINTED TO TWO-YEAR TERMS BY THE DISTRICT JUDGES AND MY CURRENT TERM ENDED IN DECEMBER AND THEY HAVE APPOINTED ME ÃPROCESS ON HOW THE COUNTY AUDITOR BUDGETS ARE APPROVED I PUT TOGETHER MY BUDGET PROPOSAL AND I ALWAYS CONTACT THE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER I WAS CONTACTED BILL JACKSON AND HAVE A VERY EVEN THOUGH MY BUDGET IS SET INDEPENDENT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT I LIKE TO BE IN THE BALLPARK WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTY.

I HAVE GONE TO SEMINARS WHERE I HAVE HEARD OTHER COUNTY AUDITORS SAY HOW ANGRY ALL THE DEPARTMENTS IN THOSE COUNTIES GOT BECAUSE

>> NOW THE STATUTES ALSO SAY THAT THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S BUDGET MUST BE PUT OUT FOR A

[03:55:03]

[04:07:47]

[04:07:49]

IT'S KIND OF YOU TO DO THIS. >> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> >> I WANT TO THANK MR. POST.

WHENEVER WE HAVE A QUESTION --

>> YOUR SIGNAL IS NOT COOPERATING.

SOMETHING ABOUT SERVING. >> YES.

THANK YOU.

>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE.

GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. I WILL MAKE MINE FAIRLY BRIEF.

JUST TO GET YOU THROUGH THE DAY. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT GOING ON.

LUCINDA, IF YOU COULD GO TO THE SECOND SLIDE, PLEASE, MA'AM.

>> WE'RE A LITTLE BIT UNIQUE LIKE THE AUDITOR, BUT THE FACT THAT WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SERVICE TO NOT ONLY TO HARRIS COUNTY BUT ALSO TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE WHICH IS PART OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

WE ARE MADE UP OF ROUGHLY ABOUT 90 EMPLOYEES WHO SERVICE ALL THREE AGENCIES. WE HAVE THE ORGANIZATION SET UP BY HARRIS COUNTY PROPER WHICH IS OUR PROCUREMENT TEAM WHICH OFFERS PROCUREMENTS FROM THE PRESTON LOCATION.

[04:10:01]

THE HARRIS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. >> WE HAVE A LOCATION OFF OF 601 LOCKWOOD OUR PURCHASING SERVICES LOCATION.

THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXED ASSETS AND SURPLUS DISTRIBUTION OF ALL THE GOODS END OF THEIR LIFE, WE NEED TO DISBURSE THEM.

>> I REALIZE THAT OUR MISSION IS DEFINITELY TO ACQUIRE ALL APPROPRIATE GOODS AND SERVICES FOR THE COUNTY AND THE OTHER AGENCY. I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE REALIZE OUR OFFICE IS CENTRAL LOCATION TO GET THESE THINGS OUT TO DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THEY GET THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES TIMELY.

MAKE SURE THEIR WORK IS DONE TIMELY.

IT'S BEEN MY GOAL IN THE LAST 4 AND A HALF OR FIVE YEARS IN THIS POSITION TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST IN CLASS PROCUREMENT SERVICES ORGANIZATION NOT ONLY HARRIS COUNTY BUT THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. WE LOOK AT DIFFERENT WAYS OF IMPROVING OUR SERVICES AND MAKING THINGS MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT WHEN IT COMES TO OPERATING OUR SERVICES AND WE WILL BE DOING THAT THIS YEAR. THINK WE'VE REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL DEPARTMENTED TO TALK ABOUT THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM WE PUT IN PLACE TO ALLOW US TO MEET GOALS AND OBJECTIVE, WHICH I HAVE LISTED HERE ON THE NEXT SLIDE.

OUR GOALS ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON THREE AREAS.

LEVERAGEAGE OUR TECHNOLOGY. WE RECURRENTLY TAKEN ON NEW CHALLENGE TO IMPLEMENT SOFTWARE SYSTEM CALLED BONFIRE.

WHICH WILL BE UTILIZED TO FUEL OUR PROCUREMENT PROCESSES ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THE -- AND THERE WILL NOT BE PAPER AND ANY TRANSMISSIONS OF PAPER.

WE WILL DO ALL OF IT WITHIN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM TO NOT ONLY INCREASE OUR PROCUREMENT CYCLE TIMES BUT ALSO HOLD FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE ON WHERE THE OPERATION THAT WE ARE DOING.

HOW WE CAN CUT THE TIME LINE DOWN TO INCREASE SOURCING THROUGHOUT THE OFFICE. WE WILL LEVERAGE THE TECHNOLOGY.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING ALL OF OUR I GUESS I WOULD SAY PAPER FILES. WE CONVERT THOSE INTO INDEXING OF DIGITAL FILE. ABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS OUT IN THE PUBLIC THAT WANT TO HAVE A COPY OF DOCUMENT.

EVERYTHING THIS WILL BE ELECTRONIC IN OUR OFFICE.

WE ARE MOVING AWAY FROM STORING OF ALL THE FILES.

JUST DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT CAME THROUGH THE OFFICE.

OUR OTHER AREAS OF GOAL WE SHOOT FOR MWBE ABILITY FOR VENDORS AND COMPANIES OUT THERE. COULD BE NOTIFIED OF SOLICITATION AND THE ABILITY TO ACTUALLY BID ON THOSE SERVICES NO MATTER IF LARGE OR SMALL PROJECT.

AND TECHNOLOGY WE PLAN TO USE IS ALSO THE ONE WE'RE ROLLING OUT NOW TO IMPLEMENT THIS PLATFORM THAT WILL NOTIFY MULTITUDE OF OFFENDERS IF IT'S 2000 PROCUREMENT OR LARGER, NOW IT'S MOSTLY A PHONE CALL OR E-MAIL TO SESSION.

WE'RE MOVING TO ALL ELECTRONIC PLATFORMS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO IMPLEMENT TRAINING SESSIONS FOR DEPARTMENTS. WE'LL HAVE TWO-THREE TRAINING SESSIONS PER YEAR OR MORE IF NEEDED AND ALSO TRAINING FOR VENDORS. WE SET THOSE UP VIRTUALLY UNTIL THE CURRENT CRISIS IS OVER. PROVIDE WITH UPDATE ON HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY AND HOW TO WORK THROUGH PROCUREMENT AND OTHER AREAS THAT WE WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO COME UP WITH THE OUTREACH AND TRAINING SESSIONS TOGETHER ONCE THAT DEPARTMENT UP AND RUNNING.

OF COURSE WE WILL CREATE ANNUAL BUYING PLAN NEWSLETTER WHICH IS I CAN'T LIE. I STOLE THIS FROM COOKE COUNTY.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY DO THAT WHERE THEY PRESENT NEWSLETTER ONLINE.

TO ALLOW THE PROCUREMENT DOWN THE ROAD AND WHEN THEY PREPARE BE LOOKING FOR PROCUREMENTS. GIVE SOME INFORMATION ON OURS OF WHICH WILL BE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE THEN LASTLY, OF COURSE, WE WILL WORK WITH OUR PURCHASING SERVICES DIVISION INTERNET SITE TO ALLOW DEPARTMENT TO BILL YOU SURPLUS ITEMS, REPURPOSED ITEMS AND TRY TO ACHIEVE SOME GOALS TO GET EQUIPMENT THAT MAY NOT BE USABLE FOR ONE OFFICE BUT IT IS MAYBE AN ASSET FOR ANOTHER.

WE WILL TRY TO IMPROVE SOME OF THAT TRANSPARENCY WHEN IT COMES TO ITEMS REPURPOSED RATHER THAN SELLING THEM ON PENNY FOR THE

[04:15:03]

>> HERE'S A LIST OF HAVE THIS YEAR.

OF THOSE 15, 13 ARE NEW METRICS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO CAPTURE WITH A LOT OF DETAIL COMING INTO THOSE TO PROVIDE TO COURT MEMBERS AND THESE METRICS, WILL BE PULLED 12 WILL BE PULLED FROM NEW FINANCIAL ON NEW PROCUREMENT SYSTEM.

IT WILL GIVE YOU UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE DO, HOW WE DO IT AND IF WE ARE DOING IN TIMELY MANNER OR WHERE WE ARE LAPSING IN SOME OF THE AREAS. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE METRICS.

THIS WILL BE SOMETHING THAT THE MANAGEMENT HERE IN THIS OFFICE CAN UTILIZE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE HOLDING FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE IN OUR OFFICE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT TO KNOW WHERE THINGS ARE. IT WILL BE TRANSPARENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE OFFICE.

THIS WILL ALLOW THEM THE ABILITY TO SIGN IN AS READ-ONLY USER AND SEE THE PROJECTS SEE WHERE THEY ARE AT.

AND IF THERE'S A HOLD UP WE WILL BH ABLE TO IDENTIFY THOSE EARLY ON. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS YEAR I'M HAPPY TO SAY WITHIN OUR BUDGET WE'RE REQUESTING THE SAMECATION ALLOCATION WE REQUESTED LAST YEAR. WE HAD LOST SEVERAL SENIOR STAFF DUE TO MOVING ON TO LEADERSHIP ROLE IN OUR SURROUNDING COUNTY OR RETIREMENT. THEREFORE WE HAVEN'T MET THE FULL BUDGET, BUT WE DID UTILIZE THE FUNDS TO PROCURE THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM AND TO ALSO DIGITIZE OUR FILES.

WE ARE ASKING FOR THE SAME AMOUNT.

ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND WE'VE FUNDED THE SOFTWARE PLATFORM FOR THREE YEARS. OUR SALARY AND BENEFITS COMPRISED OF 96% OF OUR PURCHASING BUDGET.

OF THAT ROUGHLY 40% OF ALLEGATION THAT WILL COME BACK FROM COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM FOR THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THEM.

LASTLY I WANTED TO POINT OUT BEFORE I FINISH, OUR MEDICAL TEAM WHICH IS OFF OF PRAIRIE STREET CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING OVER TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING WHICH IS OFF 610. AND THEY WILL BE INTEGRATED WITHIN HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM STAFF TO NOW MAKE IT MORE COLLABORATIVE BUT ALLOW THEM TO WORK CLOSER WITH OTHER AGENCIES AS WELL. BUT ALSO FREE UP SOME OF THE SPACE HERE FOR THE COUNTY SO THAT WILLS A SETSZ THAT CAN BE UTILIZED FROM 1310 PRAIRIE. IT WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO MOVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH THE VENDOR OUTREACH AND THE DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER, ELLIS GO AHEAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M JUST WONDERING WHO WILL KEEP THE DATA BG-2?

>> THE ONE THAT COLLECTS THE DATA.

>> I WILL MOVE OVER TO NEW DEPARTMENT ONCE THEY ARE CREATED AND UP AND RUNNING. WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT DATA NOW. WE WILL BE JOINTLY WORKING WITH THEM ON THAT DATA. TO ENSURE IT'S KEPT IN A SYSTEM AND WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL COURT MEMBERS.

RIGHT NOW WE WORK IN MY OFFICE. >> I GUESS -- WHATEVER TIME IS APPROPRIATE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE POST THAT ONLINE WHETHER IT'S YOU OR THAT OFFICE.

JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT PROGRESS

>> YES, SIR. WE'RE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH IT.

WE WILL MAKE SURE ALL THE INDIVIDUALS KNOW THAT WE'LL KEEP TAKE YOU STRAIGHT TO SOFTWARE SYSTEM.

SOME OF THE STUFF THAT THE JUDGES OFFICE DOES ON WHAT'S GOING ON WITH COVID. IT'S REALLY EASY.

>> I WANT TO AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THERE'S NO LAPSE IN SERVICES.

USE THE SOFTWARE. WE WILL KEEP IT UP AND RUNNING UNTIL THE OFFICE TRANSITION OVER WHEN SHE TAKES OVER THAT ROLE THERE WILL BE DATA FOR HER TO REVIEW.

>> BETWEEN YOU AND THE EQUITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OFFICE,

[04:20:11]

ARE YOU SENSING FROM OUR PURCHASING YOU GETTING MORE INTEREST FROM THE MWBE'S? JUST GENERAL?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST. I'VE BEEN WORKING TO GET THE MODULE UP TO DUMP ALL THE INFORMATION THERE.

MY STAFF WORKING WITH COLLETTE TO GET THAT THING UP AND RUNNING SO WE CAN USE THAT IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS NOW.

WE'RE WORKING ON ONE FOR THEIR FLOOD CONTROL TO MANUALLY COME UP WITH THE PERCENTAGE TO PUT IN PROCUREMENT.

WE ARE WORKING THAT DIRECTION NOW.

WE'RE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THE REQUEST INTO PROCUREMENTS NOW ALLOW US TO PUT PERCENTAGES IN THERE.

>> THE LAST SUGGESTION IS THAT SINCE THE PORT HAS DONE DISPARITY STUDY AND THOSE NUMBERS ARE WORSE THAN OURS.

THEY MAY BE WORKING ON IT. WHEN METRO WILL COME LATE JANUARY EARLY FEBRUARY. I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR SINGISM HERE. MAYBE YOU CAN PASS THAT ON TO TO THEM. OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. DWIGHT, THANK FOR YOU PRESENTATION AS WELL. AND COMMISSIONER GOT THE ONE QUESTION ABOUT BPG AND MAKING SURE IT'S IN THE RIGHT HANDS ONCE THE NEW OFFICE THE ESTABLISHED AND SO IN TERMS OF -- IN TERMS OF YOUR OPERATIONS HOW DO YOU ENVISION WHAT THE SYNERGY FOR LACK OF BETTER WORD THE TWO OFFICES? WHAT DO YOU ENVISION THAT SYNERGY BEING LIKE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN WORK DIRECTLY WITH OUR OFFICE FOR EACH PROCUREMENT.

THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT TALK TO FOLK LOOKING AT THE OFFICE WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO WORK CLOSELY ON EACH SCOPE OF WORK.

EACH PROJECT TO ENSURE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT WE'RE ALSO REACHING THE RIGHT INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE. BUT WE INCLUDE THE RIGHT INFORMATION THAT NEED PROCUREMENT TO BE MAKE SURE THEY GET TO PARTICIPATE. THEY ARE MEETING CERTAIN GOALS.

IF WE ARE NOT DOING THAT, WHAT DO WE NEED TO CHANGE OR REVISE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. I THINK WE HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COMMISSIONER. THAT'S MY TWO CENTS.

I THINK WE HAVE TO FOLKS THAT UNDERSTAND PROCUREMENT SO WE CAN WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER WHEN THEY REVIEW THE SCOPES OF WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE PUT SOMETHING OUT IT'S FAIR AND REASONABLE ACROSS THE BOARD AND WE'RE NOT ELIMINATING THE SMALLER COMPANIES. .

>> GOOD, GOOD. I APPRECIATE THOUGHT GIVEN TO THAT. YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB DURING THE PANDEMIC AND JUST GENERALLY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T CREATE ANY START AND STOP SITUATIONS BUT I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TWO OF YOU ARE LINKED UP EARLY ON SO WE CAN MAKE SURE TO MOVE ALONG SMOOTHLY.

AND AND WITH THAT, ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS WITH ENSURING IN PARTICULAR THOSE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ALREADY ESTABLISHED AND SHOULD ALREADY BE HAVE BEEN DONE LIKE BBE.

IS THERE ANY CONCERNS WITH HOW THOSE PROGRAMS WILL BE WILL DOVETAIL EACH OF THE NEW OFFICE AND WITH YOUR EXISTING

OPERATIONS? >> NO, SIR.

WE'RE WILLING TO WORK OPEN MINDED WITH THEM.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME CREATION OF THE PROCEDURES AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THAT OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER PROCEDURES WE COME UP WITH THAT REFUSALABLE FOR BOTH SIDES.

I'M WILLING TO WORK. THAT'S WHY I WANT TO KEEP THE BTG SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING WHEN THE NEW OFFICE IS UP AND RUNNING AND WE HAND THAT OFF WE GIVE THEM SOMETHING USEFUL.

I KNOW YOURS OF HAS BEEN HELPFUL HELPING ON SOME OF THE DIFFERENT ASPECT OF IT WITH THE RESOURCES THAT YOU PROVIDED TO US.

[04:25:01]

LIKE I SAID I'M OPEN TO WORK WITH THEM.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT DUMPING SOMETHING WITH OUT HAVING USEFUL INFORMATION AND GET IT UP AND RUNNING.

IF NOT WE WOULD WAIT ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

BTU WOULDN'T DO US ANY GOOD. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK THAT DIRECTION. AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT ANY TRANSITION OVER -- WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, WE'LL WORK CLOSELY WITH THAT OFFICE.

I'M NOT LOOKING TO DUMP IT ON THEM AND WALK AWAY.

>> AND I APPRECIATE THAT. I THINK COMMISSIONER, WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S SOME PERFORMANCE MEASURE.

AND I'M NOT SURE IF THAT WILL SINCE YOU ULTIMATELY CUT THE CHECK. I'M NOT SURE IN THAT WILL BE ON YOU, THE AUDITOR OR THE NEW OFFICE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THINK THROUGH HOW TO DEMONSTRATE THE SUCCESS AND OUTPUT ACROSS THE COUNTY ONCE THE OFFICE IS ESTABLISHED. ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> IS THERE A SPECIFIC AREA YOU LOOK AT?

>> GENERALLY SPEAKING AT SOME POINT WE WILL MWB.

BUT WE CURRENTLY HAVE HUB AND DBD.

THE QUESTION IS -- WHERE DOES THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FALL FOR BEING ABLE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE PROGRESS AND TRANSPARENCY OR HOW THOSE THOSE PROGRAMS ARE OPERATING, WHO IS IT GOING TO.

MINORITY OWNED? >> I'M SORRY.

DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF. >> IN MY METRICS THIS YEAR.

WE WILL LOOK AT THE AVERAGE NUMBERS.

WE WILL LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF NOTIFICATIONS SENT TO MWB, OR HUB. LOOK A NUMBER OF SOLICITATION RESPONDED TO AND AWARDED TO THE HUBS.

AN AVERAGE NUMBER OF PURCHASE ORDER THAT GO TO THE INDIVIDUALS. WE WILL TRACK THAT MY OFFICE.

NOT TO SAY THAT NEW OFFICE WON'T.

THAT'S PROVIDE OF WHAT I PROVIDED TO COURT.

WE LOOK AT THE NUMBER CURRENTLY IN THE COUNTY UNDER 50,000 WE JUST DO PHONE CALL QUOTES. AND MY GOAL IN THE NEW SYSTEM THAT WE'RE IMPLEMENTING NOW TO NOTIFY ALL VENDORS AND SAY THERE'S A $5,000 PURCHASE. GIVE ME A QUOTE ELECTRONICALLY BACK. THERE'S A LOT MORE TRANSPARENCY TO SEE HOW MANY ARE BEING NOTIFIED.

HOW MANY WILL PROVIDE US WITH THAT AND AWARD THAT JOB.

WE CAN DO ALL THAT WITHIN THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT WE'RE MOVING TO. THAT I THINK I PRESENTED TO ALL COURT MEMBERS STAFF TO LET THEM REVIEW.

THOSE STATISTICS THAT I PROVIDED WE'LL BE DOING THAT INTERNALLY.

I'M SURE THERE'S SOME OOE OR EOC OFFICE WILL BE DO.

WE'LL TRACK THAT FROM MY STANDPOINT TO SHOW YOU THAT YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE BEING TRANSPARENT.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR OVERVIEW THERE. I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING A NO INCREASE BUDGET. THAT'S ENCOURAGING TO US AS WE TRY TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF OUR DOLLARS.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE MANY MWBS OUT THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO DO WORK THE COUNTY. THERE'S A LOT OF PRIME FIRMS OUT THERE THAT HAVE A HISTORY OF TEAMING WITH THOSE FOLKS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

I'M DOING A VERY SPECIFIC LOOK WITHIN PRECINCT THREE AND THE THINGS WE DO AND PURCHASE AND CAUSE TO HAPPEN AND BE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT ON THE MARK. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT CAN DO THIS WORK. I LOOK FOR WHAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS DONE AND OTHER PEOPLE IN TERMS OF DBE AND MWBE.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MEET THOSE GOALS EFFECTIVELY.

THE OTHER THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS FOLKS IN BUSINESSES IN HARRIS COUNTY NEED WORK.

AND BEING SURE THAT WE REACH OUT TO COMMUNICATE WITH ALL THOSE

[04:30:01]

WE MAY DO WORK WITH PEOPLE DALLAS AND SAN ANTONIO AND AUSTIN. IF WE GET THE SERVICES FOR THE SAME PRICE AND GREAT QUALITY. WE OUGHT TO GET FROM HARRIS COUNTY. OUR OUTREACH PROGRAM I WOULD HOPE WOULD BE TO GET HARRIS COUNTY BUSINESSES A GOOD SHARE OF THAT WORK. YES, SIR.

WE'LL DEFINITELY WORK WITH YOU. THE GOAL FOR OUR OFFICE TO WORK WITH NEW OFFICE IS TO ALSO DO SOME VENDOR FAIRS.

WHERE THEY COME OUT AND VISIT AND WE GET SIGNED UP ON THE SYSTEM TO SEE WHERE THE BUSINESS IS AND GET THE GUYS THAT ARE QUOTING US. I AGREE 100%.

I THINK WE NEED TO WORK ON SOME LANGUAGE IN THE STATUTE TO GET IT CHANGED AND LEGISLATION TO ALLOW US TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO LOCAL. I KNOW THAT'S AN ITEM THEY PUT ON THE COURT ON TUESDAY. AND SO WE'LL WORK WITH THE LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS GROUP. WE'LL BE GLAD TO WORK WITH YOU GUYS TO DO OUTREACH. WE DO OUTREACH WITH THE CHAMBERS. WE GO VISIT WITH THEM AND DO MEETING WITH THEM. I WILL BE GLAD TO DO THAT AS WELL. I GUESS THE OTHER PART OF THAT WHEN SOMEONE A BUSINESS IN HARRIS COUNTY OR CONTRACTOR OR ANYBODY ELSE TAKES THE TIME TO SUBMIT A BID AND A QUOTE TO US, THE FOLLOW UP WE DO WITH THAT BUSINESS IN TERMS OF I'M SORRY YOU CAME IN SECOND. YOU WERE TOO HIGH IN AREA.

YOU MAY WANT TO GET YOUR PEN SEXUAL -- PENCIL OUT ON THE NEXT ONE. ANY TYPE OF VENDOR SUPPORT.

I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A NUMBER OF STAFF.

ANYTHING TO GET HARRIS COUNTY BUSINESSES BACK TO WORK AND IF YOU SEE ONE THAT'S CONSTANTLY MAN THEY ARE JUST ALMOST THERE.

IF YOU COULD WORK WITH THEM TO SEE WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO GET IT SO THEY COULD BEGIN TO GET SOME BUSINESS WITH HARRIS COUNTY, I THINK WOULD HELP US ALL.

>> YES, SIR. WILL DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR WORK THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

YOU GUYS HAVE JUST BEEN TIRELESS.

AND REALLY SINCE WE GOT HERE YOU KNOW, SUPPORTING EVERYTHING WITH INTEGRITY AND SAYING NO WHEN IT'S NO AND YES WHEN IT'S YES.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

AND THE METRICS THAT YOU GUYS ARE PROPOSING ARE GREAT.

FOCUSED ON EFFICIENCY AND EQUITY.

I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. >> THANK YOU JUDGE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE. THANK THE COURT FOR THAT AS

WELL. >> LET'S HEAR FROM THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NEXT. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. I'M CHRISTIAN MENFY THE NOW COUNTY ATTORNEY. I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BEING HERE BY VIDEO. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HELPS OR HURT MY CHANCES. THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. AND OUR BUDGET MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVE AUGUST WILLIAMS AND I WANT TO SAY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ROBERT SWORD FOR THE OFFICE AND HE HELPED US OUT WITH SMOOTH TRANSITION AND CURRENT FIRST ASSISTANT JAY IRE.

I'M NEW. THE ONLY ONE THAT TOOK OFFICE ON JANUARY 1. I HAD INFLUENCE ON THIS REQUEST.

WE WEREN'T ABLE TO INCLUDE EVERYTHING WE NEED.

YOU MAY SEE US ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS MEASURABLE IMPACT.

ONE THING FOR SURE IS THAT THE COUNTY TEAM IS OVERBURDENED.

THAT'S FOR TWO REASONS. WE JUST FLAT OUT NEED MORE POSITIONS AND TWO THERE WERE SEVERAL VACANCIES THAT WERE LEFT OVER BY DESIGN BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE THE WINNER OF THE GENERAL ELECTION WITH FLEXIBILITY DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD. WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS ABOUT 20-SOME ODD POSITION REMAIN VACANT SINCE MARCH AND IT'S FLUCTUATED OVER TIME. WHAT THAT HAS DONE OVERBURDEN IS OTHER ATTORNEYS. THERE'S SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO ADD POSITIONS TO DO WORK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THIS COURT.

NAMELY INCREASE THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT WORK. AND THERE'S SOME DEFICIENCY AND OPERATIONAL COMMUNICATION. WE WILL ASK TO RECLASSIFY TO CREATE OPERATIONAL LEAD OF SORTS SO WE CAN REALLY HONE IN ON PERFORMANCE METRICS AND ENSURE THIS IS OFFICE IS RUN AS

EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. >> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

I DISCUSSED GENERALLY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE WILL BE

[04:35:01]

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE SEEM TO BE TRUE WE SPOKE WITH FOLKS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE COUNTY THERE'S ROOM FOR US TO

IMPROVE ON THE CLIENT SERVICE. >> WE'RE HEARING SOME SORT OF NOTIFICATION. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A COMPUTER THAT YOU'VE GOT THAT YOU NEED TO MUTE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN HEAR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY

APPROPRIATELY. >> GO AHEAD, MR. MENFY.

>> OKAY. GOOD DEAL.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE SEEN COMMUNICATE WITH THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER OFFICES THAT THE SERVE THERE'S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT HOW WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS.

THAT GOES BACK CAPACITY ISSUE AND WE SEE IN SOME INSTANCES WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES AS QUICKLY AND AS RESPONSIVE AS WE LIKE BECAUSE OF CAPACITY ISSUES.

IN THIS BUDGET REQUEST WE WILL ADDRESS THAT AND ALSO WE ARE REQUESTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR LITIGATION POSITIONS, FUNCTIONS AS WELL AS NEW LITIGATION DIVISION.

WE WILL DISCUSS THAT LATER IN THE PRESENTATION.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SERVES MANY ROLES. IT'S UNIQUE OFFICE IN THAT WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW OFFICES AT THE COUNTY THAT SERVICES EVERY SINGLE OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY.

WE TOUCHED JUST ABOUT EVERY ONE OF THE EIGHT GOAL THIS COMMISSIONER COURT ADOPTED LAST SEPTEMBER FOR THE COUNTY.

AND WE'RE THE ONLY OFFICE THAT DOES ALL OF THAT WHILE ALSO MAINTAINING AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PURSUE CLAIMS THAT BENEFIT THE GENERAL PUBLIC. GENERALLY, WE PROVIDE COUNCIL TO ALL THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AS THEY TRY TO GET THINGS DONE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.

WE REPRESENT YOU IN LAWSUITS WHENEVER YOU ARE SUED AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF LAWSUIT OVER THE LAST YEAR.

WE REPRESENT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES IN CASES INVOLVING ABUSE AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN. WE DO STUFF AROUND MENTAL HEALTH. ORREVENUE GENERATOR.

WE COLLECT CERTAIN RECEIVABLE. ONE OF THE THINGS I SAW WHEN I WOULD INTRODUCE MYSELF. MOST PEOPLE WOULD ASK WHY AM I RUNNING AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

PEOPLE KNOW ON THE OUTSIDE THE WORK THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DOES AND NOT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

ONE THING WE ARE FOCUSED ON IS INCREASING OUR TRANSPARENCY AND OUR COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC SO WE KNOW WHICH MATTERS WILL BEST BENEFIT THE PUBLIC WHEN WE TAKE THEM ON.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> TOTAL STAFF OF THE OFFICE 258. WE ABOUT 125 ATTORNEYS.

AS I MENTIONED EARLIER JUST KIND OF REHASH, WE HAVE 26 VACANCIES CURRENTLY. AND AGAIN THAT'S RESULTING IN OVERBURDENING OF STAFF. OUR BUDGET FOR LAST YEAR WAS 29 MILLION, 155 OUT OF GENERAL FUND.

ROLL OVER 1.479. WE HAVE $1 ASSESSMENT PART OF TOLL ROAD ASSESSMENT THAT COME TO COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

DUE TO LOWER RENEW BECAUSE OF COVID, WE EXPECT THOSE FUNDS WILL BE LESS THIS YEAR THAN THEY'VE BEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> PREVIOUS BUDGETING CYCLE THERE'S A FOCUS ON OUTPUT, WHAT YOU WILL SEE FROM THE INFORMATION ON THE NEXT SLIDES, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE MEASURABLY IMPACT OUTCOME FOR THE COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. OUR OFFICES REVENUE GENERATOR FOR THE COUNTY. WE COLLECTED 36 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COUNTY LAST YEAR WHICH IS MORE THAN 6 MILLION DOLLARS IN THE AMOUNT THAT OURS OF RECEIVED FROM GENERAL FUND BUDGET LAST YEAR. WE ALSO HAD REVIEWED, REVISED AND NEGOTIATED OVER 3,000 CONTRACT 5.6 BILLION.

THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT GOAL OF GOVERNANCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THESE THINGS CAN'T GET DONE WITHOUT LAWYERS PUTTING THEIR EYES ON.

WE HAVE DEFENDED OVER 300 LAWSUITS, THIS HAS BEEN VERY, VERY BUSY YEAR FOR LAWSUITS AT CAN COUNTY.

NUMBER OF CASES 22,762 INCLUDING OUR CPS AND MENTAL HEALTH WORK.

WHETHER ACTOR AT THE STATE THE COUNTY SAW A BUNCH OF LAWSUITS FROM PRETTY SMALL SET OF INDIVIDUALS.

THESE LAWEDS WERE NOT OPEN-AND-SHUT CASES.

AND MANY INSTANCES FIGHT IN TRIAL COURT UP TO APPELLANT OR STATE SUPREME COURT AND THEN HAVE A FIGHT AT FEDERAL LEVEL.

THEY REQUIRE A BUNCH OF BRIEFING.

A BUNCH OF WORK. AND THESE MATTERS HAVE BEEN HANDLED BOTH INTERNALLY BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THROUGH THE HIRING OF OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. I KNOW THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

[04:40:01]

OUR OFFICE DOES A TON OF WORK TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE FROM THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. WE WERE INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN OPPOSING PERMIT REQUEST FOR VARIOUS NUMBER OF FACILITIES INCLUDING CONCRETE PACKING PLANTS.

WE DO ENVIRONMENTAL WORK ALL THE WAY TO LITIGATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. AND THAT ACTUALLY IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE THINK HAS THE MOST ROOM FOR GROWTH AND MOST ALIGNED WITH THE GOALS IN THIS COMMISSIONER COURT.

ONE THING I WANT TO POINT OUT HERE WITH THE COUNTY RESPONSE TO PANDEMIC, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS.

WE ASSISTED IN PREPARING THE JUDGE'S EMERGENCY ORDER AND WE DEFENDED COUNTY DECISION IN COURT BOTH AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL. ONE AREA WE'VE SEEN MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET. HERE WE HAVE JUST ONE ATTORNEY WHO DOES THE MENTAL HEALTH DODD. THAT HAD OVER 16,000 THIS ONE ATTORNEY DREXLER HAD TO DO BY HERSELF.

THAT'S AN AREA WE LOOK TO INCREASE CAPACITY.

WE ALSO HAVE CAPACITY ISSUES WITHIN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION. AS YOU KNOW AND I'VE SEEN COMMISSIONERS MENTION ON EARLIER PRESENTATION ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE SPAN ACROSS THE COUNTY. IN THE PAST DECADE THE COUNTY GROWN BEYOND FOCUSING ISSUE AROUND THE SHIP CHANNEL AND BROADENED OUR APPROACH. WHETHER IT BE THE CANCER CLUSTER IN CASHMERE GARDENS. WAREHOUSE FIRES OPPOSING CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT AND UNDER SERVED COMMUNITY.

THE WORK THIS OFFICE HAS DONE HAS EXPANDED IN THE PAST DECADES OR SO. IT'S A HEAVY LIFT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO COMMISSIONER COURT AN IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. WE WOULD LIKE TO BUILD INTERNAL CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE OF THAT WORK.

AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS SLIDE WE HAD CAPACITY ISSUE.

THIS WAS DUE TO VACANCIES THAT WERE KEPT BY DESIGN.

THIS WAS THE LARGE REASON WHY WE WOULD LIKE TO RETAIN OUR ROLLOVER AMOUNT. WE NEED TO FILL THE POSITIONS.

THE CAPACITY ISSUES ARE AFFECTING MORALE.

WE SEE ATRIION AND RETIREMENT. IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS ARE AT CAPACITY AND NOT ABOVE CAPACITY.

WE WOULD LIKE TO RETAIN OUR ROLLOVER DOLLARS TO RETAIN THE POSITION. THERE'S ALSO BEEN A GOOD AMOUNT OF LOCAL CONTROL DISPUTE. THE STATE GOVERNMENT KEEPS A CLOSE WATCH ON THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE BY THIS COURT.

AND TO EXTEND THEY CHALLENGE ISSUE ADMINISTRATIVELY OR IN COURT IT'S OUR OFFICE THAT STANDS UP AND DEFENDS THE DECISION THAT YOU MADE AND WE NEED CAPACITY TO DO THAT.

LASTLY, I THINK WE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR INCREASE IN CIVIL RIGHTS CASES. IN WAKE OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD AND THE WORLD OPENING BACK UP AFTER THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE, I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE INTERACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PEOPLE ARE VIEWING THOSE ISSUES DIFFERENTLY. WE'RE LIKELY TO SEE INCREASE LAWSUITS ON THAT FRONT. AGAIN, IT'S JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY WE NEED CAPACITY IN ORDER TO DO THAT WORK.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE'VE HAD SOME INTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS. HR, BUDGETING AND IT.

MOST IMPORTANTLY ON THE COMMUNICATION FRONT.

THIS OFFICE ACTUALLY INTERACTED WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US FOR THE WORK THAT WE DO ESPECIALLY IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SPACE TO KNOW THE PROBLEMS THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE FACING WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM.

NOT JUST TALK TO THEM AFTER THE EXPLOSION HAPPENED BUT INSTEAD TALK TO THEM WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THEIR AIR. THERE'S A LEAK SOMEWHERE LOCAL IN ORDER FOR US TO GET IN ON THE ISSUES WE NEED OPERATING COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT REALLY FACILITATING THE COMMUNICATION.

TYPICALLY THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY OUTSIDE CONSULTANT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GO INTERNALLY TO BUILD OUT THE PRACTICES AND ENSURE THAT WE'RE NOT ONLY REMAINING TRANSPARENT BUT ALSO THE FOLKS ON THE OUTSIDE KNOW WHAT WE DO AND THEY COME TO US WHEN THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS. AGAIN I BRIEFLY MENTIONED EARLIER CLIENT SERVICE ISSUE WE HEARD FROM OUR COMMUNICATION WITH FOLKS THAT WE SERVICE AT THE COUNTY.

WE THINK FILLING THE VACANCY TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR FOLKS SHOULD

[04:45:02]

THE MORE PEOPLE WE HAVE THE LOWER THE CASE VOLUMES ARE.

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL CASE DOCKET SIZES WILL ENSURE THAT MORALE IS HIGH. ONE THING WE WANT TO STRESS ON OUR GENERAL COUNSELL TEAM WE WANT TO PRO ACTIVELY ADVICE CLIENTS INSTEAD OF JUST RESPONDING TO ISSUE ON A ONE ON ONE BASIS. THE GOAL TO DECREASE LITIGATION RISK RATHER FROM PRIVATE ACTOR OR THE STATE.

AND WE ENSURE THAT WE GET THAT DONE BY HAVING LAWYERS, WHO COMMUNICATE WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENT ON REGULAR BASIS TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS ARE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW AND ARE AWARE OF POTENTIAL LEGAL PITFALLS. WE NEED THE CAPACITY TO GET THAT DONE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS SLIDE DESCRIBES THE GOALS OF THIS REQUESTED BUDGET.

AND YOU KNOW IF WE HAD TO PLACE THIS IN ORDER OF MOST IMPORTANT TO LEAST IMPORTANT. NUMBER ONE RETAIN AND FILL THE POSITION LEFT VACANT. I SPOKE ABOUT OUR VACANCIES THROUGHOUT THE OFFICE. NUMBER TWO BUILDING LITIGATION CAPACITY. BOTH AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION GROUP AND BY CREATING A POSITION CALLED DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY WHICH I WILL SPEAK MORE ABOUT HERE IN SHORT ORDER.

THREE, BUILDING ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY AND THEN, FOUR, ALLOWING US COMMUNICATION EFFORT SO WE COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC. THE EITHER ITEMS HERE ARE TO EFFECTIVELY CREATE PERFORMANCE BASE PAY TO HAVE COST OF LIVING INCREASE WHICH I THINK ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE STAFF WE HAVE.

THE FACT REMAINS IF WE DON'T BUILD CAPACITY, AND ADD LAWYERS TO THE OFFICE, THEN I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY WE CAN PAY FOLKS TO STAY ENGAGED AND OPERATE AT HIGH LEVEL WHEN THEIR CASELOADS ARE SO HIGH.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> THIS IS OUR REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR. SAME GENERAL FUND FROM LAST YEAR. 5 MILLION INCREASE IN FUNDING.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. I WILL TALK THROUGH KIND OF THE INDIVIDUAL FUNDING ITEMS AND THEN I WILL BE DONE.

THE FIRST IS TO INCREASE THE DEFENSE LITIGATION CAPACITY.

ONE WE REQUEST ONE EXECUTIVE LEVEL MANAGEMENT POSITION DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY. ROBERT SWORD DID A PHENOMENAL JOB. HE'S BEEN DOING THE JOB OF TWO PEOPLE. IT'S FAIRLY COMMON FOR PUBLIC LAW OFFICE TO HAVE TWO EXECUTIVE LEVEL MANAGING ATTORNEYS.

FOR EXAMPLE THE TRACKS COUNTY ATTORNEY WHICH IS VIEWED BOTH FIRST ASSISTANT AND EXECUTIVE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ADD THIS POSITION SO THAT THE FIRST ASSISTANT CAN FOCUS ON PROVIDING SERVICE TO ALL OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT. THERE'S SO MANY AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS SO THE GENERAL COUNCIL SIDE OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART. DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ROLE WOULD BE TO MANAGE ALL THAT THE OFFICE DEALS WITH.

THE SECOND PART OF THIS WE REQUEST FOUR POSITIONS TO CREATE AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION SPECIAL LITIGATION PROJECTS.

SECTION. THIS DIVISION WOULD DO A BUNCH OF THINGS. BUT ONE WE ANTICIPATE THERE'S GOING TO BE GROWTH IN OPPORTUNITY FOR PURSUING ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT AND LITIGATION MATTERS. THIS OFFICE WOULD -- THIS DIVISION WOULD HANDLE THE LITIGATION SIDE OF THAT.

WE'RE LOOKING TO BUILD OUT CONSUMER PROTECTION PRACTICE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I SAW TIME AND TIME AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC WAS WHETHER IT BE PHONE CALLS OR E-MAILS OF FOLK TRYING TO DEFRAUD THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY THROUGH VARIOUS SCAMS AND FRAUDULENT BUSINESSES. WE'RE LOOKING TO CREATE A GROUP THAT'S ABLE TO GO AFTER THESE BUSINESSES THAT RUN AFOWL OF THOSE SOCIAL CONTRACTS. AND THEN ALSO THE LOCAL CONTROL LITIGATION ON THE CASES WHERE WE MAY HAVE BEEN SUED BY STATE TYPICALLY THIS OFFICE WOULD HIRE OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

WE HOPE TO REDUCE OUTSIDE COUNSEL AND COME TO YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN HIRE SPECIAL COUNSEL WE HOPE TO AFTER FEW YEAR HANDLE THE MATTERS INTERNALLY. ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL FRONT WE REQUEST TWO POSITIONS TO BUILD OUT TWO ATTORNEY POSITIONS ONE PARALEGAL POSITION TO BUILD OUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE IN THE WAYS I'VE DESCRIBED. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

I DISCUSS HOW OUR MENTAL HEALTH TEAM TEAM THAT HANDLES ISSUE EFFECTING THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY ARE AT CAPACITY.

AND THEN THIS NEXT SECTION ABOUT PAY INCREASES.

YOU KNOW IT'S KIND OF BROKEN UP IN VARIOUS SECTION.

THE SHORT OF IT IS HARRIS HEALTH TEAM THEY WERE REIMBURSTED BY HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET. IT'S NOT AN ISSUE THERE.

THE REST OF THE ITEM INCREASE PAY FOR ATTORNEYS WE CAN ENSURE THEY ARE BEING COMPENSATED COMPETITIVELY.

[04:50:01]

I TALKED AT LENGTH ABOUT THIS IN THIS PRESENTATION.

I WOULD EFFECTIVELY TWO INDIVIDUALS DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT SO WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE WORK THAT THE OFFICE DOES AND GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES AFFECTING FOLKS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES SO THAT WE CAN PURSUE THAT THROUGH OUR LITIGATION TEAM.

AND LASTLY RECLASSIFYING POSITIONS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE BETTER OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES, THAT ONE IS PROBABLY OUR LOWEST COST ON HERE. BUT EFFECTIVELY JUST ALLOWING US TO TURN A FEW LAWYER POSITIONS INTO DIFFERENT POSITIONS SO WE CAN ADDRESS OUR OPERATIONAL NEEDS.

I HAVE PROBABLY RUN OVER MY LIMIT.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR

GIVING ME YOUR AUDIENCE TODAY. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS GO AHEAD

AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

I I THIS IT WAS A VERY THOUGHTFUL PRESENTATION CONSIDERING YOU DID JUST GET SWORN IN ON JANUARY 1ST.

I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO YOUR PRE PREDECESSOR AND YOUR TEAM TO GET THE BUDGET TOGETHER.

I THINK ON THE AREA -- AN AREA CIVIL RIGHTS THE NEW JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WITH TEXAS WILL BE PART OF THE DOJ TEAM.

IN THAT OFFICE. AND YOU HAD A SIMILAR THAT WILL BE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE EVEN ON OUR BAIL LITIGATION.

I THINK FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOJ WILL TAKE A DIFFERENT POSITION ON THAT MATTER. I DO THINK YOU NEED SOME RESOURCES THAT I HOPE SOME OF THE ISSUES CAN BE RESOLVED CAN BE SETTLED INSTEAD OF US FIGHTING TO THE END.

TO TRY TO GET IT AROUND SOME FESTERING IN EQUITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HERE VERY LONG TIME. AND I DO APOLOGIZE FOR WANTING TO BRING MORE OF THE LITIGATION WORK IN HOUSE AND I KNOW YOU WILL NEED RESOURCES IN ORDER TO ATTRACT AND MAINTAIN THE KIND OF TALENT. I ASSUME IN SOME AREAS WHERE YOU CAN DO IT IF THERE'S SOME LITIGATION THAT COULD BE DONE ON CONTINGENT FEE BASIS YOU LOOK ALTERNATE THAT.

OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THE OUT LAY UP FRONT.

IT'S ONLY IF WE WIN. YOU DO IT ALL IN HOUSE.

YOU WANT TO BRING IT IN HOUSE. IS THAT WHAT YOU SAY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. FIRST OF ALL FROM TIMING PERSPECTIVE AND INTERNAL CAPACITY, EVEN IF WERE LOOK AT THE POSITION THERE'S NO WAY TOMORROW OR THE NEXT DAY WE WILL DO THIS WORK INTERNALLY. IT'S MORE OF LONG-TERM PLAN TO START THE DEVELOP THE CAPACITY AND EXPERT THE EAST IN YEARS TO COME WE CAN MOST OF IT INTERNALLY.

BUT TO BE SURE THERE'S AREAS THAT EXPERTISE PRACTICES THAT WE HAVE NO BUSINESS HANDLING. IN THOSE INSTANCE WE GO AND SEEK OUT THE EXPERT AND HIRE THEM AS OUTSIDE COUNCIL AND KIND OF LEARNING FROM THEM ALONG THE PROCESS WE'RE TRAINING OUR FOLKS INTERNALLY SO THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO PLAY MORPHININGFUL ROLE

THAN THE FIRST ONE. >> I KNOW YOU WILL BE SENSITIVE TO GIVING QUALIFIED MWB FIRMS TO SOME EXTENT.

WE -- THE DATA WASN'T COLLECTED. BUT IF THEY COULD DO THE WORK, THEY OUGHT TO BEGIN AN OPPORTUNITY.

I WANT TO COMMEND YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THAT.

I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT. BUT THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU.

JUDGE. MR. MENIFEE CONGRATULATIONS.

ITS GOOD TO SEE YOU SITTING IN THERE CHAIRMAN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I TELL YOU WHAT, ITS ALSO EXCITING TO SEE YOU COMMISSIONER COURT.

WE DIDN'T GET TO CHALLENGE YOU ON THE LAST MEETING.

I'M SURE THERE'S MANY OPPORTUNITIES IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD YOU MAY WANT TO PACK SOME COFFEE FOR SOME OF THE MEETINGS.

ALONG THE SAME LINES, I'M EXCITED TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT YOU KNOW, IF YOU NEED EXPERT COUNCIL YOU BRING THEM ON. OF COURSE, BECAUSE THEY GET INVOLVED IN LITIGATION. YOU ALWAYS WANT TO WIN.

BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, FOR AS LONG AS THIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR THE COUNTY AS A MATTER OF FACT HAS BEEN AROUND YOU KNOW ONE AREA OF EXPERTISE THAT WE SEEM TO HAVE DONE WELL WAS

[04:55:03]

IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S SUCCESSION PLANNING TO HAVE THE CAPACITY. IF WE NEED EXPERT LAWYERS, IN PARTICULAR AREAS AND SITUATIONS, OBVIOUSLY LET'S BRING THEM ON.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMEONE SO WE CAN HAVE THAT EXPERTISE IN HOUSE. IT'S GREAT TO OFFER TO PRIVATE SECTOR. WE OUGHT TO HAVE THAT EXPERTISE INTERNALLY. AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE BUILDING CAPACITY AS WE LEARN AND GET INVOLVED IN CERTAIN THINGS. THE OTHER THING TOO, IS THAT I REMEMBER BEING IN A PUBLIC MEETING AND SAW THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS OFFERING YOU KNOW CONTRACTS WITH THE PUBLIC TO BE ENGAGED WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

AS A MATTER OF HAVING GREATER ACCESS GETTING YOUR CASES PRIORITIZED. THEY WERE CONTRACTING THE MANAGING DISTRICTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WASN'T SURE WHAT TO THINK OF THAT PRACTICE.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU THINK YOU WILL CONTINUE?

>> I'M NOT COMPLETELY SURE. YOU KNOW, IF REFERRING TO CONTRACT WITH THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS.

THOSE ARE IN PLACE. IT'S ON MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO TO TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK AT THOSE AND ENSURE THAT THE GOALS AND WHAT'S AFFECTATED IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. THAT PARTICULARLY IF THAT'S WHAT YOU REFER TO THAT'S ON MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO.

WE'LL TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK AT THAT AND DECIDE.

>> GOOD DEAL. >> AND THEN, YOU KNOW, AS YOU MENTIONED, HAVING GOOD COMMUNICATION OFFICE TO IN CASE THE PUBLIC YOU KNOW, DON'T FORGET THE DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING THAT CAPACITY TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU'RE THEIR ATTORNEY. AND BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FEW THINGS ABOUT HOW TO GET THE WEIGHT OF YOUR OFFICE TO SUPPORT PARTICULAR ISSUE.

IT WILL BE GOOD PEOPLE CAN BE MORE INFORMED AS TO THE RESOURCES THEY HAVE IN YOU AND YOUR OFFICE TO SUPPORT THEM AND PROTECT THEM FOR THAT MATTER. BUT IN PARTICULARLY, IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE I WILL OBVIOUSLY JUST BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE ON THE SIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I WILL HAVE PARTICULAR INTEREST IN VISITING WITH YOU AND DISCUSSING THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THE LAST COMMISSIONER COURT WE TALKED ABOUT THEIR MONITOR FOR MANCHESTER.

IT'S PREDOMINANTLY MANCHESTER COMMUNITY.

SPANISH SPEAKING AND YOU KNOW, GETTING YOUR OFFICE TO HELP US WITH THE AGREEMENT AND MOVE THOSE ITEMS ALONG.

THAT'S BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. JUST MAKING SURE WE HAVE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL CAPACITY IS JUST SO CRITICAL.

BUT, AGAIN JUST CONGRATULATIONS AND APPRECIATE YOUR

PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.

I WILL YOU ALTERNATE THE COURT'S MEETING THE OTHER DAY I HAD ALL MY BOOK ON THE SIDE JUST IN CASE YOU ALL TRIED ANYTHING CRAZY.

WE WERE VERY SAD TO SEE ROCK OWENS RETIRE.

BUT YOU KNOW WE HAVE SARAH WHO IS LEADING THE DIVISION NOW.

SARAH ROCK STAR. HIGHLY COMPETENT AND CAPABLE.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT TEAM UNDER HER LEADERSHIP.

THAT'S WHY WE REQUEST ADDITIONAL HELP ON THAT TEAM TO GET SARAH THE TOOLS SHE NEED THE SO SHE CAN BE HELPFUL TO EACH AND EVERY

ONE OF THEM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> GLAD TO HAVE YOU AT MY ATTORNEY. THAT'S WHY I CONSIDER IT.

EVEN WHEN I WAS MAYOR OF SPRING VALLEY, I CONSIDERED HARRIS COUNTY MY ATTORNEY. AS YOU DESCRIBE AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHETHER IT'S RIGHT-OF-WAY ISSUE.

WHETHER WE GET DOWN TO FLOOD CONTROL ISSUE, ALL OF THOSE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, YOU ARE OUR ATTORNEY.

[05:00:01]

YOU ARE BUILDING ON A GOOD FOUNDATION.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON OUR SIDE.

I KNOW THAT THERE'S THINGS HAPPENING ON THE WEST SIDE.

PEOPLE ARE DOING THINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY RIGHT-OF-WAY.

THEY SHOULDN'T BE. WE WILL BE WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE TO BE SURE WE GET THOSE THINGS STRAIGHTENED OUT.

AGAIN, WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTITUDE.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER.

I APPRECIATE. I GREW UP IN PRECINCT 3.

MOST OF MY FAMILY IS THERE. YOU HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH

YOU OFFICE. >> THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM. I APPRECIATE YPOSTURE LEANING FORWARD. THERE'S A COUPLE OF ACROSS THE BOARD ININCREASE. COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

I THINK WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT TOGETHER AS FOR OUR DISCUSSION OF THE BEGINNING OF THE HEARINGS YESTERDAY.

BUT I APPRECIATE HOW THOUGHTFULLY YOU ALL HAVE LAID OUT THE REQUEST, THE REASON FOR THEM AND WE ALL GOT THE DETAILED METRICS, ET CETERA WHICH IS VERY, VERY HELPFUL.

AND YEAH. THINK YOU AND WELCOME AND

CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> IGA. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. BASICALLY THE MISSION OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO WORK TO FURTHER THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE INNER GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES WHILE EXEMPLIFYING TRANSPARENCY AND INDEX CONCLUSIVITY.

THERE'S THREE AREAS THAT WE WORKED ON THIS LAST YEAR AS WE EXPANDED SORT OF OUR ISSUE BASE. AND ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WAS EXPANDED ENGAGEMENT. THE OTHER ONE WAS INCREASE COMMUNICATIONS AND THE OTHER ONE WAS MAXIMIZING RESOURCES.

REGARDING EXPANDED ENGAGEMENT WE BID A LOT OF MEETING WITH LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND YOU KNOW IN THIS NEW COVID ENVIRONMENT. A LOT OF ZOOM MEETINGS AND WE REALLY WANTED TO NOT ONLY ASK THEM FOR ASSISTANCE ON THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE THEM ASSISTANT WITH THEIR PRIORITIES. AND I THINK THAT WAS APPRECIATED BY THEM IT WASN'T JUST WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR US BUT ALSO WORKING WITH THEM. ALONG THAT SAME LINE ON EXPANDED ENGAGEMENT. WE WORKED WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. SUCH AS THE HOMELESSNESS COALITION ON SUPPORTING HOUSING ISSUES.

AND WE'RE LOOKING TO INCREASE THOSE TYPES OF ENGAGEMENTS.

WE ALSO WORKED MORE ON ISSUE SUCH AS WORKING WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. REGARDING INCREASED COMMUNICATION, WE SENT A LOT MORE INFORMATION TO COURT STAFF.

SO THEY COULD HAVE THE COMMISSION THEY NEED TO LET THE COURT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. AND THE BIG THING WAS MAXIMIZING RESOURCES. THE -- AS WE EXPANDED WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO THAT WITH OUR SMALL-SIZE DEPARTMENT OF FIVE PEOPLE IS TO REALLY UTILIZE THOSE ENTITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY AND UTILIZE THE RESOURCES WITHIN THE COUNTY.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE BEEN ENGAGING WITH THE HOBBY SCHOOL.

WITH YOUR FORMER COLLEAGUE OVER THERE.

SENATOR WATSON. WE'VE BEEN ENGAGING WITH NATIONAL ASSOCIATION COUNTY, TECH ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY.

AND ALSO THE LARGE COUNTIES WITHIN TEXAS AND OUTSIDE OF TEXAS. THE LARGE COUNTY COALITION OUTSIDE OF TEXAS WAS PRETTY VITAL IN GETTING DIRECT FUNDING FOR CARES FUNDING THIS -- DURING COVID.

THAT'S BEEN VERY FRUITFUL AND THAT'S REALLY THE WAY THAT WE DO MORE WITH THAT RAISING OUR BUDGET SIGNIFICANTLY.

WE WANT TO TALK QUICKLY ABOUT SORT OF OUR FOUR AREAS THAT WE WORK ON. FEDERAL, STATE AND GLOBAL, AND LOCAL AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THERE. ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, I THINK

[05:05:01]

I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS WORD WERE WELL SAID.

THANKFULLY NONE OF THE DELEGATION AND TALKING TO STAFF THEY SEEM TO BE DOING FINE. CERTAINLY, BROUGHT TO BARE THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING.

I THINK THAT PREVIOUSLY WHEN THE OFFICE LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS WHEN THE STATE SESSION CAME UP BASICALLY ONLY WORKING ON THE ISSUES AND THE FACT IS THIS COURT CHALLENGED US AND WE'RE UP TO CHALLENGE ON WORKING AS DILIGENTLY ON THE FEDERAL ISSUE AS THE STATE ISSUES. THANKFULLY THE COURT WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

WE ARE WELL POSITIONED TO DO BOTH.

FEDERAL AND STATE ISSUES AT THE SAME TIME.

I THINK THAT WE'RE LOOKING ON THE FEDERAL ISSUE.

INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE, FLOOD EQUITY ISSUES AND TRYING TO GET HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZED AS THE UNIQUE ENTITY THAT IT IS WITH THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. WE'VE SEEN WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN WE GET DIRECT ALLOCATION AND WE GET DIRECT ALLOCATION TO PEOPLE.

WE HAD CARES FUNDING GONE THROUGH THE GOVERNOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY WE WOULD BE SEEING A THIRD LESS FUNDING AND WHOLE LOT LESS WOULD HAVE GOTTEN DONE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN POSITION TO GET DIRECT ALLOCATION IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND ALL THE AREAS THAT WE CAN. SO THAT WILL BE A MAJOR ISSUE FOR THE FEDERAL LEVEL. ON THE STATE LEVEL, THIS IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING SESSION.

THERE'S A LOT OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN AS.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A BUDGET DEFICIT AND JUST THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF MANAGING A SESSION UNDER PANDEMIC CONDITIONS THERE'S A LOT OF UNKNOWNS HOW MUCH WE WILL LED INTO THE CAPITAL AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE AS ENGAGED AS POSSIBLE.

WE WILL BE LEANING ON THE DELEGATION TO HELP US WITH THAT.

BUT IN PREPARATION FOR THAT, WE HAVE SET OURS UP TO BE ON PER

TUNE STATISTIC. >> WE WANT TO ATTACH OUR ISSUE TO WHATEVER TRAIN IS MOVING. WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SET UP TO DO THAT. I THINK THAT WHAT WE'VE SEEN -- WHAT WE WILL SEE DURING THIS SESSION IS THERE'S AN ATTACK ON THE RIGHT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO HAVE A VOICE IN THE PROCESS. WE WILL WORKING UPHILL THROUGH THAT. AND CERTAINLY WE NEVER SEEN AS MUCH ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS WE HAVE THIS INTERIM. AND THERE'S SOME SIGNIFICANT DEFENSE REGARDING LOCAL AUTHORITY BASED ON THAT ENGAGEMENT. RIGHT NOW WE TRACK ABOUT 600 BILLS. AND THAT WILL BE GROWING QUICKLY. LOCAL LEVEL, WE HAVE ENGAGED MUCH MORE THE COUNSEL AND COMMISSIONER WITH THE PROGRAMS TO SET UP -- NOT HAVING AD-HOC STRATEGY BUT SPECIFIC STRATEGY IN A FEW MONTHS I HOPE TO PRESENT TO THE COURT ON EXACTLY THE STRATEGIES WE WANT TO UNDERTAKE REGARDING THE GLOBAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM. AND CERTAINLY ON THE LOCAL LEVEL AS WELL, WE'VE ENGAGED MORE WITH THE SMALL CITIES AND THE CITY OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON AND CERTAINLY I WAS EXCITED TO HEAR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DISCUSS THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE WITH THE SMALL CITIES AND COMPLETELY AGREE GOT A GOOD CHANCE TO WORK THE MAYOR AND LOOKING FORWARD TO INCREASE THAT OUTREACH. THAT'S A MAXIMIZING RESOURCE ISSUE WHEN WE CAN ALL MARCH TOGETHER WITH ONE VOICE.

WE CAN GET A LOT DONE. REGARDING THE BUDGET.

MAINLY WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE SAME BUDGET AS LAST YEAR.

WE'RE ASKING FOR ONE ADDITIONAL STAFFER.

ONE JUNIOR SPECIALIST. WITH THE SMALL GROUP THAT WE HAVE ONE PERSON LEAVING DOES SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT US.

AMY BERTRAND LEFT OUR DEPARTMENT.

THAT'S 40% CUT. WE'RE LOOKING FOR ONE ADDITIONAL PERSON TO SOOTHE THAT OUT AND TO HELP US WITH THAT INCREASE ENGAGEMENT IN ALL AREAS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR

[05:10:07]

WORKING WITH YOU. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL.

I HAVE TO TEAM TURNING MY CAMERA ON BECAUSE I MAY DOSE OFF.

>> I'M GLAD I DIDN'T PUT YOU TO SLEEP, COMMISSIONER.

>> NEVER. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

IF YOU THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE YOU ALL NEED GIVEN WHAT'S GOING ON IN WASHINGTON. YOU GOT YOUR WORK CUT OUT FOR YOU BOTH IN WASHINGTON AND IN AUSTIN.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOLKS? LET'S MOVE ON TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT. SAY IT LOUD.

BECAUSE I'M DOSING OFF. SAY IT LOUD.

>> GO AHEAD. >> COMMISSIONER, I WILL GIVE BIT A GOOD NEWS WAKE UP. THERE'S E-MAILS GOING AROUND IT LOOKS LIKE HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR 94 MILLION OF RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE IN THE LATEST COVID STIMULUS ACT.

>> BRING THE COFFEE. BETTER THAN COFFEE.

>> I GOT YOUR ATTENTION. IT'S PART OF THE LATEST COVID STIMULUS BILL THAT WENT THROUGH. AANNOUNCED FORMULA FOR ALLOCATING. WE WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR 94 MILLION. IT WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE CARES FUNDING WE GOT IN SOME SENSE COMING FROM TREASURY BUT IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ADMINISTER IS.

BE USED FOR RENTAL, UTILITY ASSISTANCE AND GET TO WORK ON

SIGNING THIS PROGRAM. >> THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

>> GOOD NEWS. >> DO YOU KNOW WHEN WE ARE

RECEIVING IT? >> I THINK THE GOAL TO GET IT OUT IN FEBRUARY. IF NOT BEFORE.

WE WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR STAFF SHORTLY.

BECAUSE WE WILL NEED TO PUT PAPERS IN BY JANUARY 12TH.

THEY TRY TO MOVE IT QUICKLY. >> ONE FINAL QUICK QUESTION.

DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE? WE TRY RUNNING BOTH TYPES OF PROGRAMS AND IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WAS MORE ATTRACTIVE AND MORE EFFECTIVE.

FROM A QUICK READ 90% NEEDS TO GO TO RENTAL OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE. 10% SEEMS THAT WE HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY. IT NEEDS TO BE CONNECTED TO HOMELESSNESS AND EVICTION. I HOPE THE COMMITTEE WORKING SO WELL WITH THE CHIEFS CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO LESSONS LEARNED THAT FIT WITHIN THE PARAMETERS. THAT'S GREAT.

THANK YOU. >> THAT IS GREAT NEWS.

I'M JUST NOW COMPLETING FIVE MONTHS.

I TRY NOT TO TAKE POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

THANKS FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

IT'S JUST AN INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE PROGRAM.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE WORK ON SOME REFORMS ON BUDGET AND ELSEWHERE. THAT CAN BE HARD.

THAT CAN BE MESSY. WE WILL ABSOLUTELY GIVE IT OUR ALL TO STAY ON THE DIRECTION THE COMMISSIONER WANT TO STEER THE SHOW. WE SEE THAT AS OUR MISSION TO SERVE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND CARRYING OUT THE VISION FOR HARRIS COUNTY. TO ASSIST THE COURT AND SAFEGUARDING THE COUNTY FISCAL HEALTH.

ACHIEVING STRIKE OBJECTIVE, REMOVING ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT AND SERVING THE COUNTY. WE ARE RIGHT ABOUT 115 TEAM MEMBERS. PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE KNOWS THAT WE LOOK AFTER THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET THAT WE LOOK AFTER CAPITAL PLANNING, AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE KNOW WE LOOK AFTER

[05:15:01]

TEAM THAT ADMINISTERS GRANTS AND COMPLIANCE FOR GRANTS THAT DON'T HAVE HOME ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE MAPPING AND GIS TEAM THAT RUNS THE GIS PLATFORM.

HUMAN RESOURCES ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS IN THE COUNTY ALONG WITH BENEFITS AND RISK MANAGEMENT SITS IN THE DEPARTMENT AND DISASTER RECOVERY.

NOT THE OPERATIONAL ASPECT OF IT, BUT THE DEALING WITH THE FINANCES OF DISASTER RECOVERY WORKING WITH FEMA.

WORKING ON CARES PROGRAM, WORKING ON PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

IF YOU COULD GO TO NEXT PAGE AND SEND IT.

THIS IS OUR DIRECTION. AND WE DO A LOT OF THINGS.

>> DEAL WITH COMPENSATION AND COMPREHENSIVE COUNTYWIDE BASIS.

HOW DO WE REALLY BEND THE CURVE ON BENEFIT? THE COST CURVE ON BENEFIT IT'S ABOUT 500 MILLION EVERY YEAR.

THE COUNTY INVESTS BETWEEN HEALTH INSURANCE WHICH IS SELF-INSURED, PENSION PLAN AND OTHER BENEFIT.

IT'S RIGHT UP WITH LAW ENFORCE ALSO FALLING DOWN THE HEALTH INSURANCE WHILE PROVIDING EXCELLENT BENEFIT.

YOU GET THEM IN THE SUNLIGHT. THE NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.

NUMBER UP WITH WE WANT TO WE NOW HAVE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE.

WE HAVE THE WORD PERFORMANCE IN THEIR JOB TITLE.

WE WANT TO BUILD OUT TEAM, PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS FUNCTION.

IF WE FOLLOW UP UP COMPREHENSIVE WAY FROM THE WORK WE'VE DONE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS ON DATA AND PERFORMANCE.

WE REGULAR PERFORMANCE REPORT. NOT ON ALL THE METRICS THROUGH THE CYCLE. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANCE WE SPEND MORE TIME NOT JUST PROVIDING THEM READING THE DOCUMENT AND PROVIDING THEM FEEDBACK. BUT MEETING WITH THEM REGULARLY TO HELP THEM WITH DATA COLLECTION AND DATA ANALYSIS.

AND ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO SPENDING THE TIME TO SEPARATE THE SIGNAL FROM THE NORTH. THEN IT COULD MOVE AROUND FOR ALL SORTS OF REASONS. REALLY NEED DEDICATED FOLKS.

WE ALSO LOOK FOR ONE NEW POSITION TO CREATE FINANCIAL PLANNING. WE STARTED TO DO THAT.

IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE DONE TOO LITTLE OF HISTORICALLY.

WE DON'T JUST LOOK AT ONE YEAR OF REVENUE OR EXPENSES BUT FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. AND THAT'S ALWAYS THE BEST PRACTICE. IT'S EVEN MORE ESSENTIAL NOW AS WE ARE NAVIGATING THROUGH PANDEMIC AND RECESSION.

[05:20:03]

THERE'S A NUMBER OF GREAT PLATFORMS OUT THERE THAT I WOULD SAY MOST GOVERNMENTS OF OUR SIZE.

LIKE OPEN GOV. ON THE ONE HAND IS A GREAT WAY TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHAT WE DO.

IT ALSO CREATES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR US.

FOLKS THAT QUOTED SEVERAL TIMES. I THINK THESE TOP-NOTCH OPEN FINANCIAL DATA WEB SITE DOES EXACTLY THAT.

AND ALSO IT HAS THE POLNTIA TO ELIMINATE.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO LOOK FOR ENGAGEMENT, MORE LIKE WE HAVE ENGAGEMENT ON MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT.

WE ARE NOT HOLDING. >> ELSEWHERE.

ARE PEOPLE BEING PAID RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER.

AND THAT IS GIVEN THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WE HAVE COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO THOUGHTFULLY.

I THINK IT'S JUST VITAL. I WORRY WHEN WE ADDRESS THE ISSUE WE MAY THINK WE'RE MAKING THINGS BETTER.

WE MAY BE INCREASING INEQUITIES AND NOT KNOWING IT.

AND THEN WE'RE ALSO LOOKING TO MAKE SOME INVESTMENTS IN HUMAN RESOURCES SOFTWARE AND OUR BACKGROUND CHECK SOFTWARE.

THIS TAKES TOO LONG RIGHT NOW. AND IT CAN CERTAINLY BE BETTER.

AND MY STAFF IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT WE BRING BACK AN EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARD PROGRAM AND THIS IS PROGRAM THAT ACTUALLY EXISTED BUT WAS CUT DURING THE LAST DOWNTURN.

WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS SOMETHING WHERE FOLK PUT THEIR TEN, 15, 20 YEARS OF SERVICE THEY GET A SMALL GIFT FROM THE COUNTY SIGNED PLAQUE FROM COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN HONOR OF THEIR SERVICE. WE MAY NOT BE IN SPOT TO GIVE LARGE RAISES. THIS WAY TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION FOR THEM. AGAIN THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. >> YOU HAVE HELPED US MAKE SOME DIFFICULT DECISIONS, THE ONE THAT WE VOTED ON ABOUT WHERE TO PUT OFFICE SPACE I THINK THAT PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE YOU BROUGHT TO THE TABLE PROBABLY OPENED THAT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU. YOU WOKE ME UP.

I'M WONDERING, YOU KNOW, WHY THE MONEY WAS -- WE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PART.

I THINK CONGRESS PUT THAT EQUITY FACTORS IN THERE AS WELL.

I HOPE WE FIGURE OUT TO GET OUT. I APPRECIATE YOU LEAVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHEN YOU COULD HAVE MADE HECK LOT MORE MONEY.

THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED WAS IMPRESSIVE.

THE WHOLE PROCESS JUST GETTING YOUR ARMS AROUND IT SO QUICKLY HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY WELCOMING. BUT ALSO ON THE EQUITY ISSUE AS COMMISSIONER TALKED ABOUT. I REALLY APPRECIATE BECAUSE THIS WAS IMPORTANT TO THE JUDGE ABILITY ENSURING THAT THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS A MATTER OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS AND GIVING THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON IT AS WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND IN TERMS OF YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

[05:25:02]

>> OUR BUDGET PROCESS WAS TWO MONTHS TOO SHORT THIS YEAR.

IN TERMS OF WE BOTH SAW IT. AND THE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

I THINK WE HAVE WORK TO DO THERE TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE INFORMATION WE NEED OUT OF IT AND BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE SO WE CAN BE GETTING DOWN TO THE SERVICE LEVEL.

WE NEED TO DO DEEPER DIVE. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY.

I THINK THERE'S SOME CHANGES. WE'RE JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE. I THINK I SAY THIS FROM FIRST INTERVIEWS. IT'S A SEVERAL-YEAR EFFORT TO GET US WHERE WE WANT TO BE. I DON'T THINK THE WORK OF PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING IS EVER DONE.

THE WORLD CHANGES UNDERNEATH YOUR FEET.

I DON'T THINK WE WILL EVER SEE WE'RE DONE ON THIS TOPIC.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

I'M PROBABLY ONE%. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO THEM.

AND EVERYBODY ELSE. ALMOST WITHOUT EXPECTATION.

I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. YOU MENTIONED IT WAS JUST TOO SHORT OF A PERIOD TO DO THE BUDGET PROCESS.

I'M NOT SURE WHETHER WE ARE MARRIED TO THE FISCAL YEAR THAT WE GOT, ARE WE GIVING ANY THOUGHT TO THE BUDGETING PROCESS THAT REALLY ENABLES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE TRUE REVENUES COMING IN. AND THEN JUST REALLY OUGHT TO BE FAIR TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DIRECTORS?

>> ABSOLUTELY. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS AS WELL COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I THINK WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR FISCAL DUTY.

THE REASON WE NEED THE DO THAT BECAUSE HERE WE ARE SETTING THE BUDGET IN JANUARY. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TAX RATE IS. WE ARE MAKING ASSUMPTION.

I THINK FISCAL YEAR OF OCTOBER 1ST THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH.

MY PREDECESSOR THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA FOR THE TEAM THAT'S BEEN THERE 20 YEARS. I WOULD -- I BELIEVE THE AWED ITER WOULD BE IN SUPPORT. YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROPOSAL A PROPOSAL TOO LATE TO DO IT THIS YEAR.

BUT AFTER THAT, AFTER THIS YOU KNOW ONE MORE -- LET'S GET ON THAT CYCLE. AND I THINK IT WILL GIVE US MORE CERTAINTY. I WILL BE GOOD TO THINK ABOUT EXPENDITURES AT THE SAME TIME. THEY ARE NOT SEPARATE DECISIONS.

THE MONEY THAT COMES IN MUST EQUAL THE MONEY THAT COMES OUT.

>> VERY GOOD. VERY GOOD.

AND THERE'S -- FROM WHAT YOU COULD DETERMINE THERE'S NO STATUTE PROHIBIT US FROM CHANGING IT.

IS IT A COURT DECISION? >> I THINK IT'S A COURT DECISION. WE WOULD BRING THE RECOMMENDATION AND IF YOU ALL AGREE, WE WOULD GET IT IN MOTION SO WE MAKE THE TRANSITION NOT THIS FISCAL YEAR.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO PUTTING ON THE AGENDA.

>> COMMISSIONER. >> DAVID, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS MY FIRST BUDGET PROCESS. I WILL JUST START WITH THE 50 CITIES I WORKED FOR IN TEXAS. MOST OF THEM ARE OCTOBER BUDGET CYCLES. THAT'S MUCH BETTER.

WE SHOULD GET THERE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

FOR ALL THE REASONS THAT YOU SAID.

I WOULD VALUE YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOU GET TO LOOK AT THE BUDGETS.

[05:30:07]

WE MAY HAVE SOME WORK AHEAD OF US AS MANY DEPARTMENTS HAVE MADE STRONG CASES FOR WHAT THEY NEED. WE KNOW THERE'S THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH MONEY. THERE'S A LOT OF OPINIONS, ANY HELP THAT YOUR OFFICE CAN PROVIDE IN HELPING US PROPERLY IDENTIFY THOSE PRIORITIES, I FOR ONE WOULD APPRECIATE -- WOULD APPRECIATE THAT PERSPECTIVE.

>> WE WILL TRY TO DO THAT AT LEAST NARROW THE CHOICES. YOU ARE RIGHT.

LARD DECISION. >> THE OTHER THING I WOULD ADD COMING OUT OF A BUSINESS THAT WAS TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN, WHERE WE HAD NEW SOFTWARE ALMOST EVERY THREE YEARS, THAT REQUIRED TRAINING THAT REQUIRED ALL TYPES OF DIFFERENT DEALS WITH OUR STAFF, I GUESS WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR TECHNOLOGY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT MAKING IMPROVEMENTS YOU ARE PROPOSING,.

>> ALWAYS I GUESS LOOK AT NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT ARE THERE. WE ALWAYS ASK THE COUPLE QUESTIONS. ARE ARE WE GOING TO DO BETTER JOB WHEN WE GET THE NEW

SOFTWARE. HARDWARE. >> AND ARE WE GOING TO NEED AS

MANY PEOPLE. >> PEOPLE COMPOUNDED TO THAT AND SOFTWARE COMPOUND TO THAT.

>> SO I KNOW YOU ARE WEIGHING THOSE. COMING FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

I LIKE TECHNOLOGY ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THAT BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THAT AFFECTS THE

NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE AS WELL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU REALLY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF WORK TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE AND GET TO WHERE WE ARE GOING. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE SEE SEE THE TRANSPARENCY BUILT.

I ECHO COMMISSIONER GARCIA WORDS ON THE FISCAL YEAR AND JUST ONE NOTE AND I MEANT TO MENTION

THIS. >> IT WAS REALLY A MESSAGE FOR YOU WHICH IS ON CIP THERE WAS A COMMENT THAT $184 MILLION THAT HAD BEEN ALLOCATED FOR REPAIRS UNDER THAT IT SAYS THAT IT'S A POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING ANOTHER DETENTION FACILITY AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED AND WE DISCUSSED THIS YESTERDAY, THE CLARITY WE NEED ON CAP.

WE APPROVE ONE THING AND SOMETHING ELSE SHOWS UP. I AM NOT ON BOARD WITH BUILDING ANOTHER DETENTION FACILITY. I WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO STOP THE OTHER JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY FROM BEING BUILT SO WHEN I APPROVED THAT, MY VOTE WAS ON REPAIRS.

IT WASN'T ON A NEW FACILITY. THAT'S THE CASE, PLEASE KNOW I AM NOT IN SUPPORT.

THAT IS NOT WHAT I VOTED FOR. >> I NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS MANY

CERTAINLY I WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE. >> I CERTAINLY ECHO THAT.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES. >> AND DUAL NOTED.

WHAT CAME ACROSS WERE SUBMISSIONS FROM DEPARTMENTS SO THE WORK DOING NOW IS TAKING

THOSE AND TURNING THEM IN TO A PLAN. >> SO BY NO MEANS THE PROJECTS THAT WE WILL DO. THEY ARE IDEAS OUR WORK TO MAKE IN TO LIST OF PROJECTS WE ARE

ACTUALLY DOING. >> IMPROVEMENT. MAKE SURE FUNDS ARE EAR MARKED FOR REPAIRS THEY ARE KEPT AS REPAIRS. FOR SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO

BRING IT'S BACK TO COURT. >> UNDERSTOOD. >> WELL, BUT THE OVER ALL IS A BIG THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE SHORT

FIVE MONTHS. >> AND YOUR TEAM. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGMENT.

>> NEXT IS THE COUNTY TREASURER. >> GO AHEAD, SIR. >> HOW ARE YOU ALL TODAY.

>> I'M NOT SURE WHY MY VIDEO IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE A CAMERA.

>> BUT I TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS QUICKLY. AS I SAID LAST YEAR, I TRY TO BE

YOUR FASTEST BUDGET HEARING EVERY YEAR. >> SO I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME THE CHANCE TODAY. I WILL GO THROUGH VERY QUICK. YOU HAVE THE PACKET WE TURNED IN. ACTUALLY PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER BUDGET THIS YEAR.

>> WE WERE ALLOTTED $1.27 MILLION. SPENDING LESS THAN $988,000.

[05:35:08]

>> LARGELY DUE TO THE DECREASE IN POSTAGE. >> WITHOUT RUNNING THE FULL JURY SERVICE EVERY WEEK, OUR POSTAGE AND OUR CHECK PROCESSING FOR THE JURORS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY,

SIGNIFICANTLY DOWN. >> SO I THINK THAT WAS THE BIG CHUNK OF THAT MONEY.

>> WE DO EXPECT THAT TO COME BACK BUT SO WE ARE HOPING TO BASICALLY GET THE SAME BUDGET AS

THIS YEAR. >> I HAVE NO MAJOR REQUESTS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY STAFF GET

WORKING ON THAT COUNTY WIDE MANY. >> BUT YOU WILL HEAR THAT FROM ME EVERY YEAR. MY JOB TO HAVE FOR MY STAFF. EVERY YEAR YOU WILL HEAR ME

ASKING FOR THEM. >> I DO HAVE SOME DOUBTS THAT SOME OF THEM ARE AT MARKET BUT WE WILL WORK WITH HR TO GET THOSE MARKET RATED STUDIES DONE SO I CAN TELL YOU MORE CONCRETE

WHERE THEY ARE AS FAR AS PAY. >> STOP ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

>> WE WILL TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS QUICKLY. >> I ALREADY TURNED IN MY GOALS AND MISSION STATEMENT. MOST OF YOU KNOW WHAT WE DO. PROCESS PAYMENTS.

PROCESS CHECKS GOING OUT. >> ELECTRONIC WIRE TRANSFER. >> WE MOVED I BELIEVE AROUND FOUR, $5 BILLION LAST YEAR. DOUBLE CHECK THE NUMBER. I AM ALSO THE TREASURER OF THE PORT. WE LAND DEL THEIR TRANSFERS AND MY NAME IS ON THEIR CHECK AS

WELL. >> SO THIS YEAR WE HAVE 10FTES.

11 WITH MYSELF. >> THAT DOES LEAVE US WITH TWO OPEN POSITIONS.

MANY. >> ONE THAT I INHERITED AND ONE WAS VACATED THIS PASSED YEAR.

>> WE ARE STILL KIND OF LOOKING AT WITH THE ERP ROLL OUT IF WE HAVE MASSIVE STAFF CHANGES BUT THAT IS SOMETHING AS WE REACH FULL STABILIZATION I WILL HAVE BETTER RESPONSE.

>> WE ARE A SMALL BUDGET, SMALL OFFICE. WON'T TAKE UP YOUR TIME.

ANYBODY AIF QUESTIONS FOR ME? >> SAY HELLO TO YOUR SISTER FOR ME.

>> WILL DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ANY HER COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COURT? MR. OSBORNE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

JUST ADD SINCE I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WELCOME TO COMMISSIONER COURT AND I LOOK FORWARD WORKING WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE IT. >> VERY GOOD.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU. >> FINAL DEPARTMENT FOR THE DAY

IS THE TEXAS TAX COLLECTOR. >> MARCUS HAMILTON. >> YOU ARE UN MUTED.

I WILL PUT UP YOUR SLIDES. >> MR. HAMILTON. >> TAKE A BREAK?

WE ARE ABOUT TO HIT TWO HOURS ANY WAY. >> I THINK SO.

LET ME TRY TO REACH HIM. >> LET'S TAKE OUR BREAK UNTIL 4:45.

[05:40:20]

LET GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. >> IT IS 4:46 AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO THE BUDGET

HEARINGS AND THE OFFICE OF THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. >> I'M UN MUTING MARCUS

HAMILTON. >> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS MARCUS HAMILTON WITH THE TAX OFFICE. >> ALSO HAVE PRESENTED WITH ME TODAY THE

>> GOOD AROUND. >> AND WE WILL BE PRESENTING ON BEHALF OF BENNETT OUR TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR AND WE WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU WITH

THE TAX OFFICE BUDGET REQUEST. >> ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY

ON HIS ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT TO THE COURT. >> THANK YOU.

>> BEFORE WE GET IN TO OUR SERVICES, I JUST LIKE TO TELL YOU WHO WE ARE.

>> AND IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT LINE. THANK YOU.

>> WHO WE ARE AT THE TAX OFFICE. OUR MISSION AND PURPOSE REMAINS THE SAME UNDER MRS. BENNETT ADMINISTRATION. TAX OFFICE TRIES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH INTEGRITY AND

RESPECT. >> WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICE THROUGH

INNOVATION AND TEAM WORK. >> OUR CORE VALUES ARE COMMUNITY, TEAM WORK INNOVATION

AND INTEGRITY. >> WE PERFORM OUR DUTIES KNOWING THAT WE ARE ASSISTING OUR

NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS. >> AND IMPROVING OUR COUNTY ONE TRANSACTION, TRANSACTION AT A

TIME. >> WE BELIEVE THAT WE ARE ALL BETTER WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER AND

ACCOMPLISH MORE. >> WE UNDERSTAND THAT CHANGE IS INEVITABLE AND WE WANT TO BE PRO

ACTIVE IN ADOPTING TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE. >> WE RESPECT THE OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO US BY RESIDENTS AND WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN OUR WORK AND ACTIONS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> WHAT WE DO THE SERVICES WE PERFORM HERE AT THE TAX OFFICE.

TAX OFFICE IS COMPRISEDDED OF THREE DIVISIONS PROPERTY TAX, AUTOMOTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE

DIVISION. >> THE PROPERTY TAX DIVISION ASSESSES TAXES TO ALL PROPERTY

BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL. >> WE COLLECT PROPERTY TAXES FROM RESIDENTS AND ENTITIES AND ASSIST RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WITH ANY ISSUES REGARDING PROPERLY APPLYING THE TAX PAYMENTS TO THEIR ACCOUNTS. AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION PROVIDES CUSTOMERS WITH COMPLIANCE AND RESOLUTION SERVICES FOR THEIR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL VEHICLES.

>> THE SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND VEHICLE TITLES.

>> OUR ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION HANDLES WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN SMOOTHLY.

INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO ACCOUNTING, HUMAN RESOURCE, INFORMATION TECHS NOTHING,

PROCURE MENT AND LOGISTICS. >> NEXT SLIDE. >> HOW WE DO IT HERE.

>> WE STRIVE TO INITIATE HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVE TO STAKEHOLDERS.

>> WE PROVIDE ALL RESIDENTS WITH EASY AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AUTOMOTIVE DOCUMENTATION SERVICES. WE STRIVE TO ASSESS AND COLLECT TAXES IN A TIMELY EFFICIENT AND

RESPECTFUL MANNER. >> WE WANT TO MAXIMIZE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE EMPLOYEES AND TO ALL THOSE WHO DESIRE TO DO BUSINESS WITH HARRIS COUNTY TAX OFFICE.

>> WE STRIVE TO OPTIMIZE ALL RESOURCES AND MINIMIZE WASTE. DIVERSITY AND EFFECTIVE

MANAGEMENT. >> WILL PRESENT ON OUR PERFORMANCE.

>> NEXT SLIDE SHOWS EXACTLY HOW WE MEASURE SUCCESS AT THE TAX OFFICE.

>> HARRIS COUNTY TAX OFFICE HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN ALL AREAS OF SERVICE YEAR OVER YEAR.

>> DESPITE MULTIPLE FLOODS AND THE CURRENT PANDEMIC THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY FIGHTING.

>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE PERFORMANCE METRICS TO GAUGE OUR SUCCESS.

NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS PROCESSED MANY AVERAGE CUSTOMER WAIT TIME. >> ESTIMATOR ER.

[05:45:04]

OUTREACH EVENS CONDUCTED EACH YEAR. >> THE TRANSACTION EFFICIENCY AT

EACH BRANCH. >> CUSTOMER FIELD BACK SURVEY CARDS.

>> RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX CASES AND LITIGATION. >> AVERAGE CASE RESOLUTION RESPONSE TIMES. AVERAGE CALL WAIT TIMES AND THE CALLS EACH MONTH.

>> OUR NEXT SLIDE SHOWS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING. >> OUR FIRST REQUEST COMES FROM

THE AUTO BRANCHES. >> WE REQUESTING 14 NEW POSITIONS TO STAFF THE WINDOWS

OUR NEW MEGA BRANCH WE TITLED CYPRESS HILL. >> AT THIS BRANCH IT WILL ALLOW US TO REPLICATE SERVICES CURRENTLY AT DOWNTOWN, MEGA BRANCH PRECINCT ONE.

ALSO REDIRECT COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS FROM SMALLER CONGESTED BRANCHES TO THIS MEGA BRANCH SIGH CYPRUS HILL. OUR NEXT REQUEST FOR 12 NEW POSITIONS TO CREATE FOR THE CYPRUS HILL BRANCH SERVICE ABOUT 2400 INDEPENDENT MOM AND POP DEALERS.

>> AND THIS WILL ALLOW US TO CENTRALIZE THE OPERATIONS IN THIS FAST GROWING REGION AND CREATE EFFICIENCY AND FACILITATE OUR GOAL OF PROVIDING EASY AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AUTOMOTIVE

DOCUMENTATION SERVICES. >> OUR NEXT SLIDE ALSO ASKING FOR POSITIONS, THIS IS STILL

WITHIN OUR AUTO DIVISION. >> BUT THIS UNIT IS CALLED AUTO SPECIAL SERVICES AND THIS IS THE UNIT THAT HANDLES MAIL IN TITLES. WITH THIS DIVISION, WITH THIS PART OF THE DIVISION WE ARE ASKING FOR 10 NEW POSITIONS FOR MAIL IN TITLE DOCUMENTATION

SERVICE. >> WITH THESE POSITIONS HELP US ELIMINATE THE BACKLOG AND PROCESSING MAIL IN TITLE REQUESTS. REDUCE CUSTOMER WAIT TIME TO

RECEIVE TITLES BACK IN THE MAIL. >> AND ALSO CREATE EFFICIENCY AND FACILITATE OUR GOAL OF PROVIDING EASY AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AUTOMOTIVE DOCUMENTATION SERVICE.

>> THIS WILL ALSO HELP US REDUCE STAFF BURN OUT WHICH WE SEE A LOT OF AND EMPLOYEE TURNOVER, TO

RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON ALREADY OVERBURDENED STAFF. >> NEXT SLIDE.

>> OUR PROPERTY TAX DIVISION WE ARE ASKING FOR TWO POSITIONS AND OUR PROPERTY TAX CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPECIAL INVENTORY TAX UNIT. THESE TWO POSITIONS ARE THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE CUSTOMER WAIT TIME TO GET THEIR E-MAIL INQUIRIES ADDRESSED.

ALSO PROVIDE CUSTOMER GUIDANCE ON OPTIONS TO MEET THEIR TAX OBLIGATIONS.

>> AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL TAXPAYERS IN LITIGATION.

>> WE ALSO PLAN TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM AND THIS PROGRAM WOULD ESTABLISH A TAXPAYER ADVOCACY GROUP. THIS GROUP WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INITIATING CONTACT WITH

TAXPAYERS WHOSE ACCOUNTS ARE IN JEOPARDY OF DEFAULT. >> THEY WOULD SCHEDULE TAXPAYERS

FOR PRE-LITIGATION SERVICES WITH A TAX SPECIALIST. >> THESE ARE NOT LEGAL SERVICES.

BUT CONSULTATIONS ON THE STATUS OF THEIR ACCOUNTS. >> WE ALSO WANT TO CREATE A LANGUAGE OUTREACH PROGRAM TO ENGAGE OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY. REACH PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE.

>> THE TOTAL REQUEST IS 38 POSITIONS TO ADDRESS CAPACITY. >> AND AT THIS TIME WE THANK YOU FOR RECEIVING OUR REQUEST AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE WILL ADDRESS THEM AT THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LET ME GIVE MY COLLEAGUES AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS.

>> I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS. >> THE FIRST ONE IS ON THE MEGA BRANCH REQUEST, HOW DID YOU DETERMINE THAT THE MEGA BRANCH THE RIGHT WAY TO SERVE FOLKS, ONE OF THE DISCUSSIONS WE HAD A LOT IN COURT AND ONE OF THE BIG SHIP WE NEED TO STEER AND NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT IS THIS QUESTION OF HOW DO WE PROVIDE SERVICES FARTHER IN TO THE COMMUNITY AS OPPOSED TO AT CENTRALIZED LOCATIONS. DID YOU GUYS CONSIDER THE MEGA

BRANCH VERSUS MORE BUT SMALLER LOCATIONS? >> WELL, IN OUR CONSIDERATION WE HAVE TO TAKE IN TO ACCOUNT THE FACILITIES THAT IS OFFERED TO US.

AND WE HAVE BEEN OFFERED A SPACE AT THE NEW LOCATION. THIS IS THE LOCATION THAT IS

[05:50:06]

REPLACING CYPRESS WOOD THAT WAS FLOODED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY. >> AND THIS IS A COMPLEX AND I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE OTHER TENANTS IN THE BUILDING. SO THE SPACE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN WE REPLICATED WHAT WE HAVE DOWNTOWN. DOWNTOWN WE HAVE 20 WINDOW LOW CASES. CYPRESS WOOD, 20 WINDOWS, WINDOW TELLERS OR WALK UP CUSTOMERS.

ALSO HAVE SPACE FOR WORK STATIONS AND NOT NECESSARILY WINDOWS BUT WORK STATIONS WHERE WE CAN ADDRESS SOME OF OUR AUTOMATED CUSTOMERS. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE CALLING WHERE TRANSACTIONS COME IN ELECTRONICALLY AND WE ARE ABLE TO WORK THEM THERE.

>> SO OUR THOUGHT PROCESS IS TO REPLICATE THE SERVICES HERE DOWNTOWN WHICH IS MORE OF A FULL

SERVICE BRANCH. >> WE CAN HAVE ANYTHING COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

NEEDS. >> SO THIS IS THE ONE SINCE YOU GUYS, THERE WILL BE LARGER COURTROOM DOWNSTAIRS BASICALLY WHERE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO -- OPERATIONS YOU HAD DOWNTOWN?

>> NO. NO. WE WILL STILL HAVE DOWNTOWN LOCATION. THIS LOCATION IS -- WE ORIGINALLY HAD 16 BRANCHES.

ONE BRANCH IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR BEING RELOCATED. WE HAVE FIVE -- 15 IN OPERATION

RIGHT NOW. >> AND WE WILL REPLACE THE CYPRESS WOOD LOCATION.

THAT WAS DESTROYED. >> GOT IT. RIGHT.

>> OKAY. WELL SOMETHING ELSE NEED THAT YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT VISION BUT YOU NEED A DIFFERENT BUILDING. PLEASE GET WITH DAVE ON THAT QUESTION.

THAT'S REALLY JUST, YOU KNOW, I KNOW IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT FROM A THINK WOULD WORK I CERTAINLY DON'T, DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL LIMITED.

>> THE OTHER QUESTION WAS ON THE 10 POSITIONS FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION.

>> DID YOU -- HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NUMBER 10? >> THIS NUMBER IS BASED ON OUR SPECIAL DIVISION IS LOCATED HERE ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THIS DIVISION, IT DOESN'T HANDLE WALK UP CUSTOMERS BUT MAIL IN TITLES, MOSTLY WHAT THEY DO ELECTRONIC OR BY MAIL.

>> AND IT IS BASICALLY REACHED CAPACITY. WE ARE CONSTANTLY HAVE A BACKLOG BASED ON NUMBER OF REQUESTS THAT COME IN. MAIL IN TITLES THAT COME IN.

WE JUST AREN'T ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND. >> OKAY.

ON THAT ONE KIND OF THE SIMILAR THING I WAS TRYING TO CONVEY TO THE ADMINISTRATOR, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO MEET DEMAND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S ENOUGH. TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO SHARE WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE WHAT ASSUMPTIONS YOU ARE MAKING TO LAND AT 10 AND NOT MORE AND NOT LESS. IT WOULD CERTAINLY HELP ME AND THEN THAT WAY WE CAN USE THOSE TYPES OF ASSUMPTIONS GOING FORWARD. ANY WAY, I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU GUYS ARE ALL DOING THROUGH SO MUCH CHALLENGES AS YOU BOTH COVERED AND PLEASE SEND MY BEST

TO MISS BENNETT. WE ARE GRATEFUL. >> YES, THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> SO AND JUST TO ELABORATE, BASED ON TRANSACTIONS. THE NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS WE RECEIVE. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW TRANSACTION EFFICIENCY AND WE JUST, NOT ENOUGH CLERKS TO -- IT TAKES CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO WORK A TRANSACTION AND WE

JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CLERKS. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. THAT'S IT FOR TODAY'S BUDGET HEARINGS.

MONDAY REMEMBER WE HAVE THE BOARD OF PILOTS APPOINTMENT. WE WILL START BUDGET HEARINGS AND BREAK AROUND 1:00, I BELIEVE, TO DO THE JOINT SESSION WITH THE CITY AND THEN CONTINUE

THE HEARINGS. AND, JUDGE,. >> GO AHEAD.

>> WE DID GET CONFIRMATION FROM OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT BY ZOOM.

PREVIOUSLY WAS REQUIRED IN PERSON. >> MY UNDERSTANDING, YES, BUT

[05:55:02]

>> I KNOW FOR A FACT, JUDGE, YES IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> THIS IS SCOTT FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY I CAN CONFIRM THAT AS

WELL. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING

CARE OF THAT FOR US. >> THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS.

CITY IS IN CHARGE OF RUNNING IT THIS TIME. >> SO ANY WAY THE MAYOR WILL BE

PRESIDING. >> BARRING ANYTHING ELSE, COUNTY ATTORNEY, YOU NEED ANY -- AM I

MISSING ANYTHING? >> NOT FROM ME, JUDGE. >> OKAY.

NO, YOUR HONOR. SPENDING THREE DAYS WITH EVERYBODY.

>> AND WE WILL CATCH YOU ALL ON MONDAY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

>> THANK YOU. THE YOU, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.