Sep 14, 2021 Commissioners Court

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LEAN GOOD MORNING. IT IS 10:--

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, AND IT IS 10:11 AND

[Officer John Goodman Jr., Spring ISD Police Chaplain and Senior Pastor of Unity & Love Baptist Church in Houston.]

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR. WE WERE GOING TO HAVE OFFICER JOHN GOODMAN GIVE OUR INVOCATION THIS MORNING WHO IS A FIRST RESPONDER AND A CHAPLAIN, BUT WE HAVE HAD SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES GETTING HIM ON THE LINE TODAY.

HOWEVER, WE ARE ALSO DOING A RESOLUTION TODAY FOR THE HIGH HOLY DAYS AND RABBI BRIAN STRAUSS WAS GOING TO RECEIVE OUR RESOLUTION AND HE IS ONLINE AND HE HAS AGREED TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN OUR INVOCATION. I HAVE HERE -- HE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEE IT BECAUSE HE IS NOT ON THE LINE, BUT I HAVE A SHOFAR AND THEY ASKED ME NOT TO BLOW IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T TRUST MY SKILLS. IT IS IN HONOR OF HIGH HOLY DAYS AND ROSH HASHANAH AND I DO HAVE MY SHOFAR HERE AT THE HORSESHOE. RABBI, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> I AM. GOOD MORNING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR AGREEING TO DO OUR INVOCATION. DOING DOUBLE DUTY TODAY.

>> WELL, I'M HONORED TO DO IT.

I APPRECIATE IT. I WILL START WITH SOME OPENING WORDS. FIRST OF GRATITUDE TO ALL OF YOU FORGIVING ME THIS -- FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE PRAY OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, WE PRAY THIS MORNING OF COURSE FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO WERE HARMED LAST EVENING AND THIS LAST NIGHT FROM HURRICANE NICHOLAS.

WE PRAY AND HOPE YOU ARE OKAY AND WE THANK GOD FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS WHO WERE ABLE TO PREPARE FOR THIS STORM AND TO HELP ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED AT THIS TIME. WE THANK GOD THAT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DEVASTATING IT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE DEVASTATING.

WE THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND ASK GOD TO GIVE US PEACE, SECURITY, WELL BEING, HEALTH AND SCONTED -- CONTINUED SAFETY AND PEACE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. AMEN.

>> AMEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

[Departments (Part 1 of 5)]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THE RABBI IS TO RECEIVE OUR PROCLAMATION -- I MEAN OUR RESOLUTION NUMBER 7.

SINCE HE IS ALREADY ON THE LINE I DON'T KNOW IF HE WANTS TO TAKE THAT OUT OF ORDER OR HAVE HIM HOLD FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL WE GET TO RESOLUTION NUMBER 7.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE THE RESOLUTION, COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PLEASE STAY ON THE LINE. WHEREAS THE ROSH HASHANAH AND THE HIGH HOLY DAYS FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS THE WORLD HASSEN -- ENTERED INTO THE YEAR 5782.

AND HARRIS COUNTY HAS PLAYED AN ACTIVE AND SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE BUILDING AND BEAUTIFYING OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS HERE IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND WHERE ANTI-SEMITISM HAS PLACED A BURDEN AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT STANDS WITH OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY AND HARRIS COUNTY DURING THE CELEBRATION OF THE DAYS OF AWE.

MAY THIS RESOLUTION BE INCLUDED ON THE MINUTES ON THIS DAY. AND, JUDGE, I MOVE THE RESOLUTION AND AVAILABLE TO BE ACCEPTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. RABBI, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD A

FEW WORDS? >> YES.

I AM HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF HOUSTON. IT IS A STRONG, GROWING, VIBRANT COMMUNITY WHO LIKE ALL COMMUNITIES HERE IN THIS GREATER AREA ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP THOSE IN NEED AND TO MAKE OUR HOME FOR ALL OF US A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. WE REMIND EVERYONE THAT OUR ROSH HASHANAH TAKES US BACK ALL THE WAY TO CELEBRATE NOT THE JEWISH PEOPLE, BUT THE CREATION OF THE WORLD AND IT IS A REMINDER TO JEWS EVERYWHERE WHO GATHER IN SYNAGOGUES ALL OVER THE JEWISH WORLD THAT AS JEWS OUR FIRST TASK IS TO CELEBRATE GOD'S CREATION.

TO HELP ALL OF GOD'S CREATURES AND HUMAN BEINGS.

IT IS AN HONOR TO ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF HOUSTON AS WE CELEBRATE A NEW YEAR NOT ONLY FOR US, BUT FOR ALL PEOPLE. THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU,

RABBI. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

SHALOM. >> SHALOM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER RESOLUTIONS, BUT BEFORE WE GET TO THEM, WE NEED TO TAKE UP THE TAX ITEMS.

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TODAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW WE NEED TO ESTABLISH A PROPOSED TAX RATE FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THE PORT OF HOUSTON. AND WE NEED TO SET A DATE FOR ANY PUBLIC HEARING THAT MAY BE NEEDED TO -- AND A MEETING TO ADOPT THE TAX RATES. AS PART OF THIS PROCESS WE SET A RATE ABOVE THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE FOR THE THREE ENTITIES I MENTIONED, THE FIRST THREE, WE WILL NEED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY BEFORE ADOPTING A TAX RATE.

THAT WILL ALLOW US TO ENSURE HEARING FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT THE RESOURCES WE NEED. I KNOW EVERYONE RECEIVED THE MATERIALS IN ADVANCE. I WILL PASS IT ON TO DAVE BERRY TO GO OVER HIS PROPOSALS.

DAVE, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE WERE

HAVING PROBLEMS EARLIER. >> YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> GREAT.

AND THANK YOU, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS' COURT. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND PULLING UP THE SHORT PRESENTATION I PREPARED I WILL JUST WALK THROUGH THAT TO GET US STARTED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT THE SAME ONE YOU SENT TO US

EARLIER? >> IT IS.

SO I WILL ORIENT THIS FOR A MOMENT.

THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT SETS TAX RATES FOR FOUR DIFFERENT ENTITIES, THE COUNTY ITSELF, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THE PORT OF HOUSTON. AND WE HAVE AN OUTSIDE DEADLINE TO ADOPT A RATE NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 15TH 2021. IF WE ADOPT ANY RATE ON YOU -- ABOVE THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND I BELIEVE WE SHOULD AS I WILL TALK IN A MOMENT, SETTING RATES IS A THREE-STEP PROCESS. THERE IS AN INITIAL VOTE TO PROPOSE RATES. AND THEN WE NEED TO SCHEDULE A SUB SCWEPT -- SUBSEQUENT PUBLIC HEARING AND THEN A FORMAL VOTE. OUR CHOICES ARE NOT UNLIMITED. THEY RANGE IN RATES THAT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT CAN ADOPT BY STATUTE OUT AND WE CANNOT EXCEED WHAT IS CALLED THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE WITHOUT A SPECIAL ELECTION. WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW THAT IS THE MAXIMUM RATE FOR EACH DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS' COURT CAN ADOPT. ON THE OTHER HAND IF COMMISSIONERS' COURT FAILS TO ADOPT THE RATES, WE WOULD REVERT TO WHAT IS CALLED A NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

AN IMPORTANT POINT IS IT IS NOT BRINGING REVENUE TO THE COUNTY. IT IS BRINGING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS REVENUE TO THE COUNTY. I WILL WALK THROUGH THAT MAP.

THAT IS A DIFFERENCE FROM THE OLD REGIME OF TAXATION AND EVEN FROM LAST YEAR. IN TERMS OF THE TAXABLE VALUE, THE OVERALL TAXABLE VALUE WE RECEIVED IS ABOUT 3% HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR. A GREAT MAJORITY OF THAT IS FROM NEW CONSTRUCTION AND I WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF LITIGATION AND VALUES ON DISPUTE. THAT MAY WELL OFFSET MOST OF THIS PROPERTY DEPRECIATION. WE HAVE COME TO COURT TODAY WITH A PROPOSAL FOR COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO CONSIDER. WE WILL GO THROUGH WHAT IT IS FOR EACH DISTRICT. IT IS AN ALL IN RATE OF 58.58 CENTS PER $100 OF ASSESSED VALUE.

THAT WOULD BE A LITTLE OVER 2% REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL TAX RATE AND IT WOULD BE THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW WE CAN REDUCE THE RATE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO THIS IS A BREAK DOWN OF THE PROPOSAL WE HAVE SUBMITTED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. A FEW HIGHLIGHTS, THIS REDUCES THE OVERALL TAX RATE BY LAST YEAR BY 2.2%.

IF YOU LOOK AT APPLYING THIS YEAR'S RATE TO THE SAME PROPERTY THAT WAS TAXED LAST YEAR WHICH IS THE WAY TAXATION IS SUPPOSED TO WORK, IT REDUCES THE OVERALL TAX BILL ON THE EXISTING PROPERTY BY $35 MILLION.

NOT ONLY IS THERE A RATE DECREASE, THERE IS A DECREASE IN THE OVERALL LEVY IN THE BILL.

THIS PROPOSAL INCREASES FUNDING FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS TO THE STATUTORY MAXIMUM.

IT COVERS THE DEBT SERVICE FOR ALL OF THE FLOOD CONTROL

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WE ARE PROPOSING TO KEEP THE RATE FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT THE SAME AS THE PRIOR YEAR. AND THIS PROPOSAL WOULD FUND THE FISCAL YEAR 22 BUDGET THAT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY COURT IN FEBRUARY OF 2021 ACROSS ALL AVENUES.

NEXT, PLEASE. THIS IS A COMPARISON OF LAST YEAR'S RATE THAT WAS ADOPTED TO THIS YEAR'S PROPOSED RATE.

SO ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE HERE WE SEE LAST YEAR'S RATE AND HOW IT WAS BUILT UP FROM ALL FOUR TAXING ENTITIES.

THE CHANGES ARE A DECREASE IN THE COUNTY RATE, AN INCREASE IN THE FLOOD CONTROL RATE AND A VERY SMALL DECREASE IN THE PORT OF HOUSTON RATE. ALL IN TOTAL RATE OF 58.58 POINTS. NOW WE LOOK AT THE LEVY AND NOT JUST THE RATE. STARTING ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE , THIS IS THE 2020 LEVEL. THIS IS THE 2020 VERSUS ALL IN TAX RATE. WHAT WE SEE HERE IS THAT THAT LEVY WAS 2.995 BILLION IN 2020 DUE TO PROPERTY APPRECIATION ON EXISTING PROPERTY. THE LEVY WOULD GO UP BY $33 MILLION. DUE TO THE RATE DECREASE WE ARE PROPOSING, THE LEVY COULD GO DOWN ON THE PROPERTY BY 68 POINTS FOR A NET $35 MILLION DECREASE.

THE TAX BILL FOR THAT SAME PROPERTY.

WE HAVE GENERATED $66 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL TAX LEVY AND THE TOTAL OF 2021 TAX LEVY 3.826. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED HERE IS FOR THE COUNTY BETWEEN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, WE PROPOSED THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. WE PROPOSE THE RATE TO KEEP THE HOSPITAL RATE THE SAME WHICH IS BETWEEN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND GOING TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATES FOR ANY OF THE TAXING ENTITY.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY.

NUMBER ONE, THE COURT CAN REDUCE RATES WITHOUT GOING TO AN OVER ALL REVENUE RATE. THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE ACTUALLY BRINGS IN A LOT LESS REVENUE.

THE REASON WHY IS THE POPULATION FOR THE NO NEW REVENUE RATES MAKE US TAKE OUT OF OUR TAX BASE EVERYTHING UNDER DISPUTE. IT IS ABOUT 5% OF THE OVERALL TAX BREAK. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT KEEPING REVENUE THE SAME, IT IS WITH 5% LESS TAX BASE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCREASING REVENUE OVER THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, IT IS WITH 5% LESS TAX.

THOSE WORDS AREN'T DESCRIBING WHAT IS GOING ON AND THEREFORE I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE RATES.

THE THIRD POINT HERE IS THE NO NEW REVENUE RATES ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE COURT HAS ADOPTED AND WILL NECESSITATE SERVICE CUTS. THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE WILL NOT INCLUDE THE VOTER APPROVED BOND PROGRAM.

AND THEN OVER TIME GOING TO NO NEW REVENUE RATES ARE GOING TO BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE COUNTY GIVEN WHAT WE SEE IN TERMS OF RISE IN EXPENSES. WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO INCREASE RATES. WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO INCREASE THE TAX BILL. WE ARE PROPOSING TO DECREASE THE RATES AND DECREASE THE TAX BILL ON THE EXISTING PROPERTY. WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

AND THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH THE MAP OF WHAT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATES ARE. WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE, WHAT THEY WERE PRIOR TO SENATE BILL 2 IS THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE OR THE EFFECTIVE RATE WILL KEEP REVENUE CONSTANT FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ALLOW THEM GROWTH FROM NEW PROPERTY. THAT'S WHAT WE PUT ON THE PAGE HERE. WHEN WE ADD THE LINE IN THE STAT SHEET, AND WE LOOK AT THE DISPUTED VALUE WE SEE THAT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE WOULD BRING IF 4% LESS THAN THE

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THIS IS JUST TO SAY LET'S NOT BEACON FUSED THE NO -- BE CONFUSED THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS KEEPING THINGS STABLE.

FOR THE COUNTY BUDGET WE WILL BE $20 MILLION UNDER.

THERE WOULD BE SERVICE REDUCTIONS REQUIRED AND BUDGET CUTS REQUIRED. WE WOULD HAVE VERY LITTLE FLEXIBILITY TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES WE ARE SEEING HERE, SOME OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY IN TERMS OF THE FAILED OPERATIONS AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENTS.

AND WE ARE SETTING A NEW BASELINE AS WE SEE HEALTH AND PENSION COSTS UNDER INFLATION AND PRESSURE.

FOR FLOOD CONTROL IT IS ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

IF WE GO THROUGH LARGE AMOUNTS OF DEBT AND DON'T SET THE TAX RATE TO PAY FOR THEM, IT DOESN'T INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN OUR BONDHOLDERS. AND WE HAVE THE UNFORTUNATE CHOICE OF REDUCING VITAL MAINTENANCE ON THE FLOOD CONTROL SYSTEM OR DELAYING CAPITAL PROJECTS.

AND FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WE WOULD BE $37 MILLION UNDER THE UH -- APPROVED BUDGET THIS. IS SETTING A NEW BASELINE WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

AND WILE THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THIS YEAR TO COVER SOME OF THE SHORT FALL WITH THE FEDERAL REIMBURSMENTS, I THINK GOING FORWARD IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO BE REDUCING RATES -- OR REVENUE TO THE HOSPITALS GIVEN THE NEEDS OF THE POPULATION AND THE NEED FOR POTENTIAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.

IN CONCLUSION IT REDUCES THE TAX RATE AND IT REDUCES THE OVERALL LEVY ON THE EXISTING PROPERTY.

IT INCREASES THE FUNDING TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED BY STATUTE OUT AND IT COVERS THE DEBT SERVICE FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL BOND PROJECTS. IT HOLDS THE RATE STEADY AND FUNDS THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE DISCUSSIONS AND QUESTIONS, BUT TO REITERATE WE THINK THE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO IS LOOK AT THE REVENUE PROVIDED BY THE RATE AND WHAT THE RATE IS DOING RATHER THAN GO INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE WHICH WOULD BE A BAD SITUATION AROUND FOR EVERY TAX. ANY QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER -- [INAUDIBLE]. RODRIGUEZ

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. DAVE, MAYBE FOR YOU OR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT I HAVE SEVEN OR EIGHT QUESTIONS.

THE FIRST ONE IS I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHAT HAPPENS IF WE VOTE TODAY OR WHATEVER AND KEY DON'T HAVE A CORE. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THAT?

>> I CAN TAKE THAT AND I TRUST -- WELL, IF WE GO TO A PROPOSAL RATE TODAY AND THE RATE IS NOT ULTIMATELY ADOPTED WHETHER BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A QUORUM OF FOUR OR OTHERWISE, WE WOULD DEFAULT TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

THAT MEANS THE SHORT FALLS AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR EACH OF THE COUNTIES AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTS AND THE

HOSPITALS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT IS THAT TOTAL REDUCTION? THE TOTAL REDUCTION IN VALUE?

>> THE TOTAL VERSUS THE ADOPTED BUDGET?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT. >> I'LL GIVE YOU THE EXACT NUMBER. $20MILLION FOR THE COUNTY.

$11MILLION FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

$37MILLION FOR THE HOSPITAL. SO IN TOTAL THAT IS

$68 MILLION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SAY THAT

AGAIN? >> 20, 11 AND 37.

THIS IS PAGE 12 OF THE PRESENTATION WHICH IS IN THE

PACKET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE QUORUM MATTER, MAKE SURE WE CLEAR UP WHAT IS A QUORUM, WHETHER IT IS YOU OR OUR LEGAL DEPARTMENT.

LOOKS LIKE JA. LOOKS LIKE JAY.

>> I AM HERE. TO SET THE RATE, THE QUORUM REQUIRES -- IT REQUIRES FOUR MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

IF ONLY THREE MEMBERS OF THE COURT ARE THERE, WE CANNOT SET A RATE. AND AS DAVE POINTED OUT, IT

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RATE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS AGAIN, JAY, ON WHEN WE COULD DO THAT.

COULD WE DO IT TODAY? TWO WEEKS? GO THROUGH THE PROCESS SO WE UNDERSTAND.

>> WE CAN DO IT AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING OR ANY SUBSEQUENT SCHEDULED MEETING. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS DISCUSS A RATE. I CAN EVALUATE -- IF THERE IS AN INTEREST IN THE COURT THAT WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE VOTING ON IT TODAY, BUT I CAN TAKE A LOOK AND GET BACK WITH YOU.

>> YOU MAY WANT TO LET US KNOW IN THE COURSE OF THE MEETING.

>> AND I WANT TO INTERJECT. JAY, I THINK IT IS PERTINENT TO THE QUESTION COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS ASKING.

AGAIN, I COME OUT OF THE CITY EXPERIENCE WHERE WE SET RATES.

HOW CAN YOU HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 21ST IF WE DON'T IDENTIFY A RATE TODAY? I UNDERSTAND TODAY IS TO IDENTIFY A RATE AND THEN THE NEXT MEETING IS TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE RATE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AND THEN WE VOTE ON THE 28TH. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CUSTOMARILY HOW WE DO IT.

I JUST WANT TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE QUESTION ASKED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHICH IS WHETHER WE COULD DO IT.

I CAN EVALUATE THAT AND TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE RIGHT.

CUSTOMARILY WE HAVE SET THE RATE AND WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION TODAY AND AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. THAT'S CUSTOMARILY HOW IT IS

DONE. >> AND IF I MAY INTERJECT ON THIS POINT. THE NOTICE ON 21 TODAY WAS WE DISCUSS TO PROPOSE RATES AND RATES TO BE ADOPTED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. SO THIS NOTICE DOESN'T GIVE US ROOM TO ACTUALLY ADOPT A PROPOSED RATE TODAY.

>> THAT WOULD BE CORRECT. IF THE NOTICE DOESN'T GIVE US THAT FLEXIBILITY, WE CAN'T DO IT.

YOU ARE CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WOULD GO TO THE EIGHTH POINT I WILL MAKE.

AT SOME POINT I WILL RUN THROUGH A SERIES OF QUESTIONS. AND THEN MAYBE I CAN GET A SENSE OF WHERE WE ARE JUST SO WE KNOW.

AND SO WE ARE NOT GUESSING. I HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS CALLED THE EFFECTIVE RATE. HOW DO YOU MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS DIFFERENT UNDER SENATE BILL 2? NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND EFFECTIVE RATE?

>> LET ME TAKE THAT IN TERMS OF THE PRACTICAL IMPACT.

IT IS ACTUALLY CHALLENGING TO TIE THE INTENT OF THE STATUTE OUT. THE BIGGEST CHANGE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND OTHERS, IS THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT PROPERTY VALUE OUT OF THE BASELINE.

WHEN WE SAY WHAT IS THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WE TAKE 5% OF OUR TAX BASE OUT. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE WE ARE STARTING WITH A BASELINE UNDER THE OLD RULES IT WOULD KEEP THE REVENUES CONSTANT UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. UNDER THE CURRENT RULES WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW, IT DOESN'T.

>> WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO OUR FLOOD PROTECTION SERVICES IF WE GO TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE FOR FLOOD CONTROL?

>> I SPOKE WITH DIRECTOR BLACK ABOUT THIS AND I THINK WE WOULD HAVE AN UNFORTUNATE CHOICE OF CUTTING VITAL MAINTENANCE FOR PROJECTS ORIE MOVING STAFF THAT HAS CAPITAL PROJECTS AND EVEN POSTPONING SOME OF THOSE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS ALLEN ON? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT LAID OUT. ALLEN, IF YOU ARE ON?

>> YES, SIR. COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE, THIS IS ALLEN BLACK -- ALLEN BLACK.

YOU DIDN'T SEE ME GRIMACE WITH THE TALK OF REDUCTIONS.

LIKE THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL OF MANAGING A PROJECT, IF YOU LOWER ONE LEG EVERYTHING ELSE HAS TO COME DOWN TO BALANCE IT OUT. TALKING ABOUT DEFERRING MAINTENANCE, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PICK UP ON DEFERRED MAINTENANCE FOR YEARS NOW. WE WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE THAT OR REDUCE OUR STAFF AUGMENTATION.

OUR STAFF AUGMENTATION IS VITAL TO HELPING US EXCEL RATE AND MOVE THESE PROJECTS -- ACCELERATE AND MOVE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. IF WE HAVE TO REDUCE STAFF AUGMENTATION, THE PACE OF THE BOND PROJECTS WILL SLOW DOWN.

AIDE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: A FEW MORE.

WHAT ABOUT COUNTY SERVICES, MR. BERRY?

>> THERE IS A $20 MILLION HAUL IN THE APPROVED BUDGET.

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AND ONE OTHER NOTE IS OUR JAIL WHICH IS RIGHT NOW AT FULL CAPACITY. A COMBINATION OF REDUCTION IN SERVICES AND A LOT LESS FLEXIBILITY TO DEAL WITH UNBUDGETED ITEMS GOING FORWARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HEARD YOU MAKE REFERENCE TO SOMETHING WE ALL KNOW, HAVE TO PASS THE BUDGET.

WHEN DID WE PASS THE BUDGET? AND WHO VOTED AGAINST IT?

>> THE PORT DOESN'T HAVE THE BUDGET APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT, BUT ALL THREE OTHER ENTITIES DO.

IT WAS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2021.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM MY VANTAGE POINT I THINK IT WOULD HELP US DO THE THINGS WE ARE ELECTED TO DO.

THIS IS A THIRD YEAR WE HAD A TAX CUT TO THE RATE IN SOME FORM. IT HAD NOT HAPPENED BEFORE.

THIS IS A PLACE WE HAD TO COMPROMISE.

I AM WILLING TO LOOK AT THE TAX CUT WE ARE ALL PROPOSING, BUT WE NEED TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE WE ALL ARE.

INSTEAD OF GUESSING, THEY MAY NOT LIKE WHAT I SAY, BUT I WILL DARN SURE SAY IT. THERE IS NO GUESSING ON WHERE I AM. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES, ALL OF THEM. THE TABLES MAY REVERSE IT AT SOME POINT AND I COULD BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION HERE. I THINK IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO SAY IF WE SHOW UP OR NOT. I WANT TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES WHERE ALL OF THESE SOLUTIONS ARE AND FIGURE IT OUT IF APPROPRIATE. WITH WHETHER IT IS NOW -- WHETHER IT IS NOW OR LATER IN THE DAY.

THE ONLY TIME WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IS HERE AND NOT KNOW WHOG TALKS TO WHO I OPTED NOT TO CALL ANYBODY IN CASE PEOPLE FORGET. I JUST THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT AND WOULD ASK FOR FOLKS TO LAY THEIR CARDS ON THE TABLE.

I LAID MY DOWN AND I WILL TAKE THE HEAT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU WENT THROUGH IT WITH MY STAFF AND YOU SAID MAYBE SLIGHTLY ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR HEALTH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOSPITAL

DISTRICT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO PUT IT ON THE RECORD. I WAS SITTING THERE -- ACTUALLY I WAS SITTING CLOSE TO YOU.

YOU SAID, NO, NO. I THOUGHT I COULD OVERHEAR THE JUDGE SAYING IF YOU ARE GONNA TAKE THE HEAT DASH OBVIOUSLY THAT -- OBVIOUSLY THAT DID NOT WORK.

I LAY MY CARDS ON THE TABLE. AND I RESPECTFULLY AS ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES TO SAY WHERE YOU ARE AND THEN TRY TO STICK WITH

IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MR. BERRY, CAN YOU PUT UP SLIDE 14? IT IS THIS ONE HERE.

WALK US THROUGH WHAT THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. BERRY, IS YOUR MICROPHONE UNMUTED?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE LOST HIM. MIGHT TRY HIS CELL PHONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE IS GOING TO CALL IN?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE NEED MORE HOTSPOTS AROUND HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN CALL YOU TOO, DAVE, IF THAT WORKS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S PROBABLY BETTER ON OUR SIDE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SYSTEM.

[00:30:04]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE IS GOING TO CALL YOU, DAVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HEY. ALL RIGHT.

WE CAN HEAR YOU. I WILL PUT YOU BY THE

MICROPHONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS?

>> SURE. THIS IS A THESE -- A HISTORY OF THE ALL IN TAX RATE ACROSS THE HARRIS COUNTY [INAUDIBLE] AND SO WHEN -- WHAT YOU SEE HERE IS PROP 2018, THE TOTAL TAX RATE REMAINS THE SAME. AND NOW THERE WAS SOME BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE -- ESPECIALLY THE FLOOD CONTROL TAX RATE AND THE OVERALL RATE REMAINED THE SAME.

THAT WAS A TIME THAT THERE WAS NEARLY $200 BILLION ADDED TO THE TAXABLE VALUE BASE. WHAT YOU SEE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IS COMMISSIONERS' COURT REDUCED THE RATES.

AND 2021 THE RATE IS PROPOSING AN ADDITIONAL RATE REDUCTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO START WITH THAT. MY SERIES OF QUESTIONS, AND I HAVE SEVERAL AS WELL. I WANTED TO START WITH THE FACT THAT FOR ABOUT A DECADE THE TAX RATE REMAINED UNCHANGED. EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN REVENUE AND THEN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AND I HOPE FOR A THIRD, MY EFFORT WILL BE TO PREPARE A VOTE FOR A THIRD OVERALL CUT TO THE TAX RATE.

THIS IS ALSO IMPORTANT BECAUSE IN SPITE OF PROVIDING A TAX RATE CUT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE STILL BEEN ABLE TO FUND AN INCREASED BUDGET FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND 103 MILLION 200,000 OF THAT WE INCREASED THE D.A.'S BUDGET BY NEARLY 13 MILLION AND ADDED 15 MILLION TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND NEARLY DOUBLED THE POLLUTION CONTROL.

THE TAX RATE KEEPS UP THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE COUNTY RESIDENTS EXPECT. IT IS SMALLER THAN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN. WE WILL HAVE TO SLOW THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT, BUT THAT IS A GOOD THING.

LET'S LOOK AT WHAT WORKS AND WHAT KIND OF EFFICIENCIES WE CAN FIND AND GENERALLY IN TIGHT BUDGET YEARS THAT GENERALLY MOVES TO THE FRONT. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH A TAX RATE.

MR. BERRY AND JAY, THESE WILL BE I THINK FOR EACH OF YOU.

IF WE DID ATTEMPT THE TAX RATE AND HAVE A QUORUM TO SET THE TAX RATE AND AS A RESULT OF FAILURE TO SET A RATE, THE RATE WOULD DEFAULT TO WHAT AT THE TIME WAS CALLED THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE. AT THE TIME THE DEFAULT RATE RESULTED IN A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE COUNTY'S REVENUE.

SINCE THEN THE LAW HAS CHANGED.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW THE STATUTORY CHANGES -- OR WHAT THE STATUTORY CHANGES HAVE BEEN SINCE 2019?

>> SURE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND HOW WILL THE CHANGES IMPACT THE FAILURE TO SET THE TAX RATE THIS YEAR. AND THEN ALONG THOSE LINES, SINCE THE TAX RATE IS SET ON THE REVENUE OF THE PRIOR YEAR, CAN YOU COMMENT ON HOW THE TOTAL NO NEW REVENUE RATE WILL IMPACT THE DESIGNATED BUDGET? WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT, MR. BERRY, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO TACH ON THAT ONE.

BUT JAY, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE CHANGES ON THE LAW AND THE

IMPACT? >> ON THE SB2 . THAT YOU ASKED

[00:35:04]

IT IS AN ISSUE OF HOW PROPERTY DISPUTES ARE TREATED.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS A RELATIVELY ROBUST NUMBER OF PROPERTY [INAUDIBLE] 5% ON THE ROLE. LET ME KNOW IF I AM OFF ON THE NUMBERS. EFFECT LIVELY WHAT THAT DOES -- EFFECTIVELY WHAT THAT DOES IS REDUCES NO NEW REVENUE. WHEN DAVE -- WHEN DAVE SAYS NO NEW REVENUE RATE FOR US IS ACTUALLY NOT A NO NEW REVENUE RATE THAT IS WHAT HE IS REFERENCING.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS THE INTENT OF THE AUTHOR TO DO THAT, BUT THAT'S THE RESULT OF IT.

IT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN THE EFFECTIVE RATE.

IF WE DON'T HAVE A -- IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ADOPT A RATE AND YOU CAN'T MAKE IT A FORUM OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES, THEN IT DEFAULTS TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND IT WOULD TRIGGER THE REDUCED NUMBER.

IT HAS A CASCADING EFFECT, RIGHT? IN SUBSEQUENT OUT YEARS THAT BECOMES THE BASELINE NUMBER FOR THE COUNTY. AND SO IT IS CALCULATED FROM HERE. THE SAME WAY THE REVENUE RATE IS FIXED. IT ESSENTIALLY ALLOWS A WRATH CHETING -- WRATCHEITG -- WRATCHETING DOWN EFFECT.

LAST QUESTION -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> TO YOUR POINT ON THE CHANGE IN TAX LAW, ANOTHER KEY DIFFERENCE IS THE TREATMENT OF DEBT SERVICE. UNDER THE OLD TRUTH IN TAXATION WHEN FOR EXAMPLE VOTERS APPROVED BONDS, THE EFFECTIVE RATE ALLOWED TAXES TO BE RAISED TO PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON THOSE BONDS. NOW THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE THAT WOULD RESULT IF WE DON'T ADOPT ANOTHER RATE DOES NOT COVER THAT. WE WOULD EITHER DEFAULT ON OUR BONDS WHICH WE WOULDN'T DO, OR HAVE TO DIVERT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS REVENUE TO COVER THAT DEBT SERVICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

I AM NOT SURE I CAUGHT IT. >> WE ARE COMPARING THE OLD DEFECTIVE RATE TO WHAT IS NOW THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

THIS IS HONESTLY PROBABLY NO NEW REVENUE RATE TO ME IS CONFUSING BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT IT IS.

THE DEFAULT RATE. WHAT HAPPENS AT -- IF COMMISSIONERS' COURT DOES NOT ADOPT A NEW RATE.

UNDER THE OLD RULES THEY CAN STILL RAISE TAXES TO PAY A DEBT SERVICE. UNDER THE NEW RULES, THAT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY FLOW THROUGH.

WHERE THAT HITS HOME RIGHT NOW IS IN FLOOD CONTROL.

WE ARE PUTTING THAT MONEY TO WORK.

WE HAVE TO RAISE THE TAXES TO PAY THOSE BONDHOLDERS.

THAT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY HAPPEN IF WE GO TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. AND WE WOULD BE FORCED IN A SITUATION WHERE WE EITHER DEFAULT WHICH WE WOULD KEEP FROM HAPPENING, BUT THEN WE HAVE TO DIVERT REVENUE FROM OPERATIONS TO COVER THE CAPITAL PROJECTS WHICH IS NOT A GOOD IDEA AND NOT WHAT THE VOTERS INTENDED.

THAT'S A KEY DIFFERENCE TO THE ONE JA Y MENTIONED.

JAY MENTIONED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE GIVEN A LOT OF ATTENTION AND COMMISSION EARLY LIS TOUCHED ON IT -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS MENTIONED IT AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FLOOD BOND PROJECTS.

WE ALSO GOT 240 MILLION IN ROAD BONDS.

WOULD THERE BE IMPACT TO THOSE?

>> IN -- THIS IS THE REMAINING VOTED ROAD BOND WE DIVIDED AMONG THE PRECINCTS. IT HASN'T BEEN ISSUED YET, BUT I THINK IF THE COUNTY CAN'T SET DEBT RATES TO PAY DEBT SERVICE WE WILL HAVE PROBLEMS ISSUING ROAD DEBT AS WELL.

IT WOULD COME HOME TO ROOST THIS YEAR ON FLOOD CONTROL AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY COME HOME TO ROOST ON ROAD BONDS AS WELL. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I THINK IT IS VITAL TO NEGOTIATE A RATE THAT WE CAN GET INFORMED TO VOTE FOR AND ISSUE A ROAD DEBT AS WELL AS FLOOD

[00:40:04]

CONTROL DEBT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE NEED A SUPER QUORUM -- SHALL I CALL IT THAT? NOT A MAJORITY, BUT WE NEED FOUR PEOPLE TO SET THE RATE.

HOW MANY PEOPLE DO WE NEED IF WE GOT TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS ON WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO CUT.

IS THAT THREE, IS THAT FOUR? >> YOU NEED FOUR PEOPLE FOR A QUORUM IS ACTUALLY SETTING THE RATE.

EVERYTHING ELSE REQUIRES [INAUDIBLE].

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IF WE GET TO THE POINT WE HAVE TO MAKE CUTS YOU ALL WILL GIVE US RECOMMENDATIONS AND WHERE YOU CAN GET THE THREE VOTES WHETHER IT IS CENTRALIZING SERVICES, WE CAN GO TO THE COMMISSIONERS' BUDGETS AND TAKE ROAD MONEY. BUT WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE VOTERS. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT GOING TO DEFAULT ON THE BONDS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO CANCEL PROJECTS. THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO REPROGRAM MONEY THAT IS SOMEWHERE ELSE.

OR WE CAN DELAY PARTS OF IT. >> THOSE ARE THE TOOLS.

THERE IS NO EASY SOLUTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM MY YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS A WISE THING TO DO. YOU COULDN'T MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS IN PRIORITIZING YOU DO IT ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GUESS THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE FOR ALLEN AND MR. BERRY, BUT IF WE COULD NOT SET THE RATE AND GOING BACK TO THE FLOOD BOND PROJECT , IS IT ACCURATE, ALLEN, THE M AND O FOR FLOOD CONTROL WOULD BE HURT BY APPROXIMATELY

10 MILLION? >> THE EXACT AMOUNT I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO DAVE, BUT THAT'S WHAT I'M AWARE OF.

IT WOULD HAVE TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE WHICH MEANS WE HAVE TO CUT SOMETHING. WHEN YOU CUT SOMETHING, A SERVICE HAS TO GET CUT AS WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OUT OF CURIOSITY, IN THE PRESUMED AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL STORM NICHOLAS IS YOUR OFFICE GETTING ANY CALLS FROM CITIZENS CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING SURE THE FLOOD WAYS AND YOUR SYSTEM IS WORKING

PROPERLY? >> COMMISSIONER, OF COURSE WE ARE GETTING CALLS FOR REQUESTS FOR DEBRIS CLEARANCE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE ASSESSING.

WE DON'T EXPECT THERE TO BE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES AT THIS POINT, BUT WE ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF OUR ASSESSMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM WHEN YOU HAVE TO SEND OUT FOLKS TO CLEAR OUT DEBRIS.

I KNOW I GET A TON OF IT IN MY DISTRICT AND I CALL YOU.

WHAT POCKET OF MONEY DO YOU FULL -- DO YOU PULL FROM?

>> THAT COMES FROM O AND M. IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WE ASK OMB TO SEE IF THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE AUXILIARY. ABSENT A DISASTER DECLARATION FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WHICH WE DON'T EXPECT WE WILL GET RIGHT NOW AT LEAST OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR EVENT, BUT WE GOTTA PULL IT FROM OTHER SERVICES TO GET THE CHANNELS OPEN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WILL THE INABILITY TO SET A RATE, IS THAT GOING TO IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO BUILD FUTURE FLOOD MITT -- MITIGATION PROJECT THAT'S COULD POLT -- COULD KEEP HOMES IN HARM'S WAY OR MAYBE PUT HOMES IN HARM'S

WAY? >> SPECIAL -- CERTAINLY.

THE FUNDING WE HAVE ALLOWS US TO KEEP THE BOND MOVING FORWARD AT THE PACE IT IS. ANY REDUCTION ON THAT WILL SLOW THAT DOWN. ANY ADDITIONAL FLOODS WILL BE TOWARD THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST AFTER THE BOND PROGRAM

IS IMPACTED AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

ALLEN. >> AND LET ME BRIEFLY ADD ON THAT. HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE THE TOP RATING. WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION AMONG BONDHOLDERS. WE REGULARLY ISSUE DEBT WITH UNDER 3% INTEREST RATE. I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT SOMEONE TO ISSUE BONDS AND THAT MEANS WE APPROVE THE TAX AND PAY THE DEBT SERVICE.

I THINK IF WE LOSE THAT REPUTATION THAT WOULD BE

PROBLEMATIC. >> AND I WANTED TO ADD TO DAVE'S POINT. WE WERE ADVISED BY OUR BOND COUNCIL AND I'M SURE THE COUNTY -- COUNTIES AT BAY WOULD HAVE AN OPINION THAT IT WOULD AFFECT OUR BOND RATINGS

[00:45:02]

ADVISED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THAT BOND RATE IS SOMETHING WE ALWAYS CHERISH AND RESPECT NO MATTER IF IT IS FOR THE COUNTY OR HCTRA.

THOSE ARE BOND RATING THAT'S ARE IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN AT THE BEST AND THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVELS.

DAVE, IF WE FAIL TO SET THE RATE AND HAVING COME FROM CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR WHITE WALKED INTO A $150 MILLION GAP.

HE BEGAN TO SELL SOME OF THE CITY ASSETS.

MUCH TO MY CHAGRIN HE TOOK A LEASE FROM THE -- FROM A NONPROFIT THAT WAS ALONG ALLEN PARKWAY.

I AM TRYING TO SEE WHICH WAS THE NONPROFIT.

I THINK IT WAS A NONPROFIT THAT SERVED THE COGNITIVELY CHALLENGED COMMUNITY AND SOLD IT TO THEM.

DO YOU FORESEE WE WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER SOME APPROACHES LIKE THAT? THAT'S A HORRIBLE WAY TO BUDGET BECAUSE YOU ARE BASICALLY SELLING ASSETS FOR A ONE-TIME REVENUE INFLEX AND THERE IS NO SUBSEQUENT REVENUE THEREAFTER. YOU HAVE TO KEEP SELLING OFF ASSETS IF YOU GO DOWN THAT TREND.

IS THAT A POSSIBILITY? >> IT'S A POSSIBILITY, BUT AS YOU MENTIONED IT IS A STOP GAP MEASURE.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD GET IN THE HABIT OF DOING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND MR. BERRY, WE HAVE ENJOYED A GOOD DEAL OF FLEXIBILITY IN PAST YEARS TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS AND A CONCERNING CRIME OVER THE PAST YEAR. EVEN IF THE PAST RECOMMENDED RATE, WE WILL HAVE CONSIDERABLE LESS FLEXIBILITY.

IF WE DEFAULT TO THE NO NEW RATE, WHAT WILL THAT DO TO OUR FLEXIBILITY THAT WE WILL HAVE?

>> IT WOULD GREATLY DO MINCH -- DIMINISH.

OUR UH -- ABILITY TO ADD ANYTHING MID-YEAR WOULD GO TO

NEGATIVE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK IT WAS AT THE LAST MEETING WHEN DIRECTOR ROBINSON WAS PROPOSING A PANDEMIC DIVISION, I PUSHED FOR THE FACT, AND I AM HEARING NOW THE MOVE VARIANT THAT THE PANDEMICS AREN'T GONNA BE A THING OF THE PAST.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF THINGS DONE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE COVID DOLLARS AND FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT ARE HELPING US DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC. IF WE CAN'T SET THE RATE, WHAT WILL THAT DO TO OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL -- THE LEVEL OF SERVICE WE NEED TO BE HANDING OUT PUBLIC HEALTH, FOR

EXAMPLE? >> IT WOULD CLEARLY NEGATIVELY IMPACT US. WE WOULD BE IN A WORLD OF REDUCING WHAT WE CAN DO RATHER THAN LOOKING AT SMART WAYS TO

REDUCE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AGAIN JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES, SLIDE 14 INDICATES WHAT THIS BODY HAS DONE THE LAST TWO YEARS. I WANT TO STAY ON THAT TRACK TO MOVE AND TO PROVIDE AN OVER ALL CUT TO THE TAX RATE.

I THINK IT IS THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO.

PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING. MY STAFF WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT. THEY ARE CLEARING ROADS AND CLEARING DITCHES AND MOVING TREES.

THAT IS THE GOVERNMENT WORKING ON BEHALF OF ITS CON -- CONSTITUENTS. AND THAT MONEY COMES FROM SOMEWHERE. GENERALLY SPEAKING WHEN PEOPLE SEE THEIR GOVERNMENT DOING THINGS THEY NEED THEM TO DO THEY WILL SUPPORT IT. JUDGE, I HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT ME TO

[00:50:01]

MAKE IT AT THIS POINT? >> LINA HIDALGO: SURE SO WE CAN HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. TEULT SH -- ACTUALLY I HAVE A SERIES OF MOTIONS. THE FIRST IS I MOVE TO PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING BELOW TAX RATES WITH AN OVER ALL REDUCTION THAT WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR CONSIDERATION AT A FUTURE HEARING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TAX CODE.

FIRST, FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE RATE OF 0.33500 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND 0.4 -- 0.04193 FOR DEBT SERVICE. FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF 0.37693.

SECOND, FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THE RATE OF 0.02599 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND .0 -- I'M SORRY. 0.00750 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF 0.03349. THIRDLY, FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, WHICH BY THE WAY DR. PORSA HAS AN IMMENSE CHALLENGE. HE IS LOSING STAFF.

IT HAS BEEN LONG NEGLECTED. ALTHOUGH I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE FULL MAX THAT HE WANTS AND NEEDS I THINK THE RESPONSIBLE THING RIGHT NOW IS FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION THE RATE OF 0.16497 AND 0.00174 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL RATE OF 0.16671. FOURTH, FOR THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, A DEBT SERVICE RATE OF 0.00872. AND LASTLY FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY ENTITIES A TOTAL TAX RATE OF 0.58585.

THAT WOULD BE MY FIRST MOTION, JUDGE.

I'VE GOT TWO OTHER MOTIONS IF YOU WILL INDOLT -- INDULGE ME. THE SECOND MOTION IS TO DIRECT BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND THE ENGINEER'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP A POTENTIAL CONTINGENCY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT ASSUMES SIGNIFICANT LOSS -- LOSS IN THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO BORROW. MY THIRD MOTION IS IN THE EVENT WE CANNOT SET A TAX RATE WE NEED ALL OF OUR OPTIONS ON THE TABLE. I MOVE TO DIRECT BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT AND REAL ESTATE DIVISION TO DEVELOP A LIST OF COUNTY PROPERTIES WITH A HIGH MARKET VALUE THAT DO NOT PRESENTLY SERVE IN FUNCTIONS RELATED TO JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THE FOCUS ON PROPERTIES IN AREAS OF CURRENT HIGH POPULATION GROWTH FOR PRESENTATION ON OCTOBER 12TH OR DETERMINATION OF WHICH PROPERTIES WILL BE PLACED ON THE MARKET FOR SALE. THOSE ARE MY THREE MOTIONS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU HAVE JUST STAFF AN

EMAIL SO WE CAN LOOK AT IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: AND JUST SO YOU KNOW WE WILL HAVE TO ADD MOTIONS ON THE DATES FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING. IN THEORY, WE WOULD NEED A MOTION FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2021 AT 1 P.M. FOR DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED RATES FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND PORT AUTHORITY AND A MEETING TO ADOPT THE RATES ON SEPTEMBER 28TH,

2021 AT 10 A.M. >> SO YOU WOULD ADD THAT

MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD COMMENTS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A INITIAL CLARIFYING QUESTION TO JAY.

ON THE MOTIONS PRESENTED TODAY, THOUGHTFUL MOTIONS BY MY COLLEAGUE AND BECAUSE YOU NOTICED ON 2021 TO DISCUSS AND

[00:55:12]

IS THAT TODAY? >> NO, IT IS RATES ON WHAT YOU WANT TO SUPPORT AND NORMALLY SUPPORT.

AS FAR AS THE OTHER MOTIONS -- AND TO BE CLEAR, WE CANNOT ADOPT IT TODAY. COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS 100% CORRECT ON THAT. THAT HAS TO BE DONE AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. TO THE POINTS DIRECTED TO THE BUDGET OFFICE AND ENGINEERING, THOSE ARE ITEM THAT'S CAN BE DIRECTED TO THEM. THERE IS NO ISSUE THERE.

IT IS NOT ASKING THEM TO DO ANYTHING TO PRESENT AT A

SUBSEQUENT MEETING. >> LINA HIDALGO: TO BE CLEAR, I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS OKAY THAT WE ARE NOT ADOPTING AND WE CANNOT ADOPT RATES TODAY, BUT WE ARE AND SHOULD PROPOSE THE RATES THAT WE KNOW ARE -- THOSE ARE GOING TO BE THE RATES THE PUBLIC HEARING -- SOMEONE BROUGHT UP THIS POINT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE WOULD PROPOSE THE RATE SO THAT WHEN FOLKS COME FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING THEY KNOW WHAT THE PROPOSAL IS AND THOSE ARE THE SAME RATES WE WOULD VOTE ON THE DAY OF THE ADOPTED RATE.

WHAT WE PROPOSE TODAY THAT WILL BE ON THE TABLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND MY UNDERSTANDING IN TIMES PAST WE WOULD HAVE OPTIONS THAT WE WOULD PROPOSE THREE DIFFERENT RATES. THIS COULD BE ONE RATE AND ANOTHER RATE THAT COULD BE ON THE TABLE WOULD BE THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. AND A THIRD RATE CAN BE SOMETHING ELSE THAT ANOTHER COLLEAGUE MAY PROPOSE.

THIS IS MY RECOLLECTION. IT IS WITH 90% CERTAINTY.

I WILL GIVE THE 10% WIGGLE ROOM THAT MY RECOLLECTION COULD BE WRONG. COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS HERE FOR SOME OF THOSE THINGS. BUT IT SEEMED LIKE WE IS -- WE HAD OPTION A, OPTION B, OPTION C, OPTION D.

AND THEN WE VOTED ON IT. BUT THE PUBLIC NOTICE HAD WERE -- NOTICES WITH THE FOUR OPTIONS COMING IN.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ON THAT PARTICULAR QUESTION, THE TAX CODE REQUIRES THE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING HAS TO CONTAIN THE PROPOSED TAX RATE, THE SPECIFIC PROPOSED TAX RATE AND NO NEW TAX RATE AND THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE.

IT HAS TO BE DONE IN DOLLARS AND NOT JUST THE TAX RATE PERCENTAGES. THESE ARE THE ONLY RATES PROPOSED FOR CONSIDERATION. AS IT RELATES TO OPTIONS A, B AND C, YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN PRODUCE MULTIPLE PROPOSED TAX RATES. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT. IN OTHER WORDS, IF WE ADDED COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S RATE WHICH IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS PROPOSED BY MR. BERRY, IT'S THE SAME AS WAS IN THE EXHIBIT PRESENTED TO US. AND IF THERE WAS ANOTHER PROPOSED COMPROMISED RATE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN HAMMERED OUT BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT, COULD BOTH OF THOSE ITEMS BE SUFFICIENT FOR NOTICE FOR DASH IMASH -- OR MUST WE AT SOME POINT SAY IT IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE THREE, THE NO NEW REVENUE, THE OTHER ONE STATUTE -- STATITORILY, OR SUGGESTED BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT. CAN WE HAVE FOUR OR MUST IT BE

THREE? >> WELL, WHAT WE MUST HAVE -- WE MUST HAVE THREE BY LAW, RIGHT? WHATEVER RATE YOU WANT TO PROPOSE, THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, THOSE THREE.

YOU ARE ASKING IF YOU WILL HAVE MULTIPLE OPTIONS FOR THE PROPOSED RATE. I WILL LOOK RIGHT NOW.

MY RECOLLECTION IS YOU CAN HAVE MULTIPLE PROPOSED RATES AND AT A MINIMUM YOU MUST HAVE THOSE OTHER THREE LISTED IN THE NOTICE. I THINK WHAT YOU ARE ASKING IS CAN YOU TAKE SEPARATE VOTES ON THE MULTIPLE PROPOSED RATES,

CORRECT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE DONE PREVIOUSLY.

COMMISSIONER RADACK AND I GOT INTO A DISAGREEMENT.

[01:00:02]

>> HERE IS WHERE IT BECOMES A GRAY AREA.

YOU CAN ONLY -- ONCE YOU PASS A RATE, ANY SUBSEQUENT RATES ARE SORT OF IMMATERIAL. IF YOU WANT A NOTICE FOR MULTIPLE ONES, THAT MAY BE POSSIBLE, BUT YOU DON'T TAKE -- I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT YOU DON'T ACTUALLY --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU MUST HAVE A VOTE ON IT IF THERE IS A NOTICE. THAT'S WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY HAD DONE. WE HAD FOUR -- OPTION A, B, C, D, FOUR PROPOSED RATES THAT WOULD COME TO COURT AND WE WOULD VOTE ON THE FOUR PROPOSED RATES WE NOTICED TO THE PUBLIC. IF WE NOTICED NO NEW REVENUE AND THE OTHER REQUIRED BY STATUTE OUT AND IF WE HAD A COUPLE OF PROPOSED RATES AND ONE OF THEM BEING --

>> I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT ONE THING.

ONCE YOU VOTE ON A RATE AND ADOPT THE RATE, ANY SUBSEQUENT VOTES TAKEN -- YOU WOULDN'T TAKE A SUBSEQUENT VOTE.

WHEN YOU VOTE ON A RATE YOU HAVE FOUR OPTIONS.

ONCE YOU PICK AN OPTION, YOU ARE NOT HAVING VOTES ON THE

OTHER THREE OPTIONS. >> CORRECT.

THAT WOULD BE AFTER THEY ARE ALL NOTICED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THIS POINT, TOM, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET IT CORRECT PROCEDURALLY.

I THINK WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS SAYING IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS MADE A PROPOSAL WHICH I WILL GLANCE

AT, AND I WILL PROBABLY SECOND. >> [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS DAVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT CAN BE DAVE. I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHERE HE IS HEADED, IF I RECALL WHEN THIS CAME UP SOME TIME AGO, IF WE ARE PUTTING CARDS ON THE TABLE, CLEARLY THERE HAVE TO BE FOUR, HOPEFULLY FIVE PEOPLE HERE.

IN THE SPIRIT OF FULL DISCLOSURE IF, WHAT I THINK YOU ARE ASKING -- CAN YOU COME IN AND CAN IT BE A SERIES OF PROPOSALS, AND IF YOU WANT TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN THIS, YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR ORGANS THAT FIRST -- FOR OR AGAINST THAT FIRST AND THEN VOTE ON THIS MATTER.

IF WE VOTE ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PROPOSAL WHICH I WILL SECOND, THEN YOU DON'T GET A CHANCE TO VOTE TO SHOW YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR SOMETHING ALTERNATIVE TO THAT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE FOUR PEOPLE HERE, HOPEFULLY FIVE.

WE ARE JUST TRYING TO PUT OUR CARDS ON THE TABLE.

I WILL PUT MY CARDS OUT. I SECOND THE MOTION.

MY PREFERENCE IS TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE MONEY, BUT I WILL COMPROMISE. I'LL TAKE THREE YEARS TAX CUT IN A ROW AND GO BEAT MY CHEST COLLECTIVELY ON IT, EVEN IF MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO ADDRESS MORE NEEDS OUT THERE.

I CAN LIVE WITH THIS COMPROMISE.

I WILL LIVE WITH IT AND I WILL SHOW UP.

WHAT I'M ASKING AT SOME POINT IS ARE WE GOING TO SHOW IT.

IF YOU'RE SAYING CAN YOU SHOW UP AND VOTE FOR SOMETHING ELSE , BY SHOWING UP IF WE VOTE ON THIS ONE DOES IT CONSTITUTE A QUORUM? DOES THAT GIVE YOU FOR ORGANS THE PROPOSAL COMING OUT OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE I AM BEING HELPFUL.

EVEN IF YOU WANT THE OPTION TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING ELSE WHO ARE AGAINST IT FIRST, I WILL CONCEDE YOU THAT POINT TO VOTE FOR ORGANS THIS. IT WILL TAKE THREE PASSES.

I HOPE I AM BEING HELPFUL. I'M TRYING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU PARTIAL HELPFUL AND THERE IS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN -- AND IN MY NEXT QUESTION WE WILL CLARIFY A LITTLE MORE. THERE MAY BE SOMETHING THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE TAXPAYER FRIENDLY THAN EVEN THE PROPOSAL THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT OUT BY MR. BERRY AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE THAT AND THAT MAY TAKE HOMER -- TAKE HAMMERING TO DO WHICH WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DO TODAY.

I CALL THEM THE BARNEY FIFE BULLETS.

WE GET AN ITEM TO DISCUSS WITH ANOTHER MEMBER OF COURT.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER, BARNEY FIFE WAS THE SIDEKICK. THE SHERIFF WOULD ONLY GIVE

[01:05:02]

AND THEN WE ARE DONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO MEET AGAIN TO LAY IT OUT SO WE DON'T RUN THAT RISK.

I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT -- I AM A PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD GUY. WHATEVER IT IS WE HAVE TO

START IT. >> AND WE MAY NEED TO DO A LITTLE MORE WORKING AND SORTING YAK

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND LET ME ADD ON THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT TO MAKE?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES AND I HAVE BEEN QUIET FOR A LONGTIME AND I WILL CONTINUE TO BE. ROLL ON.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. BERRY, SLIDE 14 ALSO SHOWS THAT THE OVERALL REVENUE THAT HAS COME IN, TWO YEARS AGO 505 BILLION AND THEN $519 BILLION WITH A B AND THAT IS THE OVERALL REVENUE THAT WAS PARCELED OUT AMONG ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES THAT WE HAVE. OF THAT, THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE REVENUES.

THE REVENUES CAME FAIRLY CLOSE TO THE BUDGET.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ONE CLARIFICATION ON THAT PAGE 14. THE $505 BILLION IS ACTUALLY THE TAXABLE VALUE. YOU WOULD MULTIPLY THAT BY THE RATE TO THE APPROXIMATE REVENUE.

THEY ARE THE MAIN DRIVER OF THE BUDGET.

IT IS ABOUT 75% OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IT IS -- AND IT IS SLIGHTLY LESS FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR BUDGET WE APPROVED FOR THE GENERAL FUND THAT WE APPROVED FOR FLOOD CONTROL.

IT IS THE ASSUMPTION OF THE TAX REVENUE OF BUDGET.

IT IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AND THERE ARE A FEW ADJUSTMENTS.

1.25 OR EIGHT MILLION FOR THE COUNTY -- [INAUDIBLE] 1 WEAN -- 117 MILLION FOR FLOOD CONTROL.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, ON PAGE 12 OR 13.

IF I UNDERSTAND IF WE GO WITH THE -- I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION WITH REGARD TO THE BUDGET. I AM STILL ON QUESTION SERIES ONE ABOUT THE BUDGET. SINCE OUR BUDGET WAS APPROVED AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF NON-BUDGETED ITEMS APPROVED SINCE THAT DAY. DO YOU HAVE OFFHAND HOW MUCH WE HAVE APPROVED THAT WERE NONBUDGETTED ITEMS?

>> I WILL LOOK UP THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT WE RESERVE 1% OF OUR BUDGET AND BUDGET ITEMS AND THINGS THAT COME UP DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. AND I KNOW WE HAVE NOT FULLY GONE THROUGH THAT. I WILL GET YOU THE EXACT NUMBER SHORTLY. WE HAVE NOT EXCEEDED IT.

WE HAVE NOT COMMITTED MORE COUNTY GENERAL FUNDS THAN WERE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET. WE USE THAT FOR THE UNBUDGETED

ITEMS. >> THAT WOULD BE 1% OF 1,628 MILLION WITH REGARD TO THE GENERAL FUND AND SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL -- GENERALLY SPEAKING

16 MILLION? >> A LITTLE HIGHER WITH THE GENERAL FUND REVENUE. SO ABOUT 20.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: 20 MILLION? OKAY.

WITH REGARD TO -- IF WE GO WITH THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE,

[01:10:04]

DOES THAT INCLUDE BOTH CATEGORIES, BOTH DEBT SERVICE AND THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION, THE $11 MILLION

IMPACT? >> IT IS 10.5 MILLION SO YOU

ARE BOTH RIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE -- SO IT IS 10.5.

AND DOES IT HAVE AN IMPACT? >> YES, IT DOES.

WE WOULD DIVERT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS REVENUE TO COVER THE DEBT SERVICE SO WE WEREN'T IN A POSITION OF

DEFAULTING THE DEBT SERVICE. >> AND IF WE WERE -- AND THAT'S 10.5 BELOW THE PROPOSED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S -- WHATEVER THE FORMAL TITLE IS -- THAT WOULD BE 10.5 BELOW THE PROPOSED RATE? OR IS THAT 10.5 BELOW -- WHAT

IS THAT? >> IT IS FOR THE BUDGET.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: 10.5 MILLION THAT'S ON THE BUBBLING -- ON

THE BUDGET. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

10.5MILLION VERSUS THE BUDGET.

AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR RECOMMENDATION TO YOU, NO NEW REVENUE RATE FOR FLOOD CONTROL WOULD BE MORE LIKE

$18 MILLION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 18 MILLION.

OKAY. THAT WAS THE DELTA I WAS

TRYING TO GET AT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SAY THAT AGAIN. THAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN WHAT? >> THE FLOOD CONTROL RATE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION AND THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

THAT DIFFERENCE IS APPROXIMATELY $18 MILLION FOR

FLOOD CONTROL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND TO GO TO A STATEMENT MADE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WOULD PREVENT US FROM PROVIDING THE 10.5 MILLION THAT WAS BUDGETED OUT OF SAY OUT OF THE OTHER

PROGRAMS WE HAVE? >> I THINK WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE FUNDING SOURCE. I WOULDN'T WANT TO --

>> IF WE IDENTIFY THE FUNTD -- THE FUNDING SOURCE AND BARRING OTHER ISSUES, UNRESTRICTED GENERAL FUNDS IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WOULD PREVENT US FROM REALLOCATING 10.5 MILLION FROM OTHER SOURCES OF THE GENERAL FUND TO FLOOD CONTROL? THERE IS NO IMPEDIMENT TO THAT BARRING A FEDERAL STRING, CORRECT?

>> IT WOULD BE A CHANGE IN PRACTICE OF WHAT WE ENDEAVORED FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO BE SELF-FUNDING.

COULD IT BE DONE IF WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT PRACTICE?

I WILL LET JAY RESPOND THERE. >> IT IS MOVING FROM A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BUDGET. IT IS FROM ONE ONE LINE ITEM TO ANOTHER. YOU CAN DO THAT, BUT IT IS CUTTING ANOTHER DEPARTMENT OR CUTTING BUDGETS FROM ANOTHER AREA TO MOVE OVER TO FLOOD CONTROL.

FLOOD CONTROL HAS BEEN SELF- SUFFICIENT AS A CONSEQUENCE.

THIS WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT CHANCE ON POLICY FOR THE COURT. IT IS SOMETHING YOU COULD DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER BEFORE YOU MOVE FROM THE BUDGET CAN WE HAVE DAVE MENTION WHAT THE -- IT WAS $10 MILLION LESS ON THE FLOOD CONTROL BUDGET.

WHAT IS THE EQUIVALENT FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THE GENERAL FUND, DAVE? DOLLARS LIKE COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY HAS IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU READ MY MIND. THAT WAS MY NEXT -- THAT WAS THE NEXT IN THE SERIES OF QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'LL LET IT GO.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE MOVING FLT BUDGET.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NOT COMPLETELY.

THE NUMBER YOU GAVE THAT WE WOULD BE UNDER BUDGET FOR GENERAL FUND WOULD BE ROUGHLY $20 MILLION.

>> CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY COLLEAGUE TO THE LEFT CORRECTED ME AND SAID 20.2.

SO IS 20.2 MORE ACCURATE THAN 20?

[01:15:02]

>> 20.2 IS MORE PRECISE THAN 20.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MORE PRECISE.

THAT'S THE BETTER TERM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET WOULD 20.2 OF THE BUDGET BE -- WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE OVERALL BUDGET AND WE HAVE ABOUT 20 MILLION WE ADDED SINCE THE BUDGET WAS APPROVED TO MARCH AND WAS LESS THAN ONE%. LESS THAN 1%.

SO THIS WOULD BE LESS THAN 1% OF THE BUDGET?

>> IT IS APPROXIMATELY 1%. >> 1% OF THE BUDGET? AND WITH REGARD TO THAT, IF WE HAD A REDUCTION OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET BY 1% OR LESS, WHEN THE DISCUSSION OF THE BONDS CAME UP RELATED TO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET, WE DON'T HAVE TO -- AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS POINTED OUT, MAYBE YOU WERE IN A DIRECTION POINTED MORE TOWARD ME, BUT AS A GENERAL IDEA OF OVERALL BUDGETING, WE DON'T HAVE TO ATTACK THE BONDS FIRST. WE CAN DO -- GO TO OTHER AREAS AND PROTECT THE BONDS. CORRECT?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT IS GENERALLY RIGHT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THAT WOULD APPLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FLOOD CONTROL AND THE 10.5. NOW THE 20.2 MILLION UNDER BUDGET IF WE GO WITH THE NO NEW REVENUE IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR OFFICE'S RECOMMENDATION AND WOULD YOUR RECOMMENDATION BE WITH REGARD TO THE GENERAL FUND? WOULD IT BE 20 UNDER BUDGET WITH NO NEW REVENUE? HOW MUCH UNDER BUDGET WOULD WE BE WITH YOUR PROPOSAL?

>> JUST OVER $2.6 MILLION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 2.6 MILLION.

THAT IS THE LITIGATION PROCESS. IT IS JUST AN ESTIMATE AT THIS

POINT. >> AND THEN WITH REGARD TO THE NEXT AREA I WANT TO ASK BASICALLY THE SAME QUESTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

AND THAT IS HOW MUCH UNDER BUDGET WILL THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BE IF WE GO WITH NEW NET REVENUE? 36.8 IS WHAT I HAVE HERE. I AM IRRITATING THE ENGINEER TO MY LEFT. LAWYERS ASK QUESTIONS THEY ALREADY HAVE THE ANSWERS TO IN FRONT OF THEM.

I AM ASKING THE QUESTION INSTEAD OF ASKING YOU TO CONFIRM. WITH THE PROPOSED RECEIVE.

>>> THAT -- WITH THE PROPOSED REVENUE IT WOULD BE POWER -- 4.6 MILLION ABOVE THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> RIGHT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DID THAT MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? HE GETS IRRITATED WITH ME ASKING THE OPEN-ENDED QUESTION WITHOUT HAVING AN ANSWER IN IT. IN ESSENCE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WITH THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE ABOVE LAST YEAR'S BUDGET OR ABOVE FUNDING FOR THE DISTRICT LAST YEAR.

MY LAST COMMENT -- >> ONE QUICK CLARIFICATION.

THIS IS ACTUALLY THIS YEAR'S PROJECT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MY LAST SERIES IS GOING TO BE ON PERSPECTIVE AND THAT IS WE -- WHEN WE DO BUDGET HEARINGS AND WHEN WE DO THE TAX RATE HEARINGS WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL AS THE TAX SPENDERS THAT WE MAKE SURE WE DON'T KEEP JUST THE TAX SPEND ERMINED SET, BUT THAT WE -- TAX SPENDER MIND-SET, BUT WE KEEP THE MIND-SET OF THE TAX PAYER. THE TAX TAXPAYERS RIGHT NOW ARE GOING THROUGH A ROUGH SEASON IN THEIR LIVES COMING

[01:20:01]

AITD

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE ON THAT ITEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO I AM NOT SAYING.

I DO BELIEVE THE TAXPAYERS, ESPECIALLY IN PRECINCT 4, WOULD BE FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF US PROVIDING FLOOD CONTROL WITH THE MAXIMUM THAT IS ALLOWABLE UNDER THE LAW.

I THINK THEY EXPECT US TO MAKE SOME OF THE SAME HARD DECISIONS AND BUSINESS DECISIONS THAT THEY ARE MAKING IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND IN THEIR OWN FAMILY BUDGETS AND IN THEIR OWN BUSINESS BUDGETS ALONG THE WAY.

I WILL SAY I THINK THERE IS ROOM FOR A POTENTIAL AGREEMENT TO OCCUR, BUT I WILL NOT BE SECONDING OR VOTING AT THIS TIME FOR THE BUDGET DIRECTOR'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE MR. BERRY, WITH ALL RESPECT, THE PROPOSAL AT

THIS TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I APPRECIATE THE INPUT UP TO THIS POINT. I THINK WE'VE BEEN CHALLENGED I THINK THEY USED THE WORD COMPROMISED.

I COME TO EVERY MEETING WITH THAT HOPE.

VERY RARELY HAVE I SEEN IT IN ACTION.

USUALLY WHEN IT IS TIME TO VOTE IT IS 3-2 AND MOVE ON.

SO SOME COMMENTS I HAVE AS FAR AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD OF EXPENSES, I WANT TO START WITH A SUMMARY OF WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER WASTEFUL SPENDING.

WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO A LINE ITEM VETO OF THE BUDGET.

THAT'S PART OF THE CONVERSATION WE WILL HAVE GOING FORWARD ON THE BUDGET. WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT WE SPENT ON WHETHER IT IS SUING TEXDOT AND WHETHER IT IS PFM AND THEIR REPORTS, BOSTON CON -- CONSULTING GROUP AND I-45 AND ECONOMIC EQUITY. DO WE NEED IT? THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON. WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT COULD BE DONE, AND IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THE NO NEW REVENUE ON THE GENERAL HARRIS COUNTY RATE, THAT WOULD BE AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS GONE THROUGH MUCH EFFORT TO DESCRIBE.

IT IS 22.2 MILLION. AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, WERE WE TO UH LOPT A NO NEW -- WERE WE TO ADOPT A NO NEW REVENUE THERE, THAT IS 36.8 MILLION.

WERE WE TO ADOPT THE RATE RECOMMENDED WHICH I THINK IS THE MAX ON FLOOD CONTROL, THAT'S A $7 MILLION TO THE PLUS. YOU NET ALL THAT UP, 20.2 AND 36.8 AND 7 PLUS AND THEN YOU WILL END UP WITH ROUGHLY 50 MILLION. WE ARE DEALING WITH 50 MILLION. WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED HERE IN TERMS OF THINGS THAT WERE BROUGHT HERE THAT I DIDN'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH AND I AM CALLING WASTEFUL SPENDING.

[01:25:08]

WE ARE HAVING A BUDGET CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF WASTEFUL SPENDING AND NOT BECAUSE OF THE TAX RATE.

WHEN WE ADOPT A TAX RATE IT SHOULD BE IN THE CONTEXT OF CERTAINLY WHAT WE DO. MANY TIMES WHEN I SAY OR THROUGH MANY MEETINGS THERE IS A NEW IDEA PROPOSED.

IF IT COMES FROM CERTAIN FOLKS, THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

AND THERE IS ALWAYS THE CONVERSATION, WELL, MR. BERRY, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO COVER IT? THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS, NO PROBLEM.

WELL NO I -- WELL, NOW WE MIGHT GET TO TALK ABOUT, THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM. THE FRAMING OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE SOMEHOW GOT OURSELVES HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN VERY FRUGAL AND I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD NECESSARILY CALL US THAT. I LOOKED AT THE PIC FUND.

THE PIC FUND LAST YEAR, AS I UNDERSTAND, UNALLOCATED FUNDS WAS 272 MILLION DOLLARS. TODAY IT IS $51 MILLION.

MY GLORY. WE ARE SPENDING MONEY LIKE WE HAD IT. I'M GLAD EVERYBODY IS NOW ON THE A CONCERN FOR, WELL WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. WE NEED TO COMPROMISE.

I'M WILLING TO WORK WITH ANYBODY, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT MORE THAN ONCE A YEAR. IT'S GOT TO BE DONE IN A SENSE OF BUDGET THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND NOT JUST ON BUDGET TIME.

I THINK I HAVE BEEN PRETTY TRANSPARENT IN TERMS NO NEW REVENUE ON THE COUNTY SIDE AND NO NEW REVENUE ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THE RECOMMENDED RATE THAT MR. BERRY PUT ON FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND THAT IS A $50 MILLION IMPACT. I WILL TELL YOU -- HERE IS A THOUGHT. WE WILL TRY TO BRING GOOD IDEAS TO THE TABLE WHETHER OR NOT ANYONE CHOOSES TO DO THOSE. IF WE WERE TO SIMPLY REPLACE LOST REVENUE, SOME OF THE ARC MONEY AND WE ASK FOR THE ARC MONEY AND REPLACING FEES AND OTHER THINGS, THAT'S A BIG NUMBER. I SUSPECT THAT IS EVEN $50 MILLION. IT SEEMS LIKE WE USED THE ARC MONEY TO GO TO TWO DIFFERENT PROGRAMS RATHER THAN WHY DON'T WE JUST PAY OUR CURRENT BILL? WHETHER IT IS FEES OR OTHER THINGS CAN WE USE -- OF COURSE WE CAN.

BUT IF WE SPEND OUR MONEY ON STARTING PROGRAMS WITHOUT ANY SENSE OF BUDGET, THEN I THINK THAT'S A PROBLEM.

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A MOTION WAS MADE AND A MOTION WAS SAVED BEFORE HEARING FROM EVERYBODY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS PRETTY WELL ALREADY DECIDED WHAT WE WERE GONNA GO FOR. I HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLEAR ON MY END. HERE IS THE OTHER THING.

I COME OUT OF A MUNICIPAL WORLD WORKING WITH 50 CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

MOST PEOPLE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON A SPECIFIC WEIGHT.

TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON DOOR NUMBER 1, DOOR NUMBER 2, DOOR NUMBER 3, DOOR NUMBER 4 MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.

UNLESS THERE IS CERTAINTY COMING OUT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING, THAT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.

GOTTA HAVE CERTAINTY. THANK YOU -- AT THE PUBLIC HEARING WE WILL ADOPT A RATE AND WE KNOW WHAT THE RATE IS.

WE HAVE THE OFFICIAL VOTE ON THE 28TH.

THERE NEEDS TO BE WALKING INTO THE ROOM ON THE 28TH CERTAINTY OF WHAT EXACTLY WE ARE GONNA BE VOTING ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME JUMP IN HERE WITH A COUPLE OF NOTES. ONE QUESTION IS THE LONG-TERM IMPLICATIONS, DAVE, OF THIS. I WILL SAY, COMMISSIONER, MY

[01:30:06]

THAT'S WHERE I WAS COMING FROM AS WHILE LOOKING AT THIS IS THIS IS NOT CERTAINLY THE IDEAL FOR ME, BUT MY SENSE WAS HE MUST HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE VARIOUS MEMBERS OF COURT AND DRUMMED THIS UP BASED ON THAT.

THAT'S WHERE I WAS COMING FROM AND FIGURED THIS IS WHAT WE WERE GOING TO LOOK AT. DAVE, IF WE GO TO NO NEW REVENUE FOR TWO OR ALL THREE ENTITIES, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE $50 MILLION HERE OR $43 MILLION.

IS THERE MORE TO THE STORY IN TERMS OF THE IMPLICATIONS? THE REASON I THINK THERE IS MORE IS WE ARE SETTING A BASELINE. IT IS NOT JUST THIS ONE-TIME THING. CAN YOU SPELL THAT OUT?

>> YES. THE WAY SENATE BILL 2 WORKS IS THE LEGISLATURE HAS CONSTRAINED THE RATE COMMISSIONERS' COURT CAN SET. TYPICALLY BETWEEN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND BETWEEN THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE.

THOSE ARE CALCULATED BASED ON LAST YEAR'S RATE WITH SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT PUSHED THE RATE DOWN QUITE A BIT WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT. I DO HAVE THE CONCERN OF GOING TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE SETS A LOWER BASELINE FOR EVERY FUTURE YEAR. AS I ELUDED TO IN THE PRESENTATION WE ARE ENTERING AN INFLATIONARY ENVIRONMENT.

HOW MUCH, TIME WILL TELL. WE HAVE RISING HEALTH COSTS AND WE HAVE RISING PENSION COSTS.

CERTAINLY THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IS A VITAL WAY TO LOOK AT THIS AS WHAT IS ON THE TABLE AS HIGH AS WE CAN WE ARE SETTING OURSELVES ON A PATH THAT WILL BE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE TALKED ABOUT THE TAXPAYERS AND GIVING

THEM SOME RELIEF. >> IF I LOOK AT THIS CHART IT LOOKS LIKE TAXPAYERS DIDN'T HAVE RELIEF IN 2008 AND 2009 AND 2010 AND 2011 AND 12 AND THEY ARE TEEN AND THROUGH 2019. WHAT AM I MISSING? THE FINANCIAL CRISIS WAS IN 2008 AND 209 WHICH HAD REPRY CUSSINGS -- REPERCUSSIONS GREATER THAN WHAT WE ARE FACING TODAY AND THE RESCUE PACKAGE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER BOTH ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE BEEN LARGER THAN WHAT CAME DOWN THEN.

AM I MISSING SOMETHING? WAS THERE RELIEF PROVIDED BY THE COURT IN THE PAST THAT IS NOT SHOWN IN THIS TABLE?

>> I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO YOU SAY DECREASING THE REVENUE -- DECREASING THE TAX RATE FOR A THIRD YEAR IN A ROW WHICH IS ONLY THE THIRD TIME IN 12 YEARS, IF THAS WASTEFUL -- IF THAT'S WASTEFUL SPENDING WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN 2008 AND 2018 WHEN THE TAX RATE WAS HIGHER? I THINK IT IS EASY -- EVERYBODY WINS WHEN YOU REDUCE TAXES.

IT IS THE BEST WAY TO GO. EVERYBODY LOVES IT.

WE GET CLAPPING AND THE PUBLIC GETS A DECREASED TAX BURDEN.

IT IS THE EASIEST CHOICE TO MAKE.

SINCE THE LAW WAS PASSED, WE CAN'T PUT OURSELVES IN THE SITUATION THE CITY OF HOUSTON WAS IN.

BY THE WAY, IT STARTED WITH A DESIRE TO SAY LOOK AT ME.

OVER TIME AS THE POPULATION GROWS AND NEEDS GROWTH WHEN YOU CUT THE BASELINE X WE ARE GOING TO BE LEADING TO LESS REVENUE PER CAPITA AND ALREADY WE ARE SHORT ON SERVICES.

IF WE WERE ON EVERY SERVICE TOP OF THE LINE I WOULD UNDERSTAND. WE ARE WHOAFULLY INADEQUATE ON POLLUTION CONTROL AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND SO MANY ISSUES.

[01:35:02]

DISASTER. I LEARNED WITH ITC WE DIDN'T HAVE MONITORING CAPABILITIES. I LEARNED IT WITH THE WATER PARK. THERE WERE INSPECTIONS THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE THAT WEREN'T TAKING PLACE.

ALL OF THAT TAKES REVENUE. THEY ARE PROPOSALS THEY HAVE TO BRING BACK SO THEY CAN DEAL WITH THEM.

I WOULD LOVE TO REDUCE TAXES EVEN MORE THAN WE ARE PROPOSING. BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THIS PROPOSAL IS ALREADY A REDUCTION BEYOND WHAT WAS DONE BEFORE 2018. I THINK FROM WHAT I HEAR FROM DAVE, WHAT YOU TRY TO BALANCE IS HOW MUCH CAN WE LOWER THE TAXES IN AN UNPRECEDENTED WAY AT THE SAME TIME BEING RESPONSIBLE? I AM AFRAID ANYTHING LOWER THAN THIS IS SIMPLY IRRESPONSIBLE BY VIRTUE OF THE LONG-TERM TRAJECTORY THAT OUR REVENUE WILL TAKE.

I'M AFRAID 10 YEARS FROM NOW SOMEBODY IN THIS CHAIR WILL SAY THAT'S WHERE IT ALL STARTED.

LIKE WE LOOK AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND LOOK AT WHEN THEIR PROBLEMS STARTED. TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT, THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE NEED -- THE BUYING OF -- THE BUY IN OF FOUR MEMBERS OF COURT.

I VERY MUCH AM NOT DOING THIS FOR ANY IDEOLOGICAL OR POLITICAL REASON. THERE IS NO WINNING TO KEEPING THINGS SLIGHTLY HIGHER. I JUST THINK THIS IS A THOUGHTFUL, RESPONSIBLE PROPOSAL.

I JUST THINK WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE EVERYONE WINS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT TO THE STATE OF THE PIC FUND, IS THAT MONEY GONE OR IS THAT

GOING TO BE REIMBURSED? >> OVERALL IT WILL BE REIMBURSED. WITH SOME DISCOUNT ON REIMBURSMENTS WE WOULD REPLENISH IT TO THE ORIGINAL VALUE. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO USE THE CONTINGENCY FUND BECAUSE IT WAS REIMBURSED AND AVOID USING STIMULUS FUNDS WHICH IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

GET PAID TO USE MONEY THAT WILL REIMBURSE PEOPLE.

>> YEAH. I THINK THE LONG DISCUSSION HAS BEEN HOW THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN USING IT TO FLOOD GAPS AND DISPERSING IT IN A HELPFUL MANNER.

WE ARE DOING THE OPPOSITE OF THAT.

WE ARE PUTTING OUR RESCUE DOLLARS TO WORK AND USING OUR CONTINGENCY FUND AS WE SHOULD.

IT IS A RAINY DAY AND WE ARE USING OUR RAINY DAY FUND.

IN TERMS OF THE ARC FUNDS AND MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR JAY, ONE IS IS IT APRIL -- IS IT APPLICABLE IF WE INTENTIONALLY REDUCE THE TAX RATE? OR MAYBE WE ADOPT A NO NEW REVENUE RATE.

IS THAT APPLICABLE TO THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT TYPICALLY DOES NOT USE SALES TAX?

>> THE RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF GENERAL FUNDING WOULD ONLY BE IF YOU HAVE A REDUCTION IN REVENUE.

THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS BEEN USING MONEY FOR BASIC SERVICES BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN A REDUCTION IN THEIR RATE. THAT'S NOT BEEN THE CASE FOR US. THE DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING USED ARE EXACTLY AS THE STATUTE OUT SAYS.

FROM THE COUNTY'S PURPOSE THERE IS A SPECIFIC SERIES OF PROGRAMS THAT THE COUNTY HAS TO HELP RESIDENTS RECOVER FROM THE VERY -- VARIOUS DISASTERS THEY HAVE.

THE CITY HAS DONE SOME OF THAT, BUT THEY USE THEIR DOLLARS AS STOP GAPS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THEIR REVENUE LOSSES. WE COULD USE THEM UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I WILL LET DAVE RESPOND.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MY QUESTION WAS -- HEY JA Y, MY QUESTION WAS

[01:40:04]

IT IS NOT FUTURE FEES. IT IS FEES WE ALREADY LOST.

FEES THAT WERE SHUTDOWN AND COOPERATE COLLECT -- COULDN'T COLLECT PERMITS. THERE IS JUST A LARGE NUMBER OF FEES THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE -- OR WE HAVE BEEN -- YOU

SAY THAT IS NOT COVERED ARC? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME CLAIM MY TIME. THE OTHER QUESTION IS THAT MR. BERRY IF YOU CAN PUT UP SLIDE 14 AGAIN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'LL GO BACK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY? PAGE 14.

I LIVED IN HARRIS COUNTY ALL MY LIFE.

I VENTURE TO SAY THAT WE TAKE HITS ON A REGULAR BASIS WHETHER IT IS THE HEAT OR WHETHER IT IS RAIN OR WHETHER IT IS A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM OR WHETHER IT IS A DOWN ECONOMY. IN 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST HORRIFIC FINANCIAL PHENOMENA WE FACED. AND YET THIS COURT AT THAT TIME CHOSE NOT TO LOWER THE TAX RATE.

THEY JUST KEPT IT AS IT WAS AND DIDN'T CHANGE IT.

THAT WAS THE YEAR WE LAID OFF DEPUTIES AND REALLY BACK THEN IS WHEN THE COMMISSIONERS OF THIS COURT DEFUNDED POLICE.

BUT THEY DID NOT CHANGE THE TAX RATE.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH THE INTENTION OF THAT.

THAT'S WHERE I'M AT WITH BEING RESPONSIBLE AND TRYING TO KEEP AS YOU SAY, JUDGE, AN APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR A GROWING METROPOLIS LIKE HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE BOOMING AND WE WANT TO DO MORE.

PRECINCT TWO HAS THE WORST ROAD CONDITIONS IN ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY. I NEED THE REVENUE TO FIX THOSE ROADS. OTHERWISE BUSINESSES WON'T COME AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WON'T COME AND BUSINESSES WILL LEAVE. FREIGHT WILL GET STUCK.

THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO PUT THE MONEY TO WORK IN THE

RIGHT WAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I HAVE NOT SECONDED YOUR MOTION YET, BUT I WILL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS WHAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CAME UP WITH.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I MADE CALLS AND HE BRIEFED ME. I THOUGHT IT WAS THOUGHTFUL.

I PREFER TO KEEP THE RATES WHERE THEY ARE.

I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO THUMP MY CHEST ON WHAT WOULD BE A THIRD IN A ROW TAX CUT. I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND -- IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CARL PARKER.

HE SAID ANY IDIOT CAN PASS A TAX CUT.

I FIGURE I'M THE IDIOT AND I PASSED IT.

AT THE TIME IT WAS ABOUT THE SECOND AND GOVERNOR BUSH WAS THERE AND IT STARTED WITH A SALES TAX HOLIDAY.

HE LOADED THEM ALL IN MY BILL.

THAT'S HOW THEY ENDED UP PASSING.

I WILL TAKE THE HEAT. IF SOME PEOPLE WILL THROW ME OUT OF OFFICE TO FUND FLOOD CONTROL AND MAKE OUR PORT MORE COMPETITIVE. EVEN IF WE COULDN'T GET THE FEDERAL SUPPORT TO DO IT, I AM FOR DEEPENING AND WIDENING.

I'LL TAKE THE HEAT ON THE JN FUND.

ON THE GENERAL FUND. I'LL TAKE THE HEAT FOR HARRIS HEALTH. IF WE GOT MONEY FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS WIND FALL. NOT AT THIS COURT.

[01:45:02]

EVERYBODY HAS BRIGHT IDEAS AND THEY COME TO THE IDEA AND THEY PUSH IT. IT IS A MAJOR ACQUISITION ADDED TO THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 4.

I DIDN'T LIKE IT. I HELD IT UP AS LONG AS I COULD. WHEN I SAW IT HAD THE VOTES I LET IT GO. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE REG -- THE VEGETATION PROJECT. BRIGHT IDEA.

THAT WAS NOT VETTED FROM A PROCESS.

IT WAS AN IDEA YOU HAD AND WE WENT ALONG WITH IT.

THE IDEA OF COMPROMISE. I WAS THREATENED TO KILL THE 3.25 BILLION DOLLAR BOND PACKAGE.

WE DID THE DISPARITY STUDY. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE NUMBERS WOULD SHOW, BUT THEY WERE PRETTY EMBARRASSING IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY SHOWED. THE EQUITY GUIDELINES THAT WE FOUGHT OFF IN THE PAST, THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS CHANGED FEDERAL MONEY. THAT MEANS THE WEALTHY PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY, EVEN THE ONES I REPRESENT, WERE FUNDED. WE HAVE TO MAKE UP FROM THE DISPARITIES THAT WE HAVE HISTORICALLY LET EXIST.

I DO WANT TO ASK LEGAL, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU MADE SOME REFERENCE TO SOME LEGAL IMPEDIMENT, IF YOU SAY IT WHERE YOU ARE AND THINKING THE JUDGE KN -- CAN HAUL YOU IN.

JAY, ANYBODY CAN BE HAULED IN HERE? I WOULD HAVE CAME TODAY. I WOULD HAVE COME IN VIRTUALLY. I DON'T WANT TO SIT HERE WITH A MASK O BUT ANY LEGAL IMPEDIMENT OR POWER THE JUDGE HAS TO MAKE SOMEBODY COME IN HERE.

IF THEY SAY WHERE THEY ARE IF THEY SHOW THEIR CARDS?

>> I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY, COMMISSIONER, BUT I CAN --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T KNOW. I AM JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, CAM -- CACTUS, ONE MAY NOT LIKE IT, BUT I AM PRETTY CLEAR CUT. YOU KNEW IF THEY CUT THE 2.5 MILLION TO A BILLION I WOULD KILL IT.

I KNEW ON A COST BENEFIT RATIO IT WOULD DO NOTHING.

[INAUDIBLE] YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THE 10.

YOU REMEMBER THAT? YOU MADE THE MOTION.

I LOOK BACK AND I WISH I HAD MADE THE MOTION FOR YOU.

AT SOME POINT WE JUST NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE.

IF WE CAN'T GET THERE, THAT'S OKAY.

WE'LL MAKE IT CLEAR ON THE BOARD WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

THEY WILL HAVE A PROGRAM FOR MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES, I WILL TRY TO KILL IT AND PUT IT INTO LAW.

THAT'S GONNA BE THE LARGEST PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS AND PEOPLE CAN WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

IF NOT, I WILL DO AS MUCH AS I CAN TO STIR IT UP.

IT MAY NOT WIN, BUT I WILL DO IT AND THEY WILL THINK I AM GREAT. IT IS CLEAR FOR WHAT HAS TO BE HERE WHEN THE PROPOSAL FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE HAS VOTED ON IT. IF WE DON'T GET IT, WE WILL MAKE CUTS. WHATEVER THE THREE VOTES ARE FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN COLLECT, WE'LL DO IT.

IT IS EASY TO THUMP ONE'S CHEST.

JUDGE, ON YOUR COMMENTS, YEAH IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO GIVE TAXPAYERS RELIEF. AND THEN WE HAVE TO COME BACK AND CAN'T FUND THE STUFF THEY WANT.

THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE ELUDING TO.

EVERYBODY IS HAPPY. THEY WILL JUST SAY TAKE IT FROM SOMEBODY ELSE'S BUCKET, BUT DON'T TAKE IT FROM MINE.

NOBODY EVER SAID WE HAVE TO SIT IN THESE SEATS FOREVER.

IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT. IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT AND PROBABLY HAVE MORE TIME. A SOME POINT YOU MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS. I HAD TO VOTE FROM TIME TO TIME ON ISSUE THAT'S MAKE PEOPLE ANGRY AND MAYBE TAKE ME OUT AND THAT'S ALL RIGHT. IT WOULDN'T BE THE END OF THE WORLD. I BELIEVE MY CARDS ARE ON THE TABLE. IS THERE ANYWAY, JAY, SHORT OF US LAYING IT OUT HOW MUCH TALKING CAN WE DO? I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO RUN UH FOUL OF OPEN MEETINGS.

BUT IT IS BETTER TO LAY IT OUT --

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO MAKE A PROPOSAL.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS A NOTE, BUT THE POINT IS THERE HAS TO BE A PROPOSAL TODAY. JAY WILL LET US KNOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE MULTIPLE PROPOSALS, BUT WE NEED TO MOVE

OUT OF TODAY WITH A PROPOSAL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT. IF THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE YOU WANT YOU HAVE TO SAY IT SO IT IS POSTED.

I AM JUST SUGGESTING IF WHAT YOU WANT IS TO GET YOUR POUND

[01:50:03]

MAYBE I JUST COME FROM A DIFFERENT SCHOOL, BUT IN THE LEGISLATURE I TELL PEOPLE I WILL VOTE AGAINST YOUR DEAL AND THEN YOU CAN VOTE TO PASS IT.

OR I SAY PUT IT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR TO SHOW I WILL VOTE FOR. IT THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I TALKED REAL SLOW SO I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE CLEAR I CAN BE. I HAVE SAID WHAT I THOUGHT MADE SENSE. IT IS NOT ABOUT THUMPING SOMEONE'S CHEST ON TAX CUTS. THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WASTEFUL SPENDING. TO USE YOUR PHRASE, MR. ELLIS, YOU SAID ANY IDIOT CAN VOTE FOR A TAX CUT.

I THINK ANY IDIOT CAN VOTE FOR WASTEFUL SPENDING.

THERE IS A LOT OF IT GOING ON.

RIGHT NOW THERE IS VERY LITTLE CONCERN ABOUT THE BUDGETARY LATED TO ITEMS, NEW IDEAS, CREATIVE THINKING AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS THAT ARE BROUGHT HERE.

I AM JUST TRYING TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR ON WHERE I AM AT.

I THINK I HAVE BEEN, HAVEN'T I? IT IS NO NEW VEF -- REVENUE OTD HARRIS COUNTY RATE.

NO NEW REVENUE ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

THE RECOMMENDED RATE, THE DAVE BERRY RECOMMENDED RATE ON FLOOD CONTROL. THAT IS 20 MILLION, 36 MILLION , 7 -- IT IS A NET 50 MILLION SAVING THAT'S I'M SAYING IF WE WOULD JUST DO A BETTER JOB ON WASTEFUL SPENDING, WILL MORE THAN MAKE UP FOR IT. THAT WAS MY COMMENT.

AND ON THE FEES, JUST TO CLARIFY, FIRE MARSHAL INSPECTORS AND TOLL ROADS AND CLERK REVENUES AND PARKING FEES, ALL OF THAT IS DOWN. I SUSPECT, JAY, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT SOME IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING THROUGH THE FEDS.

ANYWAY, THAT'S JUST A THOUGHT.

>> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO RESPOND.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, TO YOUR QUESTION RELATED TO WHETHER ARC COULD BE USED, WE DID CONTACT LEAH BARTON WHO HAS THE ISSUES RELATED TO IT. WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO IS THE ARPA REVENUE PROVISION ISSUE AND IT APPLIES TO GENERAL REVENUE FROM OWN SOURCES.

IT DOESN'T APPLY TO LOSSES BETWEEN THE KEY INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES. THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO SHOW A NET LOSS OF REVENUE. AS DIVE POINTED OUT -- AS DAVE POINTED OUT THE REVENUES ARE STABLE BECAUSE OF OUR TAX AND STRUCTURE. THAT'S A CONTRAST TO THE WAY THE CITY OF HOUSTON OPERATES. THE SHORTER ANSWER IS IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE CAN, BUT I WILL DEFER IT TO DAVE'S TEAM AND SEE IF THEY -- JUST TO BE CLEAR, I KNOW EVERYONE IS WORKING HARD ON TRYING TO TURNOVER EVERY STONE ON OUR

REIMBURSMENTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANKS FOR

CHECKING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I NEED A BREAK IN A MINUTE, BUT I WILL THROW MY QUESTIONS OUT SO FOLKS CAN LOOK THEM UP WHEN WE COME BACK.

QUESTION NUMBER ONE IS TO JAY. UNDER ITEM 21, IT SAYS REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION TO PROPOSE TAX RATES HARRIS COUNTY PORT OF HOUSTON, WITH RATES TO BE ADOPTED AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING. ARE WE ALLOWED TO SAY THIS IS OUR PROPOSED SECTION? LOOK THAT UP DURING THE BREAK. NUMBER TWO, WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM WE COULD INCREASE FLOOD CONTROL TO? THAT GOES TO DAVE. AND JUDGE QUN BASED ON THOSE TWO ANSWERS I WILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

I AM DISTRACTED BECAUSE I NEED A BREAK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT THE ONE FOR THE BREAK?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 12:20 P.M.

IT IS 12:

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 12:25 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO MAKE A PROPOSAL, PERHAPS A COUPLE.

ONE QUESTION, JAY, CAN WE MAKE MORE THAN ONE PROPOSAL BESIDES THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE AND BESIDES THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE? IF SO, SOUNDS LIKE FOLKS NEED

TO MAKE SOME -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I

[01:55:02]

YOU SET YOUR PRIORITIES AND THEN YOU FUND YOUR PRIORITIES. IF YOU WANT TO ADD MORE PRIORITIES, YOU ADJUST OTHER ONES OR YOU FIND EFFICIENCIES. EFFECTIVELY YOU DEAL WITH YOUR REVENUE. YOU LOOK AT YOUR REVENUE PRINCIPAL BAGRAM TER FOR -- PRINCIPAL BARAMOTER.

IF WE SET THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IT WILL CHANGE THE BAGRAM -- THE BARAMETER. IT WILL CHANGE WHAT THE REVENUE IS. WE ARE HEARING FROM MR. BERRY THAT THERE WILL BE REAL IMPACTS TO DEBT SERVICE AND REAL IMPACT TO MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS.

THERE WILL BE REAL IMPACTS TO GROWING GOVERNMENT.

I HAVE CONSTABLE GARCIA TALKING ABOUT HOW HE NEEDS MORE DEPUTIES. THE SHERIFF NEEDS MORE DETENTION OFFICERS AND NEEDS MORE DEPUTIES.

THERE IS A COST TO DEALING WITH SELF-IMPOSED CUTS.

AND THIS GOES -- MR. BERRY, IF YOU CAN TURN YOUR MIC ON.

WHILE WE ARE GLEETING -- GETTING MR. BERRY SET, I WANT TO SPEAK TO A COMMENT THAT'S BEEN MADE ABOUT WASTEFUL SPENDING. WE CAN DEBATE A LOT OF THESE THINGS. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS A NEW STRUCTURE. THAT WOULD HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

BUT OVER THE LAST ALMOST THREE YEARS NOW WE HAVE FUNDED LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $103 MILLION.

TODAY I CAN'T -- TODAY I CONTINUE TO MONITOR MY STAFF IN TERMS OF HOW MANY HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN MY PRECINCT.

THANKFULLY TO THIS POINT -- I THINK 1 MILLION 200,000 LINEAR FEET I COMMITTED TO AT THE BEGINNING OF MY ADMINISTRATION WHICH HAS COST ME APPROXIMATELY 40 SOME ODD OR ALMOST 50 MILLION AND THAT IS NOT WASTEFUL SPENDING.

WE HAVE GIVEN THE D.A. MORE RESOURCES.

NOT EVERYTHING SHE HAS ASKED FOR, BUT WE HAVE GIVEN HER MORE RESOURCES TO THE TUNE OF $13 MILLION.

PUBLIC HEALTH. I WALKED INTO THE OFFICE RECOGNIZING THAT PEOPLE IN PRECINCT 2 HAVE A MUCH HIGHER MORTALITY RATE THAN ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY.

I REMEMBER WHEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS -- WASN'T TRYING TO BE OFFENSIVE, BUT MADE OFFENSE TO ME SAYING MOVE OVER TO PRECINCT 4. YOU'LL LIVELONGER.

THAT'S NOT AN OPTION FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

PUBLIC HEALTH IS AN IMPORTANT DEPARTMENT.

I AM PROUD I WAS ABLE TO PUT 15 MILLION MORE THROUGH MOTIONS DURING THE BUDGET PROS -- PROCESS.

AND WE ALL WORK ON PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO STAFF

[02:00:03]

THAT'S NOT WASTEFUL SPENDING. WE PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE COURTS TO TRY TO BREAK THE LOG JAM, THE BACKLOG.

THAT'S NOT WASTEFUL SPENDING. WE HAVE GIVEN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT A SLIGHT BUMP. NOT EVERYTHING THEY ARE LOOKING FOR, BUT THEY NEED IT.

PUBLIC HOSPITALS ARE IN DISREPAIR.

ANY MONEY WE PUT INTO THE SYSTEM IS NOT WASTEFUL SPENDING. HIRING EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT THE BURE ROCK -- THROUGHOUT THE BUREAUCRACY TO DO THE WORK PEOPLE ARE DOING OUT ON THE STREETS RIGHT NOW IS NOT WASTEFUL SPENDING. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT OVER OUR THREE YEARS, MY THREE YEARS OF BEING HERE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS TALKING ABOUT, I HAD TO COMPROMISE A LOT OF THINGS.

I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET EVERYTHING I WANTED.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU SAID SOMETHING TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE THINGS I DON'T LIKE IN THIS.

I AM NOT GETTING EVERYTHING I WANT.

I CAN VOTE FOR WHAT IS IN THIS BUDGET.

YOU VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE OF THE BUDGET.

I DON'T THINK YOU ARE VOTING FOR WASTEFUL SPENDING.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WHEN YOU THROW OUT TERMS LIKE THAT, AND IF YOU WANT TO POINT TO A NEW SYSTEM THAT WE PUT IN PLACE, LOOK TO -- PRIOR TO US GETTING HERE PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEIR COMMISSIONER WAS AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT DEPARTMENT TO GO TO WHEN THEY HAD PROBLEMS. WE HAVE A LOT OF GROUND TO MAKE UP TO MAKE GOVERNMENT WORK BETTER FOR THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS NOT WASTEFUL SPENDING.

IT IS GONNA MAKE THIS BUREAUCRACY -- I WILL NEVER FOR -- FORGET A PRIDEFUL REPORTER, AND MENTIONED HIS NAME IN HIS ARTICLE HE WROTE. HE TOOK EXCEPTION TO IT.

WHEN HE AND I MET, HIS ANGER AT ME FOR HIRING THAT INDIVIDUAL HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MORE THAN BECAUSE HIS NAME WAS IN THE CHRONICLE AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO SEE HIS NAME IN THE CHRONICLE. THEY LIKE TO BE UNSEEN, HEARD BY FEW AND MOST NOT KNOWING HOW TO MAKE IT WORK AND HOW TO IMPACT IT AND ENGAGE IT. IT WILL MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT AND MAKE IT BETTER FOR THE CITIZENS.

THAT'S WHY I VOTED FOR THE CONSOLIDATION.

IT IS A CONSOLIDATION OF GOVERNMENT.

PEOPLE TEND TO SUPPORT IT AND WORK FOR IT BECAUSE IT MAKES GOVERNMENT WORK FOR IT. I WILL ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE COMMENT OF WASTEFUL SPENDING. IF WE DON'T GET THE REVENUE TO HELP OUR GOVERNMENT STAY AFLOAT AND NOT MAXIMIZE WHAT COULD BE IN OUR REACH, AT LEAST KEEP US AT A PLACE OF OPERATION AND ALLOW US TO GIVE THE CITIZENS SOME RELIEF.

[02:05:01]

MR. BERRY, ARE YOU BACK ONLINE YET? THERE YOU ARE. YOU ARE ONLINE.

MR. BERRY, AGAIN, I WANT TO HEAR WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE? ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO COVER SIGNIFICANT PARTS OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF THE COUNTY. WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF A NO NEW REVENUE RATE AS IT RELATES TO FLOOD BOND PROJECTS AND FLOOD CONTROL AND ANY OTHER BOND PROJECTS THAT ARE MOVING.

WHAT DO WE EXPECT THE IMPACT THEM TO BE.

>> THANK YOU. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BOND RATING AND RAISING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ISSUED DEBT APPROVED BY THE VOTERS TO FUND -- ULTIMATELY TO FUND $2.5 BILLION IN PROJECTS.

IF WE GO TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WE ARE NOT RAISING THE TAXES TO PAY FOR THAT DEBT SERVICE.

THAT'S BAD FOR THE CREDIT RATING AND BAD FOR THE CONFIDENCE BONDHOLDERS HAVE IN US AND I AM CONCERNED IT WOULD IMPACT THE ABILITY TO BORROW GOING FURTHER.

THIS YEAR THE WAY WE AVOID DEFAULTING ON THAT DEBT IS DIVERTING $10 MILLION OF RECEIVE -- OF REVENUE IN OUR BUDGET THAT IS PAYING STAFF TO WORK ON THE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND GOING TO THE MAINTENANCE OF WHAT WE HAVE WHICH I THINK AS WE HAD NUMEROUS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IS UNDER MAINTAINED.

SO IT IS BOTH AN EFFECT ON OUR ABILITY TO RAISE DEBT AND OUR ABILITY TO DO PROJECTS AND MAINTAIN THEM.

WITH RESPECT TO INFRASTRUCTURE MORE BROADLY, THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S EXISTING SERVICE. WE DISCUSSED WE HAVE A $20 MILLION SHORT FALL. WE WOULD HAVE TO IDENTIFY CUTS.

I THINK INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD HAVE TO BE ON THE TABLE.

AS IMPORTANTLY GOING FORWARD IF HARRIS COUNTY JUST GOES TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE WE CAN, NOT BECAUSE IT MEANS ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT. IT DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE KEEPING EVERYTHING CONSTANT. IT IS A CONVOLUTED NUMBER THAT DOES NOT SUPPORT US ISSUING NEW BONDS.

IT DOES NOT SUPPORT US ISSUE -- ISSUING NEW ROAD BONDS. IT DOES NOT PAY THE DEBT SERVICE ON THESE BONDS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE 20 MILLION AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT GOING TO THAT NUMBER BECAUSE WE CAN IS NOT GOING TO SUPPORT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

PLANS GOING FORWARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER BERRY, THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT IS A MAJOR, MAJOR PART OF OUR CITIZENS' CONCERNS IN THIS COUNTY.

WILL THESE CUTS HAVE AN IMPACT OR A LIKELY IMPACT ON THE BOND RATING WHETHER IT BE FLOOD CONTROL AND ANY OTHER AREAS THAT WE HAVE AS A COUNTY AND AS A WHOLE.

IT IS THE LIKELY IMPACT OF A NEGATIVE IMPACT TO OUR BOND

[02:10:02]

WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD -- WHAT IS THE LIKELY IMPACT OF BEING -- OF A DOWN GRADED BOND RATE?

>> FIRST OF ALL IT IS NEGATIVE FOR THE CREDIT RATING.

WHETHER IT IS ONE INCIDENT THAT WILL PUT US INTO A DOWN GRADE OR NOT I CAN'T SAY ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IT WILL BE A REAL CONCERN. A LOWER CREDIT RATING MEANS A HIGHER COST TO BORROW. SO WITH THE TAME -- SAME TAX DOLLARS WE CAN DO LESS INFRASTRUCTURE.

A BIGGER CONCERN IN MY MIND THOUGH IS A BOND IS A PROMISE TO PAY PEOPLE BACK. THAT'S BACKED BY THE WILLINGNESS OF THIS BODY TO PASS THE TAXES TO PAY THE DEBT BACK. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT A MESSAGE THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON WE CAN'T DO THAT WILL ACTUALLY LIMIT US FROM DOING THE BOND ISSUANCES WE NEED TO DO -- THE VERY ISSUES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TOO HAD IS A DISCLOSURE IN THE CREDIT RATING AND BOND DOCUMENTS.

I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT WORSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO ARE WE ABLE TO PROPOSE -- WE MUST MAKE A PROPOSAL TODAY.

JAY, ARE WE ABLE TO MAKE MORE THAN ONE PROPOSAL?

>> YEAH. TO THE TWO POINTS.

THE QUICK ANSWER ON THE PROPOSING MULTIPLE PROPOSED RATES IS YES YOU CAN. WE CAN FULLY NOTICE MORE THAN ONE PROPOSED RATE. TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT, IF YOU DID MORE THAN TWO IT MIGHT BE -- I THINK IT MIGHT CONFUSE THE PUBLIC, BUT TWO IS NOT A PROBLEM.

IN TERMS OF WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE RAISED IS WHAT SORT OF ACTION CAN BE TAKEN TODAY. WE UNDERSTAND AND THAT THE COURT WILL BE DISCUSSING AN ITEM AND CONSIDERING AN ITEM.

YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY PROPOSING A RATE.

IT IS NOT A SPECIFIC RATE FOR THE PUBLIC.

BUT THE VOTE ALLOWS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE BUDGET OFFICE AND IT ALLOWS OUR OFFICE TO PROPERLY NOTICE THE PUBLIC. IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE SOME GUIDANCE AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. YOU CAN TAKE VOTES TODAY TO GIVE US? GIVE US SOME INDICATION AS TO WHAT YOUR DIRECTIONS ARE. AND YOU CAN SUGGEST MORE THAN ONE PROPOSED RATE. IT GIVES THE PUBLIC ADEQUATE NOTICE AS TO WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE AND WE CAN MOVE ON

ACCORDINGLY. >> JUDGE, CAN I ADD SOMETHING? I MAY BE SAYING THE SAME THING. THE PURPOSE OF THE VOTE IS TO PROPOSE THE RATES ON THE MENU FOR THE VOTE TO ADOPT WHICH IS NOW SCHEDULED FOR THE 28TH.

IT CAN'T BE UNLIMITED OPTIONS.

COULD IT BE ONE? JAY IS ADVISING IT COULD BE TWO. WE NEED DIRECTION TO PROVIDE THOSE NOTICES AND HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO GET THEM ON THE MENU SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY VOTE FOR THEM.

THE SECOND POINT QUICKLY, DOES IT HAVE TO BE DONE TODAY? THE ANSWER IS NO. IF MORE TIME IS BENEFICIAL TO THE COURT, OUR HARD DEADLINE TO ADOPT THE RATE IS OCTOBER 15TH. CERTAINLY MY HOPE IN BRINGING A PROPOSAL FORWARD IS THAT IT WAS A BALANCED PROPOSAL THAT COULD GATHER THE SUPPORT NOT ONLY TO PASS, BUT ULTIMATELY BE ADOPTED. IF THERE IS REASON TO DO MORE WORK ON THAT PROPOSAL, WE DON'T HAVE TO MOVE TOWARD TODAY. WE DOUGH HAVE TO ADOPT A RATE AND IT TAKES A COUPLE WEEKS TO START THE PROCESS TO DO IT.

>> JUST ON THIS POINT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURE IF COMMISSIONER KAY -- IF COMMISSIONER CAGLE OR ANYONE ELSE AT THIS TABLE NEEDS MORE TIME AND WE ARE TRYING TO STAY ON THE SCHEDULE, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT I COME BACK ON FRIDAY AND I DO GET IT -- WHAT WAS THE SAYING ANDY FROM

[02:15:05]

WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY FOUR OF US HAVE TO BE IN A ROOM FOR ANY ONE OF THOSE FOUR OPTIONS TO BE WHAT WE END UP UTILIZING. IF FOUR OF US ARE NOT IN THE ROOM ON THE VOTE AND ON A PARTICULAR OPTION THAT HAS THREE VOTES, THEN UNDER STATE LAW WE AUTOMATICALLY GO TO THE LOWEST NUMBER? IS THAT CORRECT?

AM I CLEAR ON THAT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IN TERMS OF PUTTING CARDS ON THE STABLE -- ON THE TABLE, IF SOMEBODY NEEDS MORE TIME I DON'T MIND COMING BACK OR GIVE NOTICE SO PEOPLE CAN BE HERE.

TH WEEK I WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY.

BUT WHETHER IT IS SATURDAY, SUNDAY, FRIDAY, WHATEVER THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS ARE. I WOULD AIR ON THE SIDE OF TRYING TO EXPLAIN IT IF THERE WAS A GARCIA PROPOSAL WHICH IS BUDGET -- WHICH IS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PROPOSAL.

IF THERE WAS CAGLE PROPOSAL. IF THERE WAS A RAMSEY PROPOSAL. AND I WILL TELL YOU I WILL BE IN THE ROOM TO VOTE FOR ORGANS EVERY ONE -- FOR OR AGAINST EVERYONE -- EVERY ONE OF THEM.

I WILL BE IN THE ROOM. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD QUESTIONS AND I FORGOT.

GO AHEAD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT IS THE MAX THAT WE CAN PROVIDE FOR FLOOD CONTROL?

>> IT'S THE SAME RATE THAT WAS IN COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S

MOTION AND IN THE PROPOSAL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES THE NUMBERS CAN CHANGE IF YOU REDUCE IN ONE AREA AND THAT'S

WHAT IS IN THE PROPOSAL. >> IT IS SET ENTITY BY ENTITY. YOU CAN'T MOVE IT FROM ONE

ENTITY TO ANOTHER. >> OKAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK I DO NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME.

I AM FULLY COMFORTABLE WITH THE PROPOSED RATE ON FLOOD CONTROL. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN NO NEW REVENUE FOR THE GENERAL FUND.

HOWEVER, THERE MAY BE ROOM FOR SOME COMPROMISE WITH REGARD TO THE DEBT COMPONENTS OF THE GENERAL FUND IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. WE NEED TO RUN THAT A LITTLE MORE AND EXPLORE THAT. THAT PROTECTS THE BOND RAILT -- BOND RATING. I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF ANY NEW INCREASES IN THOSE AREAS. I WILL JUST PUT THAT OUT THERE. I AM NOT SAYING I AM READY TO DO THAT, BUT THE COUNTY DEBT SERVICES IS A .01493.

THE FULL SUPPORT OF EVERYTHING WITH FLOOD CONTROL AND THE HOSPITAL DEBT SERVICES IT IS THE .00174.

THE PORT IS A SELF-LIMITING THING BECAUSE WE ARE BACKING THE NOTE FOR THE PORT WHICH I TOO AM IN FAVOR OF WIDENING AND SUPPORTING THEM AS THEY MOVE FORWARD FOR THE PROJECTS AS MENTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS EARLIER.

THE PORT OF HOUSTON WAS NEVER THE BEST GEOLOGICAL PLACE FOR A PORT TO BE, BUT IT WAS THE BEST ECONOMIC PLACE.

THAT'S WHY WE WERE COMPETITIVE AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE. THAT WAS AN ASIDE THAT WAS TOSSED OUT THERE EARLIER. TO THAT EXTENT I THINK I WOULD LIKE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHICH ONE OF YOU GUYS I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND MY SILVER BULLET WITH, MY BARNEY FIFE BULLET WITH, BUT I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT WITH

SOMEBODY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH.

I THINK I HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLEAR AT THIS POINT WHERE I AM AT. I'LL REPEAT IT.

ONE, I AM FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL, THE RATE MR. BERRY RECOMMENDED WHICH COVERS OUR DEBT.

FLOOD CONTROL RATE IS .03449. I THINK THAT'S BEEN REFERENCED AND I'M GOOD THERE. THAT'S GOOD.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN I INTERRUPT WITH A QUICK QUESTION? A QUICK QUESTION.

MY APOLOGIES. JAY, SINCE IT SEEMS WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT ON THE FLOOD CONTROL, IS THERE A WAY THAT

[02:20:01]

>> SURE. YOU COULD, BUT IT REQUIRES MULTIPLE MEETINGS. NORMALLY IT IS DONE AT ONE BECAUSE OF THE EASE OF HAVING -- MINIMIZING THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS. BUT AS YOU POINTED OUT IT WOULD REQUIRE TWO MORE, A PUBLIC HEARING AND AN ACTUAL

VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WOULD IT MAKES SENSE IF -- PERHAPS, DAVE, YOU COULD WORK WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND BRING THIS BACK.

WHATEVER IT IS -- I DON'T KNOW IF THAT CAN BE DONE TODAY.

MAYBE WE NEED TO REPOST IT LATER IN THE WEEK OR LATER IN ANOTHER COURT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS SOMETHING DEFINED WHERE THERE IS CERTAINTY ON WHAT WE ARE DOING. I THINK IT PROVIDES CLARITY TOO TO THE PUBLIC WHO MAY BE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE'RE GOING AND WHAT WE'RE HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING ON.

IF WE'RE HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING ON TWO RATES, FOUR RATES, I DON'T THINK THAT MAKES ANY SENSE.

THE OTHER THING THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IS SHOWING UP ON THE 28TH WITH MULTIPLE GUESSES IN TERMS OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN. I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE PUBLIC HEARING RATE WILL BE ON THE 21ST, A WEEK FROM TODAY. WHAT IS IT WE ARE HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING ON. YOU CAN HAVE ANY NUMBER YOU WANT, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE CERTAINTY.

CERTAINLY THERE NEEDS TO BE CERTAINTY FROM ME.

IF WE ARE HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING ON A RATE, THEN I WANT IT ON A RATE. WHEN WE SHOW UP ON THE 28TH, THEN WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON.

I AM NOT INTO MULTIPLE OPTIONS AND US MAKING FIVE PROPOSE SALSES HERE TODAY. PROPOSALS HERE TODAY.

WHEN WE WALK OUT WITH EACH TAX RATE WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON AND ULTIMATELY VOTE ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS CLEAR IS WE NEED CONCRETE PROPOSALS. THERE IS ONE PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE THAT WE CAN VOTE ON. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTS TO DRAW UP.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU DON'T WANT MORE THAN ONE PROPOSAL SO YOU -- SO WHEN WE VOTE ON SIMPLY PROMOTES -- PROPOSING I ASSUME YOU WILL VOTE NO TO PROPOSING MULTIPLE --

>> TOM RAMSEY: SO THERE ARE THREE PROPOSALS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE ARE TWO CONCRETE PROPOSALS AND ONE BEING HATCHED. IF COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU ARE ABLE TO FINISH COOKING YOUR PROPOSAL TODAY WE CAN VOTE ON THEM AT THE END OF THE DAY AND SEE WHAT COMES OUT.

IT NOT, AT THE END OF THE DAY WE CAN DECIDE WHETHER WE HAVE THIS MEETING AGAIN AND PUT THIS ITEM AGAIN AT THE NEXT COURT OR WE WORK WITH OUR SCHEDULES AND WE POST ANOTHER MEETING TO DISCUSS THE TAX RATE.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS A BIG ISSUE.

DO I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION. COMMISSIONER CAGLE BROUGHT UP IN HIS PROPOSAL HE IS COOKING SEPARATING THE DEBT FROM THE REST FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THE GENERAL FUND.

CAN THAT BE DONE? THE DEBT SERVICE?

>> I AM NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND THE PROPOSAL WELL ENOUGH TO COMMENT. I WOULD BE KEEN TO EXPLORE.

I WILL SAY IF COMMISSIONERS' COURT DOES NOT PROMOTE RATES TODAY AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS PUTTING SPECIFIC RATES ON THE MENU IN THE HEARING, WE WILL HAVE TO PUSH THE SCHEDULE BACK DUE TO REQUIREMENTS. WE HAVE TIME.

WE HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER 15TH. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND WE HAVE A LONG AGENDA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS NOT A PROPOSAL YET.

I AM JUST NOTICING THAT WHEN WE READ IT INTO THE RECORD AS PROPOSED ON HERE, YOU DO HAVE THE DEBT SERVICE ALREADY MARKED OFF. THAT'S WHERE I WAS PICKING AROUND THOSE NUMBERS WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE M

AND O PORTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHAT I AM TRYING TO GET TO AND THE REASON I WAS SUGGESTING THE OPTIONS IS THERE IS AN OPTION

[02:25:05]

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND I WILL SECOND IT.

I HAVEN'T YET, BUT I WILL SECOND IT.

IF FOUR MEMBERS DON'T SHOW UP, THERE WILL BE NO VOTE ON IT.

WHEN I SAY PUT CARDS ON THE TABLE, WHAT I'M SAYING IS I WILL SHOW UP TO VOTE FOR ORGANS ANY PROPOSAL -- FOR OR AGAINST ANY PROPOSALS THERE. THE LAW IS CONFUSING, BUT IT IS THE LAW. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN YOU HAD COMMISSIONER SILVIA GARCIA, COMMISSIONER FRAN -- FRANKY LEE AND THREE R'S. THE CORK HAS BEEN THERE A LONGTIME. IF THOSE TWO DIDN'T SHOW UP -- IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DNR THAT JUST DIDN'T SHOW UP YOU WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ADOPT A RATE.

THERE WERE TIMES I WAS ON THE WINNING SIDE OR THE LOSING SIDE. THAT'S WHAT I MEAN.

WHEN I WAS SAY THING -- SAYING PUT CARDS ON THE TABLE WILL YOU BE HERE TO VOTE? YOU HAVE TO HAVE OPTIONS.

IF WE DON'T AGREE TO VOTE FOR THAT WE GO TO THE LOWER SCENARIO. I WAS JUST TRYING TO FACILITATE A WAY FOR US TO GET ON THE ROPE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND I WAS TRYING TO BE CLEAR ON WHERE I

WAS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WHY DON'T WE COME BACK TO THIS AT THE END OF THE DAY TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A PROPOSAL, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, AND IF NOT WE WILL FIGURE OUT IF WE CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT COURT OR WE WILL JUST BREAK WITH A PROMISE THAT WE WILL MAKE OUR SCHEDULE WORK FOR LATER IN THE WEEK. LTS -- LET'S KEEP GOING THROUGH THE RESOLUTIONS. THERE IS NO ACTION FOR NOW ON THIS ITEM. I HAVE THREE RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER. I THINK IT MAY BE FOUR SINCE COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S OFFICER WAS NOT ABLE TO JOIN US.

THE FIRST ONE IS ITEM 363 ON PAGE 69.

IT IS A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE RESET TELL MEANT OF AFGHAN

REFUGEES IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT AND TAKE OVER BY THE TALIBAN.

THEY ARE FLEEING THEIR HOMELAND AND SEEKING A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. WHEREAS 2001 THEY HAVE WORKED ALONGSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND ALLIED FORCES PROVIDING CRITICAL GUIDANCE TO INTELLIGENCE IN THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN. WHEREAS THEY ESTIMATE FUR00 AFGHANS -- 400 AFGHANS HAVE FLED THEIR HOME.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS A PROUD HISTORY OF RESET LIG MORE REFUGEES THAN ANY OTHER AREA IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHEREAS THEY MAKE THE COMMUNITY AND THE ECONOMY STRONGER BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT PROUDLY SUPPORTS THE RESET TELL MEANT OF AFGHAN REFUGEES AND NOTIFIES THE GOVERNMENT THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS HAPPY TO WELCOME AFGHAN REFUGEES.

THE HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT ASKS RESIDENTS TO WELCOME THE AFGHAN ALLIES TO THEIR NEW HOME. THAT'S THE END OF THE RESOLUTION. THIS REMINDS ME OF AN EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE JUST BEFORE COVID AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE LIMITATIONS ON REFUGEES AND THERE WERE JUST SO MANY PEOPLE FROM ALL POLITICAL PER -- PERSUASIONS TALKING ABOUT THE RICH FRO DECISION IN THIS COMMUNITY TO WELL KOLL -- TO WELCOME REFUGEES AND TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT AGAIN, IT IS A TRAGIC THING WE HAVE TO BE IN THIS POSITION BUT AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

I RECEIVED QUESTIONS FROM GROUPS AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO TAKE A POSITION ON THIS.

I THINK THERE ARE FOLKS ON THE LINE TO SPEAK.

IS THAT RIGHT, TIFFANY OR LUCINDA?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. WE MUST HAVE LOST THAT

[02:30:05]

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM SARA PATEL AND I AM PART OF A TEAM THAT WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME AND AM WORKING WITH THE NEW AFGHAN REFUGEES ARRIVING IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW AMAZING HARRIS COUNTY IS WITH THE DIVERSITY AND THE MULTI-CULTURALLISM IT HAS. THE WAY THEY HAVE ALWAYS WELCOMED NEW IMMIGRANTS REGARDLESS OF CULTURE AND RELIGION. WITH HARRIS COUNTY BEING THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTY IN TEXAS AND MAYBE IN THE U.S., IT IS URGENT TO WORK WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO QUICKLY ASSIST THEM TO BLEND INTO OUR SOCIETY.

WE ARE PROVIDING ESSENTIALS LIKE KITCHEN AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AND HYGIENE ITEMS AND NECESSITIES TO BE FOUND AND ALLOWING THEM TO GET SUFFICIENCY QUICKLY.

WE WORKED WITH SEVERAL GROUPS OF REFUGEES IN THE PAST 12 YEARS. AND WE REALIZE THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO SETTLE THEM IN QUICKLY AND IMPERATIVE TO DO THAT RIGHT AWAY. HARRIS COUNTY IS THE BEST PLACE FOR THESE REFUGEES BECAUSE WE HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ALLOWS THE COURT DIVERSITY AND MULTI-CULTURALLISM WITH THOSE THINGS WE HAVE AVAILABLE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY OF HARRIS COUNTY AND UP LIFT AND MAKE OUR COUNTY SHINE.

I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND JOIN US IN WELCOMING THE NEW AFGHAN FAMILIES TO OUR WONDERFUL HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, JUDGE. I HEARD THERE IS A SPEAK NEITHER THE COURTROOM WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM,

LARISSA LATEL. >> SHE IS ACTUALLY HERE TO SPEAK ON 316, 347, 359 AND 363 TOGETHER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HOW DO WE KEEP TRACK OF TIME FOR THAT? WELL WE WILL DO THAT AND THEN -- WE ARE PROPOSING RULES TODAY SO WE CAN FIGURE IT OUT GOING FORWARD.

GO AHEAD. >> WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

>> MY NAME IS MARISSA AND I AM HERE AS A CONSTITUENT.

WE ARE IN A PANDEMIC, BUT WELCOMING ALLFUL -- ALL OF THESE AFGHANISTAN CIVILIANS AND USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS AS WASTEFUL SPENDING. I MEAN, IT IS ASTONISHING TO ME WE ARE MASKING OUR CHILDREN AND WELCOMING ALL OF THESE NEW AFGHANISTAN REFUGEES WITH NO CIVILIAN BACKGROUND CHECKS.

ADRIAN GARCIA, WE KNOW ABOUT THE WASTEFUL SPENDING, BUT THE WASTEFUL SPENDING IS NOT DONE TOWARD OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. IT IS THINGS LIKE THIS THAT IS WASTEFUL SPENDING. RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC LIKE YOU KEEP SAYING.

EVEN THOUGH THE WASTEFUL SPENDING IS THE VACCINE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS. THE 8.6 MILLION YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE TO PEOPLE TO INCENTIVIZE THEM TO TAKE A SUPPOSEDLY LIFE-SAVING VACCINE? IT IS $100 PER PERSON? THAT'S OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE A VACCINE, THEN WHY WOULD YOU HAVE TO BRIBE THEM TO TAKE IT? THE 4.7 MILLION THAT YOU ARE PLANNING ON USING OVER -- OF OUR TAX PAYING DOLLARS, THAT'S WASTEFUL SPENDING.

WHAT THE WASTEFUL SPENDING IS THE 60 MILLION THAT WENT TO GARNERREN SCRIERN MEN -- GARNER ENVIRONMENTAL TO PUT UP A MEDICAL TENT THAT DIDN'T EVEN TAKE ANY PATIENTS.

THAT'S WASTEFUL SPENDING. THE WASTEFUL SPENDING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE ONES YOU KEEP ON COMING UP WITH, THESE NEW BUDGETS AND NEW THINGS THAT WE DON'T NEED.

IT IS REALLY CONCERNING TO ME THAT YOU DON'T SEEM TO LOOK OUTSIDE AND SEE ALL OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT ARE IN OUR STREETS RIGHT NOW. THE INNING -- THE INFLUX WE ARE ABOUT TO BE TAKING IN WITH THESE AFGHANISTAN REFUGEES, YOU DON'T THINK CRIME IS GONNA RISE? YOU DON'T THINK CERTAIN THINGS WILL HAPPEN? I AM ALL FOR LEGAL IMMIGRATION , BUT RIGHT NOW WHAT IS

[02:35:01]

IT IS REALLY CONCERNING THAT YOU DON'T SEE IT.

YOU WALK INTO THIS COURTROOM OR THIS BUILDING EVERY DAY.

DO YOU NOT SEE -- ARE YOU NOT AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS? DO YOU NOT SEE THE HOMELESS PEOPLE OUT IN THE STREETS? I JUST WENT TO GET SOME COFFEE DURING THE BREAK, AND I COUNTED AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE THAT WERE HOMELESS IN A BLOCK'S RADIUS. AND NOW YOU WANT TO WELCOME IN MORE PEOPLE WITH NO CIVILIAN BACKGROUND CHECKS.

NOTHING ALONG THE LINES OF THAT.

IT IS CONCERNING TO ME THAT YOU GUYS DO NOT SEE WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO OUR COUNTRY AND OUR COUNTY AND I MEAN THE LIST GOES ON. IT IS REALLY, REALLY SCARY.

AND TO BRING UP OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR HOUSTON

HOSPITAL -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> CAN I FINISH? >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY.

WE NEED TO STOP YOU AT TIME. >> IT IS SHAMEFUL WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND I REALLY WISH YOU WOULD JUST OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I ALMOST WONDER SINCE YOU ARE HERE IN PERSON IF YOU WANT TO JUST SPEAK ON THE OTHER ITEMS AS WELL SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE --

>> IT CAN WAIT BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ALL THREE MINUTES FOR EACH ITEM BECAUSE IT IS REALLY CONCERNING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU CAN HAVE THAT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIT HERE YOU ARE WELCOME TO.

OKAY. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS

? >> YES, MA'AM.

NUMBER 24 ON THE LIST, SHARIQ GANNEY.

>> JUDGE HUH GAL -- JUDGE HUH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR WORKING TO KEEP OUR COUNTY SAFE. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE FOUNDATION WHERE OUR MISSION IS TO LIFT THE VOICES OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR CHANGE FOR CITY ENGAGEMENT.

I COMMEND THE COURT FOR TAKING ON THIS RESOLUTION AND SUPPORT FOR AFGHAN ALLIES WHO BRAVE DEATH AND DESPAIR TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION OVERSEAS. NOT ONLY DO THEY PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY, BUT THEIR FAMILIES IN HARM'S WAY AS WELL. THE MANY REASONS THEY SUPPORTED OUR ARMED FORCES, ONE IS THEY BELIEVE IN AMERICA, OUR CITY ON A HILL. THEY BELIEVE IN OUR VALUE, THE FREEDOM OF DEMOCRACY AND THE FREEDOM OF WORSHIP AND ASSEMBLY. THEY SEE AMERICA AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE WHAT YOU AND I WANT TO ACHIEVE, A STABLE HOUSEHOLD, A GOOD EDUCATION, A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS AND FOOD ON THEIR TABLE.

A GOOD LIFE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS. AS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY I AM PROUD TO SAY HARRIS COUNTY HAS STOOD UP THROUGH VARIOUS AGENCIES SUCH AS INNER FAITH MINISTRIES OF GREATER HOUSTON, THE MULTI FAITH NEIGHBOR NETWORK AND SYNAGOGUES, MOSQUES AND CHURCHES.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF ALLIES TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT AND LOYALTY TO THOSE WHO SAVED THE LIVES OF OUR SOLDIERS AND AIDED IN OUR MISSION IN A SUB STAN SHIV WAY.

THE WORLD MUST KNOW WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN AND WE WILL NOT ABANDON OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON THE FIELD.

THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MORAL FABRIC OF OUR NATION AND SECURE THE SAFETY OF OUR SOLDIERS IN THE FUTURE.

MAY GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND BLESS OUR COUNTRY AND CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR NATION. THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 28 CAMILLE KAHN OF INNER FAITH MINISTRIES.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HIDALGO AND RESPECTIVE COMMISSIONERS.

I THANK YOU FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS PLATFORM.

I AM THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR AT INTER FAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON.

INTER FAITH MINISTRIES IS HOUSTON'S OLDEST INTER FAITH ORGANIZATION AND WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS TO ASSIST THE NEWLY ARRIVED AFGHAN REFUGEES IN THE CITY.

THESE ARE OUR ALLIES WHO SUPPORTED OUR TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN AND HAD THEIR LIVES THREATENED BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT. IT IS OUR TIME TO HELP THEM IN A TIME OF NEED. THEY ARE VETTED FROM FIVE FEDERAL AGENCIES. INTER FAITH MINISTRY PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH CASE MANAGEMENT EFFORTS.

BENEFITS ASSISTANCE AND MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT GROUPS.

AND SO MANY OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

[02:40:01]

WE NEVER TURNED OUR BACKS ON THE WORLD'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS AND WE CERTAINLY CAN'T DO IT NOW.

THANK YOU 230R -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKER WHEEZE WERE -- SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH FOR THE ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND AS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS MENTIONED, A QUICK NOTE ON THE WORK EVERYBODY HAS DONE OVER THE PAST DAYS AND ON THE STORM. JUST A NOTE OF APPRECIATION FOR ALL OF OUR TEAMS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANTED TO CONFIRM WITH MR. BERRY, THIS RESOLUTION, THERE IS NO FINANCIAL IMPACT TO THE

COUNTY? >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> I APPRECIATE SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING SURE EVERYBODY IS TESTED AND HEALTHY AND WHATNOT, BUT I ALSO FEEL -- I MAY HAVE A LEARNED DISAGREEMENT WITH ON YOU THIS ONE, BUT WHEN AFGHAN CIVILIANS WORKED ALONGSIDE OUR TROOPS AND PROVIDED SAFETY FOR OUR TROOPS OVER THERE AND NOW THEY DON'T HAVE A HOME BECAUSE THEY HELPED US, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE A HOME FOR THEM. I AM GOING TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS RESOLUTION. I DO ENCOURAGE OUR STATE DEPARTMENT TO DO EVERYTHING APPROPRIATE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE -- WHEN THE GATES ARE OPEN THAT WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE -- WE DON'T LET FOLKS IN THAT MAY HAVE A BAD CRIMINAL HISTORY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT WOULD COME.

I KNOW THERE IS A VETTING PROCESS IN PLACE.

WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO FOLLOW THE VETTING PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL SAFE.

THOSE WHO HELPED US, I THINK WE NEED TO HELP THEM BACK.

ESPECIALLY OUR TROOPS WHEN THEY WERE OVER THERE FOR ALL THOSE YEARS. I WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS RESOLUTION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS ABOUT SAFETY.

SOMETIMES WHEN THE GATES ARE OPEN WIDE YOU DON'T ALWAYS KNOW AND SOMEBODY MAY SLIP IN THAT IS NOT VETTED, BUT WE HAVE TO HELP THOSE WHO HELPED US.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED A VOTE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? WE WILL TAKE IT WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I TOO APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS , COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I TOO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW RESPECT AND APPRECIATE -- APPRECIATION FOR THE AFGHAN COMMUNITY FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE AND ALL THEY ENDURED. ALL THEY WILL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHILE THEY ARE HERE. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT REFUGEES ARE PROVIDED FOR BY THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE AND RESET TELL MEANT -- RESET TELL MEANT. OVER MY YEARS -- THIS IS ACTUALLY HOW I GOT TO KNOW THE CHIEF.

I WORKED IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF TOWN AND HE AND I WOULD OFTEN MEET WITH NEW RESIDENTS. I WOULD GO TO A LOT OF THEIR WELCOME -- WELCOMING EVENTS. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PHENOMENAL TO SEE AND MEET THESE NEW FAMILIES. I STAY IN TOUCH WITH MANY OVER THE YEARS WHO BRING VALUE TO OUR COMMUNITY HERE.

A LOT OF THEM I THANK BECAUSE THEY OPENED UP RESTAURANTS.

THEY ARE SHARING THEIR DELICIOUS FOODS AND ENRICHING OUR CULTURE. I THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION AND I THANK THE INTERPRETERS AND THE -- AS IT ALL TRANSPIRES I THOUGHT TO LOOK AT A MOVIE WE HAVE SEEN MANY TIMES BEFORE, "LONE SURVIVOR." I HAD THE HONOR AND THE PLEASURE OF MEETING AND GETTING TO KNOW MARCUS LATRELL. IT WAS NEVER TAKEN LIGHTLY BY ME RECOGNIZING THAT A VILLAGE FOUGHT AGAINST THE TALIBAN.

[02:45:03]

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

YES? >> TOM RAMSEY: ONE QUICK POINT. I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHAT MAKES HARRIS COUNTY GREAT IN TERMS OF OUR -- I BELIEVE I GOT THIS RIGHT, BUT THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES REPRESENTED THERE. I WAS ON LEBANESE RADIO AND JOINING THAT SIDE. I MET WITH THE KOREAN VETERANS RECENTLY. IF YOU'RE A KOREAN VETERAN YOU ARE IN THE 9'S. TO KNOW WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH AND WHAT WE PARTNERED WITH THEM EVEN THOUGH THAT OUTCOME MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN THIS OUTCOME, WE STILL PARTNERED WITH THEM. IT FALL NO'S DIFFERENT THAN THE NORTH AND SOUTH KOREAN FOLKS.

THAT'S THE CONTEXT OF THIS AND THANKS FOR PUTTING IT ON THE

AGENDA, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THE NEXT ITEM IS 364 ON PAGE 40.

I WILL READ THE TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS ON SEPTEMBER 1ST 2021 A LAW PROHIBITING ABORTION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ONCE CARDIAC ACTIVITY IS DETECTED IN THE GESTATIONAL SACK WENT INTO EFFECT.

AND THE LAW BANS ABORTION BEFORE MANY KNOW THEY ARE PREGNANT. IT IS A ESSENTIAL HEALTH NECESSITY AND THE DECISION TO CONTINUE WITH THE PREGNANCY IS A DEEPLY PRIVATE DECISION LEFT TO THE PATIENT, THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR DOCTOR. WHEREAS RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THROUGHOUT HEALTH SERVICE -- ACTS IN HEALTH SERVICE INCLUDE AUGUST BORINGS REQUIRES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND SECURITY. INDIVIDUALS DENIED ACCESS ARE MORE LIKELY TO RELY ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND HAVE INCOMES BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

WHEREAS THE TEXAS LAW MAKES NO EXCEPTION FOR PREGNANCY THAT'S RESULT FROM RAPE, SEXUAL ABUSE OR INCEST NOR FOR PREGNANCIES INVOLVING A FETAL DEFECT INCOMPATIBLE WITH LIFE AFTERBIRTH. THE LAW'S ONLY EXCEPTION IS FOR AN UNDEFINED MEDICAL EMERGENCY THAT PREVENTS COMPLIANCE. WHEREAS OUT -- OUTLAWING ABORTION SIX WEEKS AFTER CON SEEMION D.A. -- CONCEPTION FORCES THESE PEOPLE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS TO OTHER STATES TO EXERCISE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

IT HINDERS BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS IN HARRIS COUNTY WHO SEEK TO ASSIST THOSE WHO HAVE DECIDED TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO EARLY TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY.

IT WILL INEVITABLY CAUSE DESPERATE PATIENTS TO DIE TO BACK ALLEY ABORTIONS. THE TEXAS ABORTION LAW LIMITS PAY -- PATIENTS ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE AND INTERFERES WITH THE PATIENT-PHYSICIAN RELATIONSHIP BY BANNING PHYSICIANS WITH PROVIDING PATIENTS WITH THE MEDICAL CARE THEY NEED. THE TEXAS ABORTION LAW CREATES A VIGILANTE BOUNTY-STYLE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM THAT DEPUTIZES PRIVATE PARTIES TO SUE ANYONE WHO PERFORMING -- PERFORMS KNOWINGLY AIDS OR ABETS OR ASSISTS IN THE INDUCE MEANT OR PERFORMANCE OF ABORTION AND CLAIM A $10,000 PLUS COURT COSTS AND FEE BROWN -- BOUNTY.

THE U.S. SUPREMES -- SUPREME COURT IN ROE V WADE VINDICATED A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO END A PREGNANCY.

THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO PURSUE THEIR DECISIONS.

HARRIS COUNTY COURT PROCLAIMS ITS OPPOSITION TO THE LAW AND ITS IMPACT TO THE PRIVATE CIVIL PROSECUTION TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ASSIST THOSE WHO MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY UNDER THE RIGHTS PROTECTED BY ROWE V WADE. THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT SUPPORTS THE LEGAL ACTION AND BE IT RESOLVED THEY DIRECT THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED

[02:50:03]

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME AS THE ONLY WOMAN ON COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE SECOND WOMAN TO BE ELECTED TO DMITIONER'S -- TO COMMISSIONER'S COUNTER. I FEEL I HAVE TO SPEAK FOR THE WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE MILLIONS OF WOMEN WHO WOULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS LAW. THE LAW IS BAD FOR WOMEN.

IT ENCOURAGES THE TYPE OF BACK ALLEY ABORTIONS THAT THE RESOLUTION MENTIONS THAT USED TO HAPPEN.

BEFORE ROE V WADE, COUNTLESS WOMEN DIED IN BOTCHED PROCEDURES. IT IS A TERRIBLE THING WE CAN'T GO BACK TO. IT IS BAD FOR WOMEN.

IT IS ALSO A THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHEN YOU HAVE INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY BEING BATED WITH $10,000 CASH TO CHASE AFTER, STALK, SPY ON WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY SO THEY COMBINE FIGURE OUT WHETHER THE TAXI DRIVER TOOK THEM TO THE CLINIC OR FIGURE OUT WHO THEIR DOCTOR IS TO COLLECT $10,000 FROM THEM? THAT'S DANGEROUS. IT IS BAD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT IS BAD FOR UNITY. WE JUST GOT DONE TALKING ABOUT HOW DIVERSE OUR COMMUNITY. WE CANNOT SEW DIVISION TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT INCENTIVIZES YOU SPYING ON YOUR FELLOW CITIZEN. A CHILD, MAYBE IT WAS A TEENAGER WHO WAS RAPED OR IT COULD BE A WOMAN.

IT COULD BE ANY PERSON. FOR PEOPLE TO BE ENCOURAGED TO STALK THEM SO THEY CAN GET A $10,000 BOUNTY IS JUST BEYOND THE PALE. IT PITS NEIGHBORS AGAINST NEIGHBORS AND IT CASTS A SHADOW OVER THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE MAKE A STATEMENT THAT THIS KIND OF LAW DOES NOT REFLECT WHO WE ARE AS A COUNTY AND I DON'T THINK REFLECTS WHO WE ARE AS A NATION.

THIS VIGILANTISM IS NASTY AND IT IS DANGEROUS AND IT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT AND PROTECTED BY THE COURTS AS A RIGHT. IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL -- IT IS AN UNCONSTITUTION ALLAH AND -- CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND

DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND

YOUR RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I'M ASSUMING WE HAVE TO VOTE

ON THIS ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WE WILL NEED TO VOTE. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE SPEAKERS TO TALK ON IT, BUT I DO HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION AFTER AFTER I MAKE A BRIEF COMMENT.

THE QUESTION OF THIS BILL IS IN ESSENCE THE CONCEPT OF PROPERTY VERSUS PERSONS. THE SCIENCE OF THE HEARTBEAT IS ONE TO WHERE THERE IS A HEARTBEATING THEN IT IS A PERSON AND IT IS NO LONGER PROPERTY.

IF IT IS A PERSON THEN IT NEEDS PROTECTION.

WHEN YOU TAKE A PERSON YOU DEMEAN THE VALUE OF LIFE AND DEMEAN WHO WE ARE. I BELIEVE THAT THE SCIENCE OF THE HEARTBEAT IS A GOOD INDICATOR THAT THAT IS A PERSON AND THAT PERSON DESERVES PROTECTION.

IN DISCUSSING THIS MY WIFE IN DECEMBER, I WILL HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO HER FOR FOURTH YEARS.

SHE DESERVES EXTRA CROWNS IN HEAVEN FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME FOR THAT. JUDGE, WHEN SHE HEARD YOUR PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE YOU TALKED ABOUT IT BRIEFLY AFTER WHAT THEY HAVE HEARD ON PREPARING FOR THE TROPICAL STORM, GENTLY AND KINDLY SHE SAID YOU MAY REPRESENT A LOT OF WOMEN, BUT YOU DIDN'T REPRESENT HER.

IN YOUR VIEWS ON THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT MATTER.

AND CERTAINLY SHE SAID YOU DON'T REPRESENT HALF OF THE POPULATION SAYING IT IS PROPERTY THAT IS DISPOSABLE AS OPPOSED TO PERSONS THAT SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

MY SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS WHEREAS OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON INCREDIBLE AND THE POWERFUL HAD -- IDEA THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING WAS CREATED EQUAL WITH RIGHTS THAT COME FROM OUR CREATOR, FROM GOD AND NOT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

[02:55:01]

THE BELIEF THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE FREEDOM AND EVERYONE SHOULD BE TREATED FAIRLY AND WHEREAS LIFE IS PRECIOUS AND LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD AND EVERY HUMAN IS MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE AND EVERY PERSON BORN OR PRE-BORN HAS INHERENT DIGNITY AND HAS THE RIGHT TO LIFE.

WHEREAS WE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL DUTY TO FIGHT FOR THE VULNERABLE AND ENSURE LIFE IS PROTECTED AND RECOGNIZING THE RIGHT TO LIFE IS A WORTHY CAUSE.

IT IS NOT RADICAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE BIPARTISAN.

MOST AMERICANS SUPPORT SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITING ABORTION DO NOT BELIEVE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS SHOULD BE FORCED TO PARTICIPATION IN ABORTIONS AND DO NOT WANT THEIR TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FUND ABORTIONS AT HOME OR ABROAD.

SENATE BILL 8, THE TEXAS HEARTBEAT ACT SUPPORTS THE LIFE OF THE UNBORN BE IT RESOLVED SUPPORTS THE POLICIES ON LIFE AND THAT'S MY SUBSTITUTE MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WAS GOING TO SECOND THAT MOTION. JUST MY COMMENT ON THE SENATE BILL IS TO SAY I PRAYERFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT RECOGNIZES THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A BEATING HEART IN A CHILD AND THE SAYING BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB I KNEW YOU.

BEFORE YOU WERE BORN I CONSECRATED YOU AND THAT'S WHY I AM SUPPORTING COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MOTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO MY

MOTION? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I ACCEPT THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT

TO THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE

SPEAKERS ON THE LINE? >> YES, MA'AM.

SPEAKER 29, ANNA RODRIGUEZ OF LILLITH FUND.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS ANNA RODRIGUEZ. I AM A HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT. I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND IN SUPPORT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY RESOLUTION.

I AM A CAMPAIGN DISTRICTER WITH LILLITH FUND, AN ABORTION FUND THAT SUPPORTS HARRIS COUNTY.

ABORTION FUNDS PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTION CARE AND RESTORES ACCESS TO ABORTION.

ABORTION IS ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE.

YET EVERY DAY ABORTIONS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING TO ACCESSING WHAT THEY NEED TO THE CRUEL AND MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS PASSED BY THE STATE.

IT IS DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR AND IMMIGRANTS AND PEOPLE TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE. IT WAS TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PERIOD. BECAUSE OF F -- PEOPLE ARE UNSURE IF ABORTIONS ARE LEGAL AND FACING HUGE BARRIERS FOR FINDING A PROVIDER. THEY ARE FORCED TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE FOR CARE. THEY ARE FORCED TO PAY FOR EXTENSIVE FLIGHTS AND GOING OUT OF STATE FOR ABORTION CARE. THEY PAY FOR LODGING AND HAVE TO SECURE ENOUGH TIME OFF OF WORK FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT.

SINCE THE MAJORITY OF OUR CALLERS ARE ALREADY PARENTS THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT CHILD CARE OR FIGURE OUT MORE FOR TRAVEL IF THEY HAVE TO TAKE BREASTFEEDING INFANTS AND A LOVED ONE TO HELP PROVIDE CHILD CARE.

THIS CAN ADD UP TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

PEOPLE ARE BEING PUSHED FURTHER INTO PREGNANCY WHICH MEANS THE PROCEDURE ITSELF IS NOW MORE COSTLY.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP ACCESS ABORTION CARE WHILE FOLLOWING THE LAW. BECAUSE SB8 ALLOWS SOMEBODY TO SUE SOMEBODY THAT HELPS WITH ABORTION CARE OUR STAFF AND BOARD ARE AT RISK OF HARASSING LAWSUITS THAT COULD CAUSE $10,000 IN DAMAGES EACH TIME. WHILE IT DOES NOT MAKE GETTING AN ABORTION ILLEGAL, IT IS DESIGNED TO CUTOFF THE SUPPORT NETWORK FOR PEOPLE WHO GIVE ABORTION CARE AND COMPLETELY CUTS AGO SETS. THE TRUTH IS SOME WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS ABORTION WHETHER IT IS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT OR THEY RUN DOCUMENTED AND CAN'T CROSS ICE CHECK POINTS OR WITH THEIR OWN SAFETY.

FORCING PEOPLE TO CARRY A PREGNANCY TO TERM IS WRONG.

IT WILL PUSH MANY MORE TEXANS TO POVERTY.

TAKE CONSTANT STEPS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS INCLUDING FUNDS FOR ABORTION AND COVERING PRACTICAL CARE -- [INAUDIBLE].

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 30, LORI CHILD I'LL HAVE WHAT SHE'S HAVING. GO AHEAD.

[03:00:03]

>> HELLO. I AM THE CO-FOUNDER AND A VASCULAR SERVANT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I'LL HAVE WHAT SHE'S HAVING IS PART OF THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE LEADER AND WE ARE THE FACE OF WORKING WOMEN BEING HARMED BY TEXAS STATE POLICY ON FAMILY PLANNING.

OIR MEN AND WOMEN ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGURES IN HOUSTON'S RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE DONATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS TO THE LOCAL PREVENTATIVE AND MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS. WE THANK THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AS DOCTORS AND RESTAURANT WORKERS FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

THERE IS A QUARTER MILLION WORKERS AND WOMEN ARE 53% OF THE FORCE. STATEWIDE RESTAURANT WORKERS HAVE REPORTED 93% HAVE NO EMPLOYMENT-BASED INSURANCE AND SOME HAVE NO INSURANCE AT ALL AND 96% NO PAID SICK DAYS.

I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE ACCESS IS NEEDED FOR UNPLANNED PREGNANCY OR TO SUPPORT PRESENTING FLAW -- PREGNANCIES. WE ARE TO PREVENT HEALTH CARE -- WE HAVE HEALTH CARE ON THE BACK BURNER SINCE THE PANDEMIC. TO FORM A TERMINATION TWO WEEKS FROM THE TIME -- [INAUDIBLE] ONE IN FOUR WILL NEED IN A LIFETIME. ON A PERSONAL NOTE I TELL YOU I SPEND 60% OF MY TIME PROVIDING VASCULAR CARE AROUND THE COUNTRY BECAUSE I BELIEVE AS YOU DO THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE DETERMINED BY YOUR ZIP CODE.

I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THE RESOURCES THAT EXIST.

IN HOUSTON, THE WORLD'S GREATEST MEDICAL CENTERS AND AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF SMALLER HOSPITALS AND CLINICS THAT SERVE PEOPLE THAT LIVE WITHIN 30 MINUTES DRIVE OF A MEDICAL CENTER. WHEN WE SEEK MEDICAL CARE WE ARE AT A VULNERABLE STATE AND WANT TO HELP PEOPLE DEALING WITH A PRIVATE ISSUE AND AN -- INTIMATE MOMENT.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITY FOR CARE.

IT IS COMPASSION AND HUMANE TO KEEP US CLOSE TO OUR HOMES.

WE DON'T WANT THIS LAW OR COPYCAT LAWS TO DISRUPT OUR LIVES TOO MUCH OR THE LIVES OF OUR LOVED ONES.

HIS STY IS -- HISTORY IS WATCHING.

WE NEED TO PROVE THAT ANYONE WITH A UTERUS HAS THE SAME RIGHTS AS ANYONE WITHOUT A UTERUS AND YOU PASS THIS RESOLUTION AND LOOK TO GO FURTHER FOR PROVIDERS TO DEFINE AS WELL. THANKS AND I WILL TAKE ANY

QUESTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS ANDREW FROM ACLU OF TEXAS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> I AM A POLICY AND ADVOCACY ATTORNEY AT THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION IN TEXAS AND A RES DEBT IN HARRIS CON -- RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS A CRUEL LAW THAT JUDGE HIDALGO LAID OUT SO WELL. IT DOSES -- IT DOES NOT REFLECT THE MAJORITY OF TEXANS WHO BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL. 85% OF ABORTIONS HAPPEN AFTER SIX WEEKS GESTATION. AS NON SAID IN HER REMARKS, THAT'S TWO WEEKS AFTER A MISSED PERIOD IF YOU HAVE A REGULAR CYCLE. YOU HAVE A VERY, VERY NARROW WINDOW TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MAJOR -- MAKE YOUR DECISION ON WHETHER YOU NEED CARE AND BE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT CARE.

EVEN WITH THIS LAW IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET ABORTIONS IN TEXAS. YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR THE PROCEDURE AND THAT IS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE BECAUSE TEXAS LAW PREVENTS IT AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY MEDICAID. YOU ALSO HAVE TO GET MULTIPLE DAYS OFF WORK BECAUSE TEXAS REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE TWO APPOINTMENTS AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.

YOU HAVE TO GET CHILD CARE BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE THAT GET ABORTIONS HAVE CHILDREN. YOU NEED TRANSPORTATION.

THERE IS A LAUNDRY LIST OF THINGS AND BARRIERS YOU NEED TO ACCESS CARE AND THIS MAKES IT MUCH WORSE.

WE KNOW PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS NEED ABORTIONS.

IT IS A FACT OF LIFE AND HAS BEEN THE CASE SINCE PEOPLE CAN BECOME PREGNANT. PEOPLE WILL NEEDS WILL FIND A WAY TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

PEOPLE WITHOUT THE MEANS TO TRAVEL AND TEENAGERS AND UNDOCUMENTED FOLKS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE ALL THE PEOPLE LEFT BEHIND RIGHT NOW. THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT ABORTION. IT IS ALSO VERY MUCH ABOUT OUR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. THE ACLU OF TEXAS ALONG WITH

[03:05:01]

IF THE STATE LEGISLATURE CAN PASS A LAW THAT INFRINGES ON OUR CLEAR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BY SKIRTING ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENFORCE THE LAW AND LIFTING -- ENLISTING BOUNTY HUNTERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION TO DO THE WORK FOR THEM, NO FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT IS SAFE.

EVERY ONE OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS IS ON THE CHOPPING LAW IF WE ALLOW THIS TO STAND. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS MEAN SOMETHING.

THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND YOUR WORK SUPPORTING THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED UH-HUH ABORTION CARE EVERY

YEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> THE FINAL SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM IS NUMBER 32, MIKE ZARELLA.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

OR GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MIKE ZARELLA AND A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE OF NOTIFYING HIS CONSTITUENCY ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION AGAINST THE SBA LAW. AND THANK THE COURT FOR ALLOWING CITIZENS TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS.

I WOULD LIKE THE COUNT -- THE COURT TO REFLECT ON THE RABBI'S PRAYER THIS MORNING IN REJECTING THE LAW PASSED UNDER SBA KNOWN AS THE HEARTBEAT BILL.

THE COURT HAS SPENT THE PAST YEAR PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES FOR THE PANDEMIC UNDER THE BANNER OF FOLLOW THE SCIENCE. YET PROPOSALS TO IGNORE THE SCIENCE THAT IS CLEAR ON BIOLOGICAL FACT THAT AN UNBORN CHILD IS A DISTINCT INDIVIDUAL AND DOES DESERVE PROTECTION OF THE BASIC HUMAN RIGHT TO LIFE.

WHERE THE LIST WHEREAS STATEMENTS IMPLY FACT, THE RESOLUTION IGNORES THE TRUE FACTULE APPROACH IN THE STATE. IT IGNORES THAT THE STATE DOES NOT EXECUTE A RAPIST FOR CONSCIOUSLY PERPETRATING THE HEINOUS CRIMES OF RAPE AND INCEST AND INFERS THE KILLING OF INNOCENT UNBORN CHILDREN IS JUSTIFIABLE.

THE RESOLUTION PROMOTES ABORTION AND IGNORES DEPRESSION AND POST ABORTION SYNDROME AS A FORM OF PTSD COVERED -- SUFFERED BY WOMEN WHO CARRY IT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR LIVES. THEY REFERENCED BACK ALLEY ABORTIONS AS A POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCE.

AS CDC RESEARCH SHOWS DEATH FROM LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ABORTIONS IS NEGLIGIBLE. WHILE IT IS SAD AND TRAGIC, IT IS EQUALLY SAD AND TRAGIC THAT EVERY ABORTION KILLS AN UNBORN BABY AND DENIES THEM THE BASIC RIGHT TO LIFE.

SEVERAL OTHER STATEMENTS IN THE RESOLUTION ARE HIPOCRITICAL IN THE VIEW OF HOW THE COUNTY HAS TRIED TO MANAGE THE PANDEMIC THROUGH ORDERS THAT INFRINGE ON CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. I ASK THE COURT HOW IT CAN BE HELPING TO INVESTIGATE WHAT IS TO DETERMINE A LAW PASSED BY DULY REPRESENTATION. I ENCOURAGE THEM TO SET ASIDE REGISTRATION HOSTILE TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND VIEW IT IN THE SAME COMMON TEXT AND THREATS TO HUMAN LIFE.

CONTRARY TO THE RESOLUTION'S ASSERTION TO ABORTION IS NOT A MATTER OF PERSONAL CHOICE AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND EVEN RELIGIOUS OPINION, IT IS A DENIAL OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. THROUGH THE DIRECT KILLING OF INNOCENT HUMAN BEINGS AND SHOULD NOT BE SUPPORTED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT THROUGH THE PROPOSED

RES -- RESOLUTION. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND

ATTENTION. >> YOUR TIME IS UP, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION ON THE TABLE. LET'S VOTE ON THAT FIRST AND THEN VOTE ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TABLE IT I'D --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION TO TABLE THE MOTION UNTIL --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TABLE MEANS YOU HAVE TO BRING IT BACK AT SOME POINT. WHY NOT JUST VOTE AGAINST IT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION BY ECONOMICKER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

-- >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM OPPOSED

[03:10:02]

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE INITIAL MOTION PASSES 3-2.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR MIC IS

OFF. >> ARE YOU WITHDRAWING YOUR

MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'RE GOOD? THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. ANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER? I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU

HAVE SOME -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ITEM 4 UNDER

RESOLUTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE ARE NOW EMBARKING ON THAT SEASON OF HIS -- HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

THE FIRST PERSON THAT I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE FOR THIS YEAR'S ENDEAVOR IS TO RECOGNIZE MANY WHO CONTRIBUTED TO -- IN ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO MAKING OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER AND BETTER AND SAFER. THIS HONOREE IS NO DIFFERENT.

ESTELLA MIRELES WALTERS IS A PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZING.

SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF SAFE WALK HOME.

IT WAS AN ENDEAVOR THAT WAS BORN AFTER A HORRIBLE AND TRAGIC EVENT. SHE LOOKED BEYOND THE TRAGEDY AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE SOMETHING POSITIVE AND LONG LASTING AND STRONG AS A RESULT OF THAT TRAGEDY SO THAT THE VICTIM CONTINUES TO LIVE WITH US. HER PROGRAM WAS BEEN AN AWARD-WINNING GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION AND IT IS THROUGH A CON -- CONGLOMERATION OF ACTIVE CITIZENS AND PEOPLE ALONG THE ROUTES AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO REPORT IT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PARTICIPATE IN THAT. RENDERING FIRST-AID IF NEEDED. AND SHE HAS WORKED TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE. SHE SERVED IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE AND PEOPLE LIKE STELLA CAN'T FIND ONE THING TO DO.

THEY HAVE TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE.

SHE PROVIDES A LEADERSHIP ROLE WITH SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 51.

MOST RECENTLY I HAVE APPOINTED HER TO THE CPS BOARD, HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

SO THIS RESOLUTION I AM HONORED TO READ.

WHEREAS CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WE RECOGNIZE LEADER PHOS YOU ARE THAT REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BETTER PLACES TO LIVE.

TODAY WE RECOGNIZE ESTELLA "STELLA" MIRELES WALTERS WITH SAFE WALK HOME. IT IS IN NEAR NORTH SIDE HOUSTON AND WHEREAS IN 2016, THE TRAGIC MURDER OF A MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILD WALKING HOME FROM SCHOOL PROMPTED STELLA TO CREATE WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE NORTH SIDE MOTHER'S GROUP PROGRAM AND WALKING TO AND FROM SCHOOL.

SETTING UP BASE THEY REPAIRED THE ANTIQUE CHURCH BELLS TO RING AND ALERT NEIGHBORS TO WATCH THE CHILDREN.

KNOWN AS SAFE WALK HOME, THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AND IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT AND RENDERING AID IF NEEDED AND THEY WORK IN PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE SELF-DEFENSE CLASSES. WHEREAS A DYNAMIC LEADER, STELLA ORGANIZED REGULAR PROGRAM MEETINGS AND EVENTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, HISD, METRO AND SHIV -- CIVIC LEADERS. IT LEAD TO THE APPROVAL OF A CITY ORDINANCE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO COMBAT TRESPASSING AND DRUG DEALING. EACH YEAR HISD CELEBRATES A FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL EVENT EXPWH -- AND BRINGING

[03:15:04]

LET ME JUST SAY THAT STELLA ALWAYS INVITES US OUT TO MARSHAL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL TO WELCOME THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

AND IT IS ALWAYS CUTE TO SEE HOW SHOCKED THEY ARE.

WHAT IS GOING ON? WHAT ARE ALL OF THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS? EVERYBODY IS CONGRATULATING THEM AND CLAPPING.

SOME OF THE KIDS ARE EMBARRASSED LIKE, PLEASE, LEAVE ME ALONE. WE GIVE THEM THE HIGH FIVE'S AS THEY WALK BY. WELCOMING THEIR PARENTS AS WELL. WHEREAS THROUGH THE DEDICATION OF COUNTLESS VOLUNTEERS PARENTS, LOCAL STORE EMPLOYEES AND MANY OTHERS ALL HELP GUARD THE STREETS IN SCHOOL HOURS AND WHEREAS IN ADDITION TO WORK WITH SAFE HOURS HOME SHE HAS WORKED WITH THE CRIME AND SAFETY COMMITTEE.

FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES KNOW HER FOR HER VOLUNTEER EFFORTS WITH FOOD DRIVES AND HER RELENTLESS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH. SHE SERVES ON THE HARRIS BOARD FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS AND WHEREAS A MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST BY PROFESSION SHE RETIRED AFTER WORKING MANY YEARS AT THE HARRIS COUNTY INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES. SHE WORKED AS A HISTO TECHNICIAN AND ADD JUNK -- ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IN THE PROGRAM AT HOUSTON COMMUNITY LEDGE -- COLLEGE.

GO FIGURE. I DIDN'T KNOW SUCH A PROGRAM EXISTED. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, STELLA, THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES ESTELLA MIRELES WALTERS FOR HER CONTRIBUTION TO HARRIS COUNTY AND I HOPE STELLA WAS ABLE TO JOIN US TODAY. THAT'S MY RESOLUTION TODAY,

JUDGE. >> THANK YOU.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, STELLA. PLEASE SHARE SOME THOUGHTS

WITH US. >> OKAY, GREAT.

WOW. IS THAT ME? ANYWAY, GOOD DAY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA FOR THIS HONOR AS WE RECOGNIZE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

MY NAME IS STELLA MIRELES WALTERS AND I AM THE FOUNDER OF SAFE WALK HOME. I ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION ON BEHALF OF SAFE WALK HOME. TODAY IS A RE -- REMINDER OF KEEP US SAFE. IT WAS AFTER THE TRAGEDY SIX YEARS AGO TO HELP ME LAUNCH SAFE WALK HOME NORTH SIDE.

I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS AND THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE INSTRUCTORS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, THE ADMINISTRATORS AND COUNTLESS COMMUNITY LEADER THAT'S MADE SURE OUR EFFORTS CONTINUE TO THIS DAY.

THESE WORDS RESONATE WITH ME AND I, QUOTE, I CAN DO THINGS YOU CANNOT. TO THE -- TOGETHER WE CAN DO GREAT THINGS. AND TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY LOWERS CRIME IN THE NORTH SIDE AREA AND TOGETHER WE CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR SAFETY FOR ALL FAMILIES AND STUDENTS.

WE PARTNER TO MAKE SURE THE TRAGEDY INVOLVING ANOTHER STUDENT WOULD NOT BE REPEATED.

THE WORK OF COMMUNITY IS NEVER DONE AND THAT IS WHY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE SAFE WALK HOME MUST CONSTANTLY BE PRO ACTIVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE RATHER THAN REACTIVE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. EVERY PART OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE AND SECURE.

MY HOPE TODAY IS THAT EVERY COMMISSIONER COMES ALONGSIDE ME AND BRINGS A SAFE WALK HOME PROGRAM AND ITS MISSION TO EVERY PRECINCT IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS HONOR AND I THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE RICH CULTURE AND BRAVERY AND HISTORY OF OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I ASK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I AM THANKFUL A PERSON CAN BRING UP SOMETHING AND THAT IT MEANS SO MUCH TO THE COMMUNITY.

WITH SAFETY BEING SO INSECURE THIS IS A BIG DIFFERENCE AND I

[03:20:01]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS I'M HERE TO ANSWER. AND I'M HERE TO HELP YOU WITH

ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ESTELLE -- ESTELLA, I AM PROUD OF YOU AND FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN REFLECTION OF THE TRAGEDY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING THE LEADER THAT BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER AND FOCUSED THEIR EFFORTS ON THE THINGS WE CAN MAKE BETTER AND SO THE MEMORY OF THE BEAUTIFUL CHILD CONTINUES TO LIVE IN ALL THAT YOU DO AND ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS YOU BRING TOGETHER. YOU RETIRED AS WHAT WAS IT? WHAT IS THAT WORK YOU WERE DOING? YOU RETIRED AS A HISTO TECHNICIAN?

>> YES. WE NEED MORE PROFESSIONAL THAT'S SHOULD JOIN THIS PROGRAM.

I AM CONSIDERED THE -- IT IS A TECHNICIAN WHEN IT COMES TO FORENSIC SCIENCES. WE EVALUATE AND RUN TESTS AND WE PROVE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO THE BODY.

IT ALL LINES UP TO BUILDING TEXAS AGAINST THE PERPETRATOR. EVERY HISTO TECHNOLOGIST IS FOUND IN EVERY HOSPITAL AND RESEARCH LABORATORY FROM THE SPACE CITY AND THE LABS AND UP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. MUSEUMS. WE ARE HERE SPECIALLY TRAINED TO DEAL WITH ALL TYPES OF TISSUES AND THE CAUSE OF DISEASE AND DEATH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PHENOMENAL WORK.

ESTELLA, WERE YOU ONE OF THE FIRST HEROS THAT TODAY SO MANY KIDS TALK TO ME ABOUT. THEY ARE LIKE, I WANT TO BE A CSI INVESTIGATOR. THANK YOU FOR BEING A PIONEER

AND CONGRATULATIONS. >> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I MISSED THE RESOLUTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I HAVE ONE.

WENDY IS ON THE LINE AND IT IS TO CONGRATULATE HER ON RETIREMENT AFTER 26 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE WHEREAS MARGO BEGAN HER WORK IN AUGUST OF 1995, SHE GAVE EXPERTISE IN THE KENTUCKY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATES AND PREPARED HER FOR HER ROLE WORKING WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT. MARVA CAME TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING ESTABLISH AN AFFORDABLE INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT. WHEREAS MARVA GAY BECAME THE DIVISION CHIEF FOR THE GENERAL COUNCIL DIVISION WHERE SHE WORKED ON SOME OF THE COUNTY'S MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRACTS AND PURCHASES AND DRAFTED OPINIONS OF HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS AND MADE SUBMISSIONS TO THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND COUNSELED CLIENTS. WHEREAS MARVA GAY'S KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF INSURANCE AND PUBLIC HEALTH ARE HELD HIGH, SHE WENT ON TO BECOME GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND WORKING WITH DR. PALACIO AND DR. SHAW. HAS CRITICALLY ASSISTED INCLUDING HURRICANE HARVEY AND THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

JUDGE, WE WILL MISS HER, BUT AN EXCEPTIONAL 26 YEARS.

CONGRATULATIONS AND I BELIEVE SHE IS ON THE LINE.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I WANT TO THANK A NUMBER OF

PEOPLE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO SECOND ON THAT BEFORE YOU GET TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD.

THIS IS FORMER JUDGE CAGLE AND I AM DOING THE SECOND.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I WILL APPLAUD FOR THE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION.

I WANT TO THANK -- FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK DORY WYNN WHO HIRED HE. SHE STILL WITH THE COUNTY AND STILL A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS.

I WANT TO THANK SCOTT LAMOND WHO WAS A MASTERMIND BEHIND

[03:25:01]

ALL OF THESE PEOPLE I CONSIDER PERSONAL FRIENDS.

I HAVE HAD A CAREER WITH FIVE COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

I WANT TO SAY A WORD ABOUT SOME OF THESE REALLY WONDERFUL ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEYS WHO HELPED ME ALONG THE WRAI -- ALONG THE WAY. THEY COULD GIVE LECTURES AND WRITE BOOKS ON HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK TWO OF THE FORMER DIRECTORS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

I KNOW YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE A FAVORITE CLIENT, BUT THERE WAS NO DOUBT IT WAS MY FAVORITE CLIENT.

AND WORKED WITH DR. SHAW WHO WAS WONDERFUL TO ME.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING AND THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL RESOLUTION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING DORY. DORY WAS ONE OF THOSE ATTORNEYS THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO ME AS A SHERIFF AND WAS A PHENOMENAL, PHENOMENAL INDIVIDUAL AND PROVIDED A GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING DORY. CONGRATULATIONSES AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO THE MOTION BY COMETIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE CONSENT UH GENERAL DISCO.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU HAVE A MOTION -- A RESOLUTION

OUT OF ORDER? >> TOM RAMSEY: I DID.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE WILL RECOGNIZE OR LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OR A PROPOSAL TO RECOGNIZE CRIMESTOPPERS AMONG OTHERS AND THE JOB THEY DID RECENTLY IN FINDING THE PERSON THAT MURDERED OR ALLEGED MURDER AND IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE GOOD WORK THEY DO. THE RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2021, THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE HONORS VICTIMS OF MURDER. HARRIS COUNTY SADLY WILL BE REMEMBERING 200 NEW NAMES AT THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

THE NUMBER OF THOSE WHO WERE REMEMBERED AS RESIDENTS IN THE CRIME EPIDEMIC IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND THE TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS KEY TO REDUCING CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE BEST WAY TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHEREAS SINCE 1980 CRIMESTOPPERS OF HOUSTON HAS TRIED TO WORK WITH RESIDENTS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS AND THE MEDIA TO SHINE A LIGHT ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

35,975 CASES HAVE BEEN SOLVED THROUGH CRIMESTOPPERS TIPS ON THE TIP LINE. THE TIP LINE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS IN SOLVING CRIMES. WHEREAS, CRIMESTOPPERS IN HUE -- IN HOUSTON AND THE VICTIM OF SERVICES AND OTHER STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAS HELPED TO KEEP THOUSANDS OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS SAFE THROUGHOUT REACH AND ACTION.

THEY HAVE GIVEN A VOICE TO VICTIMS AND WHEREAS CRIMESTOPPERS TO HOUSTON IS A PARTNER IN REDUCING AND SOLVING THE CRIMES IN THE REGION, EFFORTS INCLUDE THE SAFE SCHOOL INSTITUTE AND VICTIM SERVICES AND ADVOCACY AND THE FALLEN HERO PROJECT. AMONG OTHERS.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CELEBRATES A NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND COMMANDS THE EFFORTS OF CRIMESTOPPERS OF HOUSTON TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> TOM RAMSEY: OF A VITAL

CRIME. >> R. JACK CAGLE: HE SAID FIRST, BUT JUDGE YOU HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.

[03:30:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND EKED -- SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS? >> YES, MA'AM.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO. THIS IS COUNCILMEMBER EDWARD POLLARD. I STEPPED OUT OF SESSION TO TAKE THIS CALL. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD.

FOR ALL YOU DO WITH CRIMESTOPPERS HAVE YOU BEEN A VALUABLE ASSET AND ORGANIZATION IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR A LONGTIME NOT ONLY TO SOLVE AND REDUCE CRIME AND IT IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND FINDING WAYS TO REDUCE CRIME.

CRIMESTOPPERS GOES A LONG WAY TO AID US IN THE EFFORTS.

ONE OF THE FIRST INITIATIVES WAS THE TOWN HALL WHERE ONE OF THE PANELISTS WAS ANDY WITH CRIMESTOPPERS AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WAYS IN WHICH WE WILL REDUCE CRIME IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON. IT WILL TAKE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CRIMESTOPPERS AND THE LOCAL LEADERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR HIS CONTINUED EFFORT TOWARD ADDRESSING MUST BE -- PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT WILL TAKE THOSE TYPES OF EFFORTS AND LEADERSHIP. CON -- CONGRATULATIONS, ANDY AND THE TEAM. ARE YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND

PRAYERS. >> TOM RAMSEY: APPRECIATE YOU

CALLING IN AND PARTNERING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS ANDY KAHN.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS A LONGTIME AND CRIME VIC -- VICTIMS ARE THE ONLY -- AND THE VICTIM IS THE ONLY UNWILLING PERSON IN A CRIME. IN HARRIS COUNTY WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK WITH VICTIMS. IT IS HONORABLE HOW MANY ORGANIZATIONS WE WORK WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT HOMICIDE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF TEXAS EQUI SEARCH AND ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT IS INVITED TO ATTEND ANY OF OUR PARENTS AND CHILDREN MEETINGS. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.

SEPTEMBER 26TH. SUNDAY EVENING FROM 6 TO 8 P.M. OS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WILL BE HOSTING CEREMONIES TO COMMEMORATE HOMICIDE VICTIMS AND SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS OF HOMICIDE.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST EVENTS IN THE COUNTRY AND ALL OF YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND. AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IT IS AN HONOR BOTH TO BE GIVEN A RESOLUTION IS -- AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE DO AT CRIMESTOPPERS WHICH IS GET SUSPECTS BACK IN CUSTODY AND HELP VICTIMS NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, ANDY. KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT,

BROTHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS.

THEY DO GREAT WORK. THE TIP LINE IS KEY.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU, ANDY AND I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONG, LONGTIME. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT WORK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> YES, MA'AM. NEXT IS NUMBER 6, RAMIA OF CRIMESTOPPERS OF HOUSTON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THIS.

IT IS CERTAINLY AN HONOR TO BE WITH YOU HERE TODAY.

I HOPE YOU ARE ALL SAFE FOLLOWING TROPICAL STORM NICHOLAS. THIS RECOGNITION MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO US. WE ARE A COMMUNITY ARM OF PUBLIC SAFETY. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH ALL OF YOU AND WITH COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND WITH CITY COUNCIL.

IT IS ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CIVILIANS WHO ARE EITHER VICTIMS OF CRIME OR JUST REALLY CARE ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF EVERYBODY WHO CALLS THIS CITY AND COUNTY HOME.

YOU HAVE HEARD THE STATISTICS. THE TIP LINE HAS DONE SO MUCH

[03:35:04]

IT HAS ALSO EXONERATED SO MANY.

WE WILL BE DOING MORE THROUGH OUR CATCH A KILLER PROGRAM.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS AN ISSUE THAT I THINK WE ALL AGREE NEEDS TO BECOME A PRIORITY ISSUE. I HOPE YOU WILL BE AT THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND IT IS ON OCTOBER 26TH. WE CONTINUE TO BE THANKFUL AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER EVEN MORE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, RANIA.

UH -- APPRECIATE YOU CALLING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU AWESOME. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE -- I'M SORRY.

I WAS GOING TO SAY EARLIER COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS WANTING TO TAKE EYE SEEM 6 OUT OF -- ITEM 6 OUT OF ORDER AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE OFFICER ON THE LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THE MOTION FOR THE CRIMESTOPPERS RESOLUTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY GARE -- GARCIA AND WE WILL VOTE ON IT IN THE CONSENT AGENDA. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR.

WE JUST HAD 9/11 PASS BY I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT WE STOP, PAUSE AND REMEMBER AND WE HAVE ON THE LINE OFFICER JOHN GOODMAN WHO WAS GOING TO THIS MORNING DO OUR OPENING INVOCATION. HOWEVER, THE WEATHER DID NOT COOPERATE LAST NIGHT AND HE HAD A POWER OUTAGE.

HE WAS NOT ABLE TO JOIN US AT THAT TIME AND HE IS NOW WITH US. HE IS THE SPRING INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT'S POLICE DIVISION'S CHAPLAIN.

OFFICER GOODMAN HAS SERVED 9 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND 30 YEARS IN THE TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AN ORDAINED MINISTER. HE ATTENDED COLLEGE IN SOUTHEAST HOUSTON AND HAS BEEN A CHAPLAIN IN THE SPRING DISTRICT AND POLICE FORCE SINCE THAT TIME.

IN ADDITION TO HIS DUTY HE'S IS THE SENIOR PAST -- PASTOR FOR THE LAST 9 YEARS. HE WILL BE RECEIVING OUR RESOLUTION HONORING 9/11. PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID NEXT TO CREATING LIFE, THE FINEST THING A MAN CAN DO IS SAVE ONE. KEY COMMEMORATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACKS ON SEPTEMBER 11THTH AND OUR NATION HAS TRAVELED A LONG WAY TO RECOVERY.

ONE OF THE ENDURING LESSONS WE LEARNED IS THAT WE MUST CHERISH AND RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO RUN TOWARD THE DANGEROUSER AND TO BE THE FIRST TO RESPOND AND PROTECT AND DEFEND AND WHERE OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE FACED BUDGET CONCERNS AND CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND IN THE PANDEMIC. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE HONOR ALL OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE COMMUNITY. JUDGE, THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION FOR TODAY. SOME OF THE MOST UNSUNG FIRST RESPONDERS ARE THE ROAD AND BRIDGE CREWS.

FOR THE AMBULANCE TO GET THERE, THE TREES HAVE TO BE CLEARED FROM THE ROADS. FOR FOLKS TO KNOW NOT TO GO DOWN A FLOODED OUT PATHWAY WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PUT UP BARRICADES THIS TIME, SOMEBODY HAS TO PUT OUT THE BARRICADES AND WHEN THE WATER GETS HIGH THEY GET THEM OUT.

THEY ARE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

IF THEY WERE IN THE MILITARY THEY WOULD BE THE CONSTRUCTION BATTALION FOLKS WHO BUILT THE AIRSTRIPS UNDER FIRE SO THEY COULD COME IN AND MAKE THEIR LANDING.

I WANT TO THANK PASTOR GOODMAN AND OFFICER GOODMAN FOR RECEIVING THIS RESOLUTION. HE CAN MAKE A FEW REMARKS AND I JOIN THAT THIS RESOLUTION APPLIES TO ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS INCLUDING THE ONES THAT CLEAR THE ROADS SO THE OTHERS CAN GET THERE. OFFICER GOODMAN?

>> THIS IS CHAPLAIN GOOD MAP -- GOODMAN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE AND TO EACH OF YOU AT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR SUPPORTING THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND THE SELF-LESS EFFORTS OF PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.

[03:40:05]

IT IS MY PRAYER GOD CONTINUES TO GUIDE EACH OF YOU AS YOU DIRECT THIS COUNTY AND AS YOU LEAD.

IT IS A GREAT HONOR AND PLEASURE TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION AND MAY GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU, CHAP -- CHAPLAIN, OFFICER, ALL OF

THEM. >> Y'ALL BE BLESSED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LIKEWISE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IT FOR RESOLUTIONS.

WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS LEFT, BUT IT IS TIME FOR A BREAK.

WHY DON'T WE BREAK UNTIL 2:30 AND THEN WE WILL HEAR THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS AND MOVE ON TO THE AGENDA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN MAKE A SLIGHT SUGGESTION.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME HOMEWORK FOR ME TO DO.

WOULD YOU MIND GIVING ME 30 MINUTES SO I CAN WORK ON A

LITTLE BIT OF THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: SURE.

LET'S BREAK UNTIL A QUARTER TO 3.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WORKS FOR ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:12.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 3)]

LEAN IT IS 2:57 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: IT'S 2:57 AND COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. LET'S HEAR FROM SOME OF THE

MEEK -- SPEAKERS. >> JULIA ORDONA.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM HIGH SCHOOL YAW O DASH -- I AM JULIA ORDONA. I AM SPEAKING BECAUSE WE ARE INTERESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF HARRIS COUNTY. THEY HAVE SEEN HOW IMPORTANT RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS TO KEEP TEXANS HOUSED.

EMERGENCY ORDER 39 SAYS CASES WHERE PARTIES ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SHOULD BE ABATED FOR 60-DAYS WITHOUT QUESTION.

OBSERVATIONS SAY THE 16 JUSTICES DO NOT ADMINISTER THEIR COURT CASES UNIFORMLY INCLUDING THE INTERPRETATION OF THE EMERGENCY ORDER. AND SOMETIMES THE SAME JUDGE INTERPRETS THIS ORDER DIFFERENTLY WITHIN THE SAME DOCKET. IT IS NOT ONLY IMPEDING THE EQUAL TREATMENT, BUT IT SKEWS THE ODDS TOWARD THE LANDLORDS, AN ISSUE THAT EXISTED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WAITING TO BE DISTRIBUTED KEEPING RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSED.

THERE IS NO REASON WHY A RIT OF POSSESSION SHOULD BE EXECUTED RIGHT NOW. WE APPLAUD THE 6TH JUSTICE OF THE PEACE TO BETTER ASSIST PARTIES IN EVICTION COURT.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL 16 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ALLOW THIS COUNTY FUNDED WORK THAT THE ALLIANCE IS DOING INTO THE COURTROOM. THE COMMUNITY NAVIGATORS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONNECT THE LANDLORD AND THE TENANTS AND INFORM THEM OF THEIR RIGHTS OF THE SPECIFIC RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SO THEY MAY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THEY CAN EACH BENEFIT FROM THE OPPORTUNITIES THE SCEUN -- COUNTY HAS GIVEN TO THEM. THEY BELIEVE BY COLLABORATING WITH THE COMMUNITY NAVIGATORS AND THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE CAN MINIMIZE THE STRESS IN THEIR COURTROOM AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF EVICTION CASES SEEN BEFORE THEM. WE URGE YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS THAT EACH JUSTICE OF THE PEACE IS DEALING WITH AND WHY THEY CONTINUE TO HOLD IN-PERSON HEARING DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOW AT A LEVEL ONE COVID THREAT AND FIND A COLLABORATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAY TO EXPLAIN TO LANDLORDS THE BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMS. EXPLAIN TO TENANTS THEIR RIGHT AND MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS. COMMISSIONERS I AM AVAILABLE TO EACH OF YOU AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SPEAK FURTHER ON OUR WORK. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ADVOCACY ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW THAT

[03:45:02]

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SURE YOU CALLED SOME FOLKS ALREADY, SO LET'S HEAR FROM THE FOLKS YOU ALREADY CALLED AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK TO TALK ABOUT THE TAX RATE. A BREAK FROM THE SPEAKERS TO

TALK ABOUT THE TAX RATE. >> SPEAK OTHER NUMBER 10, ELISA SPEAKING ON COVID-19 ITEM 9.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ARE YOU SENDING AROUND YOUR PROPOSAL? OKAY.

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

GO AHEAD. >> CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAS THE BIDEN CONTRACT [INAUDIBLE] GIVING THEM PRE-PAID CARDS AND TRANSPORTING THEM INTO THE COUNTRY.

WHEN I GO TO THEIR WEBSITE TODAY CATHOLIC CHARITIES.ORG, THE FIRST HEADLINE SAYS HELP AFGHAN FAMILIES COMING TO MAKE THEIR NEW HOME IN HOUSTON AND IT HAS A PICTURE OF ONE WOMAN IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF 15 MEN AND FIVE CHILDREN.

IT SOUNDS LIKE CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS -- ALREADY HAS PLANS AND FUNDING AND PERMISSION TO DO THIS WHETHER OR NOT THE ITEM IS APPROVED. WE KNOW 95% OF THE AFGHANS WHO FLED AFGHANISTAN DIDN'T WORK FOR OR HAD U.S. INTEREST IN AFGHANISTAN AND WERE NOT VETTED AT ALL.

THEY WERE ABLE TO FREELY MAKE IT TO KABUL AIRPORT DURING A WEEK WHEN THE TALIBAN RULED THE STREETS OF KABUL AND THE LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED, IT IS LOGICAL TO BELIEVE THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE TALIBAN.

MANY OF THEM ARE JIHAD AND WAGING A TERRORIST WAR AGAINST AMERICANS. EVEN IF THEY AREN'T, I DON'T SEE A REASON FOR THEM TO BE IN THE USA MUCH LESS IN HOUSTON AND I DON'T WANT THEM HERE AT ALL.

COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS AWARDED CATHOLIC CHARITIES ABOUT 2MILLION OF OUR COVID RELIEF MONEY YEAR TO DATE 2021. THE MONEY WAS PASSED TO HELP OUR PEOPLE, THE POPULATION WE HAD HERE AT THE TIME IT WAS

PASSED AND THE COVID. >> SIS WITHOUT FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND IS THAT MONEY REPRESENTS MONEY WE HAVE TO PAY BACK. GIVEN ACTIVITIES ARE PRIMARILY CENTERED AROUND FUNDING THE LEGAL MIGRATION HOW DO WE KNOW THE SUBSTANTIAL PORTIONS OF THE EMERGENCY COVID FUNDS AREN'T BEING USED BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOR RESET TELL MEANT OF A LARGE NEW ILLEGAL MIGRANT PERMANENT WELFARE CLASS.

WE DON'T WANT THAT. UNTIL THEY SHOW TRANSPARENCY ON HOW THE MONEY IS BEING USED THEY DON'T NEED ANYMORE MONEY. REAL QUICK ON THE VACCINE A NEW STUDY SHOWS TEENAGE BOYS ARE SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER CARDIAC DAMAGE FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THAN THEY WERE TO BE HOSPITALIZED FROM COVID.

AFTER 18 MONTHS OF PANDEMIC AND BILLIONS SPENT BY THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT YOU ARE STILL NOT OFFERING COUNTY RESIDENTS ANY EARLY TREATMENTS FOR SICK PEOPLE TO PREVENT THEM FROM DYING. THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.

TREATING SICK PEOPLE SHOULD BE YOUR PRIORITY.

THE GOVERNOR'S REGENERON PROGRAM IS FREE.

>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> JUDGE, THE LAST SPEAKER WE HAD ON THE LINE WAS NUMBER 11, KAREN ALLEN AND SHE IS SPEAKING ON COVID ITEM NUMBER 18. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

KAREN ALLEN? >> YES.

GOOD AFTERNOON. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES. >> HELLO?

>> YES, MA'AM. PLEASE GO AHEAD.

>> OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND ALL COMMISSIONERS. I WASN'T ANTICIPATING SPEAKING THIS LATE SO I AM GOING TO GO RAPIDLY THROUGH IT.

I WILL SAY AS MUCH AS I CAN AND FOLLOW-UP WITH WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT A MATTER THAT IS OF THE GREATEST OF IMPORTANCE AND THAT IS EVICTIONS AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I WILL ADDRESS A FEW OF MY OBJECTIVES AND THEN JUST KIND OF GIVE BACKGROUND. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT MY GOAL IS TO STAND FOR MYSELF AND THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO ARE FACING OR WHO HAVE FACED EVICTIONS AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT AND SEE WHAT CAN BE

[03:50:04]

I AM SEEKING ASSISTANCE BECAUSE MUCH OF THE ASSISTANCE I SEE IS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ABOUT TO BE EVICTED, BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE WRONGFULLY BEEN EVICTED I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY ASSISTANCE. I HAVE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO WORKING WITH YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS AND I AM NOW NOT ONLY GOING TO STAND FOR MYSELF AND OTHER FAMILIES.

WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IS A TRAVIS STY.

TRAVISTY. I AM SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOR HOUSING FOR MYSELF AND ASSISTANCE IN HOPING TO VACATE OR OTHERWISE REMOVE AN EVICTION THAT WAS ISSUED UNDER GEORGE BARNSTONE. I'M SURE YOU ALL UNDERSTAND IT IS DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN HOUSING WITH AN EVICTION.

BUT DURING A TIME OF NATIONAL PANDEMIC AND JUDGE BARN STONE HAS ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT FOR YEARS, BUT HE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT UNDER THE WATCH OF OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. I WANT ASSISTANCE AND CLARITY ON THIS MATTER. I HAVE COMMITTED TO BECOMING AN ADVOCATE TO STAND FOR MYSELF AND FOR OTHER FAMILIES. IT IS SO WE CAN SEE THE PROCESSES AND THE PROCEDURES FOR MONITORING THE ACTIONS OF

OUR JUST -- >> HELLO, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT IT,

[Departments (Part 2 of 5)]

TIFFANY? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE BACK TO THE TAX CONVERSATION.

WE ARE TRYING TO WALK AWAY WITH ONE OR A COUPLE OF

PROPOSALS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, IF I CAN DIRECT EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION TO SLIDE 3 AND PAGE 3 OF THE OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATES.

THE LEFT HAND COLUMN IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA READ IN TERMS OF THE PROPOSED TAX RATES THAT HAD BEEN INITIALLY PROPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR AND IS BEFORE THE COURT. I AM IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL SECTION. I BELIEVE ALL OF US ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL SECTION.

IN THE FIRST COUNTY WHERE IT IS COUNTY M AND O AND COUNTY DEBT SERVICE THEY COME UP TO 37693.

IF WE WENT TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, THAT NUMBER WOULD DROP TO 37223 WHICH IS A FRENGS -- WHICH IS A DIFFERENCE -- LET ME GET MY PIECE OF PAPER OF .047 OR ROUGHLY HALF A PENNY. THE DISCUSSION WAS THAT THERE COULD BE ISSUES INVOLVING THE COUNTY DEBT SERVICE IFFY -- IF WE WENT TO THE HALF A PENNY DROP, BUT AS WE IN WHAT I PROPOSE AS TO A TAX RATE THAT WE -- INSTEAD OF HAVING THE HALF A PENNY INCREASE PROPOSED FOR THE WHOLE SECTION A .025 PERCENT WOULD GO TO THE COUNTY DEBT SERVICE.

I USED MY ONE BARNEY FIFE BULLET WITH COMMISSIONER

[03:55:02]

AND THAT FIRST SECTION INSTEAD OF READING THE COUNTY M AND O AT THE 3350 WOULD GO TO 33030 FOR MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS.

AND INSTEAD OF SAYING .04193 WOULD SAY .0443 FOR A DEBT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL OF 37473. WHICH IN ESSENCE IS HALFWAY BETWEEN THE PROPOSED -- IT IS A HALF PENNY OF THE PROPOSED INCREASE ABOVE THE NET NO REVENUE RATE.

WOULD YOU LIKE FOR ME TO REPEAT THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU SENDING IT AROUND?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S OFFICE SENT IT AROUND

TO EVERYONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OH, GOT IT.

>> CAN SOMEBODY SEND IT MY WAY, PLEASE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE GIVEN A COPY TO MR. BERRY.

I AM GIVING ONE TO OUR PARTNER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THE MATH WORKS OUT -- IF YOU SEE THE WORKSHEET THAT MR. BERRY SENT AROUND, THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE THAT SHOWS A REDUCTION OF 20 MILLION ON HARRIS COUNTY AND CHANNELLY WHAT COMMISSION -- ESSENTIALLY WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS DONE IS REDUCE THAT AND THIS IS THE

WORK -- WORKSHEET. >> LINA HIDALGO: [INAUDIBLE].

>> TOM RAMSEY: I'M SORRY. 12.

THE RATE COMMISSIONER CAGLE REFERENCED 374 SHIV 3 -- 37473 MEANS THAT THE COUNTY REVENUES IS REDUCES TO 10 MILLION.

THE 10 MILLION WENT INTO DEBT SERVICE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

IF YOU DON'T MIND GETTING IT TO ME.

OH THERE YOU GO. YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU STILL HAVE FLOOD CONTROL.

>> FLOOD CONTROL THE WAY IT IS. THE PORT THE WAY IT IS AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT WITH NO NEW REVENUE.

I SAY THE WAY THAT IT IS BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHEN YOU SAID NO NEW REVENUE TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, MR. BERRY, WHAT IS THE TRANSLATE -- TRANSLATION IN TERMS OF WHAT THAT MEANS TO THE HOSPITAL

DISTRICT'S BOTTOM LINE? >> I WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BUT I WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROPOSAL. JUST ONE SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO GO THROUGH IT IN

LAY MEN'S TERMS ONCE MORE? >> THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF ON -- BACK TO PAGE THREE.

THIS WOULD BE SIMILAR TO WHAT WE WOULD POST WHICH IS WHAT THE PUBLIC WOULD READ. CURRENTLY WE HAVE UNDER THE COUNTY M AND O AS THE PROPOSAL 0.335 AND THE COUNTY DEBT SERVICE 0.4193. AND BELOW THAT IS THE TOTAL, .37693. I LIKE TO LOOK AT THE SUM OF THE TWO. THE 37693.

IF WE WENT TO NO NEW REVENUE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR THAT SECTION, THE 37693 WOULD GO DOWN TO 37223.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 37693 AND 37223 IS .0047.

[04:00:10]

>> I DO THINK THERE IS A QUESTION OF SETTING A RATE FOR BONDS NOT ISSUED YET AND I'M NOT SURE IF WE CAN.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE FROM COUNTY ATTORNEY OR TAX OFFICE HAS THE ANSWER OFF THE TOP OF THEIR HEAD.

I BELIEVE IT HAS TO BE BASED ON ACTUAL BONDS THAT HAVE BEEN

ISSUED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I JUST WANT TO -- I'M JUST TRYING TO TRACK YOUR PROPOSAL. RIGHT NOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTY DEBT SERVICE, BUT EARLIER YOU MENTIONED THE

HOSPITAL DISTRICT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT I WAS WILLING TO DO THE DEBT SERVICE ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PERSUADE HIM IN THAT PARTICULAR DIRECTION, BUT I WAS ABLE TO BUMP HIM UP TO THE DEBT SERVICE IN THE -- I USED MY ONE BULLET AND GOT HIM TO GREAT -- TO AGREE FOR THE DEBT SERVICE.

I THINK I AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

WE CAN'T SAY THIS IS GOING TO GO TO PAY FUTURE BONDS.

IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE APPROVAL PROCESS.

IF WE APPROVE THE TAX RATE, THEN IT IS AVAILABLE AND WE CAN ISSUE THEM GOING FORWARD. I THINK I AGREE WITH -- IT IS LIKE SAYING YOU CAN'T TIE SOMETHING TO A FUTURE EXPENDITURE THAT HAS NOT BEEN MADE YET.

AT THE SAME TIME I THINK WE CAN PUT IT INTO WHAT WE PUBLISHED TO THE PUBLIC SAYING WE WILL FUND THE SERVICE AND GIVE US ROOM FOR THE ADDITIONAL DEBT.

>> I AM NOT SAYING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I JUST HAVE THE QUESTION. I KNOW YOU NEED A SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS ON DEBT ISSUANCES TO PAY THEM BACK.

WE NEED TO LOOK INTO IT. THAT'S MY RESPONSE ON THAT.

MY DARK DASH MY -- MY OTHER THOUGHT IS WE NEED TO SET A BASELINE AND IT IS AN IMPROVEMENT TO NOT CUT THE TAX RATE AS MUCH. THIS DUO -- THIS WOULD NOT SOLVE THE $20 MILLION GAP AND CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG.

AND NOR WOULD IT SOLVE THE GAP AT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WHICH

I BELIEVE IS $37 MILLION. >> --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AGREE THAT IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE

[04:05:02]

>> THE DEBT SERVICES ARE RESTRICTED.

IF THE BUDGET IF WE HAD AN EXPENDITURE TO PAY A SHERIFF DEPUTY OR PAY A PUBLIC HEALTH EMPLOYEE OR PAY A PRECINCT EMPLOYEE WE DO NOT HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO MOVE DEBT SERVICE TAXES OVER TO DO THAT.

WE WOULD NOT SOLVE THAT PROBLEM.

>> WE CAN TAKE MONEY NOT DEDICATED TO SERVICING THE DEBT AND SERVICE THE DEBT. YOU CAN PUT THE 10 MILLION UP.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE CAN USE IT TO REDUCE COMMERCIAL PAPER WHICH WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT COMMERCIAL PAPER.

>> THE DEBT SERVICE. I GENERALLY AGREE WITH THAT.

WE HAVE TO CHECK THE TERMS OF THE EXACT SCHEDULE WE NEED FOR SETTING THE TAX RATE. YOU CAN RETIRE COMMERCIAL PAPER EARLY IF YOU CHECK THE BOXES.

YES, YOU CAN USE M AND O REVENUE TO -- I'M SORRY.

DO YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD? YOU CAN USE M AND O REVENUE TO PAY DEBT SERVICE AND YOU CAN'T THE OPPOSITE.

WE CAN'T TAKE THE MONEY FROM DEBT SERVICE AND USE IT TO PAY THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMPLOYEE OR SHERIFF DEPUTY OR THAT PRECINCT. THAT PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE SOLVED. THE NEW BASELINE GOING FORWARD WOULD BE SOMEWHAT REDUCED, BUT IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT

DIRECTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET IT. THIS PROPOSAL ESSENTIALLY CUTS THE COUNTY TAX RATE AND IT CUTS THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

>> AND FROM AN M AND O PERSPECTIVE ALL THE WAY DOWN.

>> WHAT IMPACT DOES IT HAVE ON THE BOND RATE?

>> MR. BERRY, THIS IS ELIZABETH WITH THE COUNTY TAX OFFICE. I KNOW THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS IN MOTION HERE. I JUST KIND OF WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING AND I CAN LET JAY JUMP IN.

WHAT I UNDERSTAND IN ABOUT THE TAXATION WORKSHEETS WE CALCULATED FOR THE COUNTY JURISDICTIONS, THE DEBT RATE THAT IS SHOWN UNDER THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE AND THE DEBT RATE THAT IS BEING PROVED BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT .04193, THAT IS A DEBT RATE THAT MUST BE ADOPTED TO PAY THE DEBT FUNDS BY REQUIREMENTS. AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THE TAKDZ -- TAX CODE THAT'S THE RATE YOU MUST ADOPT TO PAY THE DEBT BONDS. THAT'S KIND OF A REQUIREMENT.

IF JAY WANTS TO BACK ME UP, THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE DEBT RATES TO BE CALCULATED AS AND THEY HAVE TO BE ADOPTED AS SUCH. THE ONLY WAY TO BE CHANGED IS IF THERE IS UNINCOME BETTERED FUNDS -- UN UN-- UNINCOME BETTERED FUNDS TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT RATES.

THE ONLY DISCUSSIONS THERE CAN BE IS WHAT DID THEY WANT TO ADOPT. DAVE, DO YOU AGREE ON THAT?

>> YES. THAT'S UNDERSTANDING AS WELL.

WHAT THE COURT IS LOOKING TO DO, IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS FIXED. WE CANNOT NOT PAY BONDHOLDERS. THERE IS LESS MOVEMENT THERE

THAN ON THE M AND O SIDE. >> MY PROPOSAL IS TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT TOWARD THE REDUCTION OF DEBT.

BY HAVING A QUARTER OF A PENNY INCREASE THEY WOULD BE WE WOULD SAY THE EXISTING BONDS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

I KNOW WE HAVE COMMERCIAL PAPER THAT YOU CAN USE YOUR DEBT SERVICE TO PAY FOR. NOT SURE HOW ALL OF THOSE RULES WORK. THERE HAS TO BE A NEW

[04:10:14]

DOWN FASTER. >> I WOULD WANT TO DO THE WORK. AND HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO

WORK THAT OUT? >> I HATE TO PROMISE ON THE SPOT. ARE --

>> ARE WE TALKING DAYS OR WEEKS?

>> IF THERE ARE OTHER PIECES ON THE TABLE, MY REACTION IS OF THE ISSUES I PRESENTED AND THIS IS HELPFUL ON ONE OF THE ISSUES, BUT THERE REMAINS A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES.

>> AND THERE MAY BE ANOTHER COMPROMISE WHERE IT GOES TO THE OTHER CATEGORY. BUT IT IS FOR IN --

INFRASTRUCTURE. >> I WOULD SAY THAT WOULD BE A LOT SIMPLER TO IMPLEMENT. MAYBE IT IS NOT WHAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS PROPOSING.

AND THEN PLUGGING MONEY IN FOR A DEBT SERVICE ACCOUNT.

>> WE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE SOME CUTS TO MAKE UP FOR THAT IF WE WILL MAKE THOSE CUTS AT SOME POINT WE WILL HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AND IT WILL BE HELPFUL GOING INTO IT.

I KNOW WHERE I WANT TO CUT IT FROM.

I WANT TO CUT IT FOR THE ONES THAT DIDN'T PAY FOR THE SERVICES. I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AS WE GO.

WE STILL TALK ABOUT THE SERIOUS HOLES WE WOULD BE PUTTING A LIMITED INVESTIGATION OF WHAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PROPOSED, BUT ONLY IF IT WENT TO THE

SERVICE DEBT. >> THEY DON'T WANT -- FLOOD CONTROL IS THE SAME AS WHAT THE COUNTY ADD STREIGHTER PROPOSED. COUNTY ADD -- ADMINISTRATOR PROPOSED. IT IS $36 MILLION LESS THAN WHAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PROPOSES.

WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS SAYING IS IN PRACTICAL TERMS IT WOULD BE $10 MILLION OVER THE MNR.

WE WOULD STILL BE UNDER BUDGET.

THE 20 MILLION PUT US UNDER BUDGET.

AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE WOULD LIKE TO EARMARK THAT TOWARD THE DEBT. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE APPROVING IT WITH M AND O IT WOULD BE EARMARKED FOR THE DEBT SERVICE. I THINK WE HAVE A REALISTIC PROPOSAL. INSTEAD OF SAYING WE ARE SETTING THIS RATE FOR THE DEBT SERVICE WE SET IT FOR M AND O AND WE WILL USE IT FOR DEBT SERVICE.

AND SO WE HAVE TWO PROPOSALS AND WE SIMPLY NEED TO MAKE BOTH MOTIONS AND THE DATES REMAIN THE SAME AND WE MOVE ON. IT IS 3:30 AND I REALLY DO THINK WE HAVE REACHED A POINT OF VOTING.

[04:15:04]

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 3)]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, DO

YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ? >> YES, MA'AM.

NUMBER 12, NANCY DECKER OF CYPRESS CREEK BASE SPEAKING ON COVID-19 ITEM 18. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS NANCY DECKER AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FOUNDATION OF THE ARTS AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT OF FAITH.

I LIVE AND WORK IN THE AREA LOCATED IN THE UN -- UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY AND PRE SIKH -- PRECINCT FOUR. I WORKED AT CYPRESS CREEK SAGES -- SINCE I WAS 21. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME PRESENT WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE A PRESENTER DURING COVID IN AN UNINCORP PRETTIED AREA OF THE COUNTY.

IT WAS FOUNDED WHEN THE CENTER OPENED AT CYPRESS CREEK CHRISTIAN CHURCH. WE ARE A 501C3 PROVIDING CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE USUALLY EMPLOY FOUR PEOPLE AND PATRONS AT CONCERTS AND FREE CHILDRENS PROGRAMS AND MASTER CLASSES AND SUMMER CAMPS.

OUR ANNUAL BUDGET IS OVER $500,000 EACH SEASON.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT WE HAD TO SHUTDOWN AND LAYOFF.

WE CANCELED 18 MONTHS OF CONCERTS.

I HAVE SPOKEN TO ARTISTS WHO HAVE BARELY -- WHO ARE BARELY HANGING ON WITH YOUNG FAMILIES AND BABIES ON THE WAY.

THEY DEPEND ON BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THEY WILL AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK. WE TRIED VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING OFFERED FOR FREE AND ASKED FOR DONATIONS TO PAY THE ARTISTS.

WE HAVE HAD NO IN-PERSON CONCERTS.

BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY, OUR ONLY SOURCE OF FUNDING IS THROUGH THE TEXAS COMMISSION OF THE ARTS. WHEN I BEGAN THE CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL WAS OUR VOICE FOR ART FUNDING.

WHEN THEY CLOSED THEIR DOORS WE LOST OUR VOICE.

WE FELT EXILED LIKE A FORGOTTEN STEP CHILD.

I BELIEVE THE ONLY MECHANISM TO SUPPORT THE ART IS THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

THE PLAN FUNDS THE COUNTY'S EXPECTATION TO RECEIVE AND ALLOW FOR SPENDING ON ARTS AND CULTURE AND PRESENTS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS. OUR INDUSTRY WAS DECIMATED LIKE NO OTHER. WE DON'T HAVE DRIVE-THRU OPTIONS LIKE RESTAURANTS OR OUTDOOR SPACES FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING. WE HAVE TO WAIT IT OUT UNTIL THE PANDEMIC IS OUT OF CONTROL.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE ARTS.

I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT WE WOULD MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES ESPECIALLY WITH SENIORS AND YOUNG CHILDREN. WE LIFT UP HOPE WHEN IT SEEMS HOPELESS. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION. THERE ARE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ART COMMUNITY THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO --

>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT SPEAKER NUMBER 13. MICHELLE WHO IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 18 UNDER COVID-19. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO JUDGE HIDALGO. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL.

WE ARE THE FIRST AND ONLY CULTURAL COMMUNITY.

WE ARE IN THE UNINCORPORATED EAST PART OF PRE SINK 2.

PRECINCT 2 AND WE USE THE ARTS TO PROMOTE SOCIAL EQUITY. I AM HERE TO URGE THE COURT TO ENSURE THAT FUNDING IS INCLUDED IN OUR ALLOCATIONS.

THERE ARE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO PLANNED TO SPEAK TODAY, BUT THEY WERE WITHOUT POWER AND ASK ME TO SPEAK THEIR REGRET. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I AM AWARE OF YOUR FOND OF THE ARTS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I KNOW YOUR WORK TO EXPAND ART ACCESS IN OUR COUNTY AND I THANK YOU

[04:20:03]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY. >> I THINK I AM -- GOOD.

I THINK I AM IN GOOD COMPANY AS I TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS AND I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. IT EMPLOYS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COUNTY RESIDENTS AND IMPACTS THE ECONOMY OF $1 BILLION EVERY YEAR. THE 57 MILLION THE COUNTY SEES IN TAX COLLECTIONS IS ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THE DRAINAGE PROJECTS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

APART FROM THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IT IS CRITICAL WITH OUR MENTAL HELP BECAUSE IT HELPS US COPE WITH AND MAKE SENSE OF THE TRAUMAS OF LIFE. ALL INDUSTRIES WERE IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC, THE ART AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY SAW A CLOSURE RATE THAT WAS 26% HIGHER THAN THAT OF OTHER INDUSTRIES. 57 PERCENT VERSUS 31%.

UNINCORPORATED AREAS WERE HIT HARDER.

ALTHOUGH 50% *6 -- OF COUNTY RESIDENTS LIVE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND 8% OF THE COUNTY'S POPULATION GROWTH HAS BEEN IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

FURTHER THE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS AND THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS ARE MARGINALIZED AND UNDER SERVED WHERE ART FUNDING IS CONCERNED AND NOT ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE FUNDING OFFERED TO GROUPS IN THE CITY LIMIT.

THIS SITUATION IS NOT EQUITABLE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I WANT TO URGE THIS HONORABLE COURT THAT THE RIGHT OF RESIDENTS IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY TO HAVE ACCESS TO AND BENEFIT FROM THE ART WITHOUT LEAVING THEIR COMMUNITY UNPROTECTED.

YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS BY ALLOCATING ART FUNDS IN AN EQUITABLE MANNER TO INCLUDE THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS. WE WILL ADDRESS TWO OF THE THREE BROAD SPENDING PRIORITIES THE COUNTY HAS IDENTIFIED, HEALTH AND JOB, 25,000 TO BE EXACT AND ART FUNDING SPECIFICALLY FOR UNINCORPORATED AREAS ADDRESSES THIS COURT'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITIES AND THE USE AND

ALLOCATION OF OUR FUNDS. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MICHELLE, THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING AND WEIGHING IN.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE CONTEMPLATING MAKING DRAMATIC REDUCTIONS IN THE BUDGET -- HELLO? MICHELLE?

>> I'M HERE, COMMISSIONER. I'M HERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CALLING AND WEIGHING IN.

WE ARE RIGHT NOW CONTEMPLATING MAKING REDUCTIONS IN OUR BUDGET. IT IS ALL MONEY.

SOME IS IN THE GENERAL FUND WHICH SOME OF THIS MAY COME FROM AND SOME OF THIS WILL BE IN OTHER AREAS OF OPERATION.

BRUT -- BUT IT IS ALL PART OF WHAT WE HAVE TO THINK THROUGH. I APPRECIATE YOU CALLING AND WEIGHING IN. WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THAT ARTS IS PART OF -- A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR ECONOMY. OUR COMMUNITY ARTISTS TEND TO CREATE A LOT OF JOBS AND ECONOMIC REVITALIZATIONS.

WE ARE CONTEMPLATING THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> NEXT IS DERBY SPEAKING ON ITEM 18, COVID-19.

>> COMMISSIONER, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, ART DOES NOT CREATE JOBS. CORRECT YOURSELF ON THE STATEMENT. THAT'S AN INSANE COMMENT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INFLUX OF WHAT ARE CALLED AFGHAN REFUGEES WHAT ARE BEING SPREAD OUT ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. $5MILLION FOR HEALTH CARE USED ON THESE PEOPLE, THESE PEOPLE ARE UNVETTED.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE GOOD OR BAD.

IF THEY ARE PART OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AND CELLS OR NOT. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAD A CRISIS IN AFGHANISTAN AND WE LEFT THEM WITH BILLIONS OF ASSETS AND INFORMATION AND THOSE PEOPLE WILL HAVE CONNECTION TO THESE PEOPLE COUGH -- COMING HERE AND THE JUDGE IS

[04:25:02]

AND IT HAS BEEN THE RUNNING DOG OF THIS GROUP AND PROPOSED USING HARRIS COUNTY TAX DOLLARS THAT IS A COMPLETE WASTE. THIS IS A NEO MARXIST REGIME.

BY THE WAY, JUDGE HIDALGO, THE TRANSLATOR, PLEASE DON'T RIDICULE OUR COMMISSIONERS BY SAYING THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE CALLING IN AND SPEAKING OUT AGAINST IT.

WE SEE WHAT YOU ARE UP TO AND WE DON'T LIKE IT.

WE SEE WHO YOU ARE ALIGNED WITH AND WE DON'T LIKE IT.

IT IS ANTI-AMERICAN AND ANTI-TEXAN AND ANTI-HARRIS COUNTY. THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY DON'T LIKE IT. THAT'S WHY WE ARE CALLING.

I THINK THIS COMMISSIONER'S GROUP IS WASTING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND IT IS UNRIGHT.

I THINK WE'RE FED UP. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SPENDING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON ART DISPLAYS AND IT CREATES JOBS? THE WORD EQUITY IS A MARXIST,

COMMUNIST WORD. >> YOU ARE OUT OF TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 16 DAVID GALVAN AND SPEAKING ON 327 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CANVASSING TEAM FOR VACCINATION OUT REACH THE CRUX OF VACCINATION OUT REACH IS CHANNELING THE POWER OF PERSUASION. THERE IS NO BETTER GROUP EQUIPPED TO PERSUADE THAN THIS GROUP.

THEY HOLD A SPECIFIC SKILL SET THAT DOES NOT EASILY TRANSFER TO DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS AND NOR DOES IT EASILY TRANSLATE TO DIFFERENT PERSON NAMENTS. WE HAVE -- WE NEVER KNOW WHEN WE WILL BE GREETED BY A BELLIGERENT RESIDENT OR A HOSTILE DOG. WE TAKE THAT CHANCE.

YOU SHOULD KNOW THESE CITIZENS AND THISSIVE -- THIS CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS IN SHORT SUPPLY ESPECIALLY IN THIS CLIMATE.

MEMBERS MOVED HERE FROM OUT OF STATE BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED IN THE URGENCY IN THIS MANY TOOK THIS AS A SECOND JOB.

IT WAS YIELDING RESULTS. WE ASSEMBLED WHAT WAS TO BE THE LARGEST VACCINE OUT REACH TEAM.

TO REDUCE SUCH A TRANSFORMATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE TO POLITICS YET AGAIN IS ONE MORE REASON WHY TEXAS AND AMERICA ARE STILL MIRED IN THIS DEADLY PANDEMIC.

IT IS MIOPIC AND DANGEROUS. TOY LIMB -- TO ELIMINATE THIS PROGRAM WHEN IT WAS GETTING OFF THE GROUND ADDS INSULT TO INJURY. THIS VACCINATION EFFORT IS A NATIONAL SERVICE UNDERTAKEN BY CIVILIANS DURING WORLD WAR II. WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO RALLY TOGETHER AGAINST OUR COMMON ENEMY WHICH IS COVID-19 AND NOT ONE ANOTHER. WHEN WE ARE MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, WE ARE NOT SPEAKING AS POLITICAL HACKS, BUT PATRIOTS TRYING TO GET THIS COUNTRY BACK TO A SENSE OF NORMAL. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE GRADUATING COLLEGE I FEEL LIKE MY DEGREE IN PUBLIC UH FAIRS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE WAS GOING TOWARD SOMETHING WORTH WHILE. THE FIRST TIME I FINALLY PHYT LIKE -- FELT LIKE I HAD A DREAM JOB.

WE JOINED THE INITIATIVE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN IT.

WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ON THIS AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU.

YOU OWE IT TO HARRIS COUNTY TO SEE WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH.

THIS IS INDEED GOOD AND NOBLE WORK.

WE WANT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY. GIVE US A CHANCE TO DO SO.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT SPEAKER 17 SUSAN

[04:30:04]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN AND A CONSTITUENT IN THE MILITARY AREA.

I AM REALLY FED UP WITH THE POLITICAL SNIPING AT EVERY LEVEL IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT ESPECIALLY AT YOUR LEVEL.

I REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT SIDE OF THE AISLE IT COMES FROM.

I SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY CITIZEN THAT IS REALLY OVER THIS RIDICULOUS BEHAVIOR. WHAT I'M ASKING YOU TO DO IS HARKEN BACK IN YOUR DISCUSSION.

EARLIER YOU TALKED ABOUT COMPROMISE.

STRAP ON SOME COOPERATION AND CONSIDER CONTINUING THIS VACCINE OUT REACH. WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO IS PUT THE PEOPLE OF THAT YOU ARE REIS COUNTY NUMBER ONE.

-- HARRIS COUNTY NUMBER ONE. PUT US FIRST AND MAKE US SAFE WITH THE ELEVATION VACCINATION CANVASSING.

ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED DULY, AND YOU REPRESENT THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY EACH AND EVERY ONE DESERVES YOUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT THEM AND SERVE THEIR BEST INTERESTS. AND THERE IS A WHOLE EFFORT FOR CANVASSING AND IF IT IS A SUCCESS, IS ONE PERSON GOING TO GET CREDITED? NO.

ALL OF YOU WILL GET CREDIT. INSTEAD OF TRYING TO MICROMANAGE ABOUT THE SUBCONTRACTORS OR THE NICKELED OTHER ISSUES, I'M 14UR -- I'M SURE YOU HAVE A TEAM IN PLACE THAT CAN DO AUDITS. LET THEM DO IT.

I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS BE ABOUT POLITICAL CAREERS.

IT IS ABOUT LIVES. I AM A VACCINATED PERSON, BUT I JUST WANT TO SEE THE DAY WHEN I CAN STOP WORRYING CONSTANTLY ABOUT GETTING INFECTED AND BEING HOSPITALIZED OR KEEP HEARING ABOUT ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM THIS VIRUS. OUR COUNTRY IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT THE QUIET ENJOYMENT OF LIFE.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL TRY TO ACHIEVE.

I AM BEGGING WITH YOU AND PLEADING WITH YOU TO PULL TOGETHER AND DO WHAT PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE MEANT TO DO.

LOOK AFTER YOUR PEOPLE. LET THIS CANVASSING EFFORT PROCEED. HERE IS A NOVEL IDEA.

IT COULD BE A SHINING EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY ABOUT BIPARTISAN COOPERATION. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO AND I IMPLORE YOU TO DO IT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 18. Y -- ELAINA MARKS.

SHE IS SPEAKING ON 327 UNDER COMMISSIONER 3 AND 372 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL COVID-19 ITEMS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANKS VERY MUCH. I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE EPISCOPAL HEALTH CON -- FOUNDATION.

THERE IS A NEED FOR THE GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY-BASED VACCINATION IN THE COUNTY AND I WANT TO OFFER AN INVITATION TO THE COUNTY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPED BY A STATEWIDE COALITION OF FOUNDATIONS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS RESULT. I DON'T HAVE ANY OPINIONS TO GET A CONTRACT. MY REASON FOR SPEAKING IS IN THE INTEREST OF INCREASING VACCINE UP TAKE IN THE COUNTY. HARRIS COUNTY IS BELOW THE LEVEL THAT MOST EXPERTS SAY WE NEED TO ACHIEVE TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE AND OUR ECONOMY. WE KNOW THERE ARE STILL POCKETS OF PEOPLE WHO IN THE COUNTY WHO FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS HAVE NOT YET DECIDED TO GET VACCINATED.

WE CAME TOGETHER AS A COLLABORATIVE AIMED AT GETTING FUNDS INTO THE HANDS OF COMMUNITY GROUPS WHO COULD HELP BRIDGE THE CONFIDENCE GAP THAT SOME COMMUNITIES ARE EXPERIENCING. WE COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS OF THE HEALTH, HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM AND THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WHO WE KNEW WOULD BE ACTIVE IN PROMOTING VACCINES AS THEY HAVE BEEN.

WE KNEW SOME WOULD NOT BE REACHED OR PERSUADED, BUT THEY MAY BE OPEN IF APPROACHED BY KNOWN, TRUSTED PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS. WE WANT TO GET IT INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE PEOPLE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS ARE CRITICAL TO BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE AND

[04:35:02]

IT INCLUDES THE COMMON TRUST FOR HEALTH CARE AND THE COHEN FOUNDATION AND THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT AND THE ROCKWELL FUND. WITH OUR STATE RIDE PARTNERS WE HAVE RAISED A FEW MILLION DOLLARS AND WE HAVE AWARDED 12 GRANTS IN JUNE AND ANNOUNCING ANOTHER 23 GRANTS NEXT WEEK FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT -- A LITTLE OVER $2 MILLION.

FUNDS ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE COMMUNITY WE SCR ALSO AWARDED GRANTS. THEY AWARDED FEDERAL MONEY THAT WAS PASSED THROUGH THROUGH THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING VACCINE CONFIDENCE. THEY PROVIDED ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO THE TEAM AS THEY WERE ESTABLISHING THEIR -- AND WE PROVIDE STAFF FROM OUR PARTICIPATING FOUNDATIONS TO REVIEW GRANT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY A AND M.

>> HELLO, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.

JUDGE, DOES SHE GET THREE MINUTES PER ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: SURE. THAT'S HOW WE SAID WE WOULD DO IT TODAY. [INAUDIBLE] TODAY, YES.

>> I JUST HAD A SENTENCE MORE.

IT IS JUST TO OFFER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN USING THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF YOUR SHOT TEXAS TO GET FUNDS OUT THAT ARE -- WE CAN DO THAT FOR YOU AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THAT. THIS IS WHAT PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY HAS BEEN DOING STATEWIDE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NUMBER 20 IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 327 UNDER COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 3.

GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> I AM ALANA SHERRY AND I AM HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO SHARE THAT I FEEL THE VACCINE OUT REACH IS WORKING AND I FEEL THAT PUTTING A DELAY IN RIGHT NOW WOULD BE COSTLY IN TERMS OF LIVES.

EACH OF YOU IS ANY -- IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

I'M SURE YOU HAVE HAD BLOCK WALKERS AND PAID BLOCK WALKERS WORKING FOR YOU TO GET YOU ELECTED.

YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR POTENTIAL VOTERS AND A FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATION IS SOMETIMES THE THING THAT IS NEEDED TO COMMIT SOMEBODY TO TAKING THE ACTION. IT IS WORKING WITH VOTERS AND WORKING WITH THEM TO GET THE VACCINE.

WE NEED OUR POPULATION VACCINATED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND TO PROTECT OUR IMMUNOCOMPROMISED COMMUNITY MEMBERS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT YOU WOULD BE LOOKING AT AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON THESE BLOCKS AND CHOOSING TO DELAY OR TAKE AWAY THE CONTRACT.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME SM. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LIVES. HOW MUCH IS A LIFE WORTH TO YOU? WE NEED PEOPLE VACCINATED.

THESE BLOCK WALKS ARE WORKING.

THE FACT THAT THERE IS QUIBBLES ABOUT THE PROCESS CONCERNS ME WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

THAT IS EVERYTHING I WANTED TO SAY.

I SUPPORT THE VACCINE OUT REACH PROGRAM AND KEEPING IT RUNNING FOR AS LONG AS WE NEED TO TO GET OUR COMMUNITY VACCINATED. I YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 23, AMBER BOYD.

SHE IS SPEAKING ON 327 UNDER COMMISSIONER 3.

GO AHEAD. >> HI.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

MY NAME IS ANDREA BOYD AND I AM A LAWYER RUNNING A SMALL LAW FIRM IN HARRIS COUNTY. JUDGE HIDALGO, I UNDERSTAND YOU RAN ON A PLATFORM OF TRANSPARENCY AND HOPE.

I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED WITH THE ELEVATE STRATEGY SHOULD DILUTE THAT AND NOR TAKE AWAY FROM THE HARD WORK AND SERVICE YOU PROVIDED TO HARRIS COUNTY.

HOWEVER, WHAT TRANSPIRED WITH ELEVATE STRATEGIES IS A MINOR ISSUE THAT HIGHLIGHTS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE FOLLOWING. NO ONE KNEW THE AMOUNT OF THE CONTRACT. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? WILL THERE BE A NEW WAY TO DISRUPT THIS DISCREPANCY? WHAT ABOUT SMALL COMPANIES LIKE MINE? HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED BEFORE? ELEVATE STRATEGY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PART OF THE

[04:40:04]

NUMBER FIVE, I AM HIGHLY OFFENDED BY A COMMENT IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER INDICATING THIS INCIDENT REFLECTS ON THE MWBE PROGRAM. MANY MWBE'S WERE QUALIFIED TO APPLY, BUT NOT GIVEN A CHANCE.

NUMBER SIX, IN THE 185 YEARS OF HARRIS COUNTY EXISTED, HAS THERE EVER BEEN AN EVALUATION THAT YOU CLED MULTIPLE MEMBERS -- THAT INCLUDED MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE? NUMBER SEVEN, I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR MULTIPLE MEETINGS AND THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS ESH YES AND THIS -- ISSUES AND IT AMPLIFIES THE PROBLEM.

HARRIS COUNTY GOT ITS HAND CAUGHT IN THE COOKIE JAR.

INSTEAD OF CANCELING THE CONTRACTS WE NEED TO CORRECT THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. I YIELD MY TIME.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME SPUE SPEAK -- ME TO SPEAK TODAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 21 EYE DAN UH -- DIANA ALEXANDER, SPEAKING ON 327.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

THIS IS DIANA ALEXANDER. AND I AM CALLING TO SPEAK ABOUT THE CONTINUATION OF THE VACCINE OUT REACH EFFORTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS CONTRACT WAS VOTE OWED IN THE JUNE 8TH MEETING AND LABELED IN THE AGENDA THAT THE AWARD WAS GOING TO BE APPROVED -- I'M SORRY.

VOTED ON TO SEE IF ELEVATE WAS GOING TO BE AWARDED THE CONTRACT BASED ON THEIR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION.

IT WAS CLEAR THAT THAT VOTE WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE JUNE 8TH MEETING. PROPOSALS WERE ANNOUNCED IN MARCH. I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS TAKEN ISSUE WITH THIS VOTE BEING UNCLEAR.

SINCE THE PROCESS BEGAN IN MARCH HIS OFFICE HAD AMPLE TIME TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE ON RESEARCHING OTHER OPTIONS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE WEBSITE FOR PRE SINK THREE, IT IS NOT LIKE THERE IS INFORMATION ON VACCINES OR HEALTH OPTIONS IN TIME OF A PANDEMIC OR ANYTHING REGARDING PUBLIC HEALTH THAT WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

I KIND OF FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE COMMISSIONER IS FOCUSED ON FINDING SOLUTIONS ON THIS ISSUE.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE THIS IN A NOVEL AND INNOVATIVE WAY TO OVERCOME VACCINE HESITANCY.

AND THAT CAN BRINGY NOR -- BRING ENORMOUS VALUE AND RELIEVING STRAIN ON INFRASTRUCTURE DURING THIS PIVOTAL TIME WITH THE ONSET OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

TO EXPLAIN MORE DETAILS, THE OUT REACH TEAM OF 50 CANVASSERS USED DATA FROM COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS TO TARGET VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WITH LOW VACCINATION RATES TO HAVE PERSON TO PERSON INTERACTION TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND ALLAY FEARS. ONCE AGAIN HARRIS COUNTY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A LEADER OF MEETING DIRE NEEDS UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES. THEY ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN HAVING CONVERSATIONS. DO NOT CANCEL THIS CANVASSING PROGRAM. I SUGGEST AN EXAMINATION OF THE DATA COLLECTED WILL SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

>> SPEAKER NUMBER 19, ANDREW MEED.

HE IS SPEAKING ON 327 UNDER COMMISSIONER 3 AND 372 UNDER

SUPPLEMENTAL COVID-19 ITEMS. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM ANDREW MEAD AND AN ATTORNEY SPEAKING ON ELEVATE STRATEGY'S LLC.

I AM SPEAKING ON 327 AND 372. I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE THREE

[04:45:05]

MINUTES OR IF I HAVE SIX. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU HAVE

SIX. >> I APPRECIATE THAT, JUDGE.

I WANT TO COMMEND THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, YOURSELF ON THE TARGETED COMMUNITY VACCINE OUT REACH PROGRAM. TALKING ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY AND EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF THE VACCINE.

YOU WERE UP A TASKED -- WERE YOU ALL TASKED WITH TAKING SWIFT ACTION AND MEANINGFUL ACTION TO STEM THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IN HARRIS COUNTY AND OTHERWISE PROTECT THE HEALTH OF THE CITIZENS. I WANT TO ADDRESS A FEW ITEMS. WE WENT THROUGH PROPER PROCEDURES AND THE BEST CANDIDATE WON.

THE PROGRAM AND ITS PHO SILL STATION REQUIRED A -- FACILITATION TARGETED MESSAGING WITH EFFECTIVE MESSAGING. THAT'S PERSUASIVE TO THE PARTICULAR AUDIENCE AND SOURCES THAT WOULD BE IN AUTHORITATIVE AND INFORMATIVE FOR THE AUDIENCE.

THE COUNTY PUBLISHED THE RFP, BUT RECEIVED RESPONSES FROM FOUR KAPTD -- CANDIDATES. UT HEALTH WAS DISQUALIFIED IN PART BECAUSE IT DID NOT PER -- PERFORM WITH OTHER CONTRACTS.

ELEVATE WHICH IS A WOMAN AND MINORITY, HISPANIC, OWNED BUSINESS. BECAUSE IT HAD THE BEST PROPOSAL AND IT WAS HIGHLY QUALIFIED TO DO THE TASK AT ISSUE. THAT IS TARGETING AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY MESSAGING. THE PROVE IS -- THE PROOF IS UNDER THE PRIOR CONTRACT INCLUDING THE EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE 2020 CENSUS AND IT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ROLLING OUT A LARGE PART OF THE HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF FUND. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD 10 POINTS UNDER AGENDA ITEM 327.

I HAVE ABOUT THREE MINUTES LEFT AND I THINK THAT WOULD BREAK DOWN TO ABOUT 182NDS PER POINT.

I -- 18 SECONDS PER POINT AND DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO OVER EACH OF THEM. I SHORTCUT THAT BY SAYING THIS. MYSELF AND ELEVATE WILL MEET WITH ANYONE AT ANYTIME THEY LIKE TO DO -- TO GO OVER WHAT ELEVATE'S QUALIFICATIONS ARE TO CARRY OUT THIS CONTRACT AND WHAT THE PLAN AND PROCESS IS FOR CARRYING OUT THE CONTRACT. WHAT ITS PERFORMANCE TO DATE HAS BEEN AND WILL BE. BEFORE TERMINATING THE CONTRACT, I THINK THE COMMISSIONERS SHOULD ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. AND GET REAL ANSWERS.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS AND HOW HAS THE PERFORMANCE BEEN SO FAR. HARRIS COUNTY AND THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER A GOOD PLAN FOR AN IMPORTANT PURPOSE.

IS IT WILL LITERALLY SAVE LIVES.

THERE IS NOBODY THAT IS READY, WILLING AND ABLE TOE -- TO LAUNCH THE PROGRAM TOMORROW. ELEVATE CAN BE PREPARED TO CANVAS TOMORROW AS WELL AS ITS OVERALL PROGRAM OF 150,000 UNIQUE DOOR KNOCKS, OVER 2.7 MILLION PLANNED PHONE CALLS AND 4.5 MILLION PLANNED MAILERS AND 2.7 MILLION TARGETED TEXT MESSAGES AND 21 MILLION IN PERSON ADS.

ELEVATE HAS 15 EMPLOYEES TO CARRY OUT THIS TASK AND ANOTHER 30 ON BOARD TO CARRY OUT THE TASK.

ELEVATE IS READY TO GO. WE ARE UNDER AN EMERGENCY.

WHEN -- WHEN THE RFP WAS ISSUED IT GOT WORSE WITH THE DELTA VARIANT EXPWH D.A. -- AND NEW VARIANT.

BEFORE THE CURRENT CONTRACT IS TERMINATED I THINK THEY SHOULD LOOK IF THEY HAVE ANYBODY ELSE READY TO GO.

RIGHT NOW THERE ISN'T ANYONE ELSE.

[04:50:06]

YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT SERVICE IN HARRIS COUNTY IN PUTTING THIS PROGRAM TOGETHER. IT WOULD BE A DISSERVICE TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS SOMEBODY THERE TO CARRY IT OUT.

IT MEANS TO HIRING SOMEBODY ELSE THAT LEADS TO PERIOD OF DELAY DURING WHICH MORE PEOPLE WILL GET SICK AND MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE PROGRAM TOGETHER.

YOU CAN ASK ME OR ANY OTHER PEOPLE FROM ELEVATE IF YOU

HAVE THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SHANNON SPEAKING ON 327 AND 346 UNDER TRANSMITAL.

>> GO AHEAD. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME WAS SPEAKING ABOUT BEING PAID BY A COMPANY TO PROMOTE HIS IDEALS. I DISAGREE WITH -- I DISAGREE. THESE PEOPLE CALL AND DON'T STOMP -- STOP CALLING. THEY CONTINUE TO CALL YOU REPEATEDLY NO MATTER IF YOU ARE WORKING OR NOT.

THAT'S FRUSTRATING TO RECEIVE NON--STOP TELEPHONE CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES FOR SOMETHING I DON'T AGREE REQUEST.

OUR HOMELESS PEOPLE USED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF SO MUCH BETTER.

I CAN'T GO TWO FEET WITHOUT SOMEBODY TO WALK TWO FEET.

EVERYBODY IS EDUCATED AT THIS POINT.

WE DON'T NEED MORE PROPAGANDA SHOVED DOWN OUR THROAT.

WE NEED THE HOMELESS CLEANED UP AND MAKE IT RESPECTABLE AGAIN. RIGHT NOW IT IS A DIVE.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO PAY PEOPLE $100 TO CONVINCE THEM TO COME FORWARD AND GET A VACCINATION, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT.

FUNDS CAN BE SPENT BETTER RATHER THAN PUTTING IT INTO A COMPANY THAT WILL HARASS PEOPLE AND VIOLATES THE DO NOT DISTURB LIST. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH NUMBER 350. YOU KNOW WHAT? I WILL GO TO 359 INSTEAD WITH REGARD TO GIVING HEALTH CARE TO REFUGEES. OUR GOVERNMENT AS ANNOUNCED THEY HAVE THEM ON HEALTH CARE THERE IS NO REASON WHY ANY OF OUR MONEY NEEDS TO GO TO ANYBODY ELSE OTHER THAN OUR RESIDENTS, THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY AND HELPING THEM OUT FIRST. LET'S CLEAN UP OUR OWN MESS AND LESS ABOUT WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS MAKING A MESS WITH. I DISAGREE WITH DIRECT IMMUNITY. IT IS TIME PEOPLE STOP LOOKING AT WHAT THE NEWS IS SAYING AND LOOK AT OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR US.

NOT THE REST OF THE WORLD, BUT FOR US.

WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

YOU HAVE BEEN EXTRA HUBD DOLLARS? SURE. I AM FOR YOU GIVING IT TO EVERY HOMELESS PERSON NOT TO FORTS -- FORCE THEM TO GET A VACCINATION, BUT GET THEM BACK ON THEIR FEET.

LET'S WORRY ABOUT HUMAN DECENCY BEFORE YOU SHOVE PROPAGANDA DOWN PEOPLE'S THROATS.

I THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

COMMISSIONER, I TAKE IT THE TAX RATES ARE NOT DONE YET? THE PROPOSALS? OKAY.

LETSY KEEP HEAR -- LET'S KEEP HEARING FROM THE SPEAKERS.

>> JUDGE, I AM NOT SURE IF THE IN-PERSON SPEAKER IS STILL THERE? SHE ADD FEW MORE ITEMS SHE

WANTED TO SPEAK ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHE IS NOT

HERE ANYMORE. >> WE ARE TRYING TO REACH MORE SPEAKERS. A LOT ARE HAVING POWER ISSUES SO THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEAK TODAY.

I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE GET MORE SPEAKERS ON THE

LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I GUESS WE ARE DOWN TO -- LET'S BREAK UNTIL 4:20.

[Departments (Part 3 of 5)]

>> IT IS 4:24 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK

[04:55:03]

TO TAXES FOR A MINUTE? >> WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS ON

THE LINE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW?

>> WE HAVE ALL OF THE REST OF THE ONES WE WERE ABLE TO REACH. ALL RIGHT.

NUMBER 35 UNDER AGENDA RELATED --

>> LINA HIDALGO: HANG ON, TIFFANY.

THE CONCERN IS I KNOW DAVE NEEDS TO PUBLISH THIS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO KNOW IF IT IS A LOT, THEN LET US TRY AND GET THROUGH THIS.

WE WILL BE EFFICIENT. EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE LANGUAGE. THESE ARE THE MOTIONS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE TWO MOTIONS AND THERE IS SIGNIFICANT LOSS FOR THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO BORROW.

THE OTHER MOTION IS TO DIRECT BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP A LIST OF PROPERTIES WITH A HIGH MARKET VALUE THAT DOES NOT SERVE RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY WITH AREAS OF HIGH GROWTH.

-- THAT MOTION STANDS. THEY ARE THE ADDITIONAL UH --

MOTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I GOT IT.

IN LIEU OF THE MOTIONS WITH A SPECIFIC TAX RATE NUMBER WOULD BE AS FOLLOWS. TWO PROPOSED SET OF TAX RATES. THE FIRST SET IS AS FOLLOWS: THIS IS THE ONE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PROPOSED.

FOR HARRIS COUNTY THE RATE OF .335 SWRU -- .335500 AND 04193 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF .37693.

THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL 05299 FOR MAINTENANCE.

AND .00750 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL RATE OF .03349.

HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT THE RATE OF .16497 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION.

THE RATE OF .00174 FOR DEBT SERVICE.

A -- A TOTAL CASH RATE OF 16671. PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY A DEBT SERVICE RATE OF .00872.

FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY ENTITIES A TAX RATE OF .858585.

THE SECOND PROPOSED SET OF TAX RATES THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE PROPOSED IS AS FOLLOWS. HARRIS COUNTY, THE RATE OF .33280 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION AND .04193 FOR DEBT SERVICE A TOTAL TAX RATE OF .37473.

THE RATE OF .2599 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND .00750 FOR DEBT SERVICE AND A TAX RATE OF .00349.

THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS RATE OF .15636 AND. 00174 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR A TAX RATE OF .1581. PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY A DEBT SERVICE RATE OF .00872 AND FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY ENTITIES A RATE OF .750754. SECONDLY SETTING THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THE FOLLOWING MEETING SO THE PUBLIC CAN PROVIDE INPUT ON THESE PROPOSED SETS OF TAX RATES A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 21ST AT 1 P.M.

FOR DISCUSSION OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND PORT AUTHORITY FOR HOUSTON COUNTY AND A MEETING TO ADOPT RATES FOR ALL TAXING UNITS ON SEPTEMBER 28TH 2021 AT 10 A.M.

AND THERE IS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT UNDER COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S PROPOSAL THAT THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS

WOULD GO TO DEBT SERVICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON SEPTEMBER 21ST, IS IT A HEARING? WE HAVE THE EL FRANCO ASSEMBLY ROOM.

THERE MAY BE PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE OUT OF HERE.

DO WE HAVE TO MEET BY 1 OR CAN WE MEET EARLIER? I HATE FOR NONE OF US TO BE THERE FOR THE DEDICATION OF THE ASSEMBLY. MY QUESTION IS DO WE HAVE TO MEET AT 1:00 THAT DAY? IS IT A PROBLEM IF WE MEET AT

[05:00:01]

-- >> THESE ARE THE TIMES THAT WORKED FOR EVERYONE. WE CAN BREAK IF IT GOES LONG.

I'LL BE THERE REGARDLESS. >> IS THERE A MOTION?

>> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER EL -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I HAVE A QUESTION AND I WILL ASK IT ONE MORE TIME. WE ARE HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 21ST TO HAVE THE PUBLIC GIVE INPUT ON THE TWO

RATES, IS THAT CORRECT? >> TOM RAMSEY: AND THEN WE WILL MEET ON THE 28TH TO PICK ONE OF THESE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE? >> YES, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE NOTICING THE NO NEW REVENUE -- WELL, WHAT GOES INTO THE NOTICE?

>> THE NOTICE NORMALLY YOU HAVE THREE OPTIONS.

YOU HAVE THE PROPOSED RATES AND THE NO NEW RATES OR THE VOTER APPROVED RATES. THOSE ARE THE THREE OPTIONS YOU HAVE AND THEN YOU MAKE A DECISION BASED ON THOSE THREE. AND THEN THERE IS A FOURTH OPTION THAT WOULD BE INITIATED BY GARCIA AND THE OTHER BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. THERE IS AN OPTION OF FOUR.

TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT IT IS NOT ESSENTIALLY A SINGLE RATE. THERE IS NORMALLY AN OPTION OF THREE AND NOW AN OPTION OF FOUR.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE WILL GO TO THE MEETING ON THE 28TH.

SO WE WILL GO AND WE DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE?

>> THE COURT WILL PICK A RATE AT THAT TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T THINK ANYONE WANTS THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. DOES THAT STILL HAVE TO BE NOTICED. I KNOW THE NEW REVENUE RATE HAS TO BE NOTICED, BUT DOES THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE HAVE

TO BE NOTICED? >> THE NOTICE REQUIREMENT HAS -- IT REQUIRES ALL THREE OPTIONS AND THEN YOU VOTE ON IT. IT HAS TO BE IN THERE.

AND THE FLOOD CONTROL APPROVAL IS FOR BOTH PROPOSALS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU GIVE US WHAT THE CUT WOULD BE ON THESE AND WHEN THERE IS NO CUT? I'M GUESSING THE NEW PROPOSAL THAT IS ADDED WILL MEAN -- IT IS AN ADDITION OF $20 MILLION. IS THAT RIGHT? SO IT IS A $47 MILLION HOLD INSTEAD OF A $67 MILLION HOLD. WE'LL LET YOU WALK THROUGH

IT. >> I'M COMPARING THE TWO PROPOSALS. IT WAS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND CAGLE. THE BUDGET SHORT FALL FOR THE COUNTY WOULD BE JUST OVER 20 MILLION.

AND WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S PROPOSAL IT WOULD REMAIN BECAUSE IT IS USED TO PAYOFF DEBT UNDER THE FLOOD CONTROL RATE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND THE RATES BETWEEN BOTH PROPOSALS IS $17 MILLION.

IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, IT IS AT $40 MILLION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE HEAR FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT ON WHAT IT MEANINGS FOR -- ON WHAT IT MEANS FOR THEM. I ALSO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOME UNDERSTANDING, MR. AYER, ON HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE IN THE ROOM FOR THE MEETING ON THE 21ST AND

[05:05:03]

>> SURE. FOR THE HEARING ITSELF THE

STATUTE ONLY REQUIRES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MIGHT HAVE HIT MUTE. SAY THAT AGAIN.

YOU WENT ON MUTE FOR A SECOND.

I'M SORRY. >> I CAN'T.

I'M FROZEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN HEAR

YOU NOW. >> OH KAW? OKAY. FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ONLY THREE MEMBERS OF THE COURT NEED TO BE PRESENT.

FOR THE ACTUAL ADOPTION OF THE VOTE FOUR MEMBERS NEED TO BE

PRESENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND TO MAKE SURE IF WE WILL TEST IT LET ME KNOW.

WHEN WE ACTUALLY WANT TO PICK WHICH EVER OPTION WE ARE GOING TO GO WITH, DO FOUR PEOPLE HAVE TO BE PRESENT TO CONSTITUTE A QUORUM TO START THE MEETING AND THEN WE CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS AND TAKE WHATEVER ACTION THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT DECIDES ON, OR DO FOUR PEOPLE HAVE TO BE PRESENT FOR THE VOTE ON EACH OF THESE -- SHALL I SAY THE RAMSEY/CAGLE PROPOSAL AND THE GARCIA PROPOSAL? I WANT TO KNOW AND I WANT THEM TO KNOW, DO THEY HAVE TO BE IN THE DAB DASH -- DASH FOUR OF US HAVE TO BE IN THE ROOM ON EACH SEPARATE VOTE TO ESTABLISH A QUORUM FOR THAT

DAY OF FOUR PEOPLE. >> I WILL GO BACK AND MAKE SURE 100%, BUT IN THE PAST IT HAS BEEN FOUR PEOPLE MUST BE THERE FOR THE VOTE. IT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM IN THE SAME WAY THAT THREE MEMBERS CONSTITUTE A QUORUM.

I WILL GO AHEAD AND VERIFY THAT AND HAVE AN ANSWER FOR

YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MY LAST POINT TO MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR. I AM TREATING IT AS IF I WAS STILL IN THE LEGISLATURE THERE WERE TIMES WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO LET YOU MAKE YOUR CASE EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE VOTES.

MAKE A MOTION GO DOWN AND THEN THE BUDGET COMES UP.

YOU TRY TO AMEND THE BUDGET, BUT WE NEED SOME UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE WHEN WE SEQUENCE THESE, IF I DON'T HAVE A VOTE ON THE GARCIA MOTION I'M FOR THAT.

I WILL STILL BE ON THE ROOM. MAYBE THERE ARE THREE VOTES.

I DON'T KNOW. I AM HAPPY TO LET YOU ALL VOTE ON YOURS FIRST. IF WE VOTE ON YOUR MOTION FIRST AND YOU DON'T HAVE THREE VOTES AND THEN WE VOTE ON THE SECOND ONE UNDER WHAT HE SAID EARLIER, HE HILLARY SEARCH IT AND FOUR PEOPLE ARE NOT IN THE ROOM, THEN WE GO TO THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. WE JUST OUGHT TO KNOW THAT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK THE ONLY WAY -- JUST BEING CLEAR.

THE ONLY WAY THAT THERE COULD BE ANY CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 28TH IS IF YOU WALK OUT OF HERE TODAY WITH ONE RATE AND NOT TWO RATES.

IF YOU WALK OUT OF HERE WITH ONE RATE IT IS PRETTY CLEAR WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON ON THE 28TH.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE THERE AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT COME INTO PLAY ON THAT DAY ON THE 28TH, THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL KNOW THAT IS WE ARE VOTING ON ONE. RIGHT NOW WE ARE VOTING ON

TWO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH YOU.

WHAT I AM SAYING IS THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW IS THAT YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, HAVE TO BE IN THE ROOM, I AM IS A -- I AM IS A -- ASKING YOU, IF YOU ARE HERE WITH

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> TOM RAMSEY: WELL, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IT IS A VOTE OF 3-2 AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT A NUMBER OF TIMES ALL YEAR.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS WE NEED FOUR PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TO VOTE ON A TAX RATE ON THE 28TH.

IF WE WALK INTO THAT ROOM WITH TWO OPTIONS, I'M PRETTY SURE I KNOW HOW THAT IS GONNA END UP BEING.

I'M SAYING IF YOU STARTED THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION EARLIER, CLARITY, CERTAINTY, TRANSPARENCY, AND SO I HAVE

[05:10:01]

INTO THE ROOM WITH ONE RATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE GOING IN CIRCLES AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE AGENDA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I MADE MY POINT.

I WILL BE HERE UNLESS I'M DEAD.

I WILL BE HERE. THOM THOM --

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK I MADE MY POINT CLEAR TOO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: A VARIANT OF WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SAYING, JAY AND DAVE, IF WE COME IN ON THE 28TH AND THERE IS NOT A QUORUM, WHAT IS THE LAST DATE A VOTE CAN BE TAKEN AND COULD THERE BE ENOUGH TIME TO NOTICE JUST THE FLOOD CONTROL PIECE -- WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT ON FLOOD CONTROL. MAYBE USING YOUR PHRASE SEQUENCING WE CAN SEQUENCE THE FLOOD CONTROL AT A DIFFERENT

TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL JUST SAY I AM NOT OKAY WITH HAVING MORE THAN ONE MEETING.

I JUST THINK EVERYBODY HAS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. IF WE PICK THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR WE NEED ONE MEETING AND TWO PROPOSALS.

THAT'S WHAT COVERS EVERYBODY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I AGREE. I THINK WE DISCUSSED IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTS HIS PROPOSAL.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS HIS PRO -- PROPOSAL AND I WANT ONE

MEETING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE HAVE FIVE MEETINGS THOUGH I AM NOT SHOWING UP.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I AGREE WITH THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL BE WAIVING AT YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE JUST VOTE ON WHAT I READ AND MOVE

ON? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TO BE CLEAR, THE VOTER RATE IS NOT AN OPTION.

BY STATUTE OUT IT HAS TO BE PUBLISHED.

>> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT HAS TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER. IF THIS MOTION AS PROPOSED WERE TO PROCEED, MY MARCHING ORDERS WOULD BE TO PREPARE AN AGENDA THAT NOTICES POSSIBLE ADOPTION OF THE TWO OPTIONS

AND NOT ANYTHING ELSE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JERRY, DO

YOU AGREE WITH THAT? >> YES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND TO BE CLEAR, I AM NOT VOTING ON TWO RATES. IF THERE WAS A RATE ON THERE I CAN VOTE. I AM NOT VOTING ON TWO RATES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WHAT IS THE MOTION --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MOTION IS BROAD ENOUGH, LIKE IF WE WANTED DR. PORSA TO ASK THEY QUIS -- CAN ASK.

LET'S VOTE ON EACH PROPOSAL OF RATES.

AND -- IS WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

>> THIS MOTION IS TO ADOPT TWO RATES SO MR. BERRY CAN GO AND PUBLISH TWO RATES. WHAT I'M SAYING IS I'M NOT SUPPORTING PUBLISHING THESE TWO --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE IS GONNA VOTE NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO YOU ARE JUST GONNA VOTE NO ON THE WHOLE THING. OKAY.

BECAUSE I CAN TAKE THEM SEPARATELY.

WE HAVE A MOTION. JAMES IS CLEAR ON THE MOTION?

>> IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OTHER ADDITIONAL MOTIONS INCLUDED ON THIS OR IS THAT GOING TO BE TAKEN SEPARATELY? DID HE DIRECT BUDGET MANAGER AND ENGINEER TO DEVELOP A POTENTIAL CONTINGENCY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WAS IN MY ORIGINAL MOTION.

IT SHOULDN'T HARM THIS. LEAN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WAS JUST A TRANSMITAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO DISREGARD.

THE ONLY MOTIONS ARE THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FIRST PROPOSED SET OF TAX RATES. THERE IS A MOTION ON THE SECOND PROPOSED SET OF TAX RATES.

AND THERE IS A MOTION TO SET THE DATE AND THE TIME FOR TWO

MEETINGS. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSE SNED.

>> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES.

3-2. SPEAKERS?

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 3)]

>> YES, MA'AM. SPEAKER NUMBER 35 IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 369 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS.

MARTICHEK. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I TELL YOU THIS.

[05:15:03]

LOOK, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.

I'M JUST SURPRISED THAT AFTER THIS PFM STUDY AND THE SOARING CRIME RATE WE ARE DEALING WITH IN THE COUNTY AND THEN THE CITY OF HOUSTON RIGHT NOW YOU WOULD EVEN ATTEMPT SUCH AN ENDEAVOR I BELIEVE WILL HURT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DELIVERY OF POLICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT IS MORE SURPRISING IS THAT YOU ARE DOING THIS AFTER THE BACKLASH YOU ALL EXPERIENCED LAST TIME.

YOU ATTACKED THE MOST COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY. I REALIZE WE WANT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, ET CETERA, BUT THE HALF MILLION DOLLARS SPENT IN THE STUDY MIGHT HAVE BEEN SPENT REORGANIZING AND BRINGING BACK THE RECRUITING DIVISION TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RATHER THAN HAVING HR RUN IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS NUMBER, BUT BETWEEN JUNE 24TH AND SEPTEMBER 3RD THE SEPARATION REPORT SHOWS 70 PEOPLE LEAVING. OUT OF THAT 70 PEOPLE ONLY 7 ARE RETIRING. THE OTHER 59 ARE HEADING TO GREENER PASTURES SOMEWHERE. ANYWAY, IT IS AN ISSUE AND IT IS A PROBLEM. THE REALITY IS I DON'T THINK THIS IS A TIME TO EXPERIMENT WITH PUBLIC SAFETY OR THE CAREERS OR THE LIVES OF OVER 1600 DEDICATED AND HARD-WORKING CONSTABLES. YOU MIGHT ASK THE DEPUTY CONSTABLES WHO HAVE BEEN SHOT AT AND YOU MIGHT ASK WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE PLAN AND THE SECOND CLASS STATUS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. I AM GUESSING THEY WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO RECONSIDER THIS DECISION. EVEN THOSE DECISIONS MADE WITH THE BEST OF INTENTIONS CAN HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN TODAY'S SOCIETY WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME A FEW MINUTES TO SPEAK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD TO HEAR

YOU. >> THANK Y'ALL.

BE SAFE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER FIVE UNDER NONAGENDA RELATED FROM THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD LIKE TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT TREATED LIKE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS. I AM JOY DAVIS.

THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I AM A MEMBER OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND A CONSTITUENT RESIDING IN PRECINCT 1.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SHERIFF BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT IF SHERIFF GONS IS CHOSEN.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SINCE -- SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE DEPORTATION AND OVERPLEASES AND MASS INCARCERATION.

IN HARRIS COUNTY WE HAVE A PROGRESSIVE SHERIFF.

I URGE THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ADMIT A NEW SHERIFF THAT WILL MAKE IT SAFER, FAIRER AND MORE EQUITABLE. THE NEXT SHERIFF MUST COMMIT TO EXPANDING THE JAIL POPULATION DASHBOARD AND PROMPT -- PROMPTLY AND RESPONDING TO THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT REQUEST AND THE REQUEST FROM THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS AND THE RIGHTS OF CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND THE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATE TRANSPARENCY AND SALES EEN FORCE MEANT ACTIONS SH -- SALES ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.

USE OF FORCE AND SHOOTINGS SHOULD BE RELEASED PROMPTLY TO THE PUBLIC. HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE A SIGNIFICANT DRIVER OF THE DEPORTATION PIPELINE WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF ICE ARRESTS IN THE COUNTRY.

THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF SHERIFF'S OFFICE MUST PRIORITIZE LOCAL NEEDS PERMITTED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW. AND OUR TOP MEMBERSHIPS YOU SHOULD REMOVE THE ABILITY FOR ICE TO HAVE AN OFFICE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 7 UNDER NON-AGENDA RELATED.

[05:20:02]

SHANQUI FROM TOP. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

I THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY. WE ARE TALKING ON THE SELECTION OF ANOTHER SHERIFF. WE THINK IT IS TIME FOR DMITIONER'S COURT TO ELECT A NEW SHERIFF THAT WILL MAKE IT HEALTHIER AND MORE EQUITABLE. WE REITERATE OUR DEMANDS.

WE DEMAND A NEW SHERIFF FOR REIMAGINED PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PREVALENCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT VIOLENCE HAS SPREAD WIDESPREAD OUTRAGE. POLICE VIOLENCE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR YOUNG MEN OF COLOR IN AMERICA, ESPECIALLY BLACK MEN. THE TIME FOR CONTINUED MOURNING AND [INAUDIBLE]. WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMMEDIATE ACTION. I DEMAND A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF COMMUNITY SAFETY. WE SHOULD REINVEST IN AREAS LIKE HOUSES, EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE.

WE ALSO SEEK TRANSPARENCY. IN ADDITION, GENERAL ORDER AND OTHER POLICIES SHOULD BE PUBLISHED AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THEY MUST COMMIT TO GOOD FAITH IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THE OTHER REQUESTS FROM THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS IT IS TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ENFORCEMENT ACTION.

[INAUDIBLE] IN CUSTODY DEATH AND EXCESSIVE FORCE SHOULD BE RELEASED. MINIMIZE AND UNNECESSARY CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT SYSTEM.

THEY MUSTILY STRONGLY COMMITTED TO MAXIMIZE THE COMMUNITY-LEAD AND YOU ENFORCEMENT AND DIGNITY ACT.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER OUR DEMANDS? WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERING A DECISION ON THE SHERIFF.

FINALLY AND LASTLY WE ASK A VOCAL AND STRONG OPPONENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS AND ACCESS TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION BE EMPHASIZED BY THE SHERIFF.

THE NEXT SHERIFF MUST BE COMMITTED TO ENSURE --

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, A POINT OF CLARIFICATION AND I KNOW ELIZABETH IS TRYING TO PREPARE THE NOTICE FOR PURPOSES OF OUR ADVERTISING.

THERE WAS A VOTE TAKEN ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AND THAT WAS 3-2 ON THE TAX RATE. WAS THERE AN ACTUAL FORMAL VOTE TAKEN ON COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MOTION? THE REASON IS WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO LIST THAT IN THE NOTICE

REQUIREMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE VOTED FOR BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER. AND IT WAS 3-2.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE TOOK ONE VOTE FOR BOTH OPTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 11 UNDER NONAGENDA RELATED DARLA JOHNSON UNDERWOOD. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO? AIDE AIDE HELLO --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HELLO. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEEK -- TO SPEAK TODAY.

I HAD A FEW QUICK ITEMS I WANTED TO ADDRESS.

MANAGEMENT, BUDGET, COMMITTEE AND PURCHASING.

FIRST OF ALL AS A TAXPAYER I WANTED TO KNOW WHO PICKED THE THREE INDIVIDUALS FROM YOUR OFFICE TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO HEALTH -- HEALTH CARE ISSUES? HOW DO YOU ENSURE THAT FOR ANY COMMITTEE YOUR OFFICE IS INVOLVED IN WHERE LOCAL

[05:25:03]

THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT WHO PRAYS THE -- WHO PROVIDES THE OVERSIGHT TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT? THERE IS NO OPERATIONAL CAPACITY AND IT SHOULD NOT BE GETTING OFF THE TAXPAYERS.

THEY LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER.

WILL THIS COURT ASK AN OUTSIDE AGENCY SUCH AS THE FBI OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE CORRECTION IN THIS MATTER? CANCELING A CRIME AS AN AGENDA ITEM FOR THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT MEETING.

AND LASTLY WITH RESPECT TO PURCHASING THERE IS SOME TRANSPARENCY. A COMMITTEE EVALUATES EXPWH -- AND WE HAVE CHICKSES -- AND WE HAVE COMMISSIONS AND THEY DECIDE TO CALL IT PROCUREMENT AND THEN IN THIS CASE ON A CLAIM OF TARDINESS MAY BE RELATED AND MAYBE NOT CONTRACT. IF THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF ANY OF THESE COMMISSIONER COURT MEMBERS CAN CALL AND DISQUALIFIED LENNAR WHAT IS THE BIDDING PROCESS? IS THIS A GAME TO SHOW A FAIR BIDDING PROCESS? WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR OFFICE DECIDES --

>> HELLO, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 8 UNDER NONAGENDA RELATED.

IRIS HOUSE FROM THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> HELLO, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

I AM IRSIS IS -- AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT KNOWN AS TOPS. I KNOW ACCOUNTABILITY AND -- IS A MAJOR CRITICAL COMPONENT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A HEALTHY TREND OF THE CITIZENS AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITIES. THAT IS WHY WE CONTINUE TO URGE YOU TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OUR MEETINGS TO ELECT THE NEXT SHERIFF. WHOMEVER THIS PERSON ENDS UP BEING THEY HAVE TO BE COMMITTED.

THEY WILL MAKE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTHIER AND FAIRER.

WE NEED THE NEW SHERIFF TO BE PART OF THE REMAINING PUBLIC SAFETY TO BETTER SERVE OIR COMMUNITY AND KEEP HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITIES SAFE. WE MUST HAVE TRANSPARENCY.

THAT INCLUDES IN CUSTODY AND WE CONTINUE TO KEEP SEEING EVERY DAY SINCE THE RELEASE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE NEW SHERIFF IS MINIMIZING THE UN UNNECESSARY CONTENT THAT MUST UNDERSTAND AND BE COMMITTED TO MAXIMIZING -- [INAUDIBLE] SUCH AS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE DIVISION OF ICE. LET EVERYONE -- [INAUDIBLE] AND THE BEHAVIOR OF HEALTH SERVICES THEY MUST COMMIT AND WORK WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPROVE THE COUNTY'S CURRENT

[05:30:02]

THEY HAVE TO BE ABOUT MAKING SURE OF MONEY. WHILE PROTECTING ACCUSED PERSON'S RIGHTS. MUST BE A PRIORITY FOR THE NEXT SHERIFF AS WELL. JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, OUR NEXT SHERIFF HAS THEIR WORK OUT OUT -- CUT OUT FOR THEM. THIS IS AN APPOINTMENT --

>> HELLO, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A

QUESTION, JAY. >> YES, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE HAD FIVE PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SHERIFF. IS THERE SOMETHING NEWS ON THE SHERIFF'S APPOINTMENT THAT I'M NOT YET AWARE OF IN THE

MEDIA? >> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.

MAYBE SOMEBODY IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ON THE LINE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS SHERIFF GONZALEZ REMAINS SHERIFF GONZALEZ UNTIL THE SENATE CONFIRMS HIM. AT THAT POINT A VACANCY WILL BE AVAILABLE AND THE COURT CAN ACT ACCORDINGLY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I KNOW WE CAN'T ENGAGE BECAUSE IT IS KNOT AN -- NOT AN AGENDA ITEM.

WITH SO MANY I THOUGHT MAYBE THERE WAS NEWS I WAS UNAWARE OF. IF YOU CAN CHECK ON THAT AND

LET MY OFFICE KNOW. >> I WILL DO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD POINT. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO

REACH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. LET ME GO THROUGH THE MINOR

[Departments (Part 4 of 5)]

ITEM 18 -- NEVER MIND. ITEM 183 ON PAGE 19 WE NEED TO ADD AN S AND THEN THE WORDS TO AND AFTER THE PRECINCT.

SO IT READS REQUEST BY THE CONSTABLE OF PRECINCTS 2 AND

5. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 283?

>> NO, 183. THAT'S THE HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING TASK -- TASK FORCE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 119, NO ACTION FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF CELL PHONE. PAGE 26 AND ITEM 232.

NO ACTION IS REQUESTED ON THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> THIS IS A TAX OFFICE ITEM.

MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS TO WHAT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES THE TAX OFFICE HAVE ANY COMMENT ON 232?

>> THIS IS ELIZABETH AT THE TAX OFFICE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. BY STATUTE WE HAD TO PUT IT UP FOR YOUR DECISION TO CALCULATE THE RATE IF NECESSARY.

LEAN SO NO ACTION ON 232. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND 265 RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES INNING CREASE THE VALUE OF THE RENEWAL BY STRIKING $70 FUR,000 AND REPLACING IT -- $74,000 TO $96,142.

THOSE ARE ALL OF THE CORRECTIONS.

AND NOW FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THESE ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. THERE IS AN EXECUTIVE SECTION ITEM 354 TO APPROVE THE NOMINATION OF ALISA MAX AS HARRIS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE -- PRIMARY REPRESENTATIVE AND A REPLACEMENT OF JONATHON STEIBER.

DOES ANYBODY NEED TO GO BACK? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T, BUT AS TO ALISA MAX, I JUST THINK

[05:35:03]

SHE IS AWESOME. >> LINA HIDALGO: AGREED.

ITEM 355 IS TO APPOINT LLOYD SMITH AS AN ALTERNATE DELEGATE TO JUDGE HIDALGO ON THE ACTP COUNCIL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO, JUDGE.

>> 356. EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR A POSSIBLE ACTION IN REGARDS TO THE NHHIP.

>> I DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: 357.

AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO APPROVE THE CHANGE OF CSD'S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE WAY HOME CONTINUUM OF CARE STEERING COMMITTEE. WE WILL PUT THAT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. AND THEN ITEM 358 WE DO HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR WHICH IS TO DISCUSS SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS TO THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE MILL -- MITIGATION PLAN FOR CDBG GRANTS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECTION ON 354, I DON'T NEED TO GO

BACK ON THAT ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: 354 GOES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT 355 STILL NEEDS TO GO BACK?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE ARE OTHER ITEMS FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 19 ON PAGE 3 IS THE BROAD COVID ITEM AND I HAVE BRIEF UPDATES ON THERE. IT IS RELATED TO THE NURSING PROGRAM. ITEM -- AND IT IS JUST THE UPDATE I PROMISED I WOULD GIVE.

ITEM 19 ON PAGE 3, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT.

IT IS ON THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG.

ITEM 20 ON PAGE 3. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO WANT TO

DISCUSS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS THAT ONE. ITEM 33 ON PAGE 4, BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? YOU FLAGGED THAT ITEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, JUDGE. THE CERTAIN COUNTY DEPARTMENTS IS THE PORTION OF THAT I NEED FOR US TO DISCUSS.

WE MAY NEED TO JUST DO A VOTE ON IT.

I THINK SOME OF THOSE OTHER APPROPRIATIONS ARE FOR THE

ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO

THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: RIGHT NOW?

. >> RODNEY ELLIS: RIGHT NOW?

I'LL MOVE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO

MOVE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I MOVE THE ITEM AS TO FLOOD CONTROL ONLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE ITEM 33 AS TO FLOOD CONTROL ONLY.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED IN -- OPPOSE SNED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND NOW WE NEED A MOTION FOR EYE -- ITEM 33 AS TO THE

REMAINING ITEMS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND MOTION

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND EKED SAID BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. IT PASSES 3-2.

DID YOU CATCH THAT, JAY. >> YES, MAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 155 WAS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3.

APPROVAL AND AGREEMENT WITH TEXDOT.

DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? >> TOM RAMSEY: WE HAVE SOME WORK TO DO ON THAT SO WE WILL PUT THAT OFF TO THE FUTURE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION? GOT IT.

ITEM 162. 10 PHYSICIANS FOR THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY DEPARTMENT. PRECINCT 3 AND 4 BOTH FLAGGED

THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT THAT WAS 162?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS -- WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION,

JAMES? >> FOR ITEM 162, MONTH MOVED THAT? ELLIS? AND 3-2, RAMSEY AND CAGLE VOTED NO.

WHAT WAS THE ITEM BEFORE HAND THAT WAS NO ACTION?

>> TOM RAMSEY: 155. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 169. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS ALSO RELATED TO THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY DEPARTMENT.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 192. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL MOVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS THE POLLING LOCATIONS LIST FOR NOVED 2021. WE NEED TO VOTE ON THEM?

[05:40:01]

>> TOM RAMSEY: THE CONCERN I'VE GOT IS IT IS 24-HOUR VOTING AND I NEVER AGREED TO THAT.

IT SHOWS TWO DRAFT -- TWO DRIVE-THRU IN FREE SINK 3 -- PRECINCT 3 AND 4. THAT WAS NEVER MY

UNDERSTANDING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU ARE

VOTING AGAINST IT? >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ACTUALLY, I WOULD MOVE FOR THE LOCATIONS, BUT NOT THE EXTENDED HOURS PAST 9 AND THE DRIVE-THRU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT JUST TAKES TWO VOTES, BUT THAT'S ALL

RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER,

WHAT IS YOUR MOTION? >> MY MOTION WOULD BE THE VOCATION SUBJECT TO NOT BEING PAST 9:00 AND ON DRIVE-THRU VOTING. WE CAN HAVE A SECOND VOTE ON THE WAY THEY WOULD BE OPERATING.

IN OTHER WORDS CONSISTENT WITH THE VOTER INTEGRITY BILL THAT

WAS PASSED. >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS A QUESTION FOR DAVE.

I DON'T BELIEVE SO. IT IS SIMPLY A LIST OF POLLING LOCATIONS. LET ME MAKE SURE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS SHE ON THE LINE?

>> I APOLOGIZE. IS THERE A QUESTION FOR ME?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, SIR, MR. BERRY.

A QUESTION ON 192. THIS IS ONLY A LIST OF LOCATIONS. WE ARE NOT FUNDING THEM.

THESE ARE JUST POTENTIAL LOCATIONS THAT CAN BE USED IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES. THAT'S RIGHT.

AS WE REVIEW THE BUDGET IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WILL EVOLVE A

LITTLE BIT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM CURE -- CURIOUS TO HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR OR TALK ABOUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I AM PUZZLED BY THIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I'M GOOD WITH GOING TO

EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THERE IS A POTENTIAL LITIGATION QUESTION HERE.

COULD WE HOLD THIS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND PERHAPS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR CAN

FILL US IN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M GOOD

WITH THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME FLAG THIS OVER. OKAY.

ITEM 240. THAT IS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR NONAPPEARANCES FOR THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION

PROGRAM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION BY COMETIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ANY COMMENTS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DWIGHT, CAN YOU GIVE US JUST A THUMBNAIL SKETCH OF WHAT THESE PROGRAMS ENTAIL?

OH, OKAY, DR. YANEZ? >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. KRARKS --

CORREA, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN WE HOLD

THIS? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL COME BACK TO THAT ITEM. SO 240 IS STILL FOR DISCUSSION. 293.

AN AWARD TO MAIN LINE INDUSTRIES.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS YOUR FLAG.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. NO NEED TO HOLD IT.

I JUST WANTED TO JUST SAY HOW EXCITED -- THIS IS 18 MILES OF ROADWAY THAT WILL RESULT IN THE STREETS BEING PAVED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR -- OR BEGINNING NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR SO I AM EXCITED AND A LOT OF WORK AND WE ALL NEEDED IT, SO JUST PROUD OF THE 18 MILES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ME TOO. GO RIDE THEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS KIND OF DANGEROUS THOUGH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT GOES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ITEM 298. AN AWARD FOR DRAINAGE

IMPROVEMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SAME THING, JUDGE. WE CAN MOVE ON THIS.

SIMPLY THAT THESE ARE 34 HOMES IN THE HARVEY -- HARVEY? IN THE HIGHLANDS AREA THAT WERE FLOODED DURING HARVEY.

[05:45:01]

THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL OF THEM, MANY OUT OF HARM'S WAY WHEN WE ARE DONE WITH THIS.

VERY EXCITED ABOUT THESE TWO PROJECTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS ITEM --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 298 AND 299.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 298 AND 299, BOTH THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND THOSE ARE FOR CONSENT AGENDA.

I THOUGHT YOU HAD A QUESTION. ITEM 319.

IT IS A REQUEST FOR THE COURT'S ANALYST OFFICE TO

ASSESS A PAYMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: REAL QUICK,

CAN I TALK ON 304 QUICKLY? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON 304 I WANT TO CHECK, WE SHOULD BE IN THE PURSUIT OF A MASTER SYSTEM FOR ALL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF.

CAT TRACK SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN SOME ATTENTION FROM THE TOLL ROAD. I WANT TO MAKE SURE FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE E BUILDER AND ANOTHER SIS STOPPLE.

SYSTEM. NONE TALKED TO PEOPLE SOFT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CAT TRACK.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO PUT THIS ON MR. BERRY'S LIST TO TAKE A LOOK AT AND ENSURE THAT WE CAN GET TO A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM TO TRACK THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND BE

MORE EFFECTIVE WITH IT. >> COMMISSIONER, THAT'S THE GOAL. I SPOKE ABOUT THIS THIS

MORNING. >> TOM RAMSEY: I ENCOURAGE THAT. GOOD CALL.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THE MAJOR GENERAL?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEP, AND THE MAJOR GENERAL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

AS PRESENTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS PRESENTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WILL GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS 319,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND 319 I WANT TO DISCUSS THAT WHEN WE COME BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. 324, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

THIS IS AN AGREEMENT BY HARRIS COUNTY AND SOCIETY OF

HOUSTON. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I USED TO BE THE LAWYER FOR THE DIVORCE SOCIETY.

BEAUTIFUL POEMS ABOUT PEACE AND LOVE AND HARMONY AND ONE OF THE FAMOUS COMMENTS IS BEAUTY IS TRUTHS IN A PERFECT MIRROR. I WAS A LAWYER FOR THE SOCIETY AND OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION I WILL ABSTAIN FROM VOTING SINCE I WAS THEIR LAWYER MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO. I WAS THEIR LAWYER AND MR. AIYER, I THINK IT IS BEST FOR ME TO ABSTAIN FROM THE VOTE, BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY TO DO ANYTHING WITH AN AFFIDAVIT OF INTEREST. 20 YEARS HAVE LAPSED SINCE I WAS THE LAWYER SO THERE IS NO CONFLICT.

MR. AIYER, ARE YOU THERE? >> I AM.

THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. IT IS EVEN DEBATABLE IF YOU EVEN NEED TO ABSTAIN, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR FED FAST -- STEDFAST ADHERENCE TO THE SLIGHTEST OF APPEARANCE AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HAVING SAID THAT, HAVE I MORE POINTS IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THEM. I THINK IT IS 5:18 AND YOU PROBABLY DON'T NEED TO HEAR THEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SEND US A COPY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A VOTE.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

ABSTAINED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I ABSTAIN,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES 4-0. ITEM 327, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ITEM 347 AND THAT IS A TRANS -- TRANSMITAL OF THE GIFT CARDS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS A TRANSMITAL AND THEREFORE I DON'T THINK WE CAN TAKE A VOTE.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IF I HAD A VOTE I WOULD BE VOTING AGAINST THE PROCESS OF GIVING AWAY THE GIFT CARDS.

[05:50:05]

I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING BEYOND THAT THAT WE

CAN DO. >> IT IS JUST THAT THE PROCESS OF THE TRANSMITAL WILL GO THROUGH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: REAL QUICKLY, JUDGE, JUST ON THAT POINT OBVIOUSLY I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD DO THINGS THAT CAN KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE. IT HAS BEEN IMMENSELY SUCCESSFUL. I KNOW WE HIT WALLS OF HESITANCY AND RE -- RESISTANCE AND WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL IT, CONCERN. ONCE WE LAUNCH THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT IS THROUGHOUT OUR WAY OF LIVING WHETHER IT IS YOUR CAR INSURANCE AND WHETHER IT IS YOUR HOME -- HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.

THAT THIS PROGRAM HAS SHOWN IMMENSE PROGRESS.

IF YOU NOTICE I AM NOT AS VOCAL AS I AM ON THE RATE OF VACCINATIONS. WE ARE BETTER.

WE ARE NOT IN A GREAT PLACE, BUT WE TOOK A MAJOR UP TICK AS A RESULT OF THIS INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HAS MOMENTS ON THIS AT THE MOMENT. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE, BUT WE PAY IN MANY OTHER KAYS -- BUT WE PAY IN MANY OTHER WAYS, BRUT -- BUT WE PARTICIPATE IN INCENTIVES.

WE GET COW UPONS -- COUPONS AND WE GO BACK AND REDEEM THOSE. WE GET INSURANCE RATES FOR DRIVING SAFER AND SLOWER AND WE PUT IT INTO OUR INSURANCE RATES AND RATES ARE GOING DOWN.

WRY USE A CREDIT CARD -- WE USE CREDIT CARDS TO GET POINTS BACK. THIS IS INTENDED TO SAVE LIVES. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LEADING THE CHARGE ON THIS. AT SOME POINT SOMEBODY CAN GIVE US A REPORT TO SHOW THE SUCCESS OF IT.

>> AND JUDGE I WANT TO HAVE A POSITIVE NOTE.

ALTHOUGH I AM AGAINST THE GIVING AWAY OF MONEY TO GET PEOPLE TO TAKE THE SHOT. I DO KNOW HALF A MILLION OF PEOPLE WERE GIVEN HEB AND THAT IS LOCAL AND PLEASED WITH THAT. I DISAGREE WITH THE PROGRAM, BUT PLEASED IF WE ARE DOING A PROGRAM MORE IS COMING BACK LOCAL INSTEAD OF THE FAR AWAY COMPANY.

I WILL SMILE MORE WHEN WE SEE WE ARE USING OUR OWN AND WE HAVE DISCOUNTS FOR PROGRAMMING.

THE BENEFITS THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS REFERRING TO IN THE PROGRAM. I JUST WANT TO THROW THAT OUT

THERE. >> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE

YOU. >> HE DIDN'T WANT TO LOOK INTO IT. THEY ASKED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHETHER OR NOT THEY COULD GO BACK AND GIVE PEOPLE SOMETHING.

THEY COULDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY TAKEN A SHOT. TAIRNT COUNTY WILL -- TARRR -- TARRANT COUNTY IS FOLLOWING YOUR LEAD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. AND WE HEARD ABOUT THE ENORMOUS INCREASE AND THE NEXT QUESTION IS ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE ANYWAY.

THE HINT THAT IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM WAS WHENEVER THERE ARE INTERVIEWS AT THE SITE ASKING PEOPLE

[05:55:03]

THE SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE OF FIRST DOSES IN HARRIS COUNTY COMPARED TO THE FIRST DOSES IN NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

AND THEY WORKED ON THE CHART TO WHERE THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PEAK. BASICALLY WHAT YOU SEE IS A BIG GAP WHERE THEY FOLLOW THE SAME THRAW -- SAME TRAJECTORY. OURS IS LIKE SORT OF FLAT OR A SLIGHT DECREASE. LATELY IT HAS GONE BACK DOWN.

THIS AREA IS THE INCREASED VACCINATION.

IT IS A GOOD 30,000 PEOPLE. >> ALMOST 56,000 HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND THAT IS PHENOMENAL. I TEND TO IN PRINCIPAL AGREE.

AND TO GET THEM TO THE VACCINATION SITES THAT'S A GOOD THING. IT EX--

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT EXPIRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAIN.

WE COULDN'T DO NEWS ON IT. WE SAID WE WILL DO A BIG PUSH WHEN THE STORM PASSES AND SEE IF WE AGAIN CAN CREATE THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BEHAVIOR IF WE HAD NOT HAD THE PROGRAM AND IF WE DON'T SEE T WE WILL END IT.

RIGHT NOW THERE WERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN IT. AND AS YOU KNOW IT IS NOT JUST THE PUBLIC HEALTH ANYMORE. THEY CAN CALL UP AND GET THEIR HUNDRED DOLLARS. I WILL SHARE SOME OF THIS DATA WHEN WE ANNOUNCE THE EXTENSION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE IS A MEMO I SENT TO JUDGE WHITLEY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I DID SPEAK WITH ALL OF THE JUDGES.

WE HAVE A GOOD GROUP. THANK YOU.

THAT WAS ITEM 347. DID WE VOTE ON IT ALREADY?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS A TRANSMITAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 348, I FLAGGED THAT ONE BECAUSE I WANTED TO UPDATE YOU ABOUT THE NURSES.

I'M OKAY PUTTING IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I WILL SHARE THE UPDATE WHEN WE GET TO THE COVID ITEM.

350 IS ALSO ABOUT NURSES. I WILT DISCUSS THAT -- I WILL DISCUSS THAT AS A COVID ITEM AND IT IS A TRANSMITAL.

359 A RENEWAL AWARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID FOLKS NEED TO VOTE ON THIS ITEM? A RENEWAL FROM PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THE TEXAS REFUGEE MEDICAL

SCREENING GRANT. >> TOM RAMSEY: THE CONCERN I HAD WAS WHEN THE GRANT GOES THE ISSUES WILL STILL BE THERE. THAT'S THE CONCERN.

THIS IS GRANT FUNDED AND I GET THAT PART, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE CREATE NEW POSITIONS AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT

STAYS WITH US. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU JUST

WANT TO VOTE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: OR HAVE A MODIFICATION THAT SAYS THE POSITIONS ONLY LAST FOR THE PERIOD OF GRANT WITH AN END TO THE POSITIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU KNOW, DAVE, OR BARBIE, HOW THIS WORKS? I SUSPECT THEY ARE TIED TO THE

GRANT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD GUESS

WHEN THE GRANT GOES AWAY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD OR IS BARBIE ON THE LINE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MUTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M GONNA CALL YOU. DAVE I HAVE YOU ON SPEAKER.

>> JUDGE, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE POSITION WOULD ONLY LAST SO LONG AS THE GRANT. THIS GRANT HAS A HISTORY --

[06:00:01]

[INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS GRANT

HAS -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR BEING RENEWED. BEING RENEWED.

I WOULDN'TND -- I WOULDN'T END IT RIGHT AWAY IF IT IS BEING

RENEWED. >> LINA HIDALGO: BARBIE NOT ON

THE LINE? >> BARBIE IS ON THE LINE.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON? SHE MUST BE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE SHE IS ON HERE AND UNMUTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, I WILL TEXT HER AND SEE IF SHE HAS

ANYTHING TO ADD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU WANT TO HOLD IT I CAN TAKE A VOTE ON IT.

>> JUDGE, THIS IS GWEN SIMMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: HI, GWEN.

>> HI. I THINK DIRECTOR ROBINSON HAS SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, BUT THIS GRANT HAS A 42-YEAR HISTORY WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 42? >> 42 YEARS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW. SO THE GRANT DOESN'T SEEM TO

GO AWAY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS A MEDICAL SCREENING TO MAKE SURE THE FOLKS THAT ARE COME RING HEALTHY AND DON'T -- COMING ARE HEALTHY AND DON'T HAVE

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. >> AND HAVE REFER -- REFERRAL TO THE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, GWEN.

WE ARE PUTTING IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> THANK YOU, ALL. LEAN DAVE, I'M GONNA KEEP YOU HERE ON SPEAKER BECAUSE WE MAY HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE TO

TALK ABOUT THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM 366. ITEM 368 ON THE JAIL POPULATION. I ASSUME YOU WANT TO DISCUSS

THIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 369, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 370 I WOULD LIKE TO COVER THAT ONE AND THAT IS A REALLY EXCITING JUST WONDERFULLY GOOD NEWS ON ANOTHER CREATIVE PROGRAM WE HAVE GOING ON FOR VACCINATIONS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE TO THE EXTENT OF 370 I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO VOTE ON IT OR TALK ABOUT IT AND DISCUSS IT, BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WHEREAS THE REGULAR PROGRAM IS GIVING AWAY CARDS TO THE CARD USERS THIS IS LIKE THE CARD PUSHERS WHO SNAG PEOPLE AND BRING THEM IN TO GET THE SHOTS.

I UNDERSTAND THERE IS DISAGREEMENT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS APPROPRIATE, BUT I WOULD VOTE NO ON THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, LET ME --

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE JUDGE HAS TO SALINE LEAN THIS WAS ENTIRELY A PUBLIC HEALTH IDEAL.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE ASKED WHEN DIRECTOR ROBINSON GOT HERE IS WE ARE ALL GUESSING AS TO WHAT WILL GET PEOPLE VACCINATED. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO GO TO VERMONT WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME DEMOGRAPHIC BREAK DOWN THAT WE DO. CAN YOU FIND A COMMUNITY WITH A SIMILAR DEMOGRAPHIC BREAK DOWN WHERE WE KNOW CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GOT THEM TO PARTICIPATE, TO GET THE VACCINE.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOUND AN EXAMPLE AND BARBIE OR GWEN CAN ADD IF I AM FORGETTING SMK.

IT IS BASICALLY THE IDEA OF EACH COMMUNITY IS DIFFERENT WE KNOW THAT EACH COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT WILL BRING PEOPLE OUT.

AND THE COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE BEST AT RALTLY -- RALLYING PEOPLE. CAN WE OFFER AN INCENTIVE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS TO BRING THEIR NETWORK TO GET THE VACCINE. AND WE DID A PILOT WITH 10 SITES WHERE WE PARTNERED WITH 10 COMMUNITY GROUPS ACROSS THE COUNTY. THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIZED THE LOW VACCINATION RATES AND SO THEY PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITY GROWPTS.

AND -- COMMUNITY GROUPS. EACH COMMUNITY GROUP WOULD RECEIVE $100 FOR EACH PERSON THAT ARRIVES UP TO $5,000 MAXIMUM. SO THAT COULD OFFSET THE COSTS OF PUTTING ON AN EVENT. WE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY SINCE WE WERE BRAINSTORMING AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE MORE INCENTIVES AND PROMOTE THE EVENT.

BUT THEY NEED A BUDGET FOR THAT.

[06:05:05]

THIS IS BEFORE WE STARTED THE $100 VACCINATION INCENTIVES.

THIS IS WHY WE DECIDED TO DO IT IS BECAUSE IT WAS LOOKING GOOD FROM THE PILOT. WHAT WE GOT BACK IS THIS PROGRAM INCREASED PARTICIPATION WELL BEYOND WHAT IT WAS AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH SITE.

AND IT IS DOUBLE. THE FOLKS WERE QUITE YOUNG.

THE AVERAGE AGE AT EACH SITE WAS UNDER 40.

FOOD DRIVES, HAIRCUTS ET CETERA WERE SUCCESSFUL.

AND THESE ARE THE CREATIVE THINGS THAT THE COMMUNITY GROUPS CAME UP WITH. THEY DIVERTED PHONE BANKING AND FIRE DISTRIBUTION. THEY DID A LOTTERY AND THEY ANNOUNCED IT DURING CHURCH AND MADE A FLIER AND SOCIAL MEDIA. THEY DID SOME OF THE FUNDING AND MOSTLY THESE #WR* COMMUNITIES OF -- MOSTLY THESE WERE COMMUNITIES OF FAITH. THEY DID 20 OUT REACH EVENTS AND THEY BROUGHT FOOD. IT WAS A BIG SUCCESS.

THEY WANT TO EXTEND IT TO 20 OR 25 MORE SITES.

AS YOU CAN TELL I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS WORTH TRYING AND YOU HAVE TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. SEE IF IT WORKS.

I AM SUPPORTIVE OF IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK THE MORE PARTNERSHIPS WE DO WITH THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY, THAT'S A BIG UNTAPPED RESOURCE FOR US.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING I WOULD SUPPORT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT TO VOTE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M IN FAVOR OF WORKING WITH THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY AND LOCAL FOLKS AND HELPING THEM WITH THE BUDGET TO TRY TO DO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS.

I JUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PER HEAD BOUNTY PART OF THE PROGRAM. I UNDERSTAND THEY WORK, BUT THE BOUNTY PART OF THAT -- THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT THAT JUST DOESN'T REST WELL WITH ME.

I'M FINE WITH JUST VOTING ON THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION FOR ITEM FLEA -- 370. $250,000 FOR A PARTNERSHIP -- A COMMUNITY PARTNERING INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

MOTION BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> OPPOSE SNED. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

IF YOU HAVE IDEAS, SEND THEM MY WAY.

ITEM 371 IN AGREEMENT WITH -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE ON THE LAST COMMENT, WE MAY DO THAT AND WE MAY HAVE SOME FOLKS SEND SOME IDEAS TO YOU ON HOW TO PARTNER WITH OUR NONPROFIT PARTNER THAT'S ARE OUT THERE. WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE CAN PARTNER WITH THEM AND GET PROGRAMS THAT WILL ACHIEVE THE SAME GOALS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN THIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE COVID. AND WE INITIALLY PUT IT UP IN 2020 AND THEN WE JUST DIDN'T NEED IT ANYMORE AND NOW WE NEED IT AGAIN AND SO BASICALLY THE CITY PAYS THE RENT AND WE PAY THE SERVICES AND THE STAFF.

IT IS 50/50 AND IT IS ALL REIMBURSABLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY SO THAT WILL GO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

THAT WAS ITEM 371. AND ITEM 372 IS THE FCH -- THE PURCHASING AGENT TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITH ELEVATE WE

[06:10:08]

>> YES, JUDGE. ITEM 160, THAT'S INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE HARRIS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE

AGENDA? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUST TO BE CLEAR WE WERE WAITING ON SOMETHING FROM THE GENERAL AUDITOR'S REPORT.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE GOTTEN THAT YET.

THE PFM TRANSMITAL. IT IS SOMETIMES BURIED IN THE

MIDDLE OF THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ITEM?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M TOLD WE ARE FINE.

EVERY NOW AND THEN THERE IS A TRANSMITAL THAT IS IN THE GLOBAL REPORT AND WE HAVE TO BREAK IT OUT.

WE HADN'T AS OF THIS MORNING GOTTEN OUR NUMBER IN, BUT WE HAVE IT NOW. THERE IS NOT ANYTHING IN

THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THE AUDITOR MAY HELP US IN THE FUTURE BY JUSTEN IT -- JUST ENLIGHTENING US.

>> I HAVE TWO MORE ITEMS. ITEM 328 IS A REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE APPROVAL OF AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT AGREED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

BETWEEN KLEIN ISD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT SHOULD

BE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> AS PRESENTED?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. >> AND ITEM 365.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S A COOL PROGRAM.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT, BUT I KNOW IT IS 5:41 IN THE AFTERNOON. IT IS WHERE WE ARE WORKING WITH THE KLEIN SCHOOL TO GET KIDS TO SEE HOW FARMING WAS DONE AND SEE WHERE EGGS COME FROM AND WHERE FOOD COMES FROM AND IT IS A COOL THING TO PUT PEEP -- PEOPLE IN TOUCH WITH

THE GROUND. >> AND ITEM 365.

THAT IS A REQUEST BY THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR DISCUSS AND POSSIBLE ACTION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT THE UPDATED RULES AND CONDUCT AND DECORUM OF MEETINGS OF COMMISSIONERS'

COURT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

THOSE ARE THE UPDATED RULES. THE MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE

THE RULES AS PRESENTED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL HAVE

SOME QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I FORGOT TO FLAG THAT ONE. WE'LL FLAG 365 FOR

DISCUSSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS

GOOD. >> TOM RAMSEY: ANYTHING I NEED

TO PULL, JAMES? >> I DON'T THINK SO.

LEAN ANYTHING ELSE, JAMES? >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING

ELSE, JAMES? >> THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME GO OVER OUR DIFFERENT SLIDES TO MAKE SURE -- OUR DIFFERENT FLAGS TO SEE IF ANYBODY NEEDS ANYTHING. WE ARE DISCUSSING EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 355, EXECUTIVE ITEM 356, EXECUTIVE SESSION 358, COMMENTS FOR GLO'S ACTION PLAN AND 192 WE ARE TAKING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH IS THE EARLY VOTE LOCATIONS.

AND THEN REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 18, ITEM 19, 20, 240, 319, 327 , 365, 366, 368, 369 AND 372. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 1 THROUGH 372 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND THE ITEMS I JUST LISTED? THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I WANT TO SAY IT IS 5 UNTIL -- BUT LET'S JUST SAY LET'S COME BACK AT 6:00.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 6:04 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. THE NAME OF THE GAME IS EFFICIENCY. WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THE BROAD COVID ITEM. MY UPDATE IS VERY BRIEF.

I PROMISED TO UPDATE YOU ALL ON THE NURSES.

[06:15:01]

WE HAD SET TRACK HELP US AND THEY DID A SURVEY OF THE HOSPITALS. THEY FOUND THE HOSPITALS NEEDED SO MANY MORE NURSES THAN THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT HAD SHOWN. WE ENDED UP AUTHORIZING SET TRACK -- THERE WAS JUST OVER 600 NURSES.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM, LIKE 535 ARRIVED WITHIN A WEEK. WE ARE STILL AT THE 535 RIGHT NOW FOR WHATEVER REASON. I KNOW WHY.

IT IS BECAUSE OF THE LOUISIANA IMPACTS.

IT IS BECAUSE IDA STRAINED THEIR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS EVEN MORE. AND THERE WAS SOME DELAY THERE. THE NURSES WERE WALKING INTO EVERYWHERE FROM TEXAS CHILDREN'S TO MEMORIAL PER -- MEMORIAL HERMAN AND ALL OF THE HOSPITALS ABSORBED THE NURSES OVER THE LAST 70 OR SO. ONE THING I LEARNED GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS IS IN THE THREE-WEEK PERIOD BETWEEN AUGUST 11TH AND END OF AUGUST, IN TOTAL INCLUDING OUR 600 NURSES, 1300 NURSES WERE SENT TO HARRIS COUNTY FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. IN TERMS OF THE REGION, 2,000 NURSE NURSES. IT SHOWS YOU THE SCALE OF THE ISSUE RIGHT NOW. THE NUMBERS ARE BEGINNING TO TREND DOWNWARD. POSITIVITY HAS BEEN TRENDING DOWN FOR AWHILE. THE CASES IN HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE TRENDING DOWN. THAT SUGGESTS WE HAVE REACHED A PEAK. GENERAL POPULATION BEDS WENT UP RECENTLY ONCE MORE, BUT THE SENSE FROM THE DATA PEOPLE IS THAT WE HAVE REACHED A PEAK. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PEAK IS SO HIGH THAT YOU ARE STILL AT THIS EXTREME STRAIN IN OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEMS. THOSE ARE THE BIG UPDATES.

THE ONLY OTHER UPDATE IS THE DATA ON THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALREADY COVERED.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, QUICKLY, ON VACCINATIONS, THE FOCUS IS STILL ON ADULTS THE FOCUS HAS NOT SHIFTED TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OR THOSE YOUNGER THAN 18.

OUR FOCUS IS STILL ADULTS, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FOCUS ON EVERYBODY THAT IS UNVACCINATED. SO 12 PLUS.

THE YOUNGER THE POPULATION, THE GREATER THE PERCENTAGE THAT ARE UNVACCINATED. WE CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOLS AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS IN SCHOOLS, BUT THEY ARE STILL -- BUT THERE IS STILL A LARGE CHUNK OF THE POPULATION THAT IS NOT YET VACCINATED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, OUR OFFICE IS GOING TO REACH OUT TO YOU IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. WE ARE HAVING MORE AND MORE FOLKS WHO ARE CONTACTING US AND TRYING TO GET TESTED BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE MORE LUCRATIVE THING IS TO PROVIDE THE SHOTS, BUT THE TESTING IS NOT AS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.

WE MAY REACH OUT AND SEE IF WE CAN MAKE A WAY TO HAVE MORE

TESTING AVAILABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

AND I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN RUNNING DOWN IS TO BALANCE OUT -- WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE IT AND NOT USE IT, BUT IT IS GOOD TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT. THAT'S SOMETHING TO RUN DOWN TOGETHER. I WILL SAY THAT I HEARD FROM THE -- SOME OF THE HOSPITAL LEADERS.

I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH LORI UPTON AND OUR FOLKS WERE IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH DR. PORSA. GENERALLY AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GRATITUDE FROM OUR HOSPITALS.

I KNOW ALL OF OUR TEAMS ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS REIMBURSED. THE FACT THAT WE WERE OUT FRONT AND GETTING THOSE NURSES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, I THINK WE CAN BE CERTAIN THIS COURT HELPED SAVE LIVES.

I HOPE THAT'S A GOOD THING. SO THAT'S IT FOR MY BROAD

COVID UPDATE. >> JUDGE ON THAT ITEM IS THERE

ANY ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, JAMES.

THE NEXT ITEM IS 19. IT IS THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG STATUS. I FLAGGED IT, AND I KNOW WE HAVE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS.

I TOOK A LOOK AT THE REPORT. I THINK IT IS GOOD THERE IS A

[06:20:01]

IT WAS THE ONE WITH THE I. ANYWAY -- JMI.

IT WAS FROM JMI ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THEIR PROPOSAL WAS A CERTAIN CLASS OF CASES THAT NEEDED TO BE DISMISSED.

WE SAID, WELL, REALISTICALLY THE JUDGES ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT. LET'S COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT IS PALLETTABLE TO THE ACTORS IN THE SYSTEM.

WE CAN'T MAKE THEM DO THAT. THIS WAS THE SOLUTION.

THE COMMITMENT I MADE AND THE REASON I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE INVESTMENTS I MADE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WE WON'T -- HOW WE WILL GET TO POINT B. CAN WE PREPARE AN UPDATE AT THE NEXT COURT? HOW DO WE VISUALIZE WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND PROJECT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS GETTING US THERE AND IDENTIFY IF WE ARE ON TRACK AND MAYBE WE WILL NOT GET ON TRACK FOR ANOTHER TWO MONTHS WHILE THE PROGRAM CAN REALLY GET GOING AND THE ADDITIONAL COURT IS FULLY STAFFED AND WHATEVER IT IS. I DON'T WANT US TO WAIT SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR AND CONTINUE TO CROSS OUR FINGERS ON SOMETHING THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE YIELDING RESULTS.

I THINK WE NEED TO EVALUATE WHAT WE ARE DOING IS MAKING IT A MEASURABLE DIFFERENCE AND GONNA GET US PAST THIS BACKLOG ONCE AND FOR YOU WILL. THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS UP. I DO HAVE AN ITEM LATER THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT. IT BASICALLY RE -- RELATES TO THIS ITEM. MR. BERRY, I KNOW THAT WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE COURT DOCKET WEBSITE THAT THERE WAS A CONSCIENTIOUS DECISION NOT TO HAVE TWO SITES.

THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT, WE MAY NEED TO HAVE TWO SITES.

WE NEED SOMETHING INTERNAL TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR INVESTMENTS ARE REFLECTED AS THE JUDGE TOUCHED ON.

AND LET IT BE A PROJECT MANAGEMENT-TYPE SITE THAT LETS US KNOW WHEN THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES GO ONLINE AND IF WE CAN HOLD THE APPROPRIATE COURTS IN THE EVENING.

SO I AM THINKING WE MAY NEED AN INTERNAL WORK SITE SO WE CAN REALLY TRACK THE MOVEMENT OF THE BACKLOG.

I'M CONCERNED THAT -- WE PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO THIS SYSTEM, BUT I DON'T HAVE A GOOD FEEL FOR WHAT MONEY IS BEING USED AND WHETHER THE THINGS WE FUNDED ARE MOVING AND WHETHER WE ARE SEEING ANY MOVEMENTS ON THE DOCKET.

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SUBSEQUENT SITE WE CAN WORK FROM SO WE CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND FIND OUT ABOUT WHAT IS WORKING AND WHAT ISN'T WORKING.

AND SO WE CAN HAVE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS AT THIS TABLE ABOUT WHERE OUR INVESTMENT IS SINCE WE PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

I THINK AN INTERNAL WORK SITE WILL BE VERY HELPFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MOVING THAT BUREAUCRACY ALONG.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR LISTING THIS ITEM.

THERE ARE EIGHT THINGS AND THE REPORT SHOWED ME THAT THEY ARE SIGNIFICANT. THE JUDGES TOOK THE LEAD ON ADVOCATING FOR. THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND THE

[06:25:01]

EVIDENCE BACK LOCK -- EVIDENCE BACKLOG, THE TRIAGE FOR THE D.A. THE JUDICIAL DASHBOARDS.

THAT IS QUITE A BIT. YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THE JMI REPORT. WE ALSO MADE REFERENCE TO THE THINGS WE CANNOT DO THINGS THAT THIS BOARD CANNOT PUSH.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAVE BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE I THINK WITH THE SMALLER GROUP. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST BEFORE WE DO A SECOND DASHBOARD IS WE CAN DO IT INTERNATIONALLY ANYWAY, BUT I KNOW THE PRESIDING JUDGE CALLED ME AND WANTED TO VISIT.

WE WERE DROPPING OFF OUR LAST KID AT COLLEGE SO I COULDN'T DO IT. WE MEET WITH A SMALL GROUP AND MAYBE THE THINGS YOU WANT THEY WOULD PUT ON THEIR DASHBOARD.

WHAT MR. BERRY BRAS TRYING TO -- MR. BERRY WAS TRYING TO DO WAS BE A LITTLE LESS CONFRONTATIONAL.

I GET IT. WE CAN TWEAK SOME CHANGES.

I THINK HE TASKED THEM WITH PUTTING IT TOGETHER.

MAYBE WE CAN ADD THE THINGS WE WANT.

I THINK IF WE HAVE A SMALL ONE.

I THINK THEY WILL COME BACK WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SUPER COMMISSION. THE CHALLENGE WITH THAT IS SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

THREE OF US ARE ON IT. IF WE CAN'T HAVE THE ONE ON ONE, NONE OF US HAVE ENOUGH TIME, BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO TRY TO DO THAT. JMI LAID OUT A BUNCH OF THINGS. I KNOW SHE HAS TO DO SOME

FAMILY STUFF AS WELL. >> SOUNDS GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAVE THREE QUICK QUESTIONS WHICH NOBODY HERE MAY KNOW THE ANSWER.

WHOEVER IT IS THAT DOES KNOW THE ANSWER IF THEY CAN COMMUNICATE BACK WITH US. THE FIRST ONE IS WE HAVE ASSOCIATE JUDGE WHEEZE APPROVED BUT WAITING ON APPROVAL FROM THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT.

AND THE QUESTION IS WHEN CAN WE SEE THEM TO BE ONLINE? WE HAVE THE SUCCESS OF THE ADDED JURIES AND WE NEED JUDGES TO PUT THE JURIES IN THE BOX AND START TO TRY THE CASES. WHEN DO WE ANTICIPATE GETTING THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES TRY YUM CASES? THE SECOND QUESTION IS WHEN CAN WE ANTICIPATE THE NEW DISTRICT COURT STARTING TO TRY CASES.

WE HAVE FUNDED IT AND WE APPROVED AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR STILL NEEDS TO APPROVE WHO THE JUDGE OF THE COURT WILL BE. THERE IS A GOVERNOR'S APPOINTMENT INITIALLY. I KNOW MR. BETHKEY HAS TENDERED A RESIGNATION. HOW LONG UNTIL HE IS GONE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I AM JUST GUESSING, BUT FOR SOME REASON I THINK IT IS THE END OF OCTOBER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF WE CAN HAVE SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS CONTACT OUR OFFICE AND LET US KNOW ON WHEN WE CAN SEE THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES TRY THE CASES AND THE DISTRICT JUMPING TRY

THE CASES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE DISTRICT JUDGE IS UP AND RUNNING AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES I HAVE TO DEFER. DO YOU KNOW?

>> WE DO NOT HAVE A DATE ON WHEN THE SUPREME COURT IS

SUPPOSEDLY ROLLING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS? OF OUR -- I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS SOME OF OUR COUNTY --

>> TOM RAMSEY: TO REINFORCE WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, I THINK ASKING THE 80,000-FOOT QUESTIONS AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE RHYTHM OF THE COURT.

I SPENT SOME TIME WITH JUDGE POE THIS WEEK TALKING ABOUT THESE THINGS. HE SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A CERTAIN RHYTHM THAT A COURT CAN GET INTO AND TRY CASES AND MOVE ON. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THAT. THAT'S A BIG MYSTERY.

WE ARE INVESTING IN COURTS. THERE ARE SOME COURTS -- SOME JUDGES ARE CHOOSING NOT TO HAVE COURT.

[06:30:01]

AT LEAST IF WE SAW SOME EVIDENCE OR SOME INDICATION, IT CAN'T BE THAT COMPLICATED. SO THAT WOULD BE MY INTEREST I

WOULDN'T COUNT ON IT TO HARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS THAT IT IS OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS.

SO THE BENEFIT OF HAVING SOMEONE LIKE DAVE OR LIKE JIM IN THEORY CAN BRING THESE PARTIES TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.

WHAT I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT IS HOW DO YOU GET PAST -- YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T GIVE THEM THE TIME OF DAY, BUT FRANKLY NONE OF US CAN SIT THERE AND DO IT OURSELVES.

I AGREE WITH YOU. THE REASON I BRING IT UP AGAIN IS BECAUSE I AM AT A BIT OF A LOSS.

I HOPE THIS IS JUST SLOW TRENDS BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING TO BE OVERNIGHT, BUT I SUSPECT THERE IS MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. IT IS NOT IN THEIR MIND TO FIGURE OUT THAT SOMETHING IS NOT EFFICIENT.

FOR US, WE WOULD LOVE TO FIGURE IT OUT.

WE CAN'T DO IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THE DASHBOARDS ARE CREATING SOME MOVEMENT.

THERE IS A TENDENCY FOR ALL OF US, BY THE WAY WHEN THE ISSUE COMES UP TO TALK ABOUT OUR PRECINCT AND OUR COURT WHEN IT IS THE CAPTAIN OR THE COURTS. I THINK THE DASHBOARDS PUT A LOT OF -- IT CREATED A LITTLE CONSTERNATION.

DAVE, IS THIS SOMETHING YOU CAN BRING BACK ONCE A MONTH AND THEN HOPEFULLY -- YOUR IDEA IS GREAT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IF YOU CAN BREAK THE LOG JAM ON THE DASHBOARD AND CONTINUING TO LOOK AT THE CHARTS REMINDS US TO NOT LET OFF AND MAYBE WE WILL COME UP WITH ANOTHER GREAT IDEA. THEY WERE LOOKING AT WHICH JUDGE WAS TRYING CASES AND WHICH ONE WASN'T.

THEY ARE ALWAYS ON THE FRONT OF THE LIST AND THE OTHERS WERE COMPETING AND BEFORE LONG YOU SAW HOW WE WERE ALL MOVING OUR DOCKETS. TAXPAYERS WERE GETTING THEIR DOLLARS WORTH BECAUSE WE WERE PUTTING IN THE EXTRA HOURS TO MAKE SURE WE TRIED THE CASES AND MOVE THEM.

AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY MONTH, ALL OF THE CASES YOU

HAVE AND HOW MANY ARE MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, BUT PERHAPS THEY MOVE THE CASES FASTER, RIGHT? I THINK WE NEED TO WAIT FOR THEM TO MOVE FASTER AND THEN WE NEED TO PROJECT AND SEE WILL THIS GET US 2% OF THE WAY THERE OR 60% OF THE WAY THERE? DAVE, CAN YOU BRING BACK THIS REPORT ONCE A MONTH AND LET US KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING TO SPEED UP THE APPROVAL OF THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES OR ANYTHING

ELSE? >> THE IDEA IS TO BRING IT BACK AND FOCUSING ON THE TOTAL SIZE OF THE BACKLOG AND WHAT PERCENTAGE IS EXPOSED EACH MONTH AND KEEPING OUR EYE ON THE JAIL POPULATION. AS COMMISSIONER DISBAR -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS ELUDING TO, THAT'S A SIGN.

AND FURTHERMORE KEEPING THE INITIATIVES FUNDED AND A RUNNING LIST OF NEW IDEAS WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO EXPLORE.

AS MUCH AS THIS COURT HAS APPROVED, THEY ARE STILL BEING IMPLEMENTED. THE DISTRICT COURT JUST STARTED OPERATIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH.

THEY ARE STARTING TRIALS ON SEPTEMBER 21ST.

WHEN WE SEE THAT DATA BACK AND SEEING THE TRENDS AND HELPING US COME TO AN INFORMED VIEW OF IS THIS ENOUGH?

[06:35:07]

THIS WILL COME BACK ONCE EVERY MONTH AND SOME OF THE COMMENTS I HEARD, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING THAT NO ONE PARTY CAN FIX. THIS WILL REQUIRE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE POWER OF THE PURSE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE OTHERS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD CONVERSATIONS GOING ON.

THERE ARE ALWAYS BIG IDEAS WE CAN SUPPORT TO RESOLVE THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ITEM 20, HARRIS COUNTY

PRIORITY OUTCOME. >> I'M SORRY, JUDGE.

19 IS THERE ANY ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK SO. ANY ACTION?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION,

JAMES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ITEM 20, FIRST I WANT TO THANK MR. BERRY AND HIS STAFF FOR WORKING AND LEAH FOR WORKING WITH US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DEFINING PRIORITY OUTCOMES FOR THE USE OF ARPA DOLLARS.

I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO SELECTED HOME OWNERSHIP AS A PRIORITY. WE DO HAVE AS A PRIORITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT STAYS REPORTABLE AND WE HOPE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND ON OUR WORK TOWARD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS TALKED ABOUT THIS.

IT HAS BEEN ELUSIVE FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

CITY THE HUE OF -- THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS DONE WORK IN THAT REGARD. I DON'T WANT TO SHOW THAT WE RED LINED THE COUNTY, BUT WE WANT TO LOOK AT ALL CREATIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND MAKE SURE IT IS REFLECTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN ALL OF OUR PRE SINKS. SECONDLY AS I AS PERUSING THE LIST ONE THING JUMPED OUT AND I WANT TO MAKE A FRIENDLY EDIT FOR THE SAKE OF MAKING SURE IT IS IN THERE ON THE TRANSPORTATION GO STATEMENT WE MAKE INFERENCE TO IT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS UNDERSTOOD.

MULTI-MOW DAHL TRANSPORTATION -- MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS DON'T SPEAK TO THIS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS STATED IN IT. IT IS A MULTI-MOW DAHL TRANSPORTATION -- MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT.

MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS SPEAK TO A LOT OF THIS THAT IS INDICATED HERE AND NOT ALL OF IT REFLECTS THE MULTI-MODAL MODE OF TRANSPORTATION.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE COVER OUR BASES BECAUSE THE MULTI-MODL IS MORE ENCOMPASSING THAN THESE PARTICULAR METRICS.

MR. BERRY, IF I CAN GET YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAC SURE THAT'S IN THERE, THEN THAT WILL HELP ME A GREAT DEAL.

>> IT WAS READY TO CHECK IN AND MAKE SURE WE WERE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THESE WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE. THEY WILL FORM THE CENTER OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS. CERTAINLY WE CAN LOOK TO ADD A PRIORITY AND WE CAN WORK ON THAT.