Sep 28, 2021 Commissioners Court

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. IS THERE A MOTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE 2021 HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND PROPOSED TAX RATE OF .03349 ON OCTOBER 5TH 2021?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> . >>

WE HAVE TWO MORE. IS THERE A MOTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE 2021 HOSPITAL DISTRICT PROPOSED TAX RATE AS .6621 ON OCTOBER 5TH 2021.

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. IS THERE A MOTION TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE 2021 PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY PROPOSED TAX RATE OF .00872 ON OCTOBER 5TH,

2021? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> I. >>

THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR THE HEARINGS AND SETTING A TAX RATE. WE WILL MEET ON OCTOBER 5TH TO VOTE ON THESE PROPOSED TAX RATES.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS MIDYEAR REVIEW. THAT'S AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA. I ASK DAVE TO WALK US THROUGH

THE MIDYEAR REVIEW. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. SOUNDS LIKE MY MIC IS WORKING OKAY. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT AN UPDATE ON THE COUNTY'S FINANCES.

MID-YEAR REVIEW IS WHERE WE WALK THROUGH THE FINANCIAL STATE OF THE COUNTY. WHAT IT IS NOT IS REVISITING THE ENTIRETY OF THE BUDGET OF THE YEAR.

WE BUDGETED 99% OF OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. SO THIS IS TO PROVIDE THE CONTEXT IN WHICH COMMISSIONERS' COURT MAKES FINANCIAL DECISIONS EVERY COURT.

I HAVE A PRESENTATION PREPARED.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE PULL IT UP, TIFFANY.

I'LL BE BRIEF AND I WELCOME QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION AT ANY POINT IN TIME. I'LL START WITH THE KEY TAKE AWAYS. MOST ARE POSITIVE.

FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THE COUNTY REMAINS STRONG.

WE RETAIN THE TOP CREDIT RATING, AAA, WITH STRONG RESERVES. OUR TAX BASE HAS REMAINED STABLE IN THE PANDEMIC. WE HAVE BEEN FOR THE FAT -- WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ON FEES AND SALES TAX.

THERE ARE OTHER REVENUE WHICH IS LARGELY FEES HAS BEEN DOWN. THE COUNTY USED FEDERAL FUNDING TO RESPOND TO COVID AND THE PANDEMIC AND ASSISTING THE COMMUNITY IN THE DOWNTURN.

OVERALL THAT HAS BEEN A BIG SUCCESS AND WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME OF THE SUCCESS. WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO MAKE MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN FLOOD CONTROL AND TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND PARTICULARLY ON THE TOPIC OF FLOOD CONTROL THERE HAS BEEN MAJOR PROGRESS IN DELIVERING ON FULL FUNDING FOR THE 2018 BOND PROGRAM.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF POINTS I WOULD LIKE TO FLAG AS WE MOVE FORWARD. NOT OF IMMEDIATE OR SERIOUS CONCERN REQUIRING ACTION TODAY , BUT THINGS WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU MAKE POLICY AND FINANCIAL DECISIONS GOING FORWARD. ONE IS WE HAVE SEEN THE RISING PENSION COSTS AND MONITORING AND THE COUNTY'S REVENUE OUTLOOK AS WE WORK THROUGH THE SAME TAX RATES HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED BY SENATE BILL TWO.

>> CAN THE FEES BE USED TO APPLY TO THOSE SPH MY --

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THOSE? THERE ARE SOME ARPA FUNDS THAT CAN BE USED DUE TO THE TRAINING AND SOME OF OUR STAFF IS ABLE TO GO TO. I WANT TO FLAG THAT TO MAKE SURE YOUR OFFICE IS AWARE OF THAT.

>> WE ARE AWARE -- THE ANSWER IS NOT A SIMPLE YES OR NO AS IS THE CASE WITH GOVERNMENT FUNDING, BUT WE WILL EXPLORE

THE OPPORTUNITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

MR. BERRY, TO FOLLOW-UP ON THAT, THE ARPA DOLLARS ARE APPLICABLE AND THEY WILL NOT GET ALL 900 AND 14 MILLION.

THEY WILL GET A PORTION OF THAT.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE DID APPLY THE DOLLARS AND WE HAVE TO EXPENNED THEM -- EXPEND THEM BY 2026.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE MEDICAL --

>> I'M SORRY. I THINK A CORE PRINCIPAL IN SPENDING THE ARPA DOLLARS AND THE PICK AND OTHER RESERVES IS WE SHOULDN'T USE ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR RECURRING EXPENDITURES. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CATCH UP WHEN YOU GET BEHIND. THAT WOULD BE MY COUNCIL -- MY COUNSEL NOT TO USE IT FOR RECURRING EXPENDITURES.

>> AND CAN ARPA BE DOLLARS BE USED FOR PENSION

CONTRIBUTIONS? >> GENERALLY THE QUESTION IS

NO. >> COMMISSIONER?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF ARPA DOLLARS WERE USED, CONSIDERING IT BEING A ONE-TIME EXPENDITURE WOULD IT BE PART OF THE ADOPTED BUDGET IF WE PUT THEM OVER THERE?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHEN THEY WERE ADOPTED.

LET ME REPHRASE A LITTLE BIT IF THAT'S OKAY.

THE GENERAL FUND IS WHAT IS COVERING THE COST OF THE HEALTH FUND. THOSE ARPA DOLLARS WOULD NOT BECOME PART OF THE GENERAL FUND.

WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RELY ON THEM GOING FORWARD AS WE

ADOPT THE GENERAL FUND. >> WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE IMPACT OF SENATE BILL TWO.

IF WE USE THOSE MONIES IN CERTAIN AREAS WOULD IT SET A HIGHER FLOOR THAT WE CANNOT COME BACK FROM?

WOULD IT LOOK -- LOCK US IN? >> NO.

SENATE BILL 2 IS A TAX REVENUE.

IT IS NOT THE OVERALL ADOPTED BUDGET.

THE CHALLENGE IS IF WE USE ONE-TIME FUNDS TO COVER THAT RECURRING EXPENSE, SENATE BILL 2 WOULD MAKE IT HARD TO CATCH UP BECAUSE IT DOESN'T ALLOW FOR REVENUE INCREASE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE START OFF ON A HIGHER LINE --

[INAUDIBLE]. >> I WOULD SAY WE HAVE A LOWER RELIANCE ON FEES. THOSE FEES HAVE BEEN DOWN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. OUR PROPERTY TAX REVENUE REMAINS STABLE WHILE THOSE FEES COME DOWN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVE WE DONE A REVIEW ON THOSE FEES? I AM JUST CURIOUS. WHERE WOULD THE LOSS OF

REVENUE COME FROM? >> SELECTED FEES, YES.

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW, NO. I THINK IT IS TIME.

I HAVE FOLKS IN THE BUDGET OFFICE PLAYING THAT OUT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU DO THAT ON YOUR OWN OR DO YOU HAVE TO BRING IT BACK TO US? I WANT TO KNOW IF IT IS MORE EQUITABLE THAN OTHERS. SOME PUT MORE OF A BURDEN ON CONSUMERS AS OPPOSED TO OTHER GROUPS CAN YOU DEVELOP SOMETHING OR DO YOU HAVE TO COME COME BACK --

>> I HAVE NO POWER TO SET FEES ON MY OWN.

I THINK WE CAN DO THAT AS PART OF NORMAL COURSE, AND WE WOULD PLAN TO LOOK AT IT BOTH FROM AN EQUITY LENS AND THE LENS OF WHERE COULD WE CHARGE MORE IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO.

>> IF THERE IS SOME LENS THAT IF YOU JUST LET ME KNOW OR LET US KNOW, YOUR POLICY WON'T BE ABLE TO LOOK AT LENSES THAT I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT. I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THAT HERE AT THIS TABLE AND I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT IT PRIVATELY. THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR REPORT HERE THAT THE TCDRS HAS REDUCED THE LONG-TERM TO 7.5%.

THAT MAKES NO SENSE. I HAD TML COME IN ON MANY OCCASIONS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THE BASIS FOR THEIR PENSION ASSUMPTIONS AND THERE IS NO EXPLANATION.

IF YOU CAN CONTINUE TO PUSH THEM, BE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT PUTTING OURSELVES AT RISK AND I THINK A COMMON TERM THAT I APPRECIATE YOU MONITORING IS UNFUNDED LIABILITY.

SO IF THERE IS ANY UNFUNDED LIABILITY IN THESE ASSUMPTIONS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND PUTTING US AND THE COUNTY AND

[00:15:06]

OTHER COUNTIES AT RISK, PLEASE KEEP US POSTED.

>> CERTAINLY. AND THAT 7.5% IS JUST AN ASSUMPTION. IT CAN CHANGE QUITE A BIT.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'LL MONITOR. AND I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT MY JOB AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR EMPLOYEES. WE STILL HAVE SOMETHING

SUSTAINABLE. >> I DON'T WANT OUR EMPLOYEES NOT TAKING -- NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF

BAD ASSUMPTIONS TO THE TCDRS. >> UNDERSTOOD.

>> AND JUST TO FOLLOW-UP ON THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DAVE, ANY THOUGHT TO CHANGING ANYTHING ABOUT OUR RETIREES' PLANS? A MEDICAL PLAN OR ANY OF THAT

BASED ON THE IMPACTS OF SB2? >> COMMISSIONER, I THINK WE NEED TO DO A REVIEW. NOT TO MAKE MAJOR CHANGES, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF.

I PROPOSED THAT WE GET STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER AND REPRESENTATIVES AND EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES AND LOOK AT SOME OPTIONS. I HAVE ON PAGE 8 OF THE PRESENTATION, SIGNA WHO IS OUR INSURER, AND THEY ARE USUALLY TOO CONSERVATIVE, BUT THEY ARE PROJECTING THAT OUR OPEN HEALTH COSTS THAT ARE SELF-INSURED WILL GO TO $414 MILLION NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

AND THAT GROWTH IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

I WANT TO DEVELOP SOME OPTIONS THAT HAS EXCELLENT CARE TO EMPLOYEES, BUT WE CAN'T HAVE 5 TO 10% GROWTH EACH YEAR.

IT IS NOT -- [INAUDIBLE] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM HOPING WE WILL SEE A COMPETITIVE PROCESS FOR OUR HEALTH PLANS.

>> THE -- WE HAVE ONE MORE YEAR ON THE CONTRACT WITH SIGNA AND THEN IT IS PUT OUT FORBID.

I WOULD SAY TOO THAT BECAUSE WE ARE SELF-INSURED, THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, WE SHOULD PUT OUT A SMALL PORTION AND IT GOES TO OUR UNDERLING COSTS THAT THE COUNTY BEARS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE] I'M ASSUMING ALL OF THIS IS PREDICATED ON WHAT WE ARE WILLING TO PAY.

SENATE BILL 2 PUTS PRESSURE ON US.

I ASSUME MOST OF WHAT WE SPEND MONEY IS BIG -- IS PEOPLE.

I SAY I CAN'T GO TO MY DOCTOR BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF NETWORK AND I GET FRUSTRATED AND CALL.

I THOUGH THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO PUT IN A REQUEST FOR MORE MONEY. AND SO WE DON'T JUST SAY TAKE IT OUT OF SOMEBODY ELSE'S POCKET.

AT THE END OF IT, I WILL RAISE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHERE THE BROADEST ISSUES ARE. I ASSUME YOU WILL GET TO IT AND I WILL TRY TO CONTAIN MYSELF.

>> IT'S FINE. I CAN GO QUICKER NOW AFTER THIS DISCUSSION. SO GOING TO THE NEXT PAGE, PLEASE. THESE ARE THE CREDIT RATING NOT JUST OF THE COUNTY, BUT THE OTHER -- YES.

THIS IS -- THESE ARE THE CREDIT RATINGS OF NOT JUST THE COUNTY, BUT HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND TOLL ROAD.

ALL ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE WHICH MEANS WE CAN BORROW AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE RATES. FOR EACH TAX DOLLAR THAT LETS US GET MORE BANG FROM THE BUCK IN TERMS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. NEXT PAGE PLEASE.

THIS IS A LOOK AT REVENUE. AND AS I MENTIONED, FOR OUR GENERAL FUND, SOMEWHERE AROUND 75% OF THE REVENUE COMES FROM THE TAX BASE. WHAT WE SEE HERE IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN STABILITY IN OUR TAX BASE EVEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. AND IT HAS ALLOWED US TO REDUCE THE GENERAL FUND RATE AS YOU JUST VOTED ON AND AS WE HAVE DONE THE PAST COUPLE YEARS.

OTHER REVENUES HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT DOWN.

THAT'S THE GRAPH ON THE RIGHT HERE.

WE REACHED A HIGH OF 460 MILLION IN 2020.

OUR CURRENT PROJECTION FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR IS $399 MILLION. THAT WAS INCORPORATED INTO THE BUDGET ADOPTED BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

THIS DOES NOT SIGNAL ANY FINANCIAL ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE HAD ALREADY TAKEN THAT INTO ACCOUNT.

NEXT PAGE PLEASE. >> THIS IS A LOOK AT OUR FEDERAL FUNDS AND SPENDING. AND AS I MENTIONED HARRIS

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COUNTY HAS BEEN FORTUNATE BECAUSE OUR REVENUE HAS BEEN STABLE, WE HAVE NOT HAD TO USE THE MAJORITY OF OUR FEDERAL FUND TO PLUG THAT GAP. INSTEAD WE WERE ABLE TO SPEND IT AND ALLOCATE IT RESPONDING TO COVID AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. I FOUND THESE STATISTICS IMPRESSIVE. 62,000 FAMILIES HAVE RECEIVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE. OUR PROGRAM RECEIVED NATIONAL ACCLAIM AND THAT IS SOMETHING BOTH THE SUPPORT FROM THIS COURT AND THE TEAMWORKING ON IT HAS MADE POSSIBLE.

MANY FOLKS STRUGGLED TO GET THE MONEY OUT INCLUDING THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

IN HARRIS COUNTY, I THINK THEY HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB.

115 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING FLEXIBLE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. 4,000 SMALL BUSINESSES RECEIVING GRANTS AND 17,000 FAMILIES RECEIVING SUPPORT FOR DIGITAL ACCESS. AND THIS HAS BEEN DONE IN A FRAMEWORK THAT INCORPORATES BOTH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

WE WORKED WITH BAKER RIP -- BAKER RIPLEY.

A THOUSAND PEOPLE PARTICIPATED.

ALSO AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK THAT THIS COURT ADOPTED WHICH IS SOMETHING THE TREASURY HAS HIGHLIGHTED AS A BEST PRACTICE AND RECOMMENDATION TO OTHER PEOPLE.

NEXT PAGE PLEASE. THE QUESTION WE OFTEN GET IS ON OUR CONTINGENCY FUND BALANCE.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO TAKE CLEAR STOCK OF WHERE WE ARE. THE MOST RELEVANT NUMBER I POINT YOU TO ON THIS PAGE IS $111 MILLION.

THAT'S THE COMBINATION OF THE UNALLOCATED PIC BALANCE AND EXPENDITURES WE ARE UNABLE TO USE TO REIMBURSE THE PIC.

THOSE TRANSFERS ARE WITHIN OUR CONTROL.

IT IS A MATTER OF PROCESSING THEM AND THIS COURT HAS $111 MILLION AT ITS DISPOSAL. ON ONE HAND THAT IS A RELATIVELY HEALTHY BALANCE THIS FAR INTO THE PANDEMIC.

ON THE OTHER HAND OUR TARGET BALANCE HAS BEEN $250 MILLION TO $300 MILLION. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP THIS -- LUCKILY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A HURRICANE, BUT IN THE EVENT OF ANOTHER NATURAL DISASTER.

WE SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR TWO NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE CONTINGENCY FUND. I DARE SAY WE DIDN'T ENVISION ANYTHING LIKE COVID WHEN THAT POLICY WAS DEVELOPED.

WE SHOULD GET BACK TO OVER OUR $300 MILLION TARGET ONCE WE SEE REIMBURSMENTS FOR FEMA. THERE IS ALWAYS RISK AROUND TIMING ON THAT. I HAVE THE TEAM ON IT.

>> MR. BERRY, QUICKLY, CAN WE USE ARPA DOLLARS TO GO AHEAD

AND REPLENISH THE PIC FUND? >> NO.

IT HAS TO BE SERVICES. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU SHOW THE 29 MILLION CURRENTLY UNALLOCATED, THAT'S A NUMBER.

DESCRIBE THAT NUMBER IN LIGHT OF THE REVENUE.

REALLY YOU SAY IT IS 111? >> THAT'S THE MOST RELEVANT NUMBER. THE 29 MILLION IS THE BALANCE IN OUR CONTINGENCY FUND THAT IS NOT ALLOCATED.

THE REST HAS EITHER BEEN SPENT OR ALLOCATED TO SPECIFIC INITIATIVES. HOWEVER, THERE ARE $82 MILLION OF EXPENSES THAT WE -- RELATED TO COVID THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THE PIC WE CAN REIMBURSE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS WE HAVE.

THAT IS A MATTER OF PROCESSING THE TRANSFERS AND REVIEWING THE EXPENSES. WE ACTUALLY JUST HIRED SOMEONE TO FOCUS ON THAT. THAT'S WITHIN OUR CONTROL AND CAN HAPPEN QUICKLY. THAT GETS US TO THE

111 MILLION. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS THE ONLY PIC FUND. DO WE HAVE A COVID PIC FUND SEPARATE AND APART FROM THIS? WE HAVE ONE PIC FUND AND NOT A

COVID PIC FUND WITH FUNDS? >> WE HAVE ONE CONTINGENCY FUND. WE DO HAVE A COVID RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND WHICH WE HAVE NEARLY OBLIGATED ALL OF IT. THAT'S BEING USED TO REIMBURSE THE CONTINGENCY FUND. WHAT YOU SEE 111 MILLION HERE IS A COMBINATION OF THE TWO FUNDS.

THAT'S WHY I AM FOCUSING ON THAT NUMBER.

THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE AT YOUR DISPOSAL TO RESPOND TO EITHER COVID GOING FORWARD OR ANOTHER NATURAL DISASTER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE STILL HAVE THE ARPA DOLLARS, RIGHT? OTHER COVID EMERGENCIES LIKE THE NURSES OR THE SHERIFFS GET

A REQUEST, THAT'S ALL ARPA. >> AGREED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, WHEN DO YOU EXPECT TO PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO TRANSFER THOSE FUNDS TO GET TO THAT

111? >> IT WILL BE AN ON GOING PROCESS. I EXPECT TO HAVE IT COMPLETED IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS.

AS THE TRANSFERS ARE PROCESSED WE WILL PUT IT ON THERE.

WE WILL KEEP THIS REPORT UPDATED.

WE UPDATE IT ONCE A MONTH TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP TRACK OF

WHERE IT IS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A PIC, WHAT WOULD WE DO?

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OBVIOUSLY WE ARE IN A REGION WHERE SOMETIMES THERE ARE OTHER -- THE TRADITIONAL EMERGENCY WOULD BE A HURRICANE. COVID IS UNIQUE, BUT WE WANT TO GO TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PAGE.

>> IN THE CASE OF COVID, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHOUT A PIC HAVE HAD TO USE THEIR ARPA DOLLARS FOR THINGS THAT ARE REIMBURSABLE WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY SHOOTING THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT. IF THEY HAVE THE LIQUIDITY, THE EXPENSES WOULD BE REIMBURSABLE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE CONTINGENCY FUND YOU CAN'T.

IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A CONTINGENCY FUND WE WOULD BE SCRAMBLED. WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT ALL OPTIONS WHETHER IT IS TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES AND USING SOME GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND IN SOME CASES THEY WILL PASS SPECIAL DISASTER TAX INCREASES.

I WOULD SAY HAVING A HEALTHY CONTIN FEN -- CONTINGENCY FUND

IS THE BEST OPTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FRN --

[INAUDIBLE]. >> THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF [INAUDIBLE]. NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.

THIS IS A SNAP SHOT OF OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN.

WE INVESTED $367 MILLION SO FAR THIS YEAR.

THAT NUMBER IS PROJECTED TO RISE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR. THE LARGEST AREA OF INVESTMENT HAS BEEN FLOOD CONTROL. AND I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS FOR THE 2018 BOND PROGRAM.

WE STARTED THIS YEAR WITH SOME MAJOR QUESTION MARKS AND THANKS TO QUART ACTIONS WE HAVE GOTTEN A LONG WAY THERE.

IN APRIL COURT APPROVED A PLAN TO FULLY FUND THE SUBDIVISION PROJECT IN THE BOND PROGRAM. AND THEN AT THE END OF JUNE SET UP THE FLOOD PREVAIL -- PRE -- PREVALENCE.

AND THANKS TO THE BIPARTISAN PRESSURE FROM THIS COURT AND OTHERS, THE GLO IS WORKING TO ALLOCATE HARRIS COUNTY $750 MILLION OF FUNDS. IT IS BY NO MEANS A DONE DEAL, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY TRENDING IN A MORE POSITIVE DIRECTION THAN WHEN WE FIRST GOT ZERO. IT IS ALSO NOT ENOUGH IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL 4.3 BILLION OF FUNDING.

OUR POSITION HAS BEEN THAT A BILLION SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM FOR THE COUNTY AND A BILLION SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM FOR THE CITY AND THAT WILL BE REFLECTED ON.

TURNING NOW TO SOME OF THE THINGS TO KEEP OUR EYE ON.

NEXT PAGE, PLEASE. THESE ARE HEALTH CLAIMS. AND THE COUNTY IS SELF-INSURED.

SO LARGELY WE JUST PAY THOSE CLAIMS. THEY GO TO OUR HEALTH FUND. IF SIGNA'S PRO SECTION FOR NEXT YEAR COMES TRUE, IT IS UP OVER A 5-YEAR PERIOD AND THEY MAY BE CONSERVATIVE. I THINK WHAT THIS MEANS IS WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE PROVIDE EMPLOYEES AND DO OUR BEST TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT COVERAGE.

LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE SPENDING THE MONEY AND ARE THERE THINGS WE CAN DO TO BEND THAT COST CURVE.

WE ARE NOT IN A SPOT WE NEED TO BE DRAMATICALLY DECREASE.

WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS BEND THE PROSPER OF GROWTH AND OTHERWISE WE WILL END UP IN A TOUGH SITUATION.

WHAT I ASKED MY TEAM TO DO IS TALK TO PEOPLE AND TALK TO USERS OF THE SYSTEM AND TALK TO WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING AND DEVELOP OPTIONS TO LOOK AT THAT CAN DELIVER ON EXCELLENT CARE. ON THE TOPIC OF MENTIONS -- PENSIONS, WE DISCUSSED THIS A LITTLE BIT.

TCDRS HAS LOWERED THEIR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE -- TO HAVE IN MIND THAT IT IS HIGH OR LOW. WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THE RISK THERE. AND THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT WILL BE $6.4 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

KEEP THE PLAN UNCHANGED. AND GOING FORWARD IT WILL DEPEND ON ACTUARY ASSUMPTIONS.

I AM NOT SUGGESTING DRAMATIC CHANGES, BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO MONITOR AND MAKE SURE THE PENSION PLAN DOESN'T GET AHEAD OF THE REVENUE GROWTH.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO DELIVER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. BERRY, IN THE PAST I RECALL THIS COURT VOTING ON A PENSION CONTRIBUTION SOMETIMES IT -- IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, IT

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WAS DONE SOMETIMES ANNUALLY AND SOMETIMES WE WOULD SKIP A YEAR. WHAT SHOULD THE -- AND THEN THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WAS ALWAYS AMBIGUOUS AS TO HOW MUCH WE WERE CONTRIBUTING TO THE SYSTEM.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE PROCESS FOR THAT? AND THEN I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.

>> I MAY LACK SOME OF THE INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY HERE, I CONFESS. WE SHOULD MAKE AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION THAT LEADS TO A SUSTAINABLE PATH.

THAT SUSTAINABLE PATH IS DEPENDENT ON ASSUMPTIONS, ABOUT HOW LONG PEOPLE LIVE AND WHAT THE RETURN ON THE PORTFOLIO IS. BUT WE SHOULD TRY TO DO THAT EVERY YEAR. THAT'S BASED ON OUR MATCH AND THE ASSUMED RATE OF RETURN. WHAT I'M SIGNALING HERE IS IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE A RECOMMENDATION THAT WE NEED TO PUT 6.4 MILLION ADDITIONAL INTO THE PENSION FUND TO KEEP IT ON A SUSTAINABLE PATH.

BUT AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTIONED, THOSE ARE ASSUMPTION THAT'S WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE REVEALING.

MY RESOLVE IS NOT TO FALL BEHIND ON THIS SO THAT WE CAN

DELIVER ON WHAT WE HAVE SAID. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND MY FOLLOW-UP IS, AND LOOKING AT THE CONSTABLES AND I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS SHERIFF, THE FIRST BUDGET I INHERITED DID NOT HAVE PENSION COSTS IN MY BUDGET.

AND THEN IT GOT MOVED OVER TO MY BUDGET I AM NOT -- BUDGET.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE STRATEGY WAS BEHIND THAT, BUT NO DIRECTOR CAN IMPACT THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT AND IT DOES WORK AGAINST THEM. YOU HAVE A NUMBER THERE THAT IS PART OF THE BUDGET, BUT IT IS REALLY NOT ANYTHING THEY DRIVE OR DON'T DRIVE OR INCREASE IN SPENDING.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE WAY THAT WE SHOULD ACCOUNT FOR PENSION COSTS? SHOULD IT BE BY DEPARTMENT?

SHOULD WE CONSOLIDATE IT? >> I WILL TELL YOU WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW. IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WE STANDARDIZE THE CHARGE AND INCLUDE IT IN THEIR BUDGET JUST AS HEALTH CONCERNS AND PAYROLL TAXES ARE A CONCERN.

I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AS PART OF THE REVIEW.

IS THERE A MORE EFFICIENT WAY TO PAY FOR IT? WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AS WE ADD EMPLOYEES, IF WE ADD EMPLOYEES, THAT COST IS FACTORED IN.

THAT'S THE CASE OF EVERY PROPOSAL THIS YEAR.

WHEN YOU APPROVE A BUDGET FOR A NEW PROGRAM, THE PENSION

CONTRIBUTION IS IN THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO DRIVE DOWN HEALTH CARE COSTS?

>> DO YOU MEAN AS INDIVIDUALS OR AS A COURT? I SUGGEST LET US REVIEW AND BRING YOU SOME OPTIONS.

WE ARE NOT THE FIRST TO DEAL WITH THIS CHALLENGE, BY ANY MEANS. I THINK THERE ARE OPTIONS OUT THERE THAT STILL DELIVER HIGH QUALITY CARE.

IT IS A VERY SENSITIVE TOPIC, RIGHT? PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP THINGS EXACTLY AS THEY ARE I THINK WE CAN DO THIS IN A MEASURED WAY.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR, WE HAVE DONE THAT AFTER HAVING GONE THROUGH WORK WITH EMPLOYEES TO SEE WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO

THEM. >> I KNOW THE THINGS MY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TELL ME AND NONE OF WHICH ARE FUN.

THIS IS THE EXPENSE FORECAST FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND THIS IS WITHOUT ADDING NEW PROGRAMS. IT IS BASED ON AN ASSUMPTION OF HEALTH AND PENSION COSTS, GROWING AND COST OF LIVING. THERE IS A WIDE RANGE OF OUTCOMES. WE DON'T KNOW THE PENSION ENDOWMENT. BASED ON REASONABLE ASSUMPTIONS WE WOULD SEE EXPENSES AT 3% A YEAR IN OUR BASE CASE. EVEN AS IT GOES TO THE APPROVAL RATE EACH YEAR, THE TAX REVENUE WOULD GROW AT ABOUT 3%. THIS GOES TO SOME OF THE DISCUSSION WE WERE HAVING AROUND SETTING TAX RATES.

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THE WAY IT IS REPORTED THAT IT WORKS IS YOU CAN GROW TAX REVENUE AT 3 AND A HALF PERCENT A YEAR.

WHEN YOU DO THE CALCULATIONS, IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY WELL WORTH IT. WE HAVE TO BE JUDICIOUS ON THE SERVICES ON A RECURRING BASIS.

THERE IS ONE-TIME PROJECTS AND WHETHER THAT IS USING THE BALANCE SHEET TO MAKE NEEDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND WHETHER IT IS ARPA FUNDING. AND I ALSO WOULD ADD THAT THIS IS PART OF THE REASON THAT WE ARE MOVING TO OUTCOME BUDGETING WHERE WE ARE NOT JUST AUTOMATICALLY DOING WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR, BUT WE ARE TAKING A CLEAN LOOK SO THAT THE COURT HAS THE ABILITY TO SET PRIORITIES.

I WILL SAY AND THIS IS MY ROLE AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, FINDING EFFICIENCIES TO SET UP REVENUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.

SO THAT IS THE END OF MY PRESENTATION AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

GO AHEAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THE BULK OF THE MONEY THAT WE SPEND IS ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

IS THAT FAIR? >> PUBLIC SAFETY IS A LITTLE OVER HALF. YES.

A LITTLE OVER 50%. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE BULK OF THAT I ASSUME IS FOR PEOPLE. DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF THE

PENSION AND SALARIES? >> THE OVERALL BENEFITS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES IS BETWEEN 30 AND 40% WHEN YOU TAKE PENSION AND HEALTH CARE AND PAYROLL TAXES.

A VERY SUBSTANTIAL PORTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M ASSUMING SOME PEOPLE CHOOSE TO WORK HERE EVEN IF THEY CAN MAKE MORE SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE OF HEALTH CARE AND PEPTIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY -- AND PENSIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S WHY I AM NOT SAYING WE NEED DRAMATIC CHANGES WITHOUT DOING THE WORK.

RECRUITMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO EVERYTHING WE DO.

WE WANT TO RETAIN THE BEST EMPLOYEES WE HAVE.

>> I WANT TO STRESS THAT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WHAT GOES OUT IS A FUNCTION OF WHAT COMES IN.

IT IS NEVER FUN TO ASK FOR IT.

THERE IS MORE ON HOW TO GET IT OUT THAN COMING IN.

I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT. >> AND COMMISSIONER, THIS IS PART OF THE REASON WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING HARD TO GET THE FISCAL YEAR TRANSITION DONE TO TRY TO LINK THAT CONVERSATION MORE CLOSELY. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

VOTING ON SPENDING AND THEN VOTING ON TAXES LATER MAY YIELD A DIFFERENT RESULT THAN VOTING ON THE TWO TOGETHER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL ALL BE ALIGNED WITH HARRIS HEALTH AS WELL AS THE ACCOUNTING, RIGHT?

>> THE PLAN IS HARRIS HEALTH AND FLOOD CONTROL AND THE DISTRICT WOULD MOVE TO THE SAME BUDGET -- THE SAME FISCAL

YEAR CYCLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> TOM RAMSEY: A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, DAVID.

LAST YEAR IF I REMEMBER WE ENDED THE YEAR AND HAD TO RECONCILE THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET AS 24 MILLION.

DO YOU SEE ANYTHING IN THE MID-YEAR WHETHER IT IS THE SHARE -- THE SHERIFF OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT WOULD CAUSE THAT IMPACT THAT WE WOULD BE LOOKING TO.

ARE YOU TRACKING THAT CLOSELY?

>> WE TRY. OBVIOUSLY WITH COVID EXPENDITURES IT CAN RANGE QUITE A BIT.

I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN THAT WE WILL SEE MORE COSTS FROM THE JAIL MEDICAL OPERATIONS.

MY TEAM IS WORKING VERY, VERY CLOSELY WITH THEM ON THAT.

WE NEED TO KEEP SOME DRY POWDER TO POTENTIALLY DEAL

WITH THAT SITUATION. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU'RE ANTICIPATING SOMETHING AND YOU ARE TRYING TO BE PREPARED IN

CASE THAT SOMETHING HAPPENS. >> YES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND THEN MY SECOND QUESTION, THERE HAS BEEN QUITE A BIT OF CONVERSATION RELATED TO ROLL OVER DOLLARS AND PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE CONSTABLES.

ARE YOU TRACKING WHAT THAT WAS? I KNOW THERE WILL BE AT SOME POINT A CONVERSATION INTO THIS YEAR AND EARLY NEXT YEAR WHERE WE DO HAVE THE CONVERSATION IN TERMS OF WAS IT IN THE BUDGET OR WAS IT NOT IN THE BUDGET? AT LEAST WE NEED TO BE TRACKING THOSE DOLLARS SO WE CAN HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

ARE WE TRACKING THEM? >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I

[00:40:02]

UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION OR GIVE A COMPLETE ANSWER.

WE DON'T HAVE ROLL OVER FUNDS SITTING IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT.

THE DECISION WAS TO ALLOCATE -- FOR SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ALLOCATE UNUSED BUDGET TO FUND SPECIFIC PROPOSALS. THAT HAS BEEN DONE AND IS BEING TRACKED. ANY OTHER UNUSED FUNDS HAVE GONE BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND TO SERVE AS RESERVES AND TO HELP US AVOID ISSUING TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. AT SOME POINT, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A HEADS UP AND WE WILL HAVE TO RECONCILE THAT AT SOME POINT. AND WE NEED TO HAVE OUR PAPERWORK AND BE PREPARED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

AIDE AIDE YOU KNOW, I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO -- AIDE AIDE

YOU -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU KNOW, I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT IN THIS COURT ON THE PROPOSED RATE. IF I'M CORRECT, THE RATE ON THE GENERAL FUND WILL HAVE A PROJECTED SURPLUS OF 2.6 MILLION. IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. WHEN YOU COMPARE THE PROJECTED TAX REVENUE FROM THE RATE, IT IS ON TRACK TO SET THE BUDGET WHICH IS 2.6 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

>> GOTCHA. AND YOU HAVE ALREADY SHOWN US WHAT IS IN THE PIC. THERE IS TIME TO PROCESS THE PIC AND REPLENISH THE PIC. BUT IT IS FOR TWO OR THREE NATURAL DISASTERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.

THE 2.6 MILLION IS WHAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH.

THE REALITY OF IT IS WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS BECAUSE OF SB2. AND SO WE -- AND I'M JUST KIND OF BLOWN AWAY THAT IN FIVE YEARS JUST BASED ON COST OF LIVING AND INFLATION THAT OUR BUDGET -- IF WE DO NOTHING AND IF WE DON'T HIRE ANOTHER SINGLE PERSON, IT WOULD

INCREASE BY 150 TO 400 MILLION. >> OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD.

>> OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. THERE ARE THINGS TO IDENTIFY THE EFFICIENCIES AND THE CONSOLIDATION, ESPECIALLY LIKE IN I.T. THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE AREAS YOU MENTIONED OUTCOME-BASED BUDGETING.

PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO WORK TOWARD WHAT PRODUCTIONS YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET TO BASED ON WHAT THEIR BUDGETS ARE. AND THEN WE HAVE -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THE CAPACITY OR CAPITALIZATION AND OUR TAX AGREEMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CAPACITY.

WE ARE GONNA NEED OUR DEPARTMENT TO ENGINEER FLOOD CONTROL, BUDGET, UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO BE WORKING TOGETHER ON A CAPITAL PLAN FOR WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY HERE, ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD BE READY TO GO TO TAXPAYERS WITH THE CAPITAL BOND PLAN FOR A BOND APPROVAL POTENTIALLY BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.

WITH THAT, JUDGE, I HAVE A MOTION.

THE MOTION IS TO, LOOK, I HAVE BEEN TO -- I HAVE HAD TOO MANY TERRIBLE MEMORIES OF WHAT HAPPENED TO OFFICER JEFFREY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS ACKNOWLEDGED PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC AND PRINCE -- PRINCIPALLY AS A RESULT OF THE PAN DEPP MICK.

DEALING -- PANDEMIC. DEALING WITH VIOLENT CRIME IS NOT LOST ON ME. AGAIN, 2.6 MILLION IS NOT A WHOLE LOT TO WORK WITH. WHAT I WANT TO DO, JUDGE, IS PUT FORTH A MOTION THAT READS TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP A PLAN UTILIZING UP TO 2.6 MILLION TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY BY ADJUSTING VIOLENT CRIME. SPECIFICALLY VIOLENT CRIME.

[00:45:04]

INCLUDING MURDER, SEXUAL ASSAULT, SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS, AND PRESENT AN UPDATE I HOPE WITHIN 30 DAYS AND BRING BACK TO COURT FOR CONSIDERATION AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL WITHIN 60-DAYS.

THAT GIVES US TIME TO DIGEST IT AND STAKE -- AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT. OBVIOUSLY DEALING WITH VIOLENT CRIME AT THIS TIME REMAINS A MAJOR PRIORITY I WANT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE 2.6 MILLION INCLUDING THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF TO SEE WHAT KIND OF PLAN YOU CAN COME UP WITH. THAT'S MY MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DO YOU HAVE AN

ADDITIONAL QUESTION? >> AND I HAVE ONE MORE

QUALIFYING STATEMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU HEAR ME? I HAD A NOTE SAYING YOU COULDN'T HEAR ME. IS THE MIC OKAY? CAN YOU HEAR ME? HOW ABOUT NOW? I WANTED TO -- I THINK IT IS A GREAT MOTION, COMMISSIONER.

I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS ON THE ROLL OVER. A FOLLOW-UP ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S QUESTION. WHAT YOU PRESENTED TODAY AS A MID-YEAR BUDGETARY VIEW, THIS IS IT, RIGHT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE OTHER THAN ARPA MONEY IS THERE ANY MOTHER SOME -- SOMEWHERE ELSE? AND -- IS THERE ANY ROLL OVER MONEY?

>> WE DON'T HAVE UNBUDGETED ROLLOVER ACCOUNTS ANYMORE.

UNDER THE OLD POLICY IT WOULD HAVE GONE TO ROLL OVER AND

FUNDED SPECIFIC INITIATIVES. >> IT IS ALL IN THERE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY HAS THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE IS SOMETHING SOMEWHERE OUT THERE.

THIS IS IT. >> THERE IS NO SEPARATE POT OF ROLL OVER MONEY THAT THIS COURT COULD ALLOCATE WITHOUT DIPPING INTO THE RESERVES THAT IT HAS MAINTAINED TO AVOID TAX

ANTICIPATION NOTES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASKED EARLIER, AND ONLY IF YOU KNOW, MR. BERRY, WHAT DID THE COUNTY DO WHEN THERE WAS A DISASTER IN THE PAST I KNOW FROM READING STUFF AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT SOME PLACES DECLARE BANKRUPTCY. WHAT DID THIS COUNTY DO?

IF YOU KNOW. >> I DON'T HAVE THE FULL INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY, BUT THE TOOL SET PEOPLE GO TO IS SELLING THINGS, ISSUING EMERGENCY DEBT, EMERGENCY TAX INCREASES. IT'S HAPPENED TWICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN LAYOFF PEOPLE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SUNDAY WE HAD AN EVENING OF REMEMBRANCE AS WE READ THE NAMES AND HEARD THE STORIES OF ALL OF THOSE WHO HAD DIED BECAUSE OF VIOLENT -- VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEIR STORIES ARE COMPELLING.

I THINK THAT WASHTS US MAKING -- I THINK THIS WARRANTS US MAKING A STATEMENT.

2.6 WOULD BE HISTORIC, BUT THE REASON I SUPPORT THIS IS IN THE CONTEXT OF WHAT I HEARD AT CRIMESTOPPERS ON SUNDAY NIGHT SPH -- AND THE 130 STORIES OF PEOPLE BEING RELEASE OWED MULTIPLE -- RELEASED ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS AND THE IMPACT OF THE COMMUNITY. I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE AND I ALSO WOULD SAY THAT GOING FORWARD WE NEED TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO OUR SPENDING. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MR. BERRY ON THE SPENDING SIDE.

THERE IS OUR RESERVE, BUT THERE IS ALSO DECISIONS WE MADE -- WE MAKE ON SPENDING AND WHETHER IT IS CONSULTANTS FROM PENNSYLVANIA OR CHICAGO OR WHEREVER WE NEED TO REALLY PAY ATTENTION TO THAT. I THINK WE HAVE AS MUCH OF A SPENDING PROBLEM AS WE DO ANYTHING ELSE.

I WOULD SUPPORT THE MOTION IN TERMS OF SPENDING MONEY ON

VIOLENT OFFENDERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO ADD SOMETHING. WE MOVED ON FROM BUDGET, BUT I HAVE QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

WHY DON'T YOU GO BACK. I HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AND THEN WE SHOULD GET OVER TO THE --

>> YEAH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON THE MOTION WHICH I THOUGHT WE WERE SPEAKING TO -- WHERE IS JAY?

>> I'M HERE, COMMISSIONER. I'M ON THE SCREEN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH MID-YEAR REVIEW IS THIS SOMETHING WE CAN DO?

>> YES. THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS PUT OUT IS ACTUALLY DIRECTING THE COUNTY

[00:50:04]

ADMINISTRATOR FOR A PLAN. IT IS NOT ALLOCATING DOLLARS.

IN THE COURSE OF DIRECTING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK TO THE COURT WITH A PLAN, YOU CAN DO THAT.

YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY ALLOCATE THOSE DOLLARS AT THIS MEETING OR MAKE A MOTION RELATED TO THAT.

BUT YOU CAN IN FACT DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES, PLANS, DIRECTSES -- DIRECTIONS AND COME BACK TO THE COURT. THAT IS A POSSIBILITY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S WHAT MY THOUGHT WAS, BUT I WANTED TO GET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SAY --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST TO REREAD T COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

IT WAS TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE AND BRING BACK TO COURT WITHIN 30 DAYS FOR CONSIDERATION, AND THEN POTENTIAL APPROVAL WITHIN

60-DAYS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD. AND THEN WITHIN REGARD TO THE DISCUSSION RAISED ABOUT THE ROLLOVER, I DO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE PASSED A BUDGET IN MARCH, AND THEN WE MADE THE DECISION IN APRIL TO TAKE THE ROLLOVER AWAY SO THAT WHEN THE BUDGET WAS PASSED, OUR ENTITIES THAT WE RELIED ON THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE BUDGETS.

AND THE GOOD THING COMING UP THIS YEAR IS EVERYONE WILL

KNOW WHAT THE NEW RULES ARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND ON THE -- WELL, WE HAVE OUR COLLEAGUES HERE IF UNIFORM WHICH IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE ALL OF YOU. I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE WISE TO CALL FOR THAT MOMENT OF SILENCE.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. IT IS NEVER A BAD TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERVICE THAT YOUR TEAMS ALL PROVIDE.

THANK YOU. I THINK TO THE FUNDING PIECE, I WOULD LIKE MORE DETAILS ON THIS 2 MILLION TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN AFFORD THAT. BUT IT IS WORTH REITERATING THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING HAS GONE UP EVERY YEAR THAT WE

HAVE BEEN HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 103 MILLION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THIS INCREASED FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THERE WERE FUNDS THAT WE ARE -- FUNDS THAT WERE SITTING ON A SHELF AND NOT BEING USED AT A TIME OF VIOLENT CRIME AND PEOPLE PAYING THEIR WAY OUT TO GO BACK TO THE STREETS. I THINK IT WAS URGENT.

I COMMEND DAVE FOR MAKING SURE THAT -- TO THE TEAM FOR MAKING SURE WE PUT THOSE FUNDS TO USE AS OPPOSED LETTING THEM WASTE AWAY. I REMIND FOLKS THAT OUR LEADERS HERE RECEIVED AROUND 99, 98, 100% OF THE REQUEST FOR THE ROLL OVER FUNDING THAT THEY REQUESTED.

IT WASN'T JUST FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY FUNDS WERE BEING SQUANDERED AWAY DURING A PANDEMIC AND A NATIONAL RISE IN VIOLENT CRIMES. THE FUNDS ARE BETTER USED ON THE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS WE MADE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL INCREASE WE HAVE INVESTED IN THE BODY CAM TECHNOLOGY. WE HAVE INVESTED IN THE ADDITIONAL VIOLENT CRIME UNITS.

WE HAVE INVESTED IN THE ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATORS FOR THE D.A. WE INVESTED IN THE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM. AND WE INVESTED IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVE SO THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD FOCUS ON THE CRY -- ON THE VIOLENT CRIME. AND THAT'S ON TOP OF THE ANNUAL INCREASE WE HAD YEAR AFTER YEAR.

I THINK ALL OF US KNOW THAT THAT IS THE CASE.

I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR WHERE WE ARE.

AND WE CUT TAXES THREE YEARS IN A ROW FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND INCREASED SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS. AND NOT TO FAIL TO MENTION THAT THE NEARLY MILLION DOLLARS I PUT INTO PUBLIC SAFETY WITH SHOT SPOTTER, A PILOT PROJECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND NOT TO MENTION THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE FLOOD INTO DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ET CETERA.

IF WE HADN'T DONE THAT FOLKS WOULD BE IN A WORSE FINANCIAL SITUATION. THINGS WOULD BE WORSE.

I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE AND VERY PROUD OF IT AND HAPPY TO STAND ON THAT RECORD.

ON THE MID-YEAR REVIEW, BACKTRACKING A LITTLE BIT, THERE ARE SOME CHARTS ON PAGE 10, AND IF YOU WILL JUST FOR A SECOND BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE QUESTIONS BEFORE, WHERE YOU HAVE, DAVE, THE REVENUE INCREASES IS THAT -- IS THERE ANY REASON WHY WE SHOULD NOT LOOK AT THAT ON A PER CAPITA BASIS? DOES THAT ACCOUNT FOR THE POPULATION GROWTH? WHEN WE SEE -- I MEAN, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE, LET'S SAY WE WERE TO GO TO THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE AT SOME POINT. YOU SEE AN INCREASE, BUT MY

[00:55:04]

SUSPICION IS THAT DOESN'T ACTUALLY MEAN WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES. IN FACT, I SUSPECT WHEN YOU ACCOUNT FOR POP -- POPULATION GROWTH EVEN WITH THE VAR YOU STILL HAVE TO CUT SERVICES. EVERYBODY WANTS TO CUT TAXES AND THEN COME AT US FOR MORE MONEY.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT? >> A COMMON MEASURE WE USE TO MEASURE THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT IS INFLATION ADJUSTMENT PER CAPITA AND I THINK IT IS A FAIR TAKE AWAY IN THIS CHART THAT EVEN AT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, REVENUE WOULD GROW AT APPROXIMATELY 3%. IF THE POPULATION GROWS AND IF WE SEE HIGHER INFLATION WE COULD BE AT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE AND EVEN THEN SEE A DECLINE IN THE INFLATION

ADJUSTED PER CAPITA REVENUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE THAT IN THE FUTURE.

I SUSPECT THAT THIS PAINTS A ROSIER PICTURE THAN WHAT THE FUNDS WILL HAVE IF WE KEEP GOING ON THIS GRACE TO THE BOTTOM. WHILE OUTSIDE OF THE OTHER SIDE OF OUR MOUTH. THE OTHER POINT ON THIS IS MY FINAL POINT ON THE PENSION AND THE HEALTH INSURANCE.

ON THE ONE HAND WE ARE BEING STRETCHED WITH THE INCREASE IN HEALTH CARE COSTS. ON THE OTHER HAND I REMEMBER HAVING A CONVERSATION AND I THINK THIS WAS GREAT WHEN IT STARTED ABOUT WHAT OTHER KINDS OF INCENTIVES WILL HELP RECRUIT THE BEST TALENT. SOME FOLKS, PARTICULARLY YOUNGER FOLKS, THEY JUST DON'T FOCUS ON THE RETIREMENT PLAN WHEN THEY ARE CHOOSING A JOB. IT IS JUST NOT WHAT MAKES THEM PICK A JOB OVER THE OTHER. THEY ARE MYOPIC IN WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO CONSIDER AS BENEFITS.

IS YOUR OFFICE RUNNING DOWN THE SORT OF OTHER TYPES OF CARROTS, SO TO SPEAK, IN -- INCENTIVES TO RECRUIT FOLKS ON TOP OF AND INDIFFER -- AND INDIFFER -- INDIFFER DIFFERENT

FROM THE OTHER PLANS. >> WE CANNOT HAVE AN OPTIONAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM. ONE OF MY EXAMPLES IS COULD YOU PAY A YOUNGER PERSON WHO WANTED TO WORK HERE FOR MORE CASH AND THEY CAN FORE GO THE RETIREMENT.

WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT. WHAT WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS ON IS COMMUNICATING ESPECIALLY TO NEW HIRES, THE VALUE OF THE BENEFIT. IF ANY DEPARTMENT DON'T HAVE THIS WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE.

SOME OF THE HR LEADERSHIP HAS PREPARED A NICE SUMMARY OF WHAT THAT IS. AND USING TOTAL COMPENSATION TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE RATHER THAN JUST SALARIES.

IN MY OPINION AT LEAST THAT'S THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE AS WE RECRUIT AND RETAIN.

IT IS NOT JUST HOW MUCH YOU MAKE PER HOUR.

IT IS THE TOTAL PACKAGE OF WHAT YOU ARE GETTING.

IF THE COUNTY WILL INVEST IN THE PENSION WE NEED TO GET THE RETURN IN TERMS OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S HELPFUL.

SO IT IS BASICALLY ALL WE CAN DO K AND THAT'S FINE AND IT IS TO BETTER COMMUNICATE THE GREAT BENEFITS WE OFFER.

>> AND THE OTHER THING WE DO IS ALLOW A CHEAPER, LESS COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH PLAN. SO YOUNGER FOLKS WHO WANT TO GO THAT ROUTE CAN SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T WANT TO PAY EXTRA FOR MY HEALTH INSURANCE.

I WANT TO KEEP MORE CASH. AND BECAUSE I AM HEALTHY I CAN ACCEPT A LOWER LEVEL OF COVERAGE.

THAT COVERAGE IS SOLID AND PRETTY GOOD.

BUT IT IS NOT OF THE SAME LEVEL AS FOLKS WHO PAID PART

OF THE PREMIUM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU SAID UNDER THE LAW, CAN WE OFFER THAT TO SOMEONE OR ARE YOU

GOING TO RESEARCH IT? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE CANNOT SAY WE WILL PAY YOU MORSEL REIF YOU GIVE UP -- MORE SALARY IF YOU GIVE UP YOUR PENSION.

IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> WE DID THIS ON THE CITY SIDE, BUT THE OTHER CITIES, WE OFFERED TO OUR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES A 401K.

YOU CAN DO A PENSION OR A 401K.

MANY OF THE YOUNGER FOLKS COMING IN, THEY WOULD RATHER MANAGE THEIR OWN DOLLARS COMING IN AND THAT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. IT SEEMED TO BE ALL THE NEW HIRES TOOK THE 401K OPTION. THERE MIGHT BE SOME THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WE CAN LOOK AT IN LIEU OF WHAT WE CURRENTLY

DO. >> WE WILL TAKE ANOTHER LOOK.

MY TAKE AWAY IS WE HAVE LIMITED FLEXIBILITY, BUT WE SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK AT NEW IDEAS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE COULD ASK AND OBVIOUSLY MORE PEOPLE HAVE

[01:00:02]

THE OPTION OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE THE OPTION, BUT WE CAN ASK.

>> AND OUR WORKFORCE IS DIFFERENT.

I THINK WE HAVE MANY SEASONED LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTIES AND OFFICERS. IT IS A BIG THING THAT KEEPS THEM THERE, PENSION AND HEALTH CARE.

WE RETAIN EXCELLENT PEOPLE BECAUSE OF IT.

ON THE OTHER HAND IF WE ARE RECRUITING A YOUNG, TALENTED TECHNOLOGIST, THEY ARE PROBABLY THINKING OF THEIR CAREER IN FIVE-YEAR INCREMENTS.

THAT'S JUST THE LABOR MARKET WE FACE.

WE DON'T SET THE TERMS OF IT. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT METRIC THE JUDGE WAS ASKING FOR, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT AND MEASURE THE IMPACT OF IT.

CAN YOU JUST THROW THAT ON THERE?

>> CERTAINLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND HERE IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO ADD AS WELL, GET YOUR SMART PEOPLE TO FIGURE OUT THE METRIC OF IMPACT OF SENATE BILL 2 AS WELL. PART OF THE CHALLENGED IS MORE THAN HALF OF THE MONEY GOES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT. THAT MEANS EVERY TIME WE ADD SOMETHING WE SHOULD KNOW THE IMPACT IT HAS ON EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE BUDGET. IT IS JUST ALIGNING THINGS EXPWH -- AND IT IS SO EASY FOR PEOPLE TO ON THE ONE HAND -- WE ALL DO IT. WE ASK FOR OUR PIECE OF THE MONEY. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD TO SEE THEM A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, EVEN IF THEY WERE ASKING FOR MORE THAN ANYBODY WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR.

YOU GOT ME? I JUST THINK BOTH METRICS WOULD BE GOOD. WE HAVE TO BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT WE DO. EVEN WITH YOUR AMENDMENT, COMMISSION PER. COMMISSIONER.

ONCE WE DO THAT UNDER SENATE BILL 2 IT LOCKS IT IN AND AT SOME POINT IT GOES TO THE ISSUE OF TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT AND MAKE SURE WE FOCUS ON VIOLENT CRIME ISSUES NO MATTER HOW IMPORTANT OTHER THINGS ARE THE FIRST PRIORITY

OUGHT TO BE VIOLENT CRIMES. >> AND IF I MIGHT -- I'M

SORRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS BETTER

THAN SITTING ON THE SHELF. >> SORRY, JUST ONE QUICK CLARIFICATION. SENATE BILL 2 IS ADDRESSING THE REVENUE AND YOU ARE ELUDING TO SENATE BILL 21 AND 23 ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING.

IN MY VIEW -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS FUNDING

OF BOTH. >> AND THEY WORK TOGETHER, RIGHT? IF YOU HAVE LESS FLEXIBILITY IN SPENDING AND LESS FLEXIBILITY IN REVENUE, IT IS EVEN MORE LIKELY YOU END UP IN A BAD SITUATION.

MY VIEW ON THAT LAW IS WE ARE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS IN THE BUDGET TO FUND A ONE-TIME INITIATIVE THAT WOULD NOT BE LOCKED IN FOREVER. FOR EXAMPLE, IT WOULD BE EARLIER THIS YEAR THE SHERIFF BROUGHT SOME JAIL EXPENSES.

WE SEED THAT IS A ONE-TIME EXPENDITURE.

I ENCOURAGE US TO LOOK AT BOTH , AND WE TRY TO DO ONE-TIME TARGETED PROGRAMS BECAUSE THAT WON'T LOCK IN FUTURE COMMISSIONERS' COURTS. WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO IT AND DOUBLE DOWN. IF IT DOESN'T WORK, WE DON'T

HAVE TO. >> MOST PEOPLE GET AMNESIA.

IT BECOMES PERMANENT. WE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR DISCUSSION AND SIGN IT WHEN WE DO IT.

>> SO WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING, COMMISSIONER, WOULD IT BE --

IT'S FROM THE BUDGET. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FROM THE REVENUE PROTECTION. MY MOTION IS TO DEVELOP A PLAN UTILIZING THE 2.6 THAT IS PROJECTED TO COME IN BASED ON

THE NEW TAX RATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND AM I TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A $20 MILLION SHORT FALL IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT? EVEN IF WE HAVE A $2 MILLION SO TO SPEAK CUSHION ON THE GENERAL FUND, WE STILL HAVE A $20 MILLION SHORT FALL ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

HOW DO YOU SQUARE THAT? >> WELL, THOSE BUDGETS GENERALLY STAND INDEPENDENTLY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE HOSPITAL HAS TO CUT BACK SERVICES. THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY HAVE TO CUT BACK SERVICES OR WE HAVE TO ASK DR. PORSA AS I UNDERSTAND IT THE FUND THEY WERE TRYING TO BUILD UP TO HELP MAKE THE CASE.

TO GO AND DO A BOND ISSUE. THEY CAN TAKE IT WITH WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO BUILD UP. AM I IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> I AM NOT THE EXPERT IN THE HOSPITAL FINANCIAL DISTRICT, THEY HAVE MORE ABILITY WITH ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES OR PLUGGING A SHORT-TERM HOLE LIKE THE COUNTY DOES.

[01:05:04]

BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO GET IN THE HABIT OF ONE-TIME REVENUES FOR RECURRING EXPENDITURES BECAUSE YOU GET BEHIND AND YOU NEVER CATCH UP. THAT'S HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

DON'T DO WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IF I CAN ADD IN THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH DR. PORSA, THE SHORT FALLS THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS CURRENTLY DEALING WITH ARE COVID RELATED. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET SOME REIMBURSEMENT OUT OF THE ARPA DOLLARS.

YOU ARE ACCURATE THAT GOING FORWARD THIS IS AN ANNUAL CUT TO THEIR OPERATION SERVICES. THEIR PERSPECTIVE IS TAKING A $40 MILLION HIT AND APPROXIMATELY 36 MILLION IS NOT GOOD. THEY CAN WORK WITH A $17 MILLION REDUCTION. BUT AT SOME POINT WITH THE COST OF IN-- INFLATION AND THE COST OF THE STAFF AT A NEAR, FORESEEABLE FUTURE, IT WILL BE A REAL THING FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. ALTHOUGH THAT GOT US THROUGH THIS TAX RATE, IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE IN THE COMING

YEARS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE -- I WANT TO SAY HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

WE DO IT INTERCHANGEABLY. I WANT TO REQUEST THAT HARRIS HEALTH COME OVER WHENEVER IT IS APPROPRIATE AND GIVE AS YOU

MID-YEAR FINANCIAL REVIEW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WOULD

BE GOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE HAVE UNDER FUNDED THAT ENTITY FOR A LONGTIME.

I THINK THE COACH HAS BEEN DON'T ASK, WE'LL TELL YOU.

IT IS NOT DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL.

IT IS DON'T ASK, WE'LL TELL YOU AND IT TURNED INTO DON'T ASK, DON'T GET. I DIDN'T SEE ANYBODY COMING OVER HERE. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF ANYBODY SIGNED UP TO SAY WELL, WE WERE GOING THROUGH IT.

ELLIS, YOU'RE WRONG. FACE US.

IS EVERYONE SEEING CUT, CUT. I REMEMBER PASSING THAT BILL.

I WAS THUMPING MYSELF ON THE CHEST BACK IN THE 90S.

STARTED HAVING PRESS CONFERENCES AND SHOP TIL YOU DROP. A SALES TAX HOLIDAY.

I WANT THEM TO COME IN AND SAY IT.

IT BROKE MY HEART TO THINK ABOUT THE INDIGENT IN DALLAS GOT A MUCH BETTER DEAL THAN THE INDIGENT IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHY IS THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL IN DALLAS? THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE.

SO WHENEVER IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO COME, WHENEVER THE MID-YEAR IS. I KNOW THEY ARE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL. I JUST DON'T KNOW.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WANT TO PUT CONTEXT TO WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TOO. HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POR SA, I KNOW HE HAS -- PORSA, HE HAS A GOOD PLAN AND A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, I LOOK FORWARD TO THEM BRINGING THAT OVER IN THE CONTEXT OF BOND ISSUES AND SUPPORTING THAT.

A LOT OF THE NEEDS OUT THERE ARE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

WE NEED TO GET THERE. THE GOOD NEWS IS WE GOT ENOUGH ROOM IN THEIR RATE TO FUND A ROBUST CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THE CONVERSATION RELATED TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS WITHIN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND AS IT RELATES TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND SUPPORTING THAT.

THAT IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL FOR THIS AREA.

WE KEEP TALKING ABOUT DALLAS THIS AND DALLAS THAT.

THEY DO A GOOD JOB, BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THEY MADE AT PARKLAND TO CREATE THAT AND I THINK THEY WILL TELL YOU THE STORY.

IT IS A REALLY GOOD STORY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT. THAT'S THE CONTEXT OF THE RATE WE CHOSE. THE OTHER THING IS, I THOUGHT THE FLOOD CONTROL RATE HAS BEEN TOO LOW FOR TOO LONG.

THAT WAS ANOTHER POINT WE NEED -- WE MADE AND WE DON'T TALK ABOUT. WE GOT TO RAISE THE RATE ON THE FLOOD CONTROL TO THE MAXIMUM WHAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO

DO AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THIS COURT MAINTAINED THE TAX RATE BY CUTTING THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THEM BACK

TO WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN. >> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO MAKE THAT CASE AND DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. THEY JUST HAVE TO SAY IT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN I WON'T FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

I MAY HAVE FOLKS COMING IN HERE TODAY TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF ELECTIONS. I'M ADDRESSING IT AND I JUST

[01:10:04]

-- OH I DIDN'T SEE YOU. FROM MY EXPERIENCE IT IS NEVER EASY. EVEN ON THE CAPITAL SIDE.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT CASE AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE PUBLIC. WE JUST MAKE THE DECISION TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT. THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE CASE TO

THE VOTERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I MOVE THE QUESTION ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION AND I MOVE THE ADOPTION -- WELL, IT IS A TRANSMITAL.

JAY, DO WE NEED A MOTION WITH THE MID-YEAR REPORT? DO WE JUST CLOSE THAT SECTION?

>> NO, WE DON'T NEED A FORMAL VOTE.

>> JUDGE OR COMMISSIONER CAN I ASK ONE CLARIFYING QUESTION BEFORE WE GO? I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION. SO IT IS THE 2.6 MILLION THAT WAS GENERATED BY SETTING THE TAX RATE OVER THE BUDGET.

YOU ARE ASKING MY OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE CONSTABLES, THE SHERIFF AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS AND COME BACK WITH A PACKAGE AND SOME OPTIONS SPECIFICALLY TO

ADDRESS VIOLENT CRIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S CORRECT. VIOLENT CRIME WOULD INCLUDE -- WITHIN 30 DAYS TO THIS COURT FOR OUR REVIEW, AND WE MIGHT ADOPT IT AT THAT TIME OR IT MAY TAKE US ANOTHER 30 DAYS TO ADOPT, HOPEFULLY. VIOLENT CRIME SPECIFIC TO MURDER, SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SERIOUS CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS.

>> UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION. I CAN'T REMEMBER IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF AGENDA TO GET THROUGH.

THERE IS QUITE A THICK SPEAKER PACKAGE.

I SEE THE CONSTABLES HERE AND THERE ARE TWO ITEMS RELATED TO THE MID-YEAR REVIEW. I PROPOSE WE TAKE UP THE TWO -- WE CAN TRY TO BE EFFICIENT BECAUSE I FEEL FOR ALL OF THESE SPEAKERS. THE TWO MID-YEAR REVIEW ITEMS, AND THAT WOULD BE ITEM RUN 28 -- 128 AND 129.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND SINCE WE ARE MOVING INTO THAT SECTION YOUR OFFICE SHOULD BE RECEIVING SOMETHING.

I READ THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND I PUT A FORMAL MOTION FOR 128. IT SAYS THAT I MOVE THE COUNTY MAKE AVAILABLE THE 1 MILLION 510THOUSAND430.

BE AVAILABLE TO PRECINCT 2 AND LOWER OVERALL RESPONSE TIME AND P UP SAFETY BEING HET. -- PUBLIC SAFETY BEING MET.

AND THEN 129 I ASK THE COUNTY MAKE AVAILABLE THE 156,800 THEY ARE REQUESTING FOR THE SIX EXISTING POSITIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY FROZEN FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FISCAL YEAR TO MAINTAIN THE GOALS OF PUBLIC SAFETY ARE MET.

THOSE ARE BEING CIRCULATED. >> TOM RAMSEY: I SECOND BOTH

OF THOSE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK 128 IS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK

-- AIDE PLAP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 128 IS A DISCUSSION ITEM. THERE IS NOTHING TO MOVE.

IT HAS NO DOLLARS DARK DASH -- DASH THERE'S NO BUDGET.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU RAISE A VALID POINT.

UNFORTUNATELY THE WAY THE ITEM IS WE CAN'T ALLOCATE SPECIFIC DOLLARS. IT IS AN ITEM WHERE THE COURT COULD LET ITS WILL BE KNOWN TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND YOU COULD COME BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING AND WE WOULD POST IT FOR THE ALLOCATION. I ASK IF COMMISSIONER CAGLE COULD ALTER HIS MOTION TO REFLECT THAT AND IT WOULD BE ESSENTIALLY BE ABLE TO BE RATIFIED AT THE NEXT MEETING.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I AM READING 128.

I DISBRE WITH -- I AGREE WITH THE LEGAL CONCLUSION OF JAY THAT IT DOES SAY DISCUSSION ONLY AND IT DOESN'T STATE THE ACTION. SO I REQUEST THAT WE REFER 128 TO BE BROUGHT BACK AT THE NEXT EXCISIONER'S GASH DASH NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THAT WE WILL HAVE THE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE WITH REGARD TO ACTION TO BE TAKEN AT THAT TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

I DO WANT TO LET [INAUDIBLE] >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK, WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

[01:15:04]

IF IT RELATES TO INEQUITABLE FUNDING, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT FOR ONE, THEN THEY ALL DESERVE IT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO THROUGH IT AND MAYBE WE WILL MAKE A MOTION TO TAKE IT OUT OF THEIR BUDGET IF THERE IS

NOWHERE ELSE FOR IT TO COME. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT DO YOU

MEAN? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE COMMISSIONER'S BUDGET. I'M TRYING TO NOT GET TO

THE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: [INAUDIBLE].

$40,000 FROM FLOOD CONTROL. AND $20 MILLION FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. [INAUDIBLE]

>> TOM RAMSEY: I SUGGEST WE LOOK AT THIS NEW INITIATIVE RELATED TO HEALTH CARE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE SPENT 6.2 MILLION ON THAT. I DON'T THINK WE SPEND -- SPENT ALL OF THE 6.2. MAYBE WE CAN BACK OFF ON THAT

AND FUND THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST SUGGESTING WHEN IT COMES UP. I WILL BE PREPARED TO SAY TAKE IT OUT OF THE COMMISSIONERS. SOMEBODY MAKES A MOTION, TAKE IT OUT OF THEIR BUDGET IF THEY BELIEVE IN IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT WAS THE HEALTH CARE?

>> JUDGE, CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC ON.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW WE ARE NOT -- WE VOTED TO CUT $20 MILLION FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE WAS TO CUT $40 MILLION FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND $30 MILLION FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND $10 MILLION FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

WE DON'T HAVE FUNDS TO GO AROUND.

WE HAVE INCREASED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET EVERY YEAR, INCLUDING AN INITIATIVE TO ENSURE THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH CALLS ARE DEALT WITH WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SO THEY CAN DEAL WITH THE VIOLENT CRIME.

AND NOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS SAYING DEFUND THE MENTAL

HEALTH SO THAT INSTEAD -- >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT 6.2 MILLION IN THAT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT ALL.

YOU CAN TAKE SOME OF IT. I THINK YOUR TERM TO WHAT THE

CONSTABLES DO -- WHAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK HE IS GOING BACK TO THE PROGRAM THAT PASSED WHEN WE HAD THE

INITIATIVE WITH THE SHERIFF. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO HOLD US UP. OBVIOUSLY WE CAN VOTE ON IT.

I WILL BE PREPARE FED WE WILL PLAY GAMESMANSHIP.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE GAMESMANSHIP IS THE SHAREHOLDER WHEN'S WE CHANGE THE RULES.

THEY HAD A BUDGET AND THEY HAD A ROLL OVER.

YOU SAY IT IS ON THE SHELF, BUT MY PERSONAL BUDGET I KEEP MONEY IN IT UNTIL THE FIRST OF THE MONTH WHEN THE BILLS ARE DUE. THE FACT THAT I HOLD IT UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH WHEN THE BILLS ARE DUE DOESN'T MEAN I AM SQUIRRELING IT AWAY OR HOLDING IT ON A SHELF.

WE CHANGE THE RULES ON THEM AFTER WE APPROVED THEIR BUDGET. AND WE TOOK THEIR SAVINGS ACCOUNT AWAY FROM THEM. AND SO YOU WANT TO GET INTO THIS STUFF. THERE AREN'T SQUIRRELS AND

THEY ARE ON A SHELF. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE HAVE A VOTE AND I WILL MAKE A MOTION.

I KNOW WHERE THERE IS MONEY IN THE PRECINCTS.

SOMEBODY FEELS THAT STRONGLY ABOUT IT, I AM JUST MAKING A SUBSTITUTE AND SAY TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR BUDGET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE DID HAVE A PRECINCT FUND.

AS WE WERE CUTTING TAXES TO APPEASE YOU GUYS WHICH I FIND HARD TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND SUPPORTING CYBER NINJA-TYPE AUDITS SO IT IS HARD TO TAKE ANYTHING SERIOUSLY AFTER THAT. I DON'T WANT TO GET BACK ON THE ROLL OVER. CONSTABLE, YOU PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA SO WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN WHERE ARE YOU COMING FROM AND WE CAN SEE IF THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ASSESSMENT OF REALLOCATION ACCORDING TO EQUITY.

I THINK IT IS A FAIR QUESTION.

>> SO COMMISSIONER -- >> CAN YOU PLEASE TURN YOUR

MIC ON. >> JUDGE, DO YOU WANT US TO GET ALL OF THE CALLERS ON FOR THIS ITEM OR WAIT?

>> YOU CAN START TO GET THEM ON THE LINE, TIFFANY.

>> SO BEFORE MY STATEMENT, DMITION -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND MYSELF, WE ARE 55/45 AS FAR AS MY AREA IN YOUR PRECINCT. EXCUSE MY IGNORANCE BECAUSE I

AM NEW TO THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHEN YOU ARE ACCURATE WITH YOUR NUMBERS WHAT IS THE 55.

>> 55% OF MY PRECINCT WOULD BE IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND 45 WOULD BE IN YOURS. BUT SINCE WE SERVE THE SAME PEOPLE AND AGAIN EXCUSE MY IGNORANCE, WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE SINCE I AM Y'ALL'S PRE SINK FOR EACH OF YOU TO GIVE $500,000 EACH AND THEN OF COURSE THE REST MR. BERRY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THAT. BUT THIS IS WHERE I AM COMING FROM. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING

[01:20:02]

ME TO SPEAK. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CENSUS , PRECINCT 2 CON -- CONSTABLE'S OFFICE SERVES 333,000 CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS.

I HAVE THE HONOR OF REPRESENTING THEM HERE TODAY.

AS MANY PEOPLE KNOW, PRE SINK 2 HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN IGNORED, NEGLECTED AND UNDER FUNDED.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE.

IN NOVEMBER OF 2020, I WAS ELECTED AND ENTRUSTED BY THE PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND THE SECURITY OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

SINCE DAY ONE I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO BRING MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES TO OUR PRECINCT.

ON JANUARY 7TH, 2021, SIX DAYS AFTER I TOOK OFFICE I REQUESTED EIGHT DEPUTIES, TWO DISPATCHERS AND 13 VEHICLES IN OUR BUDGET REQUEST. EVERYTHING WAS DENIED.

AT A TIME WHEN CRIMINALS ARE NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND VIOLENT CRIMES ARE ON THE RISE, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT OUR DEPARTMENT HAS THE TOOLS, THE EQUIPMENT AND THE PERSONNEL NECESSARY TO PROVIDE OUR CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS WITH SAFE AND SECURE COMMUNITIES.

WE ALL ASY ELECTED -- AS ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE -- OFFICIALS HAVE A DUTY TO ALL HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY. WHILE CRIME IS ON THE RIDES AND THE FEAR OF BIG -- BEING VICTIMIZED IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH, WE MUST PROTECT OUR PEOPLE.

UNFORTUNATELY I CANNOT DO IT MYSELF.

I NEED YOUR HELP. I OBJECT TINED -- OBTAINED 3,000 300 SIGNATURES OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE HEARD.

PEOPLE ARE MAKING A REASONABLE REQUEST.

THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION I AM ASKED IS WHAT AM I DOING TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY? I WILL NOT SIT BACK AND DO FOG AS OUR PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE VICTIMIZED AND SUFFER.

THE SAME PEOPLE WHO ELECTED US TO LOOK OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTEREST. ON BEHALF OF THE 3,300 PLUS PEOPLE WHO SIGNED A PETITION REQUESTING HELP, AND THE OTHER 327,000 CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS IN PRECINCT 2 THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR, GREN -- AGAIN, I HUMBLY REQUEST YOU HELP US OUT. LET US NOT FORGET THAT WE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS REPRESENT THE PEOPLE AND THESE ARE THEIR REQUESTS AND NOT MINE. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TAKE FROM ANOTHER PRECINCT AND GIVE TO US.

THAT WOULD MERELY PLACE OTHER CITIZENS IN DANGER.

WHAT RUER PEOPLE ARE ASKING -- WHAT OUR PEOPLE ARE ASKING IS HISTORICALLY PRECINCT 2 HAS BEEN NEGLECTED AND UNDER FUNDED. EBBING WRAW -- EBBING WHAT YOU TEE IS A STRONG AND POWERFUL WORD AND CONSTANTLY BEING USED IN THIS COURTROOM. THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE PEOPLE THAT EQUITY IS NOT MERELY A SPOKEN WORD, BUT ONE OF OUR CORE BELIEFS. IN JUNE YOU TOLD ME THAT IN SEPTEMBER YOU WOULD REVIEW MY JANUARY 7TH BUDGET REQUEST. ON BEHALF OF PRECINCT 2'S 330,000 CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS I ASK AGAIN THAT YOU PLEASE GIVE ME THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THAM.

GOD HAS PLACED EACH OF US IN A POSITION TO HELP.

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE AND I CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.

AGAIN, THE PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING.

EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. I FEED YOUR HELP.

I NEED YOUR HELP. I KNOW WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT.

I AM WITH THEM. I WALK WITH THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY. PLEASE HELP ME.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DO JUST WANT TO SAY, COMMISSIONER, I KNOW YOU ARE COMING IN NEW AND YOU ARE BUILDING THIS OFFICE AND FROM THE VERY FIRST CONVOCATION WE HAD I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU ARE BUILDING EVERYTHING UP AND THE CLARITY AND TRYING TO DECLARE THE NEEDS.

I WANT TO SAY THAT BEFORE WE DIG INTO THIS.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO YOUR TEAM AS WELL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR COMING.

YOU SAID YOUR BUDGET WAS DENIED.

MR. BERRY, I THOUGHT WE PUT $600,000 THERE ABOUT INTO CONSTABLE GARCIA'S BUDGET WHEN HE CAME IN HERE BECAUSE THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH BUDGETING FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION OF CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2.

>> I DIDN'T SAY IT WAS DENIED.

WHAT I SAID THAT THE THREE REQUESTS WERE DENIED.

Y'ALL GAVE ME $478,000. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOW MUCH WAS

TRANSFERRED OVER? >> THE CONSTABLE'S NUMBER IS CORRECT. JUST UNDER $4080,000 -- 480,000 IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET.

[01:25:04]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU GOT ALMOST $500,000 INTO YOUR BUDGET. THAT MADE YOU WHOLE.

IS THAT ACCURATE? >> THAT WOULD ALLOW --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ASIDE FROM YOUR REQUEST.

BUT THAT MADE YOU WHOLE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

>> THAT WOULD ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES THAT I HAD JANUARY 1ST.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT MADE YOU WHOLE.

AND THEN YOU HAD REQUESTS ON TOP OF THAT WHICH I UNDERSTAND. WE WENT THROUGH THE BUDGETING PROCESS AND NOW YOU ARE HERE WITH YOUR PETITION.

LET ME JUST SAY THAT I AGREE WITH YOUR ARGUMENT ON EQUITY.

I DO. I'M LOOKING AT YOUR NUMBERS.

YOU MENTIONED YOU ARE 330 KWAN STITCH WENT -- 330,000 CONSTITUENTS. CONSTABLE BEHIND YOU REPRESENTS 436,000 FOLKS OF PRECINCT 4 AND HERMAN REPRESENTS A MILLION 97 THOUSAND.

SCON -- CONSTABLE HEAT 1 MILLION 300 THOUSAND.

CONSTABLE TREVINO, THIS IS HER OFFICE, REPRESENTS 137,000.

CONSTABLE WALKER REPRESENTS 365,000.

CONSTABLE SALMON REPRESENTS 298,000.

CONSTABLE ROSEN REPRESENTS 762,000.

MR. BERRY, I HAVE NEVER UNDERSTOOD HOW BUDGETS ARE DISPERSED ACROSS THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICES.

IS THERE A FORMULA USED? >> NO.

HISTORICALLY THE WAY IT HAS BEEN, ACCORDING WITH ADJUSTMENTS, START WITH THE PRIOR YEAR BUDGET AND YOU CONSIDER SOME PERCENTAGE INCREASE AND REVENUE -- AND

ADD REVENUE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHILE WE LOOK AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WE KNOW THAT JAIL STANDARDS HAS A REQUIREMENT. WE CAN KIND OF UNDERSTAND HOW THE DOLLARS PLAY TO THOSE STAN -- STANDARDS.

AND THEN ON DISPATCHING THERE IS ANOTHER SET OF STANDARDS THERE. THERE IS NOT A STANDARD ON PATROL, BUT I THINK WE HAVE GONE FROM ONE OFFICER TO I THINK IT IS A THOUSAND RESIDENTS.

WE MEASURED THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AGAINST NEW YORK AND LA -- AND LAPD. NEW YORK -- I MEAN HPD WAS 2.5 WHILE EVERYBODY ELSE WAS AT 3.4 OR 5 OFFICERS PERES DEBT -- PER RESIDENT RATIO. WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF

METRICS. >> NOT IN TERMS OF THE

FUNDING. >> WITH THIS POINT THAT CONSTABLE GARCIA IS MAKING AND THE ISSUE OF THE POPULATIONS THAT EACH REPRESENTS, THERE IS AN EQUITY ISSUE.

CONSTABLE GARCIA, DO YOU SUPPORT -- DO YOU WANT US TO CONSIDER REDISTRICTING THE CONSTABLES TO CREATE A BETTER

EQUITY? >> THAT'S WAY ABOVE MY PAY

GRADE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THAT IS A PART OF THE EQUITY.

THAT'S A PART OF THE EQUITY. >> ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT YOU HELP ME PROTECT THE CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT 2.

EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS THAT OUR CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED AND IGNORED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

US THREE, WE SHOULD -- WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION.

WE SERVE THE SAME PEOPLE. I AM JUST ASKING FOR HELP.

AGAIN, I'M NEW SO DON'T -- PLEASE DON'T THROW ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS AT ME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE NEW CAR SMELL IS WEARING OFF.

[01:30:02]

YOU ARE NOT THAT NEW ANYMORE. MR. BERRY, I DO WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE BUDGET IN THIS REGARD.

I WOULD ASK THAT AS YOU LOOK AT THE CONSTABLE'S REQUEST WE HAVE ALREADY SET A BUDGET AND WE HAVE ALREADY -- WE MADE A MOTION TO ASK FOR A PLAN FOR VIOLENT CRIME TO INCLUDE THE CONSTABLE AND HIS COLLEAGUE AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FORMULA IS GOING TO BE GOING FORWARD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> TOM RAMSEY: CONSTABLE GARCIA, WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IN A FEW WORDS WHAT YOU INHERITED

WHEN YOU BECAME CONSTABLE? >> A MESS.

>> I INHERITED A POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS IGNORED AND NEGLECTED. I DON'T WANT TO SAY TOO MUCH, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF BAD STUFF GOING ON IN PRECINCT 2.

WE WERE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE COUNTY.

OUR EQUIPMENT, WE HADN'T ORDERED VEHICLES IN TWO YEARS.

THE BODY CAMERAS, WE HAD 16 WHEN I GOT THERE.

ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WAS JUST NEGLECTED AND IT WAS IN HORRIBLE CONDITIONS. I DIDN'T REALLY RECEIVE ANY NEW FUND TO HELP ME WITH -- I KNOW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SOME PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO PROVIDE US WITH BODY CAMS. WE USE THAT OUT OF OUR OWN ROLL OVER.

IF I CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THAT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

I INHERITED A DEPARTMENT THAT WAS TOTALLY NEGLECTED.

AND WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE WORKING WITH US, THEY HAVE CHANGED IT. THEY HAVE TURNED IT AROUND.

I DON'T WANT WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO HAPPEN TO OUR GUYS AND GALS BECAUSE THEY ARE PUTTING IN A

LOT OF WORK. >> TOM RAMSEY: I AM GOING TO USE ANOTHER WORD IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW.

YOU ARE FIXING THINGSEN CREDITED BELLY -- THINGS INCREDIBLY WELL. YOU ARE IMPLEMENTING WHAT THIS COURT HAS USED MANY TIMES AS BEST PRACTICES.

WHAT THIS COURT UNDERSTANDS BETTER THAN ANYBODY, WHEN YOU DO BEST PRACTICES IT COSTS MORE MONEY.

WHEN YOU ARE HAVING TO GO BACK AND FIX STUFF IT COSTS MONEY.

I THINK MR. CAGLE'S MOTION TO ASK OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK WITH A PLAN ON SUPPORTING YOUR EFFORTS TO CORRECT AND FIX DECADES OF PROBLEMS WITHIN YOUR PRE SINK IS REASONABLE IN THE CONTEXT OF EVERYTHING APPROVED.

I SUPPORT IT AND THINK IT IS A GREAT NEXT STEP IN TERMS OF YOU IMPLEMENTING I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO, THE BEST PRACTICES WITHIN YOUR PRECINCT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CONSTABLE, THANK YOU FOR COMING.

I HOPE YOU THOUGHT OF WHAT I WAS SAYING EARLIER.

THE DISCUSSION WE HAD A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WAS ABOUT HOW TO BRING MONEY IN. AND NOW PEOPLE ARE COMING IN SAYING I NEED ADDITIONAL MONEY IN MY SPECIFIC PROGRAM.

DID YOU COLLECT THOSE? >> YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU ASK THEM IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY MORE MONEY FOR THOSE SERVICES OR DID YOU JUST ASK THEM IF THEY WOULD LIKE THE SERVICES ?

>> I ASKED IF THEY AGREE THAT OUR PRECINCT HAS BEEN IGNORED AND NEGLECTED FOR MANY YEARS AND WE WOULD LIKE MORE POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AND THEY AGREED TO THAT.

I DIDN'T JUST ASK TODAY OR YESTERDAY.

I ASKED ON JANUARY 7TH FOR THESE RESOURCES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD YOU AGREE MOST PLACES YOU GO IN THE COUNTY IF YOU ASK PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WANT MORE SERVICES MOST WILL PROBLEM -- PROBABLY SAY, YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE SERVICES. THE POINT I'M MAKING IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEING HERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF THE THEATRICS.

IT IS OKAY. I GOT IT.

I HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS HALF MY LIFE, BUT THE TIME TO MAKE THE CASE FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY, RESPECTFULLY, IS WHEN THE DECISION IS BEING MADE FROM HOW TO BINGE -- BRING IT IN. I GET IT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO ANGER YOUR COLLEAGUES, SO YOU WILL SAY I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE MONEY FROM ANY OF THEM.

BUT IT PUTS US IN A HECK OF A POSITION TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AFTER WE HAVE ADOPTED A BUDGET.

[01:35:02]

YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SAME FOLKS I HAVE TO GO TO AND IT IS NEVER EASY. PART OF THE GAME IS PLAYING THE THEET YACHT TRICKS. -- THEATRICS.

THAT'S WHY I SAY, TAKE IT FROM WHOEVER IS CALLING FOR IT.

I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT PERSONAL ON MY PART OR ANYBODY'S PART. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. BUT THE TIME TO MAKE THE CASE AFTER THAT LAW IS POSSIBLED -- AFTER THAT LAW IS PASSED SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTER OR WE WILL END UP IN THE POSITIONS OF MANY OF OUR FRIENDS INCLUDING OUR FRIENDS DOWN THE STREET IN TERMS OF HOW YOU RUN THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY. WE CAN HAVE FUN WITH IT AT THE END OF THE DAY AND WE WANT THE PLACE TO WORK.

>> FOR ME THIS IS NOT THEATRICS.

Y'ALL ARE IMPORTANT. I DID ASK ON JANUARY 7TH.

I AM NOT JUST COMING IN HERE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST SAYING TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN WE WERE MEETING WOULD HAVE BEEN THE TIME TO COME IN AND SAY I THINK Y'ALL NEED TO RAISE REVENUE.

>> I SPOKE WITH EACH OF YOU A COUPLE MONTHS AGO BEFORE I GOT

THE PETITIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, BUT THE PUBLIC PRESSURE -- I MEAN, THE REASON WE COULDN'T -- THE REASON WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS BECAUSE WE SAID THAT IS ENOUGH FOR COLLEAGUES WAS TO CUT $20 MILLION FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU ASKED THE SAME PEOPLE IN THAT BOAT, MOST OF THEM SAID, WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR TAXES LOWERED? MOST PEOPLE -- MOST -- VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL SAY I WANT THEM RAISED. DO YOU WANT YOUR SERVICES CUT? CUT SOMEBODY ELSE EAST -- SOMEBODY ELSE'S. DON'T CUT MINE.

>> SO I WAS REPRESENTED TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE AND I AM NOT TRYING TO BE ANYTHING THAT I'M NOT.

I WALK WITH THEM AND I LISTEN TO THEM.

PEOPLE ARE DYING AND CRIME IS ON THE RISE.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT. ALL I AM DOING IS SINCE DAY 1, JANUARY 7TH AND EVEN AFTER THAT A COUPLE OF TIMES I SPOKE WITH EVERYBODY AND I TOLD YOU, LOOK, THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED. YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE NUMBERS DON'T LIE. I AM JUST TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF MY PEOPLE. WE SERVE THE SAME PEOPLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONSTABLE, YOU AND I SAT DOWN WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE ALONG WITH CONSTABLE ENGEL TON TO WORKUP A CONSOLIDATION PLAN ON DISPATCHING.

THAT PLAN WOULD BE A COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF MOVING RESOURCES INTO THE BUDGET. WHERE ARE YOU AT WITH THAT?

>> THAT IS NOT PRACTICAL FOR OUR DEPARTMENT FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD

HAVE TO -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

THANK YOU. BUT I JUST HADN'T HEARD.

>> I MEAN I CAN EXPLAIN WHY WE CHOSE NOT TO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. >> THE RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE THAT WE HAD TO NOT CONFIRM WARRANTS ON THE WEEKEND, AND WE CANNOT DO THAT. IT IS NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE AND SO THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T -- I'M NOT -- I DON'T

THINK IT IS BEST FOR US. >> LINA HIDALGO: LOOK, A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK FOR A LOT OF INITIATIVES.

YOU ARE JEPT STUFF. URGENT STUFF.

IF IT IS THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE AND IF IT IS PUBLIC HEALTH. WHATEVER DEPARTMENT, PRE-TRIAL, THE -- I MEAN EVERYBODY HAS NEEDS.

HECK, MY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WE HAVE STUFF OVER THERE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING.

THEY DEAL WITH THE HURRICANE AND THE FLOOD AND THE OTHER FLOOD AND THE FIRE AND THE COVID.

WE DON'T ALL GET -- NOBODY GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED.

NOBODY DID. YOU MADE A REQUEST FOR -- I HAVE HERE HOMELESS OUT REACH, PUBLIC NUISANCE, STAFFING HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, VEHICLES AND STEPPED UP PATROLS.

YOU WERE AWARDED, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, HOW MUCH FOR

THE -- IT WAS AROUND 400,000? >> $478,000.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE STAFFING.

>> THAT WAS TO MAINTAIN CURRENT OPERATIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AWARDED FOR THE

VEHICLES? >> I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT $265,000. I HAVE THE EXACT AMOUNT HERE.

SO FOR THE 13 VEHICLES IT WOULD BE $268,060.

THAT WAS NOT AWARDED. >> LINA HIDALGO: [INAUDIBLE].

GIVE ME A SECOND TO TALK TO THE BUDGET OFFICE.

>> IT MIGHT BE USEFUL TO CLARIFY.

PEOPLE TALK ABOUT BUDGET REQUESTS AND SOMETIMES THEY

[01:40:04]

MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS. THE CON TABLE -- CONSTABLE PUT IN A NUMBER OF REQUESTS TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.

BY THE BUDGET PROCESS AND I MEAN WHEN COMMISSIONERS' COURT ALLOCATES 90% OF THE GENERAL FUND.

WHILE IT IS TRUE NOT ALL OF THOSE WERE APPROVED, $478,000 WERE APPROVED TO SUPPORT STAFF AND THAT WAS A 7.5% INCREASE OVER THE PRIOR YEAR'S BUDGET. THE CONSTABLE SINCE THEN HAS CIRCULATED A PROPOSAL. I KNOW I RECEIVED IT AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECEIVED IT, BUT IT WAS NOT A BUDGET REQUEST THAT WAS PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BUT THE -- THERE WAS VEHICLES AWARDED,

RIGHT, AT SOME POINT? >> NO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: VEHICLES REPLACED.

>> NO. >> I DON'T KNOW THE STATUS OF

THAT. >> NO, THERE WAS NOT.

>> I BELIEVE THE CONSTABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A NOTE HERE THAT THERE WERE VEHICLES AS PART OF THE ROLL OVER

PROCESS. >> THAT WAS THE ROLL OVER, BUT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE INITIAL REQUEST I MADE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO ARE THERE VEHICLES OR NOT VEHICLES?

>> WHAT I AM HEARING FROM THE CONSTABLE AND IT SOUND RIGHT THAT AS PART OF THE ROLL OVER PROCESS AS WE DISCUSSED, WE DIDN'T JUST TAKE THAT MONEY AWAY.

WE ALLOWED THE DEPARTMENTS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS AND YOU RECEIVED FUNDING FOR VEHICLES AS PART OF THAT.

>> YEAH SIX VEHICLES. I BELIEVE IT WAS SIX.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON HOMELESS OUT REACH, WE HAVE ABOUT 50 OR 60 MILLION PROGRAMS WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR THAT AND WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDIES THAT SHOW HOMELESSNESS IS BETTER DEALT WITH IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES-TYPE THINGS.

YOU SEE WHERE -- I DIDN'T SIT AND REVIEW THIS REQUEST.

THIS IS THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT.

BUT I CAN SEE HOW WE CAN'T GRANT EVERYBODY EVERYTHING.

WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING. IF YOU WOULD HELP US MOBILIZE -- AND WE TRIED. WHEN THIS LEGISLATION CAME THROUGH THE STATE WE SAID WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CAP IN OUR GROWTH YEAR TO YEAR.

LET'S TRY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FUNDS.

AT THAT POINT NOBODY WAS COLLECTING SIGNATURES TO SAY WE HAVE THE FUNDING. IF WE HAD DONE THAT WE WOULD HAVE MORE FUNDING NOW. A LOT OF -- A LOT MORE FUNDING. TWO OF OUR COLLEAGUES WALKED AND THEY ARE IN THE LOWEST POSSIBLE TAX CUT THAT PUT US IN A DIFFICULT POSITION. I CAN SEE HOW -- I THINK IF THERE IS A QUESTION OF INEQUITIES IT IS A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK, AND JUST LIKE WE ASKED WE LOOK AT PER CAPITA. IS THERE A DISPARITY IN TERMS OF HOW MANY -- IF SOMEONE IS SICK, PLEASE DON'T BE IN COURT. COVID -- WE HAVE THE DELTA VARIANT GOING ON AND WE HAVE PEOPLE NOT WEARING MASKS AND PEOPLE SNEEZING LEFT AND RIGHT.

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL. WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE TO GET SICK AT COMMISSIONERS' COURT. IF YOU'RE SICK, PLEASE JUST BE MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE IN A CLOSE ROOM OR WEAR A MASK.

I THINK WE CAN LOOK PER CAPITA AT THE BUDGET AND LOOK PER CAPITA AT THE ALLAH LOCATIONS -- AT THE ALLOCATIONS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID THE LITTLE BIT OF FUND WE HAVE, IF WE HAD ADOPTED A DIFFERENT PROPOSAL IN PREVIOUS YEARS WE WOULD HAVE MORE FUNDS. IF WE HADN'T HAD TO CUT THE MILLION DOLLARS IT IS A DIFFERENT THING.

WE ARE SAYING THE $2 MILLION AND WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT GO TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

AND YOU DID RIFF -- YOU DID RECEIVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

I HAVE DONE THAT FOR CONSTABLE EAGLETON.

THE DIFFERENCE WAS HIS BUDGET WAS IN JEOPARDY.

I MOVED OVER 300,000 TO HELP HIM BRING HIS BUDGET IN LINE.

THANK YOU FOR RUNNING YOUR BUDGET ACCURATELY.

YOU WANT TO ADD MORE TO THE OPERATIONS WHICH I APPRECIATE AND I DO SUPPORT. IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT PROJECT POSSIBLE, I DID HAVE TO LOOK AT MOVING THOSE PROJECTS FROM WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE.

I DON'T PRINT MONEY, BUT I DO ASK YOU TO REVISIT THE PLAN

[01:45:12]

FOR THE DISPATCH FOUNDATION. THOSE MONIES CAN BE REINVESTED IN THE ORGANIZATION. I DO APPRECIATE -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I HAVE HAD THE DISCUSSION AND YOU ARE MAKING A VERY LEGITIMATE EQUITY ARGUMENT.

YOU REALLY ARE. AS THE BUDGET OFFICE SAID THERE IS NO FORMULA FOR HOW THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE WILL BUDGET IT. THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT SO THAT YOUR REQUEST WOULDN'T BE AS HARD FOUGHT AS THEY ARE RIGHT NOW. I DO PLAN TO WORK WITH YOU, BUT TO THE POINT OF OF WHERE THIS MONEY WILL COME FROM, IT IS A ZERO SUM ISSUE. THOSE DOLLARS ARE BEING APPLIED CURRENTLY UNDER THIS BUDGET AND SO WE WOULD WANT TO OBLIGATE THEM SOMEWHERE. YOUR PREDICAMENT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. HIS WAS MORE URGENT IN THE SENSE OF THE BUDGET SITUATION.

I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH US, AND I WOULD LIKE TO -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE NOT HEARD THE FEEDBACK FROM YOUR OFFICE THAT IT WASN'T FEASIBLE, THE DISPATCH CONSOLIDATION. IT WAS A MATTER OF DISCUSSIONS. AND IF YOU WANT TO AGREE, I WANT TO YOU WORK WITH MY OFFICE AND THE BUDGET OFFICE AND LET'S LOOK AT THOSE DETAILS.

THIS VOTE ON THE TAX RATE, IT IS A REAL THING.

THE COST OF YEAR PERSONNEL IS GOING TO BE GOING UP.

ALL OF THESE THINGS APPLIES TO ALL OF US.

IT IS A REAL THING. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND I WOULD BE FIGHTING FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THERE ARE STAFFING INCREASES AND MORE EQUIPMENT AND THE QUESTION WAS ALWAYS ASKED, WILL YOU MAKE A MOTION TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES? I WAS JUST LIKE YOU.

I AM NOT ASKING TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES.

I AM ASKING FOR THE BUDGET. THE QUESTION IS WILL YOU SUPPORT PROPERTY TAX INCREASES FOR THE ITEM THAT'S WE ARE ASKING? I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS SAYING. THAT'S A REAL QUESTION THAT WE ALL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH. ON THIS ROUTE, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, I THINK WE ACTED UNANIMOUSLY.

WE TRY TO GIVE THE PEOPLE WE ALL REPRESENT A LITTLE BIT OF THE TAX RATE. IN THE FUTURE IF THINGS GO A DIFFERENT WAY, WE WILL ALL HAVE LESS MONEY TO WORK WITH.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR THE RECORD I DID CALL YOU -- I CALLED YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE DISPATCHERS, BUT YOU TOLD ME

YOU OWED -- >> AND FOR THE RECORD I DID WALL YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE DISPATCHERS YOU SAID YOU OWED

ME A PHONE CALL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND DO YOU HAVE ASSET FORFEITURE IN YOUR ACCOUNT?

>> WE -- BECAUSE WE WERE DENIED WE HAVE VERY LITTLE.

THAT'S WHERE WE BOUGHT SOME OF THE VEHICLES.

WE USED THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MUCH DID YOU HAVE IN ASSET FORFEITURE?

>> 200 AND SOME THOUSAND DOLLARS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU SPENT IT ALL?

>> ALMOST ALL OF IT. NOT ALL OF IT.

WE HAVE TO SAVE SOME IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS.

BUT THIS MONEY WOULD HELP FOR TRAINING AND FOR OTHER THINGS

THAT WE NEED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE FOLKS WORKING ON ON THE HOMELESS IN THE AREA, PERHAPS, DAVE YOU CAN CONNECT HIM WITH THE RELATIVE PEOPLE. WE HAVE A MASSIVE, MASSIVE HOMELESS PROBLEM. IF THAT IS WHAT YOU NEED THE FUNDING, YOU KNOW, WE CANNOT HAVE EVERYTHING.

[01:50:02]

>> SO WE ARE WORKING WITH PRY -- PRIVATE ENTITIES AND WE STARTED ONE ANYWAY. EVEN THOUGH WE WERE DENIED WE PULLED UP A PATROL UNIT AND HAVE HOUSED 13 HOMELESS PEOPLE WHICH DOES PRESIDENT SOUND -- DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A LOT, BUT IT TAKES TIME TO REBUILD THE TRUST.

WE ARE WORKING WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES AND DOING A GREAT JOB

WITH ONE MAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: [INAUDIBLE].

>> TOM RAMSEY: CONSTABLE GARCIA, I KNOW THAT THIS ISN'T -- YOU DIDN'T WAKE UP TODAY THINKING, WELL I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO. I WILL RUN DOWN THERE AND ASK THE COURT. THIS IS HARD.

I'M GOING TO PUT THIS IN THE CATEGORY OF RARE.

I THINK YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PRETTY RARE AND UNIQUE.

THAT'S WHY I THINK THIS HAS MERIT.

WE SHOULD CONSIDER IT AND ASK MR. BERRY TO TAKE THIS BACK AND LOOK AT IT. I WILL ALSO PUT IN CONTEXT AND I I KNOW WE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT AT THE END OF THE BUDGET YEAR, IF SOMEONE SAYS THE $721,024 YOU HAD IN THE ROLL OVER AND THE 20 MILLION THAT WAS IN THE ROLL OVER REALLY DOES AND IT WAS A PART OF THE BUDGET AND IT NEEDS TO BE SPENT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE BUDGET, THEN WE WILL HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE DOWN THE ROAD IF SOMEONE AT THAT POINT MAKES A DECISION ON THE ROLL OVER FUND. SOMEBODY ELSE MAY SAY THAT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT. THAT'S A YET TO BE DETERMINED CONVERSATION TO BE HAD. IT IS ANTICIPATING HOW THAT MIGHT GO SUPPORTING YOU AND THIS EFFORT AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS ASKING MR. BERRY TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON HOW WE MIGHT MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS REQUEST AND THE DOLLARS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I WOULD CALL THE VOTE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

CON -- CONSTABLE, YOU PROBABLY HEARD THIS DISCUSSION.

WITH THIS BUDGET WE WILL HAVE CUT THE TAX RATE THREE YEARS IN A ROW. WE COULD HAVE LEFT IT WHERE IT WAS AND IT COULD HAVE BROUGHT IN SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY.

WE COULD HAVE RAISED IT. WOULD YOU HAVE PREFERRED WE LEFT THE TAX RATE WHERE IT WAS?

>> I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT TAX --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULD YOU PREFER TO ADDRESS THAT WE

RAISE TAXES? >> I WOULD -- BEFORE I ANSWER THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHERE OTHER MONIES ARE GOING AND MAYBE WE CAN PULL FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND HELP OUR PEOPLE. THAT'S ALL -- I DON'T KNOW

ENOUGH ABOUT TAXES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME SENSE OF THE DILEMMA THAT I AM IN.

YOU GOT ME? >> I UNDERSTAND.

THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE ALL SERVE DASH SH -- US THREE SERVE THE SAME PEOPLE.

IF EACH OF US COULD PITCH IN A LITTLE BIT.

EVEN IF I DON'T GET THE EIGHT. IF I GET HALF OF THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DID PITCH IN.

EVERYBODY PITCHED IN. THANK YOU THOUGH.

>> THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND WE ARE ASKING RHETORICAL QUESTIONS SO I WILL ASK ONE.

DO YOU THINK WE ALWAYS SPEND MONEY THE WAY YOU WOULD OR NOT WOULD? SOME DAYS YOU MIGHT LOOK AT HOW WE SPEND MONEY AND SAY, WELL, MAYBE I SPEND IT DIFFERENTLY? THERE IS ALWAYS THE REVENUE SIDE AND THEN THERE IS THE SPENDING SIDE.

THAT'S HAIR. THAT'S WHAT -- THAT'S HARD.

THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO. WE LOOK AT THE SPENDING SIDE AND OBVIOUSLY I THINK YOU ARE REFERRING TO WHAT YOU DO AS HISTORIC POLICING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD SUPPORT IT.

I AGAIN, JUDGE, CALL FOR THE VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I REMIND EVERYONE THAT THE BUDGET PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. YES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND LIBRARIES, ROADS, BRIDGES, HOSPITALS. SO YOU WILL SAY LET'S TAKE FROM THE NURSE THAT WILL TREAT THE GUNSHOT WOUND SO WE CAN GO -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO BALANCE.

THAT'S WHY THERE WAS A BUDGET DISCUSSION EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND ALL FIVE OF US VOTED FOR THE BUDGE THE -- VOTED FOR THE BUDGET. WE WILL HAVE THIS CONVERSATIONS AGAIN AND AGAIN.

I UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

WE HAVE A FUND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST TO ADD, AND CONSTABLE AND CONSTABLES, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE PUT FIEF TEEN -- 15% MORE INTO EVERYONE'S -- NOT EVERYONE'S BUDGET, BUT 15 MILLION INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT OVER THE LAST

[01:55:02]

THREE YEARS. 15% -- NOT 15 MILLION.

15% MORE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS.

103MILLION TO BE EXACT. THAT WAS INCLUDING YOUR $600,000, $400,000, $500,000. THAT INCLUDED BODY CAM TECHNOLOGY. THAT INCLUDED SOME OF THE OTHER COSTS. WE ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CRM. WE PUT 103 MILLION DOLLARS.

IN TERMS OF ONE PROGRAM CATEGORY THAT IS NOT COVID RELATED, OUR VENTURES SAY IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE SUNG GEL -- SINGLE LARGEST CATEGORY INVESTMENT THAT WE HAVE MADE IN THIS COUNTY. BUT EVEN WITH THAT MASSIVE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT WE HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO BALANCE.

THAT $103 MILLION DOESN'T EVEN INCLUDE THE MILLION I HAVE PUT IN FOR SHOT SPOTTER TO HELP FORCES MULTIPLY.

IT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE 300,000 I MOVED OVER TO BUDGET.

WE MADE A 103 MILLION INVESTMENT INTO THE BUDGET.

HONESTLY, COULD WE DO MORE? WITHOUT A DOUBT.

WITHOUT A DOUBT. TELL US WHAT PARK NOT TO MAINTAIN. TELL US ROADS NOT TO REBUILD.

TELL US WHAT DITCHES NOT TO CLEAN.

TELL US WHAT ROADS NOT TO RE -- RECONSTRUCT.

TELL THE CLINICS WHATNOT TO IMPROVE.

THERE LIES THE BALANCE. COMING UP WITH IDEAS TO CONSOLIDATE, IT IS ALWAYS AN AREA OF IMPORTANT WORK.

IT IS DIFFICULT, BUT IMPORTANT WORK.

AND THE IMPORTANCE IS YOU MEET US AT THE TABLE AND THE SAVINGS WE GET OUT OF THAT WILL GO BACK TO YOUR OFFICE.

BUT I FEED YOU AT THE TABLE TO WORK THROUGH THE DETAILS.

THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT MR. BERRY'S OFFICE COME BACK WITH A PLAN FOR US TO VOTE ON ON EQUITABLE

FUNDING. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT PRESENT A PLAN ON EQUITABLE FUNDING FOR ALL CONSTABLE OFFICES.

DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES? >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY.

WE WERE ALL -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU HEAR ME? DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY IT AGAIN? I MOVE -- I MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER ON EQUITABLY FUNDING ALL OF THE CONSTABLE OFFICES. I'M SORRY I DIDN'T WRITE IT UP. DO YOU WANT ME TO GO OLD

SCHOOL? >> THAT'S OKAY.

AND FOR ITEM 128, CORRECT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OBVIOUSLY IN THE CURRENT BUDGET.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS A MOITION -- MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND

SECONDED BY GARCIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET ME UNDERSTAND. WE HILLARY APPORTION MONEY BETWEEN -- WE WILL REAPPORTION MONEY BETWEEN THE PRE SINKS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T SAY THAT.

THE MOTION WAS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS COURT ON EQUITABLY FUNDING CONSTABLE OFFICES WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE BUDGET WE HAVE PASSED.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT REALLY DOESN'T SPEAK TO 128.

128 IS SPECIFIC TO PRECINCT 2.

AND THE MOTION ON THE TABLE -- ROUGH ROD IT CAN SPEAK --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT CAN SPEAK TO IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT WOULD EXPAND IT, BUT THE MOTION IS PRECINCT

2. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES THE ITEM SAY -- AM I READING IT CORRECTLY? IN-- INEQUITABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES?

AM I READING THAT RIGHT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WE SAY IT IS A REQUEST BY CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 2 ABOUT INEQUITABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES AND CITIZENS REQUEST FOR COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO REVIEW CONSTABLE GARCIA'S JANUARY 7TH BUDGET. MY MOTION APPLIES TO THAT AND A SECOND ONE, I GUESS. SAME THING WITH PRECINCT 3.

[02:00:04]

DOES THAT CALL FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING, 129, MR. BERRY?

>> 129 HAS A FISCAL IMPACT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS IT ALREADY

IN THE BUDGET? >> NO, IT IS NOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH ADDITIONAL MONEY

FOR THAT AS WELL. >> CORRECT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST SAYING COME BACK WITH A PLAN WE ARE GOING TO DO IT INSTEAD OF PIECEMEALING IT.

IT IS MUCH IN LINE WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON THE 2.6 MILLION. SEE WHAT HE COMES UP WITH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE 2.6 MILLION.

WE HAVE THE FUND THAT HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED AND WE HAVE THESE REQUESTS AND WE HAVE POTENTIAL EFFICIENCIES.

>> AND THE 2.6 IS TO BE LOOKED AT ACROSS THE BOARD, CONSTABLES.

>> IS THIS A MOTION FOR 128 AND 129?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A MOTION AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THIS JUST

128. >> LINA HIDALGO: 128 --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO IT ON 1,281. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION IS ON 128. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YOU KNOW WHAT? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. >> TOM RAMSEY: SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO VOTE ON COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MOTION?

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 5) ]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON ITEM 128.

TIFFANY? >> YES, MA'AM.

SPEAKER NUMBER 31KAY BARBER OF SOUTH BELT COMMUNITY.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. KAY BARBER?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK SHE IS VIRTUAL.

>> YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OH SHE IS HERE. IS THAT MS. BAR -- BARBER?

>> SHE SHOULD BE ON THE LINE. SHE MUST HAVE GOT DISCONNECTED. SPEAKER NUMBER 34 LANDON MCDONALD OF CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

YES, THIS IS DEPUTY MCDONALD CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3.

HOW IS EVERYONE? THANK YOU FOR LETTING US JOIN. WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WHAT WE CALL A CRIME ANALYSIS AND INVESTIGATIONS WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT. IT SEEMS THAT NOW IS THE TIME TO BE MORE DATA DRIVEN WITH HOW WE COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC AND HOW WE HANDLE OUR CALL LOADS AND HOW WE CONDUCT OUR INVESTIGATIONS. MANY AGENCIES ARE GOING TOWARD THIS CRIME ANALYSIS PROGRAM AND WITH THE CURRENT WORKLOAD WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AND THE SHORT STAFF WE HAVE, OUR DEPUTIES ARE PRETTY MUCH OVERWHELMED WITH THE CALL VOLUME THAT IS COMING IN. WITH SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND ADDITIONAL PATROL UNITS, WE ARE ABLE TO HELP UNLOAD THAT BURDEN AS WELL AS HELPING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH THE INVESTIGATION THAT IS COMING THROUGH.

>> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. AID GO AHEAD --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD AND FINISH, DEPUTY.

>> BASICALLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS CREATE A CRIME ANALYSIS UNIT THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CONDUCT OUR INVESTIGATIONS IN HOUSE WITHOUT SENDING THEM OVER TO THE SO.

I KNOW THEY ARE ALSO BACKLOGGED AND HELP THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE GATHER ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION AND DATA AS WELL AS EVIDENCE TO ENSURE THAT THE CASES ARE READY TO GO TO TRIAL OR READY TO GO TO OTHER INVESTIGATIVE UNITS. BASICALLY WE ARE FOLLOWING UP ON THE THEFTS AND THE BURGLARIES AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN.

NOTHING AS FAR AS THE MURDERS AND THE ASSAULTS AND STUFF

LIKE THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO GET KAY BARBER BACK ON THE LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND JUST A REMINDER, IF WE HAVE MORE THAN 25 SPEAKERS EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE TO SPEAK.

GO AHEAD. >> MS. BARBER GO AHEAD,

PLEASE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MY NAME IS KAY BARBER AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 2.

[02:05:02]

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 VOTERS' VOICES WERE HEARD AND WAS ELECTED TO THE PRECINCT 2 TO CONSTABLE.

CONSTABLE GARCIA HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY FOR THE PAST NINE MONTHS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITIES IN PRECINCT 2.

LOOKING AT THE BUDGET OF THE OTHER PRE SINKS IN HARRIS COUNTY, PRECINCT 2 HAS A MUCH SMALLER ALLOCATED BUDGET.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO PROVIDE EACH PRE SINK WITH ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO DO THEIR JOB ON BEHALF OF THE EXEUPT -- COMMUNITY I ASK THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING BE ALLOCATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

>> JUDGE, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO REACH SPEAKERS FOR THIS

ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

[Departments (Part 2 of 7)]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. CONSTABLE EAGLETON, WHY DON'T WE START WITH YOUR ITEM WHILE SHE GETS THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS ON THE LINE. IS THAT OKAY, TIFFANY?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> IS THE MIC ON?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE COURT.

THE REASON I'M HERE -- WHEN I INHERITED THIS APPOINTMENT IN 2017, I INHERITED A DEPARTMENT THAT WAS JUST AS WORSE AS THE ONE CONSTABLE GARCIA INHERITED.

I DIDN'T COME RUNNING TO THIS COURT WHEN I WAS ELECTED.

I SAW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND MY GOAL IS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN 2017 WHEN I TOOK THE OFFICE, I KNEW THAT THERE WAS PROBLEMS THERE.

I HAVE BEEN THERE 28 YEARS. I PURCHASED OVER PROBABLY 62 VEHICLES SINCE I WAS AT OFFICE.

I LOOKED AT THE BUDGET AND I DECIDED I DID SOMETHING THEN YOU WOULD GIVE ME SOMETHING. I GAVE BACK CAPTAIN POSITIONS AND LIEUTENANT POSITIONS AND SERGEANT POSITIONS.

I CREATED ROLL OVER MONEY AND GOT WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE.

AND THEY SAID, YES YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO FILL THESE POSITIONS. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT IF I GAVE SOMETHING THEY WOULD GIVE ME SOMETHING BACK.

THE BUDGET THAT JUST CAME UP IN THE 2021 BUDGET, YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATIONS -- MORE POSITIONS FILLED THAN YOU HAVE MONEY FOR. I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO GIVE ME NEW POSITIONS. I JUST WANT YOU TO FUND WHAT I HAD ALREADY CREATED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU -- I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID. I HAVE THREE MORE DEPUTIES ON THE PAYROLL I DON'T HAVE TO SEND HOME.

I THANK YOU FOR THAT. I AM HERE ASKING TO KEEP WHAT THE BUDGET OFFICE HAD ALREADY DECIDED UNDER THE OLD ADMINISTRATION THAT I COULD HAVE.

WHEN THE NEW BUDGET OFFICE CAME IN THEY SAID, NO, THE RULES HAVE CHANGINGED AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING FOR THESE POSITIONS. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

I I WILL STAND FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, CONSTABLE.

THE QUESTION THAT I POSE TO CONSTABLE GARCIA ABOUT THE DISPATCH CONSOLIDATION, WHERE ARE YOU?

>> NO ONE REACHED OUT TO US ON THAT.

I THINK THEY STARTED THE PROGRAM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY HAVEN'T STARTED ANYTHING YET.

LET ME FOLLOW-UP. I APOLOGIZE.

I THOUGHT WE SAT DOWN WITH YOU.

>> I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT IT, BUT NO ONE EVER CONTACTED MY

OFFICE FOR IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL

FOLLOW BACK UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE. JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS THAT THIS BUDGETING PROCESS IN TERMS OF MR. BERRY, YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THROUGH IT WITH MR. BERRY BEFORE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S POINT EARLIER WE DID THE BUDGET AND WON -- IN ONE MONTH AND A FEW WEEKS LATER WE DETERMINED WE WILL DO ROLL OVER DIFFERENT. AND IT IS VERY CONFUSE -- IT IS VERY CONFUSING. I CAN SEE THAT.

I CAN RELATE TO THAT. I THINK THE MERIT HERE, I THINK WE TOOK THE 300,000 WAS IN THE ROLL OVER.

AND THERE WAS PROBABLY SOME VEHICLE PURCHASED.

[02:10:04]

AND IN TERMS OF THE WHOLE CONFUSION PROCESS, YOU CAN SAY THAT IT IS NOT, BUT IT WAS. AND ON THAT BASIS I WOULD SUPPORT THE MOTION MADE PREVIOUSLY BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE TO PROVIDE WHAT HE IS ASKING FOR BASED ON THE EXTREMELY CONFUSING CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND CONSTABLE EAGLETON IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE TERMS OF TRYING TO RECONCILE THAT AND MAKING HIM WHOLE. HE DID CREATE THE POSITION.

THEY WERE NOT NECESSARILY FUNDED.

I I WOULD SUPPORT THE -- I WOULD SUPPORT THE MOTION AND APPRECIATE YOU POINTING THAT OUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO WE TALKED ABOUT THESE POSITIONS, AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO UNTANGLE IT WITH THE CONSTABLE AND THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT.

JUST TO CLARIFY, DAVE, THE -- COMMISSIONER -- CONSTABLE EAGLETON TOOK OFF THE IN 2017.

HE INHERITED POSITION THAT'S WERE FUNDED, BUT UNFILLED.

AND HE BEGAN FILLING THEM APPROPRIATELY, AS HE WAS CLEANING UP THINGS. WE ALL AGREE ON THAT.

HE HAD 145 POSITIONS IN 2017 FUNDED.

FUNDED POSITIONS. IN 2018 HE HAD 152.

2019 HE HAD 168. IN 2020 HE 172.

IN 2021 BECAUSE WE INCREASED THE BUDGET AGAIN HE HAD FUNDING FOR 175 FUNDED POSITIONS.

IS THAT RIGHT? >> JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST TRY TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT AND A COUPLE COMMENTS ABOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS.

LET ME SAY I APPRECIATE AND HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

HE IS CUTTING EXPENDITURES TO GET MORE CARS ON THE STREET AND BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND I THINK THAT IS VERY GOOD WORK AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE HAS DONE THAT.

THOSE ARE EMPLOYEE COUNTS YOU ARE READING OUT.

THAT'S THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE AT -- THAT ARE WORKING IN CONSTABLE EAGLETON'S DEPARTMENT.

YOU CAN ACCURATELY POINT OUT THAT OVER TIME IN PART DUE TO ADDED FUNDING AND THE CONSTABLE UNDERTOOK TO BE MORE EFFICIENT. I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE BUDGET OFFICE'S COMMUNICATION WITH CONSTABLE EAGLETON.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR. IN FEBRUARY OF 2021, SOMEBODY FROM MY OFFICE SHOULD NOT CONTINUE FILLING POSITIONS BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE THE BUDGET TO DO IT.

FURTHERMORE, CONSTABLE EAGLETON WOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT $300,000 WHICH HE ESSENTIALLY ALL GOT -- HE GOT ALL BACK. CONSTABLE EAGLETON CAN COME IN WITH THE CASE AND HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVING THE PUBLIC. BUT IT IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE THAT THERE WAS THAT CLEAR COMMUNICATION.

THERE WAS NOT MONEY TO ADD PEOPLE OR THE ROLL OVER SOMEHOW IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.

THE COURT CAN DECIDE WHAT IS A PRIORITY.

>> I DISAGREE. >> LINA HIDALGO: HEAR TWO THINGS. THERE WAS A ROLL OVER BUDGET AROUND $300,000. CONSTABLE WAS AWARDED THE FULL ROLL BUDGET. KWAN STABLE EYING -- CONSTABLE EAGLETON APPLIED FOR MORE OF THE ROLL OVER BUDGET THAN HE HAD. HE WAS ACTUALLY AWARDED MORE THAN HE HAD. OTHER CONSTABLES APPLIED FOR

LESS THAN THEY HAD. >> I TOOK THE $300,000 AND PUT IT IN THE LABOR BUDGET. YOU TURNED AROUND AND GAVE IT BACK AND SAID TO USE IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

I COULDN'T USE THE $300 FOR REOCCURRING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. THE THING I WAS TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IS IT IS TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU HAD -- YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAD 175 FOLKS HIRED -- IF YOU HAD 175 AND THREE PEOPLE RETIRED AND NOW YOU HAVE 172. AT THAT POINT WE HAVE THE ROLL

[02:15:02]

OVER UPDATE AND YOU ARE BEING TOLD NOT TO HIRE PEOPLE THAT YOU HAD HIRED THAT TO ME IS PROBLEMATIC.

IT IS LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE. I HAD 175 PEOPLE AND THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT OF TIMING AND NOW I AM GOING TO HAVE TO END UP WITH 172 AS OPPOSED TO 175. IF YOU LOOK OVER TIME IT HAS NEVER GONE DOWN. YOU HAD 172 AND THEN 175.

AND THEN YOU HAD NEW OPEN POSITIONS UP TO AT THIS POINT 181. AND I UNDER YOU HAD -- I UNDERSTAND YOU HAD SOME FOLKS RETIRE.

SOMEWHERE IN THE ORGANIZATION THREE PEOPLE RETIRED, BUT 6 PEOPLE WERE HIRED. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOTALS YOU NEVER WERE TAKING BACK. YOU ONLY WENT UP.

>> I DIDN'T HIRE ANYBODY I DIDN'T GET A PC [INAUDIBLE] FOR. EVERYONE I HIRED I HAD PERMISSION TO DO. WHETHER YOU FUNDED IT OR NOT, THAT WAS BETWEEN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND YOU GUYS.

THEY GAVE ME PERMISSION TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS IN THE

PAST. >> LINA HIDALGO: I UNDERSTAND

THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND --

>> I'M SORRY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT COMMUNICATED IN THE PAST.

I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT. FEBRUARY OF 2021 MY OFFICE LET CONSTABLE EAGLETON KNOW HE SHOULD NOT BE FILLING

POSITIONS. >> WHEN YOU TOLD ME THAT I TOLD KEVIN THAT YOU ARE DEFUNDING ME BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY BEEN GRANTED THE POSITIONS.

THEY GAVE ME PERMISSION TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.

AND THEN YOU TOLD ME IN THE NEXT BUDGET YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT. I DIDN'T COME HERE TO ARGUE.

I GET THE POSITIONS OR I DON'T.

YOU DON'T GIVE IT TO ME THEN I GO BACK TO MY OFFICE AND I GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD. I HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR FIVE YEARS. I CAN STILL FIGURE THIS OUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT WITH YOU.

WE JUST NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR BECAUSE THESE FUNDINGS -- WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS TRYING TO DO IS WE ALLOCATED $6 MILLION FOR MENTAL HEALTH. IT HAS BEEN COMMITTED AND NOW HE IS SAYING TO TAKE THE MONEY AWAY.

THE CONSTABLE HAS FUNDING FOR 75 POSITIONS AND THAT'S WHAT THE CONSTABLE FUNDING FOR AND HE ONLY HAD 175 PEOPLE ON THE STAFF AND THEN AFTER THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE VERIFY AND AFTER THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT SAYS CONSTABLE THIS IS YOUR LIMIT AND THIS IS THE MOST PEOPLE YOU EVER HAD. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO FIRE ANYBODY SO PLEASE DON'T ADD ANYMORE.

AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT ADDED MORE.

NOW, I KNOW THERE -- I KNOW IT IS CONFUSING.

YOU BRING UP PCN. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN AND THIS GOES BACK TO WHY WE NEED TO CLEAN UP AND GET AND HAVE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAVE THIS PRACTICE AND INVEST IN RESEARCHING BEST PRACTICES IS THAT THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE PCN'S THAT ARE UNFUNDED. EVERYBODY HAD THEM FLYING AROUND. THAT'S WHY THIS SHOULDN'T EXIST. THERE SHOULDN'T BE UNFUNDED PCN'S. DAVE CAN DEAL WITH THAT.

THAT'S BAD PRACTICE FROM THE PAST.

I THINK THAT'S WHY IT -- I THINK THAT'S WHY IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO STEP IN AND SAY WE ARE SOUNDING AN ALARM HERE. YES, YOU HAVE PCN, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN IT IS FUNDED. SINCE YOU NEVER HAD THOSE EMPLOYEES, PLEASE DON'T GO AND HIRE THEM.

WE ENDED UP IN A POSITION THAT BECAUSE OF MISS UNDERRING EVEN YOU SAID THAT, THEY SAID WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO LET ANYBODY GO AND NOT FILL POSITIONS OF PEOPLE WHO RETIRED -- LET ME FINISH. WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING YOU TO NOT HIRE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE. AFTER THAT YOU HIRED THREE PEOPLE. WE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS SOME LEVEL OF MISS UNDERRING TO THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? I AM GOING TO COVER THOSE THREE PEOPLE OUT OF MY BUDGET THROUGH TO THE END OF THE YEAR. MY CONCERN IS -- AND I HAD THAT CON VEER -- CONVERSATION WITH YOU TOO.

I SAID I WILL HELP WITH THOSE THREE PEOPLE.

IT IS THREE PEOPLE AND IT IS A SMALL, FINITE NUMBER AND I KNOW THAT -- WE HAVE THIS 2 MILLION IN MY BRAIN AND NOW I THINK WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THESE THREE.

ON TOP OF THAT YOU HAVE THREE ADDITIONAL FOLKS YOU WANT TO HIRE THAT AGAIN YOU HAVE NEVER --

>> NO, THAT'S NOT WHAT I ASKED TO HIRE THREE ADDITIONAL

PEOPLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S A TOTAL OF SIX. YOU WOULD BE FROM 175 PEOPLE TO 181. THAT'S SIX.

BEYOND ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER HAD.

[02:20:02]

WHAT I PROPOSE TO YOU AND IT IS THE SAME THING WE TALKED ABOUT THIS MORNING. WHAT I PROPOSE TO YOU IS TO COMMUNICATE TO THE BUDGET OFFICE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA COMMITTED THREE PEOPLE TO THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT THAT ONLY GETS TO THE END OF THE YEAR.

SO TO SAY IN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE THAT STARTS IN JANUARY, AS THEY ARE DOING THE ALLOCATIONS AND THE REALLOCATIONS THAT THE BUDGET OFFICE WORK ON A PROPOSAL TO FUND THOSE THREE POSITIONS AND ONLY THOSE THREE POSITIONS.

IT CANNOT BE SIX. EVEN THE THREE IS ALREADY -- I MEAN, AT THAT POINT AN ALARM GOES OFF TO SAY, CONSTABLE, YOU CAN'T HIRE ANYONE BEYOND 175 BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING FOR ANYTHING BEYOND 175.

WE HAVE BEEN CRYSTAL CLEAR AT THIS POINT AS TO UNFUNDED PCN'S OR FUNDED PCN UNDER JACKSON GOD KNOWS WHY.

>> DON'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT YOU.

WHOSE FAULT IS IT I HAD THE UNFUNDED PCN? MY FAULT OR THE BUDGET OFFICE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WOULD BE THE BUDGET OFFICE EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I HAVE SEEN IT IN WRITING.

THE BUDGET OFFICE IS CLEAR WITH YOUR TEAM TO SAY OFFICE OF THE CONSTABLE, THESE ARE UNFUNDED.

PLEASE DO NOT FILL THEM. AND THAT'S WHERE I WANTED TO DIG IN WITH YOU AND SAY, OKAY, IF THE BUDGET OFFICE -- IF THE CONSTABLE HAD THREE PEOPLE RETIRE AND THEN THE BUDGET OFFICE SAID, LEAVE THOSE THREE POSITIONS BLANK.

DON'T FILL THEM AGAIN BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE RETIRED.

THEN I WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM. THAT'S TO THE WHAT HAPPENED.

MAYBE THREE PEOPLE RETIRED, BUT THEN SIX PEOPLE WERE

HIRED, CONSTABLE. >> THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT WORKED, JUDGE. I'M SORRY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NUMBERS ARE IN FRONT OF US.

150 TO 228. >> WILL YOU AGREE TO FUND THE THREE POSITION THAT'S COMMISSIONER GARCIA --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT I PROMOTE -- THAT'S WHAT I

PROPOSE. >> THEN I'LL TAKE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS MY MOTION.

TO CLEAR THE AIR ON THIS. EVERYONE IS CLEAR THAT UNFUNDED PCN'S ARE UNFUNDED. YOU CAN'T FILL THEM.

THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGE MEANT AND BUDGET TO WORK WITH CONSTABLE EAGLETON TO FUND THREE PERMANENT POSITIONS WHILE ADVANCING THE COUNTY'S JUSTICE AND SAFETY PRIORITY. THAT WILL BE THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL GET YOU THROUGH THIS BUDGET CYCLE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE DISPATCH PROJECT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION AID

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOTION MADE, JUDGE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I BRIEFLY ASK THE CONSTABLE A QUESTION TOO? HAS THERE BEEN A CRIME

INCREASE IN PRECINCT 2? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HE SAID

THREE. >> YES, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HAS YOUR POPULATION GROWN?

>> TREMENDOUSLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

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

I APPRECIATE CONSTABLE YOUR WORKING WITH ME TO TRY TO FIGURE THIS OUT. WERE YOU ABLE TO GET THE

SPEAKERS BACK FOR 128 OR 129? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 37 JACK ATCOX SPEAKING ON 129. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK Y'ALL FOR Y'ALL'S WORK.

I APPRECIATE Y'ALL GIVING THE CONSTABLE AND MR. EAGLETON THEIR TIME. OUR CRIME RATE IS BAD OUT HERE. AS A BUSINESSMAN AND AS A CITIZEN OF THE COMMUNITY WE NEED -- RE-- WE REALLY NEED MORE CONSTABLES AND NOT LESS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR

HELP TODAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

JACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANKS. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 39, BECKY GONZALEZ OF CONSTABLE 3.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS REBECCA GONZALEZ AND I WANT TO THANK CONSTABLE EAGLETON FOR LOOKING OUT FOR US PEOPLE HERE IN THE PRE SINK 3 AND I APPRECIATE THAT THEY, YOU KNOW, KEEP THE FUNDING THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE HERE. I WORK A HISPANIC ARE YOU OKAY PROGRAM? I STARTED WITH 7 AND I AM UP TO 225 PEOPLE. I WORK PART-TIME, BUT IT IS A PART-TIME JOB AND I WANT TO THANK THE WHOLE PRE SINK 3 FOR -- PRECINCT 3 FOR HELPING ME MAKE A VERY GOOD PROGRAM.

IT IS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM AND I AM PROUD TO WORK FOR SHERMAN -- CHAIRMAN EAGLETON. THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE, FOR THOSE ITEMS.

[02:25:02]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TIFFANY.

>> THOSE ARE THE SPEAKERS AND NEXT IS THE RESOLUTIONS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE CONSTABLES OUT OF ORDER. I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OF COURSE. LOOK, WE DIDN'T TAKE THE NOON

BREAK SO LET'S TAKE THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I SNUCK AWAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW, EVERYBODY SNUCK AWAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO THE SOLUTIONS AND THEN WE WILL TAKE A BREAK. WE WILL GET THROUGH THE

SOLUTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY HAVE

BEEN WAITING SO LONG. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S START WITH THE RESOLUTIONS. FIRST IS ITEM 3 AND I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO GO FIRST AND IT IS RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE WORK OF JOHN BLOUNT.

WHEN WE WERE HEADING -- CONSTANTINE WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAD DEALT WITH COVID AT THE TIME AND THAT WAS THE KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE.

WE WERE ALL JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT UP AND DOWN AND LEFT FROM RIGHT ON COVID AND JOHN WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT STEPPED UP TO HELP US IN SHORT CONTINUITY OF COUNTY OPERATIONS. SO I AM ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL TO JOHN FOR THAT IN ADDITION TO ALL OF HIS YEARS OF SERVICE.

WHEREAS JOHN BLOUNT, COUNTY ENGINEER HAS ELECTED TO RETIRE AFTER 34 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. JOHN ENDING HIS CAREER WITH HARRIS COUNTY IN 1987. AFTER LEAVING ACTIVE DUTY AS AN ENGINEER OFFICER IN THE U.S. ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS, JOHN WORKED HIS WAY THROUGH MANY POSITIONS AND PROMOTIONS INCLUDING ASSISTANT MANAGER OF THE PERMIT OFFICE AND MANAGER OF THE PERMIT OFFICE AND DIRECTOR OF PLANNING OPERATION AND ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING AND FINALLY COUNTY ENGINEER. THE LEGACY JOHN LEAVES BEHIND IS THE DELIVERY OF SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE GYMNASIUM, THE FIRST PUBLIC BUILDING CONSTRUCTED ON THE GULF COAST. BERRNHAM WOOD, DRIVE, THE FIRST LOW INCOME DEVELOPMENT THAT WON ENGINEERING AWARDS AND PROGRAMS WITH THE REGENTS FOR SCREEN INFRO STRUCK FUR -- INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN CRITERIA.

WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE LOCAL ENGINEERING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITIES. JOHN IS A LEADER IN BOTH GREEN INSPHRAW SPHRUK TOUR -- INFRASTRUCTURE AND WASTE WATER TECHNOLOGY WINNING THE STEWARD SHIP AWARD.

HAVING BEEN SELECTED AND APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE NFS JOINT COMMITTEE DEVELOPS STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS.

ONE OF THE MOST STANDARD ACHIEVEMENTS IS THE INTERIM PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE AND THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IN THE DEPARTMENT. JOHN SERVED THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY THROUGH 18 MAJOR FLOODING EVENTS INCLUDING TROPICAL STORM ALLISON AND HURRICANE IKE AND HURRICANE HARVEY AND SEVERAL OTHER NATURAL AND MAN MADE DISASTERS. HE INTENDS TO RELAX AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY RESTORING THEIR 1800 FARM -- FARM HOUSE AND TRAVELING AND PER -- PURSUING OTHER INTERESTS. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY DMITIONER -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT CONGRATULATIONS AND COMMANDS JOHN R BLOUT FOR 34 YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND FURTHER OFFERS BEST WISHES FOR AN ENJOYABLE RETIREMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD LIKE TO

SECOND THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BUT SHOULD WE VOTE ON IT FIRST?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR SPH.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES FAN MUSSILY -- UNANIMOUSLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LIKE EVERYBODY I WANT TO SAY HOW GOOD IT WAS TO WORK WITH JOHN BLOUT.

I THINK HE GOT HERE A YEAR AFTER COMMISSIONER LEE.

HE WAS WN OF THE FIRST PEOPLE I MET WITH WHEN I WAS ELECTED. HE GAVE ME A TOUR OF THE NEW

FLOOR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE TAJ

MAHAL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE WAS PROUD TO POINT OUT THAT L FRANCO LEE PUT IN ON THAT.

JOHN IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE IN TERMS OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

HE HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO ME EVEN WHEN I DIDN'T GET THE SUPPORT OF ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES HE HE WAS CANDID WITH ME. AT LEAST I UNDERSTAND --

[02:30:02]

@LEAST I UNDERSTOOD THE RATION.

HE IS A TREASURE. HE IS A YOUNG MAN SO I'M SURE HE HILLARY SURFACE. I ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, I WANT TO ADD VISITING WITH JOHN WHEN I WAS SHERIFF AND WE WERE BEGINNING THE DISCUSSION OF THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER. HE CAME OVER WITH SOME LABOR LEADERS. ONE WAS ABOUT THE WAINLS AND THE SECOND WAS UNION CONTRACTS.

JOHN IMPRESSED ME THAT I THINK IT WAS -- I HEARD HIM SAY THAT BECAUSE OF COMMISSIONERS AT THE TIME THAT HE WAS MORE IN LINE THAN THE CITY WAS AT THE TIME.

AND SO -- BUT IT WAS A GOOD CONVERSATION.

I ALWAYS UH -- APPRECIATED JOHN'S APPROACH TO WORK TO THE DISCUSSION AND THE CONVERSATIONS AND WISH YOU THE

BEST IN YOUR FUTURE, JOHN. >> TOM RAMSEY: JOHN, TOM RAMSEY HERE. YOU EARNED THE RESPECT OF EVERY ENGINEER I KNOW THAT WORKED WITH YOU.

THAT'S QUITE THE ACCOMPLISHMENT TO GET THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND THE PRAISE FROM THE ENGINEERING COMMUNITY WHICH YOU HAVE. ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT.

MAYBE I WILL COME UP AND VISIT YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JOHN, JACK CAGLE HERE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT YOU ARE GONNA DO AFTER YOU GET TIRED OF JETSKIING. I KNOW THAT'S ONE OF YOUR PASSIONS OUT THERE. SOME FOLKS RETIRE TO PLAY GOLF OF I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO RETIRE TO JET KEY -- JETSKI FOR AWHILE. THE WEATHER IS GOING TO GET COLD SOON AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON YOUR

NEXT VENTURE. >> COURT, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE TO SAY MORE THAN THAT.

WHEN I CALLED YOU ABOUT 10:00 AND I KEPT CALLING AND YOU HAD TO CORRECT ME. WE NEED MORE IN THE

RESOLUTION. >> COURT MEMBERS, I DO WANT TO SAY A COUPLE THINGS. FIRST I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE A FEW PEOPLE WHO GUIDED MY CAREER IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

FIRST MY FATHER WHO SERVED DURING KOREA -- BOTH AS A NON-COMMISSIONED AND COMMISSIONED OFFICER AND RETIRED FROM NASA AFTER WORKING ON EVERY SPACE PROGRAM FROM APOLO THROUGH INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION.

PREVIOUS COUNTY ENGINEERS, JR ADAMS AND TERRY ANDERSON AND HART STORY WHO TAUGHT ME ABOUT THIS JOB.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WHO MADE THIS JOB ENJOYABLE.

AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE ENGINEERING CONTRACTOR AND THE DEVELOPMENT AND BUILDER COMMUNITIES WHO WORKED AS TRUE PARTNERS WITH ME TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A BETTER PLACE.

THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT JOB AND I TRULY ENJOYED IT.

I AM GOING TO RELAX FOR AWHILE AND THEN I WILL MOVE TO

ANOTHER PHASE IN MY CAREER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ENJOY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JOHN, RODNEY ELLIS.

MAKE SURE YOU TELL LLOYD SMITH, DON'T TRY TO BLOCK THAT NUMBER. JOHN WOULD ALWAYS ANSWER THE PHONE, 10:00 AT NIGHT. IS THAT WHEN I CALLED YOU ON FRIDAY NIGHT? WHEN WAS I WALKING THROUGH THIS BUILDING? SATURDAY NIGHT?

>> IT WAS A FRY -- FRIDAY OR SATURDAY, YES, SIR.

THAT'S ONE THING. I ALWAYS PICKED UP MY PHONE SO IT WILL BE ENJOYABLE TO LEAVE IT SOMEWHERE FOR A DAY OR TWO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JOHN.

>> THANK YOU, COURT MEMBERS. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT THANK YOU SINCERELY.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 4.

[Appearances before court ( Part 2 of 5 ) ]

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE MORE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GO AHEAD.

OF COURSE WE DO. >> SPEAKER NUMBER 2, JEFFREY NIELSEN OF HOUSTON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS JEFF NIELSEN WITH THE HOUSTON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TO ALLOW ME CALL IN ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3.

ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND MYSELF, I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION HONORING JOHN BLOUT AND HIS 34 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COUNTY. HAVE I KNOWN JOHN AND WORKED

[02:35:02]

WITH HIM BEFORE HE WAS DIRECTOR BACK WHEN ART STORY WAS RUNNING THE DEPARTMENT AT PID.

HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN OUT STAND -- OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH AND AN EXCELLENT REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COUNTY.

HE WAS FAIR IN HIS DEALINGS WITH THE CONTRACTORS AND TOUGH WHEN HE NEEDED TO BE. HE WAS ALL HOPE TO HEAR OUR CONCERNS WHETHER THEY WERE ON A SPECIFIC JOB OR A BIG INDUSTRY ISSUE. HE WILL TRULY BE MISSED IN THAT DEPARTMENT. SAD TO SEE HIM LEAVE, BUT WE WISH HIM THE BEST OF LUCK AND SUCCESS IN ANY FUTURE ENDEAVOR

HE MAY DECIDE TO TAKE ON. >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 3, EDWARD TERRIVELA OF HOUSTON BUILDER ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT JOHN.

AS ONE OF THE REGULATED TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE REGULAR -- REGULATORS, CAN'T SAY NOTHING BUT THE BEST ABOUT JOHN. HE CONSIDERS HIS PARTNERS IN THE PROCESS RATHER THAN ADVERSARIES AND WE DID APPROACH THINGS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME IN THE COUNTY.

WE CAME UP WITH A SOLUTION, ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T ALWAYS THE OPTIMUM SOLUTION. WE KNEW JOHN WAS DOING THE RIGHT THING AND THE BEST THING FOR THE COUNTY.

WE APPRECIATE HIS WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO OUR CONCERNS.

WHEN APPROPRIATE, MAKE CHANGES AND REVISIONS FOR POSSIBLY THINGS THAT WERE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OR PERHAPS THINGS THAT WERE NOT EXPECTED FROM THE RULES WE WERE COMING UP WITH. I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANYBODY ELSE BUT JOHN THAT COULD GET THE REGULATED

INDUSTRY -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> OKAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD AND

FINISH YOUR REMARKS. >> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY IT WAS ONLY JOHN WHO COULD GET THE REGULATED INDUSTRY TO SUPPORT SOME OF THE MOST STRINGENT REGULATIONS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. AND HE DID THAT BY WORKING WITH US. THIS IS OUR PARTNER AND WE GOT OUR CONCERNS ADDRESSED SO WE CAN COME UP WITH RULES THAT WORK FOR EVERYONE. THAT SUMS UP JOHN'S APPROACH

AND WE APPRECIATE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

JUST A REMINDER FOR THE SPEAKER THAT'S IT IS A ONE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT. WE HAVE SO MANY SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 6, MICHAEL BLOOM FROM AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YEAH. THANK YOU.

THIS IS MICHAEL BLOOM. I AM ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOUSTON BRANCH OF AMERICAN SOCIETY CIVIL ENGINEERS AND WE WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO JOHN.

I MET JOHN IN 1998 WHEN WE MET IN THE COUNTY.

THERE ARE JUST TWO HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS CAREER WE WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT. ONE WAS THE -- WHICH WAS MENTIONED. HE SINGLE HANDEDLY INTRODUCED LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION.

HE DESIGNED THE COMPETITION THAT OPENED EVERYONE'S EYES AND GOT EVERYONE THINKING ABOUT IT.

HE WAS AN ADVOCATE FOR DELIVERING MAURY SILL YENS AND -- MORE RESILIENCE AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE LEAD THE EFFORT TO TRAIN 90 MEMBERS OF HARRIS COUNTY PRE SINK AND FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING TO BECOME PROFESSIONALS. HE ENCOURAGED 150 PRIVATE SECTOR FOLKS TO BE CREDENTIALED AS WELL.

>> I'M SORRY, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> GREAT SHOUTOUT TO JOHN AND WISH YOU LUCK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 5, ROBERT ADAIRE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSTON LAND WATER SUSTAINABILITY FORUM.

JOHN, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND ALL OF THE ENGINEERS AND THE ARCHITECTS AND THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PUBLIC AGENCIES WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE OVER THE PAST 14 YEARS.

LIKE SO MANY OTHER INNOVATIONS YOU HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER THE YEARS YOU SAW THE VALUE OF WHAT WE CALL STORM INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU SUPPORTED THE FORUM IN 2007 AND UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP WE RETAINED THE MODEL FOR THE THOUGHTFUL AND INTELLIGENT WAY IT WAS ADOPTED HERE AND INTRODUCED HERE AND IS REGULATED HERE.

JOHN, WE ARE GONNA MISS YOU. WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE TIME WE HAD TOGETHER AND THE HONOR WE HAD IN WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 6,

[02:40:02]

AMY BERTRAND OF GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

MY NAME IS AMY BERTRAND AND I SERVE AS CEO FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION. IT IS MY HONOR TO SHARE CONGRATULATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTIAL INDUSTRY ON JOHN AND HIS RETIREMENT. WE KNOW THIS IS WELL DESERVED. WE ARE TRULY GOING TO MISS THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE HAD WITH THE TEAM TO HELP MOVE HOUSING FORWARD. JOHN IS ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE I MISS SINCE LEAVING THE COUNTY LAST YEAR.

HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN OUR WORK ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY TO ASSESS THE FUNDING NEEDS FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO AND RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE HARVEY.

I WANT TO THANK JOHN FOR ALL HE HAS DONE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY. HE WORKED WITH US AT THE

BUILDER'S ASSOCIATION. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 7, TRUE MAP -- TRUE MAP -- TRUEMAN FROM EHRA.

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

THIS I AM TRENIDAD MINSTER. I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF KNOWING JOHN FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

WHAT AN EXCELLENT ENGINEER. HE IS INSIGHTFUL, PRO ACTIVE AND REALLY A TRUE VISIONARY. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I AM TRULY GOING TO MISS HIM AND I WISH HIM WELL IN HIS NEXT

ENDEAVORS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 8, PATRICIA KNUDSEN PES --

JOYNER. >> HI, IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH JOHN FOR ALL HIS 34 YEARS.

MOST ENGINEERS WOULD CALL HIM AN ENGINEER'S ENGINEER.

JOHN IS A PLANNER'S ENGINE FEAR.

HE IS VISIONARY. HE IMPLEMENTED MANY, MANY MANY PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE LEAD INTO THE FUTURE.

AND JOHN WE ALL WISH YOU THE BEST AND WE WILL TRULY MISS YOU. GOD BLESS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS NUMBER 9, DAVID HAGGEY OF ACEC HOUSTON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> ON IMAF OF THE -- ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JOHN BLOUNT ON THE LONG LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WILL HELP OUR COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME.

JOHN AND THE TEAM OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT DO WORK EVERY DAY AND DEVOTE A LOT OF TIME WORKING ON POLICY AND DESIGN STANDARD AND PROGRAM REVIEWS ALL TO ENSURE THAT WE DELIVER THE BEST INFRO -- INFRASTRUCTURE POSSIBLE FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE REGION. RE RE-- WE APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU SPEND WITH US. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE COUNTY AND WISH YOU THE HAPPIEST OF RETIREMENTS.

THANKS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE THE SPEAKERS FOR THE ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU TO THE SPEAKERS AND THANK YOU TO JOHN BLOUT. WE'LL MISS YOU.

JOHN BLOUNT. WE'LL MISS YOU.

THE NEXT IS ITEM 4. IT IS A RESOLUTION FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IN OCTOBER. THE 2021 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK THEME, LEARN THE SOUNDS OF FIRE SAFETY.

EFFECTIVELY SERVES TO REMIND US THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEARN THE DIFFERENT SOUNDS OF SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS. WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY IS COMMISSION -- COMMITTED TO SECURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THOSE LIVING AND VISITING OUR COUNTY, THE FIRE IS A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY THREAT A CONCERN LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. HOMES ARE MOST AT RISK FOR FIRE. ALARMS WILL SEND THE ALERT BEFORE SMOKE CAN. YOU MAY HAVE AS LITTLE AS TWO MINUTES TO ESCAPE SAFELY. WORKING SMOKE ALARMS CUT THE RISK OF DYING IN THE REPORTED HOME FIRES.

HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD BE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE HOME UNDERSTANDS THE SOUND OF ALARMS AND KNOWS HOW TO RESPOND. HARRIS COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS ARE DEDICATED TO REDUCING HOME FIRES AND THE HOME FIRE INJURIES THROUGH PREVENTION AND PROTECTION EDUCATION.

HEIRESS COUNTY RESIDENTS RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC EDUCATION MEASURES ARE BETTER ABLE TO TAKE PERM STEPS TO IN-- PERSONAL STEPS TO INCREASE SAFETY.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT PRE -- PROCLAIMS THE THIRD THROUGH THE 9TH AS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK AND ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY TO LEARN THE SOUNDS OF FIRE SAFETY FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK OF 2021 AND SUPPORTS THE MANY SAFETY ACTIVITIES AND THE EFFORTS OF HARRIS COUNTY FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.

I KNOW CHIEF CHRISTIANSON IS ON THE LINE TO ACCEPT THE

[02:45:02]

RESOLUTION. YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BEFORE CHIEF CHRISTIANSON SPEAKS, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THIS ITEM BEING PUT ON THE AGENDA.

WE ARE EXTRAORDINARILY BLESSED IN HARRIS COUNTY TO HAVE CHIEF CHRISTIANSON'S LEADERSHIP. SHE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE WHERE WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT BEST PRACTICES, SHE IS THE BEST PRACTICES THAT OTHERS LOOK TO.

NOT ONLY IS SHE GREAT IN HER INNOVATION AND IN HER ACTIVITY OF BEING EVERYWHERE IN THIS COUNTY, SHE HAS SURROUNDED HERSELF WITH A TEAM AND WE ARE VERY, VERY BLESSED TO HAVE IN THIS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK A MODEL PERSON HEADING OUR FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TO RECEIVE IT TODAY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. THANK YOU FOR READING THIS RESOLUTION. WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT WE GET FROM COURT AND THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTY. FIRE PREVENTION WEEK WAS ESTABLISHED TO KAW MOPE -- TO COMMEMORATE THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FACT THAT IN 1871, THAT PARTICULAR FIRE KILLED 250 PEOPLE AND LEFT 100,000 HOMELESS AND DESTROYED 17,400 STRUCTURES AND BURNED MORE THAN DUO -- 2,000 ACRES. WHAT WE CAN SEE IN HARRIS COUNTY BY THE SUPPORT OF THE COURT AND SUPPORT OF THE RESIDENTS IS A VERY FIRE SAFE COMMUNITY.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR RESIDENTS AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GET THE WORD OUT THIS -- WORD OUT. BEING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK, THE CAMPAIGN WILL WORK TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND --

>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND IT IS NOT

NECESSARILY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

CHIEF. >> I DID WANT TO SAY THAT WITH OUR CHILDREN NOT BEING ABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL LIKE THEY WERE LAST YEAR WITH COVID AND EVEN SOME THIS YEAR, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PRACTICE HOME FIRE SAFETY.

PRACTICE AN ESCAPE ROUTE FROM YOUR HOME.

MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THE SOUND IS.

I WANT TO SAY AS WINTER APPROACHES, WE ARE ALL WORRIED ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

LET'S GET USE TO THE SOUND OF THE CARBON MA -- CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF CHRISTIANSON.

>> YES, SIR. YES, MA'AM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT [INAUDIBLE] THAT STARTED THAT

FIRE? >> YEAH, I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE PEOPLE ROICHING THAT -- STILL PEOPLE OUT THERE

RESEARCHING THAT FIRE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AS WELL, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM

[Departments (Part 3 of 7)]

5 AND WE DO HAVE QUITE A FEW RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER TODAY. WE RECEIVED A LOT OF REQUESTS. THIS IS RESOLUTION RELATED TO -- SUCCESS -- DESIGNATED AS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.

THE KRD -- CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL DISEASE AND PREVENTION. IT HAS CLAIMED THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN 2020. SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR INDIVIDUALS AGES 10 TO 34 THE FOURTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR AGES 35 TO 54.

THERE WERE 558 DEATHS BY SUICIDE IF HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY IN 2020. 60 OF WHICH WERE VETERANS.

THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD24-HOUR CRISIS LINES ANSWERS CALLS 24 HOURS A DAY AND SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND HAS 33 REGIONAL COUNTIES. IN 2020 THE HARRIS CENTER ANSWERED APPROXIMATELY 130,000 CALLS.

THE EFFECT OF THE PAN DEEM -- PANDEMIC -- AND WE DO NOT KNOW THE EFFECT ON THE SUICIDE RATES.

PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS PREVENT SUICIDES FROM OCCURRING BEING CONNECTED TO THE FAMILY SUPPORT AND REDUCING STIGMA ON MENTAL ILLNESS AND IMPROVING PUBLIC AWARENESS TO SUICIDE. IT IS ALL FOR DECREASING THE SUICIDE RATES. SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH IS RECOGNIZED FALLLY AND THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WILL WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY FOR MENTAL HEALTH TO RAISE AWARENESS ON SUICIDE PREVENTION.

IS THERE ANYONE? THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

[02:50:04]

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

ANYONE ON THE LINE TO SPEAK TO THIS RESOLUTION?

>> YES, MA'AM. SPEAKER NUMBER 11, LAKEISHA MCKINNEY FOR THE CENTER OF HEALTH AND MENTAL I -- MENTAL

IDD. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, JUDGE HUH TALL GO -- JUDGE HIDALGO. SUICIDE IS A LARGE AND GROWING HUB HEALTH PROBLEM CLAIMING A LIFE EVERY 11 MINUTES.

PARTICULARLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND LATINX WOMEN.

YOUNG LGBTQ PEOPLE HAVE A HIGH AMOUNT OF SUICIDE COMPARED TO THEIR PEERS. SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC THERE HAS BEEN AN UP TICK IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND CALLS TO THE SUICIDE HOTLINE HAVE INCREASED 1,000 PERCENT. THIS TREND SHOWS THERE MAY BE ANOTHER SPIKE IN SUICIDE AND WE MUST BE PREPARED.

NOW MORE THAN EVER, EFFORTS TO CREATE SUICIDE IN COMMUNITY HAD IS IMPERATIVE. WE ARE EXCITED TO WORK WITH OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES TO INCREASE ACCESS IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SUICIDES IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR THE RESOLUTION AND MAKING MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A SUICIDE-SAFE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

EYE SEEM 6 ON -- ITEM 6 ON PAGE 2, DESIGNATING TUESDAY OCTOBER 5TH AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.

THE 30TH ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, AN ANNUAL COMMUNITY BUILDING CAMPAIGN IS ON THE EVENING OF TUESDAY OCTOBER 5TH, 2021 FROM 6 TO 9 P.M. IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE EVENT PROMOTES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND CRIME PREVENTION AND SAFETY AWARENESS.

IT IS SUPPORTED BY A HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICE AND CITY OF HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND CIVIC GROUPS AND BUSINESSES AND NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS AND INVOLVED CITIZENS IN EDUCATING THE IMPORTANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS. THE POSSIBLE TIM -- POSITIVE IMPACT ON CRIME REDUCTION. ASSOCIATIONS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY WILL HOST BLOCK PARTY FESTIVALS AND COOKOUTS AND OTHER EVENTS. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWN WATCH IT WILL COMMENCE WITH A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT DECEMBER -- DESIGNATES TUESDAY OCTOBER 5TH AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AND ASKS ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN THE SHERIFF COUNTY -- SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CON -- COUNTY CONSTABLES AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE GULF COAST AREA -- AREA IN SUPPORTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE ARE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM?

>> YES, SPEAKER NUMBER 12, JACK -- JACQUELINE FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE -- GO AHEAD --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, BEFORE DEPUTY/OFFICER SPEAKS I FEED TO SAY THAT WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE HER RECEIVE THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION. JACKIE IS ONE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURES. I SEE HER IN PRECINCT 4 AND AT EVENTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

WHEN THERE ARE CITIZEN THAT'S ARE NEEDING TO BE EDUCATED WHETHER IT BE WITH REGARD TO FIREARM SAFETY OR WHETHER IT BE TO OTHER ISSUES OUT THERE, SHE IS ONE OF THE ONE THAT'S IS OUT ORGANIZING AND PUTTING IT TOGETHER.

SHE IS ONE OF THOSE FOLKS THAT I THINK COULD TAKE ME OUT IN A BAR FIGHT. SHE WOULDN'T BE FOUND IN A BAR THOUGH, AND NEITHER WOULD I. SHE HAS A TOUGH EXTERIOR AND A KIND HEART AND WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE HER REPRESENTING US OUT THERE IN THESE COMMUNITIES, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND ESPECIALLY YOU COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU OVER THE YEARS.

IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING. ON BEHALF OF SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND ALL OF US INCLUDING THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY, WE APPRECIATE YOU ACKNOWLEDGING OCTOBER 5TH AS BEING NATIONAL FIGHT OUT. COVID HAS RENDERED ITS UGLY HEAD TO US THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD OUR TRADITIONAL NIGHTS IN THE PAST, BUT WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME OUTSIDE.

AS YOU SAID IT, JUDGE, IT IS A COMMUNITY-BUILDING, RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING EVENING.

[02:55:01]

WE WANT EVERYONE TO COME OUTSIDE AND MEET THEIR NEIGHBORS ON THAT NIGHT AND ENJOY NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.

ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE HERE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ALL OF OUR COUNTY AGENCIES, WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PRESENTING US THIS PROCLAMATION AND ACKNOWLEDGING FALL NIGHT OUT THIS YEAR. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JACKIE.

>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. NEXT IS DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZES AS A VITAL ROLE IN IDENTIFYING, PROTECTING AND RESPONDING TO CYBER THREATS THAT MAY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS ARE RELYING ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL SERVICES, ENERGY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES, HEALTH CARE, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEMS. MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF CYBERSPACE IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY WHERE EACH OF US HAS A CRITICAL ROLE TO PLAY. AWARENESS OF SECURITY ESSENTIALS WILL IMPROVE HARRIS COUNTY INFRO STRUCK -- INFRASTRUCTURE. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HOMELAND SECURITY, CYBER SECURITY, SAYS THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY ALLIANCE AND THE COUNCIL IN CYBER SECURITY AND THE OPERATIONAL TRAINING AND OTHERS DECLARED OCTOBER A CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH. ALL CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THEIR SITE WITH A STOP, THINK, CONNECT WEBSITE TO LEARN ABOUT CYBER SECURITY AND PUT THAT KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE IF THEIR HOMES, SCHOOLS, WORKPLACES AND BUSINESSES. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS CON TEE COMMISSIONERS' COURT DESIGNATES THE MONTH OF OCTOBER OF 2021 AS CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND URGES ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS TO JOIN SO MANY LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND BUSINESSES SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN THIS VITAL ENDEAVOR.

WE HAVE GENERAL MARIA HERE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS AWARENESS TO THE ATTENTION OF EVERYONE IN HARRIS COUNTY. CYBER SECURITY STARTS WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. WE ARE CYBER WARRIORS EACH AND EVERY DAY. IT IS AN IMPORTANT TIME TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ALONG WITH THAT EFFORT, AS YOU FOE WE ARE IN A PERSISTENT FIGHT. AND I WILL INTRODUCE OUR CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER FOR THE COUNTY.

HE WILL EXPLAIN A LITTLE MORE, BUT WE TRIED TO DO AN IN -- WE TRY TO BE RESILIENT AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN IN THE EVENT AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU I WILL INTRODUCE DR. HARRISON

REAL QUICK. >> THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN EVERYTHING -- YOU HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN ABOUT EVERYTHING I HAVE TO SAY ALREADY.

THE ENVIRONMENT IS VERY COMPLEX AND VERY DYNAMIC AND IT IS A 24/7 RAILROAD FARE THAT WE HAVE -- 24/7 WARFARE WE ARE FIGHTING. WE HAVE TO REIMAGINE OUR CYBER SECURITY PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CYBER RESILIENT THANK

YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA SPH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GENERAL AND DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

I JUST SAW AN IMPORTANT ARTICLE THAT THE PORT OF HOUSTON JUST UNDERWENT A SERIOUS HACK ATTACK OF THANK SM -- THANKFULLY THEY WERE ABLE TO DEFEND AGAINST IT.

BUT IT MAKES US AWARE THAT THE BAD ACTORS ARE OUT THERE AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO INFILTRATE OUR RESPECTIVE SYSTEMS. THE WARRIOR ADD -- ATTITUDE IS A REAL THING.

I AM GLAD YOU ARE LEADING US IN THAT REGARD AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR RAISING AWARENESS.

EVERYBODY FROM YOUR PC AT HOME TO YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT, EVERYBODY IN THE MIDDLE NEEDS TO BE -- THEY NEED TO DEVELOP AND HAVE THE WARRIOR MENTAL -- MENTALITY AGAINST THE CYBERATTACKS. THE RANSOMWARE ARE REAL THINGS. THEY HAVE DEVASTATED SOME GOVERNMENTS AND WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN THAT HAMPERED. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF.

IT IS A MATTER OF THEY WILL TRY AND ALL WE CAN DO IS MAKE SURE TO MAINTAIN THE ATTITUDE SO WE DON'T BECOME ANOTHER ONE

[03:00:04]

OF THE STATISTICS. >> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

JUST KNOW Y'ALL ARE THE TIP OF THE SPHERE ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT GOING ON HERE THAN PROTECTING THAT PART OF US.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN BE NERDISH, THEY ARE POPPING UP WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT THEM AND YOU ALWAYS HAD TO BE VIGILANT TO FIGHT AGAINST THEM. THANK YOU FOR BEING WARRIORS

AGAINST THE ANCIENT ENEMY. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I KNOW THE CALL WE HAD FROM YOU WITH THERE -- WHEN THERE WAS A DISRUPTION WAS WAS THIS A CYBERATTACK? WE ARE ALWAYS CHANGING TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES TO STAY AHEAD OF THOSE THAT ARE THOUSANDS OF ATTACKS A WEEK. AND DR. HARRIS' TEAM IS VIGILANT TO OVERSEE THE SYSTEM AND THERE IS MUCH MORE TO DO.

THANK Y'ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> AND TO ALL OF THE TEAM.

YOU HELP US REST EASY. IF WE DON'T HEAR FROM YOU IT

IS GOOD. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I APPRECIATE IT. >> WE ARE LIKE THE SWAN ON TOP OF THE WATER AND THE LITTLE FEET GOING UNDERNEATH ALL THE

TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 274.

THAT'S THE LAST OF THE RESOLUTIONS AND THEN WE WILL MOVE TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' RESOLUTION.

THE RESOLUTION SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

WHEREAS ON SEPTEMBER 23RD, 2021, THE OFFICE OF THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE ANNOUNCED IT HAD BEGUN A COMPREHENSIVE FORENSIC AUDIT OF THE GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS NOT PROVIDED A REASON FOR THE AUDIT.

NEARLY ONE YEAR AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION CONCLUDED.

AND THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME HOURS AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ISSUED A LETTER CALLING ON GOVERNOR ABBOTT TO ADD AN ELECTION AUDIT BILL TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE'S THIRD SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA. NUMEROUS STUDIES, FEDERAL COURT OPINIONS AND GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS ON VOTER FRAUD PUBLISHED OVER THE LAST DECADE SHOWED THAT ELECTION FRAUD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES IS INCREASINGLY RARE.

IN APRIL OF 2020 THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REPORTED THAT THE OFFICE OF THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL PROSECUTED ONLY 155 INDIVIDUALS OF THE 94 MILLION VOTES CAST IN TEXAS ELECTIONS IN 2005. THAT MEANS 0.000185% OF THE VOTES CAST SINCE 2005. IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION AND IT PROVIDED VOTING IT HELPS VOTERS OF BOTH PARTIES VOTE SECURELY AND CONVENE YEN -- CONVENIENTLY.

WITH 1.6 MILLION HARRIS COUNTY VOAFORT -- VOTERS HAVING CAST A BALLOT. THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE ELECTIONS DIVISION DIRECTOR TESTIFIED TO THE TEXAS HOUSE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE THAT HE WAS, QUOTE, HAPPY TO REPORT THAT TEXAS ELECTIONS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF THE COUNTY ELECTIONS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE ELECTIONS IN TEXAS LAST YEAR WERE A SUCCESS.

WHEREAS THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REPORTED IN DECEMBER OF 2020 THAT, QUOTE, THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SPENT NEARLY TWICE AS MUCH TIME WORKING ON VOTER FRAUD CASES LOGGING MORE THAN 22,000 STAFF HOURS YET RESOLVED 16 PROSECUTION. HALF AS MANY AS TWO YEARS AGO. PURSUE WENT -- PURSUE WENT TO THE CODE THEY SUBMITTED THE VOTES FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION TO THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFYING THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTION RESULTS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEREAS THERE HAS BEEN COUNTLESS EFFORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION WHICH SPEAKS TO SHATTER THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.

SOME STATE LEADERS AROUND THE NATION HAVE BEEN PURSUING THESE KINDS OF BASELESS AUDITS SEEKING FAVOR WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT TO PLAY -- PLACATE THE PARTY AND UNDER MIND TRUST IN THE MERP ELECTION. AND RESULTS FROM THE WIDELY CRITICIZED PARTISAN REVIEW OF MARE -- MARICOPA COUNTY THAT BIDEN WON WITH NO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE NEW TALLY AND THE

[03:05:02]

OFFICIAL COUNT IN NOVEMBER. AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OPPOSES THESE BASELESS ATTEMPT TO CAST DOUBT ON THE 2020 ELECTION RESULTS IN HARRIS COUNTY IN TEXAS AND UNDERMINE TRUST IN OUR DEMOCRACY AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED -- THIS IS THE LAST PIECE, THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT DIRECTED -- DIRECTS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DISCOUNT THE, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, SHAM. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA

IS THERE A SECOND? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

JUDGE A QUICK COMMENT. Y WENT TO A MEETING -- I WENT TO A MEETING AND THEY TALKED ABOUT THE COST OF THE MACHINES. A QUICK GOOGLE SCAN OF ARTICLES AND THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED 150,000 TO DO THIS SHAM AUDIT AND THEN THEY ENDED UP WITH $3 MILLION BECAUSE THE INTEGRA -- INTEGRITY OF THE MACHINES AND THEN THEY SAID IT $6 MILLION. TO ADD THEM UP WOULD BE INTERESTING. BUDGIE MANAGEMENT -- BUDGET MANAGEMENT COULD GET AN IDEA HOW MUCH IT COSTS.

WE SHOULD MAKE SURE FOLKS KNOW WHEN THEY ARE LOOKING AT A FUNDING REQUEST DURING THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION WHAT THE UNTOLD COST WAS. IT IS SLIGHTLY SMALLER.

WE ARE NUMBER THREE AND NUMBER FOUR.

IT IS EXTREMELY COSTLY. AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE IS HAD A CERTIFICATION OF THE ELECTION.

WE HAD A REGULAR SESSION AND WE HAD A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE HAD ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL NOT SUPPORT THE MOTION BECAUSE PRIMARILY I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY. I THINK WHEN THINGS LIKE REMOVAL OF ELECTION RESPONSIBILITY FROM COUNTY CLERK TANISA AND THE TAX ASSESSOR ANNE BENNETT, I THINK IT UNDERMINDS THE VOTERS' CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM.

SO TO DO AN AUDIT IS NOT A BAD THING.

IT ENCOURAGES CONFIDENCE IN TERMS OF WHAT THE VOTE WAS.

SO AN AUDIT EVERY NOW AND THEN DOESN'T HURT.

I THINK THIS IS CERTAINLILY AN UPPED CATER OF -- AN INDICATOR OF BEST PRACTICES AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT BEING

ACCOMPLISHED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THIS. ONE OF WHICH IS THE TONE IS VERY POLITICAL, THE RESOLUTION.

BUT TWO, WE HAVE AN AUDITOR IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE TRUTH IS NOT BEING QUESTIONED.

I THINK WE HAVE AN AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO ASSIST US SO BE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AND HAVE BETTER PRACTICES.

I DO NOT THINK MERELY BECAUSE SOMETHING IS BEING AUDITED THAT IT MEANS IT IS A BAD THING AND IT WILL PROVIDE SECURITY AND COMPETENCE IN A SYSTEM IF IT IT HAS BEEN AUDITED. BUSINESSES USE AUDITS.

I DO TO THE SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DOES THAT MEAN YOU SUPPORT THE CYBER NINJA IN MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T SUPPORT YOUR RECOMMENDATION.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING FOR THE REASONS I GAVE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I AM NOT IN ARIZONA.

IN FACT, I'M NOT A STATE OF GOVERNMENT.

I AM HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

I DON'T THINK AN AUDIT IS A BAD THING LOCALLY.

I AM NOT GOING TO GET INTO A DEBATE OF NATIONAL AND OTHER ISSUES. YOU CAN ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU WANT OF ME. THIS IS A PIERLY PARTISAN -- PURELY PARTISAN STATEMENT. THERE ARE THOSE WHO SAY WHAT IS BEING DONE WITH REGARD TO THE AUDIT IS PARTISAN.

I'M STAYING OUT OF IT. I DON'T THINK AUDITS IN AND OF THEMSELVES ARE BAD THINGS. THEY CAN PROVE THINGS ARE GOOD. WE HAVE AN AUDITOR.

MIKE POST. WHAT MIKE POST DOES FOR US IS A GOOD, HONORABLE THING. SOMEONE LEAVES OFFICE, THEIR OFFICE IS AUDITED AND WE GET AN EXIT AUDIT.

THAT IS A GOOD THING. FOR US TO SIT HERE AND CONDEMN THIS BECAUSE WHO MAY HAVE MADE THE RECOMMENDATION FOR IT, I THINK IS OUT OF PLACE. AND SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, NO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE OTHER LOCATIONS OR WHAT YOU WANT TO CALL AND WHAT YOU ARE THROWING, I DON'T

[03:10:02]

SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS DONE

BY THE CYBER NINJAS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I TEND TO AGREE THAT AN AUDIT ISN'T A BAD THING.

BUT YOU JUST REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. IT ALSO DEPENDS ON HOW THE AUDIT IS DONE. WHEN I INHERITED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THERE WAS A HUGE QUESTION ABOUT HOW THE PREVIOUS SHERIFF WENT THROUGH $10 MILLION OF ASSET FOR -- FORFEITURE AND LAST-MINUTE SPENDING FROM HIS ELECTION DATE TO MY COMING INTO OFFICE AND I HAD ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT REALLY WERE NOT THOUGHT THROUGH.

SO I REMEMBER ASKING THE AUDITOR, WELL, ARE YOU GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR THIS? HIS RESPONSE IS THAT'S NOT WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO. WE ARE ONLY HERE TO SEE IF POLICIES ARE FOLLOWED. SO IT DEPENDS ON HOW THE AUDIT IS DONE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE TRUTH IS [INAUDIBLE] CONSPIRACY THEORISTS TO STORM THE CAPITOL BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE THE 2020 ELECTIONS TOOK PLACE THE WAY THEY DID.

EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THIS IS A CONSPIRACY THEORY.

THE 2020 ELECTION WAS -- THERE WERE LEGAL CHALLENGES AND THERE WERE RECOUNTS. THIS IS YET ANOTHER ARGUMENT TO FEED A CONSPIRACY THEORY. IF THERE WERE SOME SORT OF ISSUE THAT'S CAME UP WITH THE ELECTION THAT WOULD PROMPT AN AUDIT, BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY OTHER ISSUES OTHER THAN THE FORMER PRESIDENT SENT A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR ASKING FOR AN AUDIT AND THE GOVERNOR KNOWS AS DO NATIONAL LEADERS AND YOU GUYS THAT THE EXTREME PLAYING OF ONE PARTY BELIEVES THE CONSERVATIVE THEORIES AND THAT PARTY VOTED IN THE PRIMARY. WE OWE OUR DEMOCRACY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE IN TIMES LIKE THESE.

AND ALL OF US LEND CREDENCE TO THE AUDIT THAT'S ARE NOT HAPPENING IN A VACUUM, BUT IN THE MIDST OF CONSPIRACY THEORY, THEN THOSE EXTREMISTS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ARE GOING TO POINT AND SAY, COMMISSIONER -- RESPECTIVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RESPECTED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BELIEVE IN THIS AUDIT. WE ALL KNOW THERE ARE NO CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD ANYWHERE.

THEY GAVE A MILLION DOLLAR BOUNTY TO FIND FRAUD AND THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY. THEY LOOKED FOR IT EVERYWHERE AND THEY HAVEN'T FOUND MASSIVE FRAUD.

POLITICAL PANDER IS OKAY. SOME OF IT HAPPENED EARLIER.

IT HAPPENS IN POSITIONS, BUT SOMETHING THAT IS FEEDING A CONSPIRACY THEORY AND -- THAT OUR ELECTION RESULTS ARE WEAKENED AND THE ELECTION SECTION IS RIDDLED WITH FRAUD AND IF PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THEIR ELECTION SYSTEM WHAT HAS BECOME OF THE COUNTRY? I JUST THINK IT IS DISAPPOINTING, BUT IT WAS TO BE EXPECTED I'M SURE THE FOLKS THAT SUPPORT THE AUDIT IN ARDZ AIRS MADE THE SAME -- IF ARIZONA MADE THE SAME ARGUMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUST TO REMIND FOLKS THAT THIS IS AN AUDIT OF THE ELECTION PRIOR TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT WAS WHEN THERE WAS AN INTERIM COUNTY CLERK BECAUSE THE COUNTY CLERK RESIGNED DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES SO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR WAS NOT ASSIGNED.

SO THERE IS A MOTION -- >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ARE YOU REFERRING TORQUES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- REFERRING TORQUES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> CAN YOU TURN YOUR MICO JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ON. >> TOM RAMSEY: I AM JUST THINKING THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK AN AUDIT IS NOT A BAD THING AND TRANSPARENCY IS NOT A BAD THING AND WHEN YOU CONSIDER HOW CONTENTIOUS THINGS ARE, WELL, LOCALLY YOU CAN TALK ABOUT STATE AND TALK NATIONAL.

I THINK AN AUDIT PUTTING IT ALL TO BED IS A GOOD THING.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT IS AN APPROPRIATE THING TO DO IN

LIGHT OF EVERYBODY'S CONCERNS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE COURT CHALLENGES THINGS AND PUTS THINGS TO PUT.

THE LEGISLATIVE PUT THINGS TO BED.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S MILLION DOLLAR HOWEVER BOUNTY FOR

FRAUD PUT THINGS TO BED. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CONVINCE ME FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND I WILL NOT CONVINCE YOU FOR POLITICAL REASONS SO LET'S VOTE.

[03:15:04]

AS MR. ELLIS SAYS, IT'S TIME TO VOTE.

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. I HAVE SPEAKER MARISSA

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 5) ]

HANSON. SHE SIGNED UP FOR 236.

SHE IS HERE IN PERSON AND SHE SAYS SHE ACTUALLY WANTED TO

SPEAK ON THIS ITEM AND NOT 236. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> AND WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON THE LINE FOR THIS EILEEN -- ON

THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL HERE FROM THE SPEAKERS. HE'LL --

>> JOHN KERNS, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, I WANT TO AGREE WITH JUDGE HIDALGO IN THE FACT THAT PEOPLE NEED TO TRUST THEIR ELECTIONS.

THAT'S VERY TRUE. I'M ACTUALLY FOR THE COURT SUPPORTING AN AUDIT AND I ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO AMEND THE RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN AUDIT SO THAT WE CAN PROVE THESE BASELESS CLAIMS THAT ARE WRONG.

AND THAT WAY, YOU KNOW, IT CAN BE PUT TO BED IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE GOTTEN NEW MACHINES.

NOW IS A PERFECT TIME TO DO IT SINCE THE 2020 ELECTIONS WERE ON OLD MACHINES. THEY ARE BASICALLY GOING TO BE SOLD AS SCRAP. THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY CONCERN WITH IS THAT -- WITH THAT AND TO SPEND MONEY TO FIGHT IT IS

RIDICULOUS IN MY OPINION. >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> YEAH, WELL YOU GAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> HE WAS THE ONLY VIRTUAL

SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

MARISSA. >> MY NAME IS MARISSA HANSON.

I AM SPEAKING TO THE AUDIT BECAUSE I FELT THERE ARE IRREGULARITIES. FIND IT ODD THAT YOU ELECTED ISABEL LONGORIA WHO IS CURRENTLY SENDING OUT UNSOLICITED MAILING -- MAIL IN BALLOTS FOR THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS. THERE IS A COURT ORDERED ADDRESS HAPPY -- HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU SIGNED A CONTRACT TO GET NEW VOTING MACHINES. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LAST VOTING MACHINES ? THESE AREN'T CONSPIRACY THEORIES. THESE ARE CONCERNS FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS. I MEAN, YOU GUYS -- YOU'RE IN VIOLATION OF CHAPTER 82 OF THE STATE -- THE TEXAS STATE ELECTIONS WHICH CHRIS HOLLIS DID DURING THE 2020 ELECTION.

YOU GUYS ARE AWARE OF THAT, YES?

YES OR NO? >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> YOU'RE NOT GONNA ANSWER, ARE YOU?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THEM. >> WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER.

>> I AM GENERAL NICE WILL -- JENY WILLIS, BUT I DID NOT COME TO SPEAK ON THIS. I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS ON THE

AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU

SPEAKING ON ANOTHER TOPIC? >> NO.

BUT I WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU NEED TO

CHOOSE ONE TOPIC. >> I AM CHOOSING THIS ONE

INSTEAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

WHO IS HANDLING THE TIME? >> I STARTED MY WORK -- I WORKED FOR GEORGE W. BUSH AND I WORKY THE RNC AND I AM NOT A DEMOCRAT. THIS WAS A FAIR, FREE -- IT WAS A FAIR AND FREE ELECTION AND I AM TIRED OF REPUBLICANS TRYING TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY BY CASTING THIS DOUBT. IT JUST THERE ARE SO MANY, SO MANY OF OUR FORMER CO-WORKERS JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T JUST PROTECT REAL DEMOCRACY.

THERE ARE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND WE KNOW IT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MORE MONEY FOR COPS AND MORE MONEY FOR THIS AND THAT. WHY WOULD YOU RISK THE COST OF THIS AUDIT THAT IS UNNECESSARY WHEN WE HAVE PROVEN THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST ACCURATE AND ELECTIONS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WAS VERY PROUD OF THE WORK HERE. I THINK YOU THINK YOU ARE LOSING PEOPLE. YOU ARE LOSING VOTERS AND

[03:20:02]

SUPPORTERS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THAT IS IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU.

WE ARE ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE AISLE, BUT WE ARE ON THE SAME SIDE ON THIS ONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

FOR BEING HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT. DEMOCRACY DEPENDS ON OUR PARTICIPATION FROM ALL OF US WHO BUILT IT.

I WILL REST EASY KNOWING I DID THE RIGHT THING.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE A MOTION -- ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> IN.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I AM IN FAVOR. IS THE MOTION CARRIES.

I WILL FURTHER -- FOR THE RECORD I WILL BE WILLING TO PUT MY PRIMARY ON THE LINE IF IT MEANT PROTECTING DEMOCRACY AND ALL OF US SHOULD SAY THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

[Departments (Part 4 of 7)]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IT FOR MY RESOLUTIONS AND THE NEXT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DIDN'T YOU HAVE THE RESOLUTION ON HUMAN

TRAFFIC -- HUMAN TRAFFICKING? >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE IT HERE. I CAN READ IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GO AHEAD. AND JUDGE IF I MIGHT, IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION WHICH I WOULD BE HAPPY TO READ, MY ITEM IS TO GIVE THEM 7,160 OUT OF PRECINCT ONE'S BUDGET FOR THE ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORT.

I BRING THAT UP AS WELL. BISHOP DIXON AND HIS GROUP ON THIS RESOLUTION SAYS HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT STRONGLY CONDEMNS HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ALL OF ITS FORMS WHO GIVE THEIR LIVES TRYING TO PREVENT AND STOP THE HARM FROM HAPPENING. IT USES FORCE, FRAUD AND COERCE TO OBTAIN LABOR OR COMMERCIAL SEX.

HOUSTON IS ONE OF THE LARGEST HUMAN TRAFFICKING HUBS IN THE COUNTRY AND WE MUST SUPPORT EFFORTS TO END THIS PRACTICE.

TEXAS HAD THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF SEX TRAFFICKING NUMBERS.

ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 313,000 VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING LIVE IN TEXAS.

THIS BREAKS DOWN TO 79,000 MINORS AND YOUTH WHO ARE VICTIMS OF SEX TRAFFICKING. 234,000 ADULTS WHO WERE VICTIMS OF LABOR TRAFFICKING. ALL OF WHOM EXPERIENCE CONDITIONS OF EXTREME COERCION.

ORGANIZATIONS LIKE NO TRAFFICKING ZONES ARE LEADING OUR COUNTY IN AN INTERVENTION OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

NRG STADIUM IS THE FIRST SPORTS STADIUM TO BE CERTIFIED AS A NO TRAFFICKING ZONE UNDER THE "GAME OVER" INITIATIVE.

THERE SPECIAL TRAINING AND CLOSE COORDINATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AS WELL AS TRAUMA TRAINED VICTIMS AND ADVOCATES AND EVERY TEXAN HOME GAME TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ITS TRACKS AND THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED COMMISSIONERS' COURT STRONGLY DENOUNCES HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ALL FORMS AND SUPPORTS ALL WHO ARE DEDICATED AND THEIR -- DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO FIGHT HUMAN TRAFFIC SCG MOVE ADOPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 276 WHICH IS ALLOCATES $7,160 AS A CONTRIBUTION TO BREAK THE CYCLE TO ASSIST NTZ, A GAME OVER ANTI-TRAFFICKING EFFORTS DURING THE NFL FOOTBALL SEASON THIS YEAR.

THEY HAVE A GAP ON WHAT THEY WERE GETTING FROM THE POLICE CHIEF AND THE SHERIFF FROM THEIR FUNDING.

I THINK IT WAS FROM THEIR ASSET FORFEITURE FUND AND ENCOURAGE ANYBODY ELSE WOULD WANTS TO PUT IN MONEY.

I BROADEN THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE THEY MAY BE COMING FROM YOUR PRECINCTS, MIGHT I ADD OR FROM MINE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL GLADLY SECOND THAT, COMMISSIONER AND I WILL LOOK INTO WHAT ELSE WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO.

I THINK THIS GREATLY COMPLEMENTS WHAT WE ARE DOING ON BISONETTE, ON THAT ONE-MILE TRACK AND THE NEW LAW WE HAVE NOW. IT IS A FELONY TO SOLICIT PROSTITUTION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

THE ONLY STATE THAT HAS DONE THAT.

I GOT A REPORT FROM THE D.A. LAST WEEK AND SHE PROSECUTED 22 PEOPLE ON THAT VERY THING. THE OTHER DEAL IS VICTIMS ARE GETTING HELPED ON BISONETTE THROUGH THE CHURCHES AND THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL TAKE ALL THE MONEY WE CAN GET.

I'M SURE THE BISHOP WILL PUT HIS HAND OUT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HE'LL PASS THE PLATTER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, IT IS REFRESHING THAT WE CAN FIND THINGS THAT WE ALL COME TOGETHER ON.

THIS IS ONE OF THEM. THIS TEAM WHO HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK AND WOULD ARE IN THIS ROOM, MOST OF THEM I HAVE KNOWN AND LOVED AND HAVE WORKED WITH FOR A LONGTIME JUDGE HELENS WHAT IS A PROFESSOR OF MINE AT REPUBLICAN CYST AND -- AT RICE. ANOTHER ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS

[03:25:06]

WHEN I BECAME A COMMISSIONER I WAS ASKED FOR HELP STOPPING T-RINGS. WHEN I WAS A CHILD MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD TAKE ME TO THE T RING AND PUT ME IN A SUIT AND A BOW TIE AND THE LADIES WOULD PINCH ME ON THE CHEEK. THERE WAS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. WHEN I WAS ASKED TO STOP THE T-RINGS I WAS IN. I HAD TO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE SERVING AND THESE TWO ROPINGS WAS WORSE -- THESE TWO ROOMS WAS WORSE THAN WHAT I WAS SERVED.

WE WERE ABLE TO PASS LEGISLATION IN THE COUNTY AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS TO SHUTDOWN THE ROTATING THING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR YOUR WORK ON THAT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M VERY PROUD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO AND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE UNIFIED IN OUR VIEW THAT THIS MUST STOP. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AS THEY COME UP, AND BISHOP, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING.

THEY WERE WAITING ALL MORNING SO I BROUGHT THIS UP.

IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION I'M HOPING MR. BERRY WILL SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THE ARPA MONEY.

IT WILL BE A ONE-TIME EXPENDITURE.

NRG STADIUM IS WHAT MOST OF IT GOES FOR.

IF IT HAPPENS TO BE FROM PRECINCT ONE, AND I AM BEING FACETIOUS. WHO KNOWS.

IT IS FROM WITHIN THE REGION. WE COULDN'T DO IT ON AN ON

GOING BASIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: $7,000?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: $7,060. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE AUTHORIZATION AND I THINK I CAN PUT THAT OUT -- PULL THAT OUT OF THE BUDGET AND I MAY MATCH YOUR $7,000 WITH SOMETHING FROM PRECINCT 4. SUBJECT TO APPROVAL FROM THE

BUDGET OFFICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT IS BROAD ENOUGH -- IF THE ITEM IS BROAD ENOUGH YOU -- YOU JUST

DOUBLED YOUR MONEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A MATCH AND I WILL HAVE TO AT LEAST MATCH WHAT MR. --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M IN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY PARKING -- MY PARKS DIRECTOR WILL BE UPSET WITH ME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST HEARD MY BUDGET DIRECTOR FALLING

OVER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS WORTH WAITING. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LOWERING THE COST OF HEALTH INSURANCE. EAT LESS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT WOULD THE MOTION BE SPH --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT BROAD ENOUGH OR DO WE HAVE TO COME BACK? IS THERE SOMETHING THAT IS BROAD ENOUGH SO WE CAN TAKE MONEY FROM EACH OF THE PRECINCTS ? IT IS A REQUEST FROM MY BUDGET, BUT IS IT BROAD ENOUGH TO REQUEST IT TO GET APPROVAL FROM EVERYBODY'S BUDGET? IS THAT OKAY?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER IT IS WRITTEN SPECIFICALLY ON A DOLLAR AMOUNT.

WHAT WE COULD DO IS AT A SUBSEQUENT MEETING WE CAN DO

THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL DO THAT. DO YOU SEE ANYTHING ELSE ON

THE AGENDA BROAD ENOUGH -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE CAN'T AMEND HIS ITEM IN A PARTICULAR WAY?

>> NO. ANY ANYTIME WE ARE ALLOCATING DOLLARS -- THE REASON WE ARE SPECIFIC IS WE WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH WE ARE SPENDING.

THAT'S THE ONLY REASON. I WILL LOOK AT OTHER ITEMS TO

SEE IF THERE IS -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> IF NOT IT WILL BE THE NEXT TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DID I HEAR THAT WAS ALSO THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY PUTTING IN? >> IF HE DOES IT ON SCREEN, I WILL BE HAPPY TO DEFER THAT TO HIM.

>> I DEFER TO JAY. ROUGH ROD KEEP WORKING --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: KEEP WORKING MY MOTION IS -- WELL, SPEAK ON THE RESOLUTION AND APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND THEN I WILL

MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU MOVE THE RESOLUTION I WILL SECOND THE RESOLUTION.

AND THEN WE WILL REFER TO COME BACK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I MOVE MY ITEM.

MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND PRECINCT ONE'S

ITEM WHICH IS 276. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE CAN MAKE THE MOTION AND HE CAN SECOND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY CAGLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT'S ITEM 8 AND 276 ON THE CONTRIBUTION TO BREAK THE CYCLE. WE'LL TAKE THE SPEAKERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHOULD WE STAND AND SAY AMEN?

[03:30:04]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MORE LIKE HALLELUJAH.

>> HELLO. I AM GOING TO TRY TO KEEP IT UNDER A MINUTE, BUT I AM RICH LOVE.

I AM A HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR LEADER AND PUBLIC FIGURE. WHAT YOU DON'T SEE IS A BAREFOOT 16-YEAR-OLD WALKING THROUGH A TRACK HOMELESS, AND EATING OUT OF TRASHCANS AND STICKING A NEEDLE IN MY ARM.

NOT ONCE DID ANYONE CORRELATE IT TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THE AWARENESS WAS NOT THERE IN THE EARLY 2000S.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE IF THE TATTOO PARLOR OR HAIR SALON TOOK ME TO KNEW THE INDICATOR.

MEDIA DOES A HUGE DISSERVICE AS SHOWING SEX TRAFFICKING AS WHIPS AND CHAINS. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT CLEAR SIGNS SOMETIMES. THIS US QUAS THE WORLD TO -- NOT TO RECOGNIZE THE KID WITH NO VISIBLE BRUISING STARING AT THE FLOOR. A LARGE INFLUX OF CROWD LIKE NRG CROWD HINDERS THE CHANCE OF RECOGNITION.

ANYONE WORKING WITH MASSIVE LOCATIONS IN NEED IN DEPTH TRAINING TO IDENTIFY THE SAINTS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THANK YOU FOR PASSING THIS ANNAN NUSSLY.

ANONYMOUSLY. >> THANK YOU.

>> HI, EVERYONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PASSING THIS RESOLUTION. I AM NOT GOING TO SPEAK LOUD.

ISM -- I AM JACQUELINE AND THE CO-FOUNDER OF NO TRAFFICKING ZONE. I MOVED TO TEXAS SEVEN YEARS AGO TO REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TEXAS AND COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING. I HAVE TO SAY AS MUCH AS TEXAS IS LEADING THE WAY IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING, IT IS ALSO LEADING THE WAY IN PREVENTING AND COMBATING TRAFFICKING.

YOU GUYS HAVE COME SUCH A LONG WAY IN JUST SEVEN YEARS OF ME BEING HERE FOR RECOGNIZING IT AND FIGHTING FOR IT.

I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> I PUT THIS ON -- YOU PROBABLY COULDN'T HEAR ME, BUT WE HAVE OUR OWN MASKS WITH NO TRAFFICKING ZONE. THAT'S HOW SERIOUS WE ARE ABOUT IT. I AM BONNIE HELMS AND I AM A RETIRED FAMILY COURT JUDGE. I WAS ON THE BEFN FOR 20 YEARS -- ON THE WAS ON THE BENCH FOR 20 YEARS.

I AM ALSO A THERAPIST TRAINED IN TRAUMA.

MY JOB RIGHT NOW IS MULTI TASKING.

I AM A RETIREMENT FAILURE. WE HAVE GOTTEN VERY INVOLVED, MY HUSBAND AND I WHO USED TO PLAY FOR THE OILERS, HAS GOTTEN INVOLVED BECAUSE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AND CONVENTION CORP, THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR US TO GET THE -- THE NO TRAFFICKING ZONE.

RYAN WALSH AND THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FABULOUS IN WORKING WITH US. WE -- ALSO IN THE CHAIR OF THE INDIVIDUALS REBOARD FOR CPS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.

I I WOULD APPRECIATE ALL PRAYERS.

WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON AND PART OF IT IS PEOPLE ESCAPING FROM CPS AND GETTING PICKED UP -- OH, MY TIME IS UP.

ANYWAY, THE CPS PROBLEM, WITH THE KIDS RUNNING AWAY AND THIS KIND OF STUFF IS HUGE ON OUR PLATE OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

THIS IS A START. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU ALL ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM LOOKING AT IT THROUGH THE LENS OF A THERAPIST, A JUDGE, A MOTHER AND AS A GRANDMOTHER THAT IT IS IMPORTANT WE FOLLOW WITH THIS AND I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT ALL OF YOU CAN COME TOGETHER ON SOMETHING. YES! THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM SERGEANT ANTONIO BRAZO AND.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA HOW IS IT GOING? FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND JUDGE HUH GAL GO FOR VOTING ON THIS ISSUE.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. WE ARE BROUGHT FORTH TO BE A PART OF THE NO TRAFFIC ZONE EARLY LAST YEAR.

IT IS SOMETHING NOBODY ELSE HAS DONE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TRAINING OUR EMPLOYEES. WE HELPED DEVELOP THE PROGRAM AND HOPE WE CAN GET VICTIM SEVEN-DAY FORECASTS.

HOPE WE CAN IN THE FUTURE GET MORE MONEY.

IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE MORE MONEY INVOLVED IN THIS TYPE OF AN OPERATION. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO

TALK. >> WAIT A WHILE, BUT THANKS.

>> I'M GLAD YOU CAME AND STAYED.

[03:35:02]

UNTIL I WALKED IN MY OFFICE YOU GOT ANTSY.

ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO I AM DENNIS MARK. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS RESOLUTION AND THANK YOU FOR VOTING ON IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW, BUT I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 16 YEARS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE HAVE CHEWED GROUND TOGETHER. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY, BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

FOR MOST OF US, WE ARE TIRED OF HEARING HOW BAD HOUSTON IS.

WE ARE INTENT IN SHOWING HOW GOOD HOUSTON IS.

IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO TAKE THE VISIBLE AND MAKE IT INVISIBLE. IT IS A WARNING FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL TRAFFIC PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN'T DO IT IN OUR COUNTY AND STATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS TO HELP US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> I AM SERGEANT WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT. AS WE MENTIONED BEFORE HARRIS COUNTY IS A HOTSPOT FOR THIS CRIME WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH NTZ AND NRG. WE THINK GOING TO THE VENUE WILL PUT THIS ON ANOTHER LEVEL AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR

SUPPORT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

BE CAREFUL. >>> I AM RYAN WELSH.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS CAUSE.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO REALLY BE THE VERY FIRST SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX IN THE COUNTRY TO BE NAMED AS A NO TRAFFIC ZONE. AS YOU ALL KNOW MORE THAN SIX MILLION VISITORS, THE HIGHEST ATTENDED, MOST ATTENDED COMPLEX IN THE COUNTRY. THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO GET THE INITIATIVE STARTED. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF OUR BOARD MEMBER DIXON, BISHOP DIXON. OUR BOARD MEMBER CAROL STIT, SHE IS THE BETTER PART OF THAT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING

WITH EVERYBODY ON THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? MOST PEOPLE HAVE NO IDEA, BUT I DO BECAUSE BISHOP NIXON -- BISHOP DIXON SHOWED US THAT IT IS -- CAN YOU OR THE BISHOP WALK THROUGH THIS INITIATIVE -- I I WILL LET THE GOOD BISHOP DO THACHT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MURAL PROJECT AS WELL. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS SO HARD TO GET MURALS UP. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING THEM UP ON THE ASTRODOME. BUT THE CONCEPT WOULD BE TO HAVE AN ATTRACTIVE LOOK AND PEOPLE WOULD GO UP TO READ IT AND THEY CAN READ THEIR NAMES.

I WANT THEM TO KNOW HOW IT WILL WORK.

>> HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU

WORKING ON FUNDING? >> WORKING ON IT, YES, SIR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. HOW IS THE BRIDE?

THE MAMA TO BE? >> SHE IS VERY BIG AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SO I KEEP SPACE BETWEEN US.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET HER KNOW WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HER AND

ALL THE BLESSINGS TO YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND ALSO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND IN EMBRACING THE NO TRAFFICKING ZONE.

I SAY THAT BECAUSE WHEN I LEAD THE EFFORT WITH JULIE WATERS WITH FREE THE CAPTIVES, THERE WAS INCREDIBLE UPROAR FROM THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP THAT I WOULD TAKE THE SAME POSITION ON THE OTC, THE OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE. LOOK WHERE WE GOT TO NOW.

SO I'M PROUD OF YOU PRESIDENT KEEP IT UP.

[03:40:02]

I'M PROUD TO BE A PART OF HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE NO PRASKING ZONE -- NO TRAFFICKING ZONE AT THE SPORT

COMPLEX. >> APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE AMONG FRIENDS. RORD RORD -- RECORD RECORD --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU ARE? >> I AM THE PASTOR AND I AM TRULY HONORED TO HAVE REPUBLICANS -- HONORED TO HAVE -- HONORED TO BE HERE. AS I LOOK AROUND THE ROOM THAT STATEMENT, I HAVE KNOWN EACH OF YOU IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS OR BETTER.

YOU HEARD FROM OUR TEAM. RYAN WALSH HAD TWO BABY GIRLS COME INTO THE WORLD. WE OWE IT TO THOSE BABIES TO CREATE NO TRAFFICKING ZONES EVERYWHERE IN OUR CITIES.

AND STATE AND COUNTY AND NATION.

THAT'S WHAT THE INITIATIVE IS ALL ABOUT.

I WILL TELL YOU WHAT THIS FUNDING IS ABOUT.

IT DOES A SMALL PART, BUT IT IS A BIG PART.

THE SHERIFF IS FUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THESE ARE ADVOCATES.

EVERY HOME GAME WILL HAVE A TRAINED APPLICANT AND TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. THIS FUNDS OUR ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT COSTS. IT IS A HUGE DEAL.

IT IS A SMALL START. SOME OF EVERYONE IS IN THAT CROWD. UNFORTUNATELY PEOPLE COME TO SPORTS VENUES LIKE THESE NOT FOR ENTERTAINMENT, BUT TO BE ENTERTAINED IN OTHER WAY THAT'S ARE ILLICIT.

TO HAVE THESE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS THERE SPOTTING AND WE ARE TRAINING ALL 5,000 PLUS STAFF AT THE PARK.

WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE TRAINING VIDEO SPONSORED BY CHASE. IT IS A UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE IDEA, JUDGE. WE BELIEVE THAT BY SETTING THIS EXAMPLE, HARRIS COUNTY WILL HAVE A MOTTO THAT IS REP PLIKABLE -- REPLICABLE AROUND THE NATION.

WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO BE A PART OF THAT.

IT IS NOT JUST LEADING THE STATE IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT.

THIS IS CUTTING EDGE. WE JUST PASSED A LAW OF NO TRAFFICKING ZONES. THE PUNISHMENT GOES UP AND IT IS GREAT TO HAVE NO TRAFFICKING ZONES IN THE NATION. FINALLY FOR THE OFFERING.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PASSING THIS AND FOR AGREEING TO MATCH EVE OTHER. I LOVE THE HEALTHY COMPETITION. I WOULD ALSO APPEAL TO JAY.

NON-PROFIT IS HARD WORK ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE THESE. WE NEED THE SUPPORT AND THE INFLUENCE TO HELP WITH OTHER RESOURCES.

WE NEED A STAFF. THIS PROBLEM IS TOO BIG FOR A FEW VOLUNTEERS. I AM DAKING -- I AM TAKING OFF FROM PASTORING TO HELP WITH THIS.

I BELIEVE IN IT. I WANT MY CHILDREN AND MY GRANDCHILDREN TO MAKE SURE THE CITY, THE COUNTY AND THE STATE THEY GROW UP IN IS A SAFE PLACE TO DO IT.

AND IF WE DO IT TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE -- THAT'S LEGACY. THAT'S THE LEG -- LEGACY.

WE HAVE BEEN ON THE BOARD TOGETHER BEFORE.

I SAID TO RYAN AT 90 YEARS OLD YOU ARE GONNA TELL YOUR GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN WE PUT UP NEW LIGHTS AND A SCOREBOARD AT NRG. THAT WON'T MATTER.

[03:45:02]

LEG -- LEGACY IS WE CREATED A NO TRAFFICKING ZONE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE TIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE BISHOP YOUR LEGACY IN FIGHTING FOR VOTING RIGHTS AND THE RESPECT OF OUR ELECTORAL PROCESS. I KNOW YOU BELIEVE THAT IS AN IMPORTANT LEGACY AND SOMETHING WORTH FIGHTING FOR.

>> WE BELIEVE IN EVERYTHING THAT LIFTS ALL PEOPLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I TOO JUST WANT TO SAY THAT BISHOP YOUR LIFE'S WORK AND YOUR WORK ON THIS BOARD IS A TEST MEANT TO THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE OUGHT TO PUT ON THESE BOARDS.

SOMETIMES IT IS JUST ANOTHER THING ON THE RESUME.

THE FIRST THING WAS HARRIS HEALTH.

I WAS SO ANGRY WITH THE WAY IT CAME OUT I WAS SO MAD.

I SAID YOU COME RIGHT HERE AND YOU TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT.

THE NEXT MEETING I HAD. THE GAME IS ON SUNDAY.

BISHOP, WHATEVER IT IS AND I LOOKED FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE I CAN'T CONTROL THEM. HE WILL COME DOWN HERE COMPLAINING ABOUT STUFF. HARRIS HEALTH WILL MAKE A CASE FOR 2.5 MILLION? THERE IS A LOT OF PRAYER AND ACTIVISM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> AND I DO WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO RYAN WALSH.

RYAN HAS CHAMPIONED THIS CAUSE.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE AND PEOPLE GET NERVOUS. THEY WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME. WE HAVE COME TOGETHER TO WORK THIS OUT WHERE WE WILL MAINTAIN THE ENTERTAINMENT ENVIRONMENT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE WILL DO SOMETHING TO

RESCUE LIVES. >> GIVE YOUR SON MY BEST.

>> HE IS ALMOST AS TALL AS I AM NOW.

>> THANK YOU TO ALL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I HAVE SEVERAL ITEMS HERE. WE HAVE THE GENERAL STILL HERE.

TO FOLLOW-UP ON YOUR EARLIER MOTION OR RESOLUTION, JUDGE, THIS ONE IS TO RECOGNIZE DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK.

WHEREAS DIGITAL EQUITY IS A CONDITION IN WHICH ALL RESIDENTS HAVE THE INFORMATION, AND THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE CAPACITY NEEDED FOR FULL PARTICIPATION IN OUR SOCIETY. DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMY.

DIGITAL EQUITY IS NEEDED FOR CIVIC AND SHUL TOUR RAIL -- CULTURAL PARTICIPATION AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES. AND WHEREAS DIGITAL INCLUSION REFERS TO ACTIVITIES THAT ENSURE ALL RESIDENTS INCLUDING THE MOST DISADVANTAGED HAVE ACCESS TO A PORTABLE AND RESILIENT BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICES AND ACCESS TO DIGITAL LITERACY TRAINING, QUALITY TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ONLINE CONTENT THAT ENABLES PARTICIPATION AND COLLABORATION.

AND WHEREAS DIGITAL LITERACY IS THE ABILITY TO USE DIVERSE TECHNOLOGIES APPROPRIATELY AND EFFECTIVELY TO RETRIEVE INFORMATION AND INTERPRET RESULTS AND THE QUALITY OF THAT INFORMATION AND UNDERSTANDS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY AND LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND PERSONAL PRIVACY AND STEWARD SHIP OF INFORMATION AND USES THESE SKILLS AND THE APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TO COMMUNICATE WITH FAMILY AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND COLLEAGUES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

AND USES THESE SKILLS TO ACTIVE -- ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO AN INFORM INFORMED COMMUNITY.

DIGITAL ADOPTION IS THE PROCESS THROUGH WHICH AN INDIVIDUAL ACQUIRES THE ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL OF DIGITAL RESOURCES AND ACCEPT AND UTILIZE SUCH RESOURCES TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

AND LEFNLG EACH TECHNOLOGY -- AND LEVERAGE EACH TECHNOLOGY TO THE FULLEST TO OP TAU -- OPTIMIZE THE PROCESSES.

WHEREAS THE COVID 19 PRODUCT HAS SHED LIGHT ON THE NEED FOR

[03:50:02]

HOME INTERNET SERVICE AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS AND ALL CINE OF COMMUNITIES WHO DO NOT HAVE IT, THERE ARE 250,000 507 HOUSEHOLDS IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH NO BROADBAND INTERNET SUBSCRIPTION.

WHEREAS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK IS SPONSORED BY THE DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE REPRESENTING MORE THAN 600 AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOGETHER TO REACH OUR COMMON GOAL. THAT ALL PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS AND USE THE INTERNET AND THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO USE IT AND WHEREAS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK 2021 AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF SOLUTIONS ADDRESSING HOME INTERNET ACCESS AND PERM DO -- PERSONAL DEVICES AND THE LOCAL TECHNOLOGY TRAINING AND THE SUPPORT PROGRAMS. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT PROCLAIMS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK OCTOBER 4TH THROUGH THE 8TH OF 2021. GENERAL, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC AND HELPING US CREATE HOTSPOTS AND WIRELESS MESH CAPABILITIES AND ALL WILL -- AND ALL THE WHILE HELPING FAMILIES TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALIKE. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK AND ALL OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND TO THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT OFFICE FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK WHETHER IT WAS PROJECT 10 MILLION AND ALL OF THE OTHER EFFORTS.

MY STAFF FOR CREATING THE HOTSPOT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.

WE HAVEN'T CLOSED IT YET, BUT WE ARE GETTING CLOSER.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I SECOND THE MOTION AND ADD THAT THIS RESOLUTION GOES TO SOMETHING TO WHERE I THINK WE HAVE BEEN ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF BEST PRACTICES. IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE PANDEMIC AND PEOPLE HAD TO DO THEIR SCHOOLING AT HOME AND THE SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED HOW DO YOU GET KIDS WITH ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND BY DOING WHAT WE THEN CALLED THE ROADS AND THE SKY PUTTING HOTSPOTS INTO OUR PARKS AND OTHER PLACES PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS COULD COME TO A PARK, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND KIDS WERE ABLE TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

AND OTHER FOLKS WHO HAVE NOT HAD THAT ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE, TO ME THIS IS SORT OF LIKE LIBRARIES.

IN THE ON -- ANCIENT WORLD THE LIBRARY WAS THE GREAT EQUALIZER AND EVERYBODY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE THE EDUCATION OF THE WORLD AND IN THE MODERN ERA IT OFTEN REQUIRES THE GOOD SIDE OF THE CYBER WORLD IN TERMS OF WHERE WE ARE. I COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO CREATE ROADWAYS TO THE SKY SO THAT EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE IN LEARNING AND GROWTH.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT CALLING THIS ONE UP EARLIER.

I DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WERE TWO.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 9 MONTHS AGO THE COURT GAVE A TASK TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO DO WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE JUST EXPLAINED CREATING THE INTERNET IN THE SKY, THE ROADWAY SNT -- THE ROADWAY IN THE SKY.

IT HAS RESULTED IN 91 COMMUNITY FACILITIES COMMENTED TO THE WI-FI MESH NET WORKS AND OVER SIX LTE SITES.

THERE IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH COMCAST TO CREATE LIFT STATIONS. AND I WANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT HAS DONE THIS WORK. JIM MCMILLIN WHO IS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTER AND LEE MO BEGAN -- LEE MORGAN AND JOHN STUKEY, OUR CEO AND I CAN PRESENT TO YOU OUR NEW MANAGER FOR BROADBAND WHO WE RECRUITED FROM TRAVIS COUNTY, MR. JOHN

SPEAR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

CONTINUE. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, NICE TO MEET AND YOU THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE UNIFYING THREAD BEHIND BEING A CONNECTED COMMUNITY. WE TALKED ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT

[03:55:02]

IT IS TO LEARN REMOTELY AND HAVE TELEHEALTH COMMUNITIES AND VIRTUAL IMMEDIATE -- MEDICINE AND THIS IS A WAY TO SIGNIFY THE WORK BEING DONE FROM THE DECEMBER 8TH, 2020 RESOLUTION THAT WAS ADOPTED BY THIS DIOS.

AND I THANK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IN FUNDING THAT AND CONTINUING THE SUPPORTED WORK.

IT IS A STAINABLE -- IT IS A SUSTAINABLE MODEL AND THANK

YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY NEXT RESOLUTION, YOUR HONOR, IS -- IN THE SPIRIT OF HIS SPANISH -- HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AND I AM HONORED TO RECOGNIZE THIS YOUNG LADY WHO HAS BEEN SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING AND LEADING WITH HER HEART AND SERVING THE UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES AND NONE OTHER THAN MAR GEE -- MARGIE PENA.

SHE IS IN PASADENA. SHE IS A LIFE-LONG HOUSTON -- HOUSTONIAN. IN HIGH SCHOOL MARGIE WAS A YOUTH WORKER AT RIPLEY HOUSE UNTIL GRADUATING AND SHE HAS BEEN WITH BAKER RIPLEY FOR 40 YEARS.

THEY FOUND HER IN A BASKET AT THE DOORSTEP.

SHE HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY DEVELOPER AT THE CLEVELAND CAMPUS IN PASADENA AND NOW USING HER EXPERTISE ON DEVELOPING THE NEW BUILDING THAT WILL FOCUS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY MAY OF 2022.

THIS RESOLUTION READS CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WE RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY LEADERS TO ARE THEIR REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS, MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BETTER PLACES TO LIVE. TODAY WE RECOGNIZE MARGIE PEA FOR HER PROFESSIONAL AND VOLUNTEER WORK SPANNING MORE THAN 30 YEARS. MARGIE IS A LIFETIME HUE DISOWN -- HUE STONE -- HOUSTONIAN, THE SECOND OF 9 CHILDREN AND A PROUD SECOND GENERATION THAT IS AMERICAN BORN AND RAISED IN HOUSTON'S EAST END.

WHEREAS THE DAUGHTER OF MIGRANT WORKERS, MOTHER OF -- MOTHER BORN IN DETROIT AND FATHER IN PASADENA, TEXAS SHE HELPED BREAK THE CYCLE OF BOSSER TEE -- POVERTY TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL CITIZEN. WHEREAS AS A YOUNG STUDENT MARGIE EXPERIENCED THE DISADVANTAGE OF NOT BEING ALLOWED TO SPEAK SPANISH IN SCHOOL.

SHE TOOK SPANISH CLASSES ALL FOUR YEARS IN HIGH SCHOOL AND ATTRIBUTES MUCH OF HER SUCCESS TO PROGRAMS OFFERED BY BAKER RIPLEY AND MAYBE CENTERS FROM AGE 3 SHE WAS ENROLLED IN EDUCATIONAL AND REC RATIONAL -- RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS. THIS IS TO SERVE OTHERS IN HER COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS AFTER ATTENDING THE YOU HAVE THE OF HOUSTON, MARGIE'S CAREER LEAD TO WORK IN THE CORPORATE SECTOR AND LATER TO EXECUTIVE ROLES WITH BAKER -- BAKER RIPLEY SHE HELPED CREATE THE RIPLEY PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP ARE HISD. THE FIRST OF ITS KIND AND LEAD THE REBUILD OF RIPLEY HOUSE IN 2000 ADDING THE FIRST COMMUNITY TEXAS CHILDREN PEDIATRIC CLINIC BEGINNING IN 2006 AS COMMUNITY DEVELOPER AT THE CLEVELAND CAMPUS IN PASADENA AND HER EXPERTISE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW BUILDING THAT WILL FOCUS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IF MAY OF 2022. AND WHEREAS MARGIE HAS SERVED FOR MANY YEARS ON PRESENT AND PAST BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT ADDRESS EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY FROM THE EAST END TO PASADENA AND ALL IF BETWEEN. AND WHEREAS MARRIED TO HER HUSBAND FOR 52 YEARS THIS OCTOBER THE PROUD MOTHER OF 5 CHILDREN AND 15 GRANDCHILDREN AND SIX-GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN MARGIE CREDITS HER EDUCATIONAL AND ENGAGEMENT SUCCESS TO THE HARD WORK INSTYLED BY HER PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES MS. MARGIE PE NA FOR HER SERVICE TO THE -- TO HARRIS COUNTY. MARGIE, ARE YOU ABLE TO JOIN

US. >> YES, I'M HERE.

[04:00:01]

THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND PRECINCT 2 FOR THIS RECOGNITION. I WANT TO SAY THAT HISPANIC HERITAGE HAS GIVEN US ALL AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE A CULTURE AND OUR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

I AM SO PROUD TO WORK FOR AN ORGANIZATION, BAKER RIPLEY THAT CONTINUES TO DO THIS. FOR 100 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN A WELCOMING AND STEADY AND EMBRACING EVERY NEIGHBOR TO HAVE A VOICE AND ALSO PARTICIPATE IN THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS. SO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE ABUELITOS, OUR GRANDPARENTS AND OUR PAIRNS -- PARENTS, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS RESOLUTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MARGIE, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PHENOMENAL WORK.

IT IMPRESSES ME OF YOUR 30 YEARS OF PURELY DEDICATED AND PASSIONED WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU AND WE NEED MORE OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

AND OUR NEXT RESOLUTION IS IN A SIMILAR FASHION.

HOWEVER, THIS ONE IS FOR RONALD CASTRO.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS RON CASTRO.

HE IS ANOTHER ONE OF OUR RECIPIENTS FOR HIS PHENOMENAL WORK IN THE COMMUNITY. AND WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE HIM FOR ALSO BEING RECOGNIZED DURING THIS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION. BORN IN NICARAGUA.

FOR 10 YEARS HE HAS BEEN THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR.

THE STUDENTS COMPLETE OVER 1,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS COLLECT SHIV -- COLLECTIVELY. THEY LOVE HELPING STUDENT IN THE COMMUNITY. WITH THAT THE RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS AN EDUCATOR FOR 14 YEARS, RONALD CASTRO TEACHES SOCIAL STUDIES AT THE SECONDARY SCHOOL.

HE WAS BORN IN NICARAGUA AND GLAD TO ONE DAY SERVE IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY. AS PART OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, WE RECOGNIZE COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER PLACES TO LIVE. AND WHEREAS TO KEEP HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN THE TEACHING SYSTEM HE HAS BEEN WITH THE AGENCY AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND LOBBYING AT STATE LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS AND OFFERING ETHNIC AND MEXICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES COURSES FOR TEXAS STUDENTS.

WHEREAS DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS RON FAULD HAS BEEN THE VOLUNTEER -- RONALD HAS BEEN THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR.

HE WORKED WITH MANY NONPROFITS.

IN 2020 THE STUDENTS WERE RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE FOR THEIR WORK WHICH INCLUDING -- WHICH INCLUDED FEEDING OVER 300 PEOPLE ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH AND HELPED WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CELEBRATIONS. AND WHEREAS RONALD IS KNOWN TO FILL NEARLY EVERY SATURDAY WITH A SPECIAL PROJECT AND TOGETHER THEY HAVE HELPED WITH EVERY MAJOR DISASTER TO HIT OUR REGION. THERE ARE 1,000 HOURS COLLECTIVELY. HE SAYS HELPING OTHERS IS WHO I AM AND I LOVE IMPACTING THAT TO MY STUDENTS.

WHEREAS A NAVY VETERAN AND CURRENT VFW MEMBER HE SERVES AT POST 8790 A PATRIOTIC INSTRUCTOR HE IS THE SENIOR ADVISER FOR THE AUXILIARY AND IS ALSO THE HOUSTON MILLENNIALS OUT REACH CHAIR. HE TELLS US MY ATTORNEY -- MY JOURNEY IS NOT OVER AND I AM PROUD TO PAVE A PATH FOR MY STUDENTS AND FAMILY. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES MR. RONALD CASTRO AND NOT FAILED TO MENTION TO OUR NATION.

[04:05:02]

CONGRATULATIONS. I HOPE WE HAVE YOU ON THE

LINE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I PROUDLY SECOND THAT AND IF YOU ARE ON THE LINE YOU PROBABLY CAN'T SEE IT, BUT I AM HOLDING UP MY 8790 AUXILIARY CARD.

THANKS FOR THE SHOUTOUT FOR THE POST.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AMEN. RONALD, ARE YOU ON?

>> YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

ANY WORDS? >> YOU WANT TO FIRST THANK MY WIFE, ASHLEY CASTRO. SHE HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF ALL MY EFFORTS. SHE IS THE ONE THAT GIVES UP TIME. I ENJOY EVERYTHING I DO WITH MY STUDENTS. WE ARE IN THIRD PERIOD AND THEY ARE WATCHING THIS SPEECH.

I WORK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN AND THEY GLADLY LET ME DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO ENCOURAGE OUR CULTURE.

YES PREP IS KNOWN FOR CELEBRATING CULTURES IN ALL OF THE MONTHS. WE JUST SPENT THE LAST MONTH PAINTING FIVE BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS.

MY STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN ON THESE PROJECTS BECAUSE THEY LOVE OUR CULTURE AND GIVING BACK.

ONCE A MONTH WE SELL BLANKETS.

WE DID THAT THIS WEEKEND. WE PLAN FORWARD AS WE MOVE INTO PUTTING UP 20,000 CANDLES AT THE MONEY YMENT FOR VETERANS -- MONUMENT FOR VETERANS DAY AND WE PLAN FORWARD AS WE FEED 300 HOMELESS VETERANS.

THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

THE KIDS DO EVERY BIT OF THIS.

I DON'T GET THESE RECOGNITIONS.

>> I'M SORRY, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU'RE WELCOME, RON AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR STUDENTS. AND I TELL YOU WHAT, TO THE STUDENTS WOULD ARE WATCHING RON NATIONAL, -- WATCHING RONALD, I WANT TO SAY YOU ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS YOU IN HIS HEART AND IN HIS MIND.

I SAY LOOK UP TO HIM AND CONTINUE TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE.

LESS -- LISTEN TO HIS WORDS OF WISDOM AND THE WALK OF LIFE THAT HE BRINGS TO HIS WORK AND LEARN FROM HIM.

NOT JUST THE CURRICULUM, BUT LEARN FROM HIM ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND ABOUT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICE TO THE MILITARY. LEARN FROM HIM.

YOU ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A TEACHER THAT IS SUCH A PASSIONATE INDIVIDUAL. I KNOW AS STUDENTS YOU WONDER HOW SOME TEACHERS GOT TO BE TEACHERS BECAUSE THEY PUT YOU TO SLEEP. I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH MR. CASTRO. TO THE STUDENTS AND TO YOU,

MR. CASTRO, CONGRATULATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE JUST A COUPLE MORE RESOLUTIONS AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE YOU WANTED TO COVER ONE RESOLUTION UNDER MY AGENDA IF YOU HAVE

IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR. MY RESOLUTION IS ITEM NUMBER 12. IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH HISPANIC CULTURAL MONTH. THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT I WISH FOR US TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR WHO IS THAT INDIVIDUAL THAT IN EVERY ORGANIZATION NEEDS THE QUIET BACKLOG.

IT IS THE ONE THAT GETS EVERYTHING DONE.

NOT NECESSARILY THE GUY UP FRONT.

WHEN YOU NEED A GUY UP FRONT, THAT WILL BE HIM TOO.

I WILL GO STRAIGHT INTO THE RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS JUDGE JOE VILLARREAL WITH THE MUNICIPAL COURTS DEPARTMENT WHERE HE SERVED HIS APPOINTMENT IN 2009.

WHERE HE IS A RICE ALUM -- ALUMNI IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, FRENCH AND SPANISH AND A MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS AND A LAW DEGREE AT THE HOUSTON LAW CENTER.

HE IS HITTING ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS LOCALLY.

WHEREAS HE DISPLAYS HONORABLE AND HUMBLE CHARACTER IN HIS WORK AND HIS CARE FOR HIS COMMUNITY WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE YEARS OF DEDICATION AS A BOARD MEMBER FOR US ON THE HARRIS HOUSING AUTHORITY AND IS A CENTRAL FIGURE IN THE PREMIERE LEGAL ORGANIZATION AND THE AMERICA CAN-AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON WHICH HONORS JUDGE VILLAREAL WITH THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD A FEW YEARS AGO.

BEFORE I FINISH THIS, I ALSO NEED TO ADD THAT WE DID TO THE SAY, BUT HE IS INVOLVED IN MANY OF THE NON-PROFITS INCLUDING AN ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS NIGHT COURT WHICH PUTS ON BROADWAY-TYPE SHOWS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCAL CHARITIES. JOE HAS BEEN AN ACTOR AND A SINGER AND A SUPPORTER IN THAT ORGANIZATION SINCE ABOUT 2001. JOE, CORRECT ME HERE IN A

[04:10:04]

MINUTE. HE IS NOT ONLY THE PERSON WOULD STAND UP IN THE FRONT OF THE LINE, BUT HE GETS OUT THERE TO EARN FUND FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT IN CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH HONORS CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR COMMUNITY AND SPECIFICALLY HARRIS COUNTY'S HISPANIC COMMUNITY OF

JUDGE JOE VILLARREAL. >> THANK YOU.

[INAUDIBLE]. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOU GET A MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU A FRIEND AND A RICE ALUM.

THANKS TO ADRIAN GARCIA AND RODNEY HARRIS AND TOM RAMSEY AND JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. SERVING OUR COMMUNITY IS A LIFE-LONG ENDEAVOR FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

YOU ARE THAT PERSON. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THAT HONOR AND BE WELL AND STAY SAFE AND CONTINUE TO --

CONTINUED SUCCESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I THOUGHT YOU HAD AN ADDITIONAL RESOLUTION TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER, BUT I NOW REALIZE IT WAS UNDER MY AGENDA.

I WILL TAKE IT NOW. I MISSED IT -- I MISS EUND? THIS IS THE -- MISUNDERSTOOD. THIS IS THE RESOLUTION TO

COMMEND AND CONGRATULATE -- >> I JUST ASKED IF YOU WANTED IT TO BE TAKEN OUT OF OVER. I AM FINE WITH TAKING IT AT

THE END IF YOU WISH. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL JUST READ IT SINCE I PULLED IT UP. IT IS VERY QUICK.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. BYRON KEITH FISHER WILL RETIRE AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO PRE-TRIAL SERVICES HE JOINED ON AUGUST 26TH, 1991 AND PROMOTED TO A PRE-TRIAL POSITION IN 1994 TO SUPER -- TO A SUPER POSITION.

AND THERE FISHER'S EXPERIENCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRE-TRIAL SERVICES IN DIVISION WILL BE MISSED BY HIS MANY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. MR. FISHER CAN SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS WIFE OF 23 YEARS. SLEEP BETTER, EXERCISE AND TRAVEL MORE AND HAVE A LITTLE TIME TO CATCH UP ON A LIST OF TASKS FROM HIS WIFE AND HE CAN STOP RECORDING THE END OF LATE-NIGHT COLLEGE AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL GAMES.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CONGRATULATES BYRON K FISHER FOR 30 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICES TO HARRIS COUNTY.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. FISHER AND THE DEPARTMENT.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IF FOR THE RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE BISHOP DIXON WAITING OUTSIDE WAITING TO TAKE A PICTURE.

WE'LL BREAK FOR LUNCH. AND WE WILL TAKE A PICTURE AS WE HEAD OUT. IT IS 2:18 AND WE WILL BREAK UNTIL 3:00. THANK YOU.

[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 5) ]

LEAN TIFFANY, DO YOU HAVE SPEAK --

>> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY DO YOU HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE

LINE? >> YES, MA'AM.

SPEAKER 23, KATHERINE BYERS OF THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE, MA'AM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OFFICER AT THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ON GOING COMMITMENT TO THE LABOR AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK.

IT HAS MADE 47 MILLION MEALS POSSIBLE AND EMPLOY MNT -- EMPLOYMENT OF HUNDRED OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS.

A SOURCE OF PRIDE IS THE COMMUNITIES OF FAITH IF EACH OF YOUR PRECINCTS THAT ARE PARTNERS -- PARTNERING WITH FOOD INSECURITY. LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT IN ADDITION TO THE LABOR AGREEMENT EXTENSION IN FRONT OF YOU, WE CONTINUE TO SEEK VARIOUS FORMS OF PUBLIC FUNDING TO SUPPLEMENT PRIVATE DONATIONS AND GRANTS AND WE WORK ON SYSTEMIC CHANGE AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

I WILL SAY AN ADDITIONAL FORM OF SUPPORT THAT ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CAN PROVIDE IS PUTTING A CALL OUT FOR VOLUNTEERS WHICH IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT NEED FOR US AND OUR PARTNERS TO MEET THE ELEVATED COMMUNITY NEEDS.

I WILL BE SURE TO SEND DE FAILS TO THE -- DETAILS TO THE STAFF TO GET THE WORD OUT. I HOPE TODAY YOU WILL SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT TO THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK AND OUR PARTNERS IN THE PRECINCT. THANK YOU.

AND I WILL I WILL BE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 25, GLADYS HOUSE-ELLE.

>> I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC RELEASE PROGRAM OF I NOTICE WHEN WHEN I HAD AN ISSUE UP LOADING THE APPLICATION AND UP LOADING THE DOCUMENTS I BEGAN TO SUBMIT THE -- I BEGAN TO CONNECTICUT TACT THE -- BEGAN TO COMMENT

[04:15:08]

ON THE CONTRACTS. I TALKED TO IMPACT HUB HOUSTON AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND FINALLY SOMEONE CALLED AND SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

SHE SAID SHE WOULD HAVE SOMEONE ELSE CALL ME AND THEY NEVER DID. HOPEFULLY TODAY I WILL BE ABLE

TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> I'M SORRY? >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> OH, OKAY. I THOUGHT I HAD THREE

MINUTES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS. I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY CALL YOU AND I HOPE THAT WILL HELP. SOMEBODY WILL CALL YOU FROM

BUDGET MANAGEMENT OFFICE. >> CALL YOU TODAY.

>> THANK YOU X RODNEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> EXCUSE ME, JUDGE, THIS IS JAY.

I APOLOGIZE. I MAY NOT HAVE HEARD IT OR JAMES MAY NOT HAVE -- I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE

REOPENED THE MEETING AT 3:11? >> LINA HIDALGO: AT 3:10.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS TRYING TO GET THEM TO OPEN IT EARLIER. I TELL THEM AT MY AGE I DON'T WANT TO GET SICK. I HAVE TO ADJUST MY FOOD.

I CAN'T JUST SHOVE IT DOWN LIKE I USED TO.

Y'ALL GO ON AND GET STARTED. I WILL BE LISTENING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WERE HERE.

>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 29 MARLON JONES.

HE IS SPEAKING IN PERSON ON COUNTY ENGINE ITEM 68.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS MARLON JONES AND I AM THE ENGINEERING DIRECTOR AND HERE TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE FOR HEARING AND UNDERSTANDING THE NEED TO ADVISE THE FORMER EXCLUSIVE LANGUAGE AND DEFINITION OF A GEO TECHNICAL LEN -- TECHNICAL ENGINEER.

IT PRECLUDED BUSINESSES LIKE MINE TO WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE BEEN PRACTICING FOR 20 YEARS AND EARLIER THIS YEAR MY COMPANY LOST PROJECTS IN -- AND THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH SOME ESTABLISHED CLIENTS BECAUSE THEY EXPANDED TO OTHER COUNTIES.

I SPOKE WITH ALI A MAX AND SHE SPOKE TO THE NEED OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND TODAY IS THE CULMINATION OF THE PROCESS THAT SHE TAUGHT ME -- SHE TOLD ME WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND I JUST THANK YOU

FOR ALLOWING -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> A REVISION OF THE LANGUAGE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> TOM RAMSEY: UH -- APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT FOR 30 YEARS AND THANK YOU FOR FINALLY GETTING SOMETHING

DONE. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 42.

SPEAKING ON 138 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM TESTIFYING IN SUPPORT OF THE POLLING PLACE AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. MANY VOTERS HAVE NEVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME AND UNDER TEXAS LAW PEOPLE WHO ARE IN JAIL WHILE AWAITING TRIAL AND SERVING TIME FOR MISDEMEANORS RETAIN THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE DESPITE THEIR INCARCERATION.

IT WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO THESE ELIGIBLE VOTERS AND MANY OF WHOM WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.

THIS EXPANDED ACCESS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE VEIL -- JAILED VOTERS DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE OR CAST A BALLOT WHILE INCARCERATED AND IT WILL PROVIDE EMPLOYEES AT THE JAIL TO CONVENIENTLY VOTE ON SITE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THE WORK PLACE. IF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS TO APPROVE THE POLLING PLACE IT WILL ESTABLISH ITSELF AS A LEADER ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE AND -- REQUIRES VOTERS TO

REQUEST A MAIL BALLOT -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ANY ELIGIBLE VOTER -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> HE HAS BEEN MUTED, JUDGE. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS 43, DEMARIS GONZALEZ WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. PLEASE GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. MY NAME IS DEMARIS GONZALEZ.

TODAY I AM HERE TO ASK JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS [INAUDIBLE] TO MAKE SURE BLACK AND LAW TINE -- LATINO CAN EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE. LAST YEAR IN NOVEMBER AS WE WORKED IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE BLACK AND LATINO PEOPLE

[04:20:02]

TO VOTE, YEAR IS THE PEOPLE SPOKE AND WE ELECTED A NEW PRESIDENT.

THERE HAS BEEN A CON CONSTANT ATTACK FROM GOVERNOR ABBOTT.

[INAUDIBLE] INCREASING THE NUMBER OF POLLS [INAUDIBLE] AND WE CANNOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT REGARDLESS OF COLOR, RACE OR

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

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 44, TANYA PADILLA.

GO YOU A -- GO AHEAD. >> HI, JUDGE HUH GAL GO.

I AM WITH POSITIVE WOMEN'S NETWORK AND I HAVE A CONCERN AROUND POLLING LOCATIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY, ESPECIALLY IN THE ZIP CODE 77073. IF WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ACCEPTABLE POLLING LOCATIONS, OUR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY OUT HERE ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF TOWN WILL HAVE ISSUES ON VOTING. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE HAVE THE LOCATION WE NEED IN ORDER TO VOTE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS NUMBER 49 FROM THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THE POLLING LOCATIONS POTENTIALLY BEING REDUCED. I THINK A COUPLE OF OUR SPEAKERS TOUCHED ON IT TODAY. LAST YEAR WE HAD A HISTORIC ELECTION. THERE WERE A LOT OF INNOVATIVE THINGS WE DID. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THAT HISTORIC TURNOUT WAS MAKING SURE WE HAD ADEQUATE POLLING LOCATIONS. IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS FROM A STANDPOINT OF COST-EFFICIENT SEE AND EVERY VOTER WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF THAT. AS WE LOOK AT THE ATTACK ON VOTING FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO THE STATE LEVEL AS IT RELATES TO THE TOPIC I WOULD NOT WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO MIRROR THAT BEHAVIOR AND BASICALLY SUPPRESS THE VOTE BY REMOVING POLLING LOCATIONS. WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF

DIFFERENT MEASURES -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO REACH SPEAKERS. I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE HAVE

[Departments (Part 5 of 7)]

SOME OF THEM ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WE HAVE TWO OTHER PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE AGENDA.

FIRST IS ITEM 242 ON PAGE 29. I OPEN PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR ON THE PLAT TITLED -- PLAT TITLED 232.009C-1.

PRECINCT 2. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THIS ITEM. FOR AGAINST THIS ITEM.

ARE THERE SPEAKERS? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY DISCUSSION? I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

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

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND NEXT IS ITEM 243 ON PAGE 29. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE REVISION TO THE SUBDIVISION ENTITLED SAINT CHARLES PLACE PARTIAL REPLAT NUMBER 11 UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232.009C-1 PRECINCT 2.

IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THE ITEM?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION, I WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THE

[Appearances before court (Part 5 of 5) ]

LINE, TIFFANY? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> NUMBER 41, JUAN CARDOZA OCANDO SPEAKING ON ITEM 38 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EXCISIONERS -- COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY. MY NAME IS JUAN CARDOZA OCANPO

[04:25:02]

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY OF HOUSTON OF ACTION.

I AM SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM 138 WHICH IS THE APPROVAL THAT IS BEFORE YOU ON THE UPDATED EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS. ON BEHALF OF HOUSTON IN ACTION, I REQUEST THAT YOU NOT DECREASE THE NUMBER OF POLLING SITES. HOUSTON IN ACTION AS I MENTIONED IS A COLLABORATIVE PROMOTING ACCESS TO AND BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS ON. ON THIS NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY WE NODE TO SHOW YOU THAT RES WREST -- RESIDENTS SHAPING THEIR OWN FUTURE IS ACCESS TO VOWING.

IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR COUNTRY'S DEMOCRACY.

MANY AMERICANS, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE OF COLOR AND DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS --

>> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHOEVER IS CALLING TIME, THE VOLUME DOESN'T SOUND TOO HIGH.

CAN THEY HEAR YOU LOUDER THAN WE CAN HEAR YOU? ANYWAY, JUST THINK -- SHE COMES IN LESS VOLUME THAN EVERYBODY ELSE SO I WONDER IF THE SPEAKERS ARE JUST NOT

HEARING IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MAKE SURE WHEN YOU CALL THEM THAT THEY HAVE ONE MINUTE AND THE NEW RULES. THEY CAN SUBMIT TESTIMONY.

A WRITTEN STATEMENT OBVIOUSLY.

THANK YOU TO THE SPEAKER. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 48 MICHELLE GHANS SPEAKING ON 138 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> MY NAME IS MICHELLE GHANS AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF PURE JUSTICE WHICH IS A MEMBER OF HOUSTON IN ACTION.

PURE JUSTICE IS A LOCAL ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO EMPOWER AND INSPIRE PEOPLE TO BE THE CHANGE WE NEED IN RESTORING TO JUSTICE ECONOMIC EQUITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. WE DO SO MANY THINGS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS VACCINE EVENTS AND VOTER REGISTRATION. I AM HERE TO REQUEST YOU REFRAIN FROM DECREASING THE NUMBER OF PROPOSED POLLING SITES. THROUGH OUR VOTER RECOMMENDING STATION EVENT AND PURE JUSTICE STANCE WITH THE PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO VOTE AND HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

AND NOW MORE THAN EVER WE MUST HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD.

THE FATE OF OUR DO POCK RAW SEE RESTS ON THE PARTICIPATION OF VOTERS. IF WE DO NOT PARTICIPATE, OUR DO POCK RAW SEE DIES. VOTING MATTERS AND NOT VOTING HAS CONSEQUENCES. HOW CAN WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY WHEN WE IMPEDE THEY WILL BY CLOSING THE POLLING LOCATIONS.

WITH MY EXPERIENCE OF LONG WORK HOURS AND LIMITED TRANSPORTATION I CAN ATTEST TO THIS --

>> OKAY. POLLING LOCATIONS NEARBY.

THANK Y'ALL. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 50. DURELLE DOUGLAS SPEAKING ON ITEM 138 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

MY NAME IS DURELL DOUGLAS AND I AM THE FOUNDER OF HOUSTON JUSTICE COALITION. HOUSTON JUSTICE BELIEVES IN EXPANDING ACCESS TO THE BALLOT. WE APPLAUD JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS ON EXCISIONER'S COURT THAT ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND THE BALLOT THOSE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE SHOULD HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

WE SHOULDN'T DECREASE OPPORTUNITY.

WE SHOULD INCREASE IT. INCREASE PARTICIPATION HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONERS ON COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. LET'S GET THIS DONE.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 53, STEPHANIE GOMEZ OF COMMON CAUSE AND ALSO SPEAKING ON ITEM 138. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> I AM HONORED TO BE SPEAKING AND PART OF THE GROUPS OF ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING FOR MORE EQUITABLE TEXAS.

WE CAN ASSURE THAT ELECTIONS IS SECURE AND ACCESSIBLE.

IT HAS BEEN INSPIRING TO SEE THE STEPS TAKEN TO IMPROVE ACCESS. THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEAD TEXAS BY PROVIDING A JAIL-BASED POLLING LOCATION.

THEY REALIZE THAT THIS CAN BE A TOUGH POSITION WITH DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION AND A STATE GOVERNMENT THAT IS DOING THE EXACT OPPOSITE. [INAUDIBLE] INCREASING THE CIVIC AND DEEM -- DEMOCRATIC. PARTNERING WITH Y'ALL IN THE FIGHT TO BRING MORE TEXAS TO DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE POLLING PLACE IN HARRIS

[04:30:02]

COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 52. TEXAS CIVIL RIGHT PROJECT AND SPEAKING ON 138 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR GO

AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU FORGIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ITEM 138 AND I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THREE POINTS. FIRST HAVING ADEQUATE ACCESS IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF AN ELECTION.

AND IT IS DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH NATIONAL STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUFFICIENT COVERAGE.

HAVING A LOCATION AT JAIL IS CRITICAL FOR PEOPLE THERE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE. THIRD, WE KNOW HAVING A LOCATION IN THE COUNTY JAIL BENEFITS NOT ONLY THOSE IN THE JAIL, BUT ALSO THOSE WHO WORK THERE.

WE KNOW THEY WORK -- THEY CAN WORK 12-HOUR SHIFTS AND IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET TO ANY OTHER POLLING LOCATION ON ELECTION DAY. WE ALSO KNOW HARRIS COUNTY HAS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO BE A LEADER ON THE FRONT AND WE HOPE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 54, ALLEN DE LEON AND SPEAKING ON 138 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

GO UH HE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM ALLEN DE LEON AND SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE'S PROPOSED ELECTION PLAN INCLUDING THE PROPOSED SITE AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. IT IS OUR BELIEF PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO VOTE IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PENAL PUNISHMENT.

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES WEIGHED ON THIS ISSUE AND DECIDED THAT PRE-TRIAL DETAINEES AND PEOPLE INCOURSE RATED FOR MISDEMEANOR CHARGES HAVE A RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ELECTION. IT IS UP TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO MAKE THE POLICY DECISION IN CREATING THE ACT AND STRUCTURE. THAT'S WHY THIS PLAN IS SO IMPORTANT. THERE IS NO GREATER WAY THAN TO REFRANCHISE THE JAIL POPULATION AND BRINGING VOTING MACHINES TO THE FACILITIES. THE ELECTION PROCESS HERE IS STATE-OF-THE-ART. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTION PLAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THIS IS ALL NON-AGENDA RELATED. OUR NEXT SPEAKER SIGNED UP TO

SPEAK IN PERSON. >> I CAN MAKE IT.

I AM WALTER PROTHROW. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR TREATMENT TO THE DAMAGE DONE AT MY LEFT ARM. THEY TOOK 21 OFFICE VISITS AND 9 YEARS FOR THIS TO BE ADDRESSED.

THIS CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS A PHYSICAL ASSAULT WITH FOUR INSTANCES SO FAR IT IS PROPER TO USE.

I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ASSAULT IS MINOR AND FROM WHAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. AS AS I HAVE BEEN GIVEN VIDEO AND AUDIO EVIDENCE TO HARRIS HEALTH, THEY DISMISSED THIS.

THIS INCLUDES A PHYSICIAN IN CHARGE THAT TOLL ME -- TOLL ME FOUR DAYS AFTER THE INCORRECT PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED ON ME HE CHANGED THE DIAGNOSIS. TO POINT OUT THAT NEITHER HE NOR HIS STAFF EXAMINED HE AND DISCUSSED THE CHANGE AND PROVIDED ME WITH ANY OPTIONS OR FOLLOWED SAFETY PROTOCOLS SET BY THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND RESULT -- RESULTS IN NO

SUPERVISION. >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER FOUR ON THE NONAGENDA. WAYNE STEIN.

GO AHEAD. >> LENA, I'M A BIG FAN.

I REAL -- I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR RECENT INTERVIEW.

FRUSTRATED YOU DIDN'T WEAR THE MASK ON CAMERA.

YOU ARE WEARING IT INDOORS WITH A MASK MANDATE.

SO I DON'T UNDER -- I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.

THE ALSO DEN MILLION CAMPUS OUT REACH.

THE PROBLEM IS RAISING IS A BIG THREAT IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IT SHOWS BAYOU YOU -- BY YOU BEING ELECTED AND GRADUATING FROM STANFORD. AND WE REALLY NEED TO

[04:35:04]

VACCINATE OUR BABIES BECAUSE I KEEP ON LOSING HOUSEKEEPERS BECAUSE EVERY TIME THEY GO TO THE DAYCARE THE BABIES DON'T HAVE VACCINES. YOU CAN'T GIVE A SIX-MONTH-OLD A VACCINE, BUT YOU CAN GIVE THEM PUBERTY BLOCKERS WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. NOW WHEN MY HOUSEKEEPER GOES TO THE DAYCARE THEY CATCH COVID.

I HAD SIX HOUSEKEEPERS DIE. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER THREE, NONAGENDA, DARLENE KING.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE, MA'AM. >> GIVING PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY TO THE MOST HIGH. [INAUDIBLE] AND IT WAS

REQUESTED -- >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, YOUR SIGNAL -- YOUR CONNECTION IS WEAK.

WE CAN'T QUITE CATCH WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

I WONDER IF THE STAFF COULD PERHAPS HELP CHECK HER

CONNECTION. >> IS THAT BETTER?

AM I COMING THROUGH BETTER NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

YES. >> OKAY.

GIVING HONOR AND GLORY TO THE MOST HIGH.

[INAUDIBLE] I CEMENT -- I SENT IN THE PROOF AND THE EVIDENCE THAT WAS REQUESTED. THERE IS A MOTION [INAUDIBLE] LN

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IN PERSON. IS SHE NOT THERE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, MA'AM. >> OKAY.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 8, JUDGE TORIA FIFN OF THE HARRIS

COUNTY COURT OF LAW. >> THANK YOU.

GREETINGS JUDGE HUH -- HALL DO GO AND EXCISIONERS.

AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS THE PRODUCT OF A CONSENT DECREES. AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED COST SAVINGS DUE TO PRE-TRIAL DETENTION.

THE JAIL POPULATION WAS 9,237 INMATES.

AND 368 INMATES ACCOUNT FOR THE MISDEMEANOR COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS AND THAT IS 3.98% OF THE TOTAL JAIL POPULATION. MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF SELF-COUNTY AND JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS AND ESPECIALLY THE MISDEMEANOR COURT JUDGES. TAKING UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES WE MANAGED TO GET THE JOB DONE.

WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU AS WE LEARN FROM AND IMPROVE UPON THE MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU AND HAVE A

GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU FOR THE CLEARANCE RATE. THAT HELPS WITH GETTING THE BACKLOG DOWN. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP. THERE IS SO MUCH MISSION INFORMATION OUT THERE. IT IS IMPORTANT.

I KNOW JUDGES ARE BOUND BY THEIR ETHICS AND THEY CANNOT SPEAK OF SPECIFIC CASES IN THE COURT.

THEY CAN TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES SO WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING TO A SMALL MEETING THE OTHER DAY.

WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTITUDE.

YOU ARE DOING GREAT THINGS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY BAIL BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE NOD HAD ANY FELONY BAIL REFORM. THANK YOU.

>> CORRECT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. WE ARE HERE TO SERVE AND ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE HARRIS COUNTY IS SAFE AND WE ARE DOING RIGHT BY OUR CONSTITUENTS.

HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

JUDGE FINCH. >> SPEAKER 6 ON NONAGENDA.

JUDGE TONYA JONES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM TONYA JONES. I SERVE AS A LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE FOR THE COUNTY COURT AND THAT INCLUDES

[04:40:04]

ALL 16 OF THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS AS WELL AS THE FOUR COUNTY CIVIL COURTS. ONE OF MY MOST IMPORTANT DUTIES IS TO ADDRESS CASE MANAGEMENT AND BACKLOG AND ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT WAYS TO DO THAT IS TO MAC SURE CAYSES ARE EXPOSED TO JURY TRIAL. WE ARE APPROVED TO ADD TWO VISITING JUDGES AND WE HOPE TO CREATE AN IMPACT THAT CAN MITT -- MITIGATE THE BACKLOG AS WELL AS INCREASING CAPACITY FOR MORE JURY TRIALS. WE WILL HAVE THE RESOURCES TO STAFF THE COURTS AND A LOCATION TO HOUSE THEM.

THEY ARE COMMITTED TO COMMITTING TO DO OUR PART TO ENSURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY TO LEAD OUR STATE IN SAFE AND EFFICIENT JURY TRIALS IN THIS TIME TO ADDRESS AND MITIGATE THE BACKLOG. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY

TO SPEAK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JUDGE JONES, AM I READING THIS CORRECTLY? THIS IS TOM RAMSEY. DO YOU HAVE 146% CLEARANCE

RATE? >> YES, SIR.

THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE READING. THAT IS CORRECT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WELL DONE. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. MAYBE YOU CAN HOLD A WORKSHOP FOR SOME OTHER FOLKS AND GET THESE CLEARANCE RATES GOING.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP. WITH ALL THAT MISINFORMATION OUT THERE AND I KNOW YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT SPECIFIC CASES YOU CAN EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND GET THE FACTS RIGHT.

I APPRECIATE YOU STEPPING UP. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

THAT IS OUR INTENTION. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ARE DOING THAT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> SPEAKER 7, BONN -- BONNIE BARNES SIGNED UP TO SPEAK IN

PERSON. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHE IS NOT

HERE, TIFFANY. >> OKAY.

SPEAKER NUMBER 9, JUDGE CEDRIC WALKER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS M. I AM JUDGE CEDRIC WALLER -- WALKER. THE COURT IS WORKING TO REDUCE THE MISDEMEANOR CASE BACKLOG! IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS ALL MISDEMEANOR COURTS HAD A CLEARANCE EXCEEDING 16%.

THE NUMBERS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, MANY CHALLENGES REMAIN. A MAJOR ISSUE IS A DELAY IN THE PRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE. SPES OF COURSELY BODY WORN CAMERA FOOTAGE AND LABORATORY ANALYSIS REPORTS.

IN MOST CASES A FINAL DISPOSITION WHETHER IT IS A PLEA BARGAIN AND IT IS ON HOLD UNTIL ALL THE EVIDENCE IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW. ON A DAILY BASIS, THE JUDGES ARE INFORMED THAT THE EVIDENCE IS NOT AVAILABLE ON CASES PENDING FOR AT LEAST 180 DAYS AND SEVERAL CASES MUCH LONGER. WE REALIZE THAT THERE IS NOT A QUICK FIX FOR THE EVERY DELAYS, BUT IT IS CRITICAL TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH WE ARE JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS HERE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY

AND THEY ARE IMPRESSIVE. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

[Departments (Part 6 of 7)]

WE DID THE HEARINGS AND WE HEARD FROM OUR SPEAKERS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE -- WHAT REQUIRES MINOR CHANGES. ITEM 20.

REMOVE THE WORD REQUEST AND REPLACE IT WITH THE WORD TRANSMITAL AND THEN REMOVE -- FOR APPROVAL OF AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT AND WE PLACE IT WITH OF AN AGREEMENT.

IT SHOULD READ TRANSMITAL OF THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT WITH AN AGREEMENT WITH AD HOSPITAL EAST, ET CETERA.

IT IS A TRANSMITAL. EYE -- ITEM 79, ADD THE WORD ENGINEERING BEFORE THE TERM "SERVICES." THOSE ARE THE ONLY EDITS. I KNOW THERE WAS A RESOLUTION AND WILL HAVE A FEMALE REPRESENTATIVE.

YOU WILL KNOW WHEN THAT PERSON IS ON THE LINE SO WE CAN CALL

THEM ON IT. >> OKAY.

WE ARE GETTING HIM ON THE LINE NOW.

[04:45:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT ALL WILL FALL UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE HAVE SEVERAL EXECUTIVE SESSIONS 259 IS LANEY MCADOW CHAVEZ. ANYONE 19TO GO?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> AND SUSAN A-ROD ROD

MOLINA? >> NO, MAN.

>> 270 WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS ITEM. IT IS A REQUEST BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON RETAINING A LAW FIRM RELATED TO LITIGATION.

IS THAT RIGHT? >> JUDGE, YEAH.

IF THERE IS DISCUSSION BY THE COURT AND THE COURT WANTS DISCUSSION WE COULD GO BACK. OTHERWISE IT IS A ROUTINE CONTRACT. A.

>> IF IT IS JUST FOR APPOINTMENT I DON'T NEED TO GO

BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO NEED TO

DISCUSS ITEM 270. >> LINA HIDALGO: 275 IS A -- IS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE SHERIFF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND I HAVE THE NAME HERE.

IT IS TO APPOINT BARTITA TO THE SHERIFF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO

EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN ITEM 278.

IT IS. >> CAN WE VOTE ON THAT SEPARATE SINCE WE HAVE A NAME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL VOTE ON IT WITH THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. ITEM 278.

I WAS ADVISED FOR IT TO GO BACK.

IT IS A REQUEST BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR DISCUSSION ON A PENDING LAWSUIT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DO NEED TO GO BACK.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND HERE ARE OTHER ITEMS FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 13 ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK. DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS OR JUST VOTE ON IT? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 14 AND THIS IS --

>> I'M ASSUMING THIS COVERS THE DETENTION OFFICERS AT THE JAIL -- IF THE SHERIFF IS POSTING TIME TO COVID AND IT IS RELATED TO COVID THEY CAN ACTUALLY GET PAID INSTEAD OF

EARNING COMP TIME. >> WE WILL KEEP THAT AS -- WE WILL PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

SO ITEM 14 WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS.

ITEM 17 IS TO ACCEPT FUNDS ALMOST $3 MILLION FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS PROGRAM AND I KNOW THAT'S ONE OF THE KEY PARAMETERS. THIS DOESN'T DO THAT.

>> I WANT TO INVITE DIRECTOR ROBIN -- ROBINSON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE DIRECTOR ROBINSON ON THE

LINE? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND HEALTH DIRECTOR. THESE GRANT FUNDS ARE FOR A TERM POSITION AND SIMILAR TO OTHER GRANTS MOST OF OUR PROGRAMMING IS GRANT FUNDED HERE IN THE DEPARTMENT.

AT THE END OF THE GRANT TERM WE LOOK FOR OTHER POSITIONS TO FILL IN THE DEPARTMENT AND COUNTY WIDE.

THEY ARE APPLYING FOR THE GRANT FUNDING AND THEY KNOW THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE FACT THAT THE POSITION MAY GO

AWAY. >> DOES THAT MEET YOUR CRITERIA POSITION? IT IS FOR THE TERM OF THE

GRANT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL KEEP THAT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 19 OF -- 19.

IT IS ABOUT 2 MILLION TO JAIL STAFF.

[04:50:04]

>> JUDGE I FLAGGED THAT BECAUSE WITH THE PENDING LAWSUIT WHICH WE MAY NEED TO -- WE SHOULD DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THESE FUNDS WERE IN THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT TO PERHAPS ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS. I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THE ITEM.

IT IS A MATTER OF IS THIS COMPREHENSIVE ENOUGH AND WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE SHERIFF.

HE SHARED SOME THINGS WITH US THAT WERE CONCERNING AND

THAT'S WHY I FLAGGED THAT. >> WHY DON'T WE TAKE ITEM 19 ONCE WE RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION AFTER DISCUSSING ITEM

278. >> THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE AND THAT WOULD ALSO APPLY TO 20 FOR ME, JUDGE.

THAT ALSO DEALS WITH THE INMATE MEDICAL SERVICES AND IT WOULD TAKE SOME OFF OF THE INFIRMARY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND ALSO LBJ.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND JUST SO YOU KNOW ITEM 20 IS A DONE DEAL. IT IS A TRANSMITAL AND THE SHERIFF CAN WALK THROUGH IT, BUT THEY NEED AN INDIVIDUAL CELL SPACE FOR A COVID POSITIVE INMATE.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT SPACE AT THE JAIL SO THE SHERIFF REACHED OUT URGENTLY THAT THEY NEED A PLACE TO PUT THESE INMATES. IT WAS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND WE CAN HAVE THE SHERIFF SPEAK TO THAT AT SOME POINT.

THIS ONE IS A TRANSMITAL. WE'LL DISCUSS MINE TEEN AND 20 -- 9 -- 19 AND 20. ITEM 21, A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE PANDEMIC. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. DISCUSSION.

>> AND 128 AND 129 WE DISCUSSED.

138 A POLLING LOCATIONS. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE

WANTS TO DISCUSS THAT. >> THERE IS ONE VOCATION THAT IS IDENTIFIED AND I HAVE SOME FACILITIES.

>> I CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION. >> I AM JUST ASKING.

>> WE WILL PUT IT UP FOR DISCUSSION.

THAT'S 138. ITEM 140.

PIC FUNDS ON -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE A CLARIFICATION TOO. THERE IS AN ADDRESS FOR 701 SAN JACINTO. ARE WE VOTING TO PUT A VOTING LOCATION AT THE JAIL OR NOT? THERE SOME CONFUSION OR NOT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL DISCUSS THAT WITH ELECTIONS

ADMINISTRATOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN DO

THAT WITH 138 I THINK. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WILL DISCUSS IT WITH 138. 139, JUDGE, I WANTED TO ADD IN, BUT I DON'T NEED MUCH TIME.

I JUST NEED FOR JAY TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS PROCEDURE IS OKAY REAL QUICK. WHICH WOULD BE I THINK A

30-SECOND EXPLANATION. >> YEAH.

ESSENTIALLY THIS IS A COUNTY ORDERED ELECTION.

IN THE PROCESS THAT IS LAID OUT, ARE MEMBERS OF THE CHAIRS OF THE TWO PARTIES THAT APPOINT OR MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. THEY FORWARD THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT. NORMALLY IT IS JUDGES AND THEY ARE MAXIMIZING TRANSPARENCY. THE ADMINISTRATOR ON BOARD DECIDED TO ACTUALLY PUT THEM ALL ON THERE.

IT IS DONE THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS AND THE COURT VOTES TO APPOINT THESE INDIVIDUALS. IT IS DONE WITH THE CONSULTATION OF BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES AND THAT'S HOW THE

LIST IS GENERATEY. >> WITH THAT EXPLANATION I DON'T NEED IT TO BE ON THE -- IT CAN GO ON THE CONSENT

AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO 139 REMAINS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ABOUT

140? >> TOM RAMSEY: I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT OF -- ABOUT THAT. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE VENDOR BEING LATE. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. 144.

DISCUSSION ON IMPROVING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING

COUNCIL. >> YEAH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 191. IT IS CONSENT FOR IMPROVEMENT

-- >> YES.

[04:55:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: 191. >> 191.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 196. AND THIS IS FLAGGED BY

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I SPOKE WITH THE SUPREME BUREAUCRAT ABOUT THIS ON FRIDAY.

I THINK HE IS SATISFIED THAT THIS CAN GO BACK ON THE CONCEPT AGENDA -- THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I HAVE SOME CONCERNS, BUT WE ARE WORKING THEM THROUGH AND NOT ENOUGH TO DEBATE THEM HERE.

>> WE WILL PUT 196 BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> AND I WILL COMPLIMENT MR. BERRY FOR TAKING THE LATE PHONE CALLS AND DOING HIS BEST ON SHORT NOTICE.

>> ITEM 2 FUR 5. 245.

A PLAN FOR THE TRANSITION OF THE MEDICAL HEALTH.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> A SIMPLE QUESTION SO THE NUMBERS INDICATES 67 MILLION AND WE HAVE SOME FIRM NUMBERS. IT IS A COMMERCIAL PAPER INVOLVED WITH MAKING THESE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> THE $67 MILLION YOU REFER TO IS THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PIECE AND THERE ARE PLANNING PURPOSES WITH THE JAIL RENOVATION PROJECTS. I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT IS A HARD NUMBER, BUT IT A GOOD PLANNING ESTIMATE FOR WHAT IT WILL TAKE. AND YES WE ANTICIPATE IT WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH COMMERCIAL PAPER.

RIGHT NOW IT IS APPROVED ON A PRELIMINARY INVESTMENT BASIS WITH A PRELIMINARY INVESTMENT MO BEFORE IT COMES BACK.

>> OKAY. SO I DON'T.

>> SO THAT IS REMAINING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> I HAVE ONE QUICK COMMENT TO MAKE. CAN I DO IT NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> I WANT TO SAY WE REACHED A SOLUTION FOR JAIL MEDICAL EMPLOYEES AND THEIR RETIREMENTS. I KNOW THAT IS A QUESTION MANY FOLKS HAD. THE PLAN IS TO TAKE A PROPOSAL FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT PUBLICLY IN CASE THERE ARE LINGERING QUESTIONS.

THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE HONORED AND FULLY VESTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 254 IS -- YES?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS A TRANSMITAL SO THIS -- SO THERE IS NOT A LOT OF DISCUSSION. BUT WE PAID 200 PLUS THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A STUDY AND LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE REQUESTED TO SPEND MONEY FOR A NEW BUILDING FOR THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. I WANT TO RAISE ATTENTION THAT I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL BE IN FAVOR OF A NEW BUILDING.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT RIGHT NOW.

IT IS A TRANSMITAL AND I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED

FURTHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS 254. NEXT IS ITEM 262 AND THAT'S OUR REQUEST BY THE TOLL ROAD FOR A FINAL INVESTMENT MEMO ON A ROAD. 263.

263 IS CONTINGENT ON 262. SO WE WILL KEEP THOSE FOR DISCUSSION. 272 IS A WORK ORDER MANAGEMENT FOR PRE SINK 2 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. WE'LL DISCUSS THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 277. >> NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND 280 ACCEPTING $16 MILLION FOR THE HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? THAT'S ON PAGE 33 AND ITEM 288.

>> I WAS JUST CURIOUS HOW MANY HOMES DO WE HAVE IN THE

VIDEO? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU RAISE A

CONCERN. >> TOM RAMSEY: HOW MANY HOMES IS 16,000,747 -- 16, 747, 000.

WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL WE GET THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IT SAYS DR. HOLLOWAY.

>> HI. THIS IS DR. HOLLOWAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DR. HOLLOWAY, WE JUST -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY

[05:00:06]

HAD A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST A QUICK QUESTION. IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING 16 MILLION 747 THOUSAND AND CHANGE.

NO MATCH. THAT'S ALWAYS GOOD.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY HOMES WOULD BE INVOLVED WITH

THAT? >> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS WE HAVE. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY ONLY BUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP IT IS PURCHASING INVENTORY THAT MAY NOT BE IN THE BEST OF CON -- CONDITIONS THAT WILL REDUCE COSTS. IN ORDER FOR US TO RECEIVE A GRANT AGREEMENT FROM HUD WE HAVE TO ENGAGE IN A SIGNIFICANT PLANNING AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.

AT THAT POINT WE WOULD COME UP WITH AN ACTION PLAN THAT IS BEST SUITED TO UTILIZE THE THE $SICK TEEN .7 MILLION TO ADDRESS THE -- 16 .7 MILLION TO ADDRESS THE HOTTING SHORTAGE. TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING SHORTAGE. IT WOULD BE MORE OF A LEVERAGE OPPORTUNITY FOR US IF WE ARE RESTRICTED TO THE BRICK -- THE BRICKS AND THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IT IS MUCH LESS

THAN WHAT WE NEED. >> THE NUMBER WOULD BE -- I'M SORRY. THE NUMBER WOULD NOT ONLY JUST BE THE NEW HOMES, BUT ANY -- WHETHER IT IS RENTAL OR ANYTHING ELSE WE ARE DOING, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU HAD AN IDEA. WHRAFER THE -- WHATEVER THE VARIATION AND HOUSING INVOLVED, WILL THIS PROVIDE HOUSING FOR A THOUSAND FAMILIES? A HUNDRED FAMILIES? ANY IDEA?

>> AT THIS POINT, NO. HOME DOLLARS ALLOW FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ALLOWS FOR VOUCHER OPPORTUNITIES.

IF WE LOOK AT SOME OF THE DOLLARS WE HAVE AVAILABLE WE AVERAGE ABOUT 240, 240,000 PER HOME.

IF WE ARE LOOKING AT PURCHASING BUILT INVENTORY THAT WAS MOVE IN READY AND SOMETHING THAT MIGHT NEED A LITTLE MORE WORK AND THE INVESTMENT OF REHAB DOLLARS WE CAN BRING THE PRICE DOWN TO 200,000.

RIGHT NOW AN EXAMPLE OF DEVELOPMENTS IT IS ABOUT 16 MILLION FOR MAYBE 180 UNITS.

WE NEED A PLANNING TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THESE DOLLARS. AND MAYBE WE CAN GROW THIS FURTHER THAN WHAT HUD IS ALLOWING US.

TOP TOM ALL GOOD. --

>> TOM RAMSEY: ALL GOOD. JUST CURIOUS ON THE DETAILS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT, DR. HOLLOWAY.

DR. HOLLOWAY, WHEN YOU HAVE A LITTLE MORE DISCRETE DETAILS ON THOSE LET US KNOW. I WAS BETTER AT ALGEBRA THAN ACCOUNTING. YOU ARE EITHER GOING TO HELP 80 FAMILIES OR 150 FAMILIES. WHEN WE KNOW BETTER I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE ENGAGED SO WE WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF TO MAKE SURE THE VOICES OF THE RESIDENTS ARE INFORMING THE FINAL ACTION PLAN FOR THESE DOLLARS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU SAID 240 SO IT IS 150 IF REHABBING?

>> 240 IS BUILT INVENTORY THAT IS MOVE IN READY BECAUSE OF

THE MARKET. >> IT IS A BIT MORE CHALLENGING. WE ARE GOING IN AND IDENTIFYING THE HOUSING THAT IS IN -- IT IS NOT IN THE BEST CONDITION AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING IN FAMILIES MATCHING THAT. EVEN THE SMALL FOOTPRINTS OF THREE, FOUR, FIVE-UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEXES CAN BE SOMETHING WE WILL CONSIDER AS WELL.

>> CAN YOU USE THAT FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING AS WELL?

IS IT NOT FOR THAT? >> IT IS.

IT IS. THAT WILL BE INFORMED BY THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS AND IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO US AND THE FINDINGS AND THE DATA THERE.

IT WILL HELP TO ROUND OUT SOME OF THE DECISIONS WE MADE IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE DOLLARS.

THEY WILL BE AT RISK OF BEING HOMELESS.

WE ARE TARGETING THE LOWER INCOME AND LOWER PRICE POINT

[05:05:03]

OF HOUSING WITH THESE DOLLARS.

AND I NOTICED A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR ALL HOUSING.

YOU OBVIOUSLY DO KNOW WE MOVED AWAY FROM THE OLD POLICY THE COUNTY HAD WHERE YOU DIDN'T GO INTO A PRECINCT IF A COMMISSIONER DIDN'T WANT IT IN THERE.

NOW GAO IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

AS A PERSON WHO REPRESENTS MOST OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING , EVERYBODY DESERVES A HOME. BUT WE DON'T GET INTO THAT ANYMORE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS

CLEAR. >> YES.

>> THERE ARE STATE RESTRICTIONS THAT ARE THERE.

I KNOW EVERYBODY IS BIG, BUT CERTAIN HOMES THEY DON'T WANT. THERE ARE SOME STATE RESTRICTIONS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT POLICY ANYMORE WHERE

COMMISSIONERS HAVE A VETO. >> THE WORD ANYMORE DISTURBS ME A LITTLE BIT. I DON'T THINK WE EVER DID HAVE THAT POLICY. WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF THEM COME

IN. >> YOU'LL GET MORE.

I AM GONNA HELP YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. HOLLOWAY.

>> WE WILL PUT 280 ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

IS THAT OKAY, COMMISSIONER? >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

SO THEN LET'S GO BACK TO THE TOP START STARTING WITH

ITEM -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE WITH

THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> LINA HIDALGO: OH ARE THERE

ANY ADDITIONS TO BE MADE? >> I WANT TO CONFIRM ANY

ACTION ON ITEM 112 IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT THE LEGISLATION? NO.

>> AND THEN 259 AND 270 WILL BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 259 AND 270? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH.

THAT WAS 270. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

THAT'S CONFIRMED AS PRESENTED.

ANY OTHER CLARIFICATIONS? IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL OF THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 281? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE THE SPEAKER FOR THE FEMA PRESENTATION ON

THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

GREAT. THAT'S THE PRESENTATION ATTACHED TO ITEM 250 AS SIMPLY A TRANSMITAL.

WE'RE ON A ROLL HERE EFFICIENCY WOULD BE GREAT.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> YOU ARE UNMUTED, SIR.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM THE REGIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE AGENT. I HAVE A FEW SLIDES ON 2.0 WHICH IS A NEW METHOD OF WRITING FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS THAT IS BEING IMPLEMENTED EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 OF THIS YEAR IN FACT, IN JUST A COUPLE DAYS.

I DON'T KNOW IF MY SLIDE IS AVAILABLE -- THERE YOU GO.

I WILL GO THROUGH THEM QUICKLY SO I CAN OPEN THEM UP.

ON THE NEXT SLIDE THERE IS A PHASED APPROACH.

IT IS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 OF 2021 OF THIS YEAR.

IN FACT, IT IS IN JUST A FEW DAY.

WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS A RENEWAL AFTER OCTOBER 1, BUT BEFORE APRIL 1 TO UPGRADE TO 2.0 IF THEY FIND THE RATES ARE MORE BENEFICIAL.

IF THEY ARE NOT, THEY CAN CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN THE SYSTEM. UNTIL APRIL 1, 2022 WHEN WE GO TO PHASE 2. THE VAST MAJORITY ARE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND IT WOULD THEN TRANSITION TO 2.0 UPON THE RENEWAL. NOW, THE NEXT SLIDE I HAVE SOME LIMITATIONS WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS.

RISK READY 2.0 IS RISK READY 2.0 IS EQUITY IN ACTION.

WE ARE ADDRESSING THE EQUITY PART OF THE LEGACY SIS DISEM.

LEGACY SYSTEM. WE WILL HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY THAT'S REACH AS HIGH AS $45,000 THAT IS JUST NOT REALISTIC ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE ARE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION NEW VARIABLES ON HOW TO COUNTRY FLOOD INSURANCE

[05:10:06]

AND THE CAP IS THERE WILL NOT BE A SINGLE POLICY FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. THAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT.

THEY HAVE REACHED THAT LEVEL. IT WILL BE BASED ON NEW VARIABLE HAD THAT WERE NOT USED UNDER THE SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW IT IS A PREMIUM BASED OFF ONE PERIL.

THAT PERIL IS FLOODING FROM COASTAL AND WE HAVE ADDRESSED MULTIPLE PERILS THAT COULD HAVE STORM SURGE AND TSUNAMI AND PERIL FROM RAINFALL. THAT'S A NEW APPROACH AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WE ARE BLAZING A NEW TRAIL AND IF REALITY WE ARE CATCHING UP WITH HOW THEY DO BUSINESS.

IF I CAN GET YOU TO GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: QUICK QUESTION.

YOU SAID IN THE PAST THERE WAS ONLY RIVERENE AND WHAT ELSE?

>> COASTAL STORM SEARCH PERIL AND FLOODING.

>> THAT'S WHAT IT USED TO BE? NOW YOU ARE INCLUDING ALL THIS

OTHER STUFF? >> YES, MA'AM.

ON THE NEXT SLIDE WE WILL SEE HOW THE EQUITY IS BEING SPREAD. IF YOUR HOME IS $2 MILLION AND IT IS VALUED AS $200,000 YOU ARE PAYING THE SAME PREMIUM.

UNDER 2.0, TWO-THIRDS OF THE POLICY ARE HOMES THAT ARE A LOWER EVALUATION AND RECEIVE A PREMIUM DISCOUNT.

IN FACT, WE DO ANTICIPATE NEARLY ONE MILLION POLICIES OF THE FIVE MILLION POLICIES AND IT WILL RECEIVE AN IMMEDIATE DECREASE UPON IMPLEMENTATION OF RISK READY 2.0.

I'M AFRAID I DO NOT HAVE INFORMATION THAT IS SPECIFIC TOWARD HARRIS COUNTY. WE EXPECT CASES UP TO 14% OF POLICIES THAT WILL RECEIVE THIS DECREASE.

THAT'S APPROXIMATELY 106,729 POLICIES.

OUT OF THE 768,000 POLICIES IN EFFECT FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS. THAT PRESENTATION WAS MEANT TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF A LIGHT ON RISK READY 2.0.

I KNOW THERE MAY BE QUESTION EXPIZ WILL ANSWER TO THE BEST

OF MY ABILITY. >> YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND

THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I HAD ONE QUICK QUESTION.

WITH THE TYPES OF RISKS BEING SPREAD OUT AND WITH THE PREMIUMS FOR SOME FOLKS GOING DOWN THERE IS A QUESTION THAT WILL ANY OF THE BENEFITS IN THE POLICIES BE CHANGED? IT IS 100,000 FOR THE CONTENTS AND WILL THAT REMAIN THE

SAME? >> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION, SIR. AND THOSE LIMITS ARE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS REPLACED BY CONGRESS.

EVERYTHING ENACTED HAS BEEN IN PLACE UNDER FEMA'S SCOPE OF AUTHORITY WHICH MEANS WE DID NOT HAVE TO GET APPROVAL TO CHANGE ANY STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.

THE LIMITS OF 250,000 BUILDINGS CONTENT RESIDENTIAL AND 500,000 BUILDING AND 500,000 FOR NONRESIDENTIAL AND THE STATUTORY CAP FOR INCREASED COST WILL REMAIN TO $30,000 AND THE CAP ON THE INCREASE IS ALSO REMAINING IN PLACE. IT CANNOT BE INCREASED MORE

THAN 18% PER YEAR. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND

THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> TOM RAMSEY: WE HAVE A SITUATION I THINK HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHERE WE'RE DOING A STUDY AND WE'RE REDRAWING THE FLOOD PLAIN.

CURRENTLY WHAT WE ARE TELLING EVERYONE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION IS THE OLD 500 IS THE NEW 100.

I CAN TELL YOU IF THAT'S HOW THE MAPS ARE REDRAWN, THE PALM THAT USED TO BE ABOVE THE 100 ARE NOW BELOW THE 100 AND THAT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR RATES.

DID Y'ALL LOOK AT ANYTHING RELATED TO HARRIS COUNTY AND IT LOOKS LIKE TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE PAYERS.

>> WHEN RISKS READY 2.0 WAS IMPLEMENTED, THERE WERE LARGE

[05:15:06]

EVENTS THAT HAPPENED BEFORE. THERE IS 128,000 POLICIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. FEMA FADE -- PAID 2.5 BILLION IN CLAIMS IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT GIVES INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MITIGATE AND WE ARE INCENTIVIZING BUILDING BETTER AND BUILDING MORE RESILIENT.

SOUTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY IS MORE COASTAL.

THERE IS ELEVATION AND EMPLOYMENT.

ONE OF THE NEW VARIABLES IS PROXIMITY TO THE FLOODING SOURCE. THE LOCATION HAS A DIRECT CORRELATION TO HOW MUCH THE FLOOD WILL COST.

WE HAVE AVENUES IN WHICH THOSE COSTS CAN BE MITIGATED IN THE WAYS OF CONSTRUCTION DISCOUNTS.

>> ALL I KNOW IS IF YOU ARE IN THE HUNDRED YEAR FLOOD PLAIN YOU WILL PAY LIKE 4,000, 5,000 DOLLARS.

23U -- IF YOU ARE ABOVE IT IS IN THE IMPACT.

THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. THEY HADN'T BUILT ANYTHING OR DONE ANYTHING, BUT LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE THEY LIVED IN FOR 20 YEARS. THEIR RATES ARE GOING THROUGH

THE ROOF. >> YES, SIR.

UNDER THE LEGACY SYSTEM, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BENEFIT.

THE HIGHER THE THE FIRST FLOOR IS, IT IS CORRECT.

AND IT WILL REMAIN. AS FOR THOSE HOMES THAT COULD HAVE A NEGATIVE RATING BELOW THE BFE, THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT AND IN A NEGATIVE WAY. ONE OF THE THINGS THEY ARE CHANGING IS WE WILL NO LONGER BE USING THE ELEVATIONS OR FLOOD ZONES AS A DIRECT VARIABLE INSTEAD WE ARE USING THE RESOLUTIONS AND THE TYPES OF FOUNDATIONS COMPARED TO AN AN ELEVATED PLATFORM. WE WILL BE USING THE CONSTRUCTION TYPE OF THE HOME.

IT WILL BE -- THE PREMIUM WILL HAVE A POSSIBILITY OF RECEIVING LESS CLAIM PAYOUT. THE DIRECT VARIABLES WILL DETERMINE THE PREMIUM. THERE WILL BE SOME VARIABLE THAT'S ARE AGAINST THE INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER.

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

MY QUESTION IS MUCH MORE DIRECT.

IS THIS A HARRIS COUNTY DIRECTED INITIATIVE TO FEMA? DID WE PUT IN A REQUEST TO FEMA TO DO THIS?

>> NO, SIR. IT IS A NATIONWIDE INITIATIVE BROUGHT ON BY FEMA. THE CURRENT POLICY OF WRITING FLOOD INSURANCE IS BASED ON 1970S DATA.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOUND IT IS COMPLEX AND WHOAFULLY OUTDATED. IT IS A TRANS -- TRANSFORMATIONAL LEAP TO BRING US UP TO SPEED WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND IN LINE WITH PRIVATE INDUSTRIES AND INSURANCE AND BEST PRACTICES. SO, NO, THIS WASN'T IMPLEMENTED OR REQUESTED BY HARRIS COUNTY.

IT IS SOMETHING BEING IMPLEMENTED NATIONWIDE.

>> VERY GOOD. >> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR.

WHEN YOU SHARE -- WILL YOU SHARE A NUMBER PEOPLE CAN CALL IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS?

>> YES, SIR. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT. I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF MEAN -- IN FRONT OF ME, BUT THERE IS A NUMBER AND I WILL PROVIDE THAT MR. MATTHEW WHO IS MY POINT OF CONTACT AND MAKE SURE IT GETS TO YOU AND YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT TO YOUR

CONSTITUENTS. >> VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH FOR THAT SUMMARY. >> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. LET'S GO BACK TO -- THAT WAS A

[05:20:01]

TRANSMITAL SO DOES PRESIDENT -- SO DOESN'T REQUIRE A VOTE.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.

ITEMS 19 AND 20 WE WILL DISCUSS AFTER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION EYE -- ITEM. AND THAT PUTS US AT NUMBER 21. THE BIGGEST UPDATE HERE IS THE EXPIRATION OF OUR INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

IT IS DONE INCREDIBLY WELL. WE DID AN ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENCE OF THE PROGRAM AND I THINK I SHARED WITH YOU AT THE LAST COURT THE CURVES AND FOLKS ACCOUNTED FOR -- IF WE COMPARE IT TO OTHER COUNTIES HOW DOES THE SHARE REIS COUNTY TREND LOOK LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO THE VACCINATIONS? AND EVEN IF YOU EQUALIZE EVERYBODY'S CURVES WE STILL DID A LOT BETTER. AND THEN I ASKED THE QUESTION, WELL, WHAT IF THESE WERE PEOPLE COMING FROM THE -- FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY? WE LOGGED THE COUNTY OF RESIDENCE AND NOT WHERE YOU GOT YOUR VACCINE.

IF ANYTHING IT UNDER COUNTS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GOT THE VACCINE BECAUSE OF THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

WE SAW 28,700 FIRST GOES -- FIRST DOSES THAT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

OVERALL WE AWARDED -- DISTRIBUTED 59,399 GIFT CARDS. HAVE ARE FOLKS THAT WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THE VACCINE ELSEWHERE.

WE GAVE AWAY 59 CARDS, BUT HAD 53 IN THE PROGRAM.

WE HAD TWO CARD PER PERSON? 29,000 OF THOSE ARE FOLKS WE BELIEVE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THEIR FIRST DOSE WERE IT NOT FOR THE PROGRAM. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE THAT WERE JUST -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO GET IT HUNDRED DOLLARS OR NO HUNDRED DOLLARS. AND SO WE DID SEE A DIMINISHING RETURN. AND THE DECISION WAS MADE NOT TO EXTEND THE PROGRAM PAST SEPTEMBER 30TH.

WE WERE STILL SEEING AN IMPROVEMENT BUT IT WASN'T AS SIGNIFICANT AS BEFORE AND WE FELT THAT IF WE SET THAT DEADLINE THAT FOLKS -- IT MIGHT ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO GIVE IT ONE LAST PUSH. PUBLIC HEALTH HAS SHARED THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM EXPIRING.

THEY SHARED THAT WITH THE DOCTORS OFFICES AND THEY SHARED THAT WITH THE SCHOOLS. I KNOW IGA WILL SEND IT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS. FOLKS HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY, THE END OF THURSDAY, THE 30TH TO GET THEIR VACCINE ANYWHERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHETHER IT BE AT THEIR PHARMACY OR DOCTOR'S OFFICE OR PUBLIC HEALTH SITE AND THEY CAN RECEIVE THEIR -- THEY WILL RECEIVE THEIR HUNDRED DOLLAR CASH CARD. THE ASK IS TO SPREAD THE WORD THAT IT WILL EXPIRE ON THE 30TH AND NOT BE EXTENDED.

I CHALLENGED ALL OF THE NUMBERS AND AS FAR AS WE CAN TELL IT MAKE -- IT MADE A DIFFERENCE.

I AM TRYING TO DO A CALCULATION.

THE FUND IN THE EMERGENCY POWERS, SOME OF THOSE WILL NOT BE SPENT AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO THE PIC FUND?

>> IT SHOULD BE. WE ONLY SPENT --

>> I THINK WE HAD 11? >> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE COULD UNLOAD THE CARTS EFFECTIVELY.

WE COULD DO COMMUNITY FAITH-BASED EVENTS.

>> IF WE GIVE 59,000 CARDS AWAY THAT IS --

>> 6 MILLION. >> 5.9 MILLION.

>> ROUGHLY 6 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: I FAILED TO MENTION WHAT DAVE MENTIONED AND THE GIFT CARD PROGRAM DOESN'T COMPLETELY END BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS PROMISING AND DISCUSS -- SUCCESSFUL THUS FAR PROGRAM WITH THE COMMUNITY.

[05:25:08]

THEY WILL STILL GET $100 AND FOLKS THAT SET UP THE EVENT WILL GET THEIR HUNDRED DOLLARS PER PERSON THAT COMES AND THEY CAN CREATE RUN ADS OR WHATEVER IT IS THEY NEED TO DO TO BRING PEOPLE TO THE EVENT. I WILL SEE HOW THEY WILL CHALLENGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAM.

I WILL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED ON THAT.

>> I AM NOT A FAN OF THE CARDS, BUT I AM A FAN OF HELPING PEOPLE DO PARTIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO GET THE

WORD OUT IN COMMUNITIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE DO HAVE 75% OF THE ELIGIBLE POPULATION WHAT -- WITH AT LEAST ONE SHOT. WE NEED THE SECOND SHOT TO CATCH UP AND WE HAVEN'T HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH SECOND SHOTS NOT COMING BACK. IT IS UNTIL 12.

THE HOSPITAL NUMBERS DON'T LIE.

THEY ARE GETTING A LOT BETTER.

WE HAD A HUGE NUMBER OF COVID PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL.

DEGREE OF VACCINATION RIGHT NOW IS NOT ENOUGH, BUT I'M HOPEFUL WITH THE FACT THAT THE FIRST SHOTS, 90, 95% COME BACK FOR THE SECOND SHOT. I THINK WE WILL SEE THE OVERALL NUMBER TO 75 AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL APPROVE

FOR THE 5 PLUS. >> ARE MOST OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD SOME VERSION OF THE GIFT CARD, ARE THEY PULLING BACK AS WELL? PLACES IN THE COUNTRY?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW. THE FOLKS THAT -- WELL, WE HEARD FROM A SPEAKS MAN THAT WANTS TO REPLICATE OUR SYSTEM. NOT SO MUCH OTHER WAYS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BY FORT WORTH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. I WILL SAY IT WASN'T -- WE SPOKE WITH THE DIFFERENT FOLKS ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM.

MY TEAM, THE DATA PEOPLE FROM THE HOSPITALS AND NOBODY FELT IT NEEDED TO BE EXTENDED. IT WASN'T A TOUGH DECISION JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS. WE'LL SEE THE DATA IS ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEHIND. WE'LL SEE IF THERE WAS A CRAZY WAVE OF PARTICIPATION. OUR SENSE IS THE FOLKS THAT

WILL BE INCENTIVIZED BY $100. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M GLAD YOU DID IT. WHETHER IT IS A PARTY OR A PICNIC OR THE GIFT CARDS, YOU KNOW, WE RAN INTO A PERSON OVER THE WEEKEND AND I HAD TO CHECK TO SEE IF SHE WENT TO GET IT FOR $100 AND SEEMED TO GET ANSWERS EVEN THAT LATE.

I FOUND OUT -- I WILL ASK TO GET IT.

ANY OTHER CREATIVE IDEAS YOU COME UP WITH, THIS WAS AN

IDEA. >> WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED.

>> THE HOSPITALIZATIONS WERE TRENDING DOWN OVER THE PAST WEEK OR SO. THAT'S VERY PROMISING.

IT IS GOOD NEWS. IT IS GOOD NEWS AND WE ARE TRACKING THE NURSE CONTRACT. THE HOSPITALS DO CONTINUE TO BE STRAINED JUST BECAUSE THE STARTING POINT WAS SO HIGH THAT SAID, TRENDING DOWN VERSUS TRENDING UP.

WE HAVE TWO THAT ARE IN ORANGE, NEGATIVE CASES TREND AND THE HOSPITAL USAGE PRESIDENT THE GOAL IS TO HAVE 15% OF THE HOSPITALS BE TAKEN UP BY COVID PATIENTS RIGHT NOW IS 36.6% OF THE -- THE GOAL IS TO HAVE LESS THAN A HUNDRED CASES AND WE ARE 173. YOU KNOW WOO HAVE GETTING THERE. THE TRENDS LOOK LIKE THEY'RE IMPROVING. I DON'T HAVE IT OFF THE TOP MY HEAD. DR. POS -- DR. PORSA IS MEETING WITH NURSES. SO THAT MEANS THEY HAVE A

SCREEN STILL. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS AN OUT

[05:30:03]

LIAR, BUT ONE OF THE CRITICAL FUNCTIONS I THINK THAT THE COUNTY OFFERS IS YOUR BASIC VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND PAY YOUR TAXES. PROBABLY MY MOST FREQUENT ENCOUNTERS AND IT IS COME BETTER SON.

I KNOW WE GO TO THE DRUGSTORE AND THE GROCERY STORE.

I I WOULD PUT IN THE SAME CATEGORY PAY YOUR TAXES.

WITH PROPER ASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, WE CAN GET IN AND OPEN UP.

PEOPLE CAN PAY THEIR TAXES. JUST TO PAY THEIR TAXES.

IT IS HARD FOR PEOPLE TO COME ONLINE AND MAKING AN APPOINTMENT. I LOCATE THE PEOPLE THAT TELL THEM TO DO THAT. I JUST PUT THAT AT SOME POINT AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US OPEN UP A BIT.

I CONSIDER THAT ESSENTIAL SERVICE.

>> I'LL REVISIT WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

WHY THE LIMITATION TO THE COURT CAPACITY? EVEN THE FOLKS WHO ARE VACCINATED DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE VIRUS TO SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AND THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET IT FROM SOMEONE WHO ISN'T.

AND THEN OF COURSE THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS CONCERNED. I'LL REVISIT.

THAS MY REPORT ON THE -- THAT'S MY REPORT ON THE

COVID-19. >> JUDGE IS THERE ANY ACTION

ON THAT ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO.

NEXT IS 119. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH DR. HOLLOWAY ON THIS ITEM OF -- ON THIS ITEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT WE ARE GOING TO DE OBLIGATE PRECINCT 2 PROJECTS.

I'M MORE CONCERNED THAT AS A SUB RE-- SUB RECITY YENT TO THIS MY OFFICE WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT COMMUNITY SERVICES WOULD MAKE IT RECOMMENDATION.

THAT BEING SAID I UNDERSTAND THE FEDERAL FUNDING PROCESS THAT YOU CAN'T WE WANT TO GET THE FEDERAL FUNDING AND IT COULD CO-MINGLE. WITH THAT BEING SAID WE ARE DE-OBLIGATED BECAUSE WE ARE SLOW TO SPEND.

ENGINEERING NEEDED TO DO SOME WORK AND IT IS CON SIN -- CONTINGENT ON FUNDING. IT IS INTERESTING YOU HAVE TO DO SOME WORK BEFORE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING.

YET DON'T HAVE FUNDING FOR A PARTICULAR PROJECT AS SUCH.

MY FIRST RECOMMENDATION, MR. BERRY IS WE LOOK AT WHAT WE DID. I THINK THIS WAS BEFORE YOU WERE BUDGET DIRECTOR AND USING THE DOWN PAYMENT EXISTENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICES WE USED TO HAVE TO APPROVE THEM ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. THE REASON WE WERE DOING THEM IS WE WERE ISSUING PAPER CHECKS.

[05:35:08]

AND WE WOULD PUT SOME OF THE CLOSINGS AT RISK AND IT WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO GIVE THEM A CHECK FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. WE WERE ABLE TO DO AN ELECTRIC -- ELECTRONIC TRANSFER AND NOW THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC TRANSFER THAT HELPS PEOPLE DO THEIR CLOSINGS AND IT EXPEDITES THE PROCESS A LOT BETTER ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM -- MY FIRST MOTION, JUDGE AND I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF MOTIONS ON THIS ITEM. THE FIRST MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO IDENTIFY FUNDING WHETHER IT IS CBDG OR SOME OTHER SOURCES SO THEY CAN MOVE FORWARD AS PLANNED IN AN EFFORT NOT TO DELAY THESE PROJECTS, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL CREATE A STREAM OF FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WHICH IT IS ANTICIPATED AT -- THAT FEDERAL GRANTS WILL CUFF COSTS , BUT THE GRANT IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THAT IS THE N TENSION OF MY FIRST -- THAT IS THE INTENTION OF MY FIRST MOTION.

SECONDLY, I DON'T WANT TO LET GO OF THE PROJECTS IN PRE SINK 2 -- IN PRECINCT 2. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT MY OFFICE WAS NOT COMMUNICATED WITH IN ADVANCE.

I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN MY PRECINCT. ONE OF THE SPECIFICS WAS I WANTED MORE AND NOT LESS. IF I AM GOING TO BE THE RECIPIENT OF ANYTHING, I WANT TO BE COMMUNICATED WITH IN ADVANCE AND COMMUNICATED WITH IN A PARTNERSHIP FASHION.

MY SECOND MOTION ON THIS ITEM WILL BE, TO -- LET'S SEE.

WHERE AM I? MY SECOND MOTION IS TO -- HERE IT IS. IT IS TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS TO THE HARRIS COUNTY 2015 AND 2021 ACTION PLANS AS PRESENTED OTHER THAN THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN PROJECT C-2020-026 HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2 PARK WOOD ESTATES WATER DISTRICT SYSTEM PHASE 2 OLDING.

ALDING. THIRDLY, I WILL MOVE TO DIRECT THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AVER -- AFTER REVIEW OF PUBLIC COMMENT AT COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR APPROVAL. THOSE ARE THE THREE MOTIONS I HAVE ON THIS, JUDGE. THESE PROJECTS ARE IF LINE FOR THE WORK I HAVE FOR THE PRE SINK WE WERE CAUGHT BY SURPRISE I THINK TO ADDRESS THESE ITEMS IN THE FUTURE, THE FIRST MOTION TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WILL GO A LONG WAY. WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT THROUGH HOW TO DO BETTER. IT WILL GO A LONG WAY AND WILL HELP US TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE TYPES OF GRANTS MORE

EFFECTIVELY. >> THESE ARE MY MOTIONS.

>> PRECINCT 4, WE MAY BE COMING BACK IN THE FUTURE SO I

[05:40:03]

SECOND YOUR MOTION FOR WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO IN PRECINCT 2. JUST REMEMBERING KINDLY WHEN I COME 88 DONE. --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DONE. I WILL SECOND IN ADVANCE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEET YOUR

FEDERAL OBLIGATIONS ? >> YES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE THE OTHER FUND AND WORK ON MEETING OUR SPENDING REQUIREMENTS. IT IS ALL ABOUT WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO MEET. THERE IS AN EXPECK STATION THAT WE ARE -- THERE IS AN EXPECTATION THAT WE ARE GOING TO FUTURE YEARS. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE DIS E-OBLIGATION REQUEST. IT WILL BE FINE TO GO BACK AND SEE HOW WE CAN WORK THAT PROJECT AND POTENTIALLY FUND THE TIMELINE INTO THIS PRONL JECT.

>> VARIOUS MOTIONS BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

DO YOU NEED CLARIFICATION? COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS THE

SECOND. >> THIS IS A FIRST MOTION AND

SUBSEQUENT MOTION. >> AND JUST REMEMBER TO COMMUNICATE WITH MY OFFICE. WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GAR SEE JAW -- GARCIA AND SECONDED BY CAGLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY OF -- UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS 138.

IT IS THE POLLING LOCATIONS LIST.

>> YEAH, JUDGE. MY SPECIFIC ASK RELATES TO VOTING AT TRACY G. AND THERE IS A REQUEST OR MORE OF A PLAN TO DO 24-HOUR VOTING.

THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 25TH IS THE WEEK BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT DOING AFTER DARK VOTING THERE.

BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FACILITY I WENT AND LOOKED AT THE DETAIL PRESIDENT THE PRIMARY PARKING LOT IS THE REAR AND VERY SECLUDED. THERE IS LIMITED WINDOWS AND NO ONE CAN SEE OUT THE BACK. FROM A SECURITY STANDPOINT SOMEBODY PARKING BACK THERE, VOTING, NOT A GOOD IDEA.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS ADA PROBLEMS. I RECEIVE -- RECEIVED A REPORT THERE ARE TRIP HAZARDS AND FALL HAZARDS. I WILL NEED TIME TO LOOK AT IT FOR AFTER HOURS VOTING. IT IS TO THE SET UP NOW FOR THAT. THERE ARE TRIP HAZARDS THERE IN TERMS OF OUR PARKING LOT. THE STREET SIDEWALKS LEADING TO THE VOTING LOCATION THEY ARE UNEVEN AND THEY WOULDN'T BE SAFE FOR WHEELCHAIRS AND WALKERS THE MAJORITY OF THE LIGHTING IS INADEQUATE. I AM ASKING FOR DETAILS OF WHAT THAT WOULD TAKE. AT NIGHT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD IDEA OF TECH -- PARTICULARLY IN THE CRIME.

I RECOMMEND WE NOT HAVE 24-HOUR VOTING IN THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION. MY PLAN IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PARKING LOT AND ADDRESSING THE ADA ISSUES AND APPROVING THE LIGHTING AND I AM ASKING FOR THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE

[05:45:08]

THAT WE NOT USE THE FACILITY. THERE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED FOR VOTING WITH OTHER LOCATION.

SOMEONE ELSE RAISED THOSE CONCERNS.

>> I AM JUST CURIOUS ARE THERE OTHER PLACES -- MOST PLACES HAVE SIDEWALK ISSUES AND LIGHTNING ISSUES AS WELL.

ARE YOU ON THE LINE, MS. LONGORIA?

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHEN YOU --

>> LINA HIDALGO: AS YOU JUMP -- AS YOU GO INTO THE QUESTIONS IT SOUND LIKE YOU ARE COLLECTING SOME OF THEM.

MY QUESTION IS IS THIS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY OR COULD YOU FIND ANOTHER ONE NEARBY AS THE COMMISSIONER DOESN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE AND IT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT IS RUNNING INTO THIS

ISSUE. >> I WILL TACKLE THOSE ALL AT ONCE. DID 24-HOUR VOTING AND IT IS CONCERNING ANY INCIDENTS THAT MIGHT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IS AND IT IS DEALING WITH ANY OF THOSE ISSUES.

JUST TO CLARIFY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHEN YOU SPEAK OF THE ADA ISSUES ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE WHAT THEY HAVE TO CONDUCT AS FAR AS VOTING LOCATIONS OR A SURVEY YOU

CONDUCTED. >> IT IS THE ADA YOU DID.

I AM TAKING THAT AND WILL ADDRESS THAT.

SINCE THIS IS A FOCUS I DIDN'T ASK AND WASN'T HERE.

YOU PUT IS THIS ON THE AGENDA AND I DID AN AUDIT AND HAVE SECURITY FOLKS LOOKING AT IT. I HAVE 10 PAGES OF INFORMATION THAT I PLAN ON DEALING WITH. I JUST CAN'T DO IT BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. I WOULDN'T BE COMFORTABLE AT ALL KNOWING WHAT I KNOW ABOUT ADA, TRIP HAZARDS, SECURITY, LIGHTING, THE WHOLE 9 YARDS OF HAVING THAT.

I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FACILITY AND IT IS NOT READY

FOR AFTER DARK VOTING. >> AND IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME, WE ARE TRYING TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE AND KEEP YOU SQUARE MERE -- SQUARE HERE. YOU CAN CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON ANYTHING ELSE.

I WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT THE ADA SURVEY IS RELATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SETTLEMENT.

IF YOU ARE SUGGESTING THAT YOUR LOCATION IS NOT ADA COMPLY YEPT -- COMPLIANT AND NOT REMEDIAL.

THAT MEANS I HAVE TO REMOVE IT AND I DON'T THINK IS YOUR INTENT. WHAT I GATHER YOU ARE ASKING IF YOU WILL LET ME LEAD YOU DOWN HERE IS THAT TRACY G AS A LOCATION HAS OTHER THINGS GOING ON THAT EVENING THAT WILL MAKE IT IMPRACTICAL FOR US TO HOST THESE EXTENDED HOURS AT TRACY G. MAYBE YOU HAVE OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS GOING ON THAT WOULD OVERLAP WITH THE 24-HOUR VOTING AND MAKE IT INSUFFICIENT OR UNUSABLE FOR THIS ELECTION SPECIFICALLY. DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD

CATEGORIZE YOUR CONCERN? >> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD WAY TO PUT IT BECAUSE AS WE GET INTO THAT PARKING LOT AND START DEALING WITH THOSE THINGS, THE TIMING WOULD NOT BE GOOD.

>> UNDERSTOOD, SIR. JUST FOR THE ETIFICATION OF ALL COMMISSIONERS, IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF SCHEDULING CONFLICTS, UNUSABLE IN A WAY FOR VOTING LET ME KNOW AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE SCHEDULING CONFLICTS.

THERE ARE OTHER FACILITIES I AM HAPPY TO LOOK FOR.

TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ACCOMMODATING PEOPLE AND NOT

[05:50:04]

CREATING A DISCRIMINATION ACROSS THE COUNTY.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND US. SOUNDS LIKE TRACY D HAS OTHER HOURS THAT WOULD MAKE IT UNUSABLE FOR THOSE EXPANDED HOURS. NOT THAT THERE ARE OTHER ACCESSIBILITY MEASURES THAT WOULD MAKE IT NOT COMPLY

YEPT. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MANY VOTING LOCATIONS WILL THERE

BE? >> WE ARE LOOKING CURRENTLY AT I BELIEVE 20 LOCATIONS. WE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK --

>> PRECINCT OR COUNTY WIDE? >> COUNTY WIDE.

>> AND THAT PUTS IT IN LINE OF NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.

WE CLUSTER THOSE WHERE WE HAVE MEDICAL WORKERS AND THOSE WHO WORKED THE MAKESHIFT HOURS THAT NEED ACCESS TO VOTING

AFTER THE 7 P.M. HOURS. >> MAKE SURE PEOPLE WOULD WANT 24-HOUR VOTING IS PLANNING AN EVENT.

MAKE SURE THAT IS NOT HAPPENING.

>> PART OF THE URGENCY -- YES, SIR.

PART OF THE YOU ARE -- URGENCY IN CONFIRMING THE LOCATIONS TODAY IS I HAVE TO POST IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE THE LOCATIONS AS PUBLIC NOTICE SO THEY ARE AWARE WHERE THEY CAN

VOTE. >> ELECTION DAY IS WHAT IS

IT. >> NOVEMBER SECOND.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE NO HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT

PARTIES WILL KEEP GOING ON. >> IF IT BRINGS THEM TO VOTE, I'LL TAKE IT. TODAY IS NATIONAL VOTER

REGISTRATION DAY. >> IF YOU'RE GONNA MAKE CHANGES TO THE LOCATION CAN WE APPROVE THE ITEM?

>> WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU NEED FOR US TO A PROVE -- TO

APPROVE? >> YOU ARE APPROVING THE LOCATIONS. THIS IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S OFFICIAL NOTICE TO MY OFFICE THAT PRETTILY THAT LOCATION IS UN-- UNAVAILABLE FOR OTHER EVENTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN APPROVE THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED THEN? COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THREE QUICK THINGS.

MY HAT IS TIPPED MY COLLEAGUE FROM PRECINCT 1 WHO HAS SCHEMES AND THOUGHTS OF HOW OTHERS MIGHT BEHAVE WHICH LEADS TO HOW YOU MAY BE THINKING.

NUMBER 2, THANK YOU FOR COMMUNICATING THEY HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. NUMBER THREE, I APPROVE LEA LOCATIONS, BUT DO NOT APPROVE THESE.

LET'S TAKE A SEPARATE VOTE ON THAT.

>> CAN WE DO THAT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: A QUICK QUESTION ON THAT POINT AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE THE POLLING LOCATION AT THE JAIL IS AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS WHO MAY BE DOING VISITATION IF THE VISITATION IS ALLOWED AT THAT TIME? IN ADDITION TO INMATES WHO WANT TO VOTE.

>> WE WANT TO MEET OBLIGATIONS FOR VOTING AND STANDARDS AT OTHER FACILITIES. THERE IS ONE CHECK IN TABLE.

FOR THE DETAINEES, A ROOM NEARBY AND SAME CHECK IN TABLE AND CLAIM JUDGES. THEE WILL GO TO A SECURE AREA WHERE THEY CAN VOTE IN PERSON.

IT IS ONE LOW CATION BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME STAFF AND SAME

LOCATION. >> I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE CASE

BUT WANTED TO ASK. >> SO IT IS AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES WORKING DOUBLE SHIFTS MAYBE.

IT IS VAIBLG -- IT IS AVAILABLE TO VISITORS AND MAYBE EVEN DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AS WELL AS THE INMATES.

>> I FEEL BETTER ABOUT IT AND I WANT TO VOTE SEPARATELY ON

IT. >> IF I CAN GO AND VOTE THERE

I THINK THAT IS SIGNIFICANT. >> IF I MIGHT JUST ASK LEGAL,

[05:55:10]

OBVIOUSLY WE VOTE ON TWO ITEMS WHICH IS SHE GOING TO VOTE FOR? WHY DON'T YOU MAKE A MOTION WE TAKE THE JAIL OUT? YOU MAKE THAT MOTION AND IT MAY FAIL AND THEN WE DO ANOTHER ITEM.

I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT WITH THE JAIL AND WITHOUT THE

JAIL? >> APPROVE THE VOTING LOCATIONS WITH THE EXCELS EXCEPTION OF THE JAIL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BEFORE WE DO THAT, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET AROUND THE ID -- I I GUESS IT IS AVAILABLE TO INMATES AND

ANY KIND OF VISITOR. >> WE ARE WORKING WERE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHERE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THE ID'S.

AND WHAT ID IS AVAILABLE TO THEM THEY CAN FILL OUT.

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND IT WILL TAKE SOME LOGISTICS.

>> I THINK, JUDGE, SOME OF THEM WILL HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR THEY MIGHT HAVE HAVE GOT THE STATE ID.

I IMPIES -- I GUESS THEY HAVE TO GIVE ACCESS TO THEIR LICENSE. IF YOU'RE IN JAIL THEY KNOW

WHO YOU ARE. >> THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE GOING IN, BUT THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE GOING

OUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SHARE RECEIVE -- THE SHERIFF IS VERY MUCH ON BORE

WITH THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SEE MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY. AM I WRONG? IF THEY BOTH PASS UP SIDE AND OUTSIDE.

>> I HAVE A SNEAKING SUSPICION THAT WE WOULD ALL BE IN FAVOR OF THE FIRST ONE AND MIGHT NOT ALL BE IN FAVOR OF ADDING THE

JAIL TO THE SUGGESTED LIST. >> DO YOU WANT TO VOTE ON IT

THE WAY IT IS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE JAIL LOCATION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SAY IF WE PUT IT ON THE WAY IT IS FIRST YOU WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU PUT IT ON THE WE IT IS EXACTLY I WOULD VOTE FOR IT. I AM FOR IT WITH THE EXCEPTION

OF THE JAIL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THEY DON'T MOVE US ALONG I WILL SECOND IT AND VOTE AGAINST IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF COMMISSIONER WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR ALL LOCATIONS EXCEPT FOR THE JAIL.

MOTION BY ECONOMIC -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

ALL THOSE IF FAVOR? >> I.

>> YOU ARE? FAVOR OF THE LOCATIONS AND

THEN WILL ADD THE JAIL. >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT IT THE WAY IT IS. YOU'RE IN FAVOR?

>> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT IT THE WAY IT IS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU GUYS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY ARE

MOVING TO TAKE THE JAIL OUT. >> ALL THESE ITEMS EXCEPT FOR THE JAIL. THE JAIL IS NEUTRAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THEN FOR ALL OF THEM. AS PRESENTED.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> I OPPOSED. >> NO.

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE MOTION, PLEASE, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE FIRST MOTION IS ALL OF THE LOCATIONS EXCEPT FOR THE JAIL AND THAT WAS UNANIMOUS.

AND THE SECOND IS AS PRESENTED.

IT PASSES 3-2 WITH COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE

OPPOSED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE VOTED?

[06:00:01]

I MOTION THAT WE DON'T WASTE TYPE PRESIDENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS ON ITEM 140.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE A QUESTION ON 138 STILL.

WHERE ARE WRY WITH THE -- WHERE ARE WE WITH THE BUDGET?

>> IS THAT DIRECTED AT ME? >> YES JIECHT WE ARE TALKING

-- >> WE ARE TALKING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO COVER BASICALLY THIS ELECTION AND MOVING FORWARD AS FAR AS THE PIC FUND.

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CONCERNING THE BUDGET

OVERALL. >> I ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE THUR -- MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

WE ARE ONLY A FEW WEEKS AWAY BEFORE THINGS HAVE TO BE DECIDED. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

>> IF YOU ARE DIRECTING US TO HAVE THAT PLAN READY I WOULD

LOVE THAT. >> NOVMENT I WANT YOU TO -- NO, I WANT YOU TO HAVE THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE AND HAVE A BUDGET APPROVED BY THE BUDGET OFFICE

TO BE PRESENTED. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HAS THERE BEEN AN ISSUE -- DO SOME OF THE CITIES OWE US MONEY?

>> YES. SOME ENTITIES HAVE OWED SINCE PLEN -- SINCE MANY YEARS OF THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND WE ARE UNCLEAR ON HOW TO COLLECT THAT NOW.

SO WE ARE WORKING ON THOSE INVOICES AND WE CLEANED UP HOW WE INVOICE FOLKS FOR ELECTIONS NOW, AND ENTITY THAT'S MAKES IT EASIER TO PREDICT AND THEREFORE EASIER TO ASK FOR BUDGETS ESPECIALLY TAKING ON A MAY ELECTION NEXT YEAR AND WE HAVE 1.4 MILLION TOTAL IN OUTSTANDING INVOICE.

NOT NECESSARILY FROM THE FISCAL YEAR ENTITIES, BUTTON

TAU TEES WHO STILL OWE US. >> AND DO WE GET A HAM ON THOSE WE -- ON WHAT WE WILL DO BEFORE WE DO IT? DO THEY HAVE INPUT INTO THE WAY WE WILL BRING UP THE ELECTIONS? IF THEY WANT THE LOW RIDER WE

SAY WE HAVE CERTAIN STANDARD. >> YES.

WE HAVE TO BY LAW BE TRANSPARENT ON WHAT SERVICES WE ARE OFFERING AND HOW MUCH STAFF WE PLAN TO HAVE.

AND NOW WE MOVED TO -- BEFORE IT WAS A SYSTEM WHERE WE WOULD TRY AND CALCULATE THE COST OF THE ELECTION AND IT DE -- DEPENDS ON IF HOUSTON COMES IN AND IF IT LOWERS THE COST.

NOW WE MOVE TOWARD A SYSTEM THAT IS MUCH MORE PREDICTABLE. THERE IS $1.05 FOR EVERYONE -- FOR EVERY REGISTERED VOTER YOU HAVE.

THEY GET A BUY IN FROM THEIR COMMISSIONERS AND FOR THEM TO BUDGET OUT. WE FOUND THAT IS MUCH MORE AGO -- ACCEPTABLE INSTEAD OF ROCKETING BACK AND FORTH ON THE COST OF ELECTIONS THAT BEING SAID THEY ARE CLEAR IN WHAT WE ARE OFFERING. OUR OFFICE DEDICATED ONE STAFF MEMBER WHO DOZEN TAU TEE FOR DONATION SO SHE CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS 24/7 ON WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHERE WE ARE DOING IT. WE MAKE SURE THERE IS AN ENTITY IN THE JURISDICTION THEY CAN VOTE AT.

IF ARE YOU CONTRACTING THEY SAY YOU CAN GO AT MINIMUM.

>> MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY IS THIS BROAD ENOUGH OR AM I GETTING TOO CLOSE TO THE LINE? JAY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT OUT OF LINE WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING FOR THE PROCESS OF

ELECTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER, AS LONG AS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 138. AS IT RELATES TO --

>> WE ARE ON 140 NOW. >> I MEAN WITHOUT GETTING OVERLY -- THERE IS A COST WITH EACH OF THE LOCATIONS.

[06:05:08]

IT IS PART AND PARCEL. AS LONG AS WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT ANY DOLLARS YOU CAN ASK THE ADMINISTRATORS.

>> WITH THE ELECTION COMING UP, I KNOW A GOOD NUMBER OF ITEMS ON THE BALLOT WILL BE -- I GUESS THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS. DOES THE STATE PAY?

>> THE STATE DOES NOT PAY. WE ARE THE ARM OF THE STATE AND THEY WILL REQUIRE US TO HOST THE STATE ELECTIONS.

THE FEDERAL OBLIGATIONS AND THE STATE OBLIGATIONS.

>> THAT'S A QUESTION ABOVE MY PAY GRADE, SIR.

>> IF WE DO NOT GO AND HANDLE THE ELECTION FOR THE CITY OF

HOUSTON WOULD WILL TAKE IT? >> THEY MAY HAVE TO PURCHASE THAISH -- THEIR OWN MACHINES. I KNOW WOULD WE PURCHASE THE MACHINES FROM DOES NOT RENT THEM OUT.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER VENDOR.

IT WOULD BE A SITUATION WHERE SOME OF OUR ENTITIES DO RENT MACHINES FROM OTHER FOLKS, FROM OTHER VENDORS FOLKS VOTE ON OUR MACHINES AND THEN GO TO OTHER ENTITIES.

>> THEY HAVE NO OPTION. >> IT IS US AND CONTRACTING WITH US AND MAKING SURE WE PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

AS THE MACHINES AGE OUT -- >> DO WE HANDLE ALL OF THE REGISTRATION OR ARE THEY DOING STUFF AS WELL?

>> IT IS ALL US. THEY CAN'T REGISTER THE

VOTERS. >> IT IS PRETTY MUCH -- I THINK IT MAKES IT SO IMPORTANT THAT WE RUN A PROFESSIONAL OPERATION AND WE GET THE BILLS OUT.

AND WE HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT WAS PAID.

DO WE SPEND MORE MONEY TO RUN ELECTION THAN WHAT WE COLLECT? WAS IT THAT WAY IN THE PAST.

>> IT IS NOT A BREAK ZERO GAME.

WE ARE HOSTING OUR OWN ELECTIONS.

AND WE ARE PROVIDING THE COUNTY WIDE SERVICES.

WHAT IS BEING BROUGHT IN FROM THE COUNTIES AND LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY. THE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HOST AN ELECTION IS WHAT THEY PAY FOR.

YOU PAY FOR ME YEAR ROUND NO MATTER WHAT.

THE EXTRA STAFF AND THE ELECTION STAFF AND PRESIDING JUDGES THAT RUN THE ELECTIONS.

IT IS COST ZERO OR COST NEUTRAL AS TO WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR. THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT IS NOT FULLY FUNDED BY THOSE CONTRACTED ENTITIES.

>> SO THIS ELECTION WILL COST HOW MUCH.

>> I'LL SEE IF I CAN GET STAFF TO GIVE ME THE LATEST NUMBER ON THAT. ALLOW ME A MINUTE, COMMISSIONER TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET THE LATEST NUMBER

PRESIDENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS ASKING BECAUSE I WAS THINKING ABOUT YOUR RESOLUTION TO BE HONEST.

IF WE END UP LIKE MARICOPA COUNTY, THEY SPENT MORE ON DAMAGES THAN RUNNING THE ELECTIONS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT 8 PONE 8 MILLION FOR THE THEY -- 8.8 MILLION FOR THE ELECTION. THE VAST MAJORITY IS LABOR COSTS. WE NEED A JUDGE AND PRESIDING JUDGE AND THEN WE COLLECT THE 8.8 MILLION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WE MAKE THE DECISION AND SMILING AND HIGH FIVEING. WE MADE THAT DECISION.

>> YEAH, THE PAY RAYS RAISED -- PAY WAS RAISED AND TO 17 AND 20 RESPECTIVELY AND THAT'S FOR WHATEVER DECISIONS YOU MAKE I CAN -- EQUITY AND STAYING COMPETITIVE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL -- I MADE A MOTION.

IT DIDN'T PASS FAN UNANIMOUSLY.

>> LABOR COSTS ARE THE LARPEST OF THE BOARD LEAN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN RAMSEY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: PRIOR TO THE 2020 ELECTION WE WERE SPENDING

[06:10:01]

BETWEEN 4 AND 5 MILLION FOR OUR ELECTIONS, IS THAT

CORRECT? >> I DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFIC ELECTIONS. I KNOW MY STAFF AND I RAN SOME CALCULATIONS AND FOUND THAT IF YOU ADJUSTED FOR THE RATE IT WOULD FLOW ABOUT ABOUT 9,000,012,000,000 PER

ELECTION. >> IN THE 2020 ELECTION WE SPENT 12 MILLION IN THE BALLOT FOR MAIL AND 17.2 MILLION FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION AND 9.6 MILLION WE RECEIVED AS A GRANT FROM THE ZUCKERBURG FOUNDATION THAT RUNS 39 MILLION. TODAY WE WERE 3.3 MILLION OVER THE ANTICIPATED COSTS I THINK THAT MAKES THE COST LAST YEAR

33.1? >> DON'T HAVE THE SPECIFIC NUMBERS YOU ARE LOOKING AT I BELIEVE THAT'S IN THE

BALLPARK. >> WITH RESPECT TO THE ITEM TODAY. ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA CAN FILL IN THE DETAILS. IT WAS OUT OF THE PIC LAST YEAR SO THEY WERE INCLUDED IN THE NUMBERS YOU READ OFF WHICH SOUND APPROXIMATELY RIGHT FOR THE PIC FUND.

THE EXPENSE WAS INCURRED AND THE INVOICE WASN'T DELIVERED.

THE BUDGET OFFICE WENT BACK AND TOOK PIC FUNTD -- UNDER IFING IN THIS CASE IT WAS THE COUNT -- THE COUNTY CLERK.

EFFECTIVELY THIS IS A TIMING ISSUE RELATED TO AN INVOICE FOR THE 2020 ELECTION PRESIDENT THE UNDERSTAND -- ELECTION. THE FUNDS WERE APPROPRIATED.

>> THE FIRST ADDITION WAS 39.8.

WE DON'T ADD THE 3.3 TO THE 39.8.

THE 3.3 IS PART OF THE 39.8. >> I WOULD HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 39. I DON'T THINK WE SPENT ALL OF THAT. MEANING WHAT WAS APPROPRIATED IN 2020 INCLUDED THE 3.3 MILLION.

IT WAS TAKEN BACK AND NOW WE ARE TRANSFERRING IT AGAIN BECAUSE THE COST SHOWED UP AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

>> DO WE KNOW HOW IT GOT TAKEN BACK?

>> THROUGH THE BUDGET AND AFTERWARDS.

WE RESET THE PIC ALLOCATIONS TO WHAT THEY HAVE SPENT RATHER THAN WHAT WAS APPROPRIATED BEFORE.

>> IT WAS FROM THE M -- IT WAS FROM THE PIC FUND.

THE 16.069 IS WITH THE 3.3 AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS PART OF?

>> I DON'T HAVE THE PIC ALLOCATION IN FRONT OF ME.

ASSUMING THAT WAS CORRECT. IT WAS TAKEN BACK FOR THE BUDGET YEAR AND THIS IS RETURNING IT TO PAY BACK

COSTS. >> DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I AM A LITTLE -- I AM GETTING A LITTLE LOST MYSELF.

I WAS UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING THESE WERE UNPAID INVOICES SO I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS ALLOCATED OR NOT UNDER THE BUDGET. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT IS NOT FOR ME TO AGO SETS WITH THE COUNTY CLERK.

ALL I KNOW IS BASICALLY I CAME IN AND WE HAD UNPAID INVEES -- UNPAID INVOICES WHERE IS WHERE WE ARE COPPING NOW AND SAYING

THESE ARE BEFORE MY TIME. >> THEY SENT US AN IN -- THEY SENT US AN INVOICE THAT WAS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL NOW.

>> WHAT ADMINISTRATOR LONGORIA IS SAYING IS SHE DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RECLAIMING PIC BUDGET FROM THE COUNTY CLERK.

>> ALONG THESE LINES THESE ARE LATE INVOICES.

SOMEONE TURNED IN A LATE INVOICE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY TURNED IN SO LATE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I TURNED IN A LATE INVOICE WITH MY COMPANY. IT DIDN'T GET PAID.

IF ALL OF THIS THREE POINT MILLION IS ASSOCIATED WITH SOMEBODY GETTING THEIR INVOICE IN LATE IF IT IS STACKING

[06:15:06]

WAS THIS SUBMITTED LATE, IN BERRY?

>> NOT WERE LATE INVOICES. THEY WERE INVOICED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID FROM THE COUNTY CLERK FUNDS THAT WERE NOT FOR WHATEVER REASON -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT PAPERWORK AND PROCESS.

HERE THEY LAND ON MY BOOKS AND I AM DOING MY BEST TO MAKE UP FOR WHATEVER MAY HAVE BEEN LOST IN THE TRANSITION AND I THINK THAT'S THE MOST GENEROUS.

>> IT IS NOT LATE INVOICES ? >> SOME OF THEM, BUT NOT ALL

OF THEM WERE LATE INVOICES. >> MORE THAN 50%?

>> I WILL ASK DAVE TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND HOW MANY WERE LATE

VERSUS UNPAID INVOICES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WONDER IF WE JUST NEED TO BRING IT BACK AS TO THE INVOICES.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL, OBVIOUSLY ONE IS THE GOVERNMENT. YOU HAVE A LOT OF VENDORS THAT DON'T GET PAID ON TIME. IF IT IS A GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY WE HAVE TO CREATE A NEW DEPARTMENT.

WE WANT TO CREATE IT AND WE HAVE FRICTION THERE.

I THINK IT IS ENTIRELY REASONABLE AND IT COULD BE ANYWHERE. YOU HAVE THOSE THAT DIDN'T -- YOU KNOW, IT WAS A CONTENTIOUS SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN WORKED OUT. I THINK WE NEED TO.

>> IS IT SOMETHING WE CAN RUN DO YOU -- YOU CAN DO IS RUN DOWN IF IT IS MORE THAN 50% AND IT WAS LOST IN THE

SHUFFLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THERE ARE BILLS WE DON'T PAY -- I MEAN ARE THESE VENDORS AND THESE

PEOPLE OWE MONEY? >> LINA HIDALGO: PART OF IT IS -- I DON'T THINK WE CAN NECESSARILY GET AWAY WITH NOTHING. IT IS A GOOD POINT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN JUST DO THAT.

MY CONCERN I HEARD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY EXPRESS IS WHAT ADDS UP TO THE THREE MILLION.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GET -- AND MAYBE SOMEBODY CAN GET IT TOGETHER WHILE WE DO THE REST OF THE AGENDA.

>> AND I WILL CLARIFY THAT THESE ARE NOT UNPAID BY ME.

THEY CAME TO ME UNPAID AND I HAD TO PAY THEM.

STS -- IT IS 3.3 MILLION I WOULD HAVE TO EXPENNED FOR THINGS GETTING LOST IN THE SHUFFLE.

I AM NEGATIVE 3.3 WHAT I WILL HAVE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> IT IS NOT LIKE THEY ARE JUST LEAVING UNPAID.

WE UNDERSTOOD WE HAVE TO MEET OUR OBLIGATION.

WE ARE DOING ELECTIONS THAT PEOPLE NOT PAYING US?

>> THERE ARE TWO LARMINGEN -- LARGE ENTITIES THAT HAVE NOT PAID US FROM 2019. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF WE CAN

ASK FOR THAT MONEY BACK. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS A GOVERNMENT ENTITY AND IF THEY OWE US MONEY THEY OWE US MONEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR WHAT IT IS WRORT, I ASSUME -- I AM TOLD MONEY HAS BEEN COMING IN, BUT IT WAS EARMARKED TO GO TO THE COUNTY CLERK AND TAX LAW. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS A GAIN FOR THE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE NOT PUTTING THE MONEY IN THE ACCOUNT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PUT IT IN.

BEFORE YOU ALL MY FIVE -- HIGH FIVE AND THINK YOU WITH GETTING MONEY, THE COUNTY WAS SPENDING GENERAL REVENUE TO SUB SAW -- SUBSIDIZE THE ELECTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE ARE AT A GOOD PLACE AND COME BACK TO THIS ITEM AT THE END. IF THERE ARE DETAILS ABOUT WHO ALL HAS NOD PAID INVOICES AND WHO PAID THEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THIS IS A SOMEWHAT CUMBAYA MOMENT WHERE IF I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER ELLIS CORRECTLY, WE WANT THOSE GUYS AND THOSE COMPANIES TO PAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS HE TALKING TO ME?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DEPUTY ELLIS INSTEAD OF SECRETARY.

[06:20:02]

NO COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I THINK YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT FOLKS WITH UNPAID BALANCES AND WE NEED SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS

TO HAVE THEM PAY UP. >> THAT WAS ITEM 140.

LET'S GO THROUGH 144 AND THEN TAKE A QUICK BREAK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WOULD BE WISE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CRIMINAL

JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY JUDGE. I AM THE INTERIM DIRECTOR FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. CORREA CAN YOU SPEAK UP ALT LOUDER.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> MUCH BETTER.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS COURT. THIS IS ANNA CORREA.

I NOTICED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTED TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS ITEM IS ABOUT.

NO SPECIFIC MOTIONS. I WONDER IF IT IS OKAY TO BRIEFLY DISCUSS WHY WE, WE MEANING DR. DAVE BERRY AND I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BRING THIS ITEM FOR DISCUSSION AND MAYBE I CAN LEAVE IT TO QUESTIONS.

DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU? >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> MEMBERS THERE IS NOT A SINGLE COURT THAT GOES BY YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND CHALLENGEDS WITH THE BACKLOG AND JAIL OVER CROWDING OF THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS THE TOP PRIORITY.

WE HAVE ISSUES THAT RIGHT NOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL COULD BE ADDRESSING.

THE COUNCIL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE VEHICLE FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS TO HAVE OPEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE CHALLENGEDS THEY FACE -- THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE TO IDENTIFY THE HIGHEST IMPACT TO JOIN FORCES AROUND THE COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TO IMPLEMENT AND TRACK THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SOLUTIONS.

AND THAT IS WHY MR. BERRY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO IMRIPG -- TO BRING THIS ITEM TO HAVE A TRANSPARENT DISCUSSION TO MAKE IT FLEXIBLE AND MORE EFFECTIVE.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES THE JAD STAFF HAVE IDENTIFIED AND MANY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COUNCIL. I AM GOING TO TOUCH BASE ON A FEW. IT IS HARD TO REACH A QUORUM.

INDIVIDUALS THAT MAKE UP THE COUNCIL ARE HIGH-IMPACT POSITION INDIVIDUALS. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE PART OF THE COUNCIL. IT IS HARD TO GET HIGH-IMPACT INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE A QUORUM. THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

OTHER ISSUE THAT HAS BECOME MORE CUMBERSOME BECAUSE OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT REQUIREMENT THAT IS TRIGGERED BY THE FACT THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT ARE VOTING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. WHY IS THAT? YOU HAVE TO HAVE A QUORUM AND 18 MEMBERS HAVE TO BE PRESENT. AND THEN WE HAVE A FIND A LOCATION BIG ENOUGH FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THE TECHNOLOGY.

IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. IT IS WHEN WE HAVE TO BE THERE AND IN COMPLIANCE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS MAKING SURE WE STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN INCLUSIVENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS. IT IS MAKING THUR THERE IS A BALANCE APPROACH. ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS.

AND THERE ARE R -- THERE ARE SYSTEM-WIDE ISSUES.

[06:25:10]

THERE IS A BODY THAT CAN FULFILL AND COORDINATE THE COUNCIL TO DO. I WILL STOP THERE BECAUSE YOU ARE ALL IN A ROW AND YOU ARE -- ARE YOU ON ROLL AND GETTING THROUGH YOUR AGENDA. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER AND I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY SOME OF THE NEXT STEPS THAT MR. BERRY AND I DISCUSSED AND TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ROD ROUGH AS I RECALL WHEN THIS WAS CREATED A COUPLE OF BIG ISSUES CAME TO IT. AND IT WAS TRYING TO GET THE VOTE AND CREATE AN AGENDA. THERE WERE TWO COMMISSIONERS ON IT. SORRY TO TAKE THE MASK OFF, BUT THESE GLASSES ARE KILLING ME.

MY STAFF PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

IT MAKES IT AS LARGE AS IT IS.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE LOOKED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT OTHER PLACES THAT HAVE THESE?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. WE LOOKED AT SEVERAL COUNTIES THAT HAVE SIMILAR PURPOSES AND SIMILAR FROM A JUS TIFF COORDINATOR. WE PARTNERED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CURED FATING COUNCIL. TO GET THE PERSPECTIVE.

THEY ARE JURISDICTIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT, ANDERSON, CHARLESTON, ADAMS COUNTY AND ANOTHER ONE THAT I AM GOING TO

BUTCHER RIGHT NOW -- MULTNOMAH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S IN OREGON. THAT'S MULTNOMAH.

>> YES. WHEN YOU CRY -- CREATED THIS,

WE HAD A VISION. >> ARE WE BIGGER THAN OTHERS?

>> EVEN THE LARGEST MODEL HAS 26 MEMBERS.

OUR COUNCIL HAS 35 MEMBERS. HAVING MORE THAN 25 MEMBERS CAN BE CHALLENGING TO OPERATE.

IT IS STRAIKING -- STRIKING THE BALANCE BETWEEN INCLUSIVENESS AND REMEMBERING THAT THE REAL WORK HAS TO COST WITHIN THE COMMITTEES. WHEN PEOPLE ARE ROLLING UP THEIR SLEEVES AND REALLY GETTING INTO THE WEEDS OF THESE IMPLEMENTATIONS. THE REAL WORK HAS TO HAPPEN IN THE COMMITTEES PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE.

WE HAVE A LARGE COUNCIL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MAKE THIS POINT AND THE LAST COUPLE POINTS.

SOME OF THE MORE PRODUCT -- PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS I HAVE HAD IS WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA CALLED A SMALLER GROUP TO ONE OF HIS FACILITY. AND MAYBE THEY ARE NOT AS CANDID AS THEY WANT TO BE. THE THREE OF US ARE THERE -- I DON'T REMEMBER IF WHEN COMIGHTSER -- COMMISSIONER RADACK WAS HEAR THEY HAD MANY VOTES.

THEY WERE ISSUES THAT CAME UP. I I -- I THINK IF YOU COME BACK WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THE OPTION IS TO SCALE IS BACK AND FIND SOMEWAY AS A GROUP WHERE WE DON'T KEEP OTHER

[06:30:01]

PARTIES. WE DON'T HAVE THE PURSE STRINGS BUT GETTING THEM TO WORK TOGETHERFUL.

THE REAL ROLL IS IT GETS THEM IN THE TALKS.

IT WASN'T SO MUCH WHAT WE DID ON THE FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATURE. IT WAS SMALLER GROUPS THAT CAN SAY UGLY THINGS TO ONE ANOTHER.

AND IT LEAD TO PASSING THE BILL.

THAT'S MY SUGGESTION WHEN YOU COME BACK.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING THIS OUT PRESIDENT I LIKE YOUR WORD EFFECTIVENESS.

I HAVE SERVED ON ENOUGH BOARDS TO KNOW 30 PLUS OF ANYTHING IS A NIGHTMARE. 12 IS ALWAYS A GOOD NUMBER.

37 PEOPLE TRYING TO GET IN A WOMB -- A ROOM IS NOT EFFECTIVE. I THINK YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK IN TERMS OF MAKING IT EFFECTIVE.

DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE. WHEN YOU CAN'T HAVE A MEETING BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A COR ROLL.

THAT'S IS JUST NOT EFFECTIVE. I UH -- I APPLAUD YOU TRYING TO CREATE SOMETHING SPHARD -- FORWARD OF.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND EVERYBODY IN COURT WE KNOW THIS IS SUB SAFETY SOLUTIONS AND IT IS YOUR PRIORITY. MR. BERRY AND MYSELF HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION AND WANT TO REACH OUT TO ALL OF THE MEMBERS IN THE COUNCIL AND WE WILL RESEARCH WHAT THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING M M -- YOUR PARTNERSHIP IS GOING TO

MATTER TO US. >> I THINK THIS IS WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS GETTING AT.

WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH THE JUDGES ON DO THEY NEED MORE

COURTROOM SPACE OR NOT. >> THERE IS A GROUP OF STAKE STAKEHOLDERS. I THINK PERHAPS AND THEY WILL GO TO SPEAK FOR THE JUDGES AND WOULD WILL GO TO SPEAK FOR EACH OF THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES SO WE DON'T END UP WITH A

LARGE BODY. >> WE HAVE LARGE SYSTEM.

YOU INCLUDE ONE JUDGE AND YOU HAVE TO INCLUDE THE OTHER

JUDGE. >> IT IS RARE TO HAVE ALL FIVE

COMMISSIONERS. >> IT IS LIKE EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET IN THE ROOM. AND EVEN HAVING THREE OF US, EVEN IF WE DECIDE ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR WE WANT TO POST IT AND WE MEET WITH IT. OR FIVE COULD BE THERE.

SOME THAT I HAVE BEEN TO, SOME WILL DEFER TO US AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS TRYING TO GET THEM TO FIGURE IT UT.

FIGURE IT OUT IF IT CAN BE FIGURED OUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU TO JA AD AND EVERYONE WORKING ON THIS. THANK YOU ALL.

>> JUDGE, HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> LINA HIDALGO: TO ACTION RELATED TO THIS. IT IS 5:32 LET'S TAKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK TO A QUARTER TO 6 AND WE CAN FINISH UP.

IT IS 5:32. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 5:51 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE NEED TO DISCUSS 191 ON PAGE 23 ABOUT JAMES DRYER PARK.

[06:35:07]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO THANK THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. THIS IS THE FIRST ENVISION PROJECT. AND WHAT IS BETTER ABOUT IT IS THE FACT THAT IT IS GOING TO CONNECT THE JAMES DRIVER ALL INCLUSIVE PARK TO THE TRAIL. THIS IS CONTINUING WITH THE EFFORT WE START STARTED -- STARTED IN 2019 TO BRING MORE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE THIS DESIGN IN CONSTRUCTION OF PROJECTS WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AND TO THE END OF LIFE PHASES.

THE REALITY OF IF -- THE REALITY IS THIS IS AN IMMENSELY UNDER SERVED AREA. COMBINEING THE WORK ON JAMES DRIVER, SEVERAL RESIDENTS SAY THEY HAVE TAKEN NOTICE.

I MET WITH A RESIDENT WHOSE HUSBAND IS A -- I BELIEVE A HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY. SHE WAS LIKE, I'M SO EXCITED THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING. HE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MOVING OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE NOTHING GOOD SEEMS TO EVER HAPPEN IN THE COMMUNITY.

NOW THAT THESE INVESTMENTS ARE TAKING PLACE IT IS GIVING HER CONFIDENCE. SHE SAYS I KNOW HE IS EXCITED AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT TO SEE ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPENING, SHE GOT A PREVIEW OF JAMES DRIVER AND SHE WAS SHOCKED. SHE SAID I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE AND THIS LOOKS NOTHING LIKE WHAT IT WAS BEFORE OF -- LIKE WHAT IT WAS BEFORE. IT IS A 12-MONTH PROJECT VALUED AT BETWEEN 5,000,006,000,000.

5MILLION, AND 6 MILLION. I AM EXCITED BECAUSE WE CAN'T TALK RESILIENCY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IF WE DON'T DO PROJECTS RELATED TO IT. I AM EXCITED THAT WE ARE GETTING IT DONE AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT THIS WILL LEAD US

WE'RE INTERESTED IN THIS. THERE IS A DELTA AND WHILE THAT IS OFFSET BY FUTURE BENEFITS, BUT JUST KNOWING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ONE ON GRANT.

WE DID ONE WITH DIL -- LID A FIE YEARS AGO BUT FIVE MILLION TO 6 MILLION IS THE RANGE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FOR OUR TYPICAL PROJECT AND SEE WHAT KIND OF -- WHO WOULD WE NEED

TO -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAIL IT TO MY OFFICE, THE CHIEF ENGINEER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT LOOKS GREAT.

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE A SKATE PARK OUT THERE AS WELL.

IT REALLY LOOKS GOOD. THAT CONNECTIVITY TO THE BAYOU WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. WE FIND A WAY LIKE THAT TO GET IT ON THE STREETS SO YOU CAN GO FROM ONE BAYOU TO GET TO ANOTHER ONE. AND IF YOU RIDE A LITTLE LONGER WITHOUT THE BATTERY, YOU CAN SEE HOW IT IS JUST KIND OF BORING. YOU WANT TO GO ONE WAY AND COME BACK ANOTHER WAY. THOSE ARE OLD PICTURES.

WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE NEW ONES.

THIS IS COUPLED WITH THE REVIVE TO THRIVE INITIATIVE.

THEY ARE CALLING IT REVITALIZING THE COMMUNITIES WITHOUT HAVING GENTRIFICATION TO CREATE THE REVITALIZATION.

IT JUST REMINDS ME THAT THAT'S ONE ASPECT OF IT.

WE HAVE ALREADY FINISHED IMPROVING THE SIDEWALKS IN THE AREA. IT IS ALL COMING TOGETHER AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT. THE NEIGHBORS ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. IT IS BRINGING OUR

REVITALIZATION EFFORTS. >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> YOUR MIC, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, YOU AND I WERE AT A RIBBON CUTTING TO THE LONG AGO.

PART OF THE COMPONENT WAS THE TRAIL GOES DOWN TO A PARK

[06:40:01]

WHICH IS A JOINT VENTURE WITH PRECINCT 4 IN HARRIS COUNTY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO WHERE WE HAD A -- FOR A SMALL FEE WE RENTED FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR 30 YEARS WITH TALL WEEDS AND DEAD GRASSES AND TALL BODIES THAT WERE BURIED IF THERE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD TO PATROL THAT AREA. WE GOT THE TEXAS WILDLIFE PARTNER GRANTS. WE PUT IN SOME SOCCER FIELDS AND HAVE TRAILS THAT CONNECT THAT TOGETHER.

THESE KINDS OF INITIATIVES TO WHERE WE TAKE EYESORES AS THEY WERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND TURN THEM INTO BEAUTIFUL PLACES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO USE WHICH THEN HAVE ADDITIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED A SECOND.

I'LL SECOND IT BECAUSE WE ARE DOING THESE THINGS IN FOUR.

THE MORE WE CAN DO THAT THE BETTER.

IT IMPROVES THE VALUE OF EASTBOUND'S LIFE IN THAT AREA. IT IS SOMETHING THAT DIMINISHES THE VALUE OF PEOPLE LIVING IN THE AREA.

>> ALONG THOSE POINTS THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PROJECT.

IT IS A POCKET PUCK. DURING THE SUMMER WHEN I WAS DELIVERING AIR CONDITIONERS TO FOLKS WHO -- SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES AND NEEDED SOMETHING TO KEEP THEM COOL IN THE SUMMER, THIS WOMAN POINTED TO A LOT NEXT TO HER AND SAID COMMISSIONER WILL YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT? RATS AND SNAKES AND CABBING CANS AND STRAY DOGS ARE ALWAYS IN THERE AND IT IS TRASH AND IT IS A MESS AND IT WAS A JUNGLE. I SAID I'LL TAKE A LOOK AT.

IT I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 30 YEARS.

I BROUGHT IT UP ON MANY OCCASIONS AND NO ONE EVER LOOKED AT IT. WE TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND GUESS WHAT. IT WAS A COUNTY ROAD.

JUST NEVER CLEANED OR MAINTAIN TAD.

MAINTAINED. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL POCKET PART. HE SAYS OH THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING. THIS IS INCREDIBLE AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED. I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 30 YEARS AND I THANK YOU FOR DOING IT. THEY HAVE LONG BEEN FORGOTTEN AND THEY ARE BRINGING THE IMPROVEMENTS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AND THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BEAUTIFUL. THAT WILL BE AS PRESENTED.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 26 AND 263 ARE NEXT.

262 AND 263 ARE NEXT AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU

FLAGGED THOSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO ASK THE TOLL AUTHORITY, THESE SEEM TO BE THINGS THE STATE SHOULD PAY FOR. ARE THERE OTHERS LIKE THIS IN OTHER PRECINCTS, PARTICULARLY PRECINCT ONE WHERE THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR IT, BUT THE STATE SHOULD HAVE DONE IT?

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU CAN GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MIC. IT IS EITHER LATE OR I CAN'T

HEAR. >> NO, WE CAN'T HEAR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE PHONE.

>> IS THAT BETTER, COMMISSION SNEER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: A LITTLE BETTER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS 6:00. >> IT IS 6.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE DEGRATH PARKWAY IS BY THE GRAND PARKWAY TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION AND THE ORIGINAL DESIGN OF THE GRAND PARKWAY AND IT DOES NOT ALLOW FOR MODIFICATION UNTIL THE GRAND PARKWAY IS COMPLETE.

THAT'S WHY IN 2018, 2019 THESE PROJECTS WERE ADDED AND THAT'S

WHAT YOU ARE SEEING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WOULDN'T THE STATE NORMALLY HAVE PAID FOR THIS?

IT IS A PHO -- >> IT IS A FACILITY THAT TIES INTO THE THOROUGH -- THOROUGHFARE.

THEY MADE COMMENTS TO THE GRAND PARKWAY DESIGN REQUESTING THE STATE TO INCLUDE THIS SCOPE OF WORK

[06:45:01]

INTO THEIR FACILITY. THERE WAS MANY THOROUGHFARES AND THIS WAS THE ONE THOROUGHFARE THAT THE GRANT PARKWAY TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION DID NOT INCLUDE IN THE FINAL DESIGN. THEY DID DO IT AT SEVERAL

OTHER LOCATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHERE WERE THE OTHER LOCATIONS? WHAT PRECINCTS WERE THEY IN?

>> THE GRAND PARKWAY IN THIS AREA WOULD ESSENTIALLY RUN IN PRECINCTS 3 AND 4. 3 AND 4.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M JUST WONDERING THIS IS $5 MILLION, RIGHT? AND I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD

NORMALLY BE A STATE FUNCTION. >> CORRECT.

IT WAS A STATE FUNCTION AND A STATE FACILITY.

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE WORK PACKAGE TIED TO THE EXISTING FACILITIES, YES, SIR.

>> IT IS NOT AN ISSUE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND INITIALLY I WAS TOLD IT WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE PRECINCTS AND THEN AFTER IT WAS ELECTED WE CHANGED IT BACK AND THEN WHEN I SEE THE OTHER PROJECTS COME UP LIKE THIS, P -- IT MAKES ONE WONDER COULD I MAKE THE SAME ARGUMENT AS AN EXAMPLE? THE COUNTY OPTED NOT TO DO THE TOLL ROAD DOWN THE MIDDLE OF 288 AS AN EXAMPLE.

THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS ALONG THE WAY WHO COULD BENEFIT.

SOME SAYS WHY NOT GO TO HCTRA TO HELP FOLKS WHO DON'T LIVE OUTSIDE THE COUNTY? OR A LOT OF THE DISCUSSION ON I-45 IF THESE ARE THE THINGS THE STATE CAN'T DO, CAN HCTRA GO AND DO THEM? MY CONCERN IS WHEN WE GET TO THESE LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES I JUST DON'T SEE THESE, WHAT I DESCRIBE AS EXSOPPINGSES OR ONE OFFS IN THAT CONCERN.

THESE EXCEPTIONS OR ONE OFFS.

>> SO THE FIVE MILLION THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, WHERE IS THAT MONEY COPPING FROM? WHERE IS THAT MONEY COMING

FROM? >> IT IS COMING FROM THE HCTRA

FUND, SIR? >> TOM RAMSEY: AS I UNDERSTAND FROM DOING A LITTLE RESERVE -- RESEARCH ON IT, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WHEN THIS WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT.

THIS IS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE AND I AM ABOUT TO STAND 8.6 MILLION -- SPEND 8.6 MILLION TO GET IT UNDER THE FREEWAY. THERE IS A CONNECTIVITY ISSUE OUT THERE IN THAT PART OF THE PRECINCT.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT. MY 8.6 MILLION DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IF WE DON'T DO THIS. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YEARS AGO. IT WAS N.

IT WASN'T. THEY MADE THE DECISION TO PULL IT. I DON'T KNOW WHY HE PULLED IT. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PART OF THE WHOLE PART OF THE GRAND PARKWAY WHEN IT WAS BUILT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHY IT WAS PULLED, ROBERTO?

>> NO IDEA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I WONDER WHEN GARY WAS HERE, THE COUNTY MADE A DECISION THEY WOULD BRING THE TOLL ROAD. I WENT IN AND ASKED, LOOK, WITH THESE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE CUT UP UP TO BEGIN WITH, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THE STORY, WHEN THEY DECIDED TO DO THE TOLL ROAD, THAT'S WHEN WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A MAINTENANCE FACILITY AT THE AIRPORT.

THAT WAS THE WHOLE LODGE -- THE LOGIC.

IT RIPPED UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

I'M JUST GLAD THEY VOTED ON IT BEFORE I GOT ON THE CITY COUNCIL. THEY SAY IT WAS IN THE CITY'S MASTER PLAN. IT HAS BEEN ON THE CITY'S MASTER PLAN FOR A LONGTIME. THEY DECIDED TO BRING THE TOLL ROAD ON AND THEY DIDN'T COMPLETE IT.

THEY STOPPED IT. I MANAGED TO GET IT STOPPED.

I SAID CAN YOU WIDEN THESE SIDEWALKS OR SOMETHING SO THESE PEOPLE WALKING WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE TOLL TO GET

[06:50:01]

TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER? I WAS TOLD THEY CAN'T DO IT.

THEY SAID WE'LL MAKE A MODEST MOD TAU -- MODIFICATION.

WHEN I COME BACK AND SEE THE FIVE MILLION -- WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO -- THIS IS A ONE OFF.

I AM NOT ARGUING WITH IT. I GET IT.

IT WOULDN'T MAKE SENSE IF IT WASN'T DONE, BUT IT GOES BACK TO THE INEQUITY. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE EVER GET AROUND IT. THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, I MANY OF THEM, WERE TORN UP TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GET IN AND MAKE THEIR MONEY ON THEIR JOB AND GET OUT AND GET BACK TO THE SUBURBS AND LET THE CORE OF THE CITY DIE.

SOME OF MY FRIENDS WATCH WHAT WE DO AND THEY SAY TO STOP WATCHING -- MAKING REFERENCE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS EXAMPLES.

I WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT KIND OF ONE OFFS CAN WE DO FOR THE POOR NEIGHBORHOODS WHO DON'T GET IN THAT POSITION? I MENTION HARDY AS AN EXAMPLE.

THIS IS AN EXCEPTION AND IT IS SOMETHING THE STATE OF TEXAS SHOULD HAVE DONE AND THEY CLEARLY HAVE MORE MONEY THAN WE HAVE. I WISH WHEN SOMEBODY WAS LOOKING FOR EARMARKS THEY FOUND THE EARMARKS OF WHAT THEY TOOK IT INTO. TALKING ABOUT IT IN WASHINGTON BUT THAT'S MY CONCERN REPRESENTING ONE OF THE

DISTRICTS. >> AS WE LOOK AT WHAT HCTRA WILL BE INTO, LOOKING AT WHAT HCTRA WILL BE GOING FORWARD AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO DETERMINE WHAT IS IT THE PROJECT WHEEZE CAN BENEFIT ALL THREE PRECINCTS INCLUDING PRECINCT ONE AND WHAT THE PARTIES LOOK LIKE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE SOMEWAY OF KNOWING SO IT IS NOT JUST -- LOOK, WHEN THESE ITEMS COME ON THE AGENDA AND THERE IS AN EXCEPTION. I HAVE BEEN HERE FIVE YEARS AND NONE OF MINE HAVE BEEN ON HERE, BUT HAVE I BEEN SCRUTINIZED BY MANAGE -- MANAGEMENT OR MR. BERRY.

THIS BY ACCIDENT I WILL CATCH IT.

IT IS NOT REFERENCE TO YOU, BUT IT IS AN EXCEPTION.

AS I RUN DOWN THE LIST, SO WAS THE OTHER PROJECT OUT THERE THE TOLL ROAD PROG DISWRECT. PROJECT, THE VEGETATION

PROJECT. >> IF I CAN JUMP IN A LITTLE BIT. THREE ROWS TO BENEFIT PRECINCT 1. I FORGET WHAT THEY WERE.

THE EXPANSION OF THE HARDY TOLL ROAD WERE ALL PART OF SEVEN PROJECTS THAT WERE DONE AS PART OF A GROUP DEAL.

THEY WERE PART OF A GROUP DEAL THAT WAS MADE WITH TXDOT ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO. IN THE MIDST OF THE DEAL, PRECINCT 1 GOT A COUPLE OF ROADS THAT WENT IN AND OUT OF THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR AND GOT SOME STUFF ON 288 THAT MADE THE THEN COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 1 HAPPY IN THE TRANSACTION. THE HISTORY IS ONE THAT THE GRAND PARKWAY WAS PART OF THE PARK PACKAGE AND TXDOT DIDN'T PAY FOR THE FEEDERS AND THEIR MODEL IS TO CONNECT SPOT A WITH SPOT B AND IT IS TO GET THEM OFF THE GRAND PARKWAY.

I WAS HERE 10 YEARS AGO WHEN WE DID HAVE PRECINCT ONE WHO GOT -- WOULDN'T LIFT OUT OF THE MIX.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULDN'T TELL A COLLEAGUE THEY HAD A DIFFERENT HISTORY, BUT I WAS HERE TOO.

>> COMMISSIONER -- [INAUDIBLE] >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IT DID WAS BLOCK THIRD WARD. THAT WAS HIGHLY CONTROVERSY.

[06:55:09]

CONTINUE -- CONTROVERSIAL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS A ONE OFF. IT IS SOMETHING THE STATE

SHOULD HAVE DONE. >> I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS THAT REFLECTS THIS TYPE OF FUND.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THESE WERE 262 AND 263 AND THE MOTION IS AS PRESENTED.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> TOM RAMSEY: I MAKE A MOTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS FOR 262 AND 263. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT IS ITEM 272. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THIS IS A WORK ORDER WITH CARTEGRAPH SYSTEMS, LLC.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THIS IS A WORK ORDER MAINTENANCE SYSTEM THAT WILL MAXIMIZE OUR RESOURCES AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVE OUR REPORTING CAPABILITY IN ADDITION TO EMERGENCY DISASTER RESPONSE AND REIMBURSMENTS.

FURTHERMORE IT ADDS TRANSPARENCY TO THE WORK WE DO FOR CITIZENS. CURRENTLY THE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE A ROAD AND BRIDGE WORK ORDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO TRACK LABOR, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, THE ROAD AND BRIDGE SYSTEM WAS AN ANTIQUATED SYSTEM OF A RED JOURNAL -- OF A JOURNAL CALLED THE RED BOOK. THE LAST TIME A PARTICULAR ROAD WAS MAINTAINED, THE TEAM WOULD HAVE TO PAGE THROUGH MULTIPLE RED BOOKS TO ATTEMPT TO FIND THE ANSWER IF WE WERE LUCKY. I'M EXCITED TO IMPLEMENT THIS IN -- THIS NEW WORK ORDER SYSTEM.

THIS WILL ALLOW US TO MOVE INTO A BEST IN CLASS SERVICE AND BE PRO ACTIVE IN SCHEDULING THE MUCH-NEEDED ROAD WORK AND IMPROVES PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE THE MUCH-NEEDED SOFTWARE TO MANAGE ROAD AND BRIDGE AND WORK ORDERS AND INCREASES THE CONNECTIVITY AND ALLOWS US TO BECOME MUCH MORE AN -- MUCH MORE AGILE, FOR EXAMPLE THE PEOPLE AND THE EQUIPMENT AND THE MATERIALS AND INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY.

I'M EXCITED AND I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM FOR THEIR RESEARCH ON THIS. WORKING TO BRING THE PRECINCT OUT OF THE STONE AGE IS IMPROVEMENT.

IT HELPS OUR PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS IN FIXING OUR ROADS AND MAKES PROPER INVESTMENTS AND JUST BEING ABLE TO FIND THE HISTORY ON WORK THAT'S BEING DONE, THE RED BOOK I GOOGLED -- I GIGGLED ABOUT IT BECAUSE WHEN I WAS A YOUNG POLICEMAN THAT'S HOW YOU WOULD SCHEDULE YOURSELF FOR YOUR OVERTIME. YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE SERGEANT'S OFFICE. IF THE SERGEANT WAS THERE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR SHIFT YOU WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE RED BOOK AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO FLIP THROUGH THE DAY THAT YOU HOPE TO TAKE OFF. IF THAT DAY WAS -- IF THERE WAS MORE THAN THREE SIGNATURES THERE, THEN YOU PUT YOUR NAME DOWN. IF THERE WAS MORE THAN THREE SIGNATURES YOU WOULD HAVE TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS AN ELECTRONIC WORK MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE.

I'M EXCITED TO PRESENT IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: WOULD YOU

CONSIDER THIS A BETA TEST? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T

THINK IT IS A BETA TEST. >> TOM RAMSEY: IN OTHER WORDS, IT WORKS HERE AND IN OTHER PLACES --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. YEAH.

IT IS $645,000 IS THE COST. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR ME. I KNOW JUST BECAUSE I TRACK THIS WORK PRETTY EXTENSIVELY AND THE AMOUNT OF WORK WE HAVE GOING ON, BUT IF THE PRECINCT DOESN'T HAVE THIS, I AM NOT

[07:00:03]

HOPEFUL THAT THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS. FOR YOU GUYS THAT DO A LOT OF WORK, YOU MAY WANT TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS

APPLICABLE FOR YOU AS WELL. >> THAT'S AS PRESENTED, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? IS THAT A MOTION,

COMMISSIONER? >> YES, MALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY ELLIS.

ALL IF FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THE

TECHNOLOGY SPH. >> I AM IN FAVOR OF HIM DOING THE BEST THING FOR HIS PRE SINK AND BUILDING ROADS.

THAT WOULD BE AN I. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS 277 AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THIS IS THE BILLING ITEM.

>> THIS IS AN UPDATE ON OUR PURSUIT OF SOFTWARE TO BE ABLE TO DO TAX COLLECTIONS AND THE SPIRIT IN WHICH I ASK THE QUESTION IS I'M LOOKING FOR OPTIONS OTHER THAN HAVING PEOPLE THAT ARE LATE ON THEIR TAX PAYMENTS AND HAVING TO PAY SOME 15 TO 20% PREMIUM ON WHAT THEY WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO PAY. THAT'S THE SPIRIT OF THE CONVERSATION. IT IS NOT RELATED TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN I DON'T LIKE THE SYSTEM THAT PUTS THE BURDEN OF THE PAYMENT ON THE PEOPLE WHO LEAST CAN AFFORD IT.

THE OTHER THING WHEN I MET WITH OUR TAX FOLKS.

WHEN I MET WITH THE TAX FOLKS, I WAS UPDATED.

97% OF PEOPLE PAY THEIR TAXES.

3% IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

I DIDN'T EVEN IMAGINE IT WAS THAT HIGH.

BUT THE FACT THAT 97% OF PEOPLE PAY THEIR TAXES.

SO IT IS 3% WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BUT IT IS JUST TO GIVE

YOU AN UPDATE. >> THE FIRST EFFORT IS TO LAUNCH AN RFP FOR THE TAX SOFTWARE AND NOT JUST DO THE TAX COLLECTIONS, BUT THE OPERATIONS OF THE TAX OFFICE.

ACTUALLY, I WOULD INVITE -- IF THERE IS SOMEBODY ELSE FROM THE TAX OFFICE ON I WILL GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE.

I WILL TALK ABOUT HOW IT FITS INTO THE OVERALL EFFORT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS SOMEONE ON THE LINE FROM THE TAX OFFICE?

>> MARCUS HAMILTON IS ON THE LINE.

NOT SURE IF HE WANTS TO TALK. >> GO AHEAD, MR. HAMILTON.

>> GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD, MR. HAMILTON.

>> UNFORTUNATELY I AM NOT ON ON THE LINE FOR THE -- I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD BE -- ANY INFORMATION.

THAT WOULD BE LIZ DEATH -- ELIZABETH DOSS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> I CAN JUST GO AHEAD.

TXDOT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH PURCHASING AND SOME SUPPORT FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES. THE TAX OFFICE HAS TAKEN THE LEAD TO COME UP WITH A LIST OF REQUIREMENTS WE CAN PUT OUT FOR RFP FOR SOFTWARE. THAT WILL BE OUT SHORTLY AND IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WHAT THAT WILL LET US DO IS LOOK AT DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES.

IT IS NOT ABOUT THE CURRENT VENDOR.

IT IS ABOUT LOOKING AT OPTIONS AND HAVING A CLEAN SOFTWARE CONTRACT WHAT THAT WOULD DO IS PUT US IF A POSITION WHEREAS WE MOVE INTO NEXT YEAR WE COULD PROVIDE OPTIONS ON TAX COLLECTIONS. THAT COULD BE AN RFP FOR VENT VENDORS AND ALLOW THE COUNTY TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO DO THEMSELVES. WE HOPE THAT'S SOMETHING THE CURRENT VENDOR PARTICIPATES IN.

THAT WILL GIVE SOME OPTIONS ABOUT WHO THEY WANT TO WORK WITH AND GIVE OPTIONS ON WHO THEY WANT TO PAY WHETHER IT IS THE COUNTY PAYING DIRECTLY OR THE CURRENT DELINGUENT PENALTY OR SOME MIX OF THE TWO. SO THAT'S THE PLAN.

THERE IS NO ACTION REQUIRED TODAY.

THE WHEELS ARE IN MOTION SO THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL HAVE MORE OPTIONS ON THIS TOPIC IN TERMS OF THE VENDOR AND EQUALLY IF NOT MORE IMPORTANTLY WHO PAYS FOR THE

COLLECTION SERVICES. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA. AS YOU SAID, IT IS NOT ABOUT A

[07:05:01]

PARTICULAR VENDOR. THE CURRENT VENDOR I ASSUME SHOULD BE A LITTLE COMPETITION.

I BELIEVE THEY HAD THEM SINCE THE 80S? 86? I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME.

I JUST WANT TO RUN THROUGH THE NUMBERS SO WE DON'T FORGET.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY ON TOP OF -- WHAT IS IT IN TOTAL THAT SOMEBODY PAYS IF THEY ARE LATE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT.

THERE ARE TWO SETS OF PENALTIES.

THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO WAIVE THOSE.

IF YOU ARE A YEAR LATE THEY PUSH 30% OF -- OFF.

AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT IN THE PAST LINEBARGER CHARGED 20% ON TOP OF THAT. THAT'S AS CLOSE TO A 50% PENALTY. THEY NEGOTIATED THAT WITH US WHICH IS AN IMPROVEMENT. BUT THAT'S STILL THE CASE THAT THE STATUTORY PENALTIES ARE SUBSTANTIAL.

THIS IS ADDING PAIN IN TERMS OF WHAT WE PAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MEMBERS, I ONLY DO THAT TO PUT A FACE ON THIS. I DIDN'T KNOW ONLY 3% DON'T PAY. IN THAT 3% THAT'S 51,784 PROPERTIES FROM 2021 FROM A REPORT THAT CAME IN.

PRECINCT 1 HAS 19,000. PRE -- PRECINCT 214,679 AND FROW -- PRECINCT 316%. PRECINCT 3, 16%.

>> I ASK WHEN THIS CAME UP WAS THE MWBE COMPONENT.

WHATEVER YOU DO THIS GO AROUND , THE ONE THING WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT OUR SMALL MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES CAN DO IS COLLECT TAXES.

IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. EITHER YOU PAID OR YOU DIDN'T PAY. YOU GOT ME? YOU CAN FIGURE THAT OUT PRETTY EASILY.

I HAD THIS ISSUE COME UP AND A LOT OF THE FIGHT WAS OVER THE MWBE COMPONENT. THAT WAS IN 1985.

IT WAS NIGHT LINEBARGER BACK THEN.

I WANT THIS TO HAVE AN MWBE COMPLIANCE AS ALL OTHER VENDORS SHOULD, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ANY BARRIERS HERE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO HURDLES OR YOU LET US KNOW IF IT COMES UP.

I DON'T THINK ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL MAKES THE DECISION WHETHER IT HAS TO BE IN HOUSE OR OUTHOUSE.

I CAN LIVE OR DIE ON THE MERITS OF THE DISCUSSION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IF WE CAN GET THIS TO THE POINT WE ELIMINATE THE 15%, WE ARE ALLOWED TO DO 20 BUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE LAW IS -- WE WERE OF THE IMPRESSION WE HAD TO DO 20.

I THINK I HAD A HAPPENED IN GETTING TO 15.

EVERYONE ASSUMED THE LAW SAID THAT WAS THE MAX.

WITH COVID DO WE HAVE TO DO THE 20?

>> NO, WE DON'T. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AS FAR AS

WHAT WE COLLECT. >> OH, I THINK WE DO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WORKS UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE VENDOR IT IS LIKE THEY ARE DISINCENTIVIZED --

>> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T MIND PAYING ANYBODY IF THEY HAVE SOFTWARE SUPPORT TO US. GET THEM OUT OF THE REQUIRE --

REQUIRE MEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND

COMPETITION ON THE SOFTWARE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THE WAY IT WORKS NOW, HOW WOULD THE VENDOR MAKE ANY MONEY IF YOU

[07:10:03]

PAY ON TIME. I TOOK A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP.

THEN I GET THE BILL IN THE MAIL AND I WANT TO STAY IN THE LINE TO PAY THE $12 CASH WHAT A SCAM! IS THAT THE WAY THE SYSTEM WORKS? THERE IS NO INCENTIVE FOR THE VENDOR IF YOU WERE -- IF YOU ARE NOT LATE? YOU HAVE TO PAY IN THREE MONTHS AND THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE GONNA GET. BACK WHEN I WAS LATE ON BILLS

I HAD A WHOLE HOST OF PEOPLE. >> I SPENT AN HOUR AND A HALF THIS WEEK WITH THE TAX FOLKS. MY QUESTION IS ARE WE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STAY OUT OF THE 15% AND GET PAID BEFORE THE END OF JULY. THE NUMBER THEY ARE COLLECTING, 97% AND 3% GO IN THE 15% CATEGORY AND I HAD NO

IDEA IT WAS THAT GOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MOST PEOPLE IT IS ROLLED INTO THE MORTGAGE.

I DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I REFINANCED MY HOUSE YEARS AGO, I THOUGHT I WAS REALLY SMART BEING A BANKER AND REFINANCING. IT WENT DOWN, LOW INTEREST RATE. AND THEN I FOUND OUT WHAT MY ACCOUNTANT SAID IS WHY ARE YOU LETTING THE MORTGAGE COMPANY KEEP THE INTEREST ON YOUR LOAN? WHEN I SAW THAT NOTE, THAT'S WHAT -- THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED HOW HIGH THE TAXES WERE. MOST PEOPLE I THINK THAT'S

WHY -- >> TOM RAMSEY: I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE TAX OFFICE WORKING WITH PEOPLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IT JUST REMINDS ME WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH OUR ART -- ARPA DOLLARS. I AM LOOKING FOR A MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE COMPANY. I ASKED THIS REPEATEDLY.

THERE IS A QUESTION WE CAN'T USE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO PAY THE LOCAL COUNTY. THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN BE DOING THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS IN THE TAX OFFICE.

BUSINESSES HAVE A PAYMENT PLAN THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN.

THEY HAVE TO GET IN AT A PARTICULAR TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PROMOTE EVERYTHING WE CAN PROMOTE THAT IS A SUPPORT PROGRAM.

I JUST REMIND US AGAIN IS THAT -- REMIND US AGAIN THAT, NUMBER ONE, THERE ARE PROGRAMS IN THE TAX OFFICE THAT CAN BE HELPFUL, BUT WHEN I WAS RAISING THE ISSUE FOR MOTELS IT TOOK A TREMENDOUS HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC AND I FOUND OUT WHAT WE COULD HAVE DONE AND WHAT MANY COULD HAVE DONE WAS PARTICIPATE IN THE PAYMENT PLAN OF THE TAX OFFICE. THEY WEREN'T AWARE BECAUSE OF THE DEADLINE. PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC THEY DIDN'T NEED THAT SUPPORT. THEN THE IMPACT HAPPENS AND THEN IT IS AFTER THE DEADLINE OF PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM. I WANT TO REMIND US TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE CAN USE THE ARPA DOLLARS TO KEEP FOLKS OUT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE. WE WILL DEFER THE TAX PLAN.

THAT'S KIND OF GOOD AND IT IS A LOT OF BAD.

[07:15:03]

THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN BE DOING THAT CAN HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE. WE JUST HAVE TO BE IN A BETA

ABOUT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE ON TRACK IT SOUNDS LIKE AND IT IS GOOD TO HAVE AN UPDATE.

>> I KNOW WE CAN'T USE OUR FUNDING.

I MEAN, I'M AN EXAMPLE. MOST OF US PAY OUR TAXES.

YOU ALSO LOSE MONEY BECAUSE THE MORTGAGE COMPANY IS GETTING THE FLOW OF YOUR MONEY.

MOST OF US WOULD SPEND IT EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE IT.

IT IS CHEAPER. YOU TAKE YOUR MONEY AND PUT IT SOMEWHERE, THE MARKET OR WHEREVER INSTEAD OF THE MARKET FLOAT YOUR MONEY. I I WANT TO ASK YOU, MR. BERRY, HAVE WE DONE A REVIEW OF OTHER FEES AND TAXES. THEY BROUGHT THE TOLL COLLECTION IF HOUSE. IT IS GOING PRETTY WELL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE JAMMED UP ON THE ISSUES.

IT IS THE SAME ISSUE I'M GOING THROUGH.

AND THEN I GET A $50 BILL FROM NEW YORK.

I HAVE EASY PASS. YOU ARE LOOKING AT OTHERS AS

WELL. >> THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES AND I KNOW THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS DOING A REVIEW.

THAT'S WHERE IT CAN BE PUNITIVE.

WHICH ONES COULD WE RAISE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE HABIT OF ROLLING FORWARD LAST YEAR'S FEE SCHEDULE WITHOUT TAKING A

GOOD LOOK AT IT. >> THANK YOU FOR RUNNING DOWN

THE QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THERE ARE SOME ROAD BLOCKS WE KNOW. EVERY TIME AN ISSUE COMES

UP -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN WILL IT

COME UP IS THE QUESTION? >> SECOND COURT IN OCTOBER.

I CAN CONFIRM IT IS GOING OUT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE ON THE COURT ABOUT A MONTH AGO. WE HAD A LOT OF OTHER THINGS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HAVE THE NUMBERS COME BACK ON THE

[INAUDIBLE] >> CAN WE GO OVER IT AFTER

EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO THAT. I DON'T THINK THE ORDER MATTERS. IN THIS CASE WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS TWO ITEMS. ITEM 278 ON THE LAWSUIT THAT IS PENDING.

NEED TO BRING BACK AND VOTE ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK YOU

MEAN 19? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M SORRY,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK YOU

MEAN 19 AND 20. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS

LOOKING AT THE LEFT COLUMN. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE HOLDING THOSE TWO ITEMS UNTIL WE COME BACK.

>> ON HIS 272, I WANT TO BRING AN AMENDMENT TO IT.

I WANT TO MOVE TO INSTRUCT THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO LOOK INTO THE OPTION FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE

MOVED COUNTY WIDE. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE MAKE

THAT MOTION ON 272? >> I THINK YOU CAN MAKE A NEW

MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

I WILL MAKE A NEW MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU WANT A ME TOO. IT SAYS IF IT APPLIES --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME SEE IF I CAN.

[07:20:01]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN DOES SOMETHING I WOULD PASS ON TO

OUR INTERIM COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> INTERIM COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M SORRY. COUNTY ENGINEER.

SORRY, CHRISTIAN. >> THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF THESE ON CALLS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO A PRECINCT.

IT IS CONVENIENT THAT IF ANYBODY HAS AN ON CALL AND IF WE HAVE AN ISSUE AND YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT HAS AN ON CALL WE CAN TAP INTO THE ON CALL. IF YOU HAVE A BLOWOUT ON A DRAINAGE GOING TO A -- IF YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO FIX IT RIGHT THEN. IF YOU CAN FIX IT IT IS A $50,000 JOB. IF YOU WAIT UNTIL WE COME TO COURT IT IS $1.5 MILLION. I THINK THE AVAILABILITY OF THE ON CALLS -- AND I NOTICED THERE WERE A NUMBER ON THE AGENDA PARTICULAR TO SPECIFIC PRECINCTS, BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO -- IN THE LINE OF THE ME TOOS TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE IN OUR ENGINEERING ON CALLS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS HOPING -- HERE IS THE MOTION.

I THINK IT IS CLOSER TO THAT. IT IS BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND PURCHASING AND OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS.

IT WAS OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS.

WE CAN LOOK INTO THE OPTION FOR CARTEGRAPH TO BE USED

SYSTEM WIDE. >> TO THE EKED -- EXTENT THEY MAY BE LISTENING TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY --

>> LET ME FINISH, JUDGE. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE CAN EXTEND THE MOTION.

IT IS TO INSTRUCT BUDGET MANAGEMENT PURCHASING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND ANYBODY ELSE TO LOOK INTO THE ACTION FOR CARTEGRAPH SYSTEMS TO BE USED COUNTY WIDE AS WELL AS THE ON

CALL -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S SOMETHING I AM THROWING OUT THERE TO COME BACK LATER ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU GOT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU HEAR IT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE A MOTION AND WAS THERE A SECOND? THAT IS ON ITEM 272.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

[Executive Session]

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE'LL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 278. IT IS

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 7:13 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS

[Departments (Part 7 of 7)]

BACK IN SESSION. WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON ITEM 278. ITEM 19 WAS A REQUEST FOR HAZARD PAY. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE

HAZARD PAY FOR SHERIFF? >> SO APPROVED.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.