Jan 13, 2022 Commissioners Court Budget Hearing

[00:00:02]

THE INVOCATION TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

[Call to Order]

ALL MEMBERS OF COURT ARE PRESENT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I DID NOT GET WORD I WOULD BE DOING THE INVOCATION, BUT I WOULD BE HONORED TO DO SO JUST THE SAME.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M SORRY. BEN TALKED TO SOMEBODY IN YOUR

OFFICE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL HAVE TO CHEW ON THEM, COMMISSIONER BECAUSE I DID NOT GET WORD.

DOES NOT MATTER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL DELIVER IT TO YOU SO YOU GET THE RIGHT ONE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM LIKE A GOOD PREACHER AND I HAVE A PRAYER READY. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT I'LL GET LAZY AND I WON'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP.

ANYWAY, IF EVERYBODY WOULD PLEASE BOW THEIR HEADS.

DEAR FATHER, THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN US.

I ASK YOU TO PLEASE LOOK OVERALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ON COMMISSIONERS' COURT, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

BLESS THEM, BLESS THEIR STAFF AND BLESS THEIR COMMUNITY.

GUIDE US AND HELP US TO HAVE WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING AND DISCERNMENT FOR THE JOB THAT WE DO.

WE ASK YOU TO KEEP ALL THE FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC. BLESS THOSE WHO HAVE AN EMPTY SEAT AT THE TABLE. WELCOME TO HAVE THE FORESIGHT TO PUT THE PANDEMIC TO REST. WE KNOW YOU DON'T GIVE US ANYMORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE. WE ASK YOU TO BLESS OUR COMMUNITY AND BLESS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND KEEP THEM SAFE AND ALLOW THEM TO GO HOME AT THE END OF THE SHIFT AND WE ASK YOU TO KEEP OUR MILITARY IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR MILITARY ARE ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALLOWING US TO TAKE A DAY FOR GRANTED BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY AND SECURITY THAT THEY PROVIDE US.

WE ASK THIS, FATHER, IN YOUR NAME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WITH THAT WE WILL TAKE THE BUDGET-RELATED SPEAKERS FOR TODAY. TIFFANY, IF YOU COULD PLEASE

PUT ON THE SPEAKERS. >> WE HAVE.

>> COB CLEMENTEGE SPEAKING ON THE HARRIS CENTER.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> AREN'T YOU GONNA WAIT FOR ME WHAT I WANTED TO PUT ON

COURT? >> YES, SIR.

THIS IS LISA AND I AM READING JACOB'S STATEMENT ON HIS BEHALF. I AM A PATIENT OF THE HARRIS CENTER WHICH HELPS PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

BOTH THOSE WITH AND THOSE WITH THE PERSON RELATED TO THAT PERSON. MADRIGAS MAC HAS A DAUGHTER WITH OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER AND SHE HAS A PHD AND IS AT BAYLOR IN THE MEDICAL CENTER.

MACK SAYS HELLO. A CREW TAOEBG OF THE COUNTY JUDGE. I HEARD SHE DID NOT LIKE MR. HENRY'S COMMENTS ON BLACK TEACHERS.

IT IS WRONGLY ASSUMED HE WAS SAYING THEY WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY FAULTY. HE WAS MERELY QUOTING A STATISTIC. THAT IS UNTRUE THAT HE WAS BEING RACIST. HE SAID HISD EMPLOYS MORE BLACK TEACHERS THAN NORMAL, BUT THE PASS RATE IS BETTER THAN AVERAGE. HISD IS PROVIDING A GOOD SERVICE. HE WANTS THE SCI-FAIR TO EMPLOY BLACKS AS GOOD AS HISD.

>> AND THAT IS WHAT I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY -- I MEAN THE -- NO, I MEAN THE HARRIS CENTER, BUT WHAT I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THIS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID A GREAT JOB OF REPRESENTING THE COUNTY WITH THE CRIMESTOPPERS ON TUESDAY -- OR MONDAY BECAUSE HE DID A GOOD JOB REPRESENTING THE COMPANY AND HIS -- AND I GIVE HIM A ROUND OF UH -- APPLAUSE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU DID A GOOD JOB WORKING WITH CRIMESTOPPERS AND YOU HOPE -- ABOUT THE HARRIS CENTER, THEY COULD USE SOME MORE MONEY.

EVERYBODY COULD USE SOME MORE MONEY.

AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS WOULD SAY, GIVE US MORE MONEY.

AND WE WILL HAVE TO GIVE MORE MONEY.

SOME THINGS LIKE DOING THINGS AGAINST OTHERS IS NOT GOOD.

[00:05:10]

BE PRO-LIFE. WELL, I THINK I BETTER LAY DOWN AND LET Y'ALL THINK ABOUT BEING PRO-LIFE.

OKAY. BYE.

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO

REACH. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT IS TIME TO GET STARTED.

TODAY WE HAVE COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANALYST OFFICE, UNIVERSAL SERVICES ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY, VETERAN SERVICES COUNTY, LIBRARY, HOSPITAL DISTRICT, HARRIS HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH, HARRIS CENTER, AGRI LIFE, HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.

[Comm. Court Analyst Office]

SHORT. >> JUDGE, THIS IS LIEU SEUFPB -- LUCINDA AND WE ARE KEEPING A 10-MINUTE TIME

LIMIT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

A 10-MINUTE TIME LIMIT FOR THE PRESENTER.

THAT WAY WE GIVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEPARTMENTS THAT COME AT THE END. THANK YOU.

AND LUCINDA WILL BE GIVING SPEAKERS WARNINGS SO THEY CAN

KEEP THE TIME AS WELL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, LUCINDA. LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE WITH YOU AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE ANALYST'S OFFICE.

WHILE I COME TO YOU TODAY WITH NO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE TO PRESENT THE GREAT WORK OF THE ANALYST'S OFFICE OVER THE PAST FISCAL YEAR AND TO DISCUSS WHERE WE ARE HEADED. GREAT.

THANK YOU, LUCINDA. OUR OFFICE CURRENTLY SUPPORTS THE COUNTY IN FOUR KEY WAYS. WE SUPPORT COURT MEMBER OFFICES WITH ACCESS TO RESEARCH AND KEY POLICY ISSUES. WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY PARTNERS THROUGH RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION.

WE SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE PUBLIC VIA OUR WEBSITE AND WITH OUR NEW BLOG, NEWSLETTER AND SOCIAL MEDIA SITES AND WE PRIORITIZE EQUITY BY BY USING THE EQUITY INTELLIGENCE PLATFORM AND ADVISING COUNTY OFFICES AND TEAMS ON INCLUDING EQUITY AND PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE ANALYST'S OFFICE WAS FULL STAFF IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF THE PAST TWO YEARS OUR OFFICE EXCEEDED INITIAL BENCH MASHES.

THIS YEAR WE RECEIVED 31 REQUESTS EXCEEDING OUR TARGET REPORTS. AND WE COMPLETED 24 PROJECTS ALSO EXCEEDING OUR TARGET OF COMPLETING 15 PROJECTS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OVER THE PAST YEAR OUR TEAM HAS PUBLISHED A WIDE RANGE OF MATTERS FROM MONTHLY COVID-19 DISTRIBUTION OR A REVIEW OF THE TWO KEY LOCAL EFFORTS ON WAYS TO MITIGATE STORM SURGE ON THE REGION.

IN UH DECISION -- ADDITION TO A BROAD RANGE OF PATTERNS WE OFFER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THE ANALYST OFFICE SUPPORTED THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP WITH RESEARCH ON LOCAL NEED MODEL PROGRAMS IN EQUITY AND DISTRIBUTION TO AID THE COUNTY'S ALLOCATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS RECEIVED WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT 2021. THE ANALYST'S OFFICE PARTICIPATESSED IN FOUR OUT OF SIX OF THE COUNTY -- THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION EARLY INITIATIVE WORK GROUPS. AS PART OF THE WORK GROUPS THE ANALYST'S OFFICE LEAD THE DRAFTING OF THE OPEN DATA POLICY TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRAL ONLINE PRESENCE FOR PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA.

AND THE ANALYST'S OFFICE PARTICIPATED IN ALL FOUR OF THE COUNTY'S OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET'S NEWLY CREATED BUDGET RESULT TEAMS TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S TRANSITION TO AN OUTCOME-BASED BUDGETING PROCESS.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THE TEAM IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING HEALTHY DECISIONS WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE ARE ALSO DEDICATED TO TRANSPARENCY AND SHARING OUR WORK WITH THE PUBLIC. TO THAT END OUR REPORTS HAVE ALL BEEN POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE AND OUR TEAM HAS LAUNCHED A BLOG THAT PRESENTS MORE ADJUSTABLE VERSIONS OF OUR ANALYSIS AND FEATURES INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS FOR PUBLIC VIEWS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

[00:10:02]

OUR RESEARCH SERVES AS A FRONT RUNNER IN THE CREATION OF PROGRAMS LIKE THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY.

OUR ANALYSIS HELPS TO HIGHLIGHT ISSUES LIKE THE TRAGIC INCREASE IN DEATHS IN HARRIS COUNTY FROM COVID-19 AND THE COUNTY'S ISSUE OF THE PROMPT PAYMENT ACT TO ALLOW FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN. WE HAVE WORKED ON DEVELOPING SEVERAL NEW POLICIES IN HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN OF POLICY TO EXPAND LANGUAGE SERVICES TO THE ENGLISH PROFICIENT CLIENTS IN OUR COURT AND SOON TO BE UNDER REVIEW BY THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND INCLUDED IN THE DISTRICT COURT'S BUDGET FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. THE IMPACT EXTENDS BEYOND COUNTY OFFICES AND [INAUDIBLE].

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. IN ADDITION TO POLICY ANALYSIS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, OUR OFFICE LEADS HARRIS COUNTY PARTICIPATION IN TWO MAJOR DATA PROJECTS.

FIRST, THE HOUSTON RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PROCTER.

UNDERDEVELOPMENT BY RICE UNIVERSITY'S KINDER INSTITUTE THE TRACKER PROVIDES MEANINGFUL DIVERSE MEANT AND DISPERSE MEANT OF DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS.

A TRACKER IS EXPECTED TO BE LAUNCHED IN SPRING OF 2021.

AND A WEB-BASED PLATFORM THAT WILL ALLOW PARTICIPATING CITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT THE IMPROVEMENTS OF HOLISTIC OUTCOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH MUTUAL DATA SHARING ANALYSIS.

WE CONTINUE TO FACILITATE GUIDANCE SHARING AND DATA VALIDATION EXERCISES FOR ALL COUNTY PARTNERS IN THE PHRA PLATFORM. A BETA VERSION IS EXPECTED IN 2022. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

LOOKING AHEAD, THE ANALYST'S OFFICE WILL CONTINUE PRODUCING POLICY ANALYSIS AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

WE OFFER TO SUPPORT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND OUR COUNTY PARTNERS AND RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE OCA, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND PLANNING AND OUR COUNTY PARTNERS AND EACH OF YOU AND YOUR OFFICES IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU, LUCINDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. KATIE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I KNOW THAT MY OFFICE TENDS TO LEAN ON YOU QUITE A BIT FOR SOME OF YOUR AM -- ANALYSIS.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE SO ESSENTIAL.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TURN AROUND RATE.

THAT I SAW ON YOUR GRASS AND YOU GOT A GOOD MAJORITY OF IT. IS THERE SOMETHING ABOUT YORE OFFICE -- YOUR OFFICE WE ARE UNDER UTILIZING THAT CAN HELP US MAKE BETTER DECISIONS? ANYTHING YOU ARE ITCHING TO

DO, BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ASKED? >> GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. AND BEFORE I GET STARTED I WILL SAY IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOUR TEAM. YOU KNOW, I THINK AT THIS JUNCTURE WE FEEL -- AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OCA AND THE COURT MEMBERS THAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY GROWING AND EXPLORION NEW WAYS. I DON'T THINK WE ARE UNDER UTILIZED, BUT WE ARE MINDFUL OF THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO WORK IN THE COUNTY AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THOSE WITH

DAVE BERRY AND HIS TEAM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

AND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY I WILL SAY AS I MENTIONED AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE TUNING IN WHEN WE HEARD FROM MR. GONZALEZ OVER AT JUVENILE PROBATION, BUT I SAW WHERE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS STRUGGLED AND OTHER AREAS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE HAS STRUGGLED, TO CORRECTIVELY IDENTIFY AND REALLY IN OTHER AREAS OF OPERATION WE HAVE STRUGGLED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE IMPACT IN AND/OR CONNECTION IN OR SERVICE IMPACT TO THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY BECAUSE THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY FALLS UNDER THE RACE OF WHITE. AND SO WE GET LUMPED INTO THAT DEMOGRAPHIC. SO IF YOU COULD, YOU AND YOUR TEAM, THINK ABOUT LOOKING AT HOW WE COULD ADVISE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ON HOW TO MORE CONSTRUCTIVELY ACCOMPLISH A

[00:15:04]

>> ABSOLUTELY. THAT IS AN ISSUE WE RUN ACROSS IN MANY DIFFERENT PROJECTS WE WORK ON.

RACE AND ETHNICITY ARE TRACKED BY MANY DEPARTMENTS.

CREATING APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON IS IMPORTANT TO US. HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT THAT WITH

YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF YOUR DEPARTMENT. I HOPE THAT AS WE COME UP WITH MORE REQUESTS, YOU MIGHT FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN -- MAYBE WE OUGHT TO ASK YOU TO DO SOME TRAINING TO HELP THE POLICY SHOPS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAN ON YOU SO MUCH. SOMETIMES WE ARE RELUCTANT TO ASK, BUT YOU DO A GREAT JOB WHATEVER YOU DO.

AND I'M IMPRESSED TO SEE THE BICYCLE BEHIND YOU.

YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE PRETTY HEALTH CONSCIOUS AS

WELL. >> IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MORNING TO RIDE IN. YES.

IT MADE FOR A GREAT RIDE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND YOUR WORK AND HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPACT YOU ARE HAVING IS NOTICED.

THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF THERE ARE NO OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR SHORT WE WILL MOVE ON

[Universal Services]

TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES. >> GOOD MORNING.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: Y WHY.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS ON BEHALF OF THE WOMEN AND MEN AT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IN THE INTEREST OF TIME I WILL BE BRIEF. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

OUR MISSION, VISION AND CORE VALUES WE LIVE IT AND BREATHE IT AND TEACH IT AND TRAIN IT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AT A HIGH LEVEL THESE ARE THE SIX PROGRAMS WE SUPPORT AND THE SERVICES WITHIN THOSE PROGRAMS THAT WE ADMINISTERED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS SLIDE DEPICTS ON HOW OUR FOUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, HUMAN CAPITAL, DATA AS A SERVICE OF FUTURE FLEET AND OUR BUDGET REQUEST SYNCHRONIZED TO THE COUNTY ENTERPRISE AND ITS GOALS AND SUPPORTS THE COUNTY'S PRIORITY OUTCOMES. NEXT SLIDE.

BOTTOM LINEUP FRONT, OUR BUDGET ASKED FOR AN TKWO*EURBL -- AN TKOEURBL 5.3 MILLION OVER 19 MONTHS.

35% OF THE ASK IS 1.9 MILLION OR 5 -- FOR A 5% SALARY INCREASE FOR 12 MONTHS. I DID NOT ASK FOR A SALARY INCREASE OR INCREASES LAST YEAR.

THE REMAINDER OF THE ASK IS BEAR BONES FOR OPERATING PURPOSES AND OUR PRIMARILY CONTRACTUAL APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSES AND SERVICES AND UPGRADED AGREEMENTS.

ABSENT THE SALARY INCREASE OUR BUDGET REPRESENTS A 2.9% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR. AND THIS IS WHAT THE COUNTY GETS FOR THIS BUDGET IN OUR REQUEST.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OUR FIRST STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE IN HUMAN CAPITAL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO COVER A FEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2021 THAT ALIGN WITH OUR HUMAN CAPITAL GOALS. WE CREATED A SOCIALIZED -- OUR TOTAL BENEFITS PACKAGE FOR EMPLOYEES AND WE IMPLEMENTED OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM THAT RESULTED IN TWO NEW HIRES FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES. OUR TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ALLOWED FOR EMPLOYEES TO MAINTAIN CERTIFICATIONS AND INCREASE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. WE CREATED A COUNTY CISO CYBER POLICY AND GOVERNMENT POSITION FOR BETTER PROTECTING THE COUNTY'S DIGITAL BUSINESS AND ON BOARDED 110 NEW EMPLOYEES.

OUR ENTERPRISE SYSTEM CREATED AN ENTERPRISE READY COUNTY.

WE DID SO BY STABILIZED PEOPLE SOFT AND WE IMPLEMENTED A STARS PEOPLE SOFT TRAINING CURRICULUM AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WE CREATED AND ARE IMPLEMENTING THE FISCAL YEAR PEOPLE SOFT CHANGE OVER PLAN AND WE STANDARDIZED TECHNOLOGY INTAKE.

YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF THE AR2BD PROCESS.

IN TERMS OF WORKFORCE, OUR DEPARTMENT WAS THE FIRST TO BE 100% AND THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY ENJOYING ABOUT 60% OF ITS EMPLOYEES THAT ARE DOING THEIR TIME ENTRY ONLINE. AND UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS, WE

[00:20:04]

WE INSTITUTED A PODCAST CALL T-BG TALK TO HELP INFORM AND -- TECH TALK TO HELP INFORM OUR EMPLOYEES AND WE HAVE AUDIO AND VISUAL SUPPORTED, YOU KNOW, COUNTY ACTIVITIES AND THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND HIS OFFICE FOR PROVIDING THE EQUIPMENT AND THE KNOW HOW.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HERE ARE OUR ASK IN HUMAN CAPITAL OBJECTIVES. OUR NUMBER ONE OBJECTIVE IT REPRESENTS 50% OF OUR ASK IN THIS HUMAN CAPITAL AREA OR 3.4 MILLION I ADDRESSED OUR SALARY INCREASES AND AS HAVE COLLEAGUES IN THE COUNTY. I MENTIONED THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. THE ANALYST POSITIONS WE ARE ASKING FOR IS TO HELP US DRIVE DOWN THE WORKLOAD WE ARE CONTINUING TO ABSORB AND ENSURING ASSURANCE IN OUR WORK.

OUR ENTERPRISE SYSTEM ASK IS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT WORK FROM HOME CAPABILITY AND TO PAY FOR NEXT YEAR'S TRUE UP OF PEOPLE SOFT LICENSES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE TO NETWORK SERVICES, YOU CAN SEE WHAT WE SUPPORT ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

LITTLE KNOWN SOMETIMES IS OUR PUBLIC SERVICE AND FIRST RESPONDERS RADIO SUPPORT THAT WE PROVIDE FOR THE BETTER HALF OF ALL OF EAST TEXAS, 33 COUNTIES TO BE EXACT.

AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT WE SUPPORT IN THAT AREA.

OUR TEAM DOES A PHENOMENAL JOB.

THE OFFICE OF BROADBAND IS ANOTHER HUGE SUCCESS FOR THE COUNTY. IN LESS THAN A YEAR WE ESTABLISHED A 4-PERSON OFFICE AS PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY.

WE INSTALLED 105 WI-FI MESH SITES AND MOBILE HOTSPOTS AND WE SUPPORTED ESSENTIAL SITES IN 22 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

AND WE SUPPORTED WI-FI CONNECTIVITY IN EACH OF OUR PRECINCTS. THE 3-1-1 CALL CENTER IS FULLY OPERATIONAL AND FIELDING CALLS NOW.

AND WE ARE WORKING WITH EACH OF OUR CUSTOMERS IN THE PRECINCTS ON THE CRN FUNCTIONALITY TO CUSTOMIZE FOR THEIR BEST NEEDS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3, DATA AS A SERVICE UTILITY.

ON THE DATA GOVERNMENT SIDE WE CREATED FOUR OPEN DATA PORTALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT WORK GROUP AND WE PROPOSED A COUNTY WIDE DATA STRATEGY WE HOPE WE WILL GAIN SOME GROUND ON THIS COMING YEAR.

DATA PROTECTION WE CREATED THE CISO OFFICE AND WE DEVELOPED AN -- A COMPLIANCE CHART AND WE ARE USING A NATIONAL STANDARDS GUIDELINES FOR BEST PRACTICES IN CYBER AWARENESS TRAINING AND COMPLIANCE. DATA INVENTORY WE ARE CONTINUING TO SCAN BOXES TO ELECTRONIC FORMAT.

THE DATA PLATFORM, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE MIGRATION PLAN TO INCREASE REDUNDANCY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ASSESSING THE CLOUD METRICS AND OUR CLOUD STRATEGY, WE HOPE TO BRING TO THE COURT IN MAY OF 2022. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THE TEACHER FLEET -- EXCUSE ME.

ARE WE BEHIND? DATA UTILITY.

THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS PARTICULAR TOOL WE ARE REQUESTING TO HELP OUR DEVELOPERS AND SCRUM TEAMS TO BE CURRENT WITH A TOOL OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT THAT WILL INTEGRATE WITH PEOPLE SOFT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

OUR FOURTH OBJECTIVE FUTURE FLEET, INTEGRATE THE MOW -- THE MOBILITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS.

WE DEVELOPED A CALENDAR APPLICATION FOR OUR CUSTOMERS IN THE FIELD TO SPEED UP CHECK IN TIMES FOR CUSTOMERS.

WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THE FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

WE ARE IMPLEMENTING TWO SHIFTS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS TO GET THEIR VEHICLES BACK OUT ON THE ROAD.

WE CHAIRED THE VEHICLE MANAGEMENT WORKING GROUP AND WE HAVE DRAFTED A COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE VEHICLE POLICY THAT WE HOPE WE CAN BRING TO THE COURT FIRST QUARTER OR THE

[00:25:04]

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> NG, YOU HAVE A MINUTE

LEFT. >> I HAVE COMPLETED MY QUICK REMARKS. SO ANY QUESTIONS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

GENERAL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. ONE THING THAT HAS COME UP AND I THINK -- I KNOW WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THAT IS THE CYBER SECURITY WORK IN TERMS OF ALL OF THE VARIOUS WEBSITES THAT DIFFERENT COUNTY OFFICES HAVE, IT WAS YESTERDAY OR THE DAY BEFORE THAT I ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT I THINK HER WEBSITE OR MAYBE ANOTHER OFFICE. THE REMARK WAS, WELL, THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT BECAUSE THEN IT BECOMES A SERVICE REQUEST VERSUS BEING ABLE TO INSTANTANEOUSLY DO IT WITH THEIR OWN DEVELOPERS. IS THERE A MODEL THAT YOU CAN THINK ABOUT THAT IT MIGHT EVEN BECOME JUST A SERVICE OF SOME SORT FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES, BUT A MODEL IN WHICH YOU CAN SUPPORT ALL THOSE OFFICES WHO WANTED TO HAVE SOME DEGREE OF PERSONAL ATTENTION AND CONNECTION TO YOUR OFFICE, WHICH I RESPECT. WE HAVE SEEN IF YOU GUYS ARE NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROCESS DATA AND SECURITY OF DATA, CAN BECOME AN ISSUE FOR THOSE DEPARTMENTS AND FOR THE COUNTY. I DON'T EXPECT AN ANSWER NOW, BUT I SUGGEST IF THERE IS A MODEL YOU CAN COME UP WITH AND MAYBE WE CAN WORK TO CONSOLIDATE THOSE BUDGET ASKS INTO A WAY THAT MIGHT BE EVEN MORE COST EFFECTIVE FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO DO, BUT KEEPING IN MIND THE LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THOSE ENTITIES MAY BE EXPECTING.

>> GOT IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR GENERAL

NORIEGA. >> IF THAT WAS A QUESTION, I WILL ANSWER T COMMISSIONER. THERE ARE TWO ITEMS THAT ARE VERY, VERY SENSITIVE TO AND WE RESPECT THE FACT THAT SOME OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE FIELD REQUIRE AUTONOMY BASED ON STATUTE OUT AND SO FORTH.

AND SO WE ACTUALLY DO RECOGNIZE THAT AND WE ARE ABLE TO WALL OFF, IF YOU CAN, OR ICE -- ISOLATE, IF YOU CAN AND WE JUST HAVE TO MANAGE WHAT TYPE OF CONNECTIVITY BACK INTO THE OVERALL COUNTY SYSTEM THERE IS.

AND SO TO SEGREGATE THAT, WE ACTUALLY PRACTICE THAT NOW.

IN THE AREA OF DATA WE HOPE TO MAKE SOME PROGRESS.

WE CONTINUE TO HEAR CONVERSATION ABOUT DATA.

WHAT I PROPOSED AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WITH AN ENTERPRISE OF THIS SIZE IS A DATA GOVERNMENT POLICY, A DATA GOVERENENCE COMMITTEE AND ACTUAL TERMS OF REFERENCE.

WE NEED A CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WITHIN DATA THAT WOULD REMOVE -- AFTER THE DISCUSSION WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT.

IF WE HAVE A CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AS DO MOST LARGE ENTITIES IT DOES AWAY WITH A LOT OF THE INTERPRETATION AND SO WE ARE AEUBLT -- ABLE TO HONOR WHAT HUMAN RESOURCES SENDS THROUGH THE MATERIAL. IT AUTOMATICALLY DOES THAT.

AND THEN WE ARE JUST HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT ELSE PEOPLE MAY WANT TO SEE AND SO FORTH AND WHAT IS PUBLIC INFORMATION. WE HAVE TO GET WAY UP STREAM FIRST SO WE CAN ELIMINATE A LOT OF PERHAPS

[00:30:04]

WHAT IT SHOULD BE IF WE CAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: GENERAL, GOOD

TO SEE YOU. >> YES, SIR.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR KEEPING COMMUNICATIONS GOING IN EAST TEXAS. I KNOW ALL MY RELATIVES APPRECIATE THAT. I WILL ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU SET METRICS. YOU HIT 45% OF THEM.

MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME TO VISIT AND I HAVEN'T SEEN THE METRICS AND LORD KNOWS I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

THANK YOU FOR AT LEAST PUTTING SOME ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND MEASURING IT AND GIVING YOU SOMETHING TO SHOOT FOR NEXT YEAR. YOUR $69 MILLION BUDGET BASELINE, DO YOU THINK YOU WILL HIT YOUR BUDGET NUMBERS

THIS YEAR? >> YES, SIR.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S GOOD. YOU WON'T SEE FORECASTED

ISSUES? >> NOT ON THE THIS TIME,

COMMISSIONER. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOUR TURNOVER RATE WITH YOUR STAFF, WHAT IS IT THIS KWRAO*EUR?

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

WE SEE A MONTHLY -- ABOUT A 10% TURN.

IT IS ABOUT 500 PLUS EMPLOYEES AND WE HAVE 50PCN, NON-CONTRACT AND NON-CIP THAT IS CHURNING.

IN OUR SPACE, THE REASON THAT IT IS CHALLENGING IS WE ARE GETTING CHERRY PICKED EVERY DAY.

THE HET HUNTERS -- IN FACT, WHEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE ASKED A QUESTION YESTERDAY ABOUT FLEET, I WAS CONDUCTING AN EXIT INTERVIEW FOR ONE OF OUR EXECUTIVE THAT'S WAS CHERRY PICKED. LAST MONTH WAS FIVE AND ALREADY IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JANUARY IT WAS THREE.

AND IT TAKES US SOMETIMES A LITTLE LONGER TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THIS -- IN THE I.T. SPACE SPECIFICALLY.

WE CAN HAVE A PERSON WORKING IN HUMBLE NOW THAT IS IN NEW YORK OR IN SILICON VALLEY. AND SO THAT WHAT MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT OF A CHALLENGE FOR US AND SOMETIMES IT CAN TAKE US 30, 60, 90 DAYS OF A HIGH-LEVEL, SKILLED AND VERY SPECIALIZED PERSON TO COME TO WORK FOR US.

SO WE HAVE TO ADJUST AND MODIFYING THE PROFILE OF HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE. AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND WORKLIFE BALANCE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

BUT RIGHT NOW, COMMISSIONER, WE ARE SEEING 10%.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR DOING THE EXIT INTERVIEWS.

YOU WILL BEGIN TO DEFINE WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND HOPEFULLY

REDUCE THAT. >> YES, SIR.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GENERAL, MY QUESTION IS ON THE UNIFIED WEBSITE.

THE HARRIS COUNTY.GOV, MAYBE SOMEBODY TOOK THAT ONE.

HARRIS COUNTY TX/DISTRICT -- OR WHATEVER IT IS.

>> WE STAND READY TO EXECUTE AT ANYTIME.

WE PUT OUT 15 WEBSITES FOR THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

>> THE COURT HAS VOYTED ON THIS -- THE COURT HAS VOTED ON THIS SEVERAL TIMES. BEFORE YOU WERE HERE AND TWICE ALREADY WHEN YOU ARRIVED, I KNOW MR. BERRY HAD TO TAKE AN URGENT PHONE CALL, BUT THAT IS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR BEFORE ADDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. YOUR TEAM IS DOING A GREAT JOB ON THE CYBER SECURITY AND OBVIOUSLY THE BROADBAND IS A BEAUTIFUL AND VERY EFFECTIVE EFFORT.

I WAS LOOKING AT THE SHERIFF'S LETTER HEAD AND HE HAS TWO WEBSITES. HCSO -- HCTX.NET AND THEN HE HAS JOBS.COM. IT SHOULD BE HARRIS COUNTY/SHERIFF. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO HARRIS COUNTY.GOV AND FIND DO YOU WANT A JOB WITH THE

[00:35:04]

20TH CENTURY. >> JUDGE, I WILL TELL YOU WHAT.

IF YOU GIVE ME THE AUTHORITY AND IF YOU ARE TELLING ME I HAVE THAT AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO COMPLY WHILE WE SHUT THEM OFF, I WILL DO IT. WE'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN AND BE ABLE TO GET UNINIMITY OF WHAT THE GRAPHICS OR WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE ON THE SCREEN.

WE ARE HAPPY TO LEAVE THAT EFFORT.

>> WE VOTED -- THE MAJORITY OF COURT VOTED ON THIS SEVERAL TIMES. AND MAYBE PEOPLE WANT TO KEEP A DIFFERENT LOGO OR WHATEVER IT IS.

THAT MAKES SENSE. BUT AS FAR AS SIMPLY BASIC CUSTOMER SERVICE TO HAVE A COUNTY WEBSITE IS 101.

>> YES, MA'AM. I KNOW THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION WITH ONE OF THE OPEN PORTALS FOR CLICK HERE TO GO TO THIS AND SO FORTH IN TERMS OF SERVICES. WE'LL MAKE A NOTE OF IT AND

GET TO WORK ON IT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, GENERAL FOR ALL OF YOUR INCREDIBLE EFFORTS BUILDING THIS OFFICE IN LARGE PART DURING A PANDEMIC, TO YOU AND YOUR

STAFF. >> IT IS OUR EMPLOYEES, MADAM JUDGE. WE ARE ALL ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES IN UNIVERSAL SERVICES, AND PEOPLE ARE FOLKS WHO ISSUE THE BADGES OR PEOPLE WHO WORK IN FLEET OR PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO AND ACROSS THE BOARD, THEY DO A PHENOMENAL JOB.

THAT'S MY PRIMARY ACT THIS GO AROUND.

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

[Economic Equity and Opportunity]

>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT WE HAVE THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY. DIRECTOR CHAN?

DIRECTOR, YOU ARE ON MUTE. >> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

WE ARE EXCITED FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE OUR PLUSH PHEPBTS AND VISIONS FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTH -- ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND VISIONS FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS.

THE DEEO IS STRIVING FOR AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE LOCAL ECONOMY THAT SHARES PROSPERITY WITH OUR DIVERSE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH FOUR SERVICE AREAS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTERS THE COUNTY'S CORPORATE TAX AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND WILL INCREASINGLY MANAGE PROJECTS RELATED TO WORKFORCE AND SMALL BUSINESS. BETTER DIVERSITY ENSURES THAT COUNTY CONTRACTS ARE ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED AND MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES.

THEY ARE STARTING COMPLIANCE FOR THE CONTRACTS AWARDED IN THE UTILIZATION REPORT PRESENTED IN DECEMBER.

WORKER PROTECTIONS MONITORS ABOUT A HUNDRED COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SO WORKERS ARE PAID A FAIR WAGE AND COMMUNITIES BENEFIT ECONOMICALLY BY WORKING ON THESE PROPBLG -- PROJECTS. EQUITY IMPACT IS A NEW AREA FOR THE COUNTY. ITENCE AS THE COURT'S CALL TO ENSURE THE DEPARTMENT'S PROGRAM TO GROUNDED EVIDENCE AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICE AND PROVIDE DATA OF HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES FOR THE COUNTY AND PROVIDE STRATEGIC LONG-TERM INCLUSIVE GROWTH PLANS. LAKE ALL DEPARTMENTS WE HAVE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION AND AN EXECUTIVE OFFICE WHICH HANDLES OUR OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT ABOUT -- REQUESTS.

NEXT SLIDE. OVERALL THE DEEO CONTRIBUTES TO TWO OF THE COUNTY'S PARTIES. ACCESS QUALITY JOBS AND PROMOTE SMALL AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

TO GET THERE WE CENTER OUR SERVICES AROUND FOUR OBJECTIVES. A STABILIZED LEAD AND NETWORKS FOR RECOVERY AND FORGING PATHWAYS TO RESILIENCY AND RESTORATION OF ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY.

IN OUR FOUNDATIONAL YEAR WE OFFERED SERVICE THAT'S SERVED THE OBJECTIVES THROUGH A RELIEF FUND AND CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR NEXT PHASE IS IN BUILDING RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY FOR BUSINESS WORKERS. I AM EXCITED TO SHARE WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR DEPARTMENT STARTED IN JANUARY 2021.

IN FACT, WE ARE ONE WEEK SHY OF MY START AS EMPLOYEE NUMBER ONE. WE ESTABLISHED DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT 44 FULL TIME AND 5 PART-TIME POSITIONS. WE TRANSFERRED THREE TEAMS FROM THREE DEPARTMENTS AND CREATED FOUR NEW SERVICES IN GENDER DIVERSITY AND EQUITY. BEYOND BUILDING THE DEPARTMENT INFRASTRUCTURE WE PASSED THE FIRST CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP

[00:40:02]

THIS INCLUDES WORKING THROUGH REFINING OUR DEPARTMENT'S PERFORMANCE GOALS. AS A NEW DEPARTMENT WE DON'T HAVE HISTORICAL RECORD FOR DATA TO LEAN UPON SO I'M WORKING WITH OMB AND WE IDENTIFIED AN INITIAL SET OF RECORDS TO TRACK. WE ARE COMMITTED TO BUILDING THIS OUT AND INTEGRATING TANGIBLE MEASURES FOR WORK.

AS NEW PROGRAMS ARE STARTING UP AND EXISTING ONES MATURE WE WILL HAVE MORE MEASURES TO REPORT.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. LOOK TOGETHER FUTURE OUR INITIAL BUDGET REQUEST WAS $930,000 IN THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR AND $1.67 IN FISCAL YEAR 23.

AS YOU CAN SEE MOST OF THAT IS IN OUR BASELINE NON-LABOR BUDGET. OUR FIRST BUDGET WAS PASSED WITH ALMOST ALL NONLABOR INCLUDED AS A ONE-TIME EXPENSE. THIS MEANS TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES AS THEY HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED, WE HAVE HAD TO ADD THIS TO THE BUDGET REQUEST.

SINCE YOU SUB -- SUBMITTED THE BUDGET REQUEST WE WERE [INAUDIBLE] WHAT IT DOES IS IT ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO CREATE A LONG-TERM TENURED PLAN THAT PLOTS OUT WHAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE BUSINESSES ARE RESILIENT AS INDUSTRIES CHANGE. OUR PLAN WAS TO CONDUCT CONNECTIVITIES TO BUILD TRUST THROUGH MULTI-LEVEL SUCCESSION THAT LEADS TO A CREDIBLE PLAN.

OUR ABILITY TO BUILD A THOUGHTFUL GROWTH PLAN -- WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS RESTRUCTURE OUR BASELINE BUDGET IN THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR TO FUND ONE POSITION AND THEN COME BACK IN FISCAL YEAR 23 TO FUND THE OTHER POSITIONS AND PROJECTS. THIS IS TRANSFERRING FROM THE NON-LABOR BUDGET TO HELP FUND THE POSITIONS THAT WERE NOT FUNDED. IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE I WILL DIVE INTO THE DETAILS OF THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR.

OF THE 937,000 ASK, 73% OF THE BASELINE BUDGET IS ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUING OUR CURRENT SERVICES.

OUR NEW REQUESTS ARE TO, ONE, START OFFERING VENDOR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES BY ADDING TO THE VENDOR DIVERSITY TEAM.

THIS WILL ALSO HELP WITH THE MW -- M SR-RB BE UTILIZATION.

WE WANT TO HEAD OFFICE MANAGEMENT TO A NEW ADMINISTRATION. THAT IS HELD BY THE STAFF AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THIS WILL INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO MANAGE RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS AND REPRESENT THE COUNTY. AND FINALLY WE SEEK 0 TO HAVE CLASSIFIED POSITIONS ESPECIALLY THE WORKER PROTECTION TEAM. THIS IS SO THE DIVISION HAS LEADERSHIP THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEASUREMENTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THEIR AREAS OF WORK.

WITH THESE INVESTMENT WHEEZE EXPECT TO SEE OUR STAFF MOVING FROM STARTING OUR INTERNAL OPERATIONS TO BEING ABLE TO BUILD OUR EXTERNAL PRESENCE. NEXT SLIDE WILL REPRESENT OUR DETAILS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023. IN THIS YEAR, WE EXPECT OUR PROGRAMS WILL HAVE ENOUGH PRESENCE TO MAKE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACTS. OF OUR $1.6 MILLION REQUEST, NEARLY HALF IS THE ESSENTIAL BASELINE.

AGAIN THIS REFLECTS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING SERVICE STARTED IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

WITH THE OTHER HALF WE WANT TO DO FOUR THINGS.

WE WANT TO ADD THE EQUITY IMPACT TEAM TO DRIVE [INADDABLE] -- [INAUDIBLE] AND PROVIDE MORE PROGRAM SERVICES. WE WANT TO ADD PROJECT MONITORS TO VENDOR DIVERSITY TEAM TO MEET THE PROJECT WORKLOAD OF CONTRACT COMPLIANCE FOR THE PH-RB/WBE AND DBE PROGRAM. WE WANT TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CREATE AN EMPLOY EVAL WEIGHINGS SYSTEM THAT AWARDS OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. WITH THESE RESOURCES FOR FISCAL YEAR 23 WE CAN COLLABORATE FOR PRACTICE PARTICULARLY WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND BRING MORE RESOURCES TO THE COUNTY. ALTOGETHER THIS PRESENTATION REPRESENTS EXCITING FIRST YEAR FOR THE DEEO.

WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT AND WE WANT TO GET OUT AND BUILD OUR PRESENCE AND START PROMOTING ECONOMIC EQUITY IN OUR DEPARTMENT. I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION AND HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

[00:45:02]

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

I APPRECIATE THE UPDATE. I KNOW THAT -- HOW MANY CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS DO YOU HAVE?

>> WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO POSTINGS ONLINE.

WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE STARTING. I BELIEVE WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE POSITIONS OPEN IN TOTAL RIGHT NOW.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW THERE IS CURRENTLY -- THIS IS CURRENT ASK, A REQUEST FOR OFFICE COORDINATOR BUDGET ANALYSIS AND SENIOR POLICY ANALYSIS -- ANALYSTS.

THOSE ARE THREE NEW IN ADDITION TO THE FIVE THAT ARE

OPEN. >> THE ONE THAT'S ARE OPEN RIGHT NOW ARE MOSTLY FOR CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PURPOSES.

WE HAD STAFF ON THE WORKER AND PROTECTION TEAM SO WE ARE HIRING PROJECT MANAGER THERE'S AND HIRING THE PROJECT MONITORING TEAM FOR THE VENDOR DIVERSE -- WE HAVE AN ASSISTANT DIRECT NEITHER PLACE WHO OVERSEES THE OPERATIONS OF THE TEAM AND TWO PROGRAM MANAGERS TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE

THE STAFF THAT ARE COMING IN. >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH.

THAT WOULD BE A COMMENT, DIRECTOR.

YOU'VE GOT AN ADMINISTRATOR ON BOARD NOW.

NOT SURE THAT AN OFFICE COORDINATOR WOULD BE THE MOST PRESSING THING YOU WOULD NEED.

AND THEN THE TWO ANALYST JOBS, DURING THE NEAR TERM YOU COULD PROBABLY USE KATIE SHORT AND HER GROUP TO ASSIST IF NEEDED. JUST A THOUGHT AS WE TRY TO STRETCH OUR BUDGET AND SEE HOW WE CAN GET SOME THINGS DONE.

BUT THAT WAS IT. AND THEN THE OTHER THING, I DIDN'T SEE METRICS LISTED. I KNOW YOU ARE GETTING STARTED , BUT I THINK METRICS PROVIDES DIRECTION.

IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SHOOTING FOR AND IF WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SHOOTING FOR AND THEN EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE METRICS ARE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PROVIDED.

ARE THERE METRICS THAT YOU HAVE TARGETED? AND AT SOME POINT THOSE WILL BE SHARED?

>> ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE -- INTERNATIONALLY WE ARE TRACKING THE NUMBER OF PROJECT THAT'S OUR TEAM DOES.

FOR EXAMPLE, AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE 100 AGREEMENTS WE ARE MONITORING FOR THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE UNDER THE WORKER PROTECTIONS BUCK KEFPLT WE HAVE ABOUT A HUNDRED -- WE HAVE ABOUT A HUNDRED PROJECTS THERE.

AS MENTIONED FOR THE VENDOR DIVERSITY, WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED SO THEY WILL START WITH 124 PROPBLG SKWAEBGT -- PROJECT THAT'S WERE REPORTED ON AND THE UTILIZATION REPORT AND THAT CONTINUES TO GROW AS NEW PROJECTS ARE STARTED THROUGHOUT. SO CERTAINLY GETTING A HANDLE OF OUR WORKLOAD WAS ONE OF THE FIRST OBJECTIVES OF THIS YEAR AND TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHAT OUR WORKLOAD WOULD BE.

THIS YEAR DEFINITELY WE ARE GLOW -- GROWING -- GOING TO BE INCREASING THE NUMBER FOR OUR TEAM AND ASSIGNING ACCOUNTABILITY OF EACH OF THOSE TO THE STAFF MEMBERS.

>> WHETHER IT IS ONE PERSON OR TWO PALM OR 10 PEOPLE, WRITING DOWN YOUR METRICS EARLY ON AND AS A -- AS AN OLDEN GIN NEAR USED TO TELL ME, IF YOU CAN'T WRITE IT DOWN, YOU DON'T KNOW IT. THE BAD THING IS IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT, WE DON'T KNOW IT. I ENCOURAGE THE METRICS BEING DEFINED BECAUSE THAT HELPS US ALL KNOW WHAT WE CAN BEST DO TO SUPPORT YOU. THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

I KNOW THE PLAN THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER FOR MW/BDE CALLED FOR A DIRECTOR. DO YOU HAVE ONE?

>> WE ARE WORKING ON IT, SIR. BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO OPERATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WE PRIORITIZED HIRING THE OPERATIONAL STAFF. IN THE SUMMER WE OPENED THE POSITION FOR A DIRECTOR AND IT DIDN'T YIELD THE RIGHT FIT FOR THE CANDIDATE, AN IDEAL CANDIDATE.

WE STAFFED UP THE OPERATIONS AND WE ARE NOW COMING BACK TO INTERVIEWS AND RESUMES. I EXPECT TO HAVE AN UPDATE

SHORTLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE

FUNDING FOR THAT SLOT? >> YEAH.

THAT IS ONE OF THE POSITIONS WE ARE WAITING TO FUND RIGHT

NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU KNOW I RAISE CONCERNED -- CONCERNS ABOUT THE SLOWNESS OF GETTING THE MW/MDE GOING. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CONTRACTS THAT HAVE COME TO THE AGENDA EITHER I CAUGHT AT TIMES REVIEWING IT OR MY STAFF CAUGHT OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I WANT TO STRESS THAT THAT IS IMPORTANT. WE HAVE RAISED EXPECTATIONS AND RIGHTFULLY SO BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SO LONG.

PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO US BECAUSE IT WAS FROM THE -- FROM THAT ISSUE FROM THE DISPARITY STUDY AND THE

[00:50:02]

I SAID IT MANY TIMES, BUT THAT IS VERY, VERY HIGH ON THE PRIORITY LIST. YOU KNOW, WITH SO MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS AROUND THE COUNTRY, IF WE HAVE TO PAY MORE AND I KNOW YOU WANT THE PERSON YOU THINK IS PERFECTION, BUT IF YOU WAIT TOO LONG, IT MAY NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. I JUST WANTED TO STRESS THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. IT HAS BEEN A PRIORITY FOR US AND WE ENGAGE IN OUTSIDE FIRMS TO HELP US FIND SOMEONE WITH THAT EXPERIENCE AND THE ABILITY TO HELP BE A LEADER IN

THIS AREA FOR OUR REGION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EVERYTHING IS VERY CLEAR AND OBVIOUSLY SINCE YOUR DEPARTMENT WAS KRAE 80ED OUTSIDE THE BUDGET CYCLE, THAT EXPLAINS WHAT YOU WERE WALKING THROUGH. AT THE TIME WE MADE A COMMITMENT WE WOULD HAVE TO FUND IT FOR IT TO CONTINUE TO EXIST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE TO STAND UP THE DEPARTMENT, BUT I'M EAGER TO SEE THE IMPACTS AND APPRECIATE

YOU AND YOUR TEAM. >> THANK YOU ALL.

[Veterans Services]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MOVE ON TO VETERAN SERVICES.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

PLEASED TO BE WITH YOU. I'M DAVE LEWIS, DIRECTOR OF VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE EXCITED TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET REQUEST THIS YEAR.

WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW CERTAINLY SOME OF THE CHALLENGES. AS YOU KNOW WE ARE TWO YEARS INTO THIS. IN FACT, TWO YEARS AND SIX DAYS INTO THE CREATION. MY INITIAL PRIORITIES AS BRIEFED TO THE COURT WERE TO RECREATE OUR STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE TEXAS CODE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CLAIMS AND BENEFITS DEPARTMENT ARE OPERATING THE WAY THEY SHOULD. WE DO THAT MOSTLY THROUGH 2020. OUR NEXT PRIORITY WAS TO GET AFTER SOME OF THE CHALLENGES. THE BIG THREE I SPEAK ABOUT IS VETERAN SUICIDE, JUSTICE INVOLVED VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM PLEASED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN THAT AREA.

BUT TOM LINEUP FRONT -- BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT, WE HAVE A SIZABLE ASK FOR OUR DEPARTMENT.

WE ARE BEING OVER RUN. THERE IS FAR MORE NEED THAN WE ANTICIPATED. THE PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED THAT. WE ARE GOING TO PRESENT A BUDGET WE CAN EXECUTE, BEING FULLY AWARE THAT THERE ARE PRIORITIES. WE UNDERSTAND THE REVENUE LIMITATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY.

WE DO HAVE WAYS TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH AND PRIORITIZE OUR ASKS THIS MORNING. IF WE CAN GO TO MY FIRST SLIDE PLEASE. THIS IS WHAT WE DO.

CONNECTING VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO RESOURCES.

WE WANT THEM TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

WHEN OUR TRAINED VETERAN FORCE COMES BACK TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, AS WE ALL KNOW THEY MAKE EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS AND GREAT EMPLOYEES AND THEY MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.

WE DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY ONCE WE HAVE SOMEBODY UP ON STEP. MOST OF MY PRESENTATION WILL TALK ABOUT THE VETERANS THAT ARE STRUGGLING.

I LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT 95% OF OUR VETERANS MAKE THE TRANSITION WITH FEW OR NO CHALLENGES, BUT 5%, ROUGHLY 1 OUT OF 20, STRUGGLE AND SOMETIMES STRUGGLE MIGHTILY IN THE TRANSITION. IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT TRANSLATES TO 10,000 VETERANS.

TIMELY ASSISTANCE TO GET STATE AND FEDERAL BENEFITS, IT IS THREE WORDS. EVERY VETERAN SUCCEEDS.

WHEN THEY SUCCEED, THE FAMILIES SUCCEEDS.

WE HAVE THREE LINES OF EFFORT HERE.

OUR CLAIMS AND BENEFITS STATUTE EARLY TO REQUIRED.

I WILL POINT OUT THAT WE LAG. A COMPARABLE COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NUMBER OF FEDERAL DOLLARS WE BELIEVE SHOULD BE FLOWING INTO HARRIS COUNTY.

WE COME IN -- THESE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT FLOW INTO PEOPLE'S POCKET THAT'S TRANSLATE INTO ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS. WE SIT UNDER A BILLION DOLLARS NOT EXCLUSIVELY FROM HARRIS COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES, BUT ALL OF THE CLAIMS. AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT BAYLOR COUNTY WHO HAS 85% OF THE VETERAN WHEEZE DO AND A HALF BILLION DOLLAR FLOWING IN THEIR POCKET K.

THEY HAVE 9 VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS AND I HAVE THREE.

OUR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SERVICES IS PROVIDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM THE TEXAS VETERAN COMMISSION.

[00:55:02]

IT IS A $300,000 CAP TO GRANT.

WE HAVE MUCH GREATER NEED THAN OTHER COUNTIES AROUND THE STATE. THAT'S $300,000 CAPPED.

WE WILL SPEAK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT.

THE PART I AM REALLY PROUD OF, BOTH PROUD AND A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT IS OUR CRISIS INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION, JUSTICE INVOLVED VETERANS AND HOMELESS VETERANS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

OUR KEY DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES ARE BUILDING THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE OUR SURVEILLANCE CAPACITY.

WE DO THAT THROUGH BUILDING EYES AND EARS IN THE COMMUNITY AND PARTNERSHIPS WHERE PEOPLE SEE VETERANS THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND CAN THEN BRING THAT BACK TO US FOR DIRECT INTERVENTION, IF YOU WILL. WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE V.A. AND WITH THE HARRIS CENTER AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. WE WANT TO INCREASE THE CRISIS CAPACITY TO REDUCE THE BIG THREE.

RESAID TKAU SROEUFPL IS A -- RECIDIVISM IS A HUGE PART.

WE ARE JUST GETTING DATA LAST NIGHT ON RECIDIVISM RATES.

WE KNOW PREVIOUS PLEA WHEN WE I'M -- PREVIOUSLY WE KNOW WHEN WE IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAMS IT REDUCES THE RECIDIVISM.

IT WILL HELP THE SHERIFF IN REDUCING POPULATION THAT'S DON'T NEED TO BE GOING TO THE JAIL PARTICULARLY MULTIPLE TIMES. WE DO THIS THROUGH OUR INTERVENTION FRAMEWORK AND I WOULD BE GLAD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS LATER ABOUT THIS. BUT IT STARDZ WITH FIND.

WE ASSESS AND STABILIZE AND GET THEM TO TREATMENT.

WE ARE NOT PROVIDING OTHER THAN INITIAL TRIAGE TREATMENT. WE REASSESS THROUGH A 16-POINT NETWORK AND THEN MOST IMPORTANTLY REINTEGRATE THEM BACK TO THE COMMUNITY SO WE DON'T LOSE THEM AGAIN.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS GET TIMELY AND ACCURATE ASSISTANCE. ACCURATE IS IMPORTANT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN FILE A CLAIM IN THE V.A. SYSTEM AND WE ARE ACCREDITED TO DO THAT. ACCURATE IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE COME ACROSS MULTIPLE CASES WHERE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OR AGENCIES FILE CLAIMS THAT WERE IN ERROR.

FOR EXAMPLE, A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WE HAD SOMEBODY THAT RECEIVED OVER $200,000 IN BACK BENEFITS FROM THE V.A. BECAUSE THEIR CLAIM WASN'T FILED PROPERLY.

AND SO MY TEAM TRIES TO WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE WE DO THAT ACCURATELY. AND THEN TIMELY EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS VIA OUR TEXAS VETERANS ACT. WE WANT TO REDUCE SUICIDE 10% ANNUALLY. IN MY NOVEMBER REPORT TO THE COURT I TALKED ABOUT VETERANS BEING 3.5% OF OUR POPULATION, BUT 11% OF OUR SUICIDES ANNUALLY.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT VETERAN POPULATION IN THE JAIL REDUCED 15% ANNUALLY. WE BELIEVE THAT IS AN ACHIEVABLE GOAL. WE WOULD LIKE TO REDUCE RESAID TKAU -- RECIDIVISM 15%. THAT'S AN ACHIEVABLE GOAL.

AND THEN WE HAVE EVICTION UTILITY SHUT OFFS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE US INCREASING OUR FEDERAL CLAIMS AND BENEFITS TO THE POCKETS OF CONSTITUENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY BY 30 MILLION YAWLLY AND THEN PREVENT HOMELESSNESS FOR 30 VETERANS WITH PREEMPTIVE MEASURES.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT.

DURING THE PANDEMIC WE COMPLETED OUR TRANSITION FROM OUR OLD OFFICE ON JENSEN STREET TO OUR NEW LOCATION AT 2929 MCKIN STREET. WE CREATED AND DEPLOYED THE THREE-PERSON TEAM WHO ARE ON THE STREET AND RESPONDING TO CRISIS WHEN WE GET THE CALL FROM WHETHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CONCERNED CONSTITUENTS OR NO MATTER WHERE.

WE DEVELOPED AN INCREDIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MOBILE CRISIS OUT REACH TEAM. AND THAT IS GOING IN GREAT WAYS. TO THE POINT I HAVE BACKED OFF SOME OF MY OUT REACH EFFORTS FROM OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE BECAUSE WE ARE BEING OVER RUN.

IN 2021 WE STARTED THE TEAM IN MAY AND AS OF DECEMBER WE HAD 42 CRISIS INTERVENTIONS. A LOT OF THOSE ARE SUICIDE PREVENTION EFFORTS WHERE WE ARE MEETING THE VETERAN AND GETTING THEM TO THE SERVICES AND PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THEM THROUGH THE FRAMEWORK OF CARE. WE HAD 4 THIS WEEK ALONE SO -- AND TWO OF THEM WERE IN GREAT CRISIS.

WE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED OUR TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION GRANT FROM CSD TO VSD. OUR CHALLENGES, WE ARE AT CAPACITY OR OVER CAPACITY. MY TEAM IS WORKING LONG HOURS. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ANYBODY BEHIND AND NOR DO WE WANT TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF

[01:00:02]

PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO US RAPIDLY TO DO THAT.

AND WE ARE ALSO AT CAPACITY FOR OUR ABILITY TO PROCESS CLAIMS AND BENEFITS. MY TEAM DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB. PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT AND THEY COME TO US FREQUENTLY. WE LACK THE CAPACITY TO DO PROPER DATA ANALYSIS. I'M AN ACADEMIC AND I ENJOY DOING THOSE THINGS. MY CAPACITY TO DO THAT, WE ARE SEEING INTERESTING DATA THAT ARE POINTING US -- THEY ARE POINTING US TO INTERESTING PLACES AND APPROPRIATE PLACES TO PLOT OUR RESOURCES FOR A MAXIMUM RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

>> YOU HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE.

>> LET ME KEEP MOVING HERE. OUR CASE LOAD IS VERY HIGH.

I WANT TO GO THROUGH MY -- NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

I WANT TO GO THROUGH MY PRIORITIZED GOALS HERE.

SUICIDE. WE LOSE ONE EVERY SIX DAYS UNFORTUNATELY. AND WE ARE GETTING OUR BASELINE FOR THE JAIL. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THESE ARE OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY AND THE COSTS OVER THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR 23 AND BUDGET AND GRANTS IS OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY. WE ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE NEW PROCESS. MYSELF AND MY DEPUTY ARE WORKING HARD TO DO THAT. DATA ANALYSIS IS IMPORTANT TO US. AND THEN THIS RE-CON TEAM EXPANSION, I WOULD LIKE TO CREATE THREE TEAMS THAT ARE INDEPENDENT. A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON WHY TWO NEW SUPERVISORS AND FOUR NEW HIRES.

THEY WOULD BE A TEAM WITH CASE MANAGERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> YOUR TIME 6 PIERED, SIR. -- YOUR TIME 6 PIERED.

EXPIRED. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> COLONEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I'M UNDERSTANDING THAT YOUR GRANTS AREA IS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE FOR YOU? JUST BALLPARK FIGURE, IF YOU WERE TO GET THAT POSITION, WHAT IS -- WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE POTENTIAL GRANT AVAILABILITY AND AS A CONSEQUENCE HERE RET

PARTICULARLY PAY FOR ITSELF. >> SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. FIRST AND FOREMOST IT IS AN HONOR AND THEY HONOR US IN THE REQUIREMENTS.

BEYOND THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS GRANTS COMING DOWN THE PIPES FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AND THE NEW COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES AND THEY HAVE PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL GO THROUGH. THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET FEDERAL FUNDS TO COME IN AND DO THAT ARE TREMENDOUS.

AND WE HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO TURNOVER OTHER PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER THINGS TO GET AFTER THINGS LIKE BRAIN INJURY AND A HUGE PROBLEM IN OUR COUNTRY AND IN OUR COUNTY QUITE FRANKLY. IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK IT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF OVER TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. COLONEL, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING. YOU ARE REALLY TAKING THIS OFFICE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. VERY PROUD.

VERY PROUD TO HAVE YOU AT THE HELM.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING OF THE AND IN PARTICULAR , THANK YOU FOR THE FOCUS YOU ARE GIVING THE OFFICE AND WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE SUICIDE REDUCTION AREA AND IN OUR HOMELESSNESS THAT REGRETFULLY AFFECTS MANY OF OUR VETERANS. CAN'T ARGUE WITH THAT FOCUS AND INTENTION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WILL POINT OUT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PLACE THAT IS SEEING THESE CHALLENGES.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY PROBABLY OUR NEAREST PEER COUNTY NATIONALLY IS PUTTING 4.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES FACING THIS. I PAIRED MY REQUEST DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY FROM WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO.

>> IF I AM REMEMBERING -- >> THEY RUN THEM THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 20 PER YEAR. THEY ARE SPREADING OUT AND DOING -- WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS CREATING SATELLITE OFFICES. WE ARE TAKING A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT APPROACH. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

>> AND YOU ARE ASKING FOR 16? >> YORE.

YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

[01:05:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

APPRECIATE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND STANDING UP A VETERAN SET ASIDE OF BUSINESS FOR THE COUNTY.

WE ARE MEETING NEXT WEEK AND WE ARE PUSHING THAT WITH YOU.

AND WE ARE GETTING GREAT VALUE FROM THE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE THERE WITH YOU. CLEARLY THE PRIORITIES ARE SET AND THE NEED IS THERE AND YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS.

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING TIME WITH YOU IN THE NEW YEAR.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, GO AHEAD.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM. ONE POINT IN THE GRANT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE GRANT STAFF TO DO, SAY, THE DATA ANALYSIS WORK AS WELL? I MEAN, I'M JUST THINKING ABOUT OUR BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU CONSIDERED?

>> WE HAVE CONSIDERED THAT. THAT IS A POSSIBILITY.

THAT'S RATHER THAN A FULL TIME POSITION.

AND THEN RATHER THAN TO -- DOING A CONTRACTED POSITION.

>> AND THE RESPONSE TEAMS OF -- THEY HAVE INCREDIBLE WORK.

I AM ALWAYS EXCITED TO BRAG ON YOU GUYS AND SO GLAD YOU HAVE TAKEN THE HELM AND PROUD OF THE WORK YOU AND YOUR TEAM IS DOING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

[County Library]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HEAR NEXT FROM DIRECTOR MELTON WITH

OUR COUNTY LIBRARY. >> WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THE BUDGET FOR THE LIBRARY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

OUR LIBRARY PROGRAM IS BROKEN UP INTO FOUR PARTS.

THE LIBRARY MATERIALS OF RESOURCES.

OUR OBJECTIVE AND PRIORITY OUTCOMES REALLY DEAL WITH BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF READERS AND LIFE-LONG LEARNERS. WE DO THAT THROUGH OUR LITERACY PROGRAMS. PRETTY MUCH -- THIS YEAR WE WILL BE FOCUSED ON EARLY LITERACY ALONG WITH -- AND WITH EARLY LITERACY WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO AT LEAST A THOUSAND BOOKS BY KINDERGARTEN AND EXPOSED TO THREE MILLION WORDS BY KINDERGARTEN AND THEN FOCUSED ON READING BY THIRD GRADE AND BEYOND.

THOSE ARE THREE INDICATORS OF CHILDREN BEING SUCCESSFUL IN TERMS OF THEIR READING ABILITY AND SUCCESS AND EDUCATION.

AND WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON ADULT LITERACY IN TERMS OF PROVIDING OUR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM A CONTINUATION PROGRAM. ANOTHER PRIORITY IS REACHING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN TERMS OF EDUCATION.

THERE ARE DEVICES AND CONNECTIVITIES IN TERMS OF UTILIZING THE INTERNET. AND SO WITH THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO EX -- EXTEND OUR SERVICES AND THE IMPACT OF BROADBAND THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES WE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF.

WE ARE GOING TO BE RAISING AWARENESS OF THE LIBRARY THROUGH OUR FRIENDS BY THE CHARLOTTE PARTNERSHIP AND DOING SOME MORE DATA ANALYSIS AND REALLY JUST BRINGING AWARENESS TO WHAT WE DO IN TERMS OF THE LIBRARY AND SOME OF THE WORK WE DO. THROUGH OUR PROGRAM AND THROUGH OUR WORK WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONVERSATIONS AROUND DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND IN TERMS OF SERVING THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WITH THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SAFE FISCAL SPACES AS WELL AS VIRTUAL SPACES IN ORDER TO HAVE THOSE AREAS OF COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION.

AND WE ALSO ARE WORKING OR HAVE ESTABLISHED OUR DIGITAL ARCHIVES IN WHICH -- WHICH IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE CAN SHARE OUR CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND DIFFERENT FOCUSES

[01:10:02]

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SOME OF THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES WE TRACK AND THAT I WANT TO BRING UP IS ONE OF THE STANDARDS WE TRY TO KEEP UP WITH IS OUR GENERAL EXPENDITURES AND OUR MATERIAL EXPENDITURES PER CAPITA AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT IS COMMISSIONERS' COURT DID APPROVE FOR THE LIBRARY TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL 1.5 MILLION IN ORDER TO MEET THAT MATERIAL EXPENDITURE PER CAP I TA. THAT WAS A -- PER CAPITA.

THAT WAS A ONE-TIME BUDGET ITEM THAT WAS PRESENTED -- THAT WAS PROVIDED FOR US. WE APPRECIATE -- WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN THAT ON GOING WE NEED TO HAVE THAT AS PART OF OUR BUDGET IN TERMS, TO SUSTAIN THE MATERIAL EXPENDITURES PER CAPITA.

AND IN TERMS OF CIRCULATION MATERIALS WE ARE ONE OF THE HIGHEST CIRCULATING LIBRARY SYSTEM HAD AND DIGITAL AND WE ARE LOOKING AT ACCESS PER CAPITA AT 50.

OUR PROGRAM IS BEYOND WHAT OUR TARGET WAS.

WE HAD ABOUT 517 PLUS PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PROGRAMMING AND OUR WI-FI SESSIONS HAD OVER 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE USING OUR WI-FI. ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS OUR COLLECTION PARTNERSHIP. THIS IS ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES FROM THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND IT IS WITH THE DIFFERENT ISD'S IN ORDER TO ALLOW THOSE ISD'S TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTIONS AND THROUGH THIS YEAR WE HAVE ESTABLISHED OVER 33 PARTNERSHIPS AND WE ARE REALLY -- WE ARE THE NUMBER WR*UP -- NUMBER ONE LIBRARY SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY. THAT'S WHAT THE STUDENTS USE FOR THE DIGITAL COLLECTION. AND WE ARE -- WE HAVE WORKED ON OUR COMPUTER -- OUR PUBLIC COMPUTER REPLACEMENT AND WE HAVE ALSO INCREASED OUR WEB TRAFFIC AND OUR SOCIAL MEDIAEN TKPWAOEUPBLG MEANT. THROUGH THE -- MEDIA ENGAGEMENT. WE HAVE BEEN MORE VIRTUAL AND PROVIDED ACCESS AND INCREASING THE ACCESS THROUGH UT YO -- THROUGHOUT AN ONLINE PRESENCE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AS I SAID BEFORE WE HAVE OVER THREE MILLION AND CLOSE TO 4 MILLION ITEMS CIRCULATING.

WE HAVE FOUR MILLION DIGITAL ITEMS CIRCULATED.

WE HAVE HAD 1.6 MILLION WI-FI SESSIONS.

WE HAD 30 -- WE HAVE 336 CITIZENSHIP CLASSES AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE GRADUATED 36 CITIZENS OUT THERE.

WE HAVE 75 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND 10 GRADUATES WHO HAVE GRADUATED IN THE PAST YEAR WITH THEIR DIPLOMA.

AND WE ALSO HAVE OVER THOUSANDS OF DSL LEARNERS.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 300 BASIC EDUCATION STUDENTS.

ONE OF THE OTHER SERVICES WE PROVIDE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LITERACY IS OUR MOBILE LITERACY PROGRAM WHICH -- IN WHICH WE FOCUS ON LEVEL READING AND HAVE 274 VISITS IMPACTED OVER 23,000 STUDENTS AND WE ARE GIVING BOOKS AWAY FOR THE HOME LIBRARIES WITH OVER 24,000 BOOKS THAT WE HAVE GIVEN CHILDREN SO THEY CAN HAVE THEIR OWN HOME LIBRARIES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE SEE WITH THIS PROGRAM IS THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BOOKS WITHIN THEIR HOMES HAVE A HIGH LITERACY RATE BECAUSE THEY CAN BUILD ON AND HAVE THOSE PHYSICAL BOOKS WITHIN THEIR PRESENCE IN TERMS OF THOSE FAMILIES HAVING ACCESS TO THE HOME COLLECTION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THAT'S ONE OF OUR PRIMARY USES IN TERMS OF HOW WE HAVE BEEN DOING PROGRAMS SINCE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THEM IN PERSON. WE HAD 13,000 VIRTUAL PROGRAMS AND 77,000 PEOPLE TO ATTEND THOSE PROGRAMS AND OVER 542 VIEWS ONLINE. OUR SUMMER READING PROGRAM IS STILL ONE OF OUR STRONGEST CORE PROGRAMS WE PROVIDE IN

[01:15:02]

DIGITAL ARCHIVES IS ANOTHER PROGRAM WE ESTABLISHED THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR WITH THE CELEBRATION OF OUR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. WE HAVE HAD OVER 30 EXHIBITS AND 40,000 IN THE FIRST YEAR TODAY TO THAT SITE.

OVER DRIVE DIGITAL CIRCULATION/A SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS, WE ARE NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD WITH THOSE PARTNERSHIPS AND WITH THAT OUR -- WE'VE HAD 27% GROWTH IN OUR DIGITAL COLLECTION CHECKOUT AND WE ARE -- HERE I HAVE TOP FIVE, BUT WE RAN STATISTICS AND WE ARE REALLY IN THE TOP 10.

WE DROPPED TO NUMBER 8 A COUPLE -- NUMBER AEUFPLT A COUPLE OF SYSTEMS CAME OUT SINCE I PROVIDED THIS PRESENTATION THAT HAVE OUT RANKED US IN TERMS OF DIGITAL CIRCULATION. WE ARE STILL IN THE TOP 10 IN THE COUNTRY. ONE OF THE SERVICES IS PASSPORT SERVICES OF THE -- SERVICES.

WE PROCESSED 3,700 PASSPORTS WHICH HAS BROUGHT US IN 157,000 DOLLARS IN REVENUE AND WE WERE --

>> YOU HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU. AND WE ARE PROJECTED TO HAVE OVER $409,000 IN PROJECTED REVENUE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. DRAFTS WE ARE WORKING ON -- GRANTS WE ARE WORKING ON, THEY ARE TIED TO THE BROADBAND.

WITH BROADBAND WE RECEIVED A $30 MILLION GRANT TO DISTRIBUTE CHROME BOOKS AND 40,000 HOTSPOTS.

AND THAT PROGRAM WILL BE LAUNCHING AS OF JANUARY.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST GRANTS ANY LIBRARY RECEIVED IN THE COUNTRY. AND WE RECEIVED TO SUPPLEMENT -- SUPPLEMENT THAT THE TEXAS ARCHIVE COMMISSION WE HAVE DIGITAL NAVIGATORS AND GRANTS THAT WILL HELP US TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT ASSETS AND ALSO TO HELP US TO TRAIN PEOPLE ON USING THOSE ASSETS. AND ALSO WITH THE -- THE LITERACY FOUNDATION THEY GRANTED US ANOTHER CURIOSITY CRUISER AND FOUR MORE ADDITIONAL FAMILY PLACE LIBRARIES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

PERHAPS YOU CAN LEAVE THIS BUDGET REQUEST SLIDE UP DURING THE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.

WOULD THAT WORK FOR YOU? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR MEDICAL -- DIRECTOR MELT KO* N?

MELTON. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, FOR WHAT YOU DO.

LIBRARIES ARE LIKE AN OASIS, PARTICULARLY IN A PANDEMIC.

AS BEST WE CAN WE ARE AT MAYBE 25% CAPACITY, BUT ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET FOLKS IN THERE THAT -- THE BETTER.

A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON YORE METRICS.

ON YOUR METRICS. I NOTICED IN BUDGET REQUESTS WE WERE TRYING TO GET ADDITIONAL STORAGE FOR DAMAGED FURNITURE OF THE I RECOMMEND WE RECYCLE THAT FURNITURE.

THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT WILL TAKE IT RATHER THAN SPENDING MONEY ON STORAGE FOR DAMAGED FURNITURE.

JUST A THOUGHT. >> THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO. WHEN WE BREAK -- WE NEED STORAGE SO WHEN WE BRING IN THE FURNITURE WE HAVE A PLACE TO STORAGE TO REISSUE IT TO ANOTHER BRANCH OR ORIE PURPOSE IT -- OR REPURPOSE IT AT ANOTHER LOCATION.

WE DO TRY TO RECYCLE THE FURNITURE AND THAT'S WHERE THE

STORAGE COMES TO. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND ANOTHER COMMENT ON EFFICIENCIES. AS WE LOOK AT INCREASING PASSPORT WITHIN I GUESS CERTAIN LOCATIONS I'M ASSUMING YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH CROSS TRAINING IN TERMS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY THERE. CROSS TRAIN THEM TO HELP WITH

THE PASSPORTS? >> YES.

INITIALLY THAT'S WHAT WE STARTED OUT WITH.

WE DID ASK FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING WHEN WE STARTED THE PROGRAM. WE UTILIZED THE STAFF WE HAVE ON HAND IN ORDER TO CROSS TRAIN THEM AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A DIFFERENT TASK. AS WE SEE THAT, THE PROGRAM IS GROWING AND WE ARE GETTING -- DEMAND IS GROWING AND THAT'S WHERE THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF TO SUPPORT PASSPORT SERVICES, THAT REQUEST COMES IN.

>> TOM RAMSEY: LOOKS LIKE THE NUMBER OF GRANTS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS IS DOWN.

IS THERE A REASON? >> ACTUALLY IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF GRANTS THIS YEAR IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST YEARS WE HAVE HAD GRANTS IN TERMS OF DOLLAR AMOUNT.

[01:20:04]

WE HAVE BEEN APPLYING FOR VARIOUS GRANTS AND HAVE BEEN PRETTY SUCCESSFUL IN PURSUING ALL OF THE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE FOUGHT FOR. WE DO HAVE DATA ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM NOW THAT IS GOING TO BE REALLY FOCUSING ON MAKING SURE WE CAN APPLY FOR ALL OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES. OUR MAIN FOCUS ARE THE HUGE GRANTS WITH FCC IN TERMS OF THE EARLY -- THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUNDS. AND SO WITH THAT, THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE 15,000 CHROME BOOKS AND THE 40,000 WI-FI

HOTSPOTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: I LIKE YOUR CHROME BOOKS. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, MR. MELTON ON YOUR PRESENTATION. A QUICK QUESTION, I KNOW THAT THE -- SOME OF THE AREAS YOU MENTIONED IS I GUESS PROVIDING YOU ARE -- PROVIDING YOU WITH A REVENUE.

YOU HAVE A FEW OTHERS ATTACHED TO YOUR OPERATIONS.

I I DON'T THINK WE SAW IT IN THE BUDGET, BUT DOWRY INVEST THAT MONEY TO THOSE SAME OPERATIONS AND WHAT IS THE

COST VERSUS REVENUE STREAM? >> THE PASSPORT SERVICES, THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IN TERMS OF TAKING THAT FACILITY -- THAT REVENUE STREAM ACTUALLY GOES BACK TO THE COUNTY GENERAL FUND. AND SO WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS HAVE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE WILL CERTIFY THOSE FUNDS IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH REVENUE IS BROUGHT IN AND THROUGH THOSE PASSPORT SERVICES WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THOSE FUNDS REALLOCATED TO THE LIBRARY TO OFFSET THE COSTS THAT WE WILL INCUR IN TERMS OF STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. AND SO WITH THAT WE ARE PROJECTING ABOUT 400,000 IN REVENUE AND THAT'S NOT COUNTING -- THAT'S JUST BETWEEN AUGUST AND DECEMBER IN TERMS OF -- WE KNOW THAT DURING THE SUMMER AND THE SPRING, THAT'S WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE GET PASSPORTS.

AND SO THAT IS -- FOR ME THAT IS A LOW ESTIMATE IN TERMS OF THE PROJECTION. WITH THAT, THE CERTIFIED REVENUE CAN'T COVER THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE.

IT MAY BE A REVENUE OF 100,000 -- 100,000 TO 250,000 IN TERMS OF THE GAP IN TERMS OF PROVIDING PASSPORT SERVICES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU.

AND I CAN SEE THAT YOU GOT ABOUT 300,000 LEFT OVER THAT HAS NOT BEEN SPENT AND YOU ARE LOOKING TO MOVE IT INTO YOUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO -- I GUESS TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT

WEB PROGRAM, IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES.

THE MILLION YOU PROVIDED US, THAT WILL BE 300,000 THAT IS OUT IN TERMS OF INVOICE COMING IN.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FUNDING IN PLACE TO COVER THE KWO*S -- COSTS TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM.

AND WE ARE EXPLORING WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE FOR US TO EXPAND THAT PROGRAM ACROSS THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF WHAT THE COST WILL BE. WE NEED MORE DATA TO HELP US AND TO GIVE US APPROVAL AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE IN

TERMS OF COST. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

WITH THE TEJANO CENTER BACK YOU WOULD HAVE MY SUPPORT TO USE THE REMAINING FUNDS AS YOU DEEM NECESSARY.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I LOVE MY LIBRARIES. YOU MAY RECALL YOU HAD TO TAKE BACK IN SCHOOL, BASICALLY IN A NOTE IN A BOOK, THAT'S WHERE YOU CAN FIND HEAVEN. I WANT TO THANK MY LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS. PEOPLE NEEDED A PLACE TO GO THAT IS SAFE SO THEY CAN EXPAND THEIR MINDS.

THANK YOU FOR THE LIBRARIES FOR BEING ON THE FRONT OF TRYING TO REACH TO OUR COMMUNITIES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. AND WITH -- YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE ADDITIONS WE HAD THROUGHOUT OUR LIBRARIES ARE THE CLASSICS. WE ARE TRYING TO EXPAND THAT TO OTHER LIBRARIES. PEOPLE DO WANT TO READ THOSE CLASSICS. THEY ARE CHECKING OUT THE

[01:25:03]

THANKS FOR THAT IDEA AND THE INSPIRATION FOR US TO PROVIDE

THOSE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, THERE WAS A DEBATE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE WOULD READ THE OLD CLASSICS THAT GO BACK FOR A MILLENIA. AND WE HELPED FUND THE INITIAL ROUND OF THAT. AND IT TURNED OUT THAT THEY ARE CHECKED OUT AT ALMOST 60% IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

SO THEY HAD A HIGH TURNOVER. PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK TO READ THE OLD CLASSICS, THE DON QUIXOTE, THE OLD GREEK WITH WAO*EPBG HREURB TRANSLATION -- WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS.

THE OLD WISDOM IS GOOD LIGHT FOR THE NEW WISDOM.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MELTON. I HAD A QUESTION ON THE CIRCULATION NUMBERS PER CAPITA.

YOU SAID THERE IS SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO COVER LATER, AND I WANTED TO ASK YOU WHAT THAT WAS AS FAR AS NEEDING --

MEETING A STANDARD. >> THE TEXAS STATE STANDARD GIVES US AN AMOUNT WE NEED PER CAPITA.

AND WITH THAT WE WERE ABLE TO REACH THAT IN THE LAST -- IN THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR IN TERMS OF THAT STANDARD WITH THE ADDITIONAL 1.5 MILLION THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDED US WITH LAST FISCAL YEAR. IN OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT WAS A ONE-TIME -- THEY JUST GAVE US THAT FOR ONE FISCAL YEAR.

REALLY THAT IS AN ON GOING COST THAT WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE AS PART OF OUR BASELINE BUDGET IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE WE CAN MAKE THAT PER CAPITA SPENDING AS PART OF OUR DIRECTION. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COMES INTO PLAY IS AS THE COUNTY POPULATIONS INCREASES, THAT ALSO IMPACTS THAT PER CAPITA SPENDING.

THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIORITIES IS MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE ADDITIONAL 1.5 MILLION IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO MEET THAT STATE STANDARD IN TERMS OF THE REQUIREMENT AND IN TERMS OF THE PER CAPITA SPENDING FOR OUR COLLECTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND IN TERMS OF THE MATERIALS FOR THE HOTSPOTS AND ALL OF THAT, I THINK YOU CALLED IT TELE COM DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF THE NEED AND TO THE EXTENT YOUR REQUEST MEETS THE NEED OR WHAT PORTION OF THE NEED IT MEETS?

>> WITH THE TELE COM REQUEST, IT IS IN ORDER FOR US TO INCREASE OUR BAND WIDTH IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE UTILIZING AND ALSO SOME OF THE SOFTWARE THAT COMES ALONG WITH MANAGING THE SOFTWARE. WE DO NEED TWO ADDITIONAL FIELD TAKES BECAUSE WE ARE SUPPORTING 15,000 DEVICES OF CHROME BOOKS AND 40,000 WI-FI HOTSPOTS AND IT DOES TAKE SOME FIELD TECHS TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT AND JUST THE MAN POWER TO MANAGE THOSE DEVICES AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE. THE PUBLIC WHO MAY NEED A LOT UTILIZING THAT EQUIPMENT. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING THAT BROADBAND PROJECT AND EVEN AS WE EXPAND AND START PUSHING THE BROADBAND INTO PEOPLE'S HOMES. IT IS HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THOSE

SERVICES. >> SO YOU ARE SAYING THAT WITHOUT THIS THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME QUALITY INTERNET, OR WHAT IS THE -- WHAT'S THE SORT OF METRIC THERE THAT LEADS YOU

TO LAND ON THIS NUMBER? >> WHAT LEADS US THERE IS THE NUMBER OF -- THE NUMBER OF FIBER WE HAVE GOING OUT TO THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS WE ARE SUPPORTING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND EVEN THE NUMBER OF DEVICES.

WHAT HAPPENS IS ONCE UNIVERSAL SERVICES BUILD OUT THE BROADBAND TOWERS, THERE ARE DEVICES THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO CHECK OUT ARE THE MODEMS. WITH THE MODEMS SOMEONE HAS TO PUT THE MODEMS TOGETHER AND SOMEONE HAS TO -- AND SO WE JUST -- AT THE LIBRARY WE DISTRIBUTE THE MODEMS TO THE COMMUNITY AS THEY COME IN AND PICK THEM UP FOR THEM TO ACCESS THE BROAD -- BROADBAND.

IT IS NOT LIKE A BROADBAND YOU GO TO STARBUCKS AND CONNECT TO THE WI-FI. THEY HAVE TO HAVE MODEMS. WITH THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO SUPPORT THE MODEMS AND WE TAKE AWAY THAT PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO USE CHROME BOOKS OR COME SUITERS -- COMPUTERS.

BUT THAT'S A CHALLENGE TOO. ONCE THEY GET THESE DEVICES AND WHETHER IT IS THE WI-FI OR THE CHROME BOOKS THEY NEED ASSISTANCE IN UTILIZING THE SERVICES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WITH THE T SLACK GRANT IS WE DO HAVE SOME DIGITAL NAVIGATORS WE WILL BRING ON WITH THAT GRANT THAT

[01:30:04]

TERMS OF THE FIELD TECHS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT MAKES SENSE. IT IS ABOUT FACILITATING OR REALLY MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY USE THE HOTSPOTS AND CHROME BOOKS AVAILABLE.

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN YOU SAY

MODEMS IS IT A HOTSPOT? >> IT IS SOMETHING ELSE.

WE HAVE THE HOTSPOTS AND WE ALSO HAVE THE ANTENNAS OR THE MODEMS THAT ARE FOR THE HOME NETWORK.

SO WITH THE HOTSPOTS, THAT'S PART OF THE GRANT THAT IS FOR THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND.

FOR THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY, THAT'S WHERE UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS BUILDING OUT THESE MESH WIRELESS NETWORKS. IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE TO ACCESS THOSE MESH WIRELESS NETWORKS, THAT'S WHERE THEY HAVE TO HAVE THOSE ANTENNA MODEMS IN ORDER TO CONNECT TO THE COUNTY'S BROADBAND IN ORDER TO UTILIZE THE BROADBAND.

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT CONNECTED TO THE COUNTY BROADBAND AND IN TERMS OF THAT -- IN TERMS OF USING THAT BROADBAND SPECTRUM. YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ANTENNA MODEM. UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS THE MODEM. AND WE ARE CHECKING THE MODEMS OUT TO THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING IT.

I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT AT THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL.

DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU TO YOU AND TO ALL OF YOUR STAFF, DIRECTOR.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM BRRRR POR -- FROM DR. P ORSA ON HARRIS HEALTH.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING, DOCTOR. YOU ARE HAVING AN EBG TOE RIGHT -- AN ECHO RIGHT NOW. IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER DEVICE

NEARBY PLEASE PUT IT ON MUTE. >> YES, I DO.

LET ME TRANSITION. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WE'LL WAIT. >> DR. PORSA, HOW IS IT LOOKING? WOULD YOU PREFER WE TAKE A

BREAK? >> JUDGE, IT WILL TAKE ME A

COUPLE MINUTES. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE OUR BREAK NOW. WE WILL BE BACK IN 10 MINUTES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 11:46 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION FOR OUR BUDGET HEARINGS.

[Hospital District]

ADDRESSED. >> I BELIEVE SO, JUDGE.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

DR. PORSA. >> GOOD MORNING, I GUESS IT IS STILL MORNING AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I WILL BE GOING THROUGH THE SLIDES KWOEUBGLY BECAUSE I KNOW WE ARE AGAINST A TIME CRUNCH.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. BRIEFLY ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE.

HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IS A HOSPITAL DISTRICT PROVIDING HEALTH CARE TO THE INDIGENT MEN -- MEMBERS OF HARRIS COUNTY. HARRIS HEALTH IS A DISTINCT GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE TO THE NEEDY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. PER -- PURSUANT TO THAT MANDATE YOU CAN SEE OUR MISSION IN FRONT OF YOU.

SOMETIMES WHAT DOES NOT COME OFF IS IN ADDITION TO A HEALTH SYSTEM WE ARE A MAJOR TRAINING FACILITY FOR THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FOR A COMMUNITY THAT INCLUDES ALMOST 1200 MEDICAL STUDENTS AND 177 DENTAL STUDENTS, 12600 RESIDENTS SUCH AS NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PHYSICIAN

[01:35:04]

YOU CAN SEE THAT IN ADDITION TO THE TWO FLAGSHIP HOSPITALS, WE HAVE OTHER PRESENCE IN THE COUNTY.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM LAST YEAR WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO MORE THAN 234,000 UNIQUE PATIENTS. ALMOST 8,000 OF WHOM WERE CONSIDERED CHARITY AT A COST OF OVER $720 MILLION IN TERMS OF CHARITY. WE ARE A MAJORITY UNINSURED WITH A GOOD PORTION ALSO, MORE THAN 22% THERE.

HAPPY TO STATE THAT THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM HAS HAD A BIG GROWTH IN MANAGING THE COVID PANDEMIC IN THE REGION.

WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE THAN 170,000 COVID VACCINATIONS AND TAKEN CARE OF MORE THAT COVID PATIENTS AT A COST OF $275 MILLION. I WILL PAUSE HERE TO SAY THE EFFECTIVENESS AND THE SAFETY OF OUR VACCINES.

OUT OF THE UNFORTUNATE 282 FOLKS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES TO COVID SINCE THE BEGINNING OF LAST CALENDAR YEAR, ONLY 9 WERE FULLY VACCINATED.

OUT OF THEM 0 WERE BOOSTED. JUST A NOD TO THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION. NEXT SLIDE? VERY BRIEFLY SOME OF OUR HIGHLIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER EQUALITY AND REDUCING THE HARMFUL ADVANCE CONDITIONS AND REDUCING THE AVERAGE TRANSFER TIME BETWEEN OUR HOSPITALS FOR THOSE PATIENTS WITH CORONARY SYNDROME, HEART ATTACKS. THEY ARE A PEOPLE KILLER AND ACHIEVING A MAGNET STATUS IT PUTS HARRIS HEALTH IN A HANDFUL OF PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE THIS ACHIEVEMENT. IMPLEMENTATION OF PATIENT CARE ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING PROGRAM WHERE WE HAVE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES FROM AROUND LBJ HOSPITAL AND WE PUT THEM THROUGH THE TRAINING AND WE HIRE THEM AS PATIENT CARE ASSISTANTS. UNDER THE ONE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, CREATION OF THREE CLINICAL SERVICE LINES AND PATHWAYS, THIS IS TO IMPROVE OUR EFFICIENCY AND ENSURE THAT FOLKS ACHIEVE THE SAME HIGH LEVEL OF QUALITY AND SAFE CARE REGARDLESS OF THEIR POINT OF ENTRY INTO OUR SYSTEM.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEDS PROGRAM IS GIVING THEM MEDICINES BEFORE LEAVING THE HOSPITAL.

UNDER THE POPULATION HEALTH THE EXPANSION OF THE FOOD POLICY PROGRAM AND TO LBJ HOSPITAL AND THE REVAMPING OF OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER PROGRAM.

BOTH OF WHICH HAS SIGNIFICANT DIABETES CARE AND EXPANSION OF HOME BUILDING PROGRAM AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEDICATIONS ESPECIALLY DURING THIS TIME WHERE THEY MAY HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO OUR CLINICS.

UNDER THE INFRASTRUCTURE OPTIMIZATION AND REMEDIATION OF PLUMBING ISSUES AT LBJ HOSPITAL THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF AND THE EMERGENCY CENTER AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

NEXT SLIDE. FOR FOR THE SHORT YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR 2023, WHAT I HAVE LISTED FOR YOU ARE SOME OF THE OUTCOME MEASURES, BUT ALSO OUR FIVE-YEAR PLAN FOR KEEP W-GT PLAN. VERY BRIEFLY, SOME OF THE OUTCOME MEASURES ARE CONTINUED REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF SAFETY EVENTS FOR REQUIRED CONDITIONS.

STAFF TURNOVER IS IMPORTANT AND IMPROVING PATIENT SCORES.

IMPROVING OUR OVERALL EFFICIENCY AND PAY -- PATIENT THROUGH PUT AND MAINTAINING A 2% ANNUAL MARGIN.

UNDER THE POPULATION HEALTH MANAGEMENT, THE ADDITION OF PHARMACISTS AND REDUCING WAIT TIME FOR OUR PRIMARY CARE AND SPECIALTY CARE SERVICES AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS AND PENDING APPROVAL, THE AGREEMENT WITHIN THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTIES AND THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT WITH REGARD TO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND SOME OF THE OUTCOME ISSUES WE HAVE LISTED IS ON SITE SERVICES OF THE JAIL SO THEY CAN REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DETAINEES WHO ARE TRANSFERRED FOR SERVICES.

THIS WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ABILITY TO STAFF THE JAIL APPROPRIATELY.

[01:40:02]

AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, UNDER INFRASTRUCTURE OPTIMA -- OP PAW MA SWRAEUGS -- OP PAW MA -- OPTIMAZATION, AND INCREASING BEDS THROUGH MITIGATION EFFORTS INTERNAL 3 OR THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER AMENITIES.

NEXT SLIDE? THIS IS THE OUTCOME OF OUR CONVERSATION WITH SOME OF OUR COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE ASKED ME PREVIOUSLY HOW THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM COMPARED TO OTHER LARGE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

I TOLD THEM WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT AND WE WILL USE THIS OPPORTUNITY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF TAX FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. IT COMES ON TOP WITH REGARD TO TOTAL NUMBER OF DOLLARS PROVIDING A TAX LEVY.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE TOTAL POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE POPULATION OF THE UNINSURED RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY THE SITUATION IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

WITH REGARDS TO THE HOSPITAL TAX LEVY PERES -- PER RESIDENTS, WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL HEALTH SYSTEMS AND ALL LARGE HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

ALMOST HALF OF WHAT IS EXPERIENCED IN DALLAS COUNTY AT 291 PERES DENTS AND -- PER RESIDENTS AND UNINSURED RESIDENT AT HAYES -- AT HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IS AGAIN AT THE BOTTOM COMPARED TO THE OTHER MAJOR HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND HALF OF WHAT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED IN BEXAR COUNTY. I AM GOING TO HAND THIS OFF TO THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND THEN HAPPY TO TAKE

ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH DR. PORSA. IT IS MY DISTINCT PRIVILEGE TO APPEAR BEFORE THIS COURT. GREETINGS, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. IF WE MAY GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE WILL HAVE A QUICK RUN THROUGH OF THE BUDGETED REVENUES AND EXPENSES AND CAPITAL BUDGETS IN THE PRESENTATION.

AND WE WILL HAVE A FEW MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

JUST TO PREF -- PREFACE, YOU CAN SEE FROM THE SLIDE AND WE WILL FOCUS ON THE MIDDLE COLUMN WHICH IS OUR SHORT YEAR OR STUB YEAR. THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF HARRIS HEALTH ON JANUARY 6TH.

OUR ORGANIZATION IS 2.2 BILLION DOLLARS STRONG.

DUE TO THE PATIENT POPULATION THAT WE SERVE WHICH IS MOSTLY -- THE MOST VULNERABLE, UNDER SERVED, UNFUNDED AND UNABLE TO PAY, OUR SOURCES OF REVENUE ARE MOSTLY FIXED.

37% IS TECH SUPPORT AND 63% IS A SUPPLEMENTAL END PATIENT REVENUE. THIS CAN BE A BLESSING LIKE IT HAS BEEN FOR US DURING THE PANDEMIC WHERE PATIENT VOLUMES HAVE PRECIPITOUSLY DROPPED. WE DID NOT GET PENALIZED FOR THE DROP IN VOLUME AND WE WERE ABLE TO RETAIN FUNDING.

IT CAN ALSO BE A CURSE. WE HAVE DISPLAYED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS EQUAL TRANSPARENCY AND WHAT IS RISK AND IT IS $400 MILLION ANNUAL LIESED AND THAT IS A RISK IN THE IS UP -- IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS.

THAT IS CONTINUED TO BE IN CHALLENGE AND LITIGATION BETWEEN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND CMS AND HARRIS HEALTH.

IT DEPENDS ON THIS AS OUR SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE OF THE.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT TO JUST SCROLL THROUGH THE OTHER SLIDES PERHAPS, BUT KEEP YOUR LAST STATEMENTS BRIEF SINCE YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> WE WILL DO THAT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE.

OUR EXPENSES AND OUR REVENUES ARE ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME.

WE HAVE PROJECTED A 2% MARGIN JUST TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO COMMIT TO OUR CLINICAL HEALTH CARE WORKERS WITH A RETENTION PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE WHICH IS $150 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS AND TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE UNTIL WE GET TO THE POINT THAT WE CAN REPLACE OUR FACILITY. AND THIS IS REFLECTED IN THE

[01:45:02]

YOU CAN SEE THAT MOST OF OUR COMMITMENT IS TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE ADDITIONAL TIME.

I WILL TURN IT BACK TO DR. PORSA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR. PORSA? COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

DR. PORSA, THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THIS PRESENTATION.

AND IT SHOWS HOW PAINFUL IT IS TO COMPROMISE OUR BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

AND I MET WITH A GROUP OF EMPLOYEES AND THERE IS OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE HEARD A LOT OF ANXIETY AND CONCERN FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE JAIL OPERATIONS OVER TO YOUR OPERATIONS. I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE ON -- BECAUSE THEY WERE ASKING ME WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DOING THIS. I THINK FOR THE EMPLOYEES THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MATRICULATE THROUGH THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM VERSUS WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE PROVIDING.

YOU WORK FOR THE SHERIFF AND IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE SURGERY AND MORE INTENSE FORM OF PUBLIC HEALTH OR HEALTH.

>> CHANGE IS ALWAYS DIFFICULT.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR CHANGE.

YOU ARE RIGHT. THE GROWTH OPPORTUNITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS ARE PART OF THE JAIL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE GOING TO BE TRANSFERRING NEAR THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IS NOT CONVEYED. I KNOW IT IS DIFFICULT FOR A STAFF TO GRASP THAT AT THIS POINT.

LIKE I SAID, YOU CAN JUST SEE THE CHANGE COMING.

WE HAVE TRIED TO -- I KNOW WE CAN DO BETTER AND ONCE THE AGREEMENTS ARE IN PLACE I THINK WE CAN DO EVEN MORE AND CREATE MORE TRANSPARENCY AND MORE CONVERSATIONS.

>> GOOD DEAL. >> AND I WOULD ASK TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT. I REMINDED PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT THE JAIL MEDICAL OPERATIONS.

HOW MANY YEARS DID YOU WORK FOR US BEFORE YOU WORKED FOR

THAT FOREIGN COMPANY? >> 12 YEARS.

>> OKAY, 12 YEARS. AND THEN YOU WENT TO GO AND WORK FOR THE DALLAS SHERIFF, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. HOW LONG DID YOU WORK THERE?

>> SIX YEARS. >> AND THEN YOU MOVED OVER TO PARKLAND. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT. I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND I WILL FILL YOU IN ON A FEW MORE DETAILS. I WANTED TO REMIND FOLKS THAT WE HAD -- I THOUGHT WE WERE -- I COULDN'T REMEMBER IF WE HAD OR WE WERE GOING TO VOTE ON INVESTING IN THOSE WHO WERE NOT YET VESTED. FOR THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO HAD NOT YET BEEN VESTED AND WERE CAUGHT UP AND TRANSFERRED WE HAVE DONE THAT. AND THERE IS A NEW CHANGING OR ENVIRONMENT. AND FOR THOSE WHO COME IN BEHIND THEM IT WILL BE SEEMLESS.

THANK YOU AND TO YOUR STAFF FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS CRAZY PANDEMIC.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> WHAT ASSUMPTIONS WERE YOU MAKING ABOUT THE TAX RATE OF

THE STUB YEAR? >> DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT?

>> THE ASSUMPTION THAT WAS MADE WAS THE RATE IS THE SAME AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS. IT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 2%.

AND THAT IS IN TANDEM WITH THE HISTORICAL.

>> SO MR. BERRY, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

[01:50:04]

>> AND CAN I TACK ON A QUESTION TO THAT? SINCE THE CASH RESERVES IN HARRIS HEALTH CAN SOMEHOW BE COUNTED AS FUNDING THIS, CAN YOU CLARIFY THE PURPOSE OF YOUR CASH RESERVES AND WHAT IT MEANS?

SORRY, COMMISSIONER. >> IF I MAY, AND THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE HEARD IN CONVERSATIONS SOMETHING ABOUT A BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE. IT IS A MISS CHARACTERIZATION. THAT IS OUR OPERATIONAL FUNDING RIGHT NOW. OUR BUDGET IS COMING UP FROM AND IT IS TRUE THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO A BILLION DOLLARS.

AND THAT MAY SEEM EXTRAORDINARY CONSIDERING THE PASSAGE OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM. A COUPLE OF POINTS, BEING IN THIS SITUATION IS PUTTING US IN A FINANCIAL POSITION.

IT IS TO FULFILL THE PROMISES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN OUR VERY AGGRESSIVE, TRANSFORMATIVE PLAN THAT WAS SHARED AT COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. IN ADDITION TO THAT, AND IT MAY SOUND EXTRAORDINARY FOR A HEALTH SYSTEM TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT LEVEL OF MONEY, BUT THE CASH ON HAND INDUSTRY BENCHMARK FOR A HEALTH SYSTEM IS 200 DAYS OF CASH ON HAND.

FOR HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM THAT TRANSLATES TO $1.1 BILLION.

IT IS REALLY JUST PUTTING US AT BENCHMARK WITH OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS. THAT IS TO LOOK AT THE CLASS HALF FULL. IF YOU WANTED TO BE PESSIMISTIC AND LOOK AT THE GLASS HALF EMPTY, OUR CURRENT BOND CUFF TPHEPBT THAT -- COVENANT THAT REQUIRES 60-DAYS CASH ON HAND AND THAT'S $330 MILLION.

THERE IS 400 MILLION AT RISK. THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN CMS AND THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND WE DECIDED LAST YEAR TO HAVE THE FUTURE CONSTRUCTION OF $300 MILLION. THAT IS OVER $1 BILLION.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

I PREVIOUSLY HEARD THAT AND THAT IS NOT WHAT WE HAVE

HEAR. >> IF I MIGHT ON THAT BEFORE WE GO TO THE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE TAX RATE, IS THAT THE NORM

WHEN YOU WERE IN DALLAS? >> YORE.

YES, SIR. THERE ARE OVER 200 DAYS CASH ON HAND. I SHARED THIS PREVIOUSLY WITH YOU. WHEN PARKLAND TOOK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW PARKLAND HOSPITAL AT A COST OF $1.2 BILLION AT A TIME, THE HOSPITAL PUT IN $400 MILLION CASH. AND THEN THEY WENT TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY AND ASKED FOR THE FUNDS.

AND THEN THE RATE IS THE DIFFERENCE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THE TAX RATE YOU WERE GOING TO ASK FOR WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT ALL AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR STEPPED UP

IN A BIG WAY. >> I AM GRATEFUL.

DON'T GET ME WRONG. THE REALITY IS THAT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AND THE TAX RATE WAS CUT TWICE.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY THAT WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH, COMMISSIONER. IF GOD WILLING WE ARE ABLE TO FULFILL OUR PROMISES TO THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY.

IT CAUSES ADDITIONAL OPERATIONAL COSTS.

SO WE NEED TO BE THINKING LONG-TERM ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE AND THE FUNDS WE HAVE HOPEFULLY TWO BRAND-NEW HOSPITALS WITH POTENTIALLY 400 ADDITIONAL BEDS.

>> BECAUSE THIS IS BEING LIVE STREAMED BEFORE WE GO TO THE TAX RATE ISSUE, ASSUMPTIONS YOU HAVE.

I JUST WANT YOU TO MAYBE BE WATCHING IT.

WHY NEW HOSPITALS? JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF THE HOSPITALS.

>> SURE. I'M HAPPY TO DO IT, CONDITIONER. I DON'T THINK IT IS LOST ON ANYONE. SOME OF THE ISSUES WE WERE FACING LAST YEAR AT LBJ HOSPITAL AND AGAIN WITH FULL

[01:55:02]

WE HAVE THE FRAGILE AND AGING HOSPITALS IN LBJ.

IN ADDITION TO THAT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC IF WE DID NOT LEARN ANYTHING IN THE PANDEMIC WE ARE VASTLY UNDER CAPACITY.

EVERY DAY THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE REALLY STRUGGLING TO GET OUR PATIENTS TRANSFERRED. THAT'S BEFORE WE HAD THE CURRENT ISSUE. EVERY BED WAS OCCUPIED AND WE HAD TO TRANSFER OTHER AREA THAT'S WERE NOT CONSIDERED, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, HOSPITAL BEDS. AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR SITUATION RIGHT NOW WE ARE ABOUT A HUNDRED HOSPITAL BEDS SHORT. WE ARE ABOUT 400 BEDS SHORT.

THAT'S WHERE THE NUMBERS ARE COMING FROM.

IT IS INCLUDED IN THE DOCUMENT THAT WAS SHARED.

>> WHY NOT TALK ABOUT THEIR TAX RATE COMPARED TO THE ASSUMPTIONS IF ANY OF US CAN MAKE ASSUMPTIONS AND IT MAKES AN AID OUT OF YOU AND ME, BUT WHAT ARE THE ASSUMPTIONS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF THE TAX REVENUE UH SUPLT -- ASSUMPTIONS. FOR THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR YEAR IS ACTUALLY A DIFFERENCE HERE.

AND THAT'S WHAT I PUT IN FRONT OF YOU FROM A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE. WE ASSUME REALLY NO GROWTH IN TAX REVENUE. THERE IS NO TAX RATE SET.

WE ARE EFFECTIVELY USING THE LAST YEAR'S TAX RATE AND PROPERTY VALUES. AND IT IS NOT BANKING ON NEW REVENUE BECAUSE THE RIGHT HASN'T BEEN ADOPTED YET.

IN THE END IT IS A COMBINATION OF THE RATE.

AND I SUSPECT THE VALUES MAY GO UP MORE THAN 2% IS MY GUESS. SO IT IS NOT JUST VALUE.

THEY APPEAR TO BE ASSUMING 2% INCREASE IN REVENUE MORE OR LESS. SAME RATE AND 2% INCREASE IN VALUE. SO I WOULD JUST LIKE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO BE AWARE OF THAT.

DON'T APPROVE A BUDGET WHERE THE TAX RATE ASSUMPTION AND IT WILL BE APPROVED. SO THE WORST CASE IS TO NOT

HAVE A REVENUE TO BACK IT UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE SOMEBODY IS HAVING TO MAKE CUTS.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE WILL ADDRESS THAT.

>> AND THE LAST QUESTION, I KNOW THE DISPARITY STUDY IS COMING OUT SOON AND YOU WILL MAKE A PRESENTATION TO THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT AS WELL AND OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE DISPARITIES IN TERMS OF CONTRACTING AND WE WILL COME UP WITH A WAY TO IMPLEMENT IT.

I MADE A COMMENT WHEN MS. CHAN WAS SPEAKING.

I HEARD YOU MAY WANT TO CONTRACT WITH US TO DO THAT.

WE NEED TO BE PREPARED. IF NOT, I GUESS WE WOULD BE ASKING YOU TO CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

IF WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT.

OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD PAY FOR IT, BUT SOMEBODY HAS TO

ADMINISTRATE IT. >> AND COMMISSIONER, I JUST SAY THAT AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE, I AM FULLY COMMITTED TO WORKING IN THAT SPACE TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS PLENTY OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ACROSS THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

>> THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU DEAL WITH THE JUDGE MORE THAN THE RES OF US AND I KNOW IT HAS -- THAN THE REST OF US AND I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A TAXING TIME FOR YOU.

WE APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I AM VERY IMPRESSED AND PLEASED WITH HOW YOU MANAGE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES.

[02:00:06]

AND THAT IS A JOB WELL DONE. THAT MEANS THERE ARE RESOURCES THERE TO PAY THE BILLS. WHATEVER CHANGES AND IMPACTS ON THE TAX RATE, YOU DID A GOOD JOB OF MANAGING THAT 193 MILLION. SO THE OTHER THING WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TAX RATE, A PART OF THE TAX RATE IS RYE -- IS RELATED TO BONDS. WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IS A ROBUST BOND ELECTION. AND WE WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT TAX INCREASE BECAUSE OF THE BONDS WE SELL.

THIS IS WHAT I KNOW ABOUT HAVING DONE WORK WITH MANY, MANY COUNTIES AND MANY, MANY CITIES IN TEXAS IS WHAT YOU PAY FOR THE BOND MONEY AS OPPOSED TO PULLING OUT OF RESERVES, I WILL CALL THE BILLION DOLLAR RESERVES.

I AM DOING THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MR. BERRY CALLED IT.

THE BILLION DOLLARS IN RESERVES, SPECIAL -- CERTAINLY WE ARE NOT GOING TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO BUILD TWO NEW HOSPITALS AND NO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT BOND ISSUE AND BUILD THE HOSPITALS BASED TKPWROT PLAN YOU ARE COMING UP WITH. WE BETTER LEAVE ROOM IN THE TAX RATE TO FUND THE BONDS. THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING AT.

I WAS VERY OPTIMISTIC IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING THERE.

AND KNOWING THAT YOU DO HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS AND KNOWING THAT YOU EXCEED OPERATING EXPENSES BY 193 MILLION THIS YEAR. THAT'S JUST A JOB WELL DONE.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO GO OUT AND CLEARLY COMMUNICATE. I WILL START WITH THAT.

I DON'T WANT THE TAKING ON RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JAIL TO IMPACT WHAT YOU -- THE GREAT JOB YOU ARE DOING MANAGING. MANAGE MANAGE -- MANAGING OUR RESOURCES. ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT TAKING ON THE JAIL RESPONSIBILITIES IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT YOU

FINANCIALLY? >> I AM 99% CONFIDENT, COMMISSIONER. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE POSITIVE SUPPORT AND I AGREE WITH YOU AND WHAT YOU JUST SAID. I WILL BE 100% CONFIDENT WHEN THE INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY COMMISSIONERS'

COURT. >> AND I AM FAIRLY CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE OKAY. AND THAT TYPE OF CONVERSATION I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY AND IT WILL BE DIFFICULT AND RISKY. IF IT IS GOING TO HELP US FULFILL OUR MISSION OF IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT CHALLENGE.

>> WHEN DO YOU THINK WE WILL BE READY TO HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS ON THE GREAT BOND ISSUE COMING DOWN THE PIPE?

>> WE ARE READY TO ISSUE AN RFP TO BREAK IN CONSULTANTS WHO CAN HELP US DECIDE WHEN AND HOW AND HOW MUCH AND ALL OF THAT GOOD WORK. MY PROMISE TO MY BOARD WAS SOMETIME THIS SUMMER TO GO BACK TO THEM WITH A MORE DETAILED PRESENTATION ABOUT THE LBJ HOSPITAL REPLACEMENT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I CONSIDER YOU A VISIONARY ON THAT.

I THINK TO SIT HERE AND DEAL IN THE WEEDS AS IT WERE RATHER THAN THE VISION OF SELLING SIGNIFICANT BOND ISSUES AND GETTING TWO NEW HOSPITALS AND USING THE RESOURCES WE HAVE, THAT'S A SOLUTION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

IS THERE ANYTHING PENDING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

MEDICAL SCHOOL? >> YES.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I CAN DIVULGE.

YES, AND IT IS PROVIDED THE PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE AT

THE COUNTY JAIL. >> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING -- THANK YOU. IT IS CREATIVE AND THAT'S GREAT. THAT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL GOING FORWARD. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR

LEADERSHIP. >> I APPRECIATE YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. BERRY. >> I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON JAIL MEDICAL AND HOW THAT AFFECTS THE BUDGET PROCEEDINGS HERE. SO MY TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING WITH DR. PORSA'S TEAM AND WORKING DIRECTLY WITH

[02:05:04]

THIS IS SOMETHING WE WILL HAVE SOME UP FRONT COSTS.

I AM HOPEFUL IN ADDITION TO BETTER CARE THERE WILL BE SOME

EFFICIENCIES THERE. >> I AGREE WITH YOU, MR. BERRY. AS YOU SAID, YOU HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS AND THERE IS AN UP FRONT COST, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IN ADDITION TO THE HIGHER QUALITY CARE, I ALSO LIKE TO TALK ABOUT SAVINGS. NOT JUST WITH THE HEALTH SYSTEM, BUT FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF SHERIFF'S -- SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHEN WE DON'T HAVE TO SEND ESCORTS OUT FOR INMATES GETTING SERVICES OUTSIDE THE JAIL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR DR. PORSA? OKAY. DR. PORSA, TO YOU AND TO ALL OF YOUR TEAM AND EVERY STAFF MEMBER ON THE FRONT LINES OF

THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

APPRECIATE YOU ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT WE HAVE

[Public Health Services]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BARBIE ROBINSON HERE WITH HERALD DUTTO IN, OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE.

I WILL JUMP IN BECAUSE WE HAVE 10 MINUTES AND I KNOW IT IS A LOT OF INFORMATION TO SHARE. NEXT SLIDE.

THE MISSION OF HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH IS TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITY AND PREVENT ILLNESS AND INJURY AND PROTECT YOU. TO ACHIEVE THAT MISSION WE FOCUS OUR PROGRAM ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE-ORIENTED PROGRAMS AND CLINICAL HEALTH SERVICES AND OUR NEW DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND OUR COVID DIVISION AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE WORK. WE ALSO HAVE OUR VETERINARY IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND THAT IS SAFEGUARDING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF COMMUNITIES THROUGH OUR SUPPORTIVE ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE HAVE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS WHERE WE SAFEGUARD HEALTH THROUGH OUR INSPECTIONS OF FOOD FACILITIES AND OUR MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL. OUR KEY BUDGET PRIORITY OUTCOMES. WE HAVE FOUR.

REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

INCREASE ACCESS TO PREVENTATIVE CARE.

INCREASE LIFE EXPECTANCY. REDUCE CHRONIC DISEASE BURDEN. OUR KEY BUDGET OBJECTIVES IS TO GET -- TO INCREASE PROGRAM EFFICIENCY AND INCREASE HEALTH LITERACY AND EDUCATION AND DECREASEN SRAOEURPB MENTAL HAZARDS, DECREASE THE SPREAD OF DISEASE AND INCREASE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY, DECREASE THE RATE OF CHRONIC DISEASE AND INCREASE PET WELLNESS. NEXT SLIDE.

SO I KNEW -- I'M NEW AND THIS IS MY FIRST BUDGET CYCLE.

I TRIED TO LIST AS MANY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS AS I -- I TRIED TO LISTEN TO AS MANY BUDGET PRESENTATIONS AS I COULD.

MY COLLEAGUES DID A GREAT JOB IN SPITE OF COVID.

FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, WE ARE THE ONLY DEPARTMENT WHOSE MISSION HAS WHOLESALE CHANGED FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AS WE ADDRESSED COVID IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THOSE KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS RELATED TO COVID.

YOU KNOW, WE DID ADMINISTER MORE THAN 700,000 VACCINES.

WE ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 500,000 COVID TESTS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE SET UP AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM WHERE WE HAD DIGITAL GIFT CARDS THAT WERE VACCINE HESITANT IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET APPROXIMATELY 195,000 ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS VACCINES THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3200 COMMUNITY EVENTS PROMOTING AND

[02:10:04]

WE HANDED OUT MORE THAN 250,000 COVID CARE KITS.

I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED IN RESPONDING TO COVID AND I'M NEW TO THE DEPARTMENT AND I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD THAN THE EFFORTS OF THE TEAM AS WELL AS THOSE ANCILLARY DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT SUPPORT ALL OF THE HARD WORK OUR TEAM DID IN RESPONSE AND CONTINUES TO DO IN RESPONSE TO COVID. WE CREATED A COVID-19 DIVISION THAT ALLOWED FORE -- FOR SUSTAINABLE ON GOING RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC. IT IS CRITICAL BECAUSE WHEN I TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND THE CHANGES, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF SERVICES, THE TRADITIONAL SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND THAT HAD AN IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS AS WELL.

WE CREATED THE ACCESS HARRIS COUNTY INITIATIVE THAT IS AN INITIATIVE THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT PROVIDES SERVICES TO VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

WE ESTABLISHED A NEW DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AND CHANGE THE LIFE TRAJECTORY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE VICTIMS OR POTENTIAL PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. WE INNOVATED CHRONIC TKAU VEES SERVICES FOR THE GOAL OF WANTING HOLISTIC PROGRAMS AND CREATED A NEW DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS. WE LAUNCHED OUR DEPARTMENT-WIDE STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORT THAT IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE A ROAD MAP TO GUIDE OUR WORK AS WE CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO COVID OR OUR NEW NORMAL IN ON GOING COVID ISSUES. WE HAVE ESTABLISHED STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO COLLABORATE AND EXPAND OUR SERVICES SO THAT REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY YOU HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-LEVEL SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND FOLKS KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE SERVICES AND CAN ACCESS THEM.

WE PUBLISHED THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH REPORT HIGHLIGHTING THE TOP 10 CAUSES OF DEATH IN HARRIS COUNTY.

IN TERMS OF CHANGES, WE RESTRUCTURED OUR DEPARTMENT'S ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE TO MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF OUR SERVICES.

WE ESTABLISHED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS TO ACHIEVE OUTCOMES FOR THE DEPARTMENT. THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE TEAM HAS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS THAT WILL CASCADE DOWN TO EVERY STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT TO GUIDE THEIR WORK AND SET EXPECTATIONS OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HIGH QUALITY RESULTS.

WE ESTABLISHED AN EVALUATION UNIT TO CONDUCT PROGRAM AND OPERATIONAL EVALUATIONS SO WE CAN MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEPARTMENT. WE ARE ESTABLISHING INTERNAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES TO ENSURE HIGH QUALITY SERVICES INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE AND INTERNAL CONTROLS. WE HAVE CREATED A NEW DEPARTMENT OR DEPARTMENT UNIT THAT FOCUSES ON MANAGING THE CONTRACTING DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.

NEXT SLIDE. IN ADDITION TO THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE ARE FACING A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES.

I THINK TOP OF MIND IS EMPLOYEE STRESSORS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

OUR STAFF HAS BEEN PRESSING FOR TWO YEARS STRAIGHT AND IT HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON OUR STAFF RESOURCES.

AS I SAID EARLIER SOME OF THE CHALLENGES A LOT OF THE SERVICES AND THE PROGRAMS THAT WE PROVIDE ARE TO MINIMIZE THE KINDS OF IMPACTS WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH COVID AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THOSE AT THE LEVEL WE ORDINARILY WOULD BECAUSE WE RESPONDED TO COVID.

NOW WE ARE ABLE TO TRANSITION BACK TO THE ROUTINE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS AND SERVICES, BUT AGAIN THAT IS GOING TO -- WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RAMP UP AND STAFF ARE EXHAUSTED.

WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS US TO GET NEW STAFF ON FOR COVID DIVISION AND SUPPORTING FOLKS AND TAKING THE LEAD THEY SEE IS NECESSARY FOR THE WORKLIFE BALANCE AND WELL BEING. WE EXPANDED ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRAMMING WITHOUT NECESSARILY EXPANDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY OF THE ORGANIZATION TO RESPOND.

OFTEN WHAT HAPPENS IN GOVERNMENT IS WE GET MONEY TO RUN A PROGRAM OR TO PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT DON'T GET THE DOLLARS NECESSARY TO OPERATIONAL LIES AND ADMINISTER THEM APPROPRIATELY.

ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS WE ARE LOSING A FUNDING SOURCE THAT HAS FUNDED A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SERVICES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. IT IS THE DELIVERY SYSTEM REFORM INCENTIVE PAYMENT AND IT IS SLATED TO END IN JANUARY OF 2023. IT IS A FUNDING SOURCE THROUGH AN 1115 WAIVER WITH THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND

MEDICAID SERVICES. >> YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES

REMAINING. >> GOING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE DELAYED OUR PUBLIC HEALTH

[02:15:04]

NEXT SLIDE. I BELIEVE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WILL AGREE WITH THIS, TO MEASURE EVERYTHING MEANS WE ARE MEASURING NOTHING.

WHEN I CAME ON BOARD WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 165 PROCESS-ORIENTED METRICS. WE HAVE NOW WORKED TO REFINE THOSE DOWN TO 40 OUTCOME-DRIVEN METRICS AND WE ARE REFINING THOSE AND ENGAGING IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS. IT IS HELPING TO FORM THOSE METRICS. I WON'T BE LABOR THE POINT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE TIME.

WE WERE NOT ABLE TO CAP SERVICES AT THE LEVEL NECESSARY DUE TO OUR RESPONSE TO COVID FOR MANY MEASURES.

NOW THAT WE HAVE STOOD UP THE COVID DIVISION, STAFF ARE RETURNING TO THEIR NORMAL OPERATIONS AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO OUR WORK AND EYE TOWARD THOSE METRICS.

THIS IS A SUBSET SNAP SHOT OF SOME OF THE METRIC THAT'S WE ARE MEASURING. I SAID WE ARE REFINING THEM AS WE MOVE THROUGH OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.

WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO HERALD TKUT -- HERALD TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET REQUEST.

WE WILL SKIP THE NEXT SLIDE AND GO TO THE DOLLARS.

OR MAYBE NOT BECAUSE I THINK YOU WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. IT IS REALLY CRITICAL THAT WE HAVE STRONG FISCAL OVERSIGHT OF OUR OPERATIONS.

AND WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE A CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ALONG WITH A DEPUTY TO HELP US NOT JUST MANAGE OUR BUDGET, BUT TO ALSO HELP US IDENTIFY OTHER REVENUE SOURCES AND MANAGE AND PROJECT REVENUE EFFECTIVELY AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

AGAIN IN ORDER FOR US TO BE SUCCESSFUL WE NEED TO MEASURE AND EVALUATE OURSELVES. SO HAVING AN EVALUATION ANALYST WILL HELP US IMPROVE OUR OPERATIONS.

AND THEN OF COURSE A LOT OF THE WORK WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO TAKE ON AND WHAT COVID HAS REVEALED IS WE NEED STRONG PROJECT MANAGEMENT, BETTER ORGANIZATION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR PROGRAMS. WE ARE REQUESTING A GRANT BECAUSE WE GET A LOT OF GRANTS AS WELL AS HEALTH EQUITY AND A LOT OF WHAT HAS BEEN MAGNIFIED IS ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES WITH THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND NOW I WILL TURN IT OVER TO HERALD.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

IN THE INTEREST OF TIME I WILL RUN THROUGH THIS REALLY QUICKLY. I KNOW WE PROBABLY ARE ALREADY OUT OF TIME. THE SORT OF MEAT OF OUR REQUEST AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IS AN ADDITIONAL 1.1 MILLION WHICH IS A MODEST 2.5% INCREASE.

AS PRESENTED BELOW MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS WILL BE FLAT FUNDED FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, COMMISSIONERS AND MR. BERRY AND JUDGE, THAT THERE WERE SIX POSITIONS HELTD WITH OUR LAST -- HELD WITH OUR LAST BUDGET REQUEST PENDING DR. ROBINSON'S ARRIVAL.

ON A NET BASIS, THE FUNDING WAS HELD ASIDE FOR THOSE POSITIONS, BUT ON A NET BASIS, OUR REQUEST IS ACTUALLY ONLY ABOUT 300,000 ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

YOU MAY KNOW THIS, BUT OUR COVID-19 DIVISION IS NOT LISTED BELOW. CURRENTLY THAT DIVISION DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY GENERAL FUNDING.

IT IS FUNDED BY GRANTS AND THE COUNTY'S CONTINGENCY FUNDING.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE WANTED TO SHOW THAT ON AVERAGE PUBLIC HEALTH RECEIVES ABOUT 1.4% OF THE COUNTY'S TOTAL GENERAL FUND AND THAT'S COMPARED TO ABOUT 2.3% FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND NOW OF COURSE, THE SERVICES ARE NOT APPLES TO APPLES IN ALIGNMENT ACROSS BOTH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. ONE IS LEFT TO PONDER IF YOU AGGREGATE THE NUMBERS IN TERMS OF LOCAL FUNDING FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, IT IS ABOUT $110 MILLION AND IF YOU SPREAD THAT ACROSS THE 5 MILLION RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY YOU GET TO ABOUT $22 PER CAPITA. ONE IS LEFT TO PONDER WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC IF MORE PREVENTATIVE DOLLARS WERE INVESTED IN HEALTH CARE -- PREVENTATIVE HEALTH CARE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

>> MR. DUTTON, YOUR TIME IS EXPIRED.

>> I WAS JUST GOING SAY ON A SEVEN-MONTH BASIS OUR INCREASE

IS ABOUT 650,000. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, YES,

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON FOR STARTING OFF WITH THE METRICS.

I APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING THAT ON THE TABLE.

I KNOW IT'S A START AND YOU ARE STARTING WITH TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING TIED TO A METRIC.

[02:20:08]

MANY ARE THERE? >> DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO

THAT? >> YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> CURRENTLY WE HAVE 156 GENERAL FUND AND OPEN POSITIONS. WHILE THAT SEEMS LIKE A NUMBER THAT IS MISLEADING 45 ARE RELATED TO THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION DIVISION. THOSE ARE PART-TIME POSITIONS. WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE AGGREGATE, WE DON'T HAVE MANY OPEN POSITIONS AT ALL.

>> TOM RAMSEY: OKAY. SO MUCH OF THE DOLLARS OR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THE DOLLARS WITHIN YOUR GROUP COMES FROM FEDERAL FUNDING AND GRANTS AND OTHER THINGS.

I'M ASSUMING THOSE ARE MANAGED CLOSELY.

WHEN THE GRANT GOES AWAY THERE MAY BE PERSONNEL THAT GOES AWAY OR OTHER COSTS GO AWAY. OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE BEEN IN A PANDEMIC AND THERE HAVE BEEN TKPWRAOEURPBTS AND RESOURCES AND FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED. AT SOME POINT THE FUNDS WILL BE ELIMINATED AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE IN A POSITION TO ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. IF THE GRANT ISN'T THERE AND IF THE FUNDS AREN'T THERE, THEN WE WILL HAVE TO CUT BACK. IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING?

>> THAT IS A CORE PRINCIPAL IN ADMINISTERING.

THEY HAVE TO BE SUSTAINABLE TO MANAGE THEM AND WE HAVE TO

MANAGE THOSE PROGRAMS. >> WE TALK ABOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WE ARE COMPARING NUMBERS WITH HOUSTON AND I AM READY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HOUSTON ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND HOW MUCH WE DO IN TERMS OF PRIMARY CARE THERE COMPARED TO WHAT HOUSTON DOES.

THOSE ARE OLD DECISIONS MADE MANY YEARS AGO IN TERMS OF HOW THAT IS SPLIT UP. LET'S BE CAREFUL BEFORE WE START COMPARING DIRECT COMPARISONS TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND WHAT WE ARE DOING. I GUARANTEE YOU HARRIS COUNTY IS DOING MORE THAN ITS SHARE WHEN YOU CONSIDER WHAT THE

HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS DOING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU -- YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER NOW, BUT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN A COMPARISON OF WHAT WE DO IN TERMS OF HEALTH CARE BUDGET. YOUR BUDGET IS PREVENTION AND NOT PRIMARY CARE. THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT ONLY DOES HEALTH PREVENTION AS WELL, PREVENTATIVE CARE. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW WE COMPARE TO OUR COUNTERPARTS.

WHETHER THEY ARE IN THE STATE, MARE RAW MARE RAW POE -- MARICOPA, L.A., I WOULD BE INTERESTED INTO SEE THE GENERAL REVIEW COMPARED TO THEM.

YOU ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH VERY LIMITED RESOURCES.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN AN AGE OLD BATTLE TRYING TO CHANGE THE WAY THE FEDS DISTRIBUTE MONEY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CITIES IN GENERAL AS OPPOSED TO GETTING OUR PART OF THE FEDERAL MONEY. I THINK IT PUTS THE CITY IN AN

AWKWARD POSITION. >> COMMISSIONER, THAT'S BEEN SINCE DAY ONE AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE JUDGE'S OFFICE AND OUR LOBBYISTS RAISING THAT ISSUE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO TRY TO GET A DIRECT ALLOCATION IN THE COUNTY AND NOT HARM THE CITY IN THAT PROS -- PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE SAME PEOPLE, TO SOME EXTENT, BECAUSE WE DO THE FOLKS IN THE CITY AS WELL AS UNINCORPORATED. THERE IS MORE MONEY IN THE POT AND EVEN MORE GOES IN UNDER THAT ALLOCATION AND IT PUTS US AT ODDS. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR ROBINSON, YOUR PRESENTATION MENTIONED A FUNDING SOURCE ENDING JANUARY 2023.

WHICH IS IT AND HOW MUCH DOES IT ACCOUNT FOR?

>> I WILL LET HERALD SPEAK TO IT.

IT IS PART OF A PROGRAM BETWEEN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT IS CALLED AN 1115 WAIVER.

IT IS WHERE COUNTIES WERE ALLOWED TO SUBMIT AN UNCOMPENSATED COSTS FOR THE VARIOUS PREVENTATIVE AND VARIOUS HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES WE PROVIDE.

[02:25:04]

WANT TO ADD ANYTHING. >> SURE, DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

THE DISTRICT COME PRIZES A LARGE -- COMPRISES A LARGE AMOUNT OF THE BUDGE. -- BUDGET.

IT IS 20 MILLION. THE LAST 6, SEVEN YEARS WE RECEIVED $4 MILLION FOR THE PROGRAM.

THE LOSS OF THESE FUNDS WOULD HAVE A PRETTY BIG IMPACT ON

OUR ORGANIZATION. >> THANK YOU, MR. DUTTON.

IT IS 7 MILLION PER YEAR? >> IT IS ABOUT 4.5 MILLION ON AVERAGE PER YEAR FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT AHEAD OF 2023 SOME

-- SOMEHOW. >> JUDGE, WE ARE WORKING ON IT NOW. OUR TEAMS ARE ASSESSING THE CURRENT PROGRAMMING AND TIGHTENING IT UP.

WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE DONE TODAY. WE HAVE DONE SOME TRANSITIONING ALREADY, BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF ROAD AHEAD OF US. IT IS TOP OF MIND IN FRONT OF US. WE ARE WORKING ON IT AND IF THERE ARE OTHER STRATEGIES OR EFFORTS YOU HAVE IN MIND, WE ARE OPEN TO HEARING THEM, BUT WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY ON

THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW AND THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT GOT THIS $4 MILLION HOLE THAT YOU ARE GONNA HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF STARTING NEXT YEAR. I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE LOOK AT THE BUDGET REQUESTS.

THAT WAS MY POINT. MR. DUTTON, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANOTHER FINANCIAL POINT YOU NEEDED TO MAKE URGENTLY. DID YOU COVER WHAT YOU

NEEDED? >> YES, JUDGE.

THANK YOU. I WAS ABLE TO AT LEAST DRIVE THE POINT THAT WE BELIEVE OUR BUDGET REQUEST IS RELATIVELY MODEST, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE FUNDING AND THE POSITIONS THAT WERE HELD PENDING DIRECTOR ROB -- ROBINSON'S ARRIVAL. IT IS ONLY 300,000 ON THAT BASIS THAT WE ARE REQUESTING IN ADDITION TO OUR CURRENT

BASELINE BUDGET. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COURT? OKAY. DIRECTOR AND MR. DUTTON, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER CAGLE SAYS HELLO. AND I KEEP WANTING FOR US TO HAVE A BIG PARTY WITH PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF TO SAY, OKAY, IT'S DONE. WE MAY JUST HAVE TO HOPEFULLY SAY IT IS A NEW NORMAL ONE DAY.

ALL OF YOUR TEAM DESERVES EVERY ACCOLADE AND GRATITUDE TO THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES. I KNOW PERSONALLY THE INCREDIBLE SACRIFICE EVERYONE IS MAKING FROM YOU ON DOWN, DIRECTOR ROBINSON. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[The Harris Center]

I THINK I SEE MR. YOUNG ON THE LINE.

>> YOU WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH IN HARRIS COUNTY AND ALL YOU HAVE DONE TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION. IF YOU WILL GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. I WANTED TO PROVIDE A QUICK LIST OF ALL OF THE PROGRAM THAT'S ARE EITHER PARTIALLY OR EVEN IN SOME CASES FULLY FUNDED BY HARRIS COUNTY WHETHER IN THE FORM OF A MATCH OR DIRECT CONTRACT.

ALL OF THESE CONTRIBUTE TO OUR EFFORTS TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

A REAL QUICK GLIMPSE AT THE SERVICE LOCATIONS.

THEY ARE BY FOR INDICATED -- BIFORCATED INTO TWO.

IT IS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

THEY HAVE VARYING FOOT -- FOOTPRINTS ALL THE WAY UP TO A PSYCHIATRIST ON SITE A WEEK AND FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

ON THE LEFT ARE MORE TRADITIONAL SERVICE SITES.

WE HAVE ALL CARE LOCATIONS AND POINTS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

SOME OF THEM -- MOST OF THEM ARE DEDICATED LOCATIONS.

YOU WILL FIND IT IN THE NORTHEAST CENTER.

IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, IT IS A QUICK SYNOPSIS OF OUR

[02:30:02]

THESE ARE THE OUTCOMES THERE. IN A FEW MINUTES I WILL SHARE WITH YOU OUR 22, 23 AND 24 STRATEGIC PLAN.

WE HAVE THE ONE GLARING ONE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO REDUCE OUR SUICIDE RATE TO ZERO AND CERTAINLY THERE THERE WAS PLENTY OF CONCERN, BUT I ALSO DON'T KNOW WHAT AN ACCEPTABLE NUMBER THAT WOULD BE. 245 WAS OUR TARGET.

WE DIDN'T MEET IT, BUT WE HAD AN INKLING THAT MIGHT BE THE CASE AS WE SET OUT. IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, A LITTLE BIT AROUND OUR PERFORMANCE STATISTICS AS WE ALL HEARD AND TALKED ABOUT. THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND ONLY INCREASING AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND THE IMPACT OF THAT IN OUR COMMUNITY. YOU CAN SEE A 13% INCREASE IN TOTAL POPULATION SERVED. HIGHLIGHTING IF YOU LOOK AT ADULT AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

IT IS A 29% INCREASE SINCE LAST YEAR AND A 43% INCREASE OVER TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THAT STARTED.

AND OUR CORE OUTPATIENT. AND THERE IS A 20% INCREASE IN OUR CRISIS LINE SERVICES. SINCE WE STARTED WE HAD 20,000 CALLS ON OUR DEDICATED QUO INDIVIDUAL SAW -- COVID SUPPORT LINE. DRAMATIC INCREASES IN VOLUMES. YOU CAN SEE OUR HEAD COUNT AT THE BOTTOM. WE HAD ABOUT 2300 EMPLOYEES ALL IN THAT ARE WORKING TO BE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, A FEW KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT. THE OPERATIONAL -- OPERATIONALLIZATION OF THE CENTER AND YOU GAVE US FUNDING TO ACQUIRE THAT FACILITY. AND THE CITY PROVIDED 5 MILLION IN FUNDING AS WELL AND 108 BEDS AND IT HAS MULTIPLE PROGRAMS. I WILL TELL YOU, SOME OF YOU I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO INDIVIDUALLY, BUT BECAUSE THAT FACILITY WAS THERE AND THE CAPACITY EXISTED, IT DREW IN ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FROM THE STATE.

WHEN THEY HAD FUNDS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO FUND PROGRAMS, THEY LITERALLY WOULD REACH OUT AND SAY DO YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY AND DO YOU ARE ROOM IN YOUR NEW CENTER FOR THIS? AND SO IT HAS ATTRACTED ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE INTO OUR SYSTEM. IN 2021 WE SERVED 2100 INDIVIDUALS IN ONE OF THOSE VARIOUS PROGRAMS. COMING SOON, IF EVERYTHING GOES AS PLANNED WE WOULD LIKE TO COMPLETE FUNDING BETWEEN LOCAL AND STATE FUNDS WHERE WE WILL BRING 26 APARTMENTS ON THAT CAMPUS AS WELL.

YOU CAN GO FROM CRISIS HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT THROUGH TO PERMANENT HOUSING THERE. WE OFFER EIGHT DETOX BEDS WHO ARE HOMELESS AND EXPERIENCING SUB -- SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. THE PROGRAM STARTED WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND STARTED WITH A SIMPLE KIND OF SHOE STRING 20-DEPUTY PILOT PROGRAM THAT HAS GROWN INTO A NATIONAL MODEL THAT HAS RECEIVED A LOT OF AWARDS AND RECOGNITION AND AN AWARD FROM THEM AND THEY PROVIDED AN INTHAT YOU VAGUES RECOGNITION FOR US AS WELL. WE HAVE 150 TABLETS WITH HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THEY PARTNERED AND WE HAVE A HUNDRED OF THOSE TABLETS IN THE CONSTABLE OFFICES AND 20 IN BAY TOWN PD AND WE HAVE ANOTHER HUNDRED THAT ARE LAUNCHING WITH HPD.

HPD IS FUNDING THEIR OWN TABLETS.

THEY ARE NOT RELYING UPON THE COUNTY SUPPORT FOR THAT.

IF THEY ARE DISPATCHED TO A 9-1-1 CALL WHERE THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT THEY CAN CONNECT AND WE SUPPORT THE CRISIS ASSESSMENT THAT EP HED THE OFFICERS WITH DISPOSITION AND CONNECT THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO CARE AND NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH OUR CO-RESPONDER MODEL WHERE WE HAD CLINICIANS THAT GO OUT REALTIME AS PART OF A PARTNERING SCENARIO WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE DON'T WANT TO DUPLICATE THE APPEARANCE OF THE REQUEST, BUT I KNOW THAT HCSO IS REQUESTING ADDITIONAL POSITIONS FOR THEM AND FOR US TO EXPAND THAT MODEL. I HEARD SOME CONVERSATION WITH VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE STAFF. THIS IS ALSO NOT THE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE MODEL. AND WE HAVE FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS BEEN PILOTING A MODEL WHERE WE SEND THEM OUT IN RESPONSE TO 9-1-1 CALLS WHERE THERE IS NOT A CRIME BEING COMMITTED OR A THREAT OF SAFETY AS AN ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ENGAGEMENT.

WE HAD ABOUT 2200 CALLS IN SIX MONTHS THAT WERE DIVERTED EITHER THROUGH THE CRISIS CALL DIVERSION OR THE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE MODEL. I AM SAD WE WON'T BE LEAVING THAT ON THE COUNTY SIDE, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF BENEFIT AND GAIN FOR THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

I HAVE THE OUTCOME THERE'S AND I CAN GO THROUGH THEM.

I WILL JUST -- I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF YOU TO

[02:35:04]

IN THE LAST YEAR DALLAS COUNTY IS DAYS AWAY FROM OPENING THEIR JAIL DIVERSION CENTER THAT IS MODEL -- MODELED AFTER OURS. THEY HAVE BEEN DOWN HERE FOUR TIMES TO LOOK AT IT. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF UH KWAO*EURING -- OF ACQUIRING BUILDINGS AND SOME OF YOU EVEN PARTICIPATED WITH FULTON COUNTY WHEN ATLANTA CAME.

THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED WITHIN A MONTH OF THEIR VISIT THEY ARE OPENING ONE AS WELL. IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

A COUPLE OF OTHER KEY HIGHLIGHTS.

I AM NOT GONNA TRY AND GO THROUGH ALL OF THOSE.

WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP OF U OF H FOR HEALTH CARE AND SPECIALIZED COURTS. WE UNIT DEUCED TEXT MESSAGING FOR CRISIS AND MENTAL HEALTH. HEALTHY MINDS IS FROM AARP TO DEVELOP A -- THE ABILITY TO RESPOND TO LOW BEHAVIOR HEALTH NEEDS. AND YOUR INVESTMENT WITH THE ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD HAS GONE LIVE IN THE JAIL.

IT WENT LIVE IN OUR SYSTEM IN APRIL AND WE ARE TREMENDOUSLY GRATEFUL IN HARRIS HEALTH AND THE HARRIS HEALTH.

>> IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, A LITTLE OF THE BUDGET OVERVIEW, THE SHORT YEAR MAKES IT TRICKY.

ALL OF THE INCREASE THAT'S ARE HERE ARE ESSENTIALLY ACCOUNTING FOR PREVIOUSLY STARTED PROGRAM THAT'S WE ARE NOW INTEGRATING IN THE BUDGET.

THERE WERE PROJECTS MADE MID-YEAR AND WE ARE RECONCILING THEM. THERE ARE TWO PARTS.

FIRST ARE THE ALLOCATED FUNDS OUT THERE.

AS YOU RECALL HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDES US A MATCH AND FOR THE $23 MILLION YOU PROVIDE US WE WILL DRAW DOWN $117 MILLION FROM THE STATE. AND THAT WILL REPRESENT 7.5% OF THE BUDGET. THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE DOLLARS ARE CONTRACTED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHERE YOU PAY FOR US TO DELIVER BEHAVIOR HEALTH SERVICES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

THERE ARE INCREASES IN THOSE, BUT THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY LIKE FOR EXAMPLE THE JAIL -- I'M SORRY.

THE BEHAVIOR RESPONSE TEAM WAS AN INCREASE MADE AND WE ARE MEMORIALIZING IN THE BUDGET. THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM WENT TO 138. NOW IT IS BEING REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET. THE ONE SIGNIFICANT ACTUAL INCREASE HAS NOT BEEN CONTEMPLATED IN PREVIOUS VOTES OR DECISIONS IS THE MARKET INCREASE YOU SEE HERE OF $400,000. THOSE ARE SIMPLY AS THEY SOUND, IT IS OUR EFFORT TO TRY AND BE COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF THE

COST HERE. >> YOU HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE

LEFT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TO ENHANCE OUR EMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION SO WE CAN BE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHERS. SOME OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT THERE WAS A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE CRISIS WELL BEFORE THE PANDEMIC STARTED. THE PANDEMIC HAS ONLY MADE IT MORE CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT AS STAFF HAS BECOME MORE SCARCE. IT IS CRITICAL FOR US TO TRY AND MAINTAIN COMPETITIVENESS IN THE MARKET.

IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS OUR NEW STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVES. THOSE DID NOT CHANGE.

AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT IT WOULD SEEM ODD TO SHIFT STRATEGIC PRIORITIES EVEN AFTER A FEW YEARS.

THE OBJECTIVES DID CHANGE AND REFLECT BOTH THE LEADERSHIP AND THE BOARD'S VISION OF WHERE WE GO FROM HERE AND THEN THE NEXT SLIDE IS SIMPLY A MAP, A CROSS WALK FROM OUR OBJECTIVES INTO THE HARRIS COUNTY GOAL AREAS THAT ARE THERE. OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF THOSE ARE ALIGNED WITH PUBLIC HEALTH OF REDUCING CHRONIC DISEASE.

LIFE EXPECTANCY AND PREVENTION, THEY WILL ALSO HAVE HOUSING AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE WHERE WE CAN ACHIEVE

THE CRIMINAL GOAL. >> THANK YOU, MR. YOUNG.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. YOUNG, THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK YOU DO, YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

I MENTIONED TO SOME OF YOUR BOARD MEMBERS AT HARRIS HEALTH, DID THEY GET INTO A DISPARITY STUDY? I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO TALK TO COLETTE HOPE ON WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO OF THE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SPENT ENOUGH, BUT WE SHOULD COLLECT THE DATA AND SEE.

I KNOW HAVE YOU HEIGHTENED SENSITIVITY, BUT I WANT TO BE SENSITIVE ABOUT THAT AND I WANT TO RAISE IT IN THIS PROCESS. IF YOU WOULD JUST FOLLOW-UP WITH WITH CO -- K COLETTE HOPE AND MR. BERRY, BUT I WANT TO

BE SENSITIVE WITH THAT ISSUE. >> APPRECIATE KWRAOEUT THAT AND WE WILL FOLLOW-UP ON THAT, SIR.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

[02:40:01]

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: WELL DONE ON YOUR PRESENTATION. YOU PROVIDE MUCH DETAIL AND YOUR METRICS MEAN SOMETHING. THANK YOU FOR THAT ORGANIZATION. GOOD JOB.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: MR. YOUNG, THANK YOU. MY QUESTION IS ON THE -- IT WAS HELPFUL TO HEAR YOU MENTION THE DIFFERENT FACETS OF THE DIVERSION PIECE. I KNOW THAT ONE OF OUR BIG INITIATIVES GOT DISPLACED BY COVID IN 2020 WAS TIEING ALL OF THE PIECES TOGETHER ON MENTAL HEALTH.

MAYBE THIS IS PART OF THAT. I'M CURIOUS, OF ALL OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT-RELATED MENTAL HEALTH CALLS TO WHAT EXTENT DO THE -- YOU KNOW, THIS CORE MODEL, THE CO-RESPONDER MODEL, THE HEART AND THE DIFFERENT MENTAL HEALTH DIVISIONS IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT I DON'T THINK COME WITH A CLINICIAN.

HOW MUCH OF A NEED DO EACH OF THESE SERVE AND JUST HAVING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF THAT.

PERHAPS THAT IS A QUESTION FOR MR. BERRY.

I SUSPECT YOU HAVE A SENSE, MR. YOUNG.

I WILL HAVE MY TEAM FOLLOW-UP, BUT WONDERING TO WHAT EXTENT THESE INITIATIVES ARE IMPACTFUL ON THE NEED.

DO YOU ANYTHING OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD?

>> I DON'T HAVE IT IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS, BUT I DO KNOW THERE ARE FAR MORE MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED CALLS THAN ANY OF THOSE PROGRAMMING -- PROGRAMS RESPOND TO CURRENTLY. I WOULD LIKE, AND WHEN I TALK ABOUT THEM, I TRY TO THINK ABOUT THEM AS A CONTINUUM OF RESPONSES. YOUR CO-RESPONDER TEAM IS A LICENSED CLINICIAN AND A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SHOULD BE AT THE HIGHEST UH CUTIE OF CALLS WITH THE MOST RISK AND THEN YOU STEP DOWN FROM THERE.

YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO RESPOND WITH THE TABLETS AND CORE AND GET AT THAT NEED FOR BROAD COVERAGE.

AND THEN AS WE GET TO LESS ACUTE AND LESS RISKY SITUATIONS, RESPONDING WITH ANNAL 10 TIFF RESPONSE MODEL -- WITH AN ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE MODEL MAKES SENSE.

OUT OF 9-1-1, THE NORMAL CRISIS RESPONSE TEAMS RESPOND TO THOSE. I THINK OF IT ALONG THAT CONTINUUM. THE OTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT IS WE BUILD UP THE OTHERS AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS BUILDING UP HARP WITH ANOTHER ENTITY.

IN JULY OF NEXT YEAR WE WILL IMPLEMENT 9-8-8.

IT IS SIMILAR TO 9-1-1 FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES. PERHAPS IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL WE CANADA SRERT SOME OF THE CALLS THAT MAY -- CAN DIVERT SOME OF THE CALLS THAT ONLY THINK OF CALLING 9-1-1 BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BUT TO CALL 9-8-8 SO WE CAN GET THEM NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN AN IMMEDIATE FASHION. IT WILL BE TRICKY IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO TO HOW DO WE BUILD UP CAPACITY TO MEET THAT COMING NEED THAT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT.

AT LEAST THAT'S HOW THE FEDS ARE PROJECTING IT AND WHAT THAT RESPONSE MECHANISM WILL LOOK LIKE AS IT PIVOTS AND

SHIFTS OVER TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD ON THIS, MR. BERRY?

>> HE SAID IT BETTER THAN I WOULD, SO NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. I GUESS THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL, MR. YOUNG. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS FOR EACH TYPE OF CALL IF IT IS A CONTINUE -- CONTINUUM, WHAT DOES THE CORRESPONDING RESPONSE FOR EACH CALL AND HOW MUCH DO WE NEED TO MEET THE NEED? I JUST WANT TO SEE US GET THERE AND I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PIECES INVOLVED IN THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGE IN THE COUNTY, BUT THIS ONE IS TIMELY BECAUSE WE WANT THOSE OFFICERS TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO WHERE THEY REALLY ARE NEEDED GIVEN THE VIOLENT CRIME INCREASES AND THERE ARE SO MANY INITIATIVES PUBLISHING UP.

IT IS A GREAT POLICY WINDOW TO TACKLE THIS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION ON THAT.

IT IS PROMISING AND EXCITING. THE DATA IS POSITIVE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

I SUPPORT YOUR GOAL OF ZERO SUICIDES.

LET'S KEEP WORKING TOGETHER TOWARD THAT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE NO OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. YOUNG,

[Texas A&M Agrilife]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. GOOD AFTERNOON SKWRO*EUPBLG HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. ON BEHALF OF TEXAS A&M AGRI LIFE EXTENSION SERVICES I WANTED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE WORK WE ARE DOING AND HAVE DONE THIS PAST YEAR.

I AM DAVID WRIGHT AND I SERVE AS THE COUNTY EXTENSION DIRECTOR FOR TEXAS A&M AGRI LIFE EXTENSION SERVICES.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE IS WE HAVE THE COUNTY VISION'S, BUT OUR MISSION WITH TEXAS A&M AGRI LIFE EXTENSION SERVICE, BUT TO

[02:45:05]

IT IS TO HELP COMMUNITY HEALTH AND COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. OUR PROGRAM AREAS SPECIFICALLY IN THE COUNTY WE WORK TO PROVIDE HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS IN AREAS OF CHRONIC ILLNESS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY FOOD PREPARATIONS.

WE WORK TO PROVIDE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTY AND WORKING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN THE PAST BUDGET YEAR.

WE HAVE PROVIDED VEGETABLE GARDENS AS WELL AS GREENHOUSE TRAINING. THERE IS CAREER PLANNING AS WELL. IN ADDITION TO THAT WE FOCUS ON FOOD PRODUCTION AND WORKING WITH FARMERS ON THE SMALL CROPS AND THOSE WHO HAVE A SMALL LANDOWNER WHO HAVE FIVE OR 10-ACRES AND INTERESTED IN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AN AGRICULTURE EXEMPTION AND WHAT THOSE LOOK LIKE.

AND THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH SOME OF OUR PARTNERS, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE AND THOSE GROUPS TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE GENERAL AREAS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WHAT WE TRY TO DO THIS YEAR WITH OUR OBJECTIVES AND OUR GOALS, YOU CAN SEE ON THE LEFT, I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF THOSE, BUT SPECIFICALLY AS MENTIONED BEFORE THIS PART OF OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO WORK WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH MODEL AND PROVIDE AGRICULTURAL AWARENESS FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT SUPPORT, THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTS EFFORTS WE HAVE IN DISASTER RECOVERY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AGENCY AS SUPPORTED THIS PAST YEAR AND I WILL TALK MORE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THAT IN A MOMENT.

OUR OBJECTIVES AND THE METHODS TO ACHIEVE THOSE, WE OFFERED FAMILY MEAL TIME AND WE PROVIDE PROGRAMS ON HYPERTENSION AND BUYING HEALTHY FOOD AND FOOD ON A BUDGET. WE HAVE PROVIDED MULTIPLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON HOME GARDENING AND WATER CARE AND LAWN CONSERVATION. AND WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND WITH THE SITES THAT WERE SET UP ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND I WILL TALK ABOUT THE NEXT SLIDE ON HOW THEY HAVE RECORDED HOW THE COUNTY HAS BEEN DEALING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

SPECIFICALLY IN RESPONSE TO COVID WE WERE PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CITIZENS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

WE REACHED WITH OUR IN PERSON AND DIGITAL PROGRAMMING A MILLION FOLKS, 1.2 MILLION ACTUALLY, THROUGH OUR VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING AND OUR SUPPORT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

YOU CAN SEE THERE THAT WE HAVE HELPED DELIVER OVER 342,000 BINAX KITS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND IN ADDITION TO COVID-19 VACCINES ACROSS THE COUNTY AND CLOSE TO 13,000.

WE HAVE SUPPORTED THAT EFFORT AND THAT IS A POSITION THAT WAS FUNDED THROUGH A AND M, AND IT IS NO COST TO THE COUNTY. WE HAVE AN AGENT THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA WITH THE REEF -- WITH THE RELIEF AREA. IN ADDITION WE HAVE REACHED 15,000 YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND WE PROVIDED HOME GARDENING AND THAT'S WHERE WE PROVIDED THE LEADERSHIP FOR THAT PERSPECTIVE.

WE HOSTED A FIRST EVER SUMMIT HELD IN THE BAY TOWN AREA THIS PAST YEAR WITH 150 ATTENDEES AS WELL.

AND THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE BEEN MORE OUT IN THE PUBLIC, IF YOU WILL AND SO THIS PAST YEAR WE HAVE ALSO HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE PROVIDING A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THAT GOES OUT TO THE THOUSANDS OF LEADERS ON THE WORK WE ARE DOING.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTNER WITH HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE LIBRARY AND PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN THE

[02:50:02]

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AS YOU CAN SEE TO REACH MORE YOUNG PEOPLE AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND PROVIDE X NUMBER OF TRIALS AND WE PARTNERED WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND THE YMCA AND WE HAD FIVE CROWDS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND YOU CAN SEE THOSE SPECIFIC ONE THAT'S WE HAD. A LOT OF THE FOOD GENERATED WAS GIVEN BACK TO THE FOOD BANKS AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT THAT EFFORT.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE ARE NOT REQUESTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS THIS YEAR.

WHAT I REALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE WORK WE HAVE DONE TO HELP BE MORE EFFICIENT IN THE FUNDS PROVIDED THIS YEAR. THERE IS A USDA GRANT FOR THOSE DOLLARS TO BE SUPPORTED FOR THE COUNTY FISSION.

PHYSICIAN. IN ADDITION WE HAVE THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES OUR COORDINATOR AND THERE IS A THREE-YEAR GRANT THAT HELPS SUPPORT REACHING HELPING AND RECRUITING BOTH MINORITIES AND YOUNG GIRLS TO BE A PART OF HAVING A CAREER IN SCIENCE. THAT HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM FOR US AND WE ARE LOOKING TO CONTINUE THAT IN THE FUTURE. NEXT SLIDE IS JUST SIMPLY A SLIDE TO DESIGNATE AND HIGHLIGHT THIS PARTICULAR GRANT-FUNDED, FEDERALLY-FUNDED PROGRAM AND VERY SPECIFIC ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU ALL PROVIDE THE RESOURCES FOR. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS WE BRING TO THE COUNTY IN REACHING THE CLIENTELE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE.

THE LAST FEW SLIDES ARE ACTUALLY SOME INFO GRAPHICS THAT HIGHLIGHT OUR NUTRITION PROGRAM WHICH IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT REREACHED 917 FAMILIES THIS PAST YEAR.

SPECIFIC ABOUT BEHAVIORAL CHANGES AND THE DIETARY CHANGES FOR ADULTS AND OUR TEAM DOES A GREAT JOB IN SUPPORTING. THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT IS LOCATED IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FUNDS THAT COME FROM THE COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE THINGS THAT COME TO THE COUNTY WITHOUT ANY EXTRA COSTS TO YOU ALL. NEXT SLIDE IS OUR BETTER LABEL FOR TEXANS WHICH IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM.

AND IT WORKS MORE SPECIFICALLY WITH OLDER ADULTS.

THERE IS A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH. ULTIMATELY IT IS LISTED THERE, BUT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE EATING HEALTHIER AND WE DO, AS YOU CAN SEE, HAVE BEHAVIORAL IMPACTS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR EVALUATION COMPONENT. LAST SLIDE HIGHLIGHTS OUR PROGRAM AND THEY STARTED ONLINE AND THE NUMBER OF ATTENDEES ON YOUTUBE WITH THE HOMEGROWN PODCAST WE STARTED THIS PAST YEAR AND YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER OF DOWNLOADS WE GET ON A YEARLY BASIS BASED ON THE WORK THE HOUR TAU KUL TAUR HAS SUCCESSFULLY DONE. WITH THAT I WILL WRAP UP AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU, MR. WRIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? YOU ARE ON MUTE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WAS A DOUBLE MUTE.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK WITH OUR FOLKS HERE IN PRECINCT 4 AS WE ARE TRYING TO DO A NUMBER OF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS THAT INVOLVE AGRI LIFE AND THE VETERAN PROGRAMS AND YOU ARE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. MY GRANDMA HAD A SIGN SHE WOULD PUT IN OUR HOUSE FOR MY GRANDFATHER AND I HELD IT UP EARLIER BECAUSE I FOUND IT. IT IS CALLED GOD'S GARDEN WITH A KISS OF THE SUN FOR PARDON AND THE SONG OF THE BIRDS FROM

[02:55:02]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WHAT IS GOING ON IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WHAT YOU ARE LEADING IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE. YOU ARE GETTING KIDS OFF THE COUCH AND OUT THERE AND DEALING WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND GOING TO FFA EVENTS AND SEEING THE YOUTH INVOLVED AND EVEN TO WHAT SOME PEOPLE CALL CLIMATE UNDERSTANDING, Y'ALL ARE INVOLVED WITH THAT. IT IS THE FARMING AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT GOES ON IN PEOPLE'S BACKYARDS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE. SO THERE IS A LOT OF INNOVATIVE THINGS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY.

GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE. APPRECIATE WHAT TEXAS A&M IS DOING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. WRIGHT? THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

IT WAS EXCITING TO SEE ALL OF THE NUMBERS AND THE HEALTHY EATING AND THE GARDENING. EVERYTHING, IT IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. I THINK IT WAS YOU A FEW YEARS AGO THAT EXPLAINED SOME KIDS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A CARROT WAS OR SOMETHING. IT IS POWERFUL WORK.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CATCH US UP ON EVERYTHING.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

[Harris County Resources for Children and Adults]

ADULTS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM JOEL V DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. YOU CAN SEE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF OUR SLIDE. NEXT PAGE.

WE HAVE 22 SERVICES ACROSS THREE PROGRAM STRATEGIES AND SUPPORT AREAS TO CARRY OUT OUR MISSION THAT YOU SEE ON THE LEFT AS WELL AS OUR BOARD APPROVED STRATEGIC PLAN.

AND OUR STRATEGIES AGAIN COVER CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE STATE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SYSTEM. WE PARTNER WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR SUPPORT RESOURCES AND SERVICES. OUR SECOND STRATEGY IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES WHO ARE AT RISK OF ENTRY INTO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE OR THE STATE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SYSTEM THROUGH OUR EARLIER PREVENTION INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AND OUR THIRD STRATEGY IS WE RUN THE ADULT GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM FOR INDIGENT PROBATE COURTS AND ADDED THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT ON TOP OF THAT. NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.

I WILL SAY TO THAT, THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILD WELFARE BOARD IS IN OUR DEPARTMENT AND SO I WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE A FOUNDATION BOARD FOR TWO OF OUR PROGRAMS WHERE W*E -- WE HAVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

THE OBJECTIVES I HIGHLIGHTED JUST A COUPLE.

WE HAVE MANY THROUGHOUT OUR DEPARTMENT.

ONE, THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER WHICH IS ABOUT PROSECUTION AND RESTITUTION OF VICTIMS OF ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION.

I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ONE BECAUSE WE THANK YOU FOR THE THREE CASE MANAGER POSITIONS THAT YOU GAVE US LAST YEAR FOR THIS PROGRAM. AS YOU CAN SEE THROUGH THE CASE MANAGER POSITIONS WE ARE ABLE TO SIGNIFICANTLY DROP OUR CASE LOADS AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF SERVICES TO THE ADULT VICTIMS. AND THEN ON THE INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE CLINIC WE PROVIDED MEDICAL AND DENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INCLUDING PSYCHIATRY AND THERAPY AND ASSESSMENTS AND NAVIGATION TO THOSE INVOLVED IN THE CHILD AND PROTECTIVE SYSTEM.

YOU GAVE US A POSITION TO ALLOW US TO EXPAND TO FULL DAY SATURDAY HOURS AS WELL AND AS YOU CAN SEE THIS HAS REALLY PAID OFF ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF OUR COMPLIANCE RATES

[03:00:06]

NEXT PAGE, AND I WILL JUST HIGHLIGHT SOME OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES.

AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR WE TALKED ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT HAVING MANY, MANY STAFF BELOW THEIR MID-POINT IN TERMS OF SALARY. WE WORKED HARD OVER THE PAST YEAR WITH THE OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGE MEANT TO BRING OUR SALARIES UP TO THE MID-POINT FOR NOW 80% OF THOSE EMPLOYEES. WE WILL WORK ON THE OTHER 20% THIS COMING YEAR. THAT HELPS WITH REKWRAOUT -- RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. ALTHOUGH THE MID-POINT IS NOT A COMPETITIVE SALARY. SO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION HAS BEEN BIG THROUGHOUT THESE BUDGET HEARINGS.

THE TURNOVER THIS PAST YEAR IS RUNNING AT 20.5% WHICH IS HIGHER FOR US THAN NORMAL. AND WE ARE RUNNING ABOUT 30 OPENINGS FOR OUR GRANT FUNDS. AND THE CAMPUS WE ARE EXCITED THAT WE ARE FULLY FUNDED AND GETTING READY TO BREAK GROUND ON OUR NEW TRANSITION CENTER. WE WILL HAVE THE HOUSING FOR 50 YOUTH WHO ARE AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND WE ALSO -- WE INHERITED A CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR OUR GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM THAT IS VERY UPDATED AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO USE AND WITH THE HELP OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A NEW SOFTWARE FOR GUARDIANSHIP CASE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO ROLL OUT. AND THE VOCA CHALLENGE I WILL GET TO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT POSITIONS.

THE OTHER ONE I WILL TOUCH ON REAL QUICK.

WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD FOR THE CLINIC AND WE REALLY DO WANT TO GET TO THE -- GET ALONG WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND WE WOULD LIKE TO GET ON AN EPIC TRAIN WITH OUR CLINIC AND WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES ON THAT. NEXT SLIDE.

DEPARTMENT PERFORMANCE AND GOALS.

WE HAVE 53 METRICS IN TOTAL. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH METRICS FOR AWHILE BECAUSE WE ARE ACCREDITED BY THE CONSULATE OF CREDIT TKAEUGS. WE ARE PREPARING FOR CREDIT ACCEDIDATION. YOU CAN SEE I WILL JUST HIT ON THE PROGRAM IN THE SCHOOLS. IS SPECIALLY WITH COVID THERE IS AN INCREASED NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE SCHOOLS AND WE ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND HAVE RESPONDED. THEY LAUNCHED THE HEART GALLERY WHICH IS A NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE FOR EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS FOR ADOPTION AND YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS THERE.

THE HAY CENTER HOUSING, I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK.

IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS WE HAVE THE LAST 53 YOUTH THAT WE HAVE HOUSED OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS ON DIFFERENT HOUSING PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN STAYING IN A HOUSE WITH NOT ONE EVICTION. IF YOU UNDERSTAND HOUSING, YOU AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND YOU GO -- TO GO SIX MONTHS WITHOUT AN EVICTION IS INCREDITED -- INCREDIBLE.

LET'S GET TO OUR BUDGET REQUEST AND I KNOW WE ARE RUNNING LOW ON TIME. I HAVE IT IN THREE PARTS.

THE FIRST FOUR ARE WHAT I CALL NEW GENERAL FUND REQUESTS.

ONE IS TO EXPAND OUR ASSET MANAGEMENT TEAM.

THIS IS A TEAM IN OUR FINANCIAL BUSINESS SERVICES DIVISION AND IT WORKS WITH OUR GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THE WARD'S ASSETS.

RIGHT NOW I HAVE ONE COORDINATOR AND TWO STAFF AND -- I'M SORRY ONE MANAGER, TWO COORDINATORS AND AN ADMIN IN THAT PROGRAM. THE NUMBER OF EVICTIONS HAS GONE UP IN TERMS OF HAVING TO HOUSES.

WE HAVE 931 ACTIVE ESTATE CASES RIGHT NOW.

WHEN WE DO SR-PB INSREPB -- WHEN WE DO AN INVENTORY WE HAVE TO HAVE TWO STAFF TO DO EACH INVENTORY.

WE ARE GETTING MANY MORE ESTATE CASES FROM THE PROBATE COURTS WHERE WE HAVE TO GO IN AND DISPOSE OF THE ASSETS.

AND I AM GOING TO GO TO OCTOBER 1ST AFTER CONSULTING WITH OUR BUDGET. THAT DROPS TO THE CASE TO 85K

[03:05:04]

AND AGAIN I WILL WRAP THIS TO STARTING OCTOBER 1 *TS SO THAT WILL DROP IT TO 80K. THE THIRD IS ONE THAT WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF AND I WILL KEEP THAT AT MARCH 1ST AND THAT IS THE NEED FOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OUR TRANSITION CENTER. I HAVE ONE PERSON OVER A PROGRAM WITH 27 STAFF AND $300 MILLION IN FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GRANTS MANAGING A FOUNDATION BOARD THAT REALLY CARRIES A LOT OF THE WORK OF THE FOUNDATION BOARD.

IN ADDITION TO WORKING ON A NEW HAY CENTER CAMPUS.

THAT IS ONE POSITION I REALLY DO NEED TO DIVIDE.

>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> NEXT PAGE AND I AM TRYING TO GO FAST. IT IS INCREASE INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES IN TERMS OF OUR PLACEMENT PREVENTION PROGRAM. WE WILL HAVE ONE MORE STAFF TO THE EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM AND WORKING WITH YOUTH, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IDENTIFIED BY CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND TRYING TO KEEP THAT IN THE HOME AND NOT TAKE CUSTODY.

AND THEN AN ACADEMIC COACH OF THE HAY CENTER.

IT LEADS TO THE HAY CENTER COACH AND THE HEART GALLERY.

WE HAVE GRANTS PICKED UP BY THE FOUNDATION BOARD THAT'S ARE EXPIRING. THEY CANNOT BE REAPPLIED FOR.

I AM ASKING FOR US TO PICK UP THESE TWO GRANTS FOR THE HAY CENTER ACADEMIC COACH AND THE HEART GALLERY.

AND THEN THE LAST THING I WILL GET TO IN MY HOW MANY SECONDS LEFT IS MY LAST SET OF REQUESTS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE BOCA GRANT. WE HAVE -- WE DO TKWO -- 21% OF OUR BUDGET IS GRANTS AND ANOTHER 6% IS SPECIAL REVENUE. AND WE HAVE PILOTED A LOT OF PROGRAMS OVER THE YEARS WITH GRANT FUNDING.

THE GRANTS DON'T STAY AROUND FOREVER THOUGH.

AND BOCA, WE ARE REAPPLYING FOR THE BOCA GRANT, BUT IT IS GETTING MORE CHALLENGING BY THE YEAR.

THEY HAVE -- THE FUNDING FOR BOCA FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS BECOME MORE LIMITED AS WELL AS THERE HAS BEEN MORE AGENCY USA PLYING FOR B WORK CA LOCALLY.

AGENCIES APPLYING FOR BO KRORBGS A -- BOCA.

AND OVER THE YEARS NOW YOU HAVE TO REAPPLY EVERY KWRAO*EUR INSTEAD OF -- EVERY YEAR INSTEAD OF TWO YEARS AND YOU PUT IN ONE GRANT INSTEAD OF SEPARATE GRANTS.

WE TRY TO KEEP THE COSTS DOWN SO WE DON'T INCREASE OUR ASK.

AND WE STARTED THE SENIOR ASSESSMENT CENTER.

OVER THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE TWO PHYSICIANS IN THE DIVISION WE IDENTIFIED TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGER AND SUPERVISOR. WE HAVE THREE POSITIONS FROM THE COUNTY LAST YEAR. WE STILL NEED THE FOUR CASE MANAGER THAT'S WE STARTED WITH ON BOCA.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 591 ACTIVE CASES AND WE HAVE MORE -- WE HAVE A WAITING LIST OF 52 RIGHT NOW.

WE USED TO HAVE A HUNDRED AND WE PAIRED IT DOWN.

IF WE CAN -- CANNOT CONTINUE TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR THE SENIOR ADJUSTMENT CENTER IN THESE BOCA POSITIONS, WE HAVE FOUR HOUSE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS AND REALLY WE USE BOCA TO FORM A HOUSING TEAM AND WE WORK WITH EVERY AGENT OUT OF FOSTER CARE IN TERMS OF HOUSING PLAN AND MONITORING AND DOING WRAP AROUND INTERVENTION ON THEIR HOUSING PLAN. IT TAKES A LOT TO KEEP IT.

WITH THAT WE NEED -- ESPECIALLY MOVING INTO THE NEW CENTER WE WILL NEED TO CONTINUE THE HOUSING CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM. AND THEN OUR CLINIC, WE ACTUALLY HAVE ONE AND A HALF. WE DECIDED TO CUT THAT TO A HALF. THAT'S WITHOUT THE VOCA AND WITH OUR HEALTH CARE AND PSYCHIATRY.

WE NEED THAT BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST.

>> THANK YOU, MR. LEVINE. >> THIS IS MY LAST SENTENCE.

I PROMISE. WE ARE APPLYING FOR THE VOCA AGAIN AND MY COMMITMENT IS WE WILL HAVE A STRONG PROPOSAL AND WE HAD A STRONG PROPOSAL LAST YEAR, BUT WE JUST MADE IT ABOVE THE LINE. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TOP SCORE AND OUR SCORE TO SHOW HOW COMPETITIVE IT WAS. WE WILL KNOW BY MID-MAY WHEN

[03:10:04]

VOCA. IF WE ARE FUNDED, WE WILL TAKE

THIS WHOLE PAGE OFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

QUESTIONS FOR MR. LEVINE? -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GRANTS. I KNOW THAT'S COMPLICATED.

OBVIOUSLY IT TAKES PRESSURE OFF THE BUDGET.

LET US KNOW IF WE CAN HELP YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HEY, JOEL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

I REMAIN A FAN OF THE YOU GUYS ARE REALLY WORKING WONDERS WITH SOME CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. LET ME JUST SAY THAT I -- THERE IS A CONSISTENT THEME THAT IS GOING THROUGH MOST DEPARTMENTS. YOURS -- YOU ARE LOOKING TO ENHANCE YOUR SERVICES, NUMBER ONE WITHOUT ADDITIONAL PEOPLE, BUT LOOKING TO REWARD THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE GOT.

I HAVE TAKEN NOTICE OF THAT AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO WITH THOSE SPECIAL CLIENTS YOU HAVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: MR. LEVINE, ON THE VOCA GRANT, THEY CUT IT SOME, RIGHT?

>> YES. LAST YEAR WE AGREED TO TAKE A 5% CUT. OVER TIME WE HAVE INTERNATIONALLY CUT. WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP OUR ASK STABLE AND NOT ASK FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

EVEN THOUGH IF FUNDING DOES GO UP IN OTHER AREAS WE HAVE TAKEN ON MORE NON-PERSONNEL ITEMS AND EVERY YEAR WE HAVE TAKEN THOSE OFF. THIS YEAR IT WILL BE EVEN MORE

COMPETITIVE OF THE. >> AND SO THE DECISION IS MADE

BY THE HGAC? >> WELL, WHAT HAPPENS -- NO.

THAT IS MORE THE INTER MEED -- INTERMEDIARY.

IT IS ALL OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIVISION GRANTS.

WE APPLIED AND WE DO OUR PRESENTATION TO HGAC.

THEY COME UP WITH THE PRIORITY LIST AND THEY TELL YOU WHO IS ABOVE THE FUNDING AND WHO IS BELOW THE FUNDING LINE.

THEY APPROVE IT AND IT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE COULD CHANGE THE SCORING.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THEM DO THAT, BUT THEY COULD.

AND THEN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS ACTUALLY WHO ADMINISTERED

THE GRANT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW. I ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID AS FAR AS THIS IS A CONSISTENT THEME OF MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN RETAIN OUR STAFF.

TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN SHOW THAT TRULY IS A NEED.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY WOULD LIKE TO REWARD THE STAFF AND BEING TIGHT ON THE BUDGET OF THE THE QUESTION IS WHERE REALLY IS THE NEED AND THEN THIS GRANT SITUATION AS WELL AND THESE ARE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS. IT IS GOOD YOU FLAGGED THIS FOR US. AND LET'S HOPE YOU DO HAVE TO DELETE THAT PAGE. FROM WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IT SOUNDS LIKE IF EVEN IF WE DELETE THE PAGE THIS YEAR, WE MAY NEED TO COME BACK TO IT NEXT YEAR.

>> YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO UNLESS THE FEDERAL FUNDING GROWS FOR THIS WHICH IS UNLIKELY.

>> AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY IN MY PRESENTATION THAT EVEN IF WE DO DELETE IT THIS YEAR, WE CAN PROBABLY EXPECT IT TO COME BACK EVERY YEAR. OVER TIME I WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON A PLAN TO REALLY BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THESE, WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH VOCA. THE ISSUE WITH GRANTS AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS GOVERNMENT WHO HAS TO INSTITUTIONAL LIES AND CARRY SOMETHING LONG-TERM.

GRANTS WILL CARRY YOU SO LONG.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES? THANK YOU, MR. LEVINE.

THE HAY CENTER IS A JOY. WHAT A WIN.

THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM.

>> WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT YOU AND THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND TO THE ARPA COMMITTEE FOR EVERYTHING. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER NEXT.

[03:15:08]

LUCINDA, LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE HEARING ANYTHING FROM THEM. OTHERWISE I WILL MOVE ON TO CSD AND WE CAN COME BACK IF THAT WORKS.

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. I DO SEE THEM ON THE LINE.

THEY ARE MUTED. THERE SHE GOES.

>> SORRY. NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH

VIDEO, BUT YOU CAN HEAR ME? >> YES.

>> BUT YOU CAN'T SEE ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, WE

CANNOT, BUT WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> OKAY, WHAT ABOUT NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST YOUR VOICE IS COMING THROUGH.

WE ARE WATCHING THE PRESENTATION ANYWAY.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SINCE WE CAN'T SEE YOU, YOU ONLY GET 50% OF WHAT YOU ARE ASKING

FOR. >> OH NO! WELL I'M GONNA START TALKING, BUT BETSY RUNGY IS HERE OUR WONDERFUL CFO AND SHE WILL LOOK AT TECHNICAL SUPPORT WHILE WE ARE DOING

[Children's Assessment Center]

THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE HUH -- HIDALGO AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

ADDITIONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL AND YOUR STAFF FOR THE ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE YOU HAVE GIVEN US IN THE PAST YEAR, THE PAST TWO YEARS AS WE FACE THE CHALLENGES THE PANDEMIC HAS BROUGHT.

AS THE ONLY ADVOCACY CENTER, THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER PROVIDES A SERVICE THAT IS UNDO PHRAU INDICATED IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF PROTECTING CHILDREN, HEALING FAMILIES AND PREVENTING ABUSE. FOUNDED IN 1998 THE CAC WAS BORN WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT WERE BEING FURTHER TRAUMATIZED BY INADEQUATE SYSTEMS NOT DESIGNED FOR KIDS.

AS YOU KNOW WE ARE A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MEANING WE HAVE A NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION AND THE SOLE FUNCTION IS TO SUPPORT THE CAC.

WE COLLABORATE WITH 50% OF THE AGENCIES APPLY A MULTI DISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH WITH THE HEALING OF SEXUAL ABUSING -- ABUSE AND YOU WILL FIND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADVOCACY 10 TER OUTLINED IN 264 OF THE TEXAS FAMILY CODE.

ONE OF THE FOUNDING PRINCIPALS IS THAT A KHAEULD VICTIM COMES TO ONE LOCATION -- IS THAT A CHILD VICTIM COMES TO ONE LOCATION TO RECEIVE THE NECESSARY SERVICES THAT THE CHILD NEEDS FREE OF CHARGE AND NOT ONLY THE CHILD, BUT THE CHILD'S SIBLINGS AND NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVER.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A NEUTRAL ENTITY.

WE DON'T ADVOCATE FOR -- WE ARE HERE FOR THE FOLLOWING THINGS. COORDINATE PARTNER AGENCIES FOR A COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND TO GIVE CHILD VICTIMS A PLACE TO TELL THEIR STORY BY AN INTERVIEWER. AND WE ARE TRAINED IN HEALING SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND LASTLY TO ADVANCE THE INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO PREVENT CHILD SEX ABUSE BY PREVENTION TRAINING AND AWARENESS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

>> I THINK WE ARE THERE. >> SORRY, WE WERE THERE.

SO I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT EACH DEPARTMENT BY WALKING YOU THROUGH OUR CENTER. FIRST LET ME START WITH CENTRAL INTAKE. IT IS OUR FAMILY'S FIRS TOUCH WITH THE CAC. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PHOTO IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE AN EMERGENCY ROOM OR POLICE STATION OR DOCTOR'S OFFICE, BUT IT IS DESIGNED TO BE WARM AND WELCOMING TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO STEP THROUGH THEIR DOOR ON THE DARKEST DAYS.

WE STRIVE TO ENSURE OUR STAFF AND FAMILIES ARE WELL-TRAINED PATIENT AND FRIENDLY. CHILD ABUSE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES. IT AFFECTS FAMILIES OF ALL RACES, CULTURES AND SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.

WE STRIVE TO ENSURE THAT THE INTAKE STAFF IS CULTURALLY COMPETENT AND SENSITIVE TO OUR CLIENTS' INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE SEVERAL OF OUR INTAKE SPECIALISTS SPEAK SPANISH AND OUR INTAKE ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE IN SPANISH.

IF A CLIENT COMES WHO SPEAKS ANOTHER LANGUAGE WE LOOK FOR INTERPRETATION -- BY THE WAY, I HAVE TECH SUPPORT ON THE WAY SO YOU MAY SEE ME SOON. THEY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAKE SURE OUR ENVIRONMENT IS INCLUSIVE FOR VISITORS AND STAFF. OUR GREATEST GOAL FOR THIS DEPARTMENT FOR THIS YEAR IS TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES FOR NEW CLIENTS WHICH IMPACTS ALL DEPARTMENTS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OKAY.

THE FORENSIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS COME PRIZED OF A

[03:20:02]

AFTER A CHILD MAKES AN OUTCRY OF SEXUAL ABUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CHILD PROTECT SEUF SERVICES REFERS TO THE KROERBGS AC FOR -- C A C FOR FORENSIC INTERVIEWER.

IN A NONTHREATENING MANNER GIVES THE CHILD A SPACE TO TELL THEIR STORY. IT IS RECORDED WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER TRAUMA -- TRAUMA TAU SWRAEUGS OF THE CHILD BY ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR THE CHILD TO REPEAT THE STORY MULTIPLE TIMES.

WHILE THE INTERVIEW IS TAKING PLACE A FAMILY ADVOCATE EXPLAINS THE PROCESS AND ANSWERS THE QUESTIONS THE FAMILY MAY HAVE AND ASSISTS THE FAMILY IN LOCATING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IF NEEDED.

THERE WE GO. CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, WE CAN SEE YOU.

HELLO. >> WONDERFUL.

HELLO. THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL TECHNICAL SUPPORT. AS YOU CAN SEE, BETTY IS HERE. OKAY.

THIS YEAR WE EXTENDED OUR HOURS WITH THE GOAL OF BEING MORE ACCESSIBLE TO MORE OF THE COMMUNITY AND AS YOU CAN SEE WE EXCEEDED LAST YEAR'S FORENSIC INTERVIEWS BY 21%.

DEEP BREATH. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

TREATING AND DEALING WITH SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN IS AT THE CORE OF OUR MISSION. AGAIN, SEXUALLY -- SEXUAL ABUSE CAN AFFECT THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

IN ADDITION TO TREATING THE CHILD VICTIM WE OFFER THERAPY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES TO THE CHILD'S SIBLINGS AND NONOFFENDING CAREGIVER. LAST YEAR WE INTRODUCED TELEHEALTH SO WE COULD CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR CLIENT IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE MANNER.

ALTHOUGH NOT APPROPRIATE FOR ALL CLIENTS WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO REACH CLIENTS THROUGH TELEHEALTH AND HOPE IT IS ANOTHER WAY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO SERVICES TO MORE CHILDREN IN NEED.

ED IN SLIDE. NEXT SLIDE.

THANK YOU. WE COLLABORATE WITH TEXAS CHILDREN HOSPITAL AND BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE TO HAVE AN ON SITE CLINIC PROVIDING SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMINATIONS AND FULL MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR CLIENTS IN AN EFFORT TO MINIMIZE DISCOMFORT AND FEAR IT IS OUTFITTED WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE EQUIPMENT THAT ALLOWS THE DOCTOR TO CONDUCT A MINIMALLY INVASIVE EXAMINATION THAT CAN ALSO BE RECORDED AND USED IN COURT. OUR CHILDREN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RUNS THE ACTIVITY CENTER SEEN HERE IN THE PHOTO. IN NON-COVID TIMES THE ACTIVITY CENTER IS A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN COME TO THE CAC CAN COME AND PLAY AND HAVE FUN WHEN THEY MAY HAVE DOWNTIME BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS. THE ACTIVITY CENTER IS RUN BY A STAFF OF 5 AND UTILIZES COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK. STAFF MAINTAINS THE RAINBOW ROOM THAT ORGANIZING CLOTHES AND TOYS FOR THE YEAR.

THEY GROW -- THEY THROW AN ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY WHERE BACKPACKS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO CLIENTS AND A HOLIDAY PARTY WHERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CAN ENJOY A HOLIDAY PARTY AND RECEIVE GIFTS.

THIS YEAR WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN WHICH ALLOWED THEM TO EITHER CHOOSE OR MAKE A CAREGIVER GIFT FOR -- EXCUSE ME A GIFT FOR A CAREGIVER OR SIBLING WHICH CREATED IMMENSE EMPOWERMENT FOR THE CHILD VICTIM. THESE ACTIVITIESES PROVIDE COMFORT, FUN AND A FEELING OF NORMALCY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED BY ABUSE.

ALTHOUGH COVID PREVENTED THE ACTIVITY CENTER FROM OPERATING IN THE NORMAL PASSION, THE ACTIVITY CENTER STAFF FOUND CREATIVE WAYS TO ENSURE THE VISITORS TO THE CAC HAD A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE AND PRIVATE SPACE AND ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN WHILE THEY WAITED. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

PREVENTION AND AWARENESS TRAINING IS ANOTHER PRIMARY FOCUS FOR THE CAC AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND COVID CAUSES CREATIVE SOLUTIONS WITH CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY.

WE CONTINUE TO SERVE AS A FACILITATOR FOR THE GOVERNOR'S CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING TEAM AND HARRIS COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL TO CREATE AND PROMOTE BETTER OUTCOMES FOR RECOVERED HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

I AM VERY PROUD TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE PROJECTED THAT BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR WE WILL HAVE SEEN 13% MORE CHILDREN THAN WE DID IN THE LAST PRE-PANDEMIC YEAR.

ONE OF THE WAYS WE ARE ABLE TO DO THIS IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF THERAPY GROUPS OFFERED TO OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. ADDITIONALLY THE SHIFT TO A VIRTUAL PLATFORM FOR BOTH OUR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE RESPONSE TEAM AND CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING TEAM RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN PARTNER PARTICIPATION WHICH AS YOU KNOW IS ONE OF THE CORNER STONES OF OUR MOTTO AND REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS FAMILY CODE. AND WE IMPLEMENTED A FLEX WORK SCHEDULE THAT OFFERS MEETING THE NEED BY EXTENDING HOURS.

IT INCREASED JOB SATISFACTION AND WE INTEND TO FOLLOW THE POLICY POST COVID. LAST THING I WANT TO SHARE IS LAST YEAR WE ADD TARGETED APPROACH TO COMMUNITY AWARENESS IN ADDITION TO THE NUMEROUS TRAININGS WE HAVE

[03:25:02]

FOR INSTANCE JANUARY WAS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH AND WE HAD A LOT OF TRAININGS AROUND THAT.

APRIL CHILD ABUSE AND PREVENTION MONTH.

MAY MENTAL HEALTH AND FOSTER CARE AWARENESS AND AUGUST WAS BACK TO SCHOOL AND OCTOBER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

CAC -- I WILL SKIP AHEAD BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO RUN

OUT OF TIME. >> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I WILL MOVE AHEAD. THANK YOU.

BUDGET REQUEST. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW FIRST OF ALL THAT WE ARE LISTENING AND WE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE ASKING ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS TO LOOK FOR TAUNTS TO STREAM LINE.

PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR BUDGET UH SKR*US PHEPBTS IN THE SEVEN- SEVEN-MONTH PERIOD, BUT OUR REQUEST IS FOR THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR AND NOT ASKING FOR NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR. WE JUST THIS WEEK ARE REQUESTING THAT WE ELIMINATE ONE PROJECT SO WE CAN MERGE TWO JOBS INTO ONE. BUT THE CAC IS IN THE SAME UNFORTUNATE SITUATION AS THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS YOU HAVE HEARD FROM. WE -- NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT STAFF TURNOVER.

MAYBE IT IS WORK FROM HOME, THAT'S TRUE, BUT MANY OF OUR STAFF ARE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS AND I'M GRATEFUL WE LIVE IN A TIME THAT MENTAL HEALTH FINALLY HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED WITH SUCH VALUE, BUT ONE OF THE SIDE EFFECTS IS THAT MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE IN GREAT DEMAND AND COMMAND A GREATER SALARY.

THE CLINICIANS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS PRIMARILY LEFT FOR GREATER SALARIES. AT ONE POINT WE WERE UNDERSTAFFED BY 33%. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE CONTINUITY OF CARE IS CRITICAL FOR OUR CLIENTS AND GETTING THEM THROUGH THE DOORS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN AFTER THEY MAKE THEIR OUTCRY IS CRUCIAL TO THE HEALING PROCESS.

THE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED STAFF PUTS BOTH OF THESE PRIORITIES IN JEOPARDY. ADDITIONALLY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THEY ARE DISRUPTING AND WHEN WE ARE SHORT STAFFED A GREATER BURDEN FALLS ON THOSE LEFT BEHIND IN THE FORM OF GREATER CASE LOAD AND LONGER HOURS LEAVING MORE SELF-CARE AND MAKING MORE SAW SEPTEMBER TABL TO BURNOUT AND -- SUSEPABLE TO BURNOUT. WAS GOING COME TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY, BUT OUR STATE CHAPTER GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR A GRANT AND WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET IT.

BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH FOR EVERYBODY.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IF WE GIVE TO SOME AND NOT THE OTHERS WE WOULD HAVE MORE PEOPLE LEAVING US MONEY TO GIVE TO STAFF.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PAY OUR STAFF --

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. NOTHING OTHER THAN TO SAY LIKE MR. LEVINE, YOU HAVE SOME VERY, VERY TOUGH POSITION.

THE CARE AND THE SENSITIVITY THAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT I LOVE THEM FOR THAT.

IF I EVER HAD TO INVESTIGATE ORDEAL WITH SOMEONE THAT INJURED BABIES, MY CAREER WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SHORT LIVED. I KNOW IT TAKES A SPECIAL SKILL AND THATTEN SRAOEURPB PHEFPBT -- THAT ENVIRONMENT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE AND TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND THEIR LOVE AND THEY ARE NURTURED.

AGAIN, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LOVE YOU

GUYS. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM LOOKING AT THE HEART GALLERY AND I CAN SEE WHY IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL.

SO YOU RECEIVED SOME FUNDING AND YORE PRESENTATION -- AND YOUR PRESENTATION MENTIONED SOME OF THE FUNDING IS DECREASING. CAN YOU COVER THAT A LITTLE

BIT? >> YES.

WE ARE IN THE SOEPL -- SAME BOAT AS JOEL MENTIONED.

HE MENTIONED HE WAS DOWN BY 5% AND THIS YEAR WE WERE DOWN

[03:30:02]

EXPAND ON THAT? >> CAC OF TEXAS HAS INFORMED US OF 15% DECREASES. THEY WERE ABLE TO ABATE A PORTION OF THAT AND THE DECREASE THAT CAME TO US WAS 8%. THAT'S IN THE CURRENT FISCAL

PERIOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WHAT IS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THESE VOCA GRANTS YOU ARE EXPECTING?

>> VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT FUNDING FOR THE CURRENT YEAR

IS 2.4 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

AND SO YOU'RE SAYING -- YOU KNOW, AROUND 15% DECREASE LESS SINCE THERE HAS BEEN MITIGATION THERE, BUT DO YOU GUYS ALSO FEEL THAT YOU ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THE GRANT ENTIRELY IN THE NEAR FUTURE, OR WHERE HAVE YOU GUYS RANKED

IN THE SCORING? >> THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS THAT JOEL HAS. OUR VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT FUNDING COMES FROM KROERBGS AC -- FROM CAC OF TEXAS AND THEY DO AN ALLOCATION BASED ON THE CLIENTS SERVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

MOSTLY IT IS THE 8% TO 15% CUT AND THEN THE MERIT PAY

ISSUES. >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. OKAY, WELL THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO HEART TO ME AS YOU KNOW. REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ALL DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT. DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? WELL, THANK YOU.

EVERYONE IS IN THE FRONT LINES THESE DAYS.

THANK YOU FOR HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING AS YOU TOOK THE HELM. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WITH THE ENTITY FOR AWHILE, BUT WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND TO ALL OF YOUR TEAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. SORRY ABOUT OUR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR

SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

[Community Services]

I SEE DR. HOLLOWAY. GO AHEAD, DR. HOLLOWAY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU DO AND ALL THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN FOR OUR DEPARTMENT.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT FOR THE ASSISTANCE THEY PROVIDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR BUDGET REQUEST THIS YEAR.

I'M HAVING COMPLETED A FULL YEAR OF TENURE AT THE DEPARTMENT AND I AM PLEASED TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET REQUEST.

AS YOU ARE AWARE, CSD HAS NUMEROUS RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED SERVICES TO OUR CON -- CONSTITUENTS EITHER THROUGH THE WORK OF OUR FEDERAL DOLLARS OR THROUGH OUR DIRECT PROGRAM OFFERINGS. TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICE DELIVERY AND DEMONSTRATE STRONG STEWARD SHIP OF OUR FUNDS AN INITIAL AND ON GOING PART OF MY LEADERSHIP IS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE CULTURE AND INSTITUTE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES THAT PRODUCE EFFICIENCY AND DELIVER EFFECTIVE OUTCOMES. AND TO THAT END WE HAVE COMPLETED SEVERAL REIMAGINING OF DEPARTMENT DIVISIONS TO BETTER ALIGN PROCESS WITH PROGRESS.

WE ENHANCE THE STAFF EXPERIENCE THROUGH REGULAR AND OPEN COMMUNICATION SUCH AS OUR NEW QUARTERLY TOWN HALL AND OUR MONTHLY EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTERS AND PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS THAT CONNECT TRAINING, COACHING AND MENTORING WITH EVALUATION. AND INTRODUCED ACROSS THE COUNTY A WORK TKPWROEUP CLOSE TO PROBLEM SOLVE -- WORK GROUP CLOSE TO PROBLEM SOLVING. I WILL CONTINUE TO ADD HIGHLIGHTS THROUGHOUT THE PRESENTATION.

IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

CSD INVESTS IN PEOPLE AND PLACE THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS SUPPORTED BY SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL FUNDING WE STRIVE TO INCREASE ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FACILITATE THRIVING AND VIABLE COMMUNITIES AND IMPROVE GATHERING SPACES FOR RESIDENTS.

AND WE ACCOMPLISH THAT THROUGH THE FIVE MAJOR PROGRAM AREAS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND 25 DISTINCT SERVICES.

AND NOTE THAT WITHIN THE 25 DISTINCT SERVICES THERE ARE SEVERAL ACTIVITIES THAT COMPRISE WITH IT AS WELL.

I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND JUST HEY LIGHT SOME TO GO ALONG. OUR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER DIVISIONS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE BRINGING IN OVER 1800 RENTAL UNITS TO HARRIS COUNTY.

AND THIS YEAR ALONE WE PLAN ON EIGHT MULTI-FAMILY RIBBON CUTTINGS TO BE ANNOUNCED. IN DISASTER RECOVERY WE ADDED RESILIENCY PLANNING TO OUR EFFORTS IN THAT DIVISION AND

[03:35:03]

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND COMMUNITY SERVICES WE ADDED A NEW DIVISION. IT IS OUR LEGAL SERVICES DIVISION. AND WITHIN THIS DIVISION WE ADDED IMMIGRANT LEGAL SERVICES FUNDS TO PROVIDE IMMIGRANT LAW AND HOUSING SERVICES PARTICULARLY AROUND PREVENTION. OPERATION -TZ AS A HIGH -- OPERATIONS AS A HIGH LIGHT WE REIMAGINED OUR PIO OFFICE.

AND THIS IS ALLOWING US TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL IN LETTING OUR CONSTITUENTS KNOW OF THE MYRIAD OF PROGRAM SERVICES WE OFFER AND UTILIZING VARIOUS STRATEGIES AND PLATFORMS. AND THIS IS PROVIDING AN OVER VIEW OF STAFFING.

THERE IS 2.5% OF OUR BUDGET IS CONSTITUTED BY THE GENERAL FUNDS. THE BALANCE IS CONSTITUTED BY THE FEDERAL STATE OR PRIVATE FUNDING SOURCES.

I WOULD LIKE TO ECHO WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD ACROSS THE PRESENTATIONS ON OUR STAFFING SALARY LEVELS.

NOT NECESSARILY BEING KAU MENS RAT AND IN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY. NEXT SLIDE.

CSD IS ALIGNED NICELY AND NEATLY WITH THE GOALS AND THE OBJECTIVES AND THE OUTCOMES OF THE COUNTY.

IN HOUSING ALONE AND IN REDUCING HOMELESSNESS NOT ONLY DO WE PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT INTERVENTION SERVICES IN WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION WHERE THERE ARE WE ARE INVOLVED IN HOMELESS PREVENTION THROUGH OUR RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY SERVICES AND AS I HAVE MENTIONED, EVICTION PREVENTION SERVICES HAS JUST BEEN ADDED TO THE PROFILE TO ASSIST IN REDUCING HOMELESSNESS.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE IN INCREASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. I MENTIONED THE RIBBON CUTTINGS WE WILL ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR, WE ARE IN Q2 BRINGING 30 ADDITIONAL HOMES TO BE AVAILABLE TO OUR LOW AND PHOD -- MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS THROUGH OUR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM AND THAT IS A SNAP SHOT OF WHAT WE DO.

AS FAR AS FLOODING, USING OUR DOLLARS WE INVEST IN IMPROVEMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND DRAINAGE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. AND THEN WE ALSO PARTNER WITH THE PRECINCTS AS WELL AS UTILITY ENTITIES THROUGH THIS ENDEAVOR. WE MANAGE THE TRANSIT SERVICES THAT ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND COMPLEMENT WHAT IS OFFERED IN OTHER INCORPORATED AREAS BY METRO AND THAT'S THROUGH THE FTA DOLLARS AND ENTITLEMENTS DOLLARS. IN ENTITLEMENT DOLLARS WE INVEST IN COMMUNITIES BY VIRTUE OF SIDEWALK, REPAIRS, TRAILS, PARKS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

THAT'S A SNAP SHOT OF WHAT WE DO, BUT AGAIN NICELY ALIGNED WITH COUNTY EFFORTS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

AND JUST A FEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE THIS YEAR, THROUGH OUR SIGNIFICANT PARTNERSHIP THROUGH HOMELESS PROVIDER STAKEHOLDERS WE ASSISTED IN THE HOUSING OF OVER 39 INDIVIDUALS IN PERMANENT OR OTHER TYPES OF HOUSING. AGAIN THROUGH HOMELESS PRE SRAOEPBGS -- PREVENTION ACTIVITY THRAOUZ UTILITY RENTAL AND MORTGAGE PAYMENTS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP OVER -- PROVIDE 3,000 UNITS OF SERVICE.

WE LAUNCHED AND SHARED OUR MY HOME IS HERE HOUSING NEEDS ASSESSMENT THAT IS NOT ONLY HELPING TO INFORM OUR STRATEGY AS A DEPARTMENT MOVING FORWARD, BUT THE PORTFOLIO UTILIZING ARPA DOLLARS. IN DISASTER RESILIENCY WE ARE ADDING A LITTLE MAURY SILL YEN SEE COMPONENT TO OUR DISASTER RECOVERY UNIT AND WILL BE EMPLOYING A RESILIENCY ASSESSMENT TO BETTER PREPARE OUR COMMUNITY WITH FUTURE DISASTERS. WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE COALITION FOR HOMELESS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO INCREASE HOMELESS ASSESSMENT, AND THIS WILL AGAIN HELP TO INFORM WRAP AROUND SERVICES THAT ARE NECESSARY.

AND THEN ONE OF THE INITIAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE HAVE MADE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AS FAR AS OPERATING SERVICES IS TO INSTITUTE A KPI DASHBOARD. THIS PARTICULAR DASHBOARD WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HELPFUL IN DEVELOPING OUR BUDGET REQUESTS FOR THE YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE WORK THAT WE DO

[03:40:03]

SOME -- I WILL DEFER LATER IN THE PRESENTATION BECAUSE THEY ARE TIED TO BUDGET REQUESTS SUCH AS OUR HOMELESS ASSESSMENTS WHICH IS THE FIRST CHALLENGE.

OUR CAPITAL INVESTMENTS -- WHAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING IS IN ORDER TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS AND PARTICULAR AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WE HAVE TO INCREASE INVESTMENT INTPRAU TRUCK TOUR SO -- INFRASTRUCTURE SO WE CAN BUILD ON SAFE PARCELS. WE ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS A FUNDING SHORT FALL THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IN DISASTER RECOVERY BY VIRTUE OF THE WAY THE FUNDING HAS BEEN STRUCTURED BY THE GLO AND THAT IS A BUDGET REQUEST.

ENHANCING OUR GRANT MANAGEMENT AND ACTIVITY IS SOMETHING I WILL DISCUSS LATER. WE DEPEND SO SIGNIFICANTLY ON OUR INTERNAL SERVICE DEPARTMENTS FOR OUR ABILITY TO MOVE OUR PROJECTS FORWARD. IN AN EFFORT TO MOVE THOSE PROJECTS FORWARD WE SEE THE NEED TO AUGMENT THEIR STAFF APPROPRIATELY AS WELL AND THAT IS SPECIFICALLY AUDITING PROCUREMENTS AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

WE WORK WITH THEM ON SO MANY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND WE KNOW WE INUNDATE THEM WITH WORK AND WE KNOW WE NEED THEIR HELP TO MOVE OUR PROGRAM FORWARD. AS WE HAVE HAD IN MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU AND OUR STAKEHOLDERS WE ARE EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES WITH THE COST OF HOUSING WHETHER IT IS SUPPLY CONSTRICTION AND MAKING THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT HIGHER AND INCREASING THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS THERE, IT IS ALSO MAKING THE COST OF HOUSING FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS TO BE A BIT OUT OF REACH AND WE ARE WORKING ON TRYING TO DEVELOP DIFFERENT TYPES OF MECHANISMS TO ADDRESS THOSE CHALLENGES AS WELL.

>> YOU HAVE UNDER A MINUTE, DR. HOLLOWAY.

>> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. AND THIS JUST SPEAKS TO SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT METRIC THAT'S ARE DRIVING OUR STRATEGIES MOVING FORWARD. I WILL JUST TOUCH UPON HOW THESE ARE REALLY LOOKING -- THEY ARE FORWARD-FACING AND LET -- LETTING US KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DEPLOY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM MOVING FORWARD.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. IN OUR BUDGET ASKS, OUR FIRST ONE IS REALLY A SCALE TO HELP TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE RENT, MORTAR -- MORTGAGE AND UTILITY REQUESTS WE RECEIVE.

WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF CAPACITY TO REVIEW ALL OF THE FILES AND REQUESTS THAT ARE COMING IN.

THERE BY WE ARE NOT ABLE TO UTILIZE SOME OF THE FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE TO US BECAUSE WE CAN'T APPROVE THE FILES AS QUICKLY AS WE NEED TO.

OUR -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> WELL, I WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY QUESTIONS FOR DR. HOLLOWAY? KPHEGS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, DR. HOLLOWAY FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

I NOTICED THAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR 22 -- FY 22875,000 FOR HARVEY HOMEOWNER REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM GAP FUNDING.

WHAT IS THE NEED OF THE GAP FUNDING?

>> THERE ARE TWO COMPONENTS TO THAT.

WE RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL $10 MILLION FOR THE HEART PROGRAM HOME REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE PROJECT DELIVERY WHICH IS WHAT WE USE TO PAY FOR CONTRACTORS OR STAFF TO EXECUTE THE PROGRAM.

WE REALLY JUST RECEIVED THE FUNDING TO PASS THROUGH AS REIMBURSEMENT. SO WITHOUT THE PROJECT DELIVERY, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FINANCE THE WORK COMPONENT OF THAT. THAT'S PART OF THE ASK.

THE SECOND PART OF THE ASK IS FILES THAT HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED OVER TO GLO. ANY WORK WE HAD DONE UP TO THAT POINT IS NOT BEING CONSIDERED TO BE REIMBURSED, BUT EXPENSES HAD BEEN INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THAT.

ANY FILES OF PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM THE PROGRAM ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT.

THAT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHERE WE ARE NOT GETTING THE PROJECT DELIVERY FUND OR THE ADMIN DOLLARS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT TO FUND THE WORK THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE ISSUE I RAISED ABOUT CREATING NEW -- A CASH FLOW FUND.

IS THAT NOT ACCURATE? >> THE -- WE ARE CALLING IT THE RCF FUND. THIS IS MORE OF A ONE-TIME SPOT AND NOT NECESSARILY ON GOING TO REIMBURSE EFFORTS

[03:45:08]

THE PROJECT DELIVERY -- ANOTHER WAY TO SAY IT IS ADM DOLLARS THAT WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE WORK.

I THINK ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES MENTIONED IN THEIR PRESENTATION OFTENTIMES WITH GRANTS THAT WE RECEIVE THERE REALLY ISN'T A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF ADMIN DOLLARS TO COVER ALL OF THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND TO EXECUTE. THAT'S THE EXPERIENCE WE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH THE GLO. SOME OF THE DECISION THAT'S ARE MADE IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH WE RECEIVE HAS BEEN MADE BY THE GLO AND NOT NECESSARILY HUD REGULATION.

THAT'S SOME OF IT AS WELL AND WHY WE ARE NOT GETTING THE SUFFICIENT DOLLARS WE SHOULD BE RECEIVING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. I WILL COME BACK AND TRY TO GET A LITTLE MORE CLARITY. GENERALLY ON THE GRANT ADMINISTRATION -- I MEAN, THERE IS -- THERE IS GENERALLY LIKE 6 TO 10% ADMIN COSTS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CHARGE.

I MEAN, IT MAY BE GOING TO A GENERAL FUND.

HOW IS THAT BEING HANDLED? IS THAT GOING TO A GENERAL FUND OR IS THAT STAYING IN YOUR BUDGET?

>> IT WOULD GO TO OUR BUDGET TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE STAFF, DR STAFF AND CSD STAFF. AND SOME OF OUR -- SOME OF THOSE FUNDS GO TO OUR INTERIM SERVICE DEPARTMENTS TO AUGMENT THEIR STAFF AS WELL. THEIR STAFF TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOT YOU. SO WHERE IS THE SHORT FALL COMING? YOU ARE ABLE TO CHARGE THAT ADMIN COST, THEN WHY ARE WE HAVING TO PICK UP THE ADMIN COST IF IT IS AVAILABLE TO US?

>> BECAUSE IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE COST OF THE WORK. ADMIN IS 10%.

THE WORK WE DO IS ACTUALLY 15% AND THERE IS A GAP RIGHT

THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, DR. HOWARD. YOUR -- DR. HOLLOWAY.

YOUR TEAM DOES IMPORTANT WORK.

DO WE HAVE OUTSIDE FIRMS THAT HELP US WITH THE ADD -- ADD --

ADMINISTRATIVE WORK? >> WHEN YOU SAY OUTSIDE FIRMS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OUTSIDE FIRM THAT'S HELP US TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL ARE SPENDING FEDERAL MONEY?

>> WE DON'T HAVE CONSULTING FIRMS THAT ARE -- WELL, I WOULD SAY IT THIS WAY. WE HAVE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE WORKING ALONGSIDE US SUCH AS TETRA TECH AND WE HAVE CONTRACTORS THAT WE HAVE TO HELP EXECUTE THE PROGRAMS SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION. WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PARTNERS THAT ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE GRANTS TO HELP US

EXECUTE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE YOU WHATEVER RESOURCES YOU NEED EVEN IF WE DON'T GET REIMBURSED SO WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION WHERE WE GET CALL BACKS.

I KNOW OTHER FIRMS ARE HELPING WITH THAT.

BUT IT WOULD BE A DISASTROUS SITUATION.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE WE ARE ON TARGET WITH THE GLO AND THE FUNDS WE HAVE. AND I MENTIONED THIS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT YOU COME BEFORE THE COURT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T

HAVE ANY. >> I MET WITH THE GLO AND WE ARE MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND THAT SAME COMMENT FROM GLO ADD MINUTE. WE SUBMITTED OVER 116 MILLION IN Q4 ALONE AND THEY ARE APPRECIATING THE MOMENTUM AND WE ARE MEETING NEW MILESTONES THAT HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN OUR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION. SO WE ARE ON TRACK TO COMPLETE THIS GRANT SUCCESSFULLY ON AUGUST OF 2024.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE YOU WILL LET US KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM. USUALLY WE DON'T FIND OUT -- I GUESS SOMEBODY WOULD SAY HAIR ON FIRE.

BUT YOU ARE THERE ON THE GROUND AND DEALING WITH IT.

DESPITE ISSUE THAT'S GO ON WITH HUD AND OTHER PLACES, YOU WOULD BE THE ONE WHO WOULD HELP TO GET IT TO US AND TO LET US KNOW AND HOPEFULLY THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO IN A BIPARTISAN WAY OR WHATEVER IS NECESSARY, BUT YOU

ARE ON THE FRONT LINE. >> THANK YOU.

WE WILL BE REACHING OUT TO YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: DR. HOL LAW -- HOLLOWAY, I WILL FOLLOW-UP COMMISSIONER ELLIS WITH THE SAME POINT. HAVING WORKED ON MANY, MANY FEDERAL GRANTS CROSSING YOUR T'S AND DOTTING YOUR I'S THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT YOU DO.

YOUR HAND IS ON A LOT OF MONEY , AND YOU KNOW THAT.

IT GETS COMPLICATED WORKING WITH HUD AND MAYBE EVEN MORE

[03:50:01]

WITH TKPWOEURBGS LO. GLO.

AS THEY TAKE THEIR HAND OUT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES. AND IF YOU EVER NEED HELP DON'T HESITATE TO ASK AND TO BE SURE THAT WE DO COMPLY FULLY AND I ALWAYS LIKED WHEN I WAS WORKING TO GET A SRAEUR TAU LOCATION -- TO GET A SRAO*EUR TPAU -- VERIFICATION.

THERE HAS TO BE SOME INFORMATION MADE ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IN THE GUIDELINES.

AND SO ANY HELP YOU MAY NEED IN THAT REGARD, DON'T HESITATE TO ASK. AND THEN THE OTHER THING AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, JUST KEEP -- I WOULD BE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN KNOWING PERMANENT HOUSING THAT HAS BEEN CREATED. ACTUAL MAYBE EVEN SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTS THAT COULD CREATE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT IS BEYOND THE OPPORTUNITY.

A LOT OF TIMES I KNOW THE DIFFICULTY SOMETIMES IS TO TPAOEUFPBT -- TO FIND THE LAND AND DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THINGS BUILT, BUT PROVIDING PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE CONTEXT OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES WE OUGHT TO BE GETTING AS MUCH

PRIORITY OF THAT AS WE CAN. >> I AGREE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT IS AN INITIATIVE AND A FOCUS ON US MOVING FORWARD.

SOME DEPLOYMENT OF OUR ENTITLEMENT DOLLARS IS FOCUSING ON SINGLE-FAMILY ACQUISITIONS SO WE CAN TURN AROUND AND SELL IT TO LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND WE ARE LOOKING AT DEVELOPMENT AND MORE INNOVATION BECAUSE OF THE COST OF HOUSING AND SPEAKING TO THE MARKET IT IS GREAT FOR SELLERS AND NOT REALLY BUYERS.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MITIGATE THE COSTS? SOMETIMES IT IS LOOKING AT DIFFERENT DESIGN MECHANISMS THAT CAN REDUCE THE COST OF SUPPLY.

WE ARE EXPLORING 3-D PRINTABLE HOMES AND SEE IF THAT IS AN OPTION AND CREATING AN OPTION FOR HOMES SINGLE-FAMILY AND MULTI-FAMILY AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING AS FAR AS BEING FORWARD THINKING AND ADDRESSING SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WITH THE HOUSING MARKET RIGHT NOW.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HI. >> HI, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR. HOLLOWAY AND FOR TAKING THESE REQUIREMENTS SO SERIOUSLY.

I EBG -- ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAID.

THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM AND THANK YOU FOR RUNNING US THROUGH YOUR WORK AND YOUR PROPOSALS.

DO MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. THANKS SO MUCH, DR. HOLLOWAY.

>> THANK YOU, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

LINE LEAN THANK YOU -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR TODAY'S DEPARTMENTS.

UNLESS MR. BERRY I MISSED ANYTHING AND I WILL GIVE A CHANCE TO OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS WELL TO LET ME KNOW. TOMORROW WE HAVE FLOOD CONTROL AND POLLUTION CONTROL AND TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND ENGINEERING. ALL RIGHT.

WELL -- WELL THANKS TO EVERYBODY WHO PRESENTED TODAY. AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES. SEE YOU TOMORROW.

IT IS 2:07 AND THE MEETING IS NOW

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.