[Commissioners Court Meeting on February 1, 2022. ]
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>> GOOD AFTERNOON. IT IS 1:04 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE FEBRUARY 1ST, 2022 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ORDER.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING A BUDGET PRESENTATION THAT ADDRESSES THE MARCH 1ST 2022 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2022 SHORT FISCAL YEAR.
NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT AT THIS MEETING. DUE TO THE WAY THAT THE -- [INAUDIBLE] WE DO NEED THE MEMBERS PRESENT AT -- FOR THE LENGTH OF THE MEETING. I HAVE TO JET AT 3 P.M.
THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME WE COULD GET TOGETHER.
I HAVE A SCHEDULING CONFLICT I CAN'T MOVE AT 3.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF IT IS GOING PAST THAT TIME I WILL ASK YOU HELP PRESIDE OVER THE MEETING.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE A GUEST. >> YES, WE WILL HAVE A PASTOR WHO WILL LEAD US IN OUR INVOCATION.
THEY JUMPED IN ON SHORT NOTICE FROM OUR OFFICE.
WE ARE ALSO GLAD BECAUSE IN OUR LAST COMMISSIONERS' COURT WE PASSED A RESOLUTION HONORING KOREAN CITIZEN DAY AND OUR PASTOR HAPPENS TO ALSO BE OF THE KOREAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. PASTOR, ARE YOU THERE?
>> DEAR GRACIOUS AND ALL MIGHTY GOD.
ALL GLORY TO YOU. WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR YOUR PROVIDENCE IN ALL OF OUR LIVES.
WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE HERE TO LEAD THE PEOPLE OF SERVE THE COUNTY. WE ASK FAITHFULNESS AS THEY SERVE. WE WILL DISCUSS AND PLAN.
WOULD YOU PROVIDE. >> IN IT THROUGH IT ALL -- MAY WE DO ALL THINGS. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
ONE STATE INDIVISIBLE. >> WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS.
THE FIRST SPEAKER IS FROM THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT SPEAKING ON THE BUDGET. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I WORK FOR THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT. COMMUNITY PH-B -- MESHES -- MEMBERS STRUGGLED AND WE NEED TO REIMAGINE WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY. THEY ARE MAINTAINING PREVIOUS NOTIONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH INCLUDES MASS INCARCERATION AND OVER POLICING AND RACIALLY-BASED BIASED JUSTICE SYSTEM INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME.
WE NEED TO SITUATE THE COMMUNITIES AND GIVE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE IN DIRE SITUATIONS AND CRIMES OF SURVIVAL LIKE THEFT AND ROBBERY AND PROSTITUTION. HARRIS COUNTY CAN SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT WILL PROVIDE HOUSING FOR OVER 20,000 PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS. THE COUNTY CAN CONFIRM PROGRAMS THAT IS ON PACE TO SERVE 7,800 HOUSEHOLD THAT'S ARE IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING ACCESS TO UTILITIES.
THIS IS WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY LOOKS LIKE.
HOUSING, MONEY, WATER, ELECTRICITY IS LAST YEAR THERE WERE 1,454 PEOPLE IN -- UNSHELTERED PEOPLE IN THE KOUPB KOUPB -- IN THE COUNTY. THE HOMELESS RATE IS 4.8 TIMES
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THE LATEST HOMICIDE RATE IN THE COUNTY.I RECOGNIZE THOSE INDIVIDUAL HOMICIDES ARE TAOEPLY IMPACTING FAMILIES -- DEEPLY I'M PABLGTING -- IMPACTING FAMILIES. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE OVER 600 HOMICIDES IN 2021 IN HARRIS COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY IS SPENDING 60% OF THE BUDGET TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME WHILE THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS ALLOCATED 3% OF THE BUDGET TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS THAT IS 4.8 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE HOMICIDE RATE.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE LARGER ISSUE FOR HOUSING, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE AND PUBLIC EDUCATION AND DEBT RELIEF.
I PLEAD WITH THE COMMISSIONERS TODAY TO FREEZE THE CHEF'S BUDGET AND THE CONSTABLE -- THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET AND THE CONSTABLE'S BUDGET. WE ARE STILL MIRED IN CRIME.
LET'S APPROACH PUBLIC SAFETY IN A NEW WAY THAT ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE FEW WHO BENEFIT FROM MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS COLLEEN BIGLEY.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> OKAY. I'M FIRST? I'M NOT SURE IF I PICKED THE RIGHT AGENDA BECAUSE OF WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR, BUT WHAT I THINK -- I HAVE BEEN IN SOCIAL WORK FOR ABOUT EIGHT YEARS DOWN HERE WHERE I AM A MENTAL HEALTH CASEWORKER. I HAD TO ADVICE -- VISIT PEOPLE IN THE HOME. I HAVE SEEN AN ACCIDENT EVERY DAY AND HIT THREE TIMES MYSELF.
AND I JUST THINK THERE SHOULD BE MORE MONEY IN THE BUDGETING AND THE AGENDA. A LOT MORE MONEY FOR MORE MONITORING OF THE ROADS. THE RACING, PEOPLE ARE TEXTING. IT IS GETTING TO WHERE IT IS NOT A FREE COUNTRY. I WORKED IN OTHER CITIES AND THIS IS NOT THE WORSE. IT HAS BEEN INCREASINGLY WORSE THE LAST 12 YEARS. RIGHT HERE AT SENIOR HOUSING WE -- THEY ARE FLYING PAST HERE.
THERE IS A DEPLORABLE NAME AND THEY REJECTED IT.
I THINK THEY NEED MORE OF THEM AND MORE MONEY FOR POLICE.
I THINK THEY SHOULD GET TWICE AS MUCH AS THEY GET NOW.
I THINK FUNDING SHOULD GO TOWARD THAT.
IT IS GETTING DANGEROUS IN HOUSTON.
HOUSTON WAS THE MOST HOMICIDES IN THE CAR FOR DRUNKEN DRIVING. AND THERE SHOULD BE MORE STRICTER PENALTIES TO EVEN VISIT SOMEONE, YOU CAN'T GO OUT AT NIGHT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE RACING.
I HOPE THIS IS THE CORRECT AGENDA, BUT I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE MONEY AND MONITORING OF THE ROADS.
I HAVE BEEN OUT THERE AND IT IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS.
THERE IS ONE OTHER THING, LIKE I SAID, STRICTER PENALTIES AND MORE POLICE AND MUCH MORE MONEY FOR TRAPS BECAUSE IT WILL DETER PEOPLE. IT IS NO EXAGGERATION THAT I HAVE SEEN AN ACCIDENT EVERY DAY AND I PERSONALLY, I CAN'T -- YOU THREE YEARS AGO SOMEBODY HIT ME AND I WOULD HAVE DIED WITH THE CAR AND I HAVE HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
I WAGS HIT IN -- I WAS HIT IN THE BACK FROM SOMEONE TEXTING. THOSE ARE THE THINGS YOU NEED TO PUT ON THE BUDGET FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN AND THE
SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT IS PAUL BRUCE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY'S ORGANIZATION SPEAKING ON THE BUDGET.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> I AM A BOARD MEMBER WITH THE FOP COUNTY'S ORGANIZATION. I SPEAK TO YOU AS A MATTER OF GRAVE PUBLIC INTEREST AND CONCERN.
WE REPRESENT THE COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE ENTIRE COUNTY, SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES. VIOLENT CRIME IS AT A RECORD LEVEL AND ACCORDING TO THE LATEST STATS, HOUSTON HAS NOW SURPASSED CHICAGO AND L.A. TO BE THE MURDER CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS ALL UNDER YOUR WATCH.
I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP.
AS MOST OF YOU KNOW OR SHOULD KNOW, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMAND WHICH IS PATROLLING AND INVESTIGATIONS ON A HIRING FREEZE SINCE OCTOBER.
WE HAD 92 SEPARATIONS AND RETIREMENTS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER ALONE. WE ARE AT A CRITICAL STAFFING LEVEL OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND INVESTIGATIONS AND PATROL. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE AND SERVES THE LOW INCOME AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES. THESE COMMUNITIES CANNOT AFFORD YOUR EXPENSIVE CONTRACT PROGRAMS. THE SHERIFF REQUESTED PATROL AND WE EXPECT THEM TO BE GRANTED. SINCE THE DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING GOOD,
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QUALIFIED CANDIDATES TO FILL THE POSITIONS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE LOSING DROVES OF OFFICERS TO EARLY RETIREMENT AND LEAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT ALTOGETHER.OUR PAY IS WAY BEHIND OUR COMPETITORS.
AN HPD LIEUTENANT MAKES 40,000 MORE THAN AN HCSO.
A TROOPER MAKES $130,000 A YEAR.
I ASK THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO MAKE OUR PAY COMPETITIVE SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE GOOD, QUALITY LAW ENFORCE -- ENFORCEMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AS THEY DESERVE.
IT COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU TOLD US LAST YEAR THAT YOU WERE WORKING ON SOMETHING AND ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES GO THE A 1.2% PAY RAISE WHICH DIDN'T EVEN FILL OUR GAS TANKS.
WE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN YOU ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT YOU WITH -- THAT YOU WERE THE FORMER SHERIFF.
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES. DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE COVID PANDEMIC, WE DID NOT GET TO WORK FROM OUR HOUSE.
WE WENT INTO COVID POSITIVE HOUSES AND WERE EXPOSED.
COMMISSIONERS' COURT TOOK AWAY OUR HAZARD PAY AND COVID SICK LEAVE. WE ESTIMATE WE ARE 20 TO 25% BEHIND IN PAY IN COMPETITIVE AGENCIES.
BEXAR COUNTY SO JUST GOT A 15% PAY RAISE.
WHAT ARE WE GETTING IN HARRIS COUNTY? A 5% INCREASE IN INSURANCE AND 7% INFLATION RATE.
WITH A HIRING FREEZE AND RESIGNATIONS AND RETIREMENTS AND LOW PAY AND RECORD CRIME LEVELS, I ASK THIS IMPORTANT QUESTION TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
IS THIS THE WAY Y'ALL ARE DEFUNDING THE POLICE?
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT IS AMY TAYLOR SPEAKING ON THE BUDGET.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS AMY TAYLOR AND I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE BEEN A PART OF PROJECT HARVEY FOR THREE YEARS AND NOW JUST RECEIVED A BLUEPRINT ON A BILL THAT I HAVE ALREADY PICKED OUT PAINT FOR MY HOA TO DENY. WHO IS OVERSEEING HOW THIS MONEY IS SPENT AND WHY WASN'T THIS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WHEN I WAS PICKING OUT STUFF.
IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THE ONLY THING THAT THIS MONEY IS THERE IS TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE EMPLOYED.
THEY ARE NOT DOING APPLICATION PROCESSES PROPERLY TO MAKE SURE WE CAN EVEN PUT THESE HOUSES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
PEOPLE ARE SAYING ON THEIR LIST FOR YEARS.
NOW I HAVE BEEN ON THIS PROGRAM FOR THAO*E -- THREE YEARS AND NOW THE HOA IS DENIED BASED ON THE HOUSE BUILT AND THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS TKHRA*S SPENT ON -- DOLLARS PENT ON ME HAS BEEN A WASTE BECAUSE OF AN INAPPROPRIATE APPLICATION PROCESS THEY ARE NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH. OR I AM NOT EVEN SURE WHAT KIND OF MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THIS MONEY IS ALLOCATED RECOLLECT -- CORRECTLY.
IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING THE QUALITY CASE MANAGEMENT AND THIS MONEY IS NOT BEING SPENT PROPERLY. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE REPORT -- THAT I ISSUES ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH. I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY TO SEE WHO IS OVER THIS MONEY AND WHY AREN'T THEY CALLING PEOPLE BACK AND WORKING ON THESE CASES.
I HEARD MY HOA WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF FOR ME, AND NOW THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LATER I HAVE AN ANSWER OF NO.
NOBODY HAS ANY ANSWER FOR IT. OTHER THAN WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. AT THIS POINT ALL THE MONEY HAS BEEN WASTED. IT IS NOT JUST ME.
OTHER PEOPLE ARE BEING KEPT ON A WAITING LIST TO BE TOLD NO.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOT BEING ASKED OR THEY ARE NOT BEING FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH. AS THIS POINT I FEEL LIKE THE PROCESS HAS BEEN A WASTE OF MONEY.
FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IT HAS BEEN A WASTE OF TIME.
AT THIS POINT MY WORRY OF MY SHEETROCK FALLING ON MY HEAD IN THE GARAGE AND MY ROOF IS LEAKING.
I HAVE HAD TERMITE DAMAGE SINCE HARVEY AND I SIGNED A PAW -- PETITION TO NOT DO ANYTHING TO MY HOUSE.
ARE THEY GOING TO CLOSE MY CASE AND DENY ME WITH ALL THIS MONEY WASTED? WHERE DOES THAT GO? WHO ANSWERS FOR THIS? THAT IS MY TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, PHA*PL.
THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> TIFFANY, I'M SORRY.
WHO JUST SPOKE JUST TO MAKE SURE?
>> THAT WAS SPEAKER NUMBER 5, AMY TAYLOR.
>> GOT IT. WE WILL MAKE SURE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE IS AWARE. THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. NEXT IS SPEAKER 6, MARISSA
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HANSON. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.SO I WAS ADD THE CRIME TOWN HALL YESTERDAY -- OR LAST WEEK.
I LEARNED SOME REALLY INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTY BUDGET LAST YEAR AND WHAT YOU GUYS DID.
FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU GUYS PUT 97 MILLION TOWARD CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS AND THEN DEFUNDED THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE SO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HAS 22,000 LESS THAN PUBLIC DEFENDERS. IT IS LIKE YOU ARE DEMORALIZING OUR PRAOS CUTER'S -- PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE BY DESIGN AND DEMORALIZING THEM. YOU KNOW, THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED 38 MURDERS JUST THIS MONTH.
THREE COPS HAVE BEEN SHOT. ONE HAS BEEN KILLED.
HIS DAUGHTER IS HAVING TO BURY HIM TODAY.
THIS IS STARTING TO SEEM LIKE IT IS MORE BY DESIGN TO DEMORALIZE OUR COPS. YOU GUYS HAVE CLEARLY DEFUNDED OUR POLICE COVERTLY. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION IS COMING OUT. WE KNOW ABOUT CHRIS HOLLAND.
WE KNOW THAT CHRIS HOLLAND WANTED TO TURN TEXAS BLUE.
WE KNOW ABOUT CHRIS HOLLAND WORKING WITH THE DNC.
WE KNOW A LOT OF STUFF. THERE IS FOOTAGE OF DROP BOXES AND BALLOT HARVESTERS. WE HAVE A HEAT MAP OF THE FRAUD THAT OCCURRED IN 2020, PREDOMINANTLY IN RED AREAS.
I GUESS IT IS EASIER TO COMMIT FRAUD -- ELECTION FRAUD IN RED AREAS AS OPPOSED TO BLUE. I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU GUYS SPENT NEARLY $32 MILLION ON THE ELECTION IN 2020 WHEN THE 2016 ELECTION WAS ALMOST 4 MILLION.
HAS ANYONE AUDITED THAT? THAT SEEMS LIKE A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR MAIL IN BALLOTS. ALSO I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU GUYS ACCEPTED CTC IN 2021. THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.
COVID IS OVER, HIDALGO. YOU CALL FOR PRIVATE MEETINGS FOR COMMISSIONERS' COURT CITING COVID, BUT YOU GO OUT TO THE CHEVRON IN -- MARATHON AND RUN.
YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO SEE THROUGH THIS.
WE KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE USING COVID TO MOVE MONEY AROUND. WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE USING COVID TO KEEP OUR COURTS SHUT.
I MEAN, THE BACKLOG ALONE IN OUR PRISON IS SHAMEFUL.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS SLEEP AT NIGHT.
DEMOCRATS ON COMMISSIONERS' COURT, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT KNOWING WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS SPEAKER NUMBER 7, LETICIA ABLASA OF AIR -- AIR ALLIANCE. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> YES, MA'AM. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> HI. MY NAME IS LETICIA AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 2. IT IS IN THE EAST END NEAR INDUSTRY AND BISHOP'S CHANNEL AND I WORK FOR AIRLINE HOUSTON THAT IS ALSO PART OF THE HEALTHY PORTS COMMUNITY COALITION. I AM HERE TO URGE MEMBERS OF THE COURT TO PROTECT AGAINST POLLUTION CONTROL AS YOU START TO MAKE BUDGET DECISIONS FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR -- COMMISSIONERS, I'M SORRY. INVESTMENTS IN POLLUTION CONTROL ARE INVESTMENTS IN OUR FAMILIES, THE RESIDENTS AND OUR REGION. FOR FAR TOO LONG WE INVESTED IN FAR TOO LITTLE POLLUTION CONTROL.
OUR HEALTH HAS STUFRED -- SUFFERED.
THE SUFFERING ISN'T DISTRIBUTED EQUALLY.
A STUDY REVEALED THE DIFFERENCES IN LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE REGION AND THIS INCLUDED POLLUTION EXPOSURES.
THE LAST OF INVESTMENTS IN RESTRICTIONS FROM THE STATE LEVEL CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THIS DISPARITY.
THERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE THAT HARRIS COUNTY POLLUTION CONTROL PLAYED IN INDUSTRIAL DISASTERS.
WHEN POLLUTION CAN BE AT ITS GREATEST AND HEALTH JEOPARDIZED, THEY PROVIDE ESSENTIAL EMERGENCY FRONT LINE MONITORING AND SAFETY UH SESSION PHEPBTS TO KEEP US -- ASSESSMENTS TO KEEP US INFORMED ABOUT POTENTIAL RISKS TO OUR HEALTH. INVESTING IN HARRIS COUNTY
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POLLUTION CONTROL IS AN INVESTMENT IN EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER RECOVERY AND RESPONSE OF I WANT TO COMMEND THE HARRIS COUNTY POLLUTION CONTROL IN THEIR AIR MONITORING. IT IS DIRE FOR LOCAL ELECTED LEADERS TO PROTECT US FROM FURTHER EXPOSURE TO TOXINS AND IT IS NEGATIVELY AFFECTING OUR HEALTH.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.
>> THE FINAL SPEAKER IS EMANUEL THOMAS FROM KING BLAKE CHESS CLUB AND HE IS SPEAKING ON A NON-AGENDA RELATED ITEM.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> YES. MY NAME IS EMANUEL THOMAS AND THIS IS JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH KIM OG WITH THE JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT OF MY SON'S CASE. LOOK IT AT # JUSTICE KING BLAKE. YOU WILL SEE MY WHOLE STORY AND EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE. MR. ADRIAN GARCIA I SPOKE WITH YOU IN THE VANESSA GUILLEN SITUATION.
YOU TOLD ME YOU WOULD HELP ME OUT WITH MY CASE, WITH MY SON AND IT HAS BEEN A YEAR LATER. BROTHER RODNEY ELLIS, I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOUR OFFICE A LOT AND TRIED TO GET YOU TO CONTACT ME TO HELP ME OUT WITH THIS CASE.
THERE HAS BEEN JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT IN OUR CITY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH IT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED. I AM COMING UP ON THE FOURTH YEAR WITHOUT MY SON FOR TWO DAYS.
IN TWO -- MY SON. IN TWO DAYS WE WILL BE AT THE GRAVE TO HONOR HIM. I WANT SOMEONE TO HET ME PUT MY STORY OUT THERE AND GET FINANCIAL AND LEGAL HELP IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE MY FAMILY HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT. I HELPED OUT A LOT IN THE CITY ON MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES AND NOW I NEED TRUE HELP FROM SOMEONE. I HAVE ASKED MANY AND ALWAYS GOT THE DOOR SHUT. I NEED SOMEONE TO ACTUALLY DO IT. IF YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ME, MY NUMBER IS HERE. DPACTHEPKKE.
WE ARE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER SOMETHING TO HONOR MY SON AFTER SO MUCH DISRESPECT HAS BEEN DONE TO HIM IN THIS CITY AFTER I, HIS FATHER AND HIS FAMILY, HAS DONE A LOT FOR THIS CITY ON MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS.
YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED AT THE AMOUNT OF THINGS I HAVE DONE.
FOR ME AND MY FAMILY TO GET THIS TREATMENT WITH MY SON'S CASE IS DISRESPECTFUL, A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE CITIZENS AND TO ALL OF THOSE THAT HAVE EVER LIFTED -- LIVED IN THIS CITY THAT HAVE DONE RIGHT AND HELPED THE COMMUNITY IN A RIGHT WAY. WHEN THEY NEED HELP THE COMMUNITY IS SUPPOSED TO COME AND HELP THEM.
AND NOW AFTER SPEAKING 22 TEAMS AT CITY OF HOUSTON COUNCIL MEETINGS AND NOT GETTING HELP, I COME TO YOU AT THE COUNTY BECAUSE THE CITY TOLD ME THAT MY SON WAS MURDERED IN THE COUNTY AREA. AND NOW IT COMES TO Y'ALL.
MY SON WAS LEFT UNCOVERED FOR FIVE HOURS.
NO ONE REACHED OUT TO ME. HIS BODY WAS DESTROYED BY THE ELEMENTS OUT THERE. CONSTANT PICTURES BARRAGED OVER SOCIAL MEDIA OF HIS NAKED BODY EXPOSED AND LOUVER -- AND OFFICERS STANDING ALL OVER HIM.
AND I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FOUR YEARS AND YOU HONOR PEOPLE THAT STAND UP FOR THINGS.
YOU CAN SEE MY TRACK RECORD OF FIGHTING AS A FATHER AND AS A PARENT AND AS A GOOD CITIZEN WOULD DO.
NOW I NEED Y'ALL TO HELP ME AND HELP MY FAMILY CONTINUE THIS FIGHT BECAUSE I'M NOT GONNA GIVE UP.
I NEED TO SPEAK TO KIM OG. THERE JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT I HAVE BEEN GETTING PUSHED AROUND AND GETTING DOORS CLOSED AT ME BECAUSE I AM NOT SOMEONE OF IMPORTANCE. IF MY SON'S SITUATION WAS LIKE THAT I WOULD HAVE A MILLION PEOPLE APPLAUDING THE THINGS I
HAVE DONE, BUT IT IS NOT. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME
>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: NOW THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THE SPEAKERS, I WILL HAND IT TO DAVE BERRY FOR
HIS PRESENTATION. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. CAN YOU PULL THE SHORT PRESENTATION UP? THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I ALSO WANT TO START BY THANKING THE TEAM AT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE COUNTY WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO GET US WHERE WE ARE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS. GIVEN THE VAST NEEDS THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE
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HAVE A TIGHTER BELT ON REVENUE THAN WE ONCE HAD, WE HAVE HAD TO REFORM AND IMPROVE THE WAY WE DO BUDGETING.WHILE THERE ARE MANY JUDGMENT CALLS IN PROPOSING A JUDGMENT, I CAN SHOW YOU THAT THE TEAMWORKED HARD TO STRETCH EVERY DOLLAR IN A RIGOROUS PROCESS.
NEXT PAGE, PLEASE. I HAVE A VERY SHORT PRESENTATION TO LEAVE TIME FOR QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION.
IF ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WATCHING, THE FULL PROPOSED BUDGET IS AVAILABLE ON THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT WEBSITE AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE BAR -- BACK UP.
WE ARE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS INTO THE BUDGET PROCESS.
IT STARTED WITH AN EXERCISE THAT REALLY HAD NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE AT THE COUNTY OF WRITING DOWN AND DEFINING ALL OF THE PROGRAMS AND THE SERVICES THAT THE COUNTY HAS.
WORKING THROUGH THE ESTIMATES OF HOW MUCH WE SPEND ON THEM.
WE WENT ON TO WORK WITH COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND DEFINE SOME PRIORITY OUTCOMES.
THE BUDGET SHOULD BE A REFLECTION OF VALUES AND PUTTING TOGETHER A PERFORMANCE DATA AND REVIEWING THEM AND REFINING THEM AND THEN WE WENT THROUGH FOUR DAYS OF BUDGET HEARINGS WHERE THE DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY MADE THEIR CASE FOR WHAT THEY FELT THEY NEEDED. ALL THAT IS CULMINATED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET IN FRONT OF YOU.
SUT THAT'S -- THAT'S NOT AN EASY TASK AND IT IS NOT REQUESTING WITH MERIT BEHIND IT.
BUT WE PUT FORTH A BUDGET THAT WE IN AT LEAST OUR JUDGMENT MAXIMIZES RETURN ON TAX DOLLARS AND MAKES PEOPLE BETTER OFF. WE HAVE DONE THIS IN THE CONSTRAINTS OF WHAT WHAT I THINK IS A REALISTIC REVENUE PICTURE. IT WAS THE LONG-STANDING IF NOT UNWRITTEN POLICY OF HARRIS COUNTY TO LEAVE TAX RATES UNCHANGED EVEN AS WE SAW THE BOOMING ECONOMY AND SIG -- SIGNIFICANT APPRECIATION IN PROPERTY VALUES.
WE ARE ON THE THIRD YEAR OF TAX DECREASES THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS A BENEFIT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE TAXPAYERS, BUT ALSO HAS CONSEQUENCES ABOUT WHAT WE CAN FUND.
THIS BUDGET ASSUMES THAT WE STAY AT CURRENT TAX LEVELS ON EXISTING PROPERTY. EXISTING PROPERTY WOULD -- TAKING IT AS A WHOLE WOULD PAY THE SAME TAXES EVEN IF THERE IS APPRECIATION. THE ONLY NEW REVENUE WE WOULD GET IS FROM NEW PROPERTY. THIS APPLIES PRIMARILY TO THE LONG FISCAL YEAR BUDGET WHEN WE WOULD HAVE NEW TAX REVENUE. THAT'S UP TO THIS COURT TO SET THE RATE. AND IT CAN DO SO WITHIN A RANGE DEFINED BY STATUTE. WE DIDN'T ASSUME THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE GROWTH AND WE DIDN'T ASSUME AN ARBITRARY CUT DUE TO SOME STATE LAW FORMULA. WE ALSO FOUND WAYS FOR NEW REQUESTS. STOPPING DOING SOMETHING FOR A NEW PRIORITY. IT DOESN'T SHOW UP IN EVERY LINE ITEM. I CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE TONS OF REQUESTS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MEET OR WITHDRAWAL BECAUSE WE FOUND A WAY TO PAY FOR THEM.
THIS PROPOSED BUDGET REFLECTS A FOCUS ON JUSTICE AND SAFETY WHEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT. AND OF THE NET NEW INVESTMENTS ABOUT 70% ARE IN THIS AREA. THIS IS A REVIEW OF LAST YEAR'S BUDGET. ON THE LINES OF THE MATERIALS IN COURT YOU CAN SEE DOWN TO THE SERVICE LEVEL.
IT IS THE GOAL AREAS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
NEXT PAGE PLEASE. HERE IS AING -- HERE IS A LOOK AT OUR NET NEW INVESTMENTS. THIS IS THE FULL FISCAL YEAR PLANNING BUDGET. WE ARE COMPARING 12 MONTHS TO 12 MONTHS. YOU CAN SEE A FOCUS OF 70% ON
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JUSTICE AND SAFETY AND A NUMBER OF INVESTMENTS I WOULD CALL AN ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME. WE CAN SEE INVESTMENTS IN THE JAIL AND HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE JAIL, INVESTMENTS IN THE SHERIFF'S PATROL DIVISION AND CONSTABLES INCLUDING 30 NEW DEPUTIES AND STHEURT 5 -RB -- 35 INVESTIGATORS FOCUSED ON VIOLENT CRIMES. AS WELL AS INVESTMENTS TO MAKE SURE OUR SYSTEM IS ADDRESSING THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND FOCUSING OUR RESOURCES ON THE VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND WHERE THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS OCCUR.TWO OTHER POINTS AROUND LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE IS A $2 MILLION FUEL STABLIZATION FUND TO HELP WITH GAS IN THE PATROL VEHICLES. SOUNDS LIKE A LITTLE THING, BUT IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE TO WORK THROUGH THIS YEAR AND AN ORDER OF 400 PATROL SLAT LAKE CITY -- 400 PATROL VEHICLES TO GET US CAUGHT UP TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE IN TERMS OF OUR FLEET. I WILL SAY THAT THIS IS A PICTURE OF THE GENERAL FUND WITH GRANT DOLLARS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT AND CDGB MONEY WE ARE MAKING INVESTMENTS IN HOUSING AS WELL PART -- AND PART OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS PUT THEM TO MAXIMUM USE.
NEXT PAGE PLEASE. HERE IS A PICTURE OF RECOMMENDED BUDGET REQUESTS BY PRIORITY OUTCOME.
THE WAY THE BUDGET PROCESS WORKED THIS YEAR, WE ASKED DEPARTMENTS TO LINEUP WITH -- LINEUP REQUESTS AND MAKE PEOPLE BETTER OFF. YOU CAN SEE A FOCUS ON REDUCING VIOLENT CRIME AND OTHER JUSTICE AND SAFETY GOALS AND OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THOSE WHO INTERACT WITH GOVERNMENT LIKE PAYING TAXES, GET A PASSPORT OR CHECK OUT A BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY. THIS IS THE FINAL PAGE, PLEASE. I THINK WE HAVE BEEN OVER THE FOCUS ON SAFETY AND THE INVESTMENTS THERE.
THE YEAR OF GOVERNMENT AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES WERE IMPLEMENTING A 3-1-1 SYSTEM AND I WANT TO ADDRESS SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN AN AREA THAT I THINK IS VITALLY IMPORTANT. WE PROPOSED A 2% ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE AND ONE COMING IN THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR.
1% COMING IN FISCAL YEAR 2023.
WE HAVE ALSO SEEN AN INCREASE IN BENEFITS ACROSS THE COUNTY OF 6.7% AND THAT INCLUDES BOTH MAINTAINING OUR HEALTH PROGRAM AND FULLY FUNDING OUR PENSION AT EXISTING LEVELS.
IF YOU LOOK AT THAT TOGETHER IT IS A 3 AND HALF -- 3.5% INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES. DUE TO BENEFITS INCREASES WE HAD LESS MONEY OVERALL TO ALLOCATE TO SALARY INCREASES.
AND THIS IS AN AREA WHERE CANDIDLY I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DONE MORE, BUT WE FELT FISCAL CONSTRAINTS TO DO THE SERVICE INVESTMENTS WE NEEDED TO AND TAKE CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES.
IN HEALTH, HOUSING AND OPPORTUNITY, WE DIDN'T RECOMMEND ALL OF THE REQUESTS. IT CONTAINS ROBUST SUPPORT FOR THE MWBE PROGRAM AND SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF THE VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. BOTH TO ESTABLISH A SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM THERE AND TO FACILITATE ACCESSING THE SERVICES THEY NEED FROM OTHER AGENCIES.
FINALLY IN FLOODING AND TRANSPORTATION A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS. OUR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WILL CONTINUE THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND ADDRESSING DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
WE CONTINUE THE PRECINCT MOBILITY PROGRAM AND CONTINUED FUNDING FOR THE VISION ZERO PROGRAM.
FOR REDUCING AND ELIMINATING THE TRAFFIC FATALITIES.
I WILL CONCLUDE BY SAYING -- IN PUTTING THIS PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF YOU WE HAVE TO MAKE A LOT OF JUDGMENT CALLS.
WHAT I CAN ASSURE YOU IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A ROBUST AND RIGOROUS PROCESS THAT TREATS TAXPAYER DOLLARS.
[00:35:02]
WE HAVE STRETCHED OUR FUNDS A LONG WAY.WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS OR INVITE ANY
DISCUSSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
THANK YOU, MR. BERRY. WHAT IS THE CURRENT ESTIMATED REVENUE APPROXIMATELY OF COURSE? TAX REVENUE *FRPLT -- TAX REVENUE.
>> IS YOUR MIC ON? >> SORRY ABOUT THAT.
WE ARE ESTIMATING IN FISCAL YEAR 23 WOUPB -- 1.76 TO 2 BILLION. THAT IS ACTUALLY TAX YEAR 22.
CALENDAR 22 KWH IS THE -- WHICH IS THE DRIVER OF THE
FISCAL YEAR 23 BUDGET. >> AND FOR THE 12-MONTH -- IS THAT PART OF THE 12-MONTH ESTIMATE AS WELL?
>> IT IS NOT. AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON FOR THE TIGHT BUDGET IN THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR.
WE HAVE BEEN HESITANT TO RECOMMEND THEM.
THAT'S ESSENTIALLY RIGHT BASED ON THE CURRENT LEVEL OF TAX
REVENUE. >> AND THEN BASED ON ALL OF THE REQUESTS THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS, IS WHAT IS THE ASK OF ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS IN COMPARISON -- JUST AS A NUMBER IF YOU HAVE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WHAT'S BEING ASKED SO THAT WE CAN IS SEE THE REVENUE AND POTENTIAL EXPENDITURE.
>> IT WAS WELL OVER $2 MILLION IN EXCESS OF THE RESOURCES WE
A BILLION 9 RATHER. >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE TAX PIECES, YES. YOU MENTIONED NEW CONSTABLES THAT WITH -- THAT WERE FUNDED?
>> THE MAJORITY WAS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT SOME IN THE CONSTABLE. THAT WAS THE SHERIFF AND THE
CONSTABLE. >> OUT OF THOSE THAT WERE FUNDED, WHICH PRECINCTS DID THEY GO TO?
>> THEY WERE ALL-AROUND THE CONTRACT CONTROL PROGRAM.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO THESE WERE THE ABSORBED POSITIONS?
>> YES. IT WAS THE COUNTY'S 30% SHARE 6 CONTRACTED PATROL POSITIONS AND I WILL CONFIRM THE PRECINCT IF YOU GIVE ME ONE MOMENT.
THE NEW CONTRACT PRECINCT 4 AND PROBABLY SEE A COUPLE MORE TRICKLE IN BETWEEN NOW AND THE FINAL BUDGET.
>> AND THEN LASTLY YOU ARE PROPOSING A 2% INCREASE WITHIN BOTH FISCAL YEARS? 1% IN 23 AND 1% IN THE 24?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. 2% ON SALARY AND 2.5 ON
OVERALL -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IS IT BASED ON WHAT THE DEPUTY FROM THE FOP MENTIONED -- WHAT IS
THE INFLATION? >> THERE ARE DIFFERENT MEASURES. YOU CAN SAY IN -- SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF 5% YEAR OVER YEAR.
>> SO HE IS OFF THE MARK WHEN HE QUOTED A 7% INFLATION
I THINK UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE NOT GETTING SALARY AND BENEFIT INCREASES TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND ARE WE INCREASING BENEFITS FOR
RETIREES AS WELL? >> THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO, WE ARE NOT INCREASING THE BENEFITS.
WE ARE MAKING THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT KEEP THEIR BENEFITS WHERE THEY ARE BY A DECLINE IN THE RETURN UH SUMMING -- ASSUMPTION. THEY ARE NOT GETTING MORE MONEY. THE COUNTY HAS TO PICK UP RENT TO KEEP IT IN SOLID FINANCIAL SHAPE.
AR AND THEN THE -- AND THEN THE LAST PAY INCREASE OUR EMPLOYEES GOT WAS WHAT FISCAL YR
>> IT IS THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.
MARCH 1ST OF AN >> THAT IS A REAL CHALLENGED. >> THANK YOU.
[00:41:03]
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK YOU AND YOUR TEAM DID A GOOD JOB UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.
I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT. OUR BUDGET DOES REFLECT OUR VALUES. MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE DO, OUR TWEETS OUR OP-EDS AND WHERE WE SPEND THE MONEY
REFLECTS OUR VALUES. >> COMMISSIONER, I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT. UNIVERSAL SERVICES NEEDS Y'ALL TO TAKE A BREAK FOR A FEW MINUTES.
THE LIVE STREAM JUST WENT DOWN.
THEY NEED TO GET IT BACK UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS FIVE
MINUTES OKAY? >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MUCH TIME DO THEY NEED? I WOULDN'T MIND HAVING MY
LUNCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: HAVE I TO BE SOMEWHERE AT 3. I HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE AT 3.
>> I THINK 10 OR 15 MINUTES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HILLARY GROUP AT 2:00. IT IS 1:46 AND WE ARE TAKING A BREAK AT 2:00.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:02. THE BUDGET IS A REFLECTION OF OUR VALUES.
I THINK DAVE BERRY AND HIS TEAM DID A GOOD JOB.
TEAM DID. I THINK OF US AS A HOUSEHOLD WITH FIVE PEOPLE. SOMEONE HAS TO BE THE ADULT OBVIOUSLY. YOU CAN LOOK AT THREE KIDS AND SAY ONE WANTS A NEW POOL AND ONE WANTS A NEW TV AND SOMEBODY HAS TO DECIDE WHAT TO CUT.
THAT'S THE DECISION THAT WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BY US IF WE WANT TO MAKE A LOT OF HAEUPBG -- CHANGES IN AUSTIN IT GENERALLY WORKS THAT WAY. EVERYBODY HAS A WONDERFUL IDEA AND THEY WILL COME ONE UP AND THEN YOU FIGURE OUT HOW TO
BALANCE IT -- >> SORRY TO INTERRUPT, BUT I WHAT ASKED FOR FOLKS LISTENING ONLINE THEY MAY NEED TO REFRESH THEIR BROWSER TO GET THEIR STREAM BACK.
SORRY TO INTERRUPT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.
REFRESH YOUR BROWSER. YOU WANT TO CATCH THIS.
I WANT TO WALK THROUGH THE DECISION WE MADE TO CUT TAXES THREE YEARS IN A ROW AND UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS DECADE, I THINK THE PREVIOUS 11 YEARS. WAS IT 11 OR 12 YEARS THEY LEFT THE TAX RATE WHERE IT WAS.
WAS IT 10, 11 OR 12? DO YOU KNOW, MR. BERRY?
>> OVER A DECADE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON MY NOTES IT IS 11 AND MAYBE IT IS 12. WE WENT THROUGH THIS LAST COURT A LITTLE BIT. I THINK THESE NUMBERS ARE RIGHT. MY STAFF RAN THEM.
IT WOULD MEAN THAT IF WE -- WE WOULD HAVE ALMOST 500 MILLION MORE IN TOTAL REVENUE OVER THE LAST THREE BUDGET CYCLES IF WE HAD SIMPLY DONE WHAT THE COURT DID A DECADE BEFORE.
IS THAT ACCURATE? >> IT SOUNDS RIGHT.
A CUMULATIVE IMPACT. >> AND FOR THIS YEAR ALONE ACCORDING TO MY CALCULATION WE WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 250 MILLION MORE ACROSS ALL TAXING DISTRICTS FOR THE COUNTY BUDGET ALONE. WE WOULD HAVE 216 MORE TO WORK
>> I WANT TO STRESS THAT BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY WHATEVER WE DECIDE, I WILL TWEET IT OUT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. WE MADE THAT DECISION IN THE
[00:45:03]
LAST THREE TAX CYCLES. I'M SURE EACH PERSON'S SOCIAL MEDIA THEY WILL CLAIM IT IS THEIR IDEA, BUT THEY PROBABLY WON'T POINT OUT WHAT WE DIDN'T DO AS A RESULT OF DOING THAT.MR. BERRY, YOU MADE THE COMMENT EARLIER THAT BY CUTTING THE RATE HOUSEHOLDS BENEFIT HAD, BUT IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM FOR THE ISSUES WE FUND.
I WILL REPHRASE THAT A LITTLE BIT.
I HOPE THE THINGS WE MAKE A DECISION TO FUND MATTER TO THOSE HOUSEHOLDS AS WELL WHETHER IT WAS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLLUTION ISSUES AND HOUSING AND WHATEVER IT IS.
WE ARE PART OF THE HOUSEHOLD TOO.
YOU PUT IN THIS BUDGET I THINK IT WAS 10 MILLION SET ASIDE IN 22 AND 20 MILLION IN 23 SINCE WE ARE DOING THE SHORTER CYCLE AND THE LONGER CYCLE. I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT YOU ANTICIPATE NEEDING THAT FOR.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND SOMEBODY CAME IN AND ALLOCATED AND I CAME UP WITH SOMETHING AND I SPLIT IT UP BETWEEN THE 9 COUNCIL DISTRICTS IN THE BUDGET.
THAT NEVER CAME BACK AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO ASK, WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE USING THAT FOR?
>> PART OF THE HONEST ANSWER IS WE DON'T KNOW AND IT IS SET ASIDE FOR UNBUDGETED ITEMS, BUT I THINK THIS LAST YEAR IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENED.
WE SET ASIDE 1% OF OUR REVENUE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THE BIGGEST USES OF THAT HAD BEEN PRE-TRIAL SERVICES AND PRE-TRIAL SUPERVISION. WE ADD LARGE PRE- -- POPULATION. IT WAS MONITORING ORDERED BY THE COURTS WHICH THE COUNTY HAS NO CONTROL AND THE JAIL WHICH WE HAVE SEEN A HIGH POPULATION AND HIGH RATES OF OVER TIME AND AS WE -- AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, ACTUALLY, IT WHAT -- IT WAS A $29 MILLION A YEAR.
IT WAS A COST THAT WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL AND IT IS -- IF I MIGHT WE WILL BUDGET WHAT THE REVENUE WILL BE.
WE KNOW IN THE PAST SOMETIMES THE BUDGET OFFICE WAS CONSERVATIVE ABOUT WHAT THEY BUDGETED.
IT WAS SETTING ASIDE MONEY THAT WAY AND LET'S PROJECT
WHAT WE THINK THE REVENUE IS. >> NOW WHAT HAPPENS IF WE USE THAT MONEY AND SO WE DON'T HAVE THAT RESERVE?
>> THERE IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ADDING STAFF OR THINGS WE MAY NEED TO DO.
YOU START GETTING UPSIDE DOWN OF YOUR REVENUE VERSUS YOUR EXPENSES WHICH IS NOT A PLACE I RECOMMEND WE GO.
>> I JUST WANT TO GO THROUGH THE OPTIONS BEFORE WE GET TO THE ENTERTAINMENT. WHAT'S IN THE PIC.
>> SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND AND THE PIC TOGETHER WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR COVID AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS, WE ARE PROJECTING STARTING UNDER $100 MILLION, AROUND $90 MILLION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WHAT HAPPENS -- WE CAN ALWAYS GO BACK AND RATE THE P -- RAID THE -- RATE THE PIC AND WE END
UP WITH PRICES. >> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE THERE ARE APPROPRIATE USES FOR IT LIKE IF WE HAVE A NATURAL DISASTER AND WE HAVE TO RESPOND, THAT'S WHAT IT IS THERE FOR. I WOULDN'T WANT TO USE IT TO PLUG OPERATING NEEDS. IF WE DO THAT, IT WON'T BE THERE WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER HURRICANE AND WE NEED
$100 MILLION LICKETY SPLIT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST A FEW MORE FROM THIS LINE. SOME GOVERNMENTALLEN -- GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE USING THE FEDERAL MONEY TO FUND ON GOING EXPENSES AND THEY WILL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN IT IS TIME TO MAKE THE CUTS.
THAT'S AN OPTION AS WELL. I AM TRYING TO LAYOUT THE OPTIONS WITH MY LIMITED ABILITY.
WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE OF THAT? >> IT IS NOT ONE I WOULD RECOMMEND. THE DOWNSIDE OF THAT IS WE WIND UP UPSIDE DOWN WITH THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT IS THE JARGON TERM. EXPENSES MORE THAN REVENUE.
YOU CAN KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD FOR SO LONG, BUT
[00:50:03]
SAEPBT -- EVENTUALLY YOU HAVE TO CUT BENEFITS, LET PEOPLE GO OR CUT SERVICES. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.>> I AM JUST TRYING TO LAYOFF THE OPTIONS AS I SEE THEM.
THE ONLY OTHER ONE I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IS YOU CAN TAKE THE RESERVE, THE 20 MILLION, AND NOT CUT SOMETHING ELSE.
YOU CAN RATE THE PIC. YOU CAN USE FEDERAL MONEY AND KICK THAT CAN AND FIGURE OUT SOMETHING WHEN YOU GET TO IT.
I WANT TO ASK UNDER THE STATUTE THAT IS IN PLACE UNDER STATE LAW, HOW MUCH HIGHER COULD WE RAISE THE TAX RATE? IF ANYBODY IS QUOTING ME, I AM NOT ADVOCATING THAT.
I AM GOING THROUGH THE OPTIONS.
ANYBODY'S BRAIN IS SO LIMITED YOU DON'T WANT TO RAISE THE OPTIONS, I WOULDN'T WANT TO TALK TO THAT PERSON ANYWAY.
WHAT COULD WE DO UNDER THE STATUTE BEFORE IT TRIGGERS
GOING TO THE VOTE. >> I DESCRIBED THE OPTION IN THE BUDGET WHICH IS KEEPING REVENUE FLAT ON EXISTING PROPERTY. IT IS A MIDDLE OF THE FAIRWAY ASSUMPTION. WE COULD UNDER THE STATUTE, ACCORDING TO OUR PROJECTIONS, RAISE ALMOST $50 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE WITHOUT HAVING TO HAVE A REFERENDUM.
OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE A LOT MORE REQUESTS THAT COULD BEES COVERED IF THAT WAS THE ASSUMPTION.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT AN ASSUMPTION IN HERE THAT WE THOUGHT WAS UNREALISTIC BECAUSE THEN HONESTLY THE
BUDGET DOESN'T MEAN MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ONLY ONE OTHER OPS I WANTED TO WALK THROUGH.
I -- OTHER OPTION I WANTED TO WALK THROUGH.
I CAN RECALL ON THE STATE LEVEL SOMETIMES YOU HAVE THE ISSUE OF THE COMPTROLLER WITH THE -- THEY CAN BE A BIT CREATIVE WITH THE REVENUE ESTIMATE.
IT WOULD SUDDENLY GO UP WHEN THE LEGISLATURE GOT OUT OF TOWN. IT WAS AN AGE OLD BATTLE WHEN I WAS THERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO.
AT ONE POINT THE LEGISLATURE CAME UP WITH AN IDEA THAT THEY WOULD EARMARK CERTAIN THINGS THEY WOULD DO IF THEY HAD THE REVENUE. THEY HAD A HR*EUGS.
THEY HAD A LIST. THEY PUT ONE IN THERE TO GET THE REVENUE ESTIMATE UP A LITTLE BIT.
COULD WE DO A BUDGET WITH, SHALL WE SAY, A WISH LIST OF PRIORITIES FROM THE FIVE OF US IN THIS HOUSEHOLD AND AT THIS TABLE? FIVE FAMILY MEMBERS.
IF CERTAIN THINGS ARE DONE -- I AM JUST TRYING TO LAYOUT THE
OPTIONS FOR ALL OF US. >> LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FISCAL YEAR 23, IT WILL BE DRIVEN BY THE TAX RATE THIS SEPTEMBER. WE COULD HAVE A LIST OF INVESTMENTS THAT COULD BE MADE IF REVENUE WAS SET ABOVE WHERE THIS BUDGET IS. THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM.
OPTION ONE AND OPTION TWO IS SIMPLE ENOUGH.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THEN IF SOMETHING IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH, THE ADULTS IN THE HOUSEHOLD HAVE TO SAY IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT, YOU HAVE TO ASK THE PEOPLE IF THEY WANT TO PAY FOR IT AND THAT HAPPENS PERIODICALLY.
IT HAPPENED WITH THE HARVEY BOND ISSUE.
IT IS NEVER AN EASY THING TO DO.
IF IT FAILS YOU CONSIDER IT A PERSONAL FAILURE.
YOU GIVE THEM THE OPTION AT THE END OF THE DAY.
IT IS THEIR MONEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: WHEN I HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH MR. BETTERY -- MR. BERRY ON THE BUDGET AND I WILL START WITH REVENUES.
I WANT TO REMIND THE COURT THAT I ALWAYS LIKE TO PUT THINGS IN REAL NUMBERS. REVENUES HAVE INCREASED 60% SINCE 2012. THAT'S ONE POINT TO BE MADE.
AND WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TAX RATE LAST YEAR AND WHERE IT ENDED UP TO BE, I REMEMBER WE MAXED OUT ON FLOOD CONTROL AND WE DID INCREASE THE TAX RATE.
WHEN WE CUT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
WE GOT A BILLION DOLLARS IN RESERVE THERE.
AND THEY HAD EXPENSE HAD, 291 MILLION.
SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT AND YOU SAY 17 MILLION OUT OF THAT
[00:55:05]
PLUS WE DIDN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THE COVID AND CARES ACT MONEY AND THE OTHER THINGS WE HAD THERE AND WE WERE SPENDING AND WE ARE WORKING AND GOING THROUGH CERTAIN PROGRAMS. THAT IS JUST ANOTHER ADULT RESPECTIVE OF THE BUDGET.AND I ALSO AGREE THAT THE BUDGET REFLECTS OUR PRIORITIES.
WE HAVE THREE PRIORITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY.
IT IS REAL EASY. CRIME, CRIME AND CRIME.
A VERY REALISTIC AND A VERY STRAIGHT FORWARD APPROACH TO THAT IS TO FUND WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ASKED FOR.
DON'T GO -- THEY PROBABLY GOT MORE THAN WHAT THEY ASKED FOR, WHAT THE D.A. ASKED FOR, 82 POSITIONS, WHAT THE SHERIFF HAS ASKED FOR, I THINK OVER A THOUSAND, WHAT THE CONSTABLES HAVE ASKED FOR, MINIMAL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHAT THEY ASKED FOR, KNOWING WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WORST CRIME I THINK THIS COUNTY HAS EVER SEEN, THAT WOULD BE THE APPROPRIATE THING.
TALK IS CHEAP. I'M GONNA BRING IT UP.
WE GO TO FUNERALS AND WE HAVE ALL OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.
WE BURIED AN OFFICER TODAY. FOR US TO SAY, BOY, WE GOTTA DO BETTER. WELL, DOING BETTER IS LISTENING TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT LIKE THE D.A., LIKE THE SHERIFF, LIKE THE CONSTABLES.
WHEN THEY SAY WE NEED THIS TO DEAL WITH A CRIME, I'M NO EXPERT. I TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE I AM TIRED OF. IT IS EXPERIMENTING.
WE NEED TO LISTEN TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE, THE D.A., THE SHERIFF, THE CONSTABLES. THEY KNOW WHAT THEY NEED AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE FOURTH PRIORITY IS, SPENDING.
MY COMPANY AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPANIES IN AMERICA WHEN WE GET IN A BIND, FIRST THING WE DO IS CUT.
WE HAD THE ADULT CONVERSATION. WE HAD SOME ADULT CONVERSATION. SPENDING IS EASY.
CUTTING IS HARD. WE GET THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM AND WE HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE NEED TO CUT.
I HAVE 110 MILLION AND I'M JUST GETTING STARTED.
MR. BERRY AND I HAVE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS, BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN IN LIGHT OF WHERE WE ARE.
WE ARE IN A CRIME-DEMIC. WE NEED TO ACT LIKE IT.
WE NEED TO FUND IT ACCORDINGLY.
I AM, FOR ONE, WILL VOTE FOR A BUDGET THAT FUNDS EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY TO THE LEVEL THEY HAVE ASKED FOR.
THAT'S WHERE I AM STARTING. I HAVE COMMUNICATED DETAILS TO MR. BERRY AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS ON WHAT CAN BE CUT. IN TERMS OF WHAT WE LOOK AT WITH THIS BUDGET AND HOW WE LOOK AT THE SHORT YEAR AND HOW WE ANTICIPATE WHAT OUR REVENUES ARE, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO KNOW THAT WE CUT AND ELIMINATED AS MUCH EXPENSE AS WE CAN AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. WHAT IS THE NUMBER FOR ALL LAW
ENFORCEMENT REQUESTS? >> LET ME GET THAT EXACT
NUMBER FOR YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: APPROXIMATELY.
>> BALLPARK 200 MILLION OF NEW REQUESTS ON TOP OF SALARY AND
BENEFITS INCREASING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON TOP OF, OKAY. SO OBVIOUSLY WE'VE GOT -- WE ARE PROJECTING 26 MILLION OVER SPUD -- OVER CURRENT BASELINE BUDGETS AS PART OF A DISCUSSION.
IF WE WANTED TO FOLLOW MR. RAMSEY'S POINT ABOUT CUTTING WE WOULD HAVE TO GO AND FIND -- IN ORDER TO FUND EVERY WHY THAT HAS BEEN MADE TO US, WE WOULD NEED TO FIND 180 MILLION TO TRY TO SHORE UP THE REQUESTS.
>> THAT IS SPECIAL A DECENT APPROXIMATION.
IT WOULDN'T BE A MINOR CUT HERE AND THERE.
IT WOULD BE A REAL RETHINK OF ALL OF THE OTHER SERVICES THE COUNTY PROVIDED. COMMISSIONERS' COURT CAN SET PRIORITIES WHERE THEY WANT. WE ARE SPENDING 60% OF THE BUDGET ON JUSTICE AND SAFETY. IT IS ONLY THE REMAINING 40% THAT WE CAN LOOK AT TO TRANSFER MORE FUNDS.
EVEN GIVEN THE HIGH PRIORITY IT HAS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ARE THE DEPARTMENT THAT'S ARE OVER 100 MILLION, JUST TO USE A NUMBER, I MEAN, BECAUSE IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND -- IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO FIND THE MONEY YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST COST SECTORS WHAT DEPARTMENTS ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
>> 100 MILLION LOOSELY, IF I MAY.
GENERAL FUND RELATIVE TO THE OTHERS.
PUBLIC HEALTH, ENGINEERING, THOSE ARE THE BIGGEST ONES.
[01:00:55]
COMMUNITY SERVICES IS A BIG DEPARTMENT, BUT IT IS ONLY SMALL PERCENTAGE FUNDED BY THE GENERAL FUND.>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OUT OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, THERE ARE ONLY TWO THAT ARE OVER THE 100 MILLION MARK WHERE YOU CAN
FIND SOME POTENTIAL FAT? >> WE ARE LOOKING FOR FAT ALL THE TIME. THERE ARE A LOT OF REQUESTS WE CAN ABSORB AND SMALL REDUCTIONS, BUT IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT FUNDAMENTALLY RESHAPING HOW MUCH MONEY GOES TO JUSTICE INCENTIVE VERSUS OTHER AREAS.
THE OTHER DEPARTMENT OF SIZE IS UNIVERSAL SERVICES, FLEET, I.T. AND PARKING, THAT IS ON THAT ORDER OF SIZE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE HOW MANY COUNTY DEPARTMENTS DO WE HAVE?
>> WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE AND THE DISCUSSION CAN TAKE PLACE.
>> AND I UNDERSTAND IT FROM MR. BERRY YOU ARE ASKING US DON'T JUST SEND OUT WHAT WE WOULD FUND AND THE MOTION WOULD INCLUDE WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO CUT.
TELL THEM THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. >> IN TERMS OF FISCALLY -- [INAUDIBLE]. YOU EITHER REDUCE IN ONE AREA AND SUPPORT ANOTHER OR SUPPORT AND BACK THE INVESTMENT. EITHER WOULD WORK WITH RESPECT TO THE BUDGET.
AND WE CAN KEEP THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER -- [INAUDIBLE].
>> LIKE WE DO ANY COURT, WE HAVE A MEETING A WEEK FROM TODAY AND SO TODAY OUR AGENDA ITEMS ARE DUE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.