[Special Meeting Bond Election ]
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>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
IT IS 2:33. I WOULD CALL AUGUST 18TH, 2022 SPECIAL MEETS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.
COMMISSIONER? >> IT IS TIME TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL. WE HAVE IN PERSON AMANDA ARCHER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AT WESTBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL.
SHE WENT TO HOUSTON 2011. BECAME THE PRINCIPAL 2015.
DIDN'T TAKE YOU TOO LONG TO MOVE IN AND TAKE OVER.
HER HUSBAND IS A TEACHER AND THEY HAVE A SON.
THIS WAS THE NEAREST AND DEAREST TO MY HEART IN DIRECTLY TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THEIR SON IS DOING A SHAKESPEARE INTERNSHIP. SHAKESPEARE CAME TO TEXAS A&M.
WESTBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 314 STUDENTS.
PRESCHOOL THROUGH 12TH GRADE. THEY STRIVE TO CREATE A AN AFFORDABLE PRICE FOR TODAY'S FAMILIES.
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY AS HARRIS COUNTY COUNTY THEIR KIDS PREPARED TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.
>> MY NAME IS AMANDA ARCHER FOR THE RECORD.
I AM SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE HONOR TO PRAY FOR YOU TODAY.
WILL YOU PLEASE BOW WITH ME? OUR MIGHTY GOD AND FATHER IN HEAVEN HOLY IS YOUR MAGNIFICENT NAME.
I COME TO YOU TODAY. PLEASE BLESS HEARTS AND MINDS WITH CLARITY OF THOUGHT, SPEECH AND PRUDENT DECISION MAKING CENTERED ON WHAT YOUR WILL BE FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
MAY EVERY DECISION BE -- FATHER, GOD I PRAY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM AS WELL AS ALL IN HARRIS COUNTY TOUCHED ON BY THE DECISIONS MADE IN THIS COURT. MAY THIS MEETING ONE FILLED WITH PEACE AND GOOD WILL TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER AND DECISIONS FLOW OUT INTO HARRIS COUNTY IN A WAY THAT SUPPORTS AND UPLIFTS.
GOD SO MANY STUDENTS RETURNED BACK TO SCHOOL, I PRAY FOR YOUR SAFETY AND LOVE TO BE SURROUNDING EACH AND EVERY CAMPUS. GIVE PARENTS THE PEACE AS THEY DROP THEIR CHILDREN OFF. GIVE TEACHERS STAMINA AND WISDOM TO DEAL WITH THE MANY SITUATIONS THEY WILL FACE.
THANK YOU, GOD FOR GIVING EACH SCHOOL SUCH GREAT SUPPORT PERSONNEL, AIDS, WORKERS AND CAFETERIA STAFF.
GRAND THE ADMINISTERS EXTRA MEASURE OF ENERGY AND COURAGE AS THEY MAKE CHOICES EVERYDAY THAT EFFECT LIVES OF MILLIONS OF CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS. FOR THOSE GOD THAT DON'T HAVE A VOICE, FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH HEALTH ISSUES, I ASK FOR HEALING. THOSE STEPPING UP TO PROTECT OUR CITY, POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS, CONSTABLES, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS AND OTHERS, PLEASE KEEP THEM SAFE.
FOR THOSE ALONE OR EXPERIENCING LONELINESS, I ASK FOR SOMEONE TO SEE AND PROVIDE HELP AND COMPANIONSHIP.
FOR THOSE DEALING WITH LOSS, MAY YOU PROVIDE COMFORT.
WE ASK FOR CONTINUED SUSTENANCE AND CARE.
HELP US ALL TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF JESUS UNTIL YOU COME AGAIN. LORD, GOD I ASK FOR YOUR HAND TO BE ON THE SESSION OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMISE IN JOHN:14, WHATEVER IS ASKED IN YOUR NAME WILL BE DONE. ALL OF THIS I PRAY IN THE NAME
OF THE LORD, JESUS CHRIST, AMEN. >> THANK YOU, PRINCIPAL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> SAYING THE PLEDGE...
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>> AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR WE ARE STARTING WITH ITEM 2 TO GET THE PAYMENT PROCESSING GOING.
WE'LL MOVE TO ITEM 2 BRIEFLY. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 2? YES, COMMISSIONER?
>> IF I MAY THERE IS AN ITEM TO BOSTON CONSULTANT ROOM, $577,000 AND I WOULD ALL ITEMS BUT THE BOSTON.
>> OKAY COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE A MOTION ON ALL THE ITEMS UNDER ITEM 2 EXCEPT FOR THE ITEM REGARDING -- SECOND?
>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> ALL IN FAVOR? IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE MOTION BY GARCIA SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS? MOTION CARRIES 3-2. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 1 ABOUT THE BOND THAT WOULD APPEAR IN THIS NOVEMBER ELECTION.
AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD EFFORTS TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR TODAY AND THE FUTURE.
TRUTH IS, THIS BOND IS VERY IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THE LEVEL OF SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE MINDFUL WE ARE DEALING WITH INFLATION RIGHT NOW. WORTH MENTIONING LEVY WON'T BE IMPOSED UNTIL END OF 2023. 100 MILLION DOLLARS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS, TWO-THIRDS OF THE BUDGET GOING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
100 MILLION WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.
CONTROL. IT IS GOING TO HELP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE. 300 MILES OF ROADS, 80 PARKS.
INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT PASSED, BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PASS AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THAT REQUIRES US TO HAVE A LOCAL MENTION. RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE IT IF WE DON'T PASS THIS BOND WE WOULD LEAVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE TABLE COMING DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OTHERWISE. ACROSS THE COUNTY, 1,188 -- 61% OF COUNTY ROADS LACK SIDEWALKS. DATA IDENTIFYING 150 MOST DANGEROUS MILES OF ROADS AND INTERSECTIONS COUNTYWIDE.
WE SEE THE HIGHEST TRAFFIC DEATHS IN THE NATION HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE OF THOSE UNDERINVESTS.
EVERY PRECINCT WOULD RECEIVE SEVERAL 100 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE BOND. OF COURSE WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING TO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR RESIDENTS AS WE CONTINUE AND THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW.
I WILL BE VERY, VERY PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS BOND.
I KNOW WE HAVE SPEAKERS. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING
TO ADD MR. RAMSEY OR MR. BARRY? >> JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THREE MOTION, MOVE APPROVAL OF ORDER CALLING FOR ELECTION NOVEMBER 8TH, 2022. TO AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY BONDS IN THE AMOUNT 100 MILLION.
SECOND MOTION MOVE APPROVAL OF ORDER CALLING FOR ELECTION NOVEMBER 8TH, 2022 TO AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF ROAD BONDS 900 MILLION. THIRD MOTION.
MOVE APPROVAL OF ORDER CALLING FOR ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 8TH, 2022 TO AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF PARK BONDS.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTIONS.
THANK YOU FOR THE SECOND AND GO TO THE SPEAKERS.
>> OKAY TWO MOTIONS ON THE TABLE, THREE MOTIONS ON THE
TABLE AND WE'LL TAKE SPEAKERS. >> FIRST JACOB YOU HAVE SIX
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MINUTES. >> GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS [INAUDIBLE] TRANSPORTATION THE REST WILL GO TO PARKS.
[INAUDIBLE] JACK CAGLE WE INCREASING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION. INCREASE IN TAXES.
FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR. ON TO A FIRE TRUCK EXTINGUISHED.
EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LIQUID. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IT IS EQUITABLE. AND FORMER COMMISSIONERS AND GIVE ENOUGH CREDENCE TO PEOPLE NEEDING TRANSPORTATION AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN DIFFERENT DISTRIBUTIONS.
I AM A MINORITY. I AM ALSO DISABLED.
A LOT OF THE PEOPLE ARE OTHER MINORITIES SUCH AS HISPANIC, ASIAN, BLACKS, AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE MINORITY.
YOU HAVE TO BE VOCAL AND COME BEFORE GOVERNMENT AND TELL THEM WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC AND WHAT ISN'T GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC.
IT CAN BE VIEWED BY I THINK THIS BOND REFERENDUM SHOULD NOT GO FORWARD. PROMISES ARE WELL WORTH THAN ACTUALLY KNOWING. AND DON'T DO [INAUDIBLE] -- ALSO I WAS GOING TO MENTION, UKRAINE NEEDS TO BE HONORED.
AND THAT IS MY OPINION. COMMISSIONER, JACK CAGLE OR
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COMMISSIONECOMMISSIONER RAMY. NEEDS TO ON NOR YOU.THE PEOPLE FROM UVALDE [INAUDIBLE] OR MINORITIES THEMSELVES. A WHITE MAN WAS HELPING MINORITIES. SUCH AS PROVIDING TICKETS AND A FUNDRAISER AND GAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO THEM.
ALSO -- NEEDS TO BE HONORED. >> THANK YOU.
NEXT IS SPEAKER NO. 4, CHRISTINA SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 1,
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> HELLO COMMISSIONERS, I AM A COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER IN UNINCORPORATED EASTERN HARRIS COUNTY COUNTY.
I LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT THREE, WORK IN TWO, SHOP IN PRECINCT ONE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK OF THE OPENING BOND.
MY APPEARANCE IS MULTIPURPOSED. I WOULD LIKE COMMISSIONERS TO CONSIDER SPECIFIC LANGUAGE -- HOA OR OTHERWISE TO REPRESENT THEM TO RECEIVE SAME PERCENTAGE OF FUNDING THAT CAN MATCH FUNDING. ARE PROPOSED TO RECEIVE.
I WOULD LIKE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CONSIDER SPECIFIC AND TRANSPARENT LANGUAGE. BY AUTHORIZING A PERCENT FOR ARTS FUND AS PART OF THE PROPOSED BOND PACKAGE.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER WELCH.
>> I APPRECIATE THE POINT RAISED FOR THE SPEAKER THAT JUST CAME
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTS, WE HAVE OUT OF THE BOND PACKAGE, 100 MILLION SET
ASIDE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. >> I ASKED THE QUESTION LAST TIME I SPOKE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT ABOUT WHY THE SHERIFF COULDN'T GET HIS 30 MILLION DOLLARS HE WAS ASKING FOR TO KEEP THESE CRIMINALS IN JAIL WAITING ON THEIR SENTENCING?
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YOU WERE RELUCTANT TO GIVE IT TO 'EM BASED ON YET MORE SPENDING OF CONSUL AT THAT PARTICULAR TIMES TO COME AND LOOK AT THAT.I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY FROM YOUR OFFICE TO THAT.
AS FAR AS I CAN TELL FROM OTHER ACCOUNTANTS, THAT IS GOING TO CREATE 250 MILLION DOLLARS ABOVE 2021.
WE HAVE IN FOUR YEARS TO REACH THAT BILLION DOLLAR BOND AND I DON'T SEE WHY WE NEED TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN ON THE TAX PAYOR'S OF HARRIS COUNTY WHEN WE HAVE MORE MONEY THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD COMING IN. AT A TIME WHEN INFLATION IS THE
HIGHEST. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LITTLE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY. AND USE OF THE FUNDS.
ALSO I THINK THAT SPENDING THIS MONEY AT A TIME WHEN INFLATION IS THE HIGHEST WILL DEGRADE THE VALUE OF WHAT WE ARE GETTING FOR THE TAX PAYOR DOLLAR. THANK YOU.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> I AM GLAD YOU KNOW THE
FUTURE. >> MR. RAMSEY, WOULD YOU MENTION WHY OUR FINANCIAL SITUATION GIVEN THAT WE CUT TAXES BY 7% OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS MORE THAN COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS CUT THEM. I WONDER IF YOU WERE ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GOT HERE.
WILL YOU REMIND US OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION?
>> THIS COURT HAS ALLOCATED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM MOMENT FUND TO PAY DOWN OUR DEBT. OUR DEBT SERVICE IS GOING DOWN CONSISTENTLY AS ASSESSMENTS ARE GOING UP.
COMBINATION OF THOSE TWO THINGS, MEANS THAT THE RATE IS GOING DOWN AND OUR RATE AND CONTINUES TO GO DOWN AS ASSESSMENTS GO UP AND REVENUE CAPPED. TAXES FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AS A RATE WILL GO DOWN OVER THE NEXT DECADE SOMETHING
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NO. 6, CHRISTINA SPEAKING ON ITEM 1 IN PERSON. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM CHRISTINA, RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE.
ACROSS ALL FOUR PRECINCTS. HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS USED AT UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS. THERE HAVE BEEN MORE PROPOSALS THAN FUNDING WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR.
AS LONG AS FUNDING IS USED TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC AND VERY REAL HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS, NAMELY USED TO MITIGATE AGAINST CLIMATE, EQUITY, TRAFFIC VIOLENCE. PARTICULARLY TO THE FUNDS WE ANTICIPATE. SPEAKING TO THE 900 MILLION
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DOLLARS IDENTIFIED FROM ROADS, DRAINAGE AND TRANSPORTATION.WE URGE THE BULK BE DIRECTED TO TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.
AS IT IS. TRANSPORTATION SECTOR AND PASS TRANSPORTATION FUNDING DECISIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY OF THE REGIONS HARMS. WE ALL KNOW THIS YEAR ARE SUMMER WE HAVE REGISTERED HOTTEST TEMPERATURES JUNE AND JULY THAN EVER BEFORE. WE ARE IN A TRAFFIC CRISIS.
SPECIFICALLY PROVIDES PEDESTRIANS, INCREASE 160% OF FATALITIES FOR HOUSTON IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
CLIMATE AND SAFETY HARMS STEMMING FROM TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM VERY REAL. PLEASE DEDICATE FUNDS TO IMPROVING SAFETY, IDENTIFYING FUNDS FOR AREAS OF HISTORICAL UNDERINVESTMENT. DISREPAIR AND BUILDING OUT A NETWORK THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL USERS PROVIDING HARRIS COUNTY CHOICES FOR ALL MODES WHILE BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR RESILIENCY TO CLIMATE CHANGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> I WAS OBJECTED FROM THE BEGINNING THIS BOND 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS. BEFORE IT WAS LISTED WHAT IT WAS GOING TO BE FOR. THIS IS LIKE A TEENAGE GIRL ASKING FOR $500 A WEEK ALLOWANCE, I DON'T KNOW, I'LL THINK OF SOMETHING. THERE HAVE BEEN THREATS TO INCREASE MONEY. THAT IS CLEARLY WRONG.
IF ANYTHING, PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR NEED A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE BOND. IF ANYTHING NEED A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE BOND MONEY. 1.2 MILLION DOLLAR SEEMS LIKE A [INAUDIBLE] WHICH WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING.
I DON'T TRUST THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SPEND THE MONEY IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE HARRIS COUNTY.
TEXAS STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT INADEQUATE FUNDING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY.
AWARDED FROM THE A COMPANY IN CALIFORNIA TO BE ABLE TO TOW TWO OF THE CARS. THAT TOW TRUCK NOT GIVEN TO THE LOWEST BIDDER. THESE THREE ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR HONEST BOND ELECTION. THEY ARE NOT PRESENT.
I STRONGLY OBJECT TO THIS 1.2 BILLION DOLLAR BOND PROPOSAL.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NO. 10, [INAUDIBLE] YOU HAVE THREE
MINUTES. >> THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. >> I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE PORTION OF THE BONDS IF THE MONEY IS ALLOCATED TO ADDRESS THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAVE SEEN.
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MAJORITY OF THIS BOND FOR MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION.ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF PEOPLE TO LOOK OR BIKE OR USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR SHORT DISTANCES.
THIS IS A PROBLEM IN HOUSTON. WE IF YOU KEEP WIDENING THE STREETS -- WE NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITY TO USE ALTERNATIVE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION.
SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO SPEND A LARGE AMOUNT OF INCOME ON CARS.
THERE IS A QUALITY OF LIFE NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR EVERYONE. THAT IS ALL.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS JULIAN SPEAKING ON ITEM 1 IN PERSON. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.
>> HELLO COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS JOANNE.
I AM A REAL ESTATE AGENT I AM APPEARING ON CURRENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING FEEDBACK. ORGANIZATIONS HAVE STRUGGLED IN THE PAST. THEY ASK HOW INVOLVED ARE THE ARTS FOR THEMSELVES AND FUTURE CHILDREN.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE BY AUTHORIZING A PERCENT FOR ART FUND. PERCENT FOR ART FUND CAN INSURE EQUAL ACCESS. IMPROVING SOCIAL COLLECTIVISM AND EMPOWERING UNINCORPORATED GREATER AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE.
>> NEXT IS MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 1, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. HE PUT 50 MILLION DOLLARS TO PLANT TREES. HOW THAT WORKING? YOU HAVE AWARDED 13 MILLION DOLLARS TO BOSTON CONSULTANT GROUP. I VOIDED THE RESPONSES.
I HAVE BEEN TOLD I AM GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT SIX MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE RESPONSES. YOU HAVE PROVEN YOU ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED WITH COUNTY'S TAX FUNDS.
WE HAVE GIVEN YOU EVERY OUNCE OF TRUST AND YOU CONTINUALLY TAKE IT AND ABUSE IT. I FOUND HUNDREDS OF CONTRACTS TO DONATE TO HIDALGO AND AWARDED 10 MILLION DOLLARS FOR A COUNTY JAIL CERTIFICATE OR BOND PROGRAM.
WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF CRUSHING INFLATION.
COUNTY PEOPLE CONSTITUENTS SUFFERING.
THEY CAN'T PAY FOR GAS. HERE YOU ARE SITTING ON YOUR PHONES, IGNORING YOUR CONSTITUENTS IT IS SHAMEFUL.
I PROMISE YOU ARE GOING TO COMMIT POLITICAL SUICIDE IF YOU CONTINUE TO RAISE TAXES CREATE UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR
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CONSTITUENTS. YOU CAN CREATE FALSE SMEAR PIECES. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE TRUTH. THIS EQUITY IS GOING TO PEOPLE RODNEY, DONATING TO YOUR CAMPAIGNS.WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PROVE IT.
WE ARE GOING TO SHOW YOU ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED WITH TAX PAYOR'S FUNDS. I WILL BE WRITING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO THE DONORS NOT TO THE PEOPLE OF YOUR COUNTY.
REMEMBER HOW YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM THE -- [INAUDIBLE] THIS WAS YOU HAVEN'T RETURNED IT.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ALL RIGHT.
>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS? >> OKAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE. MR. RAMOS, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND COVERING WHY THIS IS NOT A TAX INCREASE.
>> THE COST FOR THE 1.2 BILLION IS 31 -- WE HAVE BEEN VERY DILIGENT PAYING OFF OUR BONDS EVEN ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE MINIMUM IS SO BOTH THE NUMERATOR AND DENOMINATOR TO CALCULATE TAX RATE. WE ARE PAYING, WE HAVE LESS BONDS TO PAY ARE ASSESSABLE BASE CONTINUES TO GO UP.
THE RATE HAS CONTINUED GO DOWN AND WILL CONTINUE TO GO DOWN.
FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. >> PUT IT IN LAYMEN'S TERMS, BUCKET OF MONEY I AM TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO CONVEY MORE CLEARLY. THAT WE ARE USING TO PAY IS ALREADY EMPTYING. WE ARE REFILLING SOMETHING
ALREADY EMPTYING? >> I WOULD EXPECT ALL COMMISSIONERS TO BE COMPLETELY SPENT DOWN OR ENCUMBERED.
WHEN YOU CALCULATE THE RATE HOW MUCH DEBT ARE WE TAKING OUT DIVIDED BY ACCUMULATIVE VALUE OF ALL PROPERTIES? THE RATE WILL CONTINUE TO GO DOWN.
>> OVERALL, THE TAX RATE UP OR DOWN OR STAYING THE SAME.
>> TAX RATE WILL GO DOWN EVEN WITH THE APPROVAL OF THIS BOND?
>> CORRECT. >> I WANT EVERYBODY TO HEAR
THAT. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.
>> I AM QUESTIONS MR. RAMOS ON DEBT.
JUST TO BE CLEAR ON REVENUES. THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH MISINFORMATION OUT THERE. REVENUES, TAX REVENUES HARRIS COUNTY INCREASED 60% LAST 10 YEARS.
IF YOU TAKE OUT THE JAIL 300 SOMETHING MILLION.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND IT IS NOT THE 75%
>> WE ARE GOING TO RUN THE COUNTY SYSTEM WITHOUT JAIL AND
JUDGES. >> WHAT YOU DEFINE AS LAW
ENFORCEMENT. >> I JUST STARTED I HAVE ASKED
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SOME QUESTIONS. I WANT TO GETS FACTS OUT THERE.I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF MISINFORMATION.
MR. RAMOS READING THE BUDGET ON DEBT.
THAT TOTALS 1$1,775,000 OF COMMERCIAL PAPER.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THOSE ACCOUNTS?
>> I WOULD NEED TO GET YOU THE BALANCE.
THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY 1.7 BILLION.
>> COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAM IN MOST INSTANCES TOOL.
WELL BELOW. >> THAT IS PRETTY CHEAP MONEY.
A LOT CHEAPER THAN BOND MONEY ACCURATE TO SAY THAN SEVEN BONDS. I AMIDE FIING WHERE MONEY IS.
SAME PAGE 41, 200 MILLION DOLLARS OF COMMERCIAL PAPER BASED ON REVENUE. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT
ACCOUNT? >> WE PAY DOWN COMMERCIAL PAPER
HOW MUCH IS AVAILABLE? >> I AM TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH
YOU, SIR? >> 1.7 BILLION AND 200 BILLION.
I WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH THE DEBT.
A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON MONEY AND DEBT.
WANT TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE.
WE ARE GOING TO CHECK ON THAT, TOO.
>> YOUR QUESTION, HOW MUCH ARE WE UTILIZING TODAY? FOR ONE YEAR, INTERIM KIND OF BASIS.
>> MY POINT WAS, I WAS ADVOCATING FOR OCTOBER BOND
>> CONVERSATION IS WE CAN'T MAKE IT TILL NEXT NOVEMBER 2023.
JUST SAYING PROBABLY POTS OF MONEY WE CAN USE TO GET THERE.
>> ARE YOU SPECIFIC TO ROADS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE OVERALL?
>> OTHER ONE, MR. RAMOS IS THE PAGE 41.
HARRIS COUNTY WILL PAY OFF 193 MILLION GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT FISCAL YEAR, 2023. IS THAT PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST?
>> I AM ON PAGE 43 ON THAT PAGE WE LIFT BUDGET BOOK LOOKS LIKE WE ISSUED ALL THOSE, 215 BOND ISSUE TALKED ABOUT A LOT, IT IS 510 MILLION UNISSUED. THERE IS 137,730 INCUMBRANCES IS
THAT COMMERCIAL? >> THAT IS GENERALLY COMMERCIAL.
FOR THE GROUP THERE IS A PO SET AGAINST IT.
>> STILL 373 MILLION. 215 ROAD BONDS AVAILABLE.
THERE ARE 34 MILLION PARK BONDS TOTALLY 407 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF BONDS AVAILABLE MR. RAMOS, WHAT IS THE PLAN
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RELATED TO THESE BONDS? >> UNFORTUNATELY I AM IN THE
POSITION OF ASKING THE BODY. >> RIGHT NOW THERE IS NOT A PLAN
FOR THOSE BONDS. >> EVERY OFFICE IS IN THAT
POSITION. >> DO YOU THINK INTEREST RATE IS
INCREASING ON BOND SALES? >> I WOULD EXPECT THEM TO HOVER.
COME DOWN AS INFLATION COMES DOWN.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE DEBT BEFORE WE VOTE.
>> I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE ANY VOTES.
>> I WOULD LIKE TRANSPARENCY ON WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON
COMMISSIONER. >> MOTION ON THE TABLE.
>> COMMISSIONER SPENT ALL HIS MONEY.
THAT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. >> I PUT THE ITEM IN MOTION,
BOND IN MOTION DECEMBER 2021. >> TO BE HERE AT THIS LATE HOUR TRYING TO DO WORK THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE MONTHS AGO.
WE FIRST WE LAST TALKED ABOUT THIS.
I [INAUDIBLE] >> WE ARE GOING TO AT 3:20 SQUELCH WHEN WE HAVE BEEN AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING DEALING WITH A BIG BOND ISSUE. I HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED LET ALONE THE DISCUSSION WHETHER THIS IS MERITORIOUS. I AM LOOKING AT THREE NEW MOTIONS FROM DOES THAT DO AWAY FROM WHAT WAS AT THE COUNTY
JUDGE'S OFFICE, JAY? >> I AM NOT FAMILIAR?
>> SUBMITTED ITEM 1. SECTION 10 CERTAIN INTENTIONS THIS WAS A LONG DOCUMENT WITH ITEMS IN THERE, INCLUDING TERMS WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? SEVEN DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS.
WE HAD WORST FIRST TERMINOLOGY WITH THE BOND.
AFTER WORDS REDEFINED. WHAT DEFINITION ARE WE GOING TO
HAVE SEVEN DIFFERENT WAYS. >> SURE, COMMISSIONER THAT IS THE ACTUAL BOND ORDER. DURING THE LAST MEETING.
MEANT TO MEMORIALIZE IT BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE COLLECTIVE WILL OF THE COURT WAS AT THE TIME. SO DOES THE MOTION ON THE TABLE THERE HAS BEEN A MOTION TO CALL ENCOMPASS --
>> YES. >> HOW SO THIS IS THREE, THAT
THAT IS ALLOWABLE. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE IT THAT WAY.
>> THAT IS NOT WHAT WE HAVE DONE.
>> SORRY? >> I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR
CONFUSION. >> I BELIEVE YOUR PRECINCTS NEED
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THE MONEY. EACH RECEIVE 220 MILLION DOLLARS AND CUT OUT OF THAT. PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDINGS HERE.SO THAT WAS A MOTION WE PASSED LAST TIME.
TODAY IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, JAY, WE ARE DOING A THIS IS HOW YOU GET BY LAW THIS IS TWHA YOU HAVE TO SAY IN ORDER TORE GET THINGS ON THE BALLOT. BOTH IN TERMS OF THE LANGUAGE THAT WOULD BE PUT FORTH AT LOCATIONS ON OUR COUNTY WEBSITE.
AS WELL AS DON'T BUILDINGS. THIS ORDER APPLIES TO EACH OF
THOSE. >> COLLEAGUES, PLEASE, LAST COURT, I WORKED HARD TO TRY TO GET YOU TO SUPPORT THIS, BECAUSE I BELIEVE EVEN IF YOU DON'T VOTE FOR IT.
UNLIKE WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING.
I WORK TO SEE IF I CAN EARN YOUR VOTE FOR THIS BOND AND WE TALKED ABOUT FURTHER DEFINING AND WE TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT SPLITS.
THAT WAS WAS AMENABLE. HAVING DISCUSSION WE ARE JUST PLAYING A PART. I MYSELF PERSONALLY BURNED THE MITT NIGHT OIL. I AM STILL DOING IT.
I STILL MADE THE MOTION. SET TO MAY COLLEAGUE.
I WILL NOT SUPPORT IT UNLESS WE HAVE 220 MILLION.
THEY ARE MY CONSTITUENTS, TOO. I GREW UP IN CYPRESS IN KATIE.
THERE IS A MOTION TO CALL THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECOND ALL IN FAVOR?
>> WAIT A MINUTE, DON'T I GET TO VOTE ON THE MOTION TO CALL THE
QUESTION? >> I OPPOSE THE LA LA LAND NOT EVEN BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES OF THIS BOND.
>> MOTION CARRIES 3-2. WE HAVE HAD HOURS OF DISCUSSION.
>> DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE POLLING LOCATIONS ARE YOU REFERENCED?
>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION. >> COMMISSIONER WE HAVE ATTACHED ON THERE THE OLD LOCATIONS FROM THE DA'S OFFICE GIVEN TO US AT THE TIME. NOW SINCE BEEN REVISED.
POLLING LOCATIONS THEMSELVES ARE BEING UPDATED.
SO ON THE AGENDA ON TUESDAY, YOU WILL SEE THE POLLING LOCATION.
>> THEY WILL BE REVEALED ON TUESDAY?
>> I BELIEVE THAT IS CORRECT. >> EVEN THOUGH WE ARE VOTING ON
IT TODAY. >> SO THE ORDER IN THE POLLING LOCATIONS ON HERE BECAUSE THE ORDERED REQUIRES LIST OF CURRENT POLLING LOCATIONS. THEY CAN BE UPDATED.
THIS BODY WILL VOTE ON A FINAL LIST WHICH I BELIEVE IS TUESDAY,
DEA IS AWARE OF THAT. >> THIS IS A TENTATIVE LIST OF THE LOCATIONS. I UNDERSTAND IT THEY HAVE
CHANGED FROM WHAT WE HAVE SEEN. >> IT IS WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS
DONE. >> IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE PROBLEM.
WE HAVE A WINDOW OF TIME WE HAVE TO CALL THE ELECTION.
IT IS A GESH YEAH TO PROCESS BETWEEN DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT --
>> OTHER THEN THAT, IT IS THE REQUIRED LANGUAGE.
>> MOTION AND SECT SECOND ON THE TABLE.
>> WOULD YOU REMIND REPEATING THE MOTION?
>> FIRST MOTION: MOVE APPROVAL ORDER CALLING FOR ELECTION
[00:55:04]
NOVEMBER 8TH 2022. AMOUNT OF 100 MILLION DOLLARS.SECOND MOTION: MOVE APPROVAL OF ORDER CALLING FOR ELECTION NOVEMBER 8TH, 2022 AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF ROAD BONDS 900 MILLION DOLLARS. CALLING FOR ELECTION NOVEMBER 8TH, 2022 AUTHORIZE ISSUANCE OF PARK BONDS 200 MILLION DOLLARS.
>> JUDGE IF WE CAN HAVE A VOTE INDIVIDUALLY.
>> REREAD THE FIRST ONE. >> I MOVE MOTION 1.
>> ARE YOU CLEAR ON WHAT THAT IS, JAMES?
>> YES, MA'AM. MOTION AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR?
>> AM I ALLOWED TO VOTE? >> MY VOTE WILL BE NO IF
ALLOWED. >> I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 3-2. MOTION FOR 2?
>> MOTION 3, SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND ON MOTION 3. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I AM FAVOR MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
ANYTHING ELSE, JAY >> NOTHING ELSE.
THANK YOU TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR YOUR WORK.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. IT IS
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.