Sep 13, 2022 Commissioners Court

[Father Christopher Shackleford of St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Channelview.]

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>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GET STARTED. IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD

INTRODUCE OUR GUEST. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

IS FATHER ON ZOOM? >> COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER

HE IS ON. >> I WANT TO THANK FATHER SHACKLEFORD. HE IS A CATHOLIC PRIEST OF THE ARCHDIOCESE AND AFTER GRADUATING FROM ENNIS HIGH SCHOOL HERE IN -- HE EARNED A BACHELOR'S WITH A MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY.

HE WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF DAHL DISSAL, BUT WE WILL FOR -- OF DALLAS, BUT WE WILL FORGIVE YOU FOR THAT.

HE RECEIVED HIS MASTER OF DIVINITY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS. DURING HIS 31 YEARS OF ORDAIN MINISTRY, FATHER CHRISTOPHER HAS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF PARISHES AND MINISTRY POSITIONS SERVING AT ST. ANDREW CATHOLIC CHURCH SINCE 2003. HE IS THE FIRST BILINGUAL PASTOR IN THE 52-YEAR HISTORY. AND HE FEELS BLESSED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY USING HIS ENGLISH AND SPANISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS. FATHER CHRISTOPHER HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED ON THE LEADERSHIP.

THE LOCAL CHURCH VIEWERS AND RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS GATHER MONTHLY TO FILL THE MISSION TO TEAM UP TO LOVE AND SERVE CHANNEL VIEW.

FATHER CHRISTOPHER LOVES THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH HE HAS SERVED FOR ALMOST 19 YEARS AS THE PASTOR OF ST. ANDREW CHURCH.

IN HIS PERSONAL TIME HE ENJOYS, READING, TRAVELING, HIS FAMILY GENEALOGY TKORB TKORB -- OR STUDIES FAMILY GENEALOGY AND SPENDING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY. FATHER SHACKELFORD, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO IN THE CHANNEL VIEW COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU. IT IS MYAS PLEURE.

LET US PRAY. LOVING GOD OF POWER AND MIGHT AND WISDOM AND JUSTICE, E CREATR OFVERYTHING THAT HAS LIFE.

THROUGH YOU, ALL JUST AUTHORITY IS RIGHTLY ADMINISTERED.

WE WOMAN TOGETHER IN YOUR PRESENCE INVOKING YOUR SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING AND COUNSEL UPON THESE MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

AS THEY HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, MAY THEY WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF THE PEOPLE THEY ARE HERE TO REPRESENT AND GOVERN WHEN THEY ADMINISTERED THEIR AUTHORITY IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE DIGNITY OF ALL PERSONS IS RESPECTED AND THE RIGHT JUDGMENT IS DECREED.

MAY THEY ALWAYS SEEK THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTICE AND MERCY SO THAT ALL PEOPLE MAY ENJOY AUTHENTIC FREEDOM, SECURITY AND PEACE. THAT THEY MAY BE ENABLED BY YOUR POWERFUL PROTECTION TO LEAD THE COUNTY WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. WE INVOKE YOUR BLESSING UPON THEM AS THEY ENTER INTO DELIBERATION AND DISCERNMENT FOR THE SERVICE OF YOUR PEOPLE. WE ASK ALL THIS IN YOUR MOST

HOLY NAME, AMEN. >> AMEN.

>> FATHER, THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DID AT CHANNELVIEW COMMUNITY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFUL LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU.

>> GOD BLESS YOU TOO. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, FATHER SHACKELFORD. WE HILLARY SIGHT -- WE WILL

RECITE THE PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDERGOD

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HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THIS.

TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDERGOD, ONE AN INDIVISIBLE.

[Departments (Part 1 of 7) ]

>> WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT HEARING TO START WITH TODAY.

THE AIM OF I WOULD SAY PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE AIM TO DO TODAY, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DUTIES WE HAVE AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS TO ADOPT A TAX RATE AND TO ADOPT A BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COUNTY CONTINUES TO FUNCTION. AND SO WE ARE GONNA GET TO THOSE ITEMS FIRST. THAT INVOLVES SOME PUBLIC HEARINGS. THE PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE IS GOING TO BE A 1% TAX DECREASE -- A TAX RATE DECREASE FROM LAST YEAR WHICH IS THE LOWEST COMBINED TAX RATE IN 30 YEARS.

IT IS A 6% CUMULATIVE DECREASE IN THE OVERALL TAX RATE OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE FROM THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE HEARING, I AM GOING TO BE CALLING ON FOLKS.

I KNOW WE RECEIVED SOME MATERIALS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND CEO DR. PORSA JOINED ME YESTERDAY ALONG WITH OUR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE DIRECTOR ALSO JOINED ME. BUT JUST TO GO OVER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE TAX RATE AND THE BUDGET WERE NOT ADOPTED.

SOME OF WHAT WE DISCUSSED, FOR EXAMPLE IS THE NECESSITY OF HAVING TO POSSIBLY CUT BACK ON FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS, THE FLOOD BOND PROJECTS. WE NEED FUNDS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE INABILITY TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE UP FOR HEALTH DEMAND IN THE COUNTY.

WE GOT A LETTER FROM VARIOUS PRIVATE HOSPITALS SAYING IF WE DON'T ADOPT THE TAX RATE FOR THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT EVERY PERSON INLI PUBC HEALTH COULD SEE THEMSELVES AFFECTED.

IT IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC AND I'M EAGER TO GET TO IT. I DO WANT TO FIND -- YES, COMMISSIONER, BRIEFLY THISER IS THE LETT FROM THE CEO OF THE HARRIS HEALTH HOSPITAL. THEY SAID, AND I QUOTE, WE WILL HAVE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS FOR EVERY HOSPITAL AND EVERY PATIENT AND EVERY EMPLOYER AND EVERY RESIDENT IN THE COUNTY.

EMERGENCY ROOM WAIT TIMES WILL INCREASE AS WELL AS WAIT TIMES FOR CARE. WE HEARD FROM MR. RAMOS AS WELL AND I I CAN INVITE YOU TO SHARE THAT.

THERE ARE 400 OPENINGS IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FORCES.

THEY ARE FULLY FUNDED, BUT STRUGGLING TO FILL.

IF WE WANT TO GIVE BACK UP TO THE POLICE OFFICERS OUT THERE AND CARE ABOUT TACKLING CRIME AND SEE MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, THE BOOTS NEED FEET TO FILL THEM.

THE BOOTS ARE THERE, BUT THEY ARE SITTING EMPTY.

THE WAY TO FILL THOSE BOOTS IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PAYING THESE OFFICERS ENOUGH. AND SO THE PROPOSAL ALSO INCLUDES A 6% RAISE FOR A COUPLE YEARS FOR THE FRONT LINE OFFICERS AND THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO DO THEIR JOBS. SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT WHETHER IT IS FLOOD CONTROL OR PUBLIC HEALTH AND WHETHER IT IS THE ABILITY TO FIGHT VIRUSES LIKE MONKEY -- MONKEYPOX AND COVID AND MAINTAIN THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT OR WHETHER IT IS BASIC NEEDS LIKE KEEPING UP WITH FOOD INSPECTIONS IN OUR RESTAURANTS.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD BASIC SERVICES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND THAT IS WHAT TODAY IS ABOUT. AND JUST TO CLARIFY, IF WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING -- WE HAVE EVERY OPTION, BUT IF WE DON'T MANAGE THESE LOSSES AND THE WAY WE WOULD ACTUALLY ADOPT THE TAX RATE AND BUDGET AND AT LEAST ONE OF THESE TWO CHAIRS ARE FILLED TODAY. AND AGAIN, THIS IS NOT JUST ME.

IT IS ALSO THE CEO'S OF MEMORIAL HERMAN METHODIST AND BAYLOR AND OUR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT DIRECTOR AND OUR HOSPITAL DISTRICT CEO, DR. PORSA WHO JOINED US AND WAS THE CEO IN

DALLAS. >> I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL

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I WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THESE KINDS OF SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY GOING FORWARD.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I CONFER.

WE HAVE TO GOVERN AND WE HAVE PROGRESS TO MAINTAIN.

WE HAVE PEOPLE TO SERVE. AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE RESOURCE THAT'S ARE NECESSARY IS CRITICAL.

WE HAVE DONE THAT. THE FIRST THAT HAVE BEEN DONE AND I THINK IT IS THE PREVIOUS 10 YEARS, IS THAT ACCURATE,

MR. BERRY? >> I'M SORRY.

WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION? >> THE INCREASE IN SENIOR, THE PREVIOUS WAS IN TIN -- 10 YEARS, 2019? AND WE WERE DILIGENT ABOUT PAYING DOWN OUR DEBT SERVICE.

SO WE ARE LISTENING TO THE CHALLENGES THAT FOLKS ARE FACING AND WE HAVE RESPONDED IN KIND WHILE MAINTAINING A LEVEL OF SERVICE ANDEI BNGE ABL TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY.

WEUP HAVE A COLE OF COLLEAGUES THAT DIDN'T SHOW UP AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE. I MOVE TO HEAR ALL SPEAKERS FOR ITEMS 321 AND 322 AND 323, AND 325.

AND THEN TAKE 325 OUT OF ORDER AND ITEMS 321, 322 AND 323 OUT

OF ORDER. >> LINA HIDALGO: I NEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS. OBVIOUSLY THE HOUR IS EARLY AND WE WILL SEE WHAT DOES HAPPEN. I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE. IT IS A LITTLE CLEARER TO ME NOW, BUT I WANT TO HAVE MR. RAMOS AND MR. BERRY AND LEGAL WEIGH IN. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE HAVE TO FIRST ADOPT A RATE. WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION THE STATE HAS PUT IN PLACE, IF WE ADOPT A BUDGET -- IF WE DON'T ADOPT THE RATE TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE WILL HAVE, AND WE ADOPT A BUDGET, THEN WE WOULD BE LOCKED IN IN CERTAIN CATEGORIES EVEN IF WE HAVE LESS MONEY. I WANT TO JUST WALK THROUGH THAT WITH YOU MAYBE, MR. BERRY TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS.

>> I WILL START AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE DETAILS THAT CAN BE FILLED IN. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO -- OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE SOME DISCUSSIONS DURING THIS PROCESS, BUT IT IS TO FIRST ADOPT -- CONSIDER THE TAX RATE.

IF THERE ARE FOUR MEMBERS OF COURT HERE, THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION ON THE TABLE ON THE TAX RATE.

IN FACT, DUE TO THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS, THOSE ARE THE ONLY RATES THAT CAN BE ADOPTED TODAY. IF THERE IS NOT -- IF THERE ARE NOT FOUR MEMBERS, OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO TAKE

NO ACTION. >> ON THE RATE?

>> ON THE RATE. >> AND BY STATUTE OUT, IT DEFAULTS TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND I'M SURE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE CUTS INVOLVED THERE. ON THE BUDGET IT IS TO ADOPT A BUDGET EITHER WAY. AND THAT'S BECAUSE BY LAW COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT A BUDGET.

AND UP IN 17 DAYS WE HAVE A NEW FISCAL YEAR.

AND WHILE THERE IS OBVIOUSLY CUTS TO SERVICES IF WE HAVE A LOWER BUDGET, BEST TO HAVE A BUDGET IN PLACE SO THAT WE DON'T , YOU KNOW, MAKE THINGS WORSE THAN THEY WILL BE ANYWAY.

AND SO THAT WOULD BE OUR RECOMMENDATION HERE IF WE ADOPT THE LOWER BUDGET. COMMISSIONERS' COURT CAN CHOOSE TO RESTORE SOME OF THE FUNDING IN THE BUDGET.

THAT'S TO SAVE FOR A LATER DATE. THERE IS A PATH FORWARD ON TAX RATES. YOU CAN GO UP, BUT TO YOUR POINT GOING DOWN IS MUCH HARDER AND NOT TO MENTION I THINK IT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO BUDGET THE MONEY WE HAVE RATHER THAN

MONEY WE MIGHT HAVE. >> ALSO BECAUSE IT IS A NEW LAW.

PART OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN MY OPINION STKUZ -- DOES INDICATE IT WAS HASTILY DRAFTED. IT MAY END UP IN COURT REGARD LEST IF -- REGARDLESS. THERE ARE A LOT OF UNKNOWN

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I KNOW IF WE WENT AHEAD AND ADOPTED A MUCH LOWER AMOUNT OF SPENDING, WE COULD ALWAYS AMEND THAT AS I READ THE STATUTE.

IF WE ADD SOMETHING TO IT, THAT'S NOT THE ADOPTED BUDGET.

I'M JUST TRYING TO SEE IF WE GO WITH THE BUDGET THAT YOU ALL PROPOSE. IF WE ADOPT THAT TODAY AND THEN WE END UP GOING WITH A NO NEW REVENUE RATE IN ADDITION TO OUR COLLEAGUES MAYBE NOT SHOWING UP AS ANOTHER FACTOR THAT COULD COME IN TO PLAY AND WE END UP WITH A NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WOULD WE END UP HAVING TO CUT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS BASE WE WOULD HAVE ADOPTED THE BUDGET THAT YOU ALL RECOMMENDED AND

THAT WE DISCUSSED. >> TOUT P IT BLUNTLY, I DON'T THINKRE THE IS A PATH FORWARD IT.OUT THEAT TAX RE TO BACK

IT WOULD BE. >> AND WE CAN AMENDE IT.

IF WHAVE MORE MONEY, WEIT CAN AMEND .

>> YOU CAN GO UP AND THAT WOULD BEN. OUR RECOMMENDATIO KEEP THE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS ON THE TKAEUBL IF THERE -- KEEP THEON ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS THE TABLE.

DON'T APPROVE THEM WITHOUT THE MONEY TOON BACK THEM.

COMMISSIER, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME PUTTING A POINT ON IT, IT WOULD BE TWO ISSUES WITH ADOPTING A PROPOSED BUDGET.

ONE YOU ELUDE TO IS SENATE BILL 23.

IF WE ARE ALLOCATING LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING WE CAN'T AFFORD WE CAN'T TAKE IT AWAY. THE OTHER IS BASIC FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OF -- AS YOU PUT IT, KNOW HOW MUCH IS ON THE DEBIT CARD BEFORE YOU SPEND IT. WHETHER NOW OR OTHERWISE, I THINK THERE IS SOME -- THERE IS A PROCEDURAL POINT ABOUT ADOPTING A BUDGET AND THE ORDER IN WHICH THINGS SHOULD BE TAKEN

THAT CAN BE FILLED IN ON. >> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD ON ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON SB23, WE RECOMMEND TAKING THAT CONVERSATION INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

>> IF YOU DON'T MIND, I THINK IT IS THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF THE BUDGET OFFICE AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND THE VIEW OF COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT WE CAN ADOPT A BUDGET NOTWITHSTANDING SOME OF THE SB23 ISSUES GOING ON GIVEN THAT EFFECTIVELY THE COMPTROLLER BACKED OFF AND WE COULDN'T ADOPT A BUDGET AND THE NEED TO DO IT, THE NECESSITY TO DO IT, OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO GO AHEAD. THERE MAY BE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS AND CHALLENGES ON THAT, BUT WE CAN'T PRESS PAUSE ON GOVERNMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M ASSUMING WE WOULD HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC IF THAT MAKES SENSE, AND THEN AT SOME POINT GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND SORT OUT WHAT WE ARE DOING.

I GET IT. I KNOW THAT A BUDGET IS PROBABLY THE BEST REFLECTION OF OUR VALUES THAT ANYTHING WE CAN -- THAN ANYTHING WE CAN DO. WE ONLY HAVE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS AT OUR DISPOSAL TO DISTRIBUTE.

IF WE HAVE TO MAKE DRAW CONE -- DRACONIAN CUTS, THEN THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO. SOME DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP FUNDING AND SOME WE DON'T. WE WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.

>> SO OUR RECOMMENDATION AND THIS WAS SENT TO YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF EARLIER THIS MORNING WAS TO ADOPT THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR 22 ANNUAL LIESED BUDGET. ANNUALIZED BUDGET.

IT DOES COMPLY WITH SB23. WE STILL NEED -- LIKE THE JAIL.

WE ARE LEGALLY MANDATED TO PROVIDE A CERTAIN STAFFING LEVEL FOR THE JAIL THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD UNDER THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR 22 APPROPRIATION LEVEL. THERE ARE OTHER THINGS, SB6, REPORTED REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE MANDATED THAT WE WE NEED -- THAT WE NEED. WE ARE SETTING A BASELINE AND IT IS LIKELY WE NEED TO GO AND IDENTIFY 30 MILLION, 40 MILLION IN ADDITION TO THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE ICEBERG. ME AND MY TEAM HAVE WORKED TO PROVIDE THAT BASELINE AND GIVE THAT FAIR WARNING TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY.

WE WILL NEED TO GO AND MAKE FURTHER CUTS IN ORDER TO AFFORD OUR LEGALLY-MANDATED RESPONSIBILITIES AS A COUNTY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LAST POINT. I KNOW THAT FOR A DECADE BEFORE THESE LAST THREE YEARS AND I WANT TO STRESS THAT AS MUCH AS WE ARE ALL PROUD TO SAY THAT WE GAVE BACK $500 MILLION AND WE CAN PUT ANOTHER 500 BOOTS ON THE GROUND, BUT YOU CAN'T PAY FOR THEM. THAT'S THE 500 MILLION RIGHT THERE. I MEAN, I GET IT.

I KNOW IT IS THE POLITICAL SEASON, BUT YOU KNOW THE RHETORIC. YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

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I'M CONVINCED THAT WE WILL HAVE BETTER NUMBERS IN EVERY CATEGORY IN O TERMSF CRIME.CE ON THAT LAW PASSES, YOU CAN NEVER TAKE IT OUT. THAT'S WHAT THE LAW MANDATES.

OKAY, THANK YOU. >> I KNOW WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF CALLING THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT WE DO HAVE SOME SPECIAL GUESTS, SOME RESOLUTIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO RESPECT THEM AND DEAL WITH THE RESOLUTIONS AND THEN GO INTO THE PUBLIC HEARING.

OUT OF THE TWO I WOULD DO I WILL HOLD ONE, BUT THERE IS ONE OF OUR GUESTS THAT IS HERE AND I KNOW THE PUBLIC HEARING IS GOING

TO BE LENGTHY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE TAKE YOURS AND I WILL HOLD MINE, COMMISSIONER.

I WANT TO GET TO THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I CAN

HOLD MINE AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THIS YOUNG LADY THAT IS WITH US.

WE ARE BEGINNING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION AND I'M SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO BEGIN THIS YEAR'S ROUND OF RECOGNITIONS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE SOME PHENOMENAL THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY. FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE, I HAD THE PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE OF STUDYING ART AT THE SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS THANKS TO A ART CONTEST I WON.

AND THEN PART OF THE PRIZE WAS SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS. I WAS PRETTY GOOD.

HOWEVER, MY LATE BROTHER WAS THE REAL TALENT IN OUR FAMILY.

I DON'T THINK EITHER ONE OF US CAN COMPARE WITH THIS YEAR'S FIRST HONOREE. THE FIRST HONOREE IS A LOCAL ARTIST. ROSE TORO TOUCHES SO MANY PLACES THAT LOOK ORDINARY BEFORE SHE GETS THERE.

AFTER SHE LEAVES, THEY LOOK EXTRAORDINARY, AND SO THIS RESOLUTION IS IN HONOR OF ROSE TR -- ROSE TORO, ROSALINDA.

WE ARE RECOGNIZING LEADERS FOR REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND MAKING THE NEIGHBORHOODS BETTER PLACES TO LIVE.

WE SALUTE ROSALINDA R R*EU N -- RINCON TORO WHO WORKS A SPAN FROM STAINED GLASS, MOSAICS AND WOOD CARVIGS AND PAINTING -- CARVINGS AND PAINTINGS AND MORE. I HAVE A PAIR OF BRONZE COMBAT BOOTS THAT THANKS TO YOUR THINKING, WE WERE ABLE TO PRESERVE THE BOOTS AND THEY ARE IN MY OFFICE.

I AM ALWAYS SO HONORED TO HAVE THEM THERE.

WHEREAS KNOWN AS ROSE SHE IS A COLUMBIAN BORN U.S. CITIZEN AND HOUSTONIAN SINCE 1999. SHE HAS A 36-YEAR CAREER WHOSE INSPIRATION COMES PRIMARILY FROM HER CARIBBEAN ROOTS AND MOTHER NATURE. AND WHEREAS AS EARLY AS 1986 SHE STARTED CREATING METAL AND KHRAOEU SCULPTURE -- AND CLAY SCULPTURES. HER TALENT FOR COMBINING DIFFERENT MEDIA WITHIN AN AESTHETICALLY PLEASING COMPETITION RESULTS IN BEAUTIFUL WORKS CONCEIVED WITH TEXTURES, BALANCE AND VOLUME. WHEREAS TODAY ROSE HAS 200 PROJECTS AND OVER 60 OF THESE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HOUSTON METROPOLITAN AREA. TWO OF HEROR WKS, "WITNESS TO FREEDOM" AND ABSOLUTE VICTOR -- AND"BS AOLUTE VICTORY" ARE INSTALLED AT H THEOUSTONER VETAN MEMORIAL PARK ANDT PAROF THE PERMANENT ART COLLECTION OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

WHEREAS ART WITH AND FOR THECO MMUNITY ISS ROSE' PASSION AND PERSONALTM COMMIENT. WORKINGDI WITH VERSERE CULTUS AND CHILDREN ANDS FAMILIE PROMOTESIC THE ENRHMENT OF THESU

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AND WE AAT GRATEFUL FOR ALL TH YOU DO.

YOUR BIGGEST FANS AND SO PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT AND YOUR PASSION WITH US

ALL. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK. YOU, COMMISSIONERS' COURT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF US AT ALL TIMES WHEN WE SKR -- WHEN WE HAVE HURRICANES ANDS. FLOODING D ALL OF THI THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMUNITIES -- THANK YOU FOR OUG COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORTI THE ART. A LET'S CONTINUE TO CREATERT FOR THE COMMUNITY. I AM HONORED AND BLESSED TO BE HERE TODAY AND ESPECIALLY THAT HAVE -- THAT I HAVE PROJECTS ALL OVER HARRIS COUNTY WHICH IS GREAT. I DIVERSE COMMUNITY IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT, HOUSTON.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. AND YOU ARE JOINED BY YOUR

BIGGEST FAN, HER HUSBAND.: >> YES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIATHANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

I JUST GOT SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC. I WILL READ THIS AND THEN ASK DIRECTOR BARBIE ROBINSON TO JOIN US AND SHARE THE IMPACT OF THIS COLLEAGUES NOT SHOWING UP. NEWS RELEASE JUST CAME ON.

IT IS BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. IT IS SAYING THAT -- THE HEADLINE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE USES STATE LAW TO EASE THE CRUSH ON PROPERTY TAXES ON COUNTY RESIDENTS.

SO INNING -- INSTEAD OF BEING HERE HE SENT A NEWS RELEASE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE -- HE HAS JOINED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IN DECLINING TO ATTEND TODAY'S MEETING SO THERE IS NO QUORUM.

HE IS BRAGGING THAT HE HAS DECLINED OUR ABILITY TO FUND COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WHAT I SEE IS TWO COLLEAGUES THAT DON'T HAVE A PLAN. THEY HAVE A CAMPAIGN AD.

IT IS A REALLY NICE CAMPAIGN AD HERE, A NEWS RELEASE, THAT COMES OUT WHEN WE HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD THE PUBLIC HEARING OR THE COMMUNITY. IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THE FOLKS THAT ARE CAUGHT IN THE CROSS FIRE ARE THE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, AS I READ EARLIER FROM ALL OF OUR HOSPITALS.

MEMORIAL HERMAN, METHODIST AND OTHERS.

THEY SAY VERY, VERY CLEARLY WE WILL HAVE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS FOR EVERY HOSPITAL AND EVERY PATIENT AND EVERY EMPLOYER AND EVERY RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY. EMERGENCY ROOM WAIT TIMES WILL INCREASE AS WILL WAIT TIMES FOR CARE.

THE RESPONSE TO THAT IS THIS NEWS RELEASE.

BRAGGING ON NOT COMING OUT SO THAT THEY CAN DO A CAMPAIGN AD.

HERE IS THE FIRST STEP ON THAT CAMPAIGN AD.

OF COURSE, HE IS THE ONE THAT IS UP FOR RE-ELECTION.

BLOWING UP OUR ABILITY TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY BY USING A PROCEDURAL STRATEGY TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS.

EVERY SINGLE DAY PEOPLE NEED POLICE PROTECTION.

THEY NEED HEALTH SERVICES. THEY ARE ENTITLED TO GET THEM.

WE HAVE 3,000 PEOPLE AND I WILL CALL ON DR. PORSA LATER TO EXPLAIN THAT AS WELL. WE HAVE 3,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING FOR COLON NOSE ASK YOU PEA -- COLONOSCOPYS.

THAT'S WHAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TAX RATE WOULD DO.

IT WOULD GIVE THESE PEOPLE COLONOSCOPYS.

THE RESPONSE IS NEWS RELEASE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE USES STATE LAW TO EASE THE CRUSH OF PROPERTY TAXES.

NEWS RELEASE, WE SET THE LOWEST TAX RATE IN 30 YEARS, LOWER THAN

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IT'S A SAD DAY. IT'S A SAD DAY WHEN POLITICS CHALLENGES DEMOCRACY AND NOW POLITICS CHALLENGES THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE HEALTH SERVICES, THE FLOOD CONTROL AND IT IS THE MOST APOLITICAL TOPIC. BY NOT SHOWING UP, THEY ARE FORCING CUTS. THEY ARE PLAYING GAMES AROUND THE ELECTION. THE RESULT WILL BE FEWER POLICE.

THE RESULT WILL BE LESS HEALTHCARE.

THE RESULT WILL BE UNSAFE COMMUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING. WE HAVE A PRACTICAL, REAL LIFE PROPOSAL THAT WILL CONTINUE TO ADD FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WE HAVE DONE EVERY YEAR SINCE I HAVE BEEN COUNTY JUDGE.

FROM 2019 THERE HAS BEEN AN AVERAGE OF A 23% INCREASE ON EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. 24% INCREASE FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. OVER SIX SENIOR PROSECUTORS.

26% INCREASE FOR THE SHERIFF AND 16% INCREASE FOR THE CONSTABLES AND AN INCREASE FOR EVERY SINGLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

THE HIGHEST PAID DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, ENTRY LEVEL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. A $1.4 BILLION PROPOSAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT NO LONGER WILL BE POSSIBLE.

$100 MILLION FOR THE SHERIFF, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE CONSTABLES, THAT THEY ARE PREVENTING US FROM PASSING.

THAT WOULD ADD INVESTIGATORS FOR VIOLENT CRIMES.

THAT WOULD ADD 6.25% RAISES SO WE CAN FILL THOSE 400 EMPTY BOOTS WHERE WE CAN'T RECRUIT THOSE OFFICERS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BEING PAID ENOUGH. THAT'S WHAT HE IS DOING TO RUN THIS CAMPAIGN AD. I THINK THE COMMUNITY IS SMARTER THAN THAT, AND I AM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THIS.

SKWR-PL NOT GONNA -- I AM NOT GONNA LET HARRIS COUNTY'S ABILITY TO MEET SUCH BASIC NEEDS GO DOWN EASILY.

WHAT I WANT TO DO TODAY IS HEAR FROM OUR VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.

I WANT THE MEDIA AND I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO HEAR WHAT WILL NOT GET DONE SO HE CAN HAVE THIS CAMPAIGN AD.

I WILL CALL THE DEPARTMENTS. GET READY.

I WILL CALL THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT AND WHAT KINDS OF THINGS YOU WILL HAVE TO CUT. I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE TO* DO THE MATH. YOU COULD HAVE TO CUT EITHER THIS OR THIS OR THAT. YOU WILL HAVE TO OPERATE THIS YEAR'S NEEDS WITH A BUDGET THAT DOES NOT MEET THIS YEAR'S NEEDS.

WE RECEIVED SOME MATERIALS FROM SOME DEPARTMENTS AND I AM GOING TO CALL ON AND HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

COUNTY ATTORNEY AND COUNTY BUDGET DIRECTOR.

>> JUDGE I WAS GOING TO LET YOU KNOW IF WE CAN TAKE A BREAK FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. APPARENTLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE INTERNET AND SO THE STREAMING IS CUTTING OFF.

I THINK I.T. WOULD LIKE TO RESET IT IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. LET ME FINISH THIS SO THEY CAN START GETTING READY. FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE COUNTY BUDGET DIRECTOR, WE HAVE TO ADOPT A BUDGET BY SEPTEMBER 20TH. WE HAVE -- WITH THE NOTICE FOR THE TAX RATE WE ALREADY PUT OUT, THE NOTICE IS VALID FOR SEVEN DAYS. I WILL NOT MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO DEFUND OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. I WANT YOU TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN REPOST THIS MEETING FOR TOMORROW, THE DAY AFTER.

THE DAY AFTER. THE DAY AFTER THE DAY AFTER UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20TH. SO WE CAN COME AND HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENTS DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20TH. I WILL NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT COMMUNITY HEARING WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY.

DEFUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT $100 MILLION AND PUTTING OUR HOSPITAL DISTRICT $45 MILLION IN DEFICIT.

WE WILL HEAR FROM DR. PORSA ON THAT.

HE SHARED IT WITH THE PRESS. NUMBERING THE C -- THE CEO OF MEMORIAL HERMAN AND SAINT LUKE'S AND OF BAYLOR.

WHEN YOU NEED A HOSPITAL BED, YOUR ER WILL HAVE LONGER WAIT TIMES BECAUSE MY PAL RIGHT HERE WANTS TO HAVE A CAMPAIGN AD.

PLEASE WORK ON THAT. I WILL KOPBLG -- I WILL COME BACK AND WE WILL START WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN WE DO A PICTURE WITH MS. TORO?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. AND WE WILL TAKE THE REST OF THE

RESOLUTIONS AFTER THIS TOPIC. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 15 MINUTES?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT'S 11:41 AND COMMISSIONERS'

[00:35:02]

IF WE DON'T ADOPT THE BUDGET THE DAY OF THE HEARING, THEN WE HAVE A 10-DAY WAITING PERIOD. IF WE WAIT 10 DAYS, THAT WOULD PUT US AT SEPTEMBER 23RD. IF YOU REMEMBER, I MENTIONED WE HAVE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET BY SEPTEMBER 20TH.

WHY IS THAT? BECAUSE ON SEPTEMBER 20TH IS WHEN WE UP LOAD THE MATERIALS TO GO TO PAY EMPLOYEES AND VENDORS.

LONG AND SHORT OF IT IS IF WE DON'T ADOPT A BUDGET TODAY, THERE WOULD BE A COUNTY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN ESSENCE.

SO WE WILL ADOPT A BUDGET TODAY. THE BUDGET WE WOULD HAVE WITH THEM NOT HAVING SHOWN UP. WE DO THIS SIMPLY TO AVERT THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, TO AVERT THE INABILITY TO PAY OUR AROUND 20,000 EMPLOYEES AND THE VENDORS THAT BUILD OUR ROADS, OUR BRIDGES AND FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS, ET CETERA.

NOT BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT BUDGET TO MAINTAIN THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF SERVICES FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

SO WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY IS PASSING A BUDGET THAT WILL INCLUDE THE CUTS THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO HEAR ABOUT.

THESE CUTS ARE TAKING PLACE BECAUSE TWO COLLEAGUES ARE NOT PRESENT TODAY. IF AT ANY POINT ONE OR BOTH OF THEM SHOWS UP, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADOPT A DIFFERENT BUDGET THAT DOES NOT IN FACT INCORPORATE THESE CUTS.

I HOPE AND I PRAY THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL SHOW UP.

MAYBE THEY WILL HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART SO WE CAN HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THESE KEY SERVICES AND SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GO FORWARD WITH THE CUTS THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO HEAR ABOUT.

SO HERE IS WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO. I WILL OPEN UP PUBLIC HEARING AND WE WILL HEAR FROM MR. RAMOS AS TO THE CUTS.

AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENTS AS TO THE CUTS.

AND THEN WE WILL TAKE ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS AND ADOPT THE BUDGET.

WE WILL HEAR FROM PRESIDENT MCKEON AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF DEPARTMENTS. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

THE COLLEAGUES CAN SHOW UP AND STILL VOTE NO.

IF COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTS HIS AD THAT HE IS VOTING FOR LOWER THAN A 1% TAX CUT, HE COULD STILL SHOW UP AND VOTE NO, AND THEN WE WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET THAT AVERTS THESE CUTS, TO BE VERY CLEAR. SAME WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS FILL ONE OF THE CHAIRS.

THEY CAN ABSTAIN OR THEY CAN VOTE NO.

THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO VOTE WHYY -- VOTE YES.

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE DR. RAMOS A CHANCE TO DISCUSS THE CUTS THAT ARE REQUIRED BY BEING FORCED INTO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. DIRECTOR RAMOS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, JUST TO BE CLEAR, HAVE WE OPENED THE HEARING? I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE ALL OF THIS TESTIMONY DURING THE HEARING.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 6 )]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL. I OPEN THE PUBLIC -- I THOUGHT I READ IT ALREADY. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. SO AGAIN, THE HEARING IS OPEN AND WE WILL FIRST HEAR FROM THE BUDGET OFFICER AND THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE CEO OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC AND THEN WE WILL ADOPT THE BUDGET.

LET'S START WITH MR. RAMOS. GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE ORDER OF OPERATIONS, WE HAVE A PROPOSED BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND THE COUNTY CLERK PER STATE LAW.

FROM THERE THESE WOULD BE THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

THE FINAL AMENDMENT WOULD BE MOVE TO AMEND POSTED BUDGET TO REFLECT THE ANNUAL LIESED SHORT FISCAL YEAR 2022 FOR HARRIS

COUNTY AS FOLLOWS. >> LINA HIDALGO: MAKE SURE THAT MICROPHONE IS CLOSE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HEARS IT. THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY CUTS EACH DEPARTMENT WILL BE FACING BECAUSE THESE TWO CHAIRS ARE NOT FILLED.

AND AGAIN, THEY COULD APPEAR AT ANY TIME TODAY, AND WE WOULD BE

ABLE TO AVERT THESE CUTS. >> UNDERSTOOD.

THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT A CUT OF 240,000.

THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, 307,320.

COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1, 773,101.

COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2, 773,101.

COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3, CUT OF 773,101.

COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 4, CUT OF 773,101.

THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANALYST'S OFFICE A CUT OF 17,090. OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION A CUT OF 1,000,394, 895. THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, A CUT OF 36,977. THE OFFICE OF INTER GOVERNMENT

[00:40:03]

THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 036-335. THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION, 81,112. O*FS -- OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER INCREASE OF 4,185. OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT CUT OF 3,000,537, 204.

FIRE MARSHAL CUT OF 351,161. THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES A CUT OF 2 MILLION 3 THRAOEF 7, 4 -- 337, 458.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THEY PROVIDE AUTOPSIES, CORRECT?

>> AUTOPSIES AND THE FORENSIC LAB FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS THE CUT AGAIN?

>> 2 MILLION 33,458. >> WE HAVE HEARD AND I WILL SKAT DIRECTOR TO COME ON THE LINE. I KNOW HE MENTIONED HOW HIS STAFF IS LEAVING BECAUSE OF LOW PAY.

I KNOW THE DIRECTOR HAS MENTIONED HIS STAFF IS ALREADY LEAVING BECAUSE OF LOW PAY. IF YOU WILL JUST MAKE SURE WE CAN HEAR FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES AS WELL AS TO WHAT THIS $3 MILLION CUT WILL MEAN FOR THE ABILITY FOR THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES SUCH AS AUTOPSIES. GO AHEAD, MR. RAMOS.

>> HARRIS COUNTY POLLUTION CONTROL, A CUT OF 102,217.

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES A CUT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY HELP RESPOND TO THE ITC FIRE, DID THEY NOT?

>> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WHENEVER THERE ARE SPILLS, THEY ARE THE ONE THAT'S DO THE AIR MONITORING

IN THE COMMUNITY? >> CORRECT.

VETERAN SERVICES A CUT OF $326, 871.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WAS THAT VETERAN SERVICES? DID WE JUST HAVE 9/11 ANNIVERSARY?

>> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE ARE CUTTING VETERAN SERVICES BY HOW MUCH?

>> $326,871. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

WE WILL HEAR FROM OUR VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR AS

WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THEM HERE, MAYBE EVEN MORE.

>> THE COUNTY LIBRARY A CUT OF 1,000,446 KROURBGS -- 446,096.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT A CUT OF 3 MILLION 338,911.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, THEY ARE THE ONES IN CHARGE OF HARVEY RECOVERY PROGRAM STP-Z -- PROGRAMS? WE WILL HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR. COMMUNITY SERVICE IS A BIT OF A MISNOMER. THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF CREW -- CRUCIAL GRANTS FOR THE COUNTY INCLUDING HARVEY PROGRAMS.

>> UNIVERSAL SERVICES, A CUT OF 6 MILLION 529,000 -- LOS ANGELES UNIVERSAL SERVICES MAINTAINS -- THIS IS A COURTROOM.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES MAINTAIN THE TECH GNAW -- TECHNOLOGICAL --

EXCUSE ME? >> AS WELL AS FLEET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THEY MAINTAIN THE FLEET FOR THE COUNTY SO EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES AND MORE.

IF THERE IS A SITUATION AND A CHALLENGE WITH FLOODING UNIVERSAL SERVICES, THEY PLAY A KEY ROLE.

HOW MUCH OF A CUT? >> 6 MILLION 500,000.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 6.5 MILLION CUTS TO OUR FLEET AND INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING WORK THEY WERE DOING ON THE EXPANSION OF BROADBAND. CONTINUE.

>> FOR THE SOFTWARE LICENSING COMPONENT OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE IT IS A CUT OF 1,000,990,157. CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 1, A CUT

OF 855,111. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY ARE DEFUNDING THE CONSTABLES THEN? A REDUCTION OF HOW MUCH? EXCUSE ME. THIS IS A COURTROOM.

ONLY THE PERSON WITH THE MICROPHONE WILL SPEAK.

THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. >> THIS IS COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAD PROPOSED IS THE FISCAL 23 BUDGET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> HOSPITAL OF PRECINCT 2386,379 CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 3, 1 MILLION 008, 873.

CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 5, 884,205.

CONSTABLE PRECINCT 51000801, 446.

CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 6, A CUT OF 30 THINE-- 309,175.

PRECINCT 7, 418,616. CON STABLG -- CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT 8, 416,362. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, ONE CUT OF $35,019. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 2, A CUT OF $37,324. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 2-1, A CUT

[00:45:05]

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 5-2, 47,594.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 6-1, A CUT OF 11,762.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 6-2, 7,036. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 7-1, 8,836.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 7-2, A CUT OF 14,915.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 8-1, A CUT OF 18,582.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, 8-2, A CUT OF 9,880.

THE COUNTY CLERK -- SORRY. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, A CUT OF --

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID WE CLEAR -- DIRECTOR RAMOS, JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, TRAFFIC TICKETS, EVICTION S, WHAT OTHER KIND OF

WORK DO THEY DO? >> THOSE ARE THE TWO PRIMARY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MENTIONED MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR CUTS FOR THE CONSTABLES? SOME ARE UNDER A MILLION AND

SOME ARE WELL ABOVE A MILLION. >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO EACH OF THE CONSTABLES WOULD RECEIVE A CUT?

>> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY A CUT OF 6,000,688, 283.

THE COUNTY CLERK A CUT OF 411,576.

ELECTIONS OPERATIONS, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 632,000.

THE COUNTY TREASURER, A CUT OF 15,769.

THEY -- THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION 1 MILLION 86,814.

THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, A CUT OF 2,000,387,859.

SHERIFF PATROL AND ADMINISTRATION, A CUT OF

16,000,682,640. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE -- REPEAT THAT NUMBER. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT EVERYBODY HEAR. HOW MUCH WOULD THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET BE CUT BY IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRIME WAVE AND OVER RUN

JAIL. >> THE SHERIFF PATROL AND ADMINISTRATION PORTION WILL HAVE THREE SERVICES UNDER THEM AND IT IS 16,000,682,840. THE SHERIFF DETENTION WHICH IS THE JAIL IS A CUT OF 23,000,681,417.

THE SHERIFF MEDICAL IS -- IT IS A CONTRACT WITH HARRIS HEALTH IS A CUT OF 3,000,635,348. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS A CUT

OF 5,000,389,885. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILL RECEIVE A CUT OF HOW MUCH?

>> 5,000,389,885 COMPARED TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF THEY FILL THESE CHAIRS AT ANY POINT TODAY, THAT WOULD BE RESTORED. 5 MILLION FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND 16 MILLION FOR THE SHERIFF.

CRIME IS -- VIOLENT CRIME NEEDS TO COME DOWN.

IT HAS COME DOWN 6% AND CONTINUING TO COME DOWN MORE.

I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THIS WILL DO FOR THAT TRAJECTORY.

WE ARE NOT IN A SPEAKERS TIME RIGHT NOW.

THAT WILL COME AFTER WE HEAR FROM THESE FOLKS.

GO AHEAD. >> THE DISTRICT CLERK, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 871,576. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER A CUT OF 1,000,693,068. COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, A CUT OF 78,701. PRE-TRIAL SERVICES A CUT OF 666,564. THE COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT, A CUT OF 679,547. THE DISTRICT COURTS, A CUT OF 1,000,293,136. THE TEXAS A&M AGRI LIFE CUT OF 93,677. SKWRAOUFP NILE PRO -- JUVENILE PROBATION, 1 MILLION 730,175. SHERIFF CIVIL SERVICE CUT BY 2,612. HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULT, A CUT OF 591,493.

THE CHILDREN ASSESSMENT CENTER A CUT OF 572,853.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO THESE FOLKS NOT PROVIDE CARE TO CHILDREN WHO WERE SEXUALLY UH -- ABUSED AND ASSAULTED?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> COUNTY COURTS A CUT OF 871,093.

[00:50:05]

PROBATE COURT NUMBER 1, A CUT OF 18,692.

PROBATE COURT NUMBER 2, A CUT OF 17,693.

PROBATE COURT NUMBER 3, A CUT OF 31,239.

AND PROBATE COURT NUMBER 4, A CUT OF 56,781.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.

WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO -- YES? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MADE

REFERENCE TO -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: TURN ON YOUR

MICROPHONE, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MADE REFERENCE TO ANOTHER 40 MILLION EARLIER.

IS THAT INCLUDED IN THESE NUMBERS OR NOT.

>> THAT IS NOT. THIS IS THE BASELINE.

WE WOULD BE SCALING BACK FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO 40 MILLION AND WHAT YOU SAID.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THIS IS NOT INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL

40 MILLION IN CUTS? >> CORRECT.

AND THEN ONE LAST ONE, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL WOULD GO

FROM 137.1 DOWN TO 114 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH IS --

>> A CUT OF 23.1 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: FOR THE FLOOD

CONTROL DISTRICT? >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND NOW EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL 40 MILLION THAT YOU DID NOT LIST, JUST FOR THE PUBLIC TO

UNDERSTAND. >> JUST TO KEEP IT SIMPLE.

WE HAVE MINIMUM STAFFING FOR THE JAIL AS WELL AS REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THOSE IN JAIL. THE TWO CUTS COMBINED BETWEEN THE JAIL AND THE CONTRACT WITH HARRIS HEALTH IS 26 MILLION COMBINED. WE WOULD NEED TO IDENTIFY THE

FUNDING SOMEWHERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.

>> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OUT OF ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS THAT YOU LISTED THAT PROVIDE SERVICES FROM FOOD INSPECTION TO SERVICES FOR CHILDREN, VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE TO FLOOD CONTROL AND TO ALL OF -- AUTOPSIES, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT AN ADDITIONAL 40 MILLION?

>> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL START AND HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHER LEADERS.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR, YOUR INTERNET SIGNAL SEEMS TO BE CUTTING OUT.

LET'S GIVE IT ANOTHER TRY AND IF NOT I WILL MOVE ON TO DR. PETERSON WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU. WHY DON'T WE TRY AGAIN?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BARBIE, DO YOU WANT TO TRY AGAIN? SHE'S FROZEN. I KNOW SHE'S IN A HOSPITAL

VISITING WITH HER MOTHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL HAVE THE TECH TEAM VISIT WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND MAYBE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HER TEAM SO SHE CAN SHARE WITH US THE IMPACT OF THE CUTS. I DID RECEIVE A DOCUMENT FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WITH SERVICE INTERRUPTION SCENARIOS.

SOME OF WHAT IS ON THERE IS -- WOULD -- I AM READING VERBATIM, WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT FOOD BORN ILLNESS REPORTS.

FOOD COMPLAINTS, ESTABLISHMENT APPLICATIONS, ISSUANCE OF PERMITS THAT GREATLY REDUCES THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LEVELS AND SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTS THE ABILITY OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO KEEP UP WITH THE EVER GROWING NUMBER OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. FUNDING REDUCTIONS WOULD LIKELY RESULT IN FOOD BORN ILLNESS OCCURRENCE AND CONSTITUENT COMPLAINTS. THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE WATER SAFETY PROGRAM THAT ENSURES THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY AT PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND TO PROMPTLY RESPOND TO SAFETY COMPLAINTS. TKPU -- IF YOU REMEMBER, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WAS ON THE FRONT LINE RESPONSE A YEAR AGO THIS JUNE WHERE VERY -- VARIOUS CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENDED UP BEING HARMED BY AN IMBALANCE IN THE POOL QUALITY, THE WATER -- THE QUALITY OF THE POOL WATER.

THAT'S WHAT THEY SAY WILL BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SERVICE

LEVELS FOR. >> IF THE TWO GENTLEMEN OR ONE OF THEM SHOWS UP WE CAN RESTORE THE FUNDING.

SOME OTHER VERBATIM WORDS HERE FROM A REPORT THAT DIRECTOR ROBINSON SENT AROUND, REDUCTION OF STAFF AT CLINICAL SITES THAT WOULD CUES AN ABILITY -- THAT WOULD CAUSE -- PREVENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS AND HELP CHRONIC CONDITIONS.

HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS CURRENTLY THE SOLE PROVIDER OF MA KEY -- MOSQUITO AND VEHICLE T*ER -- VECTOR CONTROL FOR

[00:55:05]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK SHE IS ON.

>> JUDGE? JUDGE, ARE YOU ABLE TO HEAR ME.

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

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY. BARBIE ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HAYES -- HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

JUDGE, YOU LAID OUT THE INFORMATION I PLANNED TO SHARE.

WHAT IS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL IS THAT APPROXIMATELY 13 FILE -- 135 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS ARE AT-RISK BECAUSE WE ARE REQUIRED FOR MANY OF THE GRANT PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE A MATCHING SOURCE AND GENERAL FUND DOLLARS SERVES AS THAT MATCHING FUNDS FOR THE GRANT PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO DRAW DOWN THOSE GRANTS AS WELL AS COVER COSTS FOR SERVICE SERVICE.

WE ARE PUTTING AT-RISK 135.5 MILLION OF GRANT FUNDING AT-RISK. MANY OF THE PROGRAMS ARE MANDATED BY THE STATE AND WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AS THE LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT. AND SO WE ARE PUTTING NOT JUST THE FUNDING AT-RISK, BUT COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE REQUIREMENTS AT-RISK AS WELL WHICH INCREASES POTENTIAL RISK

TO THE COUNTY OVERALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR ROBINSON, CAN YOU EXPLAIN OR COVER SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT YOU OPERATE WITH THOSE GRANTS THAT WOULD BE PUT AT-RISK?

>> YES. YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, OUR COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PROGRAMMING.

SOME OF THE WORK WE ARE ABLE TO DO IN OUR INITIAL RESPONSE TO MONKEYPOX. BEING ABLE TO RESPOND TO OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASE OUTBREAKS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THAT PUT OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT-RISK WOULD BE IMPACTED.

THE CHRONIC DISEASE AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS. HARRIS COUNTY LAGS BEHIND THE NATION AND MANY HEALTH INDICATORS OF CHRONIC DISEASES. THE LACK OF THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES WE ARE PROVIDING RIGHT NOW WITH A MAJOK FOR US AND THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE ALSO PROVIDE OUR MOSQUITO VECTOR CONTROL PROGRAMMING. THAT PROTECTS THE PUBLIC FROM THINGS LIKE WEST NILE VIRUS AND ST. LOUIS ENCEPHALITIS WHICH IS A MAJOR DISEASE. NOT HAVING THE FUNDING TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAMS AT THE CURRENT LEVEL CREATES A SUBSTANTIAL RISK TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF THOSE TYPES OF DISEASES.

AND THEN OF COURSE OUR VETERINARY PROGRAM RECEIVES SUBSTANTIAL DOLLARS FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SHELTER, OUR VET SERVICES AND ANIMAL CONTROL. WE WILL SEE MORE ANIMALS ON THE STREETS AS WELL AS A RAE -- REDUCTION IN THE VETERINARIAN SERVICES, SPAY AND NEUTERING, ET CETERA, AS WELL AS A REDUCTION IN SHELTER OPERATIONS WHICH QUITE FRANKLY YOU MAY RECALL THAT WE HAVE HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF ANIMALS BEING SURRENDERED TO THE SHELTER. THAT WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF HIGHER AOU THAT YOU NATION RATE. AND THEN SOUR WORK ON -- OUR WORK ON PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS.

WE ARE A PROPONENT OF ANY DISASTER RESPONSE WHETHER IT IS A HURRICANE, FLOOD, FIRE, COVID, SKPWH -- AND SO NOT HAVING GENERAL FUND DOLLARS FOR THOSE PROGRAMS IMPACTS AND HAM -- HAMPERS OUR ABILITY TO RESPONSE. AND THE ONGOING COVID OPERATIONS. WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO ADMINISTER THE COVID VACCINE BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE A MAJOR REDUCTION IN THE FUNDING FOR THOSE PROGRAMS TO FUND THE STAFF, ET CETERA. AS DIRECTOR RAMOS MENTIONED, WE ARE LOOKING AT A $10 MILLION REDUCTION IN HEALTH PROGRAMMING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. WE WILL CONTINUE PUSHING TO SEE IF WE CAN GET ONE OR BOTH COLLEAGUE TO JOIN US, EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO VOTE NO. AT LEAST SO THAT WE CAN RESTORE THAT FUNDING AND MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LOSE THE AROUND $150 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY'S PUBLIC HEALTH.

THANK YOU. WE WILL HEAR NEXT FROM DR. TINA PETERSON, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. TIFFANY, IS DR. PETERSON ON THE

[01:00:01]

LINE? >> YES, MA'AM.

SHE'S ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND AFTER THAT DR. PORSA FOLLOWED BY CEO MCKEAN AND DR. CLOTTMAN.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS TINA PETERSON.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU, JUDGE, AND THE COMMISSIONERS.

I KNOW YOU ASKED US TO TALK THROUGH SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF THE BUDGET. THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS A LONG BACKLOG OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

IN RECENT YEARS THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS TOWARD ADDRESSING THE BACKLOG. MORE INVESTMENT IS NEEDED AND NOT LESS. FAILURE TO ADDRESS THESE TYPES OF MAINTENANCE ISSUES WE ARE SEEING IN OUR CHANNELS CAN PUT CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AT-RISK. OUR CHANNELS WHEN CONSTRUCTED HAVE AN INTENDED CAPACITY. AS THEY AGE, EROSION BEGINS TO OCCUR AND WE HAVE SEDIMENT BEGINNING TO ACCUMULATE.

THOSE IMPACTS REDUCE THE ABILITY TO CONVEY WATER DOWN -- DOWNSTREAM. IN ADDITION, FAILURE TO ADDRESS EROSION CAN BE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO IMPACT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OR EVEN IMPACT EXPOSED PIPELINES AND BRIDGE ABUTMENTS THAT CAN BE A SERIOUS SITUATION. I ALSO NOTE THAT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT WE MAINTAIN OUR CHANNELS AND WE MAINTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING AFTER A DISASTER.

SO BY NOT PERFORMING MAINTENANCE EFFORTS WHICH THAT IS GOING TO BE THE BULK OF WHAT IS IMPACTED BY THE POTENTIAL BUDGET CUTS, WE WOULD BE AT-RISK OF BEING ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT SUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE. AND THEN I WOULD ALSO NOTE FROM A CITIZEN PERSPECTIVE, WE GET A LOT OF COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS ALONG THE CHANNELS. WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS REGARDING EROSION OR ORDAINING RUSS TREES THAT EXIST ALONG OUR -- OR DANGEROUS TREES THAT EXIST ALONG THE CHANNELS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT FUND THAT.

I WOULD NOTE IN TERMS OF VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, AND THAT IS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MAINTENANCE EFFORT.

WE HAVE MAINTENANCE EFFORTS TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WE HAVE HEARD.

AND DARK DASH -- DASH THAT HAVE OCCURRED AND PROBLEMS THAT WE DON'T WANT TO OCCUR. IT IS ABOUT BEING PROACTIVE.

MOWING THE CHANNEL TPOZ -- CHANNELS TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE INVASIVE SPECIES AND AN UNDER GROWTH THAT WILL START TO ENCROACH ON THE CHANNELS. IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO MOW, WHICH IS A POSSIBLE IMPACT OF THE BUDGETARY DUCKS, WE WILL NOT ONLY -- BUDGET REDUCTIONS, BUT IT MAY BE IMPACTED BY NOT USING THE TRAILS BECAUSE THEY ARE OVERGROWN.

THE FINAL THING I WOULD HIGHLIGHT IS IN ADDITION TO THE CUTS FOR MAINTENANCE, WE ALSO WOULD SEE BASED ON OUR PROJECTION THAT WE WOULD NOT ONLY REDUCE MAINTENANCE, BUT DO AN ACROSS THE BOARD REDUCTION. ONE OF THOSE BUDGET IMPACTS WOULD BE TO PAY FOR STAFF AUGMENTATION FOR OUR BOND PROGRAM. THAT MEANS THE BUDGET WOULD PROVIDE LESS RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT TO KEEP THE PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD. IT COULD POTENTIALLY SLOW PROJECTS DOWN OR WE MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO GET IT DONE LIKE CAPITALIZING THE EXPENSES ON THE BOND.

WE HAVE TO LOOK HARD AT THAT. OBVIOUSLY KEEPING THE BOND PROGRAM ON SCHEDULE IS CRITICAL, BUT WITH THIS REDUCTION WE WOULD

SEE CHALLENGES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR. PETERSON. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

ANY POTENTIAL LOSS OF PARTNER FUNDING?

>> WELL, WE WOULD DO OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THAT WOULD NOT BE THE CASE, COMMISSIONER. THAT HAS NOT BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN FLAGGED AS A POTENTIAL ISSUE THUS FAR.

WE WILL CERTAINLY KEEP THAT ON THE RADAR THOUGH AND ALERT THE COURT SHOULD THAT BECOME A PROBLEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MR. RAMOS, THIS CUT OF 23? 23 MILLION PLUS, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE 40

OR 50 COMES FROM. >> THEY ARE A SEPARATE FUND FROM THE GENERAL FUND. WHAT I WILL SAY IS --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU THINK THIS IS ACCURATE?

>> ACROSS THE BOARD COSTS ARE GOING UP.

SO FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS IT IS GOING TO BE, ONE, LESS MONEY THAN THEY OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE HAD.

[01:05:04]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WITH COSTS GOING UP, BUT YOU CAN'T CALCULATE THE COST OF PROJECT INCREASES WOULD BE.

>> WHAT WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE BOARD IS EVERYTHING IS ABOUT 10%

MORE EXPENSIVE. >> COMMISSIONER, IF I MAY, TO DR. PETERSON'S COMMENTS, THERE HAVE BEEN TWO PARTS OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT BUDGET DISCUSSED.

14 MILLION IN OPERATING BUDGET AND A -- IS IT 9 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO RESERVES? I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT 9 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO RESERVES IS WHAT IS ALLOWING THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO NOT USE TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES AND EFFECTIVELY KEEP CASH FLOW UP. THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL PAY FOR ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. IT IS NOT JUST MOVING CASH

AROUND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? DR. PETERSON, I DID SEE -- I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER CAGLE OR MAYBE RAMSEY'S PRESS RELEASE THAT THEY WANT TO SEE 14 MILLION GO TO YOUR BUDGET. HOW WOULD THAT 14 MILLION BE

USED. >> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD -- WE WOULD HAVE TO EVALUATE. FIRST I WILL SAY THE DETAILS HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED. WE WOULD NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE FUNDS.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY DETAILS. IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO EVEN SPECULATE WHAT THE DOLLARS COULD BE USED FOR.

>> SO IF YOU WERE TO RECEIVE IT, WOULD YOU WANT TO RECEIVE IT WITH -- IN PUN INTENDED, BUT NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO APPLY IT WHERE YOU NEED IT IS MOST.

>> WELL, YES, ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER.

IF IT WERE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE AND THERE IS A PROCESS TO GET THE FUNDS, THEN CERTAINLY.

WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY FACING RIGHT NOW IS BUDGET CUTS.

THE IMPACTS I HAVE DESCRIBED ARE SIGNIFICANT.

I CAN'T REALLY SPECULATE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE OTHER FUNDING WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS POSSIBLE.

THERE IS MULTIPLE STEPS THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE GONE THROUGH TO

MAKE THAT A REALITY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND ONE STEP IS THREE VOTES. IT IS NOT OUR MONEY.

IT TAKES THREE VOTES TO DO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND SO -- I JUST WANT TO TRANSLATE THIS AND HIGHLIGHT SOME OF WHAT YOU MENTIONED, DIRECTOR PETERSON AND HOW IT IMPACTS FOLKS IN THEIR DAY-TO-DAY. I LIKE TO RUN AND RIDE MY BIKE ON THE BAYOUS. WE HAD RAINS THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

ANYBODY ON THE TRAIL KNOWS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

YOU CAN BARELY GET THROUGH. BY THE NEXT DAY YOU HAD MOWED IT AND IT WAS BACK TO BEING USABLE. THE PROBLEM IS THE ACTUAL CHANNEL HAD. AND WE GET CALLS ALL THE TIME.

I'M SURE MY COLLEAGUES HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY VISIT A COMMUNITY AND THEY SAY MY PWAOU KPWARB BASH BAYOU HAS TOO MUCH VEGETATION OR THERE IS DEBRIS IN THERE AND THE WATER DOESN'T FLOW AS IT SHOULD, THAT'S YOUR JOB AND THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE SAYING YOU WOULD SEE AFFECTED.

>> YES. WE WOULD LOSE -- WITH THE REDUCTION IN FUNDING WE WOULD LOSE OUR ABILITY TO BE QUICK AND RESPONSIVE. A LOT OF THE CONTRACTS WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT. THE OTHER THING I WOULD NOTE IS WE OWN BUYOUT LOTS. THAT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. IT HAS BEEN A CRIME FOR OTHER NEFARIOUS ACTIVITIES. VEGETATION IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FOR CITIZENS TO USE THE TRAILS AND ENJOY THE RECREATION THAT

THEY PROVIDE,. >> AND TO THIS POINT ABOUT THE 14 MILLION, I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE BUDGET -- AND MAYBE YOU CAN EXPLAIN THIS BETTER THAN I CAN.

[01:10:03]

PERPATUITY. IF A COLLEAGUE SAYS I WILL NOT SHOW UP, BUT WILL GIVE 14 MILLION TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. TO HAVE THE CORRECTED EFFECT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT COMMITMENT EVERY YEAR GOING FORWARD, OR -- AND OBVIOUSLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO IT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES AND THE JUSTICES OF PEACE AND VETERANS DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE LIBRARIES AND THE RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

>> CORRECT. THAT IS FROM THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND THE ISSUE COMPOUNDS. FOR THIS YEAR IT IS 94 MILLION.

FOR NEXT YEAR IF WE WERE TO GO TO A NO NEW REVENUE AGAIN IT WOULD BE CLOSER TO 200 MILLION. AND SO THESE -- THE CUT

COMPOUNDS ON ITSELF OVER TIME. >> SO DOING THIS CUT THIS YEAR SETS US UP FOR A GENERATION OF LOWER FUNDING FOR ALL OF THESE DIVISIONS. THEY ARE MAKING THE STORY ABOUT INPLAYINGS GOING DOWN AND THERE IS GAS PRICES FINALLY AND I AM GLAD THE FED IS NOT LETTING ON ON THE RATES.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THIS YEAR, BUT THE FUTURE.

NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT, IT IS BASED ON THE PRECEDING YEAR AND THAT IS RIGHT NOW AND RIGHT HERE. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY AT SOME POINT WE CAN LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES IN THE 37 MILLION IN EACH COMMISSIONER'S PRECINCT.

I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES ARE INTERESTED IN SAVING MONEY AND WE COULD SAVE SOME OF THAT. I WOULD NOT WANT US IN A POSITION WHERE THE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED HISTORICALLY WITH REGARD TO FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS.

I FOR ONE WOULDN'T SAY WE NEED FIVE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS AND FIVE HR DEPARTMENTS. I'M JUST SAY FIGURE WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE LOWEST TAX RATE SINCE 1990, WE HAVE TO BEGIN TO BE MORE CREATIVE AS MOST OF THE COUNTIES AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE DONE. WE CAN HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WHEN

THE CUTS GO INTO EFFECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. 20% OF OUR ROADS -- KIND OF TO CLARIFY THE TECHNICAL TERM, ARE NOT IN GOOD CONDITION.

THEY WOULD SAY EVEN THOUGH 20% OF THE ROADS ARE NOT IN GOOD CONDITION, THEY WANT TO TAKE TAKE OUT 14% OF THE BUDGET THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE USING TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT GAME WE ARE PLAYING HERE. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR PETERSON.

LET'S MOVE TO DR. PORSA WHO IS THE CEO OF HARRIS HEALTH.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

JUDGE IF I MAY ASK [INAUDIBLE] TO GO FIRST.

HE HAS BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY AND HE CAN MAKE HIS COMMENTS AND

THEN I WILL PROVIDE MY COMMENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

>> JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA, GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. WE SPENT THREE YEARS TOGETHER IN THIS BATTLE CALLED COVID. I WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING THAT TIME.

WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU YOUR SUPPORT AND HELP.

WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR CITY WHETHER IT IS FLOODS OR PAN TKEPL -- PANDEMICS. WE ARE EXTREMELY BLESSED TO HAVE HIM AT THE LEAD. TO CUT TO THE HEART OF THIS THE TAXES HAVE BEEN RUNNING AN EXTREME SHORT FALL ALREADY.

THIS IS AT A TIME WHERE I HAVE HEARD OTHER NUMBERS ABOUT ESCALATION. THE LOWEST NUMBER WE HAVE ON ESCALATION OF HEALTHCARE COSTS IS 20%.

WORKFORCE IS 19 TO 20%. WE LOOK AT PHARMACEUTICALS AND THEY ARE UP AT 37% SUPPLIES ARE UP 21%.

THE KEY TO THIS IS THAT HARRIS HEALTH PLAYS THE CENTRAL ROLE FOR ALL OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER.

IT GOES TO THE CITY AND GOES TO THE COUNTY.

WE ARE REALLY STRONGLY -- YOU WILL ENACT THE VOTER'S APPROVED

[01:15:07]

WHEN IT FAILS, WE WILL SEE THIS THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND IT WILL BE DEVASTATING.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THAT WAS THE CEO. TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER.

I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE FOLKS HEARD THAT. I KNOW THAT THE VOLUME WAS A LITTLE LOW IN THE COURTROOM. HE SAID, AND I QUOTE, TO HAVE THIS TAX RATE WILL BE DEVASTATING, AND EVERYONE ONE OF US WILL FEEL THIS. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL HEAR THAT AND JOIN US. THEY ARE WELCOME TO COME AND VOTE NO. BUT AT LEAST LET -- THEY CAN RUN ON THAT, IF THEY WANT, THAT THEY OPPOSED IT.

AT LEAST LET THESE DOCTORS THAT WE ALL CELEBRATED DURING THE PANDEMIC HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A REPRIEVE TO DO THEIR WORK.

GO AHEAD, DR. PORSA. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

JUDGE, IF I MAY, I WROTE A STATEMENT THAT I WANTED TO READ.

THERE IS A MESSAGE THAT I FEEL I NEED TO DELIVER.

AFTER THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT OF THE NO NET REVENUE WILL HAVE ON THE SYSTEM. PLEASE BEAR WITH ME.

IT IS NOT LONG, BUT I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE SAID.

THIS IS NOW MY THIRD ANNUAL TAX RATE DISCUSSION WHICH MEANS THAT I HAVE BEEN NOW THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. WHILE I AM 100% GRATEFUL TO OUR ELECTED LEADERS ON THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND FOR ME INDIVIDUALLY AS A LEADER, I AM TRULY SADDENED BY THE MESSAGE THAT IS NOW BECOMING MORE AND MORE CLEAR THIS THIRD TIME AROUND.

THIS IS WHAT I AM HEARING, TO THE UNINSURED POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY, BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED IN TERMS OF ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, BUT NEVER MIND THAT YOU MAY BE CARED FOR IN THE ONLY REMAINING MULTI-OCCUPANCY HOSPITAL ROOMS IN THE REGION. AS IF LEARNING NOTHING FROM THE ON GOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC. NEVER MIND THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT OR FORE GO BASIC AND ESSENTIAL PREVENTIVE CARE INCLUDING CANCER SCREENINGS. NEVER MIND YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE YOUR PRIMARY CARE OR SPECIALIST DOCTOR.

TO HARRIS HEALTH, BE THANKFUL YOU ARE RECEIVING WHAT YOU NEED TO GET BY. NEVER MIND GETTING AHEAD OR BECOMING COMPETITIVE WITH THE REST OF THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN OUR COUNTY IN TERMS OF YOUR FACILITIES, YOUR EQUIPMENT AND YOUR WAGES. NEVER MIND INVESTING IN YOUR OLD AND CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE. AND NEVER MIND PRYING TO GIVE ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE SERVICES. TO THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL IN HARRIS COUNTY, NEVER MIND THAT MANY OF YOU WILL DIE OF DISEASES , LIKE EARLY STAGE BREAST CANCER, LUNG CANCER AND COLON CANCER WILL GO UNDIAGNOSED.

NEVER MIND MANY OF YOU LIVE IN ZIP CODE THAT'S HAVE AN AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 20 YEARS LESS THAN THE MORE AFFLUENT ZIP -- ZIP CODES IN THE COUNTY. AND NEVER MIND WE ARE PASSING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MANAGE THE LARGEST IN-PATIENT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN TEXAS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

I HEAR ALL OF THESE MESSAGES LOUD AND CLEAR WHEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AND DESPITE CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THE DETRIMENTAL THESE CUTS WILL HAVE ON THE STABILITY OF OUR PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND IN REALITY THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE NOW AGAIN FACED WITH THE THREAT OF ANOTHER ROUND OF DECREASING FUNDS. THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE AT THE LARGEST -- AS THE LARGEST PUBLIC HEALTH HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN TEXAS.

HARRIS HEALTH CONTINUES TO HAVE THE LOWEST TAX RATE SUPPORT AND TAX SUPPORT DOLLAR PER COUNTY RESIDENT COMPARED TO ALL OTHER LARGE HAPT -- LARGE HOSPITALS IN THE TEXAS.

OUR REVENUES INCLUDING OUR TAX SUPPORT CONTINUES TO FALL SHORT

[01:20:01]

THIS COUNTY NEEDS SIX OR SEVEN TRAUMA CENTERS.

WE ARE MANAGING ONE OF TWO. WITH THESE DECREASE IN FUNDING AND I DID A QUICK CALCULATION OF WHAT THE NO NEW REVENUE MEANS TO US. THAT IS $125 MILLION LOSS.

IT IS $125 MILLION LOSS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE ARE NOT MAGICIANS. WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE ARE CUTTING SERVICES. CUTTING SERVICES TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO RELY ON HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AS THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF CARE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, YOU KNOW YOU HEARD FROM BILL MCKEAN AS THE TIP OF THE SPEAR. IT IS NOT JUST FOR THE UNDER AND NONINSURED, BUT IT IS FOR THE ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY THOSE FUNDS FROM US, THAT'S CARE THE ENTIRE COUNTY IS NOT GOING TO RECEIVE. YOU SAW IN THE LETTERS YOU RECEIVED AND THAT'S TRUE. WHEN WE HAVE TO REDUCE OUR SERVICES, THAT PRESSURE IS GOING TO BE FELT ON THE ENTIRE COUNTY SYSTEM. THAT CARE HAS TO BE PROVIDED SOMEWHERE. AS OF TODAY, WITH THE CRIME FIGHTING HARRIS HEALTH IS ABLE TO PROVIDE TO 150,000 INDIVIDUALS IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THERE IS MORE THAN A MILLION UNINSURED INDIVIDUALS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AT THE MOMENT WHERE HARRIS COUNTY IS LOOKING TO EXPAND THIS CAPABILITY AND EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE, WE ARE BEING ASKED TO REDUCE CARE. JUDGE, YOU MENTIONED 3,000 PEOPLE WAITING FOR A COLONOSCOPY, THAT WAS 700 YEARS AGO. 2,000 PEOPLE WAITING FOR COLONOSCOPIES, BY LODGE -- LODGE ALREADY HAVE COLON CANCER.

THOSE WILL GO UNDIAGNOSED UNFORTUNATELY UNTIL THEY SHOW UP AT THE LATE STAGE OF COLON CANCER WHICH IS GOING TO COST A LOT MORE TO TREAT AND UNFORTUNATELY WILL RESOLVE IN UNNECESSARY DEATHS. THAT'S THE REALITY WE ARE BEING FACED WITH. WE ALSO HEARD THE PALM WHO ARE NOW RECEIVING DYE Y'ALL CYST -- DIALYSIS OUTSIDE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY AND THE CAPACITY.

THOSE PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO RECEIVE DIALYSIS.

THEY BETTER NOT SHOW UP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, BUT ALL EMERGENCY ROOMS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY WHEN THEY REQUIRE EMERGENCY DIALYSIS WHICH AGAIN COSTS A LOT MORE FOR TAXPAYERS TO PROVIDE CARE FOR, BUT ALSO RESULTS IN INCREASED MORBID TEE AND MORTALITY AND UNNECESSARY DEATHS.

THOSE ARE A COUPLE OF THE EXAMPLES I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU. YOU ALSO HEARD THE LAST COUPLE YEARS AND BILL MCKEAN SAID IT BEAUTIFULLY.

WITH THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH COVID-19 WITH THE HEALTH SYSTEMS AND OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS. NOT LONG AGO THEY WERE CALLING THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS THE HEROS THAT THEY ARE.

TODAY, THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO REPAY GRATITUDE TO THE HEROS THAT TOOK CARE OF THE SICK IN THIS COUNTY BY PUTTING US IN A POSITION TO DECIDE WHO THEY ARE GOING TO CARE FOR AND WHAT THEY WILL DECIDE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OVERALL WELLNESS BEING AT-RISK. ONE MORE THING, JUDGE, WHAT THIS MEANS TO US, A LOSS OF $125 MILLION, THE NO NET REVENUE PUTS US AT A NEGATIVE MARGIN. WHAT IT MEANS TO A HOSPITAL

[01:25:02]

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE APPROACHING THE END OF LIFE.

WITH A NEGATIVE CREDIT RATING IT WILL COST MORE MONEY TO BORROW MONEY. AND MORE SO THAN THAT IF THE SITUATION EVER ARISES, OUR CREDIT RATING ACTUALLY GOES BELOW OUR DEBT OBLIGATION RATE. HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE ON THE HOOK. HARRIS COUNTY AS THE PARENT ENTITY WILL HAVE TO PUT IN MONEY WE WILL NOT MEET.

IT IS A HUGE CASCADE OF EVENTS. JUDGE, YOU SAID IT CORRECTLY.

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS OUR TAX RATE HAS BEEN CUT TWICE.

ANNUALLY IT MEANT $50 MILLION IF WE ARE NO LONGER GOING TO RECEIVE THAT. IT IS FROM NOW AND FOREVER.

THIS $120 MILLION LOSS IS NOT JUST A LOSS FOR THIS YEAR.

NEXT YEAR EVEN IF YOU WENT TO THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, WRAOE -- WE WILL STILL NOT FILL THE HOLE THAT THIS WILL LEAVE FOR US. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND I'M SORRY I AM GETTING EMOTIONAL. IT IS JUST UNIMAGINABLE FOR ME COMING OUT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC THAT THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IS

FACING THE SITUATION AGAIN. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THANK YOU FOR READING THE STATEMENT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

I RESPECT YOUR EMOTION BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE IN YOUR HANDS LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU ARE ENTRUSTED TO PROVIDE CARE FOR. TRUST ME.

I HEAR YOU. MANY OF MY CONSTITUENTS DEPEND ON YOU. AWHILE BACK WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE MORTALITY RATE IN HARRIS COUNTY, PRECINCT 2 HAS THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE. I REMEMBER THEY SAID, COME LIVE OVER HERE. YOU WILL LIVELONGER.

IT IS NOT THAT EASY. I TOOK OFFENSE BACK THEN.

I TAKE OFFENSE THAT -- LET YOUR STAFF KNOW THAT YOU HAVE FOLKS HERE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE INSURANCE IT MAKES IT EASY TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON THOSE WHO DO NOT. I WILL ASK YOU TO DO YOUR BEST

WHILE WE FIGURE OUT THE REST. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BILL MCKEAN I WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL AND DR. PORSA FOR COMING ON. DR. PORSA YOU MIGHT REMEMBER WHEN WE MET, WHEN YOU FIRST CAME IN AND I MADE THE COMMENT WHEN WE WERE LEADING UP TO A SIMILAR VOTE THAT YOU HAD TO MAKE SOME NOISE. I COULD SENSE THE EMOTION IN YOUR VOICE AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO PUBLIC WITH IT. AND MR. MCKEAN.

IT IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN SAYING OCTOBER 28TH.

WE CAN BRIEF YOU A LITTLE LATER, BUT THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES IF ONE OR BOTH OF OUR COLLEAGUES DECIDE THEY WANT TO VOTE ON THIS. WHAT I LEARNED OVER MY YEARS IN POLITICS IS THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THAT ONE CAN DO TRYING TO CONVINCE THEIR COLLEAGUES AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE PEOPLE WHO CONVINCE THEM. IF WE ARE IN A RACE TO THE BOTTOM, COLLEAGUES WILL HAVE TO DECIDE ARE WE GOING TO THE VOTERS AND MAKE THE CASE TO THEM? YOU WANT BETTER HEALTHCARE? YOU WANT MORE MONEY IN PUBLIC SAFETY? YOU WANT MORE MONEY IN FLOOD CONTROL? WE WILL ASK YOU TO VOTE ON IT.

AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DON'T LIKE DOING IT, BUT AT THE

[01:30:05]

I WOULD NEVER FEEL IN ANYWAY EMBARRASSED BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

LOOK, I WILL HELP WITH THE RESOURCES I HAVE WITH MY STAFF, BUT YOU NEED TO -- BOARD MEMBERS, ALL OF US GO TO THE WORLD CLASS MEDICAL CENTER. EVEN THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE MIGHT FIND OUT IF IT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY IT MIGHT NOT QUITE WORK. YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND MAKE THAT CASE. THIS IS ABOUT THE POLITICS.

THE CALCULATION WAS MADE. THIS WILL BE A FUN DEAL FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DO LEADING UP TO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE HOLE THEY DUG.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO PUBLIC.

I ASSUME HOWEVER YOU GOT THE TAX RATE -- WE ARE TRYING TO GET THERE NOW. BEXAR COUNTY 22 CENTS.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE COMPELLING STATISTICS AND THERE IS TO MUCH TO COVER. I WILL GIVE UH PLATFORM, BUT YOU KNOW WHEN I GOT HERE MY COLLEAGUES MADE A COMMENT TO ME, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHEN THEY WERE DIVIY DARK -- DIVYING UP THE MONEY, WE HAVE HARRIS HEALTH AND THE PRECINCT AND YOU GET A DISPROPORTIONAL AMOUNT OF MONEY. I AM NOT SURE THEY KNOW HOW MUCH USE HARRIS HEALTH FROM THEIR PRECINCT.

I ALWAYS SAID, IF PEOPLE VOTE FOR ORGANS ME, I WANT TO REPRESENT THEM THE BEST I CAN. THEY MAY NOT AGREE AND THAT'S OKAY. YOU GOT ME? IT IS AN ASK TO HAVE THEM VOTE FOR IT.

I'M ASSUMING THE THREE OF US WILL TAKE THAT HEAT.

YOU GOT ME? YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO SAY THEY HAVE TO PAY LESS MONEY AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRICK THEM AND ACT LIKE THEY CAN GET THEIR MONEY BY CUTTING SOMEBODY ELSE'S PART OF THE BUDGET.

I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE DO IT FOR YEARS AND JUST GET RE-ELECTED.

REAL LEADERSHIP IS WHEN YOU ARE WILLING TO BITE THE BULLET AND

TELL PEOPLE THE TRUTH. >> DO YOU REMEMBER THE CONVERSATION? I BROUGHT IT UP MANY TIMES, SOMETIMES LIKE A BROKEN RECORD. YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND MAKE THE

CASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. PORSA, CAN YOU COVER JUST VERY BRIEFLY WHAT YOU SHARED BEFORE ABOUT THE STATE OF THE LBJ AND WHY YOU NEED THIS CREDIT RATING IN ORDER

TO UPDATE THE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS? >> SURE.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. I DON'T THINK IT IS A SECRET TO ANYONE. I WILL SHARE WITH THE PUBLIC.

THE LAST COUPLE YEARS ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY LAST SUMMER, LBJ HAD REPEATED FAILURE S.

WE HAD INJURIES TO EMPLOYEES AND PATIENTS.

IT HAS TAKEN A LOT OF INVESTMENT IN A HOSPITAL THAT IS OPENING AND RUNNING AND TRYING TO ONLY FIX -- NOT REALLY FIX, BUT REPAIR WHAT WE DO FOR OUR PATIENTS.

WE HAVE A BACKING UP OF SEWER INTO OUR PHARMACY AND PATIENT ROOMS. IT IS NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING TO REPAIR AND FIX THESE THINGS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIX AN AIRPLANE WHEN YOU ARE FLYING IT. YES, WE CAN SHUTDOWN THE HOSPITAL AND TRY TO TPEUBGSZ IS IT -- FIX T BUT WHERE DO THE PATIENTS GO? WE HAVE ALL OF THESE ISSUES AND I DON'T MIND SHARING IT, AND I SAID IT BEFORE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS THE ONE WHO TOLD ME YOU CAN SPEND ALL HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THAT OLD HOSPITAL, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE AN OLD HOSPITAL ON YOUR HANDS.

YOU HAVE THROWING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD.

I APPRECIATE THAT AND HE IS RIGHT.

WE ARE LOOKING INTO REPLACING LBJ HOSPITAL.

WE PLAN TO TAKE TO THE VOTERS AN AGGRESSIVE BOND REFER WREN -- REFERENDUM TO REPLACE. WE NEED IT.

[01:35:06]

WE CAN CREATE UH KROT -- AS SOON AS WE TOUCH THE BUILDING WE WILL HAVE TO BRING THE ENTIRE BUILDING UP TO CODE AND WE CAN'T DO THAT. THIS IS THE SITUATION WE ARE DEALING WITH. AND THEN TO BE DEALT THIS REALITY THAT IF THIS STANDS, THREE OUT OF THE FOUR YEARS OUR TAX RATE HAS NOT BEEN INCREASED, BUT ACTUALLY CUT? THAT IS A DIFFICULT PILL TO SWALLOW, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. DR. PORSA, THE REASON I ASKED YOU TO CLARIFY AS WELL IS TO REALLY MAKE THAT POINT THAT THE TAX RATE IMPACTS OUR ABILITY FOR YOU TO GO OUT FOR BOND AND GET THESE ISSUES FIXED. THEY ARE ISSUES THAT WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE BASE BUDGET TO START WITH.

WE WOULD GO FOR A BOND. IT IS ALL TIED TOGETHER.

TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT, EVEN IF WE WANTED TO GO FOR A BOND FOR THESE OTHER ISSUES, THESE CUTS MAKE IT HARD TO DO THAT. THEY ARE TIEING OUR HANDS AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO THINK THERE IS AN EASY WAY OUT OR A WAY OUT OF WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP.

THEY COULD SHOW UP AND VOTE NO AND THAT ADDRESSES THE ISSUE.

THANK YOU, DR. PORSA. I HAVE A NOTE THAT DR. CLOTMAN

IS ON THE LINE? >> HE IS ON, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> YOU CAN UNMUTE AND TURN ON

YOUR VIDEO. >> IF YOU ARE SPEAKING, WE CAN'T

HEAR YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL GIVE DR. CLOTMAN AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE CONNECTION UP.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE CAN HEAR FROM DIRECTOR MICHAEL LEEDES

WITH PRE-TRIAL SERVICES. >> [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR, IF YOU CAN RAISE YOUR VOLUME, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. I HEAR AN ECHO.

HERE IS DR. CLOTMAN. I WILL HEAR FROM DR. CLOTMAN WHILE YOU WORK ON THE ECHO. GO AHEAD, DR. CLOTMAN.

-- KLOTMAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. KLOTMAN,

YOU NEED TO UNMUTE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> YES. >> IT WAS QUITE THE EXPERIENCE.

GOING FROM PHONE TO CISCO AND THEN BACK TO PHONE AND BACK TO CISCO. I AM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. BAYLOR IS HARRIS HEALTH'S FIRST ACADEMIC PARTNER. OUR RELATIONSHIP DATES BACK TO THE FORMATION OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IN 1965 AS A HEALTHCARE SAFETY NET FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS.

TODAY HUNDREDS OF BAYLOR FACULTY, STUDENTS, RESIDENTS JOINED WITH HARRIS HEALTH EVERY DAY TO PROVIDE NECESSARY HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTHCARE TO OUR CITIZENS.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE QUALITY OF CARE IS AS GOOD AS ANY HOSPITAL. I TELL EVERYBODY IF I HAVE CHEST PAINS TAKE ME THERE. PROVIDING THIS LEVEL OF CARE TO THE COMMUNITY IS UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE RIGHT NOW AS YOU HEARD FROM DR. PORSA. HARRIS HEALTH HAS CONFIRMED AN OPERATIONAL SHORT FALL OF 45 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 23.

IT INCREASES TO $150 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 24.

YOU HEARD FROM BILL MCKEAN THAT NATIONALLY HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE RISING AND REIMBURSMENTS ARE LOW ALREADY.

HARRIS HEALTH IS IN AN UNTENABLE POSITION TO SURVIVE.

AND WHILE HARRIS HEALTH CONTINUES TO BE COMMITTED TO INCREASING EFFICIENCIES AND INCREASING COSTS, THE CURRENT TRAJECTORY IS NOT SUSTAINABLE TO PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

THIS WILL RESULT IN REDISTRIBUTION OF THE INDIGENT AND UNINSURED PATIENT POPULATION WHO WILL SEEK PRIVATE CARE FROM HOSPITALS AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THEY WILL HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT ON THE HEALTH OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT HEALTHCARE IN A COMMUNITY IS A 0 SUM GAME.

WHEN ONE EMERGENCY ROOM CLOSES OTHERS ARE OVERCROWDED.

WHEN ONE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM STOPS OR DELAYS PREVENTIVE RELT CARE

[01:40:05]

WE WILL ALL BE FORCED TO REDUCE SERVICES.

THE ENTIRE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND FOR THE COUNTY AND YOU HEARD ABOUT LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER. I MEAN, THIS IS -- THIS WOULD BE AN ABSOLUTE DISASTER FOR THE ENTIRE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY WHETHER YOU ARE GOING TO INDIGENT CARE, SAFETY NET HOSPITAL OR PRIVATE HOSPITAL. I HOPE THERE IS A VOTER APPROVAL

AND HE IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> DR. C -- DR. KLOTMAN, THANK YOU FOR LENDING YOUR VOICE TO THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INVESTING IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM MEANS. AND THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERSHIP THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED.

YOU OBVIOUSLY KNOW THE CHALLENGES THAT CONSTITUENTS IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY FACE AND SO I KNOW IF I WERE TO ASK WHAT HIS PREFERENCE WOULD BE AND WOULD IT BE THE -- WOULD IT BE THE PROPOSED TAX RATE, OR WOULD IT BE TRIPLING OR QUADRUPLING THE TAX RATE, HE WOULD PROBABLY ASK FOR THAT.

HE WOULD ASK FOR IT NOT FROM A SENSE OF BEING GREEDY, BUT BECAUSE THAT MONEY IS WELL SPENT.

IT IS SPENT ON IMPROVING PEOPLE'S QUALITY OF LIFE.

IT IS SPENT ON AN EXTENDED LIFE CYCLE.

IF YOU COULD, DR. PORSA, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THE JUDGE MENTIONED HOW THIS WILL IMPACT SOMETHING LIKE COLONOSCOPIES, JUST A LITTLE ON THE LIGHT SIDE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN ONE MAY NOT MIND MISSING ONE, BUT THE REALITY IS IN PRECINCT 2 I HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF DIAGNOSED CANCER. WHAT DOES A REDUCTION TO

COLON -- COLONOSCOPIES MEAN? >> IT IS SIMPLE.

IF YOU DON'T GET TIMELY CARE, IF PRE VALENTINE -- PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE IS POSTPONED YOU PRESENT LATER IN THE COURSE AND YOU IS -- YOU HAVE A MORE SEVERE CANCER.

IN THE END IT COSTS MORE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IT IS MORE DEVASTATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL. IF YOU ARE POOR YOU DIE AT A GREATER RATE FROM CANCER. IT IS ALL RELATED TO ACCESS OF CARE. THOSE ARE NATIONAL STATISTICS.

IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE PRE SRAOEP.

THE COST DOES NOT GO AWAY. IT AMPLIFIES THE COST TO THE COMMUNITY. WHETHER YOU ARE A TAXPAYER OR NOT, YOU WILL -- IT MAKES THE PRESENTATION MUCH WORSE AND MUCH MORE SEVERE. AND THAT LEADS TO PEOPLE WITH META STATIC CANCER INSTEAD OF IT BEING CURED THEY ARE GETTING LONG-TERM WE MOW THERAPY -- CHEMOTHERAPY AND MORE EXPENSIVE DRUGS. YOU HEARD FROM BILL MCKEAN.

WE JUST WENT THROUGH A TERRIBLE TWO AND A HALF, THREE YEARS OF A PANDEMIC WHERE PEOPLE DID NOT GET THEIR PREVENTATIVE CARE.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 150 YEARS WE HAVE HAD TWO YEARS OF DECLINING MORTALITY -- DECLINING LIFESPANS.

THE LAST TWO YEARS WE LOST TWO YEARS OF LIFE AS PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF LACK OF ACCESS TO PREVENTIVE CARE.

IF YOU AVOID PREVENTIVE CARE YOUR LIFESPAN AS A COMMUNITY GOES DOWN. THERE IS NO NEED TO REPEAT SOMETHING AGAIN. THIS IS A REAL CLEAR THING WHERE WE JUST NEED TO PROVIDE THE CARE TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, DR. AND THEN ONE LAST COMMENT OR QUESTION IS -- WELL, IT IS A COMMENT OR A QUESTION IN TERMS OF DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE, BUT YOU SORT OF TOUCHED ON IT.

[01:45:01]

>> IT ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT. UNFORTUNATELY IN OUR COUNTRY WITH HAVING SO MANY UNINSURED PEOPLE, IT IS A COST-SHIFTING EXERCISE. IF WE DON'T PAY IT THIS WAY, WE WILL PAY IT THROUGH INCREASED INSURANCE RATES AND TO PROVIDERS. IT IS WHERE THE PEOPLE WILL GO.

PEOPLE WILL GO AND GET CARE AND THAT MEANS THE HOSPITALS WILL HAVE GREATER PERCENTAGES OF UNINSURED PATIENTS.

THEY WILL DRIVE UP THE INSURANCE RATES.

IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. THERE IS ONE SYSTEM.

IT IS TRYING TO SQUEEZE THE BALLOON AND TRYING TO SAVE MONEY ON INDIGENT CARE. IT IS LIKE THE -- IT IS STUPID.

IT IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS THE CARE TO OTHER PROVIDERS AND IT WILL JACK UP THE INSURANCE RATES AS THEY START NEGOTIATING.

IT IS AN INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE. IT IS KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD. AND AT THE SAME TIME THE QUALITY

OF CARE WILL DROP. >> AND IT IS FORTUNATE IT WILL DROP -- IT IS UNFORTUNATE IT WILL DROP HERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND GIVING US PEGGY SMITH ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I KNOW YOU DO IT TO CALL OUR COLLEAGUES.

WE ANSWER YOUR CALL BECAUSE WE WILL SHOW UP TO ONE OF THE

INSTITUTIONS AT ONE POINT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

DR. KLOTMAN. >> JUDGE WE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF HE STEPS OUT WE HAVE TO STOP THE MEETING.

YOU NEED TO LET HIM NOW. THE QUORUM IS THREE PEOPLE IN

PERSON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT MIGHT BE

THAT TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WE WILL TAKE A BREAK. IT IS 12:54 AND WE WILL BREAK FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL 1:05.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

IT IS 2:00. WE DID TAKE A LITTLE LONGER.

THERE WERE INITIAL REPORTS OF A 9-1-1 CALL FROM HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL AND POTENTIAL ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION.

BUT NOW IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED PRELIMINARILY THAT IT SEEMS TO BE STUDENTS THAT GOT INTO A FIGHT AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES REPORTED AND NOBODY SHOT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT IS CONTINUING TO VERIFY.

SO THAT IS THE LATEST INFORMATION I HAVE.

AND WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WASN'T AN ACTUAL -- AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION BEFORE RECONVENING.

[Departments (Part 2 of 7)]

NEXT I HAVE MICHAEL LEDES WITH PRE-TRIAL SERVICES.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO SPEAK.

THE CUTS WOULD BE -- FOR PRE-TRIAL SERVICES WOULD BE FELT IN THE AREA OF PRE-TRIAL SUPERVISION WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT PRE-TRIAL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.

WE FOLLOW COURT ORDERS, AND WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DICTATE OUR VOLUME OF SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE.

SO WE SUPERVISE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING AS WELL AS PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO HAVE ALCOHOL MONITORING THAT IS A STATE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE CHARGED WITH ADDITIONAL DWI'S. WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE CUTS, IT IMPACTS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE TO SUPERVISE THESE CASE LOADS. WE KNOW THE COST MORMON TERRING FOR -- THE COST FOR MORTARING -- FOR MONITORING HAS GONE UP OVER THE YEARS. WE HAVE TO SUSTAIN PEOPLE IN THOSE POSITIONS. THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO DO

[01:50:03]

WE FACE LIKE MANY OTHER AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY PEOPLE LEAVING AND WE ARE JUST LOOKING TO BUILD THOSE POSITIONS.

IN ORDER TO FILL THOSE WE HAVE TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THE AGENCY.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR.

WE'LL HEAR FROM DIRECTOR GONZALEZ WITH THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, 1.07 MILLION IN CUTS.

>> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. CURRENTLY THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT IS EXPERIENCING A CRITICAL STAFFING SHORTAGE IN OUR JUVENILE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES THAT POSES SAFETY CONCERNS FOR BOTH OUR STAFF AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THESE FACILITIES. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, ARE THE ONLY WAY TO START TO ADDRESS THIS IS WITH COMPETITIVE SALARIES. STATEWIDE ALL JUVENILE DEPARTMENTS ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE -- SKWRAOEUS --

>> EXCUSE ME. MR. GONZALEZ, CAN YOU PLEASE TURN YOUR CAMERA ON? DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR THAT'S ARE SPEAKING, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CAMERAS ARE ON WHILE SPEAKING.

THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT.

IS IT ON? I AM USING MY BUTTON AND IT IS

NOT ALLOWING MY CAMERA TO GO ON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE DON'T SEE

YOU, HENDRICK. >> THERE WE GO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. WE SEE YOU NOW.

>> GREAT. LIKE I WAS SAYING, THE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES HAVE ADDRESSED THEIR SALARY ISSUE BY INCREASING THEIR DIRECT CARE SALARIES THAT ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN OURS. MY FEAR IS LOSING STAFF TO NEIGHBORING COUNTIES. WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN CARING FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR FACILITIES. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE RUNNING OUR DETENTION CENTER. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE OPERATING OUR 24/7 INTAKE DIVISION. SO I HAVE TO AGGRESSIVELY ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND THESE -- AND SO THESE CUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO DO THAT IS GOING TO FORCE ME TO SHIFT DOLLARS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING USED FOR COMMUNITY-BASED INTER -- INTERVENTION AND CENTERS BACK TO THE FACILITY TO INCREASE THE SALARIES. BECAUSE WE RECENTLY FOCUSED MORE ON COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, WE WERE ABLE TO CLOSE A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY AND TAKE IT FROM A BUILDING THAT WAS CREATED TO LOCK KIDS UP AND TO CONVERT IT INTO A CENTER THAT PROVIDES SERVICES THAT KEEPS KIDS FROM GETTING LOCKED UP.

RYE -- REDUCING FUNDING AND NOT HAVING THE COMMUNITY DOLLARS WOULD MEAN THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE MONEY FROM THE NEWLY-CREATED YOUTH OPPORTUNITY CENTER THAT IS IN ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTED AREAS THAT IS CURRENTLY PROVIDING VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND JOB COACHES AND WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO JUSTICE-INVOLVED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS COULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE NOT JUST THE SERVICES THERE, BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAN BE SERVED BY THIS CENTER.

IT MEANS OUR COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS INTEND TO KEEP KIDS OUT OF THE DEEPENED AND WOULD BE REDUCED.

AND IF WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE TRUE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS WHICH IS WHAT OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN, IT WOULD MEAN WE WOULD HAVE TO RETURN TO THE MANDATED FUNCTIONS OF A PROBATION DEPARTMENT SUCHS ASUPERVISION. AND WE KNOW THAT LIT RAW FEW -- WE KNOW THAT LITERATURE SHOWS WHEN THAT IS THETH FOCUS, E RESULT WILL NOT BE JUST MORE YOUNG O PEOPLE INUR SYSTEM, BUT IT WILL BE KIDS DEEPER INST OUR SYEM AND HIGHER RECIDIVISM.

THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN LESS SERVICES TO SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS SUCH AS YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING WHO NEED VERY SPECIFIC AND INTENSIVE SERVICES.

MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLEEA HAVE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HLTH NEEDS.

AND WITH LESS COMMUNITY-BASED MONEY, THAT'S GOING TO EQUATE TO LESS MUCH-NEEDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

AND GOING BACK TO OUR DETENTION CENTER SITUATION, THE COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVE TO DETENTION IS ONLY GOING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR DETENTION CENTER.

IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS WE WORKED HARD TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER AND WE HAVE ACTUALLY CUT IT IN HALF. IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE --

[01:55:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. GONZALEZ, THANK YOU AND GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU KNOW, OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE WORKED TO TRY TO MAKE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY A REDIRECT TO DO -- TO INTERVENE WHERE POSSIBLE.

AND IT IS TO ENSURE THAT YOUR FACILITY TKUSZ NOT BECOME THE -- YOUR FACILITY DOES NOT BECOME THE TRAINING GROUND FOR FUTURE AND MORE HOW DOES THIS SPEAK TOWARD PUBLIC SAFETY'S EFFORT AND WILL IT MAKE IT EASIER OR HARDER? WHAT DOES -- IT IS NOT JUST WHAT HENRY GONZALEZ SAYS, BUT WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH TELL US WILL LIKELY BE THE OUTPUT OF AN UNDER FUNDED HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

>> YEAH. THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT.

IT IS PUTTING THINGS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AND ADDRESS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND IT HAS TO START THERE AND THEY ARE THE BEST ONES TO REALLY PREVENT THE SYSTEM AND WE ARE REDIRECTING THE RESOURCES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT IS GIVING THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PROVIDE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS AND PEOPLE ARE LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT CAN HELP RE REDIRECT THE -- TO REDIRECT THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES. FAMILY COACHES TO HELP PARENTS NAVIGATE THROUGH THE SYSTEM THAT THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME NAVIGATING THROUGH WHETHER IT IS THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND EVEN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND TO BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THOSE EFFECTIVELY.

WHAT WE FOUND IN DOING THIS IS THAT IT IS SUCCESS -- IS THAT IT IS SUCCESSFUL. IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF KIDS TODAY COMPARED TO FIVE YEARS AGO, IT HAS DECREASED.

CERTAINLY COVID HAD A PART OF THAT.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE ARE NO LONGER.

WE REVERSED THERT COU. WE REVERSED IT TO WHERE LESS THAN 20% OF THEIN KIDS GOG IN FRONT OF A JUDGE HAVE THERE FORM MISDEANOR OFFENSES, AND MORE THAN 80% FOR SERIOUSOF FELONY FENSES. WHEN WEWE DID IT THE OTHER WAY WERE PUSHING THE LOW-LEVEL PEOPLE INTO THE SYSTEM WHEN THEY REPORTED TO DOD SOMETHING THEY DIDN'T NEE TO DO, WE JUST PUSHED THEM FURTHER IN THE SYSTEM.

WE GAVE THEM A CONSEQUENCE FOR NOT DOING WHAT THEY DIDN'T NEED.

WITH THAT WHAT WE ARE SEEING ARE THE COMMUNITIES THAT I BELIEVE ARE SAFER BECAUSE WE ARE DOING WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE COMMUNITY AND NOT BY THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T WANT TO BE THE DIRECT PROVIDER OF SERVICES FOR THE KIDS. I WANT THAT TO BE THE COMMUNITY.

I WANT THOSE SERVICES TO BE ACCESSIBLE.

IT IS A HIGHLY IMPACTED AREA AND BECAUSE BY PROVIDING THOSE THINGS THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THERE, THERE IS NO DOUBT IT WILL DECREASE THE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY.

WE ARE GIVING THESE KIDS, AND THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE DURING THE DAY IT WILL SERVE OUR KIDS, BUT IN THE EVENING IT WILL SERVE THE COMMUNITY. WE WILL GIVE THEM THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT IS THE JOB PLACEMENT AND

[02:00:09]

ADD TO IT THE EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY WE PROVIDE.

WE THOUGH THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION IN DELINQUENCY.

WE HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATES GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS WITH THE PARENTS. THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS WE ARE FUNDING AND WITHOUT THAT, IN MY OPINION AND BASED ON THE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES WILL THEY ADVERSELY AFFECT THE COMMUNITIES AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE

IN THEM? >> GOOD DEAL.

HENRY, THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR

BEING FOCUSED AND DEDICATED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO. I KNOW OUR KIDS GREW UP TOGETHER! GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR BUDGET OVER THE YEARS. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?

>> IN THIS POSITION SINCE 2018. WITH THE DEPARTMENT, OVER 30

YEARS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVE YOU EVER FACED CUTS LIKE THIS IN THE PAST?

>> DEFINITELY NOT WHILE I WAS THE CHIEF OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. I DO RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO A SIMILAR BUDGET ISSUE THAT DID ADVERSELY AFFECT US PARTICULARLY WITH THE STAFFING IN OUR FACILITYIES, AND IT DID MEAN -- WE HAD TO DO WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT DOING NOW WHICH IS TAKING SOME OF THE FUNDS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND PUTTING THEM BACK INTO OUR FACILITY WHICH MEANS, AGAIN, WE ARE -- WE WOULD BE OPERATING IN A MORE TRADITIONAL PROBATION SYSTEM THAT FOCUSES ON SUPERVISION AND SUPPRESSION. IT IS NOT FOCUSED ON GIVING THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THE TRUE SERVICE THAT'S WE NEED.

ONCE WE GOT OUT OF THAT IS WHEN WE COULD CREATE THE SPECIALTY COURTS AND THE MULTI-SYSTEMIC THERAPY THAT TAKES A THERAPIST INTO THE HOMES WITH THE FAMILY. IT IS FUNCTIONAL FAMILY THERAPY THAT, AGAIN, TAKES THE SERVICES TO THE FAMILY IN THEIR HOME AND IT INCLUDES THE ENTIRE FAMILY. WROUGHT -- WITHOUT OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES AND CONTRACT WITH THE HARRIS CENTER TOEN SUR -- TO ENSURE THOSE KIDS THAT NEED THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE NOT JUST REFERRED THERE, BUT THEY ARE CONNECTED.

RIGHT NOW WITH OUR CURRENT FUNDING AND I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL IMPACT THAT, BUT THOSE FOLKS FROM THE HARRIS CENTER IN OUR FACILITIESON DIRECTLY CNECTING THE FAMILY TO THE SERVICES. SO IF WE ARE RELEASING A KID IN OUR FACILITY, IT IS WITHIN A PLACE OF THE HARRIS CENTER FOR THE SERVICES. SO OUR CURRENT BUDGET ALLOWS US TO DO THOSE THINGS. WITH A CUT WE WON'T CONTINUE TO

DO THOSE THINGS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR

WHAT YOU DO, MR. GONZALEZ. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU.XT >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HEAR NE FROM ANDREA SERVENE WITH THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC

SCIENCES. >> HELLO.

THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

PLEASE EXCUSE MY VOICE. I JUST WANTED TO READ A QUICK STATEMENT REGARDING THE POSITION.

EVEN WITH THE ALLOCATED BUDGET, WE ARE IN A POSITION OF FREEZING POSITIONS AND DECREASING OR POTENTIALLY STOP CONTRACTED SERVICES WE ARE USING TO MAINTAIN OUR SERVICE DEVILS.

WE NEED THESE CONTRACTED SERVICES BECAUSE OF OUR INCREASED CASE LOAD AND ATTRITION WITH THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICE. WE WORK DILIGENTLY TO MAINTAIN THOSE BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE TO OUR ACCREDITATION AND OUR COMMUNITY AND OF COURSE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

LIKE OTHERS WE ARE AFFECTED BY INFLATION.

WE WERE INFORMED BY VENDORS THAT OUR SUPPLY COST IS GOING TO DECREASE SIGNIFICANTLY BECAUSE OF THE RAW MATERIAL COST INCREASING. WOO HAVE -- WE HAVE A LARGE NON-LABOR OPERATING COSTS. I DON'T SEE THESE COSTS AND SERVICES DECREASING BASED ON THE LAST FEW YEARS TRENDS.

FOR INSTANCE, IN 2019 WE HAD 4.3 MILLION WE SPENT ON NON-LABOR OPERATING COSTS COMPARED TO THE LAST FISCAL YEAR INCREASING TO SIX MILLION. THAT'S A 39% INCREASE.

EVEN DESPITE THIS, WE HAVE RESOURCES AND STAFF IN MANAGE MEANT AND WE TRY TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE FUND AND SPEND MONEY ON.

[02:05:03]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THE SERVICES THAT WOULD SEE THEMSELVES AFFECTED WE TALK ABOUT AUTOPSIES. CAN YOU COVER BRIEFLY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT KINDS OF SERVICES YOU PROVIDE.

>> THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PERFORMING AUTOPSIES AND THEY ARE FOR THE ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT WE HAVE THE CRIME LAB THAT PROVIDES OVER 80 PLUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SERVICES TO THEM AND THAT INCLUDES OUR DRUG CHEMISTRY LAB TO IDENTIFY SUBSTANCES AND THE TOXICOLOGY LAB AND OUR GENETIC LAB AND FIREARMS LAB AND OUR TRACE ANALYSIS LAB. SO THAT IMPACTS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WITH REPORTING THE RESULTS AND THE CASES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THAT'S VERY HELPFUL AND PART OF THE IDEA THAT EVERYTHING NEEDS TO WORK TOGETHER.

IF WE ARE FACING CUTS TO THE D.A. AND THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF AND THE COURTS AND YOU ALL, EACH OF THOSE WOULD BE A PROBLEM THAT COMPOUNDED IS A BIGGER PROBLEM.

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

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. HOLLOWAY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO DR. BABIN WITH

POLLUTION CONTROL. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. LET ME TURN MY CAMERA ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD AFTERNOON, DR. BABBIN.

WEU CAN HEAR YOAND I AM WAITING FOR THE CAMERA.

WE SEERE YOU. >> GAT.

GOOD AFTERNOON. JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND, WE ALREADY WERE PLANNING TO NOT HIRE ALL OF OUR OPEN POSITIONS BECAUSE OF A KNOWN DEFICIT.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS 120,000, BUT IN ACTUALITY IT WAS MORE THAN THAT. WE WERE LOOKING TO NOT FIRE -- HIRE 13 OF OUR OPEN POSITIONS THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE PROGRESSION THAT WE HAVE BEEN GOING UNDER RECENTLY WITH OUR DEPARTMENT. WE HAD LOTS OF BOND DEPRECIATION OVER DECADES, LITERALLY, IN THE LAST I WOULD SAY 20 YEARS OR SO.

NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS PROCESS HAM TERRING SOME OF THE GROWTH -- GROWTH WE HAVE SEEN. THE CONCRETE BATCH PLANT PROCESS THAT WE STARTED ALLOWED US TO BRING 89% OF THOSE BATCH PLANTS THAT WE LOOKED AT INTO COMPLIANCE.

HOWEVER, IF WE ARE SHORT OF FUNDING THAT WILL HAMPER THE PROCESS FOR US TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THOSE FACILITIES.

AND ALSO, THIS PROGRAM WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN LAYING THE GROUND WORK FOR THE INFORMATION THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT LEAD TO US TO UNDERSTAND THAT TCEQ WAS NEGLIGENT IN PERMITTING THESE FACILITIES THAT ARE LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO RESIDENTS, PARKS AND SCHOOLS.

THAT IS GOING TO HAMPER OUR PROCESS.

ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN OUR COMPLAINTS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE CITIZENS BY 31%.

AND WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN RESPONSE ACTIVITY.

THIS ACTIVITY WAS HAM -- HAMPERED PRIOR TO RTC GIVING US MORE ATTENTION TO THE DEPARTMENT.

AND NONE OF THIS IS DECREASING -- WE ARE SEEING GROWTH IN HARRIS COUNTY AND GROWTH IN THE COMMUNITIES AND GROWTH IN SMALL AND LARGE COMPANIES AND IT IS NOT GOING TO SLOW DOWN. ANYTHING THAT DECREASES OUR ABILITY TO HAVE OBJECTIVE THINGS HAPPENING WILL AFFECT OUR FACILITY. AND WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL AIR MONITORS AND BRING STAFF TO MAINTAIN THAT IF WE HAVE SEVERE CUTS. WE ARE LOOKING AT CUT IS -- CUTTING OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN HALF.

WE WERE PROJECTING A GROWTH OF EIGHT SPECIALISTS AND NOW WE ARE DOWN TO FOUR. THAT WILL PREVENT US FROM OPERATING WELL IN A MULTI-DAY EVENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE US TO HAVE AROUND THE CLOCK SURVEILLANCE.

IT ALSO WILL MEAN THAT THOSE DAY THAT'S WE DON'T HAVE EMERGENCIES AND THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS ARE HELPING THE FIELD INVESTIGATORS

[02:10:02]

WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL I'M PABLGT. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, IMPACT HEALTH. EITHER SHORT-TERM OR LONG-TERM OR BOTH. ANYTHING THAT WILL ENFORCE THE REGULATIONS WILL HELP WITH THE DISPARITIES IN THEO: COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALG COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

DR. BABIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

I CAN TELL BY THE TONE THAT THIS IS VERY, VERY CONCERNING FOR

YOU. >> YES, IT ISK .

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO THANYOU FOR THAT.

THAT'S A DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SERVANT SPEAKING.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE MY CONSTITUENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE, NO PUN INTENDED, A SIGH, DEEP BREATH, SIGH OF RELIEF BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THAT CAPACITY YOUR TEAM NOW HAS VERSUS WHERE THE POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT WAS IN 2019.

SO WHAT YOU DESCRIBED, WE WENT THROUGH A COUPLE YEARS OF EXPLOSIONS AND LEAKS AND ODORS AND BARGE ACCIDENTS.

IT FELT LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY THERE WAS SOMETHING HAPPENING NEAR THE PORT OF HOUSTON. YOU AND YOUR TEAM WERE READY AND PRESENT AND RESPONDING. A LOT OF MY CONSTITUENTS WERE ABLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE AND MORE CONFIDENT THAN EVER BEFORE THAT WE WERE GIVING THE PROPER PROTECTION.

EMERGENCIES WILL ALWAYS GET THE RIGHT ATTENTION, BUT THOSE THINGS THAT WILL TRY TO SET US AHEAD OF THINGS AND I WANT TO THANK ACC, TCC, ECMA BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE HEADLINES FOR THE WRONG REASONS. HOW WILL THIS AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO BE A GOOD PARTNER AND TO KEEP OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND HEALTHY AND FIND THOSE WHO ARE TRULY THE BAD ACTORS THAT

HURT OUR COMMUNITIES. >> AS I INDICATE IT IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT WITH LESS STAFF TO GO OUT AND INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINTS AND TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS AND TO GO THROUGH THOSE PER -- PERMITS AND TALK WITH THE INDUSTRY PERSONS. IT SLOWS DOWN EVERYTHING.

EVEN THOUGH WE WILL GET TO IT, IT WILL TAKE LONGER FOR US TO GET TO IT WHICH MEANS THE ISSUES MAY TAKE LONGER TO RESOLVE.

AND NOT THAT THE INDUSTRY DOESN'T WANT TO WORK WITH US, BUT IF WE HAVE A LONGER DELAY IN GETTING TO THEM AND HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS, THEY MAY NOT KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS WE HAVE TO BE

ABLE TO PROVIDE THE ANSWERS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ENCOURAGE DR. BABIN, YOU AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO JUST POST -- JUST PUT OUT WHAT YOU HOPE TO DO IN THE BUDGET PROPOSED AND WHAT YOU THINK YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO AND NOT DO IN A NEW BUDGET. YOU DON'T HAVE TO* PUT UH -- YOU

[02:15:01]

IN FACT, TAG US ALL AND SAY I ASKED YOU TO DO IT.

>> THANK YOU, DR. BABIN. WE WILL MOVE ON TO DR. MELTON WITH THE LIBRARYYS STEM. AS DR. MELT K* N GOES ON THEFI LINE, NALLY WE WILL HAVE L DR. DAVEEWIS WITH VETERAN SERVICES AND THEN MOVE ON TO THE VOTE.

I S JUST WANT TO MAKEURE THATAR FOLKS ARE AWE.

IS DIRECTOR MEDICAL TON ON THE LINE -- IS DIRECTOR MELT IN ON

THE LINE? >> YES -- IS DIRECTOR MELTON ON

THE LINE? >> YES.

I AM STARTING MY VIDEO. >> GO AHEAD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE IMPACT OF BUDGETARY -- BUDGET REDUCTION WOULD PRETTY MUCH IMPACT OUR COLLECTION BUDGET AND 52% OF OUR BUDGET IS IN COLLECTIONS. IN THE PAST TWO YEARS -- THE PAST TWO FISCAL YEARS, COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS APPROVED 1.5 MILLION IN FUNDING SO WE CAN MEET THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE REQUIRED BY THE STATE CODE AND THE TEXAS STATE ARCHIVE OF THE COMMISSION. WITH THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY LOSE ACCREDITATION IN TERMS OF OUR STATE ACCREDITATION.

AND THEN ALSO WITH THAT IMPACT, THEN WE WOULD LOSE SOME OF OUR DATABASES WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT A VALUE OF 946,000 DOLLARS.

ALSO IN TERMS OF THE REDUCTION OF BUDGET, IT IS ALSO GOING TO IMPACT OUR STAFFING LEVELS. WITH THE STAFFING LEVELS WE MAY HAVE TO REDUCE OUR OPERATING HOURS TO THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF FIVE HOURS PER BRANCH, FIVE HOURS A WEEK PER BRANCH IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE AT THE CURRENT LEVEL THAT WE ARE OPERATING AT. THAT IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE OUT REACH AND OUR LITERACY SERVICES AND THERE IS AN IMMERSIVE CONNECTIVITY FUND AND THE DEVICES.

SO WE JUST RECEIVED FEDERAL FUNDING AND WE WILL RECEIVE THOSE CHROME BOOKS AT THE END OF THIS -- AT THE END OF -- [INAUDIBLE] AND WE CAN STRIP THOSE DEVICES.

HAVING LESS STAFF TO DO THAT DISTRIBUTION IT PRETTY MUCH COSTS US -- IT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS TO THOSE DEVICES WHICH COULD TOTAL UP TO ABOUT $225,000 A MONTH IF WE CALCULATE THAT OUT IN TERMS OF THE REDUCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTION. THOSE ARE THE MAJOR IMPACTS IT IS REALLY OUR MATERIAL BUDGET AND OUR STAFF THAT WILL BE IMPACTED IN TERMS OF BUDGET REDUCTION.

I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

DR. MELTON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN LIBRARY ASSESSMENT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF GRAD CAFE.

UNLESS I PUT IN ANOTHER MILLION YOU PROBABLY WON'T BE ABLE TO

SUSTAIN THAT, IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR -- WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THE HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM ISN'T JUST ABOUT CHECKING OUT BOOKS OR BEING ABLE TO DOWNLOAD BOOKS.

YOU OFFER ANNC IREDIBLE ARRAY OF SERVICES.

I DON'TT WANTO YOU GO THROUGH THE LIST OF THEM, BUT PERCENTAGW ISED , WOULYOU SAY THAT THERE IS A 10, A 20, 30,CH 40, 50% ANCE, -- NOT CHANCE BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO ELIMINATE, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50% OF THE SERVICES YOU ARE CURRENTLY

PROVIDING? >> I WOULD SAY?

[02:20:05]

WE ENGAGE TEENS IN AND IT AFFECTS THE OUT REACH WE DO IN TERMS OF WITH THE CURIOSITY CRUISER.

WITH THE CURIOSITY CRUISER, THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST LITERACY PROGRAMS. WITH THAT PROGRAM, IF WE HAVE A REDUCTION IN THE BUDGET, THAT MEANS WE WILL HAVE AROUND 36,000 KIDS AND WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SERVICE AND WE WILL HAVE TO ELIMINATE 39 LOCATIONS OR SITES THAT WE VISITED WITH THE CREW.

THAT WOULD BE SOME OF THE IMPACT WE WOULD HAVE FOR OUT REACH

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. MELTON, THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DOCTOR, THANK YOU.

WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS FOR DECIDING WHERE TO ELIMINATE SERVICES? DOES THAT COME BACK TO US?

>> REALLY FOR US, WE WOULD JUST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE HAVE CAPACITY AT IN TERMS OF OUR STAFFING LEVELS AND THAT'S HOW WE WOULD DETERMINE WHAT WE HAVE TO REDUCE IN TERMS OF THE REDUCTIONS IN SERVICES. AND IF WE HAVE TO DO THAT REDUCTION, IT IS ABOUT ELIMINATING THE AMOUNT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO CUT.

OBVIOUSLY FOR THOSE WHO CHOSE NOT TO SHOW UP, TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE MAKING THAT DECISION BASED ON WHAT THEY THINK IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THEIR PRECINCTS.

I WANT TO SEE IT AND I WANT TO TELL MR. BERRY AND FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS I WANT TO SEE IT BEFORE IT GOES INTO EFFECT SO I DIDN'T SIGN ON THIS JOB. YOU GOT ME?

TO THE EXTENT I HAVE A VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER WE WILL GET MORE GUIDANCE, BUT SOME THINGS ARE MORE ADD -- ADD STREUT TIFF IN -- ADMINISTRATIVE AND SOME ARE POLICY.

WE WILL GET GUIDANCE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FAIR, I GET THAT. I AM WILLING TO CAST A VOTE SOMEBODY IS CRITICAL OF, AND I SHOW UP.

YOU GOT ME? WHEN THE DECISIONS ARE MADE, I DON'T WANT THE DEPARTMENTS OR YOU MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

DIRECTOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HEAR FROM DIRECTOR LUIS.

>> I AM COLONEL DAVE LUIS, DIRECTOR OF VETERAN SERVICES.

I WANT TO PREFACE MY REMARKS BY SAYING WE ARE ALREADY HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME MEETING THEY PER GENT NEEDS OF VETERAN POPULATIONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WE FIND IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

AND THOSE WHO ARE IN CRISIS AND THE ABILITY TO RESPOND TO THAT.

WE STARTED THE PROGRAM, AS WE ALL KNOW A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

WE HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT WE ARE BEING OVER RUN, QUITE FRANKLY IN OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

SPECIFICALLY WITH NO NEW REVENUE, WE HAVE ONE CURRENT POSITION THAT IS UNFILLED. IT IS A POSITION THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CREDENTIALED PERSON IN.

WE ARE JUST NOT COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKET TO DO THAT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A VETERAN, BUT NOT COMPETITIVE IN THAT PARTICULAR MARKET. AND WE HAVE TWO NEW POSITIONS ON THE BOOKS. THEY ARE BOTH DEALING WITH VETERAN TRANSITION AND VETERAN BUSINESS SERVICES AND SPECIFICALLY WE HAD ONE POSITION DEDICATED TOWARD CONNECTING VETERANS IN TRANSITION WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES.

WE GET REQUESTS FROM VETERANS THROUGH A VARIETY OF SERVICE PROVISIONS TO DO THAT. THE SECOND POSITION AND ONE WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO AND THAT IS TO BE AEUBLG -- BE ABLE TO ASSIST THE BETTER KNOWN SMALL BUSINESSES TO BECOME CERTIFIED AND GET ON THE LIST AND DO CONTRACTING WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE THE PROPOSAL IN PLACE AND UNABLE TO IMPLEMENT THAT UNDER THE CURRENT PROVISION.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE AND I WOULD BE GLAD TO TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

AIDE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, COLONEL, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

[02:25:03]

THIS IS A HELL OF A WAY TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR PATRIOTS.

I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT FROM MY PRECINCT STANDPOINT, I GOT A LOT OF VETERANS WHO ARE IN REAL NEED OF GETTING CONNECTED TO THEIR EARNED BENEFITS. THIS IS NOT JUST THE INCARCERATED POPULATION. THESE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE CONTINUING TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND IF NOT FOR YOU AND IF NOT FOR MY PRECINCT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. I WISH THIS WAS NOT A CONVERSATION, BUT REGRETTABLY IT IS.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, COLONEL AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU TO THE SERVICE TO OUR NATION.

JUDGE, WE HAVE MR. RAMIREZ WHO IS WITH THE VFW, AND I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE SOME TESTIMONY AS IT

RELATES TO VETERAN SERVICES. >> COMMISSIONER, IF I COULD, BRIEFLY, I JUST WANTED TO NOTE THAT OUR INTERVENTIONS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND THE RE-ENTRY SERVICES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. OVER THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE 330 VETERANS COMING OUT OF THE JAIL WITH A 7% RECIDIVISM RATE.

OEU -- I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT INTERVENTION IN THE TRANSITION AND RE-ENTRY

SERVICES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 6 )]

>> LINA HIDALGO: STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.

>> MY NAME IS VICTOR RAMIREZ WITH VFW AND I AM A SENIOR VICE COMMANDER THERE ON THE STATE LEVEL AND ON THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.

I AM THE LEVY CHAIR. TODAY I WANT TO GIVE THE FLOOR TO OUR DISTRICT MANAGER, MR. SEAN ELLIS.

>> SEAN ELLIS, DISTRICT 4 COMMANDER FOR ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WILL JUST STATE THAT DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS DURING THIS COVID EXPERIENCE IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE VFW. WE HAVE EVEN -- SEEN OUR 16 POSTS DROP DOWN TO 13 POSTS. KNOWING THE BUDGETARY ISSUES WE WILL BE GOING THROUGH, IT JUST TERRIFIES US THAT THE VETERANS OF 300,000 IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE WILL AGAIN SEE OUR SERVICES SHRINK. BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS, AND EVEN OUR COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE ABSENT TODAY, FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SUPPORT OF THE VFW AND KNOW THAT THE VETERAN COMMUNITY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY IS STRONG AND WE

WILL SURVIVE THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY

MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FORON COLEL LEWIS? THANK YOU SO D MUCH,IRECTOR.TH ANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.AN TIFFY,SE ANYONE EL WHOLI WOULD KE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THISFO ITEM -- R OR AGAINST? THIS

ITEM >> WE HAVE ONEPEAKER.

STEVE RADDICK SPEAKING IN PERSON AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK HE IS HERE, TIFFANY, BUT IF HE SHOWS UP I WILL LET YOU KNOW. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> THAT'S THE ONLY SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. AND THIS WAS THE ITEM ON THE BUDGET HEARINGS, CORRECT? 321?

>> YES, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I NOW CLOSE

THIS PUBLIC HEARING -- -- >> I'M SORRY.

THIS IS FOR 321? I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING 323.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. WE ARE ON 321.

>> WE HAVE MORE SPEAKERS FOR 321 THEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> FIRST IS GABRIELLA FROM TEXAS JAIL PROJECT SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING TO WORK TODAY.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. MY NAME IS GABRIELLA AND I WORK WITH TEXAS JAIL PROJECT AND I AM SPEAKING AND I WILL PREFACE WITH SAYING MY COMMENTS ARE RELATED TO THE PROPOSED FISCAL 23 BUDGET AND NOT THE ANNUAL LIESED SHORT FISCAL YEAR.

MY ORGANIZATION, TEXAS JAIL PROJECT HAS MONITORED THE JAIL CONDITIONS AND THE SPENDING AND ADVOCATED FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY COUNTY JAIL IN TEXAS FOR 15 YEARS.

WE SET ON THE JUDICIAL COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH, THE

[02:30:03]

WE COME TO YOU TODAY AS EXPERTS WITH INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE AND DEEP INSIGHT FOR DISABILITIES. WE ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM THAT HARRIS COUNTY'S PROPOSED FISCAL BUDGE SKPET ANNUAL LIES -- AND ANNUAL LIESED SHORT FISCAL BUDGET ARE FRONTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY. YOU HEARD FROM DR. --

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

>> I THINK WE ARE UNDER 25 SPEAKERS NOW.

COULD I HAVE THREE MINUTES? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE A BRIEF COMMENT YOU WANT TO MAKE TO WRAP UP?

IT WILL BE A LONG DAY. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO NOTE THAT WE HEARD FROM POLLUTION CONTROL AND SAYING HOW THEY COULDN'T HIRE 13 POSITIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT A STUDY FROM 2020 IN THE HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAID THAT IN ONE YEAR OF PARTICULATE MATTER CONTRIBUTED TO 5,000 PREMATURE DEATHS. WE ARE THROWING 100 MILLION NEW DOLLARS TO SOLVE AND ADDRESS 460 HOMICIDES, BUT WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE AND WHERE IS THE FUNDING FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBER THAT'S ARE DYING FROM POLLUTION CONTROL THAT WILL BE DENIED SERVICES TO CANCER SCREENINGS AND TO PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES LIKE MY BROTHER. HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IS ALREADY USURPIG THE FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCE CONSEQUENCES AND I URGE YOU TO TAKE LEADERSHIP AND REEXAMINE

BUDGET PRIORITIES. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22, CHRISTOPHER RIVERA OF TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. LINE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, THANK YOU CLARIFY THE SPEAKERS ALL TOLLED? IS IT ONE MINUTE PER SPEAKER OR

THREE. >> SINCE THERE WERE MORE THAN 25 PEOPLE SIGNED UP ORIGINALLY IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE MINUTE PER

SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER RIVERA AND I WORK WITH THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT.

FROM HERE ON OUT WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE HOUSING AND DEBT RELIEF IN OUR BUDGET. WE HAVE SEEN 60% -- WE SEE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT RECEIVED 60% OF OUR FUNDING AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL 200 MORE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES AND COSTING AS YOU ANOTHER $20 MILLION.

THIS IS GOINGPA TO IMCT US WITH MORE POLICING ANDO LEADING T HARASSMENT. WHAT WEIS NEED TO DO KEEPNT RESIDES SAFE AND WE NEED TO PUT MONEY INTOE RESOURCES LIKHA PROGRAMS TT HAVE BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE WITH PUBLIC HEALTHAL ANDN LOCATION JOBS AND DEBT RELIEF. THESE KINDS OF INVESTMENTS WILL ADDRESS SYSTEMIC ISSUES AND INVESTMENTS TO THE SAFETY PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND INCOME ASSISTANCE IS USED TO INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY AND DECREASE CRIME. PLEASE INVEST IN THESE TYPES OF PROGRAMS. THANKS AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 2 -- I'M SORRY SPEAKER NUMBER 24, TARA BULA SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THIS.

YOUR FEAR MONGERING ON THE CUTS IS THEATRICAL.

WHOA TO THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD AND GOOD EVIL.

YOU CALL ABORTION WHICH IS MURDER HEALTHCARE.

YOU WANT TO USE ARPA FUNDS FOR CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNS? THESE ARE ALL LIES.

MY PASTOR SAID THIS, IF THERE IS POOP IN YOUR BROWNIES, YOU WOULD THROW THE WHOLE PAN OUT. THERE IS POOP IN THIS BUDGET AND IT NEEDS TO BE THROWN OUT. NO MORE SLUSH S FUNDS TO WEAPONIZE OUR SYSTEMS AGAINST US AS THE CITIZENS.

THE REST OF THE COUNTRY HAS HAD TO MAKE CUTS AS WELL BECAUSE OF THE I WILL LEGITIMATE -- ILLEGITIMATE JOE BIDEN.

AND NU -- NOW ARE YOU FACED TO DEAL WITH WHAT EVERY OTHER AMERICAN. ENOUGH WHINING AND USE THE MONEY ON NECESSARY ITEMS INSTEAD OF LEFTIST PRIORITIES.

>> THANK YOU. >> YOUR NAME?

>> TARA BULA. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 25, NICOLE MOCH. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

DEAR, COUNTY JUDGE HUH -- HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM NICOLE MOCH. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 321 AND TESTIFY AGAINST THE CURRENT ALLOCATION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET. HARRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO 1.6 IMMIGRANTS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, PROSPERITY AND DUE PROCESS IN COURT.

THE FEELING OF TRUST AND SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITIES AND THE

[02:35:01]

LET US KNOW YOU ARE WILLING TO ACT ON LONG NEEDED NEED.

GIVE RESOURCE AND ACCESS LIKE WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR.

I URGE YOU TO REALLOCATE TO THE SAFETY AND BUDGET.

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

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 26, DOROTHY SPEAKING IN PERSON.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHE IS MAKING

HER WAY. >> THANK YOU.

THE FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IR LETTING ME CHIME IN AGAIN AS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. I WILL MAKE IT ON THE RECORD THAT I AM MORE AND MORE FEARFUL TO SPEAK OUT IN TRUTH.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO ASK OF THE JUDGE AND THE TWO COMMISSIONERS IS THE PUBLIC COMES TO THESE MEETINGS.

MANY OF THEM WORK. MANY OF THEM ARE STRUGGLING TO GET HERE. I'M NOT IN THAT POSITION, BUT I GIVE MY TIME FOR MY COUNTRY AND MY CITY.

WHY DO YOU BELABOR ALL OF THESE OTHER ISSUES AND NOT ALLOW THE PEOPLE TO SPEAK MORE? WHY DO YOU NOT ALLOW THAT? FIRST OF ALL, YOU ARE PUTTING THE BLAME ON CAGLE AND RAMSEY.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER. ALL THAT INFORMATION THAT'S BEING TOLD TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING LATINO GROUPS AND I AM AAT LINA,HA TT IS PROPAGANDA. YOU ARE NOTLI TELNG THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT ISY REALLGOING ON. YOU ARE PUTTING ALL OF THE ON CAGLE ANDAN RAMSEY D YOU ARE TO BLAME FOR THE HORRIBLE CRIME IN THIS CITY. L TAKE AOOK AT YOURSELF.

STOP THE BUREAUCRACY. >> THANKR YOU, MA'AM, YOUTIME

IS UP.DA >> LINA HILGO: DID YOU GET THE

NAME AND AFFILIATION, TIFFANY? >> YES, MA'AM.LG

>> LINA HIDAO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 27, MELISSA MARTINEZ SPEAKING VIRTUALLY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. WE'LL COME BACK TO HER.

SHE MUST BE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 28, SAVA BLANDING SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SAVA BLANDING AND I AM SPEAKING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. I AM A RESIDENT -- A 17-YEAR RESIDENT OF DISTRICT 2 OR PRECINCT 2, AND I APPRECIATE THAT MY COUNTY COMMISSIONER IS HERE.

ALSO MY COMMENTS SPEAK TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

WE ARE ASKING -- SAYING HIRING MORE OFFICERS IS AN IRREVERSIBLE DECISION WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

TO KEEP RESIDENTS STAEUF WE NEED RESOURCES TOWARD PEOPLE RATHER THAN PUNISHMENT, INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND OTHER COUNTY RESOURCES ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED AND LONG OVERDUE.

AS IT STANDS YOU ARE TAKING AWAY DOLLARS FROM PROGRAM THAT'S DIRECTLY IMPACT MEANINGFUL CHANGE AND INVESTING IN SECURITY THEATER THAT EXACERBATES HARM ON THE COMMUNITIES ARE YOU SWORN TO PROTECT -FPBLT MOREOVER, BY REMOVING THE DOLLARS YOU ARE COMPROMISING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. PEOPLE WANT THE COUNTY TO PRE VIOLENCE AND HARM BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND NOT JUST RESPOND

AFTER IT DOES. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO MELISSA MARTINEZ, SPEAKER 27.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO SPEAKER 29, NAOLA.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU SURE THE CONNECTION IS WORKING? I SEE THAT SPEAKER IS VIRTUAL AS WELL, RIGHT, TIFFANY?

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. WE CAN HEAR YOU.

GO AHEAD. >> HI.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS NAOLI AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2 AND A MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON [INAUDIBLE]. TO KEEP RESIDENTS SAFE WE NEED TO INVEST IN PEOPLE INSTEAD OF A PUNITIVE SYSTEM THAT EXACERBATES HARM. HARRIS COUNTY WANT PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSE OF HARM TO PREVENT VIOLENCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AND NOT JUST RESPOND AFTER IT DOES.

INVESTMENTS INTO POLICE, BUT EDUCATION AND HOUSING WILL LEAD

[02:40:07]

HARRIS HEALTH IS IN DIRE NEED OF ADDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

WITH NO NEW REVENUE RATE OR CHANGES IN A PROPOSED BUDGET, HARRIS HEALTH WOULD BE FORCED TO CUT 10,000 PAY SHREPBTS FROM SERVICES AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT INVESTING IN PEOPLE HAS A MUCH BETTER IMPACT ON SAFETY THAN THROWING MONEY AT POLICE IN PRISON.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBLE TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET FOR EVERY HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> WE WILL TRY MELISSA MARTINEZ ONE MORE TIME. MELISSA, YOU CAN UNMUTE YOURSELF

AND SPEAK. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES.

>> HI, MY NAME IS MELISSA. I AM AN EDUCATOR AND RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4. I AM CALLING [INAUDIBLE] ON THE 2023 BUDGET. [INAUDIBLE] FOR AS MANY OF US WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY RESIDENT FEELS SAFE AND INCLUDED WHICH MEANS [INAUDIBLE] UTILITIES AVAILABLE AND EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND EVICTION AVAILABLE TO ALL RESIDENT REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS AND CARDS FOR CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS AND TO PROHIBIT THE PROSECUTING OF INDIVIDUALS AND PUBLIC SAFETY TO UPROOT THE CONNECTION OF PRIDE.

IT IS ABOUT [INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 30, ARIS BROWN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE NOT HEARING ANYTHING, TIFFANY.

>> OKAY. WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAKER. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 31, KATERINA. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS KATERINA AND HOUSTON'S POLICY ADVOCATE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND I WANT TO UP LIFT THE PROPOSALS MADE BY THE COMMUNITY SAFETY AGENDA. THESE INVESTMENTS ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR SURVIVORS.

[INAUDIBLE] AND EVERYDAY OUR TEAM HELPS SURVIVORS NAVIGATE THEIR JOURNEY TO SAFETY, HOUSING STABILITY, FOOD SECURITY AND MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS AND TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER METRICS [INAUDIBLE]. THESE METRICS ARE NECESSARY TO BE SERVED AND A CRITICALLY UNDER FUNDED.

FOR THAT REASON WE ASK THE PROPOSALS IN THE AGENDA BE CONSIDERED. I AM GRATEFUL TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND JUDGE HIDALGO FOR THEIR WORK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 32, KATIE MARSDA. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. KATIE MARSDA? OKAY. WE WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT CALLER.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 33, DONNA MURPHY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SEEMS ODD, TIFFANY, FOR ALL OF THESE FOLKS

TO BE SILENT. >> I KNOW, JUDGE.

[02:45:02]

THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TIME TO FIGURE ITUT O? MAYBE YOU COULD CALL THE

IN-PERSON PEOPLE. >> ARE YOU? THERE

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> HI.

I AM AAN PHYSICI WHO SERVES AT AN ORGANIZATION THAT JOINS MANYT OTHERSODAY TO URGE TO PASS A BUDGE THAET CENTERS THE SAFETY AND NATIONAL --ON NATURALIZATI OF ALL PEOPLE BY INVESTIGATING IN HEALTH AND SOCIALI DETERMINANTS.

PRAY THAT THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM THAT WAS THE BEST PART OW RESIDENCY AND FELLSHIP FOR ME. I UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS.

IT IS ONLY AT DEATH'S DOOR AND PATIENTS COULD BE CURED AND IT IS DENIED TO A FACILITY TO PAY. GIVEN THE BACKDROP THEY LEARNED FISCAL YEAR 22 AND 23 BUDGETS FOR THE COUNTY DEVOTED 60% TO POLICING AND PUNISHMENT. WE CANNOT DE NIGHT THE REALITY OF RACIALIZED VIOLENCE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT WHERE PUNISHMENT DOES NOT WORK TO DETER CRIME. WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE? I LEARNED WE CAN NEVER REDUCE THE SIZE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ONCE WE COMMITTED TO AN INCREASE. NOT ONLY IS THAT DANGEROUS AND INEFFECTIVE AS A CHOICE NOW, BUT IT LOCKS US INTO AN IRRESPONSIBLE ARRANGEMENT FOR YEARS TO COME.

I URGE YOU TO COLLECT OUR ADOPTED DRAFT --

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW. >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR

THE RECORD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE GOT IT IN

UNDER THE WIRE. >> DONNA MURPHY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE WILL GO BACK TO NUMBER 30, ARIS BROWN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME?

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

WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> PERFECT.

HI, Y'ALL. MY NAME IS ARIS BROWN AND PRECINCT 2. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE AGENDA ITEM 321. I BELIEVE -- ESPECIALLY ON BEHALF OF PR-PBLG -- [INAUDIBLE] WE TALK ABOUT HIRING OFFICERS IS IRREVERSIBLE WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

I WANT US TO GO TOWARD PUBLIC SAFETY AND HEALTH HEALTH AND I WANT US TO THINK THROUGH GENUINE WAYS OF ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AND THE NEEDS THAT ARE NOT REACTIVE, ESPECIALLY SUSTAINING THE -- NOT JUST HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE IN ADDRESSING CRIME WITH THE AMOUNT OF OFFICERS WE HAVE. I I WANT TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS. INVESTING IN HEALTHCARE AND INVESTING IN HUMAN LIFE AND INVESTING IN LIBRARIES AND INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND CARING ABOUT -- THE NEEDS OF

PEOPLE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT WE WILL GO BACK TO SPEAKER --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU HAVE TO STAY HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE COMMISSIONER RADACK HERE IN

PERSON. >> OKAY.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE HIM NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: IS IT ALL RIGHT

IF WE DO THAT? >> YES, MA'AM, THAT'S FINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> JAMES. IT HAS BEEN A MINUTE.

QUITE A GROUP OF DEPARTMENT HEADS YOU HEARD FROM SINCE YOU THREE HAVE THE POU -- POWER TO GET THEM FIRED IF THEY DON'T SAY WHAT YOU TELL THEM TO SAY. TOO BAD THEY COULDN'T BE OBJECTIVE WHILE UNDER THREAT. TOO BAD THE THREE OF YOU DIDN'T ADD A HUNDRED CONSTABLE DEPUTIES AND SHERIFF DEPUTIES TO GET A BUDGET APPROVED. TOO BAD HIDALGO DID NOT TRUST THE SHERIFF TO HANDLE HER SECURITY.

JUST MORE BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS BECAUSE OF THE CRIME SPREE YOU SUPPORTED BY NEGLECT. TOO BAD THAT NONE OF YOU WENT TO THE DEPUTY'S FUNERAL AFTER HE WAS MURDERED BY TWO THUGS THAT WERE OUT ON SMALL BONDS FOR MURDER AND CAPITAL MURDER.

ADRIAN, LOOKS TO ME LIKE YOU STARTED YOUR TEQUILA SHOTS A LITTLE EARLY TODAY. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: STEVE, I WILL MEET YOU AT THE BAR.

THAT'S WHERE YOU PROBABLY BELONG, BY THE WAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TOO BAD WE DON'T GET OUT OF HERE SOONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, TIFFANY.

TIFFANY, DO YOU HAVE VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON SPEAKERS? I'M SORRY. I WAS MUTED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS GENTLEMAN IS AN IN-PERSON SPEAKER. W

>> LINA HIDALGO:ELL -- OKAY. IT MAY NOT BE ON THIS ITEM.

WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIA ITEM.

I AM JUST AFID IT IS GONNA BREAK THE -- WHATEVER TIFFANY

[02:50:02]

>> UP NEXT IS KATIE AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET AND IMPROVING DEFICIT WE NEED FOR OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES INSTEAD OF FURTHER INCREASING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET.

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEES THEMED -- THEMSELVES AS THIN BLUE LINE BETWEEN THOSE NEEDING PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINALS.

WHO IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LINE? PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND HOMELESSNESS AND PEOPLE DESPERATE TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN AND ALL TOO OFTEN BLACK HOUSTONIANS BECAUSE OF THE SYSTEMIC RACISM.

A LINE CANNOT BE DRAWN BETWEEN THEM AND THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY ARE THE COMMUNITY TOO. THE JOB OF THE BUDGET IS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

WHY DO WEALTHY COMMUNITIES LIKE THE ONE I GREW UP IN HAVE LOW CRIME RATES? IT IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE POLICING BUDGET. IT IS BECAUSE THE COMMUNITIES HAVE FULLY-FUNDED SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR RESIDENTS AND HELP THEM LEAD FULFILLING LIVES AND THEREFORE DECREASING CRIME. PLEASE REMOVE INCREASES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING FROM THE BUDGET AND INSTEAD PRIORITIZE

SOCIAL SERVICES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 35, KIMBERLY HUGHES.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HUH -- HIDALGO.

MY NAME IS KIMBERLY HUGHS AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3 AND RETIRED TEACHER OF 31 YEARS AND A MOM OF THREE ADULT CHILDREN.

I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY SAYING I FIND IT REPREHENSIBLE THAT MY COMMISSIONER, TOM RAMSEY, AND JACK CAGLE, ARE NOT IN ATTENDANCE. FAILING TO APPEAR IS A DERELICTION OF DUTY AND HARRIS COUNTY DESERVES BETTER.

AS A PARENT OF A CHILD WITH DISABILITY I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT NEXT YEAR'S COUNTY BUDGET WOULD GROW THE SHARE -- SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE BY $1MILLION WHILE HARRIS HEALTH FACES A BUDGET CRISIS. THE IDEA OF HARRIS HEALTH HAVING TO CUT PEOPLE WHEN WE NEED MEDICAL SERVICES BREAKS MY HEART AND WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTY AND EVEN THE FUTURE OF MY OWN CHILDREN. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LEADING MEDICAL CENTER, BUT DR. PORSA SAYS THERE ARE PEOPLE WAITING ON A BACKLOG OF CANCER SCREENINGS AND PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS LIKE MY

CHILD. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 36, MICHAEL TORCH SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO. I AM MICHAEL TORCH.

IT HAS BEEN STUDIED AND DOCUMENTED THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD VIOLENCE ENACTED AGAINST THEM ARE MORE LIKELY TO ENACT VIOLENCE AGAINST OTHERS WE UNDERSTAND THIS WHEN WE WATCH A SHOW OR MOVIE AND AN ANTAGONIST RULES A COMMUNITY THROUGH FEAR AND VIOLENCE. AND A HEROIC PEOPLE RISE UP TO CHALLENGE THEM USING VIOLENCE THEMSELVESES TO SAVE THE DAY.

HOWEVER, THERE IS A HUGE DISCONNECT WHEN WE GET TO REALITY AND PEOPLE ARE REALIZING THAT WHEN A HUMAN IS HARASSED, BEATEN AND THROWN IN A CAGE WITH OTHER HUMANS THAT HAVE BEEN HARASSED AND BEATEN, THEY ARE EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE.

WHEN THEY CANNOT DIRECT THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE OF THE VIOLENCE TOWARD A PARTICULAR ANTAGONIST IT IS INSTEAD REDIRECTED AND OFTENTIMES IT IS THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY WERE MADE TO FEEL UNSAFE IN IS RETALIATED AGAINST.

THESE PEOPLE ARE THE VILLAINS OF THE STORIES THAT WE TELL WHICH PERPETUATES THE CYCLE OF HARM AND VIOLENCE THAT IS EXACERBATED BY HIRING MORE AND MORE BULLIES TO POLICE THE STREETS.

LET'S FOCUS ON PREN SEA-- PREVENTATIVE SOLUTIONS.

>>NK THA YOU, SIR. >> YIF THE HAVE WHAT THEY NEED THEY DON'T BREAK THE LAW TOIT GT .

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 37, MAXIMO CORTEZ OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, Y'ALL.

THANK Y'ALL FOR LISTENING TO ME TODAY.

I AM MAXIMO CORTEZ AND A CRIMINAL LEGAL ADVOCATE AND GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND A RESIDENT OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS' DISTRICT, PRECINCT 1. WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS WHAT LEGACY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE? WHERE WILL THIS COUNTY BE IN 15 YEARS? YOU KNOW, I HAVE SAID THIS ALREADY, WE CAN'T DO BUSINESS AS USUAL.

WHAT IF WE GET ANOTHER HURRICANE HARVEY? WHAT IF WE GET ANOTHER ITC-LIKE INCIDENT HAPPENING.

AND NOW WE HAVE COVID AND MONKEYPOX AND WE HAVE MORE CANCER CENTERS POPPING UP ALL-AROUND THE COUNTY AS TIME HAS GONE BY. AND EACH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, MORE PEOPLE ARE CRIMINAL -- CRIMINALIZED.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS WERE CRIMINALIZED.

IN 2021 PEOPLE WHO ARE WANTING TO HAVE AN ABORTION ARE GETTING CRIMINALIZED AS WELL. SO WHAT I WANT TO LEAVE WITH YOU TODAY IS TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY AND NOT POLICING.

I KNOW IT IS CHALLENGING, BUT I WANT YOU TO LOOK IN THE FACE OF

[02:55:03]

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> YOU CAN DO THAT. YOU HAVE THE POWER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS FOR 321. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO HAVING HEARD ALL THE SPEAKERS , THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.

I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. YES?

[Departments (Part 3 of 7)]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WITH THE HEARING BEING CLOSED, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE -- AND I'M ASSUMINM ALL SPEAKERS RELATED TO 322,

323, 325? >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS JUST

321, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW.

I AM CHECKING TO SEE IF THERE IS OVERLAP TO THE ISSUES THEY MAY

WANT TO SPEAK ON. >> SOME OF THE SPEAKERS DID SIGN UP FOR 321 AND 322, BUT WE WERE TOLD TO TAKE THEM WHEN WE GET TO

322 AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO THEN I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO TAKE ITEM 325 OUT OF ORDER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER I WENT OVER THIS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WITH THIS PARTICULAR ORDER.

DO YOU MIND IF WE -- THAT'S WHAT WE WERE HUDDLING ON BEFORE HAPPENED AND IT WAS TO GO TO 322 NEXT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE HAVE TO DO THREE SEPARATE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TO DO -- YEAH.

ON THIS ONE DO I NEED MR. RAMOS TO REPEAT THE MOTION? HAVING HEARD COMMENTS ON THE BUDGET AT THE PUBLIC HEARING MRT THE CHANGES TO THE BUDGET THAT ARE REQUIRED BY AND BEING FORCED INTO A NEW NEW REVENUE RATE SCENARIO AND I KNOW IT IS LONG, BUT WE NEED YOU TO READ IT AGAIN.

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL CUT OF 240,000. OFFICE OF COUNTY JUDGE, CUT OF 307,320. COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT 1, 2 AND 3 AND 4 CUTS OF 773,101. THE COURT ANALYST'S OFFICE, A COURT OF 17,090. THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION A CUT OF 1,000,394,895.

THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET A CUT OF 36 THUNDER SHOWERS 977. 36 THUNDER SHOWERS 977.

GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS 7037. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY 1 MILLION 376,335. JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT A CUT OF 81,112. THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT A CUT OF 7,000,562,815. ONE NOTE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CAPITALIZATION THAT WAS APPROVED ONUS AUGT 23RD.MA RISKESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT, AMI CUT OF 3 LLION4 537,20 THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHALAL -- THE FIRE MARSH DEPARTMENT $351,161.R THE INSTITUTE FO FORENSIC SCIENCE, A CUT OF 2,000,337, 458.

POLLUTION CONTROL, A CUT OF 102,217.

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, A CUT OF 10,075 OF VETERAN SERVICES.

A CUT OF $326,871. THE HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 446, 093. THE OFFICE OF DOMESTIC RELAYS -- RELATIONS A CUT -- COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT A CUT OF 3,000,038,9111. UNIVERSAL SERVICES A CUT OF SECONDS MILLION 529,989. UNIVERSAL SERVICES I.T. SERVICE WHICH COVERS OUR MICROSOFT LICENSING AMONG OTHERS IS A CUT OF 1 MILLION 190,957. CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1, CUT OF 8 TPAEUF 5,111. CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2, CUT OF 386,379. CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 008, 793. CONSTABLE PRECINCT 4, A CUT OF 2 MILLION 884,205. CONSTABLE PRECINCT 5, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 801,446. CONGRESS -- CONSTABLE OF

[03:00:02]

CONSTABLE PRECINCT 8, 3,462. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 1-1, 35,019. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 1-2, A CUT OF $37,324. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 2-1 A CUT OF 23,477, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 2-216,225.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 3-1, A CUT OF 28,804.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 3-2 A KUFT 18,784.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 4-1, A CUT OF 47,893.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 4-2, A CUT OF 26,118.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 5-1, A CUT OF 36,497.

JUICE TEUS OF THE PEACE 5-2, CUT OF 47,594.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 6-1 AND A CUT OF 11,762.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 6-2, A CUT OF 7,036.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 7-1, 13,886.

JUST -- JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 7-2, 11,914.

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 8-118,582. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 8-2 A CUT OF 9,880. THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY 6 MILLION 688,223. THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK, A CUT OF 411,576. ELECTION OPERATIONS, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 632,000. COUNTY TREASURER, A CUT OF 15,769. THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 086,814. THE TAXSS AESSOR COLLECTOR A CUF 87 2,000,3,359. THE SHERIFF PATROL ANDST ADMINIRATION, A CUT OF, 16,000,682 SECONDS -- 640.IO SHERIFF DETENTN, A CUT OF 23,000,681,417.

SHERIFF MEDICAL 635,348. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY A CUT OF 5,000,389,885. THE DISTRICT CLERK, CUT OF 1,000,871,576. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER A CUT OF 1,000,693,068. COMMUNITY SUPERVISION A CUT OF 78,701. PRE-TRIAL SERVICES A CUT OF 766,564. COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT, A CUT OF 679,547. THE DISTRICT COURTS, A CUT OF 1 MILLION 293,136. TEXAS A&M AGRI LIFE A CUT OF 93,677. JUVENILE PROBATION A CUT OF 1,000,073,175. THE SHERIFF CIVIL SERVICE A CUT OF 2,612. THE HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, A CUT OF 591,493.

THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER A CUT OF 572,853.

COUNTY COURT, 871,093. PROBATE COURT NUMBER 1, A CUT OF 18,692. PROBATE COURT NUMBER 2, A CUT OF 17,693. PROBATE COURT NUMBER 3, A CUT OF 31,239. AND PROBATE COURT NUMBER 4, A CUT OF 56,781. THE NEW TOTAL BUDGET NUMBER GOES FROM 2.24 BILLION DOWN TO 2.127 BILLION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN YOU -- YOU SEEMED TO HAVE MISSED OFFICE OF MANAGED ASSIGN -- ASSIGNED

COUNCIL. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE ARE MANDATED TO KEEP THE FUNDING FLAT ON THAT ONE.

[03:05:06]

>> LINA HIDALGO: HAVING HEARD THE COMMENTS AND FINDING THAT THESE AMENDMENTS ARE WARRANTED BY THE FACTS AND LAW AND REQUIRED BY THE INTEREST OF THE TAXPAYERS, IS THERE A MOTION TO AMEND THE POSTED BUDGETS UNDER ITEM 321 TO REFLECT THE ANNUAL SHORT FISCAL YEAR 2022 HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CON -- CONTROL DISTRICT. A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND AND I DO HAVE A QUESTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES THIS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE 40 MILLION

PLUS. >> THIS DOES NOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW DOES IT TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT?

>> MY OFFICE WILL WORK WITH DEPARTMENTS TO PARSE OUT SOME OF THOSE LEGALLY MANDATED INCREASES WE HAVE MOST OF THEM THROUGH THE CURRENT LEVEL SERVICE PROCESS, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO GO FURTHER.

AS A BASELINE THE 26 MILLION FOR THE JAIL AND JAIL MEDICAL WILL

NEED TO BE RESTORED SOMEHOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT. OBVIOUSLY ONCE THIS IS ADOPTED WILL BE LOCKED IN. YOU DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH

THAT? >> WE WILL BE -- THIS IS OUR BEST RECOMMENDATION FOR A BASELINE.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO MAKE FURTHER BUDGET TRANSFERS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS OR COME OUT OF FUND BALANCE TO FUND SOME CRITICAL

ITEMS. >> IF I MAY ADD A LITTLE CONTEXT AS MR. RAMOS AND I DISCUSSED IT. THE SITUATION WE ARE IN DIDN'T COME THROUGH A BUDGET AMENDMENT PROCESS.

IT IS AIG B CUT WROUGHT A DETAILED -- WITHOUT A DETAILED LIST TO PAY. IST WE ARE DOING REBASELINING IN ARS FAIRLY HAH WAY, BUT WE T WILL HAVEO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK OF HOWEZ DO WE SQUEE WHAT WE CAN.CI AND THOSE DESIONS, AS YOUMI MENTIONED, COMSSIONER WILL KEEP COMING BACK TO YOU OVER TIME ABOUT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF BY OCTOBER 28TH, HOW MANY REGULAR COURT MEETINGS WILL WE HAVE?

TWO OR THREE? >> I BELIEVE THERE ARE THREE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. SO IF IT IS ON THE AGENDA AND ONE OF THEM WANTED TO SHOW UP AND THE THREE OF US ARE HERE WE COULD AMEND THE BUDGET AND PUT THOSE ITEMS BACK IN?

>> IF YOU WERE TO PASS THE TAX RATE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> A CLARIFICATION, THESE WILL GO INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1ST WITH A NEW FISCAL YEAR, BUT THEY COULD BE RESTORED FOR THE BALANCE OF THE YEAR IF THERE IS

MONEY TO DAY POUR IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

AND THEN IN LIGHT OF THE IMPACT OF THIS BUDGET BROUGHT ON TO US BY COMMISSIONER'S CAGLE AND RAMSEY, I THINK THERE WAS -- I DON'T THINK, BUT I KNOW THERE WILL BE AN I'M PABLGT -- IMPACT TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. SO WE WILL NEED TO MAKE -- I WILL NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO GET SOME INFORMATION PUBLISHED PRIOR TO THE NEXT MEETING. WE WILL TAKE TO VOTING AND THEN

COME BACK FOR THE MOTION. >> AND ONE ADDITION -- I FORGOT THE FLOOD CONTROL IS NOT PART OF THE GENERAL FUND.

THEIR BUDGET WILL GO FROM 137,000,000.1 DOWN TO

114 MILLION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOTCHA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS ON THE -- THIS DISCUSSION OF APPROVAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL AND TOLL ROAD.

THAT IS 321. SO THE MOTION WAS TO AMEND IT TO REFLECT THE ANNUAL FISCAL 2022 BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AS DESCRIBED BY OFFICE OF MANAGE -- MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED FOR FLOOD

CONTROL DISTRICT? >> I BELIEVE IT IS ALL COVERED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS MISSING?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO REQUEST THE MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OFFICE, HARRIS HEALTH AND THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO PREPARE A REPORT A RECOMMENDED CUTS TO SERVICE IN LIGHT OF INSPECTED REDUCTION TO REVENUE FOR PUBLICATION AND DISCUSSION IN ADVANCE TO THE SENT -- SEPTEMBE.

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO I MADE MY REQUEST EARLIER, A MOTION FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY OUGHT TO JUST POST WHAT THEY THINK THEIR CUTS WILL BE.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO COME HERE HERE TO TELL US.

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION ON THE TABLE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IT IS THE ONE -- THIS WILL BE

[03:10:04]

COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

YOU ARE CLEAR ON THE MOTION? IT IS TO AMEND THE POSTED BUDGETS UNDER ITEM 321 TO REFLECT THE ANNUAL LIESED SHORT FISCAL YEAR 2022 FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AS DESCRIBED BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED?

>> I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

YOU ALL NOTED COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS'

REQUESTS? >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND NOW MOVING ON TO 322.

NEXT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 322 IN THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL THE -- OF THE FITS -- FISCAL YEAR --

>> I BELIEVE WE NEED TO ADOPT HCTRA'S BUDGETPR AS OPOSED TO HOSPITALE -- THERNEEDS BE A DIRECTION FOR THE HOSPITAL

DISTRICT, >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS GOING TO BE AN H IMPACT TO THEOSPITAL DISTRICT.

IF WE CAN'T ADOPT IT -- >>- THE TOLL ROAD - W

>> THE ISSUEITH THEAV HOSPITAL, THEY HE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET. I

>> LINA HIDALGO: HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT ALREADY.

THE WRAEU IN -- THE WAY THIS ONE GOES, THE MOTION IS TO NOT BURY THE LEAD. I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT FYI, THE MOTION IS THATRI THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITL DISTCTFF DBA HARRIS HEALTH WORK WITH THE OICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO DEVELOP A BUDGET BASED ON THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AT THE 2022 COMMISSIONERS' COURT MEETING.

AS FAR AS HCTRA, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING HERE ON HCTRA.

YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT IS MISSING.

>> YOU CAN ADOPT THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DON'T NEED A

HEARING, DO WE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NOT FOR HCTRA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: UNDER WHICH ITEM, JAY?

>> IT SHOULD BE THE SAME ITEM, 322.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 322, THE ONE I AM USING FOR HOSPITAL DISTRICT?

>> 321. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO ITEM 321 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE BUDGET FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AS PRESENTED.

IS THAT CORRECT? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> ANY OPPOSE STPHED I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-0. GOING BACK TO 322, I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL TKREUGT, DBA HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. TIFFANY, IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS ITEM -- FOR OR AGAINST ITEM 322.

>> WE HAVE ONE VIRTUAL SPEAKER, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GET HER

RECONNECTED TO THE MEETING. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE HER BACK IN LIKE 30 SECONDS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE WILL GIVE HER ABOUT 30 SECONDS. JUST SO I'M CLEAR, THIS IS ADOPTING A BUDGET -- THE GOAL IS TO NOT ADOPT A TAX RATE JUST YET. BUT AT DAVE BERRY SAID YOU NEED THIS BUDGET IN BY SEPTEMBER 20TH SO YOU CAN KIND OF PLUG IT INTO THE SYSTEM AND THEN OCTOBER 1ST THE DEPARTMENT S WHO HAVE TO BEGIN OPERATING UNDER THIS BUDGET.

IF THE COLLEAGUES DECIDE TO HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART, WE COULD RESTORE FUNDING, BUT ANY TIME BEFORE OCTOBER 28TH, BUT THAT WOULD -- BY THEN THE DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE POSSIBLY LAID PEOPLE OFF OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO. GO AHEAD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WHEN I ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT THE DATE, YOU DID TELL ME OCTOBER 28TH, BUT YOU SAID IT WAS MORE COMPLICATED. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSEY -- ELSE

WE OUGHT TO KNOW? >> OCTOBER 28TH WOULD BE THE --R DETAILS WE NEED TO TAKE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT OCTOBER 28TH IS THE DEADLINE TO ADOPT TAX RATES OTHER THAN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATES. SHOULD ONE OR MORE MEMBERS BE WILLING TO BE PRESENT. THE BUDGET CUTS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1ST WITH THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT ASK, I KNOW THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER LEGAL MATTER, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO -- THAT ITEM WOULD HAVE TO BE ON THE AGENDA EACH TIME WE MEET AT THE OTHER TWO SESSIONS LEADING UP TO THAT, TWO OR THREE LEADING UP TO THAT?

>> THE BUDGET ITEM OR THE TAX RATE ITEM?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TAX RATE. >> YES AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE

NOTICED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DON'T HAVE TO POST THE BUDGET ITEM, DO WE? IF WE HAVE THE MONEY, WE CAN GO BACK AND ADD TO THE BUDGET AT ANY POINT? I'M JUST ASKING PROCEDURALLY HOW WOULD THAT --

>> I WILL LET JAY ANSWER THAT. >> IF WE ARE GOING TO AMEND THE BUDGET -- NOW THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET HAS BEEN PASSED, IT WILL GO THROUGH THE AMENDMENT OR THE BUDGET TRANSFER PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M JUST ASKING , BUT I DON'T NECESSARILY

[03:15:04]

I DON'TEC NESSARILY WANT TOO D THAT ANDAI RSE EXPECTATIONSY M GUT TELLSE MIF ONE OF THEM PUT IT ON THE AGENDANO OR T PUT IT ON A THEGENDA, AND I A SAYT THE END OF THE AGENDA.

I O FORNE DON'T PLANVO ON TING ON STUFF O FORTHER FOLKS FROM

THEIR PRECINCTSEY IF TH ARE NOT HERE.>>

PE THE SAKER IS READY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> KIMBERLY HUGHESG SPEAKINON 322.U YOHAVE ONE MINUTE. A GOHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HELLO.ER KIMBLYRE HUGHES HE.

I LIVE IN3. PRECINCT AGAIN, THANK YOU FORE LETTING M.

SPEA I WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FORET MAKING BUDGD HEARINGS AN PROCESSES MORE ACCESSIBLE.

AS A RETIRED SPANISH LANGUAGEIMPORTANT ACCESS IS INST ONE OF THE MOCI DIVERSE TIES IN THE WORLD.

IT IS SHAMEFUL BECAUSEET THE BUDGTH MATERIALS ON E OMB WEBSITE ARE ONLY IN ENGLISH. AND IT IS THE BEDROCK OFE.

EXCLUSIVE TE >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYRS OTHER

SPEAKE? >>IS THAT'S ALL FOR TH ITEM,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION TO REQUEST THAT THE HARRIS COUNTYRI HOSPITL DISTCT DBA HARRIS HEALTH WORK TO BUILD A BUDGET ONNU THE NO NW REVEE RATE FOROF UH -- ADOPTION THEIS COMMISSION -- COMMSIONERS' COURT MEETING.

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED.

>> NOW, WE NEED A CLARIFICATION ON THE ACCESS TO THE TAX RATE BASED ON YOUR COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, LET'S TAKE JUST A 10-MINUTE BREAKS SO THAT WE CAN GET THI SORT -- SORTED OUT.

WE WILL BE BACK AT 3:40 >>> ALL RIGHT.

IT IS 3:57. WE WERE SAYING --

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, SO DID I CLOSE -- JAMES, DID I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR 322?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 6)]

ORGANS THIS ITEM? >> SNOT FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

-- >> NOT FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY DISCUSSION? THERE IS NO MOTION FOR THIS ITEM SO I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AS FAR AS ITEM 325 --

>> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. FOR 323, NO ACTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: EXCUSE ME? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO WE NEED A

MOTION TO ADOPT? >> COMMISSIONER, WE CAN'T ADOPT THE TAX RATE. WE ONLY HAVE THREE PEOPLE

PRESENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M SORRY.

SO NO MOTION NEEDED? >> NO MOTION NEEDED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON 325, BUDGET CUTS ARE GOING INTO EFFECT.

>> DO YOU WANT TO CLOSE THE HEARING?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ON 325, BUDGET CUTS ARE GOING INTO EFFECT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PARTICIPATION BY TWO COLLEAGUES.

THE WORK NOW BEGINS BY THE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE, THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DETERMINE WITH THE HELP OF COURT WHAT EXACTLY TO SLASH IN EACH OF THESE DEPARTMENTS. THE BUDGET CUTS WILL HAVE TO GO INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1ST. NOW, WHILE THE FINAL DATE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET IS TODAY, THE FINAL DATE TO ADOPT A TAX RATE IS LATE OCTOBER. WILL YOU CLARIFY THE DATE

EXACTLY? >> OCTOBER 28TH, I BEL

>>>OCTOBER 28TH. THE BUDGET THAT WAS CUT COULD GET RESTORED IF COMMISSIONER CAVEL OR RAMSEY GET READY TO COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AND APPROVE A DIFFERENT TAX RATE.

THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND BUDGET LEADERS.

WHAT ARE THE AVENUES TO NOT CUTTING THE FUNDING BECAUSE IT

[03:20:03]

AND TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IN 2019 WHICH THEY FORCED AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

I'M STILL HOPING WE WILL GIVE THE COLLEAGUES OPPORTUNITIES TO COME BY, VOTE FOR A DIFFERENT TAX RATE AND ALLOW US EVEN IF THE FISCAL YEAR BEGUN WITH THE REDUCED BUDGET PLAY CATCHUP AND RESTORE PART OF THE FUNDING. THERE WILL BE NO MONEY TO REALLOCATE IF THEY DON'T SHOW UP.

WHAT I PROPOSE COLLEAGUES IS, RATHER THAN HAVE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS THIS WEEK, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS SPEND SOME TIME HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE CUTS THAT WOULD COME AND TO PROPOSE THAT WE REPOST THE TAX RATE FOR THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 27TH. I THINK IT WOULD BE UNFAIR FOR THEM TO TRY TO HAVE INPUT ON HOW THESE FUNDS ARE REALLOCATED IF THERE'S NO REALLOCATION WHEN TODAY BRING THE CUTS.

>> I'M NOT GOING, I WON'T INTERCHANGE.

IF THEY ARE NOT HERE I'M NOT GOING TO ENTERTAIN ANY

RECOMMENDATION FROM THEM. >> I THINK IT IS A GOODDE IA TO POSTT IAND HAVE ITT ATHE ENDF OTHE AGENDA.

ONE CORRECTION. THEY DON'TAV HE TO VOTE FORT I THEY JUSTE HAVTO COME. PEOPLE HAVEO TO VOTE FOR IT.

>> TAUNG FORT THA CORRECTION.

THEY CANE VOTNO. >> Y THECAN PROPOSE A

DIFFERENT ONE. >> NO VOTE . ST ILL RUN THEIG CAMPAN AD THEY'VE BUILT BUTHE LET TY COUNA VE ITS TAX ONE QUESTION ABOUT T WHY AREHESE CUTS? ISJU IT NOT ST A LACK OF INCREASES AND IT'NOT. THE COST FOR THESETS DEPARTMEN HAVE GONE UP DUE TON POPULATIO GROWTH AND INFLATION.

AND SO, WE, THESE BUDGETSNO ARE W OPERATING AT A DEFICIT.

ITEMS THE MOTIONS UNDER 325 WOULD BE T THE SAME ONESHAT WE MADAT THE LASTI' COURT. LL READ S THEM HERE ANDOMEONE CAN MAKE THEM. A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 27, OR2022. TO K THETA FOLLOWING 2022 X RATES. HARRIS COUNTY THE RATE OF .3176C FOR MAINTENAE AND OPERATION. FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF .36035.I FLOOD CONTROL STRICT RATE AI OF.02463 FOR MNTENANCE AND OPERATION AND O.01013 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR TAX RATE OF 03476.

THE R HOSPITAL DISTRICT THEATE OF .1 B SEVEN ONE REMAINS IN OPERATION AND .00153 FOR DEBT FIVE HOSERVICE.

PORT AUTRITY OF HARRIS COUNTY A DEBT SERVICE RATE OF.0074 RESULTING IN A TOTAL TAX RATE FOR HARRIS COUNTY ENTITIES .

OF.57508. MOTION

>> NOTION MOTION. >> SECOND.

ALL IN FAY? MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

WE NEED A MOTION TO SET A MEETING SEPTEMBER 27, 2022, TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING 2022 TAX RATES.

HARRIS COUNTY THE RATE OF.31762 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION AND.04273 DEBT IT WAS FOR TOTAL OF.36035.

FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.02463 MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION AND.O 1013 DEBT IT WAS. TOTAL.03476.

HOSPITAL DISTRICT. FOR TOTAL TAX RATE OF.17253.

PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY.04744 TOTAL TAX RATE FOR ENTITIES.57508. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>>>ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-0. THAT WOULD BE IT FOR THE ITEMS RELATED TO TAX RATE OR THE BUDGET ADOPTION.

>> JUDGE. >> YES.

>> I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AS SOMEONE WHO SHOWED UP TODAY.

I WANT INPUT ON WHAT CUTS ARE. I KNOW IN THE OTHER BODY I SERVED IN YOU DON'T GET TO GO IN AND VOTE NO AND THEN GO IN AND DECIDE WHAT STAYS IN AND WHAT STAYS OUT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR OR I WON'T BE HERE.

IF IT CHANGES. >> CRYSTAL CLEAR.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO THAT MOVES US ONTO THE

[03:25:02]

I KNOW IT'S QUITE LATE. I'M GOING MENTION MINE VERY BRIEFLY. THE FIRST ONE IS DESIGNATED THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE HARRIS CENTER IS DOING INCREDIBLE WORK ON THIS. THERE IS NOW A LINE 988 WHERE FOLKS WHO CALL CAN SPEAK WITH A LIVE TRAINED PERSON TO CONNECT THEM WITH RESOURCES. ALREADY THE HARRIS CENTER SEEN A 38% INCREASE IN AVERAGE CALL VOLUME SCIENCE 988 LAUFRNLED AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 45 COUNTIES INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY. VERY GRATEFUL TO WAYNE YOUNG AND

THE HARRIS CENTER. >>>MY SECOND ITEM ITEM 3

IS -- >> JUDGE.

>> WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER FOR THAT ITEM.

ITEM 1. >> THANK YOU TIFFANY.

GO AHEAD. >> AMANDA JONES SPEAKING IN

PERSON. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

WAYNE YOUNG WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE HIMSELF BUT HE HAD TO CATCH A FLIGHT. WE THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR YOUR UNWAIVERING SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, AA AMANDA A, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I SAW WAYNE EARLIER.

I DID ASK YOU A QUESTION REGARDING THE IMPACT OF THIS SO FAR THIS NO SHOW OF COMMISSIONERS CAGEL ON MENTAL HEALTH. BUT IN PARTICULAR TO ECI.

ECI IS THE TREATMENT SIDE FOR BABIES WITH DISABILITIES.

YOUR THOUGHT IS RIGHT NOW THAT ECI MAY BE SOMEWHAT PROTECTED

FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT, WE'RE THE SECOND LARGEST ECI PROVIDER IN HARRIS COUNTY.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE WE DON'T RECEIVE FUNDING FOR ECI PROGRAM BUT DO RECEIVE COUNTY FUNDING FOR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT IMPACT CHILDREN.

I'VE SPOKEN WITH DANIEL AND WE'RE GOING GET TOGETHER TOMORROW SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE CUTS ON THE HARRIS CENTER. BUT I DID HAVE A BRIEF STATEMENT TO MAKE ABOUT IT. I WANTED TO BE CLEAR THERE'S NO COMMUNITY IN TEXAS THAT HAS ADEQUATE RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. ANY CUT WILL BE IMPACTFUL TO OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER CARE AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR

HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. >> AND JUST TO PUT A VERY TRAGIC EXCLAMATION POINT ON THAT.

THIS MORNING I WAS MADE AWARE OF THERE WAS AN APPARENT SUICIDE IN ONE OF MY PARKS. SO VERY TRAGIC.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE SERVICES THAT WE CURRENTLY PROVIDE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVERT THAT.

BUT ABSOLUTELY, WHEN THERE'S EVEN LESS YOU WILL HAVE LESS OPPORTUNITY TO P BE THERE FOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE IN THEIR TIME OF CRISIS. SO, I HAVE GREAT DEGREE OF RESPECT FOR THE HARRIS CENTER, THE WORK THAT YOU DO, COLLECTIVELY WITH BABIES AND ON THE SUICIDE INTERVENTION SIDE.

JUST GENERAL OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH.

SO THANK YOU. STAY STEADFAST AND WE'LL FIGURE

THIS OUT. >> THANK YOU.

>>>THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

[Departments (Part 4 of 7)]

>>>SECOND RESOLUTION ON NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.

IT'S A WONDERFUL AND IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE, TO BUILT COMMUNITY WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, TO BUILT COMMUNICATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

OBVIOUSLY, HELPS KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFER TO HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CRIME PREVENTION BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND ITS IMPORTANT TO BRING US CLOSER AS A COMMUNITY. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IS SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWN WATCH AS A COAST TO COAST CRIME PREVENTION PROJECT. IT WILL COMMENCE WITH A PRESS CONFERENCE ON OCTOBER 3RD. HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DESIGNATED TUESDAY OCTOBER 4, 2022, AS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND CALLS UPON ALL RESIDENTS JOINING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CONSTABLE OFFICE AND MANY OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE GULF COAST AREA AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TOWN WATCH IN SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN THIS IMPORTANT ENDEAVOR.

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

SERGEANT DONNIE WILLIAMS. ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

ON BEHALF OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR THE 2022 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT RESOLUTION.

[03:30:03]

AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WE ARE COMMITTED TO FORMING LONG L LASTING RELATIONSHIPS AND STRONGER ENVIRONMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE WOULD LIKE TONE COURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE BY ENGAGING WITH NEIGHBORS AND ENGAGE MORE THIS YEAR THAN EVER BEFORE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> THANK YOU SERGEANT. >>>THAT'S ALL FOR THIS ITEM,

JUDGE. >>>THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> YES.

I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS. ONE FOR STARBUCKS THEY ARE TRYING TO UNIONIZE. I STOPPED TO GET A CUP OF COFFEE. THIS IS SHOWING SUPPORT FOR WORKERS AND THE OTHER ONE IS WITH REGARD TO THE MERGER OF AN AIRLINE. OF THE KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN AND KA CANADA PACIFIC FREIGHT LINES.

THAT'S THE AMOUNT OF EMISSIONS PRODUCED BY 2331 CARS DRIVEING ONE GAS POWERED VEHICLE FOR 26.8 MILLION MILES.

WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET THEM TO DO IS DO SOME OF THE MITIGATION EFFORTS THEY ARE DOING IN OTHER PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY AS AN EXAMPLE. DAVENNENPORT, IOWA THEY SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WORTH $10 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

CONSIDERING WHAT WE MAY BE DOING TO OUR EFFORT TO CLEAN UP THE AIR BECAUSE OF THESE BUDGET CUTS I THINK IT'S TIME.

THERE MAY BE SPEAKERS FOR THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 6)]

[INAUDIBLE] >> ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS

FOR THESE TWO ITEMS? >> YES, MA'AM.

ITEM 4 WE HAVE HANI. ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HE MAY BE OUT ORGANIZING.

>> OKAY. WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT SPEAKER.

ITEM FIVE COUNCILMAN ROBERT G. >> DO YOU THINK IT'S THE MUTE ISSUE TIFFANY?

>> I'M NOT SURE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, SIR. >> GREAT.

GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS I'M ROBERT HOUSTON COUNCIL MEMBER. I'M CALLING TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION BEING OFFERED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS REGARDING THE PROPOSED MERGER OF TWO RAILROADS THE CANADIAN PACIFIC AND KANSAS CITY SOUTHERN. IF APPROVED BY FEDERAL REGULATORS THE MERGE COMPANY WOULD FUNNEL ADDITIONAL TRAINS TO INCREASINGLY BUSY HOUSTON RAILROAD COMPLEX WHICH WILL CAUSE FURTHER CONGESTION AND INL PACTS ACROSS NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES INCLUDING HISTORICALLY UNDER SERVED AND SOCIALLY VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY. ACCORDING TO THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARDS DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT, THE MERGER IS EXPECTED TO BRING 8 TO 14 ADDITIONAL TRAINS PER DAY THROUGH THE HOUSTON RAILROAD COMPLEX.

THIS WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE SAFETY, MOBILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS.

THE IMPACTS WOULDN'T BE LIMITED TO COMMUNITIES IN NORTHEAST.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> YOU CAN WRAP UP.

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

THE IMPACTS WOULDN'T BE LIMITED TO COMMUNITIES IN NORTHEAST AND EAST HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY IN PRECINCT ONE, PRECINCT TWO, AND PRECINCT THREE BUT ACROSS THE AREA.

INCLUDING COMMUNICATES ALONG THE TRACKS THAT CROSS THE WASHINGTON CORRIDOR, COTTAGE GROVE, MEMORIAL PARK, RIVER OAKS, WEST UNIVERSITY IN PRECINCT FOUR AND OTHER COMMUNICATES IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY. THIS IS REALLY GOING TO IMPACT MANY COMMUNICATES. EACH YEAR THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS HUNDREDS OF INCIDENTS IN WHICH EMERGENCY RESPONDERS HAVE TO REROUTE OR DELAYED BY TRAINS OCCUPYING CRITICAL CROSSINGS. THIS WILL ONLY GET WORSE IF WE MADE MORE TRAINS TO AN ALREADY BUSY RAILROAD COMPLEX.

MORE TROUBLING IS THE FACT THE RAILROADS THAT PROPOSE NO INFRASTRUCTURE OR CAPACITY EXPANSION PROJECTS IN HUE TON OR HARRIS COUNTY. OF THE 25 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS PROPOSED BY THE RAILROAD IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS MERGER, NOT A SINGLE PROJECT WOMBED TAKE PLACE IN HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY OR TEXAS. THAT'S WHY THIS RESOLUTION IS SO

[03:35:03]

>> THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER. I HOPE THE CITY, AS I MENTIONED YOU WILL PASS ONE AS WELL. YOU PLAN ON TESTIFYING WITH ME.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE MONTH BEFORE THE SURFACE

TRANSPORTATION BOARD. >> YES.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE GOING BUT IT HELPS WHICH IS WHY I WANTED THIS ON THE AGENDA. IT'S NOT JUST YOU AND I BUT WE SHOW THE CITY AND COUNTY IN SOLIDARITY.

>> TOTALLY AGREE. THANK YOU ALL.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE'LL BE COMING TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER COURT'S MEETING WITH A REQUEST TO SUBMIT COMMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY TO THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION

BOARD. >> GOOD.

THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >>>THANK YOU.

[Departments (Part 5 of 7)]

ACTUALLY, THREE. THE FIRST ONE IS ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DAY TO REMEMBER. I DID NOT WANT IT TO GO UNVOTED ON TODAY. I'M REPLACING AN ITEM.

I'LL MOVE ON THAT ITEM. SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF INCREDIBLE PEOPLE SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN SOME FORM OR FASHION.

JAMIE ROOTS WAS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THOSE INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEINGS. HE, YOU KNOW, TODAY WITH ALL THINGS HAPPENING WE JUST, I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO PAUSE AND OFFICIALLY REMEMBER THE LIFE OF JAMIE ROOTS FOR ALL THE THINGS HE'S DONE. I REMEMBER WHEN I WORKED WITH HIM WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL. WE WERE ABLE TO ENDURE THE SANTA FE EARTHQUAKES AND BRING THEM TO HOUSTON.

AND JAMIE THROUGH AND THROUGH HAS BEEN JUST A PHENOMENAL INDIVIDUAL AND HE HAS MADE ABSOLUTELY AN INDELIBLE MARK ON OUR COMMUNITY. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR US TO TRULY RECOGNIZE AND TRY TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO HONOR HIS LIFE AND REMEMBER HIM, THANK HIM.

THANK HIS FAMILY. BLESS HIS FAMILY FOR THE HEART ACHE I'M SURE THEY ARE ENDURING. BUT TO ALSO REMIND US ALL OF WHAT JAMIE ROOTS MEANT TO THIS COMMUNITY.

THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHERES A JAMESHR CISTOPHEROO RTS OFFICIALLY KNOWNND A AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN ASAM JIE PASSED AWAYAU ON GUST 22, 2022, INST HOUON,AS TEX.

ORN 9 MAY, 1966, IN STONE OUNTAIN,IA GEORG JAMIE RADUATEDTH FROM EON CLEMS UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE ANDWA S STUDENT BODYNT PRESIDE, GO GU FIRE.

HIGHR ACHIEVEGUY. MI JAE EARNED HIS MBA AT INDIANA UNIVERSITYD AND SERVEASAS AN SISTANTAC SOCCER COH FOR THEOS HOIERSRK WHICH SPAED HISRE DESI TORE PURSUE A CAEROR IN SPTS RELATED BUSINESS. EARLY IN HIS CAREER JAMIEIN COMBED HIS PASSION FOR SPORTSSI AND BUNESS AS THE AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE NEW B MLS COLUUS CREWN SOCCER TEAM I, COLUMBUSOHIO. TEN TEAMS ORIGINAL WHEN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER DEBUTED INES THE UNITED STAT THATER YEA RECOGNIZED ASAS THE MLS EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR IN 1996 AND 1999. IE ALTHOUGH JAM TRANSITIONS TO A SUCCESSFULIT CAREER IN FOOTBALL WAS HIS ENDURING LOVE ANDOC ADVOCACY FOR SCER THAT W HELPED PAVE THEAY FOR HOUSTON TO BE A HOST CITY FOR THE CC2026 WORLD P SOER GAMES.

WE WILL FOREVERAT REMEMBER THAT TH A WILL BE OTHERWISE KNOWNS THE JAMIE ROOTS WORLD CUP SOCCEI GAME.

WHERE ASN 2000, THE HOUSTON TEXANS OWNER, THE LATE BOB

[03:40:04]

JAMIE IS SURVIVE BID HIS PARENT, SIBLINGS AND A MANY SPECIAL RELATIVES. HE WAS A CARING AND LOYAL FRIEND AND WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED BY ALL THAT KNEW HIM.

JAMIE, I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING TO US FROM ABOVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

IT WAS AN HONOR KNOWING YOU. IT WAS AN HONOR WORKING WITH YOU. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE TOTALLY MISSED BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE SO MUCH AROUND US TO REMEMBER YOU BY. SO, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING

[Appearances before court (Part 5 of 6 )]

I THINK WE GOT SOME SPEAKERS ON THIS, JUDGE.

>> FIRST SPEAKER SIX RYAN WALSH.

HE'LL BE ADDRESSING YOU ON THE EX.

>>>THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER AND FROM ALL OF US AT NRG PARK I'M HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS ON BEHALF OF JAMIE'S FAMILY. AS YOU RECOUNTED SO WELL THOSE THAT WORK AND NEW HIM WHEN DEALING WITH JAMIE YOU HAD TO BRING YOUR A GAME. HE MADE YOU LEVEL UP.

HE DONE HIS HOMEWORK AND KNEW THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS HE WAS ABOUT TO ASK. YOU HAD TO BE ON YOUR GAME.

JAMIE WAS REALLY JUST A GOOD PERSON.

OFFERING HELP WHEREVER NEEDED AND BROUGHT HIS INFECTIOUS SMILE IN EVERY ROOM. HE'S GOING TO BE MISSED.

WHILE JAMIE'S PASSING IS TRAGIC AND UNTIMELY IT GIVES EACH OF US AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT THE HUMAN ELEMENT OF LIFE AND THE SPIRIT OF JAMIE'S FRIENDLY PERSONALITY AND SPEESHGS YOU'VE HAD EARLIER TODAY. WE HAVE TITLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND JOBS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE'RE ALL HUMAN.

WE HAVE FAMILY AND LOVED ONES AROUND US.

I HOPE THAT HIS PASSING IS A WAKE-UP CALL TO OTHERS THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS ANY OTHER ASPECT OF OUR LIVES. IF YOU OR SOMEBODY YOU KNOW PLEASE REACH OUT. THANK YOU.

IF SOMEBODY YOU KNOW OR YOU NEED HELP PLEASE REACH OUT AND GET THAT HELP AS I'M SURE EVERYBODY WILL TELL YOU.

THERE'S LIGHT SURROUNDING WHATEVER DARKNESS YOU FIND YOURSELF IN. I HOPE WE FIND PEACE IN THAT.

ON BEHALF OF JAMIE'S FAMILY, COMMISSIONER, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS.

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

>>>NEXT FOR THIS ITEM IS ZAC IMANS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR OFFERING THIS RESOLUTION.

I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATION FOR HOUSTON DYNAMO AND DASH. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING UNDER JAMIE FOR THE TEXANS. I COULD NOT ASK FOR A BETTER MENTOR AND ROLE MODEL. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE DYNAMO AND DASH. AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID THERE'S A STRONG ARGUMENT MADE. WERE IT NOT FOR JAMIE AND HIS PROMOTION OF SOCCER THE IN EARLY DAYS OF THE TEXANS BRINGING INTERNATIONAL MATCHES TO RELIANT STADIUM, SELLING THEM OUT AND SHOWING HOUSTON CAN BE A SOCCER COMMUNITY THE DYNAMO AND DASH WOULD NEVER EXIST AND THE WORLD CUP MAY NOT BE COMING TO HOUSTON IN FOUR YEARS. FROM A SPORTS STANDPOINT SOCCER WAS HIS FIRST LOVE AND PASSION FOR THE GAME CAME UP IN EVERY CONVERSATION ABOUT IT. WHEN HE GOT HERE THE CONSENSUS FOR HOUSTON IT WASN'T A SOCCER TOWN.

[INAUDIBLE] BELIEF WAS PEOPLE WOULDN'T SUPPORT IT. JAMIE REALIZED HOUSTON COULD BE A WORLD CLASS SOCCER MARKET. HE MADE IT HAPPEN.

HE BROUGHT THE BIGS TEAM AND GAMES TO HOUSTON AND WORKED TO PROMOTE THEM AND SELL THEM OUT TO PROVE HOUSTON WILL SUPPORT SOCCER. EVERY ONE OF US OWE HIM A DEBT OF GRATITUDE. HAVING WORKED FOR JAMIE I CAN TELL YOU HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER WAS DEDICATED TO THE IDEA OF CREATING RAVING FANS. THAT THREE WORD PHRASE SERVED AS A MAN TRA AT THE TEXANS AND EVERYTHING HE DID

[03:45:02]

I'M PROUD TO KNOW JAMIE AND HONORING TO SPEAK ABOUT HIM TODAY. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR INTRODUCING THIS RESOLUTION FOR HONORING A TRULY GREAT HOUSTONIAN.

>> GOD BLESS YOU. I KNOW YOU KNEW HIM WELL.

THANK YOU. >>>WE HAVE HANI BACK ON THE

LINE. >> GO AHEAD.

THANK YOU. >> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE

SPEAKING ON ITEM FOUR. >>>THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. THE AFLCIO THANKS IF COMMISSIONER FOR PROPOSING THE STARBUCKS RESOLUTION AND THANK THE THREE COMMISSIONERS COMING TO COURT AND VOTE AND DECIDED TO VOTE FOR IT. I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS A WORKING PERSON WANTS TO WORK AT A GOOD JOB WITH ACCESS TO A LIVABLE WAGE, AFFORDABLE INSURANCE, FAIR SCHEDULING AND VOICE ON THE JOB.

INFORMING UNIONS IS THE MOST POWERFUL TOOL PEOPLE HAVE TURNING BAD DEAD END JOBS TO GOOD JOBS.

MORE WORKERS WOULD EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS TO ORGANIZE THEMSELVES IN A UNION IF THE RISKS WERE LAW.

DESPITE LAWS ON THE BOOKS IN THE U.S. MANAGERS RETALIATE AGAINST WORKERS WHO WANT UNIONS WITH IMPUNITY AND STARBUCKS, DESPITE THEIR LIBERAL IMAGE IS NO EXCEPTION.

THEIR MANAGEMENT FIRED UNION LEADERS ACROSS THE NATION, CUT HOURS TO GET WORKERS TO QUIT AND THREATEN TO DENY PLAN WAGE AND BENEFIT INCREASES TO PRO-UNION STORES.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> YOU CAN CONTINUE.

>>>THANK YOU. IT'LL BE A FEW SECONDS.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ELECTED OFFICIALS LIKE YOURSELVES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN SO WE THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP TODAY AGAINST STARBUCKS IMMORAL CAMPAIGN TO BLOCK WORKERS FROM FORMING UNIONS.

THE MORE PUBLIC OFFICIALS SPEAK OUT THE MORE WORKERS FEEL CONFIDENT TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES AND WIN IN TEXAS.

THAT IS GOOD FOR EVERY RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

LASTLY TO FURTHER PROTECT WORKERS RIGHTS WE CALL UPON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO IMPLEMENT THE CONSTRUCTION WORK FORCE PROTECTION PASSED IN 2019. FUNDING, STAFF AND PROCEDURES ARE NEEDED TO ENFORCE THESE MEASURES AND WE STAND READY TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF TO GET THIS DONE BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. THANK YOU.

>>>THANK YOU. I WENT BY THE STORE.

SHEPARD OR GREENBRIER. INSTEAD OF GIVING YOUR NAME JUST SIGN UP TO GET YOUR COFFEE UNDER UNION STRONG.

THEY PUT A SMILE FACE ON THERE WHEN I DID IT.

>>>EXACTLY. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOUR

OFFICE IS DOING. >>>THANK YOU.

[Departments (Part 6 of 7)]

ITEM 9 COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHAT WAS YOUR REPLACEMENT MOTION?

>> MY REPLACEMENT MOTION WAS, WELL, I WAS SUBMITTING A REPLACEMENT RESOLUTION FOR ITEM 9.

>> IS THAT SUFFICIENT FOR YOU JAMES?

>> YES.

I CAN PUT FOR APPROVAL OF THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION.

>> YEAH. >>>SO IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS ONE, FOR ALL THE ITEMS UNDER RESOLUTIONS?

>> SO MOVED. >> REQUIRE ACTION.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECOND BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

>>>NOW WE WILL TAKE THE REST OF THE, I CAN GO THROUGH CORRECTIONS. THOSE WITH CORRECTIONS ON RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE REQUEST FOR NO ACTION ON ITEM 37 UNDER COUNTY ENGINEER. IT'S AN AGREEMENT FOR ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING SERVICES.

>>>THERE'S A REQUEST FOR NO ACTION ON ITEM 139.

[03:50:02]

I MADE A MISTAKE. DISREGARD THE COMMENT ON 139.

ON ITEM 142 A CORRECTION. CHANGE CYPRUS PLACE P H2 TO CYPRUS PLACE PH1. ITEM 211, THERE'S A REQUEST FOR NO ACTION DUE TO PRESENTERS OF LACK OF AVAILABILITY TODAY.

>>>ITEM 245, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THE GENERAL FUND TO MASTER BAIL BOND ESCROW ACCOUNT.

>>>ON ITEM 256 UNDER PURCHASING.

RENEWAL FOR CEMETERY GROUNDS THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION.

>>>ON 277 THERE'S A CORRECTION CHANGE WITH FOR ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTION. TO WITH ONE ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTION. ITEM 300 UNDER PAGE 37.

CORRECTION CHANGE OCTOBER 24, 2022, TO DECEMBER 31, 2022.

>>>ITEM 314 NO ACTION. >>>THOSE ARE ALL THE CORRECTIONS I HAVE. THAT BEING THE CASE WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I HAVE A LIST OF ITEMS I WANT TO HOLD. DO YOU WANT THOSE NOW?

>> YES. THOSE WOULD BE IN ACTION

COMMISSIONER? >> YES.

>> OKAY. >> GO AHEAD.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO BE ITEMS BEGINNING WITH 43, 44, 49, 51, 52, 53, 55, 67, 76, 114. I GOT MORE JAMES JUST LETTING

YOU CATCH UP. >> I'M GOOD.

>> 119, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 131, 132, 133, 134, 155. 160, 278, 291, 343 AND 325.

I WANT TO HOLD THESE ITEMS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 27TH MEETING.

THEN I'D LIKE TO MOVE ON ITEM 351, JUDGE.

>>>OKAY. YOU GOT THOSE ITEMS JAMES.

AND THEN 351. YOU WANT TO MOVE IT NOW?

>> YES. >> I'M SORRY.

IF I COULD TAKE IT BACK. THE LAST ONE HE SAID WAS 325.

>> RIGHT. >> THAT WAS THE TAX RATE.

>> THAT WAS THE TAX RATE. OKAY.

THEN NO NEED. >> JUDGE, I AM 351 IS A TRANSMITTAL IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY ACTION.

>> ONE MOMENT. WE'RE TAKING UP JAMES WHICH ONE

DID YOU MENTION? >> 325.

YOU CAN TAKE THAT A OFF MY LIST. >> 325 IS OFF THE LIST.

JAY, WHAT DID YOU SAY? ITEM 351 IS LISTED AS A TRANSMITTAL. SO IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ACTION.

YEAH. BUT I DON'T KNOW IF DWIGHT IS FINE. HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO, I'M NOT SURE THAT'S AN FYI NORMALLY ON THE ADVERTISING.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO WITH THAT.

>> OKAY. HERE WOULD BE THE ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT WOULD BE HELD. 43, 44, 49, 51, 52, 53, 55, 67, 76, 114, 119, 123 THROUGH 129, 131 THROUGH 135, 155, 160, 278,

291 AND 343. >> AND 342 WAS ONE I MISSED.

>> JUDGE, I DIDN'T HEAR 135. >> IT WAS 134 AND 155.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT. I HAD IT THAT WAY.

[03:55:12]

155, 160, 178, 342 AND 343. >> 317 I WANT TO HOLD THAT ONE IF IT'S A COUNTY DONATION TO CRIME STOPPERS I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RECOMMENDATION TO AUDITORS REPORT ORNY ATHING GOING. IAN WT TO HOLD THAT TOIS DCUSS IT. 317.

>> IID DN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO READ THE ARTICLE BUT I SAW AN

ARTICLESI RAINGE SOMISSUES. >> WHENGE WE T TO THE CRIME STOPPERS EVENT I WANT TO MAKE UREOP WE ADTOR AUDITS RECOMMENDATIONS. IF THIS DONATION IS MADET I WAN TOSU MAKE RE THEME AGREENT HAS THAT IN IT. C WEOMPLY WITHIT THE AUDOR'SRE QUESTS.

>> WHEN WE GET TO THAT WE CAN SPEAK TO

>> THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONERE FOR NOW W WILLDS PUT 317 A ONE ITEMS TO HOLD.

CORRECT? YES.

>> GO OVERAG THE LIST AIN. NO >> .

WHEN YOU MEAN HOLD YOU MEANTI N ACON?

>> NO YES.

NOHA ACTION ON TT ANLIST. THK YOU. AL

[Appearances before court (Part 6 of 6)]

>>>WITH L OFO THOSE BEING N ACTIONNS AND CORRECTIOAR LISTED EER THERE ANY OTH SPEAKERS, TIFFANY?

>> YES, MA'AM. FIRST IS SPEAKER NUMBERGA 9 SPEAKING IN PERSON UNDERCO ITEM 24 OF VID-19. YOU HAVE ONEMINUTE.

>>> HONORABLE JUDGE ANDS COMMISSIONERI AM A DAVID GARCIA.

FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS CHEETAH HAS BEEN A CANARY IN THENG COAL MINE WARNI ABOUT THE ACCESS TO UNDERPRIVILEGED.

WE WERE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART FOR JOB TRAINING YOUR FINANCIALQU INSTITUTIONAL REIREMENTS WERE MORE DEMANDING THAN A NORMAL IT MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SUCCESSFULLY APPLY.

THERE WE COBBLED TOGETHER A MAKESHIFT ALLIANCE THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN THE DEPTH OF SIX YEARS AND RESEARCH DATA.

CONTACTING THE PURCHASING HEAD ASKING FOR E-MAILS ME GAVE US UNTIL TODAY TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.

AFTER UPTE AND MESSAGE HEF OPTED ON THE PASSAGE O THE AUDITORS OF FRAUD AND WASTE. WE AREIS IN THE DARK REGARDING TH ISSUE AND ADVISE CAUTION BEFORE CON FIRNLING THIS ITEM BEING INVESTIGATED. WE WOULDN'T BE AT THIS JUNCTURE IF NOT SHIFTED TIME LINE AND METHODS.

WE REQUEST SOMEONE FROM YOUR OFFICE TO WORK WITH US TO FOLLOW

UP ON THIS ITEM. >>>THANK YOU.

WE'LL MAKE SURE WE REACH OUT. THANK YOU.

>>>NEXT IS SPEAKER TIM GARZA SPEAKING ON ITEM 211 [INAUDIBLE] .

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >>>>>>HELLO.

I'M MARIO GARZA THE BAIL BONDSMAN REP ON THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD. I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE SO YOU GOT A REPORT BY PAUL HEATON THE AFFECTS OF MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM SAYING BASICALLY BAIL IS WORKING.

YOU'VE GOT AN HOUSTON POLICE UNION'S REPORT THAT SAID IT ISN'T WORK. KIM AUDIT REPORT SAYS IT IS WORKING. I'M HERE TO GET COMMON GROUND.

WE'RE BACK AND FORTH. PEOPLE COME IN HEATED AND CALL NAMES. I WAS HERE BEFORE TO CALL OUT MY OWN INDUSTRY. I DID THAT AT A WAY TO GARNER SOME MIDDLE GROUND, I GUESS, TO SAY, LOOK.

I'M WILLING TO ADMIT THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS. IF MAYBE THAT WAS JUST IN THE HOPES THAT MAYBE SOME PEOPLE ON THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD SAY THAT HEY.

YOU KNOW BAIL MAYBE ISN'T WORKING THE WAY WE THOUGHT IT WOULD. BRING THE STAKE HOLDERS TO THE TABLE WITHOUT SAYING WE HAVE AN AX TO GRIND.

WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU. THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>>JUDGE. >> YES COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>>>JUST TO GET CLARITY. JAY, I KNOW 351 IS A TRANSMITTAL BUT I'M BEING TOLD TO CONFIRM THE ADVERTISEMENT CAN BE

CANCELED. >> I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING

DWIGHT CAN ADDRESS. >> YES, SIR.

GOOD AFTERNOON. YESHGS THESE TRANSMIALS YOUR COURT GAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ADVERTISE THEM.

IF THE COURT CANCELS ANY PROJECT THEY CAN DO SO ANY ITEM AND PULL THE ITEM AND WE'LL STOP ADVERTISING AT THAT POINT.

IF YOU WANT TO PULL ANY OF THEM IT'S UP TO THE COURT'S

DISCRETION TO VOTE ON THAT. >> I MOVE TO CANCEL ITEM

351. >> SECOND.

>> THANK YOU DWIGHT. >> CAN I ASK THE OTHER

[04:00:07]

QUESTION. >> GO AHEAD.

>> ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE MENTIONED 342 THROUGH 347.

ARE THOSE INCLUDED, TOO, OR ARE WE JUST TALKING ABOUT 351.

>> JUST 351. >>>THANK YOU.

>>>WHAT WAS THE ITEM WE TALKED ABOUT.

I WANTED TO GO MONTH TO MONTH. WHAT ITEM WAS THAT?

>> LET ME SCROLL BACK UP. >> 257? WHEN WE GET TO THAT ONE WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUGGESTION, DWIGHT, WE GO MONTH TO MONTH OR THREE MONTHS JUST TO TALK TO THEM. THAT'S RENEWAL FOR 3.5 MILLION.

THE THIRD OR FOURTH RENEWAL. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RECOMMENDATION WHILE YOU TRY TO TALK TO THAT VENDOR?

>> TWO MONTHS. WE CAN WORK UP SOMETHING AND COME BACK. IF WE MISS A COURT DATE.

I WOULD SAY IT WENT IN TO SEPTEMBER.

I WOULD SAY AT LEAST THE END OF OCTOBER.

OCTOBER 31ST. >> JUST SO I'LL KNOW.

WHAT SHOULD THE MOTION BE? >> CHANGE THE DATE DLU INSTEAD OF JULY 31ST MAKE IT OCTOBER 31, 2022.

>> OCTOBER 31, 2022. OKAY.

>>>WE'LL WORK ON BRINGING IT BACK IN TWO MONTHS.

>>>THAT'S 257, JUDGE. I JUST AMEND IT WHEN WE GET TO

THAT ITEM. >>>OKAY.

AMEND WHEN WE GET THERE AND FLAG FOR DISCUSSION 257.

>>>351. >> WHICH ONE WAS 351?

>> THE ADVERTISEMENT I MOVE TO CANCEL.

>> BUT THEY ARE MOVING TO CANCEL --

>> THE ADVERTISEMENT. I JUST CONFIRM WE COULD MOVE TO

CANCEL IT. >> SO IT WAS A TRANSMITTAL.

CAN WE JUST CANCEL IT? >> YEAH.

YOU CAN DO THAT. >> SO THIS IS THE SAME AS NO ACTION, BASICALLY. THEY JUST NEED TO BRING IT BACK.

>> SO WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST COURTS GRANTED DWIGHT AUTHORITY ON ADVERTISING PURCHASES.

HE PLACES THEM ON THERE AS, IN ORDER TO LET THE COURT KNOW HE'S DOING IT. ON ALL OF THESE, LIKE ANY TRANSMITTAL THAT HAS AN ACTION THE COURT CAN SAY THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO. ESSENTIALLY, WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS ASKING THIS WOULD EFFECTIVELY TELL DWIGHT TO NOT PROCEED WITH THE ADVERTISEMENT AND PROJECT.

>> THE EQUIVALENT OF A NO ACTION.

>> YES. ON THAT ITEM.

>> THERE'S NO ACTION. >> JUST NO ACTION IS ENOUGH?

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO DIRECT A PURCHASING AGENT.

>> YEAH TO CANCEL 351. >>>I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT LANGUAGE. MOVE TO CANCEL OR MOVE FOR NO

ACTION? >> WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

>> MOVE TO CANCEL THE PROJECT.

IF NO ACTION I JUST REMOVE THE TRANSMITTAL.

I NEED AN AUTHORITY TO TELL ME TO STOP THE PROJECT.

>> CAN WE COME BACK TO THAT, PLEASE.

I'M NOT CLEAR ON WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

>> I'M SORRY JUDGE. I THINK IN THE INTEREST OF CLARIFICATION. YOU CAN JUST, IF YOU CAN JUST DIRECT DWIGHT TO REMOVE THE TRANSMITTAL.

THAT EFFECTIVELY WOULD STOP THAT PORTION OF THE ADVERTISING PORTION. IF HE WANTED TO BRING IT BACK ON

THE 27TH HE CAN BRING IT BACK. >> I'M GOING TO PUT THAT UP FOR DISCUSSION AND WROTE DOWN THE MOTION.

SO IT'S 351. SO WE'LL CONTINUE WITH SPEAKERS.

>>>NEXT IS SPEAKER ELEVEN KEN WASHINGTON SPEAKING ON ITEM 211

UNDER JUSTICE AND SAFETY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. AGENDA ITEM 211 ON THE AFFECTS OF MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM NEEDS TO BE HEARD.

ON A BIGGER PLATFORM. BAIL REFORM TURNED THIS COUNTY UPSIDE DOWN WITH OFFENDERS RELEASED FROM JAIL DAILY AND FOUND COMMITTED MORE HEINOUS ACTS OF CRIME WHILE OUT ON BOND.

WHEN CRIMINALS ARE HELD ON THE ESTABLISHED BOND AMOUNT IT'S DETERRING INDIVIDUALS FROM BEING RELEASED ADS WELL AS HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO RETURN AND HOLD THE CHARGE.

A DEPUTY WAS KILLED A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE SUSPECTED CRIMINAL

[04:05:01]

IS THERE A NEED FOR DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS? YES. BUT YOU NEED TO HEAR FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE COMMUNICATE, ESPECIALLY THOSE AFFECTED BY CRIMINAL ACTS AND BEING RELEASED.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>NEXT IS SPEAKER 12 TRACY SHANNON SPEAKING ON ITEM 303 UNDER COUNTY JUDGE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >>>THANK YOU.

I'M TRACY SHANNON. THE TEXAS DIRECTOR FOR MASS RESISTANCE. THE COMMISSIONER PLANS ACTION TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MONKEY POX I HAVE THE SUGGESTION.

IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY MONKEY POX YOU SHOULD BORROW A PAGE FROM COVID RESPONSE TO FLATTEN THE CURVE AND ROLL OUT A SLOGAN LIKE 15 DAYS TO STOP THE SPREAD.

I MIGHT SUGGEST 15 WEEKS TO CLOSE THE CHEEKS.

WE WERE ALL SET IN FOR COVID AND WE HAVE TO ASK THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY TO MAKE THE SAME SACRIFICE.

SHUT DOWN THE BATHHOUSES 15 WEEKS.

SHUT DOWN THE GAY CLUBS AND STOP THE SPREAD.

YOU ORDERED THE MASKING OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTY. WHERE IS THE LOVE FOR THE COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY MONKEY POX.

STOP THE SPREAD. THANKS.

>>>THANK YOU. SPEAKER 13.

JOEETTA STEVEN SON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>>>OKAY. THANK YOU.

I'M CALLING TODAY TO SPEAK TO YOU, SPEAK BEFORE YOU TO EXPRESS OPPOSITION TO ANY APPROVAL OF ITEM 305 WHICH ALLOWS ONE NONPROFIT CENTER FOR URBAN TRANSFORMATION TO PROVIDE AFTER SCHOOL SERVICES BETWEEN TWO AND 6:00 P.M. WHICH CERTAINLY WILL CONFLICT WITH PROGRAMMING AT THE PARK THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE.

SO MAINLY I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THE ADULT BASKETBALL AND TEEN BASKETBALL PROGRAM. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW A SUMMER CAMP, WHICH WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT DAY ORS TIMES THEY ARE PLANNING ON. THAT'S UNKNOWN.

IT ALLOWS THIS ONE NONPROFIT TO ACTUALLY HOLD ITS COMMUNITY MEETINGS AT FIN GANN PARK. WE HAVE OTHER NONPROFITS WHOSE LONGEVITY JUMP THAT ONE BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS.

MY PHONE HAS BEEN EXPLODING WITH SERIOUS RESIDENTS CALLING ME

ABOUT THE PARK. >> YOU'RE TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU.

>>>NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 14.

YULET. SPEAKING ON ITEM 305.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >>>HELLO.

HOW ARE YOU DOING. I'M A NATIVE RESIDENT AND I ALSO WANT TO SPEAK TO THE OPPOSITION OF THIS LEASE AGREEMENT.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS AGREEMENT HOLDS.

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO IMPACT CURRENT PROGRAMMING THAT IS TAKING PLACE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. WHY THIS ORGANIZATION? WE DON'T KNOW THE LIFE SPAN OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE.

WHETHER IT ONE YEAR, TWO YEARS OR THREE YEARS.

THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT.

MY COMMUNITY IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE IGNORED AGAIN BY ACTIVES IMPLEMENTED TO IMPACT US AND WE HAVE NO LIMITED COMMUNITY INPUT.

DELAY THE VOTE ON THIS AGENDA ITEM AND UNTIL THE COMMUNITY HAS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS AGREEMENT AND PARTNER SHICH IS ABOUT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>>NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER R. MICHAEL LEE SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

> >>>I GUESS WE'RE SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST. I FILED LAWSUIT 1191487.

I'M R. MICHAEL LEE. I'M 70 YEARS OLD AND LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE. I FILED THIS LAWSUIT BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP OF A COUNTY JUDGE AND MY COMMISSIONER. IT FAILED TO GOVERN BLOOD

[04:10:04]

THE JUDGE FAILED ME. I'VE BEEN HERE OVER COMMISSIONERS COURT 12 TIMES. FLOOD CONTROL HAS A BAD APPLE NAMED IN THE LAUCHLT THANK YOU. THE LAWSUIT IS SUBMITTED TO

COMMISSIONERS COURT VIA DIGITAL. >> THANK YOU.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 18. PASTOR HARVEY CLEMENS SPEAKING ON ITEM 305 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT ONE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >>>TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR EFFORT AT THE FINNIGAN PARK AREA WITH THE TRANSFORMATION.

I WOULD HOPE THAT TO JOIN SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF AND MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY TO HELP US IN CRIME PREVENTION FOR OUR YOUNG ADULTS AND FOR OUR YOUTH.

WE THINK THIS WOULD BE A GOOD USE OF THAT SPACE.

WE HAVE NO INTEREST IN TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE PARK.

WE WOULD BE USING SPACE THAT IS NOT BEING OCCUPIED NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THIS EFFORT AND WE WILL WORK DILIGENTLY TO MAKE YOU PROUD OF THE WORK WE DO.

>> PASTOR SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> MY NAME IS HARVEY CLEMENS JR. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTER FOR URBAN TRANSFORMATION BOARD AND PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST

CHURCH. >> I KNOW SOME OF US ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, AS WELL. THE SPACE IS UNUSED.

THERE WILL BE NO DISRUPTION. IT CAN BE CANCELED AT ANY TIME.

IF ANYBODY ELSE COMES IN AND WANTS TO USE SPACE THAT'S NOT USED WE SHOULD DO THAT. IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM AND WE'RE PLEASED TO MAKE THIS UNOCCUPIED SPACE AVAILABLE.

FOUR TO 6:00 P.M. WHEN NOBODY IS IN THAT ROOM.

I THINK YOU'RE IN FOUR OR FIVE DAYS A WEEK?

>> IT ISIV FE DAYS W AEEK. >> ABOUTWE TNTY KIDS?

>> YES, SIR. IT'SWE TNTY KIDS.

TYPICALLY, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ATTENDING THE HIGH SCHOOL, THE MECHANICNO REYLDSH HIGSCHOOL WITHIN THER FEEDERN PATTE.

PLUS SOMEID INDIVUALS WHO ARE EYOND THESC HIGH HOOL AGE BUT FURTHER THAN THE AGE Y OF 24EARS OLD.

>> TO I WANT GE ENCOURA YOU TO GO I'M GOING TO TRY TO BE THEREMY SELF AND HAVE MYO STAFF TMEET WITHEN ANY RESIDTS THAT HAVEID CONSERS.

IT'S ARA GOOD PROGM AND GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE'RE GLAD TOND HAVE IT AYB ANODY ELSE [INAUDIBLE]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH SI COMMISONER. Y

>>>THANKOU. IS >>>NEXT SPEAKER 19 KENDRA LONDON SPEAKING ON ITEM U 305. YOHAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD PLEASE. >>K HI.

THANYOU FOR THIS TIME. I'M KENDRA LONDON I REQUEST YOU POSTPONE THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CUT AND [INAUDIBLE] CENTER. I ASK YOU DO SO DUE TO LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FOR THE COMMUNITY. EVERY BOARD HARVEY CLEMENS SIT ON CONTINUESO DISPLAY A PATTERN OF TIE RAN ANY.

NO ONE KNEW ABOUT THIS OGPROGRA A GOOD PROGRAM.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT BUT TO PUT THE CUT PROGRAM [INAUDIBLE] TO USE THE YOUTH AND TALENT AS PERHAPS FOR PHOTOS AND SUCH.

CUT FUNDINGIB TO TAKE CARE [INAUDLE] ALLOWS THEM TO BUILD CAPACITY ON AVENUE FOR THE YOUTH AND PARENTS ON THAT [INAUDIBLE] .

THEN PARTNER WITH [INAUDIBLE] TO BUILT CAPACITY FOR THE COMMUNITY. TO PUT THEM INSIDE YOURAT CENTEI DON'T THINK TH WILL ASSIST WITH RENDERING SERVICES TO THER

COMMUNITY. >>>YOUTIME IS UP.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>THANK YOU.

NEXT IS SPEAKER 20DOLOR SESHGS SPEAKING ON ITEM 305 UNDER COMMISSIONER ONE. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD PLEASE. >>>HELLO.

YES. MY NAME IS DOLORES.

I MOVE TO APPROVE [INAUDIBLE] THE REASON WHY IS I'VE BEEN IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR 74 YEARS. FOR THE LAST I DON'T KNOW SIX OR

[04:15:05]

I [INAUDIBLE] LET'S GET TOGETHER AND MAKE THIS DECISION. WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER TO MAKE.

WE ARE TIRED OF YOU PEOPLE LEAVING US OUT LIKE THIS IS SOMEBODY ELSE'S COMMUNICATE. NOBODY OWN THIS COMMUNITY BUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE THAT IS HOMEOWNERS AND WHO THEY RENT TO.

WE ARE OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY WANTING TO COME IN HERE AND TELL US WHAT TO DO. NO.

>>>THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. >>>NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER SIX. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>>>YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS.

ON THE ISSUE OF ADOPTING A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENACTING SINGLE PAYER MEDICARE FOR ALL.

SINGLE PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WITHOUT EXCEPTION. IN THE STATE OF TEXAS MEDICAID EXPANSION, WHICH I ALSO SUPPORT, WILL COVER ABOUT ONE MILLION OF OUR FIVE MILLION UNINSURED PEOPLE.

ONLY UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE WILL COVER THE OTHER FOUR MILLION PEOPLE INCLUDING PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THERE'S NO OTHER WAY TO DO IT. NO OTHER WAY HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO DO IT BUT ANYONE THAT HAS SHOWN ANY CREDIBILITY.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >>>THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 7. MICHAEL STEMBRIDGE SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>>>I'M MICHAEL STEMBRIDGE. WE TALKED TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ABOUT FLOOD TUNNELS AND THEY DON'T GO TO JERSEY VILLAGE.

THEY GO 610 AND BELLWAY EIGHT. WE NEED THEM REALLY BAD.

I'VE BEEN, I'M LIKE A DOESST GHOST.

I'VE BEEN IN HERE SINCE 2017 TRYING TO GET THAT JERSEY VILLAGE WIDENED. THE CONTRACTOR QUIT THE GIG.

THEY ARE GONE. BUT THE ASSURETY AND THE GUARANTEE MONEY IS STILL THERE. WE NEED THAT WIDENED.

TOM TOLD US WITH THE FLOOD TUNNELS TO RELY ON TRADITIONAL MEANS MEANING WIDENING THE BAYOU.

WE NEED A NEW CONTRACTOR FOR THAT AND NEED THE FLOOD TUNNELS.

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE FLOOD TUNNEL.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE BAYOU WIDENED I'M WORRIED MY WIFE AND KID AND I COULD DIE, DROWN.

THIS IS SERIOUS. $650 MILLION OF G-L-O MONEY.

GUARANTEE AND PREFERRED BOND FOR BAYOU WIDENING THAT'S BEEN THERE

FOR YEARS AND TUNNELS. >>>YOUR TIME IS UP.

>>>THANK YOU. >>>WE'LL MAKE SURE THE FLOOD CRIMINAL DISTRICT VISITS WITH YOU.

THANK YOU. >>>OKAY.

>>>JUDGE THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS.

[Departments (Part 7 of 7)]

>>>THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET'S MOVE ONTO LISTING WHAT ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS AND THE CONSENT ITEMS. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 362 IS APPROVAL OF RI APPOINTMENTS BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 363 IS REAPPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND 376 IS AN ORDER AUTHORIZING A SETTLEMENT.

DOES THE COUNTY ATTORNEY NEED TO GO TO SESSION?

>> NO JUDGE. >>>COMMISSIONERS DO YOU NEED

EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> ALL EXECUTIVE SESSION

ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. >>>SO FOR ITEM 363 IS THAT

APPROVED A PRESENTED? >> YES.

>>>FOR HARRIS MENTAL HEALTH BOARD.

SO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS WILL BE ON CONSENT AGENDA.

THESE ARE THE FOLLOWING THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED TO SUCCESS THEM.

I WILL ONLY LIST THOSE THAT EITHER PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 13, COMMISSIONER >> NO. >> 16, NO, NEVER MIND.

THAT WAS NOT YOU. THAT WAS COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

[04:20:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: NUMBER 36, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ABOUT ITEM

38? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

38 MIGHT BE ON MY LONGER LIST. WE'LL COME BACK TO IT, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. NO.

IT WAS 43 THAT WAS THE FIRST ONE ON THE LIST.

ARE YOU OKAY? OKAY.

WE WILL PUT THAT BACK FOR DISCUSSION.

OR IT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EXCUSE ME.

THEN WE HAVE ITEM 45, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU

STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHICH ONE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 45. IT WAS NOT ON YOUR LIST OF NO

ACTIONS EITHER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

WHAT ABOUT ITEM 62, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> 62? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

IT IS ALSO NOT ON YOUR LIST. YOU HAVE 67.

SO I WILL PUT THAT BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

AND THEN MOVING ON TO -- JUST BEAR WITH ME, PLEASE.

WHAT ABOUT 135, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? IT IS ALSO NOT ON YOUR LIST. YOU HAVE 131 TO 134 AND THEN

155. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE THAT.

AND THEN WHAT ABOUT ITEM 184, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

HOW ABOUT 204, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? THOSE ARE UPDATED POLLING LOCATIONS.

PUT IT -- LEAVE IT ON? OKAY.

211 WAS FLAGGED, BUT THE SPEAKERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, SO SHOULD I JUST PUT IT BACK ON -- WELL, IT IS A DISCUSSION, SO

JUST DISCUSS IT NEXT TIME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THEY ASKED FOR NO ACTION BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT

AVAILABLE TODAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S NO ACTION.

AND I DON'T HAVE ANY MOTIONS ITEM 303.

I CAN GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE. THAT'S ON MONKEYPOX.

340 IS THE TRANSMITTAL ON THE AUDITOR REPORT ON CRIMESTOPPERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I LOOKED A AT THEM AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE SEEN THEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE DO THAT IF IT IS A TRANSMITTAL?

>> WE CAN DO A MOTION OFF OF A TRANSMITTAL THIS WAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IF YOU WILL JUST -- IF YOU DON'T

MIND REPEATING THE MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR WITH REGARD TO ANY FUNDS

[04:25:01]

THAT ARE GIVEN TO CRIMESTOPPERS. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES 3-0. THAT IS DONE.

WE ARE GOOD. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS 345? IT IS ALSO NOT ON YOUR LIST.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW ABOUT 347?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. .

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM LEAVING 350. HOW ABOUT 352?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: 365,

COMMISSIONER? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN WE NEED TO TAKE A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 324. THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE 362 -- EXCUSE ME. THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS ARE ALL ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ARE 45, 184, 204, 303, 351 AND 365 AND 324.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND 374, A BRIEF COMMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ONE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: 374, THE GUN BUY BACK. I JUST HAVE A BRIEF COMMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE ALL WE HAVE TO GO OVER.

I WAS ASKED FOR A QUICK, QUICK BREAK.

>> JUDGE, BEFORE YOU DO THAT, CAN YOU GO OVER THE DISCUSSION ITEMS AGAIN? I SEE ITEM 36.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU FLAGGED 36.

DID YOU WANT TO DISCUSS ITEM 36? IT IS THE NEW TIME REPORTING CODE TO PROVIDE UP TO 24 HOURS OF PAID MENTAL HEALTH LEAVE.

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

LET ME GO BACK OVER THIS, JAMES. 36, 45, 184, 204, 303, 351, 365 AND PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 374 -- EXCUSE ME 324 AS WELL AS ITEM

374 WHICH IS THE GUN BUY BACK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 357 [INAUDIBLE] 257. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION THAT YOU MADE REFERENCE TO EARLIER ON IN THE DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT WE HAD THIS MARKED.

I APOLOGIZE FOR MISSING THAT. THAT'S THE ONE THAT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 257. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. 36, 45, 184, 204, 257, 303, 351, 365, PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 324 AND ALSO ITEM 374.

SO WE WILL -- IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL --

>> JUDGE? I HAVE A FEW CLARIFICATIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> ITEM 25 IS THE COVID-19 DISCUSSION. IS THERE ANY ACTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS NOT ANY ACTION.

ITEM 25 YOU SAID? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS NOT ANY ACTION.

I CAN GIVE A REALLY QUICK UPDATE.

ANYTHING ELSE? >> ITEM 166, THAT'S THE

LEGISLATIVE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION.

>>HA TNK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTIONOR F ALLTE IMS 1 THROUGH 384?

>> JUDGE, W CANE HOLD ONE SECOND.

THERE IS ANM ITERELATED TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE FOR THESH ERIFF DEPUTIES.WE HAVE AT SLIGHAMENDMENT.

WETO NEED RECOMMEND AND IAP OLOGIZE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WEAK CAN TE THE BREAK AND THEN WE WILL DO

THE MOTION. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S BE BACK INTE 10 MINUS.

[04:30:01]

>> YES, MA'AM. SO YOU ARE OPENING COURT BACK

UP? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 5:31 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. IT IS ITEMS 25, 36, 45, 184, 204, 257, 303, 340, 351, 365, 374 AND PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 324.

WE ALREADY MADE A MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTIONS, SO I NEED A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 10 THROUGH 384 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO HAVE TWO MORE ITEMS I WANT TO HOLD.

YOU DID CALL THEM OUT TO ME, BUT MY NOTES WERE NOT COMPLETE, SO I WANT TO ADD ITEM 45 AND 135 TO MY LIST OF HOLD.

>> NO ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: 45 AND 135 NO

ACTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 135 AND 45.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE, I NEED TO CLEAN UP MY MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE IT FOR DISCUSSION SO WE CAN GO TO IT WHEN WE GET TO IT. IS THAT OKAY, COMMISSIONER? THAT'S THE ONE ON CRIMESTOPPERS, CORRECT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: PERFECT.

LET'S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP AND STARTING WITH ITEM 25 AND IT'S REALLY GOOD NEWS ALL-AROUND HERE ON THE COVID FRONT.

THE NUMBERS HAVE CONTINUED TO IMPROVE.

WE ARE NOW DISTRIBUTING THE NEW BOOSTER AND IT WILL PREVENT HOSPITALIZATION WITH THE VARIANTS AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP COVID UNDER CONTROL.

THAT'S ABOUT IT AND I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WE WILL UPDATE THE DATA HUB TO CLOSELY FOLLOW WITH THE CDC COMMUNITY LEVEL SESSION STEM AND WE WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT LATER IN THE WEEK. THAT'S IT FOR THAT ITEM.

ANY QUESTIONS? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 36.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU FLAGGED THAT AND YOU HAVE A MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DID. FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THE WORK BEING DONE. THIS IS GOING TO BE PAID LAW ENFORCEMENT. LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKE ON THE BURDEN THE COUNTY BEARS. OBVIOUSLY THEIR PERSONAL SACRIFICE AND THE SCORES ARE NEEDED TO KEEP INCREASING THEIR BUDGET. BUT WHEN COMMISSIONERS DON'T SHOW UP IT IS NOT POSSIBLE. AND THE REASON I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS JUDGE, WHEN I SERVED AS SHERIFF LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES HAD TWO PAID VISITS TO A MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL AND IF THEY NEEDED MORE IT WOULD COME OUT OF POCKET.

I WOULDS -- I WAS ABLE TO INCREASE IT FROM 2 TO 7 AND I INCREASED IT EVEN MORE SINCE. EVEN MORE SO NEEDS TO BE DONE.

UNDERSTATE LAW THIS PAID LEAVE ONLY APPLIES TO PEACE OFFICERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK -- I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS FOR YOU, JAY, OR FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN EXPAND THIS TO INCLUDE DETENTION OFFICERS.

AND THEN REALLY JUST WORK TO -- WORK TO EXPAND IT FOR OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND I THINK IN DR. PORSA'S CASE, THE BOARD WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS EXPANDED TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS WELL. THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES FOR SO LONG, AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS INCLUDED TO EMBRACE OUR DETENTION STAFF AND IN TERMS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE OTHER FOLKS WHO REALLY NEED SUPPORT IS OUR COMMUNICATION OFFICERS. THOSE WHO ARE WORKING IN THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTER. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT. I'M NOT SURE, MR. BERRY, WOULD

[04:35:06]

THAT FALL UNDER YOU? >> I THINK WE WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH THE SHERIFF TO IMPLEMENT THIS.

HE WOULD NEED HIS OWN POLICY. IF HE IS WILLING TO ENGAGE, WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. OBVIOUSLY DETENTION OFFICERS ARE PICKING UP A LOT RIGHT NOW. I HOPE WE CAN SUPPORT THEM.

>> GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU.

I MOVE ON THIS ITEM WITH THE DIRECTION.

>> SURE. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THERE IS ONE SLIGHT CHANGE WE WANTED TO ADD IN THERE.

AT THE END OF THE MOTION AS IS PRESENTED, WE WANTED TO GO ON TO READ NON-COMPENSABLE AT SEPARATION.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS THE 24-HOUR BENEFIT IS THAT IT WOULDN'T BE TREATED AS SOMETHING THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE WITH THEM, THE COMPENSATION, THE CASH EQUIVALENT.

SO IT WOULD READ FAMILY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHICH WOULD BE NON-COME PENSABLE AT SEPARATION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I INCLUDE THAT WITH THE MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT INCLUDED WITH THE EDIT.

MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND IT PASSES 3-0.

>> THE ADDITION IS WHAT JAY ADDED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS ITEM 36.

MOVING ON TO ITEM 45, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 45 WAS JUST TO BE INCLUDED ON MY ITEM FOR NO

ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.

NEXT IS -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 62.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING BEFORE THAT, BUT I HAVE

62. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FOR THIS ONE, I AM EXCITED THAT THE OLD GLEN COMMUNITY IS RECEIVING THE DRAINAGE PROJECT THAT WILL GO TO BID THIS OCTOBER AND BE IN CONSTRUCTION BY THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR. THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF TWO DETENTION PONDS THAT REQUIRE TEMPORARY PUMPS TO HELP MOVE THE WATER INTO THE DRAINAGE CHANNEL OF HALLS BAYOU.

IT WILL ALLOW THEM TO PROCEED INTO CONSTRUCTION.

IT ALLOWS THE PROJECT TO PROCEED TODAY AND WILL HELP PROVIDE SOME IMMEDIATE BENEFIT TO THE OAK GLEN COMMUNITY BY REMOVING 97 HOMES FROM THE 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN.

ONCE THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT CHANNELS ARE DEEPENED AND WIDENED, I AM NOT SURE WHEN THAT WILL BE.

I AM TOLD THAT IT ORIGINALLY WAS GOING TO BE WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 36 MONTHS. I HOPE THE NO SHOWS OF TODAY DO NOT IMPACT THAT SCHEDULE. THE OAK GLEN COMMUNITY WILL EXPERIENCE GREATER BENEFIT AS A RESULT OF THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THIS PRONG -- THIS PROJECT BEING FUNDED BY THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND I THANK THEM AND MY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.

I MOVE ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE. >> WHICH ITEM IS IT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 62. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-0, UNANIMOUSLY. 184, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. 184 IS -- THIS IS A $768,000 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY IS PROVIDING TO OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN JAW SI. ONE OF THE PRECINCTS IN 2.

THEY CAN CONNECT A 3,130 LINEAR FOOT AND 10-INCH WATERMAIN AS WELL AS 4100 LINEAR FEET OF EIGHT-INCH WATERMAINS ALONG WITH 18 FIRE HYDRANTS FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY OF ITS RESIDENTS.

IT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY FUNDING TO UPDATE THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DEPENDS ON TO KEEP THE RESIDENTS SAFE AGAINST THE FUTURE FIRE GRIDS AND THE CHANGE CONTINUES TO AFFECT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT THEMSELVES ON MUTE IT

SEEMS LIKE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS MUCH AS THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENT.

I WANT TO THANK JACINTO CITY FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP, BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK COMMUNITY SERVICEY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR WORK AS THIS IS IN PART FUNDED BY CDBG ENGINEERING MONEY.

[04:40:06]

I MOVE ON THIS ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY EUGS -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? PASSES UNANIMOUSLY 3-0. NEXT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I AM JUST GOING TO MOVE IT.

YEAH. THAT'S ALL.

JUST MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON ITEM 204 AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES 3-0. 257, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 32. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO

MENTION -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT MINE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THAT IS YOURS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 257, I THINK THE MOTION IS THAT THE DATE OF THIS WOULD GO THROUGH, OCTOBER 31ST, 2022, AND THIS GIVES THEM TIME TO WORK OUT SOME MWBE LANGUAGE FOR THIS.

WE WILL EXTEND IT UNTIL OCTOBER 31ST, 2022.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER.

THAT'S CORRECT. >> WE'LL BRING IT BACK ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. WE'LL EXTEND IT WITH THE MWBE OR

EXTEND IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN BRING IT BACK IN TWO WEEKS IF YOU ALL CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION TO WORK

THAT OUT. >> YES, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THE MOTION CLEAR?

>> CHANGING THE DATE TO OCTOBER 31ST, 2022.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

303 IS THE MONKEYPOX ITEM. THE UPDATE IS POSITIVE.

NOSE JUST IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT AROUND THE WORLD A PLATEAU AND A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MONKEYPOX CASES, SO WE ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE ADMINISTERED 4,000 VACCINES.

THREE-FOURTHS OF THOSE ARE FIRST DOSES.

AND THEY CONTINUE GOING STRONG AND WE ARE WORKING TO BROADEN THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA EVEN FURTHER LATER THIS WEEK TO INDIVIDUALS OF ANY GENDER OR SEXUAL ORIENTATIONHO W HAVE HAD MULTIPLEAR PTNERS ANDE WARE KEEPINGAB TS WITH THE JURISDICTIONS ANDHO WE PE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO RECEIVED GOO NEWS AND JUSTEM A RINDER FOR EVERYBODY THATON ANYE CAN GET MONKEYPOX AND Y SO IFOU SEE ANYY MPTOMS,E PLEASREACH OUT TOYO UR MEDICAL PROVIDER AND EVEN IN KIDS.

IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET ACC VAINE, PLEASE CALL2- 83927-0707. A WERE NOWWA TAKING LK INS ATE

THVACCINATION SITE. A >>DRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? I T JUST WANTO CONFIRM THAT WITE THE ALTHT DEPARTMENTHAT WE DO NOT HAVE AT WAITING LISOF ANYONE NEEDING VACCINESEY,

MONKPOX VACCINES.D >> GOO AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THIS ISH DR. BROWN WITTHE HEALTH THATHORITY.

WE DOIT NOT HAVE A WAING LISTNE FOR ANYO THAT WANTS TOE RECEIVE THET VACCINE THAT MES OURY ELIGIBILIT CRITERIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND ON THE EXPANSION OF THE CRITERIA, WHEN WILL W THAT -- WHEN WILLE EXPECT THAT.

>> WE ARE READY TO EXPANDRT CRITERIA SHOLY AFTEROF THE

CONVENING THIS MEETING.RC >> ADRIAN GAIA: OKAY.

VERY GOOD. THANK Y YOU.

>> THANKOU.LG >> LINA HIDAO: THANK YOU,

DR. BROWN. >> THANK YOU.

>> SO NO ACTION?O: >> LINA HIDALG NO ACTION.

>> THANK YOU. I >> LINA HIDALGO:TEM 340, AND

THAT IS THE CRIMESTOPPERS ITEM.D >> RODNEY ELLIS: JGE, ISIN THE

AUDITOR ON THE LE? >> THE COUNTY AUDITOR ISS: HERE.

>> RODNEY ELLI YES. CAN YOUWH JUST WALK US THROUGH AT YOU FOUND BRIEFLY? I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A TARGET, A DEADLINE TO GET OUT OF HERE, BUT MS. PERKINS, JUST WALK US THROUGH WHAT CAME OF YOUR ATTEMPTS TO GET INFORMATION.

>> SURE. ABSOLUTELY.

WE STARTED THE AUDIT IN MAY WITH CRIMESTOPPERS.

AT THAT TIME WE SUBMITTEDT OUR FIRST INFORMATION REQUES FOR INFORMATION AND DETAILED EXPEPPED -- DETAILED EXPENDITURE

[04:45:04]

WE WENT BACK AND FORTH OVER THE SUMMER BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE RIGHT TO AUDIT CLAUSES IN OUR CONTRACTS.

CRIMESTOPPERS TOLD US THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION AS REQUESTED BECAUSE OF A LACK OF LEGAL OBLIGATION ON THE DAY WE TURNED IN THE REPORT TO THE AGENDA OFFICE IS WHEN WE LEARNED FROM CRIMESTOPPERS THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION.

WHAT YOU SEE IN THE REPORT IS AN ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION WE WERE ABLE TO PULL INTERNATIONALLY.

IN THE NEXT 30 BUSINESS DAYS STARTING WITH SEPTEMBER 1ST, HOPEFULLY WE WILL GIVE THAT DETAILED EXPENDITURE DATA FROM CRIMESTOPPERS AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO FINISH THE REST OF THE

ANALYSIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ENTITY HAS PROVIDED THE MOST FUNDS TO CRIMESTOPPERS OVER THE PAST

YEARS? >> GOODNESS.

THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDS INITIALLY CAME FROM THE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION FUND. MORE RECENTLY, IF WE FAST-FORWARD, THE LARGEST DONATION HAS COME FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE WHICH WAS A $500,000 DONATION IN 2021.

BUT WE DO SEE DONATIONS COMING IN FROM THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. I'M GOING TO READ THE MOTION AND MAKE SURE I AM GETTING IT CORRECT ON WHAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING. YOU ARE RECOMMENDING AS A MOTION THAT ALL FUTURE COUNTY -- ALL COUNTY FUTURE CONTRACTS INVOLVING FEDERAL FORFEITED ASSETS INCLUDE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS ASSET BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, ALL COUNTY FUTURE CONTRACTS INCLUDE CLAUSES RELATED TO RIGHT TO AUDIT FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RECORDKEEPING AND RETENTION. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES. THAT IS CORRECT.

WE DISCOVERED THERE WAS ADDITIONAL FEDERAL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS WHEN CONDUCTING THIS REVIEW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. I WILL READ IT ONE MORE TIME.

THE MOTION IS THAT WE ADOPT THE AUDITOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ALL FUTURE CONTRACTS INVOLVING FEDERAL FORFEITED ASSETS INCLUDING REGULATORY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS ASSET BY THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. ALL COUNTY FUTURE CONTRACTS INCLUDE CLAUSES RELATED TO RIGHT TO AUDIT FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RECORDKEEPING AND RETENTION.

THAT'S MY MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR. THAT MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

WE CAN DO A MOTION UNDER THIS ITEM, YEAH?

>> YES. YES, WE CAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR THE WORK THEY DID ON

THIS. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: 351, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WHAT IS THE CLARIFIED MOTION AND I CAN ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO REPEAT IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION WAS TO CANCEL THE ITEM.

DWIGHT INDICATED THAT WE CAN -- THAT THAT IS A PROPER MOTION.

HE NEEDS DIRECTION TO CANCEL SO THAT IS THE MOTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND. >> YEAH.

IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT OF THE PROJECT SCHEDULED FOR PRECINCT 3.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> AND THAT THE PROJECT BE CANCELED. DIRECTING THE OFFICE TO CANCEL

THE PROJECT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR BECAUSE IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE OTHER NO ACTIONS THAT WE ARE TAKING SO THAT IS -- IT CARRIES THROUGH 3-0.

365. COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED THIS

ONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

ON THIS ITEM, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO SUBSTITUTE THE PASADENA CAMPUS OF BAKER RIPLEY FOR THE BAY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER.

THE RATIONAL IS THAT PEOPLE NEAR BAY AREA HAS MORE ACCESS TO VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND CAN ATTEND ONE OF THOSE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SUBSTITUTE THE PASADENA CAMPUS OF BAKER RIPLEY

[04:50:02]

FOR THE BAY AREA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SECOND IT AND I WANT TO ASK, HOW LOCKED IN -- IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS, IS THIS BROAD ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN'T BOOK A BUILDING OR

SOMETHING? >> GOOD EVENING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ENGINEER.

WE HAVE [INAUDIBLE] WE WE HAVEN'T PAY -- PAID FEES YET SO

WE ARE FLEXIBLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I AM ASKING ON THE OTHERS. WHEN YOU BRIEFED ME THE OTHER DAY I AM SATISFIED WITH WHAT YOU GAVE ME THE OTHER DAY.

DOES THIS ITEM TIE YOUR HANDS SO YOU DON'T HAVE FLEXIBILITY ON ANY OF THEM, AND NOT JUST THIS ONE? SO IF YOU HAVE TO MOVE THEM YOU CAN DO THAT?

>> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT ON WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS ASKED.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE COURT SHOULD RECOGNIZE IS THAT WE DO POST THESE HEARINGS OR THESE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND SO IN THE EVENT -- BECAUSE BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST, MEMBERS OF THE COURT MAY CHOOSE TO ATTEND, AND WE DON'T WANT TO RISK THAT.

WE HAVE -- WE HAVE A QUORUM. WHEN WE POST, WE ARE LOCKED IN AT THAT TIME. IF THERE ARE CHANGES OR IT IS NOT A VENUE THAT WE WANT TO USE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT FLOODS WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> WELL, THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES THERE IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION THEN WE CAN MOVE IT, BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO POST IT IN ADVANCE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THAT IS A MECHANISM THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: MILTON, YOU'RE

ON BOARD WITH THIS? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO THAT WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THAT'S ITEM 365.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> WHAT IS THE COMPLETE MOTION SO WE CAN HAVE IT FOR THE RECORD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST ONE SECOND. THE MOTION IS TO SUBSTITUTE THE PASADENA BAKER RIPLEY CAMPUS FOR THE BAY APP AREA COMMUNITY

CENTER. >> OTHERWISE AS PRESENTED?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I THINK IT IS AS PRESENTED.

LET ME READ IT AND MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT.

MOTION TO SUBSTITUTE PASADENA CAMPUS OF BAKER RIPLEY FOR BAY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER. GOT IT?

>> YEAH. AND THE REST AS PRESENTED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE REST AS PRESENTED.

CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-0. 374, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE GUN

BUY BACK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PUTS INTO THIS.

ON A DAY LIKE THIS WHEN WE HAD THE FALSE ALARM AT THE SCHOOL AND FOLKS ARE POSTURING ON ISSUES INVOLVING PUBLIC SAFETY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW IMPORTANT THESE ARE.

AND EVEN IF SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES ARE NOT SUPPORTIVE OR DID NOT VOTE FOR IT, WE SHOULD PARTNER WITH THE CITY WHERE NECESSARY, BUT WE OUGHT TO DO AS MANY OF THESE AS WE CAN AND STRETCH THIS COMMITTEE OF $96,000 AS FAR AS WE CAN.

THE ONE I DID WITH THE CITY WAS TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO OTHERS AS WELL.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WANTED TO ADD TOO, SOME OF THE CRITICISM I HAVE HEARD OVER THE YEARS, BECAUSE I USED TO DO THIS WHEN I WORKED WITH THE THEN DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE, KIM OG AND OVER THE YEARS I HEARD KREUFPLT THAT -- I HEARD CRITICISM THAT THESE ARE THE WRONG PEOPLE WE ARE GETTING GUNS FROM. FIRST OF ALL, IF A GOOD CITIZEN WANTS TO GET A WEAPON OUT OF THEIR HOME, GOD BLESS THEM.

THANK YOU. WE DO HAVE RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES. WE DO HAVE BURGLARIES AMONG VEHICLES. WE HAVE CARS THAT GET STOLEN.

ANY GUN THAT GETS INTO THE WRONG HAND IS A GUN THAT IS TAKEN OFF THE STREETS. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, WHEN YOU GOOGLE THE STATS, 39 TEE MILLION PRIVATELY -- 393 MILLION PRIVATELY OWNED GUNS.

THAT'S 300 GUNS FOR EVERY 100 INDIVIDUALS, THE HIGHEST RATE OF ANY COUNTRY ON THE PLANET. SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GET -- WE LEARNED SOME LESSONS FROM THE FIRST ONE.

YOU KNOW, AS DANGEROUS AS GHOST GUNS CAN BE, WE FOUND THAT OUT IN JAPAN. IT MAKES SENSE NOT TO ACCEPT THOSE, AND WE WILL MAKE SURE WE DO THAT IN ADVERTISING.

WE MAY LEARN SOME LESSONS WHEN WE DO THE SECOND.

[04:55:04]

I MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-0. NEXT IS A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 324. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE RECORDS ARCHIVED PLANS FOR 2022-2023.

IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THIS ITEM, TIFFANY?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS I CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE A MOTION ON THE ITEM? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

THAT SHOULD BE THE ENTIRETY OF THE AGENDA.

DID I MISS ANYTHING? >> WE NEED TO TAKE THE CONSENT VOTE. YOU CALLED FOR T BUT THERE WAS

NO VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT I DID DO IT. OKAY.

THAT WAS 10 THROUGH 384. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-0. THANK YOU FORBEARING WITH ME -- FOR BEARING WITH ME. WITH THE HOLDS I LOST TRACK.

TIFFANY, ARE YOU MISSING ANYTHING?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: COUNTY ATTORNEY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. IT

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.