[00:00:12]
>> AND WHAT ARE THE TIMELESS TITLE IV AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL AUGUST 22, 2023 HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSION TO ORDER.
WE LOST ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES AT THE OFFICE YESTERDAY.
OBVIOUSLY WE LET THE FAMILY KNOW THAT WE SEND OUR CONDOLENCES AND WILL KEEP THE FAMILY IN OUR PRAYERS.
WITH THAT. COMMISSIONER I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE LOST ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES AT THE OFFICE YESTERDAY SO MAYBE WE WILL DO SOMETHING AT THE END.
LET'S DO THE U.S. PLEDGE AND THEN THE STATE PLEDGE AND THEN
WE WILL GO TO THE RESOLUTIONS. >> WE PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH THE BEAUTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> ONTO THE TEXAS FLAG,LE I PDGE ANALLEGICETE TO THE XAS, ONEE
[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]
STATUNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.BRIONES,K COMMISSIONER YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION TODAYDO?
>> YES, I HAVE A RESOLUTION. I'LL BE PRESENTING AT THE-GAME ON SATURDAY NIGHT SO IF ANY OF YOU ARE GOING TO BE THERE, I WILL INVITE YOU, I WILL NOT READ IT AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO JOIN US TODAY. I KNOW WE ALL HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF PRIDE FOR THE 2023 FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP, WE HAD SIX OF OUR OWN PLAYERS FROM THE-PLAY IN THE WORLD CUP, I HOPE YOU WILL JOIN ME AND HONORING THEM ON SATURDAY AND NOT ONLY AM I HONORING THE WAY THAT THE AIRPLANE WITH HEART, HUSTLE AND HIGHER STANDARD BUT EVERYTHING THAT-HAS DONE TO ADVANCE PAY EQUITY AND ADVANCING WOMEN'S SPORTS AS A PROFESSION.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE PLAYERS INTO THE DASH GENERALLY.
IF YOU WANT TO BRAVE THE HEAT I'LL BE THERE SATURDAY NIGHT TO PRESENT THE ACTUAL RESOLUTION SO WE CAN STAY HIGH HYDRATED
TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE TOGETHER. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR ITEM NUMBER ONE.
[Appearances before court]
>> ITEM NUMBER ONE, YES, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, BE CAREFUL IN THE HEAT, TIFFANY, WE WILL GO TO
SPEAKERS. >> FIRST IS SHERIFF GONZALES
SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER TWO. >> ONE MINUTE EACH.
>> I WAS TOLD BY THE WAY, THANK YOU FOR LOOKING AT ME TO REMIND ME, IF YOU WERE WITH THE COUNTY INJURES SPEAKING AS A VIRTUAL EMPLOYEE DEPARTMENT, YOU HAVE TO SHOW YOUR FACE UNDER STATE LAW, WHEN YOU'RE SPEAKING SO WE COMPLY WITH THE LAW SHOW YOUR SMILING FACE OR :-( WHATEVER PHASE IT MAY BE.
SHERIFF GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO PROVIDE MY INITIAL THOUGHTS FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THIS COMING YEAR.
I WANT TO START BY THANKING INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BUDGET DIRECTOR DANIEL RAMOS FOR THEIR WORK.
ACCOUNTING BUDGET IS A REFLECTION OF HIS PRIORITIES AND I KNOW EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF HER TAXPAYER RESOURCES. TODAY I'M GOING TO ASK MEMBERS OF THE COURT WHETHER THIS DRAFT BUDGET ALIGNS WITH OUR VALUES AND PRIORITIES, THIS IS MY SEVENTH YEAR COMING BEFORE THIS BODY OF SHERIFF TO ADVOCATE FOR INVESTMENTS THAT WE KNOW WILL MAKE HARRIS COUNTY SAFER FOR ALL RESIDENTS.
EACH YEAR I'VE BEEN TOLD THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AGREES THAT WE MUST WITH ATTENTION OFFICERS BUT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR WITH OUR BUDGET SITUATION IMPROVES.
I SUBMIT TO YOU, THIS IS THAT YEAR, EVERY WEEK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LOSING GOOD DEPUTIES WHO RESIGNED TO TAKE HIGHER-PAYING JOBS ELSEWHERE. IN THE PAST WE TYPICALLY LOST THEM TO LARGER AGENCIES LIKE HPD, DPS OR FEDERAL AGENCIES.
NOW WE ARE LOSING THEM TO AGENCIES THAT FRANKLY SHOULD NOT BE IN A POSITION TO POACH OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST, SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE ADOPTED HUGE PAY INCREASES TO RECRUIT OUR DEPUTIES AND IS WORKING, THESE ARE THE AGENCIES THAT WE WENT POACHED FROM DEVELOPER EGGS, NOW WE ARE THERE TRAINING GROUND, IN JUNE I SENT A LETTER TO EACH OF YOUR OFFICE EMPLOYEE THAT YOU PLEASE GIVE ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS A FULL 7% INCREASE THAT YOU HAVE IN MIND FOR OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
OTHERWISE I FEAR WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE OUT, THE STAKES ARE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE HIGH, IN 2023 WE ARE ON PACE TO LOSE A RECORD NUMBER OF HER NEIGHBORS TO FATAL CAR CRASHES,
[00:05:04]
JUST THIS PAST WEEK AND A DEPUTIES WORKED SIX FATALITY CRASHES, SO FAR 120 HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN CAR CRASHES WHICH IS A 14% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR, WE SPENT SO MUCH TIME RIGHTLY TALKING ABOUT CRIME AND HARRIS COUNTY BUT THE TRUTH IS NO GREATER THREAT TO THE AVERAGE RESIDENCE LIFE THEN THEIR DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK IN SCHOOL, THIS IS BECAUSE THE PATROL PRESENCE IS SO SPARSE THAT RECKLESS DRIVERS ARE CONCERNED THAT AN OFFICER WILL SPOT THEM AND INTERVENE. WHENEP OUR DUTIES TO INTERVENE THEY SAVE LIVES, LAST WEEK WHATEVER DEPUTIES SPOTTED A WRONG WAY DRIVER ON A TOLLROAD AND RISKED HIS OWN LIFE TOTH STP E DRIVER BY PUTTING HIS PATROL CAR IN ITS PATH.ET , IN MY JUNE LTER ALSO MADE THE CASE INVESTING MORE IN OUR DETENTION OFFICERS, LAST WEEK, E HAD ANOTHER INSPECTIONTHE INSPECTORS PLACED THE BLAME SQUARELY ON INADEQUAOUTE STAFFI, WE DON'T HAVE ENGH PEOPLE TO E KEEP THE JAIL SAFE., WE HAV178 JOB VACANCIES IN THE OF PAY OF $19 PER HOUR.
A YEAR AGO THE COURT APPROVED A QUARTER MILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT WITH A BREEDER TO CONDUCT QUOTE UNQUOTE DEEP REVIEW OF OPERATIONS FOCUSING ON SAFETY AND STAFFING ISSUES AND RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES TO STRENGTHEN THE OFFICER CAREER PATH TO IMPROVE OVERALL SAFETY AND CONDITIONS FOR THOSE WORKING OR RECITING THE JAIL THE CONSULTANTS CAME BACK WITH SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS MANY OF WHICH WE ARE IMPLEMENT TEAM, BUT ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS IN YOUR HANDS , DETAIN FOUND THAT ARE FAR BEHIND COMPARABLEARIES AGENCIES IN THE REGION, THEY SAID WE SHOULD INCREASE PAY BY A MINIMUM OF 12%, MY QUESTION FOR YOU TODAY, DO YOU TAKE THE ISSUE WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE CONSULTANT THAT YOU HIRED, IF SO ASK FOR YOUR MONEY BACK. IF NOT, I IMPLORE YOU TO FOLLOW YOUR ADVICE IF YOU WANT TO SEE POSITIVE CHANGE IN THE JAIL, WERE DOING OUR PART SO FAR THIS YEAR THE MORTALITY RATE IS BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE, THE INMATES ENERGY ARE SAFER THAN THOSE OF THE MANY OTHER FACILITIES IN TEXAS, WE WILL STOP WORKING TO MAKE THE JAIL BETTER, WE WILL STOP WORKING TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY STREET SAFER, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP THIS YEAR NOT NEXT
YEAR, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY IN YOUR ADVOCACY AND YOUR ORGANIZATION AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOME THINGS PROPOSED FOR DETENTION OFFICERS BUT I WILL JUST TELL YOU THE 12% IN GENERAL AND LOOKING TO YOUR STAFF OVERALL WAS A GOAL OF MINE IN THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE AND WE DID NOT GET THERE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND I'M HOPEFUL WILL MAKE PROGRESS IN
THAT DIRECTION. >> THAT IS GREAT WERE ENCOURAGED BY SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WERE HAVING WITH DANIEL AND THE TEAM. WE KNOW ULTIMATELY OBVIOUSLY THE BUDGET REQUIRES A LOT OF WORK I BEEN ON THAT SIDE OF THE HOUSE BEFORE THERE'S A NEGOTIATION AND TRADE-OFF AND COST FOR EVERYTHING BUT REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE END UP WE HOPE THAT IT CONTINUES TO BE A DISCUSSION AND ULTIMATELY WE ARE STILL LIKELY TO BE FAR BEHIND ESPECIALLY WITH A DEPUTY PAY AS IT COMPARES TO OTHER COMPARABLE AGENCIES I THINK THAT 30 BEEN REVIEWED AND ANALYZED, I HOPE THERE IS A COMMITMENT ON BEHALF OF ALL OF YOU TO CONTINUE TO CHART A PATH FORWARD, IF NOT NOW AT LEAST IN
THE COMING YEARS. >> WE NEEDED NOW, EXACTLY I WANT TO MAKE SURE WERE MANAGING EXPECTATION IN THE BASELINE AND WE IMPROVE ON THE BASELINE AND WE CAN BUILD ON THAT GOING FORWARD THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THE PAST WEEK IT'S ENCOURAGING TO SEE SOME OF YOUR LEADERSHIP OF GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT THAT WERE DEALING WITH IT AND YOU DID AND THANK YOU FOR THAT PART OF IT. ONE SIMPLE, THAT I CERTAINLY AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE NEED TO ADDRESS SPECIFICALLY WHAT WE PAY I REFERRED TO NOT ONLY IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUT OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT NOW SUPPLYING OUR SURROUNDING COUNTIES WITH OFFICERS AND WE NEED TO BE IN A DIFFERENT POSITION. I THINK WHAT WERE TALKING ABOUT IN THE BUDGET WILL HELP WITH THAT, ONE THING I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING ABOUT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS IS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED OF THE JAIL. I THINKE WER DOING THE DUCK TAKE APPROACH ON THEGH JAIL RIT NOW AND WE PROBABLY NEED A SOLUTION, I THINK WHAT I'M SEEING IS PULMONARY INFORMATION WE WILL HAVE OPTIONS COMING DOWN THE PIPE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING
[00:10:05]
THOSE AND ADDRESSES. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.
>> COMMISSIONER PR YE-ONUS. >> THANK YOU FOROUR LEADERSHIP IN YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN ON OUR TEAM. THANK YOU.
>> I VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION YOU KNOW HOW STRONGLY I SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND TO BE THE NUMBER ONE INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY CAN MAKE IS IN ITS PEOPLE AND HUMAN CAPITAL. I KNOW THAT WERE ALL LOOKING AT THESE NUMBERS AND REALISTICALLY IT'LL BE HARD TO MAKE PROGRESS THAT WE WANT THIS COMING YEAR, THAT BEING SAID I WOULD LOVE TO WORK ON TWO AND THREE YEAR PLAN AND HOW WE CAN GET TO 90, 95% WITH HPD AND OTHER LARGE OTHER URBAN COUNTIES BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE PAYING ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE CIVILIAN SIDE AND WE NEED TO PAY HER TEAM MEMBERS WHAT THEY'RE WORTH AND MAKE SURE WERE RECRUITING AND RETAINING THE BEST TALENT THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE FRONT LINES, I LOOK FORWARD YOU DEAL WITH CHALLENGES GALORE EVERY DAY ALL DAY AND MAKING SURE WERE MAKING PROGRESS. JUST KNOW I VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> CHAIR I MENTIONED YOUR ABSENCE WHEN WE LAST MET WHAT A GOOD JOB I THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM DID AND YOU HAD TO DEAL WITH A CRISIS.
I CALLED AND INVITED YOU AND YOU FIGURED OUT I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP.
ONE THING THAT I LEARNED FROM MY YEARS MAKING GOVERNMENT IS EVERYBODY HAVE IDEAS OF HOW TO GET THE MONEY, BUT MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE PAINFUL DISCUSSION BY HAVING THE MONEY TO GIVE OUT IN TWO YEARS WITH NO ADDITIONAL REVENUE WAS A CHALLENGE, WE MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT TO SET THE TAX RATE AT, THE PREDECESSOR WHO LET THIS COURT COMMITTEE ALWAYS WENT WITH THE HIGHEST RATE THAT THEY COULD GO WITH AND THEY COULD SAY WE DID NOT RAISE YOUR TAXES, THEY DIDN'T RAISE THE RATE THEY TOOK WHAT WAS AVAILABLE TO THEM, WHAT IS WORTH IT BEARS WITHOUT SAYING IT IS A BIG CHALLENGE IF 60 SOME OF YOUR BUDGET, 6462.
>> 63%, GENERAL REVENUE OFF THE TABLE WHEN YOU WALK IN AND HASSLE BUT HE TOOK MATH DIDN'T HAVE IT DISCLOSE THAT THEY WENT TO, MINE WAS SEGREGATED, I WAS PRETTY GOOD AT MATH AND IF YOU PUT THINGS IN CERTAIN AREAS, YOU CAN NEVER TAKE IT OUT AND THEN YOU COULD GO RECO REQUIRING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IN EVERY SCHOOL BUT NOT GIVE THEM THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT, THAT DOESN'T ADD UP, A SERIES OF THEM SO I WANT TO SAY IT AND SAY IT PUBLICLY, SOME PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM OF SAYING THAT, IT WAS A TOUGH THING AND I SAW THE COMMENT YOU MADE PUBLICLY WE WERE MAKING A DECISION ON THE TAX RATE, YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT THE SAME TIME AND PUTTING MINE ON THE BALLOT BY THE WAY FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, THAT WAS TOUGH, SOMEHOW WE HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM THAT, ONE SESSION I HAD MUCH BIGGER THAN THIS ONE, 20 YEARS AGO, IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY THE FIRST TIME INHABITED A LONG TIME SO OBVIOUSLY INO CANT FOLLOW MY BOARD AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES TO GETOU A NUMINS VOTE IN A BIPARTISAN, MORE T PEOPLE ONHESI OTHER DEE THEN MY SIDOF THE AISLE.
BUT IT WORKED OUT. IT AMAZES ME PEOPLE UNIVERSITYEV PRESIDENTS, ERYBODY WALKS INTO SAY WHAT PIECE OF THE PIE THAT THEYU WA, THEN WHEN YOASK WHERE DID YOU CUT IT FROM, THAT'S WHY WE PAY YOU, I'LL PAY YOU WHEN WERE MAKING DECISIONS THE LAST TWO ROUNDS, WHEN I SAY HERE OVER IN THIS CORNER AT THIS TABLE AND I SAY PRIVATELY THEN SAY IT PUBLICLY I HOPE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE LISTENING AS WELL BECAUSE IT'S NO EASY JOB TO SIT HERE WITH LESS MONEY TO OPERATE WITH AND MAKE THESE DECISIONS, LESS MONEY IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR GROWTH WOULD GIVE US BECAUSE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, MORE PEOPLE COME TO THE COUNTY AND I'VE YET TO SEE HOW YOU SOLVE MOST PROBLEMS ARE, CROSS THIS DESK WITHOUT MONEY.
[00:15:01]
THE ONLY THING THAT WE COULD DO THAT DOES NOT COST MONEY WOULD BE THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE VERY IMPORTANT BUT THAT IS ONLY THING THE ONLY COST TREES AND NOT MONEY FOR BEING CONSISTENT FOR THAT.VE WE WILL TAKE MORE SPEAKERS.>> IF I COULD HA A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO CONVEY, DEPUTY ANDERSON IS DOING WELL HE WAS UP, HE WAS SMILING AND HAPPY AND THANKFUL WITH A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ALL OF YOU AND I KNOW YOU WERE GIVING ME POSITIVE FEEDBACK BUT REALLY I WANT TO PASS THAT ON TO OUR PERSONNEL, THE SUPPORT PERSONNEL, THE DEPUTIES THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT WERE PART OF THE SEARCH AND DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, THEY DID A TERRIFIC JOB, THE CREDIT GOES TO THEM JEOPARDY INTERSTATE IS DOING WELL AND AS WELL AS THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT WERE INJURED DURING THE COURSE OF THOSE COUPLE OF DAYS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE STUDENTS THAT.
I APPRECIATE YOU. >> NEXT IS HELEN COLLIER.
COMMISSIONER CAN WE HOLD ON ONE SECOND.
I GUESS WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK BY LAW.
WILL HAVE TO GIVE THE SHERIFF TO GIVE HIS REMARKS AGAIN.
>> COMMISSIONER CAN WE TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS.
>> FIVE OR DO YOU WANT 10. >> WILL TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK TRYING TO COME BACK IN 10. THE COMMISSION IS GOING TO TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 10:30 A.M. THE COURT IS STILL IN SESSION.
AS THE NEXT ONE MISSED COLLIER. YES, MA'AM, JUST YOUR NAME IS
COLLIER FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS HELEN COLLIER, TO THE INTERIM OVER THE COURT OF COMMISSIONER RODNEY ALICE.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT FULLY. THE PROTOCOL, TO MY TEAM OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY TO MY LONGTIME MWD PROPONENT AND DIFFERENCE MAKER ADRIENNE GARCIA INTO COMMISSIONER BRIONES OF MINE RECENTLY IT IS A PLEASURE, MY NAME IS HELEN COLLIER I'M A PRESIDENT, WE EXPEDITE BUILDING PERMITS FOR ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS AND PROJECT OWNERS SUCH AS HARRIS COUNTY TO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR BUILDING PERMITS IN A TIMELY MANNER AND TO BUILD AND SERVE THE CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING TO SERVE IN THE POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY. A WEEK OR SO THE FIRST ANNUAL NWA SUMMITIT WH THE SMALL BUSINESSIN ADMISTRATION, THE
TOHOUSN DISTRICT OFFICE.>> REAL QUICKLY THEHA POINT TT YOU WANT TOAN MAKE, I WT TO GIVR ANOTHE MINUTE.
>> I APPRECIATE IT, LET ME GET ONTO THE BOTTOM LINE, I'VE KNOWN JACK THOMAS FOR OVER 15 YEARSSI FROM THE AVIATION DE,IO YOU GUYS HAD A WARRR WHO WAS IN T THE SEAT AND DRIVINGHE PROGRAM HERE AND I APPRECIATE THAT. I WAS MC OF THE SUMMIT, THE FIRSTS, ANNUAL ONE THERE WERE 20 FOLK ATTENDEES, DIANA WAS THERE AS WELL NOW THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
FEEDBACK FROM THAT SUMMIT TO ME WAS CLEARLY WE RECEIVED A LOT OF CONNECTIONS AND A LOT OF INFORMATION AND I APPRECIATE HEARING DIRECTLY THE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE COUNTY AND SEE THAT THE COUNTY IS SERIOUS, THAT IS INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK THAT CAME TO ME I KNOW THOUSANDS OF BUSINESSES IN THE CITY, THAT
IS KEY. >> GIVE US YOUR ASK, WE HAVE A
LONG DAY. >> I PROMISE JACK THOMAS THEN THAT I WOULD COME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT OFFICE BEING FUNDED.
I SUBMIT TO YOU AND I WOULD SUFFICIENTLY FUNDED WHEREBY EMPLOYEES THAT HE WAS BRINGING ON BOARD EVENTUALLY LEFT BECAUSE THEY WERE MAKING MORE MONEY ELSEWHERE, THEY LEFT OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT IS WONDERFUL AND GREAT HE'S
NOT THE HR DEPARTMENT. >> THANK YOU, IT IS A GOOD
POINT, THANK YOU FOR TELLING US. >> OUR PROGRAM.
>> I WANT TO FINISH TODAY, CAN YOU GIVE IT TO US IN WRITING.
>> YOU WILL GET IT IN WRITING ALONG FROM SEVERAL OTHER
AGENCIES AS WELL. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
[00:20:01]
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS KATIE, YOU HAVE ONE
MINUTE. >> BEFORE YOU START, TRY TO GIVE ONE PERSON MORE TIME, EVERYBODY ELSE WILL EXPECTED WE ALL WANT TO GET TO THE BUDGET AT SOME POINT, THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS KATIE I LIVE IN PRECINCT TWO AND I REPRESENT THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER AND THE HOUSTON LEADS EMIGRANTS COALITION. I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET, I REVIEWED THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND FOUND THE SECTION ON JAIL COST ALARMING ACROSS JAIL, CALLED JAIL COST ONE OF THE KEY BUDGET DRIVERS THAT ARE FORCING THE COUNTY TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES ON WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS CAN BE FUNDED, STATES THAT INCREASE PEOPLE IN THE JAIL AND NOT PROPORTION OF THEM THAT ARE HIGH RISK CONTINUES TO CAUSE 50 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL SPENDING ON THE JAIL AND CONTRACT OUTSOURCE INCARCERATION INTO PRIVATE FACILITIES.
AS IF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE JAILED IS A FIXED NUMBER INSTEAD OF A POLICY CHOICE, IN REALITY THIS IS A PROBLEM OF OUR OWN MAKING, ACTIONS A STRONGER SITE AND RELEASE PROGRAM AND FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE HEART PROGRAM WOULD PREVENT UNNECESSARY ARREST CONTINUED TO INCREASE FUNDING OF THE GEL FEELS THE NARRATIVE THAT LARGE NUMBERS APPEARS COUNTY RESIDENTS, ALL OF THEM WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR OTHER RISK FACTORS CANNOT BE PREVENTED IN FURTHER STARVES SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT CAN ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME. THANK YOU.
>> TAKE YOU FOR COMING HERE. >> NEXT IS QUINCY GARDENHIRE,
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS QUINCY GARDENHIRE AND ADVOCATING FOR LARGER NICE COMMUNITIES.
THE FIRST PERSON IN HARRIS COUNTY WAS BUILT IN 1868, THAT WAS 150 YEARS AGO. IF WE COULD SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS, THE REACTIVE MAJORS LIKE POLICIG JAILS AND PRISONS WE WOULD'VE DONE SO BY NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO DEDICATE THIS TIME TO ADVOCATE FOR USING HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET FOR PREEMPTIVE AND PROACTIVE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS KAMALA HARRIS COUNTY IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO BUILD THE FUTURE OF TAX DOLLARS THAT CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES AND WE MUST DO SO URGENTLY OUR POPULATION IS INCREASING IN OUR JAILS ARE FULL WE MUST INVEST IN JOBS, HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT THIS IS HOW WE INTERVENE WE'T DON WAIT UNTIL WE HEAR SHOTS FIRED, WEPE STOP OPLE FROM GETTING DESPERATE TO BUYTH E GUN TO BEGIN WITH, LET'S SHAPE A BUDGET CYCLES OF DESPAIR AND IN INEQUALITY FOR THEFI COUY OFCIALS HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE JUSTICE OVER OPPRESSION THEAN TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW D WE LOOK TO STAND ON THE RIGHT
SIDE. T >> THANK YOU, YOURIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
>> NEXT IS JOY DAVIS, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS JOY DAVIS AND I'M A FIELD ORGANIZER FOR. JUSTICE.
I AM NOW A CONSTITUENT IN PRECINCT TWO.
HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS EFCOURT SHOULD FULLY FUND THE PUBLIC DENDER'S PROPOSED BUDGET THIS WILL ENSURE FAIR REPRESENTATION, ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS CAN PROMOTS A WELL-BALANCED DEFENSE, WELL-FUNDED DEFEE ISSUES THE LEGAL PROCESS WITH THE RESOURCES TO PRESENT THEIR FACES UMEFFECTIVELY. A STRONG DEFENSE HELPS INCREASING NLYBERS OF INNOCENT INDIVIDUALS FROM BEING WRONGFUL CONVICTED DUE TO AN ADEQUATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, ADEQUATE FUNDING ENABLES PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO FAIR THEIR CASES POTENTIALLY BIASES OR ERRORS THAT MIGHT GO UNNOTICED OTHERWISE. PROPER FUNDING CAN HELP ADDRESS THIS SYSTEMIC AND INEQUALITIES AND ENSURING THOSE THAT CANNOT AFFORD PRIVATE REPRESENTATION RECEIVE A FAIR TRIAL.
A ROBUST ENSURES THE PROSECUTION IS ALSO HELD TO HIGH STANDARDS LEADING TO MORE JUST OUTCOMES. THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS VICTOR MENDOZA, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS I AM VICTOR MENDOZA, I BELIEVE THAT THEIN COMMUNITY WOULD GREAY BENEFIT FROM INCREASING FUND SG TO ACTUAL PROGRAM SUCH AS COUNTY CONNECTIONS,AFE ZONES FOR OUR YOUTH IN THERAPY PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, 2023 AND OUR KIDS HAVE BEEN THROUGH PANDEMIC AND A MULTITUDE OF TRAUMATIZING EVENTS THAT LED TO 37% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DEALING WITH REGULAR MENTAL STRUGGLES. SOME OF MY CLOSEST FRIEND CALL ME CONVINCING ME AND THANKING ME FOR SIMPLY LISTENING TO THEM AND THEY THANKED ME FOR BEING THERE THE MOST.
TO BE HEARD, LISTEN TO AND NOT BE JUDGED, I SEE THE RESULT OF BEING THERE FOR THEM AND WE'VE ALL SEEN WHAT HAPPENS UNFORTUNATELY WHEN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ANYONE THERE FOR THEM TO BE ON THE NEWS OR SOCIAL MEDIA, THE EFFECTS ARE NOT FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS CAN BE DEVASTATING. THANK YOU.
[00:25:04]
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NO KIA WHITE, YOU
HAVE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFUL MORNING COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS NAKIA WHITE I AM A FIELD FELLOW APP. JUSTICE, WE WOULD LIKE TO MORE PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, RESOURCES, OF A BROTHER THAT IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED, OF A BROTHER THAT IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM AND ALSO YET TO RECEIVE ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THAT HE NEEDS RATHER THAN BEING PROVIDED WITH HIS ADEQUATE RESOURCES.
HE HAS BEEN IN A PSYCHO THROUGH CYCLE THROUGHTHE SYSTEM, LOSSESD CONTINUES TO BE DETRIMENTAL BECAUSE HIS COMMUNITY -- I AM SORRY. I'M SORRY.
>> IS YOUR BROTHER IN THE COUNTY JAIL?
>> HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN THERE. >> IS BEEN THERE ALMOST THREE YEARS NOW. I APOLOGIZE.
>> DID YOU GET YOUR MAIN THOUGHT OUTCOME IF IT'S REAL QUICK YOU
CAN SAY IT. >> MY MAIN POINT IS I ASK YOU GUYS TO INVEST INTO PROGRAMS LIKEAR HP AND INNOVATIVE, I'M SORRY I'M S STILLHAKING. INNOVATIVE VIOLENT PREVENTIONMS PROGRA SO WE DON'T HAVEHA FAMILIES TT HAVE SEPARATIONS
THAT MENTAL HEALTH STIGMAS V. >> YOU DOINGERY WELL.
>> ILL TREATMENTSOD THAT IS NOT UNDERSTO.
DIFFERENT CONDITIONS THAT ARE NOT UNDERSTOOD BY OTHER THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME T.
>> THANK YOU. >>HE NUMBER ONE FEAR THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE IS PUBLIC SPEAKING. OTHER THAN THE FIVE OF US.
TO DO IN ONE MINUTE IS MORE DIFFICULT SO WE GET IT.
>> NEXT IS WALTER STATESMAN YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS I'M STEVE STUTZMAN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY FOP LODGE 39. I REPRESENT 3200 MEMBERS, WITH THAT BEING SAID WE APPLAUD COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE RECOMMENDATION TO GIVE OUR STATE EMPLOYEES A 7% PAY RAISE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT 4% IN THE EDITION OF A DETECTIVE RIGHT BACK INTO HER AGENCY. HOWEVER, THAT MAY BE A START BUT WE NEED TO SET DOWN AT THE TABLE AND PUT A THREE AND FOUR YEAR STRATEGY TOGETHER TO GET THE PAY INCREASES, LOOK AT HPD THE 25% AHEAD OF US, THEY JUST AGREED TO ANOTHER 10% OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. AT THE CURRENT PRESIDENT WE AREE TRAINING GROUND FOR THE POLICE AGENCIES THEY CO HERE GET GOOD TRAINING TO GO TO OTHER PLACES AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS BASED ON PAY PARITY AND WHAT THE OTHER AGENCIES ARE ABLE TO OFFER THAT WERE NOT ABLE
TO OFFER. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> NEXT IS CHRISTOPHER RIVERA, YOUR ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, CHRISTOPHER RIVERA I WORK FOR THE TEXAS RIGHTS PROJECT, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE PROPERLY FUNDED OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE HOUSING, PROTECTION, DEBT RELIEF PROGRAMS OPPOSED TO THE SHERIFFS AND THE DAS OFFICE, RENT HAS GONE UP 30% AND 51% OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS USE 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON RENT BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT LATINOS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES LATINOS USE 75% TO STAY ABOVE WATER IN BLACK COMMUNITIES STRUGGLE WITH 60%, THERE IS AN EVICTION CRISIS HAPPENING, WE SEEN OVER COVID AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE NEXT YEAR, THE FEDERAL MONEY NEXT OR WILL BE CUT AND WE WOULD LIKE TO MENTION EARLIER AND MOVE SOME OF THAT MONEY WITH THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET PUT THAT MONEY INTO HOUSING A DEBT RELIEF, THAT'S A WAY WE CAN AVOID THIS FUTURE CRISIS THAT MIGHT HAPPEN.
THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS RUTH RANDALL, YOU
HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM RUTH RANDALL AND I HAD A
[00:30:01]
DIFFERENT THING TO SAY BUT MY MAIN THING IS THAT MONEY SHOULD BE SPENT ON THE PRISONERS AND THE PEOPLE IN JAIL BECAUSE IN THE CITY JAIL YOU COULD NOT GET MEDICAL IN THE CITY JAIL YOU HAVE TO PAY OFF THE MONEY THAT YOUR PEOPLE SEND YOU YOU HAVE TO PAY TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND PEOPLE OUT HERE IN THE CITY, YOU HAVE TO PAY AND THERE TO GET YOUR MEDICINE AND THEY AREN'T FEEDING YOU IN THERE. I THANK YOU NEED TO INVEST IN GIVING UP MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IN THEIR.THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS YVETTE, YOU HAVE ONE
MINUTE.>> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME I AM DOCTOR YVETTE.
AND I AM A SOCIAL SCIENTIST AND A MEMBER APPEAR JUSTICE, MUCH WORK HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN REMOVING THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH CARE BUT UNFORTUNATELY HERE IS HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES REMAIN UNDERFUNDED ESPECIALLY IN UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, I URGE THE COURT TO INVEST MORE FUNDS INTO PREVENTATIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO PROVIDE THE HEALTH AND THE CRISIS SITUATIONS, POLICE ARE OFTEN SENT TO THE ISSUES AND SIMPLY NOT TRAINED TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION. IT IS DETRIMENTAL TO THEM AND THE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SERVE.HC PLEASE CONSIDER INVESTING MORE FUNDS IN HEALTARE SERVICES ESPECIALLY MENTAL HEALTH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT IS BRUCE SEAN EVANS, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER MY NAME IS ROCHON ORGANIZING DIRECTOR P JUSTICE WE ARE SUPPORTING A BUDGET THAT. FOCUSS ON KEEPING HERE'S COUNTY RESIDENTS SAFEAR HALF OF THE COUNTY BUDGET GOES TOWARDS REACTIONOOY SAFETY PRECAUTION RATHER THAN ADDRESSING THE RSPT CAUSES THAT LEAD TO SAFETY CHALLENGES. WE'VE AOKEN OVER 500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE EXPRESSED DESIRE TO SEE MORE AFFORDABLENI HOUSING, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, ECONOMIC OPPORTUTIES FOR GOOD PAYING JOBS, EXPANSION TO SUPPORT CREDIBLE MESSENGERS, THE BUDGET TOWN HALL THAT I HAVE ATTENDED, RESIDENTS HAVE ASKED FOR MORE INVESTMENTS IN SERVICES AND RESOURCES DESIGNED TO HELP DERIVE AND LESS POLICING, DATA HAS PROVEN THAT WE WILL NOT ARREST, PROSECUTE AND IMPRISON OUR WAY OUT OF THE PROBLEMS AND DEMAND HEALTH COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS ON THE FRONT END.
WE ARE DEMANDING THE SAME, PLEASE BE PROACTIVE VERSUS REACTIVE, DOCUMENTED HE SAFETY PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY OUR
COALITION, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS KENNETH BROWN, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER OF THE COURT.
MY NAME IS KEN BROWN AND I WITH ORGANIZING PROJECT AND I'M HERE TO SAY WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS TO SAY, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME CHANGES DONE I REPRESENT THE MENTAL HEALTH AND THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY. WE NEED SOME MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES TO HELP THOSE IN THE CAPACITIES IN THOSE WHO ARE HOPELESS, I SIMPLIFY THAT THERE NEEDED IN THE TRYING TO DEAL WITH THIS BUDGET IT AT THE SAME TIME THERE NEEDS TO BE A DIVERSION OF THE MONEY TO ADVOCATE FOR THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE ARE HERE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, WE WANT OUR POLICE TO BE TRAINED RIGHT, NOT ONLY TO HELP WITH THE ENEMY BUT TO BE TRAINED WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND DOMESTIC THAT THEY'VE EVOLVED TOO, WERE JUST ASKING FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE HEARD.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT IS LANCE HUTCHINS, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> HELLO COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS LANCE HUTCHINS IN ORGANIZING FELLOW UP HERE JUSTICE, FOR 60 SECONDS, LET US RISE NOT AS WE STAND UP AT A REIMAGINE OF SAFETY FOR EVERYONE ONE OF OUR CORE VALUES IS KIDS TO DEMONSTRATE CARE WERE ASKING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS AND TO PREVENT SAFETY ISSUES RATHER THAN MERELY RESPOND TO IT, WHAT DOES PREVENTATIVE SAFETY PROGRAM
[00:35:03]
LOOK LIKE, THEY LOOK LIKE EXPANSION OR VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM, NOR DIVERSION PROGRAMS THAT THE CARSON RATE RATHER THAN INCARCERATE,RO PGRAMS FOR THE ON HOUSE AND TREATMENT FOR THOSE DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, THIS COUNTY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN ITCREATION WH MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIESS AND PROGRAM FOR THOSE TRULY TO REHABILITATE.NOT JUST DOING WHAT IS ALWAYS DONE BECAUSE OF POPULAR.
IT'S UNPOPULAR TO INVEST IN HISTORICAL DISADVANTAGE AND INVEST IN. WE DID NOT ELECTYO YOU.
>> THANK YOU, UR TIME IS UP. >> PLEASE ADOPT.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> COMMISSIONER, THOSE ARE ALL
FTHE SPEAKERS. >> THANK YOU ALLOR BEING HERE AND TIMING YOUR COMMENTS TO THE ONE MINUTE.
[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]
THANK YOU SO MUCH. , WE HAVE FIVE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND READABLE THE BUDGET DISCUSSION.>> I WAS GOING TO SAY MOVE ON ITEMS THREE, FOUR, FIVE AS
PRESENTED. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE
MOTION. >> I'M SORRY NUMBER FIVE IS A
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDS, ALL THOSE IN PAVOR.
>> AASSES 4 - 0, NOW WE WILL TURN TO ITEM TWO.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS I AM THE INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY BUDGET OFFICER.
I WANTED TAKE A MOMENT BEFORE I HANDED OVER TO MR. RAMEAU'S TO GO OVER HIS PRESENTATION TODAY TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF LEVEL SETTING PER TODAY'S BUDGET ITEM IS A DISCUSSION ITEM ONLY.
WERE NOT ASKING FOR ACTION TODAY.
IT'S BASICALLY FOR MR. RAMOS TO GO OVER ALL WOMEN BEES PROPOSED BUDGET WHICH IS A DRAFT BUDGET, IT IS THE STARTING POINT FOR YOUR BUDGET TO LIBERATION, NOT THE ENDPOINT BUT THE STARTING POINT. I WANT TO ADDRESS SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THE PROCESS OF AMENDING THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
WHILE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MADE WAYS TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS NEXT WEEK AT AUGUST 29 MEETING I RECOMMEND THAT THE COURT HOLD OFF ON TAKING ACTION ON BUDGET AMENDMENTS UNTIL AFTER THE DEPARTMENT BUDGET HEARINGS WHICH ARE SET FOR SEPTEMBER 5 IN THE STAFF LEVEL. NOT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT LEVEL PUBLIC MEETING BUT AT THE STAFF LEVEL.
THE IDEA NEXT TUESDAY AUGUST 29 BASED ON ANY DISCUSSIONS YOU HAVE TODAY. YOU GIVE US SOME IDEAS ON HOW WE COULD CREATE SPACE IN THE BUDGET FOR YOUR BUDGET AMENDMENTS OR WE COULD COME BACK, I COME BACK MRR RECOMMENDATION ON HOW TO CREATE A LITTLE BIT SPACE IN THE BUDGET FOR THE EXPECTED BUDGET AMENDMENTS THAT YOU WILL LIKELY BE SEEN AND SEPTEMBER.
THAT WOULD LEAVE THE SPECIAL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 12 AS YOUR PRIMARY BUDGET MARKUP OPPORTUNITY IN THE SEPTEMBER 19 MEETING FOCUSED ON MAKING ANY FINAL CORRECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED BUDGET BEFORE ADOPTING IT THAT DAY.
AS YOU KNOW THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, IT'S A PROCESS.
I BROUGHT A FEW HANDOUTS JUST TO SHOW YOU, THIS IS THE ADOPTED BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE YEAR BEFORE YOU ALL HIRED MR. DAVE BARRY, THIS IS IT, HIS FIRST YEAR AS THE BUDGET DIRECTOR HE ADDED A WHOLE BUNCH MORE INFORMATION, IT WAS A GOOD START, THIS YEAR WHICH IS THE FIRST YEAR MR. RAMOS HAS WORKED AT THE BUDGET BASICALLY LEADING THE WHOLE EFFORT, THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE A LOT MORE DETAIL, ARE WE THERE YET, NO WERE NOT, IT'S A PROCESS AND WE ALREADY HAVE IDEAS AND BEEN GETTING FEEDBACK FROM YOUR OFFICE ON THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE FUTURE.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE ON PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT.
I THINK THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB.
WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO AND WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING ON THE NEXT BUDGET PROCESS FOR FY2020 FIVE AS SOON AS THE BUDGET IS ADOPTED AND GET STARTED ON THE NEXT YEARND E MAKE IMPROVEMENTS. WITH THAT ALL HANDED OVER.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ, TIFFANY DO MY PULLING UP THE POWERPOINT? THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO BEER TODAY I WANT TO TAKE MY STAFF WITH PUTTING A NEW MOBILE AMOUNT OF HOURS FROM GETTING US IN SMALL PAGE DOCKETED THE DETAILED BOOKS THAT YOU SEE
[00:40:01]
TODAY THANK YOU FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME AND MY CRAZY IF WE CAN SKIP TO THE SECOND PAGE, VERY QUICKLY I WANT TO GO THROUGH A RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REVENUE NUMBERS AS WELL AS WHAT'S INCLUDED IN OUR PROPOSED BUDGET, THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SOUNDS AS PROPOSED, PRELIMINARY, DRAFT I AM FULLY EXPECTED THERE TO BE VIGOROUS DISCUSSION ABOUT REALIGNING THE BUDGET TO ALL YOUR PRIORITIES IN THE GENERAL FUND SIDE WE ARE RECOMMENDING A REVENUE NUMBER OF 2395, THAT IS $3 MILLION BELOW THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. NEXT SLIDE., FOR FLOOD CONTROL THE VOTER APPROVED RATE IS 128 MILLION WE ARE RECOMMENDING 128 MILLION PART OF THE REASON THAT THIS NUMBER FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT REMEMBER THE SALE PRESENTATION THE NUMBER IS MUCH SMALLER THAN WHAT WE ORIGINALLY PRESENTED, THE REASON FOR THAT IS BY ADOPTING A SMALLER RATE LAST YEAR TO THE NNR ON TOP OF GETTING MUCH HIGHER ASSESSMENT GROWTH THAN EXPECTED THEY FELL BELOW THE TWO AND A HALF SET THRESHOLD TO BE CONSIDERED A SPECIAL DISTRICT, THE GOOD NEWS THE BUDGET GOES UP BY 8% YEAR-OVER-YEAR AS OPPOSED TO 3.5% OF THE GENERAL FUND, THE BAD NEWS, THEY CAN NO LONGER UTILIZE THEIR UNUSED INCREMENT, THE 19 OR 23 MILLION WE LEFT ON THE TABLE LAST YEAR IS LOST FOREVER UNLESS WE GO BACK TO THE NEW VOTERS FOR AN ELECTION. FOR HARRIS HEALTH.
>> JUST CURIOUS WHEN WE WENT TO THE LOWER RATE THE YEAR BEFORE,
WAS NOT MONEY LOST AS WELL. >> FOR THE GENERAL FUND, THAT IS
CORRECT. >> WHEN WE COME BACK.
>> I THOUGHT IT WAS 80. >> I WAS NOT HERE FOR THE TAX
ADOPTION. >> I'M CURIOUS, THANK YOU.
>> THE VOTER APPROVED RATE IS 904, WERE USING A PLACE HOLDER OF THE 869, I'M NOT QUITE AS INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET WITH THE OTHER BUDGETS UNDER MY PURVIEW, THEY ARE ADOPTED A BUDGET TWO DAYS SO THAT POINT THE PROCESS WILL BE UP TO 869 NUMBER AND WHAT IS IN THE CASH FLOW WHEN WE WERE UNDER DISCUSSION FOR THE BOND AND THEY WILL PRESENT A DETAILED BUDGET AND I'M SURE THERE COULD BE ASKING FOR A BUDGET LIKE THIS.
>> AND I GO TO THE 8%. >> THEY CAN GO TO THE 8%.
>> BUT THEY CAN'T CAPTURE THE INCREMENT.
>> A GENERAL POINT OF TAXES AND THE TAX ASSESSORS WON'T BE ABLE TO ATTEND TODAY, I'LL DO MY BEST TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, WE ARE $24 MILLION BELOW LAST YEAR'S RATE, THE RATES THAT THOSE REVENUES ASSUME, YOU COULD INCREASE BY 24 MILLION AND HAVE A RATE BELOW LAST YEAR'S, THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY IS PROJECTED TO HAVE 967 MILLION FROM THAT SOURCE IS ABOUT 92 MILLION MORE, THE COST ARE GOING UP A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT, THAT SOUNDS A TRANSITION TO THE TOLL LIST OPERATION AS THEY MAKE INVESTMENTS INTO HER SYSTEM, THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF COST AND I EXPECT THE TRANSITION TO GO DOWN AS WE BUILD MOMENTUM ON THE TOLL LIST OPERATION. NEXT SLIDE.
>> FOR THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WE RECOMMENDING 1.933 IN TAX REVENUE AT 462 A NONTAX REVENUE AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS MENTIONED THE JUSTICE SAFETY MAKEUP 63% OF OUR BUDGET, 44% OF THE BUDGET IS FRONTAGE UNTRADITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.
ONE THING WERE PROUD OF THE BUDGET INCLUDES A LARGEST EVER COLA, THEY PROVIDE THE CONTEXT BEFORE FISCAL YEAR 22, WE DID NOT GIVE TOTAL ESTIMATE EMPLOYEES, DEPARTMENT WERE GIVEN THE EQUIVALENT, IT WAS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE UPCOUNTRY DEPARTMENT HEADS BUT WE HAVE FOLKS THAT HADN'T RECEIVED IN
MANY YEARS LEADING UP TO THIS. >> HAVE IN YEARS HAD IT BEEN.
>> WE'VE BEEN DOING COLA SINCE FISCAL YEAR 22.
>> THE ONES WHO DIDN'T GET IT. >> THE ONES WHO DIDN'T GET IT, EVERYONE SAID FISCAL YEAR 22 HAS RECEIVE SOMETHING FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISORS IT WAS 2.2% OVER 31 MONTHS -- SOME OF OUR SPEAKERS HAVE ATTESTED THERE'S SOME
[00:45:04]
JURISDICTIONS THAT GAVE THAT IN A SINGLE YEAR, WE ARE FAR BEHIND, I DO BELIEVE THE 7% IN THE 4% AS A STARTING POINT THE MORE WE CAN DO FOR EMPLOYEES, THE MORE TURN WILL HAVE ON OURINVESTMENT. >> THIS IS HELPFUL FOR ME TO ASK QUESTIONS AS WE GO ALONG AS OPPOSED TO WEIGHT.
>> SHOW WAS SOME COLAS WILL BECOME BACK.
MY STAFF CAN BRING IT OUT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A BENCHMARK TO SEE WHAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT WERE TRAINING FOR THEM.
USUALLY THE CITY OF HOUSTON PRETTY QUICKLY WE HAVE A COMPARISON AND WILL GIVE YOU A BREAK AT SOME POINT WE CAN COME BACK WITH IT. ALONG THOSE SAME LINES.
IF YOU CAN PROVIDE US WITH THE OVERALL OVERTIME COST IS TO THE COUNTY AND IT WILL BE FINE TO IDENTIFY WHAT IT IS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN THE COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT FOR THE DEPARTMENTS AS WELL ENGINEERING, FLOOD CONTROL AND GENERALLY OVERTIME IT IS A KEY INDICATOR WITH POSITIONS LEFT VACANT, WERE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTY INTO SKIP AHEAD A LITTLE BIT, ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS TO FUND THE SYSTEM MEDICAL EXAMINER THERE SO FEW AND IN THESE POSITIONS AND ONE RESIGNS AND THE COUNTY FEELS THAT, WE BRING IN CONTRACTORS WHO OFTEN TIME OUR OWN RETIRED EMPLOYEES THAT ARE MAKING MORE AND THERE'S LOTS OF WORK TO DO AND WERE WORKING VERY CLOSELY ON THE SALARY STUDY TO COME TO BRING TO ALL AND MY HOPE IS BY NEXT YEAR WE HAD A DOLLAR FIGURE INFLATING OUR ENTIRE BUDGET TO GET OUR FOLKS UP TO VERITY.
TO BE CLEAR ON THAT, THE STUDY FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
>> IT IS PRIORITIZING FOLKS AND DIRECTOR.
HE PRIORITIZES FOLKS MAKING A 50000, THE INTENT IS TO DO COUNTYWIDE TO HAVE ONE CONSISTENT SALARY SCALE WITH GRADES AND STEPS AND NORMALIZE FOR CLASSIFICATION AND JOB DUTIES. WHY WERE ON THE TOPIC, AS I MENTIONED A FEW MINUTES AGO, THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WE CAN DO IS INVEST IN OUR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON HUGELY SUPPORTIVE ON GETTING EVERYONE TO 7%, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CIVILIANS.
I WOULD LOVE TO EXPLORE WAYS TO DO ALL OF IT IN OCTOBER AND WHAT ADJUSTMENTS MIGHT BE NEEDED RATHER THAN PARSING IT FOR SPRING CHANGE AND TO THIS POINT ON PAY PARITY NOT ONLY WITHIN THE COUNTY AND EQUITY BUT AS WE DO THE ASSESSMENT I WOULD BETTER LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THE TIMELINE BECAUSE OF THE NEXT 1 - 3 YEARS I WOULD LIKE HARRIS COUNTY TO BE A COMPETITIVE, COMPETITIVE EMPLOYER, NOT ONLY WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY, WHETHER PROTECTED BY HPD OR HISD ET CETERA THE OTHER LARGE URBAN COUNTIES AND PURPOSES OF CLARITY, I'M INTERESTED FOR THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT SO EVERYBODY IS BEING PAID A COMPETITIVE SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE.
I WORK CLOSELY TO THE TEAM AND IF WE DON'T HAVE THE BEST TALENT
WE CAN KEEP THE BEST TALENT. >> IF I MIGHT ADD, ON THAT POINT. WE VOTED IN THE BUDGET YEAR TO GET THE 4% LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRECT?
>> THE SEVEN IN THE FOUR WERE VOTED ON AS PART OF THE PROCESS.
I REMEMBER BECAUSE THE SEVEN. I VAGUELY REMEMBER THAT, THAT COMES BACK. THE ONE WE DID RIGHT AWAY WAS
THE 4%. >> WERE REPRESENTING A THREE AND A FOUR, WHAT WE DO DURING THE OFF BUDGET CYCLE DURING THE
YEAR, THEY GAVE UP PAY RAISES. >> THE ONLY COLAS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR.
>> WE DID 5.2 AND 2.2? >> THAT WAS DONE, I CAN WALK THROUGH THIS REALLY QUICKLY, FISCAL YEAR 22, EMPLOYEES WERE
[00:50:01]
GIVEN 1.2%, IN THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR EMPLOYEES WERE GIVEN 1% IN DEPUTIES AND INVESTIGATORS WERE GIVING A 3% COLA IN FISCAL YEAR '23. THAT WOULD DEFAULT TO THE NNR AND NO COLA WAS GIVEN OVERALL, WHAT WAS GIVEN YOUR MOTION FOR $500 FOR ANYONE MAKING 100,000 AND THAT'S INCLUDED IN THE BASE BUDGET, I'M NOT KNOCKING WHAT WE GIVE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT I'M JUST MAKING A POINT USUALLY THAT'S BUT A WILLINGNESS TO GIVE UP BUT NOT THE OTHER EMPLOYEES INCLUDING PEOPLE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT DID NOT QUALIFY AT THAT LEVEL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ONCE THEY CLING TO JAIL, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO INVEST>> SO FOR EVERYONE'S PLANNING PURPOSES, IT'S A LITTLE UNDER 13 MILLION FOR EVERY% OF COLA COUNTYWIDE.
>> 13 MILLION? >> FOR EVERYBODY.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S ABOUT 93 MILLION FOR JUST THE NON- DEPUTIES AND INVESTIGATORS.
>> I JUST WANT TO STRESS. I AM ONE WHO WILL BE WILLING TO TAKE THE HEAT IF WE HAVE TO ASK THE VOTERS FOR, I JUST KNOW FOR MY YEARS OF GOVERNMENT SOMETIMES IS A TENDENCY TO PUT THE PRESSURE TO DO THINGS WE HAVE TO PULL IT FROM SOMEWHERE.
, I HAD TO PUT MY NAME ON THE BALLOT NEXT, I'LL TAKE THE HEAT.
AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.
IF THEY DON'T WANT THEY DON'T GET IT.
I KNOW WE CANNOT KEEP PUTTING PRESSURE ON CERTAIN PROGRAMS THE END UP WITH NOTHING BUT THAT AND I'LL TAKE THE HEAT BECAUSE I FOR ONE WILL RESIST ANY EFFORTS. EVEN THE ONLY REASON THE KEEPS SOME PEOPLE HERE FOR LESS MONEY IS THE HEALTHCARE BUT I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, WE'VE GOT TO GET THE PAY UP BECAUSE IT PUTS PEOPLE IN A POSITION WHEN THEY'RE TAKING THE SECOND THIRD JOBS AND INTERVALE CHALLENGE TO GET THE PRODUCTIVITY THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO GET BECAUSE THERE HUSTLING WITH THE OTHER JOBS.
>> I HAVE TRAVIS AND BEAR COUNTY MPCOARISONS.
AS AN FYI. IN DALLAS COUNTY 8.3%A. COL BEAR COUNTY 10%, 8.3, 10.5 AND 10, MEANWHILE 2.2.
A VERY HAPPYOU IF HE CLD MAKE IT HAPPEN OCTOBER 1 OF 2023 ASSE OPPOD TO THE OCTOBER IN SPRING HATRANCHE, TT WOULD BE MY STRONR PREFENCE, THEER TEAM MEMBS HAVE THE MONEY SOONER RATHER
THAN LATER F. >>AR BEHIND HARRIS COUNTY.
>> PART OF THE REASON WE DID ITY THAT W, MY EXPERIENCEDE RUNNING PARTMENT ANOTHER JURISDICTIONKS MOST FOL ARE WITH US FOR A LONG TIME, WE HAVE SOME POSITION TO HAVE LOTS OF TURNOVER, THE OUREALITY MOST OF R EMPLOYEES ARE WITH US AND THEY'RE WILLING TO WAIT, WE COULD'VE GIVEN MORE, WE COULD'VE GIVEN 5% UPFRONT THE COUNTY 7 IS SIGNING UP FOR% ABOVE PERPETUITY OF WHAT WERE PLATE UNDERPAYING IN THE FINALS SALARIES IT WAA WAY FOR US TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT IN THE CURRENT YEAR BUDGET OF OFFSETTING OTHER SPENDING. CAN WE QUANTIFY IT.
IF OUR EMPLOYEES ANYTHING LIKE THE FOLKS IN MY HOUSEHOLD, THEY WANTED NOWIN THEY WILL JUMP A JB A MINUTE.
ONE THING WE WANT A FLAG IT'S DIFFICULT TO COMPETITIVE SALARIES AND DOING THE SALARY THE EXPECTATION, IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE I'M NOT GOING TO BLINK IF IT'S OVER 20 ORAT 30 MILLION, GETTING US TO TH POINT MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THESE CONSISTED PAY SCALES THAT IS NORMALIZED FOR THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE NOTN BY WHICH DEPARTMENT YOU HAPPETO BE IN THIS WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT.
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO COMMISSIONER ALICE'S POINT AND WHAT'S BEEN SAID, FROM MY EXPERIENCE A LOT OF THE REASON PEOPLE STAY HERE 30, 40 YEARS IS HER BENEFITS, THE BENEFIT
[00:55:07]
PACKAGE IS PART OF THE COMPENSATION AND WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT. WE DON'T WANT TO SACRIFICE BENEFITS ON THE ALTAR OF COMPLETELY INCREASING.WE DEEDED APPROPRIATE COLA, WE WILL FIGURE THAT OUT BUT WE ALSO NEED TO PAY ATTENTION WHAT I THA LOT OF THE PEOPLE COME TO THE COUNTY AND STATED THE COUNTY OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS IS GOING TO BENEFIT PACKAGE, WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION.
>> I THINK WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE SEVEN YEARS AGO, WHEN THEY WOULD GIVE THEY WOULD GIVE IT TO THET DEPARTMENT TODAY WOULD DECIDE TO GIVE I TO EVERYBODY AND THEY WOULD DO IT MERIT PAY, I'M JUST THINKING MAYBE ONE REASON WHYT IT'S NOT GETTING TO SOME PEOPLE.
>> THA IS CORRECT. >> SINCE WE'VE DONE IT WE SAID WE PUT IT IN AND GIVEN OUT I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE CASE.
>> NEXT LINE TIFFANY. >> HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS, ASSESSMENTS CAME BACK AT 12% HIGHER THAN THEY WERE THE YEAR BEFORE, THIS IS THE FIFTH OR SIXTH YEAR WHERE WE'VE BEEN IN THE DOUBLE DIGITS, WE DON'T GET THAT REVENUE SPOKE FOR EVERYBODY AT HOME YOUR TAXES CAN ONLY GO UP.
HOW% SO IT'S A MASSIVE NUMBER, IT'S INDICATIVE OF THE STRENGTH OF HER REAL ESTATE MARKET AND OUR ECONOMY HERE AND HERE IS COUNTY, 13.8 BILLION OF NEW CONSTRUCTION WHEN I CAME AND PRESENTED THE CLS, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S GOTTEN A LOT BETTER AS WE GOTTEN CLOSER TO DEVELOPING THIS BUDGET WAS THE REVENUE WENT UP, NEW CONSTRUCTION WE ASSUME 2% IS CLOSER TO 2.5% WHICH MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE ON A REVENUE TRIGGER ALSO CONTINUING TO SEE VERY STRONG MOTOR VEHICLE SALES TAX WHAT WE SEEM TO ENCODE BOTH THE PRICE AND THE VOLUME SKYROCKETED, WHAT WERE SEEING THE NUMBER OF SALES THAT IS SUSTAINING AND THE PRICE IS COMING BACK TO EARTH AS A PRICE CHAIN HAS BEEN IMPROVED AND NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE VOLUME IS GOING TO GO DOWN ESPECIALLY WITH OUR CONTINUING TO GROW JURISDICTION, WHAT'S BEEN TRADING DOWN HIS FEES OF OFFICE, THIS IS THE DEEP REPORTING AT THE COUNTY CLERK, MY ASSUMPTION AS INTEREST RATES HAVE GONE UP IS THERE'S TRANSACTION ON THE MARKET, THE SALES PRICES ARE VERY HIGH AND THE NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS HAVE GONE DOWN.
WE ARE PROPOSING TO CHANGES FOR REVENUE, THE FIRST IS A STRUCTURE OF THE BURGLAR ALARMS, RIGHT NOW WE CHARGE THE SAME AMOUNT TO SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AS WE DO TO LARGE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DISCUSSED WITH THE SHERIFF AND THEY'RE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF.
AND WERE ALSO DEDICATING RESOURCES TO THE COLLECTION BURGLAR ALARM FEES, THIS IS BECAUSE THE LIEN IS SO SMALL ON A HOUSEHOLD BASIS, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY WORTH IT TO PUT IN THE EFFORT THAT I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR THE SHERIFF WOULD PUT IN IF IT WERE HANDLED IN HOUSE.
NEXT SLIDE. >> MR. RAMOS ON THE NEW REVENUE BEFORE YOU MOVE ALONG CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT OTHER POTENTIAL FEES THAT MAY WARRANT AN ADJUSTMENT THAT COULD BE A
SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE. >> ORIGINALLY WE HAD DISCUSSED LOOKING AT OR PERMITTING FEES, UNFORTUNATELY THE STATE OF TEXAS CHANGED THE STRUCTURE OF THE FEES AND THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ITEM ON THE 29TH FOR DOCTOR MURAD TO COME PRESENT THE CHANGES THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO COMPLY, WE ARE RIGHT NOW IN THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING EVENTS FOR A FOUR OR FIVE YEAR PLAN CONSULTANT, THE FIRST TASK THAT WE WILL HAVE TO WORK ON OUR OUR FEES AND FINES AND SEE HOW WE COMPARE TO OTHER JURISDICTION.
WE DO BELIEVE OVER TIME THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO UPDATE THAT IN GET ADDITIONAL REVENUE. SOME OF THESE ARE STATUTORILY SET AND REQUIRE A MARKET STUDY OR MORE LONGER-RANGE FROM
IMPLANTATION. >> WHAT DOES IT DO TO MAKE IT
HARDER TO RAISE THE FEES. >> WHAT THEY DID, THEY CONVERTED IT, IF DOCTOR MORAND WAS ON HERE OR JAY IF YOU WANT TO JUMP IN.
I BELIEVE ESSENTIALLY WE USED TO USE THE SIZE OF THE SQUARE FOOTAGE IN THE VALUATION TO SET OUR FEES AND I THINK IT'S MOVING
TOWARDS A BILLABLE OUR MODEL. >> IS A COMBINATION OF THAT OR THE AMOUNT OF TIME ACTUALLY TAKES TO DO IT THERE IS AN OPERATIONAL COST COMPONENT SO THAT IS THE TWO CRITERIA.
>> THEY CHANGED IT RAISING THE FEE TO HOW MUCH IT TAKES.
>> HOW MUCH TIME IT ACTUALLY TAKES TO GET THE COST OF ISSUING
IT IS AN OPERATIONAL MODEL. >> SO YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH
[01:00:06]
HOOPS IT SOUNDS LIKE LISTENING TO THE DONORS.>> IS ALSO ANOTHER COMPONENT OR THE OTHER OPTION HOW MUCH OF A COST THE THIRD PARTY TO DO IT AN OUTSIDE EDUCATOR TO DO IT, IT IS STRUCTURED IN A WAY TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.
>> THEY THROUGH THE VENDOR ELEMENT IN THEIR.
>> GOOD MORNING I THINK JAY AND DANIEL MENTIONED WERE GOOD TO GO THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY TO COMPARE WITH THE OTHER ENTITY OF HOW MUCH THEY CHARGE BUT AS THE CHAIR MENTIONED WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHARGE AN APARTMENT THEY MORE THAN WHAT IT COST US SO WE HAVE A TIGHTER GOAL IS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH THE HOURLY MODEL AND HOW MUCH TIME IT TAKES TO REVIEW AND INSPECT SOME DEPARTMENTS AND I THINK WILL BE ABLE TO GENERATE A LOT MORE REVENUE BECAUSE IF HE HAS NOT BEEN THERE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
>> IT SOUND LIKE IT WAS A BILL. >> ON.
>> COMMISSIONER. >> A QUICK QUESTION SOBER GOING FORWARD ON REVENUE, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THE REVENUE THAT APPEARS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE SLIGHTLY LESS THEN THE DAR IS 237 MILLION, 267 MILLION.
JUST A FOOTNOTE IN OUR DISCUSSION WE HAVE 267 MILLION TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN OUR BUDGET, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE MANY SUPPLEMENTALS LAST YEAR THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH BUT JUST GOING FORWARD WERE TALKING ABOUT INCREASE REVENUE FOR THIS BUDGET
CYCLE IS TO ADJUST 67 MILLION. >> THAT IS CORRECT, IN ADDITION, THERE WERE OTHER NONTAX REV REVENUES.
YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WILL BE ACCOUNTS FOR INFLATION AND
>> WE SAW INFLATION TAP OUT IT WAS DOUBLE DIGITS IN SOME INDUSTRIES, I THINK OVERALL CPI WAS BETWEEN SEVEN AND EIGHT FOR A LONG PERIOD, THE SHE WERE STARTING TO SEE IT COME DOWN TO SOMETHING CLOSER. I DON'T THINK WERE GOING TO BE AT THE 2% THAT WE WERE AT FOR MANY YEARS EARLIER IN THE LATE 2000 TONS BUT MY GUESS WOULD BE AROUND 10%.
>> SO THE SHORT OF IT IS THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE COULD DO THIS YEAR THAT YOU CAN THINK OF OFF THE TOP YOUR HEAD.
>> THERE ARE VERY FEW THINGS EVEN THE HEALTHCARE.
>> YOU PROBABLY WILL HAVE A LOT. >> THE REBIDDING OF HEALTHCARE, $50 MILLION SAVINGS FOR WHAT WE ORIGINALLY PROJECTED IF WE DID NOTHING BUT STILL IT'S A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM WHAT
WE WERE SPENDING LAST YEAR. >> ON THE DEBT SIDE I WANT TO SHOW THIS SLIDE, WE GET VERY LARGE NUMBERS THAT COME ACROSS COMMISSIONERS AND I WANT TO SHOW THAT WERE MANAGING IT, OUR GOAL IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE FOR US TO EVER BE FULLY PAID OFF ON DEBT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A PREDICTABLE STABLE AMOUNT OF DEBT TO MANAGER TAX RATE AND BE ABLE TO INVEST.
>> WHAT IS HER DEBT BASED ON THIS CHART WHAT IS HER DEBT
CAPACITY. >> WE ONLY USE 4 CENTS OF THE 80
CENTS THAT WE ARE AUTHORIZED. >> THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LEGALLY ALLOWED TO GO OFF OF, I BELIEVE LAST YEAR WE WERE DISCUSSING THE BOND WE HAVE 25 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL DEBT, NOBODY WOULD GIVE US THAT MUCH TO BE CLEAR BUT IF YOU TAKE THE RATIOS IT IS AROUND 20, 25 MILLION, BILLION, SORRY NEXT SLIDE.
>> SPEAKING OF HEALTHCARE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MADE THE PICTURE LOOK A LOT BETTER WHEN WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE AS MANY BUDGET OFFSETS AS WE WERE EXPECTING THE CLS, WE HAD A STUDENT THAT HEALTHCARE WOULD GO UP 26 BILLION UP TO TWO UNDER 75 MILLION WHICH IS OUR PORTION VIA THE BALANCE OF THE 420 IS PREMIUMS, AFTER WE REBID WE REVISED OUR ASSUMPTION DOWN TO 260, AN INCREASE OF THE 11 MILLION BUT FAR LESS THAN WHAT WE INITIALLY ANTICIPATED. NEXT SLIDE, I WANTED YOUR QUICK RECONCILIATION HOW DO WE GET FROM 2.128 BILLION THAT YOU ADOPTED LAST YEAR TO TODAY, 76 IS MADE TO YEAR RECURRING COST AND A QUICK SIDE, 20 MILLION WAS FOR JAIL STAFFING 11 MILLION FOR PATROL, 6.6 FOR THE DA, TED AND A HALF MILLION FOR THE
[01:05:01]
COLLECTION OF THE IN-HOUSE COLLECTION OF TAXES, 11 MILLION FOR CONTRACT PATROL AND 3.6 MILLION FOR JAIL MEDICAL, ON TOP OF THAT WE LAYERED ON THE 57 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF COST SALARY INCREASES THAT INCLUDES A 500-DOLLAR BASE INCREASE THAT WE GIVE FOR EMPLOYEES ON THE LOW END AS WELL AS A SEVEN AND 4% COLA. OUR BENEFITS DID INCREASE BY 12 MILLION AND OUR UTILITIES COSTS HAVE GONE UP BY 10.I WANT TO PAUSE THERE I THINK IT'S A CLEAR ILLUSTRATION OF WHAT YOU SEE IN THE BUDGET, OUR BUDGET INCREASE LAST YEAR WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 100 BILLION AND WHAT YOU SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT THE COUNTY IS CURRENTLY PAYING FOR AND WE PLANNED FOR AND PROPOSED IN THE 23 PROPOSED BUDGET AND HAVE BEEN EATING IN THE 23 ADOPTED BUDGET BUT HALF THE BUDGET MOVING FORWARD, YOU FEEL THE PERFECT EXAMPLE, UTILITIES WERE 5 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 22, WE RECOMMENDED TO GO UP AND WE DEFAULTED TO THE MMR, THE BUDGET WENT BACK TO 5 MILLION IN THE CONTRACT THAT WE AWARDED, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF THE INCREASES YOU ARE SEEING ARE AS TRY TO MAKE UP GROUND FOR THINGS WE HAVE PLANNED FOR IN THE LAST BUDGET YEAR.
>> TO SOME OF THE POINTS WITH BENEFITS WHICH I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WERE NOT TOUCHING BENEFITS, MY GOAL IS TO ONLY IMPROVE, NEVER TO GO BACKWARDS, JUST TO BE CLEAR TO ANYONE WHO MAY BE LISTENING THE BENEFITS THAT WE ARE PROVIDING WILL STAY THE SAME
FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. >> THAT IS 100% CORRECT.
>> WE ARE ANTICIPATING COMING BACK FOR A RECOMMENDATION.
>> WE WILL BE COMING BACK WITH SOME CHANGES THAT WE THINK ARE
NO TO LOW IMPACT FOR EMPLOYEES. >> JUST KNOW I WILL BE WATCHING.
>> FORWARD AND PROVE ME, NOT ANYTHING THAT WOULD AFFECT THE TEAM MEMBERS. , WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION IN
JANUARY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO WONDER WHAT I'M THINKING I WILL TELL YOU.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT. >> AGAIN ANOTHER QUESTION RELATED TO 268 MILLION MORE IN REVENUE THIS YEAR THAT WE MAY HAVE AVAILABLE, WHAT PART OF THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN USED TO COVER EITHER BUDGET SUPPLEMENT AND THIS PAST YEAR AND IS THIS WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY HERE, THE BUDGET IS 2.39, DOES THAT
CONSUME EVERY BIT OF THE 268. >> THAT IS 267 AND YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO GO UP BY 3 MILLION TO 2.398 IF THE COURT SO DESIRES.
>> IF WE WENT AS HIGH AS WE COULD WHAT WILL WE DO IS
$3 MILLION? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
WE ARE CARRYING FORWARD UTILIZING ALL OF THE INCREMENT.
THE PREVIOUS COURTS ARE 20 YEARS BEFORE WE WENT TO NO NEW REVENUE, THEY ALWAYS WENT TO THE HIGHEST RATE, WE LEFT THE RATE
WHERE IT WAS, YOU SHOULD LET. >> I BELIEVE THAT SUMMARY.
THAT'S NOT ALWAYS TRUE BUT I READ IT.
>> I KNOW I READ IT SOMEWHERE, DID THEY LEAVE YOU ANY WRECKAGE AROUND THEIR, THE LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER.
>> WE HAVE IT. >> I'M JUST MAKING A POINT, 20 YEARS PRIOR TO US GOING TO KNOW NEW REVENUE RATE THE COUNTY ALWAYS TOOK THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF MONEY, THEY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT WHATEVER GROWTH KAMAN, IN THE $260 MILLION IN NEW MONEY, ADDITIONAL MONEY ARE YOU SAYING THIS WAS SPENT WHEN WE GET TO THE TABLE. WHEN I SAID THE PROPOSED BUDGET UTILIZES 267 MILLION OF ADDITIONALUN FDING.
THEUD BGET ISRO PPOSED, EVERYTHING INER HE IS A RECOMMENDATION FOR ME IN MY OFFICE, WE TOOKO INTOU ACCNT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ISE MAD TODAY THINGS AT THE STATE HAS TDONEO US,WA THAT S ACHED INTO OUCURRENT LEVEL FORECAST AND WE DID THATRE WE WE SHOWING ADE FICIT, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF I WALK THROUGH THECO RENCILIATION.
>> IS ANOTHERKE WAY TO EP INND MI.
[01:10:02]
IF WE WANT TO DO SOMETHINGFF DIERENT THAN WHAT YOU HAVE THHERE, SOMEING'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE CUT.>> IF YOU WANT TO SPEND MORE ON THET, DEPARTMENOV AND I SENT ER TO YOUR TEAM'S $23 MILLION IN DGPOTENTIAL BUET OFFSETS THAT I REVIEW AT THE END OF THISTA PRESENTION.OR
>> BEFE LOOKING AT YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET TO KEEP DOING WHAT WE WERE DOING HOW MUCH WOULD THE 268B EAT O NOT.
>>N MOST ALL OF IT WERE ONLY ILRECOMMENDING 5 MLION AND SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS AND WE TOOK $7 MILLION WORTH OF DEPARTMENTAL
CUTS. >> WHEN WE GET TAMENDMENTS EITHER US OR YOU O MR. MAR RAMIREZ UP WITH $41 MILLION. WE OFFERED AMENDMENTS TODAY, DO YOU HAVE A MILLION $250,000 A PIECE.
IF WE GO WITH YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET.
I'M RECOMMENDING THE BUDGET RESERVE CURRENTLY IN THE FISCAL YEAR '23RE PROPOSED BUDGET WE HE SERVED 15 MILLION FORCO HIM BUDGET RESERVES I REMMEND TAKING THAT DOWN TO 10, I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE TAKING THAT DOWN TO FIVE, THERE ARE TIMES WHERE I DO BELIEVE BECAUSE WE HAVE AS CUSHION AND THERE ARE TIMEWERE A LITTLE UNDISCIPLINED FOR NEW SPENDING AND REDUCING THE UNBUDGETED RESERVE WOULD FORCE US ON A CONSISTENT BASIS TO OFFSET ANY NEW SPENDING WITH CURRENT SPENDING.
IF WE WENT TO THE HIGHEST RATE WITH A 1,000,034,000,000 SO WEGE HAVE A MILLION A PIECE. I T MY MILLION TO THE JUDGE.
ARE WE GOING TO CHANGE WHAT YOU PROPOSE?
JUST SAYING FRIENDS. >> IN ADDITION TO THE UNBUDGETED RESERVE THERE WAST $114 BILLION WORTH OF CSL ADJUSTMENTHE LARGEST OF 22 MILLION, CLOSE TO EIGHT OF THAT IS GOING TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER TO FUND THE FIRST PHASE OF THEIR EXPANSION BUT THE OTHER 14 MILLION WAS INCREASED TO THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES. 16 MILLION IS FACILITY COST WE IDENTIFIED THERE WERE COST THAT ENWERE BEING CAPITALIZED THAT TE AUDITOR IDTIFIED THAT WE HAD TO MOVE OVER TO THE GENERAL FUND. 7 MILLION IS HARRIS HEALTH CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY JAIL THAT IS THE BUDGET REVIEWED BY THE SHERIFF AND UNDER CONSIDERATION, 9 MILLION FOR ELECTION OPERATION TO DO THE TWO CITY ELECTIONS 8 MILLION FOR BODY CANS AND 9.2 MILLION FOR NEW COURTS.
AGAIN I SAT AT THIS CHAIR WITH THIS GROUP AND SAID AS WE MAKE THIS DECISIONS WE CAN'T AFFORD ANYTHING AND WE CAN AFFORD EVERYTHING, WHEN WE ADDED UP ALL THOSE DECISIONS WE DID GET VERY CLOSE TO THE VOTER. NEXT SLIDE.
AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE BREAKDOWN WE ORGANIZE OUR BUDGET BY THE GOAL AREAS. AGAIN 63% IS SPENT ON JUSTICE AND SAFETY IF YOU TAKE OUT THE DEPARTMENTAL SPENDING, DEPARTMENT 202 THE NON- DEPARTMENT SPENDING GOES UP TO 67% AND IT INCLUDES A 70% COLA AND 30 MILLION FOR ANY DISTRICT COURT. NEXT SLIDE APPEARED ON JUSTICE AND SAFETY KEY BUDGETN RECOMMENDATIONS.
WE ARE RECOMMENDING 7.4 MILLIO TO FUND THE FIRST YEAR OF THE EXPANSION, THEY ALSO RECEIVED ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL STAFFING AS IT RELATES TO THE NEW COURTS.
AND EXPANDING THE HARP PROGRAM FOR 2.9, WE ALSO MADE ADJUSTMENTS OF 1.9 BILLION FOR PRETRIAL SERVICES IN THE COURTS AS WE SEEN THE COURTS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB OF MOVING CASES AND WE'VE THROWN TONS OF MONEY PARTICULARLY ARPA BUILDING CAPACITY NOW WE SEE THE COST OF THAT ADDITIONAL CAPACITY COME DOWN STREAM. 650,000 IN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR COUNTY COURTS AND WERE RECOMMENDING FUNDING ONE ADDITIONAL ASSISTED MEDICAL EXAMINER.
, ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE A LOT OF THESE THINGS WERE SUSTAINING SUPPLEMENTALS WE DID DURING THE YEAR TO MAINTAIN THEIR STAFFING LEVELS IN THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR, 20 MILLION FOR THE JAIL, 5.6 FOR THE SHERIFF, WAS $11 MILLION WITH ANYWISE AND 6.6 FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, $8 MILLION FOR BODY
[01:15:04]
WORN CAMERAS, THE BUDGET RECOMMENDS 37.3 MILLION FOR THE OUTSOURCING OF PRISONERS, 23 OF THAT IS IN ARPA AND 14 MILLION AND THE GENERAL FUND, WE RECOMMEND ESTABLISHING THE RATE DETECTIVE, THIS IS AN IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF APRIL WE WORK WITH THE SHERIFF IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT GETS TO THE CIVIL SERVICE INTO THE CIVIL SERVICE PROCESS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE THEM ABOUT SIX MONTHS SO WE BUDGETED FOR HALF OF THE YEAR.>> HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON OUTSOURCING INMATES.
>> WE ARE PROJECTED TO SPEND 37.3 MILLION.
>> IN THIS BUDGET? >> CORRECT.
>> I WENT TO THE COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS WITH THE BRIEFING, HAVE YOU TALKED TO THEM SOMETHING?
>> YES I TALKED TO HIM YESTERDAY.
>> IS HE STILL THINKING THE SAME AMOUNT OR DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT
GO UP? >> IT IS GOING TO GO UP.
>> FROM WHAT I HEARD WE CAN MAKE A DECISION OR SOMEBODY WILL MAKE A DECISION FOR US AND IF SO IT'S HARD TO BRING THEM BACK SO I DON'T KNOW HOW CANDID YOUR CONVERSATION WAS.
>> YOUR THINKING MORE BEING HOUSED, THAT.
>> THE POPULATION CONTINUES TO GO UP, I'M HEARING A LOT IN THE PRIVATE JAIL INDUSTRY. MOVING TO THE CONVERSATION AND THE SHERIFF WERE PROJECTING 37.314 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND, ON THE REGULAR DETECTIVE, THIS WAS ON THE LETTER THAT THE SHERIFF SENT TO YOU ALL, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A SMART INVESTMENT FOR US TO MAKE, THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT SOLVE CRIMES AND PUT THE TRIGGER PULLERS IN JAIL AND ABLE TO PROSECUTE, SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION WE WANT TO INVEST IN THE FOLKS AND STAY IN THE ROLES AND NOT MOVE THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT.
COMMISSIONER 450,000 FOR NEW DETENTION CAPTAINS, THAT IS IMPORTANT TO CREATE THAT CAREER LADDER FOR OUR DETENTION OFFICERS AND ONE THING THAT WE'VE WORKED CONSISTENTLY, IT IS THE PAY BUT THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABILITYWE TO GROW WITN THE ORGANIZATION BECAUSE THEY RE BLOCKED BY SWORN MEMBERS AT
THE RATE. >> YOU MENTIONED EARLIER 44% IN
THE CATEGORYCL OF SAFETY. >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> THAT INUDES THE JAIL. >> YOU TOOK THE JAIL OUT OF SAFETY, WHAT WOULD THAT NUMBER BE.
>> I'M TRYING TO DO THE MATH IN MY HEAD IT'S ROUGHLY
300 MILLION. >> ABOUT 300 MILLION.
>> YES. >> 3 MILLION OUT OF 1.6 MILLION
IN JUST A SAFETY. >> IN THE BUDGET THAT YOU PROPOSE HOW MUCH DID YOU PUT IN THAT DETENTION OFFICE PAY RAISE.
>> THE RECOMMENDED TO GET A 7% INCREASE THAT CIVILIANS RECEIVE.
>> DID YOU TALK TO THE SHERIFF ABOUT THAT WITH THE COMMIT STATE
COMMISSION. >> I'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH HIM AND HIS TEAM AND THAT'S BEEN BUILT-IN IN HIS GOAL IS TO GET TO 12% THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 5%.
>> OKAY. >> WILL YOU PLEASE GO BACK TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S BUDGET ITEM INCREASING THE BUDGET BY 7.4 MILLION I KNOW WE VOTED TO CREATE A PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PD'S OFFICE TO GET TO 50% OF THE CASE CAPACITY, IF YOU ARE ON, THIS ADDITIONAL 7.4 MILLION SO ALL OF US ARE CLEAR, THIS IS FOR THE NEXT YEAR, HOW FAR WILL THAT TAKE US ON THE JOURNEY TO
GETTING TO 50%. >> , I HAD A THREE YEAR PLAN IT IS LESS THAN THE FIRST YEAR BUT IT'S A BIG STEP.
>> I'M SORRY CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THAT.
>> THE AMOUNT I HAD ASKED IN MY PROPOSAL TO GET US THERE IN THREE YEARS WAS HIGHER THAN THE AMOUNT THAT WE WERE GETTING,
THIS IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD. >> I'M GLAD IT'S A HUGE STEP FORWARD BUT WHAT ARE WE ESTIMATING THAT WE WILL HIT 50% AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING TO GET THERE, HOW FAR WILL THAT TAKE US TOWARDS 50% WHAT IS YOUR BEST ESTIMATION.
>> I'M GETTING THIS TO 25% BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
YOU ALSO HAVE TO FACTOR IN IF YOU HIRE SOMEBODY THEY DON'T
[01:20:03]
HAVE A FULL CASELOAD, IT TAKES A WHILE TO BUILD UP, I THINK THIS WILL PUT US ON THE ROAD TO OUR GOAL.>> WHAT PERCENT ARE WE AT NOW. >> WERE PROBABLY, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD UNFILLED POSITIONS, WE ARE PROBABLY 15 TO 20% AT THIS POINT AT MOST, I WOULD SAY CLOSER TO 15%.
>> WE HAD IOWA PD OFFICE, FOR A DECADE OR 11 YEARS NOW?
>> SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2011, 13 YEARS.
I KNOW AT LEAST FOR ME I WOULD LIKE TO GET THERE WHILE I STILL KNOW I'M HERE, I'M SITTING AT THE TABLE AND I DON'T KNOW I'M HERE, IF WE HAD 15% NOW AND YOU SEE THE BEST CASE SCENARIO THAT'LL GIVE US TO 25% FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, MR. RAMOS I WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW WE HAVE BEEN VERY DELIBERATIVE ON HOW WE USE FEDERAL MONEY. AT LEAST I'M AT SOME POINT, I DON'T KNOW HUB SUPPORT BUT I'M GET A MAKE A MOTION TO SAY WE OUGHT TO TAKE ARPA MONEY TO DO IT AND FILL THAT HOLE AND THAT'S AN AREA WHERE IT'S TAKING TOO LONG.
>> THE COST OF THE APPOINTED COUNSEL IS STAGGERING.
>> IF WE CAN'T FIND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.
>> I WOULD RATHER PAY LESS AND GET BETTER QUALITY OF
REPRESENTATION. >> MAYBE IT WOULD DRAW MONEY THE GRANT THAT WE CAN GO AFTER AND TO UNDERSTAND THE LAW BACKS THE THINKING AND THE JUDGES HAVE TO AGREE I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN I PASSED THAT BILL, BUT WE WROTE A BIG CHECK, HOW MUCH ARE WE
PAYING FOR APPOINTED COUNSEL. >> WE WERE UPWARDS OVER
60 MILLION. >> THE BUDGET THIS YEAR IS
63 MILLION. >> OBVIOUSLY IF WE PUT IT THERE ALL WE COULD DO UNDER THE LAW WHICH IS ALL THAT IT WOULD PASS AT THE TIME, THERE HAS TRULY BEEN NO APPETITE FOR CHANGING IT. ALL WE CAN DO, WE CAN PUT IT THERE BUT WE CANNOT FORCE THE SYSTEM TO USE IT.
>> A QUICK QUESTION, WE ARE INCREASING THE BUDGET THIS YEAR 30% PRETTY GETS US TO 25% WHICH OUR GOAL IS 100%.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY FEES, IT IS $63 MILLION, YOU WOULD THINK AS WE HIRE MORE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS WE COULD SPEND LESS ON AS WE HIRE MORE PUBLIC DEFENDERS
WE COULD SPEND LESS. >> I DON'T KNOW THE RELATIONSHIP IF IT'S A TRADE-OFF IT'S PAYING FOR ITSELF AT THIS POINT.
>> WE HAVE WORKED WITH HIM ON THIS, WE BELIEVE IT'S ROUGHLY DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, THE RATE, THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS GET PAID SLIGHTLY MORE BUT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER PROVIDES MORE HOLISTIC SERVICES, THAT IS ROUGHLY WHERE THE OFFSET IS IF COMMISSIONER COURT WANTS TO I HAVE TRANSFERRED SOME OF THE MONEY THAT WE BUILT-IN ON THE DEFENSE AND RIVETED OVER TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER I VIEW THAT VERY MUCH AS DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR.
>> CAN WE DO THAT UNDER THE LAW. >> UNDER THE LAW.
>> LIKE THE JUDGES THEY DECIDE WHAT THEY DO WITH COURT
APPOINTED COUNSEL. >> IF I VOTE NO.
>> IT IS THE JUDGES DECISION, AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL CASE THEY CONTROL THAT BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF GIVING US MORE CASES AND THEY ASKED FOR US TO TAKE MORE CASES, I DON'T THINK
THAT PART IS A PROBLEM. >> YOU NEED MORE MONEY, YOUR SYNDICATE AMEND THIS TO TAKE THE 60 SOME AND MOVE IT TO THE PD.
>> ONLY LIMITATION WAS IN THE TRANSMITTAL I GAVE TO YOU WHAT IS POSSIBLE TO DO IN A LIMITED NUMBER OF TIME YOU CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH ANY YEAR NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE, THERE IS ALWAYS SO MANY LAWYERS THAT WE CAN HIRE, I TOLD YOU WHAT I THOUGHT WAS POSSIBLE IT IS A LITTLE HIGHER THAN WHAT MR. RAMOS IS LAYING OUT BUT IT'S NOT A WHOLE LOT HIGHER.
>> WHAT WAS THE DELTA BETWEEN WHAT HE REQUESTED AND WAS HERE.
>> WE PASSED A RESOLUTION. >> WHAT WAS THE RESOLUTION.
>> IT WAS TWO OR THREE YEARS, THAT SOUNDS RIGHT BUT IT WAS NOT
[01:25:06]
FUNDED. >> THE BUDGET WAS RAISED TO ACCOMMODATE THE INCREASED CAPACITY OF THE PUBLIC DEFE DEFENDERS. THIS IS THE SINGLE LARGEST INCREASE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAS RECEIVED SINCE THE OFFICE WAS
CREATED. >> MY FRUSTRATION IS IF WE CAME HERE AFTER WE PASSED A RESOLUTION AND EVERYBODY SAID THEY WERE FOR, I REMEMBER HAVING A DISCUSSION WHERE WE COULD'VE SET UP A SECOND PD OFFICE BY THE WAY, I WOULD LIKE TO PASS A RESOLUTION AND NOT KILL ALL THESE TREES, PEOPLE SAY THEREFORE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW WE DO IT.
THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO AMEND BUT I'M GOING TO FIND SOME WAY
THAT WE WANT TO TRY. >> I WOULD MAKE SURE WERE POSITIONING THIS FOR SUCCESS AND THEY HAVE THE FUNDING TO GET US ON THE BUS CHAPTER 50, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THAT WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION BUT IT'S ALSO NEUTRAL BECAUSE IT WILL BE LESS ON THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS AND WE WILL GET BETTER REPRESENTATION AND IT IS A WIN-WIN ON BOTH SIDES THAT I RECKON I SET THE JUDGES HAVE THE DISCRETION TO CHOOSE WHO THEY APPOINT, IF THERE IS MORE CAPACITY WITHIN RPD'S OFFICE, I BELIEVE JUDGES WOULD CHOOSE THE PD'S OFFICE WHERE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THERE'S NOT A CONFLICT IN THE MOP HIGHER
QUALITY OF JUSTICE. >> IN MYIG RHTOU Y HAVEAD H STUDIES DONE TO SHOW THE QUALITY OFEP RRESENTATION IS SUBSTANTIALLY BETTER WHEN IT IS A PD AS OPPOSED TO A
COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER. >> TO COMPREHENSIVE STUDIES AND . STAND BYM THEAY TOD I THINK WHAT WERE SAYING THERE MONEY IN THET BUDGETO FUND AS MANY PDIO POSITNS FORER EVY DOLLAR WERE SPENDING THEID OUTSE OFYS ATTORNE THAT COULD BE MONEY SPENT ON THE PD, THEREE IS PNTY OF MONEY.
>> THERE'S PLENTY OF MONEY, THE ONLY R FESTRICTINGACTOR
OUR ABILITY TO HIRE THE PD'S.HA >> TT IS A MARKET ISSUE.T SO WHAIS THE PLAN TO GET US, THEDL PEOPLE, REGARESS OF WHATE NUMBER WSET THE BUDGET AT, WHAT IS YOUR PLAN, THE DAS OFFICE O IS HAVING THEIRWN CHALLENGESIN AND HOW ARE WE GOG TO COMPETE WITH THE OVERALL MARKET TO HIRE.
WELL-POSITIONED IN HOUSTON WE HAVE THREE LAW SCHOOLS AND WORKING TO RECRUIT, NOT ONLY ACROSS THE STATE BUT NATIONWIDE IN THE NUMBERS I GAVE YOU AREN DOABLE, I THINK WE CA
GET THEREYI. >> WHAT I'M TRNG TO GET BEYOND THE NUMBERS THAT YOU GAVE US, AT LEAST FOR ME I DID NOT WALK HERE PASSED A RESOLUTION TO PASS UNANIMOUSLY, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO OUR SIDE OF THE AISLE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK FOUR OF US WENT TO THEOF FUNERAL IF NOT ALL FIVE US, I. WOULD LIKE TO GO BEYOND I DON'T WANT TO GET 25% 15 YEARS AFTER THE OFFICE IS D CREATED, MAYBE WE COULDO A STUDY AND SAY IN OTHER PLACES DID IT TAKE THAT LONG, WEEE ARGUE WE NEED TO HAVE THR LAW SCHOOLS.
>> I'M SAYING THREE YEARS. >> YOU BE AT 50%.
>> WE CAN DO THAT. >> COMMISSIONER I THINK THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH OF RUNWAY DO YOU WANT TO GIVE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER WITHOUT COMING BACK TO
>> A TON OF IT.RS COURT. I GONE TO NEW YORK AND I DON'T MIND SAYING THIS, THE TWO PD OFFICEST WERE COMPETING AND ANY AND AS ITURNED OUT TO BE A GOOD DEAL FOR BOTH OFTS THEM TOO IT WHEN YOU HAVE CONFLIC, YOU HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
HERE WE ARE WE MADE A COMMITMENT TO YEARS AFTER THE FUNERAL IT WAS A TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT IF I RECALL NOW IT IS THREE YEARS SINCE THE RESOLUTION PASSED.
NOW WERE GETTING GET TO EIGHT YEARS AS OPPOSED TO A TWO-YEAR
COMMITMENT THAT WAS MADE. >> COMMISSIONER I WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE TO TRANSFER THE FULL 24 MILLION AND INCREASED DEFENSE OVER OR AS PART OF OUR QUARTERLY PROJECTION PROCESS WE COULD
CHECK IN. >> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE MOVE IT OVER AND IF HE CANNOT DO IT WE LOOK AT SOME STATE FUNDING
[01:30:04]
AVAILABLE, THERE MAY BE SOME GRANTS AVAILABLE.FOR US TO HAVE BOTH. I NOTED THAT SOME PEOPLE LEFT THE PD'S OFFICE TO GO TO THE DAS OFFICE BECAUSE WE GAVE A LITTLE BUMP ON THE PAY RAISE. HER EQUAL TO YOUR PAY.
NOBODY LEFT TO GO TO THE N DAS OFFICE.
>> IS YOUR PAY EQUAL. >>O IT'S NOT.
>> WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE. >> AT THE ENTRY LEVEL IT IS ABOUT THE SAME MAY BE $2000 DIFFERENCE.
AT THE HIGHER LEVEL THEIR SUPERVISORS MAKE MORE THAN OUR
SUPERVISORS. >> AS YOU GO UP THEY MAKE A LOT
MORE. >> WHAT I'LL SAY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER IS GOING TO MODEL IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO RETAIN THEIR STAFF, THERE IS NATURAL TURNOVER.
>> THE CHALLENGE IS, IT IS NOT DIRECTED AT YOU, I'M WELL AWARE, IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THIS TABLE THAT LED TO EFFORTS TO CREATE THE OFFICE BEFORE YOU GOT HERE, MANY VOICES WHO WERE HELPFUL ON IT BUT THERE IS A FRUSTRATION THAT AT THE TIME WITH THE LARGEST URBAN COUNTY, DEATH PENNY UNDER PENALTY CAPITAL WITH NO PD OFFICE. NOW HERE WE ARE, 13 YEARS INTO IT AND IS HANDLING 15% OF THE CASES.
, FOR ME THAT IS A FRUSTRATION ONE OF THE VOICES THAT IS PUSHING THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT TO DO IT AND CONVINCE THE JUDGES AT THAT TIME TO AGREE TO SET IT UP.
>> VERY QUICKLY BEFORE YOU MOVE ON.
I SHARE THE FRUSTRATION WITH FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO SEE WHAT ADJUSTMENTS MAY NEED TO BE MADE TO EMPLOYEES FOR SUCCESS. , HEART IS SOMETHING I FEEL PASSIONATELY ABOUT SOMETHING WE GOT EXPANDED TO 24/7 AND EXPANDED TO THE SHERIFF'S DISTRICT WHICH COINCIDES WITH MY PRECINCT, DIRECTOR ROBINSON ARE YOU ON?
>> GUESSING ABOUT IMPORTANTLY I'M DRIVING TO MEET MR. LEVINE
AGAIN MY APOLOGIES. >> WE WILL GET YOU LATER, THANK
YOU, BE SAFE. >> THE LAW SAYS WE HAVE TO SEE A
FACE ON THE CAMERA. >> BE SAFE.
MR. DONALD, BACK TO YOU. >> IF WE GO TO THE GOVERNANCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. , SKIP IT ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS THESE ARE ITEMS THAT HAVE COME TO COURT AT SOME POIN.
ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT THE BUDGET SUPPORT IN .ACTUALLY MY CAR. THE 9.6 MILLION WE PUT AS MUCH MONEY AND AS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.
EVEN ALL OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS COMFORTABLE THAT THAT IS ENOUGH MONEY THAT THE ELECTION DIMINISH TRADER IN THE LAWSUIT TURNS OUT.
I WANT TOWI MAKE SURE THAT THE COMFORTABLE.
>> YOU WORK WOTH THEM ON THIS BUDGET, I FEEL CONFIDENT, THIS S ULD COVER IT. IF THERE WERE UNANTICIPATED COSTAS WE GOT IN THE PAST I WOULD RECOMMENDED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN COVER. I DO WANT TO STRESS THAT IS A PLACE TO GET TO THE CYCLE IF WE HAVE TO GO USE FEDERAL MONEY, I THINK WE COULD DO IT, IT OBVIOUSLY DIGS A HOLE DOWN THE ROAD. OTHER ENTITIES PAY FOR SOME OF IT AND THEN THE DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION WITH THE TRANSITION, I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT'S ENOUGH FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF SOMEBODY ON THE LINE FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR TO MAKE SURE THE COMFORTABLE. WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO INCLUDED THE ALERT SO PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY OWED THE MONEY.
THE PARADIGM SHIFT IN ITS UNANIMOUS BUT I WILL MAKE SURE WORKS. SO FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, ARE YOU COMFORTABLEW IN THE TAX ASSESSMENT OFFICE.
>> I DON'T KNOIF JOHN IS ON BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE AND ANY CHANGES WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH.
>> DON'T COUNT THE 4 MILLION THAT WE HAVE LEFT OUT OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKS IN TERMS OF EQUITY ISSUES, THAT IS A BIG ONE, THE PULLING AND THAT ONE AND I HAVE THE VOTES BUT I'LL MAKE THE MOTION IF WE HAD TO TAKE FEDERAL MONEY EVEN IF IT'S DIGGING A HOLE THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT ACROSS THE BRIDGE RATER.
[01:35:01]
>> I FEEL LIKE WE FULLY FUNDED THOSE TWO ITEMS IF THERE'S SOMETHING UNANTICIPATED WE WOULD COME BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, ALSO AS A COUNTY BUDGET DIRECTOR HAVE A VERY AND VESTED INTEREST IN JAY'S ABILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TAXES.
>> LAST ONE, LIBRARIES WITH ALL THE DRAMA GOING ON WITH LIBRARY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE FROM THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT, ARE YOU
COMFORTABLE WITH THIS? >> MR. MELTON I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HIM IN A WHILE, I GUESS HE HAS BEEN TO THE LIBRARY.
>> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT YOUR BUDGET, THANK YOU.
>> NEXT SLIDE TIFFANY. >> PUBLIC HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THE BUDGET SUPPORT IS 1.4 MILLION TO COVER A GRANT THAT WE LOST THREE CDC, THESE ARE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS THAT ARE IN THE COMMUNITY DOING HEALTH EDUCATION.
NEXT SLIDE. THE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE RECOMMEND THAT MR. GARCIA INTRODUCE WHAT WAS PASSED WAS 1.5 MILLION AND FORTIFIED REVENUE, I KNOW THIS IS NOT SPENDING BUT IT'S LESS MONEY THAT WE WOULD OTHERWISE BE RECEIVING TO ESTABLISH THE TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I BELIEVE THE POLICY WILL BE COMING BACK EITHER 829
OR 9194 ENACTMENT. >> WE TALKED ABOUT HOUSING CRISIS, THIS IS CRITICAL. THANK YOU.
>> THE BUDGET POSITION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY RESEARCH OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS, THIS IS A FORMULA GRANT WITH THE FUNDING SOURCE WAS DECREASED SO DOWNSTREAM WERE COVERING FOR FTES THAT WORK, ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOP INSIDE WERE RECOMMENDING SIX ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL FOR DEL, THREE TO DO WAGE ENFORCEMENT IN THREE TO BUILD CAPACITY FOR NW EAGLES.
NEXT SLIDE. >> IS THAT ADEQUATE, I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT. MISSED
THE CELLO ARE YOU ON. >> I WAS TRYING TO UNMUTE.
WE HAVE TO SEE YOU. I WANT TO MAKE SURE ARE YOU COMFORTABLE THAT YOU CAN IMPLEMENT THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE GIVEN YOU IN THAT ALL OF US ON THIS COURT HAVE MADE THE NW EE PROGRAM AND THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE PRIORITY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE THAT YOU CAN DO THAT AND I'M ONE OF THE OFFICES THAT LOAD MORE ON YOU IN MY ABC DEF REPORTING. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
WE'VE GIVEN YOU RESOURCES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH YOU WE DID HAVE ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST THAT WE SUBMITTED. I'M COMFORTABLE WITH ADDITIONAL MONITORS BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WILL BE MONITORING THE COMPLIANCE ON THE CONTRACTS AND WE DO PLAN TO REQUEST MORE FROM THE DEPARTMENTS AND WE ARE IN TALK WITH CST AND ALSO THE DISTRICT FOR THE GRANT FUNDS TO COVER SOME OF OUR MONITORS WE FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WILL DO OUR PART TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE STAFFING. I WILL JUST MENTION OVERALL FOR THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT WE ARE RUNNING VERY, VERY LEAN AND ON THE THIRD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE 2021 SO IN MY SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST I HAD SOME ADDITIONAL ASK FOR SOME OF THE POSITIONS I FELT THAT WE NEEDED TO GET STABLE.
SOME INCLUDED FOUR ADMIN SUPPORT AS WELL AS DIRECT PROGRAM INCLUDED A MANAGER THAT WOULD HELP WITH OUR DATA AND WE HEARD FROM A LOT OF THE OFFICES ABOUT THE DATA NEEDS AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SLICE AND DICE THE DATA FROM OUR PROGRAM FOR YOUR NEEDS AND WE'VE REALLY BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THAT SO WE DID REQUEST ADDITIONAL POSITION A MANAGER FIVE POSITION TO HELP WITH THAT THAT IS NOT IN THIS REQUEST RIGHT NOW.
I ALSO REQUESTED A DIRECTOR POSITION TO HELP WITH THE OVERALL THE WAY THE CHART IS CURRENTLY NOW, HAVE A LOT OF DIRECT REPORTS MYSELF SO I REQUESTED FOR AN ADDITIONAL POSITION THAT WOULD HELP OVERSEE FINANCE IN THE HR OFFICE TEAM WHICH CURRENTLY DIRECT THE REPORT TO ME IN ADDITION TO THE DIRECTORS. I DID SEND THAT TO THE COURT
[01:40:02]
OFFICE AND I'M HAPPY TO DISCUSS MORE AT THE SEPTEMBER 7 MEETING AS WELL I'LL BE READY FOR THAT. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONSTHERE. >> MR. RAMO'S AND MS. GONZALEZ, I CALLED YOU MS. ASTELLAS. I'M NOT AS OLD AS I THOUGHT I WAS. I'M READING THE CHART RIGHT
THERE. >> MR. RAMOS I WANT TO STRESS THAT I THINK ALL OF US ON THIS COURT ARE SENSITIVE TO THE EQUITY ISSUES IN A SIX LETTER WORD, HEARD THE SPEAKER EARLIER ALTHOUGH I HAD TO CUT THEM OFF SO WE CAN KEEP GOING.
WHEN I WANT TO STRESS EVEN IF WE HAVE TO TAKE OUR MONEY CONTRACTED OUT IF WE CAN DO IT ALL THIS COUNTY WAITED 3438 YEARS, WHAT DID WE SET THIS UP TO YEARS AGO, WE WAITED 38 YEARS AFTER THE CITY OF HOUSTON SET UP A PROGRAM AND THAT NUMBER WAS 37%, OVERALL 9% SO WE HAVE A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO AND PART OF THE PRESSURE, WHO KNOWS WHERE THE RENEGADE SUPREME COURT WILL GO I'M SURE A LOT OF THE EFFORT COMES OUT OF HOUSTON BY THE WAY AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO SUE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR DUCKS ARE IN A ROW.
WE DISAGREE I WANT TO STRESS THIS DEPARTMENT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND ALSO BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE MONEY THANKS TO FEDERAL RESOURCES THAN WE HAVE EVER HAD.
ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IT IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO GROW A MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS BASE.
AND ATTRACT OTHERS TO COME IN AND THEY WILL HAVE TO OPEN UP OFFICES AND HIRE PEOPLE AND TRAIN OUR FOLKS TO GET TO WHERE THEY WOULD'VE BEEN IF THIS COUNTY HAD HAD A PROBLEM 38 YEARS AGO AND WITH HARRIS HEALTH, WE FORCE THAT, METRO FOR THEM TO COME BACK AND REPORT. WE GOTTA PLAY OUR ROLE THE CITY CERTIFIES THESE PEOPLE, WE DON'T PAY FOR.
DAVE ASKED TO PAY FOR, I'M GLAD THEY DO IT.
BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AND I HOPE ALL OF OUR STAFF SEES THIS AND VERY SENSITIVE AND I'M NOT JUST COMING UP WITH THE BRIGHT IDEA WITHOUT SOME MONEY. BECAUSE EVEN IF WE DON'T WANT TO WE HAD TO FORMULA AND PAY FOR DOWN THE ROAD.
>> MR. RAMO'S, IF I'M LOOKING AT THE BUDGET THIS LOOKS LIKE THE TOP PRIORITY OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY BECAUSE WE INCREASE THE
BUDGET 30%, IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT.
>> WERE MAKING UP 38 YEARS OF NOT HAVING THE DEPARTMENT.
>> IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST IN TERMS OF AN INCREASE
YEAR-OVER-YEAR. >> COMMISSIONERS WHEN I MET WITH THE WALL TO GO OVER THE OPTIONS THIS IS ONE, I THINK DIRECTOR GONZALEZ FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR ENHANCEMENT REQUEST THAT STOOD OUT IN TERMS OF BEING DATA-DRIVEN AND ARTICULATE THE BUSINESS CASE ET CETERA, THESE WERE THE ONES A BUBBLE TO THE TOP, THE WAGE ENFORCEMENT IN THE NW BEAGLE STAFF AND I KNOW THERE IS MUCH MOREOO RM TOO GUP ON THIS W ANDE LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE. >> I'M GETTING A O LOTF INPUT, SO MUCH INPUT IT'SE TIMFOR A BREAK IN COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL TAKE AAK BRE. WE'LL TAKE A A BREAKND COME BACK
00AT 12: O'CLOCK. >> IT IS.M 11:48 A.
ISTHE COMMSIONERS COURT WILL RECESSL AND WIL
>> THANK YOU WALL, IT IS 12:02 P.M.
THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
I'M SORRY MR. RAMO'S. AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> ARE WE OFFICIALLY BACK. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
>> DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> I SEE A NAME POP UP.
>> I BELIEVE SHE'S ARRIVED AT THEIR DESTINATION SAFELY SO I WANTED TO ASK HER QUICK QUESTION.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M GLAD YOU ARRIVED SAFELY.
>> DON'T DRIVE, SIT THERE. >> I HAVE A MEETING WITH MR. JOE
[01:45:03]
LEVINE SO WE ARE STABLE NOW. >> IT SOUNDS GOOD.
A QUICK QUESTION, GOING BACK A FEW SLIDES WITH JUSTICE AND SAFETY WITH THE HOLISTIC RESPONSE TEAM, I WAS HAPPY THAT EARLIER THIS YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO EXPAND 24/7 AND ALSO EXPAND TO DISTRICT FOR WHICH OVERLAPS RE-SYNC FOR, I SEE THE NUMBER FOR THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS 2.9 MILLION I FEEL THAT HARP IS NOT ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO CONNECT THE INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SERVICES THAT THEY MAY NEED BUT IT FREES UP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TIME AND HELPS PREVENT OUR JAIL FROM GETTING FURTHER OVERCROWDED WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT BELONG THERE AND IT CLEARS UP OUR COURTS, ET CETERA.
IT'S AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO, MY QUESTION TO YOU, THE 2.9 MILLION, FIRST OF ALL HOW IS IT GOING, IS THIS A LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO BEST POSITION HARP
FOR THIS NEW FISCAL YEAR. >> TAKE YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY ATTORNEY, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH. WE ARE DOING PHENOMENAL, WE LAUNCHED ON JUNE 6 ON A ROLLING BASIS OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE 10 TEAMS UP AND RUNNING IN DISTRICT FOR AND WERE WELL ON OUR WAY, THE PROCESS TAKES TIME BECAUSE HER FOLKS HAVE TO BE BACKGROUND CHECK AND THAT IS PERHAPS THE ONLY HURDLE IN THE PROCESS AND TO DATE WE RESPONDED TO PROXIMALLY 2047 CALLS OUT OF THE 7500 THAT WE TARGETED FOR THE YEAR AND WE BELIEVEHO TSE RESOURCESRE A ADEQUATE TO RESPOND WITHHE T TEAMSHA TT WE HAVE. THE ISSUE BECOMESGR GEOAPHIC EQUITY, WE KNOW THERE O ARETHER PARTS OF THENT COUYT THAARE IN NEED OF HARP RESOURCES AND SERVICES, THE SHER OIFF'SFFICE REACHED OUT AND ASKED IF RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING ORBU DGET PROPOSAL FOR THEEX PANSION AND I SHARED I'M NOT THEAK POLICYMER, YOU ALL THOSENA DETERMITIONS.HE IF TRE IS A DESIREEX FOR PANDED GEOGRAPHIC EQUITY TO BRING THE PROGHERAMS TO OTR PARTS OF THE COUNTY ORTY COUNWIDE WE WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL RESOURCESLE TO BE AB TO DO THAT, IT'S A VERY STRONG PARTNERSHIP AND FEEDBACK UP AND DOWN THE CHAIN WITHIN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS FROM SHERIFF'S TO EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIPAL, WERE RELY PROUDHA OF THE WORK TT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO FOR THEGR COMMUNITY IN THE AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE ARE
>> THINK YOU DIRECTOR ROBINSONEA FOR YOUR LDERSHIP ININ SERVICE.
TERMS OF RETURN ON INVESTMENTR AND HOW OUINVESTMENTS REFLECT OUR PRIORITIES, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EFFORT FROMHE THE PUBLIC ALTH PERSPECTIVE BUT O ALSO IF HE CANFFSET WHAT WE AREUR SPENDING OUTSOCED PRISONERS TO PRIVATE PRISON AOUND GET PEOPLE T OF THE JAIL THAT DO NOT BELONG THERE TOUL BEGIN WITH I WOD BE VERY INTERESTED INOW EXPLORING WAYS H WE CAN FURTHER INVEST IN HARP.CO I WOULD LOVE TO NTINUE THE CONVERSATION AS THIS BUDGET PROCESS CONTINUES.
>> THANK YOUNE COMMISSIONER BRIOS FOR BIGOTED UP I WOULD SURLY BE SUPPORTIVE GOING COUNTY WIDE WITH IT AS WELL AND I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON ASKING TO HAVE IT IN YOURHA
>> MR. RAMOS ON THE YOUNG COUPLE MORE SLIDES.
>> IF WE GET ONTO R THE COMMISSIONERS COURT,EALLY QUICKLY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON A FOLLOW-UP TO 2 THE TAX RATE FROM 2009 -019 THE TAX RATE REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THERE IS VARIANCE IS AND HOW MUCH WAS DEDICATED TO HARRIS HEALTH AND THE GENERAL FUNDTH VERSUS THE PORT AND OVERALL E TAX RATE REMAINED W UNCHANGED. SINCE THAT POINTE HAVE LOWERED THE TAX RATE EVERY YEAR SINCE 2019.
>> IN 2009 I REMEMBER THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND THEY ONLY LOWERED
IT FOR HARRIS HEALTH. >> THAT'S FAMILIAR I CAN SEND
YOU THE BREAKOUT. >> YOU GO BACK I FURTHER.
>> I CAN TELL YOU THISS THE LOWEST, THIS OR LAST YEAR'S RATE ARE THE LOWEST TAX RATE THAT WE'VE HAD SINCE 1990.
>> SINCE 1990. >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> THAT IS JUST HOW FAR THE TAX OFFICE WENT BACK.
IT MIGHT BE LOWER. >> YOU TO BE INTERESTING WILL BE GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC AND HOW MUCH THE COUNTY IS GROWN SINCE THEN AND THE COST OF OPERATING THE COUNTY.
>> OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THIS ENCAPSULATES NOT JUST THE POLICY THEME OF THE COMMISSIONERS BUT ALL OF THE COUNTIES ROAD MAINTENANCE, PARKS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, ET
[01:50:03]
CETERA, THE INCREASE IS 2.6 MILLION.WE WENT BACK AND WE LOOKED GOING BACK FOR FIVE YEARS.
THERE HASN'T BEEN AN INCREASE IN THOSE BUDGETS AS COMPARED TO HOW MUCH THE COUNTY HAS GROWN IN YOUR JURISDICTIONS.IS
>> FOR TRANSPARENCY WITH MY COLLEAGUES, TH WOULD BE AN AREA INTERESTED IN DISCUSSING EARLIER.
TAKE IT A STEP BACK, THANK YOU FOR DOING THE PUBLIC TOWN HALLS ON THE BUDGETS. THAT WAS A HUGE STEP FORWARD FOR THE COUNTY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT.
WHAT I HEARD AND I WOULD BE CURIOUS OF MY COLLEAGUES HEARD IT, COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO SHOWED UP WANTED ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE PARKS FOR THE ROADS, FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTERS, FOR THE PROGRAM, FOR THE SENIORS, YOUTH, THEY WANT THE DIRECT SERVICES FROM THE PRECINCTS, I APPRECIATE THE PROPOSED BUDGET HAS AN INCREASE. AS I LOOK AT THE OPERATION OF PRECINCT FOUR, ESPECIALLY IN A 50/50, OVER 1400 MILES OF UNINCORPORATED ROAD AND WERE TAKING OVER PARKS FROM THE CITY WHO CANNOT MAINTAIN THEM. OUR DIRECT SERVICES ARE ONLY INCREASING SO I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN EXPLORING WHAT OFFSETS MIGHT BE ABLE TO GIVE THE PRECINCTS ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO EVEN BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE. THAT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ME.
>> LET ME ECHO THAT, WE HAVE OVER 200 IN OUR PUBLIC COMMITTEE. AND THANK YOU MR. RAMO'S, EVEN THOUGH YOU TOOK A FEW BARBS I THANK YOU DID QUITE WELL OUT
THERE. >> IF YOU WERE AT 200 COMMISSIONER, THEN WE HAD CLOSE TO 400 PEOPLE ATTEND THE
MEETINGS COUNTYWIDE. >> TO ECHO THE COMMENT RELATED TO THIS, IT IS A 2% PART EACH WHATEVER PRECINCTS HAS A 2% OF THE $2.4 BILLION BUDGET THAT GOES TO THE MOST TALKED ABOUT ACTIVITIES THAT GO ON IN THE PRECINCT ARE PARKS, ROADS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, BUSES, ALL OF THOSE AS YOU SAY THE FRONT DOOR OF THE COUNTY IS 2%. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT, I ECHO THAT IT IS A SPECIFIC AREA THAT WE NEED EACH WHATEVER PRECINCTS DOES A GREAT JOB OF INTERFACING DIRECTLY WITH THE PUBLIC. BUT THIS IS THE FRONT DOOR OF HARRIS COUNTY SO I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD GET THIS.
I KNOW THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE HAS GONE UP 21%, THE PROPOSAL FOR US RIGHT NOW IS 7% SO IF WE COULD GET UP TO WHAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE IS DOING THAT WOULD BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THIS IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT AREA FOR ME ARE FACILITIES ARE DETERIORATING RAPIDLY.
, THE MAINTENANCE ON THOSE FACILITIES HAVE BEEN DEFERRED FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I AM VERY, VERY INTERESTED, COUPLED WITH THE FACT TALKING ABOUT TAKING CARE OF EMPLOYEES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, IT IS IMMENSELY DIFFICULT AT LEAST FOR MY PRECINCT TO COMPETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
SEEING AN INCREASE TO OUR RESPECTIVE BUDGETS WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED. I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN SEEING, IF I REMEMBER WHAT HER NUMBER WAS THAT WERE WORKING TO GET TO, I THINK IT'S ABOUT A DECENT NUMBER TO WORK TOWARDS I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT WITH YOU TO SEE HOW WE CAN COUPLE TOGETHER
WITH THOSE ITEMS. >> OBVIOUSLY NO ARGUMENT WITH NEITHER ONE OF THE FOUR OF US ON THAT SUBJECT.
I WAS OUT TOURING SOME OF THE PARKS IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY YOU CAN TO HER WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING AT 110 DEGREES BECAUSE YOU CANNOT RIDE A BIKE BUT WHEN I GO OUT IN THE CASE OF MINE HOW TO OPERATE MONEY TO OPEN THEM ALL WEEKENDS IN THE CLIMATE CHANGE IS SO HOT, AND BEAUTIFUL PARKS, THE GRASS IS WELL-MAINTAINED BECAUSE INSTEAD. I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHEN WE LOST THE TREES WHEN THEY WERE MAYOR AND MEMORIAL PARK, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING AND ALL OF THE PARKS, EVEN THE CITY SAID
[01:55:02]
IS GOOD TO BE A REAL LOSS. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED WHATEVER DAY THAT WAS. IN MEMORIAL PARK I WAS THINKING YOU WOULD BE SHAME TO LOSE SOME OF THOSE TREES BUT I CALLED MY TEAM AND I SAID YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB ON THE GRASS AND THEY SAID INSTEAD, HE SAID THE FRONT FACE OF THE COUNTY AND I DO GET IT, THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX BECAUSE I HEARD YOU SAY EARLIER WE HAVE ANOTHER MILLION, 3 MILLION IF YOU GO TO THE HIGHEST RATE, OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE CHANGES IN TO SEE IF THERE ARE PLACES FOR SOME OF THIS ONE TIME ONLY STUFF THAT WE COULD GO DO, I AM ASSUMING SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONEY WE PROGRAM WE WILL END UP AT SOME POINT NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEND IT ALL AND GO TO THE STUFF THAT WE KNOW WE THAT WE CAN SPEND IT ON REAL QUICK, IF WE CAN FIGURE EARLIER WE WON'T GET THERE, ANY OF OUR PROJECT IS GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME OTHER THAN MOWING THE GRASS, WATER AND TREES, YOU GOTTA GO THROUGH THAT QUICKLY.IT IS A PROBLEM I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US TO FIGURE OUT THE WAY WE GET OUR STAFF TO PARKS PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR TO SHARE IDEAS AND BEST PRACTICES BECAUSE I WAS OUT THERE I TOOK IN A COUPLE OF NEW PARKS. IT MUST BE A CHALLENGE FOR CONSTITUENTS AS WELL, FOR SOME WAYS I CALLED COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I SAID IF YOU WOULD ALL LIKE A TEAM IF YOU CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PAY FOR IT AND KEEP A THING AFLOAT GO START ONE, I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO GET OUR STAFF TO FIND A WAY.
THEY SEE US IN A BAD MOOD EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THEY WILL TAKE A SHARP, BECAUSE RETURN TO GET OUT OF HERE INTO THINK DEEP DOWN AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS WHETHER THEY'RE FORCED IN THE COUNTY YEARS.
>> I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED WITH THE ARPA MONEY AND DEFERRED MAINTENANCE THAT IS STUFF THAT YOU CAN DO IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD CANDIDATE.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. NEXT SLIDE, WERE RECOMMENDED THE DR 128.2 MILLION, THAT HAD BEEN 147 MILLION I WOULD BEEN RECOMMENDED 147 MILLION I DO FEEL LIKE A SET OF THE BODY BEFORE WERE CRIMINALLY UNDERFUNDED THE MAINTENANCE ON THE NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE MAKING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE BUILT IT WE CAN MAINTAIN IT AND IT'S THERE AND READY FOR THE NEXT EMERGENCY.
BUT IN TERMS OF THEIR BUDGET, THEY ADOPTED THE BUDGET AT 114, 9.3 OF THE INCREASE IS TO MAINTAIN INFLATION, INFRASTRUCTURE, VEGETATION, 600K FOR NEW FACILITIES THAT ARE OPENING IN FISCAL YEAR 24, DOCTOR PETERSON AND I ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY ON THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SO WE ANSWER THE QUESTION HOW MUCH WE SPENT ON FLOOD CONTROL NOT HOW MUCH HAVE WE SPENT ON FLOOD CONTROL MAINTENANCE.
THE DEDICATING $900,000 TO SUPPORT THE CDBG TO ENSURE THE PROJECT CAN BE DELIVERED TO ME THE GREAT REQUIREMENTS AND FOR THE ASSET MANAGEMENT. NEXT SLIDE.
THE TRANSPORTATION, THE BIGGEST CHANGES REDIRECTING $40 MILLION FROM THE FLOOD RESILIENCY TRUSTED PRECINCTS, 40S $4 MILLION IN ADDITION TO THAT OF RECURRING TRANSFERS THAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE WILL SUSTAIN IN FUTURE YEARS AND THE BUDGET REFLECTS THE DECREASE IN TULSA FOR EASY TAG USERS WHICH THE COURT ADOPTED EARLIER THIS YEAR INTO SUPPORT THEIR TOLES OPERATIONS. LAST SLIDE, I WON'T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THIS, WE DO CAPITAL PROJECTS ON A ROLLING BASIS BUT I WANT TO GIVE THE COURT AN IDEA OF THE SCALE OF HOW MUCH CAPITAL PROGRAMMING WE ARE SLATED TO DO IN FISCAL YEAR 24, 1.8 BILLION THE MAJORITY IS ON THE HECTOR SIDE IT'S A LOT OF MONEY FLOWING OUT OF THE DOOR AND BACK TO MY EARLIER POINT ABOUT OUR DEBT I BELIEVE WERE MANAGING OUR DEBT RESPONSIBLY AND BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR BUYING POWER WHILE MAINTAINING INFRASTRUCTURE, WITH THAT THAT'S THE END OF MY PRESENTATION, I'LL TAKE ANY
[02:00:01]
QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.YOU PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS. THANK YOU ALL.
YOU POINTED OUT THE DIFFERENCE, I GOT ONE BETTER, THE FIRST BUDGET. PROPOSAL ONE PAGE BUDGET, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK COLLECTIVELY AND THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET IT TO THE MEAT AND POTATOES OF WHAT THE
COUNTY GOVERNMENT COST. >> I THINK THE BUDGET WAS NOT THAT THIN. IT WAS KNEE-HIGH, THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WAS NOT THAT, I WANT TO CLEAR THAT UP, IT WAS NOT THAT. IT WAS UP TO MY KNEES AND I CAN BRING THE THREE RING BINDERS IN HERE TO SHOW.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA DOES THAT PASS FOR YOU.
>> I MADE SOME CHANGES BECAUSE I KNEW IF I PROPOSE THAT THAT'S WHAT I WILL BE STUCK WITH. I WOULDN'T SAY THANK YOU TO THE BUDGET TEAM AND DIRECTOR AND THE ADMINISTRATOR AND ALSO TO ALL THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP FOR THE PUBLIC TOWN HALLS AND TO DO THE SURVEY ONLINE AND WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK BECAUSE WE WORK FOR YOU, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK
YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW DEPARTMENT HEADS AS WELL AS THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT INTERPROCESS I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES, MY HOPE THE PROCESS DOES NOT CHANGE VERY MUCH MOVING FORWARD AND IT'S REPEATABLE TO GET YOU ALL THE INFORMATION TO MAKE DECISIONS. I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND PATIENCE GOING THROUGH THE VARIOUS
ITERATIONS OF IT. >> I HAVE ONE QUESTION FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE IN YOUR VAST KNOWLEDGE AND BEING IN PARTICULAR, WHEN IS THE BUDGET WERE PUT INTO DIFFICULT WHEN YOU
HAVE MONEY OR HAVE NO MONEY. >> WHEN YOU HAVE NO MONEY MY JOB IS INCREDIBLY EASY, I JUST SAY NO ALL THE TIME.
>> THANK YOU YOUR TEAM DID A GREAT JOB WILL SOMEBODY MAKE A
MOTION TO ADJOURN THIS MEETING. >> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, NO
ACTION FOR NUMBER TWO. >> NO DISCUSSION ACTION.
>> YOU MAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN, THAT WAS A SECOND.
IT IS UNANIMOUS, 1221, THIS COMMISSIONER COURT MEETING IS ADJOURNED. THAN
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.