Apr 23, 2024 Commissioners Court

OKAY. WOW.

[00:00:02]

WELCOME. SO EXCITED TO HAVE EVERYONE IN THIS NEW COURTROOM YOU'RE INAUGURATING IT.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

IT IS 1013.

AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE APRIL 23RD, 2024 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. JUDGE, I THANK PRECINCT FOR TODAY.

HAS A PRIVILEGE.

THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT OUR FIRST OFFICIAL FULL MEETING AT THE NEW COURT.

AND PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME REVEREND STEPHANIE WILKINS.

[Associate Pastor Stephanie Wilkins of St. John’s Downtown Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 4. ]

SHE EARNED HER UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SHE RECEIVED HER MASTER OF EDUCATION IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND A MASTER OF ARTS IN MINISTRY FROM SMU.

SHE IS AN EDUCATOR.

SHE SPENT 27 YEARS EDUCATING CHILDREN, AND THEN SHE RECEIVED HER CALLING FOR HER SECOND CAREER SERVING GOD THROUGH MINISTRY.

AND SHE ANSWERED THIS CALLING IN 2013.

SHE WAS FULLY ORDAINED DURING THE 2021 TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE BLUE RIDGE UNITED METHODIST.

SHE CURRENTLY SERVES AS ONE OF THE ASSOCIATE PASTORS AT SAINT JOHN'S DOWNTOWN, AND SHE FEELS PASSIONATELY ABOUT WORKING IN THE AREAS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SHE STRONGLY BELIEVES IN WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH OTHER CHURCH GROUPS AND OTHER CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING SERVICES TO SENIOR CITIZENS TO THEIR COMPLEXES.

SHE HAS BEEN ACTIVE WITH FOOD BANKS AND SET UPS AND DISTRIBUTION.

AND SHE IS SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY FOCUSED ON VOTER REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION, ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION.

SHE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN ORGANIZING THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN, PEER JUSTICE AND THE HOUSTON SOCIETY FOR CHANGE.

SHE SEES HER CALL AS ONE THAT FOLLOWS THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST JESUS.

THIS IS WHAT SHE SAYS. JESUS IS WHAT I WOULD CALL A FIRST RESPONDER.

JESUS WENT WHERE THE TROUBLE WAS AND THAT IS WHAT I AM CALLED TO DO.

WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU TODAY.

SHE'S THE PROUD MOTHER OF TWO SONS, A GRANDMA TO SIX BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN, AND SHE IS ONE OF MY SPIRITUAL ADVISORS AND SOMEONE I RESPECT DEEPLY.

SO THANK YOU, REVEREND STEPHANIE WILKINS, FOR OFFERING THE FIRST OFFICIAL PRAYER IN THIS NEW COURTROOM.

ALL RIGHT. AMEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SHE MADE ME SOUND LIKE I REALLY DONE SOMETHING TODAY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

THIS IS AN AWESOME SPACE, OKAY? AND I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE HERE TO, I GUESS, OFFER THE INAUGURAL INVOCATION.

SO WHATEVER IS YOUR STANCE? LET US GO IN PRAYER.

MOST HOLY ONE, THE NAME THAT IS HIGHER THAN ANY NAME.

WE KNOW YOU BY MANY NAMES, BUT YOU ARE LOVE.

YOU ARE EVERYTHING WE NEED AND MORE.

WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING, HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL FOR ANOTHER DAY TO BE OF SERVICE TO YOU, TO BE OF PURPOSE BY SERVING YOUR PEOPLE.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO GATHER TOGETHER IN THIS BEAUTIFUL SPACE, TO SEEK THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION AND OUTCOME FOR THOSE YOU HAVE ENTRUSTED TO EACH OF US.

FOR EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS IN PRECINCTS ONE, TWO, THREE, AND FOUR, AND FOR THE JUDGE WHO LEADS THEM, FAITHFULLY TOUCH THEIR HEARTS AND THEIR MINDS, SO THEY WILL SEEK TO ACT JUSTLY FOR ALL PEOPLE, NOT JUST FOR SOME. GIVE THEM THE COURAGE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE AND TO SPEAK UP FOR JUSTICE, WHEREVER AND WHENEVER IT IS NEEDED FOR ALL ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF THIS DAY, AND EVEN FOR THE SUCCESSES AND THE JOYS OF THIS DAY, LET THEM BE REVEALED AND LET THEM LEAD US ALL TO A PRODUCTIVE OUTCOME.

LET US LISTEN NOT ONLY WITH OUR EARS AND OUR HEADS, BUT WITH OUR HEARTS.

LET US KNOW THAT WHATEVER WE DO WILL HONOR YOU.

LET THE DECISIONS MOVE FORWARD LIKE RIPPLES IN A POND, TO ENRICH AND EMPOWER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE PEACE THAT YOU PROVIDE, AND WE LIFT IT ALL UP IN YOUR PRECIOUS AND HOLY NAME.

AND WE SAY AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.

[00:05:01]

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER PRAYER FOR FOR OUR FIRST MEETING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, REVEREND.

SO LET'S NOW STAND AND 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 UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

SO WE HAVE SOME HOUSEKEEPING NOTES HERE.

[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]

AND WE, AT THE REQUEST OF PRECINCT ONE, WE ARE TAKING THE UPLIFT HARRIS ITEM BEFORE RESOLUTIONS.

WE HAVE, I THINK, 13 RESOLUTIONS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE SOME IMPORTANT ITEMS BEFORE THAT JUST BECAUSE I KNOW ALL THE PRESS IS HERE.

AND THERE'S SEVERAL SPEAKERS SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT, THOSE COUPLE OF ITEMS. AND SO WE WILL ALSO TAKE ITEM 30 ON THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK OUT OF ORDER.

AND 34 AND 37 TO GIVE OMB ENOUGH TIME TO PRESENT THEIR BUDGET REPORT.

THAT'S AT THE REQUEST OF PRECINCT FOUR.

SO HERE'S WHAT I'M THINKING.

AND ALSO BASED OFF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S RECOMMENDATION, IS THAT WE START BY TAKING UP THE UPLIFT HARRIS ITEM, WHICH WE HAVE TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH OUR ATTORNEYS.

THAT'S ITEM 94.

THERE YOU GO. FOR 94 AND THEN 94, AND THEN THAT WE TAKE ITEMS FOR 57 AND FOR 94 IS ON O'DONNELL.

I ALMOST WONDER, J IF WE COULD TAKE O'DONNELL LATER AS THAT ONE ALSO TIME SENSITIVE OR.

NO. JUDGE.

YES, IT IS JUST FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

IT'S TIME SENSITIVE. OKAY, SO SO WE WILL BE EFFICIENT, FOLKS.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS HERE, BUT THIS IS SORT OF A UNIQUE COURT IN THAT WE'RE WAITING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO DISBURSE THE UPLIFT HARRIS FUNDS BEFORE THE FINAL COURT RULING. AND WE HAVE TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THE LAWYERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

SO. SO WE'LL GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THOSE ITEMS. 494 ON UPLIFT HARRIS 457 AND ON 458 ON O'DONNELL.

AND THEN WE WILL RETURN DISCUSS UPLIFT HARRIS.

AND DISCUSS THE PURCHASING ITEM AS WELL THAT I KNOW FOLKS ARE HERE.

THEN WE'LL MOVE TO SPEAKERS AND GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE ITEMS THAT COMMISSIONER BRIAN HAS REQUESTED.

YES. JUDGE.

THANK YOU. I'M WILLING TO HEAR THOSE ITEMS AND YOUR ITEM IN PARTICULAR, IN ORDER.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HERE TO SPEAK, AND I'M AND I'D LOVE TO HEAR THEM SPEAK BEFORE WE GET INTO OUR RESPECTIVE ITEMS. SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER YOUR ITEM IN CONTEXT WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'RE MAKING TO OUR PROCUREMENT PROCESS, WHICH ARE REFLECTED IN ITEMS 387 AND 407.

SO I MOVED TO MODIFY THE ORDER OF BUSINESS TO TAKE ITEM 387, ITEM 407, AND ITEM 487 AFTER PUBLIC SPEAKERS.

THAT'S A MOTION 387.

AND WHICH ONE? COMMISSIONER 387 407 AND 487.

AFTER PUBLIC SPEAKERS 87 SECOND.

OF THREE, 87, 407, OR 387, IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO PROVIDE A PROJECT MANAGER FOR A PROCURE TO PAY INITIATIVE.

SURE. AND WHICH OTHER ONE? IT'S 387 407 AND 487.

407. IS TRANSMITTAL BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OF A REPORT DESCRIBING THE STATUS OF PROCURE TO PAY.

AND THE OTHER ONE IS.

487 487, 487.

REQUEST BY THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR APPROVAL TO RETURN ALL PROCUREMENT TO THE PURCHASING AGENT.

RIGHT. SO THAT'S.

YEAH, I THINK THEY ALL GO TOGETHER.

AND THEY'RE RELATING TO RELATED TO THE PURCHASING AGENT.

SO WE'LL TAKE ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER.

ALL RIGHT. SO THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

THERE'S BEEN A SECOND. DO WE NEED A MOTION TO TAKE THOSE ALL THOSE TOGETHER?

[00:10:07]

BUT THE MOTION IS TO HEAR THEM AFTER PUBLIC SPEAKERS.

OH, SURE.

THAT'S FINE. IS THERE A MOTION NECESSARY? YEAH. JUDGE, IF THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE, YOU CAN JUST TAKE THE VOTE AND OR IF YOU IF EVERYONE AGREES, THEN WE CAN JUST IF YOU WANT TO JUST AGREE BECAUSE YOU CAN ORDER IT THAT WAY, THEN JUST SAY YOU COULD DO IT.

AGREE. COMMISSIONER.

I'D RATHER STAY WITH THE MOTION.

YEAH, GREAT.

OKAY, SO IT IS 1023, AND WE'RE HEADED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THOSE THREE.

THERE'S A MOTION A SECOND, AND THEN NOW WE CALL A VOTE.

YEAH. WE CAN. I THINK IT'S JUST THAT THERE'S NO NEED TO JUDGE.

ALREADY AGREED TO TO MOVE IT.

SO I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY UNLESS YOU WANT TO TAKE A TAKE THE VOTE.

YEAH, I DO WANT TO TAKE.

OKAY. THE MOTION ON TABLE, AS COMMISSIONER BROWN SAID AND SECONDED.

WHO SECONDED IT? I DID, RAMSEY OKAY.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I'M SORRY. JUST TO VERIFY IT WAS MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

RAMSEY AND ALL ARE IN FAVOR.

OKAY, SO DO WE NEED A MOTION TO PUT.

UPLIFT HARRISON EXECUTIVE SESSION.

NO, NO, WE DO NOT.

DOES ANYONE DISAGREE ON THAT? OKAY, GUYS, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME.

IF WE TAKE A MOTION ON THINGS EVERYONE AGREES ON.

SO LET'S TRY NOT TO DO THAT, OKAY? IT'S 1024 AND WE'RE OFF TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[Executive Session]

AND AND YES.

SO OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THE DEPUTY AND THE FAMILY.

APPARENTLY HE WAS IN A WORKING A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, AND HE'S IN CRITICAL CONDITION, SO.

SO LET'S JUST TAKE A QUICK MOMENT OF SILENCE.

HE WAS. HE'S AT MEMORIAL HERMANN RIGHT NOW IN THE MEDICAL CENTER.

SO LET'S SAY A QUICK MOMENT OF SILENCE, THEN SEND HIM SOME SOME HEALING SOME HEALING THOUGHTS.

OKAY, SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS BACK.

SO? SO WE WENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THREE DIFFERENT ITEMS. THE FIRST ONE FOR 94 WAS ON UPLIFT.

AND AND WE'RE WE'RE NOT TAKING ANY SPECIFIC, SPECIFIC ACTION HERE.

WE'RE STAYING THE COURSE. SO WE DECIDED TO DO NOTHING, WHICH MEANS THAT THE PROGRAM WILL PROCEED.

NO COURT HAS BLOCKED THE COUNTY FROM SENDING OUT THE PAYMENT.

GIVEN THAT THE STATE IS SO FOCUSED ON THIS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE IT ONE PAYMENT AT A TIME.

BUT THE FIRST PAYMENT IS NOW OUT THE DOOR.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE COURT ADOPTING OUR LEGAL POSITION, AND WE'RE GOING TO SEND OUT THE PAYMENTS AS LONG AS IT'S CONSIDERED LEGAL TO BE CLEAR.

SO THERE'S 1992 PEOPLE THAT ARE RECEIVING OR 29 PEOPLE THAT ARE FAMILIES THAT ARE RECEIVING THE PAYMENTS.

OF THOSE, ONLY 1600 HAVE BEEN VERIFIED, AND THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WILL RECEIVE THE PAYMENT TODAY.

THE REST ARE STILL WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR VERIFICATION THAT FROM THEM, THAT THEY INDEED LIVE IN THE ZIP CODE, THAT THEIR INCOME IS INDEED WHAT THEY SAY IT IS.

SO. SO THERE'S 300 OR SO PEOPLE THAT WILL NOT RECEIVE THE PAYMENT TODAY JUST BECAUSE THEY'VE NOT YET SENT IN THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION.

AND I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT THE COURT OF APPEALS DID RULE FOR US.

AND THAT WAS A THREE JUDGE PANEL, TWO REPUBLICANS AND ONE DEMOCRAT, AND THEY VOTED FOR HARRIS COUNTY 2 TO 1.

AND SO I'M PLEASED TO SEE THAT WE HAD A BIPARTISAN RULING IN FAVOR OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AND I SURE HOPE THAT THE THAT THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT CAN ALSO SEE PAST THE POLITICS.

BUT CERTAINLY IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS LATER, IT'LL BE ON THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

SO THAT'S THE UPDATE.

I DO WANT TO TAKE THE SPEAKERS, AND THEN WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS ON 457 AND 458, WHICH IS THE O'DONNELL ITEMS, AND WE WILL TAKE SOME ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

SO, SO TIFFANY, IF YOU WANT TO START WITH THE SPEAKERS, DO WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF SPEAKERS? WE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE ALL OF THEM AT THIS POINT.

WE DO HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS.

OKAY. I THINK, TIFFANY, I THINK YOU'RE NEEDED.

WE HAVE 60 SPEAKERS FOR RESOLUTION.

OKAY. SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND HEAR THE SPEAKERS FOR THESE TWO ITEMS.

[Appearances before court ]

FOR I'M SORRY. FOR ITEM FOR 94.

FOR 94. FOR 57 AND FOR 58.

[00:15:01]

APPARENTLY THERE ARE CAMERAS.

WELL, WE CAN SEE THEM THERE ON THE BACK OF THIS TECH SAVVY ROOM.

AND IF WE LEAN ON THE WALLS, THE CAMERA SHAKE.

SO, ANYWAY I'M JUST PASSING ALONG, BUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE'LL JUST TOLERATE THEM SHAKING.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU GUYS.

SO, JUDGE. SO THE MOTION WILL BE MADE AFTER THE SPEAKERS ARE CORRECT? YES. ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE SPEAKER NUMBER 33, SERGIO LIRA.

HE'S SPEAKING ON ITEM 216 AND 494.

OKAY. OUR VERY FIRST SPEAKER.

SERGIO, WE'RE GOING TO SEND YOU A RESOLUTION.

FIRST SPEAKER IN THE NEW CHAMBER.

IT'S A WHOLE NEW SYSTEM HERE.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

WONDERFUL. GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE TODAY.

FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M JUST SO HAPPY TO SEE EVERYONE.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU GUYS.

FORGIVE ME, BUT I'M JUST HERE TO SAY THAT GREATER HOUSTON LULAC 4967 STRONGLY SUPPORTS UPLIFT.

HARRIS. YOU KNOW, THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTING AND BAILING OUT THE WEALTHY.

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN THEY BAILED OUT WALL STREET? DO YOU RECALL, YOU KNOW, ALL THE TAX ABATEMENTS? DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, A WEALTHY BUSINESSMAN RECEIVED PPA LOANS, FEDERAL MONEY, TAXPAYER MONEY.

BUT I'M HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT HOUSTON IS FACING IS IS WAS WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? IT WAS CREATED IN SWAMPLAND.

SO WE'RE FACING, YOU KNOW, HURRICANE SEASON, ELECTRICAL BILLS ARE SKYROCKETING.

AND JUNE AND JULY, THEY'RE ABOUT 600 OR 700.

SO IT JUST MAKES LOGICAL SENSE TO SUPPORT THE POOR.

IF WE CAN SUPPORT THE WEALTHY, WE CAN SUPPORT THE POOR.

SO I'M STANDING HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF GREATER HOUSTON LULAC.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU FOR COMING, MR. LEHRER. THANK YOU. JUDGE THE OTHER SPEAKERS FOR THOSE ITEMS HAVE NOT SHOWN UP YET.

OKAY, WE'LL TAKE THEM LATER.

SO WE DON'T HAVE SPEAKERS FOR 457 OR 458 HERE CURRENTLY, CORRECT? OKAY. SO COUNTY ATTORNEY, DO WE WAIT UNTIL THEY SHOW UP TO VOTE ON THOSE TWO ITEMS? NO, THOSE SPEAKERS AREN'T HERE.

THEN YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD ON IT.

OKAY. SO IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 457 AND 458? I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS WRITTEN.

457 AND 458 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS MADE A MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? THERE IS NO SECOND THE MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF A SECOND.

SO NOW WE WILL TAKE.

THERE WERE A COUPLE ITEMS THAT PRECINCT FOUR WANT TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THAT BEFORE THE RESOLUTIONS OR AFTER THE RESOLUTIONS AFTER, PLEASE?

[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]

YES. I'M SORRY, THIS IS MARICELA.

YEAH. REAL QUICK. I DO NEED A MOTION FOR ITEM 4.94.

SO THERE'S NO NO MOTION ON THAT ONE? NO. NO ACTION.

WE'RE JUST STAYING THE COURSE.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, SO THEN LET'S MOVE ON TO THE RESOLUTIONS.

AND SO.

FIRST. HERE I HAVE ITEM THREE.

SO THIS IS A REQUEST TO CONGRATULATE RICHARD RICK GOODMAN FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND OUR FIRST HONOREE HERE, MR. RICHARD GOODMAN, MANAGER OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, HAS ELECTED TO RETIRE AFTER 30 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

MR. GOODMAN JOINED THE DEPARTMENT IN JULY OF 1993 AND ADVANCED THROUGH VARIOUS POSITIONS WITHIN THE TRAFFIC TEAM.

IN 1993, HARRIS COUNTY MAINTAINED FEWER THAN 400 SIGNALIZED TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS AND 200 ZONE B BEACONS.

NOW, THE DEPARTMENT HAS 51,050 SIGNALIZED TRAFFIC INTERSECTIONS AND 1600 SCHOOL ZONE BEACONS OVER THE LAST 31 YEARS, HE HELPED IN THE RESPONSE TO HURRICANE HARVEY.

HE HAS SPEARHEADED THE RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OF THE ADVANCED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, WHICH LINKED ALL MAJOR CORRIDORS THAT WERE ON FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS, AND HE HAS OVERSEEN THE COMPLETION OF A CELLULAR, CELLULAR, MODERN MODEM PROJECT.

THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER, AND MR. GOODMAN'S TEAM HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT AND EXPERTISE THAT HE HAS BESTOWED THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, AND HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO DEVOTING TIME TO

[00:20:09]

BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY COMMENDS AND CONGRATULATES RICK GOODMAN AND HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS PROFESSIONAL DEDICATION AND FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

CONGRATULATIONS. I KNOW DOCTOR RAHMAN IS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, SO GO AHEAD, DIRECTOR.

GOOD MORNING MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

TODAY I'M HERE IN A BITTERSWEET MOMENT TO CELEBRATE THE RETIREMENT OF ONE OF OUR GREAT EMPLOYEE, RICK GOODMAN.

SO RICK IS A TRUE SERVANT LEADER FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

HE STARTED IN HARRIS COUNTY IN 1993.

AND SERVE THE COUNTY.

30 YEARS.

DURING HIS TENURE, RIC PROGRESSIVELY ADVANCED THROUGH VARIOUS POSITIONS.

HE HAS STARTED AS A TRAFFIC INSPECTOR, MOVED TO OUR CHIEF INSPECTOR, MOVED TO A PROJECT MANAGER IN THE TRAFFIC TEAM AND HE'S RETIRING AS OUR OPERATION MANAGER FOR OUR TRAFFIC SYSTEM.

AND MANY OF YOU KNOW WHEN HE STARTED, WE HAVE 400.

SIGNALS SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND TODAY WE HAVE 1050 SIGNALIZED TRAFFIC INTERSECTION.

IF HE HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE DURING THE RECOVERY FOR HURRICANE HARVEY.

HIS TEAM AND HIS EFFORT RESULTED, RESTORING ALL 1363 LOCATIONS TO SAFE OPERATIONS WITHIN 16 DAYS OF THE STORM. PASSING.

IN FALL OF 2023, RIEK OVERSAW THE COMPLETION OF OUR CELLULAR MODEM PROJECT.

FOR THE ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY SYSTEM.

WHICH BROUGHT COMMUNICATION TO 100% OF THE DEPARTMENT'S SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION TODAY.

WE CAN SIT AT OUR DESK AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ANY OF OUR COUNTY INTERSECTION AND RICK'S LEADERSHIP.

THROUGHOUT RICK'S LEADERSHIP DURING HIS ENTIRE TIME, HE HAS MENTORED HUNDREDS OF OUR EMPLOYEES, OUR MANAGERS. SO THANK YOU RICK, FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE, DEDICATION AND FRIENDSHIP.

YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED AND YOUR BUT YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON THE HEARTS OF THOSE YOU HAVE TOUCHED IN HARRIS COUNTY.

YOU HAVE EARNED THIS TIME TO FOCUS ON YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES, AND WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST TO YOUR RETIREMENT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I'M HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS COMMENDATION.

AND I WOULDN'T BE HERE BEFORE YOU NOW WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND THE EXECUTIVE TEAM THAT ARE HERE BEHIND ME.

ALSO, ALL OF THE MANY COWORKERS THAT I'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS, THE CONTRACTORS THAT I'VE WORKED WITH THAT HAVE SUPPORTED OUR EFFORTS.

I THANK MY FAMILY.

I HAVE A FEW MEMBERS HERE, AND THERE ARE OTHERS WATCHING REMOTELY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S BEEN MY HONOR AND PLEASURE TO SERVE HARRIS COUNTY.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO RETIREMENT AND HOPEFULLY CAN BE OF SERVICE MOVING FORWARD IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

THANK YOU AGAIN. CONGRATULATE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT RESOLUTION.

AND WE'LL BE EXCITED TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU, MR. GOODMAN, AND YOUR FAMILY.

AFTER THE RESOLUTIONS.

PAGE, PAGE TWO, ITEM FOUR.

THIS IS A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE MONTH OF APRIL 2024 AS MOSQUITO SEASON.

WE PROBABLY ALL ALREADY NOTICED, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT.

AND HERE'S WHY.

WHEREAS THE ARRIVAL OF WARMER TEMPERATURES IN HARRIS COUNTY CREATES THE IDEAL BREEDING CONDITIONS FOR MOSQUITOES, HARRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO ABOUT 56 MOSQUITO SPECIES, OF WHICH A FEW CAN CARRY SERIOUS DISEASES SUCH AS WEST NILE VIRUS, ZIKA VIRUS, SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS ENCEPHALITIS, DENGUE AND CHIKUNGUNYA. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND THEIR MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DIVISION IMPLEMENTS A COMPREHENSIVE MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES SURVEILLANCE, LARVICIDING, ADULT SIGHTING, VIRAL TESTING, AND

[00:25:04]

PUBLIC AWARENESS IS CRITICAL IN REDUCING MOSQUITO POPULATIONS, SO HERE'S WHAT WE NEED FOLKS TO DO.

ELIMINATE STANDING WATER AROUND YOUR HOME BY EMPTYING FLOWERPOTS, BIRDBATHS, AND OTHER CONTAINERS THAT CAN HOLD WATER.

WEAR LONG SLEEVES AND PANTS WHEN OUTDOORS, ESPECIALLY DURING DUSK AND DAWN WHEN MOSQUITOES ARE MOST ACTIVE.

USE INSECT REPELLENT CONTAINING DEET OR OIL OF LEMON EUCALYPTUS OR OTHERS.

REPORT MOSQUITO BREEDING SITES TO HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AT HCP, TX.ORG HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, TX.

SO IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE SPREAD UPON THE MINUTES OF COMMISSIONERS COURT AND I HOPE EVERYONE CAN HELP US WITH THAT.

AND THANK YOU TO OUR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

I'VE SEEN THE OPERATION AND ONE OF THE THE GREAT PROJECTS THEY HAVE THAT GOES SOMETIMES UNNOTICED.

DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? YES.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

GOOD MORNING, BARBIE ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

I'M JOINED TODAY BY DOCTOR MAX VIGILANT, WHO IS THE DIVISION DIRECTOR OF OUR MOSQUITO VECTOR CONTROL DIVISION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING AND RAISING AWARENESS OF OUR OUR NEED TO BE HYPER VIGILANT FOR MOSQUITO VECTOR SERVICES AND PROGRAMING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF VECTOR BORNE DISEASES WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THE SAFEGUARDS THAT WE WANT EVERYONE TO TAKE NOW THAT IT'S GETTING WARMER OUTSIDE.

AND I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME STATISTICS, NOT AS A SCARED STRAIGHT, BUT JUST TO BE VIGILANT.

YOU KNOW, THROUGH 2017 AND 2018, 2022, THERE WERE OVER 680 VECTOR BORNE DISEASES CASES REPORTED IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND THIS SIX YEAR TIME FRAME, THE THREE MOST PREVALENT, OF COURSE, THE DISEASES WERE TYPHUS, MALARIA AND WEST NILE VIRUS.

THE THREE THE THESE THREE DISEASES COMPRISE 75% OF THE VECTOR BORNE DISEASES WITHIN THE COUNTY.

AND WHILE THERE WERE RELATED TO TRAVEL, MAJORITY OF THEM WE WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY, NOT KEEP IT THAT WAY.

WE WANT TO PREVENT YOU FROM HAVING A COMMUNITY BORNE IN THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK INTO THE THE DIVISION DIRECTOR.

THANK YOU. MY FINAL RESOLUTION THAT WILL MOVE TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S RESOLUTION.

IT'S AROUND THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY'S MISSION IS TO ENRICH LIVES, TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES IN TODAY'S WORLD, INTERNET ACCESS NOT ONLY CONNECTS USERS WITH SCHOOL, WORK AND OTHER SERVICES, IT ALSO ALLOWS PEOPLE TO CONNECT TO OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY TO ENACT POSITIVE CHANGE.

THE LIBRARY IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO PROVIDE BOTH BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND THE SERVICES THAT ENRICH LIVES EDUCATIONALLY, ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.

THE LIBRARY OFFERED NEARLY 2100 COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY CLASSES AT ITS 26 BRAND LOCATIONS JUST IN 2023, ACROSS THE COUNTY, ONLINE AND IN ADDITION TO PATRONS USING THE LIBRARY'S FREE PUBLIC WI-FI NEARLY 2.6 MILLION TIMES IN SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY UNIVERSAL SERVICES NITRO PARTNERSHIP WITH MOTOROLA, THE LIBRARY.

HELPED ASSEMBLE AND DISTRIBUTE FREE LTE MODEMS FOR THE COUNTY'S CITIZENS BROADBAND RADIO SERVICE NETWORK, AND PROVIDED FREE INTERNET SERVICE TO THOUSANDS OF COUNTY RESIDENTS.

IN 2021, THE LIBRARY WAS AWARDED A FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION EMERGENCY GRANT OF APPROXIMATELY $30 MILLION, THE LARGEST SUCH GRANT AWARDED TO A LIBRARY AND AN ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION IN 2022 TO PROVIDE BETTER, MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE DIGITAL TOOLS, THE LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS DISTRIBUTED 40,000 MOBILE WI-FI HOTSPOTS, 30,000 LAPTOPS AND IN RECOGNITION OF THESE PROGRAMS, THE LIBRARY WAS DESIGNATED A 2023 VISIONARY DIGITAL INCLUSION TRAILBLAZER BY THE NATIONAL DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE. WHEREAS THE LIBRARY MEETS ALL FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION'S CRITERIA TO BE DESIGNATED A BROADBAND COMMUNITY ANCHOR INSTITUTION, PROVIDING OUTREACH, ACCESS EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FACILITATE GREATER USE OF BROADBAND SERVICE BY VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DESIGNATES THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AS A BROADBAND COMMUNITY ANCHOR INSTITUTION.

CONGRATULATIONS. EDWARD MILTON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT, FOR THIS DESIGNATION.

IT REALLY SETS US UP FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE IN TERMS OF BROADBAND.

IN THE NEAR FUTURE THERE WILL BE A BROADBAND EQUITY ACCESS DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM THAT WILL BE REQUESTING FOR PROPOSALS SO THAT TO HELP SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND CONNECTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

AND SO WITH THAT, WE WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND WITH THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES OFFICE OF BROADBAND TO PROPOSE TO PUT FORTH A PROPOSAL SO THAT WE CAN

[00:30:08]

WITH THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE, THE EARLY EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND AND WITH THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY FUND PROGRAMS, THOSE ARE BOTH COMING TO AN END.

AND SO THAT MEANS THAT THERE THERE'S GOING TO BE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS.

AND SO WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT LONG TERM SOLUTIONS SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS INTERNET CONNECTED BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY WITHIN THEIR HOMES.

HI. MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

I'M TY BEECHAM. I'M THE IT DIRECTOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

I WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL THIS MORNING FOR CONSIDERING THIS RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES AS COMMUNITY ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING BROADBAND SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

OF COURSE, WE'VE BEEN IN THAT BUSINESS FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

LONG BEFORE THE TERM COMMUNITY BROADBAND INSTITUTION WAS COINED.

THIS RESOLUTION, AS EDWARD SAID, DOES COME AT A CRITICAL TIME.

THE EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUND, WHICH PROVIDED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HARRIS COUNTY CONSTITUENTS WITH INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, AS WELL AS THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, WHICH GAVE HOME INTERNET SUBSIDIES TO TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE, ARE BOTH, UNFORTUNATELY, ENDING.

AND AS WE FACE THESE DIFFICULT CHALLENGES WE ARE SEARCHING FOR, YOU KNOW, SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP US CONTINUE THE WORK OF BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THOSE EFFORTS AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE CONNECTED AND THRIVING.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. AND CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU. OKAY, WE'LL MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I'LL PASS IT ON TO YOU. THANK YOU.

JUDGE, I HAVE THREE I APPRECIATE THE RESOLUTION I HOPE WE'RE GOING TO PASS IN HONOR OF DOCTOR BARBARA MURRAY, ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES AT A MEDICAL CENTER.

ONE OF OUR GREAT LEADERS THERE ASKED ME TO DO IT.

HE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO DEFER ON SPEAKING, AND I'LL JUST GO AND PRESENT IT.

BUT HE WASN'T ONE THAT ALL OF US TO SIGN.

THE SECOND ONE RELATES TO BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH.

THIS IS BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK.

AND JUST THREE QUICK POINTS.

ONE IS WHEREAS BIRTHING PERSONS OF NEW PARENTS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY RACIAL INEQUITIES AND A LACK OF ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

SECOND POINT THAT I'LL JUST HIGHLIGHTED IS, WHEREAS THE DISEASE CONTROL CENTER ESTIMATED 80% OF MATERNAL DEATHS ARE PREVENTABLE, AND NUMBER THREE, HARRIS COUNTY PREGNANCY RELATED DEATH RATE HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN HIGHER THAN THE US RATES SINCE 2016, WITH AN INCREASE OF 31.65 PER 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS IN 2019 TO 54.85 PER 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS IN 2019.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT BARBARA ROBINSON AND HER TEAM HAVE BEEN DOING ON THIS ISSUE.

THEY HAD A GREAT CONFERENCE HERE IN HOUSTON WHERE THEY GATHERED OVER 200 ATTENDEES FROM LOCALLY AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, 300 VIRTUALLY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH. AND WE ARE PIONEERING WHAT CAN BE DONE.

JUST THANK YOU FOR COMING ALONG WITH TWO OTHER COUNTY CHAIRS FROM COOK COUNTY AND WAYNE COUNTY, AND THEY SHOULD KNOW IF HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, DETROIT, WAYNE COUNTY, CHICAGO, COOK COUNTY CAN LOWER THE RATES FOR BLACK INFANT DEATHS BY 9%. OUR NATIONAL STATISTICS WOULD BE ON PAR FOR ALL RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY.

SO IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT ALL THREE OF YOU ALL WOULD BE IN HOUSTON FOR THAT.

I THINK, DOCTOR BARBARA ROBINSON MAY BE.

OH, SHE'S HERE. THAT MEANS SHE'S ALREADY COMPLIED WITH THE LAW AND GOT THAT FIRST CHECK OUT.

SO I'M GLAD SHE'S HERE, BUT SHE MAY WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.

YEAH. THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING THIS WEEK AS BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK.

I'M JOINED BY DOCTOR ERIKA BROWN, WHO RUNS OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS DIVISION AND OUR MATERNAL, CHILD AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAMING, WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE PRIOR TO OUR TENURE IN THIS ROLE, WHICH EVERY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AROUND THE COUNTRY HAS.

SO WE'RE BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO ADDRESS THESE DISPARITIES.

AND I'M ALSO JOINED BY DOCTOR JAMIE HUGHES, WHO RUNS OUR ACCESS HARRIS COUNTY INITIATIVE, WHICH HAS A COHORT THAT FOCUSES ON BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INVESTMENTS YOU'VE MADE TO RAISE THIS ISSUE.

WE ARE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE, BUT NOT IN A GOOD WAY.

HARRIS COUNTY'S MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY RATES FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN BABIES AND BIRTHING PERSONS IS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND HIGHER THAN THE STATE, AND SO WE HAVE DONE A NUMBER OF THINGS TO BRING PROGRAMING TO REDUCE THOSE DISPARITIES AND PARTNER WITH OUR PARTNERS ACROSS THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY TO TRY TO REDUCE THOSE DISPARITIES.

AND SO I ALSO WANTED TO SHARE THAT WE ISSUED OUR FIRST MATERNAL HEALTH REPORT LAST LAST WEEK, AS WELL AS OUR MATERNAL HEALTH BILL OF RIGHTS, WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR ANY OF YOUR TIME, IS UP. ANY BIRTHING PERSON.

[00:35:02]

IT IS INFORMATION THAT EMPOWERS BIRTHING PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS SO THEY CAN ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.

ALSO, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES DURING, BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY, AS WELL AS FOR THE MEDICAL PROVIDER COMMUNITY.

THE MARCH OF DIMES GAVE HARRIS COUNTY AN F FOR OUR MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH, AND WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO REVERSE THAT SCORE.

AND SO I JUST THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMITMENT AND RESOURCES THAT YOU'VE INVESTED IN OUR PROGRAMING.

WE'LL SHARE THESE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR BRINGING FORTH THIS RESOLUTION.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON, DOCTOR BROWN, DOCTOR HUGHES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I KNOW WE HAVE.

WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER.

BUT EVERY DAY I WAKE UP AND.

I AM ANGERED AND SADDENED.

AND I HAVE HOPE BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE AT THE HELM AND WE ARE INVESTING THIS MONEY.

BUT FOR EVERYONE WHO IS LISTENING, JUST TO UNDERSCORE THE FACT THAT HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE THE WORLD'S LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER, ONE OF THE BEST MEDICAL CENTERS IN THE WORLD, AND HARRIS COUNTY LEADS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN BLACK MATERNAL MORTALITY.

THAT IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE.

AND THROUGH THE WORK OF ACCESS, OUR MATERNAL HEALTH COHORT, OUR REPRODUCTIVE ACCESS FUND, AND SO MUCH OF THE WORK YOU'RE DOING TO EDUCATE AND HELP WITH ACCESS, WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND WE ALL NEED TO DOUBLE DOWN AS A COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DRIVING PROGRESS, BECAUSE THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY IS UNACCEPTABLE.

SO MANY THANKS AND ONWARD.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER ROBINSON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

NUMBERS MATTER.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS TO TODAY.

IF I MIGHT MAKE ONE CHANGE, I HAD SOMEONE CONTACT ME LAST NIGHT.

RATHER THAN REFERRING TO BIRTHING PERSONS.

IF WE COULD USE THE TERM MOTHERS, I THINK THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED BY A LOT OF MOMS AND IN THE COUNTY.

FOR CLARIFICATION, IF I COULD ASK A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT ON THAT, COMMISSIONER, I DON'T I DON'T SEE ANY PROBLEM WITH IT.

WE USE TERMINOLOGY INTERCHANGEABLY.

WE TRY TO HAVE AN EXPANSIVE DEFINITION.

I USUALLY SAY BIRTHING PERSONS AND MOMS, SO I DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS.

OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

OKAY. YES.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA THANK YOU DIRECTOR.

AND THANK YOU, YOUR TEAM, FOR ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING ON THIS MATTER.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM TO COURT.

AND I THINK AS COMMISSIONER JONES HAS TOUCHED ON AND I IMAGINE IT'S THE HEART OF A MOTHER SPEAKING THAT HARRIS COUNTY, BEING HOME TO THE MEDICAL CENTER AND STILL HAVING THIS AND SO MANY OTHER HEALTH DISPARITIES, IT IS JUST BEYOND ME HOW THAT CAN BE.

IF ANYTHING, WE SHOULD BE LEADING IN MEDICINE.

WE SHOULD BE LEADING IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

AND AND WE SHOULD BE SHOWING OTHER FOLKS HOW TO GET IT DONE.

SO I APPRECIATE THE WORK BEING DONE.

BUT THE GOAL SHOULDN'T BE EQUITY IN CHILD OR INFANT MORTALITY.

THE GOAL SHOULD BE ELIMINATING IT ACROSS ALL COMMUNITIES.

THE LATINO COMMUNITY IS NOT FAR BEHIND.

AND AND SO I JUST SAY TO ALL OF OUR MOTHERS THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS GONE THROUGH THIS GOD BLESS YOU. AND BUT I HOPE THAT WE WILL FIND A WAY TO DEMONSTRATE A MODEL THAT WILL SAVE COUNTLESS OF LIVES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR.

JUDGE. YES, COMMISSIONER.

I DO WANT TO SAY, IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION.

AND IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO DO IT.

WE IN HARRIS COUNTY USE SOME OF THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FUND A PROGRAM TO FOCUS ON WHERE THE BIGGEST INEQUITY IS.

AND I'M PROUD THAT WE DID THAT BECAUSE IT'S SO EASY FOR US ALL TO PASS RESOLUTIONS.

BUT IT'S WHEN YOU PUT SOME FINANCIAL RESOURCES INTO MOST PROBLEMS BECAUSE MOST PROBLEMS THAT COME ACROSS OUR DESK TAKE MONEY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY TAKE MORE THAN VERY IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS.

BUT I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'VE DONE IN THAT AREA.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR AND TEAM.

MY LAST ONE I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR COSTAS.

COSTAS AND I WERE TALKING YESTERDAY, AND I SAW WE HAD 18 RESOLUTIONS, AND I SAID, I DON'T THINK I NEED A SPEAKER, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMEMORATES THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT, WHICH PASSED ON APRIL THE 11TH, 1968.

WITH THAT, OUTLAWED HOUSING DISCRIMINATION MADE IT ILLEGAL.

AND IT WAS A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FROM TEXAS THAT SIGNED THAT LAW.

BUT IT'S A STRAIGHTFORWARD RESOLUTION.

AND AGAIN, I WANT TO STRESS, IN ADDITION TO THIS RESOLUTION, AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS, TOWER, I CAN'T REMEMBER.

IS IT $100 MILLION? WE PUT 100, OVER $100 MILLION OF FUNDING FROM THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION INTO DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE HOUSING FAIRER. AND THAT'S MY LAST RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. AND COLLEAGUES.

[00:40:01]

THANK YOU. AND MY FIRST ITEM IS WE ALL HEARD THE TRAGIC NEWS OF A YOUNG LIFE THAT WAS LOST.

AND YOU KNOW, I'M ALWAYS PROUD WHEN OUR LOCAL TALENT IS ABLE TO GET TO INCREDIBLE PLATFORMS AND BE CELEBRATED WHETHER IT'S AS MUSICIANS OR ARTISTS OF OTHER FORMS OR AS ATHLETES.

AND YOU KNOW, WE RECENTLY TALKED ABOUT HOW.

NORTH SHORE TENDS TO PRODUCE AMONGST SOME OF THE GREATEST TALENT IN OUR NATION ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

AND BUT RECENTLY WE ALSO SUFFERED WITH OUR LOCAL FAMILY IN THE LOSS OF A LIFE OF JAVON COLES.

AND I'D LIKE TO ASK MISTER COLES GRANDFATHER TO JAVAUGHN TO PLEASE MAKE HIS WAY TO THE PODIUM.

AND HE IS THE GRANDPA, AND HE'S ALSO A CITY OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE THERE.

THANK YOU. WE TAKE THIS TIME TO HONOR THE LIFE OF JAVAUGHN CHRISTOPHER COLES, AN OUTSTANDING STUDENT.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, AN INCREDIBLE ATHLETE AND A GIFTED COMMUNITY MEMBER OF HARRIS COUNTY.

JAVON WAS A MEMBER OF HOUSTON CHRONICLE'S ALL GREATER HOUSTON TEAM THIS YEAR.

HE FINISHED WITH 76 TOTAL TACKLES, 11 TACKLES FOR LOSSES AND FOUR SACKS.

WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL, HE ATTENDED SAN JACINTO COLLEGE AS A DUAL CREDIT STUDENT AND WAS ACCEPTED INTO OVER A DOZEN AREA UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE NATIONAL ARBOR SOCIETY PLANTED TEN TREES IN HIS NAME.

HIS FAMILY HAS CREATED A FOUNDATION IN HIS NAME TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE PREVENTION OF GUN VIOLENCE.

SINCE HE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD.

MR. COLES WAS DEDICATED TO HIS GOALS.

HE OFTEN PLAYED MULTIPLE POSITIONS, SUCH AS QUARTERBACK, RUNNING BACK, LINEBACKER MANY TIMES IN THE SAME GAMES.

I REMEMBER THOSE KIND OF DAYS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER AND HONOR THE LIFE OF SUCH A PROMISING YOUNG MAN.

AND A FEW MORE DETAILS ABOUT JAVON.

JAVON. ON MARCH THE 9TH, LOST HIS LIFE WHEN HE WAS SHOT AND KILLED OUTSIDE A HOME IN THE HUMBLE AREA.

HE WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND WAS A SENIOR AND FOOTBALL PLAYER TO THE NORTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL MUSTANGS.

HE HAD A 4.2 GPA.

PHENOMENAL. PHENOMENAL.

EARNING DUAL CREDITS, AS I MENTIONED.

AND ON HIS WAY TO AN INCREDIBLE COLLEGE CAREER, NO DOUBT.

HE HAD AN INCREDIBLE COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION, HIS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

AND HE HAD BEEN RECENTLY NAMED STUDENT OF THE MONTH AS AN HONOR STUDENT AND TOP ATHLETE.

HE PLANNED TO PURSUE HIS PASSION AT LAMAR UNIVERSITY.

AT THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE, HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS PAID THEIR LAST RESPECTS, WITH CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE AND HOUSTON MAYOR JOHN WHITMIRE DECLARING MARCH 16TH 2024 AS JAVON COLES DAY.

KNOWN FOR HIS FRIENDLINESS AND CARING NATURE, HE IS REMEMBERED FOR SUPPORTING HIS TEAMMATES AND FRIENDS WHO AFFECTIONATELY NAMED HIM WHEEZY.

WE'LL HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT CAME FROM.

AND TRAYVON IS SURVIVED BY HIS MOTHER, BRITTNEY COLES, FATHER, JARVIS PAYNE GRANDPARENTS, RENEE AND PRACTICE AND COLES, FAMILY MEMBERS AND COACHES AND TEAMMATES, ALL WHO WILL DEARLY MISS.

JAVAUGHN. HE OBVIOUSLY MADE AN INDELIBLE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO, MR. COLES, JUST TO SAY AGAIN, YOU'RE HERE BECAUSE WE WANTED TO FIRST GIVE THE FAMILY A LITTLE BIT OF BREATHING TIME AFTER THIS INCREDIBLE TRAGEDY.

BUT IT WAS NOT LOST ON ME BEING THAT YOUR FAMILY AND JAVAUGHN ARE MEMBERS OF MY PRECINCT THAT WE WANTED TO TAKE THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOU HERE.

TO KNOW THAT WE'RE ALSO CELEBRATING AND HONORING AND REMEMBERING JAVAUGHN.

GOD BLESS YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU. NO, NO.

[00:45:03]

A LITTLE BIT YOU KNOW, SATURDAY WAS PROM.

IN TWO WEEKS, THREE WEEKS, HIS GRADUATION.

AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO KIND OF DIM THE LIGHT OF HIS TEAMMATES AND HIS CLASSMATES, THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

SO WE KIND OF STAND IN THE BACKGROUND.

BUT THROUGH THIS ALL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE KIND OF THE COMMUNITY HAS KEPT US GOING.

YOU KNOW, WE CREATED THE FOUNDATION CRASH OUT FOR CAUSE BECAUSE WE NEVER WANT ANOTHER FAMILY TO FEEL WHAT WE FEEL.

NOW IF WE CAN SAVE ONE LIFE, THAT'S, YOU KNOW, ONE LESS, YOU KNOW, TEAR ONE LESS HEARTACHE.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS SOMETHING TO SAY TO YOU, SIR.

YES, MA'AM. MR. COLES, OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES, SIR.

THANK YOU. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE PAIN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY MUST BE GOING THROUGH.

AND OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES.

THANK YOU. AND WE HOPE THAT MISS JORDAN'S LIFE WAS NOT LOST IN VAIN.

AND WE HOPE THAT ALL OF US HERE TODAY AND EVERYONE LISTENING, CAN RECOMMIT OURSELVES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR TEENAGERS IN HARRIS COUNTY IS GUN RELATED VIOLENCE.

AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

AND WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HONOR HIS LEGACY AS WE CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD.

SO GOD BLESS YOU.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. SIR, WE'RE SO SORRY.

WE'RE WE'RE HAVING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN OUR IN OUR PRAYERS.

AND IT WAS NICE TO HEAR ABOUT HIM AND ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS HE DID.

AND I KNOW THE COMMUNITY WILL MISS HIM.

THE FACT THAT SO MANY PEOPLE CAME OUT TO HONOR HIM.

OH, IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.

AND I KNOW I CAN I CAN IMAGINE IT'S VERY, VERY HARD, BUT I THINK IT'S ADMIRABLE THAT YOU'RE CHANNELING YOUR PAIN INTO DOING SOMETHING.

AND SO I KNOW OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR WAS JUST SPEAKING.

SO PERHAPS YOU CAN CONNECT WITH HIM, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS AROUND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

AND SO WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOUR FAMILIES, SEE IF WE CAN GET YOU GUYS LOOPED IN.

WE'RE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND OBVIOUSLY, WE WISH WE COULD HAVE PREVENTED THAT AS WELL.

OKAY. THANK YOU. JUDGE. THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, AND JUST LASTLY, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS FELT THAT, YOU KNOW, HE WAS JUST OURS.

BUT THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY, WE FOUND OUT THAT, YOU KNOW, HE BELONGED TO EVERYBODY.

SO ALL WE CAN DO IS KIND OF MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR CAUSE.

THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU.

ARE. THE NEXT RESOLUTION I HAVE IS A LITTLE LIGHTER, THANK GOD.

THIS ONE IS WHERE I'M PLEASED TO WELCOME ANDY ESCOBAR.

ANDY, WHERE ARE YOU, MY FRIEND? COME ON. COME ON DOWN.

AND ANDY IS REPRESENTING THE COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY AND RESILIENCE OTHERWISE KNOWN AS SIERRA.

AND THEN WE WILL TAKE THIS TIME TO CONSIDER THE NEED TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF ALL, TO LIVE FREE FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AND HARM, AND TO INVEST IN YOUR PLANET TO PRESERVE OUR HEALTH AND OUR LIVELIHOODS, THE NEED TO RECOGNIZE OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND A GLOBAL LIGHT TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENSURE THAT THE MULTIPLE OF VULNERABLE HUMAN COMMUNITIES AND DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS CONTINUE TO THRIVE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HARRIS COUNTY URGE ALL RESIDENTS TO DO THEIR BEST TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT AND TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF EARTH DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

BUT THIS RESOLUTION READS WHERE EARTH DAY IS COMMEMORATED ANNUALLY ON APRIL 22ND, REMINDING US OF OUR COLLECTIVE DUTY TO SAFEGUARD THE ENVIRONMENT AND ADVOCATE FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.

AND HARRIS COUNTY HAS TAKEN PROACTIVE MEASURES TO DRIVE POSITIVE CHANGE, EXEMPLIFIED BY THE ADOPTION OF THE CLEAN ENERGY STRATEGY AND IN COLLABORATION WITH RESIDENTS, TO DEVISE A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN TAILORED TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND THE COUNTY REMAINS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS THROUGH INITIATIVES THAT REDUCE THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, LOWER

[00:50:01]

HARRIS COUNTY HAS SECURED GRANTS OFFERED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, INCLUDING THE USDA URBAN COMMUNITY FOREST GRANT, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION BLOCK GRANT, THE EPA'S CLIMATE POLLUTION REDUCTION GRANT, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, BATTERY RECYCLING, REPROCESSING, AND BATTERY COLLECTION GRANT, AMONG OTHERS.

THAT WAS A MOUTHFUL.

THE COUNTY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO ALSO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED BY THE BIDEN CLEAN ENERGY PLAN TO SAVE ON HOUSEHOLD EXPENSES BY UTILIZING TAX CREDITS FOR INVESTMENTS IN SOLAR POWER.

I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE SOME PHENOMENAL NEWS THAT I WANT TO THROW A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO MY STAFF, KRISTIN LEE, WHO'S A ROCK STAR IN THAT REGARD.

THESE LET'S SEE.

GOT TAKEN OFF CREDIT HERE.

TAX TAX CREDITS FOR INVESTMENTS IN SOLAR POWER, ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND HOME WEATHERIZATION.

THESE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS REPRESENT A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS TO UNITE IN ADVANCING POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN EARTH DAY.

ON EARTH DAY AND EVERY DAY.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND, COMMISSIONER, BEFORE WE MOVE ON, I JUST WE MY TEAM HAS BEEN AT THE HOSPITAL WITH THE DEPUTY, AND I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT HE HAS PASSED AWAY.

HE'S 50 YEARS OLD, HAS BEEN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SINCE 2003.

AND SO WE WE JUST HIS FAMILY MUST BE HURTING JUST SO MUCH.

SO LET'S JUST THINK ABOUT HIM AND ALL THE GOOD HE DID FOR OUR COUNTY AND 20 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND A LOT OF LOVE FOR THE FAMILY. WE'LL KNOW MORE, I'M SURE, AS THE DAY GOES, DAYS GO BY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHARES MORE INFORMATION.

SO ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY, A BIG A BIG STATEMENT OF SUPPORT AND LOVE TO THE FAMILY AND GRATITUDE FOR THE DEPUTIES SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, GRATITUDE FOR HIS FAMILY HAVING SHARED HIM WITH US, BECAUSE THESE ARE NOT EASY JOBS.

COMMISSIONER, I JUST FELT THEY WERE TEXTING ME AND I DIDN'T.

I DIDN'T WANT TO NOT TELL FOLKS ABOUT IT.

ANDY IT'S A TOUGH DAY TO DAY, BUT EARTH DAY WILL MAKE IT BETTER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

YOUR YOUR COMMENTS, PLEASE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MY NAME IS ANDY.

I'M BORN AND RAISED IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY.

PROUD HOUSTONIAN AND REALLY PROUD TO WORK WITH SIERRA, THE COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENT, EQUITY AND RESILIENCE.

AND WE WERE FOUNDED AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY.

RIGHT? A DISASTER THAT REALLY SHOOK US.

AND I'M REALLY PROUD TO SAY THAT WE'VE BROUGHT TOGETHER 27 DIFFERENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON DIFFERENT ISSUES FROM AIR, WATER, LAND RESOURCE RECOVERY, REALLY FOCUSING ON DISPLACED PEOPLE, EQUITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

AND I'M REALLY PROUD THAT WE'RE HELPING WITH THE CLIMATE JUSTICE ACTION PLAN WORK.

AND I'M ALSO REALLY EXCITED TO SAY THAT WE'RE SUPPORTING WITH HOME WEATHERIZATION INITIATIVES.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT.

I THINK ALL OF US LIVE IN A HOME.

AND FOR THOSE OF US THAT HAVE THAT PRIVILEGE RIGHT, WE DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE IN OUR HOMES.

AND I THINK WE LEARNED A LOT AFTER WINTER STORM URI OF HOW FEARFUL PEOPLE CAN BE.

SO I'M EXCITED TO EXPAND MORE HOME WEATHERIZATION ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. OH GO AHEAD.

THANK YOU. ANDY.

AND LOOK, IN LIGHT OF THIS TRAGEDY THAT WE HAVE UPON US, I WOULD ASK IF YOU COULD GATHER SOME FOLKS TOGETHER AND CONSIDER PUTTING SOME PLANTS IN HONOR OF ALL OF OUR FALLEN DEPUTIES, BUT THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR.

ABSOLUTELY. MORE GREEN.

GOOD DEAL. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

YES. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO OUR DEPUTY AND HIS FAMILY.

ANDY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

SO YESTERDAY WAS EARTH DAY, AND WE RECEIVED I'M SURE MOST OF YOU HEARD THIS, BUT WE RECEIVED THE AMAZING NEWS THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA JUST MENTIONED THAT WE WERE SELECTED FOR THE SOLAR FOR ALL GRANT FROM THE EPA.

AND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE.

IT'S SO ENERGIZING.

AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR MAKING THIS GENERATIONAL INVESTMENT IN SOLAR FOR ALL.

WE'RE SO THANKFUL TO MANY LEADERS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, AS WELL AS THE TEAM MEMBERS IN OUR PRECINCT ESPECIALLY.

I KNOW PRECINCT FOUR WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TEAM.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

HARRIS COUNTY, Y'ALL LED THE COALITION OF BUILDING THE COALITION ACROSS TEXAS TO APPLY FOR THIS GRANT.

[00:55:07]

THIS WILL.

I'M SO FIRED UP BECAUSE THIS WILL HELP CREATE HIGH PAYING UNION JOBS.

THIS WILL HELP LOWER ELECTRICITY BILLS FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY.

THIS WILL HELP US MAKE THE COMMUNITY MORE RESILIENT.

IT WILL DECREASE OUR DEPENDENCY ON THE GRID, AND IT WILL HELP MOVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IN TERMS OF SOLAR AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

AND SO I LOVE THAT WE'RE THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE HARRIS COUNTY STAYS THE EPICENTER OF THE ENERGY TRANSITION, AND IS SOMEONE WHO'S HONORED TO REPRESENT THE ENERGY CORRIDOR AND PRECINCT FOUR.

I'M FIRED UP ABOUT THIS SOLAR FOR ALL GRANT AND EVERYTHING THE EPA AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE.

BUT IT IS YOU, MISTER ESCOBAR, ON THE FRONT LINES, YOU, YOUR TEAM AND SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS.

SO WE'RE GRATEFUL AND IN MEMORY OF ALL OF THOSE WHO WE LOVE AND HAVE LOST AS WE CONTINUE THESE GENERATIONAL INVESTMENTS, WE HOPE THAT WE'RE CREATING A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OUR FAMILIES.

SO THANK YOU, ANDY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL.

AND CONGRATULATIONS.

OH, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

RESOLUTION IS ONE FOR A COUPLE OF EMPLOYEES.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I'M SORRY YOU HAD A FEW MORE SPEAKERS.

OH. I'M SORRY. OKAY.

BIRTHDAY, BIRTHDAY.

A RANDY TREVINO.

READY. GO AHEAD IF YOU CAN HEAR US.

OH, I'M RIGHT HERE. OH, THERE YOU ARE.

OH, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A RANDY.

OH. I'M LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER RANDY LOOKS LIKE.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

AND I'M SPEAKING ON THE EARTH DAY RESOLUTION.

AS A MEMBER OF THE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES COALITION, WE PUT TOGETHER THE FIRST EARTH DAY AT HIDALGO PARK YESTERDAY IN MAGNOLIA PARK, WHICH IS GREAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE I GREW UP.

AND THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR WAS EARTH VERSUS PLASTICS.

AND WE DO. WE ARE HOME TO THE LARGEST PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IN THE ENTIRE NATION.

AND THE PLAN OF THE PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY IS TO EXPAND.

AND RIGHT NOW WE REALLY ARE HAVE ALL THESE OPPORTUNITIES AND FUNDING TO TRANSITION, RIGHT.

AND TO HAVE A JUST TRANSITION VERSUS INVESTING INTO THE SAME DAMAGING CORPORATIONS THAT ARE EXISTING RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, ME AND MY ENTIRE FAMILY, WE ALL SUFFER FROM THE PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY, FROM THE EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH.

AND TRULY, IT CAN BECOME DEBILITATING AND IT BE A HANDICAP ON, ON OUR LIVES.

AND SO TODAY, I JUST ASK YOU TO BE AWARE OF THAT, THAT WE ARE IMPACTED AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THE INDUSTRY DOESN'T EXPAND.

THANK YOU. RANDY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

AND ON THE ON THE GRANT TO THE SPEAKERS THAT ARE HERE FOR THIS.

SO WE WILL HAVE A LARGER EVENT TO CELEBRATE.

BECAUSE IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR HARRIS COUNTY, AND IT HELPS ECONOMICALLY AND IT HELPS US STAY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE TRANSITION.

AND AND IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG TERM PROJECT.

SO, SO WE'LL HAVE AN EVENT DEDICATED TO THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT LABOR IS THERE.

AND OF COURSE, ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AT THE COUNTY.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON EARTH DAY? TIFFANY. YES, MA'AM.

NEXT IS JENNIFER HADIYA.

OH, CAREFUL. OKAY, I CAUGHT IT, BUT I'M GOOD.

YOU BROUGHT A. YOU BROUGHT A CHEERLEADING SQUAD.

I SEE, I'VE EVEN WALKED UP HERE.

OH MY GOODNESS.

YES. SO MY NAME IS JENNIFER HEDAYA.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON.

WE ARE THE LONGEST RUNNING ADVOCACY NONPROFIT IN HARRIS COUNTY SOLELY FOCUSED ON CLEAN AIR.

FOR US, EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY BECAUSE WE WORK EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THAT OUR AIR IS CLEAN AND THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE HEALTHY.

WE DO THIS BY RUNNING CAMPAIGNS ON EVERY MAJOR SOURCE OF AIR POLLUTION, INCLUDING THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY, ALONG THE SHIP CHANNEL, AND BY REDUCING TAILPIPE AND MOBILE EMISSIONS FROM OUR TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

I WORKED FOR MANY YEARS AT HARRIS COUNTY.

SOME FOLKS IN HERE KNOW THAT.

SO I FULLY ADMIT MY BIAS WHEN I SAY THAT THE COUNTY IS WHERE I THINK BOLD AND TRANSFORMATIONAL ACTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

SOLAR FOR ALL IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE, AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT.

BUT I WOULDN'T BE A GOOD ADVOCATE IF I DIDN'T OFFER A FEW MORE IDEAS WHILE I WAS HERE.

SO NEXT UP, HOW ABOUT SIDEWALKS FOR ALL SEWAGE AND DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALL SINGLE USE PLASTIC REDUCTION FOR ALL CEMENT AND CONCRETE PLANT BANS FOR ALL, AND NO MORE NEW HIGHWAYS ONCE AND FOR ALL.

WE ARE READY TO BE BOLD AND TRANSFORMATIONAL WITH YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS ON SOLAR FOR ALL AND THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

[01:00:01]

THANK YOU. NEXT IS STEPHANIE VALDEZ.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING MY DEEP CONDOLENCES TO THE OFFICER THAT PASSED AWAY.

BUT THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE.

I'M THE WATER JUSTICE ORGANIZER WITH SIERRA, THE COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY AND RESILIENCE.

AND AS WE CELEBRATE THE INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY, IS DRIVING POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR UNWAVERING, UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE FROM ENSURING THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY CLIMATE ACTION PLAN IS COMMUNITY INFORMED AND LED TO SECURING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE EPA TO 150 MILLION, THAT'S LIFE CHANGING. THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS ON A PAGE.

THEY REPRESENT REAL, TANGIBLE PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY SIGNIFY A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, TO RESILIENCE, AND TO ENSURING THAT ALL RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER AND A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.

AND AS A VERY CONCERNED GEN Z AND AS SOMEONE DEEPLY PASSIONATE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, I AM INSPIRED BY THE PROACTIVE MEASURES THE HARRIS COUNTY IS. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. YOU WANT TO WRAP IT UP OKAY? YES. TEN MORE SECONDS.

IT'S HEARTENING TO SEE OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVELY ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND PRIORITIZING THE WELL-BEING OF BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

HOWEVER, EARTH DAY IS NOT JUST A DAY FOR CELEBRATION.

IT'S ALSO A TIME FOR REFLECTION AND ACTION, AND A REMINDER TO RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES AND INITIATIVES TO PROTECT OUR PLANET AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, AND THANK YOU, JUDGE DIGO.

THANK YOU. THE WORK CONTINUES.

ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S ALL FOR THIS ITEM.

HAVE ANYONE ANYONE ELSE? NOW THAT'S ALL FOR THIS SIDE, RIGHT? OKAY, SO THE NEXT ITEM THAT I HAVE IS IN HONOR OF TWO INCREDIBLE EMPLOYEES THAT I HAVE HERE.

AND I WILL ASK THEIR BOSS CHRIS, IF YOU'LL MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN, PLEASE.

AND INVITE THEODOSIA, DRUMMER AND DALE BATES DOWN TO THE PODIUM AS WELL.

THESE TWO PHENOMENAL EMPLOYEES MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE BETTERMENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THEY HAVE SERVED THE COUNTY IN THEIR DAILY ROLES.

AND NOW, BY SAVING THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY MEMBER THEY HAVE JUST ADDED ONE MORE INCREDIBLE ELEMENT TO OUR EXISTENCE.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THEIR CPR QUALIFICATIONS AS WELL AS THE RESIDENT THAT THEY WHOSE LIFE THEY TOUCH, MISTER GLENN POSH.

MISTER POSH COULDN'T BE HERE, BUT THIS IS INCREDIBLE TO THEIR DEDICATION OF OF THEIR WORK AND TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THIS IS FROM THE WORDS OF MISTER POSH.

HE WANTED ME TO READ THIS LETTER, AND IT READS, I AM 81 YEARS YOUNG, HAVE LIVED IN NASSAU BAY WITH MY WIFE, BARBARA, SINCE 1975.

I'M A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND STILL WORK FULL TIME FOR A GERMAN COMPANY SUPPLYING VIBRATION MONITORING EQUIPMENT TO THE OIL, GAS, POWER AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES. I'VE ALWAYS TAKEN MY HEALTH SERIOUSLY.

I WATCH WHAT I EAT, MINIMIZING CARBS AND SUGAR TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, AND GO TO THE GYM EVERY WEEKDAY WEEKDAY MORNING, ALONG WITH PLAYING PICKLEBALL ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT CLEAR LAKE PARK.

SO I'VE ALWAYS FELT THAT I WAS DOING THE RIGHT THINGS TO STAY HEALTHY AND HAVE A GOOD, ACTIVE LIFE.

WE HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS WHO WORK IN THE EDUCATION FIELD, AND MARCH THE 11TH TO THE 16TH WAS THEIR SPRING BREAK, SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE WEEK OFF TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM. AND AND THE TWO GRANDSONS.

ON MONDAY MORNING, MARCH THE 11TH, I DECIDED TO PLAY PICKLEBALL SINCE MY WIFE, DAUGHTERS AND GRANDSONS WERE GOING TO THE HOUSTON RODEO.

WE HAD JUST STARTED A GAME MAYBE FIVE MINUTES, AND IT WAS MY TIME TO SERVE.

I RECALL BENDING OVER AT THE WAIST TO SERVE THE BALL UNDERHANDED AND JUST FEELING MY BODY CONTINUING DOWN.

I DON'T RECALL HITTING THE GROUND OR ANYTHING FOR THAT MATTER.

FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE PLAYING WITH A COUPLE OF LADIES AND A GUY WHO WORKED IN THE MEDICAL BUSINESS AND TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION DELIVERING CPR, ONE REALIZED THE FACILITY AT CLEAR LAKE PARK HAD A DEFIBRILLATOR.

SHE WENT TO THE OFFICE AND TWO EMPLOYEES, MISS THEODOSIA, DRUMMER, AND MR. DALE BATES CAME IMMEDIATELY WITH A UNIT AND GOT MY HEART PUMPING AND STAYED UNTIL THE AMBULANCE CAME.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THESE TWO EMPLOYEES PLAYED A KEY PART IN GIVING ME BACK MY LIFE.

[01:05:04]

ADDITIONALLY, GENTLEMEN FROM MR. COOLEY'S TEAM CAME TO METHODIST HOSPITAL AND CHECKED ON ME LATER THAT EVENING.

AND ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, I DID NOT HAVE A HEART ATTACK AS MY ARTERIES WERE NOT CLOGGED AND THERE WAS NO HEART DAMAGE.

I DID HAVE A CARDIAC ARREST, HOWEVER, AND THE DOCTORS FOUND MY POTASSIUM AND ELECTROLYTES WERE VERY LOW.

I'VE SINCE LEARNED ELECTROLYTES ARE MINERALS THAT CARRY AN ELECTRIC CHARGE, PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN TRIGGERING THE HEART TO PUMP.

SO WITH SO WITH MINE BEING LOW, MY HEART RHYTHM WAS INTERRUPTED AND STOPPED.

THE DOCTORS FELT I WAS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A COMBINATION PACEMAKER DEFIBRILLATOR, SO I NOW HAVE A HUMP IN MY UPPER LEFT CHEST OVER MY HEART.

I'LL HAVE SOME ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS LIKE NO BATTERIES NEAR MY UPPER LEFT CHEST.

I FEEL VERY WELL, ALMOST AS IF NOTHING HAD EVER HAPPENED, AND HOPE TO GET BACK ON THE PICKLEBALL COURT IN A FEW WEEKS.

I NOW HAVE ELECTROLYTES DAILY AND REALIZE THE VULNERABILITY WE ALL HAVE.

I'M SO GRATEFUL TO THE TWO EMPLOYEES WHO HELPED TO GET MY HEART PUMPING AGAIN, AND CAN NEVER THANK THEM ENOUGH.

I OWE THEM MY LIFE AND PLAN TO GET WITH THEM FOR LUNCH IN A FEW WEEKS.

PROBABLY A HEALTHY LUNCH.

BUT LET ME LET ME JUST SAY THAT ONE IS THAT YOU KNOW, THE OLD POLICEMAN HAD MADE JUST KNOWS THAT WE WILL CONFRONT THESE KIND OF CIRCUMSTANCES AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

AND SO THE FIRST THING WE DID WAS PUT DEFIBRILLATORS THROUGHOUT MY PRECINCT OFFICE, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE.

AND THEN WE SAID, WELL, LET'S PUT THEM OUT IN THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AS WELL.

AND WE HAVE.

AND THEN WE SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? OUR BUSSES IS ANOTHER AREA.

OUR BUSSES ARE NOW EQUIPPED WITH THEM.

AND OUR EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT PRECINCT TWO HAVE RECEIVED THIS LIFE SAVING TRAINING.

AND SO I. JUST WANTED TO SAY YOU KNOW, WE TAKE TRAINING SOMETIMES FOR GRANTED.

SOMETIMES WE'RE LIKE, OH, I GOT SO MANY OTHER THINGS TO DO.

WHY DO I HAVE TO GO TO THIS TRAINING CLASS? BUT THIS IS WHEN YOU SEE YOUR TRAINING KICK IN.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE BOTH OF YOU, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR RESORTING TO YOUR TRAINING.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN AS SIMPLY AS.

I'LL JUST CALL 911 FOR YOU TO TELL ME WHERE YOU'RE AT.

BUT YOU TOOK YOU TOOK IT TO THE NEXT STEP.

YOU TOOK ACTION.

YOU KNEW WHAT RESOURCES WE HAD AVAILABLE, AND YOU PUT IT TO WORK.

AND SO I'M SO PROUD OF BOTH OF YOU.

AND AND I KNOW THERE YOU GOT A PROUD PAPA NEXT TO YOU WITH DIRECTOR CHRIS SADLER.

SO, CHRIS, WHY DON'T YOU EMBARRASS HIM A LITTLE BIT FOR ME? AND BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHY THINKING AHEAD TO THESE ISSUES IS CRITICAL.

WE HOPE WE NEVER HAVE TO LEAN ON THEM, BUT WE'RE SO GRATEFUL WHEN THEY'RE THERE FOR US, WHEN WE NEED THEM THE MOST.

YES, SIR. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS CHRIS SADLER. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

TODAY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEO AND DALE BATES.

I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR THEIR SWIFT ACTIONS ON MARCH 11TH.

THEIR QUICK ACTIONS MADE A LIFE DIFFERENCE.

ON THIS DAY.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO PRECINCT TWO'S RISKS AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT FOR THE TRAINING THEY PROVIDE FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

SO ONCE AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEO AND DALE FOR YOUR SERVICE AND DEDICATION.

ALL RIGHT, THEODOSIA, YOU WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE OF WORDS? DON'T BE SHY. THANK YOU.

DISTINGUISHED GUEST AND COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE AND MY SUPERIOR STAFF, AS WELL AS MY DIRECTORS, MISS TICO HOUSEMAN AS WELL.

MR. SADLER, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I JUST DO WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE.

SOMETIMES. WE OFTEN FORGET HOW IMPORTANT IT IS OUT THERE.

AND SO SOMETIMES WE DON'T OFTEN REMEMBER WHAT WE DO ALL THE TIME IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE MAY NOT BE RECOGNIZED FOR IT.

WE MAY NOT REMEMBER.

BUT THE THING FOR ME, I'M GOING TO TAKE A NICE QUOTE FROM MR. GARCIA TO A STAFF MEETING IS THAT WHEN YOU WORK IN THIS TYPE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, YOU WANT TO LEAVE A LEGACY BEHIND.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

QUOTED MR. GARCIA STAFF MEETING.

SO I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

AND I DEFINITELY WANT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE MY COWORKER, MR. DALE BATES, WHO CAME OUT ALSO.

IT WAS A LITTLE TRAUMATIZING FOR US, FOR SURE, BUT JUST FOR HIM TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ALL HIS SERVICE THAT HE HAS COMMITTED HE'S BEEN HERE FOR OVER 22 YEARS WITH THE COMMUNITY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO RECOGNIZE HIM FOR JUST HIS SERVICES, FOR HIS TIME WORKING WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT TWO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THEODOSIA.

PROUD OF YOU, DALE. I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY.

[01:10:03]

THANK YOU, COURT, FOR HAVING US TODAY.

YOU'D LIKE A HERO, MAN.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THOSE ARE MY ITEMS. OKAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YEAH. QUICKLY. FOOTNOTE ON EARTH DAY.

I THINK I'M GOING TO PAUSE AND RECOGNIZE THE ENGINEERS THAT OVER THE LAST DECADES HAVE MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN CLEAN WATER.

IT'S NUMBER ONE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM IN THE WORLD IS CLEAN DRINKING WATER, SOMETHING WE DON'T TALK ABOUT, BUT CERTAINLY IT AFFECTS A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK IS THOSE SAN JACINTO WASTE PITS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO BE CLEANED UP IN THE NEXT AND HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE IN THE NEXT 90 DAYS FOR THOSE FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD IN HIGHLANDS AND JUST NORTH OF I-10 AT THE SAN JACINTO RIVER.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER FOR 30 YEARS, AND THE EPA IS WAY OVERDUE.

THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES INTERNATIONAL PAPER BEEN WAY OVERDUE TO GET THAT CLEANED UP.

THEY'VE BEEN TOLD TO GET IT CLEANED UP AND THEY'RE TO HAVE A PLAN IN 90 DAYS.

I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT HERE ON EARTH DAY, THAT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CLEANUP TO DO, AND IT'S TIME WE GET ABOUT THAT BUSINESS.

NOW I GET TO DO SOMETHING THAT'S JUST FUN.

I'M GOING TO ASK THE PRINCIPAL, WILL FAULKNER OF ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL, TO COME UP.

HE WASN'T THINKING.

I WAS GOING TO ASK HIM TO COME FIRST.

I'M GOING TO ASK COACH ELTON IRVIN TO COME UP, TO ASK TO SEE TO HIGH SCHOOL.

SEE, I ALWAYS WANT TO DO THIS WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, ASK THE PRINCIPAL TO DO SOMETHING AND THE COACH TO DO SOMETHING.

MY PRINCIPAL IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS STACY.

CALDWELL. MY COACH WAS MONTY JACK DRISCOLL.

DON'T THINK PRINCIPALS AND COACHES DON'T MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

NOW, FOR THE HEROES, I'M GOING TO ASK TORY BLAYLOCK TO COME UP.

TORY WILL TELL YOU WHAT.

THE DEAD IN A MINUTE. TORY.

BLAYLOCK. LANDON.

FONTENO. JORDAN PARKER AND JELANI WATKINS.

THESE YOUNG MEN HAVE JUST DONE SOMETHING THAT IS ONLY DONE IN A GENERATION, MAYBE THREE GENERATIONS.

THE ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL, FOUR BY 100 BOYS RELAY TEAM ACHIEVED THIS UNPRECEDENTED FOR THIS CENTURY.

ON MARCH 23RD, 2024, AT THE VICTOR LOPEZ CLASSIC HELD AT RICE UNIVERSITY.

THE ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL RELAY TEAM SHATTERED THE PREVIOUS NATIONAL RECORD OF 39.76 SECONDS BY CLOCKING IN AT 38.92 SECONDS, SET BY FORT WORTH IN 1998.

INCREDIBLE. TO PUT THIS IN CONTEXT, THIS TEAM WOULD HAVE BEEN WOULD HAVE BEAT JESSE OWENS IN THE 1936 OLYMPICS.

WHAT THEY'RE ABOUT AND BY THE WAY, THEY'RE RUNNING FOR IS IT DISTRICT OR REGION? STATE. STATE. OH I'M SORRY, THEY'RE RUNNING FOR STATE NEXT WEEK.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

I THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT WE DO RECOGNIZE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF ELTON IRVIN, WHO'S COACHING EXPERIENCE INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS AT ATASCOCITA AND HUMBLE SUMMER CREEK, AND NOTABLY AIDING TWO CONSECUTIVE UIL SIX A TRACK AND FIELD TITLES IN 2021 AND 2022.

SO I IT'S IT'S IT'S GREAT TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF YOUNG MEN.

IT'S GREAT TO RECOGNIZE THEIR MENTORS, THEIR COACHES.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT ELSE THESE YOUNG MEN AND YOURSELVES ARE GOING TO MAKE HAPPEN.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

CONGRATULATIONS. COACH, TELL US HOW YOU SHAVED ALMOST A SECOND OFF THAT RECORD.

RUN FAST. TURN LEFT.

GET BACK IN THE HURRY. HEY, I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE GUYS.

I TELL EVERYONE. SO, TORI BLAKE, LEX IS A JUNIOR.

HE JUST SIGNED WITH OKLAHOMA FOR FOOTBALL.

ALL RIGHT, FUN NOSE.

SENIOR. HE'S GOING TO IOWA FOR TRACK AND FIELD.

JORDAN PARKER IS A SENIOR.

[01:15:01]

AND JALEN WATKINS IS GOING TO LSU FOR TRACK AND FIELD AND FOOTBALL.

SO ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

I SEE I HAVE A TWIN BROTHER AT SUMMER CREEK HIGH FOR LAST THREE YEARS.

I JUST DRIVE THE BUS. I GET HIM THERE.

I MAKE GOOD GATORADE.

AND I PROVIDE A TIGER BALM.

SO NOTHING WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THEM, THE STAFF AND PARENTS.

SO. ALL RIGHT.

HEY, I DO WANT TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE EVERYTHING.

SO I HAVE SOME QUOTES THAT I LOVE TO SAY.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES IS LIFE IS FULL OF HURDLES.

GET OVER IT. SO YOU'RE GOING TO BE A HURDLE IN LIFE.

JUST GET OVER IT. SO AND THE OTHER THING IS CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES.

SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE LENA BACK UP HERE.

AS THINGS THAT HAVE COME IN HER LIFE THAT'S BEEN OUT OF HER CONTROL, BUT SHE'S CONTINUED TO PUSH FORWARD FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS.

CONGRATULATIONS. AND WADE TO NOT DROP THE BATON.

THAT'S THE SCARIEST PART FOR ME.

SO YOU PRACTICE A LOT.

YEAH. WELL, I MEAN, IN THE OLYMPICS THEY DROP THE BATON.

YES, YES. SO THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS FOR CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ACHIEVEMENT.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR YOUR KIND WORDS.

SO SO BUSY. YEAH.

SO SO ONE THING THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTS TO DO, YOU KNOW, JUST TO SHOW HOW PROUD HE IS, HE WANTS TO CHALLENGE Y'ALL YEAH, WE CAN WE CAN DO A TEN YARD DASH.

I MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE.

YEAH. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK Y'ALL. OKAY, IF YOU WOULD ALLOW ME TO DO SO, I WOULD LIKE TO ATTACH TO THE HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTH SHORE.

ALWAYS GO THROUGH EPIC BATTLES IN FOOTBALL.

AMEN. WHERE THE LAST TWO STANDING IN THE REGION.

AND IT WOULD BE I WOULD HATE FOR THIS MOMENT TO PASS WITHOUT RECOGNIZING MISTER COLES AND HIS FAMILY.

AMEN. FOR THE HARD WORK THAT HIS GRANDSON HAS PUT FORTH FOR NORTH SHORE HIGH SCHOOL.

COMPETITOR ON THE FIELD AND OFF THE FIELD.

AND WE JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE HIM AND LET THEM KNOW THAT WE STAND ATTACHED TO THE HIGH SCHOOL NORMALIZED STANDS WITH NORTH SHORE AND OUR RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK.

ANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN.

ATTEST TO THE TEAM.

HOW AMAZING.

SO WE HAVE FOUR RESOLUTIONS FOR PRECINCT FOUR.

THE FIRST ONE ACTUALLY IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH PRECINCT THREE.

SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR WORKING WITH US.

AND IT IS A RESOLUTION OBSERVING NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK FROM APRIL 21ST TO 27TH.

WE THE DOGS ARE WONDERFUL.

WE WILL THEY WILL BE A PART OF ONE OF OUR NEXT RESOLUTIONS.

SO IN TERMS OF THE CRIMES WEEK.

I'M SURE MANY OF US HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF CRIME.

I'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF CRIME SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT MY LIFE.

AND YOU NEVER FORGET THAT FEAR AND THOSE MEMORIES.

SO THIS WEEK OF APRIL 21ST TO 27TH, AND EVERY WEEK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL CHAMPIONING THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS. AS WE WORK TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS OF CRIME, WHILE WE WORK TO UPHOLD EVERYBODY'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE A JUSTICE COMMUNITY OF VERY DEDICATED PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, VICTIMS, ADVOCACY GROUPS, AND IT REALLY TAKES A COMMUNITY.

AND SO WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU TODAY.

WE ARE JOINED BY VERY SPECIAL SPECIAL GUESTS.

WE HAVE JOEL LEVINE.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN US AS WELL.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER, WE HAVE CELESTE BYRUM, THE DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SERVICES AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, CARRIE MCCRACKEN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER.

AND THESE INDIVIDUALS REPRESENT MANY LEADERS WHO WORK THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY TO ADVOCATE FOR VICTIMS. I PRAY AS A MOM OF THREE LITTLE GIRLS, MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT I WILL LOSE THEM OR THAT THEY TOO WILL BE VICTIMIZED.

AND SO AS A MOM AND AS SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN THE VICTIM, I AM REALLY THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.

AND THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP ON THIS.

MANY THANKS. THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS CELESTE BYRAM.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SERVICES AT THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK IS HOW WILL YOU HELP? IT'S A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REFLECT ON THE TREMENDOUS VICTIM ADVOCACY WORK OCCURRING DAILY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

[01:20:01]

VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS PROVIDED COURT ACCOMPANIMENT, INFORMED CRIME SURVIVORS OF THEIR RIGHTS, AND HELPED FIND COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO ALLEVIATE TRAUMA VICTIMS MAY EXPERIENCE IN THE WAKE OF A VIOLENT CRIME.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCATES HELP TO KEEP SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SAFE THROUGH THEIR SAFETY, PLANNING, AND PROTECTIVE ORDER WORK.

CHILDREN'S COURT SERVICES PROVIDED COMFORT AND A FRIENDLY FACE IN THE COURTROOM.

WHILE THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY CHILDREN BRAVELY TESTIFIED IN FRONT OF THEIR ABUSERS.

OUR FURRY CANINE FRIENDS FROM COMMUNITY PARTNER HOPE ANIMAL ASSISTED CRISIS RESPONSE BROUGHT SOLACE AND REASSURANCE TO DOZENS OF VICTIMS AND WITNESSES WHO FACED THE NERVE WRACKING EXPERIENCE OF COURTROOM TESTIMONY.

WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR MISSION TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MADE VULNERABLE DUE TO VIOLENT CRIME, AND WE ARE APPRECIATIVE TO COMMISSIONERS BRIONES AND RAMSEY FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS MISSION AND FOR HONORING THESE EFFORTS DURING NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS BERM.

AND CAN WE TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS? HAPPY TO HAVE GUS AND MURPHY, OUR THERAPY DOGS HERE, TOO.

AS A DOG LOVER, I HOPE THEY CAN COME OVER HERE IN A SECOND.

COMMISSIONER. YEAH.

THANK YOU. WHAT YOU DO IN THE DA'S OFFICE LESS.

IT'S IT'S IT IT DOESN'T GO UNNOTICED.

I THINK IT'S BEEN SAID MANY TIMES VICTIMS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT DIDN'T VOLUNTEER TO BE A PART OF THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR FOCUS ON THEM ON A DAILY BASIS AND YOUR CONTINUED ACTIVITIES.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD, DIRECTOR LEVITIN.

OKAY. SO NICE TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

I'M GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY AGAIN.

THANK YOU. JUDGE HILDAGO, MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I AM JOEL LEVINE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, WHERE THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT THAT SERVES PROVIDES SERVICES, RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS FOR THE VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THIS RESOLUTION OUR SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER PROGRAM THAT WE STOOD UP IN 2017 THAT PROVIDES PROSECUTION AND RESTORATION FOR ELDER VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION.

AND OUR CENTER SINCE OPENING, WE CALL IT SGACC SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER.

SINCE OPENING IN 2017, WE HAVE SERVED 2226 ELDERLY VICTIMS AND AS A RESULT OF THESE SERVICES, COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN SGACC AND ITS PARTNERS, THERE HAVE BEEN 473 CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS FOR ELDER.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP AND ABUSE AND KIND OF THANK YOU BECAUSE AND 200 PROTECTIVE ORDERS FOR OUR SENIOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME.

THE PARTNERS INCLUDE ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, GERIATRIC AND FORENSIC MEDICINE, PROSECUTORS, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, AND MORE.

SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS OF THE COURT, FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER PROGRAM.

AND I DO HAVE WITH ME UP HERE, BARBARA LOPEZ AND TARA HINTON WITH ME RIGHT HERE.

SORRY, OUR OUR DEPUTIES OF THE OUR ADULT SERVICES DIVISION.

AND BARBARA HAS REALLY MISS LOPEZ HAS STOOD UP THIS DONE THE HEAVY LIFTING FOR THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR LEVINE AND MISS LOPEZ.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT MCCRACKEN.

HELLO, I'M KERRY MCCRACKEN.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER.

AND AS YOU KNOW, WE PROVIDE TREATMENT AND HEALING TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.

OLD OR YOUNG VICTIMS OF ANY KIND OF CRIME ARE SET OF BEING A VICTIM CAN SET YOUR WHOLE LIFE ON A TRAJECTORY, ON A WHOLE DIFFERENT COURSE.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, NOBODY CHOOSES THAT.

CHILDREN THAT ARE VICTIMIZED AND DON'T RECEIVE HELP FOR THEIR TRAUMA CAN SUFFER MANY ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES LIKE POVERTY, UNWANTED PREGNANCY, MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, DRUG ADDICTION, AND TOUCHES WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT FAIR.

THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT.

SO I AM STANDING HERE TODAY TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER, AT THE DA'S OFFICE, AND ALL THE OTHER WONDERFUL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT HELP VICTIMS. YOU KNOW, WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT BAD GUYS.

I APPRECIATE THAT WE HAVE THIS PLATFORM TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO HELP THE GOOD GUYS BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, THEY DON'T DESERVE IT.

[01:25:07]

THEY HAVE UNDERGONE THAT TRAINING, AND LAST YEAR YOU ALLOWED US TO BRING ON EIGHT NEW STAFF MEMBERS.

SABRINA SWAN IS BACK HERE WITH US TODAY.

SHE LEADS UP CHILDREN'S COURT SERVICES.

AND AS YOU KNOW, THEY PREPARE THOSE CHILD, THOSE CHILDREN FOR COURT BECAUSE LIKE CELESTE SAID, IT'S VERY TRAUMATIC AND VERY SCARY.

SO I APPLAUD YOU FOR SUPPORTING VICTIMS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS EVERY DAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

MY NAME IS MARICARMEN GARCIA.

I AM THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE JUSTICE CENTER.

FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, THE TAWHIRI JUSTICE CENTER HAS FOUGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE OFFER FREE, CULTURALLY SENSITIVE LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF CRIMES LIKE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, STALKING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND FORCED MARRIAGE.

THE SURVIVORS WE SERVE FACE INCREDIBLE OBSTACLES TO JUSTICE, INCLUDING LANGUAGE BARRIERS, LACK OF RESOURCES, AND A COMPLEX IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

ALL OF THE SURVIVORS WE SERVE HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTECTION UNDER US LAW.

LAST YEAR, WE SERVED IN HARRIS COUNTY 439 SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH COMPLEX IMMIGRATION CASES AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

DESPITE OUR EFFORTS IN OUR COMMUNITY, MANY NEEDS REMAIN UNMET.

FOR THIS REASON, WE STRESS THE NEED FOR STABLE AND CONTINUOUS FUNDING SO THAT OUR WORK CAN CONTINUE TO ENABLE SURVIVORS TO FULLY ENGAGE IN SOCIETY AND PURSUE THE JUSTICE THAT THEY SO DESERVE.

AS WE OBSERVE NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK, WE THANK HARRIS COUNTY AND THIS COURT FOR ITS SUPPORT OF VICTIM SERVICES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THAT'S IT FOR THIS ITEM.

WE'RE SO GRATEFUL. THANK YOU AGAIN.

YOU GUYS. SO THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 16. I ASK YOU ALL.

OH. I'M SORRY. I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK.

I GOT A DOG.

CAN Y'ALL HELP ME GET HIM TO BEHAVE LIKE THOSE GUYS OVER THERE? THEY'RE WONDERFUL. MAYBE THEY CAN STAY ALL DAY, RIGHT? THANK YOU. ARE THEY RELATED TO AN ITEM? THEY WERE PART OF THE VICTIM'S WEEK.

THEY'RE. THEY'RE THERAPY DOGS FOR VICTIMS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME TO STAY FOR THE PICTURE.

THERE'S NO PERSONAL INTEREST IN THAT AT ALL.

YEAH. THANK YOU.

THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THEM.

OKAY, SO THE NEXT ITEM, IF I MAY, IS ITEM 16, AND I JOIN YOU ALL TO PLEASE HELP US CELEBRATE AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH. AND WOULD ALL OF THE GUESTS WHO ARE PLEASED HERE TODAY, THE SELIG, MARY JANE WILLIAMS, JUDY BLAKE, UNI PATRON, JAYNA MILLER, RODNEY KELLER, AND EMILY JOYCE. IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN US.

SO WORLD AUTISM, WE ARE VERY THANKFUL YOU'RE HERE.

AND I WAS SO GRATEFUL TO PARTNER WITH YOU ALL ON THIS.

AS A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, IT IS TO ME AND AS A MOM, ALL OF OUR CHILDREN, ALL OF OUR PEOPLE NEED TO BE NOT ONLY ACCEPTED, BUT CELEBRATED, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE BEING AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY.

IN TERMS OF SOME DATA FOR YOU ALL, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 5.4 MILLION AMERICAN ADULTS AND 800,000 TEXANS ARE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, 5.4 MILLION US 800,000 TEXANS. SO WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE HERE TODAY.

THERE'S EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT WORK.

SO WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE FAMILY TO FAMILY NETWORK KNOW AUTISM KATIE AUTISM SUPPORT EASTER SEALS OF GREATER HOUSTON, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, CLEAR LAKE CENTER FOR AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF TEXAS.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILIES.

I KNOW WE'VE INTERACTED AND JUST THE STORIES OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY YOUR WORK AND ADVOCACY IS DEEPLY MOVING, AND WE ALL NEED TO DO MORE.

[01:30:07]

I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FOR PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH AUTISM, INCLUDING THROUGH ITS COFFEE HOUSE PROGRAM, WHICH HELPS SECURES EMPLOYMENT AND ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY THROUGH FOSTERING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION.

I WANT TO THANK CONSTABLE PRECINCT FIVE, CONSTABLE HEAP BECAUSE PRECINCT FOUR AND CONSTABLE HEAP, WE'VE PARTNERED TO START PRECINCT FOR ALL ABILITIES, WHERE WE'RE HIRING ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AGAIN TO CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY IN OUR EMPLOYMENT AND BEYOND.

SO WITH THAT, WE ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME YOU TO THE NEW COURTROOM AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE APRIL 2024 AS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

OH, WONDERFUL. I KNOW Y'ALL ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

OKAY. HI.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING APRIL AS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH.

AUTISM IS A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY THAT CAN CAUSE SOCIAL COMMUNICATION AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES.

AUTISM HAPPENS IN ALL RACIAL, ETHNIC, AND SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS, BUT IS ABOUT FOUR TIMES MORE COMMON IN BOYS THAN GIRLS.

DID YOU KNOW THAT ABOUT 1 IN 54 PEOPLE HAS AUTISM? ONE OF THOSE IS MY SON, WHO IS 17 YEARS OLD.

HE'S MY REASON THAT I'M ACTIVE AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE AUTISM COMMUNITY.

I AM HONORED TO LEAD.

KATIE AUTISM SUPPORT.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 4000 MEMBERS ACROSS KATIE AND THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.

WE HELP CONNECT PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WITH VALUABLE INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN GIVE THEIR LOVED ONES WITH AUTISM THE EDUCATION AND SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK WE DO AND THANKS FOR THIS RECOGNITION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MA'AM, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? HI, I'M JANA MILLER.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MISS MILLER.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS MARY JANE WILLIAMS, AND I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY TO FAMILY NETWORK.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR YOUR WORK IN PRECINCT FOUR, WHERE WE'RE LOCATED.

BUT THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE FOR RECOGNIZING AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

ALMOST 60% OF THE OVER 700 FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE EVERY YEAR HAVE A CHILD OR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM.

WE STARTED IN AUTISM 101 ACADEMY, WHICH IS BEING HELD THIS WEEKEND AT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IN CYPRUS, WHICH YOU'RE ALL WELCOME TO.

BECAUSE I REMEMBER HOW HELPFUL IT WAS FOR ME 25 YEARS AGO WHEN MY CHILDREN WITH AUTISM WERE DIAGNOSED AND STARTING SCHOOL.

FOR OVER 30 YEARS, FAMILY TO FAMILY NETWORK HAS HELPED FAMILIES AS THEY JOURNEY FROM ONE LIFE STAGE TO ANOTHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN, WHILE ALSO AIDING THEM WITH THE CORRECT WORDS TO USE THE EXACT PLACE TO LOOK, THE RIGHT PERSON TO CONNECT WITH WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN OR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN THAT COMPLEX EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEMS. WE BELIEVE ALL YOUR TIME IS UP.

OKAY, YOU MAY CONTINUE.

YOU MAY FINISH. FAMILY TO FAMILY BELIEVES ALL CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY.

AND WE THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR ALWAYS ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ALL THE PROJECTS THAT YOU APPROVE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT TODAY.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS LIZ SEELIG, AND I AM MOST IMPORTANTLY THE MOTHER OF A 12 YEAR OLD AUTISTIC SON NAMED JACK AND ALSO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KNOW AUTISM FOUNDATION.

JACK IS NOW 12 YEARS OLD.

OUR JOURNEY BEGAN WHEN HE WAS FOUR, AND TO SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING IS IS A HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT.

I HAVE SPENT MUCH OF MY CAREER IN MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS AND I'M VERY BLESSED IN THAT.

IN 2014, I WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE MY CAREER IN THAT, IN THAT ASPECT, TO BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE GRANTS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO FOUNDATIONS.

AND ONE OF THEM WAS AN AUTISM ORGANIZATION.

SINCE THEN I'VE HAD PERSONAL JOURNEYS WITH MY SON WANDERING AND TO A SWIMMING POOL.

AND DROWNING IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM.

I'VE I'VE CREATED SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRIES AND MANY OF OUR LOCAL CITIES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE LARGE IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA AND HAVE JUST

[01:35:05]

THE KNOW AUTISM FOUNDATION, WHICH I REPRESENT, IS A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION, AND THEIR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE FAMILIES AND PROVIDE RESOURCES AND TO HELP FAMILIES ALONG THEIR JOURNEY OF AUTISM.

WE PRIMARILY OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN PAYING FOR THOSE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES THAT MAY BE COVERED BY INSURANCE AND ARE JUST SO SUBSTANTIAL AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

SO WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF YOU HAVING US HERE TODAY AND RECOGNIZING US.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN LARGER WAYS MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR SEELIG.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

OH, YOU GOT ONE MORE.

HELLO, I'M EMILY JOYCE.

I'M AN ADULT WITH AUTISM.

I REPRESENT THE HARRIS CENTER AND THE COFFEE HOUSE PROGRAM.

I'VE BEEN IN THE PROGRAM FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS BEFORE LANDING A JOB WITH THEM AS AN ID PEER, SUPPORTING WITH OTHER PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AND GIVING THEM AN EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE.

I WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO THE HARRIS CENTER, WHO ALSO HAS PUT ALL THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TOWARDS ME AND OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME, WHO HAVE GIVEN PEOPLE A CHANCE TO UNDERSTAND US.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE COURT FOR HAVING US TO HEAR TODAY.

IT REALLY MEANS A LOT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MISS JOYCE.

ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS RODNEY KELLER, AND I REPRESENT THE HARRIS CENTER.

ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS CENTER, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COURT FOR DECLARING APRIL AS AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH AS MANAGER OF THE COFFEE HOUSE PROGRAM, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT SO THAT THEY CAN GET ACCESS TO COMMUNITY AND MORE INCLUSIVITY.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SKILLS AND THEIR TALENTS.

INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM ARE IMPORTANT AND VALUED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND I APPLAUD THE BOARD FOR RAISING THE BAR AND SETTING THE STANDARD ON INCLUSIVITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. KELLER. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO.

BUT, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD.

THANK YOU. AND JUST KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT YOUR BACK IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND I'M SO PROUD OF THE HARRIS CENTER FOR ALL THAT THEY DO.

AMANDA, PLEASE GIVE EVERYBODY MY REGARDS BACK AT THE SHOP.

BUT EVERYONE HERE IS OUR NEIGHBOR, AND AND WE ARE OUR BROTHERS KEEPERS AND SISTERS KEEPERS.

SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU ALL, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

PLEASE DON'T LET MY MY MOVING BACK AND FORTH BE REFLECTIVE OF MY ATTENTION, APPRECIATION.

WE'RE DEALING WITH UPDATES ON THE UPLIFT PROGRAM AND OF COURSE THE DEPUTY.

BUT I SO APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I KNOW THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

SO THE TWO FINAL RESOLUTIONS MOVING TO ITEM 17.

AND I PLEASE INVITE AS WE GET STARTED, MARTA CASTRO, RUBEN REYES, LIBBY, MARILYN, CHRISTINA DELICIA, JENNY, MYRNA, JANET AND JAZZ WHO ARE HERE WITH US TODAY.

IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN AND NEXT WE ARE CELEBRATING GARIFUNA SETTLEMENT DAY, WHICH I AM VERY THRILLED THAT YOU ALL ARE HERE.

SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE MOST ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY IS ITS INCREDIBLY RICH DIVERSITY, AND I AM SO PROUD THAT ONE OF THE LARGEST GARIFUNA COMMUNITIES IS HARRIS COUNTY AND ALL OF THE UNITED STATES, AND SPECIFICALLY PRECINCT FOUR.

SO WE'RE SO HAPPY TO CELEBRATE YOU TODAY.

IT WAS 227 YEARS AGO THAT THE GARIFUNA PEOPLE LANDED ALONG THE SHORES OF PUNTA GORDA ON ROATAN, HONDURAS.

AND IT IS WONDERFUL THAT NOW SO MANY PEOPLE CALL HARRIS COUNTY HOME FROM THE GARIFUNA COMMUNITY.

SO WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE YOU AND HONOR YOU FOR YOUR IMMEASURABLE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO HARRIS COUNTY.

AND WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE LUMLEY LEMIEUX INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, WHICH REALLY DOES AN AMAZING JOB SHARING THE BEAUTIFUL GARIFUNA CULTURE ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU. I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL PROTECT, PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE OUR UNIQUE CULTURES AND THAT WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER CONSTANTLY.

SO WITH THAT, WE'RE THRILLED TO WELCOME YOU.

AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO RECOGNIZE GARIFUNA SETTLEMENT DAY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

[01:40:06]

MUCHISIMAS. GRACIAS, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS TODAY, ON BEHALF OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND THE GARIFUNA NATION, WE STAND HERE 227 YEARS LATER, PRESERVING OUR CULTURE MOVING TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND FIRST GENERATION GARIFUNA AMERICAN. SO THIS IS AWESOME FOR US, RIGHT? TODAY, THE GARIFUNA NATION STANDS TALL, ABOUT 300,000 STRONG IN THE WORLD, ABOUT 7000 ROUGHLY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

ALL RIGHT. YAY! SALIMAN. ORGANIZATION, ALONG WITH ELDERS, HISTORIANS, FREDERICK, CULTURAL GROUPS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON CULTURAL CONSERVATION, LAND CONSERVATION, SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL CONTRIBUTIONS NOT ONLY TO THE WORLD, BUT SPECIFICALLY TO HOUSTON.

HOUSTON. WE ARE HERE AND FEEL TREMENDOUS PRIDE AND JOY AS BEING PART OF THE CULTURAL I WOULD CALL QUOTE THAT HOUSTON HAS.

RIGHT. I'M GOING TO GIVE THE WORLD TO CONTINUE.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK THE JUDGES, THE COMMISSIONERS, FOR RECOGNIZING US IN THE HARRIS COUNTY.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

IT'S THE PRESENCE OF GARIFUNA PEOPLE IN IN TEXAS, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE ARE RECOGNIZED AND IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US. AS IT WAS MENTIONED, WE WERE EXILED FROM SAINT VINCENT AFTER FIGHTING FOR OUR LAND, FOR OUR HISTORY, FOR OUR FREEDOM.

AND THEN WE WERE PUT INTO HONDURAS.

NOW WE ARE HONDURAN, BUT RECENTLY, OVER 100 YEARS WE ARE TEXANS.

SO WE ARE VERY PROUD PEOPLE AND GLAD TO BE HERE AND APPRECIATE THIS RECOGNITION.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND WELCOME.

THANK YOU. I JUST NEED TO ADD THAT THE GARIFUNA NATION WERE NEVER SLAVES.

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

TO KNOW FOR HISTORY, RIGHT? THAT WE'VE WORKED VERY HARD TO PRESERVE OUR CULTURE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE'RE THRILLED TO CELEBRATE YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING YOU FOR MANY, MANY YEARS TO COME.

FELICIDADES GRACIAS, GRACIAS, GRACIAS.

SO THE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IF YOU COULD SHARE SOME INFORMATION, I'D LOVE TO GO VISIT BACK HOME.

YES. OF COURSE. OKAY.

WE WILL. ALL RIGHT.

EXCUSE ME, CAN I PLEASE HAVE THE LAST SPEAKER STATE HIS NAME? FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS RUBEN REYES.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MR. REYES. GOOD JOB, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU.

SO THE FINAL ONE IS ITEM 18.

IT IS A RESOLUTION HONORING THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL.

SO NICHOLAS GRIFFIN, PRESIDENT OF UFCW, IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN US.

AND THEN LAURA MEDIC, WHO IS ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL AND WHO'S ALSO A WONDERFUL HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOR TEAM MEMBER LAURA, IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN US AS WELL.

SO THIS AS WE CELEBRATED EARTH DAY YESTERDAY AND AS WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY EVERY DAY, AS WE SHOULD, WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HONOR THE GREAT WORK OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL.

FOR OVER THREE DECADES, H.R., UFCW HAS STRIVED TO ENHANCE HOUSTON'S URBAN FOREST TO MAKE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE FUTURE POSSIBLE.

YOU HELP IMPROVE OUR AIR QUALITY, OUR WATER QUALITY, YOU HELP US CONTROL STORMWATER, CONSERVE ENERGY, PROVIDE HABITATS FOR WILDLIFE, ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY, AND BRING SO MANY IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL HELP PROTECT PRESERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT.

I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT RECENTLY WE PARTNERED TOGETHER, WE HAD OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS AND PLANTED OVER 1600 TREES IN PRECINCT FOUR TOGETHER THIS YEAR. AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT, NOT ONLY AS A MOM WHO WANTS TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR MY KIDS, GRANDKIDS, AND GREAT GRANDKIDS, BUT IT VERY MUCH WORRIES ME THAT I REPRESENT, FOR EXAMPLE, GULFTON AND RIVER OAKS AND GULFTON IS 17 DEGREES HOTTER.

THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IS IMMENSE.

SO THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IN THE HOUSTON AREA, URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL IS CRITICAL IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, EQUITY, HEALTH AND THE PRESERVATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

SO WITH THAT, WE ARE SO PROUD TO HONOR YOU.

[01:45:02]

THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL WAS FORMED IN 1986.

AND OUR SIGNATURE EVENT IS OUR ANNUAL TREE PLANTING COMPETITION, WHERE TEAMS OF TEN COMPETE TO PLANT 100 TREES CORRECTLY IN THE FASTEST TIME.

SINCE THE EVENT'S INCEPTION IN 2007, OVER 25,000 TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK OUR EVENT SPONSORS HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL, CENTERPOINT ENERGY, THE TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR, H-E-B, TREES FOR HOUSTON, ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN INCORPORATED, AND OUR MANY VOLUNTEERS.

I WOULD ESPECIALLY LIKE TO THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR SUPPLYING THE PROPERTY AND TREES FOR THE EVENT.

YEAR AFTER YEAR. TREES PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT ENHANCEMENT TO OUR EXISTING STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ARE THE ONLY PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT INCREASES IN VALUE OVER TIME. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, FOR RECOGNIZING THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS PARTNERSHIP ACROSS ALL FOUR PRECINCTS.

AND THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. CONTINUE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

WE TOO LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE PARTNERSHIP.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LAURA AND I WORK FOR PRECINCT FOUR PARKS DEPARTMENT AS THE ARBORIST AND FOUNDER OF LEGACY TREES PROJECT.

WHEN I LOOK BACK AT FIRST STARTING OFF AS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE, I WOULD NOT HAVE EVER IMAGINED MY PROGRAM TO HAVE GROWN TO WHAT IT IS TODAY.

I THINK ABOUT THE VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WILLING TO LEND A HAND, COWORKERS AND THE COLLEAGUES BEHIND ME, AS WELL AS THE COURT SUPPORTING.

IT'S ALL THOSE PIECES COMING TOGETHER THAT MAKES PROJECTS LIKE THIS HAPPEN, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT COMMITMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WONDERFUL, LAURA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY.

YOU REPRESENT THE HEART, HUSTLE AND HIGHER STANDARDS OF PRECINCT FOUR AND OF ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

CAN I SAY ONE QUICK THING? I JUST WANTED TO SAY QUICKLY THAT THERESA HOUSTON DID DONATE ALL THE TREES FOR THE COMPETITION AND TREES.

HOUSTON HAS PLANTED 70,000 TREES THIS PAST YEAR AND GIVING AWAY TREES.

SO. MAN GOES TO THE INCREDIBLE HOUSTON AREA FOR COUNCIL IS JUST AWESOME.

I'M SO APPRECIATIVE TO BE ON THE BOARD.

SO AND THANK YOU COURT VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. PARKS DEPARTMENT, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU.

TREES FOR HOUSTON. THANK YOU.

I THINK THAT'S ALL CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.

SO THOSE ARE ALL THE RESOLUTIONS.

IT ONLY TOOK 2.5 HOURS.

SO LET'S TAKE PICTURES.

AND WITH ALL THE HONOREES.

AND SO WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE, WE'RE GONNA WE HAVE TO SIGN THE RESOLUTIONS AND HAVE THE COUNTY CLERK SIGN THEM.

AND SO THE HONOREES WILL NOT RECEIVE THEM TODAY, BUT YOU CAN TAKE A PICTURE WITH THEM, AND THEN WE'LL SEND THEM TO YOU.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S DO THAT.

[01:58:47]

[01:58:48]

YEAH. OKAY. OH, GREAT.

OKAY. FOLKS, JUST TO NOTE HERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE PICTURES AND THEN, AND THEN WE'RE BREAKING FOR LUNCH.

SO WE'LL BE BACK AT 2:00.

HERE. OH, DID I GIVE THE.

NO, NO.

[02:02:07]

JUST A REQUEST OF COUNTY ATTORNEY.

SO JUST TO REPEAT IT IS 1251 AND WE'RE BREAKING UNTIL 2:00 FOR LUNCH.

STRAIGHT AFTER RESOLUTIONS.

ARE THEY ON? OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COLLEAGUES.

FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

IT IS 210 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

AND WE NOW HAVE THE SPEAKERS.

IF I'M CORRECT, LET'S TAKE UP THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS.

FIRST IS JACOB CLEMENTS SPEAKING ON ITEMS 14 AND 16.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

ITEMS 14 AND 16.

ONE DAY ON THE RELAY RACE IN THE AUTISM.

WELL, I WAS CONFUSED THAT I DIDN'T SPEAK WITH THEM.

BUT ANYWAY, WHAT I WANTED TO SPEAK TO RIGHT NOW IS THE ESSENCE OF THE PUBLIC.

PUBLIC ASK PEOPLE TO VOTE BECAUSE THE RUNOFF, WELL, NOT RUNOFF, BUT JARVIS JOHNSON AND MARTIN COOK ARE TWO MAIN CONTENDERS FOR THE DEMOCRATIC SEAT TO REPLACE JOHN WHITMIRE.

AND THEN THERE ARE HARRIS COUNTY APPEALS CLERKS THAT ARE ALSO RUNNING LIKE ERIKA MCCUTCHEON.

SHE HAS MY VOTE.

AND SO I HAVE WELL, ALL I CAN SAY IS I HAVE LEFT HERE FOR MISTER RODNEY COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS TO SIGN THE SHIRT THAT YOU, MISTER GARCIA, YOU MISTER RAMSEY, AND YOU, MISS THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

JACOB. NEXT IS CARL DAVIS SPEAKING ON ITEM 64 UNDER COUNTY ENGINEER.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

I'M CARL DAVIS WITH THE HOUSTON SOCIETY FOR CHANGE AND A GENERAL BOARD MEMBER OF THE A.M.E.

CHURCH. BUT TODAY I AM HERE AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON FAMILY HEALTH CARE CLINIC, WHERE GLORIA MOLINA SERVES AS OUR CHAIR. IT'S AN AFFORDABLE, COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY CARE SERVICE IN ONE CONVENIENT LOCATION AT THE TILMAN FERTITTA FAMILY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, AND

[02:05:03]

I TRULY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, AND I'M HERE TODAY TO SUPPORT THE EAST HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SERVICE HUB IN THE CHANNELVIEW AREA WITH A ONE STOP SHOP TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS WITHOUT PUTTING THEIR HEALTH ON THE BACK BURNER BECAUSE OF TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER ISSUES.

WE ALL WANT TO HEAR YOUR COMMUNITY THAT PROVIDES HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME WITH A HEALTHY WORKFORCE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU CARL.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS RUTH NASRALLAH SPEAKING ON ITEM 64.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. I THINK YOU LEFT.

RUTH. RUTH. NASRALLAH.

YEAH. I DON'T THINK SHE'S HERE ANYMORE.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS. NEXT IS MOHAMMED NASRALLAH SPEAKING ON ITEM 64.

YEAH. THEY'RE NOT HERE EITHER.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

NEXT IS CHRISTOPHER JENKINS SPEAKING ON ITEM TWO 60 TWO.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, CEO, FOUNDER OF FEATURE HOOD ORGANIZATION, TOP MEMBER OF CLT TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

I'M A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN FROM ANGLETON, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEM FOR THE REQUEST OF PROBATE COURT FOR APPROVAL.

APPROVAL OF CREATION, FOR A PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR OF A RESOURCE TO FAMILIES AND DESCENDANTS OR SMALL ESTATES WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD AN ATTORNEY OF WHOSE ESTATES ARE KNOWN OR NOT SUITABLE FOR THEIR NEXT OF KIN.

HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT SYSTEMATICALLY DISPLACED MANY RESIDENTS THAT HAD TAX ISSUES OR JUST SIMPLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND REAL PROPERTY, SUCH AS HARVEY.

THEY HAD A PAUSE ON PAYMENTS, BUT LACKED CONTINGENCY TO PREVENT RESIDENTS FROM BEING HOMELESS.

AS WELL AS THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC.

THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, ON THE OTHER HAND, HAD OUTDATED SYSTEMS IN WHICH THEY IN WHICH THEY HAD ABUSED THEIR AUTHORITY, AND IT DEMONSTRATES THEIR CHARACTER AND WHAT THEY THINK THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE.

THEY SHOW A LACK OF EMPATHY AND COMPASSION, LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY, OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY, AND WHICH HAS EXACERBATED THE PROBLEM, LEAVING PEOPLE TO HOMELESSNESS THEY HAVE LACK. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

OKAY. THANK YOU. AND THIS HOME VETERANS, SENIORS.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITY.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. NEXT IS JUDGE JERRY SIMONEAU SPEAKING ON ITEM TWO 60 TWO.

JUDGE, I THOUGHT THAT WAS YOU.

AND I REGRET NOT CALLING YOU UP EARLIER.

I JUST, YOU KNOW, I STILL REFUSE TO BUY NEW GLASSES BECAUSE I KEEP LOSING THEM.

AND I SAW THE BOW TIE.

AND ANYWAY, IT WAS NOT MY INTENTION TO KEEP YOU WAITING AT ALL.

I AM MERELY A CITIZEN HERE, AND I WILL TAKE MY PLACE IN TURN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE TIME.

I'M JERRY JUDGE JERRY CIMINO, HERE TO TALK ON THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR.

THIS IS GOING TO BE AN AMAZING AND SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER WAY TO ACCESS JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO OTHERWISE COULD NOT DO IT.

MY CANDIDATE FOR THAT HERE IS, IS BRANDON COFIELD.

IF I COULD GIVE HIM THE REST OF MY TIME, HE CAN TALK ABOUT WHY HE THINKS THIS IS AN IMPORTANT OFFICE AND WOULD REALLY HELP.

WOULD THAT BE OKAY? YES. GO AHEAD. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MR. COFIELD.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS.

JUDGE AS WE ALL KNOW, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE? YES. YOUR HONOR BRANDON COFIELD, THANK YOU.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, PROBATE AND INHERITANCE IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO BELONGINGNESS.

OUR CULTURE.

AND, OF COURSE, WEALTH GENERATION.

ONE OF THE ISSUES, BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT THE STATE OF TEXAS DOES REQUIRE ATTORNEY TO PRETTY MUCH DO ANYTHING IN A PROBATE COURTS.

BUT AT THE SAME TOKEN, THAT ENDS UP SERVING AS A BARRIER TO ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHETHER IT'S BECAUSE OF THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, JUST UNDERSTANDING THE FORMS THAT THERE ARE FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT DO TRY TO FILE SOMETHING PRO SE.

SO THIS POSITION WILL WORK IN A COUPLE OF WAYS.

SPECIFICALLY THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

DO YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND FINISH THAT SENTENCE? SURE. EFFECTIVELY, IT WILL PROVIDE A UNIVERSAL STANDING TO BE ABLE TO HELP PROPERTIES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE STUCK GET UNSTUCK.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS ANNA GONZALEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 337 UNDER PURCHASING.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

OH, SHE'S MAKING HER WAY.

THANK YOU, MR. ELLIS.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M HERE. MY NAME IS ANNA GONZALEZ.

I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE DENVER HARBOR CIVIC CLUB, AND I'M UNDER PRECINCT TWO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S DISTRICT.

[02:10:07]

AND REASON I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE OUR AREA CONSTANTLY, WE HEAR GUNSHOTS.

WE DON'T REPORT THEM ANYMORE BECAUSE IT'S FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU CONTACT HPD AND WE'RE NOT A HIGH PRIORITY CALL.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO CALL PRECINCT SIX TO COME AND ASSIST.

BUT OF COURSE, IT'S NOT A HIGH PRIORITY.

AND LATELY IT'S BEEN CONSTANT MORE AND MORE.

SO I THINK WITH THESE FLOCK CAMERAS AND I THINK IT CAN HELP OUR COMMUNITIES, AND NOT ONLY IN DENVER HARBOR, IN THE CITY LIMITS, BUT IN THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO KIND OF CURTAIL SHOOTING.

IT'S NOT CELEBRATORY.

SHOOTING IS JUST PEOPLE JUST DECIDE TO PULL OUT THEIR GUNS AND SHOOT.

SO I THINK THESE WOULD HELP US.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HEY, ANNA. ANNA, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN, AND I.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU SPEAKING ON THE FLOCK SYSTEM AND JUST SO YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE WE'RE THE COUNTY NOW HAS THE OPPORTUNITY, AND THE CITY HAS ONE AS WELL.

SO I JUST SPOKE TO THE AREA POLICE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION YESTERDAY.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A BIT.

I KNOW THAT DENVER HARBOR IS IN GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH MAYOR WHITMIRE.

SO I WOULD ASK THAT Y'ALL KEEP THIS IN FRONT OF HIM.

YES. AND THEN AT SOME POINT, MAYBE HE AND THE CHIEF AND I CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO DO BETTER WITH DENVER HARBOR.

OKAY. THANK YOU, SIR. YOU'RE WELCOME.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

NEXT IS JEREMY SMITH SPEAKING ON ITEM 390 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT ONE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

MY NAME IS JEREMY SMITH.

I'M A NATIONWIDE EXPERT ON VOTER REGISTRATION.

MY FAMILY'S FROM HUMBLE AND LAPORTE, AND OUR OFFICE IS IN PRECINCT FOUR, SO WE HAVE DEEP ROOTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE COUNTY LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS SEEN A PRECIPITOUS DROP IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

IT'S ABOUT 700,000.

FEWER PEOPLE ARE UPDATING THEIR VOTER REGISTRATIONS OR SIGNING UP IN THE FIRST PLACE.

DESPITE A GROWING POPULATION, MORE NEW CITIZENS AND PEOPLE RETURNING FROM INCARCERATION AND PROBATION.

AND SO HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN AN INNOVATIVE PLACE FOR MANY YEARS ON VOTING RIGHTS, AND WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO AFFIRMATIVELY TAKE EFFORTS TO HELP SUPPORT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT GROUPS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THIS.

IT'S INDEPENDENT OF RACE, GEOGRAPHY MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS WHO MAINTAIN HARRIS AS THEIR HOME OF RECORD.

THERE'S SOME SIMPLE THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE BY THE COUNTY TO HELP IMPROVE THIS ACROSS THE BOARD.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS.

I KNOW A COUPLE OF OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES ARE TRYING TO COME BY TO SPEAK, AND THEY CALLED ME ABOUT THIS ITEM.

I'M TOLD THAT YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING IN SEVERAL OTHER COUNTIES.

WHAT IS THAT AND WHAT IS IT SPECIFICALLY YOU'RE ASKING US TO DO? AND THE LAST POINT IS WE'LL MAKE SURE WHATEVER IT IS, IT IS NONPARTISAN.

YES, COMMISSIONER. SO THESE ARE NONPARTISAN EFFORTS THAT OTHER COUNTIES AND CITIES HAVE TAKEN UP TO AFFIRMATIVELY WELCOME PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARRIVE TO THE COUNTY, WHICH ESSENTIALLY THE SENDING OF A LETTER WITH THE BASIC COUNTY SERVICES ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO REGISTER, TO VOTE, TO SIGN UP FOR DIFFERENT SERVICES THAT YOU ALL OFFER, TO GIVE THEM AN INTRODUCTION TO THE AREA IS VERY LIKE SORT OF A STRAIGHTFORWARD, WELCOMING LETTER WHEN PEOPLE TURN 18, WHEN THEY BECOME A NEW CITIZEN OR WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN THE COUNTY.

SO DALLAS, TRAVIS COUNTY, NEW YORK CITY, BOSTON, THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, A NUMBER OF TAKEN UP THIS SORT OF THING THAT USED TO BE MORE COMMONLY DONE BY MAJOR NATIONAL NONPROFITS BUT IS NO LONGER THE CASE, AND IT COMPLIES WITH STATE LAW.

IT COMPLIES WITH STATE LAW, TOTALLY NONPARTISAN.

IT'S SORT OF WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO PUT ITSELF FORWARD AND WELCOME THOSE PEOPLE DIRECTLY.

AND HOW MUCH IS DALLAS SPENDING ON IT? AND WHAT IS TRAVIS COUNTY? TRAVIS COUNTY IS SPENDING? I BELIEVE THEY'RE DOING A $50,000 PILOT WITH THE INTENT TO DO ABOUT $300,000 A YEAR.

DALLAS COUNTY IS SPENDING IN THE REALM OF HALF $1 MILLION.

I THINK ON A REGULAR BASIS.

SOMETHING HERE HARRIS IS OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, BY FAR THE LARGEST SOMETHING LIKE $300,000 A YEAR WOULD WELCOME EVERYBODY, LIKE IN YOUR VARIOUS PRECINCTS GIVEN THE COMPRESSION THAT WE'VE HAD FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THE 700,000 KIND OF REDUCED AMOUNT THAT WE WOULD SEE SOMETHING LIKE $1.1 MILLION THIS YEAR WOULD SEE THE COUNTY ADD ABOUT 200,000 MORE VOTERS.

OKAY. JUST AND JUST AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I'M GOING TO ASK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESSOR AND COME BACK AT THE NEXT COURT WITH SOME SORT OF PROPOSAL AND WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE IT DOES COMPLY WITH STATE LAW.

IF WE DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF DISCUSSION, WE CAN JUST DO THAT.

[02:15:02]

IF YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE YOUR MOTION, COMMISSIONER I'LL JUST MAKE A MOTION TO HAVE IT IN HERE.

COMMISSIONER, I HAVE A NOTE.

TWO NOTES THAT YOU'RE TAKING.

SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE CALLING IN AT 3 P.M..

IS THAT STILL THE CASE? YEAH, I'LL DO IT AFTER WHEN THEY CALL.

OKAY, SO THEN YOU GUYS WILL REMIND ME OF THAT.

OKAY, SO WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THAT, THEN THAT SEND THE MOTION AROUND.

OKAY. AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION.

SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS TO LEAVE BY 530.

CORRECT. SO LET'S KEEP IN MIND THE TIME AS IT QUICKLY FLIES BY.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS SMITH.

NEXT IS TERRY CHEN SPEAKING ON ITEM 47.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

HIGH COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

MY NAME IS TERRY CHEN.

I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE.

I'M AN ORGANIZER FOR WOODY JUNTOS AND I'M A MEMBER OF HOUSTON LEADS.

I'M HERE TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY OF THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, WHILE SPENDING OUR LOCAL TAX DOLLARS FOR COUNTY IMPROVEMENTS.

PLEASE END JAIL OUTSOURCING AND KEEP HARRIS COUNTY TAX DOLLARS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I'M VERY PRO SPENDING WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING PARKS AND MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE ETHICALLY AND EFFICIENTLY.

AND I HOPE THIS ISN'T A STALLING TACTIC FOR THAT SPENDING.

I ALSO WANT TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR UPLIFT HARRIS DURING THIS TIME.

ECONOMIC EQUITY IS AN IMPORTANT AND PROVEN WAY TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES.

ANOTHER WAY IS ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY, WHICH INCLUDES NOT APPROVING PERMITS FOR A CEMENT BATCH PLANTS AND NOT EXPANDING FREEWAYS WHICH ADD TO OUR AIR POLLUTION, REDUCE FLOOD DRAINAGE AND DISPLACE HOMES, LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PLACES OF FAITH.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, PLEASE CALL FOR A PERMANENT CEASE FIRE AND FREE PALESTINE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. MICHAEL KNIGHT SPEAKING ON ITEM 47.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. THANK YOU.

I WANTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF CENTRALIZED PURCHASING.

I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED BUSINESSES AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FOR 45 YEARS IN THIS TOWN.

I HAVE CONSULTED ALL OVER THE WORLD AND I'VE OVERSEEN MILLIONS IN PURCHASING.

I'VE DONE IT BOTH WAYS.

TODAY, I'M A BUSINESS OWNER RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF $1 BILLION WORTH OF MULTIFAMILY REAL ESTATE.

I'VE HEARD FROM TWO OF YOU ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I'VE READ MR. POST'S REPORTS, AND I'M COMPELLED TO SHARE WITH YOU MY EXPERIENCE THE INSPECTIONS THAT WERE DONE.

TELL US SOME PAPERWORK AND COMPLIANCE ISSUES EXIST.

THEY DON'T SUGGEST EMPLOYEES ARE MAKING IRRESPONSIBLE DECISIONS OR WASTING PUBLIC MONEY.

I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX RUN OF THE MILL COMPLIANCE ISSUES, NOT A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM.

BEGGING FOR AN OVERHAUL, SPENDING MONTHS HAVING BUREAUCRATS FILLING OUT A SCORECARD DESIGNED BY ACADEMICS TO EVALUATE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES THEY HAVE NEVER MET, WHO PROVIDE SERVICES THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, IS SIMPLY NOT EFFECTIVE OR EFFICIENT.

THOSE CLOSEST TO THE ACTION KNOW BEST.

THE BEST RESULTS COME WHEN WE HAVE MANAGERS LEADING THOSE FOLKS EFFECTIVELY.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

WE GOT A COUPLE MORE REMARKS.

NOT WHEN WE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AWAY FROM THEM OR DO IT FOR THEM.

CENTRAL CONTROL IS JUST DEFINITELY NOT THE ANSWER.

FIX WHAT NEEDS FIXING AND I REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO CONFUSE MORE COMPLIANCE AND CONTROL WITH GREATER EFFICIENCY AND SUCCESS.

THAT IS MY EXPERIENCE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. KEVIN ENGLISH SPEAKING ON ITEM 47.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS KEVIN ENGLISH.

I'M THE HOUSTON POLICY COORDINATOR FOR WORKERS DEFENSE, WHICH IS A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES FOR LATINA AND IMMIGRANT WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS.

I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT FOUR IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE SUPPORT THE VISION AND COUNT THE COUNTY HAS FOR PROCUREMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED CONTRACTS.

ANY TIME A CORPORATION IS RECEIVING A CONTRACT TO DO WORK IN THE COUNTY, WE NEED TO KNOW WHO IT IS AND HOW THE DECISION WAS MADE FOR INSTANCES LIKE TAX ABATEMENTS FOR LARGE DEVELOPERS, ACCORDING TO THE REPORTS FROM THE COUNTY.

FROM THE RECENT AUDITS, THERE ISN'T MUCH IN RECORDS OF A LOT OF PROCUREMENT THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE COUNTY.

THIS IS ALARMING.

AS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AND RESIDENT MYSELF, IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE CONSTANTLY ON OUR GUARD AND DEFENSE OF GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO PROFIT AT OUR EXPENSE.

WE NEED TRANSPARENCY AND WE NEED DOCUMENTATION, AND WE NEED SYSTEMS IN PLACE THAT PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

CONTRACTORS SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A PROCESS THAT THEY NEED TO KNOW, THAT THEY NEED THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A PROCESS.

THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE CHECKS TO SEE IF THEY HAVE PROPER CERTIFICATIONS.

YOUR TIME IS UP. IF THEY HAVE PAST VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY OR WORKER PROTECTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

THANK YOU. REBECCA RAYNER SPEAKING ON ITEM 489.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

[02:20:10]

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU TODAY.

MY NAME IS REBECCA REINA.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GREATER NORTHSIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY FULL SUPPORT FOR AGENDA ITEM 489.

FOR MANY YEARS, OUR DISTRICT HAS GRAPPLED WITH THE CHALLENGES OF MAINTAINING CLEANLINESS ALONG THE BAYOU, RECEIVING MANY CALLS FROM THE BUSINESSES ALONG THE BAYOU, PARTICULARLY THE LITTLE WHITE OAK, WHICH COURSES THROUGH OUR AREA.

THE ISSUE OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS AND ACCUMULATED TRASH ALONG THE BAYOU IS A PERSISTENT CONCERN THAT DEMANDS OUR ATTENTION, DESPITE OUR BEST COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH RESOURCES AT HAND.

AND WHAT I MEAN, COLLABORATIVE.

THE CITY, THE COUNTY WE'VE ALL BEEN MEETING FOR YEARS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

WE'VE BEEN WE'VE OFTEN FIND OURSELVES UNABLE TO FULLY ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

THE COMPLEXITY OF THE BAYOU TERRAIN, COUPLED WITH THE SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AND DIRECTIVES FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL, SOMETIMES HINDER OUR CLEANUP EFFORTS.

THIS IS WHY ITEM 489 IS IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

JUST I WANT TO SAY, BY ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ADDRESS BAYOU MAINTENANCE, WE CAN SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE THE CAPACITY TO TACKLE WATERWAY POLLUTION AND IMPROVE THE SURROUNDING AREAS. WE HOPE THAT SUPPORTING THIS ISSUE, WE CAN MAKE MEANINGFUL STRIDES RESTORING THE BEAUTY AND VITALITY OF OUR WATERWAYS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND THANK YOU AND THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR TAKING ON SO MANY OF THE AREA NEEDS WITHIN YOUR MANAGEMENT DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, MANY OF WHICH ARE NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, BUT YOU OWN IT, YOU WORK TO ADDRESS IT, AND BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

BUT I APPRECIATE YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND AND FOR BEING HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS.

WELL. THANK YOU. WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT GREAT PARTNERS LIKE PRECINCT TWO.

GOOD. THANK YOU. COUNTY.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, NON-AGENDA.

SPEAKER NUMBER ONE, WALTER PROTHERO.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

YES. MY NAME IS WALTER PROTHRO, AND I'M TALKING, OF COURSE, ABOUT HARRIS HEALTH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO INTRODUCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF HARRIS COUNTY ON WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN USING HARRIS HEALTH FACILITIES.

FROM EXPERIENCE, AS I'VE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO HARRIS HEALTH OF AN INCIDENT AT BEN TAUB CONCERNING THE CHIEF OF INTERNAL MEDICINE FOR BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, DOCTOR DAVID HYMAN.

MY VERY FIRST INTRODUCTION, DOCTOR HYMAN, WAS ONE THAT WOULD SURPRISE ANYONE ON MY FIRST VISIT.

DOCTOR HYMAN WAS BRIEF, DID ASK A FEW QUESTIONS, AS MOST PHYSICIANS WOULD DO AT BEN TAUB.

WHEN I ASKED QUESTIONS, HE JUST BRUSHED THEM OFF AND IGNORED MY CONCERNS.

WHEN IT CAME TO GOING OVER LAB RESULTS, HE WAS TOTALLY LOST.

HE COULD NOT EXPLAIN ANY PART OF THE LABS OR SPECIAL QUESTIONS I HAD.

THIS DID NOT CHANGE OVER TIME, WHICH INCLUDED SOME OF THE LAST ENCOUNTERS THAT HE NEVER WENT OVER THE LABS AT ALL.

HIS ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE MEDICAL OUTCOMES WAS TRULY DEFICIENT.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. WELCOME.

THESE NEXT SPEAKERS WILL SPEAK TOGETHER SARAH KNIGHT, FABIAN CALLUS, SANDRA CALLUS, AND CHRISTIE JACKSON.

MY NAME IS SARAH KNIGHT.

FIRST I WANT TO SAY MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF THIS OFFICER THAT LOST HIS LIFE TODAY.

AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, I ASK FOR EVERYONE TO HEAR THE HEART OF A MOTHER.

MY SON, JALEN ANDERSON, WAS IN LASALLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN OLA, LOUISIANA.

HE LOST HIS LIFE DUE TO THE MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE IN THIS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

MY SON WAS TRANSFERRED FROM HARRIS COUNTY DUE TO THE OVERCROWDING.

HE STARTED HAVING SEIZURES AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO A ONE MAN SALE, AND HE CONTINUED HAVING SEIZURES.

AND THE CORRECTION OFFICERS TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE WATCHING OVER HIM, BUT I BELIEVE NO ONE WAS WATCHING OVER MY SON HE'S.

HE WAS FINALLY TAKEN TO HARDNER MEDICAL CENTER, WHICH HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT 8:59 P.M..

AS I WENT TO THE WARDEN TO SPEAK TO JOHN STARKEY HERE AT THIS FACILITY, HE GAVE ME NO ANSWERS.

I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM ANYONE.

YOUR TIME IS UP. GO AHEAD.

MA'AM, YOU CONTINUE TO WRAP UP YOUR REMARKS.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM ANYONE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING.

MY SON LOST HIS LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE.

[02:25:03]

HE DIED ON APRIL THE 3RD AT 859.

AND NATASHA YOUNG, WHICH IS THE LADY THAT CALLED ME THE CHAPLAIN.

SHE DID NOT CALL ME UNTIL MIDNIGHT, AND I DID NOT KNOW THAT MY SON WAS GONE.

AND I JUST I'M VERY HURT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.

AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THE SHERIFF'S COUNTY OFFICE.

THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN ME HIS PROPERTY.

THE THE THE CAPTAIN THAT CALLED ME ONE TIME TO JUST TELL ME THAT HE SENDS OUT HIS CONDOLENCES TO ME.

NO ONE ELSE HAS REACHED OUT TO ME.

AND ON THE THIRD WILL BE 30 DAYS.

AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM ANYONE.

I'M SO SORRY.

I'M SO SORRY. I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

I REALLY WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT MY TEAM IMMEDIATELY SITS WITH YOU GUYS AND WE CAN'T BRING HIM BACK.

I KNOW WE HAVE AN OVERCROWDING PROBLEM TODAY.

WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE ANOTHER UPDATE ON THE JAIL.

IT BREAKS MY HEART.

I'M. I'M. I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE OKAY WITH WITH THESE DEATHS.

WHETHER IT BE LASALLE, WHETHER IT BE HERE.

BECAUSE COMMITTING A CRIME PRETRIAL IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE.

AND SURE, SOME PEOPLE WERE ILL AND WERE GOING TO DIE.

BUT I'M SURE YOUR SON IS QUITE YOUNG, BY THE LOOKS OF YOU.

YEAH, HE WAS 29 YEARS OLD, SO I'M.

I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

I'M SO SORRY.

AND WE'LL WE'LL SIT WITH YOU AND SEE.

SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO CONNECT YOU WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MA'AM, I, I ALSO WANTED TO JUST OFFER MY CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

I KNOW THAT A MEMBER OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS LISTENING TO THIS, SO I WOULD SIMPLY ASK IF JASON CAN MAKE SURE TO REACH OUT TO YOU.

AND I KNOW THESE THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE A LITTLE COMPLICATED.

BUT I THINK WE CAN DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER TO PROVIDE YOU WHATEVER INFORMATION CAN BE PROVIDED AT THIS TIME.

SO. GOD BLESS YOU.

THANK YOU, MISS KNIGHT.

WE'RE EXTREMELY SORRY.

THIS IS TRAGIC AND IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

AND MR. SPENCER'S, SHERIFF GONZALEZ'S CHIEF OF STAFF.

AND YOU WILL GET MORE INFORMATION PROMPTLY.

THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU.

THANK THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.

I'M SORRY. TODAY WOULD HAVE BEEN THE DAY THAT HE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN RELEASED FROM JAIL AND JUST TO SPEAK ON, YOU KNOW, THINGS THAT HIS MOTHER HAS SAID.

IT'S THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

HE. WHEN HE CALLED ME AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FIRST SEIZURE, SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ABOUT THAT.

WHEN HE CALLED ME AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SECOND SEIZURE.

SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ABOUT THAT.

IT TOOK SIX SEIZURES, SIX SEIZURES FOR HIM TO HAVE, FOR SOMEBODY TO TRY AT LEAST TO DO ANYTHING.

AND WHY IS IT THAT 55 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THAT SAME FACILITY? 55 MEN HAVE DIED DUE TO LACK OF OF NO MEDICAL STAFF OR A LACK OF PEOPLE NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO IN THOSE TYPE OF SITUATIONS.

THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND THIS WOULD NOT STAND WITH ME.

I WOULD NOT STAND FOR THIS.

THIS IS THIS IS A TRAGEDY.

IT'S A TRAGEDY AND THIS CANNOT GO ON.

THIS IS TOO MANY MEN THAT ARE DYING IN THIS FACILITY.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS.

IT HAS TO.

I CAN'T THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OH, MY NAME IS FABIAN CALLUS, AND I'M SPEAKING THESE ARE QUESTIONS ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY.

AND THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS.

WHAT TRAINING IS PROVIDED TO THE STAFF? TO IDENTIFY MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.

WHO CAN. DOES THE TRAINING.

HOW OFTEN IS TRAINING? WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR NO SEIZURE ACTIVITY? WHO NOTED THE INITIAL PROTOCOL OBSERVATION? WAS THE GUARD UP TO DATE WITH MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTOCOL AND TRAINING? IF NOT, WHY WERE THEY ALLOWED TO WORK? WAS MY BROTHER, JAYLEN ANDERSON ANDERSON CONDITION NOTED IN MEDICAL RECORDS.

AND WHY WAS HE NOT TRANSPORTED TO EMERGENCY EMERGENCY ROOM FOLLOWING THE FIRST SEIZURE? WHEN DID THE FIRST SEIZURE START WITH THE IN GOD'S NOTES AND HOW MUCH TIME PASSED BETWEEN HIM FINALLY BEING TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL? WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL NOTED FOR SEIZURE ACTIVITY? WHY IS THE PROTOCOL NOT FOLLOWED? DID THE GUARD CONTACT ANYONE FOLLOWING THE FIRST SEIZURE? HOW OFTEN ARE THE GUARDS MAKING ROUNDS WITHIN THE LASALLE UNIT IN LOUISIANA? WHAT IS THE POLICY REGARDING DEATH NOTIFICATIONS? DOES THE LASALLE UNIT HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION? WHEN A PERSON IS TRANSFERRED FROM A HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, ARE THE INMATE'S RECORDS MAINTAINED DIGITALLY OR PAPER RECORDS? WHO HAS ACCESS TO THESE INMATE'S RECORDS? AND MY LAST QUESTION IS WHAT CAUSED THE DELAY OF THE DEATH NOTIFICATION? IF THE RECORDS ARE DIGITAL? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND I WILL ASK OUR FOLKS THAT ARE LEADING THE THE JAIL POPULATION REDUCTION ABOUT SEE, THAT'S THE KIND OF QUESTIONS, AT LEAST THE FIRST CHUNK ON THE MEDICAL CARE.

THAT'S THE KIND OF QUESTIONS THAT THAT I THINK NEED TO BE ANSWERED BY HARRIS HEALTH AND WHOEVER'S THERE, BECAUSE THEY JUST SAY WE'RE OVER BUDGET.

WE SAY, OKAY, HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THEM TO THE BUDGET?

[02:30:03]

SO I YOU KNOW, I'LL MENTION IT AGAIN.

IT MIGHT BE THAT YOU GUYS DID SOMETHING ON THAT ALONG THAT LINE ALREADY.

I KNOW I HAVEN'T BEEN BRIEFED BY YOU THIS WEEK, BUT I APPRECIATE THOSE QUESTIONS.

AND AND AGAIN, I'M SO SORRY.

THE SOLUTION IS TO ALSO NOT SEND PEOPLE TO LASALLE.

SO OUR FOCUS IS TO REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION.

BUT WE'LL LOOK INTO THE CONTACT INFORMATION POINT.

OKAY? YES, MA'AM.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M HAROLD ANDERSON.

I'M THE FATHER OF JAYLEN ANDERSON.

AND. MAN, IT'S JUST ROUGH, YOU KNOW? YOU DON'T. YOU DON'T WAKE UP TO BURY YOUR CHILD, YOU KNOW? I'M JUST AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.

I'M JUST HERE TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY AND TRY TO BE HERE THE BEST WAY THAT I CAN FOR THEM, YOU KNOW? I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. I'M SORRY.

HELLO. MY NAME IS SANDRA CALLAS AND I ALSO SUFFER FROM SEIZURES.

JAYLEN ANDERSON WAS MY LITTLE BROTHER, SO I CAN JUST IMAGINE WHAT HE WAS GOING THROUGH.

HE ACTUALLY DIED FROM SOMETHING.

HE DIDN'T DIE FROM A SEIZURE, SO IT JUST TOOK THEM TOO LONG TO RESPOND TO HIS MEDICAL CALL FOR HELP.

AND I DON'T APPRECIATE THAT.

I LOVE MY BROTHER. I LOVE MY FAMILY.

I JUST THANK Y'ALL FOR GIVING US A CHANCE TO SPEAK.

AND I JUST PRAY THAT NOBODY ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH THIS.

IF SOMEBODY SAYS THEY NEED HELP, GIVE THEM HELP.

DON'T IGNORE THEM.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING US RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO THIS.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

WE'RE SO SORRY.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS LAKISHA MENIFEE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

HELLO, MY NAME IS DOCTOR LAKISHA MENIFEE.

AND JUST LIKE JALEN'S FAMILY, I HAVE A SAD REPORT IN REGARDS TO THE RESPONSE OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR AS IT RELATES TO THE PROTECTION OF ITS CITIZENS.

ON FEBRUARY THE 12TH I REPORTED THAT THERE WERE CYBER CRIMES INFILTRATIONS ON THE NETWORK WITHIN MY COMMUNITY.

AND ON FEBRUARY 16TH, I CALLED TO GET SUPPORT FROM OFFICERS.

AND AS OPPOSED TO GETTING SUPPORT, I WAS ASSAULTED BY OFFICERS.

TO THIS DAY, I'VE BEEN REQUESTING THE BODY CAM VIDEO FROM THOSE OFFICERS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT.

CAM PAXTON EVEN REQUESTED IT BECAUSE AFTER THAT DAY I WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND NO ONE LOOKED INTO THE SEXUAL ASSAULT.

DURING THE ALTERCATION WITH POLICE OFFICERS, THEY CONTACTED EMS AND TOOK MY BLOOD WITHOUT A WARRANT WHILE I WAS HANDCUFFED FOR HOURS AND MY DRESS WAS OPEN AND NO ONE COVERED ME UNTIL I ASKED FOR A SHEET TO BE COVERED.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

I WENT TO SAINT LUKE FOR SUPPORT AS OPPOSED TO GIVING ME SUPPORT.

THEY TRIED TO COMMIT ME AS BEING INSANE.

I WENT TO METHODIST HOSPITAL AND THE NURSE TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY DOCUMENTATION FROM THE RAPE KIT UNTIL I TALKED AND GOT A PSYCHIATRIC EXAM, BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY TO THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY.

THAT IS WHAT THE NURSE TOLD ME AT THE HOSPITAL.

AND EVEN THROUGH ALL OF THAT, I DIDN'T GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A BREAK.

I STILL HAD TO RUN MY COMPANY, IN WHICH I'M A MINORITY ENERGY BROKER FOR ABUNDANCE ENERGY CONSORTIUM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.

FOLLOW UP. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER SIX, MICHAEL DICKERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

MICHAEL DICKINSON.

I DON'T THINK HE'S HERE.

NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

OKAY. NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 11, PATRICIA BARBA.

SHE'S MAKING HER WAY.

MY NAME IS PATRICIA BARBA, AND I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT I DON'T STAND ALONE.

I STAND WITH A COMMUNITY WITH SIGNATURES HERE.

I HAVE SENT IN OVER ONE YEAR OF RACING VIDEOS OF CARS GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR TO COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA'S OFFICE OVER

[02:35:03]

IT'S OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR AND I HAVEN'T HEARD A RESPONSE.

THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

THEY CAN'T GO OUT THERE AND STOP THESE CRIMINALS AND GO.

THEY GO OVER 60.

THERE'S A RADAR THERE.

WE WANT TO TRY TO SAVE LIVES.

I'VE INVESTED IN CAMERAS, EVERYTHING TO PROVE THAT WE HAVE A SEVERE DANGER ON OUR 30 MILE PER HOUR ROAD.

WE WANT TO SAVE LIVES.

WE WANT Y'ALL TO HELP US SAVE LIVES BEFORE.

WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR CONDOLENCES OR I'M SORRY, OR THIS OR THAT.

I'M PROVING TO YOU THE DANGER.

IS THERE 60 MILES AN HOUR? IT'S A LITTLE SHORT ROAD.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

OF COURSE. MISS BARBAY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

AND AND SHARING WHAT YOU'VE BEEN CONFRONTING WITH.

BUT OVER THE TIME THAT WE'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH YOU WE'VE ACTUALLY.

AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TODAY TO TRY TO COME TO SOME CONSENSUS TO CREATE A SPEED BUMP POLICY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ONE.

AND SO THAT'S BEEN THE DELAY IN TRYING TO RESPOND TO THE ISSUES YOU'RE CONFRONTING.

I'VE BEEN TOLD HARRIS COUNTY DOES NOT ALLOW SPEED BUMPS, BUT WE THE PEOPLE ARE HARRIS COUNTY, I GOT YOU, BUT WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE WAYS TO GET TO THOSE THINGS.

YES, SIR. AND SO I'M HOPEFUL TODAY WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MOVE SOME EFFORTS FORWARD.

OUR COUNTY ENGINEER HAS REALLY WORKED ON THIS.

AND AND BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING TO, TO TRY TO BRING THAT RESOLVE TO YOU AND OTHER NEIGHBORS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU JUDGE.

THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

EVERYONE WHO CAME TO SPEAK.

LET ME SEE HERE.

SO THAT WAS THAT WAS THE SPEAKERS.

LET ME LOOK AT THE TABLE OF CONTENTS.

SO ANY CORRECTIONS HERE? ITEM 24, PAGE THREE.

ARPA NUISANCE ABATEMENT PROGRAM.

THERE'S A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO CHANGE PRECINCTS TWO, THREE AND FOUR TO PRECINCTS ONE, TWO AND THREE.

SO IT READS REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR APPROVAL OF THE ORDER TO ABATE A PUBLIC NUISANCE AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AT PRECINCTS ONE, TWO AND THREE.

ITEM 60 ON PAGE SEVEN.

AGREEMENT WITH B2C COUNTY ENGINEER HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION ITEM 141, PAGE 16 WITH AUTO ARC ARCHITECTS. COUNTY ENGINEER REQUEST NO.

ACTION ITEM 145 ON PAGE 17 HAS A CORRECTION.

WE NEED TO CHANGE PRECINCT ONE TO PRECINCTS ONE AND TWO.

SO IT READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO NEGOTIATE, ETC., ETC..

COMMA. PRECINCTS ONE AND TWO.

ITEM 193.

WE NEED TO ADD LITTLE AFTER NECESSARY.

SO IN THE PARENTHESES AT THE BOTTOM IT SAYS LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK WATERSHED BOND, F 29, PROJECT ID, ETC..

NO ACTION ON THE HARRIS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, CORRECT? NO ACTION ON ITEM 202 ON PAGE 23, PAGE 25, ITEM 223.

HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THIS AGREEMENT.

ITEM 224, PAGE 25.

SAME NO ACTION REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

ITEM 262.

ON PAGE 29, OMB REQUESTS NO ACTION.

DOES THAT MEAN YOU GUYS ARE WORKING WITH THE JUDGE AND THEM ON IT? I'M SORRY, JUDGE, WE SENT A NOTE TO YOUR STAFF EARLIER THAT THAT CAN COME BACK ON.

IT CAN COME BACK? CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED.

OKAY, WE'LL BRING THAT BACK THEN.

THANK YOU.

HANG ON. OKAY.

AND THEN WE HAVE ITEM 384.

THERE'S A CORRECTION.

WE NEED TO CHANGE PRECINCT TWO TO PRECINCT THREE.

SO IT SAYS ON THE BASIS OF LOW QUOTE FROM HOUSTON FREIGHTLINER FOR WATER TRUCK FOR PRECINCT THREE.

468 A DONATION.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE REQUESTS NO ACTION.

AND THAT IS IT FOR THE CORRECTIONS.

LET ME BRING UP DISCUSSION ITEMS. AND JUST REMEMBER, WE HAVE AROUND THREE HOURS BEFORE COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS TO LEAVE.

OKAY, SO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 453, AN APPOINTMENT OF FRANCISCO CASTILLO.

[02:40:01]

DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ITEM 454, APPOINTMENT OF BRENDA SYKES.

WE'LL PUT THAT BACK ON CONSENT.

LET'S SEE 459 APPOINTMENT OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO THE SPORTS AUTHORITY.

NO. NOPE.

OKAY, WE'LL PUT THAT ON CONSENT.

FOUR 60.

THAT IS APPOINTMENT OF JESSICA BRAND.

NO, TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER BOARD.

AND THEN WE HAVE APPOINTMENT OF REVEREND ALEXANDER JOHNSON TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER BOARD.

NO PROBLEM. OKAY, THAT GOES BACK ON CONSENT.

IS THAT ONE FOR FOUR 60 ONE JUDGE THAT WAS FOR 60 ONE, CORRECT? PAGE 57.

NOW KELLY, ADMINISTRATION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION TWO.

OH, MARIA LEONA, NOMINEE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING FOR 62, PAGE 57.

DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? NO. OKAY.

WILL THOSE BE APPROVED? CONNIE.

JUDGE. CORRECT.

APPROVE AS PRESENTED.

AND THEN WE HAD ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE SESSION, WHICH WE DISCUSSED ALREADY.

455 JUDGE, WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.

SECOND IS THAT IS THAT ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS? YEAH. WE DON'T NEED TO. I DON'T NEED TO GO.

I JUST NEED TO VOTE. I HAVE MAYBE THAT'S NOT EXECUTIVE SESSION.

HANG ON A SECOND.

OH, NO, IT'S AN EXECUTIVE. THAT'S NOT A THAT'S NOT AN EXECUTIVE.

IT'S NOT. YES, I'LL GET TO THAT.

COMMISSIONER. JUST A SECOND.

LET ME GO IN ORDER HERE BEFORE I LOSE MY PLACE.

YES. OKAY.

SO IT SAYS IT IS.

IT IS, IT IS SO.

OKAY. SO WHAT IS IT? 455 YOU SAID 55.

IT'S WHAT IT SAID. WAS IT OKAY? OKAY. SO SO 455.

WE NEED TO VOTE. SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY OR NO MOTION BY WHO'S GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION? GARCIA. GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION SECOND.

SECOND BY BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES FOR TWO.

ONE. AND THEN 456.

WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS.

AND THE OTHER TWO WERE DISCUSSED ALREADY IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I'M MAKING SURE I DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING ELSE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MACARTHUR FOUNDATION FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE.

DO PEOPLE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? NO, NO. OKAY.

AND THEN I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY OTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION ONCE A JUDGE.

I'M SORRY FOR 456.

WILL THAT BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED? 456 IS THE BYLAWS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HISPANIC CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION.

YES. APPROVE AS PRESENTED.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 22.

THAT IS AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN, GENDER AND SEXUALITY TO EVALUATE EARLY REACH.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THIS ONE.

JUST NEED A VOTE SO MOVED SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO. MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

I ALSO WAS GOING TO ADD 19 AND 20.

AND THOSE TWO WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.

SO MOVED SECOND.

ALL RIGHT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

AND THESE ARE ITEMS 19 AND 20.

ALL IN FAVOR.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 123.

REQUEST BY PUBLIC HEALTH FOR ARPA DOLLARS FOR ARPA HEALTH PORTFOLIO REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

OKAY, WE'LL KEEP THAT ON THE DISCUSSION.

AGENDA ITEM 24.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS THE PUBLIC NUISANCE 26 A POSITION.

OKAY. WE NEED TO ADD 25 AND JUST VOTE.

OKAY. SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON 25.

THAT'S A DATA USE AGREEMENT WITH THE UT HEALTH.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. I'M SORRY, WHO'S THE SECOND MOTION BY ELLIS, SECOND BY GARCIA.

OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO, I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

THAT WAS 25.

OKAY, SO 24 WAS ALSO FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SO I'LL KEEP IT FOR DISCUSSION.

26 IS TRANSFER POSITION.

WE'LL LEAVE IT FOR DISCUSSION 29.

[02:45:01]

I THINK GARCIA, IS THAT WHICH ONE IS THAT? 29 IS THE IS THE UPDATE ON THE JAIL POPULATION? SO WE'LL KEEP THAT ONE ON THE DISCUSSION.

ITEM 30 IS THE DISCUSSION ON THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK.

IT LOOKS LIKE SEVERAL FOLKS FLAGGED THAT, SO WE'LL KEEP IT.

ITEM 32 IS A GOVERNANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

GARCIA AND BRIONES BOTH FLAGGED THAT YOU GUYS STILL NEED TO DISCUSS.

YES, PLEASE. OKAY.

33, THAT IS POSITION TO THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

NO. SO WE'LL PUT THAT BACK ON CONSENT, OKAY? IT GOES BACK ON CONSENT 34.

IT IS A CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE PROJECTION.

COMMISSIONER. BRIONES WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS ONE.

YES. OKAY.

36 IS ADDITIONAL POSITIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT.

PRECINCT TWO FLAGGED THIS ONE.

I'M GOOD. OKAY, WE'LL PUT THAT BACK ON CONSENT.

37 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS, CORRECT? YES, PLEASE. OKAY.

53. WE COULD PUT THAT WITH 3434 ALONG WITH 37.

YES, PLEASE. OKAY. THANK YOU.

JUDGE WITH 37.

GOT IT. JUDGE, WE NEED TO ADD 44.

OKAY. LET'S ADD 44.

I JUST HAD SOME QUESTIONS OKAY.

SO 44 IS COMMERCIAL PAPER FUNDING FOR, YOU KNOW, COMMERCIAL PAPER FUNDING.

OH YEAH. FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES 311.

SO I'M PUTTING 44 ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

NEXT WE HAVE ITEM 53 APPROVAL TO CONTINUE.

DEPARTMENT ALLOWANCE AND INCENTIVE PAY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED IT.

OKAY. WE'LL KEEP IT FOR DISCUSSION.

134 PRESENTED BY PRECINCT THREE IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY.

YOU'RE STILL HERE. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

OKAY. 212, AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT HAS BEEN FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES. YOU STILL NEED TO DISCUSS.

YES. OKAY.

216 THAT IS A DATA SHARING AGREEMENT WITH GIVEDIRECTLY THAT HAS BEEN FLAGGED BY PRECINCTS TWO AND THREE. DO YOU GUYS STILL NEED TO DISCUSS? OKAY. 219 A PROPOSAL FOR A MOBILE HEALTH EXPANSION STRATEGY.

THAT WAS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT TWO.

DO YOU STILL NEED TO DISCUSS? OKAY, 230 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE HARDY TOLL ROAD.

ALL RIGHT. 234 AN AGREEMENT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES.

YES, WE'LL KEEP THAT ON.

241 EXCUSE ME.

FLAG. YES, I APOLOGIZE I'D LIKE TO RETURN 230 BACK TO CONSENT AGENDA.

OKAY. WE'RE PUTTING 230 BACK ON CONSENT.

THAT'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON THE HARDY.

234 FLAGGED BY PRECINCT TWO.

IT'S A CONSTABLE AGREEMENT WITH ROD PROJECT OWNER.

OKAY. 241, FLAGGED BY PRECINCT TWO, A SALARY STUDY.

YES. OKAY TOO.

I'M NOT SURE IF THIS WOULD BE OKAY IF THIS.

IS THIS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM? COULD CAN IT BE RATHER? I MEAN, I THINK IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.

I MEAN, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR CONSULTATION WITH WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ABOUT IT? YEAH. IS THIS AN SP 23 CONTEXT? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE ASKING? YEAH.

OKAY. YEAH, THAT WOULD BE OKAY.

OKAY. SO LET ME MOVE THAT UP TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE'LL PUT IT WE'LL PUT IT HERE AT THE END.

ALL RIGHT. SO GOING BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

262 IS THE PROBATE OFFICE OF PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR, APPLIED BY PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR. YOU CAN GO BACK HOME.

OKAY. WE'RE PUTTING THIS BACK ON CONSENT.

WE HAVE SOME SPECIFIC LANGUAGE THAT WE ASKED FOR AS PART OF THE MOTION.

SO IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY NEED TO BE DISCUSSED, BUT CAN YOU READ IT TO US?

[02:50:02]

I MEAN. SO THE MOTION IS MOTION TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR, TO BE ONE FINANCED THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 25 USING FUND 23.

CAN YOU SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT, TOO? SO APPROVE THE CREATION OF THE ADMINISTRATOR TO BE.

TO BE WHAT? FINANCE THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 25 USING FUND 2356 AND FUND 2161 AND CONTINUED BEYOND FISCAL YEAR 25, CONTINGENT ON AVAILABLE FUNDING FROM THE PROBATE COURTS.

WE JUST WANT TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE'S ON THE SAME PAGE, THAT THIS IS NOT A GENERAL FUND ITEM AND WILL GO AWAY IF THE FUNDING WERE TO LAPSE IN SOME WAY.

ARE FOLKS OKAY WITH THAT MOTION? YES, YES. ALL RIGHT.

SO WE NEED A MOTION.

SO MOVED MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT WAS 262.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS.

264. YES.

MY APOLOGIES. I WANTED TO RETURN ITEMS 23 AND 24 TO CONSENT AGENDA.

OKAY, SO WE ARE RETURNING 23 AND 24.

THESE ARE ARPA RECOVERY FUNDS.

AND, JUDGE, CAN 262 GO BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, AS AMENDED? YES. JUST A MOMENT.

262 GOES BACK TO CONSENT AGENDA.

CORRECT. IT IS BACK ON CONSENT AGENDA, COMMISSIONER ELLIS OKAY, BUT IT WAS ALREADY VOTED ON.

RIGHT? RIGHT. WE ALREADY VOTED ON IT, CORRECT? YES. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

OH, NO, I WAS JUST POINTING OUT THE SAME THING.

OKAY. 264 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, LAW ENFORCEMENT DRONE ACADEMY CONFERENCE.

YES. JUST WANT TO TAKE NO ACTION ON LINE 30.

OKAY. I THINK THAT'S WHAT THAT IS.

LET ME SEE. 264.

OKAY. OKAY.

YES. SO LINE 30 IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DRONE ACADEMY CONFERENCE.

SO REQUEST NO ACTION ON THAT.

IS THAT OKAY? OKAY. SO WE'RE DOING NO ACTION FOR THAT ONE.

AND JUST FOR THE REST OF US OKAY.

YES. AND JUDGE ALSO ON ITEMS 287 408415 AND 418, THOSE CAN RETURN TO CONSENT.

OKAY. SO 287 IS BACK ON CONSENT.

THAT IS FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WETLAND, WETLAND DESIGN, CREATION AND PLANTING 300 NO 408.

YEAH, I'M JUST GOING IN ORDER BECAUSE OTHERWISE I'LL LOSE MY PLACE.

BUT I THINK I GOT IT.

ITEM 300 IS ALSO FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ASHBRITT.

EMERGENCY SERVICES. OKAY.

327, FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IT'S AGREEMENT FOR LEGAL SERVICES.

THIS VOTE SO MOVED SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

EXCUSE ME. ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO, I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

347 IS REQUEST TO APPROVE A VENDOR NAME TO CORRECT THE VENDOR NAME.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU FLAGGED THAT ONE 347.

I JUST NEED TO VOTE THIS VOTE.

SO MOVED SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON 347.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO, I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION.

CARRIES 4 TO 1.

387 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THAT IS PROJECT MANAGER FOR PROCURE.

TO PAY? I THINK YOU DID.

HE DID WANT TO DISCUSS THAT.

390 A REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING EXISTING EFFORTS FOR VOTING.

OKAY, SO THIS IS WHERE THE WE'RE STILL WAITING FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I HAVE IT NOW. YOU HAVE IT.

DO WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THEM FIRST? I THINK THEY'LL BE PLEASED WITH THE MOTION OKAY.

IS THAT OKAY? J. OH, WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL THEY CALL HIM.

YEAH, PLEASE DO THAT.

I'LL DO THAT. YEAH, AND I'LL SEND A MOTION AROUND.

OKAY. SO WE'LL KEEP THAT IN DISCUSSION FOR NOW.

391 THAT IS REQUESTED BY SEVERAL PRECINCTS ON VISION ZERO.

WE'LL KEEP IT ON THERE.

407 IS A TRANSMITTAL ON PROCURE TO PAY.

SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO TAKE.

IS THAT THE ONE THAT GOES WITH IS THAT THE ONE THAT GOES WITH 387 407 GOES WITH 387.

[02:55:04]

407. ALL RIGHT.

AND THEN YOU WANTED 408 BACK ON CONSENT.

CORRECT. SO THAT IS CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND.

ALL RIGHT. AND THEN 409, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, RETURN TO CONSENT.

OKAY, WE'RE RETURNING 409 TO CONSENT.

415 OH, WAIT A MINUTE.

HOLD ON, HOLD ON. I DO WANT TO HOLD THAT ONE.

OKAY? I WANT TO EMBARRASS SOMEBODY.

OKAY. WE'RE KEEPING 409.

OH, WOW. OKAY.

YEAH. CONGRATS. CALL THE PRESS.

415 IS SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? YES. IS THAT THE ONE YOU WENT BACK ON? CONSENT. BACK ON CONSENT.

OKAY, SO 415 GOES BACK ON CONSENT.

418. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS OKAY.

418 IS BACK ON CONSENT.

473 DEMA CONSULTING THAT'S FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THIS NEED WE NEED TO.

YEAH, IT'S FOR THE HEART PROGRAM.

I WANT TO DISCUSS THAT AS WELL. LET'S DISCUSS IT.

OKAY, SO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALSO WANTS TO DISCUSS, AND WE WILL KEEP IT ON DISCUSSION 487 THAT IS TO MOVE PROCUREMENT BACK TO THE PURCHASING AGENT.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS, AS WELL AS PRECINCTS TWO AND THREE, 489.

IT'S A COUPLE OF PRECINCTS WOULD LIKE DISCUSSION OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

I KNOW FOLKS WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

OKAY. 490 A COUPLE OF PRECINCTS WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR RULES OF PROCEDURE, AND 491 IS TRAINING FOR THE INTERIM CHIEF PEOPLE.

OFFICER. YEAH, WE NEED TO KEEP THAT.

OKAY, SO HERE WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE AGENDA.

SO LET ME GO BACK THROUGH THE LIST AND MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISS ANYTHING.

WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 241.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 26, 29, 30, 32, 34, 44.

37. 53 134 212.

216. 219.

234. 300 AD.

282. AD 282.

OKAY. 282 IS A APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS. I'M ADDING THAT BACK IN HERE.

OR DO YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THAT ONE, COMMISSIONER? WELL, IT'S TWO MOTIONS.

OKAY. OKAY.

SO WE'LL IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE PAYMENTS EXCEPT FOR IS IT PFM, BOSTON CONSULTING, EXCEPT FOR BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

OH, YEAH. YEAH. I WANT TO ADD 473 FOR DISCUSSION.

OKAY, JUST A SECOND.

WE'RE RIGHT NOW MAKING MOTION QUICK MOTION ON 282.

SO THIS WAS A MOTION FOR ALL THE PAYMENTS OF AUDITED CLAIMS, EXCEPT FOR BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION.

SECOND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS THE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NOW WE NEED A MOTION FOR THE PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS TO BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO.

I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION.

CARRIES 4 TO 1.

473. OKAY.

473. OH, I HAVE IT FOR DISCUSSION.

I HAVE IT SET FOR DISCUSSION.

OKAY. SO OKAY, SO NOW WE HAVE ITEM 300, ITEM 387, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO TAKE WITH 407 THREE 9391, 407 409 473 487.

AND I THINK YOU WANT TO TAKE 487 487 407 AND 387 AND 487. OKAY.

AND THEN.

[03:00:09]

FOR 89.

FOR 90 AND FOR 91.

SHOULD I GO BACK OVER IT REAL QUICK? I THINK WE'RE GOOD.

OKAY. YES, JUDGE.

YES. OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 241.

REGULAR AGENDA 26, 29, 30, 32, 34, 44, 37, 53, 134, TWO, 12, TWO, 16, TWO, 19, TWO, 34, 303, 87, THREE, 93, 91, 407, 409, FOUR, 73, FOUR, 87, FOUR EIGHT, 89, 490, AND FOUR, 91.

OKAY. I DO NEED A 35 AND 37.

I'M SORRY. 36.

OKAY. 35 AND 30.

35 IS THE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR BUDGET PROPOSALS.

CAN WE. IT'S MOVED TO ADOPT THE BUDGET STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AS PRESENTED.

IS THAT RIGHT? ALL RIGHT, THAT'S THE MOTION.

AND 36 IS AS ALSO AS PRESENTED.

WHAT'S. WHAT'S THAT ONE COMMISSIONER OR DIRECTOR RAMOS.

THAT IT WENT TO CONSENT.

THAT'S CORRECT.

AS PRESENTED, YOU NEED A MOTION.

NO, JUST AS PRESENTED.

OKAY. OKAY.

AND THIS IS AN UNFUNDED MANDATE OR SOMETHING, RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. SO.

SO THAT 36 IS IS PRESENTED.

ALL GOOD? YES, JUDGE.

OKAY. PERFECT.

SO I KNOW THAT WE WANTED TO TAKE COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

YOU HAD TWO ITEMS. JUDGE. YES. WE HAVE TO DO THE MOTION RIGHT.

THE MOTION? SURE.

ACTION. YES. BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, I HAD A QUICK QUESTION.

YEAH. SO? SO ON.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTED ON 241 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHY OR WHAT WHAT THE DISCUSSION WOULD BE ABOUT, BECAUSE I AS I UNDERSTAND THE ITEM, IT'S THE CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT EIGHT IS REQUESTING A SALARY STUDY FOR ELECTED CONSTABLES.

AND SO FOR ALL THE ELECTED CONSTABLES.

NOW, IF THIS IF I IF I MIGHT SUGGEST IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD BETTER THAT SHOULD BE SENT TO AND THROUGH COME BACK THROUGH SHANE CASTLE OR OR OCA.

THAT MIGHT MAKE MORE SENSE IF THAT'S THE INTENT, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE WOULD DISCUSS AT THIS STAGE.

IT'S JUST A STUDY, AS I UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S ASKING.

GOT IT? YEAH. IF YOU CAN MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S THE ROUTE THAT.

IS THAT THE MOTION I'LL SECOND.

YEAH. OKAY.

SO WHAT'S THE MOTION? THE MOTION IS TO J DIRECTED TO HIM TO DO AND TO BRING BACK A RECOMMENDATION SECOND.

YEAH. ESSENTIALLY.

AND THAT WAS ON THE ITEM WE HAD MARKED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YES. WHICH IS ITEM 241 241.

THANK YOU. AND JUDGE, SORRY TO KEEP CHANGING THE LIST, BUT 249 AND 250 ARE BOTH SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS THAT IF COURT'S GOING TO PASS UNANIMOUSLY, BUT THEY ARE BOTH UNBUDGETED ITEMS THAT WE'D LIKE TO DISCUSS WHICH ONES? TWO 4949 AND 250 THERE'S TWO REQUESTS FOR SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE COUNTY CLERK.

AND SO WE ALREADY PUT IT ON CONSENT, SO WE DON'T NEED TO MAKE IT.

SO, JUDGE, THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO SEND ITEM 241 TO TO RETURN BACK TO THE COURT. RIGHT.

OKAY. SO LET'S START WITH THAT MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO SEND THAT ITEM TO HRM.

HR. YEAH, NO. WHICH NUMBER WAS IT? IT'S ITEM 241 241 BACK TO HIM.

TO EVALUATE AND THEN COME BACK TO COURT.

IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS RIGHT NOW.

NOW, LET ME JUST ONE SECOND.

SO THEN RAMOS, YOU HAD AN ISSUE 249 AND 250.

THAT'S CORRECT.

OKAY. SO 249 IS PCNS FOR ELECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.

AND SO YOU'RE SAYING WE PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, BUT YOU'RE SAYING WE NEED TO DISCUSS IT, PER THE POLICY, WE WE FLAG ITEMS AS SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS. 250 WE RECOMMENDED FOR 249 AGAINST IF COURT WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEM, THAT'S FINE.

[03:05:04]

WELL, WE DO HAVE TWO.

OKAY. SO WHY DON'T WE LEAVE? 249 UP FOR DISCUSSION.

THE ONE THAT HE RECOMMENDED AGAINST.

SO I'LL, I'LL I'LL FLAG THAT ONE.

WE'LL PUT 249.

AND THEN, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD A POINT.

I'LL COME BACK TO IT IN A SECOND.

MY STAFF'S GETTING SOME CLARITY ON IT.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT, SO WE'LL JUST GIVE THAT A MOMENT.

AND SO, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU HAD WANTED TO TAKE A COUPLE OF ITEMS OUT OF ORDER.

YES. AND I'M TRYING TO FIND 34 AND 37, WHICH ARE ALSO BUDGET ITEMS. WHAT ABOUT 30? I THINK YOU MENTIONED 30 AT SOME POINT.

OR ANYWAY, THAT'S WHAT I HAD ON MY SHEET OF PAPER.

NOT OUT OF ORDER.

NOT OUT OF ORDER. OKAY. SO SO WE CAN DO 34 AND 37 OUT OF ORDER AND THEN 30.

IN THE. KITCHEN.

OKAY, OKAY. OKAY.

JUDGE, I GOT SOME CLARITY.

OKAY. SO NO CHANGES.

NO. ACTUALLY, ON ITEM 53 AND ITEM 54.

APPARENTLY THEY HAVE LINES TWO, THREE AND FIVE IN EACH ONE, AND I'D LIKE TO REQUEST NO ACTION ON THOSE THREE WITHIN ITEMS 53 AND 54, TWO, THREE AND FIVE ON BOTH OF THEM.

YES, MA'AM. TWO ITEMS, 53 AND 54.

OKAY. SO LET'S JUST PULL THAT UP SO EVERYBODY'S AWARE.

OKAY. SO 53 ITEMS TWO, THREE AND FOUR.

CAN ANYONE TELL US WHAT THOSE ARE? I'M HERE. I'M PULLING UP THE BACKUP.

BUT IF YOU IF YOU GUYS HAVE IT TOP OF MIND.

DIRECTOR RAMOS, PERHAPS DIRECTOR CARRIZAL, IF YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE IT.

OKAY. DO YOU MEAN COMMISSIONER? GARCIA. TWO, THREE AND FIVE IN ITEMS 53.

I'M JUST AFRAID I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG TABLE BECAUSE THIS ONE IS.

IT WOULD BE PRECINCT TWO, PRECINCT ONE, AND PRECINCT THREE.

BUT I DON'T THINK YOU MEAN THAT.

NO, I MEAN LINES TWO, THREE AND FIVE.

I DON'T KNOW WHICH WHICH LINES WHERE.

YEAH, THIS IS SHANE. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER IS PROBABLY REFERRING TO ITEM NUMBER 54.

THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE DIFFERENT POSITION.

OKAY. AND HE'S JUST WANTING TO STRIKE THOSE THREE LINES OFF THE BACKUP OKAY.

SO 50. OH YES.

GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER OKAY I THINK I GOT IT STRAIGHT.

SO NUMBER ONE IS THAT ON ITEM 53 I'D LIKE TO TAKE NO ACTION UNTIL WE GET CLEAR.

I GUESS IT'S WHAT'S THE PHRASE? WHAT'S THE WAY TO SAY IT? CLEAR QUALIFICATIONS.

FOR THESE PAYMENTS.

THAT WOULD BE FOR 53.

AND THEN TO TAKE NO ACTION ON ITEM 54 FOR LINES TWO, THREE, AND FIVE.

OKAY. SO IS IT OKAY FOR US TO TAKE NO ACTION ON 53? JANE AND I GUESS.

YES. OKAY.

I MEAN, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THAT? I DO NOT KNOW.

OKAY. SO WE'LL TAKE NO ACTION ON 53 FOR NOW.

AND THEN ON 54, YOU WANTED TO STRIKE LINES TWO, THREE AND FIVE.

SO THAT'S CONSOLE PRECINCT ONE, CONSTABLE.

PRECINCT ONE AND CONSTABLE PRECINCT FIVE.

IS THAT CORRECT? RECLASSIFICATIONS.

AM I LOOKING AT THE CORRECT TABLE? I THINK I DON'T HAVE MY FILE WITH ME, BUT I'M.

ALL I KNOW IS THAT IT'S LINES TWO, THREE AND FIVE.

SHANE, DO YOU KNOW WHICH THOSE ARE? YES. ONE SECOND HERE, COMMISSIONER.

I CAN YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE.

[03:10:03]

PLEASE HAVE A QUESTION ON 250 FOR DIRECTOR RAMOS.

YEAH. SO ITEM OR LINE TWO IS A RECLASSIFICATION CONSTABLE.

ONE DEPUTY, ONE TO A CADET.

THE SAME WITH THREE.

AND IN THE SAME WITH.

LET'S SEE, NUMBER FIVE IS A CONSTABLE FIVE A CLERK TO A DEPUTY.

YEP. THOSE ARE THE ONES I WANT TO.

IS IT OKAY? DIRECTOR KURZEL IF WE MR..

KURZEL. IF WE IF WE KEEP THAT OFF THOSE TWO, THREE AND FIVE.

YEAH. I MEAN, THIS IS THE OFFICE MANAGEMENT BUDGETS, POSITION MANAGEMENT POLICY.

WE'RE ALL RECLASSIFICATIONS.

NEED TO COME TO COURT FOR APPROVAL.

SO IF THAT'S WHAT THE COURT, YOU KNOW, DESIRES, IF THERE'S FOR SOME REASON THAT IT HAS TO OCCUR BECAUSE OF WHATEVER REASON, A, YOU KNOW, A.

NOT NOT NECESSARILY A SERVICE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE AN EXCEPTION, A WAY TO DO IT THROUGH A TRANSMITTAL, BUT I DON'T SEE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

THAT'S WHAT THE COURT DESIRES.

THANK YOU. IF YOU WERE TO HOLD THOSE ITEMS, WE CAN WORK WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE DEPARTMENTS TO GET THE TO GET THEM ADDRESSED.

AND WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY IN THE POLICY THAT THE ADMINISTRATOR I AND THE HR DIRECTOR, IF WE AGREE, WE CAN UNILATERALLY AND THEN TRANSMIT IT ON COURT.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. SO YOU WANT TO SO, DIRECTOR RAMOS, ARE YOU SUGGESTING THAT WE TAKE NO ACTION ON 54 ENTIRELY OR JUST THOSE THREE LINES? THOSE THREE LINES, PLEASE.

AND WE'LL WE'LL COME BACK.

WE'LL EITHER APPROVE THEM AS SOON AS THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED OR BRING THEM BACK ON THE NEXT COURT.

OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT STEPPING ON YOUR GUYS'S AUTHORITY.

NO, THAT WAS THE WHOLE POINT OF THE.

THE POLICY WAS OKAY, THAT COMPENSATION IS SQUARELY IN COMMISSIONERS COURT'S AUTHORITY.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL HAD VISIBILITY.

WE CREATED A PROCESS WHERE THERE WAS VISIBILITY AND WE'D BE ABLE TO TRACK THESE.

AND WHEN THERE ARE QUESTIONS THAT IT'S NOT JUST BEING RUBBER STAMPED BY, BY BUREAUCRATS, THAT IT'S BEING DISCUSSED AND ADDRESSED AT COURT.

SO THIS IS EXACTLY HOW THE POLICY IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.

AWESOME. OKAY. SO IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 54? ALL OF THE ITEM EXCEPT FOR LINES TWO, THREE AND FIVE.

SO MOVED. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY, AND SO WE WILL TAKE NO ACTION ON LINES TWO, THREE AND FIVE.

AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAD A QUESTION ON 250, PLEASE.

SO 249 AND 250 ARE THE TWO COUNTY CLERK ELECTION RELATED ITEMS, TO BE CLEAR? 249 YOU WANT TO DISCUSS BECAUSE YOU DON'T RECOMMEND DIRECTOR RAMOS.

THAT'S CORRECT. AND THEN WITH REGARD TO 250, HOWEVER, I MY UNDERSTANDING BASED ON OUR LAST MEETING IS THAT WE WANTED TO DO AN AMENDMENT TO SUBSTITUTE 1 MILLION IN CAPITAL COSTS AND THEN 2.7 IN GENERAL FUND 2.7 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND.

IT WOULD BE CLEANER IF WE WERE TO HAVE THAT AMENDMENT.

IF NOT, WE CAN HANDLE THAT INTERNALLY.

I DON'T THINK THE CLERK CARES WHETHER SHE GETS THE MONEY IN THE GENERAL FUND OR OR IN CIP FOR THE IPADS, FOR JUST AN ABUNDANCE OF CLARITY AND TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS.

THE LAWYER IN ME PREFERS, IF WE COULD PLEASE 250 MOTION TO APPROVE ADDITIONAL BUDGET ALLOCATION WITH AN AMENDMENT BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO SUBSTITUTE 1 MILLION IN CAPITAL COSTS FOR A TOTAL OF 2.7 MILLION IN GENERAL FUNDS.

DID YOU GUYS GET THAT? YES, JUDGE. OKAY.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR, YES.

AND JUST ONE QUICK DISCUSSION.

I THINK MR. MEYERS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S A PROCESS IN PLACE.

SO I'D LIKE TO OFFER DIRECTION THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WORKS WITH IGA TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL UNFUNDED MANDATES AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SO THAT WE CAN BEGIN TO ANTICIPATE BUDGETARY IMPACTS. YES, SIR.

AND I'VE ALREADY BEEN WORKING WITH DIRECTOR NARVAEZ ON THAT AND HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH HER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM AHEAD OF TIME INSTEAD OF AFTER THE FACT.

AFTER THE BUDGET'S ADOPTED.

YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER PUTTING THAT ON A MAYBE A BUSINESS COURT AGENDA AT SOME POINT AFTER THE SESSION SO WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ON THIS.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

OKAY. SO WE HAD A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ARE YOU GUYS STILL HAVE THAT.

ALL IN FAVOR. AYE AYE.

ANY OPPOSED.

AND AGAIN THIS IS FOR JUST ITEM 250 CORRECT.

250 OKAY.

AND THE 249 WILL STAY ON THE DISCUSSION.

DISCUSSION. CORRECT.

OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR.

AYE AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY OKAY.

SO I DO THINK I NEED TO GO BACK THROUGH THE LIST NOW.

[03:15:01]

DOES THAT SOUND OKAY? ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS ONE THROUGH 499 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF.

ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

OKAY, GREAT.

SO WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON ON THE LINE ON ITEM 390.

IS THAT STILL THE CASE? SHE'S HERE LIVE AND IN PERSON.

OH, THERE YOU GO.

HELLO? WELL, WELCOME.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO.

COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM BEING OFFERED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

AND I DO WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS AMAZING NEW FACILITY THAT YOU ALL HAVE CREATED FOR US.

AND WHEN I LOOK AROUND THIS BUILDING BEING VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE EIGHTH FLOOR TO THE NINTH FLOOR WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN, I THINK ABOUT THE GROWTH OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I THINK ABOUT THE RECOGNITION OF THIS BUILDING AS BEING INDICATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE IN A NEW AND GROWING POPULATION.

I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL, WHICH IS VOTER PARTICIPATION.

AND VOTER ENGAGEMENT IS KEY FOR US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, WITH US BEING BEHOLDEN TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND THE GREATEST LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY, THERE IS NOTHING MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR US AS ELECTED OFFICIALS THAN EVERY TWO YEARS OR EVERY FOUR YEARS, TO HAVE EVERY CITIZEN ENGAGED AND ABLE TO GO TO THE BALLOT BOX AND TELL US WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE VALUES OF THEM.

AND SO I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER ELLIS RAISING THIS ISSUE ABOUT OUR GREAT STATE, THE RECOGNITION THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING TO THIS COMMUNITY OF WHICH WE NEED THE GROWTH, BUT ALSO THE RECOGNITION THAT MANY OF THE RULES THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO BETTER AND DO MORE TO ENGAGE PEOPLE AT EVERY LEVEL.

AND SO I WELCOME, I SUPPORT, AND I ASK THAT YOU HAVE A ROBUST DEBATE AND HOW WE CAN INCREASE OUR VOTER ENGAGEMENT, NOT ONLY AT THIS POINT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO A STAND FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE ULTIMATELY BEHOLDEN TO AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE TO JUDGE.

YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I MIGHT, REPRESENTATIVE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

WHAT I PLAN TO DO IS OFFER A MOTION.

I THINK A COUPLE OF MORE OF YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE TRYING TO COME UP.

WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DIAL IN.

AND ONE OF WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IS MAKE A MOTION.

I HOPE WE'LL BE SUPPORTED BY THE COURT TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, IN COORDINATION WITH THE RELEVANT COUNTY AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS, TO CREATE A LIST OF RECOMMENDED OPTIONS TO INCREASE VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION IN HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS, AND TO SUBMIT OPTIONS TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR CONSIDERATION BY JUNE 4TH, 2024.

IF THEY CAN'T DO IT BY JUNE 4TH, TELL US.

BUT LOOK, THE TURNOUT, AS YOU KNOW, WAS DISMAL THIS LAST GO ROUND.

WE OUGHT TO ALL BE EMBARRASSED IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST US.

I THINK THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND WE OUGHT TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO REMOVE THOSE HURDLES, SOME OF WHICH YOUR COLLEAGUES, MY FORMER COLLEAGUES, OUR FRIENDS IN THE LEGISLATURE PUT IN PLACE.

AND AND I THINK TIME IS OF ESSENCE.

I HAVE NOT TALKED TO THE COUNTY JUDGE OVER IN TRAVIS COUNTY YET, BUT I DID CALL.

BUT I DID TALK TO COMMISSIONER DEXTER MCCOY LATE LAST NIGHT.

AND HE'S LOOKING AT IT, FORT BEND COUNTY.

IF THE COURT DOES NOT DO IT, HE'S GOING TO PAY TO DO IT JUST FOR HIS PRECINCT.

BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

SO I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW.

AND I WANT TO TELL THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.

I KNOW THEY WANT A LITTLE MORE TIME, BUT I THINK TIME IS OF ESSENCE.

IF THEY CAN'T COME BACK BY THE NEXT COURT, LET US KNOW.

BUT, YOU KNOW, UNLESS Y'ALL WANT TO MEET MORE OFTEN.

BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING.

I KNOW YOU HAD A LOT GOING ON.

YOU'RE WELCOME. EVERYTHING YOU AND ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES DO IN AUSTIN.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ALLISON.

YOU'RE RIGHT. WHAT WE HAVE HEARD IS WE WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER TO VOTE AND HARDER TO CHEAT.

YEAH, WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE.

AND WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THIS PROPOSAL, IT IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT ELIGIBLE VOTERS, THOSE THAT ARE ENTITLED TO VOTE, HAVE ACCESS TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH MAKING SURE THAT ALL THE APPROPRIATE ELIGIBLE VOTERS GET OUT AND HOLD US TO ACCOUNT.

[03:20:04]

I HEARD HE'S GOING TO SECOND IT.

I THINK ONE OTHER ONE.

I THINK WE DIAL IN REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS OR SOMEBODY IF I CAN, I WANT HIM TO KNOW BECAUSE I THINK BY LAW WE HAVE TO, SINCE HE SIGNED UP.

RIGHT, MR. AYER? WELL, IS HE? IS HE GOING TO SPEAK? I THINK HE WANTS TO SPEAK. IF HE'S GOING TO SPEAK.

WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL.

OKAY, BUT THANK YOU.

IT'LL BE BACK NEXT QUARTER.

THE FOLLOWING ONE. THANK YOU.

YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOR COMING DOWN.

AND AND YOU, I LIKE THE WAY YOU PHRASED IT EASIER TO VOTE, HARDER TO CHEAT.

AND WHO CAN ARGUE AGAINST THAT? THAT'S RIGHT. AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

ALWAYS APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME. SAME.

THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS A COMMENT FOR YOU AS WELL.

THANK YOU. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

YOU'RE MY REPRESENTATIVE IN AUSTIN.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO FIGHT, FOR WHICH I CLAIM ALL DISTRICT, BY THE WAY.

WE WILL SHARE HER WITH EVERYBODY.

BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE FIGHT FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND BEYOND.

AND SO WE COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU JUST SAID.

AND I'M HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ITEM.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. YOU KNOW, I THINK I WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

YES. CLERK HUDSPETH IS ON THE LINE.

I DO SEE THE DISTRICT CLERK HERE.

I WAS ACTUALLY ABOUT TO ASK.

AND THE TREASURER, JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTED OFFICIALS JUDGE DIDN'T WANT TO SPEAK.

IS THE CLERK HUDSPETH WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS? WELL, WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT BACK UP.

SHE'S ON RIGHT NOW. YEAH, I THINK SHE'S ON RIGHT NOW.

I THINK YOU'RE ON THERE.

CLERK. HUDSPETH. ARE YOU? WE HAVE ALL THIS FANCY TECHNOLOGY NOW.

I CAN'T SEE EVERYBODY.

I JUST GOT THAT NOTE. IF NOT, WE'LL LET US BE HERE.

CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? OH, YEAH. OH, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

YES. THANK YOU.

TODAY IS EARLY VOTING.

OF COURSE. I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ELECTION CYCLE, SO.

HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOTION, I BELIEVE THE MATTER WAS OCA WAS TAKEN IT ON.

I WOULD MEET WITH MYSELF AND THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR'S OFFICE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ITEM.

YEAH. THANK YOU.

BUT CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? SORRY. YES, MA'AM.

OKAY. THAT THAT IS ALL THAT I WANTED TO ADD IN AGREEANCE WITH VOTER PARTICIPATION.

WE'RE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY ELECTION IS SHOWING ITS VERY BEST EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT VOTING IS EQUAL ACROSS THE BOARD AND THAT WE HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS IN PLACE.

THAT'S FOR THAT ITEM.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'M OUT OF OUT OF PROTOCOL HERE, BUT I WAS GOING TO SAY, SINCE YOU'RE ON, WE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE THAT ONE.

THE ONE THAT THAT WE PUT BACK ON DISCUSSION, I THINK IT'S 49 249 CLERK HUDSPETH AND WE CAN GET THE PERSPECTIVE OF OF THE DIRECT BUDGET DIRECTOR AS WELL.

IS THAT OKAY? I JUST FIGURED SINCE SHE'S ON.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO SO GO AHEAD.

CLERK. HUDSPETH ON ON 249, PLEASE.

YES. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH.

JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW, I'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE OF WITH OCA AND OMB BY HAVING WEEKLY MEETINGS THROUGHOUT OUR ELECTION CYCLES TO TALK ABOUT THE VARIOUS THINGS THAT I'VE DISCUSSED WITH THE COURT MEMBERS IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS, THAT WE WOULD COME BACK AFTER HAVING TIME TO ASSESS IN THE MIDDLE OF ELECTIONS WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.

SO THE REQUEST FOR THE PCNS IS A VERY PERTINENT NEED, NOT NECESSARILY A WANT, BUT A NEED.

WE ARE GETTING READY TO RECEIVE THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF EQUIPMENT AS EARLY AS JUNE THIS MONTH, AND WE'RE GOING INTO A NEW FACILITY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

AS WE MANEUVER INTO THAT FACILITY, WE WILL NEED THERE IS A ASK FOR ELECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER EMPLOYEES.

THERE IS A NEED FOR ADA ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES AND RECRUITMENT COORDINATORS.

SO I'LL GIVE YOU ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND SHORTLY AND ALLOW FOR QUESTIONS.

IN THIS MATTER IN TERMS OF THE ELECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER, THESE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT HANDLE ALL THE EQUIPMENT.

THAT MEANS CLEANING, ASSESSING, AUDITING RENDERING, RENDERING, READING ALL THE EQUIPMENT BETWEEN ELECTION CYCLE AFTER ELECTION CYCLE OUT OF THE NEED OF ORDERING ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT.

JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A HUGE, MASSIVE TEAM THAT SUPPORTS THAT.

WE DO UTILIZE THE SUPPORT OF TEMPS BUT WE NEED FULL TIME POSITIONS.

THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE'RE PAYING FOR TEMPS COULD BE THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE SPENDING FOR FULL TIME PC INS OF TRAINED AND FULLY ACCURATE INDIVIDUALS WHO CAN HANDLE THIS EQUIPMENT BY STATE LAW.

AND SO THAT IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE PCN REQUEST GOES.

THAT MEANS THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE READY TO ACCEPT THIS EQUIPMENT, BE TRAINED IN TIME ENOUGH TO ACCEPT IT, AND READY THAT EQUIPMENT BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER, WHICH IS ALREADY A A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS ASPECT OF THE JOB THAT WE HAVE TO DO IN TERMS OF THE ADA.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, EVERY SINGLE VOTE CENTER HAS TO BE ASSESSED.

[03:25:04]

SO WHICH MEANS THERE HAS TO BE REMEDIES THAT ARE PROVIDED FOR EVERY VOTE CENTER FROM ADA RAMPS TO REMEDIATIONS THAT IS ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE CYCLE.

WE HAVE SMALL TEAMS FOR THAT.

WE ALSO HAVE A CONCERN WHERE MANY OF THESE.

AREAS. WE ARE HIRING TEMPS TO DO THE JOB, AND OFTENTIMES THEY LEARN THE KNOWLEDGE AND MOVE ON TO FULL TIME POSITIONS.

WE NEED FULL TIME POSITIONS TO BE ABLE TO BE SUSTAINABLE AND BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY HANDLING.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE ELECTION WE HAVE TWO ELECTIONS SIMULTANEOUSLY GOING ON AT ONE TIME.

AND AT THIS TIME, WE CAN'T EVEN ALLOW THE FULL TIME STAFF TO TAKE OFF BECAUSE THEY'RE CONSTANTLY WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AROUND THE CLOCK.

SO IT'S MORE SO WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY, BUT WE'RE SPENDING THEM ON TEMPS AND WE NEED THE SUSTAINABILITY AND THE AND AND THOSE THAT ARE TRAINED READY TO DO THE JOB. BETWEEN NOW AND AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEW FACILITY THROUGH NOVEMBER AND FUTURE ELECTIONS, WHERE WE'LL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO MORE ELECTIONS, JUST LIKE THE MAY 4TH ENTITY ELECTION.

SO WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OCA AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT, WALKING THROUGH EVERY STEP OF WHAT THE INDIVIDUALS DO FOR THEIR DAY TO DAY JOBS, THE HOURS, THE AMOUNT OF IMPACT IT WILL HAVE.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY ON TEMPS.

WE NEED THE SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FULL TIME EMPLOYEES.

AND THAT MONEY WOULD APPROPRIATELY GO FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM.

ALONG WITH HAVING THOSE MEETINGS, I'VE ANSWERED MANY QUESTIONS IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, IF WE GET A CERTAIN AMOUNT HERE AGAIN, WHAT YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW IS WE'RE ALREADY PREPARING FOR NOVEMBER, AND IN JUNE, WE'LL GET THIS EQUIPMENT IN AND WE'LL IMMEDIATELY UTILIZE THESE INDIVIDUALS BY GETTING THEM TRAINED.

SO THAT'S MOST OF WHAT I NEED YOU ALL TO KNOW IN TERMS OF HIGH, HIGH LEVEL IMPACT.

I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

DIRECTOR, WOULD YOU MIND MAKING THE PRESENTATION AS WELL SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE INFORMATION BEFORE WE ASK QUESTIONS? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE CLERK.

SHE'S BEEN AS TRANSPARENT AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE WITH MY TEAM, WITH OK TEAM IN TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ELECTIONS.

AND WE DO FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO HELP SUPPORT THEM IN TERMS OF THIS ITEM.

YOU KNOW, I THINK SO WE HAVE A FEW CONCERNS, FIRST AND FOREMOST OF WHICH IS THERE IS A MARGINAL COST FROM MOVING FROM TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES TO FTES. ALSO, WHEN YOU MOVE FROM FROM TEMPORARY TO FULL TIME EMPLOYEES, YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THEM BY THE ENTITIES THAT WE CONTRACT WITH.

ALSO, JUST TO TO HAVE IT SAID WE HAVE THE THE CLERK AND THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR RECEIVE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE POSITIONS THAN THEY HAD WHEN WHEN IT WENT OVER TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

SO WE'VE LAYERED ON COSTS OVER AND OVER IT SINCE IN MY SHORT TIME HERE, IT JUST FEEL, YOU KNOW, THE CLERK HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB GETTING ELECTIONS HERE IN THE COUNTY FROM CRISIS LEVEL UP TO A BASELINE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE.

I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE SLOW DOWN AND UNDERSTAND WHERE THE INVESTMENTS ARE.

AND I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THESE SHORTLY, BUT WE'RE PROJECTING A $16 MILLION DEFICIT THIS YEAR.

WE'RE PROJECTING A $76 MILLION NEXT YEAR BEFORE YOU TOUCH COMPENSATION.

SO WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTY THAT CAN JUST GO INTO THE BACK ROOM AND COME OUT WITH THE CHECK.

AND I KNOW CLERK, YOU AND I SPOKE YESTERDAY AND OBVIOUSLY, I THINK CERTAINLY MY COMMITMENT AND THE WAY THE COURT HAS WORKED HAS BEEN VERY, VERY COMMITTED TO ELECTIONS AND MAKING SURE YOU ALL HAVE THE FUNDING YOU NEED.

AND SO I'M JUST WONDERING IF THERE'S I KNOW THAT THE DROP DEAD DATE FOR THIS TO MOVE FORWARD IS THAT THE NEXT COURT.

AND THAT'S ALREADY LATE.

IDEALLY BE A BUSINESS COURT BEFORE THAT.

AND SO THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU GUYS HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THE, THE FTES AND WHETHER WE CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THEM OR IF THERE'S A WAY YOU GUYS COULD WORK SOMETHING OUT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, OR I JUST WANT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE TIGHT ON TIME.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING FRUITFUL TO ADD HERE.

AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE CASE IF YOU GUYS ARE SORT OF STUCK.

SO I'LL JUST SAY HERE.

I DO BELIEVE THERE IS SOME FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT IN TERMS OF THE NEED.

YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY HARD BECAUSE I'M IN THE OPERATION AND WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE OUR BUDGET MANAGEMENT CAN BE IN THE OPERATION AND PHYSICALLY SEE, WHILE I WELCOME A TOUR OF WHERE WE'RE AT NOW AND WHAT HAS TO BE DONE.

WHERE WE'RE AT NOW IS THAT WE ARE PUTTING ALL HANDS ON DECK.

BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER, THERE ARE SO MANY PARTS OF THE OPERATION THAT ONE CAN'T SUFFER VERSUS THE OTHER.

HERE IS THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS.

EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MORE EMPLOYEES THAN IT WAS 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO, WE AGAIN, WE ARE GETTING TO RECEIVE THOUSANDS PIECES OF ELECTION EQUIPMENT WITH THE STAFF THAT I HAVE NOW ON THE ELECTION TECHNOLOGY SIDE ALONE, MY STAFF CANNOT HANDLE THAT AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT COMING INTO A NEW FACILITY.

AND SO I AM VERY MINDFUL OF WHERE WE'RE AT.

[03:30:03]

BASICALLY, WE'LL HAVE EQUIPMENT HERE THAT CAN'T BE WORKED ON BECAUSE I CANNOT WORK THE CURRENT STAFF.

YOU KNOW, DOWN TO THE BONE.

AND AGAIN, THERE ARE PIECES OF THIS EQUIPMENT THAT TEMPS CAN'T HANDLE.

REMEMBER, WE HAVE ELECTION CODE, WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WHERE WE NEED TO HAVE THESE INDIVIDUALS AS FULL TIME STAFF THAT CAN HANDLE THIS BY CODE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIAN'S.

YEAH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

CLERK. IT'S GOOD TO GOOD TO SEE YOU TODAY.

I'M. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THAT I THINK WE SHOULD SUPPORT WHAT SHE'S ASKING FOR.

SHE INHERITED A MESS.

SHE HAS DONE AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME OF GETTING BACK THE CONFIDENCE OF THE VOTERS.

AND I THINK WHAT SHE'S IDENTIFIED IS AN OVERRELIANCE ON TEMP HELP, WHICH THAT'S CONSTANTLY FEEDBACK TO FROM MY CONSTITUENTS IN TERMS OF THAT OVERRELIANCE.

SO SHE'S OFFERING A SOLUTION OBVIOUSLY COMES WITH A COST THAT'S A PART OF SOME OTHER THINGS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH LATER TODAY.

BUT I DON'T THINK WE START IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT ELECTIONS, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 2 OR 3 PEOPLE HAVE SPOKE ALREADY TODAY THAT WE NEED TO REALLY COMMIT TO DO A GOOD JOB ON ELECTIONS, BE SURE THAT WE GET ALLOW PEOPLE TO VOTE AND THEN TO TURN THIS DOWN OR DELAY THIS.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

SO I WOULD SUPPORT IT AND WOULD MAKE A MOTION.

WE APPROVE IT. COMMISSIONER BRIONES I'VE CLERK HUDSPETH, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIRELESS WORK.

TWO QUICK QUESTIONS, PLEASE.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH YOUR RATIONALE, WHY IT'S WORTH FORFEITING THE STATE REIMBURSEMENT PIECE AND WHAT THAT TOTAL AMOUNT IN FORFEITED REIMBURSEMENT WOULD LOOK LIKE? AND THEN SECONDLY, COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE US A QUICK UPDATE ON THE KGB TEXAS COMMUNICATIONS OUTREACH, WHICH I THINK IS HIGHLY RELEVANT TO TODAY'S ITEMS THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

SO I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING IN TERMS OF A REIMBURSEMENT PIECE.

I HEARD. MR. RAMOS MENTIONED THAT THE REIMBURSEMENT WERE FOR ENTITIES, NOT FOR MAJORITY OF OUR ELECTIONS.

SO IN THIS CASE, THE ONLY ENTITY WHERE WE'RE RECEIVING PAYMENT FOR IS FOR HCAD.

YES. THE STATE REIMBURSES US FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS, BUT FOR SENATE DISTRICT 15 AND ALL OTHER ELECTIONS MANDATED, WE DON'T RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT.

THAT IS OUT OF COUNTY COST.

SO I THINK THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MISSTATEMENT.

ALSO, THE ENTITIES ARE NOT REIMBURSING FOR TEMP WORKERS.

AND THAT IS THE POINT THAT I WANT TO BRING HOME SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND THERE THE ELECTION COST THAT ENTITIES DO RECEIVE, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS JUST ONE HCAD IS IN TERMS OF HOW MANY POLES, THE AMOUNT OF WORKERS, JUST THE DAY TO DAY LOGISTICAL ITEMS, NOT TEMPS, THAT IS COVERED BY THE COUNTY.

AND THAT IS WHERE I'M, YOU KNOW, WANTING TO MAKE THE POINT THAT WE ARE SPENDING THE MONEY WE REALLY NEED TO BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE BY HIRING THE FULL TIME STAFF IN THE PLACE OF THAT. SO I HOPE THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL QUESTION OR CONCERN THERE, BUT THERE MIGHT BE SOME THOUGHT THAT WE'RE GETTING CONSISTENT REIMBURSEMENT FROM ENTITIES, AND THAT'S SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

THAT'S A HELPFUL EXPLANATION.

THANK YOU. AND VERY BRIEFLY, ON THE KGB, TEXAS COMMUNICATIONS OUTREACH.

YES. THE CAMPAIGN FOR IS CONTINUING ON WITH KGB WILL BE WORKING WITH THEM THROUGH NOVEMBER.

RIGHT NOW THE MESSAGING IS KEEPING UP THE VOTE, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE IN A SMALLER ELECTION CYCLE.

THERE ARE 25 EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS AND 151 ELECTION DAY, WHICH IS JUST SD 15 AND AND HCAD ON TO MAY 28TH. SO THE MESSAGING CAMPAIGN THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT AVENUES IS BEING UTILIZED.

MOST OF THE DOLLARS ARE BEING PUSHED TOWARD NOVEMBER.

WHERE WE'LL GO BACK TO TV ADS, RADIO ADS, SO ON AND SO FORTH FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

RIGHT NOW, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES TO DO TV AND RADIO FOR MAY 4TH, MAY 28TH.

AND NOW, MAY I ADD POSSIBLY JUNE 15TH.

WHAT YOU'RE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS JUST BASED ON OUR ASSESSMENT FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ALONG THAT TIME, WE'VE LEARNED, OH, THERE MIGHT BE A JUNE 15TH ELECTION RUNOFF ELECTION FOR HK.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE ALL OF OUR COMMUNICATION BASES, ELECTION FACT SHEETS THAT GO OUT EVERY WEEK.

PRESS RELEASES. I DID A PRESSER LAST THURSDAY BRINGING AWARENESS TO THE MAY 4TH ELECTION, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND MAY BE HAVE TO COME BACK IN REGARDS FOR THE JUNE 15TH RUNOFF ELECTION.

WELL, THANK YOU, CLARK HUDSPETH, FOR YOUR AND YOUR TEAM'S TIRELESS EFFORTS AND YOUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.

[03:35:01]

SO, JUDGE, I THINK THAT WE HAVE UNDERFUNDED ELECTIONS IN THIS COUNTY FOR FAR TOO LONG.

AND, MR. RAMOS, I THINK YOU'VE DONE A GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO HOLD THE LINE.

NOW, WE'LL SAY THAT I ONE WHO'S WILLING TO PUT MY MOUTH UP WHERE I GOT ALSO OPENED UP THE CHECKBOOK.

SO I KNOW WE DO HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AT SOME POINT.

AND WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO TO GO AND DO THAT, I'M PREPARED TO DO THAT, AND I HOPE ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL.

BUT WITH THAT, IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I WILL SECOND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION.

OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I JUST HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION ON THE ON THE TEMPS.

SO, I MEAN, IF THERE'S A FACTUAL DISAGREEMENT, IT'S SORT OF TOUGH TO SQUARE THAT.

BECAUSE SO HOW MUCH MORE HOW MUCH MORE WOULD IT COST, ACCORDING TO RAMOS.

AND HOW MUCH MORE WOULD IT COST? ACCORDING POINT 3 MILLION FOR THE CONVERSION FROM TEMPORARY TO FULL TIME STAFF.

SO IS THAT A11 TIME COST OR A RECURRING 1.433? SO SO DIRECTOR HUDSPETH IF IF THE TEMPS.

SO YOU'RE SAYING DIRECTOR CLARK HUDSPETH YOU AGREE THAT IT'S GOING TO COST THIS MUCH TO CONVERT TO TEMP.

BUT YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE POINT ABOUT THE REIMBURSEMENT IS NOT RELEVANT? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? RIGHT. WE'RE NOT REIMBURSED FOR? I THINK THE POINT THAT DOCTOR DIRECTOR RAMOS WAS MAKING IS THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR TEMPORARY WORKERS, AND THAT IS WHERE I SAID IT'S JUST NOT TRUE. THAT REIMBURSEMENT THAT WE RECEIVED, THE REIMBURSEMENT THAT WE RECEIVED ARE JUST SPECIFICALLY TO THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO ENTITIES.

IN THIS CASE, THE ONLY ENTITY THAT CONSISTS OF IS HCD.

I AM TALKING ABOUT THE NEED FOR THE LONG TERM FOR EVERY ELECTION.

I'M SORRY. THAT IS THIS ELECTION.

YOU ARE TAKING EMPLOYEES THAT WORK SEASONALLY AND WE'RE CONVERTING THEM TO WORKING FULL TIME IN PERPETUITY.

SO I CAN SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING.

I, I UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE ON THE ELECTIONS.

BUT AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO FLAG I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS DIDN'T GO BY WITHOUT THE COURT UNDERSTANDING THIS IS FURTHERING OUR DEFICIT THIS YEAR.

IT'S GOING TO CREATE A BIGGER DEFICIT NEXT YEAR IF COURT'S OKAY WITH THAT.

WELL, BUT I DO WANT TO CLARIFY, BECAUSE I REMEMBER A HEARING IN THE PAST ABOUT LIKE THE CITY'S REIMBURSE US OR LIKE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT THEY HIRE EVERY TIME THERE'S AN ELECTION, WE GET SOME AMOUNT BACK WHEN WE DO AN ELECTION FOR THEM.

RIGHT? THAT'S CORRECT.

WHEN WE'RE DOING AN ELECTION FOR THEM.

AND HERE'S WHERE I, I TOTALLY GET THE DEFICIT.

THE, THE, THE PIECE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IS WE HAVE TO DO THE WORK ANYWAY.

AND SO WHO'S GOING TO BE HERE TO DO THAT WORK? AND WHAT I'M SAYING TODAY IS THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S GETTING READY TO TAKE PLACE FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, AND WITHOUT THESE RESOURCES, WE ARE GOING TO FALL FLAT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH INDIVIDUALS, AND THE TEMP PROCESS ONLY GETS US SO, SO FAR BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY PIECE.

AND THERE ARE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE THAT COME FROM THAT FOLKS THAT HAVE OWNERSHIP AND KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS WORK IS.

AND WHILE WE WE WILL ALWAYS NEED TEMPS, I WANT TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE TEMP PRESSURE TO MAKE THEM FULL TIME STAFF, WHICH ARE FAR MORE SUSTAINABLE.

AND WE KEEP THE EDUCATIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

WE'RE TRAINING INDIVIDUALS AND THEY'RE LEAVING TO GO GET FULL TIME POSITIONS.

AND SO IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THE WORK WE HAVE TO DO DOES NOT STOP.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE DEFICIT, BUT THE PIECE OF THIS IS WE HAVE TO DO THE WORK.

YEAH. I MEAN, I'M, I AM SENSITIVE TO THE BUDGET POINT, WHICH I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, THAT WE WERE ALREADY AT A DEFICIT.

AND I'M JUST WONDERING, SO, CLARK HUDSPETH, WHEN YOU WHEN WHEN YOU CONDUCT AN ELECTION FOR A SMALLER CITY, DO THEY ONLY REIMBURSE YOU IF YOU HAVE A TEMP? KNOW WHEN WE HAVE AN ELECTION WHERE THERE ARE OTHER ENTITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICT, CITIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, WE CHARGE THEM SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AMOUNT OF VOTE CENTERS, FOR THE AMOUNT OF ELECTION WORKERS, ELECTION WORKERS, MEANING ELECTION JUDGES AND CLERKS, NOT TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES WHO WORK FOR THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE TO DO THE WORK.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? AND SO AND SO BREAKDOWN IS FOR THE OPERATIONS TO RUN THE ELECTION.

FROM A YOU KNOW, STANDPOINT OF WHAT TYPE OF ELECTION IS IT? HOW MANY STAFFING ARE WE GOING TO NEED FOR ELECTION DAY FOR EARLY VOTING? THE MACHINES, THAT SORT OF THING.

RIGHT. AND YES, WHILE IT TIES TO THE WORK THAT WE DO FULL TIME, THAT WORK HAS TO BE DONE EITHER WAY.

AND THOSE MARGINS OF REIMBURSEMENTS, DEPENDING ON THE ENTITY AND HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE ON THAT BALLOT, IT SCALES DIFFERENTLY UP AND DOWN.

[03:40:02]

BUT THE THOUGHT THAT THEY'RE FULLY REIMBURSING US TO BE ABLE TO COVER TEMPORARY WORKERS, I DON'T ALIGN WITH THAT AS BEING.

AND THAT WAS NOT AND I YEAH.

SORRY IF I MISCHARACTERIZED IT.

MIGHT MY CONCERN MY CONCERN IS WHEN THEY MOVE AWAY FROM FROM INTO FTES, THEN WE TAKE THEM COMPLETELY OUT OF THE REALM OF AND IT'S PROBABLY REIMBURSEMENT IS PROBABLY THE WRONG TERM.

WE REALLY CONTRACT FOR THE SERVICE WITH THESE ENTITIES, BUT EITHER WAY, THE POSITIONS THEMSELVES COST 1.2 MORE MILLION THAN WHAT THE TEMPORARY.

WELL, SO THAT'S WHAT I'M JUST WONDERING IS, IS BECAUSE OF I MEAN, I ALSO SUPPORT THIS, BUT JUST BECAUSE OF THE FISCAL SITUATION, I WONDER IF WE COULD USE THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF EXACTLY, YOU KNOW, IS IT REIMBURSEMENT OR IS IT NOT.

AND AND AND AND CLERK TO SEE WHETHER THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF SHIFTING FEWER OF THEM TO TEMP.

SO THAT WOULD JUST BE WHAT I ADVOCATE FOR.

BUT BUT I KNOW WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

YEAH. JUDGE. YEAH, I WAS GOING TO SAY AND I THINK WE REACHED OUR TEN MINUTES ON THIS, IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION OR WE CAN JUST GO AHEAD AND VOTE ON FOLKS WANT TO VOTE ON THE MOTION OR CONTINUE DISCUSSION.

I'D LIKE A VOTE. OKAY. SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. MOTION I'M JUST GOING TO ABSTAIN BECAUSE I'M, I DON'T I DON'T LIKE JUST SPENDING MONEY WITHOUT KNOWING ALL THE INFORMATION, BUT I DO SUPPORT THIS SUPPORT VOTING OBVIOUSLY.

SO MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 0.

SO, JUDGE, I THINK THAT REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS IS HERE, AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTINA MORALES HAVE ARRIVED.

ALL RIGHT, SPEAK ON THAT ITEM.

WELL, I CAN'T SEE YOU GUYS, BUT FEEL FREE TO.

OH, HI. HELLO.

YES. JOIN US.

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME.

COME ON UP TO TEST OUR NEW SPEAKER SETUP.

AND WE'RE GLAD YOU GUYS ARE HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS.

YEAH, I LIKE THAT THEY COME UP TOGETHER.

WELL, NORMALLY I WOULD SAY LADIES FIRST, BUT SHE INSISTED THAT I GO FIRST.

I'M RON REYNOLDS, STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 27, CHAIR OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS.

I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION OUTREACH.

IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE TO HARRIS COUNTY THAT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE'VE SEEN AN ASSAULT ON VOTING RIGHTS SURGICALLY TARGETED AT HARRIS COUNTY.

UNFORTUNATELY MY COLLEAGUE AND I, WE FLED THE STATE TO GO TO WASHINGTON, DC TO ADVOCATE FOR FEDERAL VOTING PROTECTION BECAUSE WE'VE SEEN A RAMP UP OF VOTER SUPPRESSION LAWS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR VOTERS.

VOTING IS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT THAT WE HAVE AS AMERICAN CITIZENS, AND IT IS THE BEDROCK OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

WE'VE SEEN RECENTLY THAT VOTER REGISTRATION AND VOTER TURNOUT HAS BEEN DOWN IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I THINK THAT THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO EQUIP THE THE CLERK'S OFFICE, THE TAX ASSESSOR TO HAVE THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO REGISTER VOTERS.

AND THIS IS A VERY EFFICIENT WAY TO DO IT, TO CONTINUE.

YOU CAN CONTINUE I THINK THAT ADDING MORE VOTERS TO THE VOTER REGISTRATION IT CERTAINLY HELPS WITH THE JURY POOL.

THERE ARE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OUR VETERANS THAT THAT WILL BE ASSISTED BY THIS.

I THINK THIS IS A VERY COST EFFICIENT WAY TO RELIEVE SOME OF THE BURDENS, BURDENSOME ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE IS GOING TO HAVE. AND I THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO DO IT, TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY AND TO COMBAT A LOT OF THE UNFORTUNATE TARGETING OF HARRIS COUNTY FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS.

SO I'M HERE IN FAVOR OF IT.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO USE THE THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS TO HELP MAKE VOTING MORE ACCESSIBLE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION SO THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THEIR DEMOCRACY AND COMBAT MANY OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE SEE IN TEXAS RIGHT NOW.

TEXAS, UNFORTUNATELY, IS NOW ONE OF THE MOST, VERY MOST DIFFICULT PLACES TO VOTE IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND THIS WILL CERTAINLY WILL HELP.

AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL CONSIDER PASSING THIS INITIATIVE TO HELP WITH VOTER REGISTRATION IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND WE DO HAVE A MOTION READY.

WE WERE WAITING FOR YOU GUYS.

BUT THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS.

THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE MORALES.

SO WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WANTED MY COLLEAGUE TO GO FIRST BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST TIME SPEAKING IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT, AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I ADDRESSED YOU ALL PROPERLY.

SO THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO.

COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

[03:45:01]

I FIRST WENT TO AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL IN MY DISTRICT, AND THEN I WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN.

AND THESE YOUNG FOLKS ASKED ME, WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THE CRAZY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOL? OUR SCHOOL IS RUN WITHOUT DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, AND I HAVE TO SAY, IT'S RUN UNDER A DICTATORSHIP, TO BE HONEST.

TO BE QUITE FRANK THEY ASKED ME, WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THIS? THESE WERE 18 YEAR OLD STUDENTS.

THEN I WENT TO UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND THE MARIACHI DIRECTOR CAME TO ME AND SAID, DO YOU KNOW UNDER THE ANTI DEI ACTIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE NO LONGER HAVE A UNIVERSITY LED MARIACHI PROGRAM.

IT IS NOW FORCED INTO THE HANDS OF THE STUDENTS.

AND WITH THAT WE HAVE HAD LESS PARTICIPATION.

AND I SAID, THE WAY TO CHANGE THIS IS TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

SO I'LL FINISH HERE.

THIS PROPOSAL WILL HELP INCREASE THE VOTER TURNOUT IN HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS.

TEXAS IS HOME TO ABOUT 409,018 YEAR OLD US CITIZENS, ACCORDING TO THE 2022 US CENSUS BUREAU DATA.

ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU, 39.6 OF TEXANS AGES 18 TO 24 WERE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER AND 2022.

THAT WAS THE BIGGEST DECLINE IN VOTER REGISTRATION FOR ANY AGE GROUP COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MIDTERM ELECTION IN 2018.

WE MUST DO MORE.

DEMOCRACY IS AT RISK.

IT'S THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT OUR KIDS NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT, AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD TO HEAR FROM BOTH OF Y'ALL.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK THANK YOU FOR COMING, JUDGE.

AND JOHNNY.

YEAH, JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES, I JUST WANT TO MAKE TWO QUICK POINTS BEFORE I MAKE THE MOTION.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS ALMOST 2.6 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS YET.

LESS THAN ONE OUT OF FIVE REGISTERED VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOT DURING THE LAST TWO ELECTION CYCLES.

AND THAT'S. THAT'S EMBARRASSING.

MR. RAMOS, I APPRECIATE YOU REALLY DUG INTO THESE NUMBERS.

SO WE KNEW WHAT WE WERE DOING ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM, THIS ITEM.

WHEN HE COMES BACK WITH SOME RECOMMENDATION, IT'S GOING TO COST SOME MONEY.

AND LOOK, I BELIEVE IN BEING FISCAL CONSERVATIVE, BUT I'M TELLING YOU, I'LL MAKE THE CASE WHEN IT'S TIME TO SET THE TAX RATE, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN WE CAN INVEST IN THAN THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THIS DEMOCRACY.

IT IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE BRIDGES AND SERVICING ALL OF THE PROJECTS WE'RE DOING WITH FEDERAL MONEY THANKS TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

BUT I'M COMMITTED TO IT.

I WANT TO STRESS THAT. BUT YOU DID A GOOD JOB.

I DON'T WANT YOU IN ANY WAY THINK THAT BY BY MAKING THAT MOTION.

YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER RAMOS AND I DIDN'T AGREE ON WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL HAVE AN ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, BUT WE UNDERFUNDED THAT.

AND HOW? WELL, I KNOW THAT CLERK HUDSPETH'S OFFICE, SHE COULD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE TO MAKE THOSE FINANCIAL DECISIONS FOR OFFICE, NOT US. AND I'M SENSITIVE TO THAT.

BUT I REALLY DO WANT YOU TO KNOW.

THAT'S WHY I MADE THE DECISION TO SECOND THE MOTION.

SO THIS MOTION I HAVE AND IT WILL COME BACK.

I WANT TO REPRESENTATIVES TO KNOW BECAUSE YOU YOU CALLED ME REPRESENTATIVE MORALES WHEN YOUR COLLEAGUES OUT OF AUSTIN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME WITH TRAVIS COUNTY WAS DOING LEFT A MESSAGE, AND I JUST NEVER GOT AROUND TO CALLING BACK.

SO YOU CALLED ME TO NUDGE ME, AND I THINK YOU SAID, DO YOU RETURN YOUR PHONE CALLS FROM LEGISLATORS? WE RETURN OUR CALLS FROM FORMER FROM FORMER LEGISLATORS.

SO I DID CALL HER, BUT.

SO THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT OCA IN COORDINATION WITH THE RELEVANT COUNTY AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS, TO CREATE A LIST OF RECOMMENDED OPTIONS TO INCREASE VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION IN HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS, AND TO SUBMIT OPTIONS FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT CONSIDERATION BY JUNE 4TH, 2024.

IF THEY CAN'T DO IT BY THE FOURTH, OBVIOUSLY THEY'LL TELL US THAT AT THAT AGENDA AND WE'LL WAIT.

BUT I KNOW TIME IS A IS OF ESSENCE.

SO THAT'S THE MOTION.

AND I HAVE A SECOND JUDGE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND, JUDGE JUST AS A JUST TO BRING BACK THE POINT MR. RAMOS, I APPRECIATE YOU DOING THE JOB THAT YOU WERE ASKED TO DO, AND THAT IS TO REMIND US ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE EXPENDITURES AS THEY COME.

BUT IT REMINDS ME THAT AS I SEE FRANCIS IN THE BACK THAT CONVERSATION UNDERSTANDING THESE UNANTICIPATED FUNDING CHALLENGES, I NEED TO BE DEALT WITH.

I DON'T WANT TO. I THINK IT'S UNFAIR TO BOTH MR.

[03:50:03]

WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS CONVERSATION AS SOON AS THE SESSION ENDED.

AND SO I'M JUST REMINDING US THAT THIS CONVERSATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT EASIER THAN IT WAS.

AND AND SO I'M JUST PUTTING THIS BACK ON TOP.

GOOD. AND MISS CESAR HAS BEEN HERE.

MISS CESAR, I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO.

WENDY. I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO PRESENT BECAUSE THEY'LL VISIT WITH YOU BEFORE WE MEET AND MAKE SOME DECISIONS ON THIS, HOPEFULLY AT THE NEXT.

BUT THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DID, AND THEY'LL COLLABORATE WITH YOUR OFFICE AS WELL ON THIS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU ALL.

AND TO THE CLERK I HAD REQUESTED SOME ITEMS OUT OF ORDER.

AND ALSO COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

SO I'D LIKE TO TAKE 387, 407 AND 487 TOGETHER.

AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA 380 747 ARE YOURS.

OR YOU WANTED TO DISCUSS? NO. I'M ME.

GRAB MY FOLDERS.

AND TO BE CLEAR, JUDGE AND MADAM CLERK, YOU GUYS ARE ARE HERE.

DO YOU NEED TO SPEAK AS WELL? QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE. OKAY.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU GUYS ON ITEM 387.

I'D LIKE TO HAVE DWIGHT JOIN US IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, IF YOU CAN COME ONLINE.

YES, SIR. I'M HERE. COMMISSIONER.

GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU.

DWIGHT CAN YOU DISCUSS SOME OF THE ISSUES YOU'VE BEEN HAVING THAT REQUIRE THE PROJECT MANAGER? THAT'S IN THIS ITEM THE LAST PROCUREMENT AUDIT THAT WAS DONE IN YOUR OFFICE, HAD TWO HIGH PRIORITY FINDINGS, THREE MODERATE PRIORITY FINDINGS, AND ONE LOW PRIORITY FINDING.

AND SO, CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE PROGRESS YOU MADE SINCE THAT AUDIT? AND AND TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH ANY OF THESE ISSUES REMAIN.

COMMISSIONER, THAT AUDIT BACK I THINK WAS IN 2021 OR 2022.

AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE RESOLVED ALL THOSE ITEMS A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

COMMISSIONER. A LOT OF THOSE WERE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

AND THEN THE OTHERS THAT WERE RELATED TO THE FEDERAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS WE'VE UPDATED IN OUR MANUAL.

SO THOSE HAVE ALL BEEN COMPLETED.

AND THAT'S BEEN CLOSED OUT BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

IN REGARDS TO THE PROJECT MANAGER.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE PROJECT MANAGER COMMISSIONER TO COME IN AND HELP US AS A LEADERSHIP TO COMPLETELY ROLL OUT THIS PROCURE TO PAY STRUCTURE.

MY STAFF AND MY TEAM HAS BEEN MY LEADERSHIP, AND I'VE BEEN WORKING IT DIRECTLY MYSELF.

BUT WE WANT A PROJECT MANAGER TO COME IN TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERVIEWS ARE GETTING SET UP TIMELY, WITH HR GETTING THROUGH THE FIRST ROUND OF INTERVIEWS SO WE CAN GET THAT STAFF ON BOARD. WE'RE ALSO WANTING TO WORK ON THE TRAINING OF THE NEW WORKFLOWS THAT GO ALONG WITH THE NEW ROLES OF THE NEW POSITIONS, AND THEN OF COURSE, ONBOARDING OUR NEW PIA SPECIALIST TRAINING LEAD AND OUR CATEGORY VENDOR DIRECTOR.

SO WHILE WE'RE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THEM, COMMISSIONER, I JUST CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORKLOAD COMING THROUGH ON OUR DAY TO DAY BASIS ALONG WITH THIS ROLLOUT, AND I'VE GOT MY TWO DEPUTIES WORKING IT, BUT IT'S A LITTLE OVERWHELMING.

SO WE'RE JUST ASKING TO UTILIZE THE SERVICES THAT LOOKED AT OUR CURRENT PROCURE TO PAY PROCESS AND USE ONE OF THEIR INDIVIDUALS THAT ALREADY KNOWS THE INTERNAL REVIEWS THAT THEY'VE DONE, AND COME IN AND ASSIST US WITH THAT AND HELP US AT THE VERY END WITH OUR KPI ROLLOUT AS WELL.

GOOD DEAL. AND DWIGHT, AS YOU KNOW, I, I MADE THE FIRST MOTION ON PROCURE TO PAY.

I THINK IT'S, WHAT, TWO YEARS, TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO NOW.

AND SO I'VE BEEN HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROCURE TO PAY INITIATIVE, AND IT'S DESIGNED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY'S PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.

AND I WAS EXCITED TO SEE THIS TRANSMITTAL FINALLY COME TO COURT.

SO I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT A FEW OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOUND WITHIN THE TRANSMITTAL.

AND, YOU KNOW, FOR THE RECORD, JUST TO SAY, LET'S GET YOUR POSITIONS AND LET'S GET THEM HIRED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT REGARDING THE INVOICE AGING, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING THE AGING INVOICE ISSUES WE'RE EXPERIENCING IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THESE ACCOUNT PAYABLE REPORTS SHOW INVOICES BEING PAID ON AVERAGE OF 14 DAYS, WHICH IS OUTSTANDING.

HOWEVER, THOSE 14 DAYS IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE BECAUSE MY OFFICE CONTINUES TO RECEIVE CALLS FROM PRIME CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS LETTING US KNOW THAT THEIR INVOICES ARE STILL 60, 90, 100 DAYS PLUS PAST DUE.

[03:55:04]

AND SO AND IT'S AND IT'S THE CLOCK DOESN'T START.

I THINK THE MEASUREMENT HERE IS WHEN IT HITS THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WHICH IS NOT ENTIRELY BECAUSE THERE IS A REVIEW PROCESS THAT'S I THINK THEY CALL IT AN INVOICE REVIEW PROCESS THAT'S INSTITUTED, WHICH IS ACTUALLY TAKING A BULK OF THIS TIME PRIOR TO IT GETTING TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

AND SO SO, SO, DWIGHT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE OVERWHELMED, AND I KNOW THAT YOUR STAFF IS WORKING HARD.

SO I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GET THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED TO, NUMBER ONE, STABILIZE YOUR OPERATIONS AND HELP YOU GET SOME BREATHING ROOM OVER THERE.

SO I'LL BE SUPPORTING THAT PARTICULAR ITEM.

BUT TO MR. POST IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE ONLINE.

OKAY? YES, SIR.

I'M HERE. OKAY, SO, MIKE, THE TELL ME WHEN THE ACCOUNT PAYABLE CLOCK STARTS FOR A VENDOR.

AM I ACCURATE THAT THERE IS A PRE-REVIEW PROCESS BEFORE IT GETS TO YOUR OFFICE? YOUR OFFICE IS DOING GREAT AT 14 DAYS, BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS, IS THAT VENDORS ARE SUBMITTING THEIR INVOICES, AND IT'S SITTING IN THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS FOR A TIME BEFORE IT ACTUALLY GETS TO YOU.

IS THAT IS THAT AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT? WELL, IT'S A LITTLE BIT COMPLEX, BUT LET ME TRY TO KIND OF GIVE AN OVERVIEW.

FOR MOST PURCHASES, THE INVOICES COME DIRECTLY TO THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DEPARTMENT IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PURCHASE ORDERS THAT DWIGHT ISSUES, IT INSTRUCTS THE VENDORS TO SEND THOSE INVOICES TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

AND YOU ARE RIGHT.

WHEN THEY COME INTO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WE HAVE A DATE.

AND FOR OUR DASHBOARDS AND OTHER PURPOSES, THAT IS THE DATE THAT WE'RE USING.

THE MEASURE, THE ONES THAT HAVE AGED PAST 30 DAYS.

NOW, THERE ARE ANOTHER GROUP OF INVOICES, FOR INSTANCE, WITH ENGINEERING.

AND THEY HAVE THESE PROGRAMS WHERE THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE VENDOR TO MORE OR LESS CREATE THE INVOICES. AND AND IN THOSE CASES, YES, THERE IS SOMETHING GOES ON BEFORE IT COMES TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE WE'RE DEBATING IT.

WE'RE DISCUSSING IT BECAUSE AS WE MOVE INTO THIS AIR POINT THREE, AIR 3.0 WORLD, WE REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE MANAGEMENT ACCURATE NUMBERS ON HOW LONG INVOICES ARE AGING.

IF YOU GO TO THE PROMPT PAY ACT THEY HAVE A DEFINITION FOR THEIR 30 DAYS, WHICH TIES TO WHEN YOU WOULD PAY INTEREST. AND THEY SAY IT'S THE LATER OF TWO DATES, THE DATE THAT IT COMES IN, IN OUR CASE TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE OR THE DATE THAT THE GOODS WERE RECEIVED.

WE ARE WORKING IN AIR 3.0, AND I'M ON THAT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO DESIGN OUR SYSTEM SO WE CAN CAPTURE SOME OF THIS INFORMATION SO WE CAN USE THE SAME 30 DAY CLOCK BASICALLY AS THE PROMPT PAY ACT DEFINES.

SO YOU ALSO HAVE ISSUES OCCASIONALLY WHERE DEPARTMENTS INSTRUCT VENDORS SEND IT TO ME, DON'T SEND IT TO THE AUDITOR. I WANT TO LOOK AT IT FIRST.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET ALL VENDORS TO SEND THEM TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

WE DON'T CARE IF THEY ALSO SEND THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT SO THE DEPARTMENT CAN GET LOOKING AT THEM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO HAVE THEM SO WE CAN GET OUR PROCESSING STARTED.

AND THEN I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I'M SO ENGAGED IN ALL THESE CONVERSATIONS, SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE GETTING INVOLVE SOME OF THESE FEDERAL GRANTS, AND THERE ARE EXTRA STEPS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH WITH SOME FEDERAL GRANTS THAT DELAY THE TIME BETWEEN WHEN WE GET THE INVOICE AND WHEN THE PAYMENTS MADE. AND WE'VE HAD MEETINGS TO TALK ABOUT THOSE STEPS AND HOW CAN WE MINIMIZE THOSE?

[04:00:01]

AND THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS.

AND I COULD GO ON AND ON.

BUT WE'VE GOT SOME VERY DEDICATED PEOPLE THAT THIS IS BASICALLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING FULL TIME IS THEY'RE TRYING TO COME UP WITH BETTER DESIGNS, BETTER PROCESSES, BECAUSE WE WE WANT THESE VENDORS TO BE PAID AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

MIKE, THANK YOU FOR TALKING ABOUT THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS.

BUT YOUR OFFICE WAS IN THE FIRST MEETING.

I CALLED TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS, AND I'M JUST STILL SURPRISED THAT WE DON'T HAVE WHAT SOUNDS LIKE ANY MORE CLARITY TODAY, TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER THAN WE HAD TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

AND THAT WE STILL CAN'T SEEM TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THE PROMPT PAYMENT ACT.

AND SO I'M NOT SURE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.

BUT IT'S GETTING VERY FRUSTRATING THAT HERE WE ARE TELLING PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO PAY THEM PROMPTLY, BUT WE KEEP MAKING.

EXCUSES FOR OURSELVES THAT, WELL, IF IT'S A FEDERAL GRANT, IT'S ONE THING.

IF IT'S A OTHER FUNDING, IT'S ANOTHER THING.

AND SO AND THE VENDOR COMMUNITY IS JUST THE VENDOR COMMUNITY, THEY THEY JUST NEED ONE CHANNEL TO SUBMIT THEIR INVOICES. AND IF IT'S TO YOUR OFFICE, LET IT BE YOUR OFFICE.

IT KIND OF MAKES SENSE THAT IT OUGHTA THAT THE PROCESS OUGHT TO START IN YOUR OFFICE.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO TOUT A ERRONEOUS 14 DAY TURNAROUND WHEN THAT'S NOT ACCURATE AT ALL.

AND SO I AND THEN I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE.

CAN THIS AGING PEOPLESOFT UPGRADE AND VENDOR PORTAL HELP US? CAN WILL THAT BE, TO SOME DEGREE, ANY ALLEVIATION OF PAIN FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GET THEIR PAYMENTS ANY SOONER THAN THEY'RE CURRENTLY GETTING THEM NOW? WILL PEOPLESOFT WITH THE WITH THE UPGRADE HELP AND I'M AND OR THE VENDOR PORTAL I THINK WAS CREATED IS THAT IS THAT GOING TO HELP AND AND DO WE HAVE CLEAR CHANNELS FOR THAT TO FOR THEM TO USE REGARDLESS OF WHAT POT OF MONEY THEY'RE GETTING PAID FROM? YES. AND I MEAN, YES, A LOT IS GOING ON.

AND YES, I UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION BECAUSE TIME'S ELAPSED AND WE DON'T HAVE ALL THESE THINGS DONE.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE VENDOR PORTAL.

I KNOW THAT THAT'S BEING WORKED ON BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

BRIAN SPECTER'S WORKING ON THAT.

THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WE ALL WANT THAT'S GOING TO REALLY HELP.

SO WE'RE LOSING YOU.

WE'RE LOSING YOU, MR. AUDITOR. LOTS OF SOUND, MIKE.

OKAY, WELL, THERE YOU GO. THERE YOU ARE.

CAN YOU. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? YES, YES, YES.

OKAY, SO I KNOW THAT VENDOR PORTAL IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

IT'S GOING TO HELP IN A NUMBER OF AREAS.

RIGHT NOW, SOME OF THE DELAY IS CAUSED BECAUSE VENDORS DO NOT SEND IN THE INVOICES WITH ALL THE INFORMATION THAT'S REQUIRED, THAT WE CAN PROCESS THEM EFFICIENTLY AND QUICKLY.

AND SO I'M SENDING OUT LETTERS TO VENDORS SO THAT I CAN TRY TO GET THEIR COOPERATION.

BUT WHEN YOU GO AWAY FROM THE PAPER AND YOU GET THIS PORTAL, THEN THEY'RE GOING TO BE GUIDED THROUGH AND IT'S GOING TO STOP THEM IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE PROPER INFORMATION.

SO SO THAT'S PART OF IT.

THIS PROGRAM THAT IS BEING DEVELOPED BY SINDHU'S DEPARTMENT, SHE'S GOT A PROJECT MANAGER.

IT'S CALLED AIR 3.0.

AIR IS ONE OF THE TWO PROGRAMS, AIR AND PEOPLESOFT THAT ARE USED TO PROCESS THESE VENDOR PAYMENTS.

THE ENHANCEMENTS IN THIS AIR 3.0 ARE ALSO GOING TO HELP A LOT.

THEN THIS PROMPT PAY ACT I BELIEVE IS SORT OF THE FROSTING ON THE CAKE.

IT'S A COMPLEX THING TO ENACT BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT OF PROGRAMING BECAUSE TO CALCULATE THE INTEREST AND CALCULATE THE 30 DAYS I TOLD YOU THE BASIC FORMULA WAS THE LATER OF TWO DATES.

BUT THEN, YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE A DISPUTE WITH THE VENDOR, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CAPTURE THAT AND HOW LONG IT LASTS.

SO YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY INTEREST ON THOSE DAYS.

IF YOU HAVE A FEDERAL GRANT AND IT HAS THESE EXTRA THINGS, THAT AND YOU HAVE TO SEND SOMETHING TO, YOU KNOW, D E O WHICH SOME OF THOSE GRANTS

[04:05:06]

AND THERE'S SOME EXCEPTIONS THERE IN HOW YOU COUNT THE 30 DAYS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS COMPLEX ENOUGH THAT RIGHT NOW I ONLY KNOW OF TWO COUNTIES OUT OF THE 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE PROMPT PAY ACT, TRAVIS COUNTY HAS IMPLEMENTED IT.

AND HIDALGO, COUNTY DOWN IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY HAS IMPLEMENTED IT.

THEY'RE NOT PERFECT IMPLEMENTATIONS.

THEY'RE NOT THE STRONG IMPLEMENTATIONS YOU SEE AT THE STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND THE STATE AGENCIES.

BUT THEY AT LEAST DID SOMETHING ESPECIALLY TRAVIS COUNTY.

THEY'VE DONE IT IN A VERY SIMPLE WAY, AND THEY'RE PAYING MORE INTEREST THAN THEY SHOULD, BECAUSE THEY DON'T CAPTURE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT WOULD LIMIT THE INTEREST TO WHAT THE PROMPT PAY ACT REQUIRES.

BUT I KIND OF, YOU KNOW, BEEN IN, I DON'T KNOW, SOME SORT OF WAIT MODE ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE KATIE SHORT POINTED THIS OUT.

I HAVE TO ADMIT BEFORE THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROMPT PAY ACT.

AT THAT TIME, YOU KNOW, WE DID HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH DAVE BERRY AND OTHERS.

IT JUST DIDN'T SEEM LIKE WE HAD, YOU KNOW, THE COHESION AND THE COMMITMENT AND AND ALL THAT TO IMPLEMENT.

BUT NOW WITH SINDHU, WITH THIS AIR 3.0, I MEAN, IT'S BEEN ABOUT TEN MINUTES.

ONE SECOND. MR. COUNTY AUDITOR, IS THAT THE MOTION YOU HAD, COMMISSIONER BRIONES? OH, NO, I HAVE A COMMENT, BUT IT IS THE TEN MINUTES.

SO SORRY. YEAH.

IS THERE A MOTION? THERE BE A MOTION TO EXTEND TIME.

IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THIS CONVERSATION, I MOVE TO EXTEND TIME.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WERE YOU IN FAVOR? OKAY. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I DO HAVE A QUESTION. FINISH MY MY REMARKS.

AND MR. MEYERS, YOU WERE DIRECTOR OF DEO WHEN I STARTED THIS.

I'VE HEARD COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SOME OF THE ROLE THAT DEO HAS PLAYED AND CREATING SOME OF THIS BOUNCE BACK.

AND NOW YOU'RE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THIS PROJECT.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE CINDY'S RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF IT.

SOUNDS LIKE MIKE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF IT.

I SOUNDS LIKE DWIGHT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF IT.

I WANT SOMEONE TO BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, BECAUSE TWO AND A HALF YEARS, IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT WE CAN'T FIND A WAY TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THE PROMPT PAYMENT ACT.

AND SO I WILL WAIT TO HEAR WHO IS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THIS? PROCESS, BRINGING ALL THE PLAYERS TOGETHER AND GIVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

A CLEAR SET OF GUIDELINES SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT IS NEEDED FROM THEM AND HOW AND WHERE IS THE STARTING POINT.

BECAUSE IT'S IT'S DISINGENUOUS THAT 14 DAYS IS OUR TURNAROUND AND IT'S NOT THAT IS NOT ACCURATE.

AND SO THERE'S A THERE'S AN INVOICE REVIEW PROCESS THAT'S IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

AND THAT IS THE 90, 100, 120 DAYS THAT I'M HEARING FROM BUSINESS PEOPLE.

YES, SIR. YOU KNOW, HAPPY TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM THE DAIS ON IF YOU WANT OCA TO TAKE A REALLY HARD LEAD ON THIS.

THERE'S ALSO ISSUES WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT THE DEPARTMENTS USE.

SO PART OF IT IS, IS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHEN THE CLOCK STARTS.

AND I THINK THAT THAT THAT'S AN ISSUE FOR THE FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THIS WORK UP FRONT.

SO THERE'S, YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT DON'T HELP US.

I KNOW THAT DIRECTOR MENON IS DOING YEOMAN'S WORK IN, IN TRYING TO, TO GET NEW PROCEDURES IN PLACE SO THAT THEY REVIEW EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS SOME INSIGHT INTO IT.

BUT I THINK THAT THERE ARE THERE ARE SOME, SOME BIGGER ISSUES AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THE DATA IN A TIMELY FASHION.

SO WE'LL, WE'LL, WE CAN WORK ON IT SOME MORE.

AND I CAN GET BACK TO YOU WITH A PLAN WITH AND SOCIALIZE IT WITH ALL THE OFFICES TO SEE HOW WE CAN SPEED THIS UP AND AND GET WHAT THE COURT'S LOOKING FOR.

I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPOINT YOU AS PROJECT MANAGER OF THIS PROJECT.

[04:10:06]

SO, AUDITOR POST, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

I WAS LOVING DIVING INTO THE PROCURE TO PAY EFFORT THAT WAS PASSED IN 2022, BEFORE I ARRIVED TO COURT.

I HAVE SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, BUT DWIGHT MENTIONED SOMETHING THAT IN 2021, THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AUDITED THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT AND THAT HAS SINCE CLOSED.

I KNOW THE PROCESS IS THERE'S AN AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS, AND YOU ALL COLLABORATIVELY WORK ON AN ACTION PLAN AND CLOSE IT OUT.

SO COULD YOU JUST FOR MY OWN KNOWLEDGE AND FOR THE PUBLIC'S KNOWLEDGE, SYNTHESIZE WHAT THE AUDIT OF THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT SHOWED.

AND THEN I HAVE SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCURE TO PAY IMPROVEMENTS.

YES. THAT AUDIT THAT DWIGHT REFERRED TO, IF ERICA PERKINS IS AVAILABLE, I'D LIKE HER TO SPEAK TO THAT.

I MEAN, SHE IS OR HAS BEEN OUR DIRECTOR ON THE AUDIT SIDE, AND I THINK SHE'S PROBABLY MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE SPECIFICS.

AND I AM. ERICA, ARE YOU AVAILABLE? AND WHILE SHE GETS ON TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS WHILE SHE'S COMING ON.

OKAY, OKAY, SHE'S COMING ON.

I HAVE SOME OTHER QUICK ONES.

SO I'M THANKFUL FOR THE PROGRESS.

AND I KNOW WE'RE ALL COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.

THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS WITH PROCURE TO PAY.

I WAS READING THAT THERE USED TO BE OVER 2000 AGED INVOICES, AND NOW WE HOVER AT APPROXIMATELY 500 WITH SOME LULLS IN THE NEAR END SPIKES.

SO PROGRESS. BUT WHETHER IT'S 500, 400, 300 AGED INVOICES, ESPECIALLY FOR MWB BUSINESSES THAT MIGHT BE SMALL OR LOCAL BUSINESSES, THAT'S A CHALLENGE. SO I WANT TO SEE MARKET PROGRESS.

PLEASE. THE LAWYER IN ME.

MY UNDERSTANDING THE CONTRACT LIFE CYCLE PROJECT WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR NOW.

IS THAT CORRECT OR IT'S IN ITS INITIAL STAGES? IT'S IN ITS INITIAL STAGES NOW, I THINK.

SO IT HAD HAD LANGUISHED.

OUR OFFICE SORT OF TAKEN IT OVER.

NOW I'M SORT OF LEADING THAT EFFORT AND LOCKSTEP WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

WE HAVE A PROJECT MANAGER DESIGNATED, WE HAVE AN RFP FOR A CRM PROCESS.

AND SO WE'RE WE'RE TAKING IT OVER.

WHEN DO WE ANTICIPATE THAT WILL BE COMPLETED? WELL, I THINK THE RFP IS SUPPOSED TO BE OUT WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

SO AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE NORMAL PURCHASING PROCESS OF AT THE, AT THE COUNTY.

AND THEN WE'LL SELECT SOMEONE AND HOPEFULLY GET AN IMPLEMENTATION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT I DON'T I CAN GIVE YOU AN EXACT TIME WITHIN PROBABLY THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. AND THEN THE AIR 3.0 AUDITOR POST.

HAS IT BEEN CONNECTED TO PEOPLESOFT YET, OR IF NOT, WHEN WILL IT? WELL, I THINK I WELL, LET ME JUST SAY, IN CASE EVERYBODY DOESN'T UNDERSTAND WHEN INVOICES COME IN TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, THEY'RE SCANNED INTO A A PROGRAM.

IT'S CALLED AIR.

AND THIS WAS DEVELOPED IN-HOUSE.

YOU'VE BEEN USING OPENTEXT, AND THAT'S WHERE THE DEPARTMENTS REVIEW THE INVOICE, WHERE THEY DO, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO MAKE THE MATCH AND THEN DO THE RECEIVING, AND THEN IT COMES BACK TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

AND NOW WE'RE BACK.

NOW WE'RE INTO THE PEOPLESOFT ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE CREATE THE VOUCHER AND DO THE PAYMENT.

SO YOU HAVE TWO PROGRAMS. AND PART OF THIS 3.0 PROJECT IS THESE PROGRAMS ARE INDEPENDENT AND THEY DON'T COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. AND SO THAT BRINGS REDUNDANCY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REENTER SOMETHING THAT WAS ENTERED INTO AIR INTO PEOPLESOFT.

SO WITH THIS PROGRAMING SINDHU'S TEAM IS HEADING UP.

WE'RE GOING TO INTEGRATE THESE SO THAT WE HAVE MORE EFFICIENCY, LESS ROOM FOR ERROR, BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU HAVE TO KEY SOMETHING IN, YOU CAN YOU CAN YOU CAN MAKE A MISTAKE.

I DO ALSO I DO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THIS GENERAL COMMENT.

WHEN I LOOK BACK A COUPLE OF YEARS AND I LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT ARE OVER 30 DAYS, I THINK WE MADE FANTASTIC PROGRESS.

THAT'S IT'S WAY DOWN.

BUT LIKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAYS, IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE VENDORS AND YOU'RE WAITING 60 DAYS TO GET PAID, THE FACT THAT THE AVERAGE VENDOR IS IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN THEY WERE TWO YEARS AGO HOW DOES THAT HELP ME? BECAUSE I'M STILL WAITING 60 DAYS.

SO WHERE THE OVERALL SITUATION HAS IMPROVED, WHERE THERE ARE FEWER VENDORS THAT ARE

[04:15:08]

PART OF OUR PROBLEM IS THERE'S A SYSTEM AT, YOU KNOW, ENGINEERING, THERE'S A SYSTEM AT FLOOD CONTROL, THERE'S A SYSTEM AT HECTOR.

THOSE ARE KIND OF FRONT END SYSTEMS. AND HOW DO YOU HOW DO YOU START THE CLOCK WHEN THINGS ARE IN THOSE SYSTEMS? AND THEN WE GET THEM LATER IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

SO YOU'VE GOT SOME GROUPS OF INVOICES THAT WE'VE GOT WORK TO DO ON.

BUT A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT HAS HAPPENED.

AND I AM SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE IMPROVEMENT THAT CONTINUOUSLY IS BEING MADE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THANK YOU, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE MAKING US MORE EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND EQUITABLE IN THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS AS A COUNTY.

TO GO BACK TO MY QUESTION ABOUT THE 2021 AUDIT OF THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT, IS MISS PERKINS ON? YES, YES, I AM.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

THANK YOU. THE 2021 PURCHASING PROCUREMENT AUDIT.

THE SCOPE INCLUDED TESTING A SAMPLE OF PROCUREMENT COMPLETED BY THE PURCHASING AGENT THAT WAS FUNDED BY STATE DOLLARS, FEDERAL DOLLARS AND GENERAL FUND DOLLARS TO LOOK FOR COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE INTERNAL POLICIES AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CODE.

AND WHAT WERE THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS? THERE WAS CERTAIN ISSUES.

I IDENTIFIED WITH PORTIONS OF THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AND THEN MONITORING OF THE POA PROCESS, IN ADDITION TO KEEPING DOCUMENTATION ON THE NUMBER OF VENDOR QUOTES.

THE ISSUES THAT WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2021 AUDIT HAVE ALL BEEN REMEDIATED BASED ON OUR FOLLOW UP TESTING OF THE PURCHASING AGENTS PROCESS, AND THAT WAS REMEDIATED IN 2021 OR 2022 SHORTLY AFTER THE AUDIT.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR THAT SUMMARY, MISS PERKINS.

AND SO THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT, AS WITH ALL DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE CUSTOMARILY AUDITED, WHICH IS A REGULAR BEST PRACTICE, THEN WORK WITH THE AUDITOR TO COME UP WITH AN ACTION PLAN REMEDIATION PLAN, AND THEY WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO IMPLEMENT IT.

IS THAT STANDARD PRACTICE? THAT IS CORRECT.

OKAY. THANK YOU, MISS PERKINS, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR HELP IN DRIVING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT.

THANK YOU. JUDGE.

WE'VE NOW COME TO ANOTHER TEN MINUTES, SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE OR OR MOVE FORWARD ON THIS.

IS THERE SO IS THIS ONE 387 OR 407.

THIS DISCUSSION THAT WE'RE HAVING IS 407.

RIGHT? COMMISSIONER GARCIA IT IS, IT IS IT'S ACTUALLY BOTH IT'S BOTH.

OKAY. SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION? I'M NOT SURE IF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE COLLEAGUES.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON 387 OR 407? OKAY. SO WE DO NEED A MOTION ON 387.

CORRECT. CORRECT.

MOTION. IS THERE A MOTION AS PRESENTED? IF IS AN OPTION.

COMMISSIONER. YOUR MIC.

I MOVE ON THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.

SECOND. SECOND. A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THIS IS FOR BOTH ITEMS. CORRECT? WELL, ORAL SEVEN IS A SEVEN.

IS THE TRANSMITTAL OKAY? OKAY. SO NOW FOR 87, WHICH I KNOW FOLKS SEVERAL FOLKS WANTED TO TALK ABOUT.

SO I'LL LET YOU GUYS ASK ANY QUESTIONS FIRST.

OKAY. QUESTIONS, COLLEAGUES.

SO WHILE WE HAVE ERICA PERKINS HERE, CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AUDIT AND THEN ALSO WHAT THE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS ARE EXACTLY.

AND THE IMPACT OF SORT OF DOING JUST THAT? ABSOLUTELY. I'LL GIVE A QUICK SUMMARY OVER ALL THREE PROCUREMENT AUDITS WE'VE TOUCHED ON.

THE PROCUREMENT AUDIT WE DID BACK IN 2021 OF THE PURCHASING AGENT.

THERE ARE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES THAT ARE HOUSED IN THREE OTHER DEPARTMENTS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

[04:20:03]

SO WE DID AUDIT THOSE PROCESSES TO ENSURE THAT CONTROLS WERE IN PLACE.

SUCH THAT WHEN THE COUNTY AUDITOR APPROVES CLAIMS, VENDOR CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT THAT THERE IS A ASSURANCE LEVEL OF CONTROLS BEING IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THOSE VENDOR PAYMENTS ARE COMPLIANT AND LEGAL.

SO IN THE THREE AUDITS OF HECTOR ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL, WE LOOKED AT THEIR PROCESSES FOR IDENTIFYING THE MOST QUALIFIED VENDOR AS REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT CODE.

WE IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THAT PROCESS BECAUSE THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE STATES THAT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, THE VENDOR MUST BE HIGHLY QUALIFIED BASED ON THE COMPETENCY AND QUALIFICATIONS.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER REVIEWING THOSE PROCESSES WAS TO CREATE POLICY AND PROCEDURE SO THAT EMPLOYEES IDENTIFY HOW TO DOCUMENT THE SELECTION OF THE MOST QUALIFIED VENDOR.

THERE WAS PROCESSES ALREADY IN PLACE IN THOSE DIFFERENT THOSE THREE DEPARTMENTS TO VET THE VENDORS INITIALLY AND IDENTIFY THEIR COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS.

OUR RECOMMENDATION WAS FOR THAT FINAL SELECTION OF VENDOR TO HAVE DOCUMENTATION AS TO HOW THAT VENDOR WAS SELECTED, EITHER THROUGH A SCORING PROCESS, EVALUATION COMMITTEE, WHATEVER IS MOST RELEVANT TO THAT DEPARTMENT'S PROCESS.

IN BOTH THE FLOOD CONTROL AND IN THE ENGINEERING AUDIT, WE ALSO IDENTIFIED AN OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THE CONTROLS AROUND CONFLICT OF INTEREST DOCUMENTATION SUCH THAT THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A ABILITY TO INFLUENCE THE VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS HAVE A HAVE DOCUMENTATION AS TO WHETHER THEY HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROJECT.

AND THEN THERE IS A PROCESS OR A POLICY WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT HOW TO MANAGE CONFLICTS SHOULD THEY ARISE WITH THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO SELECT VENDORS.

AND THEN ONE ADDITIONAL JUST IN THE ENGINEERING AUDIT REPORT, ONE ADDITIONAL ISSUE THAT WAS IDENTIFIED WAS AROUND THE DEBARMENT OF VENDORS.

OUR RECOMMENDATION WAS TO PUT PROCESSES IN PLACE TO FIRST VERIFY THAT VENDORS ARE NOT ON THE FEDERAL DEBARMENT LIST PRIOR TO THOSE VENDORS BEING AWARDED A CONTRACT FOR THE HECTOR AUDIT, BECAUSE AT THE TIME OF OUR AUDIT THEY HAD RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED THEIR PROCUREMENT POLICIES AND STOOD UP A PROCUREMENT TEAM.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE PROCUREMENT THAT HAD TOOK PLACE POST THEIR IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR NEW PROCUREMENT TEAM AND NEW POLICIES. SO WE WILL BE CIRCLING BACK WITH THE PROCUREMENT OR, I'M SORRY, WITH THE HECTOR DEPARTMENT TO DO A LARGER, LARGER SAMPLING, SAMPLING, TESTING OF THOSE PROCUREMENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THEY HAVE PUT IN THOSE PROCUREMENT STRUCTURES.

SO DID YOU WRITE THE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN SECTIONS OR WHO WROTE THAT? NO, ACTUALLY OUR WRITINGS END AT THE RECOMMENDATION.

AND MANAGEMENT'S ACTION TO REMEDIATE THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED IS CAPTURED IN THE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS SECTION.

SO THOSE OF THE WORDS OF EACH OF THE LEADERS WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY, WHO WE WILL ULTIMATELY FOLLOW UP WITH TO GAIN EVIDENCE THAT THE ACTION PLAN WAS IMPLEMENTED, IS ALSO LISTED IN THE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN SECTION.

SO THERE IS A RESPONSIBLE PARTY.

AND MANAGEMENT ALSO IDENTIFIES DUE DATES BY WHICH THEY FEEL THEY CAN IMPLEMENT THEIR ACTION PLANS.

AND IF THE IF WE IMPLEMENT WHAT THE DEPARTMENT'S DECIDED WOULD BE THEIR ACTION PLAN.

AND. DON'T CENTRALIZED PROCUREMENT THE WAY OTHER COUNTIES DO IT.

WHAT WOULD BE THE DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF IMPACT OR BENEFITS? I THINK THAT IF MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTS THEIR ACTION PLANS, THAT WILL ADDRESS THE SELECTION PROCESS OF THAT MOST QUALIFIED VENDOR, WE WILL HAVE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN PLACE TO GAIN ASSURANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND

[04:25:09]

WITH ANY VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS, THERE IS INHERENT RISK BUILT INTO THAT PROCESS.

YOUR QUESTION WAS THE PROS CONS OF CENTRALIZATION OF PROCUREMENT VERSUS NOT RIGHT.

WHAT I MEAN, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S WE COULD SAY, OKAY, LET'S ADDRESS JUST THOSE THINGS.

BUT WHY WHY IS IT THEN THAT ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES HAVE PROCUREMENT UNDERNEATH THE PURCHASING AGENT, WHO OF COURSE, WHOSE JOB OBVIOUSLY IS IS PURCHASING? WHAT'S THE ADDED BENEFIT? SURE, SURE.

SO FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE ADDED BENEFIT ACTUALLY WAS MENTIONED EARLIER.

DATA CENTRALIZATION TO ALLOW LEADERSHIP TO MAKE DATA DRIVEN DECISIONS.

AS WE KNOW NOW, WE HAVE CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION IN THREE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS IN THOSE THREE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

SO WE DON'T HAVE CENTRALIZATION OF THE CONTRACT DATA.

FOR BOTH REPORTING TO MANAGEMENT, MAKING THOSE INFORMED DECISION MAKING, OF COURSE, THE STRUCTURE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT, AS WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR BY TEXAS STATUTE, THEY'RE STRUCTURED SUCH THAT THEY CREATE INDEPENDENT CHECKS AND BALANCES WITHIN A LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

SO IN HARRIS COUNTY THE CENTRALIZATION OF THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS UNDER THE PURCHASING AGENT GIVES ADDITIONAL INDEPENDENCE AND OBJECTIVITY IN THEIR PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

OKAY. WOULD THERE BE ANY WAY THAT A MEMBER OF COURT OR OF STAFF COULD CALL THE PURCHASING AGENT AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO THEY'D LIKE CHOSEN? AND COULD THAT HAPPEN WITH A DEPARTMENT HEAD? IS IT HAPPENING WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS? DWIGHT WOULD BE THE EXPERT.

BUT BASED ON HIS PROCUREMENT POLICY THAT WAS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT IN 2022.

HIS POLICY STATES THAT FOR PROCUREMENTS OVER 50,000, THERE WILL BE AN EVALUATION COMMITTEE THAT WILL BE INDEPENDENT AND THEY WILL SCORE AND THEY AWARD WILL BE MADE BASED ON THE SCORING.

DWIGHT, I HOPE I CAPTURED THAT CORRECTLY.

IF I MISSPOKE, PLEASE CORRECT ME.

THAT'S CORRECT. AND NO JUDGE.

THERE'S NO INDIVIDUAL THAT CALLED ME AT THIS POINT.

AS FAR AS AS MY DIRECTOR ROLE TO INFLUENCE US BASED ON THE POLICY THAT I'M AWARE OF.

SO BUT RIGHT NOW, IN THE AUDITS, YOU FOUND ERICA.

NO PAPER TRAIL. CORRECT.

THERE WAS NOT CONSISTENT DOCUMENTATION IN PLACE FOR US TO DETERMINE HOW THE SELECTION OF THE MOST QUALIFIED VENDOR WAS MADE.

SO IS IT CONCEIVABLE THAT IT COULD HAVE JUST BEEN A VERBAL CONVERSATION BECAUSE IT WASN'T DOCUMENTED ON PAPER? THAT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY, YES.

WHICH OBVIOUSLY WOULDN'T HAPPEN WITH DWIGHT.

SO SO LET ME JUST LEAVE IT THERE.

OBVIOUSLY I HAVE I HAVE MORE COMMENTS HERE, BUT I WANT TO GIVE MY COLLEAGUES ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I'M GOING TO START WITH THE AUDIT AS I READ IT.

YOU DID NOT FIND ANY ISSUE RELATED TO.

A SELECTION OF AN UNQUALIFIED CONSULTING FIRM TO DO WORK.

DID YOU? NOW, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE VENDOR.

BEHAVED IN AN INAPPROPRIATE MANNER TO SECURE A PROJECT, DID YOU? WE DID NOT TEST TO SEE IF THE VENDOR BEHAVED IN AN INAPPROPRIATE MANNER.

WELL, IN FACT, YOU ONLY TALK TO 12.

THERE ARE ONLY 12, I THINK CONTRACTS THAT YOU LOOKED AT.

EIGHT OF THOSE WERE PRIOR TO 2019, WHICH MEANS EIGHT OF THEM, A OF THE 12 WERE PRIOR TO THE CURRENT COUNTY ENGINEER, FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR AND TOLL ROAD DIRECTOR.

I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

BUT WE HAD DIFFERENT SAMPLE SELECTIONS.

IT WAS THREE DIFFERENT AUDITS.

BUT TO YOUR ORIGINAL QUESTION ABOUT TESTING VENDOR BEHAVIOR, WE WERE FOCUSED ON THE DEPARTMENT'S PROCESS FOR VENDOR SELECTION.

I THINK THIS IS CLEARLY, IN MY OPINION.

A ACT TO TRY TO CONSOLIDATE AND CONTROL.

FOR NO GOOD REASON.

[04:30:02]

BUT I THINK AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT.

AND I FEEL COMPELLED TO COMMUNICATE THAT THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE AN ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT.

AND I'LL GO BACK TO MARCH 18TH, 1937.

IN NEW LONDON, NOT VERY FAR FROM WHERE I GREW UP IN EAST TEXAS, A SCHOOL WAS DESIGNED BY SOMEONE THAT HAD NO BUSINESS DESIGNING A SCHOOL.

AND BECAUSE THAT WAS DESIGNED BY SOMEONE THAT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING, THEY PUT A GAS LINE IN THE BASEMENT OF A SCHOOL IN NEW LONDON.

AND ON MARCH 18TH, THAT SCHOOL BLEW UP IN OVER 300 CHILDREN, AND TEACHERS DIED BECAUSE UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN.

I'LL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY SYSTEM THAT ENCOURAGES UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE TO BE SELECTED.

SO THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT TO GET BACK TO THAT, WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN SELECTION OF QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS? IT SHOULD BE QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO REVIEW WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE QUALIFIED.

SO UNLESS A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER IS INVOLVED IN THE SELECTION OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, I DOUBT VERY SERIOUSLY THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT.

THAT'S MY OPINION.

I'LL BE HAPPY TO TALK TO THE STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION ANYTIME SOMEBODY WANTS TO ENGAGE ON THAT, ON THAT ISSUE.

SO WHAT I SEE PROPOSED BY DOCTOR RAHMAN REG, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, SEEMS LIKE AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE TO THE CONCERN OF DOCUMENTATION.

BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU, SINCE I'VE BEEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER, I'VE NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH ANYBODY THAT WASN'T QUALIFIED TO DO THE WORK.

I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN DOCTOR RAYMOND P.

I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN DOCTOR PETERSON.

P I HAVE GOT GREAT CONFIDENCE IN ROBERTO TREVINO.

P SO MY MOTION ON THIS IS SIMPLY TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO BETTER DOCUMENT THE REALLY GOOD SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE NOW.

ON SELECTING QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS.

OH, BY THE WAY, SINCE ETHICS WAS BROUGHT UP KIND OF IN AN INFERRED BUT INSULTING WAY.

REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS ARE REQUIRED FOR ETHICS.

EVERY YEAR ONE YEAR ONE HOUR TRAINING.

EVERY YEAR.

SO FOR 40 PLUS YEARS I'VE BEEN A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER.

EVERY YEAR I HAVE TO GET ETHICS TRAINING.

THAT'S WHY MOST PEOPLE WHEN YOU WHEN YOU POLL INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE, WHEN YOU POLL THEM, THEY THINK ENGINEERS ARE THE MOST HIGHLY ETHICAL.

AND TO INFER ANYTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ENGINEERING COMMUNITY THAT I KNOW OF IN AMERICA.

AND TO INFER THAT THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOLL ROAD OR THE FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR OR THE COUNTY ENGINEER WOULD DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS BECAUSE THEY'RE LICENSED, THEY ARE COMMITTED TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC'S GOOD, NOT THE COUNTY GOOD.

SO WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THIS, I AGREE WITH DOCUMENTATION.

I AGREE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUDITOR, ALTHOUGH I WILL TAKE ONE EXCEPTION.

AUDITOR, ON YOUR ISSUE.

NUMBER ONE, YOU USE THE WORD LACK OF DOCUMENTATION.

FOR THE MOST QUALIFIED BIDDER.

I WOULD LOSE MY ENGINEERING LICENSE IF I BID ON A PROJECT.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED WITH THIS PROCESS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT AND KNOW THAT THERE IS NO BIDDING THAT GOES ON.

YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS.

SO I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE SIMPLY ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATION CONTAINED WITHIN THE AUDIT REPORT AND MOVE ON.

[04:35:05]

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE AYE AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? I WILL ABSTAIN.

AND HERE'S WHY. WHETHER YOU GUYS AGREE WITH ME OR NOT, MY COLLEAGUES.

AND OF COURSE, I'VE ENORMOUS RESPECT FOR EACH OF YOU GUYS.

AND I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR PEOPLE TO IMPUGN YOUR INTEGRITY BASED ON SKETCHY FACTS.

TRUST ME, I'M NOT INTERESTED IN THAT.

THIS IS A PROPOSAL.

THE PROPOSAL OF PUTTING PROCUREMENT BACK IN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT THAT WILL ACTUALLY PROTECT YOU, MY COLLEAGUES AND THE TAXPAYERS HAVING PROCUREMENT OUTSIDE THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, IN DEPARTMENTS THAT SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF EACH OF YOU AT THE PLEASURE OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

MAKES EVERY COMMISSIONER VULNERABLE, AND IT ALSO MAKES OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS VULNERABLE.

THAT'S WHY IT'S NOT DONE THAT WAY ELSEWHERE.

THAT'S WHY ELSEWHERE THERE IS DOCUMENTATION.

AND IT'S ALSO IN AN INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT THAT IS STATUTORILY DESIGNED TO MANAGE PURCHASING.

AND SO RETURNING TO THE CORRECT WAY TO DO THIS IS NOT JUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF TAXPAYERS, IT'S FOR THE BENEFIT OF US AS OFFICE HOLDERS AS WELL.

SO I WILL COME BACK TO THIS BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT.

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE WORKING ON IT AND CONTINUE WORKING ON IT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

I'M GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE ADOPTING THESE THESE BASIC BASE LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS.

THEY ARE NECESSARY.

BUT OF COURSE, THESE ARE THE FLOOR NOT QUITE THE ENTIRE FLOOR AND CERTAINLY NOT THE CEILING.

AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON THAT FOR FOR THE TAXPAYERS, FOR ALL OF US AND FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.

THANK YOU TO THE AUDITOR AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR THE DETAILED AUDIT.

YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SINCE WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSION I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT IN THE AUDIT REPORT MISS PERKINS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

YOU DID NOT FIND ANY NONCOMPLIANCE OF LAW, CORRECT? RIGHT. AND DID YOU SAY IN THE AUDIT REPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT, OR DID YOU SAY MISMANAGEMENT? I DON'T BELIEVE I USE THE WORD MISMANAGEMENT.

I'M GLANCING THROUGH IT NOW.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE INCLUDED THE WORD MISMANAGEMENT AND THAT THE AUDIT REPORT RECOMMEND MOVING PROCUREMENT TO PURCHASING.

THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR RECOMMENDATION.

AND THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE ARE DOING PROCUREMENT WAS ACTUALLY ADOPTED IN 2022.

IS THAT CORRECT? ONLY FOR PROCUREMENT UNDER THE PURCHASING AGENT, NOT FOR PROCUREMENT UNDERNEATH THE COUNTY ENGINEER HECTOR OR FLOOD CONTROL.

AND ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 2254.

AND THE AND THE PURCHASING POLICY MANUAL THE LAW STATES OR IDENTIFIES A DISTRICT BEING THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND AN AUTHORITY BEING HECTOR AS SEPARATE ENTITIES.

OF A COUNTY THAT CAN SOLICIT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

IS THAT CORRECT? I WOULD NEED LEGAL COUNSEL TO ASSIST ON THAT QUESTION.

WE DID CONFIRM WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 2,254.004 IS APPLICABLE TO ALL PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROCUREMENTS.

AND THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF OUR LEGAL OPINION REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

SO JUST, JUST TO SHARE WITH YOU THE CODE UNDER SECTION 2250 4-002 SECTION ONE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY MEANS SUBSECTION B, A DISTRICT AUTHORITY, COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY, OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.

JUST FOR YOUR INFORMATION.

AND THEN LASTLY THE THE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT YOU.

THAT THIS AUDIT RATHER WAS NOT ON THE AUDITORS AUDIT PLAN.

[04:40:01]

IT IS INCORRECT.

IT WAS ON THE AUDIT PLAN? YES IT WAS.

OKAY. AND THE AUDIT WAS.

THERE WAS WELL, RATHER YOU HAD SENT AN EMAIL SAYING THAT WHILE YOU PREFERRED CENTRALIZED.

A CENTRALIZED PROCESS IS THAT AM I GETTING SOME OF THE WORDING CORRECT? AND YOU PUT OUT AN EMAIL TO THE DIRECTOR SAYING WHY YOU YOU WERE YOU APOLOGIZE FOR, I GUESS THIS BEING POLITICAL.

AND I APOLOGIZE FOR A INDEPENDENT AND WHAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AN INDEPENDENT AND OBJECTIVE AUDIT BECOMING POLITICAL.

AND YOU ALSO STATED THAT WHILE YOU RECOMMENDED.

A CENTRALIZED PROCESS.

WAS THAT IS THAT ALSO ACCURATE? I DON'T KNOW THAT I SAID I RECOMMENDED OUR OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION IS IN THE AUDIT REPORT.

I DO SEE THE BENEFITS OF A CENTRALIZED PROCUREMENT.

THAT IS CORRECT.

SO I WOULD JUST SAY TO THE AUDITOR I WOULD YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE OBJECTIVE.

AND AND WHEN THERE'S AN EMAIL LIKE THAT, IT KIND OF GIVES A PERCEPTION THAT IT'S NOT.

AND SO THAT THIS AUDIT WAS ATTEMPTED IN A PARTICULAR WAY TO HAVE PARTICULAR FINDINGS.

I THINK CAN HURT THE INTEGRITY OF THE CREDIBILITY OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

SO I WOULD JUST BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT.

THANK YOU. NO MORE QUESTIONS.

CALL FOR THE QUESTION. COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

I JUST HAVE A QUICK COMMENT AFTER THE VOTE.

JUDGE, WE'RE WELL PAST OUR TEN MINUTES.

SO IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION, WE PROBABLY WANT TO EXTEND IT AGAIN FOR THE FOR THE LAST TIME.

IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND DISCUSSION? DID YOU SAY YOU SAID MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA? I SAID CALL FOR THE QUESTION.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I KNOW YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING.

IS THAT OKAY? NO.

LET'S CALL THE QUESTION.

OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO PLEASE REPEAT THE MOTION? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IT WAS TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

DOES THAT SOUND ABOUT RIGHT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? THAT'S RIGHT. AND, JUDGE.

JUDGE, I BELIEVE WE'VE ALREADY VOTED ON THAT, THAT PARTICULAR MOTION.

SO, SO SO THERE'S THERE'S THE ONLY THE ONLY OTHER ITEM RELATED 47 IS THE THE MOTION AS PRESENTED.

I MEAN, IS THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.

SO I THINK CALL THE QUESTION WOULD BE SORT OF TO END DISCUSSION IF THAT'S THE INTENT.

YEAH. SO WE VOTED BUT I DON'T THINK SHE ANNOUNCED A VOTE.

SHE DIDN'T ANNOUNCE THE VOTE.

OH OKAY. I'M SORRY I APOLOGIZE.

THEY DID VOTE THOUGH. OKAY.

TO BE CLEAR, THE VOTE WAS ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S ITEM NOT CORRECT ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

POSTED BY THE JUDGE.

THAT'S CORRECT. SO? SO WHICH ITEM IS IT ON? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 47 487 487.

RIGHT. FOR FOR AN ALTERNATE MOTION.

OKAY. YES. SO YOUR MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

AM I MISSING ANYTHING? THAT'S RIGHT. AND THAT'S ON 487.

SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WHO HAS THE SECOND I DO COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS THE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR. AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED.

AND I HAVE SEEN FOR THE REASONS I MENTIONED.

SO IT PASSES 4 TO 0.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COLLEAGUES.

SO, JUDGE. YEAH, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE AUDITOR AND IN PARTICULAR, MISS ERICA PERKINS FOR DOING A GOOD JOB.

AND I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW WE APPRECIATE IT.

IT WAS A LIVELY DISCUSSION, BUT WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DID.

THANK YOU. OKAY, SO WE HAD ADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES WANTED TO TAKE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND THEY'RE RELATED TO THE BUDGET PROJECTIONS.

SO IT'S 34 AND 37.

CORRECT. NOT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

EXCUSE ME? TO OUT OF ORDER.

OUT OF ORDER IS 34 AND 37.

YEAH. THANK THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONERS COURT. I'M GOING TO DEFER TO HARRIS HEALTH IF THEY'RE STILL ON.

I KNOW THEY HAD A HARD STOP AT FIVE.

VICTORIA 530 I AM ON.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? TIFFANY, DO YOU MIND PULLING UP THEIR THEIR PRESENTATION? THEN WE'LL GO THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND AND FLOOD CONTROL RIGHT AFTER THIS.

OKAY. VERY, VERY GOOD.

YOU CAN MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JUST TO STATE MY NAME, I'M VICTORIA NIKITIN.

I'M REPRESENTING HARRIS HEALTH.

FINANCE. AND THANK YOU, MR. RAMOS, FOR PUTTING US UP.

SO THE ASK WAS TO SHARE OUR A YEAR END PROJECTION AND DISCUSS SOME OF THE ITEMS FOR THE MID-YEAR REVIEW.

[04:45:06]

IN IN RESPECT OF YOUR TIME.

SO OUR YEAR END PROJECTION WAS FIRST CONSTRUCTED ON THE FIVE MONTH RESULTS THAT ENDED IN FEBRUARY.

SINCE THEN, WE HAVE CLOSED THE MONTH OF MARCH, WHICH THE MONTH ITSELF WAS A -1% FOR US IN TERMS OF OUR BOTTOM LINE MARGIN.

BUT THE YEAR END PROJECTION REMAINS THE SAME AS YOU SEE HERE.

WE ARE PROJECTING AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS AN ESTIMATE TO FINISH WITH A 5% COMPARED TO THE 2.3 BUDGET PROJECTION. THE REASONS ARE TWOFOLD.

ONE WE ARE UNDER BUDGET BY LESS THAN 1% FOR OUR REVENUES.

HOWEVER, IN TERMS OF THE EXPENSES, WE'RE DOING BETTER THAN BUDGET BY 3.5%.

AND SO THIS TOGETHER COMPOUNDS.

AND BRINGS US TO A MORE POSITIVE MARGIN THAN WE ANTICIPATED.

IF THIS HOLDS TRUE TO THE END OF THE YEAR, AND WE DO FINISH AS PRESENTED HERE, THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FUND SELF-FUND HALF OF OUR CAPITAL PROGRAM.

AND JUST FOR THE COURT'S AWARENESS, WE HAVE SELF-FUNDED INFO, OUR CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. NEXT PAGE PLEASE.

OKAY. SO OUR OPERATING REVENUE OBVIOUSLY IS ONE SIDE OF THAT EQUATION.

IT'S MADE ROUGHLY ONE THIRD, ONE THIRD AND ONE THIRD FROM TAX SUPPORT DOLLARS PROVIDED BY HARRIS COUNTY.

THEN IT IS MADE UP OF THE NET PATIENT REVENUES AS, AS A HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

AND THEN THE THIS THE LAST THIRD IS MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS.

SO VERY QUICKLY OUR NET PATIENT SERVICE REVENUE IS CURRENTLY PROJECTED TO BE JUST A LITTLE BIT OVER WHAT WE ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED. WE HAVE RECEIVED A ONE TIME REMEDY PAYMENT BASED ON THE LEGAL SETTLEMENT THAT WAS A NATIONWIDE SETTLEMENT FOR THE 340 BE DRUG PROGRAM.

AND SO WE DID NOT KNOW WHEN THAT PAYMENT WOULD COME, BUT IT CAME EARLY THIS YEAR AND IT'S $7 MILLION.

NEXT PAGE PLEASE.

FOR MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS. THIS IS JUST TO REMIND EVERYONE ONE MORE TIME.

THIS IS A SET OF PROGRAMS THAT ARE CREATED TO BRIDGE THE COST OF SERVICES FOR MEDICAID AND LOW INCOME PATIENTS THAT WE SERVE. THESE ARE SUPPORTED BY THE STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS, AND IT'S A MULTITUDE OF OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT MAKE UP THAT THAT PIECE OF OUR PIE.

SO CURRENTLY, WHAT WE ARE PRESENTING FOR YOU TODAY INCLUDES A BEST CASE SCENARIO.

HOWEVER, I JUST WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT.

THERE IS AROUND $140 MILLION FOR ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT IS STILL AT RISK.

IT'S A NEW PROGRAM INITIATED IN FEDERAL FISCAL 22.

IT'S CALLED HARP OR HOSPITAL AUGMENTED REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.

THERE IS EXTENDED DIALOG GOING ON BETWEEN THE STATE AND CMS, THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID THAT APPROVES THIS PROGRAM.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE STATE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR CALCULATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS UNTIL LATE IN THE FISCAL YEAR.

SO APPROXIMATELY SEPTEMBER.

IT ADDS TO THE UNCERTAINTY, AND WE'RE NOT ABLE TO TO GET ANY BETTER INFORMATION AT THIS POINT IN TIME, AS SOON AS WE'RE ABLE TO DO SO, OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE IN CONSTANT CONVERSATION WITH THE OMB ON THAT.

SO NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.

JUST TO FINISH OFF ON THE INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER.

WE HAVE PROJECTED A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF INTEREST INCOME JUST BECAUSE THE INTEREST RATES ARE SO HIGH.

THEY ARE ON TRACK AND WILL BE MAYBE 4 MILLION MORE THAN BUDGETED AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

IT COULD BE MORE OR LESS.

WE WILL SEE HOW THE DEVELOPMENTS CONTINUE.

AND THEN THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS THAT ENTIRE OPERATING REVENUE PIECE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE VERY BOTTOM, THERE'S TOTAL NET REVENUE LINE.

AND ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE WE SHOW WHERE WE PROJECT TO END, WHICH IS ABOUT $18 MILLION LESS IN REVENUE OR

[04:50:03]

AND WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE VERY QUICKLY THROUGH THE EXPENSE, WHICH IS YOU CAN MOVE ON, PLEASE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SO THE EXPENSE SIDE OF OUR EQUATION THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING TO BEING BETTER THAN WE ANTICIPATED. ONE THE BENEFIT EXPENSE IS TRENDING LESS THIS YEAR THAN ANTICIPATED, WHERE SELF-INSURED ENTITY WILL WORK WITH OUR ACTUARY. AND SO WHAT THEY ANTICIPATED LAST YEAR AND WHICH HELD TRUE BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR EXPENSES WERE RUNNING REALLY, REALLY HIGH FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS RELATED TO MOSTLY THE PANDEMIC AND THE AFTER EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND EMPLOYEES GETTING CARE.

SO AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT SEEMS TO BE LEVEL.

SO AT THIS POINT, IT SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN ANTICIPATED.

OUR PHYSICIAN SERVICES ARE EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT $25 MILLION LESS THAN ORIGINALLY PROJECTED BECAUSE OF THE VACANCIES THAT ARE NOT BEING ABLE TO FILL BY BY THE, BY THE CANDIDATES THERE ON THE NEXT PAGE, IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. SO ON THE NEXT PAGE WE TALK HOW MANY VACANCIES DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE OUT OF CURIOSITY? SO WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THOUSAND OF FULL TIME.

I CANNOT PROVIDE YOU THIS NUMBER AT THIS TIME.

I, YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS NOT PREPARED TO TO PROVIDE THE NUMBER OF THE ACTUAL VACANCIES, BUT I CAN SUPPLY IT TO YOUR OFFICE AFTER THE FACT, IF THAT, IF THAT.

SURE. THAT WORKS.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

SO ON THE PURCHASE SERVICES THE BIGGEST ITEM OF VARIANCE, THERE IS A DECREASE IN THE MEDICAL SUBSIDY IN THE MEDICAL INSURANCE SUBSIDY THAT WE PAY FOR OUR PATIENTS THAT PARTICIPATE THROUGH THE MARKETPLACE.

AND THEN WE ALSO ARE GOING TO NOT SPEND THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST THAT WAS EXPECTED FOR THE DEBT ISSUANCE THAT WILL MOVE ON TO FISCAL 25.

SO IF YOU MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE, YOU WILL SEE THE FULL AMOUNT.

AGAIN. THE VERY LAST LINE SHOWS WHERE WE ARE IN VARIANCE TO THE ANTICIPATED BUDGET.

AND THAT IS THE 3.5% IF YOU LOOK AT THE VERY RIGHT.

AND THEN THE FOLLOWING SLIDE SHOWS THE FULL PICTURE OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES.

AND THAT'S JUST AN ILLUSTRATION.

ON THE NEXT PAGE.

THE SPECIFIC STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THAT WERE BUILT INTO THIS BUDGET AND JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT ARE ALL IN PROCESS OR ARE DONE.

THERE'S THE FOOD PHARMACY EXPANSION.

WE IMPLEMENTED OUR HOSPITAL AT HOME SERVICE, WHICH WE UNDERSTAND WAS ONE OF THE FIRST, IF NOT THE FIRST IN THE NATION.

VERY PROUD ABOUT THAT.

THE OBSERVATION UNIT AT LBJ HOSPITAL IS DONE.

THE BEN TAUB HOSPITAL IS NEXT.

WE HAVE STARTED INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY CONSTRUCTION SPACE AT LBJ.

CARDIAC CATH IS GOING TO TENTATIVELY OPEN IN SEPTEMBER, AND WE HAVE UPGRADED OUR TIME AND ATTENDANCE SYSTEM, WHICH IS CHRONOS EKG AS WELL.

AND SO ON THE NEXT PAGE JUST VERY QUICKLY BEFORE I FINISH, WE HAVE ADDITIONAL STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED EITHER OUT OF CYCLE OR THAT ARE NEEDING TO BE FUNDED, THAT WE HAVE MADE SOME DECISIONS TO FUND ALREADY.

ONE OF THEM IS THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES I'VE PUMPS REPLACEMENT.

THAT IS A VERY LARGE IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT FOR US.

AND WE WILL BE ROLLING THAT OUT AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULE.

THERE'S NEEDS FOR FURNITURE REPLACEMENT IN MULTIPLE FACILITIES, AND THERE'S NEEDS FOR ADDITIONAL IT CONSULTING COSTS THAT WE WILL ALSO BE FUNDING. FROM SOME OF THE SAVINGS THAT I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED FOR YOU PRIOR TO THAT.

AND I WANTED TO END QUICKLY ON THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES THAT JUST TO SHOW YOU THE SIZE OF OUR CAPITAL BUDGET.

SO THE SIZE OF THE CAPITAL BUDGET THE ACTUAL CAPITAL CAPITAL BUDGET WITHOUT GRANTS WAS 187 PLUS WITH GRANTS, THE TOTAL BUDGET IS 232 MILLION.

WE HAVE ALLOCATED THE FUNDS OF 210,000,022 MILLION REMAINS TO BE STILL

[04:55:03]

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME THAT WAS GIVEN AND I YIELD BACK TO MR. RAMOS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD NEWS.

GREAT. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

TIFFANY, IF YOU DON'T MIND PUTTING UP OUR POWERPOINT.

YOUR MICS ON, RIGHT? YES. OKAY. AND DIRECTOR RAMOS, AFTER YOU GIVE US THE HIGHLIGHTS, I HAVE SEVERAL MOTIONS I WOULD PLEASE LIKE TO MAKE FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION.

ABSOLUTELY. SO, TIFFANY, IF YOU COULD SKIP TO SLIDE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 20 4Q2 PROJECTION.

SO JUST TO CUT TO THE CHASE, EVERY QUARTER, WE LOOK AT OUR OUR BUDGET TO ACTUALS AND GIVE A PROJECTION OF WHERE WE THINK WE'RE GOING TO FINISH THE YEAR. WE'RE PROJECTING A $16 MILLION DEFICIT IN THE CURRENT YEAR.

THAT'S LARGELY DRIVEN BY TWO THINGS.

ONE, LESS THAN EXPECTED PROPERTY TAXES RELATED TO MORE APPEALS, MORE THAN AVERAGE APPEALS, AS WELL AS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED COSTS FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE. FLOOD CONTROL IS PROJECTING A $9 MILLION DEFICIT.

WE ACTUALLY DO THINK THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND THIS.

AND I'LL DEFER TO DOCTOR PETERSON WHEN WE GET TO THEIR SECTION.

BUT THEY DO HAVE A PLAN TO TO TO TRANSFER THIS INTO THEIR CAPITAL FUND TO FINISH SOME PROJECTS.

NEXT SLIDE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO IN TERMS OF THE GOOD NEWS, WHERE WE'VE SEEN HIGHER THAN EXPECTED REVENUE FROM WHAT WE BUDGETED, 21 MILLION IN SETTLEMENTS, THIS IS MADE UP OF TWO.

ONE IS THE JEWEL SETTLEMENT, WHICH WE ACTUALLY ANTICIPATED LAST YEAR.

THE CHECK HAPPENED HIDDEN THIS YEAR.

SO IT MAKES LAST YEAR LOOK WORSE.

IT MAKES THIS YEAR LOOK BETTER, AS WELL AS A $12 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH VOLKSWAGEN, WHICH WE WERE STILL UNDER NEGOTIATION WHEN WE ADOPTED THE BUDGET.

ALSO JUST WANT TO FLAG IS INTEREST RATES SIMILAR TO WHAT HARRIS HILL SAID, AS THE FED KEEPS RATES HIGH, AS OUR INVESTMENTS MATURE, WE GET MORE THAN EXPECTED REVENUE.

THE FED JUST SAID THEY'RE KEEPING RATES FLAT, SO WE ANTICIPATE THIS GOING INTO NEXT YEAR AS WELL.

NEXT SLIDE. WHERE WE'RE SEEING THE THE DROPS IS REALLY ON THAT PROPERTY TAXES.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS EVERY YEAR THE NUMBER OF APPEALS CONTINUES TO GO UP.

YOU ACTUALLY I JUST THIS WEEK I ACTUALLY SAW ADS WHERE, HEY, DID YOU GET YOUR YOUR APPRAISAL? DO YOU NEED HELP APPEALING IN THE OLD WORLD TYPICALLY EACH.

SO HERE IN TEXAS WE HAVE A 10% CAP ON HOW MUCH YOU CAN PAY.

SO IF YOUR HOUSE IS WORTH A MILLION AND IT GOES TO 1.1, THAT'S THE MOST WE CAN TAX.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE ASSESSMENT IS 1.5.

TYPICALLY HCD WOULD SETTLE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THAT 1.1 AND THAT 1.5.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE SHEER VOLUME AND THE AMOUNT OF FOLKS THAT ARE GETTING SUPPORT IN THEIR APPEALS, THEY'RE ACTUALLY SETTLING FOR SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THAT.

WE DO GET TO BUILD THAT INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, BUT FOR THIS YEAR, IT'S A $15 MILLION HIT.

NEXT SLIDE. NEXT SLIDE.

SO THIS IS THE ONLY SLIDE WHERE WE'RE COMPARING Q1 TO Q2.

WE JUST WANTED TO TO BE ABLE TO WALK FOLKS.

WHAT WHAT HAS REALLY GOTTEN WORSE.

THE LION'S SHARE OF THAT IS INDIGENT DEFENSE.

AND THIS IS IF I CAN REMIND YOU, THIS IS AN AREA WHERE WHERE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAVE VERY LIMITED IMPACTS.

THE JUDGES SET THE RATES, AND THERE WAS A BIG CHANGE IN THE STRUCTURE OF HOW WE PAID OUR COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS.

THE VOLUME ALSO CONTINUES TO BE HIGH.

THIS COURT HAS MADE SERIOUS INVESTMENTS IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE IT, BUT IT COSTS MONEY TO KEEP THE MACHINE ROLLING.

LEGAL SETTLEMENTS.

THESE ARE TWO PAYMENTS.

ONE IS FOR 2 MILLION.

WHEN WE SWITCHED TO HHS, WE EXPECTED THEM TO LOWER THE NUMBER OF AMBULANCE RUNS.

SO MEMORIAL HERMANN AND SAINT SAINT JOE'S GIVES US ABOUT $1 MILLION EACH IN FREE CARE.

ANYTHING ABOVE THAT WE HAVE TO PAY.

SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WHAT WE ANTICIPATED.

MICROSOFT LICENSES.

THIS IS WE GOT A LOT MORE LICENSE REQUESTS THAN WHAT WE HAD BUILT INTO THE BUDGET.

I KNOW MY TEAM OR WE'VE BRIEFED EACH OF YOU ON THE FIVE YEAR PLAN.

THIS IS AN AREA WE PLAN TO SPEND SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EXPECT TO SEE SAVINGS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

ON THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT, THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS WHEN THE STATE LEGISLATURE TAX REFORM PASSED THE VOTERS BECAUSE THEY TOOK IT AS A AS A TAX CREDIT.

IT LOWERED THE ASSESSABLE BASES FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, WHICH MEANT THAT EVERYBODY ELSE PAID MORE TO HCD AND THEY PAID LESS.

THIS IS A ONE TIME ISSUE THAT WILL BE RESOLVED NEXT YEAR.

NEXT SLIDE. IN TERMS OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

AGAIN, THIS IS A BUDGET TO TO THE SECOND QUARTER PROJECTION.

[05:00:03]

THESE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SOME AMOUNT OF TURNOVER.

THEY HIRE OUR HIRING SKILLED STAFF.

THERE'S TURNOVER.

AND SO THERE'S SOME SAVINGS.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

AND THEN IN TERMS OF OVERALL DEFICIT, AGAIN, INDIGENT DEFENSE.

THIS IS A $20 MILLION DEFICIT.

THIS IS ABOVE THE $24 MILLION ADJUSTMENT THAT WE MADE AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS LAST YEAR.

DENTON. LAMAR, FOR PURPOSES OF EVERYONE'S CLARITY, WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE WE WILL SPEND ON INDIGENT DEFENSE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR? TOTAL. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

WE ACTUALLY SO WE ANTICIPATE IT'S $20 MILLION OVER.

THAT'S ABOUT I BELIEVE IT'S CLOSE TO 100 MILLION OVERALL.

WE LOOK AT ALL THREE OF THEM COLLECTIVELY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER THE DISTRICT COURTS AND THE COUNTY COURTS.

AND I KNOW WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WHY WE'RE PUSHING THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO GET TO 50% AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WHICH WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR YEARS.

AND I AT LEAST DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE PATIENCE ON THIS.

THIS IS MONEY GOING TO PRIVATE APPOINTMENT COUNCILS.

AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE'S NO CAPS ON THE NUMBER OF CASES.

SO AS A LAWYER, WE'RE PAYING MORE AND GETTING A LESSER QUALITY OF JUSTICE FOR THOSE INDIGENT DEFENDANTS IN OUR COURTS.

AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.

SO I, I KNOW WE ARE WORKING ON THE INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE MUCH MORE PURPOSEFUL, AGGRESSIVE PROGRESS, NOT ONLY FOR FISCAL REASONS, BUT FOR SIMPLY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP ON THIS, DANIEL, AND FOR CONTINUOUSLY REMINDING US.

THANK YOU. AND TO THE CREDIT OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR THEIR PROJECTED SURPLUS.

SO THAT'S ABOUT $3 MILLION WORTH OF SALARIES THAT THEY'VE ADDED.

SO WE ARE VERY PROUD.

IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME FOR THEM TO START ABSORBING THE COURT APPOINTED.

CAN I ASK A QUICK FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

SO I WAS TALKING TO ONE OF THE JUDGES RECENTLY AND THEY WERE THEY WERE MENTIONING THAT THEY'VE HAD ATTORNEYS.

AND MAYBE THIS IS WHAT COMMISSIONER BEHRENDS WAS ALLUDING TO ON THE CAP ON HOURS.

LIKE ONCE THEY COME BACK AND LOOK AT IT, THEY REALIZE THAT THE ATTORNEY WORKED 24 HOURS IN A DAY.

AND SO THE JUDGE WAS SAYING, WELL, COULDN'T COMMISSIONERS COURT, COULDN'T SOMEBODY ELSE TAKE A HOLISTIC LOOK? IS THAT LEGALLY FEASIBLE? THAT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FIVE YEAR PLAN IS WE THINK THAT THERE'S THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE OVERSIGHT AND TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE GETTING WE SEE SOME BILLS WHERE YOU'RE BILLING 70 HOURS IN A WEEK, AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE MET WITH THEIR CLIENT ONCE DURING THAT TIME PERIOD, AND WE REPRESENT ONLY 50% OF THEIR OVERALL CASES.

THE COUNT, THE COUNTY THAT IS THAT AND THEIR PRIVATE.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE WE MAY HAVE SUPPORT WITH THE JUDICIARY.

SO THAT'S INTERESTING FOR YOU GUYS TO START THIS CONVERSATION.

SO IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. AND THEN THE OTHER QUICK POINT IS ON THE THE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

SO IS THE MAC.

THE MAC IS THE A PRIVATE COUNTY COUNSEL.

ARE THEY PAID MORE THAN THE PD LAWYERS? IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF APPLES TO ORANGES BECAUSE THE PAYMENT STRUCTURE IS IS IT'S MUCH MORE AKIN TO A BILLABLE HOUR AS OPPOSED TO THE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, WHICH IS WE PAY THEIR SALARIES, WE MIGHT PAY THEM SOME COMP TIME, BUT FOR THE MOST PART IT JUST THEY HAVE A CASELOAD THAT THEY MANAGE.

I JUST I MEAN, I KNOW WE'VE ALL TALKED TO THE DIRECTOR OF A PUBLIC DEFENDER AND HERE BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE MORE PRESENTATION, BUT I WONDER IF ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS THAT BECAUSE I ALSO HEARD ABOUT THIS, MIGHT BE THAT THE LAWYERS FIND THAT WORKING AS PRIVATE COUNSEL IS MORE PROFITABLE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WONDER IF THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE PD'S OFFICE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO GROW.

AND I WAS JUST RECOMMENDING, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GUYS WOULD CONSIDER CHECKING THAT IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, WE CAN WORK WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

BY AND LARGE, WHEN WE'VE DONE THE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND WHY WE WERE SO SUPPORTIVE OF GETTING AND YOU'LL SEE IN CLS, WE BUILT IN EVEN MORE MONEY INTO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER WAS BECAUSE WE KNOW WE GET A SLIGHT WE GET A BETTER DEAL, AT VERY LEAST FINANCIALLY.

AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE BENEFITS ON THE ON THE ALLOCUTION ADDRESSES.

AND, DANIEL, IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S TEAM OR MY TEAM HAS NOT SENT YOU THE LATEST UPDATE FROM OUR INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION, WHICH IS A COLLABORATION, AS YOU KNOW, BETWEEN JUDGES, LAWYERS, ACTIVISTS, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE SYSTEM, THEY'RE COMING UP WITH ALL THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES.

SO, DOCTOR NASH, I SEE HER RIGHT HERE.

IF YOU COULD PLEASE INVITE DANIEL TO OUR NEXT MEETING.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS ALLISON STAFF ASKED ME TO COME PRESENT AT THE NEXT ONE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING SOME OF WHICH WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED EARLIER, BUT ESSENTIALLY FIVE SUPPLEMENTALS.

WE THE 2.7, THAT WAS ITEM 250, WHICH, WHICH ALREADY PASSED.

WE'RE RECOMMENDING $2 MILLION FOR HCAD AGAINST THE THAT SAID ISSUE WHERE BECAUSE THEY TOOK THE TAX REFORM AS A TAX CREDIT, WE OWE MORE TO HCAD AS PART OF THEIR

[05:05:02]

2.1 FOR THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR.

I WANT TO FLAG THIS IS NOT THE TOTAL OF THEIR DEFICIT.

THIS IS WHERE WE WE UNDERSTOOD IT AND WE FELT LIKE IT WAS ELIGIBLE.

ABOUT 1.8 OF IT IS ADDITIONAL MAILINGS THAT THEY DID.

ABOUT 900,000 WAS THE VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS, WHICH IN THE TRANSITION FROM THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR TO THE TAX COLLECTOR, NOBODY FLAGGED THAT THIS IS THEY DO IT EVERY TWO YEARS. SO THIS WAS A YEAR.

AND THE OTHER BALANCE WAS WE HAD TO NOTIFY HOMEOWNERS OF THE TAX REFORM.

AND THEN THERE WERE SOME OVERAGES IN THE IN THE COST FOR THE A ONE.

SO AND THEN THE 1.2 FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS, AND I KNOW RICHARD WAS A JUDGE PAYNE IS HERE IF THERE ARE FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS.

BUT WE HAVE OVER 500, A BACKLOG OF ABOUT 500 CASES WHERE THE THING THAT'S PREVENTING THEM FROM BEING ADJUDICATED IS THE COMPETENCY TEST.

WE WORKED WITH THE DISTRICT COURTS AS WELL AS THE HARRIS CENTER, TO WE'RE RECOMMENDING FLEXING IN SOME DOLLARS TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF THAT 500.

ABOUT 380 OF THEM ARE IN JAIL.

SO AGAIN, YOU'LL ALWAYS HEAR ME SAY THIS.

THE SINGLE MOST EXPENSIVE THING THAT WE DO IS OUTSOURCE INMATES.

EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THERE AND GET THEM ADJUDICATED AND GET THEM ON TO THEIR NEXT STEP IN LIFE, IS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT FOR US.

AND THEN ALSO, THERE'S ABOUT A $200,000 WORK FOR ADDITIONAL BODY WORN CAMERAS.

WE HAVE MORE DEPUTIES THAN WE ANTICIPATED WHEN WE BUILT THE BUDGET, AND SO WE NEED MORE CAMERAS.

SO THIS WOULD BE ITEM 37.

I'LL PAUSE HERE IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ON THE FIRST QUARTER AS WELL AS I'M HOPING FOR FOR ACTION ON THIS.

I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

MR. RAMOS AND ADMINISTRATOR AND I SEE DOCTOR MILLS.

MILLS. MISS MILLS.

OH. WELL, MISS MILLS I AM STILL CONCERNED THAT WE'RE NOT GETTING A RETURN ON INVESTMENT ON INDIGENT DEFENSE. BACKLOG.

I MEAN, NOT BACKLOG, BUT THE THE OVERCROWDED OF OUR COUNTY JAIL.

YOU WE HEARD JUST HEARD FAMILIES UP HERE TODAY FRUSTRATED THAT THEIR LOVED ONE WAS IN ANOTHER STATE.

AND THAT THAT IS THE SHERIFF IS FORCING TO THAT SITUATION.

SO I'M, I'M WANTING TO SEE SOME APPROACH TO ENSURING THAT WE'RE NOT JUST GIVING WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR ATTORNEY VISITS, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN THIS MONEY THAT'S BEING INVESTED AND OUR JAIL POPULATION.

I DON'T KNOW WHO'S GOING TO COME UP WITH IT.

SO, COMMISSIONER, I CAN COMMIT TO WORKING WITH THE RELEVANT PARTIES WHEN WHEN WE STARTED DOING THE THE FIVE YEAR PLAN AND, AND BCG CAME IN AND WAS LOOKING AT OUR SPEND, THEY WERE BLOWN AWAY BY HOW MUCH WE WERE PAYING IN THIS AREA.

SO IT HAS MY FULL ATTENTION.

I CAN WORK WITH THE DISTRICT COURTS AS WELL AS OTHER PARTNERS TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO ON THIS, BECAUSE IT IS IT'S PROBABLY THE THING THAT'S GOTTEN UP THE OUTSIDE OF OUTSOURCING. IT IS THE SINGLE MOST EXPENSIVE THING WE'VE DONE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

I MEAN, 44 MILLION OVER, OVER THE BUDGET TWO YEARS AGO IS ASTRONOMICAL.

THAT'S MORE THAN WE SPEND ON ON A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS HERE IN THE COUNTY.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU TO COME BACK WITH SOME LEVEL OF SOME FIRST FINDINGS? 30 DAYS. YOU NEED 60 DAYS.

WE WERE PLANNING TO PRESENT THE FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN IN JUNE ON THE COURT IN JUNE.

IF THAT WORKS FOR YOU, WE CAN HAVE THAT ALONG WITH SOME OF THE OTHER SAVINGS OPTIONS.

AND JUST TO BE I WANT TO BE CLEAR, I'M NOT JUST LOOKING FOR PROJECTIONS ON HOW MUCH MORE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND.

NO. UNDERSTOOD. A SOLUTION I WANT TO KNOW I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE NOT SEEING AN IMPACT TO OUR JAIL POPULATION.

UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU.

AND I THINK, COMMISSIONER, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT INITIATIVES UNDERWAY AND BEING ADDRESSED AND FUNDED IN DIFFERENT POCKETS. WE NEED TO PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER.

AND THE FOCUS OF EVERY INITIATIVE HAS TO BE THE THE CASES WHERE THE INMATE IS IN THE JAIL AND NOT OUT ON BOND.

THAT'S WHAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO BE STUCK WITH THESE ODD, YOU KNOW, OUT OF COUNTY EXPENSES AND THE THE REALLY TRAGIC ISSUES THAT CAN ARISE WITH WITH THAT.

AND THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO MY POINT THAT I MADE EARLIER IN OUR CONVERSATION.

YES, SIR. I APPRECIATE ALL THE STUDIES.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE DATA, BUT I WANT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS.

I WE'RE NOT GIVING PEOPLE THESESE OPPORTUNITIES HERE TO DO RESEARCH.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR RIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU. AND AT THE SAME TIME IN JUNE, THAT THAT DANIEL IS GOING TO BE PRESENTING ON THE FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, WILL ALSO BE PRESENTING ON, ON THE

[05:10:10]

AND THAT'S NOT REALLY A STUDY.

IT'S JUST LOOKING AT GATHERING EVERYTHING TOGETHER SO WE CAN MAKE GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS AND NOT JUST BE THROWING MONEY AT THE WALL AND SEEING WHAT STICKS.

YOU GOT A LOT OF CONSULTANTS WORKING FOR YOU.

SOMEONE'S GOT TO COME UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS.

WE WILL. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ANYTHING ELSE? DOCTOR RAMOS? IF NOT BEFORE TRANSITIONING TO THE CLOSE OF, IT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE ITEM 37 AS PRESENTED.

DID WE MOVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS COMING BACK? SHOULD WE HOLD FOR HIM? OKAY, LET'S HOLD FOR NOW.

IF IT'S OKAY. AND THEN I DO WONDER, I'M SURE THERE ARE ITEMS HERE THAT HE WOULDN'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON.

SO DID YOU ALREADY GO OVER? YES. WE WE HAVE A FEW MORE SLIDES AND I'LL TRY TO RUN THROUGH THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. NEXT SLIDE.

AND ONE MORE I THINK.

ONE MORE. SO AGAIN WE DO THAT.

AS LONG AS I'M HERE WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME VERSION OF THIS CALLED THE CURRENT LEVEL SERVICE FORECAST.

THIS AGAIN IS OUR ATTEMPT TO QUANTIFY HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST TO RUN THE COUNTY THE EXACT SAME WAY NEXT YEAR WITH ALL THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, THE INFLATION, OUR BENEFITS, ANY COURT DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE FROM LAST YEAR.

AND WE'LL GET TO THIS LATER.

AND I KNOW, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU HAVE A MOTION ON THIS, BUT WE ARE RECOMMENDING THE CURRENT PROJECTION DOES NOT INCLUDE COMPENSATION.

WE ARE RECOMMENDING TO BUILD IN 30 MILLION TO PLAN AROUND MAKING ADDITIONAL CUTS, TO BE ABLE TO TO IMPLEMENT THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PAY EQUITY CLASS AND COMP STUDY. NEXT SLIDE.

SO JUST TO SKIP THE CHASE, WE'RE AT THE VOTER APPROVED RATE.

WE ARE PROJECTING A $76 MILLION DEFICIT.

AND WE'LL GO INTO WHAT THAT MEAT IS MADE UP OF.

IT'S ABOUT 145 MILLION.

IF WE WERE TO DEFAULT TO THE LNWR AGAIN COMMISSIONER BRYAN SAID TO COMPLY WITH YOUR WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU MADE TO THE POLICY, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO TELL YOU THE EXACT TAX RATE THAT IS THAT WOULD GET US TO, TO BALANCE.

BUT WHAT WE CAN SAY IS THAT IT'S ABOUT 1.1 CENT WORTH OF OF TAX TO GET THERE.

TO MAKE CLEAR, DANIEL, YOU WILL FINISH THIS YEAR, 24 FISCAL YEAR.

ARE YOU PROJECTING WE'RE IN THE HOLE ON THAT 16 MILLION.

THAT'S 16 MILLION.

YEP. AND THEN NEXT YEAR WE'RE PROJECTING.

YOU'RE PROJECTING 76 MILLION.

YEAH. IF NOTHING CHANGED OKAY.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO ON THE REVENUE SIDE, I JUST DO REALLY WANT TO HIT.

THERE WAS A VERY BIG CHANGE IN HOW AND HOW MUCH REVENUE WE CAN COLLECT AS A COUNTY.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE PASSED SB TWO.

WE WERE ABLE BEFORE THEY PASSED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO COLLECT UP TO 8% ON ADDITIONAL PLUS NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT MOVED TO 3.5%.

SO YOU CAN SEE VERY CLEARLY FROM FISCAL YEAR 15 TO FISCAL YEAR 20, TAX REVENUE WENT UP 7.2% VERSUS 2.9 CENTS.

THE, THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SO BUT FOR THE MOST PART, PROPERTY TAX IS FAIRLY IT'S A PRETTY COMPLICATED EQUATION.

BUT VERY SIMPLY, IT'S LAST YEAR'S REVENUE PLUS 3.5% PLUS ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION MINUS AN AVERAGE A CALCULATION FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUCCESSFUL APPEALS NEXT YEAR.

NEXT SLIDE. SO WE ARE SO IN TERMS OF THE GOOD NEWS FOR NEXT YEAR, AGAIN, WE WENT OVER IN THE FIRST QUARTER PROJECTION, BUT THE INTEREST RATES ARE STAYING HIGH. AND WE HAVE SO MUCH CASH IN THE MARKET THAT EVEN LITTLE CHANGES OR A MAINTENANCE OF THE OF INTEREST RATES BY THE FED GETS US A LOT MORE REVENUE.

CONTRACT PATROL, THAT'S TWO SIDED.

IT'S OUR COSTS ARE GOING UP ON IT.

AND WE ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL CONTRACTS.

AND YOU'LL SEE. SO WE GET REVENUE FOR IT AND THEN YOU'LL SEE A CORRESPONDING IT ENTRY ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE AND THEN MIXED BEVERAGE TAX.

I THINK THAT'S JUST A FUNCTION OF WHERE GROWING COUNTY.

AND IT'S NOT GETTING ANY COLDER HERE.

SO WE CONTINUE TO SEE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED MIX MIXED BEVERAGE PURCHASES.

NEXT SLIDE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SO ON THE EXPENSE SIDE, WE'RE PROJECTED TO GO 201 MILLION OVER FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET.

AS YOU CAN SEE, A BIG CHUNK OF THAT IS ARPA BACK OUT.

WE'LL GO THROUGH EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALLY.

NEXT SLIDE. SO IN TERMS OF RECURRING TRANSFERS, I DO THINK THIS COURT HAS HAS BEEN VERY DISCIPLINED IN NOT AT CONTINUING TO LAYER ON NEW COSTS.

YOU CAN SEE WE APPROVED 21.5 MILLION.

11 OF THAT IS THE MISSISSIPPI OUTSOURCING CONTRACT, WHICH WE WERE FORCED TO DO BY THE STATE.

3 MILLION OF THAT IS THE ELECTIONS WAREHOUSE.

[05:15:02]

HAD TO GO AND ENTER A LEASE.

THE MOBILE HEALTH SUPPLEMENTAL, AND I KNOW THE PROGRAMING IS ON, IS ON THIS COURT AS WELL AS THE PROCURE TO PAY POSITIONS.

THOSE WERE THE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS THAT WE APPROVED FOR PROCUREMENT IN ORDER TO STAFF THEM.

UP NEXT SLIDE.

SO IN TERMS OF ARPA BACK OUT THERE WAS ABOUT 45 MILLION OR THAT'S THE NEW COST.

IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LOWER LAST YEAR FOR THE LASALLE AND THE MTC CONTRACTS.

WE USE ARPA TO OFFSET THAT COST WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL ARPA.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EAT THAT COST IN THE GENERAL FUND.

WE ALSO USE ABOUT $23 MILLION IN ARPA TO OFFSET EXPENSES IN THE GENERAL FUND THAT ESSENTIALLY WENT TO THE COLA.

IF YOU REMEMBER, OMB HAD RECOMMENDED A SPLIT COLA 4% AND 3% COURT DECIDED TO GO TO THE FULL 7%, WHICH WAS.

FINE BECAUSE THE COUNTY SIGNED UP FOR 7%.

IT WOULDN'T MATTER IF IT WAS SPLIT LAST YEAR, WE WOULD STILL BE HAVING THIS COST.

NEXT SLIDE. IN TERMS OF COUNTYWIDE BUILDINGS, THERE'S A FEW I WANT TO FLAG 36 MILLION FOR FOR JAIL MEDICAL.

25 OF THAT IS THE DEFICIT FOR THIS YEAR.

SO THE WAY THAT OUR CONTRACT WORKS WITH HARRIS HEALTH IS WE PAY THEM IN QUARTERLY INSTALLMENTS AND THEN DO A RECONCILIATION.

SO THE $25 MILLION DEFICIT, WE DON'T HAVE TO EAT IN FISCAL YEAR 25.

AND THERE'S ABOUT 10 MILLION.

THAT IS ADDITIONAL JUST KIND OF NORMAL INFLATION COSTS THEIR COST OF BUSINESS GOING UP.

6.9 FOR CONTRACT PATROL AND BODY WORN CAMERAS.

AGAIN, YOU SAW THE REVENUE SIDE, THE CORRESPONDING ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT, THE $15 MILLION FOR THE ADDITIONAL TERS PAYMENTS.

WE ENTERED INTO TWO NEW JERSEYS.

THAT'S BUDGET NEUTRAL.

WE GOT WE SET A TAX RATE THAT'S HIGHER TO PAY, AND THAT MONEY GOES TO THE JERSEYS.

AND THEN 4 MILLION IN NEW TECHNOLOGY BEING DEVELOPED.

IN TERMS OF JUST THIS, THE TWO BIGGEST ONES THERE ARE THE EXPANSION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE 11.6 MILLION.

AGAIN, WE COURT HAS A GOAL OF GETTING TO 50%.

WE IN PRIOR LAST YEAR SUBMITTED A FUNDING PLAN TO GET THEM THERE WITHIN THREE YEARS.

THIS IS THE NEXT PHASE OF THAT.

AND WE HAVE THE DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN USING MORE PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND FEWER OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE THE MORE PUBLIC DEFENDERS YOU HAVE, THE FEWER OUTSIDE ATTORNEYS. BUT YOU'VE NOT SEEN THAT NUMBER.

IN FACT, THAT NUMBER CONTINUES TO GO UP.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE EARLY TO TO TELL AT THIS MOMENT, JUST BECAUSE THEY'VE JUST STARTED ADDING STAFF.

IF WE'RE IN THE SAME POSITION AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR, I'M GOING TO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AND SAY, YOU'VE ADDED STAFF, BUT WE'RE STILL SEEING MORE MORE ON THE COURT APPOINTED SIDE.

SO I KNOW, COMMISSIONER, IS YOU'RE LEAVING IN 20 MINUTES.

SO WE DID HAVE A MOTION ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM.

BEFORE WE FORGET, THEN WE CAN CONTINUE DISCUSSING THIS ONE.

SO ITEM 37 IS AS APPROVED.

YES, PLEASE. ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION ON 37 IS PRESENTED.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BROWN IS SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THEN DIRECTOR RAMOS, YOU WERE GOING OVER 34.

YES, BUT I WANT TO BE SENSITIVE TO WHAT WE HAVE LEFT AND THE TIME WE HAVE LEFT, COMMISSIONER.

SO THANK YOU.

I'LL TRY TO BLOW THROUGH THESE LAST FEW SLIDES AND GET TO THE MOTIONS.

ON HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, THE ONLY ONE I WANT TO FLAG IS THE COST FOR SOME OF OUR MORE MEDICALLY COMPLEX FOLKS AT THE JUVENILE PROBATION.

KIDS AT THE JUVENILE PROBATION HAS GONE UP, SO THAT'S 2.4 MILLION.

NEXT SLIDE. IN TERMS OF INFLATION, THAT WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN PRETTY LUCKY.

I KNOW THE LAST TWO YEARS, IT WAS IT WAS BASICALLY ALL I COULD TALK ABOUT WAS HOW MUCH INFLATION WAS IMPACTING THE COUNTY.

IT'S SORT OF NORMAL OUT.

I DO WANT TO FLAG THAT EVEN AS WE HAVE THIS DEFICIT, IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF INFLATION HADN'T HAD A NORMAL DOUBT.

NEXT SLIDE. I ALSO WANT TO DO A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO OUR SUSTAINABILITY TEAM.

FOR THE FIRST YEAR SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, WE HAVE FLAT ELECTRICAL BILLS, WHICH IS VERY IMPRESSIVE GIVEN THAT WE'RE ADDING THREE VERY LARGE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

SO I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING IN THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT THIS COURT IS SEEING.

THAT'S AMAZING. THANK YOU GUYS.

ON THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

OUR HEALTH CARE WENT UP BY 14 MILLION.

THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE THAN HOW MUCH IT HAD GONE UP OVER THE PRIOR YEAR.

SO SWITCHING TO AETNA REALLY DID RESET OUR BASELINE.

AND THEN ON WORKER'S COMP AND PENSION THEY OFFSET EACH OTHER ON THE WORKER'S COMP.

TYPICALLY AS YOU RAISE WAGES YOUR WORKER'S COMP COSTS ARE GOING TO GO UP AND ON PENSION, THE MARKET HAS BEEN SO STRONG THAT IT'S ACTUALLY SUBSIDIZING OUR CONTRIBUTION.

NEXT SLIDE. SO I KNOW THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSIONS AS PART OF THE CLS SOP.

[05:20:06]

WE REVIEWED THEM AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THESE, YOU KNOW, AS DISCUSSING WITH COURT.

OUR RECOMMENDATION IS PROBABLY GOING TO CHANGE AND JUST HAVE THEM ALL GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.

NEXT SLIDE. ON FLOOD CONTROL AND LET DOCTOR PETERSON JUMP IN.

WE'RE PROJECTING A $9 MILLION SURPLUS.

THIS DOES NOT CONTEMPLATE ANY OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING, OR ANY OF THE MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO OUR EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS IS SIMPLY AND I'M TOTALLY MAKING UP NUMBERS HERE.

BUT IF WE'RE DOING A THOUSAND MILES WORTH OF MOWING, THIS IS HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO DO A THOUSAND MILES.

THIS IS NOT CONTEMPLATE ANY OF THE NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT IS THAT IS CURRENTLY GOING UNDERWAY.

DOCTOR PETERS, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD.

YEAH. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS.

I MEAN, I KNOW WHAT WE ARE FACING IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, ADDITIONAL COSTS THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING THE SAME RISES IN SERVICES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS THAT WE HAVE IN THE PAST YEARS, YOU KNOW, A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PERCENTAGE.

AND THEN THE OTHER ITEM THAT DIRECTOR RAMOS RAISED WAS RELATED TO THE SURPLUS.

AND I DID WANT TO FLAG FOR COURT THAT THIS SURPLUS IS YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE COMING ON BOARD, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A STRUCTURAL ISSUE WITH OUR BUDGET WHERE OUR MAJOR MAINTENANCE WORK THAT WE DO.

SOME OF IT STARTS IN THE FALL, IN NOVEMBER.

WHEN OR IN OCTOBER.

PARDON ME. SO WHEN WE CHANGE FISCAL YEARS.

I WAS LOOKING AT YOU. DIRECTOR PETERSON, WOULD YOU TURN ON YOUR CAMERA? AND IF NOT, CAN WE COME BACK TO YOU BECAUSE.

YEAH. IS IT NOT ON? I AM SO SORRY. NO, WE'RE NOT SEEING YOU, AND WE'RE JUST REQUIRED TO HAVE YOU ON.

ABSOLUTELY. YES, I WAS ON, BUT I THINK THE PRESENTATION, I THINK IF YOU STOP SHARING THE SCREEN, THEN WE WILL SEE DIRECTOR PETERSON, AND THEN WE CAN ADD THAT SCREEN.

WE CAN GO BACK TO THAT.

DIRECTOR PETERSON, CAN YOU PUT YOUR CAMERA ON AGAIN? YES, YES.

LET ME STOP IT AND WE'LL START AGAIN.

OH, YEAH.

NICE. THERE WE GO.

DOES THAT WORK? YES. OKAY, GREAT.

SO AS I WAS SAYING, OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE INCREASED COSTS THIS YEAR, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A STRUCTURAL ISSUE RELATED TO OUR BUDGET, WHERE SOME OF THE MAJOR WORK THAT WE DO ON OUR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM STARTS IN NOVEMBER, AND THAT HAPPENS TO ALIGN DIRECTLY WITH THE START OF OUR FISCAL YEAR DUE TO US HAVING TO GET ALL THE PAPERWORK, ALL THE POS, ALL THE WORK ORDERS IN PLACE SO WE CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, IT FORCES US TO ENCUMBER THOSE FUNDS IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, SHOWING THAT IT LOOKS LIKE A SURPLUS, WHEN IN ACTUALITY WE ACTUALLY SPEND THOSE DOLLARS NEXT FISCAL YEAR, AND WE KNOW WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT LATER.

BUT DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IS SUCH A CRUCIAL ISSUE FOR US.

EVERY DOLLAR MATTERS.

AND SO I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR RAMOS FOR WORKING WITH US TO STRATEGIZE HOW WE CAN DO THIS BETTER.

AND SO WE ARE WORKING TO BRING SOME IDEAS BACK TO COURT.

NEXT COURT MEETING.

BUT IT WILL LOOK PROBABLY SOMETHING LIKE A MAINTENANCE FUND THAT WILL ALLOW US TO DO A BETTER JOB OF MAKING SURE THAT WE USE OUR RESOURCES THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY POSSIBLE.

AND I CAN TURN IT BACK TO YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS.

SURE. TIFFANY, WE GO TO THAT LAST SECOND, THE LAST SLIDE, THE COURT FEEDBACK, AND WE HAD SENT MOTIONS AROUND.

BUT ESSENTIALLY WE'RE ASKING FOR FEEDBACK ON THE COMPENSATION, WHETHER TO INCLUDE SOME OR ALL OR NONE OF THE GRANTS THAT WE RECOMMENDED, OUR BUDGET PROPOSALS.

WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE ADOPT A 5% OR 95% OF CLS.

SO THAT'S 5% WORTH OF OPTIONS FOR COURT TO CONSIDER.

THAT IS NOT A 5% ACROSS THE BOARD CUT.

THAT IS JUST GETTING 5% WORTH OF OPTIONS FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER OVER THE SUMMER AS WE DEVELOP THE BUDGET AND THEN THE BUDGET HEARINGS, WHICH WERE PART OF THE SOP. SO ANY QUESTIONS? I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES BOTH HAD MOTIONS.

I HAVE MOTIONS IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS ON 3434, CORRECT? YES, I HAVE A MOTION, BUT I'LL GO AHEAD.

OKAY. SO THERE'S FOUR PARTS.

FIRST, I MOVED TO DIRECT OMB TO INCLUDE A $50 MILLION PLACEHOLDER IN THE FISCAL YEAR 25 CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE PROJECTION TO IMPLEMENT THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY.

GOOD. IT'S SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THE SECOND IS I MOVED TO DIRECT OMB TO REQUEST OPTIONS FROM DEPARTMENTS TO FUND 95% OF THEIR FISCAL YEAR.

25 CLS CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE.

SECOND. SECOND BY MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BROWN AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

[05:25:05]

THE THIRD PART IS I MOVED TO REQUEST LAPSING GRANTS TO GO THROUGH THE BUDGET ENHANCEMENT PROCESS.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THE FOURTH ONE IS.

I MOVED TO APPROVE THE SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS AS PRESENTED, WHICH WE HAD COVERED THAT MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ANY MOTIONS TO ADD COLLEAGUES BEFORE WE MOVE ON? JUST JUST A QUICK ONE.

DANIEL, I'LL ASK YOU BEFORE I MAKE THIS MOTION, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOUR $76 MILLION DEFICIT.

AND EVEN YOUR DEFICIT.

AND THAT'S FOR NEXT YEAR. BUT THIS YEAR, IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT JAIL OUTSOURCING SHOULD COME OUT OF ARPA.

AND MY MOTION WOULD BE TO SHIFT THE 56,348,000 FOR JAIL OUTSOURCING, RATHER THAN THAT COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND THAT IT SHOULD COME OUT OF ARPA.

QUESTION. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A QUESTION.

HAVE WE OVER EXTENDED ON ARPA MONEY, AND IF SO, WHAT WOULD WE CUT? I MEAN, IS IS.

I. SORRY.

THE SHORT ANSWER IS WE ARE ESSENTIALLY FULLY COMMITTED ON ARPA, SO WOULD REQUIRE CUTTING OTHER ITEMS. I'M NOT PREPARED TO DISCUSS THE OVERALL ARPA.

I THOUGHT WE OVER COMMITTED AND WE'VE GOT TO CUT ARPA PROJECTS.

AREN'T THEY MEETING TOMORROW TO DO THE FINAL VOTING WITH ALL OF THE FIVE OFFICE MEMBERS OF THE ARPA STEERING COMMITTEE? YES. THAT'S ACCURATE.

WE HAVE 800 THE MEETING TOMORROW OR THE MEETING TOMORROW.

AND WE HAVE OVEREXTENDED.

SO BOTH BOTH. OKAY.

YOU KNOW BY HOW MUCH WE'VE OVEREXTENDED.

SO IN TERMS OF OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, THOSE EXCEED OUR AVAILABLE DOLLARS BY ABOUT $64 MILLION.

WE HAVE NOT OVER COMMITTED.

SO WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE $985 MILLION AVAILABLE, INCLUDING INTEREST.

WE'VE ONLY COMMITTED 895 MILLION.

WE HAVE UNTIL DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR TO DETERMINE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE ARPA MONEY ON.

THAT'S CORRECT. WE'LL RECOGNIZE AND WE'RE IN THE HOLE.

AND RECOGNIZING THE GREAT SOURCE OF THAT HOLE IS GEL OUTSOURCING.

I WOULD THINK ARPA WOULD NEED ARPA COMMITTEE WOULD NEED TO REVIEW THIS IN LIGHT OF WE NEED THIS MONEY FOR JAIL OUTSOURCING.

SO MIGHT I RECOMMEND, COMMISSIONER, IF DIRECTING US TO TO WORK WITH OCA AND THE AND THE STEER CO ON OPTIONS TO COME BACK AND PRESENT IT ULTIMATELY. AND I THINK YOU'VE HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE, BUT WHETHER THINGS COME OUT OF FUND BALANCE OR ARPA, DOES IT REALLY MATTER IN THE SAME WAY THAT LIKE A SMALL COUNTY WHO ARPA WAS, WHAT SAVED THEM FROM BANKRUPTCY? AND SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND THINK THROUGH POTENTIAL OPTIONS? I WOULDN'T WANT TO SHORTCHANGE THE ENTIRE BUDGET PROCESS.

AND ALSO ARPA, I REALLY WANT FOLKS TO THINK ABOUT IT.

IF WE WERE TO USE ANY, AND I'M NOT SAYING I'M RECOMMENDING IT, BUT JUST IF WE WERE TO USE ANY, MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD STILL BE TO TO MAKE SOME OF THE CUTS SO THAT IT'S A IT ACTS AS A BRIDGE FOR US TO GET BACK ON, ON MORE STABLE FINANCIAL FOOTING, NOT NECESSARILY AS AN ONGOING.

I AGREE WITH THAT. I'LL CHANGE IT JUST TO SIMPLY LOOK AT THAT, RECOGNIZING THE DEFICIT THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR, THE DEFICIT THAT'S COMING DOWN THE PIKE, WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE A REAL HARD LOOK AT THAT ARPA FUNDING AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FUND AND WHAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIND.

UNDERSTOOD. AND IF A MIKE COMMISSIONER.

SO WHEN COMMISSIONER ELLISON COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SO WHEN THE STURKO MEETS THEY CAN PUT THEY SHOULD PUT THIS ON THE TABLE.

BUT I WOULD JUST I APPRECIATE YOU DOING IT BECAUSE I'D HATE FOR US TO JUST VOTE BLINDLY.

I WOULD HAVE HAD IT AND NOT KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

NOT FUNDING. WE OUGHT TO KNOW THAT.

UNDERSTOOD. OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND I AGREE THAT WHEN YOU ALL MEET AND I APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE FIVE OFFICES AND DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BARTON, YOUR LEADERSHIP ON ARPA HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. BUT TOMORROW WHEN YOU ALL DISCUSS REALLOCATING THE 64 MILLION, THIS SHOULD AT LEAST BE ON THE TABLE IN CONSIDERATION WITH ALL OF THE COMPETING INTERESTS GIVEN THE FINANCIAL REALITY.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

WE WILL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

NO. OH. ALL RIGHT.

GREAT. SO DO WE NEED A MOTION OR ARE YOU GUYS ALREADY ON THIS JUDGE? YOU DON'T NEED A MOTION FOR THIS.

OKAY, MY ONE LAST THING.

A MOTION TO SHIFT THE 24 MILLION FOR HARRIS HEALTH JAIL MEDICAL COST ITEM FROM OUR GENERAL FUND OVER TO THE HARRIS HEALTH.

[05:30:04]

GIVE US AN UPDATE THE NEXT MEETING.

YES, SIR. OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ABOUT 13 MORE MINUTES.

YEAH, YEAH, TEN MORE MINUTES.

SO LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FINISH THE DISCUSSION ON KEY ITEMS. SO. SO COLLEAGUES, I STAND HERE FOR YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS.

WHAT WOULD WHAT WOULD THE COMMISSIONER WANT TO GET HIS TWO BITS ON? DID WE VOTE ON YOUR ITEM? YOU HAD ITEM RELATED TO FLOOD CONTROL, THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

THAT'S THAT'S REALLY THE TO LOOK INTO IT.

OKAY. I DON'T THINK YOU WEREN'T MAKING A MOTION TODAY.

THERE'LL BE A MOTION JUST TO SIMPLY LOOK INTO IT.

OKAY, SO THERE'S THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THE JAIL POPULATION.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN I THINK PROBABLY STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK BECAUSE WE HAVE A VOTE.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A VOTE TODAY.

LET'S TAKE UP STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK.

THAT'LL BE.

ITEM 30 ON PAGE FOUR.

TIFFANY, CAN YOU PUT UP THE PRESENTATION? I'M GOING TO TAKE IT QUICKLY AND GO WITH JUST THE FIRST SIX SLIDES.

THANK YOU. DIANE RAMIREZ, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, OCA HAS BEEN WORKING WITH ERNST AND YOUNG AND THEIR SUBCONTRACTOR, MCCONNELL JONES, TO FACILITATE THE COUNTY WIDE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.

WE WORKED HAND IN GLOVE WITH THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF STAFF FROM EACH OF YOUR OFFICES.

AND THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS WE WERE VERY DELIBERATE IN OUR ENGAGEMENT.

WE WORKED WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTING TO OCA, PRIMARILY COUNTY CHAMPIONS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF DEPARTMENTS AND AT ALL CAREER LEVELS TO INFORM THE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS, GOALS, COMMUNITY INDICATORS AND OBJECTIVES.

WE HAD COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND OVER 1600 COMMUNITY MEMBERS RESPOND TO SURVEYS, AND EACH COURT OFFICE HELD STRATEGIC PLANNING CHARRETTES TO OBTAIN MORE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON THE FRAMEWORK. AND IMPORTANTLY, THIS FRAMEWORK WAS INFORMED BY ONE ON ONE MEETINGS WITH EACH OF YOU AND WITH A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HELD ON APRIL 1ST, 2024.

SO WE'RE VERY THANKFUL TO YOU, YOUR STAFF AND ALL OF THE THE RESIDENTS AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES, DEPARTMENT HEADS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED AND GIVEN US REALLY GREAT FEEDBACK.

NEXT SLIDE.

THE FIRST MAJOR STEP IN THE PROCESS LED TO THE CREATION OF FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS THAT REPRESENT THE COUNTY'S NORTH STAR.

AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS MENTIONED THAT LAST YEAR, OUR PURPOSE, VISION AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES.

NEXT SLIDE.

SO WE DEVELOPED DEFINITIONS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS BROAD UNDERSTANDING OF OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT.

NEXT SLIDE.

WE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THOUGHT THROUGH, DISCUSSED AND NEGOTIATED EVERY WORD OF EVERY STATEMENT IN THE FRAMEWORK.

YOUR YOUR STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS KNOW HOW MANY HOURS WE'VE SPENT TOGETHER WORKING ON THIS NEXT SLIDE.

AND, AND WE ALSO MADE SURE THAT COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE RESIDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS CAN UNDERSTAND OUR OWN EXPECTATIONS OF HOW WE WILL DO OUR WORK AND SERVE OUR RESIDENTS.

NEXT SLIDE.

SO THE SIX GOALS AND 23 OBJECTIVES IN THIS NEW STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK ARE DIFFERENT FROM OUR EXISTING EIGHT GOAL AREAS IN 26 PRIORITY OUTCOMES. THOSE GOAL AREAS AND PRIORITY OUTCOMES WERE DEVELOPED BY A CONSULTANT AND PRESENTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVAL.

THESE SIX GOALS IN 22 AND 23 OBJECTIVES BEFORE YOU FOR APPROVAL TODAY WERE DEVELOPED BY YOU, OUR COLLEAGUES AND OUR RESIDENTS, WITH THE EA CONSULTING TEAM SERVING AS A SOUNDING BOARD SCRIBE AND ADVISOR.

I WON'T GO THROUGH THE REMAINING SLIDES, BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, ONCE A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK IS APPROVED, THE NEXT PHASE OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS WILL INVOLVE A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE DEPARTMENTAL INITIATIVES THAT CAN HELP US ACHIEVE OUR STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, WITH A FOCUS ON WORKING WITH DEPARTMENTS AND WITH COMMUNITY WORK GROUPS TO DEVELOP THE LIST OF INITIATIVES.

THE FRAMEWORK CLEARLY SETS THE DIRECTION THAT THE COURT ENVISIONS FOR HARRIS COUNTY, AND GIVES COUNTY DEPARTMENTS A PATH TO FOLLOW FOR THE TYPE OF WORK THEY MUST FOCUS ON OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO MOVE THE COUNTY CLOSER TO THE NORTH STAR.

AS WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED, OUR RESOURCES ARE CONSTRAINED MORE SO NOW THAT THE STATE HAS LIMITED OUR ABILITY TO RAISE A LEVY SUFFICIENT TO KEEP UP WITH POPULATION GROWTH, INFLATION, THEIR UNFUNDED MANDATES, AND EMERGING ISSUES AND THREATS.

STATES ALSO LIMITED LOCAL CONTROL OF BUDGETS AND PROGRAMS, SO WE MUST ULTIMATELY ALLOW.

[05:35:01]

THE FRAMEWORK YOU'RE CONSIDERING TODAY IS A CRITICAL STEP FOR ACHIEVING THAT ALIGNMENT.

NOW, I'D LIKE TO ASK ANDREW KLEIN FOR ME TO TALK JUST A SECOND OR TWO, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS TO GIVE EVERYONE A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT'S COMING.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I THINK YOU DID A GOOD JOB.

THE BEST ROLES I CAN GIVE YOU AS A MOTION, BUT YOU GOT ABOUT FOUR MINUTES.

WHAT TURNS INTO A THORN? YEAH, AND ONE MINUTE, BUDDY.

GO AHEAD, MR. KLEIN.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. HELLO. GOOD EVENING.

COMMISSIONERS. GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

THANK YOU. DIANA.

SO APPROVAL OF THE FRAMEWORK COMPLETES PHASE ONE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS.

IN PHASE TWO WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH DEPARTMENTS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN COHORTS TO DEVELOP THE SPECIFIC INITIATIVES NEEDED TO ACHIEVE THE PLAN, THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES IN THE PLAN.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT WILL GIVE YOU A COMPLETE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WILL BE COMING BACK TO YOU AT A LATER DATE FOR FOR APPROVAL, IN ADDITION TO WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS. AS AS DIANA SAID, WE'LL BE CONVENING COMMUNITY WORKING GROUPS FOR EACH GOAL TO ADVISE ON THE INITIATIVES AND ALSO HOW THE COUNTY CAN WORK WITH ITS PARTNERS TO LEVERAGE LEVERAGE RESOURCES.

THE DEPARTMENT WORK INCLUDES DOCUMENT AND DATA REVIEW, INTERVIEWS AND WORKSHOPS TO UNDERSTAND THE ALIGNMENT OF CURRENT AND PLANNED POLICIES AND PROGRAMS WITH THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK, AND TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.

SO WE'LL DO SECONDARY RESEARCH BENCHMARKING.

WE'LL CONSULT SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AS NEEDED TO INFORM THE INITIATIVES.

AND THEN WE'LL DOCUMENT THOSE FINDINGS FOR THE COURT IN THE FORM OF A SUMMARY REPORT ON EACH OF THE DEPARTMENTS WE REVIEW.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE INITIATIVES CAN TAKE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FORMS. COULD BE REPURPOSING OF CURRENT RESOURCES.

COULD BE IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY AND PROGRAM PERFORMANCE, REDESIGNING PROGRAMS BASED ON DATA AND EVIDENCE, EXPANDING PARTNERSHIPS, ADOPTING NEW POLICIES, MAKING NEW INVESTMENTS.

THE SPC AND THE COURT WILL PRIORITIZE CANDIDATE INITIATIVES FOR INCLUSION IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN BASED ON IMPACT AND FEASIBILITY.

AND THAT STAGE OF THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED FOR FOR MID JUNE.

SO WE'LL BE DOING A LOT OF WORK OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO DEVELOP CANDIDATE INITIATIVES GIVEN, YOU KNOW, GIVEN RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS THAT YOU WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, IT'S GOING TO BE CRITICAL TO TO SELECT THOSE INITIATIVES CAREFULLY.

THAT'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER WAY THAT THIS STRATEGIC PLAN IS, IS FOCUSED, AS YOU REQUESTED FROM THE OUTSET.

I'VE ALSO TOLD THE SPC, I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE FOR FOR THE COURT TO PICK, SAY, FIVE OBJECTIVES TO ELEVATE IN PRIORITY.

AND AND JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE GETTING THE, THE RESULTS YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED FROM THE STRATEGIC PLAN OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. JUDGE.

THANK YOU. YES, COMMISSIONER. I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO ADOPT THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK AS DRAFTED.

AND I MOVED TO DIRECT THE OCA TO CONTINUE FACILITATING THE NEXT STAGES OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK, EVERYONE.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. JUDGE, CAN WE TAKE UP 219? THANK YOU. TEAM 219 YES.

LET'S GO TO 219.

219 IS THE MOBILE HEALTH EXPANSION STRATEGY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED THAT ONE.

TUNE IN ON PAGE 24, COMMISSIONER ROSZEL 29 ON ITEM 219.

DURING THE OCTOBER 10TH AND 31ST COURTS, PUBLIC HEALTH WAS INSTRUCTED TO MEET WITH PRECINCT OFFICERS GATHERED INSIDE TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH PRECINCT, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EACH PRECINCT RELATED TO PROGRAMING TO ADDRESS CONSTITUENT HEALTH NEEDS.

AND SO THE MOTION MADE AT THE SEPTEMBER 12TH COURT READ.

MOTION TO INCREASE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC PUBLIC HEALTH'S BUDGET BY 2 MILLION.

TO EXPAND COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES COUNTYWIDE IN AN EQUITABLE WAY.

GIVEN THAT RATIONALE, DESPITE EACH PRECINCT BEING MENTIONED ON THE RCA, MY PRECINCT HAS NEVER BEEN CONTACTED.

PUBLIC HEALTH DID NOT MEET WITH PRECINCT TWO TO DISCUSS HEALTH NEEDS.

HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH'S HEALTH SERVICE EXPANSION DOCUMENT DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRECINCT TWO.

DESPITE THIS, THE PROPOSAL READS A COUNTY WIDE INTEGRATED MOBILE HEALTH STRATEGY.

THE HEALTH SERVICE EXPANSION DOCUMENT DOES NOT MAKE A REFERENCE TO WHETHER OR NOT CONTINUING PRECINCT TWO HEALTH PODS IN THE BEST ROUTE FORWARD TO ADDRESS HEALTH

[05:40:10]

AND ONE MORE POINT.

AND CAN DIRECTOR ROBINSON PROVIDE THE COURT WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTACKED OR KILLED BY DOGS DESECRATED? THE AGGREGATED BY PRECINCT OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.

AND CAN DIRECTOR ROBINSON PROVIDE THE DATA DRIVEN RATIONALE AS TO WHY THERE ARE NO VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS RECOMMENDED FOR PRECINCT TWO IN THIS REPORT? GOOD AFTERNOON OR GOOD EVENING.

BARBIE ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

SIR, I PROBABLY WILL NEED TO GO ONE BY ONE FOR EACH OF THOSE QUESTIONS, BUT I BELIEVE YOUR FIRST QUESTION OR THE FIRST STATEMENT THAT YOU MADE REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRECINCT TWO AS WE UNDERSTOOD THE DIRECTION FROM THE COURT, IT WAS THAT BECAUSE THERE WERE PODS AND PRECINCT TWO THAT WE NEEDED TO GO BACK AND FIGURE OUT A STRATEGY FOR ONE, THREE AND FOUR.

AND THAT IS HOW WE UNDERSTOOD AND INTERPRETED THE DIRECTION TO CREATE PARITY IN TERMS OF RESOURCES THAT WAS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE COUNTY.

SO I, I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER BACK TO THE COURT IN TERMS OF THAT DIRECTION.

THAT IS THE BASICALLY THE WORK THAT I'VE DONE WITH DIRECTOR RAMOS RELATIVE TO THOSE PARTICULAR SERVICES THAT WERE RECOMMENDED FOR ONE, THREE AND FOUR.

SO THAT'S MY RESPONSE TO THAT FIRST QUESTION WITH RESPECT TO THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS RELATED TO VETERINARY, PUBLIC HEALTH AND DOGS THAT WAS NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WHAT WAS PRESENTED TODAY, BUT I WILL GLADLY GO BACK AND HAVE MY TEAM BRING THAT DATA BACK TO YOU AS IT RELATES TO THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NECESSARY.

AS WE UNDERSTOOD THE DIRECTION FROM THE COURT THAT PRECINCT TWO HAD PODS, AND THAT WE WERE TO GO BACK AND FIGURE OUT A STRATEGY TO BRING SOME LEVEL OF PARITY OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ONE, THREE AND FOUR.

AND SO THAT IS WHY WE WENT WE BELIEVE THAT YOU HAD ALREADY HAD WHAT, BASED ON THE DISCUSSION, THAT PRECINCT TWO HAD ALREADY RECEIVED SOME FUNDING FOR PROGRAM RELATED TO PODS, AND THAT WE NEEDED TO FIGURE OUT PROGRAMING OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAMING FOR ONE, THREE AND FOUR.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SO IF I MIGHT, BECAUSE THIS WAS A MOTION THAT I MADE AS I UNDERSTOOD THIS, THE PODS WAS A GREAT IDEA.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU CAME UP WITH AND WHAT THE COUNTY DID WAS ESSENTIALLY SWEEP A FUND, TOOK SOME FUNDING THAT WAS IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT WAS NOT SPENT.

IT DIDN'T COME BACK TO THE TABLE.

AND THE ONLY AND I'M NOT CRITICIZING IT, THEY ONLY DID THAT FOR ONE PRECINCT.

SO WHEN I MADE THIS MOTION, IT WAS TO GO AND GET INITIALLY MY PRECINCT AND THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS, WHO WOULD NOT GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, A CHANCE TO GET PARITY.

THAT'S WHAT THIS WAS ABOUT.

OTHER ISSUES.

THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU ALL WOULD HAVE TO SORT OUT.

I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THOSE NUMBERS FOR MY PRECINCT EITHER, BY THE WAY.

BUT FOR THIS ONE, THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUST HAVE PARITY FOR THE OTHER PRECINCTS.

AND BE HONEST WITH YOU, THE POD SOUNDED SO GOOD.

I'D BEEN HAPPY TO GET THE PODS TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BUT WHAT THE COURT SETTLED ON WAS DATA DRIVEN PROCESS AND WHAT SHE CAME UP WITH.

AT LEAST MY STAFF AGREED TO IT.

BUT BE HONEST WITH YOU, WHEN I STARTED, I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET MY MONEY TO OPERATE, TO GET MONEY, TO OPERATE THE PODS, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

AND IT TURNED INTO THIS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WELL, EVERY QUESTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS, I GOT.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT I GOT ANYTHING PRECINCT THREE.

SO IF IF TWO OF US ARE SITTING HERE SAYING, I WONDER WHERE THE SPENT THE MONEY, WE PROBABLY SHOULD LOOK INTO THAT AND FIGURE THAT OUT BEFORE WE MAKE ANY ACTION ON THEM.

THAT'S WHAT I WOULD THINK.

WELL, I THOUGHT THIS WAS AND I AND I WOULD JUST OFFER OR INCLUDE RATHER THAT NUMBER ONE DATA IS BEING USED TO

[05:45:06]

SO WHERE'S THAT DATA COMING FROM? SECONDLY THERE WAS DEBATE.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTOOD, THAT THE DIRECTOR DIDN'T AGREE THAT PODS WERE A GOOD STRATEGY TO USE.

SO I THINK THAT'S STILL OPENS THE DOOR FOR US, FOR MY OFFICE.

THAT SHOULD HAVE HAD A CONVERSATION ON WHAT SHOULD BE A GOOD STRATEGY TO DO IN THE PRECINCT.

SO I'M STILL BESIDE MYSELF THAT MY OFFICE WOULD JUST BE PASSED OVER, EVEN IN A DISCUSSION TO PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGIES FOR MY PRECINCT.

SO I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY IF THIS WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO JUST EACH OF THE OTHER PRECINCTS, GETTING THE PODS OR WHATEVER ELSE THEY WANTED TO DO.

BUT THIS WAS WHEN I MADE THE MOTION.

THIS WAS A PARODY ATTEMPT.

IT WAS NOT TRYING TO ADDRESS THE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ALL OF THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS, THE ANIMAL CONTROL NEEDS IN EACH PRECINCT.

I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET PARITY FOR THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS.

AM I MISSING SOMETHING, DIRECTOR ROBINSON? AND NO. WE. AND TO ADDRESS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE MET WITH YOUR STAFF.

WE MET WITH ONE, THREE AND FOUR.

TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, WE BASED ON THE DIRECTION WE BELIEVE WE GOT, THAT THE PODS WERE IN PLACE IN PRECINCT TWO, AND WE NEEDED TO GO DETERMINE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROPOSALS FOR ONE, THREE AND FOUR.

OVER THE LAST, I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY MONTHS, 3 TO 4 MONTHS WE'VE MET WITH ONE, THREE AND FOUR STAFF TO DISCUSS AS WELL AS COMMISSIONERS, I BELIEVE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WERE INVITED TO THE MEETING.

YOUR STAFF WERE THERE TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE MOBILE VILLAGE STRATEGY.

AS AN ECONOMIES OF SCALE APPROACH BASED ON THE NEEDS WITHIN YOUR RESPECTIVE PRECINCTS AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WAS YOU GUYS HAD PROPOSED TO ALLOCATE BY PRECINCT COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE WERE THE GOAL WAS TO CREATE PARITY IN EACH OF THE FOUR PRECINCTS.

THIS SO THAT WE'RE ALL CLEAR IS 3.3 MILLION, 1.1 MILLION FOR PRECINCT FOUR, 1.1 MILLION FOR PRECINCT THREE, 1.1 MILLION FOR PRECINCT ONE.

JUST TO FACT CHECK, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

AND THAT, BASED ON THE PREVIOUS CONVERSATION, WAS COMMENSURATE WITH THE APPROXIMATE 1.1 BEING INVESTED IN THE PRECINCT TWO PODS.

JUST A FACT CHECK.

THAT'S THAT'S CORRECT.

WE'RE WE'RE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PROGRAMING.

THERE IS NOW FOUR POINT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET.

THERE WILL BE 4.4 MILLION, 1.1 MILLION FOR EACH OF THE PRECINCTS.

SO HYPOTHETICALLY, AND I'M COMMITTED TO BEING FAIR AMONGST ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS.

AND THEN THE RESOURCES WITHIN EACH PRECINCT BEING USED IN THE AREAS OF HIGHEST NEED AND DISPARITY, WHICH I KNOW YOUR TEAM HAS DONE THE WORK ON.

SO THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

BUT MY QUESTION, HYPOTHETICALLY TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINTS, IF NEXT YEAR HE DIDN'T WANT THE 1.1 HIS ALLOCATION, LET'S CALL IT TO BE SPENT FOR THE PODS.

IF HE WANTED A OFF RAMP HYPOTHETICALLY AND WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, THEN IS IT ARE WE FOCUSED MORE ON THE 1.1 ALLOCATION OR THE PRESCRIPTION OF THESE PROPOSED SERVICES FOR THE NEXT YEAR? RIGHT. IS THAT FOR ME OR FOR DIRECTOR RAMOS? FOR ME, FROM A PROGRAMMATIC PERSPECTIVE, WE CAN DO WHATEVER DIRECTION THE COURT PROVIDES.

IF WE WANT TO REEXAMINE WE'VE DONE A NUMBER OF REPORTS RELATIVE TO DATA ABOUT WE HAVE PRECINCT REPORTS, HEALTH PRECINCT REPORTS.

WE HAVE OUR DISPARITIES REPORT, WE HAVE OUR LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH REPORT THAT BREAKS DOWN KEY INDICATORS BY PRECINCT IN TERMS OF WHAT GAPS ARE, WHAT DISPARITIES ARE.

SO WE'RE MORE THAN WILLING GIVING THAT DIRECTION TO CONTEMPLATE OTHER PROGRAMING FOR ANY FOR ANY PRECINCT.

AND COUNTYWIDE, I FEEL LIKE WE'VE HAD THIS EXACT CONVERSATION ABOUT THREE TIMES ALREADY.

CAN WE JUST VOTE ON IT? YEAH, I WOULD MOVE.

SO I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, BECAUSE I DID MEET WITH YOU MULTIPLE TIMES, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE TIME YOU AND YOUR TEAM SPENT ON THIS.

AND SO THANK YOU.

AND SO I, I WOULD PROPOSE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSIONER PRECINCT TWO AS A PART OF THE MOBILE HEALTH EXPANSION PROPOSAL.

SO IF I MIGHT BEFORE THAT'S A I CAN'T SECOND IT FOR THE SIMPLE REASON.

THIS WAS A MOTION FOR PARITY.

AND IF WE WERE TO GO BACK AND SAY, DIVVY UP THIS MONEY TO PUT PRECINCT TWO IN IT RESPECTFULLY, IT WOULD MEAN THAT THE POD PROGRAM WAS PRECINCT TWO HAS AND BELIEVES IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM.

THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS WOULD STILL MISS.

I'M NOT I'M NOT DEBATING THE MONEY.

OKAY? I'M DEBATING THE FACT THAT MY OFFICE HASN'T HAD A CONVERSATION ON PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY.

[05:50:01]

BUT THEY CAN STILL GO DO AN ASSESSMENT, HAVE THE DISCUSSION WITH YOU FOR YOUR PRECINCT.

BUT THIS ITEM THEY GOT DIRECTION WAS ALL ABOUT PARITY.

MY I'M NOT I'M NOT.

MY MOTION IS HAS TO DO WITH TO COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS.

I'M NOT DEBATING THE MONEY.

I'M JUST SAYING THAT THE DIRECTOR WAS GIVEN DIRECTION TO MEET WITH EACH PRECINCT AND TO DISCUSS PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGIES, AND THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER ROSZEL HAS TO LEAVE, SO WHY DON'T WE TAKE ONE MOTION AT A TIME? OKAY, SO I DO WANT TO.

BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO RUSH OUT.

IF THAT WAS A SOME CONFUSION, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON THE PART OF NOT THE DIRECTOR, BUT US, BECAUSE WHAT I INTENDED WAS ONLY PARODY.

AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I WAS HOPING I'D GET THE PODS, BUT IT HAD ALL THIS DATABASE STUFF IN IT.

THAT'S WHAT MY COLLEAGUES VOTED FOR.

AND MY STAFF MET WITH HERS AND CONVINCED ME WHAT WOULD DO THIS, BUT.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST MOVE TO GO AHEAD AND ACCEPT THIS RECOMMENDATION.

BUT I'M FOR HER DOING AN ASSESSMENT ON YOUR PRECINCT, BUT THAT WOULD BE ADDITIONAL MONEY.

SO THE DIRECTOR KEEPS ASKING FOR DIRECTION.

SO I WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR YOUR ITEM IF IT INCLUDES THAT THE DIRECTOR COMPLETE A THE MOTION AS READ AND ADDING TO IT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS.

SO MAYBE WE SAY TO SAY MAYBE WE SAY THE SAME THING SO WE CAN APPROVE THIS MONEY SO THAT THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS GET THAT PARODY.

BUT SHE CAN MEET WITH YOU TO COME UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR PRECINCT, WHICH WOULD MEAN SOMETHING WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY.

THAT'S WHAT I'M. THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.

AND WE'D MAKE A DECISION THEN ON THAT ADDITIONAL MONEY.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. AGAIN, MY CONCERNS WERE NOT ABOUT THE MONEY.

MY CONCERNS IS, IS WE DID HAVE A CONVERSATION.

I JUST NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS MONEY IS BEING SPENT OVER AND ABOVE WHAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY SPEND TO DO THESE ACTIVITIES.

AND IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO MEASURE THAT, I'M FINE.

I'M SURE WE CAN.

BUT I KNOW WE WE PROVIDED THAT WE SENT AND WE SENT TO ALL PRECINCTS THE PROPOSAL.

AND SIR, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE HAVE THE DATA.

WE KNOW. RIGHT? WE DID OUR FIRST MOBILE VILLAGE WITHIN YOUR PRECINCT BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT THERE WAS THERE'S TREMENDOUS UNMET NEED IN PRECINCT TWO, PRECINCT THREE, PRECINCT ONE, PRECINCT FOUR. AND SO WE DID OUR FIRST MOBILE VILLAGE, WHICH IS WHAT THIS RECOMMENDATION SPEAKS TO.

WE KNOW THAT WE CAN AUGMENT THOSE SERVICES BASED ON THE DATA.

THAT'S HOW WE ARRIVED AT THAT PROPOSAL.

SO WE HAVE THE DATA READILY AVAILABLE.

TO SHARE WITH YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE SHARED THAT DATA FROM A BASELINE PERSPECTIVE OF WHERE YOUR FOLKS WERE GETTING SERVICES NOW AND HOW THE MOBILE VILLAGE STRATEGY STRATEGY WOULD AUGMENT THE LEVEL OF SERVICES IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES ACROSS OUR PROGRAMING WITHIN YOUR PRECINCT.

THAT'S WHAT WE SHARED WITH YOUR STAFF.

I WILL SECOND THE MOTION AS AMENDED.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR AND DIRECT.

ROBINSON I DON'T THINK IT CONFLICTS WITH WHAT YOU HAVE ON THE TABLE.

THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AND TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSIONER PRECINCT TWO AS PART OF THE MOBILE HEALTH EXPANSION PROPOSAL.

IT DOES NOT COME OUT OF THIS MONEY.

THAT'S CORRECT. IT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY, AND WE MAKE A DECISION THEN ON WHETHER OR NOT WE VOTE FOR IT.

BUT THE MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AND TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO COMPLETE AN ASSESSMENT AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSIONER PRECINCT TWO AS PART OF THE MOBILE HEALTH EXPANSION PROPOSAL.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON? I DON'T THINK IT'S INCONSISTENT.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION.

OH, YES. YEAH. AND JUST TO SAY, AND YOU HEARD MY OTHER QUESTIONS, AND IF YOU NEED CLARITY ON THOSE, I'LL BE HAPPY TO GET THOSE TO YOU.

THANK YOU. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF I COULD GET THEM FROM YOU OR YOUR STAFF SO THAT WE CAN BE RESPONSIVE AND TIMELY.

THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, A SECOND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? I HOW DO YOU GUYS FEEL ABOUT THE LANGUAGE OF THE MOTION? THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

GOOD. ALL RIGHT.

I JUST SENT IT TO YOU. I JUST I JUST SENT IT TO MYSELF AS WELL.

OKAY. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I'M SORRY, JUDGE, I'M. SINCE I WAS TALKING, WOULD YOU BE TO GIVE ME WHO SECONDED THE MOTION? COMMISSIONER GARCIA. GARCIA AND IT'S FIVE VOTE.

THANK YOU. CORRECT.

AWESOME. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. YES, THAT IS HAPPY.

OKAY, COMMISSIONER, CAN WE TAKE A LITTLE BATHROOM BREAK? LET'S LET'S BREAK FOR TEN MINUTES UNTIL SIX, 10 OR 8 MINUTES UNTIL 610.

[05:55:04]

OKAY, I GOT IT. ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, SO IT'S 615 SIX AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

AND WE'RE GOING TO START WITH AN ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED WHILE COMMISSIONER GARCIA RETURNS.

SO THAT'S ITEM 134, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YEAH. JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.

I THINK COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAD SIMILAR COMMENTS.

AND I'M GOING TO READ YOUR MOTION COMMISSIONER, BECAUSE I THINK IT CAPTURES SOME OF WHAT I WAS INTO USE A LOT FEWER WORDS THAN I DID.

BUT TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO RETURN ON JULY 15TH, 2024, COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH A REVISED TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY ADDRESSING ALL PRECINCT COMMENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ONE 134 COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. SO THE REASON I THINK IT NEEDS MORE WORK, IT CURRENTLY REQUIRES IT.

IT DOES NOT REQUIRE TRAFFIC STUDY TO BE DONE BEFORE THE PETITION PROCESS.

THAT COULD BE PROBLEMATIC FOR ALL OF US AS WE PEOPLE GO THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE PETITION PROCESS FOR SPEED HUMPS, AND THEN THEY DO A TRAFFIC STUDY AND DETERMINE WHETHER IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE, WE SHOULDN'T DO IT.

SO THE FIRST REQUIREMENT ON THIS WOULD BE TO A TRAFFIC STUDY PRIOR TO THE PETITION PROCESS.

SECOND POINT, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES ENHANCED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS TO INTEGRATE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK DURING ALL PHASES OF TRAFFIC CALMING STUDY DEVELOPMENT AT THE DIRECTION OF THE PRECINCT PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR SUCH ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELEVANT AGENCIES.

HAVING BEEN THROUGH THIS MANY TIMES IN MANY DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS, BOTH WHEN I WAS MAYOR AND BOTH WHEN I DID TRAFFIC STUDIES.

THE MORE INVOLVEMENT WE CAN GET WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE BETTER.

THE THIRD POINT IS TO REVISE THE ROADWAY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA THAT ALLOWS CONSIDERATIONS FOR TRAFFIC CALMING NEEDS FOR BUSINESSES AND MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENCES, AND FOR INCLUDE LANGUAGES WHERE IMPLEMENTATION IS DEPENDENT ON FUNDING AVAILABILITY, AND FIVE PERMIT PRECINCTS TO EXPAND TRAFFIC CALMING STUDY SCOPE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL IF DESIRED.

SO THOSE ARE FIVE ITEMS THAT WOULD, I THINK, ENHANCE WHAT I THINK.

DOCTOR RAHMAN IS AFTER HERE.

I'M JUST NOT COMFORTABLE WITH VOTING FOR THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROPOSAL AS IT STANDS TODAY WITHOUT THESE PARTICULAR CHANGES.

IS YOUR MIC ON? I CAN SUPPORT THOSE CHANGES.

IN FACT, THEY'RE ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUES I BROUGHT UP WITH THE DOCTOR DURING MY BRIEFING.

SO I THINK WE'RE ALL PERFECT.

YEAH, YEAH, WE'RE IN THE RIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION? THEN I MAKE A MOTION.

SECOND WOULD Y'ALL PLEASE REPEAT THE MOTION? PRECINCT FOUR CIRCULATED IT.

DO YOU GUYS YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE IT? OKAY, I CAN DO WHAT I CAN DO.

WHAT? COMMISSIONER ALLISON BRINGING A COPY OF IT, AND THAT'S FINE.

Y'ALL CAN DEFINITELY EMAIL IT TO ME.

YEAH, I MEAN, I'M HAPPY TO READ IT REAL QUICK.

I HAVE IT AS WELL.

IT'S IT'S I MOVED TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER TO RETURN TO THE MAY 7TH, 2024 COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH A REVISED TRAFFIC CALMING POLICY ADDRESSING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. NUMBER ONE, ENHANCED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REQUIREMENT TO INTEGRATE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK DURING ALL PHASES OF TRAFFIC CALMING.

STUDY DEVELOPMENT AT THE DIRECTION OF THE PRECINCT AND PROVIDE FRAMEWORK FOR SUCH ENGAGEMENT, INCLUDING ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RELEVANT AGENCIES.

NUMBER TWO INCLUDE CONSIDERATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING NEEDS FOR BUSINESSES AND MULTIFAMILY RESIDENCES.

NUMBER THREE INCLUDE LANGUAGE WHERE IMPLEMENTATION IS DEPENDENT ON FUNDING AVAILABILITY.

NUMBER FOUR PERMIT PRECINCTS TO EXPAND TRAFFIC CALMING STUDY TO SCOPE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL IF DESIRED.

AND TEAM.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE CHANGE.

SO PRECINCT FOUR WHEN WE SENT IT OUT WE HAD USED MAY 7TH, BUT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY USED JULY 15TH, JULY 15TH AND SO MAY 7TH IS SOON.

YEAH. SO THEN WE'RE CHANGING IT FROM MAY 7TH TO JULY 15TH, CORRECT? YES, MA'AM. SO DID YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION COMMISSIONER OR.