Aug 06, 2024 Commissioners Court

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>> GOOD MORNING . IT IS 10:09. TODAY IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH , MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER. LET'S START WITH

[Bishop Dr. Brenda K. Perry of New Life Temple Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 1.]

COMMISSIONER ELLIS . >> THANK YOU. TODAY WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE BISHOP DR. BRENDA K. PERRY TO GIVE OUR PRAYER. SHE WAS BORN IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN. I ASKED HER WHAT BROUGHT HER TO HOUSTON. SHE SAID , THE LORD BROUGHT HER HERE. SHE HAS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM THE COLLEGE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES AND COLLEGE LEADERSHIP IN HOUSTON. THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CHRISTIAN COUNSELING. AND HAS BEEN ABLE TO ORDAIN TWO PASTORS IN SOUTH AFRICA . SHE IS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH WITH A FOCUS ON SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR YOUTH AND SENIORS. SHE IS AN ACTIVE SUPPORTER OF STERLING HIGH SCHOOL. SHE HAS TRAVELED THROUGHOUT AMERICA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, INCLUDING AFRICA AND GERMANY.

WE ARE JUST SO HONORED TO HAVE HER TODAY. HER DAUGHTER IS A BIKE RIDER. I GOT TO KNOW HER THROUGH BIKING TRAILS WITH HER DAUGHTER. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, BISHOP DR. BRENDA K.

PERRY . >> THANK YOU. TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD, CREATOR OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, TO HOME DESERVES ALL HONOR AND GLORY, WE THANK YOU THIS MORNING FOR YOUR GRACE, YOUR LOVING KINDNESS AND TENDER MERCY. LORD, I PRAY FOR THESE THAT I STAND BEFORE WHO SERVE THIS GREAT EN MASSE HARRIS COUNTY. GRANT THEM THE KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, AND UNDERSTANDING. LET INTEGRITY, UNITY OF HEART AND SPIRIT BE AMONG THEM TODAY AND EVERYDAY. AS THEY ARE FACED WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AND CHALLENGES EACH AND EVERY DAY, I PRAY FATHER FOR THEIR HEALTH , PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND THEIR SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING. THE UNNECESSARY STRESS AND ANXIETY MOVE FROM THEM. LORD WE PRAY. LORD WE THANK YOU FOR THEIR DEDICATION, COMMITMENT, AND FAITHFULNESS IN MAKING HARRIS COUNTY THE BEST AND GREATEST COUNTY IN TEXAS. LORD JESUS, BLESS THE JUDGE , KEEP HER AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR STAFF THAT AID THEM IN BEING ACTIVE TO MILLIONS OF SOULS IN HARRIS COUNTY. I ASK IN YOUR HOLY, MASTER'S NAME. AMEN ,

AND AMEN. >> THANK YOU, I'M GLAD THAT YOU GAVE HIM 40 YEARS AGO. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT

THE CHURCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR.

PERRY. LET'S 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 THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE I WOULD LIKE TO START TODAY'S COURT WITH THE MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE. A TRAILBLAZER WE PUT TO REST LAST WEEK . SHE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE, AS WELL. BUT I KNOW HARRIS COUNTY WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO FILL HER LEGACY.

LET'S TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR HER AND HER FUNERAL. THANK

[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS REQUESTED THREE ITEMS. EVERYONE OKAY BACK THERE? 21, 35, AND 40 BE TAKEN UP RIGHT AFTER

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IS THE CLERK HERE YET? OH, HI.

>>

AND THE COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR. >> I HAD ALSO ASKED 388 BE

MOVED UP. >> YES, I HAVE THAT ONE. THE LAST IS ON DEBRIS REMOVAL BE TAKEN AT QUARTER AFTER RESOLUTIONS. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT ORDER, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? FIRST, THE RESOLUTIONS, AND THEN WE WOULD TAKE THESE VOTING ITEMS. THEN WE WILL TAKE 388, AND THEN WE WOULD DO THE PICTURES. ARE YOU GUYS ON BOARD WITH THAT? OKAY.

LET'S GET STARTED HERE WITH THE RESOLUTIONS. SO THE FIRST ONE IS A RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE

HONORABLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE. >> JUDGE HIDALGO -- I WON'T READ IT ALL, BUT IT IS HEARTFELT . OUR OFFICE HAS COLLABORATED TOGETHER TO WRITE IT. IT WAS A GREAT HOME GOING.

I HAD THE UNFORTUNATE TASK OF HAVING TO GO TO A NUMBER OF FUNERALS. AND I DID TELL HER DAUGHTER, ERIKA, WHO WORKS HERE AT THE COUNTY , IF I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO SEE HER MOTHER ON THE OTHER SIDE, I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL HER WHAT A PHENOMENAL THAT -- JOB THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES COMING IN, VICE PRESIDENT GIVING THE EULOGY. FRIENDS FROM AROUND THE CITY, AROUND THE STATE, AROUND THE COUNTRY, COMING TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER SIGNIFICANCE. I MUST SAY, IT WAS TRULY A SURPRISE TO HAVE STEVIE WONDER PERFORMED AT HER FUNERAL. I THOUGHT I HAD A PRETTY GOOD SENSE OF MOST OF WHAT WAS GOING ON. I DO KNOW SOMEONE TOLD ME WHEN THEY GOT THE CALL FROM STEVIE WONDER'S OPERATION THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A JOKE. BUT SOMEONE MENTIONED IT TO ME YESTERDAY THAT HE SHOWED UP WITH HIS ENTOURAGE , STOOD IN LINE AT 8:00 A.M. TO GO THROUGH SECURITY. I THINK THAT WITH HIS STATURE IN LIFE, FOR HIM TO DO THAT, IT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THE ROLE THAT SHE PLAYED NOT JUST HERE LOCALLY, BUT AROUND THE GLOBE. I WILL MISS HER. I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A RESOLUTION AS AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA. I WILL TRY TO NAME SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT IN HER HONOR. I HOPE THIS RESOLUTION ALONG WITH OTHERS HAVE A PROMINENT PLACE TO BE DISPLAYED AT THAT LOCATION.

THANK YOU. >> YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION. I'M HONORED TO SECOND IT.

REFLECTING BACK, I SURPRISED MYSELF. SHE AND I WENT BACK WHERE SHE WAS ON MUNICIPAL COURT. WE WORKED TOGETHER WHEN SHE WAS ON THE COUNCIL. SHE EVEN TOOK TIME TO GO TO MY WEDDING. HER AND COUNCILWOMAN GRACIE . WHEN SHE TOOK THE ROLE OF CONGRESS , WE WORKED TOGETHER THEN. SHE WAS IS AN INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE PUBLIC SERVANT LEADER . AND IT IS STILL SURREAL THAT WE ARE HERE REMEMBERING HER LIFE. SHE WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE HUMAN BEINGS THAT YOU THOUGHT WOULD OUTLAST US ALL. IT'S A SHAME THAT WE DON'T HER. IT IS. THE SHOES TO FILL WON'T BE EASY. I WILL JUST SAY , THIS NATION IS A

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>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE AND POWER. I THINK ALL OF US HAVE OUR OWN MEMORIES TO SHARE. SHE INSPIRED ME AND MOTIVATED ME I LOVE THE WORD RELENTLESS.

TALKING ABOUT A CHAMPION FOR JUSTICE, SOMEONE WHO WOULDN'T TAKE NO, AND DECADES OF HER LIFE FIGHTING, FIGHTING, TRYING PROGRESS IN WAY THAT IS DEEPLY MOVING. I HOPE WE CAN CARRY THAT IN OUR SPIRITS. WHETHER IT IS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN'S ACT, JUNETEENTH, DREAM ACT. HER LEGACY WILL LIVE ON IN SHAPING THIS COUNTRY FOR CENTURIES. BUT JUST ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I JUST REALLY APPRECIATED SEVERAL THINGS. ONE, SHE WAS ALWAYS SO KIND TO MY THREE DAUGHTERS. SHE WOULD ALWAYS ASK HOW ARE MY GIRLS. AND I REMEMBER ONE TIME, WE WERE THERE , MY DAUGHTERS ARE GETTING THEIR VACCINATIONS. SHE WAS JUST SO GENUINELY FOCUS, MAKING SURE ALL THE CHILDREN THERE WERE JUST COMFORTABLE. IT WAS REALLY AMAZING. ANOTHER THING, HER TIRELESS WORK ETHIC. SHE NEVER STOPPED. I REMEMBER BEING ON THE CORNER ON WEST BAY WITH HER FOR HOURS. SHE WAS JUST TALKING TO EVERY VOTER. I WAS JUST THINKING, WOW. AFTER DECADES, TO STILL PUT FORTH THAT STANDARD WAS JUST MOVING. OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOU, AND OUR COUNTRY IS FOREVER BETTER. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE AND POWER. THANK YOU. I CAN'T WAIT TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF YOUR ITEM TO NAME ONE OF THE COUNTY BUILDINGS IN HER NAME. OH YEAH. IT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING. IF YOU DO ANYTHING IN HARRIS COUNTY, IF YOU DON'T RUN INTO SHEILA JACKSON LEE, YOU HADN'T BEEN DOING MUCH. SHE WAS EVERYWHERE. AND I REMEMBER MY FRIEND, WHO WAS IN RECOVERY AT THE TIME, FLEW INTO HAITI TO HELP ORPHANS WITH SHOES AND OTHER THINGS. HE WAS GONE FOR WEEK THERE. HE LANDED ON THE DAY THAT THE EARTHQUAKE HIT . HE WAS IN HAITI. HIS WIFE VELMA CALLED ME. SHE SAID, TOM, VERN IS IN HAITI, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THEM OUT. SOMEHOW, THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S NAME CAME UP. SHE WAS MADE AWARE THAT HE WAS IN A BAD WAY IN HAITI. TWO DAYS LATER, HE COMES HOME. WITH AN ESCORT. DON'T ASK HER TO DO ANYTHING UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT THAT THING DONE. MAY THAT BE A LEGACY WE ALL LIVE TOO. WHEN CONSTITUENTS, NO MATTER WHAT PARTICULAR PERSUASION THEY ARE IN TERMS OF POLITICS, WHEN THERE IS A NEED, YOU DEAL WITH IT. I REMEMBER THAT. I RESPECT THAT. THAT IS A LEGACY . OUR EXTREME CONDOLENCES GO TO HER FAMILY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THEM AS THEY GO THROUGH THIS NEXT SEASON . WE WILL BE IN PRAYER FOR HER FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. PART OF WHAT WAS REALLY TOUCHING ABOUT THE FUNERAL, ABOUT 50 MEMBER S OF CONGRESS

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>> WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER AND A FEW OF MY COLLEAGUES BEFORE WE BRING DR. LEE ON, IF I ALSO CAN BRING UP ITEM 386. WHERE WE WILL NAME SOMETHING HOPEFULLY IN HONOR OF HER. AND HE CAN SPEAK ON BOTH. MY PROPOSAL IS THAT WE NAME THE BUILDING AT 1111 FANNIN, WHICH IS THE NEW BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN THAT THE COUNTY BOUGHT IN HONOR OF THE CONGRESSWOMAN. AND THAT HE AND HIS TEAM COME UP WITH SOME APPROPRIATE DESIGNATION , SIGN NATION, SOMETHING THAT TELLS A BIT ABOUT HER LIFE. I WOULD JUST SAY, I HAVE A LITTLE EXPERIENCE IN THIS WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL. HAD THE IDEA TO NAME THE AIRPORT AFTER ONE OF THE CONGRESSWOMAN'S PREDECESSOR. AND THERE WAS SOME CONTROVERSY THAT ENSUED AS A RESULT OF THAT. AND THE COMPROMISE, WHICH I AGREED TO, WAS TO NAME THE INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL . THERE CONTROVERSY IN PART IS WHAT PROMPTED NOT JUST THE FIRST, BUT TWO BLACK WOMEN TO END UP WINNING SEATS ON THE CITY COUNCIL. JUST TO HONOR THE LONG SERVING AT ASSESSOR COMMISSIONER. AND THEY DID SOMETHING APPROPRIATE. SO I'M HOPING THAT HE WOULD DO THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD CALL THAT BUILDING IF WE CALL IT A SECOND COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

THEY CAN FIGURE THAT OUT. BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR THE NAME SHEILA

JACKSON LEE . >> I PROBABLY SECOND THAT.

>> THANK YOU. AND DR. LEE, -- >> YES, I'M HERE.

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>> I'M SORRY TO SPRING THAT ON YOU. I MENTIONED I WAS GOING BACK AND FORTH ON WHAT I WAS SUGGEST. BUT I HAD SOME INSIDE INFORMATION FROM THE FAMILY'S PERSPECTIVE.

>> RIGHT. LET ME EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO YOU FOR PROPOSING THIS RESOLUTION, AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION FOR ADOPTING IT. THE FAMILY IS REALLY HONORED. ONE OF THE THINGS SHAYLA WOULD ALWAYS SAY, POLITICS ARE LOCAL. THE A LOT OF THINGS FOR THE STATE, THE COUNTRY. SHE PUT PRIORITY ON DOING THINGS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY . COLLABORATING WITH THE GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS HERE. THIS RESTITUTION WILL HAVE A PROMINENT PLACE IN OUR HOMES. AND I THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR ACKNOWLEDGING HER DEDICATION , HER FEARLESSNESS , HER PERSISTENCE, AND HER LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> GOD BLESS YOU. MY THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO SAY? OH NO, AND I'M HONORED THAT YOU WOULD INC. OF -- THINK OF PROPOSING TO NAME A BUILDING UP TO HER. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING IN THE AREA NAMED AFTER HER. SO THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST THING, AS FAR AS I KNOW. THAT WOULD BE AN EXTREMELY HIGH HONOR, AS WELL.

>> THIS MAY BE THE FIRST, BUT I HOPE IT'S NOT THE LAST. I HOPE THERE'S SOME OTHER FEISTY MAYOR OR COUNCILMEMBER WHO WOULD DECIDE ON THINK SIGNIFICANT, AS WELL. AND I ALWAYS STRESS THAT WE DON'T NEED THINGS TO PEOPLE BECAUSE WE KNEW THEM, OR THEY WERE IN OUR FAMILY, OR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BECAUSE WE WANT OTHERS TO INSPIRED TO DO THE GREAT THINGS THAT PERSON DID. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE RESOLUTION. I THINK

GARCIA SECONDS, AND BRIONES. >> OKAY, LET'S START WITH THE RESOLUTION. THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE RESOLUTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. WE LOVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. AND NOW FOR ITEM 386. DID YOU FEEL GOOD WITH THAT MOTION? OR DO YOU NEED SOMETHING MORE SPECIFIC WITH

>> TO NAME THE COUNTY BUILDING IN HONOR OF SHEILA JACKSON LEE, AND HAVING THEM COME UP WITH APPROPRIATE SIGNAGE IN HONOR OF THE CONGRESSWOMAN. MET OKAY. SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS MIXED EMOTION . ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THAT'S JUST WONDERFUL. I KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH -- ON AND AIMING AT HARRIS HEALTH, AS WELL. SO THAT WILL BE COMING SOON. AND I THINK IT'S VERY WELL-DESERVED.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND OUR CONDOLENCES, DR. LEE.

SO THERE IS ITEM ONE. I ALSO HAVE ONE MORE RESOLUTION. THAT IS COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS -- OF, I MEANT TO ASK HOW TO PRONOUNCE HIS LAST NAME, IF SOMEONE WILL HELP ME.

>> CADOW, JUDGE. MY THANK YOU. ERIC CADOW WAS BORN IN 1967 IN JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA. HE WAS RAISED IN NEW ORLEANS -- AND SWITZERLAND. HE EARNED A BACHELORS DEGREE FROM NEW YORK UNIVERSITY IN 1991. AND AN MBA FROM THE FLORIDA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS. HE MOVED TO HOUSTON 2005, FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA, AND JOINED HARRIS COUNTY WHERE HE DEMONSTRATED UNWAVERING EDUCATION AND EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS. HIS EXPERTISE IN COMMITMENT TO SUCCESSFUL GRANT MENTATION WERE CRITICAL IN SECURING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR HARRIS COUNTY. PARTICULARLY FOR OUR COURTS.

WOW. TRAINING NEW EMPLOYEES AND SHARING BEST PRACTICE IS REFLECTED HIS COMMITMENT TO LENTZ. HE WAS A RESPECTED LEADER, COLLIE, AND DEAR FRIEND KNOWN FOR HIS TIRELESS WORK ETHIC , AND LASTING IMPACT . A LOVER OF MUSIC, BOOKS, FILM, AND A MUSICIAN. HIS MEMORY WILL BE CHERISHED BY HIS FAMILY, HIS

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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COURT PROBABLY HONORS THE MEMORY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF ERIC CADOW IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. I WOULD LOVE -- OUR LOVE TO HIS FAMILY.

AND I THINK HIS MEMORY WILL ABSOLUTELY LIVE ON. SO MANY PROGRAMS HE HELPED FUND. THAT IS FULL. I KNOW OUR ADMINISTRATOR AND OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR ARE SET UP

TO SPEAK. >> GOOD MORNING. ON BEHALF OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ERIC CADOW IN OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY, WHILE LISTENING ON THE LINE. ERIC EMBODIED DEDICATION.

DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE, MANAGEMENT, HELPING GET BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDING OVER NEARLY TWO DECADES BECAUSE THE OUTCOMES MATTER TO HIM. DEDICATION TO WIDE-RANGING INTELLECTUAL PURSUITS, SUCH AS INDIAN HISTORY, AND DEDICATION TO HIS BELOVED PETS. ERIC BROUGHT AN ATTITUDE OF SERVICE TO HIS WORK, SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY. HE WAS KNOWN FOR BEING THE BEST PHONE CALL TO MAKE WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHO TO CALL. TO QUOTE A COLLEAGUE, ERIC WAS EXACTLY THE PERSON WE ARE HOPE TO BE. RELIABLE, TRUSTWORTHY, EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND WILLING TO TAKE THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW PEOPLE AS MORE THAN JUST COWORKERS. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THIS RESOLUTION INTO HIS HOME PRECINCT, PRECINCT 4, WILL BE PLANTING A TREE IN ERIC'S HONOR. WE WILL MISS HIM DEARLY.

>> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, JUDGE FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION. ERIC WAS THE FIRST ONE OF THE OFFICE EVERY DAY. I KNOW IF I SENT AN EMAIL AT MIDNIGHT AT NIGHT, I WOULD GET AN ANSWER SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 5:00 AND 6:00 A.M. THAT'S THE KIND OF PERSON HE WAS. HE GAVE A REALLY TRUE HOUSTON STORY.

THAT HE CAME HERE IT IS VERY LOWEST, HAVING LOST HIS HOME , DEVELOPING THE COMMUNITY, MAKING AN IMPACT. SO THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. >> THANK YOU ALSO. HE SOUNDS LIKE A RENAISSANCE MAN, IS WHAT I'M GETTING FROM ALL OF THIS.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS IN HONOR OF MR. CADDELL?

>> JUST CONDOLENCES FROM OUR COUNTY FAMILY. SMACKED INTO HIS

FAMILY. >> JUST BRIEFLY, THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMENTS. AND THANK YOU TO THE CADDELL FAMILY FOR SHARING HIM FOR SO MANY YEARS. AND AS A TINY TOKEN OF OUR PROFOUND GRATITUDE, MY TEAM AND I, WE LOOK FORWARD TO PLANTING THE TREE, HAVING ALL OF YOU THERE IS A SMALL TOKEN OF OUR PROFOUND GRATITUDE. SO MAY HE REST IN PEACE, AND THANK YOU.

>> IS BEAUTIFUL, COMMISSIONER. SO LET'S MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I DON'T BELIEVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ANY RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER QUICK OKAY. COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> THANK YOU. THIS RESOLUTION IS ONE THAT IS JUST AS HEAVY ON MY HEART AS THE ONE FOR CONGRESSWOMAN LEE. JUST TO INDICATE THE TYPE OF LEVEL AND CALIBER , AND CHARACTER OF THIS INDIVIDUAL. TODAY, WE WELCOME THE PARENTS AND DEPUTY -- FAMILY OF DEPUTY FERNANDO ESQUEDA AS WE MOURN HIS UNTIMELY LOSS. THIS MONTH HAS BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT FOR ALL OF US. HIS MOTHER AND FATHER , FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE HERE WITH US. THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US. SADLY, WE LOST DEPUTY ESCUELA -- ESQUEDA AT THE AGE OF 38. IT WAS JUST LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. HE WAS ENGAGED AT THE TIME TO HIS FIANCEE . AND THE WEDDING DATE WAS SET FOR SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR. SHERIFF GONZALEZ CALLED ESQUEDA A HERO , AND SAID HE WAS KNOWN AS BEING FRIENDLY , AND A HARD WORKER. SOMEONE WHO LOVED HIS JOB. DEPUTY ESQUEDA WAS ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ELITE TASK FORCE , VISOR . AND HE HAD BEEN ON THAT UNIT SINCE THE VIPER TASK FORCE. OUR CONDOLENCES TO ALL WHO ARE GRIEVING THE FINEST

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YOU WOULD'VE LOVED TO SEE THAT GUY SAYING. SING AND DANCE. HIS LAUGHTER, KIND HEART, LOYALTY, PURE SPIRIT TOUCHED EVERYONE WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING, LOVING, AND BEING NEAR HIM. IN A SHORT TIME, HE BROUGHT SO MUCH JOY AND LIGHT TO MANY LIVES. HE HAD A MAY -- A WAY OF MAKING THE WORLD BRIGHTER. I JUST WANT TO INVITE MOM ESQUEDA. IS SHE HERE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME UP AND SHARE A FEW WORDS? AND GUYS, IF Y'ALL WILL JOIN HER, AS WELL. THANK YOU. AND IF THE REST OF THE FAMILY WANTS TO JOIN HER, PLEASE. IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SHARE SOME THOUGHTS. THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS WELCOME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS.

>> I DON'T HAVE MANY WAYS TO SAY. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT WE ARE GETTING. OF COURSE, I HAVE NO WISH TO DESCRIBE MY SON , BUT THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. AND IF YOU ARE CLAY -- OKAY STANDING THERE. WE KNOW THIS IS HARD FOR YOU. LET'S HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS , AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THE JUDGE, IF YOU WILL, IF ANY OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING? I JUST WANT TO SAY FIRST OFF, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF THIS . ONE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT MY BROTHER, HE LOVES HIS JOB. HE LOVES HIS JOB. HE CAN WORK 24 HOURS, HE WAS OKAY WITH IT. JUST TRYING TO KEEP HIS SPIRIT ALIVE BY JUST WORKING HARD , ALWAYS KEEPING A SMILE ON HIS FACE. JUST HELPING OTHERS .

>> THINK. -- THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. HONORABLE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT. WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I'M JOINED BY MY TEAMMATE THIS MORNING, GDS, MEMBERS OF THE COMMAND STAFF, AND ALSO DEPUTY -- DEPUTY FERNANDO ESQUEDA SUPERVISORS. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY FROM HIS FAMILY, SHOWING SUPPORT OF THEIR LOVED ONE. ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE EMILY WANT TO THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU, FOR HONORING THE LIFE OF DEPUTY FERNANDO ESQUEDA. FERNANDO HAD A WAY OF IMPACTING PEOPLE . AND EVERYBODY THAT HE CAME ACROSS.

BECAUSE HE HAD A POSITIVE ENERGY. HE HAD A HUMBLING SMILE. HE WAS ALWAYS ASSISTING ANYBODY IN NEED. FERNANDO WAS A HARD WORKER , RELENTLESS INVESTIGATOR, AND A GREAT TEAMMATE. THIS RESOLUTION WOULD HELP NOURISH HIS LEGACY IS A HERO TO US, HIS FAMILY , AND ALSO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HE

SWORN TO PROTECT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MAJOR. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, I KNOW THIS IS PAINFUL FOR YOU. BUT IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR US TO SHOW YOU THAT WE WILL NOT FORGET .

WE WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL . AND WE WILL ALWAYS WORK TO HONOR HIS LIFE IN EVERYTHING WE DO. SO THANK YOU. JUDGE?

>> THANK YOU. AND IF ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, OF COURSE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO AFTER THIS. YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

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>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? I THINK YOU, JUDGE. AND THANK YOU FOR WRINGING THIS. I WISH WE NEVER HAD TO BRING RESOLUTIONS LIKE THIS. FIRST OF ALL TO HIS MOM, YOUR TEARS, I FEEL YOU. I KNOW AS A MOM, IT'S MY BIGGEST NIGHTMARE IN LIFE TO BURY HER CHILD, SO I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS . THE WHOLE LOSS.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING HIM FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY. MAJOR SOIRÉES, THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR BEING HERE. ONE THING THAT MOVED ME AT THE FUNERAL TREMENDOUSLY WAS JUST SING ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO CAME FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. EVERYWHERE. JUST HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF FOLKS WHO CAME HERE TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY. SO TO ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, THE SACRIFICE THAT YOU MAKE EVERY DAY TO RISK YOUR LIVES, TO KEEP US ALL SAFE. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOU. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> THE FAMILY, WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I THINK SOMETIMES, WE HAVE A CONVERSATION AROUND SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ALL KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO HAVE A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD. HAVING FOLKS LIKE FERNANDO OUT THERE ON THAT LINE. EVEN THOUGH FIVE YEARS, IN SOME WAYS, NOT THAT LONG.

ONCE SOMEONE LIVES ALIVE SO RICHLY AND CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH , THE CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE LAST WEEK WAS ENCOURAGING IN TERMS OF WE WOULD NOT FORGET. I THINK SOMETIMES, WE FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUALS AND THE LOSS OF THEM . BUT THE SACRIFICE THAT FAMILIES MAKE ON OUR BEHALF. SO THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICE Y'ALL HAVE ALL MADE ON BEHALF OF KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE. AND IT WILL BE REMEMBERED BY GOING FORWARD AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE CAN STRIVE FOR. THANK YOU FOR THAT SACRIFICE.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU. >> THINK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU. WE CAN JUST IMAGINE THE PAIN. ALL OF US FEEL IT, WHO HEARD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. OF COURSE, HIS MOM.

AND I KNOW HIS SISTERS WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR EVERYONE. THANK YOU GUYS FOR STANDING STRONG WITH THE FAMILY. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU CONTINUE TO DO, FOR BEING SO BRAVE, FOR RECRUITING PEOPLE LIKE HIM AND HIS SISTER. YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST NO WORDS FOR THIS KIND OF SITUATION. IT REALLY HAS BEEN A BIG TRAGEDY. AND IT'S BEEN A REALLY TRAGIC MONTH. ALL WE CAN DO IS REMEMBER, PEOPLE ARE THERE FOR YOU. YOU KNOW YOU CAN CALL ME ANYTIME. WE ARE THERE FOR YOU, FOR YOUR FAMILY. YOU KNOW, WE JUST GOT TO KEEP GOING. IT HAS BEEN A REALLY, REALLY TOUGH TIME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. SO WE LOVE YOU GUYS. STAY STRONG.

>> GOD BLESS YOU, GUYS. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A SECOND

RESOLUTION OUT OF ORDER. >> I DO. THIS ONE, TRYING TO HELP US LIFT A LITTLE BIT OF THIS HEAVYWEIGHT THAT WE ARE FEELING AT THE MOMENT. I WANT TO ASK DEPUTY TOMMY LEE BERRY TO COME ON DOWN. I DID NOT KNOW. YEAH. I DID NOT KNOW LEE WAS YOUR MIDDLE NAME. THEY COULD JUST NAME YOU TOMMY LEE , AND IT WOULD FIT VERY APPROPRIATE TO YOUR PERSONALITY. BUT I WILL SIMPLY SAY, TOMMY LEE, I'M MAD AT YOU BY THE WAY. I'M STILL MAD AT YOU. HE IS RETIRING THIS MONTH AFTER 41 YEARS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> PRECINCT 2. JUST AN INCREDIBLE VALUE ADDED. HIS DAUGHTER ALSO WORKS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR 20 YEARS. HIS SON, PETER, AND WIFE ARE HERE TODAY, AS WELL. AND

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DOWN. >>

>> HE WORKS HERE, BUT YOU PUT UP WITH HIM. OKAY? AND DEPUTY BARRY HAS SERVED THE COMMUNITY RESIDENTS IN MANY, MANY ROLES.

WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT HE'S GOING TO KEEP THE PEACE.

BUT ALSO WORKING CLOSELY WITH NEIGHBORHOODS, DOING OUTREACH, HELPING TO TRAIN AND MENTOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAWN OR CEMENT, AND OFFICERS. I WOULD JUST GO ON TO SAY THAT DEPUTY STARTED HIS CAREER IN 1983. WORKING AS A RESERVE , AND THEN EVENTUALLY OBTAINING THE RANK AS RESERVE SERGEANT. AND THEN HE TRANSITIONED TO A FULL-TIME ROLE IN 1988. AND WORKING IN THE 701 FACILITY , AND THEN TRANSFERRING THE 1301 FRANKLIN . MAN, IF THOSE WALLS COULD TALK. RIGHT? HE'S WORKED PATROL . HE WAS ALSO TRAINED FOR THE CRISIS INTERVENTION ON STEAM. THAT WAS THE FIRST UNIT THAT I WAS ABLE TO CREATE WHEN I WAS A SHERIFF. AND THEN HE ALSO SERVED AS A FIELD TRAINER.

ANYBODY WHO YOU TRAIN, DEPUTY BARRY, THEY'VE GOT TO BE ABOVE

THE REST, MAN. >> I HAVE A FEW OF THEM HERE

TODAY. >> ALL RIGHT. WELL, THOSE ARE EXCEPTIONS. A COUPLE OF THEM GOT AWAY FROM YOU, MAN. BUT , NO. IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, HE WORKED AS A FIELD TRAINER , AND THEN HE CAME TO JOIN THE PRECINCT 2 FAMILY. I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF GONZALEZ FOR MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION. I JUST CAN'T GO ON ENOUGH ABOUT YOU, DEPUTY . THE WORK YOU'VE DONE, THE WAY YOU'VE DONE IT. THE JOB IS ONE THING. IT IS THE WAY YOU DO THE JOB. AND THE WAY YOU DID THE JOB , YOU DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WORK. YOU ARE COMFORTABLE , YOU MADE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE. NONCITIZENS WILL EMAIL THEIR CONCERNS, WHETHER IT WAS SPEEDING VEHICLES, STRAY DOGS, CAN'T SEE THE STOP SIGN , SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY , GUNSHOTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, HOMELESSNESS . THE LIST JUST GOES ON. BEFORE I COULD EVEN SEND THE EMAIL ASKING DEPUTY BARRY TO PLEASE TOUCH BASE, HE WAS ALREADY RESPONDING BACK.

I'M IN ROUTE, OR I'M GOING TO TALK TO THEM. YOU JUST MADE IT FEEL LIKE A PASSION. IN THE WAY YOU DID EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR US. AND I WOULD JUST TELL YOU, DEPUTY, THE BOOTS THAT SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO FILL BEHIND THE WALL BE EASY TO FILL. YOU'VE SET THE BAR SO INCREDIBLY HIGH. AND WE ARE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL.

AND AS I'VE LEARNED IN MY YEARS AS SHERIFF, WHEN FOLKS RETIRE, THEY FIND THEMSELVES AT HOME, REALIZING THAT THERE IS AN CREDIBLY LONG HONEY DO LIST , THEY ARE QUICKLY KNOCKING ON THE DOOR LIKE, YOU SURE YOU DON'T HAVE A PART-TIME JOB FOR

ME? >> RUMOR HAS IT.

>> ALL I WANT TO ALSO SAY TO YOU, WANITA, BECAUSE YOU WILL ALSO BE RETIRING FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE WANT TO THANK YOU JUST THE SAME FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE. FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR THE FAMILY, AS WELL. YOU DESERVE AS MUCH RECOGNITION AND AS MUCH APPLAUSE AS THIS YOUNG MAN DOES. SO I JUST WANT TO WISH YOU BOTH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE IN WRITING THE NEW CHAPTER TO YOUR LIVES. HEARING ALL OF THE WORLD TRAVELING AND NATIONAL TRAVELING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE PLANNED, I WANT TO HOPEFULLY GET A POSTCARD EVERY SO OFTEN WHERE YOU MIGHT BE LANDING, AND JUST SAY THAT, TOMMY, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH, MAN. LOOK, YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF FOLKS OVER HERE, IF YOU LOOK OVER YOUR LEFT

[00:45:02]

>> YOU WERE ABLE TO NAVIGATE EVERYBODY'S AREA , THE CONCERNS, THE FOLKS THEY WERE DEALING WITH, AND HOW YOU HELP THE COMMUNITY. PRECINCT 2 IS STRONGER TODAY BECAUSE OF YOU.

AND THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE, THE SACRIFICE YOU MADE. I CAN'T RECOUNT THE NUMBER OF EVENT , WHETHER IT WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHETHER IT WAS AFTER SOME OF THE TORRENTIAL RAINS. WHETHER IT WAS AFTER THE TORNADOES, WHETHER IT WAS AFTER THIS RECENT HURRICANE , WHETHER IT WAS A BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT, A RATHER IT WAS JUST ANOTHER PARK EVENT. GROUNDBREAKING, WHATEVER IT WAS. TOMMY, ROLLING UP AND SEEING YOU THERE, IT IS MADE OF A WHOLE LOT BETTER. BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF GRATITUDE. I JUST APPRECIATE HOW A PERSON DOES THEIR WORK .

I THINK A GREAT DEAL OF PRIDE IN HOW I TRY TO DO MY WORK.

WHEN I SEE SOMEONE WORKING IN THE SAME PASSION, IT REALLY TOUCHES ME. TOMMY, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU. I LOVE YOU. I JUST WANT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO ENJOY WHAT'S IN ONE OF YOU. BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE A HOME

IN PRECINCT 2. >>

>> RUMOR HAS IT. >> RUMOR HAS IT. WITH THAT, THE

FLOOR IS YOURS, MY FRIEND. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU COURT, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVE CONSTITUENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY, AND IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE . THANK YOU.

>> WANITA ? YEAH, I PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT HE WENT TO WORK FOR YOU. HE BLOSSOMED WHEN HE WENT TO WORK FOR YOU. THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS THAT HE WAS ABLE TO DO FOR YOUR SAINTS. HE ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT. HE HAD HIS TWO PHONES WITH HIM DAY AND NIGHT, WEEKENDS. AND ANYBODY THAT

CALLED HIM. >> EVEN ON VACATION. THAT NO MATTER WHERE WE WENT , HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS FOR YOU, BECAUSE HE WAS PROUD OF THE RECENT . AND HE WAS PROUD TO BE

A DEPUTY ARE YOU. >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. I WAS GOING TO SAY, AGAIN, THIS BEARS THE NAME OF TOMMY LEE BARRY . BUT NOBODY DOES IT ALONE. ESPECIALLY WITH THE FAMILY THAT YOU ARE, WE KNOW THAT THE WORK THAT HE DID FOR US, HE DID IT BECAUSE HE HAD YOU AS HIS BACKUP AND SUPPORT.

AGAIN, THANK BOTH OF YOU , AS WELL.

>> I LOVE THAT IT SAYS HERE THAT YOUR DAUGHTER HAS WORKED FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR 20 YEARS.

>> YES MA'AM. >> HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? >> WELL -- MET EIGHT YEARS.

>> EIGHT YEARS. I WAS WIDOWED. I CAME TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN 2015, BECAUSE MY BROTHER WAS A MAJOR AND TALK ME INTO IT.

AND I MET DEPUTY BERRY, WHO WAS ALSO A LITTLE -- WIDOW . SMITH I TELL PEOPLE I MET HER IN THE JAIL . THERE YOU GO!

>>

EACH OTHER. >> MET IN THE JAIL, WE MARRIED IN 2022. IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.

>> WONDERFUL. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BOTH, AND TO YOUR LAW-ENFORCEMENT FAMILY. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT , AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU. >>

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DON'T SEE ANY RESOLUTIONS.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO.

CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU, DEPUTY BERRY. I THINK WE NEED TO USE THAT FOR A RECURSION -- RECRUITING TACTIC .

CONGRATULATIONS. ALSO, TWO QUICK THINGS. THERE ARE MANY

[00:50:05]

>> PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND YOUR EXAMPLE OF SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR COMING. ALSO, IT'S NEARING THE END OF THE SUMMER, SO I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE MY WONDERFUL SUMMER INTERNS. IT WAS NATIONAL INTERN DAY AT THE END OF JULY.

PRECINCT 4 WAS SO ENERGIZED TO HAVE 45 SUMMER INTERNS. WE HAVE A FEW OF THEM HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. ALL THE INTERNS IN HARRIS COUNTY, YOU ARE OUR FUTURE. WE BELIEVE IN YOU. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. CONSIDER YOURSELF ALWAYS A PART OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FAMILY. SO THANK YOU FOR SPENDING YOUR SUMMER WITH US.

SO MOVING TO ITEM 6. WE HAVE LOST ANOTHER EXCELLENT COMMUNITY LEADER , FRIEND, PARTNER . I WILL PLEASE LIKE TO INVITE THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF SUSAN FARB MORRIS TO PLEASE COME FORWARD. I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR TALIA MORRIS WHO IS ON THE PRECINCT 14, HER BRILLIANT NIECE. SHE WAS A FRIEND TO MANY OF US , A LEADER, A VISIONARY . SHE WAS TAKEN FROM US TOO SOON.

IF YOU CAN PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY UP, I WILL SHARE A FEW POINTS, AND THEN WE WILL LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. SUSAN MORRIS WAS BORN IN AUGUST 1955 IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, GRADUATING FROM MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL UNIVERSITY IN TEXAS . SHE EMBODIED THE VALUES , TO HELP PREPARE THE WORLD. SHE WAS KNOWN AS THE PR FERRY. SHE HELPED LEAD NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS, AND WAS DEDICATED TO SO MANY CAUSES DEAR TO HER HEART, SUCH AS REAL ABILITIES, HOUSTON FILM AND ART FESTIVAL, WHICH CELEBRATES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, SECOND SERVINGS -- SERVANTS OF HOUSTON. PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED, AND INTERFAITH MINISTRIES OF GREATER FAITH HOUSTON, WHICH DOES MANY THINGS, INCLUDING DELIVER FREE MALES, AND UNITING -- FREE MEALS, AND DIALOGUING ACTION ACROSS FAITHS . SHE WAS A COMMUNITY LEADER. SHE WAS A BRILLIANT WOMAN. SHE WAS A NURTURING WOMAN TO -- AND HANNAH. I LOVE TALIA SO MUCH. I REMEMBER THE LAST CONVERSATION I HAD WITH HER, SHE WAS JUST BEAMING WITH PRIDE OF YOU. AS ANYONE WHO KNOWS YOU SHOULD, BECAUSE YOU ARE AMAZING, TALIA. I KNOW SHE LIVES ON THROUGH YOU AND ALL OF YOUR FAMILY. SHE HAD A PHILOSOPHY THAT SHE HAD DUBBED INSPIRE MITTS, WHICH IS ANOTHER THING I HOPE WE CAN ALL KEEP WITH US. SHE PRIORITIZED AND DEEPENED RELATIONSHIPS. SHE PRIORITIZED AND ALWAYS DEEPENED HER DESIRE TO LEARN , EXPLORING NEW AREAS. AND TO GIVE HER TIME TO CAUSES IN NEED. I LOVE HOW SHE DEEMED THAT. IT IS SO TRUE. OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOU. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS. I KNOW WE HAVE DAVID MORRIS, SUSAN'S HUSBAND, SYLVIA FARMS, HER MOTHER. THANK YOU FOR RAISING SUCH A PHENOMENAL WOMAN WHO INSPIRED SO MANY OF US. SUSAN'S SISTER, SHE WORKS FOR TRAVIS COUNTY CLERK. HARRIS COUNTY IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR GREAT TALENT. ELIZABETH MORRIS, JONATHAN'S WIFE, THE SISTER-IN-LAW. WE HAVE OF COURSE, TALIA MORRIS, WHO I HAVE MENTIONED. I REMEMBER HER JUST BEAMING TALKING ABOUT TALIA. WE WERE AT A PLANNED PARENTHOOD LUNCH AT THE SAME TABLE. I JUST REMEMBER US TALKING. SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT HER GRANDCHILDREN . I HAVE THREE LITTLE GIRLS. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT HOW WE ALL NEED TO BE UNITED IN MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR RIGHTS ACROSS A VARIETY OF ISSUES ARE ALWAYS BEING ENHANCED. AND HOW SHE WANTED TO DEDICATE THE REST OF HER LIFE, ENERGY, AND TALENT TO MAKING SURE THAT THOSE RIGHTS AND OUR RIGHTS WERE BEING ADVANCED FOR ALL PEOPLE.

THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE SUSAN WAS IN IT. I'M SORRY, TALIA. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. SENIOR TEARS BRING TEARS

[00:55:06]

COMMISSIONERS COURT IS HONORED TO BE HONORING HER LIFE AND LEGACY. SO WITH THAT , THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, IF YOU

WOULD LIKE TO SHARE. >> THANK YOU , COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONERS COURT. I KNOW SUSAN WOULD BE DEEPLY HONORED. SUSAN WORKS PROFESSIONALLY IN THE PR BUSINESS. HAVING RETIRED, SHE DIDN'T CALL IT RETIREMENT , AS YOU CORRECTLY MENTIONED. SHE CALLED IT HER SUSAN FARB MORRIS. TO CONTINUE TO INSPIRE OTHERS, TO HELP OTHERS. SOME OF US ARE WORKING ON TRYING TO ORGANIZE THROUGH ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SHE WAS -- A DAY OF "INSPIREMENT." WHAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, TO INSPIRE OTHERS , HELPING OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY. I KNOW THAT SUSAN WOULD BE DEEPLY HONORED BY THIS. SHE HELPED, SHE CONNECTED, AND SHE ALSO CHANGED THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE . HOWEVER, SHE DID IT ONE PERSON AT A TIME. ONE CONNECTION AT A TIME. ALWAYS THERE TO HELP, WANTING TO IMPROVE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE, FINDING THEM JOBS JUST SO THAT SHE WOULD BE HELPING THAT PERSON. NOT FOR ANY -- SHE DOES WANTED TO HELP REPAIR THIS WORLD. I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SHE APPRECIATED THAT BRIEF COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SHE HAD WITH YOU AT THAT LUNCHEON, WHICH SHE MENTIONED TO ME. ON BEHALF OF THE MORRIS AND FARB FAMILY , THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. THANK YOU, TALIA MORRIS. AND THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, WHO HELPED TO MAKE SUSAN A BEAUTIFUL PERSON

THAT SHE WAS. THANK YOU. >> WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LET'S GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE .

>>

>> I JUST WANT TO ECHO THE SENTIMENTS . I ALSO HAD THE HONOR AND PLEASURE OF KNOWING HER. IN FACT, WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL , I WAS SERVING WITH AMIR BILL WHITE. AND IF YOU KNOW MAYOR BILL WHITE, HE COULD BE A LITTLE, AND DRUM -- CONUNDRUM AT TIME. YOU COULDN'T MOVE HIM. AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT EXACTLY THE ISSUE WAS. I HAD ALREADY TALKED TO THE MAYOR ABOUT IT. HE WAS JUST LIKE -- THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I'M DOING IT RIGHT. RIGHT? SO THEN I STEP AWAY. THEN SUSAN AND I CONNECT. SHE'S LIKE, WE'VE GOT TO DO THIS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, IT WOULD HELP THE CITY. AND I AGREED. BUT BILL SAID, IT GONNA HAPPEN. SO UNLESS YOU CAN GET --, WHICH I DON'T THINK WILL HAPPEN. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A SHOT. SO WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT MORE. SHE GOES ON. A FEW MINUTES LATER, I SEE HER WALKING WITH THE MAYOR. THE MAYOR IS LOOKING AT ME LIKE THIS . WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING ON SOMETHING. I JUST WANT TO THANK SUSAN FOR HER LEADERSHIP ON THIS. COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT HER. I GO, OH, OKAY. YOU GOT HIM. WHICH WAS HER WEIGH ALMOST AT EVERY TURN.

SO AGAIN, I KNOW THIS IS DIFFICULT, PAINFUL. JUST KNOW SHE TOUCHED US IN SO MANY WAYS THAT HER FINGERPRINTS ARE THROUGHOUT THE CITY. AND SHE WAS EVEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING HER, SUPPORTING HER TO TOUCH OUR COMMUNITY THE WAY SHE DID. THERE IS NO ONE ELSE, NO

[01:00:04]

>> THANK YOU. >> DID ANY OF THE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS -- AND I WANT TO THANK SUSAN'S NIECE , AND TALIA'S SISTER. OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOU. OUR CONDOLENCES. MET OUR CONDOLENCES, YOU GUYS AND TALIA.

>> THE FINAL RESOLUTION -- ALL OF THESE RESOLUTIONS HONORING SUCH GREAT PEOPLE. WE HAVE UNFORTUNATELY LOST THEM RECENTLY. IT MAKES US REFLECT ON LIFE, RIGHT? AND HOW WE NEED TO MAXIMIZE AND CHERISHED HIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE. MAKE SURE WE DO ALL THE GOOD WE CAN WHILE WE CAN. THE LESS RESOLUTION IS HONORING BREAST-FEEDING MONTH. I KNOW WE HAVE OUR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR BOBBY ROBINSON AND THE LACTATION FOUNDATION FROM UT HEALTH. YOU KNOW I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT YOU ARE HERE, SO SORRY TO EMBARRASS YOU AND THE BREAST-FEEDING RESOLUTION. MY SOON-TO-BE NINTH GRADER STARTING HIGH SCHOOL NEXT WEEK IS HERE . SHE'S MY OLDEST OF MY THREE DAUGHTERS . BREAST-FEEDING WAS ALWAYS VERY, VERY CHALLENGING FOR ME. I APPRECIATE JUST ALL THE WORK OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY DO TO PROMOTE BREAST-FEEDING, WHICH IS EXTREMELY HEALTHY FOR OUR BABIES. I WAS VERY INTERESTED TO LEARN PER THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL IN HARRIS COUNTY, 90% OF INFANTS RECEIVED BREASTMILK DURING THE FIRST HOURS OF THEIR LIFE. SO THAT WAS ACTUALLY REASSURING AND HIGHER THAN I THOUGHT THE NUMBERS WOULD BE. THAT IS A TESTAMENT TO ALL OF THE GREAT LEADERSHIP AND WORK OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS. I'M ALSO ENERGIZED. I WAS VERY THRILLED IN DECEMBER 2022 WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE PUMP ACT FOR NURSING MOTHERS, WHICH EXTENDS THE RIGHTS TO RECEIVE BREAK TIME TO PUMP IN A PRIVATE PLACE AT WORK. FOR EMPLOYEES WHO NURSE. SO THANK YOU TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE BY DEMONSTRATION. I WAS ALSO VERY ENERGIZED HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHERE OUR COMMISSIONERS COURT PASSED A POLICY , ALLOWING HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NURSING, AND GUARANTEEING OUR RIGHT TO A PRIVATE, CLEAN SPACE TO PUMP WITH ACCESS TO A SINK , REFRIGERATOR, AND TAXABLE BRAKES . I WANT TO THANK OUR COUNTY ENGINEER TEAM, WHO HAVE REALLY HELPED IMPROVISE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS. AS SOMEONE WHO WAS TRYING TO BREAST-FEED, I WILL SPARE YOU THE LITANY OF STORIES. AT ZERO NUMBER THOSE DIRTY BATHROOMS AND VERY AWKWARD MOMENTS. I'M HAPPY THAT WE HAVE THE PUMP ACT. I'M HAPPY HARRIS COUNTY IS SETTING AN EXAMPLE. WE CHALLENGE AND INVITE ALL EMPLOYERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR MOTHERS ARE ABLE TO BREAST-FEED AND PUMP. I ALSO HAD BEEN VERY THANKFUL. THIS WAS A PARTNERSHIP . WE HAVE THREE LACTATION PODS THAT WE ARE DONATING IN THE CIVIL COURTHOUSE. AND WE'VE APPLIED FOR A GRANT TO GET MORE. IF ANYONE IS LISTENING FEELS VERY PASSIONATELY ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT MOTHERS CAN NURSE AND PUMP , WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE PARTNERSHIPS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THESE AMAZING PODS. SO THANK YOU TO ALL THE WORK. IN HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE AUGUST 2024 AS NATIONAL BREAST-FEEDING MONTH. AND WITH THAT, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REMARKS OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR, -- ROBINSON. AND WE ALSO HAVE LENDERS REPRESENTING THE HBA PRESIDENT-ELECT. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP ON THE PODS. I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE EXPANDING THAT AND APPRECIATE GOMEZ FOR HER LEADERSHIP. JUDGE PAYNE, ALL OF OUR PARTNERS. THAT WAS A GREAT TEAM EFFORT.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING ON IT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF -- PUBLIC HEALTH.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY ATTORNEY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING FORTH THIS RECOGNITION . RECOGNIZING AUGUST AS BREAST-FEEDING MONTH. AS YOU

[01:05:05]

MAIS THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR.

>> GOOD MORNING, I AM A CERTIFIED CONSULTANT . WE ARE BREAST-FEEDING CLINIC THAT IS CONTAINED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS AT MCGOVERN MEDICAL SCHOOL. SINCE OPENING IN 2010, THE LACTATION FOUNDATION HAS BEEN PRIVILEGED TO SUPPORT BREAST-FEEDING JOURNEYS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATIONS, CLASSES, GROUP SUPPORT IN PERSON AND ONLINE.

ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO SERVE PREGNANT AND PARTICIPATING -- OF THE WIC PROGRAM. WE'VE OBTAINED ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT ALLOWED US TO EXPAND SERVICES. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ALSO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND CLINICAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HUNDREDS OF MEDICAL STUDENTS, RESIDENTS NURSING STUDENTS, AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. IT'S REALLY BENEFICIAL, SINCE MANY OF THESE OFFICIALS RECEIVED LITTLE, IF ANY TRAINING. THIS HAS REALLY FILLED AN IMPORTANT GAP. WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE HERE TODAY DURING WORLD BREAST-FEEDING WEEK AND TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER BRIONES'S EFFORTS

. >> YOUR TIME IS UP .

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DANIELA LANDERS. I'M A PARTNER AT THE LAW FIRM HERE. ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THE OVER 11,000 MEMBERS, I'M HONORED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS RESOLUTION. THE HBA IS PROUD TO PARTNER WITH YOU TO PROVIDE SAFE, PRIVATE, AND SECURE SPACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THROUGH OUR LACTATION POT INITIATIVE. AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES MENTIONED, THERE ARE ALREADY THREE OF THOSE LOCATIONS IN THE CIVIL COURTHOUSE , IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE THE, IN THE ASSEMBLY ROOM. WE ARE PROUD TO SAY THAT ANOTHER POD IS BEING INSTALLED IN THE LIBRARY. REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. I WANT TO AGAIN ACKNOWLEDGE MY COLLEAGUE AND HBA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT WHO LED THE CHARGE. OF COURSE, A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, AS WELL AS THE VARIOUS COURTS. THANK YOU AGAIN, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.

>> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THAT WORK ON ACCESSIBILITY TO BREAST-FEEDING. LET US MOVE ON TO THE VOTING ITEMS . THESE THREE URGENT ITEMS. AND THEN WE WILL TAKE THE PICTURES AND THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. LET'S START, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WITH THE VOTER PARTICIPATION ITEMS.

>> ONE OF MY SPEAKERS CAN BE HERE UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT CAME ON THE AGENDA . TRAVIS COUNTY IS IMPLEMENTING THE VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAM THAT I THINK WE OUGHT TO TRY AND EMULATE. I KNOW WE WENT THROUGH IT WHEN IT CAME UP BEFORE. THE VOTER REGISTRATION LEVEL IN TRAVIS COUNTY, WHICH IS AUSTIN, IT'S ABOUT 98%. THE EFFORT OVERALL IN OUR COUNTY IS IN THE 80S. AND WHEN YOU RUN DOWN THE PRECINCTS, IT'S ABOUT 82% OF THOSE ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN PRECINCT 1. 77.9% ON PRECINCT 2 , 90% IN PRECINCT 3, 83.1% IN PRECINCT 4. THIS IS JUST AN EFFORT TO PARTNER WITH SOME ORGANIZATION. WE DO THIS TO FIGURE OUT WHICH ONE WOULD MAKE SENSE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO INCREASE THAT NUMBER. IF WE WERE WILLING TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN THE TAX ASSESSORS OFFICE, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER. BUT WE SIMPLY HAVE NOT DONE THAT OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO TRY AND DO WHAT WE CAN DO , FOLLOWING TRAVIS COUNTY AND BAER COUNTY IN PARTICULAR TO SEE IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING

[01:10:05]

>> SO I SEE ANNETTE RAMIREZ MAKING HER WAY. GO AHEAD. AND

WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 385. VOTER REGISTRATION AND A COUPLE OF OTHER RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE INCLUDED. AS A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY, I BELIEVE THAT WHEREVER AND WHENEVER POSSIBLE, WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO INCREASE VOTER RESOLUTION AND VOTER ENGAGEMENT. THIS ITEM WILL ALLOW HARRIS COUNTY TO BE PROACTIVE AND INNOVATIVE IN CAPTURING NEW VOTERS THAT HAVE MOVED TO HARRIS COUNTY. AND ALTHOUGH HARRIS COUNTY HAS SEVERAL OTHER INITIATIVES, THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM TO DO MORE. AND THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM TO BE BETTER. THE PROPOSED PILOT PROGRAM ALLOWED TO USE TECHNOLOGY IN A CREATIVE WAY.

ALLOWING THE CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE AND ENGAGE WITH THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, HARRIS COUNTY HAS FALLEN BEHIND IN BOTH REGISTRATION AND ENGAGEMENT.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> AS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE, WE SHOULD BE INCREASING PARTICIPATION. FOR THOSE REASONS , I ENCOURAGE COMMISSIONERS TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM.

>> I AM TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVE IS NOT THERE.

>> WILL MUSTER SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT WILL DO. THE VOTER REGISTRATION MAIL COUNTY TO REACH OUT TO REGISTERED VOTERS.

IT IDENTIFIES UNREGISTERED ELIGIBLE VOTERS WHO RECENTLY MOVED TO A COUNTY BUT HAVE NOT UPDATED THEIR NEW ADDRESSES.

AND THEN IT PROVIDES EACH ELIGIBLE UNREGISTERED VOTER WITH A PREFILED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. AND THAT IS ADDRESSED THROUGH THE TAX COLLECTOR ASSESSORS OFFICE. THEN PROVIDING REPORTING THROUGH TRACKING, USA POSTAL SERVICE BARCODES, AND ACCORDING TO TRAVIS COUNTY. THE VENDOR WILL REACH OUT TO 23,000 UNREGISTERED VOTERS IN THE COUNTY WITH THE GOAL OF REGISTERING AT LEAST 10,000 VOTERS FOR $48,000, AND A COST OF ABOUT $4.86 CENTS PER REGISTERED VOTER. QUOTING HARRIS COUNTY ABOUT $2.13 PER MAILER . AND IDENTIFIED 516,000 UNREGISTERED VOTERS FOR A TOTAL COST OF ABOUT 896,000 $175,000 . THE COUNTY STAFF IS CONSIDERING VOTING IN A SIMILAR PROGRAM TO TARGET UNREGISTERED VOTERS, BUT STATING THAT THEY WERE UNSURE IF THEY WOULD USE THE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT WAS RELATIVELY COST PROHIBITIVE.

STAFF INDICATED THEY MAY USE FUNDING INSTEAD OF VOTING FOR REGISTRATION EFFORTS. THE COUNTY STAFF IS ALSO EXPLAINED THE POPPING -- SETTING OUT A WELCOME PACK . THEY ALREADY PROVIDE INFORMATION TO RESIDENTS. THE MOTION THAT I WILL MAKE AFTER WE HEAR FROM OTHER SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SOME INPUT ON THIS, I WOULD MOVE TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY MINISTRATION TO WORK WITH THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT OFFICE TO IMPLEMENT THE TEXT TO REGISTER PROGRAM DEVELOPED IN UNREGISTERED VOTERS MAP, AND INITIATE THE VOTER REGISTRATION PILOT AND COME BACK TO THE COURT ON 8/27 WITH UPDATES.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> I'VE GOT A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. IF THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR WAS BRINGING THIS ITEM TO COURT , IT WILL MAKE A LOT MORE SENSE TO ME. I THINK A LOT OF WHAT YOU REFERENCED HERE , IT WILL ALREADY BE INITIATED WITHIN THAT OFFICE . IN FACT, INFORMATION I GET IS THAT THE TAX OFFICE CREATES INVOLUNTARY TRAINING BY 107% THIS WAS A

[01:15:11]

RETURNING RESPONSIBILITY OF VOTER REGISTRATION , AND ELECTIONS GOING BACK TO THE COUNTY CLERK AND TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. AND TRYING TO REINVENT A REVAMPED ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR THROUGH THE COUNTY OFFICE. IT IS THE TAX ASSESSORS RESPONSIBILITY. I THINK IF WE HAVE INPUT, WE CAN CERTAINLY PROVIDED TO THE TAX ASSESSORS OFFICE. I THINK THERE ON A GOOD TRACK NOW TO IMPROVE VOTER OUTREACH. I DO NOT THINK THAT GOING OUT AND HIRING AN UNKNOWN VENDOR AT THIS POINT , VOTER OUTREACH . ANDY TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR MAKING ANY SENSE TO ME, AND I WOULD NOT BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I MAKE A BRIEF COMMENT FOR

RESPONSE. >> AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES

ALSO HAD SOME, . >> COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. 26 YEARS IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATION, IT IS A HANDFUL OF STATES THAT DOES NOT HAVE A LINE REGISTRATION. WE HAVE THE MOST RESTRICT LAWS IN PLACE IN TEXAS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM TRYING TO REGISTER TO VOTE. I CAN REMEMBER EARLY ON IN MY CAREER IN 1991, THERE WAS A BIG EFFORT AROUND -- REGISTRATION. AND I THINK ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, GENE GREEN , CAN YOU BRING IT UP IN COMMITTEE, AND I ATTACHED HIS LANGUAGE. MAYBE SOMEONE A LITTLE DIFFERENT, LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY . SO IT MADE IT ON AS AN AMENDMENT, AND IT ENDED UP REGISTERING . I'M TOLD I GET THE CREDIT FOR HAVING REGISTERED MORE REPUBLICANS THAN ANYBODY IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, ALL OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES AT THE TIME WERE THE ONES OPPOSING IT. IT REALLY HELPED THEM MORE THAN OTHERS. IF THIS IS DONE, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I FOR ONE, HOPEFULLY ALL OF US WON'T -- AS MANY AS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE . IT WILL BE NICE IF THEY VOTE FOR YOU, VOTE FOR ME. BUT WHETHER THEY VOTE FOR US, OR NOT, I THINK WE WOULD BE BEST SERVED IF WE MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE. WE KNOW WE HAVE MOST OF THE LAWS IN TEXAS, IF SOMEBODY MAKES A MISTAKE, AND THEN AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF RESOURCES ARE AND ON THAT, BUT I THINK FOR ONE, I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT. I WOULD BE WILLING TO DO IT EVEN AFTER MY BUDGET. THAT WOULD CREATE OTHER ISSUES IN TERMS OF THAT PROCESSION. BUT IF IT'S DONE, I ASSURE YOU. THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, WHATEVER VENDOR COMES IN, PEOPLE MAKE SURE . WE OUGHT TO DO IS MUCH AS I CAN. AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO HELP PEOPLE REGISTERED TO VOTE. IT'S CLEARLY NO SECRET. EVEN ONE OF VOTER RIGHTS ACT PASSES UNDER TEXAS, TEXAS WAS NOT INCLUDED.

IN PART BECAUSE THAT WAS A COMPROMISE FOR PRESIDENT JOHNSON TO GET A BILL IN PLACE. AND THAT WAS NOT UNTIL THEY CAME UP WITH THE BILINGUAL AMENDMENT THAT TEXAS WAS INCLUDED. BUT I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM REPRESENTATIVE AFTER YOU, MY COLLEAGUE, IF YOU WANT CONTI REPRESENTATIVE WU, FOR NOW WE WILL HAVE COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> I WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO BELIEVING FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY THAT WE ARE THE BEST IN THE

[01:20:02]

CODES IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT HAS LESS THAN 80% OF THE REGISTERED POPULATION REGISTER TO VOTE. I WANT US TO BE BOLD AND INNOVATIVE . I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM THE TRAVIS COUNTY SPEAKER AS WELL AS THE OTHER SPEAKERS. ONE THING I AM INTERESTED IN IN PARTICULAR IN TERMS OF OWNER REGISTRATION IS I KNOW THE COURT HAS REPROVED -- APPROVED AARPA FUNDING. I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING AN UPDATE WHEN WE HEAR FROM OUR WONDERFUL CLERK AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM OUR TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE. THANK YOU ALSO FOR BEING HERE. I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DONE AND I WANT TO BE LEARNING FROM TRAVIS COUNTY AND ANY OTHER COUNTY OR STATE DOING THINGS BECAUSE THIS MUST BE DONE IN AN NONPARTISAN WAY.

FUNDAMENTALLY ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WE HAVE IS THE RIGHT TO VOTE. AS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER I AM PARTICULARLY ENERGIZED AND HOW DO WE DO TO ENGAGE OUR YOUTH AND FOLKS ACROSS ALL AGES TO ENGAGE WITH THE GOVERNMENT THAT IS THEIRS. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE FROM OUR SPEAKERS. REPRESENTATIVE WU, IF THE ARE NOW ? OH, HE IS HERE?

>> IS THERE A MOTION TO CONTINUE? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WU, YOU MISSED ME SAYING WHAT A GOOD LOOKING FELLOW YOU ARE. YOU CAN SPEAK NOW AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR AND THE CLERK .

>> GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. I JUST WANTED TO COME TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THIS MEASURE. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES. THIS IS ABOUT AN AMERICAN ISSUE. AS SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS A VERY LARGE WORKING CLASS COMMUNITY, PEOPLE WHO WE SAY WERE THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING COVID, PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF US, PEOPLE WHO FEED US, PEOPLE WHO CLEAN UP AFTER US, PEOPLE WHO DO ALL THE WORK TO MAKE LIFE POSSIBLE IN THIS GREAT CITY. OFTEN BECAUSE THEY WORK LONG HOURS AND HAVE SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN LIFE SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION. THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATED THE RIGHT WAY. ALL THOSE THINGS PREVENT THEM FROM EXPRESSING THEIR RIGHTS AS AN AMERICAN. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP THEM -- THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE EASIER, LET THEM BE A LITTLE MORE AMERICAN AND EXPRESS THEIR RIGHTS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD DO. IT REINFORCES OUR DEMOCRACY AND IT REINFORCES US AS A COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY. THE MAC I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING. I KNOW YOU CAME THREE WEEKS AGO OR WHATEVER IT WAS. I THINK SEVERAL OF YOUR COLLEAGUES CAME AS WELL. THEY COULDN'T, AGAIN, BUT THEY DID REACH OUT. THEY SENT NOTES TO SOME OF US.

>> I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TWO HOURS AGO.

>> YOU HAVING THAT PROBLEM TOO?

>> I'M SORRY. WE'VE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO MANY TIMES.

ALL OF US, THE DELEGATION WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY UNDERSTANDS THIS ISSUE REALLY WELL. MY DISTRICT, I AM 85% RENTERS, APARTMENTS AND MULTI FAMILY HOMES. THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE, THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE WHO GET THE SHORT END OF THE STICK. BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING, BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING ALL THE JOBS WE NEED THEM TO DO, BECAUSE THEY WORK THOSE LONG HOURS. IT IS THOSE PEOPLE WE ARE DOING THIS FOR. THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE LIFE POSSIBLE IN THIS COUNTRY AND IN OUR GREAT STATE. WE ARE SAYING TO THEM WE RECOGNIZE THAT YOU DO HARD WORK. WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE IT EASIER.

>> EIGHT OF YOU CAME TO ME. I DID NOT JUST DREAM THIS UP.

EIGHT OF YOU CAME AND ASKED ME TO REACH OUT TO BRUCE ALFONT. I

[01:25:01]

>> COMMISSIONER, IF I MAY? REPRESENTATIVE WU, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. YOUR COMMENTS JUST REMINDED ME THAT, ONE, ALMOST HALF OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON LIVES IN AN APARTMENT.

>> 40% OF TEXANS. >> THEY ARE AMONGST THE MOST MOBILE RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> TO THINK ABOUT MAKING REGISTRATION EASIER, TO KEEPING THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION CURRENT WITH THEIR NEW ADDRESS, AND THEN TO THE FOLKS THAT WORK FOR US, AS YOU'VE MENTIONED, AND AS I HAVE TALKED BEFORE. MY

MOM WAS A JANITOR. >> RIGHT .

>> SHE WORKED LATE AT NIGHT. SHE WORKED EARLY IN THE MORNING. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW SHE MANAGED TO GET THROUGH HER DAYS. IT MADE ME REMEMBER HOW PROUD OF OUR CITY CONTROLLER WAS WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE ALL MY BOATING AVAILABLE. I VOTED AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING IN SOLIDARITY FOR OUR SHIFT WORKERS AND FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ONLY HAVE A BRIEF MOMENT IN A LONG DAY TO EXERCISE THEIR DEMOCRACY. COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR RESURRECTING THIS CONVERSATION. RATHER -- REPRESENTATIVE WU, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AGAIN.

>> SO MANY GOOD AMERICANS OUT THERE DON'T REALIZE IN TEXAS IF YOU MOVE YOU HAVE TO REREGISTER. YOU HAVE TO REDO ALL THAT STUFF. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK I JUST TELL THEM THAT I'VE MOVED WHEN I GO TO VOTE. NO. BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS ARCHAIC ROLE OF WAITING 30 DAYS. A RULE ESTABLISHED BACK WHEN WE HAD TO DELIVER MAIL BY HORSE AND BUGGY. WE STILL HAVE TO NOW IN THIS DAY AND AGE WAIT 30 DAYS AFTER THE PAPERWORK HAS BEEN SENT IN. PEOPLE ARE LIKE WHAT I HAVE ONLINE BANKING, I DO ALL MINE THIS. IT SHOULD NOT BE THAT HARD TO CHANGE MY ADDRESS. PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE IF YOU CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS YOU RESTART THE 30 DAY CLOCK. THAT KIND OF INFORMATION IS REALLY HELPFUL TO THE PEOPLE DOING THOSE JOBS, WORKING THOSE LONG HOURS WERE WORKING LATE SHIFTS. THIS IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO

DEMOCRACY FOR OUR AREA. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> ON THAT NOTE, REPRESENTATIVE, I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE VERY WELL EDUCATED THAT HAVE SOME TIME. THEY HAVE MORE SPACE IN THEIR DAYS, BUT HAVE MOVED HERE FROM ELSEWHERE.

THEY CANNOT BELIEVE HOW HARD IT IS TO REGISTER. I HAVE HAD FOLKS FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE ASKED ME HOW DO I FIND IT? EVERYONE HAS SEEN THE NEWS OF THE GENTLEMAN WHO THOUGHT HE WAS ELIGIBLE AND IT TURNS OUT HE WASN'T. HE WAS PUT IN JAIL.

UNDER TEXAS LAW, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE JUST SCARED. THEY DO NOT WANT TO GET IT WRONG. I ALSO THINK ABOUT IMMIGRANT FAMILIES. I AM A NATURALIZED CITIZEN. WHEN YOU ARE NATURALIZED OFTENTIMES THERE WILL BE FOLKS FROM THE LEGAL VOTERS TRYING TO REGISTER NEW AMERICANS. THE SAME THING. THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO AS A NEW AMERICAN IS SOMEHOW MISSED OUT. FOLKS ARE JUST SO SCARED. I FEAR FOR MY OWN EXPERIENCE AND THAT OF MY FAMILY. THIS IS SO COMPLICATED. IT IS SO DIFFICULT. IT IS CONFUSING. IT IS JUST NOT THAT WAY ANY OTHER PLACE. IT REALLY TURNS PEOPLE OFF.

>> THIS ACTUALLY MADE IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. PEOPLE WENT TO THE STATE OF TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE WEBSITE TO FILL OUT A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM, BUT DIDN'T REALIZE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PRINTER, PRINT IT OUT AND MAIL IT IN. MOST PEOPLE ARE LIKE DON'T MOST STATES HAVE ONLINE REGISTRATION?

>> NOT A WHOLE LOT OF US HAVE PRINTERS ANYMORE. ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS? >> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. I THINK WE WANT TO HEAR FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR AND THE CLERK'S

OFFICE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER

[01:30:01]

WE ARE NOT. IF WE HAVE IDEAS WE SEND IT. IN FACT I WOULD AGREE.

MRS. CAESAR, COULD YOU COME UP AND GIVE A THOUGHT OR TWO FROM THE TAX ASSESSORS OFFICE ON SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT YOU HAVE HEARD? MANY OF WHICH I THINK YOU ARE ALREADY DOING.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES. THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME. SO FAR THERE ARE QUITE A FEW THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ENLIGHTEN YOU GUYS ON. THE FIRST THING I LIKE TO DO IS HAND EACH ONE OF YOU THIS PIECE OF PAPER. WHAT THIS SAYS HERE IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICIAL NUMBERS BY COUNTY. ON THIS ONE IT HAS HARRIS, TRAVIS, HILDA ARGO, TARRANT. YOU CAN TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. YOU WILL SEE THAT ALL OF THESE COUNTIES ARE TRENDING THE EXACT SAME WAY, INCLUDING TRAVIS COUNTY. WITH THAT BEING SAID I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU GUYS GOT THAT. IN 2020 ONE OF THE INITIATIVES HARRIS-BENNETT HAS IS WE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK OUT TO FOLKS WHO ARE NOT REGISTERED VOTERS. WHAT WE DID WAS TEXT TO REGISTER. WE DID A BILLBOARD AS

WELL IN 2020. >> JUST ONE?

>> IN FOUR OF YOUR AREAS ALL OVER. BASICALLY IT WAS AN HASHTAG THAT YOU TYPED IN. WHAT IT DID WAS IT GIVES YOU SEVERAL OPTIONS. IN 2020 BEFORE WE DID THIS MS. BENNETT HAVE GIVEN ME THE OKAY TO CREATE WHAT WE CALL THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION WEBSITE. BEFORE I PUT IT ON THE WEBSITE I SENT IT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO GET THEIR BLESSING. THE ONE THING WAS YOU HAVE TO PRINT, SIGN, AND MAIL IT TO US. WHEN WE DID TEXT TO REGISTER WE WENT THROUGH THEIR VENDOR TO GET THIS IMPLEMENTED. WHAT WE DID WAS WE GAVE THE PERSON OPTIONS. YOU CAN CLICK THE WEEK -- LINK, GO STRAIGHT TO THE WEBSITE, REGISTER AND PRINT. AS YOU KNOW IN THE STATE OF TEXAS A WET SIGNATURE IS NOT ACCEPTED. IT HAS TO BE SIGNED AND MAILED. WE ALSO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO DOWNLOAD THE SECRETARY OF STATE APPLICATION. COMMISSIONER ELLIS WE DID THIS WITHOUT BEING ASKED TO DO SO. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT THE SAME FEATURE.

ALL I AM WAITING ON FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS TO TELL ME WHO IS THE VENDOR THAT I WOULD WORK THROUGH. THE WAY IT WORKS IS WE PAY ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER. WE DID THAT. IN 2020 WE HAVE 10,000 PEOPLE USE IT IN TERMS OF REGISTERING TO VOTE. WE KNOW IT WAS SUCCESSFUL IN THAT WAY. IN 2020 WE HAD 7000 DDVR'S. THE TAX COLLECTOR NEEDS TO CONDUCT ONE CLASS PER MONTH TO TRAIN PEOPLE. INSTEAD WE DID SO MUCH TRAINING WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO 7000. WHEN WE RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR IT WAS LESS THAN 4000. CURRENTLY WE ARE TRENDING UP TO 5000. EVERY SINCE THE CHANGE IN THE

[01:35:05]

ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS. YOUR PEOPLE CAN REGISTER FOLKS. WE HAVE A LOT ON INITIATIVES. THIS IS THE ONE INITIATIVE THAT MRS. BENNETT REALLY WANTS TO DO. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE ASKING IS CAN WE POSSIBLY RENT TO THE NRG, BRINK ALL 4000 AND HAVE A HALF DAY PROGRAM TO DISCUSS HARRIS COUNTY INITIATIVES IN REGISTERING PEOPLE TO VOTE. WE KNOW THAT EACH ONE OF THESE VDVR ORGANIZATIONS ARE IN EACH ONE OF YOU GUYS PRECINCTS. WE KNOW THAT. IF WE DO THIS INITIATIVE IT IS FREE. WE DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THEM. THEY BECOME CERTIFIED TO DO THIS WORK. WE THINK THAT IF WE ARE ABLE TO DO SUCH A HUGE EVENT, GIVE THEM A STARTING DATE AND AN END DATE TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER, I THINK IT WOULD BE WORTH OUR WHILE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. -- WILD TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THESE PEOPLE ARE SO EAGER. I CALL THEM OUR FOOT SOLDIERS. THEY WANT TO GO OUT AND REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE. WHY DON'T WE COME TOGETHER AND A -- AS A COMMUNITY AND BRING THEM TOGETHER TO DO THIS. WE ARE TRYING TO GROW THE DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW WE HEARD THAT IT WOULD COST MONEY AND WE KNOW THAT. WE WERE SAYING IF WE POSSIBLY GOT 12 MORE OUTREACH PEOPLE ADDED TO OUR TEAM OF FIVE, WHICH WOULD MAKE 17, THEY WILL COST US $850,000 PER YEAR PLUS BENEFITS. WHAT OUR FOLKS HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, OVER 300 TRAININGS, COULD YOU IMAGINE WHAT THE RETURN OF INVESTMENT WOULD BE IF WE INCLUDED 12 MORE OUTREACH PEOPLE? WITH FIVE DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING, CAN YOU IMAGINE? EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT WE NEED TO BE THINKING FUTURISTIC. WELL, WE HAVE TO THINK THE TOURISTIC IN THE CONFINES OF WHAT WE HAVE -- FUTURISTIC IN THE CONFINES OF WHAT WE HAVE. A COMPANY CANNOT OPERATE AND GIVE OUT VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS UNLESS THE APPLICATION BECOMES CERTIFIED BY THE STATE.

>> ON THE CHART I SEE THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED VOTERS. I DON'T SEE THE PERCENTAGE OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS WHO ARE REGISTERED. AM I MISSING SOMETHING?

>> THESE ARE THE NUMBERS FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE. IT SHOWS YOU FOR EACH YEAR WHAT THE REGISTERED VOTERS ARE. IT SHOWS YOU HOW MANY OF THOSE VOTERS VOTED.

>> I GET IT. I AM JUST SAYING IN ORDER TO SEE THE IMPACT WE NEED TO KNOW THE PERCENTAGE. OBVIOUSLY THE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY'S GROWING DAY BY DAY. THIS KIND OF THING CONCERNS ME.

FOR YOU GUYS LOOKING AT PERCENTAGES AND IS THAT LOOKING AT ABSOLUTE NUMBERS. WE CAN SAY HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE MOST PEOPLE WITH, YOU KNOW, BLACK CATS. WELL HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE MOST PEOPLE IN TEXAS. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT PERCENTAGES.

>> WE HAVE 4.8 MILLION PEOPLE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHEN THE CENSUS WAS DONE IT WAS 4.5 MILLION. CURRENTLY IN 2022 IT SAID WE HAVE TO .5 MILLION VOTERS. IF I WERE TO DO THE MATH I WOULD BASICALLY SAY IT'S LIKE WE HAVE AT LEAST HOW

[01:40:07]

MANY, MARKETS? >> RIGHT. SO WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE MATH OVER TIME AND IN THE PERCENTAGE COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTIES. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT WE HAVE A LOWER PERCENTAGE REGISTERED TO ELIGIBLE THAN ELSEWHERE. WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE FOR THE SAKE OF THE MISSION OF THE COUNTY. WHAT I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND. I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE HAD INITIATIVES.

WHAT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS PROPOSING THAT YOU GUYS HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE? COMMISSIONER, WHAT IS THAT GAP? I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THE COST AND FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY OF THIS.

>> JUDGE, ONE VENDOR WE KNOW ABOUT HAS IDENTIFIED 516,000 AND REGISTERED VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. MY GOAL WITH THIS IS TO PUT OUT THE RFP AND SEE WHO RESPONDS. WE PROBABLY HAVE TO SPEND ABOUT $896,000 TO GET SOME OF THOSE 516,000 UNREGISTERED VOTERS. PEOPLE MAY MOVE FROM ONE PLACE TO THE OTHER. WHAT YOU DON'T SEE ON THIS CHART IS WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT YOU

KNOW ARE NOT REGISTERED? >> YOU GUYS, SINCE WE HAVE THOSE SCREENS SO THAT THE PUBLIC AND SEE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW HOW POSSIBLE THAT IS? DO YOU GUYS KNOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO PUT THIS ON THE SCREENS?

>> JUST EMAIL IT TO HER. >> EVEN IF IT IS JUST A PICTURE THAT Y'ALL CAN EMAIL. ANYWAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE DIFFERENCE WOULD BE MORE TARGETED? I'M JUST TRYING TO

UNDERSTAND. >> THEY ARE GOING TO TARGET THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE MOVED, PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BUT ARE NOT REGISTERED. MAYBE ANOTHER WAY OF ASKING THE QUESTION IS DO YOU ALL KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE BUT UNREGISTERED TO VOTE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HAVE YOU CONTACTED

ALL OF THEM? >> I KNOW THERE ARE 1,367,173 THAT ARE UNDERAGE. I DO KNOW THAT.

>> THAT ARE ELIGIBLE? >> THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

>> OBVIOUSLY I WOULD NOT WANT YOU TO CONTACT THEM.

>> I AM JUST TELLING YOU, IF I HAVE 4.5 MILLION PEOPLE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY I HAVE TO DETERMINE WHAT NUMBER OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT MOST LIKELY ARE NOT REGISTERED VOTERS, RIGHT? IF I HAVE 4.5 MILLION AND I KNOW ALREADY 1,367,000 ARE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT VOTE, I KNOW I NEED TO BACK THAT NUMBER OUT OF MY .5 MILLION AND KEEP GOING. THE OTHER THING IS WHAT BRUCE HAS RECOMMENDED IS THAT YOU TAKE THAT USPS DATA. NOW, WE CAN GET THAT IF POSSIBLE AND USE OUR PROGRAMMERS TO DO THAT AND, WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT

ARE NOT REGISTERED. >> DID YOU DO THAT LAST YEAR?

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE IT LAST YEAR. WE JUST GOT IT SEPTEMBER 1. IT WILL BE ONE YEAR THIS SEPTEMBER. WE HAVE HAD ELECTIONS ONE AFTER THE OTHER. WE HAVE HAD TO REBUILD TEAMS, WE ARE STILL REBUILDING. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN AND SAY WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO? WE ARE STILL

OPERATING UNDER THAT. >> WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU TO GET TO THAT POINT? IF YOU HAVE HAD IT SINCE SEPTEMBER WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO GET THIS DONE BEFORE THE UPCOMING ELECTION? BEFORE THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION?

>> I NEED TO GET THE TEXT TO VOTE.

>> HAVE YOU ARE ASKED? >> I'M WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES. I HAVE SPOKEN TO QUITE A FEW.

>> I DON'T WANT TO TIE THE COURT UP.

>> ON THAT POINT. IF I COULD RESPECTFULLY. THIS IS GOING TO

BE A PROLONGED CONVERSATION. >> WE CAN DO IT WHEN WE COME

BACK. >> I KNOW THE REASON I AM CATCHING ON THAT THIS WAS URGENT IS BECAUSE OF THE SPEAKERS THAT WERE COMING. I KNOW THE DIRECTOR IS HERE

[01:45:02]

CLERK, EXCUSE ME. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY JUDGE. I KNOW THAT WE ARE SPEAKING ON MULTIPLE TOPICS AND I AM GOING TO ADDRESS AARPA FIRES. THERE WAS A TOTAL OF $5 MILLION. SEPTEMBER 1 I INHERITED 2.5 MILLION. THE LAST NINE MONTHS THAT WE HAVE CONDUCTED SIX ELECTION WE USE $1 MILLION OF THAT. PRIOR TO NOVEMBER WE HAVE A BUDGET OF $1.5 MILLION TO CONTINUE TO UTILIZE. WE WILL BE SCHEDULING OUR STAKEHOLDERS MEETINGS WITH ALL OF YOUR OFFICERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO DISCUSS THE CAMPAIGN AND WHAT OUTREACH WE HAVE PLANNED. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ALL HAVE REVIEWED THE SUPPORT -- REPORT. WE DO EVERY SINGLE ITEM ON THAT REPORT AND MORE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE LAW. THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM PHONE BANKS, BILLBOARDS, THIS WILL ALL BE INCLUDED IN THE KGB. WE ARE TALKING WITH CLEAR CHANNEL TO SEE HOW MANY ARE AVAILABLE. MAY I CONTINUE? THIS INCLUDES AN EFFORT FOR AN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT. WE WILL BE CONDUCTING VOTER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS IN TANDEM WITH YOUR OFFICES , MULTIPLE OF THEM PRIOR TO NOVEMBER. I AM SO GLAD REPRESENTATIVE WU IS HERE. OUR EFFORT TO WORK WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVES. WITH THEM IT IS A JOINT EFFORT. I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH THE TAX OFFICE AS WELL. MY OFFICE CONDUCTED OUR ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT. WE SERVED HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES AND WE HAD VOTER REGISTRATION. WHENEVER WE HAVE AN EVENT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE SO THAT IT IS NOT JUST REGISTRATION, BUT THEY WALK AWAY WITH THE ELECTIONS INFORMATION. WE WILL BE DOING EXTENDED HOURS. WE HAVE MORE THAN A ROBUST AMOUNT OF LOCATIONS. WE WILL BE WORKING WITH YOUR TEAMS ON THAT FAIRLY SOON. I THINK I'VE GONE THROUGH THE MAIN ITEMS. I WANTED TO ENSURE YOU THE MOST THAT THE REPORT THAT WAS PROVIDED, WE ARE DOING THAT AND EXTENSIVE ADD-ON TO IT WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE LAW. IF THERE IS A BUDGET ASK WE WILL COME BACK. RIGHT NOW WE ARE WORKING WITH WHAT WE HAVE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL REQUEST. I ASSURE YOU, NO ONE WANTS ELECTIONS TO WORK MORE THAN THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIAL. NO ONE WANTS ELECTIONS TO WORK FOR EVERY SINGLE REGISTERED VOTER AND IS COUNTED IN THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICIAL. I WILL NOT SLEEP UNTIL WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL ELECTION WITH AS MANY VOTERS VOTING THIS NOVEMBER AND BEYOND. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> REALLY QUICK QUESTION. DO YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON OUR

DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW? >> NOT ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION ASPECT. AS YOU KNOW I AM NOT THE VOTER REGISTRAR, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE MENTION THAT WE WILL ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEIR OFFICES TO PUT BOTH IN PLACE.

REGISTRATION IS JUST ONE PIECE. HOW DO WE ACTUALLY GET THEM TO THE POLLS? THERE IS NORMALLY A PRETTY BIG DROP OFF OF GIVING FOLKS TO THE POLLS AND EDUCATING THEM ON THE ELECTION.

WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN CALLS TO FORMULATE MORE PARTNERSHIPS. AARP, THERE WILL BE PHONE BANKS FROM SENIOR CAPACITY TO VOTING BY MAIL, EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY.

I KNOW WE CANNOT GO THROUGH ALL OF THOSE LAYERS AND PIECES OF THE PUZZLE, WHICH IS WHY I MENTIONED THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING. WELL INFORMING YOUR TEAM THAT YOU CAN HAVE AS MUCH IS YOU WANT BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.

>> HAVE YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH OUR TAX EFFECT --

ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR? >> YOU ARE MEANING MISS BENNETT? I AM MEETING WENDY CAESAR. WE TALK ALMOST DAILY IN TERMS OF WHETHER OFFICES ARE DOING. WILL WE HAVE THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS THEY WILL BE INCLUDED AS WELL.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION AFTER THE PICTURES.

MRS. CAESAR, I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE CONCERN AS WELL. WE ARE ALL INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN MANDATE. I KNOW YOUR OFFICE WORKS REALLY HARD. MY CONCERN IS IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO? WE WANT TO JUST TALK ABOUT IT. I KNOW YOU ARE A VERY CAPABLE LEADER. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME THAT WE DO NOT SEE MRS. BENNETT. I FEEL BIGGER

[01:50:09]

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE RESPECT THE OFFICE AND YOU AS WELL. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> YOU DID ASK ME IF I SPOKE WITH MRS. BENNETT. I SPOKE TO HER LAST NIGHT. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE ANYTHING I SAID IN RELATION TO HER OFFICE AND WHAT WE ARE DOING WAS OKAY WITH HER.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO HER RECENTLY.

>> WHAT ABOUT BEFORE THAT? >> THAT I CANNOT ANSWER. IT HAS

BEEN A LITTLE BIT OF TIME. >> THAT IS THE CASE WITH ALL OF

US. >> I WANT TO DO AS MUCH AS I CAN TO HELP YOU GET ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED. TO THAT END, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE FOR WHOEVER THEY WANT TO VOTE FOR IN OBVIOUSLY A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION. ALL OF THEM ARE, BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS ONE IS ON A LOT OF INTERESTS. I WANT TO SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES DO NOT TAKE THE STATS FOR ME. THE KAISER FOUNDATION NOTED IN 2022 THAT TEXAS HAD ONE OF THE WORST PERCENTAGES OF VOTER POPULATION REGISTERED TO VOTE AT 65.2%.

THERE ARE ONLY SIX STATES THAT HAVE A LOWER PERCENTAGE. I CAN ASSUME THEY ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS NOT JUST ME, THAT IS WELL-RECOGNIZED IF YOU GOOGLE IT. IN NO WAY AM I CASTING DISPERSIONS ON MRS. BENNETT'S OFFICE. THAT IS NOT WHAT I AM DOING. THIS IS AN IDEA THAT CAME TO ME FROM STATE LEGISLATORS. I KNOW THAT MR. ALFONT WON'T BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS. WHEN WILL THE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS ARE AND HOW FREQUENT WILL THEY

BE? >> WE WILL BE INFORMING YOUR

STAFF SOON . >> YOU KNOW HOW PASSIONATELY I FEEL AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES FEEL ABOUT VOTER ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION. WHEN COULD THE COURT GET -- COULD BE IN THE SEPTEMBER MEETING? AN UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES IN TERMS OF VOTER

REGISTRATION? >> BY THE END WE WILL HAVE HAD OUR BUDGET HEARINGS AND I WILL HAVE A VERY CLEAR PATH.

>> DO YOU NEED A FORMAL MOTION OR WILL WE JUST PUT IT ON THE

SEPTEMBER AGENDA? >> I WILL BE SURE WE PUT IT ON

THE AGENDA. >> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. JUST A DATA SMITH -- DANA POINT PURSUANT TO A MARCH 2024 STUDY BY RICE UNIVERSITY'S KANDER INSTITUTE FOR URBAN RESEARCH. THE KINDRED RESEARCH FOUND OF HARRIS COUNTY IS 2.78 MILLION ELIGIBLE ADULTS MORE THAN 177,000 ARE NOT REGISTERED. SO A LEVEL SETBACK IN TERMS OF THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE SCOPE OF THE OPPORTUNITY. APPROXIMATELY

177,000. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE. WE WILL CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION. LET'S TAKE SOME PICTURES. THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

[01:58:31]

>> WE WILL BE CALLING RESOLUTION SPEAKERS TO THE FRONT. PLEASE HAVE A SEAT UNTIL YOU ARE CALLED.

>> THE RESOLUTION FOR TOMMY LEE BARRY PLEASE COME OVER TO THE SIDE. IF YOU ARE FACING THE COURT THE MOST RIGHT-HAND SIDE.

THAT IS WHERE WE WILL CALL FOR THE PICTURES.

[02:28:42]

>> COUNTY ATTORNEY, SHOULD I DO A BREAK? SHOULD I JUST

[Appearances before court]

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>> FIRST IS SPEAKER NUMBER 13, NINA HERNANDEZ. YOU HAVE ONE

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'S >> JUDGE GRAY IS HERE, IF THERE IS ANYWAY AFTER THIS SPEAKER JUDGE GRAY TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK?

>> THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME OF THAT.

>> GOOD MORNING. I WANTED TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ON ONE OF THE ARTICLES IN REFERENCE TO THE GUARANTEED FUN PROGRAM. I WANT TO ASK THAT YOU NOT CUT THE PROGRAM. IT IS UNDER TEST RIGHT NOW. THERE ARE LOTS OF FAMILIES DEPENDING ON THE INCOME. THE BIGGEST SUGGESTION IS THAT WILL END UP LIKELY IMPACT IN CRIME IN OUR AREAS. IF YOU THINK ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT

[02:30:07]

AND STEALING. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> IS THAT FOR BOTH TOPICS? >> DO YOU WANT TO FINISH A

SENTENCE OR TWO? >> A SENTENCE OR TWO FOR THE CUTTING OF THE $5 MILLION FOR HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE IDD PROGRAM. I'M ASKING THAT YOU DON'T DO THAT. I DO HAVE A SON WHO IS BIPOLAR-SCHIZOPHRENIC AND WHO DOES DEPEND ON A LOT OF THOSE FUNDINGS AND PROGRAMS. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE LORI CHAMBERS-GRAY SPEAKING ON ITEM 324.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME A MOMENT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OF THIS ADVANCING JUSTICE INITIATIVE. I AM THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE 262ND CRIMINAL COURT AND THE COMPETENCY RESTORATION DOCKET. I HAVE SEEN THE RISE OF MENTAL HEALTH CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE BURDENS THAT OUR COURTS ARE FACING. WHEN A PERSON HAS BEEN FOUND INCOMPETENT THE PROCESS STOPS. ADDITIONALLY THAT PROCESS WAS THAT THE PERSONS WOULD BE TRANSPORTED TO A STATE FACILITY SO THEY COULD RECEIVE TREATMENT. WHAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED IS MORE SUPPORT FOR THE JBCR PROGRAM, WHICH IS THE JAIL BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM. IT PROVIDES RESOURCES IMMEDIATELY.

IT IS A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN WORKING AND PROVIDING THE SUPPORT THAT IS NEEDED. I WOULD JUST COME -- CONCLUDE BY SAYING THIS IS ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS THAT THE COURTS ARE FACING DIRECTLY WITH AN APPROACH THAT WILL BRING RESULTS THAT WILL REDUCE THE POPULATION IN THE JAIL AND PROVIDE THE SUPPORT THAT IS REALLY NEEDED. THANK YOU FOR

THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE. >> JUDGE, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE

SOME COMMENTS. >> JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. EARLIER THIS MORNING TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER BRIONES. BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMMITTING YOURSELF TO THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF LAW AND WORK WITHIN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT, COMPLICATED AND MOST DELICATE AREAS OF WORK ASIDE FROM MAYBE WORKING WITH CHILDREN THAT ONE COULD DO. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMMITTING YOURSELF AND DEVELOPING THE EXPERTISE TO HELP US. YOU HAVE GIVEN US A FRAMEWORK AND A MODEL TO FOLLOW. FOR THAT I AM VERY MUCH APPRECIATIVE. AS THE FORMER SHERIFF I USED TO TELL FOLKS IT IS A SHAME THAT OUR JAIL IS THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER IN THE STATE. THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THERE NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE BAD, THEY ARE JUST UNWELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE GRAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, YOUR PARTNERSHIP, AND YOUR SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP IN LEAVING OUR MENTAL HEALTH COMPETENCY RESTORATION DOCKET FOR HARRIS COUNTY. MY TEAM AND I ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. WE ARE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC AND HOPEFUL ABOUT THE INVESTMENT THAT WILL BE APPROVED THIS AFTERNOON TO EXPAND WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO WITH THE JAIL BASED RESTORATION. THANK YOU. I AM VERY MOVED BY THE WORK YOU DO AND THE COMMITMENT WITH WHICH YOU DO IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE GRAY. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 14 MARCELINA MELVIN SPEAKING UNDER

ITEM 13. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> SHE IS MAKING HER WAY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS COURT AND JUDGE HIDALGO. I AM THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HACKETT CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH, A REGIONAL ARM OF THE MEADOWS MENTAL

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EARLY CHILDHOOD IS A CRITICAL PERIOD OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

POSITIVE INTERACTION AND EXPERIENCES INCLUDING THOSE THAT TAKE PLACE IN HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE SETTINGS ARE IMPERATIVE. HIGHLY TRAINED CHILDCARE WORKERS HELP TO PROMOTE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT. WHILE WE CANNOT PREVENT ADVERSE THINGS FROM HAPPENING TO OUR CHILDREN WOULD WE KNOW AND THE

SCIENCE TELLS US IS THAT -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> GO AHEAD IF YOU WANT TO FINISH.

>> HAVING HEALTHY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT CAN HELP INCREASE RESILIENCY AND DECREASE THE VULNERABILITY OF FUTURE MENTAL

HEALTH CONCERNS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS JOSE MARTINEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 18. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM HERE FOR ITEM NUMBER 18. THE PROVISION OF HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE IS CRUCIAL FOR PROMOTING CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. IT INVOLVES KEY FACTORS SUCH AS TEACHER QUALIFICATION, CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT AND CURRICULUM. EACH OF THESE ELEMENTS FOSTER CULTURE THAT SUPPORTS HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. HIGH-QUALITY GRADING SYSTEMS ANALYZE ASPECTS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS PROVIDING INSIGHT INTO TEACHING PRACTICES. TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMS EQUIP EDUCATORS WITH THE SKILLS NEEDED FOR PLAY-BASED APPROACHES. TO TRULY TRANSFORM THE CHILDCARE LANDSCAPE WE NEED TO INTEGRATE COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH DRIVEN PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES AND LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR MORE ROBUST AND EFFECTIVE CHILDCARE SYSTEMS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS ON ITEM 18. YOU HAVE

ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE KIDDIE ACADEMY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. I AM SUPPORTING THE PROGRAM THAT WILL SUPPORT MORE THAN 500 TEACHERS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO GET THEIR CREDENTIALS. WE KNOW HOW MUCH TEACHER TRAINING IMPACTS EDUCATION OF HIGH QUALITY FOR CHILDREN. NONE OF US IN THIS BUILDING WOULD LIKE OUR CHILDREN TO BE TRAINED BY ILLITERATE TEACHERS OR NONEXPERIENCED TEACHERS. WE WANT OUR TEACHERS TO BE TRAINED AND EDUCATED. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE PREVIOUS SUPPORT THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I AM SUPPORTING ITEM NUMBER

18. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 19, SPEAKING ON ITEM 19. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> READINGS TO EACH OF YOU. I AM FOUNDER OF JUSTICE FOR EVAN.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE ONE 2ND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES HERE IN OUR COUNTY JAIL, HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. I WITNESSED OUR LAST MEETING ON THURSDAY IN AUSTIN AT THE TEXAS JAIL COMMISSION MEETING. IT IS DISTURBING TO FIND HARRIS COUNTY JAIL STILL OUT OF COMPLIANCE . TODAY A DAYS AFTER THE MURDER OF MY SON WHOM I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ON HIS STAFF. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING HE IS NO LONGER THERE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION. THE CONCERN OF THE REPEAT VIOLATIONS OF THIS JAIL AND THE

[02:40:06]

JUSTICE 324. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> SPEAKER NUMBER 20 SPEAKING ON ITEM 19.

>> JUST RECENTLY, MA'AM WHO JUST SPOKE? I WAS WONDERING IF YOU ALREADY VISITED WITH SOMEONE FROM OUR TEAM ABOUT THE INFORMATION YOU ARE TRYING TO GATHER?

>> I HAVE NOT. >> WILL HAVE SOMEONE VISIT WITH

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, TIFFANY. >> I HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS TO SPEAK ON. I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS AS CONCISE AS POSSIBLE. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF HOUSTON IN ACTION, THE PUBLIC SAFETY PROJECT. OUR PROVISIONS BELIEVE IN AIDING THOSE WHO ARE ALIVE AND MOST FOLDABLE. TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES DURING CRISES. IN THE AFTERMATH IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE WE HAVE UNDER FUNDED INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE ASK A LOT OF OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS. WE ASK EXCESSIVELY TOO MUCH FROM THE PUBLIC BEYOND THEIR PATIENTS. WE ASKED FOR THE PEOPLE TO TOLERATE A SPECTRUM OF DISADVANTAGES AND EVERY CORNER OF THEIR LIVES. BUILDING EFFICIENCY INTO BASIC INFRASTRUCTURES OF COUNTY PROCESSES IS NOT OUT-OF-FAVOR FOR PUBLIC APPROVAL. IT IS THE PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS. COURT EQUIPMENT IS UP TO STANDARD TO AMPLIFY OUR VOICES WITH CLARITY. HUMANS WERE JAIL JUSTLY OR UNJUSTLY. IT IS

INHUMANE -- >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> CAN I HAVE? >> YOU CAN FINISH THE SENTENCE.

>> IT IS INHUMANE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN JAIL DO NOT HAVE THEIR TREATMENTS OR THEIR MEDICINES AND MINISTER TO THEM BECAUSE NOBODY IS COORDINATING THAT. THAT IS AMONG ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THE JAIL POPULATION DESERVES BETTER.

>> THANK YOU. >> ALFREDO DOMAN IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 19. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM HERE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET AND ALSO AS THE POLICING PROJECT MANAGER. I AM REALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND REALLY PUSH THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT AND HARRIS COUNTY MORE BROADLY TO START CONSIDERING POLICING IN THE SAME WAY WE CONSIDER EVERY SINGLE OTHER PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE THAT FACES THE SCOPE -- THIS COUNTY.

POLICING IS THE ONLY DEPARTMENT AND ONLY PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE THAT WE CONTINUALLY GIVE INCREASES TO EVERY SINGLE YEAR REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME AND HOW IT IMPACTS HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENCE. WE HAVE OTHER OPTIONS. THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS OTHER OPTIONS AND WAYS IN WHICH TO DEAL WITH CRIME AND THE ROOT CAUSES OF THESE THINGS LIKE PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO ART, LIKE PUTTING MONEY INTO FRAUD -- FLOOD MITIGATION AND STILL EVERY SINGLE YEAR MONEY IS DIVVIED UP THE EXACT SAME WAY AND WE ARE NOT BEING GIVEN OTHER OPTIONS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THEM AVAILABLE TO US. THANK YOU.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. STEPHEN WOO SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 20. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE HURRICANE BERYL.

IT HAS BEEN A MONTH SINCE 36 FAMILIES NO LONGER HAVE A LOVED ONE THAT THEY CAN GO HOME TO. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH WHERE HOUSTONIANS IN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE GONE THROUGH ANOTHER NATURAL DISASTER. WE ARE REPEATING THE SAME MISTAKES

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PLEASE DO IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> TERRY CHAN SPEAKING ON ITEM 20. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO. I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. I AM HERE TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS LIKE HEART AND UPLIFT HARRIS. THESE PROGRAMS HAVE THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER TO SAVE LIVES. I WANT TO SHARE A COUPLE CALLS FROM STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR YOUNG ADVOCATES PROGRAM REGARDING DETENTION IN JAILS. THE PRISON SYSTEM IS SO INTERTWINED WITH DETENTION CENTERS THAT REFORM SIMPLY EXPANDS INCARCERATION AND INCARCERATION INFRASTRUCTURE. NO REFORM CAN UNDO DECADES OF POLICY. SUPPORTING PEOPLE DIRECTLY AND ENSURING EVERYONE HAS EVERYTHING THEY NEED IS WHAT WE TRULY NEED. SO MANY REFORMS CEDED TO ANTI-IMMIGRATION DEMANDS, SO MUCH THAT THEY MADE THINGS WORSE. DO NOT PLAY IN THE FACES OF OUR YOUNG GENERATION. THEY ARE BRILLIANT, THEY ARE DOING THE RESEARCH AND CONNECTING THE DOTS. DO NOT PUT BUDGET EXPANSIONS SUCH AS GEL IMPROVEMENT, THAT ARE TECH AND BETTER COURTS. WE WANT TO FUND PROGRAMS LIKE UPLIFT HARRIS.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND TO EXPAND HEART TO ALL FIVE PATROL DISTRICTS. THANK YOU.

>> CHRISTOPHER RIVIERA SPEAKING ON ITEMS 20 AND 392. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I WORK WITH THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT AND I AM HERE TO SUPPORT HEART AS WELL AS THE UPLIFT PROGRAM. THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS ON THE TYPE THAT SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID ALREADY REALLY ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY AND KEEP PEOPLE SAFE INSTEAD OF INCARCERATING THEM . AS MENTIONED EARLIER BEFORE HEART HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED. I REALLY HOPE THAT THE UPLIFT PROGRAM REALLY DOES GET THE MONEY.

THERE WAS A RECENT STUDY BY PRINCETON UNIVERSITY DEFENDANT 1-10 RESIDENTS ARE RENTERS AND FACED EVICTION IN 2023. THAT IS ABOUT 84,000 PEOPLE. ESPECIALLY WITH THE CITY CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS ESSENTIALLY THE ONLY PIPELINE FOR THEM IS TO BE INCARCERATED. WITH PROGRAMS LIKE UPLIFT AND HEART THAT ACTUALLY ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE IS THAT OF PUTTING THEM IN CAGES BUT WILL BENEFIT PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING DUE TO THE INCREASE OF INFLATION AS WELL AS THE RISE IN RENT COST AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I DO REALLY HOPE --

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> SPEAKER NUMBER 26 SPEAKING ON ITEM 20. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I CURRENTLY ATTEND SCHOOL IN NORTHEAST AND I CONSISTENTLY HAVE TO ALERT ABOUT MY MOTHER'S ONLY HELP.

LAST YEAR MY MOM HAD SURGERY ON HER HIP. SHE CONSTANTLY STRUGGLE TO OBTAIN FOOD, TRANSPORTATION AND MUCH MORE.

AFTER HER SURGERY SHE STRUGGLED TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE WHAT SHE NEEDED. THEY SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE THE EXPANSION TO THE REST OF THE DISTRICT I WANT TO EMPHASIZE FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND OUR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.'S

>> -- MUCH.

>> IN AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. ITEM 31, I THINK YOU WERE GOING TO DISCUSS THE FUNDS FOR METRO. I HAVE ONE SUGGESTION.

SOMETHING SAN ANTONIO HAS DONE. ADRIAN MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THIS. SAN ANTONIO HAS PURCHASED SERVICE. MY THING IS AS FAR AS

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I THINK THAT IS ONE THING YOU NEED TO LOOK AT. THANK YOU.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY, YOUR PROPOSAL IS? SPAIN MET WITH THE MONEY YOU GET FROM METRO INSTEAD OF SPENDING ON ROADS OR WHATEVER THAT YOU ADD MORE TRANSIT SERVICE IN PARTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. ANOTHER GROUP WOULD INVOLVE HOUSTON FOR MICRO TRANSIT. I THINK THERE ARE WAYS THIS CAN BE DONE.

>> THANK YOU.

'S >> TOM KNOW THIS. I AM A TAXPAYER. THE REQUEST IS FOR RECOGNIZING VETERANS DAY AS A PAID HOLIDAY. DOES THIS MEAN THAT WILL BE EXPANDED BY TWO MORE? WHAT ARE THE TOTAL PAID HOLIDAYS? WHAT IS THE COST TO TAXPAYERS? VOTING DAY IS ALL HANDS ON DECK. AS MANY COUNTY WORKERS WERE COLLECTION DAY TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT DOES THIS MEAN THOSE WORKERS WILL BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF AND ADDITIONAL TIME IN HALF TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THE VOTERS EXPECT? IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A BOND PACKAGE MAY BE REQUESTED FOR ADDITIONAL COUNTY REVENUE AND YET YOU WANT TO GRANT ADDITIONAL BENEFIT TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES? AS A TAXPAYER I AM AGAINST THIS. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS DISTRICT KURT -- CLERK MARILYN BURGESS SPEAKING ON ITEM 30. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THAT AFTERNOON. I AM THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK.

AS YOU WERE ADDRESSING ITEM NUMBER 40 REGARDING PAID HOLIDAYS, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER OTHER PAY LABOR FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE COUNTY TO PROVIDE UP TO 24 HOURS OF PAID LEAVE DURING EMERGENCY CLOSINGS. IT CAN ONLY BE USE OF COUNTY OFFICES AND OR BUILDINGS WERE CLOSED AND EMPLOYEES WERE UNABLE TO WORK. IT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH PAY WITHOUT HAVING TO USE PERSONAL VACATION TIME OR COMP TIME. NOT ALL EMPLOYEES EVEN HAVE A BALANCE. AS WE KNOW THE HOUSTON REGION IS PRONE TO EXPERIENCING NATURAL DISASTERS.

IT SEEMS UNFAIR COUNTY EMPLOYEES MUST USE VACATION TIME IN ORDER TO GET PAID WHEN OFFICES ARE CLOSED DUE TO A DISASTER. HURRICANE BERYL MADE MANY PAINFULLY AWARE OF THE CURRENT POLICY WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO BE PAID EVEN WHEN THE COUNTY IS CLOSE WITHOUT USING PERSONAL LEAVE TIME. I HAVE 560 EMPLOYEES IN MY DEPARTMENT. MANY OF WHOM ARE SOME OF THE LOWEST PAID IN THE COUNTY. I FEEL LIKE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE HERE ADVOCATING FOR THEM.

>> MADAM DISTRICT CLERK, DO YOU KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY DO WITH OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT?

>> I DO KNOW TRAVIS COUNTY OFFERS PAID LEAVE FOR EMERGES

IN CLOSING. >> EVEN IF THEY ARE RELIEVED OF

THEIR DUTIES BECAUSE OF ? >> IF THE BUILDINGS ARE OFFICES

ARE CLOSED. >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS

TO OUR ATTENTION. >> I HAVE A LOT OF LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES, MANY OF WHOM WENT UNPAID BECAUSE OF HURRICANE BERYL AND WERE UNABLE TO BE ALLOWED TO COME INTO THE

BUILDINGS. >> IS THIS SOMETHING YOU GUYS

HAVE CONSIDERED ALREADY? >> WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR LEAVE PRACTICES.'S IF WE ARE ALSO DOING SOME WORK ON POST REPORTS. WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH OEM TO SEE WHAT WE LEARNED, WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. WE WANT TO PRESENT SOMETHING IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.

>> THANK YOU. >> CHRISTOPHER JENKINS SPEAKING ON ITEM 158. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> IN AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 158 AND 157 . THE ITEMS UNDER HOUSING AND COMMUNITY

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>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> CLERK BURGESS, DID SHE LEAVE ALREADY? I THOUGHT SHE WAS HERE FOR ANOTHER ITEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THAT AFTERNOON. THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN MENTIONED IN THE AGENDA SHOW DISTURBING HOUSING TRENDS IN SITUATIONS WITH MINIMAL GOALS ON HOW WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO HELP THE COUNTY. IN 2021 THERE ARE 35,000 EVICTIONS OF HARRIS COUNTY. LAST YEAR THERE WERE 81,513. WHEN I CALLED THE COUNTY TO INQUIRE ABOUT DIFFERENT SUPPORT OR RESOURCES THEY CANNOT TELL ME IF THERE WERE ANY PROGRAMS ACTIONABLE.

WHEN I DID FIND OUT THE PROGRAM IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE THEY ULTIMATELY DIRECTED ME TO MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, WHICH WAS IN DANGER OF BEING DEFUNDED PRETTY RECENTLY. WHEN PEOPLE DO HAVE ACCESS TO SUPPORT IT IS VERY PRECARIOUS. I WANT TO SAY PEOPLE WITH ARREST RECORDS ARE EXPERIENCING DE FACTO HOUSING DISCRIMINATION. LOTS OF PROPERTY OWNERS DO NOT RENT TO ANYONE WITH AN ARREST RECORD. THIS IS WHY THEY ARE 10 TIMES LIKELY TO BECOME HOMELESS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND NATIONALLY.

WE HEARD THE STORIES AND LEGACY OF SO MANY GREAT PEOPLE.

IMAGINE IF WE HELPED OUR MOST VULNERABLE SURVIVE, GAVE THEM HOUSING AND HELP THEM TO THRIVE AND MEET THEIR OWN POTENTIAL.

>> SPEAKER NUMBER 34 SPEAKING ON ITEM 158. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. MY PARTNER AND I HAVE SECURE HOUSING THAT WE CAN AFFORD. HOWEVER, MANY OF MY FRIENDS ARE HOUSING INSECURE. WANT TO STAY WITH ME NOW. A 25-YEAR-OLD BLACK NON-BINARY PERSON WITH A BUSINESS DEGREE WHO CANNOT FIND WORK THAT PAYS ENOUGH TO COVER FOOD, TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING. A NATIVE AMERICAN FRIEND IS CURRENTLY RECOVERING FROM A HAND INJURY. AT AGE 53 BEING HOSPITALIZED IS THE MOST FOOD AND HOUSING SECURITY HE HAS HAD IN DECADES. WHEN HE LEAVES HE WILL DEPEND ON COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE ME FOR HOUSING UNTIL HE IS STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK AGAIN. AN IN-HOUSE BLACK TRANSGENDER STRANGER LIVED ON MY PATIO FOR MONTHS, UNWELCOME CHRISTIAN SHELTERS. TWO WERE ABLE TO STAY HOW'S ONLY BECAUSE COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE ME SUBSIDIZE THEIR INCOME FROM THEIR FULL-TIME JOBS. I'M HAPPY TO DO MY PART.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A SOLUTION BECAUSE I CANNOT HOUSE

EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. >> NEXT ITEM ON 158.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON .1-5 PEOPLE ARE BURDENED BY RENT MEANING THEY SPEND OVER A THIRD OF THEIR MONTHLY INCOME ON HOUSING. PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE DISAPPOINTEDLY IMPACTED. BLACK NATIVE AMERICAN AND LATINO HOUSEHOLDS OVER 30% MORE LIKELY TO BE BURDENED WHILE ALSO HAVING THE LOWEST INCOME. IT WAS ONLY GETTING WORSE AS THOSE ALREADY LIVING ON THE MARGINS PAY THE GREATEST COST. FACING HIGHER RATES OF HOMELESSNESS AND DISPLACEMENT AND A HIGHER RESULT. RENT HAS GONE UP 22% SINCE 2019 WHILE WAGES AND INFLATION HAS BROUGHT

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$40,000. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> NEXT SPEAKER NUMBER 37 SPEAKING ON ITEM 158. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THAT AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I REALLY WANTED TO SPEAK ON ITEM 158. ALTHOUGH WE SEE THERE ARE VERY LIGHTHEARTED ATTEMPTS AT MAKING STRIDES AND ADDRESSING THE HOUSING SITUATION IN HARRIS COUNTY I GROW TIRED OF THE CONVERSATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE ARE NOT BEING HONEST ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GREATER AREAS OF AMI VERSUS HYPER LOCAL. FOR EXAMPLE IN ACRES HOME THE AVERAGE PERSON EARNS ABOUT $40,000 PER YEAR. WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT WHAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOOKS LIKE ON THE CITY LOCAL IT INCREASINGLY OUTPACES THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE ACRES HOME AREA. WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS GOING VERSUS AN AREA THAT IS 9.2 SQUARE MILES YOU ARE NOT BEING VERY HONEST WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS POLICY GO FURTHER AND DISCUSS WHAT HYPER LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING

LOOKS LIKE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WASN'T THERE A CANDOR INSTITUTE STUDY ABOUT THE HOUSING NEEDS AND IT

WAS LIKE AN ENORMOUS NUMBER? >> AND HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS WORKING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGIC PLANNING AS WELL. THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT. IT IS A HUGE

NEED. >> WE KNOW IT IS MASSIVE. LIKE SOMEBODY WAS SAYING SHE CANNOT HOUSE EVERYONE. EVEN FOR US THE NUMBERS ARE HUMONGOUS. I'M GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING AT A STRATEGY. MAYBE SOMEONE CAN VISIT WITH A LEADER OF THE GROUP TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY FEEDBACK. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> NEXT SPEAKER NUMBER 25 SPEAKING ON ITEM 20. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

'S >> THAT AFTERNOON. I AM THE SENIOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR. WE ARE A NONPROFIT THAT SERVES WITH SOCIAL SERVICES, POLICY AND ADVOCACY WORK. PART OF THE WORK IS WITH HIM AGAIN -- WITH THE BUDGET CYCLE COMING UP I WANT TO MENTION WHEN WE ASK WHAT SAFETY LOOKS LIKE THEY DO NOT ADVOCATE FOR MORE POLICING BUT INSTEAD SUPPORT SOLUTIONS LIKE A HEART PROGRAM AMONGST OTHERS.

SURVIVORS MUST HAVE ACCESS TO OTHER RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE POLICING AS BACK AND EXPOSE THEM TO ARREST AND DEPORTATION. THE HEART PROGRAM OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN SAFETY AND SECURITY WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF POLICE. I HOPE THAT WE CAN USE THE BUDGET TO EXPAND HEART AS IT IS A NECESSARY RESOURCE. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR SPEAKER IS ON THE LINE. DID YOU

WANT TO TAKE HIM NOW? >> YES. I DID WANT TO MENTION AS HE COMES ON QUICKLY FOUR POINTS. I REQUESTED A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND INITIATIVES. THEY SUBMITTED THE REPORT. THE RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS DIVISION CAME BACK WITH 12 INITIATIVES WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE VOTER REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION. WE ARE DOING NINE OF THOSE.

WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO WITH THIS IS HELP WITH TWO-WAY TEXTING, DEVELOP AN UN-REGISTERED VOTERS MAP AND SEND OUT TARGETED BALLOTS TO UNREGISTERED VOTERS THROUGH A PILOT PROGRAM. IT IS PRETTY MUCH FOLLOWING WHAT TRAVIS COUNTY IS DOING. THANK YOU FOR COMING. I KNOW THIS MIGHT BE YOU ALL SCORED DAILY AS WELL. YOU ARE ON THE LINE TO SPEAK TO

US. >> THANK YOU. IT WAS GREAT TO BE WITH YOU ALL. I AM A TRAVIS COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR AND VOTER REGISTRAR. IT WAS GOOD TO BE BACK WITH YOU. TEXAS IS ONE OF

[03:05:06]

TRAVIS COUNTY HAVE CONTRACTED TO IDENTIFY NEW VOTERS WILL NOT REGISTER TO VOTE. WE WILL REACH OUT TO 23,000 NEW RESIDENTS WERE NOT REGISTERED. ABOUT 40% WERE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN 85% OF THOSE WILL ACTUALLY TURN OUT. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE DATA AND SHARING WHAT WE HAVE WITH Y'ALL WHEN WE DO. WE APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST IN HELPING MORE CITIZENS REGISTERED TO VOTE AND BE A PART OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> THANK YOU. YOU ALL ARE SO CREATIVE IN TRAVIS COUNTY. WE PLAN TO SURPASS HER EFFORTS IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT FUTURE.

DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT IT. >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT IS YOUR PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REGISTRANTS VERSUS

ELIGIBLE VOTERS? >> WE ARE AT 95.8% OF ELIGIBLE CITIZENS. IN 2020 THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL WE WERE ABLE TO

GET IT UP TO 97%. >> WE TRIED THE MATH OF WHAT PERCENTAGE. DID YOU SAY 25? CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, WE ARE TRYING TO DO SOME MATH WITH THE TABLE THAT WE GOT AND THIS IS JUST HARRIS COUNTY . IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE AT 75% OF ELIGIBLE REGISTERED. PLEASE TELL ME IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT I AM SAYING INCORRECTLY. I WAS TRYING TO GET A POINT OF COMPARISON. YOU HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION SOMEHOW WITH MORE REGISTRANTS EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE JUST

A PORTION? >> ABSOLUTELY. IN HARRIS COUNTY HOURS IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN THE STATE. IT IS VERY LABOR-INTENSIVE. IT TAKES A LOT OF TOUCHES. WE HAVE A LOT OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SO PEOPLE BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCESS OF REGISTERING TO VOTE AND BEING PHYSICALLY ENGAGED.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING TO MAKE SURE IT IS A NONPARTISAN EFFORT? IF WE HAVE LOCAL PARTNERS AND WORK WITH US. OUR VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTERS ARE REQUIRED TO BE NONPARTISAN WHEN THEY ARE IN A SITUATION THAT CALLS FOR THAT. BECAUSE WE ARE DOING A PUBLIC SERVICE WE ARE NOT FOR A POLITICAL PARTY OR CANDIDATE. THEY HAVE TO BE NONPARTISAN.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE TO RUN. THE LAST QUESTION HERE ON THE SPECIFIC TACTICS. MRS. CAESAR, YOU MENTIONED YOU GUYS HAVE DONE THE TEXT TO REGISTER, MAYBE NOT CURRENTLY?

>> WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING IT BACK.

>> WHAT IS TEXT TO REGISTER AND WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO

SPECIFICALLY? >> IS THAT FOR ME?

>> YES. >> WE HAVE DONE TAX TO REGISTER IN THE PAST. BECAUSE TAXES ISN'T ONE OF THE 43 STATES THAT ALLOWS ITS CITIZENS TO REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE WE HAVE TO FILL IT OUT AND MAIL IT TO THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE A WET SIGNATURE. SOMEDAY HOPEFULLY TEXAS WILL JOIN THE OTHER STATES TO ALLOW THEIR CITIZENS TO REGISTER ONLINE. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOLS. WE ARE AND ALL OF THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES. WE HAVE TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS REGISTERING VOTERS IN THE SCHOOLS. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF BUSINESS PARTNERS WHERE WE HAVE VOTER REGISTRATION TABLES. IN HONOR OF THE DEADLINE WILL BE AT 50-60 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT TRAVIS COUNTY FROM 8:00 IN THE MORNING UNTIL MIDNIGHT. WHEN WE DID IT IN 2018 REREGISTERED 40,000 PEOPLE ON THAT DAY. IF I CAN SEE HOW THAT WOULD WORK BEYOND HAVING A BILLBOARD OR THE MORE TARGETED OUTREACH. THANK YOU. WE ALL KNOW HOW BUSY

YOU ARE. >> THANK YOU FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US AND WHAT YOU DO FOR TRAVIS COUNTY. MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ASKED THE KEY QUESTIONS THAT I WANTED. IF YOU HAVE TO SYNTHESIZE IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU HAVE FOUND TO BE THE TOP THREE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REGISTER VOTERS BASED ON EVERYTHING

[03:10:04]

>> TO HOST A LOT OF LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE WANT PEOPLE TO REALIZE ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP. EVEN IF THEY ARE REGISTERED, THEY MAY NOT BE REGISTERED AT THEIR CURRENT ADDRESS. WE NEED TO BE IN YOUR FACE ALL YEAR SO THAT YOU ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED ABOUT THE NEED TO REGISTER TO VOTE. OUR PARTNERS ARE VERY HELPFUL WITH THAT.

>> OUT OF CURIOSITY, I KNOW TRAVIS IS SMALLER THAN HARRIS BUT HOW BIG IS YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION TEAM?

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 13 EMPLOYEES AND WE HAVE 4000 VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRARS. SPEE MEANT ONE THING THAT STRUCK ME, I THINK IT IS AMAZING THAT YOU ARE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS. HOW MANY DIFFERENT GRADUATIONS? I USED TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER. MY SOUL IS SMILING. THAT IS MY DREAM FOR

HARRIS COUNTY. >> WE ARE AND ALL OF THEM .

SPEE MET PARDON ME? >> HE SAID ALL OF THEM.

>> IN TERMS OF VOLUME HOW MANY HUNDREDS OR WHAT IS THE SCOPE?

I THINK THAT IS PHENOMENAL. >> I DON'T REMEMBER HOW MANY GRADUATES WE HAVE PER YEAR, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY THOUSANDS. WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF VDR'S WHO ATTEND ALL OF THE GRADUATIONS.

WE ARE ALSO THE CEREMONIES. >> I DO KNOW OUR POPULATION IS PROBABLY A BIT MORE MOBILE. WE HAVE A LOT MORE RENTERS AND PEOPLE CHANGING ADDRESSES A LOT MORE. OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE A BIG STUDENT POPULATION AND I AM ASSUMING YOU TARGET THOSE AS WELL SINCE THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE WHEREVER THEY RESIDE WITH THEIR PARENTS OR GO TO COLLEGE?

>> WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH ALL THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS A HUGE PARTNER WITH US. THEY ALLOW AND PROMOTE OUR VOLUNTARY DEPUTY REGISTRARS HAVING TABLES THROUGHOUT THEIR CAMPUS.

>> CAN I SNEAK IN ONE MORE QUESTION? HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE

THAT THE VDR'S'S ARE ACTIVE? >> THAT IS A CHALLENGE. 25% ARE VERY ACTIVE AND GETTING A LOT OF WORK DONE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> GOOD LUCK. >> GOODBYE.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 39 SPEAKING ON ITEM 324. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU JUDGE. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE RESOURCE PROGRAM.

FOLLOW ME IF YOU WILL FOR A SECOND. YOU GET BOOKED INTO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. AS YOU ARE BEING BOLD YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE GIVEN A GENERAL O.R. BOND. YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT A NEGATIVE POSITION, YOU ARE IN JAIL AND BEING RELEASED BACK ONTO THE STREET IN A WORSE POSITION THAN YOU ARE 24-48 HOURS BEFORE. UNLIKE MOST OF US WHO HAVE A HOME, A PLACE TO GO, A FAMILY, A SUPPORT SYSTEM, MOST OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE TRYING TO GET BY WITH THE BARE MINIMUM. THE CART PROGRAM PROVIDES THEM WITH TANGIBLE REFERRALS AND RESOURCES SO THAT WHEN THEY WALK OUT THEY HAVE A DIRECTION. THEY GET PICKED UP TO GO TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. THEY HAVE SOMEONE CALLING AND REMINDING THEM ABOUT THEIR NEXT COURT DATE TO

MITIGATE NON-COURT APPEARANCE. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> WAS THAT ALL? >> IN ADDITION TO THE COURT MITIGATING NON-COURT APPEARANCE WE ARE LOOKING AT REDUCING RECIDIVISM. WE'RE TRYING TO LINK THESE INDIVIDUALS UP WITH THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM. WE ARE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THESE PROGRAMS TO THE FELONY SIDE OF THE HOUSE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 42 SPEAKING ON ITEM 324. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

[03:15:09]

>> AN AFTERNOON JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. -- GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON COMMISSIONER BRIONES'S PLATFORM. MENTAL ILLNESS HAS RUN RAMPANT IN MY FAMILY. I THINK IT IS TIME THAT WE DO MORE TO SPEND RESOURCES TOWARD PEOPLE WHO SUFFER WITH MENTAL ILLNESS TREATING AND AS WHAT IT IS. IT IS A HEALTH CRISIS.

EVERY TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS TRAGIC THE FIRST THING YOU HEAR IS MENTAL ILLNESS, BUT THE RESOURCES ARE NOT THERE. WE CAN LOOK IN THE JAILS, WE CAN LOOK AT THE TIMES THE PEOPLE DO NOT GET THE RESOURCES. HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IS KNOWN AS THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE IN TEXAS. IT IS TIME THAT WE PUT REAL RESOURCES BEHIND TREATING THESE PEOPLE. THEY DESERVE TO BE TREATED BETTER. WE WANT TO TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE SUGGESTIONS THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES PUT FORTH.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> CHRISTIAN HOMES SPEAKING ON ITEM 324. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM WITH THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE COMPETENCY PROGRAM. I AM IN SUPPORT OF ITEMS 19 THROUGH 24 TO PROVIDE DESPERATELY NEEDED RESOURCES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. THESE PROGRAMS HELP INCOMPETENT INDIVIDUALS RETURN TO COURT. MORE THAN RESTORING COMPETENCY WE RESTORE HOPE. WE TEACH OUR PATIENTS LIFE SKILLS TO HELP THEM TAKE A DIFFERENT PATH UPON THEIR RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY. WE TAKE A HOLISTIC ROCHE TO COMPETENCY RESTORATION INCLUDING GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL THERAPY, YOGA MEDITATION, RECREATIONAL THERAPY AND PEER SUPPORT. THESE EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN A RESTORATION RATE OF 91%. I ASKED THE COURT TO APPROVE THE ADVANCING JUSTICE INITIATIVE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENCE. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THE COURT IS DOING.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> ON 324 WAS THAT A PARTICULAR DOCUMENT THAT WAS CIRCULATED? I HAVE A MOTION, I DON'T HAVE

THE SPECIFIC PROPOSAL. >> THERE ARE A VARIETY OF ITEMS. THEY ARE ALL ITEMS THAT WERE FILED.

>> OUR TEAM CAN RESEND THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE REQUISITE RULES. IT IS A ADVANCED PACKAGE THAT HAS A MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT, A COURT RESOURCES COMPONENT. IT HAS A REMINDERS TO DEFENDANT COMPONENTS, A FIVE PRONG PLAN THAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THIS AFTERNOON. TAKE YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE RESTORATION RATE AND TO YOUR TEAM . SPIRIT I AM NOT SAYING IT WASN'T SUBMITTED ACCORDING TO THE RULES, I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT

INFORMATION IS? >> THERE ARE A VARIETY OF

ITEMS. >> IS ONLY ONE ITEM, 324?

>> THEY GO IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER ITEMS IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING FOR THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE, A FIVE PRONGED PLAN.

>> TO TAKE ITEM 19 AND 324 TOGETHER, BUT ARE THERE OTHER AGENDA ITEMS? I WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AS WE LISTEN TO THE SPEAKERS. IF THE NUMBERS WILL BE SENT AROUND TO ALL COURT MEMBERS. WE ARE JUST GOING THROUGH THE LIST OF REGULAR SPEAKERS. NO ONE IS GOING OUT OF WATER.

>> I AM NOT SAYING ANYONE IS GOING OUT OF ORDER. I'M ASKING WHAT IS THE PROPOSAL BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN IT. I'M SURE IT IS SOMEWHERE. I JUST DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I KNOW WHAT THE SPEAKERS ARE TALKING ABOUT AS THEY TALK

ABOUT IT. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 40 SPEAKING ON ITEM 324. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON . THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME. I WILL SPEAK BRIEFLY ON THIS ITEM. I WANT TO GIVE OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE COURSE REALLY FOCUSING ON THE RESOURCES AND THE NEEDS OF THE CRIMINAL COURT. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE I AM FROM THE COUNTY

[03:20:07]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU FOR THAT. IF PLEASE, DO CALL US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. IF WE APPRECIATE

YOUR PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 46, RAVEN WASHINGTON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>>> WE WILL MOVE ON. KIMBERLY GAINES SPEAKING ON ITEM 387.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> SHE IS TAKING HER WAY. -- MAKING HER WAY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM KIMBERLY GAINES. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM A PART OF A PROGRAM CALLED ACCESS AND THEY HAVE REALLY WORKED FOR ME AND MY SON WHO IS 11 YEARS OLD. IN REGARDS TO SERVICES THAT THEY HAVE HELPED ME ACHIEVE AND ONGOING SERVICES AS WELL. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN WE DID NOT HAVE CLOTHING, FOOD, OR WE WERE JUST REGISTERING FOR S.N.A.P. BENEFITS AND THEY PLAYED AN AND TRICKLE ROLE IN US ACHIEVING THAT. ESPECIALLY WITH US BEING CHRONICALLY HOMELESS. A LOT, EVEN AS WE SPEAK , IS TOUGH RIGHT NOW BUT I AM HERE AND THEY ARE VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF US.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS WONDERFUL THAT YOU

ARE SHARING WITH US. >> NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 51.

RICARDO PITT TDOT ON ITEM 387 WITH AN INTERPRETER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO AND GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS RICARDO. I WANT TO THANK THE ACCESS PROGRAM FOR THE TRANSPORTATION THEY HAVE PROVIDED FOR ME. AND ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR ME WHEN I AM NEEDING SUPPORT. AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE FOR THE NEW PROGRAM YOU ARE OFFERING ME, THE ESL PROGRAM, SO I CAN APPLY FOR MY GED. AND LATER ON FOR A LICENSE TO WORK.

SO, IN THE FUTURE, I CAN BE A SELF-SUFFICIENT PERSON.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 53.

[03:25:03]

MINUTE. >> TRANSLATOR: GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS MARIA ESPERANZA. I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY FOR THE PROGRAMS YOU HAVE BEEN OFFERING. I HAVE BEEN IN NUTRITION CLASS FOR ONE YEAR.

>> TRANSLATOR: DURING THIS TIME THEY HAVE OFFERED ME A PROGRAM THAT OFFERS ME HAD BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I FEEL THAT WHEN YOU HELP A PERSON YOU HELP A FAMILY AND TO HELP AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THE ACCESS PROGRAM HAS A STAFF THAT IS ALWAYS VERY COURTEOUS AND THEY ARE CAREFUL OF WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS NEED. AND ALSO A WAY TO CONTINUE

MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> WHAT IS THE EXACT PROGRAM THAT YOU ARE IN. WHAT DOES THE NUTRITION PROGRAM CONSIST OF?

>> TRANSLATOR: I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME EXACTLY BUT IT IS A COURSE FOR A WHOLE YEAR AND THEY FOLLOW UP ON YOUR WEIGHT AND THEY HELP YOU READ THE FOOD LABELS AND HOW TO MAINTAIN BALANCED NUTRITION , BALANCING YOUR FOOD ACCORDING TO YOUR AGENT IF YOU ARE A FEMALE OR A MALE. THEY START YOU OFF WITH TWICE A MONTH AND THEN ONCE A MONTH FOR A WHOLE

YEAR. >> OKAY.

>> NEXT IS BREAKER NUMBER 41, CORETTA BROWN . YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM CARETTA BROWNED AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BRIDGES AND POWER PIN -- EMPOWERMENT. WE MONITOR WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH CLIENT SENT IN THE COURTROOMS AND THEN REPORT BACK AND I AM HERE TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF THE BUDGET THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS PUSHING FORWARD. WE BELIEVE THAT BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO THE COURTROOMS WILL HELP ON THE AREA DEFENSE. I AM CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE WAY A -- THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS ARE UTILIZING THEIR BUDGET AND HOW THEY ARE BEING FUNDED AND ASKING THAT YOU WILL RESEARCH THE AMOUNT OF CLIENTS AND CASELOADS THAT THEY HAVE. I AM FINDING WITH THE CLIENTS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THEY ARE NEGLECTFUL BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THEIR CASELOADS. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE

HERE FIRST. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. JUDGE, TO RESPOND TO THE DIFFERENT NUMBERS, ALL OF THE COURT PACKAGE RESOURCES IT IS ITEMS NINE, 19, 183, 324,

AND 380. >> OKAY.

>> NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 54, SARAH BREMEN. ON ITEM 342. YOU

HAVE ONE MINUTE . >> HELLO. I AM SARAH AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4. I AM HERE FROM -- COLLECTIVE AND SUPPORTIVE THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. IT FOCUSES ON FREEZING LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING AND INCREASING SOCIAL SERVICE FUNDING AS WELL AS MAKING THE BUDGET PROCESS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE. UPLIFT SUPPORTS FAMILIES TOWARDS ECONOMIC

[03:30:11]

>> THANK YOU . >> NEXT TO SPEAKER 56, ANTHONY

RIOS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> ALL RIGHT . LET'S GO TO THE

NEXT SPEAKER. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 58. COACH CAM ON ITEM 392 . YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I THINK HE IS MAKING HIS WAY. YES.

>> I KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT WINNING AND LOSING PLAYBOOKS.

THE UPLOAD HARRIS PROGRAM IS A PAGE FROM THE PLAYBOOK. THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WITH MINIMAL ADMINISTRATIVE COST ASSURING THE MAJORITY OF FUNDS BENEFIT THOSE IN NEED HOWEVER THE PROPOSED REDESIGN INTRODUCES A MORE COMPLEX SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATIVE FEES, THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL PLAN. THIS WILL WASTE RESOURCES AND IT UNDERMINES THE GOAL OF PROVIDING DIRECT SUPPORT TO STRUGGLING FAMILIES. WE HAVE HAD THE COURAGE TO TAKE ON LENDING FROM PAY LOANS AND CAR LOAN TITLES. THERE IS NO WAY THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO PREDATORY FEES. IF THIS WERE A CORPORATE SUBSIDY THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO WORKING CAPITAL AND NOT FEES. THE PURPOSE OF THE INVISIBLE HAND IS TO LIFT PEOPLE UP AND NOT HOLD FOLKS BACK.

>> THANK YOU . >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 57, SUKI --,

SPEAKING ON ITEM 392. >> MY NAME IS SUKI AND I SERVE AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF -- INCOME AND I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE -- INCIDENTS HAPPENING NATIONWIDE. -- ARE ABLE TO RISE ABOVE THE BARRIERS OF POVERTY AND CREATE ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES. THAN THEY HAVE FUNDING FOR THE BASICS LIKE CLOTHING, FOOD, DIAPERS. -- PROGRAM'S AND I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO TAKE A BOLD AND PRINCIPLED APPROACH TO

LEADERSHIP TO UPLIFT HARRIS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS ROD NELSON. WE APPRECIATE THE MAYOR BEING ON

THE LINE. >> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE

TIME. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 59, JOY DAVIS, SPEAKING ON ITEM 392. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE. IN A WORLD OF RATE WEALTH I STAND BEFORE YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR A CAUSE THAT ALIGNS DEEPLY WITH FUNDAMENTAL VALUES. THE NECESSITY OF THE UPLIFT HARRIS PROGRAM. WE SHOULD LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELVES. IN OUR SOCIETY WE FIND TOO MANY STRUGGLING IN POVERTY AND THEIR BASIC NEEDS NOT MET. WE MUST EXAMINE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUS A COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE. UPLIFT HARRIS IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC INEQUALITIES AND ENSURE PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE. AS WE STRIVE FOR A SOCIETY WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN ACCESS BASIC NEEDS IT, WHEN YOU ARE THERE FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF

[03:35:01]

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER TWO, SARAH NIGHT. YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS SARAH NIGHT CO.

GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL OF YOU. MY SON JAYLEN ANDERSON WAS 29 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS KILLED BY LASALLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN LOUISIANA , THIS YEAR, APRIL 3. I WANT TO START WITH GIVING YOU TWO WORDS. RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. WHEN HARRIS COUNTY DECIDED TO SHIP PRETRIAL LEGALLY INNOCENT TO LASALLE CORRECTIONAL ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHERS, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIFE AND HIS WELL-BEING. IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT LASALLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, A PRIVATE PRISON COMPANY, HAS AN AWFUL REPUTATION FOR PUTTING PROFITS OVER PEOPLE. THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM FOR NEGLIGENCE, FOR THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE IN THEIR

CUSTODY AND LETTING THEM DIE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP .

>> I NOW HAVE A HUGE FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL BURDEN ON MY

SHOULDERS. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> MY SON WON'T BE ABLE TO -- I'M SORRY FOR TAKING YOUR TIME -- BUT I HAVE FIVE GRANDCHILDREN AND I HAVE ONE GRANDDAUGHTER ON THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE ROBBED THESE PEOPLE.

YOU ROBBED MY GRANDCHILDREN AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THEIR FATHER. THEIR FATHER WON'T BE ABLE TO WALK THEM DOWN THE AISLE. I'M SORRY BUT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE

. >> YOU DO NOT NEED TO APOLOGIZE AND I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF YOUR SON. JUST KNOW WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BRING THE JAIL POPULATION DOWN SO THAT WE DON'T NEED TO SEND PEOPLE OUT OF STATE AND IT REALLY IS A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. I KNOW THAT THE TEAM IS GOING TO VISIT WITH THE REVEREND HERE SO IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD. WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

>> IT DOES NOT GET ANY EASIER. EVERY TIME I COME HERE.

>> I KNOW IT. I KNOW WHAT. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER FOUR, NON-AGENDA, BRODRICK BUTLER.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I DON'T THINK HE IS HERE.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER SIX, JACOB CLEMENT TOUCH . YOU HAVE

ONE MINUTE . >> HELLO. ALL I WANT TO SAY IS -- UNITED STATES -- ATHLETIC EVENT WHERE THEY COVER THE EXPENSES. I THINK IT WOULD BE -- LIKE HARRIS COUNTY CORPORATION TO HAVE THE OLYMPICS AND THE PARALYMPICS HERE. THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING PEOPLE GET JOBS. -- SOMEONE HELPED ME GET A JOB AND I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT DOING THE

BEST JOB POSSIBLE. >> THANK YOU .

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER SEVEN. RANDY TREVINO. YOU HAVE

ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM HERE TODAY AS A MEMBER OF THE HEALTHY COMMUNITY COALITION AND I AM A RESIDENT OF SOUTHEAST HOUSTON AND TODAY I AM TALKING ABOUT PROJECT 11, THE 11TH EXPANSION OF THE DASHED CHANNEL. WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO THE EXPANSION ITSELF, THE DEEPENING AND THE WIDENING OF THE CHANNEL. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MATERIAL COMING OUT OF PARTS OF THE CHANNEL, PARTS

[03:40:01]

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER EIGHT. -- MIRANDA. SHE WILL BE USING THE INTERPRETER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

NAYS HELLO, MY NAME IS ROZELLE MIRANDA AND I AM HERE BECAUSE I NEED YOUR HELP. I LIVE IN THE AREA OF GREEN ROAD AND I AM PART OF A BUYOUT PROGRAM.

>> THE PROGRAM OFFERED ME TO RELOCATE AND ONLY OFFERED ME $34,000 AND THAT IS IS NOT ENOUGH FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN.

>> TRANSLATOR: LAST YEAR YOU ALLOCATED $7.5 MILLION FOR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE AID AND YOU ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS NO MONEY ANYMORE AND THAT WE HAVE ONLY THIS MONTH TO MOVE OUT.

I AM NOT GOING TO FIND A PLACE TO RENT WITH $34,000. I ASK THAT YOU HELP US ON THIS ISSUE. WE ARE 20 FAMILIES THAT ARE STILL WAITING TO GET HELP . PLEASE DON'T FORGET US. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS A NON-AGENDA ITEM SO, WE CANNOT ADDRESS IT DIRECTLY BUT I KNOW THAT DIRECTOR KOSTAS IS LISTENING AND I KNOW THAT WHAT THESE FOLKS ARE SPEAKING OF ARE THE MOST COMPLICATED BUYOUT CASES AND I WOULD JUST ASK FOR THE HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR BEST TO WORK WITH THESE

FAMILIES. THANK YOU. >> I THINK IT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

IT HAS BEEN YEARS ON THIS ISSUE. SO, I WILL JUST SAY THIS AND WE WILL VISIT BEHIND THE SCENES BUT IT IS JUST TOTALLY

UNACCEPTABLE. >> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER MARIA OUT -- MARIA BARRO. SHE WILL BE USING THE INTERPRETER.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> TRANSLATOR: GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MARIA BARRO. THIS IS SOMETHING VERY TRAUMATIC FOR ME. I AM PART OF THE BUYOUT PROGRAM THAT IS LOCATED ON BREACH ROAD.

I AM HERE TO APPEAL FOR THE AMOUNT THAT YOU ARE OFFERING ME. YOU ARE ONLY OFFERING ME $50,000.

>> TRANSLATOR: I AM THE PROPERTY OWNER OF THE MOBILE

[03:45:07]

>> TRANSLATOR: I HAVE BEEN LIVING THERE SINCE 1998 . 26 YEARS LIVING IN THAT PLACE. AND I FEEL THAT IT IS JUST FAIR THAT YOU HELP ME WITH AN AMOUNT THAT I AM ABLE TO LIVE WITH.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> IS THERE AN ITEM, COUNTY ATTORNEY, THAT I COULD POSSIBLY SPEAK TO THIS UNDER FLOODING OR COMMUNITY SERVICES?

>> JUDGE, LET ME REVIEW AND GET BACK TO YOU.

>> OKAY. >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 11, MARIA DIAZ, USING THE INTERPRETER. YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> TRANSLATOR: GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS MARIA DIAZ AND I AM PART OF THE BUYOUT PROGRAM IN ALLEN FIELD. I NEED YOUR HELP TO HAVE THE FULL AMOUNT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO BUY A HOME. I NEED YOUR HELP BECAUSE THE AMOUNT WAS GIVEN TO -- VELAZQUEZ AND YOU DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MYSELF NOR DID YOU LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTS WHERE IT SHOWED THAT I WAS THE OWNER. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO CONTRACT -- TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY BECAUSE I AM HELPING MY MOM WHO HAS CANCER. I AM THE ONE WHO TAKES CARE OF HER EXPENSES. AND I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME SO THAT I CAN RECOVER THE AMOUNT IS DUE

ME. THANK YOU. >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER 13. EDDIE

ALMS . YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS EDDIE RAY HOLMES. I AM HERE TO MAKE MY ANNOUNCEMENT BE FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN FILED.

WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLES OFFICE. I AM A VETERAN POLICE OFFICER WITH 18 1/2 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. I DID 14 WITH THE PRECINCT. I AM A MASTERPIECE OFFICER. FIELD TRAINING OFFICER. I AM MAKING MY ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE YOU -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SHERIFF, I DID TRY TO KEEP THIS INTERNALLY. THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO THAT. SO THAT IS MY

ANNOUNCEMENT TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH.

>> ANY COOPERATION, DUE DILIGENCE, ASSISTANCE THAT I GAVE YOU, I HOPE YOU WILL GIVE TO ME. THANK YOU.

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER FOUR. BRODRICK BUTLER. IT LOOKS

LIKE HE IS THERE NOW. >> I AM ABOUT TO SPEAK TO IT, IF IT IS POSSIBLE. IS IT OKAY IF I ADDRESS THEM? THEY SAID I COULD SPEAK UNDER ITEM 378. SO, HOW LONG -- WHAT YEAR DID THIS

[03:50:12]

>> I JOINED IT JANUARY 2023. >> I THOUGHT WE HAD ADDRESSED THIS, IS THE THING. I THOUGHT WE HAD ADDRESSED THIS AFTER DOCTOR KIM TOOK OVER. WHEN WAS THIS?

>> IT TOOK US INTO THE LATER PART OF 2023 TO COME TO A

DECISION ABOUT FUNDS. >> I HATE THAT WE ARE HERE AGAIN. OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS AND WE CAN'T SOLVE THEM BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WE LITERALLY CREATED BY DECIDING THAT WILL WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE TO UNDERGO A BUYOUT. I THINK WE BETTER FIX THIS. ARE THERE OTHER FAMILIES LIKE YOURS THAT BETTER GOING THROUGH A SIMILAR ISSUE?

>>, WE ARE AT THE TAIL END. >> JUST A MOMENT, DIRECTOR. I AM ASKING THE SPEAKERS. I KNOW YOU CAN'T SEE THEM.

>> TRANSLATOR: YES, THERE ARE OTHER FAMILIES AND OTHER FAMILIES ARE HAVING PROBLEMS AND ISSUES EVEN AFTER THE BUYOUT. IT WAS NOT WHAT THEY EXPECTED AND THEY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH PAYING FOR THE MOVERS.

>> TRANSLATOR: ALL OF THESE FAMILIES ARE ALSO UNDER A LOT OF STRESS BECAUSE THEY ARE RECEIVING LETTERS TELLING THEM THAT THEY NEED TO MOVE OUT BY MID AUGUST AND SO, BECAUSE OF THIS THEY ARE UNDER A LOT OF STRESS. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR ANOTHER HOUSE. THEY ALSO DON'T HAVE THE CREDIT HISTORY. OR DOCUMENTS TO

REQUEST A LOAN. >> HERE IS THE THING. THIS HAS GONE WAY, WAY TOO LONG . RIGHT NOW MY INSTINCT IS TO SAY, LET'S JUST SIT WITH THEM, AND I KNOW, DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE AND I AM SURE YOUR TEAM HAS TRIED THEIR BEST WITH THIS. I KNOW THIS WAS DROPPED ON YOU WHEN YOU FIRST GOT HERE BUT WHERE WE ARE IS NOT OKAY SO MY INSTINCT IS TO SAY LET'S HAVE THESE FOLKS, MEET WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND FIGURE IT OUT BUT THE PROBLEM IS THEY HAVE SPENT ENOUGH TIME HERE TRYING TO ADVOCATE. THEY ARE BUSY AND WE HAVE SEEN THIS PAIN BEFORE. CAN SOMEBODY GET HER SOME WATER.

>> TRANSLATOR: THAT THIS IS WHAT I MEAN BY THE RESIDENTS SUFFERING BECAUSE OF THIS PROGRAM.

>> I KNOW IT. IS SHE OKAY? CAN THERE BE A MEDICAL -- PLEASE -- LET'S PAUSE. THIS IS BASIC, FOOD, WATER, SHELTER. WE ARE

[03:55:06]

>>>

>>> IT IS 3:26 AN COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN PROGRESS. DO WE HAVE ANY MORE PUBLIC SPEAKERS ?

>> YES. THE NEXT NON-AGENDA SPEAKER IS BRODRICK --. YOU

HAVE ONE MINUTE >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM BRODRICK BUTLER AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING THAT I HOPE THE COUNTY WILL ASSIST IN.

THE TRAINING THAT I ATTENDED ONE WEEK AGO INVOLVED THE PROPER USE OF A GENERATOR, USING SOLAR BATTERIES AND BASIC MEDICAL TRAINING . I HOPE THAT HARRIS COUNTY SUPPORTS THIS HANDS-ON TRAINING GOING FORWARD THROUGH COMMUNITY LEADERS , NONPROFITS, CHURCHES, AND TRUSTED INDIVIDUALS. THIS ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO SURVIVE UNTIL THE COUNTY CAN SHOW UP TO HELP. IT IS A VERY SIMPLE CONCEPT . EACH ONE OF YOU KNOWS TRUSTED INDIVIDUALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY THAT YOU CAN CALL UPON THAT CAN TURN THEIR LOCATION INTO A HUB AND LET THE COMMUNITY SURVIVE SENIORS, YOUNG PEOPLE STILL NEED TO KNOW WHAT A GENERATOR LOOKS LIKE AND HOW TO WORK IT. THEREFORE, IF IN ANY WAY THE COUNTY CAN BE ENCOURAGING OF INDIVIDUALS TO HOLD THESE TRAININGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, THE TRAINING, AND THE KNOWLEDGE, WHETHER IT BE FROM 6-60, TO SURVIVE DURING THE STORM, UNTIL YOU WE AND YOUR PEOPLE CAN HELP THEM, THEN AGAIN, YOU CAN'T TRAIN THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BUT YOU CAN TRAIN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS AT LEAST YOU CAN SAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVES.

>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH. >> IS THIS A GOOD PHONE NUMBER?

>> YES, IT IS. >> WHICH PROGRAM DID YOU SAY?

>> IT WAS THROUGH THE NORTHEAST ACTION COMMITTEE AND WEST

STREET RECOVERY. >> THAT IS GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU MR. BUTLER. I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY

FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, BOSS.

I USED TO WORK FOR THIS GENTLEMAN SO I ALWAYS HAVE TO KNOWLEDGE THAT HE IS PART OF MY ARC. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 14, AUBREY CONTRERAS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MY NAME IS AUBREY CONTRERAS AND THIS IS MY SISTER AND OUR BIGGEST WORRY IS POLLUTION AND IT AFFECTS ME AND MY SISTER BECAUSE WHEN WE GO TO SCHOOL WE FEEL SICK AND DIZZY AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER. AT MY DADS HOUSE THE WATER SMELLS LIKE PENNIES AND WHEN I AM AT MY GRANDMAS HOUSE THE WATER IS BROWN. WE WANT TO SOLVE THIS BY, IF THE BIG COMPANIES CAN BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH BY CLEANING THE WATER AND BEING RESPONSIBLE TO BE SAFE, THEN THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE A COMPANY AT ALL OR BE A BIG COMPANY. IF WE CAN DO OUR OUR PART SO CAN ADULTS AND SO

CAN YOU. >> DID YOUR SISTER WANT TO SAY

ANYTHING? THE LITTLE ONE? >> SHE IS NEXT. SHE IS GOING TO

SPEAK TOO. >> THANK YOU.

>>

. >> I NEED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR AND IT MAKES ME FEEL STRESSED. WHEN I LOOK AT THIS THE POLLUTION COMES ALL THE WAY TO THE SKY.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

[04:00:05]

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS PROJECT 11 RELATED. NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER, NUMBER 16, LISA GUTIERREZ, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME SPEAK. I'M WITH AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON PART OF THE HEALTHY PORTS RESOLUTION. I STARTED DOING THIS ENVIRONMENTAL WORK 15 YEARS AGO WHEN MY SON STARTED DEVELOPING RESPIRATORY ISSUES. WE LIVE NEAR THE PORT AND CHILDREN NEAR THE PORT ARE 50 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GET LEUKEMIA. WE ALREADY HAVE CANCER CLUSTERS IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROJECT IS TO DOWN DRUDGES IN BLACK AND BROWNTUANTS ALREADY BEARING THE BRUNT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS. WE HAD A MEETING THIS TIME LAST YEAR WITH EPA, ARMY CORPS, THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHERE OUR

SHEILA JACKSON LEE WAS WITH US. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> CONTINUE. >> SHE IS AGAINST THE WAY THE CURRENT PROJECT IS BEING DRAWN OUT. SHE SAID SHE WAS COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS COZ MOTGOING TO BE DOLED OUT THE WAY IT IS BEING PROJECTED. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE PROJECT 11 NEEDS TO HAPPEN BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BACKS OF OUR COMMUNITIES ALREADY HURTING WITH OTHER ISSUES. WE DID HAVE A MEETING WITH HARRIS COUNTY WITH EPA, ARMY CORPS, PORT OF HOUSTON WHERE THE COMMUNITY WAS BRINGING UP CONCERNS AROUND THE PROJECT NOT INCORPORATING INNOAA ATLAS 14 PROJECTED RAINFALL THAT HAS ALREADY HAD CATASTROPHIC RAIN PATTERNS AND FLOODING BEING A PART OF THIS PROJECT. WOE JUST ASK TO PLEASE CONSIDER THOSE CONCERNS AND ALSO THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS AND MAYBE FIND A LOOP HOLE THROUGH THERE. CURRENTLY EPA IS TELLING US THAT THE ARMY CORPS DOESN'T HAVE TO TESTING. WE HAVE SPENT OUR OWN ORGANIZATION AND COALITIONS MONEY. WE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE THE RESULTS BUT THE RESULTS ARE ASTONNISHING REGARDING THE

DRUDGE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THAT'S ALL, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. WE WILL FOLLOW UP GIVEN OUR LIMITED ABILITY TO COMMENT ON

[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

PREFERENCE? LET'S CONTINUE. >> OKAY. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VOTING ITEMS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> AND FOR CLARIFICATION, IT IS ITEMS 21 AND 385, CORRECT?

>> LET'S SEE. >> YES, I THINK WE HAVE DISCUSSED IT SO FAR. I DIRECT THE COUNTY TO WORK WITH THE RELEVANT OFFICE TO IMPLEMENT TO TEXT TO REGISTER PROGRAM, DEVELOP AN UNREGISTERED VOTERS MAP, INITIATE THE VOTERS REGISTRATION PILOT AND COME BACK TO THE COURT ON 8/27 WITH UPDATES CAN I ASK CLARIFICATION?

>> YES, SIR. >> SO ARE WE ASKING THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTORS OFFICE TO LEAD IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER? IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE IS ALREADY MOVING FORWARD ON SOME PROGRAM.

>> SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, I WOULD MAKE SURE IT DOES COME BACK. I GOT THE SENSE THAT THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE WAS NOT PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN DOING IT. I DON'T WANT TO WAIT. THAT'S WHY I DIRECTED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH THE TAX ASSESSOR, COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT OFFICE TO IMPLEMENT THE TEXT TO REGISTER PROGRAM, THAT I MENTIONED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT GETS DONE.

[04:05:02]

>> I WILL SECOND. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. MY QUESTION IS ON THE PROCESS, AS YOU KNOW, I'M ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT BECAUSE IF WE -- SO MANY CAUSES ARE SO IMPORTANT. SO IF WE GO OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR ONE, HOW DO WE GO OUTSIDE OF THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR OTHERS. I'M UNDERSTANDING THAT FROM THE MOTION BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE THAT THIS IS ESSENTIALLY FOR THEM TO PROCESS IT THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS OR HOW DOES IT --?

>> IF THERE IS A BUDGET REQUEST, IT WILL COME BACK WITH THE RECOMMENDATION AND WE WOULD MAKE THAT DECISION THEN.

>> WE CAN PRESENT THE BUDGET ON AUGUST 17. WE WILL TAKE IT UP THEN IF THERE IS FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WOULD PREFER BECAUSE AT LEAST PERSONALLY AND AS A COURT, WE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT ABOUT NOT TAKING AD HOC UNLESS IT IS DEBRIS REMOVAL. SO IF YOU THINK THAT CAN BE -- I GUESS THE TIMING IS WELL.

>> WE WILL WORK WITH THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND HAVE IT

PREPARED FOR AUGUST 15. . >> WHEN WE COME TO IT, THIS IS AS IMPORTANT AS DEBRIS REMOVAL. AS SOMEONE WHO IS A DESCENDANT OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T GET THE RIGHT TO VOTE UNTIL THE COUNTRY HAD BEEN AROUND FOR A GREAT WHILE.

>> AND THERE IS A TIME SENSITIVE NATURE TO VOTING,

THAT'S A GOOD POINT. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO. MOTION CARRIES 4-1. THE

NEXT ONE WAS 385, COMMISSIONER. >> I THINK WE DID THAT ONE.

>> THAT IS GOING TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER? THE MOTION YOU JUST

MADE? YES. >> IT IS FOR BOTH.

>> AND THEN THERE IS ITEM 40 ON VETERANS DAY AND ELECTION DAY.

DID YOU WANT TO TAKE THOSE ALONG SIDE AS WELL?

>> I WOULD AT LEAST AS IT RELATES TO ELECTION DAY ITEM.

IF THE CLERK IS STILL HERE, I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT EFFECT IT WOULD HAVE ON THE OFFICE. IF SHE CAN DIAL IN.

>> THE CLERK IS MAKING HER WAY DOWN .

>> PERFECT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I KNOW YOU HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THIS. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALSO

PULLED IT. >> AND JUDGE, I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ALSO HAD SOME LEGAL ISSUES WITH ELECTION DAY IN PARTICULAR, SO I KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE

TO ADDRESS THAT. >> WHILE THE CLERK MAKES HER WAY, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN SHARE WITH US RIGHT NOW?

>> IF THE COURT WANTS TO TAKE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT ANY LEGAL ISSUE INTO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, I'M HAPPY TO OR I CAN GIVE A SUMMARY OF WHAT I TOLD ABOUT MAKING ELECTION DAY A

COUNTY HOLIDAY. >> LET'S START WITH THE

SUMMARY AND THEN SEE. >> SO IN OUR OPINION, THE COURT CANNOT MAKE ELECTION DAY A COUNTY HOLIDAY WHICH IS A HOLIDAY THAT WOULD APPLY TO ALL INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL AS OFFICIALS THAT REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

BUT THEY COULD GIVE THAT UP THROUGH OCO THE DAY OFF AND IT WOULD NOT BE A COUNTY HOLIDAY BUT A DAY OFF FOR THE EMPLOYEES. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS VETERANS DAY WHICH THE COURT CAN DECLARE A HOLIDAY. AS IN A COUNTY HOLIDAY, LIKE WHEN WE DECLARED JUNETEENTH A HOLIDAY, IT WAS ALREADY A HOLIDAY IPHARRIS COUNTY AND WE SAID IT WILL BE A HOLIDAY FOR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND WE ARE ADDING THE ADDITIONAL RESPECT ON TOP OF THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY. THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO IN THIS CASE, WE CAN'T SORT OF INVENT OUR HOLIDAY FOR THAT DAY ALONG THE LINES OF VOTING? WE CAN'T HAVE A

HOLIDAY? >> THAT'S RIGHT. IT HAS TO DO WITH A COUPLE OF OPINIONS THAT DATE BACK TO THE 80S. IT HAS TO BE PULLED FROM THE AND VETERANS DAY IS ONE OF THOSE BUT NOT

ELECTION DAY. >> WE COULD GIVE EMPLOYEES THE

DAY OFF? >> EMPLOYEES THAT REPORT UP TO THE COURT, BUT NOT INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

GOT IT. >> I DID WANT TO SAY THAT I

[04:10:02]

ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE. BUT I DO KNOW THERE WERE CONCERNS THAT MR. HUS HAD ABOUT GETTING ENOUGH WORKERS LEADING INTO A HIGH TURNOUT ELECTION WHICH IS NORMALLY THE CASE IN A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR. I WANTED TO LET HER SPEAK TO THAT ITEM. THANK YOU FOR COMING BACK.

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE MY TENNIS SHOES ON SO I COULD RUN DOWN.

SO FROM AN ADVOCACY STANDPOINT, IT WOULD BE AN IDEA, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS. FROM AN OPERATIONAL STANDPOINT, IT GIVES ME A LOT OF HEARTBURN. WE DEPEND HEAVILY ON ALL COUNTY RESOURCES FOR ELECTION DAY AND EVEN MORE HEARTBURN FOR THIS ELECTION. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT RESOURCES, WOE RELY ON ALL OF THE FACILITIES. A GOOD AMOUNT OF THEM ARE ELECTION LOCATIONS, TRAINING LOCATIONS. WE DEPEND ON YOUR STAFF. WE NOW HAVE A CORE PROGRAM AND MANY OTHER INCENTIVES. SO IN TERMS OF ELECTIONS, WE KNOW WE HAVE TO BE READY TO GO. AND I JUST DON'T SEE IF WE MAKE THIS A COUNTY HOLIDAY, HOW WE CAN MAKE EMPLOYEES WORK, INCLUDING MY OWN THAT DAY. I WOULD HAVE GREAT CONCERN OF THIS. IF WE WANT TO VISIT THIS, WE NEED TO MEET AND SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR A SMALLER TURNOUT ELECTION BUT NOT FOR THIS ONE. EVERYTHING FROM ENGINEERING TO FLOOD CONTROL TO WHATEVER COULD HAPPEN IN HOUSTON AT THAT TIME, WE PULL ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES TOGETHER. YOU KNOW THAT I'M TEXTING AND CALLING YOU THROUGHOUT THAT DAY. WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK THAT DAY AND ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO CAN SUPPORT US. FOR THIS REASON, I WOULD NOT SUGGEST MAKING THIS

ELECTION DAY A HOLIDAY. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES?

>> THANK YOU. IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU. ONE DAY I HOPE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DECLARES ELECTION DAY A NATIONAL HOLIDAY LIGHTNING MANY OTHER COUNTRIES. WE ARE NOT THERE YET. FOR THE OPERATIONAL ISSUES RGS, AT THIS POINT IN TIME I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF MAKING IT A HOLIDAY FOR HARRIS COUNTY. BUT VETERANS DAY IS A FEDERAL AND STATE HOLIDAY AND 21 OF THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTIES IT IS A PAID HOLIDAY.

SO I'M IN FAVOR OF THAT TO THE EXTENT OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. I KNOW WE ARE ABOUT TO HIT THE BUDGET PROCESS. TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN MAKE IT FINANCIALLY WORK FOR THE IMPACT, I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF VETERANS DAY AND NOT ELECTION DAY FOR THE REASONS DISCUSSED. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT PERSPECTIVE.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> I AGREE WITH THE THOUGHTS RELATED TO ELECTION DAY. IT IS ALL HANDS ON DECK. THAT IS NOT EVER GOING TO TO CHANGE. IT WE HAVE ONE ELECTION DAY BUT WE HAVE THREE OR FOUR DAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO WORK THROUGH ON THAT ISSUE. ON VETERANS DAY, CERTAINLY THAT IS AN IMPACT TO THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF COST AND BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO SERVE THE CONSTITUENTS. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE INFORMATION PUT TOGETHER ON THAT. AS AN OPTION, TO VETERANS DAY, I WOULD THINK WE WOULD START WITH GIVING OUR RETRNZ THAT WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY A HOLIDAY FOR THAT DAY. THEY HAVE EARNED IT AND WOULD SEEM LIKE SOMETHING THAT MAY BE A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED BUT CERTAINLY, IT WOULD HAVE LESS IMPACT BUT IT WOULD BE MORE SPECIFICALLY RECOGNIZED THOSE PEOPLE THAT DID SACRIFICE A LOT TO SERVE THE COUNTRY TO RECOGNIZE THEM IN A UNIQUE WAY. WHEN EVERYONE GETS A VETERANS DAY, THEY DON'T NECESSARILY REFLECT ON THE SACRIFICE OF VETERANS. THEY MAY GO SWIMMING, HUNTING, FISHING. I THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE VETERANS ON VETERANS DAY, IT OUGHT TO BE CELEBRATING THEM AND MAYBE GIVING THEM THE DAY OFF. THOSE ARE THINGS WE CAN WORK THROUGH ONCE WE NO MORE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I WOULD HOPE THAT IF WE DO IT, OBVIOUSLY WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FISCAL IMPACT AND THEN LOOK AT GIVING THEM THE OPTION IF WE WILL DO ANY HOLIDAYS OF TAKING THE DAY OFF OR GETTING ADDITIONAL MONEY OR WE COULD LOOK AT THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS AND SEE IF WE ARE DOING ANYTHING THAT IMPACTS THE COST OF THEIR HEALTHCARE. BUT I JUST DONT WANT TO DO SOMETHING THAT MAKES THEM FEEL GOOD AND US

[04:15:01]

OR TO MAKE SURE YOU GIVE THEM THE OPTION OF MAKING ADDITIONAL MONEY IF THEY DO GO INTO EFFECT. IF IT WAS ME, I WOULD

PREFER THAT OPTION. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING DOWN. IF WE WERE TO PASS THIS.

ONE, YOUR WORKFORCE ON ELECTIONS, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS COUNTY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING SECURITY? SO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES BALLPARK OF 400. BUT WE DEPEND ON TEMPORARIES. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TENS OF THOUSANDS ON THAT DAY. I'M JUST KIND OF GIVING A ROUND ABOUT. WE WORK SO MUCH WITH YOUR OFFICES AND STAFF ON THAT DAY. WE WOULD NEED THAT SUPPORT. AND WE ARE AFRAID THAT IF IT IS A HOLIDAY, THEY CAN CHOOSE TO BE OFF AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE THAT SUPPORT.

>> SO LOGISTICALLY, IF WE DECLARED IT A HOLIDAY, WE WOULD SEND EVERYONE HOME AND THEN WE WOULD PAY THEM OVERTIME TO COME

BACK IF THEY WANTED TO. >> YES. IF THEY WANTED TO.

THERE WOULD BE NOTHING OBLIGATING THEM OTHER THAN THE

COMMITMENT TO THE COUNTY. >> THAT'S RIGHT. IT WOULD BE VERY HARD FOR ME TO FACE MY EMPLOYEES AND SAY IT IS A COUNTY HOLIDAY, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO WORK WHICH IS A MANDATE

FOR US ANYWAY. >> THEY WILL WORK HARD UP TO THAT ELECTION, THEN THEY WILL BE OFF AND YOUR ENTIRE APPARATUS GOES AWAY FOR THE DAY YOU NEED IT THE MOST.

>> YEAH, IT'S JUST NOT A REALISTIC OPTION. LIKE I SAID, FROM AN ADVOCACY STANDPOINT, IT MAKES ALL THE SENSE IN THE WORLD FOR PEOPLE TO BE OFF AND VOTE. BUT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TO CONDUCT AND RUN THE ELECTION, IT IS NOT REALISTIC. YOU HAVE GRACIOUSLY CREATED THE CORE PROGRAM AND WE DEPEND HEAVILY ON THAT. YOUR STAFF AND COUNTY STAFFS FROM ALL OVER HARRIS COUNTY THAT COME TO SUPPORT US NOT ONLY THAT NIGHT BUT DURING THE DAY, IT'S A FULL DAY EVENT. AND IT SPILLS OVER ONE

TO TWO DAYS LATER. >> IT COULD COST MONEY TO DECLARE THE HOLIDAY, IT WOULD COST MONEY TO TRY TO GET THE

WORKFORCE BACK. >> I THINK THE WORKFORCE YOU CAN DO BECAUSE YOU ARE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED. YOU WOULD NOT GRANT THE HOLIDAY BUT IT IS NOT GOOD FOR MORALE. LET ME SEE IF MR. CAROUSEL HAS SOMETHING TO ADD. I THINK THE VETERANS DAY IS A GOOD ONE BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST.

RIGHT NOW, IT IS HARD TO PICK ONE THING OVER ANOTHER. LET'S HEAR FROM MR. CAROUSEL AND DIRECTOR RAMOS AND WE CAN GO

FROM THERE. >> NOT MUCH TO ADD. AS FOR THE COST, WE CALCULATED $6.3 MILLION. PART OF THAT IS PRODUCTIVITY COST SO MYSELF, I WILL BE OFF AND THEN JUST PICK UP MY WORK THE NEXT DAY. THERE IS TRUE COST, THE 24/7 OPERATIONS. WE ARE ASKED TO PUT THAT AT $1.2 MILLION. FOLKS ARE HAVING TO WORK, THEY WILL GET OVERTIME OR COMP TIME FOR THAT, AND WE CALLCULATED THAT AT $1.2 MILLION.

>> PER HOLIDAY. >> YES. AND I CALL THAT ACTUAL COST TO THE BUDGET. BECAUSE FOLKS ARE EARNING COMP TIME BUT THERE ARE PRODUCTIVITY COSTS OF $5.1 MILLION. JUST EMPLOYEES BEING OFF AND THE GOVERNMENT NOT BEING IN BUSINESS AT THAT

TIME. >> IT IS DONE.

>> WE COLLABORATED ON THE FISCAL AND CAN CONFIRM THE NUMBERS. VACATION DAYS, HOLIDAYS, ARE ALL PART OF OUR COMPENSATION PACKAGE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING THOUGHTFUL AS WE DO THE SALARY STUDY, MOST EMPLOYEES WOULD RATHER HAVE THE ONE DAY'S WAGES AS OPPOSED TO A DAY OFF.

WE WANT TO BE SENSITIVE TO THAT. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE TAKE THIS UP AND AS THE RESULTS OF THE SALARY STUDY COMES IN SO WE LOOK AT COMP WHOLISTICALLY AND WE ARE NOT JUST FOCUSED ON

ONE AREA AT A TIME. >> AND MAYBE YOU CAN CHAT WITH THE COUNTIES TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE ARE NOT SEEING BUT TO ME IT SEEMS CLEAR IT WOULD THROW A WRENCH IN THINGS.

>> AND WE ARE THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE NATION. I THOUGHT OF HOW

[04:20:08]

>> I THINK YOU HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR.

>> I MOVE WE TABLE THE ITEMS GIVEN THE CURRENT.

>> CAN WE ACT ON THEM SEPARATELY?

>> SURE. >> I MOVE WE TABLE THE ONE FOR THE ELECTION DAY AS A HOLIDAY. GIVEN THE CURRENT ROUND.

>> AND MOVE ON THE VETERANS DAY.

>> I THINK THERE ARE TWO MOTIONS ON THE TABLE.

>> CAN WE SEPARATE THEM? >> WE CAN SEPARATE THEM.

>> SO IS THERE A MOTION TO RECOGNIZE ELECTION DAY AS A

COUNTY HOLIDAY? >> HAIR MOTION TO TABLE IT.

>> I DON'T THINK IT WILL ALLOW US TO TABLE IT.

>> SURE. YOU CAN OR YOU CAN TABLE IT UNDER YOUR RULES.

>> AND THEN IS THERE A MOTION TO RECOGNIZE VETERANS DAY AS A PAID COUNTY HOLIDAY? COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A

MOTION. >> SORRY TO MAKE IT A HOLIDAY OR DO NO ACTION UNTIL THE BUDGET PROCESS?

>> NO ACTION ON ELECTION DAY AND TO MOVE ON RECOGNIZING VETERANS DAY AS A PAID HOLIDAY. I THINK THAT ONE DAYS BECAUSE OF LACK OF A SECOND. BUT I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

>> AND I WOULD CONSIDER THE VETERANS DAY BUT BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, I CAN SEE WHERE THAT FALLS IN PRIORITIZATION BUT I WOULD RECONSIDER IT IN BUDGET ADVENTURES VERY SOON WHEN WE COME BACK WITH THE RESULTS OF THE SALARY, WE CAN BRING UP LEAVE AND PAID HOLIDAYS.

>> SALARY STUDIES, IS THAT GOING TO BE READY AFTER THE

BUDGET PROCESS? >> YES. THAT'S MY ONLY THING.

WE CAN DISCUSS IT AT BUDGET BUT I DEGREE WITH WHAT IF PEOPLE

JUST WANT THE TIME OR MONEY. >> I THINK THEY ARE BOTH GOOD IDEAS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE VOTE ON TODAY WILL BE THE BUDGET, THE TAX RATE ISSUES. SO WE WANT TO GET TO THOSE. I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT.

>> THANK YOU, CLERK. >> THANK YOU.

>> SO NOW WE HAVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WANTED TO TAKE THE DEVEER ITEM OUT OF ORDER THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A LONG CONVERSATION. I APPRECIATE THE COUNTY ENGINEERS OFFICE AND HE HAS FOLKS HERE THAT ARE PREPARED TO GIVE MORE INFORMATION. I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE WITH THE MAJOR STORM EVENT THAT WE JUST EXPERIENCED TO AT LEAST HAVE A SHORT CONVERSATION ON WHERE WE ARE SPECIFICALLY IN TERMS OF PRECINCT 3. THERE IS STILL A LOT OF DEBRIS ON THE GROUND. I THINK THIS STORM HAS AGAIN HIGHLIGHTED THE ISSUES CLARLY WITHIN PRECINCT 3. WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE THE DEBRIS ZONES ARE, AND REALLY, YOU SHOULD THINK OF A DEBRIS ZONE AS A NEIGHBORHOOD. SO THE NUMBER OF DEBRIS ZONES IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 WAS 153. MOST OF THE AVERAGE OF THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS WERE IN THE 40S. WE HAD THREE TIMES AS MUCH DEBRIS IN NEIGHBORHOODS AS ANYWHERE ELSE. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS, 75% OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY IS IN PRECINCT 3. IT IS NO SURPRISE TO ME THAT IN TERMS OF RESPONSIBILITY, THAT PRECINCT 3 IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT MANY ZONES. OF THOSE, AND WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH THE COUNTY ENGINEERS OFFICE, AND LET ME JUST SAY ALL THREE PRECINCTS HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO GET THAT DEBRIS OFF THE GROUND. MY QUESTIONS HERE ARE NOT RELATED TO A LACK OF SUPPORT OR COOPERATION. I JUST WANT TO BE SURE WE DEFINE THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. AND THE PROBLEM I HAVE GOING FORWARD IS 112 DEBRIS ZONES. LET ME SAY THATTING ANOTHER WAY, 112 NEIGHBORHOODS IN PRECINCT 3 HAVE YET TO HAVE THE FIRST

[04:25:01]

THEY ARE BOTH DOING A GOOD JOB OF GETTING THE DEBRIS PICKED UP. MOST OF THE EFFORT IS USING WHAT I CALL THE DARTH VADER TRUCKS. THEY ARE THE BIG BLACK TRUCKS ON THE ROAD. SOMETIMES YOU NEED A MUCH SMALLER TRUCK TO GET BACK INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND GET UP THE BRUSH. I CALL THEM BRUSH PILES MORE THAN DEBRIS PILES. THAT IS THE REQUEST THAT ALL FOUR PRECINCTS CAN TAP INTO EXISTING COUNTY CONTRACTS TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. I'M GOING TO HAVE ONE THING TO SAY

ABOUT CENTER POINT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? I HAD

ONE MORE THING. >> I THOUGHT YOU MEANT LATER.

>> CENTERPOINT, AS WE ARE OUT THERE TRYING TO GET INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND PICK UP THE DEBRIS, CENTERPOINT IS OUT THERE DOING VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ON THE RIGHT OF WAY.

PRAISE THE LORD THEY ARE DOING THAT ON THE POWER LINES BUT I DON'T NEED IT DEPOSITED IN THE RIGHT OF WAY. AFTER A FEW DAYS, I THINK THEY ARE NO LONGER DOING THAT. BUT JUST AS A MARKER GOING FORWARD, WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE DEBRIS DEPOSITED INTO THE RIGHT OF WAY. THAT IS THE GENERAL. DID YOU FLOAT A

MOTION, DANIEL? >> WE SENT ONE OUT JUST TO BE SUPER EXPLICIT ABOUT THE DECISION BEFORE COURT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH, THE PICK WILL BE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS OR NONE

[04:30:01]

THE PICK. >> AND WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE AGAIN? I KNOW UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BUT WHAT I GUESS IPYOUR MIND, WHICH ONE IS BETTER AND WHY? YOU SAID YOU ADVANCED, WHICH ONE IS THE MORE EVOLVED ONE?

>> MY PERSONAL OPINION, HAVING BEEN ON THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SIDE, I NEVER WANT THE COUNTY TO THINK TWICE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION BEFORE RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY BUT I WILL REFER TO COURT ON WHETHER -- THIS IS A BIG CHANGE FROM HOW THE COUNTY USED TO BE BUT ALSO THE FINANCIAL SITUATION FOR THE PRECINCTS WHICH ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN 10 YEARS AGO. SO WHICH ONE ARE ARE YOU ENDORSING?

>> I'M STAYING NEUTRAL. >> BUT YOU SAID YOU DON'T WANT THE COUNTY TO THINK TWICE ABOUT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION BEFORE RESPONDING TO AN EMERGENCY. WHICH ONE DOES THAT T?

>> THAT IS EACH COMMISSIONER PRESIPTH WOULD GET SOME AMOUNT OF THE PICK AND THEN THE REIMBURSEMENTS WOULD COME BACK.

>> SO WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, WE WOULD SAY, I DON'T KNOW, HAVE THRESHOLDS OR SOME PROCESS THAT WOULD BE OUR

RECOMMENDATION. >> JUST A COMMENT, JUDGE, I THINK THE PICK FUND WAS SET UP FOR EMERGENCIES. I THINK BERYL WAS AN MARGE. I CAN THE PRECINCTS NEED THE ABILITY TO BE NIMBLE, FLEXIBLE IN RESPONDING. AND THEN WE CAN ALL TALK ABOUT THE MOTION. BUT THE MOTION TO AMEND THE PICK POLICY TO REIMBURSE COMMISSIONER PRECINCT FOR USING THE FUND FOR FEMA ARE REIMBURSEMENT DURING DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY, VENDOR CONTRACT AND PRICING MUST MEET ALL FEMA REQUIREMENTS AND IT WILL NOT EXCEED THE PRICE OF ANY OTHER COUNTY WIDE CONTRACTS FOR THE SAME SERVICE IF A CONTRACT EXISTS.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I DO HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS. FIRST I WANT TO HEAR FROM DR. RAMOS ON HOW WE ARE ARE DOING ON DEBRIS COLLECTION, GET A SENSE OF HOW THIS IS WORKING, IF YOU WOULD. I KNOW HE HAS A TRAINING TODAY. SO HE

HAS AN ABLE RIGHT HAND. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. I HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE DEBRIS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH SOME OTHER THINGS FIRST SO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IS GOING ON. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ESTIMATED THE CURRENT COUNTY FACILITIES DAMAGED TO THE TUNE OF $2.5 MILLION. ON VERTICAL PROJECTS, ROAD AND BRIDGE, ALMOST HALF A MILLION IN DAMAGE ON THE PROJECTS. WE HAVE 305 PRIVATE STRUCTURES THAT HAVE RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT WIND DAMAGE. WE HAVE 11 MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE REQUESTED MUTUAL AID FOR DEBRIS HELP. WE HAVE EXPANDED DROPOFFS SITES. I'M GOING TO HAVE SOME SLIDES IN A MINUTE. I THINK THIS IS A GAME CHANGER.

WHAT WE DID THIS STORM WAS WE PROVIDED SELF HELP TO THE RESIDENTS. I THINK THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE CHANGE. THEN LASTLY, BEFORE WE GO TO THE SLIDES, WE HAVE COLLECTED OVER 500,000 CUBIC YARDS OF DEBRIS SO FAR IN BERYL. IF YOU ADD WHAT WE HAVE DONE, IT IS ALMOST A MILLION CUBIC YARDS OF DEBRIS

[04:35:03]

WANT TO FLIP TO PAGE 2? PAGE 2. >> WE COLLECTED 243,000 CUBIC YARDS AND IN 23 DAYS WE DID 432,000 CUBIC YARDS. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS IS THAT WE NOW HAVE TWO VENDORS. BEFORE WE ONLY HAD ONE VENDOR AND WE HAVE TWO VENDORS. WE ARE PICKING UP A LOT MORE DEBRIS MUCH FASTER THAN WE DID WITH DERETCHO AND THAT IS SIGNIFICANT. LET ME TURN TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

>> JUST SO I KNOW, I KNOW WHEN THIS CAME UP BEFORE BRINGING A SECOND VENDOR IN, SOMEONE BID ON IT AND THEY WERE THE LOWEST BID. WHEN WE BROUGHT IN A SECOND VENDOR, I THOUGHT WE MADE A MOTION TO SAY WHY DON'T YOU BLEND THE PRICES SO ONE IS NOT CANBLEIZING THE OTHER SUBCONTRACTORS. SO WERE THEY BLENDED OR DID WE PAY TWO RATES? THEY STAYED WITH THEIR PRICES OF THE CONTRACTS PER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ADVICE.

>> SO WE HAD TO TAKE THE LOWER BID AND THE NEXT BID. SO WE ARE

PAYING TWO PRICES NOW . >> CORRECT. ON THE NEXT SLIDE, I WANTED TO SHOW YOU THE NUMBER OF STAFF HOURS. THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE PRECINCT. THIS IS JUST ENGINEERING. FOR THE TWO STORMS, 15,000 HOURS OF WORK. SOMEONE MENTIONED A WHILE AGO THAT OTHER WORK IS NOT BEING DONE. THAT IS WHAT IS GOING ON IN ENGINEERING. THERE IS WORK NOT GOING ON BECAUSE WE REDEPLOYED ALL OF THESE PEOPLE. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TODAY IS, THE EMPLOYEES REALLY NEED A PAT ON THE BACK. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING OUT THE ENTIRE TEAM THAT WORKED THE TWO STORMS. I HAVE AROSCO WHO IS TAKING OVER AS INCIDENT COMMANDER ON FRIDAY. HE HAS TO CHANGE OUT THE ENTIRE STAFF IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HAVE NOT HAD A DAY OFF.

I WANTED TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE IT IS EMPLOYEE RELATED. NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE REMAINING DEBRIS. WE HAVE LOOKED AT HOW MUCH WE PICKED UP AND THIS IS HOW MUCH DEBRIS THAT WE ANTICIPATE NEEDS TO BE PICKED UP. WE ARE WORKING TO BRING ON MORE TRUCKS AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH SITES OPEN. WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO AS YOU CAN SEE. YOU CAN SEE THE PERCENTAGES. AND THE CURRENT TRUCK DISTRIBUTION IS UP THERE FOR YOU TO SEE. THAT IS GOING TO CHANGE HERE IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. REALLY QUICKLY, HOW

WILL IT CHANGE, UP OR DOWN? >> IT WILL CHANGE TO BETTER REFLECT THE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS IN EACH PRECINCT .

>> AND HOW ARE ARE YOU DECIDING WHERE YOU DEPLOY THE TRUCKS?

>> THE METRIC IS BASED ON HOW MUCH DEBRIS IS IN -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGES, 28, 42, HOWEVER MANY TRUCKS WE

HAVE, WE WOULD REALLOCATE. >> YOU WOULD NOT GIVE ANY ACCOUNTING THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEBRIS HAUL IN PRECINCT 3 AND OTHERS? IT WOULD MAKE NO SENSE TO ME IF 30 TRUCKS IN ONE PRECINCT CAN CALL TWICE AS MUCH AS 60 TRUCKS IN ANOTHER PRECINCT BECAUSE YOU HAD TWICE AS FAR TO DRIVE. IT HAS TO BE A FACTOR.

>> WELL, WE ARE OPENING MORE DEBRIS SITES WHICH SHOULD DIRECT THAT BUT THIS IS HOW WE WERE DIVIDING IT UP UNTIL LAST

WEEK. >> AND I KNOW WHEN THIS

[04:40:02]

>> TODAY WE HAD MORE SITES THAN WE HAD BEFORE. AND WE HAVE 19 COLLECTION SITES WHERE THE PUBLIC IS BRINGING IN DEBRIS.

WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE THAT FASTER.

>> WE SPEND HALF OF OUR TIME HELPING ON DEBRIS SITES AS WE HAVE THE LAST THREE DAYS. WE HAVE TWO MORE COMING. TWO MORE DEBACHELOR'S DEGREE SITES? CLOSER TO THE PROBLEM. AND THE OTHER PROBLEM IS AS I HAVE SAID, WE HAVE 112 NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE NOT HAD AN A FIRST PASS. SO IF YOU HAVE ONE TRUCK PERNEIGHBORHOOD, IT TAKES A COUPLE OF DAYS TO GET THROUGH.

ONE WAY TO LOOK AT IT, IT LOOKS LIKE I HAVE TOO MANY TRUCKS.

THE OVERTIME OTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT, I HAVE 42 FEW TRUCKS.

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS FOR EACH OF US TO PROVIDE INPUT TO YOU. AS OF LAST WEEK, WE BEGAN TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE CONTRACTOR WHICH GREATLY ENHANCED EVERYONE'S ABILITY TO GET THINGS DONE. HOPEFULLY WE CAN BUILD ON WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED UP TO THIS POINT. BUT IF THE MESSAGE TODAY IS REMOVING TRUCKS BASED ON THIS, I DON'T THINK THIS WOULD BE

THE BEST WAY TO LOOK AT IT. >> WELL, THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT. AS WE CLEAR A SITE, WE CAN REDEPLOY THAT. SO IF WE CAN CLEAR MOST OF THE SITES, ALL OF THE TRUCKS WOULD BE REDEPLOYED TO ANOTHER PRECINCT. SO THINK OF CLEARING THE DEBRIS SITE AND THEN MOVE TO THE MORE DENSELY POPULATED SITE IF YOU DON'T FIND MORE TRUCKS, WHAT WE HAVE HERE, IT ALMOST GUARANTEES THAT IT WILL TAKE THREE MONTHS TO GET THE DEBRIS OUT OF 3. IT WILL BE THE LAST ONE BY TWO MONTHS.

>> I KNOW LAST THURSDAY, I CALLED BOTH COMPANIES AND ASKED FOR MORE TRUCKS. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DELIVER ABOUT 20 OVER THE WEEKEND. I'M NOT SURE IF WE GOT THEM ALL BUT WE WERE EXPECTING AN ADDITIONAL 20. I THINK THE SOLUTION HERE IS MORE TRUCKS. OKAY. WE CAN'T DO IT ALL WHILE WE ARE IN SESSION BUT I WILL HAVE MY TEAM FOLLOW UP AND ALL OF US WILL TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANYTHING TO DO IF THE COMPANIES HAVE NOT SENT THE

TRUCKS. >> I HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS

. >> OKAY.

>> HOW DOES THIS WORK? I WAS TOLD WHEN THE ISSUE COMES UP BEFORE, YOU HAD ONE, LOWEST BID. WHEN YOU BRING IN A SECOND ONE, I WAS TOLD THAT EACH HAVE TO DEPEND ON TRUCKS FROM SUBCONTRACTORS. THE CONCERN IS WHEN YOU BRING IN THE SECOND ONE, THEY WOULD BE COMPETING TO GET THE TRUCKS. SO DOES BRINGING IN MORE COMPANIES TO GO AND GET SUBS, DOES IT HELP

THE SITUATION? >> I DON'T THINK SO AT THIS POINT. AS I UNDERSTAND, THERE ARE ONLY 400 TRUCKS IN THE COUNTRY THAT DO THIS KIND OF WORK. SO WE ARE ALREADY AT ONE QUARTER OF THE COUNTRY IS MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRUCK VOLUME OUT THERE. SO I THINK IF WE GOT OUT THERE WITH MORE TRUCKS, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CLEAR THE DEBRIS FASTER THAN IT

IS GOING NOW. >> I WANT TO ASK BECAUSE IT CAME UP BEFORE . I DON'T OWN A TRUCK BUT I GREW UP IN A HOUSEHOLD WITH AN OLD MAN WHO DID OWN ONE. IF WE WERE OUTSIDE DOING WORK, IF SOMEONE OUTSIDE WOULD PAY MORE THAN SOMEONE AT THE HOUSE THEY WERE CONTRACTED WITH, AT SOME POINT, THEY WOULD GO UP OR WE WOULD SWITCH AND WORK AT ANOTHER HOUSE. SO TO WHAT EXTENT IS THAT A PROBLEM ? AND WITH THE NEW ONES COMING ON BOARD, DO THEY CHARGE THE SAME RATE? A PICK DOESN'T HAVE UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY AND IT IS 70/30 # REIMBURSEMENT. SO SOMEONE'S RATE IS $10 AND SOMEONE ELSE'S IS $20 AND $30.

THE 30% WE HAVE TO PAY ON THE HIGHER ONE TAKES MORE OUT OF THE PICK. AT SOME POINT, THERE WILL BE NO PICK THAT'S RIGHT.

[04:45:06]

TEAM, I GOT GOOD ON THE MATH. >> I WAS NOT HERE DOING DEBRIS MANAGEMENT IN 2018. BUT WHAT I UNDERSTOOD WAS THE TRUCKS WENT TO FLORIDA AT THE SAME TIME. AND THE COUNTY HAD TO UP THE

RATE . >> THEY WANTED MORE MONEY.

>> TO KEEP TRUCKS FROM DEPARTING TEXAS. WE MAY FACE

THAT NEXT WEEK. . >> YES. I BROUGHT THAT UP TO DANIEL TODAY. THAT IS A STORY WE KEPT HEARING FROM BILL JACKSON. HE HAD TO START PAYING MORE MONEY BECAUSE FOLKS

STARTED HEADING TO FLORIDA. >> I WONDER, IF UNDER THE LAW, I BID AND I WON THE LOWEST BID, IT MAY NOT MAKE THEM HAPPY BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE TRASH UP. I'M NOT TRYING TO SUGUP TO ANY OF THEM. BUT IF YOU BID ON IT, YOU GET THE LOWEST RATE.

THE NEXT DISASTER THAT WE HAVE, WHEN WE PUT OUT AN RFP, WHY

WOULD YOU BID. >> YOU HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP SEVERAL TIMES AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE IS A SOLUTION.

>> SO WHAT I WANT TO KNOW, DANIEL, MAYBE YOU CAN ANSWER THIS. THE NEW ONES THAT COME ABOARD, WHAT IS THEIR RATE COMPARED TO THE RATE FOR THE TWO THAT WE HAVE NOW?

>> THERE IS ONLY TWO. THERE IS A THIRD ONE THAT WAS

DISQUALIFIED. >> BUT IF WOE DO THIS, WE WILL BRING ON OTHER INDEPENDENT HAULERS?

>> THIS IS IT. >> I THINK IF YOU MEAN IF WE MANAGE TO GET MORE TRUCKS. WHO WILL WE GET MORE?

>> THE VENDOR WILL OPERATE THE TRUCKS. THERE ARE LANDSCAPE COMPANIES THAT WE COULD CONTRACT WITH FOR SMALLER

PILES. >> SO THIS PROPOSAL TO BRING IN

ADDITIONAL TRUCKS. >> RESOURCES.

>> WOULD THAT COME WITH THESE COMPANIES AND IF SO AT WHAT

RATE? DO YOU KNOW? >> I DON'T KNOW THE RATE.

>> SO THE RATE IF IT IS WITH ONE OF OUR TERM CONTRACTORS, IT

IS A LOT HIGHER. >> I THINK P DWIGHT IS ON THE LINE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BEFORE WE VOTE. DO YOU KNOW? .

>> YES, SIR. THE CURRENT CONTRACTS WE HAVE FOR DRC ARE ROUGHLY $9 A CUBIC YARD AND $12.35.

>> SO $9.50 AND $12.50 YES. AND THE OTHERS ARE $20 A CUBIC YARD AND TEXAS MATERIALS IS $50 A CUBIC YARD.

>> SO WE HAVE 10, 12, 20, AND 50.

>> YES, SIR. >> SO HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THIS? I THINK WE HAVE SEEN THIS EXACT MOVIE BEFORE AND WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE NOTICE THE PRICES ARE DIFFERENT AND

THEN WHAT? >> I DON'T MIND PAYING IT BUT I WANT THE $50 ONES IN MY PRECINCT.

>> OUR INABILITY TO BE NIMBLE OR OUR ABILITY TO NIMBLE IS RESTRICTED BY THE RFP PROCESS. WE HAVE DO THE PROCESS IF WE WANT TO GO OUTSIDE OF THE EXISTING VENDORS. THE VENDORS ARE ONLY ABLE TO GET THE TRUCKS THEY GOT. THAT'S IT. IF WE WANT TO ADD MORE TRUCKS, DON'T WE HAVE TO GO OUT AND DO THE

WHOLE RFP BID PROCESS? >> SORRY DIDN'T MEAN TO CUT

YOU OFF. >> WHICH MEANS THAT ONCE WE COMPLETE THE WHOLE PROCESS, WE WOULD BE AT MONTH 3 THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS TALKING ABOUT, REGARDLESS.

>> WHAT WE COULD DO NOW IS A SHORTENED RFP BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION TO GET ADDITIONAL TRUCKS IN HERE BUT THE RATES WILL NOT BE AS LOW AS THEY ARE WHEN WE BID OUT OF SEASON. SO WE WOULD DO THE SAME THING FOR HARVEY. WE HAD TRUCKS GOING EVERYWHERE BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE STORMS. THEY OFFERED A MILLION AND SOME TO BRING BACK 40 TRUCKS. THAT WAS AN INCENTIVE THAT EVERYONE WORKED ON TO GET REIMBURSED BUT WE WERE NOT SURE ON THAT AND WE DIDN'T GET IT ALL BACK. WE CAN DO THE SAME. WE CAN BRING ON MULTIPLE VENDORS. AS LONG AS WE GO THROUGH PROCUREMENT, WE CAN ARGUE WITH THE FEDS THAT WE DID

[04:50:03]

WELL. >> SO I WAS GOING TO GO TO YOU, DANIEL. WHAT IS YOUR HEARTBURN IF WE JUST OPEN OCCUPY THE

PICK? >> AND I DID HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN GARCIA WELL, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE

FLOOR YET BUT I WILL PAUSE. >> I THINK I HEAR YOU. PART OF THE MOTION THAT WE DISTRIBUTED THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY JUST READ OUT WOULD CONTROL FOR THAT. IF AN INDIVIDUAL PRECINCT WANTED TO GO AND CONTRACT SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES ABOVE OUR COUNTY WIDE PROCESS, THEY WOULD ONLY GET REIMBURSED AT THE

COUNTY WIDE RATE. >> AND THAT WOULD BE 9.50 OR 12.50. AND WHICH ONE? MOST OF US WOULD CHOOSE THE 12.50. IA WANT TO PULL AS LITTLE OUT AS POSSIBLE. THAT IS CORRECT. BUT MORE SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS CONSISTENCY.

>> AND THE PRECINCT WOULD EAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN?

CORRECT. >> AND IF WE DO THAT THIS IS

UNPRECEDENTED. >> NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT FROM PREVIOUS STORMS THEY TAPPED INTO EMERGENCY PICKS FOR THE RESPONSE.

>> IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? >> THAT IS BEFORE MY TIME.

>> THEY ASKED ME AND THEY ARE MAKING IT UP. LET'S PUT MARK SLOEN ON ALERT FOR WHENEVER HE CAN GET TO THE LINE.

>> WE WANT TO BE CONSISTENT. I DON'T WANT TO QUESTION WHAT YOU SAY AND YOU QUESTION WHAT I SAY. I ASKED THE BUDGET OFFICE HAVE WE DONE IT. I DON'T MIND IF WE HAVE DONE IT BUT I WANT GUARD RAILS SO WE ARE CONSISTENT. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT MORE OF THE DAMAGE WAS IN YOUR AREA THIS TIME. BUT THE NEXT ONE WHICH COULD BE IN A MONTH MAYBE IN 4, 2, OR 1 AND WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER WE DO, WE STAY

CONSISTENT WITH IT. >> SO COMMISSIONER, MY RECOMMENDATION, WE CAN COME BACK ON THE AUGUST 15 COURT. TO COME WITH AN AMENDED PICK POLICY THAT WOULD CREATE A CAP WHICH IS WHAT EVERYONE'S CONCERN. ONE PRECINCT WOULD GO AND TAKE A LARGER SHARE DURING AN EMERGENCY THAN OTHER PRECINCTS, AS WELL AS CONTROLS AROUND THE RATE SO PRECINCTS ARE NOT ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS THAT ARE UNCOMPETITIVE WITH THE

COUNTY WIDE PROCESS. >> WE ARE NOT COMPETING ACROSS

SINTHS. >> IT HURTS IF ONE PRECINCT HAS MORE FUNDING AND THEY SUPPLEMENT TO DEAL WITH IT AND ANOTHER ONE DOES NOT. I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO OPERATE. SO IF WE STARTED IT WITH BEING IN THE DEPARTMENT AND THEY COME UP WITH A METRIC. IF IT IS NOT FAIR, WE OUGHT TO RAISE THAT. I WOULD SAY AS AN EXAMPLE, WHEN PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO WATER OR POWER, THERE WAS SOME NEIGHBORHOODS, MAYBE A FEW MORE OF THOSE IN THE LOWER PRECINCTS THAT HAVE LOWER INCOME PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T CHECK IN A HOTEL.

THEY WOULD SAY I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET ICE. I WANT TO GET GENERATORS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONSISTENT. IT MAY BE TRASH ON ONE HAND OR SOMETHING ELSE. WHATEVER WE DO, WE OUGHT TO TRY IT. I DON'T WANT TO DISPARAGE ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WHO WANT TO HELP THE FOLKS THEY ARE PARING

COMPLAINTS FROM. >> CAN WE GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SOME OTHER FOLKS? I THINK I HAVE BEEN CLEAR ON THIS.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL OF THE TEAM FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I SEE IT AS A BOTH AND. WE ARE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE CONSTITUENTS, GETTING THE DEBRIS PICKED UP ASFAST AS

[04:55:04]

WE HAVE AMOUNTS OF DEBRIS. I KNOW YOU ARE COMMITTED TO GETTING IT DONE, COMMISSIONER, AS WE ALL ARE. SO HOW CAN WE STRIKE THIS BOTH AND WITH REGARD TO RESPONSIVE CONSTITUENT SERVES AND FAIRNESS IN TERMS OF THE INCENTIVE STRUCTURE, COST STRUCTURE, AND COMPLIANCE STRUCTURE. MY STRONG PREFERENCE, I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS WITH THE PROPER PARAMETERS. WERE YOU SAYING BY NEXT COURT YOU COULD BRING AN AMENDED PICK POLICY THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE

COMPONENTS? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> OKAY, I WANTED TO POSE A MOTION HERE. I KNOW I HAVE NOT HAD A WAY AROUND EITHER. BUT JUST TO SAY WHAT OND PROPOSED AND THEN ADD IN THE END, THE SAME SERVICESES OF A CONTRACT THAT EXISTS AND INCLUDES A CAP, THERE MUST ALSO BE A PROCESS FOR EXPENDITURES TO RETURN TO THE IMMEDIATE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVAL/TRANSPARENCY. I THINK THAT CAPTURES WHAT EVERYONE HAS TALKED ABOUT TO BRING BACK WHERE THEY CAN GRAB FOR THE PICK BUT THERE WILL NOT BE COMPETITION ON PRICING. THERE WILL BE A CONSISTENT RATE AND THEY WILL BE FEMA ELIGIBLE AND WE WILL FIND OUT ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WILL BE REPORTED AT THE NEXT COURT. I DON'T THINK IT IS APPROVAL BECAUSE IT WILL ALREADY BE DONE. SO IT WILL BE

FYI? >> WE WOULD BRING IT BACK TO COURT. AND KEEP IN MIND, THERE WAS NOT A PICK PROCESS WHEN I GOT HERE. WE WERE USING OUR RAINY DAY FUND AS A RECURRING.

YPG WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE ON THIS. THE ISSUE WITH THE MONEY RECOLLECT I THINK YOU NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT FOR THE NEXT DISASTER. WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING NOW. BUT IT IS A GOOD POINT,

WILL IT IT HAP P NEXT TIME. >> I DON'T WANT TO PICK THIS APART. PARDON THE PUN. WHAT WOULD THIS DO TO THE CONTRACTS THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTS TO VOTE ON? AND JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I KNOW THE CONTRACTS ON THE AGENDA TODAY ARE ONES WE ALREADY WORKED THROUGH PURCHASING, WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FINDING CONTRACTORS TO HELP US. WE STARTED WITH WHAT ARE THOSE CONTRACTORS THAT ALREADY HAVE CONTRACTS WITH THE COUNTY. AND AGAIN, THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. THEY JUST HELP WITH THE COUNTY DOING WORK IN ANY NUMBER OF WAYS. THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE THAT D.R.C.

HAS, ONLY FOUR OR FIVE, MAYBE SIX OF THOSE NATIONWIDE. THERE IS NOT AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF TRUCKS. WE ARE ALL CONCERNED THAT THE TRUCKS ARE ABOUT TO LOAD UP AND GO TO FLORIDA. WE ARE COMPETING NOW WITH FLORIDA FOR A LIMITED POOL OF TRUCKS.

IT IS NOT LIKE WELL, WE WILL BID OUT AND GO GET MORE TRUCKS.

YOU ARE BIDDING FROM A LIMITED POOL OF TRUCKS. SO THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY ENGINEERS OFFICE HAS BEENIFY FIGHTING. THERE ARE SO

[05:00:04]

AND MY EXPERIENCE, IT WOULD TAKE UNDER THE BIG DARTH VADER TRUCKS, THAT HAS BEEN TAKING A WEEK. SO I'M PAYING MORE BUT I GET TO CLEAR NEIGHBORHOODS OUT IN A DAY AND NOT IN A WEEK. AND BY THE WAY, WE DID BRING ON THE COURT AGENDA THREE CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH AND ENGINEERING. I JUST WANT TO HELP. I THINK THE PRECINCT SHOULD BE NIMBLE AND HAVE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY. AND I'M READING WHAT I THINK IS A PICK POLICY, APRIL 26, 2022. THIS COURT ADOPTED IT IS FOR WHEN THE COUNTY ANTICIPATES MORE $2 MILLION TO RECOVER FROM AN EMERGENCY, PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, PROPERTY. THAT IS WHAT THE PICK FUND IS I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU PUT IN THERE.

WE DO HAVE A POLICY. NOW WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT COSTS. I AM PLEADING WITH THE COURT. I HAVE 112 NEIGHBORHOODS WITH DEBRIS. IF I DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO GET THAT DEBRIS, IT'S GOING TO BE THERE FOR THREE MONTHS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE HEALTH OFFICERS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE EVERYONE IN THE COUNTRY AND IT IS BECAUSE O THE UNUSUAL FORM

OF MY PRECINCT. >> I DON'T THIPG THERE IS DISAGREEMENT. YOU NEED MORE CONTRACTS AND THEY ARE ON THE AGENDA. THE PICK IS FOR EMERGENCIES BUT WE DON'T KNOW THE GUARD RAILS, THE FEMA REQUIREMENTS AND THE

COMPETITIVE PRICING. . >> WE ARE WORKING THROUGH SO WHAT I'M SAYING YOU HAVE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA THAT I DON'T INTEND TO VOTE AGAINST AND I ASSUME THAT IS THE CASE WITH MY COLLEAGUES. THOSE ITEMS WOULD BE PAID FOR BY THE PRECINCT AND BE REIMBURSED BECAUSE OUR POLICY HAS NOT TAKEN EFFECT YET, THAT WE WANT PRECINCTS TO SPEND DIRECTLY FROM THE PICK.

SO DO WE WANT THERE TO BE A POLICY, AND I THINK YES, WE BROUGHT A POLICY AND WE ADDED A COUPLE OF PROVISIONS BUT I KNOW LEGAL WILL LOOK AT IT ANYWAY. AND THEN I DON'T KNOW IF THE POINT OF DISAGREEMENT HERE IS THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU THINK THE CONTRACTS THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS TRYING TO ENTER INTO WOULD SOMEHOW AFFECT OTHER CONTRACTS?

>> MAY I ASK A QUESTION. THE ADDITIONAL CONTRACTS ON THE AGENDA WILL COST $20 AND $50 AS OPPOSED TO $9 AND $12.50, WHERE

WILL THAT MONEY COME FROM? >> UNTIL COURT ACTS ON THE POLICY, THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE INCUMBERED FOR PRECINCT 3

FUNDING. . >> SO IF I'M CLEAR FOR THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WILL PAY FOR THAT UNLESS THE COURT COMES BACK AND DECIDES THEY WILL PAY ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THEM.

>> OKAY. >> JUST A QUESTION RELATED TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IF THE COURT ADOPTS THE POLICY NEXT MEETING, IT COULD GRAND FATHER THE ONES OF TODAY?

>> YES. >> SO IMMEDIATELY HE WOULD BE

ABLE TO GRAB IN THE PICK? >> NO.

>> SO LET'S SAY HE SPENDS $100 ON A TRUCK FROM HIS OWN BUDGET.

THE NEXT COURT WE PASS A POLICY THAT THE PRECINCTS IS GRAB THE PICK FUNDS. SO AFTER THE NEXT COURT RGS HE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO AND GRAB THE $100 FROM THE PICK AND PAY HIMSELF BACK?

>> YES, IF THE POLICY WERE TO BE AMENDED.

>> ANY OF THE PRECINCTS AT THE NEXT COURT CAN SAY I NEED $100, $200 FROM THE PARAMETERS AND GRAB IT. AND THEN AS A COUNTY WE TRY TO GET REIMBURSEMENT WHICH IS ANOTHER STORY.

>> 70/30. >> BUT WE ARE FIGHTING FOR

[05:05:07]

90/10. >> GOOD LUCK. WE WOULD SET A CAP AND THE EXPENSES WOULD COME BACK TO COURT FOR REVIEW.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> SO DANIEL, WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING FOR DEBRIS PICK UP OUT OF THE PICK?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> SO WHAT THIS MOTION DOES IS IT GRAND FATHERS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S CONTRACTS SO HE CAN GET REIMBURSED FROM THE PICK FOR THE $20 AND $50 RATES THAT

HE HAS. >> YES, EXCEPT T OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO CAP THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE PICK

AT THE COUNTY WIDE LEVEL. >> WHAT IS THAT?

>> THE $12.50 #. >> THEN HE LOSES THE TRUCKS. IF THEY DON'T WANT TO GO WITH $12.50.

>> HE CAN PAY FOR THE REST OUT OF HIS BUDGET. WE NEED A MOTION

TO EXTEND THE DISCUSSION. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

>> THE SITUATION IS UNIQUE TO HARRIS COUNTY WHERE THERE IS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE PRECINCT DOLLARS AND GENERAL FUND. THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE THERE ARE EMERGENCY RESPONSES, THEY MAY NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR IT. WE HAVE A COUNTY WIDE DEBRIS REMOVAL CONTRACT AND ENGINEERING IS DIVVYING UP THE RESOURCES. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS SUPPLEMENTAL ON TOP OF THAT. MY BELIEF IS THAT THE PICK SHOULD DO ITS PART BUT WE SHOULD NOT CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU ARE BIDDING AGAINST EACH OTHER FOR SERVICES. IT IS THERE AS A

BASELINE AT A CAP. >> SO BECAUSE I FOLLOWED THE GUIDELINES AND WORKED WITH THE TRUCKS THAT ENGINEERING GAVE ME, I WILL NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO FIND SOME OTHER TRUCKS FOR $12.50 OR MORE AND PAY THE DIFFERENCE OF THAT? THAT WOULD BE THE IDEA. HOW MUCH MORE PER PRECINCT WOULD WE BE GETTING? I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT HISTORICAL EXPENSES BEFORE A RECOMMENDATION. MY GUT IS WE DO A MILLION AND THEN WE COME BACK. WHERE ARE WE RIGHT NOW WITH THE PICK?

>> WE WERE JUST NORTH OF $200 MILL. WE EXPECT THIS RESPONSE TO BE $30 MILLION TO $40 MILLION. AND WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER $120 MILLION IN FEMA REIMBURSEMENTS WHICH WE EXPECT

TO GO BACK TO PICK. >> WHEN WILL THE 120 GET HERE?

>> SHANE, HELP ME OUT. >> WHAT DANIEL IS REFERRING TO IS FOR COVID-19. WE TURNED ALL OF THE PROJECTS IN TO FEMA AND WE ARE REMAINING FOR THE T.D.O.T. AUDIT. I WOULD SAY

FISCAL YEAR 2025. >> GENERALLY THE BIGGER HURDLE IS THE FEMA. HERE IN TEXAS, THERE IS A SUPPLEMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS DONE BY THE STATE. MOST STATES DON'T DO THAT. THAT IS EASIER HURDLE TO CLEAR THAN FEMA. FEMA IS TYPICALLY THE ONE THAT GOES INTO DEPTH AND LOOKS AT EACH INDIVIDUAL INVOICE.

>> SO HOERZ THE MOTION THAT I WOULD PROPOSE IS TO DIRECT O.

AND B. TO AMEND THE PICK POLICY TO REIMBURSE, USING THE FUND FOR FEMA REIMBURSABLE DURING DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY.

PRICING MUST MEET FEMA REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROIS WILL NOT EXCEED THE PRICE OF OTHER CONTRACTS IF OTHER CONTRACTS EXIST. IT MUST BE A CAP. THERE MUST BE A PROCESS FOR EXPENDITURES TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THE AMENDMENT IF THAT IS WHAT YOU

ARE ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> THIS IS THE WHOLE THING. I READ YOURS AND CAME BACK TO COURT.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR. I'M GLAD WE ARE HAVING THE PICK CONVERSATION. THE PICK WAS SILENT ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE. IT

[05:10:02]

THESE SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACTS? >> THAT IS CORRECT. IT SAYS THE PRICING NEEDS TO MEET FEMA REQUIREMENTS.

>> AND WOE ARE GOING THROUGH FEMA.

>> WE HAVE NOT HAD AN EVENT THAT REQUIRED AS MUCH DEBRIS REMOVAL SINCE HARVEY. SO I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE ABLE TO WORK ON THIS. I THINK EVERYONE HAS A SENSE OF URGENCY. I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT THIS CAME BACK. THE REAL SENSE OF EMERGENCY WILL BE WHEN WE VOTE TAX RATES. ALL OF US FEEL THE HEAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE UPSET. THE REAL SENSE OF EMERGENCY WILL SHOW WHEN PEOPLE DECIDE DO WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT.

>> IS THERE A MOTION? >> A MOTION.

>> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?A AS AMENDED BY JUDGE?

>> YES. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO NOW WE GO TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. WE WILL START THE MEETING NOW. SO CORRECTIONS. I REQUEST WE TAKE 21 AND 85 TOGETHER. NO ACTION ON ITEM 147 WHICH IS THE BROAD LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION ITEM. NO ACTION ON 188, GRAND FUNDS FOR THE EVICTION DEFENSE PROGRAM. NO ACTION FOR 277, RENEWAL WITH COMCAST. ITEM 323, REMOVE THE WORD POCKET THROUGHOUT THE ITEMS SO IT READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO RENAME HICKORY SHADOW PARK TO JEFFREY LIMER PARK. WE HAVE A REQUEST TO TAKE -- SDARD DISREGARD. 370, O.C.A. REQUESTS NO ACTION. THOSE ARE THE ONLY CORRECTIONS I HAVE. IN TERMS OF CONSENT AGENDA. SO LET'S START WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEMS 367 WHICH IS A

REAPPOINTMENT OF SHELLY DAVIS. >> NO. WHAT ABOUT 368, APPOINTMENT TO THE FRIENDS OF KENNY PETS BOARD? 369, REAPPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCE FOR CHILDREN? .

>> NO. >> AND 370 IS NO ACTION. THEN WE HAVE 371. THAT IS A RESOLUTION. WE HAVE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT RELATED TO THE SELECTION OF THE NOMINEE FOR THE RECLAIMATION DISTRICTS. OKAY 372, U.S. CYBERSECURITY UPDATE. OKAY 37 # 3 IS EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. NO? OKAY. SO THE ONLY EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM I HAVE NOW IS 372. REGULAR AGENDA. WE HAVE ITEM 10, PRECINCT 3. THAT'S $19.5 MILLION FOR THE GENERAL FUNDS SUPPORT PROJECT. ITEM 11, PRECINCT 3 -- OKAY. ITEM 12, PRECINCT 3, THE RISE PROGRAM.

ITEM 1, PRECINCT 3, THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM, EEVALUATORS.

[05:15:06]

>> COMMISSIONER, DO YOU HAVE URMIC ON?

>> THANKS. ITEM 13 ALSO FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3.

>> YES. >> CHILD CARE FACILITIES FUND.

ITEM 18, PRECINCT 3. >> YES.

>> ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE TRAINING, ITEM 19, GOING WITH THE VARIOUS JUSTICE ITEMS. AND WILL BE UP FOR DISCUSSION. ITEM 20, WE HAVE THE HEART PROGRAM, PRECINCTS 1 AND 3 FLAGGED. ITEM

20, SO YES? >> YES.

>> ITEM 21 IS ON VOTER REGISTRATION WHICH WE ALREADY DISCUSSED. I WILL PUT IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 22 IS ON PROPOSED ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES , PRECINCTS 3 AND 4 REQUESTED DISCUSSION. ITEM 2 QUITRONE CENTER, STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. 25, H.R.M. RISK MANAGEMENT, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? YES. >> 26, SUCCESSION OF POSITION

IN PD OFFICE. >> YES.

>> PAGE 28, TAX RATE, WE WILL TAKE THAT WITH 135. 29 IS AN UPDATE TO THE FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED THAT. ALLOCATION OF METRO TRANSFER, COMMISSIONER

BRIONES? >> YES.

>> ITEM 35, ONBCD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> YES. ITEM 40, WE DISCUSSED VETERANS DAY AND ELECTION DAY HOLIDAYS. ITEM 135 WILL GO WITH ITEM 28 ON FLIGHT CONTROL DISTRICT BUDGET RATE. 157 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA,

T.D.C.H.A. YES. >> 159, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, EXEMPTION OF TAXATION. 209 FLAGGED BY RAMSEY. THAT IS THE AUDITOR ITEM. 324 WILL GO ALONG SIDE THE OTHER JUSTICE ITEMS.

331 . >> YES.

>> FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND BRIONES. 385, WE ALREADY DISCUSSED WHICH IS ON VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS. I WILL PUT THAT BACK ON CONSENT, SAME WITH 386, CELEBRATING CONGRESS WOMAN. 387, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON THE ACCESS PROGRAM? YES. 388 DEBRIS REMOVAL. WE ALREADY DISCUSSED.

SO PUTTING THAT BACK ON CONSENT. 389 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SHELTER AND RESCUE GROUPS YES.

>> 391, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TECHNICAL

ASSISTANCE. >> YES.

>> 392 COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND RAMSEY, TWO OPTIONS PRESENTED

FOR UPLIFT HARRIS. . >> YES.

>> WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 72.

>> IF WE CAN ADD ITEMS 43 AND 374.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO 43 WILL BE BENEFITSCALLISY CARE A CO. AND WHAT WAS THE OTHER?

>> 374. >> OKAY, 374 , THAT IS UNIVERSAL SERVICES I.T. GOVERNANCE PROCESS. I'M PUTTING THAT ONE UP FOR DISCUSSION AS WELL. OKAY. SO

HERE'S --. >> JUDGE HIDALGO, I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER BUT FOR SAKE OF CLARITY, THE JUSTICE PACKAGE ONES INCLUDE 9, 19, 183, 324, AND 380? THAT'S WHAT I'M REFERRING TO AS THE PACKAGE? I WOULD LIKE TO

DISCUSS TOGETHER, PLEASE. >> OKAY. SO 9 --.

>> 9, 19, 183, 324, 380, PLEASE. 183, 324 AND 380. THANK

[05:20:08]

TO BE --. >> IT IS THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE CONTINUATION UNTIL 2025. AND 19 IS THE COMPETENCY RESTORATION.

>> 9 IS COURT BACK LOG, 19 IS COMPETENCY RESTORATION PROGRAM.

>> IS 183 IS THE IMMEDIATE COURT TECHNOLOGY NEEDS. AND 324. SOME DON'T NEED FUNDING AND SOME HAVE DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES. BUT 324 IS THE COURT APPEARANCE RATES. THE TEXT REMINDERS AND THE CART PROGRAM. AND LASTLY 380 IS AN ADDITIONAL

TECHNOLOGY COURTROOM. >> 380 OR 382?

>> 380. SO IT IS 9, 19, 183, 324, 380. ARE THESE ALL -- THESE ARE ALL SORT OF ONGOING INVESTMENTS OR SOMETHING THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS?

>> YOU WILL SEE. THERE IS AN EXPLANATION. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMMISSIONER RAMOS AND THE JUDICIARY AND SO MANY OTHERS FOR MONTHS SO WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL OF THE PROTOCOLS AND PRIMING THINGS AND CLARIFYING

THINGS. >> AARPA, IT HAS BEEN AN ALL HANDS ON DECK EFFORT. I'M THANKFUL TO EVERYONE WHO SPENT

AN INORDERINANT AMOUNT OF TIME. >> JUDGE, THERE IS NOTHING ON THIS THAT WILL IMPACT THE 2025 BUDGET. IT WILL COME AS A BUDGET PROCESS. IT IS EITHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED AND WE WILL HAVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR IT.

>> I KNOW YOU ALREADY READ IT BUT I CAN'T COPY PASTE THAT QUICKLY. I GOT IT. IT WILL JUST TAKE ME A MINUTE. THE TECHNOLOGY UPDATES, THAT'S WHAT WE DISCUSSED BUT WITH YOU GUYS AFTER THE ALTOGETHER RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> THERE IS A ONE PAGER OR TWO PAGER THAT MY TEAM HAS SENT TO ALL FIVE AS WELL AS LIKE IMAGE VISUAL SUMMARIES SO IT IS CLEAR AND I WILL USE THAT DURING MY BRIEF REMARKS.

>> SO TECHNOLOGY. >> SO UNDER TECHNOLOGY, THEY HIT DIFFERENT COMPONENTS. BUT IT IS COMMERCIAL PAPER RELATED.

>> WE REVIEWED THOSE. THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

>> SO HERE'S THE DISCUSSION ITEM. SO WE HAVE 372 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND DIRECTOR ASKED WE TAKE THE CYBERSECURITY ITEM RIGHT AFTER THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA BECAUSE THF DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS PRESENTING. SO 372 EXECUTIVE SESSION. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, 35, 43, 135, 157, 1 59, 183, 209, 324, 331, 374, 380, 387, 389, 391, AND 3 392.

[05:25:23]

AM I MISSING ANYTHING? >> YES.

>> GO AHEAD. >> I WOULD GOING TOSAY MOVE ON

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> REAL QUICK, I WANT TO VAFR ITEM 368, 369, APPOINTMENTS TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED?

>> YES, AND ITEMS 371 TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED?

>> ITEM 371, YES. THAT IS A SELECTION FOR THE RECLAIMATION DISTRICT APPROVED AS PRESENTED. AND ITEM 373, IT DOESN'T HAVE A NAME ON THE AGENDA. IS THERE A NAME THAT IT WILL BE APPOINTED TO? I BELIEVE IT IS IN THE BACK.

>> THAT IS THE GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT. DIRECTOR

PEARSON? >> IF I COULD MAKE A MOTION?

>> GO AHEAD. >> TO APPOINT DR. PETERSON.

>> OKAY. >> MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE FOR DR. PETERSON TO TAKE THAT ROLE.

>> SO A MOTION TO APPOINT DR. PETERSON TO THE GULF COAST PROTECTION BOARD OF DIRECTORS. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I'M GOING TO TAKE 387 OUT OF THE AGENDA DISCUSSION. EXCUSE ME, WE HAD

THAT AS A CONSENT ITEM. >> ITEM 27.

>> YES. >> IT CAN PASS AS PRESENTED IF

THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. THAT IS FY23

QUARTER PROJECTION BUDGETS. >> I MOVE.

>> SECOND. >> SO IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL

OF THE ITEMS? >> NO, STILL GOING THROUGH SOME

GO FOR IT. >> I BELIEVE HE WAS SAYING ITEM 27 CAN BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED?

>> YES. >> SORRY, I NEED TO MARK IT.

ITEM 30? >> 30 IS A COUNTY WIDE COMPUTER

PURCHASE. >> PASAS PRESENTED. ALL OF THE ONES I HAVE CAN PASS AS PRESENTED EXCEPT FOR THE ONES

FLAGS. >> SO 32 AND 33 AS WELL?

>> YES. >> THAT IS BUDGE O

PROPRIATIONS. >> THAT'S IT FOR ME, JUDGE, THANK YOU. SO IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL OF THE ITEMS, 1-392 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS ALREADY VOTED EXCEPT?

>> MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES

[Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]

UNANIMOUSLY. >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER

BRIONES? >> RAMSEY.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. ARE THEY READY FOR US? DO YOU KNOW?

>> I BELIEVE SO. LET ME DOUBLE CHECK.

>> OKAY, SO WE ARE GOOD. IT IS 4:59. CYBERSECURITY AND THEY HAVE TO DISCUSS IT NOW BECAUSE DPS AND CLERK ARE

>> WE HAVE TWO ITEMS -- ONE OF THE FOLKS NEEDS THE CALL LOVE HAS TO LEAVE. AS TO ITEM 372, THERE IS A MOTION TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO SANITIZE THE SECURITY AND IMPLEMENT SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER TO STRENGTHEN AND FOR SECURITY OF LAPTOP AND OTHER AND USE DEVICES.

>> I SEE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ANY

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 1 of 3)]

[05:30:02]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS PROVIDED THE DIRECTION TO STABILIZE THE COUNTY'S TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, MODERNIZE , YOU HAVE ALSO DIRECTED UNIVERSAL SERVICES THAT PUT THE STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO PREVENT DUPLICATION OF EFFORTS. WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT AND INVITATION. CYBERSECURITY WE HAVE HEARD CLEARLY THAT IS TOP-OF-THE-LINE FOR COMMISSIONERS CODE. AND OUR FIVE YEAR FISCAL PLAN HAS INDICATED ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE GREAT POSSIBILITIES OF EFFICIENCY OR DERIVING SAVINGS. WITH ALL OF THOSE DIRECTIONS IN MIND, WE HAVE WORKED TOWARD STRENGTHENING OUR POLICY STRUCTURE. SINCE MUCH OF THIS YEAR, YOU HAVE APPROVED ABOUT 12 TECHNOLOGY APOLOGIES THAT HAVE PROVIDED FRAMEWORK TO OPERATE. THE NEXT STEP IS TO BRING ALL STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER SO WE CAN DEVELOP A STRONG PROCESS THROUGH WHICH THE TECHNOLOGY SYNERGY CAN EXIST AND COMMUNICATION CAN BE STRENGTHENED. ALONG WITH PRIORITIZATION PROCESS , REDUCTION OF RISK, AND OPTIMIZING INVESTMENT. THAT WOULD GAIN TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THROUGH INNOVATIVE AND FRIENDLY DIGITAL SERVICES. A LEADING ADVISOR AND CONSULTING FIRM, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEVELOP IT WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED NOW.

THANK YOU. >> HELLO, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

I AM CHRISTINA JOHNSON. THIS IS MY COLLIE, BOB. HE'S A SENIOR MANAGING PARTNER. I HAVE HIM SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE HE HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH DALLAS COUNTY WITH GOVERNANCE AND HAS RECOMMENDATIONS AND EXPERIENCE WITH SOME OF THE GOVERNANCE ITEMS. WHEN IT CAME TO GOVERNANCE, WE WERE ASKED TO ASSIST WITH CREATING AN IT GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE FOR COUNTYWIDE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. WE SPOKE TO VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE COUNTY TOGETHER OBSERVATIONS AND DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES AND OPINIONS. WE RECEIVED A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPINIONS, MODELS, THOUGHTS, HOW THE STRUCTURE SHOULD LOOK FOR THE COUNTY. WE GATHERED ALL THE INFORMATION AND THE CROSS REFERENCE AS BEST PRACTICES. DIFFERENT COUNTIES OF EQUAL SIZE. WE LOOKED AT STATES AND DIFFERENT CITIES.

LARGE CITIES, TO SEE WHAT STRUCTURES LOOK LIKE AND HOW IT WILL LOOK IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHAT WE PRESENTED TODAY -- IF WE COULD MOVE TO THE NEXT SLIDE? TODAY THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE -- THE FOLLOWING SLIDE, PLEASE? THE STRUCTURE WE HAVE HAS THREE DIFFERENT KEY COMPONENTS. YOU WILL SEE IT IN THE LIGHTER BLUE COLOR. THERE IS IT GOVERNANCE BOARD. IT INVESTMENT COUNSEL. IT REVIEW COMMITTEE. THESE DIFFERENT COMMITTEES HAVE DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND ASPECTS.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT MEMBERS THAT ARE VOTING AND NONVOTING MEMBERS. THROUGH THESE DIFFERENT GOVERNANCE BODIES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE FOUNDATION OF THE COUNTYWIDE GOVERNANCE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. THE REQUEST TODAY FOR THE MOTION, TO APPROVE THESE GOVERNANCE BODIES SO THAT THEY CAN OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS START TO DIVE IN AND DEVELOP THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE. ONE OF THE AREAS BEYOND THIS ITEM IS THE NEXT SIX MONTHS -- SEPTEMBER, WE ARE RECOMMENDING THE IT GOVERNANCE BOARD , THEY WILL WORK ON CREATING THE GOVERNANCE PROCESSES, THE ROLES, THE VOTING RIGHTS FOR EACH OF THEIR MEMBERS, IN OCTOBER WE WILL FOCUS ON THE IT INVESTMENT COUNSEL, WHERE THEY WILL GO IN AND DO THE PART FOR THEM AND CREATE THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE. ALSO, THE VOTING PROCESSES AND RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. IN DECEMBER, THE GOAL IS FROM NOW AND DECEMBER TO WORK WITH SPECIAL COMMITTEES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, INTEGRATED JUSTICE AND SO FORTH, TO ENSURE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN EACH ENTITY AND THE COUNTYWIDE GOVERNANCE

[05:35:02]

ARE THERE ANY CLARIFICATIONS? >> THANK YOU.

>> MY QUESTION IS ON THE TIMELINE. I AM WONDERING , IT SOUNDS LIKE IF I'M LOOKING AT IT CORRECTLY, IT WILL NOT BE PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED UNTIL JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR. THERE WILL BE A PILOT PROCESS THAT PROBABLY WILL GO FASTER IN THE NEXT 6 TO 8 WEEKS IF APPROVED. FULLY FUNCTIONING IN JANUARY.

>> YOU GUYS KNOW BETTER THAN WE DO. I ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. THERE MAY BE REASONS TO TRY TO HAVE EVERYTHING READY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> IDEALLY, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WILL BE THE BEST RECOMMENDATION. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH TIME FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES TO COME ON BOARD TO

MEETS. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> BOB. >> THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. HAD THE PLEASURE TO SERVE MR. DARRELL MARTIN AND CHARLES REED IN DALLAS COUNTY LAST FALL. ASSESSING THE IT ORGANIZATION. THE FOCUS WAS NOT PRIMARILY ON GOVERNANCE, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE FOUND THAT IMPACTED THEIR ABILITY TO FUNCTION WELL WAS LACK OF STRONG GOVERNANCE. RESULTED IN FINDINGS WHERE THERE WERE SIGNIFICANT OVERSPENDING AND HARDWARE IN SOFTWARE TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 63% OF THE BUDGET. IT MINIMIZED THE IMPACT TO HIRE ENOUGH OF THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO RUN AN EFFECTIVE IT ORGANIZATION. WE FOUND ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES FOR THAT WERE THE WAY THEY WERE MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. IT HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE RIGHT GOVERNANCE AND STRONG GOVERNANCE TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT DECISIONS WERE BEING MADE WITH THE CONTEXT OF THE TOTAL COST OF RUNNING THE IT ORGANIZATION. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE STARTED TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME OUT OF THAT REPORT. THERE SAT IN THE PROCESS OF A PERMANENT CIO. GOVERNANCE WILL BE THE TOP PARTY OF THE NEW CIO WHEN IT STARTS.

>> I HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE JUDGE IF NOW IS THE TIME?

>> ARE YOU DONE WITH YOUR PRESENTATION? THANK YOU FOR

>> THE MOTION THAT I HAVE ON THIS AND I WANT TO THANK THE DIRECT FOR HER WORK IN LEADERSHIP ON THIS. YOU ARE SO SOFT SPOKEN BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR STRONG LEADERSHIP. THE MOTION WOULD BE TO MOVE FOR APPROVAL TO PROCEED WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE GARDNER PRESENTATION OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE IT GOVERNANCE BOARD. INVESTMENT COUNSEL AND REVIEW COUNSEL WITH FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THE DESIGN AND AND LIMITATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY IT GOVERNANCE PROCESS. ONE, TO STAND UP THE IT GOVERNANCE BOARD. THE CHAIR WOULD BE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. CONVENE THE IT GB MEMBERS TO CONFIRM RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBJECTIVES AND RATIFY . CHARTER, TO OBTAIN THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND FEEDBACK ON OVERALL COUNTYWIDE IT PROCESSES. TO DEVELOP COUNTYWIDE IT VISION STATEMENTS. GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES TO ANCHOR THE GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING. TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON COMPLETION OF THE MILESTONE. THE TARGET

[05:40:01]

PURCHASING, AUDIT, COUNTY ATTORNEY AND HUMAN RESOURCES.

CONFIRM ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBJECTIVES, RATIFY THE CHARTER. TO OBTAIN THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND FEEDBACK OF THE OVERALL COUNTYWIDE IT GOVERNANCE PROCESS. ESTABLISH A WORKING SESSION TO IDENTIFY ACTIVITIES AND TIMELINE TO INCORPORATE THE COUNTYWIDE IT GOVERNANCE PROCESS. TO THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE. TO IDENTIFY AN ELEMENT QUICKLY TO ACCELERATE COST SAVINGS. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BCG REPORT. TO FIND MORE SPECIFIC SCENARIOS AND EXAMPLES OF THE IT REQUESTS THAT WILL GO THROUGH THE FULL COUNTYWIDE IT GOVERNANCE PROCESS. 25 UPDATE TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THIS MILESTONE FOR THE TARGET COMPLETION WILL BE OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR. THIRDLY, CONTINUE TO ESTABLISH WORKING SESSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM SPECIAL-PURPOSE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES TO DEFINE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT AND FORUMS FOR COLLABORATION AND CONTINUE TO SOLICIT THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE COUNTYWIDE PROCESS. TARGET COMPLETION FOR THIS WILL BE , DECEMBER, OF THIS YEAR. LASTLY, THE STAND OF THE IT REVIEW COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES BY ADAPTING WORK ALREADY UNDERWAY BY HARRIS COUNTY UNIVERSAL SERVICES, TO IMPROVE INTAKE PROJECT EVALUATION AND REVIEW STANDARD DEVELOPMENT. ET CETERA. TO SUPPORT COUNTYWIDE IT GOVERNANCE PROCESS. TARGET COMPLETION FOR THIS WILL BE, JANUARY OF 2025. THAT WAS A MOUTHFUL. I THINK I COVERED EVERYTHING.

>> THANK YOU. IS THIS WHAT YOU NEED?

>> YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR POLICY DIVISIONS. THEY HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD MOVING THIS FORWARD AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH GARDNER AND THE STAKEHOLDERS. JEREMY AND MR. BROWN IS HERE.

>> THAT IS THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- SECOND

BY COMMISSIONER >> THANK YOU. WE KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A LONG ROAD. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSE? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. I ALMOST FORGOT BUT THAT I DIDN'T GO SLACK --

>> I KNOW EARLIER YOU MADE ITEM 3 TO BE MOVED TO THE CONSENT.

>> I DID NOT MEAN THAT. >> IT WILL BE PUT BACK ON

DISCUSSION? >> I MISSPOKE. I THOUGHT YOU

CAUGHT THAT. >> THAT IS THAT FOR THE IT

[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

>> IF YOU COULD PLEASE PUT UP THE JUSTICE SLIDE FOR THE VISUALIZATION. THE GOAL OF THE COURT RESOURCES PACKAGE IS TO ADVANCE JUSTICE AND HARRIS COUNTY TO DOUBLE DOWN ON PAIN POINTS. INEFFICIENCIES IN THE LIFECYCLE OF A CASE THAT WE IDENTIFIED THANKS TO THE REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER OF STATE COURTS, WHEN THEY DID THE ANALYSIS OF HARRIS COUNTY COURTS. WE RECEIVED IN QUEUE FOUR LAST YEAR THANKS TO THE EXCELLENT DATA AND LEADERSHIP AND VISION OF TONYA MILLS. I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PARTNERS. FROM A GOOD GOVERNMENT PERSPECTIVE, IT ENERGIZED ME. TO SEE MANY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD ON OUR COLLECTIVE PROGRESS. THERE ARE TOO MANY TO NAME BUT I WILL NAME THE KEY ONES WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR ALMOST A YEAR. JUDGE FAIN. JUDGE VAL. JUDGE GRAY.

[05:45:08]

LASTLY, THE PRECINCT QUARANTINE. THE HIGHER STANDARDS WERE ON FULL DISPLAY IN THIS WORK. THANK YOU.

MARISSA, THANK YOU. GABRIELLA, AND SO MANY OTHERS, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. THE REASON I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS, PART OF IT IS THE LAWYER IN ME AND THE FORMER JUDGE AND THE FORMER CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER. PATIENT IS NOT A VIRTUE. I POSSESS AND I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO FIND INEFFICIENCIES AND REFORM PROCESSES. I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS FIVE-PART PLAN WHICH IS HERE FOR THE WHOLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE , I SEE IT AS A SERIES OF GEARS. IF THERE IS A SNACK, A DELAY IN ONE PART OF THE SYSTEM, THERE IS A DOMINO EFFECT. IF WE CAN FIND THE AREAS AND CONTINUE THE INVESTMENTS AND EXPAND THEM, WE CAN HELP REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION AND ALSO CONTINUE REDUCING THE COURT BACKLOG. IT HELPS TO 'S, DEFENDANTS, LAWYERS, JUDGES, COURT PERSONNEL, IT IS A WIN/WIN. IT IS HARD IN GOVERNMENT TO FIND THOSE SOMETIMES IT WILL MAKE THE SYSTEM WORK BETTER SO THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE EVERYONE GETS -- AT THE END OF THE DAY, JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED. IT IS TRUE. IT IS TRUE IF YOU ARE A DEFENDANT WAITING FOR TRIAL. IT IS TRUE IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN DEEMED FIT TO STAND COMPETENT FOR TRIAL AND YOU ARE WAITING BECAUSE THERE ARE NO BEDS AT THE STATE. WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH BEDS IN HARRIS COUNTY. ALL OF THE GEARS THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO ENHANCE SO IT WORKS BETTER, THIS IS A WIN FOR THE JUSTICE. THE PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WAS FANTASTIC AND I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON IT.

SPECIFICALLY IT IS A FIVE-PART PLAN. THE FIRST FEES FOCUSES ON UPGRADING OUTDATED TECHNOLOGY. THERE IS PRIMARILY THE DISTRICT COURT. THE COURT APPROVED CIVIL COURTS BUT HAD NOT BEEN DONE.

DIRECTOR, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM WHO HAVE BEEN QUARTERBACKING AND WILL CONTINUE TO WITH THIS PIECE AND COLLABORATION YOU HAVE HAD WITH JUSTICE PARTNERS. THE BOTTOM LINE, MUCH TECHNOLOGY HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED IN TIME, IF NOT MORE YEARS. ABOUT THREE YEARS I WAS ON THE BENCH, THERE IS A SECOND GRADE PROJECTOR , THERE WERE SCREENS FOR THE JURY.

EVIDENCE IS CRITICAL TO THE DISPOSITION OF ANY CASE. CIVIL OR CRIMINAL. IT DIDN'T WORK BUT WE COULD NOT GET THE PART TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE IT ANYMORE. I WENT BACK TO MY TEMPLATE TEACHER AND THERE ARE BINDERS WITH TABS . THAT IS A CIVIL CASE. WE HAVE SEEN IT IN THE CRIMINAL CASES, WHEN YOU HAVE A CHILD RELIVING THE TRAUMA OF THE WORST DAY IN THEIR LIFE AND THE MICROPHONE DOES NOT WORK AND YOU ARE TELLING THEM TO YELL LOUDER AND THE JURY CANNOT HEAR, THERE ARE SO MANY EXAMPLES. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE TECHNOLOGY NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED. THANKS AGAIN TO THE BUDGET OFFICE AND OTHER TEAM MEMBERS. THE EQUIPMENT AND MICROPHONES, THE SERVERS AND BACKUP SERVERS, IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, THIS WILL BE A LEAPFROG MOVE THAT IS LONG OVERDUE. IT WILL DELIVER PROGRESS AND ADVANCE JUSTICE. THE SECOND, FOCUS ON IMPROVING

[05:50:02]

IF THE DEFENDANT DOES NOT SHOW UP TO COURT, THE CASE IS RESET CREATING FURTHER DELAY. THEY MAY NOT SHOW UP FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION, MENTAL HEALTH, MARRIED OF REASONS. AT THE VERY LEAST, THE WAY YOU GET A TEXT WHEN YOU ORDER A COFFEE, WE SHOULD BE SENDING THOSE TO DEFENDANTS. PLUS WE NEED TO EXPLORE OTHER REMINDER MECHANISMS. GIVEN THAT WE KNOW MANY INDIVIDUALS CAN BE TRANSIENT. THIS WOULD BE AN INVESTMENT TO HELP DRIVE COURT APPEARANCE RATES VIA TEXT REMINDERS AND OTHER MECHANISMS. VERY EXCITED. THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PERSPECTIVE, THESE WILL BE BILINGUAL. THIS IS A STEP FORWARD AND A WIN FOR JUSTICE.

THE THIRD COMPONENT IS CONTINUING TO WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN FUNDING THAT WE STARTED IN 2023 IN REGARD TO THE JAIL BASE COMPETENCY RESTORATION. BETWEEN 2020 AND 2023, WE SAW 40% INCREASE IN COMPETENCY CASES. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN APPROXIMATELY A 20% INCREASE IN AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IN JAIL. AND THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS 185 DAYS. PEOPLE ARE WAITING. IF THEY ARE WAITING FOR A BED SO THE COMPETENCY CAN BE ASSESSED AND IT CAN HOPEFULLY BE RESTORED -- I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE 91% RESTORATION. THAT IS EXCELLENT WORK. THANK YOU. AS YOU KNOW, IN 2023 THERE WAS AN INVESTMENT FOR 20 BEDS. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO LET THAT CHARGE.

WE KNOW IT IS WORKING. 20 BEDS IS NOT ENOUGH. THIS FUNDING WOULD FUND 30 ADDITIONAL BEDS. TAKING US TO 50 TOTAL. AGAIN, IT WILL NOT BE ENOUGH BUT IT WILL BE A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. PLUS THREE ADDITIONAL COURT CARE -- WE CAN HELP THESE INDIVIDUALS GET THE SERVICES TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED FOR THEIR OWN WELL-BEING AND WELLNESS. ALSO TO STAND TRIAL. IN THE CASE CAN MOVE ALONG IN THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE GEL NUMBERS. -- GEL NUMBERS. THE FOURTH COMPONENT IN THIS PACKAGE IS TO SUSTAIN THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND SUPPORT STAFF FUNDING. WE NEED TO CONTINUE IF THE FUNDING WOULD OTHERWISE EXPIRE. THROUGH THE WORK OF ART BY -- WE HAVE SEEN THE NEED BECAUSE WITH THE HELP OF THESE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, AND GIVEN THAT THE JUDGES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINING 100% MORE CLEAR AND STRAIGHT BETWEEN THE JUDGES ARE WORKING HARD, WORKING THROUGH THE CASES. LET'S HAVE ASSOCIATE CASES. FILINGS ARE UP APPROXIMATELY 15%. PLUS WE ARE CLEARING THE BACKLOG FROM HARVEY AND COVID. IF WE HAVE THE JUDGES MAINTAINING 100% CLEARANCE RIGHT OR MORE AND WE CONTINUE THE FUNDING FOR THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, WE CAN WORK THROUGH AND BUILD ON THE 62% REDUCTION IN THE BACKLOG. OUR GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG ENTIRELY AND THE SIX CORDS AND OTHER INVESTMENTS WE MADE WILL HELP. THE FIFTH COMPONENT AND FINAL COMPONENT, IT'S NOT SEXY BUT NEEDED. IT WILL STREAMLINE CASE MANAGEMENT. EVERY TIME THERE IS A CONTINUANCE IN THE CASES ARE CONTINUED, THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN BE TRACKING THEM. DASHBOARDS THAT WE NEED AND SEE IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE CASE AND THE CONNECTION WE HAVE HEARD FROM MISS MILLS, FOLKS WAKING -- THEY ARE NOT BEING TRACKED FROM THE DATA MANAGEMENT. THANK YOU TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES WHO HELPED BREATHE LIFE, THIS IS HUGE. WE CAN LEARN AND CONTINUE TO ITERATE AND GET BETTER AND KEEP THE GEARS TURNING IN A WAY THAT IS SUFFICIENT AND ALWAYS ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE. THIS FIVE PRONGED PACKAGE -- LOOKING AT ALL

[05:55:03]

I WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. ANY OF THE KEY PARTNERS HERE. DR.

HOLMES, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU BRIEFLY. I HOPE WE CAN PASS THIS UNANIMOUSLY BECAUSE IT WILL HELP EVERYONE IN THE SYSTEM. IT IS A GOOD DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> TONYA MILLS. MANAGING DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION . MY PRESENTATION TODAY IS FOR YOU. IF YOU HAVE YOUR STOP WATCH IT IS UNDER FIVE MINUTES.

BRIEF RECAP ON THE PRESENTATION . BLAZE AND EVERYTHING THAT COMMISSIONER BROWN TALKED ABOUT. WE BROUGHT AN ANALYSIS THAT SHOWED THE DRIVERS OF THE POPULATION WERE FELONS THAT WERE STAYING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. WE HEARD 189 DAYS THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THERE WERE 1399 FOLKS IN CUSTODY DURING THE ANALYSIS THAT WAS THERE OVER A YEAR WITH AN AVERAGE OF 17 -- 719 DAYS. THEY ARE DRIVING THE JAIL POPULATION.

THE SUBSET ARE FOLKS WHO HAVE COMPETENCY ISSUES AND THEY STAY TWICE AS LONG AS THEY GENERAL POPULATION FELONS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID BRING SOLUTIONS TO THE TABLE. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE. WITH ASSOCIATE JUDGES, WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN HAVE CASES PRIORITIZED WITH ASSOCIATE JUDGES. KPI DIRECTLY RELATED TO REDUCING THE POPULATION TO JAIL. WE CAN TIE THE CASES TO REDUCTIONS IN JAIL POPULATION. JVC ARE , WE TALKED ABOUT THE 30 BED EXPANSION THAT EXPIRED IN JUNE. WE REQUESTED THE ABILITY TO EXTEND THAT AND ASKED THE HARRIS CENTER TO HELP US WORK ON A REGULARIZATION SO WE CAN HAVE ONE UMBRELLA FOR ALL GEL FORENSICS. FSP AND JVC ARE CAN WORK TOGETHER. WE WERE TAKING GAPS SO THEY WOULDN'T BE CRACKS. THAT'S FOR THE PSYCHIATRIC DOCTOR AND NURSE CREATED SOME ECONOMIES OF SCALE SO THEY COULD GET ADDITIONAL CARE COORDINATORS. IN JUNE WHEN WE PRESENTED THAT YOU ASKED US TO WORK WITH OMB TO FIND FUNDING OR JBCR IN FI 25. I WILL KICK IT TO DANIEL TO

EXPLAIN IT. >> WE WILL BE COMING BACK AUGUST 15TH WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL TO GO THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. THE FUNDING LAPSED JUNE 30TH. HARRIS HEALTH HAS BEEN GENEROUS TO CONTINUE FUND IT IS A GO THROUGH A MINISTRY TO ACTIONS TF FUNDING OVER THERE. WE WILL ALSO HAVE PREPARED IF YOU CHOOSE TO TAKE IT UP, A BUDGET AMENDMENT INCLUDING FISCAL 2025 BUDGET. WE CAN DO THIS OR PAY FOR IT WITH GEL

BONDS ARE SIMPLY >> AND WILL PAY FOR ITSELF. TWO

WHAT IS THE SCALE OF IT? >> A LITTLE UNDER 1 MILLION.

>> THE SCALE OF THE SURFACE ? IS IT 10% OR 1%?

>> 40% HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS IN CUSTODY WITH NO HEALTH ISSUES. COMPETENCY RATE IS RISING. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE CONSUMERS, THESE GUYS ARE RIGHT. I CAN HAVE DR. HOLMES

[06:00:01]

>> I MEAN, THE PROGRAM. IF YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING FOR THE BUDGET, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALISTIC ABOUT WHAT SCALE WE ARE AIMING FOR. IF THE BUDGET INVESTMENT SERVES ONLY 5% OR 50% OF THOSE WHO NEED COMPETENCY RESTORATION THROUGH US, PERHAPS WE NEED A LARGER INITIAL INVESTMENT.

>> PUTTING ONE THING -- EVERYTHING UNDER ONE UMBRELLA, ENSURES FOLKS TO COME BACK FOLKS WAITING TO GO. WE HAVE THERAPEUTIC RESOURCES CLOSER. ON THE STATE HOSPITAL WAITING LISTS, PERHAPS THROUGH JBCR, BEING COMPENSATED IN THE JAIL AND ON THE STATE HOSPITAL WAITING LIST, AND ENSURES THEY HAVE THERAPEUTIC INNOVATIONS WHILE WAITING ON THE STATE HOSPITAL. THE AVERAGE LENGTH, THE AVERAGE WEIGHT IS 259 DAYS THE TOP OF THE LIST BEING 1000 TO GO TO STATE HOSPITAL.

>> OF 100 PEOPLE WOULD QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, IS THE PROGRAM LARGE ENOUGH FOR 100 OR IS THE CAPACITY ONLY 50% OF THE NEED? WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THE KNEE. HOW MANY BEDS DO YOU

REALLY NEED? >> YOU WANT TO KNOW IF IT'S

ENOUGH? >> YES. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SCALE UP THAT FAST BUT I WANT TO ASK THE QUESTION.

>> FAIR. WITH THE 50 BEST, THE CURRENT FLEET LIST IS 319 PEOPLE. THAT INCLUDES THE CLIENT 50 WITHIN THE PROGRAM.

PERSONAL GOAL IS TO GET RID OF THE WAIT LISTS. IF WE CAN TURN IT OVER TO DO REVOLUTIONS WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT. IT WILL BE ON THE FRONT AND HITTING HARD IN THE BEGINNING AND TAKING CARE OF FOLKS ON THE BACKEND. THIS IS ABOUT TAKING CARE OF FIELD. IS A HUMAN COST OF WILL WAITING IN JAIL AND A PHYSICAL COST. WE WE'RE SITTING NOW WITH THE SKILL I HAVE, WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION TO START OUT. HARRIS COUNTY IS LEADING THE WAY WITH A LOT OF SPACES, ESPECIALLY GEL BASE COMPETENCY RESTORATION. WE ARE IN COMMUNICATION ALL THE TIME AND I CANNOT BELIEVE WE ARE DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE AND THE COUNTY. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT. LOOKING AT THE PACKAGE AND WHERE WE ARE AT, IT IS MORE THAN A GOOD START. MORE THAN A DROP IN THE BUCKET. IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN. ULTIMATELY WE TURN IT OVER . WITH THE HELP OF THE COURTS AND PROCESSING CASES, NOBODY FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS, WE WILL BRING AWARENESS TO CASES THAT HAVE GONE ON FOR TOO LONG. AND CASES THAT ARE IN

THE JAIL. >> THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BEAUTIFUL IMPACTFUL PROGRAM. IT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT ALREADY. I THINK MY ANGLE IS TO REMEMBER THAT WHILE WE ARE DOING SOME GREAT INNOVATIVE THINGS, THE NEED IS BEYOND . THE FAMILY HERE, IF WE TOLD THEM THAT, THEY WOULD BE LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I LOVE THAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT THE SCALE. THAT WILL BE MY ONLY THING IS YOU FINALIZE THAT.

>> THIS ONE HAS A VERY CLEAR RETURN ON INVESTMENT. AS WE SCALE UP, YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE, THE MOST IMPORTANT -- EXPENSIVE THING WE DO AS A COUNTY IS ALSO'S INMATES.

EVERYBODY WE CAN KEEP HERE IS THE BODY WE DO NOT HAVE TO SEND TO ANOTHER STATE. ONCE WE REACH CAPACITY YOU WILL SEE US COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL TO CONTINUE TO SCALE.

>> MAYBE WE CAN REMEMBER IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, FOR CONSISTENCY -- THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU. I COMMEND YOU FOR ROLLING UP YOUR SLEEVES AND APPLYING YOUR EXPERIENCE IN BRINGING THIS PACKAGE TOGETHER TO THE COURT. WE MUST SUPPORT THIS AND I WANT TO THANK YOU DR. MILLS. AND YOU AS WELL, FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. THEN YOU SET IT WELL, THIS WILL PAY FOR ITSELF AS WE SCALE DOWN THE OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS. WE WILL SAVE ON THE OVERBURDEN OF COSTS. IT WILL IMPACT INDIGENT DEFENSE . IT WILL IMPACT JAIL OVERTIME. IT WILL IMPACT MEDICAL COSTS. IT WILL IMPACT

[06:05:06]

THIS IS A TRUE OVERHAUL OF THE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN -- FOR ALL TOO LONG BUT I WANT TO THANK YOUR TEAM AND EVERYBODY WHO WORKED ON THIS. THIS IS EXCITING . TO HAVE OTHER COMMENTS, BUT I WANT TO SECOND YEAR MOTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE SEVERAL MOTIONS. AGAIN, THANK YOU , ALL THIS? ONE OTHER COMMENT. THANK YOU FOR THE GEARS YOU FOR HERE.

AS I UNDERSTAND , COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS YOU ARE MEASURING AS YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH THE LITANY OF BENEFITS. OUTSOURCING IS THE NUMBER ONE THING TO MEASURE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA IDENTIFIED ANOTHER MEASURE THAT WE CAN LOOK AT. DAYS IN JAIL. I WANT TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN A MOM COMING TO THIS COURT MANY TIMES. I DON'T KNOW EVERETT GRIFFIN. THAT IS A MOM WHOSE SON DIED IN THE JAIL. I GOT TO ASKED THE QUESTION THEY ARE ASKING. THEY COME TO COURT AND ASK AND I THINK IT IS FAIR. ARE WE DOING EVERYTHING WE KNOW TO DO, TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES IN THAT JAIL? THAT IS A FAIR QUESTION. I WILL ASSUME WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE KNOW TO DO TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES IN THAT JAIL. THE QUESTION I HAVE GOT, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO MEET THE JAIL STANDARDS SO THE JAIL CAN BE AT LEAST THE MINIMUM

STANDARD? >> I THINK WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN. TO MOVE FORWARD IN IMPROVING THINGS AT THE JAIL. WE ARE WORKING LOCKSTEP WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE CANNOT THANK THEM ENOUGH FOR THE STAFF THEY ARE PUTTING AT OUR DISPOSAL TO PICK THEIR BRAINS. WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THIS PROCESS . THE JUSTICE GOVERNANCE ADVISOR COMMITTEE IS WORKING QUICKLY TO COME BACK IN DECEMBER WITH THE BIG PROPOSAL FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER ALL OF THE JUSTICE ISSUES , NOT JUST KARSLO. NINE CARSON WELLS SYSTEMS. WHAT KIND OF SERVICES WE NEED TO PROVIDE WEATHER IN THE FENCE ARE OUTSIDE THE FENCE. WARM HANDOUTS, ALL OF THOSE ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT AND WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES TO GET

THAT DONE. >> WHEN YOU THINK WE WILL MEET

THE STANDARDS? >> THE LAST MEETING THE CHIEF SAID HE THOUGHT WE WERE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF MEETING IT. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON TO SEE IF WE COULD GET THERE. WE WILL NOT KNOW OFFICIALLY UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING OF JAIL STANDARDS IN SEPTEMBER. THEY ARE WORKING REALLY DILIGENTLY

ON IT. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO STRESS , OTHER PROBLEMS RELATED TO JAIL AT SOME POINT RELATE TO THE PROBLEM OF NOT HAVING THE RESOURCES. AS AMBITIOUS AS IT IS, I HOPE WE CAN MEET THE STANDARDS IN 30 DAYS. THAT WILL DEPEND ON IF WE ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT.

[06:10:05]

ON TODAY. >> IF WE DEDICATE THE FUNDING TO PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, I WOULD RAISE THAT MONEY ALL DAY LONG.

WE TEND TO TAKE THE MONEY AND GO OFF INTO OTHER TANGENTS.

>> THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT WE CAN DO. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS THAT YOU CANNOT REDUCE. THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU CANNOT GO ABOVE. WE HAVE MADE DECISIONS OVER THE YEARS TO LOWER THE RATE BELOW WHAT THE PREVIOUS COURT HAD TO OPERATE WITH. WE WILL GET TO THAT LATER.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN TO MY COLLEAGUES AND THE TEAM MEMBERS . ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS, JUDGES, SHERIFF, EVERYBODY WE NAME, THANK YOU. THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE AND WE HAVE TO KEEP PURPOSELY DELIVERING PROGRESS. ESPECIALLY FINDING THESE AS WE HAVE MORE LIMITED BUDGET. WHAT ARE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT ITEMS THAT ARE LOW HANGING FRUIT THAT WE COULD KEEP DRIVING PROGRESS? I KNOW THE JAIL KEEPS ALL OF US UP AT NIGHT. THE END GOAL IS TO REALLY ADDRESS HOW EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK AHEAD OF US. TODAY IS ONE PIECE OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH WE ARE TAKING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ADVANCING JUSTICE. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO PLEASE READ FOR THE RECORD THE DIFFERENT ITEMS . NUMBER NINE, IT WOULD BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. NUMBER 19, DISCUSSION ONLY. NUMBER 183, APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

380, NO ACTION. A TRANSMITTAL. 324, THE MOTION LANGUAGE WOULD BECOME A MOTION TO DIRECT JUSTICE ELEVATION, TO TRACK THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE CORE SYSTEM RESOURCES

INITIATIVES. >> THAT ONE IS FOR 374?

>> 324. 324. MOTION TO DIRECT JUSTICE AND INNOVATION TO TRACK THE LIMITATION AND EVALUATION OF COURT SYSTEM RESOURCES

INITIATIVES. >> FOR NUMBER 19?

>> NO ACTION. NINE, APPROVED AS PRESENTED. 183, APPROVED AS

PRESENTED. 380, NO ACTION. >> OKAY. SO YOU ARE BRINGING THAT UP TOGETHER? IN THE INTEREST OF TIME.

>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I HAVE A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS. ON 19, EXCUSE ME, NINE, THAT IS A EXTENSION OF THE PROGRAM THAT WE BUILD -- IS THIS THE INTAKE? WHICH ONE IS

AGES? >> NUMBER NINE. THAT'S BEEN

APPROVED. >> THAT WE RAN OUT OF CIRCLE? YES, IS BEEN IN QUEUE FOR A WHILE.

>> 19 IS COMPETENCY RESTORATION. THAT WAS THE OF DAVID YOU WILL CONTINUE -- IF WE LOSE DR. MILLS? YES, THANK

YOU WITH YOUR PRESENTATIONS. >> WE APPROVED TECHNOLOGY OF DAYS. WE APPROVED COMMISSIONERS COURT. THIS IS PUTTING DOWN THE

MONEY? >> THIS IS TO ALLOCATE THE COMMERCIAL PAPER TO ALLOW THEM TO MAKE PROCESS.

>> 324, THAT ONE IS THE ONE I HAVE THE QUESTION ON. THAT IS BASICALLY THE REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION ON THE BUDGET

PROCESS? >> NO, SO WE CAN CONTINUE PROCESS TRACKING. TRACKING IMPLEMENTATION , AND THE

[06:15:10]

SEEING . >> I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT A WHILE AGO, EVIDENCE. I KNOW YOU DISCUSSED THAT YOU CANNOT DO IT ALL , WHICH I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT UP. DOES THIS MEAN ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING OR THESE FIVE INITIATIVES?

>> THESE FIVE. DR. MILLS? >> THERE ARE ASKS IN THE BUDGET THAT HAVEN'T CEMENTED TO THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT WILL BE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION DURING THE BUDGET. THERE ARE ITEMS OUTSIDE OF THIS THAT WILL COME FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> AT SOME POINT SOMEONE WILL THINK ABOUT THE EVIDENCE

CONSIDERATION. >> WE WILL LOOK AT THAT.

>> I WILL LEAVE IT UP TO YOU. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. I THINK THERE ARE OTHER INITIATIVES THAT FOLKS HAVE BROUGHT UP THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT. YOU WILL STAY ON ALL OF THEM?

>> YES. WE APPRECIATE IT. STAY TUNED. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THE DEFENSE COMMISSION, IS GETTING CLOSER TO RECOMMENDATIONS. WE ARE KEEPING RAMOS AND HIS TEAM TO THE ROI.

THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE LIFECYCLE OF THE SYSTEM AND CASES THAT WE ARE STAYING IN CLOSE CONTACT AND HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS. I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT TONYA IS DOING, LOOKING AT THE DATA WITH HER TEAM AND WITH THE COURTS AND THE SHERIFF, TO MAKE SURE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY PROJECTS THAT COME FORWARD, ARE THE ONES WITH THE BIGGEST ROI. NOT ONLY DOLLARS, BECAUSE THAT IS IMPORTANT BUT, HUMAN LIVES. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE PROJECTS AND WE WILL SEE THE BIGGEST BENEFITS

TO THE COUNTY. >> THAT HELPS ME EXPRESS WHAT I AM TRYING TO COMMUNICATE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE IN YOUR GROUP AS YOU MOVE THROUGH THIS, YOU ARE GIVING US A SENSE OF YOUR PRIORITIZATION. OBVIOUSLY THESE ARE EVOLVING AND IMPORTANT INITIATIVES. THE LAST ONE, AV SYSTEMS. THAT IS APPROVED IN MAY. NOW WE ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING MONEY BEHIND IT. I WOULD BE REMISS TO NOT TO THINK THAT MY TEAM ON THE JUSTICE ISSUES AND EVERYONE BEHIND THE SCENES, I LOVE THE BRANDING PROCESS BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO BUT WE REALLY DO A LOT ON JUSTICE AND SAFETY. WE ARE NEVER ABLE TO CONVEY THAT EFFECTIVELY. I AM CURIOUS WHY YOU PICKED THESE

FIVE ? >> WE HAVE BEEN INVESTING ON EVERYTHING FROM HEART ANOTHER DIVERSION PRETRIAL WORK. TWO THINGS WITH THE DA, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE JAIL, THE COURTS, THE POST CONNECTION TO EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING. I SEE IT AS THE COMPLETE LIFECYCLE AND THIS IS ZEROING IN ON EFFICIENCIES PIECE. THESE WERE FROM THE NATIONAL CENTER OF STATE COURTS RECOMMENDATION. TO YOUR POINT ABOUT EVIDENCE, ANOTHER HUGE LEVER FOR IMPROVEMENT THAT WAS IN THE NATIONAL CENTER, SOMETHING MS. SMELLS , THEY HAVE A BUDGET REQUEST THAT I AM ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT -- TO IMPROVE FOR THE EVIDENCE FEES. SEEING IN A HOLISTIC MULTIFACETED. THE WHOLE GOAL IS SO NO ONE ENTERS THE SYSTEM TO BEGIN WITH. WHAT ARE THE COMPLEMENTARY FRONT END SYSTEM, BACKEND INVESTMENTS BASED ON DATA AND BEST

PRACTICES NATIONALLY? >> I LOVE IT. TO SAY THIS IS

[06:20:05]

TO SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> THE MOTION WILL BE FOR

NUMBER NINE , 183, 324? >> CORRECT.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> THAT WAS A LOT OF THEM. LES MOVED TO ITEM NUMBER 10.

GENERAL FUND SUPPORT PROJECT. FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> A QUICK QUESTION, I WILL TRY TO GET IT OUT AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE. MS. RAMOS, IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM THE FLEX FUND? TWO AS PART OF THE BALANCING, WE TOOK SOME OUT OF AARPA FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES. THIS IS THE ACCOUNTING ACTION TO DO THAT.

WE CANNOT PUT OUR MONEY IN THEIR AS DISCUSSED EARLIER IN THE WEEK. THAT IS THE WAY THE DEADLINE DOES NOT COME INTO

EFFECT. >> WE WILL NOT PUT A LOT IN THERE BUT THAT IS A HELPFUL THING AS WE WRAP UP THE AARPA INITIATIVES TO HAVE A FUND TO GO TO IN THE MEANTIME.

>> I BELIEVE TREASURY OF DAVID THE GUIDANCE WHERE IT IS NOT -- YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFER MONEY INTO REVENUE

REPLACEMENT LATER ON. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 11.

THE FLEX FUND. SEE MAC TO HIRE A PROJECT MANAGER , HIRE A CHANGE MANAGER AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR THE MANAGERS. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS THE INITIATIVE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PAY EQUITY PROJECT, WHICH WE HIRE A CONSULTANT. I STRUGGLE WITH THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT FOUR ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS TO MANAGE A CONSULTANT . HAVING BEEN A CONSULTANT FOR A FEW YEARS, I MANAGED MYSELF THAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO HAVE THESE PHYSICIANS IN ADDITION --

>> PART OF THE REASON THAT HR IS ASKING FOR THESE PHYSICIANS THAT I SUPPORT, IS NOT ONLY MANAGING THE CONTRACT BUT MANAGING ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THE PAY EQUITY STUDY. IT WILL TOUCH ANYBODY. PAY INCREASES, BIG OR SMALL, THEY ALWAYS HAVE A LOT OF EMOTIONS ATTACHED. CHANGE MANAGER WILL BE CRITICAL. ESPECIALLY TALKING ABOUT CHANGING.TITLES . THERE WILL BE A LOT OF COMMUNICATION. THE REASONS I BROUGHT BACK HR TRANSFORMATION , THE HR DEPARTMENT IS WILLFULLY UNDERSTAFFED AND NEEDS MORE RESOURCES. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY HAVE TOOLS NECESSARY TO MANAGE THE MESSAGING ON THE REPORTS THAT WILL BE COMING OUT FROM THE CONSULTANT. SHANE AND -- ARE ON

IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING. >> I WOULD ADD THAT ALL OF THAT IS CORRECT. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANTLY COMPLEX ENDEAVOR.

THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ENSURE IT IS SUCCESSFUL, IS REALLY WHAT THE NEED IS FOR. I WANT TO CLARIFY THE AMOUNT OF FOUR POSITIONS. I RECOGNIZE THE ON THE AGENDA IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL ALLOCATION OF 2.2 MILLION AND THE CONTRACT AMOUNT. THE AMOUNT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE FOUR POSITIONS IS 665,000 . THAT IS IF SALARIES WERE GIVEN AT THE MAX RATE. THE

[06:25:01]

>> WHAT ARE WE PAYING FOR COURT FARES?

>> KORN FERRY IS A SEPARATE CONTRACT. I WILL LET SHANE TALK ABOUT THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDE --

>> IT IS ALL PAY EQUITY? >> CLARITY GOT PAID FOR THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT HAD STUDY. THEY ALSO ARE DOING A STUDY ON THE SALARIES EQUITY FOR THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THE COUNTY AUDITOR. BESIDES THAT, WHAT ELSE DO THEY DO?

>> WE JUST HAVE THEM ON CONTRACT. CONSULTANT SERVICE AS NEEDED. THEY WERE MAINLY USED IN THE LAST YEAR .

>> DID WE ADD MONEY ? >> YES, SIR. THAT WAS FOR THE

CONSULTING. >> HOW MUCH MONEY WAS THAT?

>> I BELIEVE ON THE LAST COURT IT WAS $135,000.

>> THE CITY FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS WAS UNDER 50, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. >> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND? >> I WAS SECOND AT BAY BUT I SHARE THE CONCERN. WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE DRIVING AGGRESSIVELY AND PURPOSELY. WE NEED TO BE CUTTING THE FAT AND HAVE ENOUGH TALENTED PEOPLE TO EXECUTE THE WORK. AS LONG AS THEY ARE TIGHTLY AND STRATEGICALLY MANAGE, I WILL SECOND IT APPEARS IN ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I AM IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> MOTION CARRIES. 3-ONE. THREE DIS-WONDERS. SCHEMA FOR THE RECORD, I BELIEVE HR HAS NO FAT

RIGHT NOW. >> I AM IN FAVOR. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AS I AM IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIES 4-WONDERS. ITEM

13. EARLY REACH PROGRAM. >> SHARING DATA RELATED TO CHILDREN WITH HER FAMILY, THAT HAS A CONCERN.

>> I WILL MOVE IT. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 4-WONDERS. 4-1. ITEM 15.

>> SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. ITEM 18. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THIS. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. ITEM 20. THE HEART PROGRAM.

>> I HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE ON IT. NO, I AM IN SUPPORT. I DO

NOT HAVE QUESTIONS. >> I HAVE QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU WANT TO STATE A QUESTION?

>> MY COMMENT IS RELATED TO HEART. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COURT IS AWARE OF PROGRAMS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. CURRENTLY SUCCESSFUL IN THE COUNTY. ONE IS THE CORE. IT CURRENTLY

[06:30:04]

THEY DO NOT ORIGINATE FROM DISPATCH. THAT IS SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION IN TERMS OF WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE AS WE CONSIDER HOW TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF HEART . TO BRING IT BACK UP FOR GOING OUT FOR PROPOSALS. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK LONG AND HARD AT THE EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE AND MAYBE TRY TO MODIFY THEM SLIGHTLY TO MAKE THEM HEART EFFECTIVE. THOSE ARE COMMENTS ON THIS BEFORE

CONSIDERING. >> I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON THIS PROGRAM. THEY WERE INVOLVED IN DESIGNING. IT REALLY FELT LIKE WE PUT IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THIS PROGRAM ? RESPONSE TO FLOYD'S KILLING. ARE MAKING PROGRESS. I WILL NOTIFY YOU ABOUT STATISTICS. I DO NOT WANT TO GO OVER THAT AGAIN AND AGAIN. THEY APPRECIATE THE STAFF AS THEY SOUGHT TO EXPAND THIS PROGRAM. I WILL BE PROUD TO SECOND HER MOTION.

>> I THINK THEY ARE GOOD PROGRAMS. THEY EACH SERVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES WHEN WE DIG IN. MY TEAM AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS TEAM TO SAVE AND STRENGTHEN HEART. THANK YOU FOR PROPOSALS YOU SUBMITTED. WE ARE WORKING ON PARALLEL TRACKS. THE RFP IS GOING OUT FOR THE POTENTIAL NEW VENDOR. MEANWHILE, AN IN-HOUSE PLAN IS IN THE WORKS. THERE WILL BE A TRANSITION PERIOD.

TODAY'S MOTION IS FOCUSING ON WHERE TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY ? WE WANT TO SAVE AND STRENGTHEN TO IMPROVE.

THE MODEL IS EXTREMELY PROMISING AND WE NEED TO

[06:35:04]

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND GARCIA.

>> QUICK QUESTION, THIS APPROACH HOUSES WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. IS THERE MERIT TO CONSIDER HOUSING IT IN THE HARRIS SECTOR OF THE MENTAL HEALTH FOLKS? NOT IN THE SHERIFF'S, BUT UNDER THE RECOGNIZED , HIGHLY AWARDED UNTIL HEALTH AREA? IS THERE MERIT TO CONSIDER HOUSING IF THERE, RATHER IN THE HEALTH PART?

>> YOU WERE HERE AND I WAS NOT, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE HARRIS CENTER WAS ONE OF THE BIDDERS. IS THAT CORRECT? THE RFP PROCESS IS ABOUT TO HIT THE STREETS. IF YOU CHIME IN ON THE EXACT DATES. IF THEY ARE INTERESTED THAT COULD BE AN OPTION AS IT CONTINUE ON THE PARALLEL TRACKS.

>> THE COMMITTEE FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION TO DWIGHT ? WHO WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE AND WHAT WILL BE THE CRITERIA TO SELECT THE

SELECTION COMMITTEE? >> FOR THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE , I RECOMMENDED TO PUBLIC HEALTH, THEY SHOULD HAVE A COUPLE MEMBERS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AND INCLUDE TWO MEMBERS FROM A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT THAT HAVE SOME EXPERTISE IN THIS PRAYER FOR ME AND OCA, THAT'S WHAT I ALWAYS ASK MY STAFF TO DO. SO YOU HAVE OUTSIDE VOICES IN THE EVALUATION. THAT WAS MY RECOMMENDATION.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE A LOT OF THOUGHT. YOU ARE THE ADMINISTRATOR. YOU ARE THE BOSS. THE BOSS DOES NOT RECOMMEND, THE BOSS TELLS. I WOULD GIVE THE SELECTION COMMITTEE VERY CAREFUL THOUGHT SO WE CAN MAKE SURE TO GET US A GOOD EVALUATION. AND ANYONE ELSE LISTENING, I HOPE WE GET COMPETITIVE BIDS. WE NEED EXPERIENCE AND WE NEED TRANSPARENCY. WE NEED COLLABORATION. I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO PUSH THE RPI TO GET A LOT OF PEOPLE TO PAY

ATTENTION. >> ANOTHER THING THAT WE DO KNOW AND I WILL PASS THIS OUT TO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, TO NOT ONLY HAVE EVALUATION COMMITTEES FOR BIG PROJECTS AND IMPORTANT PROJECTS THAT HAVE A LOT OF EYES ON THEM THAT INCLUDE A COUPLE OUTSIDE APARTMENT MEMBERS . SO THEY ARE NOT IN ECHO CHAMBER, BUT ALSO SO THEY ADOPT OFF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBERS TO HAVE AN OBSERVER THAT IS AN

[06:40:03]

TRANSPARENCY. >> THE RFP PROCESS GIVES POINTS FOR CERTAIN THINGS. I KNOW THAT ON THE LAST POINTS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS , IS THEREBY CONSEQUENCE A SIMILAR REVERSE IF WE KNOW A PARTICULAR VENDOR SUBMITS BUT HAS PROVEN TO DO SOMETHING INACCURATELY OR INAPPROPRIATELY? DOES THAT

COUNT AGAINST THEM? >> I DO NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE LATEST IS ON THAT? I WILL GET WITH HIM BEFORE HE SENDS IT OUT TO MAKE SURE IT IS INCLUDED.

>> MY QUESTION ON THIS , STARTING WITH THE END. I WAS DISTRACTED WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE. IN WHAT I LIKE TO SEE, FIVE MEMBERS. THAT WAY YOU HAVE AN ODD NUMBER. THREE, FROM THE REQUESTING DEPARTMENT. TWO FROM OUTSIDE APARTMENT. I LIKE TO BRING FOLKS THAT HAVE EXPERTISE SO YOU GET OUTSIDE OF THE ECO-CHAMBER WITHIN YOUR DEPARTMENT. SOMETIMES YOU THINK THE SAME WAY AND THINK THE SAME WAY ALL THE TIME. THIS WAY YOU BRING FOLKS FROM THE OUTSIDE.

THAT WE ALLOW EACH COURT OFFICE TO NAME AN OBSERVER THAT CAN COME AND WATCH THE PROCEEDINGS AND SEE EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS. THAT HELPS GIVE EVERYBODY TRANSPARENCY TO THE COURT OFFICES, ESPECIALLY. THE EVALUATION PROCESS IS CONFIDENTIAL. NDAS ARE SIGNED. THIS GIVES THE COURT OFFICES INSIGHT INTO HOW THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE WAS THINKING ABOUT

THE VENDORS. >> I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM PROPOSAL. TO UNDERSTAND, RIGHT NOW IT IS ON THE VENDOR MODEL. IT IS WITH THE MOTHER. WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING IS TO TAKE THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS IN HOUSE AND HIGHER ANOTHER VENDOR , IS THAT KIND OF IT?

>> YES. THE RFP WILL GO OUT. A MULTITUDE OF FOLKS WILL APPLY.

HARRIS CENTER, THEY CAN APPLY AGAIN. IF ALL IN-HOUSE PLAN THAT DIRECTOR ROBINS AND HER TEAM, WAS. TO TAKE IT FULLY IN HOUSE, THE CHALLENGE IS THAT IT TAKES A YEAR OR MORE FOR CERTIFICATIONS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS. THERE IS A LABOR PEACE. THE IMMEDIATE HYBRID AS WE TRANSITION, HOW CAN WE FOCUS ON COST SAVINGS AND IMPROVED OUTCOMES AND TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON DATA? YOU BRING THE SOFTWARE , THE DATA RESPONSIBILITY , REAL-TIME DATA BEING FED TO US. AND THE PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. A BUILDING. COMMISSIONER ELLIS , HIS TEAM AND MIKE, WORKED WITH THE IN TEAM FIRST STEP. WE ARE DOING THE POTENTIAL FENDER AND FULL HOUSE TRANSITION OF WHAT IT COULD LOOK LIKE. RATHER THAN WAITING AND RISK A GAP , WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO TAKE ACTIONABLE STEPS TO INCREASE

THE IMPROVED OUTCOMES. >> FUNDAMENTALLY THE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE INTERRUPTED. MY QUESTION TO DIRECTOR ROBINSON, ARE YOU GOOD WITH THE SOLUTION? WHETHER IT IS FOR HER ART

[06:45:07]

TO CONSIDER? >> ON THE OPERATING SIDE WE NEED TO SEE WHAT THE RFP COMES BACK ON.

>> IN THE MEANTIME AS THEY MOVE SOME IN HOUSE --

>> THE SOFTWARE AND FACILITY, ASSUMING IT WILL HAVE A COST.

WE HAVE THE MONEY TIED UP IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT AND WE WILL HAVE A NEW CONTRACT IN JANUARY. WE HOPE. THE COST TO BRING THE PIECES IN HOUSE, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT IN THE BUDGET. WE DO NOT LIKE UNFUNDED MANDATES FROM THE STATE. WE DO NOT WANT TO DO

THAT. >> THERE IS AN ASK WE WILL BRING IT BACK. MIKE DIRECTOR ROBINSON, ARE YOU GOOD WITH

THIS APPROACH? >> YES. IN MY LAST POINT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE SIMPLEST EXPLANATION OF A WELFARE CHECK SITUATION, HEART IS A SPECIAL MODEL TO RESPOND TO 911 CALLS. UNARMED FIRST RESPONDERS ARE DISPATCHED TO NONVIOLENT CALLS TO CONNECT THEM WITH APPROPRIATE RESOURCES. THAT IS WHY IT IS QUOTE" REFER -- WELFARE CHECKS.

TO HAVE MORE SPECIFIC TAGGING OF CALLS, IF THAT IS POSSIBLE.

FROM THE FOLKS THAT CAME IN, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. THEY NEEDED A RESOURCE AND WE TOLD THEM ABOUT IT BUT THEY CALLED 911. IN THAT CATEGORY IS A CATCHALL WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN TERMS OF THE 911 SYSTEM. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TO FIND THAT CATEGORY BECAUSE IT HAS A BROAD NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF INCIDENTS AND. AGAIN, IT IS A PILOT WE ARE WORK INTO REFINE.

>> TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT ON THE COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES, I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH WAYNE YOUNG YEARS AGO. HE LISTED OUT FOR ME THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND I DO NOT KNOW WHO IT FALLS UNDER -- IT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT IF WE GET BACK INTO THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT NEED EMERGENCY NONLAW ENFORCEMENT SUPPORT FOR START NARROWING HEALTH-RELATED SUPPORT, TO WHAT EXTENT DOES THE WEB OF INITIATIVES COVER AND WHO IS NOT COVERED? CAN WE STREAMLINE? THEY NEVER HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO DO THAT BUT I KNOW WE HAVE STARTED IN THAT DIRECTION WHEN COVID HAPPEN. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE FROM MENTAL HEALTH, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT'S A WAY TO GET A SERVICE NEEDED. THE STAFF FOR COMING UP WITH A CALL AND GOING TO CHECK ON SOMETHING. WHEN I TALKED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF, THEY SAID THAT SELF INITIATED CALLS IS THE TERM USED. THAT IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE FIELD WHO SEES SOMETHING. SEE SOMEONE LYING ON THE STREET AND THEY WILL CALL HEART DIRECTLY TO SAY I NEED YOU TO CHECK ON THEM. THAT TURNED MY BRAIN AROUND ON THAT ISSUE. I THOUGHT THEY WERE MAKING WORK FOR THEMSELVES BUT IT IS NOT. THEY'RE GETTING DIRECT PHONE CALLS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT. DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THAT IS CORRECT , IS IT NOT? THE SELF INITIATED CALLS --

>> JUDGE, IT HAS BEEN 10 MINUTES.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. CAN I PUT THIS SOMEWHERE ON YOUR LIST FOR THE CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING WITH DIRECTOR MILLS -- MY CONVERSATION WITH WAYNE YOUNG YEARS AGO, SHOW THERE WAS A MASSIVE GAP EVEN THOUGH WE HAD ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS. IT WAS LIKE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE

[06:50:05]

>> TO THAT FACT TOO HARD. THANK YOU DIRECTOR ROBINSON TO YOUR TEAM. COMMISSIONER ELLIS TEAM. TO RECONFIRM, THE REASON WE ARE SERVING WITH THE INITIAL TRANSITION FOR THE SOFTWARE INFRASTRUCTURE, IT IS CP ELIGIBLE. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP. AS WE RETURNED TO THE MOTION, THERE IS ONE OTHER THING WE TALKED ABOUT. FOR AN ABUNDANCE OF OVER COMMUNICATING, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ARE ALWAYS EVALUATING THE PROGRAMS TO SEE WHAT IMPACT THEY ARE HAVING OR NOT HAVING, TO BE GOOD FIDUCIARIES WITH TAXPAYER RESOURCES TO HELP PEOPLE TO THE MAXIMUM EFFECT. WITHOUT EVALUATION IT IS HARD TO MEASURE AT TIMES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO IMPROVING BUT I WOULD SAY FOR ME, AS WE SAVE AND STRENGTHEN HEART, HAVING THE EVALUATION PIECE AND I KICKED OFF YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, WHETHER THIS PROGRAM OR OTHERS, WE HAVE TO BE COMMITTED TO EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES. IT IS HARD WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE VERIFIED INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS TO BASE INVESTMENT.

I KNOW YOU HEAR THIS OFTEN BUT IT IS IMPERATIVE IF WE CONTINUE THE MARKET PROGRESS. WITH THAT, TO REREAD THE MOTION, I MOVED TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. PURCHASING AGENT, COUNTY ENGINEER OF CORE HEART INFRASTRUCTURE TO IN-HOUSE MODEL OUTLINED AS A FACILITY PROCUREMENT RENOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND LIMITATION SECTIONS OF THE

FIRST REFUNDED IN-HOUSE PLAN. >> SECONDED.

>> AS YOU SAID OF THE COMMITTEE, WE WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE OBSERVERS ARE LISTED IN THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE.

YOU SAID YOUR INTENTION IS TO HAVE AN OBSERVER FROM EACH OFFICE . THEY SHOULD BE LISTED IN THE COMMITTEE.

>> TO THE JUDGES FOR, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS THE REQUESTING AGENCY. THEY WANT TO HAVE HEART. THEY TECHNICALLY ARE REQUESTING THE AGENCY. I WOULD MAKE THEM PART OF THE

SELECTION COMMITTEE. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. >> THANK YOU COLLEAGUES. THAT

[06:55:02]

FOUR. DID I MISS ONE? >> I HAVE ONE BUT I CAN GO

SECOND. >> IT'S ALWAYS COMPLICATED. I AM LOOKING AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. DID YOU PUT THIS

ON ME? >> YES, SIR. I DID.

>> I WOULD SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT , I WOULD SUPPORT JUDGES -- WILL BE OVERLOOKED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME FROM TALKING ABOUT THE ELECTED FOLKS ON THIS. WHOEVER ELSE INCLUDED, IT IS UP TO THE GOOD JUDGMENT IN TERMS OF WHO ELSE WILL BE THERE. JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE ELECTED, IT DOES NOT MEAN --

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME -- >> 2016. EIGHT YEARS.

>> UNLESS WE ARE GOING FOR THE TENURE -- 10 YEARS, I WILL CERTAINLY ADVOCATE FOR THIS FROM THE JUDGES STANDPOINT , FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SAMPLING, THE PRIMARY POINT OF

SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. IN DIRECTOR RAMOS FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. I AM IN SUPPORT. TAKE A STEP BACK. CANNOT WAIT FOR THE PAY EQUITY STUDY TO ACTUALLY START. BECAUSE THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. IN THE MEANTIME, FEEDING PARITY BETWEEN THE COLAS , THE OTHER HARRIS COUNTIES HAVE RECEIVED , AND, THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS ELIGIBLE UNDER THE LAW TO THE EXTENT THE LAW PERMITS. BELIEVES IT IS A UNIVERSE OF 36 ELECTED OFFICIALS. COLAS ARE NOT THE WAY TO CREATE EQUITY. THE WAY TO CREATE COMPETITIVE PAY STRUCTURES BUT A WAY TO ADDRESS INFLATION AND COST OF LIVING CHANGES. IN ALMOST 10 YEARS I HAVE LIVED WITH THEM. WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE JUDGES COME SPEAK THE LAST FEW MEETINGS. BOB FORSTMANN, ELECTED OFFICIALS. IT WILL NOT SOLVE THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE BUT IT WILL CREATE PARITY SO WE WILL -- I'M IN FAVOR OF WHAT YOU PROPOSE. IT WILL CREATE A LINKAGE BETWEEN COLAS AND EMPLOYEES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS. SO WE DID NOT HAVE THE DISCONNECTS THAT WE CLEARLY HAVE HAD HISTORICALLY AND WE HAVE MORE CONSISTENCY AND TRANSPARENCY AS WE MOVE FORWARD AS A COUNTY. THANK YOU, AGAIN.

>> IN TRAVIS COUNTY THAT'S HOW YOU HANDLE IT AND IT IS A GOOD MODEL. I WILL MAKE A SECOND MOTION.

>> THE REASON WE BROUGHT THIS TODAY IS BECAUSE THERE ARE STATUTORY DEADLINES FOR SETTING ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES. IT HAS TO BE DONE WHEN THEY HAVE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTED BUDGET. THE PAY EQUITY STUDY FOR RANK-AND-FILE STAFF AND LAW ENFORCEMENT STAFF, THE COURT CAN DECIDE TO DO THAT AT ANY TIME TO MAKE CHANGES ANYTIME DURING THE YEAR. AS LONG AS THEY HAVE FUNDING. FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS WE HAVE TO MEET THE STATUTORY DEADLINE. IF YOU DO NOT VOTE ON THIS PROPOSAL TODAY, I PRETTY MUCH RUN OUT OF TIME AND HAS TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR. THEY CAN FILE AN AFFIDAVIT WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND RETURN ANY PORTION OF THEIR SALARY FROM ZERO TO ALL OF IT. BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND. THAT'S THE WAY WE DID IT IN TRAVIS COUNTY. WE HAD A COUNTY COMMISSIONER WHO FOR MANY YEARS DID NOT TAKE ANY SALARY INCREASES. HE WOULD SIGN HIS AFFIDAVIT AND LET EVERYBODY KNOW HE WAS NOT TAKING HIS SALARY. WE ALWAYS KNEW THAT THE BUDGET FOR THE POSITION WAS AT

THE CORRECT SALARY. >> TO A PRESS CONFERENCE THEY

[07:00:02]

RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO CONSIDER CONCURRENTLY WITH

NONELECTED EMPLOYEES. >> I SECOND.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND. ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION? WE GAVE A COLA TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES? TRANSITIONING ]

AND FISCAL YEAR 24. >> THAT WOULD BE BASICALLY THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, WE DON'T SET THEIR SALARIES. SO THEY'RE NOT ELIGIBLE. BUT EVERYBODY HERE, BASICALLY,

>> EVERYBODY ELSE. >> EXCEPT FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS INCLUDING THE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES. AND OF COURSE, THE VARIOUS DISTRICT COURT, ET CETERA. SO THAT'S WHY THE NUMBER PROPOSED IS 9.2%. AND THEN, I FEEL REALLY STRONGLY ABOUT DOING ALL OF THIS, DOING THE SALARY DECISIONS ONCE THE SALARY STUDY IS BACK, AND NOT TAKING IT PIECEMEAL. HOWEVER, THE COAL IS A DIFFERENT THING. BECAUSE THE C.O.L.A.S THE COLA.

I THINK GOING FORWARD, >> AND JUDGE, THE OTHER THING IS THAT AS PART OF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, STUDYING ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES IS ALSO PART OF THAT STUDY. THIS IS THE C.O.L.A., THIS IS THE CATCHING UP, FOR EIGHT YEARS OF NO SALARY INCREASES OR C.O.L.A.S FOR ELECTED, FOR THESE QUALIFYING ELECTED OFFICIALS. AND THEN WE'LL HAVE AS PART OF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, WE'LL BE LOOKING AT, HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO THE OTHERS SAME TITLE ELECTED OFFICIALS ACROSS TEXAS? HOW DOES THAT WORK, GIVEN THIS COUNTY IS SO MUCH BIGGER? SO THEY WILL HAVE A RECOMMENDATION AS PART OF THAT STUDY THAT THEN WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, AND WE INTEND THAT THIS BECOME A POLICY AS PART OF, IF THIS MOTION PASSES, TO HAVE THE POLICY FOR FUTURE C.O.L.A.S TO MATCH WITH THE C.O.L.A.S THAT GO TO EMPLOYEES.

THEN WE'LL BE SET, AND IT WILL BE AN EASY ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET, MINISTERIAL FUNCTION. AND IT HELPS TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE POLITICS OF THE SITUATION, AND THE DIFFICULTY IT IS ESPECIALLY FOR YOU, AS A BOARD, TO HAVE TO SET YOUR OWN SALARIES. IT JUST GETS EVERYBODY TO THE RIGHT LEVEL,

AND THEN IT MATCHES STAFF. >> SO HERE'S BRIEFLY, I KNOW IT'S LATE BUT I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU, ADMINISTRATOR.

THE CAVEAT IS OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A REALLY HARD CONVERSATION TO HAVE, AND I APPRECIATE THE JUDGES FOR SPEAKING OUT AND THE DISTRICT COURT FOR SPEAKING OUT, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WHATEVER YOUR POSITION IS, YOU HAVE FAMILIES, YOU HAVE COSTS, AND ALL OF OUR COSTS HAVE RISEN VERY MUCH. HOWEVER, A C.O.L.A.

ON MY SALARY IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN A 9% ON SOMEBODY WHO WORKS AT THE PARKS. SO, THAT'S ONE QUESTION, AND I THINK GIVEN THE URGENCY, AND I WANT TO SAY, LET'S GIVE IT TO THE JUDGES.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE COUNTY CLERK? AND WHAT ABOUT

>> IT'S FOR ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, COUNTY ATTORNEY, COUNTY CLERK, DISTRICT CLERK, SHERIFF, CONSTABLES, JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. AS WELL AS YOU ALL, AND IN THE COUNTY AND PROBATE COURT JUDGES.

[07:05:03]

>> I'M HARD-PRESSED TO NOT GRANT THIS TO THE FOLKS THAT HAVE COME IN HERE, AND REQUESTED IT WITH VERY VALID REASONS, AND I THINK IF WE DON'T INCLUDE ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS WE'RE CREATING A MESS, I WILL SAY, THOUGH, MY ONE QUESTION IS GOING FORWARD, WE WILL EVEN EVERYTHING OUT NOW AND IT'S AN UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATION AND I'M CONFLICTED ABOUT IT, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE RIGHT NOW. GOING FORWARD, WOULD IT BE WORTH CONSIDERING, NOT NECESSARILY HAVING A C.O.L.A. PARITY BETWEEN LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES AND HIGHER PAID EMPLOYEES, BUT SOME SORT OF BALANCE, WHATEVER YOUR SALARIES. I DON'T KNOW . THE TRUTH IS EVERYBODY'S COSTS WENT UP BY THE SAME AMOUNT, THE RENT THAT I COULD AFFORD BEFORE, I CAN'T AFFORD ANYMORE. BUT, I WONDER HOW THEY DO IT ELSEWHERE. I WOULD LEAVE WITH YOU WITH THAT QUESTION.

>> THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES THAT YOU CAN DO. I'VE SEEN WHERE WHEN THERE'S A C.O.L.A., AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE FOLKS AT THE LOWER END OF THE SPECTRUM, AND THOSE FOLKS GET A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT IS LIKE, HEY, IF WE GAVE YOU A 3% C.O.L.A. AT THE LOWER LEVELS, YOU'D BE GETTING $800. NO, EVERYBODY UP TO THIS LEVEL GETS $2000 NO MATTER WHAT, AND ABOVE THAT YOU'RE GETTING THE PERCENTAGE. THAT YOU FEEL.

>> I THINK, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA. BUT I THINK WHAT I REALLY LIKE IS THAT THIS WILL BE PART OF, THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THE SALARY, THE C.O.L.A. IS A C.O.L.A. AND THE SALARY IN THE SALARY, BUT I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD FOR FUTURE FOLKS WHO SIT IN OUR SEATS TO HAVE A SYSTEM, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT, FOR AS LONG AS FOLKS HAVE BEEN SITTING AROUND THIS TABLE, OR THE EQUIVALENT, IT'S BEEN A REALLY DIFFICULT CONVERSATION TO HAVE. BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT BARRIERS TO ENTRY, ET CETERA ET CETERA. THERE'S TWO SIDES TO IT. BUT I THINK ON BALANCE, IT MAKES SENSE FOR ME TO SUPPORT IT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER, ALL

IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, 4-1, THANK YOU FOR BEARING WITH

ME. >> WHO WAS NO?

>> OH, YOU VOTED FOR IT.

>> YOU TALKED HIM INTO IT. >> DO I NEED TO RECONSIDER?

>> LEAVE IT ALONE BEFORE HE CHANGES HIS MIND.

>> I THINK THAT SENDS A GOOD SIGNAL, BECAUSE THIS IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT I DO THINK IT'S NECESSARY. 23. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. 23, INCREASING QUATTRONE CENTER. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLISE , SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN

FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. ITEM 25. THIS IS A RISK MANAGEMENT FUNCTION TRANSFERRING IT TO OMB.

>> SO, WASN'T RISK MANAGEMENT ORIGINALLY IN THE BUDGET

OFFICE? >> THAT'S CORRECT, WHEN THEY

SEPARATED HR. >> THAT WAS BEFORE MY TIME. 21

OR 22. >> IT WAS IN RECENT HISTORY.

NOT DECADES AGO. >> CORRECT. AND YOU SAW IT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, WE'RE TRYING TO ALIGN THE FUNCTION SO THAT THERE'S A STREAMLINED, SO YOU'RE NOT WORKING WITH ONE DEPARTMENT ON FEMA REIMBURSEMENT AND A DIFFERENT MEANT WHETHER YOU CAN ACCESS THE PICK OR NOT.

>> SO I KNOW YOU'RE GOOD AT ASSESSING COSTS. YOU NEED TO AT LEAST DO A BACK OF THE ENVELOPE, WHAT DID IT COST US TO SEPARATE IT OUT IN 21, AND WHAT IS IT GOING TO COST US TO

PUT IT BACK TOGETHER? >> THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL COST TO PUT IT BACK. WE'RE TAKING THE POSITION AND THE NONLABOR AND THAT'S IT. TO BE CLEAR, WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD TO TAKE THIS FUNCTION BACK. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO ALIGN THE OPERATIONS.

>> WHY SHOULDN'T IT GO UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION?

>> BECAUSE IT'S TOO MUCH FINANCIAL. AND IT REALLY DOES

FIT UNDER BUDGET. >> OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION FOR

25? >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER

ELLISE, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 26, A SUCCESSION POSITION IN THE PD'S OFFICE.

>> THIS, I GUESS I'M TOO MUCH PRIVATE SECTOR. AND HAVING THIS POSITION, A SUCCESSION POSITION, PEOPLE LEAVE, PEOPLE

[07:10:02]

SENSE AT ALL. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER ELLISE. >> I HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS.

WHEN I SUPPORT OF THE SUCCESSION POSITION, I DID NOT ANTICIPATE THAT WE WOULD HAVE A POSITION THAT WOULD GO FOR 16 MONTHS. THIS MAKES NO SENSE. AND, IN MOST CASES, WE HAVEN'T EVEN PUT, A POSTING, RATHER, FOR THE POSITION. AND SO, I JUST CANNOT SEE HOW 16 MONTHS MAKES ANY SENSE TO CREATE A SUCCESSION POSITION. THAT EITHER MEANS WHOEVER WE ARE GOING TO PLACE IN THIS POSITION IN AUGUST IS THE ANOINTED PERSON, AND IT'S ALL A JOKE FOR US. EITHER WE'RE GOING TO PUT THIS OUT FOR A POSTING, WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS, MR. BOND IS GOING TO CONTINUE THE RUN THE OFFICE, AND THEN WHEN THE POSTING COMES IN, AND THOSE POSITIONS OR THAT PERSON OR CANDIDATES IS DECIDED, THEN A SUCCESSION PROCESS BEGINS. BUT, 16 MONTHS MAKES NO SENSE.

>> SO, LET ME JUST TRY TO EXPLAIN THE THOUGHT PROCESS FOR THAT. BECAUSE WHAT YOU EXPLAINED, AS WOULD YOU THINK MAKES SENSE I THINK IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT. THE IDEA IS, WE HAVE THIS POSITION, THIS ACCESSION POSITION, THAT ENDS DECEMBER 31ST 2025. THAT FREES UP THE PERMANENT POSITION, SO WE CAN POST IT. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS, SO, THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS BOARD, THAT I THINK COMMISSIONERS COURT HAD A WHOLE NEW BOARD SEATED, THAT BOARD IS IN THEIR BYLAWS IS CHARGED WITH MAKING A RECOMMENDATION FOR A NEW CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER. SO, WHAT THE BOARD WOULD DO, WE'LL HAVE HR, AND HELP THEM CONDUCT A NATIONAL SEARCH, FOR THE REPLACEMENT, AND WE'LL HAVE THE BOARD THAT THE CANDIDATES, INTERVIEW, DO THAT, AND WHAT I WILL NEED TO KNOW IS IN HR, DO YOU WANT THE BOARD TO FORWARD YOU ONE NAME? DO YOU WANT THEM TO FORWARD YOU THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES? WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE IS COMMISSIONERS COURT SO YOU CAN MAKE THE FINAL HIRING DECISION. AND THEN THE IDEA IS, BECAUSE THE PD IS BEHIND IN ALL THE HIRING TO GET UP TO THE 50% OF CASES, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS, WHEN THE NEW CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER IS HIRED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, THEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET STARTED. ALEX WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP THEM GET ON BOARD IT, AND THEN ONCE THAT PERSON GETS THEIR FEET UNDER THEM, IT'S STILL BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST OF 2025, THEN ALEX COULD BE CHARGED TO DO SOME SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR THE NEW PERSON. BECAUSE BY THIS POINT, HE'S COUNTING HIS DAYS TO RETIREMENT, AND HE COULD HELP WITH ACTUALLY HIRING AND RECRUITING REALLY, YOU KNOW, FOCUS ON THAT PROCESS. WHILE THE NEW PERSON IS MANAGING THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AND DOING THEIR JOB. THAT WAS THE THOUGHT PROCESS WITH THIS.

>> THIS DOESN'T TELL ME THAT. I CANNOT SUPPORT A 16 MONTH SUCCESSION. IT JUST, IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT ON PAPER.

SO, I WOULD SUSPECT THAT YOU CAN POST FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED, BECAUSE, THE SUCCESSION POSITION DIDN'T COME WITH IT, THE IDEA THAT HE CAN STILL MANAGE FROM THAT POSITION. SO, I THINK THERE IS SOME CONCERN, FOR ME, THAT HE LOSES AUTHORITY AS THE DIRECTOR OF THAT OFFICE, BEING IN A SUCCESSION POSITION.

SO I WOULD GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT.

>> THAT'S NOT THE INTENT. >> I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT A SMOOTH PROCESS TO ALLOW HIM TO RETIRE, BUT A 16 MONTH

[07:15:07]

>> A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. WHEN THE ITEM WAS ON THE AGENDA A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND WHEN I SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT IT, YOU TOLD ME THAT IN TRAVIS COUNTY, YOU HAD A SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THIS.

SO YOU'D HAVE CONTINUITY WHEN SOMEONE WAS RETIRING. I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG THE PROCESS LASTED TO PICK HIM, BUT I KNOW THEY DID A NATIONWIDE SEARCH. I KNOW CATHERINE, WHO WORKS FOR ME, CATHERINE CASE, WHO WORKED FOR ME FOR A WHILE AND THEN SHE WORKS WITH YOU NOW, WAS ON THAT COMMITTEE. WHEN I WAS IN LEGISLATURE, SHE RAN THE ADVOCACY GROUP, AND SHE HAD THE ADVOCACY ROLE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT PICKED, AND I THINK IT TOOK THEM A GOOD WHILE SINCE WE WERE THE LARGEST URBAN COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY WITHOUT APD'S OFFICE. IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET PEOPLE TO APPLY, WONDERING IF THIS COUNTY WAS REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT IT OR NOT, THEY HAD A GRANT FROM THE STATE TO DO IT. I THINK IT MAY HAVE TAKEN THEM AT LEAST SIX MONTHS, MY GUESS. IT SEEMS LIKE TO ME, IT LASTED ABOUT SIX MONTHS. I WAS NOT HERE. I WAS IN ANOTHER POSITION AT THE TIME. AND I THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB. MR. BUNTING WAS THE RIGHT PERSON TO GROW THIS OFFICE TO WHERE IT IS TODAY. I DO KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE TRYING TO DO A NATIONWIDE SEARCH, THERE'S SOME GREAT PEOPLE HERE THAT I'VE HEARD MAY BE INTERESTED. WHO KNOWS WHEN THEY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, THEY MAY DECIDE THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT, BUT, I KNOW SOME GOOD PEOPLE HERE WHO REACHED OUT TO ME, BUT WHEN I SAW THIS, AND I THOUGHT -- SAW THIS 16 MONTH PERIOD, I DIDN'T SEE THAT AS SOMEBODY BEING THERE FOR 16 MONTHS BECAUSE EITHER YOU OR WE COULD DECIDE THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO LEAVE THEM IN THAT POSITION FOR 16 MONTHS. I DIDN'T SEE THIS AS AN IRONCLAD GUARANTEE, YOU HAVE 16 MONTHS. BUT I DO THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME PERIOD OF TIME FOR A REASONABLE TRANSITION, PARTICULARLY IN A CASE LIKE THIS WHERE IT'S NOT HOSTILE, AND WE JUST WANT TO, AS HE RETIRES, BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK THEY HAVE DONE, EXPAND THAT OFFICE, AND STILL PERFORM AT THE HIGH LEVEL OF THE SMALLER OFFICE HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT. MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE IN TRAVIS COUNTY, DID ANYONE EVER STAY FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME DURING THE TRANSITION?

>> YES, ACTUALLY, THEY DID. AND FOLKS LIKED IT BECAUSE IT PROVIDED STABILITY FOR ALL THE EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL. THEY DIDN'T GO THROUGH A PERIOD OF THREE, SIX MONTHS, 12 MONTHS OF KNOW WHEN LEADING AND HAVING AN INTERIM TAKE THE ROLE, BECAUSE THEY JUST KNEW, THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME BOSS, EVEN IF IT WAS IN THE INTERIM, AND AS SOON AS SOMEONE NEW WAS HIRED, NOW WE HAVE A NEW BOSS, AND THE INTERIM WOULD JUST SERVE MORE IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY AT THAT POINT.

>> AT LEAST FROM MY STANDPOINT, IN THE ALMOST EIGHT YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE, IT'S AMAZING HOW, WHEN SOMEBODY'S GONE, WHATEVER COMES UP, THEY'LL SAY, I WASN'T THERE. IN SOME WAYS IT WILL BE NICE IF THEY'RE STILL THERE, SO AT LEAST WE WON'T HEAR THAT EXCUSE. WE JUST HAD A CULTURE IN THE PAST OF VERY LITTLE IN WRITING, NO RECORDS, SO I DID THE TRANSITION PLAN TO SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE. FOR THAT REASON, I CAN'T SUPPORT IT, AND I THINK IF THERE IS SOME DISCOMFORT ON WHOEVER THE PERSON IS, THEY WOULD LET US KNOW IF IT IS NOT A CORNEAL TRANSITION. BUT I THINK YOU NEED THAT TIME, WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE SOME TRANSITION IN THERE, WHICH IS WHY I'M PREPARED TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR IT.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THANK YOU, VERY QUICKLY. HE

COULD RETIRE SOONER. CORRECT? >> HE HAS INDICATED THAT HE DESIRES TO RETIRE DECEMBER 31ST, 2025. THAT'S WHEN HE

WANTS TO RETIRE. >> BUT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT IF HE DECIDES TO RETIRE, LET'S JUST SAY.

>> IF SOMETHING CHANGES AND HE WANTS TO RETIRE.

>> AND THEN IF THE NEW PERSON DECIDES THAT THIS IS A HINDRANCE, IMPEDIMENT, THERE COULD BE ANOTHER PIVOT POINT

POTENTIALLY. CORRECT? >> THIS POSITION, THE PIVOT POINT WOULD BE THAT NOW THIS POSITION IS NOT PART OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, IT'S IN ANOTHER PACE.

BASICALLY, WE'RE MOVING THIS PERSON, THIS PERSON IS VOLUNTARILY MOVING TO A SUCCESSION POSITION. THE IDEA THAT YOU HAVE A MAN -- END DATE MEANS THAT YOU'RE GUARANTEEING THEM THEY HAVE THAT POSITION UNTIL THE END DATE SO THAT THEY ALSO HAVE THAT LEVEL OF COMFORT. THAT THEIR RETIREMENT

[07:20:09]

>> AND SO, I APPRECIATE THAT HE STARTED THE OFFICE, I APPRECIATE ALL OF HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNTY, I DO BELIEVE OF THE NEED FOR CONTINUITY, AND MAKING SURE THE TRANSITION IS SMOOTH, VERY MUCH SO. MY MAIN INTEREST WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO HIS CONTRIBUTIONS IS WE NEED TO GET TO THAT, AT LEAST 50% IN THE MOST STRATEGIC, EXCELLENT WAY, AND WE JUST HAVE NOT MADE AS MUCH PROGRESS AS ANY OF US, AT LEAST I WOULD NOT HAVE LIKED. SO I WOULD LIKE THIS NATIONAL SEARCH, I KNOW THE OCA IS WORKING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, BUT I WOULD LIKE THAT NATIONAL SEARCH, BECAUSE WE NEED THE BEST OF THE BEST TO REALLY TAKE US WHERE WE WANT TO GO, SO, WHEN DO YOU ESTIMATE? YOU'RE COLLABORATING WITH THE BOARD AND THEY HAVE THEIR OWN GOVERNANCE AUTHORITY. WHEN DO YOU THINK IS THE SOONEST WE COULD GET THE NATIONAL SEARCH LAUNCHED?

>> SO, IT DEPENDS. I HAD BEEN WORKING WITH MR. BUNTING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE COULD GET ON THE BOARD FIRST OR NEXT MEETING. SO, WITH HR, SO THAT WE CAN GO IN AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS AND WHAT THE COURT WANTED AS FAR AS HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU WANTED THEM TO PRESENT TO YOU, JUST THE ONE, OR A SMALL GROUP, TWO OR THREE TOP CANDIDATES. SO, I DON'T HAVE THAT TIMING YET ON THE DATE OF THAT MEETING. AS SOON AS I GET IT, I'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE IT WITH YOU ALL.

>> OKAY. >> DO WE KNOW WHEN HE'S PLANNING ON RETIRING, CAN'T WE DO, MAYBE I'M MISSING SOMETHING SIMPLE, HERE, CAN'T THIS BE NAMING THE NEXT PD

DIRECTOR? I MEAN, >> YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A

HIRING PROCESS. >> BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH DOING THAT. I'M LOOKING AT STEVE CAIN, WHO WAS NAMED LAST YEAR TO LEAVE THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP. BOB HARVEY, THE PRIOR CEO, ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT WAY BACK WHEN, AND THEN SAID THAT HIS LAST DAY WOULD BE DECEMBER 1ST, 2023. AND THEN MR. CAIN WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE HIGHER ON JUNE 21ST, 2023, A FULL SIX MONTHS BEFORE MR. HARVEY LEFT, AND THEN HE BECAME THE CEO, AND THAT WAS THAT. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH OUR APPROACH? WITH OUR PLAN? WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE IT SIX MONTHS BEFORE HE LEAVES BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY SIX MONTHS BEFORE HE LEAVES.

>> NO, IT'S NOT OF 2024. IT'S 2025.

>> O. >> IT'S TO BUILD TIME FOR THE PROCESS. WE HAVEN'T BEEN KNOWN TO HIRE PEOPLE VERY QUICKLY, ESPECIALLY AT THE HIGH LEVELS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES TIME.

>> SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS, WE DON'T,

>> WE WON'T HAVE A DIRECTOR. I WORRY THAT, I WANT TO BE CAREFUL TO SAY, ALEX IS A NEIGHBOR. I DON'T WANT HIM THROWING ROCKS AT MY HOUSE, BUT, I'M NOT SPEAKING OF ALEX AS THE PERSON. MY CONCERN IS THAT I THINK THERE'S A FUNCTIONAL PROBLEM PUTTING HIM IN A SUCCESSION POSITION, BECAUSE THAT TECHNICALLY LEAVES OUR DIRECTORS POSITION OPEN.

AND I WORRY THAT THAT, WITH IT, LEAVES SOME AUTHORITY IN A VACUUM. AND SOME DIRECTION FOR THE OFFICE IN A VACUUM. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE SUCCESSION IDEA. MY THOUGHT WAS THAT THE SEARCH WOULD TAKE PLACE, AND ONCE THE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED ON THE SUCCESSOR, THEN ALEX WOULD RELIEVE HIMSELF OF THAT DIRECTORS POSITION, ALLOW THE CANDIDATE OR THE NEW PERSON TO COME IN, AND THEN MENTOR HIM, FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS, FOUR MONTHS, THREE MONTHS, HOWEVER LONG THE PROCESS TAKES. I JUST CANNOT UNDERSTAND A 16 MONTH PROCESS.

A SEXTING -- SUCCESSION ROLE. THAT IS, FUNCTIONALLY IT

DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. >> I DIDN'T GET TO FINISH ASKING THE QUESTION. SO, THIS NEW PERSON, WHOEVER, LET'S SAY, WHATEVER THE NAME IS. WHY DO WE HAVE TO CALL THEM A SUCCESSION? CAN'T THEY BE, WHAT IS, THE NEW CHIEF PUBLIC

[07:25:05]

>> JUDGE, IT'S BEEN 10 MINUTES.

>> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND DISCUSSION? MOTION BY

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> MR. BUNIN IS ON THE LINE.

SORRY, I TRIED TO EXPLAIN IT CLEARLY BUT I'M NOT DOING A

GOOD JOB. IF YOU CAN HELP. >> MOTION CARRIES. UNANIMOUSLY.

YES, MR. BUNIN, THANK YOU FOR HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WITH US, IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE PLANNING YOUR FUNERAL, BUT THIS

IS JUST NOT. >> THIS IS THE ALEX BUNIN HARRIS COUNTY DEFENDER. THE GENESIS OF THIS IS THAT I HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR QUITE A WHILE THAT I INTEND TO RETIRE NEXT DECEMBER. I'VE HAD MEETINGS WITH COMMISSIONERS, AND THEY WANTED ME TO FORMALIZE THIS. I DECIDED I WOULD GO AND VISIT WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND THAT'S WHEN HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE TRAVIS COUNTY MODEL. THAT'S WHEN WE AGREED WE WOULD DO IT THIS WAY. I DON'T SEE IT AS ME LOSING ANY POWER AUGUST 10TH. I'M STILL ACTING CHIEF OR WHATEVER, UNTIL WE GO THROUGH THIS NATIONAL SEARCH AND YOU HIRE SOMEBODY TO REPLACE ME. AND AT THAT POINT, THEY WOULD BE THE CHIEF, AND I COULD DO A NUMBER OF THINGS. I CAN ADVISE THEM AND CONSULT WITH THEM, SO THAT THERE WOULD BE THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION, I'M ALSO BOARD CERTIFIED IN CRIMINAL LAW, I CAN TRY CASES.

I CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS WITH THIS OFFICE AND I HAVE PROBABLY MORE INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY, NOT JUST OF THIS OFFICE BUT HARRIS COUNTY, THAN ANYBODY EXCEPT MAYBE DR. SANCHEZ, THAT'S HOW LONG I'VE BEEN HERE. SO, I THINK I'VE GOT A LOT TO PROVIDE FOR THIS, AND I DON'T SEE IT AS THE MUNITION OF MY POWERS DURING THIS TIME. I THINK, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S IDEA IS A GOOD WAY TO REACH ALL THESE GOALS.

TO THE QUESTION OF WHEN IS THE NATIONAL SEARCH GOING TO START, I GOT HUMAN RESOURCES COMING HERE THURSDAY TO MEET WITH MY BOARD TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THE PROCESS WOULD BE. THAT'S STARTED. BUT THAT'S THE BACKGROUND TO WHY YOU'RE DEALING WITH WHAT SEEMS A LITTLE MESSY.

>> BUT IS ACTUALLY, IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT MESSY. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE BECAUSE, YOU ANNOUNCED YOUR WISH TO RETIRE FROM THIS POSITION, THERE'S GOING TO BE A SEARCH, AND THEN ONCE THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS IDENTIFIED, THEN IT CAN BE DECIDED HOW MUCH LONGER YOU STAY ON FOR A TRANSITION PERIOD HIM IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING?

>> IT IS. BUT, IT IS MY PLAN TO STAY THROUGH NEXT DECEMBER IN

SOME ROLE. IN SOME ROLE. >> RIGHT. AND THEN, OKAY, SO THAT'S HELPFUL. AND THEN, I HAD ASSUMED THAT YOU SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF YOUR BOARD. SO, LET'S, WHERE'S THE BOARD IN

ALL OF THIS? >> I SERVE AT YOUR PLEASURE, ICE RECORDS PLEASURE, THEIR JOB IS TO MAKE, YOU CANNOT ACT WITHOUT LISTENING TO THEIR RECOMMENDATION. YOU MIGHT NOT ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION, BUT YOU HAVE TO HEAR FROM THEM.

TRADITIONALLY, I'M ON THE TRAVIS COUNTY BOARD, WHO PICKED THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, SO I'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS PROCESS ON BOTH SIDES. THAT'S THE KIND OF MODEL I THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE, THE BOARD WILL HAVE TO THAT MANY APPLICATIONS, THEY'RE ALL BUSY PEOPLE, THEY'RE ALL BRAND-NEW TO THE BOARD. THAT PROCESS WILL TAKE A WHILE BUT I CAN HELP THEM, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN NOT ONLY A CANDIDATE, I'VE BEEN ALSO SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN ON THE BOARD THAT ACTUALLY ASSESSED

CANDIDATES. >> YOU'RE SAYING, I THINK IT'S FAIR THAT WE EXTEND MR. BUNIN THE COURTESY OF , LET'S SAY WE IDENTIFY THE PERSON IN JANUARY, AND WE THINK THERE'S ONLY A SIX MONTH TRANSITION PERIOD OR A THREE MONTH TRANSITION PERIOD, THERE IS ANOTHER NINE MONTHS LEFT OF THE YEAR, SO THEN MR. BUNIN, YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IN SOME CAPACITY, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AS THE CHIEF DEFENDER. AND I THINK THAT'S FAIR. BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU. TOOK A WHILE. YES, COMMISSIONER

[07:30:04]

ELLISE. >> I THINK THE CONCERN IS THAT, WOULD YOU BE IN ANY WAY A HINDRANCE TO YOUR SUCCESSOR?

>> NO. THEY WOULD BE MY BOSS. >> WOULD YOU INTIMIDATE THEM? IT'S SORT OF LIKE, I GET IT, IT'S LIKE WHEN I WAS IN LEGISLATURE I CHAIRED THE MONEY COMMITTEE ONE SESSION, AND THE NEXT SESSION I WAS KILLED IN THE SENATE BUT I HAD, I KNEW WHAT WAS IN THE BUDGET EVEN IF EVERYBODY ELSE DIDN'T, SO IT WAS NOT HOSTILE. SOMETIMES MY SUCCESSOR WOULD SAY, I WANT YOUR ADVICE, SOMETIMES THEY SAY, I WANT YOU TO STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS, SO THE CONCERN IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, AND I BELIEVE YOU DO.

>> AND JUDGE, IF I MAY, ALEX, I'M NOT SAYING YOU CAN'T RETIRE. I'M NOT SAYING YOU CAN'T BE IN A SUCCESSION ROLE TO HELP MENTOR YOUR SUCCESSOR. WE HAVEN'T EVEN PUT A POSTING OUT, YOU'RE STARTING THE PROCESS BUT WE HAVEN'T PUT A POSTING OUT. I JUST DON'T SEE THE NEED TO REMOVE THE TITLE OF DIRECTOR AND PUT YOU IN THIS NEW ROLE, AND WE DON'T EVEN

HAVE ANY CANDIDATES. >> BUT WE'RE NOT CHANGING HIS

TITLE RIGHT NOW. >> ONCE HE STEPPED INTO THE SUCCESSION ROLE, HE STOPS BEING THE DIRECTOR. HE CAN BE ACTING DIRECTOR, HE CAN THE INTERIM DIRECTOR, BUT HE'S NOT.

>> HE'LL BE CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER. AND THEN SUCCESSION.

WILL BE THE TITLE. BUT HE'LL HAVE ALL OF THE SAME, THE JOB

DESCRIPTION WILL BE THE SAME. >> WHY DOES HE NEED TO BE A

PARENTHESES SUCCESSION? >> WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TWO

CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDERS. >> BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIRE

THE OTHER GUY, RIGHT NOW, >> WE NEED VACANCY TO POST.

>> THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION. OKAY. IT'S LIKE AN EMERITUS.

>> YOU CAN'T UNTIL HE ABDICATES.

>> THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE PRACTICE, YES.

>> SUDDENLY IT ALL MAKES SENSE.

>> IT'S THE PRACTICE, IT'S NOT REQUIRED.

>> SEE WHAT I TELL YOU? SEE WHAT I'M TELLING YOU ABOUT

THESE LONG MEETINGS? >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLISE. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. FOR ITEM 26. OKAY, THANK YOU MR. BUNIN FOR BEING SO GRACIOUS.

ITEM 28. AND 135 GO TOGETHER ABOUT TAX RATES.

>> JUDGE, IF I MAY WELL DR. PETERSON GETS SET UP, JUST TO LEVEL SET EXPECTATIONS, HERE, OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN DIRECTED BY COURT TO EXPLORE OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO FULLY FUNDING OUR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. BECAUSE OF HOW THE CALENDAR FALLS, IF THIS COURT WERE TO DECIDE TO ADOPT A TAX RATE ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, AND CALL FOR AN ELECTION, WE WOULD NEED TO WALK OUT OF THIS ROOM WITH A NUMBER SO THAT WE CAN NOTICE IT PROPERLY, FOR YOU TO TAKE IT UP ON THE AUGUST 15TH COURT, AND THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR THE GENERAL FUND IF THERE'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSION ON IT, BUT I WANT TO LEVEL SET EXPECTATIONS, IF WE CANNOT AGREE TO A NUMBER AT THIS POINT, THEN WE WOULD NEED TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL YEAR BECAUSE WE COULD TELL THE VOTERS. THE TIMING IS THAT

TIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLISE.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S CLEAR TO ALL OF US THAT OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO GIVE YOU A NUMBER FOR THREE DIFFERENT RATES. THE GENERAL FUND, HOSPITAL DISTRICT, HARRIS

HEALTH, AND FLOOD CONTROL. >> ONLY IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE TO GO ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. IF NOT, WE CAN TAKE THOSE UP THROUGHOUT THE BUDGET PROCESS. WE HAVE MEETINGS SET UP AUGUST 15TH, AUGUST 27TH, I BELIEVE. SEPTEMBER 10TH IS WHEN YOU WOULD ADOPT ANY OTHER RATE. AND THEN FORMALLY ADOPTED, HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 19TH. TODAY, YOU'RE ONLY LIMITED IN THAT IF COURT WERE TO DECIDE TO GO ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, WE WOULD NEED TO AGREE TO A NUMBER HERE FOR YOU TO CONSIDER ON AUGUST 15TH, OTHERWISE WE CAN DO FOR THIS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

>> BEFORE DR. PETERSON, I'LL MAKE A COUPLE OF GENERAL COMMENTS FOR YOU,. BECAUSE I THINK WE OUGHT TO GET A GOOD SENSE OF WHERE WE ARE. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S OUR DUTY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY IS SAFE, PEOPLE ARE HEALTHY, AND WE ADDRESS THEIR FUNDAMENTAL NEEDS. TWO THE EXTENT WE CAN.

THE LEGISLATURE HAS PUT IN SOME NEW RESTRICTIONS, 2019 SENATE BILL TWO PAST TO LIMIT REVENUE GROWTH. AND THE FORMER COUNTY

[07:35:05]

THE AVERAGE HARRIS COUNTY HOMEOWNER PAID 19% LESS ON THEIR 2023 TAX BILL THAN THEY DID FIVE YEARS AGO, FIGURES WERE PROVIDED BY HARRIS COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE. AND THEN, YOU CONSIDER WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IN THIS COUNTY, HOW WE GOT THERE, WE DEFAULTED TO THE NO NEW REVENUE TWICE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. AND THAT AMPLIFIED SENATE BILL TWO'S HARMS THAT LED TO A LOSS OF $1.23 BILLION ACROSS THE COUNTY, THAT INCLUDED FLOOD CONTROL AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT BETWEEN 2019 AND 2023. AND WITHOUT THE BIDEN/HARRIS, THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORCED TO MAKE SOME VERY DIFFICULT CUTS. SO, MY PREFERENCE, AND IT WILL BE UP TO OUR COLLEAGUES, HERE, MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE FOR US TO LET THE VOTERS DECIDE. YOU THINK PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS ARE DIFFICULT, WHAT'S HARDER, IN MY JUDGMENT, IS TO ACT AS THOUGH WITH INFLATION GOING UP, AT LEAST 7%, THAT WE CAN STILL DO THE SAME THING THAT WE WERE DOING IN 2019. WITH ALL THE EFFICIENCY IN THE WORLD, THOSE NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP, BY MY MATH. AT SOME POINT, IT'S HARD TO SAY IT, BUT YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE. YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS. IF YOU WANT SERVICES, THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING COUNTY, LARGER THAN 25 STATES, YOU HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT THE REVENUE. AND WE CAN SIT HERE ON OUR DAIS AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS, A LOT OF BRIGHT IDEAS, WE CAN MOVE CHAIRS AROUND ON THE DECK AS MUCH AS WE WANT, BUT THERE ARE VERY FEW THINGS THAT WE DECIDE THAT WE WANT TO DO THAT DON'T COST MONEY. AND THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT ABOUT WHAT WE CAN SAY ABOUT OUR VALUES THAN WHAT WE DO IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS. THE REST OF IT REALLY IS POETRY. MAKES FOR GREAT TWEETS, BUT, IT'S REALLY POETRY. SO, THIS IS WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD. AND IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS, I WOULD PREFER IT IF WE DO WHAT WE CAN DO TO GO TO WHERE THE PREVIOUS COURT WOULD HAVE HAD US TODAY. AND IF THE VOTERS DISAGREE WITH IT, IT WON'T HURT MY FEELINGS. IN FACT, IT'LL MAKE IT EASIER TO SAY, WELL, WE JUST CAN'T DO IT. NOW, I WISH THAT THE LANGUAGE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT ON THE BALLOT WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT SCARE PEOPLE AS MUCH AS IT WILL, BUT YOU JUST DON'T KNOW. UNTIL YOU DO IT. AND IF MY COLLEAGUES WERE TO MAKE THAT DECISION, I'M PREPARED TO DO IT. LOOK, I'VE HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF BEING IN PUBLIC OFFICE FOR 40 YEARS, AND ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, I'D HATE FOR MY LEGACY TO BE, ALL I DID WAS FIGURE OUT HOW LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER WHO WOULD GET MAD. SO I COULD STAY HERE. YOU KNOW YOU ALL WOULDN'T THINK I'M QUITE AS GOOD-LOOKING. YOU WOULDN'T THINK MY JOKES WERE QUITE AS FUNNY. BUT I'D STILL BE AN INTERESTING PERSON IF I DIDN'T HAVE SOME TITLE IN FRONT OF MY NAME. BUT WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS, I KNOW EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE ALL HAVE BRIGHT IDEAS. AND WHAT WE DO IS END UP TRYING TO CANNIBALIZE VARIOUS POTS OF MONEY. ALL AND ACT AS THOUGH YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MAGIC WANDERERS SOMEHOW.

WE JUST ASK FOR IT AFTER ALL, WE'RE HERE AT THE DAIS, WE ASK FOR IT, AND IT APPEARS. YOU HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS, SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT APPEAL TO MY COLLEAGUES. DR. PETERSON, I KNOW YOU'LL MAKE YOUR PITCH. BUT I'M WILLING TO TAKE THE HEAT, AND I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, I'M THE ONLY

[07:40:05]

DECISIONS. >> SO, COMMISSIONER ELLISE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ELOQUENCE, AND, I'VE DONE A LITTLE INFORMAL POLLING MYSELF. WE'VE DONE SOME OFFICIAL POLLING, AND DONE SOME INFORMAL POLLING. THE OFFICIAL POLLING IS NOT EXCITING. CITIZENS DO NOT WANT TO RAISE THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.

UNOFFICIALLY, PEOPLE ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW. MARKET JUST TOOK A DROP, PEOPLE ARE STILL STRUGGLING. BUSINESSES ARE BARELY MAKING IT. SO, THERE IS REAL PAIN OUT THERE. I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN A VACUUM. AND, I'VE GOT A BIG APPETITE TO DO A LOT OF THINGS. BUT, I ALSO THINK THAT WE HAVE A ROLE TO DO OUR WORK, IN A FUNDAMENTAL WAY TO ENSURE GOOD SERVICES. WE'VE CREATED INFRASTRUCTURE, BUREAUCRACY TO THIS GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE ASPIRED TO CREATE PROGRAMMING THAT IS GOOD, BUT NOT YET PROVEN. AND SO, I AM ALWAYS ONE FOR EFFICIENCIES, AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN CHALLENGED ANY EFFICIENCIES. WE HAVEN'T CONSIDERED OTHER WAYS TO SAVE OUR MONEY, LIKE I'VE TALKED ABOUT A HIRING FREEZE, WE HAVEN'T DONE ONE YET. AND YET WE HAVE FACED CERTAIN PHYSICAL CLIPS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE'S A LOT THAT WE HAVE NOT YET DONE, AND IT'S HARD TO LOOK AT PEOPLE ON THE COMMUNITY, ON THE STREETS, WHO ARE STRUGGLING, AND TELL THEM, WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE A TAX INCREASE BECAUSE WE WANT TO DO MORE, BUT, WE HAVEN'T YET CHALLENGED OURSELVES TO REIGN IN STREAMLINE WHERE WE CAN. WE HAVE NOT HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS YET. SO, BUT, I LOOK AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR MAINTENANCE ON EVERYTHING WE PUT IN THE GROUND. BUT I ALSO THINK THAT WE HAVE TAKEN SOME OF OUR FLOOD CONTROL MONEY, COULD WE HAVE PUT THAT BOND MONEY TO MAINTENANCE? AND, I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THE TUNNEL STUDY. THE TUNNEL STUDY IS, I THINK, GOOD. BUT IT'S 30, 40 YEARS AWAY FROM TODAY. MAYBE THAT'S MONEY THAT WE COULD HAVE USED ON SOME PROACTIVE MAINTENANCE. MAYBE THERE'S STILL BOND MONEY WE CAN USE FOR PROACTIVE MAINTENANCE. AND SO, I THINK THAT THERE'S STILL A NEED TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY THAT WE KNOW WHERE THE LEVERS ARE AT, WE KNOW WHERE THE THROTTLE IS AT, AND WE HAVE PUSHED THAT THROTTLE FORWARD, AND WE HAVE NOT DONE A LOT OF PULLING BACK.

AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S A WAR ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY THE STATE, THEY'VE CONTROLLED OUR BUDGET TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

THAT I WISH THEY'D DO THAT THEMSELVES. BUT, THEY HAVE DONE THAT TO US. BUT ALL THAT ASIDE, WE STILL HAVE YET TO GIVE MR. RAMOS ANY DIRECTION ON WHERE TO CUT PROGRAMS, WHERE TO CUT FUNDING, WHERE TO CUT POSITIONS, WHERE TO CUT DEPARTMENTS. WHERE TO STOP HIRING, WHERE TO STOP SPENDING.

WE HAVE NEVER GIVEN YOU ANY ONE OF THOSE DIRECTIVES. SO, IT'S HARD TO TELL CITIZENS THAT WE WILL PROPOSE A TAX INCREASE, AND IF WE PROPOSE A TAX INCREASE AND WE LOSE IT, JUST LIKE THE CITIZENS YOU SAID, IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT, THEY'LL

[07:45:02]

REVERT TO . >> YOU WOULD DEFAULT TO THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE RISK TO GOING TO

THE VOTERS. >> THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE? I THOUGHT, I WAS TOLD THAT WE GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS RATE.

>> NO. IT'S THE VOTER APPROVED RATE.

>> THEN I'M WRONG ON THAT ONE. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW FOLKS THAT WE KNOW HOW TO BUDGET AS MUCH AS WE

KNOW HOW TO GOVERN. >> JUST TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR ON THE PROCESS. BECAUSE WE'VE HAD X NUMBER OF DECLARED EMERGENCIES, THREE, I THINK. THAT MEANS THAT WE CAN GO UP

8%, >> I'LL GO ONE BY ONE. ON THE FLOOD CONTROL, BECAUSE THE TAX RATE IS BENEATH THE THRESHOLD OF .025, THE OTTOMAN -- AUTOMATICALLY GET 8%.

>> CAN YOU SLOW DOWN? BACKUP. I KNOW YOU'VE EXPLAINED THIS

EVERY YEAR, BUT, >> ON FLOOD CONTROL, THEY CAN GO UP TO 8%. THEY WILL NOT, SORRY, THEY CAN GO UP 8% THIS YEAR. ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT THEY CAN GO UP 8%. ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, WE CAN GO UP 3 1/2% IN A NORMAL YEAR.

BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL DECLARATION WE CAN GO UP TO 8% THIS YEAR. FOR ONE YEAR. THAT DOES NOT RESET OUR BASELINE.

FISCAL YEAR 26 REVENUE NUMBER DOES NOT CHANGE REGARDLESS OF

WHETHER WE GO UP. >> INTERESTING.

>> SO, IN TERMS OF THE ELECTION, AND JOHN PLEASE STOP ME, IT WOULD DEFAULT TO THE VOTER APPROVED RATE IF THE VOTERS WERE TO SAY NO ON THIS, AND THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS, IF YOU ARE READY TO GO ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVED RATE YOU WOULD DEFAULT BACK. SO ON EACH OF THESE TAX RATES WE CAN GO TO THE VOTERS, AND IT WOULD DEFAULT BACK. TO THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. IN THIS INSTANCE IT'S 8% FOR EACH ONE OF THOSE.

>> THAT WOULD MEAN THAT LEAVING, IF WE WENT TO 8%, AND WE WANTED, WE HAD TO MAKE A DECISION, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. SOMEONE COULD SAY, DON'T DEVIATE PERCENT. SO CLEARLY AS A FALLBACK IF ALL ELSE FAILS, DO THE 8%, AND WHAT I'M SAYING IS, FOR THE GENERAL FUND AS AN EXAMPLE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ADDITIONAL MONEY BEYOND THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.

>> THEN WE WOULD NEED TO GO TO THE VOTERS.

>> AND I WOULD PHRASE IT SLIGHTLY DIFFERENTLY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE DID PASS SENATE BILL TWO. SO THAT MEANS THAT IT'S NOT US RAISING THEIR TAXES. IT'S US GIVING THEM, THE PUBLIC, THE DECISION TO MAKE THE DECISION, WOULD THEY LIKE TO RAISE THEIR TAXES. AND IF THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT, YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY, I'M GOING TO FEEL BAD, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE ANGRY AT ME, BECAUSE I GAVE YOU THE OPTION. I WOULD ARGUE THE OTHER SIDE. I WANT TO LET THEM MAKE THAT DECISION. AND IF THEY DECIDE THEY DON'T WANT IT, DON'T DO IT. YOU AND I WEREN'T HERE, BUT THIS COURT, THEY PUT A BOND ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR THE ASTRODOME. AND IT FAILED. AT THE END OF COURT DECIDED TO GO AHEAD AND TRY TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT ANYWAY. SPENT SOME OF IT, DIDN'T QUITE WORK, I DECIDED SINCE THEY HAD FOUR VOTES, I'LL TAKE IT. BUT IT WASN'T MY HIGHEST PRIORITY. SO I'M SAYING, LET THEM DECIDE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET A CHOICE. THEY SHOW US, WE WOULD DO IT, EVEN IF I WAS AGAINST THE STATE LEGISLATION, IT PUTS THEM IN THE DRIVER SEAT, IF WE GIVE THEM THE CHANCE. NOW OBVIOUSLY FROM THE PUBLIC SIDE, WE HAVE TO DO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, BUT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED, THIS IS WHERE IT WOULD BE INVESTED. THEY SAID THEY DON'T WANT IT, FINE, JUST SAYS WE DO WITH THE BOND PACKAGE, AT LEAST WE LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S THERE.

>> SO, IF WE'RE GOING TO GET OPTIONS, SO BASICALLY, FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THEY ALWAYS CAN GO TO 8% OR THEY CAN GO A

PERCENT >> WHICH IS PROBABLY NOT GOING

TO BE FOR THE NEXT DECADE. >> SO, WE'VE DONE THAT BEFORE.

[07:50:01]

>> LAST YEAR WE ADOPTED THE VOTER APPROVED RATE FOR FLOOD

CONTROL. CORRECT. >> IF WE WANTED TO MAKE IT MORE THAN THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS. AND THEN I REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE CONNECTION IS BETWEEN THAT AND THE BONDS. I'M SO TIRED OF BEING SPUN AROUND ON THIS. I HAD A CONVERSATION, WE NEED ANOTHER FLOOD BOND. I HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE HARRIS HEALTH BOND. IF WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR A BOND WE MIGHT AS WELL MAKE IT A STRONG BOND. HE SAID, I AGREE. A MONTH LATER HE CALLED AND HE SAID, NEVER MIND.

WE CAN'T MAKE IT LARGER BECAUSE BLANK. SO THAT'S WHAT I KEEP BEING SPUN AROUND FROM. YES WE CAN, NO WE CAN'T, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE SITTING HERE IN SIX MONTHS SAYING, WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE FLOOD BOND THAT WE NEED IN HARRIS COUNTY AND FOR YOU GUYS TO SAY, IT'S CAPPED AT BLANK BECAUSE DURING THE BUDGET SEASON YOU DIDN'T DO THIS OTHER THING. I'M VERY FRUSTRATED ABOUT THIS. SO, I WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT, FOR EACH OF THESE. FLOOD CONTROL CAN GO UP TO A PERCENT WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS, WITH THE VOTERS WHAT CAN IT GO UP TO? AND HOW DOES THAT TIE TO OUR ABILITY TO DO A BOND? I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PRODUCTS DONE OR NOT DONE, I WANT, WANT TO PROPOSE THIS AND SEE WHAT THE VOTERS THINK ABOUT EXCUSES EXCUSES IN REGARDS TO A FLOOD, ANOTHER FLOOD BOND AND WE CAN GO FROM THERE. HOSPITAL DISTRICT CAN GO UP 8%, THAT'S THE SAME AS FLOOD CONTROL. NORMALLY IT'S 8%, THIS YEAR, WE CAN ALWAYS PROPOSE MORE, BUT WE HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS.

THEN THERE'S THE GENERAL FUND. NORMALLY WE HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS, IF WE PROPOSE ANYTHING BEYOND 3.5%. THIS YEAR, WE DON'T HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS UNLESS WE PROPOSE MORE THAN 8%.

>> CORRECT. >> SO, I GUESS MY FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS ARE, NUMBER ONE, WHAT IS, THERE HAS TO BE AN UPPER LIMIT ON THIS. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SAY, LET'S VOTE 100% INCREASE, NOT THAT WE WOULD. JUST A THOUGHT EXERCISE. I'M WONDERING WHAT THE UPPER LIMIT IS TO WHAT'S PROPOSED TO THE VOTERS. AND THEN JUST SO I CAN ORIENT MYSELF, THE SECOND QUESTION IS, CAN YOU PLEASE ANSWER THE STUFF ABOUT THE BONDS? BECAUSE IT'S DRIVING ME BONKERS.

>> I'M GOING TO ANSWER YOUR SECOND QUESTION FIRST, I THINK THE ANSWER, I'M GOING TO NEED AN ASSIST FROM JONATHAN ON THE FIRST ONE. ON THE SECOND QUESTION, THERE'S TWO LIMITING FACTORS IN THE BOND. HARRIS HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE. THEIR ACTUAL NEEDS WERE MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT, BUT WHEN THEY WORKED WITH THEIR FINANCIAL ADVISERS, THEY WORKED WITH US, WE ARE RATED ON OUR CREDIT, SAME AS AN INDIVIDUAL. YOU GET A SCORE, THE HIGHER YOUR SCORE, THE LOWER YOUR INTEREST RATE. THEIR FINANCIAL ADVISERS ADVISED THEM THAT ANYTHING OVER 2 1/2 BILLION WOULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT THEIR CREDIT SCORE. SO THEY'D BE PAYING MORE FOR THE DEBT THAN THEY OTHERWISE WOULD.

>> SO ANYTHING BEYOND TWO 5 BILLION WOULD IMPACT THEIR CREDIT SCORE, SO THE INTEREST RATE THEY'RE PAYING.

>> THAT WAS A LIMITING FACTOR. THEY COULD HAVE DECIDED, I'M WILLING TO PAY A COUPLE MORE POINTS, COURT COULD HAVE DECIDED, TO GO UP TO 3 BILLION, AND GO FROM, I THINK THEIR DOUBLE A PLUS, I BELIEVE, DOWN TO AA, OR AA MINUS. AND PAY THE ADDITIONAL INTEREST. THEY RECOMMENDED, THEY RECOMMENDED TO GO UP TO THE 2 1/2 BILLION, AND MAINTAIN THEIR CURRENT CREDIT SCORE. OUR LIMITING FACTOR IS REALLY, THERE ARE PRESCRIBED AMOUNTS, THERE ARE CAPS THAT THE STATE PRESCRIBES, AND STATE LAW, WE'RE NOT PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO THOSE GAPS AT THIS POINT. THE LIMITING FACTOR IS, IS COURT WILLING TO INFECT OUR CREDIT? AND WHAT WOULD VOTERS APPROVE.

>> RIGHT. SO, THAT BEGS THE QUESTION, IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF THE TAX RATE WE SET THAT WOULD MAKE THE IMPACT TO OUR CREDIT SCORE, THE RUNWAY LARGER? THAT'S THE QUESTION. AND THEN, WHAT, HOW MUCH DOES IT MATTER IF YOU BALANCE OUT? IF YOU PROVIDE SERVICES TO A PATIENT BEFORE THEY END UP DEVELOPING COLON CANCER, IS THAT, AND YOU DO A COLONOSCOPY, DOES THAT SAVE US MONEY COMPARED TO THE HIGHER INTEREST RATE WE'RE PAYING FOR THIS MONEY? AND THEN, THERE'S THE QUESTION, I JUST WANT TO, THE VOTERS HAVE APPROVED ALL THE BONDS. EXCEPT FOR THE ASTRODOME. SO I THINK WE DON'T ASK THEM AND I DON'T THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I'M NO POLLSTER, BUT I DON'T THINK THE RESPONSE IN A STINGER PAUL ANSWERS THAT, BECAUSE THEY GENERALLY APPROVE THE BONDS.

IT'S JUST THE WAY PEOPLE BEHAVE, VOTERS BEHAVE, AT LEAST IN OUR AREA. I IMAGINE IF YOU POLLED, THERE IS NO WAY

[07:55:05]

DISTRICTS AND OTHERS. >> WE'RE ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE AVERAGE HARRIS, PERCENTAGE WENT UP A LITTLE BIT AFTER THE STATE TAX EXEMPTIONS THAT WERE PASSED LAST SESSION. BUT, WE WERE ABOUT A QUARTER, I THINK WE'RE SLIGHTLY ABOVE THAT NOW.

ONE OF THE THINGS, THE PRIMARY REASON I'VE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE AND I THINK YOU'VE ALL HEARD ME SAY THIS, IS, WE'RE DOING $5 BILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS IN THE NEXT FOUR TO FIVE YEARS. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE MAINTENANCE DOLLARS TO MAINTAIN THOSE, THEY'RE GOING TO FAIL. WE CANNOT USE A BOND TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM A BAYOU. WE CAN USE IT WHEN THE CONCRETE OR A GREAT BREAKS. SO IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN IT, WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING FAILURES, THE SECOND PART IS, AND I BROUGHT THIS UP BEFORE, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT IS SO TIGHT ON ITS CASH FLOW THAT THE GENERAL FUND HAS HAD TO LOAN THEM 59 MILLION FOR THE LAST YEAR. AND BECAUSE I GOT HERE AND WE WERE SENDING MONEY BACK AND FORTH, I SAID, I REFUSE TO DO THIS EVERY YEAR. LET'S GET A PLAN IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO STABILIZE OUR CASH FLOW SO THE GENERAL FUND IS NOT SUBSIDIZING THEM.

BUT IT'S A REALLY TIGHT, THE BUDGET IS SUPERTIGHT OVER THERE, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE SAME CASH RESERVE THAT THE GENERAL FUND DOES. SO, THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE'RE TRYING TO TACKLE WITH POTENTIALLY INCREASING THEIR

REVENUE. >> I JUST WANT TO LOOK AT ACTUAL NUMBERS. WHAT'S THE ANSWER TO WHAT THE UPPER LIMIT IS? NOT THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THERE, I WANT TO UNDERSTAND.

>> THE UPPER LIMIT ON THE TAX RATE FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, IN STATUTE, IT'S $.15 FOR BORROWING, AND BONDING CAPACITY. I WILL LOOK TO JOHN, OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY, TO CONFIRM, BUT THE OTHER NUMBER THAT I'VE HEARD ANECDOTALLY THAT I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM IS $.30.

>> SO WHAT PERCENTAGE WOULD IT BE COME A PERCENTAGE INCREASE?

>> WE'RE AT THREE CENTS RIGHT NOW. IT'S TREMENDOUSLY DIFFERENT. WE'RE WAY, WAY OFF.

>> I'M JUST, I'M NOT THE ONE CRUNCHING THESE NUMBERS. THIS IS ME AS JUST, GRAIN OF SALT, HERE. BEST INTENTIONS. WE NEED MORE MONEY TO CLEAR DEBRIS. WE NEED A LOT MORE SUPPORT FOR MAINTENANCE, AND I KNOW THAT IF WE CAN COME UP WITH THE PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, AND WE CAN GET THEM MOVING AND MAYBE WE CAN'T DO IT ON TIME FOR THIS YEAR BUT WE CAN DO IT ON TIME FOR NEXT YEAR. I'M REALLY JUST, I'M COMING AT THIS. WATCH OUT. BUT, DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO TRY TO ADVANCE A HIGHER INCREASE POSSIBILITY FOR THE TAXPAYERS, RATHER THAN TRY TO PROPOSE A BOND LATER ON? AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A POSSIBILITY, SO FOR FLOOD CONTROL IT'S NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. FOR THE GENERAL FUND, WE ALSO NEED MONEY TO GO AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS PROPERLY PAID, ALL THESE PROJECTS IN THE JAIL, THESE MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER RESPONDERS, THAT'S JUST THE LITTLE PIECE WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY. SAME THING. IF YOU'RE SAYING IT IS WORTH THE MONEY FOR A TAXPAYER, IT IS A GOOD VALUE INVESTMENT TO PAY FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT NOW, SO EVENTUALLY WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR $300 A DAY JAIL STAY, THEN CAN YOU HELP ME THINK ABOUT IT FROM THAT ANGLE AS OPPOSED TO, LET'S PICK THE 3.5% OR THE 8% BECAUSE THAT'S JUST WHAT ONE DOES? THAT'S THE FRUSTRATION I HAVE, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE FIRST BLOOD BOND AND THE HARRIS HEALTH BOND, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOND WE HAD A COUPLE YEARS AGO, IT'S ALL JUST, IT'S LIKE PATCHING IT UP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS, I WOULDN'T CALL IT GLUE.

>> IF I MAY, JUDGE. I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE TASKED TO DO WAS TO DO AN ACTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE MAGNITUDE OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. THE WAY WE APPROACH THAT WAS VERY MATHEMATICAL, VERY DELIBERATE IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING, FIRST, WHAT IS THE EXPECTED LIFE OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE? WE KNOW, BASED ON CIVIL ENGINEERING GUIDANCE THAT OUR

[08:00:02]

ACTUALLY, WE HAVE A LOT OF STRUCTURE THAT HAS A LOWER LIFE CYCLE BUT WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE 50 TO 100 YEARS. THEN WHAT WE DID IS SAY, OKAY, WE KNOW THAT TO MAINTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE AT THAT RATE, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO INVEST THE VALUE OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE OVER THAT SAME PERIOD. SO THAT'S WHAT WE PUT TOGETHER. WHEN WE DID OUR ANALYSIS, WE LAID OUT A RANGE OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AS WE WERE DIRECTED TO DO DURING LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT, TO GIVE THE OPTIONS FOR THE LEVEL OF INVESTMENT UNDER DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. SO, WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, I BELIEVE, IS WHAT WE HAVE. WE'VE GONE BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD, SAID WHAT SHOULD THIS BE, AND WHAT DOES IT TAKE IN TERMS OF A FINANCIAL INVESTMENT TO GET US THERE. SO, THOSE ARE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE LAID OUT UNDER DIFFERENT SCENARIOS. THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE, THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE IS, THOSE ARE BIG NUMBERS. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT THIS COURT CREATED. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM DECADES IN CREATION. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. BUT, THE REALITY IS, THE DOLLARS THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS ARE SIGNIFICANT, AND THE NEED IS SIGNIFICANT. SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE FOCUSED OUR EFFORT IS TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS THE INVESTMENTS, WHAT WOULD IT TAKE, AND TO PRESENT THIS TO THIS COURT, AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS A DIFFICULT DECISION, IT REQUIRES A LOT OF CONSIDERATION OF MANY THINGS.

SO, THIS IS REALLY WHERE WE LOOK TO YOU AS THE POLICYMAKERS TO GIVE US DIRECTION AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHATEVER NUMBER WE END UP WITH HIM AND WE WILL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO

DELIVER. >> WHAT PERCENTAGE INCREASE WITH THE 50 YEAR LIFE CYCLE, EQUATE TO?

>> I WILL REFER TO DANA FOR THE TAX RATES. WE'VE GOT SLIDES BUT WE'VE ALSO SHARED THESE WITH YOUR OFFICES. WHATEVER IS

HELPFUL. >> IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU WALK THROUGH THOSE SLIDES AGAIN.

>> THAT SOUNDS GOOD. DO YOU HAVE THAT ANSWER, DIRECTOR?

>> TO GO TO THE 50 YEAR IS 2.2 CENTS, IT'S BASICALLY DOUBLING

THE CURRENT TAX RATE. >> SO, WHAT PERCENTAGE

INCREASE? >> FOR THE VOTER APPROVED, THIS YEAR'S VOTER APPROVED RATE WOULD BE, WHICH WOULD SERVE AS 140, 140.4 MILLION IN MAINTENANCE, IS .03316. AT THE 50 YEAR, IT WOULD BE 287 MILLION IN REVENUE. AND THE TAX

RATE WOULD BE .05618. >> FORGIVE ME FOR BEING HARDHEADED, BUT, WE'RE SAYING THAT THERE IS NO NEW REVENUE THAT'S 0% INCREASE, THE NORMAL VOTER APPROVED RATE IS 3.5%, THE NORMAL FLOOD CONTROL VOTER APPROVED RATE IS 8%. WHAT IS

THE RATE WITH THIS PROPOSAL? >> IT'S ALMOST 100.

>> SO, I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE GOING, AND THAT HAS THE AMOUNT. PER HOUSEHOLD IT WOULD BE AN $82 AVERAGE INCREASE, AND THAT'S JUST REMINDING EVERYONE THAT WE ARE 25% OF THEIR PROPERTY TAX RATE. THAT'S THE ISSUE, PEOPLE GET THEIR PROPERTY TAX BILL AND THEY'RE LIKE, OH MY GOD, BUT, WE'RE UP A SMALL PORTION OF IT. SO I THINK WE CAN AGREE TO AGREE ON THIS ONE, AND I'M GOING TO KEEP PUSHING ON THE BOND. OKAY.

DID YOU GUYS HAVE THE SLIDES? >> IF I MAY, MAKE ONE POINT.

BOND ELECTIONS PASS ALMOST EVERY TIME, EXCEPT LIKE KATIE.

ATHLETIC STADIUM FAILED. THE CITY PASSED THE BOND FOR THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER, BUT THE COUNTY BOND FAILED. SO, IN MOST CASES, BONDS PASS BECAUSE THERE'S A VERY, VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR IT. THE TAXPAYERS SEE THE BONDS AS HANDCUFFS ON THIS BODY FROM SPENDING OTHERWISE. KEEP IN MIND, WHY THE CITY OF HOUSTON TAX CAP HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED. NO MAYOR SINCE BILL WHITE HAS GONE TO THE VOTERS TO SAY, RAISE THE REVENUE CAP. BECAUSE CITIZENS DO NOT LIKE RAISING THEIR PROPERTY TAXES. THEY'LL DO IT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT THEY WON'T DO IT GENERALLY. BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT US SPENDING MONEY WITHOUT A VERY SPECIFIC PURPOSE. THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, ON THE TAX RATE, MIGHT FLY, BECAUSE IT HAS THE

[08:05:02]

IT'S A NONSTARTER. >> JUDGE?

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD, ON A BOND PACKAGE, WE HAVE TO DO THAT. IT IS UNDERSTOOD LAW, NOW, THAT IF YOU WANT TO ASK THE PUBLIC FOR MORE MONEY, TO SERVICE THOSE PROJECTS, YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE VOTERS. THE CITY DID THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS A CITY AND -- CITIZEN INITIATED REFERENDUM THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DEVONIAN, AND HE KNEW HE'D HAVE TO RUN A CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE. AND THEN NO MAYOR HAS WANTED TO TAKE THE RISK.

>> BETANCOURT WAS PROPOSING. >> ALL OF THEM SAY THEY WANT TO TAKE IT OFF, BUT, I WANT TO RUN THROUGH, FOR THE 50 YEAR CYCLE, THAT'S $82 PER YEAR? AND THAT MEANS, WHEN YOU SAY 50 YEAR CYCLE, THAT MEANS ONCE WE BUILT THIS STUFF WITH BOND MONEY YOU CAN MAINTAIN IT ON A 50 YEAR CYCLE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> YES. IF WE WANT TO GO ON THE SLIDES TO THE LAST PAGE, WE HAVE SOME SLIDES TO WALK THROUGH. WE CAN GO THROUGH REALLY QUICK. I WILL BE LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. SO, IF WE GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE FRONT, I'M SO SORRY. BASICALLY, WE'RE STARTING WITH A REMINDER OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, OUR MISSION IS TO PLAN HIM A BUILD, AND IMPORTANTLY, MAINTAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IS AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, WE'VE LOOKED AT THE DATA, AND WHAT WE SEE IS THAT WE KNOW THAT INDUSTRY STANDARDS SAY OUR INFRASTRUCTURE WILL LAST SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50 TO 100 YEARS. WE'LL NEED TO REINVEST IN THAT INFRASTRUCTURE SOMETIME IN THAT PERIOD, AND RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT 40% OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE PAST ITS USEFUL LIFE. WE'VE GOT ANOTHER THREE QUARTERS OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ARE LOOKING TO BE AT USEFUL LIFE WITHIN THE NEXT 20 YEARS. SO IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS A SLIDE THAT JUST DEMONSTRATES, THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THAT HAS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. THIS IS A PROBLEM WHERE WE HAVE BEEN TAKING ON ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES WITH PROPERTIES, ALMOST DOUBLING THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. LOOKING AT SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL INCREASES LIKE WE'RE MAKING RIGHT NOW, AND WE HAVE A VERY FLAT INVESTMENT OVER TIME. AGAIN, TO STRESS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THIS COURT CREATED, IT'S A DECADE-LONG PROBLEM, AND IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE INVESTMENTS, AND THE NEED TO SUPPORT THE TYPE OF MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A PROACTIVE COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ASSURE ALL OF YOU THAT WE HAVE DONE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHANNELS ARE FUNCTIONAL AND CAN WORK WHEN WE NEED THEM. I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL THE DETAILS OF THIS, WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN THE NEXT SLIDE IS A LOOK AT WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNDING GOING TO BE USED FOR? THIS ISN'T JUST SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE THROWN NUMBERS ON THE TABLE AND SAID THIS IS WHAT IT IS, WE'VE PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THE DETAILS AROUND THIS TO BE ABLE TO BRING A PROPOSAL TO THE TABLE. REALLY ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, THOSE ARE THE MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES WE BELIEVE ARE NECESSARY TO REALLY BRING A PROACTIVE, COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM TO FRUITION, ACROSS THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, THOSE OF THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF INVESTMENT. IT WILL VARY BASED ON THE TYPE OF REVENUE, AND IT WILL ALSO BASED ON REALLY AND TRULY THE PRIORITIES OF THIS COURT. SO, IN CONCLUSION, I'LL JUST SAY AGAIN, WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT, NOT SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. BUT, WE WERE ASKED TO BRING THIS TO THE TABLE, SO WE PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT AND INTENTION INTO BRINGING YOU THE BEST DATA WE CAN TO MAKE THESE IMPORTANT

DECISIONS. >> SO, FOR 82 BUCKS A YEAR,

>> IF WE GO TWO SLIDES BEYOND,

>> THE 100 YEAR OPTION WOULD BE $37, AND REQUIRE 52 ADDITIONAL MILLION, WHICH IS, ONE OF MY STAFF WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO DO THE MATH FOR ME, A 50% INCREASE. 60 WOULD BE A $60 INCREASE, TO THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER, WHICH IS AN 88% INCREASE, AND FOR THE 50

[08:10:02]

YOU WANT TO ELABORATE ON THAT. >> I THINK THAT'S REALLY ONE OF THE KEY DIFFERENCES, BETWEEN THE BOND PROGRAM AND THIS. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE WORK WE DO ON THE MAINTENANCE SIDE, WE HAVE REALLY FOCUSED ON RESTORING THE CHANNELS TO THEIR ORIGINAL FUNCTION. WHEREAS CAPITAL WORK IS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO THE CHANNEL ABOVE AND BEYOND.

COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE DO HAVE SOME MAINTENANCE PROJECTS IN THE BOND. THOSE ARE PROJECTS WHERE WE ARE DOING MAINTENANCE WORK AND WE'VE COUPLED IT WITH SOME CAPACITY INCREASES. SO, WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THOSE IN THE BOND PROGRAM. THAT IS SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS, AND THE WORK AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT VARY IN TERMS OF OUR TAX RATE AS WELL AS A LOT OF PARTNERSHIP FUNDING. THERE HAS BEEN INVESTMENTS, LOOKING AT HOW DO WE ADVANCE THIS OUTSIDE OF THE TAX RATE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE RECENT STORMS THAT WE'VE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE FULL VALUE OF THOSE PARTNERSHIPS. AS WELL.

>> I SEE SPECIFICITY HERE, I'M WONDERING, IT'S A MATTER OF HOW YOU COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC, WHAT WOULD ENSURE US IN THE PUBLIC THAT YOU WOULD ADDRESS WOULD IT BE ALL THE BOND INFRASTRUCTURE? BECAUSE I THINK IF I'M A VOTER, I WOULD THINK, WELL, ARE YOU GOING TO GO TO MY IRELAND AND NOT WHATEVER, OTHER AREA, OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND. AND NOT GO,

SO, >> THE SHORT-TERM ANSWER IS, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS FOCUSED ON DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. THESE ARE PROJECTS WHERE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A SIGNIFICANT NEED. PROJECTS, THERE IS ONE WHERE WE KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A SERIOUS FAILURE, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT EROSION, SEDIMENT BUILDUP, THERE IS AN IMPACT POTENTIAL HE TO PUBLIC AND FOR STRUCTURE, THERE'S A BRIDGE NEARBY, THERE'S UTILITIES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT ARE CHALLENGED. THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF PROJECTS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED, WHICH ARE HUGELY CRITICAL. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THOSE IN OUR BACKLOG RIGHT NOW. THOSE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, AND WE HAVE TO GET THOSE DONE.

THOSE ARE WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON TRANSFORMING THE WAY THAT WE THINK ABOUT MAINTENANCE. SO, THIS IS THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THAT THIS BODY ASKED THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO IMPLEMENT TO BEGIN TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL, MORE COMPREHENSIVE, MORE HOLISTIC ABOUT HOW WE THINK ABOUT OUR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS RIGHT NOW, WE'VE DONE THREE WATERSHEDS, WE'RE DOING MORE THIS YEAR, AND THE OUTCOME WILL BE, WE WILL HAVE PUT EYES ON OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHY THIS PARTICULAR AREA IS BEING PRIORITIZED. IN TERMS OF RISK OF FAILURE, IN TERMS OF LIKELIHOOD OF FAILURE, AND OTHER RISK FACTORS. LIKE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY, LIKE HOUSING DENSITY, LIKE HISTORIC IMPACT, HISTORIC FLOODING IN TERMS OF THE AGE OF THE STRUCTURES. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT CRITERIA WE COULD USE WITH THIS OTHER RISK FACTORS, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ONES WE ARE CONSIDERING. REALLY, WE WILL COME BACK TO THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SEEK FEEDBACK ON WHAT THOSE FACTORS SHOULD BE. BECAUSE THAT IS A POLICY DECISION. SO REALLY, AT THIS TIME, WE'RE FOCUSED ON THE CRITICAL PRIORITIES AND GOING FORWARD, WE WILL HAVE A MORE

[08:15:02]

ROBUST, HOLISTIC APPROACH. >> THIS BEING SUCH A BIG DEAL, I DO FEEL THAT IT'S TURNING A PAGE. WHICH WOULD BE MY MESSAGE ANYWAY. BUT, HERE'S THE THING. I WAS AT 288 THIS PAST WEEKEND, AND THEY WERE COMPLAINING TO ME ABOUT A CHANNEL. AND A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, I WAS UP NORTH EAST, AND THEY WERE COMPLAINING TO ME ABOUT A CHANNEL. SO, THE ANSWER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE YES, BUT, IF I WERE TO GO BACK TO THOSE HOUSEHOLDS, AND THEY WERE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CHANNEL, WOULD I BE ABLE TO SAY, WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO GET TO THIS? WITH THIS INVESTMENT? WHAT I SAY WE MAY OR MAY NOT? WOULD I BE ABLE TO SAY ANYTHING

ABOUT THE DRAINAGE? >> LET ME THINK ABOUT THIS. THE WAY THAT WE DO THIS RIGHT NOW IS WHEN THERE'S A CONCERN, IT GETS REPORTED. AND WE CATALOGUED IT IN OUR SYSTEM, AND THEN WE LOOK AND SEE WHERE IT IS IN THE TERMS OF THE PRIORITIES. OUR FOCUS IS TO ADDRESS CITIZEN SERVICE REQUESTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. SO, IF WE WERE TO MOVE FORWARD, WE WOULD REALLY HAVE A TWO PRONG APPROACH. ONE IS, WE WOULD BE LOOKING TO MAKE PROGRESS QUICKLY. IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO SCALE TO DELIVER THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE TO DELIVER PROGRESS, AND WE WOULD FOCUS ON A COUPLE THINGS. ONE OF THEM IS ADDRESSING URGENTLY NEEDED MAINTENANCE, THE TYPE THAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT. THE SECOND WOULD BE, WE KNOW THAT CITIZEN COMPLAINTS ARE OFTEN ABOUT DEBRIS IN THE CHANNELS.

IT'S ABOUT EROSION, SEDIMENT, PONDING OF WATER. SO, OUR INTENTION WOULD BE TO CREATE AND BUILD OFF OF EXISTING RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ALREADY, TO CREATE A FAST ACTION TEAM, WHO'S GOING TO GO OUT, AND WHOSE GOING TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. OUR INTENT WOULD BE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SPREAD OUT AROUND THE COUNTY, SO WE HAVE MULTIPLE RESOURCES THAT ARE ABLE TO BE QUICK, TO BE NOBLE, TO BE RESPONSIVE. WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE TYPE OF ISSUES, WHICH I THINK IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, WE ARE RESOURCE LIMITED, THIS COULD POSITION US TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. AND THE DRAINAGE, SO, IF WE'RE THINKING ABOUT MAINTENANCE, AS RESTORING EXISTING FUNCTION, THEN DEPENDING ON HOW WE DEFINE IT, IT COULD BE. IF IT'S WATER THAT'S SITTING THERE AND PONDING, AND NOT RAINING, BECAUSE THERE IS A SET OF MATRICULATED, THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE MAINTENANCE WORK WE COULD DO.

>> IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.

>> IS THERE A MOTION TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION?

>> SO MOVED. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN

FAVOR? >> AYE. , MOTION CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY. >> I'LL TRY TO MAKE MY REMARKS QUICK, I KNOW THE ASTROS ARE LEADING 2-0. A SENSE OF DIRECTION, HERE. LET ME GIVE, I HAVE A LOT I COULD SAY, AND I WON'T, BUT, DIRECTOR PETERSON HAS 22 WATERSHEDS THAT SHE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE TAX RATE FOR FLOOD CONTROL IN 1998 WAS EIGHT CENTS. EIGHT CENTS. THINK ABOUT IT. WHAT IS IT NOW?

>> 3.3. THE VOTER APPROVED RATE.

>> SO I DON'T KNOW WHO MADE THAT DECISION. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY MADE THAT DECISION. BUT, THEY CUT DRASTICALLY THE LIFEBLOOD FUNDING OF FLOOD CONTROL, AND AT THE SAME TIME GREATLY INCREASED THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER CONVERSATION. BUT, I HAVE SAID FOR MANY MONTHS, AT THIS DAY IS, THAT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY IS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. I PROBABLY AM MORE SENSITIVE OF THAT BECAUSE I HAVE THE PRIMARY STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN 6800 MILES OF ROAD. YOU KNEW THAT WAS COMING. IF THE ROAD IS IN HOUSTON, YOU DO NOT HAVE THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN IT, YOU MAINTAIN IT IF YOU WANT TO.

[08:20:02]

THE MAXIMUM 8%, RIGHT? >> CORRECT.

>> IF WE ADOPT THE 67 YEAR NUMBER, THAT'S 100 MILLION.

100 MILLION, YOU'RE JUST GOING TO START DOING SOMETHING THAT MATTERS IN THESE WATERSHEDS. THE ORGANIZATION OF THAT IN TERMS OF WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE, MAINTENANCE CAMPS SET UP STRATEGICALLY AROUND THE CAMP, AROUND THE COUNTY, AS YOU LOOK AT THE PRIORITIES IN THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF WHERE IT FLOWS, WE'VE GOT TROPICAL STORM ALLISON MODELING STUDY, WE HAD THE HURRICANE HARVEY MODELING STUDY, WE GOT MORE STUDIES THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE IN THIS COUNTY, THAT TELLS US WHAT IS HAPPENING, IN OUR BAYOUS AND OUR CREEKS AND OUR DRAINAGE.

SO, I THINK WE KNOW PRETTY MUCH WHAT TO DO. I AGREE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID EARLIER. WHEN YOU GIVE IT TO THE VOTERS, REALLY, YOU'RE LETTING THEM FOR DISSIPATE.

YOU'RE LETTING THEM SAY, OKAY. EITHER WE NEED TO SPEND $100 MILLION A YEAR DOING MAINTENANCE OF OUR FACILITIES, I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, I THINK THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER CONVERSATION ON WHAT HOSPITAL DISTRICT TAX RATE NEEDS TO BE. THERE'S ANOTHER CONVERSATION CONSISTENT WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID EARLIER, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T EVEN BEGUN TO LOOK AT THINGS THAT WE COULD DO TO MAKE OURSELVES MORE EFFICIENT. IN TERMS OF FLOOD CONTROL, THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE. IN TERMS OF THE CLEAR PROBLEMS IN THIS COUNTY, IF YOU LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, YOU LIVE IN A FLOODPLAIN. THERE, I SAID IT. AND SINCE WE LIVE IN A FLOODPLAIN, SHOULDN'T THAT BE ONE OF OUR HIGHEST FOCUSED FLOOD CONTROL? HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT IS A VERY UNUSUAL AGENCY. THERE IS NOT ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT IN THE UNITED STATES, LEAVE ME, I'VE SEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT EXAMPLES. IT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE SHOULD DO. IT'S SIMPLY UNDERFUNDED. SO, MY BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THIS WHOLE ISSUE IS TRUST. CAN I TRUST THIS COURT NOT TO PLAY POLITICS, BUT LISTEN TO ENGINEERING? AND BELIEVE ME, I'VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF SOME POLITICS WHEN IT COMES TO BOND ISSUES AND FUNDING. SO, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AND WE'RE GOING TO EARN THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE, IT'S NOT LIKE WE HAVE, WHAT THEY HAVE, THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAD THE RAIN TAX VOTE. EVERYBODY SAID DON'T WORRY, WE'RE GOING TO SPEND IT ON FLOODING AND WHAT DID THEY DO? COMMISSIONER GARCIA? THEY'RE PAYING SALARIES AND BUYING DONUTS AND DOING EVERYTHING ELSE EXCEPT FIXING THE DRAINAGE. WE BETTER BE SERIOUS, AND IT BE AN ENGINEERING EXERCISE AND NOT A

[08:25:07]

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. >> DR. PETERSON, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CANDOR, THIS IS REPRESENTING WESTERN HARRIS COUNTY, THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE TOP PRIORITY. ALONG WITH JUSTICE AND SAFETY. I LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS, AND WE'VE DISCUSSED MANY OF THEM, I KEPT STUDYING AND STUDYING BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, HOW CAN THIS BE TRUE? WE MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IT IS OUR MORAL OBLIGATION TO BE DOING MORE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

I WAS SHOCKED THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE 1998, THAT WAS THE YEAR I GRADUATED FROM HIGH WALL, AND NOW IT'S 3.3 CENTS.

OUR POPULATION HAS GROWN BY MORE THAN 20%, WE ARE READING HOW YOUR ASSETS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2000, BUT, THE SPENDING IN TERMS OF MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN FLAT. THAT MAKES ZERO SENSE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE HIGH RISK THAT WE REPEATEDLY CONFRONT EXPERIENCE AFTER EXPERIENCE, HARVEY AND BEYOND, WE CAN SIT HERE ALL DAY, TALKING ABOUT THE INTENSE RISK WE FIND, THE PART I THINK THAT JUST FLOORED ME, WE ARE AT A 270 YEAR MAINTENANCE CYCLE . 270. I'M SMILING AT MY DAUGHTER WHO'S BEEN HERE ALL DAY AND IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY AND PROUD. I LOVE YOU. I ALWAYS THINK ABOUT WHAT WE OWE OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, BUT TAKE ABOUT 270 YEARS, IT'S OUR GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GREAT GRANDCHILDREN.

THAT'S THE TIMEFRAME WE ARE ON IN HARRIS COUNTY. UNACCEPTABLE, AND ON MY WATCH, I'M HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF GOING TO THE VOTERS, GIVING THEM THE CHOICE TO INVEST SO THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY FOR ONGOING MAINTENANCE. WITH REGARD TO WHERE IT IS ASIAN, I FOR ONE AM VERY INTERESTED IN DELIVERING SOLUTIONS, NOT PLAYING GAMES AND THE IMMEDIATE LIST BUT YOU HAVE PLUS SOME OF THESE LONGER-TERM PROJECTS, I LOVE THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS IN TERMS OF THE INTENSITY OF THE RISK, HISTORICAL RISK POPULATION DENSITY, IN TERMS OF THE AGE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU HAVE A VERY MULTIDIMENSIONA L, AS AN ENGLISH MAJOR LAWYER, YOU HAVE JUST, YOU HAVE THE DEPTH OF EXPERTISE. THIS IS A UNIQUE, LITERALLY ONE-OF-A-KIND IN THIS COUNTRY, AND WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE. IN EVERY TOWN HALL, HUNDREDS OF CALLS WE GET FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS, FLOODING

[08:30:01]

BUT, THIS, TO ME, IS A NONNEGOTIABLE GIVEN THE INTENSE RISK WE HAVE IN THIS REGION. AND, I COULD GO ON, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS A I APPRECIATE YOUR CANDOR, BECAUSE TO COME FORWARD SAYING WE'RE AT A 270 YEAR LEVEL IN THIS COUNTY, WITH SUCH A UNIQUE RISK PROFILE, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

I HAVE A MOTION THAT I'M READY TO MAKE WITH REGARD TO THE 67 YEAR LEVEL. AND I'M HAPPY TO READ IT WHEN THE TIME CAPTIONERS TRANSITIONING. ]COMES, BUT I KNOW THERE WERE OTHER HANDS UP.

PUBLIC AGENCY DEALS WITH ACROSS THE STATE, ACROSS THE NATION.

HOWEVER, IF WE ARE TO LOOK AT WHAT WE WANT TO ASPIRE TO IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN DELIVER, CERTAINLY WE CAN BEGIN LOOKING AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE OF RETURN. THE WORK WE DID WAS A VERY DETAILED FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT. IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE NATION, I'M SURE YOU WILL FIND MANY THAT ARE LIKE THAT. HOWEVER, THE ANALYSIS WE LAID OUT DEMONSTRATES THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL FUNDING, IN ORDER TO DELIVER THE TYPE OF MAINTENANCE PROGRAM THAT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE HEARD ABOUT BEING A PRIORITY FOR THIS REGION, FOR THE TYPE OF ISSUES THAT THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY DEAL WITH. THIS IS THE TYPE OF INVESTMENT THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO ACHIEVE THOSE OUTCOMES.

>> LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THEY TELL US. IF YOU DESIGN A BRIDGE AND YOU BUILD IT, YOU SHOULD DO THAT 50 YEAR CYCLE. SO AT MOST MAJOR CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE IS 50 LIKE I SAID, I THINK 50S KIND OF A STRETCH, BECAUSE WE'RE INHERITING A MESS, BUT 50S KIND OF A BALLPARK NUMBER THAT --

>> SOME BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE. AND THIS ONE, YOU WOULD ASSUME, WOULD BE SOMEWHERE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. MR. RAMOSE, CAN YOU TELL ME, WHERE WOULD WE BE IF WE HAD DONE, WHICH LIKELY WOULD WE BE ON. HOW MUCH WOULD WE BE SPENDING IN FRONT CONTROL IF LEGISLATION NOT PUT THE CAP ON? I JUST WANT TO KNOW, IF WE DID WHAT THE COURT DID FOR 20 YEARS PRIOR TO THAT BILL PASSING, WHAT WOULD THAT NUMBER BE? SORRY IF I, I DIDN'T THINK

ABOUT THAT. >> GIVE ME ONE SECOND. THE BIG CUT WAS AT $0.08. WHEN WE WENT $0.08 IN A MATTER OF TWO YEARS.

>> AND WHILE HE'S GETTING THAT NUMBER, DR. PETERSON, JUST TO DRIVE HOME WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLISE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID, 50 INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES . THE 67, AND THE REASON I LANDED THERE WAS IN OUR FREQUENT, FREQUENT WONDERFUL CONVERSATIONS, BECAUSE IN TERMS OF OPERATIONALIZING THIS FUNDING, WHICH I, I PRAY THE VOTERS APPROVED, THIS INFUSION TO OPERATIONALIZE ALL THE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AND OUR FAST ACTING TEAMS, AND PLUS THE LONGER-TERM MAINTENANCE PROJECTS, YOU THINK THAT IT'S MOST FEASIBLE, STILL BOLD AND AGGRESSIVE, BUT FEASIBLE TO OPERATIONALIZE THAT WITH EXCELLENCE. IS THAT --

>> YES, YES, DEFINITELY. YES. I'VE, I WOULD SAY THAT, ABSOLUTELY, I MEAN, 67 YEARS WILL ABSOLUTELY PROVIDE THE, THE BALANCE OF WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. IF YOU WERE TO ASK A DIRECTOR, YOU KNOW, WHAT NUMBER DO THEY WANT, WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO SAY THE HIGHEST NUMBER. WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO SAY THIS -- BUT THIS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A VERY, YOU KNOW, VERY IMPACTFUL, AND YET NOT THAT

[08:35:02]

TOP, TOP LINE NUMBER. >> DR. PETERSON -- OH.

>> SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER ELLISE, IF WE HAD KEPT THE RATE FLAT SINCE 2018, WE'D BE LOOKING AT $30 MILLION

A YEAR. >> AND HOW MUCH WILL THIS GIVE

US? >> THIS WILL GIVE US CLOSE TO

$100. >> HOPEFULLY $140. I DON'T WANT YOU TO PLAY OUR POLITICS FOR US, RIGHT? SO I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION, IF IT'S 50 OR 67. BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A TENDENCY, AND I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW HOW EVERYBODY'S BRAIN THINKS, BUT WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST IS, YOU KNOW, THEY THROUGHOUT $10 BILLION FOR THE FLOOD BOND, BUT THEN SAMITI SAID, WELL, IT DOESN'T GO THAT FAR, LET'S DO ONE. WELL, LET'S JUST DO 2 1/2. THIS ISN'T LIKE A, LIKE A, WE'RE BARGAINING FOR, YOU KNOW, A FLOWER VASE, YOU KNOW? IT'S LIKE, WHAT DO WE NEED. AND WHAT I DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN IS FOR US TO PROMOTE THIS AS TURNING THE PAGE ON EVERYTHING THAT ALL OF US HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WITH OUR GREAT TIMES NINE CHILDREN, AND OUR RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE STANDARD FOR THE BRIDGES AND EVERYTHING EACH OF US HAS SAID, AND THEN WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, IT DOESN'T DELIVER.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE FLOOD BOND. THEY PUT THE $2.5 BILLION, THEY HAVE TO BELIEVE AS A WINNER, OTHERWISE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO VOTE FOR IT, BUT IT'S NOT ACTUALLY A WINNER BECAUSE IT'S NOT THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT. SO I'M GOING TO, YOU KNOW, HELLO COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS, TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET, BUT I REALLY WOULD URGE YOU, COMMISSIONER

BRIONES, TO RECONSIDER. >> WELL, I'M ACTING ON THE EXPERT'S RECOMMENDATION, BECAUSE I ASKED HER, I PREFER $50, BUT SHE SAID IF WE'RE GOING TO EXECUTE WITH EXCELLENCE, THIS IS WHAT IS BOLD AND WORKABLE. SO, YOU KNOW, WE CAN GO TO THE TAXPAYERS WITH ANYTHING, BUT I WANT TO RECAP, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN DIVING IN.

>> LET ME MAYBE EXPLAIN THE, THE REALLY KIND OF THE DIFFERENCE, RIGHT? IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT THE HUNDRED YEAR -- REALLY, WHAT WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT THERE IS IT'S A BIG INVESTMENT, BUT WHAT IT DOES IS REALLY GIVE US FUNDING TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW WITH A LITTLE BIT MORE. SO IT'S, IT WOULD BE A VERY BIG INVESTMENT IN THE TYPE OF REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BREAD AND BUTTER, THE, THE FOUNDATION OF THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. SO THAT'S WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE INVESTMENTS WE WOULD SEE, OR THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD PROPOSE. AS PART OF A BUDGET.

WHEN WE MOVE TO THE 67 AND THE 50 YEAR REPLACEMENT RATE, THOSE ARE WHEN IT DOES BECOME REALLY THE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO REALLY, AGAIN, PUT A LOT OF FUNDING TOWARDS THE FOUNDATION, THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF THE REPAIR REPLACE, GET OUT THERE, SIX MAJOR PROBLEMS, AND MOVE, MOVE SEDIMENT OUT OF THE CHANNELS, FIX EROSION, AND, AND ALLOW THOSE CHANNELS TO FLOW. BUT WHAT THOSE ADDITIONAL HIGHER-LEVEL SCENARIOS ALSO PROVIDE US WITH IS SOME ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO REALLY SINK TRANSFORMATIONAL HE. AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPLEMENT MORE RESILIENT APPROACHES WITH, I THINK, NOT SURE WHICH ONE OF YOU COMMISSIONERS TALKED ABOUT THIS, BUT THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY INVEST WITH THE LONG-TERM VISION THAT POSSIBLY SOMEDAY, IF WE CAN DO THIS IN A MORE RESILIENT FASHION, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO REDUCE THE FUNDING THAT WE NEED TO PUT INTO THIS INFRASTRUCTURE. IF WE BUILD IT IN A RESILIENT WAY. WE ALSO HAVE ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES FOR US WHEN IT COMES TO MAINTENANCE WORK IS RELATED TO PROPERTY ACQUISITION. SO WE DO NOT OWN ALL THE RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT WE NEED TO DO THE MAINTENANCE WORK THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US. AND WE PARTICULARLY HAVE THIS CHALLENGE ALONG OUR NATURAL CHANNELS. SO THIS LEVEL OF FUNDING AT THE 67 AND 50 YEAR LEVEL OF FUNDING, THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO MAKE PROGRESS, AND TO REALLY LOOK AT SOME OF THE POLICIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY APPROPRIATE, BUT WE MAY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHIFT. AND SO I THINK THAT'S, COMMISSIONER, LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WERE TALKING, I WAS TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE 67 TO THE 50 YEAR, THOSE ARE REALLY THE MORE TRANSFORMATIONAL TYPE INVESTMENTS.

>> I MEAN, IT'S GOING TO BE OUR BOAT, RIGHT? OKAY. IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN

FAVOR? >> AYE. .

>> LOOK. DURING COVID, I WENT THROUGH THIS, OKAY, WITH MY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR. IT WAS SO HARD, BECAUSE I COULD TELL THEY WERE AFRAID TO GIVE ME WHAT WE REALLY THOUGHT, BECAUSE THEY FELT THAT, WELL, GOSH, IT'S GOING TO BE ON ME. AND SO I, THERE'S NOT A, I DON'T, I'M NOT ASSUMING THIS IS WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, BUT I'M IMAGINING. SO, AND I MAY BE COMPLETELY WRONG. MY MESSAGE TO YOU IS, WE'RE THE ONES VOTING, RIGHT? WE'RE THE ONES THAT'S GOING TO BE THERE -- YOU'RE,

[08:40:02]

PICK ONE? >> I REALLY, THE WAY THAT WE APPROACH TO THIS WAS WITH THE INTENT TO LAYOUT DATA SO THAT IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENT RANGES, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS BOARD COULD IDENTIFY WHERE YOU FELT MOST COMFORTABLE. WE KNOW THAT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU KNOW, IT, IT IS, AT A MINIMUM, 100 YEARS, GOING TO BE FACING CHALLENGES. WILL EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE FACED CHALLENGES? WE HOPE NOT. IF WE DO A GOOD JOB OF MAINTAINING AND PUTTING EVERY DOLLAR IN THAT WE SPEND TO GOOD USE, IT IS MY HOPE WE CAN EXTEND THE LIFE. BUT WE DON'T KNOW. AND SO WHAT WE DID IN LAYING OUT THESE OPTIONS WAS LAYOUT THIS 50, 67, AND 100 YEAR LIFECYCLES TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CONVERSATION, BECAUSE IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO, YOU KNOW, IF, IF WE'RE LOOKING FOR A TRANSFORMATIONAL TYPE PROGRAM WITH SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE, THEN, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE I WOULD SAY THE HIGHEST NUMBER, RIGHT? BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS REALLY A DECISION THAT, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO BRING TO ALL OF YOU, BECAUSE THE, THE TYPE AND THE WEIGHT AND THE APPROACH TO THE FUNDING, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I'M GOING TO BRING A BUDGET THAT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR

PRIORITIES. >> SO QUICK CLARIFICATION, AND I'LL -- DANIEL, IT WAS 30 MILLION ABOVE THIS IS WHERE WE

WOULD BE. >> 30 MILLION ABOVE THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. SO INSTEAD OF A 140, IT WOULD'VE BEEN 170 THIS YEAR. BUT THAT'S RECURRING. THAT'S EVERY YEAR.

>> OKAY. SO, AT LEAST FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, I WOULD PREFER TO GO WITH THE 50, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IT INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF CONFIDENCE IN THE VOTERS IF IT IS HOPEFULLY A UNANIMOUS VOTE HERE. AND I CAN REMEMBER WHEN THE HARVEY BOND ISSUE WAS COMING UP, AND I FELT VERY STRONGLY THAT IT, WE SHOULD'VE HAD IT ON THE, THE DATE, YOU KNOW, FROM ELECTION DATE. AND THE, THE JUDGE AT THE TIME DIDN'T WANT IT ON THAT DATE. MY COLLEAGUES WERE TELLING ME, ONE OF THEM TOLD ME PRIVATELY, HE LEAVE IT ALONE, AND WE'LL GET IT ON THE ELECTION DATE. TURNED OUT IT, IT DID PASS, IN PART BECAUSE NOBODY WAS HERE. BUT WHEN I VOTED NO, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES, YOUR PREDECESSOR, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ASKED ME IF I'D RECONSIDER MY VOTE BECAUSE OF THE MESSAGE HE PUTS IN DOWN.

SO, ALTHOUGH I WOULD PREFER THE 50 YEAR CYCLE, I'M PREPARED TO VOTE FOR THIS MOTION, IN THE HOPE THAT IT'LL BE --

>> CAN I SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THAT? SO I AGREE, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A COUPLE ROUNDS ON THIS, NOT THIS, BUT, YOU KNOW, SETTING NUMBERS AND AMOUNTS. I WAS THERE WHEN THERE WAS THE, WHERE THERE WAS TRANSPORTATION OR THE CROW, I THINK IT WAS TRANSPORTATION BOND, WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPLIT A CERTAIN WAY, AND THAT IT WASN'T, OKAY? AND I'VE BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF THAT KIND OF THING. YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER. WE CAN GO BACK AND CHECK THE RECORD. I HAVE STOOD WITH YOU ON THAT, BECAUSE I ALSO BELIEVE ON DOING WHAT WE PROMISE WE'RE GOING TO DO. MY CONCERN IS THAT WE GO FOR 67 SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A UNANIMOUS VOTE, AND THEN, FOR REASONS EXTERNAL TO YOU, WHETHER IT'S, I MEAN, I JUST, THE POLITICS ARE STRONG THIS YEAR, RIGHT? OBVIOUSLY. I'M RETICENT, SO THIS GOES BACK TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I'M RETICENT TO SAY LET'S MAKE IT UNANIMOUS WHEN WE KNOW IN THE PAST, WITH VALID REASONS AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES, WHATEVER, WHATEVER REASON THERE WAS, WE HAD STARTED UNANIMOUS, AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TIME TO VOTE OR WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, WE DECIDE IT'S NOT POLITICALLY BENEFICIAL, OR YOU DON'T TRUST US ANYMORE, WHICH IS VALID , BECAUSE OF CERTAIN PAST, YOU KNOW, BEHAVIOR, BUT I ALSO DISAGREE WITH, BUT EVERYBODY HAS THEIR REASONS. SO I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT WE CAN COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH TO THE DAY PEOPLE VOTE ON THIS. MY COMMITMENT IS TO CONTINUE TO STAND WITH YOU ON THE MONEY BEING DIVIDED THE WAY IT WAS PROMISED IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DIVIDED, AND YOU CAN GO BACK AND CHECK MY RECORD ON THAT. BUT, BUT CAN YOU COMMIT TO ME THAT, THAT WE WILL BEND TO 67 SO THAT WE CAN GET A UNANIMOUS

[08:45:03]

AGAINST US COME NOVEMBER? >> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S INTERESTING, JUDGE. YOU MADE THE FINAL VOTE TO CREATE MY PRECINCT. AND I THOUGHT WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY BOND, BUT YOU'VE OPENED UP A WHOLE ANOTHER CONVERSATION

. WHY YOU WOULD DO THAT -- >> WELL, I HATE, NO, I HATE

THAT BOAT AND YOU KNOW IT. >> AND YOU'VE DONE EVERYTHING YOU JUST ACCUSED ME OF BEING UNRELIABLE.

>> NO, NO, NO. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING. NO, NO, NO.

>> BUT I HAVE GOOD REASON TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT TRUSTING YOU

SPECIFICALLY. >> YEAH, AND I SAID THAT, FINE.

>> BUT I, I HAVE GOOD REASON. AND SO --

>> WELL, I HATE THAT REDISTRICTING --

>> JUST LIKE THE, JUST LIKE THE, MY CONSTITUENTS DO.

BECAUSE IT'S VERY REAL. THAT WHOLE DEBRIS CONVERSATION WE HAD TODAY WAS THE REASON THAT WE HAVE PROBLEMS IN PICKING UP DEBRIS IN PRECINCT 3, IF THERE'S SOME POLITICS BEING PLAYED WITH WHERE TRUCKS ARE PUT. I DIDN'T GET INTO THAT TODAY. BUT SINCE YOU BROACHED THE SUBJECT --

>> WELL, LET'S ADDRESS IT! >> DO I FEEL LIKE, DO I FEEL LIKE THAT THE 75% OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA, BEING IN PRECINCT 3, AND THE INCREDIBLE BURDEN THAT PUTS ON OUR STAFF TO MAIN THING, AND TO BE, ESSENTIALLY UNDERFUNDED, I'M UNDERFUNDED TO THE SAME DEGREE THAT DIRECTOR PETERSON IS IN FLOOD CONTROL. AND SO I CAME HERE --

>> WHICH I HAVE SUPPORTED YOU ON, COMMISSIONER. THIS IS NOT

WHAT I'M ASKING YOU. >> BUT I'M, I'M THE ONE, JUDGE, THAT BROUGHT UP DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. I'M THE ONE THAT

DEFINED THIS ISSUE. >> FINE, SO YOUR ANSWER IS YES.

THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO KNOW. BUT IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING, I'M HAPPY TO DO IT.

>> I MAKES ZERO COMMITMENT TO YOU, OKAY?

>> WELL THEN LET'S SAY LET'S GO FOR THE 50, COMMISSIONER. I REALLY NEED A RESTROOM BREAK, BUT WE CAN BREAK. I'M GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK. I'M GOING TO BE RIGHT BACK.