Sep 04, 2024 Commissioners Court Budget Hearing

[Fire Marshal]

[00:00:07]

>>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. WE WILL BEGIN, WE WILL HAVE CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN FROM THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE. AS A REMINDER CHIEF WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES OPENING, TWO IN ITS CLOSING AND THEN EACH COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. CHIEF, THREE MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU, FIRST ON THAT THAN COMMISSIONERS COURT, OUR STAFF, MARTINEZ AND RAMOS FOR SUPPORTING THE MISSION TO SAFEGUARD THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY TOO FIRE PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, EDUCATION, RESPONSE AND MANAGEMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS YEAR'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS. WE RECEIVED TEXAS POLICE CHIEF ACCREDITATION, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BEST PRACTICE ACCREDITATION PROGRAM, THE FIRST FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE IN THE STATE TO OBTAIN THAT. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND VERY PROUD, PAY EQUITY WE HAVE ENSURED ALL ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO GET PAID GREATER THAN $50,000, WE USED EXISTING BUDGET FUNDS TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS TAKING CARE.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL SAFETY CHECKLIST WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OF , IT IS USED AS CHAPTER 11 IN THE REGION FOUR AUDIT DOCUMENTATION. WE DID TRANSITION TO GREEN FOAM, HAZMAT TRANSITIONING AND WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE SKILL BRIDGE PROGRAM WHICH IS WHEN YOU BRING IN A MILITARY PERSON IN THEIR LAST SIX MONTHS, TRAIN THEM NOW HE IS FIXING TO GET OUT AND WE ARE HIRING HIM. WE ARE VERY EXCITED. WE ALSO BROUGHT IN THE JOHN MAXWELL TRAINING PROGRAM INTO THE AGENCY. WE DID THAT BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW WE'VE GOT TO START PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION.

WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THE NEXT GROUP OF LEADERSHIP AND NOW THE MOTTO IS EVERYONE IS A LEADER BECAUSE EVERYONE INFLUENCES SOMEONE AND WE WERE RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY IN AN ARTICLE 38% INCREASE IN FEMALE HIRING SINCE 2018. WE HAVE TWO OPEN PART-TIME INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS WITH SIX PCNS WITH OFFER LETTERS GENERATED THIS WEEK, INTERVIEWS WERE COMPLETED LAST WEEK, ONE WITH A TEMP EMPLOYEE BEING TESTED BEFORE WE TRANSFER TO FULL-TIME, SOMETIMES WE DO THAT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE A FIT FOR THE AGENCY AND WE ARE A FIT FOR THEM. WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION. WE UNDERSTAND AS RESPONDERS WE CAN BE CALLED AT ANY TIME TO ASSIST HARRIS COUNTY. WE WORK WITH PARTNER TASKFORCES, HAZMAT TEAMS, DOJ, FBI, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CONSTABLES AND MANY OTHERS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE A VALUED PARTNER WE WORKED WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT CAO TO ENSURE OUR WORK IS BEING DONE AS REQUIREMENTS AND THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT WE PUT THEM THROUGH COMMISSIONERS COURT TO BE CODIFIED. EXECUTIVE CHIEF AND FINANCE OFFICER ARE HERE WITH ME TO ASSIST WITH QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

THANK YOU. >> WE WILL BEGIN WITH

COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1. >> THAT MORNING, THINKING.

HARRIS COUNTY RECEIVED ONE. WAS SERVICE ENHANCEMENT WHAT OF THE MOST IMPACT ON YOUR OFFICE ABILITY TO MEET THE GOALS AND PRIORITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 25?

>> I KNOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ADOPTION OF OUR UPDATED FIRE CODE INJURING WE ARE IN LINE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

HOUSTON UPDATED THEIR AND 34 CITIES TO ALIGN WITH THEM. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT THE LABOR FUNDING PROVIDED , THE ALLOCATION ENHANCEMENT IS GOING TO ASSIST , AS WELL. BEING IN THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE ASPECT , AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY, ESPECIALLY NOW BEING ACCREDITED WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS. THE TRAINING, THE GEAR NEEDED, THE BODY CAMS AND BEING TRANSPARENT WITH OUR CUSTOMERS.

>> EXCELLENT AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT ACCREDITATION. FINAL QUESTION IS HOW HAVE SERVICE NEEDS AND REQUEST CHANGED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS FOR YOUR OFFICE?

>> AS YOU KNOW THERE HAS BEEN GROWTH IN THE COUNTY AND THAT MEANS THERE HAS BEEN MORE REQUESTS FOR BUSINESSES TO OPEN AND I SAY AN OPEN BUSINESS IS A SAFE BUSINESS SO INSPECTIONS HAVE INCREASED, FIRE INVESTIGATIONS HAVE INCREASED BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE, MORE ACCIDENTAL FIRES, THAT HAS

[00:05:03]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2. >> GOOD MORNING CHIEF POLICY ADVISOR WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2. FIRST LET ME EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR THE HARD WORK YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE BEEN DOING. YOU ALL HAD A VERY BUSY YEAR THIS YEAR AND WITH THAT SAID WITH THE RECENT STORM AND HURRICANE I WANTED TO INQUIRE WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES DURING THIS BUSY STORM SEASON ESPECIALLY SENIOR FACILITIES WAS ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES WE ENCOUNTER AT OUR PRECINCT.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP WE HAVE ACTIVATED THE OFFICE SEVEN TIMES THIS YEAR. WHEN WE SAY ACTIVATED THAT'S THROUGH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN ADDITION WHEN WE HAD MISS JACKSON THE SERVICES OUR OFFICE WAS PART OF THE TASK FORCE WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. NOT ONLY DO WE WORK WITHIN REGULAR STORMS AND HURRICANES AND FLOODS, WE WORK IN SPECIAL EVENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE SPECIAL SERVICES WE OFFER, DRONE SERVICES, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FBI AND SECRET SERVICE. SO WHAT I WILL SAY IS THIS. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT GOING ON WITH THE FOCUS REMAINS THE CUSTOMERS. FOR US WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE INSPECT BUSINESSES IN A TIMELY MANNER BECAUSE THEY'RE WAITING ON US. DURING EMERGENCIES WE WILL HAVE MORE ALARM SYSTEMS AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS THAT ACTIVATED OR HAD ISSUES SO WE WORKED WITH CUSTOMERS TO ALLOW THEM TIME TO GET SOME THINGS REPAIRED, PUT THEM ON FIRE WATCH SO I WILL SAY THERE IS ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS, REARRANGING SCHEDULES, CALLING IN. THE GOOD THING IS MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE TRIPLE CERTIFIED. WHAT I MEAN BY THAT THEY ARE FIREFIGHTERS, INVESTIGATORS AND INSPECTORS SO I NEED TO PULL SOMEBODY FROM ANOTHER DIVISION BECAUSE THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF WE CAN DO THAT, IT'S NOT VERY COMMON BUT DURING EMERGENCIES WE DO THAT.

>> SPEAKING OF EMERGENCY APPRENTICE. I KNOW EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS HAS EVOLVED SINCE ASTROWORLD. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THE CALIBRATION AND WHAT TO EXPECT WITH MAJOR EVENTS COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS IN HARRIS COUNTY LIKE THE WORLD

CUP? >> CHIEF CAN DEFINITELY TALK OFF-LINE ABOUT THAT. HE HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN PREPLANNING. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FIRE CHIEF AND THE NEW POLICE CHIEF . WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM SO WE ARE ALREADY IN PREPLANNING STAGES WITH CITIES, THE STATE AS WELL, SOME FEDERAL PARTNERS WE ARE ENGAGED IN SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT WILL OCCUR. WE ALSO PARTICIPATE IN LARGE EVENTS THAT HAPPEN AT THE ENERGY CENTER AND WE HAVE LARGE EVENTS, WE CALL THEM SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE COUNTY AND WE SEE MORE AND MORE OF THAT. SOME AREAS ON THE WEST SIDE WILL BE BUILDING AS LARGE AS WHAT YOU WILL SEE WITH WHAT YOU SEE IN THE WOODLANDS. WE ARE VERY ENGAGED WITH OUR PARTNERS AND I WANT TO SAY IT IS EMS, FIRE, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. I NEVER WANT TO FORGET SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES IT OVERFLOWS INTO THEIR SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

>> THANK YOU. I ASKED LAST YEAR AND I HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO ASK AGAIN, REFINERIES ARE A HUGE ISSUE, WILL THERE BE ANY PROACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS IN THIS FISCAL YEAR ?

>> YES SIR, IN FACT, I TOLD COMMISSIONER RIVER DURING PREPLANNING WITH HAZMAT. SOME OPERATIONAL PERMITS WE DO ARE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, CRYOGENICS AND DIFFERENT MATERIALS. WE ARE ADDING SOME TO THE FIRE CODE ADOPTION BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THESE INDUSTRY FACILITIES. AGAIN IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH INDUSTRY. FOR US IT'S ABOUT PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONS, THEY KNOW IT'S COMING, THEY KNOW WE ARE GOING TO BE THERE AND THEY ARE ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS. YES WE WILL BE MORE INVOLVED STARTING AFTER THIS ADOPTION OF FIRE CODE IF

IT PASSES. >> MY LAST QUESTION WILL BE BRIEF. HAPPY TO LEARN YOUR OFFICE HAS A LOT OF COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ESD'S IN THE COUNTY, CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THAT COLLABORATION AND HOW WE AS A COUNTY CAN HELP

[00:10:02]

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING, THEIR 26 ESD FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EIGHT ESD EMS. I WILL SAY BY STATUTE IT ASKS THAT WE PARTNER OR COLLABORATE WITH THEM. WHAT I WILL SAY IS THIS, YOU'LL HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD ABOUT ATTENDING MEETINGS WITH THEM, ENGAGING WITH THEM, AS YOU KNOW IT'S BEEN CRITICAL , ESPECIALLY OUT IN CLOVERLEAF AND SOME OF THE OTHER AREAS THAT THOSE ESD'S, THEY KNOW THEIR DISTRICTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DISTRICT OFFICERS. THEY KNOW THEIR CONSTABLES. SO BASICALLY CONTINUED PARTNERING WITH US AND CONTINUE COMING TO THE MEETINGS TO LET US ENGAGE YOU WITH THEM.

>> COUNTY JUDGE. >> GOOD MORNING. FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, GOOD MORNING, GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I APPRECIATE YOUR NEAR TEAM TAKING TIME TO BE HERE. I KNOW YOU ARE INCREDIBLY BUSY. YOU TOUCHED UPON THE GROWTH IN THE COUNTY AND ONE OF THOSE IS THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. HOW HAS THAT RECENT EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IMPACTED SCHOOL SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM AND WHAT ADJUSTMENTS HAS YOUR TEAM MADE TO MANAGE THAT INCREASED

WORKLOAD? >> THE SCHOOL INSPECTION PROGRAM IS, AND I WANT TO MAKE THIS CLEAR , SCHOOLS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE INSPECTED BY STATE LAW. WE DO IT BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AS YOU KNOW THAT IS A GENERAL FUND ITEM. WE OPEN A 14 NEW SCHOOLS DURING THE SUMMER. MY STAFF, I HAVE TO PULL STAFF FROM OTHER AREAS TO HELP BECAUSE WE ARE SO SHORTSTAFFED ON SCHOOL INSPECTION TEAMS. I HAVE TO EXPAND THAT TO CONTINUE WITH SCHOOLS. HOUSE BILL THREE ON THE AFFECTED CHARTER AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT DID NOT AFFECT PRIVATE, WE INSPECT PRIVATE, CHARTER AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH HOUSE BILL THREE ARE SECURITY BASED BUT IT HAS AFFECTED THE FIRESIDE BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ISD POLICE CHIEFS AND SUPERINTENDENCE WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE BECAUSE WE HAVE VENDORS COME FROM OTHER STATES THAT HAVE TRIED TO STALL -- INSTALL EQUIPMENT THAT IS NOT CERTIFIED THROUGH FIRE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS. FORTUNATELY THEY CALL US FIRST SO I THINK WE CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE, THE DISTRICTS WE INSPECT WITH OVER 550 SCHOOLS, WE ARE ENGAGED WITH THEM. I WILL SAY IT IS A STRUGGLE NOW BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ABLE TO STEP INTO EVERY SCHOOL WITH SO MANY

OPEN. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. WHAT COST-SAVING MEASURES HAVE BEEN LIMITED THROUGHOUT YOUR TEAM IN THE LAST YEAR AND HOW HAVE IMPACTED SERVICE DELIVERY?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE AND I WILL GIVE OUR FINANCE OFFICER, GONE IN AND LOOKED AT EVERYTHING WE ARE SPENDING. ARE WE DOING REDUNDANCY IN SOFTWARE, ARE WE DOING REDUNDANCY IN ORDERING EQUIPMENT IN THIS DIVISION WHEN WE COULD ORDER FROM A VENDOR FROM ANOTHER DIVISION. WE HAVE STARTED ENGAGING AND WORKING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE OF HOW CAN WE STREAMLINE MORE? AS YOU KNOW WE BECOME A VERY LARGE AGENCY. 175 PEOPLE IT DOES NOT TAKE LONG TO GET OUT OF HAND SO WE ARE TRYING TO STREAMLINE EVERYTHING WITH THE PROCESS GOING THROUGH LOGISTICS I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE PROJECT AS YOU ALLOW US TO BUILD OUT ADDITIONAL LOGISTICS SPACE WE HAVE HIRED ADDITIONAL LOGISTICS PEOPLE ALLOWING US TO

STREAMLINE. >> PERFECT. EVERYONE ELSE HAS ASKED MY QUESTIONS. I WILL RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3. >> GOOD MORNING, AUGUST WILLIAMS PRECINCT 3. TO STAY ON THE SUBJECT OF SCHOOLS, DO YOU SEE OR HAVE YOU HEARD ANY NEW INITIATIVES FROM THE SAFE

SCHOOL COMMISSION? >> I HAVE, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PHENOMENAL MEETINGS WITH THE SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION, THEY JUST PASSED THE BYLAWS SO SOMETHINGS ARE HOW WILL WE ENGAGE MORE WITH THE DISTRICTS AND TRAVELING AROUND TO DIFFERENT AREAS VERSUS MEANING IN ONE LOCATION, ENGAGING SUPERINTENDENTS AND PRINCIPALS. I KNOW NOW WE ARE GOING TO BE, WE ARE NOT APPOINTED OFFICIALS, BUT WE ARE APPOINTED AS A RESOURCE SO I HAVE SEEN, THE FACT THEY'RE REACHING OUT THEIR REGION FOUR ABOVE, HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION IS A TEAM OF FOLKS, THIS IS OUR INITIATIVE HOW WE DO IT WE WILL VOTE AND MAKING THINGS HAPPEN.

REALLY STREAMLINED GREAT PROGRESS.

>> OUTSTANDING. AVERAGE, I SAW AVERAGE IS 50% OF YOUR GOAL SO

[00:15:02]

OUTREACH? >> I'M NOT ASKING FOR STAFFING LET ME MAKE THAT CLEAR. A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S WHAT IT IS. WE HAVE A SMALL TEAM THAT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, IT IS OUTREACH, THEY DO SOCIAL MEDIA, ALL ANNUAL REPORTS AND ALL OF THAT SO THERE ARE THINGS WE CANNOT ATTEND BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE STAFFING TO DO IT. A LOT OF TIMES, AS YOU KNOW I HAVE STAFF WATCHING COMP TIME AND THEY ARE DOING THE REGULAR JOB.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS KEEP WORKING WITH US, DOWN THE ROAD IF YOU FEEL YOU WANT US TO DO MORE, LET US KNOW YOU DO WANT US TO DO MORE AND IF WE NEED TO ADJUST OR GET WITH THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT IN THE FUTURE WE WILL DO THAT. WE ARE USING A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA CAPABILITIES, VIDEOS, TRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH OUTREACH IN THAT WAY. WE EVEN HAVE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL WHERE WE DO THREE MINUTES OF SAFETY READING WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL, VARIOUS THINGS LIKE THAT WE JUST DON'T COUNT IT IN THE PERCENTAGE BECAUSE IT'S NOT

PHYSICAL. >> WHERE ARE WE ON BOARDING HOMES? DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO COVER THAT ? YOU HAVE SO MANY

THINGS PULLING. >> YES SIR. I WILL GIVE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND DOES WE DO THE PERMITTING AND INSPECTING WE ARE DOING VERY WELL. I WILL TELL YOU THAT GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT WE GIVE THEM TIME TO GET THEIR PERMITS AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT OPERATING SAFELY WITH A PERMIT, WE HAVE EVEN SEEN RESIDENTS TURN THEM IN, YOU MENTION ESD'S WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH ESD PARTNERS BECAUSE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS EMS WILL SHOW UP, YOU WILL FIND THE LOCATIONS NOW THEY HAVE A REPORTING MECHANISM BACK TO US. WE GO OUT AND HEY, IS THIS PLACE VALID TO THE OPERATING? IF NOT WE GET TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND MAKE SURE THEY GET MOVED. VERY PLEASED AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL HAVE ANYTHING BUT LAST SESSION SENATOR MILES PASSED ADDITIONAL BILLS ALLOWING US TO DO MORE FOR THE SENIOR POPULATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH SCHOOLS TAKING CARE OF THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

>> THAT IS A PASSION. SCHOOLS ARE A MESS GATHERING LOCATION.

YOU TALK ABOUT SPECIAL EVENTS. I'M GOING TO MY GRANDSON'S GRANDPARENTS DAY SO YOU HAVE ALL PEOPLE LIKE ME AND THEN THREE-YEAR-OLDS AT SCHOOL. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS BEEN AMAZING.

>> LESLIE I WANT TO GIVE YOU CREDIT FOR THE SKILL BRIDGE PROGRAM AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. I SEE THIS EVERY TIME I SEE YOU PLEASE TEACH OTHER DEPARTMENT ABOUT RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND CROSSTRAINING IS A BIG ONE. THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO EXTEND OUR RESOURCES. THAT'S IT FOR US.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4.

>> GOOD MORNING, FIRSTLY, CHIEF AND YOUR TEAM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO TO KEEP OUR COUNTY, NEIGHBORS AND CHILDREN SAFE. WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AS PUBLIC SERVANTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OUR FIRST QUESTION. SPEAKING ON RETENTION IF YOU COULD SPEAK MORE ON THAT AND ARE THERE ANY STRATEGIES YOU HAVE FOUND SUCCESSFUL FOR RETENTION.

>> WE ARE UNIQUE. I GO TO A LOT OF PLACES AND THE TRY TO GO TO COLLEGES AND HIGH SCHOOLS TO RECRUIT. I BELIEVE WE HAVE A WORKFORCE OF WHAT DOES THE COUNTY OFFER? AND IF IT'S AND HEALTHCARE AND A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S AN OLDER GROUP OF FOLKS AND WE ARE FINDING PEOPLE COMING TO US IN THEIR 30S, LOOKING FOR A CAREER. THEY HAVE DONE DIFFERENT THINGS SO WE GO OUT AND MY TEAM LAST, I HAVE EVERYBODY CARRY BUSINESS CARDS.

HEY, YOU SERVED ME GREAT COFFEE TODAY I COME IN EVERY DAY YOU HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE I SEE YOU PUT UP WITH A LOT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO A RIDE ALONG? WHEN I GO TO GOOD SERVICE AT HOME DEPOT. I AM LOOKING FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I CAN TEACH YOU TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR FIRE INSPECTOR, CUSTOMER SERVICE, THAT IS SOMETHING YOU'VE GOT TO WANT TO GIVE. YOU GOT TO WANT TO WORK WITH THE PUBLIC SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING. WE JUST INTERVIEWED A TEACHER LAST WEEK THAT I BELIEVE THEY WILL OFFER A LETTER. THAT I MET AT A GET TOGETHER AND SHE SAID YOU GUYS ARE DOING AMAZING STUFF, CAN I DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, COME ON I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A TEACHER

WORK FOR US. >> THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. CAN

[00:20:04]

ABLE TO DO THAT. >> YES, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO A LITTLE BIT. WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. LIKE ANYTHING ELSE WE ARE TRYING TO GATHER DATA WHICH WE WORK WITH COUNTY SYSTEMS, WE HAVE TRACKING MECHANISMS FOR INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS AND WE WORK ON DATA WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. WE GET SO MUCH INFORMATION. SO IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING I DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY I GO TO OEM OR OTHER AREAS AND SAY I NEED THIS MAPPED. AGAIN THAT SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS YEAR TO USE FUNDING WE'RE GETTING TO BUILD THAT ENHANCEMENT . WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENTED FOLKS , BUT SOMETIMES THAT'S SOFTWARE AND THAT DATA , THERE IS SO MUCH OF IT.

>> HOW HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING CUTS AFFECTED YOUR OFFICE AND YOU FOR SEE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE?

>> IF IT'S OKAY I WOULD LIKE TO TURN THIS OVER TO CHIEF

REED, THE COUNTY LIAISON. >> SO, YES WITH THE CUTS AROUND THE NATION, HARRIS COUNTY, THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES ARE FEELING THE IMPACTS OF THIS. THE BIG THING AROUND THAT IS WE UTILIZE THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE REGION RESPONSE TO TERRORISM AND PREVENTION OF TERRORISM INCIDENTS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW IN THE PAST TWO FISCAL YEARS HAS BEEN A REQUIREMENT TO REDUCE FUNDING . HAVE THEY BEEN DETRIMENTAL, NO BECAUSE WE ARE INSIDE OF YEAR ONE AND TWO.

WHERE THIS BECOMES IMPACTFUL AS WE LOOK AT YEAR FIVE AND SEVEN TALKING ABOUT CAPITAL EQUIPMENT. VERY EXPENSIVE DETECTION EQUIPMENT THAT ONLY HAS A VALID SHELFLIFE AND THEN HAS TO BE UPGRADED. WE ARE HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LEVEL ABOUT HOW WE WILL REACT TO THIS AND WHAT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES HAVE EXISTED AND HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED, THAT MAY HAVE TO SEE REDUCTION SO WE DO NOT SEE THIS REGION WHICH IS A PRIME TARGET FOR TERRORISM ATTACKS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE RESPONSE COMMUNITY TO NOT BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THAT SO IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE WORKING ON AND I WILL CIRCLE BACK AND MAKE SURE I ADDRESS THE INFORMATION

WE ARE COMING BACK WITH. >> SINCE WE LIVE 20 SECONDS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING AND ANYWAY COMMISSIONERS COURT CAN HELP SUPPORT THE SAFETY FOR SCHOOLS AND FOR THE FUNDING, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

>> ONE THING TO COVER. IF WE RUN OUT OF TIME AND THERE ARE QUESTIONS YOU NEED ANSWERED PRIOR TO NEXT TUESDAY JUST LET US KNOW. LED OMB KNOW AND WE WILL SEND THEM OUT, WE WILL RESPOND BACK TO ALL THE COURT OFFICES WITH WHATEVER ANSWERS.

>> COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

>> WE JUST WANT KIND OF AN OVERALL UPDATE ON FTES AN

AVERAGE LENGTH OF TENURE. >> YES SIR, THANK YOU. I MENTIONED WE HAD OPEN PART-TIME INVESTIGATORS AND WHEN WE SAY PART-TIME WE LIKE TO BRING THOSE IN TO SUPPLEMENT WHEN WE HAVE LARGE, YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE LARGE FIRES RECENTLY.

WE BRING THEM INTO SUPPLEMENT . RIGHT NOW IT IS TRAINING. WHEN WE HIRE PEOPLE WE PUT THEM THROUGH FTO NOT YOUR NORMAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FTO. THERE ARE 16 COMPETENCIES YOU HAVE TO HAVE PER AND THAT IS TO INVESTIGATE FIRES SO IT IS THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TRAINING PROGRAM EVEN IF THEY HAVE A SPENDTHRIFT TO VALIDATE THEY HAVE THE TRAINING SO WE HAVE THOSE I TALKED ABOUT THE SIX PCNS AND INSPECTIONS WITH OFFER LETTERS. KIND OF THE SAME THING. WE HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO HIRE PEOPLE BECAUSE HAVE TO PULL PEOPLE OFF TO TRAIN THOSE FOLKS. EVEN JUST PUTTING ON A VEST, BODY CAMERAS, HOW TO USE THE RADIO AND ENSURING THEY UNDERSTAND COUNTY SYSTEMS NOW BEING ACCREDITED WE HAVE TO ENSURE THEY READ THESE POLICIES. WE HAVE THE ONE PCN THAT I MENTIONED WITH A TEMPORARY

[00:25:01]

EXCITED ABOUT THAT. >> EXCELLENT AND AVERAGE LENGTH

OF TENURE? >> WHEN THEY COME TO US WE FIND THE YOUNGER FOLKS ARE LEAVING AT TIMES BECAUSE SOMETHING IS ON TO SAY IN MY CLOSING STATEMENT IT IS BECAUSE RETENTION CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE BECAUSE REMEMBER 786 IT IS BECAUSE RETENTION CONTINUES TO BE AN ISSUE BECAUSE REMEMBER 786 MI.÷ OF UNINCORPORATED COUNTY BUT HE HAD TO GET TO THE CITY WHAT WE ARE FINDING IS THEY CAN GO MAKE THE SAME MONEY OR MORE MONEY FOR A LOT LESS WORK SO THE WORKLOAD WE HAVE ON OUR EMPLOYEES IS SO GREAT WE HAVE BECOME A TRAINING GROUND.

SO THE YOUNGER EMPLOYEES, EIGHT YEARS IS NO ISSUE FOR THEM, WE WILL SEE 3 TO 5 YEAR TURNOVER BECAUSE THEY CAN GO TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION AND THAT TENURE FROM OUR SYSTEM RESONATES IN THE SYSTEM SO THAT WHITE EIGHT YEARS IS NOT A BIG DEAL, 3 TO 5 YEARS IS WHAT IT IS, OLDER EMPLOYEES ARE LIKE WE ARE SO CLOSE BUT 3 TO 5 YEARS IS THE TURNOVER. I FEEL LIKE WE ARE TRAINING THOSE FOLKS TO GO TO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE BUT I WILL TAKE IT WHEN WE HAVE THEM BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE

WITH GOOD EMPLOYEES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. >> HOW HAS YOUR TEAM BEEN PREPARING FOR A NEW INDUSTRY GROWTH IN THE ENERGY TRANSITION SECTOR LIKE HYDROGEN PLANT DEVELOPMENT AND EV BATTERIES, I KNOW THIS IS AN EMERGING TOPIC SO HOW HAS YOUR TEAM BEEN ACTIVELY PREPARING AS WE SEE THAT HAPPEN?

>> I WILL TELL YOU THIS, I AM VERY PROUD OF THE TEAM FOR ENGAGING AND I CAN LET THE CHIEF TELL YOU MORE. THE HAZMAT TEAM HAS BEEN GOING OUT TO DO TRAINING EVEN OUTSIDE TEXAS. IN THE NEW FIRE CODE YOU WILL SEE WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE ICC AND PARTNERS HERE, LOCAL ENGINEERING FIRMS IN THE COUNTY. HELPING THE CITY OF HOUSTON ON WHAT DOES EV CODE NEED TO LOOK LIKE? YOU ARE RIGHT IT IS CHANGING SO QUICKLY.'S WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY ON THAT, WE ARE WORKING WITH TEXAS A& M ON SOME INITIATIVES THEY ARE RESEARCHING. CHIEF DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN DOING? GALVESTON WAS PRETTY COOL.

>> HARRIS COUNTY HAZMAT PREPARING FOR THE RESPONSE SIDE AND CONSIDERATIONS AND PROVIDING EXPERTISE BACK INTO OUR PREVENTION DIVISION AND INVESTIGATION DIVISION. WORKING WITH TEXAS A&M ENGINEERING EXTENSION SERVICES AND THEY HAVE BEEN ATTENDING SOME OF THE MOST RECENT HYDROGEN COMFORTERS. GETTING A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS BRINGING DOWN TO THE UNITED STATES AND STAYING IN LINE WITH THAT AND WORKING WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND RESPONSE AGENCIES THAT ARE STARTING TO SEE THESE HYDROGEN PLANTS COMING INTO THEIR JURISDICTION.

SO AGAIN I CANNOT GIVE ENOUGH CREDIT TO THE CHIEF FOR HIS CONNECTION WITH INDUSTRY SO NOT ONLY IS HE UNDERSTANDING FROM RESPONSE , HE IS ALSO UNDERSTANDING HOW INDUSTRY AND THE PLANT MANAGERS ARE STARTING TO THINK AND AS THEY LOOK TO TRANSITION SERVICES FROM EXISTING PROCESSES TO THE NEW PROCESSES WE HAVE A GOOD PULSE ON THAT.

>> PERFECT, THANK YOU. THAT'S THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO CLOSE.

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GIVE YOU BASICALLY WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT. YOU HAVE ASKED ME QUESTIONS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THE THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. RETENTION IT CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE FACING THE ORGANIZATION DUE TO THE GEOGRAPHY. NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN FIX NECESSARILY, BUT IT IS HOW WE OPERATE WITHIN THE THIRD-LARGEST COUNTY IN THE U.S. AND THE MULTITUDE OF LOCATIONS THAT HAVE EITHER NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR HAVE OPEN VIOLATIONS AND WE KNOW ABOUT THOSE. EVERY TIME I SEE SOMETHING COME UP ON THE NEWS WITH A FIRE OR SOMETHING HAPPEN MY GOODNESS HAVE WE BEEN TO THAT PLACE OR DID THE PLACE HAVE A VIOLATION? REMEMBER WE DO NOT HAVE A FIRE CODE UNTIL 2005 SO MANY LOCATIONS HAVE NEVER BEEN INSPECTED. I THINK ABOUT THE THINGS WE WILL BRING

[00:30:02]

[Office of Management and Budget]

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN. WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.

>> WELCOME TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. DIRECTOR YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT AND THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND DIRECTOR YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING

STATEMENT. >> THANK YOU AND I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR BUYING INTO THE PROCESS. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A TON OF CHANGE AND WE HOPE TO KEEP GETTING BETTER AT THIS PROCESS., TO THANK MY STAFF.

MANY HAD TO STEP UP IN BIG WAYS WHILE I HAVE BEEN OUT DEALING WITH PERSONAL ISSUES, SO THANK YOU ALL. WE PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH, OMB HAS NOT ASKED FOR BUDGET ENHANCEMENT SINCE 2021 AND DURING THAT TIME WE RECEIVED A CUT OF 650,000 COMBINED OVER THE LAST THREE FISCAL YEARS. WE ARE FULLY STAFFED AND HAVE STAYED FULLY STAFFED FOR LONG STRETCHES OF MY TENURE. WHAT WE HAVE DONE WE HAVE BUILT ON THE PROCESS LAST YEAR MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT THE PROCESS WAS PRETTY GOOD. WE THOUGHT WE TOOK IT TO THE NEXT AND PUSHING DEPARTMENTS TO LOOK AT EFFICIENCIES WITHIN OPERATION AND ALSO TO ARTICULATE HOW THEY CONNECTED TO THE OVERALL STRATEGIC PLAN.

WE WERE MORE DETAILED. WE HAD POSITION COUNTS PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR NOW WE CAN TRACK YEAR-TO-YEAR. WE ALSO DID LINE ITEM BUDGETS AND WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT TO STAFF, THAT WAS A BIG REQUEST FROM MANY OF YOU. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ABLE TO USE THE RIGHT FUNDING FOR THE RIGHT THING WE HAVE DONE REVIEWS OF SPECIAL FUNDS AND HAVE INSURED WE ARE USING RESTRICTED MONEY FIRST, LOOKING FOR GRANTS AND ALTERNATIVE FUNDING BEFORE PEOPLE COME TO THE GENERAL FUND AND WE ARE TRACKING WHEN WE ARE FUNDING, WE KNOW WHAT INITIATIVES WERE ADOPTED LAST YEAR AND WE WANT TO ENSURE WE CONTINUALLY REPORT NOT JUST ON THE PROGRESS OF IMPLEMENTATION, BUT ALSO ON THE METRICS THAT THE DEPARTMENTS COMMITTED TO HITTING. WE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO BETTER ALIGN TO THE OVERALL STRATEGIC PLAN AND MAKE SURE WE AS A COUNTY ARE FUNDING THE THINGS THAT WORK AND THAT ALIGN WITH THE OVERALL VISION FOR THE COUNTY. WITH THAT I AM READY FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

>> EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WHO IS PARTICIPATING VIRTUALLY.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ARE YOU THERE ?

>> NOT HEARING HIM LET'S BEGIN WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR I AM SO GRATEFUL TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM PREVENTING YOU DO TO CONTINUE TO RAISE STANDARDS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING STRONG FIDUCIARIES OF TAXPAYER RESOURCES. FIRST IF I ASK ABOUT YOUR SPECIFIC BUDGET,

[00:35:04]

FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENT? >> SURE. THAT SOMETHING WE REGULARLY REPORT ON. LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST FULL YEAR OF ORDERLY PROJECTIONS SO WE HAVE DONE TWO THINGS. ONE, WHEN WE LOOK AT INDIVIDUAL ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS, WE DID ASK IS THERE INTERNAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE? IS THIS A REALIGNMENT? UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS A GREAT EXAMPLE WHERE THEY CAME FORWARD AND WORKED HARD TO BRING TRANSPARENCY, THEY LOOKED AT NONLABOR SPENDING AND SAID THEY COULD SAVE MONEY AND AT THE SAME TIME WE KNOW CYBER SECURITY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN FUND AS A COUNTY. SO WE DID GO THROUGH THAT EXERCISE. WE LOOK AT VACANCIES, FOR EXAMPLE A POSITION UNDER HR SUBMISSION, BUT IS NOW UNDER OMB IN THE RISK MANAGEMENT FUND. THE POSITION WAS OPEN FOR HUNDREDS OF DAYS SO WE DECIDED WE DID NOT NEED THE POSITION, WE COULD FIND AN ALTERNATIVE IF NEEDED. SO WE DO THAT ANALYSIS AND WE HAVE STARTED TO BUDGET FOR COUNTYWIDE VACANCY SAVINGS. WE KNOW DEPARTMENTS OF TURNOVER ESPECIALLY IN THE POSITIONS WE COMPETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON. ESPECIALLY LIKE SOME OF THE WHITE-COLLAR JOBS SO WE STARTED TO BUDGET THAT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT JUST PUTTING BUDGET IN PLACE AS WE KNOW IT WON'T BE SPENT AND WE ARE ACTUALLY UTILIZING IT.

>> YOU STARTED ANSWERING THE NEXT QUESTION. TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM EVALUATED ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS AND HOW YOU RECOMMEND A CERTAIN ONES OVER OTHERS.

>> SURE, THE FIRST STEP IN ENSURING COMPLETENESS WE DID RECEIVE A LOT OF REQUEST THAT DID NOT HAVE A LOT OF THE NECESSARY INFORMATION. WE REALLY LOOKED AT THE ONES THAT COULD ARTICULATE WITH THE REST FOR. SOMETIMES YOU GET REQUESTS I WANT IT BECAUSE I WANT IT. CAN YOU ARTICULATE WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR OVER THE COUNTY GETS OUT OF IT AND CAN YOU ARTICULATE ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND MANY OF THE ONES WE FUNDED ARE MEAT AND POTATOES. JUVENILE PROBATION, THEY WERE NEVER HISTORICALLY FUNDED TO MEET THEIR MANDATE SO SOME OF THE FUNDING YES IT'S GREAT AND THEY DO THE WORK AND THEY CAN ARTICULATE THE THINGS I MENTIONED, BUT ALSO THERE WAS MEAT AND POTATOES LIKE WE ARE NOT FULFILLING BASIC MANDATE AS A DEPARTMENT THAT WE NEED TO FUND.

>> PLEASE TALK AS TO HOW YOU ACCOUNTED FOR INFLATION IN EACH DEPARTMENT BUDGET AND THE OVERALL BUDGET?

>> GOING TO THE CURRENT LEVEL OF FOUR FORECAST AND WE ASKED FOR THE DOCUMENTATION. WE TALK TO THE VENDOR AND THEY TELL US IT'S GOING UP, WE LOOK AT THE PO, THE RFP SO THERE ARE INSTANCES AND WE DO COUNTYWIDE PROJECTIONS ON THINGS LIKE ELECTRICITY AND GASOLINE, WATER, COUNTYWIDE EXPENSES SO EFFECTIVE THOSE IN AND EACH DEPARTMENT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY I PUT THE CONTRACT OUT FOR BID, IT'S 100% NECESSARY ONE EXAMPLE THAT COMES TO MIND WAS I FS USING A LOT OF CHEMICAL GAS FURTHER TESTING AND THE COST HAD GONE UP OVER NORMAL INFLATION SO WE WORK WITH THEM TO BUILD THAT INTO THE PROCESS OR THE BASE BUDGET.

>> LEVEL SET FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS, THE SAME GOES FOR

INCREASED COST OF BENEFITS? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> IF THE 8% DISASTER RATE IS ADOPTED FOR NEXT YEAR CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH HOW OMB IS WORKING ON PLANS TO THEN

BALANCE THE BUDGET FOR FY 26? >> SURE. YOU KNOW I GOT HERE IN A SHIFTING OF THE COUNTY FINANCIAL POSITION SO QUICKLY RECOGNIZING WE HAVE STATE MANDATED COSTS THAT ARE GOING UP AND AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE CAPS ON MOST REVENUES. WE HAVE A FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN SO WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A COUPLE HUNDRED MILLION IN OPTIONS, SOME INCLUDED IN THE SHARED BUDGET, SOME WORKING WITH DEPARTMENT WE BROUGHT ON A PROJECT MANAGER TO ENSURE WE ARE ADVANCING THE BALL AND RETRY TO LEARN AS MUCH AS WE CAN FROM OTHER BIG URBAN

[00:40:03]

>> VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT. I KNOW YOU HAD 32 BUDGETED POSITIONS AND RISK MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN ABSORBED IN OMB ALMOST DOUBLING YOUR SIZE SO CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THE OPERATIONAL PLAN TO MERGE THAT PORTFOLIO INTO OMB AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR

YOUR DEPARTMENT BUDGET? >> WE ARE LUCKY THE DIRECTOR CAME OVER. WHEN WE STARTED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TRANSITIONING I MADE IT CLEAR TO EVERYONE I WOULD TAKE IT WILLINGLY IF HE WAS COMING BECAUSE HE HAS DEEP KNOWLEDGE AND EXPLAINED SO HE WILL REPORT TO ME AND THE STAFF WILL REPORT TO HIM. IT ALIGNS WITH A BIG REASON WHY WE MOVED IN THAT DIRECTION TO GET BETTER ALIGNMENT ON DECISION-MAKING AND FEEDBACK DURING EMERGENCIES SO I CAN'T TELL YOU TIMES THE COURT OFFICE CALLS TO SAY WE HAVE THIS EMERGENCY WHAT DO WE DO? AND THEN HAD TO CALL RISK MANAGEMENT TO FIND OUT IF IT'S FEMA ELIGIBLE. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WHEN COURT OFFICE IS RECALLING THEY WERE GETTING THE ANSWER. WE HAVE THE OPERATIONAL PLAN, THE DECISION CAME TO THE COURT SIX MONTHS AGO SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE THEN TO INTEGRATE THEM INTO THE OFFICE AS WELL AS MAKING SURE THEY HAVE FACILITIES AND EVERYTHING RUN SMOOTHLY.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION FOR NOW AND I WILL RESERVE REMAINING TIME. WITH A FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN AND THEN THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND YOU AND I SHARE A COMMITMENT TO ENSURE WE MOVE TOWARD PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING CONTINUING TO RAISE THE STANDARDS CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THE CURRENT IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS AND THEN THOSE YOU FORESEE IN THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR AND SUBSEQUENT?

>> THOSE THAT ARE COMING FOR COURT CONSIDERATION, MANY WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 10 WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 10TH COURT WITH THE INDIRECT RATE AND THE GRANT OVERHEAD. BOTH WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENTS, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND AUDITOR TO MAKE SURE THEY FALL IN LINE SO HAVE CHECKED THE BOXES AND WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENTS AND SO CONFIDENT THEY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. LAPTOP STANDARDIZATION IS SOMETHING WE HAVE WORKED WITH AS WE ROLLOUT. WE HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB CREATING THE PMO TO DELIVER ON THAT IN OUR OFFICE IS ATTACHING TO THAT STRUCTURE TO TRACK. THE ONES THAT ARE A LONGER VIEW, THE BIGGEST COMES TO MIND IS PERMIT FEE AND PARKING, THE PERMIT FEE , ENGINEERING, HAS MADE AN AGREEMENT TO GO FINALIZE THE RATE STUDY AND TO DO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH CONSTABLE OFFICES TO GET FEEDBACK MEETING WITH THEM TODAY AND TOMORROW IS A GROUP TO DISCUSS THE CONSTABLE FEE. THE OTHER IS PARKING AND WE'RE WORKING HARD TO GET THAT YOU HAVE A MORE EQUITABLE FINANCIALLY

STREAMLINED PARKING SYSTEM. >> THANK YOU AGAIN TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HIGHER STANDARDS AND LEVEL OF COLLABORATION IN ONE TEAM ONE HARRIS COUNTY. NOT ONLY VALUE STRUCTURE BUT HOW YOU'RE DRIVING THAT THROUGH THE BUDGET AND THROUGH WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDER GROUPS SO

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING, GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THESE ISSUES RELATED TO THE BUDGET .

I WILL JUMP RIGHT INTO IT. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET

[00:45:04]

THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY MAKING SURE THOSE ARE FUNDED. DO YOU THINK THE BUDGET YOU CURRENTLY HAVE PROPERLY RECOGNIZES AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY OF HARRIS COUNTY?

>> THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES AND THAT WAS ONE QUESTION WE ASKED IN EVERY PROPOSAL. IS THIS LEGALLY MANDATED AND IF SO CAN YOU SHOW IT TO US SO WE CAN REVIEW AND MAKE SURE WE'RE MEETING THE MINIMUM STANDARD. THE LONGER ANSWER IS MOST FUNCTIONS ARE NOT FUNDED AT THE LEVEL WE WOULD DEEM AS NECESSARY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS. THERE IS ALWAYS GROWING , WE ARE GROWING SO THE NEEDS CONTINUE TO GROW. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU AND I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS CONNECTED TO THE PRECINCT BUDGETS BUT LAST YEAR WE DID THE FIRST MAJOR INCREASE TO PRECINCT BUDGETS. WE HAVE WORKED TO HAVE HISTORIC AMOUNTS OF BUDGET TRANSFERS COME TO THE PRECINCTS TO DO CAPITAL PROJECTS. WE SUPPORTING YOU ALL IN EXECUTING YOUR BOND PROGRAM SO I DON'T THINK IT'S EVER GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO MEET THE STANDARDS WE ALL SET , I DO THINK WE HAVE TRIED TO RESPONSIBLY DIVIDE THE BUDGET INTO THOSE BERRIES STATUTORY

MANDATE. >> SPECIFICALLY MOVING INTO A CONVERSATION YOU AND I HAVE HAD ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHICH RELATES TO THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY. I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I HAVE THE LARGER SHARE OF THAT. I HAVE 75% OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA IN PRECINCT 3. NOTHING ILLUSTRATED THAT FUNDING ISSUE MORE THAN WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE DISASTER. SO WHEN YOU HAVE 75% AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ROADS AND IF 75% OF THE PRECINCT WAS IN A CITY I WOULD NOT HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY NOR THE COST. DO YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT MAYBE PRECINCT 3 WOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND MAYBE PRECINCT 4 , FOR HAVING THAT MUCH MORE ROAD AND BRIDGE RESPONSIBILITY, RIGHT NOW IT IS NOT RECOGNIZED, DO YOU THINK THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE THING?

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING ALL NEEDS, BUT ULTIMATELY COMMISSIONERS COURT DECIDES HOW THE BUDGET IS DIVVIED UP PARTICULARLY AMONGST THE FUNDING SOURCES DEDICATED TO THE PRECINCTS.

>> YEAH, AGAIN, I DO WANT TO AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT DOES COST MORE FOR PRECINCT 3 OR FOUR TO MAINTAIN ROADS. IF I HAD 75% THAT WAS NOT MY OTHER URBAN COUNTIES WHEN I MADE THEM AWARE, THEY WERE FLOORED AND THEY CANNOT BELIEVE THAT ONE PRECINCT WOULD HAVE THAT MUCH RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT JUST GET A LITTLE BIT MORE, A LOT MORE, ANYWAY THAT'S AN ONGOING ISSUE. I WILL CONTINUE TO APPEAL TO THE COURT, BUT I DO THINK WE ARE NOT ADDRESSING THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES AS A RELATES TO ROAD AND BRIDGE. OBVIOUSLY THAT'S WHAT MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO . BECAUSE OF THAT WE ARE MAKING CHOICES TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS IN OTHER PLACES WITH 8% INCREASE THAT WILL BE 260 MILLION MORE DOLLARS , THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO US, TO SPEND. MORE THAN WE HAD IN FISCAL YEAR 2024. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE BULK OF THAT 260 MILLION, NOT JUST RELATED TO PRECINCT 3, BUT STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY RELATED TO PUBLIC SAFETY, STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY RELATED TO THE COURTS , IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF CHOICES ON HOW TO SPEND THAT MONEY IN PLACES OTHER THAN STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY. I WOULD APPRECIATE THE BUDGET OFFICE SAYING AT LEAST WE CAN DO THESE DIFFERENT AND NO

[00:50:02]

THAT? >> I CAN BE MORE FORCEFUL, BUT I DO AND I HOPE YOU HAVE SEEN THERE ARE INITIATIVES WHERE HAVE BEEN OVERRULED BY COURT AFTER DIGGING MY HEELS IN. WE CREATED A FISCAL REVIEW PROCESS, A FORMAL PROCESS SO WE DOCUMENT THE FISCAL IMPACT AND MAKE A FORMAL RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT. TO YOUR POINT I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN ASKED, YOU HAVE ASKED ME PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE GRANTS GO AWAY AND I CAN TELL YOU WE FUNDED ONE ARPA PROGRAM RECOMMENDING TO FUND ONE ARPA PROGRAM. THE DATA FELLOWS PROGRAM. WE RECOMMENDED COVERING THE LOSS OF ONE GRANT BECAUSE THAT WAS ESSENTIALLY THE ONLY FUNDING GOING IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE TO THAT FUNCTION. THOSE WHERE ACTUAL EMPLOYEES WHO WOULD'VE BEEN LAID OFF. I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO DIG MY HEELS AND WHEN IT COMES TO ANYTHING NEW.

ESPECIALLY AS WE HAVE A CHANGING FISCAL PICTURE, BUT CAN CONTINUE TO DO SO AND COORDINATE WITH YOU ON BETTER

WAYS TO ARTICULATE IT. >> YOU HAVE BEEN. ANYTIME I CALL, YOU HAVE BEEN MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

THAT IS MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE FOLKS IN PRECINCT 3. I GUESS ONE OTHER ISSUE IN MY LAST FEW MINUTES. I THINK IT IS SO VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THE EXTRA FUNDING AND I KNOW THAT YOU AND THE DIRECTOR ARE FREQUENTLY COMMUNICATING, BUT THOSE ANNUAL TRANSFERS , JUST BEING SURE THAT THOSE WILL CONTINUE. EVEN IF IT IS A BIT LESS THAN WHAT WE HAVE HAD IN RECENT YEARS. I KNOW FROM A PRECINCT LEVEL WE JUST NEED THAT LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE AND ASSURANCE THAT TRANSFERS WILL CONTINUE. AND YOU STILL FEEL CONFIDENT THOSE

TRANSFERS WILL CONTINUE. >> I FEEL CONFIDENT BUT RESERVE THE RIGHT TO BE WRONG ON THAT ONE.

>> TO SOME DEGREE I UNDERSTAND THAT. THAT IS WHY I THINK IT IS GOOD ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO HAVE YOU AND THE DIRECTOR COME TO COURT AND HAVE A JOINT CONVERSATION ON THE TRANSFERS AND ITS FUTURE IMPACT OR NOT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP ON THESE BUDGET ISSUES. THERE ARE MANY COMPETING INTERESTS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT SOME

SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGE OFFICE YOU WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING, FIRST I WANT TO THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK MODERNIZING THE BUDGET PROCESS.

ONE AREA I HAVE SEEN THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE IS UPDATING AND IMPROVING DEPARTMENT KPI, SINCE THE PERFORMANCE DIVISION IS IN OCA HOW IS OB PLANNING TO WORK TO IMPROVE THOSE KPIS TO ALLOW FOR MORE PERFORMANCE BASED BUDGETING?

>> GOT IT. WE WORK VERY CLOSELY, WE SIT ON THE SAME FLOOR, THE PERSON IN CHARGE WHO IS HERE THIS MORNING USED TO BE ONE OF OUR TEAM. WE WORK VERY COLLABORATIVELY. FRANKLY, WE NEED TO ENSURE COURT OFFICES ARE ALSO RAISING THE BAR ON THE KPIS. MANY ARE OUTDATED BECAUSE WE HAVE TURNOVER WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, MANY HAVE BEEN TINKERED WITH. I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A SMALLER MUCH MORE INSIGHTFUL LIST OF KPIS AND STICK WITH THEM AND FRANK SEE THOSE DECISIONS, ULTIMATELY THAT'S WHAT WILL CHANGE THE CULTURE HERE. RIGHT NOW WE ARE STILL OUTSIDE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN, OUTSIDE OF THESE KPIS.

>> THAT MAKES SENSE. THANK YOU. ONE MORE QUESTION ON THE ANNUAL

[00:55:02]

DECISION-MAKING? >> I CAN EXPLAIN THE THINGS WE DO, WE HOST TWO ONLINE TRAININGS AND MULTIPLE , MULTIHOUR OFFICE HOURS FOR DEPARTMENTS TO COME IN AND WE MAKE OUR STAFF AVAILABLE AND I MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO DEPARTMENTS TO TALK TO INITIATIVES AND WE HAVE HEARD FROM SOMEONE SAY THEY COLLABORATE WITH US FOR THEIR SUBMISSION. ULTIMATELY I THINK THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL IT CAN JUST BE ME THAT IS SETTING THE STANDARD AND MAKING THE CREST , IT HAS TO BE THE COURT. WE CUT THE DEPARTMENTS THAT CAN'T ARTICULATE WHAT THE FUNDING IS DOING SO THAT'S A CULTURE CHANGE THAT WILL TAKE YEARS TO INSTILL. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU STRAIGHT UP FROM HAVING WORKED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITH THE MAYOR WHO READ THESE PROPOSALS AND HAD A MORE DIRECT LINE INTO DEPARTMENTS, THE PEOPLE WILL RISE TO THE STANDARD SET. AND THE DECISION-MAKING THAT HAPPENS AS PART OF THAT. MY REQUEST TO YOU ALL IS IT CANNOT JUST BE ME AND THE ADMINISTRATOR HOLDING THE LINE ON THIS.

>> ALL RIGHT. SWITCHING TOPICS A LITTLE BIT. LAST YEAR DURING THE OMB BUDGET HEARING YOU NOTED THERE WOULD BE A FISCAL 25 REQUEST TO PROVIDE MORE CAPACITY FOR DEBT ISSUANCE AND MANAGEMENT. CAN YOU SPEAK MORE ABOUT THAT ISSUE AND IF IT'S

BEEN ADDRESSED? >> THE SHORT ANSWER IS THE DEBT TEAM IS PROBABLY THE BEST IN THE STATE AND THAT FOR US, VERY EXPERIENCED . HAS BEEN A TREASURER IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION. I'M NEVER SEEN OTHER JURISDICTIONS MOVE THEIR BOND SALES BECAUSE OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION, BUT I HEAR FREQUENTLY BECAUSE WE ARE A WELL OILED MACHINE BECAUSE OF STRONG FINANCIALS, PEOPLE WILL MOVE THEIR BOND SALES WHEN WE SCHEDULE OURS. I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THAT AND IN TERMS OF CAPACITY, WE ARE STRAINED, SOMETHING WE DID TO OFFSET OR TO MEET THE BUDGET REQUEST A 5% WAS TO CHANGE HOW WE ARE FUNDING THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO MAKE IT MORE OF AN ON-CALL GETTING PAID WHEN THEY DO ISSUANCES AND BECAUSE WE DO ISSUANCES REGULARLY THEY WERE EXCITED TO BE PART OF IT . THE NEED IS STILL THERE. WE ARE REACHING MAX CAPACITY, BUT BECAUSE WE ARE MANAGING THE HARRIS HEALTH BONSALL WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM TO FUND RESOURCES IN THE OFFICE, TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITHOUT IMPACTING THE GENERAL FUND FLOOD CONTROL. AND THE TOLL ROAD.

>> GREAT, THANK YOU. JUST ONE LAST QUESTION FOR NOW WHICH IS WE KNOW YOU'RE STILL WORKING TO TWEAK BUDGET PROCESSES AND IN ADDITION TO THE POLICIES TO EXPECT ON SEPTEMBER 10, WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE IMPLEMENT IT? OVER THE NEXT

YEAR. >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. I AM EXCITED WHEN WE FINALLY REACHED THE POINT WHERE ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I GOT BACK OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE WE DID CLS IS I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, EXPLAIN IT AND PART OF THE REASON IS THE KPIS ARE NOT QUITE THERE FOR US TO HAVE A GOOD BASELINE. I'M USING THE EXAMPLE BECAUSE I AM FAMILIAR WITH IT, THE NUMBER OF LANE MILES THAT YOU PAVE LIKE ON A YEARLY BASIS WE SHOULD KNOW HOW MANY WIDGETS ARE WE CREATING, HOW MUCH INFRASTRUCTURE ARE WE BUILDING? AND WE NEED A BASELINE AND WHEN THE BASELINE CHANGES ABLE TO ASK THE QUESTION. ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAW WAS WHEN IT WAS COLDER WE WERE ABLE TO PAVE LESS LANE MILES, THAT MAKES SENSE. SO I THINK WE NEED TO CREATE A CULTURE WHERE THE KPIS ARE NOT USED TO BASH APARTMENTS, THEY ARE USED TO START A CONVERSATION. THE CONVERSATION MIGHT BE YOU NEED MORE FUNDING BECAUSE THESE THINGS CHANGED.

>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

>> PRECINCT 1 YOU WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING. ERICA LEE CARTER, THANK YOU DIRECTOR , I WORK WITH YOU ALL A LOT. ALWAYS GLAD TO WORK WITH YOU ALL.

[01:00:01]

DISASTER RATE IS TEMPORARY? >> TO ANSWER THE DEFICIT QUESTION YES WE ARE IN A SHORTFALL DEFICIT. WE CAME HERE WHEN WE PRESENTED THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN SHOW KIND OF BAD, REALLY BAD AND THE SKIES FALLING SCENARIOS. THE SCARY PART ABOUT SETTING UP THOSE SCENARIOS WAS THOSE ARE VERY REAL. YOU MOVE NEW CONSTRUCTION FROM 2% WHICH IS WHAT WE HAD OVER THE LAST DECADE AND SUDDENLY THE PICTURE GETS WORSE. THE COUNTY GROWS BY ANOTHER HALF 1 MILLION IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA AND WE NEED TO ADD BODIES TO DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS THE PICTURE GETS WAY WORSE. SO WITH THAT I WILL CAVEAT THERE ARE SOME LARGE BUCKETS OF SPENDING DRIVING US THAT WE HOPE WERE AT THE APEX.

SO INDIGENT DEFENSE. THE NUMBER HAS ESSENTIALLY DOUBLED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND THAT IS ONE AREA WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH RICHARD WOODS FROM THE DISTRICT COURT'S. WILL MEET WITH THE INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMITTEE TO PROPOSE SOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE MORE OVERSIGHT. MAKING OUTSOURCING AS WELL AS INCREASES TO THE COST OF JAILED MEDICAL. THOSE ARE HUGE COST CENTERS IF WE ARE ABLE TO BRING THOSE CLOSER IN LINE WITH WHAT SPENDING WAS IN 2022, THE PICTURE GETS MUCH MUCH MUCH THAT ARE. DESPITE THE DEFICIT I HAVE CONTINUALLY REITERATED MY COMMITMENT TO MAKING US HAVE PAY PERIOD WAS ROUNDING JURISDICTIONS. TO ME WE CAN FOCUS ALL WE WANT ADDING NEW INITIATIVES, WE CAN EXPAND PROGRAMMING BUT IF YOU CANNOT PAY THE PEOPLE CURRENTLY HERE DOING THE WORK WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE DEPARTMENTS CONTINUE TO COME INTO THEIR LOSING PEOPLE TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS. IT'S NOT ABOUT JUST MAKING MORE, BUT WE ARE SUCH A BIG AND DENSE COUNTY THERE DOING LESS WORK IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. EVEN DESPITE THAT I HAVE CONTINUED TO HOLD TO MAKE SURE WE NEVER TOUCH THAT RESERVE THAT'S DESIGNED FOR PAY PARITY AS WELL AS THE

PAY STUDY IMPLEMENTATION. >> THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION. I KNOW WE ASKED, BUT CAN YOU PLEASE WALK US THROUGH WHAT YOU ARE ENVISIONING FOR THE BUDGET AMENDMENT PROCESS?

>> WHAT I HAVE IN MIND IS SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR WHERE , IN THE MORNING WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION AND ON THE TAX RATE AND ADDITIONAL OFFSETS THAT OMB RECOMMENDS OR COMMISSIONER OFFICE RECOMMENDS. WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET A FIRM HOLD ON HOW MUCH FUNDING IS AVAILABLE. FOR THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS. AT THAT POINT FOLLOWING SOME PROCESS AND WE HAVE TIME SET UP WITH EACH OF THE COURT OFFICES TO DISCUSS HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE NEXT TUESDAY GO. IT WOULD MIRROR CLOSELY WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR ESSENTIALLY, COURT OFFICES PICKING A HANDFUL OF HIGHEST PRIORITIES THAT ARE DISCUSSED, THE DEPARTMENT COME IN AND TESTIFY ON THE IMPACT. AND WE GO TO THE BUDGET AMENDMENT PROCESS UNTIL WE GET TO ZERO. I WILL MAKE A PLUG WE DO HAVE AREAS TO CREATE SPACE, BUT AGAIN, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE 8% IF WE LAYER IN ALL THE 8% WITH NEW PROGRAMMING. SO WE ARE GOING TO BE RECOMMENDING STRONGLY THAT WE INCREASE THE CONTRIBUTION TO THE PICK, AND THAT IS A WAY TO SURE UP FINANCIALS WHEN WE HAVE THIS ONE TIME OPPORTUNITY WITH THE DISASTER RATE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> NEXT QUESTION HOW WELL OMB IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH DEPARTMENTS WHEN IT SEEMS THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF RECOMMENDATIONS OR LACK THEREOF? I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE ONE I WORK WITH MOST CLOSELY, BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE A TON OF INFORMATION TO COURT OFFICES, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE BASICS THEY WERE NOT ABSORBING OR RECEIVING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

>> THE PROCESS OR RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> THE RECOMMENDATIONS. I HAVE MAYBE FIVE PRE- BOOKS. ONE WAS

[01:05:02]

KNOW WHERE WE WERE. >> WHAT IS IN THE PRE-BOOK AND EVERYTHING WE SHOWED , SORRY. EVERYTHING IN THE PRE-BOOK AND ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE MADE TO THE COURT OFFICES, ALL OF IT WAS SUBMITTED BY A DEPARTMENT OR PART OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN WHERE WE WORKED WITH DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY ON GETTING FEEDBACK SO THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SURPRISED ABOUT WHAT THEY RECOMMENDED AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. IT IS A BALANCING ACT BETWEEN MAKING SURE WE ARE BRIEFING COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE , WHERE WE GET THE FEEDBACK BEFORE WE ARE COMMUNICATING RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE CAN REVERSE THE ORDER IF THAT'S HOW THE COURT, BUT WE TRY TO GIVE YOU ALL OUR UNFETTERED RECOMMENDATIONS AND YEAH.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEN WHEN WE GET CLOSER TO DECISION TIME WE WILL SEND A FORMAL NOTICE TO THE DEPARTMENTS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THERE THAT THEY DID NOT SUBMIT OR WAS PART OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN WHICH WE SPOKE WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT

UNDERNEATH THAT. >> OKAY THANK YOU. YOU TOUCHED ON THE SUM WITH KPI DISCUSSION, BUT HOW WOULD YOU ENVISION WE BETTER USE PROGRESS MEETINGS TO INFORM THE BUDGET PROCESS WITH

A FOCUS ON KPIS? >> IT IS A UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT DOING TODAY? FOR MANY OF THE KPIS WE HAVE AND THAT WE DEVELOP, WHAT'S THE COST PER TRANSACTION AND HAS THE COST GONE UP OR DOWN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND FIGURE OUT IS IT A BUDGET ISSUE, IS IT AN INTERNAL BUDGET ISSUE WHERE THE DEPARTMENT REASSIGN STAFF AT A PRIORITY TO SOME OTHER FUNCTION? IT'S REALLY DRILLING DOWN ON A SMALL NUMBER OF DATA POINTS THAT TELL US ARE GETTING BETTER OR WORSE AND WHAT WE ARE DOING AND FROM THERE FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH A LOT MORE WORK TO DO ON THESE FRONTS. PART OF THE REASON WE RECOMMENDED THE CLASS POLICY WHICH HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED OVER THE LAST SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS HAS BEEN TO KEEP ACCOUNTING SUPPOSITIONS ARE NOT GOING BACK AND FORTH. SO THEY DON'T SAY THAT POSITION IS NOT IN SHERIFF INVESTIGATIONS NOW IT IS AT THE JAIL SO GETTING THE UNDERSTANDING, MAKING SURE THERE ARE PROCESSES IN PLACE SO BUDGET IS NOT MOVING IN BETWEEN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITHOUT COMMISSIONERS COURT'S OVERSIGHT.

>> OKAY THANK YOU. I WILL RESERVE FOR NOW.

>> PRECINCT 2 WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING.

FIVE-YEAR PLAN WHAT COST SAVINGS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED USING THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND ARE THERE ANY ELEMENTS OF IT AT

A BEEN REJECTED? >> WE INCLUDED 26 MILLION IN RECOMMENDATIONS THIS YEAR, OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD IT IS PERMIT FEES, CONSTABLE FEES, BOTH OF WHICH WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING UNTIL IMPLEMENT UNTIL MARCH TO GIVE TIME FOR THE DEPARTMENTS TO SET UP AS WELL AS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK. THE LAPTOP STANDARDIZATION . AND THEN THE GRANT OVERHEAD RATE AND SPECIAL FUND OVERHEAD RATES ON SEPTEMBER 10. WITH ANYTHING REJECTED , NO BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT WE LOOKED AT THE COST CENTERS UNDER THE OCA UMBRELLA AND THERE ARE COST CENTERS WITHIN INDEPENDENT ELECTED, INDIGENT DEFENSE IS THE LARGEST ONE WITH WORK TO DO AND WE HAVE A WILLING PARTNER WITH DIRECTOR WOODS , BUT THAT'S ONE OUT OF OUR HANDS BUT IS VERY MUCH A WHITE WELL FOR ME TO GET THAT UNDER CONTROL WITH MORE

OVERSIGHT. >> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT STATE MANDATES. WHICH OF THE UNFUNDED MANDATES ARE TAKING THE BIGGEST TOLL ON THE BUDGET AND RESTRICTIONS ON FINANCIAL VENDORS PLACED BY THE LEGISLATURE. HOUSE THAT

IMPACTING US? >> THE SECOND ONE FIRST, THE LESS COMPETITION, YOU WILL PAY MORE, BUT LIKE I SAID BECAUSE WE ARE THE GOLD STANDARD FOR DEBT, US, CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK ARE THE GOLD STANDARD FOR ISSUING DEBT. WE ARE NOT AS

[01:10:04]

>> YOU SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT MEETING OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.

WHAT ARE SOME BEST PRACTICES THAT HAVE BEEN LEARNED AND WHAT ARE THE LOW HANGING FRUIT AS THEY LIKE TO SAY A POTENTIAL

OTHER MEASURES WE CAN TAKE? >> THE BIGGEST WAS TRUTH AND TAXATION. WE DISCUSSED TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THIS CAME UP, BUT WE HAD BEEN TAKING A CONING INTERPRETATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OR INTERPRETATION OF HOW WE CALCULATE THE PROPERTY VALUES UNDER APPEAL. WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND TAX ASSESSOR WHO SIGNS OFF ON TRUTH AND TAXATION TO GET THAT RECTIFIED. THERE HAS BEEN A HANDFUL OF OTHERS, I WOULD NEED A SECOND TO THINK THROUGH, BUT WE USUALLY DO A CALL ONCE A QUARTER. WE WILL HOST THE SUMMIT THIS YEAR, THIS WAS AN ANNUAL OCCURRENCE DISCONTINUED AT SOME POINT AND WE HOST THIS AND OTHER FOLKS WILL STEP UP AND HOST NEXT YEAR. ONE QUICK POINT BECAUSE I THOUGHT OF THIS JUST. ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THEM THAT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND WAS THE LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO PASS SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS, THIS YEAR CHILDCARE FACILITIES. MANY OF THESE URBAN JURISDICTIONS DO NOT HAVE MANY EXEMPTIONS HAD SMALL OR NO HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AT ALL AND NO SENIOR OR DISABLED EXEMPTION BUT WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW THEM A MATERIAL IMPACT ON THE BUDGET WITH HOW THE TRUTH AND TAXATION CALCULATION WORKS. WE HAVE TO ACCOUNT SORRY. WE CANNOT ACCOUNT FOR FUTURE APPLICATIONS OF THESE CREDITS. FOR EXAMPLE MOVED TO HOUSTON TWO YEARS AGO , I JUST SAW A FLYER THAT SAYS I QUALIFIED. YOU CAN APPLY FOR YOUR SENIOR AND DISABLED AND WE HAVE TO SEND YOU A CHECK AND WERE NOT ABLE TO COMPENSATE ON TRUTH AND TAXATION FOR THAT REVENUE SO WE WERE ABLE TO ARTICULATE THESE EXEMPTIONS ARE GREAT AND THEY FILL IN THE NEED FOR CHILDCARE FACILITY, SENIOR , DISABLED, ET CETERA , BUT THERE WILL BE MATERIAL IMPACT ON THE BUDGET IF THE TRUTH IN

TAXATION FORM IS NOT CHANGED. >> SWITCHING GEARS A LITTLE BIT. WHAT IS THE STATUS ON COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS

FOR HEALTH FOR EMPLOYEES? >> THIS YEAR THEY ARE FLAT OR THERE IS A SMALL INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR. WE HAVE DONE GREAT WORK AND HAVE MODERNIZED IN CURBING THE SLOPE OF COST. SO INTRODUCING LAST YEAR, REBIDDING THE CONTRACT, THE WAY HEALTHCARE COMPANIES STRUCTURE THE CONTRACT IS THE FIRST TWO OR THREE ARE GREAT, 45 AND SIX GET VERY EXPENSIVE AND THAT'S HOW THEY PRICE EVERY CONTRACT IN AMERICA. INTRODUCING KELSEY CARE AS AN OPTION, INTRODUCING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AS AN OPTION THERE'S A LOT TO DO AND I MAINTAIN WE NEED TO MODERNIZE OUR BENEFIT OPTIONS BECAUSE THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING EMPLOYEES CARE ABOUT. WHAT DO YOU COVER HOW TO RECALL SHARE FOR SOME OF THESE MAJOR PROCEDURES OR TREATMENTS ET

[01:15:03]

>> STICKING WITH INSURANCE. OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT THAT INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE LEAVING THE STATE, ARE THERE CONCERNS WITH OTHER COVERAGES THAT WE HAVE AS A COUNTY? CAN YOU GO INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> THE ONE THAT COMES TO MIND IS CYBER INSURANCE. WE WORKED TO PUT IT OUT AND FRANKLY WHAT WE GOT BACK WAS PITTANCE COMPARED TO THE COVERAGE AVAILABLE BEFORE CITY OF ATLANTA, BALTIMORE, SOME OF THE BIG JURISDICTIONS, COLONIAL OIL, WHERE THE COVERAGE NUMBER. FOR US WE ARE A RICH COUNTY WITH STRONG RESERVES. A GROWING DIVERSE ECONOMY. WE DON'T NEED $20 MILLION OF COVERAGE. WE NEED $80 MILLION OF COVERAGE SO THE MARKET CHANGE DRAMATICALLY ON THAT. MOST IS SELF-INSURED, BUT THERE ARE SOME CATASTROPHIC LOSSES AM CONCERNED THE CAP IS GOING DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE IT MAY NOT MAKE SENSE TO MAKE AND PAY THE PREMIUM IT MIGHT MAKE SENSE TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO RISK MANAGEMENT FUND AND ABLE TO COVER THE EXPENSES IN THE FUTURE. WE WILL DO THE ANALYSIS TIME BY TIME, BUT CERTAINLY YOU SEE IT. AS THESE CONTRACTS COME UP FOR RENEWAL OR AS WE TRY TO FIND MORE SPECIALTY COVERED THROUGH

THE MARKET. >> MY LAST ONE FOR NOW. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THE COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETINGS FROM THE COMMUNITY ITSELF? WHAT HAS BEEN EYE OPENING?

>> I LOVE DOING THESE. DOZENS IN BALTIMORE , I THINK WE ARE UP TO 15 OR 16 TOTAL. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. WHAT I ALWAYS TAKE AWAY AND IS SOMETHING I LEARNED HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ROADS, NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING THESE POLICIES IN PLACE , IT IS THEIR ROAD. IT'S NOT ABOUT SAFETY, IT IS THEIR SAFETY SO AT THE END OF THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD OF ALL DECISIONS IS A RESIDENT WHO EXPECTS A SERVICE AND THEY WILL GET IT OR THEY WON'T GET IT BASED ON OUR DECISION.

>> OKAY I'M GOOD FOR NOW. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES YOU HAVE 1:07 REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. WITH REGARD TO THE PRECINCTS, SOME DISASTERS ARE NOT DECLARED EVENTS. FOR EXAMPLE PRECINCT 4, WE SPENT 2.5 MILLION ON LABOR FOR , CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW THIS REALITY

IS REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET? >> MAYBE NOT IN THIS BUDGET, BUT IN THE POLICIES PUT FORTH, BEING ABLE TO ACCESS IN A EQUITABLE WAY BETWEEN THE PRECINCTS AND WITH THE JUDGE'S OFFICE WHICH INCURS A LOT OF COST DURING EMERGENCIES. ALSO WE HAVE RECOMMENDED THE FIRST BUDGETED CONTRIBUTION AS FAR AS I CAN TELL OVER THE LAST, CERTAINLY MY TENURE AND FOR DAVE BARRY AS BUDGET DIRECTOR SO WE RECOGNIZE IT AND WHEN WE DISCUSS THE POLICY ON ALLOWING PRECINCTS TO ACCESS THE PICK THE FIRST THING I SAID IS I NEVER WON THE COUNTY TO THINK ABOUT MONEY AS THEY RESPOND. I HAVE BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE BEFORE IF ANY FINANCIAL PERSON TOLD ME DON'T RESPOND BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE MONEY I WOULD NOT AGREE. SO THAT SOMETHING WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT AND IN MY LAST FEW SECONDS. THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT 8%, THAT IS A BIG SCARY NUMBER WITH DISASTER RATE BUT WE WERE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE STORM, TO THE FLOODING, TO THE HURRICANE AND NOT ONCE DID ANYONE TAKE ABOUT MONEY. WE NEED TO BE OF THE RECOVER FINANCIALLY AND PHYSICALLY RECOVER FROM THOSE INCIDENTS , WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT AND BE IN A FINANCIAL POSITION WHERE WE ARE NOT PULLING PUNCHES BECAUSE WE THINK WE DON'T HAVE MONEY IN THE BANK.

>> I KNOW I MIGHT ATTEND BUT QUICKLY INCREASING 8% INCREASED DELTA WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THAT DELTA?

>> WE ARE RECOMMENDING 10 AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET 20 TO 25

THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY 2:18 REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> YEAH, DIRECTOR. MY QUESTIONS ARE ALONG THE SAME LINES WITH

[01:20:02]

WE HAVE BEEN TOLD WE CAN ACCESS THE PICK TO THE TUNE OF 4 MILLION, BUT THAT'S HALF OF WHAT WE NEED. I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PARTICULARLY RELATED TO RECEIVING DISASTER MONEY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ADDRESSING THE DISASTER .

>> SO TO ADDRESS THE FRONT PART OF YOUR COMMENT THE POLICY CAPS AT 4 MILLION, BUT ALSO CREATES A PROCESS BY WHICH TO REQUEST MORE WHEN THEIR EMERGENCIES, ESPECIALLY CENTERED AROUND A PARTICULAR PRECINCT. AGAIN I WILL REITERATE THIS UNTIL I AM BLUE IN THE FACE UNIQUELY THIS IS A HARRIS COUNTY PROBLEM WITH A DISTINCTION BETWEEN PRECINCT DOLLARS IN THE GENERAL FUND SO WE HAVE TO WORK AROUND THAT IN A WAY OTHERS DO NOT, BUT WHEN YOU CALLED ME TO ASK ME ABOUT THIS POLICY WE DRAFTED IT. WHEN YOU HAVE CALLED ME TO ASK ME ABOUT EMERGENCIES I SAY TO RESPOND AND WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT AFTER THE FACT. SO, MY COMMITMENT IS TO MAKE SURE IF NOTHING ELSE I DO HERE FOR THIS COUNTY IS IN A POSITION TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES REGARDLESS OF FINANCIAL POSITION.

>> OKAY LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THOSE CONVERSATIONS LIKE WE HAVE BEEN. AS A HEADS UP IT IS NORTH OF 8 MILLION. SO WE WILL GET IN THE PAPERWORK. THE CLEANUP IS ENDING NEXT WEEK. KUDOS TO ALL THE CREWS, SPECIFICALLY COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR YOUR HELP IN PRECINCT 3. LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THOSE REQUESTS IN, DIRECTOR.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE YOU HAVE 5:01 REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BUT I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EARLIER MARK OMB TRIES TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND STREAMLINED IN YOUR OWN BUDGET AND YOU HAVE DONE THAT AND IT'S MADE MY JOB A LITTLE BIT EASIER THIS YEAR.

WITH THAT I WILL YIELD MY REMAINING TIME.

>> PRECINCT ONE YOU HAVE 2:52 REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO DIVIDE MY TIME BETWEEN PRECINCT BETWEEN PRECINCT 3 AND FOUR.

>> PRECINCT 2 YOU HAVE 2:37 REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> WE WILL YIELD TO PRECINCT 4

IF THEY WOULD LIKE. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN BECAUSE I KNOW YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME EATING WITH ALL FIVE OFFICES AND I ALWAYS ENJOY OUR TIME TOGETHER AND I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE WITH A MULTITUDE OF QUESTIONS . YOU AND I TALK A LOT ABOUT ROI, WHAT ARE THESE INVESTMENTS THAT WOULD HAVE A MULTIPLIER EFFECT IN TERMS OF BEING GOOD FIDUCIARIES AND ENHANCING WHAT WE OFFER THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. SO WITHIN THIS PROPOSED BUDGET CAN YOU FLAG WHAT YOU THINK ARE THE KEY INVESTMENTS FROM A ROI IMPACT TO THE PEOPLE PERSPECTIVE?

>> THE ONES I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ARE THE TWO FROM OCA, DATA FELLOWS PROGRAM, WE WERE ASKING DEPARTMENT TO BE MORE DATA-DRIVEN, ASKING THEM FOR UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF

[01:25:02]

OFF THE STREETS. >> IN TERMS OF PAY EQUITY YOU KNOW HOW PASSIONATE WE FEEL ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE SEPARATED 50 MILLION AS SACRED TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS FROM THE STUDY. I KNOW WE WORK ON THE TOTALITY OF THE NUMBER WHERE IT MAY BE CURRENT THINKING ON THAT WE ARE GETTING FINDINGS WE ARE ABLE TO DELIVER FOR WONDERFUL EMPLOYEES.

>> BASED ON MY EXPENSE TALKING WITH OTHER BUDGET DIRECTORS THAT HAVE DONE THIS LOCALLY AND STATEWIDE IT IS NORTH OF 100 MILLION. HOW FAR NORTH I CANNOT TELL YOU. SINCE I'VE SAID THIS THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THIS IN ONE YEAR IT HAS TO BE PHASED IN SO IT'S EITHER PHASING AND BY CLASSIFICATION OR IF WE HAVE TO PHASE IT IN ACROSS THE BOARD EVERY THREE YEARS WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THESE CLASSIFICATIONS TO SEE HOW WE MARKET AND I WILL SAY YOU CANNOT CALL YOUR WAY TO COMPETITIVE SALARIES . IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE, EACH IS $13 MILLION AND IF WE GIVE A COLA TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES THEY WOULD SAY THANK YOU, BUT AFTER TAXES AND INSURANCE IT DOES NOT REALLY ADD UP TO VERY MUCH AND CERTAINLY DECIDING TO STAY HERE DOING LESS WORK WITH THE SAME OR HIGHER PAY IN ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR ADDITIONAL REMAINING QUESTIONS.

>> I AM GOOD, THANK YOU.

>> DIRECTOR RAMOS YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING

STATEMENTS. >> I SAID SOME VERSION OF THIS LAST YEAR BUT I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE AS A COUNTY, ESPECIALLY MY TEAM. HAVING THE SAME CONVERSATIONS WE WOULD'VE HAD THREE YEARS AGO, BUT THEY ARE MORE TRANSPARENT, THEY ARE DATA-DRIVEN, FOLLOWING PROCESSES SO THANK YOU FOR BUYING IN. I CAME HERE BECAUSE I COULD SEE THIS COUNTY WAS COMING TOGETHER AND COALESCING AROUND BEING THIS VERSION OF ITSELF AND THAT'S WHAT CONTINUES TO GET ME UP IN THE MORNING AND TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WORK AND TO ULTIMATELY DELIVER SERVICES FOR THE

RESIDENTS. >> THANK YOU DIR. RAMOS AND TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM THE CONSTABLE PRECINCT.

[Constable]

>> WELCOME TO OUR HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLES PRECINCTS ONE THROUGH EIGHT. WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH OF OUR CONSTABLES OFFICE. EACH DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT FOLLOWING ALL OF THE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENTS. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. FOLLOWED BY CLOSING STATEMENTS. AND WE

[01:30:04]

>> WE HAVE GOTTEN OUR BUDGET SHEET, WE'VE KIND OF GONE OVER EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DISCLOSED OR GONE OVER AND I AM JUST HERE TO BASICALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

THE PRECINCT 1 CONSTABLE OFFICE ISN'T -- IS A GO TO AGENCY THAT GOES WHEREVER ASKED TO LEAD. WHETHER IT BE ELECTION SECURITY TO MENTAL HEALTH WARRANTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, ANIMAL CRUELTY, JUVENILE WARRANTS . WE KIND OF DO A LOT OF WORK IN HARRIS COUNTY SO IT'S COMMENSURATE WITH OUR BUDGET AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> NOW WE WILL HEAR FROM CONSTABLE PRECINCT 2, CHIEF

MICHAEL -- . >> GOOD AFTERNOON HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE COURT. WE WILL FOLLOW SUIT WITH CONSTABLE ROSEN. WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S TIME AND WE HAVE OUR CURRENT BUDGET AND WE CAN ALWAYS USE MORE AND NEED MORE BUT THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE READY TO WORK WITHIN THE PARAMETERS WE'VE BEEN GIVEN AND WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL'S TIME AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3, CHIEF KIRK BONZEL.

>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR HIM -- FOR HEARING FROM US.

THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN. WE DID ASK FOR THREE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS THIS YEAR . TWO INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS TO HELP ALLEVIATE THE STRAIN ON OUR STAFF AND KEEP US FROM DIVERTING CASES TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHO IS ALREADY, AS YOU KNOW, OVERBURDENED, AS WELL, AND WE ASK FOR A -- CURRENTLY HAVE THE EVENING PATROL SERGEANT COORDINATING THAT FOR ALMOST 200 EMPLOYEES. STATE-MANDATED TRAINING, THE BURDEN HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND. JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK THINGS THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT FOR OUR AGENCY. WE REMAIN AN ACCREDITED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY FOR BEST PRACTICES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. OUR SENIOR PROGRAM IS CONTINUING TO FUNCTION WITH OFFICERS DOING DOUBLE DUTY , TO HAVE OUR PROGRAM EXTEND WHEN IT WAS CREATED IN 2017, STARTING WITH NO MEMBERS . WE HAVE CLIMBED UP TO ALMOST 800 SENIORS ON OUR PROGRAM. WITH THAT, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD LOVE TO

ANSWER THEM FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU. FOR CONSTABLE

PRECINCT 4 , WE HAVE -- >> HEY THERE, GOOD MORNING.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF THE -- MY NAME IS JONATHAN SITZMAN. I'M HERE TO DISCUSS THE 2024-25 BUDGET AND SO MANY REQUESTS -- SOME OF THE REQUESTS WE HAVE. WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN ENHANCING OUR CAPABILITIES. ONE OF OUR MAJOR A COMPETENCE WAS ACQUIRING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT -- THROUGH THIS CONTRACT, WE HAVE INCREASED OUR PERSONNEL FROM 12 TO 30 FOR THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHICH IS HISTORICALLY WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH AND HAS GREATLY ENHANCE THE SAFETY FOR OVER 22,000 STUDENTS, 2500 FACULTY ACROSS 24 CAMPUSES. THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS PROVEN TO BE AN INVALUABLE ASSET IN ENSURING THE SAFETY FOR THOSE STUDENTS AND THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. ADDITIONALLY, AS THE HUSBAND OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND THE FATHER OF THREE DAUGHTERS, THAT CERTAINLY IMPORTANT TO ME PERSONALLY. ALSO AS IT RELATES TO SAFE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT, WE CONTINUE OUR ALERT TRAINING PROGRAM, WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING WE DO INTERNALLY BUT WE OPEN IT UP TO LAW ENFORCEMENT THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE STARTED WITH THE RECENT STATE-MANDATED BUT SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR MANY YEARS WHERE WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY TRAINED THOUSANDS OF PEACE OFFICERS. NOT ONLY DO WE SUPPORT THE HIGHEST RATING FOR INSTRUCTION, WE WERE SEPARATELY COMMENDED FOR BEING ONE OF THE TOP TRAINING PROVIDERS IN TERMS OF QUALITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT. ADDITIONALLY, THANKS TO DIRECTOR RAMOSE AND HIS TEAM, -- DIRECTOR RAMOS, WE WERE ABLE TO DO SOME CREATIVE -- LESS LETHAL WEAPONS . LAST YEAR, WE INTRODUCED OUR FIRST -- IT HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO

[01:35:02]

SECONDS? >> GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WHILE WE -- IT'S MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE CONTRACTS FOR THOSE RATE INCREASES AND THE CONTRACTS THAT WE LOSE PERSONNEL IN THE LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC AREAS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH THE COURT AND DIRECTOR ROSS'S AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS LATER. THANK YOU.

>> FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 5, WE HAVE CHIEF JERRY ALBRITTON .

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. -- AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR ADDING -- IT'S GREATLY HELPING IMPROVE OUR SAFETY IN OUR PARKS. ALSO, I WANT TO THANK OMB , THE PORTFOLIO TEAM HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL THEIR OF THE YEAR, ESPECIALLY WITH OPENING UP SOME OF THE CAPITAL FUNDING TO HELP US WITH CARS, BODY ARMOR, VEHICLES. IT'S IN VERY HELPFUL AS MOST OF OUR SALARIES -- OUR FUNDING IS SALARIED SO WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO BUY THOSE THINGS SO IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. SOMEONE ASKED THAT, WE ARE GOING TO BE SHORT ON OUR BOCA GRANT. WHICH YOU KNOW, IS A MANDATED PROGRAM, AND THE BRANCH IS NOT GOING TO PAY ENOUGH FOR THEM. ALSO, THE -- WE HAVE TO SEND ALL THESE VIDEOS AND REPORTS COMING DOWN TO THE D.A.S OFFICE. TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO MEET THAT. THE COUNTY HAS APPROVED AN INCENTIVE INCREASE FOR BILINGUAL PLAY -- PAY BUT IT'S GONE UP SO -- IT HAS GONE UP CONSIDERABLY BUT THERE'S BEEN NOTHING TO PUT INTO THE DEPARTMENTS TO PAY FOR THIS.

IT'S GREAT TO OFFER THE INCENTIVE BUT IF THERE'S NO FUNDING, THE DEPARTMENT IS STUCK -- AT THE SAME TIME, WE

NEED -- >> THEY WILL BE DOING A

TRANSFER THAT FOR THAT. >> WE ARE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> THEY DIDN'T SHOW IT.

>> WE WILL DO AN AMENDMENT FOR.

>> THAT IS AWESOME. THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND LASTLY, WE DIDN'T -- WE TALKED ABOUT THE PHASING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT INCREASES. I ASKED TO BE PHASED IN AT THE ENTRY LEVEL. WE ARE LOSING A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS. WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THEM AND ON THE GO TO ANOTHER AGENCY. SO IF WE CAN FIND A WAY TO START THAT PROCESS AT THE LOWER END, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I WILL BE HERE IF

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> NEXT, WE HAVE CONSTABLE

SILVIA TREVINO, PRECINCT 6. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THE DEPARTMENT NEEDS WITH YOU.

WE'VE HAD A FAIRLY GOOD YEAR TO DATE, WE JUST HAD OUR ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AT 5900 CANAL STREET WHERE WE HAVE OVER 2000 COMMUNITY RESIDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AND OVER 75 COMMUNITY BUSINESS VENDORS. WE GAVE AWAY A LITTLE UNDER THE 700 BACKPACKS TO HELP OUR STUDENTS AS THEY TAKE ON ANOTHER YEAR OF THEIR EDUCATION BUT WE COULD HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF ALL OF OUR SPONSORS AND PARTICIPANTS.

I THINK ALL OF YOU, AS WELL, FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. LET ME CONGRATULATE YOU FOR BRINGING BACK THE DETECTIVE POSITIONS IN THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT AND ENSURING THAT ALL THE INVESTIGATORS WILL BE RIGHTFULLY GRANDFATHERED, RECOGNIZE, AND COMPENSATED FOR THE WORK. WHILE I KNOW THAT THIS IS TAKING SOME TIME TO DO WITH THE LOGISTICS THAT WERE INVOLVED, I'M RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE SAME CONSIDERATION FOR OUR CONSTABLE'S OFFICE. I NEED THREE INVESTIGATOR POSITIONS. I KNOW THAT IN MY OFFICE ALONE I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO ASSIGN DEPUTIES AND SERGEANTS TO FOLLOW UP AND INVESTIGATE VARIOUS CASES. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF HAVING THE INVESTIGATIVE DIVISIONS LIKE THE ROBBERY DIVISION, ON-SITE DIVISION, JUVENILE DIVISION OR ANY SPECIALIZED DIVISION. I BELIEVE IT WOULD DEFINITELY BE MORE APPROPRIATE, PRODUCTIVE, AND CONSISTENT IN SOLVING CASES, CLOSING CASES, AND REDUCING CRIME BY HAVING THESE THREE INVESTIGATORS ASSIGNED AS DETECTIVE POSITIONS. YOUR CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, UNFORTUNATELY OUR HOMELESS POPULATION CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE THAT WE CONTINUE TO FACE. I AM HUMBLY REQUESTING AT LEAST TWO DEPUTY POSITIONS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS, COMING FROM OUR BUSINESSES AND CITIZENS THAT ARE COMPLAINING AND JUSTIFIABLY SO. THESE TWO POSITIONS WILL WORK WITH BOTH BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OUR CITIZENS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR CLAIMS OF HIS COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED. THEY WILL ALSO BE PROPERLY TRAINED TO IDENTIFY ANY SPECIAL NEEDS THAT WE CAN ASSIST THE HOMELESS WITH. FOR EXAMPLE, MEDICAL NEEDS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH AND HOUSING. YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THESE TWO DEPUTY POSITIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED . THANK

[01:40:05]

THANK YOU. >> NEXT, WE HAVE CONSTABLE PHIL SANDLIN, PRECINCT 8 .

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND AIDES . WE HAVE TWO INVESTIGATORS THAT WE WOULD LIKE ALSO TO SEE IF WE CAN GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SEE IF WE CAN BRING THEM UP TO THE RANK OF DETECTIVE AND ALSO WE HAVE ONE VIPER UNIT THAT IS ASSIGNED. AS YOU KNOW, THE SHERIFF CONSIDERS THEIR VIPER UNITS DETECTIVES NOW. WE WOULD ASK THAT THE DEPUTY THAT I HAVE ASSIGNED TO THAT UNIT ALSO BE BROUGHT UP TO THE SCALE OF DETECTIVE AND SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THAT. MY TWO INVESTIGATORS BASICALLY INVESTIGATE ANY CRIMES , ANY REPORTS TAKEN BY PRECINCT 8. WE DO NOT DEFER ANY OF OUR INVESTIGATIONS TO ANY OTHER AGENCIES. REVIEWING THEM, THEY ARE FOLLOWING UP ON SUSPECT INFORMATION, VEHICLE INFORMATION, AND IS BASICALLY HOW WE KEPT PRECINCT EGG SO SAFE. THE CLEARANCE RATE IS TREMENDOUS. IN THE PAST, LET'S SEE, THE LAST -- -- EACH YEAR, TWO YEARS IN A ROW, I'VE ASKED FOR AN ADDITIONAL DISPATCHER TO HELP WITH THE CALL VOLUME COMING IN TO TAKE THE CALL AND DISPATCHING THE CALL. ANY HELP, AS FAR IS ON FUNDING FOR SOME OF THESE ITEMS, WOULD BE TREMENDOUS HELP TO US IN THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS BEEN VERY GOOD TO US AS FAR AS WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING SOME OF THESE ITEMS. WE JUST HOPE THAT SOME OF THEM DO HAPPEN. I WILL TAKE

ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CONSTABLES AND CONSTABLE REPRESENTATIVES. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, BEGINNING WITH MISSION OR RAMSEY, WHO IS PARTICIPATING VIRTUALLY. -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , WHO IS PARTICIPATING

VIRTUALLY. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE CONSTABLES AND THE PRESENTATION. I'M GOING TO START WITH THANKING YOU FIRST, DIRECTOR RAMOS , IN YOUR EFFORTS IN WORKING WITH EACH OF THE CONSTABLE OFFICES. I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS RELATING TO SCOPE OF THESE SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH THE CONSTABLES OFFICE BUT I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF EFFORT AND WE APPRECIATE IT, I THINK IT IS CLEARLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE PRECINCTS AND THE COUNTY. I THINK IT IS CLEARLY THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY, WHICH IS THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE 'S -- FOR THE REDUCED CRIME RATE IN THESE AREAS AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH I THINK THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM. DIRECTOR RAMOS, LET ME ASK YOU, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT INCREASED FEES, AND I KNOW YOU -- WHAT IS YOUR PLAN GOING FORWARD RELATING TO THE

DEPUTY PROGRAMS. >> SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE WILL BE RECOMMENDING JUST WHATEVER INCREASES THE COURT APPROVES ON

COMPENSATION FOR HEALTHCARE. >> JUST BASIC INCREASES RELATED

TO THAT ? >> WE BROUGHT FORWARD OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR AN OVERHEAD RATE , AND WE CHOSE NOT TO ACT ON IT SO I WILL TAKE MY CUES FROM COURT.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE, JUST LISTENING TO THE RECENT OVERVIEWS -- WHAT IS YOUR OFFICE'S POSITION ON THAT

REQUEST? >> WHERE WE TALKING ABOUT THE

-- >> THE BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS.

>> SIMILARLY, I DON'T BELIEVE YOU ARE HERE FOR IT BUT THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ALL CAME AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FROM OUR VANTAGE POINT IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN WE HAVE THIS COUNTYWIDE SERVICE DIVIDED EIGHT WAYS. I THINK THAT THERE IS A WORTHWHILE EFFORT FOR THE JUSTICES OF PEACE. THE BUDGETS AND STAFFING NEEDS ASSOCIATED

[01:45:07]

>> I APPRECIATE THAT AND IT WAS MENTIONED I THINK BY PRECINCT 4 THAT SOME OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE CONTRACTING UNDER THE CONTRACT EVERY PROGRAM HAD TO DROP IT BECAUSE THE FEES WERE INCREASED AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A TREND. THOSE WOULD BE IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MIGHT, IN FACT, BE AREAS -- ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE DROP OUT , DO NOT CONTINUE WITH THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM? APPARENTLY, IT IS DUE TO THE INCREASE. I THINK IT'S WORTHY OF AT LEAST INVESTIGATING THE REASONS WHY THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE

DROPPING OUT. >> WE CAN DO THAT RESEARCH ALONG WITH THE CONSTABLE OFFICES BUT I THINK THAT THAT'S A VALUE PROPOSITION FOR COURT TO CONSIDER. DO WE INCREASE THE SUBSIDY FOR THESE PROGRAMS, JUST TO BE CLEAR, WE ARE NOT, THE RATES ARE -- BECAUSE THE FISCAL YEAR, BEFORE WE DO OUR HEALTHCARE EXPENSES OR SHOULD WE FUND FTES IN THE CONSTABLE OR SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THAT'S A VALUE PROPOSITION WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE. WE FUND MORE FTES IN THESE HIGH CRIME AREAS OR DO WE CREATE SOME DIFFERENT SUBSIDY OR MORE SUBSIDY TO FUND THE CONTRACT PATROLS?

>> I THINK IT IS WORTH THE CONTINUE CONVERSATION , DIRECTOR, AND I KNOW YOU'RE OPEN TO THAT CONVERSATION, BUT WHAT IS THE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM. IS

IT 100 MILLION? >> IT'S A LITTLE OVER 100 MILLION AND THE COUNTY'S PORTION IS A LITTLE OVER 30.

>> SO THERE'S A 70 MILLION --

>> FROM THE TOTAL PROGRAM, IS 130 MILLION NOW.

>> I'M SORRY? >> LET ME GET YOU THE EXACT

NUMBER. >> BUT IT IS A SIGNIFICANT

NUMBER, IN ANY CASE. >> SO THE TOTAL PROGRAM IS 113 MILLION AND THE COUNTY COVERS 38 MILLION OF THAT.

>> SO I THINK, AGAIN, THE SCOPE AND HOW THESE CONTRACTS ARE MANAGED . IN FACT, THERE'S PROBABLY PATROL BENEFIT TO ADJACENT NEIGHBORHOODS FROM THE CONTRACT NEIGHBORHOODS. IT'S PROBABLY WORTH DIGGING A LITTLE DEEP IN THERE, PARTICULARLY IF WE ARE GETTING OVER 70 MILLION HARD EARNED DOLLARS TO -- FOR PUBLIC SAFETY CONTRIBUTED TO HARRIS COUNTY, WHICH COMPLEMENTS WHAT WE ARE DOING. I THINK THERE IS A WIN-WIN HERE IN TERMS OF WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE WILLING TO PAY AND HOW THAT GOES COMPLEMENT -- IT LEVERAGES OUR ABILITY TO DO MORE WITH WHAT WE GOT. I THINK THAT'S WORTHY OF THE FUTURE LOOK. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT THAT YOU PUT INTO IT UP TO THIS POINT BUT THAT'S WORTHY OF CONTINUING ANALYSIS. I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S A SIMPLE FACT THAT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT RECOUPING THOSE COSTS, THEY ARE, IN FACT, A GREAT BENEFIT ADJACENT, EQUAL TO WHATEVER IS BEING SPENT. LET'S AT LEAST HAVE THAT ON RADAR SCREEN GOING

FORWARD. >> UNDERSTOOD.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR EIGHT CONSTABLES AND THE CONSTABLE TEAMS OF EACH OF THE EIGHT

[01:50:01]

THANK YOU . WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR SACRIFICE THAT EACH ONE OF YOU AND YOUR TEAM MEMBERS PUT FORTH EVERY SINGLE DAY TO KEEP US SAFE SO I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT AND I HAVE MY THREE PARTNERS, CONSTABLE ROSEN, CONSTABLE HERMAN, AND CONSTABLE HEAP . Y'ALL HAVE BEEN AMAZING. IT'S JUST, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND I KNOW WE WORK VERY, VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER AND, AS YOU MENTIONED, PRECINCT 4, WE USE OVER 4 MILLION OF PRECINCT 4 DOLLARS IN CONTRACTS BECAUSE WHEN I TOOK OFFICE I SAW THERE WAS SOME SAFETY GAPS AT OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OUR PARKS AND AS A MOM OF THREE LITTLE GIRLS, I WANT EVERYONE WHO GOES TO OUR CENTERS AND PARKS TO FEEL AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE AND THANK YOU, WHETHER IT IS RESPONDING WHEN OUR TEAM MEMBER -- OUR PRECINCT FOR MEMBERS WERE SHOT AT AND THE PRECINCT PARKS AND BEYOND, I APPRECIATE IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY IN HELPING WITH THE DISASTERS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. SO MY QUESTION IS I KNOW WE HAD THE 7% ADJUSTMENT RECENTLY. I KNOW WE ARE LAUNCHING THE PAY EQUITY STUDY . THERE'S SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. I KNOW IT IS NOT AS SWIFT AS ANY OF US WOULD LIKE, BUT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. MY QUESTION IS HOW ARE WE, I KNOW WE HAVE CHALLENGES WITH RETAINING THE TALENT. HOW ARE WE TRACKING, AND I'M SURE IT'S DIFFERENT BETWEEN YOUR EIGHT OFFICES BUT I AM LOOKING AT OUR PRECINCT 4 AND FIVE IN PARTICULAR. HOW ARE WE TRACKING RETENTION OF OUR DEPUTIES IN Y'ALL'S OFFICE AND WHAT, BEYOND COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS, WHAT OTHER STRATEGIES HAVE YOU FOUND EFFECTIVE IN HELPING WITH RETENTION? SORRY, I KNOW IT'S THREE OF Y'ALL. I'M ASKING ALL EIGHT OF YOU BUT I'M SURE IT'S HARD TO HEAR FROM ALI. I WILL LEAN ON MY PARTNERS.

>> I WILL GO FIRST. SO CERTAINLY, AS YOU MENTIONED , THE PAY EQUITY OF THE COMPETITION IS INCREDIBLE.

THERE'S A SMALL SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES. THEY SUPERVISE 60, 70 PEOPLE AND SELLING OF THAT NATURE. -- LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. UNFORTUNATELY, AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN, WE ARE RUNNING INTO THE REOCCURRING THEME BEYOND PAY AND THE THINGS THAT YOU CAN TOUCH AND FEEL, IT'S SOME OF THE INTANGIBLE THINGS. THERE IS OFTEN A LACK OF SUPPORT FROM THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OR CONSTABLES IN GENERAL, WHICH MAKES, IT PROVIDES A SENSE OF FEAR FROM THE DEPUTIES MIGHT HAVE A JOB TOMORROW OR NEXT YEAR OR IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE DOWNSIZED OR LAID OFF OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE. OFTEN TIMES, THEY LOOK FOR STABILITY. EVEN IF IT MEANS MAKING LESS PAY, STABILITY IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THEM. THE REALITY OF A LACK OF A FULLY FUNCTIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHEN WE HAVE THESE REPEAT OFFENDERS THAT ARE GETTING RELEASED BACK ONTO THE STREET WITH EITHER LITTLE OR NO PUNISHMENT AT ALL. YOU KNOW, EVERY OFF THEIR SONS UP -- OFFICER SIGNS UP AND UNDERSTAND THERE'S A CERTAIN LEVEL OF RISK WHEN THEY SIGN UP FOR THE JOB BUT WHEN THEY GO OUT THERE AND THEY ARE RESTING THE SAME PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THAT BECOMES UNNECESSARY RISK THAT THEY DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR. ANY SUPPORT THAT WE CAN GET TO HELP IMPROVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN ITS WHOLE AT HARRIS COUNTY WOULD BE A BENEFIT BECAUSE THEY WOULD GO OUT THERE AND THEY WANT TO DO THE DANGEROUS WORK BUT OFTEN TIMES IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT'S ALWAYS RECIPROCATED WHEN THE REST OF THE SYSTEM ISN'T FOLLOWING THAT LEAD.

>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER WAYS Y'ALL ARE TRACKING RETENTION AND OTHER STRATEGIES FOR RETENTION?

>> THANK YOU. WE ALL KNOW THE PROBLEM WITH RETENTION BUT AS A CONSTABLE, THERE'S ONLY SO MANY THINGS WE CAN ENTICE PEOPLE WITH. SOME -- WE ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE A HELICOPTER DIVISION, AT LEAST NOT THAT I KNOW OF. SO WE TRY TO EQUIP THEM THE BEST WE CAN. WE TRY TO TREAT THEM THE BEST WE CAN, BUT ULTIMATELY, YOU LOOK AT COMPARABLE SALARIES, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE HERE 10 YEARS BEFORE THEY GET THE STARTING SALARY OF OTHER AGENCIES. THAT'S REALLY HARD FOR 20 SOMETHING-YEAR-OLD TO TELL THEM JUST HANG OUT. IT WILL GET BETTER. IT IS A HARD THING TO DO. THIS SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROWING MONEY AT THEM. -- $100,000 STARTING.

[01:55:05]

COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU. CONSTABLE ROSEN ?

>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS A TRUE ALLY AND YOU I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT. THE WAY WE TRACK IT IS DOING EXIT INTERVIEWS. TRADITIONALLY, OUR YOUNGER OFFICERS GENERALLY TRY TO FOLLOW THE MONEY AND AS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY STATED, UP NORTH, THE STARTING SALARIES ARE $100,000 FOR AN OFFICER. OUR JOB HAS GOTTEN MORE DIFFICULT OVER THE YEARS AND SO RETENTION IS THE KEY. HARRIS COUNTY, I KNOW WE'VE DONE A LOT OF STUDIES HERE ON PAY AND AT SOME POINT, WE'VE GOT TO SAY TO OURSELVES, OKAY, THIS IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO INVEST AND IS GOING TO COME TWO WAYS. ONE, IT'S GOING TO COME BY PEOPLE AND THE NEXT, IT'S GOING TO COME BY TECHNOLOGY. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT TECHNOLOGY THAT IS OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP SUPPLEMENT THE HUMAN FACTOR IN OUR BUSINESS AND SO THAT IS PRIMARILY THE WAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. CREATING A WORK ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO WORK IS ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR. I TRIED TO FOSTER A JOB ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO COME TO WORK. IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO TRANSFER BECAUSE THEY ARE BURNED OUT IN A PARTICULAR DIVISION, I TRIED TO MAKE AND FACILITATE THAT MOVE. SO THAT THEY CAN GO WHERE THEY ARE EXCITED TO COME TO WORK. I DON'T WANT ANYONE HITTING THE SNOOZE BUTTON TO COME TO WORK.

IF YOU ARE HITTING THE SNOOZE BUTTON, THERE IS A PROBLEM.

KEEPING THE PULSE OF YOUR TROOPS, KEEPING THE PULSE OF YOUR OFFICE IS PARAMOUNT AND SO THAT IS THE WAY WE KIND OF TRACK IT AND AND SURE, I HAVE A 4% OPENING RATE. AND IT COMES BETWEEN CIVILIAN AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THAT'S BOTH SIDES AND AN AGGREGATE NUMBER OF ABOUT FOUR OR 5% AND WE STRIVE EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THAT WE CREATE A WORK ENVIRONMENT WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO WORK AND IF YOU DON'T INVEST IN THOSE PEOPLE AND YOU DON'T KEEP THE PULSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEM, YOU LOSE THEM TO SOME OTHER PLACE THAT'S PLAYING MORE MONEY, CHASING MORE MONEY.

>> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE ROSEN. I KNOW MY TIME IS UNDER BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR SACRIFICE.

>> PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> WE HAVE NO QUESTIONS AT THIS

TIME. >> PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING, CONSTABLES. OUR CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO CONSTABLE MARK AND HIS TEAM FOR THE TRAGIC PASSING OF DEPUTY HUSSEIN. MY FIRST QUESTION WOULD BE TO THE CONSTABLES, SILVIA TREVINO, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT VIPER? SOME OF THE SUCCESSES YOU HATED THIS YEAR, HOW THE COLLABORATION IS DONE WITH THE OFFICE. THE HEAD CONSTABLE AGENCY WITH THAT TASK FORCE. I KNOW WE HAVE A TRAGIC PASSING OF -- BUT ANY GOOD STORIES THAT YOU CAN ELABORATE ON WOULD BE GREAT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I WISH I HAD THOSE STATS IN FRONT OF ME BUT YOU KNOW, THEY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN IT WAS FIRST CREATED AND THEY JUST RECENTLY GOT RECOGNIZED FOR ALL THE ARRESTS THEY HAVE MADE ON THOSE VIOLENT ARREST WARRANTS .

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB AND I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT THOSE DEPUTIES ARE GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS DETECTIVE PAY ALSO. THEY PUT A LOT OF HARD WORK INTO INVESTIGATING AND YOU KNOW, DOING ALL THE LEGWORK SO I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT THE DETECTIVE PAY IS BEING BROUGHT BACK . IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE CONSTABLES WERE NOT GOING TO BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING AND WE HAVE ONE DEPUTY AND THEN THERE'S FIVE DEPUTIES FROM THE CONSTABLES OFFICE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE INCLUDING . I TALKED TO MS. MARTINEZ AND WE HAVE SUBMITTED PAPERWORK TO BE HEARD AT OUR NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING IN TWO WEEKS IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN REGARDING

[02:00:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> THIS QUESTION IS FOR DANIEL, THE DETECTIVE RANK IS SOLELY FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RIGHT

NOW. >> THEY WOULD NEED TO CREATE

THE POSITION. >> RIGHT NOW, THE PROMOTIONAL PROCESS IS OVERSEEN BY A CIVIL SERVICE. GOT IT.

>> IT WAS A CREATION OF CIVIL SERVICE. AGAIN, YOU WOULD NEED TO CREATE A SAME OR SIMILAR RANK FOR THE CONSTABLES.

>> I THINK FOR ALL CONSTABLES, WHAT WOULD HELP AND IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS , PROVIDING DATA TO OUR COMMISSIONERS OFFICES OF HOW MANY INVESTIGATIONS ARE CONDUCTING, HOW MANY CASES ARE ACTUALLY BEING FILED . WHAT CASES ARE BEING REFERRED TO, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THE D.A. ALREADY MANDATES FOR CERTAIN CASES TO BE REFERRED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I WANT TO SAY IT'S A HOMICIDE, CHILD ABUSE, ADULT SEX CRIMES. JUST PROVIDING THOSE NUMBERS IN RESEARCHING AND MAKING SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE CASES ARE BEING

INVESTIGATED. >> EXACTLY. AND SOME OF THE CASES THAT ARE BEING REFERRED TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ARE PROBABLY COMING FROM THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS. WE DON'T REFER ANY OF OUR CASES TO THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. NOW HPD DOES HANDLE OUR MAJOR CRIMES LIKE HOMICIDES. WE DO HAVE HPD HANDLING THOSE CASES FOR US BUT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CALLS COMING IN AND I CAN PROVIDE THOSE STATS FOR YOU ALSO. WE WILL WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE AND PROVIDE THAT TO YOU BUT WE HAVE, AND PLEASE DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE ASKING WHERE THESE INVESTIGATOR CASE DETECTIVE CASES, JUST BECAUSE THE DETECTIVES GOT CIVIL SERVICE APPROVED THE DETECTIVES FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THOSE INVESTIGATORS SINCE I KNOW I HAVE SINCE 2018, 2019 AND THEN SOMETIME IN BETWEEN THERE. WE ASKED FOR 18 POSITIONS AND NOT INVESTIGATORS, BUT THESE INVESTIGATORS WERE INCLUDED IN THAT AS THE HOMELESS OUTREACH AND WE DID RECEIVE ANY OF THOSE DEPUTY POSITIONS AT THAT TIME.

IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, I JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT IT'S ONLY BECAUSE IT'S JUST SURFACED AGAIN. THANK YOU.

>> MY NEXT QUESTION WOULD BE FOR CONSTABLE ROSEN . AT THE RECENT SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, YOU MENTIONED TO THE BOARD THAT ALL EIGHT CONSTABLES HANDLE 42% OF ALL CRIME. WHAT METRICS ARE YOU UTILIZING AND WHAT SOURCE --

>> CAD. >> CAD . OKAY.

>> AND THAT INCLUDES MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES AND TO YOUR LAST POINT, WE DO INVESTIGATE. THE ONLY THING WE DON'T INVESTIGATE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THOSE DIVISIONS, WE DON'T HAVE A ROBBERY DIVISION, WE DON'T HAVE A BURGLARY DIVISION. IT'S ONLY NATURAL THAT YOU WOULD REFER THOSE CASES TO AN AGENCY THAT DOES HAVE THOSE DIVISIONS. SO OFTEN BECAUSE THEY ARE OVERWHELMED BOTH HOUSTON PD AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE . WE WORK THEM OURSELVES BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY , WE ARE VERY VICTIM CENTRIC AGENCIES AND WE WANT TO HOLD SOMEBODY ACCOUNTABLE THAT BROKE THE LAW AND HEARD SOMEBODY . I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS A LOT OF CASES. THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A LOT OF CASES AND THEREFORE WE ARE PLAYING CLEAN UP.

>> AS A SOCIAL SCIENTIST, DATA TELLS A STORY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL HEARING THE SAME STORY BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE ANALYST OFFICE DATA, YEAR-TO-DATE UP TO JUNE, AND ACTUALLY INDICATES THAT CONSTABLES COMPARED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE , 24%. AND A LOT OF YOUR JURISDICTIONS OVERLAP WITH THE CITY AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS, THAT GOES DOWN

TO 10%. >> UNFORTUNATELY WELL, IT'S NOT UNFORTUNATE, WE ARE DOING NEIGHBORS REPORTING NOW . SO BEFORE, IT USED TO BE OUR REPORTING . OUR UCR REPORTING.

SO A LOT OF TIMES, -- THE FIGURES THAT KEEP COMING -- IT'S NOT JUST -- EVERYWHERE'S BEEN WRONG. 276 CASES THAT WEREN'T ACCURATELY CALCULATED. IT'S HARD FOR ME TO REALLY

RELY ON ANY NUMBERS. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. THANK

YOU. >> THE COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE,

[02:05:02]

>> YES, SIR. WE RUN INTO THE SAME ISSUE. I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT OVERLAPPING JURISDICTIONS. SO PRECINCT 2 FOLLOWS WITHIN NINE MUNICIPALITIES. MOST OF THOSE ARE SMALL MUNICIPALITY POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE HIGHER NUMBERS . WE GET CALLED BY ALL NINE OF THOSE TO ASSIST THEM WITH CASES, WITH CALLS FOR SERVICE, AND THAT DOES INCLUDE THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. WE ACTUALLY HAVE RECORDED CONVERSATIONS WHERE THE DISPATCH CALLS OUR DISPATCH AND ASKED US TO TAKE A CALL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T TAKE IT. SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE CASELOAD, THE VICTIMS DON'T REALLY CARE WHO INVESTIGATES IT AS LONG IS IT'S INVESTIGATED. AND WE FOLLOW THE SAME SUIT AS OUR CONSTABLE SAYS WE ARE GOING TO WORK EVERYTHING AS WE POSSIBLY CAN AND TRY TO COME TO CLOSURE BECAUSE AGAIN, THE VICTIM DOESN'T CARE ABOUT JURISDICTIONAL LINES, THEY JUST CARE ABOUT WHAT THE OUTCOME IS. WE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. WE ARE USING OUR PATROL OFFICERS TO FOLLOW UP AND INVESTIGATE THESE CASES BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, WE WANT TO CLOSE THEM. LIKE I SAID, THEY DON'T CARE WHERE THE OUTCOME COMES FROM AS LONG AS THERE IS AN OUTCOME. THANK YOU.

>> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO, FIRST OF ALL, AND FOR BEING HERE TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS. MY FIRST QUESTION IS FOR PRECINCT 4.

REGARDING THE REQUEST TO HIRE A SERGEANT FULL-TIME AT THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE AND HOMELAND SECURITY . WE ARE CURIOUS WITH THE SERGEANT RESPONSIBILITIES WOULD BE WHEN OEM IS NOT ACTIVATED AND HOW DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO ALLOCATE THEIR TIME BETWEEN OEM AND OTHER DUTIES?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION AND REAL QUICK, OF COURSE, WE APPRECIATE ALL THE COMMISSIONERS REACHING OUT YESTERDAY IN RESPONSE TO THE CORPORALS MURDER. -- THE CORPORAL'S MURDER. WE REALLY APPRECIATED THE PRESENCE SO IF WE COULD PLEASE SHARE THAT BUT CERTAINLY, I KNOW IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT HALF THE -- THE EEOC. WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION, WHILE WE ARE THE LARGEST CONSTABLE'S OFFICE IN THE U.S., WE ARE VERY TRIM ORGANIZATION. WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF AXIS POSITIONS TO BE ABLE TO ASSIGNED TO VARIOUS THINGS. WHEN NATURAL DISASTERS DO HAPPEN, WE HAVE TO ASSIGN PEOPLE TO THE EEOC OR WARMING SHELTERS AND HAVING A PERMIT PRESIDENTS -- PRESENCE, WE ARE EVERYWHERE , BUT TYPICALLY, WE DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER TO ASSIGNED TO THOSE ACTIVE VACATIONS -- ACTIVATIONS. IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT WHEN THERE'S NOT AN ACTIVE PURPOSE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND EMERGENCY MANAGERS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, CONDUCTING TRAINING AND BRINGING THAT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO OUR DEPUTIES THAT ARE TRADITIONALLY JUST ACCUSTOMED TO LAW-ENFORCEMENT SPECIFIC TRAINING. HAVING THE ABILITY TO GET THAT EXPERIENCE FROM THE EOC, NETWORKING WITH THE EOC, HAVING A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH A EOC SO WE ARE NOW WAITING FOR THOSE MOMENTS TO BE EXCHANGING BUSINESS CARDS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP THERE . ALWAYS HAVE SOMEBODY SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES DURING ACTIVATIONS AND THEN LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE OFF-SEASON WHEN THINGS ARE GOING ON. HAVE THEM DOING EDUCATION AWARENESS WITH OTHER SAFETY DEPARTMENTS. THANK YOU

VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. MY NEXT QUESTIONS ARE FOR PRECINCT 5 AND/OR 8. -- AND IS THERE ANY RESEARCH SUGGESTING THAT IT IS OR IS NOT BEST PRACTICE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. TO PRINT -- TWO-PERSON UNITS COST TWICE AS MUCH. WE ARE BIG ON VISIBILITY. YOU CAN SEE THIS MORE WHEN WE ARE SPREAD OUT, THE COST, IT WOULD BE COST PROHIBITIVE FOR US TO PUT TWO PEOPLE IN EVERY CAR. OF COURSE, IT WOULD MAKE IT SAFER FOR THE OFFICER. THERE ARE CERTAIN PARTS OF TOWN -- BUT TO HAVE THEM IN THE SAME CAR ALL THE TIME WOULD NOT BE A GOOD USE OF OUR MANPOWER. WE ARE OPERATING RIGHT NOW AT ABOUT -10% WITH ALL OF OUR OPENINGS. THAT'S WHY WE HAD TO DO SO MANY OVERTIME PROGRAMS TO HELP FILL ALL THOSE GAPS. YOU GOT ANOTHER GAP. WE HAD PLENTY OF OFFICERS THAT DO IT, IT WOULD BE THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR OFFICER SAFETY ISSUES BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER. THANK YOU.

>> SEVERAL OF MY COMMENTS ARE GOING TO MIRROR CHIEF ALBRITTON'S. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SIZE OF THE AGENCY, THERE WOULD REALLY BE NO WAY TO DO IT TO KEEP OUR RESPONSE TIME TO WHAT OUR CITIZENS WOULD LIKE . IF WE PUT TWO IN A VEHICLE,

[02:10:06]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT PRECINCTS 2 AND 7 EVERQUEST TWO -- HAVE A REQUEST TO HIRE AN ADDITIONAL DEPUTY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE OUTREACH IS AND WHAT THE CURRENT BACKLOG LOOKS LIKE.

>> SORRY, TRYING TO MAKE -- DOWN HERE. I ACTUALLY DO HAVE SOME STATS FROM THE HOMELESS OUTREACH DIVISION. WHEN COLLINS WILL GARCIA TOOK OFFICE, ONE OF THE BIG HIGH PRIORITIES THE CONSTITUENTS BROUGHT TO HIM AS AN ISSUE, YOU CAN TAKE A DRIVE DOWN THE GULF FREEWAY AND YOU CAN SEE IT'S IN -- SO WITH THAT, WE ASSIGN ONE SERGEANT TO HANDLE ALL OF OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH. SINCE HE HAS TAKEN OVER, HE'S DEVELOPED COLLABORATIONS WITH THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, HOPE HAVEN. HARRIS COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE , DPS, AND THOUGH LIST GOES ON AND ON. HE GETS PHONE CALLS FROM THE COMMISSIONER OFFICES, AS WELL TO ASSIST IN CERTAIN AREAS TO HELP Y'ALL. HE'S ALL OVER. CURRENTLY, TODAY, HE HAS HOUSED -- SORRY, HAVE THE NUMBER. ACCORDING TO THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, IT COST TAXPAYERS ROUGHLY $96,000 PER YEAR FOR EVERY PERSON ON THE STREET . UNDER THEIR PROGRAM, AND THIS IS THE PRESIDENT'S NUMBER FOR THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, WHICH IS HARRIS COUNTY'S GO TO FOR HOMELESSNESS. IT COST 18,000 PER PERSON HOUSED. SO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HE'S HOUSED WERE AT A SAVINGS COST OF $20 MILLION ACCORDING TO OUR CALCULATIONS BASED ON THE NUMBERS OF THE PEOPLE HE'S HOUSED, OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH IS ALSO ONE OF THE ONLY PRECINCTS THAT CAN ISSUE A HOMELESS I.D. -- OR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS. WE CONSISTENTLY ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL POSITIONS BECAUSE WE FEEL IF ONE PERSON CAN DO THIS, WHAT CAN MULTIPLE PEOPLE DO FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WE HAVE BEEN TURNED DOWN EVERY YEAR. WE DO HAVE THE NUMBERS AND THE STATS AND THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THAT WOULD COLLABORATE OUR EFFORT AND I THINK GRANTING A HOMELESS OUTREACH DIVISION TO ALL THE PRECINCTS IS THE DIFFERENCE THAT WE CAN MAKE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON AS A WHOLE. SO I APPRECIATE IT. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SEND ANY STATS Y'ALL LIKE.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO RECEIVE SOME STATS. THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS, I YIELD MY TIME.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVE 38 SECONDS REMAINING FOR

ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> I AM GOOD. THANK YOU. I

APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATIONS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME REMAINING FOR QUESTIONS. PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE EIGHT MINUTES REMAINING FOR

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS >> NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU ALL

FOR BEING HERE. >> PRECINCT 2, YOU HAD 22 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> DISTRO QUICK, FOR PRECINCT TO , ON THAT SAME 45 CORE DOOR, DOES HBD ALSO HAVE THE -- AND DO Y'ALL COLLABORATE WITH THEM, ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN Y'ALL'S TEAMS?

>> YES, SIR. WE ACTUALLY DO COLLABORATE WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS. I BELIEVE THEY ARE MORE CITYWIDE SO THEY COVER THEIR ENTIRE AREA . AS FAR AS CLEANUP, WE RELY ON THEM AND WE RELY ON TECH STOCK BUT IT'S MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THAT WE GET THE PHONE CALL TO HELP THEM RATHER THAN US CALL THEM TO HELP US. SO LIKE I SAID, ARE ONE PERSON, IS ACTUALLY AN EX-OFFICER, SUPERVISOR THAT CAME OVER TO KIND OF LEAD THIS PROGRAM . THE CONTACTS THAT HE'S MADE HAVE KIND OF SUPERSEDED ANY OTHER AGENCY SO HE'S RELIED ON I WOULD SAY

[02:15:02]

WITH YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE , YOU HAVE 40 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> NO MORE QUESTIONS, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU TO COURT OFFICES AND NOW , CONSTABLES AND CONSTABLE REPRESENTATIVES , YOU HAVE SOME TIME REMAINING FOR CLOSING REMARKS, JUST IF ANYBODY HAS ANY FINAL THOUGHTS

THEY WANT TO WRAP UP WITH. >> JUST ONE FINAL ASK , DIRECTORY MOST, -- DIRECTOR RAMOS, YOU HELPED US SO MUCH.

WE ARE GOING TO WIND UP WITH EXCESS FUNDS. $1.2 MILLION IN EXCESS. WE DON'T HAVE , WE ARE NOT GOING TO -- SPEND THAT MONEY. IT'S GOING TO GO BACK TO WHEREVER IT GOES BUT THE BUILDING WE ARE IN, WE MOVED THE BUILDING IN 1994. IT WAS AN OLDER BUILDING WHEN WE MOVED INTO IT. IT NEEDS A LOT OF WORK DONE TO IT BUT IT'S NOT OUR BUILDING. DURING THE RECENT STORMS, WE LOST POWER THERE NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAD TO SEND OUR DISPATCHERS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT KEEP IT GOING. OUR DISPATCH OFFICE HAS A FIREBOX. IT'S CAUGHT ON FIRE TWICE INSIDE OUR DISPATCH. THE ELECTRICAL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $2 MILLION.

WE NEED ANOTHER GENERATOR. IT'S -- WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A EMERGENCY FACILITY OR NOT. IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE SOME OF THOSE LEFTOVER FUNDS GO TO THE BUILDING OPERATING THAT WE ARE

IN. THANK YOU. >> WE CAN CONNECT TO WITH THE

COUNTY ENGINEER. >> YES. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER. GOD BLESS YOU.

>> WOULD ANY REPRESENTATIVES LIKE TO SHARE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS? OKAY, THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE OFFICES FOR PARTICIPATING TODAY. WE WILL NOW TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 12:30 P.M., AT WHICH TIME, WE WILL HEAR FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGED TO SIGN COUNSEL. -- OFFICE OF

MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL . >>

[Office of Managed Assigned Counsel]

>> WELCOME BACK, COURT OFFICES. WE WILL NOW HERE'S FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGED TO SIGN COUNSEL. DIRECTOR HARDIN, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT, FOLLOWED BY EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING REMARK.

>> THANK YOU. GREETINGS ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBERS. MY NAME IS KENNETH HARDIN AND I'M THE -- I WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO ASK FOR YOUR APPROVAL OF THE ALLOCATION OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL 25 BUDGET WHICH INCLUDES THE GRANT MATCH AND REQUEST OF THE COURT CONSIDER ADDING THE MAX PERSONAL SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST IN THIS ALLOCATION.

NEARLY FOUR YEARS AGO, IT, CHALLENGED TO MEET SEVERAL DAYS WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION.

STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, PROUD TO SAY THAT WE HAVE DONE THAT AND MORE. FROM REVAMPING THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM TO ONE THAT FAIRLY AND EQUALLY DISTRIBUTES -- TO DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS ON THE APPOINTMENT LIST FROM 108 TO NOW 212 TO BEING THE ONLY OFFICE IN TEXAS TO HAVE UP-TO-DATE CASE GUIDELINES WITH A CASELOAD MONITORING SYSTEM TO CREATING SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR ATTORNEYS TO USE IN ORDER TO ENHANCE REPRESENTATION AND MOST RECENTLY TO LAUNCHING A LIVE DASHBOARD FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE THE FRUIT OF THE COUNTY'S WISE INVESTMENTS. WITH SUCCESS, ALSO COMES THE NEED TO SUSTAIN IT.

WHICH BRINGS BEFORE YOU TODAY, WE ARE BEYOND HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT , AS WELL AS THAT OF THIS COURT TO CONTINUE TO EXIST UPON EXPIRATION OF OUR GRANT. WE UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT THAT THEY HAVE DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD OF THEM. HOWEVER, SPECIFICALLY IN CURRENTLY AND CONSISTENTLY MANAGING ACROSS THE CRIMINAL COUNTY COURT AT LAW, WE GREATLY ASK YOU TO CONSIDER APPROVING THE PERSONAL REQUEST WITH ONLY A 21 PERSON STAFF, THE MAC HAS MANAGED -- WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL 25, WHICH INCLUDES THE GRANT AND -- AND REDUCE REMAINING STAFF SALARIES AFFECTING ALL SERVICES THE M.A.C. OFFERS. ONE ADDITIONAL RESOURCE ATTORNEY, WE HAVE TO

[02:20:04]

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 1 .

>> HELLO, DIRECTOR HARDIN. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME. >> CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHICH REQUEST WOULD HAVE THE MOST IMPACT ON THE MAX ABILITY GOALS AND PRIORITIES IN THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR.

>> SURE. THE FIRST PRIORITY IS CLEARLY OUR GRANT FRINGE AND MATCH. THAT IS THE INCLUSION ALLOWS US TO OPERATE AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS. EXCLUSION COULD LEAD TO LAYOFFS. IF IT HAD TO BE IN PERSONNEL, I WOULD SAY THE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS, WE HAD IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WHO CURRENTLY HANDLES AN AVERAGE OF 25 TO 30 ADVISORY PER MONTH. IF YOU COMPARE THAT TO A TEAM AND I DON'T CAST ANY DISPERSANTS AGAINST PDO. IT'S A BRILLIANT OFFICE BUT THEY HANDLE THE SAME AMOUNT BETWEEN FOUR PEOPLE. SO WE HAVE ONE M.A.C. ATTORNEY HANDLING THAT. IF WE DO NOT GET AN ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WE MAY HAVE TO SUSPEND ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION REQUESTS, WHICH MEANS THAT CLIENTS SUFFER. RESOURCE ATTORNEYS, -- A RATIO OF ONE RESOURCE ATTORNEY FOR EVERY 35 ON THE APPOINTMENT LIST. WE ARE NOW AT A RATIO OF 1 TO 53 SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE MAY HAVE TO STOP ADDING ATTORNEYS TO THE LIST, WHICH MEANS CASELOADS DRIVE BACK UP TO WHERE THEY WERE FOUR YEARS AGO.

AND IT MEANS NO NEW ATTORNEYS ON THE LIST. THAT CAN ULTIMATELY HURT REPRESENTATION AS WELL. WE ALL KNOW THE COST OF VOUCHERS, WE ALL KNOW THE SCRUTINY AS IT SHOULD BE AS FAR AS MAKING SURE IT'S AN EFFICIENT PROCESS. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST TWO REVIEWING THEM. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT APPROVAL, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT REMOVING. SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED BECAUSE WE HAVE 60 DAYS. AND WHILE WE HAVEN'T REACHED THAT DEADLINE, WE HAVE DELAYED, WE DO HAVE DELAYED VOUCHER PROCESS. IF WE DO NOT CONTINUE TO DO THAT. THEN WE CAN BE IN THREAT IN THE FUTURE OF GOING PAST THAT STATUTORY DEADLINE. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THE GRANT MATCH IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY RESOURCE VOUCHER ASSISTANT AND

RESOURCE ATTORNEY. >> GREAT, THANK YOU. AND CAN YOU GO A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO DETAIL ABOUT THE NEED FOR THE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, HOW MANY ADVISERS DOES THAT HANDLE AND WHAT ARE KIND OF THE PROJECTED NEEDS.

>> IN -- THIS ONE ATTORNEY HANDLE 46 ADVISABLE'S PER MONTH WITHIN THAT THREE MONTH PERIOD. AN AVERAGE OF 46 PER MONTH. THAT KIND OF GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH THAT OUR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY IS MANAGING AND WHAT SHE IS DOING IS MAKING IT A LITTLE MORE UNIQUE IS THAT ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE IS ACTUALLY ATTACHED TO HER REPRESENTATION. THAT MEANS SHE'S NOT JUST WRITING ADVISABLE'S. SHE'S MEETING WITH THESE CLIENTS BECAUSE A SPECIALIST CAN ASSESS WHAT AN ATTORNEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ASSESS BECAUSE SHE HAS THAT DIRECT SPECIALTY . SHE CAN TELL YOU WHAT COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCE, DEPENDING ON WHICH COUNTRY IN WHICH ISSUE THEY MAY BE FACING. THAT IS WHY YOU NEED THAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCE ATTORNEY BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, THEN OBVIOUSLY, YOU JUST PROCESS A REQUEST TO WRITE A MEMORANDUM AND ATTORNEYS MAY NOT BE GETTING THAT IMPORTANT ADVISABLE THAT WE ALL DEDICATE OURSELVES IN THE COUNTY TO PRIORITIZE WITH THAT DEFENSE.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, DIRECTOR. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> POLICY ADVISER FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE PRIMARY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE YOUR BUDGET PRIORITIES?

>> THE PRIMARY FACTORS , IT REALLY IS HAVING, MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE TOUCHING ALL THE COMPONENTS WHEN YOU'RE TALKING

[02:25:01]

EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH IT TO IMPROVE QUALITY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE THINGS, THE DRIVING COST IS REALLY THE MOST THAT WE CAN'T CONTROL AND THAT THE AMOUNT OF ARREST AND THE APPOINTMENT THAT'S HAPPENING. WE CAN'T CONTROL THAT NUMBER BUT HAS MORE ARRESTS,, THERE'S MORE APPOINTMENTS RIGHT NOW. WE ARE REPRESENTING 84% OF ALL APPOINTMENTS. IF YOU LOOK AT IT IN A BROADER SYSTEM, 55% OF ALL CASES THAT COME THROUGH, THE CRIMINAL COUNTY -- SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS MORE INVESTIGATION REQUESTS, WITH THAT MEANS MORE AND IS BECAUSE OF THE EXPECTATIONS THAT ATTORNEYS ARE NOW UNDER. THAT MEANS MORE IMMIGRATION REQUESTS. THAT MEANS MORE VOUCHERS. THAT MEANS ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT COME WITH THE INCREASE OF INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE THAT'S NECESSARY . SO THAT IS THE PRIMARY FACTOR

. >> UNDERSTOOD. THANK YOU. AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY ADVOCATING FOR SOME STATE-LEVEL CHANGE ON HOW VOUCHERS ARE APPROVED. ASSUMING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO GET THOSE CHANGES APPROVED, WILL THAT HAVE ANY

IMPACT TO YOUR BUDGET? >> IT WOULD -- IT WOULD NOT HAVE AN IMPACT ON REVIEW. IT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON APPROVAL. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THE CHANGES THAT WE ARE SEEKING STATUTORILY IS AN AMENDMENT OF 2605 WHICH ALLOWS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO DELEGATE APPROVAL. BUT YOU STILL HAVE A REVIEW PROCESS PRIOR TO APPROVAL. LET'S SAY THAT THAT IS PASSED AND THEN I CAN DELEGATE. THEN YOU STILL NEED A HEALTHY REVIEW TEAM TO REVIEW ALL OF THESE VOUCHERS PRIOR TO APPROVAL. YOU MAY EXPEDITE THE VOUCHERS STATUTORILY. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE VOUCHERS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN REVIEWED TO SEE IF THEY ARE READY FOR APPROVAL AND IT'S THE REVIEW COMPONENT. SO WHEN WE ASK FOR -- CENTERED ON A REVIEW COMPONENT METHOD NOT TO

-- >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY ANTICIPATED FUTURE EXPENSES OR INVESTMENTS THAT WE SHOULD

BEGIN PLANNING FOR NOW? >> I THINK -- MANY DIFFICULT DECISIONS AHEAD OF IT. AND OUR METRICS EXLEY SUPPORT MORE THAN WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY REQUESTING. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE IN A POSITION IN FUTURE YEARS TO ACCOMMODATE WITH THE METRICS, WE WOULD ANTICIPATE, IF THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO STAY THE SAME, MEANING THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL IF WE ARE STILL AT 31,000 APPOINTMENTS EVERY YEAR , THEN I CAN ANTICIPATE, INSTEAD OF ASKING FOR ONE RESOURCE ATTORNEY, WE MAY BE ASKING FOR A SECOND ONE NEXT YEAR. ONE PUTS A BAND-AID AND ALLOWS US TO POSSIBLY REOPEN THE LIST. VOUCHER ASSISTANCE VOUCHER ASSISTANCE. WE WILL PROBABLY NEED, IDEALLY, WE WOULD NEED AT LEAST FOUR. WE ARE ASKING FOR ONE, JUST SO WE CAN PUT A LITTLE BIT OF A BAND-AID ON IT SO THAT WE CAN AT LEAST CONTINUE SOMEWHAT OF EFFICIENCY WITHOUT HAVING TO STOP SERVICES. I CAN ANTICIPATE THAT WE WOULD NEED AT LEAST ONE OF THESE POSITIONS THAT WE ARE ASKING ONE FOUR CURRENTLY IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD COMMUNICATOR WITH COURT OFFICES, SETTING UP TOURS FOR US AND YOU ALWAYS KEEP US UP-TO-DATE WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND THAT'S GREATLY

APPRECIATED. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> PRECINCT 3, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> HOW ARE YOU DOING, MR.

HARDEN? >> HOW ARE YOU DOING, MR. BRIDGEWATER, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT -- >> THE PERSONNEL ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS ARE INTENDED TO -- IF YOU LOOK AT THEM IN GLOBAL. WE ARE ASKING FOR THESE REQUESTS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO STOP SERVICES. THE PRIORITY IS OBVIOUSLY THE GRANT AND FRINGE MATCH. THAT ALLOWS US TO EXIST JUST AS WE EXIST TODAY. THESE FIVE CAN -- ARE SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO CLOSE THE DOOR ON NEW REQUESTS IN OTHER WORDS, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO TELL CLIENTS THAT YOU'RE GOING BE HAVE TO BE WAITLISTED. YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE WAITLISTED. WE MAY HAVE MOVED PAST A STATUTORY VOUCHER PROCESSING FOR YOU GETTING PAID ATTORNEY X OR ATTORNEY WHY. SO THESE ATTORNEYS, I ANTICIPATE IF THE APPOINTMENTS KEEP GROWING AND THEY ARE PROJECTED TO GO PAST 31,000 THIS YEAR AND THEY WERE 31,000 LAST YEAR, THEN THIS IS GOING INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. I CAN INTO SPACE WE WILL HAVE TO CUT OFF THE APPOINTMENT LIST OR SUSPEND THE APPOINTMENT LIST. WE WILL HAVE TO VOUCHER PROCESSING THE TIMES WILL DELAY

[02:30:02]

THEY NEED IT JUST LIKE THE ATTORNEYS NEED IT. THEY ALSO NEED GUIDANCE, AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO TAKE PROJECTS THAT MAY BE OUTSIDE OF THE AVENUE OF WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO FIND. WE ALL KNOW THE LIMITATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING. IF THOSE WORKERS ARE PUT INTO A HOUSE WHERE THEY HAD TO CREATE THEIR OWN -- THERE IS NO ENGINEER PER SE TO KIND OF STEER AND FIND THESE RESOURCES BECAUSE THE IDEA IS WHEN A SOCIAL IS THE ONLY TAKE 10% OF THE CASES, WHERE IS THE SOCIAL WORKERS WILL TAKE A PRIORITY CASELOAD. IN A NUTSHELL, THAT'S THE REASON FOR THIS PERSONAL REQUEST AND HOW THEY FIT WITH THE NEED AND HOW WE HAVE CALCULATED THE NEED. I DO HAVE NUMBERS TO BACK UP ON THAT, AS WELL. I WANTED TO AT LEAST GET TO THE THRUST OF YOUR QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> NO PROBLEM. >> PRECINCT 4, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> A LOT OF MY -- A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS WAS GOING TO BE -- -- FOR JUST ONE RESOURCE. IN ONE -- YOU ALSO MENTION THAT OVER THE YEARS, YOU ARE HAVE A NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS, -- THEN

PLANNED OUTCOMES. >> EXLEY WANTED TO SHARE MORE NUMBERS BECAUSE I REALLY I SHARE THE ERIE MORE THAN THE NUMBERS. AND SO, WHEN YOU LOOK AT , IF YOU ARE ALL ASKING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM AND I HOPE YOU ARE THINKING THIS IS IF WE ARE HAVING THESE RESTRICTION SERVICES, WHY HAVE WE BEEN ADDING THE ATTORNEYS THAT WE ADDED. WELL, WHEN I STOOD HERE AND ACCEPTED THIS APPOINTMENT FOR YEARS AGO, ONE OF THE PRIORITIES, OR TO THE PRIORITIES WAS GETTING CASELAW DOWN BUT ALSO MORE ATTORNEYS ON THE LIST. THERE'S 108 UNDER THE COURT-APPOINTED SYSTEM. WE NOW STAND AT 212. IF YOU ARE DOING THE MATH, THAT'S A 96% INCREASE. SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO RETAIN AND GET NEW ATTORNEYS, AS WELL. NOW SO ULTIMATELY THAT NUMBER DICTATES EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. SO IS THERE A STOPPING GAP? WHAT DOES THE NUMBER LOOK LIKE? WHAT MEASURE ARE WE USING? WHAT NUMBER WILL IT TAKE FOR CASELOADS TO EVEN NOW, ASSUMING THERE IS FAIR AND EQUAL DISTRIBUTION? THERE ARE TWO NUMBERS THAT WE ARE GOING BY? FIRST, AS YOU KNOW, UNLIKE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, OUR ATTORNEYS DO NOT TAKE 100% APPOINTED CASES. BUT IF YOU WERE TO USE THE FORMULAS, BY THE NATIONAL STANDARD CASELAW GUIDELINES , ASSUMING THAT WE ARE TAKING 100% OF THE CASES,

[02:35:01]

SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES ZERO IN 2020, 19 AND 2021, 184 AND 355 IN 2023. ON A GOOD END, IT IS SHOWING THAT ATTORNEYS ARE UTILIZING THE SERVICES AND THEY ARE UTILIZING SERVICES. I WILL TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER. IS IT HAVING ANY IMPACT? WE LOOK AT THE CONVICTION AND NON--- IN MULTIPLE WAYS TO DETERMINE SUCCESS AND I NEVER WANT TO REDUCE SUCCESS TO AN ACQUITTAL, TO A NOT GUILTY OR ANYTHING ELSE. THIS MAY DIFFER WAYS TO DEFINE SUCCESS BASED UPON THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT A CLIENT IS FACING, BUT JUST IN THE WORLD OF MISDEMEANOR, IF WE LOOK AT NON-CONVICTION VERSUS CONVICTION, WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT OF ALL OF THESE SERVICES AND THE USAGE OF ALL THE SERVICES. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS, AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS THE NON-CONVICTION RATE WAS 57% BEFORE THE M.A.C.. IS NOW 70. 70. WE HAVE SEEN THAT THERE IS AT LEAST IN THAT AREA AND IMPACT. WE'VE ALSO SEEN THE DAYS OF DISPOSITION GO DOWN. THE DAYS OF DISPOSITION HAS INCREASED -- DECREASED TO 160.191 TO ONE AND 53.41. TO COMPLETE A MISDEMEANOR CASE. TODAY, IT'S 144.27. SO, THE QUESTION IS, RIGHT, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SHOWING THE USAGES AND THE RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE RISING NUMBERS BUT WE ARE ALSO SHOWING THAT IT'S WORKING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. THE NEXT QUESTION THAT I HAD WAS I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT ONE OF THE PRIMARY DRIVERS OF YOUR BUDGET PRIORITIES REST IN THE CASE THAT ACTUALLY COME IN.

THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING THAT IS ENTIRELY IN MAX CONTROL. OR PROBABLY NOT AT ALL. HOW ARE WE ENSURING SUSTAINABLE BUDGET PRACTICES AND WHAT KIND OF LONG-TERM BUDGET PLANNING CAN WE DO ? CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT

THAT, PLEASE? >> WE JUST LAUNCHED IT A WEEK AGO, WE LAUNCHED LIVE DASHBOARD NOT TO CRITICIZE OCA OR ANYONE ELSE WHO DOES A GREAT JOB. WE WANTED TO LAUNCH OUR OWN PRIVATE DASHBOARD THAT JUST WITH M.A.C. INFORMATION TO DO EXACTLY THAT, TO BE ABLE TO TRACK THAT AND USE THE FORMULAS AS TO WHAT QUALITY IS AND ALSO TO USE WHAT ACTUALLY IS GOING ON AND ACTUALLY COMPUTING TO OUR MEMBERS. A LOT OF TIMES, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ARRANGE RESOURCE ATTORNEYS BASED UPON THE ATTORNEYS WE HAVE. WE HAVE FOUR RESOURCE ATTORNEYS, WE HAVE 212 ATTORNEYS WE DIVIDE INTO TEAMS OF FOUR. IT HAPPENS TO BE FOURTH FLOORS OF HIS DEMEANOR COURTS. THAT'S HOW WE LOOK AT OUR NEUTRAL SOURCE, WHICH IS QUALITY, WE TRY TO REMOVE SUBJECTIVITY, EVEN THOUGH -- THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR REFERENCES . WE USE THAT AS A NON-SUBJECTIVE FORM AS TO WHAT QUALITY IS AND WE ALSO -- AND THEN FROM THERE, WE LOOK AT OUR DATA POINTS AND THEN WE LOOK AT SOME OF THESE RECOMMENDED RATIOS, WHETHER THEY BE SOURCED OR THEY BE SOURCED FROM THE NATIONAL REPORT AND COMPARE THEM TO WHAT THE ACTUAL NUMBERS ARE. THAT'S HOW I WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH THE DATA THAT I PRESENT TO YOU TODAY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE SAME. THAT'S HOW I'M ABLE TO ANTICIPATE THAT THIS YEAR IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE SERVICES ALIVE AND WELL. NEXT YEAR, MY HOPE IS I WOULD ASSUME IF WE ARE ASKING EXACTLY WHAT THE METRIC SHOW, WE WOULD BE ASKING FOR MULTIPLES. SOMEHOW I

[02:40:02]

>> THANK YOU. I AM OUT OF TIME.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4, COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FOUR MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> HELLO . NICE TO SEE YOU. >> HEY, MEGAN.

>> REGARDING YOUR SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST, CAN YOU DISCUSS FOR US WHAT OTHER POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES HAVE

BEEN EXPLORED? >> ABSOLUTELY. SO WHEN IT CAME TO IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, WE DID SPEAK WITH TIDC, UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S NOT JUST IN HARRIS COUNTY, IT'S EVERYWHERE, AND A LOT OF THOSE RESOURCES EITHER A DON'T HAVE IDENTIFIABLE SOURCES THAT CAN'T RELATE TO THE WAY WE NEED APPOINTMENTS OR THEY JUST DON'T HAVE ANY SPACE OR AVAILABILITY. WE DID LOOK AND TALK. I DID SPEAK WITH TIDC ABOUT THE IDEA BECAUSE OF ADDITIONAL POSITIONS AND TIDC, WHILE THEY WERE IN APPROVAL OF THE POSITIONS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED, THEY -- OR DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDING TO ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUAL -- INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FELONY, JUVENILE. THE IMPROVEMENT GRANT . BUT AS FAR AS INDIVIDUAL POSITIONS KNOW, -- BECAUSE THESE POSITIONS ARE NOT LIKE CLERKSHIPS OR INTERNSHIPS OR IDENTIFIED AS TEMPORARY POSITIONS, THEY DO NOT QUALIFY. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ENDED UP BEING ME COMING BEFORE YOU AS A LAST RESORT. THERE WERE AT LEAST THREE OF THESE POSITIONS THAT I ASKED FOR LAST YEAR, AND THOSE OF THE EFFORTS WE HAVE DONE SINCE LAST YEAR, WHICH LEAD ME TO COME TO YOU AGAIN TO ECHO THIS REQUEST, ESPECIALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE A LOT MORE DATA TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT THE DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES WE CAN ENTER INTO WITHOUT ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AS WE ARE. NOT THAT WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS, BECAUSE WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT IS A PRIVILEGE AND IT'S A PRIVILEGE THAT WE HOLD HIGHLY.

>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU DESCRIBE A LITTLE BIT MORE THE OPERATIONAL IMPACT THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO SEE IF YOU DON'T RECEIVE FUNDING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXPIRATION

OF THE TIDC? >> SURE.. THIS IS WHY IT'S OUR TOP PRIORITY. YOU CAN'T HAVE NEEDS IF YOU DON'T EXIST. SO THESE FIVE PERSONNEL REQUESTS POSITION REQUESTS, THEY ARE NEEDED. WE NEED THEM BADLY. HOWEVER , IT IS SECOND AND IT HAS TO BE NECESSARILY SO TO OUR FRIENDS REQUEST. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE FUNDING, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF, WE ARE ONLY A 21 PERSON OFFICE AS IT IS AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBLE -- NINE, UP TO NINE CURRENT STAFF MEMBERS AS IT EXISTS. SO DOES THAT MEAN IMMIGRATION REQUESTS COULD BE AFFECTED? YES. I THINK SOMETIMES , NOT AMONGST YOU, BUT AMONGST THE GENERAL PUBLIC UNDERESTIMATE HOW MUCH THEY ACTUALLY DO. THEY DO MORE THAT THEY PROVIDE OVERSIGHT. THEY ARE LOOKING AT -- THEY ARE FILLING IN AND DOING SCHEDULED CALENDARING. THEIR PROCESSING APPLICATION. THEY ARE HOSTING TRAININGS. THEY ARE DOING SUPERVISORY WORK PLUS MORE. SO WHEN YOU REMOVE A RESOURCE ATTORNEY OR ONE OR TWO, THEN YOU ARE REMOVING ALL OF THAT COMPONENT THAT COMES WITH IT, AS WELL. VOUCHERS. A VOUCHER PROCESS ARE BEING THREATENED NOW. IMAGINE IF THAT'S AN AREA THAT HAS TO BE PULLED AMONG THOSE NINE. SO ESSENTIALLY, THE INABILITY TO HAVE THE GRANT FUNDING REQUEST DE FACTO REMOVES THE M.A.C. IN AN ESSENCE. IT DE FACTO RELIEF THE M.A.C.. I WOULD STRUGGLE FINDING A WAY , EVEN IN THE MOST CREATIVE LENS, TO SEE HOW THE M.A.C. COULD CONTINUE WITHOUT THE FUNDING , THE TIDC GRANT AND FRINGE MATCH REQUEST.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH SUCH. YOU ARE VERY THOROUGH IN YOUR PRESENTATION SO I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR YOU AT THIS TIME. I WILL YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COURT OFFICES.

DIRECTOR HARDIN, YOU WILL NOW HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING

REMARKS. >> ABSOLUTELY. IN CLOSING, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR HEARING US, ASKING THE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDERING ALL THE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST. I KINDLY ASK THAT YOU REMEMBER US IN OUR CONSIDERATIONS AND EVEN RECONSIDERATIONS. THE M.A.C.

IT'S SATISFYING AS A PASSING EXULTATION FOR WHAT IT WAS GREAT TO DO BUT TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRESS, WE DESPERATELY NEED ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL TO ACCOUNT FOR THE APPROXIMATELY 84% OF THE CONTINUALLY RISING CASE THAT ENTER OUR GRANDMA JUSTICE SYSTEM. WHILE THERE ARE SOME THINGS WITHIN THE DISCRETION TO CONTROL, THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE NOT. SUCH AS THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT ARE BEING PROSECUTED AND PEOPLE

[02:45:01]

YOU. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR HARDEN,

[Community Supervision]

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT. WE ARE JOINED BY -- YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR

CLOSING REMARKS. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON -- AS WELL AS CLAUDE CUMMINGS, WHO IS OUR EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER. IT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL DURING THIS ENTIRE BUDGET PROCESS AND WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TODAY. HARRIS COUNTY CSCD IS -- ILLUMINATE FUTURE BEHAVIOR AND -- CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR AND -- GREAT DAY SABER COMMUNITY . I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME THE KEY PROGRAMS WE SUPPORT AND DISCUSS THE SERVICES THAT WE OFFER. FIRST IS OUR FELONY MENTAL HEALTH COURTS DESIGNED TO DIVERT THOSE WITH SEVERE -- BY PROVIDING INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND FACILITATING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. IT OFFERS OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, AND TRANSITIONAL LIVING SERVICES TO CLIENTS DURING THE PROGRAM. WE ALSO HAVE OUR -- WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES. FOR CLIENTS WITH ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUG ABUSE DISORDERS. THIS OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT, COUNSELING SERVICES, AND PEER RECOVERY COACHING. ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAM THAT'S FUNDED BY HARRIS COUNTY IS OUR STAFF AND INTERVENTION DOCKET, OR THE RICK DOCKET. AMONG ALL THE DISTRICT COURTS INTO ONE EFFICIENTLY MANAGED DOCKET .

THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO DIVERT INDIVIDUALS FROM INCARCERATION INTO TREATMENTS, SUPPORT, AND SUPERVISION. THE CSCD SUPPORTS

[02:50:03]

>> EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS

BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 2. >> MATT GARY, POLICY ADVISORY FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY. COULD YOU PLEASE! HOW YOUR BUDGET IS POSITIONED TO LEVERAGE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM .

>> SURE. THE MAJORITY OF THE BUDGET GOES TO THE STAFF , BUT WE ALSO HAVE FUNDING FOR TREATMENT AND ALL SORTS OF RESOURCES. WE DO OFFER LINKAGE TO VOCATIONAL TRAINING , AS WELL AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE TRAINING, WHICH I DISCUSSED BEFORE. ALL OF THOSE PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO ASK -- AND ULTIMATELY REDUCE RECIDIVISM.

>> AND WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN TO INCREASE BUDGET EFFICIENCY AND HAVE ANY COST SAVING MEASURES BEEN

IDENTIFIED? >> TRY TO TOUCH ON A FEW OF THOSE. OBVIOUSLY, OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT INFLATIONARY PRESSURES FROM A LOT OF OUR VENDORS , COSTS HAVE BEEN GROWING. UNFORTUNATELY, I SEE THAT AS A CHALLENGE COMING UP IN FY '25. -- OVER THE NEXT THREE DAYS. WE HAD TO LOOK AT, WE'VE HAD TO PRIORITIZE WHAT SERVICES ARE GOING TO HAVE THE MOST IMPACT FOR THE SAFETY AND WELLNESS OF OUR CLIENTS. THERE ARE SOME THAT MAY BE MORE CRITICAL THAN OTHERS. WE WILL HAVE TO PULL BACK ON SOME THAT WE JUST WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD AT A CERTAIN LEVEL AT SOME POINT. THE RATES GET TOO HIGH. TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT , VERY NEEDED SERVICE. IT'S ABOUT $150 A DAY. 4500 A MONTH. IT USUALLY HAS A STAY OF -- 30 $500,000. -- 30 $500,000. IT'S AN EXPENSIVE SERVICE BUT IT CAN SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE. IT'S VERY CRITICAL. THAT WOULD BE ONE THAT WE PRIORITIZE OVER ONE THAT'S NOT AS URGENT. -- ONCE THE LOWER RISK THAT COULD BE --

IN SOME MANNER. >> AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR BIGGEST BUDGET PRIORITY IS THIS YEAR?

>> WELL THE BIGGEST ONE THIS YEAR, THAT IS BEING ADDED THIS YEAR IS A BIG ONE THAT'S COMING OUT AGAIN. WE SUPPORTED THE LAST ROUND, THAT CAME UP IN OCTOBER OF 2023 AND THEN THE NEXT ROUND IS COMING UP IN OCTOBER OF 2024. THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG CHANGE FOR US THIS YEAR. WE ACTUALLY ALREADY HIRED HALF OF THOSE POSITIONS WHERE WE ARE WERE AWARDED . THAT'S OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW TO GET THAT UP AND RUNNING . TREATMENT SERVICES IS A BIG ONE, AS WELL. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES, HALF OF OUR BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO STAFF .

THE OTHER HALF IS FOR OPERATIONAL COST AND FOR TREATMENT SERVICES. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS BUT THE TREATMENT SERVICES IS ONE THAT I THINK WE

HAVE THE BEST BENEFIT FROM. >> THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> PRECINCT 3, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> TELL ME WHAT CASES ARE IN THE RECORD?

>> THE RICK COURT ACTUALLY HANDLES -- THIRD-DEGREE POSSESSION AS WELL AS FELONY PROSTITUTION CASES. THEY ARE ALL DIRECTLY FILED INTO THE RICK DOCKET.

>> WERE ANY OF THE CASES IN THAT -- DO NOT FILE CASES WITH

THE WARRANTS. >> IT DID A LITTLE BIT LAST

[02:55:01]

DOCKET. >> HOW MANY OF YOUR CASES THAT YOU TALK ABOUT MENTAL DIAGNOSIS, HOW MANY PEOPLE MEET

UNDER THAT QUALIFICATION? >> THERE'S A LOT MORE NEED THAN WE ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND SUPPORT. HOWEVER, IF THE PERSON IS AT THE DUAL DIAGNOSIS PROGRAM .

>> AND THAT IS IN TREATMENT ? >> YES. IT IS .

>> YOU HAVE ANY OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE THAT?

>> YES, SIR. WE HAVE OUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR MEN. WE HAVE A YOUNG MAN ABOUT CHANGE PROGRAM WHICH IS FOR YOUNG MALES. IT'S MORE COGNITIVE THAN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE OUR WOMEN HELPING OURSELVES PROGRAM FOR

WOMEN IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE. >> MANY OF THOSE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO ABLE TO DO THE SAME PROGRAMS THAT YOU ARE HAVING TO -- CALLERS A DAY, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES. >> THANK YOU. NO FURTHER

QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCT 4, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> MY FIRST QUESTION IS REALLY TO DO PROBATION AND FAILURE RATES. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE RIGHT NOW AND HOW THEY HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME AND -- WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT MIGHT BE

DRIVING THAT? >> SURE. SO EVERY TIME SOMEONE IS PLACED ON PROBATION, THAT INFORMATION GOES INTO OUR SYSTEM. IT GOES STRAIGHT TO THE STATE. ANY TIME SOMEONE IS TERMINATED FROM PROBATION, WHETHER SUCCESSFUL OR UNSUCCESSFUL REVOCATION, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, THAT INFORMATION GOES TO THE STATE. SO THE STATE ACTUALLY SENDS OUT A REPORT WITH THOSE REVOCATION RATES. I WOULD SAY OVER TIME IT HAS REMAINED PRETTY STEADY, CERTAINLY DURING COVID WE HAVE LESS PLACEMENTS. THEY HAVE SINCE INCREASED. BUT I CAN CERTAINLY SEND THE REPORT BUT I WOULD SAY OVER TIME, IT'S GENERALLY BEEN ABOUT THE SAME.

>> I GUESS I'M BASICALLY TRYING TO GUESS -- GAUGE THE PRIORITIES ARE REFLECTING THE WAY YOU ARE ABLE TO REDUCE SOME OF THOSE RATES. ANY NUMBERS YOU ARE ABLE TO SEND WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. MY SECOND QUESTION IS YOU OFFER A VARIETY OF SERVICES. IN YOUR OPINION, BASED ON THE DATA YOU BEEN TRACKING, WHICH OF THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS HAVE HAD THE MOST IMPACT ON EITHER REDUCING -- OVERALL REDUCING RACE -- RATES AND ARE WE FOCUSING ON ONE PROGRAM OVER ANOTHER BASED ON

THAT. >> VERY GOOD QUESTION. IT'S HARD TO SAY BECAUSE THEY ARE ALSO, I BELIEVE, THEY ARE ALL VERY IMPORTANT DIFFERENT WAYS. THE RIC DOCKET HITS THE MOST PEOPLE AT ONE TIME VERSUS THE S.T.A.R. PROGRAM. YOU COME INTO THE PROGRAM AND IT'S VERY DIRECT IN TERMS OF TREATMENT. A LITTLE HARD TO SAY, LIKE I SAID, JUST BECAUSE THEY ALL HAVE SUCH DIFFERENT VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY. BUT IN TERMS OF JUST NUMBER, THE RIC DOCKET HAS THE MOST PEOPLE COMING THROUGH IT ON ANY GIVEN DAY. LIKE I SAID, THEY ARE RECEIVING RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES RIGHT AWAY, AS SOON AS THEY COME IN.

IT DOES GIVE US A LITTLE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH CLIENTS RIGHT AWAY, VERSUS ANOTHER PROGRAM WHERE THEY ARE HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THEN COME INTO THE PROGRAM AND IN RIC, THEY ARE ALREADY IN THE PROGRAM.

THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO LEAVE AT ANY TIME. THEY ARE WELCOME TO TRANSFER OUT TO THE OTHER DISTRICT COURTS, BUT WE ARE ABLE TO GET THEM SERVICES MORE QUICKLY THAN I WOULD SAY THAN THE OTHERS, WHICH ARE POST PLEA AND REQUIRE GOING THROUGH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM BEFORE THEY GET THERE.

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> HELLO, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. I WOULD LOVE TO JUST OPEN IT UP IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US ABOUT YOUR ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS, HOW YOU MIGHT PRIORITIZE THEM OR ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT FOR US.

>> I THINK THE ONE THAT I TOUCHED ON IS THE ONE EXTRA ITEM THAT WAS ADDED THIS YEAR, WHICH IS THE NEW DISTRICT COURTS WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT WENT AND ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR ANY EXTRA FUNDING FOR SERVICES THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR MAIN FOCUS RIGHT NOW . OUR GOAL WAS LOOKING AT WHERE CAN WE MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE SERVICES AT THE SAME LEVEL THAT WE ARE OFFERING TODAY . YOU KNOW, GOING BACK TO WHAT I MENTION ABOUT COST

[03:00:05]

>> ABSOLUTELY. I AGREE . I THINK THE ONLY OTHER THING , AND JUST GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS. WE HAVE SEEN A HUGE INCREASE IN DEFENSIBLE USE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN A BIG FOCUS FOR US . WE HAVE IMPLEMENT SOME STRATEGIES IN TERMS OF SUPERVISING CLIENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER. WE'VE HAD SOME GRANTS AND REALLY TRIED TO TACKLE CLIENTS COMING THROUGH OUR SYSTEM THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THAT. WE HAVE, MAYBE IN THE FUTURE, MORE FOR YOU ALL, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE REALLY BEEN PUSHING FOR

THIS PAST YEAR. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WILL

YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME. >> PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, NIGEL WITH -- MY FIRST QUESTION IS, HOW HAS COMMUNITY SUPERVISION TRIED TO ADDRESS INEQUITY IN ITS SYSTEM

? >> SO EVERYONE WHO COMES THROUGH GETS A TEXAS RISK ASSESSMENT SYSTEM ASSESSMENT.

IT HAS BEEN VALIDATED. IT'S UNBIASED AND IT GIVES US A PICTURE OF WHAT THAT CLIENTS NEEDS ARE, TOP TO BOTTOM. IT GIVES RISK BUT IT ALSO TELLS US EVERY SINGLE THING THAT IS NEEDED AND SO OUR STAFF, WHO GO THROUGH CULTURAL SENSITIVITY TRAINING, VERY DIVERSE STAFF, THEY ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THEY DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF MEETING CLIENTS WHERE THEY ARE. JUST REFERENCING , IT'S AN ACTUAL REPORT, IT GIVES US ALL LIKE YOU SAID, TOP TO BOTTOM WITH THE CLIENTS NEEDS. SO WE PRIORITIZE BASED ON THAT, NO MATTER WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE.

IF SOMEBODY'S ON HOUSE, IF THEY ARE NEED OF EDUCATION.

RESOURCES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH, WE HAVE NO DETERMINATION WHO GETS PLACED ON PROBATION BUT ONCE THEY ARE WITH US, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING THEM. WHERE THEY

ARE AND WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WOULD SAY, STAFF RETENTION. THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE ALL STRUGGLED WITH. WE HAVE HAD A BIG PUSH WITH SUPERVISORS AND FRONT-LINE MANAGERS TO REALLY CREATE A TEAMWORK ATMOSPHERE. WE REALLY FOCUS ON WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THAT BENEFITS OUR CLIENTS. AND IT REALLY HELPS THE COMMUNITY.

THAT HAS BEEN THE BIG THING. WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH LOSING STAFF TO ISD. WE HAVE HISTORICALLY HAD COMPARABLE SALARY RANGES. THEY HAVE BREAKS, WE DON'T. WE HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE WITH LEADING STAFF WORK FROM HOME AND RELAXING DRESS CODE. WE HAVE TO RELAX. WE WANTED TO BE A GOOD PLACE TO WORK. THAT HAS BEEN THE MAIN FOCUS. MONEY IS IMPORTANT, IT'S NOT EVERYTHING. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE STAFF, WE HAVE BEEN TAKING STEPS TO DO. THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE

COMBATING. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE NO FURTHER

QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE 1:59 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. PRECINCT 3 YOU HAVE

3:30 REMAINING. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, I TOOK EXTRA TIME IN THE BACK MEETING.

>> YOU HAVE 3:08 REMAINING. >> NO QUESTIONS.

>> YOU HAVE 3:06 REMAINING. COURT OFFICES, DEPUTY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF WORKS, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING

STATEMENT. >> ALL RIGHT. JUST IN CLOSING,

[03:05:06]

TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG. >> THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT. WE WILL NOW HAVE A LUNCH BREAK UNTIL

>>> WELCOME BACK TO THE AFTERNOON SESSION FROM THE SECOND DAY OF BUDGET HEARINGS. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. OUR

[Hospital District]

>> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. I WILL TRY TO NOT TAKE THREE MINUTES. A RECAP ON THE PRESENTATIONS THAT WERE MADE AT THE COMMISSIONERS PORT, THE FY 24 ANTICIPATING THE 3.6% MARGIN. COMPARED TO WHAT WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. 5% OR $20 MILLION. WITH THE SHARE OF THE MONEY FROM THE STATE. ACCORDING TO THAT, WE ANTICIPATE NEXT YEAR, I MARGIN OF 1% OR $29 MILLION WHICH WILL BE $35 MILLION LESS THAN WHAT WE PARTICIPATED -- ANTICIPATED. THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES HUNDRED $60 MILLION IN CAPITAL AND OVER $18 MILLION IN BOND ISSUANCE AT THE INTEREST EXPENSE THAT WE ANTICIPATE FOR NEXT YEAR. SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE HOPE TO UNDERTAKE IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR ARE THE EXPANSION OF THE PHARMACY PROGRAM, HOSPITAL PROGRAM, CREATION OF A NEW EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING TWO ROOMS. EXPANSION OF THE EMERGENCY TELEMEDICINE CENTER. AND SOME NEW INITIATIVES THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO UNDERTAKE, BUDGET PERMITTING IS INCREASING THE WAGES FROM $15 AN HOUR TO MAX $16 PER HOUR WHICH IS THE BEST PRACTICE FOR HOSPITALS AND ALSO EXPANSION OF REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING. AS WELL AS THE -- PROGRAM. I'M GOING TO START RIGHT THERE AS FAR AS MY INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. I'M

HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, DR. PORSA. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOWED 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. WE ALSO HAVE CHIEF BOSQUE WAS ON THE LINE. WE WILL BEGIN WITH PRECINCT 3, YOU HAVE 11

MINUTES. >> PRECINCT 4, YOU ARE UP.

>> MY FIRST QUESTION IS ON THE DEBT CAPACITY. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE DEBT CAPACITY WOULD BE WITH THE $2 MILLION BOND. IF YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT?

>> GO AHEAD, DANIEL, DR. PORSA, WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK. WE ARE WORKING ON THE MANUAL THAT WILL BE TRANSMITTED TO THE OFFICES TOMORROW OR TODAY. WE WANT TO PUT INTO WRITING WHAT WE GOT BACK FROM OUR FINANCIAL ADVISERS. THERE IS DEBT CAPACITY. IT DEPENDS ON HOW AGGRESSIVE WE CAN BE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF LBJ AND THE OTHER PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING ON. IT IS A LOT OF DEBT. WE TALKED BEFORE, 2.5 BILLION WAS NOT THE NUMBER THAT THEY NEEDED. THAT IS WHAT THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH. THIS IS DOUBLE A 1. I DON'T THINK THAT WE CAN

[03:10:05]

WHEN DESIGNS ARE FINISHED AND SHOVELS ARE IN THE GROUND. WE WILL SEE HOW MUCH DEBT IS ISSUED OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. WE STAND BY THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE $23 MILLION. WE WILL WORK WITH HARRIS HEALTH IF THEY DECIDE ON

SOME OTHER NUMBER. >> GREAT, THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING IN ADDITION TO WHAT DANIEL JUST

SAID? ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? >> THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION. MY NEXT ONE IS THAT WE HAVE THROWN AROUND A COUPLE OF NUMBERS ABOUT THE TRUE COST OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE MENTIONED THE ACTUAL PIECE THAT HARRIS HEALTH IS PROVIDING IN SERVICES. THEY ARE PART OF THE

TOTAL. >> I THINK THE FIRST STAB IS HERE. THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT IS BUDGETED IS $133 MILLION. MADE UP OF $100 MILLION IN HARRIS HEALTH COSTS. THERE IS $10 MILLION FOR THE HARRIS CENTER. AND THE OVERAGE WHICH IS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2024 GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR 2025. I BELIEVE, DR. PORSA, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG. THE COST TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES WOULD BE CLOSER TO THE 120 NUMBER. YOU CAN JUMP IN.

>> YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. I SAW THE PROPOSED BUDGET AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THE NUMBER IS $14

MILLION. >> THAT IS CORRECT, $114 MILLION. THAT EXCLUDES THE HARRIS CENTER. THAT IS ALL

HARRIS HEALTH. >> THE PARTS THAT WE KNOW ARE INELIGIBLE ARE THE HARRIS CENTER PORTION. THERE ARE ADDITIONAL ONES. WE ARE LOOKING MORE TOWARDS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TOWARDS HARRIS HEALTH WITH FINALIZING THAT LIST. I DO NOT EXPECT THAT TO BE A GIANT NUMBER.

>> IT'S NOT. IT IS LIKELY A VERY SMALL NUMBER. DID NOT

ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? >> IT DID.

>> MY NEXT IS ON THE MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTALS. AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST UNTIL NOW, THERE WAS AN UPDATE ON THE MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTALS THAT ARE EXPECTED. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE CHANGE WAS AND IF WE EXPECT THAT TO CONTINUE AND

DECREASE IN THE COMING YEARS? >> I WILL TALK ABOUT THAT. I THINK THE TIMING OF THE STATE DISTRIBUTIONS HAS TO DO WITH THE CHANGES. WE HAVE TO GO BACK A COUPLE YEARS WHEN HARRIS HEALTH FOLLOWED HARRIS COUNTY CHANGING THE FISCAL YEAR. BY DOING THAT, WE ARE AT THE VERY END OF THE FISCAL PERIOD WHEN THE STATE IS DISTRIBUTING THE MOST OF THE DISTRIBUTION WHICH IS UNDER COMPENSATED CARE. THE STATE HAS NOT CHANGED THEIR SCHEDULE. WE AS AN ORGANIZATION ARE FOLLOWING A DIFFERENT SCHEDULE. YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS, THE AGENCY THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH, THE SERVICES AGENCY, THEY PUBLISH A SCHEDULE, THEY DID NOT PUBLISH PROJECTIONS. WHEN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFER THAT WE ARE PROVIDING TO THE STATE TO PULL DOWN THE FEDERAL SHARE IS DUE, AT THAT TIME, THE STATE INFORMS US ABOUT THE DEADLINE.

ALSO AT THAT TIME, THEY INFORM US OF THE DISTRIBUTION THAT WILL BE PULLED DOWN WITH FEDERAL SHARES. IN TERMS OF MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING AND ELIGIBLE FOR THE MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTALS BASE, AND SOME -- IS THE

[03:15:03]

THOSE PROJECTIONS ARE MODELS. THEY ARE IMPLYING DISTRIBUTIONS FROM PRIOR YEARS. THE STATE HAS FULL DISCRETION CHANGING AROUND ALLOCATIONS. WHICH AGAIN, WE HAVE NO INFORMATION UNTIL WE GET TO THAT POINT IN TIME IN AUGUST WHICH IS BEYOND ALL OF THE ORIGINAL HEARINGS INCLUDING WITH THE COURT. THAT IS THE BACKDROP THAT WE ALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND. IT HAS COME IN FULL FORCE THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE TO MOVE SOME OF THE DEADLINES OF OUR PRESENTATIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, BASED ON THE REQUEST FROM THE COURT, WE HAVE TO MOVE THE BUDGET WORKSHOP TO MATT AUGUST FIRST. NO INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. WE WILL GIVE THAT INFORMATION TO THE COURT OFFICERS AS WELL. WE WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT UNTIL THE STATE OF TEXAS DECIDES TO CHANGE THE SCHEDULE. OR WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE REALITY THAT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT AND WE WILL BE PULLING FROM THE MODELS. AS WE HAVE INFORMED THE BOARD MULTIPLE TIMES. IT HAS THE IMPACT ON FISCAL 24 AND FISCAL 25. LET ME STOP HERE TO TAKE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS IF THERE ARE ANY.

>> I WANT TO JUMP TO THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN. THERE ARE $51 MILLION ASSOCIATED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN. HOW MUCH OF THAT IS RECURRING EXPENSES VERSUS THE ONE-TIME COST AND IF YOU HAVE PARTICULAR PROJECT YOU WANT TO

HIGHLIGHT ON THAT FRONT? >> THE ONES THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT WERE ALREADY MENTIONED. THOSE WERE FOR THE COST ESTIMATES FOR THE STRATEGIC PLANS. THESE ARE ALL OPERATIONAL. I DON'T THINK ANY OF THEM ARE CAPITAL IN NATURE.

THIS WOULD BE RECURRING EXPENSES. PHARMACY, HOSPITAL AT HOME. EMERGENCY CENTER AND TELEMEDICINE, THESE ARE ALL OPERATIONAL. THEY WILL BECOME RECURRING COSTS. THE COST OF THE EXPANSION OF THE EXISTING INITIATIVE IS $24.1 MILLION.

THE COST OF THE NEW PENDING STRATEGIC INITIATIVE IS $11 MILLION. PUT TOGETHER, IT IS $33 MILLION.

>> OKAY, GREAT. MY LAST QUESTION WAS ON THE NEWLY CREATED STRATEGIC FUND. OUTSIDE OF THE BOND, THERE WERE OTHER REVENUE STREAMS, INCLUDING $10 MILLION FROM THE STRATEGIC FUND. CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT THE $10 MILLION WILL

SUPPORT THIS YEAR? >> IT IS NOT SO MUCH FOR THIS YEAR. DANIEL JUST MENTIONED IT. THE TOTAL COST OF THE STATISTIC FACILITY IS $3.2 BILLION. THERE IS A $700 MILLION GAP THAT WE NEED TO FILL OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. $100 MILLION OF THAT IS SUPPOSED TO COME THROUGH PHILANTHROPY OF A STRATEGIC FUND. THAT IS $3 MILLION PER YEAR TOWARDS THE GAP. ANOTHER $300 MILLION IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS. AND $300 MILLION FROM THE OPERATIONAL COSTS SAVINGS OF $300 MILLION PER YEAR. THAT IS BASICALLY THE FIRST DOWN PAYMENT TO FULFILL THE $300 MILLION FACILITIES PLAN. THE SHORTER ONE.

>> I AM OUT OF TIME. THANK YOU ALL.

[03:20:01]

>> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL FOR ENSURING THE SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING OF EVERYONE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE APPRECIATE IT. I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE TAX RATE AS IT RELATES TO ALL OF YOUR OPERATIONS. LOOKING BACK TO FY 2015 YOU DID NOT HAVE A TAX RATE SET UP IN ANY OF THOSE YEARS EXCEPT FOR FY 2020. THIS YEAR, YOU WILL HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST PROPOSED MARGINS. IN TERMS OF SIZE. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> 2015 WAS CLOSED TO THE VAR. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY VAR RATES SET SINCE 2015 INTO THE CURRENT PERIOD AND WE WILL LOOK BACK.

WE HAVE NOT REQUESTED THAT INFORMATION BACK FOR 2015.

>> AWESOME. THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF TAX RATES FOR HARRIS HEALTH. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT ANY POSSIBLE HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES THAT MIGHT BE EXACERBATED IF YOU DO NOT SET THE TAX RATE AT THE VR. YOU WILL PRODUCE A $29 MILLION MARGIN. CAN YOU SPEAK

ABOUT THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO. YOU ARE CORRECT. THOSE ARE THE POINTS I AM TRYING TO MAKE AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE CURRENTLY FACING, OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, HARRIS HEALTH HAS HAD TWO KNOWN REVENUES. IT HAS REDUCED THE BASE TAX RATE.

TODAY, IF THE COURT WAS GOING TO CHOOSE, YOU WOULD BE CORRECT. WE ARE LOOKING AT A MARGIN OF $29 MILLION. THAT IS THE END RESULT OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO US SINCE 2015 AND MOST DRAMATICALLY, OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, AS A HOSPITAL, WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO INCREASE REVENUE THROUGH NEGOTIATING WITH HIGHER INSURANCE PLANS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AS A SAFETY NET HOSPITAL, WE HAVE A SET REVENUE SOURCE. UNCOMPENSATED CARE AND THE LITTLE THAT WE GET FROM FOLKS THAT HAVE A HIGH RATIO.

WHAT THAT MEANS TO US, WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MARGIN TO PUT BACK INTO INVESTING IN OUR CAPITAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS AND THE END RESULT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY. INFRASTRUCTURE IS FALLING APART. WE WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO INVEST IN CONTINUING SERVICES AND EXPANDING SERVICES. FOR A SAFETY NET HOSPITAL, THAT IS A LIFELINE. WHAT IF THE MARGIN IS NOT MET? WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS. THE ONLY OPTION AT THAT POINT IS CUTTING SERVICES OR CUTTING ACCESS FOR BOTH.

THAT HAS TO DO WITH A SHORTFALL, MAYBE. IT IS A SIMPLE THING FOR A FOR PROFIT HOSPITAL.

>> CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE, CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER CORRECTIONAL COSTS OVER TO HARRIS HEALTH. I LOOK AT THE 2018 HMA REPORT, THE WAY THAT THEY PROPOSE FINANCING THIS WAS THAT THE COUNTY WOULD GIVE A SET AMOUNT TO HARRIS HEALTH TO OPERATE SOME OF THESE COSTS. WHEN COMMISSIONERS COURT DECIDED TO TAKE THIS ON, THE FORMER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAD MENTIONED WE WILL PURSUE THIS THROUGH AN ILA. WHY DID WE DECIDE TO DO THIS THROUGH ILA INSTEAD OF INCORPORATING THIS INTO THE TAX RATE AT THAT TIME?

>> THAT WILL BE TWO SEPARATE QUESTIONS. GO AHEAD.

[03:25:02]

>> WHY DID WE DO THIS THROUGH THE ILA BESIDE THE TAX

ADJUSTMENT? >> YES.

>> THE HMA THAT YOU TALK ABOUT, AND THROUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BEST OPTION OR APPROACH WOULD BE THROUGH THE ILA. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE ADJUSTED TAX RATE, THIS HAPPENED IN THE BACKGROUND TWICE. IN A MATTER OF THREE YEARS. THE TAX ADJUSTMENT FOR HEALTHCARE, THAT IS OUT OF THE QUESTION AT THAT POINT. ILA SEEMED LIKE THE ONLY LOGICAL APPROACH.

>> DO YOU MIND COMMENTING ON THE PROPOSALS THAT COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT? WHEN IT COMES TO THE COST?

>> TRANSFERRING THE BUDGET SOLELY TO HARRIS HEALTH, IS

THAT YOUR QUESTION? >> JUST FOR CONTEXT, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING DIRECTLY TO TO HARRIS HEALTH. THE BUDGET INCLUDES THE OVERAGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 FOR WHICH WE WILL FINISH IN FISCAL YEAR 2025. THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE FULL EXPENSE OVER TO THE TAX RATE.

>> TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DO NOT FEEL LIKE I AM QUALIFIED.

IF IT WAS ABOUT SPECIFIC ITEMS LIKE THAT, I WOULD FEEL MORE

QUALIFIED. >> SPEAKING ON THAT, WOULD YOU COMMENT ON ANY IMPROVEMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO EFFICIENCIES? WHEN IT COMES TO A CT SCAN OR MAMMOGRAM? OR ANY EFFICIENCIES THAT HAVE FLOWN OVER TO THE OPERATIONS?

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL TO GO WITH THE C.A.T. SCAN TRAILER HERE ON SITE. HE HAS THE METRICS. HAVING TO TRANSPORT INMATES, THAT DECREASED. MULTIPLE AREAS OF THAT. TO TAKE THE PATIENT OUT TO DO A C.A.T. SCAN, THEY ARE OUT OF THE COMPLEX AREA FOR SEVERAL HOURS. VERSUS THE SETTING HERE. WE HAVE METRICS ON THAT. AGAIN, THERE ARE MULTIPLE IMPACTS ON THE C.A.T.

SCAN. OTHER SERVICES WE HAVE SEEN INCREASED THROUGH THE QUALITY OF CARE. WE ARE WORKING WITH HARRIS HEALTH WITH SOME OF THE SPECIALTY SERVICES THEY HAVE BROUGHT ONLINE. IN ORDER TO FOCUS ON THIS FACILITY. WHEN IT COMES TO DIABETIC PATIENTS.

THEY HAVE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MEDICAL CARE. ALSO WITH PREGNANCY FEMALE AREAS. WE HAVE SEEN INCREASED EFFICIENCY THERE CLOSE TO MATT MEDICAL. THOSE BRING IN THE SPECIALTY GROUP OF THE LARGE HOSPITAL GROUP LIKE THAT. TRANSPORTING LESS. IT IS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CARE. THOSE ARE SPECIFIC ITEMS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I APPRECIATE IT, I WANT TO

RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME. >> JUST TO ADD NUMBERS TO THE CAT CAN INITIATIVE. WE DO 80 PER MONTH HERE ON SITE. IF IT IS SIX HOURS PER C.A.T. SCAN, THAT IS $600 PER MONTH THAT IS BEING SAVED AND ALLOWS THEM TO STAY INSIDE THE FACILITIES.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 1 YOU WILL HAVE 11

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> NICE TO SEE YOU ALL

[03:30:03]

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW? THERE IS SOME OVERHEAD THAT WE ARE NOT COUNTING RIGHT NOW. AND THE LEADERSHIP TIME THIS GOES WITHOUT PROVIDING ENOUGH CARE. MINUS THE $23 MILLION SHORTFALL, I WOULD SAY THAT AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A HIT ON THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. I WILL FOLLOW UP AND SAY THAT WHEN THE QUESTION WAS ASKED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF TRANSFERRING THE COST OF HEALTHCARE, JUST NEXT YEAR. I KNOWING THAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING $500 MILLION. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A $75 MILLION SHORTFALL. THAT GOES BACK TO THE QUESTION THAT WAS ASKED PREVIOUSLY. THAT MEANS REDUCING SERVICES, REDUCING ACCESS, OR BOTH.

>> OKAY, MY FOLLOW-UP WAS, WHAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE?

>> ALL MY LORD. THAT WILL BE MORE THAN 11 MINUTES. LET ME TOUCH ON SOME OF THE HIGH-LEVEL STUFF. YOU KNOW, TEXAS JAIL STANDARDS THAT HAVE TO BE MET. I'M TRYING TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

I'M TRYING TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WERE NOT BEING DONE FOR WHATEVER REASON. THAT WAS THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS. BRINGING THE JAIL UP TO THE MINIMUM STANDARDS. THAT WAS DONE. THERE IS ALSO THE NATIONAL COMMISSIONER HEALTHCARE STANDARDS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE GENEROUS. STANDARDS THAT TAXES COMMISSIONERS HAVE. WE ARE NOW UP TO THAT LEVEL AS WELL. THOSE ARE THINGS LIKE BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE TO THE INMATES WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE FACILITY IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVING AT THE FACILITY. GETTING THOSE IN FRONT OF THE DOCKET. IN A REASONABLE TIME. REASONABLE TIME IS 24 HOURS.

THAT IS BEST IN CLASS IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE. BEING ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE INMATE REQUEST.

IT REQUIRES A RESPONSE IN 24 HOURS. THAT IS HAPPENING NOW.

99% OF THE TIME. THAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. I WAS NOT HAPPENING BEFORE. THE MINIMUM STANDARD REQUIRES A SCREENING WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF THE INMATE ARRIVING WITHIN THE JAIL. THAT IS NOW HAPPENING WITHIN THREE DAYS. PREVIOUS TO 2022, WHEN HARRIS HEALTH TOOK OVER FOR HEALTHCARE, THIS WAS SIMPLY NOT HAPPENING. NOTHING WAS BEING DONE. IT'S NOT THAT IT WAS BEING DONE LATE, NOTHING WAS BEING DONE. THERE WAS NO TRAINING, THERE WAS NO DATA. IF YOU WERE TO ASK ME, HELEN WAS A DATING FOR A D10 A -- DETAINEE, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. I DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. THAT DATA WAS NOT BEING CAPPED. TO SAY THAT THE QUALITY OF CARE AND PROCESSES ON THE CALL, IF YOU ARE GOING TO DISPUTE EVERYTHING IS GOING TO SAY, THE POLITY OF CARE COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS, THAT WOULD BE AN

UNDERSTATEMENT. >> UNDERSTOOD. DO YOU HAVE

SOMETHING TO ADD? >> I HAVE PLAYED TWO DIFFERENT

[03:35:01]

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. I KNOW THE INITIAL DISCUSSION WAS HARRIS HEALTH TAKING IT OVER. THEY TYPICALLY HAVE OTHER COUNTIES AROUND, MINUS A FEW. THE COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM WILL MANAGE IT. I APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWERS ON THAT. I WAS LOOKING, YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE ANSWER TODAY, THIS IS TO SPIN OFF OF THAT. I WAS LOOKING AT THE STUDY FROM 2018 WHICH I KNOW, THAT WAS SO LONG AGO. MOST OF THE PEOPLE HERE WERE NOT HERE. I KNOW THAT MIKE WAS HERE WHEN THEY MADE THE FIRST REVIEW AND CORRECTIONAL HEALTH COST $70 MILLION. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO REDUCE COST. LIFE IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS IN 2018. I WANT TO KEEP MONITORING THE COST AND HOW IT IS HELPING TO REDUCE COST. I DID WANT TO NOTE THAT. DR. PORSA, WE TALKED ABOUT YOUR FISCAL YEAR SURPLUS AND MARGIN. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE BUDGET SURPLUS WAS FOR THE LAST THREE FISCAL YEARS. DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE LAST THREE? THAT IS WHY I AM ASKING ABOUT THAT.

>> THAT WAS A LITTLE MISLEADING. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COVID YEARS. WHAT HAPPENED, EVERY PENSION WAS LIKE HAVING A PRIVATE PATIENT. THE LAST THREE YEARS IT IS NOT DIFFICULT. WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK, FURTHER THAN THE LAST THREE YEARS. I'M LOOKING AT -- MAYBE THAT IS TOO FAR. I WILL DO IT. IN 2014, $22 MILLION IN THE HOLE. $17 MILLION IN THE HOLE. 1% MARGIN SURPLUS. 1.8%. $24 MILLION. JUST FOLLOWING THE YEAR, 2018. IN 2019, THE $25 MILLION MARGIN. IN 2020, 5.3%.

21 AND 22 WERE THE COVID YEARS. LET ME PREFACE THAT. 2021 WAS 15%. 2022 WAS 12.6%. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT. IN THE YEAR OF 2022, -13.5%. $150 MILLION SHORTFALLS. THAT IS

[03:40:03]

2025, 1% MARGIN. YES, IN '21 AND '22 WE HAD DOUBLE DIGIT MARGINS BECAUSE THAT WAS JUST THE APPEARANCE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. OUR MARGINS ARE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 1% TO 5% ON A GOOD HERE. AND A NEGATIVE MARGIN ON A TERRIBLE YEAR.

>> I WILL HOLD MY 20 SECONDS. THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 2 YOU WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE.

GOOD AFTERNOON TO DR. PORSA AND ALL OF YOUR TEAM. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS , STARTING OUT. WHAT INTERNAL MECHANISMS ARE IN PLACE TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY WITHIN HARRIS

HEALTH? >> I WILL ANSWER SOMETHING AND THEN YOU CAN ALSO CHIME IN. WE ARE THE ONLY HEALTH SYSTEM THAT PUBLISHES THE MONTHLY BUDGET YEAR TO DATE ONLINE. YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO ON OUR WEBSITE AND LOOK AT A DETAILED BUDGET, MONTH TO MONTH FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. IN ADDITION TO THAT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, ALL OF THE BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ARE OPEN MEETINGS AND WE GO INTO DETAILS ABOUT OUR BUDGET. OUR BUDGET BOOK IS AN OPEN BOOK TO THE COURT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. I CANNOT IMAGINE A MORE TRANSPARENT SYSTEM THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE. I WILL NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR IT.

THESE FOLKS GET ALL OF THE CREDIT FOR THAT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY CLARIFICATION YOU WANTED TO PUT TOWARDS THAT QUESTION. NOT ONLY DO WE PUBLISH THE MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WE ALSO PUBLISH ALL OF THE AUDIT REPORTS AT LEAST 10 YEARS BACK THAT ARE NOT JUST IN THE SYSTEM IN AND OF ITSELF. WE ALSO HAVE ALL OF THE REPORTS FOR THE GRANT PROGRAMS, THE PENSION FUND, 401(K). THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT IS PUBLICLY FACING THAT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPARENCY PURPOSES.

>> THANK YOU. MOVING ON, THIS IS A DIFFERENT TOPIC. ARE THERE ANY TECHNOLOGIES OR TOOLS WITH A SMALL INVESTMENT COULD IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OR REDUCE COST?

>> THAT IS A VERY OPEN QUESTION. NEW TECHNOLOGIES AS IF A SMALL COST WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT. I'M NOT SURE HOW

TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. >> ALL RIGHT. WE CAN MOVE ON.

WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE BUDGET

PRIORITIES? >> SERVICE AND ACCESS. NUMBER ONE HAND TWO. SERVICE AND ACCESS. WE HAVE A PLAN THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING. THOSE PLANS ARE MEANT TO HIGHLIGHT AND GUIDE US TOWARDS EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE AND SERVICES.

>> THAT MAKES SENSE. NEXT, WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN TO INCREASE THE BUDGETARY EFFICIENCY AND HOW MANY COST-SAVING MEASURES HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL?

>> I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE REST OF THE LEADERS. HARRIS HEALTH DOES NOT GET CREDIT FOR THE AMAZING JOB THAT IS BEING DONE CONTROLLING OUR COSTS AND

[03:45:04]

DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE SPENDING UPWARDS OF -- PER MONTH. WE DECIDED A YEAR AGO TO MAKE IT A STRATEGIC PRIORITY TO REDUCE ALLIANCE ON CONTRACT LABOR. WE OVERSHOT OUR GOAL BY REDUCING THE CONTRACT LABOR TREMENDOUSLY. SAVING THE COUNTY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE TURNOVER RATE FOR NURSES IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND ALSO THE AVERAGE IN THIS COMMUNITY, IN HOUSTON. WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF NONVERBAL -- NOT FOR PROFIT NURSES THAT WE PAY MORE THAN WE NEED TO, IT IS AMAZING THAT STAFF HAS STAYED HERE. WE WANTED TO GO TO PEOPLE THAT SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN I MEET OTHER CEOS OF HOSPITAL SYSTEMS IN TEXAS, THAT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN DALLAS OR SAN ANTONIO OR EL PASO. THEY ARE SUFFERING THE HIGH COST OF TRAVEL AGENCY NURSES. THAT IS ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE ABOUT HOW WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE OUR BUDGET AND REDUCE THE COST OF

CARE FOR THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THAT IS THE END OF OUR QUESTIONS FOR TODAY. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE. >> PRECINCT 3 YOU WILL HAVE 11

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> IF YOU ARE TALKING, WE

CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. DR. PORSA AND STAFF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE WORKING ON THIS. HOW LONG HAS HARRIS HEALTH BE IN THE JAIL?

>> WE GOT TO THIS POINT, WAS IT NOT ANTICIPATED OR DISCUSSED THAT WE WOULD GET TO THIS FINANCIAL DILEMMA?

>> NO SIR, NEVER. >> THANK YOU. DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS WAS THERE A CONSIDERATION FOR STAFF REDUCTIONS, SURGE REDUCTIONS, AND SALARY REDUCTIONS?

>> NO SIR. THAT WAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT COST REDUCTION. THE SECOND THAT HAPPENED AT HARRIS HEALTH, AS FAR AS REDUCING THE RELIANCE ON CONTRACT LABOR, THAT IS NOW HAPPENING AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. IT IS IMPORTANT WITH WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN THERE. LIKE ANY ENDEAVOR, THERE IS A STARTUP COST. IN ADDITION TO THE INFLATION THAT HAS BEEN SEVERE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR.

ESPECIALLY INSIDE THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL HEALTHCARE PROGRAM, THERE IS A STARTUP COST FOR US TO GO IN THERE. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, MORE THAN 60% OF THE STAFF INSIDE THE JAIL WERE CONTACTED LABOR. THAT IS SIX OUT OF 10 PEOPLE THAT WE ARE PAYING EXTRA COSTS BECAUSE OF THE AGENCY. IT TAKES A WHILE FOR US TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE THAT WE NEED IN TERMS OF NURSES AND PROVIDERS TO REDUCE THAT COST. WE HAVE TO REDUCE TO CONTRACTING WITH PROVIDED HEALTH CARE TO BRING IN ENOUGH PROVIDERS FOR US TO ACHIEVE THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED AND THE EFFICIENCIES THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED THAT YOU HEARD FROM CHIEF -- THAT CONTRACTED WORK ENDED LAST MONTH. WE CAN NOW DO NOT

[03:50:05]

>> YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT

SERVICE REDUCTIONS? >> I WAS TALKING ABOUT HARRIS HEALTH. I HAVE SAID THIS AT THE COURT. IF HARRIS HEALTH WAS PUSHED TO THE POINT, IN REALITY, FACING AN $80 MILLION SHORTFALL, AT THAT POINT, ALL BETS ARE OFF. YES, WE WOULD BE FORCED TO REDUCE SERVICES AND ACCESS AND REDUCING SERVICES AND ACCESS WILL NOT JUST INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO INCLUDE INSIDE THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. IT WOULD ONLY BE FAIR. I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL NOT BE PUT IN THAT

SITUATION. >> HOPEFULLY NOT. NEXT QUESTION, IN REFERENCE TO YOUR FACILITIES, AS PART OF YOUR BUDGET, WOULD YOU KNOW THE PERCENTAGE FOR PREVENTING

MAINTENANCE? >> THAT WOULD BE $160 MILLION.

THE MAJORITY OF THAT WOULD BE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THIS. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE HAVE FACED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IS THE COST OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE WILL NOT MAKE REGARDING TAX RATES AND THE ANNUAL MARKETS.

>> CORRECT. I WANT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN THE BUDGET FOR PREVENTING MAINTENANCE MOVING FORWARD.

>> ABSOLUTELY, YES. >> YOU MENTIONED TELEMEDICINE,

DOES NOT SAVE US MONEY? >> YES, IT DOES.

>> WILL YOU INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TELEMEDICINE THAT IS

PROVIDED TO THE CONSTITUENTS? >> AS A MATTER OF FACT, ON FRIDAY, WE ARE PRESENTING THE VIRTUAL CARE PLATFORM TO THE REST OF THE HOSPITALS IN TEXAS. TO LISTEN TO OUR PROGRAMS AND OTHER PROGRAMS. IT DOES SAVE MONEY. IN ADDITION TO THAT, IT ALSO ADDS SAFETY. YOU CAN REMIND ME, WHAT DO WE HAVE IN

THE JAIL? >> WE CURRENTLY HAVE THREE. WE ARE ADDING TWO MORE. NOT ONLY IN SPECIALTY SERVICES. WE HAVE BUILDINGS TO MINIMIZE TRAFFIC WITHIN THE BUILDINGS.

>> INSIDE THE ENVIRONMENT, IT IS ADDING SAFETY. BY NOT TRANSFERRING INMATES IN AND OUT. MY NOT HAVING INMATES TRANSFERRED TO LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE JAIL.

>> THANK YOU. ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS. MILLIONS HAVE BEEN SPENT ON ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS.

>> ON THE ANNUAL BASIS, YES, WE ARE.

>> THAT WILL NEVER GO AWAY? >> NOT UNLESS WE GO BACK TO

PAPER. >> TO IMPLEMENT AND START THE

PROGRAMS. >> YES. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SPEND ON IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM. WHAT A COST RIGHT NOW IS THE UPKEEP OF THE PROGRAM. CYBER SECURITY THREATS, INCLUDING ALL OF THE CAPABILITIES THAT THE HEALTH RECORD CAN PROVIDE. THAT IS NOT THE SAME THING AS 10 YEARS AGO, FIVE YEARS AGO. THAT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE EVERY YEAR AND REQUIRES UPKEEP FOR US TO STAY AT THE COMPETITIVE LEVEL.

[03:55:01]

>> WHAT IS THE COST PER DAY? AT HARRIS HEALTH?

>> I HAVE NO IDEA, LAWRENCE. >> I WANTED TO COMPARE TO ALL OF THE HOSPITALS AND WHAT IT COST TO OPERATE.

>> A HOSPITAL BED. OH, YES. >> I'M SORRY, I MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU WERE ASKING. I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, I WAS ASKED TO THIS QUESTION. THE BEST EXAMPLE I CAN GIVE YOU, ARE THE COMMENTS BOTH PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY INCLUDING, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THAT IS THE DISEASE THAN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PAY FOR.

WE PROVIDE A CHEAPER SERVICE THAN ANY OTHER HOSPITALS IN OUR AREA. FOR PNEUMONIA, HEART ATTACK, WHATEVER. YOU NAME IT.

THE COST OF CARE IS LESS THAN WHAT IT IS AT ANY OF THE OTHER

HOSPITALS. >> I HAVE TWO MINUTES ON TWO MORE QUESTIONS. AT ONE POINT, THERE WAS AN INITIATIVE TO SEEK AND HAVE PRIVATE PAY PATIENTS. IS THAT STILL THE INITIATIVE?

HOW IS IT GOING? >> THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE INITIATIVE SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. THERE IS A STATUTORY MANDATE. I THINK BECAUSE OF THE CAPACITY ISSUE, WE CANNOT CARE ADEQUATELY FOR THE PATIENTS THAT NEED AND DESERVE OUR CARE.

FOR ME TO BE CONTEMPLATING GOING AFTER PRIVATE CARE PATIENTS, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN MY STRATEGY.

>> I THINK, CORRECT ME IF I AM INTERPRETING THE QUESTION DIFFERENTLY. IN THIS QUESTION, WE MIGHT ACTUALLY TOUCH UPON THE COMMERCIAL POPULATION OF THE RESERVE WITH A COMMERCIAL POPULATION IN GENERAL. MOST OF THE COMMERCIAL POPULATION IS MARKETPLACE PATIENTS. IF THAT IS WHY YOU ARE ASKING, WE HAVE INVESTED IN THIS PROGRAM AND WE ARE PARTNERING WITH OUR HEALTH PLAN ON SUPPORTING THAT PROGRAM. THE MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN AND NOW IT HAS DECREASED LIKE IT HAS ELSEWHERE IN THE MARKET DUE TO MAC MEDICAID ROLLS. THIS IS A VERY STRONG AND ROBUST PROGRAM, CURRENTLY FOR HARRIS HOUSE. IT DOES NOT PROVIDE ONLY BENEFIT TO THE PATIENTS BY GIVING THEM THE INSURANCE AND ACCESS THAT WAS SUBSIDIZED THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

THEY CAN GO THROUGH OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HOUSTON AREA THAT HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE, SO TO SPEAK. THEY GET REIMBURSED BY THAT PROGRAM AS WELL. IT HAS BEEN BENEFICIAL TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. I HOPE I INTERPRETED YOUR QUESTION CORRECTLY IN THAT WAY.

>> THANK YOU, I AM OUT OF TIME.

>> PRECINCT 4 YOU HAVE NO TIME REMAINING. COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU HAVE 1:18 REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION TO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICES THAT YOU ALL PROVIDE. CAN YOU ESTIMATE THE MAGNITUDE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO TURN AWAY OR THAT MIGHT HAVE LESS ACCESS TO HEALTH IF HARRIS HEALTH WAS ASKED TO TAKE ON A BUDGET THAT YOU CANNOT HANDLE. CAN YOU GIVE US AN ESTIMATE IN THE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS

WOULD NOT GET CARE? >> SURE. RIGHT NOW, THE ESTIMATE WOULD BE -- AND AGAIN, EVERY ESTIMATE SUGGESTS THAT HALF OF THE PATIENTS ARE UNINSURED. 135,000 PEOPLE WHO

[04:00:01]

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 1 YOU HAVE '22 SECONDS REMAINING FOR

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> I AM THE ADVISER HERE, NO

FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, ORT OFFICERS. AT THIS TIME, DR. PORSA, YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING

REMARKS. >> I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE STAFF FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SHARE WITH YOU A GLIMPSE OF OUR BUDGET. I WANT TO GO BACK TO WHAT VICTORIA SAID AT THE END IN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION. THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM VICTORIA. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO EXPAND ON WHAT VICTORIA SAID. WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MANAGING OUR COST AND ASSISTING WITH REVENUE, IT WAS INCREASING THE INSURED PATIENT POPULATION BY HARRIS HEALTH TALKING ABOUT RESIDENCE OF HARRIS COUNTY GETTING ACCESS TO THE MARKETPLACE, AS YOU HEARD FROM VICTORIA, THAT HAS BROUGHT FINANCIAL BENEFIT TO HARRIS HEALTH, THERE IS A BENEFIT FROM THE MEDICAL CENTER. OUR MISSION AND STRATEGIC PRIORITY IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND SERVICES. WE DID THAT, THAT'S GREAT. IF THEY GOT ACCESS TO SERVICES SOMEWHERE ELSE, THAT'S GREAT

AS WELL. >> THANK YOU DR. PORSA AND TO THE ENTIRE HARRIS HEALTH

[District Clerk]

>>> WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE. WE ARE JOINED BY CLERK MARILYN BURGESS. WE WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT. YOU CAN BEGIN WHEN YOU ARE READY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE IS AN INTEGRAL PART IN HARRIS COUNTY. OVER 100 COURTS AND DOCKETS WITH OVER 560 PEOPLE. WE MANAGE ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROCESS FROM INITIATING CASES AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO HANDLING POSTTRIAL ACTIVITIES. WE COLLECT ALL FEES AND FINES FOR THIS COURT. WE HAVE A REGISTRY WITH $130 MILLION WITH OVER 12,000 CUSTODIAL ACCOUNTS. THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS REQUESTED THREE OF THE REQUESTS. THREE NEW FELONY COURTS, PERSONNEL TO IMPLEMENT THE MANDATE TO REQUIRE US TO DISPERSE RESTITUTION PAYMENTS AND TO SUPPORT THE FOUR NEW MAGISTRATES THAT WERE SET UP FOR THIS COURT LAST YEAR. WE HAVE MORE THAT ARE EQUALLY CRITICAL. WE HAVE MET WITH EACH OF THE OFFICES FOR THE REQUEST AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE PRIORITIES TO YOU TODAY.

THE NUMBER ONE REQUEST IS TO TRANSFER FUNDED POSITIONS TO THE GENERAL FUND BECAUSE ARPA FUNDING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO US. INCLUDING 12 NEW COURT CLERKS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED JUDGES AND SIX EMERGENCY DOCKETS. THESE WERE CREATED TO WORK ON A CRIMINAL BACKLOG WHICH IS STILL AN OBVIOUS NEED.

THEY CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT 16 POSITIONS. WE HAVE FOUR POSITIONS WORKING ON SOLUTIONS TO INCREASE EFFICIENCIES. 10 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND WE HAVE ONLY GOTTEN TO MY FOUR OF THEM. TO COMPLETE THESE PROJECTS, THEY MUST BE COMPLETED THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE

[04:05:03]

>> EACH COURT OFFICE WILL GET FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS

BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 4. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND WALKING US THROUGH YOUR REQUEST. I JUST WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND GET A SENSE OF WHAT WOULD BE THE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OVER THE NEXT 2-3 YEARS. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE EMPHASIZED WITH OTHER SIMILAR PRIORITIES OF THE OFFICE OVER

THE NEXT FEW YEARS? >> STAFF IS THE TOP PRIORITY.

THE BIGGEST AREAS WHERE WE HAVE TURNOVER IS IN THE CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM. THEY REPRESENT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE OPEN POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE. THEIR JOBS ARE HARD. THEY ARE HIGH-VOLUME AND THEY DEAL WITH DIFFICULT SITUATIONS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. THE TURNOVER IS THE HIGHEST IN THE ORGANIZATION. THESE POSITIONS WE ARE LOOKING FOR TO TAKE OFF THE IMAGING FUNCTION FOR THEM, THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT WORK. THOSE CLERKS ARE HAVING TO STAY LATE EVERY DAY. WHEN THE COORDINATOR GOES HOME, THE BAILIFF GOES HOME, THE CLERK HAS TO STAY UNTIL IT IS FINISHED. WE ARE BURNING THEM OUT. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THAT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, THAT WAS HELPFUL. THERE ARE 16 POSITIONS TO SUPPORT THE DOCKET. WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW WHAT THE BREAKDOWN IS FOR THOSE DOCKETS?

>> THERE ARE SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND SIX DOCKETS.

>> FOR THESE DOCKETS, DO WE KNOW IF YOU WILL GET ALL OF THE SUPPORT STAFF FOR THESE DOCKETS INCLUDING THE OTHER AGENCIES

FOR WHAT THE COST MIGHT BE? >> WE WILL FOLLOW-UP.

>> MY NEXT QUESTION, THERE WAS AN OUTREACH PLAN MARKED BY A VENDOR. CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT THE IMPACT OF THAT PROGRAM WAS. AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND IT,

WHAT WOULD THAT PROVIDE? >> WE DID THE OUTREACH CAMPAIGN IN 2024 AND WE DID A RECAP OF IT HERE IN THIS COURTROOM. IT HAD SOME IMPACT. THE JURY APPEARANCE RATE HAD DROPPED TO A LOW OF 14%. WHAT DATA HAS REFLECTED IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO GET PAID, THEY DO NOT KNOW THAT IT HAS GONE UP. THAT HAS NOT HAD THE IMPACT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT HAVE. WE WILL HAVE TO GET THE WORD OUT

[04:10:06]

SHOT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>> YOU NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> I AM WITH THE COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO THE COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF THAT LAST QUESTION. WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH ARE YOU

CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN? >> ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE HAVE DONE IS THE ELECTRONIC SUMMONS PROCESS WHICH ALLOWS US TO SEND OUT REMINDERS THE DAY BEFORE. TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE JURY SERVICE COMING UP. THIS IS WHAT TO EXPECT. THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR. DON'T BRING THESE ITEMS. AND THEN WE SEND ANOTHER EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGE THE DAY BEFORE THE SERVICE.

AGAIN, WE ALL LIVE FAST-PACED LIVES. YOU CAN FORGET IF YOU DO NOT HAVE IT ON YOUR CALENDAR. THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF IT. IT ALLOWS US TO ALSO SHOW IF WE DO NOT HAVE A REQUEST, WE CAN CANCEL SOME OF THEM. THOSE THAT APPEAR, WE HAVE NOT REACHED CAPACITY YET. AND STILL, WITH THE ONES THAT ARE THERE, WE ARE DISMISSING 30% OF THEM FROM THE JURY ROOM BECAUSE THERE IS NO REQUEST FOR THEM. WE HAVE TO GET BETTER AT MANAGING THOSE NUMBERS AND GET THE JUDGES TO AGREE TO LET US CONTROL THOSE NUMBERS AND FACTOR IN THE DATA THAT SHOWS US THAT 30% OF THEM GOT CANCELED THE DAY OF. WE NEED TO FACTOR THAT INTO THE NUMBER WE ARE CANCELING THE NIGHT BEFORE.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO LET THEM KNOW, AS I WAS SAYING, WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW UP, YOU NEED A JURY THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU. THAT IS AN ISSUE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND IN ETHNIC DIVERSITY. WE HAVE CLOSED THE GAP WITH THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. WE ARE CLOSE TO IT BEING MORE REFLECTIVE THAN IN THE PAST. WE HAVE REDUCED THE DEFICIT BY ABOUT 3%. WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT GOING TO THEIR MAILBOXES.

WE HAVE INNOVATIVE WAYS TO REACH OUT TO THEM. WE JUST POSTED AN AD TARGETING YOUNG PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ANSWER AND SHOW UP AND I YOU WILL GET PAID FOR IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WOULD LOVE IF YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE NEED FOR MORE POSITIONS ON THE IMAGING TEAM AND HOW THIS IS RELATIVE TO YOUR OTHER REQUESTS.

>> WE HAVE STILL NOT GOTTEN APPROVED. IN THE FELONY COURTS, THEY DO NOT HAVE TO DO THAT FUNCTION. THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS DO. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MANPOWER IN THE IMAGING DEPARTMENT TO COVER PICKING UP THE 16 COURTS. THERE ARE 16 MISDEMEANOR COURTS, THEY SPEND 1-2 HOURS PER DAY AT THE END OF THEIR SHIFT WHICH MEANS THAT THEY CANNOT LEAVE UNTIL IT IS DONE. THIS IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TURNOUT. THEY HAVE HIGHER VOLUME THAN FELONY COURTS. THERE IS A LOT MORE GOING ON.

THE VOLUME IS SUCH THAT IT IS STRESSING THEM OUT TO GET THEIR DUTIES DONE AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE A STACK THAT YOU HAVE TO IMAGE BEFORE YOU CAN GO. THAT IS THE TOP PRIORITIES. WE HAVE ASKED FOR IT FOR YEARS AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING IT. IT IS A SMALL DOLLAR AMOUNT WE

[04:15:05]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> PRECINCT 1 YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN, IS THERE A BREAKDOWN OF WORK FOR THE REQUESTED CLERK POSITIONS AND THE DOCKETS MEANING, DO THE CLERKS GET ASSIGNED ONE OR THE OTHER? IS IT A SHARED WORK?

>> IT IS WHERE THE EMPLOYEES GO BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER FUNCTIONS IN THOSE COURTS. JURY SELECTION DOES NOT GO IN THERE.

THE NEW COURT CLERKS ARE ASSIGNED INTO THAT. NEXT IS THE MANAGER OF THE CRIMINAL COURTS WHO CAN GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING DIFFERENT FROM STATUTORY COURTS IF THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE ASKING.

>> THAT IS THE QUESTION. CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH HOW THE STAFFING ACCOUNTS FOR EACH COURT ARE DETERMINED?

>> WE HAVE A LEAD CLERK IN EACH COURTROOM. THAT IS WHO IS IN THE COURTROOM. THE ASSISTANT CLERK IS BEHIND THE SCENES DOING THE INBOX AND ACCEPTING FILINGS, THAT SORT OF THING.

EACH ONE OF THOSE COURTS HAVE THE TWO CLERKS ASSIGNED TO

THEM. >> THANK YOU.

>> THE LEAD HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TRAIN THE ASSISTANT. THEY ARE JUGGLING 1 MILLION BALLS IN THE AIR AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS WHAT I'M DOING AND THIS IS WHY I'M DOING AND THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT. IT IS A VERY STRESSFUL

ENVIRONMENT. >> OKAY.

>> PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> I AM DESMOND SPENCER. FIRST OFF, WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CHALLENGE FACING THE CLERKS OFFICE AND

HOW ARE YOU ADDRESSING THEM? >> THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN OUR OFFICE, IS THAT THEY ARE SOME OF THE LOWEST PAID EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY. TRYING TO KEEP THEM AND NOT HAVE TURNOVER, THIS WILL TAKE TWO YEARS BEFORE THEY CAN FUNCTION AS A COURT CLERK IN THE COURTROOM. THEY HAVE 300 THEY HAVE TO LEARN BEFORE THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR THAT ROLE. WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING ADJUSTMENTS A COUPLE YEARS BACK WHICH HAS HELPED. IN THE MEANTIME, EVERY OTHER AGENCY IS STILL RAISING WAGES AS WELL. WE LOSE A LOT TO OTHER AGENCIES BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COMPETITIVE IN PAY IN THE CLERKS OFFICE. TRYING TO RETAIN THOSE PEOPLE AND NOT HAVE THAT HIGH TURNOVER IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES. THE JOBS ARE SO HARD ON THE STUFF THAT THEY SEE EVERY DAY IS SO HARD. THIS IS A BIG CHALLENGE FOR THE MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS JUGGLING EVERY MORNING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PEOPLE IN EACH OF THE CORE ROOMS IN CASE SOMEONE IS CALLING IN SICK. WHEN WE HAVE '25 OPENINGS IN THAT SECTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT ANSWER. ONE OTHER QUESTION, NEW WAYS TO REACH OUT TO THE PROSPECTIVE JURORS. CANNOT HELP YOU WITH

THAT EFFICIENCY? >> I HESITATE TO DISCUSS IT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE APPROVAL FROM THE JUDGES. THERE IS A WAY TO DO TARGETED OUTREACH. THEY WILL NOT SEE IT AS A TARGET TO THEM. IT WILL NOT APPEAR IN THEIR FEED. THEY CAN SEE THINGS ABOUT THE INJURY SERVICE. WE CAN TARGET WHO WE ARE REACHING OUT TO INSTEAD OF REACHING 4 MILLION PEOPLE WE CAN REACH OUT TO 150,000 EACH YEAR. THAT WILL MOVE THE NEEDLE. IT IS ABOUT GETTING THE AMOUNT THAT ARE COMFORTABLE.

THAT IS THE ACCESS TO THAT IF THEY CAN TARGET THEM. WE WANT TO FIND WAYS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE CAN DO

[04:20:01]

WITHOUT ANY RISK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I DON'T

HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ARPA THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR POSITIONS. IT'S NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE. WHY IS THAT?

>> IT IS LIMITED AND IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR WHAT WE INITIALLY COVERED. WHO MADE THAT DECISION AND WHY, WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD

NOT BE. >> THE PEOPLE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN UNDER ARPA FUNDS. IT IS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH 2025, IS THAT

RIGHT? >> SOMETHINGS HAD TO COME OUT OF IT. ALL WE KNOW, IF YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP THESE POSITIONS,

WAIT FOR THE GENERAL FUND. >> IF YOU CANNOT GET THOSE FUNDS, THE SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES?

>> SIX EMERGENCY RELIEF DOCKETS. THEY CANNOT FUNCTION.

THERE IS NO NEED TO FUND THOSE JUDGES IF THERE IS NO STAFF TO SUPPORT THEM. THEY CAN'T WORK.

>> THANK YOU. >> WHEN YOU TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE RETAINING, IS PARKING AN ISSUE

ALSO? >> PARKING IS A BIG ISSUE. I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW. I HAVE ASKED NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE COURT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE FREE PARKING FOR AN EMPLOYEE. MY OFFICE HAS LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY.

WHEN YOU HAVE A $16 PER HOUR EMPLOYEE THAT HAS TO PAY $30 TO PARK, THEY HAVE TO WORK TWO HOURS JUST TO COVER PARKING.

AND THEN THEY START MAKING MONEY FOR THEMSELVES. THAT IS UNFAIR. I FEEL GUILTY WHEN THEY COME IN AND SAY, I HAD TO PAY

$30 FOR PARKING TODAY. >> WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PROGRAM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO WITH THE JURORS, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY DRAWN AND WILL BE ASKED TO COME TO MY JURY DUTY. THIS IS SOMETHING TO SUPPORT

THEM COMING. IS THAT RIGHT? >> WHEN WE SEND OUT THE SUMMONS FOR THE NEXT MONTH, AND YOU HAVE BEEN SUMMONED TO APPEAR IN OCTOBER, WE WILL KNOW THAT YOUR SUMMONS IS IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.

THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THAT BATCH, WE WILL TARGET THE ADS TO APPEAR IN THEIR FEEDS. IT TARGETS THE HOUSEHOLD, NOT THE INDIVIDUAL. IT DOES NOT LET THEM KNOW THAT WE ARE TARGETING YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR FAMILY. IT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT. IT IS RELEVANT TO THEM. THEY JUST GOT THE SUMMONS IN THE MAIL. MAYBE I SHOULD GO. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HOPING WILL HAPPEN.

>> AND ALSO THAT THE SALARY IS HIGHER.

>> THE TECHNOLOGY, YOUR CONCERN THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET THAT LIST THROUGH TECHNOLOGY SOME WAY?

>> THAT IS THE CONCERN THAT THE JUDGES HAD. I AM NOT A TECHNICAL PERSON MYSELF. I'M NOT SURE HOW IT WORKS. THE IDEA FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE IS, WE HAVE A MEETING SET UP WITH THEM TO PRESENT TO THEM AND EXPLAIN ALL OF THIS SEPTEMBER 12TH.

THEY ARE SAYING, IF THESE PEOPLE HAVE AND NO WILL TO TARGET, SOMEONE ELSE CAN GET THAT LIST. HOW DOABLE THAT IS, I DON'T KNOW. WE WILL KNOW MORE AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 12TH MEETING. THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED TO DO THE CAMPAIGN.

>> THAT SOUNDS VERY WISE TO ME. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 4 YOU HAVE 1:22 FOR

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. THANK

YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU

HAVE 56 SECONDS REMAINING. >> I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN IT UP IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE US TO KNOW.

>> WE ASK FOR THIS AND CUT IT OUT OF THE REMARKS. WE ARE

[04:25:01]

INTERNS. >> TO CHIME IN ON THE PLEA POLICY. WE ARE WORKING WITH HR AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO HAVE A POLICY TO COVER UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT. WE DON'T WANT TO INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO RUN THROUGH THEIR VEHICLES OR MISTREAT THEIR VEHICLES OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLES.

WE WANT TO CREATE A CAP WHERE THE COUNTY WILL COVER THE FIRST AMOUNT OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE AND THE BALANCE WILL BE ON THE

DEPARTMENT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT GO THE OTHER DIRECTION WHERE WE COVER THE FIRST $3000 AND IF IT IS A BIGGER THING THAT THE BUDGET IS NOT CAPABLE OF HANDLING, THE COUNTY WOULD PICK UP THE BIG AMOUNT AND WE PICK UP THE SMALLER AMOUNTS WHICH WE CANNOT AFFORD TO DO. IF IT IS A TOLD VEHICLE OR STOLEN VEHICLE. I HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THANK YOU, DANIEL.

>> PRECINCT 1 YOU HAVE -- REMAINING FOR QUESTIONS.

PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE 1:14 REMAINING FOR QUESTIONS.

PRECINCT 3 YOU HAVE 46 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU COURT OFFICES. YOU NOW HAVE ONE

MINUTE FOR CLOSING REMARKS. >> THANK YOU. WE ARE TASKED WITH DUTIES THAT ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

EVERYTHING WE ARE ASKING FOR HAS THE OBJECTIVE OF MAKING THE OFFICE AND HARRIS COUNTY FUNCTION UNDER THE PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTABILITY, EFFICIENCY, AND TRANSPARENCY. THERE IS NO FLUFF IN THE WISH LIST. THESE ARE NECESSARY INVESTMENTS. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, PARKING IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT. WE HAVE GOTTEN TURNED AWAY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ASTROS HOME GAME. SOMETIMES THEY ARE PAYING $30 TO PARK FOR THE DAY. IT MAKES THEM LATE GETTING TO THEIR POSITION BECAUSE THEY COME IN HERE AND THEY ARE TURNED AWAY AND THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY CAN GO AND PARK. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PARKING. THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS. YOU HAVE A TOUGH TASK AHEAD OF YOU. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE AND CONSERVATIVE IN OUR REQUEST AND WE HOPE TO HAVE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM THE COUNTY AUDITOR OFFICE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3:45 P.M.

[County Auditor]

>>> WELCOME BACK TO THE HARRIS COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE. WE ARE JOINED BY -- EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE GIVEN FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN THERE WILL BE TWO MINUTES FOR

CLOSING REMARKS. >> THANK YOU FOR INVITING US HERE TODAY. I HAVE WITH ME, THE CHIEF ASSISTANT OVER THE ACCOUNTING DIVISION, JUSTIN ALEXANDER AND YOLANDA SMITH. AS YOU ALL ARE MOST LIKELY AWARE, THE BUDGET IS APPROVED BY DISTRICT JUDGES. THE BUDGET HEARING WAS HELD LAST WEEK.

THEY APPROVED OUR BUDGET OF 29.4 MILLION. THIS WAS 1.54%

[04:30:06]

WE DID RECEIVE THE COURT ORDER AND I AM PARAPHRASING FROM THIS. THE ANNUAL SALARY WILL REMAIN AT THE PRIOR-YEAR OF THE FISCAL '24 YEAR AMOUNT. IF THERE IS ACTION TAKEN BY DISTRICT JUDGES, WE WILL WORK WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT ABOUT

HOW THAT NEEDS TO BE AMENDED. >> THERE IS GOING TO BE A BUDGET AMENDMENT NECESSARY TO ALIGN THE BUDGET SIMILAR TO

WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR. >> THE BUDGET PASSED EXCEPT FOR THAT PIECE OF IT. I CHANGED THE NUMBERS. JUST TO TALK ABOUT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND WHAT WE DO, THE REVENUE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTIMATING THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND THAT IS THE BUDGET. THE NUMBER WE GIVE TO THE OFFICE CANNOT BE EXCEEDED. AND EXCEEDING

>> OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DEPARTMENT, THEY VENDOR THE INVOICES AND THOSE RANGE THE AVERAGE OF 30,000 INVOICES PER MONTH. OUR PAYROLL DEPARTMENT PROCESSES PAYROLL FOR APPROXIMATELY 18,000 EMPLOYEES. OUR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING TEAM, THEY KEEP THE FINANCIAL BOOKS . THAT INCLUDES THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SUPERVISION XANTHINE JUVENILE PROBATION. THEY ALSO PREPARE OUR MONTHLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS WELL AS OUR ANNUAL YEAR 23, THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 638 MILLION EXPENDITURE FOR FEDERAL AND STATE GRANT. LASTLY, THE INTERNAL AUDIT DIVISION WE HAVE FOR HARRIS COUNTY AS WELL AS THE INTERNAL AUDIT FUNCTION.

>> THANK YOU. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOT BE GIVEN FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. AT LAST YEAR'S MEETING HEARING, THERE WAS SOME IDENTITIES THAT YOUR OFFICE HAD NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO PAY FOR AUDIT INCLUDING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, INFORMATION SYSTEM, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT PRIORITIES CONTAIN. WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO PRIORITIZE FOR

THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR? >> ON THE INTERNAL AUDIT SITE, WE HAVE A NEW GENERAL AUDIT CHIEF THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR LESS THAN A MONTH. I KNOW THAT THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE DIFFERENT OFFICES WITH WORKING ON RISK ASSESSMENT TO HEAR ABOUT SPECIFIC TERMS OF WHAT YOU ALL FEEL ARE AREAS OF RISK.

I WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU WITH AN ANSWER ON THAT. OUR NEW AUDIT CHIEF HAS BEEN HERE LESS THAN A MONTH.

>> THANK YOU. >> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION RELATED TO AUDIT. HOW DOES YOUR OFFICE ENSURE THAT THE FINDINGS ARE TRANSPARENT AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC AND ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OR UNDERSTANDING OF

THE OFFICE'S WORK? >> OUR AUDITS ARE ALL ON THE

AUDITOR'S WEBSITE. >> PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES OF QUESTIONS.

>> YOU MENTIONED YOU DON'T GET A COLA BUT I REMEMBER YOUR BUDGET HAD A 4% -- CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT.

>> OUR BUDGET WAS 1.45. >> BUT, THE SALARY?

>> THERE WAS A DECREASE ON THE NON-SALARY SITE. THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE DOES A SURVEY EVERY YEAR. WE GO OUT AND GET THAT INFORMATION AND WE SET OUR MIDPOINT AT 50%. WE HAVE ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES PAID AT LEAST 80% AT THIS POINT WE DETERMINED

[04:35:08]

WHERE THEY ARE IN THAT RANGE. >> THAT IS HOW WE DETERMINED

THE AMOUNT. >> A BUCKET OF MONEY AND THEY

BASED IT ON THE SCALE ? >> IT CAN DIFFER. YOU CAN HAVE A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME AND THEY ARE CLOSE TO THE MAXIMUM WHO MAKE IT 1%. MOVING UP , 3%. THEY ARE STILL ON THE LEARNING CURVE TRYING TO GET TO THE MIDPOINT BUT THAT IS WHERE THEY ARE IN THE MID RANGE. IT IS NOT ONE

PARTICULAR NUMBER. >> OKAY. I THINK WE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING, JUST DIFFERENT.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT AUDITS MAY BE RELEASED PRIOR TO

JANUARY 2025? >> I DON'T KNOW THAT

INFORMATION. >> DOES THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE HAVE ANY CLAIMS TO BAIL OUT DOOR IMPROVE VARIOUS DASHBOARDS

IN THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR? >> WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE EXISTING DASHBOARDS AND WE HAVE OUR TEAM WITHIN THE I.T. AND AUDIT GROUP. I DON'T HAVE EXACT INFORMATION ON WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE A CHIEF OVER THAT DIVISION, WE CAN REACH OUT TO EACH OF YOUR OFFICES.

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD.

>> I THINK THAT FOR NOW, THAT IS OUR TIME.

>> PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S

OFFICE. >> WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE YOUR BUDGETARY PRIORITY?

>> THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WE PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE TO THE ENTIRE COUNTY. WE HAVE THE ENTIRE PROCESSING PAYROLL. IN ASSIGNING OUR BUDGET AGAIN, IT IS 7% PAYROLL. WE ARE LOOKING AT WHERE OF ALL OUR EMPLOYEES RANGE. KEEP IN MIND IT IS A COMPETITIVE MARKET. WE HAVE CERTIFIED INTERNAL AUDITORS AND WE ARE COMPETING AGAINST A PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. IT IS MAINTAINING WHAT WE DO. WE LOOK FOR EFFICIENCY WHERE WE CAN BUT WE ARE A LARGE ORGANIZATION AND WE HAVE THAT OWN FUNCTION, EVERYTHING THAT THE AUDIT DOES.

>> WHAT STEPS HAVE YOU TAKEN TO INCREASE BUDGET DEFICIENCY? ANY COST SAVING MEASURES THAT WERE PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL?

>> SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PEOPLE SOFT, WE DID HAVE A CONFLICT. WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS TO POUR THOSE INTO THE ACCOUNT. FOR EXAMPLE, OUR DIRECTOR OF I.T. SUPPORT -- WE HAVE RECENTLY REORDERED TO WHERE HE IS NOW THE CHIEF ASSISTANT AND THE EMPLOYEE THAT REPORTED TO HIM HELD UP UNDER

THE EXPECTED DEPARTMENT. >> THANK YOU. NO OTHER

QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME. >> PRECINCT 3, HE WILL NOW HAVE

FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. AUGUST WILLIAMS WITH PRECINCT 3. I WANT TO START WITH THE INVOICE PROCESSING TIME. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THAT TIME LOOKS LIKE FROM 2023 UNTIL 2024? WHERE DO YOU SEE THAT PROCESS IN TIME GOING IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR?

>> THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO IMPROVE. WE DO HAVE THE DASHBOARDS AND IF YOU FOLLOW THOSE, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT. WHERE WE ARE NOW, TALKING POINTS ON THIS. WE ARE CALLING IT NOW THE AUTO INVOICING PROJECT. THE SECURE TO PAY IN ITS ENTIRETY, THAT IS IN ADDITION TO THE WHOLE COURT. THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE HAS A SMALL PIECE ON TOP OF THAT. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION ON GETTING THIS NEW ENHANCEMENT DONE. AS FAR AS A TIMELINE ON THAT, OUR USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING AND TRAINING FOR THE DEPARTMENT IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN THIS MONTH. WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THE USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING AND TRAINING SO THAT WHEN THE SYSTEM COMES BACK UP, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ROLL THAT OUT AND GO LIVE IN OCTOBER. THAT IS WHERE I THINK WE WILL

[04:40:02]

SEE SOME EFFICIENCIES. >> OUR NEXT ONE IS AROUND STOCK RETENTION. MANY OPEN POSITIONS DO YOU ALL HAVE CURRENTLY?

>> I DON'T HAVE AN OPEN POSITION ACCOUNT BUT THE TURNOVER RATE HAS BEEN ABOUT 4% WHICH IS DOWN FROM WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST. WE DO CONTINUE TO LOSE SOME OF THE POSITIONS. WE ARE IN COMPETITION WITH PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRMS. >> THAT IS COMING FROM SALARY AT THE END? ALL RIGHT. MY LAST ONE IS, GOING INTO THIS NEST FISCAL YEAR -- NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING AT?

>> WE JUST CONTINUE TO TRY TO MAKE EFFICIENCIES WHERE WE CAN.

ONE HAS BEEN THE INVOICE PROCESSING. IT WILL REQUIRE THE SUPPORT OF THE COURT. IT IS WITH THE DEPARTMENT. I MENTIONED THAT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE WITH THE OVERALL PROCESS, YOU HAVE THE BUSINESS PROCESSES AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL AND WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH DEPARTMENTS, TRYING TO STREAMLINE HOW THEY IMPROVE THEIR INVOICES, WALKING THROUGH EXAMPLES OF DELAYS AS WELL AS VENDOR MANAGEMENT. THAT IS ANOTHER PIECE. WE ARE GETTING VENDORS SENT INVOICES WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION SO WE CAN PROCESS THEM AS TIMELY AS POSSIBLE. WE RECENTLY SENT VENDORS OUT THAT THE HIGHEST VOLUME WOULD HAVE THE ISSUES WITH GETTING IT PROCESSED.

LASTLY, TECHNOLOGY IS THE OTHER PIECE OF THAT . WHILE TECHNOLOGY AS PART OF THAT SOLUTION, WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE COURT TO BE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO GET EVERYONE ON BOARD TO MAKE THAT INVOICE PROCESSED. THE TOP INDICATOR OF HOW THE INVOICES GET PAID ARE THE AMOUNT OF TIME. IN TERMS OF OBSTACLES, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERYONE HAS TO PITCH IN FOR THIS WORK, IT IS NOT ALL THE

AUDITOR'S OFFICE SOLUTION. >> REAL QUICK , THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE AUDITOR'S SALARY. WHAT WOULD BE THE BUDGET IMPACT OF THAT? YOU MENTIONED THE BEGINNING THAT THERE COULD BE A RATE APPROVED. WHAT WOULD BE THE FISCAL IMPACT

OF THAT? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER.

>> THANK YOU. >> TREVOR NOAH LEE FROM PRECINCT 4. THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TODAY. THE FIRST QUESTION IS BACK ON THE AUDITOR'S SALARY, THE JUDGES SAID IT . WILL THEY KEEP THAT IN MIND WITH THE APPOINTED OFFICIAL SALARY STUDY THAT THE COUNTY DID?

>> I BELIEVE THE PLAN WAS TO BUMP IT UP IN INCREMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 25 AND 26 AND THAT WOULD GET THEM ALIGNED OVER THE

TWO FISCAL YEARS . >> JUST TO CONFIRM, THE SALARY STUDY HAS ALREADY COMPLETED HAS INCLUDED THE AUDITOR ON IT.

THERE IS SOMETHING TO BENCHMARK IT WITH?

>> IT WAS A SEPARATE STUDY. >> UNDERSTANDING THAT THE DIFFERENT JUDGES HAVE THE STAMP ON THE AUDITOR'S BUDGET, IF THERE ARE ANY IMPROVEMENTS WE CAN MAKE ON OUR SIDE WITH THE

>> NOT THAT I CAN OF, NO. OUR TIMELINE IS DIFFERENT. THAT IS A DISCIPLINE THAT WE HAVE TO GO TO THE DISTRICT JUDGES FOR A MEETING WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES AND THEN WE HAVE TO ADVERTISE FOR TWO WEEKS THEN HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT. IT'S THE WAY THE

STATUTES ARE WRITTEN. >> GOT YOU.

>> DO YOU THINK THE AUDITOR'S BUDGET OVERTIME HAS KEPT UP WITH THE INCREASING DEMANDS ESPECIALLY WITH INVOICING AND ACCOUNTING RELATED TO ARPA PROJECTS?

>> WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT MORE IN THE ACCOUNTING SIDE WHERE WE WERE TO GET EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, WE DO SEE IT

[04:45:05]

THAT'S NOT THE CASE. MORE OF A SHIFTING OF THE RESOURCES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. BUT WE DID -- WE FEEL IT MORE ON THE INTERNAL AUDIT SIDE AS WELL. WE RECENTLY HAVE THREE AUDIT POSITIONS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO AUDITING THE PUBLIC HEALTH PORTFOLIO OF THE PROJECT. THAT IS COMING FROM A DIFFERENT

FUNDING SOURCE. >> GOT I CAN'T.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS KIND OF THE -- MAINTAINS FINANCIAL RECORDS FOR THE COUNTY, FLOOD CONTROL AND A COUPLE OF OTHER ENTITIES. DO THOSE ENTITIES REIMBURSE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR THE -- THE COUNTY FOR THE

SERVICES THEY PROVIDE? >> NO, THEY DO NOT. WE HAVE A GRANT FUNDED POSITION WITHIN GRANT ACCOUNTING. WHEN WE SEE AN INCREASE, THAT'S WHEN THE CDGR, WHEN WE GET THE BIGGER GRANTS WITH A BIG IMPACT ON OUR GRANT ACCOUNTING THEN THEY FROM TIME TO TIME HAVE PAID THE SALARY FOR ADDITIONAL GRANTS BUT NOT IN TERMS OF ANY TYPE OF.

>> IN DIRECT COSTS OR ANYTHING TO PROVIDE THE COUNTY?

>> NO. >> GOTCHA.

>> THANK YOU. AND LAST QUESTION, YOU MENTIONED HAVING TO SHIFT PART OF YOUR NONLABOR BUDGET TO THE LABOR LINE ITEM,

THAT IS FOR '25. >> RIGHT.

>> WILL IT IMPACT SERVICES IN ANY WAY? A SPECIFIC ITEM YOU HAD TO DE PRIORITIZE TO PRIORITIZE LABOR?

>> NOT NECESSARILY. WE WERE ABLE TO ELIMINATE THE CONTRACT POSITION THAT WE ROLLED IN TO SOME OF THE EXISTING EMPLOYEES WHEN WE DISSOLVED THE RP SUPPORT TEAM AND THOSE EMPLOYEES WENT BACK TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DIVISION.

>> GREAT, THANK YOU. THAT'S IT FROM US.

>> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND 48 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 1, TWO MINUTES AND 35 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ANY

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND 27 SECONDS FOR ANY

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS,

THANK YOU. >> PRESINK 3, 36 SECONDS

REMAINING. >> NO QUESTIONS, THANK YOU,

GUYS. >> PRECINCT 4, ONE MINUTE AND 3

SECONDS REMAINING. >> NO QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. COURT OFFICES. MISS WILKES GARCIA CLOSING

ARGUMENTS TWO MINUTES. >> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING IN TERMS OF CLOSING OTHER THAN WE ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO MEET WITH ANY OF YOUR OFFICES TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS. I WILL CIRCLE BACK TO ANSWER AND GET SOME OF THE ANSWERS FOR YOU IN TERMS OF THE AUDIT PLAN AND ANY OTHER QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE FOR US

WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL NEXT HEAR FROM

[Purchasing Agent]

>>> WELCOME TO THE PURCHASE DEPARTMENT. DIRECTOR, WE WILL BEGIN WITH THREE MINUTES FOR A OPENING STATEMENT THEN EACH DISTRICT OFFICE HAS FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS THEN YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT 6789.

>> SORRY. AM I GOOD? WE DID ADD IN ONE REQUEST WHICH IS TWO CONTINUE TO FUND OUR DATA FELLOW. SHE HAS BEEN WITH US FOR EIGHT MONTHS, A HUGE ASSET FOR THE OFFICE. SHE IS -- WE ARE LOOKING TO UTILIZE HERE FOR SPEND ANALYSIS AND SPEND DATA REVIEW SO WE DON'T HAVE TO USE A THIRD PARTY VENDOR THAT WE USE NOW. WE ANTICIPATE THAT EVALUATION OF DATA THROUGH HER CURRENT POSITION IF WE CONTINUE TO FUND IT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF THE NEXT TWO YEARS BECAUSE THE COST FOR US TO -- THE ACTUAL DATA ANALYSIS IS ABOUT 65,000 A YEAR. SO, WE ARE THINKING OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE-YEAR PERIOD AS WE EXPAND THE SERVICES THAT WE NEED, LOOK AT THE DATA SPEND IT WILL COVER ITSELF THE NEXT YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF. OTHER THAN THAT, THE

[04:50:01]

WE WILL PROVIDE THE DATA TO THE INDIVIDUALS. THEY WILL EVALUATE IT FOR TWO WEEKS, COME BACK FOR QUESTIONS AND BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER WE SHOULD HAVE THE INITIATION OF THE FIRST ROUND OF IMPLEMENTATION COMPLETED AND THEN WE FINISH THE SECOND ROUND AS WE MOVE THE NEW STAFF INTO TAKING ON NEW ROLES FOR THE CONTRACTING. THAT'S A LITTLE UPDATE. I CAN GO THROUGH MORE DETAILS IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. I WILL TURN IT OVER.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. >> EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONING BEGINNING WITH

PRESENT SITTING 1. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, ERICA CARTER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE

COUNTY. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WORKED WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT BUT OUR WHOLE OFFICE WE SEND YOU MANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR THAT FROM THE COMMISSIONER ON DOWN. CAN YOU PLEASE DESCRIBE PURCHASING OVERALL COLLABORATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY.

>> AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE VERY INVOLVED IN THE PROCUREMENT AND DEE OFFICE. IN THE BEGINNING WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THOSE TO CREATE THE PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES THAT WE DO THAT INTERFACE WITHIN THE TWO DEPARTMENTS. WE MEET MONTHLY TO GO THROUGH THE STEPS AND PROCESS ON BIGABLE REVIEWS, GOALS FOR A PROJECT AND WE LOOK AT WAYS TO IMPROVE THE REQUEST FROM THE NWB SYSTEM ON BIDS. THAT IS A BIG CHALLENGE FOR US.

OUR NUMBERS AREN'T AS HIGH AS THEY SHOULD BE, WHAT WE HOPE IT WOULD BE. BUT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THOSE AVENUES TO TRY TO INCREASE THE BIDDING FOR MWBS. WE DO MEET WITH THE DIRECTOR AND MY STAFF ONCE A MONTH. WE CONTINUE TO TWEAK THE PROGRAM.

THE PROCEDURES TO MAKE IT AS STREAM LESS AS POSSIBLE SO WE ARE NOT DELAYS PROJECTS. THE ONE AREA THAT I THINK WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND ON IS THE MEETING WITH THE NWB TO DO SMALLER PROJECTS THAT MAKE MORE SENSE. WE HAVE DONE A FEW PILOT PROGRAMS WITH PRECINCT 2 AND ALLOWED THE SMALL MWBS TO BID ON THOSE AND GET FEET WET BEFORE GOING TO THE LARGER PROJECTS. WE MAY EXPAND THAT TO RELEASE THOSE TO THE SMALLER FIRMS. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM AND I DON'T THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE TO EXPAND ON SOME OF THE HEADACHES THAT WE SEE AND LIMITATIONS WE CREATE ON THE SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> GOOD TO HEAR. CAN YOU TELL US, ARE THERE ANY INITIATIVES THAT YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT YOU MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROGRESS AS YOU KIND OF TRANSITION?

>> SO, I THINK OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE HAS BEEN AND NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN THE EFFORT, WE HAD A HARD TIME FINDING THE TALENT POOL TO FILL THE ROLES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF UPGRADED POSITIONS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AS FAR AS SOURCING MANAGERS AND LEVEL THAT WE ARE WILLING TO PAY BUT WE HAVEN'T FOUND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE THE CAPACITY AND KNOWLEDGE TO DO THAT. SO, WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HR AND RECRUITING TEAMS TO FIND THE BEST POOL OF CANDIDATES OUT THERE. SO, WE STARTED REACHING OUT TO THE UNIVERSITY. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.

WE REACHED OUT TO RICE, BUT, AGAIN, A LOT OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE SO NEW OUT OF COLLEGE THEY DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND. THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE IS TO GET

[04:55:03]

>> THANK YOU. I WILL RESERVE. >> OKAY.

>> PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES RECRUITING. CAN YOU IDENTIFY ONE OF THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FACE FACING THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT AND HOW

IT'S BEING ADDRESSED? >> MOST OF THE SERVICES ARE ALL SALARIES. THE MAJORITY OF THE SERVICES ARE SALARY. SO, WE STILL 235EUS CHALLENGES EVERYDAY OF FIGHTING THE BIGGEST SAVINGS FOR THE COUNTY WHEN WE PROCURE FOR THE COUNTY.

A LOT OF OUR STUFF IS DECENTRALIZED WHEN IT COMES TO INDIVIDUAL SERVICES AND PRODUCTS. SO, I THINK IT WOULD BE HUGE FOR THE COUNTY IF WE COULD COME UP WITH SAN DAR DIZATION. WE ARE WORKING ON THE FIVE YEAR PLAN AND SAVINGS OPENINGS, TOO. THE BIGGEST FINANCIAL OVERALL FOR THE COUNTY WOULD BE FOR US TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THOSE EXTERNAL SPENDS FROM MULTIPLE DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO TRY TO COMBINE SOME OF THOSE SO WE CAN REDUCE, NUMBER ONE, THE AMOUNT OF SERVICES REQUIRED TO DO PROCUREMENT THEN FOCUS ON THE ONES THAT WE NEED BIGGER PROCUREMENT TO GET BIGGER FOR SAVINGS IF THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. I DON'T SEE A HUGE CHALLENGE FROM US. A LOT OF WHAT WE DO IS SALARY. MOST OF THE STAFF WORKS, WE DO A HYBRID OF PROMOTE AND THE MAJORITY OF OUR COST IS COMPUTER RELATED SYSTEMS. OUR ASSET SYSTEM, HEAD OF FIXED SURPLUS, WE USE A THIRD PARTY FOR AUCTION SERVICES. WE HAVE MINOR COSTS LOOKING TO TRY TO EXPEND THAT WE DIDN'T -- WE WILL KEEP PUSHING FOR DISPOSEABLE TYPES OF EQUIPMENT WITH T■ECHNOLOGY ND HARD DRIVES, THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. CHALLENGING INTERNALLY, NOT A

FINANCIAL BURDEN, I SHOULD SAY. >> I UNDERSTAND, THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED TECHNOLOGY. IS THERE ANY PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH A LITTLE BIT OF INVESTMENT THAT WOULD INCREASE EFFICIENCIES

DRAMATICALLY? >> WE NEED TO RE-EVALUATE THE PROCUREMENT PORTAL. WE ROLLED IT OUT 3 1/2 YEARS AGO BUT TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED. WE SAT THROUGH SO MANY DEMOS AND THERE ARE FEATURES IN THE NEW STUFF, DASHBOARDS, TIME FRAMES, HOW DO WE CREATE MILESTONES, EVALUATE WHAT THE TRUE TURN IS ON PROCUREMENT TIME FRAMES AND THAT TYPE OF THING. I THINK AT THIS POINT, WE ALREADY PAY A FEE OF 100,000, 120,000 FOR THAT SERVICE. IF WE CAN GET A VENDOR SIMILAR, WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY FROM THE LAST THREE YEARS, REBRAND IT AND GET IT BACK OUT THERE. THERE WOULD BE HEADACHES ON THE LEARNING CURVE BUT IT WOULD BE HUGE BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME CONCEPT BUT A

LOT MORE FEATURES. >> I UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS RIGHT

NOW. >> PRECINCT 3 YOU HAVE FIVE

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> AUGUST WILLIAMS. DWIGHT, THANK YOU. AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN AT THE COUNTY YOU HAVE BEEN A PARTY OF THE COUNTY. WE WILL MISS YOU. STRANGE TO IMAGINE HARRIS COUNTY WITHOUT YOU. GOING OFF RECRUITMENT, YOU MENTIONED THE RECRUITING PROJECT PLAN, PARTNERSHIP WITH

U.H. CAN YOU WALK THROUGH THAT? >> I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL THAT RUNS THE SUPPLY CHAIN GROUP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON USED TO BE MY DIRECT STEADY MANAGER WHEN I CAME OUT OF COLLEGE. I HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ALREADY.

WE WORKED WITH THEM DIRECTLY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DO YOU DESIRE, WHAT INDIVIDUALS DO YOU HAVE COMING OUT, CAPABILITIES THEY HAVE. FROM OUR STANDPOINT, I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE PERSON WITH ALL THE EXPERIENCE IF I CAN HAVE SOMEBODY WE CAN TRAIN AND BRING IN. WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER, I GUESS YOU WOULD CALL IT A PILOT OR PIPELINE OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WE BRING IN.

WE TRY TO DO SOME INTERNSHIPS WITH THEM BUT BRING THEM IN AND TRAIN THEM FROM GROUND UP AND MOVE THEM THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

SOME OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ARE DIRECTORS THAT CAME FROM U OF H THAT WERE ORIGINALLY STRAIGHT OUT OF SUPPLY CHAIN SCHOOL. WE PUT THEM THROUGH SEVERAL PROGRAMS AND NOW THEY MOVED INTO DIRECTOR ROLES. THAT IS HOUSE WE STARTED MOVING WITHIN THE COUNTY. EVERYBODY WANTS TO BRING SOMEBODY IN FROM ANOTHER COUNTY. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOLD THEM IN A WAY THAT HOW WE DO THE PROCUREMENT THAT THEY UNDERSTAND HOW THE COUNTY OPERATES. THEY UNDERSTAND THE LEGALITY, WHAT THEY MUST DO.

BUT IT'S HUGE THAT THERE IS A TRANSITION BASE THROUGHOUT THE OFFICE. THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE DO AT U OF H. WE REACH OWED

[05:00:04]

AND TRAIN. >> START THEM YOUNG IN PUBLIC

SERVICE, AMEN. >> HARD TO KEEP THEM AROUND.

>> ONE MORE. YOU SAD THROUGH ENOUGH OF THESE OVER THE YEARS.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN FY '24?

>> PROBABLY GETTING THROUGH THIS PRO CUREMENT PAY PROCESS AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY. IT WAS A HUGE UNDER STAYING. WE TRIED TO DO IT ON OUR OWN TWICE. WE DIDN'T FAIL AT IT BUT TWO YEARS AGO WE DID PORTIONS OF IT TO SEE IF IT WOULD WORK AND IT DID NOT. THIS TIME WE TOOK OUR TIME AND GOT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE ACTUAL INFORMATION PRESENTED AND SAID LET'S TAKE THIS IN A POSITIVE MANNER. WHERE IS OUR CHANGES. WE HAVE A DESK WE NEVER HAD BEFORE. THAT IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT. THE COUNTY THAT I HAVE TALKED TO IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAS A LIVE DASHBOARD STEP BY STEP, THEY ARE CREATING THEM. A LOT OF THEM THAT I TALKED TO ON HOW WE HAVE DONE OURS. I THINK THE PROCURE THAT WE GET AT THIS POINT WILL BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO US BECAUSE WE HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO EVALUATE NOT ONLY WHAT THE ROLES WILL BE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS, HOW THEY ACCOMPLISH IT AND IT ACTUALLY GIVES ME MORE KNOWLEDGE SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE OFFICE. ALL THE HEAVY LIFTING WORK THAT SOMEBODY MIGHT BE DOING, YOU CAN TAKE THE EASY STUFF OFF OF THEM. WE TRIED BEFORE AND IT DIDN'T WORK. THE PAY, I WON'T SEE UNTIL THE END BUT IT'S ROLLING OUT NOW AND I THINK IT WILL BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE OFFICE. I GOT GREAT STAFF AND TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO TOOK OVER AS DEPUTY DIRECTORS, BOTH OF THEM FEMALES. ALL THE LADIES HANDS DOWN TO YOU. THEY WORK HARD AND TWO OF THE BEST WE HAD IN OUR OFFICE. I THINK OUR STAFF, NUMBER TWO, IS VERY -- WE HAVE ONE OF THE -- IN MY OPINION, ONE OF THE BEST STAFFS IN THE COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO THE DEPARTMENT OVERALL. THEY ALL WORK WELL TOGETHER AND I THINK ME WALKING AWAY WON'T MATTER. THAT OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL AND YOU WON'T SEE A HICCUP IN THE PROJECT.

>> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

>> PRECINCT 4. >> IF YOU CAN TALK ABOUT PROCURED PAY. YOU GOT A NUMBER OF NEW POSITIONS THIS YEAR.

HOPEFULLY DATA FELLOW. BUT LOOKING AHEAD IN THE FUTURE,

WHAT ARE THE NEXT -- >> SO, THE NEXT STEP IS ONCE WE GET THE STAFF -- I THINK THE BIGGEST ROLE FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF IS GETTING THE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT TEAM UP AND FUNCTIONING TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN SEE SAVINGS. ONCE WE GET THOSE VOIDS ON BOARD, THEY WILL SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT THE DATA COMING IN FROM THE DATA FELLOWS AND TEAM. HERE IS THE CATEGORY WE WILL FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY. LET'S LOOK AT THE WAYS TO REDUCE IT. MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT GROUP RIGHT THERE IS IMPORTANT TO US THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO ADD THE STAFF MEMBERS. THERE ARE FOUR COMING ON BOARD. FINDING THE RIGHT INDIVIDUALS. I WILL BE HONEST, IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIND THE RIGHT DIRECTOR. THIS INDIVIDUAL CAME IN AND CREATED AN OFFICE LIKE THIS AND HAD HANDS ON IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR. I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT HE DOES. IF WE CAN GET TWO, THREE INDIVIDUALS LIKE HIM WE CAN FOCUS ON THE PLANS THE NEXT YEAR AND HALF. MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE MAINTAINED AND GO THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO FIND THE SAVINGS. THESE ARE TRUE SAVINGS NOT JUST A CONTRACT FOR A MILLION THIS YEAR AND CONTRACT FOR 900. WE NEED TO SEE THE SPIN NUMBERS AND IF IT TRULY SAVES MONEY. I WANT TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO GET THE PROJECTS DONE. THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT YOU NEED TO SEE THE

[05:05:03]

>> THANK YOU. REFERRING BACK TO THE DATA FELLOW, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY WORKED ON DURST THE FIRST YEAR BEFORE THEY MOVE

OVER AND -- HOW THAT HELPED? >> SURE. WE ACTUALLY HIRED A BUSINESS ANALYST RIGHT BEFORE THE DATA FELLOW CAME ON. SHE LOOKED AT THE PROCESSES, BUSINESS APPLICATIONS AND WHAT WE ARE DOING FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT. THE DATA FELLOW WHO CAME ON REALLY TOOK THE LEAD IN DATA BEING UPLOADED FROM THIRD PARTY VENDOR. HOW IS IT BEING CREATED IN THE SYSTEM, HOW CAN WE CATEGORIZE IT AND MATCHING UP. SHE DID THE DATA TO HELP US LOOK AT THE DATA PROVIDED BY THE THIRD PARTY TO ENSURE IT WAS ACCURATE. SHE WORKED ON THE CREATION SHEET. SHE IS A STRONG POWER P.I. SHE LOOKS AT DIFFERENT WAYS TO IMPROVE THAT DATA COMING FROM THE THIRD PARTY PROCUREMENT SOFTWARE. WE HAD A BIG CHALLENGE GETTING THAT DATA OUT CORRECTLY. DATA DUMPS. NO CONNECTION AND WE HAVEN'T GOT THAT APPROVED FROM THEM. THEY TAKES THE DATA, ANALYZES THE DATA AND PUTS IT IN THE RIGHT BUCKET SO IT GOES IN THE -- SHE HAS BEEN KEY. WE TRUST HER WITH A LOT OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SHE IS LEARNING HOW TO CATEGORIZE THAT DATA, SHE CAN DO WHAT WE ARE PAYING THEM. WE ARE TRYING TO VERIFY WE KEEP THOSE SYSTEMS RUNNING FOR A YEAR TO VERIFY WHAT HER FINDINGS ARE AND THEN ELIMINATE THAT SYSTEM. SHE HAS BEEN, I THINK, VERY STRONG IN WHAT SHE HAS DONE FOR US. A LOT OF ASSETS

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE THAT. CAN YOU SPEAK TO SOME OF THE OUTCOMES YOU HAVE SEEN FROM PROCURED PAY AND IMPROVEMENTS AND HOW THAT AFFECTED LIFE CYCLES AND EFFICIENCIES?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY -- WE HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF OUTCOMES PER SE. THE NEW STRUCTURE IN PLACE BECAUSE WE ARE ROLLING OUT THE INDIVIDUALS TAKING ON THE NEW ACCOUNTS. SOME OF THE BEST CONTRACTS, WE WORKED ON ELIMINATING THE STEPS BASED ON WHAT IS IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND EVALUATE EACH OF THOSE STEPS, DRILLING DOWN, SEE, OKAY, STEP C, WHAT TAKES PLACE IN THOSE STEPS AND HOW CAN WE DRILL DOWN FURTHER WITH THE DATA TO SEE WHERE THE TIME LAPSES ARE, ISSUES WE ARE HAVING WITH THAT. WE FOCUSED MORE ON THAT. ONCE WE GET INTO THE NEW STRUCTURE, WHEN IT COMES TO SOURCING AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, THOSE, I THINK, WILL BE MORE STREAMLINED BECAUSE THOSE KIDS ARE VERY -- THEY ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD WHEN IT COMES TO SOURCING. THEN THE NEGOTIATOR WILL BE STRONG IN THEIR NEGOTIATIONS. WE HOPE THE PROCESS TOGETHER WILL SPEED UP OR REDUCE THE TIME IT TAKES FOR THE NEGOTIATED CONTRACT TO BE COMPLETED. SO -- I NEED TO STOP?

>> I CAN FINISH UP. SO, OUR BIGGEST TAKE AWAY THIS YEAR, THE FIRST SIX MONTHS MEETING WITH YOU GUYS, LOOKING AT THE STEPS AND DRILLING DOWN ON THE STEPS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE CAN ELIMINATE THE OVERLAPS OR DELAYS, ELIMINATE THE ISSUES AND SEEING IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE DON'T NEED IN THAT SERVICE. WE BROUGHT ON -- AGAIN, WE HAVE NEW LIAISON, HE HAS BEEN A ROCK STAR HELPING US GO THROUGH THE THINGS AND MEETING WITH DEPARTMENTS AND WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND HOW TO RESOLVE THEM TIMELY. WE TAKE THE DATA WITH US TO SAY LET'S LOOK AT THE DATA AND WHERE ARE WE HAVING ISSUES. THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, ROLLING THE STAFF INTO THE NEW CATEGORY FOR THE CONTRACT LOADS, EVERYTHING, IT WILL BE SEEM LESS SEEMLESS THE

NEXT FEW MONTHS. >> WE ELIMINATED THE STRUGGLES WITH THE COMMODITIES BY BUYER, BUY TYPE AND BY LEVEL OF EXPERTISE. WE ACTUALLY DRILLED DOWN THAT FAR TO GET THE JUNIOR BUYERS WORKING ON LESS STRENUOUS STUFF SO THEY AREN'T SPREAD ACROSS THE BOARD. WE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS WORKING ON STUFF THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN. WE ARE DRILLING DOWN ON THAT.

HOPEFULLY WILL ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS WE HAD OR AT LEAST

REDUCE IT. >> THANK YOU. COUNTY JUDGE'S

[05:10:01]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MR. DOPSLAUF THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE. A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED. FIRST OFF, IN ADDITION TO THE DASHBOARD THE FELLOW HAS BEEN WORKING ON, ARE THERE GAPS TO UTILIZED DATA OR DATA ANALYTICS IN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT THAT HAVEN'T BEEN FOUND OR UTILIZED

IN THE FUTURE? >> I THINK THE GAPS WE HAVE NOW WE ARE TRYING TO RESOLVE WITH THE INFORMATION THAT COMES OUT OF THINGS LIKE THAT OUTSIDE OF A DATA SYSTEM. WHETHER IT BE PEOPLE SOFT OR PROCUREMENT PORTAL. THAT'S WHY I WAS LOOKING FOR OPTIONS FOR A PLATFORM FOR PROCUREMENT TO CAPTURE A LOT OF THAT DATA ON SETTING GOALS SO WE CAN SPEED UP THOSE PROCESSES. AND WE CAN CAPTURE A LOT OF THE DATA WHEN IT COMES TO MILESTONES WITHIN OUR PROCUREMENT PROCESS ITSELF RATHER THAN A THIRD PARTY, PULL THE DATA. BUT THE NWB SIDE WE ARE STRUGGLING. WE ARE WORKED WITH THE BUSINESS ANALYST GETTING THEM TO SET UP A REPORT THAT WE CAN DUMP WEEKLY TO PUT INTO OUR DATA WAREHOUSE SO THEY CAN USE THAT DATA TO TURN AROUND AND REPORT. THAT'S THE STRUGGLE WE HAVE DONE IT FOR SIX MONTHS WITH THE DEO OFFICE. SO, THAT'S WHY WE ARE CONSIDERING OUR OPTIONS ON THE PLATFORM FOR OUR PROCUREMENT PORTAL. THAT IS THE BIGGEST GAP GETTING THE STATISTICS OUT. A LOT OF IT IS DONE BY A MANUAL PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, I KNOW YOU MENTIONED SOME STRUGGLES WITH INAUDIBLE ] AND YOU RECENTLY HIRED GREAT PEOPLE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. IN ADDITION TO THE CATEGORY MANAGER TEAM, WHAT ARE THE STAFF MEMBERS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE WITHIN THE PURCHASING TEAM AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY WILL SPEARHEAD?

>> THE CATEGORY MANAGERS, A NEW DIVISION FOR US. WE NEVER HAD THAT IN THE OFFICE. REALLY, WE ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE IT IN THE GOVERNMENT SETTING OTHER THAN I THINK, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AND A FEW OTHERS HAVE IT.

BUT I THINK THEY WILL BE HUGE FROM A ST. POINT OF DRILLING DOWN TO EACH COMMODITIES AND LOOKING TO SEE NOT ONLY WHAT WE SPEND EVERYDAY AND BUY BUT WHAT DO WE NEED TO BUY AND CAN WE CONSOLIDATE BY VOLUME. OUR BUYERS LOOK AT A CATEGORY AND GET A CATEGORY LISTS TO SPEND. THEY DON'T DRILL DOWN TO THE MARKET. LOOK AT THE MARKET RATE, FUTURES, WHAT THESE CATEGORIES -- HAVING THIS DIVISION WILL HELP DANIEL'S TEAM FOR FIVE YEAR PLANS BUT OUR OFFICE TO FIGURE OUT WE WILL HAVE COSTS COMING UP IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS IN THESE AREAS AND HAVE THE DATA TO RESEARCH THAT. WE HAVEN'T MOVED FORWARD WITH THE MANAGEMENT TEAM YET BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE ENTIRE OFFICE ON THIS OTHER PORTION ROLLED OUT FIRST. THAT WILL BE A PHASE TWO TO THREE YEARS DOWN AS A RECOMMENDATION. BUT WE CHOSE NOT TO ROLL IT OUT NOW BECAUSE A NUMBER OF THINGS WERE CHANGING. I DO AGREE THAT THE SOURCING AND CONTRACTING DIRECTOR WILL BE MORE CAPABLE OF GETTING A GOOD NEGOTIATION DONE AND MAYBE REDUCING COSTS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE HIRED TO DO. WE HAVE A STAFF MEMBER THAT DOES WRIT FOR MAINTENANCE, CRADLE TO THE GRAVE. IF I HAVE NEGOTIATORS, THAT IS THEIR SKILL, THEY CAN FOCUS ON NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS NOT USE THE SOURCING AND NEGOTIATING AND EVERYTHING ELSE. I THINK THEY TRY TO GET ALL THEIR WORK DONE SO THEY AREN'T FOCUSING ON ONE ITEM. THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATOR WILL BE HUGE. WE ARE CONSIDERING BRINGING ON MORE THAN THE THREE HERE, MAYBE A SOURCING OR TWO POSITIONS OVER TO THE CONTRACTING SIDE IF WE CAN FIND GOOD NEGOTIATORS. THAT IS HUGE FOR US IN THE COUNTY. WE SAVE 1% ON THE CONTRACT OVER LARGE CONTRACTS, A LOT OF MONEY SAVED FOR THE COUNTY. THAT IS MY FOCUS. I HOPE THAT IS MOVING FORWARD, THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE USING THEIR EXPERTISE IN ONE FIELD OR ONE AREA ONLY AND NOT A LITTLE BIT ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> THE LAST QUESTION FOR NOW, THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS INAUDIBLE ] FOR STREAMLINING, PURCHASING BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS.

HAS PURCHASING DEVELOPED A STRATEGY OR WHEN EXPECT A STRATEGY TO BE DEVELOPED?

>> I THINK ONCE WE ROLL THE NEW PROCESS OUT, LIAISON IS MEETING WITH DEPARTMENTS, ALL OFFICES TO SEE WHERE THE BOTTLENECKS

[05:15:06]

CREATE SOMETHING. >> THANK YOU, COURT OFFICES.

DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT?

>> IT'S BEEN A HECK OF A RIDE. I HAVE NOTHING ELSE. I THINK I ANSWERED EVERYTHING. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S TIME AND EFFORTS AND I APPRECIATE EACH ONE OF YOU GUYS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. SURE I WILL SEE YOU IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS. I'M

NOT GONE YET. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. OUR FINAL DEPARTMENT FOR TODAY WILL BE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BEGINNING AT 4:45.

[County Attorney Christian]

>>> WE WELCOME THE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE FOR THE FINAL

PRESENTATION OF THE DAY. >>> WE WILL BEGIN WITH A THREE MINUTE INTRODUCTORY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THEN EACH COURT OFFICE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS THEN COUNTY ATTORNEY TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> YOUR MIC, SIR, PLEASE. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. I'M STEVE GARDNER. I'M A CONSULTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. HE IS WITH ME. HE WILL BE THE BUDGET MANAGER. THIS YEAR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS AN INTEGRAL PARTY OF THE COUNTY OPERATIONS. WE INTERACT WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT. WE ARE AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVER POLITICAL INITIATIVE OF THE COURT GOING BEYOND THE SCOPE OF OUR OFFICE.

WE DRAFT AND ADVICE ALL CONTRACTS, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, ALLOWING COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW. WE ADVOCATE FOR THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTY RESIDENTS THROUGH AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION LIKE FIRE CODE ENFORCEMENT. WE DEFEND COUNTY GOVERNMENT, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY ARE SUED AND THAT IS USUALLY HUNDREDS EACH YEAR. IF YOU LOOK AT WHO WE SERVE, IT'S NOT ONLY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. IT'S THE 15 BOARDS, 59 ELECTED OFFICIALS, 22 DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER APPOINTED OFFICIALS PLUS OUR OVER 18,000 EMPLOYEES AND THEN ALSO NINE COMPONENT UNITS. OUR BUDGET -- PROPOSED BUDGET THIS YEAR IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE ONE LAST YEAR. IT'S GOING TO BE ROUGHLY $44.2 MILLION. THAT INCLUDES THE 1.5 MILLION-DOLLAR REDUCTION THAT WAS REQUESTED BY OMB AND THEN ALSO THAT INCLUDES $7 MILLION FOR DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION AND ABOUT 1.2 MILLION FOR TOLL ROAD VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT OR COLLECTION. THAT CONCLUDES OUR COMMENTS. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO

TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. >> EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE GIVEN FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH

PRECINCT 2. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS

[05:20:05]

THANK YOU FOR PRESENTATION. YES, I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION REAL QUICK. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ON THE NEW TOLL ROAD COMPLIANCE DIVISION, JUST WANTED TO GET AN IDEA OF HOW IS THAT GOING AND ARE WE SEEING ANY COST SAVINGS ON THAT YET?

>> ARE YOU SPEAKING ABOUT OUR TOLL ROAD VIOLATION COLLECTIONS? THAT IS ONGOING FOR PROBABLY THREE OR FOUR YEARS NOW. WE ARE FULLY STAFFED AND OPERATING AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. I'M NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE STRICT OPERATION OF IT. I'M MORE FOR THE FINANCIAL SIDE OF IT. BUT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, IT'S GOING VERY WELL.

>> ARE WE SEEING -- ARE YOU ABLE TO ANSWER AS TO THE TOPIC

OF COST SAVINGS? >> THE COST SAVINGS, NO, MA'AM, I'M NOT ABLE TO ADDRESS THAT DIRECTLY. I CAN TELL YOU OUR COSTS BUT NOT THE SAVINGS TO HECTRA.

>> WE WILL FOLLOW-UP ON THAT. >> I CAN GET THE INFORMATION.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THAT WILL BE GOOD. ALL RIGHT. BUT THE COLLECTION PART OF IT IS GOING WELL, IT SOUNDS LIKE?

>> YES, MA'AM, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE.

>> ALL RIGHT. THEN, LET'S SEE. ALSO, WHAT BUDGET HURDLES DO YOU SEE ON THE ARE HORIZON IN THE SHORT TERM AND DOWN THE ROAD. ANY BUDGET HURDLES COMING UP?

>> WITH THE REDUCTION OF THE 1.5 MILLION, I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT WAS GOING REQUEST ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IN GENERAL COUNSEL AND DEFENSIVE LITIGATION. THAT WOULD BE A HURDLE THAT WE HAVE TO OVERCOME. WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET THAT RECTIFIED IN THE YEARS TO COME.

>> WOULD YOU SAY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU CAN THINK OF THAT IS MORE LONG TERM THAT YOU ARE ANTICIPATING?

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I MEAN, THE IMMEDIATE NEED IS REPLACING THE LEGACY CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. IT'S VERY ANTIQUATED AND WE ARE USING COMMERCIAL PAPER FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THAT AS WE SPEAK. I THINK THAT IS ONE CHALLENGE THAT WE ARE FACING THAT WILL GIVE US MORE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION AND MORE ABILITY TO MANAGE CASES GOING FORWARD.

>> ALL RIGHT. THAT'S GOOD. THAT'S ALL FOR NOW. I WILL JUST RESERVE THE REST OF THE TEAM, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 3 YOU HAVE FIVE

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD EVENING. AUGUST WILLIAMS, PRECINCT 3. THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. ALSO THANK YOU FOR MAKING REALLY TOUGH BUDGET OFF SETS AND TAKING -- IT HELPS EVERYBODY ELSE. I WANT TO START WITH -- IS THERE ANY AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES HAPPENING AT THE SHIP PANEL OR PLANNED THAT WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT.

>> I WILL HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT. IT'S NOT ONE OF

THE AREAS THAT I HAVE -- >> NO PROBLEM.

>> ON BACK TO TOLL ROAD, DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OUTSTANDING TOLL

ROAD COLLECTIONS THERE ARE? >> NO, SIR, BUT I CAN GET THAT

FOR YOU. >> PERFECT.

>> LAST LIE IN HOUSE TAX COLLECTIONS IN GENERAL.

>> THAT WAS A NEW PROGRAM THAT WE STARTED LAST YEAR. WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB AT MY ESTIMATION OF FILLING THE POSITIONS. WE ARE ALSO IN THE INITIAL PHASES OF END SOURCING THE HECTOR CALL CENTER. IN ORDER TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING AS FAST AS WE COULD, WE LEVERAGED OFF THE HECTOR CALL CENTER. NOW WE THINK WE GOT IT TO A STABILITY POINT WHERE WE CAN BRING THAT BACK IN HOUSE AND THAT IS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. OUR STAFFING IS OUT OF THE ROUGHLY 53 POSITIONS, WE HAD TO DE FUND SOME IN ORDER TO PAY FOR THE HECTOR CALL CENTER. WE ARE BRINGING SOME BACK IN. I BELIEVE WE HAVE 14 -- 14 VACANT POSITIONS. SO, WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF BRINGING THE STAFF IN AND GETTING THEM UP TO SPEED. IN TERMS OF BUDGET FOR TAX COLLECTIONS, DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED.

>> AT THIS POINT IN TIME, YES. WE ARE AT THE $7 MILLION A LOT

[05:25:02]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> PRECINCT 4, FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS IF YOU CAN PROVIDE FEEDBACK. WITH THE UPCOMING COUNTY-WIDE STRATEGIC PLAN, WHAT ROLE IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PLAYING AND HOW DOES THE BUDGET ALIGN WITH THAT STRATEGIC PLAN.

>> IT ALIGNS WELL. ALMOST EVERYTHING WE DO IN THE OFFICE ALIGNS WITH THE OBJECTIVES. CASE IN THIS COULDN'T, THE CPS DIVISION. THAT WORKS WELL WITHIN THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK.

ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION, THAT TIES IN REALLY WELL. THE REAL ESTATE BRINGS IN THAT BECAUSE IT'S ALSO TIED IN TO THE HOUSING AND SO FORTH. WE REPRESENT FLOOD CONTROL WHICH HAS THE FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT FOR THE CLIMATE CHANGE INITIATIVES. I THINK IT LINES WELL WITH THE MAJOR OBJECTIVES.

>> THANK YOU. DO YOU ANTICIPATE FUTURE BUDGET NEEDS REALLOCATION BASED ON STRATEGIC CHANGES THE PAST COUPLE OF

YEARS OR MOVING FORWARD. >> WE MAINTAIN THE CURRENT LEVEL OR STAFFING THAT WE HAVE NOW. I'M SURE WE WILL NEED SOME SUPPORT IN ADDITIONAL AREAS AT SOME TIME IN THE

FUTURE GOING FORWARD. >> ANYTHING SPECIFIC ON THE AREAS THAT YOU ANTICIPATE IN THE MEDIUM OR NEAR TERM FUTURE?

>> WE WANTED TO PUT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN DEFENSIVE LITIGATION AND IN GENERAL COUNSEL. ONE TO SUPPORT THE CONTRACTS AND SO FORTH FOR THE COUNTY AND AT VICE OF THE COUNTY TO TRY TO KEEP THE USE OF OUTSIDE COUNSEL DOWN. THAT'S WHY WE WERE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN DEFENSIVE

LITIGATION. >> SO, I THINK ALONG THE SAME LINES, DO YOU HAVE ANY UPDATE RELATED TO THE STAFFING, SPECIFICALLY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN ENGINEERING AT THOSE POSITIONS AND ANY FUTURE PLANS TO EXPAND

THAT? >> WE HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PIP POSITIONS DIRECTLY ASSIGNED TO MOBILITY. WE HAVE TWO POSITIONS THAT ARE DEDICATED AND FUNDED BY ENGINEERING AND I BELIEVE IT'S REAL ESTATE. ENGINEERING AND REAL ESTATE.

SO, THAT IS TWO RESOURCES THAT ARE DEDICATED SPECIFIC TO

THOSE. >> I KNOW THAT THOSE WERE IDENTIFIED. THE LAST I HEARD THEY WERE NOT FILLED. IS THAT

STILL THE CASE? >> I KNOW WE HAD -- ONE FILLED AND ONE VACANT. I BELIEVE WE HAD A PERSON LEAVE, DIDN'T WE? WE HAD A PERSON IN THAT POSITION AND WHEN WE FILLED THE SECOND, THE FIRST PERSON MOVED ON.

>> SO THERE IS CURRENTLY ONE FILLED AND ONE VACANT?

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THAT'S A GOOD POINT. WE ALLOCATE THE WORK BETWEEN OTHER ATTORNEYS UNTIL WE GET THAT

POSITION PERMANENTLY FILLED. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK ON HOW THE COUNTRY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BUDGET SHIFTED BASED ON PRIORITIES, CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES THE PAST

THREE YEARS? >> I MEAN AS FAR AS OUR BUDGET, WE SHIFTED QUITE A BIT OF THE OPERATING EXPENSES, ALL THE OPERATING EXPENSES TO THE TOLL ROAD ADMINISTRATIVE FUND.

BASICALLY THE GENERAL FUND IS FUNDING THE POSITIONS AND WE SINCE MOVED TWO DEPARTMENTS TO THE TOLL ROAD ADMINISTRATIVE FUND. WE REALLY WANT THE GENERAL FUND TO REABSORB THOSE COSTS WHERE WE ARE NOT MOVING THEM TO ANOTHER FUND BUT THAT IS HOW WE MET SOME OF OUR BUDGET CONSTRAINTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IS USING THE SPECIAL REVENUES TO OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS EVEN TO OUR SEASONED FORFEITED ASSETS. THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE SHIFTED SOME OF THAT COST AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I APPRECIATE IT. I HAVE A LITTLE TIME LEFT SO I WILL RESERVE THE REST.

>> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> HI, MEGAN WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. REGARDING YOUR PROPOSED OFFSET TO CERTAIN VACANT POSITIONS, I UNDERSTAND COLUMBIA IS RECOMMENDING LESS THAN THE TOTAL OFFSET AMOUNT.

I'M CURIOUS IF YOUR OFFICE IS COMFORTABLE WITH THE REDUCED

[05:30:01]

OPERATIONS AS A RESULT? >> WELL, THE REDUCTION, WE ARE GOING TO START LOOKING AT AS SOON AS THE BUDGET IS LOADED TO SEE HOW THAT WILL AFFECT. WE HAVE A GAME PLAN FOR REDIRECTING THAT TO A SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT. BUT, THAT IS GOING TO LIMIT ANY ADDITIONAL NEW PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH BECAUSE WE HAVE A STATUS FUNDING. SO, THAT IS ONE OF THE HURDLES GOING FORWARD AND THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED THE POSITIONS IN GENERAL COUNSEL AND DEFENSIVE LIT GAS STATION.

>> THANK YOU. MY NEXT QUESTION IS ABOUT YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION. THE WORK THAT THEY DO IS IMPORTANT TO OUR OFFICE.

I'M CURIOUS HOW THEY ARE DOING IN TERMS OF RESOURCING, CAPACITY TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR WORK AND GOALS?

>> I CAN GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION. FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT, THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED AND WE HAVE THE STAFFING THAT WE NEED, TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE.

BUT I CAN GET WITH THEM AND FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC NEEDS THAT THEY SAY GOING FORWARD IN THE

FUTURE. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> PRECINCT ONE YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. CAN YOU PLEASE IDENTIFY ALL OF THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS UNDER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. HOW MUCH IS IN EACH OF THOSE FUNDS AND WHAT YOU ALL ARE CURRENTLY

USING THEM FOR? >> I CAN TELL YOU THE FUNDS BUT I CANNOT TELL YOU THE SPECIFIC NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

WE HAVE THE FEDERAL AND FORFEITED ASSET PROGRAM. I BELIEVE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR WE WILL HAVE ROUGHLY 500,000 LEFT IN THOSE TWO FUNDS FROM A CASH POSITION. WE HAVE THE LAW LIBRARY FUND WHICH IS A SEPARATED STATUTE THAT

>> THE WORKER'S COMP. FUND, INTERNAL SERVICE FUND , THE ADMINISTRATIVE FUND, WHICH IS H TWO GRANTS, PART OF IT WAS ARPA MONEY, USED FOR SMALL PAYMENTS. AND TITLE FOR E GRANT FUND FOR CPAS WHICH THEY REIMBURSE A PORTION OF OUR OVERALL COST BASED ON A FEDERAL FORMULA. DID I LEAVE SOMETHING OUT? THAT IS OUR MAJOR FUNDS. WE HAVE VERY SMALL , INSIGNIFICANT FUNDS LIKE LEOS AND DEEDS, COMBINED $2000 OR $3000.

>> OKAY, GOT IT. I'M SURE THAT BUDGET WILL GET THE FULL

DETAILS. >> WE CAN GIVE YOU A LIST OF

THEM. >> JUST A REMINDER, WE FOLLOW UP WITH ALL OF THE CHIEFS AND FOLKS THAT ARE TYPICALLY ON HER BUDGET DISTRIBUTIONS, WITH FOLLOW-UP WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE DAY AND WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO GET THE FOLLOW-UPS AND SEND ONE CONSOLIDATED DOCUMENT AT THE

END OF THE WEEK. >> CAN YOU TELL US YOUR CURRENT NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND OVERALL AVERAGE?

>> ALL FUNDS OR JUST THE GENERAL FUND?

>> IF YOU HAVE BOTH, THAT WOULD BE GOOD.

>> WE ONLY BROUGHT THE GENERAL FUND BUT THERE'S 33, OF THE

306 POSITIONS. >> ONE THING I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, SIMILAR WITH OTHER SPECIALIZED POSITIONS, TO ME, IT LOOKS LIKE TO HAVE A LOT OF VACANCIES, WHAT ESSENTIALLY THAT IS DOING, IT OFFSETS , IF THEY DON'T HAVE TO PASS TO THE INSIDE, USING OUTSIDE COUNCIL . WE ARE LOOKING AT THE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, DOES IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO USE OUTSIDE COUNCIL, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGHLY TECHNICAL OR SPECIFIC WORK OR DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO BRING THAT

IN-HOUSE ? >> THIS MAY BE A BUDGET QUESTION, WHEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NEGOTIATES

[05:35:01]

A PORTION? >> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DOES NOT KEEP A PORTION DIRECTLY BUT THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES THAT WE FUNDED, SPECIFICALLY LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE WE FUNDED THROUGH ADDITIONAL LITIGATION FOLKS. I THINK THERE WERE TWO CONSTRUCTION LITIGATION, IF WE SEE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT, SPECIFICALLY ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, WE DO THINK THERE WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO RECOUP MORE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE'S DAMAGE TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE OR THEIR WORK WAS NOT UP TO OUR STANDARDS. SAME THING WITH LITIGATION, VERY BLESSED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT AFTER YEARS OF LITIGATION, WE HAVE RECEIVED BIG, HIGH DOLLAR SETTLEMENTS WITH VOLKSWAGEN.

THEY DON'T NECESSARILY RECOUP DIRECT AMOUNT BUT WE DO KEEP THAT IN MIND AS WE MADE FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS THE LAST FEW YEARS. SOME OF THE SETTLEMENTS DO HAVE SPECIFIC STRINGS ATTACHED TO THEM WHERE THEY HAVE TO BE SPENT IN A CERTAIN WAY THE LAST COUPLE ENDED UP BEING GENERAL FUND.

>> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY USE OF TECHNOLOGY OR QUESTIONS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD HAVE THAT WILL HELP IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES

IN THE DIVISION ? >> NO MA'AM, NOT AT THIS TIME.

THE NEW MATTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WILL REPLACE OUR VERY ARCHAIC KC SYSTEM. THAT IS ONE OF THE PRIORITIES AND THE COURT HAS GENEROUSLY FUNDED THAT WITH COMMERCIAL PAPER MOVING FORWARD. HOPEFULLY, WE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED NEXT YEAR, IF NOT THAT, EARLIER IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES AND 16 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS >> I HAVE NO FOLLOW-UPS.

>> PRECINCT 3, 40 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> I WANT TO GIVE YOU CREDIT FOR NINE THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, ON THE SPOT. NO MORE QUESTIONS.

>> PRECINCT 4, YOU HAVE 48 SECONDS REMEDY FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS . >> I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL BUDGET AND YIELD MY REMAINING TIME EXCEPT TO SAY, GO 'STROS.

>> YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES REMAINING .

>> NO MORE QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE NO MORE REMAINING TIME WITH THAT, MR. GARNETT , YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES

FOR CLOSING REMARKS. >> WE WILL GET YOU THE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS YOU ALL HAVE ASKED. I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT KNOWING THAT, SOME OF IT IS NOT IN OUR WHEELHOUSE. AS OVERALL, WE WILL ABSORB THE 1.5 MILLION REDUCTION. WE WILL FIND WAYS TO WORK AROUND IT TO THAT WILL POTENTIALLY IMPACT CERTAIN AREAS. WE WILL ADDRESS THAT AS THE NEED ARISES. THANK YOU ALL

VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, MR. GARNER AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THAT CONCLUDES OUR FINAL PRESENTATION FOR TODAY. WE WILL RESUME TOMORROW, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH AT 10:00 A.M. FOR THE THIRD DAY OF BUDGET

HEARINGS . >> WE ARE 2 FOR 2 ON ENDING EARLY. KEEP THE STREAK GOING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.