Sep 05, 2024 Commissioners Court Budget Hearing

[HRRM]

[00:00:15]

>> GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO OUR THIRD DAY OF BUDGET HEARINGS. WE BEGIN WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. JOINING US IS OUR INTERIM CHIEF

OFFICER, DOUGLAS. >> OF MORNING, EVERYONE.

>> YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT IN EACH CORE OFFICER WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING

STATEMENT. >> MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK EACH COURT MEMBER AND THEIR OFFICES.

SIGNIFICANTLY IMPORTANT PARTNERS TO US IN THE WORK OF HUMAN RESOURCES. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE I RECOGNIZE ALL OF THE HR LIAISONS AND DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DODGE COUNTY -- COUNTY THAT ARE ALSO GREAT PARTNERS TWICE AND OUR WORK. I WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION, UNIVERSAL SERVICES, AUDITORS OFFICE AND PURCHASING OFFICE. IT TAKES A VILLAGE, TRULY, AND HR IS NO EXCEPTION TO THAT. WE HAVE SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAMS AS I LIKE TO SAY . WE HAVE LARGE WORKLOADS. IN SUPPORT OF THE 4 1/2 MILLION RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY BY SUPPORTING THE 19,000 EMPLOYEES WHO CURRENTLY WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY. OUR PURPOSE IN OUR DEPARTMENT WE ESTABLISHED TO RECRUIT, RETAIN, AND DEVELOP A TALENTED WORKFORCE THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES SERVED BY HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE ENSURING THAT NOT ONLY OUR PURPOSE AND MISSION, ALSO ON A DAY TO DAY OPERATIONAL BASIS OF THE WORK THAT WE DO ACROSS ALL OF OUR HR FUNCTIONS SUPPORT AND ALIGN WITH THE COUNTY STRATEGIC AND FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. A FEW KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU. OVER THE COURSE OF THIS FISCAL YEAR WE'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN IMPLEMENTING THE BILINGUAL PAY PROGRAM. WE DEVELOPED A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP BY SUPPORTING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN RECRUITING FOR DETENTION POSITIONS. WE'VE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN LEADING KEY ROLES IN EXECUTIVE SEARCHES, INCLUDING THE DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER, AND VARIOUS ARPA FUNDED POSITIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY. FROM A COMPENSATION PERSPECTIVE IMPLEMENTED THE FISCAL YEAR COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR ALL ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE MANAGE THE PROCESSING OF NEARLY 22,000 TRANSACTIONS IN PEOPLE-SOFT.

FROM A BENEFITS PERSPECTIVE WE ESTABLISHED A DEDICATED CUSTOMER SERVICE UNIT SUPPORTING APPROXIMATELY 44,000 COVERED LIVES REFLECTIVE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, RETIREES, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. THEY'VE EXPANDED MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES INCLUDING REGULAR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING AND THE ADDITION OF FOUR ON-SITE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS. WE ALSO CELEBRATED 10 YEARS -- 10TH YEAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH -- PRESENT OFFICES OF THE HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE 5K EVENT. WE HAVE BEEN CREATIVE . I WOULD SAY WE'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO BE CREATIVE AND EFFICIENT IN OUR RESOURCING. WHAT WE'VE DONE MOST RECENTLY FROM A HR TRANSFORMATION PERSPECTIVE LEVERAGING ONE EXISTING EMPLOYEE FOR ONE OF THE ROLES ON THE HR TRANSFORMATION TEAM. I AM HAPPY TO TAKE ANY

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH THE

COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE. >> GOOD MORNING. IN -- MANY CREATED THEIR OWN HR FUNCTIONS. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR HR TO

BETTER SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS? >> GREAT QUESTION. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AT HARRIS COUNTY TO PUT IN PLACE WHAT IS MISSING.

WHAT IS MISSING IS HR INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS, TECHNOLOGIES, STANDARDIZATION OF HR BUSINESS PROCESSES. THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING FROM AN HR TRANSFORMATION AND MODERNIZATION EFFORT IS DOING JUST THAT, PUTTING IN THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT EVERY DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO OPERATE BETTER, TO HAVE BETTER REPORTING, TO ENSURE IMPROVED CANDIDATE AND EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE. I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU -- I HAVE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS MANY TIMES THAT THE ABSENCE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE MAKES IT DIFFICULT ON DEPARTMENTS AND THE FOLKS RESPONSIBLE FOR HR WITHIN THOSE DEPARTMENTS. THEY ARE PROCESSING THINGS VIA PAPER AND USING SPREADSHEETS. SO THE OPPORTUNITY TO MODERNIZE HUMAN RESOURCES BENEFITS EVERY DEPARTMENT.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT, CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THE DECISION THAT

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WILL HAVE? >> I'M SORRY. WHICH POSITION

AGAIN? >>

>> DEPOSITION HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO OMD. THE POSITION HAD BEEN OPEN FOR HUNDREDS OF DAYS AT THIS POINT SO WE FELT GIVEN -- WE THOUGHT WE NEEDED TO PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH TO DO MORE WITH LESS SO THAT WAS A DECISION -- WE RELY HEAVILY ON OUR VENDOR -- TO DO -- WITH A SIMILAR NEED. IF WE FEEL WE HAVE ANY THAT WE ARE NOT GETTING THE SERVICE WE EXPECT WE WILL COME BACK TO COURT.

>> SURE. THANK YOU. HOW DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT UTILIZE THE DATA ANALYTICS TO DETERMINE THE BEST WAY TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES BETWEEN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS OR RISK MANAGEMENT AND TALENT

ACQUISITION? >> AND I GO BACK TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION REALLY QUICKLY? GREAT JOB TALKING ABOUT THE SERVICE DELIVERY, THE EMPLOYEE OR CANDIDATE EXPERIENCE. WE DO NOT HAVE THIS LEVEL OF STANDARDIZATION IT OPENS THE COUNTY TO RISK. WHEN WE HAVE THE EXACT SAME JOB BEING PAID DIFFERENTLY IN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OPENS RISK. WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE POLICIES WHETHER FOLKS ARE -- EXEMPT OR NOT IT OPENS RISK. WE DO NOT HAVE PROCESSES AROUND FMLA, RETURN TO WORK, LIGHT DUTY IT OPENS THE COUNTY TO RISK AND THERE ARE REELS COSTS ASSOCIATED BY NOT HAVING THE LEVEL OF POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND STANDARDIZATION AN ORGANIZATION

THIS LARGE NEEDS. >> THANK YOU. ABSOLUTELY. I WILL HOLD OFF MY QUESTIONS FOR NOW.

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

>> IN MORNING. AMBER LEE WITH PRECINCT ONE. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. FOR YOUR PRESENTATION -- THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING THAT INFORMATION IS. COULD YOU WALK US THROUGH ANY EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE FIVE NEW POSITIONS BEING REQUESTED AND REITERATE WHATEVER THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST WOULD BE FOR THOSE

FIVE POSITIONS? >> ABSOLUTELY. A COUPLE OF THINGS, WE, AS I LIKE TO SAY, THIS IS MY SECOND SEASON AT HARRIS COUNTY. IN OUR INITIAL FIRST SEASON WE ATTEMPTED -- I SAY WE. MYSELF AND THIS GROUP OF LEADERS -- ERICA IS OFF THIS WEEK -- WE ACCEPTED -- ATTEMPTED TO BUILD THE PLANE, FLY THE PLANE , ALL AT THE SAME TIME. WE RECOGNIZE QUICKLY IN AN ORGANIZATION OF THIS SIZE AND COMPLEXITY AND LAYERED INTO THAT IS THE ABSENCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE WE WERE NOT MAKING PROGRESS. WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE EXERCISE IS WE NEED A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DEDICATED TO PRIORITIZING AND MOVING THE MANY, MANY INITIATIVES AND ENDEAVORS TOWARDS TRANSFORMING AND MODERNIZING HUMAN RESOURCES IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PRIORITIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 25. SOME OF THEM YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH INCLUDING THE COMPOSITION AND PAY EQUITY A STUDY THAT WILL KICKOFF ON TUESDAY. WE ALSO ARE IN THE PROCESS OF -- WE COLLATED -- COMPLETED RFP. IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY. THAT WORK IS MOVING FORWARD. AGAIN, -- SORRY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE MY LAST COMMENT WHICH IS WE ARE ALSO GOING THROUGH FROM A TALENT PERSPECTIVE, TALENT ACQUISITION PERSPECTIVE, WE ARE BOTH HAVING TO GO TO AN RFP AS A RESULT OF EXHAUSTING OUR RENEWALS WITH A -- AND SO THERE WILL BE AN RFP IMPLEMENTATION IN FISCAL YEAR 25. I'M SORRY, ATS IMPLEMENTATION IN FISCAL YEAR 25. ALONG WITH THAT WE ARE LOOKING AND REVIEWING AND DESIGNING SERVICE DELIVERY SPECIFICALLY FOR TALENT ACQUISITION. FUNCTIONAL HR TEAMS SPECIFICALLY BENEFIT.

COMPOSITION AND EMPLOYEE COMPLIANCE AND EMPLOYEE INVESTIGATIONS. THOSE ARE FUNCTIONAL. THEY ARE PROCESSES THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SAME PROCESSES OVER AND OVER AGAIN. SO IT IS MUCH CLEARER THAT OUR MODEL IS THE SAME MODEL. WE WILL JUST NEED TO SCALE IT FOR GREATER EFFICIENCIES. TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIFICALLY WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK IN ORDER TO EVALUATE WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE AT HARRIS COUNTY. WE NEED TO GARNER INPUT AND FEEDBACK FROM DEPARTMENTS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS. WE RECOGNIZE , BOTH MYSELF AND ANDREW CAMPBELL, WE RECOGNIZE

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>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. FOR THAT REQUEST I KNOW IT WAS MADE -- TO STARTED A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IN THE REQUEST WAS MADE PRIOR TO THE BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE DEPARTMENTS. SO FROM THE OMB STANDPOINT ANY THOUGHTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS AS IT PERTAINS TO THIS REQUEST? I KNOW IT IS KIND OF OUTSIDE YOUR TYPICAL

PROCESS. >> WE ARE GENERALLY SUPPORTED FOR ALL THE REASONS I TALKED ABOUT. IN THE OTHER QUESTION.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU. LAST QUESTION. I WILL SAVE A LITTLE TIME FOR THE END. DO YOU THINK YOU'LL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL BUDGET NEEDS DURING THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS HR TRANSFORMATION? I KNOW YOU CAN'T SEE INTO THE FUTURE, BUT

TRYING TO MAP IT OUT. >> THE ONLY ANTICIPATED ADDITIONAL COST I THINK POTENTIALLY WE WILL NEED WOULD BE RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY . AGAIN, THE RFP FOR THE APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM, IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY OUR CURRENT BUDGET WHICH IS 90,000 A YEAR -- WE KNOW WE WILL NOT FIND A PRODUCT FOR THAT. I SAY WE. BOTH HR AND U.S. IN PARTNERSHIP. IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL COST IT IS MORE AROUND THE TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS COMPONENT. AND WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON DEVELOPING A ROAD MAP ORDER, AS WELL.

WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK TO YOU GUYS AT A LATER DATE WITH GREATER CONTEXT AROUND THAT, BUT IF THERE IS ANY ADDITIONAL COST IT WOULD BE IN THOSE AREAS.

>> PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL NOT HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING. HEATHER CRUZ WITH PRECINCT 2. THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY. COULD YOU TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE EASE OF THE BURDEN ON THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE COST THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE OFF OF THEM THROUGH EXPANDING YOUR TEAM AS YOU REQUESTED?

>> GREAT QUESTION. A COUPLE OF THINGS, THERE ARE A SMALL HANDFUL OF DEPARTMENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY , PRECINCT OFFICES BEING PART OF THEM, LARGER DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE LARGER BUDGETS. SO THERE IS A SMALL HANDFUL OF DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE WHAT I WOULD SAY SIZABLE HR TEAMS WITHIN THEIR DEPARTMENTS. AND THAT IS GREAT. THE REALITY THOUGH IS THE OTHER 97% OF HARRIS COUNTY'S DEPARTMENTS TEND TO HAVE MAYBE ONE PERSON THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HR FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES. WHEN I SAY FUNCTIONAL, THAT WOULD BE FMLA ADMINISTRATION AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL. OUR FUNCTIONAL TEAMS ARE BEING TAPPED IN DAILY AS IT RELATES TO ESCALATED EMPLOYEE RELATIONS ISSUES, THE INVESTIGATIONS OF ROUNDED COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVANCES IS AT RECORD HIGHS.

THOSE ARE NOT BEING HANDLED AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL. ONE OF OUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES AND GREATEST DEFICITS IS WHEN WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEE INVESTIGATIONS. IT IS AN ENORMOUS WORKLOAD. I SAY ALL OF THAT TO SAY BY ADDING TO OUR FUNCTIONAL TEAMS WE WILL, ONE, HAVE GREATER CAPACITY TO RESPOND FASTER AND RESOLVE ISSUES FASTER. SECONDLY, WE ALSO HAVE DEVELOPED SOME REALLY PHENOMENAL DRAFTS , TRAINING TO HELP IMPROVE THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL AND RE-SKILL IN CERTAIN AREAS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED IT AROUND THOSE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES. AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE PRIORITIZING AUTOMATION AND DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT TO SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY SO THAT IT BECOMES EASIER FOR THE TRANSACTIONAL HR RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE ARE NOT HAVING TO SCAN -- FILL OUT A FORM, SCAN IT, PUT IT ON A SPREADSHEET. I THINK IT IS A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH WHICH IS WE DO NEED MORE STAFF, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO AUTOMATE IT. WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE DEPARTMENTS HANDLING THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE BEEN PROPERLY AND EFFECTIVELY TRAINED. AND WE SEE THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO

ENSURE THAT, AS WELL. >> MY OTHER QUESTION IS WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT AN IDEAL HIRING PROCESS WILL LOOK LIKE IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR A DEPARTMENT YOU SUPPORT ?

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>> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST WE WOULD HAVE AN INTUITIVE USER FRIENDLY APPLICATION PROCESS. I THINK AN APPLICANT WOULD GO TO OUR WEBSITE, APPLY ONLINE, WE WOULD HAVE A RESUME PARSING FUTURE WHERE THEY ARE NOT HAVING TO LITERALLY ENTER EVERY JOB TITLE AND PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS. WE HAVE A BACK FUNCTIONALITY THAT SITS ON THE HR WEBSITE THAT COULD HELP CANDIDATES AND EMPLOYEES FIND WHATEVER THEY NEED. WE WOULD HAVE AN INTUITIVE AND AGILE FULLY CONFIGURED APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM WHERE THERE IS SOME MESSAGING THAT IS AUTOMATING -- AUTOMATED DEPENDING ON WHAT STEP OF THE SELECTION PROCESS THE CANDIDATE IS IN. IDEALLY WE WOULD HAVE EACH DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE THEIR OWN LOG IN IN THEIR OWN INTERFACE. AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO POST THEIR JOBS FROM AN EXISTING JOB LIBRARY, STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTIONS. BY THE WAY, THAT IS ONE OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE COMPENSATION AND PAY EQUITY STUDY, STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

MAKING IT SO HR LIAISONS AND HIRING MANAGERS IN TERMS OF POSTING POSITIONS WILL HAVE A SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO IDENTIFY THE TOP CANDIDATES BASED UPON KNOCKOUT QUESTIONS AND SCREENING QUESTIONS AND MAYBE EVEN KEYWORD SEARCH. BECAUSE THAT FUNCTIONALITY EXISTS SO THEY POP UP TO THE TOP RATHER THAN HAVING A HIRING MANAGER OR DEPARTMENT LIAISON OR EVEN SOMEONE ON THE TALENT ACQUISITION TEAM HAVE TO GO THROUGH LITERALLY REVIEW 300 APPLICANTS FOR ONE POSITION. WE WOULD BE INTERVIEWING OR AT LEAST HAVE THE PULMONARY PRE-SCREENS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE JOB BEING POSTED. WE WOULD ACCELERATE THE IN PERSON OR VIRTUAL INITIAL INTERVIEW WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS AFTER THAT. AGAIN, DEPENDING UPON THE

POSITION. >> THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 3, FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> AUGUST WILLIAMS WITH PRECINCT 3. MY FIRST WAS WHAT WAS A POSITION BEING CUT -- BEING RECOMMENDED AS A BUDGET

OFFSET? >> ONE OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT POSITIONS THAT CAME TO OMB DURING THE TRANSITION.

>> NEXT, HEARD A LOT ABOUT RECRUITMENT. CURIOUS WHAT YOUR OFFICE IS DOING IN TERMS OF EMPLOYEE RETENTION.

>> GREAT QUESTION. WE ARE DEVELOPING -- I WILL GO BACK.

WHEN I MET WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE COURT I WANTED TO HEAR FROM THEM WHAT THE PRIORITIES WERE. THERE WERE SOME REOCCURRING THEMES. THEMES AROUND DEVELOPING SPECIFICALLY MID-LEVEL MANAGERS AND RETENTION, RETENTION, RETENTION. WHAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT I WOULD CALL A MANAGER BOOT CAMP. SPECIFICALLY GEARED TOWARDS MID-LEVEL MANAGERS. THAT WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO ENSURE THEY ARE BEING SET UP FOR SUCCESS. IT IS A SERIES. ALONG WITH THAT , PART OF THAT MANAGER BOOT CAMP IS ADDRESSING WHAT RETENTION LOOKS LIKE FOR A MANAGER. BECAUSE IN OUR ENVIRONMENT THE RETENTION OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WHILE WE FROM AN HR PERSPECTIVE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAINING AND KNOW-HOW AND POLICIES AROUND RETENTION, AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT EMPLOYEE DOES EACH EMPLOYEE REPORTS TO SOMEONE WITHIN A DEPARTMENT SO AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THE SKILL SET AROUND HOW DO YOU DEVELOP, HOW DO YOU MITIGATE PERFORMANCE ISSUES THROUGH EFFECTIVE COACHING, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AND HISTORICALLY THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE AT HARRIS COUNTY. THAT IS NOT TO SUGGEST THERE AREN'T INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS I'VE DONE SOME SORT OF TRAINING WITH THEIR STAFF. BUT PROGRAMMATICALLY AS PART OF PORTFOLIO OF MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE STARTING POINT -- WE ALSO HAVE DATA FROM AN EMPLOYER RELATIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS PERSPECTIVE. WE SHOULD START WITH OUR MID-LEVEL MANAGERS WHO COLLECTIVELY MANAGE THE MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES AT HARRIS COUNTY. AND BUILDING THAT SKILL SET OUT AROUND RETENTION.

>> MY LAST QUESTION IS, YOU MENTIONED GRIEVANCES ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. DO YOU KNOW ANY IDEA WHY THAT IS AND WHAT CAN

WE DO TO RECTIFY THAT? >> GRIEVANCES AND INVESTIGATIONS. THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS. IF I WOULD GIVE YOU THE TOP THREE, MOST OF THEM HALF -- HAVE TO DO WITH --

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>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ANSWERS.

>> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, TWO MINUTES REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. APOLOGIZE. PRECINCT 4, YOU HAVE

FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> ABOUT TO HAVE THE BIGGEST SCANDAL EVER SEEN IN COURT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DIG INTO THIS ISSUE. BLAKE ALLERS WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES OFFICE. NO SECRET NO ISSUE IS NEARER AND NEARER TO OUR COMMISSIONERS HEART THEN OUR PEOPLE AND BUILDING THAT TALENT PIPELINE. I WANT TO THANK OUR PARTNERS AT --, ESPECIALLY DR. RAMOS. IT IS IRONIC BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS GIVING PEOPLE THE IS DIATRIBES ABOUT HOW WE HAVE ALL THE TALENT WE NEED RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY THEN WE GO HIGHER A DODGERS FAN TO COME OVER HERE. EVEN WORSE HE IS DOING A GREAT JOB. HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN A GOOD INFLUENCE ON YOU, I THINK. I KNOW INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS, YOU ARE A DIEHARD ASTROS FAN AND WE APPRECIATE THAT FOR SURE. WANT TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SO FUN FOR US EVERYTHING FOUR TO WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES WITH YOU AND TO HEAR YOU ARE BROAD VISION FOR BUILDING THE TALENT PIPELINE IN HARRIS COUNTY SO I WANT TO GIVE YOU A MOMENT TO SHARE SOME THINGS YOU SHARED WITH US ABOUT IF YOU GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED AND IF YOU CAN BUILD THE TEAM YOU NEED AND IF YOU GET BUDGET SUPPORT TO DO THESE THINGS WHAT IS THE PAYOFF IN TERMS OF WHAT WE COULD ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER TO BUILD THE TALENT PIPELINE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. IF YOU COULD SPEAK BROADLY ABOUT YOUR VISION I KNOW EVERYONE WOULD LOVE TO

HEAR IT. >> THANK YOU. I AM GENUINELY EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE IN HARRIS COUNTY FROM AN HR PERSPECTIVE. I AM GIDDY AROUND THE FACT THAT OUR GREATEST RESOURCES, OUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITY AT HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE 19,000 PEOPLE THAT ALREADY WORK HERE. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TALENT PIPELINES ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE WOULD PRIORITIZE IS HOW DO WE DEVELOP THE PEOPLE THAT ALREADY WORK HERE. HOW DO WE CREATE CAREER PATHS AND PERHAPS MULTIPLE CAREER PATHS FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS FOR THOSE WHO ALREADY WORK HERE. I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU. I'VE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS IN MY NOW SECOND SEASON AS WELL AS MY FIRST SEASON AT HARRIS COUNTY AND I RUN INTO PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY -- I AM SURE YOU GUYS DO, AS WELL -- WHO WANT A NEW OPPORTUNITY. WHO WANT TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW. WE JUST NEED TO PROVIDE THE INTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND FRAMEWORK IN ORDER TO DO SO. WHEN YOU THINK OF OUR POSITIONS, HIGH TURNOVER POSITIONS, LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES, I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU THAT THE IMPACT IS HOW DO WE DEVELOP THEM SO THEY ARE NOT SPENDING THE MAJORITY OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS ON THE LOWER END OF THE SALARY SCALE. WE CAN DO THAT. I ALWAYS JOKE AND SAY OTHER THAN BEING AN ASTRONAUT OR A GEOLOGIST ASSUMING YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO GO TO THE MOON OR FIND OIL THAT JOB EXISTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THAT SKILL EXISTS RIGHT HERE. I THINK THAT WE ARE RESPECTFULLY MISSING AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRIORITIZE STARTING WITH DEVELOPING OUR OWN TALENT IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD INTERNAL PIPELINES. -- WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO GO INTERNAL, BUT WE HAVE A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY. AND IN THE LONG-TERM THE VISION IS TO HAVE A COHESIVE APPROPRIATELY

[00:25:05]

>> LOVE TO HEAR IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. LAST QUESTION, IT IS A TOUGH ONE AND YOU ONLY GET A MINUTE TO DO A, BUT I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT ELECTED LEADERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD THEIR TEAMS IN RESPONSE TO THE VOTERS WHO PUT THEM INTO OFFICE. I THINK WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE ON THAT ONE. AND WE WANT TO FIND WAYS TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY.

STANDARDIZE PROCESSES, MITIGATE RISK FOR AN ORGANIZATION THE SPIGOT HOW CAN YOU BALANCE THOSE THINGS RESPECTING ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BUILD THEIR TEAMS AND RUN THEIR TALENT PIPELINE AS IT WOULD LIKE TO IN RESPONSE TO VOTERS WHILE ALSO STANDARDIZING ACROSS THE COUNTY FOR THIS BIG ORGANIZATION.

>> GREAT QUESTION. I SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM.

WE AGREE ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SELECT AND OPERATE THEIR HR TEAM AS THEY SEE FIT. BUT THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS STILL NEED INFRASTRUCTURE. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE EVERYONE'S JOB A LITTLE BIT EASIER. THEY WILL BENEFIT FROM A PORTFOLIO OF LEARNING AND TRAINING MATERIAL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO DEVELOP ON THEIR OWN. THEY WILL BENEFIT FROM SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY AND BETTER LEVERAGING THE TALENT WITHIN THEIR DEPARTMENTS FOR WORK THAT GENERATES GREATER ROI INSTEAD OF FILLING OUT FORMS AND

SPREADSHEETS. >> AMEN AND THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DISTRICT 4. NOW COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE YOU HAVE

TWO MINUTES. >> THANK YOU. COULD YOU HIGHLIGHT THE MOST PROBABLE AND POSITIVE OUTCOMES OF DATA USAGE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT OVER THE LAST YEAR?

>> A COUPLE THINGS. EVERYTHING WE DO HAS, LIKE MOST DEPARTMENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY, HAS A NUMBER ATTACHED TO IT WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT. ONE OF THE THINGS WILL BE ABLE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF HIS UNDERSTANDING FROM A RECRUITMENT PERSPECTIVE WHAT OUR TIME TO HIRE IS. I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT METRIC WE ARE NOT IN A REAL POSITION TO DETERMINE RIGHT NOW. THE TIME TO HIGHER MATTERS BECAUSE THERE IS A DIRECT COST OF A VACANT POSITION. AND BEING ABLE TO MEASURE IT IN THAT WAY. TIME TO ON BOARD. THAT IS THE OTHER THING. OKAY, TEXAS IS ON TO HIRE. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FROM THE TIME SOMEONE SAYS YES, I WANT TO WORK HERE TO THERE FIRST DAY ON THE JOB. THESE ARE STANDARD METRICS, AS WELL. I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOU THIS IS NEW STUFF. IT IS NOT. WE JUST DO NOT HAVE THIS IN PLACE. ADDITIONALLY, IF I THINK BEYOND RECRUITMENT FROM AN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS PERSPECTIVE IT IS VERY HARD TO TRACK -- KEEP TRACK OF THE AVERAGE TIME TO COMPLETE THESE INVESTIGATIONS. IT TAKES SUCH A MANUAL EFFORT TO TRACK THUMB AND THE DATA IS JUST NOT INTEGRIS. WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT FROM AN INVESTIGATION GRIEVANCES PROCESS WE CAN IMPROVE NOT ONLY HOW MANY WE HAVE, BUT WHERE IT IS SOURCED, HOW LONG IT TAKES US TO RESOLVE IT, AND WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION OF THAT. NOT ONLY FROM THE POSITION ITSELF, BUT IF THERE IS A FINANCIAL, LEGAL IMPLICATION AS A RESULT OF THAT INVESTIGATION OR GRIEVANCE, AS

WELL. >> THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE SEVEN SECONDS REMAINING FOR AN ADDITIONAL QUESTION.

>> NO QUESTION, THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 2, NO TIME REMAINING. PRECINCT 3, YOU HAVE 56 SECONDS REMAINING.

>> ONE I MISSED WAS WHAT IS THE STATUS OF EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION OR EXIT SURVEY. I I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE WAS APPROVED BY COURT

THIS SPRING. >> WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. WE ARE USING SIEGEL CONSULTING FIRM TO PUT THAT TOGETHER.

WE'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED THE QUESTIONS. UNFORTUNATELY ERIC IS NOT HERE IN TERMS OF TIMING, BUT WE ARE PRETTY FAR ALONG IN TERMS OF THAT. JUST GOING TO THE LAST STAGES. IT SHOULD BE -- I KNOW WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL BE COMMUNICATING SOMETHING TO THE COURT IN TERMS OF THE TIMING, BUT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR A WHILE. WE WILL --

>> THANK YOU. WE WILL PUT THIS ON THE LIST OF FOLLOW-UP.

>> PRECINCT 4, NO REMAINING TIME. DR. DOUGLAS, UNEP TWO

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>> I WILL BE BRIEF. THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I AM HUMBLED, HONESTLY, BY THE -- KNOW THAT AS I EXIT THESE TINY BUT MIGHTY TEAMS ARE TRULY COMMITTED IN SERVICE TO THE COUNTY, ITS RESIDENTS, AND ITS EMPLOYEES. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING HARRIS COUNTY'S HR FUNCTION AND BUSINESS PROCESSES INTO THE MODERN ERA AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE WHICH IS ALSO IMPORTANT AS PART OF THESE TRANSFORMATION EFFORTS. THANK YOU.

[Tax Assessor-Collector]

>> THANK YOU, INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS AND TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM. NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM THE COUNTY TAX ASSESSORS COLLECTOR'S OFFICE.

>> GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE TAX ASSESSORS AND COLLECTOR'S OFFICE. WE WILL BEGIN WITH A THREE MINUTE INTRODUCTION FOR YOU FOLLOWED BY FIVE MINUTES FOR EACH CORE OFFICE FOR QUESTIONS AND THREE MINUTES FOR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS -- AND I AM THE ASSOCIATE BUDGET DIRECTOR IN THE TAX OFFICE. BESIDE ME IS MARCUS HAMILTON, THE ASSISTANT CHIEF DEPUTY OF FINANCE FOR THE TAX OFFICE. ON BEHALF OF MS. AND HARRIS BENNETT, OUR CULTURE AND THE VOTER REGISTRAR AND THE ENTIRE OFFICE WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK WITH US AND DISCUSS OUR BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO THINK THE JUDGE, THE COMMISSIONERS, AND THEIR STAFF, THE OMB TEAM, AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO LINDSAY ANDERSON AND ADAM PROST WHO WORKED WITH US TO PROVIDE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF HARRIS COUNTY . I AM HERE TO PRESENT SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS. THE INVESTMENTS THE COURT HAS MADE IN THE PAST IN CURRENT YEARS AND STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND VISION OF MISS BENNETT IS PAYING OFF. FISCAL YEAR 2024 WE SAW A RECORD NUMBER OF FEE REVENUE FROM THE STATE. WE RECEIVE $60 MILLION FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR AUTO SERVICES PROVIDED. WE COLLECTED $8.6 BILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING ENTITIES AND JURISDICTIONS.

APPROXIMATELY $1.5 BILLION IN AUTOMOBILE FEES. WE WELCOME BACK VIA VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAM TO OUR DEPARTMENT AND SAW 80% INCREASE IN VOLUNTEER DEPUTY VOTER REGISTRAR'S THIS YEAR ALONE. AND WE WERE ABLE TO GRADUATE 82 TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES TO PERMANENT POSITIONS THIS FISCAL YEAR. AS YOU'VE SEEN IN OUR PROPOSALS, WE ARE ASKING FOR A FEW MORE INCREMENTAL INVESTMENTS TO MAKE THE TAX OFFICE OPERATE EVEN BETTER.

THANK YOU. WE ARE OPEN TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. COURT OFFICES NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES EACH FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT ONE.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US HOW A TAX ASSESSOR TRIED TO REDUCE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES WHICH HAS PRETTY HIGH COST TO THE COUNTY AND WHAT ARE SOME KEY BARRIERS?

>> THE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES OUR TALENT PIPELINE. WE KIND OF CALL IT A TAX ACADEMY. WE HAVE TO TRAIN THESE PEOPLE SO THEY CAN TAKE THESE PHYSICIANS THAT BECOME OPEN FOR US. SO REDUCING THEM I WOULD SAY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY OF OURS. WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP THE PEOPLE WE HAVE. SO WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS TRAIN THEM UP. IT TAKES ABOUT SIX MONTHS BECAUSE OF THERE IS A SERIES OF MODULES AND TEST SO THAT EACH TEMPORARY EMPLOYEE HAS TO TAKE THAT IS SET ASIDE FOR STATE

[00:35:03]

>> THE ONLY WAY WE COULD REDUCE TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES IS TO CREATE MORE PERMANENT POSITIONS.

>> I WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH BUDGET BECAUSE YOU SAY DIFFERENT THINGS. BECAUSE WE'VE DONE SEVERAL SUPPLEMENT AREAS FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. I WILL MOVE FORWARD. CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY RELATED TO TAX COLLECTIONS, THE ACT SOFTWARE COMMITTEE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO ARE THE MEMBERS AND HAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BEEN ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT

COMMITTEE. >> I DON'T HAVE THE NAMES OF THOSE, BUT WE CAN GET THAT FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU. AND COULD YOU PLEASE -- YOU HAVE AN ANTICIPATED ESTIMATE OF VOTER REGISTRATION INCREASE BY THE DEADLINE COMPARED TO 2020? ARE YOU TRACKING THAT? LIKE OUR

PROGRESS TO DATE. >> YES. WHAT WE ARE DOING, WE ALWAYS TRACK HOW MANY NEW APPLICATIONS AND WE PROCESS BY THE DEADLINE. WE CAN HAVE THAT INFORMATION. WE HAVE A TEXT REGISTER PROGRAM WE ARE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING. WE DO VOTER OUTREACH. WE WORK WITH THE DVR, VOLUNTEER DEPUTY VOTER REGISTRARS, TO HAVE COMMUNITY EVENTS JUST TO GET THE WORD OUT SO THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE CAN DO SO.

>> THANKS. I RESERVE MY TIME. >> PRECINCT 2, YOU NOW HAVE

FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> COULD WE CIRCLE BACK TO ME?

THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 3, YOU NOW HAVE

FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING. CONRAD --, PRECINCT 3. WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST NEEDS

FROM YOUR BUDGET REQUEST? >> TEMPORARY STAFF. ONE OF OUR REQUESTS AND PROBABLY THE HIGHEST PRIORITY IS TO FUND ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY STAFF. IT IS A VITAL PIPELINE FOR THE TAX OFFICE. WE TYPICALLY HAVE ABOUT 100 TO 150 TEMPORARY STAFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME BASED ON THE SEASON . OF COURSE IT IS ELECTION SEASON NOW SO TO HELP PROCESS APPLICATIONS, WHICH INCLUDE CHANGES OF ADDRESS, IT NEW RESIDENTS, A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CERTIFICATE ADDRESS CERTIFICATIONS. WE RAMP UP THAT AREA ATTEMPTS. LIKE ANY AREA WE HAVE TO TRAIN THEM FIRST. IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE EFFICIENT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE ASSIGNMENTS ARE, HOW MUCH TRAINING THEY WOULD NEED. IT IS A PIPELINE THAT THE TAX OFFICE COULD NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT.

>> IS THE CONCENTRATION IN TEMP WORKERS IN YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION? YOU ALSO MENTIONED YOUR AUTOMOTIVE AREAS, AS WELL. WHERE IS THAT CONCENTRATION AT?

>> OUR TEMP BREAKDOWN IS ABOUT 40% VOTER REGISTRATION, ABOUT 55% AUTOMOTIVE, 3% PROPERTY TAX, 2% --.

>> I WANT TO ADD TO THAT, IT IS SEASONAL. WE DO NOT KEEP AS MANY TIMES IN VOTER REGISTRATION DURING THE DOWN CYCLES. IT IS THE SAME THING WITH PROPERTY TAX. RIGHT NOW IT IS ABOUT 3% IN PROPERTY TAX, BUT AS PROPERTY STATEMENTS GO OUT AND WE START PROCESSING THAT IT GOES UP. ONCE THE SEASON HAS PASSED THE INTEMPERATE NUMBERS GO DOWN IN THAT AREA. MORE SO FOR VOTERS IN PROPERTY TAX. ALDO IS YEAR-ROUND. THAT IS PROBABLY WHY. AND THEY REQUIRE THE MOST TRAINING. TAKES ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO GET A TEMP EFFICIENT.

PASSING ALL OF THEIR STATE REQUIRED MODULES. JUST TO WORK IN THE OFFICE. AND THEN TRAINING THEM HOW TO DEAL WITH

[00:40:03]

IS SEASONAL. >> SO IT ALLOWS FLEXIBILITY.

OKAY. ABOUT THAT YOU TALK ABOUT OUTREACH AND VOTER REGISTRATION. HOW MANY FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE IN OUTREACH RIGHT NOW AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO PRIOR, BEFORE THERE WERE THE CHANGES MADE WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, WHAT DOES THAT COMPARE TO BEFORE THAT DEPARTMENT AND WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW?

>> IN 2020, WHEN THE VOTER REGISTRAR WENT OVER TO THE NEWLY CREATED AT THE TIME ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION WE SENT OVER 30 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES. THAT INCLUDED OUTREACH, PROCESS AND OUTREACH MANAGEMENT STAFF. WHAT WE RECEIVED BACK I BELIEVE WAS 37 EMPLOYEES . 37 POSITIONS. ONLY 16 WERE FILLED. SO WE HAD TO BUILD THE TEAM BACK UP. SO WE RECEIVED OPEN POSITIONS, BUT NOT ACTUAL STAFF. A YEAR AGO WE STARTED WITH 16 EMPLOYEES WHERE IN 2020 WE HAVE 30 FULL-TIME.

BUILDING THAT BACKUP, MAINLY THE OUTREACH TEAM, WAS OUR FOCUS. IN DOING THAT IN A YEAR WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE ACTIVITY IN VDBR AS BUILDING THE TEAM. THAT IS THE FOCUS ONCE AGAIN BACK TO THE TAX OFFICE.

>> HAS IT REACHED THAT LEVEL ARE YOU STILL BUILDING UP TO

IT? >> STILL BUILDING UP TO IT. I BELIEVE WE HAD OVER 7000 ACTIVE VDVR'S IN 2020. WHEN WE

RECEIVED IT BACK -- >> APPROXIMATELY 3200 VDVR'S .

NOW IT IS UP TO ALMOST 6000. >> YOU HAD STAFF TO MAINTAIN THOSE. STOP TO REACH OUTREACH. THE SAME STOP BEFORE AS YOU HAVE NOW IS BASICALLY MY QUESTION.

>> WE HAVE A FEW MORE POSITIONS. BACK THEN IT WAS 30.

WE HAVE 34 NOW BECAUSE A COUPLE POSITIONS WERE I.T. SUPPORT. WE ACTUALLY GOT 37 POSITIONS, BUT THE EMPHASIS ON OUTREACH AND FROM THE COURT, AS WELL, VOTER OUTREACH HAS INCREASED. SO WE ARE TRYING TO DO MORE THAN WHAT WE DID IN 2020.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. B MAX PRECINCT 4, FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING. MORRIS WAS FREEZING FOUR. THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT. SINCE OUR COMMISSIONER TOOK OFFICE SHE'S BEEN HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU DO IN MAKING SURE EVERYONE IS EQUIPPED ABOUT AND HAS ALL THE INFORMATION THEY NEED. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU ANTICIPATE USING FUNDING IN FISCAL YEAR 25

TO EXPAND LANGUAGE ACCESS. >> ARE YOU SPECIFICALLY REFERRING DOES SIMILAR TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

>> IN THAT WE ARE REQUESTING EIGHT MORE ADDITIONAL OUTREACH POSITIONS. WE CURRENTLY COVER FOUR LANGUAGES. SO WE DO HIGHER THAT SOME OF THE POSITIONS REQUIRE YOU TO SPEAK AND READ AND WRITE IN VIETNAMESE, MANDARIN, SPANISH AND ENGLISH.

WE DO OUTREACH IN ALL OF THOSE LANGUAGES AND WORK WITH ALL OF THOSE COMMUNITIES. AND WE ARE ASKING FOR POSITIONS TO INCREASE THAT AND TO BE ABLE TO DEDICATE PEOPLE TO EACH OUTREACH PRECINCT. SEVEN PEOPLE, TWO IN HOUSE FOR PROCESSING AND FIVE THAT GO OUT AND WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY.

BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO DO THE TYPE OF OUTREACH WE WANT TO DO AND WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS REQUESTING. SEEMING TO AND CAN YOU ALSO SHARE A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOUR SUCCESS METRICS LOOK LIKE IN TERMS OF VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS FOR THIS YEAR?

>> WE WANT TO DO AS MANY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AS POSSIBLE. ADDING EIGHT OUTREACH PERSONNEL, FULL-TIME PERMANENT PERSONNEL. INCREASE OUR ACTIVITY BY 2200 A YEAR.

POSSIBLY. WE ALSO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITIES. WE PARTNERED WITH PRECINCT 2 TO CREATE VDVR IN PRECINCT 2. LAST TIME ABOUT 20

[00:45:07]

FOR OUTREACH SERVICES. >> MISS BENNETT HAS CLEARLY TOLD US THAT THE GOAL IS TO GET EVERY ELIGIBLE RESIDENT IN HARRIS COUNTY REGISTERED TO VOTE.

>> GREAT. DIRECTOR RAMOS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'D BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO ANY SUPPLEMENTAL INCREASES TO THE BUDGET IN THE PAST YEAR AND CURRENT CONSTRAINTS.

>> TWO MAIN FOR THE LAST YEAR. ONE WAS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS I BELIEVE WHICH WAS NOT BUDGETED FOR DURING THE YEAR, THE TRANSITION FROM ELECTION OVER. AS WELL AS SEND OUT TWO TAX BILLS THIS YEAR AS OPPOSED TO THE NORMALLY ONE BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES IN STATE LAW. IN TERMS OF THE A1 CONTRACT, THE PRIMARY STAFFING VENDOR, HAVING A LONG LEAD TIME BEFORE AN EMPLOYEE IS CERTIFIED IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR APPEARED SHERIFF, D.A.S, PUBLIC DEFENDERS. THE DIFFERENCE IN WHERE I'VE HAD SOME CONSTERNATION WITH THE CONTRACTORS RATHER THAN HAVE INTERNAL RECRUITMENT PROGRAM, RATHER THAN HAVE TRAINING POSITIONS WE ARE USING A VENDOR WHICH MEANS WE ARE SUBJECT TO WHATEVER COSTA THEY WILL PASS OFF TO US. ESSENTIALLY THAT CONTRACT AT THIS POINT IS A SOLE SOURCE WHICH MEANS WE ARE WHOLLY RELIANT ON THEM AND WHATEVER FLUCTUATION IN PRICE THEY WANT TO PASS OFF TO US TO MAINTAIN STAFFING. THAT IS SOMETHING I HOPE TO SOLVE IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO WHERE WE CAN CREATE THAT INTERNAL RECRUITMENT PROGRAM, WE CAN CREATE THE TEMPORARY POSITIONS WHILE MAKING SURE THEY HAVE OUR BENEFITS AND THE ALL OF OUR SALARY REQUIREMENTS WHICH ARE MORE STRINGENT THAN IF WE WERE TO USE A STAFFING VENDOR. BUT IT WILL NOT BE SOLVED

OVERNIGHT. >> THANK YOU. I GOT A LITTLE BIT OF TIME. WOULD LOVE TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY THE TYPES OF DATA YOUR OFFICE IS USING TO IDENTIFY THOSE POCKETS OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT MAY BE NEED A LITTLE ADDITIONAL OUTREACH

AND HOW YOU ACCOUNT FOR THAT. >> I WOULD HAVE TO ASK OUR VOTER REGISTRATION TEAM ON SPECIFIC POCKETS, BUT WE TRY TO PROVIDE EQUITY OF SERVICES TO ALL PRECINCTS. WE LOOK AT IT AS A PRECINCT. AND MEET WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS IN EACH PRECINCT. OF COURSE WE COORDINATE WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE IN THEIR PRESENT.

JUST MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE.

>> I WILL SAVE THE REST OF MY TIME OR YIELD TO ANYONE ELSE

WOULD LIKE IT. >> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, FIVE

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS IDENTIFIED AND SPOKEN QUITE A BIT ABOUT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF TO REDUCE BACKLOGS IN PROPERTY TAX POLICING. CAN YOU PROVIDE MORE DETAILS ON THE CURRENT EXTENT OF HIS BACKLOGS AND COMPARE THEM TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR WITH THE PROGRESSION OF THESE BACKLOGS HAS BEEN OVER THE LAST

YEAR. >> THE PROPERTY TAX INVOICING AND COLLECTING BACKLOG, OF COURSE, IT FLUCTUATES DEPENDING ON WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS . DURING THE PROPERTY TAX SEASON WE EXPECTED TO RISE BECAUSE ALL HANDS ON DECK TRYING TO COLLECT THE MONEY. SO IT CAN BE DISPERSED TO THE PLACES IT NEEDS TO GO. RIGHT NOW I THINK AS OF THE END OF JULY IT WAS AT ABOUT 13 BUSINESS DAYS. AROUND THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR AROUND 11 BUSINESS DAYS. WE HAVE SEEN IT DIP AS LOW AS I THINK ABOUT SIX BUSINESS DAYS AND OUR GOAL IS FIVE BUSINESS DAYS.

>> IS THEIR CURRENT ANALYSIS DONE TO GET NUMBER OF BUSINESS DAYS ACCEPTABLE FOR THE COUNTY?

>> I THINK WHERE WE ARE NOW WE DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE TO BE BETTER. I CAN SAY WE WILL DO BETTER AS FAR AS ANALYZING WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BRING THAT DOWN . THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

WE WILL SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME LOOKING AT THAN TO TRY TO BRING THAT NUMBER DOWN TO THE GOAL.

>> I WILL ADD TO A, AS FAR AS COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS AND AUTO WE HAVE THE DEALERS AND THEY HAVE AN ASSOCIATION THAT WE WORK WITH AND MEET WITH REGULARLY. SO WHEN IT COMES TO BACKLOGS IN AUTO SERVICES MOSTLY IT WILL BE WITH COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS BECAUSE THEY DO MASS TRANSACTIONS. WHEN WE WORK WITH HIM OUR GOAL IS THE FIVE DAYS OR LESS. IF THEY

[00:50:04]

ACCEPTABLE TIME FOR THEM. >> THANK YOU. SORT OF AS A FOLLOW-UP, YOUR SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS ARE CONTINGENT ON THE POPULATION GROWTH OF HARRIS COUNTY. HAS THIS ANALYSIS BEEN DONE TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF TEMPORARY STAFF THAT ARE NEEDED SEASONALLY OR ARE THESE REQUESTS TARMAC OR IS THERE A NUMBER BASED OFF OF THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT YOU WOULD HAVE?

>> WHEN WE MADE THIS REQUEST WE LOOK AT THIS FISCAL YEAR AND WE LOOKED AT HOW IN THE MIDDLE OF A DOWNTIME WE HAD TO DROP OUR NUMBER LOWER THAN WHAT WE REALLY NEEDED TO JUST TO MAKE IT TO THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR. I THINK WHEN WE LOOKED AT AVAILABLE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET WE WERE WELL UNDER $100,000 RIGHT NOW TO FINISH THE REST OF THE FISCAL YEAR. PART OF THAT ANALYSIS LOOKS AT REAL-TIME DATA WE ARE DEALING WITH THIS FISCAL YEAR TO PROJECT OUT TO SAY, OKAY, CAN WE SUSTAIN THIS KIND OF SUCCESS WE HAD THIS YEAR IF WE DROP DOWN BELOW THAT NUMBER FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. AND THE ANSWER WAS NO.

THAT IS WHY WE REALIZE WE REALLY NEEDED THIS ENHANCEMENT.

AND TO THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF TEMPORARY WORKERS THAT WE CAN CROSS TRAIN TO GO TO DIFFERENT DIVISIONS AND DIFFERENT AREAS TO PICK UP SLACK AND WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OFFICE AS A WHOLE CAN SUCCEED.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL HOLD OFF ON QUESTIONS.

>> PRECINCT ONE, EF-1: 56 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> PRESENT TWO, FIVE MINUTES REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

CARLA -- FOR PRECINCT 2. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND PREPARING YOUR NOTES AND REPORTS. THIS IS VERY HELPFUL.

I DID WANT TO CIRCLE BACK A LITTLE BIT ON THE TEMPORARY WORKERS AS YOUR TALENT PIPELINE. COULD YOU SPEAK TO A LITTLE BIT THE SUCCESS RATE IN THE SENSE OF RETENTION, HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT IS FOR YOU . I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT IN THE PAST AND THEN COMPARING TO TODAY.

THAT IS MY FIRST QUESTION. >> I DON'T THINK WE CAN EMPHASIZE ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT TEMPS ARE TO OUR OFFICE. IT GIVES US TIME TO EVALUATE THE PERSON AND TO REALLY GET THEM A SIMULATED TO HOW WE OPERATE. THE RETENTION, IT ALLOWS US TO TRAIN THESE PEOPLE UP AND PUT THEM IN AN OPEN SPOT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. SO MUCH SO THAT FOR AN OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT OF OUR SIZE WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST TURNOVER RATES AND OPEN POSITION RATES. I THINK RIGHT NOW OUT OF OVER 400 POSITIONS WE HAVE LESS THAN SEVEN OR EIGHT POSITIONS OPEN AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW. AND SOME OF THOSE PHYSICIANS ARE THOSE HARD TO FILL POSITIONS. SO THE TEMPORARY PIPELINE ALLOWS US TO KEEP MOVING, IT ALLOWS THE FLEXIBILITY TO INCREASE AND

DECREASE WHEN NEEDED. >> I WANT TO ADD A STAT I JUST HAVE FOR ONE YEAR, BUT 82 TEMPS WERE HIRED TO PERMANENT POSITIONS IN THE LAST YEAR. AS IT RELATES TO DIRECT HIRES, PEOPLE APPLYING AND COMING IN DIRECT AS AN PERMANENT EMPLOYEE, WE ONLY HAD EIGHT DIRECT HIRES. THAT IS 91% OF OUR STAFF CAME IN AS A TEMP THEN PERMANENT TO 9% HIGHER DIRECTLY IN. SO WHEN WE SAY THAT WE CALL IT THE TAX OFFICE ACADEMY WHERE WE BRING PEOPLE IN BECAUSE THE TAX OFFICE IS SPECIAL SKILLS. MOST PEOPLE WON'T COME IN WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO WORK IN AUTO OR PROPERTY TAX UNLESS THEY ARE COMING FROM ANOTHER TAX OFFICE. BUT YOU ARE GENERALLY NOT GOING TO GET THAT WORKING IN CORPORATE AMERICA. SO WHEN WE COME IN AND TRAIN THEM UP AND THEY PASS ALL OF THESE STATE REQUIREMENTS AND WE IDENTIFIED THOSE WHO WORK EFFICIENTLY, JUST LIKE EVALUATING ANY OTHER EMPLOYEES, ON TIME, WHO IS

[00:55:11]

>> WHAT WE'VE NOTICED IS WE GET TO PICK THE BEST OF THE BEST. SO WHEN THEY GET IN THOSE PERMANENT POSITIONS THEY WILL

STAY LONGER. >> THANK YOU. I WAS ALSO GOING TO ASK, YOU TALKED ABOUT NEEDING TO BUILD UP CERTAIN AREAS ONCE THE TAX ASSESSOR, VOTER REGISTRAR CAME BACK INTO PLACE RECENTLY. YOU TALKED ABOUT YOU ARE ABLE TO FILL SOME POSITIONS. YOU'VE GONE UP TO ABOUT 34 POSITIONS. AND IN THIS PROCESS DID YOU REALIZE ANY EFFICIENCIES AS FAR AS THE POSITIONS THAT ARE NEEDED. AS ANYTHING CHANGE NOW AT THIS TIME FROM BEFORE AND WITH THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE IN BETWEEN. WERE YOU ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY KIND OF

EFFICIENCIES IN THIS PROCESS? >> THE NEED FOR OUTREACH SERVICES IS GREATER. WE ARE LOOKING AT 2020 WHEN THE TAX OFFICE LAST HAD IT AND THAT IS WHY ONE OF OUR CLASSES FOR EIGHT ADDITIONAL PERMANENT POSITIONS FOR OUTREACH SERVICES. AND GETTING 16 EMPLOYEES, ACTUAL PEOPLE BACK, BUILDING UP NOT ONLY TO HIRE, BUT TO TRAIN TO DO THE WORK OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND OUR SERVICES. OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN THAT. SO WE HAVEN'T DONE A LOT OF WHERE THE EFFICIENCIES WERE BETWEEN THE TAX OFFICE AND ELECTION ADMINISTRATION.

>> WE LOOKED AT IT AND SAW THE BIGGEST NEED WAS BUILDING UP THAT INFRASTRUCTURE. BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT MORE THAN JUST OUTREACH FOR VOTER REGISTRATION. WE HAVE --, --, CERTAIN ELECTIONS ARE BOUNDARY ELECTIONS. YOU VOTE IN CERTAIN AREAS. ON THOSE PARTICULAR PEOPLE ONLY. AND WE HAVE TO HAVE SUPPORT STAFF TO DO THAT. WE HAVE TO HAVE SCANNERS, ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT GO INTO VOTER REGISTRATION. OUR LEADERSHIP, THEY TOOK IT PIECE BY PIECE AND ADDED TO WHERE WE COULD WITH THE TIGHT BUDGET THAT WE HAVE. SO WITH THIS REQUEST THAT WE HAVE WE THINK IT WILL PUT US WHERE WE REALLY NEED TO BE AS A COUNTY CONSIDERING THE ENTHUSIASM AND ENERGY THAT WE HAVE NOW AROUND ELECTIONS AND REGISTRATION FOR

VOTERS. >> THANK YOU.

>> GENTLEMEN, YOU KNOW HOW TO MINUTES FOR CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> OKAY. ON BEHALF OF MISS BENNETT AND THE TAX OFFICE TEAM WE THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PETITION THE COURT FOR THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. OVER HER TWO TERMS IN OFFICE SHE HAS USED TEAMWORK, PARTNERSHIPS, INNOVATION TO PROACTIVELY ADVANCE THE TAX OFFICE FORWARD. IN CLOSING HERE ARE A FEW OF HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS. ESTABLISHING THE TAXPAYER ADVOCACY GROUP, INSTALLING -- CUSTOMER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. CREATING ONLINE CUSTOMER APARTMENT PORTAL. USING PEAK TIME TEMPS TO COVER LUNCH BREAKS FOR STAFF. INSTALLING SMART LOCKERS FOR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER PICKUPS. BRINGING ENTRY-LEVEL STAFF PAY UP TO THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LIVABLE RAGE. FOSTER -- WAGE. FOSTERING A CULTURE OF TRAINING UP AND PROMOTING FROM WITHIN. ESTABLISHING THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX COMPLIANCE ACCOUNTANTS. BEING INTENTIONAL IN MANAGEMENT MIRRORING THE DIVERSITY OF THE STAFF IN THE COUNTY AND MANY OTHER INITIATIVES TO TALK ABOUT RIGHT NOW. MOVING FORWARD WITH THE HELP OF COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WITH NEW IDEAS FROM THE NEXT

[01:00:06]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. TO THE ENTIRE TAX

[County Clerk]

COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. >> IN MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. WE WILL BEGIN WITH A THREE-MINUTE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A

CLOSING STATEMENT. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK AND SHARE INFORMATION REGARDING THE OPERATIONS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING WE FACED AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AND LATER IT HAS ONE OF OF THE MOST DEMANDING YEARS SINCE I TOOK OFFICE IN 2020. DESPITE THE CHALLENGES STAFF HAS CONTINUALLY ADAPTED DEMONSTRATING REMARKABLE RESILIENCE AND I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF MY OFFICE. WITH YOUR SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS WE'VE STRENGTHENED OUR ELECTION PROCESS AND BOLSTERED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO CONDUCT TRANSPARENT, EFFICIENT, FAIR, AND SECURE ELECTIONS ALL WHILE MANAGING THE MANY OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE HANDLES DAILY. IN THE LAST YEAR WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED THE FOLLOWING. CONDUCTED SIX SUCCESSFUL ELECTIONS WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT BREAKS SINCE SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023. ONE DURING THE STORM AND THE OTHER AFTER HURRICANE BERYL. ACHIEVED OUR FIRST PROVIDED TO ENHANCE VOTER EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT.

ACQUIRED ELECTIONS FACILITY TO CENTRALIZE ELECTIONS OPERATIONS. SECURED ADDITIONAL VOTING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO MEET THE GROWING DEMANDS OF SCHEDULED ELECTIONS. RECEIVE ADDITIONAL FTE TO MANAGE THE INCREASED WORKLOAD. DIGITIZED FROM THOUSANDS OF RECORDS INCLUDING 70,000 ROLLS OF FILM AND 16,000 BOOKS WHICH EQUATE TO OVER 200 MILLION IMAGES.

CURRENTLY DIGITIZING COMMISSIONER COURT BACKUP DOCUMENTS AND VITAL RECORDS DATING BACK TO 1836 BUT SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED OUR ANNUAL -- WITH MORE COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAN BEFORE. INSTITUTED MOBILE PAY FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY CLERK OFFICE IN JOIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. WHILE I ANTICIPATE MANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS TODAY WILL FOCUS ON ELECTIONS I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT MY STATUTORY DUTIES AS COUNTY CLERK INCLUDE RECORDING AND MAINTAINING RECORDS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, PROBE RECORDS, CIVIL DODGE COUNTY CIVIL COURTS AT LAW, ARCHIVES AND HARRIS COUNTY ARCHIVES. WE ALSO RECORDED MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL RECORDS SUCH AS PROPERTY RECORDS, MARRIAGE LICENSES, ASSUMED NAMES, BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES, -- MILITARY DISCHARGE RECORDS, -- APPLICATIONS, AND MORE. THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS ELECTIONS AND MOST OF MY FULL-TIME STAFF PERFORM THESE DUTIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY. THESE OPERATIONS DESERVE FUNDING AND PRIORITIZATION JUST AS MUCH AS ELECTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU, CLERK. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOT HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 2.

>> GOOD MORNING, CLERK. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

APPRECIATE YOUR REPORT. THAT IS VERY HELPFUL. I GUESS I WANTED TO START WITH HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY SOME AREAS OF EFFICIENCIES THAT YOU BEEN ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS YEAR?

>> I JUST GAVE A LIST OF BULLET POINTS OF THOSE EFFICIENCIES IN

[01:05:01]

>> PERHAPS WE COULD GO INTO AS FAR AS ELECTIONS GOES.

>> IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCIES OBVIOUSLY EVERYONE KNOW SEPTEMBER, 2023 WE INHERITED THE ELECTIONS ATTACHED FORM ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE BACK TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. SOME OF THE SOUND BITES AND TALKING POINTS OF THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED INCLUDED EVERYTHING FROM POLLING LOCATIONS TO TRAINING TO PAPER BALLOTS AND HAVING ENOUGH ALLOCATIONS FOR EVERY LOCATION. IN TERM OF EFFICIENCIES THE VERY FIRST THING WE DID WAS LOOK UNDER THE HOOD IN A VERY SMALL POINT IN TIME TO COURSE CORRECT, TO ADD, TO MITIGATE REVISITING THOSE CONCERNS AND ISSUES. SO THOSE ARE THE TOP PRIORITIES. AGAIN, THOSE INCLUDED TRAINING WITH THE NEW VOTING SYSTEM, MAKING SURE -- I MENTIONED HERE IN THE BULLET POINTS THAT WE HAVE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED.

ADDRESSING FACILITIES AND ALSO ADDRESSING MAKING SURE THAT THERE WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH PAPER AT EVERY LOCATION AND THAT WE ALSO INCLUDED MORE TECH SUPPORT IN THE FIELD TO ADDRESS REAL-TIME CONCERNS OR ISSUES IN TERMS OF VOTING EQUIPMENT AND

RESOURCES. >> THANK YOU. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THEN GOING FORWARD WHAT ARE GOING TO BE SOME OF YOUR BUDGETARY PRIORITIES THAT PERHAPS HAVE NOT YET BEEN

ADDRESSED? >> BUDGETARY PRIORITIES, MANY OF THOSE IN THE ELECTIONS PIECE OF THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED. IN TOTALITY AN INCREASE IN THE SALARY, THE PAY PARODY. WHEN INHERITING THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT BACK WE NOTICED VERY QUICKLY LOOKING AT SALARIES AND PAY PARODY THAT ELECTION STAFF MADE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT MORE MONEY THEN OUR DEPUTY CLERKS ON THE NONELECTION STAFF. THOSE INDIVIDUALS STILL CARRY OUT THEIR DAILY DUTIES MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND NOW THEY TAKE ON ELECTIONS STAFF. SO WE ARE HAVING SOME CONCERNS IN TERMS OF EQUITY PAY ACROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE NOW THEY ARE SUPPORTING MORE THAN JUST THEIR DAILY ROLES. SO IN TERMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT THE ASK AND FUTURE ASK WILL BE LOOKING AT MAKING SURE WE ARE ADEQUATELY PAYING OUR DEPUTY CLERKS ALONG WITH ELECTION STAFF SUSTAINABLY MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WE CARRY OUT EACH AND EVERY DAY ARE COVERED ON THE NONELECTION STAFF JUST AS MUCH ON THE ELECTION SIDE.

>> OKAY. SWITCHING GEARS, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE DIGITIZING RECORDS. HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR PROCESS IS GOING WITH DIGITIZING RECORDS, ADDITIONAL RECORDS, AND ARE YOU SATISFIED OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT REQUIRES MORE INVESTMENT? I AM ALSO THINKING IN TERMS OF COMPARING HARRIS COUNTY TO OTHER LARGER COUNTIES. ARE WE OUT -- ABLE TO THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE VARIOUS PUBLIC RECORDS YOU MAINTAIN .

>> I WANT TO REPEAT THIS BULLET POINT. AGAIN, SINCE BECOMING COUNTY CLERK WE DIGITIZED THOUSANDS OF RECORDS INCLUDING 70,000 ROLLS. NO OTHER COUNTY IS COMPARABLE IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF RECORDS THAT WE RECORD AND MAINTAIN. WE DO THE MOST. AND WE PROBABLY DO MORE THAN MOST COUNTIES COMBINED IN THE STATE. OF THOSE 16,000 BOOKS THIS INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM ARCHIVES TO PROPERTY TO PERSONAL RECORDS TO VITAL RECORDS AND OVER 200 MILLION IMAGES. SO WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING THE RESOURCES TO CONTINUE THE DIGITIZATION, BUT WE ARE SEVERAL YEARS AHEAD IN THIS PRIORITY AND WE ARE LOOKING TO GET MORE SUPPORT ON THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL ON WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO. BUT WE CAN ALWAYS USE MORE RESOURCES FINANCIALLY TO ENHANCE THAT. NOW WHEN GIVING YOU THOSE NUMBERS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING DIGITIZATION -WISE THAT LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO OUR JOBS EASIER ON THE INSIDE OF THE OFFICE BECAUSE WE ARE ABLE TO NOT HAVE TO GO PULL AN OLD BOOK OR MICROFILM. WE ARE ABLE TO GET IT FROM AN IMAGE STANDPOINT ALSO ALLOWING FOR CUSTOMERS AND THOSE IN THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO VIEW AND SEE THESE RECORDS IN AN IMAGING STANDPOINT. I KNOW THE QUESTION IS KIND OF BROAD. IT KIND OF HARD -- I WILL BE HONEST WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COUNTY VERSUS OTHER COUNTIES WE ARE SUPPRESSING EVERYONE, BUT THERE CAN ALWAYS BE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND DOLLARS PUT TO PROGRAMMING AND PROJECTS IN WHICH WE DIGITIZE MORE RECORDS

[01:10:01]

>> GOOD. THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE INTO THE NEW FACILITY WHERE YOUR OFFICES ARE MOVING TO. ARE YOU ANTICIPATING ANY NEEDS IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE THERE, PERHAPS ? I AM THINKING ABOUT STORAGE, WHETHER IT IS ELECTRONIC STORAGE OR PHYSICAL STORAGE. AND YOU EXPECT THAT THESE ARE THINGS YOU WILL BE WORKING ON IN THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR OR WOULD THEY BE SPREAD OUT OVER A FEW YEARS TIME?

>> IN TERMS OF THE FACILITY WE CREATED A WORKING GROUP FAIRLY EARLY ON TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THIS FACILITY. THAT INCLUDED THE BUDGET OFFICE AND WHAT THE FINANCIAL NEEDS WOULD BE TO --.

TO THIS DAY THE FACILITY WILL PROVIDE TESTIFIED LOCATIONS WE'RE AT IN THIS COUNTY ALL OF THOSE OPERATIONS CAN GO INTO THE MORALES FACILITY. THE SELECTION WE WILL USE THE FACILITY AND SELECTION COMMAND. THE MOVE WILL STILL TAKE PLACE FOR MONTHS BEFORE WE HAVE A FULL 100% IN MOVE. IN TERMS OF FINANCIALLY WE ARE WORKING CONTINUALLY BY HAVING WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE. RIGHT NOW WE ARE SAFE WITH OUR BUDGET IN TERMS OF WHAT WE NEED TO ACHIEVE FOR THIS NOVEMBER AND THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR, HOWEVER, MUCH LIKE MANY OTHER ELECTIONS, ONCE WE PASSED NOVEMBER WE CAN COME BACK AND SEE WHERE WE ARE AT, WHAT NEEDS TO BE ASSESSED AND WHAT THE NEEDS WILL BE. AS OF NOW I AM HAPPY TO SAY EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN I CAME TO EVERYONE AND SAID WE NEED AN ELECTION COMMAND, WE CAN CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN AND GO HERE AND THERE AND EVERYWHERE. THE COURT STEPPED UP TO SUPPORT THE AND EVEN DESPITE BACK TO BACK ELECTIONS AND STORMS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE WE WERE ABLE TO COOL THIS PROJECT TOGETHER TO ALLOW IT TO BE THE ELECTION COMMAND CENTER.

INCLUDE STORAGE, ITEMS FOR VOTING SYSTEMS INCLUDING ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER TIME. IT INCLUDES OFFICE SPACES FOR ADMINISTRATION. THAT PRETTY MUCH COVERS WHERE WE ARE AT NOW. I CANNOT SAY WE WILL COME BACK AND SAY HERE'S WHAT WE'VE ASSESSED, WHAT WE'VE LEARNED, BUT MY OFFICE FINANCE TEAM ALONG WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT HAS WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THE NUMBERS ARE REALISTIC IN TERMS OF WHERE WE STAND TODAY.

>> JUST A QUICK JUMP IN, MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS TO GO THROUGH TO SET THE ELECTIONS OPERATIONS BUDGET. WE LOOK AT A CALENDAR, WE KNOW WHAT KINDS OF ELECTIONS THERE ARE. WE KNOW GENERAL SCALE OF HOW BIG THEY WILL BE IN THE NUMBER. I KNOW THERE IS SOME NEGOTIATION ON THE NUMBER OF POLLING PLACES. WE ASSIGN A COST TO IT. I'VE GOTTEN PRETTY GOOD AT PREDICTING THE COST OF EACH ELECTION. WHAT REALLY THROWS US OFF IS WHEN THERE IS NEW ELECTIONS CALLED, SPECIAL ELECTIONS, ET CETERA. BUT WE ARE IN LOCK STEP IN BEING ABLE TO DETERMINE WITHIN SOME RANGE HOW EXPENSIVE WE THINK EACH ELECTION WILL BE AND THAT IS WHY YOU SEE THOSE BIG FLUCTUATIONS IN THE ELECTION COST YEAR-TO-YEAR. BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTIONS, SIZABLE ELECTIONS, ET CETERA.

>> OBVIOUSLY THIS YEAR WAS A YEAR THAT WE EXPERIENCE MORE ELECTIONS THAN PREDICTED BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THAT PART I CAN CONTROL, BUT I DO THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A VOICE TO LET THEM KNOW THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT IT TAKES WHETHER YOU ARE A BIG COUNTY OR A SMALL COUNTY, BUT MR. RAMOS IS CORRECT. WE HAVE MET CONTINUALLY WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE SO THAT THERE IS NO SURPRISE. THAT WE ARE CONSISTENT. WHEN YOU HAVE A YEAR WHERE THERE ARE PRIMARIES IT IS UNPREDICTABLE. IN THIS YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY A JOINT PRIMARY WHICH REDUCED COST WE FORESAW WOULD BE FAR MORE HAD IT BEEN TWO SEPARATE PRIMARIES ON THE SAME DAY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THIS MODEL AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING AHEAD OF THE ASK, ARTICULATED THAT IN OUR MEETINGS WITH STAFF MEMBERS AND WITH THE COURT TO BE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF WHERE WE STAND IN EVERY STAGE OF THE

ELECTIONS PROCESS. >> THANK YOU. AS A FOLLOW-UP.

YOU MENTIONED RECEIVING ELECTION EQUIPMENT DELIVERY DURING THIS YEAR. IS THERE STILL ANY OUTSTANDING OR HAVE WE RECEIVED EVERYTHING WE REQUESTED IN OUR INITIAL ORDER?

>> WE HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST 80%. ANOTHER 20% WILL TRICKLE IN UP UNTIL OCTOBER. I WILL SAY WE HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH EQUIPMENT FOR NOVEMBER SO WE ARE READY TO GO. THE EQUIPMENT WE HAVE RECEIVED IS ALREADY READIED AND WILL BE PREPARED TO

[01:15:06]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 3, YOU NOW HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING. FIRST OF ALL, REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE IS HERE AND THE WAY YOU WERE ABLE TO NAVIGATE IT. GREAT WORK ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> I THINK WE TALKED PREVIOUSLY WITH THE TAX ASSESSORS ABOUT TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. WHAT IS YOUR DEPARTMENTS ON TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES?

>> WE RELY GREATLY ON TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES. THAT FLUCTUATES FOR THE TYPE OF ELECTION. AN ELECTION YOU LIKE THIS WE USE A GREAT DEAL OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES IN EVERY SECTOR OF OUR ELECTIONS OPERATIONS. THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIMES WE UTILIZE ON THE NONELECTION SIDE FOR SOME OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY THAT'S FACING. THE MAJORITY IS ON THE ELECTION SIDE. OBVIOUSLY THOSE FOLKS WOULDN'T NEED TO BE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AROUND THE CLOCK BECAUSE EVERY YEAR ELECTIONS DYNAMICS CHANGE SO WE RELY ON EVERYTHING FROM PHONE ROOM CALL CENTER ASSISTANCE TO VOTING EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE, ELECTION TECHNOLOGY, A.D.A.

ASSESSING ALL OF THE POLLING LOCATIONS. EVERY AREA OF OUR OPERATIONS WHERE WE RELY ON TEMPS IN A CERTAIN WINDOW OF TIME PRIOR TO EVERY ELECTION. WHEN WE GET TO AN EXTERNAL WHEN WE HAVE A MAY ENTITY ELECTION WE WILL NOT HAVE THE HUNDREDS OF TIMES WE HAD THIS PAST NOVEMBER'S WHAT WILL FLUCTUATE FOR EVERY ELECTION YEAR. THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

>> I DON'T WANT TO CONFLATE THE TWO. THE TEMPS ARE UTILIZED FOR ELECTIONS ARE TRUE TEMPS. THEY HAVE A START DATE, AN END DATE. THE A1 CONTRACT IS BEING UTILIZED BY THE TAX ASSESSOR IS A TEMPORARY IS IN LIEU OF CREATING AN INTERNAL RECRUITMENT FUNCTION. THESE ARE REALLY FTES WE ARE STASHING OVER THERE UNTIL THE MEAT THEIR CERTIFICATION. I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE DOING TEMPORARY JOBS OR

SEASONAL TYPE JOBS. >> I WILL ADD THAT WE HAVE HAD SOME PRETTY EXCELLENT TIPS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE FULL-TIME. WHEN THE COURT APPROVED THE ADDITIONAL FTES WE NEEDED FOR TRAINING, FOR RECRUITMENT, AND FOR ELECTION TECHNOLOGY STAFF. MOVING THAT EQUIPMENT AROUND, GETTING IT READY TO GO. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL FROM FOLKS WHO HAD DONE THIS THAT SOME OF OUR TEMPS HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS AND WE HAVE JUST NOT HAD THE FTES TO HIRE THEM FULL-TIME SO WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET SOME GOOD TALENT AND HIGHER HERE AND THERE SOME OF THOSE TEMPS TO FULL-TIME STAFF.

BUT, AGAIN, TO MR. RAMOS POINT, OUR TEMPS WE BRING IN, AND UTILIZE THEM FOR THAT TIME PERIOD. ONCE THE WORK IS DONE IT IS DONE AND THAT IS WHERE WE STAND WITH TEMPORARIES.

>> IF I RECALL, AND I APOLOGIZE IF I AM NOT RESEARCHING THIS IN ADVANCE, I RECALL THAT A1 SERVICES WAS BEING USED TO MANAGE OUR ELECTION JUDGES . ARE WE STILL DOING THAT?

>> NO. A1 TEMPS ARE NOT THERE TO MANAGE JUDGES. THERE HAVE BEEN TEMPS THAT WE HIRED TO SERVE AS ELECTION TAX. THAT IS NOT THROUGH A1. THAT IS THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY. THEIR SPECIFIC ROLL IS FOR TECH SUPPORT. THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT WHAT IS TAKING PLACE. ELECTION JUDGES ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR DUTIES OF THE POLLING LOCATION. THOSE TECHS ARE THERE TO ADDRESS IN REAL TIME EQUIPMENT CONCERNS -- OKAY. A1 PROCESSES THEIR PAYROLL. BUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE THERE TO ADDRESS ANY TECHNICAL SUPPORT, COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN OUR OFFICE AND THE POLLING LOCATION WHEN ELECTION JUDGES DO NOT

[01:20:01]

DOES PROCESS THEIR PAYROLL. >> THE COST OF DOING IT THROUGH A1, IS IT BENEFICIAL COMPARED TO WHEN WE DID IN HOUSE PREVIOUSLY? IS THERE A PRO AND CON TO IT BASICALLY IS WHAT I AM ASKING. AND WHAT IS THE COST OF ANYONE DOING THE PAYROLL FOR

THE JUDGES. >> COME ON IN, DYLAN.

>> GOOD MORNING. I CAN ACTUALLY SPEAK TO THIS MORE BECAUSE OF MY FORMER ROLL WHEN WE WERE IMPLEMENTING THE NEW STAR SYSTEM. WE DID NOT WANT TO BUY STAR LICENSES FOR JUDGES EVERY YEAR SO AT THAT TIME THE DECISION WAS MADE FOR A1. MORE EXPENSES, AS I'M SURE MR. ALMOST TOLD YOU, BUT START WAS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE FOR THOUSANDS OF JUDGES EVERY YEAR.

>> I UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU. QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 4, 11 MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OVERVIEW OF HER OFFICES WORKING FOR BEING HERE. I KNOW OPERATIONS ARE RAMPING UP HEADING INTO NOVEMBER. THE COMMISSIONERS INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU AS A PARTNER. WE KNOW HOW COMMITTED YOU ARE TO DOING THIS JOB AND I KNOW THERE IS NO PROCESS YOU'VE NOT BEEN WILLING TO BE PART OF TO ENSURE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE ABLE TO CAST THEIR VOTES WITH CONFIDENCE. THANK YOU. YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN SO NIMBLE AND RESPONSIVE AND'S CHANGING STATUTES. YOU SPOKE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THOSE 44 FTES. CURIOUS WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS. IF YOU PLAN IS THE INCREASE IN RETENTION FOR VOTING CENTERS OR ANY NEW LOCATIONS .

>> THOSE PARTICULAR FTES WERE FOR THREE AREAS, TRAINING WHERE WE CAN HANDLE MORE FULL-TIME STAFF ABLE TO CONSTANTLY UPDATE OUR TRAINING MANUAL AND BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH STATE CHANGES.

THE OTHER WAS FOR RECRUITMENT IN ORDER TO RECRUIT MORE ELECTION JUDGES AND ELECTION WORKERS. IT ALSO INCLUDED A.D.A., FOR THOSE HIM TO GO TO POLLING LOCATIONS AND ASSESS A.D.A. FROM OUR FACILITIES TO VOTING LOCATIONS. AND OUR ELECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER. WHEN I SAY ELECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER OPERATIONS, THAT MEANS THE PHYSICAL PART OF THE OPERATIONS. FROM TESTING EQUIPMENT OUT TO UTILIZING SUCCESS RATE. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. WHEN THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THIS IT REALLY CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF US BEING ABLE TO SUSTAIN TALENT THAT KNEW THE JOB, HAD BEEN TRAINING AND WORKING. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WAS A GREAT AMOUNT OF THOSE FOLKS WHO BEEN CONSISTENT TEMPS FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS. TO ALLOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN EDUCATED , NOT AS HAVING TO START ALL OVER AGAIN TO TRAIN THESE INDIVIDUALS TO BE READY, AND TO UNDERSTAND HOW ELECTIONS WORK. ELECTIONS IS FAR DIFFERENT THAN COMING IN AND TRAINING SOMEONE AS A DEPUTY CLERK. THAT IS IMPORTANT WORK, AS WELL, BUT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE LAWS, HAVE TO MAKE SURE THESE FOLKS ARE VERY AWARE OF LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, AND MAKING SURE YOU UNDERSTAND EVERY ASPECT OF EVERY COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT. BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW EVERY PRECINCT HAS ITS DIFFERENCES. SO IN TERMS OF SUCCESS RATE, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO FILL THE MAJORITY OF THOSE POSITIONS. THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN WORKING AND IT'S COME IN AT A GREAT TIME BECAUSE, AS YOU'VE HEARD, WE'VE RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. SLOWLY MOVING TO OUR NEW ELECTION COMMAND CENTER OR OPERATIONS FACILITY. AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE ABLE TO HELP THE CURRENT TEAMS THAT ARE IN PLACE, BUT ALSO MAXIMIZE WHERE

WE ARE GOING IN THE FUTURE. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. YOU SPOKE IN A BIT ABOUT THE MATERIALS, BUT I'M CURIOUS. WE HAVE A MYRIAD OF REALLY SPECIFIC NOTES. WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE MACHINES IF YOU FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE NUMBER YOU HAVE CONTINUING THAT'S CONSIDERING STATUTE EXPENSIVE.

>> WE FEEL CONFIDENT, NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. YOU SAW SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACED BEFORE. SO MANY ELECTIONS BACK TO BACK AND BEEN ABLE TO TURN EQUIPMENT OVER WITHIN A 20 DAY WINDOW CAUSE DIFFICULTY. NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE THAT HEART WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT EQUIPMENT IN A SMALL TIMEFRAME BECAUSE IT TAKES A WINDOW ABOUT MINIMUM SIX MONTHS TO ALMOST A YEAR TO BE ABLE TO GET THE EQUIPMENT WE RECEIVED THUS FAR. WE STARTED TACKLING THAT VERY EARLY ON PRIOR TO THE PRIMARY. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO GET THE JOINT PRIMARY WHICH WOULD ENTAIL PUT AS MUCH DEMAND ON THIS BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FULFILL THE MACHINE EQUIPMENT ALLOCATIONS HAD IT NOT BEEN A JOINT PRIMARY. IN TERMS OF THE

[01:25:06]

>> IN TERMS OF COST INCURRED I WILL BRING UP THE COST OF THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT. THE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT WAS A LITTLE OVER 26 MILLION. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT COST INCURRED THAT IS A BIG PRICE TAG, BUT, AGAIN, WITH THE DEMAND OF THE ELECTIONS AND THE THINGS TO CARRY OUT WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. ALSO THE COST INCURRED FOR THE ELECTION BUILDING LEASE. WE KNOW THAT IS IN THE BALLPARK OF 10 MILLION . ALSO WITH THE ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL PAPER TO BE ABLE TO GET IN THAT FACILITY, HAVE THE RESOURCES WE NEED HAS BEEN OUR BIGGEST COST THUS FAR. TEMPORARIES AND OVERTIME IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A THING. NO WAY THAT WE CAN AWAY FROM TEMPORARY COSTS WHICH WE'VE ADDRESSED. OVERTIME WILL BE MORE THAN WHAT YOU WILL SEE IN A PRIMARY OR STATUTORY MAY ELECTION BECAUSE THIS IS THE SUPER BOWL OF ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER. AGAIN, WE FEEL CONFIDENT IN THE RESOURCES WE HAVE NOW MEANING THE BUDGETARY ITEMS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN SOMETHING THAT -- CAN'T. WE COULD GET AN ADVISORY FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT REQUIRES US TO DO SOMETHING IN A 30 DAY WINDOW OR SOME THINGS WE IDENTIFIED ALONG THE WAY. MAYBE WITH ELECTION SECURITY AND THOSE TYPES OF ITEMS THAT WE HAVE TO COME BACK AND BUDGE AND SAY THIS. WE LITERALLY HAD A CITY IN WEEKLY MEETING. I AM REALLY GRATEFUL TO THE BUDGET TEAM BECAUSE I KNOW THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY, BUT ELECTIONS IN MY OFFICE IS QUITE DEMANDING AND THEY MAKE THE TIME FOR US TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT LEAVING ANYTHING BEHIND AND THERE IS NO SURPRISES ALONG THE WAY.

>> ALSO SOME PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS WE HAD TODAY RELATED TO SECURITY CAMERAS AND OTHER THINGS THAT WERE MANDATED

BY THE STATE. >> THAT REMINDED ME OF SENATE BILL SB ONE. THAT BILL REQUIRES US TO HAVE CAMERA FOOTAGE FOR CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, NORMALLY PRIOR TO EARLY VOTING TO ELECTION DAY. IN MANY PARTS OF OUR OPERATIONS. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CAMERAS AND SECURITY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DOLLARS AND CENTS. THIS IS A STATE MANDATE. WITH THE STATE MANDATES ADDITIONAL FUNDING DOESN'T COME DOWN FOR THE STATE FOR US TO DO THAT. SO WE RELY ON COUNTIES TO INCUR THE COST TO IMPLEMENT. SO THOSE STATE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE THINGS THEY CANNOT PREDICT. AND WHEN WE DO GET DOWN AGAIN, I'LL BE ACTIVE IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN THE HOPES OF MAYBE BRINGING SOME REALISTIC ASPECTS TO WHAT IS TAKING PLACE IN THE DEMAND IT REQUIRES FOR COUNTY CLERKS AND WE ARE RECEIVING THE REQUIREMENTS, BUT NOT THE RESOURCES TO MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS FROM A STATE PERSPECTIVE.

>> GRADE GOOD BEAT ME TO MY NEXT QUESTION. I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT SOME INITIATIVES AND MAYBE YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT YOUR OFFICE TAKING ON TO ENGAGE

VOTERS. >> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU SO

[01:30:02]

THIS WILL INCLUDE DIGITAL BILLBOARDS IN PLACES LIKE GEMS, DENTIST OFFICES, IN MANY AREAS OF OUR COUNTIES, BUT ALSO THOSE HARD BOARD BILLBOARDS THAT HAS AVAILABILITY. THIS WILL INCLUDE TELEVISION ADS, OF COURSE.

>>> IS AN EQUITABLE REACH ACROSS OUR COUNTY IN TERMS OF WHERE THIS INFORMATION IS GOING. IT WILL REACH ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY. WE ALSO HAVE A GREAT ROBUST OUTREACH TEAM HAS ALREADY , BY SEPTEMBER 30TH, WILL HAVE COMPLETED OVER 150 VOTER EDUCATION AND OF WHICH WE PLANNING WITH YOU ALL. WE ARE BRINGING BACK THE VOTER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS IN EVERY PRECINCT. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE OUR COMMUNITY REQUIRED MEETINGS. AND MANY OF THOSE EVENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY, HOUSTON METRO , AARP. AND ALSO MEETING ALL VOTERS AT STAGES. THERE ARE SEGMENTS. THERE IS A SEGMENT OF WHERE WE REALLY TARGET BALLOT BY MAIL. EARLY VOTING TO ELECTION DAY. I KNOW WE ARE SHORT ON TIME. I SEE THE EYEBALLS, AND WE ARE HAVING A STAFFERS MEETING EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 3:00 P.M. WHERE WE ARE GIVING YOU REAL-TIME UPDATES BETWEEN NOW AND THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP ON THE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.

>> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU WILL NOT HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. YOU'VE SPOKEN A BIT ABOUT DIGITIZING RECORDS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES. YOU'VE IMPLEMENTED RECENTLY IN THE OFFICE UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY, VOTER MACHINES THAT ARE 20 YEARS OLD WITH THE VOTING MACHINES PROJECT. DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE NEEDS FOR THE VOTING MACHINES PROJECT TO CONTINUE PAST THE GENERAL ELECTION, AND IN ADDITION, ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU FORESEE FOR TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION?

>> OKAY. I WANT TO SEEK A LITTLE BIT OF CLARITY ON THAT.

YOU KIND OF STARTED WITH DIGITIZING, WHICH IS ON THE NONELECTION SIDE. WHEN YOU SAY PROJECT, DEEMING THE VOTING EQUIPMENT IT OFF, ON THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION PIECE?

>> FIRST, WE START WITH THE VOTING EQUIPMENT AND THEN MOVE

ONTO THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. >> WITH VOTING EQUIPMENT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THERE ARE ONLY TWO THAT ARE CERTIFIED FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS TO USE. SO IN TERMS OF VOTING EQUIPMENT, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS EQUIPMENT FOR QUITE A WHILE.

YOU DON'T FLIP EQUIPMENT OR CHANGE THEM. AND I THINK WITH THE FORMER EQUIPMENT, WE HAD THAT FOR OVER 20+ YEARS . NOW, IF THE STATE COMES BACK AND MAKES SOME CHANGES AND SAYS, HEY, WE ARE NOT QUITE USED PAPER BALLOT ANYMORE, THEN COME CERTIFICATIONS THAT ARE REQUIRED. WE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH ECONOMY TO COME IN AND SAY, THIS IS KIND OF COOL, BUT WE WANT THIS OTHER INCENTIVE. EVERYTHING HAS TO ALIGN WITH TEXAS ELECTION CODE AND WHAT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS.

IN TERMS OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE DO HAVE, WE WORK DIRECTLY WITH THEIR VENDORS TO REQUEST AND ASK FOR ENHANCEMENTS ALONG THE WAY. WE ARE GETTING A BETTER FEEL FOR HOW IT WORKS.

MY THOUGHT IS, PREVIOUSLY WHEN IT WAS HANDLED, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A LARGER VOTER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. I THINK WE ARE CATCHING UP TO IT DIDN'T TAKE PLACE BEFORE IN TERMS OF EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS. THIS SEASON IS MUCH DIFFERENT WHERE YOU USE THE WHEEL AND PUSHBUTTON. NOW IT IS TOUCHSCREEN. EVERYONE IS USED TO TOUCHSCREEN AND SCANNING AND BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE PAPER. THE BIGGEST SET OF CHALLENGES WE EXPERIENCE IS OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF PAPER, THERE'S A LOT OF ODDITY AND A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE FOLLOWING EVERY ELECTION. I FORESEE AS WE CONTINUE TO TALK

[01:35:01]

ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. >> THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR INCLUDED ABOUT 44 POSITIONS EQUIPPED TO HANDLE

TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING. >> I DID I JUST ANSWERED AND KIND OF WENT THROUGH THAT, BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO REPEAT THAT.

THE 44 POSITIONS INCLUDED MORE RESOURCES FOR THE A.D.A.

POSITION, THE ELECTION TECHNOLOGY FACILITY -- SORRY, NOT FACILITY. THE INDIVIDUALS THAT HANDLE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING. WHAT I HAVE SAID IS THIS IS A GAME CHANGER FOR OUR OFFICE, BECAUSE MANY OF THOSE FOLKS THAT WORK IN THAT AREA, WE RELY ON TEMPS, WHICH MEANS ARE RELY ON TURNOVER. SOME OF THOSE TEMPS HAVE NOW BEEN ABLE TO BECOME FULL-TIME AND THIS HAS ALLOWED US TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ON -- I'M NOT GOING TO SAY WE HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES WE NEED, BECAUSE WE CAN USE MORE FTES ON THE ELECTION SIDE, BUT IT HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER IN ORDER FOR US TO BE PREPARED FOR THIS NOVEMBER ELECTION, AND KEEP SUSTAINABLE EDUCATION -- INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED, WHO KNOW THE WORK, THE IMPORTANCE OF IT ALONG THE WAY.

>> THANK YOU. SWITCHING GEARS FROM ELECTIONS FOR A MINUTE -- I KNOW THIS YEAR, IT FEELS LIKE THAT'S ALL WE'VE DONE WITH YOUR OFFICE. BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT GOES ON IN YOUR OFFICE. IN REGARDS TO RECORDS MANAGEMENT, GIVEN THE INCREASE IN POPULATION, GIVEN THAT THERE HAVE BEEN AN INCREASE IN NEEDS MOST LIKELY, HAS THERE BEEN AN ADDITIONAL UPTAKE OR A NEED WITH PERSONAL RECORDS, PUBLIC RECORDS, COPIES, OR REAL PROPERTY RECORDS THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED YET?

>> I WILL TELL YOU WITH THE INCREASE IN INDIVIDUALS IN THIS COUNTY , ON THE REAL PROPERTY SIDE, THE AMOUNT OF RECORDS INTAKE AND SUSTAINABILITY HAS JUST SHOT THROUGH THE ROOF. AND THAT WAS FOR PERSONAL RECORDS AND OTHER AREAS . WHAT STICKS OUT THE MOST IS REAL PROPERTY. THAT DEPARTMENT IS UNDERSTAFFED. I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE ARE DIGITIZING AND SO THIS CAN GO ONLINE, BUT QUITE FRANKLY, WE HAVE A SMALLER TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS WERE HANDLING THOUSANDS OF RECORDS ON A DAILY BASIS. AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE, DEED, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS NEXT YEAR IS IMPLEMENTING A DEED FRAUD SYSTEM. IF YOU ALL HAVE PAID ATTENTION TO THE NEWS AND WHAT IS GOING ON, THERE IS AN UPTAKE ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE NATION WITH INDIVIDUALS WERE COMING IN, STEALING INDIVIDUALS PROPERTY AND INFORMATION. THIS YEAR, WE WANT TO INVEST IN A SYSTEM THAT WILL NOT ONLY BE BENEFICIAL FOR OUR OFFICE, BUT FOR CONSTITUENTS. I DO SEE IN THE REAL PROPERTY AREA WE WILL NEED TO BETTER FUND, BETTER PAY THOSE INDIVIDUALS, MOST IMPORTANTLY, PROVIDE A DEED FRAUD ALERT SYSTEM. I WILL BE GOING TO THE LEGISLATURE WITH MY OTHER FELLOW COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE DATE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEED AND SUPPORT FOR THE DEED FRAUD PREVENTION AS WELL.

[01:40:02]

>> THANK YOU. CMAC

>> A LOT OF MY QUESTIONS ARE GONE, SO I WILL ONLY HAVE A FEW. TO THE ELECTION COMMAND CENTER, ARE YOU HAVING ANY ISSUES WITH THE BUILDING AND COMMAND CENTER GETTING THINGS YOU NEED TO HAVE THE BUILDING BE READY? I KNOW WE WERE PAYING A LOT TO MOVE TO NRG AND HAVE THE RALLY SIGNS AND EVERYTHING FOR ELECTIONS. JUST WANT TO CHECK AND IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES YOU ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING.

>> IN TERMS OF ELECTION COMMAND, I WANT TO SET A REALISTIC PICTURE. ALL FACILITIES ARE NOT GOING TO BE IN THAT BUILDING 100% BY NOVEMBER 5TH. BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE FACILITY. WE WERE ABLE TO GET THOSE MACHINES BROKEN DOWN, GET THOSE FOLKS IN THERE, GETTING FURNITURE IN, AND IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE UTILIZED FOR LMA. EVERYTHING USE ELECTION COMMAND THAT WE RESERVE WORK, WE ARE ABLE TO USE FOR ELECTION COMMAND. THE BRITISH CHALLENGES TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE. AS YOU ALL KNOW, GENERATORS ARE NOT CHEAP. THEY COST A LOT OF MONEY. WE HAVE PUT IN OUR BUDGET REQUEST AND ASK TO MAKE SURE THAT IN CASE OF ANOTHER WEATHER EVENT OR SOME SORT OF EMERGENCY THAT WE HAVE THOSE THINGS IN PLACE.

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE WORKING WITH HARRIS COUNTY PURCHASING, AND OUR OFFICES WITH THE LEASE AGREEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED, BUT ALSO THE BACKUP IN CASE OF WEATHER EVENTS. MOST OF IT IS TIME JUST NOT BEEN ON OUR SIDE. WE ARE A LIGHTSPEED AHEAD OF WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE AT THIS POINT. I TOLD COMMISSIONERS IN QUARTER TWO BEFORE, I TOLD HIM IF IT'S THE LAST THING WE ARE GOING TO DO, WE ARE GOING TO BE IN THIS BUILDING. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE TAXPAYERS WILL BE PROUD OF THE FACILITY. IT IS A LONG TIME COMING . ELECTIONS NEEDED THIS TYPE OF FACILITY , THAT THE MOST CONCERNS AND CHALLENGES IS THE TIMEFRAME. THERE ARE JUST SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN'T DO BEFORE NOVEMBER BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO -- CONCENTRATE ON THE ACTUAL OPERATIONS. BUT IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THE FINANCIAL PIECE OF THIS, IF THERE IS A FINANCIAL NEED THAT HAPPENS TO COME UP, WE WILL HAVE THE CONVERSATION PRIOR SO THAT YOU ALL ARE AWARE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY AND PURCHASING TO MAKE SURE OUR LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS ARE IN PLACE AND IT DOESN'T COST US

MORE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. >> MY OTHER QUESTION WAS, ANY TRADITIONAL ADDITIONAL NEEDS BEFORE THE ELECTION, OR THE POTENTIAL RUNOFFS POSTELECTION?

>> YES. THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL BUDGET NEEDS COULD BE POSSIBLE OVER TIME DEPENDING ON THE DEMANDS OF THE ELECTION. THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM. WE WERE ABLE TO BE FUNDED I THINK AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS 2.5 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDS. WELL, WE HAD SIX BACK TO RECOLLECTIONS, SO WE ONLY HAVE $1 MILLION LEFT OF THOSE ARPA FUNDS. SO THAT SET YOUR PERSPECTIVE. WE KNOW WITH THIS VOTER EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN THAT IS GOING TO BE MORE THAN $1 MILLION. THAT INCLUDES TELEVISION AND ALL THOSE ASPECT. COULD BE A REASON TO COME BACK IN TERMS OF THAT EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. WE DON'T WANT TO LET UP ON AN ITEM LIKE THAT. WE TALKED ABOUT GENERATORS. IS THERE ANYTHING I MIGHT BE MISSING IN TERMS OF WHAT WE MIGHT THINK WE NEED TO COME BACK TO COURT FOR IN TERMS OF FINANCES? I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GOOD, BUT I ALSO DON'T WANT TO SAY WE ARE GOOD AND THEN COME BACK AND SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, HERE IS THIS BIG-TICKET ITEM WE

FORGOT TO MENTION. >> I THINK RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOOD. I THINK IT'S JUST VOTER EDUCATION. I THINK WE ARE GOOD

FOR RIGHT NOW. >> WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CAMPAIGN, BECAUSE I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL SEE THAT THIS IS VALUE FOR ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY, SO WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH IT. WHATEVER ADDITIONAL COSTS WE INCUR, WE WILL COME BACK AND SAY HERE'S WHAT ADDITIONAL THAT HAS BEEN SPENT. NOW WE ARE COMING INTO OUR OWN BUDGET, WHICH MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE PREDICTED ON THE FRONT END THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND WE ARE GOING TO NEED THESE

[01:45:01]

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE KGB COMMUNICATION FUND WITH THE 2.5 MILLION -- OUR DIGITAL ADS LIKE GOOGLE AND ALL THAT, ARE THEY INCLUDED?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY. WE WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTION CORE PROGRAM -- JUST CHECKING IN ON YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT , AND ALSO, HOW IS THE HIRING FOR CLERKS? AND IS THERE ANYTHING THAT PRECINCTS CAN DO, OR THE COUNTY OCA CAN DO AS WE, YOU KNOW, EMBARK ON THIS LARGE ELECTION? TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS, TRAININGS, THE ELECTION CORE PROGRAM -- JUST TRYING TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

>> WE ARE ALREADY PREDICTING OUR NUMBERS. ELECTION CORE IS SO BENEFICIAL TO OUR OPERATIONS. AND NOW WE LEARN THAT COUNTY EMPLOYEES WITH FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF THIS PROCESS. WE WILL PROBABLY UTILIZE AS MANY EMPLOYEES THAT SIGN UP TO BE A PART OF THAT. YOU ALL KNOW ELECTION CORE SERVICES, BRINGING EQUIPMENT IN, AND THOSE SYSTEMS. WE HAVE THE DOLLARS PREDICTED FOR ELECTION CORE AND WILL BE UTILIZING IT -- WE WILL HAVE ABOUT SEVEN RALLY SITES ON ELECTION NIGHT. WE RELY ON THOSE COUNTY FACILITIES GREATLY. BUT WE CAN'T UTILIZE A COUNTY FACILITY. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO GET FACILITIES IN THE AREA. SO THAT IS AN ONGOING CHALLENGE, QUITE FRANKLY. OUR TRAINING TEAM HAS BEEN RESERVING YOUR SPACES FOR ELECTION JUDGE BREAKFAST AND TRAINING. WE ARE DOING REALLY GOOD, BUT WE ARE PAYING A GREAT PERCENTAGE OUT OF OUR BUDGET JUST FOR FACILITIES AND TRAINING AND ALL THE ASPECTS OF ELECTION FROM TRAINING ON THROUGH ELECTION DAY.

>> THANK YOU. QUESTION ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT. WE CHARGE FOR

THAT ? JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY. >> WE ABSOLUTELY CHARGE FOR LOANING THE EQUIPMENT, AND THAT WILL NOT CHANGE IN TERMS OF MY ADMINISTRATION. IF I CAN KIND OF GIVE SOME FEEDBACK, EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN WE HAD PRIMARIES, THERE WAS ALSO ENTITY ELECTIONS WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH EQUIPMENT TO LOAN, AND SO THEY ARE CHARGED A NOMINAL FEE FOR THAT EQUIPMENT. OBVIOUSLY, WE CONDUCT THEIR ELECTION. THEY NOT ONLY PAY FOR THE FEE OF THE MACHINES, THEY ALSO PAY FOR THE FEE FOR US TO CONDUCT THE ELECTION. CREATING THE BALLOT, TRAINING ELECTION WORKERS. I THINK THAT'S THE ONE THING I MIGHT'VE MISSED OUT ON YOUR QUESTION. AND SO WE DO CHARGE A FEE FOR LOANING EQUIPMENT FOR CONDUCTING ALL ELECTIONS. IN

[01:50:01]

THAT'S HOW ELECTIONS WORK. BUT I WILL TELL YOU IN TERMS OF ELECTION WORKERS, WE ARE WORKING WITH POLITICAL PARTIES, AS WE ALWAYS DO, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE APPOINTMENTS IN PLACE -- EXCUSE ME. THERE IS ANOTHER DEADLINE, SEPTEMBER 19TH. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE FROM EVERY COMMISSIONERS OFFICE YOUR FINAL APPROVALS . I PUT MY PLUG-IN. AND WE WILL BE SENDING OUT REMINDER EMAILS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE NEED THOSE STANDARDS. WHEN WE KNOW WHO OUR JUDGES AND ALTERNATES ARE, IT IS EASIER TO STAFF ON THE ELECTION SIDE, AND TO PROVIDE THIS POOL OF WORKERS THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS NEED. SO RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AT A GOOD PLACE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MEET AND TALK ABOUT IF THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WE NEED SUPPORT, OR IF WE NEED TO KICK OFF A LARGER CAMPAIGN TO GET ELECTION WORKERS TRAINED

AND READY TO GO. >> I WILL JUST ADD THAT THE BILLING FOR ENTITY ELECTIONS IS NIGHT AND DAY COMPARED TO PRIOR ELECTION ADMINISTRATIONS, OR WHOEVER MANAGED IT. WE REALLY ARE, YOU KNOW, MUCH MORE ORGANIZED ON WHAT THE BILL IS, AND ACKNOWLEDGING THE FULL COST OF PUTTING ON ELECTIONS AS WELL AS THE FOLLOW-THROUGH TO ACTUALLY GET THE REVENUE BACK

INTO OUR GENERAL FUND. >> RIGHT. BECAUSE BEFORE, WE WERE UNDER CHARGING AND NOT GETTING THE FULL COST.

>> UNDER CHARGING, AND THE FOLLOW-THROUGH ON THE

COLLECTIONS WAS SOMETHING -- >> HAPPY TO HEAR YOU ARE GOOD

BILL COLLECTORS NOW. THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE NO TIME REMAINING. PRECINCT 3, YOUR SIX MINUTES IN ONE SECOND REMAINING

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> I REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, BUT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT A D FRAUD ALERT SYSTEM, WHICH I THINK THAT IS BEING PROACTIVE ON THAT IS VERY ADMIRABLE. I KNOW IT'S A BIG CONCERN FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE COST MIGHT BE ON SOMETHING LIKE THAT? OR DO YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE LEGISLATURE FIRST?

>> SO PUTTING A FRAUD SYSTEM IS DEFINITELY GOING THE EXTRA MILE. I HAVE A COUPLE OF COLLEAGUES IN THE STATE WHO HAVE ALL KIND OF, YOU KNOW, IMPLEMENTED A PROGRAM TO SEE HOW IT WOULD WORK. THIS WILL BE -- I DON'T HAVE WITH THE COST WOULD BE UP FRONT, BECAUSE IMPLEMENTING THE PROCESS AND THEN KNOWING HOW IT WORKS, WE HAVE MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS IN HARRIS COUNTY , AND HOW WOULD THEY GO ALONG WITH GETTING THAT INFORMATION? SO THERE IS NO FOR SURE COST FACTOR NOW. WE WILL COME BACK. PART OF THAT IS THE SUPPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

THERE ARE TWO OR THREE BILLS RIGHT NOW THERE COULD BE CIRCULATING IN TERMS OF THAT SUPPORT, SO IF IT IS A STATE MANDATE, THAT THERE MIGHT BE SPECIFIC RESOURCES THAT THEY ARE DIRECTING COUNTY CLERKS TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE. IT IS KIND OF ONE AND TWO, BECAUSE I KNOW THERE SOME COUNTY CLERKS HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED IT, BUT MY HESITATION WAS MAKING SURE THAT WE GET TO THIS NEXT LEGISLATION SESSION BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THE SYSTEM, RIGHT? SO THAT WE DON'T GO AND SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON SOMETHING AND THEN COME BACK AND SAY, WELL, YOU COULD DO THIS, YOU CAN'T DO THAT. IT'S KIND OF HARD TO STAY NOW. THERE ARE SOME VENDORS OUT THERE THAT HELP SUPPLY THAT. WE ALSO WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF WE IMPLEMENTED THE IN-HOUSE, OR WE -- WE RELIED ON OUR

INTERCOUNTY RESOURCES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE

QUESTIONS. THANKS. >> PRECINCT COURT, YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY TIME REMAINING. COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU THREE MINUTES AND 22 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> I HONESTLY DON'T HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS, SINCE A LOT OF US HAVE ASKED A LOT OF THEM.

BUT IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE OR HIGHLIGHT GOING INTO A BUSY ELECTION SEASON, PLEASE DO.

>> OKAY. WELL, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO HIGHLIGHT. I WILL JUST SAY THAT -- AND I MENTIONED THIS IN MY OPENING STATEMENT, THAT THIS HAS BY FAR BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING YEARS OUR OFFICES HAVE HAD. BUT WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WITH YOUR COMMISSIONER SUPPORT, AND MANY OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THE SUSTAINABILITY PIECE IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO REALLY HAVE TO TALK ABOUT, RIGHT? OVER THE NEXT COURSE OF THE COUPLE YEARS. HOW DO WE SUSTAIN THAT SUCCESS RATE? HOW DO WE KEEP IN

[01:55:02]

>> THANK YOU. NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> PRECINCT 1, YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY TIME REMAINING. CLERK, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

>> IN CLOSING, MANY INSIGHTFUL QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN POSED TODAY, LEADING TO A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE COUNTY CLERKS OPERATIONS. EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND PAY PARITY ARC MIMICKING CONCERNS. ESPECIALLY NOW THAT MY NONELECTION STAFF HAS TAKEN ON THE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS. AS A LEADER, I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE OFFICES SUCCESS CONTINUES TO MEET THIS GREAT COUNTIES TAXPAYER AND VOTER EXPECTATIONS. TO CONTINUE MEETING THOSE EXPECTATIONS, I MUST ADDRESS THE HIGH TURNOVER RATE OFFICE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING. THERE IS SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE IN PAY BETWEEN MY NONELECTION CLERKS AND ELECTION CLERKS. THOUGH MY ELECTION DEPARTMENT DESERVE THEIR SALARIES AND MORE, THE NONELECTION DEPARTMENT CLERKS PERFORM THEIR DAILY DUTIES AND ARE NOW REQUIRED TO SUPPORT ELECTION OPERATIONS WHILE MAKING SIGNIFICANTLY LESS. WE ARE LOSING MANY EMPLOYEES TO COMPANIES LIKE AMAZON, TARGET, AND OTHERS OFFERING HIGHER PAY. AS WE APPROACH THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, I WILL ASK THE COURT TO APPROVE A 10% SALARY INCREASE FOR A FULL-TIME STAFF, OR ALL FULL-TIME STAFF IN HOPES OF RETAINING TOP TALENT AND BETTERING THE SUCCESS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR

TIME TODAY. >> THANK YOU TO THE CLERK AND THE ENTIRE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE. COURT OFFICES, WE WILL NOW TAKE A BREAK FOR LUNCH AND WE WILL RESUME OUR PRESENTATIONS AT 1:00 P.M.

[County Treasurer]

>> WE WILL NOW HEAR FROM THE COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE.

HOWEVER, THE TREASURER IS ON HER WAY DOWN, SO WE ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM THE FIRST ASSISTANT TREASURER.

[02:00:09]

THE DISBURSEMENT SECTION CONSISTS OF THREE STAFF MEMBERS WHICH PROCESS OVER 40 ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS DAILY BETWEEN VARIOUS HARRIS COUNTY ACCOUNTS. WE ARE AVERAGING OVER 1 BILLION A MONTH IN TRANSACTIONS. ADDITIONALLY, DISBURSEMENTS APPROVE ALL THE HOUSTON AUTHORITY TRANSACTION INVESTMENTS. AFTER EACH COMMISSIONERS COURT, THEY PREPARE CHECKS ISSUED BY HARRIS COUNTY FOR EITHER MAILING OR CUSTOMER PICKUP. EVEN THOUGH THE DISTRICT CLERK HAS ADDED THE PAY CARD OPTIONS , DISBURSEMENT CONTINUES TO PRINT, AND THEY WILL ALLOW CHECKS DAILY BETWEEN 50 TO 300 CHECKS FOR THE PAY CARD OPTIONS, AND DISBURSEMENTS RECEIVED, WITH RECEIVED REQUESTS FROM VENDORS AND DEPARTMENTS FOR THE REISSUANCE OF NO RECEIVED OR LOST CHECKS.

ON AVERAGE, WE PROCESSED UP TO 25 AFFIDAVITS A WEEK . FOR REQUESTS, WE REACH AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING MORE EFFICIENT WAYS OF GETTING FUNDS PAID BEFORE THE FUNDS ARE SENT TO THE STATE. THE DEPOSIT SECTION CONSISTS OF FOUR STAFF MEMBERS AS FAR AS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WITH THEIR CHECKS AND CASH RECEIVED TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE COUNTY DEPOSITORY, AND DEPOSITS RECEIVED , OVER 100 CHECKS PER DAY TO BE DEPOSITED. THIS IS CURRENTLY PERFORMED BY OUR ONE CASHIER. EACH CUSTOMER RECEIVES PHYSICAL REQUEST , RECEIPT OF THEIR DEPOSIT, AND ADDITIONALLY, HARRIS COUNTY RECEIVES MANY FUNDS VIA ELECTRONIC DEPOSIT TO MULTIPLE HARRIS COUNTY BANK ACCOUNTS. THE FUNDS MUST BE RECORDED INTO THE SYSTEM DAILY AND RECEIPTS ARE MONITORED DAILY. AND LASTLY, THE ADMINISTRATION SECTION CONSISTS OF THREE STAFF MEMBERS. DUTIES INCLUDE HANDLING AGENDA REQUEST , MONTHLY REPORTS, SYSTEM AUDITS, BUDGETING BUILD BONDS, MONTHLY AUDITS, OPEN RECORDS REQUEST, MONITORING EMAIL, REQUEST FROM CITIZENS AND OPENING AND CLOSING NEW BANK ACCOUNTS. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ADDING THE ESCROW WING OF COURT FEES, AND THIS IS MANDATED BY TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 133 055-057, AND IS REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER ON A QUARTERLY BASIS REGARDING THE COLLECTION OF CERTAIN CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES.

>> THANK YOU, FIRST ASSISTANT TREASURER. WE WILL NOT TAKE QUESTIONS FROM COURT OFFICES. EACH OFFICE WILL BE ALLOTTED FIVE MINUTES, BREEZY BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 3.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. AUGUST WILLIAMS OF PRECINCT 3. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, FOR DISBURSEMENTS, OR THOSE RUNNING ON TIME, BEHIND, AHEAD OF SCHEDULE? I SEE THAT THE TREASURER DR. WEI COMMENTS, SO -- GOOD TO SEE YOU. AND THE QUESTION WAS, ARE WE ON TIME ON DISBURSEMENTS?

>> YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TURNAROUND TIME?

>> YEAH, THOSE MEETING THE GOALS WITH YOUR OFFICE?

>> WE ARE ON ABOUT A ONE-DAY TURNAROUND UNLESS THERE IS SOME ERROR SOMEWHERE ELSE, IN THE PIPELINE. SORRY. I AM CARLA WHITE, HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER. SORRY FOR BEING TARDY. BUT BASICALLY, YES, THEY ARE RUNNING ON TIME. YES, SIR.

>> MY NEXT QUESTION IS, ARE THERE ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS OR PROGRAMS COMING UP IN FISCAL YEAR '25?

>> THE PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE COMING UP IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 ARE AN EXTENSION OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING WITH REGARDS TO WORKING WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND THE CARDS THAT WE ARE ISSUING OUT TO THE JURORS. THAT WAS SOMETHING NEW THAT WE HAD BEEN WORKING ON, AND SO THAT IS GOING TO BE CONTINUED ON IN 2025. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF RENEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT WITH RAPID, WAS THE VENDOR FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE DOING SOME FINANCIAL LITERACY OUTREACH TO EACH ONE OF THE PRECINCT TO BE IN LOCKSTEP WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR EFFORTS TO EDUCATE AMERICANS VIGILANCE THE BEST WAY THAT WE CAN.

>> THAT WAS MY NEXT QUESTION, WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY. AND IF

[02:05:03]

PRECINCT SIDE. >> THERE'S ONE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO ADD. WE HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF UNCLAIMED FUNDS THAT INDIVIDUALS HAVE FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM, BUT THEY ARE UNAWARE. AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO ALSO EXTEND THE OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY CAN GO ONLINE AND CHECK AND SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY UNCLAIMED FUNDS, AND WE WANT TO TRY TO GET THOSE TO THEM. THOSE CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM $.20 TO $100 OR MORE. IT JUST REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT IT

IS FOR. >> IS THAT SIMILAR TO THE PROGRAM THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER RUNS?

>> I ASSUME SO. I'M NOT SURE, BUT I WOULD ASSUME IT IS SIMILAR TO THE COMPTROLLER, BUT WE DEFINITELY CAN LOOK AT THE COMPTROLLERS ROGUE RAMP AND SEE HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORK IN

TANDEM. >> I AM NOT AS FAMILIAR, SO I AM PLAYING A LITTLE CATCH-UP. THAT IS ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANK

YOU. >> PRECINCT 4, YOU WILL NOT

FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> MIDWAY THROUGH THE YEAR, THERE IS A CHANGE IN YOUR BUDGET FOR THE JUROR CARDS, AND THAT IS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK. CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THAT WORKS?

>> YES, MA'AM. THAT WAS AN INTERESTING LITTLE CHANGE IN OUR BUDGET BECAUSE WE WERE NOT PREPARED TO PAY THE $1.75 PER CARD TO DO THE UPLOAD FEE. AND SO WE HAD TO UNFORTUNATELY COME BACK TO COURT AND ASK FOR THE FUNDS TO SEE THOSE, BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE THAT THOSE THINGS WERE GOING TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE TREASURER'S BUDGET. AND SO WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION, IT PROMPTLY CAME BACK TO COURT AND ADVISED ME THAT WE WERE GOING TO NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO ACCOMMODATE THAT, BECAUSE THE CARDS COME WITH A FEE, WHERE WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE CARD, THERE IS AN UPLOAD FEE OF $1.75. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE KROGER PEOPLE. I AM A KROGER GIRL, SIDE BY VISA CARDS AND MASTERCARD'S ALL THE TIME TO GIVE OUT AS GIFTS, THEY HAVE AN UPLOAD FEE. THIS IS IN A SIMILAR FASHION.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER OF JURORS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE, BECAUSE IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE LOAD THAT

IS HAPPENING. >> ANY CHALLENGES WITH IMPLEMENTATION THERE BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AND THE CLERKS ?

>> NO. WE WERE VERY WELL WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE. WE DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO ACCOMMODATE ANY NEEDS THAT THEY MAY HAVE. WE HAVE A BIWEEKLY MEETING WITH THEM TO DISCUSS THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP. AND BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT WITH RAPID AT THIS TIME, WE ARE CONTINUING TO MEET WITH THEM SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO ENSURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER HICCUP LIKE THAT ALONG THE WAY, AND TRY TO PROJECT WITH THOSE NUMBERS MIGHT BE OR MIGHT NOT BE. BUT IT JUST REALLY DEPENDS ON THE LOAD OF THE WARTS.

>> THANK YOU. AND IN THE CLS THAT YOU SUBMITTED, THE PROPOSED OFFSET, WHICH IS NOT IN THE BUDGET, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE POSITION THAT YOU OFFERED AS A POTENTIAL REDUCTION, WHICH WAS A MANAGER TWO POSITION. CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT THEY DO AND THEIR

WORK? >> THE MANAGER TWO POSITION IS ONE THAT WE HAVE ON THE BOOKS THAT WE NEED TO FILL. WE HAVEN'T DONE IT YET. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE WORKING WITH HR TO RECLASSIFY THE POSITION SO THAT IT ACCOMMODATES THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW, THAT THIS PERSON WILL BE HELPING US WITH SOME OF THE FINANCIAL LITERACY, THE UNCLAIMED FUNDS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS THAT COME UP. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE, BUT WE HAVE A VENDOR CALLED TETRA TECH. SO WHENEVER WE HAVE A STORM OR HURRICANE, THEY REQUIRE FOR US TO GIVE THEM THESE REIMBURSEMENTS. AND SO UNFORTUNATELY, WE CANNOT DETERMINE WHEN A HURRICANE IS GOING TO COME OR A FLOOD IS WHEN TO COME, AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE. AND SO THAT PERSON WILL BE ASSISTING THAT AS WELL. AND AS MR. DORE SAID, I HEARD HIM SAY THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF ANTICIPATING RECEIVING ANOTHER PERSON FOR THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE THAT IS ESSENTIALLY SUPPOSED TO BE WITH THE TREASURER'S OFFICE , ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS CODE OF ■ LAW, GOVERNMENT CODE 133 .055-0507, WHICH REQUIRES THE TREASURER'S OFFICE TO PRESENT A REPORT TO THE COMPTROLLERS OFFICE. WE HAVEN'T BEEN DOING THAT . TECHNICALLY, IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, BASED UPON TEXAS STATE CODE. AND SO WHAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH TEXAS STATE CODE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY CHALLENGES IN THE FUTURE. IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER PERSON TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE GOALS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU NOT FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. WHAT HAS NECESSITATED THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY LIAISON WHO CURRENTLY HANDLES COMMUNITY-BASED INTERFACING FOR YOUR OFFICE, AND WHAT IS THE EXTENT OF THE COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT CURRENTLY OCCUR FOR YOUR OFFICE?

[02:10:01]

>> I AM SO GLAD THE ASK THAT QUESTION. THIS PERSON WILL BE WORKING IN LOCKSTEP WITH MYSELF, PERSONALLY, BECAUSE I CURRENTLY DO ALL OF THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR OUR OFFICE. SO I AM WORKING FROM 6:00 A.M. UNTIL 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, ONE OF THE LAST EVENT IS OVER. AND SO REACHING OUT TO SOME OF THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY BEEN TOUCHED BY THE TREASURER'S OFFICE , WE ARE HOPING TO -- YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE COUNTY IS HUGE. WE ARE FROM A TOWN TO KATIE TO KINGWOOD TO TEXAS CITY. AND SO AT THIS CURRENT TIME, I AM DOING ALL OF THAT MYSELF. IN TANDEM WITH WHAT I DO WITH MY REGULAR RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE CHIEF CUSTODIAN OF THE TREASURER'S OFFICE. FORTUNATELY, IN THE 23 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN HARRIS COUNTY, I HAVE BEEN TRAINED VERY WELL IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH. AND SO IT WORKS, BUT I JUST SIMPLY CANNOT DO IT ALL BY MYSELF. SO CURRENTLY, I AM DOING IT. THAT PERSON WILL BE HELPING ME WITH THAT, AND WILL ALSO BE HELPING WITH ANY DISCUSSION PROJECT THAT COME UP. WE ARE HOPING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GALVANIZED IN A CERTAIN WAY WITH EACH ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGES OFFICE TO BE ON SIEVE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, BECAUSE WE ARE THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND

WE NEED TO LOOK LIKE THAT. >> AS A FOLLOW-UP, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED WORK THAT YOU

HAVE DONE SO FAR? >> SO FAR, SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF -- A LOT OF IT IS I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT THEM WITH THE RIGHT DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME, THEY ASKED ME ABOUT THINGS THAT DON'T PERTAIN TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE. BUT IT IS AN EFFORT IN EDUCATING THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT THE TREASURER'S OFFICE IS THERE TO ASSIST IN WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO HELP GET YOUR RESPONSE -- GET YOUR QUESTION TO THE RIGHT PERSON AND HAVE A PROPER RESPONSE. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WILLING TO DO. A LOT OF TIMES, I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK IN MANY OF THE DEPARTMENT AT HARRIS COUNTY, SO I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KNOW ENOUGH PEOPLE TO GET FOLKS TO WHERE THEY WANT TO BE. IT IS A COMFORT LEVEL, A LEVEL OF COMFORT THAT YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT PLACE, AND YOU ACTUALLY HAVE SOMEONE YOU CAN TALK TO THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU AND RESPOND TO YOU IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER.

>> THANK YOU. UNDER THE OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SECTOR, THERE IS A MANAGER 2 POSITION THAT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR OVER A YEAR. WHAT IS BEING DONE DIFFERENTLY TO HIRE FOR THIS POSITION, AND WHAT ARE THE CURRENT HURDLES IN HIRING FOR

THIS PARTICULAR POSITION? >> I DIDN'T HEAR THE EXPLANATION, CURRENTLY WE HAVE 10 EMPLOYEES, THAT IS EXCLUDING MYSELF. I RECALL HEARING CLERK BURGESS SAY IN HER HEARING THAT , YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO HAVE ROOM FOR PEOPLE TO GO OUT ON MATERNITY LEAVE OR SICK LEAVE, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT. WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY THAT IS CROSS TRAINED TO DO THOSE TYPES OF THINGS. SO HOPEFULLY THIS MANAGER TWO POSITION WILL ALSO ASSIST IN BEING CROSS TRAINED IN SOME OF THESE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE A DEFICIENCY. OUR STAFF, UNFORTUNATELY, IS STACKED INTO OUR OFFICE TWO BY TWO LIKE THEY ARE GOING ON NOAH'S ARK. UNFORTUNATELY, THE BASEMENT AREA THAT WE HAVE AS FAR AS OFFICE SPACE WAS FLOODED, AND IS NOT IN A POSITION TO HOLD STAFF. AND SO WE WOULD NEED TO GET CARPETING AND GET FURNITURE, GET SPACE FOR THESE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE TO GO. BUT WE NEED TO AT LEAST HAVE A BACKUP PLAN. WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO, IF SOMEONE GOES OUT AND HAS A BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY, THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS CROSS TRAINED TO HANDLE THE GOALS AND THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THAT ROLE . I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE A BABY BOY, SO DON'T BE TELLING NOBODY THAT. BUT WE NEED TO -- WE NEED TO HAVE SOME BACKUP PLAN. HAVING 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF -- EXCLUDING MYSELF FOR THE COUNTY $4.7 BILLION TO ME IS SIMPLY

UNACCEPTABLE. >> AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW REQUESTS FOR UPDATED EQUIPMENT FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. WHY NOW, AND NOT NEXT YEAR? WHAT MAKES RIGHT NOW THE RIGHT TIME?

>> WELL, I'M NOT SURE THAT RIGHT NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME, BUT RIGHT NOW IS WHEN YOU HAVE CARLA L WHITE AS YOUR TREASURER, AND YOU HAVE CARLA L WYATT COMING IN AND MAKING COPIES AND HELPING FOLD CHECKS THAT NEED TO GO OUT. I AM THE TREASURER , SO I GET INVOLVED IN EVERYTHING THAT I DON'T NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN IN THE OFFICE, AND THEN I SEE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED, AND IT'S TIME NOW, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I WOULD WANT OUR STAFF TO HAVE PROPER EQUIPMENT , JUST

[02:15:03]

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

QUESTIONS. >> THANKS. WILL LANDON WITH PRECINCT 1. SINCE THE START OF USING YOUR PAY CARDS, CAN YOU ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS FROM NONREADING CARDS THAT ARE BEEN RETURNED TO THE GENERAL FUND?

>> WELL, THAT IS PART OF THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WITH RENEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT, BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO PRONGS TO THIS THING. IF YOU USE THE CARD AT A -- WHAT SAY YOU GOT A $20 CARD AND YOU USE FIVE DOLLARS OF IT. $15 IS LEFT ON IT. IT'S VACILLATING BACK AND FORTH WITH, IS IT GOING TO GO BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND OR THE VENDOR ? IF YOU DO NOT USE THE CARD AT ALL, AS I COULD GO BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND, OR NOT? AND WHAT IS THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT? MY PERSONAL OPINION IS, I THINK IF THEY DO NOT USE THE CARD, THAT MONEY SHOULD COME BACK TO THE TREASURER'S OFFICE, BECAUSE WE ARE PAYING THE FEE IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS TO DECIDE ON THAT. AND SO MY UNDERSTANDING, WORKING WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE, WE ARE RUNNING AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE OF PEOPLE EITHER USING OR NOT USING, VERSUS CASHING A CHECK AND NOT CASHING A CHECK ARE USING THE CARD OR NOT USING THE CARD. WE ARE BASICALLY EVEN FROM MY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE. BUT I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE IN BETWEEN GENERATIONS. WE HAVE THE B3, THEN WE HAVE THE BABY BOOMERS, THEN WE HAVE MY GROUP -- I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WE ARE CALLED. THEN WE HAVE THE MILLENNIAL'S, AND WE HAVE THE GENERATION X. AND SO WE ARE DEALING WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT FOLKS WHO HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WAYS OF DOING THINGS. GENERATION X WOULD LIKE A DEBIT CARD. THE IIIB, WHICH I CALL BEFORE BABY BOOMERS, ONCE A CHECK. AND SO -- AND THEN YOU HAVE THOSE IN BETWEEN THAT REALLY DON'T CARE. AND SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT EFFECT THIS IS, BECAUSE WE'VE ONLY BEEN DOING THIS FOR ONE YEAR. AS FAR AS WE CAN SEE, THEY ARE BEING USED TO SOME EXTENT, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GALVANIZE THE INFORMATION TO PULL TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN GIVE TO THE COMMISSIONER TO LET THEM KNOW HOW THIS IS ACTUALLY WORKING. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE ATTENDED THE NATIONAL TREASURERS CONVENTION , AND HAVE ALSO ATTENDED A TEXAS TREASURERS CONVENTION AND I TALKED WITH SOME OF THE OTHER TREASURERS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS TO SEE HOW THEY LIKE THIS PROGRAM AND HOW THEY DON'T. MOST OF THEM KIND OF DON'T LIKE IT BECAUSE THEY ARE SMALLER, BUT SINCE WE'RE THE BIGGEST ONE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, IT MIGHT BE A MORE BENEFIT TO US.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION. IF THERE'S A FOLLOW-UP, I AM HAPPY TO TRY TO GET DOWN TO THE ROOT OF IT.

>> THAT IS OKAY FOR NOW. ARE THERE PLANS IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 TO ADJUST OR CHANGE THIS PROCESS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF

CARDS REDEEMED? >> I THINK SO. THAT COMES WITH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN STILL HAVE A CHECK, OR YOU CAN HAVE THIS CARD THAT YOU CAN USE AT THE GAS STATION OR USE AT WALMART OR WHAT HAVE YOU. AND SO THAT IS A PART OF THE EDUCATION THAT NEEDS TO BE PUSHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN TRAINED VERY WELL IN COMMUNICATIONS.

I'VE BEEN PAID BY HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS. I UNDERSTAND HOW TO PUSH INFORMATION OUT. I JUST NEED

THE HELP TO GET IT DONE. >> THANKS, THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

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

QUESTIONING. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

HEATHER CRUISE WITH PRECINCT 2. I'M GLAD YOU TALKED ABOUT NATIONAL TREASURE AND DATE TREASURER MEETINGS, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ABOUT. WHAT ARE SOME BEST PRACTICES YOU SEE IN OTHER LARGE URBAN AREAS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO HARRIS COUNTY, AND WALK US THROUGH

WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. >> IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO MEET WITH 254 -- I MIGHT BE OFF ON THE NUMBER -- OF TREASURERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND SOME OF THE BEST PRACTICES THAT THEY HAVE DON'T EXIST, BECAUSE THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, USED TO DOING THINGS A PARTICULAR WAY. THEY MAY HAVE MORE LAND SPACE THAN WE HAVE, BUT HARRIS COUNTY AS A WHOLE IS JUST -- OUTNUMBERS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS. HOWEVER, I

[02:20:05]

>> AND ARE THERE ANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MODERNIZATION OF YOUR UNIT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE COME IN THE FUTURE?

>> I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. YES, MA'AM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE -- WHAT IS THAT CALLED? THE TIMECLOCK THAT WE HAVE THAT I PERSONALLY HAD TO DRIVE OUT TO GALVESTON COUNTY TO GO HAVE IT FIXED IN MY LITTLE 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO WORK ON TO MODERNIZE THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE, AND I THINK PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS THAT WE REMAIN QUIET FOR SO LONG, AND AS AN OFFICE, WE HAVE NOT BECAUSE WE DID NOT ASK. AND SO THE TIME IS NOW FOR US TO AT LEAST START ASKING SO IT CAN AT LEAST BE ON THE LIST SOMEWHERE . MAYBE NOT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, WE MAY NOT GET IT THIS FIRST GO AROUND, BUT AT LEAST IT IS ON THE LIST, AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED SOCKS WITH THEIR SHOES.

>> I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS OF THE TIME. THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 3, YOU TWO MINUTES AND 40 SECONDS REMAINING FOR

ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> DR. WHITE, I'M A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I HEAR ABOUT YOUR OFFICE SPACE. COULD YOU GO THROUGH WHAT YOUR OFFICE LOOKS LIKE FOR 10 STAFF, 11

STAFF? >> WELL, MYSELF, MR. DORTCH, AND MISS SONJA, WE HAVE OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL OFFICES. BUT THE REST OF THE STAFF, THEY ARE STACKED IN TWO BY TWO IN A VERY SMALL SPACE, AND THAT IS JUST HOW IT HAS BEEN. AND I GUESS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ASK TO EITHER MOVE OR CHANGE OR OPEN UP THE SPACE, I BELIEVE THE ECONOMIC -- I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE GROUP THAT IS ON THE SIXTH FLOOR WITH US THAT IS MOVING OVER TO THE OTHER BUILDING OVER THERE. THEY ARE RIGHT NEXT TO US. I HAVE NEVER SEEN -- I HARDLY SEE ANYBODY GO IN AND OUT OF THAT SPACE. ALSO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF US IS JEFF GOLDWIN'S GROUP, THAT USED TO BE A PART OF. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY IN THEIR. MOST OF THEM, I ASSUME, WORK FROM HOME. AND SO WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND THE SPACE. WE DON'T NEED A WHOLE FLOOR OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR OFFICE TO BE COMFORTABLE. MY MOTHER SAYS TO ME, TREAT PEOPLE HOW YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. AND IF YOU HAVE A SCRATCH , IF YOU HAVE AN ITCH, I WANT YOU ABLE TO SCRATCH IT WITHOUT EVERYBODY SEEING IT. SO WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND OUR OFFICE SPACE , OR CAPITALIZE ON THE OFFICE SPACE THAT WE HAVE THAT IS NOT INHABITABLE AT THIS TIME, BUT I WILL TAKE MONEY TO DO THAT AND TO EXPAND THE SPACE, BUT ALSO

TAKE MONEY. >> I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING ON THIS MANAGER 2 POSITION WITH THE RE-CLASS. IF YOU WERE TO HIRE THEM, IS THERE ANY ROOM IN YOUR OFFICE TO PUT THEM?

>> YES, IN A ROOM WITH SOMEONE ELSE. YES.

>> SO IT IS NOT REALLY THE BEST WORK CONDITIONS.

>> I DO NOT BELIEVE SO. AGAIN, I LIKE TO TREAT PEOPLE HOW I WANT TO BE TREATED. IF I WANT TO TAKE MY SHOE OFF, I MAY NOT WANT YOU TO SEE THAT I HAVE A HOLE IN MY SOCK. SO I THINK WE

ARE OVERCROWDED ,., THE END. >> ALL THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EMPLOYEE RETENTION, SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT IS DEFINITELY A BIG PART OF THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, DR. WHITE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> PRECINCT 4, YOUNG ONE MINUTE AND 28 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU KNOW REMAINING TIME. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE AND 22 SECONDS REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> NO OTHER QUESTIONS. THANK

YOU, DR. WYATT. >> YOUR TWO MINUTES AND SEVEN SECONDS REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

[02:25:03]

>> I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU COURT OFFICERS. DR. WYATT, YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING TARDY. I HAD ANOTHER MEETING , BUT EXCUSES ARE TOOLS THAT ARE USED BY MEN WHO BUILD BRIDGES TO NOWHERE, SO I WAS LATE. HOWEVER, I AM HERE AND I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING PATIENT WITH US. I HOPE IF THERE ARE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE THAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE IN JUST CALLING ME AND ASKING ME . MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN. I AM A 24 HOUR A DAY -TYPE WORK PERSON. I HAVE SAT ON THE OTHER SIDE AS A STAFF MEMBER FOR A VERY LONG TIME AT HARRIS COUNTY. THIS OCTOBER WILL MAKE MY 23RD YEAR AT THE COUNTY. AND THIS IS ONLY MY SECOND YEAR AS A TREASURER, BUT I HAVE BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE. I STARTED AS AN INTERN IN PRECINCT 1. AND SO I TRULY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS LISTENING TO US. IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY, IF THERE ARE ANY SUGGESTIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND/OR EFFICIENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW, BECAUSE I WOULD PREFER FOR YOU TO TELL ME THAT I'M DOING SOMETHING WRONG SO ■HAT I AN RECTIFY THAT SITUATION AND MOVE FORWARD IN A MANNER THAT EVERYONE IS COMFORTABLE. AND SO MY FEELINGS DO NOT GET HURT EASILY. AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN HAZED VERY WELL AT THE COUNTY THAT WE CALL HARRIS. AND SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE COULD DO DIFFERENTLY, WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT, WE TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR GUIDANCE AND YOUR SHEPHERDING AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL 2025.

[Pollution Control]

>> NEXT WE WILL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

>> THIS IS PART OF IT. >> YES. SO FAR.

>> WELCOME TO THE POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. WE WILL BEGIN THIS PRESENTATION WITH THREE MINUTES FOR AN INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE GIVEN FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES

FOR CLOSING REMARKS. >> OH. THANK YOU. HARRIS COUNTY POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES HAS DONE A GREAT JOB SINCE 1953 BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, WE CONTINUE TO EVOLVE SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THE NEEDLE ON RESOLVING HARRIS COUNTY'S MOST PRESSING ISSUES AND EGREGIOUS ISSUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. POLLUTION CONTROL IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE BY FOCUSING ON COMMUNITIES BY PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS THE GROUND-UP ISSUES. WE ARE PUTTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AT THE FOREFRONT. WE SERVE THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED AND SUBJECTED TO POLLUTION IN THE NAME OF DOING BUSINESS AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT ALL OF US HAVE BECOME USED TO. WE PARTNER WITH RESIDENT TO BRING MORE BAD ACTORS EITHER INTO COMPLIANCE OR TO PURSUE ENFORCEMENT BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND WE ARE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB WITH THIS THAT THE TECQ HAS TAKEN UP SOME OF THE LARGER SERVICES. ABOUT $1 MILLION FOR ABOUT THOSE CASES, ALL OF WHICH THE TECQ IS A NECESSARY AND INDISPENSABLE PARTY TO THOSE LAWSUITS AND THEY GET HALF BUT THE OTHER HALF WOULD HAVE COME TO THE GENERAL FUND BUT THE TECQ TOOK ALL OF THAT. BUILDING CAPACITY IS ANOTHER THING THAT WE ARE DOING TO PURSUE CONTESTED CASE HEARINGS BY HELPING RESIDENTS ENGAGE WITH STATE AGENCIES REVOLVING PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND RENEWALS. THIS IS THE NEW BUT VERY EFFECTIVE -- SOME RESIDENTS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND SO WE SENT LETTERS OUT TO THEM NOTIFYING THEM THAT THIS WAS PRESENT, AND THEN WE HAD BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS THAT ALIGNED WITH MEETING THE GOALS OF ALL OF MY ABOVE STATEMENTS THAT ALIGN WITH THE OVERALL COUNTY GOALS AND THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN.

[02:30:07]

>> THANK YOU, DR. EVANS. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 4.

>> HI, DR. BAVEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO AND HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO. I APPRECIATE YOU ADVOCATING FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT. JUST TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND OVERALL WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES? IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE THING OR A TOP THREE

THINGS? >> SO THE TOP PRIORITIES I WOULD HAVE TO SAY WOULD BE PEOPLE, TO HAVE A FEW MORE PEOPLE. MOSTLY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE COMPLIANCE, MOVE FORWARD, HAVE COMMUNICATION AND ENGAGEMENT MOVE FORWARD, AND THEN WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH OUR MONITORING. SO OF THE TOP PRIORITIES WOULD BE AT LEAST TWO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STAFF SO THAT WE CAN PARTNER WITH THE PRECINCTS AND WORKED VERY CLOSELY AT HAND WITH OUR COMMUNITIES TO LET THEM KNOW NOT ONLY THAT WE ARE HERE BUT THAT WE ARE ENGAGED IN PROJECTS AND THINGS THAT ARE ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

SECONDLY WOULD BE A AIR MONITORING SUPERVISOR. AS WE ARE GROWING THE PROCESS OF AND EVOLVING OUR PROCESS OF MONITORING, WE HAVE EXPANDED THE SUPERVISION OF WHAT THE MANAGER HAS, AND HE NEEDS SOME ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE, SO A SUPERVISOR WOULD HELP IN THAT. AND THEN A COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATOR, BECAUSE, AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND LOOK AT THESE CASES, AS WE TAKE IT TO ENFORCEMENT, IT REQUIRES A MORE RIGOROUS KIND OF INVESTIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF IT IS PULLED TOGETHER AND THEN SHUFFLED AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE ATTORNEYS. SHUFFLED IS PROBABLY NOT A GOOD WORD, BUT BROUGHT TOGETHER IN A PACKAGE FOR THE ATTORNEYS.

>> THANK YOU. SO, WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE POSITIONS, WE HAVE HAD VACANCIES EVERY YEAR. SO I THINK I WANT TO UNDERSTAND, HOW DO WE PLAN TO FILL THESE POSITIONS, AND WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES WE FACE IN FILLING THEM?

>> SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE IS I MEET ON A BIMONTHLY BASIS WITH THE TALENT ACQUISITION GROUP TO TALK ABOUT OUR VACANCIES AND TO TALK ABOUT THE WAY THAT WE CAN PUSH THAT INFORMATION OUT THERE SO THAT THE POSITIONS ARE MORE VISIBLE.

WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE BRING PEOPLE IN THAT WE HAVE THE QUALITY APPLICANTS THAT CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WITH OF COURSE TRAINING FOR THE NICHE OF THE JOB BUT OUR POSITIONS ARE PRETTY SPECIALIZED. THERE IS NOT THE ABILITY TO COME STRAIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE AND GRAB ONE OF THESE POSITIONS UNLESS IT IS AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION AND THEN THERE IS STILL TRAINING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. BUT AS YOU GET TO HIGHER LEVEL POSITIONS, IT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT TO FIELD THOSE POSITIONS AND WHEN WE DO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE SEE IS THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THOSE POSITIONS WITH INDUSTRY. I HAVE HAD MY POSITION LOOKED AT FOR COMPETITIVENESS WITHIN GOVERNMENTAL JURISDICTIONS, AND THEY ARE PRETTY COMPETITIVE IN THAT REALM. BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO THE COMPETITION OF INDUSTRY, INDUSTRY LOOKS AT THE TALENT THAT WE HAVE AND THEY CAN OFFER OUR TALENTED PEOPLE TO DO MORE MONEY TO DO THE SAME JOB WITH A LITTLE LESS OF A FOCUS ON THEIR INDUSTRY INSTEAD OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY, SO WE LOSE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO INDUSTRY.

>> I WILL USE MY LITTLE BIT OF REMAINING TIME TO ASK, YOU ALLUDED TO THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT POSITION AND WANTING TO INCREASE OUTREACH. DO WE HAVE A STRATEGY IN PLACE OF HOW

WE WOULD PUSH THAT FORWARD? >> SO, AS I INDICATED, THAT POSITION -- THOSE POSITIONS WOULD WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE PRECINCTS SO WE ARE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE PRECINCTS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THEM AND THEN TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY'S. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHEN THERE IS A NEED, PEOPLE SEE THAT POLLUTION CONTROL IS THERE TO ADDRESS AND HEAR THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. THAT IT IS NOT COMING TO US THIRD-PARTY OR SOMEONE NOTES THAT WE ARE THERE AND WE ARE SEEING IT AND WE ARE ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT WE ARE DOING AND GIVE THEM INFORMATION. IF WE HEAR QUESTIONS, WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE THEM INSTANTANEOUS ANSWERS.

>> I THINK I WILL SQUEEZE ONE MORE IN. COMMISSIONER, AS FAR

[02:35:02]

ON PUBLIC HEALTH? >> GREAT QUESTION. OKAY. I CAN GIVE YOU ONE REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE. INITIATIVE. IT STARTED OFF AS AN INITIATIVE IN 2020 FOR THE COUNTRY BATCH PLAN. IT MOVED INTO A FULL-FLEDGED PROGRAM. WE INVESTIGATED 140+ CONCRETE BATCH PLANTS. BE USED THAT INFORMATION ALONG WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND MOVED FORWARD TO ADDRESS THAT WITH THE TECQ TO MAKE A GREATER IMPACT, AND WE ARE STILL MOVING THE NEEDLE ON THAT BUT I DO NOT THINK IF WE HAD NOT STARTED THAT THAT THE NEEDLE WOULD BE AS MOVED FAR AHEAD AS IT IS

NOW. >> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE. YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN. MCKAELA WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. I KNOW TODAY HAS BEEN A BIT OF A BUSY DAY FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM. SO I WILL GET RIGHT INTO IT. HOW DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS INFORMED DURING POLLUTION RELATED EMERGENCIES, AND WHAT TOOLS DO YOU ALL USE FOR PUBLIC COMMUNICATION?

>> ANOTHER GREAT QUESTION. WE HAVE A DASHBOARD THAT WE HAVE BUILT. AND THE DASHBOARD IS FOR US TO PUSH INFORMATION FORWARD.

I AM GLAD YOU ASKED BECAUSE I FORGOT ANOTHER ONE OF MY POSITIONS. ANOTHER THING WE WANT TO DO IS AS TRANSPARENCY IS NEEDED WE WANT TO ADD MORE COMPLEX DATA TO OUR DASHBOARD.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I FORGOT WAS A BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ANALYST BECAUSE THAT PERSON WOULD HELP US MAKE SURE OUR DASHBOARD IS ADEQUATE AND UP TO DATE TO CONTINUE TO PULL STREAMS OF INFORMATION TO PUT ON OUR MAP AND TO PUSH OUT SO THAT WE ARE TRANSPARENT WITH THAT INFORMATION. WE DO GET LOTS OF REQUESTS FOR OUR DATA SO ANALYZING THAT IN MAKING THAT PACKAGE DELIVERABLE IS A CONSTANT CHALLENGE AND SO TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION. AND THEN WHEN THERE ARE THOSE INSTANCES OF EMERGENCY EVENTS , ABLE TO PARSE THAT INFORMATION OUT INTO A MANAGEABLE BITE-SIZE KIND OF PACKAGE SO THAT IT CAN BE EASILY DIGESTED. AND THEN BE ABLE TO BE DISCUSSED AS NEEDED

BY THE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP. >> THINK YOU FOR THAT. HOW DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT ALLOCATE RESOURCES SPECIFICALLY FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOW MIGHT SOME OF THESE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS OR BUDGET CUTS IMPACT YOUR ABILITY TO RESPOND

TO EMERGENCIES EFFECTIVELY? >> SO IN THE 5% REDUCTION, WE HAD TO REALLY HONE IN ON WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE FOR OUR DEPARTMENT AND NOT HURT OUR DEPARTMENT'S ACTIVITIES. WE UTILIZED THOSE POSITIONS THAT WERE VACANT TO DO THAT, AND ONE OF THOSE POSITIONS WAS THE E.R. MANAGER, HOWEVER WE MERGE THAT POSITION WITH THE AIR MANAGER BECAUSE THEY WORK IN TANDEM, AS SUCH AS THE EVENTS OF TODAY. WE HAD THE E.R. TEAM AND THE MONITORING TEAM OUT AND SO IT HELPS US TO MOVE THAT FORWARD.

BUT WE HAVE TO UTILIZE THOSE VERY STRATEGICALLY BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHEN EMERGENCIES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN OR HOW LONG WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE OUT. WE DO NOT WANT TO BUILD TO

A SCALE THAT IS TOO LARGE. >> THANK YOU. AND SHIFTING GEARS. WITH SHIFTING STANDARD FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES, HOW HAS YOUR DEPARTMENT REALLY TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION EMERGING CONTAMINANTS LIKE PFAS AND POLLUTION CONTROLS MONITORING AND YOUR MITIGATION STRATEGIES?

>> I AM GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON IS A -- A REQUEST FOR A SECOND LOCATION FOR POLLUTION CONTROL. THAT IS SO THAT AS THE EPA MOVES FORWARD WITH THEIR PFAS IMPLEMENTATION IN THEIR PERMITS FOR WATER, WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE AHEAD AND ANALYZE THOSE FOR THOSE CONTAMINANTS. IT IS ALSO GOING TO MOVE INTO OTHER MEDIA SUCH AS SOIL AND INTO AIR. AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO CURRENTLY LOOK AT WHAT THOSE METHODOLOGIES LOOK LIKE SO THAT OUR LAB STAFF UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE MINIMUM REQUESTS FOR INSTRUMENTATION BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE SPACE FOR IT IN OUR CURRENT LOCATION BUT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CURED UP SO WHEN THAT DOES COME IT IS EFFECTIVE AND IN ABOUT FOUR MORE YEARS WE ARE READY.

WE ARE NOT BEHIND THE 8 BALL. >> I WILL SQUEEZE IN ONE MORE

[02:40:01]

RESIDENTIAL AREAS? >> I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THAT THERE IS NO ZONING IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON. AND WE FIND THERE ARE WAREHOUSES THAT ARE SPRINKLED IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE THINGS THAT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS IN THEM. IN COLLABORATION WITH WORKING WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND THAT. THEN DOING INVESTIGATION FOR WATER QUALITY, BECAUSE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS BEING DISCHARGED INTO A RECEIVING STREAM OR A FLOOD CONTROL CONVEYANCE, WE CAN UNDERSTAND KIND OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. SO OUR STORMWATER TEAM DOES DRY WEATHER SCREENING AS WELL AS WET WEATHER SCREAMING TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THAT. AND WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE GET INFORMATION FROM THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE, THAT COLLABORATIVE INVESTIGATION HAPPEN SO WE CAN SEE THOSE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND WHAT THEY MIGHT BE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR. BAVEN.

>> PRECINCT 1. >> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT DOES FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND OUR COUNTY. WE WANTED TO TOUCH ON SOME OF THE SPECIFIC REQUEST YOU HAVE MADE AND SOME OF WHICH YOU HAVE ALREADY TOUCHED ON.

REGARDING THE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ANALYST FOR EXAMPLE, HOW WILL THE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST FOR A BUSINESS ANALYST IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC DURING DISASTERS AND EMERGENCY EVENTS DAY TO

DAY? CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT? >> SURE. AS INDICATED, WHEN THERE IS A DISASTER AND WE ARE MONITORING, WE UTILIZE A SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS US TO CAPTURE THAT INFORMATION AND PUSH THAT OUT TO A MAP. THE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE PERSON CAN HELP US MAKE SURE THE INFORMATION IS AGGREGATED AND THAT IT MOVES FASTER. WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR DATABASES ARE UP TO DATE AND THAT THEY ARE OPERATING PROPERLY. WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME -- A LOT OF WORK THAT WE DO WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES, SO WE DO UNDERSTAND THEIR ELEMENT IN THAT. BUT TO ACTUALLY DO THE DAY TO DAY IN OUR OFFICE TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE CROSSED IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE PERSON CAN DO THAT INFORMATION FOR US.

>> GOING BACK TO THE AIR MONITORING SUPERVISOR, HOW WILL THE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST FOR THAT POSITION SUPPORT YOUR DEPARTMENT'S PLAN AND THE COUNTY'S BROADER GOAL OF

DISASTER ZONE? >> SO WITH THE SPAN OF CONTROL BEING INCREASED WITH THE REDUCTION IN FORCE, THAT E.R.

MANAGER, AS I INDICATED, THE AIR MONITORING MANAGER IS LOOKING AT BOTH OF THOSE SECTIONS. HAVING THAT AIR MONITORING SUPERVISOR WILL ENSURE WE HAVE A MORE INTENSE LOOK AT THAT WHILE WE ARE LOOKING AT BOTH OF THOSE ISSUES. WHEN WE UTILIZE THE RAM, IT IS A TWO-PERSON SHOTS.

SO TO HAVE THAT MONITORING SPECIALIST INCREASE THAT SPAN OF CONTROL, IT HELPS US TO EVOLVE AND EXPAND THE AIR

MONITORING SECTION AS WELL. >> AND ONE OTHER BUDGET ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT DURING THIS HEARING? PLEASE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN HOW YOUR OTHER BUDGET REQUEST WOULD SUPPORT YOUR DEPARTMENT'S PLAN THAT ARE OFTEN ALIGNED WITH THE COUNTY GOALS PARTICULARLY RELATED TO HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT AND MAKING OUR

COMMUNITIES MORE RESILIENT? >> I INDICATED THERE IS A REQUEST FOR TWO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PERSONS THAT WILL WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COMMUNITY, THE LIAISONS WITH THE PRECINCTS, TO PARSE THAT INFORMATION OUT TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITIES KNOW WHEN THERE IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE WHO TO CALL AND HOW TO LOOK FOR THAT INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE. HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WHEN THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT. ALSO TO HAVE THE AIR MONITORING SUPERVISOR INCLUDED. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT HAVING A COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR ADDED TO THAT REPERTOIRE, WHICH HELPS US TO ENFORCE AT A GREATER LEVEL AND WENT TO INCREASE THOSE INSPECTIONS WHEN WE DO NEED TO MOVE TO ENFORCEMENT. AND THEN ALSO -- THERE WAS ONE OTHER POSITION -- THOSE ARE THE ONES.

WE DID NOT ASK FOR A LARGE AMOUNT OF POSITIONS. SORRY. THE REST OF OUR QUEST REALLY COMES TO THE CIP REQUEST. THAT COMES WITH ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE SPECIALIZED VEHICLE WHICH IS THE RAM. ALL OF THAT WILL HELP US MOVE FORWARD WITH THE

[02:45:06]

CAPABILITIES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE

RESERVE THE REST OF OUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 2. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU, DR. BAVEN, POOR COMING. HARRIS COUNTY HAS SO MANY NEEDS RELATED TO POLLUTION CONTROL. WE ARE WELL AWARE OF THAT WITHIN PRECINCT 2. THERE IS ALSO A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POLLUTION WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY INDUSTRY AND UNIVERSITIES. CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH SOME OF THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU ARE EXPLORING WITH UNIVERSITIES, INDUSTRIES, NGOS, TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT YOU HAVE FOR

YOUR DIVISION DEPARTMENT? >> THANK YOU. SO WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TO LOOK AT WHAT THOSE HEALTH IMPACTS WOULD BE. WE WERE CLOSELY ALSO WITH THE PRECINCTS. WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH PRECINCT 2. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE WITH US. LOOKING AT HOW YOU CAN INCLUDE PARTNERSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT PLACEMENTS OF MONITORS. WE WERE IN RECEIPT OF SOME FUNDING TO DO THAT THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY. NOT SO THAT WE COULD -- SO WE COULD LOOK AT WHAT THE HEALTH IMPACTS WERE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. WE MOVED TO AN AREA THAT DID NOT HAVE A LARGE MONITOR. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID IN THAT ASPECT. WE ALSO PUT TOGETHER A TOOL SO THAT RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE MAJOR CONTAMINANTS THAT WE ARE USUALLY EXPOSED TO IN THESE ADMISSION EVENTS, WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE, WHAT THE HEALTH IMPACT MIGHT BE. WE WORKED ON THAT WITH THE COLLABORATION OF HIGHER-LEVEL LEARNING INSTITUTIONS, COLLEGES, AND ALSO SOME ADVOCACY GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO WERE INCLUDED IN THAT. WE USED THE EXPERTISE OF H.A.R.K. SO WHENEVER WE DO FIND THE OPPORTUNITY TO COLLABORATE WE DO MOVE IN THAT VEIN. I DO BELIEVE LOOKING AT GRANT FUNDING, THE PUSH FOR GRANT FUNDS NOWADAYS TO PUSH THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND INCLUDE AN ELEMENT OF COMMUNITY GROUPS IN THAT. SO EVERY TIME WE APPLY FOR GRANTS, WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN COLLABORATE WITH ORGANIZATIONS.

AND SOMETIMES THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE SMALL ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO NOT USUALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THIS KIND OF FUNDING. SOMETIMES, IT IS LARGER ORGANIZATIONS. AND SOMETIMES IT MAY BE PARTNERING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY. SO SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO WALK THOSE LINES AND GET THE BIGGEST BANK TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU. AND MY LAST QUESTION IS, DID YOU HAVE ANY

BUDGET SURPRISES LAST YEAR? >> MOST CERTAINLY. ONE THING WE FOUND IS AN INCREASE WHENEVER LABORATORY ANALYSTS SEE THAT WE HAVE MORE COMPLEX SAMPLES COMING IN. IT INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF MATERIAL THAT WE NEED AND CONSUMABLES. WE WORK VERY CLOSELY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICERS OF PRECINCT 1. WHEN THEY BRING US SAMPLES, WE UTILIZE OUR LABORATORY IN HOUSE TO ANALYZE THOSE SAMPLES. IF THEY ARE COMPLEX AND WE CANNOT UTILIZE THOSE IN-HOUSE, THEN WE SEND THEM TO A COMPLEX LAB. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FROM YEAR TO YEAR. WHAT KIND OF ENFORCEMENT CASES ARE GOING TO COME FROM THE CRIMINAL SIDE THAT WE WILL BE ASSISTING WITH THOSE SAMPLES. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY EMERGENCY EVENTS ARE GOING TO COME THAT WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF SAMPLES COME FOR IT. SO THE LAB IS KIND OF LIKE THAT VARIABLE THAT IT IS KIND OF HARD TO PLAN FOR. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE THAT MONITOR I MENTIONED AT FRIENDSHIP PARK THAT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING. AND SO WE HAD TO REACH BACK AND ASKED FOR SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COVER THAT SO WE COULD PAY OUR INVOICES FOR THAT TURNKEY MONITORING STATION.

>> FANTASTIC. THANK YOU. >> NO OTHER QUESTIONS.

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

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, DR. BAVEN . I WANT TO START OFF WITH WHAT KIND OF PUBLIC EDUCATION DO YOU GUYS DO AND HAS IT BEEN EFFECTIVE?

>> SO WE HAVE STARTED A COUPLE OF NEW THINGS. YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THAT WE HAVE A RAM. RIGHT? IT IS A VEHICLE THAT GOES INTO COMMUNITIES TO DO MONITORING. BUT, IF YOU SEE IT, AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, IT SHOCKS YOU. SO WE HAVE BEEN

[02:50:04]

ADDITIONALLY, WE DID A NEW PROGRAM THIS SUMMER WHERE WE WENT INTO THE LINK LIBRARY AND DID A READING PROGRAM WITH A VERY, VERY SMALLEST OF OUR RESIDENTS, THE BABIES, WITH THEIR MOMS. WHEN WE FIRST DID IT, WE HAD MAYBE A DOZEN PEOPLE. AND THEN AS IT MOVED, WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF INTEREST. LIKE 50+ PEOPLE HAVE COME TO THAT. WE HAVE GOT MORE AND MORE INTEREST. WE HAVE MORE AND MORE PARENTS WHO WANT TO LEARN AND ONE OF THE VEHICLES THEY ARE USING TO LEARN FROM THAT IS THE BOOKS WE ARE READING TO THE SMALL KIDS ABOUT

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. >> I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT EDUCATION IS THE BEST WAY TO CHANGE A CULTURE AND FIX A PROBLEM. NEXT IS, WE HAVE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT EMERGENCIES, BUT DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES IF THERE WERE TO BE A MAJOR POLLUTION-RELATED EMERGENCY. A TANK EXPLOSION OR A TRAIN DERAILMENT?

>> SO, AGAIN, ONE OF MY BIGGEST FEARS IS OF THE UNKNOWN. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FACE WHEN THERE ARE THOSE TYPES OF EMERGENCIES AND SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GEAR UP BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU ARE GOING TO NEED. DO WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE TO DO AROUND-THE-CLOCK MONITORING ON A MULTI-DAY EVENT? NO. AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM THAT CAN GO OUT AND DO THAT BUT IF THAT BECOMES A LONG-TERM EVENT OR A MULTILEVEL EVENT, THEN WE HAVE TO BRING OTHERS WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT INTO THAT. NO. WE DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER GEARING UP TO MOVE TO MULTILEVEL THINGS THAT CAN BE MULTI-DAYS. WOULD BE LIKE TO EXPAND THAT? YES, WE WOULD.

>> THANK YOU. FOR AFTER STORM EVENTS ARE FLOODING EVENTS, IS THERE ANY TESTING OF SOIL OR RAIN WATER FOR CONTAMINANTS OF FLOODING WHEN THERE IS NEIGHBORHOOD OR STREET

FLOODING? >> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED WHAT WE ARE CALLING RAINS, AND IT IS A IMPLEMENTATION TEST OF JUST THAT. THERE IS A LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY WITH THAT BECAUSE THE SIMPLISTIC MODEL THAT WE ARE USING IS SOMETIMES FLOODED, AND YOU CANNOT GET TO IT UNTIL THE WATERS RECEDE. WHAT IT DOES IS TAKE THE FIRST FLUSH OF RAIN THAT FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL AND A CAPTURE THAT SO WE CAN GO BACK AND ANALYZE THAT AND SEE WHAT THOSE CONTAMINANTS ARE. WE DO KNOW THE OLD ADAGE, DILUTION IS THE SOLUTION TO POLLUTION.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS AS IT CONTINUES TO RAIN AND WATER CONTINUES TO FLOW, IT REALLY DOES WASH AWAY SOME OF THE CONTAMINANTS IN THAT FIRST FLUSH UNTIL THE DANGER OF THE RUSHING WATERS PASS, IT IS NOT AUTOMATED SO WE CAN SEE THAT INSTANTANEOUSLY. WHAT I WILL SAY IS THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IT TAKES TO ADDRESS POLLUTION ISSUES IS NOT UP TO SPEED WITH THE NEED FOR THE CONVENIENCES THAT WE ALL EXPERIENCE. SO AS WE ALL TRY TO MOVE INTO THAT VEIN, WE REALIZE THERE IS MORE AND MORE FUNDING NEEDED TO DO THAT, AND I DO NOT KNOW IF WE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO CATCH UP TO WHERE EVERYTHING IS LEVELED OFF, BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DEFINITELY LOOKING AT, AND WE WOULD NEED MORE MONEY TO DO THAT.

>> FOR ANY KIND OF OUTREACH OR EDUCATION OR WHATEVER WE CAN DO, LET US KNOW AND WE WILL HELP.

>> THANK YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS I FAILED TO MENTION IS WE ARE DOING OUTREACH WITH OUR SENIORS. WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THAT PROGRAM INTO A GARDENING PROGRAM BUT THE EDUCATION FOR THAT WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDING AS

WELL. >> THANK YOU. DR. BAVEN, YOU WILL NOW HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> SO, IN CLOSING, I WOULD WANT TO SAY THAT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS WORKING UNDER, WE HAVE PUT PEOPLE FIRST AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING WE DO. WE PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO

[02:55:03]

[Equity and Economic Opportunity]

HELP IN DOING SO. >> THANK YOU, DR. BABIN, AND TO THE POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES. WE WILL NEXT YEAR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

>> WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU TWO COURT MEMBERS AND STAFF FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF DEO OVER THE LAST YEAR. WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN FISCAL YEAR '24 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BEING ABLE TO RESTRUCTURE THE FINANCE TEAM TO BETTER SUPPORT OUR GROWING DEPARTMENT WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO OBSERVE THE ECI DIVISION AND A PORTFOLIO OF OVER $150 MILLION OF ARPA PROJECTS. WE ARE ADDING MUCH-NEEDED PROVISIONS ALLOWING US TO INCREASE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES. WE ENTERED INTO NEW AGREEMENTS WITH HECTRA, DHC, AND FLOOD CONTROL. WE HIRED A FULL-TIME DATA ANALYST WHO LEADS OUR BIANNUAL REPORT AND IS NOW MANAGING THE SNOWFLAKE PROJECT TO CONTINUE IMPROVING OUR REPORTING, AND WE GREATLY REDUCED OUR VACANCY RATE AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE WERE ADDING PCM'S. NOW, TODAY, AND LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE, THE ADDITIONAL REQUESTS WE SUBMITTED OUR IN RESPONSE TO THE DEPARTMENT'S GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS AND REQUEST FROM THE COURT FOR NEW AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING. WE ARE ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL BUDGET TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF A DEPARTMENT THAT HAS NEARLY DOUBLED IN SIZE SINCE 2021. SPECIFICALLY WITH THE POSITION OF A CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER TO SUPPORT STREAMLINING PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY REPORT TO ME. I HAVE FIVE DIRECT REPORTS AND OF ALL THE DEALS, THE ARPA BUDGET IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET BOOK BUT THE FACT THAT DEO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER $20 MILLION IN ARPA PROGRAMMING THROUGH 2026 HAS A REAL IMPACT ON MY WORKLOAD AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. ADDITIONAL POSITIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED FOR THE CURRENT WORKLOAD. TO HELP US MANAGE WHAT HAS BEEN ADDED TO OUR PLAY IN THE LAST YEAR AND INCREASING WORK THAT COMES WITH THE COUNTY'S GROSS. AN EXAMPLE OF A REQUEST THAT HAS COME OUR WAY IN THIS LAST YEAR INCLUDE THE CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY, RESEARCHING, DEVELOPING, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRIME GRANT PROGRAM, THE SCORECARD PROJECT, LAUNCHING THE COUNTY'S NEW DISPARITY STUDY, AND ADDING TO THE NUMBER OF CERTIFICATIONS ACCEPTED BY THE COUNTY'S MW E POLICY. WE WERE EXTERNALLY DETAILED IN OUR BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS REQUEST SO THAT THE IMPACT OF NOT RECEIVING THE FUNDS WOULD BE CLEAR BUT I WILL BRIEFLY MENTION SOME OF THE IMPACT IF NOT PUT IN ADDITIONAL KEY POSITION. THIS INCLUDES STAFF TURNOVER, PROJECT DELAYS, AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF REVENUE. I WILL BE HAPPY TO EXPAND ON THIS AS NEEDED AS WE ALL GO OVER THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE TODAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH CORE OFFICE WILL NOW BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTION BEGINNING WITH THE COUNTY OFFICE.

>> HI, EVERYONE. I AM WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR GONZALEZ, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I AM SURE I HAVE SAID THIS BEFORE BUT DEO IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A OFFICE THAT WORKS REALLY WELL AND KEEPS US UPDATED AND MAKE SURE WE ARE INFORMED WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

[03:00:05]

THAT LOOK LIKE EXACTLY? >> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THOSE KIND WORDS. WITH A $200,000 IN OFFSETS, WE ARE REALLY LUCKY THIS YEAR. WE HAD FUNDING AVAILABLE IN THE PARTICULAR LINE ITEM IN THE PUTTING ASSETS TO WORK PROJECT.

THAT IS THE PAW PROJECT. THAT PROJECT IS NOW BEING LED BY OCA SO THOSE WE WERE ABLE TO OFFSET WITH VERY LITTLE PAIN SO THAT IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU. AND MY SECOND QUESTION. ENHANCE REQUESTS IF THE CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER'S POSITION, AS YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR OPENING REMARKS, IS THAT STILL THE CASE AND CAN YOU SPEAK ON THE NEED FOR THIS POSITION AND HOW THIS INDIVIDUAL WOULD REMOVE SOME OF THAT WORKLOAD FROM YOU, THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR? >> SURE. ABSOLUTELY. IT IS STILL MY TOP PRIORITY. I DO HAVE LIKE FOUR OF THEM. MORE THAN JUST FREEING UP THE TIME, IT IS ABOUT WHAT I AM SEEING AS A LEAD AND WHAT IS NEEDED TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AND TO CARRY THE WORKLOAD. IT IS REALLY CHALLENGING FOR ME TO HAVE THE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT ARE SO DISTINCT. FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF MY DAYS CAN BE BEING AT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CONVENING WITH FUNDERS LIKE I WAS LAST WEEK AND THAT FRIDAY I WAS SPEAKING ON A PANEL FOR WORKFORCE, SO IT DOES TAKE A LOT OF PERSONAL PREP TIME THAT I AM DOING ALONE RIGHT NOW. YOU KNOW? TALKING POINTS. RESEARCHING. PREPPING. AND THAT HAPPENS EVERY TWO WEEKS. I AM ALSO DOING THAT PREP ALONE. SO THAT WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HAVE A PARTNER IN THAT WORK.

SPECIFICALLY WHEN I HAVE QUESTIONS. THAT CAN BE SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN MAYBE HELP ME WITH. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED WITH NO COMMUNICATION STAFF FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, ONE OF THE THINGS THIS POSITION WILL HELP ME DO IS STREAMLINE COMMUNICATIONS. IF WE DO NOT GET THE POSITION FOR SENIOR MANAGER, I DO WANT TO BE CREATIVE AND GET SOME VENDORS BUT I CANNOT DO THAT WORK. SO IF THIS POSITION IS HERE, THE N THEY CAN LEAD FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE SO THEY CAN TRY TO LOOK MORE UNIFORM. RIGHT NOW ONE OF MY PET PEEVES IS ABOUT HOW DIFFERENT SOME THINGS LOOK BUT I CANNOT STOP THE WORK I AM DOING TO ADDRESS BRANDING, AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. ALSO PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS THAT THIS POSITION COULD HANDLE. RIGHT NOW WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT IS KIND OF AD HOC AND HAPHAZARD HOW WE HANDLE THAT. AND YOU ARE DEFINITELY AWARE WE ARE GETTING SOME OF THOSE REQUESTS THAT ARE GETTING HARD DEADLINES AND RESPONDING.

SO YOU ARE VERY HELPFUL IN RESPONDING TO THAT. I HAVE POSITIONS FOR NEW THINGS THEY WOULD BE DOING IN EXECUTIVE OFFICE INCLUDING THE FIRST EXECUTIVE PLAN. THAT IS THE KIND OF WORK THAT IS REALLY DECISIVE BECAUSE WE CAN DOVETAIL BEHIND THE COUNTY'S STRATEGIC PLAN AND SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING THOSE OUTCOMES IN THE LARGER COUNTY-WIDE STRATEGIC PLAN, AND, ALSO, I INTEND FOR THAT KIJIJI PLAN FOR DL TO HAVE AN OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS. AND I WANT TO HEAR FROM ME THIRD-PARTY VENDOR WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? DIG INTO OUR WORK AND LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN BE DOING BETTER. AND THAT IS A PROJECT THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN OWNER AND WILL NOT HAVE ONE WITH THIS POSITION.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I YIELD MY TIME.

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

QUESTIONS. >> DEFINITELY, THANK YOU, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS. LET'S GET TO WORK. CAN YOU TELL US HOW THE DEO USED WHAT WAS GRANTED FOR FY24?

>> WE ARE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE POSITIONS IN THE ASSISTANCE WE GOT LAST YEAR. WE WERE ABLE TO GET SIX MONITORS.

WE SPLIT THAT BETWEEN THE WORKER COMMITTEE PROTECTION TEAM AND THE VENDOR DIVERSITY ALSO KNOWN AS THE WVE TEAM. AND

[03:05:06]

AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE WORST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IS THE DELAY ON PAY APPS. SO THOSE ADDITIONAL MONITORS ARE SOMETHING THAT WE ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON, AND THAT WAS SO HELPFUL LAST YEAR. ALSO, THANKFULLY, WHEN I WAS LOSING SLEEP LAST YEAR, THE FULL-TIME DATA PERSON WE DO NOT HAVE FOR THE MWBE TEAM. SO I JUST DID NOT WANT TO LOSE THAT PERSON AND HE WAS WILLING TO COME ON WHOLE TIME IF HE HAD THE PCM.

SO LAST YEAR WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE HIM AND OF COURSE YOU'LL PROBABLY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH FELIPE WHO IS LEADING THE BIANNUAL REPORT AND IMPROVEMENT REPORTS. HE WAS KEY IN MAKING SURE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COUNT SUBCONTRACTOR PAYMENTS, AND HE IS NOW BEING USED IN OTHER IMPORTANT DATA PROJECTS,

SUCH AS SNOWFLAKE. >> GREAT. CAN YOU TELL US HOW THE COUNTY'S DISPARITY STUDY FUND IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT YOUR WORK OR MY SUPPORTIVE FOR NEXT YEAR?

>> YES. SO HARRIS COUNTY, MYSELF AND THE DIRECTOR HAVE BEEN CHILDREN THAT -- WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH HISTORICAL RECORDS FROM THE FIRST HARRIS COUNTY DISPARITY STUDY TALKING TO THE BIG THREE. TALKING TO PURCHASING. WE HAVE DRAFTED OUR FIRST SCOPE OF WORK AND ARE RIGHT NOW WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I DO THINK THAT WE NEED A PERSON TO LEAD THIS WORK. YOU UNDERSTAND, WE WANT TO KEEP UP THE GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT OFFICES, AND THAT IS ALWAYS A STAFF I NEED THAT WE HAVE SO THE STRATEGIC OPERATIONS MANAGER LISTED IN THE BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS ONE OF THEIR -- ACTUALLY THEIR MAIN PROJECT WILL BE THE DISPARITY STUDY. IT IS A VERY HEAVY LIFT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHICHEVER VENDOR WE GET ARE DOING GOOD PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, OUTREACH, DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, TALKING TO THE BUSINESS GROUPS, AND EVERY SINGLE PRECINCT. I EXPECT TO HAVE MONTHLY COORDINATION MEETINGS AT THE COURT OFFICES SO EVERYONE IS UP TO DATE ON HOW THE DISPARITY STUDY IS GOING. IT IS GOING TO BE PAINFUL FOR SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE TO GIVE US DATA, SO TO HAVE ONE PERSON BE ABLE TO SHARE WHAT DATA IS NEEDED BY WIN. IF YOU HAVE ISSUES MEETING THAT DEADLINE, YOU CAN TALK TO THIS ONE PROJECT MANAGER, SO THAT IS THE

POSITION WE ARE WORKING WITH. >> AND CAN YOU TELL ME HOW YOU

HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO ILA'S? >> YES. ONE OF THE THINGS I MENTIONED EARLIER WAS LIKE THE ILA'S WITH HECTOR, FLOOD CONTROL, AND I HAVE WITH ME ALESSANDRA, AND SHE HAS BEEN KEY ON THAT AND HAS IMPROVED THAT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

IT WAS NEW. SO THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR '25 WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO GET ANOTHER PCM. AND IS REALLY EXCITED BECAUSE THAT IS FOR THE DB ARE A WORKER WHICH IS REALLY INTENSE WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE DO. I LEARNED THAT THE DB ARE IS REALLY, REALLY INTENSE COMPLIANCE WORK. SO THAT HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP AND THEN THANK YOU TO FLOOD CONTROL. THEY WERE DILIGENTLY WORKING WITH US FOR MANY, MANY MONTHS. WE HAVE HEARD AT COURT AND I HAVE HEARD FROM MY PEERS THAT NOBODY CAN HOLD UP THE FUND AND WE ARE NOT GIVING ANY DOLLAR BACK. SO THAT MEANT THAT WE NEEDED TO BE READY. SO WE DID YEAR PROJECTION THROUGHOUT THE GRANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF STAFFING FOR

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

>> THANK YOU, DR. GONZALEZ, FOR YOUR TIME. FOR THE RECORD, AM SPENCER WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE. I HAVE PRETTY MUCH ANSWERED THIS QUESTION BUT JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, YOU WOULD PRIORITIZE THE HIRING OF A CHIEF PROGRAM -- THIS EPO

[03:10:02]

THE CPO OVER THAT? >> YOU KNOW, THERE IS A COUPLE OF PRIORITIES ON HERE THAT ARE VERY HARD FOR ME TO MAKE THAT DECISION AND INITIALLY BECAUSE OF WHAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM THE COURT OFFICES. FOR INSTANCE, THE CPO FOR ME IS NOT ONLY MADE TO DO THIS POSITION, BUT ALSO FOR THE FUTURE. RIGHT? THE CHIEF OF STAFF POSITION WAS SOMETHING WE ORIGINALLY HAD IN OUR DL PLANS AND WAS TAKEN AWAY AFTER YEARS OF TRANSITION, SO THAT IS SOMETHING I FEEL IS NEEDED FOR ANYBODY IN MY POSITION TO HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO EXECUTE. BUT, FOR INSTANCE, I KNOW THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT, I HEAR FROM DIFFERENT COURT OFFICES ABOUT THE NEED TO DO MORE WITH SMALL BUSINESSES. WE NEED TO INCREASE OUR AMOUNT OF EDUCATION CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, TRAININGS, AND I JUST DO NOT HAVE THE STAFF TO DO THAT OR SOMEONE TO LEAD THAT WORK SO THAT TO ME IS JUST AS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THAT TEAM IS TINY. THAT TEAM OF THREE COVERS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY. I KNOW THEY PARTNER WITH YOU ALL. DIFFERENT OFFICES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AND THAT HAS BEEN SUCH A GREAT WAY TO LEVERAGE THAT TEAM. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING AGREEMENTS. TAX ABATEMENTS. THE INQUIRIES THAT COME FROM LARGE CORPORATIONS. THE DELICATE NEGOTIATION THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN WITH FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES. THE FTC PROGRAM THAT BRINGS IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF REVENUE.

AND SO THAT TEAM HAS NOT GROWN AND HAS BEEN USING TEMPORARY STAFF TO FILL IN THE HOLES, AND SO TO ME THAT IS PROOF RIGHT THERE THAT IT IS REALLY NEEDED. IT IS HARD TO SAY JUST ONE. I AM HOPING MORE THAN THAT WILL COME OUR WAY, BUT THOSE ARE THE

TOP ONES FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. >> I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT ANSWER. AND I HAVE A STRATEGIC PLANNING QUESTION. GIVEN YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND HARRIS COUNTY'S PROCESS AND THE ASSIGNMENT OF 10 PRIORITY INITIATIVES TO THE DEEO OFFICE AND THE DRAFT PLAN, DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAVE THE NECESSARY STAFF IN THE FY 25 BUDGET TO EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT AND MONITOR THESE INITIATIVES?

>> THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO BUT I DO THINK WE WILL GET MORE CLARITY AS THE STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS CONTINUES. I DID HEAR THAT SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THERE SHOULD BE SEEN AS LONG-TERM INITIATIVES SO MAYBE SOME OF THEM WILL NOT ALL START IN YOUR ONE AND POTENTIALLY BE PHASED. SO THAT HAPPENS, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR OUR DEPARTMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, I THINK ONE OF THE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES WAS ABOUT MAKING, YOU KNOW, HARRIS COUNTY ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO START A BUSINESS. THERE WAS JUST AS AN EXAMPLE AN IDEA OF A ONE-STOP SHOP BUSINESS CENTER. THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT CANNOT HAPPEN GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUT GIVEN THE TIME AND THE PLANNING WE CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN OF WHAT WE NEED TO GET READY FOR THAT AND MAYBE THAT IS TWO OR THREE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT'S

PRIORITIES. >> THANK YOU. NO FURTHER

QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCT 3. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT

EXISTS? >> I THINK FOR US WE ARE REALLY FOCUSING ON THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. I KNOW THAT WITH OCA NOW HAVING THE CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER, DR. JOHNSON, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH HER AND SOME OF THE EDUCATION INITIATIVES SHE IS CURRENTLY DOING FOR THE COUNTY. WE FOCUS ON THE TERMS AND SERVICES WE ARE OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE THROUGH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OR THROUGH POLICIES AND PROGRAMS PASSED THROUGH COURT. AND SO I THINK WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY. SO WHEN WE GO OUT AND DO OUR TOUR OF THE COUNTY, YOU KNOW, IT IS VERY MUCH SHARED AND THE OUTREACH FOR THAT AND THE COMMUNICATION IS BEHIND THAT IS ANY BUSINESS THAT WANTS TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY. COME TO THIS SESSION AND LEARN ABOUT THE RESOURCES WE HAVE AND LEARN FROM THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT THAT HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER OF OURS AND THAT SESSION. AND JUST SOME SYSTEMS IF YOU WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE COUNTY. WITHIN THAT, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE MW PROGRAM. WHAT IS A CONTRACT HAVING A GOAL MEAN? THOSE THINGS WITHIN THE SESSION. BUT IT IS JUST A PART OF THE LARGER SESSION THAT I THINK WILL BENEFIT ANYBODY. SO

[03:15:02]

>> THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED EARLIER A CONTRACTOR SAFETY

PROGRAM. >> YES.

>> NOW, WHY WAS YOUR DEPARTMENT TASKED WITH THAT?

>> WE DO WORK WITH PURCHASING ON THAT. SO IT COULD BE ANY USER DEPARTMENT THAT HAS A CONTRACT THAT HAS BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED AS PART OF THE POLICY. IT IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT POLICY. SO IT IS DEO, PURCHASING, AND THE COUNTY HAS BEEN WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH US BECAUSE IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME WORKING WITH US AND THEN THE USER DEPARTMENT. SO FOR EXAMPLE WE WORK WITH A DEPARTMENT BECAUSE ONE OF OUR CONTRACTS GOT SELECTED AS PART OF THE AUDIT. SO WE DO HAVE ROLES THAT HAVE BEEN LINED OUT AND THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THAT OR I GUESS I SHOULD SAY INTERNAL SOP'S ON HOW TO DO THAT. SO, FOR INSTANCE, THE AUDIT PIECE. SING UP EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO THE POLICY WAS FOLLOWED AND THEN TALKING WITH THE USER DEPARTMENT AND THEN WITH THE CONTRACTOR TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES. IT COULD ALSO BE THAT THEY GO REALLY WELL. BUT WE ARE ONE OF THE ADMISSION OF DEPARTMENTS OF

THAT POLICY. >> SO YOU ARE NOT DEALING WITH

THE OSHA REQUIREMENTS? >> WE CHECK IF THEY HAVE THE CARDS. SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT POLICY, IT IS A YES OR YOU DON'T HAVE THE CARDS. SO WE DO FOLLOW UP WITH A PARTICULAR CONTRACTOR AND SAY, HI, WE ARE A PARTICULAR AUDITOR FOR DEO.

YES. EVERYONE HAS AN OSHA CARD. PLEASE SUBMIT WITHIN 10 DAYS

FOR EXAMPLE. >> ONE MORE QUESTION. DOES YOUR BUDGET REQUEST MEET YOUR NEEDS? IF NOT, WHY?

>> WELL, IT MEET OUR IMMEDIATE NEEDS. IF NOT, I WOULD SAY THERE ARE DEFINITELY LIMITS ON HOW MUCH WE CAN REQUEST BUT I WILL NOT KNOCK THAT. UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS NEEDED. IT IS A TIGHT BUDGET SEASON SO WE DID WITH WHAT WE COULD.

>> SO BASICALLY YOU NEED MORE.

>> YES. ALWAYS MORE. >> THANK YOU. NO FURTHER

QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCT 4.

>> I AM GABBIE FROM PRECINCT 4. DIRECTOR GONZALES, IF YOU CAN GO OVER YOUR LONGER-TERM VISION FOR AN IDEAL UNIVERSE AND THE PLACES THAT YOU CAN FILL IN ASSUMING YOU GOT, YOU KNOW,

EVERYTHING YOU NEEDED? >> YES. ABSOLUTELY. FIRST, I THINK, THAT IS ONE OF MY CHALLENGES. I WOULD LOVE TO BE THINKING ABOUT FIVE YEARS FROM NOW STRATEGY, VISION. I WILL BE HONEST. THAT IS THE HARDEST THING I WOULD BE ABLE TO DO RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE TIME. IT IS VERY CHALLENGING FOR ME TO BLOCK OUT THE TIME BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO THINK STRATEGICALLY ABOUT THINGS. THAT IS WHERE THE CPO POSITION COULD REALLY COME INTO PLAY AND HELP ME DO THAT BUT ALSO THE STRATEGIC PLAN. I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. I WAS ABLE TO LEVERAGE SOME INTERNAL RESOURCES AND START WORKING ON THE SCOPE OF WORK AND DESCRIBING WHAT IT IS REALLY WE NEED. AND I THINK THAT WILL BE THE PLACE WHERE WE CAN HAVE SOME SUPPORT WITH A CONSULTANT COMING IN AND HELPING US TO DO THAT AND WHAT WOULD A DEPARTMENT LOOK LIKE.

THERE IS SOME DREAMS THAT WE HAVE FOR SURE IN GROWING THE OUTREACH. I THINK ONE PLACE THAT IS NEEDED IS WE NEED TO GROW IN OUR -- AND OUR CAPACITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS. IT IS ALSO BEST PRACTICE THAT IF YOU HAVE A MW PROGRAM OR ARE GOING TO DO GOALSETTING BASED ON DIVERSE GOALS, YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME RACE AND GENDER NEUTRAL SERVICES THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO SHOW AND WE JUST REALLY LIKE THAT BECAUSE OUR PRIORITY HAS BEEN ON THE PROGRAM AND DOING A GOOD JOB THERE. FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU WERE TO SEE THE OFFICE AND THE AMOUNT OF PROGRAMMING THEY HAVE THAT IS CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM, COHORTS, CLASSES, AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WE REALLY NEED TO STEP UP OUR GAME THERE SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AN INCREASE IN THAT. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THAT WAS A THINK I MAYBE ASKED FOR LAST YEAR. IT WAS NOT SOMETHING WE ASKED FOR AGAIN THIS YEAR BUT WE NEED A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM. YOU HAVE BEEN ONE PERSON DOING OUTREACH FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

WE LEVERAGE THE PRECINCT AS MUCH AS WE CAN BUT IF WE HAD OUR OWN FOLKS, THAT WOULD BE SUPER HELPFUL. I DREAM ABOUT BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. A HOTLINE. SO MANY BUSINESSES ARE LIKE I CANNOT EVEN GET SOMEONE TO RETURN MY CALL. I CANNOT EVEN FIND OUT IF I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH US. YOU KNOW? WITH THIS BONFIRE FOR INSTANCE. IT IS TECHNICAL. BUT I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY, REALLY CHALLENGING.

[03:20:07]

>> THANK YOU. AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU DREAM OF THE TECHNICAL SYSTEM. THAT IS REALLY SWEET. SO IF YOU COULD TALK ABOUT ANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRANTS, PARTNERSHIP, PHILANTHROPY, THAT YOU SEE IN THE SPACE THAT DEO WORKS IN? OR IN THE FUTURE?

>> SO THAT IS DEFINITELY A PLACE WE COULD IMPROVE ON FOR SURE. I THINK WE HAD AN INTERN THAT WAS SUPER SWEET AND HELPFUL FOR TWO OF US. THEY USED GRANT TRACKING AND HELPING US SEE WHICH AGENCIES WE SHOULD BE FOLLOWING AND GETTING THE FEEDS FROM BUT IT IS JUST CHALLENGING BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ANY STAFF THAT DO THAT. I HAVE BEEN SO GRATEFUL FOR TOM AND THE TEAM THERE. WE HAVE JOINED OUR COUNTYWIDE MEETINGS AND ARE HELPING TO FEED AND GRANT INFORMATION THROUGH THAT TEAM. BUT, RIGHT NOW, IT IS JUST NOT ANYTHING WE HAVE CAPACITY TO DO. THE ARPA GRANTS IS A HUGE PART OF THE DEO PORTFOLIO AND WE REALLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MY OPINION BECAUSE OF THE PMO OFFICE. I DO NOT WANT TO THINK ABOUT IF GIVEN THOSE ARPA DOLLARS WITHOUT THAT SUPPORT THERE. SO THAT IS REALLY WHAT I ENVISIONED FOR THE FUTURE AND WITHOUT US HAVING OUR OWN GRANT TEAM, HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO

USE THE OCA TO LEVERAGE THAT? >> AND WITH MY SHORT, REMAINING TIME, IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, IS IT THE , DVR A MONITOR AND HOW THAT WOULD HELP WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S KIND OF STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND THE WORK THAT

YOU ARE ALL DOING? >> YES. OUT OF THE TWO, THERE WAS A MONITOR AND A SPECIALIST. WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET A POSITION FROM ONE OF THE NEW ILA'S WITH HECTOR. THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO COURT NEXT MONTH. THE DBRA SPECIALIST IS SOMETHING WE KNOW WILL BE HELPFUL IN PUSHING OUT THE PAY APPS AND CONTINUING TO PAY AND TRAIN OTHERS. WE HAVE A SECTION 3 SPECIALIST THAT WE ARE MODELING THIS POSITION AFTER WITH THE OTHER TEAM, SO WE KNOW IT WORKS AND AGAIN DBRA IS THE MOST COMPLEX OF ALL THE PROGRAMS THAT WE RUN OUT OF

THAT TEAM. >> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR GONZALES, YOU NOW HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL NOT NEED TWO MINUTES. A SPECIAL THANKS TO HANK AND DEBRA FROM THE OFFICE. I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT TO BE PROUD OF FROM THE LAST YEAR. I AM SO EXCITED BECAUSE WE HAVE MADE SO MANY IMPROVEMENTS, AND I AM READY TO TAKE THIS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR GONZALES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. WE WILL NEXT HEAR FROM THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER

[Children's Assessment Center]

>> WELCOME TO THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER. TODAY WE HAVE WITH US EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KERRY MCCRACKEN. DIRECTOR, WE WILL BEGIN WITH A THREE-MINUTE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT AND THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK YOU ABOUT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE HARRIS COUNTY SAFE HAVEN FOR SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN. WE PROTECT FAMILIES AND PREVENT .

I WOULD LIKE TO START BY HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE HAVE MADE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

AT THE END OF 2022, WITH THE HELP OF ARPA FUNDS GENERALLY GIVEN TO US BY HARRIS COUNTY WE WERE ABLE TO LAUNCH THE CLINICAL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. WHAT THAT PROGRAM DOES IS IT GIVES US AN AVENUE FOR EVALUATING CHILDREN'S NEEDS EARLIER IN THE PROCESS AND MATCHING THEM WITH THE APPROPRIATE THERAPEUTIC CARE. IT IS A TRAUMA INFORMED MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION AND THE IMPACT OF THE CHILD'S FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENTAL TRAJECTORY AND TRAUMA SYMPTOMS. IN THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE GROWN THE STAFF TO A STAFF OF FIVE

[03:25:06]

THESE SESSIONS FOCUS ON FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, PREVENT HEIGHTENING OF SYMPTOMS WHILE WAITING OR IN NEED OF LONG-TERM TRAUMA TREATMENT AND THEY KEEP FAMILIES ENGAGED AND PROVIDE EDUCATION AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ALONG THEIR JOURNEY. THE OTHER AREA OF GROWTH AND SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE FOR US AT THE CAC IS A STEADY INCREASE IN TRAININGS THAT THE CAC IS PROVIDING TO COMMUNITIES AND SPECIFICALLY TO SCHOOLS. WE WILL ALWAYS WORK TIRELESSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY CHILD SEXUALLY GET THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE THERE IS, BUT WHAT WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO DO IS PUT OURSELVES OUT OF BUSINESS. WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE YOU LESS SEXUALLY ABUSED KIDS IN OUR FAMILY AND WE STEADILY BELIEVE THAT PREVENTION TRAINING IS THE KEY.

YOU WILL BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT RESEARCH SHOWS THAT 95% OF CHILD SEXUALLY ABUSE CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH PREVENTION TRAINING. 95%. SO WE BELIEVE THIS IS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO GROW THIS PROGRAM AND TO BRING OUR MESSAGE TO EVERY SCHOOL-AGED CHILD IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM PROUD OF THE HARD-WORKING STAFF AT THE CAC AND I'M AMAZED BY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT SHARE WITH YOU ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES. CHILDREN ARE TYPICALLY REFERRED TO US BY EITHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OR DFPS. AND WE CALL THEM OUR SERVICES TEAM. WE REVIEW ALL HARRIS COUNTY DFPS CASES TO MAKE SURE NO INSTANCES OF SEXUALLY ABUSE ARE FALLING TO THE CRACKS. OUR TEAM RECEIVES APPROXIMATELY 40,000 CASE INTAKES EACH YEAR.

>> THANK YOU. THEY ARE A SMALL AND MIGHTY TEAM OF SIX AND ALTHOUGH DEMAND HAS GROWN THE SIZE OF THE TEAM HAS NOT INCREASED SINCE 2015. THEY STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP. THIS IS WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT. NOT THE HORRIBLE CASES OF THE KIDS WHO COME THROUGH THE CAC BUT THE KIDS WHO DO NOT MAKE IT TO OUR DOORS. THE KIDS WHO HAVE SUFFERED BUT WERE NOT REFERRED TO THE CAC SO NOW THEY ARE FORCED TO BEAR THE TRAUMA WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. IT IS MY HELP IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADD SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS SO THAT EVERY CASE IS REVIEWED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND THAT NO CASE SLIPS TO THE CRACKS AND NO CHILD IS FORCED TO ENDURE THEIR TRAUMA IN SILENCE.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH CASE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 1.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR THE CHILDREN OF HARRIS COUNTY.

GOING BACK TO THE SERVICE COORDINATORS, CAN YOU SPEAK MORE TO THAT? CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THESE COORDINATORS THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS REQUESTED CAN SUPPORT CASELOADS, FAMILIES, AND WHAT IS THEIR EXPECTED CASELOAD?

>> LIKE I SAID, 40,000 CASELOADS COME IN EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND WE REVIEW EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. WE CALL THEM STATEWIDE INTAKES, BUT CLEARLY WE ONLY GET THE ONES FROM HARRIS COUNTY. THE STATEWIDE INTAKES DUMP INTO OUR SYSTEM AND WE LITERALLY LOOK TO EACH ONE AND SEE IF THEY MEET OUR CRITERIA. THEY LOOK TO SEE IF THERE WAS A CRITERIA AMOUNT OF SEXUALLY ABUSE. THE ONES THAT DO MEET THE CRITERIA THEY ASSEMBLE AND MAKE A PHONE CALL TO THE CASEWORKER AND MAKE A PHONE CALL TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CASE. SOMETIMES AT THAT JUNCTURE, THERE IS NO LAW ENFORCEMENT INVOLVE. SO SOMETIMES TO IDENTIFY WHETHER THAT BE HARRIS COUNTY OR ONE OF MANY OTHERS IN OUR REGION, THEY BRING THE TEAM TOGETHER TO WHAT THEY CALL STAFF A CASE. AND THEY TALK ABOUT NEXT STEPS. LET'S BRING THAT CHILD IN FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEW AND LET US DO WHAT WE CALL A RESPONSE THAT THE CODE REQUIRES ALL CASES BE BROUGHT TO THE CAC FOR A RESPONSE AND THEN WE MOVE FORWARD BRINGING SERVICES FOR

THAT CHILD AND THE FAMILY. >> AND, FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS ALAN ALEJO FROM PRECINCT 1. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT WAS FROM THE CHILD COURT SERVICES. YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED ADDITIONAL CHILD ADVOCATES. ONE CASELOAD TO ADDRESS AND PROVIDE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WHOSE

[03:30:05]

WITH THE DEPARTMENT FACE? >> WELL, TWO DISTINCT CHALLENGES. AS WE KNOW, THE COURT HAS A SIGNIFICANT BACKLOG, AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS A CHILD'S CASE MAY BE RESET TWO AND THREE AND FOUR TIMES. AND SO OUR ADVOCATES, THE CHILDREN SUPPORT ADVOCATES, STAY WITH THAT FAMILY UNTIL THEY GET TO TRIAL AND THAT MEANS THEY INFORM THEM EVERY TIME THERE IS A RESET AND THEY TRIED TO KEEP THEM ENGAGED BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU MAY HAVE A KID WHO WAS ABUSED WHEN THEY WERE 12 AND UNFORTUNATELY BEAT IT THE CASE COMES TO TRIAL. SO THEY KEEP ENGAGED WITH THAT FAMILY. THE OTHER BIG CHALLENGE AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GOT FOUR NEW COURTS LAST YEAR AND WE ARE GETTING FOUR MORE.

THAT IS A LOT OF COURTS. SO THEY JUST -- THE DEMAND IS JUST -- IS JUST OVERWHELMING FOR THEM. THEIR CASELOADS -- AND I AM SORRY I DO NOT HAVE THE NUMBER IN FRONT OF ME TODAY -- HAVE GROWN EXPONENTIALLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> WE RESERVE THE REST OF OUR TIME FOR NOW. THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> PRECINCT 2. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. HEATHER CREWS WITH PRECINCT 2.

OTHER THAN THE PERSONNEL YOU HAVE REQUESTED, CAN YOU WALK THROUGH WITH US ANY BUDGET CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE GOING INTO 2025? RISING COSTS? ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN SEE A

HINT OF ON THE HORIZON? >> WELL, CERTAINLY INFLATION IS A THING. THE COST OF OUR SECURITY FOR A BUILDING WENT UP AND AS YOU CAN IMAGINE SECURITY IS IMPORTANT AT OUR BUILDING.

AND WE DO REALLY VALUE MAKING THEM FEEL SAFE SO SECURITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT. YOU KNOW, STAFF RETENTION IS ALWAYS A BIG READ FOR US. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO BE LIVING IN A TIME IN HISTORY WHERE MENTAL HEALTH IS NOW RECOGNIZED AS AN IMPORTANT IMPORTANT THING AND MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN. SO THAT MEANS THAT OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE IN DEMAND.

AND SO OTHER INDUSTRIES CAN PAY BETTER THAN WE CAN. SO WE DO ALL WE CAN TO MAKE THEIR EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE REWARDING BEYOND MONETARILY. SO LET US NOT BE NAÏVE. IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT. PAYING THEM COMPETITIVELY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT AND RETAINING GOOD STAFF.

>> I DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AT THAT TIME. THANK

YOU. >> PRECINCT 3. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AUGUST WILLIAMS, PRECINCT 3.

JUST CURIOUS. WHO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR YOUR FACILITY? I DO NOT WANT TO SAY THAT IS MINE.

>> I DO NOT KNOW. I CANNOT RATTLE OFF THEIR NAME AT THE

TOP OF MY HEAD. >> NEXT IS FOR CASE REVIEW.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TURNAROUND TIME PER CASE?

>> JUST SO YOU KNOW, IF YOU HAVE LOOKED TO OUR MATERIALS, CASE REVIEW COMES IN TWO DIFFERENT FORMS. SO THE MVT RESPONSE I WAS TALKING ABOUT, THOSE COME THROUGH AND ARE MEDIAN. WE DO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CASE REVIEW AND YOU WILL SEE IT REFERRED TO AS SOME OF OUR DOCUMENTATION BECAUSE THERE IS A THRESHOLD. WE ARE CREDITED AND ONE OF THE STANDARDS THAT WE NEED TO ADHERE TO IS A CASE REVIEW. AND SO EVERY WEEK OUR TEAM WITH PARTNERS WILL SELECT IF YOU CASES AND IDENTIFY THEM FOR WHAT WE CALL BUT EVERYONE COMES TOGETHER AND SAYS, OKAY, THIS CASE HAS GOT SOME ISSUES. WHAT DO WE COLLECTIVELY AS A TEAM TAKEN OUR NEXT STEPS? BUT THE CASE REVIEWS WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO. THEY LOOK AT THEM IN A TIMELY MANNER AS SOON AS

THEY COME IN. >> OKAY. AND I AM NOT GOING TO PRETEND TO BE A MATHEMATICIAN. BUT I WILL DO A LITTLE BIT MATT HERE. 40,000 CASES HERE BY SIX EMPLOYEES IS 240000. THEY HAVE TO COMPLETE A REVIEW EVERY 15 MINUTES. THAT IS NO BRAKES.

NOTHING ELSE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE CASELOAD WAS IN 2015 THE LAST TIME YOU GOT A STAFF ADJUSTMENT TO TODAY. I

[03:35:03]

>> SO WE DO ALL WE CAN TO PROMOTE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS. WE HAVE LITTLE EVENTS AT THE CAC. IT MAY SOUND SILLY BUT WE JUST BRING IN LIKE ICE CREAM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO JUST GIVE THEM A BREAK FROM THEIR DAY TO DAY WORK. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I'M MOST PROUD OF IS IT IS OPENING WEEK ON WEDNESDAY.

WE CREATED AND TURNED ONE OF OUR COMPRESS ROOMS INTO A WELLNESS LOUNGE. AND SO IT IS A QUIET SPACE. THERE ARE NO TVS.

IT HAS MASSAGE CHAIRS AND IT IS DECORATED NICELY. IT IS SORT OF A SPA ATMOSPHERE. YOU KNOW, FOR ME PERSONALLY, AND A LOT OF OUR STAFF, DECOMPRESSING MEANS LEAVING THAT BUILDING AND GOING FOR A RUN. BUT GUESS WHAT? WHEN YOU HAVE A FORENSIC INTERVIEW AND THE NEXT ONE IS ME IN 30 MINUTES YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO RUN AROUND OR GO WALK YOUR DOG SO WE WANTED TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE STAFF COULD JUST GO AND DECOMPRESS. IT OPENS IN A WEEK.

I WILL LET YOU KNOW IF IT IS SUCCESSFUL, BUT I HOPE IT WILL BE. WE ENCOURAGE WELLNESS. WE HAVE PEER REVIEWS SO THE CLINICIANS THAT ARE, THEY WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK TO EACH OTHER. AGAIN, ABOUT THE DIFFICULT -- A DIFFICULT SESSION. AND I KNOW THOSE DEPARTMENTS ALL HAVE GOOD BUILT

IN SUPPORT PROGRAMS. >> WELL, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT

YOU DO. >> THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 4. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTION.

>> HELLO. MARISSA LORETTO FROM PRECINCT 4. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOUR TEAM DOES EVERY DAY. I WOULD LOVE TO GO BACK TO THE CASE RESETS THAT YOU MENTIONED. I AM VERY CURIOUS, WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON REASONS YOU HAVE SEEN

FOR CASE RESETS? >> BY THE WAY, I USED TO BE A LAWYER BEFORE I DID THIS SO I AM VERY FAMILIAR. I WAS A PROSECUTOR AND THEN A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER. CASE RESETS CAN HAPPEN FOR SO MANY REASONS. THE CASE WITNESSES ARE NOT READY FOR TRIAL. THE DISCOVERY PROCESS HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED.

FOR INSTANCE, YOU MAY BE REQUESTING A 911 TAPE THAT HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCED YET. BUT MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THOSE STILL WORKING OVER THERE IS IT IS JUST THE SHEER VOLUME. SO ANYTIME YOU HAVE DISRUPTION LIKE I DO NOT KNOW IF WE EVER CAUGHT UP AFTER HARVEY QUITE FRANKLY. WE HAD HARVEY AND THEN WE HAD COVID AND NOW WE HAVE BERYL. SO THE DOCKETS KEEP GOING UP AND UP AND UP. I DO NOT THINK IT IS ANYBODY'S

FAULT. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND I AM SORRY TO HEAR THAT. WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, FOR EXAMPLE, DATA TRACKING AND THE CASELOADS, WHAT KIND OF DATA TRACKING IS YOUR DEPARTMENT DOING? AND WHAT CAN YOU DO IN

THE FUTURE? >> WELL, OUR ACCREDITING BODY AND SOME OF THE GRANT THAT WE GET TO THEM REQUIRE THAT WE TRACK VERY METICULOUSLY SO WE ARE ON A SYSTEM CALLED APRICOT AND EVERY ADVOCACY CENTER IN TEXAS, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THEM BY THE WAY, ARE REQUIRED TO USE APRICOT. SO APRICOT USES ALL OF IT. HOW MANY CLIENTS COME IN AND HOW MANY VISITS. IS

ALL TRACKED. >> I AM VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW GRANT THAT YOU RECEIVED. WOULD YOU PLEASE BE ABLE TO PRIORITIZE YOUR TWO ENHANCEMENT

REQUESTS? >> SO, YES I CAN. THEY ARE BOTH VERY IMPORTANT. IT IS LIKE PICKING A FAVORITE CHILD. BUT I WOULD PRIORITIZE THE NDT STAFF BECAUSE THAT, AGAIN, IS AN ENTRY POINT. THEY ARE OVERWORKED. THE WORK THEY DO IS SO IMPORTANT. WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT HIS CHILDREN WHO NEED TO GET HERE THAT DON'T. SO IT IS JUST A SECOND SET OF EYES GOING TO THOSE CASES. OUR PARTNERS ARE OVERWATCH, TOO,

[03:40:04]

>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE OUR

TIME. >> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MCCRACKEN, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR DEDICATION TO MAKING SURE THAT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES HEAL AND SEEK JUSTICE. I HAVE THIS ONE QUESTION BECAUSE ALL THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN ASKED ALREADY. REGARDING THE COUNTY BUILDING ADJUSTMENT OF $100,000 FOR SECURITY SERVICE COSTS, IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE BUDGET BUT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. CAN YOU SHERIFF THAT WILL CONTINUE

INCREASING IN THE FUTURE? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT $100,000 COVERS THE INCREASE SO I DO NOT KNOW IF I ANTICIPATE

IT GROWING AT THIS TIME. >> THANK YOU. I YIELD.

>> PRECINCT 1. YOU HAVE 1:49 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE 3:42

REMAINING. >> NO. THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 3. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE REMAINING FOR ANY

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> I DO HAVE ONE MORE. ON THE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PIECE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, WHAT WOULD AN EXPANSION ON THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> WE PROVIDE A PREVENTION TRAINING TO 23,000 SCHOOLKIDS.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF THAT BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY SCHOOLKIDS ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE ARE BARELY SCRATCHING THE SURFACE. WE WOULD LOVE TO GET INTO EVERY SCHOOL BUT TO EVEN GET THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP UPLIFTING SO THAT IS A TOUGH ONE. SO OUR DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION SPENDS A LOT OF HER TIME GOING TO SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS , ARPA MEETINGS, AND ANY KIND OF MEETING SHE WILL GET INVITED TO BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, SOME SCHOOLS ARE RELUCTANT TO BRING IN UNFAMILIAR CURRICULUM. YOU HAVE PARENTS HONESTLY THAT SAY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TALK TO MY KIDS ABOUT SEX. AND WE SAY, NO, WE ARE NOT. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SAFETY. SO THERE IS A LOT THAT GOES INTO ACTUALLY GETTING THROUGH THE DOOR. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY, LIKE I SAID, WE -- ONE OF OUR BIG CLIENTS, IF YOU WILL, IS SPRING ISD. I THINK THAT IS HOUSTON'S SECOND-LARGEST ISD. JUST WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THOSE KIDS ALL TRAINED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR

IS A LOT. >> PRECINCT 4. YOU HAVE 1:47 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO GIVE OUR TIME FOR YOU FOR WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO COVER, DIRECTOR.

>> I DO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE COURT JUDGES ARE ACTUALLY PRIORITIZING CHILD SEXUAL

CASES. >> WE APPRECIATE THAT.

>> SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THE CAC. THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN US AND ENABLING US TO PROVIDE THE TOP QUALITY SERVICES THAT THE CHILDREN OF HARRIS COUNTY SO RICHLY DESERVE. IN CLOSING, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME RESULTS OF OUR NEWLY IMPLEMENTED LMS SURVEY. SO WE HAVE A YOUTH SURVEY AND A CAREGIVER SURVEY. SO JUST SOME OF THE YOUTH COMMENTS. WE CAN ACTUALLY TALK AND WE KNOW SOMEONE WILL LISTEN. I LIKE HOW IT IS SAFE. I WENT TO MEET PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE ME. THEY ARE HELPFUL AND LISTEN TO ME. I FEEL LIKE I WAS ABLE TO EXPRESS MYSELF AND THAT FEELINGS WE HAD WERE ACCEPTED. I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE EITHER LIFTED MY MOOD OR MADE ME FEEL AT EASE. I AM GRATEFUL. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CENTER IS VERY NICE. WITH MY SON BEING AUTISTIC, I HAD BEEN FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT HIM SPEAKING TO SOMEONE WHO WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND HIM OR MAKE HIM FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. BUT AFTER A MEETING, I KNEW GOD SAID TO PERFECT ADVOCATE TO SHARE HIS EXPERIENCE. THE FAMILY ADVOCATE MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE, SAFE, AND RELAXED AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AND TOLD ME I WAS DOING AN AMAZING JOB WITH MY CHILD. SHE MADE ME FEEL LIKE I AM ENOUGH. THE FAMILY ADVOCATE WAS SO PATIENT AND KIND AND LISTENED SO WELL AND PROVIDED ME -- EXCUSE ME -- PROVIDED VERY COMPASSIONATE

[03:45:04]

SO MUCH. >> COUNTY OFFICE, YOU HAVE 2:24 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. TO COURT OFFICES. DIRECTOR, YOU KNOW HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

>> THAT WAS MY CLOSING STATEMENT. I AM SORRY. I DID IT

OUT OF ORDER. SO I AM DONE. >> OKAY.

[Library]

>> WELCOME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY. TO DATE, WE HAVE WITH US EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EDWARD MELTON. HE WILL BEGIN WITH A THREE-MINUTE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT AND EACH OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR OPTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU. EDWARD MELTON. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY. AT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY WE SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTY'S GOALS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. WE FOCUS ON THREE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES. LITERACY AND LEARNING, ACCESS, AND SUSTAINABILITY. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LITERACY AND LEARNING, WE START WITH INFANCY AND OUR GROWING LEADERS PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN ARE KINDERGARTEN-READY UPON ENTRANCE TO SCHOOL. WE ALSO HAVE LIBERAL READING PROGRAMS TO MAKE SURE CHILDREN ARE READING BY THIRD GRADE. WE ALSO HAVE SUPPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT OF LAUNCHING OUR FUTURE YOUTH PROGRAM WHICH IS FOR COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS. WE ALSO HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT FOR LAUNCHING OR EXPANDING ESL SERVICES. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACCESS, WE ARE PRIMARILY TALKING ABOUT ACCESS TO OUR MATERIALS AND COLLECTIONS WHICH IS BOTH IN DIGITAL AND IN PRINT. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS IN THE TOP FIVE WITHIN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF OUR DIGITAL COLLECTION CIRCULATION. WE ARE -- WE ARE ALSO LOOKING TO EXPAND HOW WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY TO OUR COLLECTIONS OF BOTH DIGITAL AND PRINT. WE ALSO, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACCESS TO TALK ABOUT ACCESS TO BROADBAND. SO WE HAVE UTILIZED AND DID UTILIZE A PROGRAM TO THE FCC TO DISTRIBUTE OVER 40,000 DEVICES TO RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY IN TERMS OF DIGITAL INCLUSION. WE ARE PREPARING AN APPLICATION WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR BROADBAND. AND THAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE UP TO $12 MILLION SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING THAT NOW.

AND THEN WE ALSO WANTED WORK FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES OFF OF BROADBAND TO UTILIZE AND MAXIMIZE OUR USAGE OF THE S.E.C. IS RATE IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE COST OF BROADBAND ACROSS THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF WHAT THE COUNTY PAYS FOR THAT BROADBAND ACCESS. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR PEOPLE AND OUR PRACTICES IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE HARRIS COUNTY. AND I AM READY

AND PREPARED FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING

WITH PRECINCT 2. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, DR. MELTON.

HEATHER CRUISE. NICE TO SEE YOU TODAY. CAN YOU WALK TO YOUR BUDGET ENHANCEMENT REQUEST RELATED TO THE SUSTAINABILITY

DIRECTOR? >> SO WITH THE SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR, CURRENTLY WE HAVE A STAFF MEMBER WHO IS MANAGING OUR SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE , OUR SUSTAINABLE LIBRARIES INITIATIVE. BUT SHE IS REALLY A COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT SELECTOR. AND SO SHE IS WEARING TWO HATS RIGHT NOW AND WHAT WE SEE IS WITH THE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE, IT HAS TAKEN ON MORE THAN WE THOUGHT IT WOULD IN TERMS OF ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS WE THINK WE CAN DO AS A COUNTY DEPARTMENT AND EVEN INTERACTING WITH THE COUNTY'S OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SO WE HAVE DONE THINGS LIKE WASTE AUDITS AND ARE GETTING READY TO DO ANOTHER PALETTE WITH THE SUSTAINABILITY AUDIT. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING AROUND CHARGING STATIONS OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. SO WITH THAT POSITION THAT WE ARE REQUESTING, INITIALLY TO HELP US HOW SOMEONE WHO IS DEDICATED TOWARDS THAT VERSUS HAVING SOMEONE WEAR MULTIPLE HATS

BEYOND THE NORMAL DUTIES. >> AND I SEE THERE IS AN OFFSET FOR $1 MILLION OVER THE DRIVE. CAN YOU WALK THROUGH THAT WITH

US PLEASE? >> SO WITH THE OFFSET FOR OUR

COLLECTION -- >> I CAN TAKE IT SO HE DOES NOT

[03:50:02]

RESTORE THOSE POSITIONS. >> OKAY. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

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

>> AUGUST WILLIAMS, PRECINCT 3. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS AFTERNOON. I THINK IT WAS IN 2020 THAT NEARLY 10% OF THE COUNTY WAS -- DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO BROADBAND. I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE DONE THE BROADBAND SERVICES. DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT NUMBER IS NOW AND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE MISSING INTERNET

ACCESS? >> SO WHEN THAT STUDY WAS CONDUCTED I THINK IT WAS ABOUT 40,000 PEOPLE WHO DID NOT HAVE ACCESS. SO WE DISTRIBUTED THOSE -- NO. 40,000. 400,000. WITH THE ECF PROGRAM COMING TO AN END, THE ACP PROGRAM COMING TO AN END BECAUSE THE PROGRAM ENDED ON THOSE, WE SAW THAT THE NUMBER STILL STAYED THE SAME BECAUSE NOW WE PROVIDED RELIEF FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. BUT, NOW, BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE FEDERAL FUNDING WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT. BUT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW IS THE S.E.C. HAS IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS POLICE -- THEY ARE GOING TO BE FUNDING A RATE FOR THE HOME AS FOR A DIFFERENT STRATEGY AND IN TERMS OF LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY. SO WE WILL LOOK WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN BAIL OUT THE LONGEST MISSION TO PROVIDE INTERNET CONNECTED BROADBAND AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY TO HOMES AND THROUGH THE VICE LENDING. WE HAVE SOME IN THE PAST IN TERMS OF USING UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND A CBRS BROADCAST FOR A SIGNAL. BUT NOW WE WANT TO REALLY ESTABLISH WHAT A NETWORK WILL LOOK LIKE AND ALSO GIVE OWNERSHIP AND AGENCY TO THE COMMUNITY SO THEY CAN HELP BUILD OUT WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE. SO WE ARE WORKING WITH INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS AND DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS TO SEE WHAT THAT STRUCTURE WILL LOOK LIKE SO THE NEED TO STILL THERE. THE GOAL IS TO FIGURE OUT A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE

STRATEGY TO ADDRESS IT. >> NEXT IS, IN TERMS OF RECRUITING, AND THIS IS NOT SO MUCH OF A QUESTION BUT MIGHT JUST BE A SUGGESTION, BUT WE HEARD FROM PURCHASING YESTERDAY. MY MIND IS KIND OF GOING NOW. THEY HAVE KIND OF GOT A PIPELINE PROJECT FOR RECRUITING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. DO YOU GUYS HAVE A SIMILAR PROCESS?

>> WE PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS LIBRARY INFORMATION SCHOOL AND WE ALSO PARTNER WITH -- I WAS GET THIS WRONG -- THE WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY. THE WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY. IN ORDER TO RECRUIT LIBRARIANS FROM THOSE SCHOOLS.

BUT IT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT DANIEL WAS SAYING. THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TALENT OUT THERE. ALSO BECAUSE OF WHERE WE ARE AT IN TEXAS, WE HAVE THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, MISSOURI COUNTY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, AND WE HAVE ALL OF THESE HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS, AND THEN YOU TALK ABOUT DALLAS, AUSTIN, AND SOME OF THE OTHER URBAN AREAS. IT IS JUST HEAVY COMPETITION HERE IN TEXAS.

>> FINALLY, SPEAKING OF COMPETITION, THERE HAS BEEN A GAP RECENTLY IN LIBRARY SERVICES OFFERED AT THE SCHOOLS. WHAT IS YOUR OFFICE DOING TO HELP FILL THAT GAP?

>> SO A COUPLE THINGS WE ARE DOING. WE PARTNER WITH SOME OF THE LOCAL SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE DELIVERY SERVICES TO THOSE LOCATIONS. AND SO EVEN IN OUR ENHANCED BUDGET REQUEST, WE INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF LOCATIONS WE HAVE TO STOP AT IN ORDER TO DELIVER THOSE BOOKS. WE MANAGE IT THE SAME WAY WE HANDLE OUR HOLDS. A PERSON CAN PUT OUT A REQUEST FOR AN ITEM.

SO IN THIS CASE, EITHER A SCHOOL STAFF PERSON OR A STUDENT CAN REQUEST IT BE DELIVERED TO A SCHOOL FOR THOSE STUDENTS WHO GET ACCESS TO BOOKS. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT OTHER ALTERNATIVES IN TERMS OF IDENTIFYING OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE WE CAN POSSIBLY HAVE SATELLITE OR ACCESS LOCATIONS.

WHERE WE CAN HAVE PHYSICAL LOCATIONS. WHERE WE KNOW THAT

[03:55:01]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND ALL THAT THE

LIBRARY DOES. >> THANK YOU.

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

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. I AM DIANA WITH PRECINCT 4. ONE OF MY QUESTIONS WAS YOUR DEPARTMENT WAS VERY RESPONSIVE, NOT ONLY DURING HIS ANSWERS, BUT LIKE THE PRECINCTS YOU ARE ALSO RESPONSIVE DURING EXTREME WEATHER AND, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE SMALLER INCIDENTS. CAN YOU DISCUSS KIND OF HOW PROVIDING THE SERVICES IMPACT YOUR DAILY OPERATIONS AND THEN

ALSO YOUR BUDGET? >> SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOW WE RESPOND, IT JUST APPEARS ON THE EMERGENCY OF WHAT THE COUNTY IS EXPERIENCING AND WE HAVE OPENED UP COOLING CENTERS AND WARMING CENTERS BUT MOSTLY IT IS CALLING CENTERS DURING THE SUMMERTIME. SO WHAT THAT MEANS OUR STAFF WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO ACTIVATE ON SUNDAYS OR DURING HOURS WE ARE NOT TYPICALLY OPEN. SO WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COMPENSATE THE STAFF AND TYPICALLY IT IS DUE EARNING COMP TIME. THEY HAVE RECENTLY APPROVED SO WE CAN PAY CASH OUT FOR OUR STAFF WHO WORK SUNDAY OR EXTRA ADDITIONAL HOURS. SO THAT IS HOW IT IMPACTS OUR BUDGET BECAUSE WE HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF BUDGET BUT WE DO NOT HAVE AN INCREASE IN TERMS OF WHAT TO COMPENSATE FOR ACTIVATING IN THOSE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. AND SO IT IS REALLY JUST, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ASKING OUR STAFF TO STEP UP INTO THE ROLES AND THEY ARE DOING IT. SO NUMEROUS WAYS WE CAN HELP SUPPORT THE COUNTY WHEN WE GO TO DIFFERENT EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. WE ALSO SERVICE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS SOMETIMES BECAUSE WE ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO PROVIDE ACCESS TO COMPUTERS OR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE POWER OR CONNECTIVITY AT HOME. SO WE DO THOSE LITTLE THINGS DURING

EMERGENCIES ALSO. >> DOES THAT AFFECT LIKE YOUR OPERATIONS IN YOUR PROGRAMMING?

>> SOMETIMES, WE JUST HAVE TO CUT BACK. ARE WE GOING TO PRIORITIZE A PROGRAM OR SURVEY COMMUNITY'S IMMEDIATE NEEDS? SAY FOR A HURRICANE EVENT, WE MAY STOP PROGRAMMING FOR THAT CERTAIN INSTANCE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS TO THE COMMUNITY BASED ON WHAT THE NEEDS ARE. SO OUR STAFF AND THE LIBRARIES ARE FLEXIBLE IN THAT WAY THAT WE CAN JUST SEEK COUNSEL FOR STORY TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES

FOR THE COMMUNITY'S. >> THANK YOU. AND THEN CAN YOU TELL US WHAT DISCUSSIONS YOU HAVE HAD WITH OCA AND ENGINEERING AND YOUR ROLE THAT THE ROLE WILL PLAY IN THE WIDER

COUNTY SUSTAINABILITY? >> I DO NOT KNOW THE DETAILS OF WHAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE. I KNOW THAT LOWERING WHO IS OUR -- LAURA WHO IS OUR SUSTAINABILITY DESIGNATED LIAISON, SHE HAS A WHOLE STRATEGY THAT SHE HAS BEEN WORKING ON. SO I KNOW THAT THEY HAD BEEN COMMUNICATING ABOUT THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO TO BE A SUSTAINABLE LIBRARY BECAUSE THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION HAS WHAT THEY CALL A SUSTAINABLE LIBRARIES INITIATIVE. BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE DIRECT CONVERSATIONS ARE THAT SHE HAS BEEN HAVING.

>> WELL, I THINK MY LAST QUESTION WOULD JUST BE CAN YOU DISCUSS WHICH ONE OF YOUR ENHANCEMENTS WOULD BE BEST ALIGNED WITH THE UPCOMING STRATEGIC PLAN?

>> THE -- THE ENHANCEMENT -- I WANT TO SAY IT IS PROBABLY MAYBE NOT ALIGNED WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN BUT THE ENHANCEMENT THAT I THINK WOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR US WOULD BE FOR RECLASSIFYING OUR PASSPORT AGENTS TO COORDINATE.

WE GENERATE REVENUE WITH OUR PASSPORT SERVICES. BUT THAT REVENUE GOES INTO THE COUNTY GENERAL FUND. THE COUNTY AUDITORS, THEY CERTIFY THAT FUND, BUT WE HAVE A SET AMOUNT THAT IS ALLOCATED TO THE LIBRARY. SO WE COULD TAKE THAT AMOUNT AND REVENUE THAT IS GENERATED AND REALLOCATE TO THOSE STAFF TO THE APPROPRIATE CLASSIFICATION COORDINATORS, FOR ME THAT WOULD BE FAIR IN TERMS OF ALIGNING OUR SALARY AND OUR INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO REMAIN IN THOSE INCENTIVES.

>> THANK YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, DR. MELTON. I JUST WANT TO START BY

[04:00:07]

>> I THINK THAT EITHER WAY IF WE DO NOT GET THE POSITION WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK BUT IT JUST WILL NOT HAPPEN AT THE RATE OR THE SPEED THAT WE WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO HAPPEN. IN COLLABORATING WITH OCA, WE ARE REALLY LOOKING AT WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE AND THEN IDENTIFYING WHERE THE LIBRARY FITS INTO THAT. SO LIKE RECYCLING. WE WANT TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN HAVE A SUSTAINABLE RECYCLING SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. BECAUSE THE LIBRARY, WE RECYCLE A LOT OF MATERIALS.

BOOKS. PAPER. THOSE TYPE OF THINGS. SO IT WOULD BE GOOD TO LOOK AT A COUNTYWIDE STRATEGY OF HOW WE COULD DO THAT. ALSO, WE TALK ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SOLAR ENERGY AND HAD PANELS OR ARE GENERATING. WE HAVE 26 BRANCHES ACROSS THE COUNTY SO HOW CAN WE UTILIZE THE ROOFS ARE THE SPACES WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY IN ORDER TO CREATE ENERGY USING SOLAR PANELS AND SOLAR ENERGY. SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION IN ORDER TO HELP SUPPORT THE COUNTY. ALSO LIKE THE WASTE AUDIT THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY DONE IN TERMS OF JUST UNDERSTANDING THE THINGS THAT WE THROW AWAY, HOW MUCH WE THROW AWAY, THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT WE ARE THROWING AWAY. THAT CAN BE VERY EYE-OPENING WHEN YOU GO THROUGH TRASH AND KIND OF SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

AND I PARTICIPATED IN A COUPLE OF THOSE ON IT, BUT IT IS VERY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW PLASTICS, PAPER, CAN MAKE YOU VERY CONSCIOUS OF YOUR USAGE AS YOU GO THROUGH THOSE TYPES OF AUDITS. BUT THOSE ARE THE WAYS I THINK WE CAN MORE ALIGNED WITH OCA AND THEIR WORK IN SUSTAINABILITY. IT IS JUST

MOVING THE WORK FASTER. >> THANK YOU. AND MY SECOND AND FINAL QUESTION WAS ABOUT THE PASSPORT SPECIALIST RECLASSIFICATIONS. IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE ALREADY ANSWERED THAT, THAT IS FINE, BUT IF YOU WANT TO ELABORATE HOW YOU WOULD REINVEST THAT ADDITIONAL REVENUE INTO THE RECLASSIFIED POSITIONS AND THEN THE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS.

>> WITH THE CURRENT SPECIALISTS, I THINK IF THEY WERE RECLASSIFIED AS COORDINATORS, IT WOULD BE MORE FITTING TO THE WORK THEY DO BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THEY NOT ONLY PROVIDE SERVICE PASSPORT AGENTS, BUT THEY ALSO COORDINATE THE WORK OF OTHER PASSPORT AGENTS WITHIN THE LIBRARY BRANCHES THAT DO THOSE ACTIVITIES AND SO WE HAVE EIGHT BRANCHES AND IN EACH ONE OF THOSE BRANCHES WE HAVE ABOUT THREE OR FOUR STAFF WHO ALSO PROVIDES PASSPORT SERVICES AND YOU ARE REALLY NOT ALLOWED TO SUPERVISE OR COORDINATE THE WORK OF OTHERS, BUT THAT IS WHAT THOSE DESIGNATED EIGHT ARE DOING. SO WE REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO COMPENSATE THEM AT THE LEVEL THAT THEY ARE WORKING. IT IS REALLY NOT ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE COUNTY BECAUSE THE FUNDING, THE REVENUE IS GENERATED WHICH CAN COVER THE COST OF RECLASSIFYING THOSE POSITIONS. AND THEN ALSO FOR THE OTHER AGENTS WHO ARE JUST LIBRARY TECHNICIANS, THEY DO HAVE TO GO THROUGH A CERTIFICATION PROCESS TO BECOME AGENTS, BUT THEN IF WE CAN PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR THEM TO CONTINUE THAT WORK AS AGENTS

THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. NO FURTHER

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

>> WILL LANDING WITH PRECINCT 1. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE LIBRARY ON RECEIVING THE NATIONAL MEDAL FOR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE. IT IS A TESTAMENT TO YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THE LIBRARY'S EXCELLENT WORK SO THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED SOME DIFFICULTY FILLING POSITIONS. HOW ABOUT RETAINING STAFF? WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES CONCERNING STAFF RETENTION AND HAVE YOU SEEN ANY IMPROVEMENT OVER TIME IN THAT

AREA? >> I THINK IT IS JUST AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT WE HAVE AS AN INDUSTRY. YOU KNOW? PEOPLE COME IN AND GO AND SEE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. I KNOW WHEN WE TALK TO THE LIBRARY DIRECTORS WE TALK ABOUT MUSICAL CHAIRS WITHIN THE LIBRARY INDUSTRY WHERE YOU SEE PEOPLE GOING FROM ONE LIBRARY SYSTEM TO THE NEXT.

SALARY DOES PLAY A PART IN IT THOUGH. IF WE WERE ABLE TO BETTER COMPENSATE OUR STAFF, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE A GREATER

[04:05:03]

>> THANKS. AND AFTER THIS SUMMER, WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM SURVEYING AS A DISASTER RECOVERY SITE?

>> WELL, I DO NOT THINK IT IS JUST A -- IT HAS BEEN NUMEROUS THINGS THAT WE HAVE LEARNED. BUT THE THING THAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT WE NEED TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO NOT ONLY RESPOND, BUT TO ALSO JUST BE PREPARED TO ACTIVATE. SO WHEN WE SAY THAT WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND HAVING A CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN, SO WE HAVE THAT IN PLACE NOW, BUT THE NEXT THING THAT WE AS AN ORGANIZATION NEED TO LOOK AT IS HOW DO WE LOOK AT CONSISTENT SYSTEMS OF PRACTICES SO WE CAN ACTIVATE WITHOUT CAUSING A LOT OF DISRUPTION IN OUR SERVICES. SO HOW CAN WE NOT, SAY, STOP PROGRAMMING THAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS? SO IT IS CREATING THAT BALANCE BETWEEN RESPONDING TO AN EVENT AND RESPONDING WITH THE THINGS THAT WE DO AS A CORE BUSINESS.

>> RIGHT. THANKS. I WILL RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE 2:47 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 3.

>> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCT 4. YOU HAVE 46

SECONDS REMAINING. >> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE.

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

HAVE 1:05 REMAINING. >> I KNOW YOU PLAY A REALLY CRITICAL ROLE IN SUCCESS SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO.

>> PRECINCT 1. YOU HAVE 2:38 REMAINING.

>> MAYBE ONE QUICK FOLLOW-UP. SO WE TALK ABOUT THE STAFF FOR CIRCULATION MATERIALS AND HOW THAT IS REALLY GOING TO COME BACK IF THE POSITIONS ARE FILLED. AS A HYPOTHETICAL, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED BEING THE TOP FIVE AMONG LIBRARY SYSTEMS IN CIRCULATION OF MATERIALS, AND I KNOW THAT IS A POINT OF PRIDE, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE BUDGET FOR CIRCULATION MATERIALS WERE TO DECREASE IN FUTURE YEARS?

>> SO THE IMPACT OF THAT IS LIBRARY MATERIALS IS REALLY OUR CORE BUSINESS. SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF READERS, WE TALK ABOUT BUILDING GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO READ, EVEN WITH YOUNG PEOPLE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE MATERIAL THEY WANT, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO READ. IF YOU CANNOT PROVIDE THEM WITH MATERIALS TO READ, WE ARE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE COUNTY. SO, FOR ME, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY SUPER USERS OF OUR SERVICES, AND SO I KNOW EVEN A LOT OF COUNTY STAFF , COMMISSIONERS COURT STAFF, HEAVILY UTILIZE OUR LIBRARY COLLECTION, AND IF YOU'RE A HEAVY USER, YOU WILL SEE THAT YOUR HOLES MAY GO FROM FOUR WEEKS TO TWO WEEKS TO THREE MONTHS. SO THE LESS MONEY YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT YOUR COLLECTION, THE LONGER THOSE HOLD CUES STRETCH. BUT THEN YOU TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE THE ISD'S NOT HAVING MATERIALS ARE NOT PROVIDING LIBRARY SERVICES. BUT THEN THOSE STUDENTS WHO WANT TO READ, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR MATERIALS, AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO READ THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY WANT THE NEW FRESH CONTENT AND EXPLORE NEW CONTENT AREAS. AND FOR THE LIBRARY WE NEED TO PROVIDE THAT. WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION THAT PEOPLE WANT WHEN THEY WANT IT WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT TWO OR THREE MONTHS IN ORDER TO GET THOSE THINGS. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS. THEY DO NOT WANT TO WAIT MONTHS FOR A PARTICULAR BOOK THAT THEY WANT TO READ. SO IF YOU BUY BOOKS, YOU WILL NOTICE QUICKLY THAT THEY CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF BUYING BOOKS. SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS THAT PIT PEOPLE WITH ECONOMIC CHALLENGES WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BUY BOOKS, THAT IS WHERE THE LIBRARY COMES INTO PLAY, AND IT IS NOT JUST LOW INCOME PEOPLE.

IT IS PEOPLE FROM ANYWHERE WITHIN THE SPECTRUM BECAUSE BOOKS AND INFORMATION IS EXPENSIVE SO WE WANT TO PROVIDE ACCESS IN ORDER TO DO THAT. BUT TO DO THAT WE NEED STRONGER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE LIBRARY BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, CORE OFFICES.

[04:10:03]

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE ON OCTOBER THE 14TH THE LIBRARY WILL BE HAVING AND CELEBRATING A ILS CELEBRATION AT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE COURT MEMBERS AND WILL BE SENDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT BUT WE WILL BE FOLLOWING UP ON THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE WORK WE DO ON THIS LIBRARY SYSTEM. WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT THE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WE WOULD JUST LIKE TO INVITE YOU ALL TO CELEBRATE AND COME

OUT WITH US. >> THANK YOU, DR. MELTON, AND TO ALL OF THE HARRIS COUNTY

[Intergovernmental & Global Affairs]

>> WELCOME BACK, COURT OFFICERS. WE WILL NOW MOVED TO A PRESENTATION FROM THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE DIRECTOR TAMMY NEVAREZ ON VIRTUALLY.

DIRECTOR, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR A INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT, THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR A

CLOSING STATEMENT. >> THANK YOU.

>> DIRECTOR, WE CANNOT HEAR YOU. IF YOU WANT TO TURN UP THE

VOLUME? >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> YES. THANK YOU. >> FIRST OF ALL, I APOLOGIZE I AM NOT THERE IN PERSON. WE HAD A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT HEARINGS AND I HAD TO BE IN TOWN FOR THOSE SO I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE VIRTUALLY. I WILL GET RIGHT INTO IT BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME. WE ARE REQUESTING FOR FY25 THE SAME AMOUNT OF FUNDING WE RECEIVED DURING FY24. THAT WOULD MAINTAIN OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE AND THAT INCLUDES THE 2.4 WE WERE ADVOCATED FOR FY24+ THE 1.1 THE COURT APPROVED IN OCTOBER 2023.

SO OF THE TOTAL 3.5 THAT WE ARE REQUESTING, TWO THIRDS OF THAT IS FOR OUR LABOR BUDGET. AND THEN ONE THIRD IS FOR NONLABOR BUDGET, WHICH THE MASS MAJORITY OF THAT ONE THIRD GOES TO OUR CONTRACTS, WHICH I KNOW YOU ARE WELL AWARE OF. IN TOTAL, WITH THE 1.1, THE COURT APPROVED A REORGANIZATION. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE PHASE ONE OF THE NEW ORGANIZATION WHICH INCLUDES THAT THE CREATION OF NEW DIVISIONS. BOTH ARE FULLY STAFFED. OF THE SIX NEW POSITIONS THAT WERE CREATED WITH THE ORGANIZATION PLAN, WE HAVE CURRENTLY STOPPED A TOTAL OF 10, ONLY PENDING ONE POSITION. WE ARE LOOKING TO STAFF IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. AND THEN IN TERMS OF ROI, WHICH I THINK IS WHAT I AM MOST PROUD OF AND WHAT I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY MORE INTERESTED IN, WHETHER YOU TAKE THAT 1.1 MILLION THAT YOU RECEIVED FOR THE ORGANIZATION WITH A TOTAL 3.5 THAT WE RECEIVED OVER FY24, WHAT THE COURT HAS INVESTED HAS A POTENTIAL RETURN ON 37 MILLION FOR FY25 JUST IN DIRECT ALLOCATIONS FROM COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING. SO, AGAIN, YOU CAN USE A 1.1 MILLION OR THE TOTAL 3.5, BUT JUST IN CPS WE HAVE SECURED 37 MILLION, WHICH IS ALREADY A 15 MILLION INCREASE COMPARED TO FY24, AND THAT IS NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT A ROBUST INCREASE IN ENGAGEMENT ON THE STATE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY. AND SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTY-WHY GRANTS PROCESS AND SO FOR ALL THE HEALTHY START GRANT, FEMA BRICK PROGRAMS, DISASTER RELIEF, AND ET CETERA. AND I THINK I AM GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'LL HAVE QUESTIONS AND I WILL PROBABLY GET TO ANSWER MORE THAN.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH CORE OFFICE WILL HAVE QUESTIONS

BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 3. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, TAMMY. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO BE HERE WITH US. I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. COULD YOU WALK US TO THE COST SAVINGS YOU HAVE REALIZED DO YOUR UPDATED TRAVEL POLICIES?

>> THANK YOU, AUGUST. THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. I APPRECIATE YOU ASKING THAT. SO WE ENDLESS MULTIPLE YEARS AND MULTIPLE SESSIONS AND HOW MUCH THE COUNTY HAD SPENT ON TOTAL

[04:15:12]

SIX TIMES THAT IN ONE SESSION. >> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FINDING THOSE EFFICIENCIES IN EVERYTHING THAT YOUR APARTMENT

DOES. I APPRECIATE THAT. >> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> 4? YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME FOR QUESTIONS.

>> CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE HIRING. I KNOW YOU MENTIONED 10 BETWEEN APPROPRIATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS. CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BREAKDOWN OF

THOSE? >> YES. THANK YOU. SO IN FY24, WE HAD FIVE FULL-TIME POSITIONS AND THEN SINCE -- SORRY.

PRE-FY24 WE HAD FIVE FULL-TIME POSITIONS. SINCE THE FY24 BUDGET PLUS THE REORGANIZATION, WE RECEIVED SIX NEW POSITIONS AND OUT OF THOSE SIX, FIVE HAVE BEEN FILLED. WE HAVE PHASED OUT THE HIRING JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T -- WE WANT TO SUPPORT TRAINING OUR STAFF INTERNALLY AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT OUR CULTURE REMAINS THE SAME. WE WORK WITH ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND ALL COURT OFFICES AND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. SO WE ARE VERY, VERY CAREFUL WITH OUR INTERNAL CULTURE AND MAKE SURE WE CAN TRUST THE STAFF WE WORK WITH TO MANAGE THE SITUATION THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WORK WITH. SO WE HAVE PHASED OUT THE HIRING BUT TODAY TO DATE WE HAVE BUILT FIVE OF THOSE SIX NEW POSITIONS. AND ONE IS PENDING, AND ONLY BECAUSE WE DID HAVE SOMEONE LEAVE, AND THAT IS WHY DEPOSITION IS PENDING BUT WE WILL BE HIRING FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. AND THAT POSITION IS IN OUR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS DIVISION.

>> AND DO YOU THINK THAT WILL HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE SESSION

HAVING AN OPEN POSITION? >> SO WE WILL BE HIRING BEFORE

SESSION. THAT IS OUR GOAL. >> ALL RIGHT. THAT IS ALL FOR

ME. >> THANK YOU. AND IF I CAN ADD SOMETHING REALLY QUICKLY, I WILL SAY SINCE YOU TWO BROUGHT IT UP IT REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING. SO WE REALLY -- I KNOW WE KEEP CALLING IT A REORGANIZATION, BUT I SEE IT MORE AS A RESTORATION. SO FIVE YEARS AGO, 10 YEARS AGO, I.D.A.

HAD EIGHT FULL-TIME POSITIONS. SO A YEAR AGO WE HAD LESS THAN WHAT WE HAD, THE DEPARTMENT HAS HISTORICALLY HAD. SO WE ARE BACK TO FULLY STAFFED I GUESS IS HOW I SEE IT.

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

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. FIRST, CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT YOUR WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR IN ASSISTING THE COUNTY AND SUPPORT FOR PURSUING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, PARTICULARLY FOR THINGS LIKE SOLAR FOR ALL OR THE HEALTHY

START PROGRAM? >> THANK YOU. SO, YES, WE WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH THE PARTNERSHIP TEAM IN OCA. WE MEET WITH THEM REGULARLY. SO WHAT OUR PARTNERSHIP LOOKS LIKE IS -- I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY WORK ON THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTING FOR THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND WE WORK ON THE ADVOCACY SIDE OF THE GRANTS PROCESS. SO, FOR INSTANCE, AT SOLAR FOR ALL, WE SUPPORT THE ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND WE SUPPORT THE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FEDERAL AGENCIES.

[04:20:05]

SORRY. WE ALSO WORK ON POLICY CHANGES SO FOR EXAMPLE THE FEMA BRICK PROGRAM. THAT IS A PROGRAM THAT IS CRITICAL TO FLOOD RESILIENCE PROJECTS, AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ON THAT FRONT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE ADVOCACY SIDE FOR THE GRANT IN ITSELF, BUT IT IS MORE A CHANGE IN THE POLICY. SO WE WORK ON, AGAIN, AND THE EASIEST WAY TO SUMMARIZE IT IS THE ADVOCACY SIDE WHETHER IT IS ADVOCACY ON SECURING THE GRANT, ADVOCACY ON SECURING SUPPORT FOR THE GRANT, FROM GOVERNMENT PARTNERS, AND THEN ALSO ADVOCACY ON THE POLICY SIDE.

POLICY THAT IMPACTS THE WAY THAT SOME OF THESE FUNDS ARE DISBURSED OR ALLOCATED. ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS IS OFFICER RELIEF. RIGHT? WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR FUNDING FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND WAYS IN WHICH THE DISASTER FUNDS CAN REACH THE COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS IT THE MOST THE FASTEST. I HOPE

THAT ANSWERS THE QUESTION. >> YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT QUESTION. WHAT IS THE CAPACITY OF YOUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND WHAT IS THE CURRENT SCOPE OF THE WORK OF YOUR INTERNS?

>> SO WE CURRENTLY -- IT DEPENDS ON -- IN TERMS OF CAPACITY, IT DEPENDS ON, YOU KNOW, WHO WE HAVE AS AN INTERN.

WE ALWAYS SEE, OR FOR THE MOST PART, WE SEE A PROGRAM OF INTERNS AND IT APPEARS TO BE THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY HAVE AVAILABLE BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TWO TO THREE FULL-TIME INTERNS FOR SEMESTER AND BY FULL-TIME I MEAN 29 HOURS A WEEK. INTERNS, WHAT THEY WORK ON. THEY SUPPORT MOST OF OUR RESEARCH WORK ON LEGISLATION OR, AGAIN, SOME OF THESE POLICY ADVOCACY PROJECTS THAT WE TAKE ON OR A LOT OF OUR DATA TRACKING. YEAH. YEAH. A LOT OF THE BACK END WORK THAT WE DO TO HELP DEPARTMENTS PREPARE FOR LEGISLATION OR FOR SOME OF THE POLICY NEEDS THAT WE ARE ASKED FOR.

>> THANK YOU. AND MY FINAL QUESTION. OBVIOUSLY THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE PRIORITIES.

MOVING FORWARD, WHAT YOU ENVISION FOR IGA IN FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? YOU HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT WHAT YOU SEE IS THE BIG PICTURE?

>> I SEE A FULLY STAFFED I.D.A. AND WE ARE STILL KIND OF SHARING OFFICE SPACE RIGHT NOW BUT IN TERMS OF THE DELIVERABLES AND CHANGEABLE RESULTS, JUST, YOU KNOW, THAT WE AS A COUNTY ARE ALSO JUST WORKING MORE COLLABORATIVELY -- COLLABORATIVELY AND INTERNAL PROCESSES ARE AUTOMATED. IN A WAY, WE ARE CHANGING -- WE ARE NOT CHANGING THE PROCESS EVERY YEAR BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, IMPROVE IT. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE IT BUT WE WILL JUST HAVE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED AND JUST MORE CAPACITY TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE STUFF THAT IS NOT EXPECTED BUT WE HAVE GOT CPS AND BILL MONITORING AND ALL THAT ALREADY HAS AN ESTABLISHED PROCESS WHICH WE HAVEN'T HAD TO DATE. SO I THINK MORE ESTABLISHED COMPREHENSIVE SLPS AND AUTOMATED PROCESSES FOR SOME OF

THE ROUTINE WORK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. NO

FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> AFTERNOON.

>> SO I KNOW WE APPROVED -- THE COURT APPROVE THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. IT SEEMS A LITTLE LESS ROBUST COMPARED TO THE A.D.A. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE AND EFFORTS THAT WILL OCCUR TO ENHANCE THE COUNTY'S POSITION OUTSIDE OF THOSE

SPECIFIC ITEMS? >> THANK YOU, ERICA. SO WE WORKED REALLY QUICKLY WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANTS AND IDENTIFIED WAYS IN WHICH WE COULD BE MORE SUCCESSFUL DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. AND WE TRIED TO FOCUS ON -- WE WORKED WITH ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. WE RECEIVED OVER 50 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY AND FOR THE FIRST TIME

[04:25:03]

SPECIFICALLY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. ITTA IS REALLY GOOD AT TRACKING THE ACTIONS. BUT BEYOND REPORTING, WHAT EFFORTS ARE YOU MAKING TO CONNECT MORE DIRECTLY WITH THOSE AGENCIES? SPECIFICALLY LIKE HUD, WATER DEVELOPMENT

BOARD, TCEQ, AND THOSE. >> SO WE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE PROCESS. WE HAVE DESIGNED AN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS PLAN RIGHT NOW. PHASE 1 IS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE JUST PASSED THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. IT IS FOCUSED ON OUR STATE DELEGATION. BUT WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY AND NOW THAT WE HAVE MORE CAPACITY PARTICIPATING IN MORE EVENTS AND MEETINGS. SO SPECIFICALLY HUD. WE HAD A MEETING LAST WEEK WITH DIRECTOR KOSTAS AND HUD ON SOME OF THE DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS. WE HAD AN IN PERSON AND OTHER AGENCIES. THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD. SAME THING. WE TALKED TO THEM REGULARLY.

JUST BEING ABLE TO PHYSICALLY BE IN THE SAME ROOM. AS MANY OF THE AGENCIES HAS FACILITATED AND JUST MADE -- YEAH.

DEVELOPED BETTER AGENTS. WE CERTAINLY HAVE A LOT MORE TO DO AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO THAT, BUT WE DO HAVE A PLAN AND WE ARE JUST BEING VERY DELIBERATE AND STRATEGIC ABOUT

THAT. >> THANK YOU. LAST QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE LOW HANGING FRUIT THAT THE ADDED STAFFING IS ALLOWING YOU TO ADDRESS THAT WAS NOT EASY BEFORE?

>> SO I WOULD SAY TWO THINGS COME TO MIND. ONE IS WE ARE ABLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY WORK ON STATE, FEDERAL, AND EVEN OTHER ISSUES, WHEREAS BEFORE LIKE DURING SESSION WE JUST FOCUSED ON SESSION AND KIND OF JUST FORGOT ABOUT THE FEDERAL STUFF BECAUSE WE JUST DID NOT HAVE THE BANDWIDTH. THIS TIME, WE ARE ABLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY DO, YOU KNOW, FEDERAL AND GRANTS AND TRAVEL WHILE THESE THINGS ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE ARE ABLE TO PASS OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IN THE PAST THREE SESSIONS BEFORE SESSION STARTS. THE PAST TWO SESSIONS, ONE WAS PASSED IN FEBRUARY AND THE OTHER ONE IN JANUARY. SO JUST THE ABILITY TO ACTUALLY WORK ON ALL THE THINGS THAT MATTER FOR THE COUNTY SIMULTANEOUSLY IS ONE OF THEM.

AND THEN THE OTHER ONE IS RELATED TO YOUR PREVIOUS QUESTION AND JUST THE ABILITY TO DO MORE OF THAT RELATIONSHIP BUILDING THAT IS CRITICAL FOR THE ISSUES AND THE PRIORITIES THAT WE ARE WORKING ON. IT IS NOT JUST REPORTING LIKE YOU SAID. IT IS NOT JUST TESTIFYING. AND FOSTERING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS. AND SO WE ARE ABLE TO DO A LOT MORE OF THAT

BECAUSE OF THE BANDWIDTH. >> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 2. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTION.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, TAMMY. HEATHER CRUISE. I KNOW YOU ARE

[04:30:05]

>> I THINK FOR NOW, IF WE WOULD HAVE, WE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE EXPANDED OUR -- WELL, TWO THINGS. PERMANENT HOUSING, BUT THAT REQUIRES A MUCH BROADER DISCUSSION. JUST BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD BRING IN MORE COST SAVINGS TO THE TAXPAYERS AND THE COUNTY. THAT WILL BE ONE THING. AND ANOTHER THING IS POTENTIALLY, AND I THINK WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. ADDITIONAL STAFF. MAYBE ONE OR TWO POSITIONS ON THE ELECTED FRONT SO THAT WE CAN MAYBE BE MORE -- YOU KNOW, WE CAN DO MORE OF THE WORK THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR DEPARTMENTS IN TERMS OF REVIEWING THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SOME OF THE BELLS. WE DO WORK CLOSELY WITH OMB ON IT. SO IF WE COULD INCREASE OUR WORK IN TERMS OF THE FISCAL IMPACT OF SOME OF THE BILLS WE ARE REVIEWING, THAT WOULD BE AN AREA THAT, I THINK, WOULD BENEFIT THE COUNTY. AND, AGAIN, IN HIS INVESTING MONEY THAT IS GOING TO SAVE THE COUNTY MONEY.

>> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, HEATHER. >> PRECINCT 3. YOU HAVE 3:19 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> I WILL CEDE MY TIME SO DANIEL CAN HAVE A BREAK BEFORE

THE NEXT MEETING. >> PRECINCT 4. YOU HAVE 2:43

REMAINING. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU HAVE SEVEN SECONDS REMAINING.

OKAY. PRECINCT 1. YOU DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME REMAINING. AND PRECINCT 2, YOU DID NOT HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

>> NO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH EVERY COURT OFFICE AND WITH EVERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT. MANY DEPARTMENTS WORK ACROSS THE BOARD WITH OTHER OFFICES, BUT I THINK WE ARE UNIQUE IN THAT PROBABLY SIMILAR TO OMB AND OCA WE WORK WITH EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE COUNTY AND EVERY SINGLE COURT OFFICE AND A LOT OF WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO WOULD NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THAT TRUST AND SUPPORT. AND I APPRECIATE THE INVESTMENT IN IGA AND THE THOUGHT INTO IGA.

BECAUSE THAT WOULD DEFINITELY NOT HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOUR OFFICES AND, AGAIN, THAT APPROVAL OF THE ORGANIZATION LAST YEAR. AND, AGAIN, I JUST KEEP THINKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FUNDING, WHICH IS A $15 MILLION INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR VERSUS THE INVESTMENT IN IGA WHICH WAS JUST 1.1. I JUST WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THAT BUT ALSO SAY THANK YOU. AND, YEAH, I JUST APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR

[Engineering]

>> WELCOME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE WITH US DR. MILTON RAMON AND HIS TEAM .

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING TODAY. DR. RAMON, WE WILL BEGIN WITH A THREE-MINUTE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT FOLLOWED BY EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, DIRECTOR.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MILTON RAMAN, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEER. TODAY, I AM JOINED BY OUR CHIEF OF STAFF, OUR CFO, OUR SENIOR DIRECTOR, DR. ANNA SANTA MARIA, AND ALSO THE ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE. SO I AM BEFORE YOU TODAY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS RELATED TO OUR 2025 BUDGET. THIS BUDGET REFLECTS YOUR PRIORITIES AND OUR COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE RESIDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AS WE DISCUSSED ALLOCATION OF OUR

[04:35:01]

IN TERMS OF TRANSPORTATION, WE HAVE 67 ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS THAT IS ESTIMATED AT $700 MILLION. AS FAR AS RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY, WE ARE WORKING ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAM THAT WILL ELIMINATE FLOODING FROM 404,000 INFRASTRUCTURES. FROM RECOVERY STANDPOINT, WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR FAST PASS FOR ALL COUNTY ROADS. WE HAVE COLLECTED 1.6 CUBIC METERS OF DEBRIS. I AM LOOKING AT THAT TIME. SO SOME QUICK STATS TO DATE. WE HAVE PROCESSED 54,522 PERMITS AND COLLECTED 75 MILLION REVENUE. OUR BUILDINGS OPERATIONS GROUP, 20,009 TO DATE THIS FISCAL YEAR. WITH THAT SAID, WE HAVE 623 ACTIVE PROJECTS BALLAD AT $3.5 BILLION. WITH THAT SAID, I AM OPENED TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH CORE OFFICE WILL BE GIVEN 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND A REMINDER TO PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AS YOU BEGIN WITH REMARKS. WE WILL BEGIN WITH PRECINCT 4.

>> THANK YOU. RAY GUERRA, CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER FOR HARRIS COUNTY. FIRST I WANT TO SAY WE HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER A YEAR AND A HALF THANKS TO THE VISION AND SUPPORT OF MY BOSS, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. WE HAVE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING IN AN INTENSE WAY AND HAD SOME WONDERFUL SUCCESSES, AND, DR. RAMAN, WE CANNOT HAVE DONE WITH OUT THE SUPPORT OF YOUR TEAM AND YOU GUYS HAVE DONE OUTSTANDING WORK AND IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM. THANK YOU. THE FIRST QUESTION I WILL ASK IS RELATED TO THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. CAN YOU JUST DESCRIBE WHAT HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING IS DOING WITHIN ITS BUDGET TO IMPLEMENT THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN?

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. SO, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, OUR DEPARTMENT BUDGETS IS ALIGNED WITH THE STRATEGIC VISIONS THAT THE COUNTY HAVE IN MANY AREAS. WE ARE ABLE TO DO A LOT OF WORK AND SOME AREAS WE ARE NOT. I WILL HAVE THE CHIEF OF STAFF JOHN WHO WORKS ON THE RESILIENCE TEAM TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE ARE WORKING

ON. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT A FEW ITEMS. FIRST IS EV. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT UNIVERSAL SERVICES IN EACH OF THE CHARGING STATIONS.

WE ARE INSTALLING CONTROLLERS IN 16 BUILDINGS. THE ADVANTAGE THAT PROVIDES IS IT REDUCES THE TEMPERATURE WHEN NOBODY IS IN THE BUILDING. YOU KNOW? SOME OF OUR BUILDINGS ARE 24 HOURS BUT WITH THE BUILDINGS THAT ARE MOSTLY OFFICE WE CHANGED THE TEMPERATURES AT NIGHT REDUCING CONSUMPTION. AND THE LAST THING IS WE HAVE A SOLAR PROJECT. WE HAVE NOT STARTED IT YET BUT IT IS SUPPOSED TO GO ON A LOVING COUNTY BUILDINGS. WE ARE STILL

IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THAT. >> AND I WOULD ADD ON TOP OF THAT, THAT MANY OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW WE ARE REBUILDING OUR CENTRAL PLANT WHICH PROVIDES ENERGY TO 14 OF THE BUILDINGS AND DOWNTOWN AREAS. THAT IS GOING TO BE ROBUST AND MORE EFFICIENT. A LOT OF, WHAT YOU CALL IT, IN TERMS OF GREENHOUSE

[04:40:06]

GAS EMISSIONS. >> CAN YOU DESCRIBE WITHIN THE PROPOSED BUDGET WHAT FUNDS OR LABOR HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR

VISION ZERO? >> ABSOLUTELY. SO AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, PROPOSITION B OF THE HARRIS COUNTY 2022 BOND, WE HAVE ALLOCATED $50 MILLION THAT IS DEDICATED TO VISIONS AND INITIATIVES. MANY OF THE INITIATIVES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING THROUGH OUR DIFFERENT PRECINCTS. TO DATE, WE ALSO HAVE ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN , AND A BIG PART OF THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN IS ZERO IMPLEMENTATION. AND SO LIKE I SAID, WE HAVE SOME FUNDS. BUT BASED ON THE NEEDS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED WE HAVE $.5 BILLION NEEDS. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO COME UP WITH A GAME PLAN ON HOW WOULD WE IMPROVE THE CORRIDOR BASED ON OUR COMMITMENT BY 2030. WE WILL REMOVE THOSE HIGH ENGINEERING UNITS. SO THAT IS ONE THING WE ARE WORKING ON WITH THE BUDGET

OFFICE. >> AND GIVEN THE AMBITIOUS MANDATE WE HAVE GIVEN YOU FOR VISION ZERO AND THE MONEY YOU HAVE ALLOCATED IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE VERSUS YOUR OVERALL NEEDS THAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO PRIORITIZE PROJECTS

IN THIS FISCAL YEAR? >> AS YOU KNOW, OUR PRODUCTS ARE IN THE HIGH ENGINEERING NETWORK. THEY WERE DEVELOPED BASED ON THE CRASH DATA WE HAVE ANALYZED. AND MANY OF THESE PROJECTS THAT GET INITIATED FROM THE PRECINCTS ARE HIGH ENGINEERED. WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF INJURIES THAT ARE FATAL OR SIGNIFICANTLY, YOU KNOW, CRITICAL INJURIES THAT HAPPEN IN SOME OF THOSE NETWORKS. SO WE ARE GOING TO GO BASED ON THE PRIORITY IN TERMS OF HOW SEVERE AND HOW FREQUENTLY WE SEE

INCIDENTS IN THOSE NETWORKS. >> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO

RESERVE MY TIME. >> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. YOU WILL NOW HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> MADELEINES DECK WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. TAKING A STEP BACK, I KNOW THAT GENERAL FUNDS ONLY COMPRISE A PORTION OF ENGINEERING'S BUDGET. COULD YOU WALK US TO THE ROLE OF GENERAL FUNDS WITHIN YOUR BUDGET VERSUS SOME OF YOUR OTHER FUNDING SOURCES?

>> ABSOLUTELY. I MAY NEED SOME HELP BUT I WILL GO IN A GENERAL FACILITY. REAL PROPERTY THAT IS FUNDED BY EITHER GENERAL FUND OR CAPITAL FUNDS. SO BUILDING MAINTENANCE. MOSTLY MAINTENANCE WORK THAT CANNOT BE CAPITALIZED. YOU KNOW? PICKING UP YOUR TRASH. TAKING CARE OF THE PAINTINGS. PICKING UP AFTER YOUR PLUMBING. LIKE YOUR HVAC NOT WORKING BECAUSE IT IS TOO HOT. OUR REAL PROPERTY DIVISION THAT SUPPORTS MANY OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS ON ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF COUNTY PROPERTIES, THOSE ARE ALSO FUNDED BY THE GENERAL FUNDS. MANY OF OUR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS , FOLKS THAT WORK ON TRANSPORTATION, THAT IS FUNDED BY MOBILITY PROGRAMS OR BY CAPITAL BOND. SO MOBILITY PROGRAMS, WE ALSO GET FUNDING FROM OUR METRO. AND A LOT OF THE FUNDS WE GET FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND FOR PROJECTS GOES TO THE COUNTY PRECINCTS COMMISSIONERS OFFICE. AND FROM THERE BASED ON THE LOCATION, WE DO THE PROJECTS FOR THEM. BASICALLY, THE PRECINCT

COMMISSIONERS ARE OUR CLIENT. >> THANK YOU. ON THAT NOTE, I KNOW THE COUNTY RECENTLY APPROVED A FIVE-YOUR FINANCIAL PLAN THAT INCLUDES RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO PARKING AND SPACE PLANNING. CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHAT ENGINEERING'S NEXT STEPS ARE IN IMPLEMENTING THOSE

RECOMMENDATIONS? >> ABSOLUTELY. I WILL TELL YOU, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PARKING, IT IS NOT JUST BARKING. IT IS EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION. MANY FOLKS SAID SOME EMPLOYEES GET PARKING FOR IT IN DEPARTMENT A AND SOME GET IT FOR DEPARTMENT B. SO PARKING IS A VERY COMPLEX SITUATION AND WE WOULD LIKE TO GET A STAKEHOLDER COMMUNITY WHERE WE WILL HAVE PRESENTERS FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING ALL ELECTED OFFICE.

[04:45:02]

>> THANK YOU. AND THEN, AGAIN, ON A SIMILAR NOTE, I HAVE NOT ATTENDED ALL THE DEPARTMENT PROGRESS MEETINGS MYSELF, BUT OF THE ONES I HAVE I HEARD THREE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS MENTIONED. NEEDS RELATED TO NEEDS AND EXPANSIONS. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IN TERMS OF ENGINEERING, COMMUNICATING WITH PLANNING, AND REQUESTING EXPANSIONS?

>> ABSOLUTELY. JUST TO GIVE YOU ALL AN IDEA OF WHAT WE ARE IN TERMS OF FACILITY PROJECTS, WE HAVE $1.2 BILLION OF FACILITY PROJECTS IN OUR PORTFOLIO AS OF TODAY. LIKE MANY PRIORITIES, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SPACE PLANNING, LET US TALK ABOUT PLANNING. EACH OF YOUR OFFICES IS A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE.

CHIEF DICE IS THAT CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE. WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE ANYONE CAN GO ON AND REQUEST OFFICE SPACE. WE ALSO HAVE A STANDARD THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CODE IN GENERAL STANDARD. CEREBRUM AND A. CAN SAY I NEED FOUR OFFICES AND EACH OF THEM NEED TO BE 2400 SQUARE FEET VERSUS DEPARTMENT B. SAYS, WELL, I AM OKAY WITH A 200 SQUARE FOOT OFFICE. SO WE HAVE SOME STANDARDS. WE THEN EVALUATE THE NEEDS, IDENTIFY THE SQUARE FOOTAGE THAT IS NEEDED, AND WE THEN LOOK AT DIFFERENT BUILDINGS. SOMETIMES, WE HAVE SOME SPACE AND SOMETIMES WE DON'T. THAT IS WHEN WE TRY TO LEASE A NEW FACILITY. JUST TO GIVE YOU THE VOLUME OF WORK WE HAVE ON OUR HAND, WE HAVE 47 PLAN FOR A DIFFERENT OFFICE AND A STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT. LAST YEAR, WE TRY TO BRING SOME OF THE OFFICE ADMINISTRATORS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES TO ONE BUILDING. THAT IS OUR GOAL. WE ARE MOVING THIS BUILDING. IT IS CROWDED WITH A LOT OF FOLKS. SO WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE SOME OF THE OFFICES THAT DO NOT NEED TO BE IN THIS BUILDING TO ANOTHER BUILDING, SO THE PROCESS IS NOT COMPLICATED. BUT I WILL TELL YOU, IN TERMS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, IT IS ALL OUR STUFF BECAUSE, AGAIN, EVERYBODY WANTS TO HAVE THE WINDOW-FACING OFFICE OF SPACE. AND THAT IS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE UNLIMITED OFFICE SPACE AND MANY TIMES IT REQUIRES EVICTING SOMEBODY TO GIVE SOMEBODY ANOTHER SPACE. AND THANKS TO CHIEF DICE, HE GETS TO DO THE JOB. BUT IN GENERAL, IN TERMS OF SPACE IN DOWNTOWN WE ALSO HAVE A PLANNING PROJECT WHERE WE ARE SELECTING A CONSULTANT TO ONLINE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, THEIR FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES, TO IMPROVE THE FUNCTIONAL EFFICIENCY OF EACH DEPARTMENT SO YOU DO NOT HAVE A STAFF MEMBER IN THIS BUILDING AND A STAFF MEMBER IN ANOTHER BUILDING. AND SOME OF THE TENANTS WE HAVE IN THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, WE DO UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO BE CLOSE PROXIMITY WITHIN THE COURTHOUSE. SO LOOKING AT THE FUNCTIONAL, YOU KNOW, RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS, WE TEND TO ALIGN.

AGAIN, IT IS NOT GETTING DONE THROUGH A VACUUM OR A CONSULTANT WILL JUST DO THE STUDY AND GET IT APPROVED. WE ARE TRYING THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE COORDINATION. WE DID OUR FIRST MEETING. IT WAS ABOUT 2 1/2 MONTHS AGO AND WE GOT EVERYBODY AND SAID, HEY, WHAT IS YOUR GROWTH PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR AND FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS? WE PUT FORWARD A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THEY CAN ALL AGREE ON SO THE OFFICES DO NOT HAVE TO HEAR THAT I NEED A SPACE AND NOBODY LISTENS TO US.

>> AWESOME. I KNOW YOUR DEPARTMENT DOES A LOT OF GREAT WORK. YOU JUST SPOKE ABOUT A LOT OF IT. IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATING THAT INFORMATION, DOES ENGINEERING HAVE ANY PLANS TO UPDATE OR EXPAND INFORMATION

SUCH AS THE WEBSITE? >> ABSOLUTELY. THANKS TO OUR UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND OUR TEAM, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW WEBSITE IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. SO A COUPLE OF MONTHS AWAY. SO WE ALSO HAVE IN OUR CURRENT WEBSITE, THERE ARE A LOT OF FUNCTIONALITY. YOU CAN GO IN THERE AND SEE WHAT IS THE AVERAGE TIME IT IS TAKING FOR US TO REVIEW A PLAN. NOW, IN TERMS OF PROJECTS, WE DON'T HAVE UPDATES FOR ALL THE

[04:50:01]

>> THAT IS EXCITING. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW WEBSITE. ALSO FEEL FREE TO HAVE YOUR STAFF REACH OUT WHEN THE WEBSITE IS READY IN WAYS WE CAN SUPPORT YOU. MY LAST QUESTION, VISION ZERO IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE. I KNOW IT HAS ONLY MET TWICE SINCE IT WAS CREATED. ARE THERE PLANS TO HAVE THEM MEET MORE OFTEN OR LIKE WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> COULD QUESTION. WELL, GUESS. ABSOLUTELY. WE JUST HIRED OUR CONSULTANT FOR TRANSPORTATION PLAN. AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPONENTS AND VISION ZERO IS ONE OF THE KEY COMPONENTS. THAT IS BASICALLY THE FIRST PROGRAMMER WE ARE MUCH ADVANCED IN TERMS OF ANALYSIS AND IDENTIFYING CORRIDORS. SO WE CAN HAVE OUR CONSULTANT GET ON BOARD AND RESTART ALL THOSE COMMITTEES AGAIN TO MEET WITH ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I JUST WANT TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 60+ MILLION DOLLARS OF GRANT MONEY FOR FEDERAL GRANTS. AND A LOT OF THEM ARE ASSOCIATED WITH VISION ZERO -- VISION ZERO AND THE

PROGRAM ABOUT SAFETY. >> PERFECT. THAT IS ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE RIGHT NOW SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, DR. RAMAN. UNDERSTANDING THAT YOUR OFFICE IS TASKED WITH A LOT OF BIG-TICKET INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS BY COMMISSIONERS, YOUR ADDITION TO THE DAY-TO-DAY RESPONSIBILITIES OF BEING A COUNTY ENGINEER, WHICH INITIATIVES OR PROJECTS BROADLY HAVE BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING TO EXECUTE GIVEN THE CURRENT RESOURCES, BUDGET RESTRAINTS, AND CAN YOU SPECIFICALLY TOUCH ON VISION ZERO?

>> SO LET ME START WITH VISION ZERO. IN TERMS OF VISION ZERO, I HAVE SUBMITTED AND OUR DEPARTMENT HAS SUBMITTED A PROGRAM FUNDING REQUEST TO THE BUDGET OFFICE. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES AGAIN, WE HAVE FUNDING. WE HAVE A FUNDING ALLOCATION. A LOT OF OUR INITIATIVES THROUGH TRANSPORTATION GET SUPPORTED THROUGH MOBILITY FUND. AND MANY OF THE MOBILITY FUND IS USED IN THE PRECINCT. SO WE HAVE $.5 BILLION NEEDS. BUT THIS COMMISSIONERS CODE HAS ALSO BUZZED A RESOLUTION THAT WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION -- THE IMPLEMENTATION BY 2030. SO THAT FUNDING CHALLENGES THERE. NOW, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT ALL THE PRECINCTS HAVE BEEN INITIATED SINCE WE PASSED THE 2022 ROAD BOND. OUT OF $900 MILLION, YOU HAVE ALREADY INITIATED $700 MILLION. 67 PROJECTS. IN TERMS OF PROPOSITION B, MANY OF THESE PROJECTS ALSO ADDRESS SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS. HOWEVER, WE STILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN VISION ZERO FUNDING. AND THIS IS MORE OF A POLICY DECISION OF HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET FUNDED BETWEEN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND EACH OFFICE. SHOULD WE GET A NEW BOND FOR VISION ZERO? SHOULD WE GO AFTER, YOU KNOW, AND TAKE SOME MORE MONEY FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE? OF COURSE, EVERYBODY NEEDS MONEY. THE OTHER PART, I WILL TELL YOU THE BIGGEST CHALLENGING THINGS THAT WE HAVE IS IN OUR BUSINESS, WE ARE ALSO CHALLENGED WITH DISASTER RECOVERY. ANY TIME A DISASTER HITS OUR TEAM, WE HAVE DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE DISASTER AND WHEN WE ARE DEPLOYING FROM HOW MANY HOURS AND -72 HOURS TO HOWEVER FAR WE ARE, AT A GIVEN TIME WE HAVE 50 TO 30 PEOPLE ENGAGED. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 20 PEOPLE ENGAGED IN DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM.

THESE ARE PROJECT RECOVERY MANAGERS, CONTROLLERS. THEY ARE

[04:55:03]

ALREADY HAVE IN THE BOOK. >> THANK YOU. I AM GOING TO

RESERVE THE REST OF MY TIME. >> PRECINCT 2. YOU WILL NOW HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE. DR. RAMAN, THE FIRST QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU IS WE ARE CONSTANTLY FEELING CALLS ON ROADS. WHERE ARE WE WITH THE ORPHAN ROAD

POLICY INITIATIVE? >> THANK YOU. SO THE POLICY AND PROGRAM, SINCE IT TOUCHES MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE CAN HAVE A POLICY BUT BY THE END OF THE DAY THE QUESTION IS -- THIS IS LED BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. SHE IS LEADING THE POLICY DEVELOPMENT. AND SHE IS GOING TO COORDINATE WITH EACH OFFICE AND WANT THE POLICY DEVELOPED WE ARE SUPPORTING WITH DATA IN ANY NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE. BUT THE FIRST THING IS WE NEED TO DEVELOP A POLICY OF WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO BECAUSE APPARENTLY WE NEED A HIGH-LEVEL ESTIMATE. IF WE HAVE TO BRING IT ALL IN LINE, AND THIS IS VERY HIGH LEVEL, IT WILL COST THE COUNTY $1 BILLION.

>> I PRESUME THAT YOU WILL TAKE SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY IN YOUR REAL PROPERTY DIVISION RIGHT AWAY.

ARE YOU -- HAVE YOU BUDGETED FOR THAT OR ARE YOU ANTICIPATING THAT YOU WILL BE RECEIVING FUNDS FROM ANOTHER

DEPARTMENT? >> SO WE HAVE A BASELEVEL BUDGET. WE ALSO HAVE A LOCAL AGREEMENT WHERE WE GET SOME SUPPORT FROM FLOOD CONTROL. NOW, WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS CHARGING THE DEPARTMENTS THAT USES OUR SERVICE. I WILL TELL YOU ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE LOOKING RIGHT NOW IS HOSPITAL DISTRICTS. HOLD ON BECAUSE WE BUY PROPERTY FOR THEM AS WELL.

YOU KNOW? SO WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT. OUR PROGRAM IS NOT FUNDED FOR AN ESCALATION OF PRICE. SAY TOMORROW I'M GOING TO BUY 1500 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. WE ARE NOT FUNDED FOR THAT. BUT SINCE A LOT OF THOSE FEDERAL PROJECTS, THE TIMING IS, YOU KNOW, NOT VERY, VERY SUDDEN, THAT IS WHY WE KEPT IT AT THE BASELEVEL AND IF WE NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING WE WILL COME

BACK TO THE COURT. >> NEXT QUESTION, DR. RAMAN.

FLOOD CONTROL IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON INITIATIVE FOR ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE DOLLARS. IF THE INITIATIVE IS APPROVED, DO YOU ANTICIPATE MORE FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM AND FUNDING FOR OUR LOCAL STORAGE -- SORRY. LOCAL STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEMS? THE REASON I ASK IS BECAUSE WITHOUT A PROPERLY MAINTAINED SYSTEM, THE BENEFITS OF REPAIRS WILL BE LIMITED.

>> THANK YOU, AGAIN. I WILL TELL YOU, I DO AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT THAT THERE IS ANOTHER STEP THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL. TAKING CARE OF YOUR STORM DRAIN AS WE DO THE BIG MAINTENANCE WORK IN THE CREEK. HOWEVER, WE HAVEN'T PROGRAMMED OR HAD ANY DISCUSSION THAT AT THE OUTFLOWING PROGRAM THAT THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING. I THINK THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL OR IF IT IS MORE OF A POLICY CONDITION AGAIN THAT THEY WILL DIVERT SOME OF THOSE FUNDS ON OUR QUALITY PROGRAM.

BUT THE ELIGIBILITY OF SPENDING THAT MONEY ON OUTFALL IS SOMETHING THAT THE BUDGET OFFICE AND COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO LOOK INTO. AND THE OTHER PART

[05:00:02]

FUNDING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT QUESTION. RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND DEVELOPERS AT TIMES FACES CHALLENGES DUE TO CONFUSION OF JURISDICTION, COUNTY VERSUS CITY. GIVEN THAT HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAVE DISTINCT PERMITTING AUTHORITIES AND PROCESSES, WHAT RESOURCES WILL WE NEED TO STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING PROCESS TO ENSURE A BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE BY

BOTH JURISDICTIONS? >> ABSOLUTELY. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME TELL YOU WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WE SAT ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION. WE TRY TO KEEP TRACK OF THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND LOCAL LEVEL ALL THE TIME IN TERMS OF PERMITTING. WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS OPTIMIZING OUR PERMITTING RESOURCES. BUT , BEFORE I GO THERE, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT OUR PERMIT NUMBER OF DAYS THAT IT TAKES REVIEWING PERMIT COMPARED TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR ANY OTHER AREA NEARBY WOULD TAKE A LOT OF TIME. WE ARE FOUR TIMES BETTER THAN THEM. THAT MEANS YOU GET IN AND GET OUT. YOU KNOW? FROM DAY ONE. NOW, IT DEPENDS ON THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PERMITS.

RESIDENTIAL PERMITS, WE ARE ABLE TO GET IT DONE WITHIN TWO DAYS. NOW, WE ARE HIRING -- WE ARE RETAINING, AND THIS TAKES A LOT OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND A LOT OF FORECASTING. TO LOOK AT OUR PERMIT REVENUE. SO PART OF OUR STUDY WILL ALSO INCLUDE OPTIMIZATION OF OUR WATER FLOW BETWEEN HOW WE TAKE CARE OF A PLANT. HOW WE TAKE OF A BUILDING PERMIT THAT IS MULTIJURISDICTIONAL. BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT NOT ONLY DEALING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WHATNOT BUT WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND THEY DO THE INSPECTION. SO I WENT TO AGAIN THANK THE CHIEF'S OFFICE FOR COOPERATING ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. BUT, OVERALL, WE WORK EXTREMELY CLOSELY WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON THROUGHOUT ALL OF

OUR JURISDICTION. >> NOW, WHAT ARE SOME CONSOLIDATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU SEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE

AND WHAT EFFORT WILL THIS TAKE? >> SO I WILL TELL YOU ANY OPPORTUNITY IS GOING TO NEED TO GET THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE STAKEHOLDERS. INVOLVEMENT OF THE STAKEHOLDERS. YOU KNOW? WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANOTHER JURISDICTION, HOW MUCH AUTHORITY ANOTHER JURISDICTION IS WILLING TO GIVE IT TO OR HOW MUCH WE HAVE JURISDICTIONAL AUTHORITY TO ANOTHER ENTITY. SO GETTING, YOU KNOW, THE CITIES, COUNTIES, THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY, GETTING THEM IN THE ROOM IS THE MORE IMPORTANT PART. SO THE NEXT STEP IF THERE IS A WILLINGNESS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR SERVICES, I HAVE HEARD IT A COUPLE OF TIMES. WE WILL DO THE JURISDICTION AS ONE BIG DEPARTMENT. BUT I WILL SAY THAT IF A POLICY DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, THEY WILL PUT TOGETHER A STAKEHOLDER MEETING. AND WE THEN HIRE A CONSULTANT TO REALLY SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO CONSOLIDATE, HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST, AND HOW THE REVENUE WILL BE SHARED. AT THE COUNTY OR CITY TAKES THE LEAD, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE IT ALL TAKES MONEY TO FUND, AND NOW THE SENATE BILL WE CANNOT CHARGE MORE THAN IT COSTS. SO THIS HAS TO BE A REAL NUMBER IN TERMS OF OUR PERMIT FEE. SO THINGS OF THAT NATURE. I WILL SAY PUT TOGETHER A STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE WITH EVERYBODY INVOLVED. AND THEN THE HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION. YOU KNOW? THE CITIES, THE COUNTIES, AND THEN WE CAN COME UP AND IF WE HAD A CONSULTANT TO GIVE US GENERIC GUIDELINES OF WHAT WE WANT THAT WILL HELP US.

>> AND OTHER QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO PERMITTING. IN THE PAST, WE DISCUSSED THE POTENTIAL TO INTEGRATE A.I.

INTO THE PERMITTING PROCESS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN

REGARDS TO THIS AREA? >> SO WE ARE WORKING ON A STUDY ON OUR PARKING FEE AND PART OF THIS STUDY ALSO INCLUDES LOOKING INTO POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGY THAT INCLUDES A.I.

AND SOFTWARE AND EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED FOR OUR PERMIT OFFICE. AGAIN, ONE BIG PIECE OF THE INSPECTION AS YOU ALL KNOW.

SO THAT IS AN AREA WHERE I SEE THAT THERE MAY BE SOME

[05:05:04]

OPPORTUNITY TO USE A.I. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS

I HAVE. THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 3. YOU WILL NOW HAVE 11 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> BRANDIN COOKS. PRECINCT 3. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND SUBDIVISION PROJECTS. AND YOU MENTIONED THE INCREASE AND DESIGN PROJECT RELATED TO THE 2022 PROPOSITION B. WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT INTERNALLY TO HANDLE THIS INCREASED WORKLOAD OVER THE PAST YEAR?

>> YES. I WILL TELL YOU THAT IN TERMS OF PROJECTS, THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE HAVE IS YOU GET A LOT OF SURPRISE WHEN YOU SEE A CONSULTANT'S PROPOSAL AND THE DESIGN ENGINEERS. WHEN THEY ARE SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL IN THE PAST EVERYBODY IS LIKE IT HAS TO BE THE PERCENT THAT IT IS. THE COST FOR THE ENGINEERING IN THIS TOWN HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BECAUSE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS THE SALARIES ALMOST TWICE OR THREE TIMES FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE THAT IN THE DESIGN SERVICE. SO WHEN YOU SEE THE SERVICE, WHEN YOU SEE THIS PROPOSAL, WE GO TWO OR THREE ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATION. THAT WILL NOT ONLY SLOW DOWN OUR PROGRESS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT IS ALSO AT THE EXPENSE OF YOUR PROJECT. IF YOU SPEND 30% OF YOUR PROJECT COSTS AND DESIGN SERVICES, THAT GIVES A BIG, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU CALL IT? WHAT YOU CAN DO IN TERMS OF VOLUME. THAT IS ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES I HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. OF COURSE, THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF ENGINEERS IN THE MARKET AND CONTRACTORS IS A BIG CHALLENGE BECAUSE LESS COMPETITION MEANS OUR CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE GOING HIGH. WE ARE NOT RECEIVING SEVEN OR EIGHT ON EVERY SINGLE PROJECT . WE ARE LUCKY TO SEE THREE TO FOUR ON EVERY SINGLE PROJECT AND THAT IS ALSO IMPACTING CONSTRUCTION JOBS. AND NOT ONLY US BUT HARRIS COUNTY. MANY AREAS IN THIS REGION HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK INCLUDING OUR PRIVATE SECTOR HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN. THEY STILL HAVE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY AS EVIDENCED BY THE PERMITS WE ARE SHOWING EVERY SINGLE YEAR. SO OVERALL I SEE COST ESCALATION IS AN OUTCOME AND MATERIAL SHORTAGE AS WELL IN THIS AREA.

>> THANK YOU. AND IN THE DEPARTMENT BACK UP, YOU HAD 790 TOTAL BUDGETED POSITIONS. 419 FALL UNDER THE GENERAL FUND WITH 378 FUNDED WITH OTHER SOURCES OF MONEY SUCH AS MOBILITY, INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS, AND COMMERCIAL. HAVE MANY OF YOUR BUDGETED POSITIONS ARE UNFILLED AND WHAT HAVE YOUR ACTIONS BEEN OR WHAT WILL YOUR ACTIONS BE TO IMPROVE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND RETENTION?

>> SO WE HAVE TRANSFORMED OUR HR DEPARTMENT TO EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE SERVICES. SO I WILL HAVE DR. SANSOM RITA RESPOND TO

THIS QUESTION. >> SURE. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. SO CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 70 VACANCIES WITHIN OUR GENERAL FUND. AND WHAT WE HAVE REALLY BEEN LOOKING AT IS, AS DR. AMANN SAID, REFORMING HUMAN RESOURCES. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THE EMPLOYEE RESOURCE AS A WHOLE. THIS YEAR, AND IT RELATES TO RETENTION, WE WANT TO KEEP OUR GOOD EMPLOYEES AND THE ONES WHO HAVE EXPERTISE THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND AND REPLACE SO MUCH IN THAT WHEN POSITIONS COME OPEN, PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES COME OPEN, WE REALLY LOOK TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE IN HOUSE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN HAVE AT VALUE. NOT ONLY PROFESSIONALLY BUT PERSONALLY. WE DO BELIEVE A HAPPY EMPLOYEE IS A PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYEE. THIS YEAR ALONE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE 35 INTERNAL PROMOTIONS, SO THAT HAS BEEN HELPING WITH OUR RETENTION. WE PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, LICENSE SUPPORT, AND WE PAY FOR THAT. SO WHETHER THE ENGINEER GETS THEIR LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION FROM ONE OF OUR TECHNICIANS WERE THERE TO REIMBURSE WHATEVER THEY PAY OUT-OF-POCKET, THAT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL FOR US WHEN IT COMES TO RETENTION. AT THE SAME TIME, WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OUR EMPLOYEES. SO WE HAVE HAD 16 EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED TO OUR CORE PROGRAM WHICH ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL AT ATTENDING THESE EVENTS. THESE ARE THE TIMES WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THE FOUR PILLARS THAT ENGINEERING TRULY BELIEVES IN AND THIS IS A WORK EVERY YEAR TO SUPPORT CAREER DEVELOPMENT, MENTORSHIP EVENTS, AND ANOTHER BIG ONE IS, AGAIN, WE LOOK AT THE BODY PERIOD OF THE WHOLE. THOSE THREE PILLARS. SO THE FACT THAT WE LEAD THE

[05:10:06]

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GRADUATING SENIORS FROM RICE IN TEXAS AND IN. SO, AGAIN, THAT IS A PIECE WE ARE FOCUSING ON.

IN ADDITION, WE ARE ACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO MEMBERSHIPS, JOB FAIRS, YOU NAME IT. AND EVERY SINGLE PERSON YOU SEE HERE, EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE, WHEN I TELL YOU WE ARE CONSTANTLY RECORDING, WE ARE THE FACE OF ENGINEERING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THAT IN ENGINEERING WE HIRE THE BEST OF THE BEST, SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. WE WANT TO KEEP THE BEST OF THE BEST AS WELL SO WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO NURTURE, AGAIN, EVERYBODY PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING WHEN IT COMES TO RECRUITMENT OVER TENSION AT THE MOMENT.

>> THANK YOU. DR. RAMAN, YOU HAVE LISTED ONE OF YOUR CHALLENGES FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR AS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROCUREMENT POLICY. WHAT WILL YOU BE IMPLEMENTING TO ADDRESS THIS INCREASE? FOR THE COMING YEAR?

>> SO, AGAIN, THIS IS A MULTIDEPARTMENTAL EFFORT. AS YOU KNOW, HARRIS COUNTY, ALL OUR PROCUREMENT GOES TO THE COUNTY BUDGETING AGENCY. SO A MAJORITY FOR PROCUREMENT -- NOT MAJORITY -- BUT IT ALSO GOES TO THE COUNTY OFFICE. WHETHER WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, WE HAVE TEMPLATES OF SERVICE. IT HAS TO GET TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR APPROVAL. ANY TIME WE DRAFT, YOU KNOW, AND GET AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE WITH AN ENGINEER, IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT OFFICE. SO JUST THE STAFFING AND ENGINEERING IS NOT ENOUGH. SO WHAT I MEANT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IS THAT THIS IS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS. WE HAVE PERIODIC MEETINGS WITH THE PURCHASING OFFICE. ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT WE CAN SOLVE WITH RESOURCES IS A TIME OF PROCURING A CONTRACT BECAUSE I CALL IT BEDTIME WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A PROJECT. WHEN WE BUILD A PROJECT I CANNOT COLLAPSE THE CONSTRUCTION TIME BECAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE THE CONSTRUCTION TIME IT WILL EITHER GET MORE EXPENSIVE OR THERE IS NO SHORTCUTS SOME TIMES. I CANNOT TELL AT&T OR THE GAS COMPANY TO MOVE YOUR PIPELINE QUICKER. MANY OF THE THINGS ARE BEYOND YOUR CONTROL BUT THIS IS SOMETHING WITHIN YOUR CONTROL AND SOMETHING I REQUEST THE BUDGET OFFICE AND OTHER OFFICES TO PAY. IF IT TAKES US 5 TO SEVEN MONTHS. SO WHEN YOU INITIATE A PROJECT AND I SAY WE INITIATED 69 BOND PROJECTS OR BOND ELIGIBLE PROJECTS , I CANNOT GET A CONSULTANT WITHIN FIVE MONTHS. SO WHEN YOU TAKE THAT TO WORK AND THINGS ARE GOING ON BUT FROM A CITIZEN'S PERSPECTIVE UNTIL THE DARK MOVES, WHAT IS DESIGN, WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION? UNTIL I GET A SIGN UP THERE RIGHT BACK CALL ON THE STREET, FROM THE CITIZEN'S PERSPECTIVE YOU ALL HERE YOU ARE ALL DOING NOTHING.

SO THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS. I AM TRYING TO INCREASE COMMUNICATION AND SET UP PROCUREMENT FROM ALL ASPECTS OF DESIGN SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION.

>> THANK YOU. OUR LAST QUESTION. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS WORKING ON DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. IN ADDITION TO THE DISCUSSION TODAY, HOW ARE YOU PLANNING AND BUDGETING FOR TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY?

[05:15:04]

>> SO WE HAVE UNFORTUNATELY, AGAIN, SUBMITTED A PROGRAM FOR TRAFFIC SIGNALS. MANY OF OUR SIGNALS ARE 40-50 YEARS OLD AND IN DIRE NEED FOR FUNDING AND REPLACEMENT. DURING THIS DISASTER SEASON I WILL TELL YOU WE HAD 775 SIGNALS THAT WENT DOWN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM. WE HAD MANY OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS IN OUR CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE, WE WERE ABLE TO FIX IT WITH IN 10 DAYS. NOW, THAT IS NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE CASE. MANY OF THE SIGNALS WHEN IT IS DOWN, YOU KNOW, THE MONITOR IS DEAD OR THE BOX IS DEAD. SO WE SUBMITTED A PROGRAM FUNDING REQUEST TO THE BUDGET OFFICE THAT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT AT THIS TIME. AGAIN, IT WILL BE ANOTHER POLICY DECISION FROM THIS TABLE, FROM YOUR OFFICE, ON HOW THIS IS TO BE FUNDED BUT THE NEEDS ARE REAL. ANOTHER THING IS THE COST OF SIGNAL. IT WAS $400,000 SOMETIME A FEW YEARS AGO. IT IS COSTING US $600,000 TO $700,000. SO WHAT WE USED TO GET FOR $16 MILLION, WE ARE NOT GETTING IT THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 4, YOU HAVE 6:12 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. POINT OF CLARIFICATION FOR DR. RAMAN AND DR. SANTAMARIA. IF I UNDERSTOOD CORRECTLY, THERE WERE 70 OPEN POSITIONS IN GENERAL FUND. HOW MANY POSITIONS WERE IN THE

OTHER FUNDS? >> 138.

>> THANK YOU. >> THAT IS TOTAL.

>> THAT IS TOTAL INCLUDING INTERNSHIP POSITIONS AND ALL

THAT. >> NO. NO. THAT IS 138 TOTAL.

>> I WILL ALSO ADD THIS. WE ARE ALSO FACING A RECRUITMENT CHALLENGE IN LAST YEAR. WE HAVE ALSO HIRED SEVEN FIRMS FOR MANY OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE DO. WE HAVE 19 STAFF MEMBERS THAT WE HIRE DO THE STAFF AUGMENTATION TO FILL THOSE VOIDS WE HAVE. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE GOING TO ISSUE ANOTHER RFQ. WHAT WE THOUGHT IN THE BEGINNING. THE CONTRACTS WE HAVE WILL BE ABLE TO FILL UP A LOT OF PEOPLE. 10 PEOPLE. WHAT HAPPENED? THE MARKET IS SO SHAPED THAT WHEN WE ASK FOR PARTICULAR QUALIFIED PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE THAT WE INTERVIEW, WE SEE THAT THEY ARE NOT WHAT WE NEED IN TERMS OF THE EXPERT LEVEL SO WE WILL HAVE TO GET SOME MORE CONTRACTS TO SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE CONSULTANT COMMUNITY WHILE WE ARE DOING THE STAFF LOADING FOR THOSE VACANCIES WE HAVE. AND WITH THAT RFQ, WORKING WITH THE OFFICE AND IT SHOULD BE

ADVERTISED THIS MONTH. >> THANK YOU. WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES IN FINDING PERSONNEL. WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME CHALLENGES. AS YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS VERY DATA-DRIVEN. GIVEN YOUR PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, ARE YOU -- WHAT EFFORTS ARE YOU DOING TO MEASURE THE IMPACT OF THOSE EITHER BY MEASURING GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS OR CARBON

EMISSIONS, ET CETERA? >> I WILL HAVE --

>> I HAVE BEEN ASKED THE SAME QUESTION OF OCA ON HOW TO BEST MEASURE IT. SO, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT, I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. ALL OF THE BUILDINGS THAT WE CONTROL WITH CONTROLLERS, HOW MANY HOURS PER DAY ARE WE TAKING IT TO A DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE AND SAVING? SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE MEASURES WE CAME UP WITH RECENTLY. AND CHARGING STATIONS. THAT IS JUST A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GAS ENGINE VERSUS ELECTRIC. SO WE ARE NOT MEASURING THAT RIGHT NOW BUT BECAUSE THAT IS EARLY IN ITS DEPLOYMENT. IN TERMS OF THE SOLAR, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT ONCE IT IS DEPLOYED IN THE 11 BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE, BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN DEPLOYED YET.

>> SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL JUST WANT TO MENTION IS THAT IN THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR ABOUT REDUCING THE PERCENT OF GREENHOUSE GASES, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING THE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY AND MEASURING COST SAVINGS AND OTHER THINGS. BUT,

[05:20:04]

>> TO WHAT EXTENT HAS EVENT COORDINATION ACROSS THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND WITH OCA ON THE CLIMATE ACTION AGREEMENT?

>> WE ARE COORDINATING ON A REGULAR BASIS IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, ENERGY SAVINGS AND WHATNOT. AND ALSO THE POLICY.

SO, NOW, DO WE DO A CROSS DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION? ARE WE REACHING OUT TO CONTROL ROAD OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING? I HAVEN'T SEEN COMPREHENSIVE COORDINATION IN THAT.

>> THERE IS ONE OTHER PROJECT. L.E.D. WE HAVE $6 MILLION TO PUT L.E.D. LIGHTING IN COUNTY BUILDINGS. HOW YOU MEASURE GREENHOUSE GAS SAVINGS, WE HAVE NOT FIGURED THAT OUT.

>> WHAT MIGHT BE THE SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL COSTS THAT WOULD CAUSE YOU TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT IN THE NEXT

FISCAL YEAR? >> HONESTLY, THE FIRST THING IS DONE ON THE NOSE. IF WE GET ANOTHER DISASTER LATE IN THE SEASON WE HAVE TO COME BACK TO DO, YOU KNOW, THAT. THE OTHER THING IS MANY OF OUR FACILITIES OUT OF THE 150 FACILITIES WE HAVE, WE MANAGE 11 MILLION THAT GETS MANAGED BY AN ESCROW FUND.

ANY GIVEN DAY, I CAN HAVE A GO DOWN. WE HAVE A LOT IN THE DEPARTMENT AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER. SO THOSE ARE DONE ON THE NOSE. I CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE TO COME TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR FUNDING.

>> SO ESSENTIALLY MAINTENANCE RELATED. THE FINAL QUESTION IT LOOKS LIKE. THE FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN APPROVED BY COURT INCLUDES PARKING OPTIMIZATION. HOW IS THE COUNTY WORKING WITH OMB TO IMPLEMENT AND WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?

>> YES. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER AND TOUCHED IT A LITTLE BIT, WE NEED TO BE VERY MINDFUL OF HOW WE DO THIS. THIS SHOULD NOT JUST BE A REVENUE-GENERATING PROGRAM BECAUSE MANY OF OUR -- MANY OF THE FOLKS THAT WORK FROM DOWNTOWN OR MANY OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT HAVE PEOPLE FROM DOWNTOWN, THE FIRST QUESTION THEY ASK IS ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR PARKING AND WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO PARK? NOT ONLY THAT BUT THEY HAD TO PARK FIVE BLOCKS AWAY, THERE IS A SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUE AND I HAD TO MOVE MANY OF THE DEPARTMENTS FROM ANOTHER LOCATION TO THIS LOCATION OR GIVE THEM PARKING BECAUSE THEY WORK LATE AT NIGHT AND THEY DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WALKING THREE BLOCKS. SO WE ARE GOING TO SET UP A STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE THAT WILL INCLUDE THE DIFFERENT OFFICES ALONG WITH KEY DEPARTMENTS THERE IN DOWNTOWN. AND WE WILL BE HIRING A CONSULTANT TO PROVIDE THIS RECOMMENDATION THAT MEETS NOT ONLY THE REVENUE GENERATION GOAL WE HAVE, BUT ALSO EACH DEPARTMENT'S NEEDS FOR PARKING. SO, WITH THAT SAID, IN TERMS OF TIMELINE, I WOULD SAY IT IS GOING TO TAKE A MINIMUM

OF SIX MONTHS IF NOT MORE. >> THANK YOU, DR. RAMAN.

>> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU HAVE 1:36 REMAINING FOR ANY

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> JUST ONE ADDITIONAL QUESTION. I KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY TRANSIT IS OPERATED OUT OF HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY WHERE METRO IS NOT AS ACTIVE. WHAT DOES THAT COLLABORATION LOOK LIKE WITH ENGINEERING AND THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN?

>> SO AS WE DEVELOP THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN, NOT ONLY ARE WE GOING TO COORDINATE WITH HARRAH'S TRANSIT BUT WE WILL ALSO COORDINATE WITH METRO, TEXDOT AND ALL THE OTHERS AND ENSURE THIS IS A REGIONAL PLAN. WE DO NOT JUST WANT TO MAKE A PLAN BASED ON WHAT IS OUR JURISDICTIONAL ABILITY BECAUSE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT IS THE COMBINATION OF ALL THE AGENCIES COMING TOGETHER. NOW, FOR DIFFERENT AGENCIES IT MAY BE DIFFERENT, BUT AS WE ARE DEVELOPING A PLAN WE ARE DEVELOPING A 30-40 YEAR PLAN. SO I HAVE MENTIONED IN MULTIPLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT THIS IS THE PRIORITY IN ONE JURISDICTION VERSUS PRIORITY B. REGARDLESS OF THAT, WE CAN TAKE IT ONE BITE AT A TIME. WE WANT IT TO BE A REGION WHERE WE HAVE

[05:25:10]

AS WE GO THE VERY FIRST THING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IS WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR CONSULTANT AND SIT DOWN AND SAY WHAT IS YOUR PRIORITY AND SIMILARLY WE CAN ADMIT WITH EACH AGENCY AND COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHERE WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE ENTIRE TRANSIT SITUATION FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE 6:56 REMAINING FOR ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE 2:17 REMAINING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS. >> DR. RAMAN, ONE MORE QUESTION. DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR RENOVATING

THE JAIL SYSTEM? >> THE ANSWER IS NO BECAUSE IT DEPENDS ON THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE $1.2 BILLION OF FACILITY PROJECTS. I WILL TELL YOU WE HAVE ONE PERSON TAKING CARE OF 57 PROJECTS. AND THESE ARE NOT SMALL PROJECTS. SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE DO FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE JUSTICE COMMUNITY IS DISTRIBUTE REALLY.

WE HAVE TO HAVE EXTREME FOCUS LIKE THE SIX DISTRICT COURT THAT WE HAD TO BUILD. WHEN WE DECIDE ABOUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO OUR JAIL ? WHETHER WE RENOVATE THE JAIL OR BUILD A NEW JAIL? EITHER WAY, IT IS GOING TO COST US $2 BILLION TO $2.4 BILLION AS PER THE STUDY. WE HAVE NO CAPACITY AT THIS TIME TO TAKE ON THAT BIG SIZE OF A PROJECT. NOT WITHOUT DEFUNDING SOME OTHER PRIORITIES FOR THE COUNTY OF COURSE. BUT WHEN THE TIME COMES, WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION LIKE WE DID DURING BOND. WE WILL HAVE TO COORDINATE WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE. WE WILL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE STAFFING.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 3. YOU HAVE NO TIME REMAINING. DR. RAMAN, YOU KNOW HOW TO MINUTES FOR CLOSING

REMARKS. >> WELL, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOUR OFFICES FOR YOUR COMMITMENT. YOUR COMMITMENT TO INFRASTRUCTURE. YOUR COMMITMENT TO RESILIENCY. LAST YEAR ALONE, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE $800 MILLION RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY PROGRAM WAS PART OF IT. HE GETS A LITTLE BIT MORE THANKS WHEN IT STARTED. WE ARE AT THE FINAL STAGE OF IT. WE HAVE THREE $50 MILLION WORTH OF CONSTRUCTION VALUE THAT IS ONGOING AT THIS YEAR SO IT IS A SIGNIFICANT YEAR.

WE CAN THINK THAT AT ABOUT NEXT YEAR WE WILL BE DONE WITH 80% OF THOSE. 80% TO 90% DONE WITH THOSE AND THAT WILL ELIMINATE FUNDING FOR AT LEAST 20,000 OF OUR RESIDENTS. THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE COMMISSIONER COURT'S COMMITMENT. WHEN WE SAW THE FEDERAL FUNDING IS NOT COMING OR SLOW, IT ONLY HAPPENED BECAUSE OF YOUR COMMITMENT SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOUR OFFICE. SO IN TERMS OF PARKS AND GREEN SPACE, I WANT TO ALSO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT. WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SIGNIFICANT GAPS COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL STANDARD AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS ALLOCATED $20 MILLION FROM THE BOND PROGRAM. WELL, WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON 13 DIFFERENT PARKS. I DO NOT WANT TO SPILL THE BEANS FOR YOU ALL, BUT PRETTY SOON WE WILL START ON CONSTRUCTION OF MANY OF THESE PROJECTS. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT'S COMMITMENT FOR JUSTICE AND SAFETY. $200 MILLION HAS JUST BEEN COMMITTED FOR WORKING ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE JAILS. THAT HAS BEEN ONGOING. WE ARE MOVING VERY FAST. AND ALSO IN TERMS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOND PROGRAM. WE HAVE SEEN THAT GOING FORWARD. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I WENT TO CLOSE IT OUT BY SAYING THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMITMENT

FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. >> THANK YOU, DR. RAMAN, AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE OFFICES OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S . THAT

[05:30:01]