* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.
          [00:00:04]
          >> ALL RIGHT , GOOD MORNING , EVERYONE, IT IS 10:04 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS AUGUST 14TH , 2025 SPECIAL MEETING OF 
          [Appearances before Court]
THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER . FIRST, WE WILL START WITH THE SPEAKERS . WE HAVE 24 ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA . BEFORE WE GET TO THAT , IF YOU WOULD PLEASE INTRODUCE OUR 
          SPEAKERS. >> JOHN ON ITEM 1 ON PRECINCT 1, STEPHEN ON ITEM 1 ON PRECINCT 4, AND NORA PIERCE ON ITEM 1 ON PRECINCT 4 , YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> HOWDY AND GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS JOHN NIX, PROUD RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND PROUD TO HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AS MY COMMISSIONER AND I AM HERE TO SAY I FULLY SUPPORT , I BELIEVE THIS COUNTY SHOULD HAVE THE CHILDCARE COVERED , ESPECIALLY SINCE ABORTION IS ILLEGAL, WHICH I THINK IS WRONG . I AM TIRED OF WHAT I SEE ONLINE , PEOPLE CYBER BULLYING, MY COUNTY JUDGE IS DOING AN AWESOME JOB , I BELIEVE IT IS WRONG AND I FULLY SUPPORT WHAT SHE IS DOING FOR THE HARD WORK SHE IS DOING MANAGING MY COUNTY AFFAIRS. I AM COMING OUT HERE TO SAY , YOU HAVE ONE SUPPORTER FROM THE HEIGHTS AND I AM PROUD OF IT . I BELIEVE THE CENTER THAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST MEETINGS SHOULD BE REVOKED , IF WE HAVE TO CENSOR, IT SHOULD BE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR HIS PARTY STARTING ALL THIS STUFF AND FOR THE HATE AND WHAT YOU SEE ALL THE TIME . I FULLY SUPPORT YOU, I HAVE LIVED IN 
          THAT TOWN IS -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> WHO WAS THE SECOND SPEAKER? >> STEPHEN WOO, AFTER HIM IT IS 
          NORAH PIERCE. >> MR. WOO IS MAKING HIS WAY . 
          WHO IS AFTER NORAH PIERCE? >> REGINA TROTTER. 
          >> MY NAME IS STEPHEN WU AND I WILL BE BRIEF AND CLEAR, I THINK WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS BUDGET IS YOU ARE ROBBING OUR RESIDENTS, STEALING OUR TAX DOLLARS AND SUBSIDIZING THESE PAY RAISES FOR THE CONSTABLES AND SHERIFF'S . WE NEED THINGS FOR OUR LIBRARIES, OUR PARKS, AND ARE A FLOOD CONTROL. BUT THIS INCREASE WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS SOMETHING WE HAVE SEEN TIME IN A TIMEOUT , FOR WHAT? OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE COME EVERY SINGLE YEAR ASKING FOR SIMPLE THINGS , MORE FUNDING FOR LANGUAGE ACCESS, MORE GENERATORS FOR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND SENIOR LIVING APARTMENTS, DOES THIS BUDGET DO THAT? I DO NOT THINK IT DOES. I THINK, WHAT THIS BUDGET IS GOING TO DO IS KILL MORE PEOPLE , ESPECIALLY DURING HURRICANE SEASON. WHEN ASKED THE CROWD IF THEY THINK THIS BUDGET REFLECTS PUBLIC SAFETY, THUMBS UP , YES, THUMBS DOWN , NO. 
          >> YOUR TIME IS UP . >> THANK YOU . 
          >> NORAH PIERCE, AND REGINA TROTTER. 
          >> THEY MAY BE GOING THROUGH THE METAL DETECTOR SO WE WILL COME 
          AROUND. RYAN EATMAN. >> HE IS ALSO IN LINE. 
          >> WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO THEM. 
          >> BENJAMIN BROADWAY ? >> I AM HERE. 
          >> GO AHEAD, SIR. >> 
          [00:05:21]
          >> YES, HELLO, MY NAME IS BENJAMIN BROADWAY WITH THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE AND I WANT TO SAY THAT WE ARE HERE PROUDLY SUPPORTING JUDGE HIDALGO FOR HER EFFORTS . I AM A HOMEOWNER , THEY ARE ASKING FOR 1% . I WOULD GIVE THEM 10% IF NEEDED . I THINK WE REALLY DO NEED TO SUPPORT HER ON THESE EFFORTS. NOW , MR. RAMSEY , DID NOT YOU VACATE THE COUNTY LAST TIME WHEN THE POLICEMAN WERE TRYING TO GET THEIR LAWS PASSED? YOU LEFT THEM HIGH AND DRY, WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE NOW? WE NEED TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL SERVICES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES AND RAISE UP AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. GIVE THEM WAYS OUT . 
          WE WANT TO REACH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS BEFORE THEY GET TO THE POLICE OFFICERS. WE WANT TO HELP THEM WITH UTILITY ASSISTANCE. 
          THESE ARE NORMAL STRESSORS THAT LOW-INCOME HOUSING PEOPLE DEAL 
          WITH EVERYDAY. >> YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> PLEASE VOTE FOR IT. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> DANA JONES, ALEXI, MO. 
          >> MY NAME IS DANA JONES AND I WILL BE VERY BRIEF , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , I GIVE YOU A PASS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND GARCIA , YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE NEED HELP WITH HOUSING, WE NEED HELP WITH DRAINAGE, TO BE TRYING TO TAKE THE MONEY THAT IS ALLOCATED FOR THESE THINGS AND FUND OTHER THINGS , WE NEED OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND OUR SHERIFF'S , AND HELP WITH HOUSING, IF YOU HELP THE PEOPLE, AND GIVE THEM THE HELP THEY NEED, WE WILL NOT BE POLICE OFFICERS, WE CAN POLICE OURSELVES BUT HELP US BECAUSE WE ARE DROWNING OUT HERE . 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I CAME THE LAST TIME AND TALK TO YOU, YOU SENT ME BACK TO TALK TO YOUR PEOPLE AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU ANYMORE. WE NEED HELP IN MELROSE PARK AND ALL OF HOUSTON, 
          I KNOW MY TIME IS UP, THANK YOU. >> WE WILL FOLLOW BACK UP WITH 
          YOU . THANK YOU. >> YES, MY NAME IS ALEXIS, THE TOP PART IS FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET ARE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WHICH INCLUDE SAFETY , FLOOD PREVENTION, INFRASTRUCTURE, RAIN WHICH CAUSES FLOODING FALLS FROM THE SKY BUT MONEY FOR THE BUDGET DOES NOT . IN PARTICULAR, MONEY FOR TAXES AND ACCOUNTING EXPENSES COMES OUT OF FAMILY INCOMES AND AN INDIVIDUAL MOVES OUT OF THE COUNTY, SO DOES HIS INCOME AND THE TAXES THAT COME OUT OF IT . A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE HIGH CRIME RATE AND FLOODING . WE NEED TO PAY OUR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL MORE SO THEY WILL CONTINUE WORKING IN HARRIS COUNTY AND CRIME WILL GO DOWN. FLOOD PREVENTION IS ANOTHER SERIOUS ISSUE THAT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF VERY SOON WILL LEAD TO CITIZENS AND THEIR MONEY MOVING OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY. IF THE INCOMES MOVE OUT OF THE COUNTY , SO DO THE TAXES AND THERE WILL BE NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR THE NECESSITIES MUCH LESS THE UNNECESSARY BUDGET ITEMS . HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS AND COMMISSIONERS WHO WANT EXPENSIVE NONSTATUTORY PROGRAMS PAID FOR WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY SHOULD LEAD THE WAY BY CUTTING THE BUDGET. THANK 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. 
          >> MO, SELINA. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, I LIVE IN PRECINCT AND WHAT A POLICY ORGANIZER WITH THE PURE JUSTICE ACTION FUND AND I WAS HERE LAST WEEK TALKING ABOUT OPERATIVES YOU HAD TO PUT A VOICE TO THE VOTERS BUT HERE WE NEED TO FACE THE FACTS THIS WEEK BUT WE ARE IN AN AVOIDABLE IMPASSE AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS A CHOICE , THERE IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE ON ONE HAND, COMMUNITIES AND 
          [00:10:01]
RESOURCES THAT HELP TO PREVENT DISPLACEMENT, CRIME, AND HARDSHIP LIKE FLOOD MITIGATION AND SIDEWALKS AND EVICTION PROTECTION, ON THE OTHER HAND, INVESTING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT I CAN ONLY REACT TO SITUATIONS AFTER-THE-FACT. LOOPS MONITOR PEOPLE INTO A VULNERABLE SYSTEM WITH WORSENING DUE PROCESS STANDARDS, DEADLY JAIL CONDITIONS, AND LIMITED REENTRY RESOURCES . PEOPLE HAVE SAID THIS MORNING THERE WILL NOT BE CUT BUT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEFORE OUR EYES AS COMMUNITY RESIDENTS , A PERSISTENT SHORTFALL AND PUSH US TO INVEST IN THINGS THE COMMUNITY ARE SAYING ARE NOT WARRANTED. LAW ENFORCEMENT REINFORCED BY DATA ABOUT THE POPULATION INCREASE BUT I'M ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT MOVED HERE IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND MOVED THERE FOR HARRIS COUNTY'S LIBRARIES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND PEOPLE AND RESOURCES, NOT THE POLICE. THANK 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD EVENING, WAIT A MINUTE, GOOD MORNING, I AM A RECENT RELOCATE OR FROM PRECINCT 1 , TO PRECINCT 3 I WANT TO THANK RODNEY ELLIS FOR EDUCATING US ON THE BUDGET IN HIS TOWN HALLS, I FEEL INFORMED TO STAND HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY. MY ISSUE IS, I THOUGHT, AS WE ALL HEARD, TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK , I DO NOT FEEL AS THOUGH, RIGHT NOW , WE ARE DOING TEAMWORK FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY . WHEN YOU COMMENT AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR A PAY RAISE THAT WILL IMPACT THE LIVELIHOODS OF OTHERS IN THE COUNTY , TO A DEGREE THAT THEY CAN END UP HOMELESS , WITHOUT PROPER HOUSING, THAT THEY CAN END UP SICK WITHOUT PROPER HEALTHCARE , THAT IS NOT TEAMWORK, WE SHOULD ALL BE WORKING TOGETHER IN THIS COUNTY TO HAVE A BETTER COUNTY WITH HEALTHIER RESIDENTS , VERSUS WE WILL ADD POLICING TO THE BUDGET, WHICH WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH PAYING OUR POLICE OFFICERS , WHAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IS SOMEBODY ELSE CAN LIVE COMFORTABLY AND SAFELY IN THIS 
          COMMUNITY . >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH . >> JOY DAVIS, VICTOR MENDOZA , LUIS MENDOZA . 
          >> GOOD MORNING, I AM JOY DAVIS AND A RESIDENT OF PRISON 2 AND SR. FIELD ORGANIZER FOR THE PURE JUSTICE ACTION FUND AND I VISITED MULTIPLE TOWN HALLS HELD IN EACH PRECINCT AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST RESPONSES WE HAVE SEEN IN THE MOST PASSIONATE OR AROUND CHILDCARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES , THE NEED FOR LIBRARIES TO REMAIN OPEN AND NOT CUT THEIR HOURS SO CHILDREN CAN HAVE SAFE SPACES TO GO AFTER SCHOOL, FLOODING PREVENTION AND HOUSING, IF WE WANT TO FIX THE FLOODING ISSUE, START WITH THE PLACES THAT FLOOD WHEN IT RAINS LIKE CROSS TIMBERS, BETWEEN 16 AND CAVALCADE, FUNDING SHOULD GO TO BUILDING AND PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING , RENT RELIEF PROGRAMS AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, PEOPLE SLEEPING ON BENCHES DO NOT EAT HANDCUFFS, THEY NEED HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, YOUNG PEOPLE NEED OPPORTUNITIES AND NOT PUNISHMENT, FUNDING FOR FREE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, ARTS MENTORSHIP, SPORTS, JOB TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAMS, WE HAVE TO MEET OUR CHILDREN WHERE THEY ARE BEFORE THE SYSTEM DOES AND FUNDING FOR HEALTHCARE BECAUSE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EXPECTING TO LOSE IT BECAUSE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> THANK YOU . 
          >> GOOD MORNING . COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE, MY NAME IS LUIS MENDOZA, I AM FROM PRECINCT 2 AND WITH PURE JUSTICE . WHAT WOULD HELP BENEFIT MY COMMUNITY WILL BE FUNDING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS, AND AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES TO HELP COMBAT FOOD INSECURITIES AND INVESTING IN MUSIC CAMPS AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND STEM, FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS WILL HELP MY COMMUNITY TREMENDOUSLY AND WHEN COMMITTEES ARE FUNDED, THEY WILL THRIVE, ONE OF DIGNITY AND FILLED WITH RESOURCES, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, VICTOR MENDOZA, RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2 AND A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND I SPEAK FOR THE COMMUNITIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON THE MARGINS , BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS, AND THOSE WHO ARE OVER POLICE THE DISPLACED AND INCARCERATED, THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE SOLUTIONS BUT THEY HAVE BUILT MUTUAL AID NETWORKS , HEALING COLLECTIVES AND PROGRAMS BY TRUSTED AND CREDIBLE MESSENGERS. THEY HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCES THAT OUTWEIGH THEORIES ON WHAT MAY WORK. WE MUST LISTEN TO THEM , THEY HAVE THE ANSWERS BUT NEITHER RESOURCES . WE DO NOT EAT ARMED 
          [00:15:05]
RESPONSES TO POVERTY, WE NEED INVESTMENT IN HOUSING, YOUTH CENTERS, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, STREETLIGHTS AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS, WE ASK NOT FOR CRUMBS BUT WE ARE HERE TO DEMAND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXCLUDED BE PLACED AT THE 
          CENTER OF INVESTMENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SHIRLEY, AMELIA, DAVID, ALFREDO. 
          >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE , COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND DEEPLY INVESTED IN THE WELL-BEING OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR PROVING THE FUNDING FOR THE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS TO EXTEND A HEART PROGRAM TO OTHER AREAS, AS A COUNTY BUDGET IS BEING RELEASED TODAY, I WANT TO EXPRESS CONCERN THAT THE COMMITTEE'S VOICE MAY NOT BE FULLY REFLECTED IN DECISIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT AS HOWEVER YOU PRACTICE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY INCREASE, DOES NOT MAKE SENSE, SUCH A HUGE COMMITMENT WAS NOT PUT ON THE BALLOT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO VOTE ON BECAUSE THERE IS ALREADY A DEFICIT. 
          THEREFORE, I AM ASKING COMMISSIONERS TO PRIORITIZE SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS IN THE BUDGET, INCLUDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, ADULT CONTINUING EDUCATION, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMING , AND FULL HOURS AT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES . IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE THIS TREND OF REDUCED CRIME LET'S ENSURE FAMILIES DO NOT LOSE THE SAFETY NET PROGRAMS. LASTLY , I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE CUTS ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS TO ALLEVIATE THE DEFICIT, THIS TACTIC IS A BAND-AID WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE YEARLY, LET'S 
          CREATE A PATHWAY OF FUNDING -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> THANK YOU . 
          >> HELLO, MY NAME IS DAVID AND I LIVE IN THIRD WARD , IT IS ABSURD TO SUGGEST THAT PROGRAMS THAT ALREADY GET A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET TO TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AND FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO FIND MORE MONEY. TAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AWAY FROM CENTRAL SERVICES AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE NEED THEM THE MOST IS ABSURD. IT IS MORALLY WRONG AND CORRUPT POLICE DO NOT KEEP US SAFE, THEY KEEP US IN CHECK AND WE NEED BETTER FLOOD MITIGATION , WE NEED SOCIAL SERVICES, WE DO NOT NEED POLICE, UNLESS POLICE WILL BE PLANTING TREES, THEN WE DO 
          NOT NEED THEM. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS COURT, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SITTING IN ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S BUDGET MEETING ON MONDAY WHERE IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA STATED, TAKING CARE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS, HINTS HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS, HARRIS COUNTY RETIREES ARE THE FACES AND DEDICATION OF HARRIS COUNTY, BEING LOYAL TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AGO WE WORKED WITH NO COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES, AND RETIRED ON THAT LESS THAN ADEQUATE SALARY . HOWEVER, AS A PROUD HARRIS COUNTY RETIREE , WE HAVE BUILT THE FOUNDATION FOR THESE AGENCIES THAT ARE DOING SO WELL AND SUCCESSFUL TODAY. YET , THERE IS NO ANNUAL COST OF LIVING FOR RETIREES , NO BONUSES IN THE HISTORY OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF RETIREMENT SERVICES SYSTEM. WE ARE THE NEXT PHASES OF HOMELESSNESS WITHOUT YOU SUPPORTING US AND PROVIDING BONUSES AND INCREASES TO OUR HARRIS COUNTY RETIREES . THANK 
          YOU, COMMISSIONER -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> AND BOOSTING EVERYBODY UP, SAVING THEM FROM HOMELESSNESS BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE OF US WHO HAVE RETIRED ? 
          >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? 
          >> AMELIA DAY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> HI, MY NAME IS ALFREDO AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET AND EMPLOYEE AT PEOPLE'S COUNCIL SOMETHING I AM THINKING ABOUT TODAY AND WHAT I THINK WILL BE THE THEME IN A BROAD AMOUNT OF TESTIMONY IS THE FACT THAT, WHEN WE ARE FACING THIS $200 MILLION DEFICIT , AND SEEING THESE CUTS TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES, THE FACT THAT THE COUNTY IS A ZERO-SUM GAME , TO PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NECESSARY FOR THE $100 MILLION IN RACES FOR THE CONSTABLES, THAT MONEY HAS TO BE MOVED MOTHER COUNTY SERVICES, THERE WAS A DIRECT TRADE-OFF BETWEEN THE RACES WE ARE GIVING TO THE CONSTABLES AND THE RACES PROPOSE TODAY FOR THE ELECTED COMMISSIONERS TO ALMOST $300,000 AND THE SERVICES THAT WILL BE REDUCED AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, THE CITY TRY TO PLAY THE SAME GAME AND SAY THERE WOULD BE ELIMINATING REDUNDANCIES AND FINDING EFFICIENCIES SIMILAR TO THE LANGUAGE HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO GUT THE IMPORTANT SOCIAL SERVICES THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND THE COUNTY 
          [00:20:02]
IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING AS A THEY CAN HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT, TOO, WE REJECT THAT NARRATIVE AND ASKED THAT MONEY BE PUT INTO THE PROGRAMS THAT MAKE PEOPLE SAFER. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> HARRIS BROWN, GRACIE, HUGHEY, 
          REBECCA FOWLER. >> I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4 AND HERE TO OPPOSE ANY EFFORTS TOWARDS A NEW JAIL OR JAIL EXPANSION IN THIS COUNTY, I'M A FULL-TIME POET AND I WRITE WHAT I SEE THEM I WRITE CONSTANTLY ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY JAIL BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO PUT BEFORE US . I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSIT AND THE EASE OF GETTING AROUND THE CITY I LOVE , BUT I AM WRITING ABOUT THE 13 DEATHS INSIDE GEORGIA THAT COULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED BUT WERE NOT . I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO WITHSTAND STORMS BECAUSE OUR COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE, ABOUT LOVE AND LEADERSHIP AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER BUT INSTEAD I'M WRITING ABOUT HOW WE ARE SEEKING FOR THE BELOW SEA LEVEL BECAUSE OUR COUNTY PRIORITIZES INCARCERATION AND RAISING THE SALARIES OF THE COPS INSTEAD OF CLIMATE RESILIENCY, I AM FULLY AGAINST A NEW JAIL AND WANT TO WRITE ABOUT OTHER THINGS, THIS IS HARMFUL AND UNNECESSARY AND OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE NEEDS OF ACTUAL RESIDENTS, I DO NOT WANT TO ARCHIVE YOUR PURPLE ACTION BY NAME IN MY POEMS BUT I WILL IF THAT IS HOW YOU CHOOSE TO BE REMEMBERED. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE , MY NAME IS GRACIE AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT BEFORE AND SPEAK FOR TEXAS RISING, HALF OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE CUTS IN THIS $200 MILLION DEFICIT ARE GOING STRAIGHT INTO RACES FOR THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES , ARE SOME OF THE HIGHEST PAID PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM. SB23 MAY PREVENT CUTS TO THE BUDGETS BUT YOU ARE INFLATING WHILE SLASHING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, JOB TRAINING, LIBRARY HOURS, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, AND MORE ON PASSING THIS BUDGET TELLS RESIDENTS THAT PUNISHMENT MATTERS MORE THAN PREVENTION , WHEN YOU CUT HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, LIBRARIES TO FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND GIVE THAT MONEY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU ARE NOT PREVENTING CRIME YOUR MANUFACTURING IT, TAKING MONEY FROM SAFETY AND SURVIVAL AND FOLLOWING IT INTO THE JAIL , REPLACING OPPORTUNITY WITH DEPRESSION AND CALLING IT SAFETY. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. SOMEBODY MENTIONED THE HEART PROGRAM AND ON SEPTEMBER 10TH AT 2024 WE APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET WHICH COVERED THE HEART EXPANSION, IT IS NOT NEW EVEN THOUGH IT IS BEING CELEBRATED AS NEW. 
          >> REBECCA FOLLOWED REPRESENTING MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF GREATER HOUSTON AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT , AS YOU CONSIDER THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET AND HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM BUDGET, I URGE YOU TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVEN THEIR WORTH . YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT STEWARDS OF PUBLIC TRUST, BALANCING THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE NEED TO ADDRESS OUR COUNTY'S MOST URGENT CHALLENGES, MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT BALANCE. IN 2024, MORE THAN 16,000 PEOPLE COMPLETED SCREENINGS , UP FROM 3420 19 , THIS REFLECTS BOTH A RISING NEED IN A RISING AWARENESS , COUNTY FUNDED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS ARE NOT LINE ITEMS, THEY PROVIDE ACCESS TO CRITICAL SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING, REDUCED REPEAT 911 CALLS AND LOWER JAIL OVERCROWDING THROUGH FASTER COMPETENCY RESTORATION AND RELIEVING THE PRESSURE ON OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS . THIS FREES UP 
          RESOURCES FOR OTHER PRIORITIES. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> LIZ BRADFORD, LILIANA . 
          >> GOOD MORNING, I AM THE BOARD PRESIDENT -- THE LOCAL AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND WE REPRESENT THE LARGEST GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS . I ALSO STAND BEFORE YOU AS A PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE WITH 30 YEARS OF EXPENSE AND THE MOTHER OF A NARRATIVE OR STARTER WHO STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. 
          THANK YOU JUDGE HIDALGO FOR CHAMPIONING OUR MENTAL HEALTH EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES . CUTTING MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING WILL COST US FAR MORE THAN MONEY, MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS, JAIL 
          [00:25:02]
DIVERSION AND CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAMS ARE EVIDENCE-BASED EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS THAT KEEP PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OUT OF JAIL, OUT OF OUR EMERGENCY ROOMS AT A LIFE, WITHOUT THIS, WE FACE MORE TRAGEDIES. MORE COST AND BROKEN FAMILIES . MENTAL HEALTH CARE IS ESSENTIAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY AND LESS PROTECTED AND CHOOSE CARE OVER CRISIS, TREATMENT OF HER TRAUMA, AND COMPASSION OVER CUTS. LET'S 
          KEEP HARRIS COUNTY STRONG. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, PRESIDENT OF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 48, TRINITY HOUSTON GARDENS AND HERE AS THE VOICE FOR THE WORKING MOTHER AND FATHER AND GRANDPARENTS WHO COULD TAKE OFF FOR THEIR HOURLY WAGE JOB TO MAKE THESE COMMENTS. IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE THAT WOMEN OF COLOR HAVE THE HIGHEST POVERTY RATE IN THIS COUNTY AND IN THIS STATE . MOST OFTEN THEY WORK FOR JUST ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE WHICH MAKES THEM HAVE LESS THAN $1500 PER MONTH. EVEN IN A TWO PERSON HOUSEHOLD , AND COMMUNITIES LIKE MINE, NORTHEAST USING TRINITY GARDENS, AND THE LIKE , WE ARE NOT ONLY HEALTHCARE INSECURE BUT FOOD INSECURE AND DAYCARE INSECURE. 
          WE MAY HAVE 10 ACTUAL DAYCARE OF ANY CALIBER FOR OVER 100,000 RESIDENTS . MOST PEOPLE LIVE JUST ABOVE THE POVERTY LEVEL, JUST BELOW POVERTY LEVEL, I AM SORRY, I AM TELLING YOU WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW MEDICAID IS BEEN CUT FOR WORKING PEOPLE, THEIR CHILDREN, AND OUR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU TO JUDGE HIDALGO FOR BEING A BOLD AND INNOVATIVE AND PASSIONATE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE ADVOCATE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY . 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR 
          NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> HUGHEY GERMAN WILSON. 
          >> MY NAME IS ELIZABETH BRADFORD AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 6 AND ALSO A LICENSED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER INSTRUCTOR WHO HAS SERVED AT THE CITY AND COUNTY AND REGIONAL AND STATE LEVELS . I WAS BORN HERE IN TEXAS AND RAISED IN HOUSTON . AS A CHILD, I BENEFITED GREATLY FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY MATERNAL AND FAMILY HEALTH PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS GAVE MY FAMILY AND SO MANY OTHERS ACCESS TO CARE , VACCINATIONS AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT SHAPE THE COURSE OF OUR LIVES, THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOT JUST MEDICAL SERVICES LIFELINES THAT THEY ENSURE HEALTHY PREGNANCIES, REDUCE INFANT MORTALITY , AND PREVENT COSTLY CRISIS LIKE MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE. I AM PROOF THAT THE WORK OF THIS COMMISSION IS SUCCESSFUL AND CAN BE SUCCESSFUL . BUT I HAVE ALSO SEEN WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE CUT , THE COST IS MEASURED IN LIVES LOST, FAMILIES BROKEN AND 
          COMMUNITIES -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU . 
          >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGING COMMISSIONERS, I AM HERE AS A NEW CEO OF SERVED JOBS THAT I AM ALSO JOINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF OUR BOARD, BRAD NEELY , AND THE TREASURER OF OUR BOARD, MARK . I AM HERE TODAY TO MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO EACH ONE OF YOU AND YOUR OFFICES TO TALK ABOUT WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT IT DOES . A COUPLE OF STATISTICS, IN 2024 , OVER 51 HOUSTONIANS CAME TO SERVE JOBS TO LOOK FOR HELP FOR A PATHWAY TO BETTER WORK AND MORE THAN 600,000 JOBS. THEIR WAGES JUMPED FROM $9.53 PER HOUR TO $16.69 PER HOUR , A LIFE-CHANGING INCREASE THAT STRENGTHENS FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS . 55% OF OUR GRADUATES ARE EMPLOYED WITHIN 90 DAYS OF GRADUATION, LAST YEAR ALONE, THEY GENERATED OVER $21 MILLION IN WAGES. RIGHT HERE FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THAT IS MONEY SPENT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES, PAYING LOCAL TAXES, AND FUELING OUR ECONOMY. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND I LOOK FORWARD TO SITTING DOWN WITH YOUR OFFICES SO THAT WE CAN GO AHEAD AND DISCUSS HOW WE CAN JOIN FORCES AND MAKE MORE -- WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SOMETHING FOR HARRIS 
          COUNTY . >> GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> JUDY CHAVEZ, OSCAR GONZALEZ, 
          TIFFANY, -- >> HI, I AM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT THE COUNCIL ON RECOVERY . A HOUSTON NONPROFIT SERVING FAMILIES IMPACTED BY ADDICTION AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS FOR NEARLY 80 YEARS . I AM HERE IN FRONT OF 
          [00:30:07]
THE COURT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PAST INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THAT WORK . IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN DRAMATIC INCREASES IN BOTH THE INCIDENCE AND INTENSITY OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND OTHER OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND WE KNOW THAT INVESTMENTS IN PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES CAN MAKE A DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN THE LIVES OF THE FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE . LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 42,000 . THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INVESTMENT, I WOULD ALSO OFFER THE COUNCIL AS A RESOURCE TO EACH OF YOUR OFFICES AS WE ARE TACKLING THESE COLLOCATED ISSUES AND TRYING TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY THE BEST PLACE POSSIBLE TO LIVE. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, OSCAR GONZALES, MEXICAN-AMERICAN SHERIFFS ORGANIZATION, WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE OTHER EMPLOYEE GROUPS BECAUSE , WITHOUT PEACE AND SAFE STREETS, WE HAVE NO PROSPERITY. PLEASE, MAKE SURE THAT YOU GO AHEAD AND VOTE TO SUPPLY THESE OFFICERS WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEED, RAISES, ALL THE EQUIPMENT, ALL 
          OF THAT. THANK YOU >> THANK YOU, SIR I WANT YOU TO KNOW, BECAUSE SOMEBODY REFERENCED IT EARLIER, SINCE 2022, I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR RACES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN SOME COLLEAGUES WALKED TO THE VOTE CAUSING HER TO BE NO RAISES BACK THEN. OF COURSE , LAST YEAR, EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN THE IDEA CAME, I SAID , YES, I ALREADY ADVOCATED BEFORE, AND WE CANNOT COMMIT TO THINGS WE CANNOT AFFORD . LET'S GO TO THE VOTERS, SURELY THEY WILL SUPPORT IT AND WE CAN AFFORD IT. COULD NOT GET SUPPORT . I SUPPORT YOU, I HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT SINCE 2022 . I DO NOT KNOW WHY THERE WAS MOBILIZATION AGAINST THE EFFORT TO GIVE RAISES TO THE TROOPS. BACK THEN. ANYWAY, AT THE SAME TIME, I AM A STEWARD OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SUPPORT SOMETHING WE DO NOT HAVE MONEY FOR THE SOLUTION WAS TO ASK THE VOTERS BUT PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO ASK THE VOTERS SO MY HANDS ARE TIED, I THINK I HAVE DEMONSTRATED MORE THAN CLEARLY THAT I BELIEVE THIS IS IMPORTANT, THERE IS ONLY SO 
          MUCH MONEY. >> CAN I RESPOND? 
          >> APPROACHED THE MICROPHONE. >> MAYBE THE SECURITY FORCE YOU AND OTHERS CARRY ARE DOWNGRADED AND MAYBE WE CAN AFFORD SOMETHING ELSE. THANK YOU. 
          >> GUYS, OKAY, THANK YOU, LOOK TO MINNESOTA BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO POLITICIZE SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THOSE KINDS OF MALIGNING THAT LEADS FOR ME TO RECEIVE THE KINDS OF THREATS AND HARASSMENT THAT I DO. WE WILL LISTEN TO THE 
          NEXT WEEK OR. >> GOOD MORNING, I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE REASONS WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN THE BUDGET AND TALK ABOUT FOREGONE REVENUE. THESE ARE DOLLARS THAT THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE LOSING OUT ON. THIS IS BASED ON AN IMPORTANT TAX ABATEMENT RELEASED LAST YEAR BY TEXAS CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT . FOR JUST ONE COUNTY APPROVED CHAPTER 312 AGREEMENT, WITH ENTERPRISE NAVIGATOR , FOR A 100% ABATEMENT, THE COUNTY IS GIVING UP $28.7 MILLION. WHICH IS ENOUGH TO FUND MOST OF THE EARLY REACH PROGRAMS . LET'S LOOK AT THREE OUT OF THE DOZENS MORE CORPORATE POLLUTERS WHO ARE RECEIVING TAX BREAKS IN THE COUNTY BECAUSE OF 313 AGREEMENT . EXXON MOBIL, $196 MILLION IN TAX BREAKS, CHEVRON , PHILIPS, $127 MILLION IN TAX RATES, -- TAX BREAKS . WHAT DID WE RECEIVE 
          INSTEAD? >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> AND 2016, AN ESTIMATED 1372 -- 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH . 
          >> BEFORE RAISING TAXES ON PEOPLE WHO WILL SEE THEIR 
          SERVICES CUT, THINK ABOUT -- >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE , AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE YOUTH, THE SENIORS AND SINGLE MOTHERS . DO NOT FORGET THE YOUTH , THEY NEED THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS , AND THE LIBRARIES. YOU HAVE SO MANY SINGLE PARENTS THAT DO NOT EVEN HAVE INTERNET. WE WANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE LIBRARIES ARE NEEDED FOR THE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND ON THE WEEKENDS . 
          [00:35:04]
ALSO, THE SENIORS, THEY HAVE AND WHERE THE SENIORS CANNOT CALL SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY HAVE TO GO IN AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, THEY ARE CUTTING LOW INCOME HOUSING FOR THE HOUSING PROGRAMS AND THE EDUCATION PROGRAM. KEEP IN MIND. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> FELIX. ERIC LACEY. THOMAS. 
          >> COMMISSIONERS , JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK , HARRIS COUNTY IS A LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST THE HARMS OF GUTTED SERVICES AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON , STATE OF TEXAS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AT THE SAME TIME SPENDING ON THE MILITARY PRISONS AND POLICE ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. RIGHT NOW , THE PROPOSED RAISES ENSURE THAT THE STARTING SALARIES FOR DEPUTIES IS ABOUT 10% HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE. 
          THAT IS BEFORE BENEFITS. 10% HIGHER THAN PEOPLE THAT EVEN WORK IN YOUR OFFICES . CLEARLY, THIS COURT IS SAYING THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE IS WITH GUNS AND HANDCUFFS, LET ME REPEAT THAT, CLEARLY, THIS COURT IS SAYING THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE IS WITH GUNS AND HANDCUFFS. THE PROPOSED RAISES NEED TO BE CUT , END OF STORY. WE NEED THE COUNTY TO PROTECT DEPARTMENTS PROVIDING SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN CUT MOST OF THE FEDERAL LEVEL INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, LIKE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE, POLLUTION CONTROL, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND FLOOD PROTECTION. WE ARE IN A POLITICAL MOMENT OF 
          VIOLENT AUSTERITY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS ERIC LACEY , PASTOR AND CEO OF TRUELOVE CHURCH, CHILDCARE IN HUMBLE. WE STARTED IN A RESPONSE TO A COMMUNITY WHEN PARENTS TOLD US WE NEED A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN AND THRIVE AND TODAY THAT MISSION IS UNDER THREAT, BUILDING APPRAISALS ARE UP, INSURANCE IS UP, UTILITIES AND FOOD ARE UP, THE OPERA FUNDS THAT KEPT US AFLOAT ARE RUNNING OUT NEXT YEAR AND THAT MEANS FUNDING FOR AS IS DOWN, THE MATH IS NOT MATHING, AN CHILD HEARD -- CHILDCARE DOORS CLOSED, PARENTS DO NOT WORK, BUSINESSES LOSE EMPLOYEES, WHEN THE MATH DOES NOT ADD UP , OUR ECONOMY TAKES A HIT, AND WE CANNOT BUILD HARRIS COUNTY'S FUTURE IF WE CANNOT EVEN CARE FOR HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN TODAY. WE NEED THIS PENNY TAX. THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO, FOR YOUR FIGHT. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING I AM VICE PRESIDENT OF -- I AM ALSO A REFUGEE FROM KOSOVO , 2025, FUNDING CUTS WERE MADE TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST REFUGEES RESETTLING IN THE UNITED STATES , REFUGEES ARE LEGALLY APPROVED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR RESETTLEMENT IN OUR COUNTRY. FOR OUR AGENCY MADERA 500 NEWLY ARRIVING REFUGEES WHO WILL NOT LONGER -- NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR PROGRAM ASSISTANCE, WE APPROACHED HARRIS COUNTY TO SEE IF THEY CAN ACCESS EXISTING HARRIS COUNTY RENTAL ASSISTANCE , WE WORKED WITH HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WHICH WORKED DIRECTLY WITH FAMILIES FOR UP TO THREE MONTHS . THIS HELP IS STILL NEEDED TO FILL THE GAP. IT HAS A BROADER ECONOMIC IMPACT IN HELPING REFUGEE FAMILIES TRANSITION. WE 
          ARE APPRECIATIVE AND GRATEFUL. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, TOM, A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. I WAS SURPRISED , WE STARTED THIS MEETING WITHOUT PRAYER OR PLEDGES , I WANT TO THANK GOD FOR EVERYONE THAT IS HERE I WANT TO THANK THE ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR THEIR HARD WORK . 
          HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR THE VOTERS . THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE COUNTY IS TO HANDLE INFRASTRUCTURE , SAFETY, AND FLOOD MITIGATION. USING TEMPORARY FUNDS TO START A NEW PROGRAM IS PHYSICALLY IRRESPONSIBLE . PLEASE KEEP THIS 
          [00:40:02]
IN MIND AS YOU WORK ON THE BUDGET AND ELIMINATE THE CURRENT DEFICIT OF OVERSPENDING. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> SARAH. NORAH PIERCE, TERRY 
          CHEN, REGINA TROTTER. >> GOOD MORNING , COMMISSIONERS COURT. FOR THIS UPCOMING BUDGET , I REALLY WANT YOU TO SUSTAIN THE COMMUNITIES , PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING , PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING IN HARRIS COUNTY. HOMELESS PEOPLE , PEOPLE EMBRACING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES SHOULD NOT BE PUT INTO BRAND-NEW SHINY JAILS. PLEASE, DO NOT DIRECT FUNDING TOWARDS A NEW JAIL , IT WILL NOT SUPPORT ANYONE AND NOT UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY , THAT NEEDS TO BE NOURISHED IN ROOMS THAT ACTUALLY HELP US SURVIVE FOR THE FUTURE . WE NEED TO MOVE TOWARDS A LIBERATION FOR US ALL AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE INCARCERATION. 
          PLEASE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? 
          >> SARAH. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> HI, NORAH PIERCE WITH COMMUNITY, NOT CAGES AND SPEAKING AGAINST CREATING MENTAL HEALTH JAILS OR A LARGE CURRENT JAIL HOLDING CAPACITY , THE IDEA BEHIND MENTAL HEALTH JAILS WHICH RELIES ON THE SEPARATION OF INDIVIDUALS DEEMED UNWELL FROM SOCIETY IS AFTER IT BECAME CLEAR THAT GERMANY HAD BEEN INSPIRED BY OUR TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS FROM THE SOUTHERN BORDER BUT ALSO BY OUR TREATMENT OF THE MENTALLY ILL AND DISABLED . IF ENLARGING JAILS REDUCE CRIME, IT WOULD HAVE WORKED BY NOW , CONNECTING TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS REMOVING FROM SOCIETY HELP THE MENTALLY ILL, AMERICA WOULD HAVE SOME OF THE LOWEST RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE WORLD, I IMPLORE YOU NOT USE COUNTY FUNDS TO REPEAT HISTORY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, TERRY CHEN, A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 RECENTLY , WE HOSTED A COUNTY BUDGET TEACH IN AND ASKED THE COMMUNITY WHAT THE SAFETY LOOK LIKE, THEY SAID ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, LANGUAGE ACCESS , AFFORDABLE HOUSING, JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING , CHILD AND ELDER CARE, ACCESS TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES, AND CLEAN AIR AND GREEN SPACES . I WANT YOU TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AS YOU FINALIZE THE COUNTY BUDGET . I WANT TO SHARE A STORY OF MY COLLEAGUE'S NEPHEW, A RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATE DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR A JOB, THE ONLY THING HE COULD FIND WAS TO BE A COP, YOU MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE ANY OTHER OPTIONS AND INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND STOP DEFUNDING DEPARTMENTS TO INCREASE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET TO GIVE OUR YOUNG GENERATIONS OPTIONS BEHIND A SYSTEM THAT INCARCERATES MURDERS -- KEEPING OUR FAMILIES TOGETHER WILL KEEP US SAFE. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING , COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE, MY NAME IS REGINA TROTTER, OF PRECINCT 2, WITH PURE JUSTICE . I STAND BEFORE YOU NOT AS A CONSTITUENT, BUT AS A WITNESS TO THE ENDURING FAILURES OF SYSTEMS THAT CRIMINALIZE POVERTY. MILITARIZE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AGAINST US. IT IS TIME TO DIVERSE FROM CARS OR LOGISTICS AND INVEST IN LIFE-GIVING SYSTEMS SUCH AS HOUSING, HEALTHCARE , AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES. EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON PUNISHMENT IS A DOLLAR TAKEN FROM PROACTIVE SOLUTIONS . WE ARE DEMANDING A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THE DIGNITY OF OUR PEOPLE. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> CARLA WEST, RAIN EATMAN, 
          CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. MO. >> GOOD MORNING . MY NAME IS 
          [00:45:02]
CARLA WEST AND I AM A PROUD RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. 
          DURING THIS MEETING , YOU WILL BE ASKED TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE DEPUTIES TO ACHIEVE PARITY WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WHILE I AGREE AND SUPPORT ANYONE BEING PAID FAIRLY FOR THEIR WORK, I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS INCREASE . I ASK YOU NOT TO INCREASE THEIR SALARIES BECAUSE DOING SO WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE CORRECT OR CORRECT THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE NEED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHICH IS PUBLIC SAFETY. THERE WAS AN ARTICLE WRITTEN IN MAY 16TH OF IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH BETTER ACCOUNTABILITY AND PREVENTION . 
          INSTEAD, LEADERS OF ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION STRATEGIES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE THE MOST DURABLE GAINS IN SAFETY, SUCH AS EXPANDING PUBLIC SAFETY , AND LOOKING AT A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH. PLEASE , USE OUR RESOURCES -- 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING , I AM A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT 2 BUT ALSO A WORKER IN PRECINCT 1 AND HERE ON BEHALF OF PURE JUSTICE . 
          I WANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO BRING FORTH SOME FACTS THAT MAY NOT BE EVIDENT TO THE PUBLIC. I AM PRETTY SURE THESE ARE FACTS THIS BOARD IS AWARE OF , AS OF RIGHT NOW, TEXAS ONLY COLLECTS SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAXES, WE DO NOT COLLECT INCOME TAX OR BUSINESS TAXES, HARRIS COUNTY CAN ONLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A PERCENTAGE OF THOSE TAXES BECAUSE OF AN ARTIFICIAL CAP THAT WAS PUT ON BY THE STATE GOVERNMENT. AS OF RIGHT NOW, SEVERAL FEDERAL GRANTS AND FUNDING ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND THERE IS NO INDICATION THOSE STATE FUNDING FOR FEDERAL FUNDINGS WILL BE PROVIDED MOVING FORWARD , AS WELL AS WE ALREADY KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL ATTACKS ON THE VALIDITY OF PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN HELPING IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE 
          COUNTY . ALSO, -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> WOW, CRAZY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, NATIVE RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I WILL SPEAK ON ITEMS 1 AND 2 INVOLVING THE BUDGET , WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM, TOLLROAD , FLOOD DISTRICT, WITH PRECINCT 5 , 15, PRECINCT 5, OLD BUSINESS WITH THE CONSTABLES, WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ABUSING THE AUTHORITY AND BEEN PROVEN IN COURT. THEY HAD A COMMITTEE AN INFORMAL HEARING, IT NEEDS TO BE REEVALUATED AND TOUCH ON 22, WE NEED MORE TRANSPARENCY, A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT WITHIN HIS DEPARTMENT AND WE GOT ACCESS TO MORE DATA TO ACCESS FACTORS, TO COME UP WITH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY . INSTEAD, WE HAVE COMMUNITY BUDGET SHORTFALLS AND I HAVE BEEN COMING TO COMMISSIONERS COURT REQUESTING INTERGOVERNMENTAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH THE STAFF WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT BUT NO RESPONSE. I WAS IN A COMMISSION LAST WEEK AND WAS SUPPOSED TO READ A CALL -- 
          >> WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO UPLIFT THE COMMUNITY -- 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON , THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY PLAINLY AND CLEARLY , INVEST IN CARE, NOT CAGES . I WANT YOU TO INVEST IN A 25 YEAR PLAN, I WANT YOU TO DO THE THINGS THAT ARE UNCOMFORTABLE, YOU HAVE ANOTHER POSITIONS TO TAKE A MOMENT IN TIME AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH, 25 YEARS FROM NOW, THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE, WILL YOU REGRET THAT? WILL THERE BE A HARRIS COUNTY WITH ALL THE FLOODING? WHAT I ASKED FOR YOU , PLEASE INVEST IN COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO SAY ONE LAST THING, IF YOU -- A FEW FACTS, TRIED TO STOP OUTSOURCING, DROPPED ONTO THE FACILITY IS EIGHT HOURS AND 43 MINUTES OR 500 TO MILES, I EXPECT FAMILIES TO SEE THEIR LOVED ONES, THE TRAUMA OF FAMILY SEPARATION LAST LIFETIMES, NOT JUST ONE LIFETIME, NOT SAYING THAT JUST -- 
          IS HOW I LOST MY FATHER. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> KENNETH BROWN. CAMERON ADAMS . TIA RICHARDSON, JONATHAN . 
          [00:50:11]
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT , GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. I URGE YOU TO KNOW THAT THE POOR WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US AND THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEED TO HELP THE POOR. AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP, FROM EDUCATION AND HOUSING, YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD. I COME ONCE AGAIN TO ASK YOU TO BE MINDFUL , TO BE THOUGHTFUL, TO KNOW THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS NEED YOUR HELP. IF WE ARE NOT IN YOUR DISTRICT , WE STILL NEED YOU TO HELP WITH THE BUDGET . I RECOMMEND YOU TO CAREFULLY, ONCE AGAIN , CONSIDER THE BUDGET AND THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE IN THE 
          COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH . >> THANK YOU . 
          >> THURSDAY GREETINGS, EVERYONE . MY NAME IS TIA RICHARDSON AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF PURE JUSTICE WE ARE ASKING IF YOU COULD BE OPEN-MINDED TO THE CONCERNS THAT OUR COMMUNITIES HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, SUCH AS FUNDING AND HOW WE COULD BE UTILIZED MORE EFFICIENTLY. MANY OF US ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF A LACK OF INTENTIONAL RESOURCES, WHERE IT CAN BE UTILIZED TOWARDS OUR STREETLIGHT AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR KIDS, FOOD PICKUPS FOR THOSE IN NEED, LIKE THE HOMELESS, COOLING CENTERS FOR THOSE HOMELESS WHEN, IN THE SCORCHING HEAT, AND STORM RESILIENCE SUCH AS HURRICANES, FLOODS. AS WE KNOW, STORMS ARE INEVITABLE HERE. WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE VERSUS REACTIVE AND ASKING FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND OPENNESS IN THIS MATTER. MY NAME IS TIA RICHARDSON AND I AM WITH PURE 
          JUSTICE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> HELLO, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK , CAMERON ADAMS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM 1, EVERY DAY HOUSTONIANS WAKE UP AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, FIND A WAY TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE THEY ARE DRIVING OR THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION THEY USE WILL GET THEM TO WORK ON TIME. THE COUNTY AND CITY FUNDS NUMEROUS SERVICES THAT MAKE RESIDENCE LIFE EASIER BUT OUR BUDGET INDICATES THEIR DAILY LIVES ARE NOT BEING CONSIDERED . 
          INSTEAD, WE ARE DISCUSSING RAISING HOMEOWNER TAXES, OR TAKING FUNDING AWAY FROM ESSENTIAL SERVICES OR COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAMS THAT MAKE EVERYDAY EASIER FOR HOUSTONIANS TO APPEASE LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU ALL SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT PARENTS CAN RELY ON THE SUMMER READING HOURS TO CATCH A BREAK AND STRONG HEAD START PROGRAMS TO FUEL THE EDUCATIONS OF YOUR NEXT DOCTOR'S, TEACHERS, AND POLITICIANS . THE SOLUTION TO THE DEFICIT CANNOT BE CONTINUOUSLY CUT BUDGETS FROM IMPORTANT SERVICES, WE NEED NON-REGRESSIVE TAX INCREASES TO 
          FUND PROGRAMS WE SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JONATHAN, THIS IS REPRESENTED IN MEMBER OF IUC 31, SUPPORTING FUNDING OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FOR THE GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION ADVANTAGE PROGRAM. THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED. THE FUNDING HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR OUR COMMUNITY , IT HAS ALLOWED US TO STRENGTHEN MULTIPLE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THESE PROGRAMS ARE NOT JUST ABOUT TRAINING WORKERS, THEY ARE ABOUT BUILDING FUTURES WITH THESE FUNDS, CONSTRUCTORS HAVE OBTAINED EQUIPMENT SUCH AS THE MOBILE WELDING FACILITY, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, SKILLS AND WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS LESS FORTUNATE. PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE HAD A PATHWAY INTO A GOOD PAYING AND STABLE CAREER OTHERWISE, WE HAVE OPENED THE DOORS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, VETERANS, AND THOSE LOOKING FOR A SECOND CHANCE. WE HAVE RECRUITED AND RETAINED 60 HARRIS COUNTY APPRENTICES THAT ARE TAXPAYERS, HOMEOWNERS, AND 
          LEADERS. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> DO YOU NEED A COUPLE MORE 
          SECONDS? >> YES, SIR. I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS AND SUPPORT 
          [00:55:01]
BEYOND 2026, YOU HAVE HELPED MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A LEADER IN THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRULY BELIEVE WE CAN CONTINUE BUILDING THAT SUCCESS TOGETHER. ON BEHALF OF WORKING MEN AND WOMEN , I STAND WITH, I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU CONTINUE TO FUND THESE VITAL PROGRAMS AS WE KEEP MOVING OUR COMMUNITY 
          FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK 
          YOU DO. >> THANK YOU . 
          >> 
          >> GOOD MORNING . I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I HAVE A QUESTION FOR COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WITH VOTING ON THIS BUDGET, WILL YOU REMEMBER THE WORKING FAMILIES YOU WILL BE SWINDLING OUT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES YOU CLAIM TO BRING TO THEM? WE DO NOT NEED THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO GET THE PAY RAISES, OF ALL THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENT WILL FACE THE CHOPPING BLOCK, HARRIS COUNTY IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE TO PROTECT FUNDING FOR THESE RESIDENTS AND WE HAVE SEEN FUNDING TO PUBLIC SERVICES, IS PERSONAL BECAUSE I FOUND THAT MY GRANDFATHER HAS BONE CANCER AND IT WASN'T MY FAMILY AND MY FAMILY AND I DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCES TO COVER TESTING AND TREATMENT IF IT COMES TO THAT AND WE HAVE TO RELY ON PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, IT IS OUR ONLY OPTION. THE SAME REALITY THOUSANDS OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS FACE WHEN THE CITIZENS ARE -- SUPPORT THIS PAY RAISE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AT THE BARE MINIMUM , SPREAD THE PAY RATES OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS SO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET DOES NOT SPIRAL THE DEFICIT OUT OF CONTROL AND WE CAN KEEP THESE PUBLIC SERVICE IS RUNNING AND YOU CAN HAVE THE SUPPORT OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR 
          TIME. >> LANGUAGE ] 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GOOD AFTERNOON , SPANISH INTERPRETER, ALL OF US AND THE BAD DECISIONS , FIRST OFF, IT IS NOT THE TIME FOR THIS INCREASED TO THE POLICE WHEN THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT EXIST FOR OUR SECURITY AND OUR COMMUNITY . AND NO CONTROL OF THE GUN-CONTROL THAT IS WHY THEY ARE ALLOWING TO FORGIVE THE TAXES TO THE MILLIONAIRES WITH PROPERTIES THAT ARE WORTH MORE THAN $1 MILLION. ALSO WAS SOMETHING SERIOUS AND IMPORTANT IS THE BUSINESS AND THAT REFINERIES , THEY PAY THEIR TAXES THAT ARE -- AND THEY INVEST IN THE PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE VULNERABLE. EACH AND ALL OF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PROBLEMS WITH THE MONEY THAT IS ALSO OCCURRING WITH THE INCREASES OF THE TAXES . THOSE ARE HARMING OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE LOW RESOURCES FOR MINIMUM INAUDIBLE ] . THOSE ARE DAMAGING OUR STORAGES WITH HIGH PRICES THAT ARE HERE NOW. I INVITE ALL OF YOU ALL -- POLITICIANS OF HARRIS COUNTY TO DONATE YOUR OWN SALARIES FOR THOSE PROGRAMS FOR THE KIDS THAT ARE BEING AFFECTED IN THE FUTURE IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE , I AM PART OF THE COMMUNITIES NOT CAGES COALITION I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY, NOT JUST AS AN ADVOCATE BUT A HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY AND CITY. EVERY PERSON IN HARRIS COUNTY DESERVES TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND LIVE IN SAFETY . THE WAY THIS COUNTY CHOOSES TO SPEND THE BUDGET SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT WHO YOU ARE CHOOSING TO CENTER. 
          [01:00:01]
WHEN YOU DEFUND HOUSING PUBLIC HEALTH , LIBRARIES, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, YOU ARE NOT JUST MAKING CUTS BUT TEARING INTO THE SAFETY NET THAT KEEPS OUR COMMUNITIES HEALTHY AND SAFE HE AND SAFE, AT THE SAME TIME FUNNELING MILLIONS MORE INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHICH DIRECTLY COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE RELY ON TO SURVIVE . THE COUNTY SHOULD BE STEPPING UP TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM HARM CAUSED BY THE STATE AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL . INSTEAD, YOU ARE DEEPENING THE HARM, HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS DESERVE LEADERS WHO WILL INVEST IN CARE AND NOT CONTROL, WHO SAID HER DIGNITY AND NOT PUNISHMENT AND I URGE 
          YOU TO REMEMBER WHO WE SERVE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> JASON, JOHN, MATTHEW GONZALEZ, KRISTI. 
          >> GOOD MORNING . QUICK PROCEDURAL QUESTION, YOU PREVIOUSLY TOOK PUBLIC COMMENTS AND IT IS GOING TO A FINAL VOTE TODAY ON THE PROPOSAL TO RAISE PAY FOR MY DEPUTY, CONSTABLES AND SHERIFFS, THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE TO RAISE THE SALARY FOR THE ELECTED SHERIFF AND ELECTED CONSTABLES ? 
          >> I WILL LET YOU CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I THINK IS HAPPENING , THE MAJORITY OF COURT ALREADY APPROVED THE PAY FOR THE DEPUTIES , WHICH IS WITHOUT FINDING A WAY TO FUND IT, WHY WE ARE $100 MILLION -- $200 IN THE HOLE. TODAY, AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENT, WE WILL VOTE ON POTENTIAL COST-SAVING MEASURES AND ALSO VOTING ON A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF THE ELECTED CONSTABLES . IS THERE SOMETHING 
          ELSE THAT IS ADDITIONAL COSTS? >> THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF , IN ADDITION TO THE DISTRICT COURT. 
          >> TO RAISE THE SALARIES OF THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES . THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT -- THE RAISES FOR THE TROOPS HAVE BEEN DONE, AND THERE HAS BEEN A REJECTION OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO PAY FOR THAT. 
          >> OKAY. SO, IF WE ARE JUST TALKING ABOUT PAY RAISES FOR NINE ELECTED OFFICIALS, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR MORE PROFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICERS , THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES ARE PUBLICLY ELECTED, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS VERY LITTLE INFLUENCE ON WHO LEADS THOSE OFFICES BUT THEY CAN CHOOSE THEIR SALARIES . IN A FREE MARKET, HIGHER PAY TO ATTRACT MORE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND KEEPING THE ELECTED HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE COMPETITIVE IN PAY WITH OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS IN TEXAS WILL MAKE SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY MAINTAINS THE HIGHEST QUALITY IN THEIR ELECTED SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES AND THEY ARE THE ONES THAT SET THE BAR FOR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS WITHIN THEIR AGENCIES. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR 
          NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> JASON BOOKTER. 
          >> JOHN, RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4 AND SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PAID PARITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, NOT JUST ABOUT FAIRNESS BUT RESPECT AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, OUR CHEF AND CONSTABLE CHILDREN THE SAME RISKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND SACRIFICES AS OTHER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEIR PATIENT REFLECT THAT, EQUAL WORK DESERVES EQUAL PAY, LET'S HONOR THEIR SERVICE AND VALUE THEIR DEDICATION AND ENSURE THEY RECEIVE THE COMPENSATION THEY HAVE EARNED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR 
          TIME. >> THANK YOU . 
          >> MY NAME IS KRISTI AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, NOT DETENTION OFFICES, NOT COMMUNICATION OFFICERS , BUT THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED BACKBONE OF OUR OPERATIONS . THESE ARE THE MARGINALIZED EMPLOYEES OF OUR AGENCY AND I WOULD WAGER THAT THEY HOLD THE SAME STATUS WITH EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE COUNTY FOR YEARS, THESE EMPLOYEES HAVE GONE WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PAY INCREASES BUT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUMS, INCREASES HELPING TO FUND THE RAISES OF OTHERS, ONE EMPLOYEE TOLD ME HER NEW INSURANCE RATE WILL INCREASE $300 PER MONTH, THAT IS A PAY DECREASE OVERALL OF $3600 PER YEAR. SEVERAL OF YOU CHAMPION THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES BUT WITHIN YOUR OWN AGENCIES YOU ARE ALLOWING , EVEN CREATING, ANOTHER MARGINALIZED GROUP . THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES PROCESSED THE PAPERWORK, MANAGE CRITICAL SYSTEMS , AND KEEP OPERATIONS MOVING FORWARD BUT THEY ARE TREATED -- 
          [01:05:04]
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> FINISH HER SENTENCE . 
          >> I URGE YOU TO EVALUATE THE INSURANCE PREMIUM STRUCTURE AND BASE SALARY FOR THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES . IF YOU TRULY STAND FOR MARGINALIZED PEOPLE, STAND FOR ALL OF THEM, INCLUDING THOSE THAT SERVE IN YOUR OWN AGENCIES. THEY KEEP THIS COUNTY RUNNING . 
          THEY DESERVE FAIR PAY AND FAIR TREATMENT AND ANYTHING LESS IS 
          HYPOCRISY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO, MATTHEW GONZALES , THANK YOU FOR THE CLARITY AND THE COMMISSIONERS WHO SIGNED ON FOR THE COPS IN HARRIS COUNTY PAY RAISE. SINCE COVID, YOU INHERITED ROUGHLY 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND YOU NEED YOUR COPS, DEFUNDING THE POLICE HAS BEEN TRIED AND FAILED. WE DO NOT NEED TO EXPERIMENT WITH THAT. THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFFS NEED TO BE PAID IN LINE WITH THEIR DEPUTIES GETTING PAID MORE, THEY ARE THE LEADERS AND THEY NEED TO KEEP THE SHIP GOING, THEY NEED TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP COPS IN THEIR POSITION AND NOT GO ELSEWHERE, HARRIS COUNTY IS A PLACE IN TEXAS WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE TO, WE CAN FIND WAYS TO GENERATE THE INCOME NEEDED FOR THAT, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DIFFERENT LANDS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND STRUCTURE THAT IN WAYS THAT GENERATE REVENUE BECAUSE BUSINESSES ARE COMING AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO COME, REVENUE 
          AND JOBS WILL POUR IN. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU >> CYNTHIA , MARIAH . EVELYN . 
          >> GOOD MORNING CYNTHIA COLE. I AM AN ADVOCATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR LOCAL 50-50 AND I WANTED TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE YOU MADE A GREAT EFFORT TO DO A COST-OF-LIVING WAGE INCREASE, RIGHT? BUT I DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME, THERE USED TO BE A SAYING, ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL, WHEN YOU HAVE A BILL, PAUL IS BROKE, SO IS PETER AND THEY CANNOT CALL SAMANTHA SO YOU HAVE TO COME TO A DECISION THAT IS A BALANCE. I AM HERE TO SAY, DO NOT BALANCE THIS BUDGET ON THE BACK OF THE EMPLOYEES, DO NOT TAKE AWAY THE BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY RETIREES WHO NEED PRESCRIPTIONS AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY GAVE THEIR SWEAT EQUITY , YOU CANNOT GIVE THEM TIME BACK, DO NOT BALANCE THIS BUDGET BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PENSIONS, THE PIGEON IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE HAD, DO NOT TAKE AWAY FROM IT, DO NOT TRY TO DEFINE IT, YOU CANNOT GIVE THEM BACK THEIR 
          SWEAT EQUITY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> DID YOU HAVE A FEW MORE THOUGHTS? 
          >> I WAS GOING TO END BY SAYING THIS, YOU ALL HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS PICKLE. PLEASE, DO NOT LET SOMEONE DIRECTLY FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT WHO JUST GOT HERE TO DETERMINE WHO HAS BEEN HERE. YOU SHOULD GET AN INCREASE OR A DECREASE. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> MORNING, I AM KEN, PRECINCT 1 RESIDENT, ABC 13 RECENTLY REPORTED HOMICIDE RATES IN HOUSTON ARE UP 260% , PROOF THAT THE CURRENT PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURE DOES NOT WORK . ADDING $150 MILLION FOR INCREASED POLICE SALARIES TO ADD TO OUR DEFICIT WILL NOT BREAK THAT CYCLE. IT WILL DEEPEN IT . THERE WAS AN ALTERNATE PATHWAY , AS WASHINGTON POST SHARED, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, LONG KNOWN AS AMERICA'S MOST VIOLENT CITY RECORDED THE LOWEST HOMICIDE RATES IN 50 YEARS, THEY DID THIS BY INVESTING MILLIONS OF THE ARPA FUNDS INTO COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT . 
          THE RESULTS , HOMICIDE IS DOWN A RECORD LOW 24%, BALTIMORE PROVES, WHEN YOU SO WHEN THE PEOPLE, YOU READ PIECE IN THE STREETS, FOLLOW THE PATHWAY, I AM ASKING THIS COURT TO BUILD YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS, FUND PREVENTION, CREATE SAFE SPACES 
          FOR USE SO THEY CAN THRIVE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> SAY NO TO INCREASED POLICE BUDGETS AND YES TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, THANK YOU MADAM JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS . 
          >> THANK YOU . >> HELLO, MY NAME IS EVELYN AND I'M WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH AND WRITING TO PROTEST THE HARRIS COUNTY PROPOSED 2026 BUDGET WITH THE DEFICIT EXCEEDING $300 MILLION AND INCREASED HARRIS COUNTY 
          [01:10:02]
SHERIFF'S OFFICE SALARIES . I BELIEVE THERE IS A CRITICAL NEED FOR MORE EFFICIENT SPENDING. I PROPOSE THAT FUNDING BE REALLOCATED TO REVAMPING BROKEN DOWN HOMES AND BUILDINGS TO GREAT RESOURCE HUBS. THESE COULD OFFER LIMITED FOOD SUPPLIES AND CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO PATHWAYS THAT ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY . 
          THESE RESOURCES COULD ALSO PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESOURCES FOR YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN AFTERSCHOOL AND WEEKEND PROGRAMS, THIS WOULD OFFER PARENTS MORE TIME TO WORK KNOWING THERE ARE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AS DIMINISHED OVER TIME, PUTTING MORE POLICE WILL NOT HELP COMMUNITIES BE BASED ON THAT IS WHERE EVERYTHING IS ROOTED FROM. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, AS A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT 4, I AM SPEAKING IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISES , COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOUR VOTE WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT HER OWN CONSTITUENTS, SOMEONE WHO USES THE VALUE TRAIL OFTEN, HEARTBREAKING TO KNOW THAT SPACES LIKE THAT AND VITAL HEALTH PROGRAMS COULD FACE CUTS BECAUSE OF THIS DECISION. 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUNG PEOPLE IN YOUR PRECINCT NEED HOUSING SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTHCARE, JOB AXIS, NOT MORE PATROL UNITS AT THE COST OF THE SERVICES THEY RELY ON. 
          COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU SPEAK OFTEN ABOUT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BUT YOU ARE APPROVED RAISES WITHOUT A CLEAR PLAN TO PAY FOR THEM. NOW THE REST OF US ARE EXPECTED TO ABSORB THE CONSEQUENCES. COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND RODDY, THANK YOU FOR VOTING KNOW AND RECOGNIZE SAFETY COMES FROM MORE THAN JUST LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT COMES FROM INVESTING IN PEOPLE , THIS IS NOT ABOUT BEING ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT IS ABOUT BEING PRO-REASON AND THIS DECISION IS UNREASONABLE. THANK YOU. 
          >> MICHAEL GALLOWAY , BRADY LEWIS , SAID THAT YOU -- CYNTHIA 
          CRUZ, EDGAR. >> MY NAME 104060, ALSO NOTICED MICHAEL GALLOWAY, A STATE RACE CHILD, I WAS RAISED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHEN I WAS A KID, I COMMITTED A CRIME BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF SURVIVAL. IT LED ME TO THE PRISON SYSTEM AND WHERE I STAYED UNTIL I WAS 29 YEARS OLD. I STAND BEFORE YOU TO PROTEST AGAINST RAISING THE BUDGET AND INCREASING SALARIES FOR POLICE . INSTEAD, LET'S FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION AND ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION , ESPECIALLY FOR YOUTH , IT SHOWS WE ONLY USE 3% OF OUR BUDGET FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, WE NEED MENTORS , WE NEED PROGRAMS IN THIS COMMUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE, WE HAVE ENOUGH FIREFIGHTERS, WE NEED MORE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AND SMOKE DETECTORS IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE SO LET'S FOCUS ON PREVENTION INSTEAD OF INTERVENTION. THANK 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS 
          ON YOUR PATH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS BRADY LEWIS AND I AM REPRESENTING YOUTH , REPRESENTING THE VULNERABLE AND REPRESENTING THOSE WHO CANNOT REPRESENT THEMSELVES . I AM REPRESENTING THOSE WHO OFTEN DO NOT GET SECOND CHANCES, WHOSE ONLY CHANCES ARE EITHER DEATH , THE STREETS, PRISON, REPRESENTING THOSE WHO POUR INTO YOUNG PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES AND ASKING YOU TO TAKE THIS TIME TO REEVALUATE WHERE YOU ARE POURING YOUR INVESTMENT IN AND WHAT YOU ARE REPRESENTING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE NOT JUST OUR FUTURE BUT OUR PRESENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUR FUTURE, WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUR PRESENT, I AM ASKING YOU TO PRIORITIZE THEIR NEEDS AND THE CHANCES THEY GET WHILE THEY RESIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK 
          YOU. >> HELLO, I AM WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH, A MENTOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY IS ALREADY AMONG THE HIGHEST PAID IN TAXES , SO MUCH SO THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO MY MENTEES WHO I WORK WITH IN ADDRESS COMMUNITIES THAT WOULD BE A CAREER PATHWAY I WOULD RECOMMEND TO THEM THAT WOULD SUSTAIN THEM IN OUR AREAS WHERE WE -- INAUDIBLE ] WE NEED MORE HELP WITH OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND WITH YOUTH TO GUIDE THEM TOWARDS EVEN CAREERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FIREFIGHTERS, BUT THOSE THINGS CANNOT HAPPEN IF THEY DO NOT HAVE PROGRAMS THAT TEACH THEM ABOUT THAT. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CYNTHIA CRUZ. WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OUR BUDGET CUTS ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS ON PAPER BUT LIVES AND DREAMS AND FUTURE IS AT STAKE, EVERY DAUGHTER TAKEN AWAY 
          [01:15:04]
IS A RESOURCE STOLEN FROM OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES AND VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS. THESE CUTS MEET LARGER CLASS SIZES , FEWER PROGRAMS AND LESS SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST. WE CANNOT STAND BY FOR OUR LEADERS BALANCE THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR WORKERS AND OUR FUTURE, WE DEMAND PRIORITIES THAT PUT OUR PEOPLE OVER PROFITS AND INVESTMENTS OVER NEGATIVE -- NEGLIGENCE. THANK YOU. 
          >> JADA. MARILYN. JULIO MEDINA. ALEX CAMPBELL. 
          >> GOOD MORNING , I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO PROTEST THE HARRIS COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET FOR YEAR 2026 . POLICING DOES NOT ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME . IN OUR COMMUNITY, MOST CRIMES ARE DRIVEN BY POVERTY , MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION AND LACK OF OPPORTUNITY INCREASING THE POLICE BUDGET DOES NOT SOLVE HOUSING INSECURITY, FOOD DESERTS , OR UNDERFUNDED SCHOOLS, ALL OF WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO CYCLES OF CRIME. THE CITY IS TRYING TO INCREASE POLICE SALARIES WHILE HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SERVICES ARE WELL UNDERFUNDED . OVER POLICING CAN HARM COMMUNITIES WHICH CAN LEAD TO TRAUMA AND MISTRUST. WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN WHERE POLICE USE THEIR POWER TO ABUSE THE SYSTEM AND THAT IS WHAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE HAPPENED IF THERE IS A SALARY INCREASE . INSTEAD OF INCREASING POLICE BUDGETS, PUBLIC FUNDS SHOULD BE INVESTED IN COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROVIDE LONG-TERM BENEFITS TO SOCIETY. SUCH AS VIOLENT INTERRUPTION PROGRAMS -- 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> MY NAME IS MARILYN WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH AND I SPEAK ON THE HARRIS COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2026, I BELIEVE THERE ARE MORE EFFICIENT WAYS TO USE THE BUDGET FOR OUR COMMUNITY, INCREASING POLICE AND CONSTABLE SALARIES IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUDGET DEFICIT SINCE THE WRONG MESSAGE ABOUT OUR PRIORITIES, YOU ALREADY ALLOCATED SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF COUNTY FUNDS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT WHILE VITAL SERVICES SUCH AS YOUTH PROGRAMS AND MENTAL HEALTHCARE, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED VIOLENCE PREVENTION IS UNDERFUNDED AND MAY FACE CUTS. PUBLIC SAFETY IS MORE THAN BADGES AND PATROL CARS, IT IS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AND STABLE HOUSING, QUALITY EDUCATION, AND RESOURCES THAT PREVENT HARM BEFORE IT HAPPENS. HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET SHOULD REFLECT A COMMITMENT TO THESE SOLUTIONS . 
          I WANT ON THE RECORD TO SHOW THAT OUR COMMUNITIES WILL CONTINUE TO CALL FOR BUDGETS THAT PUT PEOPLE FIRST. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS JULIO , A CREDIBLE MESSENGER FROM COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH, CURRENTLY THE BUDGET ON THE WEBSITE SHOWS WE WOULD BE IN THE NEGATIVE BY OVER $300 MILLION WITH A DRASTIC INCREASE IN SALARY FOR HCSO STAFF, MORE EFFICIENT WAYS TO UTILIZE THE BUDGET FOR SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH, MANY INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN WHICH PUTS ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, I BELIEVE THAT A POTENTIAL COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE CAN BE THE CREATION AND FUNDING OF LOCAL OUTREACH CENTERS THAT PROVIDE FREE COUNSELING, JOB TRAINING, MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS FOR OUR YOUTH. NONPROFITS AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS COULD EXPAND THE SERVICES QUICKLY AND AT A LOWER COST. WHILE ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO CRIME AND INSTABILITY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS . REAL CHANGE COMES WHEN WE PULL THE PROBLEM BY THE ROOT NOT JUST 
          TRIM AROUND IT. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS ALEX CAMPBELL AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND HERE WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOU TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE PROPOSED INCREASES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. I HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR AND WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW OFTEN WE USE STOPGAPS RATHER THAN ADDRESSING ROOT CAUSES . EVERY INDEPENDENT STUDY WILL SHOW THAT THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT OUR YOUTH AND PREVENT VIOLENCE IS TO INVEST IN ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE , AFFORDABLE HOUSING, QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION. I URGE YOU TO PRIORITIZE SOLUTIONS OVER STOPGAPS GOING FORWARD. THANK 
          YOU. >> GERARD BROWN, ADONTE STERLING, DAVID ESPINOZA, JASON HUTCHINS. 
          [01:20:14]
          >> GOOD MORNING , I AM A CREDIBLE MESSENGER WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH AND HERE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE INCREASED OF POLICE ENFORCEMENT . EVERY DOLLAR THAT IS CONTRIBUTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A DOLLAR TO A CHILD WHO IS FORGOTTEN ABOUT THAT DOLLAR ADDS UP TO A KID THAT HAS NOTHING. 
          THAT DOLLAR AS UP TO A MOTHER AND FATHER WHO IS TRYING , A GRANDMOTHER WHO IS TRYING, ALL THOSE DOLLARS GOING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD BE GOING TO FAMILIES THAT NEED IT . LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE BEEN HERE, WE KNOW , THE TRUTH IS CRIME WOULD NEVER STOP, BUT HELP CAN BE INCREASED , HEALTH CAN BE IMPROVED . YOU ARREST ONE CRIMINAL YOU WILL HAVE FOUR TO FIVE MORE CRIMINALS TO ARREST EVERY DAY, THAT WILL NEVER STOP. 
          BUT TO OVERLOOK THE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES -- 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> IS DISRESPECTFUL, BOLD OF YOU 
          TO SIT -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> AND OVERLOOK THE LESS FORTUNATE TO GIVE IT -- 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. YOU GUYS, JUST THE SNAPPING IS OKAY, OTHERWISE WE GET IN TROUBLE . I APPRECIATE THE POINT ABOUT THE INJUSTICE, YOU KNOW, WE WERE BREAKEVEN, SOME OF US VOTED FOR MONEY FOR NEW COURTS AND ELECTED OFFICIAL OFFICES, PARKS, ANYWAY, WE WERE AT $-100 MILLION AND WE VOTED FOR PAY RAISES AND $-200, WITH FEDERAL CUTS , AT LEAST $400 MILLION FOR HARRIS HEALTH. SOME OF US SAID NOT TO GO TO THE LOTUS -- VOTERS, CUT RETIREES , PROGRAMS FOR KIDS, CUT TRAINING? I THINK THOSE ARE ULTIMATELY FALSE CHOICES. I THINK -- THE QUESTION IS, WILL WE SACRIFICE SERVICES TO PEOPLE THAT COUNT ON THEM? FOR THOSE WHO CAUSED THE SITUATION TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT? INSTEAD OF ASKING PEOPLE TO GIVE UP KEY SERVICES TO PAY FOR NECESSARY RACES, WHAT ARE THESE THREE FOLKS WILLING TO GIVE UP ? THEIR BUDGETS ARE $45.3 MILLION EACH FOR MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES, $45 MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, $90 MILLION PER PRECINCT, THAT IS MY QUESTION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE, A PAY CUT FOR THE THREE COMMISSIONERS THAT PUT US IN THE SITUATION SO THEY ARE NOT PUTTING IT ON EVERYONE ELSE. 
          GUYS, LET'S NOT. NONE OF THIS IS INEVITABLE BUT THEY ARE 
          CUTTING YOUR THINGS. GO AHEAD. >> I AM A CREDIBLE MESSAGE WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH AND I PROTEST THE HARRIS COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2026, I WAS A PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT, THAT MEANS I TOOK ON ALL THE NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES THAT COME FROM LIVING IN POVERTY. HAVING A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL , BEING CONSISTENT IN MY LIFE, WOULD HAVE BEEN THE ANSWER TO THE MANY QUESTIONS I HAVE. I NEEDED SOMEONE TO SHOW ME THAT I HAD A MULTITUDE OF OPTIONS. I NEEDED TO BE TAUGHT CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS SO POURING MONEY INTO COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS WOULD HELP US , THE COMMUNITY, DEVELOP AS PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS VERSUS POURING MONEY INTO PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH WOULD JUST LOCK UP 
          MORE YOUTH. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, I AM AN ORGANIZER WITH WESTERN RECOVERY IN THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE . I WANT TO DIRECT MY COMMENTS TO MY COMMISSIONER, ADRIAN GARCIA , I AM DISAPPOINTED IN YOU , HE CHOSE TO VOTE AS A SHERIFF BEFORE HE VOTED AS OUR COMMISSION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT OUR COMMUNITY, TO PUT $100 MILLION RACE WHAT YOU'RE TELLING US WE ARE IN A DEFICIT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO US AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. YOU PUT YOUR VOICE BEFORE OUR BOYS AND GIRLS AS YOU SHOWED LAST WEEK, YET, HERE IS THE ASK, REDUCE THE AMOUNT OR LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF GIVEN TO SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLE FOR A RAISE AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE AUSTERITY MEASURES THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS TAKEN THAT HAVE FAILED. THAT PUNISHED THE WORKING CLASS . INSTEAD, THINK ABOUT PUTTING PROGRESSIVE TAXES, PROGRESSIVE POLICY THAT WOULD CONSIDER MAKING THE CORPORATE 
          [01:25:01]
CLASS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE. SOMETHING I WISH YOU WOULD TAKE 
          INTO CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> WHILE 
          >> HELLO, MY NAME IS JASON HUTCHINS, I'M A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE TIME OF LIVING IN HARRIS COUNTY, I'VE LIVED IN AREAS PATROLLED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, PRECINCT 5 AND CONSTABLE'S OFFICE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THEM FOR ALLOWING THEM TO BRING IN TOP TALENT AND BRING IN OFFICERS. I WOULD ASK THAT WE EXTEND THAT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE CHAIN OF COMMAND SO THAT THE SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLES THAT ARE RUNNING THOSE AGENCIES ALSO RECEIVE PAY PARITY ONLINE WITH THAT OF THE HOUSTON POLICE CHIEF. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> DEVONTE POPE, JADE MILLER, SCOTT, HANS. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I STAND HERE NOT IN OPPOSITION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT IN FAVOR OF FAIRNESS, BALANCE, AND REAL PUBLIC SAFETY. HARRIS COUNTY ALREADY DEDICATES OVER 40% OF ITS GENERAL FUND TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THAT'S BILLIONS. 
          WHILE THE WAIT LIST OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES GROW WHILE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS SHUT DOWN, WHILE THE HOUSING CRISIS DEEPENS, RESEARCH FROM THE VARIOUS INSTITUTES SHOW THAT INVESTING $1 MILLION IN COMMUNITY- BASED PREVENTION PROGRAMS MORE LASTING SAFETY THAN SPENDING THE SAME AMOUNT ON POLICING. 
          SO, I HAVE TO ASK, WHY ARE WE ADDING MORE TO THE POT THAT IS ALREADY FULL? WHILE THE POT THAT FEEDS PREVENTION ARE BONE DRY. AND HERE'S THE TRUTH. MANY OF US, COUNTY EMPLOYEES, EDUCATORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, ARE WORKING TWO AND THREE SOMETIMESSOMETIMES TO JUST KEEP OUR LIGHTS ON. IF IT'S THE COURT'S CONCERN THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT DESERVES A WAGE TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY, LET'S KEEP THAT PLAYING FIELD LEVEL. 
          LET'S VALUE THE PEOPLE SERVING THE COUNTY. I SAY THIS AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WALKED ALONG SIDE JUSTICE FOR YOUTH. THERE'S A FAILURE OF PRIORITIES. IF WE TRULY WANT SAFER 
          COMMUNITIES -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> REALLOCATE A PORTION OF THESE FUNDS TO PREVENTION, HOUSING, YOUTH PROGRAMS AND MENTAL HEALTH. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DEVONTE DEVONTE POPE. 
          I WORK EVERY DAY WITH PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY, I HEAR THEIR STORIES, SEE THEIR STRUGGLES AND WITNESS THEIR POTENTIAL WHEN THEY'RE GIVING THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES. 
          I BELIEVE THE COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER THAN WATCHING OUR TAX DOLLARS FUND AWAY FROM THE PEOPLE AND STRAIGHT INTO THE POLICE SYSTEM THAT'S ALREADY EATING UP THE LARGEST PORTION OF THE CITY BUDGET. 
          IN HOUSTON, NEARLY HALF OF GENERAL FUNDS ALREADY GO TO POLICING WHILE THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE LEFT WITH CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE, UNDERFUNDED YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND LIMITED COMMUNITY SERVICE. 
          EVERY DOLLAR DIVERTED TO MORE PATROL CARS IS A DOLLAR NOT SPENT ON AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, JOB TRAINING, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT ACTUALLY PREVENT CRIME BEFORE IT STARTS. 
          STUDIES SHOW WHEN YOU INVEST IN COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTERS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EDUCATION, CRIME DROPS. 
          OPPORTUNITY RISES, AND PEOPLE THRIVE. 
          I JUST WANTED TO LEAVE THAT MESSAGE. 
          THAT'S ALL I GOT TO SAY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> MY NAME IS SCOTT. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. 
          I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TO BRING HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY IN LINE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. IT'S A STRONG STEP FORWARD. 
          BUT TRUE PAY PARITY MUST EXTEND BEYOND ENTRY AND MIDLEVELS TO INCLUDE LEADERSHIP. 
          OUR ELECTED SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES HAVE VITAL ROLES AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS EFFORT. EXCLUDING THEM UNDERCUTS THE MESSAGE OF EQUITY THIS INITIATIVE REPRESENTS. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. HANS WITH COMBINED LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATIONS OF TEXAS. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT PAY RAISES FOR ALL OUR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. 
          HOWEVER, WE LET A FEW PEOPLE BEHIND, AND THOSE ARE DETENTION OFFICERS. A SIMPLE SURVEY THAT INCLUDED EL PASO, JEFFERSON, BEXAR AND TARRANT COUNTYS, SHOW THE FOLLOWING. BEGINNING DETENTION PAY, 14% BEHIND. MIDRANGE, 21% BEHIND. TOP DETENTION PAY, 23% BEHIND. 
          AND WE DO HAVE TO HAVE MINIMUM STANDARDS, AND STAFFING, ACCORDING TO THE JAIL COMMISSION, AND WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN, BRAND- NEW HIRES, AND WE HAVE OLDER, SENIOR DETENTION OFFICERS WALKING OUT 
          [01:30:03]
THE BACK DOOR. 
          SO, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF WE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT DETENTION PAY AND MOVE THEM ALL TO THE STATE STANDARDS THAT WE'VE SEEN AROUND THE STATE. 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> JORDAN GOFF. STEVE CRUZ. 
          JASMINE. DAMIAN RUFINO. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS JORDAN GOFF, I'M A LIFETIME RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK COMMISSION RAMSEY AND GARCIA FOR ENSURING THAT OUR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT IS PAID TO THE SAME RATE AS HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS PAY PARITY SHOWS YOUR COMMIT TO MAKING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY A SAFER PLACE TO LIVE AND TO VISIT. IT ALSO DISPLAYS HOW YOU VALUE OUR COUNTY DEPUTIES, OUR WORK THEY PERFORM EVERY DAY. BUT LIKE OTHERS HAVE SAID, LET'S NOT LEAVE OUR ELECTED SHERIFF, ED GONZALEZ, OUT OF THIS PAY PARITY, PAYING HIM THE SAME AS THE HOUSTON CHIEF. ALSO, WE SHOULD NOT FORGET OUR ELECTED CONSTABLES AND ALSO INCLUDE THEM IN THIS PAY PARITY PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT. 
          AND KEEPING THE HARRIS COUNTY A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, STEVE CRUZ, LIFETIME RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, FOR THE PAY PARITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND CONSTABLES OFFICE. 
          I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND THAT TO OUR LEADERSHIP, SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ AND ALL THE CONSTABLES THAT ARE OVER THESE AGENCIES. 
          AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU GUYS -- WHAT YOU DO. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULDN'T WANT TO BE IN Y'ALL'S POSITION DOING THIS JOB, AND AS WELL AS LAW ENFORCEMENT. 
          AND NOT EVERYBODY CAN DO THE JOB BUT I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JASMINE AND I'M WITH THE COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH AND I'M AGAINST THE NEW PROPOSED BUDGET FOR INCREASED SALARIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT FOR OTHER PRIORITIES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, CHILD CARE, HOUSING, HOMELESS SHELTERS AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS. SPEAKING DIRECTLY FROM THE CURRENT WORK THAT I DO AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, I KNOW THAT HELPING OUR YOUTH DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING AND DECISION-MAKING SKILLS, GUIDING THEM TOWARDS POSITIVE CHOICES, CAN REDUCE RISKY BEHAVIORS AND PREVENT LEADING THEM TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, AND ALL THE CONSTABLES THAT ARE IN ATTENDANCE TODAY. MY NAME IS DAMIAN RAFINO. 
          I'M HERE AS A CITIZEN OF HARRIS COUNTY. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT IN ENSURING OUR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL PAY IS ON PAR WITH HPD COUNTERPARTS. THAT ACTION SPEAKS VOLUMES. 
          ABOUT YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY AND YOUR VALUE AND PLACE AND HARD WORK AND SACRIFICES OF YOUR DEPUTIES -- OF OUR DEPUTIES. 
          I URGE YOU TO FINISH THE JOB. COMPLETE THE PAY PARITY PROCESS FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP. 
          FOR EXAMPLE, AGAIN, SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ SUPERVISES COUNTLESS COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS. ALONG WITH MANAGING OUROUR COUNTY JAIL, WHICH, IN MY OPINION, IS AN ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE. 
          HE SHOULD EARN AT LEAST WHAT THE HPD CHIEF EARNS. 
          >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> GO AHEAD AND FINISH YOUR SENTENCE IF YOU'D LIKE. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THAT'S NOT FAIR. 
          >> OKAY. 
          >> THAT'S NOT FAIR BECAUSE YOU GIVE EVERYBODY ELSE THREE MINUTES BUT YOU GIVE THE POLICE OFFICERS MORE. I'VE BEEN SITTING HERE THIS WHOLE TIME. 
          >> SIR, THAT AIN'T NECESSARILY 
          TRUE. >> I TRY TO JUST LET PEOPLE -- 
          >> I'VE BEEN HERE THE ENTIRE 
          HOUR. >> I JUST TRY TO LET PEOPLE WRAP UP WHEN IT FEELS LIKE THEY'RE FINISHING A SENTENCE, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? THANK YOU. 
          >> I'M FINE. 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IT'S CERTAINLY -- THAT'S NOT MY INTENTION, SIR, TO BE UNFAIR. 
          >> JAMES PRESTON. 
          ROMAN MENDEZ. MARIA GLORIA MENDEZ. 
          GERALD HULL. 
          >> MY NAME IS ROMAN MENDEZ AND I'M PROTESTING HARRIS COUNTY PROPOSED 2026 BUDGET. WITH A 300- PLUS MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT AND INCREASED SALARIES. WE NEED MORE EFFICIENT SPENDING. 
          OUR COMMUNITY LACKS ADEQUATE HOMELESS RESOURCES AND 
          [01:35:02]
EMERGENCY SHELTERS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS. INSTEAD OF THE SALARY INCREASE, I PROPOSE CONVERTING ABANDONED BUILDINGS INTO COMMUNITY CENTERS, OFFERING VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND SOCIAL SERVICES. THIS APPROACH WOULD ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME LIKE POVERTY AND LACK OF EDUCATION. ULTIMATELY, REDUCING EMERGENCY COSTS, INCREASING OUR TAX BASE AND LOWERING CRIME RATES. 
          OUR BUDGET SHOULD REFLECT OUR VALUES AND PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR LONG-TERM COMMUNITY HEALTH. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. JUDGE. 
          MY NAME IS JAMES PRESTON, I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. I'VE LIVED AND WORKED IN AREAS BOTH PATROLLED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR GETTING PAY PARITY FOR THEM. 
          IT SHOWS YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING HARRIS COUNTY A SAFER PLACE. THIS WILL HELP THEM FILL THE VOIDS, THE GAPS THEY HAVE OF LOSING QUALIFIED OFFICERS TO OTHER AGENCIES AND COUNTIES AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL ATTRACT MORE TALENT TO HARRIS COUNTY SO WE CAN BETTER SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND MAKE IT SAFER. I WOULD ALSO ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO PAY PARITY ALL THE WAY FROM THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATORS, THE SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLES DOWN TO THE NEW DEPUTY. I'D ASK YOU NOT TO FORGET ABOUT THE TELECOMMUNICATORS. THEY'RE USUALLY THE FIRST ROLE WHEN THE PUBLIC CALLS AND NEEDS HELP, THAT THEY DEAL WITH AND TALK TO. 
          WE ALSO WANT TO REMEMBER THE CIVILIAN PERSONNEL AS WELL BUT SHOWING THIS, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT FOR THIS, AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY SAFER. 
          LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES A GREAT JOB OF SAVING LIVES. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I'M MARIA MENDEZ AND I'M AN ADVOCATOR FOR COLLECTION ACTION FOR YOUTH. AND I'M HERE TO PROTEST THE BUDGET THAT Y'ALL ARE TRYING TO ALLOCATE. TRYING TO GIVE POLICE OFFICERS MORE MONEY WHEN IT COULD BE USED FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS I CAN NAME OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD RIGHT NOW THAT I KNOW MY OLD HIGH SCHOOL NEEDS. 
          YET Y'ALL TRY TO PUT MORE MONEY IN POLICE OFFICERS' POCKETS. IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME WHY Y'ALL CANNOT ALLOCATE NONE OF THOSE FUNDS TO COMMUNITIES. THERE'S BUS STOPS THAT NEED TO BE LIT. THERE'S MORE BUS ROUTES THAT NEED TO BE EXPANDED TO. I DON'T GET WHY Y'ALL TRY TO PUT MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS THAT ARE NOT HELPING OUT. THEY'RE DOING MORE DAMAGE THAN ANYTHING. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS GERALD HALL. 
          I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THE COMMITMENT SHOWN IN ENSURING THAT THE COUNTY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL FROM THE SHERIFF TO THE CONSTABLES, INCLUDING ALL COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNELS, ARE AT A COMPARABLE RATE TO THAT OF THE CITY OFFICERS. 
          THIS ACTION SENDS A CLEAR AND POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT WE VALUE THE DEDICATION, THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE DAILY SACRIFICES OF OUR COUNTY DEPUTIES. BY RECOGNIZING THEY'RE A CENTRAL ROLE AND ALIGNING COMPENSATION ACCORDINGLY, WE ARE NOT ONLY SUPPORTING THOSE WHO SERVE AND PROTECT BUT REINFORCING OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A SAFER, STRONGER COMMUNITY. 
          AND FOR FAIR AND COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION, A VITAL COMPONENT IN RETAINING EXPERIENCED OFFICERS AND ATTRACTING NEW TALENT TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND STANDING BEHIND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY TO KEEP OUR COUNTY SAFE. 
          >> CONSTABLE MARC HERMAN. GEORGIA RODRIGUEZ. 
          ROBERT NOBLES. AMANDA WATSON. 
          >> THANK YOU. MARK HERMAN, ELECTED CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 4. I'M AT A LITTLE DISADVANTAGE HERE. I JUST GOT A TEXT MESSAGE THAT MY PEOPLE WERE OUT ON A SCENE WHERE DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE, ONE PERSON KILLED, OUR DEPUTY ARRIVED, ENDED UP KILLING THE ASSAILANT. 
          MY HEART AND MY MIND IS WITH MY PEOPLE. 
          BUT I GOT TO SAY WHAT I GOT TO SAY. 
          SO, I WANT TO SPEAK REAL QUICKLY ON THE TRANSMITTAL FOR THE RAISE FOR DEPUTIES, AND I JUST WANT TO SAY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING EIGHT CONSTABLES BE A PART OF THIS PROCESS. I CAN TELL YOU, WORKING UNDER DANIEL RAMOS, I HAVE A NEW PROFOUND RESPECT FOR HIM AND HIS PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY DO DOWN THERE IN THE BUDGET OFFICE. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS PROCESS, I WAS CHOSE BY THE SEVEN OTHER CONSTABLES TO REPRESENT ALL OF US BECAUSE EACH OF US GOT A MEMBER JUST LIKE THE SHERIFF DID, AND DANIEL INSTRUCTED US, GIVE HIM PAY PARITY FOR DEPUTIES THROUGH CAPTAINS, CAPTAINS THROUGH -- 
          >> PLEASE CONTINUE. >> -- ALL THE WAY UP TO CHIEF DEPUTIES AND HIS LAST THING 
          [01:40:01]
WAS ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHICH WE DID. 
          AND WE ARE TO THE POINT NOW WHERE - - AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THIS THE BEST I CAN. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER÷÷COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE THREE OF YOU WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS SAVING HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND. 
          AND WHAT WAS FIXING TO HAPPEN, AND THE THREE OF YOU RECOGNIZED IT, OTHERS, I DON'T THINK, REALLY CARE. BUT EVERYONE WAS FIXING TO VACATE HARRIS COUNTY AND GO WORK FOR JOHN WITMIRE AND THE UNION DOWN THERE. 
          WE COULD NOT ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. 
          AND SO, Y'ALL RECOGNIZED THAT, AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU AND I DON'T SEE EYE TO EYE ON SOME THINGS, BUT I HAVE A NEW PROFOUND RESPECT FOR YOU TOO. AND I THINK THAT YOUR KEEN WIT AS AN EX- SHERIFF, AS SEEING HOW THE SYSTEM -- ACTUALLY BEING THERE, I THINK YOU'RE STILL A POLICE OFFICER. 
          BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THREE OF YOU, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT ALL THREE OF YOU, THE MAJORITY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS AGREE WITH -- 
          >> GUYS, PLEASE DON'T INTERRUPT. 
          LET'S LET HIM FINISH. GO AHEAD. 
          >> AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO AS THE EIGHT CONSTABLES OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE THREE OF YOU IN THE FUTURE, WE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU. Y'ALL HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND BRIONES, YOU WERE SPOT ON. THERE'S A LOT OF MISINFORMATION AROUND, AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO WITH OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO HELP Y'ALL GET THE MESSAGE OUT, WE'RE HERE FOR YOU. BUT IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE WITH THESE PEOPLE BEHIND ME, THE EIGHT CONSTABLES OF HARRIS COUNTY AND OUR LEADER, OUR SHERIFF, ED GONZALEZ, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WIN. THANK Y'ALL SO VERY MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> ALL RIGHT, WE'VE ASKED OTHER PEOPLE NOT TO CLAP, SO LET'S NOT DO THAT. 
          >> HELLO. MY NAME IS GEORGIA RODRIGUEZ AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 2. I'M HERE TO PROTEST THE HARRIS COUNTY'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2026. 
          ACCORDING TO THE HCTX WEBSITE INCREASING THE SALARIES FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE STAFF WILL PUT THE BUDGET INTO A $270 MILLION DEFICIT. OVER HALF OF HARRIS COUNTY'S BUDGET ALREADY GOES TO THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. POLICING, COURTS, AND INCARCERATION. ADDING EVEN MORE TO POLICE PAY WILL DEEPEN THAT IMBALANCE, DRAINING RESOURCES FROM THINGS LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, LIBRARIES, DISASTER RELIEF, AND PROGRAMS LIKE HART THAT ACTUALLY PREVENT HARM BEFORE IT HAPPENS. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN OUR JAILS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. MANY DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND THEIR CASE OR WHY THEY'RE BEING DETAINED. 
          THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM SOLVED BY HIRING POLICE SALARIES. 
          IT'S A PROBLEM SOLVED BY ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH CARE, STABLE HOUSING AND STRONG COMMUNITY- BASED SERVICES. 
          COMMUNITY GROUPS HAVE ALREADY PROPOSED COMMON SENSE ALTERNATIVES TO ARREST AND DETENTION. WE HAVE A CREDIBLE MESSENGER PROGRAM. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> GO AHEAD. 
          YES. NO, YOU'RE RIGHT. 
          YOU'RE RIGHT. OKAY. GO AHEAD. 
          >> WE HAVE A CREDIBLE MESSENGER PROGRAM THAT IS YOUTH-FOCUSED. IT LEADS THROUGH MENTORSHIP AND MOVES PEOPLE AND YOUNG JUVENILES AWAY FROM INCARCERATION. I URGE YOU TO REJECT SALARY INCREASES FOR POLICE AND DIRECT THOSE FUNDS TOWARD THE PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE, HEALTHY, AND THRIVING. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO, MY NAME IS AMANDA WATSON AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3 AND I'M ALSO A HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 DEPUTY CONSTABLE. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR GIVING US A PAY PARITY WITH HPD. WE ARE SINCERELY GRATEFUL. 
          BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT TRUE PARITY WOULD INCLUDE OUR LEADERS, THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF AND THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLES. 
          THERE'S NO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN TEXAS WHERE THE SUBORDINATES MAKE MORE THAN THE LEADER AND THE ELECTED OFFICIAL. AS A RESIDENT OF THIS COUNTY, I DO SUPPORT PAY PARITY FOR OUR ELECTED LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I'M ROBERT NOBLES. 
          I'M HERE IN SUPPORT TO FINISH THE TASK OF PAY PARITY TO INCLUDE OUR OUR AND OUR CONSTABLES. TO THE SHERIFF AND ALL THE CONSTABLES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          THANK YOU AND I ECHO THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          JEREMY. CORY HODGE. 
          MONICA RULIER. JOSE OCHOA. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JEREMY, AND 
          [01:45:01]
I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF FINISHING THE TASK OF PAY PARITY INCLUDE OUR ELECTED SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES. 
          OUR SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES ARE LEADERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE POLICE ORGANIZATIONS AND DESERVE TO MAKE MORE THAN THEIR SUBORDINATES. 
          THERE'S NO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN TEXAS WHERE SUBORDINATES MAKE MORE THAN THE DEPARTMENT HEAD. THESE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS OVERSEE ENTIRE PRECINCTS, MANAGE SUBSTANTIAL BUDGETS, SUPERVISE HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS AND ARE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS WHO ELECT THEM. THEY COORDINATE COMPLEX OPERATIONS, ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY ACROSS DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, AND BEAR THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THEIR JURISDICTIONS. PAY EQUITY ISN'T JUST ABOUT FAIRNESS. IT'S ABOUT MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND RESPECTING THE VOTERS' CHOICE IN ELECTING THESE OFFICERS. 
          THEY DESERVE COMPENSATION THAT REFLECTS THEIR STATUTORY AUTHORITY, THEIR OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE DIRECT ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT COMMENSURATE PAY FOR OUR ELECTED SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES. THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO, HOW YOU DOING? MY NAME IS CORY HODGE. 
          I WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLES OFFICE. I'LL ECHO WHAT MY COMRADE JUST SAID. I BELIEVE THAT THE CONSTABLES THAT ARE DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB AND THEIR PROSPECTIVE POSITIONS AND THEY DESERVE THE SAME PARITY THAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS RECEIVING. 
          I THANK YOU GUYS FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HERE TODAY. THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND FOLLOWING PEOPLE HERE, THANK 
          >> HELLO, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MONICA RULIER, I'M A HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT AND A HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE. I'M EMPLOYED WITH HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 3 AND I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE PAY PARITY AND ALSO TO SAY THAT I AM IN SUPPORT TO HAVE YOU GUYS FINISH THE TASK. LIKE THEY MENTIONED BEFORE, MY COWORKERS THAT -- THEY'RE THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT. 
          BY DOING SO MEANS THAT THEIR ROLE IS CRUCIAL, AND THEIR PAY SHOULD BE AS WELL. THAT'S LIKE SAYING, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE A TEACHER, THAT YOU'RE PAYING MORE TO THE TEACHER INSTEAD OF THE PRINCIPAL. SO, LET'S JUST CONTINUE WITH THAT PAY INCREASE IF WE CAN DO FOR OUR CONSTABLES BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR LEADERS IN OUR ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU TO THE COURT FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE SUPPORT. MY NAME IS JOSE OCHOA AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR PAY PARITY, TO ENSURE THAT INCLUDES THE SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLES. THEY ARE THE LEADERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENCIES AND THEY BRING DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, PROVEN LEADERSHIP, AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. IT IS ONLY FAIR AND LOGICAL THAT THEY ARE ALSO COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY, EARNING MEASURE THEIR SUBORDINATES. I KNOW THERE'S NO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN TEXAS WHERE SUBORDINATES GET PAID MORE THAN THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. 
          LEADERSHIP COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EXPECTATION TO MAKE SURE CRITICAL DECISION UNDER PRESSURE. THAT LED A VOTE OF DUTY DESERVES FAIR RECOGNITION AND COMPENSATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> ELISE LINDLEY. 
          LUIS ALEJO. JORDAN. KURT TROT. 
          >> HI. ANY NAME IS ELISE LINDLEY AND I JUST WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS BRIONES, GARCIA AND RAMSEY FOR SUPPORTING OUR DEPUTIES IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE PAY PARITY. THE NEXT STEP, THOUGH, IS TO FINISH WITH THE PAY PARITY TO INCLUDE OUR SHERIFF AND OUR CONSTABLES. OUR SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES ARE LEADERS OF EACH POLICE ORGANIZATION. 
          THEIR JOB NEVER STOPS. WE JUST SAW ONE WALK OUT IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE HIS JOB IS STILL GOING ON. 
          AND HE DESERVES TO MAKE MORE THAN HIS SUBORDINATES. 
          THERE'S NO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN TEXAS WHERE SUBORDINATES MAKE MORE THAN THEIR DEPARTMENT HEAD, AND WE SHOULD NOT START THAT NOW. 
          SO, THANK YOU, AND GOD BLESS. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS LUIS. I'M A SIX- YEAR ARMY VETERAN. 
          I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN THE NORTH SHORE AREA. 
          TODAY I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF COMPLETION OF THE PAY PARITY FOR THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE OFFICES. AS TIMES PROGRESS, MANY THINGS CHANGE ALONG THE WAY. 
          SOMETIMES, A CHANGE CAN BE GOOD. SOMETIMES, IT CAN BE BAD. 
          IN THIS CASE, FOR THE DEPUTY'S SALARIES, IT'S A BAD SITUATION. 
          WHICH WILL ESCALATE TO SOMETHING WORSE SHOULD THE PAY PARITY NOT GO THROUGH. WE CANNOT FORGET ABOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE DAY IN AND DAY OUT WHILE PROTECTING AND SERVING THE CITIZENS OF 
          [01:50:03]
HARRIS COUNTY. WE MUST ALSO NOT FORGET ABOUT THOSE WHO LEAD OUR DEPUTIES, THIS INCLUDES COMMAND AND EXECUTIVE LEVELS OF EACH OFFICES. EVERYBODY FROM THE TOP, INCLUDING THE SHERIFF, THE CONSTABLES, DESERVE PAY PARITY TO MATCH AGENCIES WITHIN THE COUNTY. 
          THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON WHY SUBORDINATES' SALARIES SHOULD BE MORE THAN DEPARTMENT HEADS. 
          THAT'LL BE IT. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. 
          >> LIKEWISE. THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO, MY NAME IS JORDAN. I WANT TO FIRST START OFF BY THANKING THE COURT FOR GIVING CITIZENS LIKE MYSELF THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR HIS SUPPORT IN THE PAY RAISE TO COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS IS SOMETHING I 100% SUPPORT. I, LIKE MANY OTHERS, AM IN SUPPORT TO FINISH THE TASK OF PAY PARITY TO INCLUDE OUR ELECTED SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES. OUR SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES ARE THE LEADERS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS AND DESERVE TO MAKE MORE THAN THEIR SUBORDINATES. 
          I DO NOT KNOW WHERE IN TEXAS SUBORDINATES ARE MAKING MORE THAN THEIR LEADERS. 
          I HOPE THIS COURT COMES TO THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION AND MAKES THE FAIR DECISION THAT OUR SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES ARE FAIRLY COMPENSATED FOR THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THEY PUT IN FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PEOPLEPEOPLE HARRIS COUNTY. 
          OUR SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES ARE INTEGRAL AND THEIR DEDICATION TO THE CITIZENS IS WHAT MAKES HARRIS COUNTY AN INCREDIBLE PLACE TO LIVE. 
          >> ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION. 100% AGREE, I'VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS SINCE 2022. ON YOUR NOTE ABOUT WHERE SUBORDINATES MAKE MORE THAN THEIR LEADERS, I'LL SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE ALL OF US HAVE CHIEFS OF STAFF THAT MAKE MORE THAN WE DO. 
          SO, MUCH MORE THAN WE DO. FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH. 
          AND AGAIN, I VISITED WITH SOME OF THESE GUYS AHEAD OF THE VOTE LAST TIME. I SAID, GUYS, LET'S GO TO THE VOTERS BECAUSE YOU'RE LOOKING AT LAW ENFORCEMENT VERSUS CHILDREN, LAW ENFORCEMENT VERSUS FLOODING. THAT'S A TOUGH ONE. 
          BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT MY FAVORITE, BUT I PUT MY MONEY WHERE MY MOUTH IS. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> KURT TROT. BROOKE. 
          BRIAN SILVERMAN. LANCE ANDERSON. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. NAME'S KURT TROUT, PRECINCT 4. 
          I LIVE IN A SUBDIVISION, WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF CONSTABLES IN MY 15 YEARS OF LIVING THERE COME AND GO. QUALIFIED MEN, MAINLY BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T AFFORD THEM. 
          AND THESE ARE MEN THAT, LIKE ALL THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, GIVE THEIR LIVES FOR US. 
          SO, I'VE ALWAYS RESPECTED THAT. AND I HAVE ENJOYED VISITING WITH MR. RAMSEY IN THE PAST AND SEEING WHAT THEY'RE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH. I DO BELIEVE WE'RE STILL NEEDING TO GO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO KEEP OUR CONSTABLES PAID AS LONG AS EVERYTHING'S FAIR WITH ALL THAT. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          AGREE. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRIAN SILVERMAN. 
          I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR ACHIEVING PAY PARITY FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. 
          FAIR AND EQUAL COMPENSATION IS ESSENTIAL TO RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION AND SERVICE OF EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN OUR COUNTY. 
          OUR SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES SERVE AS LEADERS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY EVERY SINGLE DAY. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY AT THE LEVEL THAT REFLECTS BOTH THE CRITICAL LEADERSHIP ROLES THEY FULFILL AND THE TRUST THAT THE PUBLIC AND THEIR DEPUTIES HAVE PLACED IN THEM. ALSO, I'D LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR THE RAISES. 
          MY FAMILY AND I TRULY SUPPORT EVERYTHING. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> MY NAME IS BROOKE, I'M AN HOA PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNITY OF 1,700 HOMES WITH 5 CONTRACT CONSTABLES. 
          AS A TAXPAYER I'M ENTITLED TO A SAFE COMMUNITY. LAW ENFORCEMENT NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY AND PAY PARITY WILL ENSURE WELL-QUALIFIED LEADERS. 
          I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE FINISH THE TASK OF PAY PARITY TO INCLUDE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES. I WOULD ALSO ASK THAT WE DON'T HAVE A $300 MILLION DEFICIT, THAT WE RAISE OUR TAXES. IF I WANTED LOW TAXES AND HIGH CRIME, I'D MOVE TO MEXICO. NO ONE IS MOVING THERE. 
          THEY COME HERE, RISKING THEIR LIVES AND JAIL BECAUSE THEIR HOME COUNTRY IS SO DANGEROUS. 
          IS THAT WHAT WE ASPIRE TO? PLEASE PAY FOR THIS. 
          RAISE THE TAXES. I WANT TO PAY HIGHER TAXES. 
          I WANT A SAFE COMMUNITY. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE A SIX-HOUR RESPONSE TIME FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. PLEASE MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. AND I AGREE WE SHOULD GIVE CONSTITUENTS THE CHOICE. I THINK THEY WOULD SUPPORT IT. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> AND YOU GUYS -- LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEIR RAISES IN 2022 IF A COUPLE FOLKS HADN'T WALKED THE VOTE THAT YEAR. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LANCE ANDERSON AND I'M÷÷I'M AS A CONCERNED RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. 
          I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE SO FAR, MAKING SURE OUR PAY MATCHES WHAT CITY OFFICERS GET. THAT TELLS ME YOU CARE 
          [01:55:03]
ABOUT SAFETY AND FAIRNESS. THE PAY PARITY NEEDS TO GO ALL THE WAY UP THE LADDER, THOUGH. 
          SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ RUNS THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES AND THE JAIL, AND THERE'S NO REASON HE SHOULD MAKE LESS THAN THE HPD CHIEF. 
          AND OUR CONSTABLES ARE THE HEAD OF THEIR OWN AGENCIES. 
          THEY SHOULD BE PART OF THE PARITY PLAN TOO. 
          THE CITY TAKES CARE OF ITS TOP LEADERS AND OUR COUNTY SHOULD DO THE SAME. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROGRESS YOU'VE MADE AND FOR STRIVING TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SCOTT FORBES. JOHN MATTHEWS. 
          SHELLEY YETTER. TIFFANY ECHEVARRIA. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I WANT TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU, LESLIE BROWN, AS COMMISSIONER BROWN AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PAY PARITY WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I WANT TO ALSO EXPRESS OUR THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHOW -- TO CONTINUE YOUR COMMITMENT TO A SAFER COMMUNITY. PLEASE COMPLETE THE PAY PARITY FOR OUR ELECTED CONSTABLES AND OUR SHERIFF. THEY DESERVE IT JUST AS MUCH AS WE DO. BUT TO INCLUDE ALSO OUR DISPATCHERS AND OUR CIVILIAN STAFF THAT HELP SUPPORT OUR DEPARTMENTS. THEY ARE THE BACKBONE, AND THEY NEED OUR SUPPORT AS WELL. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, SIR. 
          >> SURE. SCOTT FORBES. I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND A SECOND GENERATION COUNTY EMPLOYEE. 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SHELLEY YETTER AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE ELECTED CONSTABLES IN HARRIS COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY CONSTABLE PHIL AT PRECINCT 8. 
          THE CONSTABLES ARE REQUESTING A SENSIBLE PAY RAISE. 
          THIS REQUEST ALIGNS WITH THE UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE AUGUST 2024 SALARY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE, WHICH UNANIMOUSLY UPHELD THE CONSTABLES' SALARY GRIEVANCE. 
          MS. MILLS, A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, SAID MY ONLY SUGGESTION IS WHEN YOU DO YOUR BUDGET, WHEN IT IS RELATED TO COMPENSATION, INCLUDE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR THAT THEIR SALARY IS STAGNANT WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS GETTING A PAY RAISE. CONSIDER THE ELECTED OFFICIAL. THE CITIZEN- LED GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE RAISE, MAINTAINING THE PROPER GAP BETWEEN THE ELECTED CONSTABLE AND THE CHIEF DEPUTY. APPROVING THIS PAY ADJUSTMENT WILL ENSURE FAIR COMPENSATION, RETAIN EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP, AND HONOR THE IMPORTANT ROLE. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> AFTER SITTING BACK HERE, LISTENING TO EVERYBODY TALK, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, CONSTABLES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'M ON THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF PASADENA AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS. ADRIAN GARCIA IS MY COMMISSIONER. I'M PROUD TO LIVE WHERE I LIVE. 
          I FEEL SAFE WHERE I LIVE. BUT LOTS OF PLACES IN THIS COUNTY THAT I TRAVEL ALL OVER, I'M A BUSINESS OWNER, HAVE BEEN FOR 50 YEARS. 
          I'M IN A REALLY IMPORTANT PLACE. 
          I'M RIGHT NEXT TO A WATER PLANT. 
          I'M RIGHT NEXT TO AN AIRPORT. I'M RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM CHEMICAL PLANTS AND REFINERIES. I'VE NEVER HAD AN ADVOCACY GROUP COME TO A CALL. I'VE NEVER HAD A ADVOCACY GROUP WHEN THERE WAS THEFT GOING ON, SHOW UP, BUT I HAVE HAD CONSTABLE PHIL ON MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE TIMES SHOW UP. 
          I AM GRATEFUL FOR THOSE LAW 
          ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE. >> YOU NEVER FIXED MY ROOF EITHER. 
          >> WHAT? 
          >> THANK YOU. >> YOU NEVER FIXED MY 
          ROOF. >> ALL 
          RIGHT. >> WE'LL FIX YOUR ROOF BUT THAT'S NOT THE JOB THEY'RE IN. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I'M A BUSINESS OWNER. I'VE -- 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. 
          I HAVE TO CUT YOU OFF FOR FAIRNESS. 
          >> OH, AM I THROUGH? 
          >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> OKAY. 
          >> CONSTABLES GOT A 4% INCREASE 
          LAST YEAR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. AND HELLO, JUDGE. 
          MY NAME IS TIFFANY AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1 AND I WORK WITH YOUTH ALL OVER THE COUNTY. 
          WE NEED TO PUT OUR DOLLARS, OUR LIMITED RESOURCES, WHERE THEY MATTER, WHERE WE'VE SEEN A RETURN ON INVESTMENT. A 4 TO $9 RETURN ON EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON EARLY CHILDHOOD AND 2 TO $5 WORTH OF SAVING FOR EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SUMMER PROGRAMS MAKE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT INTENTIONAL IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          SOLVE THE UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT KEEP PEOPLE IN POVERTY AND DRIVE CRIME. THANK 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          THOSE OF US WITH KIDS THAT HAD THE ABILITY TO HAVE CHILD CARE ARE THE ONES THAT VOTED AGAINST CHILD CARE. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 19, RICHARD WOODS. JUDGE LATASHA LEWIS PAYNE. JUDGE TAVIA BELL. 
          [02:00:12]
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. RICHARD WOODS, DISTRICT COURTS ADMINISTRATOR. COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ON BEHALF OF THE STATE DISTRICT JUDGES. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 19, THE REQUEST AS THE RCA INDICATES, IS TO INCREASE THEIR COUNTY COMPLEMENT FROM $18,000 TO THE MAXIMUM A MONTH, $25,000. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IN SUPPORT OF THAT REQUEST IS THAT OUR JUDGES HAVE NOT HAD A COUNTY SUPPLEMENT INCREASE SINCE 2013. 
          THE LEGISLATURE DID THE RIGHT THING, FINALLY, WITH INCREASING THE BASE SALARY INCREASE FOR ALL OF THE TEXAS STATE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE COMMISSIONERS COURT DO THE RIGHT THING AND INCREASE THE COUNTY SUPPLEMENT AS WELL BY APPROXIMATELY $7,000. JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING, GALVESTON HAVE APPROVED THE 
          FUNDING. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS 
          UP. >> PLEASE 
          CONTINUE. >> TRAVIS, BEXAR ANDAND COUNTIES ARE PLANNING TO FUND THE FULL COUNTY SUPPLEMENT AMOUNT. I'LL BE AVAILABLE TO FIELD ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE IN SUPPORT OF THIS AGENDA ITEM AND I'LL TURN IT OVER TO OUR JUDGES NOW. 
          >> I'M GOING TO BE AVAILABLE ONCE THIS MATTER IS TAKEN UP, BUT I WANT TO LET OUR OTHER DISTRICT COURT JUDGES SPEAK, AND THEN I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH A ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. 
          MY NAME IS MELISSA MORRIS, I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1, AND I'M THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE 263RD DISTRICT COURT. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE COUNTY SUPPLEMENT IS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES. 
          I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF AN INCREASE. THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES HAVE REDUCED THE JAIL POPULATION OF OVER $1,300 -- I'M SORRY, 1,300 PEOPLE, WHICH REDUCES THE COST TO THE COMMUNITY AND SBROOESS THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSED BUT PRESUMED INNOCENT BY LAW WHO ARE IN JAIL WAITING FOR THEIR CASES TO BE OVER. WE HAVE REDUCED THE BACKLOG. 
          WE KNOW THAT A WEEK IN JAIL CAN RUIN PEOPLE'S WHOLE LIVES. WE DIDN'T GET A COST OF LIVING INCREASE WHEN THE COUNTY JUDGES DID. THEY GOT 9%, WHICH IS ABOUT $15,000. 
          WE'RE ASKING FOR LESS THAN HALF OF THAT. 
          DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ARE FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY- BASED JUSTICE SYSTEMS BY CULTIVATING RELATIONSHIPS, ENGAGING COMMUNITY RESOURCES, RESEARCHING, CONSULTING, DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUE OUR SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES. 
          >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> IT'S STILL -- GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU, JUDGE, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OUR SECOND HALF OF THE ISSUE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE. WE HAVEN'T HAD A RAISE IN 13 YEARS, AND THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ADEQUATE PAY. THIS IS IMPERATIVE. 
          WE HAVE USED OUR HAS AND OUR EMERGENCY TRIAL DOCKS IN CONJUNCTION TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG BUT WE'VE HANDLED 1,100 OF THE MOST SERIOUS CASES WHICH WOULD BE THE CAPITALS, THE AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF CHILDREN CASES, THOSE CASES HAVE BEEN HANDLED IN THIS SPAN OFOF TO ALLOW US TO REDUCE OUR JAIL POPULATION AND GET NUMBERS THAT WERE UNMATCHED BEFORE. WE'RE ASKING YOU TO PLEASE INCREASE THEIR PAY, AND IT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO GET THEM TO TAKE OF THEM WERE LOOKING AT LOSING BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE A -- 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> OH. SOME OF THEM DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL HAVE A JOB PAST SEPTEMBER. 
          IF WE DO NOT HAVE THEM WHEN THIS LEGISLATION GOES INTO EFFECT, IT WILL BE WORSE THAN HARVEY, AND IT WILL BE WORSE THAN COVID COMBINED, THE BACKLOG AND AS A RESULT, WE WILL SPEND COUNTLESS MONEY OUTSOURCING PEOPLE BECAUSE GET THEM THROUGH OUR SYSTEM FAST ENOUGH. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WANTED TO -- I'M LATASHA LEWIS PAYNE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE FOR THE 67 STATE DISTRICT COURTS THAT WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          I WANT TO MAKE NOTE THAT SENATE BILL 293 CONTEMPLATED THE MAXIMIZATION OF THE COUNTY'S SUPPLEMENT. 
          WHEN THE SENATE BILL WAS PASSED, IT ACTUALLY IS UNDER THE AMOUNT THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE INDEPENDENT BODY, THE JUDICIAL COMMISSION, WHO RECOMMENDED A HIGHER AMOUNT. 
          SO, PRIOR TO THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 293, 419 OF THE 504 COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THIS STATE MAXIMIZED THE SUPPLEMENT AT FULL SUPPLEMENT. 
          [02:05:01]
WE, IN ADDITION TO THE COURTS -- THE COUNTIES WE ALREADY KNOW OF, ANTICIPATE THOSE 419 WILL MAXIMIZE. 
          HARRIS COUNTY LIKES TO LEAD. WE BELIEVE THAT ON THIS ISSUE, IT SHOULD CONTINUE TO LEAD. 
          I'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY WHEN THE MATTER IS TAKEN UP, BUT I WANTED TO SAY THOSE WORDS AS WELL. 
          AND THEN LAST OTHER THING IS, THE DISTRICT JUDGES ARE GIVEN EXTRA -- 
          >> YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> QUICK QUESTION. 
          WHAT WAS THE HIGH AMOUNT THAT THIS COMMISSION RECOMMENDED? 
          >> THE NUMBER WAS 40%. AND THEY GAVE 25%. 
          SO, BECAUSE OF THE -- I CAN'T GIVE YOU AN EXACT AMOUNT BECAUSE IT'S DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHAT YOUR SENIORITY IS FOR JUDGE, BUT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS ABOUT 15%. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> JUDGE, THANK YOU. I'D BE -- I'M ASSUMING, BUT I DON'T IMAGINE THAT ANY OF THOSE COUNTIES ARE FACING A $200 MILLION DEFICIT. 
          AND I KNOW -- I SUPPORT YOU GUYS, AND I KNOW THAT THE -- THAT EVERYBODY ELSE GOT THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT, AND YOU GUYS DIDN'T. 
          I'M JUST SAYING, SOME OF US WANTED TO GET KUDOS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR GOOD REASON, THEY DESERVE A RAISE, WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS. 
          AND SO, WHAT I WOULD SAY, IF WE WANT TO HAVE OUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO, IS TO ASK THE THREE COLLEAGUES THAT VOTED FOR UNFUNDED COMMITMENTS OF $200 MILLION WHAT ARE THEY WILLING TO SACRIFICE SO THAT WE CAN COVER ALL OF THIS? BECAUSE IF THAT HADN'T HAPPENED, IF WE'D GONE TO THE VOTERS, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE PITTING EACH OTHER AGAINST EACH OTHER. IT'S ALL IMPORTANT. 
          EARLY CHILDHOOD, $9 RETURN ON INVESTMENT, THAT'S IMPORTANT. 
          PAY RAISES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT'S IMPORTANT. 
          FOR THE JUDGES, THAT'S IMPORTANT. 
          YOU GUYS HAVE DONE INCREDIBLE WORK. 
          I MEAN, THEY CAN'T CUT FROM EVERYBODY AND HAVE THEIR BUDGETS BE THE SAME. 
          SO, THEY CAN TAKE OUT OF THAT AND MAKE UP THE $200 MILLION. 
          >> I HAVE NO COMMENT ON Y'ALL'S DECISION-MAKING. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> OR I DON'T HAVE ANY DATA ON WHAT THE OTHER COUNTIES ARE FACING WITH REGARD TO A DEFICIT. 
          >> I DON'T IMAGINE THAT OTHER LEADERS WOULD DO THAT OF PUTTING THEIR COUNTY AT A $200 MILLION DEFICIT. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 22, BURT SPRINGER, GARRETT LINDLEY, JOSE LOPEZ. AND LADONNA. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS BURT, I'M THE GENERAL COUNSEL'S COALITION OF POLICE AND SHERIFFS. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE YOU JUST A SECOND AGO ON THIS SHOOTING THAT'S GOING ON IN PRECINCT 4 AS WE SPEAK. 
          I'M ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT THE PROACTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THE AGENDA IN THE BUDGET. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I'VE KNOWN YOU SINCE YOU WERE A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER. 
          I WORKED WITH YOU WHEN YOU WERE SHERIFF. 
          AND I'M PROUD TO WORK WITH YOU HERE AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER. I KNOW THAT THE BUDGET, AS IT STANDS, WITHOUT YOUR INPUT, WITHOUT INCREASING THE PARITY THAT Y'ALL VOTED ON, WILL BE A NEGATIVE TO THIS COUNTY. THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THETHE STATES. 
          ALLOWING THE BUDGET TO GIVE THE PARITY THAT THE COUNCIL VOTED ON WILL DO WONDERS FOR HELPING IT. ALSO, IT WILL ATTRACT NEW TALENT TO THIS ORGANIZATION. THE SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLES' DEPARTMENTS IN THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          YOU ASKED ME ABOUT MINNESOTA EARLIER. 
          I REMEMBER MINNESOTA, JUDGE. THEY BURNED THE POLICE 
          STATION. >> TIME IS 
          UP. >> THANK YOU, BURT. 
          APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO TO TAKE 
          CARE OF OUR DEPUTIES. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. 
          >> THEY KILLED A MAN. 
          >> JUST SO YOU KNOW, WE WERE ALREADY AT A NEGATIVE BEFORE THESE UNFUNDED RAISES BECAUSE OF COMMITMENTS BY THE SAME THREE COMMISSIONERS TO -- AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BUDGET OFFICER. AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, THE PROPOSAL -- THE DISCUSSION WAS, LET'S BRING THIS TO THE VOTERS. AGAIN, IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN 2022 IF TWO TWO HAD NOT WALKED THE VOTE. Y'ALL WOULD HAVE GOTTEN YOUR RAISES IN 2022. NOBODY'S SAYING TO BURN ANYTHING DOWN. BUT WE GOT THAT DAY NOT EVEN HALF-BAKED, I WOULD CALL IT A QUARTER- BAKED PROPOSAL TO COMMIT MONEY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE. 
          I CAN'T IMAGINE OF SOMETHING LESS BAKED THAN THAT, LET'S INVEST $100 MILLION THAT WE DON'T HAVE. 
          YES, GO AHEAD, SIR. >> ALL RIGHT. 
          MY NAME IS GARRETT LINDLEY. I'M A DIRECTOR WITH COPS. 
          I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONERS BRIONES, GARCIA AND RAMSEY. I'VE BEEN A SUPERVISE WITH HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS. I'VE GONE THROUGH OVER FOUR SETS OF DEPUTIES. WE'VE TRAINED THE DEPUTIES, THEY'VE WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR TO GAIN EXPERIENCE, AND THEN THEY GO TO ANOTHER AGENCY THAT PAYS MORE. WE ARE ESSENTIALLY A TRAINING GROUND FOR THE AGENCIES. 
          [02:10:02]
NOW THAT OTHER AGENCIES HAVE VOTED TO INCREASE THEIR PAY RATE TO MATCH HPD, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL PLACES DEPUTIES WILL LEAVE HARRIS COUNTY FOR IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A HIGHER PAY RAISE. 
          THIS PAY RAISE INCLUDES OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, LIKE THE SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLES. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, GARCIA AND RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME AND MY FELLOW DEPUTIES PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. GOD BLESS. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JOSE LOPEZ, PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES ORGANIZATION, FOP 39. 
          THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY, BRIONES, AND GARCIA FOR AWARDING FOR PARITY WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. THIS WASN'T JUST A GESTURE. IT WAS A DECISION TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF EVERY RESIDENT IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          BECAUSE OF YOUR VOTE, WE WERE ABLE TO STOP MASS EXODUS OF DEPUTIES TO HPD'S 1,200 OPENINGS AND WE'RE NOW IN A STRONGER POSITION TO RECRUIT AND KEEP THE DEPUTIES WE NEED. 
          WE'RE ALREADY UNDERSTAFFED AND LOSING MORE WILL CRIPPLE EMERGENCY SERVICES. IMAGINE CALLING 911 WITH NO DEPUTY AVAILABLE. DESPITE THE CRITICISM, YOU MADE THE RIGHT DECISION, AND IT'S ALREADY WORKING. THIS IS NOT ABOUT GIVING DEPUTIES A RAISE. IT'S ABOUT GIVING HARRIS COUNTY A FIGHTING CHANCE TO STAY SAFE. 
          THANK Y'ALL. 
          >> JOSE, JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, PRIMARILY FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOUR SERVICE, YOUR FORMER ARMY, I THINK IT WAS, AND JUST WANT TO THANK YOU OVERALL FOR YOUR SERVICE, BUT I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES ORGANIZATION BECAUSE THE CONVERSATION OF THESE PAY RAISES AND HOW TO TO TO A SWEET SPOT WAS A NEW PROCESS FOR HARRIS COUNTY. BUT I APPLAUD THE WAY Y'ALL HAVE WORKED THROUGH IT, LISTENED TO CONVERSATIONS AND HELPED US TO COME TO A GOOD CONCLUSION ON WHAT THE PROPOSAL WILL LOOK LIKE. 
          SO, I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND YOUR MEMBERS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND HELPING US GET THERE THROUGH THIS THANK YOU SO MUCH 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK Y'ALL. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LADONNA, AND I WANT TO THANK THE ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR ALL THEY DO. THE SAFETY OF THE COUNTY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COURT, AND IT IS NOT TO SUPPORT THE CONSTABLES, IT IS NOT RESPECTABLE TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY. WE DON'T NEED TO SEE A MASS EXODUS OF OFFICERS TO THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT RESPECT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE MUST PAY THE OFFICERS RESPECTABLY. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I AGREE. 
          >> JUDGE, THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS. 
          >> ALL RIGHT, SO, LET US -- I KNOW WE'RE HITTING LUNCHTIME. 
          SO, THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. 
          AND WHAT I'M THINKING, COLLEAGUES, IS -- AND I 
          [Departments]
KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES NEEDS TO LEAVE AT 3:30, BUT THE THOUGHT HERE IS TO GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA BRIEFLY AND THEN TAKE LUNCH IF THAT SOUNDS OKAY WITH Y'ALL. SO, LET ME SEE. 
          I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH ITEM 1, THEN WE'LL TAKE ITEM 3, 4, AND 5. THAT'LL ALL HAVE TO DO WITH EMPLOYEE PLANS AND ARPA GENERAL FUND. 
          AFTER THAT, WE'LL DO ITEMS 2, 11 THROUGH 18, AND 22, THAT HAVE TO DO WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FINALLY, ITEM 19, WHICH IS ON THE DISTRICT JUDGES. 
          AND SO, IS THERE ANY OTHER ITEM THAT YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS? I HAVE 1, 3, 4, 5 -- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, AND 22. 
          >> LOOKS GOOD TO ME. 
          >> LOOKS GOOD. >> SO, IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 6 THROUGH 10 AND ITEMS 20, 21, 23 AND 24 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED? 
          >> SO MOVED. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I PROPOSE WE TAKE LUNCH UNTIL 1:00. DOES THAT WORK? TO ACCOMMODATE COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          >> ALL RIGHT. IT'S 1:13 P.M. 
          [02:15:04]
AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. 
          SO, LET'S BEGIN WITH ITEM 1, WHICH IS FY26 BUDGETS AND TAX RATES. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. 
          TIFFANY, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND PUTTING UP THE POWERPOINT. 
          THANK YOU, TIFFANY. AND THANK YOU, COURT MEMBERS, FOR ENTRUSTING THIS PROCESS TO ME. 
          THE FISCAL YEAR '26 BUDGET IS THE CULMINATION OF THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF WORK BETWEEN THE BUDGET OFFICE, OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND YOUR STAFFS WHO HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUS IN HELPING US TRACK ITEMS DOWN, AND FOR YOU ALL PROVIDING FEEDBACK. 
          NEXT SLIDE. 
          BEFORE WE GET INTO THE SLIDE, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF NUMBERS TOSSED AROUND TODAY. I JUST WANT TO VERY QUICKLY RECONCILE. SO, WHEN WE DID THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE FORECAST, THAT IS A POINT IN TIME, SO WE TAKE THE BEST INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE IN MAY, AND WE LOOK AT WHAT OUR PROJECTED REVENUES ARE. WE LOOK AT OUR PROJECTED EXPENSES, INCLUDING ANY COMMISSIONER COURT DECISIONS UP TO THAT POINT. 
          AND WE MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION. 
          AT THAT POINT, WE HAD A $270 MILLION DEFICIT. 
          SINCE THEN, THE PICTURE -- WE'LL GO THROUGH A FULL RECONCILIATION IN A SECOND, BUT FROM THAT POINT, THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER. 
          OUR PROPERTY TAX REVENUE WENT UP $20 MILLION AND I CAN TALK THROUGH SOME OF THE REASONS FOR THAT. AND ALSO, OUR INITIAL ESTIMATE FOR PAY PARITY WITH CITY OF HOUSTON ENDED UP BEING A LITTLE OVER, CLOSER TO $100 MILLION INSTEAD OF $140 MILLION. 
          THE LABOR AGREEMENT WAS NOT PUBLIC, AND SO WHAT WE CONSIDERED BASE PAY OR WHAT HPD CONSIDERED BASE PAY IN THEIR PRESS RELEASE WAS ACTUALLY OUR BASE PAY PLUS A FEW OTHER ITEMS. SO, FROM THIS POINT, WE'VE BEEN KIND OF REFERENCING BACK TO THAT CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE FORECAST. YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF TRANSITION AT THIS POINT TO LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. SO, OUR BUDGET IS $102 MILLION MORE THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR. 
          SOME OF THESE EXPENSES INCLUDE $102 MILLION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY PARITY, $15 MILLION FOR CIVILIAN PAY EQUITY, AND THEN AN ADDITIONAL $55 MILLION WORTH OF INDIGENT DEFENSE COSTS, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A CARRYOVER FROM THIS FISCAL YEAR. 
          WE OFFSET THAT WITH $65 MILLION BY DEPARTMENT SAVINGS AND $37 MILLION WORTH OF COUNTYWIDE SAVINGS. SO, I'LL VERY QUICKLY RUN THROUGH. WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE TAX OFFICE, SO THANK YOU, MADAME TAX ASSESSOR, COLLECTOR, TO PROCESS THE DATA THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT TO GET DOWN TO WHAT WE EXPECT OUR REVENUE NUMBERS TO BE NEXT YEAR. 
          YOU'LL NOTICE, ON THIS ONE, THAT THE NNR OR THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, WHICH IS WHAT WE WOULD DEFAULT TO IF WE DID NOT ADOPT A TAX RATE FOR THIS TAX YEAR, IS HIGHER. 
          THE REASON FOR THAT BEING THAT, SO, ESSENTIALLY, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON, BUT THE SIMPLEST WAY TO PUT IT IS WHAT NO NEW REVENUE SAYS IS IF YOU GOT A BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR, AND $800 MILLION OF IT IS FOR OPERATING AND $200 MILLION OF IT IS FOR DEBT SERVICE, YOU CAN'T GET MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS. 
          BUT IF YOUR DEBT SERVICE GOES UP, THEN YOU GET LESS O&M. 
          YOU STILL ARE CAPPED AT THAT $1 BILLION BUT IF THAT SERVICE WERE TO GO DOWN TO 150, YOU WOULD GET 850 IN OPERATING. THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE, THOUGH THEY ARE VERY, VERY CLOSE. $8 MILLION APART ON AN ALMOST $2.8 BILLION BUDGET. I KNOW THAT THAT'S A CONFUSING CONCEPT, SO I'LL PAUSE HERE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR FOLLOW-UPS. 
          >> JUST BRIEFLY. MR. RAMOS, THANK YOU. 
          SO, WHICH OF THE TWO WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? 
          >> AS THE BUDGET DIRECTOR, I'M ALWAYS GOING TO ASK FOR MORE REVENUE, SO THE -- WE WOULD RECOMMEND THE NNR 
          AT THIS POINT. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE AS YOU MENTIONED, SOMETIMES THINGS CHANGE, ARE YOU POSITIVE? I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU CHECK ON IT. 
          IT'S ONLY $8 MILLION, BUT FROM WHERE WE ARE, II WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMETHING IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE, AND YOU THOUGHT WITH THE WAY YOU CALCULATED OUR DEBT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. 
          >> YEAH, AND THAT WAS PART OF THE REASON, COMMISSIONER, AND I KNOW WE TRY TO GET THE TAX RATES OVER TO YOU AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. 
          THERE WAS A SMALL DELAY. WE ACTUALLY DID A BOND SALE LAST TUESDAY, SO THESE ARE THE LATEST AND GREATEST, FRESHEST 
          [02:20:01]
DEBT SERVICE NUMBERS. WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, WHO HAS SIGNED OFF ON THAT WE ARE INTERPRETING THE LAW CORRECTLY AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING. OKAY. 
          >> ON THE LEGAL SIDE, YOU'RE READING IT RIGHT. 
          AND JUST I WANT TO ASK YOU SO WE GET IT STRAIGHT. 
          ON THE FIRST PAGE, WHAT IS THE DEFICIT? WHAT IS OUR SHORTFALL? 
          >> WHEN IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE, WHEN WE GOT THE FINAL PROPERTY TAX NUMBERS, AND WE GOT THE FINAL NUMBERS FOR PAY PARITY, WE WERE RIGHT AT A $200 MILLION DEFICIT. 
          >> SO, $270 MILLION, IT'S 
          $200 MILLION. >> AND THIS PROPOSED BUDGET IS BALANCED. WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING FOR EXPENDITURES AND EQUAL IS WHAT WE EXPECT TO GET IN REVENUE. 
          >> OBVIOUSLY, I'LL WAIT UNTIL YOU FINISH BUT I KNOW I WANT TO GET IN BECAUSE THAT $65 MILLION OR THAT $37 MILLION, WHAT'S IN THERE? WE JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THERE'S SOME ASSUMPTIONS YOU'RE MAKING, BUT WHEN WE VOTE, ON THOSE VARIOUS ITEMS, LIKE, INSURANCE BENEFITS OR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PICK OR WHETHER WE DO SOMETHING ON PRESCRIPTIONS FOR OUR PENSIONERS. SOME OF THOSE THINGS MAY NOT BE -- I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S COOKED INTO THAT. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD. OKAY. NEXT SLIDE, 
          PLEASE. >> JUST A SECOND. 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES? 
          >> YES, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS, FOR THE INTENSE AMOUNT OF EFFORT AND TIME YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DEVOTED, AS WELL AS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AND ALL OUR TEAMS. I APPRECIATE YOU TREMENDOUSLY. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR THIS UPDATE WITH THE UPDATED REVENUES AND NOW THE UPDATED PROJECTED DEFICIT. I KNOW THIS IS A CONSTANTLY ITERATIVE PROCESS, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, AND WE SOON WILL HAVE THE DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET HEARINGS COMING UP AND I APPRECIATE THIS BEING A MULTI-MONTH, MULTI- TEAM EFFORT BUT MY QUESTION TO YOU SPECIFICALLY AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS DECK, WOULD YOU PLEASE WALK US THROUGH SOME OF THE NONDEPARTMENTAL EFFICIENCIES AND SAVINGS THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM 
          HAVE IDENTIFIED, PLEASE. >> UNDERSTOOD. 
          >> DIRECTOR, QUESTION BACK TO THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGE. SO, I'M LOOKING AT THE -- THE SAVINGS IDENTIFIED BY OMB THAT YOU SHARED WITH OUR STAFFS EARLIER. 
          SO THAT ADDS UP TO $103 MILLION. WEST LOOP PROPERTY SALE, JUSTICE COURT SUPPORT FUND, PENSION AND HEALTH CARE FUNDS. 
          THAT'S IF WE VOTE FOR IT, OR IS THAT ALREADY DONE? 
          >> SO, THAT IS IN OUR PROPOSAL. 
          >> THAT'S IN THE PROPOSAL. SO, IT'S NOT DONE 
          YET. >> CORRECT. 
          WE DO HAVE FOUR OF -- FOUR KIND OF KEY ITEMS THAT EITHER HAVE -- THAT'S ITEMS 2 THROUGH 5 ON TODAY'S AGENDA, THAT HAVE SOME SORT OF TIMING COMPONENT WHERE WE WANT TO GIVE OUR CLIENTS OR GIVE OUR SUPPORT STAFF TIME TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THESE BY OCTOBER 
          1ST. >> OKAY, SO, THIS $103 MILLION IS FOR THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE, CORRECT? 
          >> SO, THE 103 -- SO, THAT'S -- 
          >> I GUESS, HOW MUCH MORE THAN LAST YEAR WILL IT COST TO KEEP THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE? 
          >> SO, IT WAS - - WHEN IT WAS ALL SAID AND DONE AND WE GOT FINAL REVENUE NUMBERS AND FINAL PAY PARITY NUMBERS, THE NUMBER IS RIGHT AROUND 200. 
          >> RIGHT AROUND 200. IS THAT INCLUDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISE? 
          >> YES. 
          >> OKAY. SO, JUST TO BE CLEAR, BECAUSE THIS SLIDE IS A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING, LIKE THE NUMBER 200 IS NOT ANYWHERE IN HERE. AND SO, I'D LIKE TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE PRESS FROM DIRECTOR RAMOS THAT THE NUMBER OF -- THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE NEED ON TOP OF LAST YEAR IS $200 MILLION BASED ON WHAT HE JUST EXPLAINED. AND LATER TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO BE VOTING ON THESE POSSIBLE OFFSETS FOR $103 MILLION THAT STILL LEAVES US AT ANOTHER $100 MILLION, RIGHT? SO, THAT'S THE QUESTION IS WE HAVEN'T EVEN APPROVED THESE POSSIBLE OFFSETS, AND WE STILL NEED TO APPROVE ANOTHER $100 MILLION WORTH OF OFFSETS, AND I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ON THAT BECAUSE AGAIN, IT DOESN'T SAY $200 MILLION IN HERE. 
          BUT THAT IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO -- THE GAP THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO MAKE UP. 
          >> JUDGE. 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? 
          >> QUICK QUESTION. AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T THROW YOU OFF, BUT I JUST KIND OF FLIPPED THROUGH IT JUST SO I DON'T FORGET. 
          AT $200 MILLION, I WAS GOING TO ASK WHEN IT WAS $270 MILLION, HOW DOES THAT COMPARE WITH PREVIOUS DEFICITS AT THE COUNTY? I KNOW IT'S NEVER BEEN AS LARGE SINCE YOU'VE BEEN HERE BUT I ASKED YOU THE OTHER DAY IF YOU COULD GO BACK. 
          >> 2009 THROUGH '11 WERE, AS A PERCENTAGE, A SIMILAR -- THIS WOULD BE HIGHER. I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT THE DIFFERENCE -- THE DIFFERENCE THERE WAS THEY WERE DEALING WITH THE HOUSING MARKET THAT HAD CRASHED. 
          PEOPLE NOT PAYING THEIR PROPERTY TAXES. WHERE HERE, OF THAT $200 MILLION DEFICIT, ABOUT 150 OF IT IS FOR 
          [02:25:01]
COMPENSATION. SO, THE COURT HAS PRIORITIZED COMPENSATION, SO WE'RE WORKING BACKWARDS TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THAT. 
          >> SO, YOU HAD INFLATION, AND YOU HAD THE HOUSING CRASH. 
          >> THOSE WERE THE TWO BIGGEST FOR US IN TERMS OF THAT DELTA, WHAT IS NOT COMPENSATION, I WOULD SAY THE NUMBER ONE -- THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THAT WE'VE DEALT WITH IS THE INCREASES TO INDIGENT DEFENSE. THAT HAS, I BELIEVE, MORE THAN DOUBLED DURING MY FOUR BUDGET CYCLES HERE. 
          THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WE'VE GOTTEN AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF DATA AND TRANSPARENCY INTO WHAT GOES INTO THAT PROJECTION. WE SEE, YOU KNOW, LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL THERE WHERE WE'RE SEEING CASES GO TO TRIAL, AND THAT MEANS ALL THE ASSOCIATED TRIAL COSTS ARE AFFECTING OUR BUDGET, BUT THAT ALSO MEANS THAT WE'RE EATING INTO THE COURT BACKLOG, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE'RE EATING INTO THE FOLKS THAT ARE STILL IN JAIL. 
          >> SO, LAST POINT, AND IF IT'S COMING LATER, I'LL JUST WAIT. BUT AT SOME POINT, GIVE ME SOME SENSE OF, IF YOU'RE BAKING IN ANY FEDERAL MONEY, FEDERAL GRANTS, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THIS YEAR, INTO THIS -- 
          >> WE DID NOT REPLACE ANY FEDERAL GRANT LOSSES IN THE GENERAL FUND. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE MAKING PROPOSALS TO REPRIORITIZE THEIR INTERNAL BUDGETS. YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS LEFT AFTER THE CUTS WERE MADE. TO BACKFILL FOR SOME OF THOSE GRANTS BUT OMB AT THIS POINT IS NOT RECOMMENDING WE ABSORB ANY FEDERAL GRANTS INTO THE GENERAL 
          FUND BUDGET. >> LAST POINT. 
          ANY ONE- TIME STUFF IN HERE THAT OBVIOUSLY, JUST SO WE GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT THE HOLD WILL BE, WILL BEGIN AT THE NEXT CYCLE? I KNOW THERE'S A SALE OF A 
          BUILDING. >> IT'S ABOUT $65 MILLION OF 
          WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER -- >> THAT $65 MILLION, IS THAT IT, THAT PARTIALLY OFFSET? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO THERE? 
          >> NO. THAT'S KIND OF -- THERE ARE THINGS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE ONE-TIME. 
          WE JUST CATEGORIZE IT AS EITHER BEING A DEPARTMENT IS LOSING THAT FUNDING OR IT'S KIND OF A COUNTYWIDE POLICY CHANGE THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING. 
          >> AND I WAS ASKING BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT BILL PASSED THE SENATE, TO CAP US AT 2.5. 
          >> THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO THIS COUNTY. 
          >> YOU TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT HERE OR JUST ASSUMING 3.5? 
          >> THIS IS ASSUMING 3.5, AND I BELIEVE -- I HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN UPDATE ON THAT ONE YET, BUT I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE NEXT TAX 
          YEAR. >> OKAY. 
          ALL RIGHT. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 
          >> DANIEL, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK ON THIS, AND IS ONE OF THESE SLIDES GOING TO INDICATE THE TAX INCREASE THAT WOULD BE -- THAT IS A PART OF THIS CONVERSATION? IS THERE A TAX INCREASE PROPOSED IN HERE? 
          >> NONE THAT WOULD REQUIRE GOING TO THE VOTERS. 
          SO, WE WOULD GET OUR VOTER-APPROVED RATE AND NNR WENT UP FROM LAST YEAR. 
          >> BUT JUST THE TAX RATE INCREASE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. 
          >> NO. NO, SIR. 
          >> OKAY. SO, NO TAX RATE INCREASE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. 
          >> NOT ON THE GENERAL -- ON THE RATE SIDE, NOT A -- NOT A GENERAL FUND RATE INCREASE, 
          CORRECT. >> WE CLOSE THE BUDGET, IS THERE A TAX RATE INCREASE? 
          >> NO, SIR. 
          >> OKAY. 
          >> THERE'S ADDITIONAL REVENUE BUT NO TAX RATE 
          INCREASE. >> 
          CORRECT. >> WE CAN TAKE -- 
          >> NO, NO. 
          >> SORRY. THAT WAS A MOUTHFUL THERE, I'M 
          SORRY, COMMISSIONER. >> YEAH, BUT IT'S JUST BEEN SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING UP TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. 
          IS ANY OF THAT A PART OF THIS PRESENTATION? 
          >> SO -- 
          >> YES OR NO. I MEAN, ARE YOU PROPOSING A PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET? 
          >> NOT THE RATE, BUT BECAUSE APPRAISALS DID GO UP SOME -- 
          >> I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE APPRAISAL. IS THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BEING INCREASED TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET? 
          >> NO, SIR. 
          >> I WAS GOING TO TAKE MY THANK YOU BACK FOR WORKING ON THIS BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER. 
          ANYWAY, AGAIN, THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE OFFICES THAT DID WORK ON THIS BUDGET OVER THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS, AND I THINK THAT COLLECTIVE WORK, FOLKS SITTING AROUND THE TABLE, ROLLING THEIR SLOOEZ SLEEVES UP, HELPED TO GET US TO A GOOD PLACE. OUR ARPA PROGRAMS ARE CONTINUING AS PLANNED INTO THE NEXT YEAR. 
          SO, VERY -- I DON'T THINK ANY -- VERY LITTLE OF THAT HAS CHANGED AND THE ONLY THING THAT'S CHANGED IS THAT THOSE PROGRAMS THAT WEREN'T WORKING, THOSE DOLLARS ARE POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE REPROGRAMMED ELSEWHERE. AND COULD A SHORT SIX- MONTH HIRING FREEZE HELP US ON THIS APPROACH? 
          >> IT WOULD, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> BY HOW MUCH? 
          [02:30:03]
          >> IF WE WERE TO -- DEPENDING ON WHICH DEPARTMENTS -- ULTIMATELY, COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD EXAMINE LAW ENFORCEMENT, DETENTION OFFICERS, OTHER POSITIONS AROUND THING COUNTY THAT WOULD COST US MONEY TO KEEP VACANT, ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO $60 MILLION. 
          AND WE, IN THIS PROPOSED BUDGET, AS OPPOSED TO DOING AN ACROSS THE BOARD HIRING FREEZE, WE DID TARGET VACANT POSITIONS TO TAKE -- ESSENTIALLY TAKE BACK TO FUND, YOU KNOW, COMPENSATION INCREASES ACROSS THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S CLARITY BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET AND COMMISSIONERS COURT, HERE'S YOUR AUTHORIZED FORCE. 
          YOU KNOW, NO ONE'S GOING TO STOP YOU FROM HIRING BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU HAVE THAT POSITION WHERE IF WE WERE TO DO A HIRING FREEZE, WE WOULD NEED TO CREATE SOME AMOUNT OF ADMINISTRATION TO VET THE EXCEPTIONS, LIKELY BRING THEM TO COURT, WHICH I THINK WOULD SOW A LITTLE BIT OF CONFUSION. 
          >> BUT THOSE -- BUT THE HIRING FREEZE WOULD BE BASED ON POSITIONS THAT HADN'T BEEN FILLED -- 
          >> MOVE TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION. 
          >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? 
          >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 
          SO, THE HIRING FREEZES, YOU'VE LOOKED AT THOSE POSITIONS THAT HAVE GONE UNFILLED FOR HOW MANY MONTHS? 
          >> SO, WE LOOKED AT ALL VACANT POSITIONS. WE REALLY TARGETED THE ONES THAT HAD BEEN VACANT OVER A HUNDRED DAYS. BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE VACANT POSITIONS WERE PROPOSED BY THE DEPARTMENTS. THERE'S VERY LITTLE, LIKE, LOOKING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE 10% THAT THEY SUBMITTED. MOST DEPARTMENTS CHOSE TO CUT VACANT POSITIONS AS OPPOSED TO FOLKS CURRENTLY ON STAFF. 
          >> AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DIRECTORS ALL -- I THINK, ENTIRELY, CAME TO A TABLE WITH A -- WITH THEIR PROPOSED 
          10%. >> WE HAD 100% COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS. 
          >> GOOD. THANK YOU TO THE -- TO OUR DIRECTORS FOR THAT. BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, THROUGH YOUR WORK AND THROUGH THE WORK OF THE OFFICERS THAT WERE PARTICIPATING IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS, THAT WE DIDN'T ACCEPT ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS, RIGHT? 
          >> NO, SIR. 
          >> SO, THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THIS. 
          AND THEN, WE'RE NOT JUST CUTTING OR HOLDING THE LINE OR DOING HIRING FREEZE, BUT WE'RE EXPANDING HART, CORRECT? 
          >> YES. THERE'S -- THERE WAS AN EXPANSION OF HART FROM LAST 
          COURT. >> BUT WHAT WAS EXPANDED LAST COURT WAS JUST INTO TWO PARTICULAR PATROL DISTRICTS, NOT COUNTYWIDE. 
          >> I BELIEVE THAT'S CORRECT, 
          COMMISSIONER. >> SO, NOW, WE'RE ACTUALLY PUTTING MONEY INTO HART SO IT COULD BE A TRUE COUNTYWIDE 
          PROGRAM. >> I WOULD DEFER TO DIRECTOR BARTON ON THAT ONE. 
          >> JUST A NOD, LEAH? 
          >> AT LAST COURT, WE ENTERED INTO THREE ADDITIONAL DISTRICTS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE FUNDING TO COVER THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR AREAS OUTSIDE THE SHERIFF'S 
          OFFICE. >> CORRECT, BUT UNINCORPORATED COUNTYWIDE. 
          >> YES, ALL FIVE DISTRICTS. 
          >> WONDERFUL. SO NOW IT'S COUNTYWIDE. 
          SO WE'RE ACTUALLY INVESTING IN THAT REGARD. 
          LIBRARY OPERATIONS, LIBRARY 
          HOURS? >> THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN TERMS OF SUPPLIES AND SOME VACANT POSITIONS. 
          >> HOURS. I SAID HOURS. 
          >> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. >> GOOD DEAL. 
          AND WAS THERE ANY LOOK AT AREAS OF CONSOLIDATION? 
          >> THERE WAS SOME BASED ON COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. 
          THERE WAS NO -- PARTICULARLY ALONG UNIVERSAL SERVICES THAT PROVIDES COUNTYWIDE SERVICES, THERE WAS AREAS IN PARTICULAR, LAPTOP MANAGEMENT, WHERE WE MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO CENTRALIZE THE PURCHASE SO WE GET THAT ECONOMIES OF SCALE, THAT CHEAPER PRICE AND THAT HIGHER- QUALITY PRODUCT. 
          THERE WAS NOT TALKS ABOUT MERGING DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER, ANYTHING ALONG THOSE 
          LINES. >> BUT YOU DID LOOK AT CONSOLIDATING SPENDING APPROACHES? 
          >> CORRECT. 
          >> LIKE THE TECHNOLOGY 
          CONSOLIDATION. >> CORRECT. 
          >> GOOD, GOOD. AND THEN, LASTLY, I GUESS IT'S THIS -- SO, YOU'RE ACTUALLY PROPOSING A LOWER TAX RATE THAN WHAT WE COULD PROPOSE WITH THE VAR VERSUS THE NON-NEW REVENUE RATE. 
          THAT'S GOING TO STILL PROVIDE US A LITTLE BIT MORE 
          [02:35:03]
FLEXIBILITY, AND ALL THOSE -- THE HIRING FREEZE, THE MONEY BEING SAVED THROUGH, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MENTIONED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S EFFORTS, AS WELL AS A BIT OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE OUT OF THE TAX RATE, AND THEN A FEW OTHER AREAS. 
          THESE ARE ALL -- THE NUMBERS HAVE ADDED UP TO PROVIDE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROPOSE A BALANCED 
          BUDGET. >> THAT'S CORRECT. 
          AND WE -- DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS HERE TODAY, AND AS WE GO THROUGH DISCUSSIONS, AS THINGS GET TAKEN OFF THE TABLE, WE'LL BRING NEW OPTIONS. 
          >> GOOD DEAL. >> TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR CONSIDERATION. BUT WE'LL KEEP YOU AND YOUR STAFF UP TO DATE ON WHAT'S ON THE TABLE, WHAT THE IMPACT IS, AND WE'LL BE AS TRANSPARENT AS WE POSSIBLY CAN IN THAT REGARD. 
          >> GOOD DEAL. AND THEN, FOR THE CONVERSATION THAT WAS HELD EARLIER, IS -- THE SHERIFF HAS AN IMMENSELY UNIQUE AREA OF OPERATION. WAS -- ARE WE AT HIS -- LOOKING AT HIS SALARY SO THAT IT IS ALSO A PARITY ISSUE WITH HPD? 
          >> THAT -- WHEN WE MET AS PARTPART OF THE -- IT'S NOT QUITE A BARGAINING GROUP, BUT FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, THE BARGAINING GROUP, WHEN WE CREATED THE PAY SCALE FOR THE RANK AND FILE ALL THE WAY UP TO CAPTAIN, WE ALSO MADE A RECOMMENDATION AROUND THE EXECUTIVE, SO CAPTAIN THROUGH CHIEF. 
          WE DID HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON THE ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES, THE KIND OF GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT THAT FOLKS CAME BACK WITH WAS THE SHERIFF'S SALARY WOULD BE BASED ON THE HPD CHIEF WITH THE CONSTABLES SOMEWHERE ABOVE 17%. 
          AGAIN, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A -- I TRY TO STAY OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES. I THINK IT'S NOT MY PLACE TO MAKE AN OPINION THERE. BUT THAT WAS THE DISCUSSION THAT HAPPENED AS PART OF THE 
          BARGAINING GROUP. >> GOOD DEAL. 
          I DO WANT YOU TO WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SHERIFF DOES HAVE PARITY WITH HPD. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD. >> HIS ROLE IS COMPLICATED. 
          HIS ROLE IS UNIQUE. THE CITY USED TO HAVE A CITY JAIL, WHICH IS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT OPERATIONS OF WHAT THE SHERIFF HAS TO OVERSEE, AND I THINK SHERIFF GONZALEZ HAS, BY FAR, EARNED THE RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE THAT -- OF THE WORK THAT HE IS DOING, AND YOU KNOW, JAILS ARE NEVER GOING TO BE 100% JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR COMPLEXITY AND THE DIFFICULTY IN THEM, BUT I DO STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT HE HAS EARNED THE RESPECT AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS COMPARABLE TO THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS A BIG ORGANIZATION, COMPLEX IN ITS OWN SELF, BUT NOT WITH A JAIL. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ELLIS AND BRIONES. 
          >> DIRECTOR, GOOD JOB. YOU GOT A HARD JOB. 
          YOU GOT TO GO THROUGH THESE DETAILS. 
          TO GO THROUGH WHAT YOU HAD TO IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE THERE, AND COME UP WITH A BALANCED BUDGET AT THIS POINT, WELL DONE. 
          WE'VE STILL GOT WORK TO DO. WE'VE STILL GOT A LOT OF BUDGET CONVERSATIONS WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. WE WANT TO BE SURE, BUT I THINK IT'S A ROBUST PROCESS THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH, AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT. 
          MAYBE NOT ALL THE COMMITTEE MEETINGS, JESSE, BUT I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE'RE PUTTING IN THE TIME AND THE EFFORT. IT'S NOT OFF THE CUFF. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WHY WE DO THINGS AND WHY WE DIDN'T DO THINGS. BUT I CAN TELL YOU WHO I LISTENED TO IS MY CONSTITUENTS IN PRECINCT 3. 
          AND THEY COMMUNICATE WITH ME OFTEN. THE OTHER GROUP THAT I LISTEN TO MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE BIT ARE THE VICTIMS OF CRIME OVEROVER LAST FIVE YEARS. 
          IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO SEE SOME OF THEIR STORIES AND LISTEN AND RESPOND AND TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS JUST AS SAFE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. 
          SO, I UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN BAD FOLKS DO BAD THINGS, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMEONE THERE TO PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BUDGET FOR. AND THERE'S A NUMBER THAT GOES ALONG THERE. THE OTHER THING IS, THE -- PARTICULARLY IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE A PROVEN SUCCESSFUL APPROACH TO CRIME. 
          [02:40:04]
MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THERE'S MORE PEOPLE LIVE IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY THAN LIVE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. YET, WE ARE MUCH MORE SPREAD OUT, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE GREAT JOB THE SHERIFF DOES, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE GREAT JOB THE CONSTABLE DOES, THE REAL UNDERLYING FOUNDATION OF THAT GOOD JOB IS IN THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM. 
          MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT THE CRIME IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA IS FOUR TIMES LESS THAN IT IS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. 
          WE HAVE FULL CREDIT TO THE GREAT JOB OF OUR SHERIFF, THE GREAT JOB OF OUR CONSTABLES, THE GREAT JOB OF OUR DEPUTIES THAT ARE OUT THERE MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY. 
          SO, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BUDGET, WHEN WE LOOK AT WHERE THE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO COMECOME FROM, I ALSO KNOW THAT SINCE 2019, WE'VE INCREASED TAX REVENUES IN HARRIS COUNTY $750 MILLION, SO WHEN YOU SAY, WELL, WE HADN'T HAD TAX INCREASES, AND WE'VE REALLY BEEN BARE, NO. 
          THAT'S 40% OVER WHAT IT WAS IN 2019. 
          THOSE ARE REAL NUMBERS. THAT'S REAL MATH. 
          THAT IS VERY CLEAR. SO, WE'VE GOT DOLLARS. 
          WE'VE GOT DOLLARS TODAY THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH. 
          THE BUDGET, THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET THIS YEAR, WILL BE $2.7 BILLION. AND WHEN I LOOK AT THAT $2.7 BILLION, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE HAVE TO DO, LAW ENFORCEMENT'S ONE OF THEM, BUT THERE'S MANY THINGS WITHIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. MANY THINGS WITHIN OUR MENTAL HEALTH AREA. 
          THERE ARE JUST A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE DO, AND IT IS STATUTORY. THE JAIL IS STATUTORY. 
          A LOT OF THINGS WE DO THERE ARE THAT. BUT THERE'S OVER $500 MILLION THAT'S A CHOICE. SO, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TO COME FROM? IT'S REAL EASY. 
          WE HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE, AND WE JUST ASSUME THAT EVERYTHING WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DO. 
          WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. WE CAN MAKE GOOD, VETTED CHOICES. THE JOB THAT WE DID IN FORMING A COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE HOW THESE RAISES WOULD COME ABOUT, THAT INVOLVED A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE. 
          THEY GOT IN THE ROOM. THEY SPENT THE TIME. 
          THEY INVESTED IN ASKING QUESTIONS. THAT'S WHERE THE $100 MILLION FOR INCREASES COMES FROM WAS BASED ON THOSE NUMBERS. 
          NOT A $140 MILLION. SO, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TOTAL TAX AND THE TOTAL THINGS THAT WE WERE DOING, AND I LOOK AT DIFFERENT THINGS FROM, WE GOT A $50 MILLION PAY EQUITY POT, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT. 
          IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT EXACTLY WE'RE GOING TO SPEND. 
          WE JUST CREATE A POT OF MONEY WITH $50 MILLION IN IT. 
          WE MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT THAT AS AN AREA, DO WE REALLY NEED TO SET ASIDE $50 MILLION? ACCESS HARRIS IS $3.5 MILLION. 
          OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS TO DO GENERAL CONSULTS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CONSULTING IS $10 MILLION. 
          ARPA CUTS. WE HAVE A $91 MILLION FLEX FUND, WE CALL IT. SOME DAYS I CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE THAN THAT. WE HAVE A $91 MILLION FLEX FUND. 
          MAYBE WE NEED TO PULL $40 MILLION OUT OF THAT. 
          I KNOW THERE'S $20 MILLION ON COURT AGENDA. 
          BUT MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT OF OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE SPENDING THE MONEY. 
          BE SURE WE ARE SPENDING THE MONEY ON THE THINGS THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO, AND I KNOW TAX RATES. 
          I'M GOING TO PROPOSE -- AND EVERYBODY USES DIFFERENT TERMS. THE VOTER- APPROVED RATE, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT MEANS. THEN YOU NEWS NO NEW REVENUE. 
          WELL, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I WOULD SAY -- I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE HAVE A -- DO NOT INCREASE THE REVENUE RATE. WHATEVER WE GENERATED IN REVENUE LAST YEAR, WE NEED TO HAVE THAT SAME RATE THIS YEAR. 
          BECAUSE EVEN IN THE NO NEW REVENUE OR THE VAR, IT'S $62 MILLION, I THINK, IS THE NUMBER. 
          >> WITH THE CAVEAT, COMMISSIONER, $28 MILLION OF THAT IS JUST ADDITIONAL TOURIST PAYMENTS. 
          SO, WE COLLECT ON BEHALF OF THE TOURS AND TURN AROUND AND 
          [02:45:02]
PAY 
          THEM. >> MAYBE JUST HALF THAT, BUT IT'S THE DELTA IS THERE. LAST YEAR, WHEN WE INCREASED BECAUSE WE COULD, I DIDN'T AGREE WITH IT, WE INCREASED THE TAX RATE TO THE POINT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO COLLECT $200 MILLION, AND SO, THAT'S $200 MILLION. THIS YEAR, IT'S GOING TO BE 3030 TO 60. SO, I THINK WE COLLECTED A LOT OF MONEY LAST YEAR. AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE APPOINT. SO, I'M GOING TO, AT LEAST WHEN WE GET TO THE MOTIONS ON THE TAX RATE, THAT'LL BE ONE THING I WANT TO LOOK AT. LET ME ASK YOU, I UNDERSTAND THE TAX RATES AND WE'LL TALK SPECIFICALLY WHEN YOU GET INTO THOSE DETAILS LATER, BUT ARE WE INCREASING THE TAX RATE FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT? 
          >> AT THIS POINT, OMB IS NOT RECOMMENDING A TAX RATE. 
          WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COURT OFFICES ALONG WITH HARRIS HEALTH, BUT THEIR VOTER APPROVAL RATE GREW SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL FUND DID. 
          THERE'S TWO REASONS FOR THAT. ONE IS VARIABLE TO GO UP BY 8% INSTEAD OF 3.5%. THE SECOND PART OF THAT IS, WHEN THEY DO MORE UNCOMPENSATED CARE, THE WAY THE TRUTH IN TAXATION FORM WORKS IS THEY'RE ALLOWED TO RECOUP THAT FUNDING THROUGH PROPERTY TAXES. SO, I KNOW THE DOCTOR WILL BE ON AFTER ME IN THE PRESENTATION, SO WE CAN HELP ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS. 
          >> IS THAT AN 8%? 
          >> I BELIEVE THE HARRIS HEALTH TO 14% 
          INCREASE. >> OKAY. 
          SO, HE'LL DISCUSS THAT LATER? ON THAT? AND ONE OTHER POINT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I PLAN ON MAKING A MOTION TO YOUR POINT, RELATED TO THE SHERIFF, THAT WE DIRECT OMB TO PRESENT OPTIONS FOR INCREASING THE SHERIFF'S SALARY TO MATCH THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON. 
          IN THE FISCAL YEAR '26 BUDGET. SO THAT WE WOULD GET A PLACE HOLDER WITHIN THIS BUDGET TO ADDRESS, I THINK, WHAT WE NEED TO IN TERMS OF HIM AND WHAT HE DOES FOR THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER 
          BRIONES. >> COUPLE OF POINTS. 
          ONE, I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT OUR POPULATION HAS GROWN BY OVER 400,000 PEOPLE SINCE 2018. AND AS IT GROWS, GENERALLY, THE COSTS GET HIGHER. 
          THIS IS WHAT I HAVE IN TERMS OF WALKING THROUGH WHEN THE DEFICIT WAS 275. I KNOW YOU MET WITH MY STAFF YESTERDAY AND NOW IT'S 200 INSTEAD. 
          BUT HERE'S MY UNDERSTANDING OF $32 MILLION IN REVENUE THAT OMB DIDN'T ORIGINALLY COUNT ON. 
          $43 MILLION IN ADJUSTING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISES AND FOR INDIGENT EVENTS. 
          $15 MILLION THAT EMPLOYEES WILL NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. 
          SO, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DON'T DO THAT. SO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE CLEAR BUT MAYBE I'LL DO IT NOW. 
          I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION NOW SO YOU CAN WORK THAT INTO -- 
          >> ITEM NUMBER 4. WE CAN TAKE THAT UP NOW. 
          HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU 
          STATE -- >> THE MOTION THAT WE DO NOT MAKE COUNTY EMPLOYEES PAY AN ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION FOR HEALTHCARE COVERAGE. 
          >> SECOND. 
          >> ALL RIGHT, THERE'S A MOTION. DID YOU GUYS CATCH IT? 
          >> YES, MA'AM, BUT THAT'S FOR ITEM 1? 
          >> FOUR. ITEM 4. OKAY, SO, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0. I'M ABSTAINING. 
          WE WOULD HAVE TO DO -- WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THIS AND STILL HAVE MONEY IF WE GO WITH MY PROPOSAL FOR THE COMMISSIONERS THAT PUT US AT A $200 MILLION HOLE TO TAKE FROM THEIR BUDGET TO COVER THESE FUNDS SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO AND HARM EMPLOYEES OR RETIREES OR EARLYEARLY CHILDHOOD OR PUBLIC HEALTH OR, OR, OR. 
          >> I HAVE A COUPLE MORE THAT I WANT TO GO THROUGH. 
          JUST SO IT'S CLEAR AS YOU DEVELOP IT. I'M ALSO READING THIS TO MAKE UP FOR THE DEFICIT, YOU HAVE $9 MILLION IN DIFFERENT MEDICATION COVERAGE FOR RETIREES, SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SHELL OUT ANOTHER $9 MILLION TO GET THEIR 
          PRESCRIPTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER, WE CAN GET INTO THAT ONE NOW. ON THE EMPLOYEE WAIVER PROGRAM, THAT WAS A CREATION OUT OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, WHICH ESSENTIALLY ALLOWS US TO RECATEGORIZE OUR RETIREE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE TO RECEIVE MORE SUBSIDIES FROM CMS. 
          >> SO, THEY WOULD NOT -- THERE WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL CHARGES? 
          >> THEY ARE NOT PAYING $9 MILLION MORE, 
          NO. >> AND ANOTHER ONE I SAW WAS $12 MILLION LESS RECOMMENDED CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEALTHCARE AND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. 
          [02:50:01]
          >> AND THAT -- THAT IS AN ACTUARIAL -- WE RECEIVED TWO NUMBERS FROM OUR ACTUARY FOR BOTH HEALTHCARE AND PENSION. 
          THEY GIVE US TWO NUMBERS, A MINIMUM AMOUNT, AND THEN A RECOMMENDED AMOUNT. ON THE -- I'LL TAKE PENSION FIRST. WE'RE A 90% FUNDED PENSION. 
          THAT IS AMONGST THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY. ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAVE -- 
          >> I'VE JUST -- AT LEAST FOR ME, AND I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION, I DON'T WANT TO BE ON RECORD SUPPORTING ANY REDUCTION IN RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. THAT'S JUST FOR RODNEY ELLIS. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. 
          >> SECOND. 
          >> DID YOU CATCH THE MOTION, JAMES? CAN YOU SAY IT AGAIN? 
          >> NO REDUCTION IN HEALTHCAREHEALTHCARE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO HEALTHCARE AND RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS. 
          >> SECOND. 
          >> ALL RIGHT, SO, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0. 
          I ALSO ABSTAIN. THERE HASN'T BEEN A COMMITMENT TO HOW WE'RE GOING TO REDUCE THE $200 MILLION DEFICIT IF WE BOTH DO THIS AND THE COMMISSIONERS THAT CREATED THE DEFICIT DON'T TAKE FROM THEIR BUDGETS TO MAKE UP FOR THE DEFICIT. 
          >> NOW, ON THIS OTHER ONE -- 
          >> AND THAT'S ON ITEM 4. 
          >> YEAH. I'LL WAIT UNTIL -- I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM MY FINANCIAL ADVISORS. 
          BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE $10 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO THE PICK AND MY CONCERN IS WATCHING WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY WHERE THERE'S SOME INSTANCES WHERE THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE OF CHANGES AT FEMA, ARE NOT STEPPING UP. 
          SO, I WANT TO HEAR FROM MY FINANCIAL ADVISORS SINCE WE ARE PAYING THEM FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE, DO THEY AGREE THAT IT WON'T PUT US IN HARM'S WAY IF WE DON'T MAKE THAT $10 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO THE PIC? I JUST WANT TO LAY THAT OUT. AND THE OTHER ONE WOULD BE, I SEE -- BECAUSE I WANT TO TRY TO BE FAIR. I CAN SEE ABOUT 9 OR $10 MILLION IN ARPA CUTS THAT WE COULD MAKE PRETTY EASILY. BUT TO COME UP WITH $20 MILLION, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO CUT BACK ON SOME COMMITMENTS THAT WERE MADE, AND MAYBE I WOULD ASK LEAH TO COME UP AND TELL ME -- I CAN TELL YOU THE $9 MILLION THAT I HAVE THAT I KNOW MY STAFF, WHEN THEY WERE MEETING, ABOUT 9.8, SO WE AGREED TO $4.6 MILLION FOR FEMA REIMBURSEMENT APPROVE, FOR EMERGENCY NURSING, WASTEWATER, $2.6 MILLION, JOBS IN EDUCATION, DISPARITY STUDY THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO. 
          THAT WAS A MILLION DOLLARS, I THINK, FOR LONE STAR AND SOME OTHER DEPARTMENT. AND THEN, HARRIS COUNTY OPPORTUNITY FUND. IT WAS ABOUT $400,000, JUSTICE AND SAFETY. 
          THE THE WIC RE- ENTRY, AND THEN CAPACITY SUPPORT AT POSITIONS NO LONGER NEEDED AND THE GUN BUYBACK, ABOUT $59,753 AND 911 TAPES, ABOUT $15,000. BUT -- SO THAT COMES TO ABOUT $9,771,000 BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S LEFT ON THE TABLE. 
          WHAT WOULD BE CUT TO COME UP WITH THAT OTHER 10.2? 
          >> OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR AT OCA, THE $9.7 MILLION THAT YOU MENTIONED ARE COMING FROM COST SAVINGS, PROGRAMS THAT DID NOT GO THROUGH PROCUREMENT OR REIMBURSEMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM FEMA LIKE YOU MENTIONED. 
          THE REMAINING $9.3 MILLION, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE ARPA STEERING COMMITTEE TO IDENTIFY THE CRITERIA AS TO WHICH PROGRAM SHOULD BE LOOKED AT IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY AND IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENTS -- 
          >> SO, WHAT'S LEFT? I MEAN, I KNOW THAT. 
          WHAT ARE THE BIG ITEMS THAT ARE LEFT? RENTAL ASSISTANCE? IT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. 
          WOULD IT COME FROM HOMELESS FUNDING? WHERE WOULD THE MONEY COME FROM? FOOD? I MEAN, I LOOK AT THE BIG CATEGORIES. IT WAS HOUSING, CHILD CARE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, SO WHERE WOULD IT COME FROM? 
          >> WE WOULD DEFER TO THE DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE REMAINING $9.3 MILLION. SOME AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED WOULD INCLUDE HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE, SINGLE- FAMILY REHABILITATION. THERE MIGHT BE SOME FUNDS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD THAT COULD BE IDENTIFIED. 
          BUT REALLY LOOK TO -- I WANT TO PUT A FACE ON WHAT THESE CUTS WOULD BE. IT'S ANOTHER $10 MILLION IN ARPA MONEY JUST LAYING AROUND SOMEWHERE. 
          >> NO, THAT'S CORRECT, AND IT WOULD BE -- WE HAVE 
          [02:55:01]
PROPOSED -- WE HAD DANIEL JOIN THE ARPA STEERING COMMITTEE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO TO INTRODUCE THE FACT THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME RECOMMENDED REALLOCATIONS. 
          WE STARTED THE PROCESS TO PROPOSE FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE'S CONSIDERATION A METHODOLOGY TO GO ABOUT THAT. 
          WE CAME UP WITH THE FIRST TRANCHE OFOF WE WOULD CONSIDER KIND OF LOWER- HANGING FRUIT OF THE $9. 7 MILLION. TO LOOK AT THE REST OF THAT $20 MILLION, WE WOULD IDENTIFY PROGRAMS IN EITHER THE FLEX FUND OR THAT WAS FUNDED THROUGH INTEREST. BUT THERE WOULD BE CUTS IN CURRENTLY OBLIGATED SERVICES. 
          >> THANK YOU. NOW, DANIEL, THE OTHER THING I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF IS DO THESE DEPARTMENTS, THE BIGGER DEPARTMENTS, LIKE ENGINEERING, DO THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR CUTS WOULD AMOUNT TO? 
          >> YES, I TALKED TO MOST OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, THE ONES THAT DID NOT RECEIVE THE FORMAL LETTER FROM MY OFFICE. 
          >> SO, I THINK ENGINEERING IS A BIG ONE. 
          WHAT ARE THE OTHER BIG ONES? 
          >> ENGINEERING, UNIVERSAL SERVICES, COUNTY ATTORNEY, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS. 
          >> SO, THAT'S GOOD. I WANT TO BRING A COUPLE OF THEM ON THE LINE, BECAUSE I WANT THEM TO SAY FOR THE RECORD THAT THEY THINK THEY CAN DO THEIR JOB MORE EFFICIENTLY, START WITH ENGINEERING. 
          AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOU'RE THERE, DOCTOR, THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF YOUR CUTS AND IF YOU GOT TO LAY PEOPLE OFF, WHAT KIND OF NOTICE ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE? IS IT ALL JUST UNFUND ED POSITIONS? I JUST WANT TO KNOW BECAUSE AT SOME POINT, IF SOME SERVICES ARE DELAYED, I WANT TO BE PREPARED IN ADVANCE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE COURT. 
          WE HAVE RECEIVED THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED CUT. SOME OF THE CUT HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO BE MITIGATED WITH FUNDING, COMMISSIONER. WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH THE MATH ON WHAT ARE THOSE. 
          BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, THERE IS GOING TO BE SERVICE IMPACT FOR MANY AREAS LIKE JANITORIAL SERVICES, REMODELING AND RENOVATION OF OUR -- AND PREPARING OF OUR FACILITIES AND THE RESPONSE TIME WOULD PROBABLY BE DELAYED AS WELL. 
          >> GIVE ME ANOTHER BIG DEPARTMENT. I MAY WANT TO JUST ASK WHAT IMPACT -- 
          >> PUBLIC HEALTH. >> PUBLIC HEALTH? I'M SORRY, YOU'RE HERE. 
          >> AND COMMISSIONER, JUST TO TAKE A STEP BACK, YOU KNOW, I GOT COURT DIRECTION TO PUT US 
          WHERE WE ARE. >> I KNOW. 
          AND BY THE WAY, MR. RAMOS, I'M NOT BEING CRITICAL. 
          I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW 
          WHAT WE'RE DOING. >> UNDERSTOOD. 
          >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO UNINTENDED 
          CONSEQUENCES. >> COMMISSIONER, CAN I SAY TWO SECONDS WORTH OF SOMETHING? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PRESS IS HEARING WHAT THESE FOLKS ARE SAYING, THAT THEY ARE CUTS, AND IF THE DIRECTOR WOULDN'T MIND REPEATING WHAT HE SAID. THERE ARE GOING TO BE SERVICE IMPACTS BASED ON -- Y'ALL CAN ROLL THE TAPE BACK, BUT HE JUST SAID THAT. YES. 
          >> YES. AND I JUST WANT TO GET SOME SENSE IF THE EFFICIENCIES THERE, WE SHOULD DO IT. 
          WE SHOULD ALWAYS DO IT, BUT I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THERE WON'T BE SOME IMPACT. SO, I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, OBVIOUSLY, YOU WON'T FILL ANY POSITIONS, I'M ASSUMING, BUT WE HAVE TO LAY SOME PEOPLE OFF, AND LIKE, IN WHERE AND WHEN WILL THEY KNOW? 
          >> OF COURSE, WE'RE WAITING FOR OUR FINAL BUDGET TO CONFIRM THAT. WE DO HAVE UP TO 18 PCNS IDENTIFIED, MOST OF WHICH ARE VACANT, THAT WE ARE INCLUDING IN OUR OFFSETS. WE WOULD, OF COURSE, PREFER NOT TO IMPACT PEOPLE OR SERVICES. 
          WE'VE TRIED REALLY HARD TO FIND EFFICIENCIES, THINGS LIKE MOVING OFF OF THE IBM CONTRACT, SHIFTING EXPENSES TO OTHER GRANT FUNDS WHERE POSSIBLE, BUT WITH NEARLY $4 MILLION REQUESTED OF US, THAT WILL HAVE SOME IMPACT, AND THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE NOT HOLDING THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION CONFERENCE, REDUCING OUR MOSQUITO AND VECTOR- CONTROL ACTIVITIES. 
          YOU KNOW, REDUCING SOME OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE ACTIVITIES. 
          REALLY, I MEAN, WE HAVE CUTS IDENTIFIED ACROSS 11 OF OUR OFFICES AND DIVISIONS. NO ONE IS SPARED IN THIS SITUATION. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT CUTS TO MEDICAL SUPPLIES. WE REALLY DID TRY AND EMPHASIZE NONLABOR WHERE POSSIBLE. 
          BUT THESE CUTS DO HAVE SIGNIFICANT 
          IMPACT. >> I KNOW WE CANNOT REDUCE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS BY STATE LAW, BUT DANIEL, I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF A BIGBIG WHERE YOU HAVE MENTIONED WE GET SAVINGS HAS BEEN BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF THE COURT SYSTEM AND THE D.A.'S OFFICE IN PARTICULAR. WHAT CUTS -- I DON'T KNOW IF 
          [03:00:02]
ANYBODY'S HERE, BUT WHAT IMPACT IS THIS GOING TO HAVE ON D.A. 
          'S OFFICE? YOU'RE MAKING THAT ASSUMPTION THAT INDIGENT DEFENSE COSTS WOULD NOT BE AS HIGH, CORRECT? 
          >> WE'RE PROJECTING IT TO BE FLAT NEXT YEAR. 
          SO, $55 MILLION. 
          >> WE'RE HOPING IT STAYS AT $55 MILLION, AND YOU'RE HOPING THAT THE JAIL POPULATION WON'T GO UP. SO, THE QUESTION IS, IF YOU TRY TO MOVE TOWARDS NOT HAVING THE OUTSOURCE TO HELP US, IF THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN, WE'LL BE IN A WORSE POSITION WHEN WE COME BACK TO THIS DISCUSSION. 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. AND ON THE OUTSOURCING PIECE, WE ASSUMED $4.5 MILLION LESS, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE MISSISSIPPI CONTRACT GOING AWAY MID YEAR. 
          >> AND FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE? 
          >> FROM THE -- >> ARE THEY AWARE OF WHAT CUTS THEY'LL GET? 
          >> WE'RE RECOMMENDING, I BELIEVE, ABOUT $700,000 IS NONLABOR. $2.5 MILLION IS PROGRAMMATIC. 
          I WOULD -- WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH THE FINER 
          DETAILS. >> AND THEY'RE FINE WITH IT? THEY THINK THEY CAN STILL ACCOMPLISH -- 
          >> I DON'T THINK ANY DEPARTMENT IS FINE WITH IT OR HAPPY WITH IT, BUT WITH THE POSITION WE WERE IN, YOU KNOW, WE WORKED WITH THEM VERY CLOSELY AND DID OUR BEST TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF CUTS. BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO 
          SPEAK. >> LAST POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS, ON THE ISSUE OF PAY EQUITY. I PUT THE ISSUE OF PAY EQUITY FOR FOLKS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TABLE YEARS AGO. 
          WE'RE PAYING FOR A STUDY. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH. 
          WAS IT A MILLION? COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS? 
          >> IT'S AROUND A MILLION. 
          >> ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS. HOW LONG AGO WAS THAT? IT TOOK FOREVER TO GET IT OUT. I THINK WE PASSED THE ITEM, I THINK, BEFORE SOME OF THE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE COURT WERE HERE. 
          IT'S A LONG TIME AGO. 
          NUMBER OF 50 AND WE ALL AGREED TO IT SOME TIME AGO. 
          AT YOU, BUT THANK YOU, I JUST HAD ONE QUESTION. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ON THE ISSUE OF PAY EQUITY, THAT PAY EQUITY ONE HAS BEEN OUT A LONG TIME. WE WENT THROUGH A PROCESS ON PAY RAISES FOR US, AND IF WE ARE GOING TO GIVE IT TO ELECTED OFFICIALS, I THINK THAT WILL BE EIGHT DISCUSSION ABOUT PAY EQUITY FOR ALL OF THEM IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE D.A. MAKES TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, BUT THAT IS CERTAINLY A KEY ACTOR. YOU KNOW WHAT DOES THE D.A. MAKE? I DIDN'T CALL TO ASK, I JUST GOOGLED IT. SO MUCH FOR A.I. IT GAVE ME WHAT 
          ASSISTANT D.A. -- >> IF YOU GIVE ME A SECOND, I WANT TO SAY TO 40, BUT I WILL CONFIRM. 
          >> SO I'M JUST CURIOUS, BUT WITH THE PERSON COLLECTING THE TAXES AND ALL OF THESE -- IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT, AT LEAST HAVE SOME PROCESS, IT OUGHT TO NOT JUST BE BECAUSE SOME OF US FEEL AN AFFINITY FOR A CERTAIN ONE, SO I AM GOING TO BE PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION THAT YOU LOOK AT PAY EQUITY FOR ALL OF THEM, OTHER THAN US. I LOVE US, I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AFFINITY FOR US, BUT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT ON MYSELF, BUT IF YOU DO IT, I DON'T THINK YOU OUGHT TO DO IT. 
          I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE ALL OF THE ELECTEDS AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T WE OUGHT TO PICK AND CHOOSE. WE GOT INTO A BAD SITUATION, COLLEAGUES, WHEN WE STARTED DOWN THAT ROAD BEFORE, AND I THINK YOU ARE DOING ANOTHER STUDY, IF I'M NOT CORRECT, TO FIGURE OUT IF WHAT WE DID IS SOMETHING WE OUGHT TO REVIEW, IS THAT CORRECT? I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU SPENT ON 
          THAT ONE, BUT -- >> THE CONVERSATION IS GOING TO COVER ALL EMPLOYEES AND EXECUTIVES, COMMISSIONER, THAT 
          SHOULD BE BACK IN OCTOBER. >> IT WOULD BE TOO LATE. BUT FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS, YOU'VE GOT TO DO THAT NOW WHEN YOU ARE DOING THIS ON, UNDER STATE LAW. 
          >> 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE. >> OF THE ADOPTION. 
          >> YEAH, SO I AM JUST SAYING, IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT, IT'S ONLY FAIR, SINCE WE HAVE SO MUCH -- YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS GIVE YOU MY LINE ABOUT EQUITY BEING A SIX LETTER WORD, MOST PEOPLE TREAT IT LIKE A FOUR LETTER WORD, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT FOR SOME ELECTED OFFICIALS, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A SCHOOL OF YOU ALWAYS DO IT FOR ALL OF THEM. I'M NOT GOING TO HARP ON IT, BUT DON'T THINK IT'S BEEN EASY. I CHAIRED A SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE ONE SESSION, AND IT CERTAINLY WASN'T A BUDGET -- THE WAY I WOULD HAVE WANTED IT. I HAD TO FIND A CONSENSUS. AND IN THAT INSTANCE, IT WAS UNANIMOUS ON THE SENATE SIDE. 
          BUT IT IS NOT EASY TO SAY , YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE MORE REVENUE. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I AM NOT AS BRIGHT AS ALL OF MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES, BUT I -- TRUST ME, I'VE GOT ENOUGH SENSE TO KNOW, EVERYBODY WANTS MORE MONEY. MOST PEOPLE WANT MORE MONEY. BUT MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO WHAT 
          [03:05:01]
YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET IT. IT DOESN'T JUST COME IN FROM HEAVEN. YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE SOME RISK AND MAKE THE CASE. I AM OF THE OPINION THAT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR IT, AND OUT OF THIS $200 MILLION, I THINK THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PART WAS 109, 110? 
          >> 102. >> 102? YEAH, SO IT WAS HALF OF THIS $200 MILLION DEFICIT. $200 MILLION IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD, BUT THAT'S A BIG DEAL. YOU TELL ME THE LAST TIME IT WAS 
          THAT I WAS IN 2009? >> 2010. WE GOT THE ANSWER BACK, 
          217. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? 
          >> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THIS INFORMATION. SO, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE HAVE COVERED I'D JUST WANT TO LET LEVEL SEPARATE AND I'M STILL WAITING ON AN ANSWER FOR MY FIRST QUESTION FROM A WHILE BACK. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THERE ARE CERTAIN NONNEGOTIABLE'S THAT WE MUST DELIVER, AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CITY GOVERNMENT VERSUS COUNTY GOVERNMENT VERSUS STATE GOVERNMENT VERSUS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY TRUE THAT THE STATE HAS MADE OUR JOBS SO MUCH HARDER WHEN FOUR YEARS AGO, THEY PASSED THE REVENUE CAP. THAT HAS MADE IT INFINITELY MORE COMPLEX AND CHALLENGING. THIS OF COURSE HAS BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION THAT IS HAPHAZARDLY STOPPING OR PAUSING GRANTS TO THE COUNTY. UNDENIABLE. HOWEVER, AS LEADERS, WE ARE CHARGED WITH FINDING SOLUTIONS, KNOWING THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN NONNEGOTIABLE'S THAT WE MUST DELIVER. SO, AS I LOOK THROUGH INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SO LAST QUARTER, AUGUST 7, ITEM 178, WE WERE ABLE TO INVEST -- THIS IS A PART OF SMART SAVINGS, AND I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR BARTON, IN A BUDGET NEUTRAL WAY, WE WERE ABLE TO PASS IT, SO THAT IT COULD BE COUNTYWIDE, RIGHT? THIS IS SMART SAVINGS, THE SKY IS FALLING, DYSTOPIAN UNIVERSE IS UNTRUE AND WE DON'T NEED TO BE INSTILLING FEAR, WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT FACTS. AND SO, WE WILL BE MAKING HARD DECISIONS, BUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A FINAL BUDGET. WE HAVE HEARD FEEDBACK FROM HUNDREDS OF COUNTY RESIDENTS IN IN PERSON TOWNHOMES, VIRTUAL, ONLINE SURVEYS, HUNDREDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY , BALANCING ALL OF THESE COMPETING PRIORITIES. AND AGAIN, HERE WE STAND, AND I'M VERY THRILLED THAT WE ARE ABLE TO AGAIN EXPAND HEART. SO, THESE CUTS, WE CAN DO MORE WITH LESS OFTENTIMES WHEN YOU ROLL UP THE SLEEVES AND SPEND LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF HOURS DELVING INTO THE BUDGET. AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THESE SAVINGS, DIRECTOR, AND A SECOND AND THEN IN TERMS OF PAY AT PARITY, THIS IS SOMETHING I HAD ASKED FOR IN 2023, 2024, BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS WERE PAID MORE AND IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE WERE PLAYING LESS LEFT -- AND IT WAS A HARDER, MORE COMPLEX ROLE. AND HBD ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAD TO EXPEDITE THAT IN JUNE WHEN HE PASSED THE 36.5% PAY INCREASE, AND WE ALREADY STRUGGLE WITH RESPONSE TIMES CURRENTLY. AND THIS WOULD BE EXACERBATED BY THE EXODUS WHEN WE HAVE OVER 1000 JOB POSTINGS AND THEY ARE TRYING TO TAKE -- WE HAVE INVESTED MONEY AND TRAINING AND THEY ARE TAKING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT I HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF CRIMES SEVERAL TIMES. YOU WANT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SHOW UP, PERIOD. AND SO, TO ME, THAT IS ONE OF THE NONNEGOTIABLES, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PAYING COMPETITIVELY. WE NEED TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN FOLKS, NOT HAVE THIS REVOLVING DOOR, BECAUSE IT ENDS UP COSTING TAXPAYERS MORE AND IT UNDERMINES PUBLIC SAFETY. IN TERMS OF -- FOR EXAMPLE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND I AM GOING TO TURN TO THE D.A.S OFFICE AND THE JAIL IN A SECOND, BECAUSE TO ME, SOME OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THE MOST COMPELLING, BUT IN TERMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AS WELL, AGAIN, WE ASKED ALL THE DEPARTMENTS TO PROPOSE 10% OF POTENTIAL -- AND I UNDERLINED POTENTIAL CUTS . 
          THIS IS A 90% CLS, AND WE HAD 100% OF OUR DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATE, WHICH IS AMAZING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. 
          THESE ARE PROPOSED, WE ARE GOING FOR THE FINE TOOTH COMB TO DECIDE WHICH ONES TO ACCEPT AND TAKE VERSUS NOT. BUT IT WAS FASCINATING TO ME IN TERMS OF VACANCIES. DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE OVER 1000, I BELIEVE IT IS 1200 FUNDED VACANT HE IS. MANY HAVE BEEN OPEN FOR HUNDREDS OF DAYS, SO MY FIRST QUESTION TO YOU TO LEVEL SET -- AND I AM, BY THE WAY, ANTI-LAYOFFS, ANTI-ANY CHANGES TO BENEFITS FOR OUR HARD-WORKING HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS. I HAVE BEEN A PRO PAY EQUITY FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY 
          [03:10:05]
EMPLOYEES, AND THIS HAS TAKEN YEARS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S POINT, AND TO PAY PARITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT THE VACANCIES, THIS IS AGAIN, SMART SAVINGS. WHEN YOU HAVE LITERALLY OVER 1000 POSITIONS OPEN FUNDED AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN FILLED IN HUNDREDS OF DAYS, THAT IS A PIVOT. SO, CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT THAT, AND THEN I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON TO AGENT DEFENSE 
          IN THE JAILS, PLEASE. >> SURE, SO, FIRST AND FOREMOST, WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROCESS, WE WENT BACK TO OUR FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN, WHICH THANK YOU ALL, COMMISSIONERS, FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH IT, ADOPTING UNANIMOUSLY, TO IDENTIFY WHERE WE MAY BE OUT OF STEP WITH OTHER PEER COUNTIES, WHERE THEIR REVENUE THAT WE HAVE LEFT ON THE TABLE IN PRIOR YEARS, TO BE ABLE TO -- AND WE TOOK A LITTLE OVER -- WE DID ABOUT $26 MILLION LAST YEAR, WHICH CARRIED FORWARD INTO THIS YEAR AN ADDITIONAL $6 MILLION IN NEW RECOMMENDATIONS. FROM THERE, WE LOOKED AT THE 10%, THE DEPARTMENTS SUBMITTED, AND WE LOOKED -- AT FIRST WE CHARACTERIZE THEM INTO LOW IMPACT, HIGH IMPACT, AND FOR THOSE NO TO LOW, WE SAID YES. THERE WERE SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT HAD -- THAT PROPOSED DECREASES IN AREAS THAT WE IDENTIFIED ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO COMMISSIONERS HEARTS, WE WENT BACK TO THEM AND SAID, HEY, ARE THERE OTHER AREAS, PART B AND TOP OF MIND, THAT IS ANOTHER OPTION, BUT A SMALL TRIM TO HEART WAS ON THE LIST FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. WE HEARD BACK FROM COMMISSIONERS, NO, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. AND FROM THERE, WE ALSO LOOKED AT THESE POSITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT, AND WE LOOKED NOT ONLY AT HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN VACANT, BUT THE TYPE OF VACANCY, LIKE IS THAT A HIGH TURNOVER POSITION WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE PHYSICIAN MAY NOT BE VACANT FOR VERY LONG, BUT WE KNOW WE STRUGGLE TO CARRY MORE THAN A CERTAIN NUMBER . AND THEN WE LOOKED AT THE DEPARTMENT'S HISTORICAL, YOU KNOW, THIS YEAR, THEIR THIRD QUARTER PROJECTION, AS WELL AS , UM, THEIR HISTORICAL SURPLUSES. AGAIN, YOU WILL NEVER HEAR ME SAY THIS IS A NO PAIN BUDGET, I THINK I HAVE TRIED TO WARN COMMISSIONERS COURT AS OFTEN AS I CAN, AND WILL BE A LOT OF HARD DECISIONS, BUT WE DID GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO ENSURE IT WAS -- WHAT WE WERE CUTTING WAS THE LOWEST IMPACTS TO THE DEPARTMENTS, AND 
          ULTIMATELY THE RESIDENTS. >> THANK YOU. AND THEN ONE OF SOME RECENT INVESTMENTS WE MADE, AND I KNOW WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT RETURN ON INVESTMENT, THE INJECTION OF FUNDS TO THE TAX COLLECTOR, FOUR OF THE -- US ON THE COURT KNEW THAT IT WAS UNDERSTAFFED AND UNDER RESOURCED, AND IT IS THE MOST HELPFUL IN TERMS OF REVENUE GENERATION AND ENSURING THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO BE AS FAIR AND COLLABORATIVE, THAT WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THE ROI, AND I THINK THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SIMILARLY . SOME OF US SUPPORTED CREATING THE MENTAL HEALTH BUREAU AND A DIVERSION BUREAU, AND WE FUNDED IT, BECAUSE WE KNOW INVESTING IN THE D.A.S OFFICE IS NOT ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO FROM A JUSTICE PERSPECTIVE, BUT IT IS ALSO THE ROI, RIGHT? WE START MOVING THOSE CASES, TRIALS ARE UP APPROXIMATELY 30, 35%, CHANDLER? SO, TRIALS ARE UP BECAUSE WE HAVE AGAIN INVESTED. WE ARE MOVING PEOPLE, GIVING BOTH VICTIMS AND DEFENDANTS THEIR DAYS IN COURT. WE ARE INVESTING IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE BECAUSE THAT IS A HIGHER QUALITY OF JUSTICE, AND IT IS A BETTER INVESTMENT THAN PAYING PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT OF COUNCIL, WHICH IS ONE OF THE KEY DRIVERS OF COST GOING UP, RIGHT? SO, WE CAN DO MORE WITH LESS BY SMART, STRATEGIC SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT, SO THAT IS THE APPROACH I TAKE, VERSUS THIS DYSTOPIAN, YOU KNOW, DOOMSDAY VERSION. SO, MY QUESTION TO YOU IS BASED ON THE INVESTMENTS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, AS WELL AS WHAT WE ARE DOING, FOR INSTANCE, SOON WE WILL GET RID OF THE THIRD CONTRACT FOR THE MISSISSIPPI. IN TERMS OF OUTSOURCING, CAN YOU TELL US -- AND DIRECTOR MILLS IS HERE, CAN YOU TELL US HOW THAT MAY IMPACT BOTH SHORT, MID, AND LONG-TERM, OUR BUDGET IS ON THE DEFENSE LEVER, AS WELL AS JAIL OUTSOURCING COSTS. WHERE ARE WE AND WHERE ARE WE HEADED BASED ON THESE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS? 
          >> SO, I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN HERE, THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AS IT RELATES TO THE JAIL AND TO OUTSOURCING, THAT JUST THE SHEER NUMBER OF TRIALS THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS HOLDING AND THE JUDGES IS REALLY STARTING TO EAT INTO THE QUARTERBACK CLUB. I BELIEVE OUR FOLKS IN JAIL, IT'S 
          THE LOWEST SINCE 2020? >> WE ARE DOWN 1300 SINCE FEBRUARY. WE BROKE 8600 LAST WEEK. IT'S SOME OF THE LOWEST 
          [03:15:08]
SUSTAINED POPULATION WE HAVE SEEN IN THE RECENT PAST. 
          >> SO, I THINK WE ARE REALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF IT, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM, BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE COURT BACKLOG DOWN IS TO TAKE PEOPLE TO TRIAL, AND SO, WE ARE EXPERIENCING THAT HUGE SURGEON COSTS, AND FRANKLY, WE ARE PAYING FOR YEARS OF NOT HAVING AN EFFICIENT JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT WAS TAKING PEOPLE TO JAIL, BECAUSE AS WE SEE, THE VOUCHERS WE ARE PAYING OUT FOR DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE FOR CASES AND IN SOME INSTANCES THERE ARE THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO. AND SO, WE ARE REALLY PAYING FOR A LOT OF INEFFICIENCY , BUT I WOULD SAY BASED ON ALL THE CONVERSATION AND KNOCK ON WOOD, ASSUMING SB 9 DOESN'T HAVE A GREATER THAN EXPECTED IMPACT ON THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT CAN GO ON BOND, IT WOULD REALLY BE THIS YEAR, FISCAL YEAR '25, FISCAL YEAR '26 WOULD REALLY BE OUR PEAK OF COSTS AS IT RELATES TO OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, WE WOULD GO BACK TO SOME MORE SEMBLANCE OF 
          NORMAL. >> AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN HELPED WAS REALLY IDENTIFYING, WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITY COST AND HOW WE CAN GET THESE ROIS FROM AN ENHANCED JUSTICE, AS WELL AS EFFICIENCY. YOU HAVE BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE, IT IS TREMENDOUS TO SEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN A COMPASSIONATE, EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT WAY, SO I APPRECIATE, AND NOW THAT WE HAVE A FORMER JUDGE GENESIS DRAPER AT OUR PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE, I AM INCREDIBLY COMMITTED AND OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL START MOVING THAT NEEDLE. SO, IN SUM, I APPRECIATE IT, AND MY LAST QUESTION FOR NOW IS WOULD YOU PLEASE WALK US THROUGH SOME OF THESE NON-DEPARTMENTAL, BECAUSE A LOT OF IT WAS SWITCHING REVENUE SOURCES, THE MOVING CERTAIN FENCES TO CHARITY CARE, MOVING CERTAIN INTO DEBT. SO, USING A DIFFERENT REVENUE SOURCE AGAINST SMART , STRATEGIC ADJUSTMENTS TO CLOSE THE GAP, CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH, PLEASE, DIRECTOR? 
          >> SURE, SO -- ACTUALLY, TIFFANY, CAN YOU PUT THE SLIDE BACK ON? I BELIEVE IT IS SLIDE FIVE OR SIX? IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL JUST TO WALK -- NEXT SLIDE. NEXT READ NEXT. NEXT. NEXT. FURTHER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. THERE WE GO. OKAY. IT MIGHT BE EASIER, MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH THIS SLIDE, IT MIGHT HAVE ANSWERED SOME OF THE QUESTIONS, BUT ESSENTIALLY, WE STARTED THROUGHOUT THE CRIMINAL SERVICE PROCESS, 275, WE GOT $20 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE. WE ARE SELLING A BUILDING, WHICH IS $18 MILLION. THANK YOU, DR., YOUR REAL ESTATE TEAM IS AWESOME, FOR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T MET MICHAEL YET, HE HAS BEEN A REAL BREATH OF FRESH AIR. WE HAD OTHER REVENUE INCREASES FOR $23 MILLION. OUR REVENUE -- PROPERTY TAX ACTUALLY WENT UP $56 MILLION, BUT 28 OF THAT IS THE TURF PAYMENT SO THAT WAS A NEUTRAL BUT IN TERMS OF SOME OF THESE OTHER COUNTYWIDE SAVINGS, THERE IS ABOUT 37 OF THEM. SOME OF THEM WERE VOTED DOWN TODAY, SO WE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND FIND REPLACEMENTS FOR THEM, BUT THERE ARE THINGS LIKE JUST ESSENTIALLY RE-CATEGORIZING OUR RETIREE HEALTH, ALLOWED US TO GET MORE SUBSIDIES. WE DID $6 MILLION WORTH OF FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN OPTIONS, PREDOMINATELY 4 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO GET LAPTOP PURCHASES. WE ALSO HAVE $2.2 MILLION IN SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS. SPECIAL FUNDS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO IN THE NEXT YEAR. AND WE ALSO ARE UTILIZING $3 MILLION MORE FROM 
          THE FIRE CODE. SO, >> GOD BLESS YOU. 
          >> THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO REIMAGINE HOW THEY ARE DOING SOME OF THEIR WORK. AGAIN, WE STROVE TO MINIMIZE ALL OF THE IMPACTS. 
          >> I APPRECIATE HOW RELENTLESS AND SOLUTIONS ORIENTED AND JUST HOW HARD-WORKING THIS HAS BEEN. THANK YOU AGAIN, TONYA MILLS, AND TO OUR JUDGES, TOO, HAVE REALLY JUST BEEN HELPING US WITH AFTERNOON DOCKETS AND REALLY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX, SO WE CANNOT DELIVER BETTER OUTCOMES AND BE EVEN BETTER STEWARDS, SO 
          MANY THINGS. >> COMMISSIONER ALICE, YOUR NEXT, CAN I JUMP IN SINCE I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO -- THANK YOU. SO, JUST A QUESTION, DIRECTOR RAMOS, ONE OF THE COST SAVING IDEAS IS TO CUT -- TO TAKE $20 MILLION OF THE ARPA MONEY AND PUT IT TO THE GENERAL FUND EXPENSES. WOULDN'T THAT BE USING ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR RECURRING EXPENSES? 
          >> YES, AND THAT IS INCLUDED. WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER $60 MILLION OF ONE-TIME OPTIONS, WHILE THEY DON'T TEACH YOU THAT IN BUDGET 
          [03:20:04]
DIRECTOR SCHOOL, THE ONE THING I WILL SAY IS THE LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF THIS COUNTY IS MUCH BETTER THAN OUR CURRENT SITUATION. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE GONE THROUGH BACK OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE COST OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. LIKE I JUST MENTIONED, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY CAREER HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. WHEN THOSE THINGS GO BACK TO NORMAL WITH SOME OF THE OTHER CHANGES THAT WE HAVE MADE, LIKE TRANSFERRING THE JAIL MEDICAL OVER TO HARRIS HEALTH, OR LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS IS MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN OUR CURRENT ONE, AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT POSITION THAN SOME OF THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT WITH THESE LARGE DOLLAR DEFICITS, WHERE THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF THESE ONE-TIME ITEMS AND ARE REALLY GOING DOWN TO THE BONE ON THEIR OPERATIONS. 
          >> I AM HEARING A LOT OF -- SO, ARE WE USING ONE-TIME FUNDING 
          FOR A RECURRING EXPENSE? >> YES. X IS THAT NOT KICKING 
          THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD? >> IT IS. 
          >> OKAY, THANK YOU. THE OTHER ONE IS THE CIP FUNDING. THE DIRECTOR MENTIONED HE IS MITIGATING SOME CUTS WITH CIP FUNDING. WHAT AM I MISSING THERE? IS THAT ALSO ONE-TIME FUNDING OR AM I MISUNDERSTANDING ? 
          >> THAT IS OCCURRING, WE ARE ESSENTIALLY MOVING THAT EXPENSE FROM OUR OWEN AND TO OUR DEBT SERVICE RATE. 
          >> OKAY, AND WHY HAVEN'T WE DONE THAT BEFORE, WHAT IS THE 
          CATCH THERE? >> OUR POLICY WAS MUCH MORE RESTRICTIVE, SO THIS IS ACTUALLY THE REVERSAL OF A COUPLE YEARS AGO WHERE WE HAD TO -- BECAUSE OF OUR POLICIES AROUND DEBT, IT DIDN'T ALLOW FOR SOME OF THESE EXPENSES. WE WORKED WITH THE AUDITOR. THAT WAS PART OF WHEN COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES, ALL FIVE OF YOU GOT ACCESS TO THE COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAM TO DO SOME OF THOSE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS BY VEHICLES, ET CETERA. 
          THAT ALLOWED US -- THAT CHANGE IN POLICY ALLOWED US TO CAPITALIZE MORE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEERS EXPENSES. 
          >> OKAY. I WILL ASK MY TEAM TO RUN IT DOWN, BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND. IF THAT IS THAT EASY, WHY WE DIDN'T DO IT BEFORE, BUT WE WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU, DIRECTOR. PART OF IT MAY JUST BE ME NOT CATCHING IT. AND THEN JUST MAKING A POINT HERE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, I HEAR SOME COLLEAGUES ARE VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO FIND ADDITIONAL REVENUE WITHOUT THERE BEING CUTS, DESPITE THE DEPARTMENT TALKING ABOUT CUTS AND LAYOFFS. SO, IF WE ARE THAT CONFIDENT THAT A SMART, EFFICIENT APPROACH , WHICH IS OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY, SO WE ARE DOING THE D.O.G.E. HERE, IF WE ARE SO CONFIDENT IN THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT THE THREE MEMBERS OF COURT WHO VOTED FOR THIS $300 MILLION DEFICIT FUND THE DEFICIT WITH THEIR PRECINCT BUDGET, AND AS THEY FIND THESE FUNDS, THEY CAN REIMBURSE THEMSELVES. BECAUSE THEY ARE SO CONFIDENT THEY'RE GOING TO FIND THEM. SO, THAT WOULD BE MY PROPOSAL, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I CAN GET SUPPORT FROM ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THAT. AND I CAN SEE WHY THEY WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO CUT THEIR OFFICE, BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO GET AN AWFUL LOT OF CALLS WHEN PEOPLE SEE THAT THEIR EMERGENCY SERVICES AND BASIC SERVICES ARE NOT DELIVERING ANYMORE, BUT I WOULD SAY PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS IF YOU ARE SO CONFIDENT THAT THESE COST SAVINGS EXIST, WELL THEN, PAY FOR IT WITH YOUR OWN BUDGET, INSTEAD OF HARMING THE SERVICES OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, THEN YOU CAN PAY YOURSELF BACK . I DID ONLY GO TO 
          STANFORD AND HARVARD. >> SO, I'VE GOT A COUPLE MORE. 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER ALICE? >> DANIEL, I AM COMING $27 MILLION FROM THE MOTIONS THAT I HAVE MADE, NOT 37, BECAUSE IF THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS SAY THEY THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA NOT TO PUT THAT IN, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION. AM I MISSING SOMETHING? 
          YOU SAID 37 MILLION IN CUTS. >> I'M SORRY, I GOT IT WRONG. 
          >> AND I WRITE, IT'S 27? MY MATH COULD BE -- THAT IS JUST ON 
          THE BACK OF THE ENVELOPE HERE. >> OH, SORRY, I AM ALSO INCLUDING THE -- SORRY. MY DEPUTY DIRECTOR'S LIST ALSO INCLUDES SOME OF THE PARK SECURITY ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN 
          DISCUSSED. >> 
          >> CORRECT. >> OKAY, YEAH, THAT MAY BE, THAT 
          WOULD PUT IT AT 37. >> AND COMMISSIONER, ON THE PICK, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, SO, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE ARE FACING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, I CAN TELL YOU FOR THE FIRST TIME, WITH WHAT WE HAVE IN THE BANK, ON TOP OF WHAT WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM FEMA, MUCH OF WHICH IS ALREADY SITTING WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE LAST CHECKBOX BEFORE THE CHECK GETS MAILED TO US, THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST THAT WE HAVE HAD 
          [03:25:02]
IN THE PICK, ABOUT 350 MILLION BETWEEN CASH AND RECEIVABLES, SO WE ARE REACHING THE POLICY THAT COURT SET OUT . SO, WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO THE PICK IS PROBABLY ONE OF THOSE VALUABLE THINGS THAT WE DID -- WE DO, WE ALSO -- WERE A LOT OF HARD 
          CHOICES -- >> WHAT WE BE WHERE WE PROJECT 
          IT? >> YEAH, OUR POLICY IS 12% OF NEXT YEAR'S REVENUES AND WE WOULD BE RIGHT AROUND THERE WITH 
          -- >> I JUST WANT TO ASK TO JUST MAKE SURE. AND SO, THERE WOULD BE 37 NOW, $37 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL CUTS. SO, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS -- BY THE WAY, IF WE DID SOME KIND OF PAY EQUITY ITEM FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, OTHER THAN COMMISSIONERS COURT, IF IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, I MEAN, I HAVEN'T COUNTED THOSE, BUT I KIND OF WATCH BODY LANGUAGE A LITTLE BIT. SO, IF WE DID THAT, WHAT WOULD THAT COST IF WE DID PAY EQUITY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, ABSENT THE FIVE OF US? 
          >> SO, JUST TO CONFIRM, YOU WERE SAYING THE CONSTABLES, IT IS ROUGHLY 113, 114. 
          >> WHAT THE CONCEPT WAS, I THINK I HEARD PEOPLE SAYING THEY SHOULD NOT -- THEIR TOP PERSON SHOULD NOT MAKE MORE THAN THEY MAKE , AND I ASSUME THAT THE OTHER OFFICES THAT HAVE THAT, SO I WANT TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT, BUT I WANT YOU ALL TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING, COME BACK TO US. 
          >> WE CAN COME BACK ON THE 26. >> AND GIVE ME SOME SENSE OF 
          WHAT THAT NUMBER IS. >> YEAH, IT WOULD REQUIRE US DOING A LOT MORE RESEARCH ON THE NUMBER 2 VERSUS THE CHIEF DEPUTY 
          -- >> OR WHATEVER EQUITY IS PRINTED YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU TAKE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COMPARED TO THE CITY ATTORNEY, IF THAT IS APPLES TO APPLES. YOU TAKE THE D.A. AND 
          COMPARE IT TO SOMEBODY. >> COME UP WITH TWO OR THREE OPTIONS THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT 
          CAN LOOK AT FOR AUGUST 26. >> AND THEN OF CHANDLER IS HERE, I JUST WANT TO ASK, SO WE KNOW WHAT YOU WERE TOLD BEFORE. THERE WILL BE ANOTHER $37 MILLION NEEDED IN CUTS, I DON'T KNOW HOW BIG YOU ALL ARE COMPARED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, HONESTLY, I HAVE TO LOOK AT IT, BUT I JUST WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT WOULD KEEP YOU ALL FROM DOING THE GREAT WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING TO HELP US GET RID OF 
          >> YES, MY NAME IS CHANDLER RAIN, I'M THE ATTORNEY AT HARRIS COUNTY D.A.S OFFICE, AND I DO NOT PLAN ON TALKING ABOUT SEAN TEARE'S SALARY, IF YOU ALL CAN AVOID ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT 
          THAT. >> OUR PROJECTED CUTS, OUR BUDGET WOULD BE ABOUT $137.6 MILLION, THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE -- 
          >> 10%? >> NO, SIR, IT ENDED UP 140,000, AND THEN THERE WERE $4.4 MILLION IN ARPA FUNDS THAT THE REQUEST WAS THAT WE BRING IT ONTO THIS BUDGET CYCLE, WHICH IS WHAT 
          WE'VE DONE. >> AWAY. X YES, SO ALTOGETHER, THAT IS $7.6 MILLION IN PROJECTED CUTS FROM OMB, WHICH WE BELIEVE WE WILL NEED TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE YOU PROVIDED TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, WHICH IS $145 MILLION. AND THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, AND DIRECTOR RAMOS AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC IN COLLABORATING WITH US AND TRANSPARENCY AND WORKING WITH US, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU SAID WAS DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. AND OVER THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE DONE AT THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IMAGINE BUDGET DIRECTOR SCHOOL, BUT A PROSECUTOR SCHOOL, THEY DON'T TEACH YOU HOW TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, THAT'S WHAT WE UNDER THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S LEADERSHIP HAVE DONE IN HARRIS COUNTY, NOT JUST KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE SYSTEM, BUT ALSO FOCUSING ON VIOLENT CRIMES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE REDUCTION IN VIOLENT CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS NOT SIMPLY ENOUGH, THOUGH, THAT WE MAKE OUR CONSTITUENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFER, WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE THEM FEEL SAFER. AND THE WAY THAT WE HAVE REALLY DONE THAT IS BY FOCUSING BOTH ON VIOLENT CRIME AND CRIME DEFLECTION, FOCUSING ON MAKING SURE THAT INDIVIDUALS WERE GOING THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH CRISES ARE NOT SITTING IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL WHEN WE CAN DEFLECT THEM. THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE TO FOCUS ON THE JAIL POPULATION WHILE ALSO FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY SAFETY HAS SEEN THAT WE HAVE HAD 9900 INDIVIDUALS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, WAS OUR PEAK IN FEBRUARY. AND EVER SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD A STEADY REDUCTION. TONIGHT, WE ARE AT 8600, AND 18 AS OF YESTERDAY MORNING. THAT DECREASE IN THE JAIL POPULATION, WHILE ALSO FOCUSING ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY, THAT WILL EVENTUALLY LACTO IF WE SEE CUTS TO OUR SERVICES, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE INDIVIDUALS. WE HAVE TO HAVE PROSECUTORS PROSECUTING CASES. WE HAVE TO HAVE PROSECUTORS ASSIGNED TO OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND OUR DIVERSION BUREAU IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RIGHT NOW TO HAVE PROSECUTORS THERE 
          [03:30:01]
OVERNIGHT, STOPPING THAT MENTAL HEALTH DESK, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DEFLECTING AND DIVERTING PEOPLE BEFORE THEY GET CAUGHT UP IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, BEFORE THEY GET CAUGHT UP IN THE SYSTEM. 
          THOSE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, UNFORTUNATELY, IT COSTS MONEY. AND MOST OF OUR BUDGET IS LABOR. 
          WE DON'T OWN A LOT OF THINGS. MOST OF WHAT WE DO IS PAYING PROSECUTORS AND OUR SUPPORT STAFF AND INVESTIGATORS BUT WE HAVE 100 CERTIFIED PEACE OFFICERS TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE IS CRUCIAL IN THE WORK THAT WE DO TO NOT JUST FOCUS ON VIOLENT CRIME, AND ALSO FOCUS ON REIMAGINING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. WHERE THE THIRD-LARGEST JURISDICTION IN THE COUNTRY, WE ARE BY FAR THE THIRD LARGEST JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, AND THE L.A. COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS ABOUT 100,000 CASES A YEAR, THEY HAVE GOT 1000 PROSECUTORS. WE DO IT WITH FEWER THAN 400. WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT OUR TEAM HAS DONE. BUT WITH CUTS, WHAT WE WOULD BE DOING IS ASKING PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY OVERWORKED AND UNDERPAID AS PUBLIC SERVANTS TO WORK EVEN HARDER. AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE COURT TO DO, AND THE COURT HAS BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF US AND SEAN'S ADMINISTRATION SINCE HE WAS ELECTED, INCLUDING OUR SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST THAT THIS COURT GRANTED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR, WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE COURT TO DO IS ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE AND ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO SHOW THAT OUT OF THE BOX AND NEW AGE THINKING IN PROSECUTION DOESN'T JUST HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFER, BUT IT ALSO HELPS US FOCUS ON THINGS LIKE JAIL POPULATION. IT HELPS US FOCUS ON KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THOSE ARE THE COST SAVING METRICS THAT WE SEE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHEN WE KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF IT YOU DON'T NEED TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. 
          >> THANK YOU. AND I JUST WANT TO ASK, TO LEAVE THEM WHOLE, WHAT 
          WOULD THAT COST? >> ABOUT 7 MILLION. 
          >> ABOUT 7 MILLION? >> AND JUST TO CLARIFY, I THINK THIS IS WHAT CHANDLER IS GETTING AT, COURT AUTHORIZED THAT ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF ARPA FUNDED PROSECUTORS, GIVEN THE BUDGET SITUATION WE WERE IN, WE DO NOT CONSIDER VERY MANY ENHANCEMENTS TH APPROVED DURING THE YEAR, SO THAT IS WHAT HE IS REFERRING TO. 
          >> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT >> WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY WHEN THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE BOARD OUT OF NEW YORK IS SAYING YOU HAVE A BIG DRIVER ON YOUR ESTIMATES HAS BEEN THE WORK COMING OUT OF THE D.A.S OFFICE, YOU BETTER THINK LONG AND HARD . 
          WE AS A COURT SHOULD BEFORE WE REDUCE THAT. IT IS HELPING US DRIVE AWAY FROM THAT SYSTEM OF HAVING JUST TWO LEVEL POINTS, THANK YOU, CHANDLER, TWO OTHER POINTS. 
          I JUST WANT TO STRESS AGAIN, I KNOW FOR NEXT YEAR, WE SHOULDN'T DO THIS THIS WAY. WE SHOULD HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT OPTIONS ON A BUDGET, ON WHAT THE NEEDS ARE , AND THEN HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT THE RATE WILL BE. IT WON'T MAKE IT ANY EASIER, BUT I AM TELLING YOU, YOU ALL MAY NOT BELIEVE IT, I HAVE BEEN IN 41 YEARS, AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY RUN ON , I ASKED FOR MORE MONEY. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO HARVARD OR YALE. I LEARNED THAT BEFORE I GOT TO TEXAS SOUTHERN. IN SEGREGATED SCHOOLS, I KNEW THAT, GROWING UP IN HOUSTON. BUT YOU KNOW, IT IS A HECK OF A DILEMMA WITH WHERE WE ARE NOW , AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE DO, SO I JUST ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT, BECAUSE THERE IS NO OPTION ON COMING UP WITH MORE MONEY NOW, THAT IS NOT HAPPENING. IT IS ALL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU MOVE CHAIRS AROUND SOMEWHERE IN HERE. ON THIS PICK, JUDGE, YOU PASSED A NOTE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE ACTUALLY HAVE $300 MILLION IN THE PICK. I JUST WANT TO STRESS, IF I WATCH -- WE ALL WATCH WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY. HEY, I WAS JUST IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND SOME OF MY POLITICAL FRIENDS UP THERE AND SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN THEIR JAIL BECAUSE IF YOU PICK THE HOMELESS PEOPLE UP AND YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH UNHOUSED PEOPLE, YOU DON'T HAVE PLACES FOR THEM TO GO, THEY COULD PAY A FINE OR THEY COULD GO TO THE SHELTER AND THERE IS NO SHELTER, THEY GO TO JAIL. SO, THAT MEANS AT SOME POINT, IF THE PRESS ACCOUNTS ARE CORRECT, AND THAT MAY GO TO OTHER CITIES, THAT IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE OUT OF OUR CONTROL. 
          AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK IT WAS YOU AND I -- I DON'T WANT TO GET YOU MIXED UP WITH YOUR PREDECESSOR THERE, BUT THAT IS ONE WHERE THE JAIL THAT HARRIS HILL SHOULD DO THAT, BUT IT KEPT LINGERING. 
          AND I THINK I MADE THAT MOTION, IT MIGHT'VE BEEN YOU WHO SECONDED IT, TO JUST GOING TO IT, AND WE GOT IT DONE, YOU DID A GREAT JOB WITH IT, AND I THOUGHT YOU WERE HERE BECAUSE 
          [03:35:03]
THAT WAS THE DISCUSSION THE LAST GO AROUND ABOUT WHAT ELSE COULD YOU I'LL PICK UP AN INSTRUMENT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, YOUR JOB IS TO TREAT THEM WHEN THEY NEED HEALTHCARE. BUT IT WOULD REDUCE YOUR COSTS IF THERE WAS MORE OF A FOCUS ON WHAT THEY OUGHT TO DO BEFORE THEY END UP IN THE HOSPITAL. WE KNOW WHAT THOSE ISSUES ARE. BUT SO, WE'VE GOT TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO BE MORE EFFICIENT, BECAUSE WE ARE WHERE WE ARE, BUT I WANT TO GO BACK TO THIS PICK, AND I ASK THAT SINCERELY. AT LEAST 20 SOME ODD YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS FINANCE CHAIR, RATING AGENCIES WERE WORRIED ABOUT OUR RAINY DAY FUND, IN TERMS OF OUR BOND RATING, BUT HOW MUCH IS IN THERE AND ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS? I DON'T KNOW IF YOU AND THE JUDGE OUGHT TO TALK AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WHAT, BUT I THINK THAT'S A POSSIBILITY, IF WE HAD ANOTHER PARTY, I WOULDN'T BE SO SURE WE WOULD HAVE THE SUPPORT 
          WE HAD IN THE PAST. >> WE HAVE $185 MILLION IN CASH, AND THEN WE HAVE 170 IN REIMBURSEMENTS, MANY OF WHICH I WOULD SAY ARE GOING TO BE IN OUR BANK IN THE NEXT ONE TO SIX 
          MONTHS. >> YOU SURE? 
          >> THAT'S THE LAST NUMBER THAT WE POLLED. 
          >> HOPE YOU ARE RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN 
          BRIONES. >> CHANDLER, NO NEED TO COME UP, BUT I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND WHEN WE WERE WORKING THROUGH THIS, WE WERE SEEING THE PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE JAIL POPULATION, AND I CONSIDER THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AT THE CENTER OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND THE DECISIONS MADE THROUGH THAT OFFICE HAVE A INCREDIBLE RIPPLE EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM, WHETHER IT BE DOCKETS, WHETHER IT BE JUST THE AMOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF CASES IN THE DOCKET, BUT ALSO, THE PROCESSING FOR COURT SETTINGS , THE TRANSFER OF INMATES TO AND FROM THE JAIL, WHICH CAN HAVE AN OVERTIME EFFECT. OBVIOUSLY, THE JAIL POPULATION AND THE OUTSOURCING , AND THEN YOU KNOW, JUST THE HUMAN COST FOR OUR CRIME VICTIMS AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE ACCUSED. 
          AND SO, IF THE SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING WELL AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS THE CRITICAL DECISION MAKER ON HOW THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WORKS, AND SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHEN WE WERE WORKING THROUGH THIS FOR THE MONTHS THAT WE WERE, WE WERE LOOKING AT THE PROCESS OF THE OFFICE, AND I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I AM FOR KEEPING YOU WHERE YOU NEED TO BE, BECAUSE IT'S A GOOD INVESTMENT IN THE OVERALL SYSTEM , AND I BELIEVE THAT THAT INVESTMENT WILL SAVE US MONEY. SO, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU, PLEASE COMMUNICATE TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK BEING DONE AND FOR HELPING TO MOVE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FORWARD FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED, AND JUST TO KNOW THAT AN INVESTMENT IN THAT OFFICE IS ABSOLUTELY A MONEY SABER OVERALL WITH THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. YOU ARE ABOUT TO SAVE US $50 MILLION IN OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS. YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE LIVES BETTER FOR VICTIMS AND THE ACCUSED, WHETHER THEY ARE GOING IN ONE DIRECTION OR LEAVING THE SYSTEM , YOU'RE GOING TO IMPACT THEIR LIVES. AND YOU ARE ALSO IMPACTING THE WORK OF THE COURTS. SO, JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? THANK YOU, MY QUESTIONS WERE FOR DR. 
          PORTIA. WE HAVE BEEN REFERENCING HARRIS HEALTH, AND THANK YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS , FOR EVERYTHING YOU WALKED US THROUGH, BUT I KNOW THAT THAT WAS ONE COMPONENT WE WERE GOING TO DISCUSS AS PART OF ITEM 1, IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN US. BUT MY MAIN QUESTION TO YOU, DR., COULD YOU PLEASE WALK US THROUGH THIS BUDGET SURPLUS? CURRENT, AND WHAT IS THE PROJECTED SURPLUS FOR 2026, AND IF YOU COULD ALSO UPDATE US ON JAIL MEDICAL AND HOW THAT INTERSECTS THE BUDGET AND WHAT WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT. 
          THANK YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IF I MAY, 
          [03:40:03]
BECAUSE I THINK WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO PRESENT IS GOING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, IF WE COULD DO THAT, AND IF QUESTIONS REMAIN, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND YOU KNOW, WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL. AND THIS IS USUALLY NOT HOW I DO THIS, BUT I ACTUALLY WANTED TO READ SOME OF THE STUFF THAT ARE HAPPENING, JUST BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO MISS ANY OF THE ISSUES. 
          SO, WITH THAT IN MIND, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU HERE TODAY, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF HARRIS HEALTH TO PRESENT OUR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026. THIS BUDGET REFLECTS HARRIS HEALTH'S EARNEST COOPERATION WITH THIS COURT AND HARRIS COUNTY TO FINALIZE THIS YEAR AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS COUNTY FOR HARRIS HEALTH TO ASSUME ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, AS YOU ALL HAVE REFERRED TO. THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL ALSO REFLECTS HARRIS HEALTH'S COMMITMENT AND INTENT TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY, WHILE ALSO CONTINUING THE PROGRESS MADE ON OUR STRATEGIC FACILITIES PLAN. ON MAY 29TH, HARRIS HEALTH TOOK THE LIBERTY OF $840 MILLION IN BOND FUNDS , THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF THE 2 1/2 BILLION DOLLAR VOTER APPROVED BOND PACKAGE. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HARRIS BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT, OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND OF COURSE, ALL THE STAFF WHO WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE THIS A REALITY. THE FIRST INSTALLMENT, BUT I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS, WILL SUPPORT THE LBJ HOSPITAL EXPANSION, PROPERTY ACQUISITION, THE PARKING GARAGE, CENTRAL UTILITY PLANT, AND RELATED CONSTRUCTION. THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT IS CURRENTLY PLANNED FOR THE SPRING OR SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR, 2026. I AM ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE STRIDES WE ARE MAKING IN IMPROVING THE OVERALL QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR CARE AND THE OVERALL DIRECTION OF OUR WORK AND WHAT YOU ARE ACCOMPLISHING. HOWEVER, HARRIS HEALTH IS ENTERING A BUDGET ENVIRONMENT WITH SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL HEADWINDS,  AND ITS FORECASTING IMPACTS PRESENTED BY NEW POLICIES AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. I'M GOING TO START SHARING SOME OF WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE FEDERAL FUNDING PROGRAMS WITH THE RECENT PASSAGE OF THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT, WHICH HAS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED OR CREATED UNCERTAINTY IN NUMEROUS HARRIS HEALTH REVENUE STREAMS. ABSENT FEDERAL ACTION, BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR, MEDICAID DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITAL CUTS WOULD RESULT IN AN $800 MILLION REDUCTION OR 35% OF THE $2.3 BILLION ALLOTTED FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS, ACCORDING TO THE TEACHING HOSPITAL OF TEXAS CALCULATIONS. THIS WILL IMPACT HARRIS HEALTH SIGNIFICANTLY. THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MARKETPLACE ADVANCED PREMIUM TAX GRADED, ALSO KNOWN AS A PTC IS ARE ALSO SAID TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR. THIS WILL RESULT IN OVER 1 MILLION TEXANS AND THOUSANDS OF HOUSTONIANS LOSING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. 
          IN ADDITION TO THAT, AS YOU MAY KNOW, HARRIS HEALTH CURRENTLY SUBSIDIZES INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR MANY ELIGIBLE PATIENTS WHOSE INCOMES ARE AT OR BELOW 150% FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. THE ELIMINATION OF THE A PTC IS JEOPARDIZES THIS PROGRAM, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN OVER $70 MILLION INPATIENT REVENUE TO HARRIS HEALTH. WITH MORE UNFUNDED PATIENTS BEING SEEN IN LOCAL HOSPITALS,  INCLUDING HARRIS HEALTH, OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS WILL RISE DRAMATICALLY, NOT ONLY FOR THE REMAINING OF THE ACA MARKETPLACE PARTICIPANTS, BUT FOR ALL CONSUMERS RECEIVING COVERAGE THROUGH AN EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS, THAT IS ALL OF US. AND THESE IMPACTS ARE GOING TO BE FELT THIS YEAR. THE STATE DIRECTIVE PAYMENT AIMED AT FILLING THE GAP BETWEEN MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT AND TRUE COST OF CARE IS ALSO EXPECTED TO SHRINK AS THE BENCHMARK FOR PAYMENT IS BEING REDUCED FROM AVERAGE COMMERCIAL RATE TO 110% OF MEDICARE RATES, STARTING IN JANUARY 2028. TARIFFS ARE ANOTHER COMPLICATING FINANCIAL FACTOR . THE CONTINUATION OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION'S TARIFF POLICIES CONCERNING NATIONS CRITICAL TO THE SUPPLY CHAIN, SUCH AS INDIA AND CHINA, IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A DIRECT INFLATIONARY IMPACT ON CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, PHARMACEUTICALS, AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES VITAL TO HARRIS HEALTH'S DAILY MISSION AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLAN. WHILE THE EXACT IMPACT OF THE TARIFFS REMAIN UNCERTAIN, HARRIS HEALTH EXPECTS TO SEE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED CAPITAL COSTS IN THE COMING MONTHS. THE 340 PROGRAM, 
          [03:45:08]
THIS IS ADMINISTERED BY THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES AND MINUTES PATIENT, THEY HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED A PILOT TO EXPLORE TAKING THE 340 B PROGRAM FROM AN UP-FRONT DISCOUNT MODEL, WHICH IS HOW IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND FUNCTIONED FROM ITS INCEPTION MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO TO A REBATE MODEL. HARRIS HEALTH DISPENSES MORE THAN 1.9 MILLION PRESCRIPTIONS TO ELIGIBLE PATIENTS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CREATES A MASSIVE UNCERTAINTY AS IT PLACES AT RISK $320 MILLION IN ANNUAL COST SAVINGS TO HARRIS HEALTH. THE COSTS AND CHALLENGES TO THE STATE POLICY ARE ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO OUR FUTURE FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY. 
          ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT TODAY. CURRENTLY AT 8%, HOWEVER LAWMAKERS ROUTINELY FILED LEGISLATION TO FURTHER LOWER THIS IN SOME INSTANCES TO AS LOW AS 3 1/2%. LAWMAKERS IN AUSTIN ARE ALSO ACTIVELY SEEKING WAYS TO REDUCE DEBT INCURRED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SUCH AS HARRIS HEALTH, SUCH AS BY FILING LEGISLATION, CONSTRAINING THEIR ABILITY TO LEVERAGE COST-EFFECTIVE DEBT . THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, ONE SUCH BILL WOULD HAVE ACTIVE LIMITING PROVISIONS INCREASING THE NECESSARY THRESHOLD FOR GOVERNING BODY APPROVAL TO A SUPER MAJORITY AND HE MISSING THE THRESHOLD FOR A VOTER PETITION TO TRIGGER AN ELECTION, AUTHORIZING THE DEATH IN QUESTION. LASTLY, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT PERHAPS NOT SURPRISING BASED ON WHAT I JUST SHARED WITH YOU. AND TO FURTHER COMPLICATE OUR FINANCIAL FOOTING, JUST THIS PAST WEEK, HARRIS HEALTH'S CREDIT RATING WAS DOWNGRADED ONE NOTCH FROM AA TO AA MINUS BY FIXED RATINGS DURING THIS ANNUAL REVIEW OF HARRIS HEALTH. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THIS DECISION WAS INFLUENCED BY ITS CONCERN AROUND HARRIS HEALTH'S  " WEAK CASH FLOW RELATIVE TO OTHER LARGE TEXAS-BASED HOSPITAL DISTRICTS." AND BROADER SYSTEMIC RISKS SUCH AS SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO MEDICAID AND SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAMS IN TEXAS. WE ARE CURRENTLY CLOSELY MONITORING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT THAT THIS MAY HAVE ON THE FUTURE COST OF CAPITAL AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS MAY INFLUENCE FUTURE RATINGS BY OTHER AGENCIES, INCLUDING STANDARD DRAMATICALLY INCREASE THE COST OF BORROWING AS HARRIS HEALTH CONTINUES IMPLEMENTING OUR STRATEGIC FACILITIES PLAN. 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IF I MAY, I'M GOING TO TURN IT NOW TO OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. VICTORIA IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT IS GOING TO TOUCH ON THE QUESTIONS YOU ASKED ABOUT THE MARGIN THIS YEAR AND THE EXPECTED MARGIN FOR NEXT YEAR, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER FURTHER QUESTIONS AS 
          WELL. >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. 
          >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. IF I MAY GET THE PRESENTATION TO ADVANCE TO PAGE 13, I WILL TRY TO BE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE TIME CONSTRAINTS WITH THE COMMISSIONER. AND HIT JUST THE MAIN NOTES. SO, ON PAGE 13, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, JUST TO SUMMARIZE WHAT I DOCTOR BROUGHT UP THROUGH THIS FORUM IS THAT THERE ARE VERY MANY UNKNOWNS, POTENTIAL UNKNOWNS THAT ARE YET TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THIS BUDGET. I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED POTENTIAL HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT MS. STAMM FROM THE INITIATIVES THAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN DISCUSSION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND MAY NOT MATERIALIZE IN TERMS OF ANY DECISION-MAKING. BY THE TIME THAT THE BUDGET CYCLE IS OVER HERE AT THE COUNTY. THERE MAY BE POTENTIAL REPERCUSSIONS GOING ALL THE WAY INTO WINTER OF 2025. SO, THAT IS AN UNKNOWN, IT IS A VOLATILE SITUATION THAT WE ARE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY, BUT WE ARE NOT INCORPORATING, BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY, WE ARE NOT INCORPORATING NEGATIVE IMPACT TODAY IN THIS BUDGET. 
          SHOULD THIS HAPPEN TO PASS, WE WILL BE IN FRONT OF THIS BODY. 
          WE WILL FIRST BE IN FRONT OF OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND THEN FURTHER IN FRONT OF THIS BODY WITH THE BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS. SO, THAT BEING SAID, ONE OF THE UNCERTAINTY IS THAT HAS BECOME A REALITY ALREADY IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT WE DID INCORPORATE ON THE EXPENSE SIDE IS THE ACA MARKETPLACE SOFTENING. THAT HAS ALREADY STARTED HAPPENING WITH THE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS THAT ARE SERVING THE ACA POPULATION. AND THAT IS A REALITY THAT WE 
          [03:50:02]
DID WORK WITH -- LOOKING AT THE ACTUARY PROJECTIONS, AS WELL AS HEALTH PLAN EXPERTS, TO INCORPORATE THAT, AND THAT WAS -- ADDED ABOUT $11 MILLION TO THE BUDGET, BUT THAT INCLUDES THAT DELTA THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PICK UP, THAT WILL RESULT FROM THE PHP OR FEDERAL HEALTH EMERGENCY FLEXIBILITY IS GOING AWAY, AND THE PREMIUMS FOR THE UNINSURED . SO, LET ME CUT US OVER TO PAGE 23, IF I MAY. WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PROPOSED MARGIN, BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO GET TO SOME OF THE QUESTIONS OF THE COMMISSIONER HERE. SO, IN WORKING WITH YOUR TEAM, OMB, AND BY THE WAY, THIS PROCESS HAS ALSO TAKEN US EIGHT MONTHS, AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS NOTED. SAME FOR THE COUNTY. 
          WE HAVE BEEN AT IT FOR EIGHT MONTHS, REALLY SCRUBBING EVERY STONE TO COME TO YOU. THE ESTIMATES THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE COUNTY ARE FOR THE KNOWN REVENUE RATE AND THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. AND SO, OVERLAY THAT ON TOP OF THE EXPENSES THAT WE ARE PROJECTING, THE KNOWN NEW REVENUE RATE IS GOING TO RESULT IN OVER $120 MILLION IN LOSS GOING INTO 2026. IF THE SCALE IS ALL THE WAY TO THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, THAT IS A NET PICKUP OF $53 MILLION, SO BOTH SCENARIOS ARE PRESENTED ON PAGE 24, AND IF I MAY GET US TO PAGE 24, AND I WILL NOTE THAT ALSO, OMB DID INCLUDE IN THEIR PROJECTIONS DEATH SERVICE THAT IS ATTRIBUTED TO BOTH, TO THE 2025 BOND ISSUANCE THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED IN MAY. SO, AT THE VERY BOTTOM, NOT GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE NUMBERS HERE, BUT AT THE VERY BOTTOM, WE START FROM THE FIRST COLUMN THE END WHAT WE ARE PROJECTING TODAY FOR HARRIS HEALTH, WHICH IS A 5% MARGIN , OVER $130 MILLION. THIS SHOULD BE COMPARED TO THE BUDGET THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. OUR BUDGET CURRENTLY IS $54 MILLION . SO, THIS IS TWO OR 3% POINTS ON TOP OF THAT, SO WE ARE NOT STARTING FROM ZERO COMPARED TO THIS NUMBER, WE ARE STARTING FROM WHERE WE BUDGETED TO BEGIN WITH. 
          SO NOW, THAT BEING SAID, WITH ALL OF THE INFLATIONARY ADJUSTMENTS, AND JUST THE NECESSARY STRATEGIC PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE, AND NOT HAVING THE OFFSET FOR THE JAIL THAT WE STILL CARRY AND 2025, SO THAT GOT US TO $120 MILLION LOSS. IF THE OFFSET WAS THERE LEG IN PRIOR YEARS, APPLES TO APPLES, YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN MUCH LESS LOSS HERE, BECAUSE THE OFFSET WAS AROUND $100 MILLION, SO IT IS NOT INCLUDED. AND AS THE CONVERSATIONS AND THE SPOT'S DECISION FROM LAST YEAR, THAT SHOULD BE A DISCUSSION POINT AROUND THE TAX RATE THAT THAT HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS GOING TO GET TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR THAT POPULATION. SO, THAT IS SCENARIO 1. AND IN THE SECOND SCENARIO, AGAIN, IS GETTING US TO $53 BILLION IF WE GO ALL THE WAY TO THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. SO, LET ME STOP 
          RIGHT HERE FOR THE SAKE OF TIME. >> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE DELTA IN OUR BUDGET, AND OUR REQUIRED MARGIN, BUT EXPLAIN THE CAUSES 
          OF THAT >> ABSOLUTELY, HAPPY TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSES. SO, THE REASON THAT WE HAVE DONE BETTER THIS YEAR COMPARED TO OUR BUDGET, BASICALLY TWO MAIN REASONS. THE ONE IS ON THE REVENUE SIDE. THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF REPROCESSING OF PRIOR-YEAR SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT REFUNDS THAT GO BACK TO FEDERAL FISCAL '18. ALL THE WAY TO FEDERAL FISCAL '18. THERE WAS A LOT OF BACKLOG CREATED BY COVID AND OTHER UNCERTAINTIES AND SITUATIONS , THAT THE STATE NEEDED TO WORK THROUGH. THEY THINK THAT THEY ARE FINALLY DONE, BUT NONE OF THAT WAS ANTICIPATED BY ANY OF THE PROVIDERS, BUT THAT WAS ABOUT A $40 MILLION PICKUP FOR US. THAT WAS NOT EXPECTED, NOT BUDGETED, AND NOT PLANNED GOING OVER. AS THE BACKLOG FOR THE STATE HAS BEEN LARGELY COMPLETE, SO THAT IS CAUSE NUMBER 1. CAUSE NUMBER 2 AS WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN OUT OF THE GATE WITH A LOT OF OUR STRATEGIC PROJECTS LIKE WE 
          [03:55:02]
ANTICIPATED RIGHT FROM THE START. IT TOOK US MUCH LONGER DUE TO PROCUREMENT PROCESS YOU KNOW, AND OTHER THINGS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED EARLY, BUT YOU KNOW, LIFE IS SUCH THAT IT IS, SO, WE ARE PUTTING THIS BACK ON THE MARGIN, BECAUSE THESE EXPENSES HAVE NOT MATERIALIZED ACCORDING TO THE PLAN. SO, THESE ARE THE TWO MAJOR CAUSES OF WHERE WE ARE. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I JUST WANTED TO ADD JUST ONE OTHER THING THAT VICTORIA MENTIONED, BUT I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT AT $120 MILLION NEGATIVE MARGIN, UM, WAS IN A WAY ANTICIPATED, BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE TRANSITIONING THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF OFFICE TO HARRIS HEALTH. ONCE NEXT YEAR APPROACHES AND THE TEXT REVENUES THAT WE HOPED WE WERE GOING TO BE RECEIVING COME IN, THEN THAT WOULD BE CALCULATED INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, SO THAT IS THE REASON FOR THAT $120 MILLION LOSS THAT HAS BEEN DEPICTED HERE. BLESS YOU. DID THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER? TEXT THAT DID ANSWER MY QUESTION, THANK YOU. 
          >> YOU ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING. I WISH THE SHERIFF WAS HERE. WE HAD A VERY, VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING AFTER THE LAST GEL COMMISSION MEETING, AND WE ARE DOING SOME VERY INNOVATIVE THINGS AT THE JAIL THAT BOTH OF US ARE VERY EXCITED. WITHOUT STEALING HIS THUNDER, THE TWO THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO ESTABLISH IS EXPANSION OF OUR MEDICATION INAUDIBLE ] AT THE JAIL, AND ALSO CREATING -- I WANT TO GIVE KUDOS TO THE SHERIFF, HE IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS, CREATING A BEST IN CLASS HERE FOR OUR PREGNANT INMATES AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, BOTH OF US, I THINK, ARE VERY EXCITED BY THAT, CONSIDERING THE MATERNAL MORTALITY THAT HAPPENED IN HARRIS COUNTY, UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY. 
          WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT A BIG DENT IN THOSE STATISTICS AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, SO VERY, VERY EXCITED. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CARE, WE KNOW IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS AND WE APPRECIATE YOU DRIVING THAT 
          PROGRESS. THANK YOU, DOCTOR. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> UM, ON THE DEFICIT, CAN YOU JUST IN A SENTENCE HELP ME UNDERSTAND -- WHAT DEFICIT ARE YOU FACING, AND DOES THAT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THIS MAJOR REDUCTION IN TERMS OF THE ACA MARKETPLACE AND MEDICAID, ET CETERA? 
          >> YEAH, I THINK THE ACA MARKETPLACE HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. THE EXTRA COST, WE ANTICIPATE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE PAYING THEIR HEALTHCARE NEEDS, ABOUT $11 MILLION, THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, BUT NONE OF THE OTHER POTENTIAL IMPACTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, WHICH IS NOT EVERY HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS APPROACHING IT THAT WAY, AND IN SPEAKING TO OTHER HOSPITAL DISTRICTS, THERE ACTUALLY TAKING THOSE ANTICIPATED NEGATIVE IMPACTS INTO THEIR BUDGET AND THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE PRESENTING TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, BUT WE ARE NOT INCLUDING THOSE NEGATIVE IMPACTS. WE ARE STILL HOPEFUL THAT CLEAR MINDS ARE GOING TO PREVAIL, BUT IF THOSE NEGATIVE IMPACTS DO OCCUR, THESE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO LOOK VASTLY 
          DIFFERENT. >> SO, WHAT DO YOU NEED THE TAX RATE TO BE FOR YOU GUYS TO BE IN A SOLID FINANCIAL POSITION, 
          RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL POSITION? >> AROUND 2% MARGIN, WHICH IS OUR STRATEGY GOAL. 
          >> WHY DO YOU NEED THAT MARGIN? >> A VERY CLEAR ANSWER WOULD BE TO PROTECT OUR CREDIT RATING . OUR CREDIT RATING AGENCIES LOOK AT OUR END OF YEAR MARGIN. BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE ALREADY TAKING ON DEBT, THIS HAS BECOME EVEN MORE OF AN ISSUE. 
          THEY ARE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO OUR MARGIN. 
          >> DIRECTOR RAMOS, SO THEY WERE DOWNGRADED FROM -- 
          >> AA TO AA MINUS SPRINT . >> WE ARE STILL AT AAA, THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE, NOT JUST GOT REAFFIRMED TWO WEEKS AGO. ONE THING ON THAT CREDIT RATING, WE ARE PROTESTING IT. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT THE AGENCY WAS OUT OF LINE IN TERMS OF THE DOWNGRADE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY HIGHLIGHTED WAS THE FACT THAT HARRIS HEALTH HAS 2 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF DEBT AUTHORITY. YES, THAT IS A 10 YEAR PLAN. I THINK THEY ESSENTIALLY DOCKED US FOR HAVING THE CAPACITY, WHICH THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DOCK US AS WE EXPAND AND ADD DEBT ONTO OUR RULES, SO WE FEEL THAT IT WAS A LITTLE BIT UNFAIR. 
          [04:00:02]
ALL THAT TO SAY IS BEFORE HARRIS HEALTH GOES BACK INTO THE MARKET, THEY WILL GET RE-RATED BY ALL THREE AGENCIES, SO WE HOPE THAT AT THAT POINT, THEY WILL SEE THE FISCAL CONTROLS THAT WE HAVE, THE RESPONSIBLE BUDGETS THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED HERE, AND RETHINK THAT DECISION TO DOWNGRADE US. 
          >> SO, YEAH? >> I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE, DANIEL JUST MENTIONED RESPONSIBLE BUDGET THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED HERE, THAT GOES TO THE QUESTION YOU ASKED ABOUT WHY THE 2% MARGIN, BECAUSE IT REALLY MATTERS. 
          >> AND THE OTHER, IF I MIGHT ADD, PART OF THE OTHER REASON IS THERE ONLY A THIRD PROPERTY TAX. PROPERTY TAXES GENERALLY CONSIDERED THE SAFEST OF ANY GOVERNMENT REVENUE , IT'S NOT AS SUBJECT TO THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE ECONOMY, SO TWO THIRDS OF THEIR BUDGET IS OUT OF THEIR CONTROL, PAYMENTS FROM PATIENTS, AND THEN CMS REIMBURSEMENTS. THERE IS RISK THERE. AND SO, THAT'S WHY HAVING A MARGIN AT A HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS IMPORTANT, WHERE WE HAVE -- BECAUSE WE ARE 80% PROPERTY TAXES, THERE IS A LOT LESS RISK IN OUR YEAR-TO-YEAR REVENUE. 
          >> YOU MENTIONED THE $800 MILLION REDUCTION OF THE AMOUNT ALLOTTED TO TEXAS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ARE YOU ACCOUNTING FOR THAT IN YOUR BUDGET? 
          >> WE ARE NOT. IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, AND AGAIN, WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR, THE IMPACT ON HARRIS HEALTH WOULD BE AROUND 70, $75 MILLION. 
          >> OKAY, SO THAT IS A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY. IDEALLY, YOU DON'T WANT TO JUST ASSUME YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT. AND I REMEMBER WHEN THE STATE HAD PROMISED US $1 BILLION, AND THEN THEY DIDN'T FIND IT. ONE THING, COMMISSIONER, AS YOU WERE MENTIONING EARLIER ABOUT THE RAINY DAY FUND, AND I THINK WITH HURRICANE SEASON COMING UP, I REALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS, I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, IS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE 100 AND SOME ODD MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE RAINY DAY FUND IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND THEN WE ARE WAITING ON ANOTHER 100, 200 TO ARRIVE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO GET IT OR NOT. BUT THEN WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS REDUCED THE STAFFING AND THE RESPONSIVENESS OF THE THEME AGAINST -- GRANTS THAT WE NORMALLY RECEIVE, AND YOU REMINDED ME OF THIS IN TERMS OF HEDGING FOR THAT POTENTIAL FEDERAL ISSUE. SO JUST -- I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND RAMSEY MIGHT HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS, BUT JUST ONE QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR RAMOS QUICKLY. ON THE TAX RATE, DID WE NOT RAISE TAXES ? ALWAYS THE STORY IS WE RAISED TAXES BECAUSE PEOPLE ULTIMATELY ARE PAYING MORE, EVEN THOUGH THE TAX RATE IS LOWER WITH APPRAISALS, ULTIMATELY THE INDIVIDUAL FAMILY PAYS MORE. 
          THAT IS THE ARGUMENT SOME PEOPLE MAKE, RIGHT? AND SO, THAT WAS 
          THE CASE LAST YEAR. >> LAST YEAR, WE ACTUALLY DID 
          INCREASE THE RATE. >> LAST YEAR, WE ACTUALLY DID RAISE TAXES. AND THAT ALSO LAST YEAR, I BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE TAX RATE FOR FLOOD CONTROL, IS THAT 
          WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT? >> SO, I WILL TELL YOU ONE BY ONE. ON THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, INSTEAD OF USING THE NORMAL 3 1/2% MULTIPLIER, WE USE THE 8% TO ESSENTIALLY REIMBURSE OURSELVES FOR THE THREE FEDERAL DISASTERS THAT WE HAD, SO THAT HIS GENERAL FUND, SO WE DID GO UP, WE WENT UP TO EIGHT PERCENT AS OPPOSED TO THE 3 1/2. ON FLOOD CONTROL, WE WENT TO THE VOTERS, WE DID A TAX RATE ELECTION THAT INCREASED THE BUDGET BY $100 MILLION, AND THEN HARRIS HEALTH, I DON'T HAVE IT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. BUT IT WAS THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, 
          WHICH WAS AN 8% INCREASE. >> FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL, WAS A TAX INCREASE PROPOSAL THAT WENT TO THE VOTERS, YES? 
          >> YES. THAT'S BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH RETICENCE TO GO TO THE VOTERS, TO MAKE OUR BUDGET ADD UP, OR TO EVEN MAINTAIN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS WHEN THOSE WORKING TO OPPOSE THEM HAVE USED EARLY CHILDHOOD THEMSELVES, THE STAFF HAS USED EARLY CHILDHOOD THEMSELVES, IS THIS RETICENT BECAUSE THEY SAY, WELL, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SAY WE RAISE TAXES, I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO SAY WE ASKED THE PUBLIC TO RAISE TAXES, SO I WILL JUST SAY ON THE RECORD, EVERYBODY ON THIS TABLE, I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAY BE, VOTED TO PUT A TAX INCREASE ON THE BALLOT LAST YEAR FOR FLOOD CONTROL, AND ALSO RAISED TAXES LAST YEAR TO THE 8% RATE. SO YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO CLEAR THE AIR ON THAT, BECAUSE WE ARE USING THAT POLITICAL EXCUSE TO END CHILDCARE FOR FAMILIES AND TO MAKE OUR BUDGET $200 MILLION IN THE HOLE. AND JUST REITERATING THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY A SOLUTION. YOU KNOW, THERE IS ONE THING TO BE A PROBLEM SOLVER WHEN PROBLEMS CATCH US UNAWARE. BUT HERE WE ARE FACING A PROBLEM 
          [04:05:06]
THAT WAS CREATED BY THREE FOLKS ON THIS DAIS, SO I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THOSE THREE FOLKS SHOULD NEUTRALIZE THE PROBLEM THAT THEY CREATED BY USING THEIR BUDGET TO PATCH THIS $200 MILLION BUDGET HOLE, AND IF IT IS SO EASY TO GET THE MONEY BACK, THEN PUT YOUR FUNDS OUT FIRST AND YOU CAN GET REIMBURSED. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> WHAT IS THE RATE THAT YOU ALL ARE PROPOSING? 
          >> RECOMMENDED? NEXT WE WILL HAVE A RECOMMENDATION ON AUGUST 26TH. 
          >> GIVE ME SOME SENSE OF THE COST OF THE DOWNGRADE. 
          >> YEAH, SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, NOTHING, BUT AS WE GO OUT TO THE MARKET AGAIN FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF THE $850 MILLION, THE INTEREST RATE THAT WE WOULD BE GETTING ON THAT MONEY WOULD BE MUCH HIGHER, IF OUR DOWNGRADE PERSISTS, OR ACTUALLY IF IT GETS 
          WORSE. >> COMMISSIONER, I CAN JUMP IN. 
          WE WILL GET EVERY RATED AGAIN PRIOR TO THE NEXT ISSUANCE, WHICH I BELIEVE IS 12 TO 18 MONTHS AWAY, DEPENDING ON SPENDING. ONE KNOCK IS POSSIBLY A COUPLE POINTS. ANYTHING MORE THAN ONE KNOCK, WE WOULD HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS AND WE WOULD GO BACK AND PRESENT WHAT THE IMPACTS WOULD BE TO THE CIP PROGRAM , TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. 
          >> HOW OFTEN ARE APPEALS SUCCESSFUL? 
          >> NOT VERY. >> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT BUT I HAVE BEEN OUT OF BUSINESS FOR A LITTLE WHILE, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT 
          CHANGED. >> SO, COMMISSIONER, WE WERE RATED IN MAY , BEFORE WE WENT TO MARKET, AND THEY REAFFIRMED THE TAX RATE. AGAIN, WE FEEL LIKE THIS PARTICULAR RATING AGENCY HAD SOME FEELINGS ABOUT NOT BEING SELECTED TO DO OUR RATING FOR OUR BOND ISSUANCE, AND FELT A NEED TO GO AND ESSENTIALLY PRE-DING US FOR DEBT WE HAVEN'T ISSUED YET, SO, I DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE THAT THIS WILL HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ULTIMATELY ON THE COST OF OUR BORROWING IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, AND TWO, I DO BELIEVE THAT WHEN WE GET RATED AGAIN , PRIOR TO THE NEXT ISSUANCE, YOU WILL SEE A BETTER RATING. 
          >> YOU SAID THAT IS ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW? 
          >> YES, IT DEPENDS ON HOW SPENDING GOES OVER THE NEXT 
          YEAR. >> YOU'VE GOT SOME SENSE HOW MUCH MORE DEBT YOU'RE G■OING TO ISSUE OVER THE NEXT YEAR? 
          >> $840 MILLION . THAT'S OKAY. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY . 
          >> I APPRECIATE YOU COMING BACK, APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. I MEAN, ANY TIME YOU DO A 10 YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, I GUESS SOMEBODY IS GOING TO FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. AND WHEN I READ THE LETTER, THAT IS THE ALMOST FUNNY PART OF IT, THAT THEY SEEM TO DOWNGRADE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PLAN. THEY DOWNGRADE YOU BECAUSE VOTERS VOTED ON BOND MONEY. I KNOW JUST IN OUR CONVERSATIONS ON HOW WE CAN VERY SMARTLY SPEND OUR MONEY, HOW THAT BOND -- I THINK WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN. 
          OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE COST ESTIMATES NOT GOING UP ANYMORE AND THE BIDDING, BE SURE WE HAVE GOT THOSE NUMBERS CORRECT. SO, I FIND THE LETTER ALMOST COMICAL. I PROBABLY UNDERSTAND IT MORE NOW THAT DANIEL HAS EXPLAINED MAYBE THE REST OF THE STORY IN TERMS OF WHY THEY WOULD WRITE THIS LETTER. BUT JUST FROM MY DEALINGS WITH THE HARRIS HEALTH AND GOING THROUGH THOSE DETAILS, I AM TO ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SAME LEVEL OF EFFORT AND LOOKING AT EVERYTHING YOU DO, AND C WERE DOLLARS CAN BE SAVED, MUCH LIKE WHAT MR. 
          RAMOS HAS DONE. >> ABSOLUTELY, AS A MATTER OF FACT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR YOUR RECOGNITION. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE COMMITTED OURSELVES AS PART OF OUR BOND PROPOSAL, AS YOU KNOW, THE ENTIRETY OF OUR MASTER FACILITIES PLAN IS MUCH MORE THAN THE 2 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS, IT'S $30 MILLION ANNUALLY IN HAVE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO. SO, YES, WE ARE DOING THAT AND MORE, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE JUST WENT OVER, THAT COST THAT WE HAD INITIALLY ANTICIPATED IS 
          ACTUALLY EVEN HIGHER. >> SO, GOING THROUGH AND DOING A REALLY SMART LEVEL OF SPENDING CUTS IS A SMART THING TO DO? 
          >> YES, SIR. XI THINK THAT IS THE LESSON WE LEARN. THERE IS ALWAYS THE REVENUE. I WOULD CONTEND THE EASIEST THING TO DO IS GO TO THE VOTERS AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY. THE HARD THING IS 
          [04:10:03]
ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND FIND OUT WHAT WE CAN DO IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC OUT THERE AND THE CITY. SO, I APPLAUD THOSE EFFORTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING MORE IN TERMS OF HOW YOU CAN PARTNER HARRIS HEALTH WITH OUR PUBLIC HEALTH. 
          THERE IS SOME REDUNDANCY THERE, I THINK WE RECOGNIZE. NOT TO DO AWAY WITH ANYTHING, BUT TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO WITH THE SAME DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE. SO, I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. 
          >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I AM GOOD, THANK YOU. 
          >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, GUYS. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. 
          >> I DID HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION FOR MR. RAMOS. MAYBE -- I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO ASK GENESIS DRAPER ON THE LINE. GENESIS DRAPER. DID YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON IT AS WELL? I JUST DIDN'T THINK TO ASK THAT, I HELD IT TO MYSELF. AND I KNOW YOU MIGHT STILL BE ANALYZING IT, BUT BEFORE WE ALL SAW IT FLIPPING CARTWHEELS, YOUR SENSE AND THE JUDGE'S IMPACT , HIS SENSE OF IMPACT. 
          >> WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH A LOT -- WE JUDGE SHARED DATA WITH ME THIS MORNING THAT SUGGESTED THAT IF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSES, THERE WOULD BE 1800 INDIVIDUALS COME JANUARY 1ST -- NOT GENERATE FIRST, BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR ONE THAT WON'T UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. WE ARE WORKING VERY, VERY CLOSELY WITH THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE TO UNDERSTAND THE FIRST PART OF SB 9 THAT COMES INTO EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER, HOW SOME OF THAT TIME IT WILL IMPACT -- I HOPE JUDGE DRAPER IS ON THE LINE. SHE WILL BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPACTS TO HER OFFICE AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE EXPECT TO SEE WITH BONDS BEING SET AT A DIFFERENT RATE . DO WE KNOW -- IS JUDGE DRAPER ON? 
          >> JUDGE, ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, I AM ON, CAN YOU HEAR 
          ME? >> YEAH, I THINK WE HAVE TO SEE 
          YOU, IS THAT CORRECT? >> WE NEED YOU ON VIDEO, 
          JUDGMENT >> OKAY, IF YOU WILL GIVE ME ONE MOMENT, TONYA. NEED TO CHECK A MESSAGE REALLY QUICK, GIVE ME 
          ONE MOMENT, PLEASE >> AND OBVIOUSLY, I KNOW IT'S TOO LATE TO MAKE ANY CHANGES NOW, BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO -- I THINK IT IS A GOOD SHOT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WILL 
          PASS. >> AGREED, SIR. AND I DO THINK WE EXPECT SOME DELAYS IN HOW QUICKLY FOLKS ARE GETTING OUT OF JAIL ON BOND TODAY, AND WE EXPECT THAT THERE MIGHT BE -- AND JUDGE DRAPER, WHEN SHE IS ON, WILL SPEAK MORE TO THIS, BUT WE EXPECT THAT THERE MIGHT BE MORE APPEALS FROM DEFENSE, BECAUSE THE BONDS WILL BE BEING SIGNED OVERNIGHT BY THE STATUTORY JUDGES. THE DEFENSE WILL NOT HAVE BEEN THERE AND 
          PRESENTED AN ARGUMENT THAT >> AND WHEN DOES THE O'DONNELL 
          CONSENT DECREE EXPIRE? >> UM, 20 -- 
          >> THE CONSENT DECREE EXPIRES IN 2026, BUT THE ORDER WOULD STILL BE IN PLACE, YOU KNOW, UNTIL THE COURT CHANGES IT. 
          >> JUDGE DRAPER WON'T BE ABLE TO COME ON CAMERA. 
          >> OKAY, THAT'S ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONERS, IF I MIGHT, JUDGE -- JUST TWO QUICK POINTS, I KNOW WE ARE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME HERE. FISCAL YEAR 2025 WAS THE FIRST YEAR UNDER THE NEW TAX RATE. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL, I THINK IT IS GREAT FOR DR. PETERSON ON THIS THAT THE PUBLIC ENTRUSTED US WITH THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT ESSENTIALLY A DOUBLING OF OUR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. SO, IT'S ROUGHLY $100 MILLION MORE THAN WHAT WE HAD IN YEARS . OF THAT, FLOOD CONTROL IS EXPECTED TO SPEND ABOUT 90% OF IT THIS YEAR, WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLE RAMP-UP OF SERVICES, AND I KNOW DR. 
          PETERSON HAS A PLAN THAT SHE WILL BE PROVIDING AN UP DATE ON SHORTLY WITH MAINTENANCE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. AND THEN JUST TO SPEAK REALLY QUICKLY, WE HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS ALL OVER THE COUNTY, BESIDES JUST THE SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLES. IN THAT 102 MILLION, I JUST WANT TO BE ON THE RECORD SAYING THAT THERE IS MONEY RESERVED FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY WHO ALL HAVE CERTIFICATIONS. BECAUSE THEIR JOBS ARE SO DIFFERENT THAN THE CONSTABLE AND THE SHERIFF , WE ARE WAITING FOR THE GALLAGHER STUDY TO COME BACK, IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN LOOKING AT THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND CERTIFICATIONS, THAT WE ARE GETTING THAT SALARY SCALE CORRECT. BUT I JUST WANT TO BE 
          [04:15:05]
CLEAR, THERE IS MONEY IN THE BUDGET THAT IS EARMARKED FOR THOSE DEPARTMENTS ONCE THE SALARY STUDY COMES BACK. 
          >> DANIEL, DO YOU HAVE MOTIONS WE NEED TO ACT ON? 
          >> SO, ITEM 3, THE EMPLOYER GROUP WAIVER PROGRAM, I WOULD ASK FOR ACTION ON THAT ONE. JUST TO REITERATE, THIS IS NOT INCREASING THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR OUR RETIREES, THIS IS SIMPLY RE-CATEGORIZING OUR RETIREE HEALTH, IN ORDER TO RECEIVE MORE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENTS FROM CMS. 
          >> SO, JUST MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR, SO NO COSTS TO 
          INAUDIBLE ], ZERO? >> CORRECTLY 
          >> SO, WE ARE MOVING TO 3. IS THERE ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO ON 
          1? >> ON 1, WE GOT DIRECTION FOR THESE ITEMS, THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL ACTION AT THIS POINT. 
          >> LET ME MAKE THE MOTION TO DIRECT OMB TO PRESENT OPTIONS FOR INCREASING THE SHERIFFS TOLERATE TO MATCH THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET. 
          >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY 
          , A SCRAMBLE FOR -- >> IT MAY I MAKE A FRIENDLY 
          AMENDMENT? >> YES. 
          >> THE FOR OMB TO COME BACK WITH THE RECOMMENDATION IN TERMS OF PAY PARITY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS, OTHER THAN COMMISSIONERS COURT AS WELL. COME BACK WITH THOSE SEPARATELY. 
          >> I WILL MAKE A SECOND ON THAT ONE. SO, THERE IS CLAMORING HERE ON THE SECOND , AND THAT IS A SECOND TO SPEND MORE MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE. YES, WE WILL VOTE THEM SEPARATELY. SO, HERE IS THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> I WAS TRYING TO TIE THE TWO TOGETHER. 
          >> LET'S JUST DO IT SEPARATELY 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, REALLY IT WAS A COMPETITION THERE ON SPENDING 
          MORE MONEY. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> I VOTE NO UNLESS THEY BOTH PASSED. 
          >> I DON'T KNOW UNLESS THEY WOULD LIKE TO PAY IT WITH THEIR OWN BUDGETS RATHER THAN THE TAXPAYERS BACK. ALL RIGHT, THEN WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. 
          >> COME BACK WITH A PLAN FOR PAY EQUITY ON ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS OFFICES, OTHER THAN COMMISSIONERS COURT. 
          >> SECOND. >> DID YOU CATCH THAT, JAMES? 
          >> DIRECTING OMB TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON PAY PARITY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIAL OFFICES OTHER THAN COMMISSIONERS 
          COURT. >> SECOND. 
          >> OKAY, SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR?  ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR OF COURSE, AS LONG AS THEY CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR IT WITHOUT CUTTING SERVICES . SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE GOOD AT MAKING MONEY APPEAR. SO ANYWAY, I'M NOT THE ONE THAT KEEPS SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> WHAT ABOUT 2? >> EXCUSE ME, SO THAT IS A NO. I AM ASKING FOR A STUDY. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS IN FAVOR, SO I WILL ABSTAIN, SO WE CAN'T TWIST MY WORDS HERE, BUT I VOTED NO ON ALL OF THESE UNFUNDED INVESTMENTS, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT NUMBERS DON'T LIE AND YOU CAN'T SPEND MORE MONEY THAN YOU HAVE AND NOT ASK FOR THE TAXPAYERS, WHILE ALSO KILLING A CHILD CARE PROGRAM THAT WHEN -- YOU KNOW, AS LONG AS YOU AND YOUR STAFF MEMBERS HAVE CHILDCARE, YOU ARE HAPPY AND YOU WON'T LET THE VOTERS DECIDE ON GETTING CHILD 
          CARE? YEAH. >> 
          >> I AM UNCLEAR OF THE VOTE. >> SO, ELLIS YES, GARCIA YES, BRIONES YES, RAMSEY KNOW, HIDALGO  ABSTAIN. 
          >> INCIPIT >> ANY OTHER MOTIONS ON ITEM 1? 
          SO, BACK TO ITEM 3 POINT >> CAN WE GIVE YOU 3, 5, AND THEN TAKE 2 UP WITH ITEM 22 ON THE CONSTABLE SALARIES? 
          >> I'VE GOT YOU. SO, ITEM 3, IS THERE A MOTION HERE? 
          >> JUST TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR, TO CONTINUE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS ASKING YOU, DANIEL, NUMBER ONE, THERE WILL NOT BE IN CROSS -- INCREASE COSTS TO RETIREES, CORRECT QUESTION MARK ALL RETIREES WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRANSITION AND ENROLL, NO ONE WILL BE KICKED OFF, CORRECT? OKAY. 
          >> DID WE VOTE ON THAT ONE? >> ON 3, NO, WE HAVE NOT. 
          INAUDIBLE ] ALL RIGHT, SO IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 3 AS PRESENTED QUESTION MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. THIS IS A COST SAVING MEASURE, SO I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF IT ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT, WHAT ABOUT -- DID WE ALREADY 
          VOTE ON 4, RIGHT? >> WE VOTED ON 4, AND A NUMBER 5 
          -- >> THAT IS TO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IS THERE A SECOND? 
          >> MOTION THAT I WILL MAKE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF I MAY. I 
          [04:20:02]
MOVED TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT OF BUDGET TO PROPOSE $9.7 MILLION IN CUTS FROM AMERICAN RESCUE ACT PORTFOLIO, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS, $4.7 MILLION FOR FEMA REIMBURSEMENT, $2.6 MILLION IN WASTEWATER PROGRAM INTERESTS, $1 MILLION IN DISPARITIES STUDY FUND, THE DISPARITY STUDY FLEX FUND, 50 1K IN THE HARRIS COUNTY OPPORTUNITY FUND, FLEX FUND, 450,000 FOR RE-ENTRY AND CAPACITY SUPPORT, FLEXPHONE, 59,000 FOR GUN BUYBACKS, WHICH IS FLEXPHONE, $15,000 FOR 911 TICS, WHICH IS THE FLEXPHONE, AND THE REASON I AM DOING IT THAT WAY IS I KNOW I AM FOR THOSE, BUT I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE OTHERS ARE. I CAN'T 
          VOTE FOR IT BLINDLY. >> SO, I WILL SECOND THAT, AND I DO ASK THE ARPA STEERING COMMITTEE TO CONTINUE TO KEEP US ABREAST WHEN THINGS HAVEN'T MOVED OR HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH PROCUREMENT OR WE HAVE GOTTEN A REIMBURSEMENT OR THINGS ARE DELAYED, BECAUSE WE NEED TO KEEP DRILLING DOWN EVEN FURTHER. SO, 
          SECOND, ELLIS? >> SO, COMMISSIONER, YOU HAVE THE MOTION, JAMES? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- 
          >> IT IS -- IN TERMS OF TO CLARIFY ON THE ITEM, THE ITEM IS FIRST-YEAR CODE TO DELIBERATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TOTALED IN 20 MILLION ? 
          >> SO, I AM HELPING YOU, I AM GIVING YOU 9.7 , SO STEER COAT CAN COME BACK WITH SOMETHING, YOU DON'T NEED A MOTION, THEY CAN COME BACK. I WANT TO SEE WHAT IT IS I DON'T JUST WANT A BOAT. I DON'T WANT YOU TO COUNT ON THAT OTHER 10 POINT 8 
          MILLION. >> AND WE ASKED THEM TO COME BACK SO YOU HAVE THAT ADVANCE OF BUDGET AMENDMENT DAY ON THE 
          NINTH. >> PERFECT. 
          >> SO, I'M SAYING YOU CAN DO THESE, I AM AGREEMENT ON THESE. 
          I WOULD TAKE THIS IF I WAS YOU. 
          >> FOR THE 9.7 POINT >> I THINK WE ARE GOOD, 
          COMMISSIONER. >> WE NORMALLY HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BEFORE DISCUSSION, SO IS THERE A SECOND? OKAY, SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SOUNDS LIKE HE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS? 
          >> YEAH, I'M TRYING TO FOLLOW THE RULES. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS -- TO GO BACK TO THE STEER CO., BECAUSE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WE HAVE CAME FROM THE STEER CO., AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS IN LINE WITH WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN -- 
          >> A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT THEY CUT THESE, WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT ON IT, THAT IS DONE. AND STEER COAT COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO COME UP TO THE OTHER -- 
          >> THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, WE ARE NOT PRESCRIBING TO STEERCO WHAT TO CUT AT THIS POINT. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, I WILL ACCEPT THAT. 
          >> DO YOU HAVE THE EDITED MOTION? 
          >> NO, MA'AM. >> AND FURTHER AMENDMENT THAT STEERCO COME BACK WITH RECOMMENDED CUTS TO GET TO THE 
          20 MILLION POINT >> SO YOU WANT TO ADD THAT TO THE TAIL END OF YOUR MOTION? ALL RIGHT, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AS MODIFIED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR?  ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. AGAIN, IT IS A COST-SAVING MEASURE. I AM NOT THRILLED ABOUT CUTTING PROGRAMS BUT I STILL BELIEVE THAT COLLEAGUES ELECTED BY BLACK AND BROWN AND PROGRESSIVE COALITIONS SHOULD NOT TURN THEIR BACKS ON THOSE COMMUNITIES. ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON TO -- SO, THAT WAS 5, LET'S MOVE ON TO 6. 
          WE ARE DEVOTED -- >> IF WE CAN GO BACK TO 2. I CAN TAKE 22 REALLY QUICKLY JUST TO GIVE AN UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE ON PROGRESS. AND THERE WILL BE ACTION ON 11 THROUGH 18 AND ITEM 2. SO, FOR ITEM 22, YOU KNOW, PER COURT DIRECTION, OMB OCA, THE COURT OFFICERS MET WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE IS, THAT WAS A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CONSTABLES, TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SHERIFF, TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE F.O.P., TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM CLEATS, AS WELL AS TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM -- I THINK I SAID THE SHERIFF ALREADY. AS WELL AS WE BROUGHT ON AN OUTSIDE FACILITATOR TO HELP DISCUSSIONS. 
          FROM THERE, YOU KNOW, WE STARTED OUT THE 142. THE REASON THAT WE OVERSHOT OUR PRODUCTION BY THAT MUCH IS THE LABOR AGREEMENT WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME, SO WHAT HPD OR THE CITY WAS CALLING THE BASE SALARY WAS ACTUALLY BASE SALARY, PLUS SOME ITEMS WE ALREADY PAID OR, SO THE GAP WAS MUCH CLOSER THAN IT HAD BEEN. WE WORKED REALLY CLOSELY WITH ALL THE PARTIES TO COPY AND MATCH AS CLOSELY AS WE COULD, GIVEN OUR STRUCTURE VERSUS HPD'S. ONE OF 
          [04:25:03]
THE THINGS I'M REALLY PROUD OF, THE GROUP IS -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN DOING LABOR NEGOTIATION FOR MOST OF MY CAREER, IT IS REALLY EASY TO START LAYERING ON THESE INCENTIVES AND THESE SPECIAL PAYS TO GET TO A NUMBER. WE TOOK THE OPPOSITE APPROACH WHICH WAS LET'S SIMPLIFY IT, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THE FOLKS WHO ARE DECIDING TO COME WORK FOR US, YOU KNOW, THEIR BASE SALARY IS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET PAID. WE DON'T HAVE TO ADD OUR PINKIES AND TOES UP TO BE ABLE TO GET TO WHAT A FINAL PAYCHECK IS. SO, THE UPDATED PAY SCALE IS ATTACHED. REALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH, IN WHAT IS REALLY A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. TO GO ON TO NUMBER TWO, BECAUSE OF THOSE 
          SALARY INCREASES -- >> THAT IS A TRANSMITTAL ON THE 
          FIRST ONE. >> CORRECTED AND COURT ADOPTS THE ENTIRE COUNTY'S PAY SCALE, ALONG WITH THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR, SO THIS WILL COME BACK AGAIN. WE WOULD JUST TRY -- WE TRY TO TRANSMIT WHAT WAS AGREED TO BY THE GROUP. ON NUMBER 2, ON CONTRACT PATROL, AS WE BASE SALARIES, YOU KNOW, THE COST TO PROVIDE THAT PROGRAM GOES UP. WE ARE RECOMMENDING AN 8.3% INCREASE, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR ABOUT A $10 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE. IF WE WERE TO MOVE UP TO 24%, WHICH IS THE ACTUAL COST TO IMPLEMENT THE UPDATED PAY SCALE, IT IS ACTUALLY CLOSER. IT WOULD BE 27 1/2 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE. SO, OUR RECOMMENDATION AT THIS POINT IS TO PHASE IT IN OVER FIVE YEARS. IT WOULD BE 8.3% EACH. 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          >> I WANT TO ASK MR. BONBON, WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE? DOES THE LOT REQUIRE THAT IT IS REIMBURSED 100%? 
          >> THE STATUTE REQUIRES THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT MUST RECOVER 100% OF THE COST TO THE COUNTY FOR SUPPLYING THOSE 
          LAW-ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FOR >> AND HOW LONG DOES THAT -- WHEN WAS THE PAST, DO YOU KNOW? 
          >> LOOKS LIKE 1987. >> THAT PASSED BEFORE I GOT THERE. THAT IS A LONG TIME AGO. AND IS IT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT THAT THE COURT COMPLY WITH THE STATE LAW? 
          >> IT IS ALWAYS OUR RECOMMENDATION. OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE CHALLENGES ON DOING SO BASED ON THE BUDGET, BUT THE LOSS IS 
          WHAT THE LAW SAYS. >> IT IS SO, IF WE TAKE MR. RAMOS'S RECOMMENDATION, IT WILL BE $10 MILLION, WE WON'T HAVE 
          TO CUT FROM OTHER PROGRAMS? >> CORRECT. 
          >> AND IF WE FOLLOW THE LAW, IT WILL BE? 
          >> 27 1/2 BILLION. >> WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO CUT OTHER PROGRAMS. I'M JUST CURIOUS. ARE WE PERMITTING OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS TO GET IN ON THIS DEAL IF THEY WANTED TO? COULD OTHERS GO JOIN IN NOW ON THIS PROGRAM? 
          >> SO, I BELIEVE THE APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN YEAR-ROUND, I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO THE ABILITY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD TO WANT AND BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE SERVICES FOR 
          >> OBVIOUSLY, WE KNOW WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS CANNOT AFFORD IT. 
          I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE COMPLY WITH THE STATE LAW AND PUT THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE AT WHATEVER IT IS. 
          >> BEFORE WE VOTE, I HAD MY HAND UP BECAUSE I HAD SOME QUESTIONS, BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE RECEIVED -- BECAUSE I AM ALL ABOUT NUMBER 1, WE MUST COMPLY WITH STATE LAW. 2, THANK YOU FOR THE LANDSCAPE, THIS WILL BE A FIVE YEAR, PHASED IN SALARY PAY PARITY MOVE. THE COMMUNITY ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO PARTNER WITH US, SO THAT THE RACES THAT WE ARE GIVING TO OUR HARD-WORKING CONSTABLES DEPUTIES AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES, THE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO ABSORB AND HELP US PAY FOR THESE RAISES. NONNEGOTIABLE, ABSOLUTELY. BUT THE LAWYER IN ME, WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF CONTRACTS ALREADY SIGNED AND EXECUTED , THAT START ON THIS FISCAL YEAR, OCTOBER 1ST, AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CONTRACTS, I'M LOOKING AT THE CONSTABLES, MAYBE WHOEVER WOULD LIKE TO PLEASE COME, JUST SO WE COULD HAVE SOME FACTS. IN TERMS OF LOGISTICS AND EXECUTION, MY PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO MAKE SURE WE RECOUP 100% OF OUR COSTS, BUT GIVEN THAT SO MANY HAVE ALREADY BEEN EXECUTED , NEXT FISCAL YEAR, MAKE THEM PAY FOR WHAT THIS FISCAL YEAR AND 2027 TOGETHER VERSUS HAVING TO RE-EXECUTE NEW CONTRACTS AND DUPLICATE ALL THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE HOAS, WHO HAVE ALREADY SCHEDULED MEETINGS, APPROVED BUDGETS, I THINK LOGISTICALLY, WE CAN FOLLOW THE LAW, RECOUP ALL OUR COSTS, AND MAKE SURE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE TIME TO COMPLY AND WE ARE NOT BREACHING AND HAVING TO RESTART ALL THE CONTRACTS THAT HAVE BEEN RETURNED WITH BUT CONSTABLE ALLBRITTON, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE INFORMATION AS TO THE TIMELINE , WHERE WE ARE WITH THE EXECUTED CONTRACTS, AND WHAT THIS MEANS LOGISTICALLY FOR YOUR TEAM AND 
          THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS? >> YEAH, GOOD AFTERNOON. THE 
          [04:30:02]
CONTRACTS HAVE ALREADY ALL GONE OUT, ALREADY -- THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO LEFT AT OUR AGENCY THAT HAVEN'T COME BACK YET, BUT THOSE HAVE ALREADY BEEN SIGNED AND WE HAVE ALREADY TOLD THOSE RESIDENTS, THIS IS WHAT YOUR PRICE IS GOING TO BE. I AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE SHOULDN'T GO BACK ON THAT. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY HAS GOT TO RECUPERATE COSTS, BUT THAT IS Y'ALL'S DECISION TO MAKE. I MEAN, I THINK THE COUNTY COULD PROBABLY COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND THERE ARE WAYS TO LOOK AT THIS, WHETHER THE COUNTY IS SUBSIDIZING THE NEIGHBORHOODS OR THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS SUBSIDIZING THE COUNTY. BECAUSE AT MY AGENCY, THE NEIGHBORHOODS PITCHING 16 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS TO PUT OFFICERS OUT ON THE STREET. AND THEY DON'T SPEND 100% OF THEIR TIME IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. THEY SPEND TIME OUTSIDE OF THEM, PATROLLING , THEY GET CALLS OUTSIDE OF THEIR BUT IT IS REALLY HARD TO FIGURE OUT 100% OF THE TIME, UNLESS THAT NEIGHBORHOOD WANTS TO BUILD A POLICE STATION INSIDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE DEPUTY SPENDS EVERY WAKING MOMENT IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. SO, WITH SB 23, I KNOW YOU ALL ARE AWARE OF IT, THE COUNTY SPENDS ABOUT $5 MILLION ON THOSE CONTRACTS WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS, THEIR SPENDING 16 1/2. IF YOU -- THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS THEN JUST DECIDE WE CAN'T AFFORD IT ANYMORE, NOW THE COUNTY HAS TO PAY $21 MILLION TO COVER THOSE COSTS. IF YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE MATH ON THAT. BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF OFFICERS WITHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOODS HELPING THE COUNTY WITH ALL THOSE PATROLS. DOES THAT HELP? 
          >> THAT DOES HELP, BUT IN TERMS OF CONTRACTS THAT GO INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1ST, 2025, YOU ARE SAYING ALL BUT A COUPLE HAVE BEEN RETURNED AND EXECUTED, CORRECT? 
          >> YES. >> BECAUSE WE DO NEED TO RECOUP THE COSTS, WE DO NEED THE COMMUNITY'S PARTNERSHIP, HONORING YOUR SERVICE WITH THESE PAY RAISES, AND FROM A LOGISTICAL IMPLEMENTATION, MY PROPOSAL -- MY MOTION WOULD BE THAT ESSENTIALLY FOR FY 26, THEY DOUBLE UP IN TERMS OF THE DELTA FOR FY 25 AND 26, BUT WE HAVE THE MONTHS TO COMPARE THE CONTRACTS, SO THAT WE ARE NOT HAVING TO RENEGE I.E. BREACH, CHAIR OF THE ALREADY EXECUTED CONTRACTS FOR OCTOBER 2025. SO, I WAS GOING TO ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE JUST THE VOLUME OF CONTRACTS, WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE LOGISTICALLY. 
          >> JUST TO CLARIFY, COMMISSIONER, THE CONTRACTS HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY COURT, THEY HAVE NOT YET BEEN EXECUTED. 
          THERE ARE A FEW IN THE NEXT COURT AND A FEW MORE AFTER THAT, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. THE PROCESS TAKES A REALLY LONG TIME. THERE IS A REAL MECHANICAL ISSUE HERE WITH TRYING TO REDO ALL THESE CONTRACTS, AS YOU KNOW. I THINK WE ARE AT 416 CONTRACTS FOR FY26. THAT PROCESS STARTED IN MARCH 2025, BEFORE THE COURT DECIDED TO PAY FOR THESE INCREASES, AND SO, WE WOULD HAVE TO REDO ALL OF THOSE CONTRACTS AGAIN. THE CONTRACT DRAFTING DOESN'T TAKE THAT LONG, BUT THEN IT TAKES THE CONSTABLES A LOT OF TIME TO GO OUT AND GET THEM EXECUTED THEY HAVE TO GO TO PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR MANY OF THESE SUBDIVISIONS, SO THAT'S WHAT TAKES A REALLY LONG TIME. 
          >> SO, FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE, AS LONG AS WE RECOUP THE COSTS, FOR EXAMPLE FY 25 -- NOT 25, THE FY26, WHICH I.E. STARTS OCTOBER 1ST, 2025, RATHER THAN -- BECAUSE MAYBE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN APPROVED, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS PROCESS. RATHER THAN TEARING UP THE EXECUTED AGREEMENTS FOR OCTOBER 1ST, 2025 I.E. FISCAL YEAR 2026, COULD WE DOUBLE UP IN TERMS OF THE DELTA, I.E. WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO PAY WITH THE INCREASE OF THESE CONTRACTS IN FISCAL YEAR 27 FOR BOTH 26+27, SO WE DO RECOUP OUR COST , WE DO NEED THE COMMUNITY'S PARTNERSHIP, BUT FROM AN IMPLEMENTATION LOGISTICS MECHANICAL STANDPOINT, WE NEED TO HIT GO ON OCTOBER 1ST. 
          >> THE STATUTE IS NOT SPECIFIC ON WHETHER OR NOT, I THINK WE COULD BID WE HAVE TO BE SURE ABOUT MAKING THE CONTRACT IS MORE THAN ONE YEAR TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY IS PROTECTED IN DOING 
          THAT, BUT I THINK THAT WE COULD. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> AND COMMISSIONER, JUST A LEVEL SET, WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN IS THERE WOULD BE A 2% INCREASE NEXT YEAR FOR JUST RECOUPING OUR 
          COSTS, NOT BACK PAY FOR -- >> TO BE CLEAR, WE WOULD NEED THE CONSTABLES DEEP PARTNERSHIP, RIGHT? BECAUSE WE COULD -- NOT TO BE DRAMATIC, BUT TEAR UP THE EXECUTED CONTRACTS, USE THE NEXT FIVE WEEKS, TRIED TO GET THEM TO GET MEETINGS WITH HUNDREDS OF CONTRACTS, OR THEY JUST KNOW EYES WIDE OPEN, UNDER THE LAW, WE HAVE TO RECOUP OUR COSTS. I KNOW AT LEAST MY CONSTITUENTS WANT TO PAY RAISE FOR YOU ALL, AND I ASSUME THEY WILL EMBRACE THE FACT THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY YOU ALL MORE, BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO KNOW EYES WIDE OPEN, AT LEAST AS AS I AM CONCERNED AND THE LOT IS CONCERNED, THAT FY 27, WILL HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR 26+27, WHICH TO DANIEL'S POINT, IT IS THE 8.3+8.3, CORRECT? 
          >> IT IS REALLY 42.6, BECAUSE TO GET -- SO, WHEN WE DID PARITY, 
          [04:35:04]
THE HPD PROMISED ITS FOLKS 10%, BUT TO GET PARITY, THERE WAS 14% THAT WE HAD TO MAKE UP OF A PRE-EXISTING DISPARITY. SO, TO RECOUP THE FULL COSTS, NEXT YEAR'S CONTRACTS WOULD GO UP 
          32.6%. >> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION ON THE MOTION ON THE TABLE. 
          >> SO, LET ME DO THIS, OKAY? >> I HAVE A QUESTION BEFORE -- 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YET. >> I'M JUST GOING TO SUGGEST 
          MAYBE A COMPROMISE. >> LET ME UNDERSTAND, SO WE HAVE A LOT IN 1987 THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE COLLECTING 100% ? 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> AND WE ARE JUST NOW FINDING 
          OUT ABOUT IT NOW? >> IT HAS BEEN MADE CLEAR BEFORE. THE PRACTICE OF THE COUNTY IN THE PAST IS NOT NECESSARILY BEEN TO COLLECT 100%, BUT THAT'S WHAT THE LAW 
          WAS POINT >> BUT IT WAS FINE NOT TO 
          COLLECT 100%. >> I CAN'T SAY THAT THAT WAS FINE, THE LAW SAID WHAT THE LAW SAID. 
          >> I DON'T REMEMBER HONESTLY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COMING TO THIS COURT AND SAYING , YOU KNOW YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW BY NOT 
          GETTING 100% POINT >> COMMISSIONER, WHEN WE HAVE BEEN ASKED THE QUESTION, WE HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLEAR ON WHAT YOU HAVE TO RECOUP. THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR WHEN WE DISCUSSED THE COLLECTION OF OVERHEAD, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE EXPLAINED TO THE COURT WHAT THE LAW WAS. 
          >> I THINK HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE GIVEN NEIGHBORHOODS A YEAR . WE ALWAYS GIVE THEM A HEADS UP. THAT WAY, THEY CAN PLAN THEIR BUDGET, THEY CAN DO THAT IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER, THAT'S WHAT WE DID THIS YEAR. TO GO THERE AND TELL THEM THAT IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY 8% MORE OR 20% MORE. 
          I JUST DON'T THINK THAT IS HOW WE SHOULD DO BUSINESS. THE OTHER PART OF IT, A LOT OF THESE CONTRACTS ARE WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THEIR BUDGETS HAVE BEEN SET AS WELL. A LOT OF THE PROTECTION WE ARE PROVIDING TO CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS IS COMING OUT OF THESE CONTRACTS, SO, IF WE WERE TO GET ON THE PHONE TOMORROW AND TELL ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE A CONTRACT UNDER THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE WHATEVER NUMBER WE AGREED TO TODAY, THAT IS GOING TO CREATE A BIT OF CHAOS. I JUST THINK THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO DO IT. I WOULDN'T DO -- I WOULD DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, GIVE THE PEOPLE A YEAR, THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, AND THE BUDGET GOING INTO 2027, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A REASONABLE THING TO DO , NOW THAT WE HAVE MADE THESE DECISIONS , ONE, TO DO THE 100%, AND TWO, TO DO THE FULL INCREASE. BECAUSE WE START HAVING COUNCILS, JUST WANT TO KNOW, YOU SAID IT EARLIER, IF PEOPLE START CANCELING THE CONTRACTS, RATHER THAN HAVING ANY PARTNERSHIPS, WE ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING 100%. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE GETTING $115 MILLION A YEAR IN SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO, THAT IS WHAT IS ON THE TABLE. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER. 
          >> SO, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT , UM, COMMISSIONER BRIONES , AS LONG AS WE ARE GOING TO STOP IT, YOU GET AN OPTION. IF IT WAS MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I PERSONALLY WOULD GO TO MY NEIGHBORS AND SAY, LET'S GET IT DONE NOW, SO WE DON'T GET THAT HIT. BUT AS LONG AS WE ARE GOING TO STOP IT, THIS HAS BEEN BEING TALKED ABOUT SINCE I GOT HERE AND THAT IS ALMOST NINE YEARS AGO. AND PEOPLE WOULD DANCE AROUND ON IT, BUT YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED. FIRST OF ALL, ONCE WE DO THE PAY PARITY, HEY, I AM HAPPY TO BE ON THE LOSING SIDE OF THAT, BUT HEY, YOU WIN SOME, YOU LOSE SOME. THAT MONEY CAN NEVER COME OUT UNDER STATE LAW. 
          AND IF A BILL PASSED IN THE SENATE, THEY CAPPED THE GROWTH TO 2.5%, I'M GUESSING THERE WILL BE ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION . AND IF THAT PASSES, THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, THAT IS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S PASSING -- PACKAGE. IF THAT PASSES, MR. RAMOS, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A BIGGER HOLE NEXT YEAR, BUT THE LAW IS THE LAW FROM 1987. AND IF IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO PICK UP MORE, WELL, SO BE IT. I MEAN, WE CAN'T -- WHEN OUR LAW-ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE GO OUT, I HOPE THEY DON'T DECIDE, OH, WELL, YOU KNOW, WE JUST GIVE YOU A PASS ON THAT ONE. BECAUSE YOU ARE A CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD BUT IT IS THE LAW AND IT HAS JUST BEEN BEING IGNORED. WE TALKED ABOUT IT, I THINK AT LEAST -- 
          >> I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT LAW-ENFORCEMENT PATROLLING THE NEIGHBORHOODS, I'M NOT CONCERNED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ALSO BEING REIMBURSED AT SOME POINT. THERE MAY BE A LIMIT TO WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS WILL PAY, THAT IS ALL I AM SAYING. 
          >> WE JUST HAVE TO FACE THAT WE CAN'T HAVE A SITUATION. I KNOW A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MIGHT SIGN UP IF THEY FIGURE OUT 
          THEY NEVER HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. >> WELL, THEY ARE PAYING -- 
          >> THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS THEY 
          [04:40:08]
WILL GIVE THEM THE OPTION AS LONG AS IT IS GOING TO CHANGE. 
          PAY NOW OR YOU PAY THE EXTRA AND YOU MAKE UP FOR IT NEXT YEAR. 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DOES THAT MAKE -- 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER? >> I JUST WANT TO KIND OF -- LOOK, WE ARE CREATING PAY PARITY BECAUSE WE WILL LOSE DEPUTIES TO HPD. ULTIMATELY WITH THESE CONTRACTS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE PARITY OR YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE CONTACT DEPUTIES. AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT. BUT I AM ALL FOR ANY WAY THAT WE CAN APPROACH THIS TO EASE THE PAIN ON OUR RESPECTIVE 
          PARTNERS. >> SO, JAMES, ARE YOU CLEAR ON 
          THE MOTION? >> NO, MA'AM, IF IT CAN BE 
          REPEATED? >> HELP ME OUT, LEGAL. YOU ARE 
          THE WORDSMITH. >> 
          >> THAT WE FOLLOW THE LAW. >> PAY THE FULL RATE IF THEY WANT TO NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT THIS YEAR, DO IT. AND IF NOT, THEY HAVE ONE YEAR TO DO IT, BUT MAKE UP FOR THE YEAR THAT THEY DIDN'T PAY IT. 
          >> SO, IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO APPROVE -- 
          >> I THINK TO IMPLEMENT OPTION 2, BUT OFFER THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO IMPLEMENT IT THIS YEAR OR TO IMPLEMENT NEXT YEAR? DOES THAT 
          SOUND ABOUT RIGHT? >> AS LONG AS YOU MAKE UP THE 
          DIFFERENCE. >> YEAH. 
          >> SO, IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 RATES AS APPROVED WITH THE OPTION OF PAYING THEM BACK IN FISCAL YEAR 2027? SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT? 
          >> PAY THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR, BUT IT WILL BE MORE NEXT YEAR, AS LONG AS YOU PAY IT ALL. COME ON NOW, YOU ARE MY LAWYER, MAN. 
          >> LET ME WORDSMITH SOMETHING COULD 
          >> IF YOU COULD WORDSMITH SOMETHING, JOHN. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS A FIVE-YEAR PAY PARITY DEAL. AND IN THE BACKUP, IT SHOWS HOW WE , AS AN OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, HAVE PROPOSED THAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS HELP US ABSORB IT. 
          AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, THERE ARE DIFFERENT CONTRACTS. THE 70%, 80%, 100 WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE REQUIRING US TO RECOUP OUR COSTS, WHICH IS LAW-ENFORCEMENT SALARIES, PLUS INDIRECT COSTS LIKE VEHICLE COSTS, FUEL, EQUIPMENT. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. SO, BECAUSE WE ARE PAYING -- WE HAVE DECIDED, AT LEAST THREE OF US, TO INCREASE OUR LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SALARIES, THE COMMUNITY IS WILL BE PAYING OUR LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE, AS WE ARE. BUT THAT OPTION NULLITY, JOHN, IS WHAT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WAS, BECAUSE IF THEY HAVE SIGNED THE CONTRACT AND THEY CAN'T MAKE THE CHANGES BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST, THEY CAN CHOOSE TO MAKE THE CHANGES AND ABSORB FY26 IN FY26, OR THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO KEEP THAT CONTRACT, BUT HONOR IT IN FY 27 FOR BOTH WHY -- 
          >> SO IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 RATES WITH THE OPTION TO PAY FOR THOSE RATES OVER THE NEXT TWO 
          FISCAL YEARS. >> SO MOVED AND I AM SO GLAD YOUR PARENTS INVESTED IN A GOOD EDUCATION. 
          >> JUST A QUICK QUESTION, DO WE KNOW WHAT THAT RATE IS? 
          >> THERE IS A CHARGE -- >> 
          >> IT IS 16.6%. >> OKAY. 
          >> DANIEL, FOR CLARITY FOR EVERYONE, CAN YOU POINT OUT -- 
          >> WITH HPD, THAT IS 24%, JUST IN TERMS OF WHAT THE COST IS TO THE COUNTY. IT'S 24%. THEN I BELIEVE IT IS 544, SO A TOTAL OF 40% OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, SO OMB IT HAD PROPOSED IT .3% EACH YEAR TO HELP SMOOTH OUT THE COSTS AND MITIGATE ANY RISK OF ANY MASS CANCELLATIONS OF CONTRACTS. 
          >> YOU WILL PULL TOGETHER SOME GROUP TO EXPLAIN IT TO OUR CONSTABLES, AND PROBABLY THE COMMISSION. I HAVE SOME IN MY PRECINCT AS WELL. NOT AS MANY AS OTHERS, BUT SO WE KNOW WHAT WE 
          ARE TELLING PEOPLE. >> UNDERSTOOD. 
          >> AND DANIEL, AT LEAST TO ME, THAT WAS THE MOST COMPELLING ONE, WHERE IT IS SMOOTHED OUT OVER FIVE YEARS, RIGHT? TO LESSEN THE SHOCK. BUT AGAIN, THEY WILL HAVE TO DOUBLE UP IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO DO IT THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND UNDER THE SERVICE WITH THE PAYERS. THANK YOU. 
          >> IS THE MOTION CLEAR? >> YES, MA'AM. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I FORGOT WHO HAD THE SECOND. 
          SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AS IT IS A COST-SAVING MEASURE. MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT, SO WHAT IS LEFT? ASK THE CONSTABLE SALARIES AND THE JUDGES SALARIES. 
          >> OKAY, SO THAT IS -- >> CAN WE TAKE 11, 12, 13, 14, 
          [04:45:09]
          15, 16, 17, AND 18 TOGETHER? >> YEAH, SO THOSE ARE THE CONSTABLE SELECTED SALARY REQUESTS. AND THEN 19 IS THE DISTRICT JUDGE. ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S START WITH 11 THROUGH 18, 
          THE CONSTABLE SALARY REQUEST. >> I MAKE A MOTION. 
          >> I WILL SECOND IT >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ANY DISCUSSION? COMMISSIONER ELLIS, GARCIA, AND THEN BRIONES. 
          >> I THINK I HAVE PROBABLY SAID ALL THAT I NEED TO SAY, BUT I GUESS I WILL SAY IT AGAIN IN CASE YOU DIDN'T HEAR IT. I MADE A MOTION TO GO TO THE VOTERS AND ASK THEM FOR THE MONEY. I KNOW CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE LATE IN THE PROCESS WHEN THE CITY MADE A DECISION, AND THAT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO MATCH IT, THE FEAR OF LOSING LAW ENFORCEMENT. I THINK THE TIME AND THE BEST WAY TO HAVE GONE TO THE VOTERS AND ASK THEM FOR THAT MONEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN PART BECAUSE IT WAS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND OBVIOUSLY, THIS COMES UP, SURELY SOMEBODY SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT WHEN WE WERE DOING IT FOR THE DEPUTIES, FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL, BUT IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS, I WOULD PREFER WE DO ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND NOT JUST -- AND NOT JUST SOME, SO FOR THAT REASON I VOTE NO. 
          >> COMMISSIONER TRENT -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN 
          BRIONES? >> THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY QUESTION. I THOUGHT YOUR PREVIOUS MOTION FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS WOULD HAVE COVERED OUR CONSTABLES. 
          >> I DON'T WANT TO SEE IT COME BACK. HE SAID WE ARE VOTING ON THIS ONE TODAY, SO WHY DON'T WE HOLD THIS ONE UNTIL IT COMES BACK ON EVERYBODY QUESTIONED WHY DO WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS 
          TODAY? >> I AM PREPARED TO VOTE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN POSTING REQUIREMENTS AND THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS AND JUST PREPARING FOR WHAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO 
          BUDGET FOR. >> WHAT I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS TODAY TO DO THAT AS WELL? 
          >> YEAH, BECAUSE WE LIKE -- >> AND JUST WONDERING, WHAT IS 
          THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT? >> THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT IS TO HAVE IT POSTED 10 DAYS IN ADVANCE. SO THAT MEANS WE HAVE 
          TO DO IT TODAY? >> WE ADOPT THE BUDGET SEPTEMBER 18TH, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT NOTICED BY SEPTEMBER 8TH. 
          >> SO IF THIS IS FORCED TO BE VOTED ON TODAY, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO DO THAT FOR ALL THE REST OF THEM TODAY, I WILL VOTE FOR THIS, BUT IF NOT, I WON'T. 
          >> THAT IS GOING TO BE MY -- DANIEL, WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO 
          TODAY? >> I BELIEVE WE CAN BRING THIS BACK, WE CAN BRING ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES BACK AUGUST 
          26. >> WE ALREADY BROUGHT THIS BACK, THIS IS ON THE LAST AGENDA, AND WE DECIDED NOT TO BRING IT -- AND THESE ARE SPECIFICALLY LISTED. 
          >> POINT OF ORDER, COMMISSIONER, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO -- YOU KNOW, WE GOT TWO THINGS RELATED TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. I JUST THOUGHT THE PREVIOUS MOTION COVERED THIS, BUT IF IT DOESN'T, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A COMMITMENT ON SOME AREAS OF CONSOLIDATION. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR DISPATCHING TO BE CONSOLIDATED, THAT WOULD HELP US A BIG DEAL. AS I MENTIONED -- I DIDN'T MENTION EARLIER, I SHARED IT EARLIER, THAT I'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME COMMITMENT TOWARDS CONSOLIDATION. JUST A STARTING POINT, AND THE STARTING POINT FOR ME IS DISPATCHING. IF WE COULD JUST SIT DOWN AND HAVE GOOD CONVERSATION AS TO HOW IT WOULD HELP YOU WITH HAVING TO KEEP UP WITH YOUR DISPATCHING OPERATIONS, HOW THAT WOULD HELP CITIZENS, BUT I WOULD LIKE A STARTING POINT ON CONSOLIDATION. THAT WOULD BE THE CONDITION OF MY BOAT, JUST THE COMMITMENT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ON 
          CONSOLIDATION. >> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL THE CONSTABLES IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR ME, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> SO THIS WILL BE DELAYED TO WHEN? 
          >> TO THE LAST DAY WE CAN DO THIS. YEAH. WHAT IS THE DATE THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THIS TO MEET THE POSTED REQUIREMENTS? SO, WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO DO IT FOR THE OTHERS? IF NOT, I CAN 
          MAKE A MOTION -- >> WE WOULD BRING IT BACK AUGUST 26. THERE IS A GRIEVANCE PROCESS, AND THEN WE WOULD NOTICE IT AS SOON AS THE GRIEVANCE PROCESS CLOSED 
          >> NO, WE WOULD NOTICE IT FIRST. >> SORRY. 
          >> AT THE TIME -- SO YOU WERE 10 DAYS BACK FROM WHEN HE WOULD ADOPT THE SALARIES, SO IF WE WANTED TO ADOPT THEM ON 
          [04:50:02]
SEPTEMBER 18TH, AS LONG AS THE NOTICE IS POSTED 10 DAYS AHEAD OF TIME, YOU COMPLY WITH THE LAW. 
          >> SEPTEMBER 8TH. >> BECAUSE IF NOT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE OPTION WOULD BE I COULD JUST THROW SOMEBODY THERE FOR ALL THESE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT OBVIOUSLY IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO DISCUSS IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME, I WOULD BE PREPARED -- AND AT THE SAME TIME, TO SEE IF YOU COULD GET 
          THAT COMMITMENT -- >> DO I HEAR YOU'VE GOT THAT 
          COMMITMENT? >> BE INTERESTED, OF COURSE WE ARE PUT 
          >> SO, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, I AM GETTING A COMMITMENT THAT WE WILL LOOK AT AND WORK TO ACCOMPLISH DISPATCHING 
          CONSOLIDATION? >> ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER. WE CAN SIT AND TALK AND TRY TO COME UP WITH A GOOD PLAN THAT MAKES SENSE, ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN DOING THAT COULD 
          >> A GOOD DEAL. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT I AM HEARING IS ACCURATE. I DON'T WANT TO WALK AWAY WITHOUT CONSOLIDATION ON 
          DISPATCHING. >> OKAY, WELL, WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS IT, COMMISSIONER. WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS IT, AND I MEAN IN GOOD FAITH, DISCUSS IT, ABSOLUTELY. 
          >> A MOTION 
          >> I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION. >> CAN I MAKE -- I KNOW WE HAVE GONE BACK AND FORTH, BUT JUST A FEW QUICK COMMENTS, BECAUSE IT GOES BACK TO THE PAY PARODY PACKAGE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS. SO, THE REASON I SUPPORT THIS IS BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, IF WE ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE PARITY WITH HPD, WHICH WAS THE GOAL OF OUR NEGOTIATIONS FOR ALL LEVELS OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, I SAW IT AS A PACKAGE IN THE TOTALITY TO INCLUDE LEADERSHIP. WE SHOULDN'T -- WE SHOULD DO IT AND GET IT DONE. WE SHOULD NOT STOP ONE STEP SHORT. SO, TO THINK THAT -- AND THE CHIEF THAT HPD IS AMAZING, I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR HIM. AND WE KNOW THAT SHERIFF GONZALEZ HAS AN EVEN TOUGHER JOB, WITH MORE PEOPLE LIVING UNINCORPORATED, PLUS HE HAS THE JAIL, SO I AM WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORTIVE OF HIM MAKING WITH HPD CHIEF DOES. AND THEN, GIVEN WHAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, AT LEAST SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON COURT, AGAIN FOR FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS BETWEEN THE NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TWO AT EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENCIES, BOTH THE SHERIFFS AND GAULS, I AM IN FAVOR OF THESE PAY RAISES FOR YOU, SO WE HAVE CLARITY, CONSISTENCY, AND THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT A HOLISTIC PARODY PACKAGE AND WE HAVE CLARITY FOR THIS FIVE-YEAR DEAL THAT SO MANY PARTIES HAVE WORKED ON FOR SO MANY HOURS, SO I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, AND I WOULD LOVE TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO FIND THESE EFFICIENCIES IN DISPATCH AND OTHERWISE. SO, I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD, WHY I AM SUPPORTIVE, BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE CONSISTENT AND CLEAR. AND SO, FOR SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND FOR THE EIGHT OF Y'ALL, I AM SUPPORTIVE 
          OF IT. >> AND I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT -- WOULD BE TO SUPPORT THIS, TO SUPPORT THIS AS LONG AS WE FIND A WAY TO PAY FOR THE GAP IN THE BUDGET THAT IS NOT CUTTING SERVICES, BUT IT COMES OUT OF THE BUDGET OF THE FOLKS THAT KEEP SPENDING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE. GENTLEMEN, AGAIN, YOU WOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE PAY IN 2022, THREE YEARS AGO, IF FOLKS HAD NOT COME TO PROTEST ME , SIMPLY BECAUSE I WAS ON THE BALLOT. AND I HEARD SOME ENDORSEMENTS ALREADY OF THE COLLEAGUES HERE THAT WILL NOT GO TO THE VOTERS , WHO SACRIFICE EARLY CHILDHOOD, SACRIFICE THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL STABILITY. I WOULD LOVE TO SUPPORT IT AS A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS, I WOULD SAY I MAKE THE MOTION TO SUPPORT IT, SO LONG AS WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO COVER IT AND THOSE FUNDS SHOULD COME FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER'S THAT WOULD LIKE TO USE MONEY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE . THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. 
          >> AND COMMISSIONER, JUST ONE POINT OF CLARITY, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT NOTICED THE SALARIES -- YOU COULDN'T ADOPT THEM TODAY, WE WOULD STILL GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS. 
          >> YOU HAVE TO DO IT AT THE BUDGET HEARING, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> SO THERE IS NO REASON TO DO IT TODAY. LET'S SEE WHAT ESSENTIALLY BE GIVING US DIRECTION TO NOTICE THEM, WHICH WE CAN ALSO DO ON AUGUST 26, IF THAT IS THE DESIRE OF MY COURT. 
          >> SO, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GIVE NOTICE, BUT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NUMBER OUGHT TO BE IN TERMS OF PARITY. THE SAME ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED, THAT I THINK YOU RAISED ABOUT THE D.A.S OFFICE, THE TAX ASSESSOR, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. I KNOW IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE, EXCITING AS IT IS BEING HERE, BUT WE WANT TO ATTRACT GOOD TALENT IN ALL OF THOSE POSITIONS. AND YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, SO I WOULD PREFER THAT WE WAIT AND DO THAT AND SOME ELECTED OFFICIAL DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE IT, PUT IT IN THEIR -- IN THEIR BUDGET. KEEP THE MONEY AND USE IT IN THE OFFICE. 
          [04:55:03]
IF THEY OPT NOT TO TAKE THE SALARY BUT I HAVE SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE. SO, THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE. 
          IT GIVES COMMISSIONER GARCIA AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HIS DISCUSSION THAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT, BUT THERE IS NO REASON TO HAVE TO DO IT TODAY, UNLESS SOMEBODY IS AFRAID SOMEBODY IS GOING TO LOSE THE MONEY AND WON'T GET IT. 
          >> AND I THINK ON THE POLITICAL SPIN TO ALL OF THIS, RIGHT, TO DISENFRANCHISING THE VOTERS AND CUTTING THEIR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE DIRECTORS OF FLOOD CONTROL, ET CETERA, THEY DON'T OFFER ENDORSEMENTS. LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES. IT IS VERY CLEAR WITH A PASSION FOR THIS PARTICULAR DEPARTMENT -- I VALUE YOUR GUYS' SERVICE ALSO VALUE THE SERVICE OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS, THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR INAUDIBLE ] FOR YOU AND YOUR TROOPS SINCE 2022, AND SOMEBODY BLOCK THE VOTE, WHICH IS WHY YOU ARE ONLY RECEIVING THEM THIS YEAR AT THE COST OF OTHER COUNTY SERVICES. SO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR, YOU KNOW, IF THE POLITICAL ISSUE WITH GOING TO THE VOTERS ON THE BUDGET DEFICIT OR EARLY CHILDHOOD WAS , WELL, WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO THINK WE WANT TO RAISE TAXES, THE BUDGET DIRECTOR ALREADY SAID, COMMISSIONERS RAISED TAXES LAST YEAR, AND IF THE CONCERN IS LET'S GET LAW ENFORCEMENT ENDORSEMENT, I THINK EARLIER, IT WAS ALREADY DISCUSSED, NOT FROM ANY OF THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT ONE OF THE SPEAKERS, YOU KNOW, WILL DO ANYTHING YOU NEED, JUST CALL US UP. I WOULD JUST ASK THAT WE ADVOCATE FOR EVERYBODY FAIRLY, WHETHER THEY OFFER POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS OR NOT. 
          >> THE LAST RACE WE HAD WAS NOT DONE BY THIS BODY. THE LAST RACE WE HAD WAS DONE BY EVERYDAY CITIZENS, SO THOSE WERE VOTERS. 
          WE HAD TO GRIEVE LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE HADN'T HAD A PAY 
          RAISE IN EIGHT YEARS. >> I KNOW, SIR, AND PEOPLE CAN 
          ROLLBACK THE TAPE IN 2022. >> OH NO, I'M NOT ARGUING ABOUT 
          THAT, YOU ARE RIGHT. >> AGO, AND INSTEAD, SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE THEIR TRIPS COME AND ADVOCATE AGAINST THE PAY INCREASE THAT I WAS TRYING TO GET THEM. I KNOW YOU AGREE. SO ANYWAY, THE SAME PEOPLE THROWING AROUND THAT TERM, HALF-BAKED, COME WITH A QUARTER BAKED PLAN. 
          BUT LOOK, LET'S JUST SHOW MORE OF THE PRIORITIES AND GENTLEMEN, I SHOWED MINE THREE YEARS AGO. THIS YEAR, I SAID LET'S GO TO THE VOTERS. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE VOTERS WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED IT , YOU ADVOCATE FOR YOUR TROOPS AND YOUR PEOPLE AND THAT IS YOUR JOB, BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO -- I THINK YOU WOULD ASSUME YOU WOULD BOTH ADVOCATE FOR YOUR FOLKS AND NOT ENFORCE CUTS TO IMPORTANT SERVICES, I WOULD ASSUME. THAT WAS AN OPTION, WASN'T 
          DISCUSSED. >> I MEAN, I AM HAPPY RIGHT NOW TO COMMIT TO THIS, TO EVERYBODY HERE. I AM ROLLING OVER $186,000 THIS FISCAL YEAR, THAT MORE THAN PAYS FOR A PAY RAISE AND I CAN COMMIT TO MOVING FORWARD , IT WILL BE PAID FOR BY OUR BUDGETS THAT YOU ALLOCATE TO US. ALLOWING US THE MONEY THAT WE RESERVE, BUT IT WILL NOT INCREASE TAXPAYER MONEY GOING INTO OUR BUDGETS. WE WILL FIGURE OUT A WAY FOR THE PAPERS THAT IS 
          NEUTRAL. >> I THINK YOU HAVE THE VOTES, CONSTABLE. I THINK MY ISSUE, TO BE CLEAR, IS WE WOULD BE -- AS ANY OF US MANAGE OUR BUDGET, OUR PERSONAL BUDGETS, YOU DON'T SPEND MORE ON YOUR BUDGET -- DEBIT CARD THAN WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN YOU GET PAID $1000 -- RIGHT, YOU DON'T DO THAT. SO HERE, WE, THREE OF US, DECIDED TO SPEND $200 MILLION ON A DEBIT CARD, AND SO, I DON'T FIND IT -- I CAN'T BE CONSISTENT WITH MY MORAL COMPASS AND MY COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, I HAVE A HARD TIME VOTING FOR ANYTHING THAT WOULD COST MORE WHEN WE HAVE ALREADY DONE THE 200, THE LET'S CALL THE QUESTION, I THINK YOU HAVE THE VOTES. 
          >> ALL MY CONSTABLES ARE RETURNING TO THIS HARRIS COUNTY 
          BUDGET $2 MILLION. >> I GET IT, I GET IT, AND I RESPECT THAT AND I APPRECIATE THAT. YOU ARE NOT THE REASON WHY WE ARE $200 MILLION IN THE RED. YOU ARE NOT THE REASON. THAT IS JUST WHERE WE ARE, OKAY? ALL RIGHT. 
          >> I THINK -- WOULD SUGGEST WE DELAY IT AND BRING THEM ALL BACK 
          AT THE SAME TIME. >> SO, IS THERE A MOTION? 
          >> 
          >>> FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WOULD BE THAT WE WILL VOTE ON IT TODAY I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, I APPRECIATE THE COMMITMENT TO USE 
          [05:00:02]
YOUR ROLLOVER TO COVER THE SALARY. THAT IS PHENOMENAL. BUT, I DO WANT A WORKING GROUP TO ACCOMPLISH DISPATCHING 
          CONSOLIDATION. >> LET'S PUT A WORKING GROUP TOGETHER AND THERE MAY BE OTHER THINGS LIKE PROPERTY ROOM. 
          >> THERE IS, I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. SO THAT WOULD BE MY 
          CONDITION. >> I'M COMFORTABLE WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS ADDED TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I THINK THE OTHER ELECTED NEEDS TO KEEP SEPARATE FOR CLARITY AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND ALL DEPUTIES WHETHER IT'S PEOPLE GETTING SHOT AT MY PARKS ARE THE ACTIVE SHOOTER WE ALMOST HAD AT TOMBALL ISD, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM WE HAD TODAY, WHAT YOU DO I HAVE DEEP RESPECT AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY IS AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE DOING IT IN A HOLISTIC WAY WHERE WE INVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH AND DIVERSION, ALL THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND YOU ARE IN A PILLAR IN THAT PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITMENT 
          THAT I HAVE. >> I AGREE, THANK YOU SO MUCH 
          FOR EVERYTHING. >> I WANT TO SAY IF YOU ARE A NO WE ARE STILL GOING TO WORK WITH YOU, IF YOU ARE NO COMMISSIONER 
          ELLIS. >> I'M NOT A NO ON YOU I NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BUDGET. 
          >> WE ARE GIVING YOU $2 MILLION. 
          >> REMEMBER WE ARE FACING 200 MILLION BUT I AM SO COMMITTED TO YOUR PAY AND RAISES THAT I TRIED TO ADVOCATE DESPITE PEOPLE BOOING ME AND TELLING THE COURT ROOM AND MAKING THINGS UP I STILL SAID NO LET'S GIVE THESE GUYS FUNDING AND THIS YEAR I DID NOT SAY LET'S NOT DO THE PAY PARITY, I SAID LET'S ASK THE VOTERS BECAUSE WE CANNOT, IF YOU WERE IN MY SEAT I HAVE TO BELIEVE YOU WOULD ALSO NOT PUT THE TAXPAYER $200 MILLION IN THE HOLE IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM, BUT ALL OF US KNOW PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPORTANT. I HAVE ALWAYS ADVOCATED FOR PAY RAISES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THERE WAS A WAY TO DO BOTH THINGS I DON'T KNOW WHY WE ARE SHUTTING THINGS DOWN BEFORE GOING TO THE VOTERS. WORST THAT HAPPENED VOTERS SAY NO AND WE CONSIDER THIS AGAIN BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY I REALLY DON'T KNOW. SO ANYWAY LET ME JUST MOVE ON, THANK YOU AGAIN YOU GUYS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP. 
          >> CAN WE VOTE ON IT OFFICIALLY? >> SURE I WAS ABOUT TO GET TO THAT. YOU ARE WELCOME TO DO IT, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          >> ARE YOU GOING TO? >> THE MOTION I BELIEVE AT THIS POINT IS FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA? 
          >> FROM RAMSEY WITH FRIENDLY AMENDMENT FROM GARCIA SECONDED 
          BY ME. >> GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER 
          BRIONES. >> JUST TO CLARIFY THE FACTS. 
          ALL IN FAVOR? >> I DON'T THINK THEY KNOW THE 
          MOTION. >> PLEASE STATE YOUR ORIGINAL 
          MOTION. >> WE WOULD CONSIDER ITEMS 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 AND I MOVED ON ALL OF THOSE. I BELIEVE 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> FRIENDLY AMENDMENT IS TO CREATE A WORKING GROUP TO ACCOMPLISH CONSOLIDATED 
          DISPATCH. >> THERE IS THE MOTION. 
          >> EVIDENCE ROOMS ET CETERA >> CERTAINLY WE SHOULD BE DOING 
          THAT. >> ARE YOU CLEAR ON THE MOTION? 
          >> YES, WE NEED CLARIFICATION. WE CANNOT APPROVE SALARIES TODAY JUST POSTING THE NOTICE SO MOTION TO DIRECT OMB TO POST NOTICES FOR APPROVAL AT THE BUDGET HEARING AND WHATEVER THE 
          SALARIES ARE. >> CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THAT? 
          THANK YOU. >> A MOTION TO DIRECT OMB TO POST NOTICES FOR THE INCREASES FOR THE EIGHT CONSTABLES AS PRESENTED IN ITEMS 11 THROUGH 18 THANK YOU. FOR APPROVAL AT THE SEPTEMBER 18 COMMISSIONERS COURT BUDGET HEARING. 
          >> WITH THE WORKING GROUP TO ACCOMPLISH CONSOLIDATED 
          DISPATCH. >> AND OTHER POTENTIAL 
          EFFICIENCIES. >> AND OTHER POTENTIAL 
          EFFICIENCIES. >> YOU GOT IT. 
          >> ARE YOU CLEAR ON WHO MADE THE MOTION AND WHO MADE THE SECOND? 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES 
          SECONDED . >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM WILL POST, THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. 
          [05:05:04]
          >> LET'S MOVE ON TO THE JUDGE'S ITEM, WHICH ITEM IS 
          THAT? >> 19. 
          >> I BELIEVE THIS IS THE FINAL ITEM. JUDGE, THANK YOU. 
          >> ONE QUICK QUESTION. >> 229,000. 
          >> 729,000? COULDN'T THAT BE VOTED ON? I WANT TO DELAY THAT BECAUSE THAT WOULD FALL IN LINE WITH ITEM I MADE IN TERMS OF PAY PARITY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND BRING IT BACK AT THAT TIME. 
          OKAY? >> ALSO, NO ACTION. 
          >> ARE FOLKS OKAY WITH NO ACTION ON ITEM 19? 
          >> SUGGESTION SO I UNDERSTAND. THEY NEED A SEPARATE ITEM BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY THE STATUTE. 
          >> WE CAN ROLL THIS OVER. >> IF THAT'S THE MONEY THEY CAN GET? THEY WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO GET THE RAYS? 
          >> THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE SAME NOTICE REQUIREMENT, YOU CAN TAKE ACTION ON THIS IMMEDIATELY. YOU CAN IF YOU CHOSE. 
          >> WE CAN TAKE ACTION WHEN THE OTHERS COME BACK. I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE TO WAIT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU PAID ATTENTION TO WHAT I WAS DOING BUT IT WOULD BE WISE TO WAIT. 
          >> I HAD ABBREVIATED COMMENTS THIS MORNING AND I WANTED TO BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR WAITING HERE ALL DAY. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY, HAD A CRAZY DOCKET AND WE GOT DONE AT 2:00 SO I WAS IN AND OUT. A COUPLE THINGS I WANTED TO SAY AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY TO WORK VERY WELL WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT IN SERVING THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR DOCUMENT DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE TO HAVE A FAIR, EFFICIENT AND STABLE JUDICIARY. SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT TODAY THAT ARE RUNNING THINGS WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT ARE DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS. FAIRNESS AND EQUITY, I HAVE HEARD A LOT ABOUT PAY EQUITY OR PAY PARITY AND ALSO COMMISSIONERS COURT IN HARRIS COUNTY WANTS TO LEAD THE STATE IN DELIVERING JUSTICE. THE APPROVAL OF THE SUPPLEMENT TODAY DOES ALL OF THOSE THINGS. PAY PARITY I WANT TO ADDRESS FIRST. 
          YOU RECALL THIS MORNING WE MENTIONED THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW JUDGES RECEIVED LAST YEAR NINE MONTHS OR SO AGO A $15,000 PAY RAISE. WE HAVE 67 DISTRICT COURT JUDGES WHO ARE ASKING FOR THE $7000 PAY RAISE THAT WAS CONTEMPLATED AND CONSIDERED AND INCLUDED IN THE SENATE BILL 293. THE PAY RAISE, THE LEVEL TO WHICH THEY RAISED THAT PAY CONTEMPLATES THE COUNTIES APPROVING THE SUPPLEMENT AT THE MAXIMUM LEVEL. WHAT IS THE IMPACT? YOU HAVE TALKED A LOT TODAY ABOUT THE $200 MILLION DEFICIT. THE AMOUNT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE TOTAL AMOUNT AMOUNTS TO $468,000, A TOTAL BUDGET IMPACT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DEFICIT NUMBER AND COMPARE IT TO THAT, THAT IS .002% OF THE DEFICIT. I'M NOT A MATHEMATICIAN SO MY MATH COULD BE OFF OR AT THE LEAST, .2% IF I AM WRONG. I MOVE THE DECIMAL SO THAT'S A VERY SMALL AMOUNT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING ALL THOSE THINGS THE COUNTY HAS REPEATEDLY SAID THEY WANT TO DO. 
          NOW BEFORE SENATE BILL 293, TEXAS JUDICIARY PAY WAS DEAD LAST IN THE NATION. THAT MEANS 50 OUT OF 50. THE ADJUSTMENT THAT WAS MADE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT FOR THE INFLATION THAT THE DISTRICT JUDGES HAD NOT RECEIVED IN MANY YEARS. IT HAD BEEN 13 YEARS SINCE THE BASE SALARY FOR THE JUDGES HAD BEEN ADJUSTED, NOT TO MAKE A COMPARISON, I KNOW WE TALK A LOT ABOUT CONSTABLE SALARY, I HEARD THE NUMBER WAS 178 I HEARD THE NUMBER WAS $178,000, DISTRICT JUDGE SALARIES ONLY GOT RAISED TO 175. 
          EVEN WITH THE BASE SALARY ADJUSTMENT, STILL STATE COURT JUDGES MAKE LESS. NOW THE SENATE BILL WAS LONG OVERDUE , IT WAS REPEATEDLY TOUTED AS ONE THAT WOULD REFLECT ADJUSTMENTS IN THE COST OF LIVING IN TEXAS AND THE SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ARE WORK HORSES, THEY ARE WORKHORSES FOR THE 
          [05:10:04]
ENTIRE COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT THE LAW PLACES ON US, NOT ONLY ARE WE THE FIRST LEVEL OF TRIAL COURTS THAT MOST IN THE COUNTY VISIT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE EXTRA RESPONSIBILITIES THAT WE HAVE TAKEN ON AND MASTERED AND WE HAVE SUCCEEDED AT. DAY TO DAY THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES HANDLE 116,000 CASES A YEAR ACROSS ALL DIVISIONS. WE HAVE , WE TOOK ON TO TACKLE THE BACKLOG AND WE MET ALL THE GOALS WE SET FOR OURSELVES, WE REDUCED THE BACKLOG AND THE CRIMINAL COURTS BY 87% , WE ELIMINATED THE BACKLOG IN THE CIVIL COURTS AT 20,000. AND WE HAVE DONE THE WORK AND WE CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK. WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY. WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH NOT ONLY THE DA, BUT ALSO THE BUDGET OFFICE ALSO THE AUDITOR OFFICE, ALSO MS. MILLS IN TRYING TO TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE THE INDIGENT COSTS, BUT ALSO TO REDUCE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE JAILS. AND SO, IN ADDITION, TWO OTHER AREAS ON TO TALK ABOUT THAT WE HAVE WORKED HARD ON IS LANGUAGE ACCESS. WE ADOPTED A PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY WOULD NOT FACE ANOTHER LAWSUIT OVER LANGUAGE ACCESS IN THE COURTS. THE PLAN THAT WE ADOPTED AND THAT WE ARE VERY PROUD OF WAS THE RESULT OF A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY. THE LAST AREA THAT I THINK IS POWERFUL IS THE DISTRICT JUDGES BY LAW ARE IN CHARGE OF THE JURIES SO WHEN YOU REMEMBER WE WERE ABLE TO TRY CASES DURING COVID, THAT WAS FROM THE LEADERSHIP AND EXTRA WORK AT THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES DID WHILE HANDLING THEIR OWN CASELOAD. WE DO THAT EVERY SINGLE DAY. I MENTIONED 419 OUT OF 504 COUNTIES HAD THE FULL SUPPLEMENT SET. WE ANTICIPATE THE 419 COUNTIES WILL APPROVE THE MAX SUPPLEMENT. IN FACT, SURROUNDING COUNTIES SO FAR, MONTGOMERY, BRAZORIA, GALVESTON HAVE ALL APPROVED THE MAX SUPPLEMENT AND THOSE JUDGES DO NOT DO AS MUCH WORK, AS MUCH COLLOCATED WORK AS THE HARRIS COUNTY JUDGES. THIS SUPPLEMENT IMPACTS. 
          >> JUDGE , YOU CONVINCED ME. I MAKE THE MOTION AND I'M ABOUT 
          TO LEAVE. >> I WILL SECOND AND I APPRECIATE THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE COURTS AND THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND I APPRECIATE HOW CLOSELY YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON LANGUAGE ACCESS, CASE MANAGEMENT, TARGETED APPROACH, AFTERNOON DOCKETS, ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE WORKING ON SO I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SECOND AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO DEEPEN THE PARTNERSHIP AND PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I KNOW EVEN WITH THIS CHANGE IN THE COUNTY SUPPLEMENT AND WITH THE STATE LAW CHANGE YOU ARE STILL MAKING LESS THAN A FIRST YEAR ASSOCIATE AT A LAW FIRM. THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP AND BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT, I APPRECIATE YOU AND ALL THE JUDGES SO I WILL SECOND. 
          >> I WANT TO MENTION YOU CANNOT MATCH THE SALARIES WITH THE 
          CONSTABLES. >> SO THE MOTION IS PRESENTED , ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I WILL ABSTAIN AS DEATH BY 1000 CUTS. YOU HAVE DONE GREAT WORK, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HIS THREE FOLKS WHO VOTE YES ON EVERYTHING WHICH IS WHY WE ARE $200 MILLION IN THE HOLE SO I'M TRYING TO BE INTELLECTUALLY CONSISTENT. IF WE HAD NOT COMMITTED TO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. 
          >> COMMISSIONER WE ARE LOSING QUORUM. JUDGE, SORRY. 
          >> GARCIA WANTED TO VOTE. >> THERE IS NO QUORUM. 
          >> SO, NO VOTING? >> YOU CANNOT TAKE ACTION RIGHT 
          NOW. >> THAT HAVE ALREADY VOTED ON 
          THIS. >> THEY DID. 
          >> OKAY, OKAY. TO HAVE TO COME BACK? 
          >> YOU CAN COUNT THAT. >> FOUR IN FAVOR, ONE ABSTAIN. 
          THANK YOU GUYS IT IS 4:13,
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.