* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.
          [00:00:04]
          >>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE , IT IS 10:00 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 -- THIRD , 2025 AND WE WANT TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO OUR SECOND DAY OF BUDGET HEARINGS FIRST HARRIS COUNTY FISCAL YEAR 2026. I WILL BE SERVING AS YOUR TIMEKEEPER FOR THE DAY. A FEW NOTES ON HOUSEKEEPING ON THE PROCESS FOR TODAY. EACH DEPARTMENT WILL BE ALLOCATED THREE MINUTES FOR THEIR INITIAL PRESENTATION, THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL RECEIVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS ON A ROTATING BASIS BEGINNING WITH A COURT MEMBER IF PRESENT AND ROTATING BEYOND THAT IN ORDER. 
          AND THEN ONCE THE COURT OFFICE QUESTIONS ARE COMPLETE THE 
          [Fire Marshal]
DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. WITH THAT WE WELCOME OUR FIRST PRESENTERS FOR THE DAY, THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE, CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN WHEN YOU ARE READY. 
          >> GOOD MORNING I AM LAURIE CHRISTENSEN YOUR HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL COME WITH ME I HAVE EXECUTIVE CHIEF AND I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND SPECIAL THANK YOU TO DANIEL RAMOS ASSOCIATE MANAGEMENT BUDGET TEAM, THAT A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND HAVE BEEN VERY ATTENTIVE SO THANK YOU. OUR MISSION STATED IS TO SAFEGUARD LIVES AND PROPERTY, MUCH OF WHAT WE DO IS STATUTORILY DEFINED, THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT WHAT WE TAKE DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. BASED ON THE WORK DONE BY MY FINANCE TEAM AND COMMAND STAFF WITH OMB WE BELIEVE BUDGET CUTS PRESENTED WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS. THE PRIMARY AREA OF IMPACT FOR BUDGET CUTS WILL BE THREAT MANAGEMENT TEAMS THE OTHER CUTS WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH PART-TIME POSITIONS, NONLABOR THAT CAN BE DISPERSED AMONG EACH BOROUGH, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS COURSE STATUTORY SERVICES WILL BE FULLY MAINTAINED, THE THREAT MANAGEMENT CONTINUES AS PLANNED, MAYBE A LITTLE SLOWER THAN THE INITIATIVES BUT IT WILL CONTINUE AS PLANNED, OUR PRIMARY AREA OF CONCERN REGARDING THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS PAY PARITY HEALTH, MR. RAMOS AND OMB HAVE REASSURED US FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, EMPLOYEES ARE THE MOST ESSENTIAL RESOURCE ENABLING US TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, MEET THOUGH STATUTORY NEEDS AND EXCEED EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT I HOPE YOUR OFFICE IS, LIMITING PAY PARITY TO PEACE OFFICERS ALONE WHEN THE WHOLE THE SAME TITLE TO PERFORM PUBLIC SAFETY FUNCTIONS AND MEET THE SAME ACCREDITATION STANDARDS FOR TEXAS POLICE CHIEF ASSOCIATION BEST PRACTICES AND COMPLETE MANDATED STATE CEU'S SENDS A MESSAGE THAT THE REST OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS ARE VALUED. OUR CONCERN IS THIS COULD GRADUALLY ERODE MORALE MAKING IT HARDER TO RECEIVING STAFF WHEN OTHER OFFICES HAVE COMPARABLE PAY AND LESS WORKLOAD. OUR STRENGTH LIES IN THE TEAM OF INSPECTORS, INVESTIGATORS, HAZMAT AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WITH SUPPORT WE HAVE ADVANCED PUBLIC SAFETY AND BUILT STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH PARTNER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, FIRE SERVICES, EMS AND VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS EXTENDING PARITY WILL HELP SUSTAIN THE PROGRESS BY SUPPORTING MORALE, RETENTION AND THE ABILITY TO REMAIN STEADY IN SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY COME OUT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I STAND READY TO ANSWER ANY 
          QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF. BEGINNING WILL BE PRECINCT 3, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES. 
          >> GOOD MORNING CHIEF . THE FIRST THING I HEARD WAS NO IMPACT SO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY INITIATIVES YOUR 100% CERTAIN THERE WILL BE NO IMPACT? 
          >> YES SIR, IN FACT THANKS TO THE COURT YOU ADOPTED THE FIRE CODE AND HAVE ALLOWED SCHOOL INSPECTIONS TO BE WITHIN THAT, IN ADDITION WE ARE RECOGNIZED BY THE TEXAS FIRE COMMISSION, WE HAVE DEVELOPED THE FIRST PROCESS DOING THE AED INSPECTIONS ADOPTED THIS LAST SENATE BILL SECTION SO THEY'RE USING OUR STANDARD AND A NO IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH SCHOOLS, WORKING WITH PARTNERS FOR ACTIVE THREADS AND AEDS, VERY EXCITED THIS MAY 
          SAVE A LIFE. >> WHEN I HEAR FIRE MARSHAL, INSPECTION, CODE ENFORCEMENT, THAT SOUNDS LIKE REDTAPE TO ME AND THE PUBLIC, HOW CAN RESIDENTS SEE A DIRECT BENEFIT 
          FROM INVESTMENT IN YOUR OFFICE? >> I WILL TELL YOU THIS, BEING THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE WE ARE THE STANDARD THAT GETS SET FOR OTHER COUNTIES BUT I WILL TELL YOU WE ARE ONE OF THE SAFEST COMMUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO OUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, OUR OUTREACH, PARTNERSHIPS WITH STAKEHOLDERS. I WILL SAY WE HAVE 
          [00:05:02]
SEEN A DECREASE IN COMMERCIAL FIRES , WE HAVE SEEN THE BOARDING HOME LEGISLATION PASS , THAT CAME FROM HARRIS COUNTY PARTNERING WITH LOCALS , THE AED WAS PARTNERSHIP AND THEY SEE THE BENEFITS BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN A SAFER COMMUNITY, THEN WHAT WE BELIEVE 20 YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS NO FIRE CODE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR FIRE CODE IS NOT AN ENFORCEMENT TOOL, FIRE CODE IS A LIFE SAFETY TOOL AND THE GOAL IS TO SAVE LIVES BEFORE 
          THEY NEED TO BE SAVED. >> OKAY. IS IT GOING TO BE SUSTAINABLE FOR YOU GUYS TO BE USING FUNDS THAT ARE NOT STATUTORILY DIRECTED FOR THE USE OF FIRE CODE TO DO PAY PARITY? 
          >> YES SIR IT WILL ACTUALLY, WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE PART OF THE STUDY EARLIER THIS YEAR AND BECAUSE OF THAT OUR FEE SCHEDULE HAS PASSED AND WE FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE HEADED, WE WERE AT THE VERY LIMIT THE INCREASE TO STAKEHOLDERS, BUT IN ADDITION WE WILL SUSTAIN WHERE WE ARE AND INCREASE SOME 
          OUTREACH ACTIVITY. >> OKAY I WILL CLOSE WITH A QUESTION THAT MY FATHER WOULD ASK. WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT? 
          >> YES, THANK YOU. I WOULD TELL YOU THAT MY GREATEST CONCERN WHEN I GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT IS WHEN FACED WITH CRITICAL CONDITIONS AS MY TEAM HAVE, THE KNOWLEDGE, THE CONFIDENCE , THE POLICY SUPPORT TO ACT DECISIVELY AND TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THAT IS ONE THING WE LIKE TO SAY LET'S DO WHAT'S RIGHT, NOT WHAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO AND THAT'S WHAT KEEPS ME UP ARE WE MEETING THOSE FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF LEADERSHIP? 
          >> OKAY, THANK YOU BOTH. >> YES SIR, PRECINCT 4 YOU WILL 
          NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING, GOOD TO SEE YOU. I WOULD START WITH MY FIRST QUESTION ON THE BUDGET TEAM IF WE CAN JUST WALK THROUGH TOGETHER ON THE MONEY SET ASIDE HOW MUCH THAT IS FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE ALONG WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS , WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM AND THAT GOES INTO EFFECT FOR THE EMPLOYEES. APPLICABLE 
          SPECIFICALLY. >> AS PART OF DISCUSSIONS WITH LABOR PARTNERS ALL THE COURT OFFICERS PARTICIPATED WE CAME TO A PAY SCALE MADE ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR THE CONSTABLE OR SHERIFF. WE PUT A $3 MILLION PLACEHOLDER IN THE DEPARTMENT 202 WHICH IS NON- DEPARTMENT SPENDING EARMARKED FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL , THE DA AND COUNTY 
          ATTORNEY. >> SO IF THE 3 MILLION WAS TO GO INTO EFFECT ROUGHLY DOCUMENT IN 3 MILLION GOING INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1 WOULD THAT BE ADDITIONAL MONEY ON CURRENT 
          VERSION 3 OF THE BUDGET? >> ESSENTIALLY WE WOULD BE TRANSFERRING FROM 202 INTO THOSE DEPARTMENTS, WE EVER SEE PROPOSAL FROM THE FIRE MARSHAL, WE ARE REVIEWING THAT CURRENTLY AND WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT BEFORE NEXT TUESDAY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO RESPOND? YES MA'AM, I WANT TO BE CLEAR AND THANK YOU THAT IS SPLIT 3 MILLION I WANT TO ENSURE THAT'S CLEAR THAT'S NOT JUST FOR OUR OFFICE. WE TALK ABOUT FIRE CODE OR STATUTORY FUNDS THAT IS A STATUTORY FUND THAT IS MEANT BY STATUTE, ALL COUNTIES IN THE STATE WITH ADOPTED FIRE CODE, THAT IS MEANT FOR FIRE CODE DUTIES SO THAT IS WHERE THAT CAME TO BE WITH MR. RAMOS. THE MONEY IS AVAILABLE AND AGAIN I WANT TO STRESS CERTIFICATIONS THAT THE STAFF HOLDS IN ORDER TO BE ACCREDITED, WE TO KEEP THEM 
          TRAINED AT THE SAME LEVEL. >> THANK YOU CHIEF AND THANK YOU DANIEL. YOU HAVE SHARED YOUR PROPOSAL SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO 
          THE RECOMMENDATIONS NEXT WEEK. >> THE REASON IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT LONGER IS THE FIRE MARSHAL FOLKS ARE DUAL CERTIFIED AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND INVESTIGATORS AND THE DA INVESTIGATORS, YOU KNOW WE DO NOT WANT TO BE IN THE BUSINESS OF NORMALIZING WHO HAS THE HARDER DROP, THE HIGHER CERTIFICATIONS, WHERE THEY SHOULD LAND ON THE PAY SCALE COMPARED TO LET'S SAY ENTRY-LEVEL DEPUTY WITH NO EXPERIENCE, MAYBE NOT A COLLEGE DEGREE COMPARED TO FOLKS THAT HAVE THE EQUIVALENT TO FOUR OR FIVE YEARS WORTH OF TRAININGS, JUST TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SIT IN THOSE JOBS. OUR ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATION WAS A STUDY TO DO THE NORMALIZING FOR US, IF THERE IS A DESIRE TO MOVE FORWARD WE CAN DO IT. WE RESERVE MONEY FOR 
          [00:10:02]
          IT, BUT THAT'S A POLICY CHOICE. >> THANK YOU. CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN CAN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE CODE FUND AND BROADLY WHAT IT IS ELIGIBLE FOR, HOW MUCH MONEY THERE MIGHT BE AND WHAT IN THE BUDGET IS GETTING FUNDED THROUGH THAT? 
          >> YES MA'AM LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 233 IS WHAT THE FIRE CODE IS ADOPTED UNDER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE FIRE CODE FUNDS ARE PUT IN A SPECIAL FUND AT THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEERS AND IT GOES TO THE PERMITTING SYSTEM AND THOSE MONIES ARE DEPOSITED. THERE IS A SPLIT, THINGS ARE LOOKED AFTER THE REPORT WITH THE FUNDS ARE USED TO FUND THE POSITIONS THAT PERFORM FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY PREVENTION , INSPECTIONS, WHEN WE HAVE BUSINESSES THAT BURN THAT YOUR FIRE MARSHAL ORDERS, THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ARE GOING TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY SO THOSE FUNDS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR THAT FOR THE STATUTE AND I WORK WITH COUNTY FIRE MARSHALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THAT IS 
          STANDARD PRACTICE. >> MORE GENERALLY I'M SURE THE QUESTION WILL COME UP LATER WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER. WHEN WE ASSESS A FEE IN THIS NATURE WE ARE REQUIRED TO RECOUP FULL COST AND NOT CHARGE A NICKEL MORE. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FEE STRUCTURE WE ARE LOOKING WHAT IS IT COSTING ALL IN? PEOPLE, NONLABOR, SPACE, OVERHEAD, MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO FULLY RECOUP COSTS. IN THOSE INSTANCES THERE WAS A DELTA BETWEEN WHAT IT COST TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE AND HOW MUCH WE WERE CHARGING 
          FOLKS THAT WERE UTILIZING IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT, THE FEE SCHEDULE WAS BASED ON BUILDING TYPE AND SAID THE CHARGE FEE FOR INSPECTION AND ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMIT AND FINAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE UNDER 233 SUBCHAPTER AND IT SAYS MAY BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE FIRE 
          CODE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 4. COUNTY JUDGE OFFICE YOU WILL HAVE FIVE 
          MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING , CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN HENRY, YOUR PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDED TWO SOFTWARE UPGRADE REQUESTS INCLUDING CIVIC PLUS. A LOT OF THIS, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT IT WAS AIMED AT DATA CONTINUITY AND STREAMLINING SERVICES THAT YOU ALL PROVIDE. THE CURRENT BUDGET CONSTRAINTS WE ARE FACING THIS YEAR CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW THE ABSENCE OF THESE TOOLS WILL AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THE SERVICE CONTINUITY AND DELIVER OPERATIONAL GOALS? 
          >> YES MA'AM, THANK YOU. RODNEY REED, THE SHORT ANSWER IS THAT CIVIC PLUS WAS ULTIMATELY PULLED OFF THE TABLE AFTER MULTIPLE MEETINGS, TO MEET THE SIZE AND EXPECTATIONS OF OUR OFFICE, FOR THAT LEVEL OF DATA CONTINUITY, CIVIC PLUS WAS RELUCTANT TO KIND OF GO DOWN THIS ROAD WITH US DUE TO OUR SIZE. THE OTHER TECHNOLOGY STACK WHICH WILL ASSIST OUR INVESTIGATIONS, WE ARE LOOKING AT A MECHANISM INTERNALLY WITH THE EXISTING BUDGET TO MAINTAIN THAT CONTINUITY AND LINKING THE CRITICAL INFORMATION INTO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO THEY HAVE THE CRITICAL REPORTING AS WELL, FOR THE STATE OR THE NATIONAL REPORTING FROM THE CONTINUITY STANDPOINT WE HAVE TWO VERY EXCELLENT EMPLOYEES THAT WERE RECENTLY HIRED THAT ARE BECOMING VERY PARAMOUNT IN OUR ORGANIZATION ALONG WITH THEIR NORMAL DUTIES, THERE REALLY STARTING TO STEP UP TO HELP US ON SOME OF THE DATA CONTINUITY SITE . WITH EXISTING TECHNOLOGIES PROVIDED BY HARRIS COUNTY UNIVERSAL SERVICES WHO HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT PARTNER FOR US TO WORK WITH TO KEEP THAT SYNERGY GOING WITH A LARGE OUT-OF-THE-BOX SOLUTION , NOT REALLY LOOKING TO PLAY WITH THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE NATION. 
          >> THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU RELY ON GRANTS FOR SOME FUNCTIONS CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR BUDGET ROUGHLY IS GENERAL FUND VERSUS GRANT FUNDED AND ARE THERE ANY GRANT SPECIFICALLY THAT YOU FEEL COULD BE AT RISK THAT WOULD IMPAIR YOUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE YOUR OPERATIONS? 
          >> YES MA'AM, OUR OFFICE ON THE GRANT SIDE IS USUALLY AROUND $30,000 PER YEAR. THAT IS A MULTI-YEAR AVERAGE AROUND 300,000 TO THE URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE. OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS A LOT OF FEAR, THIS YEAR. THEY HAVE A MANDATE TO PROVIDE THAT, THOSE FUNDS , THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THOSE FUNDS CONGRESSIONALLY. THEM IS DENMARK TO THE RIGHT BY ABOUT FOUR MONTHS BUT ACTUALLY BY EXCELLENT ADVOCACY BY HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS HOW WE 
          [00:15:03]
GOT THIS THESE FUNDS SO THE HOPE IS SUSTAINED IN THE EVENT THE FEDERAL GRANT FINDINGS ARE PULLED BACK THE PRIMARY PIRO WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION THAT WILL SEE IMPACTS IS OUR HAZMAT, EMERGENCY OPERATIONS. ON THE HAZMAT SITE. SO WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH GLORIA MARTINEZ , SPECIAL SHOUT OUT, WE LOVE HER. 
          GLORIA MARTINEZ AND CIP TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE EVENT THE FUNDING IS PULLED BACK BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. 
          >> IN YOUR OPENING REMARKS HE TALKED ABOUT HOW ONE OF THE MAIN AREAS OF YOUR CONCERN WITH THE BUDGET SEASON IS THREAT MANAGEMENT, SEEING THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE COUNTY. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT MORE THE IMPACTS AND WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF WE WERE TO CUT THREAT MANAGEMENT 
          FROM THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE? >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR WE WOULD NOT CUT COMPLETELY, BUT IF WE WERE NOT TO HIRE FOR THOSE POSITIONS, WE DO KNOW THAT IT MAY SLOW DOWN SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON , THAT WERE INITIATED AND REQUESTED BY THE COURT AND WE KNOW WE WOULD STAY STUDY ON THE PATH. WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED OVER ALMOST 10 THREAT ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEAR SINCE WE TOOK OVER AND WE'RE NOT EVEN FULLY STAFFED AND WE HAVE COMPLETED APPROXIMATELY 24 CLASSES WE ARE EXCITED 24 CLASSES OF JULY ENGAGED 426 COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN CIVILIAN RESPONSE, ACTIVE SHOOTER. AND STOPPED THE BLEED AND RECEIVE IT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN HAPPENING AND COURT MEMBERS HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF US TEACHING THOSE COURSES AND I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SEVERAL SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLE OFFICE WE ENGAGE WITH THEM TO HELP TEACH THOSE THINGS BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. WHAT YOU SEE MIGHT BE A LITTLE SLOW DOWN IN THAT BUT I WANT TO SAY WE WILL CONTINUE BUT WE WILL KEEP COURT 
          MEMBERS UPDATED. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED. NEVERMIND. 
          >> THANK YOU COUNTY JUDGE 'S OFFICE, PRECINCT 1 YOU WILL HAVE 
          FIVE MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR THE WORK YOU AND YOUR WHOLE TEAM DOES. WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT PARITY , BUT I WAS WONDERING IF YOU DESCRIBE, YOU MENTION THE WORKLOADS, WHAT THE WORKLOADS ARE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AND WHITE IS RELEVANT TO HAVE THAT DUAL CERTIFICATION, WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS THAT THESE TEAM MEMBERS ARE PERFORMING? 
          >> YES MA'AM, BY STATUTE KNOW WE ALWAYS SAY HARRIS COUNTY IS UNIQUE, BUT IN TEXAS WE ARE UNIQUE AND THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE WE HAVE TWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE FOR 19 TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION AND WE HAVE TO MEET TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT WE SAY THAT BECAUSE ARSON, FIRE INVESTIGATIONS AND CCP IS WRITTEN OUT IN A WAY THAT WE HAVE OFFICERS WHO DO VARIOUS ITEMS WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, TASK FORCE. THE MAIN PRIORITY ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO GIVE SHOUT OUT TO IGA WAS REINFORCING TO DO THE JOBS YOU HAVE TO HAVE BOTH IN CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS IS A DUAL CERTIFIED IF I HAVE HAZMAT THAT HAS TO GO OUT FOR SOME REASON WE HAVE OTHER HAZMAT CERTIFIED PERSONS IN OUR OFFICE THAT WE CAN BACKFILL. WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT OFTEN BUT IT IS THE SAME WAY WITHIN THE INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS AND MANY OF US HOLD MULTIPLE CERTIFICATIONS BECAUSE THE MORE CERTIFICATIONS YOU HAVE, WE GET NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS. WE ARE A LEADER ACROSS THE STATE. I KNOW EVERYTHING ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES GIVEN AND WE SAT ON THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTEES BECAUSE OF THE TRAINING AND EDUCATION BUT THE DUAL CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE JOB AND THEY CONTINUE TO ADD 
          ADDITIONAL TRAINING CDS . >> CAN YOU JUST DESCRIBE THE WORKLOADS OF YOUR TEAM? I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS RELATIVE 
          TO OTHER AGENCIES IN THE REGION. >> YES MA'AM, ONE OF THE UNIQUE THINGS WE HAVE FOUND WORKING WITH OUR EMPLOYEES, WORKING WITH OTHER FIRE MARSHAL OFFICES IS WHEN WE DO EXIT INTERVIEWS, ONE OF THE THINGS WE ASK EMPLOYEES WHEN THEY LEAVE IS WHY ARE YOU LEAVING? MOST OF THEM COME BACK WITH TWO THINGS. NUMBER ONE, THE WORK LOAD. A NORMAL INSPECTOR WITHIN THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE CARRIES AROUND 900 INSPECTIONS A YEAR. IF YOU PUT IT INTO COMPARISON IN THE 2080 HOURS AVAILABLE, THEY ARE WORKING MULTIPLE DAYS SOMETIMES AFTER HOURS AND POTENTIALLY ON 
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THE WEEKEND. THAT WAS ONE CRITICAL THING IDENTIFIED DURING THE ERNST & YOUNG WHEN THEY SAID YOUR DATA DOES NOT MATCH TIME AND WE EXPLAINED THE AMOUNT OF COMP TIME FOLKS HAVE TO PICK UP ON AND THAT IS WHERE CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN, HAVING THE MULTI-CERTIFICATION, THERE ARE TIMES WE CAN HAVE INVESTIGATORS STEP IN AND ASSIST, INSTEAD OF SENDING OUT AN INSPECTOR THAT WILL PICK UP ADDITIONAL COMP TIME THEY MAINTAIN THAT INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION AS A ARSON FIRE INVESTIGATOR WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO COVER DOWN TO HELP MANAGE THE WORKLOAD BECAUSE THAT'S THE CRITICAL THING OUR OFFICE IS DOING EVERY DAY JUST LIKE ALL OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT WE ARE TRYING TO BALANCE THE EXPECTATIONS. OUR CLOSEST COMPARABLE IS THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THEY ARE ABOUT THREE TIMES OUR SIZE. 
          >> I WANT TO SAY THIS IF I HAVE TIME. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY TAKING A LOT OF OUR INFORMATION AND IMPLEMENTING IT INTO THERE'S. 
          THEY CALL ON US IN ADDITION SOMETIMES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE STAFFING OR THEY DON'T HAVE TRAINING THAT WE HAVE AND WHERE I AM GOING WITH THAT IS THIS. WE ARE THE LARGEST COUNTIES SO YOU WOULD EXPECT WE HAVE THE MOST INSPECTIONS. MOST JURISDICTIONS IF THEY HIT 1000 INSPECTIONS A YEAR BETWEEN THEIR STAFF IT IS SIGNIFICANT. SO FAR IS THE FACT THAT EACH INSPECTOR CARRIES WELL OVER 15,000 A YEAR IS SIGNIFICANT BUT AGAIN , THE 
          SIZE OF THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> YES MA'AM. >> YOU WORK WITH A LOT OF OTHER AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY AND IF ANY WORK OF YOURS WAS SLOW DOWN IN SOME WAY, HOW MIGHT THAT IMPACT OTHER AGENCIES? WHETHER FISCALLY OR JUST IN THEIR OPERATIONS WITHOUT FISCAL IMPACT? MAYBE IT'S INVESTIGATIONS, BUT INVESTIGATIONS KEEP GOING I DON'T KNOW IF OTHER WORK MIGHT 
          BE AFFECTED. >> I WILL SAY THIS, OUR SUPERVISORS ARE WORKERS SO WE HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO THEM, THE GOAL REMAINS THE SAME, WE HAVE A JOB TO DO AND WE WILL MAINTAIN THE JOB. THE ONLY THING THAT COULD HAPPEN IS MAY BE A DELAY IN RESPONSE. WHEN I SAY THAT, THAT COULD BE IF THE COURT OFFICE WAS TO ASK FOR SOMETHING OR SOMETHING AN INITIATIVE LIKE SCHOOL SAFETY, SOME OF THE THINGS WE WORK ON, THOSE MAY HAVE TO BE PUT ON THE SLOW DOWN SO WE CAN MEET STATUTORY 
          REQUIREMENTS. YES MA'AM. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 1, PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES. 
          >> THANK YOU CHIEFS, THINK IF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. WITH A NEW FIRE CODE FEE SCHEDULE SET TO TAKE EFFECT IN OCTOBER WHAT OPERATIONAL CHANGES OR ENHANCEMENTS DO YOU ANTICIPATE WITHIN YOUR DEPARTMENT AS A RESULT OF THESE UPDATED FEES? 
          >> WITH THOSE UPDATED FEES AND THANK YOU FOR THAT YOU MIGHT REMEMBER WE ADOPTED THE FIRE CODE IN JANUARY AND IT IS THE 2021 UPDATED FIRE CODE IN ALIGNMENT WITH CITY PARTNERS. 
          ANTICIPATE WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING WITHOUT FUNDING UNTIL THE FEES WERE ADOPTED AND WE APPRECIATE YOU DOING THAT. WE ANTICIPATE NOW WE WILL ENGAGE MORE IN OPERATIONAL PERMITS, OPERATIONAL PERMITS YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT THOSE, THE HAZARDS MATERIAL PERMITS, OPERATIONAL PERMITS FOR ASSEMBLY. FOR THOSE PLACES THAT HOLD A LARGE GROUP, THAT WE MAY BE CONCERNED ABOUT OR HOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ARE OPERATIONAL PERMITS WE ISSUE AND WE EXPECT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ENHANCE THAT NUMBER. 
          >> YEAH, ONE OTHER POINT OF CLARITY. THE FEE SCHEDULE THAT WAS APPROVED , UNTIL ENGINEERING FEE SCHEDULE IS APPROVED, THE FULL FIRE CODE FEE SCHEDULE WILL NOT BE LIMITED BECAUSE AS A CRITICAL PARTNER WITH US, THERE ARE ASPECTS OF THE FEE SCHEDULE THAT NEED TO BE APPROVED TO IMPLEMENT OURS. SO OCTOBER 1 PENDING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OCE FEE SCHEDULE IT WILL BE OPERATIONAL PERMITS THAT GOING TO AFFECT. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD. AS WE APPROACH FULL FISCAL YEAR SINCE YOUR OFFICE HAS SEEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THREAT MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS IN COUNTY FACILITIES CAN YOU SHARE KEY CHANGES OR CHANGES IN LIMITED TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES? 
          >> YES OR. THE VERY FIRST THING THAT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN HIGHLIGHTED ARE 426 EMPLOYEES TRAINED ON CIVILIAN RESPONSE, ACTIVE SHOOTER AND STOP THE BLEED. THAT IS CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CLASSES, CONTINUING TO BE SCHEDULED WITH DEPARTMENTS AND AS GENERALLY AVAILABLE TO COUNTY EMPLOYEES. ADDITIONALLY THERE HAS BEEN EXCELLENT WORK DONE BETWEEN C1 ENGINEERING AND FMO WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL TO ENHANCE MANY OF THE SECURITY FACTORS HERE AT 1001 WITHOUT CREATING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE PUBLIC, THAT OPERATES IN THIS BUILDING. BUT, ADDITIONALLY LOOKING AT OTHER 
          [00:25:02]
DOWNTOWN COURTHOUSE COMPLEX LOCATIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH C1 PARTNERS TO START LOOKING AT DIFFERENT METHODS TO ENHANCE SECURITY AND ALSO LOOKING ON THE OUTER RING AT SOME OF OUR OTHER FACILITIES, TO MAKE SURE THAT ALIGNMENT WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES IN CAMERAS AND TECHNOLOGIES , NOT ONLY ARE WE FOCUSING ON THE PROBLEMS OF TODAY, BUT LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, THE LAST ONE I WILL SAY IS AN ENGAGEMENT WITH SOME A.I. 
          TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE GOING TO HELP US BETTER SCRAPE DATA THAT IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEB , THAT CAN THEN BE SYNTHESIZED IN A TIMELY FASHION AND PUT INTO YOUR RESPECTIVE OFFICES OR TO THE CONSTABLES OR SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR ACTION. 
          >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL NOT LET ME HAVE A BUDGET HEARING WITHOUT ASKING ABOUT INDUSTRY AND HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE ISSUES. CAN YOU SHARE OF THE FISCAL BUDGET WILL HAVE IMPACT ON YOUR ABILITY TO CARRY OUT 
          THOSE OPERATIONS? >> NO SIR I DO NOT ANTICIPATE THAT AT ALL. AGAIN LIKE I SAID, WE WILL MEET STATUTORY DUTIES AND INDUSTRY IS A KEY PARTNER, WE WORK WITH MANY OF THE MAYORS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY AS MANY OF THOSE ARE CITIES AND WE ARE THE INSPECTORS OR INVESTIGATORS OR THE HAZMAT RESPONDERS AND WE WILL NOT LET THEM DOWN WE WORK CLOSELY WITH MEMBERS THAT SIT SO I DO NOT EXPECT ANY IMPACT THE COMMUNICATION TO CONTINUE AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT NONCOMPLIANCE WE KNOW IT'S OUT THERE BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE MORE AND MORE COME TO US ON HOW 
          TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. >> MY LAST QUESTION COMING BACK TO THE PAY PARITY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS WE HAVE A LOT OF EMPLOYEE GROUPS ARE PRESENTING DEPUTIES ADVOCATING FOR HIGHER PAY AND BASICALLY STRESSING THE FACT THAT THEY MAY BE GOING TO HPD. NOW THAT THE COURT HAS ADOPTED PARITY HOW IS IT IMPACTING YOUR PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND HOUSE IMPACTING 
          YOUR EMPLOYEE MORALE? >> MORALITIES VERY LOW NOW AND THEY ARE AWARE AND BY COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE BUDGET OFFICE ARE WORKING WITH US THEY KNOW WE ARE IN ENGAGEMENT, MORALE IS LOW BECAUSE THEN THEY ARE REQUIRED SOMETIMES ON THE FAR SIDE TO CARRY MULTIPLE CERTIFICATIONS, THEY HAVE FOLKS TO GO WORK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT WE CAN'T HIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS THEY GET CERTIFIED IN SOMETHING ELSE. 
          WHEN THEY'RE REQUIRED TO CARRY MULTIPLE OR TO CARRY THESE STATE CERTIFICATIONS THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED 
          >> PRECINCT 3 YOU HAVE ONE 51 REMAINING. 
          >> YOU WANT TO CONTINUE? >> YES, THANK YOU. THEY ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE AGAIN WE ARE UNIQUE , WE ARE THE ONLY AGENCY THAT DOES WHAT WE DO IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT A STATUTORY. THE WAY IT IS SET UP IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE WE DO CARRY A LOAD OF VARIOUS TYPES OF ACTIVITIES AND THE GOAL IS TO TAKE CARE OF THE PUBLIC AND TALK ABOUT IT IN THE BEGINNING WITH THE PRIMARY CONCERNS ARE WHICH IS LIFE AND SAFETY. I WILL SAY THESE EMPLOYEES I DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEM MY BIGGEST CONCERN I WILL LOSE THEM TO LESS WORKLOAD BECAUSE THEY CAN DO THE SAME JOB RIGHT NOW HAVE PEOPLE WAITING TO COME HERE IF WE GET AN OPENING BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATIONS AND SOME THINGS NOBODY ELSE GETS TO DO AND I 
          DON'T WANT THAT TO CHANGE. >> ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD WE 
          HAVE NOT COVERED ALREADY? >> NOT THAT I CAN THINK OF. 
          >> ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR BUDGET AS PRESENTED? THIS SIDE OF THE TABLE? EVERYTHING IS GOOD? 
          >> NOT IN POSITION TO GIVE A LOT OF GOOD NEWS THIS WEEK. 
          >> OKAY I WILL YIELD BACK. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3. THAT WILL CONCLUDE THE COURT OFFICE QUESTIONS AND NOW CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. 
          >> I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE AND COURT OFFICES THAT HAVE ENGAGED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS AS WE WORK THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE CONCERNS OF FISCAL IMPACTS THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS COMING UP IN OUR ENGAGEMENT AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL WE ARE REMINDED OF THE UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT TO PROVIDE POLICE FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE STAND READY TO BE YOUR SWISS ARMY KNIFE YOU HAVE ALLOWED US TO BE AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND I WILL 
          YIELD BACK TIME. >> THANK YOU CHIEF INTO THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL BE FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. 
          [Sheriff Office]
          [00:30:38]
          >> WELCOME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR PRESENTATION AND THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. 
          >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF I AM THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS PUBLIC SAFETY 
          PRIORITIES. >> YOUR MICROPHONE, SIR. 
          >> LET ME START OVER AGAIN. GOOD MORNING I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIES FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR. I WANT TO START BY THANKING INTERIM COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE BUDGET DIRECTOR DANIEL RAMOS FOR THEIR EFFORTS, THEIR TEAMS WORK ON THE BUDGET PROPOSAL REFLECTS THE COURT COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. FOUR MONTHS AGO I REACHED OUT TO ALL RESPONSIVE OFFICES TO URGE SWIFT AND AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO ENSURE ALL HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S AND CONSTABLE DEPUTIES ARE COMPENSATED AT A LEVEL THAT KEEPS US COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES, OTHERWISE I WAS GENERALLY CONCERNED WE WOULD FACE A MASS EXODUS OF TOP-PERFORMING VETERAN DEPUTIES AND EMPTY SEATS IN TRAINING ACADEMY CLASSROOMS, YOU RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY BY DECLARING YOUR COMMITMENT TO PAY PARITY SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE TO DEPUTIES THAT YOU WOULD HAVE THEIR BACKS COME BUDGET TIME ON BEHALF OF THE THOUSANDS OF SHERIFF AND DEPUTIES WHO STAND TO BENEFIT FROM YOUR STRONG SUPPORT WHEN YOU ADOPT THIS PROPOSED BUDGET NEXT WEEK I WANT TO OFFER MY PROFOUND THINGS. YOU STEPPED UP WHEN WE NEEDED YOU JUST LIKE YOU ALWAYS HAVE IT IS EASY TO TALK ABOUT BACKING FIRST RESPONDERS BUT YOU CONSISTENTLY SUPPORT WITH YOUR ACTIONS, THANK YOU FOR THAT. BECAUSE OF YOUR INVESTMENT WE ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO COMBAT THREATS TO PUBLIC SAFETY LIKE RECKLESS DRIVING, GUN VIOLENCE AND DOMESTIC ABUSE , WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE WILL CONTINUE EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AGGRESSIVELY SERVING WARRANTS ON FUGITIVES CHARGED WITH VIOLENT CRIMES, PUTTING THOSE PEOPLE IN JAIL WHERE THEY BELONG. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR OFFICE IS DOING TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY SO TAXPAYERS RECEIVE THE BEST RETURN ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY INVESTMENT. BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS HAVE DONE TO EXPEDITE GETTING CASES ADJUDICATED WE ARE MAKING STRONG PROGRESS TO REDUCING AND ULTIMATELY ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR JAIL OUTSOURCING, I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE WE ARE ON TRACK TO RETURN 300 PERSONS OUTSOURCED TO MISSISSIPPI BY THANKSGIVING. ONCE THAT IS ACCOMPLISHED WE WILL TURN ATTENTION TO REDUCING OUTSOURCING FOOTPRINT IN LOUISIANA. ONE WORD OF CAUTION HOWEVER WHEN IT COMES TO OUTSOURCING. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GET HOOKED INTO THE JAIL SYSTEM AND I HAVE NO SAY OVER HOW LONG THEY STAY. CHANGES TO STATE LAW THAT MPEG NUMBERS COULD DRIVE OUTSOURCING NEEDS AND WE MUST CONTINUE TRACKING THE TRENDS VERY CLOSELY, IN CLOSING I AM ACUTELY AWARE OF THE TOUGH SPENDING DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ON BEHALF OF OUR TAXPAYERS, BALANCING THE NEED TO KEEP HARRIS COUNTY SAFE WITH REALITY THAT WE DON'T HAVE UNLIMITED RESOURCES IS NOT EASY, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IN THE WORK AND ADOPTING A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS YOUR DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY. I WILL YIELD THE REST OF 
          MY TIME. >> THANK YOU SHERIFF, WE WILL BEGIN QUESTIONS FROM COURT OFFICES BEGINNING WITH 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU, GOOD MORNING SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE AND EVERYTHING YOU DO TWO HARRIS COUNTY SAFER. I 
          APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP. >> THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE HERE 
          AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEAM. >> I APPRECIATE YOU AND I SEE AND APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND I LOVE THE LEVEL OF COLLABORATION WE HAVE AND I CHERISH IT. MY FIRST QUESTION RELATES TO PAY PARITY I PROBABLY SUPPORT PAY PARITY AS YOU KNOW AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT TO TAKE EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1. COULD YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO US IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF CURRENT VACANCIES WE HAVE AS WELL AS OTHER CHALLENGES WE HAVE IN TERMS OF RECRUITING 
          [00:35:01]
AND RETENTION AND HOW YOU ANTICIPATE PAY PARITY HELPING TO 
          DRIVE PROGRESS IN THESE AREAS? >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRONG LEADERSHIP, NOT ONLY ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE BUT SINCE YOU BEGAN YOUR TIME AS A COMMISSIONER, STRONG SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS. FOR US WE SEE THESE THINGS TRENDING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION, YOUR STRONG SHOW OF SUPPORT EARLY ON ANNOUNCED TO ALL OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS THAT PAY PARITY WAS POSSIBLE AND THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROGRESS MADE, THE COMMITTEE HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY AND WELL AS I SHARED WITH YOU THINGS IN THE PAST ARE TRACKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION SO DEPUTY LEADERSHIP, EVERYBODY THAT'S ON THE COMMITTEE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD SO THINGS ARE TRENDING WELL. I SOUNDED THE ALARM BECAUSE AS YOU SAW WE WERE SEEING WHERE NEIGHBORING AGENCIES WERE LEAVING US FURTHER BEHIND . UNFORTUNATELY IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR MANY ADMINISTRATIONS LONG BEFORE THIS ONE WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BEHIND THE CURVE BUT AT THIS POINT WE WERE GETTING TO A DANGEROUS POINT WHERE WE WOULD SEE A MASS EXODUS AND WE WERE HEARING PEOPLE WERE GOING DOWN THE STREET TO MUCH BETTER PAY AND WE SAW THAT IS A REAL RISK , NOT ONLY WITHIN THE REGION BUT EVEN ACROSS THE STATE SO WE SAW THAT AS A DANGEROUS POSSIBLE INFLECTION POINT SO IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE COURT TO MOVE RAPIDLY TO STAVE OFF THE EXODUS AND TO MAKE SURE WE DEALT WITH ATTRITION LEVELS SO WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LEVEL OFF, WE ARE TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH SEPARATION FOR AGENCY BECAUSE THEY ARE ANTICIPATING PAY PARITY AND WE WANT TO KEEP WELL TRAINED EXPERIENCED DEPUTIES ON THE JOB SO THEY CAN BE RESPONDING TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. 
          >> THANK YOU SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND I AM PROUD OF THE PAY PARITY WORK WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER AND I LOOK FORWARD TO OCTOBER 1 VERY MUCH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING US RETAIN THE TALENT AND EXPERIENCE WE HAVE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH I KNOW WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WE THINK IT IS A FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT SO MY NEXT QUESTIONS PERTAIN TO THE JAIL WITH DETENTION OFFICER HIRING CAN YOU UPDATE US ON DETENTION OFFICER HIRING AND WHAT HAVE WE SEEN MOST EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF RECRUITING AND RETENTION EFFORTS WITH REGARDS TO THE DETENTION OFFICERS? 
          >> YES I THINK THE LAST COUPLE YEARS OF YOU IN THIS COURT HAVE ALSO STOOD UP AND SUPPORTED OFFICERS WITH DOUBLE DIGIT PAY INCREASES. IT IS OFTEN A VERY UNDERAPPRECIATED UNDERPAID POSITION AND VERY CRITICAL TO OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SO OVER THE YEARS THAT WAS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE LEVYING SURE PEOPLE THAT WERE EXPERIENCED IN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST ENVIRONMENTS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE LARGEST JAIL IN THE STATE, SECOND-LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY WITH ALL THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH IT SO WE HAVE SEEN LEVELING OFF OF OUR ATTRITION RATE TO SOMETHING THAT IS MANAGEABLE AND SO THAT'S A VERY POSITIVE , THE PAY RAISE REALLY HELPED, I THINK NOW WE ARE SEEING A TREND IN TERMS OF JAIL POPULATION, DUE TO CASES BEING ADJUDICATED MUCH QUICKER WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO KIND OF NOT BE SO STRESSED ALL THE TIME WITH OVERCROWDING AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES SO WE ARE SEEING MUCH BETTER, WE FEEL WE ARE ALWAYS NEEDING TO HIRE MORE DETENTION OFFICERS BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS A NATURAL CHURN, THEY ARE PURSUING OTHER JOBS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOPEFULLY WITH AGENCY WITH THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE OR PERHAPS OUR OWN ACADEMY OR OTHERS ARE JUST LEAVING. MANY DO NOT CHOOSE TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT PROFESSIONAL TRACK BUT WE ARE PROUD OF DETENTION OFFICERS DOING GREAT WORK AGAIN WE NEED TO KEEP HIRING DETENTION OFFICERS , FINANCE DIRECTOR I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW HOW MANY CURRENT 
          OPENINGS WE HAVE. >> WE HAVE 140 OFFICER OPEN 
          POSITIONS NOW >> YES WE HAVE 140 DETENTION OFFICER POSITIONS OPEN NOW BUT I WOULD SAY THIS. TWO YEARS AGO WE WERE AVERAGING OVER 30 DETENTION OFFICER SEPARATIONS PER MONTH. 
          THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN CUT BY MORE THAN HALF, WE ARE UNDER 15 NOW WERE DEFINITELY TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. 
          >> HAPPY TO HEAR OF THE PROGRESS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO FILLING THE OPEN POSITIONS AND CONTINUING TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH OUR HIRING. SPEAKING OF THE JAIL AND YOU MENTIONED, I CANNOT WAIT, I WILL BE EXTRA THANKFUL THIS IS GIVING WHEN WE CAN ONLY 
          [00:40:03]
END ONE OF THE THREE OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR ALL THREE NO LONGER NEEDED , MY QUESTION TO YOU AND JEFF LIKE THE POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS OF SENATE BILL NIGHT AND HOW WE THINK IT WILL AFFECT RESOURCES CAN YOU DRILL DOWN A BIT DEEPER AS TO HOW YOU BELIEVE SENATE BILL NINE WILL AFFECT OVERALL RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER? 
          >> WE AVERAGE , WE ARE A BUSY PLACE, HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT IS OUTDOING THE WORK SO WE ALWAYS AVERAGE CLOSE TO 300 BOOKINGS PER DAY SO WE DEPEND ON AN ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ECOSYSTEM TO MOVE EFFICIENTLY THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND WHAT WE WANT IS PROBABLY CASES TO GET DISPOSED OF SWIFTLY ARE THOSE THAT ARE ACCUSED OF CRIME AND FOR VICTIMS AS WELL SO WE OBVIOUSLY WANT TO HAVE SPACE FOR THE MORE VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND FOR THOSE CASES TO BE ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY BECAUSE EVERYBODY DESERVES THEIR DAY IN COURT AND WE HAVE BEEN TRAINING VERY GOOD AGAIN THANKS TO THE WORK OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY , THE JUDGES, EVERYBODY WORKING COLLABORATIVELY HAVE SEEN A FASTER CLIP OF MORE CASES GOING TO TRIAL. ADJUDICATING CASES, WE CONSTANTLY HAVE A PRETTY HIGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE DEEM ARE PAPER READY TO GO TO THE STATE SYSTEM AND SERVE THE TIME AND THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT, WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE IF THEY ARE GUILTY AND GO TO THE STATE SYSTEM AND SERVE THEIR TIME FOR THE CRIMES THAT WERE COMMITTED. YOU KNOW, SO ANY PROCESS CHANGES DUE TO STATE LAWS AS YOU MENTIONED ANOTHER POTENTIAL ONES ON THE HORIZON COULD POTENTIALLY CONTINUE TO CROWD THE FACILITY. WE HAVE REDUCED AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY CONSISTENTLY COVERING AROUND 200 DAYS WITH AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY DOWN TO 160 MORE OR LESS , THAT'S A VERY POSITIVE TREND AND I HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT, BUT 40 DAYS IS DIFFERENT, IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. THAT'S DUE TO CASES BEING ADJUDICATED MORE TRIALS. THIS IS NOT ABOUT JUST LETTING PEOPLE OUT SHOULD BE OUT AND ABOUT CASES GETTING TO COURT QUICKLY MUCH QUICKER SO WE COULD CLOG UP THE SYSTEM WE SAW THOSE IMPACTS AND START SLOWING DOWN AND COULD DEFEAT THE GOALS OF 
          REDUCING OUTSOURCING. >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF GONZALEZ. 
          >> THANK YOU AND TO CLARIFY EACH OFFICE WILL HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE OFFICE. 
          >> THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING SHERIFF. I'M GOING TO ASK A SIMILAR QUESTION RELATED TO DETENTION, THE PAY PARITY DID NOT INCLUDE DETENTION OFFICERS CORRECT? CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHETHER YOU EXPECT THIS TO IMPACT HIRING RETENTION OF THE 
          DETENTION OFFICERS? >> I FEEL THAT TWO DIFFERENT CAREER TRACKS . I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR OUR DETENTION OFFICERS AND WE HAVE ADVOCATED SLOWLY FOR THEM, WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT RAISES , THERE WERE SOME INCENTIVE RETENTION STIPENDS THAT WERE ISSUED AT A COUPLE TIMES LIKE THE LAST COUPLE YEARS SO I THINK WE HAVE BEEN DOING WELL. WE CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GRADE THE BEST WORKING ENVIRONMENT WE CAN UNDER THE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATION SO AT THE END OF THE DAY WE DO NOT THINK IT WILL IMPACT SIMPLY BECAUSE IT'S A DIFFERENT CAREER TRACK. WE ENCOURAGE THEM AT SOME POINT TO PERHAPS CONSIDER A CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT REALLY THE OFFICE THROUGH ACADEMY CLASSES, AND TO THE OUTSIDE ACADEMY WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES , THAT IS THEIR PASSION AND ALSO WE HAVE CONTINUED TO PROFESSIONALIZE CORRECTIONS TRACK TO WHERE WE NOW THINGS TO COURT SUPPORT HAVE SOME EVEN CAPTAIN RANKS WITHIN OUR OPERATION WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE BEFORE, I KNOW THAT SOMETHING SHERIFF GARCIA ADVOCATED FOR, AS WELL AND WE ARE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER WITH ALL OF YOU TO GET THAT DONE SO THERE IS A CAREER TRACK FOR THEM SO WE DO NOT THINK IT WOULD 
          IMPACT NEGATIVELY. >> OKAY, THANK YOU SHERIFF. 
          SIMILAR FOLLOW-UP ON THAT CAN SPEAK TO THE IMPACT JAIL STAFFING HAS ON YOUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH TCG STANDARDS AND TO TERMINATE OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS AND BRING INDIVIDUALS BACK TO HARRIS COUNTY? 
          >> WHEN IT COMES TO STAFFING JAIL WE FOCUS ON STAFFING WHICH IS IMPORTANT. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID AND I WILL HOLD WE HAVE NEVER TRULY HAD A STAFFING ISSUE WE HAVE HAD A JAIL POPULATION ISSUE. IS AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BECAUSE WE WERE NOT 
          [00:45:01]
OVERCROWDED WHEN I MENTIONED BEFORE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OVER 200 DAYS I WANT TO PUT CONTACTS TO THAT AROUND THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT NUMBER ON AVERAGE WAS 60 DAYS. 60 DAYS AROUND THE STATE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR HARRIS COUNTY AT THE TIME FOR MANY YEARS 200 DAYS ALMOST MORE THAN THREE TIMES. 
          THAT WAS NOT SUSTAINABLE. ONE OF THE THINGS WE TRY TO DO WORKING WITH THIS COURT AND YOU ASSISTED US WITH PAY INCREASES AND OTHER THINGS WE WANT TO AIM AND ASPIRE TO FAR EXCEED MINIMUM STANDARDS. 
          TYPICALLY THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSIONER JAIL STANDARDS WE OPERATE A CITY WITHIN A CITY VERY DYNAMIC VERY COMPLEX WE HAVE A LOT OF MEDICAL ISSUES THAT COME INTO THE FACILITY IN TERMS OF CHRONIC DISEASE. 
          ADDICTION, DETOXING, MENTAL HEALTH THERE'S A LOT THAT'S VERY COSTLY AND IT'S VERY STAFF INTENSIVE. WE HAVE TO PROVIDE DAILY OBSERVATION ROUNDS, WE PROVIDE MILLIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT A VERY HIGH CLIP SO WE WANT THESE THINGS MORE THAN MINIMUM SO THESE ARE CHALLENGES. WE HAVE BEEN TRAINING BETTER ON POPULATION AND THAT'S WHY WE SEE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WE ARE MOVING IN THE DIRECTION WHERE WE FEEL CONFIDENT WE COULD REDUCE AND POTENTIALLY BY NEXT YEAR END OUTSOURCING BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OTHER PIECES ALIGNED TO THAT AS WELL. THE OTHER STATE ACTION DOES NOT IMPACT SOME OF 
          THOSE NUMBERS. >> UNDERSTOOD AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWERS TODAY AS I KNOW WE HAVE FOLKS ON THE PUBLIC HERE IN THE ROOM AND OTHERS WATCHING ONLINE. SO THERE HAVE BEEN SOME IDEAS THROWN AROUND RELATED TO REVAMPING SOME OF THE SPECIALTY DOCKETS ON THE LEVEL COLONIES , IS THIS A MEASURE YOU WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF HER THAT YOU BELIEVE WOULD HAVE NOTABLE 
          IMPACT ON THE JAIL POPULATION? >> YES I AM SUPPORTIVE OF SPECIALTY COURTS, OFTEN I ATTEND THE GRADUATION EVENTS FOR EXAMPLE WHERE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED INTENSE PROGRAMMING, FOR EXAMPLE. I THINK WITHIN OUR JAIL POPULATION WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE MIX OF INDIVIDUALS WHO COME TO THE SYSTEM FROM VETERANS , FOR EXAMPLE WE HAVE PREGNANT INDIVIDUALS, WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS GRAPPLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION AND MANY OTHER ISSUES. SOMETIMES JUST ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL. ABLE TO HAVE A COURT THAT COULD UNDERSTAND THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT SUBGROUPS WITHOUT THE JAIL POPULATION WOULD BE VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN REALLY ADDRESSING THE KEY NEEDS IN OUR PROFESSION, WE CONTINUE TO BE ON THE FRONTLINES OF THREE IMPORTANT ISSUES LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION AND POVERTY AND THAT'S WHY IT'S VERY COSTLY WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS, MANY OF THOSE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM. WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY AND HAVE BEEN A CHAMPION AND STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM PROGRAM FOR EXAMPLE BOTH IN COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THAT WE SEE GREAT SUCCESS BECAUSE AGAIN WE BELIEVE SOME OF THE ISSUES ARE BETTER ADDRESSED TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR AND WANT TO PUT IN A PERSONAL POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO COMMEND THIS COURT FOR APPOINTING LEAH BARTON AS THE PERMITTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH, OUTSTANDING, A GREAT SELECTION AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORK WITH HER AND THE TEAM TO CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS WE CAN BETTER ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT NECESSARILY IN THE CRIMINAL 
          JUSTICE SYSTEM. >> I THINK , TOTALLY AGREE. MY BOSS WOULD AGREE AND TO NOTE PUBLIC HEALTH UNFORTUNATELY HAS 3.4 MILLION NOW IN CUTS AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, THE BUDGET HOLISTICALLY BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO CUT CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS YOU MIGHT SEE AN INCREASE IN FOLKS GOING TO THE COUNTY JAIL SO BEING MINDFUL OF THAT. YOU HAD TALKED ABOUT SB 9 ALREADY. CAN YOU DISCUSS WHETHER THERE ARE ANY RECENT CHANGES TO LEGISLATION YOU EXPECT TO IMPACT YOUR DEPARTMENT IN ANY SIGNIFICANT 
          WAY? IF NOT THAT'S OKAY. >> I THINK AGAIN DELAYS IN THE COURT SYSTEM WOULD OBVIOUSLY CHANGE COURSE A LITTLE BIT AND PERHAPS GET US BACK IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE LONGER LENGTH OF STAY AND I'M TALKING PRETRIAL DETAINEES BECAUSE MOST THE FOLKS INSIDE THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL TYPICALLY OVER 70% 
          [00:50:04]
ARE PRETRIAL DEFENDANTS. WE ARE NOT A PRISON SYSTEM AND THERE IS AN EXPECTATION OF JUST A PASTOR. SO SO ANY CHANGES TO A SLOWDOWN WITHIN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT URBAN TALKS ABOUT IMPACTS TO MISDEMEANOR BELL REFORMS, CONSENT DECREE, THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS AGREED TO BEFORE THAT WAS AGREED TO THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SERIOUS LOW TO OUR POPULATION. THESE ARE THINGS I MENTIONED IN MY OPENING COMMENTS WE HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT WITH THE TRENDS BECAUSE THESE 
          COULD HAVE SERIOUS IMPACTS. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU WILL HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR 
          QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU COME GOOD MORNING SHERIFF, GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR WALKING US THROUGH SOME OF THESE ISSUES. YOU'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT SB 9 SO I WON'T GO OVER THAT AGAIN. HOWEVER, ONE OF THE ISSUES THE COUNTY JAIL HAS POSED TO YOU, TO ME TO EVERY SHERIFF IN THAT ROLE AND ANY SHERIFF ACROSS TEXAS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT IS IN CUSTODY DEBT. AND I KNOW YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE DONE TO STAY ON TOP OF IT. ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN WORKING TO PROPOSE AND I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT GETTING IT DONE IN THIS SESSION BUT WOULD YOU BE SUPPORTIVE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HELP TO BETTER DEFINE A CUSTODY BECAUSE THE TERM ITSELF IS VERY INFLAMMATORY. WITHOUT TAKING INTO THE CONTEXT YOU LAID OUT. PEOPLE COME INTO CUSTODY WITH ALL KINDS OF PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF COURSE WE DO NOT WANT TO ANY VICTIM OF ANY ABUSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE JUSTICE, BUT BY FAR, THE LARGEST NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT THAT DIED WHILE IN A COUNTY JAIL AT LEAST IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE RECEIVING MEDICAL CARE THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, THEY ARE AT THE ICU THEY ARE RECEIVING PROPER TREATMENT, BUT KIDNEY FAILURE. HEART FAILURE. OTHER CANCER I CAN REMEMBER A NUMBER OF THINGS. 
          WHAT A LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BETTER DEFINE THOSE UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES BETTER HELP THE COUNTY, YOU, UNDERSTAND ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND WAS TAKING PLACE WHEN WE HAVE AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION 
          SUCH AS THAT. >> I WANT TO SAY ON BEHALF OF MY AGENCY WE USED IN DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ANYBODY WHO HAS EVER LOST A LOVED ONE IN OUR CUSTODY. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WEIGHS ON ME A LOT AND I WISH I COULD PREVENT EVERY DEATH. OF EVERYONE THAT'S EVERY IN CUSTODY. REDUCING THAT AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY BECAUSE BEING IN JAIL WAS NEVER THE IDEAL PLACE FOR ANYTHING. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF CHRONIC DISEASE AND ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT COME THROUGH OR JAIL, WE SAW COVID AND WE WERE ABLE TO STAVE OFF MASSIVE OUTBREAK OF DEATH INSIDE OUR FACILITIES. AND THE VAST MAJORITY WHAT WE SEE MANY TIMES ARE DEATHS DUE TO ULTIMATELY ULTIMATELY THE RESULT, TOXICOLOGY AND ENTRAILS CATCHING UP ON THE RESULTS AND UPPING SOME FORM OF NATURAL CAUSE OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS MAYBE MEDICAL ISSUES , TOXICOLOGY WHERE IT SHOWS TOXICITY. SO FOR EXAMPLE, COUPLE YEARS AGO MAYBE TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD A HIGH NUMBER OR A HIGHER NUMBER THAN WHAT WOULD BE TYPICAL. 
          INDIVIDUALS NEVER STEP FOOT IN OUR FACILITY. THEY WERE IN A VIOLENT ENCOUNTER A PERSON WAS WOUNDED, TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, 
          [00:55:05]
TAKEN STRAIGHT TO THE HOSPITAL AND TWO OR THREE OF THEM AND NEVER EVEN SET FOOT IN THE PHYSICAL FOOTPRINT. BUT IT IS CONSIDERED DEATH IN CUSTODY UNDER OUR UMBRELLA. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK VERY HARD, ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO WHEN I FIRST BECAME SHERIFF WAS TO REDUCE SUICIDES. THAT ARE ALSO VERY CHALLENGING AND WE HAVE DONE THAT WE HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB TO OUR SUICIDE PROGRAM PARTNERED WITH HER CENTER WE HAVE SEEN GREAT SUCCESS WITH THAT AND OTHER ELEMENTS SO IT'S A VERY CHALLENGING ISSUE. I WAS THERE WAS MORE CONTEXT AROUND IT. IF WE HAVE HANDS-ON WITH SOMEBODY THAT NEEDS TO BE ELEVATED AND SCRUTINIZED AND WE GO THROUGH THAT WITH MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIONS DONE BY AN OUTSIDE AGENCY AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW BY THE DA OFFICE, OURSELVES AND OTHERS. BUT IF IT IS POTENTIALLY DUE TO A NATURAL CAUSE, THEN TO ME PERHAPS IT WOULD'VE BEEN NICE TO HAVE THAT. TO UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST DIE FROM, OLDER ADULT POPULATION HAVE AN INFIRMARY WE HAVE OUR OWN INFIRMARY INTO THE JAIL WE DON'T HAVE A DETOX FACILITY I WAS THE COUNTY DID. AS WE REIMAGINE WHAT CORRECTIONS COULD LOOK LIKE DID HAVE A STANDALONE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY THAT COULD BETTER TREAT MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF INCARCERATING THEM AND THEN A DETOX CENTER WHERE THEY CAN REALLY DEAL WITH ADDICTION BECAUSE DETOXING IN A CORRECTIONS FACILITY IS A VERY COMPLICATED SITUATION. EVEN DEALING WITH PREGNANCIES AND STUFF WE HAVE ABOUT 20 PREGNANT WOMEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. IT IS A VERY SPECIALIZED POPULATION. 
          >> CAN WE WORK TOGETHER ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HELP, NOT JUST YOU, BUT SHERIFF'S ACROSS TEXAS AND MAYBE EVEN SOMETHING NATIONALLY, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I THINK IT COULD HELP OTHER LEGISLATION . IT COULD HELP CREATE MORE SUPPORT FOR DIVERSION PROGRAMS, LIKE THE ONE THAT I HAVE WORKED ON, TO MAKE SURE THOSE FOLKS GET SENT TO THE RIGHT FACILITIES BEFORE THEY END UP IN YOUR CUSTODY. SO WE CAN WORK ON LEGISLATION I THINK THAT WOULD BE CONTEMPORARY FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT YOU AND OTHERS ARE CONTINUING WITH. 
          >> THANK YOU, DESERVES A FRESH LOOK AND THINKING OF WHAT DEFINITIONS HAVE BEEN. AGAIN NOT TO NOT BE TRANSPARENT IS TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO LOOK AT. BEYOND THAT, THE POLICY ISSUES TO CONSIDER, HOW CAN WE BETTER AS A COMMUNITY DEAL WITH ADDICTION AND MENTAL ILLNESS AGAIN TO A PUBLIC-HEALTH PROCESS INSTEAD OF THROUGH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT'S VERY COSTLY AND THE OUTCOMES TEND TO NOT BE GOOD. IT'S NOT THE IDEAL PLACE TO DEAL WITH ACUTE CHALLENGES LIKE THAT. LOCAL JAILS WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE A MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS AND WE ARE THE LARGEST IN THE STATE SO AGAIN KUDOS TO TEAMMATE MEMBERS AND PARTNERS THAT WORK WITHIN OUR SYSTEM EVERY DAY TO DO THE GREAT JOB THEY DO A LITTLE CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES. 
          >> ONE OF THE GREATEST UNFUNDED MANDATES IMPOSED ON COUNTY JAILS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE EVERY SHERIFF ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS STRUGGLING WITH THIS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS ALSO CHANGED IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT IS THE CLASSIFICATION OF , NOT THE CLASSIFICATION, BUT THE PERCENTAGE OF INMATE CLASSIFICATION MEANING SERIOUS RISK , MEDIUM AND LOW RISK. WHEN I HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY, I THINK I HAD CLOSE TO ABOUT A 40% LOW RISK , MAY BE ABOUT 30% MEDIUM RISK AND EVERYBODY ELSE WAS HIGH-RISK. I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT YOUR CHARTS AS OF LATE, BUT WHAT IS THE CURRENT , DO YOU HAVE THAT INFORMATION IN FRONT 
          OF YOU? >> I DON'T HAVE THE CURRENT BREAKDOWN I WILL SAY CONSISTENTLY IT CHANGED DRAMATICALLY. BAIL REFORM REALLY ASSISTED IN REDUCING THE LOWER LEVEL INDIVIDUALS , LOWER TO MEDIUM FOR EXAMPLE WITH WOMEN. 
          [01:00:06]
THAT IS A CONCERNING POPULATION FOR ME BECAUSE NATIONALLY, WE ARE SEEING THE TREND OF MEN INCARCERATED ACTUALLY DECREASING, BUT WOMEN IN JAILS CONTINUE TO INCREASE AT A HIGHER CLIP WHICH IS AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC. BUT, WE, WE, WE SEE EVEN WITH THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT CENTER THAT YOU VISITED, IT IS LOW TO MEDIUM, BUT A LOWER PERCENTAGE NOW. I THINK WE ARE AROUND 25% MAYBE BETWEEN LOW TO MEDIUM, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY, THE THREAT PROFILE OF THE INDIVIDUAL IS MUCH MORE VIOLENT THAT WE HOUSE, WE ARE TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT I ONE POINT WE WERE HOUSING, NOT THOSE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY IN JAIL FOR MURDER OR CAPITAL MURDER, AND WE HAVE SOME THAT ARE VERY DISRUPTIVE. WE CONTINUE TO BATTLE THE INFLUX OF ATTEMPTS OF BRINGING CONTRABAND INTO THE SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS SO LUCRATIVE. IT'S A SERIOUS PROFILE BUT IT SPEAKS TO THE JOB LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES EVERY DAY TO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE. FOR EXAMPLE THE VIOLENT INDIVIDUALS THAT WE CONTINUE TO PURSUE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON LAUNCHING THE VIOLENT PERSONS TASK FORCE. YOU SAW THE SUCCESS WE HAD THANKS TO YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BROUGHT IN AND OUR FOLKS DO A TREMENDOUS JOB. I WANT TO BRAG ON HOMICIDE DETECTIVES, APPROXIMATELY 91% CLEARS RATE, I BELIEVE THAT'S BEST IN THE NATION IT SOMETHING WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH . IF YOU COMMIT A MURDER IN HARRIS COUNTY, YOU'RE MOST LIKELY GOING TO GET ARRESTED. 91%. 
          >> IT USED TO NOT BE THE CASE. >> IT WASN'T, THAT'S PROBABLY BEST IN THE NATION. WE WANT TO REDUCE MURDERS WHICH WE ARE HOLDING THE LINE. WE ARE DOING REALLY WELL IN KEEPING VIOLENT CRIME UNDER CONTROL IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY THINGS TO US AND OUR PARTNERS WE HAVE DOUBLE DEDUCTIONS IN AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES, AND HOMICIDES WE ARE STAYING NEUTRAL, FATAL CRASHES REDUCING SINGLE DIGITS BUT IN ROBBERY AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT DOUBLE-DIGIT REDUCTIONS, BUT TO YOUR POINT, THOSE THAT ARE ARRESTED WHICH WE WANT THEM ARRESTED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE, THAT'S THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PROFILE WHICH CHANGES THE DYNAMIC IN THE JAIL SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY ARE MUCH MORE PROBLEMATIC. THEY DON'T KIND OF STOP CRIMINALITY WHEN THEY STEP INTO THE JAIL SYSTEM, SOMETIMES THE BEHAVIOR MAY CONTINUE AGAIN STAFF OR WITH EACH OTHER EVEN THOUGH WE SEE REDUCTIONS BECAUSE OF EFFORTS TO REDUCE USE OF FORCE , BUT WE ARE STILL HAVING TO HOLD THE LINE BECAUSE IT CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT AS YOU KNOW. 
          >> TO THAT END, I RAN INTO ONE OF YOUR FORMER DETENTION OFFICERS WHO IS NOW A DEPUTY AND WE TALKED A MINUTE ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THE JAIL. SO I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY TO YOUR DETENTION STAFF, THEY HAVE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT JOBS THAT THE PUBLIC DOESN'T GET TO REALLY SEE OR UNDERSTAND SO MY COMPLEMENTS TO YOUR LEADERSHIP AND TO THOSE THAT WORK SPECIFICALLY IN DETENTION AND THE SHERIFF COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS A WHOLE. 
          >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, NEXT PRECINCT 1, EIGHT MINUTES 
          FOLLOWED BY PRECINCT 3. >> THANK YOU SHERIFF AND TO GET YOUR TEAM FOR ALL YOU DO TO KEEP HARRIS COUNTY SAFE. YOU JUST SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE JAIL BECOMES THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH CENTER IN OUR STATE AND I WAS WONDERING, I KNOW YOU SAID THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES NOT CONTROL WHO IS IN THE JAIL AND FOR HOW LONG, BUT UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP YOU HAVE TAKEN A NUMBER OF EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ARRESTED OR HIS STAY IN THE JAIL AND WAS WONDERING IF YOU TALK ABOUT PREARREST OR POST ARREST DIVERSION EFFORTS YOU HAVE LED 
          OR COLLABORATED IN. >> YES, ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE A 24/7 DIVERSION DESK THAT IS IN THE BOOKING AREA AND I WISH MORE WOULD UTILIZE IT TO BE FRANK WITH YOU BUT WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY AGENCIES AROUND THE COUNTY THAT ARE NOT UNDER MY PURVIEW , WE CANNOT MANDATE ANYBODY SAID PER SE , BUT IT IS SOMETHING 
          [01:05:04]
THERE TO TRY TO SEE WHAT I MENTIONED, SOME INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH SOME TYPE OF CRISIS SITUATION SHOULD BE DIVERTED TO DIVERSION CENTER FOR EXAMPLE THAT HAVE SOME BAD SPACE AND WE CAN DEFLECT FROM THERE AT THAT POINT BEFORE INCARCERATION. 
          WE HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. I'M SO PROUD OF THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM, YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE AS WELL. IT IS AN ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE MODEL. I BELIEVE WITH LEADERSHIP IT HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER THAN WHAT IT IS NOW. OUR TEAM IS WORKING WITH THE ASSISTANT CHIEF SUAREZ WORKING DILIGENTLY. YOU CAN US WHEN THEY PRESENT THAT HAVE NOT YET HOW WELL THAT PARTNERSHIP IS GOING. WE HAVE SEEN GREAT STRIDES, THAT'S ANOTHER WAY WE ARE ALREADY SEEING CALLS WE WOULD'VE TRADITIONALLY RESPONDED TO SENDING MORE RESPONSE TO THOSE CALLS AND WE SEE IT EXPAND NOW WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THAT WE ALSO HAVE A VERY ESTABLISHED HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM THAT ALSO DEALS WITH INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO GET THEM HOUSED AND DEALING WITH OTHER THINGS THROUGH SOCIAL SERVICE NETWORKS THAT THEY HAVE , VERY PROUD OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA IN THE EMPLOYEE TO EMPOWER PROGRAM THAT LOOKS TO STABILIZE INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD MOST LIKELY END UP INCARCERATED CYCLING THROUGH THE JAIL FOR SOME THINGS THAT IS ABLE TO GET THEM EMPLOYED, GIVE THEM MORE SKILLS STABILIZE THE HOUSING SITUATION, PAY THEM A LIVABLE WAGE. TO GET THEIR SITUATION STABILIZED WE SEE GREAT SUCCESS WITH THAT AND THERE ARE MORE THINGS. WE TALKED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ABOUT SOME OTHER THINGS RELATED TO POSSIBLE DEFLECTION WHERE WE COULD DO SOME MORE LEAVE TYPE PROGRAMS WITH OTHER MINOR TYPES 
          OF CRIMES. >> YOU LEAD RIGHT INTO THE NEXT QUESTION. DO YOU THINK THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES WE ARE NOT DOING YET, BUT WE SHOULD CONSIDER THAT COULD ENHANCE DIVERSION WHETHER 
          IT'S LEED OR SOMETHING ELSE? >> I WAS TRYING TO GET MORE WHEN I TRIED TO GET A RELEASE PROGRAM GOING THAT SOMETHING THE LEGISLATURE UNDER THEN GOVERNOR PERRY AND THE LEGISLATURE PASSED WITH CERTAIN MINOR CRIME CATEGORIES THAT COULD BE A POTENTIAL AREA WITH SOME SAFEGUARDS UNDER VERY LIMITED SAFEGUARDS THAT WE COULD TRACK. I STILL BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW IF SOMEBODY IS BATTLING WITH ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH WE COULD LOOK AT SOME ALTERNATIVES BUT IS ALWAYS IN MY KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE TRYING TO BE THOUGHTFUL TRYING TO BORROW BEST PRACTICES, EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES. WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO THAT, YOU'LL SEE HOW STRONGLY WE ARE ADVOCATING SO YOU HAVE AN ADVOCATE AND CHAMPION FOR THOSE TYPES OF PROGRAMS WE HAVE TO PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE END OF THE DAY AND THEN START BUILDING OUT , REIMAGINE WITH THE REST OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CAN BE AND CAN DO EFFECTIVELY, BUT WHEN WE ARE OVERCROWDED AND THINGS I GOT ARE HAPPENING, KIDS ARE NOT MOVING TO THE COURT SYSTEM IT PLACES CHALLENGE ON ALL RESOURCES. 
          >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO RECOGNIZE NOT JUST YOUR TEAM IS A CHAMPION, BUT OFTEN THE LEADER AND WE ALWAYS NEED ADDITIONAL LEADERS BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE. I DID WANT TO ASK ONE MORE QUESTION RELATED TO THE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE PROGRAMS OR CALL RESPONSE PROGRAMS, HE TALK ABOUT IMPACTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHICH IS A PRIORITY , BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR OFFICERS AND YOUR TEAM WHEN YOU HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AND WHAT DOES IT ALLOW YOUR STAFF TO DO 
          INSTEAD OR IN ADDITION? >> WE WANT TO BUT IS TO BE FOCUSED ON SERIOUS CRIMES IN THE COMMUNITY. MANY OF THE CALLS FOR SERVICE THAT WE FEEL DAILY OR OBVIOUSLY YEARLY SOMETIMES DO NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRE A LAW ENFORCEMENT PER SE, BUT HISTORICALLY THAT'S THE RESPONSE SYSTEM WE HAVE OPERATED UNDER. I THINK IT IS , WE CAN BECOME MORE CREATIVE, REIMAGINE WHAT THE RESPONSE MODEL CAN BE BECAUSE WE WANT DEPUTIES TO BE READY TO RESPOND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND READY FOR AND OFTEN WE GET CALLED TO SOME ISSUES THAT FRANKLY CAN BE BETTER ADDRESSED THROUGH PUBLIC HEALTH MODEL. TO 
          [01:10:04]
BE NOT EXCLUSIVELY, BUT I SAID EARLIER AT THE BEGINNING LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ON THE FRONT LINES OF MENTAL ILLNESS, ADDICTION AND POVERTY DOES NOT MEAN WE CAN'T PLAY SOME ROLE IN THAT BUT WE SHOULD BE LEADING THE FIGHT FROM THE FRONT ON SOME OF THOSE PARTICULAR ISSUES. WE WANT TO BE CRIME FIGHTERS, WE WANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM SERIOUS OFFENDERS IN THE COMMUNITY WE NEED THE COURTS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE HOLDING CHRONIC DEFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE SO THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS TO WORK. 
          THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES AND I THINK WE CAN FIND OTHERS WHERE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSES WOULD BE THE BETTER MATCH AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HAPPY TO BE PARTNERING WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHERS BECAUSE THEY'RE THOUGHTFUL AND WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY TO FIND THOSE RESPONSES. IT IS A PROVEN MODEL WE HAVE SEEN UNDER COMMISSIONER BRIONES IN HER AREA IN YOUR AREA AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I THINK WE ARE SPREADING PATROL DISTRICT 5 NORTHWEST REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTY IT HAS NOT BEEN FULLY DEPLOYED BUT IT IS MOVING IN 
          THAT DIRECTION. >> PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS IT'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER COLLABORATION. 
          >> ESPECIALLY LATELY WITH SOME OF THE MOVEMENTS WE HAVE HAD ON 
          OUR SITE. >> I WILL PUT THIS OUT IN THE FEW REMAINING SECONDS THAT I HAVE. YOUR TEAM, SHIFTING GEARS HAS BEEN HELPFUL SHARING DATA WHICH HELPS US UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE DIAGNOSE AND TREAT IT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ANYTHING BOOKING OR POST LOOKING DATA. IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT HIGHEST UPSTREAM DATA SHARING OR SOMETIMES YOUR TEAM HAS SHOWN WILLINGNESS, BUT MAYBE WE HAVE OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES GETTING THE FULL PICTURE? 
          >> AS WE SPEAK WE ARE LOOKING AT THOSE OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT. I BELIEVE IN DISRUPTION AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AT THE END OF THE DAY. ON THE SIDE OF THE SYSTEM WHERE YOU ARE AT AND COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE AND EVERYBODY WORKING TOGETHER ARE CITIZENS, EVERYBODY HAS TO WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES, KEEP COMMUNITY SAFE, FIND THE RIGHT INVESTMENTS, ALL THESE THINGS ARE COMPLEX. WORKING TOGETHER IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, WORKING TOGETHER WE CAN HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES SO WE WORK WITH YOU TO SEE WHAT THOSE IMPEDIMENTS MIGHT BE EITHER DUE TO LIMITATIONS OF WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT SHARE OR TECHNOLOGY LIMITATIONS OR ANY SLOWDOWNS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING RAPIDLY TO GET YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED. 
          >> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN WITHIN THOSE LIMITATIONS, WE APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 1, PRECINCT 3 WILL HAVE EIGHT 
          MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU SHERIFF, THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR BEING HERE. YOU HAVE THREE CHIEFS IN THE STANDS THERE. I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOUR TEAM, THE EXECUTIVE TEAM, THEY HAVE GIVEN ME THEIR CELL PHONES THE RELATIONSHIP CANNOT BE STRONGER WE APPRECIATE THAT. THAT LEADS TO MY FIRST QUESTION WOULD SHOULD PIGGYBACK OFF OF COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I KNOW PAY PARITY PROBABLY HELPS YOU OUT A LOT SO CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR CURRENT STAFFING LEVELS AND WHERE YOU PROJECT THEM TO BE AND WHAT KIND OF IMPACT WE MIGHT SEE? 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE, IT HAS BEEN GREAT WORKING WITH YOU AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SO PLEASE SHARE WITH THEM OUR APPRECIATION FOR HIS STRONG SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND OUR TEAM. I KNOW IT IS A JOY WORKING WITH YOU SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU KNOW FOR US, OUR PRIORITY PART OF RECRUITING IS TO ALSO RETAIN THE PEOPLE YOU DO HAVE, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER. BY THE TIME WE HIRE JUST NEW PEOPLE AND LOSE THE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE, WE LOSE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMEBODY IS RESPONDING TO CONSTITUENTS, SOMEBODY THAT'S WELL-TRAINED AND PREPARED TO ADDRESS ANY KIND OF CHINA BECAUSE YOU KNOW IN THE THREAT MATRIX WE HAVE IT COULD BE AN INDUSTRIAL INCIDENT, IT COULD BE A ACTIVE ATTACK OR ANYTHING. SO MAKING SURE WE ARE ABLE TO RETAIN FOLKS, BECAUSE WE WERE AT A POINT WHERE IT WAS BECOMING EVIDENT WE WERE FACING A POTENTIAL MASS EXODUS. THAT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO MAINTAIN STRONG PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT WOULD BE A BIG CHALLENGE OF MY OPINION TO RECOUP, WE WOULD'VE HAD TO INCREASE GETTING TO PAY PERIOD PARITY ANYWAY AND WE WOULD HAVE LOST EXPERIENCE IN THE MEANTIME. AT THIS POINT WE HAVE 2125 PEACE OFFICERS WITHIN THE AGENCY THAT 
          [01:15:04]
DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DETENTION SIDE OR PROFESSIONAL STAFF, THE 500 DO MANY IMPORTANT DUTIES WITHIN THE AGENCY'S. WE HAVE 100 CADETS IN THE ACADEMY NOW THAT'S A GOOD INFLUX OF PEOPLE MOVING THROUGH WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING ANOTHER STAFF BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR AS WELL BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAINTAIN BECAUSE THE IMPORTANT THING IS WE WILL SEE ATTRITION LEVEL REMAIN LOW BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS REACH RETIREMENT AGE OR ARE READY TO MOVE ON TO ENJOYING RETIREMENT THEY'LL HAVE A STEADY FLOW OF PEOPLE COMING IN. I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD POSITION. SO THE PAY RAISE IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE EVERYTHING. 
          WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO MAINTAIN A GOOD FLOW WHEN IT COMES TO CLEARANCE RATES AND INVESTIGATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE RESPONSIVE TO INDIVIDUALS AFTER THEY REPORTED CRIME NOT JUST INITIAL CRIME WE HAVE AN EPIDEMIC NATIONALLY ON INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS THAT REQUIRE SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH VICTIMS. BUT I THINK BUT WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE. 
          >> OVER TIME WITH THIS NEW INFLUX HELPING TO SOLVE THE 
          PROBLEM? >> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING, FIRST OF ALL BY NOT HAVING A LOT OF VACANCIES THE FLOW OF CADETS AND LATERAL DEPUTIES COMING IN WILL BE HELPFUL AND THE OTHER THING WE HAVE DONE IS WE ARE TAKING VERY SERIOUS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE STRONGEST PUBLIC SAFETY POSSIBLE SO WE ARE LOOKING WITHIN EVEN OUR OWN OPERATIONS, AS WE SPEAK WE'RE NOT RESTING ON OUR LAURELS OR JUST BANKING ON ONLY PAY PARITY. WE ARE LOOKING OPERATIONALLY TO SEE HOW WE CAN BETTER DEPLOY RESOURCES WE HAVE. WHILE THERE ARE THINGS MUCH LIKE WHAT WE ARE ASKING YOU IS WHILE THERE ARE THINGS WE LIKE TO DO WE HAVE TO LOOK UP FUNDAMENTAL CORE SERVICES AND RESPONDING, PUTTING RESOURCES WHERE WE NEED THEM MOST TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS AND KEEPING THE COMMUNITY SAFE. WHILE MANY THINGS ARE IMPORTANT THAT WE DO NOT EVERYTHING MIGHT BE CRITICAL AND SO WE ARE LOOKING WITH A CRITICAL EYE AND WE ARE STARTING TO ASSESS THE OPERATION AND WE ANTICIPATE REDEPLOYING SOME PERSONNEL TO MORE CRITICAL ROLES , TO BETTER EXPEDITE RESPONSE. FOR EXAMPLE TO CALLS FOR SERVICE SO ALL THESE THINGS COMBINE WILL HELP TO STAVE OFF OVERTIME COSTS THAT WE HAVE AND THAT IS ONE STRATEGY WHERE LOOKING AT WITH RETENTION AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND ALSO THE EFFICIENCIES WE ARE LOOKING AT, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MONITORING OVERTIME COST AND THE JAIL IS A BIG DRIVER SO WE'RE DOING THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT POSITIVE EFFORTS IN TRYING TO TRACK OVERTIME BETTER AND WE ARE 
          SEEING BETTER TRENDS. >> ONE OF THE MOST STARTLING NUMBERS TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT IN FY 24, IN THE JAIL WE HAD $38 MILLION OF OVERTIME. FOR FY 25 ENDING IN A COUPLE WEEKS WE WILL COME IN RIGHT AROUND 26 MILLION. THAT'S A HUGE DECREASE, YEAR-OVER-YEAR. A LOT OF THE EFFORTS WE HAVE GOING ON NOW INDICATE THAT WILL DO EVEN BETTER IN FY 26. 
          >> TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THAT, THE SHERIFF DOES A BETTER JOB THAN ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT I HAVE WORKED WITH IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT AND MANAGING OVERTIME, WHEN WE SAW INCREASES TO OVERTIME IN DETENTION, THEY JUMPED ON AND SAID PUT IN SOME POLICY MEASURES TO ENSURE FOLKS WERE GAMING THE SYSTEM IN ORDER TO MANUFACTURE AN OVERTIME SHIFT. WE HAVE ALSO WORKED WITH THEM AND AS PART OF FUNDING TO PAY PARITY , THEY WENT INTERNAL AND LOOKED AT WHAT THEY COULD DO TO BE MORE EFFICIENT AND HAVE MADE REASSIGNMENTS I BELIEVE THE OVERTIME RELATED TO GEL TRANSPORTS AT THE HOSPITALS SO FOR FOLKS ON STRAIGHT TIME AS OPPOSED OVERTIME. I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF EVERY TIME WE HAVE AN ISSUE HE HAS JUMPED ON IT WAS STAFF, HE IS ABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION IN COMMON WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM A LOT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DIFFERENT THAN FIVE YEARS AGO WHERE THEY HAVE COME IN ON BUDGET COME I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HAD TO DO SUPPLEMENTAL FOR THE SHERIFF IN THE LAST THREE YEARS EXCEPT FOR THE ONES WHERE WE HAVE MADE THE STRATEGIC DECISION TO INVEST IN PEOPLE AS OPPOSED TO OUTSOURCING. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> ONE LAST QUESTION THAT WAS GOOD FOR CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN EARLY. WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT 
          [01:20:04]
          NIGHT, SIR? >> FOR ME, LEADING THE LARGEST SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN THE STATE IS A TOUGH CHALLENGE BUT THE OWNER OF A LIFETIME FOR ME WITH THE SAFETY OF MY PERSONNEL. 
          EVERY DAY LIKE ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE IN THE COUNTY RESPECTFULLY TO ANYBODY THAT DOES A GREAT JOB HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTIES AND CONSTABLES ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO VENTURE OUT AT NIGHT AND KEEP US SAFE WHILE WE SLEEP AND THERE IS A HIGH RISK OR A HIGHER RISK THAN AVERAGE THAT THEY MAY NOT RETURN HOME WHETHER IT'S AN INDUSTRIAL INCIDENT, ACTIVE ATTACK, SO THE SAFETY OF PERSONNEL, JAIL PERSONNEL IS WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT. COUPLED WITH THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE LOSS OF INNOCENT LIVES THAT ARE OUT THERE BECAUSE THAT'S THE TOP DUTY TO SERVE AND PROTECT TO THIS DAY I WOULD PUT MY LIFE OUT THERE TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS, THAT'S A NOTE I HOLD DEARLY SO IT'S SAFETY OF PUBLIC AND THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WILLINGLY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE AND LEAVE THE HOME WITHOUT A CHANCE OF RETURNING AND WE HAVE SEEN MANY AND WE HAVE BEEN PRESENT WHEN THEY LOST WERE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND WE HAD TO HONOR THEM HERE OR AT THE LOCAL MEMORIAL OR STATE MEMORIAL OR NATIONAL MEMORIAL IN D.C. AND THAT WORRIES ME AND KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT, THE SAFETY OF MY PEOPLE. 
          >> THANK YOU COURT OFFICES, SHERIFF YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR 
          CLOSING REMARKS. >> ONCE AGAIN I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS, PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT ARE HERE TODAY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I WANT TO THANK THE TEAMS AND MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FAMILY. I AM VERY HAPPY AND PROUD WE ARE POISED TO SEE AN IMPORTANT PAY INCREASE FOR THEM. THAT'S MUCH-DESERVED, HISTORICALLY I DON'T THINK THERE HAS BEEN A TIME IN OUR HISTORY DECADES AND DECADES WHERE HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS FRANKLY PAID WHAT THEY DESERVED. AND WITH A HAVE EARNED. AND THEY WORK EXTREMELY HARD AND TO SEND THEM ON EVERYDAY TO SEND THEM TO DO THE TOUGH A SITUATION THAT PEOPLE DO WITH THE CARNAGE THEY SEE AT FATAL CRASHES TO DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE, INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS AS A MENTION YOU NAME IT AFTER ENCOUNTER THAT EVERY DAY. SO THE TRAUMA IS REAL. THE IMPACT THAT THEY SEE THOSE CARS WILL LAST LONG AFTER THEY RETIRE FROM THIS JOB SO BEING ABLE TO RETAIN THEM, BEING ABLE TO PAY THEM FAIRLY AND COMPETITIVELY I AM SO HONORED TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS AND I THINK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THEM POSSIBLE , VERY PROUD OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK, ALL THE MEMBERS DETENTION OFFICERS PROFESSIONAL STAFF, INDICATIONS OPERATIONS AS WELL AS DEPUTIES FOR THE JOBS IT IS A HONORABLE LIFETIME TO BE ABLE TO SERVE WITH THEM I AM IN ALL EVERY DAY WHEN I MONITOR THE RADIO WHEN I RESPOND TO THE SCENE AND SEE THE TREMENDOUS WORK THEY DO, VERY PROUD OF ALL HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, CONSTABLE PARTNERS AS WELL I TALKED TO COLLEAGUES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND MANY OBVIOUSLY VISIT THEY VISIT AND THEY WANT TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE BECAUSE THEY SEE MANY POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING. VERY PROUD OF ALL THE MEMBERS AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AND OUR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AS 
          WELL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SHERIFF GONZALEZ. 
          >> THANK YOU TO THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION FROM THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. 
          [Intergovernmental & Global Affairs]
          [01:25:27]
          >> WELCOME TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, AS A REMINDER YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR THE INITIAL PRESENTATION TO BE FOLLOWED BY FIVE MINUTES FOR EACH COURT OFFICE FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE FOLLOWED BY PRECINCT 1 AND THEN TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. WHENEVER YOU'RE READY. 
          >> THANK YOU GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. TAMMY IS UNFORTUNATELY SICK TODAY AND SENDS HER REGRETS BUT MATTHEW AND I WILL DO OUR BEST TO FILL IN COME A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW FOLLOWING SHERIFF GONZALEZ, BUT WE ARE EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY. 
          THANK YOU FOR THIS WORK. WE ARE PARTICULAR COMPARED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ONE OF THE SMALLER DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY. WE ARE VERY LEAN, WHICH HAD A PUNCH ABOVE OUR WEIGHT. 
          IGA IS A VERY COLLABORATIVE DEPARTMENT. WE WORK WITH ALL THE COURT OFFICES EXTENSIVELY, WE WORK WITH EVERY OCA REPORTING DEPARTMENT, ALL COUNTY ELECTED APPOINTED OFFICES WITH OVER 41 CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS. WE ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS, JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE STATE, OTHER LARGE URBAN COUNTIES AND THE VARIOUS COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS THAT REPRESENT COUNTY INTERESTS AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THE OPERATIONAL AREAS THAT THE FUNDING GOES TO IS OUR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS WHICH IS FOCUSED ON REVIEWING ALLSTATE DISTILLATION OVER 8000 BILLS , TYPICALLY DETERMINING ALL COUNTIES STRATEGIZE THROUGH THE ENGAGEMENT THAT TRY TO PREVENT ANY SORT OF ASSAULT ON LOCAL AUTHORITY AS WELL AS PREVENT AND UNFUNDED MANDATES, STATE LEGISLATION THAT MIGHT BE WELL INTENDED, BUT IT'S GOING TO HAVE A COST BORNE BY US, THERE IS NO CORRESPONDING STATE APPROPRIATION FOR IT AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THOSE COSTS ULTIMATELY GET PASSED ON TO TAXPAYERS SO WE ARE VERY WARY OF ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE GENERAL FUND , THE BUDGET, EVERYTHING WE ARE HERE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE COURT, WE GOT SOME SUPPORT TWO YEARS AGO IN 2003 TO BUILD OUT OUR TEAM A LITTLE BIT, THAT WAS HELPFUL. WE SPENT TWO YEARS CAREFULLY DOING THAT. WE WERE FULLY RUNNING THE SESSION, WE ARE PROUD OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE HAD. THERE WERE SOME VERY PROBLEMATIC LEGISLATION THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH ALL OF YOU ON AND GOT A TON OF SUPPORT FROM THE COURT OFFICES AND OTHER EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS AND WERE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL MITIGATING SOME OF THOSE THREATS. WE WORK VERY HARD TO SECURE AS MANY COUNTY RESOURCES AS POSSIBLE FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE PROJECTS IN THE PRECINCTS AS WELL AS COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVES OVERSEEN BY THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT . TODAY TO SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2022 WE HAVE SECURED 170 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH COMMUNITY FUNDING SUBMISSIONS AND WE HAVE 22 MILLION PENDING RIGHT NOW. FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT'S GOING TO BE DETERMINED BY CONGRESS PASSING THE BUDGET. WE CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO TELLING YOU ABOUT THE GOOD WORK WE DO AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. 
          >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE YOU WILL HAVE FIVE 
          MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> FIRST, THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH 
          AND THE ENTIRE TEAM. >> YOUR MIC PLEASE. 
          >> ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE TO THE 89 SESSION AND ALL THE WORK YOU DO THROUGH SPECIAL SESSIONS. YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FEDERAL FUNDING YOU HAVE SECURED, CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR ASSISTING THE COUNTY , COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND COURT OFFICES PARTICULARLY WITH APPROPRIATIONS. I KNOW YOU GUYS GOT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER THIS YEAR SO I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE SO FAR. STRUCTURE , I WILL PASS THIS OVER TO MATTHEW TO EXPLAIN HOW THE PROCESS WORKS AND HOW WE WORK WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES AND ULTIMATELY FACILITATE THOSE TO THE CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES. 
          >> THANK YOU BOTH. I WILL START WITH STATE LEGISLATURE TOP OF 
          [01:30:07]
MIND THEY ARE IN SESSION NOW. ONCE THE STATE AGENCY SUBMITS THEIR REQUEST IT HAPPENS WELL BEFORE SESSION BEGINS THE APPROPRIATION PROCESS FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE STARTED LAST SUMMER. TWO THINGS TO HIGHLIGHT QUICKLY. WE NOTICE HHS HE WAS PROPOSING A 30% DECREASE IN HEALTH FUNDING TO THEIR STATE PROGRAMS. SOUNDED THE ALARM WORKED WITH THE DIRECTOR BARTON ENTERTAINED TO UNDERSTAND TO WORK WITH POTENTIAL FORMULA USING CASELOAD PROJECTIONS. WE GOT THE INFORMATION THEY DID CHANGE . TO SAY THAT IT ACTUALL INCREASED 3% - 6% THIS SESSION SO DRAMATIC SWING. 30 SOMETHING PERCENT AND THAT'S THE TYPE OF ENGAGEMENT WE DO. TO PUT A DOLLAR AMOUNT ON AT THE CAN TO GET $1 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN'S PROGRAM AND THAT'S WHERE THE FORMULA FUNDING WOULD HAVE BEEN SEEN. WE ALL KNOW THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY SPENDING IS A TOPIC OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION. THE STATE WAS PROPOSING A 9% DECREASE AND ENDED UP WITH THE SAME ADVOCACY AND ENGAGEMENT PROCESS HAVING A 7% INCREASE WHEN THE BUDGET WAS SIGNED WHICH IS A $5 MILLION IMPACT TO THE COUNTY DIRECTLY. 
          THAT'S TALKING ABOUT JUST THE BUDGET STRATEGIES THAT DO FORMULAS AND EQUATIONS. WE WORK EXTENSIVELY ON STATE RIDERS , COUNTY PRECINCT PARKS . WE ATTEMPTED VARIOUS MENTAL HEALTH AND MATERNAL HEALTH PROJECTS AND EVEN ONE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THAT BUDGET IS FINAL BUT WE ENDED UP WITH 13 PROJECTS, MAINLY FLOOD CONTROL FOR $147 MILLION COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE STATE TO THE COUNTY WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A 100% INCREASE IN THE PAST SESSIONS WE'VE DONE IN THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS SECURED AND FUNDING AND I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT IT IS A MEMBER DRIVEN PROCESS. WE WORK WITH ALL THE DEPARTMENT SO I WANT TO THANK THE STATE DELEGATION FOR THEIR SUPPORT . FEDERALLY SPEAKING WE'VE HAD A TUMULTUOUS FIRST SIX MONTHS UNDER FEDERAL FUNDING UNCERTAINTIES SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNICATING WITH THE DELEGATION WHETHER IT BE THE SOLAR FOR ALL ANNOUNCEMENT WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW. WE KNOW THAT IT'S A $250 MILLION GRANT THAT THE COUNTY HAS STARTED PLANNING FOR SIGNIFICANTLY BUT THEN COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING, FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS, THIS YEAR WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE WE WERE ONE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SHORT OF WHAT WE USUALLY HAVE FROM AN OPPORTUNITY STANDPOINT. HOWEVER THE TEAM RALLIED BEHIND EACH OTHER AND WE HAVE 16 PROJECTS WHICH IS FOUR MORE THAN LAST YEAR DESPITE HAVING ONE LESS MEMBER TO HELP CARRY THE COUNTY PROJECTS AND THAT WAS FOR $22 MILLION WHICH IS STILL PENDING. THAT'S THE WORK WE'VE DONE THERE AND IT'S REALLY SPREAD OUT. IT'S A PUBLIC LIBRARY PROJECT, A SHERIFF'S OFFICE PROJECT. MULTIPLE PRECINCTS AND COUNTY ROADS. IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH PROJECT AND THEN OF 
          COURSE FLOOD CONTROL. >> THE WAY THE PROCESS WORKS, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO IDENTIFY WHAT YOU NEED. WE GO UP BEFORE THE SUBMISSION PERIODS IF YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN MARCH OR APRIL, THE OFFICES HAVE THEIR OWN WAY OF DOING IT. WE GO UP TO WASHINGTON AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND WE MEET WITH CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT SPECIFIC TYPES OF PROJECTS THEY REALLY WANT TO BRING TO THE COMMITTEE AND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IN THAT CYCLE. AND THEN WE WORK WITH Y'ALL ON CRAFTING A GOOD PROJECT AND WE ARE ALWAYS KEEPING TRACK OF THE RULES THAT HAVE CHANGED AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL IN TERMS OF THE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE'S. 
          >> THANK YOU COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. PRECINCT 1 YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. THE FIRST QUESTION LEANS WITH -- WORKS WITH HOW YOU WORK ACROSS DIVISIONS. TO WHAT DEGREE DO YOU BELIEVE STAFF LIMITATIONS ARE REACHED AND IT'S NECESSARY TO RECOMMEND INVOLVEMENT EITHER BY RECOMMENDED OFFICIALS THAT LEAD THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND 
          THEIR STAFF ? CAN YOU PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE? >> PERSONALLY WE BELIEVE THAT ENGAGEMENT FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY THE COUNTY CAN DO ON 
          [01:35:02]
ANY ISSUE. STAFF LIMITATIONS ,'S TYPICALLY WE ARE REACHING OUT AND REQUESTING OR FEELING OUT VARIOUS ELECTED OFFICIALS ON WHO THEY CAN TALK TO AND WHO IS MOST EFFECTIVE CONVEYING A MESSAGE WHETHER WE ARE PLAYING DEFENSE OR ADVOCATING FOR AN INITIATIVE THAT WE NEED OR A BILL THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PASS. IN TERMS OF STAFFING LIMITATIONS AGAIN WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR THE COURT HELPING TO GIVE US ADDITIONAL STAFF. WE ARE RUNNING PRETTY HARD BEFORE THAT AND WE HOPE THAT THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN DEMONSTRATIVE AND WE'VE NOT ONLY SECURED A LOT MORE RESOURCES AND BEEN ABLE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH Y'ALL IN TERMS OF BEING COMMUNICATIVE AND EDUCATING COURT OFFICES AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS MORE. I AM HONESTLY , EVERY ELECTED IS DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY WANT TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF AN ADVOCATE ON BUT WE TAKE INSTRUCTION FROM THE COURT AND ALWAYS TRY TO FACILITATE ANY EXTERNAL ADVOCACY IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY POSSIBLE THAT IS IN LINE WITH OUR ELECTED COURT MEMBERS AND WHAT THEY WANT TO 
          DO. >> WE HAVE HEARD FROM KEY MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION AND THE STATE LEVEL THAT ARE CLOSE TO OUR OFFICE. SOMETIMES THEY ARE LACKING INFORMATION ON THE IMPACTS OF CERTAIN LEGISLATION ON THE COUNTY AND WE ARE COMING FROM BEHIND SO THIS QUESTION RELATES TO THAT. ARE YOU HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH RESPONSES TO YOUR QUESTIONS FOR DATA FROM INSIDE COUNTY GOVERNMENT? DOES THAT CREATE A DELAY IN RESPONSIVENESS AND WHAT CAN COMMISSIONERS DO TO EXPEDITE THE FLOW OF INFORMATION WHETHER THEY ARE DOING SPECIAL OR LEGISLATIVE 
          EDUCATION? >> WE RECOGNIZE THE REALITIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THINGS ARE DOING REALLY QUICKLY SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT ON THE BACKEND IT IS AN IMMENSE CHALLENGE TO GET THAT DATA. WE DO FEEL WE HAVE A GOOD SYSTEM IN PLACE. WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE IT BETTER AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO REALLY WORK WITH CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS THAT MAYBE WE ARE LESS RESPONSIVE OR LESS AGILE WE ARE COMBATING SOME OF THIS LEGISLATION. WE DO LEAN ON Y'ALL A LOT TO HELP US NUDGE MORE PARTICIPATION OR CLEARER INFORMATION FLOW FROM SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS ALREADY AND I CERTAINLY THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE ON AND I WILL PASS IT OVER TO MATTHEW WHO WILL HAVE SOME THOUGHTS HERE. 
          >> ONE THING WE HAVE DONE SINCE WE SWITCHED TO THE TELE- CON ATLAS TRAINING , WE HAVE A LOT MORE DATA TO SHOW EXACTLY THAT A DEPARTMENT WAS ASKED TO REVIEW 150 BILLS WHETHER THEY REVIEWED FIVE OR 140 ET CETERA AND THE TIME IT TOOK FOR RESPONSIVE LISTS. THAT INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED TO TAMMY VERY RECENTLY AND TAMMY INTENDS TO ROLL THAT OUT TO THE COURT OFFICES TO EXPLAIN IN GENERAL HOW THE NEW TELE- CON ATLAS SYSTEM WORKED AND SEEK YOUR FEEDBACK OF HOW IT COULD POTENTIALLY HELP US FINE-TUNE THE PROCESS. ON YOUR FIRST QUESTION EVERY OTHER FRIDAY WE HAVE A COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING WITH IGA WHICH IS THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS JOIN. WE HAVE GREAT PARTICIPATION IN MANY OF YOU JOIN ALL THE TIME . WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UPDATE EVERYONE ON WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON, STRATEGIC ADVOCACY ET CETERA AND ASSURE THAT ANY SURGE OF COURT RESOURCES THAT WE MIGHT NEED IS BROUGHT UP AT THAT TIME. 
          >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO CLOSE IN SAYING THE SPECIAL WILL HOPEFULLY END BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGHOUT THAT INTERIM. THE STATE CANNOT JUST HEAR FROM US AND UNDERSTAND WE 
          ARE BUSY. >> PRECINCT 2 YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK DURING SESSION. IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLY TOUGH ROAD SO WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORT YOUR TEAM HAS PUT IN GETTING US THROUGH IT. I ALSO WANT TO GIVE YOU PROPS FOR INCREASING THE LEVEL OF INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE US LIKE THROUGH MEETING 
          [01:40:03]
SUMMARIES. WE GET THOSE AND REVIEW THEM AND IT SAVES STAFF A LOT OF TIME BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOUR STAFF IS PUTTING IN THE WORK OF SITTING THROUGH THOSE LONG MEETINGS SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. I THINK THAT IS DIRECTLY CORRELATED TO SOME OF THE BUDGET INCREASES THAT YOU GOT LAST TIME WHICH YOU ALLUDED TO EARLIER. TO PUT A FINER POINT ON THE BUDGET IMPACT OF IGA I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD GO THROUGH WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS SINCE THEY PICKED BACK UP, THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND JUST OPPOSE -- JUXTAPOSE THAT ON THE COUNTY BUDGET . CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? 
          >> THE EARMARK PROCESS FOR LACK OF BETTER TERMS THAT THEY BROUGHT BACK IN 2022, SINCE THEN THE NUMBER TO DATE IS OVER RIGHT AROUND $130 MILLION IN DIRECT FEDERAL ALLOCATIONS. THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT, THEY'VE BEEN SPREAD OUT EVERYWHERE. THE LARGEST ONE WE GOT WAS $12 MILLION FOR THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES TO BUILD OUT A NEW LAB. IT IS REALLY, ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF THE COUNTY HAS BENEFITED FROM THIS CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING. IT IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS HAVE CONTINUOUSLY COME BACK AND ASKED US TO HELP ALIGN THEIR NEEDS WITH MEMBER PRIORITIES AND SPEAKING ON THE STAFF LEVEL, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN A ROBUST FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS ENGAGEMENT DURING THE SAME STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR BECAUSE OF THE STAFF EXPANSION. ALL OF THE REPORTS THAT WE WRITE, I THINK HE HAS A COUPLE OF OFFICIAL ONES AND ALL THE MEETINGS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ATTENDING WAS THROUGH THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND STAFF THAT CAME ON. IT KIND OF ALLUDES BACK TO ERICA'S QUESTION ON HOW ARE Y'ALL ABLE TO ADVOCATE AND ENGAGE AND COMMUNICATE AT A HIGH LEVEL WHILE STILL DOING LEGISLATIVE WORK AND DOING THE POLICY ANALYSIS WORK AND THE FUNDING REQUEST AND BEING ABLE TO DO THAT WITH OUR TEMPORARY LABOR 
          AND STAFF INCREASES . >> PRECINCTS REALLY TUNING IN AND PUTTING GOOD PROJECTS TOGETHER AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO KIND OF THE LAST SECOND , DEMANDS FOR CHANGES OR ALTERATIONS THAT WE MIGHT GET FROM A MEMBER THAT IS INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING THE PROJECT. HE 
          COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT Y'ALL. >> IT WOULD BE SAFE TO SAY THAT THE CPF AND EVEN THE STATE RIDERS, YOU'VE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL BRINGING INTO THE COUNTY FAR EXCEED THE BUDGET OVERALL YEAR-TO-YEAR AND OF COURSE OVER THE SPAN OF, SINCE CPF HAS BEEN BACK. 
          >> PARTICULARLY ON THE STATESIDE. WE BROUGHT IN A LITTLE OVER $80 MILLION LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THE MOST RECENT ONE WAS $147 MILLION AND WE ARE ALWAYS AIMING TO CONTINUE AND GO BIGGER AND WE DO LIKE TO THINK OF THE DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND 
          BRINGING IN A LOT MORE RESOURCES THAN WE SPEND. >> DO YOU KNOW HOW WE COMPARE TO 
          OTHER LARGE URBAN COUNTIES ON THAT FRONT? >> YES, WE RAN A REPORT AND HAD IT VERIFIED INDEPENDENTLY BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. THEY DID THE SAME ANALYSIS AND IT SHOWED THAT HARRIS COUNTY ACROSS THE NATION OUTPACED EVERYBODY AND THEN ONE OF THE CLOSEST COMPETITORS WAS EVEN SOME OF THE CITY PARTNERS SO COMPARED TO OUR LARGE CITIES WE OUTPACED THE CITY OF HOUSTON ALSO . EVERY TIME WE HEAR FROM MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THEY HAVE NOTHING BUT PRAISE TO SAY ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE OFFICES AND THEIR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND THE QUALITY OF PROJECTS THEY PUT FORWARD. AND THE ABILITY TO JUST HELP COORDINATE THAT AND 
          GET EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE. >> I USE BACK. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 2. 
          PRECINCT 3 YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING GUYS, I APPRECIATE Y'ALL BEING HERE AND THE WORK Y'ALL DO. TAMMY BABYSAT ME WHILE I WAS IN AUSTIN AND MADE SURE I WAS EVERYWHERE I NEEDED TO BE. I WILL KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET. LET ME GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE STUFF THAT Y'ALL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. CAN YOU LIST OFF SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUNDING THAT YOU'VE SECURED THIS YEAR SO FAR? 
          [01:45:02]
          >> ABSOLUTELY. A LOT OF THE PROJECTS , THEY'VE EVEN BEEN GETTING MEDIA COVERAGE. I READ AN ARTICLE JUST LAST WEEK. ONE REPRESENTATIVE PUT OUT A NEWS ARTICLE AND COMMUNITY IMPACT ON THE -- AND I KNOW THAT IT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO PRECINCT 3 AND A MAJOR PROJECT FOR THE COMMUNITY. OVER $22 MILLION FOR THE CYPRESS CREEK WATERSHED WHICH WE KNOW IS A WATERSHED THAT IS VERY LARGE AND VOCAL SO IT WAS GOOD TO HELP THAT COMMUNITY BRING IN NEW RESOURCES. ANOTHER PROJECT THAT WE ENDED UP HELPING WITH WAS VARIOUS PROJECTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BEL AIR AND THE REASON I BRING IT UP IS BECAUSE IT ENDS UP INVOLVING DIRECTLY HARRIS COUNTY'S CHANNELS BUT IT WAS A $54 MILLION PROJECT THAT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WAS ABLE TO PARTNER AND HELP SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF BEL AIR TO BRING IN. AND THEN THE MAIN THING THAT I THINK WE ARE EXCITED FOR IS PENDING, TO GET NEW MOBILE COMMAND UNITS WHICH ARE GOING TO BE JUST, INSTRUMENTAL TO HAVE READY FOR HOPEFULLY THE 2028 REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION TO BE DEPLOYED IN POTENTIAL DISASTERS AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AND DEPENDING ON 
          TIMING EVEN THE WORLD CUP HAVING IT READY TO GO. >> SEEMS LIKE OUR RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS PRETTY SOLID WITH YOU GUYS. DO YOU FEEL WE ARE IN ALIGNMENT OR INVESTING THE RIGHT 
          AMOUNT OF MONEY AT THIS POINT? >> WE APPRECIATE THE MONEY THAT HAS BEEN INVESTED AND I WOULD SAY YES. THERE WILL BE SOME CHALLENGES WE WILL WORK THROUGH WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET. WE'VE GOT ABOUT 6 2/3% CUT AND THAT WILL PRIMARILY AFFECT THE NONLABOR BUDGET AND SOME OF THE EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS THAT WE LEAN ON HEAVILY FOR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND RELATIONSHIPS. WE WILL INDEED MISS OUR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. WE NOT ONLY GOT A LOT OF GREAT REDUCTION WE CAN PUSH BACK OUT TO Y'ALL FROM INTERNS BUT SOME HAVE BECOME EXCELLENT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES. THE THING IS WORKING WITH -- WE ARE A UNIQUE DEPARTMENT AND IT'S REALLY A JOY TO GET TO WORK WITH EVERY SINGLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT AND THEIR WONDERFUL STAFF AND WE RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES THAT ALL OF Y'ALL ARE WORKING ON WITH EACH DEPARTMENT . AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE TEAM PLAYERS AND WILL MAKE IT WORK AND WE WILL PROBABLY BE TALKING TO YOU NEXT YEAR WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO POTENTIALLY GET SOME OF THAT RESTORED AT A LATER 
          DATE. >> THAT IS SOMETHING SIMILAR TO ELECTIONS WHERE WE WORK WITH THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE TREASURER'S OFFICE. WE WOULD WORK WITH IGA IN PREPARATION FOR NEXT YEAR TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF RESOURCES GOING INTO THE SESSION. IT'S GREAT THAT THEY BRING BACK EARMARKS BUT I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY BILLS THEY HAVE HELPED FIGHT OFF THAT WOULD HAVE HAD A DIRECT IMPACT TO EITHER REVENUE OR ADDITIONAL UNFUNDED MANDATES WHERE THE LEVEL OF COORDINATION, MY OFFICE AND SOME OF THE OTHER PARTNER AGENCIES TURNING AROUND FISCAL ANALYSIS ON BILLS HAS REALLY CHANGED THE DYNAMIC OF THE 
          DISCUSSIONS AT THE STATE. >> IN RESPONSE TO THAT THEY HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT GETTING US FISCAL NOTES QUICKLY AND ALTERING THEM IN A HURRY WHEN VARIOUS AMENDMENTS ARE FLOATING AROUND THAT WE THINK ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT TO THE SPEAKER'S DESK OR WHEN THEY ARE PROPOSED, WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT -- WHEN YOU HAVE A FIRM SET OF DATA AND CAN REALLY GO TO A LEGISLATOR AND SAY WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS? THIS MIGHT BE A GREAT IDEA AND WE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE PASSIONATE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS IS GOING TO COST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS. THAT IS THE MOST COMPELLING WAY TO CHANGE MINDS THAT WE HAVE FOUND 
          SO THE DATA WE GET . >> DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECTED RELIEF OR CONFLICTS THAT MAY BE COMING UP IN ANY LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS OR POTENTIAL LEGISLATION COMING THROUGH 
          FEDERALLY THAT Y'ALL WANT TO TALK ABOUT? >> SUPERQUICK THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. THERE'S A BIPARTISAN PUSH RIGHT NOW TO REFORM FEMA WHICH IS GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE CONGRESS HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW AT LEAST ON WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY SIGNALED BY THE WHITE HOUSE AND THEIR ADVISORY COUNCIL THAT THEY CREATED. BUT THEY JUST HAD AN ADVISORY MEETING LAST WEEK AND ARE STARTING TO ALIGN THEIR FREEZING WITH THE WORD REFORM 
          [01:50:08]
WHICH IS GOOD TO SEE. WE WILL BE ALL IN WATCHING THAT. AND IF I MAY, ONE THING ON THE BUDGET IMPACTS WE HAVEN'T TALKED ON IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HIRING FREEZE THAT WILL COME. THERE IS ONE OPEN POSITION AT A MANAGER LEVEL. WE ARE SUCH A SMALL TEAM. A LOT OF THE BUDGET IMPACTS WE ARE SEEING OUR LABOR SUPPORT RELATED AND THEREFORE TO NOT BE ABLE TO FILL THAT NEW POSITION OVER THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR WOULD BE VERY IMPACTFUL FOR US SO WE FULLY ASK FOR AND SUPPORT AND EXEMPTION PROCESS THAT'S LIMITED FOR CERTAIN CASES TO BRING IT BACK TO Y'ALL AT THE 
          RIGHT TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> I WILL ADD ONE THING. IN TERMS OF FIGHTS ON THE HORIZON WE'VE SEEN IT EACH SUBSEQUENT SESSION BUT IT WAS PARTICULARLY AGGRESSIVE THIS SESSION AND WILL ANTICIPATE IT WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE, THERE IS A CONCERTED PUSH COMING FROM CERTAIN PARTS OF THE DEVELOPER COMMUNITY THAT IS AIMED AT LIMITING COUNTY AUTHORITY AND HOW WE MANAGE PLATS AND INSPECTIONS. IT CONDENSES TIMELINES AND CREATES A VARIETY OF CIVIL LIABILITY ISSUES FOR THE COUNTY. WE WILL BE WATCHING THIS AND CONTINUING TO ENGAGE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUING TO DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN A SAFE AND 
          THOUGHTFUL, PROACTIVE WAY. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 3. PRECINCT 4 YOU WILL HAVE FIVE 
          MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> SO YOU MENTIONED GOING WITHOUT THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE THAT YOU RELY ON. IN THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT A SESSION AND SUBSEQUENT SPECIAL SESSIONS, WILL THERE BE FLUCTUATIONS IN THE BUDGET THAT ALLOW YOU TO MAKE UP SOME OF THOSE LOSSES OR AT LEAST , YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE NEEDS-- CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE FLUCTUATION LOOKS LIKE BASED 
          ON HOW SESSIONS ARE TIMED? >> WHEN WE ARE AT A SESSION WE JUST HAVE MORE TIME AND WE CAN DEVOTE OURSELVES TO A LOT OF THINGS THAT THE SESSION, JUST TAKES ALL THE OXYGEN OUT OF THE ROOM FOR THAT SIX MONTHS. BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK, SESSIONS START EARLY NEXT YEAR IN TERMS OF US GETTING IDEAS, CONCERNS, DATA TO THE RIGHT PLACE TO BE READY FOR THE INTERIM HEARINGS. WE WATCH THE INTERIM CHARGES CLOSELY AND WE START ENGAGING TYPICALLY ON BIG , MAJOR INITIATIVES AND COMPLEX THINGS LIKE IF WE GO WORK WITH STATE LEGISLATURE ON POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ENERGY AND POWER COMPLEX THOSE THINGS WE NEED TO START EARLY AND COMMUNICATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO GET PEOPLE ALIGNED EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER. WE WILL BE ABLE TO MANAGE IN THE OFF YEAR, TO SIMPLIFY MY ANSWER. BUT AGAIN, GOING INTO THE SESSION WE 
          WILL PROBABLY NEED TO LEAN ON THOSE . >> ONE THING FOR US TO KEEP IN MIND EVEN THOUGH IT IS A NON-SESSION YEAR WE WILL STILL HAVE INTERIM CHARGES BUT WE ALSO HAVE THE FIFA WORLD CUP AND COURT DIRECTED IGA TO HELP COORDINATE THAT PROCESS AND KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED BUT ALSO FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT OF COURSE WE WILL HAVE FLEXIBILITY IN THE CHAPEL. THERE'S ALWAYS A BASELINE LEVEL OF TRAVEL THAT THE TEAM WILL DO AND WE WILL BE 
          IN AUSTIN A LOT BUT CERTAINLY THERE IS SOME FLEXIBILITY THERE. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT EFFICIENCIES OR COST-SAVING MEASURES THAT THE IGA TEAM HAS 
          IMPLEMENTED OR WORKED THROUGH DURING THE LAST FEW MONTHS? >> YEAH. WE SAVED A LOT OF MONEY ON TRAVEL LAST SESSION VERSUS THE SESSION AND TYPICALLY TWO SESSIONS BEFORE THAT. INSTEAD OF HOTELS WE BEEN USING AIR BNB'S ET CETERA. WE TIRE-- WE PURCHASE LONG-TERM PACKAGES SO PEOPLE CAN GO THERE AND BACK. OTHER EFFICIENCIES, WE'VE TRIED TO LEVERAGE SOME TECHNOLOGY SUBSCRIPTIONS EFFECTIVELY TO JUST, MORE QUICKLY CREATE DELIVERABLES TO GET BACK TO Y'ALL AND GET OUT TO ELECTED OFFICES AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL. IN GENERAL WE ARE ALWAYS 
          [01:55:04]
TRYING TO GET MORE EFFICIENT AND WORK THROUGH OUR SYSTEMS TO STRETCH THE DOLLAR AND EXTRA MILE AND AS WE ALLUDED TO EARLIER WITH THE QUESTION WE RECEIVED FROM PRECINCT NUMBER ONE , PART OF THAT ANALYSIS LOOKING AT HOW MANY BILLS WE SET THEM AND HOW MANY THEY RESPONDED TO AND KIND OF THE QUALITY OF THESE RESPONSES IN TERMS OF HOW HELPFUL IT WAS ENGAGING, THAT WHOLE EFFORT IS TO HELP US WORK WITH Y'ALL AND WORK WITH THEM TO IMPROVE THAT PROCESS AND FIGURE OUT WHERE WE NEED TO PUT IN MORE TIME EARLY TO SAVE TIME AND GET MORE EFFICACY LATE. 
          THESE SYSTEMS HELP THAT EFFICIENCY. WE ARE CONFIDENT WITH EVERYTHING WE DEVELOPED THIS YEAR WE WILL BE IN A BETTER SPOT THIS YEAR LIKE WE WERE LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR BEFORE. THAT 
          ALLEVIATES SOME OF OUR FUNDING CONCERNS TO A DEGREE. >> THANK YOU. IF I COULD JUST DOVETAIL ON THE QUESTION EARLIER ABOUT THE COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS, I THINK WE SAW DURING THIS PAST SESSION WHEN ALL OFFICES WERE ENGAGED AND FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH A CLEAR DIRECTIVE , WE ARE ABLE TO DELIVER MESSAGES TO OFFICES DIRECTLY UTILIZING THE COMMISSIONERS, COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE IN THE NEXT SESSION AND MOVING FORWARD IN GENERAL , BEING MORE COLLABORATIVE. YOU GUYS ARE VERY COLLABORATIVE BUT BEING AGGRESSIVE WITH LOOPING IN TEAM MEMBERS AND THAT WE ARE ALL KNOWING WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING. I THINK WE SAW A LOT OF SUCCESS THIS SESSION WHEN WE WERE 
          COMBINING EFFORTS ACROSS OFFICES. >> ABSOLUTELY AND WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO COMMUNICATE BETTER AND BE MORE COHESIVE WITH EVERY QUARTER OF -- CORNER OF THIS COUNTY AND ELECTED OFFICES. THERE'S NO BETTER ADVOCATE FOR ANY ISSUES THAN THE FIVE MEMBERS 
          OF COURT . >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 4. THAT WILL SUPPORT-- CAN -- THAT WILL 
          CLOSE THE COURT OFFICE SESSION. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE HERE TODAY. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A TOUGH PROCESS. WE REALLY APPRECIATE WORKING WITH Y'ALL EVERY DAY AND WE JUST APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE WORK WE DO AND WE ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WORK WE DO IS FOR YOU AND WE ARE WILLING TO CHANGE, IMPROVE, FIX ANYTHING THAT MAKES 
          SENSE FOR THE COURT AND FOR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. >> AND I WANT TO THROW IN A FEW THINGS WE DID NOT MENTION. ANOTHER THING THAT MAY BE GETS LOST, IN THE PAST YEAR WE ARE CLOSE TO 105TH CONSTITUENCY REQUESTS . THESE ARE FOLKS THAT EITHER REACH OUT TO Y'ALL, THEY COME IN THROUGH STATE LEGISLATIVE OFFICES OR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND IT IS A CONSTITUENT THAT HAS A CHALLENGE INVOLVING THE COUNTY OR SOMETIMES THE CITY AND WE ROUTE IT TO THE RESPECTIVE CITY. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THEM A LOT BUT I THINK , WE HOPE THAT THOSE ARE ANOTHER VALUABLE SERVICE THAT WE HELP PROVIDE FOR Y'ALL AND FOR THE COUNTY IN GENERAL. WE KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY CAN BE A DAUNTING OR COMPLICATED PLACE FOR US AT TIMES BUT CERTAINLY FOR RESIDENTS. SO FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I MENTION THAT. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK. WE ARE HERE TO HELP . AT ALL TIMES YOU CAN REACH US AND JUST LET US KNOW WHAT YOU NEED AND WE WILL KEEP DOING OUR BEST TO FIGHT UNDER THE COURT'S DIRECTION. 
          >> THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR IGA DEPARTMENT. THE NEXT PRESEN 
          [Constable]
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO OUR HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE DEPARTMENT. AS WE BEGIN THIS SESSION WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT SINCE WE HAVE 8 CONSTABLE DEPARTMENTS, THE FORMAT WILL CHANGE JUST A BIT. EACH CONSTABLE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE FOR AN INTRODUCTORY PRESENTATION AND THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND THEN EACH CONSTABLE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE FOR CLOSING REMARKS. SO WE WILL BEGIN WITH CONSTABLE 
          PRECINCT NUMBER ONE. >> MORNING. I WANT TO FIRST THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT, PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT FOR ASSISTING WITH PAY PARITY. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO SHOW THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT WE ARE BEHIND AND 
          [02:00:06]
BACKED AND MAKES IT COMPETITIVE TO KEEP AND FIND GOOD PEOPLE. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE SOMETHING THAT BIG HAS HAPPENED. PRECINCT NUMBER ONE IS CONTINUING TO DO WHAT WE DO, HELP ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP. ALL THE COMMISSIONERS OFFICES. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING MORE AND WHATEVER IS NEEDED. OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN FOR SUPPORT. I'M OPEN FOR ANY 
          QUESTIONS THAT I CAN COVER AND WE WILL GO FROM THERE. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT ONE. WE 
          WILL MOVE ON TO THE INTRODUCTION FROM CONSTABLE PRECINCT TWO. >> I AM HERE TO REPRESENT THE CONSTABLES THAT ARE NOT HERE. A FEW DECIDED TO HAVE ME COME DOWN HERE FIRST OF ALL TO SAY THANK YOU AS WAS MENTIONED FROM THE CHIEF EARLIER, THE PAY PARITY ALLOWS US TO NOT ONLY KEY PEOPLE THAT WE THINK ARE TOP-OF-THE-LINE BUT TO RECRUIT THOSE AND SPECIFICALLY THE PEOPLE WE WANT SHOWING UP AT DOORS WHEN YOU CALL, WHEN MY PARENTS CALL, WHEN MY KIDS CALL, THE ONES THAT WILL SHOW UP. THAT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT. LAW ENFORCEMENT RANKS ARE NOT FULL AS YOU KNOW ESPECIALLY THE PAST THREE YEARS AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE BEST PEOPLE WE CAN. IN THE LAST MONTH I ASKED RECRUITERS WHO WE HIRED AND WE HIRED LESS THAN 10% OF PEOPLE THAT WE APPLIED. THE PAY PARITY WILL ALLOW US TO DO THAT AND WE APPRECIATE YOU FOR THAT. WE ALSO PUT IN A FEW SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS WE HAD ASKED FOR AND IN LIEU OF THAT WE WILL POLITELY PULL THOSE BACK . SOME WE THINK ARE VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE NEED TO DO BUT WE WILL HOLD THOSE UNTIL NEXT YEAR SUCH AS A NUISANCE ABATEMENT TEAM. WE GET A LOT OF CALLS WITH THAT AND WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REACHING OUT FOR HELP WE THINK WE NEED SOME PEOPLE FULLY TO GET AWAY WITH SOME OF THE BLIGHT TO HELP PROPERTY VALUES AND SOME OF THE 
          THINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY GET BACK TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE. >> THANK YOU. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE CAN NOW MOVE ON TO-- WE DO HAVE ANOTHER, APOLOGIES. PRECINCT 8. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. CHIEF DEPUTY FOR PRECINCT 8 ON BEHALF OF CONSTABLE PHIL SANDLIN. I WILL ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAY AND GIVING THANKS TO THE COURT FOR THESE MUCH-NEEDED PAY RAISES. IT IS GOING TO ASSIST US WITH NOT ONLY RECRUITING BUT RETENTION OF THE SWORN PERSONNEL THAT WE DO 
          HAVE SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM DEPARTMENTS WHO WANTED TO BRIEFLY DO AN INTRODUCTION? OKAY, THANK YOU. NOW WE WILL MOVE TO QUESTIONS FROM COURT OFFICES. EACH OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES BEGINNING WITH 
          PRECINCT 1. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. AT THIS TIME WE DO NOT HAVE 
          QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU CHIEF FOR COMING BY. THIS YEAR THE COURT AUTHORIZED CONSTABLES ESTABLISH A DETECTIVE BREAK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY. THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU WILL RECEIVE 220 DETECTIVES HANDLING A WIDE RANGE OF CASES. 
          IS THERE ANY COLLABORATION OR COORDINATION INTO HOW THOSE ARE MANAGED ACROSS JURISDICTIONS SHARED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR OTHER MUNICIPAL AGENCIES IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY? 
          >> FOR ANYBODY. >> WE COLLABORATE WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT CASES. A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE THE 1ST TO ARRIVE ON THE SCENES SO WE WILL GATHER INFORMATION AND IF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAN HANDLE IT WE WILL PASS IT TO THEM OR MAYBE WE CAN HANDLE IT INTERNALLY. 
          >> IT IS THE SAME. WE HAVE SEVERAL DETECTIVES THAT HAVE BEEN DOING INVESTIGATIONS WELL BEFORE THIS WAS ESTABLISHED. FOR INSTANCE WE HAVE PEOPLE TO LOOK INTO CHILD CRIMES ARE THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION, SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT AND THEY COLLABORATE WITH DETECTIVES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE 
          NOT WORKING THE SAME THING HOLDING CASES BACK AND FORTH. >> CAN SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIVE CASES BE TRANSFERRED AND IS THERE SPECIFIC PROTOCOL FOR THAT? 
          >> IT'S ACTUALLY ON THE SERVICES WHETHER IT'S WITH ANY OF THE CONSTABLES OR THE 
          SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> EARLIER THIS MORNING THE SHERIFF NOTED THAT RESPONSE MODEL CAN ALWAYS BE IMPROVED PARTICULARLY FOR SERVICES INVOLVING SOCIAL ISSUES LIKE POVERTY ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH . WHAT MODEL DO THE CONSTABLE USE WHEN ADDRESSING 
          [02:05:03]
          CALLS RELATED TO THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES? >> THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS YOU CAN IMPROVE AND THE PUSH FOR A PROACTIVE RESPONSE INSTEAD OF A REACTIVE RESPONSE. IN ORDER TO GET CALLS FOR SERVICE DOWN YOU HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE AND IF YOU ARE REACTIVE YOU JUST GO FROM THE NEXT ONE TO THE NEXT ONE . BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE DEPUTIES ON THE STREET KNOWING WHO JUST MOVED INTO THE HOUSE AND WHO'S GOING TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES SAYING WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I AM DEPUTY SUCH AND SUCH. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING REACH OUT. I DOING A REACTIVE RESPONSE WHICH IS WHAT COMMUNITY POLICING IS IT'S GOING TO NOT ONLY MAKE PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE BUT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET OUT WITH FRIENDS AND ENJOY THE PARKS THAT PRECINCTS HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO AND I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING. PATROL RESPONSE SHOULD 
          NOT BE 100% REACTIVE. >> THANK YOU CHIEF. WE YIELD THE REST OF OUR TIME. 
          >> GOOD MORNING GUYS. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. MY FIRST QUESTION WAS GOING TO BE MERELY JUST ABOUT NEEDS BEING MET. ARE THERE ANY NEEDS BEING UNADDRESSED? 
          >> AS ALWAYS WE TRY TO DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE LAST YEAR WE HAD CALL TAKERS OVER 580,000 TIMES WHICH RESPONDED TO OVER WRITE ABOUT 650 CALLS FOR SERVICE SO THAT IS A LOT OF CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO ANSWER. YES THEY ARE DOING IT AND I FEEL THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. RESPONSE TIMES ARE VERY LOW. TRYING TO GET THE INFORMATION AND GET THE REPORT DONE SO THEY CAN GO OUT AND BE PROACTIVE. THERE ARE THINGS WE THINK WE NEED LIKE SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS BUT IN LIEU OF THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE COUNTY WE DECIDED WE WOULD WAIT UNTIL 
          NEXT YEAR TO PUSH SOME OF THOSE. >> THERE ARE SOME AREAS THAT THE SECURITY GROUP HAVE GOTTEN WITH OUR DEPARTMENT AND LOOKING FOR SOME SUPPORT. WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH THEM THE LAST FEW YEARS. THERE'S A LOT OF INTEL BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE WE'VE CONTINUED TO TRY AND BUILD THAT AND IN THE PAST IT WAS HANDLED WITHIN THAT GROUP AND NOW THEY ARE ASKING US TO PUT IT UP AS A BUDGET ITEM. WHEN WE GOT THE DATA BACK IT WAS PASSED THE DEADLINE OF TURNING THAT IN. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK CHIEF SHAW HAD GIVEN TO BOTH COMMISSIONERS OFFICES. 
          >> WE HAVE TURNED IN THAT INFORMATION TO ALL THE FOLKS THAT WORK FOR THE COMMISSIONERS ASSESSING SECURITY SO THE NEED WOULD BE , THERE'S A SECURITY ISSUE THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND NOW WE BEEN ASKED TO SUBMIT THOSE AS PERSONNEL ITEMS SO I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A 
          WORKOUT ABOUT HOW THE NEED GETS ADDRESSED. >> TWO OF THE CONSTABLES WALKED IN, TERRY ALLBRITTON AND ALAN ROSEN. APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING HERE. I SERVED ON THE PAY PARITY BOARD OR COMMISSION TO TRY TO WORK ON THE DISCREPANCIES. THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT MAKE THAT INTERESTING. I KNOW THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SOME DIFFERENT INCENTIVES AND I KNOW THE DISCUSSION WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE INTO NEXT YEAR. ARE THERE INCENTIVES LIKE WE CAN PATROL NIGHTS THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING GOING 
          FORWARD? >> I THINK TO REACH TRUE PAY PARITY WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE SOME OF THE INCENTIVES THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS SO WE CAN KEEP QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED POLICE OFFICERS ON CERTAIN SHIPS. RIGHT NOW YOUR SHIFTS ARE BASED ON SENIORITY SO NEW DEPUTIES ARE USUALLY ON EVENINGS OR NIGHTS AND MORE EXPERIENCED ON DAY SHIFTS. IF THERE'S A REASON THEY WOULD STAY OUT THERE FOR A LITTLE EXTRA MONEY LIKE THE CITY OF HOUSTON WE COULD SPREAD OUT EXPERIENCED OFFICERS SO THERE WOULD BE SOME ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS. THERE ARE SOME WE 
          DECIDED WE WOULD DISCUSS FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE. >> I JUST WANTED TO ADD TO THAT. 
          ESPECIALLY ON THE NIGHT SHIFT, MY DAUGHTER IS A NURSE AND THEY GET EXTRA MONEY, WEEKENDS GET MORE MONEY BECAUSE IT'S TOUGH ON FAMILY, TOUGH ON YOUR BODY TO WORK NIGHTS. I'VE DONE THAT FOR YEARS IN ANY OFFICER CAN TELL YOU THE SAME THING. IT'S A TOUGH ENVIRONMENT TO BE IN SO I 
          THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING EXTRA FOR THAT. >> YOU OVERSEE DISPATCH. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE COMPLICATIONS THAT MAY ARISE TRYING TO CONSOLIDATE 8 CONSTABLE 
          DISPATCHES INTO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? >> THERE'S DIFFERENT AVENUES YOU CAN DO WITH THAT AT ALL OF THEM HAVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS, IF YOU WILL. FOR ONE, A LOT OF 
          [02:10:05]
PEOPLE WORK CLOSE TO WHERE THEY LIVE SO TRYING TO GET PEOPLE LIVING DOWN SOUTH TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY UP TO I THINK ALL DENA 59, THAT'S REALLY TOUGH. THAT'S PERSONAL TIME, THEY ARE LOSING FAMILY TIME DRIVING BACK AND FORTH FOR AN HOUR EACH WAY. YOU ARE LOOKING AT HOW DO YOU HANDLE WHAT YOUR SHIFT IS. THEY MAY BE ON DAYS, SENIORITY ISSUES, UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERY AGENCY HANDLES DISPATCH DIFFERENTLY SO HOW WE MAY HANDLE A CALL, A CALL IS A CALL BUT HOW WE MANAGE IT ON THE BACKSIDE MAY BE DIFFERENT. WHO GETS NOTIFIED, WHO GETS SENT OUT, I THINK THOSE ARE SOME CONCERNS. A LOT OF TRAINING CONCERNS AND THEN HOW DO YOU HANDLE CALLS THAT COME IN FOR THESE CONTRACTS? IF I LIVE IN THE CITY AND THE DISPATCHER GOES TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THEY COULD BE TAKING OUR DISPATCHER ALONG WITH THEM OR NOT? THERE ARE SO MANY UNKNOWNS AND IT COULD ACTUALLY BE DONE IF THEY REALLY NEEDED SUPPORT THEY COULD MAKE EACH OF THE LARGE AGENCIES OR ALL AGENCIES BE A SIDE PIECE AND CAN ACTUALLY HELP WITH THOSE CALLS FROM OUR OWN OFFICES. WITH TECHNOLOGY TODAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN THE OFFICE TO HELP SUPPORT THAT 
          OFFICE. WE DO IT EVERY DAY IN TECHNOLOGY. >> THANKS TO ALL OF THE LAW 
          ENFORCEMENT FOLKS AND WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP. >> THANK YOU FOR SUPPORT ON THE 
          PAY PARITY. >> WE GAVE EVERYONE A MINUTE. FEEL FREE TO USE IT NOW OR 
          RESERVE IT FOR LATER. >> I THINK I CAN GET IT DONE IN A MINUTE. I WILL TALK FAST. 
          FIRST I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE GRATITUDE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AS WELL AS YOUR RESPECTIVE STAFF AND BUDGET OFFICE AND ALL THE OTHER COUNTY APARTMENTS INVOLVED FOR ACHIEVING PAY PARITY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. YOUR SWIFT AND DECISIVE ACTION HELPS PREVENT A LOOMING CRISIS WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY HUNDREDS OF DEPUTIES SHORT. WE FACED LOSING MANY MORE TO THE SEVERELY OF HOUSTON WHICH WOULD HAVE SEVERELY JEOPARDIZE PUBLIC SAFETY. THANKS TO YOUR LEADERSHIP WE ARE IN A STRONGER POSITION-- STRONGER POSITION TO ATTRACT THE NEXT GENERATION. MANY PEOPLE SAY I LOVE BEING A POLICE OFFICER BUT I CANNOT BE ONE FOREVER. WE NEED TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF DEPUTIES AND COMPETITIVE STARTING SALARIES ARE ESSENTIAL. YOUR DECISION TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD HAS ALREADY HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT AND I AM OPTIMISTIC WE WILL STILL-- SOON HAVE MORE APPLICANTS THAN VACANCY. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT THE SAFETY OF CITIZENS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STATUTORY FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT. YOUR HARD WORK ON BOLD STEPS HELP TO ENSURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS SAFER FOR YEARS TO COME. NEXT IS MORE TOWARDS DANIEL. I KNOW THERE IS SOME DEBATE BETWEEN ADOPTED AND ADJUSTED BUDGETS AND I UNDERSTAND THE POLITICS BUT OUR ADJUSTED BUDGET IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LARGER. I THINK CONSTABLE HERMAN WILL BE AROUND 16 OR 17 MILLION. OUR ADOPTED BUDGET LOADS ON OCTOBER 1 AND THAT ADJUSTED DOES NOT . THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE INSTANTLY HAS US IN THE RED AND WE CANNOT OPEN PURCHASE ORDERS. MY ONLY ASK IS CAN WE GET THESE LOADED CLOSER TOGETHER SO IT DOESN'T INTERRUPT THE DAY TO DAY THAT WE 
          HAVE TO DO? >> WHY DON'T YOU AND I SIT WITH THE COUNTY AUDITOR ON THIS? I 
          THINK THERE'S A SOLUTION. >> THAT WAS REALLY MY ONLY ASK. IT INTERRUPTED STUFF THE BEGINNING OF LAST BUDGET YEAR AND I'M TRYING TO AVOID THAT THIS YEAR. 
          >> THANK YOU CONSTABLE. COMMISSIONER YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REMARKS AND ALSO FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. WE SHARE SO MUCH JURISDICTION AND I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM. CONSTABLE ROSEN AND HERMAN ARE MY PARTNERS SO I APPRECIATE YOU AS WELL AS ALL OF YOUR OTHER COLLEAGUES. CHIEF SHAW, EVERYONE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL AND I APPRECIATED DEEPLY. I PROBABLY SUPPORTED PAY PARITY. I KNOW WE STARTED DISCUSSING WHAT WE THINK WILL POSITIVELY HAPPEN BECAUSE OF IT AND TO ME IT WAS ONE OF THOSE NONNEGOTIABLE'S THAT WE KEPT THE EXPERIENCE AND KEPT OFFICERS SO WE CAN KEEP HARRIS COUNTY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND EVERYONE ON THE COMMITTEE 
          [02:15:04]
THAT MADE IT HAPPEN AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT BEING EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT WITH YOUR TEAMS WHAT DID YOU SEE AS THE ONGOING CHALLENGE WE WERE SOLVING FOR AND WHAT IMPACT DO YOU BELIEVE 
          PAY PARITY WILL HAVE ON PRECINCT 5 AND THE OTHER PRECINCTS? >> THERE WERE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT HAD APPLICATIONS TO LEAVE. YOU'RE GOING TO REMOVE A LOT OF OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE LIKE UNDER 10 YEARS. IT'S HARD TO PLAN ESPECIALLY AN AGENCY LIKE OURS THAT IS GROWING, HOW DO WE GROW WHEN WE DON'T HAVE NEW PEOPLE COMING IN? IT'S LESS ABOUT SALARIES AND MORE ABOUT PROVIDING SAFETY BECAUSE WE WERE ABOUT TO LOSE IT ALL SO I APPRECIATE YOU STEPPING UP AND DOING THIS. I THINK EVERYONE ARGUED THAT WE DON'T NEED THIS, DON'T NEED THAT BUT I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC REALLY UNDERSTOOD HOW CLOSE THEY WERE TO NOT HAVING ANYONE ANSWER THE CALL. SOME OF THE RESPONSE TIMES IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY ALREADY MAY BE LONGER THAN THEY SHOULD BE AND THAT WAS GOING TO BE MAYBE WE WILL GET TO YOU AT SOME POINT TODAY BECAUSE THERE WOULD NOT BE OFFICERS THERE TO ANSWER THE CALL. WE ARE ALREADY SEEING APPLICATIONS COMING IN THAT WOULD NOT HAVE COMMITTED HAD THIS NOT MADE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC EYE THAT YOU CAN AFFORD 
          TO BE AN OFFICER AGAIN SO THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING THAT. >> I'M VERY PROUD AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. MY NEXT QUESTION IS SMALL BUT ONE THAT I WOULD LOVE AN UPDATE ON. WE KNOW THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MUST REPORT AND THERE WAS THAT CHANGE IN LAW AND WE FUNDED ADDITIONAL COURT POSITIONS TO HELP WITH THE WORKLOAD SO I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR AN UPDATE ON HOW THAT IS WORKING AND HOW THE PROCESS IS GOING THUS FAR. 
          >> IT'S GOING GREAT WITH OUR AGENCY. WE WERE GIVEN TWO CLERKS AND THAT SUFFICED FOR NOW AS CALL VOLUME GOES UP OF COURSE WE WILL HAVE TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR MORE BUT THE TWO THAT ARE DOING IT ARE WORKING GREAT. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE CITY. WE STARTED USING OUR OWN CASE NUMBERS WHEREAS WE USED TO USE CITY NUMBERS AND IT'S ALL WORKING GREAT . 
          >> FOR ALL WHO MAY BE LISTENING COULD YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHEN A CALL COMES IN, HOW THE CONSTABLES HELP WITH ROLLOVER CALLS FROM THE SHERIFF TO THE CONSTABLES AND HOW YOU 
          WORK AS A TEAM? >> NONE OF US HAVE OUR OWN SEPARATE SYSTEM. WE ALL WORK OFF THE COUNTIES SYSTEM SO EVEN WHEN I GET IN THE CAR I CAN SEE WHAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS DOING. I CAN SEE YOU ARE ALL OF THEIR UNITS ARE AND THEY CAN DO THE SAME FOR US. DISPATCH LIKE THE CHIEF WAS SAYING, WE ALL USE THE SAME SYSTEM. WE CAN ALL SEE EACH OTHER'S CALLS AND SEE WHERE THE UNITS ARE IN RELATION TO THAT CALL SO IF THERE'S A CALL THAT IS HOLDING AND IT'S A PRIORITY AND THERE'S NOT A UNIT CLOSE BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CAN SEE ONE OF US AND CALL OUR OFFICE AND SAY WE ARE GOING TO ROLL THAT OVER TO YOU GUYS. YOU HAVE THE NEXT CLOSEST UNIT AND IT'S A PRIORITY CALL. WE DO THAT ALREADY SO THERE'S NO ISLAND OVER EACH OFFICE FOR DISPATCH. IT'S ALL USING THE SAME SYSTEM AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE THAT IS LOCATED. WE 
          ARE ALL DISPATCHING THE SAME THINGS. >> THANK YOU CONSTABLE AND CHIEF. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AND I ESPECIALLY APPRECIATE HOW RESPONSIVE YOU HAVE BEEN WHETHER IT'S A POTENTIAL SHOOTER WE WERE ABOUT TO HAVE AT ONE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS OR MY STAFF MEMBERS GETTING SHOT OUTSIDE OF ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS OR ALL THE INCIDENTS WE HAVE HAD IN OUR SHARED JURISDICTION. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. 
          >> WE APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT BECAUSE A LOT OF THOSE PART DEPUTIES ARE FUNDED OUT OF YOUR PRECINCT SO WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR 
          QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. CAN YOU PLEASE DISCUSS WHETHER THERE ARE ANY RECENT CHANGES TO LEGISLATION THAT YOU EXPECT TO IMPACT YOUR DEPARTMENTS IN ANY 
          SIGNIFICANT WAY? >> EVERY TWO YEARS THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP . 
          I BELIEVE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE CONTRACT BUILD. I DON'T KNOW ALL THE DETAILS ON 
          [02:20:07]
THAT ONE BUT THERE'S NOTHING THAT I KNOW SPECIFICALLY THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT HOW WE DO OUR 
          STUFF DAY TODAY. >> THANK YOU. >> THAT'S ALL WE HAVE . 
          >> THANK YOU COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. SINCE WE HAVE ADDITIONAL YIELDED TIME, COMMISSIONER BRIONES IF YOU HAD ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, PLEASE FEEL FREE. 
          >> MAY BE CHIEF SHAW IF YOU COULD TAKE THIS OR IF YOU WANT TO TAGTEAM THIS QUESTION, I KNOW SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT QUITE A BIT IS SECURITY RELATED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER AS WELL AS THE DOWNTOWN COMPLEX GENERALLY. COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE SOME KEY UPDATES? I APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS. COULD YOU TALK THROUGH UPDATES OR KEY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUED 
          IMPROVEMENT? >> ABSOLUTELY. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND TANYA MILLS FROM THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION WHO HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'VE SEEN COME UP. ONE OF THE ISSUES IS, STAFFING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE SO WE NOW HAVE A CONFLICT WHERE THERE IS NOT OVERNIGHT LAW ENFORCEMENT COVERAGE. WHAT WE SUBMITTED IS BASICALLY A WHITE PAPER THAT TALKS ABOUT THE POSITIONS THAT NEED TO BE FILLED, THE CHALLENGE IS THAT THE DISTRICT CLERK , THE DA AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO WORK OVERNIGHT ESPECIALLY IN THE JUVENILE BUILDING, NEED SECURITY IN THOSE BUILDINGS AND SPECIFICALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY ARE PILOTING A PROGRAM RIGHT NOW WITH SECURITY GUARDS. 
          WE'VE SUBMITTED SOME INFORMATION ON HOW THAT'S GOING SO WE WOULD URGE ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COURT TO LOOK AT THAT INFORMATION. THE SECOND THING, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT OR I CAN MOVE TO NUMBER TWO. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH , THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT INNOVATIONS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HOW WE ADDRESS SOME OF THE POVERTY ISSUES. ONE OF THE WAYS THE COURT HAS MENTIONED IS USING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS SOCIAL WORKERS OR LICENSED PROFESSIONALS IN MENTAL HEALTH TO BE EMBEDDED WITH OUR DOWNTOWN WHAT WE CALL LINCOLN UNITS OR CRISIS INTERVENTION UNITS WHERE PEOPLE ARE HAVING MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES OR HOUSING STABILITY CHALLENGES. IT CAN BE ADDRESSED BY THESE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SO WE'VE ALSO SUBMITTED A PAPER ON THAT AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE COURT WANTED TO MOVE TOWARDS. I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO ADDRESSING SOME OF THE LOW INCOME POVERTY HOUSING INSTABILITY ISSUES THAT WE SEE DOWNTOWN. THE LAST ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH CANINES. WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN REQUESTS FOR CANINES WHO DO DETECTION FOR PACKAGES AND OTHER ISSUES WHERE WE ARE CURRENTLY SHORT SO WE HAVE CONSTABLE ROSEN WHO HAS ARRANGED TO HAVE THE CANINES THEMSELVES PAID FOR BUT WE WOULD NEED TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS AND THAT WAY WE COULD MEET ALL THE DEMANDS WE ARE CURRENTLY GETTING FOR CANINES IN THE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS AND THROUGHOUT THE 
          COMPLEX. >> I WANTED TO RETURN TO THE ADOPTED VERSUS ADJUSTED BUDGET ITEM. I KNOW THAT OTHERS HAVE RAISED THIS. THANK YOU FOR SITTING DOWN AND MEETING WITH THEM AS WELL AS WITH THE AUDITOR AND I'VE ASKED THEM TO PLEASE ATTEND TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE FROM A REGULATORY LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND A TIMING OPERATIONS PROCESS MANAGEMENT SO THAT WE CAN BE AS STREAMLINED AND EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. LASTLY FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE STANDPOINT I KNOW THAT DIFFERENT CONSTABLES HAVE DIFFERENT ADDITIONAL UNITS AND THEY HAVE VERY UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT EXPERTISE THAT AUGMENTS WHAT THE SHERIFF DOES AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS. CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WORK BEING DONE AND SOME OF THE KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THAT WORK? 
          >> YES MA'AM. ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME IS UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT AND THE WAY THAT IT'S PROCESS. 
          WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DAS OFFICE AND WORK CLOSELY WITH STAFF. WE'VE DONE A LOT WITH THE CITY AND ILLEGAL DUMPING WHETHER IT'S AIR OR WATER POLLUTION. WE'VE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON CAMERA SYSTEMS CUSTOM-BUILT , WE HAVE THE NETWORK , THE BACKEND, OUR NEW 
          [02:25:02]
SYSTEM EVEN MONITORS AND RUNS THE LICENSE PLATES OF PEOPLE COMMITTING THE DUMPLINGS. WE MONITOR INSIDE OF DISPATCH AND EVEN WHEN THE CITY HAD A DOJ SITUATION AND THEY HAD TO DO SOME TYPE OF RESOLUTION, THE CITY MET WITH US AND WENT OVER RESOLUTIONS AND THEY PICKED HOURS WHICH, WE CAME TO COURT AND HAD AN AWARD TO MANAGE THAT BECAUSE WE ARE VERY UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT HOW WE HANDLE IT. IT'S DIFFERENT IN EVERY AREA BUT ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS WE HANDLE IS ANY KIND OF WRECKING YARDS AND SO FORTH WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT GROUND 
          POLLUTION. >> WHAT I WANTED TO ADD IS THE CHALLENGES WE'VE SEEN IN SOME OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE HELPED BEFORE. SOME OF THE DESIGNS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED HAVE REALLY CHANGED, THE WAY THE NEIGHBORHOOD LANDSCAPE FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POINT , PEOPLE WERE NOT GETTING THAT TYPE OF HELP FOR BUT NOW THEY ARE GETTING THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS RECLAIMED BY PEOPLE COMING FROM OTHER PLACES AND DUMPING IN SOME 
          OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS. >> SURPRISING. USUALLY IT'S A CONTRACTOR WORKING FOR SOMEONE 
          IN THAT AREA OR SOMEONE IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD. >> THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE TEAMS WORKING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY. I THINK WE ARE AT TIMES I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 2 YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES 27 SECONDS. 
          >> NO MORE QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCTS THREE AND 4. JUDGE'S OFFICE? 
          >> DON'T NEED TO USE THEM, THANK YOU. >> WE WILL NOW MOVE TO CLOSING STATEMENTS FROM EACH CONSTABLE OFFICE. EACH OF YOU WILL BE ALLOCATED APPROXIMATELY ONE 
          MINUTE AND WE BUILT WILL BEGIN WITH PRECINCT ONE. >> I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT AS WELL AS BUDGET MANAGEMENT. I THINK BUDGET MANAGEMENT FOR ALL THE WORK THEIR TEAM DID AND THEY WORKED CLOSELY WITH US ALONG WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. IT'S BEEN A GOOD COLLABORATIVE WORKING TEAM AND THAT'S WHY I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT WE BEEN 
          GIVEN. >> NEXT CONSTABLE REPRESENTATIVE? 
          >> I'M GOING TO ECHO WHAT THE CHIEF SAID. THANK YOU TO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. YALL'S OFFICES WHETHER IT'S BEEN THIS YEAR OR IN THE PAST WORKING WITH WHAT YOU'VE NEEDED IN YOUR PRECINCTS. WE ARE HERE TO DO WHAT Y'ALL NEED AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT CONSTITUENTS HAVE COME TO EXPECT WHICH WE BELIEVE IS EXEMPLARY AND WE DON'T WANT 
          TO DO ANYTHING THAT MAY PUT THAT INTO JEOPARDY, SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THE MICROPHONE, SIR. >> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I ALSO SPOKE TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S OFFICE WHO ALSO PITCHES IN A LOT OF MONEY. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU OUT BECAUSE I KNOW THE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH BOTH OF THOSE OFFICES HAS BEEN VERY VALUABLE AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR 
          HAVING US. >> THANK YOU, CONSTABLE. WOULD ANY OTHER CONSTABLE OR CONSTABLE 
          REPRESENTATIVE LIKE TO MAKE CLOSING REMARKS? >> I WILL JUST ECHO AGAIN WHAT MANY HAVE SAID AND THAT'S THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT BEING SHOWN. THESE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE A TOUGH JOB. IS VERY HARD ON THEIR FAMILIES AND THOSE WHO LIVE THE LIFE WITH THEM SO THIS PAY PARITY IS GOING TO GO A LONG WAY TO NOT ONLY RETAINING TALENT AS I MENTIONED BEFORE BUT 
          RECRUITING NEW TALENT SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. WOULD ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIVE LIKE TO MAKE CLOSING REMARKS? WITH THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE DEPARTMENTS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION TODAY. THE NEXT 
          PRESENTATION WILL BE THE OFFICE OF MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL . >> WE WILL START AT 12:45. 
          >> 
          [Office of Managed Assigned Counsel]
          >> WELCOME BACK , COURT OFFICES. WE RESUME OUR BUDGET HEARING PRESENTATIONS WITH A PRESENTATION FROM THE OFFICE OF MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL . WE WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR 
          [02:30:01]
QUESTIONS AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. WHEN YOU ARE READY, DIRECTOR. 
          >> REALLY QUICKLY I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS THIS UP FRONT. AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DIRECTOR AND WE WILL BE CHANGING OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THEIR BUDGET AND FINDING ALTERNATE OFFSETS SO I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT UP FRONT THAT IN THE NEXT PROPOSED BUDGET WE WILL RESTORE I THINK THE 
          $200,000 THAT WE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISTER RAMOS AND GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND COURT REPRESENTATIVES. GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN. MY NAME IS KENNETH HARDIN AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL. IS TO IMPROVE REPRESENTATION FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY AND ABROAD TO SAY WE HAVE DELIVERED. 
          REVAMPING THE SYSTEM TO ENSURE FAIR AND EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF CASES, DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS FROM 108, TO 218 AND IMPLEMENTING THE STATES ONLY CASE LAW GUIDELINES AND MONITORING SYSTEM, LAUNCHING NEW ATTORNEY SUPPORT SERVICES AND PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH TRANSPARENT DASHBOARDS OF OUTCOMES. TODAY, AND MISTER RAMOS THANKFULLY COMMENTED ON THIS, THE GREATEST THREAT WAS SUSTAINING THE PROGRESS AND NOT JUST UNMET NEEDS. IT'S THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE. THE PROPOSED BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS , FOR EVERYONE'S INDULGENCE, WAS TO OFFSET $348,844. WITH AN OPERATING BUDGET OF ONLY $100,000 THE ONLY WAY TO ABSORB THE REDUCTION WOULD HAVE BEEN CUTTING TWO OR THREE EXISTING POSITIONS. FOR THIS REASON THE TOP PRIORITY IS TO RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE COURT CONSIDER EXEMPTING FROM OFFSETS ALTOGETHER BUT FROM PREVENTING CUTS WE CONTINUE TO FACE CRITICAL CAPACITY NEEDS WHICH ARE TWO VOUCHER ASSISTANCE TO AVOID A REPEAT OF THE NEARLY 3000 VOUCHER BACKLOG WE FACED EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH TWO STAFF CURRENTLY PROCESSING 800 VOUCHERS PER WEEK . A SECOND IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY IS NEEDED AS ONE HANDLED 190 IN 2023 ALONE . AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE ATTORNEY IS NECESSARY TO CLOSE THE ATTORNEY OVERSIGHT GAP AS THE STATE RECOMMENDS ONE-- A RATIO OF ONE RESOURCE ATTORNEY FOR EVERY 35 ATTORNEYS ON THE LIST BUT WITH 218 ATTORNEYS ON THE LIST THE RATIO IS ONE 250 4 1/2. THE SERVICE REQUEST TOTALED $950,788 BUT EVEN MORE URGENT THAN THOSE IS PROTECTING STAFF WE ALREADY HAVE. THIS OFFICE MANAGES 82% OF APPOINTMENTS , MORE THAN 30,000 CASES ANNUALLY. THE COUNTY HAS INVESTED WISELY AND WE RESPECTFULLY ASK NOT TO LET THAT PROGRESS SLIP BACKWARDS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU DIRECTOR. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 
          TWO. >> GOOD AFTERNOON , DIRECTOR. FIRST OF ALL I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE COUNTY. YOU HAVE BEEN SO EASY TO WORK WITH OVER THE YEARS. YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE TO PICK UP A PHONE CALL, HELP EXPLAIN THE PROCESSES TO ME, SO WE ARE REALLY DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTY. YOU ARE PROBABLY THE MOST COMMUNICATIVE OF ALL OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT I WORK WITH SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. SO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BUDGET PROCESS THERE WAS SOME TALK ABOUT CUTTING EXISTING VACANCIES. JUST TO BE CLEAR YOU DON'T HAVE ANY VACANCIES, IS 
          THAT CORRECT? >> WE HAVE ONE VACANCY OF VOUCHER ASSISTANT THAT RESIGNED APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING THAT POSITION BECAUSE OF HOW CRUCIAL MAINTAINING A VOUCHER AND PREVENTING A BACKLOG IS BUT BEYOND THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY VACANCIES IN THE TWO OR THREE EXISTING POSITIONS EXACTLY AS STATED, NOT ANY INTENTIONS OF 
          BRINGING ON NEW ADDITIONAL POSITIONS. >> UNDERSTOOD. 
          >> SOUNDS LIKE THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES ON RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THEY WILL NOT BE CUTTING AS MUCH AS WE FEARED. HOW WILL CURRENT PROPOSED CUTS BE IMPACTING YOUR BUDGET? 
          >> THE CURRENT PROPOSED CUTS, $348,000. SO THE 348,000 CUTS , OUR OFFICE WORKED WITH THE BOARD AND IN DISCUSSIONS WITH VARIOUS PRECINCTS. EACH SCENARIO WE IDENTIFIED THERE WERE 2 TO 3 POSITIONS AND NO WAY TO AVOID THAT BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD BE CUT. IT 
          [02:35:01]
WOULD ALSO BE OPERATIONAL EXPENSES. WE RUN A LEAN OPERATIONAL EXPENSE BUDGET THAT WOULD BE CUT IN ADDITION TO THOSE TWO OR THREE POSITIONS DEPENDING ON WHICH ONES THEY ARE BUT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THERE WOULD NOT BE AT MINIMUM TWO POSITIONS 
          CUT BY THIS OFFSET. >> JUST TO BE CLEAR WE ARE GOING TO RECOMMEND FULLY RESTORING 
          THAT BUDGET? >> ALL OF IT. >> THANK YOU , DIRECTOR HARDIN FOR BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION WE NEEDED TO REVERSE COURSE. 
          >> I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE IMPLEMENTED AN EMERGENCY VOUCHER APPROVAL PROCESS TO ENABLE QUICKER PROCESSING TIMES. IF THIS EMERGENCY PLAN THAT YOU HAVE UTILIZED WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE SAME LEVEL OF OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, WHY CAN'T WE JUST RUN THAT 
          YEAR-ROUND? >> THE PROBLEM WITH THE VOUCHER EMERGENCY PLAN IS THAT IT WAS IMPLEMENTED WHEN WE HAD 200,957 PENDING VOUCHERS AND THAT PLAN WAS IMPLEMENTED ON APRIL 23 AND WE WERE ABLE TO -- FROM JUNE 19. BEING IN A VOUCHER EMERGENCY PLAN YEAR ROUND, YOU ARE REMOVING CRITICAL CHECKS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE ACCURACY OF VOUCHERS BEING REPORTED SO FOR EXAMPLE IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE COURT RECORD AND WHAT IS ACTUALLY LISTED ON AN APPOINTMENT FORM THAT COULD LEAD TO VARIOUS DISCREPANCIES IF WE WERE TO REMOVE THAT CHECK WHICH WAS SUSPENDED UNTIL WE GET THE VOUCHER BACKLOG DOWN. ANOTHER IS ON THE INTERNAL CASE REVIEW VOUCHERS. WE HAVE DIFFERENT SCREENS AND AMONGST ONE OF THOSE WE WERE PROPOSING MOVING LIKE SET ONE SO THE ONLY THING WE WOULD BE CHECKING FOR IS TO MAKE SURE THAT ON EACH DAY EACH ATTORNEY IS NOT EXHAUSTING 24 HOURS. THAT CHECK WILL REMAIN IN PLACE BUT EXAMINING TIME, IF THEY ARE 8 HOURS OUT OF COURT, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED. 
          IF WE WERE TO BE ON AN EMERGENCY VOUCHER PLAN THE ENTIRE YEAR ROUND YOU ARE REMOVING THESE CHECKS AND INCREASING THE FACT THAT SOMETHING CAN HAPPEN THROUGH A MEDIA RELEASE OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE THAT SHOWS GROSS INACCURACIES THAT COULD NOT BE DETECTED OTHERWISE. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD . THANK YOU, THAT IS ALL MY QUESTIONS. >> PRECINCT 3 YOU WILL HAVE FIVE 
          MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> I WANT YOU TO KNOW AGAIN HOW PLEASED WE ARE THE CHANGES YOU HAVE MADE. ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH WAS INCREASING ATTORNEYS FROM 100 TO 200. HOW MANY MORE STAFF WOULD YOU NEED IF YOU INCREASE IT BEYOND THAT? 
          >> SURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS. AS IT STANDS WITH 218 WITHOUT EVEN INCREASING MORE WE ARE ALREADY OVERCAPACITY SO I DEFINITELY WANT TO DRAW THAT OUT AND BUY OVERCAPACITY WE DON'T JUST MEAN COME-- OUR ABILITY TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT. WE MEAN OPENING THE APPOINTMENT LIST WHICH WE HAVE NOT DONE SINCE SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. JUST THIS MORNING GETTING OFF THE ELEVATOR ON MY WAY HERE I WAS STOPPED BY AN ATTORNEY. WHEN YOU GOING TO OPEN THE LIST? IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR QUESTIONS DESPITE THE OFFSET DOMINATING THE CONVERSATION. WE HAVE NOT OPENED THE LIST BECAUSE WE NEED MORE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND TO MAINTAIN VOUCHER CONTROL. HOW MANY ATTORNEYS WE WOULD NEED, WE LOOK AT FORMULAS BASED ON CASELOAD STUDIES AND IN PARTICULAR THE STATE STUDY IMPLEMENTED IN 2015 AND THEN YOU HAVE THE 2022 STUDY. IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT CASELOAD CONTROLS WHICH WE HAVE IN PLACE WE WOULD NEED, NOW OBVIOUSLY WITH PRIVATE ATTORNEYS ONE HUNT ABOUT 58% OF THEIR CASES WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THAT PARTICULAR PIECE YOU ARE LOOKING AT WELL OVER 250 ATTORNEYS YOU WOULD NEED SO THAT CASELOADS DO NOT INCREASE. EVEN NOW WE WOULD NEED TO OPEN A LIST BUT BECAUSE OF CAPACITY REASONS WE HAVE NOT. WE'VE JUST HAD TO INCREASE CASELOAD MONITORING CONTROLS IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE SO WE WOULD NEED 20 - 30 MORE ATTORNEYS TO ENSURE THAT AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT ONE OF 34 WE ARE LOOKING AT AT LEAST TWO. THE RATIO DEMANDS TWO AND OUR ASK IS FOR ONE. BUT THE RATIO NUMBERS 
          SEEM TO SUPPORT THE NEED FOR TWO ADDITIONAL RESOURCE ATTORNEYS. >> WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SERVICE 
          ENHANCEMENTS YOU WERE CONSIDERING? >> IN ORDER OF PRIORITY WERE THE VOUCHER ASSISTANCE POSITIONS, TWO THAT WE HAVE FOR VOUCHER ASSISTANT POSITIONS. THE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WHICH IS ONE POSITION, ONE RESOURCE ATTORNEY, ONE SOCIAL WORKER AND 
          [02:40:05]
          ONE ATTORNEY COORDINATOR. >> THANK YOU. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. 
          >> PRECINCT 4 YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> FIRSTLY DIRECTOR HARDIN WE WANT TO SHARE OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR YOUR SERVICE IN LAUNCHING AND LEADING THIS VITAL DEPARTMENT AND YOUR ENTIRE TEAM FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO ENSURE JUSTICE IS DELIVERED FOR ALL AND I WANT TO ECHO ALL THE THANKS THAT THE COURT OFFICES HAVE SHARED. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE VOUCHER BACKLOG ISSUE AS IT PERTAINS TO THE AUTOMATIONS WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES. I KNOW THAT WE DISCUSSED YOU WERE WORKING TOGETHER TO TRY TO ADD MORE AUTOMATIONS THROUGH THE SYSTEM. CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THAT PLEASE? 
          >> SURE. WE ARE WORKING WITH TEAMS WHEN IT COMES TO VOUCHERS TO ADD UPDATES AND AS YOU KNOW THAT TEAM HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY HELPFUL BUT THEY HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO CATER TO WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY A LOT OF OUR REQUESTS HAVE NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED AS QUICKLY AS WE LIKE WHICH LEADS US TO MANUAL CHECKS. WE HAVE TWO FOLKS AND SOMETIMES WE BRING IN OTHER STAFF TO DO SOME OF THESE CHECKS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE REPORTED RATHER THAN DEALING WITH THE TIME THAT IS CLAIMED. WHEN IT COMES TO THE REQUEST FOR VOUCHERS I AM VERY GRATEFUL. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE ASKED FOR TWO VOUCHER SYSTEMS WHAT SUPPORTS THAT? WHEN WE HIT THIS BACKLOG IN MARCH, OBM GAVE US PERMISSION TO REALLOCATE FUNDS TO BRING ON TEMPORARY STAFF WHICH ACTUALLY RAN OUT LAST WEEK. BUT WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE THREE TEMP STAFF. ONE WAS FULL-TIME, TWO WERE PART-TIME AND WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS , WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT THIS TEMP STAFF AND SEE THEIR PROGRESS AND ESTIMATE WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO MAINTAIN THE VOUCHER COUNT. ONLY 170 PENDING VOUCHERS. SO YOU KNOW WITH THE HELP OF THAT TEMP STAFF WHICH WE BELIEVE THESE TWO VOUCHER SYSTEMS WOULD DO, APRIL 11, 2957. MAY 14, 1322 PENDING VOUCHERS. JUNE 12 447 PENDING VOUCHERS AND JUNE 19 DROPPED TO 98. SO WITH BRINGING ON THOSE TEMP STAFF CONGRUENT TO TWO FULL-TIME, DROPPING BACKLOG 
          WITHIN A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS. >> THAT'S INCREDIBLE WORK AND CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING ON BEHALF OF YOUR OFFICE SO WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE. JUST TO LEVEL SET, CAN YOU PLEASE DIVE DEEPER INTO YOUR HOLISTIC DEFENSE STAFF AND YOUR OUTREACH STAFF DO EVERY DAY AND WHY THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT TO YOUR MISSION? 
          >> I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH THE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY BECAUSE THAT IS ACTUALLY OUR SECOND PRIORITY POSITION. THIS POSITION HAS BEEN, WE ONLY HAVE ONE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY AND WHEN I COMPARED IT TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE IT IS CERTAINLY NOT TO CAST ANY ILL WILL TOWARDS THEM. I BELIEVE AND THEY ARE OVERCAPACITY WITH THEIR STAFF BUT FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES THIS IS A PERSON THAT IS ABLE TO ASSIST ON A CONSTITUTIONAL LEVEL WITH ANY THING THAT IS NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES THAT FOLLOW THE CASE AND CONNECT THEM TO IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES WHICH IS CRUCIAL AND IS A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR ATTORNEYS TO BE ABLE TO ADVISE. 
          THIS PERSON PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THEY DIVIDED DIRECT SERVICE. THEY HAVE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE WITH THAT CLIENT SEPARATE FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ATTORNEYS BUT DIRECTLY WITH THAT. SO THIS IS A DIRECT SERVICE AND THIS PERSON UPON ATTORNEY REQUEST SUBMITS -- AND DOES JAIL TAX WHICH HAD TO BE-- JAIL CHECKS WHICH HAD TO BE SUSPENDED. VARIABLE TO KEEP ATTORNEYS IN OUR OFFICE UPDATED ON SERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGING AROUND THE AREA OF IMMIGRATION SO THAT IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT ROLES THAT IT PLAYS AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT OTHER ALTERNATIVES BY THE WAY SPEAKING WITH NONPROFITS TO SEE IF WE CAN SOMEHOW FIND METHODS TO OFFSET CAPACITY BUT EVERYONE IS AT CAPACITY HERE. THAT IS ONE IMPORTANT PIECE. THE OTHER PIECE CONNECTED TO US IS THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR. THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY VET THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTS. IF THAT POSITION WAS NOT WITH US FOR 
          [02:45:03]
EXAMPLE, YOU WOULD LOSE SOMEONE LOOKING AT THIS REQUEST TO SEE IF THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME BASED UPON THEIR EXPERIENCE AND WHAT THEY ARE ABLE TO VIEW, WAS ACTUALLY ACCURATE TO REPORT. YOU ARE LOSING THAT AND THAT IS ONE ROLE-- SORRY, ONE ROLE THAT THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR ACTUALLY PLAYS. I THINK I MAY HAVE EXHAUSTED MY TIME WITH THE HOLISTIC SERVICES TEAM. 
          >> GOOD TO SEE YOU AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING SO ACCESSIBLE AND FORTHCOMING NOT JUST THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS BUT ALL YEAR ROUND, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU DO. I WANTED TO ASK A POINT OF CLARIFICATION IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT, YOU MENTIONED THAT LIBBY RESTORING 200,000 IN THE NEXT DRAFT OF THE 
          PROPOSED BUDGET? >> THE FULL PROPOSED CUT. >> OKAY, AND CAN YOU DISCUSS WHETHER THERE ARE ANY RECENT CHANGES TO LEGISLATION THAT YOU EXPECT TO IMPACT YOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE IN ANY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENT LEGIS FURTHER DEFINE THE JUDICIARY AND WHILE WE HAVE NOT NECESSARILY BEEN SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATION AT THIS TIME, IT HAS BEEN GAINING MOMENTUM, BUT THERE IS ONE STATUTE AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE OTA FOLKS IN THIS, AND THAT IS THE AUTHORITY FOR THE DELEGATION OF THE VOUCHER APPROVAL, SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE -- I WON'T TELL YOU WHY IT IS A BIG WIN, IT REALLY SIGNALS HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY CHAMPIONED THIS BILL. AND IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF THE MAC DIRECTOR IS FOR ANY OTHER REASON, OBVIOUSLY WE ARE ABOUT TO UNDO ANOTHER TRANSITION, IS SICK, GOD FOR BID OR IF THERE IS A LIFE CIRCUMSTANCE OR FOR ANY REASON THEY ARE ABLE TO DELEGATE THAT VOUCHER TO WHERE VOUCHERS DON'T IS A BEAT, I WANT TO BE CLEAR WE ARE PROUD OF THIS VICTORY FOR THE VOUCHER OR DELEGATION, IT DOES NOT HAVE AS DIRECT AN IMPACT ON VOUCHER BACKLOG BECAUSE IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE AMOUNT OF VIEWERS YOU NEED, IT MIGHT POTENTIALLY EXPAND THE AMOUNT OF APPROVERS BUT NOT THE AMOUNT OF REVIEWERS. IT DOESN'T CARE BACKLOG BUT IT DOES SET THE MAC WELL FOR EXPANSION. IF WE WERE TO GET THOSE DELEGATIONS , HAVING THAT AUTHORITY, IT ALLOWS SOMEBODY TO ALWAYS BE VIEWING VOUCHERS AND APPROVING VOUCHERS WHEN OBVIOUSLY IF YOU WERE TO EXPAND ON THE FELONY AND JUVENILE, THE VOUCHERS NUMBERS ARE GOING TO SWELL. IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY ADDRESS THE PRESENT. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND YOU TOUCHED ON MY NEXT QUESTION A LITTLE BIT, I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN ANY MOVEMENT IN TERMS OF THE MAC TAKING ON FELONY AND 
          JUVENILE CASES? >> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS MOVEMENT INTERNALLY IN THE OFFICE TO MAKE SURE OUR SYSTEMS CAN EASILY TRANSFER OVER, THIS OFFICE FIVE YEARS AGO WAS BUILT WITH THAT IN MIND, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF THE VISION AND OUTSIDE OF CHANGES, THE OFFICE EVEN AS IT IS EQUIPPED TODAY IT'S PREPARED TO TAKE ON FELONY AND JUVENILE CASES WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND STAFFING OF COURSE. OUR OFFICE WOULD BE READY AND HAPPY TO DO THAT. ALL WE NEED IS THE 
          DELEGATION APPROVAL. >> GREAT, THANK YOU. AND CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHAT THE IMPACT WILL BE ON YOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE FROM THE SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST THAT YOU SUBMITTED, NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET AND WITH THAT I WOULD LOVE IF YOU COULD CLARIFY FOR US AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THESE HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY IN PREVIOUS BUDGET CYCLES, SO IF YOU COULD HIGHLIGHT THOSE FOR US AND THE PRIORITY NEEDS THAT HAVE CARRIED ON OVER THE YEARS. 
          >> I WILL BE QUICK ON THE VOUCHER SYSTEM, THE TWO VOUCHER ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROJECT THAT WE KNOW CAN REALLY GO A SIGNIFICANT WAY PREVENTING A BACKLOG AGAIN. AS FAR AS THE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, THE SECOND IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WILL ALLOW US TO SPEND, JAIL VISITS OR ANY OTHER FUNCTION OF THIS JOB, IT WOULD ALLOW IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY TO SHARE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THEREFORE TAKE ON NEW REVIVALS BECAUSE THE 
          [02:50:02]
NEXT PHASE, IF WE ARE NOT GRANTED , THE ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WILL BE SUSPENDING THE NEW REQUESTS, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE A NEW WAITLIST OF CLIENTS THAT NEED ASSISTANCE ON IMMIGRATION. THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SECOND IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, I CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH. THE THIRD WITH THE RESOURCE ATTORNEY IS THE ABILITY TO OPEN THE LIST, THE ABILITY TO DO THE OVERSIGHT. WE ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF IMPLEMENTING AN ANNUAL ATTORNEY PERFORMANCE VIOLATION AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, ONE OF THE FEW, IF NOT ONLY IN THE DEFENSE OFFICES IN TEXAS THAT HAS THAT, AND THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCE ATTORNEY 
          WILL ASSIST US IN DOING THAT. >> THANK YOU COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> DIRECTOR HARDIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE , AND THE ENTIRE COUNTY HAS REALLY BENEFITED, I DON'T THINK IT IS TRULY UNDERSTOOD WITH THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE, AND MY COLLEAGUES, I JUST WANT TO ECHO THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SO COMMUNICATIVE AND IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. 
          >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THOSE WORDS. 
          >> I WANTED TO ASK A COUPLE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, CAN YOU SPEAK TO HOW BOTH OF THOSE IMPACT THE QUALITY OF DEFENSE IN THE COUNTY AND ALSO IF THERE'S ANY COST SAVINGS THAT YOU CAN PREDICT , NOT SPECIFICALLY BUT IF THERE ARE COST SAVINGS THAT COULD BE REALIZED BY THOSE 
          POSITIONS SPECIFICALLY? >> YES, I BELIEVE THEY WILL BE POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS WITH ANOTHER IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY BECAUSE IF WE WERE TO SUSPEND ARRIVALS, THAT WILL MEAN THAT ATTORNEYS HAVE TO APPROACH THE COURT WITH A MOTION FOR EXPERT SERVICES WHICH IS ANOTHER DELETION OUT OF THAT ENGINE THAT IS CONSTANTLY RISING HE EXPECTS -- THE EXPENSE FUND. SO IT ALLOWS ANOTHER EXPORT SERVICE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN THE HOUSE. 
          AS FAR AS RESOURCE ATTORNEY, NEARLY THE SAME IN THE SENSE THAT RESOURCE ATTORNEYS DO A LOT MORE THAN THE ROLE IS GIVEN CREDIT FOR IN MY OPINION, NOT NECESSARILY BY THIS COURT BUT BY FOLKS WHO MAY NOT BE DOING THIS. THE RESOURCE ATTORNEY DOES TAKE CASES IN THE SENSE OF, THEY DO TAKE CASES ASKED SUPPORT, IN OTHER WORDS, THE SECOND SHARE. IT IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE STANDARD, WHEN YOU PREPARE TO TRIAL, TO HAVE A SECOND SET OF EYES BUT IF YOU'RE NOT HAVING RESOURCE ATTORNEYS DO THAT PARTICULAR ROLE, THEN YOU ARE HAVING THE PETITION FOR THE COURT AGAIN FOR A SECOND CHAIR FROM THE LIST AT IT. SO IT IS COST SAVINGS AS WELL. IT IS ALSO COST SAVINGS BECAUSE YOU ARE CONSTANTLY IN QUALITY CONTROL MODE. WITH CASES, CASES MONITORING AND WITH ALSO DIFFERENT AMOUNT OF TRAINING WHICH WE PUT ON FOR FREE FOR THE ATTORNEYS AT NO COST THERE IS A SMALL COST TO THE COUNTY BUT THAT COMES DIRECTLY FROM OUR BUDGET BUT IT IS NOT A BUDGETED EXPENSE FUND. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS IN THOSE TWO POSITIONS YOU ASKED FOR IN VARIOUS FACETS SO WE DO BELIEVE IT'LL SAVE THE COUNTY 
          SIGNIFICANT MONEY. >> THANK YOU. AND I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THE EMERGENCY VOUCHER PLAN THAT YOU CREATED AND WAS SO EFFECTIVE, CAN YOU SPEAK TO ANY OTHER EFFICIENCIES THAT YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED THAT HAVE HELPED WITH THE TIMING OF PROCESSING CASES AND JUST GENERAL EFFICIENCIES FROM THE 
          OFFICE? >> SO, WE SPOKE ABOUT THE VOUCHER EMERGENCY PLAN AND WE ARE NO LONGER IN THAT STAGE AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS PLAN WHEN WE WERE IN IT. WITH THE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, ANOTHER SERVICE WE'VE HAD TO RESTRICT, RESTRICTION OF SERVICES PER SE WAS VISITATION FOR ANY CLIENTS WITH FINAL ORDERS FOR REMOVAL. AND AS SUCH, ANY PENDING CRIMINAL CASE, WE DID DETERMINE ANY PENDING CRIMINAL CASE BY WHAT WOULD ALTER THE CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCES. IT IS A MEASURE WE CAN TAKE WITHOUT REALLY DISRUPTING THE OBLIGATION, OR EQUIPPING THE ATTORNEYS TO DISRUPT THE OBLIGATION BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE CLIENTS ARE NOT GETTING THE FULL SERVICE THAT THEY SHOULD BE GETTING WITH THE VISITATION BY AN EXPERT WHO IS SPECIFICALLY ADVISED WITHIN THAT PARTICULAR ROLE. THAT IS ONE THING WE'VE HAD TO SUSPEND IN THE NEXT STEP IF WE CONTINUE THIS BACKLOG WOULD BE SUSPENSION OF ALL NEW IMMIGRATION ADVISERS WHICH OBVIOUSLY WOULD THREATEN THE OBLIGATION, OUR ABILITY TO EQUIP ATTORNEYS TO MEET THEIR OBLIGATIONS. 
          [02:55:01]
          >> AND WITH THE SECOND IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY THAT YOU SUBMITTED FOR YOUR SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST, WOULD THAT ALLOW THOSE VISITATIONS TO RESUME? 
          >> YES. >> OKAY. 
          >> AND IT WOULD PREVENT SUSPENSION OF NEW REQUESTS. 
          >> AND MY LAST QUESTION WITH THE TIME I HAVE REMAINING, IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE YOU WISH WE HAD ASKED THAT YOU WANT TO 
          MAKE SURE YOU HAD COVERED? >> I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE ADDRESSED MUCH, THE ONLY TWO THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP IS THERE ARE TWO ADDITIONAL ASKS ON THE REQUEST AND THAT IS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE THREE ON STAFF, JUST SO YOU KNOW, THEY RECOMMEND AROUND SIX FOR MOST OFFICES. BUT, WHILE CASELOADS ARE STABILIZED, THERE IS A THREAT THAT THIS DIRECT SERVICE COULD BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BECAUSE CASES HAVE CONTINUED TO GO UP, ONE OF THE MOST REQUESTED SERVICES BY 
          ATTORNEYS. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 1. 
          PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE 44 MORE SECONDS REMAINING. 
          >> CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE ON HOW YOU TESTIFIED AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO IMPROVE THE VOUCHER APPROVAL PROCESS? 
          >> I WAS ASKED TO TESTIFY BY REPRESENTATIVE HERNANDEZ TO GO TO AUSTIN AND WE WERE ABLE, I WAS ABLE TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY DISCUSSING THE VOUCHERS, THE BACKLOG, SIMILAR TO THE THINGS WE DISCUSSED PRIOR TO THE EMERGENCY PLAN, IT PASSED, I BELIEVE IT WAS 10-1 AND I WAS INVITED AGAIN TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE SENATE AND FORTUNATELY FOR ME THEY DID NOT NEED MY TESTIMONY. THEY MADE A QUICK VOTE AND WE ARE ABLE TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE NOW SO WE WERE VERY HAPPY AND PLEASED ABOUT IT. AND THANKFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED AND HELPED US. 
          >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS 
          REMAINING. >> ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE 
          TO SAY TO MARK >> THE ONLY THING I LEFT OFF WITH PRECINCT 1 IS THE LAST REQUEST, THE ATTORNEY COORDINATOR AND THAT SOUNDS LIKE A UNIQUE REQUEST BUT IN THE SENSE THAT IT HELPS WITH THE ATTORNEY COUNT, IN ANY GIVEN DAY WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT SICK AND DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT HAPPEN AND IT ALLOWS CLIENTS TO HAVE QUICK APPOINTMENTS AND MAINTAIN THAT SPEED. RIGHT NOW WE ARE PRETTY QUICK AT MAKING APPOINTMENTS. HAVING THE ATTORNEY COORDINATOR TO COURTNEY SCHEDULES TO FREE UP THE RESOURCE ATTORNEYS TO DO MORE QUALITY CONTROL, MORE RESPONSE ON EMERGENCIES WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT HELP. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT HELP, NOT NECESSARILY JUST A LUXURY. 
          >> ALSO I WANTED TO ASK YOU A QUESTION, SHOULD THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS HAVE OTHER APPOINTMENTS OF ATTORNEYS OTHER THAN THROUGH 
          THE MAC ? >> THEY ARE STILL PERMITTED TO APPOINT ATTORNEYS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY PRIMARILY USE THE MAC , 80%, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALL CASES, ADDING PRIVATE ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION, THAT PERCENTAGE IS 55%. THANK 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3. 
          PRECINCT 4 AND PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE NO REMAINING TIME, SO DIRECTOR YOU HAVE 2:00 FOR CLOSING REMARKS. 
          >> IN CLOSING, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COURT AND FOR THE QUESTIONS CONSIDERING THE REALITIES FACING OUR OFFICE, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ACCEPT THE REVISED RECOMMENDATION TO AVOID THE MAC OFFICE, OUR TOP PRIORITIES REMAIN, TWO VOUCHER ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT THE BACKLOG LIKE THE 3000+ BACKLOG WE HAD EARLIER THIS YEAR, ONE IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY TO KEEP US FROM LIMITING THE REQUEST SINCE OUR SINGLE ATTORNEY IS HANDLING MORE ADVISABLE THAN THE ENTIRE SIX PERSON TEAM, AND ONE RESOURCE ATTORNEY TO BRING US CLOSER TO THE RECOMMENDED OVERSIGHT RATIO. WE CANNOT CONTROL HOW MANY CASES ARE FILED OR HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE APPOINTED, BUT WE CAN CONTROL WHETHER THE MAC HAS THE STAFF TO MEET THE NEED OF TIMELINESS, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING OUR STAFF WILL ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY'S INVESTMENT CONTINUES TO PAY OFF WITH QUALITY AND TRANSPARENCY. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR OFFICE. 
          >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> WITH THAT, WE WILL BREAK FOR LUNCH UNTIL 1:45 
          >> IT IS 1:45 P.M. AND I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYONE BACK TO THIS 
          [Pretrial Services]
          [03:00:07]
AFTERNOON SESSION OF BUDGET HEARINGS FOR FY 26, OUR FIRST PRESENTATION WILL COME FROM OUR PRETRIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. AS A REMINDER, DIRECTOR YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR YOUR OPENING REMARKS AT EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND TWO MINUTES PER QUESTIONING. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF, MY NAME IS NATALIE MICHAILIDES AND I HAVE OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, I'M HERE TO DISCUSS FY 26 BUDGET, THE PRETRIAL PHASE OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS FROM THE POINT OF ARREST THROUGH DISPOSITION. AND THOSE RELEASED ON PRETRIAL SERVICES HAVE LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THIS PHASE. THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE AGENCY HAS MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS, ALTHOUGH WHICH SUPPORTS PROVIDING INFORMATION TO DECISION-MAKING AND MONITORING DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON CONDITIONS PENDING TRIAL. PRETRIAL SERVICES SERVES AS A NEUTRAL AND OBJECTIVE PARTY OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THE BUDGET FOR PRETRIAL SERVICES IS SCHEDULED TO INCREASE FROM 2017 AND THERE ARE REASONS FOR THAT INCREASE, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE GROWING NUMBER OF CLIENTS ARE ASSIGNED TO PRETRIAL SUPERVISION. BASED ON THEIR CONDITIONS OF RELEASE. THE AGENCY STARTED TAKING ON THE SUPERVISION OF DEFENDANTS WHICH PREVIOUSLY HAD BEEN SUPERVISED BY THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, THEN THE PANDEMIC WHICH WE ALL FELT. AND THE USE OF CONDITIONS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. THE USE OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING HAS STEADILY INCREASED SINCE 2019 FROM APPROXIMATELY 28 DEFENDANTS PER DAY, THEN IN 2021 WHEN I STARTED WE HAD A HIGH OF APPROXIMATELY 4000 PEOPLE PER DAY. TODAY WE SIT AROUND 2000 PEOPLE WITH A LOWER NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS AND INTERNAL OPERATION ADJUSTMENTS THAT BROUGHT THESE CASELOADS TO MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE LEVELS. TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CASELOADS, WHEN A CASE MANAGER LEAVES, STAFF ARE TRAINED ON ALL DEVICES. THIS WAS A TWO-YEAR TRANSITION BUT WE HAVE FOCUSED ON TRAINING, BOOSTER TRAININGS TO KEEP THE LEVEL OF SUPERVISION CONSISTENT FROM OFFICER TO OFFICER AND ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE ENHANCE OUR QUALITY ASSURANCE AND ADOPTED KPIS ACROSS OUR OPERATIONS DIVISION. PRETRIAL SERVICES INTENTIONALLY DID NOT ASK FOR ENHANCEMENTS TO OUR BUDGET KNOWING THE FISCAL OUTLOOK FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR AND TO DO MORE WITH WHAT WE HAVE. THIS AGENCY HAS ALWAYS BEEN FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND HAS WORKED WITHIN OUR BUDGET. THIS PAST YEAR YOU PROVIDED $2500 FOR PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE MADE UNDER $75,000 AND THE AGENCY USED ITS EXISTING BUDGET TO ADD A MINIMUM OF AN ADDITIONAL DOLLAR TO THE HOURLY RATE AND PROVIDED A PARKING STATEMENT TO INDIVIDUALS WHO DID NOT ALREADY RECEIVE PARKING. MONEY MATTERS TO EVERYONE AND WE KNOW THAT CONVERSATION PROVIDED THIS PAST YEAR HAS REDUCED TURNOVER DUE TO HIGHER COMPENSATING CAREERS. IN CONCLUSION I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET FOR THEIR READINESS TO SUPPORT US AT EVERY STEP. THANK 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING 
          WITH PRECINCT 3. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, DIRECTOR, IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU. I'M VERY INTERESTED IN THE AREAS THAT YOUR BUDGET HAS BEEN CUT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. 
          >> WE TRIED TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT TO OPERATIONS WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE SO WE HAD ADDED TWO POSITIONS TO THE HR DEPARTMENT, WE ARE NOT USING ONE OF WHICH TO THE MAGNITUDE THAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD. SO WE ARE LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH HRT AND TRANSFER THAT PCN NUMBER OVER TO HRT AT SOME POINT IN TIME. AND THE OTHER REDUCTIONS, IT WAS IN I.T. 
          AND WE HAD NOT FILLED THE POSITION IN SEVERAL YEARS, WE ARE JUST NOT COMPENSATING AT A HIGH ENOUGH LEVEL AND WE WANT PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE, SO WE ELIMINATED THAT POSITION AND WE THINK THAT WE CAN OUTSOURCE IT AND GET EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED AND BECAUSE WE ARE DOING A PRETRIAL DATABASE AND THAT IS WHAT WE WERE GOING TO USE IT FOR AND THE LAST THING WAS NONLABOR FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING AND WE WENT OUT TO BID THIS YEAR AND WE THINK WE WILL GET A BETTER RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT. 
          >> THAT IS GREAT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 4, YOU 
          [03:05:06]
WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, NICE TO SEE YOU. MY QUESTION WAS ON THE INITIATIVES THAT WE WORKED ON LAST YEAR INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, TO REDUCE FAILURE TO APPEAR AND THAT VICIOUS CYCLE THAT STEMS FROM THAT, SO COULD YOU SPEAK TO 
          THE STATUS OF THOSE PROGRAMS? >> THE TEXT REMINDERS HAD BEEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED. THEY WENT OUT -- THEY ARE GOING OUT ON MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES. FOR MISDEMEANORS, ALL MISDEMEANORS RECEIVE A TEXT REMINDER FOR FELONIES, IT IS UNDER PRETRIAL SUPERVISION. THE OTHER INITIATIVE WE TALKED ABOUT AND THE COURT FUNDED LAST YEAR WAS THE COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS CENTER AND WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THAT, IT HAD A VERY SLOW START SO WE DIDN'T GET STARTED WITH THAT INITIATIVE UNTIL JUNE SO WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THE SHORT-TERM IMPACT JUST YET BUT WHAT WE ARE THINKING IS THAT WE ARE REALLY GOING TO FOCUS ON THE FIRST 180 DAYS BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME PRELIMINARY RESEARCH BACK FROM FAILURES FOR PEOPLE UNDER SUPERVISION, THAT IS USUALLY HAPPENING WITHIN THE FIRST 180 DAYS SO WE THINK IF WE TARGET THAT HARRIS CENTER WE SHOULD GET A BIGGER RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT. AND THEY HAVE ALREADY STARTED. 
          >> THANK YOU, NATALIE, AND THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL GRANT FUNDING FOR THESE INITIATIVES, COULD YOU ALSO 
          SPEAK TO THOSE? >> SO THE EVALUATION, WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR DATA CLEANUP AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE SPENT THE LAST SIX MONTHS CLOSING CASES, CLOSING AND CLEANING UP, REDEFINING OUR OWN AGENCY AND HOW WE CLOSE CASES SUCCESSFULLY OR UNSUCCESSFULLY. WE HAD TO ADD SOME MORE DROP DOWNS TO OUR WIDGETS, BUT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT, WE THINK THAT WILL LEAD TO BETTER INFORMATION FOR OUR RESEARCH. WE HAVE NOT IMPLEMENTED ANY ADDITIONAL RESEARCH RIGHT NOW, OTHER THAN WHAT WE ARE FINDING IN TERMS OF OUR INITIAL APPEALS 
          AND ARRESTS. >> AND I THINK THE NEXT QUESTION IS ON SP 9, WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AND HOW YOU PLAN TO NAVIGATE THAT. WE DID AUTHORIZE THE OVERTIME, SO WE APPRECIATE THAT HELP, BUT CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THOSE 
          IMPACTS? >> WITH THE SB 9, WE WERE MORE IMPACTED BY SB 6, SB 9 IS GOING TO BE A SLOW PAPER CUP -- PAPER CUT FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE INITIATIVES, EACH DEPARTMENT HAS TO PICK UP THE PIECE, SO THOSE OUNCES AT UP TO THE POUNDS, SO FOR THIS SYSTEM AT OUR SIZE, IT IS JUST INCREDIBLY CUMBERSOME IN THE SENSE THAT IT FLOWS OUR SYSTEM DOWN. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE RUN COURT 24 HOURS A DAY, WE PROCESS PEOPLE QUICKLY BUT WITH SB 9, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO GET MORE PEOPLE TRAINED TO RUN CRIMINAL HISTORIES, THERE'S NO -- THERE'S MORE INFORMATION THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO THE SYSTEM. WE HAD WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND OUR JUSTICE PARTNERS TO FIND MORE SEAMLESS SOLUTIONS FOR THE JUDGES MAKING THOSE DECISIONS. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE D.A.S OFFICE SO WE ARE UPLOADING, IT IS CALLED THE PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT, UP TO THEIR SYSTEM SO THAT THE JUDGE IS ABLE TO SEE IT IF THEY ARE ON SITE OR REMOTE. 
          >> AND I KNOW WE HAVE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT ELECTRONIC MONITORING AND THOSE OTHER TYPES OF THINGS, IN GENERAL SPACE OF SUPERVISION, TO PREVENT THAT BEING A CHALLENGE OF FOLKS ENTERING BACK INTO THE SYSTEM, COULD YOU SPEAK TO THIS? 
          >> SO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, THIS COMING YEAR, AS YOU KNOW WE HAD A STEP DOWN PROJECT, A PILOT A FEW YEARS AGO AND IT IS A VERY MANUAL PROCESS. AND AT THAT TIME WE HAD CASELOADS OF APPROXIMATELY 300 TO 400 PEOPLE PER CASE MANAGER WHICH IS UNREALISTIC IN ANY JURISDICTION. SO, WE CURRENTLY HAVE OUR CASELOADS MUCH MORE MANAGEABLE. THEY ARE ANYWHERE FROM 50 TO 80. 
          [03:10:10]
WE BELIEVE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS COMING YEAR, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO MORE STEP DOWN PROCESSES BECAUSE WE HAVE 
          STAFF IN EVERY COURT AS WELL. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4. COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. SO YOU ALREADY TOUCHED ON SP 9 A LITTLE BIT, I WANTED TO ASK IF THERE ARE ANY RECENT CHANGES IN LEGISLATION THAT YOU EXPECT TO IMPACT YOUR DEPARTMENT IN ANY 
          SIGNIFICANT WAY. >> SB 9 IS THE LARGEST, THERE ARE OTHERS THAT IMPACT THE COURT BUT WE ALSO SERVICE THE COURT, SO IT IS INFORMATION BEING REQUESTED THAT WE ARE WORKING ON RESOLUTIONS, AND PART OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH PRETRIAL SUPERVISION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AS WELL IS YOU HAVE THIS SYSTEM WHERE MISDEMEANORS GO TO THE CRIMINAL CARDS AT LAW AND THE FELONY GOES TO THE DISTRICT COURTS. AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS , THIS ISN'T THE CASE BECAUSE YOU HAVE VERY SIMILAR EVIDENCE, AND THAT WAY YOU ONLY HAVE ONE ATTORNEY FOR BOTH CASES AND IN OUR SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, YOU HAVE TWO ATTORNEYS, TWO JUDGES AND TWO PROSECUTORS JUST MAKES OUR SYSTEM EVEN MORE SLOW AND NOT AS NIMBLE. BUT WE KNOW THAT INFORMATION IS ALWAYS REQUESTED SO THAT IS THE BIGGEST HURDLE FOR US AND THAT IS MORE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LEGISLATION. I WOULD SAY IT IS THE INFORMATION BEING REQUESTED FROM OTHER STAKEHOLDERS THAT IS GOING TO BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR US. 
          >> DO YOU FEEL THAT WITH THE PROPOSED BUDGET, THAT YOU ALL HAVE THE STAFFING AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO RESPOND TO THOSE? 
          >> WE HAVE WORKED REALLY DILIGENTLY WITH OMB AND I REALLY THOUGHT WE WILL, WE HAVE A PHILOSOPHY AND WE CAN MAKE IT WORK AND THAT IS WHAT WE DO. WE WOULD PREFER TO DO IT WITH, BUT WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE OVERTIME, WE DON'T WANT TO ASK FOR UNNECESSARY STAFF OR RESOURCES THAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT NEED. I WILL SAY WITH SB 6 WHEN WE HAD A HARD HIT, THAT WAS OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE. WE DID THAT FOR TWO FISCAL CYCLES WITH NO ADDITIONAL STAFF. AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE A REAL AUTOMATED PROCESS TO RUN THE PSR'S AND UPLOAD THEM TO THEIR SYSTEM. AND OURS HAS TO BE DONE IN ORDER FOR A BAIL DECISION TO BE MADE. FOR SOME OF OUR OTHER JUSTICE PARTNERS, THEY CAN WAIT TO IMPORT OTHER FORMS BEFORE THAT PERSON IS RELEASED. 
          >> THANK YOU. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A POTENTIALLY HIRING FREEZE FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO KIND OF MANAGE OUR BUDGET. 
          CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW HIRING AND RETENTION HAVE BEEN GOING FOR YOUR OFFICE AND WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT, IF THERE IS A HIRING FREEZE THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM FILLING POSITIONS THAT ARE ALREADY VACANT OR BECOMING VACANT? 
          >> WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 27 OPEN POSITIONS NEEDED FOR US, IT IS CRIPPLING WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE POSITIONS, CURRENTLY WE ARE FUNCTIONING AT A MINIMUM THRESHOLD. WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE, CASELOADS GO UP, OR IF THEY ARE IN THE COURTS, WE HAVE PEOPLE COVERING MULTIPLE COURTS AND IT SLOWS THE COURT DOWN AND HOW THEY ARE PROCESSING AND RELEASING PEOPLE. SO I WILL SAY THAT A HIRING FREEZE WOULD BE VERY DETRIMENTAL TO US IF WE COULD JUST AT LEAST KEEP AND AT LEAST FILL THE POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE IF SOMEONE LEADS, IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. AND IN MY LAST MINUTE OR SO, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW YOUR GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE BUDGET AS IT CURRENTLY IS PROPOSED, WHETHER YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WILL HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES THAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO MEET ALL OF YOUR STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICES AND ALL THAT. 
          >> WELL, I THINK THAT IS A TRICKY QUESTION. I THINK WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL WE GET INTO IT. AND THREE MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD WE'LL KNOW MORE. AND AS I SAID, OUNCES AT UP TO POUNDS. 
          AND WE ALL COME TO YOU WITH OUR DIFFERENT BUDGETS BUT THEY ARE DIFFERENT ASKS, BUT SB 9 IS IMPACTING ALL OF US AND WE ARE 
          [03:15:03]
NOT LOOKING AT IT AS WHAT IS THE FISCAL IMPACT THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. SO I WOULD SAY MOVING FORWARD, IF WE CAN LOOK AT LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS EARLIER, I MEAN WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE DEFENSE. AND ESPECIALLY AS A JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THIS HIT THE COURTS HARDEST THIS TIME. BUT FOR US, WE ARE ALWAYS GETTING HIT WITH THESE TYPE OF LAST-MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE 
          RAIL REFORM. >> THANK YOU COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE. PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO. 
          YOU WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF ALL OF THIS WORK AND THE AGENCIES AND YOU USED THE EXAMPLE OF SB 9 BUT I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE, HOW DIFFERENT CHANGES IN OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AFFECTS THE DEMANDS ON YOUR DEPARTMENT AND IF IT IS APPROPRIATE, WHETHER THAT IS LEGISLATIVE CHANGES OR IF MORE PEOPLE ARE COMING THROUGH THE COURTS OR IF IT TAKES LONGER, JUST HOW YOUR DEPARTMENT FITS 
          INTO ALL OF THAT. >> WE ARE KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE. 
          THE COURTS ARE REALLY THE HUB BUT WE FEED INTO EVERY JUSTICE STAKEHOLDER. SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE TIME A PERSON GETS BOOKED INTO THE JP SEE, A PERSON COMES IN, WE INTERVIEW THEM OR IF THEY HAVE A FELONY, WE ALSO RUN THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY AND WE COMPLETE A PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT ON THEM WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE PUBLIC SAFETY REPORT. THE PRETRIAL ASSESSMENT MEASURES THEIR LIKELIHOOD OF ARREST AND LIKELIHOOD OF FAILING TO APPEAR AND IF THEY ARE REARRESTED, WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD OF REARRESTED FOR A NEW VIOLENT OFFENSE. FROM THERE WE COMPLETE AN AFFIDAVIT FOR PEOPLE GOING TO COURT FOR ASSIGNED COUNSEL AND IF THEY GET CONDITIONS, WE ARE ALSO COMPLETING A LOT OF THAT BOND PAPERWORK. WE ALSO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT TO THE D.A.S OFFICE SO THEY CAN FINALIZE THEIR CHARGES. AND CONDITIONS CAN BE CHANGED AND WE ARE WORKING WITH PEOPLE ALL THROUGH THIS PROCESS. SO, WHILE OTHER PARTS OF OUR SYSTEM MAY ONLY HAVE CONTACT WITH THEM ON COURT DAYS, WE OFTEN HAVE CONTACT ON A REGULAR BASIS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE ON A DEVICE, IT IS ALMOST DAILY. 
          >> SO, IS IT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT THERE ARE MORE ARRESTS OR MORE BOOKINGS, MORE FILINGS, THAT ON THAT WILL INCREASE THE WORKLOAD 
          FOR THE PRETRIAL SERVICES? >> YES. 
          >> AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE GET RELEASED. THAT IS THE OTHER PART OF IT, YOU EITHER TAKE IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WAY. SO I THINK IF PEOPLE ARE RELEASED, IT IS A HINDRANCE ON THE JAIL. IF PEOPLE ARE RELEASED, THEY ARE USUALLY ON PRETRIAL SUPERVISION AND TYPICALLY, AND I UNDERSTAND THIS, WE WANT TO INCREASE THE SPEED OF A TRIAL FOR SOMEBODY IN COURT BUT TYPICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS THE PERSON THAT IS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, THEIR CASE GOES ON FOR LONGER. WHICH IS TOTALLY FINE. 
          >> THAT IS SOMETHING FOR A STEP DOWN REALLY. 
          >> STEP DOWNS ARE HELPFUL BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO DISRUPT THE PROSOCIAL BEHAVIORS THAT ARE HAPPENING. 
          >> AND YOU ALLUDED TO THIS BEFORE BUT CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THE WORKLOADS AND CASELOADS OF YOUR STAFF COMPARE 
          NATIONALLY? >> WELL, THERE'S NO NATIONAL STANDARD AND PRETRIAL IS UNIQUE IN THAT SENSE. FOR THE POST SENTENCE SIDE, THEY TRY TO HAVE STANDARDS, WHEN JUSTICE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE CAME IN, THEY PREFER TO HAVE 25 PEOPLE FOR ELECTRONIC MONITORING, WE HAVE AROUND 50 TO 80 AND DURING THE PANDEMIC IT WAS IN THE HUNDREDS RANGE. 
          >> SO, WE ARE DOWN TO TWO TO THREE TIMES THE JMI RECOMMENDED 
          RATE? >> BUT I SAY IT FEELS MORE MANAGEABLE, IS ALL I CAN SAY. WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED REPORTS LIKE AUTOMATED REPORTS SO WE GET REPORTS EVERY DAY OF AN ALERT THAT HAPPENED THE NIGHT BEFORE SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY NAVIGATING THIS BUT, JUST KNOW THAT IF THERE ARE MORE ARRESTS MADE, IT IS JUST A FUNNEL. AND IF THERE'S MORE PEOPLE COMING IN THE DOOR, THERE'S MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM 
          [03:20:01]
AND NOT JUST FOR THAT MOMENT, THEY ARE THERE FOR YEARS 
          SOMETIMES. >> AND FOLLOWING UP ON THE COUNTY JUDGES QUESTION, WITH LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AND UNCERTAINTIES, OF WHAT MIGHT GET PAST, DO YOU THINK IT IS REASONABLE FOR THIS COURT TO EXPECT THAT SOMETIME WITHIN THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR WHETHER IT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT OR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS MAY HAVE UNANTICIPATED COSTS? 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD EXPECT UNANTICIPATED 
          COSTS. >> OKAY. APPRECIATE YOUR 
          HONESTY. >> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 2 , YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY, DIRECTOR. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT, AND ALSO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE POSITION THAT OUR COUNTY IS IN CONCERNING OUR BUDGET AND SAVING EVERYONE A LOT OF TIME BUT NOT SUBMITTING ANY SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST, WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ASKED US GOOD QUESTIONS BUT I WANTED TO ASK YOU, YOU ARE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE LOOKING AROUND AT EXAMPLES OUT OF STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SERVE THOSE SURVIVORS. IS YOUR CURRENT BUDGET ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THESE BEST PRACTICES THAT YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO? 
          >> WELL, WE HAVE TALKED TO TRAVIS COUNTY A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE REALLY WANT TO IMPLEMENT A SMALL PILOT THAT WE CAN MIMIC OR MIRROR WHAT THEY HAVE CREATED UP THERE WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF SUPERVISION FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK TO REOFFEND, FOR INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE. AND WHAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO IS DO IT WITH OUR EXISTING RESOURCES. I THINK IF WE CAN BE CREATIVE IN HOW WE DO THIS, ALSO IF WE HAVE STEP DOWNS WHICH ALSO PROVIDES MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE BANDWIDTH FOR MORE INTENSIVE SUPERVISION, WE CAN DO IT. BUT WHAT WE WOULD DO IS COME BACK LATER AND SAY HERE IS THE IMPACT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. HERE IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING AS A REDUCTION TO A THREAT TO 
          SURVIVORS. >> GREAT, THANK YOU. AND IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT CONCERNING THE BUDGET AT THIS TIME THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO 
          ADDRESS? >> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT IS REALLY TAKING A LOOK AT THE INDIVIDUALS AND I WILL TALK ABOUT THIS MORE IN MY CLOSING REMARKS. BUT LOOKING AT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BEING, THAT COULD BE RELEASED UNDER OTHER CONDITIONS AND REALLY ALLEVIATING SOME OF THE LOAD OF OUR JAIL, OUR JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS HAVE REALLY WORKED DILIGENTLY TO MITIGATE WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE JAIL AND TO CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM BUT, I MEAN, IT IS A QUESTION, WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE GAINS THAT WE HAVE MADE BECAUSE ULTIMATELY RELEASING LOWER RISK INDIVIDUALS ACTUALLY INCREASES PUBLIC SAFETY. THAT IS THE BIGGEST THING FOR ME TO ADD TO 
          THE DISCUSSION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, APPRECIATE 
          IT. >> PRECINCT 3, YOU HAVE 3:35 REMAINING. THANK YOU. PRECINCT 4 IN THE COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, OFFICE, YOU HAVE NO TIME REMAINING. PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE 
          13 SECONDS REMAINING. >> WITH INCREASING SAFETY, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION AND ANY IMPACTS 
          THAT MIGHT HAVE? >> I THINK WE NEED TO JUST 
          FOLLOW THE NUMBERS. >> YOU CAN USE MY TIME TO ANSWER 
          THAT IF YOU WOULD LIKE. >> OKAY, YOU HAVE 2:18 
          REMAINING. >> I DON'T WANT TO MAKE COMMENTARY ON WHAT IS HAPPENING NATIONALLY. I THINK WE NEED TO WORK WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS, OUR STATUTES AND WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATURES TO REALLY FOLLOW THE NUMBERS. WHAT CAN MAKE OUR COMMUNITY MORE SAFE AND CAN WE RELEASE THE PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY THAT CAN MAINTAIN THEIR JOBS, THEIR HOUSING, THEIR CARS AND THAT ULTIMATELY IS GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY. IT IS GOOD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. AND FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, I THINK WE NEED TO 
          [03:25:02]
FOLLOW THE INFORMATION AND WHERE WE GO. 
          >> THANK YOU, THAT WILL CONCLUDE THE COURT OFFICES QUESTIONS 
          SEGMENT. >> I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE, WE WANT THE BEST PRETRIAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WE CAN BUILD, ONE THAT PROTECTS OUR COMMUNITY, USES PUBLIC RESOURCES WISELY AND FOLLOWS THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF OUR STATE TO ENSURE FAIRNESS. PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY, IF FAIR AND EFFECTIVE SYSTEMS ALLOWS US TO RESTRICT THE FREEDOM OF A PERSON WHO POSES A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND RELEASE THE ONES WHO DO NOT, I THINK WE NEED TO IDENTIFY THE HARM TO PUBLIC SAFETY FOR UNNECESSARILY DETAINING INDIVIDUALS THAT POSE MINIMAL RISK TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND INCREASING THEIR LIKELIHOOD THAT THEY WILL COMMIT NEW CRIMES IN THE FUTURE. ENSURING THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS . THE COST OF INCARCERATION IS STAGGERING BUT NECESSARY FOR THOSE WHO PRESENT A DANGER TO OUR COMMUNITY AND VICTIMS. WE ARE SPENDING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO OUTSOURCE APPROXIMATELY AN AVERAGE OF 1400 BEDS PER DAY. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT EVEN SHORT JAIL STAYS FOR LOWER RISK INDIVIDUALS THICKLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND THE INDIVIDUALS. IT LEADS TO A LOSS OF JOBS, HOUSING INSTABILITY AND A GREATER RELIANCE OF PUBLIC BENEFITS SUCH AS EMERGENCY HOUSING, MEDICAID AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. THESE COSTS, THE COST OF THESE RIPPLE BEYOND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. 
          PROMOTING PRETRIAL JUSTICE AND THE IMPARTIAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW, AT OUR CORE, IT IS THE PRETRIAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT SHOULD REFLECT OUR FUNDAMENTAL VALUES, FAIRNESS, EQUALITY AND ADHERENCE TO CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS IN OUR STATES STATUTES. A SYSTEM THAT THE LAW IS APPLIED TO IMPARTIALLY AND CONSISTENTLY UNDER THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS, IT UPHOLDS THE PRINCIPLE THAT LIBERTY IS THE NORM AND DETENTION IS THE CAREFULLY LIMITED EXCEPTION AND FAIRNESS 
          MUCH GUIDE OUR DECISIONS. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE PRETRIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL COME FROM THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE. 
          [District Clerk]
          >> WELCOME, CLERK MARILYN BURGESS YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR YOUR OPENING STATEMENT AND EACH OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND TWO IT'S FOR CLOSING 
          REMARKS. >> QUICKLY BEFORE WE GET STARTED, WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER AND BEEN PROVIDED UPDATED REVENUE FIGURES AND PROJECTIONS SO WE WILL BE AGAIN CHANGING OUR RECOMMENDATION IN THE NEXT PROPOSED BUDGET BOOK FURTHER REDUCTIONS OF THE PASSPORT OFFICE AS WELL AS THE COMMUTER 
          SAVINGS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR RAMOS FOR WORKING WITH US ON THOSE ISSUES BEFORE WE GOT HERE TODAY. BACK IN MARCH, WE REQUESTED FUNDING TO PROPERLY STAFF THE CIVIL DISTRICT COURT WITH A LEAD CLERK AND ASSISTING COURT CLERK JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER DIVISION, YOU ASKED US TO BRING IT BACK DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE AND YOU SAID YOU WOULD GIVE IT EVERY CONSIDERATION FOR THIS FUNDING IS NOW OUR TOP PRIORITY. SINCE THESE POSITIONS WERE ELIMINATED IN 2009, CIVIL CASE FILINGS HAVE INCREASED FOR OVER 41% TO A PROJECTED 58,000 IN 2025 YET STAFFING HAS NOT KEPT PACE. THE CIVIL COURTS HAVE A SHARED ASSISTANT DESPITE SENATE BILL 293 ADDING EVEN MORE DUTIES. 
          THIS IS UNSUSTAINABLE. THIS LEADS TO MISTAKES BEING MADE, CASE FLOW BEING IMPACTED, THE CIVIL JUDGES FULLY SUPPORT THIS REQUEST AND THEIR LETTER OF SUPPORT WAS JUST HANDED OUT TO YOU. THIS IS A CRITICAL NEED. THE ARPA FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY RELEASE DOCKETS AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT WERE CREATED TO ADDRESS THE BACKLOG OF CRIMINAL CASES HAS EXPIRED, IF THESE ARE 
          [03:30:03]
TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE, THE 16 CLERK POSITIONS MUST BE FUNDED, IF THEY ARE TO BE DISCONTINUED, WE MUST RELEASE THESE CLERKS BY SEPTEMBER 19TH TO AVOID PAYROLL OBLIGATIONS IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THE TOTAL FUNDING REQUIRED TO SUSTAIN ALL 16 POSITIONS STANDS AT APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILLION. WE URGENTLY NEED A DECISION ON THIS. FUNDING FOR AN ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DEDICATED TO CRIMINAL BACKLOG TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS COST ABOUT 150,000, THAT WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL FOR GETTING PROJECTS SUCH AS CONVERTING PAPER DOCUMENTS FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO STREAMLINE ACCESS AND PROCESSING, A CASE MONITORING SYSTEM TO ALERT JUDGES WHEN KEY SCHEDULING TARGET DATES ARE MISSED, TO CREATE A PUBLIC DASHBOARD TO VIEW CASELOADS, DISCUSSIONS, DOCKET SETTINGS, CASE PROGRESS AND MORE. THIS POSITION COULD ALSO HELP ADDRESS THE MANY UNFUNDED LEGISLATIVE MANDATES THAT ALL FALL UPON US. THE SUBCOMMITTEE SUPPORTS THESE IDEAS, TO MAKE THEM POSSIBLE WE NEED A DEDICATED PROGRAMMER. 
          THESE PROGRAMMING RESOURCES ARE NOT JUST TECHNICAL UPGRADES BUT FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE EFFICIENCY AND FAIRNESS OF OUR CRITICAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. INVESTING IN THIS POSITION MEANS HELPING TO EXPEDITE JUSTICE, EASE JAIL OVERCROWDING AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. I WILL TAKE YOUR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU, CLERK. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 4. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, GOOD TO SEE YOU, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. 
          COULD YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE CURRENT STAFFING OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF DOCKETS AND HOW MANY CASES YOU HAVE, SO IF YOU WERE TO CONTINUE WITH THOSE DOCKETS, HOW MANY 
          POSITIONS? >> FOUR CLERKS FOR THOSE TWO POINT YOU OKAY, AND YOU MENTIONED THOSE CASE MANAGEMENT, AND JUST TO CLARIFY, THAT WOULD BE ONE PROGRAM OR POSITION? 
          >> WE HAVE MANY PROGRAMMERS ON STAFF AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THESE TYPES OF ISSUES BUT IF WE HAD ONE THAT WAS SOLELY DEDICATED TO THESE PARTICULAR ISSUES, WE COULD GET IT DONE FASTER. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN SENATE BILL 9 HITS US, EVERYTHING STOPPED. WE HAD TO FOCUS SOLELY ON SENATE BILL 9 TO MAKE IT HAPPEN, AND THAT IS WHAT I'M SAYING, IT DIVERTS US FROM OUR LOCAL PRIORITIES TO IMPLEMENT THESE LEGISLATIVE MANDATES. 
          >> THANK YOU AND ON SB 9, OF COURSE YOU AUTHORIZED THE OVERTIME FUNDING, JUST GOING FORWARD AND AS WE LEARNED A LITTLE BIT MORE ON SB 9, DO YOU NEED ADDITIONAL REQUESTS ON THAT AND HOW ARE YOU TRACKING THE IMPACTS YOU ARE SEEING, SO WE HAVE ON THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO CONSIDER THESE REQUESTS IN 
          THE FUTURE. >> SENATE BILL 9 IS MASSIVE, WE ARE JUST SCRATCHING THE SURFACE AND GETTING THE BARE-BONES MINIMUM IN PLACE AS OF SEPTEMBER 1ST. MY TEAM WAS ON THE PHONE STARTING AT 11:30 AND DID NOT GET OFF THE PHONE UNTIL 9:30 A.M. MONDAY MORNING TO MAKE IT WORK. ONCE YOU START THE PROCESS, YOU FIND THINGS THAT AREN'T WORKING LIKE YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD AND YOU ARE ON THAT CALL FOR 9 1/2 HOURS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED AT THIS POINT, WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY REALIZED IS IT IS GOING TO IMPACT A LOT MORE CASES THAN WAS INITIALLY EXPECTED. THERE WAS EXTRA CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A CASE FALLS IN THIS CATEGORY, THAT IS GOING TO PUSH A LOT MORE OFF. SO OUR PROPOSAL LAST WEEK WAS TO AUTHORIZE OVERTIME WITH EXISTING POSITIONS AND FIND OUT WHAT IT IS GOING TO BE LIKE, WE WILL MONITOR THAT AND SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING, IF IT JUSTIFIES A FULL-TIME PERSON OR IF NOT, WE HAVEN'T CREATED SOMETHING WE DON'T NEED. BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG PROCESS, IT IS MANY LAYERS IN THAT BILL THAT STILL HAS TO BE LIMITED. 
          >> AND I KNOW YOU MENTIONED SOME RECOMMENDATIONS BUT COULD YOU SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE PASSPORT SERVICES AND THE POSITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THAT, WHAT IS THE ENHANCEMENT, ET 
          CETERA? >> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PASSPORT PROCESS WE OPENED AT THE CANAL LOCATION ON THE EAST SIDE OF TOWN. WE HAVE BEEN PROCESSING OVER 1000 PASSPORT APPLICATIONS PER MONTH SINCE WE IMPLEMENTED ON MAY 1ST. WE FEEL LIKE IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DOUBLE INCAPACITY. RIGHT NOW IT IS DEFINITELY AT A BREAKEVEN POINT, IT IS NOT COSTING ANYTHING TO HAVE IT AND WE FEEL LIKE WITH THE GROWTH AND PROMOTING OF IT, THAT IT WILL BECOME A REVENUE PRODUCING ACTIVITY. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT RAISING OUR PHOTO FEE FROM $12 UP TO $18 WHICH IS WHAT HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARIES ARE DOING, WHICH WOULD ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY TO THE PROCESS. IT IS 
          [03:35:05]
A VERY MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE , THE LIBRARIES HAVE EIGHT LOCATIONS THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE BUT THEY ARE IN THE SUBURBAN AND OUTLYING AREAS EXCEPT FOR ONE INSIDE THE LOOP AND ONE INSIDE BELTWAY, THE OTHER SIX ARE ALL BEYOND BELTWAY EIGHT. THE NEED IS VERY MUCH THERE, THE PEOPLE THAT COME INTO THE OFFICE, IT IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GO AND GET A PASSPORT APPLICATION PROCESSED WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT. AND PEOPLE SEEM TO BE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE SERVICE AND THE ABILITY TO ACCESS IT. 
          >> AND I'M SURE IT IS HELPFUL BUT I BELIEVE THE ASSISTANT CLERK'S OFFICE ALSO HAS PASSPORT SERVICES. 
          >> WE ALSO DO PROCESSING IN THE DOWNTOWN CIVIL COURT HOUSE, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY AND WE ARE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY ELIMINATING THAT, MOVING EVERYTHING TO CANAL AND LEAVE THIS COURTHOUSE COMPLEX FOR JUDGES AND YOU ALL AND PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE COURTHOUSE COMPLEX TO HANDLE THAT BUT NOT FOR THE PUBLIC. 
          >> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. YOU ALREADY TOUCHED ON SB 9 A LITTLE BIT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU COULD DISCUSS WHETHER THERE'S ANY OTHER RECENT CHANGES IN LEGISLATION THAT YOU EXPECTED TO IMPACT YOUR DEPARTMENT IN ANY SIGNIFICANT WAY. 
          >> SENATE BILL 293 IS GOING TO IMPACT OUR OFFICE, THAT IS WHERE OUR CLERKS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MONITOR THE CIVIL COURTS. THE LAW HAS SPECIFIED A TIME PERIOD, I THINK IT IS 14 DAYS FOR A RESPONSE AND THAT STAYS IN PLACE AND AFTER THAT RESPONSE IS RECEIVED, THE JUDGE WILL HAVE 45 DAYS TO HAVE A HEARING ON THE MOTION AND OUR COURT CLERK IS THE ONE WHO HAS TO MONITOR AND SEE IF THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE. AFTER THAT, THEY HAVE 90 DAYS TO MAKE A RULING ON THE JUDGMENT AND WE HAVE TO REPORT TO THE OFFICE OF COURT AND MINISTRATION WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE OR NOT ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. IT PUTS US IN AN ENVIOUS POSITION OF MONITORING THE JUDGES AND REPORTING ON THEIR ACTIVITIES, IT IS NOT EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO DO BUT IT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATUTE AND WE WILL DO IT AND REPORT EXACTLY WHATEVER THE STATISTICS SAY. SENATE BILL 9, THE DIRECTOR SAID THEY STRIKE THE PSR, BUT OUR CLERK HAS TO ENTER THE BOND CONDITIONS IN THE FORM AND AFTER THAT, WE HAVE TO ENTER WHETHER OR NOT PC WAS FOUND OR NOT, THEN WE HAVE TO HAVE A CLERK ON SITE DURING THE WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS IN ORDER TO IMAGE DOCUMENT AND UPLOAD IT INTO THE SYSTEM SO THE STATUTORY JUDGE CAN SEE IT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ON SITE. AND THAT IS RESTRICTED AND NOT ALLOWED TO SEND THAT ELECTRONICALLY VIA EMAIL SO IT HAS TO BE IN THE SYSTEM FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT AND ACT ON IT WITHIN THAT 48 HOUR TIME FRAME. 
          >> THANK YOU. IN LIGHT OF THE POTENTIAL HIRING FREEZE WE WILL HAVE THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR, TO KEEP THE BUDGET UNDER CHECK, I WONDER IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW HIRING AND RETENTION HAVE BEEN AND WHAT IT MIGHT MEAN IF THERE IS A HIRING 
          FREEZE . >> POTENTIALLY IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US, OTHER HARRIS COUNTY AGENCIES RECRUIT OUR PEOPLE AWAY BECAUSE THEY ARE HIGHLY TRAINED IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THEY ALL PAY MORE THAN WE CAN IN MY OFFICE, SO THEY WILL TAKE ONE OF THEIR HIGHLY TRAINED CLERKS AND GIVE THEM FIVE DOLLARS MORE PER HOUR, OF COURSE YOU CANNOT BLAME THEM FOR THAT. SO THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND AS WE SAID, YOU CANNOT OPERATE A COURT WITHOUT A CLERK. SO IF THEY ARE TURNED AWAY OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM OR THE COURT CANNOT FUNCTION. WE CANNOT FUNCTION UNDER A HIRING FREEZE AND NOT BRING THE COURT TO A STANDSTILL. 
          >> THANK YOU. SO, YOUR DEPARTMENT WAS AMONG SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS THAT WITHIN THE PROPOSED BUDGET WAS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING A HISTORICAL SURPLUS. I WONDER IF YOU COULD ELABORATE ON THIS WHERE THE SURPLUS COMES FROM, WHAT MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO IT, WHAT YOU TYPICALLY USE THESE FOR? 
          >> I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT SURPLUS YOU ARE REFERRING TO, WHEN I CAME INTO THE OFFICE, THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OVER 3 MILLION IN THE HOLDOVER MONEY. AND I HAD CLERKS AND OFFICE WHO HADN'T RAISED IT IN EIGHT YEARS SO I USED THAT MONEY TO GIVE MERIT RAISES THAT FIRST YEAR. AND THE NEXT YEAR THEY TOOK OUR MONEY AWAY FROM US. BECAUSE I WAS TAKING THE POSITION OF I 
          [03:40:04]
DON'T NEED EXTRA MONEY FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO DO THIS, I HAVE A 3 MILLION FUND, THAT WOULD COVER WHAT I'M DOING FOR TWO YEARS. IT GOT TAKEN AWAY THE NEXT YEAR. SO WE FELT LIKE WE WERE OPERATING VERY TIGHTLY AND NOT HAVING ANY MONEY FOR THE MERIT RAISES. THE SYSTEM IS VERY CUMBERSOME AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO WORK WITHIN. WE HAVE HIGH TURNOVER SO AT ALL TIMES WE HAVE OVER 10 VACANCIES AT ANY GIVEN POINT AND SOMETIMES AS MANY AS 50. WE ARE REPLACING THEM AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN BUT THE BUDGET IS BEING SET ASIDE FOR THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS EMPTY AND THAT IS WHY WE END UP WITH MONEY LEFT OVER BECAUSE YOU CAN'T ZERO IT OUT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FILL IT BUT IT MIGHT TAKE US A MONTH TO GET A PERSON IN PLACE. SO THERE MIGHT BE SOME SURPLUS BUT IF I HAVE A BIG SURPLUS, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL ME ABOUT IT. 
          >> THANK YOU. OKAY, I'VE GOT ABOUT 20 SECONDS LEFT, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW JUST WHAT YOUR GENERAL THOUGHTS ARE ON YOUR BUDGET AS PROPOSED, GIVEN WHAT WAS SHARED AT THE START OF THIS MEETING AND WHETHER YOU FEEL YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE YOUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICES AND MEET STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND 
          ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. >> WE REALLY DO NEED THESE 12 ASSISTANT COURT CLERKS APPROVED IN ORDER FOR THE CIVIL COURTS TO FUNCTION AS THEY SHOULD, THE FACT THAT THE NEW COURTS GOT DELAYED, THAT IS GOING TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IN THE TURNOVER IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE BECAUSE OUR SALARIES ARE SOME OF 
          THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> JUST A BIT OF A FOLLOW-UP ON THE COUNTY JUDGE OFFICE QUESTION, DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH THE EXISTING OPPOSED BUDGET AS BEING ABLE TO COMPLY WITH SB 9 AND SB 293 GIVEN THESE ADDITIONAL DEMANDS? 
          >> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE CIVIL COURTS IF WE DON'T GET THE EXTRA POSITIONS. ON SENATE BILL 9, IT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT, MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT WE WERE TO OPERATE WITHOUT ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AND SEE WHERE WE WERE AND THAT WOULD BE ADDRESSED AND SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS NEEDED SHOULD WE HAVE THE NEED FOR IT. THERE ARE SO MANY LAYERS TO SENATE BILL 9, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO YET. THE I.T. TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK WITH A LOT OF STRESS AND PAUSING EVERY OTHER PROJECT THEY WERE WORKING ON WHICH IS CRIMINAL TO THE CRIMINAL -- CRITICAL TO THE CRIMINAL BACKLOG SYSTEM. AND THE MORE THAT COMES OUR WAY WITH LEGISLATIVE MANDATES, THE HARDER IT GETS TO DELIVER. THE OTHER PIECE RIGHT NOW, THIS IS PROBABLY TRUE FOR ALL OF YOU AS WELL, THE P.A. REQUESTS ARE GETTING MASSIVE, WE GET REQUESTS FOR MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF DATA BEING REQUESTED. IT TAKES HOURS TO DO IT. WE NEED SOMEBODY FULL-TIME TO GET THAT PROJECT BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT TO STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DEADLINES. AND DELIVER THE REQUEST ON TIME. SO WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THAT. THE CRIMINAL COURTS ARE STRUGGLING WITH ON THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON. IT IS A LOT AND WE ARE JUGGLING AND MAKING DO AND MAKING IT HAPPEN BUT EVERY YEAR IT GETS A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO DO WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AND I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW THE PAY IS IN OUR OFFICE. WE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN EVERY PAY EQUITY STUDY THAT HAS COME DOWN THE PIPE. WE HAVE VOLUNTEERED BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE OUR OFFICE IS UNDERPAID IN COMPARISON TO OTHER HARRIS COUNTY AGENCIES AND THAT IS WHAT CREATES THE HIGH TURNOVER. THEY ARE DOING MASSIVE, WE HAD A MEETING WITH OUR CIVIL COURT CLERKS THE OTHER DAY AND THEY TOLD ME WE HAVE 3872 CODES WE MUST KNOW IN ORDER TO DO OUR JOBS PROPERLY. THAT IS THE CIVIL COURTS WERE LOOKING FOR AN ASSISTANT TO HELP THEM. IT'S JUST A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THEY HAVE TO TAKE ON, THEY HAVE OVERTIME REQUIREMENTS WHEN THE TRIALS RUN LATE. THEY HAVE LEGAL LIABILITY THEY DON'T SOMEBODY OUT OF THE JAIL ON TIME. IT IS VERY STRESSFUL AND WE ARE THE LOWEST PAID AGENCY IN THE COUNTY. 
          >> THANK YOU AND I KNOW WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU AND YOUR CLERKS DO IN THE OFFICE. I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY OUTREACH EFFORTS AND IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE SUCCESSES OF THOSE AND IF YOU HAVE DONE ANY EVALUATION ON WHAT EFFORTS SPECIFICALLY HAVE PROVIDED A GREATER OR LESSER RETURN. 
          >> WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN WITH THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE, WHICH ARE VERY LIMITED. WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH WHICH IS VERY CHEAP, WE HAVE SEEN A BIG INCREASE IN 
          [03:45:05]
APPEARANCE RATE. WHEN I RAN THIS OFFICE, THAT WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES I RAN ON, WE LAUNCHED OUR FIRST CAMPAIGN IN EARLY 2020, ABOUT THE TIME IT HITS THE BILLBOARDS IN THE AIRWAYS, SO ALL THAT MONEY WAS WASTED BECAUSE YOU ENDED JURY SERVICE. 
          BUT OUR PARTICIPATION RATE WHEN I CAME INTO THE OFFICE WAS ABOUT 23%. IT FELL TO 20 -- 13%, IT IS BACK UP TO 24% BUT NOWHERE NEAR WHERE WE NEED IT TO BE YET AND WE ARE DOING EVERY THING WE CAN WITH THE LIMITED RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE. 
          >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1. PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL HAVE FIVE 
          MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY. 
          HOW DO YOUR SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS ALIGNED WITH YOUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES VERSUS SOME OF YOUR MORE 
          DISCRETIONARY INITIATIVES? >> AND THE ONLY THING THAT WE DO IN SERVICE REQUESTS THAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR IS OUR PASSPORT OPERATION, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE DISTRICT COURTS ARE AUTHORIZED TO DO BUT NOT REQUIRED TO DO AND AS I SAID BEFORE, IT IS AT LEAST A BREAKEVEN PROJECT AND PROVIDES A VERY MUCH-NEEDED SERVICE, PARTICULARLY TO THE PEOPLE IN THE EAST END, AT OUR NEW LOCATION AT CANAL. WE DO LIKE IT IS A VERY VALUABLE SERVICE, THERE'S NO REASON WHY WE SHOULDN'T CONTINUE IT. THE JURY OUTREACH IS NOT MANDATED OF COURSE BUT THAT IS SOMETHING, WE ARE HAVING TO SUMMONS 1 MILLION PEOPLE PER YEAR IN ORDER TO GET THE 150,000 PEOPLE WE NEED IN THE SEATS TO PROVIDE JURIES. AND WE CAN GET THEM BUT IT IS EXPENSIVE TO GET WHAT WE NEED AND THAT IS WHY JURY OUTREACH IS SO IMPORTANT. IT'S NOT LIKE IT IS GOING TO SHUT DOWN A TRIAL, WE GET THE JURORS, WE DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. BUT IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE IF THE APPEARANCE RATE IS AS LOW AS IT HAS BEEN AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE WORKING SO HARD TO GET IT UP, THE PAY INCREASE IS CRITICAL TO THAT, THE OUTREACH WE HAVE DONE, WE CONTINUE TO GO OUT TWO HIGH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CIVIC GROUPS TO TRY TO PROMOTE THE REASON WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SHOW UP. I FIRMLY BELIEVE OUR JOURNEY PANELS NEED TO REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT MEANS WE NEED TO GET OUR MINORITY PARTICIPATION UP. WE NEED PARTICIPATION UP IN YOUNG PEOPLE, AND WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD ON THAT, DOING EVERYTHING 
          WE CAN. >> YOU MENTIONED THE PASSPORT OFFICE AS WELL, I KNOW YOU ARE REQUESTING ONE POSITION AND YOU MENTIONED IN THE PAST THAT YOU COULD HAVE A POTENTIAL RETURN OF CLOSE TO $1 MILLION, HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT FIGURE? 
          >> WE ARE LOOKING AT WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND WHEN WE SUBMITTED, IT WAS AUGUST OR JULY MAYBE AND PROJECTING WHAT THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY CAN BE OVER THERE. SO, I ADMIT, WE PREMATURELY ASKED FOR THAT. WE ARE NOT THERE YET, WE ARE NOT AT CAPACITY AND IF WE RAMP UP TO FULL CAPACITY, WE FEEL LIKE THE GROWTH IS THERE AND WE CAN DELIVER THAT BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE PROMOTIONAL EFFORTS AND WORD-OF-MOUTH TO GET THEM OUT TO WHERE THEY ARE PROCESSING THE MAXIMUM THEY CAN. SO I FULLY HOPE TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO YOU AND SAY WE CAN'T DO ANYMORE THAN WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW BUT WE STILL HAVE DEMAND, IF YOU GIVE US ANOTHER PERSON WE CAN PRODUCE MORE REVENUE AND I THINK WE CAN GET THERE WITHIN A YEAR THAT WE ARE NOT THERE NOW. SO 
          THAT WAS A PREMATURE ASK. >> AND YOU MENTIONED YOU HAD HIGH TURNOVER RATE, WHAT WOULD YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT? 
          >> PAY, EVERY EXIT INTERVIEW WE HAVE, I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING BUT THEY ARE GETTING OFFICE FOR BETTER PAY. 
          >> AND AS OF AUGUST 1ST, YOU HAD CLOSE TO 30 VACANCIES, WHAT KIND OF POSITIONS ARE THOSE AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR BUDGET? 
          >> THE BIGGEST PIECE IS IN THE CRIMINAL COURTS FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS, ONE IS THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE THE MOST COURTS, 29 FELONY DISTRICT COURTS, AND THE OTHER PIECE IS THAT IT IS A VERY STRESSFUL SITUATION. THEY DEAL EVERY DAY WITH HORRIFIC THINGS, THEY ARE SEEING A LOT. THERE'S A LOT OF DEMANDS ON THEM THAT MAKES THEIR JOBS VERY DIFFICULT, IT IS A MORE DIFFICULT WORLD THAN THE CIVIL SIDE AND THEY BURN OUT AND BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GIVE MERIT PAY RAISES, THE ONLY THING THEY HAVE GOTTEN IS THE COLAS AND THAT IS NOT TRUE, WE EKE OUT A 
          [03:50:02]
LITTLE BIT EVERY YEAR UNTIL THIS YEAR AND WE WERE TOLD WE ARE GOING TO GO OVER OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR. SO WE HAVE BEEN DELAYING FILLING POSITIONS BECAUSE THE BUDGET OFFICE IS TELLING US WE ARE GOING TO GO OVER BUDGET IF WE DON'T. AND AGAIN, THAT JUST PUTS MORE COMPRESSION ON THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE WHERE THEY HAVE TO FILL IN FOR THOSE VACANT POSITIONS AND THEY ARE HAVING TO DO THAT DUTY, SO IT INCREASES THE STRESS AND IT IS A SNOWBALL 
          EFFECT. >> OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 2, PRECINCT 3 YOU WILL HAVE FIVE 
          MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> OKAY, WHEN THE COUNTY JUDGE ASKED ABOUT THE HISTORIC SURPLUS, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT 
          IS TALKING ABOUT? >> I THINK THE CLERK DID A GREAT JOB EXPLAINING WHY THERE HAVE BEEN SURPLUSES. HISTORICALLY, AND AGAIN, THIS IS NOT AT ALL CRITICISM OF THE DEPARTMENTS, EVERY DEPARTMENT PARTICULARLY ONES THAT HAVE LOWER PAID FOLKS THAT ARE EXPECTED TO PERFORM WELL ABOVE THEIR SALARIES ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME AMOUNT OF TURNOVER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS BECOMES THE BREEDING GROUND FOR THE COURT REPORTERS AND COURT COORDINATORS AND OTHER ADMIN FUNCTIONS THAT ARE LESS STRESSFUL, WHICH AGAIN WHICH IS WHY WE PUSHED SO HARD TO DO THE STUDY AS OPPOSED TO JUST HAVING THESE LOWER TIER PAY FOR VERY IMPORTANT POSITIONS. BUT EVERY TIME THERE IS TURNOVER, EVERY PAY PERIOD GENERATES A VACANCY STATEMENT WHICH AGAIN IS DIFFICULT TO GO AND REINVEST IN PERSONNEL. SO WE DO BUDGET THE WAY WE DO, SO THE BUDGET CAN GO UP TO 105% OF THE LABOR BUDGET SO WE CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SOME LEVEL OF THAT TURNOVER AND 
          SHRINK IT AS MUCH AS WE CAN. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY BECAUSE I KNOW YOU WERE SHOCKED AND BASED ON WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE 3100 YOU NEEDED FOR THE SEPTEMBER. 
          >> BECAUSE I WAS TOLD WE WERE GOING TO GO OVER AND THE GUY SAID, WE HAVE BEEN DELAYING HIRING AND WE HAVE A POSITION 
          BUT WE HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS. >> IN YOUR BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS, IT TALKS ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES 1.2 MILLION OFFSETS, WHAT IS THAT? I THINK IT'S THE CUTS PROBABLY. 
          >> WHERE ARE YOU SAYING THAT? >> THAT IS ON ONE OF THE 
          DOCUMENTS. >> THAT IS WHAT WE WERE REFERRING TO, OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOTH THE PASSPORT OFFICE AND THE COMPUTER SAVINGS. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOU CLARIFIED IT FOR ME. WHAT IS THE COST OF YOUR 
          12 CLERKS THAT YOU NEED? >> $1.5 MILLION. 
          >> OKAY, I KNOW YOU GAVE US A LETTER AT THAT TIME TO RUN THROUGH IT, SO THE LETTER DEALS WITH THOSE ISSUES. 
          >> YES, THAT IS WHY THE JUDGES ARE WEIGHING IN AND WHY THEY 
          FEEL IT IS NECESSARY AS WELL. >> OKAY, LOWEST PAID AGENCY, WHAT IS THE COMPARISON RIGHT NOW? 
          >> THE $20 MINIMUM DEFINITELY HELPED OUR OFFICE A LOT BUT IT DIDN'T HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT WERE MAKING $20 PER HOUR AND HAD BEEN THERE FIVE YEARS SO THAT MADE A LOT OF PEOPLE VERY UNHAPPY AND I DON'T HAVE MONEY IN MY BUDGET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. WHEN I GOT THERE WE HAD PEOPLE MAKING $13 PER HOUR AND THE COUNTY RAISED THE MINIMUM UP TO $15 RIGHT AFTER WE CAME ON BOARD AT THE SAME TIME IN 2019. WE HAD ABOUT 60 PEOPLE WHO WERE CONTRACT LABOR AND MAKING NINE DOLLARS, SITTING NEXT TO SOMEBODY WHO WAS MAKING THE NEW $15 DOING THE EXACT SAME JOB AND GETTING NO BENEFITS. WE GRADUALLY WERE ABLE TO SHIFT THAT AND BRING THEM BACK INTO FULL-TIME SO THEY WERE PAID IN A COMPARABLE WAY. SO WE HAVE DONE A LOT IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS TO TRY TO IMPROVE SALARIES BUT EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING THE SAME THING SO I DISCREPANCY BETWEEN WHAT THE D.A. CAN PAY, WITH THE SHERIFF CAN PAY, I HAD A CALL CENTER CLERK WHO WAS RECRUITED AND OFFERED FIVE DOLLARS PER HOUR MORE OVER THERE THEN WE WERE PAYING AND SHE COULD WORK FROM HOME. WE REQUIRE PEOPLE TO WORK IN THE OFFICE. AND I HAVE 600 EMPLOYEES. I CAN'T PROVIDE PARKING FOR ALL OF THEM AND A $20 PER HOUR EMPLOYEE HAS TO 
          [03:55:09]
WORK JUST TO PAY FOR THEIR PARKING. THERE'S OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE SMALL ENOUGH OR HAVE ENOUGH BUDGET THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE PAID PARKING FOR EVERYBODY ON THE STAFF. I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO DO THAT. SO WHEN THEY ARE OFFERED ANOTHER JOB BY A DIFFERENT AGENCY AND YOU CAN WORK FROM HOME OR GET PAID PARKING OR FIVE DOLLARS PER HOUR 
          INCREASE, WE RELEASE THEM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PRECINCT 4, YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS REMAINING. 
          >> I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, I APOLOGIZE. 
          >> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 1, YOU HAVE 1:02 REMAINING. PRECINCT 2, 
          YOU HAVE 19 SECONDS REMAINING. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU, CLERK, YOU HAVE 2:00 FOR CLOSING REMARKS. 
          >> IN QUEUE, MY OFFICE IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED BY A LEGISLATIVE MANDATES, EACH LEGISLATIVE SESSION, SENATE BILL 9 AND 293 ARE JUST TWO EXAMPLES FROM THIS YEAR'S SESSION, BOTH OF THESE HAVE ADDED SIGNIFICANT REQUIREMENTS THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT MY OFFICE. ALL THESE MANDATES REQUIRE US TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED REPORTING TO THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION AND THE TRACKING OF ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES, EACH OF THESE REQUIREMENTS DEMAND ADDITIONAL STAFF TIME WITHOUT ADEQUATE COMPENSATION, NEW CLERICAL PROCESSES AND IN SOME CASES THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGY YET NONE OF THEM COME WITH FUNDING. EVERY TIME THE LEGISLATURE IMPOSES MANDATES LIKE THIS WITHOUT RESOURCES, IT DELAYS IN LIMITATION OF LOCAL PRIORITIES AND INCREASES THE WORKLOAD WE ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO MEET. IN THE SEVEN YEARS I HAVE SERVED, MY OFFICE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY FUNDING FOR ANY MERIT RAISES AND THIS HAS CREATED A HIGH TURNOVER RATE, SALARY COMPRESSION ISSUES ARE WORSE WHEN ONLY LOWEST PAID STAFF RECEIPT INCREASES. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, OTHER HARRIS COUNTY AGENCIES CONTINUE TO RECRUIT OUR HIGHLY TRAINED EMPLOYEES TO PERFORM SIMILAR ROLES OFTEN FOR MUCH HIGHER SALARIES. WITHOUT THE RESOURCES TO COMPETE, WE ARE FORCING A CYCLE OF LOSING QUALIFIED PEOPLE. I NEED MY SALARIES BUDGET TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER HARRIS COUNTY AGENCIES AND TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO DETERMINE WHO IS DESERVING OF A RAISE AND HOW MUCH. IN ORDER TO STOP THE RECRUITING OF MY TRAINED STAFF, IT IS BETTER FOR THE COUNTY AGENCIES. I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY IS FACING DIFFICULT SITUATIONS WITH THE BUDGET SHORTFALL BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE SMART DECISIONS, IT IS NOT SMART TO MASSIVELY INCREASE SALARIES FOR A SELECT FEW WHILE DENYING RAISES FOR THE MAJORITY. YOU MUST ADEQUATELY FUND MY OFFICE TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE LEGISLATIVE MANDATES. HE MUST PROVIDE FUNDING FOR COURT CLERKS FOR ALL THE COURTS BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW AND UNDERSTAND COURTS CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT A COURT CLERK. I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER NOT ONLY THE NUMBERS ON THE PAGE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM FUNCTION EVERYDAY, MY OFFICE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN SUBVERTING -- SERVING THE PUBLIC. SIMPLY PUT, WE CAN'T KEEP DOING MORE WITH LESS. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU CLERK MARILYN BURGESS AND TO THE ENTIRE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE. THE NEXT PRESENTATION WILL BE FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. 
          [Hospital District]
          >> WELCOME DR. ESMAEIL PORSA AND TEAM, THE NEXT PRESENTATION IS FROM THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR YOUR OPENING REMARKS AND EACH COURT OFFICE WILL HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS AND YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. FEEL FREE TO BEGIN. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? 
          >> YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> IF YOU CAN BE A LITTLE BIT LOUDER, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> OKAY, I WILL TRY TO BE A LITTLE BIT LOUDER. 
          [04:00:34]
          >> THAT IS MUCH BETTER, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU AGAIN, GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. WE REALLY HAVE NOTHING MORE TO ADD OTHER THAN WHAT WE MENTIONED AND PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. REALLY IMPORTANT AND I KNOW THAT PERHAPS THIS IS GOING TO COME UP, THAT IS THE FACT THAT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OR STATEMENT IS ALWAYS AN INTERESTING SITUATION, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE TRUE THAN THIS YEAR AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND AT THE STATE LEVEL. SPECIFICALLY THE COST TO MEDICAID, THE POTENTIAL COST TO FINANCING, AND THE ISSUE OF GOING WAY OF THE TAX CREDITS, BECAUSE SOMEWHERE AROUND 1.7 MILLION TEXANS WILL LOSE INSURANCE, SO ALL OF THOSE HAVE IMPACTED OUR FINANCIAL ABILITY, WHICH EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM KNOWS DIRECTLY AFFECTS OUR SERVICES. I WILL JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU DR. PORSA , WE WILL HAVE QUESTIONS FROM COURT OFFICES, EACH OFFICE IS ALLOCATED EIGHT MINUTES, BEGINNING WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. ALWAYS GOOD TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THE PLAN IS, PARTICULARLY GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR 2026. LET ME KIND OF DO SOME BASIC SETTING AND UNDERSTANDING YOUR BUDGET, SO THE BUDGET YOU PROPOSED, IS 
          THAT BASED ON -- >> THERE WERE TWO THINGS I THINK WERE PRESENTED AT COMMISSIONERS COURT, SOMETHING AROUND $50 MILLION MARGIN, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THE NEW NET REVENUE WOULD PUT US INTO A $120 MILLION HOLD, WAS THAT THE QUESTION, 
          COMMISSIONER? >> YES, YOUR BUDGET IS BASED ON ASSUMPTION THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GO WITH THE VOTER APPROVED 
          RIGHT? >> THAT IS CORRECT. 
          >> AND THAT VOTER APPROVED RATE IS 8%? 
          >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> AND IF I REMEMBER, THE ACTUAL IMPACT TO HOMEOWNERS IN HARRIS COUNTY IS A LOT MORE THAN 8% AND I KNOW LAST YEAR WE DID ROUGHLY 8%? 
          >> YES, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER, THE VOTER APPROVED RATE FOR THE HOSPITAL IS 8%, THEY ARE ALSO AT ALLOWANCE FOR INCREASES TO UNCOMPENSATED CARE, SO I BELIEVE THE TOTAL VAR, IF YOU GIVE ME A FEW MINUTES, I WILL EMAIL YOUR 
          STAFF. >> YOU ENDED THIS YEAR WITH A SURPLUS IN YOUR BUDGET. IS THAT CORRECT? 
          >> WE HAD A MARGIN, THAT IS CORRECT. 
          >> SO I WOULD THINK THE OBVIOUS THING WE ARE ASKING HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, AS WE PARTNER UP FOR HEALTHCARE IN THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS, THE COUNTY THAT GREW THE MOST IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH OVER 100,000 PEOPLE MOVING HERE, WE ARE REALLY HAVING TO CROSS OUR T'S AND DOT OUR I'S THIS YEAR IN OUR BUDGET, I DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING IN THE HOSPITAL BUDGET AND SINCE WE ARE PARTNERING ON SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, THERE IS HARRIS HEALTH HERE AND OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WE DO 
          [04:05:01]
SOME THINGS THAT COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER, IF NOT IDENTICAL TO EACH OTHER. SO IT MAY BE THAT YOU ALL COULD LEGITIMATELY PICK UP SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING TO HELP US IN OUR BUDGET AND OUR BUDGET ISSUES HERE. HAVE Y'ALL HAD ANY OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU COULD DO TO HELP TAKE SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF OF OUR BUDGET IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE ASSIGNS THE JAIL? 
          >> SO, COMMISSIONER, THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS YES. AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN ALWAYS IN FAVOR OF PARTNERING WITH THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SEE HOW WE CAN AMPLIFY THE IMPACT. 
          AND HERE POINT, WE HAVE COMMUNICATED TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND OUR WILLINGNESS TO SIT DOWN WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SEE YOUR POINT EXACTLY, WHAT IS IT THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THE FINANCIAL PRESSURES THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS UP AGAINST. TODAY AT 4:00 P.M., THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS MEETING WITH OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER TO HELP US WITH THIS EXACT DISCUSSION AND I HAVE INCLUDED, OR WE HAVE INCLUDED THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP AND SOME OF THE COMMUNICATIONS BACK AND FORTH AND I THINK MR. RAMOS CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN WILLING AND OPEN TO HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND WE CONTINUE TO BE OPEN AND WILLING TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS. 
          >> SO IN TERMS OF YOUR BUDGET YOU ARE PROPOSING AND YOU KNOW WHAT BUDGET, THE CUTS WE ARE HAVING IN SOME CASES, IS THERE ANYTHING IDENTIFIED SPECIFICALLY THAT HARRIS HEALTH COULD TAKE OVER, START DOING AND WE STOPPED DOING? 
          >> NOT SPECIFICALLY AT THIS POINT, WE ARE STILL VERIFYING WITH ALL THE PARTNERS, WE ARE COORDINATING WITH DIRECTOR MARTIN AS WELL AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY EXPENSE THAT WE TRANSFER MEETS THE STATE LAWS THAT COVER HARRIS HEALTH BUT WE HAVE DISCUSSED A NUMBER THAT HARRIS HEALTH WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP SUPPORT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON. 
          >> BUT THAT NUMBER IS NOT IN THIS BUDGET? 
          >> NOT YET, WE HOPE TO HAVE A FINAL NUMBER. 
          >> THAT IS AT LEAST BEING CONSIDERED IN TERMS OF WHAT 
          MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE? >> ABSOLUTELY, THE ANSWER IS 
          YES. >> DR. PORSA WAS THE FIRST ONE TO REACH OUT WHEN YOU MADE THAT MOTION, BUT IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET EVERYBODY IN THE SAME ROOM. 
          >> SO WHAT IS THE INCREASE, FROM LAST YEAR IT IS A LITTLE OVER 100 MILLION AND I THINK YOU ASKED ABOUT THE IMPACT TO THE 
          TAXPAYER. >> YES, ROUGHLY 100 MILLION, 
          THAT IS MORE THAN 8%. >> IT IS CLOSER TO 14% BUT THAT DOES INCLUDE THE FIRST PAYMENTS FOR THE BOND. 
          >> RIGHT. THAT IS ALL TAXES. SO AGAIN, UNDERSTANDING THE TAXPAYERS IMPACT, LAST YEAR WE TOOK AN 8% WHICH ENDED UP BEING 15% INCREASE IN GENERAL TAX RIGHT HERE AND THAT WAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR VOTES. THIS WOULD BE A BIG IMPACT ON A LOT OF FOLKS THAT REALLY CAN'T AFFORD IT AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHAT THE NUMBER COULD BE. I KNOW YOU ARE TAKING WHAT THE LAW ALLOWS BUT IT MIGHT BE PRUDENT TO LOOK AT WHAT THAT COULD BE. I THINK THE TAX RATE IS TOO HIGH. WHAT 
          YOU'RE ASKING FOR. >> I APPRECIATE THAT, OBVIOUSLY I DON'T AGREE BUT GOING BACK, HARRIS COUNTY BEING ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING IF NOT THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES, ADDING, YOU MENTIONED 100,000 PEOPLE, IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT UNFORTUNATELY WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER AND RATE OF UNINSURED OUT OF ANY COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES. AND BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS FAR AS THE PRESSURES UPON THE STATE AND THE COUNTY FROM THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL, WE HAVE TO ANTICIPATE THAT NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE TO GROW. SO THE NEED FOR OUR SERVICES, COMMISSIONER, SADLY FOR THIS PORTION, THIS IS MORE THAN THE UNITED STATES. 
          [04:10:14]
          >> MY DOLLARS HAVE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED, AS A 
          POINT, SO THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, HOW ARE YOU 
          GUYS? >> GOOD TO SEE YOU. 
          >> LIKEWISE. >> YOU HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR 
          QUESTIONS. >> OKAY, DO WE HAVE A TIMER SOMEWHERE? OKAY, THANK YOU, I GUESS THE FIRST ONE IS FOR DANIEL. IF WE WERE TO GO TO 8% WHICH IS THE VA ARE FOR HARRIS HEALTH, AND WE WERE TO GO TO NO NEW REVENUE FOR THE GENERAL FUND AS YOU RECOMMENDED, AND I KNOW THE PORT IS SORT OF ITS OWN THING, WITH THE TOTAL TAX RATE BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN LAST 
          YEAR'S, EXACTLY? >> IT WOULD BE HIGHER. 
          >> OKAY, CAN YOU COMPARE THAT, CAN YOU JUST GIVE ME THE NUMBERS FOR WHAT IT WAS FISCAL YEAR 24? 
          >> THE TOTAL TAX RATE ADOPTED WAS 0.60389, AND THE TOTAL, IF VA ARE ACROSS-THE-BOARD WOULD BE 62353, SO ROUGHLY -- IT WAS 
          0.6389. >> WHAT WAS IT IN HIS CAREER 25? AREN'T WE PLANNING FOR FISCAL YEAR 26? 
          >> SORRY, TAX YEAR 25, I KNOW IT IS CONFUSING. 
          >> OKAY, WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET IS TWO TAX YEARS AGO, CAN YOU GIVE ME THAT PLUS THE ONE WE ARE WORKING ON? 
          >> YOU WOULD NEED TO GIVE ME THE -- MINUTE. 
          >> IT WOULD BE 0.62. >> BUT WE ARE NOT PLANNING FOR 
          VAR ACROSS THE BOARD. >> YES, FOR THE GENERAL FUND, BUT FOR THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, IT IS HIGHER THAN THE VAR . 
          >> RIGHT, SO WE ARE NOT DOING ACTUAL VAR ACROSS THE BOARD. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE GENERAL FUND, PLUS VAR FOR HARRIS HEALTH ADDS UP TO, IS THAT THE NUMBER YOU GAVE ME? 
          >> IF YOU JUST -- >> OKAY, THAT GOES BACK TO DR. 
          PORSA, IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN AS BEST AS YOU CAN, WHY NOW IN TERMS OF MEETING THE 8% THIS YEAR, YOU GUYS HAVE NOT REQUESTED THE VAR FOR MANY OF THE YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN HERE. 
          SO , ANY CONNECTION THAT HAS, IF ANY, TO A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 
          POLICY. >> SURE, SO WE DID ASK FOR THE VAR LAST YEAR AND YOU MAY RECALL ALL THE REASONS FOR THAT IS THE FACT THAT AS OF THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A LITTLE OVER $100 MILLION COST OF OPERATING THE HARRIS HEALTHCARE. 
          AND THE ADDITIONAL OPERATIONAL COST WAS GOING TO SOMEHOW BE ADDRESSED THROUGH ANOTHER VAR REQUEST THIS YEAR, SO WE HAVE INCLUDED THAT IN OUR BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THAT IS NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO, WHY THIS YEAR THE MARGIN AS YOU HEARD FROM THE COMMISSIONERS, ONLY A THIRD OF REVENUE IS BASED ON THE PROPERTY TAX, THAT IS THE MOST STABLE REVENUE SOURCE FOR US. 
          ONE THIRD OF IT IS GOVERNMENTAL SUBSIDIES, AND HAS NEVER BEEN MORE AT RISK AS IT IS THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR. AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS EVERYTHING THAT THIS COURT ALREADY HAS HEARD ABOUT. 
          IT WAS CLOSE TO THE $1 BILLION CUT IN MEDICAID WHICH IS ABOUT 
          [04:15:08]
20% OF OUR PAYER SOURCE IN JULY OF THIS YEAR. CURRENTLY WE ANTICIPATE ANOTHER $850 MILLION CUT. 
          >> OF THE TAX CREDITS FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE ACCESS FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN UNTIL DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, THE IMPACT OF THAT IS ALREADY BEING FELT BY HEALTH INSURERS ALREADY INCREASING THEIR PREMIUMS. THE END RESULT OF ALL OF THAT IS THAT WE ANTICIPATE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO RELY ON SERVICES TO DRAMATICALLY INCREASE NEXT YEAR. SO FOLKS WHO ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE , THAT NUMBER, UNFORTUNATELY IN HARRIS COUNTY, IS GOING TO EXPAND. I BELIEVE, 
          DRAMATIC. >> SO, DR. PORTIA, I PERSONALLY, I DON'T RECALL HAVING VISITED HARRIS HEALTH AS A PATIENT. WHY WOULD I OR SOMEBODY IN MY SITUATION FEEL THAT THEY OUGHT TO PAY TAXES TO COVER THIS PUBLIC SERVICE THAT THEY DON'T 
          USE? >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. 
          I WAS JUST HAVING THAT CONVERSATION OVER LUNCH. SO YES, WE HAVE A STATUTORY MANDATE WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, HOWEVER, AS A LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTER, ONE OF ONLY TWO IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE TAKE CARE OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY. SOMEBODY LIKE YOU, WHO MAY NOT BE IN OUR SERVICES BASED ON THE INDIGENT, HEAVEN FORBID, IF YOU'RE A VICTIM OF TRAUMA, CAR ACCIDENT, FALL, STAB WOUND, CHANCES ARE YOU'RE GOING TO BE BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL. YES, WHERE WE PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING CARE TO THE ENTIRE COUNTY. IN ADDITION TO THAT, IF HARRIS HEALTH WERE PUT INTO A POSITION WHERE WE COULD NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE TODAY, OR THE SERVICES THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PROVIDE IN THE FUTURE, OUR PATIENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEEK CARE SOMEWHERE. IF THAT SOMEWHERE IS NOT HARRIS HEALTH, IT'S EVERY OTHER EMERGENCY ROOM IN THIS AREA. THAT IS ALL THE NON-FOR PROFIT HOSPITALS. IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, JUDGE, ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYBODY WOULD BE COMPROMISED. EVERYBODY WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. IN ADDITION TO THAT, BECAUSE PROVIDED CARE IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACES WHERE CARE CAN BE DELIVERED, THAT EXTRA COST IS GOING TO BE PASSED ON TO EVERYBODY WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR EVERYBODY IN THIS AREA WILL GO UP. SO IT IS TRULY A DOMINO EFFECT, IF HARRIS HEALTH SITUATION IS EVER PUT IN JEOPARDY, THE RESULT IS GOING TO BE FELT BY THE ENTIRE 
          COMMUNITY, >> AND I'LL ASK THE LEGAL FOLKS TO GO OVER OUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TO WHAT EXTENT THIS WOULD FAIL TO MEET THEM. THANK YOU GUYS. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON , COMMISSIONER. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE INDIGENT, INCLUDING THE ONE IN FIVE IN PRECINCT 1 THAT TYPICALLY HAVE TO RECEIVE CARE AT HARRIS HEALTH, VERY EXCITED ABOUT LBJ. COULD YOU REMIND US ABOUT HOW HARRIS HEALTH CURRENT TAX RATE AND PROPOSED COMPARES TO THE OTHER LARGE HOSPITAL DISTRICTS LIKE DALLAS, TRAVIS, THAT COMPARISON? MAYBE THE POPULATION, THE TOTAL SERVED IN 
          COMPARISON? >> YEAH. I'M GOING TO ALLOW OUR FINANCE PEOPLE , BUT I'M GOING TO PUT IN MY TWO CENTS FIRST. 
          AND I HAVE SHOWN THE SLIDE PREVIOUS YEARS AS TO HOW OUR TAX RATE COMPARES , AND IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, OUR TAX RATE IS HALF OF WHAT IT IS IN DALLAS. WITH THAT SAID, IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT OUR POPULATION IS MUCH LARGER. THEN DALLAS, SO, IN TOTAL, PROPERTY TAX SUPPORT THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IS PROBABLY LARGER THAN WHAT DALLAS RECEIVES. HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THE NUMBER OF ENCOUNTERS THAT WE TAKE CARE IS ALSO LARGER THAN WHAT DALLAS 
          [04:20:01]
IS ABLE TO PROVIDE. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO, IF YOU WANT MORE 
          NUMBERS. >> ALSO, I'M NOT PREPARED TO GIVE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT HAPPY TO SEND THEM IN A SEPARATE COMMUNICATION AFTER THIS CALL. I CAN TELL YOU, JUST FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, IN DALLAS COUNTY, TAX RATES ARE IN THE $.20 RANGE. AND IN OTHER COUNTIES ACROSS TEXAS , WHERE SAFETY NETS ARE LOCATED, THEY ARE MUCH LARGER COMPARED TO THE TAX RATE THAT WE ENJOY HERE AT HARRIS HEALTH. THE AMOUNT OF UNINSURED IS MUCH LARGER IN HARRIS COUNTY, BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN THE NATION THAT HAS MORE THAN ONE AND A HALF MILLION INSURED ACROSS THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. 
          SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, SOMETIMES IT'S NOT AN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON, BUT, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RATES, I'M HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT. 
          >> THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED THAT ONE THIRD OF YOUR REVENUE IS FROM THE PROPERTY, THE TAX RATE. HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO YOUR 
          OVERALL FINANCIAL STABILITY? >> VERY IMPORTANT, PROPERTY TAX SUPPORT CURRENTLY IS REALLY THE MOST STABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR US. THE OTHER TWO THIRDS OF OUR REVENUE SOURCE IS ALWAYS AT RISK. REALLY IMPORTANT , THIS COMING YEAR, IS THAT OUR GOVERNMENTAL SUBSIDIES, MEDICAID, MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT, THOSE ARE UPWARDS OF $700 MILLION, $800 MILLION. WE CURRENTLY CANNOT COUNT ON THAT AMOUNT. WHICH IS REALLY HARD FOR ME TO SAY AND BELIEVE, THAT WE ARE AT THIS JUNCTURE, BUT, I NEVER WOULD HAVE BELIEVED THAT WE WOULD USE $1 BILLION IN MEDICAID. WE DID, IN JULY. I WOULD'VE NEVER BELIEVED THAT IN LESS THAN A MONTH WE'RE GOING TO LOSE $850 MILLION, AND YET HERE WE ARE. I WOULD'VE NEVER BELIEVED THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN FOLKS ARE GOING TO LOSE HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH MARKETPLACE, AND YET, HERE WE ARE. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT IS EXISTENTIAL. OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS WE HAVE BEEN. TWO HAVE THE PROPERTY TAX SUPPORT THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1. PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL HAVE EIGHT 
          MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU DR. 
          PORSA, THANK YOU TEAM AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. Y'ALL MENTIONED THE PATIENTS UNINSURED, THE PATIENT'S BASED ON THE REPORT IT WAS 42% OF YOUR PATIENTS ARE UNINSURED AND 19% ARE MEDICAID OR CHIP. WITH THE CUT IN SUBSIDIES , HOW IS HARRIS HEALTH PREPARING FOR THE RISK OF UNCOMPENSATED CARE? WHICH IS RISING FASTER THAN THE CUTS THAT ARE COMING IN? THROUGH THE 
          FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? >> THANK YOU FOR THAT, MAYOR. 
          ONE PART OF IT, WE ALREADY PUT IN THE BUDGET, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. THAT WAS AN ADDITIONAL $11 MILLION ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN THE COST OF PREMIUMS. THAT WE, HARRIS HEALTH, ARE PROVIDING. THE OTHER QUESTION IS REALLY, IT'S A DIFFICULT ONE TO ANSWER, WHAT IS THE TOTALITY OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT HARRIS HEALTH IS GOING TO EXPERIENCE? ONE, BECAUSE OF THE CUTS THAT HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED, AND THE CUTS WE ANTICIPATED AS OF OCTOBER 1 OF THIS YEAR. IS A BIG QUESTION, BUT, TWO, THE TOTALITY OF THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF UNINSURED AND INDIGENT THAT ARE GOING TO BE RELYING ON HARRIS HEALTH SERVICES, WHATEVER NUMBER WE ARE TAKING CARE OF RIGHT NOW, THE NUMBER IS 1.2 MILLION UNINSURED ACROSS THE HARRIS COUNTY, OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF ALL OF THEM. THAT NUMBER WE ANTICIPATE TO GROW SUBSTANTIALLY. NEXT YEAR. NOT ALL OF THEM ARE GOING TO BECOME TO HARRIS HEALTH BUT A LARGE PORTION OF THE PEOPLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE ARE GOING TO COME TO HARRIS HEALTH. ARE WE PREPARING OURSELVES? WE ARE PUTTING EVERYTHING IN PLACE THAT 
          [04:25:02]
WE CAN IN TERMS OF MAKING OUR SERVICES MORE AVAILABLE, BOTH IN TERMS OF CREATING MORE, EASIER ACCESS IN OUR ELIGIBILITY PROCESS BUT ALSO INCREASING OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL CLINICS, ADDITIONAL VIRTUAL CARE, ADDITIONAL SPECIALTY SERVICES. ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT I THINK EVERYBODY IN THE COURT ALREADY KNOWS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN TERMS OF EXPANDING OUR FACILITIES. SO, SOME OF THIS WE ARE PREPARING FOR, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. SOME OF THIS IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS THAT WE NEED TO BE PREPARING OURSELVES, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO FEEL PRESSURE ON BOTH SIDES , CUTS IN REVENUES, AND INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF OUR 
          SERVICES. >> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 2 COMMUNITIES, AS YOU KNOW, FACE SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF CHRONIC DISEASE, FOOD INSECURITY AND LACK OF ACCESS TO SPECIALTY CARE. HOW DOES THIS BUDGET SPECIFICALLY IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR THESE NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOW ARE YOU PRIORITIZING INVESTMENTS WHERE NEEDS ARE GREATEST? I KNOW THERE'S THE PASADENA MALL PROJECT, COULD YOU SPEAK TO SOME INVESTMENTS THAT 
          THIS BUDGET HAS BAKED INTO IT? >> THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP. IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT LAST YEAR I WANTED TO BRING FOCUS TO, TO YOUR POINT THIS IS EXACTLY THAT. WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT, WHAT WE WERE DOING ON LBJ CAMPUS , A MORE TRAUMA CAPABLE HOSPITAL, WE LOOKED AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND THE LBJ HOSPITAL, WHICH CLOSELY REPRESENTS A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT PRECINCT 2 IS TAKING CARE OF IN TERMS OF VERY HIGH MORBIDITY, MORTALITY DO TO COMMON ILLNESSES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES, SMOKING, CANCER. SO, HARRIS HEALTH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ESTABLISHED HEART HEALTH, AS A STRATEGIC PLAN. WE KNOW THAT HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. INCLUDING PRECINCT 2, INCLUDING NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND LBJ HOSPITAL. SO, WE WANT TO BRING FOCUS ON MANAGING HYPERTENSION DIABETES SMOKING, CANCER SCREENING , AND PROSTATE. 
          AND ALSO, TO ADD TO THAT WAS MORTALITY. WE HAVE A GOOD FOCUS TO THAT, WE CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE'RE DOING. IT'S THROUGH AN OPERATION WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ALSO IN THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, WITH THE NEW DIRECTOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT. A COMMUNITYWIDE EFFORT AND BRINGING FOCUS TO WHAT WE ARE DOING, BECAUSE THE COLLABORATION AND FOCUSED ATTENTION WE CAN HAVE AN IMPACT. ON THE TOTAL MORTALITY, EVERYWHERE IN HARRIS COUNTY BUT ESPECIALLY IN PRECINCT 2. IS OBVIOUS. THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST MORBIDITY AND 
          MORTALITY. >> THANK YOU, AND YOU MENTIONED COLLABORATION WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO EXPAND WITHIN AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU BELIEVE, I KNOW ACCESS IS SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON CLOSELY, COULD YOU PROVIDE SOME EXAMPLES OR PAST SUCCESS WORKING IN YOUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND HOW CAN THEY SUPPORT THAT MOVE FORWARD? 
          >> LET ME TALK TO ACCESS, HARRIS, WHICH, WHAT ARE WE 
          CALLING IT NOW? >> HARRIS COLLABORATIVE. 
          >> HARRIS COLLABORATIVE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT IT OR NOT, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT OF COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS HEALTH. HARRIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HARRIS CENTER. AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICES. SO WHAT WE HAVE GATHERED TOGETHER ALMOST A YEAR AGO, WE'VE BEEN MEETING MONTHLY TO TALK ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND COLLABORATE ON THE IMPACT THAT WE CAN HAVE. THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW LIKE I MENTIONED, INCARCERATION, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. THE IDEA, IS EXACTLY WHAT I DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY, WE ARE ALL DOING THE SAME THING, THEN WE CAME TOGETHER, THEY REALIZED THAT TO COME TOGETHER, AND ACTUALLY PROVIDE THE SERVICES MUCH MORE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. THROUGH PARTNERSHIP, WITH ALL FOUR COLLABORATORS. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THOSE THAT I JUST MENTIONED, THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ASSOCIATION. I 
          [04:30:05]
BELIEVE WE CAN REALIZE A LOT OF SAVINGS TO THEM. 
          >> THANK YOU, ONE LAST QUESTION I HAVE IS BEYOND PATIENT VOLUMES AND OPERATING MARGINS, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REFERENCE YOU USE TO JUDGE WHETHER HARRIS HEALTH IS FULFILLING ITS 
          MISSION? >> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION. ONE OF THE THINGS SINCE DAY ONE TAKING ON THIS JOB, IS THAT THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF SUCCESS FOR HARRIS HEALTH IS THAT THEY CAN HAVE EMPTY HOSPITAL BEDS. FOR HARRIS HEALTH TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING ITS MISSION AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES, WE NEED TO ARRIVE AT A POINT WHERE WE CAN PROVIDE ENOUGH PREVENTATIVE CARE, ENOUGH PRIMARY SPECIALTY SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, TO PREVENT FOLKS FROM HAVING TO COME TO OUR HOSPITAL AND GETTING HOSPITALIZED. TO BE A LONG-TERM EFFORT AT THAT POINT, IN ADDITION TO THAT, NOT TO BEAT A DEAD HORSE, WHAT I SAID ABOUT BRINGING FOCUS TO HEART HEALTH, WE ACTUALLY HAVE PUT A MARK ON THE GROUND SAYING THAT WE WANT TO DECREASE PREVENTABLE CARDIAC DEATHS. IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. IT'S NOT A LOOSEY-GOOSEY, WE HAVE PUT A NUMBER DOWN THAT WE WANT TO DECREASE PREVENTABLE CARDIAC DEATH BY X NUMBER IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THAT IS GOING TO BE A TRUE MEASURE OF HOW SUCCESSFUL WE HAVE BEEN IN IMPLEMENTING SOME OF THE STEPS THAT WE COLLABORATIVELY ARE 
          TRYING TO PUT IN PLACE. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 2. 
          PRECINCT 4, YOU WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONING. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. DR. PORSA, WITHIN THE BUDGET, WHAT STRATEGIC INITIATIVES ARE BAKED IN FOR THIS YEAR FOR FISCAL YEAR 
          '26? >> YEAH, NO, IT'S REALLY JUST ONE RELATED TO OUR PHARMACY OPERATIONS. RELATED TO, WE INTENTIONALLY GO THROUGH A PROCESS IN THE BUDGET WHERE WE EVALUATE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, THROUGH THE PROCESS, AND HOW DO WE BAKE THOSE HIM, TO SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PLANS. SO, IN PREPARATION OF FISCAL '26 THAT WE ANTICIPATED WOULD BE A CHALLENGED YEAR WITH THE ABSORPTION , WE ACTUALLY PULLED BACK RELATED TO WHAT SOME OF THOSE INITIATIVES WOULD BE, THEY HAVE JUST IDENTIFIED ONE IN TERMS OF NEW, THERE ARE MULTIPLE ONGOING RELATED TO THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF SOME OF OUR SERVICES, BETWEEN HOSPITAL AND HOME, AND OTHER TYPE OF SERVICES THAT CONTINUE TO BE PART OF OUR BUDGET PROCESS, BUT THERE WAS 
          ONE FOR FISCAL '26. >> LET ME NAME A FEW OF THEM, SINCE YOU ASKED THAT SPECIFIC QUESTION. TO BE IN THE CITY TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE, SOMETHING WE ARE VERY PROUD OF, EXPANSION FOR SERVICES, BACK TO FOUNDATION EFFORT AND OUR HEALTH RECORDS. 
          IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICE SOME OF OUR I.D. ISSUES, AND A PHLEBOTOMIST TO OUR EMERGENCY ROOM CENTERS, AT THE OUTPATIENT OF WHAT THEY CALL PROVIDING ACTIVE BODY THERAPY IN THE OUTPATIENT SETTING. INCREASING THE LIVING WAGES LAST YEAR, INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE FROM $15 AN HOUR TO $16 AN HOUR, THIS YEAR WE'RE INCREASING THAT TO $17 AN HOUR ACROSS THE BOARD. I THINK LEWIS JUST MENTIONED, STERILE SERVICE CENTER. AND REALLY EXCITED, AND THIS IS EXPANDING ON OUR REMOTE PATIENT MONITORING, THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE AT HOME, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR HIGH RISK PATIENTS, INCLUDING PREGNANT 
          WOMEN. >> THOSE ARE SOME OF THE 
          INITIATIVES. >> THANK YOU. WHILE NOT, IN A DIFFERENT BUDGET, IN THE 2023 BOND OF ACTIVITIES YOU PLAN TO UNDERTAKE DURING FISCAL YEAR '26? 
          >> I THINK YOU HEARD THE COMMISSIONERS QUOTE MEETING THAT WE TOOK OUT THE FIRST OF THE MONEY WHICH WAS $840 MILLION. IT HAS GONE INTO THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF SERVICES ON THE LBJ 
          [04:35:04]
CAMPUS. THAT'S THE HOSPITAL, CENTER PLAN. WE ANTICIPATE COMING BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, AROUND MAY OR JUNE OF NEXT YEAR FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY. AND THE CONTINUATION OF THAT PROJECT. AND BY THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN ALSO BE ENVISIONING SOME OF OUR ACS EXPANSIONS AS WELL. 
          >> GREAT. AND FOR EITHER HARRIS HEALTH , WHAT IS THE DELTA REVENUE BETWEEN THE V.A.R. FOR HARRIS HEALTH? 
          >> DR. PORSA? >> V.A.R. WILL GIVE US 1.9% MARK AT $52 MILLION, AND NNR WILL PUT US INTO A $120 MILLION HOLE. 
          >> BUT THE DOLLAR VALUE. >> ABOUT $200 MILLION. 
          >> 200 MILLION? OKAY, THANK YOU. I KNOW , WE TALKED ABOUT THE STRATEGIC FACILITIES FUND BEFORE, WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR? FOR PHILANTHROPIC FUNDRAISING? 
          >> SO, WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF OUR PHILANTHROPIC EFFORTS, AND DURING THE BOND PROPOSAL, WE HAD WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE A VERY AGGRESSIVE PLAN FOR RAISING $100 MILLION OVER 10 YEARS. WE ARE NOW 2 1/2 YEARS INTO THAT STRATEGY, AND WE JUST SURPASSED $62 MILLION. I AM VERY CONFIDENT , AND BEFORE THE NEXT TIME WE HAVE THIS MEETING NEXT YEAR, TO BE CLOSE TO $100 MILLION INITIATIVE, I WILL BE TALKING 
          ABOUT THE NEXT CAMPAIGN. >> GREAT. MY LAST QUESTION IS ON THE REVENUE MIX. HOW DOES YOUR REVENUE MIX COMPARED TO OTHER 
          HOSPITAL DISTRICTS IN TEXAS? >> I CAN TAKE THAT. SO, THERE ARE TWO HOSPITAL DISTRICTS IN TEXAS, AND THEY ARE CLOSELY RELATED, IN THE AMOUNT OF THE MIX, OF THE ONE THIRD, ONE THIRD, ONE THIRD. THIS IS EL PASO, THIS IS LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE STATE, AT HARRIS HEALTH. OTHER LARGE HOSPITAL DISTRICTS IN TEXAS, SUCH AS THE PARKLAND IN DALLAS, THEY'RE THE COUNTY UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM, AND JPS HAVE VERY DIFFERENT MARKET WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED. SO, THEIR MIX IS MUCH LARGER IN TERMS OF THEIR NET PATIENT SERVICE RATE, MEANING THEIR MARKETS HAVE A MUCH LARGER PENETRATION OF MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS. OR REGULAR INSURANCE. IN LAYMAN'S TERMS. SO WE ARE UNIQUE, AND CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE REVENUE STRAINS THAT WOULD HAVE TENDENCIES, ESPECIALLY WITH TECH SUPPORT AND MEDICAID 
          SUPPLEMENT HEALTH. >> PUT ANOTHER WAY, WE HAVE MUCH 
          LESS UNINSURED. >> IF I'M UNDERSTANDING RIGHT, DESPITE MAY BE PARKLAND OR OTHER PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICTS HAVING A HIGHER TAX RATE, THEY ARE LESS RELIANT ON TAX REVENUE AS PART 
          OF THEIR MIX. >> THAT IS CORRECT. YOU GOT IT 
          CORRECT. >> THANK YOU, THAT'S IT. 
          >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4, WE WILL NOW CYCLE BACK FOR ANY REMAINING TIME. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU HAD NO TIME REMAINING, PRECINCT 1, YOU HAD FOUR MINUTES EVEN 
          REMAINING. >> PRECINCT 1 DONATES . 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO, I WANTED TO ASK YOU GUYS ABOUT , WHY WOULD WE NOT WANT TO SET A TAX RATE THAT HAS YOU BREAK EVEN? YOU JUST RESPONDED TO A QUESTION WITH, IF IT WERE THE NNR IF IT WOULD BE UP $56 MILLION OVER, WHY NOT CALIBRATE 
          IT? >> 52 MILLION. THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE UNCERTAINTIES THAT I TALKED ABOUT. THAT IS ASSUMING THAT $52 MILLION V.A.R. MARGIN IS ASSUMING THAT WE'RE GOING TO RECEIVE THE SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS ON THE GOVERNMENT'S BEHALF. THAT IS VERY, VERY QUESTIONABLE AT THIS POINT. LIKE I SAID, WE ARE ALREADY ANTICIPATING A CUT, DISPROPORTIONATE HOSPITALS, WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE A MUCH LARGER OF UNINSURED, WE 
          [04:40:01]
DON'T KNOW HOW LARGE THAT IS GOING TO BE. SO, WE KNOW THAT OUR EXPENSES ARE GOING TO INCREASE, WE KNOW THAT OUR REVENUES ARE GOING TO DECREASE, THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE NEED 
          THAT SLIM MARGIN, JUDGE. >> OKAY. IN THE PAST, THOUGH, I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE ALSO ASKED FOR A MARGIN. WHY, WHY IS THIS YEAR DIFFERENT? I GUESS, WHY DID YOU ASK FOR MARGIN IN PAST YEARS WHEN WE WERE NOT FACING THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING THIS 
          YEAR? >> WE'RE ALWAYS FACING CHALLENGES, JUDGE. THIS YEAR OUR MARGIN IS HIGHER THAN WHAT WE ANTICIPATED. AND THE REASON FOR THAT, WE'VE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE TWO ITEMS THAT ARE NOT MISTAKEN, ONE OF THEM WAS THE FACT THAT THE STATE ACTUALLY TRUED UP SOME OF THE MONEY THAT THEY OWED TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICTS GOING BACK TO 2018. 
          AND THE OTHER ONE WAS AN UNANTICIPATED DECREASED COST OF THE PREMIUM SUBSIDIES FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. WHICH UNFORTUNATELY RIGHT NOW THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, WE ANTICIPATE THAT COST TO GO UP DRAMATICALLY. THAT WAS THE REASON BEHIND WHY OUR MARGIN ENDED UP BEING LARGER 
          THAN WHAT WE HAD ANTICIPATED. >> I'M SORRY, JUDGE. I WANT TO ELABORATE THAT, IT'S NOT AS THOUGH -- 
          >> I WANT TO ASK ANOTHER QUESTION AND I'LL CHECK WITH YOU OFF-LINE. YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BILLION-DOLLAR CUT IN MEDICAID, 20% PAY CUT, 850 MILLION, I'VE HEARD THAT THERE'S AN IDEA TO HELP SUBSIDIZE PUBLIC HEALTH, THERE WAS A MOTION AT SOME POINT. IF THAT ALL WERE TO HAPPEN, WOULD THAT BE COVERED BY THE 52 MILLION? AND WHAT ARE OTHER COUNTIES DOING TO MAKE UP FOR THAT? HOW MUCH ARE THEY ASKING 
          FOR? >> ARE YOU ASKING ME THAT 
          QUESTION? >> YES, 
          >> WE COVERED THIS BEFORE YOU STEPPED INTO THE ROOM. THE ANSWER IS YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ASKED THAT QUESTION, SO WE ARE IN CONVERSATION WITH THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, TO YOUR POINT, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT SERVICES HARRIS HEALTH COULD EITHER TAKE ON, OR SUBSIDIZE. 
          >> NO, THE QUESTION IS WHETHER, WITH THE $52 MILLION, YOU CAN COVER THOSE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES PLUS THE BILLION-DOLLAR CUT IN MEDICAID, THE $85 MILLION CUT, THE HUNDRED $50 MILLION LOST NUMBER, ET CETERA ET CETERA. 
          >> NO, MA'AM, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT. 
          >> OTHER COUNTIES, HOW ARE THEY DEALING WITH THIS? 
          >> THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I MENTIONED BRIEFLY, LAST TIME I WAS AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. I CAN TELL YOU FOR DALLAS COUNTY THEY HAVE SOME OF THOSE ESTIMATES IN THEIR BUDGET. THEY JUST TOOK A GUESS ABOUT WHAT THE IMPACT IS GOING TO BE ON THEIR REVENUE. THEY BAKE THEM INTO THEIR BUDGET AND WENT TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND ASKED FOR AN ADDITIONAL, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, 5% INCREASE IN THEIR TAX RATE. WE DID NOT DO THAT, JUDGE, BECAUSE IN ALL HONESTY, IT WOULD BE GUESSWORK RIGHT NOW. 
          WHAT THE TOTAL IMPACT IS GOING TO BE. IS THERE GOING TO BE A NEGATIVE IMPACT? THE ANSWER IS YES. HOW MUCH A NEGATIVE IMPACT, 
          I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1. PRECINCT 2, YOU HAD NO TIMER MEANING, PRECINCT 4, YOU HAD ONE MINUTE 16 SECONDS 
          REMAINING. >> I DONATE MY TIME TO THE JUDGE 
          OR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4. DR. 
          PORSA, CAN YOU GIVE ME A LOW-END AND HIGH-END NUMBER FOR THE COST THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE? THE RANGE OF WHAT YOU COULD HAVE 
          ADDED TO YOUR BUDGET? >> I WOULD SAY THE LOW-END, WITHOUT KNOWING MUCH ELSE, WOULD BE THE $60-$70 MILLION. 
          >> SO, IF YOU ONLY HAVE THE 52 WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT 60 TO 70, HOW DO YOU MAKE UP THE OTHER 18? THAT'S, OF COURSE, IN A 
          PERFECT SCENARIO, RIGHT? >> YEAH. IF WE FACE THAT SCENARIO HEAD ON, AND WE KNOW IT IS REAL AND FACTUAL, IT'S REFLECTED IN WHAT IS COMING INTO THE SYSTEM, THEN WE WILL COME TO OUR BOARD FOR THEIR APPROVAL TO INCREASE OUR BUDGET, AND WE WILL 
          COME TO THE COURT FOR THE SAME. >> WE'D HAVE TO , IF WE DON'T 
          [04:45:03]
HAVE THE TAX RATE FOR IT, HOW DO WE DO THAT? 
          >> WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IS, IF THERE ARE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES WERE TO COME IN LOWER, THEN WHAT THEIR MARGIN IS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE MIDYEAR CUTS AND THEY WOULD PRESENT A PROPOSAL TO THEIR BOARD AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO APPROVE. 
          DID I GET THAT RIGHT? >> YES, THAT CAN BE A VERY 
          REALISTIC SCENARIO. >> OKAY, THANK YOU GUYS. 
          >> THANK YOU, THAT WILL CONCLUDE THE COMMISSIONER COURT QUESTIONS SECTION. DR. PORSA, YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING 
          REMARKS. >> I WANT TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE AGAIN THAT OUR BUDGET, AS I MENTIONED, DID NOT TAKE IN SOME OF THE CUTS TO OUR REVENUES THAT WE ANTICIPATE, WE DID NOT TAKE INTO THAT BUDGET SOME OF THE INCREASED SERVICES THAT WE NEED TO BE PROVIDED. WE CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO AN OPERATIONAL DEFICIENCY. AND THE SAVING SIDE OF, OPERATIONS. THE POTENTIAL COSTS THAT I DISCUSSED, THEY ARE REAL, THEY ARE NOT THEY ARE NOT IMAGINED. SO, THE V.A.R. TAX RATE IS THE HIGHEST TAX RATE THAT WE CAN ASK FOR, AND WITHOUT HUMILITY, I BELIEVE THAT IS NECESSARY FOR HARRIS HEALTH TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TODAY, AND THE INCREASED SERVICES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE IN THE COMING MONTHS. AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT, I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN, FOR GIVING US THIS 
          OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH AND 
          FOR YOUR WORK, THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE YOU ALL. 
          >> THANK YOU, DR. PORSA AND TO THE HARRIS HEALTH TEAM. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL COME AFTER OUR AFTERNOON BREAK, SO WE WILL BREAK UNTIL 3:45 
          [Flood Control]
          >> IT IS 3:45 P.M., WELCOME BACK TO OUR FINAL BUDGET HEARING FOR THIS AFTERNOON. AT THIS TIME WE WELCOME THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. DR. PETERSON, YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES FOR OPENING REMARKS, THEN EACH CORE OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. BEGINNING WITH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT AND COURT MEMBERS PRESENT, FOLLOWED ROTATING AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE 
          TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. >> ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON , JUDGE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. BEFORE WE REALLY GET STARTED ON THE BUDGET, I WANTED TO JUST INTRODUCE THE BUDGET THAT WE DO HAVE, WHICH IS A PROPOSAL OF 200 $50 MILLION, WHICH IS AN INCREASE FROM THE 2024 RATE THAT WE HAD PRIOR TO THE ADOPTION OF THE TAX RATE. I REALLY WANTED TO TAKE THIS TIME TO JUST MARK SOMETHING THAT WAS A MILESTONE. ABOUT 10 MONTHS AGO DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THE SUPPORT OF THE VOTERS TO RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $100.1 MILLION TO ADDRESS THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE BACKLOG AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS HAD FOR MANY YEARS. IN JUST EIGHT MONTHS, WE HAVE TURNED THAT APPROVAL INTO ACTION. LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT WE SUBMITTED A TRANSMITTAL THAT OUTLINED THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TO DATE, AND I'LL SUMMARIZE ONE OR TWO KEY POINTS FROM THAT TRANSMITTAL. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON IS SCALING PEOPLE, SCALING CONTRACTS, SCALING RESULTS. AS AN EXAMPLE WE HAVE INCREASED OUR SEDIMENT REMOVAL FROM OUR CHANNELS BY 117%. CLEARING MORE THAN 250,000. LINEAR FEET OF CHANNEL. THAT'S CHANNEL CAPACITY RESTORED AND FLOOD RISK REDUCED. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS SERVICE REQUESTS. WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT WOULD OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN OUR TAX DOLLARS WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT SERVICE REQUESTS, AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO CITIZENS. DURING THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE HAVE RECEIVED 1500 SERVICE REQUESTS AND RIGHT NOW, WE ARE CLOSING OUT THOSE SERVICE REQUESTS FASTER THAN THEY ARE COMING IN. WE CLOSED OUT MORE THAN 1700 SERVICE REQUESTS THIS YEAR. AS A RESULT OF THOSE SERVICE REQUESTS WE HAVE ALSO DELIVERED MORE THAN 133 INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS. SCALING AGAIN THE PROJECTS, AND THE SPENDING TO DELIVER TANGIBLE 
          [04:50:02]
RESULTS. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT, FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE PUT INTO DELIVERING ON THIS AMBITIOUS PLAN, AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SEEING MEASURABLE RESULTS, FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. 
          NOW, LOOKING TO OUR FY '26 BUDGET, OUR FOCUS WILL BE ON CONTINUED SCALING. WE ARE ENTERING THE SECOND OF THREE YEARS TO SCALE TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE EXPANDED MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. WE ARE LOOKING TO ALSO LEVERAGE THE DEDICATED FUND THAT WAS ESTABLISHED FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS. AND THIS FUND IS REALLY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY, AND HOW WE MAINTAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. 
          >> THANK YOU, DR. PETERSON. >> I HAD ONE OR TWO MORE THINGS. 
          THE OTHER THING IS SCALING OUR STAFF. BOOTS ON THE GROUND. IT IS THE PEOPLE REMOVING DEBRIS, RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY NEEDS, WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. TO SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM THAT WE HAVE CREATED THIS FISCAL YEAR, CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR IMPACT AND DELIVER ON THE RESILIENCE FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. PETERSON. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, BEGINNING 
          WITH JUDGE HIDALGO. >> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR PETERSON, 
          WHAT IS YOUR PROPOSED TAX RATE? >> I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO DIRECTOR RAMOS FOR THE DETAILS ON THE TAX RATE. 
          >> THE V.A.R. WHICH IS .05966. >> AND WHY, WHY DO YOU NEED THAT, DIRECTOR PETERSON, AND IF YOU WERE NOT TO RECEIVE THAT, WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT ON YOUR OPERATIONS? 
          >> SO, REALLY, THE BUDGET WE ARE ASKING FOR THIS YEAR IS FOCUSED ON SCALING MAINTENANCE, SCALING THE EXPANDED PROGRAM. 
          >> THE QUESTION IS, WHAT WOULD NOT GET DONE IF YOU WERE NOT TO 
          RECEIVE THIS. >> WHAT WOULD NOT GET DONE. 
          >> JUST FOR CONTEXT, BECAUSE OF THE TAX RATE REDUCTION LAST YEAR THE DELTA BETWEEN THE VOTER APPROVED RATE IS ONLY ABOUT 4 
          MILLION. >> OKAY, WE WOULD REDUCE THE INFRA STRUCTURE MAINTENANCE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DELIVER. 
          >> THE MAINTENANCE COMES FROM THE BOND, THOUGH. OUR CAPITAL WORK COMES OUT OF THE BOND. IS WHAT WE USE TO SUPPORT, THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR ALL OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND MAINTAINING HER INFRA STRUCTURE. 
          >> IN TERMS OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING, AND CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, DO YOU ANTICIPATE ANY IMPACTS TO THE DISTRICT? 
          >> JUDGE, THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION. CERTAINLY THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY, IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE ONE THING THAT I CAN SAY IS THAT TO DATE, WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE. WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY REDUCTIONS IN ANY OF THE 
          GRANTS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED. >> GREAT. 
          >> IT IS GOOD NEWS. >> THE FUNDING, ANY OUTSTANDING FUNDING THAT YOU'RE STILL PROMISE THAT HASN'T ARRIVED 
          YET? >> WE HAVE A FEW THINGS THAT WE ARE TRACKING. THAT HAVE NOT COME THROUGH, GRANDSON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WE KNOW THAT THINGS TAKE TIME. WE ARE STILL TRACKING A FEW GRANTS THAT WE ARE ANTICIPATING WILL COME THROUGH. 
          >> AND IN TERMS OF AFTER AN EMERGENCY, YOUR CHANNELS END UP IMPACTED , WE'RE IN HURRICANE SEASON, WHAT, WHAT WOULD BE THE COST OF THAT? AND WOULD YOU HAVE THE FUNDS TO COVER IT? DO YOU NORMALLY RELY ON FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THAT? 
          >> JUDGE, WE HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL RISKS RELATED TO DISASTER RECOVERY. LOOKING BACK LAST YEAR WE KNOW THAT WE HAD ABOUT $17 MILLION WORTH OF DAMAGE TO OUR CHANNELS, THAT WE WORKED WITH TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND FEMA TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE DOLLARS, IF THOSE DOLLARS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK TO OUR RESERVE TO HELP US PAY FOR THOSE 
          [04:55:04]
COSTS. AND AT THAT POINT WE WOULD HAVE TO EVALUATE WHETHER OR NOT THE IMPACTS , HOW SIGNIFICANT THEY ARE TO DETERMINE IF WE HAVE ADEQUATE DOLLARS. 
          >> WHAT IS THE SIZE OF YOUR RESERVES? WHAT WOULD THEY BE USED FOR IF IT WEREN'T TO MAKE UP FOR THE FEMA? 
          >> TYPICALLY, WE MAINTAIN A RESERVE FOR GOOD FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. THE GF OA, THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE OF FINANCE OFFICERS ADMINISTRATION, THEY RECOMMEND A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF YOUR ANNUAL BUDGET TO BE SET ASIDE. TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE GOOD BOND RATINGS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE FUNDS FOR ANY UNANTICIPATED CONSEQUENCES. I WOULD HAVE TO REFER ON THE DETAILS OF THE RESERVE, BUT TYPICALLY, WE DIP INTO THE RESERVE VERY RARELY. BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING WE TYPICALLY LIKE TO KEEP SET-ASIDE, JUST FOR THE FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF THE 
          FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. >> IT FLUCTUATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BUT IT'S SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 70 AND 100. 
          >> WHY DO WE NOT WANT TO TAP INTO THAT? 
          >> THE ISSUE, IT'S DIFFERENT FOR FLOOD CONTROL THAN SOME OF THE OTHER FUNDS, THEY ARE ALMOST 100% FUNDED BY PROPERTY TAXES WHICH MEANS THAT THEY GET THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR CASH IN DECEMBER, JANUARY, FAIRBURY, AND HAVE TO LIVE ON THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IF WE WERE TO SHRINK THAT RESERVE, WE WOULD BE RUNNING INTO CASH FLOW ISSUES WHICH WE HAD TO NAVIGATE , THE LAST THREE YEARS WE'RE FINALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT. IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE RESERVE WE WOULD CERTAINLY NEED TO SLOW SPENDING AT THE END OF THE YEAR. AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT PROPERTY 
          TAX REVENUE TO COME IN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M GOING TO STEP OUT SO MY COLLEAGUE CAN COME BACK IN. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU OPENING UP WITH RECOGNIZING YOUR STAFF. BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB AT HELPING TO PROTECT HARRIS COUNTY, SO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM. WITH THAT, I HOPE THAT FOLKS HAVE NOTICED THAT WITH THESE TORRENTIAL RAINS THAT WE HAD THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE'VE HAD NO STRUCTURES REPORTED FLOODING. THAT TELLS ME A GREAT DEAL OF GOOD WORK IS BEING DONE, I APPRECIATE YOU. IN RELATION TO, I APPRECIATE YOU ACKNOWLEDGING AND REPORTING ON THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. I WANT TO ASK YOU MORE DETAILS ON THAT. 
          HOW IS IT COMING ALONG? WHEN DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL? IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY THERE YET. ANY PARTICULAR CHALLENGES WITH STAFFING THAT WE CAN HELP WITH? GIVE US MORE INSIGHT ON THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM BECAUSE AFTER THESE RAINS WE GET THOSE CALLS, THERE'S A PORT-A-POTTY FLOATING AROUND. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT GETS IN THERE. SO IF YOU COULD GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE PERSPECTIVE ON THAT, SECONDLY, IF YOU COULD, I KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT THE BOND. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, HOW WE'RE GETTING THINGS DONE, HOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STAY TRUE TO THE ULTIMATE GOALS OF 
          THE BOND. >> COMMISSIONER, I'LL START WITH YOUR FIRST QUESTION RELATED TO THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING ON SCALING THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. IN THESE PAST 10 MONTHS THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING HAS BEEN ON PEOPLE. SO WE CAN DELIVER THIS EXPANDED PROGRAM, LAYING THE GROUNDWORK. WHILE ALSO DELIVERING. IS JUST EXAMPLES OF HOW WE'RE DOING BOTH. LOOKING FORWARD INTO THIS NEXT FIX SCHOOL YEAR WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SCALE UP STAFFING. BOOTS ON THE GROUND, OR HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE INFRA STRUCTURE MAINTENANCE. WITH LOCAL DOLLARS, WITH OUR PEOPLE AS WELL AS CONTRACTS. WE ALSO NEED TO GET OUR FACILITY SORTED, WE ARE TALKING WITH PRECINCT ABOUT POSSIBLY LOOKING TO FIND WAYS TO BE EFFICIENT WITH OUR DOLLARS, TO SHARE SPACE. AS WE SCALE IN MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN GET TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF HARRIS COUNTY WHERE WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD LOCAL RESOURCES BEFORE. AND FINALLY, WE REALLY ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT OUR PRODUCTS ARE GETTING INTO A CONSTRUCTION. WE 
          [05:00:04]
SPENT A LOT OF WORK ALSO CONTINUING WITH ASSET MANAGEMENT. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF THINGS UNDERWAY, WE THINK OF THIS AS YEAR TWO OF A THREE-YEAR SCALING PROGRAM. WITH NEXT YEAR BEING THE FINAL REFINEMENT. ANOTHER KEY THAT WE'RE WORKING THIS YEAR IS RELATED TO GETTING A PROGRAM MANAGER ON BOARD TO HELP US WITH A LOT OF THE PROCESSES, THE DATA, TRACKING TO BE ABLE TO REPORT EVEN BETTER THAN WE ARE RIGHT NOW. IN TERMS OF THE BOND CONVERSATIONS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE EMOTIONS THAT WE WERE DIRECTED TO IMPLEMENT, BASED ON THE COURT DIRECTION, AS WELL AS HOW TO BALANCE THESE CHALLENGES AND NEEDS THAT WE HAVE ACROSS HARRIS 
          COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR COMING BY, I'LL MAKE MY QUESTIONS THE SINK. WE HEARD YOUR OPENING REMARKS, CLEARLY YOU'RE SETTING UP A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. HOW MANY CURRENT POSITIONS ARE THERE IN YOUR FLOOD CONTROL TO DO MAINTENANCE? 
          >> HOLD ON JUST A SECOND, I THINK I GOT THOSE NUMBERS. I WILL MAYBE HAVE TO DO SOME MATH ON THE FLY. BUT, I WOULD SAY , 253 IS WE'VE GOT, CURRENTLY BUDGETED. 
          >> THESE ARE FOLKS THAT I THINK THE TERM AND WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I WOULD REFER TO IS BOOTS ON THE GROUND. WE HAVE IN PRECINCT 3, MAINTENANCE PEOPLE, 120, FOUR CAMPS, 16 CREWS, FOUR CREWS PER CAMP. I THINK AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO GET TO THAT LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY. IN TERMS OF WHERE WE'RE PURSUING. IF YOU'VE GOT OVER 200, NOW, WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON ADDING, OF THE 200, THOSE ARE ALL PHIL PEOPLE. 
          >> THEY ARE, THEY COULD BE A COMBINATION OF THINGS. INCLUDED IN THAT TOTAL IS SOME OF OUR FLOOD WARNING STAFF BUT A LOT OF OUR FLOOD WARNING TEAM, GO OUT AND ARE WORKING ON AND GAUGING STATIONS. WE GOT OUR DEVELOPMENT OF COORDINATION, WE'VE GOT INSPECTORS WERE OUT AND ABOUT, CHECKING PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING WORK IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY, WE'VE GOT 17 FOLKS RIGHT NOW IN OUR MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING GROUP, THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY OUT IN THE FIELD, BUT THEY ARE WORKING, AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO ARE DOING THE FACILITIES MAINTENANCE. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE DOING A LOT OF THE WORK THAT IS MOST VISIBLE. DEALING WITH THE DEBRIS IN THE CHANNELS, DEALING WITH THE TREES THAT ARE DOWN. DEALING WITH SMALL AMOUNTS OF SEDIMENT THAT WE CAN CLEAR. 
          >> YOU'RE ADDING PEOPLE IN 2026. 
          >> WE ARE PROPOSING TO DO THAT, YES. 
          >> I WOULD PRESUME THAT WOULD NOT BE IN THE HIRING FREEZE? BECAUSE WE'RE SETTING UP THAT PROGRAM? 
          >> THAT WOULD BE A SPECIAL FUND. >> SPECIFICALLY, KNOWING ALL THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE BEEN DESIGNING, SOME OF WHICH OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, HOW MANY DOLLARS DO YOU ANTICIPATE BIDDING IN 2025? 2026. TO SAY WE'RE WORKING ON 50 PROJECTS, A PROJECT, WE DON'T, THE BEST WAY IN MY OPINION TO TRACK SOMETHING IS HOW MANY PROJECTS , WHAT IS THE TOTAL OF THE PROJECTS YOU 
          BID IN 2026? >> SO FOR OUR MAINTENANCE, 
          >> IN GENERAL. EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT GOING. THE LAST COURT, THERE WASN'T ANY PROJECTS THAT WE WERE ACCEPTING IN TERMS OF BID PROJECTS. TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO, WE NEED TENS OF MILLIONS ON 
          EVERY COURT. >> COMMISSIONER, I AGREE WITH YOU, I NOTE THAT WE HAD SEVERAL BIDS FOR VARIOUS REASONS, WE WERE HOPING WE COULD HAVE BEEN ACCEPTING THOSE BIDS, BUT, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE REASONS WHY THOSE HAD TO BE REBID BUT IT WAS RELATED TO CONTRACTORS NOT FILLING OUT PAPERWORK CORRECTLY, SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES WE FACE, BUT WE'RE IN AGREEMENT, THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT NEXT YEAR, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE ORDER OF SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 300 AND $400 MILLION TO BID OUT. THAT'S WHAT 
          WE HAVE ON OUR RADAR. >> WE GOT TO AT LEAST IDENTIFY WHAT BILLION AND A HALF, 2 BILLION IN TERMS OF PROJECTS IN 
          [05:05:03]
THE WORKS. SO, 300 MILLION. I THINK IT'S WORTHY AT LEAST FOR US TO BE AWARE OF WHAT THE PLAN IS. AND HOW THOSE BIDS ARE COMING OUT. AS YOU KNOW, IF WE PUT TOO MANY PRODUCTS ON THE STREET AT ONE TIME, WE'RE GOING TO NOT GET AS GOOD OF BIDS. SO, THE ABILITY TO DO THIS ALMOST ON A MONTHLY BASIS SO THAT WE CAN GET A GOOD NUMBER OF PEOPLE BIDDING, I DON'T THINK WE'RE ANYWHERE NEAR THE CAPACITY , THE CONTRACTING GROUPS, IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO MEASURE THAT, MONITOR THAT, GET FREQUENT REPORTS TO COURTS SO THAT WE'LL KNOW THE PROGRESS 
          BEING MADE. >> ABSOLUTELY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. WE KNOW FLOOD CONTROL HAS A LOT GOING ON WITH THE BOND PROGRAM, MAINTENANCE MATTERS, CONSTRUCTION RELATED TO THOSE INITIATIVES. THE FLOOD RESILIENCY PLAN AND MORE. WHAT'S THE RISK OF FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OVER COMMITTING RESOURCES OR OVEREXTENDING ITSELF? HOW ARE YOU ADDRESSING THAT? 
          >> THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION. I WILL SAY THAT THE WAY THAT WE MANAGE THAT IS BY ARTICULATING VERY CLEAR GOALS, AND BY HOLDING OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE. SO, WE HAVE DEDICATED TEAMS WORKING ON EACH OF THOSE ITEMS THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, SO THAT THEIR FOCUS CAN REMAIN ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL PRIORITIES, WHICH ARE CRITICAL. SO I WOULD SAY THAT I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THE TEAM AND THEIR ABILITY TO DELIVER, AND KNOW THAT WE HAVE EXCELLENT PROFESSIONALS FOCUSED ON THEIR AREA OF EXPERTISE, FOCUSED ON DELIVERING THAT WORK. 
          >> THANKS. OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE FLOOD BOND PROGRAM CURRENTLY BENEFITS FROM ABOUT 850 MILLION IN CDBG AND M.I.T. 
          FUNDS. THAT HAVE SPECIFIC SPENDING SCHEDULES. DEADLINES IN 2027 AND 2028. WILL FLOOD CONTROL BE ABLE TO MEET THE 
          DEADLINES TIED TO THESE FUNDS? >> MEETING THESE DEADLINES HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN VERY CHALLENGING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. IN FACT, I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHEN WE FIRST TALKED ABOUT THIS, WE MADE A TRIP UP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO REQUEST AND ADVOCATE FOR EXTENSIONS ON THE CDBG DR FUNDS. 
          SO, THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO MEET THOSE DEADLINES, AS WELL AS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE TIME WE NEED. ANY SORT IN SCHEDULES, IF THERE IS A STORM LIKE WE HAD LAST YEAR, THOSE THINGS IMPACT OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER. BUT, WE ARE FOCUSED ON WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS, TO WORK THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGES THE BEST WAY WE CAN. 
          >> AND IF THE DEADLINE IS MISSED, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WOULD HAVE TO REPAY THE FUNDS? IS THAT 
          CORRECT? >> THERE ARE MILESTONES IN THE CONTRACT, AND MISSING A MILESTONE DOES NOT TRANSLATE TO 
          RETURNING DOLLARS. >> GOT IT. IF , FOR ANY REASON WE WOULD HAVE TO REPAY MONEY, DO WE KNOW WHERE THOSE FUNDS MIGHT 
          COME FROM? >> QUICK CLARIFICATION, A BIG PORTION OF THIS ARE REIMBURSABLE, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHEN WE REPORT ON THE FEDERAL GRANT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, WE TAKE OUT CDBG BECAUSE THOSE BILLS ARE SO HIGH. 
          SO, IT WOULD BE LESS US REPAYING IT SO MUCH AS, HALF A FINISHED DITCH DOESN'T HELP US AT ALL, WE WOULD BE ON THE HOOK FOR THE 
          REMAINDER. >> GOT IT. HOW MUCH IN GRANT EXPENDITURES TIED TO THE FLOOD BOND ARE CURRENTLY OUTSTANDING 
          AND AWAITING REIMBURSEMENT? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I KNOW WE'VE GOT ABOUT $2.7 BILLION IN GRANTS. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE THAT NUMBER, BUT WE CAN 
          CERTAINLY GET THAT FOR YOU. >> OKAY. SPEAKING MORE BROADLY, WHAT STEPS DOES FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TAKE TO MAKE SURE IT'S WORK PROTECTS ALL NEIGHBORHOODS ESPECIALLY THOSE AT HIGHER RISK 
          WITH FEWER RESOURCES? >> WE WORK ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY, 
          [05:10:06]
AND CERTAINLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE VERY PROUD OF IS THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEVERAGING OUR CDBG DOLLARS. THOSE DOLLARS ARE FOCUSED ON LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES. SO, I BELIEVE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE THOSE $853 MILLION, MULTIPLIED BY AN ADDITIONAL $200 MILLION IN FLOOD BOND. DELIVERING BENEFITS TO PRIMARILY LOW INCOME 
          COMMUNITIES. >> AND HOW DOES THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT MEASURE PROGRESS REGARDING FLOOD PROTECTIONS FOR VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS? 
          >> WE ACTUALLY HAVE SEVERAL METRICS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE ARE WORKING TO ADVANCE. SO, THEY LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, SPENDING ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY AS WELL AS SPENDING IN, I BELIEVE IT'S LOW TO MODERATE INCOME AREAS AS 
          WELL. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1, PRECINCT 4, YOU WILL NOW HAVE 
          FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. DR. PETERSON, COULD YOU SPEAK TO THE DISTRICT CAPITAL AND HOW THAT HAS CHANGED AND IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS? WHAT IS 
          DRIVING THAT? >> OUR CAPITAL IN DEBT FUNDING? 
          >> SORRY, HELP ME OUT A LITTLE BIT MORE. 
          >> I THINK THE QUESTION HERE IS, WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTED CAPITAL AND DEBT FUNDING FOR THE NEXT FEW FISCAL YEARS AT THIS POINT? 
          >> SPEND DOWN. >> I DO NOT HAVE THOSE NUMBERS OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT WE ARE PROJECTING TO SPEND AT LEAST 80% OF THE BOND DOLLARS BY END OF '28, EARLY '29. THE BOND SPENDING WILL BE COMMENSURATE WITH COMPLETION OF 80% OF THE WORK BY THOSE DATES. 
          >> WE CAN PROVIDE YOUR OFFICE WITH THE SCHEDULE OF SALES, I DON'T THINK WE'RE READY TO DO THAT YET WITH FLOOD CONTROL. AS SOON AS THAT'S READY, WE CAN PROVIDE WHAT WE THINK WILL BE THE NEXT BOND SALES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. 
          >> ALL RIGHT. GOING OVER TO MAINTENANCE, VOTER APPROVAL OF PROPOSITION LAST YEAR , HOW DOES THAT CHANGE WHICH PROJECTS YOU CAN TAKE ON AND WHERE YOU CAN FUND THEM OUT OF? 
          >> SO, LET'S ADDRESS WHERE YOU CAN FUND THEM OUT OF, FIRST. 
          THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT, ONE OF THE THINGS WE COMMITTED TO THE VOTERS AND WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED IS A DEDICATED FUND FOR MAINTENANCE PROJECTS. SO, WE HAVE INTERNALLY VERY STRICT RULES ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE MUST MAINTAIN PROJECTS THAT ARE FUNDED OUT OF OUR MAINTENANCE FUND HAVE TO BE MAINTENANCE RELATED. WE EVEN PUT OUR LABOR FOR MAINTENANCE IN THAT BUCKET. SO, IN TERMS OF WHAT WE SPEND AND HOW WE SPEND IT IS REALLY, AGAIN, IT'S A SIMILAR ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT WILL RAISED. WE HAVE A DEDICATED TEAM OF FOLKS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE INFRASTRUCTURE , AND WE HAVE A DEDICATED TEAM OF FOLKS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CAPITAL WORK. AND SO THEY EACH HAVE THEIR OWN RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THEIR OWN TEAMS TO LEVERAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT WE HAVE SET BY COMMISSIONERS COURT. 
          >> MANY OF THE CLS ADJUSTMENTS FOR YOUR BUDGET ARE FOR INFLATIONARY AND CONTRACTUAL COSTS. CAN YOU SPEAK TO HOW INFLATION IS IMPACTING FLOOD CONTROL AND IS THAT EXPECTED TO 
          CONTINUE? >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. THE INFLATION THAT WE FACE WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT REALLY COMES ABOUT IN A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS. THIS HAS BEEN VERY CONSISTENT, SINCE DIRECTOR RAMOS STARTED THE LEVEL OF SERVICE PROCESS, THE TYPE OF INFLATION THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE IS RELATED TO EQUIPMENT, PRIMARILY DIESEL FUEL. THE COSTS FOR CONTINUING TO RISE. WE ALSO SEE INCREASED COSTS RELATED TO MATERIALS. SO, WE HAVE INCREASING COSTS, FINALLY RELATED TO, I WOULD SAY, I'M LOOKING TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE. EQUIPMENT. WHICH BOILS DOWN TO MATERIALS. THAT'S ON THE MAINTENANCE SIDE, ON THE CAPITAL SIDE, SINCE 2018, SINCE THE BOND WAS ISSUED, THERE'S ROUGHLY THE 30% INCREASE IN COSTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN FOR SEVERAL PROJECTS. COSTS CONTINUE TO GO UP, AND WE STRIVE TO DELIVER AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH 
          [05:15:03]
THE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE. THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS 
          COUNTY. >> HAVE TARIFFS AT AN IMPACT ON 
          YOUR SPENDING? >> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF. NO. 
          WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT YET. >> YET BEING THE OPERATIVE WORD. 
          >> WE KNOW THAT THOSE THINGS CHANGE ON A REGULAR BASIS. 
          >> ANY INTENTIONS OR THOUGHTS OF HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT YOU? 
          >> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN SPECULATE ON THAT AT THAT POINT. 
          >> UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY ARE A SELF-CONTAINED FUND, ANY INCREASES HAVE TO COME FROM OTHER PLACES. WE'VE DONE EVERY THING WE CAN. AND TRY TO PUT BRAINPOWER AROUND GETTING NUMBERS AROUND IT, BUT ULTIMATELY THE COST OF MATERIALS GOES UP, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO 
          LESS THINGS. >> THAT'S A VERY GOOD POINT. 
          >> THAT'S THE GENERAL FUND, INHERENCE HEALTH, THAT HAS OTHER REVENUE SOURCES. THIS IS VERY LIMITED. 
          >> ALL RIGHT. I THINK THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4, WE WILL NOW CYCLE BACK FOR ANY REMAINING TIME. GETTING WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE AND FIVE SECONDS REMAINING. 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, PRECINCT 1, REGARDING THE CDBG MONEY ATTACHED TO OUR PROJECTS. I REMEMBER DR. 
          PETERSON, IF YOU CAN ELABORATE ON THE SCHEDULE, WHEN WE MADE THE AGREEMENT WITH COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM TO GET THAT MONEY, SHE SPECIFICALLY ASKED, AND I'VE CHALLENGED YOU WITH, I USE THE TERM SHOVEL READY, BUT THE REALITY WAS, PROJECTS THAT COULD BE COMPLETED BY, WAS IT 2026 OR 2027? 
          >> '27, '28. >> THAT WAS HER CONDITION, SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE MONEY BACK, NOR DO I WANT TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WHICH HAS BEEN THE REASON WE'VE BEEN BEGGING FOR AN EXTENSION. BUT, IF THE EXTENSION DOES NOT HAPPEN, WE'VE GOTTEN SOMEWHAT OF AN EXTENSION, BUT THE ULTIMATE EXTENSION DOES NOT HAPPEN, HOW ARE THOSE PROJECTS COMING ALONG, AND ARE WE ON TRACK WITH THOSE PROJECTS? 
          THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD SAY WE ARE WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN TO GET THOSE PROJECTS DONE WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACED, REALLY, WHEN WE FIRST GOT THESE PROJECTS INTO THE PROGRAM, IS THE UNCERTAINTY AROUND A LOT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS, WHICH REALLY HAS IMPACTED OUR TIMELINES. WE RAN INTO A LOT OF REGULATIONS THAT MAY BE DIDN'T HAVE CLEAR GUIDELINES, AND WHEN THERE'S NOT CLEAR GUIDELINES IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES TO IMPLEMENT. WE ARE SEEING SOME OF THOSE THINGS BEGIN TO BECOME MORE CLEAR, SO THAT THINGS ARE STARTING TO MOVE. WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT WE WOULD CONTINUE TO SEE THAT TYPE OF PROGRESS, AND THINGS WILL BEGIN TO MOVE ALONG AT A FASTER 
          PACE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. 
          PRECINCT 3, YOU HAD 14 SECONDS REMAINING. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 1, YOU HAD NO TIME REMAINING, PRECINCT FOUR, YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS REMAINING. 
          >> WILL SKIP THAT. >> THANK YOU, COURT OFFICERS. 
          WITH THAT, DR. PETERSON, YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR 
          CLOSING REMARKS. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE DO THIS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WORK. FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, WE KNOW THAT THE WORK THAT WE DO TRANSLATES INTO MEASURABLE RESULTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR FOCUS ON DOING THIS WORK AS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS 
          POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DR. PETERSON, THANK YOU TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL BE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT. 
          [Purchasing Agent]
          [05:20:56]
          >> WELCOME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PURCHASING OFFICE. WE'LL CONTINUE WITH OUR FINAL PRESENTATION FOR TODAY ABOUT OUR BUDGET HEARINGS. WE'LL BEGIN WITH THREE MINUTES FOR AN INITIAL PRESENTATION, THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES 
          FOR CLOSING REMARKS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, I WANT TO SAY GOOD AFTERNOON IN GREETINGS, MY NAME IS KIMBERLY WILLIAMS, THIS IS MY WEEK TWO DAY TWO OF BEING THE PURCHASING AGENT FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY APPRECIATION FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY. AS WE PRESENT THE 2026 BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,334,131. I'M JOINED BY JEREMY HARRIS, WHO WILL HELP ME FEEL THE QUESTIONS, THIS IS WEEK TWO. THE OFFICE OF PURCHASING AGENT IS STATUTORILY REQUIRED UNDER THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 262, AS A RESULT THE MAJORITY OF OUR BUDGET IS LABOR. IN ORDER TO MEET ITS MISSION OF ACQUIRING APPROPRIATE GOODS AND SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO THE OPERATION OF HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES IN A TIMELY, PRUDENT MANNER CONSIDERING QUALITY VALUE AND ECONOMY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS MISSION, THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT HAS BEEN UNDERGOING A REORGANIZATION PURSUANT TO THE COMMISSIONER COURSE APPROVAL OF THE PROCURED TOUPEE INITIATIVE, THIS IS ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT TO ADD STAFFING AND HAS DATA COLLECTION, PROVIDE PAY PARITY TO ASSIST IN HIRING ADDITIONAL STAFF. WITH THE RESTRUCTURING, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE REDUCED CYCLE TIMES AS A RESULT. 86 DEDICATED TO HARRIS COUNTY, 36 DEDICATED TO HARRIS HEALTH, TWO OF THE HARRIS COUNTY POSITIONS ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE MOBILITY FUND, AND HARRIS HEALTH SUBSIDIZES ITS POSITIONS. THE 2026 BUDGET REQUEST THAT YOU HAVE REPRESENTS A CONTINUATION OF CURRENT SERVICE LEVELS, WHILE OFFERING FOR THE FUTURE. THIS BUDGET SUSTAINS THE STAFFING OPERATIONAL RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PROCESS THOUSANDS OF SOLICITATIONS, CONTRACTS AND PURCHASES, ANNUALLY WITHOUT DISRUPTION. AT THE SAME TIME, IT ADVANCES A STRATEGIC RESTRUCTURING OF THE OFFICE, MODERNIZING OUR PROCESSES, STRENGTHENING OVERSIGHT AND MOVING TOWARD A CATEGORY MANAGEMENT APPROACH THAT WILL ALLOW US TO LEVERAGE THE COUNTY'S FULL BUYING POWER. 
          WITH YOUR APPROVAL WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELIVER THE SERVICES THE DEPARTMENTS RELY ON EVERY DAY. WHILE ALSO TRANSFORMING TO MEET THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF TOMORROW. I WANT TO THANK PAGE MECHANIC AND PATTERSON FOR PUTTING THIS BUDGET REQUEST TOGETHER. I THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND CONTINUED SUPPORT, AND REQUEST APPROVAL AND HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. 
          YIELDING BACK TIME, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA, TO BE FOLLOWED BY COMMISSIONER 
          BRIONES. >> THANK YOU. WELCOME TO HARRIS COUNTY, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON THIS INCREDIBLE CHARGE. YOU'VE GOT YOU A GOOD RIGHT HAND, BY THE WAY. IN TALKING TO THE DIRECTORS , THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERNS ON THE PURCHASING PROCESS, AND THE INTRICACIES OF THAT, THAT IS IMPACTED SOME OF THE SCHEDULES OF THE PROJECTS. SO, I HOPE YOU GET YOUR ARMS AROUND, YOU SHOULD AT METRO, THE CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH THE MONEY THAT WE GET FROM THEM, BUT OVERALL, I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT WITH THE DIRECTORS, GET THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHAT RESPECT AS THEY 
          [05:25:02]
HAVE ON THE PROCESSES, I ALWAYS TELL EVERYBODY, I'VE GOT A CHUNK OF CHANGE IN MY BUDGET, AND IF IT WERE MY MONEY, I WOULDN'T WANT TO SPEND IT. I LIVE OFF THE INTEREST, BUT IT'S NOT MY MONEY, IT'S THE PEOPLE'S MONEY, I WANT TO PUT IT TO WORK. SO I WANT TO EXHAUST MY BUDGET AS MUCH AS I CAN. WITH PROJECTS THAT BRING SOME IMPROVEMENT TO THE COMMUNITIES WAY OF LIFE. BUT, THAT REQUIRES BEING ABLE TO SPEND IT. SO, SOME OF THAT CHARGE IS ULTIMATELY ON THIS OFFICE. SO, I WOULD JUST ASK FOR YOU TO VISIT WITH THE DIRECTORS, HEAR THEIR PERSPECTIVES, AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY THOUGHTS AND IDEAS THAT YOU MAY GLEAN FROM THEM. AS WELL AS THE OTHER ISSUE THAT I THINK HAS SOME DIRECTORS HAVE EXPRESSED , SOME OF THEM DO HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING FUNDED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE BUDGETS. BUT, SOME OF THEM FEEL THAT THEY'RE WORKING WITH EVERYBODY ELSE EXCEPT WHO'S PAYING THE SALARY. SO, IF WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE DIRECTORS THAT ARE PAYING THOSE SALARIES DO GET THE ATTENTION THAT THEY WERE EXPECTING TO GET AS A RESULT OF THAT RELATIONSHIP. AND THEN, THE ISSUE OF, GETTING IN LINE WITH OUR AUDITOR TO MAKE SURE THAT , I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVER BEEN ANY ISSUES, THERE. JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE WELL ALIGNED. IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT, THEN THE ONE YOU'RE COMING FROM. WHERE EVERYTHING IS SILOED. SO MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION WITH OUR AUDITOR, AND BE FAMILIAR WITH ANY, ANY ISSUES THAT WILL HELP STREAMLINE THE PROCESS AND MOVE THINGS ALONG AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. 
          WITH THAT, I AGAIN WELCOME YOU TO HARRIS COUNTY, AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON THIS INCREDIBLE RESPONSIBILITY. WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE YOU. 
          >> APPRECIATE IT. ADVICE TAKEN. >> AND I APPRECIATE YOU 
          RECOGNIZING THIS , >> SHE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT 
          TODAY. >> THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING HER WORK, AND WE DO APPRECIATE HER AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR 
          TAKING THAT TIME. >> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? MISSION OR BRIONES, YOU 
          WILL HAVE FIVE MINUTES. >> PURCHASING AGENT WILLIAMS, WELCOME, I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS, WE'RE THRILLED TO HAVE YOU, WHEN WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF ALL OF YOUR EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU, AND WELCOME. I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH THE LISTENING TOUR AND MAKING SURE WE'RE IDENTIFYING THE KEY PAIN POINTS FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF THE DEPARTMENTS. AND REALLY WORKING AS COLLABORATIVELY AND EFFECTIVELY IN SOLVING FOR THEM. 
          YOU DO HAVE AN AMAZING RIGHT HAND PERSON, DIRECTOR HARRIS. 
          HE'S MY GO TO PERSON IN PURCHASING AND HE'S VERY SOLUTIONS ORIENTED, AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HARRIS COUNTY, THE BEST OF HARRIS COUNTY, SO THANK YOU. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, BASED ON YOUR TWO WEEKS AND TWO DAYS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, WHAT HAVE YOU IDENTIFIED ARE THE KEY CHALLENGES YOU'RE SEEING, AND WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS FOR IMPROVING AND SOLVING FOR THEM? 
          >> THANK YOU FOR THE WELCOME, I APPRECIATE IT. ONE OF THE KEY THINGS THAT I SEE COMING IN THE DOOR IS STAFF CONSTRAINTS. WE ARE ALMOST FULLY STAFFED, HOWEVER, WE ALSO ARE IMPLEMENTING A NEW MANAGEMENT MODEL. THAT TAKES SOME TIME TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH AND TO ACTUALIZE. PART OF THAT MODEL IS STILL PROBABLY 25% AWAY FROM THE GOAL. THAT'S THE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT SIDE OF THE HOUSE. WHICH IS A NEW WAY OF WORK THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS BECOMING ACCUSTOMED TO. SO, SOME OF THE STAFF POSITIONS THAT WERE ANTICIPATED FOR THAT PARTICULAR GROUP HAVE BEEN REPURPOSED TO HELP PICK UP THE SLACK. AND I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU ARE STARTING TO SEE BETTER CYCLE TIMES WHEN IT COMES TO PURCHASE ORDERS, AND THE CONTRACTING CYCLE. THAT IS, THE COST ON THE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT SITE. SO, I KNOW THERE'S CONVERSATION ABOUT HIRING FREEZES, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXEMPTION FROM THAT, WE ARE STILL CARRYING OUT THE WISHES OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN MOVING TO THIS TOTAL OPERATING MODEL THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO STAFF THOSE POSITIONS AND THE VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE. OUR BUDGET IS PRETTY AUSTERE, MOVING INTO THAT, WE 
          [05:30:03]
DIDN'T ASK FOR ADDITIONAL HEADCOUNT, WE WANTED TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE AND THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO FILL THOSE. SO, THE OTHER PIECE I SEE IS COMMUNICATION. ONE OF THE THINGS I'M ALREADY LOOKING AT IS MAKING ONE OF THOSE POSITIONS COMMUNICATION FOCUSED. I'VE ALREADY LOOKED AT RETOOLING THE TRAINING MANAGER WHICH IS A KEY PART OF WHAT WAS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE NEW MODEL. AND EXPANDING THEIR FOCUS NOT JUST FROM TRAINING THE DEPARTMENT INTERNALLY, BUT ALSO TRAINING OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND TRAINING OUR VENDOR COMMUNITY. I THINK THERE'S CAPACITY AND LATERAL TO DO THAT. I THINK FOR THE TWO INDICATIONS PERSON TO HELP, KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON, I'M HEARING PEOPLE SAYING THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS, THEY MAY NOT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THEIR PARTICULAR CONTRACT, OR P.O., BASICALLY HAVING A CONDUIT OF A PERSON WHO CAN MANAGE THAT CONVERSATION. THERE IS AN EFFORT ALREADY INTERNALLY TO MOVE TOWARDS A TEAM'S APPROACH, WHERE THERE IS A PERSON ASSIGNED TO EACH DEPARTMENT, EACH COMMISSIONERS COURT, AND THAT, I THINK, IS TAKING ROOT, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THAT. 
          THERE'S ALSO SOME LOW HANGING FRUIT WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH OUR VENDOR BASE. WE DON'T HAVE A LINKEDIN ACCOUNT. THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF BUSINESSES GO TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION. IT'S FREE, WHY NOT? I THINK THAT'S AN EASY, SIMPLE THING WE CAN DO TO FACILITATE AWARENESS OF NEW CHANGES. LIKE THE NEW LIVING WAGE AND OTHER THINGS TO THE VENDOR COMMUNITY. NOT EVERYONE WILL CHOOSE TO REGISTER AS A VENDOR, BUT, THERE'S STILL VENDORS OUT THERE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED OR WHO WE CAN CULTIVATE. TO JOIN THE DATABASE IF WE HAVE THAT COMMUNICATION. 
          >> THANK YOU. SO, I LOOK FORWARD TO THESE IDEAS OF WHAT WE NEED, MY DREAM IS THAT WE'RE BEST IN CLASS WITH REGARD TO PURCHASING AND FRANKLY EVERY DEPARTMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND WE DEFINITELY, WITH BOLD LEADERSHIP, I'M CONFIDENT WE CAN GET THERE WITH THE SHORT, MID, LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS. 
          RICHARD TO PAY, I'VE ONLY BEEN ON THE COURT FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO YEARS, PROCURE TO PAY, THE IRONY IN HOW WE'RE GOING TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT, MORE COMPLIANT, HAS BEEN DRAGGING. I RECOGNIZE THAT PATIENCE IS NOT A VIRTUE I POSSESS BUT WHEN WE GET COMPLAINTS, FROM SMALL BUSINESSES THAT THEY'RE NOT GETTING PAID IN TIME AND ARE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING PAYROLL, WE ARE HERE TO HELP PEOPLE DIRECTLY IN THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO THOSE WHO ARE HELPING US HELP PEOPLE. SO I ASK PLEASE THAT THIS BE OF TOP PRIORITY. I KNOW IF YOU CAN GIVE A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY ON HOW YOU BEEN DIVING IN TWO PROCURE TO PAY AND HOW YOU CAN EXPEDITE THE PROGRESS THAT WE ALL WANT TO 
          ACHIEVE. >> GREAT QUESTION, THANK YOU FOR THAT. BEFORE I CAME ON BOARD I REACHED OUT TO THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, TO LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS, THE PROCURE TO PAY, WHERE IT WAS IN THE PROCESS. THEY LOADED ME UP WITH A LOT OF INFORMATION, SO I'M GETTING UP TO SPEED ON THAT, AND LOOKING FOR WAYS THAT WE CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXPEDITE, THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE DO HAVE IS THE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT. SIDE OF THE HOUSE WHICH IS A BIG PART OF THE PROCURE TO PAY. I'M WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY OF MR.'S OFFICE, TO LOOK AT WHERE THE BOTTLENECKS ARE, SO THAT WE CAN MOVE THAT FORWARD. I DON'T HAVE A COMPLETE ANSWER FOR YOU NOW BECAUSE I'M GETTING UP TO SPEED, BUT, YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON THAT, AND THAT WE WILL START TO LOOK FOR WAYS AND REPORT BACK TO COURT AS TO WHAT WE ARE DOING TO GET THAT MOVING. 
          >> THE COURT IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU, PLEASE LET'S CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION AND CONTINUOUS COLLABORATION, AND WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU BECAUSE EVERYTHING ENDS UP TOUCHING PURCHASING, AND WE ALL HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY TO DELIVER TO THE PEOPLE, AND WE WANT PURCHASING TO BE A PARTNER, NOT AN IMPEDIMENT, AND I'M HIGHLY CONFIDENT WE WILL GET THERE, ANYTHING YOU NEED, PLEASE BE VOCAL AND ASKING AND TELLING US HOW WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> I'LL TAKE YOU UP ON THAT. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. 
          PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS TO BE 
          FOLLOWED BY PRECINCT 3. >> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M NO COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAVE WOKEN YOU. HOW IS PURCHASING WITH VENDORS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF COURT DIRECTIVES LIKE THE LIVING WAGE POLICY, AND OUR INCREASED FOCUS ON WORKER PROTECTIONS AND SAFETY FOR THE WORKERS? 
          >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. JEREMY HARRIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT ON TO HELP WORK WITH THAT, HIS TITLE IS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT. HIS TEAM WILL BE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH PEO, TO DEVELOP DIFFERENT OUTLETS, TO LET VENDORS KNOW, SO SOME OF THE 
          [05:35:04]
ACTIVITY HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE, JEREMY AND HIS TEAM HAS MET WITH SEVERAL OF THEIR TRADE ASSOCIATIONS IN THE REGION. BUT WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH PEO ON A MONTHLY HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH HARRIS COUNTY WHERE WE TALK ABOUT THE MECHANICS OF WORKING WITH THE COUNTY, BUT ALSO, SHARING WITH THEM ANY UPDATES ABOUT NEW INITIATIVES THAT THE COUNTY IS LAUNCHING. LIKE A LIVING WAGE. WE HAVE ONE COMING UP ON SEPTEMBER 9TH, AND WE HAVE ONE SCHEDULED FOR EVERY MONTH THROUGHOUT THE END OF THE YEAR. 
          WE WANT TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE COMMISSIONERS OFFICES. 
          I KNOW WE WERE PART OF THE BUYER MEET AND GREET WITH PRECINCT 4, AND ANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT YOU ALL SEE IN YOUR PRECINCT THAT WE CAN COME OUT AND MEET WITH THE COMMUNITY OR ANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU RECOMMEND THAT WE SHOULD BE CONNECTING WITH. WE'RE HAPPY TO DO SO. I DID MENTION SOME LOW HANGING FRUIT, HAVING A LINKEDIN PRESENCE TO PUT INFORMATION OUT, BUT ALSO, WE DON'T HAVE A NEWSLETTER. SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS HAVING A NEWSLETTER THAT VENDORS CAN REGISTER FOR THAT WE CAN PUSH OUT THIS INFORMATION IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO 
          TEE UP AS WELL. >> ALL RIGHT. THIS MAY BE A LITTLE TECH, BUT WHEN WILL HOUSE BILL 3036 THAT RAISED THE PROCURE THRESHOLDS BE OPERATIONALIZED? 
          >> WE ARE WORKING WITH BURBAGE FOR THAT NOW. WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE HOPEFULLY SOMETHING ON THE NEXT COURT AGENDA. WE WILL BE ASKING FOR A SLIGHT DELAY TO IMPLEMENT BECAUSE WE WILL NEED TO BRING ON SOME BUYERS TO HELP WITH THAT. WE'LL BE POSTING THOSE POSITIONS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, WE WANT TO TIME THAT TO HOPEFULLY HAVING BUYERS ON BOARD, SO THAT WHEN WE DO RAISE THE LIMIT, WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THOSE PURCHASE ORDERS OUT 
          TIMELY. >> I DONATE THE REMAINDER OF MY 
          TIME TO PRECINCT 2. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1, PRECINCT 3, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. 
          >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR THE JOB THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO DO. I CAN TELL THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE COUNTY. I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU, SO I WILL GO AHEAD AND YIELD MY TIME TO EITHER COMMISSIONER BRIONES OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 
          >> APPRECIATE THE WELCOME, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW 
          HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, WELCOME ABOARD THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, I'M SURE JEREMY CAN ATTEST IT'S A WONDERFUL TIME TO COME ON BOARD THE PURCHASING TEAM. FIRST I WANT TO BEGIN WITH PURCHASING , I KNOW YOU JUST SPOKE TO THE STAFFING ISSUES, DO YOU FORESEE ANY OTHER TECHNOLOGY OR OTHERWISE ISSUES AS WE WORK TOWARD LAUNCHING THE PROMPT PAY 
          ACT? >> THERE ARE SOME TECHNOLOGY ISSUES. ONE, THE SYSTEMS DON'T SPEAK TO EACH OTHER. SO, THAT IS A CHALLENGE. AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO TRACK AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE DATA. IT TAKES MORE STEPS, AND MORE PEOPLE TO DO THAT. I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ERM PROCESS THAT'S COMING AROUND, AND I HOPE THROUGH THAT PROCESS WE CAN STREAMLINE THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SYSTEMS. SO THAT EVERYONE CAN HAVE INSIGHT INTO THAT, I THINK THAT'S DEFINITELY ONE ISSUE. 
          ONE OF THE THINGS I'LL BE LOOKING AT ALSO IS IN OUR EXISTING SYSTEMS, ARE WE MAXIMIZING THE CAPACITY THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE US? THAT'S ONE OF MY THINGS TO DO LIST AS FAR AS COMING IN THE DOOR TO SEE WHAT WE HAVE, AND ARE WE FULLY 
          MAXIMIZING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES? >> THANK YOU. MY NEXT QUESTION IS SWITCHING GEARS, HERE. BEYOND PROCURE TO PAY AND PURCHASING, HOW IS PURCHASING COLLABORATING WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO STREAMLINE THE OPERATIONS OF THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROJECT? 
          >> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION. I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. ONE OF THE THINGS, I DID MEET WITH THE ASSET MANAGEMENT TEAM LAST WEEK, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ASKED FOR SUPPORT ON WAS COMMUNICATING THAT THEY'RE THERE. APPARENTLY A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS DON'T KNOW THAT THEY CAN PURCHASE THINGS OR GET THINGS OUT OF THE ASSET GROUP. 
          ONE OF THE THINGS COMMITTED TO THEM IS TO HELP WITH THAT COMMUNICATION AND MAKING APARTMENTS AWARE I THINK THERE ARE A FEW COMMUNICATION PORTALS BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE DEPARTMENTS GO TO THOSE, THAT SOMETHING WILL BE WORKING ON, SO DEPARTMENT SNOW. TWO MAKE A SHAMELESS PLUG, DEPARTMENTS, IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, THEY HAVE A LOT OF 
          MATERIAL AVAILABLE. >> GOING BACK TO STAFFING ISSUES, CURRENTLY, WITH THE MOST RECENT NUMBERS PURCHASING HAS A 12% VACANCY RATE. IN PCN, SO CURIOUS AS TO WHAT PURCHASING HAS DONE OVER THE LAST FISCAL YEAR FOR RETENTION. FOR THEIR 
          STAFF. >> ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE 
          [05:40:05]
HAVE A LITTLE LESS THAN THAT, BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE EIGHT VACANCIES RIGHT NOW, SO I THINK STAFFING UP PRETTY WELL. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING ON IS BRINGING THE TRAINING MANAGER SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE STAFF WE BRING ON HAS THE TRAINING AND SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOBS. I HAVEN'T SEEN FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT THEIR EXIT INTERVIEWS I'M NOT SURE THEIR PRIMARY REASON FOR LEAVING. I THINK THE MORE SUPPORT AND TRAINING THAT THE STAFF HAS TO DO THEIR JOBS, THE MORE LIKELY THEY ARE TO STAY. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'LL BE HAVING THE TRAINING MANAGER FOCUS ON. WE JUST RECENTLY, OR YOU JUST RECENTLY GRANTED PAY PARITY, HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP TREMENDOUSLY. I THINK MAKING SURE THAT THOSE ROLES ARE ALIGNED WITH THE PAY FOR THE MARKET WILL DEFINITELY HELP 
          GOING FORWARD. >> ALSO JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE NEW. THAT WERE FUNDED IN THIS LAST YEAR. AS THEY'VE BUILT OUT THE STAFF IT WASN'T ALL GOING TO HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, WE WILL NOW CYCLE BACK FOR ANY REMAINING TIME. MISSION OR GARCIA, YOU NOW HAVE FOUR MINUTES TWO SECONDS REMAINING. 
          >> THANK YOU, I WON'T USE ALL OF IT. JUST, TO ECHO COMMISSIONER BRIONES REMARKS ON PROMPT PAY. WHEN I FIRST MADE THAT MOTION , I THINK THREE YEARS AGO, WE'VE BEEN HEARING PROGRESS, PROGRESS, PROGRESS. MOST RECENTLY, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HOLLOWAY ENVIRONMENTAL. THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN PAID. AND JUST LAID OUT A VERY GOOD NARRATIVE AS TO NOT ONLY THEIR PLIGHT, BUT THE PLIGHT OF MANY OTHER SUBS. AND THE WHOLE IDEA BEHIND PROMPT PAY WAS TO GET THE PAGE SO THE SUBS COULD GET PAID. BUT, WE REALIZED THAT WE DIDN'T, I DON'T THINK WE'VE PUT A MECHANISM TO TRACK PAYMENT TO SUBS. SO, WE COULD MAKE SURE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, BUT, MY TEAM WILL BE HAPPY TO VISIT WITH YOU TO SHOW YOU EVERYTHING THAT WE TRIED TO 
          DEVELOP AROUND IT. THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE THAT. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FOUR MINUTES 49 SECONDS REMAINING. 
          >> I LOVE HOW PRECISE YOU ARE, THANK YOU. SO, PURCHASING AGENT WILLIAMS, IF WE CAN ALL TAKE A STEP BACK, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS WHO ARE LISTENING TO HEAR YOUR VISION. I KNOW YOU'VE SHARED WITH MANY OF US, BUT WHAT IS YOUR VISION? WHERE ARE YOU TAKING PURCHASING? WHERE ARE WE TRYING TO ACHIEVE AND BE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY EVEN BETTER? CAN YOU SHARE YOUR BOLD VISION, PLEASE? 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK THE PRIMARY GOAL AND VISION IS TO DRIVE US TO BE A STRATEGIC PARTNER. AS YOU MENTIONED, THIS IS NOT OUR MONEY, THIS IS THE PUBLIC'S MONEY AND IT WAS PROVIDED TO US TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THEM. SO, THE FASTER WE CAN GET THOSE SERVICES AND PROJECTS OUT INTO THE STREET, THE MORE THE PUBLIC CAN BENEFIT FROM THEM. CONTINUING WITH THE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT, IT'S LOOKING AT FOCUSING ON THE PLANNING SIDE OF THE HOUSE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PREPARED TO GET THESE PROJECTS DELIVERED THROUGH MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT SCOPE AND SPECIFICATIONS, MAKING SURE WE MOVE THROUGH EVERYTHING TIMELY, BUT WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS, INTERNALLY, LIKE THE AUDITORS, LIKE OUR ATTORNEYS OFFICE, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT GETTING STUCK ON THINGS, AND MOVING SEAMLESSLY THROUGH THE PROCESS . BASED ON MY PAST EXPERIENCE, A LOT OF THIS CAN BE DONE THROUGH COLLABORATION, DEVELOPING TEMPLATES IN ADVANCE, AGREEING ON TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND MAKING SURE THAT THE VENDOR COMMUNITY IS AWARE OF THAT. I THINK THAT IS A KEY PART THAT I SEE COMING IN THAT COULD BE STRENGTHENED IS THE PLANNING PROCESS. WHICH WILL HELP ON THE BACK AND GET THESE PROJECTS OUT THE DOOR FASTER. BEING THE STRATEGIC PARTNER AND LEVERAGING THE TECHNOLOGY, THERE'S A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY THAT'S AVAILABLE THAT CAN HELP US BE MORE EFFICIENT, WHEN IT COMES TO INVOICING, WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING OUR BIDS OUT THE DOOR, THAT WE CAN UTILIZE TO DO SO. IT PAINS ME TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROMPT PAYMENT, I'M FAMILIAR , THEY WERE A GREAT FIRM FOR ME WHEN I USED THEM IN THE PAST. 
          AND A GREAT WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS. THAT SHOULD BE THE LEAST OF THEIR WORRIES IS GETTING PAID. I'M COMMITTED TO LOOKING INTO THAT FURTHER AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE THINGS IN PLACE. BUT, I THINK THAT PARTNERSHIP, INNOVATION, AND STRATEGY ARE MY BIG VISIONS FOR WHERE I WANT THIS DEPARTMENT 
          TO GO. >> I LOVE IT, AND I'M ENERGIZED. COUNT US INTO SUPPORT AND PARTNER IN ANY WAY WE CAN. 
          MY LAST QUESTION DOVETAILS ON THIS. IN YOUR DECADES OF 
          [05:45:02]
EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE, I'D LOVE TO HEAR A FEW IDEAS IN TERMS OF BEST PRACTICES YOU'VE SEEN ACROSS TEXAS AND ACROSS THE NATION THAT YOU HOPE TO BRING TO HARRIS COUNTY PURCHASING. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I JUST MET WITH THE CIO, AND WE TALKED ABOUT INNOVATION PROPOSAL PROGRAM. THEY HAVE AN INNOVATION LAB, YOU HAVE ONE IN THE HOUSE, BUT SHE HASN'T HAD A WAY TO EXECUTE ON THAT, SO I DID DEVELOP AN INNOVATION PROGRAM AT OUR PREVIOUS EMPLOYER, AND I THINK THAT'S ONE THAT COULD FIT WELL HERE AS WELL. TO LET US TEST ON THINGS BEFORE WE GO DOWN A LONG ROAD AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT IT WORKS OR NOT, AND AS THEY SAY , WE CAN FIND OUT WHAT WORKS FOR US, WHAT DOESN'T, AND MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION. THE OTHER THING IS, I THINK WE NEED TO AGAIN HAVE A STRONGER PLANNING PROCESS. I LISTENED TO THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION FROM FLOOD CONTROL, THEY ALREADY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO PUSH THREE AND $400 MILLION OUT THE DOOR IN '26. PURCHASING SHOULD BE AT THE FRONT END WITH ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS. IN KNOWING WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE AND TO PROCUREMENT PLANNING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARING STAFF AND WE CAN ANTICIPATE PICKUPS IN ADVANCE TO WORK THROUGH THOSE TO GET THOSE PRODUCTS OUT THE DOOR. SO, I HAVE SOME BACKGROUND IN THAT PIECE, AND HOPE TO BRING SOME OF THAT BACKGROUND TO THIS ROLE. GOING FORWARD. I ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LOOKING AT SOFTWARE THAT CAN HELP US TRACK, WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH PRIMES BEING PAID BUT NOT PAYING THEIR SUBCONTRACTORS. 
          SO THERE'S TERMINOLOGY WE CAN PUT IN THE CONTRACT TO MAKE SURE THEY PAY IT IN A TIMELY MANNER. WE ALSO HAVE A WAY THAT EVEN IF THE CRIME IS NOT BEEN PAID, IF THE SOME CROWN TRACTOR VOICES IN ORDER THAT THEY CAN BE PAID DIRECTLY. HOPEFULLY THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN IMPLEMENT HERE AS WELL. WE TALKED TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ABOUT THAT. ON THE SIDE WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE LOOKED AT WAYS, WE CALL IT AN INTER-AGENCY PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM, I CREATED THAT AT MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYER. THAT WAS A WAY TO WORK WITH SMALL BUSINESSES. IT WAS SEVERAL AGENCIES INVOLVED AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THAT, AND THAT PROGRAM EXISTS TO THIS DAY, WHERE WE BRING THE PROCESS DOWN TO EARTH. WE MAKE IT MORE DIGESTIBLE FOR THEM, AND ALLOW THEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO WORK WITH ALL OF OUR AGENCIES, AND 
          BUILD ON THAT. >> I'M ENERGIZED BY YOUR VISION AND IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND WE'RE THANKFUL TO HAVE YOUR 
          LEADERSHIP, AND WELCOME AGAIN. >> APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND COURT OFFICES. THE QUESTIONS OF SEGMENT HAS CONCLUDED, AND WITH THAT, DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE TWO 
          MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS. >> AWESOME. THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS WE SEEK TO BRING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT IN ALIGNMENT WITH SERVICE NEEDS AND INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES. THIS BUDGET WILL ALLOW US TO DELIVER A STATUTORY MANDATE PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL TRANSPARENT AND EFFICIENT PROCUREMENT SERVICES TO HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT AS WE DO PURSUE SOME NEW AVENUES, SOME NEW WAYS THAT MIGHT BE OUT OF THE NORM. AND ASK FOR YOUR INDULGENCE IN THAT. I'M ALSO REQUESTING AN EXEMPTION IF THERE IS A DECISION TO DO A HIRING FREEZE, TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, TO PROCURE TO PAY AND PROMPT PAYMENT INITIATIVES THAT THE COURT IS ALREADY APPROVED, AND WITH THAT, I YIELD BACK MY TIME. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. WITH THAT, AND THE ENTIRE PURCHASING OFFICE, WITH THAT, OUR FINAL BUDGET PRESENTATION FOR THE DAY HAS CONCLUDED. SO, WE WILL RECONVENE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:30 A.M.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.