Sep 09, 2025 Special Commissioners Court

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>> OKAY. IT IS 10:12 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY PUT BEFORE WE BEGIN TO OUR REGULAR ORDER BUSINESS, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AN MOMENT OF SILENCE IN RECOGNITION OF JUDGE AMY MARTIN. WE LOST HER YESTERDAY. I JUST WANT TO SEND THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO HER FAMILY AND CLOSEST FRIENDS AND AN INCREDIBLE LOSS TO HARRIS COUNTY. A MOMENT OF SILENCE, FOLKS, PLEASE.

>>

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THAT IS A TRAGEDY. I HAD NO IDEA. THANK YOU. OKAY. SOME HOUSEKEEPING NOTES. WE HAVE ONE ITEM THAT NEEDS MINOR CHANGES DUE TO ERRORS. ON ITEM 13, PAGE 3, CHANGE $293,333.81 TO $226,255. WE HAVE 21 ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. WE WILL FIRST HEAR FROM SPEAKERS BEFORE MOVING ONTO DISCUSSION ITEMS. THEN, WE WILL LOOK AT ITEM 2, BUDGETS AND TAX RATES AND ITEM 16 FOR RELOCATION AND THEN ITEM 1, GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ITEM 9, APPOINTMENT OF GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE . FOLLOWING THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 21, CONSTABLE ELECTED SALARY AND FINALLY WE WILL CONCLUDE WITH ITEM 19, AN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THOSE ARE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEGOTIATIONS. SO, WAY THEN ITEM 2, THE FIRST ONE WE WILL GO FOR, THAT IS THE TAX CONTROL RATE AND BUDGET, GENERAL FUND TAX RATE AND BUDGET, THE POTION OF THE PROPOSED HIRING FREEZE, STANDARD HIRING PROCEDURE AND THEN THE COUNTYWIDE OFFSETS AND SAVINGS. THE OFFSETS ARE TAKING FROM ONE

[Appearances before court]

LET'S START WITH THE SPEAKERS. TIFFANY, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND

GETTING US STARTED. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, INAUDIBLE ], LINDA MORALES OF PRECINCT TWO, JACOB ON ITEMS 2 AND 20 OF PRECINCT 1, PRECINCT 4. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS FASTEST-GROWING RACIAL DEMOGRAPHIC HERE IN TEXAS, THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY. WE MAKE UP MORE THAN 7% OF THE POPULATION AND WE HAVE GROWN BY OVER 40% IN THE LAST DECADE.

FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY RELY ON THE INVESTMENTS MADE THROUGH THE OFFICE AND THE PRECINCT SERVICES. WHEN THE COUNTY INVESTS IN QUALITY PARKS AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING, OUR CHILDREN HAVE SAFE PLACES TO PLAY AND LEARN. WHEN THE COUNTY BUILDS SAFE SIDEWALKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE, FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND YOUNG PEOPLE CAN MOVE SAFELY THROUGH THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEN THE COUNTY RAISES WAGES FOR ITS WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS, FAMILIES CAN MAKE ENDS MEET AND LIVE WITH DIGNITY.

WHEN THE COUNTY SUPPORTS THE APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE PROGRAM, OUR YOUTH AND WORKERS CAN ACCESS REAL OPPORTUNITIES IN

TRADES AND TECHNOLOGY CAREERS. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, LINDA MORALES OF THE GULF COAST LABOR FEDERATION. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, AS YOU DELIBERATE THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE THE FOLKS WHO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY RUN AND THAT IS WORKERS. YES, THIS BODY WAS A LEADER IN INCREASING PAPER COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACT WORKERS BUT LET'S NOT STOP THERE. THE COST OF LIVING CONTINUES TO RISE AND THE COUNTY MUST ADAPT AS WELL. EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS SUPPORTING WORKERS AND IMPROVING THEIR SKILL SETS THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS THAT YOU HAVE DONE, APPRENTICESHIPS AND CONSTRUCTION ARE ALREADY SHOWING SUCCESS AND THAT MUST CONTINUE. DESPITE ALL OF THE ANTI-DEI OR ENGLISH ONLY EFFORTS THE TRUTH IS THIS.

WORKERS MUST BE DRAWN FROM COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE, WHETHER THEY SPEAK SPANISH OR ANY OTHER LANGUAGE . OUR DIVERSITY IS A STRENGTH IN OUR COUNTY'S POLICIES AND THEY MUST REFLECT THAT REALITY. ALSO, BOOST THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO PREPARE FOR

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>> THANK YOU. >> JUST SO YOU KNOW, THAT PROPOSAL ON THE BUDGET -- IF YOU DON'T MIND, THANK YOU FOR COMING. THE PROPOSAL ON THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW WOULD STOP THE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR RAINY DAY FUND AND WOULD HARM, OF COURSE, WORKERS AND RESIDENTS IN TERMS OF CUTTING FUNDING FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, INDIGENT DEFENSE. USING ONE-TIME FUNDING TO PAY FOR RECURRING EXPENSES, AND OTHER LIMITATIONS TO POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES, LIBRARIES, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT UP AND JUST KNOW THAT THE DAMAGE IS NOT DONE YET UNTIL WE VOTE ON THE BUDGET SO I AM HOPING THAT MY COLLEAGUES HERE WILL LISTEN TO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND NOT CAUSE ALL THESE CUTS.

>> JUDGE, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE BIG BOYS AND GIRLS AND I KNOW YOU ALL WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU, GOD

BLESS. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. MY NAME IS AND I'M THE ADVOCACY DIRECTOR AT COUNTY. I'M ALSO RESIDENT AND PRECINCT 4. . DIRECT ASSISTANCE FUND IS NOTHING SHORT OF REVOLUTIONARY. BEFORE THIS ONE, THERE WAS NOTHING LIKE IT. NO FLEXIBLE RESOURCE THAT TRULY MET SURVIVORS WHERE THEY WERE. TODAY, IT HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS WE HAVE NOT ONLY TO KEEP FAMILIES SAFE BUT TO EMPOWER THEM TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES WITH DIGNITY. BECAUSE OF THE FUND, SURVIVORS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PREVENT , MAKE REPAIRS I CAN KEEP WORKING. FAMILIES HAVE AVOIDED EVICTION. PARENTS HAVE HAD CHILD CARE COVERAGE SO THEY CAN BRING HOME A PAYCHECK. IT HAS PAID FOR ATTORNEYS, MEDICATIONS, GROCERIES AND THE LIST GOES ON. IT HAS GIVEN FAMILIES EMERGENCY HOTEL STAYS TO FLEE SAFELY AND FURNITURE WHEN THEY ARE STARTING FROM SCRATCH. THIS IS LIFE-CHANGING, LIFE-SAVING WORK. COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN A HUGE CHAMPION FOR THIS CAUSE, ENSURING THAT SURVIVORS ARE NOT JUST ESCAPING VIOLENCE BUT ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO THRIVE. I URGE THE COURTS TO CONTINUE --

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

>> I AM GOING TO MAINLY TALK ABOUT RESOLUTION NUMBER 20 SO GIVE ME ABOUT 30 SECONDS. IT IS GIVING ME A HEADACHE. I SCREWED UP.

THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. I KNOW THAT YOU CALLED THE COUNTY JUDGE LINA HIDALGO, SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. THEY SHOULD GET

ONE OF THOSE. THANK YOU. >> I WENT TO A HARRIS COUNTY GOP

THING >> SORRY, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> SORRY. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, HAMILTON OF PRECINCT 4, PRECINCT 3 , PRECINCT 4. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM DR. NISI HAMILTON AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4. GOOD MORNING. I SERVED EIGHT YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY AS A MILITARY POLICE OFFICER. I HAVE BEEN TWO DECADES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. GOOD MORNING, BOSS MAN, I LOVE YOU . WE HAVE HEART SERVICES AND PRECINCT 4. RIGHT NOW PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 4 ARE THE ONLY SERVICES WE HAVE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE TOOK OVER 20,000 CALLS AND IT LOWERED THE PRESSURE ON OUR 911 CALLS. PRECINCT 1 WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING. IT IS HUGE. WE HAVE NEVER SEEN A PREGNANT WOMAN OR WOMAN WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN 1 AND 4. 2 HAS DONE THE TRAINING. THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR YOUR

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ADVOCATE. >> SORRY, YOUR TIME IS UP.

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

SERVICE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS HEALTH AND I WANTED TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR THE HEART INITIATIVE. WE USED TO GET SO MANY CALLS WHERE POLICE INTERJECTED INSTEAD OF THE RESIDENTS GETTING HELP THAT THEY NEEDED FROM CLINICIANS THAT COULD ACTUALLY INTERVENE, DE-ESCALATE AND GET PEOPLE WHO ARE FACING MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION, HOMELESSNESS THE CORRECT CARE THAT THEY NEEDED AND I THINK THAT THIS INITIATIVE IS HUGE IN HELPING EVERYBODY SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. ALSO, THAT I AM OKAY, ARE YOU OKAY INITIATIVE. THAT WAS STARTED. I THINK IT MEANS A LOT THAT A SIMPLE PHONE CALL COULD HELP SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE AND FOR EVERYBODY TO REMEMBER THAT. THE LAST THING WAS THE ADVISORY BOARDS THAT HAVE BEEN FORMED. I THINK, FOR THE NEIGHBORS TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY IS STRONGER, SAFER AND JUST FUNCTIONING BETTER , WAS A BULIMIC INITIATIVE. I JUST WANTED TO COME OUT HERE I THINK YOU GUYS FOR THAT.

>> MA'AM, TODAY WE ARE DISCUSSING THE BUDGET. WHAT WAS THE REQUEST FOR YOU TO COME AND TALK ABOUT THE EXISTING PROGRAM?

>> THE HEART INITIATIVE, TO KEEP ADDING MONEY TO MENTAL HEALTH. I

THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. >> JUST SO YOU KNOW, IN THE BUDGET, BECAUSE TWO COLLEAGUES REFUSED TO PUT $100 MILLION PAY INCREASE TO THE VOTERS SO ONE OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE EXISTING BUDGET CUTS MONEY FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH DESK AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I KNOW SOME OF YOU CAME WITH THIS ASK TO COME AND COMPLEMENT EXISTING PROGRAMS BUT THAT IS LIKE -- WE ARE DESTROYING MANY PROGRAMS AND WE ARE TAKING THE ATTENTION TO CELEBRATE PROGRAMS THAT EXIST AND THAT IS GREAT BUT IT IS TAKING ATTENTION FROM ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT WILL BE CUT.

I'M NOT COMPLAINING. I AM SAYING THERE WAS A WAY TO FIX THIS AND IT IS TO NOT CREATE THIS $200 MILLION DEFICIT THAT IS NOT YET SET IN STONE AND THAT WAS PASSED UNILATERALLY WITHOUT NEGOTIATION AND WITHOUT LETTING THE VOTERS RENDER A JUDGMENT.

NOBODY IS SAYING TO CUT THE HEART PROGRAM. I THINK WE STARTED IT AND DESIGNED IT BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER EVEN GOT HERE. IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO CUT IT, IT IS GOING TO BE THEM BECAUSE I'M NOT VOTING FOR ANY CUTS. I AM PLEADING THAT WE GET RID OF THIS DEFICIT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO CUT ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL AND THEY ARE BRINGING YOU ALL TO COME AND COMPLEMENT SOMETHING EXISTING. WITH THE OTHER HAND, CUTTING THINGS THAT I BETTER JUST AS IMPORTANT TO YOU. I JUST WANT YOU TO BE INFORMED AS TO WHY YOU ARE HERE AND I HOPE YOU WILL BE THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE HANDED OUT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGMENT COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING. I AM ALAN GUTMAN, A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF SOUTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY. I SPEAK IN FAVOR OF CONTINUING THE FABULOUS PROGRESS THAT THE COUNTY HAS MADE IN RECENT YEARS ON THE HARRIS COUNTY BIKEWAY PROGRAM. I AM AN AVID BIKE RIDER AND FOR YEARS I HAVE BIKED FROM A POORLY MAINTAINED ROTTED BIKE PATH FROM THE U OF H TO GESSNER AND IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN ASTONISHING PROGRESS IN THE MAINTENANCE OF THE BIKEWAY. IT IS NOW WIDE, MAINTAINED, AND UNWRAPPED IT AND IT GIVES ME GREAT LEISURE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES AND CYCLISTS AND HIKING AND BIKERS. I WANT TO CELEBRATE THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY HAS DONE ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS A -- ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY WHERE I THINK FUNDS HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOCATED IN OUR AREA. WE ARE DOING IT. I HOPE FOR CONTINUED

FUNDING OF THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SHIRLEY RYKIEL, RESIDENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER OF UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. MORE THAN 1800 HIGH WATER RESCUES WERE MADE AND 744 HOMES +400 APARTMENTS WERE FLOODED ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THREE DOZEN PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN HARRIS COUNTY ACCORDING TO HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS. THIS LEVEL OF CRISIS MEANS WE SHOULD BE INVESTING, NOT CUTTING FLOOD PREPAREDNESS EFFORTS. WE WILL NOT HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, SENIORS HAD THREE COMMISSIONERS

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>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> STOP AND DELAY THE RAISES.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> JUST SO YOU KNOW, THESE FREEZES, HIRING FREEZES, WHAT THAT MEANS -- ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES DID NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANT UNTIL LAST WEEK, ONE OF THE COLLEAGUES THAT CAUSED THIS. WHAT THIS MEANS IS IF SOMEBODY RETIRES OR SOMEBODY TAKES A DIFFERENT JOB OR IF SOMEBODY HAS A BABY AND DOESN'T HAVE CHILDCARE, THEIR POSITION WILL NOT BE FILLED AND THE COLLEAGUES WHO ARE CREATING THIS DEFICIT , THEY ARE NOT DOING HIRING FREEZES IN THEIR OFFICES, ONLY THE OTHER OFFICES AND WE HAVE NOT HAD A HIRING FREEZE SINCE THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 2008 AND WE ARE NOT IN A

FINANCIAL CRISIS RIGHT NOW. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, IRMA SANCHEZ OF PRECINCT 4, LINDA ALLEN OF PRECINCT 4, JUDITH MCCLELLAND OF PRECINCT 4, LAUREN CAMPOS OF PRECINCT 4. YOU EACH

HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS IRMA SANCHEZ. I'M THE PRESIDENT CEO OF WESTCHASE DISTRICT. ON BEHALF OF THE WESTCHASE COMMUNITY, I WANTED TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE INVESTMENT IN WESTCHASE DISTRICT FOR THE PEOPLE AND PLACES PROGRAM. AS A RESULT OF THIS PROGRAM, WE ARE UNDERWAY WITH TWO SIGNIFICANT AND MUCH-NEEDED PROGRAMS -- AND FOR STRUCTURE PROGRAMS, I'M SORRY.

THE RECONSTRUCTION MEDICAL IN MAINE AND WESTCHASE PROMENADE.

EACH OF THESE PROJECTS WILL STRENGTHEN THE FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM PROSPERITY BY IMPROVING ACCESS, MOBILITY, AND SAFETY FOR THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS, WORKERS, AND VISITORS. HARRIS COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO SMART, COMMUNITY FOCUSED ELEMENT IS HELPING WESTCHASE THRIVE AS A HUB FOR INNOVATION, COMMERCE, AND OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF OUR ECONOMY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL THOSE WHO CALL WESTCHASE DISTRICT HOME. THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE AT A MEETING TO CUT THINGS SO I APPRECIATE PEOPLE THANKING US FOR THINGS, I AM JUST SORRY THAT YOU ARE MADE TO COME HERE COMPLEMENT US WHEN WE ARE HERE TO KILL GRAMS TODAY.

YEAH. >> JUDGE, CAN WE PLEASE ASK WHEN SPEAKERS ARE DONE TO EXIT THE ROOM? WE ARE AT CAPACITY IN THE COURTROOM AND I THINK THE STAFF IS SITTING IN THE SEATS BACK THERE. WE WOULD ASK THEM TO STEP OUT DURING SPEAKERS AS WELL SO THEY HAVE ROOM FOR SPEAKERS. THANK YOU.

>> PERHAPS FOLKS CAUGHT THAT. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN, PLEASE STEP OUTSIDE. YOU CAN WATCH THE PROCEEDINGS FROM OUTSIDE. IF YOU ARE STAFF, PLEASE ALLOW THE SEATS FOR THE SPEAKERS. THANK

YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LAUREN CAMPOS AND I AM A HOMEOWNER AND PRECINCT 4. I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK AGAINST THE ATTEMPT TO TAKE OVER $100 MILLION AWAY FROM ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN ORDER TO FUND POLICE RAISES. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISE IN AUTHORITARIANISM AND GOVERNMENT VIOLENCE AND I AM AFRAID THAT BY INCREASING LOCAL POLICE SPENDING, WE ARE FEEDING INTO THIS WORRISOME TREND OF TERRORIZING OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. HOUSTONIANS DO NOT WANT THEIR TAXES PAID TWO SEPARATE COMMUNITIES THROUGH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND INCARCERATION. HOUSTON HAS 76,000 PENDING CASES AND ACCORDING TO THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, IN MAY 2025, AS HOUSTON COURT, 36 AND 37 UNACCOMPANIED KIDS HAVE NO ATTORNEY. THE FUNDING CUTS YOU PROPOSE WILL REDUCE THE CHANCES THAT HARRIS COUNTY IMMIGRANTS WILL GO TO COURT WITH REPRESENTATION. STOP OR DELAY THE RAISES. NO FREEZES. NO CUTS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRENDA ALLEN AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR THE SIDEWALK SHE HAS BEEN PART OF IN HER PATHWAYS TO PROGRESS . WE ARE NOT DONE YET. THE MORTON RANCH SCHOOLS AND PRECINCT 4 HAVE BEEN TITLE I SINCE THEY WERE BUILT OVER 20 YEARS AGO AND THEY HAVE ALWAYS NEEDED

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ATHLETICS, BAND, STUDY GROUPS, ROBOTICS, THEY CALL THEM ENRICHMENT WITH HELP IN SETTING STUDENTS UP FOR SUCCESS, SCHOOL ACTIVITIES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A WAY TO KEEP TEENAGERS OCCUPIED AND OUT OF TROUBLE . TO GET TO SCHOOL EARLY, STUDENTS WALK, RIDE THEIR BIKE, OR FIND A RIDE. IT IS THE SAME AFTER SCHOOL. I HAVE SEEN STUDENTS WRITING THEIR BIKES AT 6:30 IN THE MORNING, IN THE DARK, AGAINST TRAFFIC DOWN THE ROAD, WHICH HAS NO SIDEWALKS. IF THEY ARE WALKING, THEY ARE WALKING DOWN WELL ONE

PATHWAYS. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JUDITH MCGLOCKLIN AND I AM A DIRECTOR OF ONE REQUEST, A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION LOCATED BETWEEN HOUSTON AND KATIE BRING. WE RELY ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON INCREASING 4 TO DELIVER THE CRITICAL SERVICES THAT AFFECT OUR LIVES. THERE HAS BEEN A STEP CHANGE IN THE QUALITY OF SERVICES SINCE COMMISSIONER BRIONES WAS ELECTED. THE MOST VISIBLE IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS CONNECTING SCHOOLS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY SERVE. PRECINCT 4 HAS ALSO INVESTED IN ROADS AND INTERSECTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CONGESTION AND PARKS AND SENIOR CENTERS. THESE IMPROVEMENTS HAVE MADE A REAL POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR RESIDENTS BUT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THREE CHANGES THAT HAVE MADE THIS WORK . ONE IS MAKING SURE THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE ENGAGED SO THE RIGHT PROJECTS ARE PURSUED. THE SECOND IS THE PEOPLE OF PROGRAM THAT HAS CREATED PARTNERSHIPS FOR FUNDING IN OUR AREA PRIMARILY WITH THE MEDS AND THE THIRD IS THE KATIE USED COMMITTEE PLAN WE COMPLETED THAT GIVES US A ROADMAP SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE SUCCESSES SO FAR. WE HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO INVEST OR FUND THE PRECINCT'S WORK. IT IS GOOD GOVERNMENT AND IT HAS MADE A

DIFFERENCE IN OUR LIVES. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, FELIX KAPOOR OF PRECINCT 2, BILL BALDWIN OF PRECINCT 1, BECKY CELL OF PRECINCT 2, WES RUCKER.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. I AM WEARING THIS HAT TODAY BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD ONLY LISTEN TO THE POLICE FORCE INSTEAD OF THE COMMUNITY. HERE I AM. MY NAME IS FELIX, RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2. IN 2023, THERE WERE 80,101 AND 10 EVICTION FILINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY, AFFECTING ROUGHLY ONE IN EVERY 10 RENTER HOUSEHOLDS. ACCORDING TO PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, AND EARLY 2025, WE SEARCHABLE THE EVICTIONS COMPARED TO NEW YORK CITY. NOT ONLY ARE WE SEEING MORE EVICTION BUT OUR NUMBERS HAVE STAYED FAR ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS AND I WANTED TO SETTLE IN, PUTTING MANY MORE FAMILIES AT RISK OF HOUSING LOSS. THE FUNDING CUTS THAT ARE BEING PROPOSED BY THE THREE COMMISSIONERS RIGHT NOW WILL EXACERBATE THIS PROBLEM. OUR EVICTION CRISIS IS A WELL STUDIED TOPIC ACROSS THE CITY AND THERE HAS BEEN NO STUDY ON THE FREEZES OR RAISE. ZERO STUDY ON THAT. I WILL NOW READ THE NAMES OF SOME OF THE 437 PEOPLE WITH HEARINGS ON TWO DAYS EVICTION DOCKET.

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

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I FIRST OF ALL WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. I KNOW THESE ARE DIFFICULT TIMES, FACING INCREASING NEEDS, AT THE SAME TIME, DEALING WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. I HOPE ALL OF YOU WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TODAY AND THE NEEDS OF TOMORROW. AS YOU PREPARE TO VOTE ON NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON FULLY FUNDING PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND PUBLIC HEALTH WHILE SUPPORTING OUR VALUABLE COUNTY VOICE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, BALANCING THE BUDGET WITHOUT CUTTING CORE SERVICES. I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO FIND PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES TO REDUCE DUPLICITY, RESULTING IN MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT FOR ALL. THERE IS ENOUGH DIVISION IN ALL OF OUR LIVES. WHAT WE NEED NOW, MORE THAN EVER, IS COOPERATION, COMPASSION, AND A MINDSET THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH MORE TOGETHER THAN APART. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU. IN THAT SPIRIT, I AM PLEADING WITH MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE NEGOTIATE OVER CREATING THIS DEFICIT. NONE OF US -- WE PLEADED THAT WE PUT INTO THE VOTERS. THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VOTERS TO RENDER A JUDGMENT BUT THIS IS NOT DONE. WE CAN STILL NEGOTIATE ON IT. WE CAN ASK THE VOTERS NEXT YEAR AND/OR BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT TO ASK THE VOTERS THIS YEAR BUT WE CAN ASK

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NEGOTIATION. PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS BECKY CELL. I AM HERE BECAUSE I AM TERRIFIED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES WILL BE CUT UNLESS ONE OF YOU CHANGES YOUR MIND TODAY AND GOES WITH THE JUDGE AND DELAYS THIS $100 MILLION RAISE. IF THESE CUTS HAVE BEEN IN THESE MIGRANTS IN MY COMMUNITY WILL DIE. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT MY FRIEND WHO IS RIGHT NOW, MY AGE, AFTER FREAK ACCIDENT PUT HIM IN THE HOSPITAL AND HE IS STUCK THERE BECAUSE HE IS UNINSURED AND IT IS THE ONLY PLACE HE CAN RECEIVE DIALYSIS, WHICH IS LIKE DEPENDS ON. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT MY FRIEND ALSO UNINSURED WHO HAD EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR A MISCARRIAGE LAST MONTH AND WENT TO HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT A 16-YEAR-OLD I MET OUTSIDE CLOVER THIS SUMMER. WE SPENT A DAY TOGETHER CALLING EVERY HOMELESS SHELTER THAT TAKES YOUTH AND WOMEN IN, COULDN'T FIND ANYONE AND THE ONLY PLACE SHE COULD RECEIVE SERVICES. I WANT YOU TO ABOUT MY FRIEND WHO IS A NURSE AT LBJ AND IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS TREATED THREE BYSTANDERS FROM POLICE CHASES THAT PUT THEM IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> STOP OR DELAY --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, ALVIN SANCHEZ OF PRECINCT 4, JOY DAVIS OF PRECINCT 2, VICTOR MENDOZA OF PRECINCT 2, LUIS MENDOZA OF PRECINCT 2.

>> GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR. MY NAME IS IVAN SANCHEZ. I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY FROM COLOMBIA, FLEEING AS A KID FROM VIOLENCE.

THAT IS WHY IT IS SO PERSONAL TO ME. HERE IN THE SOUTHWEST PART OF HOUSTON WHERE I LIVE, IN ZIP CODES LIKE 77036 AND 81, THE FBI HAS CLAIMED THE ZIP CODES TO BE SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS ZIP CODES IN THE ENTIRE NATION. THAT IS WHY I SUPPORT THE COMMISSIONERS BUDGET. MAKING SURE THAT IT GOES STRAIGHT INTO THE COMMUNITY, EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH SO FAMILIES IN CRISIS GET CARE, NOT JUST POLICE SIRENS. SHE IS FUNDING SUPPORT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS, PAYING OUR DEPUTIES SO WE CAN KEEP THE BEST IN OUR STREETS AND RAISING WAGES FOR OUR COUNTY WORKERS WHO SERVE US EVERY SINGLE DAY WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. THAT IS THE LEADERSHIP HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS AND THAT IS WHY I STAND WITH THE COMMISSIONERS' BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU. TO BE CLEAR, NO SERVICES ARE INCREASING ON THE BUDGET. THE NUMBERS MAY BE INCREASING BUT THAT IS JUST BECAUSE OF INFLATION. TO KEEP THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE, YOU HAVE TO INCREASE THE NUMBERS. THE BUDGET IS ONLY CUTS AND WE COULD HAVE DONE BOTH THINGS. WE CAN STILL DO BOTH THINGS. WE CAN INCREASE SALARIES AND KNOCK AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OR OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ALSO ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. SO, ANY, -- ANYWAY, WHEN THEY ARE SENDING YOU THIS INFORMATION, THAT IS NOT ACCURATE.

>> GOOD MORNING. IT IS A PLEASURE TO SPEAK TO YOU GUYS. I WANTED TO TELL YOU A COUPLE ANECDOTAL THINGS ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE. MY NAME IS WES RUCKER. I AM A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN, THIRD-GENERATION HOUSTONIAN AND I WANT TO BRING UP SOME THINGS I HAVE NOTICED JUST IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. THEY ARE VERY POSITIVE IN THIS COUNTY. FIRST OF ALL WITH THE FLOODING INFRASTRUCTURE, OUR HOME FLOODED DURING HARVEY. WE SAW MANY INSTANCES PRIOR TO HARVEY WHERE WE WERE ALMOST FLOODED OUT OF OUR HOUSE. SINCE THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN BY THIS GROUP, HAVE BEEN IMPLANTED, WE HAVE NOT SEEN A DROP IN THE STREET. AS FAR AS THE PARKS, OUR KIDS, OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE ENJOYED FREEDOM PARK, FENWAY PARK. WE COACH PRACTICES THERE. THE SAFETY THAT IS AT THESE MARKS IS ASTOUNDING.

I HAVE NOTICED THAT IN THE LAST YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF AS WELL. I WANTED TO COMMEND YOU GUYS ON THIS WORK AND I WOULD SUPPORT FURTHER INFRASTRUCTURE WORK ON THESE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS JOY DAVIS AND I AM THE SENIOR FIELD ORGANIZER FOR PEER JUSTICE AND RESIDENT PRECINCT 2. TODAY I SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE TOO OFTEN INVISIBLE, WORKING FAMILIES, OUR IN HOUSE NEIGHBORS, SURVIVORS OF FLOODING AND TRAUMA SURVIVORS LIKE MYSELF. OUR BUDGET DEFICIT IS LARGELY PUSHED BY RAISES FOR COMMENT . I HAVE ATTENDED A NUMBER OF TOWN HALLS AND OTHER EVENTS WHERE THE COMMISSIONERS WERE PRESENT AND I APPRECIATE THE ONES WHO WERE TRANSPARENT WITH INFORMATION BEING GIVEN IN THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE, FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS ADVOCACY. IT IS NOT GOING UNNOTICED. PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE AT STAKE. MEANWHILE, THOSE PUSHING FOR DIVERSION,

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WE COULD TRULY ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME INSTEAD OF EXPANDING REACTIVE AND PUNITIVE SERVICES. COMMISSIONERS, WHEN YOU BALANCE THIS BUDGET, CHOOSE PREVENTION AND NOT MORE REGRESSION INTO INCARCERATION OR PRIVATIZE SAFETY. WE CAN COME

BACK IF YOU DO. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >>

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS VICTOR MENDOZA AND I'M A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 0. I AM SOMEONE WHO CARES OF THE FUTURE OF NORTHLINE. WHEN I WALKED IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I SEE CHALLENGES THAT AFFECT THE YOUTH IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS A LACK OF AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND A NEARBY COMMUNITY CENTER . HALF OF THE SCHOOL PROBLEMS ARE MORE THAN JUST SAFE SPACES. THEY ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, GROW, AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE. WITHOUT THEM, TOO MANY KIDS ARE LEFT WITHOUT GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, OR EVEN A PLACE TO JUST BE KIDS. WE NEED PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE TUTORING, ART, SPORTS AND MENTORSHIP BUT WE ALSO NEED TRANSPORTATION TO GET THEM THERE. FLOODING HAS ALSO BECOME A REGULAR PART OF OUR LIVES. IT IS NOT JUST THE NATURAL DISASTERS. IT IS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE. PROTECTING OUR HOMES FROM DISASTERS AND INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE ARE NOT SEPARATE BITES . WHEN WE HAVE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND STRONG PROGRAMS, WE BUILT THRIVING COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LUIS MENDOZA. I'M A MEMBER OF PEER JUSTICE AND I RESIDE IN PRECINCT 2. I COME BEFORE YOU AS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL BUT A PROUD MEMBER OF NORTHLINE. I LIVE AND BREATHE IT. INCARCERATION BREAKING APART FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN THE HEARTBEAT OF NORTHLINE STREET BECOMING DISCRETE AND BUSINESSES ARE LOSING THEIR REGULAR CUSTOMERS.

WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF RESILIENCE AND WE DO NOT LET FEAR DEFINE US OR CONTAIN US. MY AFRICAN AND ABORIGINAL NEST AND CHICANO ANCESTORS HAVE MET TO ERADICATE THEM. WE ARE THE CITY'S HISTORY AND FOREVER MORE WE WILL ALWAYS BE . WE WANT TO HAVE FUNDING TOWARD DISASTER ASSISTANCE INCLUDING FLOOD PREVENTION, YOUTH PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO ARE BEING LIMITED. WE CAN'T DEPEND ON

PIMA ANYMORE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, CHARLENE JONES OF PRECINCT 1, ANITA ROBINSON OF PRECINCT 3, MONIQUE JACKSON OF PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE. I'M GOING TO BE HONEST . HEALTHCARE SHOULD NOT BE A PRIVILEGE TIED TO WEALTH AND STATUS. FUNDING STRONGER COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE CLINICS, INCREASING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND FUNDING VETERAN SERVICES NOT ONLY SAVES LIVES, IT WILL SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. WHEN PEOPLE GET THE CARE THEY NEED EARLY, THEY AVOID COSTLY EMERGENCY ROOM COSTS LATER. HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN ITS RESIDENTS AND I URGE YOU TO PRIORITIZE HEALTHCARE FUNDING IN THE 2026 BUDGET AND NOT MORE RAISES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAIN. TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN MEDICINE AND GROCERIES. I KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE, TO WAIT MONTHS BEFORE YOU CAN GET TO SEE A DOCTOR. THAT SHOULD NOT BE A REALITY FOR ANYONE IN HARRIS

COUNTY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ON THE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL, THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE CUTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, A BID THEY STILL HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THE FEDERAL GRANTS BUT THAT IS TAKING FROM THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT WHICH ITSELF HAS A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY AT STAKE. A GENTLEMAN MENTIONED FEMA. WE ARE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO THE RAINY DAY FUND BECAUSE WE ARE WAITING FOR REAL MONEY TO COME THAT HASN'T COME. THAT IS ONE OF THE PROPOSALS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HURRICANE SEASON, DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE RAINY DAY SEASON THIS YEAR.

>> MY NAME IS CHARLENE JONES. I AM A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND

[00:35:01]

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

>> GOOD MORNING HARRIS COUNTY JUDGES AND SOME JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND A MEMBER OF PRECINCT 1. I SEE FIRSTHAND AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT THE DEVASTATION OF THE HOUSING CRISIS. EYEWITNESS PEOPLE WHO HAVE RENTED INTO OUR SOCIETY NOT TO BE ABLE TO FIND JOBS OR HAVE STABLE HOUSING DUE TO HAVING A FELONY BACKGROUND CONVICTION.

HEARTBREAK OF HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE CONSISTENTLY DENIED HOUSING IS ALARMING. THEY FEEL LIKE GIVING UP. PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE IN SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WILL RENT TO THEM. WHEN THEIR FREEDOM IS BASED ON PAYING FINES AND FEES AS A CONDITION OF THEIR PAROLE OR PROBATION, IT IS SETTING THEM UP FOR FAILURE. PEOPLE DESERVE SECOND CHANCES.

THEY HAVE SERVED THEIR PUNISHMENT YET THEY ARE STILL BEING PUNISHED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO GAIN EMPLOYMENT. PLEASE CONSIDER VOTING IN FAVOR OF ADDITIONAL HOUSING BECAUSE THAT WILL ALSO HELP TO DECREASE THE JAIL AND PRISON POPULATION.

THANK YOU. >> BLACK RESIDENTS ARE LESS THAN 20% OF HARRIS COUNTY'S POPULATION FOR NEARLY 60% OF THE JAIL POPULATION. THIS IS INEQUITY. THE CURRENT BUDGET IS NOT HOLISTIC IN POLICING AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM POURED HALF OF THE RESOURCES WHILE ESSENTIAL SERVICES ARE CUT. LATEST PROPOSED BUDGET REDUCES PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSING, LIBRARIES, BALLISTIC DEFENSE, EARLY CHILDHOOD AND EVEN POLLUTION CONTROL, SERVICES THAT PREVENT CRIME, REDUCE HARM AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. THAT IS NOT A BALANCED VISION OF SAFETY.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WHAT IS YOUR INTERPRETATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY BEYOND POLICING? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU CALLED THE BUDGET BUSINESS YET WHERE DO BUSINESSES APPROVE 69% RAISES WHILE RUNNING A DEFICIT? DEPARTMENTS RUN PAY PARITY MEANS, TRIPLE WORKLOADS AND LAYOFFS OF NONESSENTIAL STAFF.

LEADERSHIP MEANS SERVING ALL RESIDENTS, NOT JUST LAW ENFORCEMENT. REAL SAFETY COMES FROM EQUITY. VESTMENTS AND HEALTH, HOUSING, AND OPPORTUNITY, NOT JUST JAILS AND PATROLS. I URGE YOU TO LEAD WITH A VISION, NOT FEAR AND VOTE NO

ON THIS BUDGET. >> MA'AM, CAN YOU STATE YOUR

NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE? >> MY NAME IS LANITA ROBERTSON

INAUDIBLE ] THANK YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, GREGORY ANDERSON OF PRECINCT 4, JASMINE TELLIS, LEOLA OF PRECINCT 1 AND DORIS BROWN OF PRECINCT 1. YOU

EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE AND HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. I AM A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE. I HAVE BEEN VIEWING THE ONGOING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING. THE PUSH FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CONTINUE TO GET RAISES IS NOT MY PRIORITY AND IT SEEMS AS IF THERE IS A DISCONNECT BETWEEN WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT AND WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED. IF RAISES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WIDEN THE GAP OF COMMUNITIES GETTING RESOURCES LIKE HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, JOBS AND BLOOD PROTECTION FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND STOP INCREASES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE SHOULD INVEST MORE IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION, COMMUNITY MEDIATORS, YOUTH SERVICES AND REAL PROTECTION THAT INCLUDES FOOD, HOUSING, AND MENTAL HEALTH.

PROGRAMS THAT PROACTIVELY ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR

[00:40:01]

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JASMINE TELLIS AND I AM THE PROUD DAUGHTER OF A SINGLE MOTHER. I GREW UP VERY POOR AND IS A LITTLE GIRL, MOTHER WOULD RELY ON OUR COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICES. THE BARBARA BUSH LIBRARY WAS MY HOME GROWING UP AND HELPED MY MOTHER GROW HER BUSINESS BY ATTENDING THEIR COMPUTER LESSONS AND TYPING COURSES AND I AM REALLY PROUD TO SAY NOW THAT MY MOM RUNS A SMALL $200,000 BUSINESS AND ME, LOOK AT HOW AMAZING I HAVE COME OUT .

AS YOU VOTE ON THE BUDGET, I URGE YOU TO PRIORITIZE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES OVER POLICING. A FEW WEEKS AGO I WATCHED YOU ABOUT DOWN A PROPOSAL, SOMETHING TO PUT ON A BALLOT INITIATIVE AND YOU SHUT IT DOWN, CALLING IT THEY HAVE'S PROPOSAL. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHAT DATA AND RESEARCH YOU ARE USING TO BACKUP THE INCREASE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HOW THAT WILL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES. I URGE YOU TO KEEP IN MIND HOW YOUR DECISIONS WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES IN THE LONG RUN AND I URGE YOU AGAIN TO PRIORITIZE FAMILIES --

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

>> WHY NOT GO TO THE VOTERS? I ASKED MY COLLEAGUES, WHAT ARE

THEY SO AFRAID OF? >> MY NAME IS TO YOU TODAY TO CUT THE FUNDING FOR CUT THE FUNDING, YOU ARE CUTTING THE FUNDING FOR HEALTH CLINICS AND WHEN YOU DO THAT, YOU REALLY NEED TO CUT THAT BECAUSE YOU NO LONGER HAVE THE SERVICES. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA THE PEOPLE THAT WERE VOTING FOR YOU WHEN YOU CUT THROUGH THE SERVICES? YOU GIVE POLICE ANOTHER RAISE AND YOU SEE 50 OF THE 60 COME TO YOU TODAY TO ASK YOU TO PUT THE MONEY BACK AND IN THE CLINICS WHERE THEY BELONG. HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT WHEN SOMEBODY NEEDS HEALTHCARE AND CAN'T GET IT FROM HARRIS

COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> TO BE CLEAR, I SEE FOLKS SHAKING THEIR HEAD ABOUT NO POLICE INCREASE. I, FOR ONE, THINK THAT THEY DO NEED TO BE PAID MORE BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO SHOVE CUTS DOWN THE VOTERS' THROATS. WE CAN ASK THE VOTERS, DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE POLICE BEING PAID MORE AT THE EXPENSE OF MAJOR SERVICES OR DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE POLICE NOT PAID MORE OR DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE POLICE PAID MORE AND KEEP BASIC SERVICES? WE CAN ASK THE VOTERS AND I NEEDED TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM THE VOTERS. LET'S NOT CUT BASIC SERVICES UNILATERALLY. ASKED THE VOTERS.

I THINK THEY WOULD SUPPORT IT. I DON'T KNOW. TO ENFORCE IT IS UNIMAGINABLE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SLEEPING AT NIGHT. I MEAN, THESE CUTS, I HOPE FOLKS LOOK AT THESE CHARTS. THESE ARE ALL THE CUTS. I HAVE BEEN PROPOSING RAISES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR YEARS. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE PAID MORE BUT TO DO IT IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS AND THEN TO CALL IT EARLY CHILDHOOD PROPOSAL -- THEN, DON'T EVEN WANT TO ASK VOTERS ABOUT THIS, I

APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS UP. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS DARTH BROWN. ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY YOUTH AND STUDY RELEASED THIS SUMMER IN HARRIS COUNTY, AIR POLLUTION DOESN'T IMPACT EVERYONE THE SAME. FINE PARTICLES PEAKED IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN NEIGHBORHOODS WHILE ASTHMA AMONG KIDS, HEART DISEASE AND COPD ARE MOST COMMON THERE. IN PLACES LIKE THIRD WARD .

FAMILIES PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE. THE FUNDING CUTS YOU THREE WILL REDUCE THE SUPPORT FOR CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS. WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN OUR HEALTH AND UNFUNDED RAISES HAD THREE COMMISSIONERS NOT PAST IT. THIS IS A WELL STUDIED TOPIC . THERE HAS BEEN NO STUDY ON FREEZES AND STUDIES.

I WILL NOW READ THE NAMES OF PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES WHO WERE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THIS ISSUE. DORIS BROWN, DANA JAME. MALCOLM

W. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> STOP OUR DELAYED RAISES. NO FREEZE OR CUTS.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, PAMELA DAVIS OF PRECINCT 1, LAWRENCE SIMS OF PRECINCT TO DIG,

[00:45:06]

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS PAMELA DAVIS AND I AM A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. I'M HERE TODAY TO ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT. THERE IS SUCH AN URGENT PUSH BEING MADE TO CONTINUE INCREASING LAW ENFORCEMENT. PEOPLE ARE COMING TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TELLING YOU OUR COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP WITH HOUSING , HEALTHCARE, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, FLOOD PREVENTION AND CHILDCARE YET THESE DIARIES ARE EVEN RANKED HIGH. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THAT. ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER HURRICANE HARVEY? WHEN OUR COMMUNITIES -- WHEN OUR OUR COMMUNITIES -- WHEN OUR COMMITTEES FLOOD, WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE COMMUNITIES YOU MADE TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WILL END WITH A QUOTE FROM JAMES BALDWIN. IT IS CERTAIN IN ANY CASE THAT IGNORANCE, ALLIED WITH POWER, IS THE MOST FEROCIOUS ENEMY JUSTICE

CAN HAVE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING HONORABLE JUDGING COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS LAWRENCE SIMS AND SOME OF YOU MIGHT REMEMBER ME FROM A MEETING THAT YOU HAD TO DISCUSS FUNDING FOR OUR YOUTH. AT THE MEETING, I PROPOSED AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM BACK IN 2019 TO EDUCATE THE YOUTH AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO ALLOW THEM TO BECOME REAL TECHNICIANS AND HELP THEM OPERATE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE YOUTH. TODAY, I AM COMING TO PROPOSE AN INITIATIVE THAT COULD IMPACT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN THIS COMMUNITY BY BILLION DOLLARS OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD OF TIME, BY DEVELOPING A TEAM, AN

AMUSEMENT PARK -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> WHENEVER YOU ARE READY.

>> COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, AND YOUR GUESTS, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS 2001ST GENERATION IMMIGRANT FAMILIES THAT HAVE SETTLED IN CYPRUS AND KATY AREAS FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS AND I HAVE ESTABLISHED ROOTS WITH BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS AND WE END OUR CHILDREN CALL HARRIS COUNTY HOME. TODAY, I AM HERE TO EXPRESS OUR COMMUNITY'S SENSE OF GRATITUDE TO HARRIS COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM FOR ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE ARE NOTICING IN THE RECENT YEARS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. INITIATIVES FOR CLOSING CRITICAL CONNECTIVITY GAPS, INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY, IMPROVING ACCESS TO PARKS, ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES. THESE SIDEWALKS HAVE CREATED A VITAL LINK BETWEEN THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP . SENIORS, CHILDREN AND OTHER ADULTS CAN NOW WALK TO CENTERS OF WORSHIP AND SCHOOLS WITH PEACE OF MIND, FOSTERING A SENSE OF SAFETY, HEALTH, UNITY

AND BELONGING. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS BACK.

ACCORDING TO A LEADING AIR QUALITY EXPERT IN HARRIS COUNTY, AIR ALLIANCE -- RESPONSIBLE FOR 60% OF CHEMICAL OMISSION BETWEEN 2018 AND 2022. COMMUNITIES UNDER THE PURVIEW OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND RAMSEY. HOWEVER, THE FUNDING CUTS THAT YOU ALL PROPOSE WILL REDUCE THE SUPPORT FOR NOT ONLY THE CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT THESE EMISSIONS INFLICT ON YOUR CONDITION BUT WILL ALSO BE A CAKE IN THE NEED TO OUR ABILITY TO MONITOR AND MITIGATE THE POLLUTION THEY HAVE PUT OUT. WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN POLLUTERS AND UNFUNDED RAISES HAD THREE COMMISSIONERS NOT PAST IT. THIS IS A WELL STUDIED TOPIC AND THERE IS NO STUDY ON THE FREEZES OR RAISES. I WILL NOW READ THE NAMES OF PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES WHO WERE DIRECTLY IMPACTED

[00:50:02]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> STOP AND LAY THE RAISES. NO

FREEZES, NO CUTS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, TRACY HAMLIN OF PRECINCT 2, PAUL BURKS OF PRECINCT 1, LENORA OF PRECINCT 4, DAVID ESPINOZA OF PRECINCT 2. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM TRACY HAMLIN, PRECINCT 2. ACCORDING TO THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER, CAC, NEARLY 40,000 REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE I RECEIVED IN HARRIS COUNTY EVERY YEAR AND MORE THAN 3400 CHILDREN MAKE ABUSE DISCLOSURES AT CAC ITSELF. FEDERAL CUTS TO CAC HAVE ALREADY BEEN HUGE. THE FUNDING CUTS AND HIRING FREEZES TO THE CAC THAT COULD RESULT FROM YOUR CHOICES WOULD EXACERBATE THE PROBLEM. THEY COULD THREATEN THERAPIST FUNDING AND IMPACT OUR COUNTY'S ABILITY TO SUPPORT AND TREAT CHILDREN WITH THE GREATEST NEEDS. WE WOULD NOT BE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND UNFUNDED RAISES HAD THREE COMMISSIONERS NOT PAST THE RAISES. I WILL NOW USE MY REMAINING TIME IN SILENCE WITHOUT EATING THE NAMES OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN WHO MAY BE IMPACTED BY THIS ISSUE.

>>

FREEZES, NO CUTS. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KYLE AND I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT -- TODAY I CAME TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE I AM AFRAID AND SAD YOUR PROPOSAL BUDGET WOULD CUT SOME OF THE ONLY RESOURCES THAT HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I GREW UP IN A HOME WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND IT AFFECTED ME EVERY DAY. I WORRY ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS EXPERIENCING WHAT I DID AS A KID. WE NEED MORE HELP, NOT LESS. IF YOU FREEZE HIRING IN A LARGER BUDGET CUT, YOU WILL DECREASE PRETRIAL PROTECTIVE SUPPORT SERVICE FOR FAMILIES IN DANGER AND DECREASE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR THE TRAUMATIC THEY ENDURE. I'M ASKING YOU TO

STOP THE POLICE RAISES. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. HONORED TO BE HERE. I AM LENORA PULLMAN. I AM A SECOND GENERATION HOUSTONIAN SO TO SAY THAT I HAVE BEEN HERE TO SAY -- TO SEE A LOT OF CHANGES AND GOOD CHANGES THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS DONE. ONE THING IS SPENDING MONEY AND HELPING THE COMMUNITY WITHIN THE 610 LOOP BECAUSE BEFORE SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE ON HERE , WE NEVER HAD MONEY AND I AM AN OWNER OF A HOME FOR 33 YEARS. YES, I HAVE PUT MY TAX DOLLARS IN HERE AND I DO WANT TO KNOW HOW THEY ARE SPENT AND I DO APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONERS AND HOW THEY THINK WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE YES, WE ARE GOING THROUGH A RECESSION RIGHT NOW. IT IS HARD AND THE LAST THING I NEED IS TO THINK OF MY TAXES GOING UP AGAIN OR HAVING TO THINK OF A TAX INCREASE AND MY THING IS, THE OTHER THING I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT. I AM A --

THANK YOU. >> HELLO, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM A RESIDENT AND PRECINCT TO DIG. I AM HERE TODAY ALIVE BECAUSE OF HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITALS. MY WORKING CLASS IMMIGRANT PARENTS -- WHEN I DEVELOPED CHILDHOOD ASTHMA, THAT IS WHERE I WAS TREATED. IT ALLOWED ME TO BE HERE, TO DO A FIVE MILE RUN. I CAN, IF I WANT TO AGAIN. I AM CONCERNED JUST BECAUSE I WAS TREATED. IT DOESN'T MEAN I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION. I HAVE COUSINS WHO HAVE DEVELOPED

[00:55:04]

COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, CHRISTOPHER RIVERA OF PRECINCT 1, CRAIG HOWARD OF PRECINCT 4, ARCHER OF PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HEY, EVERYBODY. I WORK WITH THE TEXAS SCHOOL RIGHTS PROJECT AND AS YOU HEARD FROM EVERYBODY, NO ONE WANTS THIS INCREASE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. YOU WILL ONLY PUT US IN A PREDICAMENT WHERE ALL OF THESE SERVICES WILL BE CUT. PEOPLE WILL FACE MORE EVICTION AND THEY WILL BE PUT ON THE STREETS AND THE ONLY SERVICE THAT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THEM AS A CONSTABLE OR SHERIFF TO COME AND PICK THEM UP AND TAKE THEM TO RECEIVE THE SERVICES IN THE JAIL AND THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE CONTINUE TO FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE ONLY SERVICES THAT WILL BE PROVIDED WILL BE THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND A JAIL SETTING SO PLEASE DON'T PUT US IN THAT SCENARIO. PLEASE INVEST IN THE PUBLIC. YOU HAVE HEARD EVERYBODY HERE. THEY WANT FLOOD CONTROL. THEY WANT HOUSING PROTECTION. THEY DON'T WANT CUTS TO THESE SERVICES.

EVERY YEAR, WE COME HERE AND WE TELL YOU THIS AND THE BUDGET CONTINUES TO INCREASE. WE ARE AT A LOSS. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO HERE? ARE WE GOING TO COME AND PLAY THIS GAME OR ARE WE GOING TO CAUSE CHANGE FOR PEOPLE? DON'T GIVE THE --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ABOUT TAXES. THERE IS THIS ARTICLE TODAY IN HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA, ACTUALLY, SEPTEMBER 3.

THE CITY COUNCILMEMBER IS SAYING, QUOTE, WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE AND WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE AN UNPOPULAR DECISION IN ORDER TO GIVE THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY THE SERVICES THEY DESERVE. THIS IS AFTER CALLING FOR PROPERTY TAX HIKE. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE TAXES IN HARRIS COUNTY IF WE GO FORWARD WITH THESE RAISES BECAUSE ONCE THE RAISES ARE DONE, THERE WAS NO REDUCING THEM AND WE CAN'T CUT -- WE CAN ONLY CUT SERVICES SO MUCH BECAUSE THERE IS A STATUTORY NECESSITY FOR SERVICES. THAT IS WHY I AM BEGGING THE COMMISSIONERS TO COME TO THE TABLE. NOT ONLY ARE YOUR TAXES GOING TO BE HIGHER ALREADY DUE TO APPRAISALS BUT THEY ARE FORCING A TAX INCREASE NEXT YEAR OR THE FOLLOWING. WE DID THIS BY COPYING WHAT THE CITY WAS DOING AND THEY ARE NOW OUR FUTURE AND THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CRAIG HOWARD. I AM A NEW HOMEOWNER IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY AND PRECINCT 4. MY WIFE AND I ARE ACTIVE SENIORS. WE HAVE ENJOYED THE PROGRAMS AT BOTH WEEKLY AND COMMUNITY CENTERS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT SERVICES DON'T HAVE TO BE ALL ABOUT THE DOLLARS. WE HAD A MEMORIAL ORCHARD NEAR OUR APARTMENT AND WE ASKED PRECINCT 4 FOR HELP. NOT ONLY DID THEY PROVIDE SMALL PLANTS TO HELP IMPROVE THAT SECTION, BUT THEY ALSO INCORPORATED GIRL SCOUTS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO BEAUTIFY AN ORCHARD, POCKET PARK THAT IS SURROUNDED BY APARTMENT COMPLEXES. WE ARE EXCITED BY SOME OF THE INITIATIVES AND PRECINCT 4, SPECIFICALLY THE INITIATIVE TO INSTALL SIDEWALKS AND THE BUSY ROADS AROUND OUR AREA. IT MAKES IT SAFER FOR US TO GET TO ICICLE PADS IN THE BANK CREEK AREA.

THEY HAVE ALSO PUT IN A PICKLE BALL COURT PRECINCT 4.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER, CLERKS. MY NAME IS DEVANTE POPE. I'M A GRADUATE OF ALMONTE STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A BACHELORS IN SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND I AM ALSO A CREDIBLE MENTOR HERE IN HOUSTON AND EVERY YEAR, HOUSTON CONTINUES TO POUR MONEY INTO POLICING WHERE OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS, MENTORSHIPS AND COMMITTEE SPACES ARE LEFT UNDERFUNDED AND OVERLOOKED BUT HERE IS THE REALITY. YOU CANNOT ARREST YOUR WAY OUT OF POVERTY. YOU CANNOT HANDCUFF AWAY TRAUMA.

TRUE SAFETY COMES FROM INVESTMENT IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR CREATIVITY, THEIR EDUCATION, THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY. WHEN WE CHOOSE TO INVEST IN YOUTH, WE DON'T JUST REDUCE CRIME, WE BUILD STRONGER NEIGHBORHOODS AND A STRONGER CITY. HOUSTON HAS THE RESOURCES. THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHETHER WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO FUND OUR PRIORITIES. THE FUTURE OF HOUSTON DEPENDS NOT ON PUNISHMENT BUT ON THE POTENTIAL

OF OUR KIDS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND A LOCAL

[01:00:06]

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AND DAMAGE CONTROL AND IT IS DEFINITELY LESS TRAUMATIZING FOR COMMUNITIES. I URGE COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY IN FAVOR OF EXPANDING HART. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, ROSIE, PRECINCT 3, SEAN EVANS OF PRECINCT 1, LARRY FREEMAN OF PRECINCT 1, LOLA OF PRECINCT THREE. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS. WHEN WE CUT RESOURCES FROM THE MOST VULNERABLE JUST TO GIVE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT MAKES OUR COMMUNITIES LESS SAFE. OF OUR SHARED GOAL WAS COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CONTINUOUSLY BLOWING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET TAKES US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL ALSO BE REACTIONARY AND IT CANNOT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME. SAFETY IS BUILT BEFORE AN ARREST EVEN HAPPENS THROUGH PREVENTION, CARE, AND OPPORTUNITY. SINCE IT APPEARS THE BUDGET MAY PASS REGARDLESS OF THE PIECE FROM THE CONSTITUENTS WITH THE GREATEST NEED, I ASK, HOW CAN WE WORK WITH YOU TO MINIMIZE HARMFUL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT BY INVESTING IN TRUE PREVENTION. SPECIFICALLY, I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER REMOVING LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM ALL THE UNITED STATES TRAFFIC STOPS, EXPANDING FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT, INCREASING LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OVERSIGHT THROUGH INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES AND FREEZING LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET OVER THE COURSE OF THE

NEXT FIVE YEARS. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS INAUDIBLE ], ORGANIZER AND DIRECTOR OF PURE JUSTICE.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ROSIE. I AM A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CHANGE. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO GIVE YOU ALL THIS MORNING EXCEPT WHAT REAL LIFE ISSUES I HAVE BECAUSE I'M IN THE TRENCHES DAILY. THE HART PROGRAM, I WAS A FORMER EMPLOYEE . ALL I AM HEARING IS REDUCING COST. WHAT ABOUT THE RESOURCES AFTER YOU GET TO THE CALLS? ALSO, WE ARE SPEAKING ABOUT MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH. WE NEED MORE REENTRY PROGRAMS. WE NEED MORE HOUSING. WE NEED MORE OF EVERYTHING. I HAVE PEOPLE COMING INTO MY OFFICE DAILY WITHOUT THE RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED. WE CAN CARE LESS ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. I UNDERSTAND THE POLICE ARE NEEDED AND MORE MONEY IS NEEDED TO HELP FUND THE POLICE BUT WE DON'T NEED THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE POLICE OFFICERS NEED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TOO. GUESS WHAT? WE NEED THESE

SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> IN MORNING, JUDGMENT COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LOLA MICHAEL, A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND I TOO DON'T HAVE A SCRIPT . I HAVE EXPERIENCE. I AM AN IRAQI WAR VETERAN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY. I HAVE HAD TO CALL HARRIS COUNTY SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR AND I HAVEN'T SEEN NOT ONE SHARE OF SHOW UP. MY HOME WAS BURGLARIZED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I NEVER SPOKE WITH THE INVESTIGATING DETECTIVE. INSTEAD, THEY LEFT A BUSINESS CARD FOR ME TO REACH OUT TO WHICH THEY NEVER RETURNED MY CALL. YET, WE ARE HERE PUSHING FORWARD A BUDGET FOR RAISES FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE ARE GOING TO CUT FUNDING TO PROGRAMS THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS. I THINK IT IS GREAT DISSERVICE TO PEOPLE OF THIS

[01:05:01]

HOPELESS. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> IN MORNING, JUDGMENT COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LARRY FREEMAN AND I RISE TO APPLAUD COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA AND THE WORK THAT HIS PRECINCT IS DOING WITH THE RSO INITIATIVE.

OUR COMPANY IS A PARTICIPANT IN THAT INITIATIVE AND HAVE WON FOUR BIDS THAT HAVE ALLOWED OUR COMPANY TO GROW. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BIDS TO EMPOWER PROGRAM THAT I PARTICIPATED IN AND SEVERAL OTHERS WE HAVE CONTRACTED WITH THROUGH THE RSO PROGRAMS TO HELP THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES GROW ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY AS WELL. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP ON THE OPPORTUNITIES FUND, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THAT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME THINGS I THINK WE CAN DO TO STRENGTHEN IT BY CREATING A MICRO LOAN PROGRAM , SHORT-TERM. FINALLY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOUR CONSTITUENTS ARE PLEASED WHEN WE ARE OUT THERE WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, REPAIRING SIDEWALKS

AND ADA RAMPS. THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, MO CORTEZ OF PRECINCT 3, ROSLYN BLAKE OF PRECINCT 1, STEPHANIE VALDES OF PRECINCT TO DIG. YOU EACH HAVE

ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. I SOUND LIKE A BROTHER. I CAN INVEST IN THIS POLICY TO HIGHER -- WE NEED MORE MONEY. THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR. THAT IS WHY SOME OF YOU ALL WENT TO FRANCE TO TRY TO GET MORE MONEY TO TRY TO GET MORE AWARENESS. INVEST IN PEOPLE DIRECTLY. I KNOW YOU ALL TRIED THAT ALREADY BUT WHEN I TRIED A ONCE A YEAR ONE TIME STIPEND, OR MAYBE GIVE PEOPLE LOANS AND THEN FORGIVE THEM LIKE FIVE MINUTES LATER. I KNOW THE STATE HAS THEIR INITIATIVES BUT REALLY, INVESTING IN PEOPLE DIRECTLY IS CRIME PREVENTION AND INVESTING IN THE POLICE IS A RACE TO THE BOTTOM AND A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO OUR SOCIETY. WE SAY WE LIVE IN A CIVILIZED SOCIETY WHERE WE CARE ABOUT PEOPLE. WE HAVE COMPASSION. WE GOT TO ACT LIKE THAT. WE CAN'T JUST KEEP INVESTING IN POLICE. WE HAVE TO INVEST IN BOOKS AND CHILDREN AND FOOD AND RESOURCES THAT PEOPLE NEED. THIS IS A TALL ORDER.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. . >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ROSLYN BLAKE. ACCORDING TO THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS OF HOUSTON, OVER 3200 PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. IN 2023, MORE THAN 23,000 RECEIVED SOME TYPE OF HOMELESS SERVICE BUT THIS YEAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CUTS ARE PUTTING MORE HOUSTONIANS ONTO THE STREETS. CUTTING SERVICES ARE SIDELINING THE HOUSING TRUST FUND PUTS ALL THESE LIVES AT RISK. WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO MAKE CHOICES BETWEEN MORE PEOPLE WITHOUT A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS AND THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RAISES THREE COMMISSIONERS PASSED . THIS IS A WELL STUDIED TOPIC. THERE HAS BEEN NO STUDY ON THE FREEZES OR RAISES. I WILL NOW TAKE THIS TIME TO NAME THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GEORGE FOREMAN, GREG SMITH.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> STOP THE DELAY.

>> IN MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM FROM THE HOPE CENTER TO ADVOCATE FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD RESILIENCY FUND. CHILDREN WHO GROW UP IN HOMES WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE SILENT VICTIMS. THEY TASTE FEAR IN THEIR HEARTS, ANXIETY AND THEIR BODIES.

WITHOUT INTERVENTION, MANY GO ON TO REPEAT WHAT THEY HAVE LIVED THROUGH, TURNING PAIN INTO ANOTHER GENERATION OF TRAUMA AND WHEN A CHILD CONTINUES TO SUFFER, THEIR MOTHER CANNOT TRULY HEAL OR MOVE FORWARD BUT THIS GRANT CHANGES THAT STORY.

IT DOES LIKE IT DID FOR EMMA WHO IS IN OUR PROGRAM WHO WAS ON THE VERGE OF BEING EXPELLED FOR CONSTANT AGGRESSION AND

[01:10:02]

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

>> THAT IS A PROGRAM THAT IS ON THE CUTTING BLOCK IN ADDITION TO THE SERVICES ENDING FOR 20,000 FAMILIES ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DUE TO A REFUSAL TO GO TO THE VOTERS. I CONTINUE TO PLEAD WITH MY COLLEAGUES FOR US TO NEGOTIATE ON THIS DEFICIT.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS STEPHANIE. LIKE SO MANY FRONT-LINE COMMUNITIES, I AM LIVING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE COUNTIES IN ACTION. AT 25 YEARS OLD, I GOT DIAGNOSED WITH THREE AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS. LET'S BE CLEAR. I AM NOT AN EXCEPTION. IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY, 250 MILES HAVE BEEN FEDERALLY DECLARED A CANCER CLUSTER WHICH MOST OF THAT IS IN YOUR PRECINCT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. NOW WE ARE HERE TODAY TALKING ABOUT CUTTING THOSE SAME DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET, POLLUTION CONTROL AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND THAT STAND BETWEEN US AND THE GREATER HARM. THESE CONDITIONS DON'T JUST HAPPEN. THEY ARE TRIGGERED AND THEY ARE MULTIPLIED BY ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM IN THIS COUNTY'S REFUSAL TO FULLY INVEST IN PROTECTING OUR HEALTH. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO SAY THIS TO DIRECTLY ? HOW CAN YOU SHOW UP AT COMMUNITY EVENTS AND JUSTIFY THE SALARIES? HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY ERASING LAW ENFORCEMENT WHILE YOU BALANCE THIS BUDGET ON THE BURDEN OF THE MEDICAL CONDITIONS ON OUR BACKS? HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU ARE GOING TO FIGHT FOR US AND YET WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE LEFT TO DRINK THIS

AIR -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> STOP THE CUTS.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. .

>> YOU ALL, WE CAN ONLY DO THE SNAPPING. IS THAT WHAT WE CALL

IT? >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2 , PRECINCT 1, DR. CARLA WYATT, COUNTY TREASURER OF PRECINCT 1, TAYLOR CRAWFORD OF PRECINCT 3 AND MARTIN DORTCH OF PRECINCT 1. YOU

EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE CEO OF THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD RESILIENCY FUND. IT ALLOWED US TO HIRE A TRAUMA INFORMED THERAPIST TO HELP CHILDREN WHO WITNESSED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SINCE HIRING OUR OLD-TIME TRAUMA THERAPIST IN APRIL, SHE HAS ALREADY SEEN 44 CHILDREN AND IS CURRENTLY SEEING 37 CHILDREN AND THERAPY. BECAUSE OF THE FUNDING, IT HAS MADE THERAPY CONSISTENT, POSSIBLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ALLOWS US TO PREVENT DEEPER HARMS AND IMPROVE SCHOOL READINESS, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. ONE OF OUR CHILDREN WHO IS CURRENTLY BEING TREATED SINCE APRIL WROTE THE FOLLOWING. I STARTED GOING INTO COUNSELING BECAUSE OF SOME REALLY TERRIBLE TIMES WITH MY EX STEPDAD. IT WAS SCARY AND MADE ME FEEL REALLY ANXIOUS AND ANGRY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I

WOULD NEVER KNOW BETTER. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE IT WAS TAKING OVER MY LIFE.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> HELLO FELLOW ELECTED -- I'M YOUR HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME TO STAND HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY. I AM HERE AGAIN. I WAS HERE WITH MY WHOLE STAFF AND WE ARE WORKING VERY, VERY HARD.

WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN US. IF I AM ELECTED, TREAT ME LIKE I AM ELECTED. THE ONLY THING THAT I REALLY HAVE TO SAY IS DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO WITH THE BUDGET. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. YOU HAVE SEEN THE NUMBERS, NUMBERS DON'T LIE.

DO WHAT YOU CAN FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. MY NAME IS CARLA WYATT. GOOD TO SEE COMMISSIONERS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAME TREASURER.

>> GOOD EVENING. I AM THE ASSISTANT TREASURER FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE BEEN HERE A YEAR AND FIVE MONTHS. I AM A PROUD TSU ALUMNI. WHILE I AM HERE, I LOOKED TO BE AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL YOUTH THAT COME FROM HBC YOU AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE

[01:15:07]

117,000 MORE THAN LAST YEAR. WE GOT $3700 ALLOCATED TO THE FUNDS FOR RAISES AND WE HAVE 12 PEOPLE IN OUR DEPARTMENT. THAT IS $3700 THAT HAS GOT TO BE DIVIDED AMONGST THOSE 12 PEOPLE . IF YOU BREAK THAT DOWN MONTHLY, THAT IS ONLY $26 A MONTH. THAT IS NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO FILL UP A TANK OF GAS. MY STAFF FEELS UNDERVALUED

AND THEY WORK VERY HARD. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS TAYLOR CRAWFORD. I AM A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT 4. HOWEVER, I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ALL HOUSTONIANS TODAY. N.L., HARRIS COUNTY IS FACING A FINANCIAL CRISIS AND A JAIL OVERPOPULATION CRISIS YET YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE CONTINUE TO POUR MILLIONS MORE TO POLICE RAISES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS THAT HAVE ALREADY OUTPACED OUR REVENUE GROWTH. WE CANNOT KEEP REPEATING THIS CYCLE. INSTEAD OF INVESTING IN RAISES, WE URGE YOU TO REDIRECT 100 MILLION TOWARD REDUCING OUR JAIL POPULATION, FREEZING LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND EXPANDING REAL COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAMS LIKE HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND FLOOD CONTROL.

THESE INVESTMENTS ACTUALLY KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN THE LONG RUN. WE ALSO CALL ON YOU TO END HARMFUL PRACTICES LIKE NONSAFETY TRAFFIC STOPS, EXPAND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD AND STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT SPENDING. TRUE SAFETY IN HOUSTON DOES NOT COME FROM JAILS OR MORE POLICING, IT COMES FROM STABLE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, SARA RAYMOND OF PRECINCT 4, HEATHER OF PRECINCT 4, MARCUS ALLEN OF PRECINCT 3. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HEY, I AM SARA. I AM A TEACHER, A SOCIAL WORKER AND AN ARTIST. I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4. HI, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. IN THE BUDGET PLAN, YOU TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE AS CORE PROGRAMS THAT YOU WOULD NOT CUT AND I SAW THAT YOU WON'T BE CUTTING HARRIS HEALTH AND ALL OF THESE OTHER THINGS BUT LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET HEARINGS, THIS HIRING FREEZE THAT HAS BEEN GOING AROUND ON THE CONVERSATION TO ALL OF THESE BUDGET HEARINGS, THESE ARE VITAL POSITIONS THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS FACING. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHILE YOU ARE HAVING THIS HIRING FREEZE TO HIRE MORE POLICE? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. HOW DO YOU SAY THAT YOU ARE FUNDING OR SUPPORTING COMMUNITY BUT YOU ARE ALSO CHOOSING TO HIRE MORE POLICE? A HIRING FREEZE FOR VITAL COMMUNITY SERVICES? YOU NEED TO FUND COMMUNITY AND NOT PAGES. IS YOU ARE FUNDING THE POLICE PARODY, YOU WILL ONLY FUND MORE AND MORE CAGES AND

JAILS. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS HEATHER. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES IN THE FURTHEST NORTHWEST CORNER OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT YOU CAN GET THAT TOUCHES THE CITY OF WALLACE. WE COVER ACROSS CYPRESS, OVER TO KATY. CURRENTLY, WE ARE THE ONLY SERVICE THAT PROVIDES WRAPAROUND SERVICES BUT I AM HERE TODAY TO SPEAK TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD RESILIENCY FUND . THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT WE HAVE TO START WITH THE CHILDREN. WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING PLAY, ART, AND NEURAL FEEDBACK THERAPY IN ONE OF MY INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARED WITH ME THAT THE RESILIENCY FUND HAS SAVED HIS LIFE. THE PROGRAM HAS SAVED THEM FROM BEING HOMELESS. THESE ARE PARAMOUNT PROGRAMS. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS WE ARE NOT JUST PROVIDING THERAPEUTIC SERVICES BUT WE ARE INVESTING IN US STOPPING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM MARCUS ALLEN FROM PIECING THREE. I LIVE IN THE NORTHERNMOST PORTION OF HARRIS COUNTY IN SPRING, TEXAS, 300 YARDS FROM THE SPRING CREEK RIVER. I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED THE PASSION THIS MORNING ABOUT EVERYBODY CARING ABOUT PEOPLE AND I AM GLAD WE LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE WE CAN DO THAT BUT I DO WANT TO EXPRESS TO THE COMMISSIONERS THAT THE PLACE WE ARE AT NOW WITH THE BUDGET COMES AS NO GREAT SURPRISE BECAUSE OF

[01:20:03]

PLEASE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, WHEN YOU ARE WRESTLING AND ARGUING ABOUT TODAY'S BUDGET AND FISCAL YEAR 2026, WHAT WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, THREE YEARS FROM NOW. A LOT OF THIS STUFF THAT IS GOING ON NOW SEEMS LIKE WE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE PROACTIVE ABOUT IT. SPECIFICALLY, TODAY, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO INCLUDE FUNDING FOR THE SPRING CREEK DRAINAGE

AREA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, NEWMAN OF PRECINCT 1, MELISSA OF PRECINCT 1, ALFREDO DOMINGUEZ OF PRECINCT 1, GRACIE ISRAEL OF PRECINCT 4. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO. THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT.

I DON'T HAVE A SCRIPT. I JUST HAVE SOME PASSION. I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD INCREASE THE POLICE BUDGET. I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD THIS SO MANY TIMES BUT LET'S TRY SOMETHING NEW. WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAME THING YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR AND WHAT IS IT PRODUCING? MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL, MORE PEOPLE NOT BEING SUPPORTED.

MORE PEOPLE AFRAID OF POLICE. DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. OUR COMMUNITY REALLY NEEDS THESE RESOURCES . AS PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TO, PEOPLE THRIVE WHEN THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO COMMIT CRIMES. THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT IS TIME FOR US TO TRY A NEW METHOD BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE DOING ISN'T WORKING. I APPRECIATE YOU ALSO LOOKING AT ME PICK THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE DOESN'T OFTEN DO THAT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MELISSA . I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT BUDGET CUTS DO MEAN SERVICE CUTS. ACCORDING TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, KIDS AND MOMS IN OUR COUNTY ARE DYING AT HIGHER RATES IN THE STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGES. OUR COUNTY'S CHILD DEATH RATE IS HIGHER THAN TEXAS OVERALL. LET ME REPEAT. OUR ONE COUNTY'S CHILD DEATH RATE IS HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE ENTIRE STATE OF TEXAS. IN 2020, BLACK MOTHERS DIED AT MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE DURING CHILDBIRTH. THE FUNDING CUTS PROPOSED WILL EXACERBATE THIS PROBLEM BY LIMITING RESOURCES USED TO ADDRESS AND MITIGATE THESE ISSUES. WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN THE LIVES OF MOMS OR CHILDREN AND NEW VEHICLES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. THESE DISPARITIES ARE WELL DOCUMENTED IN OUR COUNTY. ANY BENEFITS FROM THE PROPOSED RAISES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE NOT. IN FACT, THE OPPOSITE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE TRUE THAT RAISES TWO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGETS COULD NOT ACTUALLY REDUCE CRIME. WHO ARE WE PROTECTING? I WILL NOW READ A FEW NAMES OF PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES WHO ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY

THIS ISSUE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

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

>> I AM GLAD TO SEE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY GETTING STEPS IN THIS MORNING. I WANT TO BEGIN BY THINKING ABOUT -- AMERICA LEADS DEVELOPED NATIONS. IMPORTANTLY IN INCARCERATION RATES AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES. IN THIS BUDGET, YOU ARE CHOOSING TO CONTINUE TO EXACERBATE THESE ISSUES NOT SPECIFICALLY AND DIRECTLY IMPACT LIKE AMERICANS AND LATINO AMERICANS THE MOST OUT OF ALL OF THE POPULATION. EVEN THOUGH THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART, THE BIGGEST PART OF THE OPPRESSED AND MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. HOW, AS A COUNTY, CAN WE CONTINUE TO JUSTIFY THESE RAISES IN FAVOR OF INVESTING IN THESE VERY REAL PROBLEMS WHEN THE REALITY IS WE ARE CHOOSING A BUDGET DOCUMENT -- IT IS A DOCUMENT ABOUT PRIORITIES AND WHAT THIS COUNTY WANTS TO DO. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE SUPER IMPORTANT. IMAGINE IF WE HAD 100 MORE MILLION DOLLARS TO INVEST IN THOSE PROGRAMS. THAT IS HOW WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THIS BUDGET AND THAT IS HOW WE

HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. GRACIE ISRAEL. PRECINCT 4 AND I SPEAK FOR TEXAS RISING. ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF ARRESTS ARE FOR LOW-LEVEL , NONVIOLENT OFFENSES. THAT IS NOT BECAUSE CRIME IS SKYROCKETING BUT BECAUSE OUR COUNTY OVER INCARCERATES. YET, THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO FUNNEL MONEY INTO POLICING INSTEAD OF PREVENTION AND DIVERSION WHICH ONLY FUELS MORE VIOLENCE, WIDENS RACIAL DISPARITIES AND BREAKS PUBLIC TRUST. THE RESEARCH IS CLEAR.

INVESTING IN PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES REDUCE THE RISK. WE

[01:25:02]

NOT EVEN IN THE OVEN. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 2 IS HILLARY HAYNES. YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS HILLARY. I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE. I AM CALLING AND AS A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. THE BUDGET CANNOT INCREASE THE PAY RAISE. I AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY WITH PROGRAMS SUCH AS HEART -- HART, HOUSING, AND FLOOD CONTROL. THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES I WOULD HAVE UTILIZED HART IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND I WON'T CALL POLICE. FOLKS IN CRISIS, ESPECIALLY BLACK AND BROWN HOUSTONIANS END UP BEING KILLED BY POLICE BECAUSE THEY ARE PERCEIVED AS A THREAT OR BECAUSE THE SITUATION IS ESCALATED BY POLICE TO THE POINT THAT THEY BECOME A THREAT. OR, THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IRRATIONALLY BECOMES A TREATMENT CENTER AND I HAVE BEEN INSIDE TO SEE HOW UNSAFE IT IS. AS SOMEONE WITH DE-ESCALATION TRAINING AND INTERVENTION, THIS IS ALSO SO EVIDENT WATCHING THE VIDEO OF INAUDIBLE ] BEING KILLED BY POLICE. WE NEED TO STOP PERPETUATING THE BELIEF ACED ON THE PORTION OF OUR BUDGET THAT POLICING IS THE MAJOR WAY TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE. THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, DAMARIS GONZALES OF PRECINCT 4, NICOLE OF PRECINCT 3, PATRICIA MORALES OF PRECINCT 2, CYNTHIA COLE OF PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I AM A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECTS. I AM HERE TO INVEST IN THE URGENT NEED TO -- ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE 200 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT. IT IS CONCERNING THAT AT A TIME WHEN FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PERMITS ARE ALLOCATING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO WORK UNNECESSARY EXPENSES SUCH AS DRY-CLEANING SERVICES USING TAXPAYER MONEY. THIS GUIDES A MESSAGE TO HARRIS COUNTY WORKING FAMILIES. I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE INDIVIDUALS WERE HOMELESS , THOSE FACING JOB IN SECURITIES AND WHO WILL LOSE THEIR MEDICARE BENEFITS. MEANWHILE, YOUR CONSIDERING INCREASING THE POLICE BUDGET. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS WITNESSED THE HARSH TREATMENT OF DAY LABORERS AND CONSTABLES, I QUESTION WHETHER THIS BUDGET WILL BE USED TO DETECT AND SERVE ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR SKIN COLOR OR IMMIGRATION STATUS. TO ME, COMMUNITIES HAVE AND ENSURING EQUAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS.

IT MEANS PROVIDING GOOD SCHOOLS, AFFORDABLE PROGRAMS --

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

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM JORGE MARTINEZ AND I AM HERE SUPPORTING TO TRANSIT FOR MY MOTHER, PATRICIA MORALES AND MY GRANDMOTHER. HER REMARKS ARE HERE. SHE IS A PROUD MEMBER HERE. I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN FOR THE BUDGET CUTS THAT WILL TAKE EFFECT NEXT YEAR. WE CAN ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY WITHOUT DISHING OUT BIG PAY RAISES TO CONSTABLES THAT COME WHILE CUTS ARE MADE TO OTHER COUNTY SERVICES. EVERYONE DESERVES A SHOT AT MAKING A COMFORTABLE LIVING. HAVE TO ASK, WHY DO SOME INDIVIDUALS SEEM TO DESERVE A COMFORTABLE AND AFFORDABLE LIFE FOR THE REST OF US STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, INVESTING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AND EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND BETTER PAYING JOBS FOR ALL IS WHAT WE TRULY MAKE OUR COMMUNITY STRONGER. I WON'T BE ABLE TO FINISH THIS

NEXT ONE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. CYNTHIA COLE . EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE COMMUNITY. TODAY, I HAVE A MESSAGE. FIRST I HAVE A QUESTION. WHAT IS IT THAT THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T KNOW THAT MEANS THAT SO MUCH MONEY HAS TO BE INVESTED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT? WHAT AREN'T YOU TELLING US? WHAT ARE WE GETTING PREPARED FOR? BECAUSE, THE BALANCE ISN'T WORKING OUT . WITHOUT COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE NO PUBLIC SAFETY BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO PUBLIC. YOU GOT SICK PEOPLE. YOU GOT UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE. YOU GOT HOMELESS PEOPLE. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT THAT YOU ARE PROTECTING? WHAT ARE WE BEING PROTECTED FROM? SOME OF US MAY FEEL LIKE

[01:30:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. I AM HERE TO ASK THAT YOU DON'T CUT FUNDING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WITH THE UPCOMING BUDGET. WHILE THERE IS BALANCING THE NEEDS TO BE DONE, I URGE YOU TO REMEMBER THAT HEALTHCARE AND HOUSING ARE NOT OPTIONAL SERVICES. THEY ARE LIFELINES FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF UNINSURED PATIENTS AND FOR THE REDUCING FUNDS WILL ONLY INCREASE OUR E.R. WAIT TIMES, DELAY THE CHRONIC CARE THAT THEY NEED AND OVERWHELM OUR HOSPITALS. ON THE SIDE OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, STABLE HOUSING IS A PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTION. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STABLE HOUSING REDUCES E.R. VISITS, IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH AND HELPS FAMILIES ESCAPE CYCLES OF POVERTY. THE COUNTIES INVESTMENT IN EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAMS HAVE KEPT THOUSANDS OF HOMELESSNESS. CUTTING THESE SERVICES WOULD ONLY -- THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 2. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> SPEAKING TODAY WAS THE CHAIR OF ECONOMIC CENTER. AS A CONSTITUENT , THE POLICE CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO KEEP -- FIX THE PROBLEMS OF OUR COUNTY. YOU INCREASE THE VIOLENCE AND IF HOUSTON IS POACHING DEPUTIES WITH GIANT RAISES, LET THEM GO.

HOUSTON MADE A MISTAKE AND HARRIS COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW. THE REAL CRISIS WE WILL BE FACING THE NEXT FEW YEARS AS AN ECONOMIC ONE. A NEW REPORT FROM THE HOUSE WITH HUMANITY OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION. 45 MILLION AMERICAN JOBS, ONE AND FOUR ARE AT RISK OF DISAPPEARING DUE TO AUTOMATION.

USING POLICE AS A JOBS PROGRAM WILL NOT FIX THAT. OUR PUBLIC SERVICES ARE UNDERPAID BUT WE MUST PRIORITIZE BASIC NEEDS, FOOD, SHELTER, CLOTHING, CLEAN AIR AND WATER.

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

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, TIA RICHARDSON, ZOE MIDDLETON OF PRECINCT 2, DIAMOND PHAM OF PRECINCT 2, PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> GREETINGS, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS TIA RICHARDSON AND I AM HERE WITH PURE JUSTICE AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. I AM HERE TODAY ASKING THAT WE BE OPEN-MINDED TO THE CONCERNS AND THE TIME THAT WE ARE LIVING IN . A SERIOUS FINANCIAL STRAIN. HARRIS COUNTY FACES MANY CHALLENGES THAT THREATEN SERVICES AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT KEEP US SAFE. THESE ARE OUR LIFELINES YET WE ARE ASKED TO CONSIDER TO RAISE SALARIES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND SOLUTIONS THAT CAN BE RECTIFIED. MOST OF US ARE HAVING TO MAKE OPTIONAL CHOICES ON NECESSITIES. HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO JUSTIFY A RAISE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN WE ARE STILL WAITING OUT OPTIONS -- LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ENOUGH OF OUR BUDGET WHILE PEOPLE ARE BEING TURNED AWAY WHO IS IN NEED OF SHELTER, FOOD, CLOTHING IF NOT ALL THREE. -- THANK YOU, YOUR

TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS BILLY MIDDLETON. I TOOK THE DAY OFF WORK TO REPRESENT MYSELF AS A FORMER COUNTY STAFFER BECAUSE I AM REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF THE PROGRESS I GOT TO BE A PART OF.

THE QUESTIONS THAT SOME OF YOU ALL ASKED IN BUDGET HEARINGS,

[01:35:03]

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

>> IN MORNING. MY NAME IS -- I'M A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. HEALTHCARE AT OUR MOST VULNERABLE IS BEING CUT AT THE LOWEST LEVEL WITH SLASHES TO MEDICATE. MEANWHILE, DESPITE PLUMMETING CRIME RATES. I'M ANGERED AND FRUSTRATED TO SEE US THESE SAME TRENDS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN OUR COUNTY INSTEAD OF STEPPING UP AND PROVIDING A STOP GAP FOR THE CRUELTY BEING INFLICTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THREE MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAVE DECIDED TO MIMIC THESE EGREGIOUS ACTIONS. WHEN DIFFICULT BUDGET DECISIONS AROSE, YOU CHOSE TO CUT PUBLIC HEALTH, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, ALL OF WHICH ARE FOUNDATION FOR HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITY. LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS NOT ONLY SPARED YOUR NOTION OF A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BUT YOU HAVE INCREASED SPENDING, FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BAD FACE ACTORS IN WASHINGTON BY PRIORITIZING POLICE OVER THE WELL-BEING OF HEALTH AND OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS DIAMOND PHAM AND I WORK AT AIRLINES HOUSTON WERE WE BELIEVE EVERYONE DESERVES THE RIGHT TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR. I LIVE AT THE DAILY REALITY OF AIR POLLUTION AND THOUSANDS OF MY NEIGHBORS. WE ARE SURROUNDED BY CHEMICAL PLANTS, HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC AND IT IS MAKING US SICK. THAT IS WHY CUTS TO POLLUTION CONTROL AND AIR MONITORING ARE SO DANGEROUS. AIR MONITORING TELLS US WHAT WE ARE BREATHING, HELPS PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND HOLDS POLLUTERS ACCOUNTABLE. STOP OR DELAY THE RAISES AND DON'T -- FUND THE PROGRAM IS LIVE AND BREATHE. THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, MIRIAM ELKIN OF PRECINCT 4, KELLY HEAP OF PRECINCT 4, COURTNEY REVELS OF PRECINCT 1, DAMIEN KELLY OF PRECINCT 3. YOU EACH HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MIRIAM ELKIN. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASIANS AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE. I AM HERE TO -- I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND. THIS INITIATIVE HAS BEEN DISCIPLINARY IN ADDRESSING BOTH IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM NEEDS OF SURVIVORS IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR AN ORGANIZATION, SERVING SURVIVORS FROM ASIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN COMMUNITIES, MANY OF WHOM WOMEN FACE LANGUAGE AND IMMIGRATION BARRIERS. THESE ARE NOT EXTRAS. THESE ARE LIFELINES.

THEY ARE THE TANGIBLE SUPPORT THAT HELPS SURVIVORS REBUILD THEIR LIFE, SEEKING THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND STAY SAFE. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CONTINUE THIS INVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THE IMPACT IS LASTING AND LIFESAVING. WE ARE FACING A LOT OF FEDERAL CUTS SO WE NEED THE SUPPORT FROM OUR

COUNTY. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONS COURT. I AM CHRISTOPHER JENKINS.

SINCE I FILED PROCESS WITH THE BUDGET. HERE AT THE BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETINGS, I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE HEARD BY US, EXPLAINED, QUESTIONS ASKED BUT I AM SPEAKING ON AGENDA ONE AND TWO BECAUSE I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE PROCESS OF WRITING COMPLAINTS. BASICALLY, THE STANDARDS OF TAKING THEIR ROLES MORE SERIOUSLY. THEY RELY ON -- IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY. THE REP THAT WAS SPEAKING AT THE BUDGET COMMUNITY SAID THAT THEY ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND DEPENDABLE AND ETHICAL BUT I SAY DIFFERENT ESPECIALLY WITH THREE AND SIX. THIS IS THE STANDARD THEY WERE HOLDING OVER ON FIVE. IT WOULD PUT PRESSURE ON THE CLERKS. IT

[01:40:04]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. YOU WILL HAVE A

GREAT DAY. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. I LIVE IN NORTH HARRIS COUNTY. ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IN HARRIS COUNTY, MOMS ARE DYING AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THE STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGE. ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY CAN EXPECT TO LIVE 20 YEARS FEWER THAN THOSE BORN JUST A FEW MILES WEST. THE FUNDING CUTS THAT THESE THREE COMMISSIONERS ARE PROPOSING WILL EXACERBATE THIS PROBLEM AND THE LIFE EXPECTANCY GAP. WE SHOULD NOT BE CHOOSING BETWEEN SERVICES THAT WE KNOW PROTECT MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IN MASSIVE POLICE PAY RAISES. THESE ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THAT WILL BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED. COURTNEY REVELS, JUDITH REVELS, MACKENZIE TATE, MCKINLEY TATE AND MONICA REVELS AND THAT IS JUST TO NAME A FEW. STOP OR DELAY THESE RAISES, NO FREEZES, NO CUTS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS KELLY AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SUPPORT SERVICES AND FAMILY TIES FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES LOCATED IN THE FAR NORTHWEST SIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY, AN AREA THAT LACKS NECESSARY RESOURCES . WE ARE A RECIPIENT OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND. OUR AGENCY WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS FLEXIBLE FUNDING FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THIS IS ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED JOB LOSS THERE ARE SEVERAL OF OUR CLIENTS HAVE LOST THEIR HOME AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO USE THESE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FUNDS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT SO THAT THEY CAN STAY IN THEIR PLACE, FIND NEW EMPLOYMENT, FIND THINGS OF THIS NATURE. THIS HAS STOPPED THE OFFENDER AND THE VICTIM AND GIVE THE CLIENT TO --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. . >> I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR HEARING US OUT TODAY. WE ARE WORKING ON A PROJECT WITH PRECINCT 4, MAPPING OUT MENTAL HEALTH DESERTS. WE ARE LOOKING TO MAP THIS OUT AND LOOK AT PEOPLE HAVING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SECURITY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. OF THE NINE DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES, FIVE OF THEM HAVE HAD LESS THAN FIVE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS. ONE HAD ZERO IN THEIR COMMUNITY. OUR COMMUNITY DRIVEN APPROACH IS WORKING WITH TOWN HALLS, INCREASING FOR IT TO BUILD LOCAL COMMUNITY. IT WILL BE THE INTERACTIVE DASHBOARD SHOWING WHERE SERVICES ARE MOST NEEDED IN THE COMMUNITIES. WE ARE TRYING TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS AS THE PRIORITY AND IN CLOSING, THIS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PRECINCT 4, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WILL CREATE A MODEL FOR INNOVATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY BY FUNDING THIS, YOU WILL BE SUPPORTING INITIATIVES.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> FANTASTIC.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, RICHARD WOODS OF THE DISTRICT COURT'S, DEBORAH CHEN OF PRECINCT 4, AMY LEARY OF PRECINCT 3, EDWARD ABEL HEART. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. RICHARD WOODS, DISTRICT COURTS ADMINISTRATOR. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY REQUEST REGARDING OUR FY26 BUDGET. OUR FY26 BUDGET, WE SUBMITTED A SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST FOR 16 ITEMS. THAT TOTAL CAME UP TO APPROXIMATELY $12.8 MILLION. 97% OF THOSE ENHANCEMENTS ARE FOR CRITICAL CONTRACT LABOR AS WELL AS A FEW FULL-TIME PERMANENT POSITIONS. ONLY 3% IS NONLABOR. OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE BUDGET IS $39.9 MILLION. THAT IS A NET INCREASE OF ABOUT 250,000 ABOVE OUR FY25 BUDGET. 85% LABOR, 15% NONLABOR.

[01:45:04]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD, YOU CAN FINISH.

>> WHAT I WANTED TO SAY WAS IN ORDER FOR US TO MEET THE $1.1 MILLION BUDGET OFFSET, WE ARE LOOKING AT HAVING TO REDUCE OUR CONTRACT LABOR WHICH, IN ESSENCE, IS GOING TO RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN THE JAIL POPULATION AS WELL AS AN INCREASE IN OUR BACKLOG AND THEN A REDUCTION IN OUR CLEARANCE RATE. THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR THE OPTICS FOR HARRIS COUNTY. WE KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE BILLS THAT RECENTLY PASSED OUT OF THIS MOST RECENT MEDITATIVE SESSION WERE TARGETED TOWARD HARRIS COUNTY AND I AM JUST HOPING THAT WE CAN BE SENT FROM THE $1.1 MILLION OFFSET AS WELL SO THAT WE CAN AVOID HAVING ADDITIONAL INCREASES AND COMING BACK ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING. THANK

YOU. >> OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL INCREASE THE COST THE DIFFICULT PRAGMATIC BUDGET PROPOSED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES'S OFFICE, WHICH INCLUDES GOOD PAYING JOBS, OF RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND USE, TO $20 AN HOUR, AND 21.65 AN HOUR FOR COUNTY CONTRACTORS TO CONTINUE THE APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE PROGRAM FOR TRADES AND TECH CAREERS. NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO COLLEGE BUT AND A.I. IN THE FUTURE IS GOING TO ELIMINATE MANY OF THESE WHITE-COLLAR JOBS. CONTINUING TO SUPPORT HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY EXPANDING MOBILE HEALTH AND DENTAL SERVICES, MANY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THAT DENTAL SERVICES OR DENTAL HEALTH IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A HEALTHY BODY. EVERYTHING GOES IN THROUGH YOUR MOUTH, YOU'D -- YOU CAN'T EAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD TEETH STRENGTHEN OUR IMMUNIZATION PROGRAMS AND MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS, AND BOOST THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO PREPARE FOR AND RESPOND TO DISASTERS, AND LASTLY TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS AMY AND ON JUNE 20TH, 2023, MY LIFE WAS CHANGED IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE WHEN MY EX-HUSBAND DECIDED TO BODY SLAM ME TO THE GROUND AND SLAMMED MY HEAD INTO THE DOOR X TIMES AND THREATENED TO KILL ME. SO, AS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, I CAN ALREADY TELL YOU THAT THE LIMITED SOURCES THAT HARRIS COUNTY ALREADY HAS DO NOT NEED TO BE CUT. THEY WILL BECOME LESS AND FEWER AND FURTHER BETWEEN, AND AS A SURVIVOR, I CAN TELL YOU, THOSE RESOURCES ARE NEEDED. SO, STOP , DELAY, NO CUTS, NO

FREEZES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND JUST SO YOU GUYS KNOW, IT SAYS HERE THAT THERE ARE NO CUTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH, WORKERS, OR DISASTER RESPONSE. BUT WE WILL GO THROUGH THIS PIE CHART LATER. BUT IT IS A MISNOMER. LIKE WHAT IS $20 MILLION UNSPENT FUNDS? DEPARTMENTS USE THAT FOR EXAMPLE TO REPLACE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT IS ENDING. THEY WILL HAVE TO CUT CYBERSECURITY ASSESSMENTS WHERE EVERY TIME AROUND THE COUNTRY, WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE TAX. THIS $11 MILLION, THIS IS A TECH/SOFTWARE CUT. THIS $18 MILLION IS KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, WE CAN'T SELL THE SAME PROPERTY AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

THIS $41 MILLION, THE COST OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT RACES WAS GOING TO BE 161 AND THEY NEGOTIATED IT DOWN TO 100, SO THEY ARE PUTTING THE 41 AS A SAVING, EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T BALANCE THIS. ANYWAY -- IT'S FAKE. AND WE WILL HAND IT OUT.

>> GOOD MORNING.

DEEPLY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN HOUSTON BUT THE REALITY IS TOO OFTEN, OUR CITY UNDER FUNDS PROGRAMS THAT GIVE OUR YOUTH HOPE, DIRECTION, AND OPPORTUNITY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME OVERPAYING AND OVERSPENDING FOR POLICING. WE CANNOT KEEP POURING MONEY INTO PUNISHMENT WHILE STARVING PREVENTION. OUR KIDS DON'T NEED MORE POLICE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY NEED MORE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, MENTORSHIP JOBS, OPPORTUNITIES, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND SAFE SPACES TO GROW. EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED INTO A YOUTH PERSON SAVES THEIR FUTURE FROM STRUGGLING , VIOLENCE, AND

[01:50:02]

>> YES, SIR. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, MIRIAM NASSER OF PRECINCT 1.

SALLY RAMOS OF PRECINCT 2. LEILA OF PRECINCT 3. PHILLIPE SANCHEZ OF PRECINCT 3. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO, I AM AN ADVOCATE AT AGENTS AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY FROM THE MIDDLE EAST RETURN AND ASIAN COMMUNITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. I'M HERE TO VOICE ]. THESE FUNDS HAVE ALLOWED FUNDS, OUR HANDS WERE TIED WHEN IT CAME TO PROVIDING ESSENTIAL NEEDS FOR OUR CLIENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN THINGS AS CRITICAL AS CAR REPAIRS, MEDICATION, AND DAILY LIVING EXPENSES WERE BEYOND OUR ABILITY TO COVER. AND THESE ARE OFTEN THE KEY SUPPORTS THAT ALLOW SURVIVORS TO MAINTAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY.

THESE FUNDS ARE NOT JUST ABOUT EMERGENCY SERVICES, THEY ALLOW US TO PROVIDE , AND SAID, CULTURALLY SPECIFIC SUPPORT TO SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY. WITHOUT THEM, MANY OF OUR CLIENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH NO WAY TO ESCAPE ABUSIVE SITUATIONS. I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THESE ESSENTIAL FUNDS, WE CAN KEEP PROVIDING THE CRITICAL RESOURCES ARE SURVIVORS DEPEND ON. THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS LEILA, I LIVE IN PRECINCT 3, AND I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED. WE HEARD FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK BUT THEY ALL SAID THIS BUDGET IN THE HIRING FREEZE WILL HURT THEIR PROGRAMS, THEIR STAFF, AND THEIR SERVICES THAT PEOPLE RELY ON. I HEARD IT WITH MY OWN EARS, WE ALL DID COME SO HOW COULD SOME OF YOU SIT HERE AND CONTINUE SAYING IT WON'T HURT SERVICES? YOU'RE LYING TO OUR FACES, AND IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN JUSTIFY ENDING $100 MILLION IN RAISES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT DESPITE OVERWHELMING COMMUNITY PUSHBACK, NOW YOU'RE WANTING TO RAISE JAIL PHONE COSTS TO $.10 A MINUTE, SQUEEZING MILLIONS OUT OF POOR FAMILIES. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO REPRESENT US AND PROTECT US, NOT JOIN IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ATTACKS ON OUR COMMUNITIES. YOU ARE SOWING DISTRUST AND ANGER TOWARDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. NO TWO CUTS, NO TO FREEZES, STOP THE RAISES. THANK YOU. SIX GOOD MORNING -- AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MIRIAM NASSER AND I AM TALKING TODAY ABOUT THE BUDGET CUTS THAT ESSENTIAL DEPARTMENTS ARE FACING. ACCORDING TO THE CANTOR INSTITUTE, RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS IN HARRIS COUNTY FACE MAJOR AFFORDABILITY GAP. OVER $129,000, MEANING THE COST OF A HOME FAR EXCEEDS WHAT MOST FAMILIES CAN AFFORD, AND THIS GAP UNFORTUNATELY CONTINUES TO GROW. IGNORING THE PROBLEM AND DIVERTING MONEY AWAY FROM THE HOUSING TRUST FUND WOULD ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE. WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE BETWEEN HOUSING STABILITY FOR RESIDENTS AND THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RAISES THREE COMMISSIONERS PASSED. THIS IS A WELL STUDIED TOPIC, HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN NO STUDIES ON THE FREEZES OR RAISES THAT HAVE BEEN CURRENTLY PROPOSED ON THIS BUDGET. I WILL NOW READ THE NAMES OF SOME HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ON TODAY'S ADDICTION DOCKETS IN COURTS THAT OVERLAP WITH RECENT 2, 3, AND 4. KAIT PARKER, REGINA

W, GARY H, HUSSEIN A, R JACKSON. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> RAMOS, AND I LIVE LONG-TERM AND MUSIC 2. I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES DEPENDING ON THEIR LIBRARIES. IT PROBABLY IS AN IMPORTANT TO YOU, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME. MY OLDEST SON WAS AT THE LIBRARIES, AND NOW HE IS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER. THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR US, BECAUSE IT ALSO CAN KEEP OUR CHILDREN AWAY FROM TROUBLE. HIGH EDUCATIONS, THAT'S WHAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS. ALSO, I HAVE SEEN AT THE HOSPITAL'S WHEN A LADY LIKE THREE WEEKS AGO DELIVERED A BABY OUTSIDE. I SEE IT ON MY OWN EYES. Y'ALL NEED TO SEE STUFF LIKE THAT, SO Y'ALL CAN HAVE ON YOUR MIND IS WHAT WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES. ALSO, I HAD AN ACCIDENT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND

[01:55:02]

ABILITY TO INSURANCE. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? PLEASE RECONSIDER. STOP THE DELAY, THE RAISES.

>> THANK YOU. >> LANGUAGE ] PHILLIPE SANCHEZ. AS A KID, I USED TO SEE CARS GET PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING AND THERE WOULD BE ONE COP CAR THERE. NOWADAYS, I USUALLY SEE TWO OR THREE COP CARS. HOW MANY CARDS YOU NEED TO TAKE IT SOMEBODY FOR SPEEDING? OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING WASTED ON THOUSANDS, IF NOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE JUST STANDING BY. PEOPLE IN JAIL GETTING PAID $.10 AN HOUR TO PICK UP LITTER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY DO MORE MEANINGFUL WORK. HOW ABOUT WE GIVE THEM A PAY RAISE INSTEAD? INSTEAD, WE ARE CUTTING CHILDCARE SERVICES.

SPOT NEXT YEAR? THIS IS A VICIOUS CYCLE. IF YOU MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO GET BY IT BY CUTTING OFF VITAL SERVICES, THEN PEOPLE WILL LOOK TO EXTREMES JUST TO SURVIVE. DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE, IT IS OKAY TO OWN UP TO A BAD CALL. NO

FREEZES, NO CUTS. THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, JUDGE BELL, JUDGE LATOSHA LEWIS PAYNE , JUDGE JIM EVANS , JUDGE MELISSA MORRIS, JUDGE ANDREA BEALE , JUDGE BEVERLY ARMSTRONG , JUDGE NATALIA CORNELIA . AND JUDGE KELLY JOHNSON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JIM EVANS, I AM THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE IN THE 312 FAMILY DISTRICT OR COULD I ASK YOU TO FUND HIGH-QUALITY JUDICIAL WORK IN THIS COUNTY. ASSOCIATE JUDGES OF THE FAMILY COURTS HERE EVERY TYPE OF CASE THAT THE PRESIDING ELECTED JUDGES HERE. OUR WORK'S DOCKETS ARE BASICALLY DIVIDED IN HALF AND WE HEAR PROBABLY MORE THAN HALF OF THE CASES. WE HEAR NUMEROUS FINAL TRIALS EVERY WEEK. WE DECIDE WHETHER TO COMMIT PEOPLE TO HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND WE DECIDE WHETHER IT IS PROPER TO RELEASE THEM. IN MY COURT, I HEAR EVERY SINGLE CPS CASE, FROM THE EMERGENCY HEARING WHERE I HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS TO THE FINAL TRIAL WHERE I HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO TERMINATE THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP. THE SINGLE THING THAT I HATE THE MOST AS A PARENT AND A HUMAN, AS A PART OF MY JOB, BUT I HAVE TO DO IT BECAUSE I HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW AND CONSTITUTION OF THIS STATE AND THE UNITED STATES. OUR DECISION TO APPEAL TO THE COURTS OF APPEAL AND TO THE SUPREME COURT.

I KNOW YOU WANT PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY FOR FAMILY LAWYERS WHO ARE GOOD, COMPASSIONATE, AND EXPERIENCED.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD AND FINISH.

>> WHO ARE GOOD, COMPASSIONATE, AND EXPERIENCED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN TAKE THESE APPOINTED POSITIONS AND BE COMPENSATED WITH FAIRNESS. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ON SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2025, SB 9 WENT INTO EFFECT. AT THE TIME, ROOM 5635 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE IN CUSTODY UNDER THE FAMILY DISTRICT COURTS. DESPITE NO CHANGES IN BOND ELIGIBILITY, THAT NUMBER ROSE TO 5745 ONE WEEK LATER. 106 PEOPLE. IT IS CLEAR THAT SB 9 WILL INCREASE ORAJEL POPULATION AND SR J5 WILL HAVE A GREATER IMPACT. ACCORDING TO THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION, THE ONLY ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND VISITING JUDGES ARE AUTHORIZED TO ASSIST WITH THESE CASES. AS OUR DOCKETS GROW, WE FACE LOSING THE ONLY TOOL WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO HELP MANAGE THIS INCREASE. WE HAVE DEVELOPED A PLAN TO HOLD TWO DOCKETS PER DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR TO ADDRESS THE CASES AND REDUCE THE DELAYS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CHANGES TO SR J5 COMING. BUT WE CANNOT SUCCEED WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF OUR AGES. THE LAST TIME WE HIRED ASSOCIATE JUDGES, THE PROCESS TOOK MONTHS. EARLY DATA SHOWS SB 9 HAZARD INCREASE THE NUMBERS AND ASKED IF I IS LIKELY TO INCREASE --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> JUDGE, DO YOU WANT TO WRAP

UP? >> JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP, IF WE DELAY IN MAKING A DECISION UNTIL WE FIGURE THINGS OUT, WE WILL END UP IN THE SAME SITUATION WE ARE AT HARVEY, AND IT HAS TAKEN A LOT OF WORK FROM ALL OF US TO

GET TO WHERE WE ARE. >> SO, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO

SEE DONE, JUDGE? >> WE WOULD LIKE THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE PROGRAM CAT, THERE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE OCA WILL ALLOW ASIDE FROM VISITING JUDGES. WE TRIED TO GET VISITING JUDGES, SO FAR,

[02:00:01]

NUMBERS -- >> IT WON'T BE THERE, RIGHT.

>> PLEASE HELP US HELP YOU. THE COUNTY, OUR COMMUNITIES, ALL OF US. WHEN THAT BACKLOG, ALL OF US SUFFER. I AM ASKING CAN YOU GIVE US ONLY TOOL WE HAVE IN PLACE TO HELP WITH THOSE NUMBERS AND TO HELP JUST AS HAPPENED AT A FAST RATE. WE TRY 276 CASES IN THE FELONY COURTS IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS. WE ARE DOING THE WORK .

WITH BECAUSE ASSISTANCE. YOU HELPED US AND CAME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR AJ'S IN THE FOR PLACE. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO SUPPORT BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE ARE GETTING THINGS DONE, COLLABORATIVELY, WITH YOU GUYS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> JUDGE, WOULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THE VISITING JUDGES AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE AND WHICH ONES ARE YOU LOOKING TO HAVE TO

CUT? >> WE HAVE THE VISITING JUDGES.

WHAT THE VISITING JUDGES ARE DOING IN ERD TYPE CASES , AND AND HE WILL SPEAK ON THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE A PROPOSAL THAT YOU GUYS REQUESTED -- AN ERD, WHAT THE VISITING JUDGES DO IS THEY TRY CASES BACK TO BACK. THEY FUNNEL ALL THE HEARINGS OVER TO THE AJS AND THEY TRY CASES. THEY ARE CURRENTLY THREE DIFFERENT TRIALS AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW. THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES HANDLE OUR BOND DOCKETS, SO IF I HAVE A TRIAL, I CAN SEND MY CASE UP TO THEM. OCA JUDGES HAVE ALSO AGREED TO COME IN ON WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS TO HEAR THESE BOND CASES. THE D.A.S OFFICE ON THE CASES THAT ARE MINOR HAVE BEEN PUTTING IN A BOND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR AN AGREED BOND AGREEMENT. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS UNDER SB 9, MAGISTRATES CAN'T GRANT THOSE, SO PEOPLE CONTINUE TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY. THEY CAN'T GET OUT, EVEN THOUGH THE PARTIES AGREED ON DAY ONE THAT THIS WAS THE APPROPRIATE BOND IN THE COURT.

DAY FOR AN AGREEMENT THAT HAPPENED THE DAY ONE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WASTE MONEY. WE DON'T WANT THAT, WE JUST WENT THROUGH THIS PROBLEM, AND I KNOW THAT ALL OF Y'ALL SET UP COMMITTEES TO COME UP WITH DIFFERENT PLANS TO HELP TAKE US OUT. I AM ASKING YOU TO PLEASE LEAVE IN PLACE THE ONLY TOOL THAT WE HAVE IN OUR BELT TO TRY AND HELP REDUCE THIS DOCKET.

>> AND RIGHT NOW, THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT INCLUDE --

>> AJS ARE OUT OF THE PROPOSAL AT THIS TIME, SO I AM ASKING YOU TO CHANGE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A BUDGET SHORTFALL, BUT IF WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS $2 MILLION WILL SAVE 104 --

>> BUT SEE, THERE ISN'T A BUDGET SHORTFALL, NOT YET. WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY COMMITTED TO THE $100 MILLION UNTIL TODAY.

THAT IS WHEN IT ENDS. SO, THE PROBLEM THAT YOU ARE FACING, IT'S MANUFACTURED. IT'S NOT LIKE WE WOKE UP AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BUDGET DEFICIT. SO, I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS VERY VALID, AND I ACTUALLY DID NOT REALIZE THAT WE ARE HERE CELEBRATING PUBLIC SAFETY, I DID NOT REALIZE THAT WE WERE CUTTING THE JUDGES. OF COURSE, WE ARE ALSO CUTTING OTHER AREAS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND JUVENILE

PROBATION, ET CETERA. >> YOU GUYS AND I KNOW THIS IS NEAR AND DEAR TO ALL OF YOU, AND COMMUNITY SAFETY IS AN ISSUE, SO I JUST IMPLORE YOU TO PLEASE -- DON'T STOP THE WORK PEOPLE STARTED AND WORKED SO HARD ON.

>> THE WAY WE CAN HELP YOU IS BY NEGOTIATING ON THIS. NEGOTIATING ON DOES THERE NEED TO BE SUCH A SHORTFALL? SO, I REALLY HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL COME TO THE TABLE AND DO THIS INSTEAD OF PRETENDING LIKE THERE IS A BUDGET SHORTFALL THAT IS NOT

ACTUALLY THERE YET. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME

AND CONSIDERATION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS MELISSA MORRIS, I'M THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE 260.

DISTRICT COURT, I AM ALSO PRESENTING 1 RESIDENT. I WANTED TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE AJ FUNDING. AS OF AUGUST 31ST, THE JAIL POPULATION WAS 8666. AS OF SEPTEMBER 8, THE JAIL POPULATION ROSE TO 8733, AND THAT WAS JUST IN ONE WEEK, SINCE SB 9. THERE WERE AT LEAST 216 DEEMED ELIGIBLE, AND ONLY PEOPLE WHO WERE ALLOWED TO SET BONDS UNDER THIS NEW LAW ARE DISTRICT JUDGES AND ARE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT -- LIKE THE ONES THAT WE HAVE. THE REQUESTED BUDGET FOR THE AJ PROGRAM IS $2 MILLION , AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT Y'ALL ARE -- YOU KNOW, PINCHING, BUT SIX AJS, THREE COURT REPORTERS, AND THREE COURT COORDINATORS. THIS IS THE MOST FRUGAL OF BUDGETS, AND WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO FUND

THIS PROGRAM. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS STACY ALLEN, I STAND BEHIND YOU AS THE PRESIDING JUDGE. AS A FORMER FELONY ASSOCIATE JUDGE, AS WELL AS A 35 YEAR RESIDENT OF THIS COUNTY, AND I STAND WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN SOME OF THE COLLECTIVE GOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY, A COMMUNITY DESERVES TO HAVE THE LAW FOLLOWED, WHICH REQUIRES US TO SET A BELL WITHIN 48 HOURS OF A REQUEST. OUR REQUEST TODAY IS FOR THE COURT

[02:05:02]

>> HELLO, I AM BEVERLY ARMSTRONG, JUDGE OF THE 208 DISTRICT COURT, AND I ALSO COME STANDING WITH MY COLLEAGUES, ASKING YOU TO PLEASE GET THE FELONY CRIMINAL ASSOCIATE JUDGE PROGRAM. I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU MY OWN PERSONAL STATISTICS. WHEN I TOOK THE BENCH IN JANUARY 2023, I WALKED INTO 2205 CASES .

OF THOSE, 834 WERE GEL CASES. AS I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, I NOW HAVE 945 CASE AT 395 OF THOSE ARE JAIL CASES. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THIS GREAT CHANGE BECAUSE I USED EVERY TOOL THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED ME, INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE PROGRAM. THAT IS HOW I AM ABLE TO REDUCE THESE CASES, AND THAT IS HOW MY COLLEAGUES ARE ABLE TO REDUCE THESE CASES. THAT HELPS EVERY ONE OF YOUR ISSUES, EVERY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE CONCERNED ABOUT. I KNOW THE COMMISSION IS CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THE JUDGE IS NOT AGREEING TO THIS PROGRAM. LET ME SAY THAT WE HAVE -- THE MAJORITY OF US WILLING AND WANTING TO USE THIS PROGRAM. PLEASE DON'T LET OTHERS WHO WANT TO SABOTAGE THIS PROGRAM WIN. WE NEED THIS. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JUDGE KELLY JOHNSON AND I AM JUDGE OF THE 178 DISTRICT COURT AND HAVE BEEN A JUDGE FOR THE LAST 8 1/2 YEARS. WHEN I WAS THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE, WE JUDGES WORKED WITH YOU TO CREATE THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE PROGRAM, TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG. BUT NOW THE BACKLOG STANDS IN JEOPARDY. SO FAR, OR THAN 4000 CASES HAVE BEEN REFERRED, ABOUT 100 DISPOSED EACH MONTH, THERE IS AN AVERAGE OF 15 AND UPWARDS TO 40 JURY TRIALS THAT ARE HANDLED MONTHLY, THAT FREE ELECTED JUDGES AND MOVE TRIALS IN PLACE. NOW, AS SPOKEN BY MY COLLEAGUES, SB 9, WE FACE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO EFFICIENT JUSTICE.

IN CUSTODY OUTSOURCING WILL INCREASE BY 50% AS SOME OF THE STATISTICS SHOW, AND I KNOW EACH OF YOU VALUE DATA PROVEN RESULTS AND SOLID INVESTMENTS. THIS PROGRAM LOWERS COSTS, REDUCES OUTSOURCING, AND KEEPS JUSTICE TIMELY. THE ASSOCIATE JUDGE

PROGRAM -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> PLEASE PUT JUSTICE FIRST. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, I'M JUDGE NATALIA CORNELIO, THE JUDGE OF THE 331ST DISTRICT COURT. AS YOU KNOW, RECENT CHANGES IN THE LAW HYPERCARD AND ITS ENTRANCE OF OUR COURT OPERATIONS, SPECIFICALLY OUR 24/7 MAGISTRATES ARE UNABLE TO SET BAIL IN AN EXPANDING NUMBER OF FELONY CASES, THE LAW REQUIRES THE CASE WILL BE SET IN 48 HOURS. THE JUDGE BAIL DECISIONS, BUT FUNDING IS REQUIRED FOR THESE OPERATIONS TO EXIST, INCLUDING STAFF, ASSOCIATE JUDGES, AND VISITING JUDGES. ASSOCIATE JUDGES HAVE ALSO BEEN HELD AND ASSISTANT ASSOCIATE COURTS WITH WRITTEN APPLICATIONS AND HEARINGS, HANDLING COURT CASES SUCH AS PLEASE HEARINGS, AND SETTING BAIL WHILE WE ARE IN MEETINGS OR IN CHILDHOOD I HAVE AN AJ COVERED MY DOCKET AND TAKING PLEASE RIGHT NOW, SO I'M ABLE TO TESTIFY HERE TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, I'M JUDGE ANDREA BELL, THE RESIDING JUDGE OF THE 185TH DISTRICT COURT, ONE OF OUR FELONY COURTS. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE FELONY DISTRICT BOARD TODAY, ASKING YOU TO RAISE CONTINUE TO FUND THE EMERGENCY RELIEF DOCKETS. I HAVE A LETTER HERE SIGNED BY ME, THE HEAD OF THE DOCKET MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE JUDGE IN CHARGE OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF DOCKETS, SAYING WHAT OUR PROPOSED PLAN IS AND OUR COMMITMENT TO TAKE ON THE IN CUSTODY STATE JAIL CASES THAT ARE OVER 100 DAYS OLD, SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO REDUCE THE IN CUSTODY POPULATION IN HARRIS COUNTY IN HOPES THAT WE CAN WORK WITH YOU TO END THE CONTRACT WHERE IN CUSTODY PEOPLE PRETRIAL ARE BEING SHIPPED OUT TO OTHER PRISONS AND GEL SYSTEMS IN AND OUT OF THE STATE. IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AFTER READING MY PROPOSAL, I KNOW THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY OTHER

[02:10:01]

MUCH >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. I AM LATOSHA LEWIS PAYNE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE FOR THE 57 STATE COURTS THAT WE HAVE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. FUNDING THE JUDICIARY IS A CRITICAL, CORE ESSENTIAL SERVICE. YOUR OBJECTIVE IS TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY JUST, AND THE WAY THAT YOU DO THAT IS TO AMEND THE BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU PAY -- ADJUST THE PAY FOR THE 14 FAMILY AND JUVENILE ASSOCIATE JUDGES. THAT AMOUNT IS $382,000. THERE WITH STAND TO BE THE ONLY JUDGES IN THIS ENTIRE COUNTY WHO DID NOT RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT AS A PART OF THE BUDGET. THEY HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE GENERAL FUND. EACH ASSOCIATE FAMILY JUDGE HANDLES ABOUT -- HELPS A JUDGE ABOUT 1800 CASES. MAKE HARRIS COUNTY MORE JUST. AMEND THE BUDGET AND ALLOW US TO USE THE $1.7 MILLION THAT IS IN RESERVES TO START WORKING ON THE LANGUAGE ACCESS PLAN. MAKE HARRIS COUNTY MORE JUST. FUND THE ERD. SUPPORT STAFF AND THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT HAVE BEEN REQUESTED, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY WILL IMPROVE THE BACKLOG. THANK YOU.

>> A GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM SARAH, I'M WITH A NONPROFIT CALLED FAMILIES TO FREEDOM, AND WE TRANSPORT VICTIMS OF ABUSE TO SAFETY. HARRIS COUNTY LEADS THE STATE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIME AND FATALITIES, AND I REPRESENT A SMALL NONPROFIT THAT HELPS VICTIMS ESCAPE , AND THEN WE GIVE THEM A RIDE TO EMERGENCY SHELTERS NEAR AND FAR, AND WE ALSO HELP OUR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS GET BACK TO FAMILY VERY FAR AWAY, SO THEY CAN LIVE SAFELY. WE ARE BUSY SAVING VICTIMS EVERY DAY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THIS BODY, ALL OF YOU ALL UP HERE HAVE THE POWER TO SHOW THAT YOU TWO SUPPORT SAVING VICTIMS FROM HARM ON BEHALF OF OVER 580 VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS THAT WE WILL HELP NEXT YEAR, THAT WE WILL DRIVE TO SAFETY. PLEASE FUND THE VICTIM SERVICES.

VICTIM SERVICES ASSISTANCE FUND DBA AT ACTUALLY SAVES LIVES, AND I URGE YOU TO FULLY FUND DVAF TO FUND VICTIM SERVICES FOR JOBS AND FOR VICTIMS DIRECTLY TO RECOVER. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, MY NAME IS ANGELA HARRINGTON, PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE 246 FAMILY COURT. COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO, AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY. I STAND BEFORE YOU TO ADVOCATE ARE UNNECESSARY AND OVERDUE INTEREST IN THE FOUNDATION OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. A PAY RAISE FOR OUR HARRIS COUNTY FAMILY COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGES. THESE JUDGES ARE THE FRONT-LINE RESPONDERS TO OUR MOST NOBLE CITIZENS. THE NATURE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FAMILY COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGES WORK IS UNIQUE AND INTENSE. THEY HANDLE A HIGH VOLUME OF EMOTIONALLY CHARGED, TIME SENSITIVE CASES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

THERE ARE OTHER ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT ARE STATE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT MAKE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE MONEY THAN OTHER JUDGES IN HARRIS COUNTY. SO, I'M ASKING THAT YOU CONSIDER THE SPECIALIZATION OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY FAMILY COURT JUDGES.

THERE IS A CONSTANT RETURN OF HIGH CONFLICT, CONTENTIOUS CASES, AND IT CREATES A HEAVY AND DRAINING DOCKET. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR A PAY RAISE FOR OUR HARRIS COUNTY FAMILY COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, INAUDIBLE ] ALVAREZ OF PRECINCT 1, MICHAEL OF PRECINCT 4, INAUDIBLE ] OF PRECINCT 2, RAQUEL HERNANDEZ OF PRECINCT 2, ALONDRA AND JOHNNY OF PRECINCT 4. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS I AM A PHD CANDIDATE AND A RESEARCH WORKER WORKING TOWARDS TRANSGENDER, INDIGENOUS, AND MIGRANT SAFETY IN TEXAS. I AM A DOCTOR RECIPIENT RAISED IN NORTH HOUSTON AND NOW A RESIDENT OF SOUTHEAST. ALLOW ME TO ADD TO THE CONCERT OF THE VOICES . FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, FUNDING PLEASE IS A CORE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

THIS DECISION CONSTITUTES VIOLENCE AGAINST US AND OUR LOVED ONES. IRONICALLY, THE LAST TIME I WAS PRESENT HERE BEFORE THIS COURT WAS IN 2016 WHEN OUR COMMUNITY OVERWHELMINGLY RALLIED TO REJECT THE CONTRACT BETWEEN ICE AND HARRIS COUNTY. I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS WELL VERSED ON THIS ISSUE. NOW, IN AN EVEN MORE URGENT STATE ,

[02:15:06]

ARE POLICE. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MICHAEL SPACE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF -- TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SPACE RIGHT NOW. ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE GIVEN US THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS TO KEEP US INFORMED OF EVERYTHING. AND THE QUESTION BEFORE US IS NOT WHETHER THE CONSTABLES DESERVE A PAY RAISE. WE ALREADY IS THE VALUE OF THEIR SERVICE. THE QUESTION IS IS THIS THE APPROPRIATE TIME , AT A MOMENT WHEN OUR COUNTY IS FACING SHORTFALLS, WHEN TESTIMONY AFTER TESTIMONY HAS SHOWN US HOW CRITICAL PROGRAMS ARE STRUGGLING, PROGRAMS THAT ACTUALLY KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE, REDUCE CRIME, AND SUPPORT FAMILIES. CAN WE JUSTIFY TAKING MILLIONS FROM THEM TO FUND PAY RAISES? TRUE, PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT JUST BADGES AND PATROL CARS, IT IS MENTAL HEALTH CARE, YOUTH PROGRAMS, HOSPITALS, HOUSING, AND THE RESOURCES THAT PREVENT CRIME BEFORE IT STARTS. IF WE TAKE FROM THOSE, WE WEAKEN THE VERY FOUNDATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY

PROGRAMS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS OF PRECINCT 2 AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COLLABORATIVE PROJECT FOUNDED OUT OF SOUTHEAST HOUSTON. THE VERY REASON THAT THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED WAS BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THAT NOT ONLY COMMUNITIES ACROSS TEXAS, BUT IN HARRIS COUNTY IN PARTICULAR, ARE IN THE FRONT LINES OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING ACROSS THE COUNTRY. VULNERABILITY WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD, WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH, WHEN IT COMES TO JOBS, WHEN IT COMES TO SECURITY, ALL TYPES OF SECURITY, NOT JUST POLICE FORCE, BUT HEALTH AND OTHERWISE. SO, WHAT I AM ASKING HERE IS WHY ARE WE PINCHING IN THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE WHEN THE FUNDING SHOULD BE HERE? WE HAVE PAID INTO IT, I AS A PROPERTY OWNER HAVE PAID INTO THESE TAXES AND KNOW THAT THEY KEEP INCREASING. THEY KEEP INCREASING, THE COST OF WATER KEEPS INCREASING. SO, WHY IS IT THAT WHEN WE ARE POURING INTO THE SYSTEM, THERE IS NO SAFETY NET WHEN WE HAVE VULNERABILITIES LIKE WE KNOW WE'RE FACING RIGHT NOW. SO, I PLEASE URGE YOU TO KEEP SUPPORTING THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE RELYING ON YOU.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP . >> MY NAME IS RAQUEL HERNANDEZ AND I AM HERE TO SAY THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT NUMBERS, THIS IS ABOUT LIVES. A BUDGET IS NOT JUST MATH, IT IS A MORAL DOCUMENT. THE PEOPLE THAT FAIL THE GOVERNMENT A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP DID. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY PROBLEM, WE HAVE A MANAGEMENT AND SPENDING PROBLEM.

WE DEMAND HONESTY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN SHARED SACRIFICE AND INTEGRITY. NO TRUE LEADER ASKS OTHERS TO SACRIFICE WHAT THEY WANT SACRIFICE THEMSELVES, THAT IS NOT LEADERSHIP THAT IS HYPOCRISY. BALANCED BUDGET SHOULD NEVER COME AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PUBLIC'S WELL-BEING. WE SHOULDN'T BE CHOOSING BETWEEN SAFETY AND SANITY OR BETWEEN SERVICES AND SURVIVAL. A SINGLE PARENT GETTING BY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BEAR THIS BUDGET BURDEN. WE DO NOT ARRIVE HERE OVERNIGHT.

THIS IS THE RESULT OF YEARS OF MISPLACED PRIORITIES, LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, NOT DESPITE BILLIONS IN OUR BUDGET, WE ARE TOLD IT IS STILL NOT ENOUGH AND I AM HERE TO SAY ENOUGH IS

ENOUGH, DO BETTER. >> THANK YOU.

>> HI, EVERYONE, MY NAME IS ALONDRA AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4. I'M ALSO HERE IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITIES, NOT CAGES. I'M ASKING FOR FUNDING THAT GO TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. AS YOU ALL KNOW, YOU HAVE HEARD HERE BEFORE, THE COPS DON'T PREVENT, THEY RESPOND TO IT. I AM ONE OF MANY, MANY SURVIVORS IN THIS COUNTY, AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT JUST THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, SURVIVORS DON'T TRUST THE COPS. AND THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT, BECAUSE WHENEVER THEY DO SHOW UP TO PLACES, THEY ARE CAUSING MORE HARM AND MORE TROUBLE TO A SURVIVOR. A SURVIVOR THAT NEEDS ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY. THEREFORE, I AM ASKING YOU TO POUR IN FUNDING INTO ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT AGAIN PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE, LIKE A WOMAN HAVING A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP, HAVING FOOD, NOT BEING AROUND HER ABUSER. AND NOT HAVING TO RELY ON HER ABUSER. THESE ARE THINGS THAT CAN BE PREVENTED. THERE IS A REPORT THAT SAID 75% OF SURVIVORS WHO

[02:20:03]

REALLY LOOK AT THAT MATH. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, ALEXANDER SPIKE OF PRECINCT 1. SPEAKING ON ITEM 8, CODY MILLER OF PRECINCT 3. SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, STERLING OF PRECINCT 1. ALEX CAMPBELL OF PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THAT EVENING -- OR GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS ALEXANDER SPIKE, I LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, ONE OF THE MOST POLLUTED COUNTIES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

I WORK WITH AIRLINES HOUSTON, A NONPROFIT FIGHTING FOR CLEAN AIR AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. EVERY DAY, MY NEIGHBORS AND I BREATHE AIR POLLUTED BY HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC. HARRIS COUNTY HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST CHILDHOOD ASTHMA RATES. THESE AREN'T JUST NUMBERS. THERE ARE KIDS, ELDERS, AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE BELIEVE YOUR Z.I.P. CODE SHOULDN'T DECIDE YOUR HEALTH OR YOUR LIFE, THAT'S WHY I AM HERE TO URGE YOU, FULLY FUND HARRIS COUNTY POLLUTION CONTROL. CUTTING FUNDING TO THIS DEPARTMENT IN THIS POLITICAL CONTEXT MEANS FEWER INSPECTIONS, LESS AIR MONITORING, AND WEAKER ENFORCEMENT. IT PUTS LIVES AT RISK. THIS BUDGET SHOWS WHAT WE VALUE. IF WE KEEP OVER FUNDING POLICE WHILE UNDERFUNDING PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSING, AND POLLUTION CONTROL, WE ARE CHOOSING PUNISHMENT OVER PREVENTION. WE NEED STRONGER TOOLS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES AND HOLD POLLUTERS ACCOUNTABLE, NOT WEAKER ONES. FUND THE PROGRAMS

THAT HELP US LIVE AND BREATHE. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, MY NAME IS CODY MILLER, I PRESENT THE GREATER HOUSTON BUILDER ASSOCIATION I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. I'M TALKING ABOUT BUDGET ITEMS 8. WE APPRECIATE THE COUNTY AND ENGINEERING WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITY. SURROUNDING THE INCREASES. WE REMAIN VERY CONCERNED ABOUT PLANNING AND PERMANENT DELAYS BUT HE STILL IS ADDED ROUGHLY $500 PER DAY AND DIRECTLY DRIVE UP THE PRICE OF HOUSING ALL ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO HIGHER FEES, BUT THEY MUST BE TIED TO BETTER SERVICE, SO WE RECOMMENDED STAKEHOLDER GROUPS THAT MEET REGULARLY TO DISCUSS ENGINEERING PROCESSES, THE INCREASES FACED AND ONLY AFTER BENCHMARKS ARE MET, AND REQUIRE ANNUAL REPORTING TO THIS COURT ON MEASURABLE PROGRESS BEFORE ANY FURTHER INCREASES TAKE EFFECT. FAMILIES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND NEEDED TIMELY APPROVAL SUMMER HOMES CAN BE BUILT AND HOUSING CAN REMAIN ATTAINABLE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS STERLING, AND A CRITICAL MESSENGER WITH THE COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. WE, THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY APPRECIATE THE POLICE FORCE. WE KNOW THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE DAY AND NIGHT TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WE OPENLY HONOR THAT. BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM, ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MINE WHO ALSO RISK OUR LIVES, OUR TIME, AND OUR MONEY DON'T FEEL THE SAME APPRECIATION. WE DEDICATE OURSELVES TO HAVE A COMMUNITY DAY AND NIGHT. WE STRESS WHEN THE STRESS, WE HURT WHEN THEY HURT. OUR MISSION IS PREVENTION, TO STEP IN, SO THE POLICE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE ON SUCH A RISK, SO I ASK, WHY CUT FUNDING FROM THE OFFICE OF US WORKING TO SAVE OUR PEOPLE, ONLY TO FIND A SYSTEM THAT OFTEN ENDS UP DESTROYING THEM. THANK YOU.

>> YES, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS ALEX CAMPBELL AND I WITH COLLECTION FOR YOUTH. I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1, AND I AM HERE TODAY TO TAKE AGAINST THE PROPOSED RELOCATION FOR ARPA FUNDS FOR THE FY 26 BUDGET. ARPA FUNDS WERE GIVEN TO COMMUNITIES TO MAKE UP FOR BUDGETARY DEFICITS. THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WE STRIVE TO HELP AT COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH AND WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES ARE COUNTING ON YOU ALL TO CREATE A BUDGET THAT BENEFITS EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> SPEAKING ON -- ITEM 2, LARKEN BLACKWELL, AMY SMITH, SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, JULIO MEDINA OF PRECINCT 1, MCKINLEY , AND MICHAEL GALLOWAY OF PRECINCT 1, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI, MY NAME IS LARKEN BLACKWELL AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF PEER JUSTICE. EVERY DOLLAR DIRECTED TOWARDS INCREASING LAW ENFORCEMENT SALARIES IS A DOLLAR TAKEN AWAY FROM ESSENTIAL SERVICES, SUCH AS LIBRARY, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT SIMPLY EXPANDING LAW-ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE DOES NOT REDUCE CRIME, INSTEAD IT INCREASES LONG-TERM EXPENSES AND CONTRIBUTES TO HIGHER INCARCERATION RATES. THE VERY PROGRAMS AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES NOT AT RISK OF BEING CUT. INVESTING IN PREVENTION LOWERS LONG-TERM COST SUCH AS POLICING , COURTS, AND JAILS.

THE COUNTY COURT SHOULD PRIORITIZE STRATEGIES, RATHER

[02:25:03]

CENSUS, ABOUT 16% OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS LIVE IN POVERTY. BALANCING THE BUDGET IS IMPORTANT, THE WAY WE DO IT MATTERS. THE CUTS FALL ON HEALTH CLINICS, HOUSING, AND YOUTH PROGRAMS, WE ARE NOT JUST TRIMMING EXPENSES, WE ARE CUTTING INTO WHAT FAMILIES RELY ON EVERY DAY. A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET SHOULDN'T LEAVE FAMILIES WITHOUT CARE, YOUNG PEOPLE WITHOUT FAITH PROGRAMS, OR COMMUNITIES WITHOUT RESOURCES, IT SHOULD PRIORITIZE DIGNITY, AND THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE. I URGE YOU TO ADOPT A BUDGET THAT PROTECTS ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND INVEST IN OUR RESIDENTS. HARRIS COUNTY WORKS BEST WHEN EVERY FAMILY , NO MATTER THEIR BACKGROUND, HAS A CHANCE TO BE SAFE, HEALTHY, AND SUPPORTED. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS AMY SMITH AND I'M WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL. FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND ALL YOUR FABULOUS STAFFERS WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO PRESERVE THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND HAS HELPED OVER 7000 INDIVIDUALS SINCE ITS INCEPTION. WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT IT IS STILL IN THE BUDGET. WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE FULLY FUNDED, WE WOULD LIKE IT TO CONTINUE. THIS FUND HAS HELPED PEOPLE. WE PARTNER WITH 19 AGENCIES. SOME OF OUR PARTNER AGENCIES TELL US THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP VICTIMS. WE HAVE ONE CHILD WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE . WHEN SHE LEFT HER HOME, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SHE HAD BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND ALLOWED US TO PAY FOR HER A NEW BED, SO SHE WOULDN'T HAVE TO SLEEP IN THE BED SHE WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN PRINT AND ALLOWED US TO PROVIDE A COMPUTER FOR A VISUALLY IMPAIRED WOMAN, SO THAT SHE COULD GET A JOB AFTER SHE LEFT HER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I HOPE TO CONTINUE IT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAME JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. TODAY, I URGE YOU TO BE MERCIFUL. DON'T BE INDIFFERENT. THIS BUDGET THREATENS ESSENTIAL SERVICES. APPROVING WILL LENGTHEN GEL DETENTIONS, CUT MEDICAL CARE TO OUR VULNERABLE, AND LEAD TO RECIDIVISM OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE YOUTH. LAST WEEK, EXPERT OFFICIALS TESTIFIED TO THE BUDGET. THE POLICE WANT RAISES, I GET IT, THEY DESERVE ONE, BUT NOT AT THE COST OF LIFELINES. THIS UNFOLDING CALLS FOR CARE, NOT MORE CAGES.

MATTHEW 5:7 SAYS BLESS ALL THE MERCIFUL. WE NEED MERCY. HAVE MERCY ON THE VULNERABLE. VOTE NO TO INCREASED POLICE SALARIES, PROTECT ARPA, PROTECT MEDICAL CARE -- MEDICAL CARE FOR OUR VULNERABLE. COMMISSIONERS WORK FOR PEOPLE, NOT POLICE. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, SIR?

>> FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS MCKINLEY, I REPRESENT COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, AND HARLEM'S FATHER. THANK YOU.

>> HERE IS AN IDEA. LET'S PAY THE COPS MORE MONEY AND TAKE AWAY MONEY FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AND ALL THE OTHER RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE FOR THE 16% OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. THAT MAKES SENSE, RIGHT? COME ON, MAN, Y'ALL DON'T EVEN BELIEVE THAT YOURSELVES, REAL TALK. MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN HERE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT. I HAVE ONLY HEARD PEOPLE PROTEST AGAINST THIS BUDGET RIGHT NOW. AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE 16%, BECAUSE THEY MATTER THE MOST. HOW ARE WE SO FOCUSED ON 12,000 POLICE OFFICERS GETTING MORE MONEY, AND THEY ARE NOT BELOW POVERTY. WHEN WE HAVE OFFICIALS -- WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN HARRIS COUNTY. HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS, THAT ARE BELOW POVERTY LINE. $21.46 AN HOUR IS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT WITH NO KIDS AND SINGLE. COME ON NOW,

LET'S BE REAL. THANK YOU ALL. >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR

THE RECORD? >> THE MICHAEL GALLOWAY.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, JASMINE OF PRECINCT 1. EVELYN BARON OF PRECINCT 1.

[02:30:01]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JASMINE STERLING, I AM ALSO WITH THE COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH PROGRAM, BUT I AM ALSO HERE STANDING AS A VESSEL, SPEAKING UP FOR MY COMMUNITY. THE ARPA FUNDS TO HEAL AND PREVENT, THIS BUDGET WILL HURT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HELPING OUR COMMUNITY WITH YOUTH PROGRAMS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH OVERALL.

SHOULD TAKE INVESTMENTS AND OUR HIGHEST MEETING AREAS BUT AS IT WAS MENTIONED BY DIRECTOR GONZALEZ THAT THESE NEIGHBORHOODS WOULD BE IMPACTED, SUCH AS KASHMERE GARDENS, INAUDIBLE ]. IF THEY CONTINUE WITH THEIR PROPOSED CUTS, THE COUNTY CAN EXPECT HIGHER RECIDIVISM AND RISING CRIME IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, SO LET'S ALL COME TOGETHER IN UNITY AND PRIORITIZE WHAT TRULY MATTERS TO THIS IMPACTED GENERATION. THANK

YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, AND STAND BEFORE YOU TO ADDRESS THE PROPOSED AARP MILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET CUT TO OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, A CUT THAT IS INTENDED TO FUND PAY RAISES FOR OUR CONSTABLES. I WANT TO BE CLEAR AT THE OUTSET, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DESERVE OUR RESPECT AND FAIR COMPENSATION FOR THE DIFFICULT AND OFTEN DANGEROUS WORK THAT THEY DO. THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE PAID MORE, IT IS A MATTER OF WHERE THE FUNDING SHOULD COME FROM. TO TAKE MILLIONS FROM VITAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IS TO UNRAVEL THE VERY SAFETY NET THAT OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS DEPEND ON. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERING HOUSING ASSISTANCE, NOT AS A HANDOUT, BUT AS A LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT JOB TRAINING INITIATIVES THAT PROVIDE PATHWAYS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY OR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LAID OFF OR ARE TRYING TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND SENIOR SUPPORT, ALL OF WHICH ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO A HEALTHY AND STABLE COMMUNITY. THESE ARE LUXURIES, THEIR PREVENTATIVE MEASURES THAT SAVE US ALL ASSOCIATED WITH HOMELESSNESS. THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE?

>> EVELYN BROWN. >> MY NAME IS JAELYN AND I SPEAK FOR THE COLLECT GIN ACTION FOR YOUTH. TO BE CLEAR, THESE PAY RAISES ONLY MAKE SENSE TO THE PEOPLE THAT IS GETTING THE BENEFICIAL END OF IT. THE MONEY SHOULD NOT COME FROM CRITICAL SERVICES THAT PEOPLE COUNT ON EVERY DAY. ARPA FUNDS GET CUT, MORE FAMILIES END UP ON THE EDGE OF EVICTION. KIDS FALL BEHIND, AND SCHOOL PARENTS CAN'T KIDS STAY SAFE AFTER SCHOOL. SENIORS FIND SUPPORT, AND WHERE PEOPLE GO WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE TO GO. TAKING THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES WEAKENS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. PAY RAISES WILL FIX THESE PROBLEMS, BUT HELPING FAMILIES AND KEEPING THE COMMUNITY IS OPEN WILL, AND THAT SHOULD FOCUS ON THE YOUTH. THANK

YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, LATRICIA LEWIS, FOR AS OF PRECINCT 1, 4, CYNTHIA CRUISE OF PRECINCT 2, MARIA GLORIA OF PRECINCT 1. YOU

HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE HIDALGO. MY NAME IS CYNTHIA CRUISE AND I AM A CREDIBLE MESSENGER WITH CA 4 WHY. BUDGET CUTS ARE NOT JUST NUMBERS ON PAPER, THEIR LIVES, DREAMS, AND FUTURE IS AT STAKE.

EVERY DOLLAR TAKEN AWAY IS A RESOURCE DOLLAR FROM OUR SCHOOLS, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS.

THESE CUTS MEAN LARGER CLASS SIZES, FEWER PROGRAMS, AND LESS SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST. I CAN'T STAND BY AND WATCH OUR LEADERS BALANCE THE BOOKS ON THE BACKS OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR WORKERS, AND OUR FUTURE. I DEMAND PRIORITIES THAT PUT PEOPLE OVER PROFITS AND INVESTMENT OVER NEGLECT. WE REQUIRE PREVENTION PROGRAMS, NOT RICHER LAW ENFORCEMENT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS MARIA MENDEZ. TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT WE RESPOND TO, IT IS ABOUT WHAT WE BUILD. OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ARE THE HEART OF THAT EFFORT.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, THE SENIOR CENTERS, THE LOCAL CLINICS, THEY ARE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT CREATE A SENSE OF BELONGING. TO

[02:35:04]

YOU. >> GOOD MORNING , AND ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH, OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE LIVE ON THE MATTER AT HAND. BUDGET CUTS INAUDIBLE ] INDIVIDUALS IN NEED, COMMUNITY SERVICE, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, DISASTER ASSISTANCE, LEGAL REPRESENTATION, BEREAVEMENT RECOVERY, AGENCY REDUCTIONS, AND INCREASED WASTE FOR DECREASED SUPPORT. FEEDING INTO MANY OF THESE CATEGORIES MYSELF, MENTOR SHIP WHERE I PUT MYSELF ON THE LINE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THE POSITION TO HANDLE, AS THEY ARE NEEDED, VALUED, AND ESSENTIAL. NOT EVERYONE'S PATH IS CONVENTIONAL, SO NOT ONLY DOES THIS AFFECT REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL LIFE SITUATIONS AND FUTURES, YOUR DECISION IMPACT THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN US AS WELL.

YOU HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THE PROVISIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN, SO THE COMMUNITY DESERVES GRACE TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, PERLA FLOREZ, BARBIE OF PRECINCT 4, GEORGIA RODRIGUEZ OF PRECINCT 3, JADE MILLER , EDGAR OF PRECINCT 2, WILL HARRIS OF PRECINCT 4,

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON. THIS LOOMING $200 BILLION BUDGET DEFICIT IS CERTAINLY A PROBLEM AND A SERIOUS CHALLENGE, BUT I URGE YOU TO BE BOLD AND UNIFIED TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT DO NOT CUT THE INVESTMENTS IN PEOPLE. AND THAT INCLUDES THE REALLOCATION OF THE ARPA FUNDS. WE CANNOT LOSE THE MOMENTUM THAT WE STARTED. IF WE WANT SAFER COMMUNITIES, WE MUST SUPPORT THE EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND FINANCIAL WELL-BEING OF EVERY RESIDENT, THAT MEANS FUNDING VESTED VIOLENCE INITIATIVES, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, PUBLIC SAFETY THAT IS ROOTED IN TRUST, AND PROGRAMS THAT GIVE PEOPLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

EVERY DOLLAR SPENT WISELY ON PEOPLE TODAY IS A DOLLAR SAVED IN EMERGENCY RESPONSES, JAIL COSTS, AND POVERTY TOMORROW.

INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE IS NOT A LUXURY, IS THE MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THING THAT WE CAN DO. PLEASE DON'T JUST CUT TO CLOSE THE GAP. FIND WAYS TO RESTRUCTURE, REALLOCATE, PARTNER WITH US AND THE COMMUNITY, AND THE NONPROFITS. WE KNOW SOLUTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, WILL YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?

>> YES, BARBIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SO, I RECOGNIZE THE FISCAL PRESSURE THIS COURT IS NAVIGATING, BUT PULLING RESOURCES AWAY RISKS INTERRUPTING PROGRESS AND BREAKING TRUST WITH RESIDENTS WHO WERE PROMISED LONG-TERM RECOVERY INVESTMENTS, LET ME HELP YOU OUT A LITTLE BIT BY RECOMMENDING THREE SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS ALREADY IDENTIFIED IN THE BUDGET FRAMEWORK. FIRST, ENHANCEMENTS. BEYOND THE $9.8 MILLION, WE CAN RAISE REVENUE WITHOUT CUTTING VITAL SOURCES. SECOND, PHASED LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY PARITY. RATHER THAN OBSERVING THE ENTIRE THREE YEARS. THIS HONORS DEPUTIES AND CONSTABLES MANAGING COST RESPONSIBLY. I KNOW YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT INCREMENTALISM.

THIRD, UNSUSTAINABLE AT CURRENT LEVELS. BY WORKING WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, WE CAN SECURE COST SHARING OR GRANT RELIEF. IN SHORT, THESE ALTERNATIVES ADDRESSED RECURRING EXPENSES AND RECURRING SOLUTIONS, RATHER THAN DRAINING ARPA FUNDS THAT WE REALLY NEED AS A COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?

>> JADE MILLER, SMU, POLICY STUDENT.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS PERLA FLOREZ. I AM HERE BECAUSE THE PROPOSED CONSTABLE PAY RAISES , AT A COST OUR COMMUNITY CANNOT AFFORD. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO APPROVE RAISES IN NEW SPENDING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FUNDING RUNS SHORT, THE CUTS WILL COME FROM THE VERY PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT CRIME, SUPPORT FAMILIES, AND KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF CRISIS. THAT MEANS HIGHER JAIL COSTS, WERE COURT CASES, AND HEAVIER BURDENS ON TAXPAYERS IN THE LONG RUN. PUBLIC SAFETY ISN'T JUST ABOUT PAYING LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE. IT IS ABOUT PREVENTING EMERGENCIES FOR THEY HAPPEN, BY KEEPING PEOPLE

[02:40:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS EDGAR'S ALSO WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. AS A CHILD I WENT TO SCHOOL AND TOLD THAT AN ENTIRE COUNTRY WAS STARTED BECAUSE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE IN CHARGE WOULDN'T LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

FURTHER THAN THAT, I LIVED IN A STATE THAT PRIDES ITSELF ON THE REBELLION AGAINST OVERREACHING GOVERNMENT. ABOUT REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE , AND YET, THERE IS A REFUSAL TO LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK AND VOTE ON WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THIS BUDGET. AND NOW, WE'RE SITTING HERE, TALKING TO THE COMMISSIONERS ABOUT VOTING ON WHETHER THERE IS GOING TO BE A BUDGET THAT IS GOING TO TAKE FROM THE PEOPLE AND GIVE TO THE GOVERNMENT. THAT JUST DOESN'T SOUND AMERICAN TO ME. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS GEORGIA, I AM A RESIDENT THAT LIVES IN PRECINCT 2. I AM HERE TO URGE YOU TO PROTECT ARPA FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS PROPOSED UNDERLYING ITEM 16. THESE DOLLARS WERE CREATED FOR RELIEF AND FOR PREVENTION. THEY'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE SUPPORTING FAMILIES, YOUTH, AND NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE HIT HARDEST DURING THE PANDEMIC. DIVERTING FUNDS STEALS CAPACITY FROM GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY MAKING PROVEN CHANGE ON THE GROUND. COMMUNITY CENTERED ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS SUCH AS A CREDIBLE MESSENGER INITIATIVE ARE INVALUABLE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED GUIDANCE AND A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL. THESE PROGRAMS SHOW REAL, POSITIVE RESULTS BY PREVENTING CYCLES OF HARM AND HELPING PEOPLE BUILD STRONGER FUTURES BUT OUR HIGHEST NEED AREAS, PLACES LIKE KASHMERE GARDENS AND THIRD WARD DESERVE STURDY INVESTMENT. STRIPPING HERE INCREASES THE RISK OF HIGHER RECIDIVISM , HIGHER CRIME, AND BROKEN TRUST. I ASKED A SIMPLE PLEASE DON'T PROJECT -- CUT THE BUDGET FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.

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

>> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS COURT, MY NAME IS WILL HARRIS, I AM A CREDIBLE MESSENGER WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH.

FIRST, THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE TRUE SAFETY MUST REFLECT THE VALUES, NEEDS, AND DREAMS OF THE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY OUR YOUTH, SO I HAVE TO ASK YOU, HOW CAN WE JUSTIFY $170 MILLION TO A DIVISION THAT DOESN'T UPLIFT OUR COMMUNITIES? WE ALWAYS SAY CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE, BUT WHAT KIND OF FUTURE ARE WE BUILDING FOR THEM? ARE WE TELLING THEM THEIR FUTURE IS GELS AND PUNISHMENT? OR CAN WE SHOW THEM A FUTURE ROOTED IN CARE, OPPORTUNITY, AND HOPE. YOU HAVE A CHOICE, WE ALL DO. IF WE CAN FIND $170 MILLION FOR POLICING, THEN WE CAN FIND FOR THE YOUTH PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, JOB TRAINING, AND THE REAL BUILDING BLOCKS OF SAFETY. WE ARE NOT HERE TO TEAR ANYTHING DOWN, WE ARE HERE TO BUILD. WITH YOU, A FUTURE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WE CAN BELIEVE IN. THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, LATRICIA LEWIS, ANTHONY SANCHEZ OF PRECINCT 2, JADA OF PRECINCT 1, JACKIE OF PRECINCT 1, MARILYN ALLEN OF PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LATRICIA LEWIS. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED COUNCIL PAY RAISES AND WHY THEY WORRY ME.

RIGHT NOW, HARRIS COUNTY HAS THAT OVERLAP WITH EACH OTHER WITH THE SERVICE OFFICE. THAT MEANS THE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS GET COVERED MORE THAN ONCE AND TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR THE SAME WORK TWICE. GIVING RAISES DOESN'T FIX THIS KIND OF WASTEFULNESS. OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THESE RAISES COULD COST OVER $1 BILLION. -- OVER $1 BILLION, AND SOME OF THAT MONEY MIGHT JUST GO TO THE WORK THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. THAT IS MONEY THAT COULD INSTEAD HELP FAMILIES KEEP KIDS IN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUPPORT COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND PAY FOR HEALTH PLANNING. IF THE OFFICE WOULD WORK TOGETHER, WE WOULD GET MORE OUT OF DOLLARS, SKIPPING THE STEP,

NEED. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO, LOOK. IS IT NOT A STRANGE PARADOX THAT THOSE SWORN TO UPHOLD JUSTICE DEMAND GREATER TREASURE FOR THEIR WATCH, WHILE THOSE THAT LABOR TO EASE THE

[02:45:03]

DOES TRUE STATES IN THE SPRING FROM THE GOLD IN AN ARMORED HAND OR FROM THE STEADFAST ETHICS THAT LIFT THE FOLLOWING TOWARDS LIGHT. Y'ALL NEED TO ASK YOURSELF THAT. MY NAME IS ANTHONY SANCHEZ. I WAS INCARCERATED 10 1/2 YEARS. I WAS HOME FOR THREE YEARS. I UNDERSTAND WHAT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES FACE AND HOW HARD IT IS TO REINTEGRATE BACK INTO SOCIETY. I UNDERSTAND THE STRUGGLES THAT WE FACE, GROWING UP BEING LATINA IN THE HOOD, IN THE SLUMS, IN THE . I'M JUST ASKING Y'ALL TO LOOK INTO THIS. THE ONES THAT MAKE THESE DECISIONS. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND TURNING YOUR LIFE AROUND,

THAT IS REALLY AMAZING. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS MARILYN ACTION, I AM WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. A RESIDENT FOR PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT FAMILIES, YOUTH, HOUSING, AND PUBLIC HEALTH. BUT INSTEAD OF HONORING THAT PURPOSE, THIS BUDGET USES ARPA DOLLARS TO COVER A DEFICIT. THAT MAY LOOK GOOD ON PAPER, BUT IN REALITY, IT MEANS PULLING RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE VERY RESOURCES THAT NEED THE MOST. IT MEANS PROGRAMS THAT ALREADY ARE WORKING MAYBE CUT, GIVING FAMILIES USE RELIEF FUNDS TO PATCH UP HOLES IN THE BUDGET, WE TAKE WHICH WAS THAT PREVENT CRIME AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

HARRIS COUNTY DESERVES A BETTER BUDGET RATHER THAN A QUICK FIX THAT COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR FUTURE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS JADA AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR YOUTH. I AM A MENTOR AND A PROPOSED PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET DIRECTLY AFFECTS THOSE I WORK WITH. WHILE PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPORTANT, INCREASING THE BUDGET IS NOT THE SOLUTION WE NEED. COMMUNITIES STRIVE BECAUSE OF STRONG SCHOOLS, ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES. ADDING FUNDS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T REDUCE CRIMES, IT SHIFTS THE FOCUS FROM ROOT CAUSES. INSTEAD, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON PRIORITIZING PREVENTION.

YOUTH NEED MORE THAN ENFORCEMENT, THEY NEED ENGAGEMENT, THEY NEED MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND TRAUMA INFORMED CARE. WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR FUTURE LEADERS. IF A COMMUNITY IS ONE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO LIVE WITH

DIGNITY. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JACKIE LUCKMAN AND I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE JUVENILE JUSTICE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT FUND. SPECIFICALLY, I AM ASKING THAT THE FUND BE PUT UNDER JUVENILE PROBATION AND EARMARKED FOR THE EXISTING COHORT OF ORGANIZATIONS, SO THAT THEY MAY CONTINUE TO DO THE GREAT WORK THAT THEY ARE DOING. I AM ALSO ENCOURAGING YOU TO USE THE ARPA FUNDS FOR THEIR ORIGINAL INTENT, WHICH IS TO RESTORE COMMUNITIES, KEEP PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS. I PERSONALLY AND BENEFITING FROM SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT HESTER HOUSE, AT 860, I LEARNED TO SWIM. AT FINNIGAN PARK. AT AGE 63, I STARTED WEIGHTLIFTING AND DOING WEIGHT EXERCISES. SO AGAIN, PLEASE KEEP THOSE PROGRAMS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. PLEASE KEEP THE INVESTMENT FUND, CONTINUE TO FULLY FUND IT. THEY'RE DOING AMAZING WORK, THEY'RE ABLE TO WORK ON BEHALF OF YOUTH AND FAMILIES, AND HAVE THEIR FUND ADMINISTERED BY THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, SALINA HARBOR. SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, GERARD BROWN OF PRECINCT 3.

SPEAKING ON ITEMS 16 AND 21, SPEAKING ON ITEM 16, BRADY LEWIS OF PRECINCT 3. SPEAKING ON ITEM 21, ALEXY OF PRECINCT 3, AND CARETTA BROWN. YOU EACH HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING , COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SALINA HARBOR. I AM A MEMBER AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR PW AND , PEER JUSTICE AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1. I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE CUTS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED WITH THE BIG HORRIBLE BILL, BECAUSE IT IS ANYTHING BUT BEAUTIFUL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE COUNTY WILL HELP TO COUNTERACT

[02:50:06]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> APPRECIATE IT.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO ADDRESS THE PROPOSED SHIFT IN FUNDING , CUTTING PREVENTION PROGRAMS WHILE INCREASING LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. THIS APPROACH IS NOT ONLY REDUNDANT, IT IS SHORTSIGHTED. OUT OF 150 YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR PILOT PROGRAM, ONLY TWO OF REOFFENDING. THAT IS AN INCREDIBLY LOW RECIDIVISM RATE AND CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT PREVENTIONS WORK. WHEN WE CUT THESE PROGRAMS, WE ARE NOT SAVING MONEY, WE ARE GUARANTEEING A HIGHER COST DOWN THE ROAD INVEST IN THE PROGRAMS THAT KEEP KIDS OUT OF THE JUSTICE PROGRAM IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHILE ENSURING LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS. PUBLIC SAFETY DOESN'T START WITH HANDCUFFS, IT STARTS WITH OPPORTUNITY, MENTORSHIP, AND PREVENTION.

LET'S KEEP FINDING WHAT WORKS INSTEAD OF DOUBLING UP ON WHAT IS NOT NEEDED. IF WE INVEST IN PREVENTION TODAY, WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR INCARCERATION TOMORROW.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. TODAY, I STAND BEFORE YOU AT LENGTH THE JUDGE TRENCHES SENTIMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DESERVE TO BE PAID WHEN THE SERVICE IS JUST, MORAL, AND TRULY PROTECT ALL COMMUNITIES, BUT I CANNOT SUPPORT LAW-ENFORCEMENT RAISES THAT, AT THE EXPENSE OF HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, FOOD SECURITY , RE-ENTRY PROGRAMS, AND OTHER LIFELINES FUNDED BY ARPA. THESE ARE THE VERY PROGRAMS THAT KEEP US SAFE AND STABLE, AND I AM A PRODUCT OF THEM. TO CUT THEM NOW JUST TO BOOST POLICE SALARIES SENDS THE MESSAGE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT MATTERS MORE THAN PEOPLE'S SURVIVAL. I URGE YOU NOT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET BY STRIPPING RESOURCES FROM OUR COMMUNITIES, INVEST IN PEOPLE THAT ISRAEL PUBLIC SAFETY. THINK OF IT

>> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> BRADY LEWIS. >> MY NAME IS AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 . VICTIM SERVICES AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION OUR INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

THEY ARE CRIME PREVENTION, REDUCING VULNERABILITY TO BEING VICTIMIZED IN THE FIRST PLACE OR BE VICTIMIZED AGAIN. THEY ARE HUMAN FOCUSED, AND THE MORE YOU INVEST IN THESE ITEMS, THE MORE -- LESS YOU NEED THE POLICE. VICTIMS CALL SHELTERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS BEFORE DIALING 911, BECAUSE THE ERA OF PUBLIC TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IS OVER, IT IS DONE. SO, WHEN WILL THERE BE ENOUGH LAW-ENFORCEMENT, RICH ENOUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE OUR POLITICIANS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ACHIEVED THE SAFETY GO? WHEN WILL WE BE SAFE ENOUGH, ACCORDING TO POLICE UNIONS, AS POVERTY EXPLODES AROUND THE REST OF US. WHEN I WAS VICTIMIZED, MY RECOVERY NEEDS WERE HOLISTIC YEARS LONG, AND COSTLY, BUT I WAS PRIVILEGED I HAD AN AMALGAMATED SUPPORT SYSTEM.

AFTER WORKING IN THE ECOSYSTEM AS AN ADVOCATE JUST FOR A SUMMER, I AM HORRIFIED IT -- BY HOW UNDERFUNDED IT IS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS CARETTA BROWN AND I REPRESENT OPPOSED TO THE CONSTABLES RECEIVING A PAY RAISE IN THIS BUDGET. NOWHERE DOES ANYONE GET A 60% RAISE THE FIRST YEAR ON THE JOB.

PRECINCT 4, BUT JUDGMENT I HAVE SUPPORTED YOUR LAST TWO ELECTIONS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE WITNESSED SUCH INFIGHTING, AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IT ENDS. YOU ALL HAVE HIGHLY COMPETENT LEADERS ON YOUR TEAM THAT KNOWS HOW TO GO FIND THE MONEY VIA GRANTS AND SUCH. ALL I WILL SAY IS THIS, I TRUST YOU ALL TO CONTINUE FUNDING THE PROGRAMS THAT KEEP FOLKS FROM COMMITTING CRIMES AND MAKING OUR COMMUNITY LESS SAFE. WORK TOGETHER OR WATCH JUSTICE REFORM SUFFER AT THE POLLS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, VERY GOOD MESSAGE.

>> I AGREE, AND I WOULD LIKE MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME IN NEGOTIATING THIS COMMITMENT THAT THEY MADE THAT IS NOT FIRM YET,

[02:55:05]

>> OUR COUNTY HAS MORE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT ITS RESIDENTS. KEEPING US ALIVE IS A TOP PRIORITY. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS WE DO THIS IS THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT. IF SOMEONE IS A VICTIM OF CRIME AND MURDER, THEY CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF COUNTY PROGRAMS. THE ELECTED CONSTABLES ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION, THEY'RE BOTH EXPERIENCED AND TRAINED PROFESSIONALS, THERE ARE ALSO ELECTED. THEY SHOULD BE PAID IN LINE WITH OTHER APPOINTED PROFESSIONALS IN THE COUNTY, SUCH AS A MEDICAL EXAMINER. TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE BEST PEOPLE IN THESE POSITIONS, HARRIS COUNTY MUST PROVIDE PAY THAT REFLECTS BOTH THE DIFFICULTY AND IMPORTANCE OF THE JOB. AS THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES, WITH OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE TO PROTECT, WE NEED THE BEST ELECTED CONSTABLES WE CAN GET. AND THESE COUNTY EMPLOYEES CAN TURN OFF THE PHONE AND GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP, THE ONES THAT ARE HIGHLY PAID THAT ARE NOT CONSTABLES. CONSTABLES DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY, IS A 24 HOUR JOB SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. PLEASE GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO THESE RAISES ARE BOTH THE HIGH-PERFORMING ELECTED CONSTABLES AND THE HIGH-PERFORMING ENLISTED CONSTABLES, SO WE DON'T LOSE THEIR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR

THE RECORD, MA'AM. >> MY NAME IS ALEXY.

>> JUDGE, THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYBODY WHO SPOKE.

>> WE DO HAVE ONE MORE, CONSTABLE SMOKIE PHILLIPS.

>> OH, YES, I DID NOT SEE HIM. CONSTABLE, WELCOME.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. LAW-ENFORCEMENT SHOULD PROTECT EVERY COMMUNITY EQUALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN MY PRECINCT, WE HAVE MARGINALIZED DISADVANTAGE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, UNDERMINING PUBLIC SAFETY. IN HARRIS COUNTY, A LIST OF THE 10 MOST DANGEROUS APARTMENT COMPLEXES. FIVE OF OUR COMPLEXES ARE IN MY JURISDICTION. AS YOU KNOW, YEARS AGO, SUNNY SIDE WAS LISTED AS THE SECOND MOST DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE NATION. BY BUILDING TRUST AND CREATING SAFETY PLANS ARE IMPORTANT. YEARS AGO, WE ANNEXED OUT INTO SOUTHWEST HOUSTON. WE ACCEPTED 18 LOW HOUSING APARTMENT COMPLEXES. FIVE OF THOSE IN MIDDLE CLASS NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT ADDITIONAL DEPUTIES. I SENT A FORM OUT OF THE COMMISSIONERS, REQUESTING MORE STAFFING TO COVER THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> GO AHEAD, CONSTABLE. >> ON WHAT WE NEEDED RUNS RAPIDLY IN MY OFFICE. WHEN IT RAINS, THE TITLE FALLS DOWN, AND ALSO OUR GENERATOR STOPS WORKING. BUT I ASKED CAPTAIN JONES TO DO A STUDY ON DISENFRANCHISED IN MY COMMUNITY

>> MY NAME IS CAPTAIN JONES, I JUST WANT TO BRIEFLY GO OVER SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I FOUND IN DOING A QUALITATIVE-QUANTITAT IVE ANALYSIS AND SOME OF THE CIVIL SERVICE EFFORTS FOR

PRECINCT 7. I KNOW YOU HAVE -- >> CAPTAIN, IS IT BRIEF, I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL. I KNOW YOU ALL DIDN'T SIGN UP, BUT I DO WANT TO SUGGEST YOU VISIT WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE, BUT I WILL LET

YOU SPEAK BRIEFLY. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE DID IS WE DID A 10 YEAR ANALYSIS ON PAPERS THAT WERE SERVED, PAPERS THAT WERE EXECUTED, AND PAPERS THAT WERE RETURNED FOR SERVICE, AND AN ATTEMPT AT SERVICE FOR PRECINCT 7 SINCE YEAR 2016 TO 2025. AND WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT SINCE 2003, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ADDITIONAL ALLOCATION OF CIVIL DEPUTIES THAT WAS ADDED, SO TYPICALLY, WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS WE HAVE AN ACTIVE ATTEMPT AT SERVICE TO 5000 , AND THE BEST PRACTICES FOR WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW IS WE HAVE A POPULATION BOOM OF OVER 50% AND PRECINCT 7, AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP -- X SO YOUR BASIC POINT IS ALL CONSTABLES ARE NOT EQUAL, IS

THAT THE GIST OF IT? >> EXACTLY.

>> YES, CONSTABLE? ASK IF I COULD ADD EACH OF THE CONSTABLES SEND OUT MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE COUNTY

CONFERENCE, AND THOSE FUNDS -- >> FROM THE CONSTABLES OFFICE, ABOUT FIVE TO $6 MILLION, THAT COULD PROBABLY COVER RAISES AND HELP WITH THE RAISES PEOPLE ARE SO MUCH AGAINST.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND CONSTABLE, IT IS NOT THAT

[03:00:05]

>> EACH YEAR, THE CONSTABLES SEND BACK FUNDS. OUR TABULATION

>> OKAY, THAT IS IN THE BUDGET, YEAH? THAT IS ALREADY IN THERE, CONSTABLE, BUT I HEAR YOU. AND I THINK PART OF WHAT YOU'RE SHOWING IS THAT IN BUDGET HEARINGS, WE FOCUS ON WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ONCE THE DEPARTMENTS SEE THE CUTS, BUT WE DID NOT TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED, AND YOU ARE HERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED. SAME WITH THE JUDGES, SO THAT IS WHAT THIS FALSE CHOICE RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES, ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC, BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE NEED THE SAME AS LAST YEAR, LONG EXISTING ISSUES LIKE YOU HAVE, SO I THINK IT IS GREAT THAT YOU ARE HERE, I THINK WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER ALL THE NEEDS , AS OPPOSED TO COMMITTING TO SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW KEEPS US FROM ADDRESSING CURRENT NEEDS AND CUT SERVICES. BUT DIRECTOR RAMOS WILL BE THERE TO CHAT AS WELL. THANK YOU, CONSTABLE.

>>> OKAY, WE'LL GET READY TO START THE MEETING. IT'S 2:12 AND THE SPECIAL MEETS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN

[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]

AND, THEY WILL BE REACHING OUT TO YOUR OFFICES TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE THIS HUGE DEFICIT DOWN. BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, IF WE ARE NEGOTIATING CUTS WE ARE JUST ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL. IT'S NOT REALLY A VALID NEGOTIATION. SO I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE ME UP ON NEGOTIATING REDUCING THAT WHETHER IT IS GOING TO THE VOTERS NEXT YEAR SINCE WE ALREADY MISSED THE DEADLINE TO GO THIS YEAR. OR, ONLY COMMITTING TO CUT SERVICES FOR, YOU KNOW, 50 MILLION WORTH OF SERVICES INSTEAD OF 100. 25 INSTEAD OF 100. AND PUTTING THE REST TO THE VOTERS NEXT YEAR. SO I AM MENTIONING THIS NOW SO WHEN WE GET TO IT, OUR STAFFS HAVE HAD TIME TO DISCUSS. AND, LET'S MOVE ON. YES?

>> IN THE QUEUE. I WANT TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT ADOPT BUDGET DISCUSSIONS AS OUTLINED BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. YESTERDAY, SEPTEMBER

8TH. >> SECOND.

>> HOW DO I KNOW IF THAT'S THE ONE I HAVE? HERE'S WHAT I HAVE, COLLEAGUES, YOU TELL ME IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT. SO I HAVE SETTING THE TAX RATE FOR THE PORT. THEN SETTING THE TAX RATE AND BUDGET FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. THEN, HARRIS HEALTH TAX RATE AND BUDGET. THEN, COUNTY GENERAL FUND AND THEN, I

GUESS WHATEVER IS LEFT. >> MR. RAMOS, IS THAT THE SHOW

YOU LAID OUT YESTERDAY? >> YEAH.

>> SO OURS DIFFERS SLIGHTLY. WE HAVE DONE SPEAKERS GOING TO THE PORT. CLOSING OUT THE FLOOD CONTROL BUDGET AND TAX RATE. AND WE HAVE PROPOSED DOING THE COUNTY, THE GENERAL FUND OFFSETS AS WELL AS DOING HHS'S BUDGET AND TAX RATE. BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE SOME OVERLAP BETWEEN OFFSETS AND THEIR RATE.

AND THEN, DOING NEW SPENDING OR NEW BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

>> SO CAN I GET THAT LISTED OUT? BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE I'M CATCHING IT. BUT OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE USE THE WORD

[03:05:01]

OUR SHOPPING LIST WILL BE. YEAH? >> MR. RAMOS, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING AND WHAT THE JUDGE IS

PROPOSING? >> BASED ON WHAT I SAW LAST NIGHT AND THIS MORNING IT WOULD BE SWAPPING, DOING THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS SO THE SPENDING FIRST AND THEN THE CUTS SECONDARY. THE ONLY REASON WE RECOMMEND THE OPPOSITE IS I THINK IT WOULD BE FINE FOR FOLKS, FOR COMMISSIONERS TO LAY OUT THEIR BUDGET AMENDMENTS BUT I WOULD NOT TAKE ACTION ON THEM UNTIL WE HAVE A FINAL TALLY OF WHAT THE RESOURCES WILL BE.

>> IF I MIGHT? >> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND

THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> WE KNOW THIS IS SOMEWHAT OF A DEVIATION FROM THE NORM. THAT IS A GIVEN. BUT EVEN IF WE HAVE A DISAGREEMENT ON WHERE WE ARE GOING TO END UP, I DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH HAVING A BIG ARGUMENT OVER HOW WE FINISH THE DAY. I JUST LIKE TO FINISH IT. I'M NOT TRYING TO BE ARGUMENTATIVE BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS THAT BIG OF A DIFFERENCE.

WE KNOW THE BUDGET. WE KNOW BUDGET IS GOING TO HAVE TO PASS.

A LOT OF THESE DISCUSSIONS WE WILL HAVE TODAY WE HAVE HAD BEFORE AND WE WILL HAVE THEM AGAIN BEFORE IT IS TIME TO ADOPT IT. IF THERE IS SOME EFFICIENCY WE CAN ALL WORK ON FOR THIS MEETING, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THE DOCTOR HAS AN EXAMPLE. WOULD YOU HAVE HIM COME AFTER THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET?

>> NO. I THINK BECAUSE THERE IS OVERLAP, I WOULD DO PORT AND FLOOD CONTROL BECAUSE I THINK THOSE ARE STAND ALONE. THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE A TON OF DISCUSSION.

>> AND HARRIS HAS TO SET THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR. >> AND GET TO OUR BUDGET.

>> I DIDN'T HEAR THAT PART OF YOURS. I WOULD SUGGEST, LET'S NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN THE SEMANTICS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF OVERLAP. I DO THINK TAKEING THE PORT AND FLOOD CONTROL UP FRONT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO GET THOSE OUT OF THE

WAY. >> I'LL AGREE.

>> I SECONDED THE MOTION BECAUSE I DO FAVOR THE OMB RECOMMENDED PROCESS WHICH IS THE SAME WE HAVE USED THE LAST THREE YEARS BECAUSE THEN THAT GIVES US A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT WE HAVE TO INVEST AND THEN WE CAN ALLOCATE IT BASED ON THE PRIORITIES OF THE MAJORITY OF COURT. SO THAT IS WHY I SECOND IT. BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME PROCESS. AND IT JUST MAKES LOGICAL SENSE. SO, IN SUM,

I SECOND. >> SO, THERE IS A MOTION AN A SECOND TO FOLLOW. I STILL NEED THE DETAILS OF WHAT IT IS THEY

ARE PROPOSING. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-2. SO, CAN YOU WRITE THIS UP

FOR ME? >> SURE. AND I JUST SENT IT

AGAIN TO YOUR STAFF. >> WHILE THEY DO THAT, I KNOW THAT WE GAVE THE PRESS THIS, IT IS WITHOUT PRECEDENT IN OTHER WORDS, WE DID NOT DO THIS LAST YEAR OR ANY YEAR AND OUR PREDECESSORS DIDN'T DO IT EITHER TO CREATE A $200 MILLION DEFICIT WITHOUT KNOWING HOW WE WOULD PAY FOR THAT. AND, AS I SAID, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF SMOKE AND MIRRORS, WE HAVE NOW HANDED THE PRESS A CLARIFICATION AS TO WHAT THE WORDS MEAN WHEN WE SAY VACANCY CONTROL AND SMART STAFFING. THAT ALREADY SOUNDS LIKE DOUBLE SPEAK. SO WE EXPLAINED WHAT THIS IS AND THE VARIOUS PIECES SO FOLKS SHOULD HAVE THIS DOCUMENT AND IT MAKES CLEAR AGAIN THAT THESE ARE CUTS AND SO FOR THAT REASON, I WOULD LIKE TO NEGOTIATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES SO WE DON'T HAVE TO CUT THESE BASIC SERVICES FOR PEOPLE AND DO WHAT THE VOTERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE BY ASKING THEM WHAT THEY

WOULD LIKE TO SEE. >> JUST CLARITY ON THE LAST MOTION, IT WAS A 3-2 VOTE. YOU NOTED NO.

>> AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS VOTED NO. YEAH.

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. AND I DO THINK IT IS A FALSE CHOICE, PITTING RAISES AGAINST ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL STABILITY. LIBRARIES, PUBLIC HEALTH, YOU NAME IT. AIR MONITORING. WE FOUGHT BECAUSE

[03:10:14]

NEGOTIATE WITH THE PUBLIC BEFORE YOU TAKE FROM THEM. I AM WAITING

ON THE PAPER. >> SO, JUDGE, IF I CAN MAKE THE MOTION ON THE PORT. THAT IS THE SIMPLEST ONE?

>> SURE. >> THE CLERK, I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE A COPY OF THIS. WE GOOD? SO IT WOULD BE MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2025, AT 10:00 A.M., TO CONSIDER THE PORT OF HOUSTON PORT THE PROPOSED 2025 TAX RATE OF $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE. OF .0590 FOR DEBT SERVICE AND TO DIRECT THE

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT SERVICE. >> SO MOVED.

>> THAT'S THE MOTION, SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE LISTED FOR DISCUSSION, YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO

ADD? >> I JUST WANTED TO BEGIN FIRST BY SAYING THANK YOU. THERE IS A LOT OF HARD WORK. AND I APPRECIATE THE REGULAR UPDATES HELPING TO GUIDE THE PROCESS. IT WAS TRUE, TEAM WORK ON BEHALF OF EVERYBODY INVOLVED. AND SO, MOST IMPORTANTLY, NO RESIDENT IS FACING PROGRAMS THAT ARE BEING CUT. THE PUBLIC WILL CONTINUE TO SEE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE FROM THEIR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND OUT OF NEARLY 20,000 EMPLOYEES, THE BUDGET RESULTS IN THE POSSIBILITY, NOW I SAY POSSIBILITY OF IMPACTING EIGHT POSITIONS. AND I SAY POSSIBILITY BECAUSE THERE'S ALREADY WORK TO FIND NEW PLACES FOR THOSE RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES TO COP CONTINUE THEIR WORK IN THE COUNTY. THIS IS JUST AN INDICATION OF ALL THE GOOD WORK MY TEAM AND COLLECTIVE OFFICES WORKED TOGETHER ON. BEING VERY COLLABORATIVE. BEING VERY NEGOTIATING BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY GOT WHAT EVERYBODY WANTED. BUT I THINK OVERALL, WE ARE AT A GOOD PLACE TO CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK THAT THE COUNTY DOES. WITH THAT, I MOVE ON THE MOTION OF THE PORT.

>> SO THAT WAS A MOTION, THERE WAS A SECOND. AGAIN, FACTS ARE FRIENDLY. THE NUMBERS EXPLAIN THE CUTS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THERE WILL BE CUTS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE PAYING FOR RECURRING COSTS WITH $64 MILLION IN ONE TYPE PAYMENTS. AND, WE ARE CREATING, WE ARE FACING A CLIFF OF OUR OWN

MAKING. >> POINT OF ORDER. A MOTION HAS

BEEN MADE. >> ARE WE ON THE PORT RIGHT NOW?

>> YES. >> RIGHT. SO I'M JUST RESPONDING TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S DISCUSSION THAT WAS NOT ABOUT THE PORT. WHAT THE FACTS ARE, AND TO ASK, I DO NOT FEEL THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN THE TEAM WORK COMMISSIONER. THAT WAS THE UNILATERAL DECISION OF YOU TO NOT GO TO THE VOTERS. WE STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO NOT COMMIT US TO THIS CRISIS OF OUR OWN MAKING. WE DO NOT HAVE TO BE CUTTING.

>> POINT OF OATER. THERE IS ORDER.

>> JUDGE, QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED?

>> ALL RIGHT. SO THEN, WHEN HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT SOMETHING

OTHER THAN THE PORT, OKAY. >> IT WAS NOT. POINT NEEDS TO BE MADE TO ME. AND I WILL CORRECT THEM. BUT COMMISSIONER IS

CORRECT. >> ALL RIGHT. OKAY. SO, ALL IN

FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND, DIRECTOR RAMOS, IS IT A GOOD PRACTICE TO PAY FOR ONE TIME EXPENSES, FOR RECURRING EXPENSIONS WITH TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ONE TIME FUNDING? IS IT A BEST PRACTICE?

>> AS A BEST PRACTICE, NO. THOUGH I WILL NOTE THAT THERE ARE GENERALLY IN EVERY BUDGET, FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR, THERE WERE TWO LARGE SETTLEMENTS AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HELPED NEGOTIATE WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND PURDUE PHARMA WHICH BALANCED OUR

[03:15:05]

>> BUT WE ARE NOW CREATES EXPENSES WITH THE EXPECTATION OF ONE TIME FUNDING. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU HAVE DONE BEFORE IN A PREVIOUS COUNTY? UNFORCED, JUST A PROACTIVE DECISION TO CREATE A HUNDRED MILLION, $200 MILLION IN EXPENSES WITHOUT A

CLEAR IDEA OF HOW TO PAY FOR IT? >> IT CERTAINLY MAKES MY JOB HARDER BUT IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, ESPECIALLY ONES WITH COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, YOU ARE TYPICALLY WORKING AROUND

CONTRACTUAL COLAS. >> THIS IS A MANUFACTURED ISSUE.

THAT IS NOT MANUFACTURED. THOSE ARE AGREEMENTS. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE TRYING TO THREAD THE NEEDLE HERE. BUT THE POINT IS, THIS IS

NOT NORMAL. >> POINT OF ORDER JUDGE.

>> COMMISSIONER, POINT OF ORDER ABOUT WHAT?

>> POINT OF ORDER THAT WE ARE NOT FOLLOWING THE PREVIOUSLY

VOTED ON RUN OF SHOW. >> WHAT POINT OF ORDER THAT HE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT THE ITEMS HERE?

>> THE FLOOD OF CONTROL. >> POINT OF ORDER COMMISSIONER.

POINT OF ORDER. >> SO, FOR I THINK BOTH SHOWS SENT OUT, WE WOULD NOW MOVE ONTO THE FLOOD CONTROL. BOTH THE BUDGET AND TAX RATE. I'M HAPPY TO MAKE THE MOTION. BUT I ASSUME THERE MIGHT BE SOME QUESTIONS FOR DR. PETERSON.

>> I'LL MAKE THE MOTION. >> AND I WILL SECOND IT.

>> OKAY, YES, GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> SO JUST UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS. I KNOW WE ARE IN A HURRY TO GET TO THE COUNTY TAX RATE. WE DID PORT, THEN FLOOD PATROL. NOW WE WILL SEE WHAT I CALL HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I'M SORRY. WE DO HARRIS HEALTH.

>> I WOULD RECOMMEND MOVING THE HARRIS HEALTH. AT LEAST THE HARRIS HEALTH TAX RATE. I WOULD TAKE THE BUDGET AND THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS TOGETHER. I THINK THERE WILL BE SOME OVERLAP.

>> YEAH. OKAY, SO WE SHOULD GET TO THE BROADER DISCUSSION. I KNOW WE ARE CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO BET TO THAT. SETS THE TONE FOR EVERYTHING WE DO THE NEXT YEAR. BUT FIRST WE OUGHT TO

KNOCK OUT FLOOD CONTROL. >> THIS GIVES US THE CHANCE TO NEGOTIATE SO WE ARE NOT UNILATERALLY CREATING THIS

DEFICIT. >> SO WITH THAT I TURN IT OVER

TO DR. PETERSON. >> ALL RIGHT. SO, WHAT I HAVE HERE AS FAR AS THE MOTION IS TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2025. THE ARE POSED 2025 TAX RATES PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUES. OF UP TO .03826 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND .0114 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF UP TO .04966 WHICH IS THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. AND TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THE TAX ASSESSOR, COLLECTOR AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO EXECUTE AND PUBLISH ALL RELATED NOTICES AS REQUIRED

>> DO WE NEED TO MAKE THE BUDGET VOTE AS WELL. SHOULD WE VOTE A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2025 AT 10:00 A.M. TO CONSIDER FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AS AMENDED AND TO DIRECT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OCA AND ALL THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO EXECUTE AND PUBLISH ALL RELATED NOTICES AND DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MAPPINGMENT AND BUDGET TO FILE THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PROPOSED FY2026 BUDGET AS AMENDED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK AND COUNTY AUDITOR. THERE A MOTION FOR THAT.

>> SO MOVED BY COMMISSIONER BRIEONES. SO MOVED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUS LY. SO THAT IS ON THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

SO NOW WE MOVE ONTO HARRIS HEALTH, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. I WOULD RECOMMEND TAKING THEIR TAX RATE.

>> AND MOVING BACK TO OFF SETS AND SAVINGS EARLIER PROPOSE RUN

OF SHOW. >> CORRECT, AND ALONG WITH THE OFF SETS IS THE HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET AS THAT -- WE WERE DIRECTED BY DR. YOU WANT TO JOIN ME. WE WERE DIRECTED BY COURT TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL COUNTY EXPENSES THAT COULD BE MOVED OVER TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I WANT TO THANK THE DOCTOR. YOUR PARTNERSHIP THIS YEAR, I THINK THIS IS THE CLOSEST WE HAVE EVER BEEN TO BEING IN LOOK STEP. BUT WE WERE ABLE, ALONG WITH

[03:20:03]

>> AND AGAIN, OFF SETS HERE IS DOUBLE SPEAK FOR TAKING FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL. I ASK DR. POURSA TO COVER WHETHER HE HAS REVENUE THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE USE FOR. NO MATTER THE TEXT RATE THAT WE FIND SO THIS WOULD BE TAKING FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT EVERYBODY DEPENDS ON, AND TO FILL A GAP IN THE PUBLIC -- PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT'S CREATED BY THE UNILATERAL DECISION, I AM STILL HOPING TO NEGOTIATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES. BUT I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THE DOUBLE SPEAK. I THINK IF WE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING, WE WOULD CALL THE THINGS WHAT IT IS. CUTS, CUTS, CUTS. UNNECESSARY.

YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> IF I MIGHT TO SPEED THIS UP A BIT FROM MY DISCUSSION WITH DR. PORSA, IF WE GO WITH THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH PICKING UP $4 MILLION IN EXPENSES THAT THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WOULD

HAVE TO CARRY? >> THIS IS A CORRECT.

>> IF YOU COME WITH UP MORE, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT. NOW IF WE GO WITH THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, YOU ARE GOING TO LOSE ABOUT A

QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> 240 MILLION AND IF YOU LOSE 240 MILLION DOLLARS YOU WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO COME UP TO TAKE 243.

>> THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. >> OKAY. SO JUDGE, ONCE THIS IS DONE, SO THE ISSUE IS THERE'S CONFLICT IN HIS MIND, I AM TRYING TO SPEED US UP. NOT BEING RUDE TO ANYONE. IF WE GO WITH THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE YOU CAN STILL DELIVER THE QUALITY OF SERVICES THAT IS EXPECTED, KNOWING THAT YOU GOT A MASSIVE NEW FACILITY COMING ONLINE, AND HOST OF OTHER ISSUES. BUT IF WE GO WITH THE VOTER APPROVED RATE?

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT AND TO BE EXACT, MRS. RAMOS THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THE PARTNERSHIP. I APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP AS WELL. THE RATE AS WE PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WOULD GIVE US A MARGE MARGIN MARGIN OF 1.9% AND WE CAN CONTRIBUTE UP TO $4 MILLION FOR THE CUTS THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OTHERWISE HAD TO.

>> SO COL LEAGUES FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I AM SKIPPING THE A ADVERTISER TO GET TO THE ENTREE. EVERYBODY IS CHOMPING AT THE BIT. SO I OR ANYONE ELSE HOPEFULLY CAN MAKE THE MOTION FOR THE VOTER APPROVED RATE. AND THEN WE CAN GET TO INTO.

>> THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOLLOWED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> I HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTION. JAY OR DANIEL, IF WE DO NOTICE THE VAR RATE AT IN THE MEETING, ARE WE STILL ABLE TO ADOPT A

LOWER RATE? >> YES.

>> OKAY. AND CONVERSELY, IF WE NOTICE A LOWER RATE TODAY, DO WE LOSE THE ABILITY TO MOVE UP TO THE VAR LATER?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY. AT THE VAR LEVEL, DR.

PORSA, IT SHOWS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE A MODEST MARGIN OF ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 58 MILLION ON THE POSITIVE SIDE. HOW MUCH OF THAT MARGIN IS DEPENDENT ON ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICAID AND DSH PAYMENTS THAT MAY NOT MATERIALIZE?

>> ALL OF IT. >> AND THEN, WHAT IS HARRIS

HEALTH CURRENT RESERVE? >> I CAN'T -- I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A CASH DAYS ON HAND.

>> RESERVE. >> THERE IS NO RESERVE.

>> THERE IS NO RESERVE. SO WHAT DO YOU HAVE AS, I GUESS, THAT YOU ARE HOLDING? CASH YOU ARE HOLDING.

>> DAY'S CASH ON HAND. I. >> UNINCUMBERED CASH.

>> COMMISSIONER THERE'S CASH ON HAND CALCULATED AT END OF THE FISCAL PERIOD. SO THE CALCULATION THAT WE HAVE OFFICIALLY ENTERED IS 231 DAYS FOR COMPARISON, OUR PEER FACILITIES LIKE IN BEAR COUNTY HAS 332 DAYS.

>> HOW MUCH DOES HARRIS HEALTH HAVE.

>> 231 DAYS. >> I NEED A CASH NUMBER.

>> IT'S ABOUT IS.4 BILLION. >> 1.4 BILLION UNINCUMBERED. AND SO, GIVEN THE SIZE OF YOUR OPERATING BUDGET, AND THE RECENTLY PASSED 2.5 BILLION DOLLAR BOND PROGRAM, CAN YOU

[03:25:03]

>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE. COMMISSIONER, THIS HAS BEEN PART OF OUR ONGOING EFFORT, BUT ESPECIALLY SINCE WE TOOK ON THE BOND PROPOSAL, WE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO MAXIMIZING EXACTLY

WHAT YOU JUST SAID. >> HOW MUCH ARE YOU

CAPITALIZING? >> WE ARE CAPITALIZING TO THE EXTENT OF OUR CREDIT CAPACITY, WHICH IS CALCULATED CURRENTLY AT 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS. SO WE JUST TOOK ON ADDITIONAL 840 SO WE ARE

OVER A BILLION. >> A BILLION.

>> OVER A BILLION. >> A BILLION CAPITALIZED?

>> THAT'S ON THE DEBT. AND WE ARE GOING TO BE FULLY CAPITALIZED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> I DON'T THINK -- I AM NOT SURE WHETHER WE ARE SAYING THE

SAME THING. >> YES, IF I COULD HELP CLARIFY.

>> THANK YOU. >> THEY HAVE FOR THE, YOU KNOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MODERN HEALTH HIS RIFT HAVE GONE AND DONE A BOND, AND SO A LOT OF THINGS THEY MAY HAVE USED CASH FOR ARE BEING -- CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG AT ANY POINT, WHOLE RENOVATION OR BUILDOUTS SO CLINICS, AND THE BOTH HOSPITALS AND BUILDING OF A NEW FACILITY THIS. THEY HAVE NOT, AS OF YET DONE WHAT WE HAVE DONE, WHICH IS LOOK AT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, LIKE WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. YOU KNOW, MOVING THOSE TO COMMERCIAL PAPER. I BELIEVE WHAT DR. PORSA SAID AND IS TRYING TO GET AT WHEN THEY DID THE BOND PROGRAM, AND THEY LOOKED AT THEIR DEBT CAPACITY IT SAID ROUGHLY 2.5 BILLION. SO, WE WOULD RISK A DOWNGRADE IF WE CONTINUED TO PILE ON ADDITIONAL DEBT. BUT THEY ARE -- THERE IS, LIKE, SOME -- SOME AMOUNT OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THEY HAVE USED CASH FOR THAT COULD POTENTIALLY GO. BUT THERE ARE DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS.

>> , SO, YESTERDAY, YOU TOLD ME THAT THEY WEREN'T CAPITALIZING

MUCH AT ALL. >> YEAH, CORRECT. THERE IS NO COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAM RELATED TO THE NORTHERLY A.M.

MAINTENANCE. WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT CAPITALIZES IS WHAT THEY ARE USING THE BOND FOR.

>> GOT YOU. AND IS THERE STILL OPPORTUNITY FOR CAPITALIZATION

AS YOU UNDERSTAND THEIR BUDGET. >> YES, AND WE ARE REDOING-- THE QUESTION CAME UP YESTERDAY AND WE ARE ASKING OUR FINANCIAL ADVISER AND HARRIS HEALTH TO REDO THE ANALYSIS. WE THINK THERE'S CAPACITY BUT THERE'S A RISK OF A DOWNGRADE. IN SOME WAYS, DOWNGRADING THE SYSTEM CREATED IF WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH MAINTAINING THAT LEVEL AND NOT FIGHTING TO GET BACK TO THE HIGHER ONE, THOSE RATIOS GET A LOT BETTER FOR THE NEXT -- FOR THE NEXT YEAR. BUT WE CAN HAVE ALL THAT ANALYSIS DONE RELATIVELY QUICKLY, COMMISSIONER, IN ADVANCE OF THE

-- >> AND TO THAT POINT, DO YOU -- YOU KNOW, CAN YOU SPEAK TO WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF US RETURNING TO A DOUBLE A RATING FROM THE NEGATIVE AA.

>> AS WE DISCUSSED, I THINK THAT THE DOWNGRADE WAS PREMATURE BY THE CREDIT RATING AGENCY. WE DID NOT ASK THIS COMPANY TO DO AN ADDITIONAL ONE. I THINK THAT THEY ARE PREPENALIZING THE ENTIRE HOSPITAL SYSTEM BASED ON NATIONAL NEWS. IT HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH WHAT HARRIS HEALTH IS DOING. WE DID THE WORK TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH DEBT WE COULD TAKE ON AND MAINTAIN OUR CURRENT CREDIT RATING. BUT, YEAH, THERE IS SOME RISK BUT WE CAN COME BACK WITH WHAT THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS SAY IS THE POTENTIAL CAPACITY FOR A COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAM.

>> AND DR. PORSA, WHAT'S THE MINIMUM POSITIVE MARGIN THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO SUSTAIN OPERATIONS, AND IMPLEMENT ITS

STRATEGIC PLAN? >> COMMISSION I WILL GET TO YOUR QUESTION BUT I WANT TO COMMIT WHAT HE SAID. WE DID THE STUDY BUT TAKE ON MORE DEBT AND YESTERDAY MY CONVERSATION WITH COMMISSIONER RAMOS WAS TO TAKE THE STUDY AGAIN AND TO HAVE A ACCURATE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. EXAMINE WE PROPOSED AND WAS APPROVED BY OUR BOARD, THE 1.9% MARGIN IS WHAT WE BELIEVE IS CRUCIAL FOR US TO, A COUPLE OF THINGS, ONE, CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE CREDIT RATING THAT WE HAVE, BUT ALSO FOR US TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ON THE STRATEGIC PLANS THAT WE HAVE PUT IN MOTION, AS FAR AS EXPANSIONS OF SOME OF OUR SERVICE, AND CREATION OF SOME NEW SERVICES. SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WHAT WE HAVE PRESENTED IS WHAT WE TRULY HONESTLY BELIEVE WHAT WE

NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. >> AND ARE YOU WILLING TO HELP

[03:30:08]

TO IMPLEMENT WITH YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY. I WELCOME THAT.

>> AND, AS THE -- IF THE -- IF THE -- IF YOUR FISCAL YEAR ENDS IN 2026, WITH A -- AND YOU ARE ALWAYS CAREFUL NOT TO SAY YOU'VE SURPLUS. YOU SAY YOU HAVE CASH. UNINCUMBERED CASH WHICH IS PART OF YOUR CASH FLOW. WE SEE IT AS SURPLUS. WITH SURPLUS LARGER THAN PROJECTED WHAT ARE THE MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE ACCESS IS DEPLOYED OR REDEPLOYED IN A TRANSPARENT WAY.

>> SO, COMMISSIONER LET ME ANSWER YOUR QUESTION THIS WAY.

AS YOU HEARD FROM VICTORIA OUR CASH STAYS ON HAND WHAT YOU REFER TO AS RESERVE, WHICH IS, AGAIN, I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE TERMINOLOGY, IS ACTUALLY SUBPAR COMPARED TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STATE THAT ARE UNDER THE SAME SITUATION. NUMBER ONE. AND NUMBER WHAT, WHEN WE HAVE A MARGIN LET'S SEA YOU ASK NEXT YEAR AND WE FINISH WITH $54 MILLION OR $58 MILLION MARGIN, THAT MONEY IS NOT PUT INTO A PIGGY BANK. IT IS ROLLED INTO THE OPERATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR. SO TO USE WHATEVER MARGIN WE HAVE TO INVEST IN OUR CAPITAL, BUT ALSO EXPANDING OUR OPERATIONS BECAUSE THE NEEDS I MENTIONED LAST TIME I WAS HERE, NEEDS FOR SERVICES IS CONTINUING

TO GROW. IT'S NOT REDUCING. >> YEAH, OF COURSE IT'S GOING TO BE GROWING MORE SO WITH THE CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY. >> AND SO, BUT I -- I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE PERFORMING MEASURES ON VAR AND ON THE FLAT NATE PARTICULAR. AND THEN WE WILL DISCUSS AT THE NEXT MEETING IF THERE'S A DIFFERENT RATE WE WILL CONSIDER THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> DR. PO IS RSA GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> LIKEWISE. >> YOU BROUGHT THE WHOLE TEAM.

>> YES, SIR. >> I WANT TO THANK EACH ONE OF THEM. YOU ARE WORKING THROUGH A LOT OF DETAILS. APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH OUR OFFICE ON OPTIONS. I THINK WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR WAYS THAT WE CAN GET HEALTH CARE, HEALTH CARE HELP IN THE RIGHT, UP FRONT AND CENTER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE ARE EVEN LOOKING AT MAYBE NOT DOING AS MUCH CAPITAL INVESTMENT.

MAYBE WE CAN PARTNER WITH NONPROFITS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

SO THE FLEXIBILITY YOUR TEAM IS EXHIBITING, I APPRECIATE.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU. >> MUCH LIKE I ECHO MR. RAMOS' COMMENTS. I WOULD SAY HAVING WORKED FOR 50 CITIES AND 20 COUNTIES IN TEXAS, TYPICALLY, A PUBLIC ENTITY, THEY HAVE ROUGHLY 160 DAYS, AND YOUR ROUGHLY 231. AND I KNOW THAT OUR REVENUE, OUR TAX REVENUE TO YOU, $1.2 BILLION. IT'S A THIRD OF YOUR

REVENUE STREAM, IS THAT RIGHT. >> THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT, YES,

SIR. >> I DON'T KNOW OTHER HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAVE A SIMILAR SITUATION WHERE THE -- WHERE THE REVENUE STRAIN, AND WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS CONVERSATION, BUT WHERE THE REVENUE STRAIN WITH THE TAX AND PROPERTY TAX IS 1/3 OF THE

REVENUE STREAM. IS THAT TYPICAL? >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TYPICAL COMMISSIONER, BUT IT IS LESS. IT IS LESS, BUT THE CONDITIONS OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES ARE ALSO DIFFERENT. AS YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER, WE, UNFORTUNATELY, HAVE DISADVANTAGE OF HAVING THE HIGHEST RATE OF UNINSURED IN THE COUNTRY NOT JUST THE STATE OF TEXAS. SOSIN STATES NECESSITATES WE PROVIDE UNINSURED CARE THAN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES THAT'S WHY

THE NUMBER IS MUCH BIGGER. >> AGAIN, WE ARE TRYING TO

BALANCE A LOT OF NEEDS. >> YES, SIR.

>> AS WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET. THIS ISN'T A PROCESS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO QUIT DOING ONE THING AND START DOING ANOTHER.

WE ARE TRYING TO BALANCE THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE COUNTY. JUST FOR THE RECORD, YOU WILL PROBABLY HEAR ME SAY THIS AGAIN.

THE TAX THAT WE ARE PROPOSING, THE TAX THAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TODAY, THE TAX WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON TODAY, THE

[03:35:03]

>> YES, SIR. >> AND THE TAX REVENUE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, VOTING ON, IS $4.1 BILLION. HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS ROUGHLY 1.2 BILLION OF THAT. SO, I TAKE 4.1 BILLION PRETTY SERIOUSLY. PROBABLY BESIDES THE COMMENTS I GET FROM FOLKS, MORE TIMES THAN NOT, PUBLIC SAFETY IS THEIR NUMBER ONE CONCERN. THEY VERY CLEARLY DESCRIBE WHAT THAT IS. BUT THEIR NUMBER TWO CONCERN IS TAXES. AND THE HIGH TAXES THEY ARE HAVING TO PAY. SO, WHEN I TELL THEM, WELL, DON'T WORRY, WE WILL BE PAYING 4.1 BILLION THIS YEAR IN TOTAL TAXES, THAT'S TAX REVENUE INTO HARRIS COUNTY. THAT'S 750 MILLION MORE DOLLARS THAN WE WERE RECEIVING IN 2019. SO, THIS CONVERSATION AROUND -- WE ARE GOING BROKE, IT'S HORRIBLE, THINGS ARE REALLY BAD, WE HAVE 4.1 BILLION COMING IN. WE JUST GOT TO EXERCISE GREAT DISCERNMENT ON HOW WE SPEND THE DOLLARS. SO THE -- IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME, THIS YEAR, YOU'RE -- AND I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH MR. RAMOS ON OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUR NEEDS AND LEA IN WORKING THROUGH THOSE DETAILS, BUT, THE INCREASED REVENUE TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BASED ON THE TAX RATES WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON IS $140 MILLION. THAT'S MUCH MORE THAN THE COUNTY. THAT'S TWICE AS MUCH AS COUNTY. COUNTY IS 70 MILLION. OUR GENERAL FUND. SO, THE LARGEST INCREMENT OF DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING TO BE APPROVED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF THREE WEEKS IS GOING TO BE TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. SO, THAT $140 MILLION, THAT GOES TO THE -- THAT GOES TO THE DISTRICT, AND RECOGNIZING WE DO HAVE 1.4 BILLION, AND WHATEVER CATEGORY YOU WANT TO CALL IT, 231 DAYS IS A HEALTHY BALANCE, AND MAYBE YOU WISH IT

WAS MORE. >> I DO.

>> BUT THERE'S RISK INVOLVED. WE ALL WISH WE HAD MORE, BUT I AM JUST SAYING FROM A PUBLIC AGENCY STANDPOINT, THOSE WERE THE DOLLARS. SO, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RATE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE 15% TAX INCREASE WE DID LAST YEAR BASED ON THE DISASTERS AND VERY LITTLE OF THAT MONEY WENT TOWARDS DISASTERS. SO WE DID A HUGE TAX INCREASE LAST YEAR. SO, THIS YEAR, MAYBE TIME TO BALANCE THINGS UP. TERMS WE TOOK PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE LAST YEAR. AND THIS YEAR MAY AND OPPORTUNITY TO BALANCE THAT UP A BIT. SO I GUESS I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TAKING THAT MUCH -- THAT MUCH OF AN INCREASE $140 MILLION, IN ONE YEAR, WHICH IS THE NO NEW REVENUE. I AGREE IT'S LEGAL. I JUST DON'T THINK WE CAN AFFORD IT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IF I MAY MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.

ONE, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THREE OUT OF FOUR PEOPLE WHO VOTED NOVEMBER OF 2023 TO SUPPORT OUR BOND PROPOSAL ASSUME THAT HEALTH CARE IS ALSO A HIGH PRIORITY FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. TO YOUR OTHER POINT ABOUT THE 140 MILLION DOLLARS, ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, OR HARRISHEALTH, I WANT TO REMIND THE COURT AGAIN BY A YEAR AGO, WHEN I WAS HERE, WE WERE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, AND WE WERE ASKED TO TAKE ON THE ADDITIONAL $100 MILLION COST OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE. THIS WAS PART OF THE AGREEMENT THAT WHEN THE TIME COMES FOR OUR TAX RATE, THE TAX RATE WOULD REFLECT THAT SUPPORT FOR THE CORRECTIONAL OF HEALTH. I WANT

TO REMIND THE COURT OF THAT. >> UNDERSTOOD.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> DR. PORSA THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. I KNOW THERE'S A TREMENDOUS NEED AND NEED CONTINUES TO GROW AND HEALTH CARE IS MY TOP PRIORITY. I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS FOR YOU. BUT TO LEVEL SET IN TERMS OF FACTS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT FEDERAL CUTS, CURRENT AND POTENTIAL AS WELL AS THE JAIL MEDICAL AND IMPACT THAT IS HAVING. BUT JUST TO LEVEL SET TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME FACTS, 1.4 BILLION CASH ON HAND, CORRECT? IS THE CURRENT FACT.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> AND BASED ON THE NUMBERS WE HAVE, WE ARE PROJECTED TO END AT 5% SUR POLICE OF 138 MILLION WHICH WOULD ROLL INTO THE CAPITAL FOR NEXT YEAR.

[03:40:03]

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> OKAY. AND TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY $4 MILLION WHEN WE HAVE 1.4 BILLION OF CASH ON HAND, LET'S -- THAT'S A SMALL PORTION OF THE TOTALITY, WOULD

YOU AGREE? >> YES.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE PLANS DIRECTOR BARTON AND YOU HAVE DISCUSSED FOR THE 4 MILLION TO PARTNER AND FUND THE SENORRIES WITH PUBLIC HEALTH. BUT TO IF HE CUSS ON, GIVEN WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF UNINSURED AND WE KNOW THE NEED ARWHERE I AM COMMITTED TO HEALTH CARE HERE, AND I AM PROUD WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST SAFETY NET PROVIDERS IN THE CURRENT. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT CURRENT FEDERAL CUTS AND ONE YOU ANTICIPATE THIS COMING YEAR. AND HOW THIS BUDGET REFLECTS IT, PLEASE.

>> SURE. AND I THINK -- THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK MY TEAM HAS DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OMB, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER, AS I MENTIONED, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS HERE, SEVERAL THINGS. ONE, I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE BUILDING TO MITIGATE BUT PEOPLE DON'T PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE. I WAS HAVING THE CONVERSATION EARLIER TODAY. ONE THING THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF IS THE OVERALL RISK IN ENROLLING IN MEDICAID INSTEAD OF TEXAS UNFORTUNATELY HAS MOST STRINGENT MEDICAID LAWS IN THE COUNTRY. WHAT CHANGED ONE OF THE THING MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT IS THAT THE DURATION OF ELIGIBILITY INSTEAD OF A YEAR, 12 MONTHS IS REVERTING BACK TO SIX MONTHS MAKING IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND OWN ROUSE ON PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO APPLY FOR MEDICAID. WHAT IS NOT BEING DISCUSSED, WHICH I THINK IS AS IMPORTANT IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT, IS THAT HEALTH SYSTEMS FOR AS LONG AS I KNOW, HAVE HAD THE ABILITY TO -- MEDICAID FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE UP TO 90 DAYS. SO SOMEONE COMES US TO NOT ON MEDICAID WE DO OUR ELIGIBILITY PROCESS. THEY ARE ELIGIBLE AND WE ENROLL THEM. WE CAN ACTUALLY CHARGE FOR THE SERVICES UP TO 90 DAYS PRIOR. THAT HAS NOW CHANGED TO 30 DAYS.

WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT, AND INTERESTING, IS THAT THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME FOR MEDICAID ELIGIBLE PROCESS TO COMPLETE IS 45 DAYS. SO BASICALLY, HEALTH SYSTEMS ARE NOT GOING TO LONGER BE ABLE TO RETROACTIVELY CHARGE MEDICAID. THAT'S LOSS OF REVENUE. THE IMPACT OF WHICH REMAINS TO BE SEEN. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THAT'S ON MEDICAID SIDE. THERE IS A WHAT I CALL THE DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITAL CUTS. THAT'S UNDER 850 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COUNTRY. SO 08 MILLION -- NO. FOR TEXAS SORRY.

YES. THANK YOU. $800 MILLION FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT'S GOING TO BE UPON US ON OCTOBER 1 UNLESS CONGRESS ACTS WHICH IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE HAPPENING. WHAT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT, WHEN YOU CONSIDER COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS HERE AND HAD THE INFORMATION THE JOB MARKET IS COOLING OFF. SO NOW WE WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE WITHOUT JOB AND HEALTH INSURANCE. WHAT IS EVEN MORE SIGNIFICANT IS THE FACT THAT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE PREFERRED TAX BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE TO AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS GOING TO END. SO THE COST OF ACCESSING HEALTH INSURANCE IS MORE -- GOING TO MORE THAN DOUBLE FOR INDIVIDUALS UP TO FOUR TIMES WHAT IT IS.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, 4 MILLION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND MANY WILL LOSE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURES. WHEN YOU PUT ALL THAT TOGETHER IS WHAT I REFER TO THAT THE NEED FOR OUR SERVICES, NOT JUST IN THE FACT OF THE POPULATION GROWTH, NOT JUST BY THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER AND RATE OF UNINSURERS, WE ANTICIPATE TO HAVE HIGHER NUMBER OF ININSURED WITH PEOPLE LESS ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE. SO IT IS A REALITY THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NEED OUR SERVICES EVEN MORE THAN THAT IN THE PAST. I CAN'T PUT A NUMBER ON THAT, BUT CAN I TELL YOU THAT IT'S GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT.

>> SO, I SHARE YOUR CONCERN ANTICIPATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL CUTS. TO GO TO ONE OF THE EARLIER QUESTIONS MY COLLEAGUE AGAIN TO LEVEL SET AND BE CRYSTAL CLEAR. YOUR ASK OF

THE COURT FOR VAV CORRECT. >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> AND IF WE VOTE VAR THAT ALLOWS YOU TO YOUR WORK AND CONCONTINUING YINS AND GROW STRATEGICALLY BASED ON STRATEGIC

PLANS YOU HAVE. >> THAT'S IS CORRECT.

>> YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DELIVER HEALTH CARE FOR THOSE MOST

VULNERABLE FOR THE VAR I AM. >> VERY MUCH APPRECIATE HEARING

THAT. >> THIS IS ONE THE MOST.

>> THANK YOU. >> TOP PRIORITIES. SO FOR THE

[03:45:02]

>> HOW DOES THAT INTERSECT WITH THIS YEAR'S TAX RATE? SO I GUESS SOME OF THE TAX RATE TOTALITY I AM GOING TO NEED MR. RAMOS' INPUT ON THAT. WE HAVE HAD FOR EVER, SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE ACTUALLY WENT FOR A BOND PROPOSAL AND SUCCESSFULLY PASSED IT, AND NOW $-- WE HAVE HAD MAJORITY OF OUR TAX RATE SIMPLY ON MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS. HOWEVER NOW WE HAVE A DEBT SERVICES TAX RATE. AND OUR TOTALITY OF TAX RATE IS COMBINATION OF THE TWO AND DANIEL, I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE

-- >> 11 MILLION BUT I AM NOT SURE

WHAT THE TAX RATE CONTRIBUTION. >> AT V A RER THAT 1.58 BILLION

OF THAT 55 IS DEBT SERVICE. >> THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU. AND I KNOW YOU ARE MAKING MARKET PROGRESS AND DOING TOWN HALLS IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS AND SO WE CAN COMMUNICATE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THE PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING ON THE BOND WORK. AND I AM SO ENERGIZED AND I THANK YOU.

LASTLY, YOU TOUCHED ON IT BRIEFLY. CAN YOU SPEAK TO US BEFORE HARRIS HEALTH WAS DOING THE JAIL MEDICAL ON A CONTRACTOR BASIS THAN YOU BROUGHT IT IN HOUSE. 100% TO HARRIS HEALTH, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT SO WE COULD IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF CARE PROVIDED IN THE JAIL. CAN YOU PLEASE SPEAK TO US OF A FEW KEY IMPROVEMENTS AND HOW THAT IS ENVELOPED INTO THE BUDGET.

>> AS YOU KNOW THIS IS MY PASSION. SO YOU ARE RIGHT. A FEW YEARS AGO, THE COMMISSIONERS ASKED HARRIS HEALTH TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF TAKE ON THE HEALTH CARE OF HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND I AGREE IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS ARE OUR PATIENTS WHEN THEY STEP OUT OF THE JAIL. AS ONE OF THE -- GOING DOWN THE LANE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE DID WAS EXTEND OUR EPISODE OF HEALTH CARE EPIC INTO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL SO NOW WHEN PEOPLE COME TO OUR HOSPITALS, WE DON'T NEED TO ASK RELEASE OF INFORMATION. WE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE RECORDS. WHEN THEY GO BACK TO THE JAIL, THE DOCTORSS PRACTITIONERS AT THE JAIL DON'T NEED TO WAIT FOR THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION. THEY ACTUALLY HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE HOSPITALS. THAT'S NUMBER ONE. ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DID, EVEN THOUGH PREVIOUS TO EPIC, JAIL HAD A DIFFERENT VERSION OF HEALTH RECORD, THE PHARMACIST WAS PAPER BASED. SO WE HAVE MADE THAT ELECTRONIC. SO NOW ALL THE PRESCRIPTIONS ARE GOING ELECTRONIC. WE NOW FILL PRESCRIPTIONS INSIDE THE JAIL ALSO ELECTRONIC. WE USE A MACHINE AND VOLUME OF THE MEDICATIONS IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN AT HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, IS LARGER THAN THE VOLUME OF ALL OF OUR HOSPITALS. SO WE ACTUALLY DISBENS MORE DISPENSE MORE MEDICATION IN THE JAIL THAT OUTSIDE AND WE HAVE A ON-SITE CT SCAN. SO, I DON'T DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY. CURRENTLY THEY HAVE AMPLE ACCESS TO DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING, WHICH IS WONDERFUL. WE HAVE STUDIED MAMOM IF I INSIDE

THE JAIL YOU MAY REMEMBER. >> I REMEMBER.

>> WE FOUND OUT THAT THE MOST NUMBER OF FEMALE PATIENTS SHOWING UP TO THE COUNTY HOSPITAL WITH LATE STAGE BREAST CANCER HAD HISTORY OF INCARCERATION. SO, WE ARE GOING TO THE JAIL AND IDENTIFYING PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK OR ELIGIBLE FOR MAMMOGRAPHY AND WE HAVE ENG EXTENDED LABORATORY SERVICES INSIDE THE JAIL. NOW EVERYBODY GETS A LAB ORDER FROM A PHYSICIAN WITHIN THREE DAYS ACTUALLY GETS THE MAPS DRAWN. IN ADDITION WE WILL -- I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF GONZALES FOR WORKING WITH US TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE CLINICS ON EVERY FLOOR OF THE JAIL WHICH REALLY REDUCES THE STRESS ON THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT FROM HAVING TO ESCORT PATIENTS DOWN TO THE CLINIC. THEY CAN WALK TO THE CLINIC ON THE FLOOR. I THINK I MENTIONED LAST TIME THAT WHEN I MET SHERIFF GONZALES IN AUSTIN, WE TALKED ABOUT TWO THINGS EXPANSION OF OUR PRENATAL CARE INSIDE THE JAIL, INCLUDING HAVING A TRULY DIETITIAN PRESCRIBING DIETS FOR OUR PREGNANT DETAINEES AT THE JAIL.

BUT ALSO EXPANSION OF MEDICATIONS AND TREATMENT.

SHERIFF IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ON MEDICATIONS WITH TREATMENT. AND WE BELIEVE WE CAN EXPAND IT TO 500 PEOPLE INSIDE

[03:50:01]

THE HARRIS COUNTY DRIVE. >> THE PROGRESS YOU ARE DRIVING IS REMARKABLE. THANK YOU DOCTOR PORSA AND SHERIFF GONZALES. THE VOTER APPROVED RATE IS WHAT YOU ARE ASKING OF THE COURT AND THAT WILL ENCOMPASS LBJ. THE COMMUNITY CLINICS CURRENT LEVEL AND ADDITIONAL NEW VOYAGEE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES YOU WANT

TO ACHIEVE. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND THE $4 MILLION THAT YOU ARE OPEN TO COLLABORATING, AND I DON'T MEAN TO MINIMIZE 4 MILLION BUT IN THE TOTALITY IS, AGAIN, EMPHASIS SMALL POINT BUT YOU ARE WILLING TO FINE SENORRIES AND WORK WITH DIRECTOR BARTON ON THIS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE SPECIFICS BUT ACTUALLY I SPOKE TO DIRECTOR BARTON ON SATURDAY, AT THE LBJ CAMPUS. AND SOME OF THE BIG TICKET ATTEMPTS THAT JUST MAKES SENSE FOR US TO SUPPORT IS VACCINATION, AGAIN, MATERNAL CARE, AND -- THANK YOU CHRONIC

CARE. >> THANK YOU FOR FINDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLABORATION AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE TELEMEDICAL SITE. MORE WE COLLABORATE I SO APPRECIATE YOUR OPEN SPIRIT DR. PORSA AND EVERYTHING YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO

TO ADVANCE HEALTH. >> WE WANT TO DO MORE WITH THE

TELEHEALTH. >> I LOVE IT. THANK YOU DR.

PORSA. >> DR. PORSA, JUST CIRCLING BACK ON QUESTIONS I ASKED YOU AT THE BUDGET HEARING.

>> YES. >> SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I ASKED IS WHY DON'T WE SET A TAX RATE WHERE YOU BREAK EVEN? WHY DO WE GO TO THE VAR WHICH YOU END UP WITH THE 52 MILLION. AND YOU SAID WELL, WE ANTICIPATE CUTS AT HOSPITAL, MORE UNINSURED PEOPLE INCUDES TO MEDICAID, AND THEN YOUR STAFF HERE MENTIONED THE ESTIMATE OF THE COST YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT ARE NOT IN YOUR BUDGET IS BETWEEN 60 ANDAN 70 MILLION AT LOW END. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GOT THAT STRAIGHT AND IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND REPEATING WHATEVER OF THAT I MISSED OR CLARIFY.

>> NOT AT ALL, THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION. AGAIN, LIKE I SAID PREVIOUSLY, POTENTIAL LOW END OF THE IMPACT ON HARRIS HEALTH IS AROUND THAT RANGE 60 TO $70 MILLION. AGAIN, THAT'S THE POTENTIAL. TO GET BACK TO YOUR EARLIER QUESTIONS, WHY WE NEED THE MARGIN OF 54 MILLION DOLLARS WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM WE CAN ASK FOR UNDER THE VAR, IS TO ALLOW US TO SAFELY PERFORM OUR OPERATIONS, KNOWING THAT WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR BUDGET FROM EVERYTHING THAT IS

COMING AT US. >> AND WHAT ARE THE -- WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS POTENTIAL AREAS OF NEGATIVE IMPACT AND HOW MUCH

WOULD THEY COST? >> IT IS ALL THE THINGS I JUST MENTIONED. JUDGE, THE CUTS TO MEDICAID, THE ELIGIBILITY THAT IS BECOMING TIED IN, INABILITY TO RETROACTIVELY CHARGE MEDICAID PATIENTS UNDER CARE FOR DUE TO ELIGIBILITY PROCESS, DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE TO HOSPITALS AND POTENTIAL -- [INAUDIBLE] OF THE PRETAX CREDIT FOR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. WE HAVE A FEW WEEKS SO I AM HOPEFUL FOR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. WE HAVE THREE OR FOR MONTHS. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S NOW MOVEMENT IN CONGRESS BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THEY CAN'T KEEP CUTTING. SO I AM HOPEFUL THAT ONE IS NOT GOING TO MATERIALIZE.

>>ING ON. SO THE OTHER ONES YOU MENTIONED LOW END 60 $70. WHAT WOULD BE THE HIGH END REALISTICALLY.

>> HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> OKAY. AND IF YOU SHALL YOU HAVE THIS 54 MILLION I WAS

SAYING 52. TO BE THE MARGIN. >> A THIRD OF OUR BUDGET IS.

>> CAN YOU APPROACH THE IC. >> A THIRD OF OUR BUDGET IS MEDICAID SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS THAT ARE BEING SCRUTINIZED CURRENTLY. SO THAT IS $700 MILLION FOR US. AND ANY NUMBER OF THAT $700 MILLION IS GOING TO BE A LARGE AMOUNT. FOR US I AM

SORRY. >> 1.9% MARGIN.

>> WHAT WASS QUESTION ABOUT THE MARGIN?

>> SO ACTUALLY LET ME GO BACK ON. YOU SAID THAT'S THIRD OF YOUR BUDGET. AND SO WHAT THE ISSUE -- WHY WOULD THAT THIRD NOT ARRIVE? WHAT'S THE DISCUSSION THAT THREATENS THAT

THIRD OF YOUR FUNDING? >> WELL, THESE ARE THE FEDERAL ACTIONS WE HAVE DISCUSSED AND WE HAVE NOT BUILT THEM IN OUR

[03:55:01]

BUDGET. >> OKAY. SO YOUR MARGIN IN THE CURRENT BUDGET AT THE VAR WOULD BE 52 MILLION RIGHT? AND SO IF WE GO TO THE V ARK R, YOU HAVE THIS MARGIN, BUT THE COSTS OF THE FEDERAL CUTS COME DOWN AT THE LOW END, 60 TO 70 MILLION HOW DO YOU MAKE UP THE 12 MILLION? WHERE DO YOU GET THAT

FROM. >>

>> WE WOULD THEN HAVE TO LOOK INTO POTENTIALLY CURTAILING OUR SERVICES, JUDGE. WE WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE OUR SERVICE. IF THE DELTA IS SMALL WE WILL TRY TO MAKE DUE. BUT IF THE DELTA IS LARGE, THE ONLY OPTION IS TO CUT SERVICES.

>> AND SO IF THE -- IF THE -- IF WE DO NOT GO TO THE VAR, YOU WOULD HAVE TO CUT HOW MUCH WORTH OF SERVICES?

>> IT DEPENDS. >> OKAY.

>> WHAT THE TAX RAY. IF WE GO TO NNR WHAT IS IT 120 MILLION

DOLLARS IN THE HOLE. >> YOU HAVE TO CUT SERVICES? SO WHAT KIND OF SERVICES WOULD YOU -- AND THIS IS MY LAST QUESTION.

WHAT KIND OF SERVICES WOULD YOU STAND TO CUT AND WHY WOULD SOMEBODY WHO DOES NOT USE A PUBLIC HOSPITAL WHO HAS PRIVATE INSURANCE, WHY WOULD THIS BE RELEVANT TO THEM.

>> SURE. SO, I THINK THIS QUESTION CAME UP PREVIOUSLY, JUDGE. HARRIS HEALTH HAS STATUTORY MANDATE TO PROVIDE ACUTE HEALTH CARE. EVERYTHING WE DO IT MAKES SENSE AND ALINES WITH THE MISSION, IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED CUTTING IF FORCED TO, WE WOULD BE -- IT WOULD BE EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT PART OF A STATUTORY MANDATE. SO, EVERYTHING THAT WE PROVIDE IN THE OUTPATIENT SETTING, INCLUDING CORRECTIONAL HEALTH CARE WOULD BE A CONSIDERATION AT THAT POINT.

>> OKAY. AND AS FAR AS HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET THE FIRST POINT PART OF MY QUESTION, WHY IS THIS RELEVANT TO SOMEBODY --

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME. YES, SO THIS IS CONVERSATION I HAVE HAD IN EVERY OPPORTUNITY I GET IN CONVERSATIONS IS THAT WHY HARRIS HEALTH MATTERS TO PEOPLE TO YOUR POINT WHO ARE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE. TWO THINGS. WELL MAYBE THREE THINGS.

ONE, HARRIS HEALTH IS WHERE THE FUTURE DOCTORS IN THE COMMUNITY GET THEIR TRAINING. SO ALMOST HALF THE DOCTORS WHO PRACTICE IN HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY GET THE RESIDENCY AT LBJ AT PART OF UT HOUSTON MEDICAL SCHOOL OR BEN THOMAS PARTIAL MEDICINE. NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO, WHEN -- IF HARRIS HEALTH EVER PUT IN A POSITION WHERE WE WERE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT THE WAY WE DO TODAY OBVIOUSLY PATIENTS WON'T DISAPPEAR AND PEOPLE WOULDN'T STOP GETTING SICK. PEOPLE WILL GET SICK AND WILL NEED HEALTH CARE SOMEWHERE. THAT SOMEWHERE IS EVERYWHERE ELSE. THAT CURRENTLY HARRIS HEALTH HAS THE PRIVILEGE OF TAKING CARE OF THE PATIENTS. IF THEY GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AXIS TO EVERYONE ELSE IS GOING TO BE IMPACT. HEALTH CARE MOST LIKELY WILL BE DELIVERED IN EMERGENCY ROOM OF THE OTHER HOSPITALS WHICH IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO SEEK CARE.

SO THAT INCREASE COST OF CARE NOW WOULD HAVE TO BE TRANSMITTED TO THE INSURERS AND FROM THERE TO EVERYBODY ELSE WHO HAS A PRIVATE INSURANCE TO GET TO YOUR QUESTIONS. THAT'S EVERYBODY ELSE WHO HAS PRIVATE HEALTH INSURES. PREMIUMS FOR EVERYBODY WOULD INCREASE OUT OF POCKET COPAYS WOULD INCREASE FOR EVERYBODY. SO, TRULY, SUCCESS OF HARRIS HEALTH IS THE SUCCESS OF THE ENTIRETY OF THE HEALTH CARE ECOSYSTEM IN HOUSTON INCLUDING THE HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER AND THAT'S THE REASON TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER UNDERSTANDS AND APPRECIATES THE IMPACT AND INFLUENCE OF HARRIS HEALTH AND ALL OF OUR SUCCESS,

COLLECTIVELY. >> OKAY. AND SO, IN THAT CASE, AND I KNOW THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT THE TAXES. AND I WANT TO POINT TO THIS NEW STORY WHICH IS FROM HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA. AND WE ARE TAKING THE EXACT SAME PATH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TOOK OF COMMITTING TO TEN IT IS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDING THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A WAY TO PAY FOR. I DON'T THINK A BUSINESS OWNER WOULD DO THAT. AND SO WE HAVE -- THIS CITY DID THIS. THIS IS -- WE DID IT A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THEY DID. AND TODAY, SO, THIS IS SEPTEMBER 3RD, THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE BALLOONING DEFICIT AND CALLING FOR A PROPERTY TAX HIKE. WE HAVE, QUOTE, THIS IS A COUNCIL MEMBER, WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE AN UNPOPULAR DECISION TO GIVE RESIDENTS OF THIS CITY THE SERVICES THAT THEY DESERVE. SO I THINK THAT TALKING ABOUT TAXES, I DON'T THINK THAT'S QUITE TRANSPARENT ENOUGH, BECAUSE IF WE INDEED CARRY OUT A LOWER TAX RATE FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT,

[04:00:03]

AND SO I THINK THAT ACTUALLY BY MAKING THIS UNILATERAL DECISION TO CUT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE, WHAT IS HAPPENING IS A DECISION TO SET UP A TAX HIKE IN THE FUTURE. THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS OUR FUTURE. WE DID THIS EXACTLY AFTER THEY DID IT. AND WE KNOW WHERE THEY ARE. SO THIS IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE. SO IF YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF LOWER TAXES, YOU DO NOT WANT TO TRY TO DO A SHORT-TERM VICTORY OF WHERE WE ARE LOWERING TAXES BECAUSE YOU ARE CAUSING THEM TO BE RAISED IN A YEAR OR TWO BY EVEN MORE. SO -- SO, THERE IS A MOTION HERE, I THINK, COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE IT. AND SO, IT'S TO CONSIDER FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT PROPOSED 2025 TAX RATES FOR $100 TAXABLE VAL WHY .1876 FOR MAINTENANCE AND ON THE RATION AND .00885 FOR DEBT SERVICE. FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF .18761 WHICH IS THE VOTE ARE APPROVAL RATE AND TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THE TEXAS ASSESSOR AND OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO EXCUTE AND PUBLISH ALL RELATED NOTICES A REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW I

THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> YES I WILL MAKE A MOTION BUT

I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE POINTS. >> YES A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL

RIGHT. MORE DISCUSSION. >> SO JUST QUICKLY CREDIT RATING, THAT WAS I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WITH A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS. AT LEAST FROM MY EXPERIENCE, MR. RAMOS, I WANT TO SAY THAT IT'S BEEN RARE, VERY RARE, IN FACT I CAN'T THINK OF ONE, WHEN I WAS IN BUSINESS, WHERE ONE CAN APPEAL A CREDIT RATING AND IT CHANGES. I JUST WOULDN'T ANTICIPATE THAT. AND.

>> COMMISSIONER, SORRY, I WANT REFERRING TO THE APPEAL. I BELIEVE WE LOST THAT ALREADY. I JUST -- WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO GET REASSESSED AND LEAD UP TO THE NEXT BOND SALE.

>> FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, DANIEL, I KNOW FROM MINE, BUT WHEN A CREDIT -- WHEN AN ENTITY IS DOWNGRADED, WHAT'S GENERALLY

THE MAIN REASON THEY DO IT? >> I AM ASKING FOR A REASON?

>> USUALLY AROUND THE DEBT CAPACITY OR SOME UNFORESEEN LOSS

OF REVENUE. >> SO IN PART, FROM MY EXPERIENCE AT LEAST I USED TO BE IN A BUSINESS USUALLY WHEN YOU SPEND MONEY, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE HEAT FOR BRINGING IT IN. IS THAT PRETTY GOOD SUMMARY? GENERALLY THE WAY IT WORKS?

>> THAT WORKS. >> THERE'S NO POLITE WAY AROUND IT. I WANT TO SAY THAT TO MY COLLEAGUES. BE AWARE. THAT'S PART OF IT AT LEAST WHEN I WAS IN BUSINESS THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

AT LEAST WHEN I WAS SELLING THEM, THE LOWER SOMEBODY'S CREDIT RATING, THE HARDER IT WAS TO SET BONDS. SO THOSE WERE ENTITIES YOU DIDN'T WANT TO A BANKER FOR. I WAS NEVER FINANCIAL ADVISER FOR A HOSPITAL DISTRICT, BUT I WAS FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. I DO WANT TO -- YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF UNINSURED PEOPLE WE HAVE.

>> YES, SIR. >> I SHOULDN'T JUST ASK WHY WE HAVE SO MANY UNINSURED PEOPLE THE PART IS WE DIDN'T DRAW DOWN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. BUT DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY DO YOU TAKE PEOPLE THAT DON'T LIVE IN HARRIS

COUNTY. >> WE TREAT THEM IF YOU SHOW UP

TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. >> WE ARE THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER. >> FOR PEOPLE IN THE REGION.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> WE ARE PICKING UP A PROBLEM FOR THE STATE UNLIKE SOME OF THE OTHER SYSTEMS WHERE YOU WORK.

SAN ANTONIO AND BEAR -- SAN ANTONIO AND DALLAS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO WE DO END UP BEING THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTIES, SO WE TAKING ON A TASK THAT THE STATE SHOULD TAKE ON. AND FROM TIME TO..

>> AND OTHER COUNT GLAZE YEAH WHICH WOULD BE THE STATE. THE LAST POINT I WANT TO MAKE IT'S GREAT YOU TOOK ON JAIL HEALTH PART OF WHY SOMETHING I PUSHED SO HARD FOR IT BECAUSE THE DISCUSSIONS ARE GOING ON BUT IT NEVER DID HAPPEN. AT THE RATE WE ARE GOING WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK FOR MORE SYNERGY WHETHER IT'S WITH CITY, COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ALL THE BIG CHALLENGE AND SOME OF THE THINGS YOU DO, BECAUSE WE JUST -- YOU KNOW, YOU TALK ABOUT A BOND RATE PROBLEM. WE ARE NOT AT THAT POINT. AND JUST THE REASON AS RELUXANCE TO GO ABOVE THE VAR IS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT PUTS THE TRIGGER. THEY HAVE TO GO TO

[04:05:02]

>> YES, SIR. >> YOU COULD ARGUE PROPERTY TAXES BUT IN TEXAS THAT'S WHAT YOU PAY FOR. WHAT IS OUR RATE COMPARED TO YOUR PEERS. WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND STATE.

>> OUR RARE. >> WE ARE LOWER SO MOST OF THEM

GO VAR AS WELL. >> THEY ARE-- I KNOW THIS DALLAS IS ASKING FOR 5% INCREASE BUT THEIR RATE IS TWICE OURS.

>> YEP AND SAN ANTONIO. >> THEY ARE ASKING FOR V ARK R BECAUSE THEY ARE BUILDING HOSPITALS LIKE WE ARE.

>> AND THEIR RATE IS HIGHER THAN OURS.

>> IT'S HIGHEST. >> WE ARE THE LOWEST.

>> AMONG THE LARGE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, YES, WE ARE THE

LOWEST. >> YEAH, OKAY. THANK YOU. I JUST DIDN'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT VAR WAS FOR LIFE. THAT MAY BE MORE STRINGS ATTACHED JUST OUT OF NECESSITY.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. AND COMMISSIONER WAY TONIGHT MENTION SOMETHING SINCE YOU BROUGHT IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. WE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE WORKS ME, MYSELF, DIRECTOR BARTON, AND NEW DIRECTOR OF THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND DIRECTOR FOR THE HARRIS CENTER. WE ARE SETTING UP A MEETING TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID. HOW CAN WE SENOR JAZZ BETTER IN TERMS OF SERVICES THAT WE PROADVISE.

>> LAST POINT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT DISPRO CARE IS THAT ESSENTIALLY A WAY TO TAKE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WITHOUT ADMITTING THAT YOU TAKE SUBS

DICED HEALTH CARE FROM THE FEDS. >> SAY THAT AGAIN? WHAT WAS THE

QUESTION. >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DISPROPRO CARE AND WE ASK FOR THAT SET ASIDE FOR DISPRO CARE IS THAT ESSENTIALLY A WAY OF TAKING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR HEALTH CARE THAT WE CAN GET MORE OF IF WE SIMPLY DREW DOWN AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MONEY BUT WE GOAT ACT LIKE WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR

FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO DO IT. >> YOU TALKSES ABOUT DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITALS, YES.

>> I WILL MAKE THE MOTION. >> JUDGE, ON THAT MOTION, I THINK THE ONE CHANGE WE WOULD HAVE AND I THINK WE SUGGESTED, I THINK JOHN SAID TO USE UP TO THE PHRASE SO IF I COULD REREAD IT

IF THAT'S OKAY. >> SO, WE DON'T UP TO BECAUSE THEN YOU'RE NOT COMMITTING TO GIVING THEM MONEY. YOU ARE

COMMITTING TO DEFUNDING. >> THAT'S YOUR CALL I WANT TO

MAKE SURE. >> THAT'S WHY I MADE THE MOTION THAT WAY BECAUSE OTHERWISE, WE ARE CELEBRATING TODAY, AND THEN AT THE NEXT COURT WE ARE SURPRISING THE PUBLIC WITH A CUT TO HARRIS HEALTH. SO, ANYWAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> QUICK QUESTION. FORGOT TO ASK YOU ABOUT HARRIS CENTER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THERE'S A LOT OF SYNERGY BETWEEN WHAT YOU DO AND HARRIS CENTER DOES. ANY ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS YOU CAN HAVE IN THE COMING MONTHS RELATED TO THAT ISSUE, IT'S AN IMPORTANT ISSUE ON OUR SIDE, AND YOUR SIDE. THERE'S GOT TO BE MORE COMMON GROUND THERE TO DELIVER, I THINK, MORE EFFECTIVE, MORE EFFICIENT SERVICES TO FOLKS OUT THERE.

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE -- IT DID NOT COME UP IN THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT PRESENTATION THAT I DID. BUT WE DECIDED SOMETHING A FEW MONTHS AGO HARRIS COLLABORATIVE HARRIS CENTER, HARRIS HEALTH, COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE OUR HEALTH PLAN. AND THE PURPOSE OF US COMING TOGETHER EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

>> BRIGHT POTENTIAL. >> YES, SO, I BELIEVE SO.

>> WE HAVE A COMMISSION SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA --

>> FOR CLARITY CAN IT BE RE-READ SO THE RECORD IS CLEAR.

>> SURE. SO THE MOTION IS I CONTROLLED PAST IT. ALL RIGHT.

>> I HAVE IT. >> I FOUND IT. TO SET PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2025 AT 10:00 A.M. TO CONSIDER FOR HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DBA HARRIS HEALTH PROPOSED 2025 TAX RATES PER 100 DOLLARS OF TAXABLE VALUE OF .17876 FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS AND .00885 FOR DEBT SERVICE FOR A TOTAL TAX RATE OF .18761 WHICH IS VOTER APPROVAL RATE. AND TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR AND OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS EXECUTE AND PUBLISH ALL RELATED NOTICES AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

>> SECONDP. >>

>> ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> YES. [INAUDIBLE] >> I AM SORRY. JUDGE, I WANTED TO -- I WOULD LIKE TO JUST CAUTION THAT WE -- BY DOING THE

[04:10:06]

EFFECTIVELY. >> THAT'S CORRECT EXACTLY.

>> RIGHT. AND SO MY POINT EARLIER WAS WE ARE GOING TO FUND OUR PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM OR WE ARE NOT. AND I THINK IT'S A DISSERVICE TO VOTERS TO SAY OKAY WE MIGHT FUND IT AND THEN THE NEXT COURT SURPRISE THEM WITH NO, WE ARE GOING TO DEFUND IT.

SO THAT'S WHY I PROPOSED IT THAT WAY, COMMISSIONER, BUT, YOU CAN OFFER YOUR VOTE AND THEN I THINK IF YOU WANT TO VOTE

AGAINST IT I CAN RECORD THAT. >> I JUST -- THE EARLIER CONVERSATION WAS THAT THERE'S WORK TO BE DONE BETWEEN HARRIS HEALTH AND MR. RAMOS. SO, IF THAT WORK -- IS ALLOWED TO MOVE FORWARD, THEN, YOU KNOW THE MOTION WILL BE WHAT IT IS. BUT, I WAS HOPING FOR THERE TO BE SOME CONVERSATION TO FIND OUT JUST WHAT MORE WE CAN FIND OUT ABOUT THE HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET.

>> THE POINT OF ORDER A MOTION IS ON THE TABLE. SO THERE WAS A MOTION AND A SECOND ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> ANY APOSED.

>> NO. MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU JUDGE.

>>> SO, NOW, WE ARE MOVING ONTO. >> IF WE COULD.

>> THE BUDGET. SET A MOTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING THAT'S WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO SAY, YEAH? OKAY ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2025 AT 10:00 A.M. TO CONSIDER FOR HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DBA HAIRI HEALTH PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AS AMENDED AND DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OCA AND ALL RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS EXECUTE AND PUBLISH ALL RELATED NOTICES AND DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO FILE THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT DB, A HARRIS HEALTH PROPOSED FY2026 BUDGET AS AMENNED WITH COUNTY CLERK AND COUNTY AUDITOR IS THERE A MOTION.

>> JUDGE IF I MIGHT BECAUSE I SAW A MOTION FROM PRECINCT 2, FROM HEATHER RELATED TO THE HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH, WE CAN GET THAT BEFORE WE MOTION TO NOTICE THE

BUDGET PLEASE? >> IF I COULD. THE MOTION WOULD BE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH TO WORK WITH MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OMB TO TRANSFER $HAD 4 MILLION ELIGIBLE EXPENSES TO HARRIS HEALTH. THIS TRANSFER OF COST SHOULD BE USED TO RESTORE THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFF SETS IN THE CURRENTLY PROPOSED

FY26 BUDGET. >> SECOND.

>> JUDGE I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. >> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> WHAT WILL BE NEEDED FROM -- FROM HARRIS HEALTH IN A LOCAL AGREEMENT? ARE THERE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS? AND ALSO, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY CHARITY CARE WILL CHARITY CARE BE REDUCED-- WILL THE CHARITY CARE REVENUE -- WILL DECREASE OR INCREASE FROM THIS

ITEM? >> YEAH.

>> I MIGHT ASK, BY THE WAY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CHARITY CARE BILL, I ASSUME I PASSED LEGISLATURE IN 1997?

>> YES, THANK YOU. >> OKAY. JUST SAYING. IT POPS BACK TO ME EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

>> YEAH, SO WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED WITH HARRIS HEALTH SO FAR IS LOOK FOR AN AGREEMENT TO BE APPROVED BY HARRIS HEALTH BOARD AND COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO SUBMIT QUARTERLY REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTS TO HARRIS HEALTH PRESENCELY FOR PAYROLL FOR EASE OF REVIEW, COULD ALSO INCLUDE SOME NONLABOR FOR MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND OTHER VERY CLEARLY CLINICAL TYPE EXPENSES. BUT, WE REALLY, YOU KNOW, WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AGREEMENT IS PUT IN PLACE QUICKLY.

>> SO. >> COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS SUPPORTIVE AND HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH US, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE

SURE. >> ANY SUGGESTION ANYTHING YOU THINK A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEM OR ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH IT WHERE IT IS?

>> IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE TO RETAIN SOME FLEXIBILITY IN HOW WE USE THE FUNDS. SO IF WE COULD MAYBE REMOVE THE PART ABOUT THE OFF SETS THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL. AND WHO WOULD GIVE US

FLEXIBILITY TO. >> YOU GOT LANGUAGE.

>> I GOT NO PROBLEMS. LET ME MAKE SURE I REREAD IT SO THAT IT

READS. >> THE COMMISSIONER, THINK YOU'RE GOOD. IT RESTORES THE BUDGET. I KNOW.

>> THERE'S NO LANGUAGE OF OFF SETS IN HERE. IT IS -- TO

RESTORE THE OFF SETS. >> YEAH.

>> I THINK WHAT DIRECTOR BARTON IS SAYING THERE ARE SOME ENHANCEMENTS SHE IS TRYING TO FUND INTERNALLY. I THINK THAT CAN COME SEPARATELY. I DON'T THINK -- I THINK THE MOTION

[04:15:01]

COVERS YOU. >> BUT SEE, EVEN WITH THIS, I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FACES CUTS BECAUSE THEY ARE TALKING ENHANCEMENTS AND OFF SETS, BUT WHAT THEY REALLY MEAN IS THERE'S A GRANT EXPIRING THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS NOT GOING TO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR, BECAUSE OF THE REDUCTION IN FUNDING THAT THEY HAVE. SO, THIS IS GOING TO KEEP THEM FROM CUTTING $4 MILLION BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO CUT THAT OTHER AMOUNT. AND SO I JUST WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT BECAUSE WE ARE, AGAIN, USING THE WORDS THAT ARE UNNECESSARILY CONVOLUTED. I DID USE THAT WORD ON PURPOSE. BUT OKAY, THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

>> SO, JUDGE, HE WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR HERE. YOU KNOW, WHAT WE KIND OF DOING IT SO QUICKLY, YOU KNOW, I KNOW FOLKS ARE LOOK FOR MONEY ON THE -- UNDER EVERY CORNER. BUT, SO, ANY COSTS THAT HARRIS HEALTH PICKS UP THIS YEAR, WOULD THAT BE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR CHARITY CARE REIMBURSEMENT IN FISCAL YEAR 26

'26. >> BECAUSE OF HOW CLOSELY WE NEED TO ALIGN WITH THE DISTRICT PURPOSE ALL EXPENSE WE IDENTIFIED ARE EXPENSES WE WOULD NORMALLY SUBMIT IS FOR CHARITY CARE REIMBURSEMENT AND THAT'S A LOWER REIMBURSEMENT IN FISCAL

YEAR '27. >> I WANT TO KNOW BECAUSE I THINK I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT -- I WAS DOING.

>> CURRENTLY THAT RATE IS ABOUT. >> WILL IT MEAN 4 MILLION THIS YEAR CREATE A $1.2 MILLION LESSER AMOUNT IN CHARITY CARE REVENUE NEXT YEAR? I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE. WE ARE NOT PLAYING SHELL GAMES WITH THE MONEY SO WE HAVE -- WE ARE SO EXCITED WE GET THIS $4 MILLION AND YOU DOUBLE 1.2 MILLION DOLLAR HOLE NEXT

YEAR. >> TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR, COULD YOU SUMMARIZE FOR THE COURT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PUBLIC, WHAT THIS MEANS EXACTLY. THE PROS AND CONS, TRADE-OFFS WHAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY CAUSE, WHAT WE GAIN WHAT WE LOSE.

>> SO, IF WE WERE TO GET $4 MILLION IN REIMBURSEMENT FROM HARRIS HEALTH THAT MEANS WE GET WE WOULD HAVE $4 MILLION LESS TO SUBMIT TO CHARITY CARE WHY THE CURRENT RATE IS 31% WE WOULD GET 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS LESS BACK IN FISCAL YEAR '27. BUT WE WOULD HOPE TO USE THE $4 MILLION TO RESTORE THE RESIDENT FACING OFF SETS TO CONTINUE SOME OF THE FUND PROGRAMS THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO END IN JUNE SO WE HAVE A FULL FISCAL YEAR AND CAN KIND OF LOOK AT THEM AGAIN FOR NEXT YEAR. AND EXPAND OUR CLINICAL SERVICES.

>> JUST -- OH DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION?

>> JUDGE. >> TO BE --

>> SORRY. I WANT TO ADD ONE OTHER THING TO THIS, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HARRIS HEALTH. AND PUBLIC HEALTH. IS THAT THEY ARE LIMITED IN WHAT HARRIS HEALTH CAN OFFER. SO THEY HAVE TO BE DIRECTLY RELATED HOSPITAL SERVICES, AND SO, I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE ANY SORT OF MISCONCEPTION THAT THERE'S THIS SORT OF AN ENDLESS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED OVER. IT IS VERY -- IT'S A VERY DISCRETE SET OF SERVICES THAT CAN BE OFFERED. AND WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE WOULD RECOMMEND, OR HAVE RECOMMENDED, THAT THIS BE A SINGLE YEAR IOA THAT TORRANCE A LARGER LONG-TERM VIEW OF SHARED SERVICES BETWEEN HARRIS HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES. SO IT'S NOT A A YEAR BY YEAR CASH TRANSFER, WHICH WOULD BE OUTSIDE CANDIDLY OUTSIDE OF THE NORM OF WHAT HAPPENS STATEWIDE WITH BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AND HOSPITAL DISTRICTS.

>> SO. >> TO BE COLLECT, DIRECTOR BARTON TO CREATE OPTIONALITY TO MAXIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE $4 MILLION AND WHATEVER IT HAS TO BE FORWARD FACE VACCINATION DIRECT MEDICAL SERVICES THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE FOR THE CHARITY CARE FUND. COULD IT BE, SINCE I KNOW YOU ALSO HAVE BOLD VISION FOR ENHANCEMENT, WOULD IT CREATE MORE OPTIONALITY AND LATER WE WILL GET TO RESTORATIONS AS WELL, BUT MOTION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH TO WORK WITH OFFICE -- OMB MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO TRANCE FOR $4 MILL OF ELIGIBLE EXPENSE TO HARRIS HEALTH THAT WOULD BE USED TO RESTORE THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFF SETS AND OR FUND ENHANCEMENTS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR AND OMB IN THE CURRENTLY

PROPOSED FFY26 BUDGET? >> YEAH.

>> THEN IT GIVES YOU BOTH AN OPTIONALITY TO EXPAND THINGS YOU HAVE BEEN WANTING TO DO, RIGHT, AND OFF -- SO, DANIEL.

>> PRIMARILY NOT A LOT OF EXPANSION BUT SUSTAIN.

>> SO THAT WOULD BE MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO CREATE.

>> I SUPPORT IT. >> SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, DANIEL. I WANT YOU TO HEAR THIS. I KNOW WHEN YOU -- I HAD A

[04:20:03]

>> IS IT ONE TIME FUNDING. I HAD THE SAME QUESTION.

>> SO, COMMISSIONER IF I MIGHT AND CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, WE WOULD NOT SUBMIT $4 MILLION TOWARDS CHARITY CARE WHICH WOULD LIKELY BE A REIMBURSEMENT AT 1.237 THAT BEING SAID, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT CAN ADD EVERY DOLLAR THAT THEY ARE NOT COMPENSATED FOR CARE TO THE TAX RATE. SO IT CREATES SPACE IN FUTURE YEARS BECAUSE IT ADDS TO UNCOMPENSATED CARE LINE.

>> IT'S NOT MUCH MONEY BUT I WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I TELL YOU WHAT, I MIGHT FORGET OR HAVE SOMEBODY TO REMIND ME WHEN

IT COMES UP. >> YOU ARE CORRECT.

COMMISSIONER, YOUR ESTIMATION. AND I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR AGAIN, I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DIRECTOR BARTON AND COMMITTING HERE AT THE COURT WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH DIRECTOR BARTON TO MAKE SURE THAT'S $4 MILLION GOES TOWARDS WHATEVER COMPENSATION, CUTS, WHATEVER, AND ENHANCEMENTS, THAT DIRECTOR

BARTON SEES FIT. >> IF I COULD GET A CLARIFICATION, QUICKLY, YOU BROUGHT UP THE CHARITY CARE COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. DOES THIS PRECLUDE YOU FROM ASKING FOR MORE CHARITY CARE SHOULD YOU DO IT?

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK CHARITY CARE REIMBURSEMENT BUT WE COULDN'T SEEK IT FOR $4 MILLION WORTH OF EXPENSES.

>> GOT IT. >> SO JUST TO CLARIFY IN TERMS OF GOING FORWARD, SO THIS SAME AGREEMENT YOU COULD HAVE IN FISCAL YEAR '27-'28 AND SO ON AND SO FORTH A ONE TIME FUNDING

OR IS THIS IN PERPETUITY. >> AS OF RIGHT NOW IT'S ONE

TIME, ONE YEAR FUNDING. >> OKAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR IT SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER PATCHING UP A HOLE. BUT, EVEN IF IT WERE IN PERPETUITY, WE ARE DOING THIS MATH HERE AND I AM GOING -- MY STAFF WILL UPDATE THIS FOR THE PUBLIC AS WE GO ON.

IF YOU LOOK AT THIS BOARD, WHAT THEY HAVE PUT ON THERE IS EVEN WITH THIS EXCHANGE OF FUNDS TAKING AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL TO GIVE TO PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH IS STILL LOOK BEING AT $1.7 MILLION IN CUTS. AND SO, DIRECTOR BARTON, IF YOU COULD GIVE SPECIFICITY TO WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF PROGRAMS OR WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO CUT WITH THAT $1.7 MILLION IN

CUTS? >> SO, WITH -- WITHOUT REFERRING TO SPECIFIC AMOUNTS IN GENERAL IN ORDER TO HAVE SOME OF THE AARP, A FUNDS CONTINUE THROUGH SEPTEMBER, RIGHT, WE HAVE A NUMBER CHRONICS DISEASE, WASTE WATER SURVEILLANCE SCHEDULED TO END IN JUNE. WE CHOOSE TO CONTINUE THOSE. AND THEN WE WOULD KEEP SOME OF OUR OFF SETS FOR THINGS CURRENTLY COVERING SOME ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES INTERNAL TO OUR DEPARTMENT. WE WOULD FIND EFFICIENCIES IN HR, FINANCE, PLANNING, MY OFFICE, AS WELL AS TAKING SOME SOME OFF SETS THAT REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY IMPACT, LIKE MOVING ROLES INTO SPECIAL REVENUE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH, LIKE RIGHT SIZING BUDGETS THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY HAD SURPLUSES. SO, WE WOULD RESTORE THE RESIDENT FACING PORTION OF OUR OFF SETS, BUT WE WOULD HAVE SOME

INTERNAL ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT. >> AND PRESUMABLY, ADMINISTRATIVE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM IS THERE FOR A REASON. SO, WHAT DO -- WHAT DOES THIS ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE DO THAT ULTIMATELY SUPPORTS THE RESIDENTS?

>> STRATEGIC PLANNING, SUPPORTING FINANCIAL CONTROLS, SUPPORTING YOU KNOW, WE HAVE INTERN WITHIN MY OFFICE. SO THOSE TYPES OF ROLES. HR RECRUITING. AND SO THAT JUST MEANS THAT OUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAMS WILL NEED TO, YOU KNOW, WORK A LITTLE HARDER, BUT WE ARE PREPARED TO DO THAT.

>> AND, OF COURSE, YOU ARE SUBJECT TO THE HIRING FREEZE.

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN PUBLIC HEALTH LISTED AS AN EXCEPTION.

>> OKAY. AND THEN IN TERMS OF YOU MENTIONED SHIFTING SOMETHING TO ANOTHER EXPENSE BUCKET. IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE IN PERPETUITY OR IS THAT JUST DONE THIS YEAR?

>> THAT WOULD BE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIAL REVENUE FUND THAT COMES FROM FOOD INSPECTION, POOL INSPECTION, AND THOSE DO CONTINUE.

[04:25:01]

>> SO WHAT WOULD EXACTLY WOULD HAPPEN TO THE POOL INSPECTION AND FOOD INSPECTION? I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND.

>> WE HAVE ENOUGH REVENUE THERE TO POUR FTES PREVIOUSLY IN THE

GENERAL FUND. >> OKAY AND YOU WILL CONTINUE THAT IN PERPETUITY. SO WHAT I AM HEARING IS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CUT -- ARE GOING TO CUT POSITIONS THAT NORMALLY DO FINANCIAL CONTROL, HR ET CETERA, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD SAY YOU ARE NOT -- NOT CUTTING OUTSIDE PROGRAMS, BUT OF COURSE YOU NEED SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN OUTSIDE PROGRAMS. BUT, AND THEN I MEAN I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IF YOU COULD HAVE THIS MONEY BACK, DO YOU NEED IT OR ARE YOU SAYING YOU KNOW WHAT, I'VE BEEN OPERATING WITH AN EXTRA $1.7 MILLION I DIDN'T ACTUALLY NEED?

>> IF WE HAD ADDITIONAL MONEY, WE WOULD PUT IT TO USE FOR THOSE RESIDENT FACING PROGRAMS. WE WOULD CONTINUE TO INVEST IN MORE MATERNAL AND CHILD HAIR, MORE CHRONIC DISEASE, MORE NEIGHBORHOOD NUISANCE ABATEMENT. WE WOULD STILL TRY TO SEEK THE

INTERNAL EFFICIENCIES. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> THANKS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I THINK I AM COMFORTABLE WITH IT. WE WILL GET TO THE BROADER ISSUE WHEN WE GET TO THE BUDGET BUT I AM ALREADY WITH IT.

>> OKAY. SO CAN WE REPEAT THE MOTION?

>> SO THERE'S A -- LET ME READ IT.

>> ACCEPT THAT ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE BUT MOTION POUR PUBLIC HEALTH TO WORK WITH MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OMB TO TRANSFER $4 MILLION ELIGIBLE EXPENSE TO HARRIS HEALTH THIS TRANSFER OF COSTS WOULD BE USED TO RESTORE THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFF SETS AND OR FUND ENHANCEMENTS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR AND OMB AND THE

CURRENTLY PROPOSED FY26 BUDGET. >> I ACCEPT THAT AMENDMENT.

>> OKAY. SO, DID YOU GET THAT MOTION?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER

BRIONES. TO WE HAVE A SECOND. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR AYE. ANY APOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT. NOW.

>> THE MOTION TO -- OKAY. >> YOU JUST READ THE LANGUAGE.

>> TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER -- IS THAT ONE? OKAY.

WE HAVE READ IT A COUPLE TIMES. RIGHT?

>> YES. >> DO WE NEED THE SECOND ONE THE BUDGET ONE? THE TAX RATE ONE WAS MADE BUT NOT BUDGET.

>> IT WAS READ OUT BUT IT WAS NOT ACTED ON.

>> OKAY SO DO YOU NEED US TO READ THE BUDGET ONE.

>> SECOND? >> WE ARE GOOD.

>> SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HE WILLIS A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED. >> NO.

>> MOTION COMPAREIES 4-1. >>> SO. NOW WE MOVE ONTO THE

GENERAL FUND, RIGHT? >> GENERAL FUND IS NEXT.

>> CORRECT. >> I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO

TAKE A BREAK BY ACCLAMATION. >> CAP PLEASE BE.

>> AN OKAY.

>>> ALL RIGHT IT'S 4:04 AND COMMISSIONER COURT? SESSION.

THEREWAY A QUESTION ABOUT ITEMS SOON 9 PROOF PLAY SO THE CLERK THE DISTRICT CLERK AND COUNTY CLERK CAN RETURN TO THEIR DUTIES. SO MY QUESTION IS YOU DO IT QUICKLY? YEAH? ARE YOU COLLEAGUES ARE YOU OKAY WITH TAKE 1 AND 9.

>> SURE. >> ALL RIGHT. GO AHEAD. GOOD AFTERNOON I AM MARYLAND BURGES AND WE ARE HERE TO SUBMIT TO YOU THE RECORD OF 610 HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ON THE GRAND JURY IN 2024 AND ELIGIBLE TO SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE. WE NEED DIRECTION AS TO HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU WANT US TO REACH OUT TO LAST YEAR WHEN WE DID THIS, WE CONTACTED 45 TO GET NINE ON THE COMMITTEE AND THREE ALTERNATES. WE RECOMMEND YOU DO THE SAME THING AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME IN THIS THAN WE DID LAST YEAR, SO WE FEEL CONFIDENT WE CAN GET THEM OUT OF THAT GROUP. BUT WE NEED TO KNOW IF YOU WITH A. ALTERNATES AND HOW MANY AND IF YOU WANT TIME THIS APPEAR IN CASE THEY DON'T SHOW UP OR BE THERE IN THE EVENT SOMEONE LETS US KNOW THEY ARE NOT COMING. WE ARE PREPARED TO SEND THE EMAIL OUT TO THE PEOPLE TODAY. WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE TO GET IT GOING AND HAVE THEM RESPOND BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS THURSDAY. AND THEN SENT SEND OUT AN EMAIL ON FRIDAY YOU'VE BEEN SELECT. WE KNOW TO.

>> WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT THEM TO REPORT LAST YEAR 10:30 AND THEY REPORTED TO THE 5TH FLOOR AND YOU ESCORTED THEM DOWN AFTER

[04:30:04]

IS FOR THE RECORD. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS

AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> SO, HE JUST WANT TO LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO WALKS THROUGH THE PROCESS. WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS -- AND THANK YOU FOR THE REPRESENTATION IN WHAT ARE THE

OPTIONS? WHAT CAN WE DO? >>

>> COMMISSIONER, JONATHAN DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEY. WE HAVE BEEN SPEAKING WITH DIFFERENT COURTS AFTER THE DAY I RECOMMEND WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION GIVEN THE STATUTES IS AMBIGUOUS SO WE CAN EXPLAIN THE OPTIONS FOR SELECTING THE COMMITTEE.

>> OKAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD BE SORT OF A SIMPLE THING.

AND YOU GUYS, WE HAVE -- THE BUDGET IS JUST LIKE A WHOLE THING. I AM SO SORRY. BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO -- MAYBE WE CAN CALL YOU WHEN WE FINISH THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND THERE'S ANOTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM ANYWAY. WE TRY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. SO LET'S GO BACK THANK YOU JOHN, LET'S GO BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND DISCUSSION. AND WE ARE NOW WORKING ON -- THE CUTS

OR SORT OF FINDING MONEY PLACES? >> CORRECT. SO I WANT TO TURN IT BACK OVER TO THE CHOIR. I'VE BEEN SEEING A FEW MOTIONS COME THROUGH ON THIS. I WOULD ASK THAT SO TWO THINGS. ONE IS WE HAVE 2.7 MILLION DOLLARS THAT IS UNALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET. THOSE WERE OFF SETS WE FOUND IN OTHER PRIOR TO THIS LATEST ITERATION OF THE BUDGET THAT DID NOT HAVE A DESIGNATED PURPOSE OR HAD BEEN VOTED SO THAT'S $2.7 MILLION FOR COURT TO REASSIGN OR REALLOCATE. I WOULD ALSO ASK WHEN WE ARE DONE WITH THE OFFSET DISCUSSION THAT, WE JUST TAKE A BREAK SO MY STAFF CAN RECONCILE AND I CAN SEN SOMETHING OUT A TRACKER, TO ALL OF THE COURT OFFICES SO WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE. AT THIS POINT.

>> OKAY. SO, SO, I GUESS THESE ARE MOTIONS TO FIND FUNDS AND SO THIS 2.7 MILLION DOLLARS, WHERE DID IT COME FROM EXACTLY?

>> THIS WAS FROM REALLOCATED $2.75 MILLION FOR EACH COURT OFFICE FOR PARK SECURITY TO A CONSOLIDATED $5.5 MILLION CONTRIBUTION TO THE SHERIFF TO DO PARK SECURITY FOR ALL FOUR

OFFICES. >> RIGHT IN GOT IT. OKAY.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND THEN GARCIA AND THEN BRIE OWN NIECE WE SETTING UP TO DISCUSS THE AMENDMENTS NOW.

>> I THINK IT WILL MAKE MOST SENSE FOR FOLKS TO GO THROUGH

THEIR AMENDMENT. >> I WILL GO THROUGH MINE.

>> RIGHT NOW THE AMENDMENTS ARE TO DUT.

>> CORRECT. >> CUTS FIRST.

>> THESE ARE NOT JUST. >> AND TO CLARIFY WE ARE GOING OFF THE BUDGET BOOK NUMBER 4 AND ALL OF OMB'S RECOMMENDED OFF SETS THAT HAVE BEEN WEEKS AND WEEKS OF WORK AMONGST THE FIVE

OFFICE, CORRECT. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> SO WE ARE ADDING TO WHAT IS IN BUDGET BOOK VERSION FOUR.

>> YES MA'AM. >> OKAY, JUST TO LEVEL SET.

>> ALL RIGHT COMMISSIONER ELLIS, GARCIA AND BRIONES AND RAMSEY.

>> JUDGE, SO IF THE PROCESS IS AND THE ONLY WAY WE CAN ADD ANY MONEY, MR. RAMOS, IS IF YOU CUT SOMETHING?

>> ABOVE THE 2.7 MILLION. >> SO THAT MEANS OUT OF WALK US THROUGH TOTAL AMOUNT OF BUDGET IS WHAT?

>> 2.7 BILLION. >> SO 2.7 BILLION.

>> 2.8. >> AND SO WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS WHAT YOU CAN CUT ON SOMETHING THAT'S IN THERE.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE CUTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE.

>> UH-HUH. AND IF NOT, THERE'S 2.7 MILLION DOLLARS?

>> FOR AMENDMENTS AT THE TABLE THAT'S CORRECT.

>> SO IF IN AT THAT CASE THE IF THAT'S THE RULE WE ARE PLAYING BY THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN MAKE REAL DIFFERENCE OTHER THAN LYING TO MOVE THE CHAIRS AROUND ON THE TITANIC, IF THE COURT MADE A DECISION IT WAS GOING TO PHASE IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISES. SO, MY MOTION WOULD BE THAT WE DO -- 75% OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISES NOW. AT LEAST THAT LEAVES US WITH $25 MILLION TO MAKE SOME OF THE CUTS. OR IF IF IT HADN'T ABOUT

[04:35:02]

BUDGETS CORRECT. >> WE ASKED FOR 10% WORTH OF

OPTIONS THAT'S CORRECT. >> AND YOU PRESENTED THAT BUDGET, NOT NECESSARILY PUBLIC DOCUMENT BUT AT LEAST WE HAD IT.

THAT BUDGET WAS PRESENTED. AND THEN ON MAY 22ND, A DECISION WAS MADE BY THE COURT MAJORITY OF THE COURT OFFICE YOULY IS THE WAY IT WORKS, TO ADD ANOTHER $105 MILLION.

>> 101, 1012. >> TO THE DEAF IS THE ATE THAT TIME WE FELT IT WAS 135, 140 MILLION.

>> AND THE ORIGINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT NUMBER WAS 142.

>> I WOULD SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES, IN SIMPLISTIC TEMPLES TERMS, IN MY JUDGMENT, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN CUT EXTRA $100 MILLION OUT OF THIS BUDGET AND NOT FEEL THE IMPACT OF SERVICES. I MEAN, WE CAN GIVE THEM IMPRESSION WE ARE DOING IT. WE JUST CAN'T DO IT. IT JUST CANNOT HAPPEN. MR. RAMOS, IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL OPINION, YOU THE BUDGET GUY, YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH NUMBERS, WHEN YOU CAME UP WITH THAT INITIAL BUDGET, IF WE WERE GOING TO ADD ANOTHER 100 MILLION DO YOU PREFER WE DO IT IN PHASES OR ALL AT ONE TIME. I KNOW IT'S TOUGH QUESTION BUT YO ARE THE BUDGET GUY. I AM SORRY.

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT THE DECISION WAS EARLY, SO IT WAS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD. ONE THE NUMBER WE WERE CLIMBING BACK FROM WAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER. THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT WAS IT DID GIVE US MUCH LONGER TO PREPARE FOR IT. WE WERE ABLE TO AMEN THE CLS PROCESS AND THE BUDGET PROCESS TO GO FROM, I BELIEVE WE WERE ORIGINALLY GOING ASK FOR 7% AND MOVED IT UP TO 10%. SO IT CERTAINLY MADE MY JOB AND MY TEAM AND FRANKLY, YOUR JOB MUCH HARDER TO BE ABLE TO GET TO A BALANCED BUDGET.

>> SO, I AM GOING TO WALK THROUGH A SERIES OF ITEMS I WOULD LIKE TO ADD SO WE ARE CLEAR ON WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO. IT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE THAT WE COME UP WITH THE FUNDING TO ADD THAT $1.6 BILLION TO THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN FUNDING FOR CURRENT POSITIONS FOR EVIDENCE TESTING AND MEDICAL EXAMINATION, AND TO REPLENISH LOST FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EVIDENCE TESTING. I THINK MOST OF US SAW THE ACCOUNTS AND IT WAS HEART BREAKING. I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THE SECOND ONE I WOULD DO IS I WOULD PROPOSE WE PREVENT THE CUTS FROM -- FROM AN EXEMPTIONS. I WOULD PROPOSE WE FULLY FUND OUR ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAMS WE COMMITTED TO TRY TO AT LEAST MAJORITY OF US COMMITTED TO TRY TO EXPAND. AND IN ADDITION TO DOING THAT, I WOULD ADD A MILLION DOLLARS TO EXPAND THE HEART RESPONSE TEAM INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RESPONDERS AND CASE MANAGERS. I AM GOING THROUGH WHY I WOULD LIKE TO DELAY DOING ALL OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISE AT ONE TIME. I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE RESTORE $494,000 FOR FIVE POSITION FOR AIR MONITORING, EMERGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE AND FIELD INVESTIGATIONS. I THINK THAT THOSE ARE IMPORTANT AREAS THAT THE DEPARTMENT MADE A COMPELLING CASE. I WATCH OF WATCHED AS MANY OF THE HEARINGS AS I COULD.

PUBLIC HEALTH, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WE INCLUDE 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS TO PERFORM 1800 HOME VISITS PER YEAR.

PARTICIPANTS ARE CONNECTED TO MEDICAL COVERAGE, PRE AND POSTNATAL CARE WELL CHILD VISITS LANG STATION CONSULLANTS AND MORE. SIGNIFICANT OUTREACH BY WAY OF THE MATERNAL HEALTH BILL OF RIGHTS. EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY BABY SHOWERS. ANOTHER ADD MONEY I THINK $600,000 TO DO FROM 14 TO 450 HOME VISITS WEEKLY OUTREACH. PROGRAMS CONTINUE FISCAL YEAR '26, 1.6 MILLION FOR CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION. 1.7 MILLION FOR WASTE WATER TO ALLOW EARLY VISIBILITY INTO COVID, RSV, FLU, MEASLES, H5N1 AND EMERGENCY DISEASES. AND A MOTION FOR 1.4 MILLION FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT. THAT WOULD ENSURE 430 NUISANCE VIOLATIONS ARE ABATEED PER YEAR. 130 SELF-RESOLUTIONS BY WAY OF DIRECT ABATEMENT. AND I WOULD ALSO HOPE THAT WE WOULD GIVE

[04:40:05]

>> SO THOSE WERE YEAR END SURPLUS NOT BUDGETED TRANSFERS

TO BE CLEAR. >> OH SO WE WENT FROM 87 MILLION

IN 2021 TO 67. >>

>> IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME STARTING HERE IN 2022.

>> YEAH. AND THEN IN 2025, IT IS 20 MILLION.

>> 20 MILLION. >> YEAH. SO.

>> CAP AND PART OF THAT, TO PROVIDE I HEAR YOU COMMISSIONER, BUT TO PROVIDE CONTEXT, THE REASON WE SLOWED DOWN ONE WAS OUR BUDGET WAS A LOT CLOSER THAN IT HAD BEEN IN PRIOR YEARS. AND THEN NUMBER TWO, WE WERE STARTING TO SEE THE REIMBURSEMENTS COME THROUGH THE DOOR, WHICH OFFSET ANY -- THE CRITICALNESS OF CONTINUING TO CONTRIBUTE. AND THEN IF I MIGHT, JUST AS A REMINDER, I THINK IT'S FAIR FOR FOLKS TO PUT UP THERE YOU KNOW THEIR BUDGETED ENHANCEMENT REQUEST AT THIS POINT. I WOULD RECOMMEND NOT TAKING ACTION ON ANY OF THE ENHANCEMENTS UNTIL WE HAVE VOTED ON AND FINALIZED WHAT'S

AVAILABLE IN THE BUDGET. >> WITH THE OFF SETS.

>> AND I AM HAPPY TO CONSIDER THESE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME BUT WE VOTED IN TERMS OF ORDER, JAY POINT OF ORDER. WE ARE

TAKING MOTIONS FOR OFF SETS NOW. >> THE POINT I AM MAKING IS IF YOU ARE SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE 2.SOMETHING MILLION DOLLARS TO PUT IN, AND AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT -- WHAT SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO ADD INTO IT. SO I AM SAYING, I WOULD PROPOSE WE DO 75% OF THIS PAY RAISE, WHICH WOULD SAVE US HOW MUCH? WHICH WOULD GIVE US HOW

MUCH MONEY TO DISTRIBUTE. >> $26 MILLION.

>> I AM NOT SURE IF THE AMENMENTS CAME TO 26 MILLION. I CAN GO DOWN TO 50. BUT I AM MAKING THE CASE, WHAT WE DID WAS CERTAINLY UNORTHODOX TO DECIDE ON MAY 22ND AT LEAST WE KNEW WHAT THE SO-CALLED BASE BUDGET -- WE KNEW THE BUDGET YOU WERE SHOPPING AROUND. AND WHEN WE MADE A DECISION, I AM NOT KNOCKING IT, BUT WHEN WE MADE A DECISION ON MAY 22ND TWO AND A HALF, THREE MONTHS AGO WE WOULD CHANGE THAT AND I KNOW WE HAVE GONE THROUGH IT AND HOW WOULD YOU GOT TO SHORTFALL. WE MADE THE DECISION WOO GO TO 8% IN THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE. I MAY HAVE BEEN THE PERSON TO MAKE A MOTION ASK THE VOTERS CAN WE KEEP IT.

WHAT WAS THAT 65, $70 MILLION, 08.

>> 80. >> 08 MILLION. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD USE IT FOR BUT I ASSUMED SOMETHING WOULD COME UP.

THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED FOR A PAY RAISE. I MENTIONED THAT AT THE LAST CONTROL. I COULDN'T CONTROL WHERE IT WOULD HAVE GONE BUT WE DID NOT DO THAT. AT LEAST FOR ME, I THINK MORE PRUDENT COURSE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO PHASE IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISES. AND IF OUR FRIENDS AT CITY HALL MAKE A DECISION, SIX MONTHS FROM NOW, OR A YEAR FROM NOW, THEY ARE GOING TO ADD -- INCREASE IT EVEN MORE, WHAT DO WE DO? AND THEN WE KNOW OUR FRIENDS WENT TO AUSTIN TO GET PARODY. WE DIDN'T GO THROUGH A DISCUSSION ABOUT EFFICIENCY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE COULDN'T DECIDE IT IF THE PAY PARODY PROVISION HADN'T PASS. YOU LOOK FOR EVERBENCEIES THERE, AM I RIGHT? WE LOOKED FOR EFFICIENCY

IN LAW ENFORCEMENT? >> YEAH. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE CONSTABLE.

>> AND WHAT DID WE FIND? >> I THINK.

>> BY COMPARISON DOLLAR AMOUNT BY COMPARISON.

>> ACROSS THE BOARD, THINK IT'S SOMEWHERE IN THE $16 MILLION.

[04:45:03]

>> BUT WE THINK INEFFICIENCY ON OUR BUDGET WE ARE GOING TO FIND $200 MILLION? RIGHT? I AM JUST LAYING OUT ESSENTIALLY TO THE

PUBLIC WHAT WE HAVE DONE. >> SO, IN JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE PROPOSED BUDGET THAT IS ON THE TABLE TODAY WHICH IS BEING AMENDED IS BALANCED. IT JUST -- IF COMMISSIONERS COURT WANTS TO AMEND BUDGETS TO MAKE RESTORATIONS OR DO AS MUCH PLENTAL FUNDING, THEN WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO FIND ADDITIONAL OFF SETS ABOVE WHAT OMB RECOMMENDED TODAY.

>> GOT YOU. BUT I AM MAKING A POINT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DID.

AND WHAT WE DIDN'T DO. >> I UNDERSTAND.

>> WE DIDN'T ASK THE VOTERS FOR EXTRA $80 MILLION WE TOOK AND SPENT IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR. AND THEN WE ADDED ANOTHER $101 MILLION TO THAT. AND THEN ALL OF THESE OTHER ITEMS, THAT IN ALL THE AMENDMENTS I SENT AROUND THE ADD AROUND, WE ARE NOT GOING TO FUND. EVEN IF WE WE WORK A PROCESS TODAY TO LIMIT THE DISCUSSION ON IT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM PUTTING ON THE RECORD, THAT WE ARE MAKING SOME VERY POOR BUDGETARY DECISIONS.

NOBODY WOULD RUN THEIR BUSINESS OR HOUSEHOLD LIKE THAT. AND FOR US TO ACT LIKE THESE FREEZES ARE BALANCING THE BUDGET, AND THEN EVERY COURT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO WALK IN AND ASK TO GET AROUND THE FREEZE. AND WE ARE GOING TO GRANT SOME OF THOUGH DECISION IF SOMEONE RAISINGS ENOUGH CANE TO DO IT. IT'S GOING TO BE BALANCED ON PAPER BUT WE WILL WALK INTO A SITUATION WHERE WE WILL HAVE BIGGER FISCAL AND ONE TIME EXPENDITURES IN THIS BUDGET. GIVE ME A ROUGH IDEA, HOW MUCH IN ONE TIME

EXPENDITURES. >> 67.7.

>> 67.7. TOTAL AMOUNT ONE TIME EXPENDITURES.

>> ONE TIME REALLY REVENUE AND SAVINGS OPTIONS.

>> OKAY. SO, IT'S FAIR TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO WALK INTO A DEEPER HOLE UNLESS SOMETHING HAPPENS UNIQUE THAT'S GOING TO

GIVE US. >> DRAMATIC CABINS AND MY GUESS IS WHAT'S GOING TO DETERMINE THAT IS EITHER OUTSOURCING --

FOR FISCAL YEAR 27. >> SOMETIMES WHEN YOU OUTSOURCE IT, THAT CAN COST MORE MONEY A YOU AND I KNOW FROM BUDGET FREEZES, SOMETIMES THAT COST MORE MONEY, BECAUSE YOU MAY KEEP EMPLOYEES THAT MAYBE YOU WANTED TO REPLACE, OR YOU ARE GOING TO WORK THE ONES YOU KEEP SO HARD THEY ARE GOING TO QUIT, AND YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO REDUCE SERVICES. AND YOU OUTSOURCE AND IT WILL COST MORE MONEY DOWN THE ROAD. I AM GOING TO SET UP A MOTION TO SAY TO REDUCE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISING.

>> I WILL MAKE A SECOND TO THE MOTION TO.

>> 75%. >> TO DO.

>> THE FIRST YEAR AND PUT 25 IN THE NEXT YEAR.

>> SO, THAT'S -- AND THEN PUT THE 25 IN THE NEXT YEAR. AND COMMISSIONER, IS THAT -- I DON'T KNOW IF -- DIRECTOR, BUT, I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION IS HOUR IS THAT GOING TO BE DOWN THE ROAD. BECAUSE WE COULD GO TO THE VOTERS NEXT YEAR FOR THE

REST OF IT. >> I WILL ADMIT IT'S KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD WITH A LOT OF PRAYER. PRAY BEFORE YOU KICK IT.

>> AT LEAST IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT COMPLETELY PUT THE COUNTY IN THE TOTAL RED. OKAY. WELL, YEAH.

>> IF I COULD GET 50, I WOULD GO FOR 50, BUT I KNOW THERE'S SOME EXPERTS WHO WILL SAY PHASE IT IN OVER FOUR OR FIVE YEARS. BUT NOT DO IT THAT DRASTICALLY AND NOT GIVE THE DEPARTMENTS SOME WARNING ON WHAT WAS COMING AND GIVE THE PUBLIC SOME WARNING ON WHAT WAS COMING. I JUSTERS FOR ONE, I REFUSE TO PUT BLINDERS ON AND ACT LIKE THAT WON'T BE A DRASTIC CUT IN SERVICES.

>> YEAH. SO, I SECOND THAT MOTION COMMISSIONER A TRY TO SAVE OUR COUNTY FROM WHAT THE CITY IS GOING THROUGH.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THEN BRIONES AND THEN RAM RAMSEY.

>> WE CAN PROBABLY VOTE ON IT. >> JUST TAKE A VOTE.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN. >> WE CAN PROBABLY TAKE A VOTE

ON IT. >> OKAY. I DO HAVE ADDITIONAL

DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION. >> YEAH.

>> WHICH IS I JUST WANT TO READ THIS PIECE HERE. IT SAYS THE 2025 FISCAL PERIOD THAT WRAPPED UP IN JUNE SAW THE LARGEST GAP BETWEEN REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES SINCE CITY HITRY 145 MILLION 200 MILLION IS MORE THAN THAT. BECAUSE OF SLASH SPENDING THEY PROJECTED DEFICIT WILL BE 76 MILLION IN THE NEXT YEAR. BUT THE DEFICIT COULD REACH 500 MILLION DOLLARS IN 2030 IF THE BASELINE CONTINUES. EVEN WITHOUT ACCOUNTING FOR DISASTERS UNTENABLE TREND WOULD EXHAUST $346 MILLION EMERGENCY FUND BALANCE OVER FOUR TIMES OVER. SO, SO THIS IS WHAT WE ARE SIGNING UP FOR IF WE DON'T VOTE YES TO A MORE FISCALLY

[04:50:05]

>> AYE. >> JUDGE, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND

READING IT CLEARLY. >>

>> YOU SHOULD HAVE IT. >> BUT DON'T WE HAVE THEM READ

IT FOR THE RECORD? >> I THOUGHT HE DID BUT CAN I READ IT MOTION TO STAGGER LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY.

>> I GOT IT. MOTION TO TAG STAG ARE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISES OVER FISCAL YEAR 2025, 2026 FOR AEL TO A COST OF $75 MILLION OR 75% OF THE COST ALLOCATED IN THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 20 -- FISCAL YEAR '26 BUDGET BOOK. DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT.

>> YES. >> A MOTION AND SECOND ALL IN

FAY. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> I AM IN FAVOR. SO I HAVE ANOTHER SET OF MOTIONS RELATED TO THAT. IS THIS -- SHOULD I MAKE IT NOW OR WAIT? I GUESS I WILL WAIT, BUT THEN, YEAH, I AM GOING TO PROPOSE WE DO WHAT THE CITY IS DOING AND OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS. ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, RAMIES AND GARCIA.

>> , SO, PRECINCT 2 AND PRECINCT 4 HAVE WORKED ON AN ARRAY OF MOTIONS. LATER WHEN WE GET TO THE ENHANCEMENTS WE WILL HAVE THEM, BUT WE HAVE OUR OFF SETS AND AGAIN FACTS MATTER. THE CITY OF HOUSTON REFERENCES, CITY OF HOUSTON THEY TAPPED RESERVES TO MAKE THEIR BUDGET BALANCED. OUR BUDGET IS NOT TAPPED IN RESERVES AND AGAIN TO LEVEL SET, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY $344 MILLION IN RESERVES, PLUS WE HAVE A PICK OF ABOUT 206 MILLION, PLUS WE ARE ANTICIPATING REIMBURSEMENT OF FEMA OF APPROXIMATELY 150 MILLION. THAT'S NOT BEING TOUCHED AT ALL. WE ARE NOT TOUCHING RESERVES, AND THE PAY PARODY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A 5-YEAR DEAL AND EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS KNOWS THIS TOO IS A FIVE-YEAR DEAL. BUT OFFSET MOTION P2 AND P4 PROPOSING ARE THE FOLLOWS. MOTION THE COMMISSIONER COURT ACCEPT AN ADDITIONAL 3 MILLION OFFSET FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER, OCE WILL WORK WITH OMB TO CONFIRM THE OFF SETS FUND 2014 TO TRANCER FOR 4.7 MILLION TO FUND 2417. THIRD MOTION THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT ACCEPT AN ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION OFFSET FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICE IT IS OCE WILL WORK WITH OMB TO CONFIRM THE OFF SETS I AM SORRY THAT SHOULD READ UNIVERSAL SERVICE WILL WORK WITH OMB TO CONFIRM THE OFF SETS AND THEN MOTION TO DIRECT OMB TO INCLUDE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET THE ADDITIONAL $812,621.10 IN ARPA REALLOCATION RECOMMENDED BY STEERING COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF OUR FIVE OFFICES.

>> SECOND TO ALL. >> OKAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, GARCIA, ELLIS ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS MOTION?

>> I DO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION. >> COMMISSIONER ELSEIS.

>> WHERE WERE THE ARPA REALLOCATION WHICH.

>> EYE TEAM 16. THE ARPA STEER CO CAME UP WITH $800,000 MORE THAN WHAT WE ORIGINALLY BUDGETED WHICH WAS $20 MILLION.

>> OKAY. >> AND I WANT TO NOTE MOTIONS WERE CIRCULATED AND OFFSET ONES WERE CIRCULATED. THE RESTORATION OFF SETS LAST NIGHT. AND AGAIN, WE ARE GOING OFF OF THE VERSION FOR WHICH AGAIN HAS BEEN A HIGHLY PROCESS WITH THE FIVE OFFICES, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS. AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S GONE INTO THIS. AND AGAIN, WE ARE NOT TOUCHING RESERVES. AND NOT TOUCHING THE PICK.

>> SO ONE QUICK QUESTION. ON THE ARPA MONEY, ARE THESE CUTS FROM

EXISTING PROGRAMS? >> YES.

>> OKAY AND WHICH PROGRAMS ARE BEING CUT.

>> PROGRAMS THAT WE WERE DOING SO.

>> -- SO JUST TO GIVE A RECAP, IN THE ORIGINAL RECOMMENDED BUDGET, WE MADE A RECOMMENDATION TO FIND $20 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDING TO CUT TO REPLACE GENERAL FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO

BALANCE THE BOOKS. AND. >> SO I REMEMBER THE MONEY FROM

[04:55:01]

>> SEW. >> THAT PART I WAS FOR.

>> YOU MADE THE MOTION FOR 11 MILLION DOLLARS AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MADE UP. THAT LEFT $9 MILLION THAT THE STEER

CO WAS -- >> HIGH, TOM VARG VARGAS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND ARPA PMO. I THINK SO, ORIGINALLY, THE COURT HAD ASKED US TO WORK WITH STEER CO TO IDENTIFY 20 MILLION DOLLARS IN ARPA TO HELP SUPPORT THE FY26 BUDGET. AND WHEN STEER CO WENT THROUGH THAT PROCESS, THEY ACTUALU ACTUALLY IDENTIFIED MORE. AND THE TOTAL IS $8 621 -- [INAUDIBLE] WHICH I THINK IS WHAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS MENTIONING. WE ATTEMPTED TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE RCA, BUT WERE TOLD BY AND GUIDED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT YOU COULDN'T DO THAT. AT THIS POINT BECAUSE OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT. I I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WANT TO COMMENT ON ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO, YEAH, THAT'S

WHERE THAT. >> IT'S ONLY $800,000, RIGHT?

>> CAM TOM WOULD YOU WALK THROUGH 11.9 MILLION THAT'S WHAT I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE WE WEE CUTTING WHAT ARE

WE CUTTING. >> YOU IDENTIFIED 8.8 APPROXIMATELY MILLION DOLLARS IN UNOBLIGATED FUNDS WOULD GET REALLOCATED FROM THE ARPA BUDGET THAT HAPPENED AT LAST COURT. AND STEER CO CAME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE SHINE FACILITY FUND AND OFFSET THERE, AND ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE TRAINING SUPPORT ACTS SINGLE FAMILY REHAB, EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK, AND THIS IS VARIETY OF DIFFERENT FUNDS THROUGHOUT THIS. ACCESS HARRIS.

LEAD ABATEMENT ZINC FAMILY. >> THOSE ARE PROGRAMS WE ARE

CANCELING? >> NO DO YOU WANT --

>> THESE WOULD BE ENDING EARLY.

>> YES. SO WE DON'T CALL IT CANCELING. THEY EXPECT IT TO DO

IT UNTIL THE END OF THE CYCLE. >> YES.

>> SO WE ARE GOING TO REDUCE THE CYCLE FOR LEAD ABATEMENT.

>> CORRECT. LEAD ABASEMENT THEY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF HOMES BY 17 LESS. SO WE WOULD BE REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF SERVICE.

>> AND I AM ONLY COMMISSIONER SO I KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING, SO I CAN SAY WHETHER I VOTE FOR IT. SO, THIS MEANS WE ARE CUTTING

WHAT SERVICES? >> LIKE HOW MANY HOMES FOR LEAD

ABATEMENT. >> IT WOULD BE 17.

>> 17 HOMES. >> YES. AND I WILL DIRECTOR BARTON ELABORATE BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WOULD FINISH ALL THE HOMES THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PIPELINE, AND THOSE FAMILIES THAT WOULD HELP THOSE. BUT IT WOULD -- THEY WOULD NOW BE ABLE TO HELP AN ADDITIONAL 17 HOUSEHOLDS.

>> AND RUN ME THROUGH THE REST OF IT SO I KNOW. I DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON IT AND AFTER THE FACT SAY I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE

CUTTING. >> DO YOU HAVE -- THERE'S A COPY OF THE CHART ALONG WITH THE VOTES OF THE FIVE OFFICES. MOST OF THEM ARE FIVE -- FIVE LIKE UNANIMOUS OR 4-1. DO YOU HAVE THE CHART MAYBE WE CAN PUT IT UP SO EVERYONE CAN SEE IT QUICKLY.

>> AS WELL AS LOGIC AND WHY THE PROGRAMS WERE SELECTED. THERE'S A BUDGETARY LOGIC BEHIND EACH ONE.

>> THESE ARE OWL PROGRAMS PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH ARPA INTEREST OR FLEX. THESE ARE NOT PROGRAMS THAT ARE A PART OF THE 915.5 MILLION THAT WE REPORT TO THE U.S. TREASURY. A SO WHEN COURT ASKED US TO GO THROUGH THIS EXERCISE AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, WE WORKED WITH DEPARTMENTS, DEO, PUBLIC HEALTH, HOUSING WITH THEM TO LOOK AT WHAT PROGRAMS MIGHT BE KIND OF -- WE COULD END EARLY, AND THEN IDENTIFIED THE IMPACT THAT EACH OF THEM HAD AND THEN STEER CO VOTED ON EACH OF THOSE. SO SOME OF THE VOTES WERE UNANIMOUS. AND SOME WERE 3, SOME WERE 4 AND WE CAN GO THROUGH ALL OF THOSE IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

>> AS WELL AS THAT THEY WERE JUST NOT MOVING. THERE'S SOME PROGRAMS THAT WERE JUST NOT MOVING.

>> SOME HAD SOME DELAYS. SOME OF THEM, THE -- THEY CAN MEET THE OBLIGATIONS FROM THE CONTRACTS. WITH REDUCED AT. THEY ARE TARGETS BUT IT'S COMBINATION AND BASED ON DEPARTMENT

RECOMMENDATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THEY WERE NOT JUST ARBITRARILY PICKED. THEY WEREN'T JUST DROP OFFICE JUST BECAUSE. BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS THIS MONEY GOES BACK AND WE DON'T FIND OTHER WAYS TO SPEND

IT. >> SO FOR EXAMPLE ACCESS HARRIS, 3.8 MILLION FOR EPIC. P THIS NOW CAN BE CAPITALIZED SO WE DON'T NEED ARPA FUNDS. THEREFORE FREEING UP ARPA FUNDS. ALSO IT'S GETTING MATCHING THE RIGHT REVENUE SOURCE AND EXPENSE AND

[05:00:04]

INVOLVED IN THIS. >> SO AT LEAST FOR ME, ON THE SHINE FACILITY, MY STAFF VOTED NO. WHAT IS THE SHINE FACILITY?

>> SHINE FACILITY IS A PROGRAM THAT INFEST.

>> AND FACILITY FUND. >> AND FACILITY FUNDS $17 MILLION TO INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES, TO IMPROVE IT CAN BE PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF A CLASSROOM, IT CAN BE OUTDOOR SPACE, BUT THERE ARE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.

>> OKAY. AND ACCESS CHILD CARE TRAINING SUPPORT. WHAT IS THAT?

MY STAFF VOTED NO. >> THIS ONE --

>> 1.468. >> AND TO CLARIFY, I HAVE THE VOTES SO SHINE IT SAYS CORRECT ME BUT SHINE WAS 5-0 VOTE. I CAN GO THROUGH EACH ONE BUT DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN RECORDS?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

>> WE HAVE. >> IF MY STAFF VOTED THEY VOTED

THE WRONG WAY. >> THESE ARE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE STAFF AND THEY ESSENTIALLY POLLED YOUR STAFF. THESE ARE NOT VOTES IN A CLASSIC SENSE. EVERYONE.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR. >> I GOT A GOOD STAFF BUT THEY

ARE NOT MIND READERS. >> RIGHT.

>> YES. IT WAS TO SEE WHETHER THERE WAS THE MOST AGREEMENT. WE KNEW NOT EVERY COURT OFFICE IS GOING TO VOTE FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE BUT WHERE WE SAW THE MOST CONSENSUS.

>> AND BEFORE WE ASKED DIRECTOR GONZALEZ TO COME UP IMPACT ON SHINE WHEN WE WORKED WITH DEO THEY INDICATE IT WILL HAVE A MINIMUM IMPACT ON THE PROGRAM TO MEET THE ORIGINAL STATED KPIS

AND GAVE ADDITIONAL IMPACT. >> AFTER GOOD AFTERNOON A ACCESS DOES WORK FORCE TRAINING FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDE VIEDERS AND THAT'S ONE WE FEEL COMFORTABLE COULD REAP ORIGINAL KPIS WITH

THE REDUCTION OF BUDGET. >> SO YOU FOLLOW THESE.

>> YES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE OFFICE AND DIRECTOR.

>> SO, AT LEAST FOR ME, THAT'S THE DOWN SIDE OF WHEN WE ARE RUSHING TO GO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE WE HAD A SHORTFALL, I AM ASSUMING THAT'S WHY THE DECISION WAS MADE WE GO ON THE HUNT LOOKING FOR MONEY? IS THAT FAIR COMMENT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN COMMISSIONER WE -- COURT DIRECTED TO GO BACK AND FIND ADDITIONAL FUNDS BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING FOR 20 MILLION.

CAME UP WITH 9 LAST COURT. AND STEER CO WAS DIRECTED TO COME UP

WITH ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS. >> AND WAS PART OF THE DISCUSSION. YOU COME UP WITH IT HERE WE WILL CUT SOMETHING ELSE

IN YOUR BUDGET. >> NO. THAT WAS THE CONVERSATION

ANYWHERE COMMISSIONER. >> I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT GUIDANCE DIDN'T COME FROM ME. WE, I BELIEVE MET WITH THE STEER CO FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST LAST WEEK OF JULY TO JUST PREP THIS WAS LUKELY TO BE PART OF THE BUDGET AFTER WE BRIEFED THE COURT OFFICES AND GOTTEN SOME GENERAL CONSENSUS FROM THERE THE FORMAL POKES MOTION WAS AUGUST 14TH TO DO 28.9 WAS IDENTIFIED AND VOTED ON BY COURT. THE REMAINDER WENT BACK TO STEER CO AND THEY HAVE DONE DELIBERATIONS UP TO THIS POINT ON THE

REMAINDER. >> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND THEN COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THIS,

FIRST? >> I HAVE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, TOO. IS YOUR QUESTION ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE?

>> WELL, MY COMMENT ON THIS, I AM CUED UP BECAUSE I AM NEXT I GUESS ON THE GENERAL DISCUSSION. BUT WE ALL KNOW ARPA PROGRAMS WERE GOING TO COME TO AN END NEXT YEAR AT THE LATEST THE YEAR AFTER. SO THAT WAS SOMETHING WE KIND OF KNEW FROM DAY ONE. SO, THESE LOOK REASONABLE. I GOT HAVE GOT TWO OR THREE TO CONSIDER AS WELL. BUT, WITH REGARD TO THE ARPA AND THE OTHER OFF SETS THAT ARE REFERENCED, I AM GOING TO BE IN SUPPORT OF

THEM. >> SO MAY WE PLEASE VOTE ON THE FOUR MOTIONS ON THE TABLE, PLEASE?

>> SO, I HAVE -- I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DISCUSSION ON THE MOTIONS ON THE TABLE. I AM NOT EVEN SURE WHICH ONES ARE THE MOTION ON THE TABLE. BUT I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THIS ARPA MONEY. SO, OKAY, SO WE -- IN ORDER TO TRY TO FILL THE HOLE CAUSED BY THE UNFUNDED RAISES, THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PROGRAMS WERE ASKED TO FIND $20

MILLION, RIGHT? >> COURT ON AUGUST 14TH, COURT DIRECTED US TO WORK WITH THE ARPA STEERING COMMITTEE.

>> RIGHT BUT IT WAS 20 MILLION YEAH.

>> 20 MILLION TOTAL. >> SO, CAN I JUST UNDERSTAND -- SHALL SO I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS -- WHAT ADDS UP

[05:05:03]

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T NEED THAT BECAUSE WE ARE

RECEIVING A FEMA REIMBURSEMENT. >> THIS IS A CORRECT.

>> DID WE RECEIVE THE REIMBURSEMENT YET.

>> IT HAS NOT COME IN. IT WAS CONFIRMED WE WILL BE GETTING IT.

>> OKAY. SO THAT WILL MEAN THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE THE EMERGENCY

NURSING UNTIL THE PROJECT -- >> EMERGENCY NURSING CONCLUEED

AND WE DID. >> GOT IT. I REMEMBER THAT. YEP.

WASTE WATER 2.6 MILLION DOLLARS. SO THAT WAS ALSO -- YOU KNOW, WE WOULDN'T HAVE RENEWED SOMETHING THAT ALREADY ENDED, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. >> OKAY. OKAY. OKAY. SO ARE WE REALLY FINDING NEW MONEY IF THESE WERE PROGRAMS THAT HAD

ALREADY ENDED? >> SO THE -- SOME OF THEM HAVE ENDED, SOME ARE NEW. OR EXISTING PROGRAMS.

>> OKAY. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE ADDING ALL THAT TOWARDS THE $21 MILLION. OKAY. SO, THEN, THERE'S DISPARITY STUDIES 1.2 MILLION. SOUNDS LIKE THAT ALSO ENDED?

>> THIS IS BUDGET THAT HAD NOT BEEN ALLOCATED TO SPECIFIC VENDORS IN THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

>> THAT HAS NOT BEEN IN -- >> THEY HAD NOT BEEN ALLOCATED TO SPECIFIC ENTITIES YET. IT WAS ALSO REIMBURSEMENT FROM LONE STAR BECAUSE THEY CANCELED THE CONTRACTS SO THAT WAS $600,000.

>> ARE YOU SAYING DISPARITY STUDIES ARE NO LONGER HAPPENING

OR WHAT IS THE DEAL. >> SOME ARE HAPPENING. I BELIEVE THERE'S THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE ONGOING. BUT NOT THE FULL BUDGET THAT WAS ALLOCATED FOR DISPARITIES STUDY WAS

ALLOCATED. >> OKAY. SO WE ARE CUTTING EXTENT OF DISPARITIES STUDIES IS THAT WHAT I AM HEARING.

>> THE ONE WITH THREE ISDS IS ONGOING. WE HAD FUNDS RETURNED FROM LONE STAR COLLEGE THAT WAS $500,000 AND WE ALWAYS HAD EXTRA AS WE WERE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL ISDS TO JOIN THE DISPARITY STUDIES BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY AFTER LAST LOI THAT WENT OUT SO IT WAS NOT ALLOCATED TO ANY PARTICULAR VENDOR AND

WERE ONGOING. >> AGAIN, THIS IS JUST STUFF THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE -- IT IS CUTE BUT I THINK IT'S LITTLE LIKE SAYING THAT WE REDUCED THE -- THAT WE REDUCED THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COST BY 40 MILLION WHEN THAT WAS ALREADY DONE A WHILE AGO. OKAY. THEN WE HAVE REENTRY CAPACITY SUPPORTS. SO, DID THAT ALREADY FINISH AS WELL?

>> THIS WAS ON FDE APPROVED BEFORE THE PROGRAM STARTED. AND THE PROGRAM WAS REALLOCATED SO THE FDE -- -- FDE THE POSITION WAS NEVER FILLED AND THE BUDGET WAS THERE, SO THAT WAS -- THAT'S REALLOCATED OUT OF THIS PORTFOLIO.

>> GUN BUY BACK EVENTS OVER. >> THOSE ENDED.

>> 911 TAPES WHAT IS THAT ABOUT. >> USED AS PART OF COURT BACKLOG THAT WAS A PO THAT WAS USED TO PROCESS 911 TAPES IN THE SHERIFF OFFICE. THESE ARE JUST FUNDS NEVER ALLOCATED TO PO.

>> SO WE DON'T NEED IT FOR COURT BACKLOG?

>> THAT WAS NEVER ALLOCATED AS PART OF IT OR IT -- YEAH, IT WAS NOT OBLIGATED WITHIN THE TIME FRAME SO THAT WAS LEFT OVER FUNDS. 15,000 IS LEFTOVER FROM THE PROJECT.

>> OKAY. SHINE FACILITY FUND SO THIS WAS GOING TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM AND THIS WILL MEET THE ORIGINAL GOALS, BUT SAYS NO TO THE EXPANSION THAT WAS PLANNED? AND THIS IS ON CHILD CARE

FACILITIES? >> IT WAS NOT AN EXPANSION BUT IF WE WERE TO KEEP THE MONEY, WE WOULD EXCEED THE KPIS BUT WE ARE ABLE TO MEET KPIS WITH A SMALLER BUDGET.

>> YOU MEAN YOU WOULD HAVE PROVIDE SERVICE TO MORE CHILD CARE POE FACILITIES OR MORE SERVICES TO THE SAME ONES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO WHAT I AM GETTING HERE IS YEAH, AGAIN, JUST -- I GET IT YOU GUYS HAVE TO REPORT TO THREE COMMISSIONERS TO KEEP YOUR JOB, BUT I JUST LIKE TO BE DIRECT ON THIS. AND I THINK IT'S -- SHALL IT'S KIND OF LIKE WHAT THE DIRECTOR HAS BEEN CALLING THE BUDGET SURPLUS. IT'S LIKE WELL, THEY WERE GOING TO USE IT FOR TRAINING. THEY WERE GOING TO USE IT FOR MAINTENANCE. AND SO, NOW, WE ARE NOT GOING TO -- WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE MORE SUPPORT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES.

WE ARE GOING TO LIMIT THAT EVEN THOUGH WE COULD HAVE HAD MORE SUPPORT. SO WE ARE SACRIFICING THAT SUPPORT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITIES IN ORDER TO PLUG A HOLE. AND I -- YOU KNOW, CHILDREN DON'T HAVE A VOTE. AND I MAY NOT BE A TEACHER OR A MOTHER, BUT I KNOW KIDS ARE IMPORTANT AND I AM SEEING EARLY CHILDHOOD HERE, AND THE CALLOUSNESS WITH THE COURT REFUSED TO PUT EARLY CHILDHOOD TO THE VOTERS. LITERALLY, KILLING THE PROGRAM FOR 20,000 FAMILIES WHO NEED CHILD CARE. I

[05:10:01]

OKAY. SO, WHAT I HAVE SO FAR NURSING WAS DONE WASTE WATER WAS DONE SO THERE'S NO MORE NEED FOR WASTE WATER ANALYSIS.

>> WASTE WATT SEVER ONGOING. >> IF -- IF THEY HADN'T -- IF THE THREE MEMBERS HAD NOT CREATED AN EXPENSES THAT DID NOT NEED TO BE CREATED, IF THEY HAD NOT GONE TO YOU AND SAID WE NEED YOU TO FIND $20 MILLION TO PAY FOR THIS $100 MILLION RAISE, WOULD YOU HAVE RETURNED THIS MONEY TO THE GENERAL FUND OR WOULD YOU HAVE PROVIDED BETTER SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY? EMERGENCY NURSING, I MEAN, WE ARE NOT NEEDING EMERGENCY NURSING ANYMORE. SO I UNDERSTAND THAT WOULD HAVE PROBABLY GONE BACK OREGON TO OTHER ARPA PROGRAMS. WHAT ABOUT WASTE

WATER? >> SO THESE ALL THE FIRST ITEMS YOU WALKED THROUGH THAT WERE PASSED AT THE AUGUST 14TH COURT WERE UN-- ALREADY UNOBLIGATED POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS WE IDENTIFIED. THAT'S WHY WE KIND OF PROPOSED THAT FIRST.

>> I GET THAT BUT THE VOTE FOR THE $100 MILLION WAS IN MAY, RIGHT, AND SO THIS IS AFTER MAY. SO THIS IS ALREADY WHEN THERE'S BEEN PRESSURE TO TAKE AWAY, RIGHT, SO, AS I SAID, IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN THAT, AND OKAY LET ME KEEP GOING THROUGH THIS THERE'S ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE TRAINING SUPPORTS, YOU'RE CUTTING $1.5 MILLION. SO, WHAT IS THIS ONE AGAIN? >

>> SORRY. THAT'S FOR THE WORK FORCE TRAININGS AND CENTURIES IF

YOU WANT. >> AND I AM HEARING YOU CALL THE QUESTION AND I AM TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE COMMUNITY THE CUTS RECALL LEAD ABATEMENT THESE ARE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON CHILDREN, AND FOCUSED ON HEALTH. AND SO I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO BE TRANSPARENT AS TO WHAT IS BEING CUT BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE CUTS. SO, OKAY, SO WHAT IS THIS ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE TRAINING SUPPORTS? WHAT DOES IT DO.

>> ACCESSIBLE GOOD AFTERNOON CEO EARLY CHILD HOOF INITIATIVES DIRECTOR. ACCESSIBLE CHILD CARE TRAINING SUPPORTS PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF SKILL AND TRAINING TO THOSE IN

THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORK FORCE. >> OKAY. SO, TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO APRIL BEFORE WE RECEIVED THE SURPRISE FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND FROM THREE COLLEAGUES HERE THEY WANTED TO GIVE AN UNFUNDED RAISE. YOU HAVE THIS MONEY. WHAT WERE YOU GOING

TO DO WITH IT? >> SO THIS PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE UTILIZED TO UPSCALE BETWEEN 500 TO 700 EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

>> OKAY. AND NOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.

>> IT'S ALSO ONE OF THE ONES WHERE WE WILL MEET THE CONTRACT

KPIS. >> I GET IT BUT IF IT WAS APRIL AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE THIS POLITICAL PRESSURE TO SAY GIVE ME YOUR MONEY BACK, WE WOULD HAVE SERVED MORE FAMILIES,

CORRECT. >> CORRECT.

>> THE MONEY WAS ALLOCATED TO YOU GUYS. SO THEY ARE TAKING MONEY THEY HAVE GIVEN YOU THAT YOU WOULD HAVE SERVED FAMILIES WITH. AND NOW YOU ARE NOT SERVING THOSE FAMILIES. YOU WOULD HAVE SERVED TEN FAMILIES INSTEAD OF EIGHT INITIALLY YOU PLANNED FOR EIGHT, BUT HEY, WE HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING FOR TEN. SO YOU WERE GOING TO FUND TEN BUT NOW YOU CUT IT BACK TO EIGHT BECAUSE THERE'S PRESSURE TO GIVE MONEY BACK THAT YOU HAD NOT YET SPEND BUT WOULD HAVE HELPED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

>> IF WE WOULD HAVE THE MONEY, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SERVE MORE IN THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM, MORE PROFESSIONALS IN THE WORK FORCE.

>> OKAY. YEAH. >> I WANT TO MAKE A SUGGESTION.

>> YEAH. >> THAT MIGHT HELP US MOVE FORWARD ON THIS. SO, I AM GOING TO MAYBE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, I THINK MOST OF US WILL BE FOR IT AND THEY CAN GO BACK AND DO THE OTHER ONES. SO, FIRST I WANT TO SAY FOR THE RECORD, THAT MY STAFF SENT A, IN WRITING, A EMAIL TO THE STEER CO STAFF, SAYING THAT TO BE PRECINCT 1 IS PARTICIPATING IN THE EXERCISE.

THIS IS NOT INDICATED COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THE ARPA REDUCTIONS AT THE OFFICIAL COURT MEETING. THE ELECTED PRINCIPLE WILL CONSIDER ALL INFORMATION RELATED TO REVENUE AND OFF SETS BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION. SOME OF THESE ITEMS, I AM FOR. BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. SO HERE'S MY SUGGESTION. PROPOSAL. I WOULD MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION DIVIDE THIS, SO THAT WE WILL REDUCE THE 7.5 MILLION FROM THE ARPA PORTFOLIO IN ADDITION TO THE 8.5

[05:15:04]

>> YES, THREE ARE STILL. >> THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD. SO THERE'S MONEY LEFT AND WE SHOPPED IT AROUND. I THINK IT

WAS 2 MILLION IN THE FUND. >> YES.

>> WE SHOPPED IT FOR THEE YEARS. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE SUBSTITUTE MOTION IS TO SAVE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS FROM CUTS THE SHINE FACILITY PROGRAM, THE ACCESS CYBIL CHILD CARE TRAINING PROGRAM, THE ZINC FAMILY REHAB ONE OF THEM COMMISSIONER.

>> 500K FOR SINGLE FAMILY REHAB FOR LOW INCOME.

>> EARLY QUALITY NETWORK. >> $450 FOR LEAD ABASEMENT AND

REENTRY. >> SO WE ARE STILL -- SO THAT'S A SUBSTITUTE MOTION I MAKE A SECOND FOR THAT TO SAVE.

>> SO. >> AND THERE'S FOUR MOTIONS THAT I HAVE MADE AND RECEIVED A SECOND DOESN'T WE NEED TO SLEET ON THE MOTIONS ON THE FLOOR FIRST THAT HAVE RECEIVED A

SECOND AND THEN. >> I OFFER A SUBSTITUTE. I

OFFERED A SUBSTITUTE. >> YEAH, BECAUSE THE COMMISSIONER MADE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION ON IT, IF THERE'S MOTION TO SECOND SUBSTITUTE WOULD YOU VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE AND VOTE ON

THE MAIN ONE. >> AND THEN YOU CAN VOTE TO KILL

THE -- >> AND EVEN IF IT'S CONFUSING,

TOM. >> VOTE ON SUBSTITUTE FIRST.

>> EVEN IF IT'S A LITTLE CONFUSING.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A VOTE. >> ESSENTIALLY WHAT I AM SAYING IS IF WE VOTE ON THE SUBSTITUTE IT WILL GET RID OF, THINK YOU AGREE TO THE SUBSTITUTE AND THEN YOU GO BACK AND VOTE ON THE OTHER ITEMS. SO YOU GET ALL OF IT. AM I RIGHT?

>> ITEM 16? >> NO.

>> YOU ARE SUBSTITUTE DOES CHANGE THE IMPACT OF THE PREVIOUS MOTION SO IT IS NOT PARAMOUNT.

>> CAN'T WE VOTE DOWN THE SUBSTITUTE.

>> THIS IS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO SAVE FUNDING THAT WOULD HAVE GONE FOR CHILD CARE FACILITIES, CHILD CARE PROVIDER TRAINING, AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. SO THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND A IF THEY VOTE NO, THEY ARE VOTING FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CUTS TO THOSE PROGRAMS, AND AGAIN, I AM A CAT MOM, BUT I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDREN. MOTION AND SECOND

ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSE. >> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO IN ADDITION TO ENDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR 20,000 FAMILIES, MY COLLEAGUES HERE ARE DECIDING TO END THE PROGRAMS TAKE FUNDING AWAY FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS AND I HOPE SOMEBODY IS SHOWING THIS TO THE GROUPS THAT

ENDORSE PRIMARY ELECTIONS. >> AND NOW ORIGINAL MOTION IS ON

THE TABLE. >> OKAY.

>> SO I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE MOTION WAS. I DON'T REMEMBER

THERE BEING FOUR DO YOU JAMES. >> YES WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO REREAD THEM AND CIRCULATE IT IN WRITING AS WELL.

>> YES THAT'S WHAT I AM ASKING FOR.

>> YES, MA'AM, PLEASE. >> ABSOLUTELY MOTION TO COMMISSIONER COURT ACCEPT ADDITIONAL $3 MILLION OFF SIT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER OCE WILL WORK WITH OMB TO CONFIRM THE OFF SETS. MOTION NUMBER TWO, MOTION TO TRANSFER 4.5 MILLION IN ELIGIBLE EXPENSES TO FUND 2417. MOTION NUMBER THREE, MOTION TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ACCEPT ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION OFFSET FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES UNIVERSAL SERVICES WILL WORK WITH OMB TO CONFIRM THOSE OFF SETS. AND WITH REGARD TO ARPA MOTION TO DIRECT OMB TO INCLUDE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET THE ADDITIONAL $812,621.10 IN ARPA REALLOCATION RECOMMENDED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF FIVE COURT OFFICES.

>> SECOND. >> THEN COMMISSIONER IF I MIGHT, IT MIGHT MAKE SENSE TO SINCE WE VOTED DOWN THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION

TO MOVE 16 AS PRESENTED. >> 16?

>> THAT'S THE ARPA THE LIST THAT WE PREVIOUSLY BEEN

[05:20:06]

DISCUSSING. >> CAN WE VOTE ON THESE FOR

CLARITY. >> CALL FOR THE QUESTION.

>> CAN WE VOTE FOR THEM ONE AT TIME WE DON'T NORMALLY VOTE ON FOUR DIFFERENT THINGS TOGETHER. AND I AM NOT SURE -- THAT WAS A

LOT. >> MOTION THE COMMISSIONER COURT ACCEPT ADDITIONAL $3 MILLION OFFSET FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER. OCE WILL WORK WITH OMB TO CONFIRM THOSE OFF

SETS. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY. SO THAT'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, DIRECTOR WHAT IS IT EXATLY THAT YOU ARE CUTTING OR NOT CONTINUING OR NOT EXPANDING OR WHATEVER?

>> WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE WITH THE FUNDING?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS OF THE COURT LAMONT COUNTY ENGINEER. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE TABLE FIND OUT THE LEAST IMPACTFUL CUTS THAT WILL ACTUALLY IMPACT OUR RESIDENTS

LESS. >> OKAY. AND BUT IT WILL IMPACT YOUR RESIDENTS. WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF IMPACTS THAT YOU THINK

THERE MIGHT HAVE? >> JUDGE, IN THE REGIONALD -- ORIGINAL CUT WE PROPOSED SOME IMPACTS INCLUDES OFFICE CLEANING THAT WILL DROP 40% FROM 5 DAYS TO THREE DAYS. AND THAT MOSTLY CARPET CLEANING AND THINGS BUT WE WILL SERVE THE REST ROOMS FIVE DAYS. LANDSCAPING SERVICES, WHERE WE MOW THE GRASS AROUND THE BUILDINGS AND OFFICE ROOM AND COUNTY BUILDINGS, THAT'S GOING TO BE REDUCED FROM BIWEEKLY TO MONTHLY. AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, ONE WE DO ON THE ROOFING AND WE WILL REDUCE THAT PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND DOING REACTIVE SERVICES SO IF A ROOF IS LEAKING WE WILL COME AND FIXING THOSE.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES WE LOOKED AT. WITH TRADITIONAL CUTS, ONE OF THE THING THAT I HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH DIRECTOR RAMOS IS WE WILL PROBABLY COUNTY ENGINEERING IS USUALLY FUNDED BY MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES INCLUDING MOBILITY FUNDS THAT'S ALMOST 40% OFF OUR BUDGETS FROM THERE. SO WE WILL HAVE TO SEE IF OF THERE ARE SOME POSITION THAT ARE FUNCTIONS THAT IS ELIGIBLE FOR MOBILITY FUNDING.

>> YEAH, AND JUST FOR THE RECORD. ONE OF THE BIG CHANGES THREE OF US MADE WHEN WE FIRST GOT HERE WAS TO MOVE FROM THAT REACTIVE MINUTENCE TO PROACTIVE MAINTENANCE AND WE ARE SITTING THE STABILITY OF COUNTY BUILDINGS AND EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC DOLLARS BACK TO FORCE THROUGH AN UNFUNDED RAISE INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE VOTERS. TREK THANK YOU. THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND FOR LESS CLEANING OF OFFICES, REACTIVE MAINTENANCE INSTEAD OF PREVENTING STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS TO COUNTY BUILDINGS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYEES USE AND POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL IMPACTS INCLUDING LANDSCAPING AROUND THE COURTHOUSE COMPLEX. WE ARE DECIDING TO CUT THE MOTION AND

SECOND ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? ARE YOU IN FAVOR? NO OKAY I AM OPPOSED SO THE MOTION PASSES 3-2 AND AGAIN, THESE -- WE ARE THREE OF US VOTED TO FAIL TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN COUNTY FACILITIES.

OKAY. WHAT WAS THE SECOND MOTION.

>> MOTION TO TRANSFER 4.5 MILLION IN ELIGIBLE EXPENSES TO

FUND 2417. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY. SO THIS IS A FUND THAT IS UNINCUMBERED. CAN DANIEL, CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN WHERE THIS CAME FROM AND WHY WE HAVE NOT USED IT

BEFORE. >> SURE IT'S A BRAND NEW FUND OR SECOND YEAR IN USE. IT SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS THISES ABOUT THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE AUDITOR LISTED IT ON THE FINAL ESTIMATE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES. SO, THIS WAS ONE THAT THE COMMISSIONER BRIONES STAFF FOUNDED INDEPENDENTLY AND WE VERIFIED AND BELIEVE WE CAN FIND ELIGIBLE GENERAL FUND USES.

>> GREAT 4.5 MILLION OUT OF 200. THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO THANK JOE MADDEN, HANK GRIFFITH AND THE TEAM FOR

YOUR TIRELESS WORK. THANK YOU. >> AND THESE ARE FOLKS THAT HELPED TO CREATE EFFICIENCY THEY ARE DESTROYING. SO.

>> CAN WE. >> THANK YOU. IF YOU WANT TO RUN THE COURT YOU CAN RUN FOR JUDGE. AND THEN YOU CAN RUN THE COURT.

>> CAN WE VOTE THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND. I BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING PROCESS AND PROCEDURE. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. SO, THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION, MOTION SECOND THERE

WAS A DISCUSSION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> ALL RIGHT. MOTION CARRIES

UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY. WHAT WAS THE. >> THE THIRD ONE.

>> THE MOTION COMMISSIONER COURT ACCEPT ADDITIONAL $2 MILLION OFFSET FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES. UNIVERSAL SERVICES WILL WORK WITH OMB TO CONFIRM THOSE OFF SETS.

[05:25:02]

>> SECOND. >> MOTION SECOND AND THIS IS A CUT TO OUR TECHNOLOGY AND CYBER SECURITY DEPARTMENT. IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHAT IF THIS $2 MILLION WERE NOT TAKEN WHAT WOULD YOU DO

WITH THE $2 MILLION? >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES. SO, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, JUDGE, OUR DEPARTMENT RUNS GENERAL FUND FROM OUR DEPARTMENT RUNS OPERATIONS IN THREE DIFFERENT MODES. ONE IS TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING SERVICES TO IN ORDER TO ADD ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONALITY. THAT'S THE SECOND PART AND THIRD ONE IS TO TAKE THE COUNTY IMPLEMENT NEW FUNCTION ALITIES.

SO, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRIOR CUT, WE DID STOP ANY POSSIBILITIES OF US MOVING THE COUNTY FORWARD. SO WE CUT THAT OUT. BUT THE SECOND ONE WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENHANCE IF WE HAVE AN EXISTING SERVICES, AND DEPARTMENT REQUEST CAN YOU ADD ADDITIONAL SERVICES. WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT DOWN ON THAT OR IT WOULD TAKE US A LITTLE LONGER TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO THOSE DEPARTMENTS. ADDITIONALLY, IF WE HAVE SERVICE DOWN SITUATIONS WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH TOUT VENDOR PARTNERS AND ASK THEM TO SUPPORT US IN BRINGING UP THE SERVICES IN A TIMELY FASHION.

THOSE ARE THE TWO CRITICAL ASPECTS OF THE IMPACTS.

>> SO SOUNDS LIKE DELAYS IN BRINGING UP CRITICAL SERVICES BECAUSE YOU ARE RELEASING VENDORS IS THAT.

>> >> WE DEPEND ON VENDORS

SOMETIMES. >> YEAH THAN YOU WON'T HAVE FUND TO REACH OUT TO VENDORS. SO WE KNOW WE HAVE HAD JUSTICE SYSTEM FAIL TECHNOLOGY FAILURES AN ALREADY TIME SINCE I BEEN IN OFFICE. VENDORS ADDRESSED THIS, NOW WE WILL NOT HAVE THE FUNDING TO PAY VENDORS. THE SECOND PIECE YOU SAID WE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD

WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU MEAN? >> AS AN EXAMPLE A.I. HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION FROM DEPARTMENTS AND YOUR OFFICES IN TERMS OF MOVING THE COUNTY FORWARD USING GENITIVE A.I. SOLUTION WE HAVE

TO PUT A PAUSE AND. >> THERE WILL NOT BE EFFORTS TO RESPOND TO THE GROWTH OF A.I. AND THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE NATION. OKAY. SO LET'S THREE OF US VOTE IN FAVOR OF THESE CUTS SO WE CAN GET IT LAW ENFORCEMENT ENDORSEMENT FOR OUR REELECTIONS. WE COULD HAVE GONE TO THE VOTERS AS WELL. SO, THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND TO CUT A.I. PROPOSALS AND HELP WHEN

SYSTEMS ARE DOWN. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED. >> NOPE.

>> THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND I AM KEEPING TABS ON THAT HERE SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN SEE ALL THE VARIOUS CUTS THAT THE THREE OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE ARE MAKING. I REMAIN OPEN TO GOING TO THE VOTERS NEXT YEAR TO SEE IF THEY WANT THE CUTS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISES OR MAYBE THEY WANT TO KEEP BOTH. NO CUTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE AFRAID TO GO TO THE PUBLIC. FOURTH MOTION?

>> YES, MOTION TO DIRECT OMB TO INCLUDE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET THE ADDITIONAL 812,621.10 IN ARPA REALLOCATION RECOMMENDED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF THE FIVE COURT OFFICES.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY. SO WHAT'S THIS ONE

ABOUT ARPA FOLKS? >> JUDGE WE WERE JUST GOING THROUGH THE LIST OF THINGS AND ALL OF THOSE PROGRAMS IDENTIFIED CAME UP TO $812,000 MORE THAN THE 20 MILLION. AND SO, IN DISCUSSION WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY, WE NEEDED A SEPARATE MOTION TO INCLUDE THAT 812,000 AS OPPOSED TO JUST APPROVING ITEM 16, WITH

THE ALLOCATION. >> THIS FORMALIZE THE CUTS.

>> CORRECT. >> TO ARPA PROGRAMS.

>> OKAY WE HAVE DISCUSSED THOSE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS. SEVERAL OF THEM CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. I IMAGINE MOST IF NOT ALL OF US HAVE CHILD CARE FOR OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN. THE CHILDREN OF OUR STAFF. ALL RIGHT. SO THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND ALL

IN FAVOR. >> AY.

>> ANY OPPOSE. >> YES.

>> OKAY. ELLIS OPPOSED AND I AM ALSO OPPOSED. MOTION 3-2.

>> YOU VOTED YES. >> I VOTED NO.

>> HE OPPOSED. >> ALL RIGHT. SO THIS THE 4.5 MILLION IS RECURRING FUNDING SOURCE OR IS THAT JUST THIS

YEAR? >> TWO IS -- SORRY 2.25 IS

RECURRING. >> SO SOME OF IT IS JUST A PATCH FOR THIS YEAR. KIND OF SMOKE AND MIRRORS. WILL YOU NOTE THE TWO OF IT IS RECURRING AND THE REST OF IT IS ONE TIME FUNDING. ALL RIGHT. SO, WHAT ELSE ARE WE TRYING TO CUT HERE? ANY

ADDITIONAL CUTS? >> I THINK.

>> I AM UP NEXT. >> YOU WANT TO MOVE 16 ARPA

[05:30:04]

SUPPOSE. >> WE HAVE CORRESPONDING.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >> SO 16 IS THE -- SHALL IS THE CUTS TO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PROGRAMS. SEVERAL OF THEM ARE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. MOTION SECOND AND ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

>> I AM OPPOSED. >> I AM OPPOSED TO THE CALLOUSNESS WITH WHICH WE KEL EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS EVEN

THOUGH I AM. >> AT MOTHER OR TEACHER. MOTION CARRIES 3-2. NOW, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DID YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL

CUTS YOU WANTED TO MAKE. >> I DO.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> AGAIN, WE STARTED THE DAY WITH A BALANCED BUDGET, THANK YOU MR. RAMOS. THE DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT. I THINK WE HAVE MADE MUCH PROPRESS AT HAVING BEING A PERSON AT THAT ACTUALLY OPERATED A SMALL BUSINESS FOR 40 PLUS YEARS, I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GO THROUGH YEARS WHERE YOU HAVE TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS. THIS IS PRETTY NORMAL IN THE REAL WORLD.

IN TERMS OF WHAT WE LIVE IN. I ALSO WANT TO AFFIRM, WE HAVEN'T MENTIONED IT TODAY, THE HOBBY POLL WHICH WAS WIDELY COMMUNICATED SOME WEEKS BACK, AFFIRMS THE PRIORITIES THIS BUDGET ADOPTS. AND PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE TOP OF IT. AND RECOGNIZING THAT LAST YEAR OVER 500 PEOPLE WERE MURDERED IN HARRIS COUNTY. RECOGNIZING LAST YEAR OVER 500 PEOPLE DIED IN CRASHES ON OUR ROADWAYS. JUST MAKING IT IMPORTANT THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE IMPORTANT AND TO THE FINAL POINT, I THINK, THE BUDGET IN TERMS OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS, THINK, REFLECTIVE OF THAT. AND WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PATCHING. I LIVED THROUGH FOUR OR FIVE YEARS OF PATCHING. SEEMS LIKE EVERY TIME I LOOK UP, WE ARE ADVOCATING A NEW PROGRAM. WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR. AND WHEN I ASK WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM, WE JUST BLINDLY GO DOWN THE ROAD. SO, RECOGNIZING THE PATCHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS IS RATHER INTERESTING. I WOULD TELL YOU THAT THE CUTS THAT I THINK WOULD BE APPROPRIATE, SOME OF WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES' POINT, BUT I THINK, AGAIN, WE HAVE GOT 50 MILLION DOLLARS IN OUR PAY EQUITY POT.

LAST YEAR, WE SPENT, I THINK OVER $40 MILLION.

>> 37. >> 37 MILLION SO WE DIDN'T SPEND 40. WHAT I WOULD THINK WOULD BE REASONABLE IS HAVE 10 MILLION REDUCE THAT BY 10 MILLION, HAVE 40 MILLION IN THE PAY EQUITY POT GOING INTO NEXT YEAR. THAT WOULD, I THINK, STILL ALLOW A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY. SO, MY MOTION WOULD BE TO REDUCE THE PAY EQUITY BUDGET ALLOCATION FROM 50 TO 40. MY SECOND MOTION WOULD BE TO REDUCE THE TEMPORARY STAFFING THAT IS IN THE COUNTY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL KNOW IT, BUT WE HAVE GOT TEMPORARY STAFFING BUDGET IN HARRIS COUNTY IS $50 MILLION. I CAN TELL YOU HAVING OPERATED A BUSINESS, THE MOST INEFFICIENT THING YOU CAN DO IS TEMPORARY STAFFING, BECAUSE ABOUT THE TIME YOU GET SOMEONE TRAINED UP TO DO A JOB, THEY ARE PUT ON ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT OR WHATEVER. I WOULD THINK WE TOOK 10% OF THE TEMPORARY STAFFING, THAT'S $5 MILLION AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO IN ANY CASE. SO, THAT WOULD BE MY SECOND MOTION.

REDUCE THE TEMPORARY STAFFING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY FROM 50 MILLION REDUCE BY 5 MILLION DOLLARS. THIRD MOTION WOULD BE COUNTY WIDE FREEZE ON NEW SOFTWARE PURCHASES. YOU CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MUCH WE SPEND ON SOFTWARE. AND I -- WE KIND OF HAVE THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES. THIS ISN'T ANY REFLECTION ON THAT. WE HAVE JUST GOT -- WE HAVE GOT SOFTWARE FOR CERTAIN COMPUTERS WE DON'T HAVE THAT COMPUTER ANYMORE. I THINK IT WOULD BE HEALTHY TO VET THROUGH THAT. SO IF WE TOOK JUST 10% OF THE $60 MILLION WE ARE PAYING OUT ON SOFTWARE LICENSES, THAT'S $6 MILLION, AND I THINK THAT WOULD-- THAT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE. THAT'S MY THIRD MOTION.

AND MY FOURTH MOTION IS TO ELIMINATE THE USAGE OF OUT OF STATE CONSULTANTS DUE TO THEIR POOR PERFORMANCE OVER THE LAST

[05:35:04]

ANY. >> JUDGE I MIGHT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> DID YOU WANT TO DO THEM ONE AT TIME OR DO THEM OUGHT RIGHT REAL QUICK.

>> WELL. >> THERE'S JUST -- WE NORMALLY DON'T DO IT ALTOGETHER. I, FOR ONE, CANNOT KEEP TRACK. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEM OPINION AND I THINK FOR THE PUBLIC WE CAN TRY

TO GO BY QUICKLY. >> I THINK I AM THE OLDEST MEMBER HERE. YOU ARE YOUNGER THAN MEOW CAN'T KEEP UP WITH

ALL OF THEM. >> I CAN'T.

>> LET ME READ THEM INDIVIDUALLY AND WE CAN ACT ON THEM INDIVIDUALLY. FIRST MOTION REDUCE PAY EQUITY BUDGET ALLOCATION FROM 50 MILLION TO $40 MILLION. THAT'S AS $10

MILLION SET. >> CAN WE DISCUSS THAT ONE?

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> YEAH. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I MISSED YOU YOU BECAME POM PADRE ON THAT AND I HOPE IT DOESN'T PASS AND I HOPE YOU DON'T GET A SECOND. BUT I WILL SAY THIS. WE JUMPED OUT OF THE BOX AND WITHOUT A LOT OF FORETHOUGHT GAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY IN PAY INCREASES TO PEOPLE AT THE TOP. AND I THINK THAT'S PARTIALLY WHY IT WAS UNANIMOUS VOTE. AND I APPRECIATE YOU SECONDING IT TO CREATE A FUND FOR THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM. WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, I WAS A BUSINESS OWNER, TOO. SMALL BUSINESS A COUPLE OF THEM FAILED AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO TEE CLARE BANKRUPTCY ON ANY OF THEM. BUT YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEM GOT PRETTY SUCCESSFUL. AND I SOLD IT. BUT, YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS REALIZE THE PEOPLE ON THE BOTTOM REALLY MAKE THE FOLKS WHO ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO CLIMB UP THE STAIRCASE LOOK A LOT BETTER. YOU KNOW. I NEVER FORGOTTEN FIRST BUSINESS OWNER WAS A YARDMAN. OVER IN SUNNYSIDE. HE DIDN'T PAY HIS HELP THAT WELL BUT THE HELP LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HARD WORK AND ETHIC THE THAT COME WITH IT. BUT, YOU KNOW, I KNOW WHEN THIS STUDY COMES BACK, I ASKED FOR THAT STUDY LONG BEFORE WE ENDED UP GIVING PAY RAISES TO FOLKS AT THE TOP. AND I AM CONVINCED WHEN IT COMES BACK IT'S GOING TO CALL FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY. AND WHAT WE HAVE PUT TOWARDS IT IS GOING TO BE PRETTY SMALL. I ASKED YOU THE OTHER DAY, MR. RAMOS, I CAN'T REMEMBER DID YOU TELL ME 150? WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL COME BACK? IT'S A GUESS, I KNOW, AND I WILL GIVE YOU THAT. 150 OR

250? >> I WOULD SAY AFTER DISCUSSING WITH THE CONSULTANTS, I WOULD SAY ABOUT 100 MINIMUM.

>> AND. >> WE DID --

>> ABOUT 100 MINIMUM. >> CORRECT AND WE DID 37 LAST YEAR. IT IS THE ANNUALIZED COST ABOUT 41 MILLION. SO IT GOT US

CLOSER. SO MY GUESS WOULD BE. >> AND I KNOW A COUPLE YEARS BACK I CAN'T REMEMBER, I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER GARCIA THAT SECONDED IT AND WE DID COLA FOR FOLKS AT THE BOTTOM. WE WENT FOR GOOD PERIOD OF TIME. AND HADN'T DONE ANY COLAS FOR FOLKS HERE.

SO ARE YOU HERE? CAN YOU POP? >> IF YOU NEED TO ASK A QUESTION

I AM SURE I CAN ASK. >> I WANT TO ASK HER ABOUT THE PAY EQUITY. WHAT DID WE DO ON THE COLA.

>> THE LARGEST COL, A FISCAL YEAR '24 WE DID A 7% COLA AND THEN IT WAS I THINK 12% FOR OFFICERS.

>> AND HOW LONG HAVE WE GONE WITHOUT COLA.

>> THERE WAS A COLA FOR DEPUTIES 4% AND THEY GOT ADDITIONAL 3% AND 7% FOR EVERYBODY ELSE. AND I THINK BEFORE THAT IT HAD BEEN SOME TIME, I I WANT TO SAY FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AND THAT'S THE

LAST COLA. >> GIVE ME SOME SENSE WHAT HAVE'S HAPPENING WITH THAT MULTI-YEAR STUDY ON INEQUITIES

AND OUR COMPENSATION. >> WE ARE ALMOST AT THE END COMMISSIONER. ON THE OCTOBER 30TH COMMISSIONER'S COURT DATE, THERE WILL BE A FINAL PRESENTATION WITH ALL OF THE DATA. DANIEL IS CORRECT THE COST TO ADDRESS PAY EQUITY THAT WE RECEIVED SO FAR FROM GALLAGHER IS IN THE HUNDRED TO 115 MILLION

DOLLARS. OBVIOUSLY. >> ADDITIONAL.

>> NO, NO IN TOTALITY. I WAS AGREEING WITH HIS COMMENT. IT'S AROUND $100 MILLION TO ADDRESS IT.

>> OKAY. SO 100 MILLION GOING FORWARD NOT ACCOUNTING WHAT WE SPENT FROM WHAT WE CREATED LIKE WE DID GIVE 2500.

[05:40:05]

>> THAT'S CORRECT, YES, SIR. >> OKAY. ANYTHING ADDITIONAL I

CAN ADDRESS FOR YOU IN REGARDS. >> WHEN YOU THINK IT'S COMING IN? WHEN DO YOU THINK IT IS COMING.

>> WE WILL HAVE -- WE WILL BE DOING BRIEFINGS WITH COURT OFFICES THIS MONTH IN TERMS OF THE FINAL REPORT AND GALLON BER WILL GALLAGHER WILL BE HERE ON THE LAST COURT DAY PRESENTING

ALL WILL DATA. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I WANT TO REMIND YOU AND OUR COLLEAGUES DESPITE HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN WAIT FOR THE REPORT OR HOW LONG IT TOOK US TO GO AHEAD AND ISSUE RFP TO GO IT, THEN WE TAKE ANOTHER 10 MILLION OR SO OUT OF THE FUND IT WOULD JUST SORT OF MAKE THE CASE TO THE FOLKS THAT WE WEREN'T SERIOUSLY ABOUT IT. I APPRECIATE YOU SECONDING THAT

MOTION LAST YEAR, I THINK. >> I THINK WE STARTED -- I THINK WE STARTED IN THE LOWER ACTUALLY LOWER 2 OR 3 AND THAT WAS GREAT THAT WE DID THAT. AND THAT'S WHEN I WAS PLOWED TO SECOND IT.

I WOULD HOPE THAT WE STAY THERE, AND I THINK THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER MOTION UNTIL THE FUTURE RELATED TO SOME THINGS KORN FERRY HAS DONE AND GOT US OUT OF SYNC ON THE OTHER END OF IT. SO I THINK THERE'S SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE NEEDED.

SOME OF THEM, MAYBE ON THE BOTTOM, WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

AND SOME OF THE TOP WE MAY NEED TO CALL BACK.

>> I WILL SAY I WAS THE FOURTH VOTE. I VOTED FOR IT BECAUSE I

CLEARLY SAW THERE WERE -- >> I FEEL VERY PASSIONATELY ABOUT THE PAY EQUITY WORK THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THE RESULTS FOR -- AND I AM HAPPY WE ARE GOING TO GET IT AND I FEEL PASSIONALLY AND DON'T WANT TO CUT IT BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALL OUR APPROXIMATELY 20,000 EMPLOYEES. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FUNDING TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM GALLAGHER.

SO THANK YOU DIRECTOR. >> CAN I MAKE ONE FOLLOW-UP COMMENT? THE NATURE OF PAY INEQUITY IS THAT IT GROWS AT WHEN IT GOES UNADDRESSED. WHILE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND AND DON'T DISAGREE WITH SOME OF YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT THE REALITY IS THE PRICE TAG INCREASES AS

LONG AS IT GOES NEGLECTED. >> A QUICK QUESTION ON SO HOW MUCH WOULD WE NEED -- THAT WHERE YOU SAID 100 WE NEED 100 BUT WE

HAVE 50? >> WELL, THE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING PAY EQUITY ISSUES AT HARRIS COUNTY, THE PLAN HAS BEEN MULTI-YEAR EFFORT. IT'S NOT ANYTHING THAT WE PLAN CERTAINLY NOT FROM A BUDGETARY PERSPECTIVE.

>> I GUESS MY QUESTION WAS THE 50 MILLION DOLLAR FUND ADEQUATE

ALREADY? >> IT WAS NOT IT WAS 50 MILLIOR

FOR LAST YEAR 32 OF IT. >> WE WERE SELLING IT SHORT AND WE ARE -- DISH I THINK THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE TEMPS BECAUSE WE DON'T PAY ENOUGH TO GET PEOPLE HIRED FOR THE POSITIONS.

AND I ALSO THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE OUGHT TO BE LOOKING AT INCREASING RATHER THAN PICKING THE FOLKS THAT ENDORSE AND ONLY INCREASING THEIR PAY. SO, I AM GLAD TO NOT WORSEN THE HOLE FROM 50 TO 40, BUT WE REALLY COULD BE

ADDRESSING THIS. >> I DON'T DISAGREE COUNTY JUDGE. I WOULD ALSO SAY I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REALLY DIFFERENT REASONS THE -- IF YOU WANT TO SAY OVERUSE CANDIDLY OF TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES IN HARRIS COUNTY. I DON'T -- I DON'T THINK IT'S SIMPLY SALARIES. I THINK THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT CONVERSATION FOR A DIFFERENT DAY. AND WHENEVER YOU ARE READY TO HAVE IT, WE WILL BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS IT.

>> WHAT'S ANOTHER QUICK THING? BECAUSE THE NEXT THING IS CUT

THE TEMPS. >> ANOTHER QUICK THING IN

REDUCING COSTS? >> NO IN TERMS OF THE REASON FOR SUCH A LARGE RELIANCE ON TEMPORARY STAFFING?

>> I THINK THAT IT IS, AND AGAIN, THINK IT'S A MUCH BIGGER CONVERSATION. I THINK ONE IS IT'S FAST. JUST BEING REALLY HONEST WITH YOU. IT IS A QUICK SOLUTION WHEN DEPARTMENTS ARE IN A PINCH FOR LABOR. THERE'S -- YOU KNOW, ALSO AS PLETHORA OF SO MANY STAFFING AGENCIES THAT HAVE CONTRACTS WITH HARRIS COUNTY.

AND WE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE SERVICE AND QUALITY IS QUESTIONABLE. WHICH, AGAIN, I THINK IS PART OF A BIGGER CONVERSATION. BUT I THINK TEMPORARY STAFFING IS QUICKER THAN GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS TO IDENTIFY AND AND HIRE PERMANENT STAFF. AND SOMETIMES THERE'S VALID NEED FOR IT. I AM NOT SUGGEST THERE'S NEVER A NEED FOR TEMPORARY STAFF, BUT I DO THINK THE COMMISSIONER IS CORRECT, A LOT OF MONEY ON TEMPORARY STAFF. WE ALSO HAVE SOME TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES THAT

HAVE BEEN LEGACY EMPLOYEES. >> TEMPORARY POSITION WHICH I THINK YOU ARE ALL AWARE OF AS WELL. THAT'S PROBLEMATIC. BOTH

[05:45:03]

>> OKAY. SO WOULD YOU CUT THE TEMPORARY STAFFING BUDGET? DO

YOU RECOMMEND THAT? >> I THINK THAT I THINK THAT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EFFICIENCY. I ALSO THINK WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND IN TERMS OF WHERE THOSE CUTS, IF THAT'S THE RECOMMENDATION, HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT SERVICES FOR DEPARTMENTS AND I CAN'T NECESSARILY SPEAK TO THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL JUST UNDERSTANDING THE SHEER NUMBER OF TEMPORARY

EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE COUNTY. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED TO STUDY A LITTLE MORE. LIKE WE HAD AN EVALUATION IN THREE-YEAR PROGRAM ON EARLY CHILDHOOD BUT THAT WAS HALF-BAKED. BUT THIS WE NEED TO STUDY THE IMPACTS AND. PRESUMABLY IF YOU TURN SOME OF THEM INTO PERMANENT POSITIONS, WOULDN'T YOU NEED MONEY FOR

THOSE? >> ABSOLUTELY. YOU WOULD NEED

GENERAL FUND DOLLARS. >> MOST CASES.

>> OKAY JUST TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND. MOTION AND SECOND REDUCING PAY EQUITY BUDGET FROM 50 TO 40.

>> THERE WAS NO SECOND. >> SO WE ARE NOT DOING THAT. BUT WE ARE NOT MEETING THE HUGE NEED. THANK YOU. THEN, THERE'S A COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE A MOTION TO REDUCE COUNTY TEMPORARY STAFFING BUDGE BUDGET BY 10% IS THERE A SECOND? NO SECOND ON TEMPORARY STAFFING BUDGET. WE WILL SEE.

>> IF I CAN MAKE ONE QUICK COMMENT.

>> SURE. >> DIRECTOR DOUGLAS I AGREE I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU COMMISSIONER RAMMY I WOULD RATHER HIRE THE PEOPLE RETAIN TALENT AND HAVE THEM PRODUCTIVE AS OPPOSED TO TRAIN AND IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR THERE'S EXCEPTION FOR ELECTIONS GOD BLESS YOU. THAT'S A VERY VALID REASON WHY WE HAVE TEMPORARY STAFFING AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN OVERLY RELIANT AND WE DON'T GET THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF TALENT BECAUSE IT'S A REVOLVING DOOR SO I WANT TO BE AS THOUGHTFUL AS POSSIBLE AND I KNOW SO I THINK THAT'S MID LONGER TERM, BUT I AGREE. I WOULD RATHER HAVE THEM AS HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES GETTING THE BENEFITS WITH OUR TRAINING THAN

AS TEMPORARY WORKER. SO. >> JUDGE.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I WOULD SAY SHE MIGHT ASK YOU ABOUT THIS. I AM ASSUMING THAT YOU KNOW, HIRING FREEZE IS ABOUT $25 MILLION IN THE. BUDGET. YOU KNOW. AT LEAST FROM MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. USUALLY WE DO A HIRING FREEZE AT LEAST TO FIND MORE TEMPORARY STAFFERS AND OUTSOURCING.

>> I AM SORRY. NOT NECESSARILY IN THIS SCENARIO. THAT -- IT'S NOT UNCOMMON, BUT THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE GOAL OR THE OBJECTIVE IN THIS -- IN THIS PARTICULAR COST CUTTING MEASURE.

I THINK THAT THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN OMB AND OCA AS WE HAVE WORKED TO DEVELOP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE, AND IDENTIFYING EXCEPTIONS, EXEMPTIONS, WHAT THE PROCESS WOULD BE FOR THOSE EXCEPTIONS, WILL BE REALLY CRITICAL AND ENSURING A DEGREE OF CONTINUITY OF SERVICES, PARTICULARLY AS WE THINK ABOUT HIRING FREEZES. THESE ARE NOT EASY DECISIONS. I RECOGNIZE THERE'S BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF PLANNING AND DISCUSSION THAT'S GONE ON WITH YOU AND MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF, BUT THE GOAL IN THIS ENDEAVOR IS NOT TO INTERRUPT OR DEPLETE THE SERVICES THAT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE GIVING. BUT REALLY, TRYING TO FIND COST CUTTING MEASURES WHILE MAINTAINING THE EXISTING LEVEL OF SERVICE IN DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY. AND AGAIN, I KNOW IT'S NOT PERFECT ANY TIME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT BACKFILLING A POSITION. BUT IT IS -- IT'S COMPLEX. AND IT'S CHALLENGING. AND I THINK IT HAS TO BE GIVEN THOUGHTFUL DELIBERATION IN TERMS OF HOW IT IS OPERATIONALIZEED AND FOR HOW

LONG. >> IF IT'S SUCH A GOOD IDEA WHY DON'T WE DO THAT EVERY YEAR TO -- WHY HAS HARRIS COUNTY NOT DONE THAT SINCE THE FINANCIAL CRISIS?

>> HONESTLY, JUDGE, I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR YOU AS I'VE ONLY BE IN THE ECOSYSTEM SINCE 2021. BUT UM AWARE THERE WAS A HIRING FREEZE THE LAST HIRING FREEZE WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE ECONOMIC CRISIS OF 2008. THAT WAS IN 2010, IT WAS NOT AS LONG, THE HIRING FREEZE WAS FOR TWO QUARTERS, TWO QUARTERS IN THE FISCAL YEAR. BUT I DON'T HAVE THE HISTORICAL.

>> WE ARE NOT FACING A BANKING CRISIS RIGHT NOW, ARE WE?

>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO. >> NO, SO, YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE ALL THE DEPARTMENTS TRYING TO LOOK AT SORT OF THE BRIGHT SIDE OF, WELL, IT WAS WE STILL GET TO DO, BUT I JUST WANT TO SHINE A LIGHT INTO THE FACT THAT THIS IS NOT NORMAL. THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE. IF IT WERE, WE WOULD BE DOING IT EVERY YEAR TO HELP FUND OTHER THINGS. ALL THE THINGS WE CARE ABOUT SO, SO

[05:50:02]

>> >> YEAH.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WE ARE CUTTING ARE GENITIVE A.I. BUT YOU CAN DO A QUICK A.I. OVERVIEW AN IT WILL SAY IMPOSE HIRING FREEZING TEMPORARY STOP ON FILLING POSITIONS PRIMARILY TO CUT COSTS AND MAINTAIN FINANCIAL STABILITY IN THE BUDGET SHORTFALLS ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY IN SHORT, WE HAVE BEEN BROKE

SINCE THE COUNTY DID IT BEFORE. >> YEAH, AND ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY WE ARE NOT FACE. WE HAVE CREATED SHORTFALL WHICH WE CAN STILL NOT CREATE. I STILL AM PLEADING WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO NOT CREATE THIS $ 200 MILLION SHORTFALL WE DON'T HAVE TO CREATE. WE ARE NOT FACING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY AS A COUNTY. WE ARE CREATING A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO, DID WE ALREADY VOTE ON THE TEMPORARY STAFFING? THERE WAS NO SECOND. ALL RIGHT. SO THIS IS THE COUNTY WIDE

FREEZE ON SOFTWARE PURCHASES. >> MOTION TO PLACE CONNEDY WISE WISE FREEZE ON COUNTY SOFTWARE PURCHASES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND INSTRUCT UNIVERSAL SERVICE TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF ACTIVE SOFTWARE LIE ANSWERS TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE AND ENSURE EFFICIENT USE AND IDENTIFY ELIMINATE UNUSED LICENSES. AND IN OUR ESTIMATE IT WOULD BE $6 MILLION. NOW, IF Y'ALL DON'T HAVE AN APPETITE FOR DOING SOMETHING TO ME, IT'S SO OBVIOUS, IT AT LEAST INSTRUCT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO DO THE PART OF CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF ALL ACTIVE SOFTWARE LICENSES TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE AND ENSURE EFFICIENT USE AND IDENTIFY AND ELIMINATE UNUSED LICENSE.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT BECAUSE IF WE HAVE LICENSES FOR PROGRAMS WE ARE NO LONGER RUNNING, I HIGHLY AGREE WITH THAT. I WILL SECOND

THAT. >> AND COMMISSIONER, HE THINK SOME OF THAT WORK IS ALREADY UNDERWAY. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, IT IS. >> SO.

>> WHEN AL IT BE COMPLETED. I KNOW IT'S ONGOING. BUT WHETHER WILL IT BE COMPLETED SO WE CAN BE MORE STRATEGIC WITH THE

LICENSES? >> SHE SAID SHE WAS GREAT PARTNER AND CODESIGNER OF THE FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. I BELIEVE WE HAVE 4.5 MILLIONCH SAVINGS IN THE BUDGET ALREADY FOR KIND OF I.T. RATIONALIZATION.

>> OKAY. >> THAT QUESTION, THE PILOT PHASE OF THE PROJECT WAS ABLE TO REALIZE 1.4 MILLION OF SAVING, AND WE ARE EMBASHING ON THE NEXT STEPS. THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ALSO THAT WE ARE EXPLORING. SO, YES, WE CAN DO THIS. IT WOULD TAKE TIME AND NEED YOUR SUPPORT AS WE PUSH THINGS FORWARD, BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH ELECTED OFFICES, AND SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE NOT UNDER O -- CA.

>> HOW ARE WE DOING ON CONSOLIDATED TECHNOLOGY PURCHASING? DO YOU NEED A MOTION FOR THAT TODAY?

>> YES, SIR. >> OKAY IF YOU WRITE IT UP FOR

ME I WILL MAKE IT. >> WILL IT COST MONEY?

>> IT WILL SAVE MONEY. >> CONSOLIDATION.

>> SAVE MONEY ALL RIGHT. >> SO ARE YOU WITH THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ARE YOU FOR THAT.

>> I AM DOING THE ASSESSMENT AND WE DIDN'T NEED A $200 MILLION HOLD TO DO AN ASSESSMENT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> SHE IS NOT ALREADY DOING IT. WOULD YOU QUIT REPRESENTING THE

MOTION. >> ARE YOU WORK ON THIS.

>> THE MOTION IS THE SOFTWARE WILL BE A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF ALL ACTIVE SOFTWARE LICENSES TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE AND ENSURE EFFICIENT USE AND IDENTIFY ELIMINATE

UNUSED LICENSES. >> SECOND.

>> WE WORKED GREAT WITH THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES. GOT MORE IDEAS, AND THIS IS WHAT BUSINESSES DO.

>> SO HAVE YOU NOT WORKED ON THIS.

>> AND THEY LOOK HOW THEY CAN LEE DUES THIS.

>> YOU HAVE NOT WORKED ON THIS. >> I.T. ASSESSMENT IS HAPPENING.

WE ARE DOING THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. I THINK IT'S MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING.

>> SO YOU WEREN'T GOING TO LOOK AT THIS.

>> SORRY. >>

>> YOU WERE NOT GOING TO LOOK AT THIS.

>> NOT TO THIS DEGREE. >> AS PART OF FUTURE PHASES WE

WOULD LOOK AT IT. >> SHE IS REAL SMART. MOTION AND

SECOND ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. >> OPPOSED IN MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT'S COUNTY WIDE.

>> I AM ASSUMING YOU DON'T WANT TO ELIMINATE OUT OF STATE CONSULTANTS AND SAVE MONEY? SO I DON'T GET A SECOND ON THAT,

[05:55:02]

BUT. >> I DON'T THINK LEGALLY.

>> IT'S CASE-BY-CASE. >> IT'S CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

>> DO WE HAVE THE LEGAL ABILITY TO SAY YOU CANNOT GO AFTER CONTRACT BECAUSE YOU ARE OUT OF THE STATE.

>> THERE'S 40 MILLION THERE'S 10% -- I AM NOT SAYING ELIMINATE IT ALTOGETHER. JUST LOOK AT THAT SELECT GROUP OF PEOPLE WE ARE SPENDING $40 MILLION OUT OF STATE DOING CONSULTING. REDUCE

IT BY 10%. >> I AM SAYING.

>> IF WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE REDUCING OUT OF STATE

CONSULTANTS. >> CAN I, BECAUSE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS BECAUSE I THINK ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS AS WE SAW FOR INSTANCE ROLLING HEART IN HOUSE NOW WE ARE ABLE TO EXPAND IT COUNTY WIDE FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY. I AM ALL ABOUT FINDING STRATEGIC WAYS, HAVE YOU LOOKED CASE-BY-CASE IN TERMS OF THE OUT OF STATE VENDORS AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE LEGAL ANSWER ARE WE ABLE TO PUT IT TEXAS FIRST HARRIS COUNTY FIRST, KIND OF LOCAL FOCUS? WITHIN OUR P'S

AND QS. >> WE HAVE NOT LOOKED CASE-BY-CASE IN EVERY DEPARTMENT ON ALL THE CONSULTANTS. WE HAVE

NOT DONE THAT YET. >> SO, SOUND LIKE GOOD IDEA, BUT WE DON'T HAVE DETAILS RIGHT NOW. WOULD YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE SAYING CUT $4 MILLION OR DO YOU WANT TO LOOK AT DISCUSS.

>> I MEAN, THINK, YOU KNOW, THINK THERE PROBABLY IS STUFF TO CUT BUT I MEAN IT WILL BE CHOICES. THERE WILL BE THINGS THAT THE COURT MAY WANT TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD IDEA BUT TO USE MY COLLEAGUE'S WORD HALF-BAKED. OF COURSE THIS HAS NOT GONE THROUGH EVALUATION PROCESS IN THREE YEARS OF PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN AND

FAMILIES. >> THAT'S ALL MY MOTIONS I AM

DONE. >> LEGALLY JUDGE CAN YOU ANSWER

MY SECOND. >> WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT.

>> IS THERE A SECOND FOR COMMISSIONER RAMMY'S MOTION? NO SECOND. AND I THINK CAN WE JUST DIRECT YOU GUYS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS COST SAVINGS AND BRING THEM BACK? I THINK IT'S GOOD IDEA. ALL RIGHT. SO THEN, ANYBODY ELSE HAVE MOTIONS ON CUTS? I HAVE A COUPLE MOTIONS ON CUTS. LET ME JUST GET TO THAT.

OKAY. SO, ON THIS QUESTION OF THE RESERVES, WHAT ARE OUR RESERVES IS THAT THE PICK FUND OR.

>> THERE'S TWO SEPARATE RESERVE ONE IS PICK FUND THAT'S SEPARATE. WE HAVE A DIFFERENT BANK ACCOUNT IN CASE THE SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN WITH OUR EXISTING BANK. WE ALSO HAVE WHAT, I THINK RESERVES IN WHAT WE CALL FUND BALANCE WHICH IS YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS SOME RESIDUAL CASH THAT WE HAVE ON HAND. THAT NUMBER VARIES BECAUSE OF THE WAY REVENUE HAPPENS IN THE COUNTY. WE GET 90% OF OUR REVENUE IN THE DECEMBER TO MARCH AND HAVE TO LIVE ON THAT THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. WE GO AS HIGH AS, YOU KNOW, HIGH 1.8, 1.9, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO I WOULD SAY COMFORTABLE NUMBER IS 300.

>> BUT WE DON'T DEPEND ON RESERVES. IF WE GET MORE MONEY, WE CAN AFFORD MORE THINGS. BUT IT'S NOT LIKE, I JUST -- I

DON'T UNDERSTAND. >> SO, THERE'S SOME AMOUNT OF OUR CASH THAT IS UNINCUMBERED AND IT'S NOT A SIGN TO SPENDING THAT IS PLANNED WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR.

>> YEAH, SO FUNDS WITH OBLIGATED PURPOSE OR NOT.

>> NONOBLIGATED. >> NOT OBLIGATED. AND SO, IT'S A MATTER OF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE APPRAISALS -- WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY IS GOING TO COME IN THROUGH PROPERTY TAXES RIGHT?

>> SO WE BUDGET UP TO THE I WILL TRY TO SAY IT A DIFFERENT WAY.

WE BUDGET UP TO HOW MUCH REVENUE WE EXPECT TO GET IN THE NEW

YEAR. >> RIGHT.

>> WE DO NOT BUDGET UP TO HOW MUCH CASH WE HAVE IN TOTAL.

>> RIGHT. RIGHT. OKAY. RIGHT. SO, YEAH, YOU WOULD THINK WE COULD DO THAT, BUT STILL, PAYING FOR THINGS THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD WITH ONE TIME FUNDING ISN'T THAT GOING TO CAUSE A DEFICIT

NEXT YEAR? >> IT WILL CAUSE A PLAN -- WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET, SO, NEXT YEAR, WE ARE GOING TO -- IF THERE IS A DEFICIT, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE BACK HERE AND SUBVERSION OF THIS PROCESS.

>> BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISES NEXT YEAR DO YOU PROJECT A DEFICIT NEXT YEAR AND PROJECT IT TORE LARGER OR SMALLER THAN THIS

YEAR? >> IN MY HEAD IF I HAD TO GUESS, WOULD SAY WE HAVE HAVE A SMALLER DEFICIT THAN THIS YEAR.

>> WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INCREASES?

>> WITH THE RAISES THAT ARE SLOTTED FOR NEXT YEAR. BACKING OUT ANY ONE-TIME FUNDS, BUT WE ALSO KEEP IN MIND, OUR -- SHALL IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, OUR BUDGET WAS ESSENTIALLY FLAT BECAUSE WE DID THE DISASTER RATE LAST YEAR. AND SO, WE -- IN GOOD YEAR, OUR REVENUE GROWS ROUGHLY $100 MILLION.

>> RIGHT. SO THIS YEAR REVENUE GROWS THIS COMING YEAR REVENUE

[06:00:01]

YEAH. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. MY MOTION WAS TO GET RID OF ALL

THE ONE-TIME FUNDING ITEMS. >> JAY, I DON'T THINK THIS IS WITHIN THE ADOPTED FRAMEWORK FOR THE BUDGET.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT CUTS. >> CUTS, JUDGE SO THESE ARE CUTS

YOU ARE LAYING OUT. >> RIGHT THESE ARE CUTS. YEAH.

>> THESE ARE HURTS. WE WOULD NEED TO GO AND IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL CUTS IN ADDITIONAL PARTNERS.

>> ARE THESE ENHANCED? >> THESE ARE ONE TIME ITEMS IF I

AM ARGUE YOU CORRECT. >> I DON'T WANT US TO COMMIT

TO. >> THAT WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL

CUTS. SO. >> SO THESE ARE NOT ACTUAL CUTS

JUDGE. >> SO LET ME DO THE REALLY OBVIOUS CUT THAT I BEGGED MY COLLEAGUES TO NEGOTIATE WITH ME ON. I HAVE A MOTION TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISES UNTIL FISCAL YEAR 2027. CONTINGENT ON VOTER APPROVAL IN THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION. THIS WAS A SPEAKER SAID IT WAS NOT BAKED NOT HALF-BAKED IT WAS RAW DOUGH. SO SINCE WE LIKE CONSISTENCY AND ALL THE THINGS THAT EVIDENCE BASED AND EVALUATIONS I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF THAT FOR THIS. WE KILLED EARLIER CHILDHOOD FOR 20,000 FAMILIES. BECAUSE IT WAS NOT EVALUATED, AND IT HAD ONLY BEEN WORKED ON FOR THREE YEARS.

THIS CAME OUT OF THE BLUE. SO, I JUST WANT TO SEE IF FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT TO THE VOTERS BECAUSE THE VOTERS OBVIOUSLY SHOULD DECIDE BEFORE WE IMPLEMENT ALL THE CUTS. SO, MY PLEA IS CAN WE PLEASE PUT IT TO THE VOTERS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I UNDERSTAND PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPORTANT BUT THEY DIDN'T ASK

THE QUESTION WOULD YOU LIKE TO. >> I AM SECOND IF WE VOTE ON IT BEFORE I HAVE TO GO. I AM SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT MOTION THIS IS THE MOTION IS TO GO TO THE VOTERS INSTEAD OF SHOVING CUTS DOWN THEIR THROATS. AND THEN THERE'S

A SECOND ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED. >> NO.

>> OKAY. AND AGAIN, THE POLL DIDN'T ASK VOTERS DO YOU WANT TO SEE A PAY INCREASE AND AT THE SAME TIME CUT CHILD CARE SERVICES. AND AT THE SAME TIME CUT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE. THAT

WAS NOT THE POLL. THE POLL -- >> THAT'S WHY MY PRECINCT.

>> SO JUDGE WHAT'S THE VOTE. >> YOU ARE BASING IT ON POLLS

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH I WAS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. AND WHAT

ABOUT THE COLLEAGUES SO. >> WE MADE THE VOTE.

>> 3-2. >> YES 2-3.

>> AND, OF COURSE, THE FOLKS THAT THAT ARE EXTREMELY CALLOUS ARE VOTING THAT SAME WAY. ALL RIGHT.

>> >> HERE'S ANOTHER.

>> 2-3 FAILED GARCIA YOU VOTED NO.

>> GOP3 VOTED NO. SO LET ME AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE HERE THAT I HAVE AND THIS IS -- LET ME SEE. THEN THE SECOND ONE IS TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTION MOTION TO REMOVING EXCEPTION FOR COURT OFFICES FROM THE PROPOSED HIRING FREEZE. PROMOSED HIRING FREEZE INCLUDES EXEMPTIONS FOR COURT OFFICES EFFECTIVELY ALLOWING COURT OFFICES TO CONTINUE TO HIRE WHILE DEPARTMENTS FACE EAROUS HIRING FREEZING SEEKS TO HOLD COURT OFFICES TO THE SAME STANDARDS WE ARE HOLDING OUR DEPARTMENTS TO. SO THAT'S MY MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND ON THAT ONE?

>> JAY, AGAIN POINT OF ORDER THIS IS NOT AN OFFSET. THIS IS A

RESTORATION. >> I'VE SEEN SOME MOTIONS ON THE SOP I RECOMMEND LET'S TAKE IT AFTER THE BREAK SO EVERYBODY JUST IS ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT WHAT NUMBER WE ARE ON.

>> SO WE DON'T -- SO WE DON'T WANT TO VOTE ON HIRING FREEZES?

[06:05:04]

>> THE SOP IS ATTACHED TO THIS ITEM AND WE HAVE IN THE AGENDA

FOR IT TO GO AFTER THE BREAK. >> OKAY. I AM JUST GETTING COLLEAGUES DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT THIS. I MEAN.

>> SO YOU SAYING THE TIME TO VOTE ON THIS IS WHEN HIRING

FREEZE ITEM COMES UP. >> CORRECT.

>> MAKE THE MOTION THEN. >> WE CAN TAKE THEM UP, BUT

I'VE. >> EN.

>> WHY CAN'T WE TAKE IT UP AND YOU ALL VOTE NO.

>> I AM NOT AFLAYED OF ANYTHING. >> WE CAN GO TO OTHER.

>> HOW DOES IT AFFECT. THEY WANT TO BE TO DO THE SAME THING THEY ARE FORCING OTHERS TO DO OR THEY DON'T. LIKE, IT'S NOT --

>> NO, WE HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE VOTE.

>> I LIKE TO HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND.

>> THIS IS A A CUT. >> ALL IN FAVOR? I AM IN FAVOR.

THERE ALL OPPOSED TO DOING THE SAME THING YOU ARE DEMANDING OF DEPARTMENTS? DOES MOTION -- SHALL MOTION CARRY NO 4-1 SO.

>> GET TO THE ITEM. >> MOTION FAILS SO THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO IMPLEMENT A HIRING FROZE TO THEIR OFFICES BUT THEY DO WANT TO SEE IT IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THEY WANT TO SEE IT IN THE LIBRARY AND JUVENILE PROBATION.

>> THE MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION IT APPLY ONLY TO YOUR OFFICE.

>> I SECOND. >> AND IF EVERYONE CAN RETURN TO THE UPDATED HIRING FREEZE SOP WORKED ON WITH HRT, OMB, OCA AND FIVE COURT OFFICES SO YO YOU CAN SEE THE ACTUAL FACTS.

>> OKAY AND THEN I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO RESTORE SINCE WE ARE NOT CUTTING ANYTHING, I WOULD LIKE TO RESTORE ALL DEPARTMENTS TO THEIR FULL FISCAL YEAR CURRENT L OF SERVICE BUDGETS. SINCE EVERYBODY SAYS WE ARE NOT CUTTING ANY SERVICES, THEN WE SHOULD HAVE THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE REPEATED FOR NEXT YEAR.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF MY COLLEAGUES ARE WILLING TO HAVE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES NEXT YEAR AS WE HAVE HAD THIS YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS KEEP THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE DO I HAVE A SECOND FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS TO KEEP THE

SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES? >> I THINK -- WE CAN'T DO THAT BECAUSE THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. THE PROCESS WE SET UP. I AM FOR IT BUT WE CAN'T DO IT. SO WHEN THE

TEIZATION WAS MADE. >> I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THREE COLLEAGUES HERE THEY SAY THEY ARE NO CUTS, BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO SECOND A MOTION TO KEEP THE CURRENT LEVEL OF

SERVICE. >> UNCENSORED.

>> SO THAT MEANS THERE ARE CUTS. >> IT'S FOUR COLLEAGUES THAT

DON'T WANT TO MAKE THE SECOND. >> THERE'S FOUR.

>> AND. >> JUDGE.

>> YEAH. >> WE ARE ABOUT AT THAT TIME NOW. WHEN YOU 71 YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE A

BREAK. >> I AM NOT GOING VOTE FOR-- I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS HOLD AND I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE AGAINST MY CONSTITUENTS INTERESTS. YOU REPRESENT A CERTAIN PARTY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I RESPECT THAT.

>> I REPRESENT 4.1. >> COLLEAGUES WE GOT FIVE MORE

ITEMS RIGHT? >> YEP.

>> CAN WE TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK-

>> A CAN WE TAKE A 5 MINUTE BREAK.

>> I AM GOING TO LET YOU CONTINUE WITH THE COURT I DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS NONSENSE. THANK YOU.

>> LET'S TAKE. >> KAUAI TAKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK.

>> COMMISSIONER CAN WE TAKE A LITTLE LONGER SO WE CAN

RECONCILE EVERYTHING. >> HOW LONG DO YOU NEED DIRECTOR

RAMOS. >> CAN WE DO 6:05?

>> IS THAT ENOUGH? I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY DENAR.

>> 6:15. >> 6:15. OKAY SIT A NOW 5:45 THE COURT WILL TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 6:15.

IS OH OKAY, IT IS 6:20 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS IN SESSION. NOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ADDITIONS FOR CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS. SO, THERE ARE PROPOSED -- PROPOSED ADDITIONS.

SO, THIS IS PAYING PAUL. RIGHT? WE ROBBED PETER AND NOW WE ARE PAYING PAUL. WE ROBBED $13 MILLION FROM PETER AND THAT'S HOW MUCH WE CUT. TYPICALLY WE HAVE THESE INCREASES, YOU KNOW, GOING BACK ON THE CUTS . BUT, THERE IS A LOT MORE HERE AND IT ADDS UP TO MORE THAN $13 MILLION AND IT ADDS UP TO $93 MILLION PLUS . WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING, THESE ARE ORGANIZED WITH THE COSTLIER ONE AT THE TOP AND THE OTHER -- THE SMALLER CUT REDUCTION AT THE BOTTOM . SO, THE THOUGHT WAS TO MAKE A MOTION

[06:10:03]

IF WE MAKE A MOTION AND IF THERE IS NOT THREE VOTES TO ED VANCE IT, IT DOESN'T ADVANCE. WE WILL HAVE A LIST TO GO THROUGH AGAIN . THEN, AT THAT POINT, WE WILL SEE IF IT'S NOT $90 MILLION , IS $45 MILLION. DO WE WANT TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CUTS TO REDUCE THE 45 OR REDUCE THE CUT REDUCTIONS TO GET THEM TO 13.

>> I JUST WANT A POINT OF CLARITY. ON PUBLIC HEALTH, DANIEL, DO WE NEED TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH?

>> NO, WE CAN MAKE THE MOTION .

>> OKAY . >> SO, ARE YOU GOOD TO GO THROUGH THESE REAL QUICK. MOTION TO ADVANCE AND A SECOND?

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE OPERATE ON THE SAME SHEET. DID YOU EMAIL -- DID YOU PRINT THIS?

>> THAT'S A TRACKER, YES, SIR .

>> WOULD IT BE HELPFUL FOR ME TO JUST READ OUT?

>> OKAY . >> OKAY , --

>> THIS IS JUST -- >> SO BASICALLY WHAT EVERYBODY

SUBMITTED IN ORDER . >> COULD YOU GIVE US FIVE MORE MINUTES SO WE CAN PRINT THE SAME COPIES FOR EVERYBODY ?

>> I DON'T HAVE A COPY . >> THAT'S A DOCUMENT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE NOBODY HAS FILTERED ANYTHING OFF OF THAT . CAN WE

GET FIVE MORE MINUTES, JUDGE . >> IF I COULD HAVE A COPY,

PLEASE, THANK YOU . >> WE NEED FIVE MORE MINUTES.

>> OKAY. SO, I KNOW, RIGHT. SO,

>> ALL RIGHT, IT IS 6:26 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. UNTIL THEY COME BACK WITH THE PDF, LET'S GO TO THE

SIMPLER ITEMS . ITEM 3 -- >> IF WE COULD JUST CALL ALL OF THE ITEMS AND ACCEPT THEM AS PRESENTED. I WOULD SAY ITEMS

THREE TO SEVEN . >> I WILL SECOND .

>> THREE TO SEVEN AND 10 THROUGH 15 . 17 , 18 --

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IS GOING TO WORK BECAUSE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- DO YOU HAVE ANY MOTIONS FOR 17, COMMISSIONER?

>> THESE ARE ALL ON THE AGENDA . >> WE STARTED OFF GOOD . LET'S

JUST DO THREE THROUGH SEVEN . >> SECOND .

>> SO THERE IS A MOTION FOR ITEMS THREE THROUGH SEVEN. THIS IS BONDS, BONDS, BONDS, AND THE SEVENTH IS THE BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS . THAT IS JUST ROUTINE, JESSE?

>> ITEM 7 . >> THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I FORGOT WHO THE SECOND WAS .

>> GARCIA . >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL WHO

APPROVE, AYE? >> AYE. THE MOTION IS

UNANIMOUSLY . >> AND 10 -- 11 AS AN AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT . 14, A GRANT, AND 15 A GRANT NOTIFICATION .

ALL RIGHT, SO THAT IS 10 THROUGH 15 MOTION OR BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR

-- >> AYE .

>> THE MOTIONS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY .

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION ON 17 .

>> WE ARE GOOD . >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA

. >> HE SAID 17 AND 18 .

>> SO 17'S AUDIT CLAIMS AND 18 IS A SETTLEMENT CLAIM.

>> AND , 20 . >> AND THE 19 IS --

>> NO, 20 . >> EXECUTIVE SESSION. 20 IS A RESOLUTION. CAN WE APPROVE THE RESOLUTION OR DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THE RESOLUTION? I GUESS THEY HAVE SPOKEN, RIGHT?

>> THERE IS NO SPEAKERS, JUDGE .

>> OKAY, IS THERE A MOTION . >> SO THAT IS 17, 18, AND 20 .

[06:15:13]

>> IT IS 17, 18 AND 20. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER HIDALGO AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR --

>> AYE . >> OPPOSED?

>> THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY AND YOU GOT THE PDF.

SO, HERE IS THE IDEA. ARE THESE STILL IN ORDER OF SIZE ?

>> YES . >> JUDGE?

>> CAN I FINISH MY SENTENCE? >> THE ORDER OF ADOPTIONS OF

OPERATIONS IS NEXT, CORRECT? >> THESE ARE RESTORATIONS .

>> THE ONLY THING I WOULD SUGGEST .

>> WHY DON'T YOU LET ME FINISH MY SENTENCE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RUN THE COURT, RUN AGAINST ME NEXT TIME .

>> I WILL GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT.

>> OKAY, SO HERE IS THE THOUGHT. WE ALL HAS -- HAVE THIS PDF AND THEY ARE IN ORDER OF HIGHEST TO LOWEST. SO, WE HAVE $13 MILLION, CORRECT? WE HAVE $13 MILLION IN CUTS. ADDITIONAL CUTS . THEN WE ARE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE CUTS WORTH $95 MILLION. SO, BASICALLY, WE HAVE TO REDUCE THIS LIST . SO, THE THOUGHT WAS LET'S GO THROUGH THE LIST ONCE -- OR $40 MILLION. LET'S GO THROUGH THE LIST ONCE AND THEN WE CAN SEE WHICH ONES ADVANCED TO THE SECOND ROUND FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD . THAT WAY WE CAN SEE WHICH ONES HAVE THREE VOTES AND THERE ARE SOME THAT DON'T HAVE A SECOND . THIS IS SIMPLY TO ADVANCE IT AND NOT TO APPROVE

IT. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> CORRECT .

>> JUDGE, JUDGE? >> YES .

>> THE BUDGET TEAM IS WORKING QUICKLY AND IF YOU OR YOUR STAFF MISS ANYTHING, THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT HERE OR THAT YOU DON'T SEE YOUR YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE PUT

ON THERE BEFORE? >> I DON'T SEE THE SALARY

FREEZES , BUT -- >>

>> THERE WAS NO SECOND TO STOP THE HIRING FREEZES?

>> CORRECT. >> THESE ARE ENHANCEMENTS , THE

SALARY FREEZE WOULD BE A CUT. >> IT'S ENHANCEMENT IN THE

SENSE THAT YOU ARE >> YOU COULD DESCRIBE IT AS AN ENHANCEMENT . THIS IS WHAT WE USE .

>> FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH , WE GET RID OF SALARY FREEZE, PERIOD.

>> THAT'S WHAT I MEAN . SO THE $25 MILLION IN THEORY, WOULD BE ROW ONE. SO, MY FIRST MOTION WOULD BE TO -- WOULD BE TO NOT DO THE -- -- NOT CONTRIBUTE THE 25 MILLION DOLLARS SO WE DON'T

HAVE TO DO THE HIRING FREEZE . >> WILL JUST VOTE .

>> YOU DON'T HAVE A SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND,

ALL IN FAVOR? >> ALL OPPOSED?

>> OKAY, SO THROUGH IT EARLY. OBVIOUSLY I'M

FOR IT. >> OKAY.

>> I ASK A QUESTION? OUT OF 21. ARE WE GOING TO DEAL WITH THAT

SEPARATELY FROM THIS LIST? >> WE WILL MAKE SURE TO ADD IT

TO THIS ONE. >> THAT IS AN AD, BUT WE WILL

TALK ABOUT THAT LATER. >> IS THAT THE PAY RAISE?

>> WE CAN PUT IT AT THE VERY END . WE WILL REMEMBER IT.

>> IF IT WERE TO ADVANCE, IT WOULD COME OUT OF THAT 13.1

MILLION. >> OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION TO RESTORE IT TO CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE AND GRANT SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS THAT ARE NOT SALARY INCREASES? THIS ONE IS YOURS.

MAYBE I'M NOT READING IT RIGHT. >> THERE IS ANOTHER ONE LATER

THAT RESTORES -- >> THIS IS TO RESTORE FORENSIC

[06:20:01]

SERVICES. >> IT IS AN ENHANCEMENT.

>> SO I THINK FOR FS, THERE'S FOUR MOTIONS TO HELP RESTORE.

THAT MIGHT BE ONE THAT SEEMED TO HAVE A GREEN LIGHT FROM EVERYBODY. WHAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT IS THE DOLLAR

AMOUNT. >> OKAY. SO THAT WAS MY MOTION.

>> I BELIEVE I HEARD IT FROM ALL FIVE ACTUALLY.

>> BATTING 1000. ALL RIGHT. >> SO WE WILL ADVANCE THE IFS ONES. AND THEN THERE IS THE HECTOR OF FUNDING.

>> RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. SAME THING. I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE THAT WILL BE UNANIMOUS. WHAT WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT IS A DOLLAR AMOUNT. WE WILL PUT A

PLACEHOLDER THERE. >> OKAY. SO IS THERE A MOTION TO RESTORE THE RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS?

>> DO WE NEED IT ? >> NO. LET'S HOLD OFF ON ANY

ACTION. >> NO. THIS IS TO ADVANCE.

DIDN'T WE AGREE ON THIS SYSTEM ?

>> YES. >> SO IS THERE A MOTION TO ADVANCE THE RESTORATION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE

A SECOND? >> ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE MULTIPLE ITEMS WITH REGARD TO CHILDREN?

>> IF WE ARE TAKING IT -- WHY DON'T WE JUST GO LINE BY LINE? BECAUSE THEN WE ARE SKIPPING. LIKE , I MEAN, EVERYBODY WANTS TO RUN THE COURT. Y'ALL CAN, BUT -- OKAY. SO LET'S JUST VOTE ONE BY ONE. THIS IS THE NEXT LINE. TO RESTORE THE RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS . MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND? THIS IS JUST TO ADVANCE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND.

THERE IS A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER. ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. SO THAT ONE ADVANCES TO THE NEXT ROUND. THEN THERE IS A $2.5 MILLION TO FUND THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKETS WITH A FOCUS ON LOWER-LEVEL FELONIES AND JAIL CASES.

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL RIGHT. MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR OF ADVANCING IT.

>> AYE. >> OKAY. SO WE ARE ALL IN FAVOR OF ADVANCING IT. THEN THERE IS A MOTION FOR 2 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS TO RESTORE 2 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S

OFFICE . >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION BY BRIONES. SECOND BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR OF ADVANCING. OKAY. WE ARE ADVANCING THIS TO THE NEXT ROUND UNANIMOUSLY. 2 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS TO ADVANCE -- TO RESTORE FUNDING TO MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH . MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL MAKE A SECOND SO WE CAN ADVANCE TO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO PERFORM APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOME VISITS PER YEAR CONNECT PARTICIPANTS TO MEDICAL COVERAGE, PRE-AND POSTNATAL CARE, LACTATION CONSULTANTS, AND CONDUCT OUTREACH. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADVANCE THIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? VOTING TO NOT ADVANCE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH. THEN WE HAVE AN ITEM TO ADVANCE $1.7 MILLION TO WASTEWATER TESTING TO ALLOW . H51 AND OTHER EMERGING DISEASES.

THIS IS TO RESTORE FUNDING TO THIS PROGRAM. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL MAKE THE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR OF CONTINUING WASTEWATER TESTING. ANY OPPOSED? THREE OPPOSED. TWO ELDEST TO CONTINUING WASTEWATER TESTING TO ALLOW EARLY VISIBILITY IN DISEASES. THEN THERE IS ANOTHER MOTION TO RESTORE FUNDING TO THE FORENSIC SCIENCES. ALL RIGHT. SO WE WILL ADVANCE THAT ONE. AND THEN THERE IS A SECOND MOTION TO RESTORE LOST FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING FOR THE FEDERAL DNA

BACKLOG REDUCTION. >> THAT ONE IS COVERED.

>> WE JUST TOOK IT DIRECTLY. 1.67 0. IT COVERS BOTH.

>> SO WE ARE ADVANCING THIS IFS LINE 1.67 MILLION. THEN THERE IS 1.6 MILLION TO ADDRESS THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUING TO SERVE 3 TO 4000 PEOPLE THROUGH DIABETES, TOBACCO AND VAPING EDUCATION. TOBACCO . IS THERE A SECOND TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM? I WILL MAKE A SECOND TO CONTINUE CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM INSTEAD OF DEFUNDING IT.

ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED. OKAY. THREE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE DEFUNDING CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION. THEN THERE IS $1.4 MILLION TO CONTINUE ABATING NUISANCES APPROXIMATELY 430 NUISANCE VIOLATIONS . AND THIS IS CLEANING ABANDONED LOTS AND

[06:25:09]

>> YOU SKIPPED ONE. >> I HAVE SB 9 FIRST AND THEN HEART. I HAVE NUISANCE ABATEMENT. THEN SB 9. THEN

HEART. >> TO HAVE A DIFFERENT LIST ?

>> MAY BE. BUT I WILL COVER BOTH. LET'S DO THE MILLION RESERVE TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SB9. SO THAT

ONE IS -- >> THIS IS REALLY BASED ON THE RESERVE IS BASED ON PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE OF APPROXIMATELY 872,000, WHICH ASSUMES WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY COVERAGE BY VISITING JUDGES . IT INCLUDES OVERTIME FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE, FREE TRIAL SERVICES. WHILE THE ESTIMATE IS TO ARRIVE BASED ON BROAD ASSUMPTIONS, WE BELIEVE THIS RESERVE IS APPROPRIATE GIVEN WHAT WE KNOW NOW.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO ADVANCE THIS. ALL IN FAVOR. OKAY SO WE ALL WANT TO ADVANCE THIS. THEN THERE IS $1 MILLION TO EXPAND THE HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAMS. SO THERE IS A MOTION. IS THERE A

SECOND TO CONTINUE? >> I LOVE HEART, BUT HEART IS ALREADY FULLY FUNDED COUNTYWIDE, SO I WILL NOT BE FUNDING -- SUPPORTING THAT SINCE WE HAVE ALREADY FOUND WAYS.

>> THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A WHOLE LOT OF NEED LEFT FOR THIS. WE ARE DECIDING NOT TO MEET THAT NEED. ALL IN FAVOR OF TRYING TO MEET THE NEED FOR CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH THE HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAMS. ANY OPPOSED. OKAY. SO WE WILL NOT BE MEETING THE ADDITIONAL NEED . NOW THERE IS AN ITEM BY PRECINCT 3. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS $944,008. CCO .

>> IT IS THE COUNTY CLERK RESTORING.

>> RESTORING THE COUNTY CLERK AS OPPOSED TO CUTTING THEM AND PUTTING THEM AT THEIR CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE. IS THERE A SECOND TO RESTORING THE COUNTY CLERK? TO CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE. OKAY. I WILL MAKE THE SECOND FOR THAT ONE, COMMISSIONER. SO WE HAVE A MOTION. A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR TO SUPPORTING OUR ELECTIONS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS ?

>> AYE. >> OKAY. ANY OPPOSED ? SO IT PASSES ? OKAY. SO EVERYBODY ACTUALLY LIKE THIS ONE. OKAY.

>> IT IS 515 CCO. IT IS RIGHT BELOW SB9, COMMISSIONER.

>> THEN THERE IS A REQUEST TO DO THE SERVICE ENHANCEMENT OF THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER REQUESTED. $920,810 .

COMMISSIONER ELLIS MOVES IT. IS THERE A SECOND? TO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER? I WILL MAKE THE SECOND FOR THAT.

THESE ARE KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED. ALL IN FAVOR OF ADVANCING THIS REQUEST FOR MUCH-NEEDED ADDITIONAL SERVICES.

ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. SO DID YOU SAY AYE , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? OKAY. SO THIS ADVANCES TO THE SECOND ROUND. THEN WE HAVE FUNDING FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN , ADULTS.

$907,000 TO CONTINUE PROVIDING MISSION-CRITICAL SERVICES TO FOSTER YOUTH PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IS THERE A SECOND TO ADVANCE THIS TO THE SECOND ROUND? ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR. WE ALL ARE GOOD TO ADVANCE THIS. THEN THERE IS JP SALARY INCREASE OF 30%.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD LIKE TO ADVANCE THAT SALARY INCREASE.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES WOULD LIKE TO ADVANCE THAT SALARY INCREASE.

ALL IN FAVOR. OKAY. ANY OPPOSED? I WOULD NOT LIKE TO ADVANCE. I

[06:30:07]

THEN WE WILL HAVE A SALARY INCREASE OF 29%. THAT IS THE SAME THING. OKAY. THEN WE HAVE A $615,000 INCREASE OR RESTORATION TO KILL THE CUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SO THAT THEY CAN PRESERVE THEIR EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES POSITION AND CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND AND THE EVALUATION AND RESTORE FUNDING AND SUPPORT OF POLICY ANALYSIS FOR THE PROGRAMS. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO CONTINUE THE EVALUATION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. IS THERE A SECOND? TO CONTINUE TO NOT CUT A NECESSARY EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE POSITION? I DON'T KNOW IN WHAT WORLD WE DECIDED TO JUST HATE ON THE CHILDREN. BUT OKAY. SO THIS WILL NOT ADVANCE. AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A DESIRE NOT TO CONTINUE EARLY CHILDHOOD FOR 20,000 KIDS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO EVALUATION ALLEGEDLY BUT THIS KILLS FURTHER EVALUATION. OKAY. AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. THEN WE HAVE RESTORATION. SO NOT CUTTING $600,000 IN AIR MONITORING FOR EMERGENCY ENVIRONMENT A RESPONSE AND FIELD INVESTIGATIONS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS MOVES IT. IS THERE A SECOND TO NOT CUT AIR MONITORING? OKAY. WE WILL REMEMBER THIS NEXT TIME WE HAVE A CHEMICAL FIRE. AND I HAVE , YOU KNOW, BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF THOSE WITH MY COLLEAGUE HERE. SO WE WILL KEEP THE CUTS TO AIR MONITORING. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW. IS THERE A $580,000 TO CONVERT TEMP STUFF TO PERMANENT POSITIONS ? A PILOT PROGRAM?

>> THAT IS WITHIN THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR'S OFFICE.

SHE HAS IDENTIFIED I THINK 36 POSITIONS . AND I THINK IT WOULD REALLY STABILIZE A LOT THAT IS GOING ON .

>> I WILL SECOND. >> OKAY. SO THERE IS A SECOND TO RUN A PILOT TO CONVERT TEMP STAFF TO PERMANENT POSITIONS. IS

THERE -- ALL IN FAVOR? >> FOR THE TAX ASSESSOR

COLLECTOR . OKAY. >> OKAY. SO TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR ON THAT ONE. ADVANCES. IS THERE A DESIRE TO RESTORE HALF $1 MILLION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY RESEARCH CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ? WAS THAT NOT ALREADY VOTED ON? IS THIS

DIFFERENT ? >> THEY ARE DIFFERENT DOLLAR

AMOUNTS. >> OKAY. SO THAT IS MOVING. IS THERE A DESIRE TO RESTORE THE FUNDING FOR OUR JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT TO SUPPORT USE -- YOUTH WHO ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF JUVENILE COURTS? SO IS THERE A SECOND TO SUPPORT KIDS UNDER OUR JUVENILE COURTS? I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE ARE PICKING ON KIDS, BUT I'M GOING TO GO AROUND AND MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT IS HAPPENING. I WOULD RECONSIDER THIS IF I WERE YOU GUYS. I MEAN, WE ARE LITERALLY TAKING OUT CHILDREN. OH, YEAH. I KNOW YOU WOULD SUPPORT IT , COMMISSIONER.

AND YOU MAY NOT BE A TEACHER. BUT YOU DO ALSO HAVE CHILDREN.

OKAY. SO WE ARE NOT ADVANCING THIS -- THE SUPPORT . WE ARE DECIDING TO CUT SERVICES FOR KIDS IN OUR JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT SO WE CAN KEEP THEM FROM GOING TO JAIL. OKAY. SO THEN LET'S DO -- IS THERE A DESIRE TO ELIMINATE THE CUT TO THE LIBRARY ? $300,000 TO RESTORE CUTS TO LIBRARIES CIRCULATION MATERIALS ENSURING RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS? OKAY. SO THAT WILL ADVANCE. WHAT DOES THAT ADD UP? CAN YOU DO

THAT ? >> I'M SORRY. THE LIBRARY.

>> YES. THAT ADVANCES. INITIALLY WE HAD $65 MILLION. WE HAVE KILLED ALL THE CHILDREN RELATED ONES PRETTY MUCH.

>> WE ARE AT 20 MILLION, BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROPOSALS FOR SOME OF THESE DEPARTMENTS. SO I KNOW THIS IS ANNOYING, BUT --

>> EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE THERE IS A TABLE. AND SO WHEN WE ADD UP THAT TABLE, YOU'RE SAYING IT DOESN'T ADD UP TO 65 MILLION ANYMORE. IT ADDS UP TO 20 MILLION.

>> EVERYTHING ADDS UP TO 20 MILLION, BUT THERE ARE MULTIPLE

[06:35:03]

>> SO YOU WANT TO COMBINE THEM. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

>> CORRECT. >> WHAT YOU PROBABLY WANT TO DO IS TAKE THE LOWER ONE. YOU'VE GOT TO GET DOWN TO 13.

>> I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THE LOWER ONE.

>> WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO PROPOSE, DIRECTOR ALMOST?

>> TO TAKE A BREAK SO WE CAN COME BACK WITH WHAT IS LEFT ON THE LIST AND THEN SEE IF WHAT COMBINATION OF DIFFERENT NUMBERS

CAN GET US HUNDRED 13 MILLION. >> YOU'VE GOT TO CUT 7 MILLION.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK. THANK YOU, ALL.

>> EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> THERE IS ITEM EIGHT. I KNOW THE COUNTY ENGINEER NEEDS TO SPEAK ON THAT. IF YOU COULD DO

THAT. >> WHAT IS ITEM EIGHT?

>> IT IS RELATED TO THE COST RECOVERY. THE FEE SCHEDULE. I'M JUST TRYING TO MOVE THINGS ALONG SO WE DON'T GET -- HAVE TO COME

BACK. YES. I'M SORRY. CORRECT. >> OKAY. SO ITEM EIGHT IS TO PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE AND LAMENTING COST RECOVERY FEES.

SO, YEAH. I DON'T HAVE ANY CONCERNS WITH THESE MOTIONS. DO YOU GUYS ? ALL RIGHT. SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL RIGHT. SLIGHT AMENDMENTS. SO I'M OKAY . I FRANKLY AM JUST TOTALLY CRUSHED THAT WE SEEM TO BE TOTALLY IMMUNE TO NOT SUPPORTING AND IN FACT HARMING OUR CHILDREN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I WILL LEAVE IT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TO YOU.

AND AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, COLLEAGUES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IF WE ARE NOT STANDING UP FOR CHILDREN. SHAME

ON YOU. >> YOU ALL WANT TO STAY IN HERE.

WE NEED TO STEP OUT. OKAY. WE WENT TO TAKE A BREAK. WE WILL LET YOU DO IT. AND IF WE GET OFF THIS, WE WILL WAIT FOR YOU.

OKAY. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ALMOST.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE COURT. WE DO HAVE A VERY SHORT PRESENTATION. BACK IN OCTOBER 29, COMMISSIONER DIRECTED TO ASSESS THE FEES AND PRESENT AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. WE HAVE NOT ADJUSTED THE FEE . CURRENTLY WE DID AN ASSESSMENT AND WE RECOVERED 74% OF THE ACTUAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT COST SPENT FROM OFFICE OF THE COUNTY OF ENGINEERS. SO WE WENT BACK. WE HIRED TO DO A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF OUR DEPARTMENT . NOT ONLY JUST ON THE PRE-RECOVERY.

ALSO ON THE SERVICE DELIVERY APPROACH AND HOW WE CAN IMPROVE.

WITH THAT, I WILL LET CHIEF GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION. WE HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE OUTREACH IN TERMS OF DISCUSSING WITH OUR

STAKEHOLDERS. >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. FOR THE RECORD, SAM PAINTED WITH THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER. AS DR. MENTIONED, WE CAN MOVE -- ADVANCE TO THE NEXT SLIDE. NEXT SLIDE. DR. WILL COVER THIS ONE.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU. PREVIOUS ONE.

ANYWAYS, LET ME -- TWO PREVIOUS, PLEASE. SLIDE NUMBER THREE. AS DR. MENTIONED, THE COURT DIRECTED THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER TO DO AN ASSESSMENT ON THE PERMIT FEES. WE CONTRACTED WITH ERNEST AND YOUNG TO EVALUATE OVER 500 FEET TYPES , AND WE ALSO ENGAGED THE STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS PROCESS TO ARRIVE AT THE PROPOSAL THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE PRESENTING. THE TRUTH IS THAT THE FEES HAD NOT BEEN ADJUSTED IN OVER 10 YEARS.

AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE RECOVERING ABOUT 74% OF WHAT IT COSTS US TO DELIVER THAT SERVICE, WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT A $4.8 MILLION GAP BETWEEN WHAT WE ARE RECOVERING AND WHAT IT COSTS TO DELIVER THE SERVICE. WE HAVE AND WE WILL PRESENT THE NUMBERS HERE. BUT THIS IS SLIDE NUMBER THREE. BEFORE WE DO THAT, I WANT TO SPEAK BRIEFLY ON THE PERFORMANCE FOR THE PERMITTING DIVISION . AND I WILL START HERE WITH CURRENT DEMAND FOR PERFORMANCE. AS YOU CAN SEE , THE INCREASE IN PERMIT VOLUME HAS INCREASED ABOUT 20% FROM 2022. THE STAFFING LEVELS HAVE REMAINED ESSENTIALLY FLAT . THE INFORMATION THAT WE ARE GOING TO

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AND IT WILL BE EVIDENT IF WE DON'T MAKE SOME INVESTMENTS WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY OR PERSONNEL. IT WILL BE EVIDENT IN THE PERFORMANCE AND THE QUALITY OF SERVICE BOTH IN INSPECTION TIMES OR TECHNICAL REVIEWS OR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. IN TERMS OF THE PERMIT APPROVALS , AS YOU CAN SEE, AS I MENTIONED , OVER THE YEARS IT HAS REMAINED ESSENTIALLY FLAT. BUT THE 20% INCREASE IS CREATING STRAINS IN CERTAIN LEVELS. THE RESIDENTIAL -- THE MOST SIMPLE AND HIGHEST VOLUME OF PERMIT TYPE AS YOU CAN SEE IS THE RESIDENTIAL. ON THAT ONE, THE REVIEW PROCESS IS FASTER FOR THE 90TH PERCENTILE FOR 2025 IS THREE DAYS OR LESS . BUT THE MORE COMPLEX AND THE MORE -- THE COMMERCIAL AND DEVELOPMENT SITES ARE FEELING A LITTLE STRESSED . AND IF WE DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT IN TERMS OF INVESTMENTS, WE ARE REALLY GOING TO START FEELING THE PINCH. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. YOU KNOW WHAT ? BEFORE WE MOVE FORWARD, I WANT TO MAKE -- STRESS ONE POINT HERE. ON THE RESIDENTIAL ASPECT, WE CAN GO BACK ONE SLIDE. IN 2024, WE SAW AN INCREASE IN THE RESIDENTIAL. THE TIME IT TOOK TO RISE UP TO ALMOST FIVE DAYS. THAT WAS THE SAME TIME THAT WE ARE DOING DISASTER RECOVERY . THE PERMITTING DIVISION -- STAFFING DOES DOUBLE DUTY. THE SAME PERSONS WE USED TO DO DISASTER RECOVERY AND ASSESSMENT WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS. SO, I MEAN, WE DON'T HAVE ANY SURGE CAPACITY IN THAT RESPECT. WE ARE TAKING FOLKS FROM PRIMARY DUTY AND REASSIGNING THEM TO DISASTER RECOVERY. SO THAT IS THE REASON FOR HAVING THIS INCREASE DURING 2024. IN THE PLANNING ASPECT, THE 20 DAYS THAT WE LIST HERE IS FOR THE TIME THAT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER DIRECTLY CONTROLS THOSE DOCUMENTS. AND I WILL EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO I WANT TO TAKE YOU THROUGH A HIGH-LEVEL WALK-THROUGH OF THE TIMELINE . THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER CONTROLS ESSENTIALLY 8% OF THAT ENTIRE TIMELINE. IT IS REPRESENTED BY THAT TIME IN YELLOW. AND 60% . REALLY IF YOU LOOK AT THE GREEN PART , WHICH IS THE TIME IT TAKES TO BRING THE ITEM TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVAL. BUT 8% IS WHAT WE CONTROL. HOWEVER, THE RESPONSIBILITY SEEMS TO BE ENTIRELY ON THE OFFICE OF ENGINEERING. BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, THE SYSTEM HAS MULTIPLE HANDOFFS WITH UNDEFINED ACCOUNTABILITY.