* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.
          [00:00:16]
          >> UM, OKAY. GOOD MORNING. SORRY ABOUT THAT. WE WERE PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES ON A PROPOSAL TO SAVE SOME OF THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS RIGHT NOW SLATED NOT TO HAPPEN. ANYWAY, IT IS, TRAN 29, 10:14 A.M. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. WE WILL NOW HAVE THE PRAYER. WHO HAS IT TODAY? NO PRAYER. OKAY. LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE. 
          >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. 
          >> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. 
          [Appearances Before Court ]
          >> TRAN 29, WE HAVE SEVEN ITEMS ONTO DAVE'S AGENDA. , AND, WE WILL BEGIN WITH THE SPEAKERS. UH, TIFFANY, ARE YOU READY TO 
          CALL UP THE SPEAKERS? >> YES, MA'AM. 
          >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2 -- 
          >> JUST A MOMENT. YES, COMMISSIONER? 
          >> GOOD MORNING, TEAM. IF WE COULD PLEASE HAVE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN ROSENTHAL SPEAK FIRST, JUST OUT OF RESPECT FOR HIS SCHEDULE, THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. 
          >> IS IT ON? OKAY. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING ME THIS MORNING. 
          I'M JOHN ROSENTHAL, STAY REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 135, NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY, AN INCREASINGLY -- COMPLETELY UNINCORPORATED AREA AND I AM ADVOCATING FOR THE CONSTITUENTS I REPRESENT. BECAUSE OUR AREA IS UNINCORPORATED, WE RELY HEAVILY ON COUNTY SERVICES. SO, REALLY, I WILL JUST START BY SAYING, WHILE THE STATE LEADERSHIP , THE GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE, RELENTLESSLY ATTACKS POPULATED COUNTIES AND CITIES, HARRIS COUNTY IS AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST. WHILE THAT IS GOING ON, IT WILL FORCE YOU INTO DIFFICULT DECISIONS. SO I FEEL FOR YOU, I PRAY FOR YOUR WISDOM. AND I HOPE THAT DOES NOT CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. I KNOW YOU ALL STRIVE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES. I AM THANKFUL MY DISTRICT HAS PIECES OF , THANK YOU, HAS PIECES OF THREE AND FOUR IN IT. I SEE THE GOOD WORKS YOU ALL DO WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL STUFF, NEW SIDEWALKS ALL OVER THE PLACE, MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND HEALTHIER. UH, AND THE PROGRAMS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTERS, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR MY OFFICE THERE. I CAN SEE FIRSTHAND HOW OUR COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES YOU ALL PROVIDE, ESPECIALLY THE SENIORS AND CHILDREN WITH THOSE PROGRAMS. SO I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR KEEPING THOSE SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS MOVING. 
          THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I KNOW I AM ALREADY OVER. 
          I AM JUST HERE TO ADVOCATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK 
          THAT YOU DO. GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE 
          ROSENTHAL. >> REPRESENTATIVE, THANK YOU. MY LAST VISIT TO AUSTIN, I THINK WE SWITCHED PLACES. YOU ARE UP HERE 
          AND I WAS OUT THERE MY. >> THAT IS TRUE. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO THERE. THAT WAS VERY COLLABORATIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE. JUST A POINT OF ENCOURAGEMENT. 
          THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. >> APPRECIATE YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I KNOW YOU ARE MAKING A CAREER CHANGE BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT CHAPTER IS 
          LIKE. >> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. I AM COMMITTED TO NOT HAVING THOSE CUTS, OBVIOUSLY, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE THEM. AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, THERE ARE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS IN YOUR DISTRICT THAT RIGHT NOW HAVE NO FUNDING SO I AM TRYING TO, I WILL HAVE MY STAFF PASS THE LETTER TO YOU, BUT I HAVE A PROPOSED RESOLUTION SO WE CAN RESTART THOSE PROJECTS. THOSE ARE PROJECTS VOTERS HAVE APPROVED BUT THEY WERE NOT HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THE DEFICIT IN THE FUND, THE 
          [00:05:02]
          FLOOD BOND FUNDING. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, REPRESENTATIVE ROSENTHAL. THANK YOU FOR YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE ? 
          >> YES? >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE ALL SPEAKERS OR BY THE HEARING? DO YOU WANT TO OPEN EACH OF THE HEARINGS AND THEN TAKE THE HEARING SPEAKERS? IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER EITHER WAY, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT. 
          >> UH, I THINK WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST TAKE THEM, YES. 
          >> IF YOU KNOW THEM BY AREAS, WE CAN TAKE THEM. 
          >> UH, OKAY. UH -- I THINK IT WOULD BE EASIER IF WE JUST TAKE THE SPEAKERS. PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE THEY ARE SIGNED UP 
          FOR. >> SURE. ABSOLUTELY FINE. 
          >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEMS TWO AND THREE, WILL HARRIS. SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, JOHN MIX FROM PRECINCT 1. MARIANNE FRIEDRICH OF PRECINCT 4, CARLOS GALLO OF PRECINCT 2. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING COUNCILMEMBERS. YOU WERE ELECTED TO REPRESENT US, THE PEOPLE. PEOPLE DON'T TAKE FUNDING FOR THE VERY PROGRAM, PLEASE DON'T TAKE FUNDING FOR THE VERY PROGRAMS HOLDING OUR COMMUNITIES TOGETHER. THE SERVICES CHANGE LIVES EVERY SINGLE DAY. CUTTING THEM ISN'T JUST NUMBERS ON A BUDGET. IT IS REAL PEOPLE LOSING WILL HELP. WE WERE STRONG IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO INVEST ON WHAT IS NOT WORKING. DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON US NOW. 
          >> SIR, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> WILL HARRIS. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CARLOS GALLO. I'M A SENIOR DEPUTY WITH A HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IT HAS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY FOR 26 YEARS. I HAVE ALWAYS DREAMED OF RETIRING AS A HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY AND HAS CHOSEN TO STAY HERE RATHER THAN LEAVE FOR HIGHER PAY ELSEWHERE. THAT DEDICATION HAS COME WAS SACRIFICE. I HAVE MISSED FAMILY GATHERINGS, SPECIAL OCCASIONS, NOT OUT OF CHOICE BUT THE NEED TO WORK EXTRA JOBS TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY. WITH EDUCATION, HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE. STANDING BESIDE ME IS MY 18-YEAR-OLD SON, WHO LEAVES OCTOBER 22 SERVE IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS. HE TOLD ME, DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME, DAD. YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR MY EDUCATION WHEN I LEAVE. 
          HIS WORDS REFLECT THE FINANCIAL STRAIN FAMILIES SAFE. WITH THIS PAY INCREASE, YOU WON'T HAVE TO LOOK INTO THE CHILDREN'S EYES AND HERE I MUST LEAVE BECAUSE OF LACK OF PAY PARITY. I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO SEE THE IMPACT THIS DECISION HAS ON 
          FAMILIES LIKE MINE. >> THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR 
          SERVICE. >> NO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. NOAH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR LOOKING OUT 
          FOR YOUR POP. >> WOULD YOU LEAVE? 
          >> OCTOBER 20TH, MA'AM. >> WOW. I'M SO THRILLED FOR YOU AND LUCKY FOR US. SIR, I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THOSE RAISES. I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THOSE SINCE 2022. THE PROBLEM IS, WE CAN'T FUND THEM WITHOUT CUTTING IMPORTANT SERVICES. FOR EXAMPLE, CUTTING THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM THAT KEEPS THE ENTIRE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM RUNNING. 
          WHEN IT COLLAPSED IN 2022, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THIS, 100 SOME ODD INMATES WERE RELEASED FROM THE JAIL THAT WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE RELEASED. SO THE D.A. COULD NOT SHARE THEIR SYSTEMS. WE HAD TO CUT THE INSPECTIONS THE FIRE MARSHAL DOES IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS TO MAKE SURE THE SCHOOLS ARE PROTECTED FROM SCHOOL SHOOTERS. SO THIS IS WHY MY PROPOSAL IS, LET'S GO TO THE VOTERS, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IT THIS NOVEMBER, LET'S ASK THE VOTERS IF THEY WANT TO FUND THOSE RAISES. I REALLY THINK THE VOTERS WILL SAY YES. WE ALL SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO THAT IS MY PROPOSAL. LET ME ASK YOU ANOTHER THING. DID YOU GUYS FLOOD, BY ANY CHANCE, DURING HARVEY OR HAVE NEIGHBORS OR FAMILY OR FRIENDS THAT FLOODED? OKAY. SOME OF THE SPEAKERS, IF YOU DID, JUST LET US KNOW. YOU KNOW, YOU VOTED FOR 2 1/2 MILLION DOLLAR BOND AND WE ARE AT A $410 MILLION DEFICIT IN THAT POD. SO ANYWAY. THANK YOU, SIR, FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU, NOAH, BEST OF LUCK. THANK YOU BOTH. 
          [00:10:11]
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS MARIANNE FRIEDRICH. I AM A MEMBER OF THE WESTBERRY COMMUNITY. I AM VERY HAPPY THERE ARE PLANS FOR SIDEWALKS AND RETAINING ROADS IN THE NEW BUDGET. THANKS FOR MAKING THESE THINGS A PRIORITY. I CAN ATTEST TO THE NEED FOR SIDEWALK REPAIR IN OUR AREA. I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN IN GOOD HEALTH AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED STUMBLING AND FALLING DUE TO DANGER SIDEWALKS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY ARE REALLY HARD TO AVOID. ONCE, WHILE WALKING MY DOG, I EVEN FELL. MY DOG DIDN'T TAKE OFF. SHE WAS SO STUNNED BY THE WHOLE THING. AND, UH, I LOST MY PLACE. WHILE I AM MENTIONING OUR STREETS, THEY COULD STAND SOME TLC, AS WELL. I DON'T THINK ANYTHING MAJOR HAS BEEN DONE TO REPAIR THE STREETS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD SINCE THEY WERE BUILT 70 YEARS AGO. REPAIRS ARE DEFINITELY NEEDED TO MY COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND SO YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOT ON THE CUTTING BLOCK, MA'AM. SO THANK YOU. ONE THING THAT IS ON THE CUTTING BLOCK IS FIRING ASSOCIATE JUDGES. THOSE NEW JUDGES THAT ASSIST THE ELECTED JUDGES AND THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CUT THE BACKLOG IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, SO OUR BACKLOG WAS SO BAD THAT THE CASES COULD NOT BE PROCESSED AND VICTIMS AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS CANNOT GET THEIR DAY IN COURT. SO THEY WERE ABLE TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG BECAUSE OF THESE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, BUT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FUND THE RAISES WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS, THE PROPOSAL THAT THREE FOLKS HERE SUPPORT FIRE THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES. THAT GOES AGAINST THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES COMING TO COURT REQUESTING WE PLEASE NOT FIRE THOSE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO 
          KEEP THE JUSTICE SYSTEM GOING. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS OF PRECINCT 1. JOHN NIX OF PRECINCT 1. 
          EVERETT ] SPEAKING ON ITEM 2. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK NOW? >> SIR, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND STATING YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> YES, HI. MY NAME IS JOHN NIX IN PRECINCT 1. SEVERAL THINGS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT. I KNOW I ONLY HAVE MY ONE MINUTE. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE COUNTY PUT, LIKE, SENSORY ROOMS AND LIKE HAVE FIDGET TOYS AT ALL THE DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS, LIKE HERE AT 1001 10 PRESTON, AND ALL THE COURTHOUSES AND FIDGET TOYS AT ALL THE COUNTY BUILDINGS, LIKE THE JP COURTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FOR PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, THAT ARE ADHD OR NEED HELP WITH THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF DEALING WITH COUNTY BUSINESS TO HELP US WITH THAT. AND ON THAT TOPIC, ON ANOTHER TOPIC, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO RECONSIDER AND RUN AGAIN, JUDGE. WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU. IF YOU ARE ON MY BALLOT, I WOULD DEFINITELY VOTE FOR YOU. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU. YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT. DON'T LET THE CYBER BULLIES DESTROY YOU. YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT. FROM ONE INDIVIDUAL. I GOT THREE SECONDS, SO GOD BLESS TEXAS AND GO, TEEN, WHATEVER TEAM YOU ROOT FOR, HAVE 
          A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> HI, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE 
          ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] >> I AM REMISS IN NOT SAYING THAT ONLY THE SNAPPING IS ALLOWED. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, - LOW VOLUME ]. I AM HERE TO DISCUSS THE UNDERUTILIZATION OF THE GROUNDS I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF. NUMBER ONE, I HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PRIVATIZATION OF FRAMEWORK WITH THE FLOOD DISTRICT, NUMBER THREE, THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM NEEDS TO UPDATE THEIR SYSTEMS TO ASSIST ISSUES TO MAKE IT MORE USER-FRIENDLY AND A MORE COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. THEY NEED TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PROGRAMS BEFORE THEY TRIED TO HAVE NEW BUILDINGS. 
          THEN I AM CONCERNED ABOUT NUMBER 6, HRT. CODE 551 ¿ 0074, WHAT IS GOING ON? THE LEGISLATIVE DETAILS? NUMBER SEVEN, THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT, SUPPORT FOR MORE SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH. 
          WE NEED TO HAVE A BETTER PLAN. RIGHT NOW, IT IS REQUESTED BY INAUDIBLE - LOW VOLUME ]. BACK IN JANUARY, THE DIRECTOR WAS 
          TREATED FOR -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> WE NEED PAY PARITY. WE GOT A PRESIDENT -- WE NEED TO DO 
          SOMETHING. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS 
          [00:15:05]
WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE. I BEGAN MY JOURNEY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN I WAS 14 YEARS OLD IN THE EXPLORER PROGRAM HERE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THIS PROGRAM SHOWED ME THAT THE MAIN PILLAR OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS SELFLESS SERVICE. 
          IN MY YEARS ON THE JOB, I HAVE SEEN THE SACRIFICE THAT DEPUTIES TAKE AND LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES IN ORDER TO WORK EXTRA JOBS FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY. THE PAY PARITY WOULD ALLOW DEPUTIES TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY, FOCUS ON THE HEALTH AND HAVE THE ENERGY TO PROVIDE BETTER WORK FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE ISSUANCE OF PAY PARITY HAS ALREADY BOOSTED THE MORALE OF MOST EMPLOYEES AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IT ENSURES THAT HARRIS COUNTY LEADS AWAY WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU, BUDDY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROGRESS. THANK YOU. 
          >>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SHANNON YEAR VETERAN WITH HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE LOST AN UNTOLD NUMBER OF DEPUTIES TO SURROUNDING AGENCIES, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY PAY BETTER THAN US. 
          I ALSO SERVICING YOUR PASTOR AT MY CHURCH. BECAUSE OF THAT, MANY OF THE DEPUTIES FEEL FREE TO COME TO ME AND OPEN UP TO ME. 
          SEVERAL DEPUTIES AND SUPERVISORS ALIKE HAVE SHARED WITH ME HOW VALUED THEY NOW FEEL WITH THIS STEP TOWARD PAY PARITY. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT WILL ALLOW THEM TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WORK FEWER EXTRA JOBS AND FOCUS ON SERVING THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY, INSTEAD OF SEARCHING FOR BETTER SALARY. THE CONTINUED SUPPORT BY YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. I ABSOLUTELY THINK THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND I AM GLAD THEY ARE FEELING GOOD ABOUT IT. I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS HAPPENING BY NOT TAKING THIS TO THE VOTERS. I THINK WE CAN HAVE BOTH THINGS, RIGHT? WE CAN HAVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY INCREASE , SO TO NOT EVEN SHOW WE VALUE OUR DEPUTIES, THEY DESERVE THAT AMOUNT OF PAY , JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING. UH, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS. I THINK WE CAN BOTH HAVE THAT AND BE ABLE TO KEEP OUR ASSOCIATE JUDGES AND BE ABLE TO KEEP OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM RUNNING. ACTUALLY, WHEN JAY WEBB COLLAPSED, SOME OF THE 911 CALL CENTERS WERE AFFECTED. I DON'T THINK ANY OF THE DEPUTIES WOULD WANT THAT. ANOTHER THING THAT IS BEING CUT IN ORDER TO FUND THE RAISES WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS IS THE RAINY DAY FUND. RIGHT NOW, IT IS AS LOW AS IT WAS RIGHT AFTER HARVEY AND RIGHT AFTER COVID. OF COURSE, WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON. WE KNOW SOMETIMES WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE EMERGENCY A YEAR. INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE $10 MILLION WE WOULD NORMALLY PUT TO THE RAINY DAY FUND, WE ARE NOT PUTTING IT THERE I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I SUPPORT THIS, I AM JUST ASKING WE NOT TRADE ONE PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING FOR ANOTHER ONE, BUT 
          INSTEAD WE DO BOTH THINGS. >> SHANNON, GOOD TO SEE YOU. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, MAN. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, MORRIS THOMAS OF PRECINCT 2, JASON SAAR OF PRECINCT 2, DAVID POWERS OF PRECINCT 2, MICHAEL GUERRERO OF PRECINCT 2, BECKY EDMONDSON OF PRECINCT 4. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> I AM DEPUTY THOMAS WITH HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. 
          THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I WANT TO SHARE THIS RACE, SHARE ABOUT THIS RAISE ABOUT IT BEING LIFE-CHANGING TO MY FAMILY. I'M A 13 YEAR VETERAN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I WAS ONE OF THE MANY OFFICERS WHO APPLIED FOR THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT DUE TO THE COMPETITIVE SALARIES. HOWEVER, WITH THE PAY INCREASE, THE SHERIFF OFFICE IS SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE IT, I WITHDREW MY APPLICATION BECAUSE THIS IS THE AGENCY I WANT TO SERVE AND RETIRE FROM. THIS RAISE WILL ALSO AFFORD ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY FAMILY. AS WELL AS THE NEED TO WORK ADDITIONAL JOBS WILL BE ELIMINATED. THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF WOULD BENEFIT, AS WELL, BECAUSE I WILL BE ABLE TO COME TO WORK REFRESHED AND MENTALLY SOUND WITHOUT BEING WAY DOWN WITH THE STRESS OF EXTRA JOBS. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          [00:20:15]
          >> GOOD MORNING. I AM JASON SAAR, 17 YEAR VETERAN OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. BRINGING OUR SALARIES TO A COMPETITIVE LEVEL WILL KEEP EXPERIENCED DEPUTIES AND HARRIS COUNTY. IS NOT JUST ABOUT CAREERS, IT IS ABOUT FAMILIES. MANY OF US HAVE HAD TO WORK EXTRA JOBS IS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. THIS RAISE MEANS MORE TIME WITH THEIR LOVED ONES. LAW ENFORCEMENT TAKES A TOLL, LONG SHIFTS AND STRESS AFFECTS OUR HEALTH. THIS WILL REDUCE SICK LEAVE AND MEDICAL COSTS AND ENSURE CITIZENS ARE SERVED BY DEPUTIES WHO ARE FOCUSED ON SAFETY AND HEALTH YOUR. AT THE 
          END OF THE DAY, EVERYBODY WINS. >> ANY RELATION TO DAVID SAUER? 
          >> NO, SIR. >> YOU GUYS ARE CUT FROM THE 
          SAME CLOTH. GOOD TO SEE YOU. >>> A MORNING. I AM A SERGEANT WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR MAJORITY VOTE . I HAVE SUPERVISED FOR OVER 11 YEARS. DURING THAT TIME I HAVE WITNESSED DEPUTIES UTTERLY EXHAUSTED, WORKING FULL TIME WITH US AND AN EXTRA 20 HOURS OF EMPLOYMENT JUST TO PROVIDE FOR THE BASIC NEEDS OF FAMILY AND THEMSELVES. THEY HAVE BEEN STRETCHED VERY THIN. THEY ARE POSSIBLY LOOKING TO GO TO OTHER AGENCIES. WITH YOUR APPROVAL OF PAY PARITY, HAVE ALREADY WITNESSED CHANGED. DEPUTIES HAVE HOPES THEY CAN REDUCE EXTRA JOBS, HOPE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES, HOPE TO FOCUS ON THEIR HEALTH AND THE RESULTS ARE THAT DEPUTIES ARRESTED, FOCUSED AND BETTER ABLE TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WILL CLOSE WITH A QUOTE FROM SIR RICHARD BRANSON. TRAIN PEOPLE WELL ENOUGH SO THEY CAN LEAVE, TREAT THEM WELL ENOUGH SO THEY DON'T 
          WANT TO. THANK YOU. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. 
          MY NAME IS MICHAEL GUERRERO AND I AM PROUD TO SERVE IN HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WANT TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR THE INCREASE IN PAY. FOR ME, IT MEANS I DON'T HAVE TO WORK AS MANY EXTRA JOBS, I CAN SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY, TIME I CAN'T GET BACK. LIKE MANY OF MY FELLOW DEPUTIES, I HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING LEAVING HBD BECAUSE OF THE PAY. THAT IS HARD BECAUSE I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO STAY HERE TO SERVE. THIS RAISE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO SAY WHERE MY HEART IS IN HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THANK YOU FOR INVESTING NOT ONLY IN US DEPUTIES BUT IN OUR FAMILIES AND THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY. 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MICHAEL. 
          >> SIR, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK. I THINK SOMEBODY MENTIONED BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU GUYS TO RECEIVE YOUR RAISES, YOU COULD HAVE RECEIVED THEM IN JANUARY WITHOUT MAKING THESE CUTS. HERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT WILL BE CUT IF WE DON'T GO TO THE VOTERS, IS THE, UH, THE DISTRICT, UH, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WOULD STILL LOSE $1.4 MILLION. THE ELECTIONS OPERATIONS WILL LOSE $3.8 MILLION. AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE ISSUES, AS WELL, IN TERMS OF PRETRIAL SERVICES. SO, AS YOU GUYS KNOW, YOU KNOW, FOLLOWING UP ON FOLKS THAT, UH, HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, THAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN JAIL, OBVIOUSLY CAUSING MORE ISSUES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW, UH, THAT THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ON, I DON'T WANT TO. COMMUNITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER OR ONE SIDE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AGAINST THE OTHER SIDE OF PUBLIC SAFETY. WE CAN HAVE BOTH. THAT IS WHY I HAVE PLED WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO PLEASE ASK THE VOTERS SO WE CAN HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING SO WE HAD TO CUT THESE THINGS. WE ARE ALSO CUTTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, WHICH, AS YOU GUYS KNOW, HAS, YOU KNOW, KIDS WHO, YES, WERE ACCUSED OR CONVICTED OF COMMITTING A CRIME, BUT YOU GUYS, NONE OF US WANT THEM TO BECOME LIFELONG CRIMINALS. AND PART OF WHAT HELPS WITH THAT ARE THESE SERVICES , DIVERSION SERVICES, LIKE IF A KID IS ARRESTED FOR MARIJUANA, IT IS NORMALLY BLACK AND BROWN KIDS. IF THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, IN CERTAIN SCHOOLS, THEY JUST GET SCOLDED BY THE PARENTS. IN OTHER SCHOOLS, THEY GET SENT TO JAIL. WE USED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR THEM. THAT PROGRAM WILL BE CUT, ALONG WITH OTHER PROGRAMS FOR KIDS. SO, UH, I WANT YOU  TO KNOW I AM ADVOCATING FOR HAVING BOTH. I SUPPORT THE RAISES BUT I DON'T SUPPORT CUTTING ALL THESE THINGS I AM NAMING. I DON'T THINK YOU GUYS WANT TO CUT THESE 
          THINGS, EITHER. ANYWAY, SORRY. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD 
          [00:25:14]
MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS BUDGET. I KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO CONSIDER. MY NAME IS BECKY EDMONDSON. I AM THE COPRESIDENT OF THE WESTBURY SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD, REPRESENTED BY 1000 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES AND 3500 MULTIFAMILY IN BOTH PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 4. SO I AM LUCKY I HAVE TWO COMMISSIONERS. AS A NEIGHBORHOOD, OUR NUMBER ONE CONCERN IS PUBLIC SAFETY. THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IS CRITICALLY UNDERSTAFFED AND WE HAVE HAD TO RELY ON PRECINCT 5 CONSTABLES TO FILL THAT GAP FOR 40 YEARS. WITHOUT THOSE OFFICERS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I WOULDN'T FEEL SAFE AND I PROBABLY WOULD MOVE. UH, I SUPPORT A BUDGET THAT PRIORITIZES PROTECTING THE PUBLIC WITH MORE OFFICERS, STRONGER ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT WITH THAT SAID, FOR A TAX INCREASE, HAVE A SMALL COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 4000 SQUARE FEET. MY TAX BILL LAST YEAR WAS $17,000. 
          >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, DEVANTE POLK OF PRECINCT 1, STEPHANIE VALDES OF PRECINCT 2, POLLY LOOPER OF PRECINCT 3, JESSICA LOOK AT OF PRECINCT 2, ELI RIVERA PRECINCT 2. YOU EACH HAVE 
          ONE MINUTE. >> SO THIS CHART WE JUST PUT UP HERE ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS THE BUDGET DIRECTOR HAS MADE OVER THE PAST YEAR. IN RED ARE THE COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE VOTED AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BUDGET DIRECTOR. THEY HAVE NOT VOTED AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BUDGET DIRECTOR. IF THEY HAD NOT, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE RAISES WITHOUT CUTTING THIS, WITHOUT CUTTING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WITHOUT FIRING JUDGES, THINGS THAT STILL HAVE TO DO A PUBLIC SAFETY WITHOUT KEEPING FIRE INSPECTIONS AND EMERGENCY INSPECTIONS FROM HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS. JUST KNOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AT A COST THAT IS NOT NECESSARY. AND REMEMBER, WE ALSO HAVE A $410 MILLION DEFICIT. IF ANY OF Y'ALL FLOODED AND VOTED FOR THE FLOOD BOND, THERE ARE 27 PROJECTS THAT WERE PROMISED THAT WILL NOW NOT 
          HAPPEN. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DEVANTE POLK. 
          AND A GRADUATE OF TODAY, NOT JUST AS A CONCERNED MENTOR, BUT AS A VOICE FOR THE YOUNGEST AND MOST HONORABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE TALK ABOUT BUDGET, WE CAN TALK ABOUT NUMBERS BUT THESE ARE CHILDREN'S LIVES. CUTTING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS, YOUTH ADVOCACY AND CHILD CARE TRAINING IS NOT JUST A PHYSICAL DECISION, IT'S A MORAL ONE. EVERY DOLLAR YOU TAKE AWAY FROM THESE PROGRAMS TODAY WILL COST US TENFOLD TOMORROW AND DROP OUR RATES IN JUVENILE JUSTICE DETENTION. THESE ARE NOT LINE ITEMS, THESE ARE FUTURE DOCTORS, ENGINEERS AND EVEN TAXPAYERS WHO WILL ONE DAY SUSTAIN HARRIS COUNTY. YOU FIND WAYS TO RESTORE FINANCES TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, PUBLIC HEALTH, IT IS TIME TO HELP OUR KIDS. IF WE CHOOSE TO BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF CHILDREN, WE ARE SPENDING THE FUTURE. I URGE YOU TO RESTORE THESE FUNDS, INVEST IN CHILDCARE, INVESTING YOUTH TO PROVE TO THE COUNTY OUR PRIORITIES BEGIN WITH THOSE WHO CANNOT YET SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. 
          >> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONERS, I STAND HERE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED BY THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THESE BUDGET PROCESSES. THESE DECISIONS ARE SHAPED WHERE OUR COMMUNITY HAS WHAT IT NEEDS IN THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER THE MOST. WHEN DISASTER STRIKES, IT IS NOT THE POLICE ON THE FIRST ONES THAT ARE ON THE GROUND, WE ARE KNOCKING ON DOORS TO MAKE SURE NEIGHBORS ARE SAY. YOU CAN'T POLICE A FLOOD OR HURRICANE. YET, WE CONTINUE TO SEE BUDGET PRIORITIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT OVER DISASTER RESPONSE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS INVESTMENT IN FLOOD CONTROL, HOUSING AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, NOT MORE RESOURCES FOR POLICING WHILE RESIDENTS ARE LEFT STRANDED. THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING ALLOCATED AND WE DESERVE A PROCESS THAT IS OPEN, HONEST AND EQUITABLE. MAKE NO MISTAKE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BEFORE THE NEXT ASSESSOR COMES, PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER THESE CHOICES. AS WE APPROACH REELECTION, THE LATINO COMMUNITY WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE. WE NEED A BUDGET THAT TRULY SERVES EVERYONE TO MAKE ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY MORE RESILIENT, NOT JUST A FEW. THANK 
          YOU. >> MA'AM, PLEASE STATE YOUR 
          NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> MA'AM? 
          >> STEPHANIE VALDES. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE VERY RELEVANT ON THIS. YOU GUYS MIGHT REMEMBER MY STAFF MEMBERS WERE INDICTED DURING MY REELECTION YEAR, AS WELL AS THE PREVIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR. THE STAFF MEMBER CASE WAS DISMISSED BY GENERAL KEN PAXTON, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO IS AT COMPLETELY OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE SPECTRUM FOR ME. SO, OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS ALL MADE UP AND IT WENT AWAY AFTER I GOT REELECTED. THIS IS RELEVANT BECAUSE, UH, WE TALK ABOUT COST SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES. OF THESE FLOOD BOND DOLLARS AND ALL THE ROADS AND BRIDGES YOU GUYS ARE TALKING ABOUT, THE WAYS THOSE CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED IS LITERALLY WHAT MY 
          [00:30:01]
STAFF MEMBERS WERE FALSELY ACCUSED UP . AND THIS IS GOING TO COME OUT SOON. ALREADY WE HAVE PUBLISHED A REPORT ON THIS. 
          THE MEMBERS HAVE HAND SELECTED THE VENDORS, NOT GONE THROUGH A PROCESS OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, NOT FORMED A COMMITTEE, NOT HAD CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS. WE ALL PASSED AN ITEM COMMITTING TO DO THAT AND IT WASN'T DONE. SO THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A WAY TO HAVE SOME SAVINGS SO I APPRECIATE YOU BROUGHT UP TRANSPARENCY. LIKE I SAID, I KNOW WE ARE WORKING ON 
          THIS. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THIS. >> HI, THERE. MY NAME IS POLLY LOOPER, I AM A RESIDENT AND CANDIDATE FOR STATEHOUSE 126. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS BRIONES AND RAMSEY FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO HARRIS COUNTY. COMMISSIONERS, YOU PROMISED TO PROTECT SAFETY, SECURITY AND INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU HAVE DONE SO RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUE DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT PROGRESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY CAN GO HAND IN HAND AND FOR THAT, WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL. ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, THANK YOU FOR KEEPING YOUR WORK, PRIORITIZING SAFETY AND SECURITY, PERSONALLY WORKING IN THE CYBER STATION AREA IS IMPERATIVE FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO GO HOME EVERY NIGHT. YOU ARE ENSURING WE CONTINUE TO GROW STRONGER WITHOUT PLACING ADDITIONAL BURDENS ON FAMILIES, INCLUDING MY. I AM PROUD TO SERVE ALONGSIDE YOU AND PROUD TO CALL NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY MY HOME AND I HOPE TO BRING THIS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND BE ABLE TO REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY THERE THANK YOU ALL. 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR RUNNING. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JESSICA LEGGETT. I SERVE WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE. IVAN THERE 20 YEARS AND I AM THE INSTRUCTOR FOR THE PEACE OFFICER COURSE AT THE TRAINING ACADEMY. THE PROPOSED RAISE IS ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. WE ARE SEEING STRONGER APPLICANTS, TO OUR PROGRAM. PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE GONE TO OTHER AGENCIES BUT NOW SEE HARRIS COUNTY AS A COMPETITIVE CHOICE. IT WILL ALSO HELP US TO KEEP THE 110 CADETS WE HAVE SPENT 10 MONTHS TRAINING INSTEAD OF LOSING THEM TO SURROUNDING AGENCIES. JUST AS IMPORTANT, THIS RAISE MEANS DEPUTIES WILL RELY LESS ON WORKING EXTRA TIMES -- MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES, MORE REST AND BETTER MORALE. WITH DEPUTIES RESTED AND SUPPORTED, THE SERVICE THEY PROVIDE TO OUR COMMUNITY A STRONGER. THIS RAISE IS NOT JUST ABOUT DEPUTIES. 
          DIRECTLY BENEFITS THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY BY ENSURING THEIR COMMUNITIES RECEIVE THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF SERVICE. 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COURT. I NAME IS SERGEANT ELI RIVERA. I AM WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO OUR TRAINING ACADEMY, WHERE I OVERSEE OUR BASIC PEACE OFFICER COURSE. AND I CAN TELL YOU FIRSTHAND THAT THE 110 CADETS WE HAVE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS PAY RAISE. 
          THEY HAVE APPROACHED ME AND SEVERAL OF MY STAFF ABOUT LEAVING TO OTHER AGENCIES. WE HAVE BEEN, THEY HAVE BEEN WANTING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO GO TO OTHER AGENCIES. AS AN INSTRUCTOR, THEY ARE VERY EXCITED AND BEYOND THE ACADEMY, I ALSO TEACH AT THE LOCAL UNIVERSITY OUTSIDE WHERE CANDIDATES CAN APPLY FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THEY HAVE HEARD ABOUT OUR PAY RAISE AND THEY ARE EXCITED TO HAVE A LONG-LASTING CAREER. I THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS PAY RAISE AND CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR US. THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, CHRISTOPHER RIVERA PRECINCT 1. 
          DENARD BROWN A PRECINCT 3, ZACHARY RYAN A PRECINCT 3, RICARDO GARZA OF PRECINCT 3, 
          EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER. I WORK WITH THE THE LAST FEW WEEKS WE HAVE HEARD FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO HAVE IMPLORED COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO LISTEN TO THEIR KNEES. THEY HAVE SHARE PERSONAL STORIES, DISCUSSED HOW PROGRAMS OUTSIDE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE HELPED THEM AND THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO TESTIFIED SAY THEY WERE OPPOSED TO INCREASING LAW-ENFORCEMENT SALARIES. YET, THE MAJORITY OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DECIDED TO CUT THE SAME PROGRAMS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO THIS PODIUM TO ADVOCATE FOR. THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE HAS EXPERIENCED A LOSS. AS WE FUND MORE POLICE AND JAILS, WE ARE SIMULTANEOUSLY PUTTING OUR COMMUNITY AT RISK OF BEING CONSUMED BY THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS GERARD BROWN. TODAY I STAND YOU NOT JUST FOR MYSELF BUT FOR THE VOICES OF MY COMMUNITY, FAMILIES, YOUTH AND OTHERS WHO DEPEND ON DECISIONS 
          [00:35:04]
MADE OF THIS VERY ROOM. IT IS THE LAST DAY OF COURT BUT THE FIRST DAY OF WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. WE KNOW THE BUDGET REFLECTS VALUE. WILL WE INVEST IN PREVENTION, CREDIBLE MESSENGERS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, WE ARE PLANTING SEEDS OF SAFETY, HOPE AND PROGRESS. CUTTING THESE PROGRAMS WHILE INCREASING SELLERS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A SETBACK OF 151 MENTORS AND ONLY TWO RE-OFFENDED. THAT IS NOT JUST STATISTICS, THAT IS 148 SUCCESS STORIES, 148 LIVES CHANGED, 148 FAMILIES KEPT WHOLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO PROTECT THESE PROGRAMS TO PROTECT OUR FUTURE. SHOW AS THIS COURT STANDS WITH THE PEOPLE. LET TODAY WILL NOT BE REMEMBERED AS AN ENDING BUT AS A BEGINNING WHERE YOU CHOOSE PEOPLE OVER 
          POLITICS. >> THANK YOU. AND I HATE THAT THIS IS LIKE ALMOST PITTING TWO COMMUNITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE CAN HAVE BOTH, RIGHT? THAT IS WHAT IS FRUSTRATING. SO I DON'T IMAGINE THAT THE FOLKS ADVOCATING FOR THE RAISES ARE OKAY WITH REDUCING THE COMMITMENT TO THE RAINY DAY FUND OR WITH ELIMINATING 33 POSSESSIONS, 33 LAW-ENFORCEMENT CIVILIAN POSITIONS OR OR AIR MONITORING LIKE WE BILL AFTER THE ICT FIRES OR TO CUTTING FUNDING FOR THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE, WHICH IS THE CHILD SUPPORT DIVISION OR CUTTING CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OR REDUCE ELECTRONIC AND ALCOHOL MONITORING, AS WELL AS CASE SUPERVISION FOR PRETRIAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE OTHER ONES I MENTIONED EARLIER IN TERMS OF JUST KEEPING THE TECHNOLOGY BEHIND OUR ENTIRE JUSTICE SYSTEM RUNNING. BUT THERE IS SO MUCH OF THIS THAT IS POLITICAL. THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO GO TO THE VOTERS THIS YEAR, NO REASON AT ALL, OTHER THAN SOME COLLEAGUES BEING AFRAID TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH ASKING THE VOTERS IF THEY WANTED TO SEE THIS. THAT IS WHAT I THINK IS SO UNFAIR. NOW WE ARE PITTING COMMUNITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER FOR NO REASON AT ALL. PART OF MY THINKING IS MAYBE WE PHASE IT OUT AND AWAY BUT WE GO TO THE VOTERS NEXT YEAR. IT WAS CAN BE PHASED OUT ANYWAY. WHATEVER IT IS, WE ARE CREATING A FALSE PROBLEM, WE ARE INVENTING A DEFICIT AND WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE IT. WE HAVE A HIRING FREEZE, AS WELL. SO DEPARTMENTS, IF SOMEBODY RETIRES OR, YOU KNOW, LEAVES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE CHILDCARE, THEN WE CAN'T HIRE A REPLACEMENT. THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN 2008, SO NONE OF THIS IS NORMAL. I AM THINKING WE DON'T NEED TO BE FIGHTING OVER PENNIES. IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE BOTH. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS INAUDIBLE ] RYAN. COMMISSIONERS BRIONES AND RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US KNOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO BALANCE A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET WITH PRIORITIES AND WE ARE LEADING A TRANSPARENT BUDGET PROCESS THAT PUTS US FIRST. PUBLIC SAFETY, INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVING PREPARATION FOR DISASTERS WHILE STILL MAINTAINING OF BALANCED BUDGET. 
          I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING PAY PARITY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROVIDING A MUCH NEEDED PAY RAISE FOR DEPUTIES, WHICH IS CRITICAL TOWARD A SAFER HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS RICARDO GARZA. I WANT TO SAY, I WILL PROBABLY BE THE FIRST ONE TODAY TO PROBABLY SAY THIS, BUT, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I HAVE BEEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES, THE GOOD AND THE BAD. TODAY I AM HERE FOR THE GOOD. YOU GUYS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU. FOR THOSE SAYING THEY DON'T SUPPORT YOU, YOU HAVE AS MANY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, MY FAMILY, THAT ALSO SUPPORT YOU, OKAY? JUDGE, I BELIEVE YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE PITTING EVERYBODY AGAINST EACH OTHER, I HONESTLY DO. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT IS DIVIDING US. THANK YOU ARE NOT RUNNING 
          AGAIN. I APPRECIATE THAT. >> THANK YOU. I WILL ASK YOU A QUESTION. DO YOU SUPPORT FIRING ASSOCIATE JUDGES? BECAUSE THAT 
          IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. >> BUT YOU ARE DOING IT. 
          >> NO, I AM NOT. I AM NOT VOTING FOR THAT. IF THIS PASSES, IT WILL BE THEM. I AM NOT VOTING FOR IT. DO YOU SUPPORT NOT 
          FUNDING THE RAINY DAY FUND? >> I SUPPORT EVERYTHING THAT IS BEING DONE AND THE FACT THAT WHEN MY HOME FLOODED, YOU 
          [00:40:02]
          WEREN'T THERE. >> OKAY. 
          >> OKAY. >> THE CONSTABLES WEATHER. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WE HAVE DONE THIS SO MANY TIMES. I HAVE READ 
          IT. I HAVE THAT PAPER. >> NO, THIS IS NEW. 
          >> YOU WISH YOU DID OUT EARLIER TODAY. I WILL NOT ARGUE WITH YOU. THIS IS MY OPINION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR NOT RUNNING 
          AGAIN. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. >> UNLIKE FOLKS HERE, I AM NOT TRYING TO BUILD AN EMPIRE SO I CAN HAVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO STAY ON FOREVER. LET ME READ THE PROJECTS THAT ARE POSSIBLE YOUR NEIGHBORS THAT DO FLOOD. AT 54 ADDICKS RESERVOIR, F 99 ARMAND BAYOU, C1023 ARMAND BAYOU, FOA BRYCE BAYOU, FAD BUFFALO BAYOU, 46, 44, 41, 47, 43, OF 69, F7 A, ALL CEDAR BY YOUR. AT 112 CYPRESS CREEK. F 98 GALVESTON BAY. F 17, C1 50, HUNTING BY YOU. F 30, 31, 34, 32, LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK. C1 60, 15, LITTLE CEDAR RIVER. F 90 4F 93, SIMS BY YOU. F1 19, SPRING CREEK. F104 VINCE BAYOU. C 16 WHITE OAK BAYOU. ALL THE ONES I READ ARE PRECEDING 3, 4, FOUR FOUR, ONE AND THREE. ONE, ONE, THREE, TWO AND ONE. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A $410 MILLION DEFICIT AND ALL OF THESE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS THAT YOU VOTED FOR AND THAT WE NEED ARE PAUSED, THEY STILL CREATED UNNECESSARILY A $200 MILLION DEFICIT. WE COULD HAVE GIVEN THE RAISES WITHOUT THAT. INSTEAD OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO FUND THIS, SO, LOOK, I KNOW NOT EVERYBODY AGREES WITH ME. THAT IS A POINT OF BEING A POLITICIAN. I IMAGINE THE GENTLEMAN VOTED AGAINST ME AND THAT IS DEMOCRACY. I AT LEAST WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR LEADING THE POSITIVE IMPACT YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED FOCUS ON FUNDING CORE SERVICES, ESPECIALLY PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH COMMONSENSE SOLUTIONS. THE BUDGET PROCESS HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT HARRIS COUNTY DOES NOT FACE A REVENUE PROBLEM, BUT RATHER A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM. BY PRIORITIZING THE CENTRAL DEMONSTRATING TRUE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMITMENT TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AND I THINK YOU BOTH EACH FOR THAT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SHARING PAY PARITY ACROSS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION OF OUR DEPUTIES AND OUR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS WITH A MUCH-NEEDED BREEZE. THESE ACTIONS STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR UNWAVERING SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE YOU REPRESENT. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, JOSÉ GUERRERO OF PRECINCT 3. AMBER DRIVER , DON HUMMEL OF PRECINCT 3. CINDY CHAPMAN OF PRECINCT 4. 
          EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AMBER DRIVER. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR DILIGENCE THROUGHOUT THIS BUDGET PROCESS AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY WHILE ENSURING THAT OUR COMMUNITIES' PRIORITIES ARE ADDRESSED WITHOUT ADDING THE BURDEN OF NEW TAXES . THE INVESTMENTS IN STRONGER FLOOD CONTROL, DRAINAGE, ROADS, BRIDGES AND GREEN SPACE WILL STRENGTHEN THE LONG-TERM SAFETY AND RESILIENCE OF OUR COUNTY. I ALSO WANT TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR INSURING PAY PARITY ACROSS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION OF OUR DEPUTIES AND SHERIFF WITH A MUCH-NEEDED RAISE. THANK YOU FOR LEADING WITH VISION AND FOR THE POSITIVE IMPACT YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS DON HUMMEL. I AM WITH THE ST. 
          GEORGE PLACE TOWARDS NUMBER ONE. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE HARRIS COUNTY FISCAL YEAR 26 ANNUAL BUDGET. THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET IS VITAL TO THE CAPITAL PROJECTS. FOR EXAMPLE, HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDED $2.1 BILLION OF THE SCHUMACHER AREA PROJECT THAT LEVERAGED $20 MILLION IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS. 
          HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDED $150,000 FOR THE SAFE SCHOOL SIDEWALK 
          [00:45:01]
PROJECT THAT DELIVERED SAFE ACCESS FOR HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS THAT WALK TO WISDOM HIGH SCHOOL. MOST IMPORTANTLY, COMMISSIONERS, PASSING THIS BUDGET TODAY WOULD ALLOW $25 MILLION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CHIMNEY ROCK ROAD -- 
          >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THERE IS ANOTHER THING I THINK FOLKS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE BUDGET. 
          THERE IS $65 MILLION IN THE CURRENT BUDGET THAT ARE ONE TIME FUNDINGS. LIKE THE SALE OF A PROPERTY, LIKE, THE WEST LOOP PROPERTY, RIGHT? SO WE SELL IT THIS YEAR. WE CAN'T SELL IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR. EVEN THE THINGS THAT ARE FUNDED IN THE BUDGET, NEXT YEAR THEY ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK BECAUSE THESE ONE TIME FUNDING ITEMS CAN'T BE DONE NEXT YEAR. THAT IS NOT HOW YOU BUDGET AS A PRINCIPAL. YOU DON'T CREATE A BUDGET BASED ON ONE-TIME EXPENSES. IT'S LIKE, IF YOU SELL YOUR DINING ROOM TABLE TO PAY FOR YOUR BUDGET THIS YEAR BUT YOU ARE NOT CAN HAVE MORE EARNINGS OR FEWER EXPENSES LAST YEAR BUT YOU ARE ALREADY SOLD YOUR DINING ROOM TABLE. THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING. SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, IS, IT IS QUITE THE OPPOSITE OF FORWARD THINKING. IT WILL ALSO LEAD TO A TAX INCREASE EVENTUALLY BECAUSE OF THAT SITUATION. WE HAVE ALREADY CUT THE SERVICES AS MUCH AS WE CAN, LIKE CUTTING THESE VITAL SERVICES I HAVE BEEN NAMING. THEN WE HAVE THESE ONE-TIME EXPENSES THAT ARE PATCHING THE BUDGET. SO EVENTUALLY, SOON ENOUGH, THERE WILL BE A TAX INCREASE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, WHICH IS WHAT THEY FOLLOWED IN ORDER TO DO THIS. THEY ARE ALREADY SAYING THERE WILL BE INCREASES IN FEES. UH, DON'T 
          PEOPLE. >> 
          >> WE ALSO RELY ON THE PROGRAM TO SUPPLEMENT THE VERY UNDERFUNDED AND UNDERSTAFFED HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN MY AND SAY THEY DON'T HANDLE IMPORTANT CRIME. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOUR CAR HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO OR YOU'VE BEEN ASSAULTED, EITHER WAY, IT FEELS LIKE AN IMPORTANT CRIME. I WISH YOU WISDOM AND BLESSING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MANY. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK. MY NAME IS SHADNA. 
          I'M A LAWYER BY TRADE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, I'M A MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN, AND A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. MY FAMILY AND I LIVE IN THE MEMORIAL AREA, AND WHILE WE BENEFIT FROM COUNTY SERVICES SUCH AS DEBRIS CLEANUP AFTER STORMS AND ROAD AND SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE AS NEEDED AND ENJOY MANY PARKS AND TRAIL THIS IS OUR FREE TIME, THE MOST IMPORTANT SERVICE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS THE PRESENCE AND RESPONSIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE SHOW UP AT OUR HOUSE BECAUSE PACKAGES HAVE BEEN STOLEN OR CARS BROKEN INTO. THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION WHEN NEIGHBORS VOICE A CONCERN AND KEEP OUR STREETS SAFE AND WATCH OUT FOR OUR CHILDREN EVERY SINGLE DAY. WHETHER THAT'S BECAUSE KIDS ARE RUNNING, PLAYING OR RIDING BIKES OR KEEPING AN EYE ON TEENAGERS. AS THE MOTHER OF A 17-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO IS LICENSED AND A COUPLE OF YOUNG GIRLS WHO LOVE GOING FOR BIKE RIDES, THE SAFETY OF OUR STREETS IS MY MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITY, AND I'M GRATEFUL TO THIS COURT FOR IT BEING 
          IMPORTANT TO THEM AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MANY, EVERYBODY. MY NAME IS JOSE. COMMISSIONER, BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND BEING TRANSPARENT FOR SEEKING THE PRIORITY OF THE VOTERS. WE TRULY APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO REDUCE FLOOD RISK, EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND PROVIDE THE PAY RAISES FOR OUR SHERIFF AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPUTIES. IT IS REFRESHING TO SEE THE FOCUS ON BUILDING A SAFER AND MORE RESILIENT HARRIS COUNTY AND ALSO BEING RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS OF PUBLIC FUNDINGS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL YOU DO FOR 
          OUR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM TWO, GLAFARA RODRIGUEZ OF PRECINCT TWO. 
          NICHOLAS GALIN. LEWIS LOPEZ OF PRECINCT THREE. ANDREW CHAPMAN OF PRECINCT TWO. STARDRIK WHITE OF PRECINCT ONE. JENNIFER 
          [00:50:16]
HALVERSON OF PRECINCT TWO. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS GRAFITA RODRIGUEZ. 
          I'M A TAXPAYER AND HERE TO THANK YOU MISS BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND MR. GARCIA. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR WORKING SO MANY HOURS ON THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR AND NOT RAISING MY TAXES. AS IT IS, I'M STRUGGLING ALREADY TO PAY WHAT I PAY. RIGHT? IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR ME THAT YOU STAY STRONG. 
          DON'T LET OTHERS DISTRACT YOU FROM YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS AND KEEPING OUR FAMILIES SAFE. AND MAINTAINING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND WORKING IN OUR COUNTY AND ALLOWING YOUR OFFICERS TO GO THROUGH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE OFFERING MORE MONEY THAN THEY DO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU'RE NOT ALONE. JUDGE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. IS THERE ANY WAY YOU CAN ALLOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND BRIONES TO RUN THE BUDGET? 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. 
          >> THEY'LL VOTE FOR IT AND ALL THOSE CUTS. 
          >> I THINK THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING. LET THEM HELP 
          YOU, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MANY, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. FOR BASICALLY TAKING THE TIME AND THE HARD WORK AND BALANCING THIS BUDGET YEAR. WHICH WASN'T EASY, OBVIOUSLY. YOU MANAGED TO KEEP THE PRIORITIES IN PLACE. LIKE ROADS, BRIDGES, PARKS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, PUBLIC SAFETY. 
          WHILE ALSO PROTECTING THE TAXPAYERS BY NOT RAISING PROPERTY TAXES. AS A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY, I TRULY VALUE THE OPPORTUNITIES OF MY FAMILY AND I HAVE HERE. LIKE MANY, WE FEEL THE HEAVY BURDEN OF MULTIPLE TAXES. THAT'S WHY I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE EFFORT YOU'VE MADE TO BE RESPONSIBLE WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS AND STILL DELIVER THE SERVICES THAT MATTER MOST. 
          THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR YOUR DEDICATION, YOUR SACRIFICE AND YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT BY PUTTING THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY FIRST TIME AFTER TIME. THANK YOU, YOU GUYS. 
          >> JUST TO SHOW YOU THE MISINFORMATION THEY'RE GIVING IN ASKING YOU TO COME TO COURT. THEY DID RAISE TAXES, ACTUALLY. 
          THE TAX RATE IS UP AND THE AMOUNT YOU'RE GOING TO PAY IS UP. MY PREDECESSOR USED TO KEEP THE TAX THE SAME, BUT APPRAISALS WOULD GO UP. SINCE I TOOK OFFICE, -- IT'S NOT TRUE YOUR TAXES ARE NOT GOING UP. THAT IS FALSE. AND I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS WERE GIVEN THOSE TALKING POINTS WHEN YOU WERE ASKED TO COME. 
          THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE HONESTY OF SOME OF THE FOLKS HERE. BECAUSE YOUR TAXES ARE BEING RAISED THIS YEAR. THEY ARE. NOT JUST APPRAISALS. THE TAX RATE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANDREW CHAPMAN. I'VE BEEN, I'M CURRENTLY ASSIGNED AS A DEPUTY WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR AND A 27 YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERAN. I WANTED TO THANK SPECIFICALLY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, RAMSEY AND GARCIA FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY. YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU SERVE. AND COME HERE AND JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE COMMUNITY FIRST IN YOUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS. 
          ALSO, OBSERVED, I'M A CHRISTIAN. I BELIEVE IN JESUS. 
          MY BIBLE TELLS ME TO PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS. SINCE WE SKIPPED PRAYER TODAY, I WANT TO PRAY. I LIFT THE LEADERS UP TO YOU. THE POWERS OF BE ARE APPOINTED OF GOD. YOU HAVE THEM HERE FOR A SPECIFIC REASON AND SPECIFIC TIME. WATCH OVER THEM AND GIVE THEM WISDOM. HELP EVERYONE HERE TO HAVE THEIR ISSUES ADDRESSED. 
          IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN. >> AMEN. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR. THANK YOU. 
          >> MY NAME IS LOUIS LOPEZ. I'VE BEEN A DEPUTY WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE THE TIME TO SAY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK YOU'VE DONE. I DON'T HAVE TALKING POINTS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND I DID WANT TO SAY, YES, US DEPUTIES WERE THERE AT THE FLOODS. I STAYED HOME AWAY FROM MY CHILDREN FOR FIVE DAYS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE THEM. SO I CAN BE OUT KEEPING THE STREETS AND HELPING AS MUCH AS I COULD. 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          [00:55:01]
          >> GOOD MANY. MY NAME IS STARDRIK WHITE. I'M A RESIDENT IN PRECINCT FOUR. IT TAKES MONEY AWAY FROM THE YOUTH PROGRAMS AND GIVES IT TO POLICE RAISES. AND THAT'S A MISTAKE WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCE. YOUTH PROGRAMS ARE MORE THAN JUST ACTIVITIES. 
          THEY'RE SUPPORT SYSTEMS. THEY HELP YOUNG PEOPLE STAY OFF THE STREETS, STAY IN SCHOOL AND STAY CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITIES. 
          WHEN WE DEFUND THE PROGRAMS, WE INCREASE THE RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, INCARCERATION AND HEALTH ISSUES. ESPECIALLY FOR ADULTS WHO END UP IN JAIL WITHOUT PROPER CARE. IT INVESTS IN PUNISHMENT AND THAT'S NOT HOW YOU BUILD A BETTER FUTURE. 
          YOU CAN'T ARREST YOUR WAY TO A BETTER FUTURE. BUT YOU CAN BUILD ONE THROUGH YOUTH. I'M PROOF THAT THERE ARE YOUTH PROGRAMS 
          THAT ACTUALLY WORK. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YEAH, THEY WANT TO CUT ALL THE YOUTH PROGRAMS. I DON'T KNOW WHY. I REALLY DON'T KNOW. ESPECIALLY SOME OF US TALK A LOT ABOUT HOW WE HAVE KIDS WITHOUT BEING MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT SOME PEOPLE CANNOT HAVE CHILDREN. THEY SEEM TO ENJOY CUTTING ALL OF THE PROGRAMS. WHETHER IT BE CHILD CARE. WHETHER IT BE MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN OUR FACILITIES AND MENTOR SHIP FOR KIDS AND GANGS TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE JAILS. THEY JUST THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO CUT ALL THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. 
          >> HI. MY NAME IS JENNIFER. WHEN AUSTIN AND WASHINGTON, D.C. ARE PASSING POLICIES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO UNDERMINE THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE UNITED STATES, BUDGET CUTS CAN BE DIFFICULT. STAGNANT WAGES FOR WORKING PEOPLE MEAN TAX INCREASES DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT LOWER WAGE EARNERS. IT'S CRITICAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE FUNDED, BUT A NEW TAX IS NOT THE WAY. I'M URGING EVERYONE TO VOTE TODAY. BELT TIGHTENING CAN BE HARD TO ACCEPT, BUT EVERYONE HAS DONE IT AT ONE POINT IN TIME IN THEIR LIFE. DEPENDING ON GRANT FUNDING THAT WAS NEVER PERMANENT WOULD BE LIKE SETTING YOUR HOME BUDGET DEPENDING ON WINNING THE LOTTO REGULARLY. IF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT FUNDING STREAMS, WORKING HARD TO ELECT GOOD LEADERS UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT THAT WILL FIGHT FOR BETTER PROGRAMS AND NOT CUT CRITICAL FUNDING AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE ALL CITIZENS ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND 
          DIGNITY. >> THANK YOU AND YOUR TIME IS 
          UP. >> JUDGE. 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I THINK WE HAVE ONE MR. SPEAKER FLOORED. IF SHE IS HERE. FLORA ARE YOU HERE? IF WE COULD ADD HER TO THE SPEAKER'S LIST. THANK YOU. 
          >> FLORA, YOU CAN COME DOWN. ALSO, STACEY FAIRCHILD, TANYA INGRIM. ELEANOR HILDRITH AND ALAYHA NEWMAN. YOU HAVE ONE 
          MINUTE. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. SO, I STAND BEFORE YOU. I USUALLY DON'T WRITE ANYTHING DOWN. SO, TO ME, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AND SUPPORT THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PUT ON THE UNIFORM EACH DAY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ARE MORE THAN PUBLIC SERVANTS. THEY'RE THE FIRST TO RESPOND WHEN WE'RE IN CRISIS. EVERY DAY, THESE OFFICERS MAKE SACRIFICES MOST OF US WON'T BE ASKED TO MAKE. THEY WORK LONG HOURS AND CARRY THE HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY OF PROTECTING LIVES. YET, TOO OFTEN THE PAY DOESN'T REFLECT THE WEIGHT OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY. IT'S TRUE WHAT THEY SAY. UNTIL IT HAPPENS TO YOU, THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE OFFICERS GO THROUGH. 
          FAIR PAY ENSURES WHAT WE CAN RETAIN, THAT WE CAN RETAIN EXPERIENCED OFFICERS WHO CARRY WITH THEM YEARS OF TRAINING AND WISDOM THAT CANNOT BE REPLACED OVERNIGHT. 
          >> FLORA, IF YOU'D LIKE TO WRAP UP. 
          >> IT SHOWS AS A COMMUNITY WE VALUE THEIR SERVICE ENOUGH TO BACK IT WITH ACTION. NOT JUST WORDS. WHEN WE UNDERPAY LAW ENFORCEMENT, IT DOES NOT EFFECT ONLY OFFICERS. IT EFFECTS EVERY CITIZEN WHO DEPENDS ON QUICK AND EFFECTIVE, RELIABLE PUBLIC SAFETY. AN INVESTMENT IN OUR OFFICER IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE SAFETY AND STABILITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ASK THEM TO GIVE US THEIR BEST. IT'S ONLY RIGHT WE, IN TURN, GIVE IN THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. I PERSONALLY WANT TO THANK ALL FIRST RESPONDERS, ESPECIALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THAT THEY SHOWED UP IN A TIME OF CRISIS ON BEHALF OF MY HUSBAND, MY LATE HUSBAND AND MYSELF. THANK YOU TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT ARE HERE THAT PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE EVERY DAY. EVERY MOMENT. EVERY DAY 
          [01:00:04]
THEY SET FOOT OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES. SPEAKING OF FLOODS, I HEARD YOU SAY AND I HEARD PEOPLE SAY, YES, IT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT SHOW UP FIRST. HARVEY, I PACKED MY HUSBAND'S LUNCH. HE CARRIED HIS BACKPACK AND PUT HIS BOOTS IN HIS BACKPACKS. I SAW HIM ROLL UP THE PANTS AND WALK THROUGH THE END OF THE STREET TO BE PICKED UP BY ANOTHER DEPUTY TO GO AND WORK. SO, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU GUYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ALL FIRST RESPONDERS. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 
          >> THANK YOU. SO FLORA WILL NOT SAY THIS BUT SHE'S THE WIDOW OF DEPUTY GARCIA. LET'S GIVE HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND GRATITUDE. 
          AND I WANT YOU U TO KNOW, YOU CAN GO BACK TO THE TAPE. I DIDN'T SAY DEPUTIES DON'T SHOW UP TO FLOODS. I SAID THERE ARE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS THAT ARE NOW NOT BEING FUNDED. 
          >> I RESPECT THAT. I CAN GO ON AND ON AND TALK ABOUT EVERY SUBJECT THAT YOU HAVE BACK THERE. I'M A COMMUNITY MEMBER. 
          I SERVE ON THE BOARD. ON THE BOARD. SO I KNOW THAT DECISION MAKING CAN BE HARD SOMETIMES. BUT WE HAVE TO DO THIS FOR OUR PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU GUYS MAKE THE 
          PROPERTY DECISION FOR EVERYONE. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE. 
          >> THANK YOU, FLORA. 
          >> GOOD MANY, EVERYONE. I MANAGE ALZHEIMER'S HOME. I'M HERE TO SPEAK TO A CAUSE THAT'S VERY DEAR TO MY HEART. MENTAL HEALTH. 
          AND I WANTED TO PERSONALLY THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS FOR PUSHING THROUGH WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND THE HEART INITIATIVE. I MENTIONED LAST TIME WE PERSONALLY HAVE HAD TO HELP FAMILIES BAIL THEIR LOVED ONES OUT OF JAIL BECAUSE THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WASN'T RESPONDED TO IN A CORRECT MANNER. I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL THAT WE NOW HAVE TRAINED CLINICIANS TO RESPOND VERSUS PEOPLE ENDING UP IN JAIL THAT COULD BE HANDLED DIFFERENTLY. THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HOPE WE CONTINUE THIS AND THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GETS COMPROMISED IN 
          THE NEXT BUDGET. THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS ELEANOR, AND I'M ASKING YOU TO RETAIN FUNDING FOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING. AS FOSSIL FUELS DECLINE, AIR QUALITY SHOULD GET BETTER. IF YOU CONTINUE TO MEASURE AIR QUALITY, THEN YOU CAN BRAG ABOUT IT IMPROVING. BUT IF YOU DON'T MEASURE IT, YOU WON'T KNOW IF IT GOT ANY BETTER. CLEAN TECH, WHICH IS SOLAR WIND AND ALL THAT, IS CHEAPER AND CLEANER. SOLAR IS DOUBLING GLOBALLY EVERY THREE YEARS. SINCE ABOUT 2012, OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY CAPITAL EXPENDITURES HAVE FALLEN ALMOST BY HALF. ACCORDING TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTES REPORT. THE CLEAN TECH REVOLUTION. THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REPORTS THAT FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES ARE LAYING OFF WORKERS. THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIPS' LATEST MONTHLY 
          REPORT. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME 
          IS UP. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I'M AFRAID YOU'RE OUT OF TIME. THANK YOU. I WISH WE COULD GIVE MORE. WE HAVE A LOT OF SPEAKERS. THANK YOU. 
          >> OKAY. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS TANYA INGRIM. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT THREE UNDER TOM ROM ZEA. COMMISSIONER, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR WORKING ACROSS PAR ATY LINES TO GET THE BUDGET DONE. I'M A DEMOCRAT AND I'M PROUD TO LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICT. I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I WAS TRIGGERED BY SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE SAID AT THE LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT. SHE SAID SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE. WELL, I AM A HOMEOWNER. I PAY TAXES. AND I PAY $28,000 IN PROPERTY TAXES LAST YEAR. I AM NOT RICH. I CANNOT AFFORD TO GIVE YOU ANOTHER CENT. NOT UNDER THIS ECONOMY. SO, I THANK ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS THAT WORKED SO HARD TO GET THIS BUDGET, THINKING OF CONSTITUENTS FIRST. AND I REALIZE THAT SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE BEING CUT ARE IMPORTANT. HOWEVER, MY HOUSEHOLD, WE'RE NOT RICH PEOPLE, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER HALF A CENT BEING ASKED OF US. THANK YOU. 
          [01:05:03]
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I JUST WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT, YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY MORE. YOUR TAXES ARE INCREASING. I KNOW THEY ARE TOO HIGH, AND REALLY THE ISSUE IS THAT THE STATE USED TO GIVE THIS MUCH TO EDUCATION. AND THEN THEY STARTED TO GIVE THIS MUCH, AND THEY UP'D IT A LITTLE BIT. THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CHARGE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAXES. THAT'S WHY EVERYONE'S BILLS HAVE GONE UP. ON THE AIR MONITORING, I JUST WANTED TO RESPOND TO THAT. IF YOU REMEMBER ICT OR THE BIG EXPLOSIONS WE'VE HAD, THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE THERE. WE ALSO HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT PUTTING THEIR LIVES AT RISK TRYING TO PUT THE FIRES OUT AND KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE. WE PURCHASED, AFTER THE ICT FIRE IN 2019, THE ABILITY TO DO AIR MONITORING TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT'S IN THE AIR TO PROTECT NOT JUST THE COMMUNITY, BUT THE FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS. WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT EQUIPMENT ANYMORE. OKAY? THAT'S PART OF WHAT'S BEING CUT. SO, I UNDERSTAND FOLKS CAME IN HERE WITH RAISES. BUT JUST REALIZE THAT A LOT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BEING CUT. THIS DID NOT NEED TO HAPPEN. 
          IT'S NOT LIKE HERE'S THE EXPENSES AND HERE'S THE COST. 
          BALANCE THE BUDGET. THIS WAS CREATED OUT OF NOTHING. WE COULD HAVE ASKED PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE. ACTUALLY, THE NEGOTIATION SHOULD BE HOW CAN WE STAGGER THIS? GO TO THE VOTERS AND DO BOTH THINGS AS OPPOSED TO CUTTING THINGS OR TELLING PEOPLE THAT WE'RE NOT CUTTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OR WE ARE. TELLING PEOPLE WE'RE NOT RAISING TAXES WHEN WE ARE. TELLING PEOPLE THAT BALANCING THE BUDGET IS SOME BIG ACHIEVEMENT WHEN WE'RE REQUIRED BY LAW TO DO IT. ANYWAY. I'M JUST FRUSTRATED ON BEHALF OF THE 
          COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS STACY FAIRCHILD. I RESIDE IN PRECINCT FOUR. I REPRESENT THE WASHINGTON CORRIDOR. WHICH IS REPRESENTED BY HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT ONE AND FOUR. SO, I WANT TO START MY COMMENTS OUT BY SAYING NOBODY GUIDED ME WITH WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT COMES FROM. FOR THE RECORD, THESE ARE MY COMMENTS. I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON BALANCING NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET WHILE PROTECTING CORE PUBLIC SERVICES WITHOUT RAISING OUR TAXES. WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. YOU'VE PROVEN THAT HARD WORK PAYS OFF. AND THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY ARE BETTER FOR IT. AND I ESPECIALLY THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN PAY PERTY. IT'S CLEAR THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT OR THE FOCUS 
          OF THE SPEAKERS HERE. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YEP, YOU'RE WELCOME. 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. DIRECTOR, WHAT PERCENTAGE IS THE TAX RATE 
          GOING UP THIS YEAR? >> IF YOU GIVE ME A SECOND, I 
          CAN GIVE YOU THE EXACT NUMBER. >> I'M NOT MAKING IT UP, YOU ALL. WE ARE RAISING TAXES. THEY ARE RAISING TAXES. JUST REMEMBER, ALL OF THESE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT PEOPLE VOTED FOR ARE RIGHT NOW AT A $410 MILLION DEFICIT. YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS BEING IMPACTED. THE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT INCLUDING OUR SCHOOLS, AND THIS BUILDING AND THE COURTS ARE NOT, NO LONGER GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE INSPECTED OR MAINTAINED PROPERLY. 
          >> HELLO. I WROTE A LOT OF STUFF. I DON'T FEEL LIKE READING ALL OF THIS. I'M TIRED. I JUST DROVE FIVE HOURS TO COME HERE. MY NAME IS ANIA. I RESIDE IN PRECINCT FOUR. I FEEL LIKE, IT'S A LOT GOING ON WITH THE BUDGET THING. I DON'T LIKE THAT YOU ARE ALL TRYING TO TAKE AWAY FROM THE YOUTH AND PROVIDING FOR THE YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS AND STUFF. THAT'S THE REASON I'M HERE. LAST TIME I WAS HERE, THIS IS MY SECOND TIME COMING. I'M PROUD OF MYSELF. I HEARD MY JUDGE SPEAK. SHE'S THE PART OF THE REASON I'VE GROWN AND CHANGED. A YEAR AND A HALF, TWO YEARS AGO, I WAS AN ESCORT AND A DANCER AND DOING A LOT OF STUFF. 
          NOW I'M IN BARBER SCHOOL AND I'M DOING GOOD AND LIVING GOOD, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE YOUTH PROGRAMS AND THE GOOD JUDGE AND STUFF I HAVE. I FEEL LIKE THAT'S SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE CONSIDERATE ABOUT. WHEN YOU POUR INTO THE UNDERSERVED AND GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE, PEOPLE TAKE THE CHANCE AND MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF IT. IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALL THE STORIES. YEAH, 
          THAT'S WHAT I GOT TO SAY. >> MA'AM, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE 
          YOUR FULL NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> MY NAME IS ANIYA MOOKMERE. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT IF OTHER DEPARTMENTS CAN GO 
          [01:10:02]
WITHOUT, SO CAN THE SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLES. WE'RE NOT SAYING THEY DON'T DESERVE RAISES AND SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO LIVE. 
          YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS. I'M HERE AGAIN TO POINT OUT THAT WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING HASN'T BEEN WORKING. 
          AS PEOPLE EXPRESSED, WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR YOUTH AND INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY SHOULD GO. IT'S GOOD TO SEE ALL MY PEOPLE HERE. WE'RE IN COALITION. WE TURN PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE. WE GET THEM REGISTERED TO VOTE. AND WE TELL THEM ABOUT YOUR CHOICES. WE WILL REPLACE YOU. WE'RE NOT, I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS A THREAT OR TO BE DISRESPECTFUL, BUT A LOT OF US ARE WILLING TO RUN FOR OFFICE, AND A LOT OF US ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT THOSE WANTING TO RUN FOR OFFICE. I THINK YOU NEED TO RECONSIDER WHERE YOU'RE PUTTING THIS MONEY. AND LISTEN TO US. 
          AND THERE'S ONE PERSON WHO SAID PEOPLE ARE HERE TALKING ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WANTING THAT. SPEAK FOR YOURSELF. AND I WILL SAY I'M NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT. 
          >> MA'AM, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> YES, MY NAME IS ALEGA NEWMAN AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM TWO. DIAMOND CALHOUN. PRECINCT TWO. BENJAMIN BROADWAY OF PRECINCT ONE. SABRINA BOWENS. 
          >> DID YOU FIND, DIRECTOR? >> MY STAFF IS CALCULATING. ONE PIECE OF NUANCE, THE GENERAL FUND AND THE PORT WENT DOWN. BUT BECAUSE OF HOW THE HOSPITAL DISTRICTS IS CALCULATED, THAT'S 
          WHAT CAUSES THE OVERAGE. >> RIGHT. THE TOTAL IS UP. 
          THAT'S THE POINT. WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT WHETHER THEIR TAXES WENT UP OR DOWN, THEY DON'T SPLIT. I GET IT THAT YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF THREE, BUT LIKE LET'S NOT MISCHARACTERIZE THINGS. 
          >> YEAH. HOSPITAL DISTRICT CAUSED IT TO GO UP. TO BE CLEAR. 
          >> RIGHT. WHATEVER CAUSED IT TO GO UP, IT'S UP. TAXES ARE NOT 
          LOWER. >> IT'S GOING UP ABOUT 3.5%. 
          >> THERE YOU GO. YOUR TAXES ARE BEING RAISED 3.5%. BECAUSE OF WHATEVER IT IS. MOST OF IT IS. YES, BECAUSE THE HOSPITAL. BUT ACTUALLY BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT. BECAUSE OF THE STATE. THE VOTERS THAT ELECTED THOSE LEADERS IN THE STATE. WE CAN GO BECAUSE OF THEIR PARENTS WHO BIRTHED THEM. YEAH, GO AHEAD, SIR. 
          >> THANK YOU. TODAY I TESTIFY TO SOME TRUTHS AND A LIE. TRUTH, THIS COURT VOTED 3-2 TO PASS CONSTABLE PAY AND THE PUBLIC DIDN'T HAVE THE -- BECAUSE THE MATH BENDED OUR BUDGET TOWARDS A DEFICIT. TRUTH, TO SUPPORT THE SALARY RAISE, THE COURT WILL TAKE FROM ARPA RELIEF, MEDICAL AID, CASH ASSISTANCE, GRASS ROOT EFFORTS. WHEN ASKED WHY THE IMMEDIATE RAISE IS TO STOP FORESEEABLE MASS EXODUS OF CONSTABLES WHO WILL RESIGN. SO, LOGICAL SOLUTION IS TO GIVE THEM $170 MILLION TO PREVENT THE EXODUS. BUT THAT IS A LIE. NO PROOF. NO DATA. NO POLLING. NO PLAN. FEAR MONOGONING DRESSED UP LIKE FACTS MARCHING US TOWARDS A HOLE. IF THE EXODUS IS REAL, PROMOTE THE FAITHFUL, HIRE THE WILLING AND LIKE YOU'VE DONE IN THE PAST. REMEMBER THIS BUDGET CRISIS WAS BUILT ON A LIE AND WHEN CAGES FILL, TAXES ARE RAISED AND PUBLIC SERVICES GO QUIETER, THE FACTS. REMEMBER 
          THEM. VOTE ACCORDINGLY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> KEN SHARON FONT WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. 
          >> HELLO. MY NAME IS EMANUEL, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT I'M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THE COUNTY'S CONTINUED COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO BRING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FORWARD. YOU KNOW, I COMMEND MUCH OF THE COUNTY FOR PICKING UP THE SLACK AND BUILDING SIDEWALKS ALL ACROSS THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY. AND DEFENDING AGAINST THE STATE'S ATTACK TO TAKE THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITIES FUNDING AWAY. 
          I'M JUST REALLY HAPPY TO SEE THE COUNTY BEING MORE AND MORE INVOLVED INSIDE THE INNER CITY. SO MANY OF US THAT LIVE IN THE CITY PAY FOR TAXES TO THE COUNTY AND JUST REALLY HAPPY WITH THE WAY THAT THE COUNTY IS STARTING TO BUILD A LOT MORE INSIDE THE 
          CITY. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M DEPUTY DIAMOND CALHOUN. I WANT TO THANK THE COURT TO MAKE THE DECISION FOR INVESTING IN US. IT'S MORE THAN NUMBERS ON A PAYCHECK. I DON'T HAVE TO WORK EXTRA JOBS, AND I CAN FINALLY SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY SON. IT 
          [01:15:01]
ALSO MEANS I DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT LEAVING FOR HPD JUST BECAUSE THEY PAY MORE. I'M A NEW DEPUTY WITH THE COUNTY, AND THE RAISE MAKES IT EASIER FOR ME TO SPEND MY CAREER HERE. I CAN STAY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY SERVING THE COMMUNITY I CARE ABOUT. THIS COURT'S DECISION TELLS US WE MATTER, OUR KIDS MATTER AND THE SACRIFICES WE MAKE EVERY DAY ARE SEEN AND VALUED. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN US. 
          >> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. 
          >> GOOD MANY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I'M SABRINA AND I'M A MEN TEE WITH THE INCREDIBLE MESSAGES PROGRAM. PROGRAMS ARE HOW YOU CREATE SAFETY, NOT JUST ENFORCE IT. GROWING UP, I'VE SEEN THE EFFECTS LACK OF RESOURCES HAS DONE FOR MY FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. YOUTH IS A SEASON WHERE YOU'RE MOST EASILY INFLUENCED AND SHAPED BY THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND YOU. YOU SEEK DIFFERENT ROUTES AND LEADS TO CRIME. HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD THE SAME -- HAVEN'T HAD THE SAME ACCESSES TO RESOURCES LIKE EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS. 
          THAT'S WHY MENTOR SHIP IS SO CRITICAL. IT CLOSES THOSE GAPS. 
          LAW ENFORCEMENT KEEPS COMMUNITIES IN ORDER, BUT MENTOR SHIP ACTUALLY CHANGES LIVES AT THE ROOT. WE'RE SUCCEEDING IN SCHOOLWORK BUILD CHARACTER AND STAY ON THE RIGHT PATH. FEWER CRIMES, FEWER ARRESTS AND STRONGER NEIGHBORHOODS OVERALL. 
          IF OUR BUDGET STAYS LOW, WE CAN'T REACH PEOPLE. IF WE'RE FUNDED FAIRLY, WE CAN BREAK CYCLES OF POVERTY, CRIME AND LACK OF OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          TRANSITIONING ] 
          >>> GOOD EVENING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO TRY TO MAKE THIS WORK. I AM ALL FOR THE CONSTABLES GETTING THEIR RAISES BUT CAN'T WE DO IT OVER A FIVE-YEAR PLAN TO WEAR ALL OF OUR SERVICES DO NOT PAY THE PRICE? BACK IN 22, RAMSEY, YOU COULD'VE MADE THIS BETTER, GARCIA, BRIONES, YOU WERE HERE AND I WAS SITTING THERE TO THE LEFT. THEY DID NOT SHOWS WHILE THE OFFICERS HERE PRAISING THEM NOW WHERE WERE THEY AT THEN BACK IN 2022 WHEN THEIR FAMILIES HAD TO GO WITHOUT? MY FAMILY MEMBERS HAD TO GO WITHOUT BECAUSE THEY WORKED FOR HPD, BECAUSE THEY WORK FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FOR THE DEPARTMENT SO WHAT ABOUT THAT, RAMSEY? 
          >> THANK YOU, THE GENTLEMAN IS REFERRING TO IN 2022 WE TRIED TO BRING THE RAISES I TRIED BUT BECAUSE I WAS ON THE BALLOT A GENTLEMAN HERE AND ANOTHER DID NOT SHOW AND THEY KEPT THE RAISES FROM HAPPENING AND WE COULD HAVE AFFORDED ALL OF IT WITHOUT GOING HERE AND TO THE VOTERS SO IT IS A LOT OF PULLING THE WOOL OVER EYES, SOMEBODY WAS TALKING AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL WORK WITH ME OR COLLABORATE WITH ME SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO CUT ALL OF THIS. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN EARLIER SOMEBODY MENTIONED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, WE HAVE VALIDATED, EVALUATED, LONG-STANDING CHILDCARE PROGRAMS THAT ALL THE OFFICES PUT TOGETHER OVER THE COURSE OF YEARS AND COLLEAGUES REFUSED TO ASK THE VOTERS WHETHER THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE HALF-BAKED. YOU CAN SEE THE BUDGET IT IS HALF-BAKED WE HAVE NOT HAD A BUDGET THIS BAD I DON'T KNOW SINCE WHEN IT'S NOT NORMAL TO HAVE A $200 DEFICIT. IT'S NOT NORMAL TO HAVE A HIRING FREEZE, YOU ONLY DO THAT DURING A RECESSION OR DEPRESSION WHICH WE ARE NOT IN RIGHT NOW SO IT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FAMILIES, IT IS NOT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, IT IS NOT TRANSPARENT AND IT IS MORE THAN HALF-BAKED SO IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO SUPPORT CHILDREN BABIES BECAUSE IT'S NOT HALF-BAKED HOW ABOUT WE BAKE THIS ONE AND THINK ABOUT IT BEFORE WE PASS IT, THINK ABOUT HOW TO NOT CUT ALL THESE THINGS AND PICKED 
          COMMUNITIES AGAINST EACH OTHER. >> NEXT SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 2 IS DOUG PEDERSON THE PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> YES, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE IMPORTANT WHERE YOU ARE DOING TODAY MY NAME IS DOUG PEDERSON A RETIREE EXPLORATION COFOUNDER AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST. WE LIVE IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY. WE FACE TARIFFS, ECONOMIC STRESS, LOOMING SHUTDOWNS FROM WASHINGTON THAT ALL CERTAINLY HURT HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, PROPERTY TAX INCREASES HIT EVERYBODY ULTIMATELY. STATE LAW PROPERTY TAXES ARE EQUALLY APPLIED, TRANSLATING IT MEANS IT HURTS 
          [01:20:02]
THOSE WITH LOWEST INCOME AND LITTLE WEALTH INCLUDING RETIREES OR RENTERS AS INCREASING RENT INEVITABLY TAKES MORE FAMILY BUDGETS. OUR GOVERNMENTS NEED ADEQUATE FUNDS FOR SURE BUT NOW IS NOT THE TIME, NOW IS NOT THE TIME CERTAINLY TO INCREASE TAXES. THIS BUDGET MEETS CRITICAL NEEDS INCLUDING PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND DOES IT WITHOUT A TAX INCREASE. 
          PLEASE APPROVE THIS BUDGET. >> THIS BUDGET RAISES THE TAX RATE BY OVER 3% SO THEY ARE RAISING YOUR TAXES. 
          >> THANK YOU, DOUG. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2 OF PRECINCT 1. 
          TROY DAVIS PRECINCT 2, LATRICIA LEWIS OF PRECINCT 1 YOU EACH 
          HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS PRECINCT 1 AND MEMBER OF THE PURE JUSTICE ACTION FUND. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS BUDGET THIS IS NOT A BUDGET FOR THE PEOPLE, THIS IS A BUDGET FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PAID FOR WITH OUR TAX DOLLARS OTHER DEPARTMENT SHOULD RECEIVE THIS FUNDING BUT THEY DON'T. I HAVE ATTENDED AND SPOKEN AT MULTIPLE ARE COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETINGS AND I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A SHIFT AWAY FROM HELPING AND PRIORITIZING PEOPLE TO INCENTIVIZING POLICE TO KEEP THEM FROM LEAVING. WE DID NOT VOTE FOR THAT I KNOW I DIDN'T. VOTE NO ON THIS BUDGET, COUNTY JUDGE THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND FOR ALWAYS FIGHTING FOR OUR BABIES, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR ALWAYS 
          FIGHTING FOR EQUITY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, I MAY NOT HAVE BABIES BUT I BELIEVE CHILDREN DESERVE TO BE FOUGHT FOR. OF COURSE THEY DON'T FORCE -- ENDORSE THEM, THEY DON'T VOTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT VOTING NO ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS SO MANY YOUTH THAT IS OUT HERE THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND IT IS AN EXTENSION THAT STRUGGLING BECAUSE HOW CAN WE TEACH THEM OR SHOW THEM IF WE ARE NOT GETTING THINGS PROVIDED FOR US. AND YOU ARE PUTTING IN MORE MONEY INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TALKING ABOUT A HIRING FREEZE WHERE WE ARE NOT EVEN ABLE TO MAKE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO EVEN SURVIVE. 
          I SEE SO MANY PARENT HANDLERS OUT HERE THAT IS YOUNG , THAT IS NEEDING HOUSING AND ALL OF THAT. ME PERSONALLY, I LIVE WITH HIV UNDETECTABLE HE SO WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I HAVE MY STUFF, TOO. SO WITH ALL THE FUNDING, I VOTE NO. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MEM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SINCE PRESIDENT BUSH HAD BEEN FUNDING HIV PROGRAMS WHICH AS YOU KNOW THIS GROWS AND AFFECTS ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, THEIR STOPPING FUNDING SO OF COURSE AS WE ARE AT A DEFICIT WORSE AND WORSE WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STEP IN AND TACKLE THAT IN THE FUTURE SO I WANT YOU TO BE AWARE OF THAT. VOTE NO ON THIS BUDGET OR VOTE YES AND GET MORE TEXAS. MY NAME IS JOY DAVIS ORGANIZER WITH PETER JUSTICE ACTION FUND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNSEEN, UNHEARD AND UNDERVALUED IN THE HALLS OF POWER . THERE ARE OVER 500,000 PEOPLE LIVING BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND YOU'RE TELLING ME CHILDCARE, HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE IS NOT FUNDED WITH THE SAME ENTHUSIASM AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOUR PROPOSAL INCLUDED HIRING FREEZES FOR MANY VACANCIES, THE OCA BUDGET CUT FROM $24,697,705, TO 12 AND $825,009. AT THE SAME TIME YOU WANT TO EXPAND PAY RAISE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT A POLITICALLY INSENSITIVE DECISION, THESE ARE NOT TRADE-OFFS, THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THE SERVICES THAT STABILIZE PEOPLE IN CRISIS. WHY PUT HARRIS COUNTY INTO THIS DILEMMA? OUR NEIGHBORHOODS CHILDREN AND ELDERS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 
          CANNOT WAIT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THERE ARE SOME INDEFENSIBLE PAY RAISES, 62% TO THE ELECTED CONSTABLES 
          [01:25:04]
OSTENSIBLY BECAUSE STAFF MEMBERS EARN MORE THAN THEY DO. OUR STAFF MEMBERS EARN MORE THAN WE DO. THERE WAS 120% PAY INCREASE TO THE TOLLROAD DIRECTORS WHEN HE PAID THE TOLLS THE MONEY GETS SPLIT GOES TO THE OFFICE AND THAT'S THE MONEY THEY USE TO PAY FOR THE SIDEWALKS ET CETERA BUT THOSE OTHER COUNTRIES THAT DON'T GO THROUGH REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL OR CONTRACT OF INTEREST FORMS, THAT'S CONTRACTS THAT DO WHAT MY STAFF MEMBERS WERE ACCUSED OF DOING. ALL OF THIS ODD FINANCIAL BEHAVIOR SHOWS YOU HOW WE ARE BRINGING POLITICS INTO THE BUDGET WHICH IS THE LAST PLACE WE NEED POLITICS. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS QUESTIONS FOR YOU WHILE. WHAT FUTURE DO YOU ALL SEE FOR OUR COUNTY? WHAT FUTURE DO YOU SEE FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN THAT WILL GO WITHOUT AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS? WHAT FUTURE DO YOU GUYS HAVE OR DO YOU SEE FOR INMATES THAT WILL GO WITHOUT MEDICATION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. ALL OF THIS TO SATISFY 170 MILLION $170 MILLION CONSTABLE RAISE. I ASKED BECAUSE THESE ARE QUESTIONS. THAT ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF THE CONSTABLE GETS THE RATES THEY WANT SO MANY FAMILIES GO WITHOUT. I WANT TO KNOW WHICH PLANS YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES THAT GO WITHOUT, WITHOUT A PLAN WE HAVE POOR PERFORMANCE. I'M GOING TO STOP, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> TODAY I BROUGHT MY SOON TO BE 18-YEAR-OLD SON WHO WILL BE VOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS UPCOMING ELECTION. I WANTED HIM HERE , TO HEAR WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING AND TO ALSO HEAR YOUR RESPONSES. I HAVE TAUGHT HIM NOT TO LET HARRIS COUNTY NUMBERS DEFINED HIM THAT ALTHOUGH BLACK RESIDENTS ARE LESS THAN 20% OF THE POPULATION WE ARE NEARLY 50% OF THE JAIL POPULATION. HE IS A 4.024 GPA STUDENT, NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY MEMBER AND E SPORTS BUSINESS OWNER AND DIGITAL CARTOONIST WITH OVER HALF 1 MILLION LIKES ON TIKTOK. YET, I MUST PREPARE HIM FOR THE REALITY THAT BUDGETS LIKE THIS ONE SEND A MESSAGE HE IS MORE LIKELY TO BE SEEN AS A CRIMINAL THAN A YOUNG LEADER. 
          MOST RESIDENTS ARE ALREADY WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, PENSIONS, CHILDCARE OR SAFE LIVING SPACES AND ANOTHER TO BUDGET ASKED HIM TO SACRIFICE MORE WHILE POLICING AND JUSTICE ALREADY CONSUMES NEARLY 50% OF THE COUNTY BUDGET. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR GOOD WORK, YOUNG MAN. 
          >> THAT'S WHAT'S UP. >> MY NAME IS WITH PETER JUSTICE, THANK YOU RODNEY ELLIS AND HIDALGO FOR YOUR SERVICES AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND US SO WE KNOW WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON AND COMMUNICATE WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS 
          OUTSIDE OF THIS COMMISSION. >> THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING STATISTICS I HAVE BEEN MENTIONING VARIOUS POINTS AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN QUIET, SOME MAY THINK HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT SHE IS SAYING IS TRUE? I INVITE THEM TO CHALLENGE ME AND I WILL RESPOND, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY DOCUMENTED. 
          THIS IS THE MAP OF THE 27 FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY NOT GOING TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE OF AN EXISTING DEFICIT. SO WE WERE ALREADY FACING A DEFICIT HERE AND COLLEAGUES CREATED A NEW DEFICIT AND DECIDED NOT TO CONTINUE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND DECIDED TO FUND LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISES WHILE ALSO CUTTING JUDGES AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND SCHOOL INSPECTION AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT PIECES. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I THINK YOU WILL BE ON TIKTOK THIS AFTERNOON SO YOU BETTER PULL IT UP. 
          >> WHAT IS YOUR HANDLE? >> IT IS PROF NOOD X5. 
          >> I DON'T HAVE TIKTOK LIKE I CANNOT PUT IT AWAY BUT I WILL 
          PASS IT ALONG. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, 
          [01:30:01]
A PRECINCT 1, DANNY RAMOS A PRECINCT 1, COURTNEY REVELS OF PRECINCT 1, CONSUELO RICO OF PRECINCT 3. JACKIE TUCKER OF PRECINCT 3, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING I AM NOT REALLY SOLVING ANYTHING. WE ALREADY BE GROWING UP AND FACE OBSTACLES. WITH ME HAVE A FRIEND WHO WROTE A STATEMENT, HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS CONCERNS REGARDING DECISION ON PAY RAISE DURING PUBLIC TESTIMONY THE JUDGE REPEATEDLY LEFT THE BENCH DIFFUSING TO HEAR CITIZENS WHO CAME TO SPEAK THIS VIOLATES TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT WHICH REQUIRES PUBLIC MEETINGS TO BE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE AND ENSURE CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO ADDRESS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. THIS ADVISED RIGHT TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT AND UNDERMINES DUE PROCESS AND PROTECTION UNDER THE 14TH AMENDMENT. IMPORTANT TESTIMONY WAS IGNORED DECISIONS MADE UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES ARE UNFAIR AND LEGALLY VULNERABLE, ASKED THE COMMISSION TO CONSIDER ALL PUBLIC INPUT. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WHO DID YOU SAY LEFT THE DAIS 
          DURING PUBLIC COMMENT? >> AND I AM A 22-YEAR-OLD THAT WAS DEVASTATED FROM HURRICANE HARVEY AND I WAS WALKING DOWN THE STREET FROM LITTLE CAESARS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND I GOT VICTIMIZED SAYING THAT I HAVE FIT THE DESCRIPTION OF SOMEONE THAT WAS BREAKING AND ENTERING INTO VEHICLES. I HONESTLY DO NOT , THEY CAN GET THE MONEY , WE JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT ANOTHER 
          PLAN. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING YOUR EXCELLENT SERVICE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS DANNY RAMOS I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES, RAMSEY AND GARCIA FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND 
          LAW ENFORCEMENT. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS COURTNEY REVELS AND I RESIDE IN PRECINCT 1 AND A GRIP IN PRECINCT 2 THE NORTH SHORE AREA AND FOR THOSE OF US IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THE COUNTY AND THE CITY BUDGET PROCESS IT IS UNFAIR THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS WOULD PROPOSE A HALF-BAKED POLICE RAISE OVER ESSENTIAL SERVICES I AGREE, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH LIKING POLICE. I HAVE A COUSIN WHO IS A CONSTABLE. I KNOW SHERIFF'S, THERE'S SOME OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE BUT WE HAVE TO PROPOSE A BUDGET THAT MAKES SENSE YOU DID NOT APPROVE OF BRINGING THOSE KIDS OUT HERE, BUT THOSE ARE THE EXACT PEOPLE THAT WILL HAVE THE CONSEQUENCE OF FIXING THIS 10 YEARS NOW AND AWAY SO FOR THE CITY TO PUT US IN A DEFICIT, THE COUNTY TO PUT US IN A DEFICIT AND HAVE US ARGUING WITH POLICE IS DETESTABLE. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES, POLICE IS NOT YOU AGAINST US IT IS US AND 
          DOING WHAT IS RIGHT. >> THANK YOU, CANNOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE MY NAME IS JACKIE TUCKER AND I PROUDLY LEAD THE WISE WOMEN GROUP AT GLACIER SENIOR EDUCATION CENTER. AS A HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT I AM GRATEFUL TO SEE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MAKING THE BUDGET PROCESS MORE TRANSPARENT AND INCLUSIVE, OUR GROUP HAS MET AT GLACIER OVER FIVE YEARS AND IT HAS BECOME A VITAL SPACE FOR SENIORS TO CONNECT, LEARN AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. WE TRULY VALUE IT. I RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET THAT PROTECTS ESSENTIAL SERVICES WITHOUT ASKING HARD-WORKING RESIDENTS TO PAY MORE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR 
          LISTENING TO YOUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU. 
          [01:35:03]
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, NAME ] PRECINCT 4, DOMINIC CARTER PRECINCT 1, MONICA VASQUEZ OF PRECINCT 1, DARLENE MCKEEVER PRECINCT 3 YOU EACH 
          HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS LAURA GALLI ARE PRECINCT 1 JUSTICE ACTION FUND, AIR AND WATER QUALITY IMPACT THE HEALTH OF EVERY RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. WHILE INDIVIDUALS IMPACT THE COMMUNITY IN SOME WAYS ON THE GOVERNMENT CAN INVESTIGATE AND ENFORCE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS. THE DEPARTMENT OF POLLUTION CONTROL MUST BE ADEQUATELY FUNDED MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH ASTHMA ARE AT YOUR MERCY. WATCHING THEM STRUGGLE TO BREATHE WHILE PLAYING OUTSIDE IS TERRIFYING. 
          ALSO A SERIAL KILLER LEAVING RESIDENTS IN BIOS, FULLY FUNDED FORENSIC SCIENCE TO FIND THIS MURDERER AND PREVENT FUTURE 
          MURDERS. >> THANK YOU FOR PRIORITIZING TRUE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND EQUITY. 
          >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY MY NAME IS MONICA VASQUEZ AND I'M PROUD TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. 
          WHERE I WAS NOMINATED BY THE VICE MAYOR PRO TEM AMY PECK AND MAYOR JOHN WHITMIRE AND CONFIRMED BY HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE, TO THE COURT FOR INCLUDING 12 PROJECTS IN THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET. THE COUNTY COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH TIRZ 12 REFLECTS A FORWARD THINKING APPROACH TO INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN A HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA IN THE COMMUNITY. THESE PROJECTS DIRECTLY IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY, MOBILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES WE SERVE IN NORTHWEST HOUSTON IN HARRIS COUNTY, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP SUPPORT AND FOR HELPING US MAKE REAL PROGRESS PER TIRZ 12 THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS JORGE GONZALEZ AND I COME TO YOU TODAY AS A DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER AND IS A ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. A FEW WEEKS AGO OUR PRESIDENT CAME BEFORE YOU AND TALK ABOUT THE VALUE EACH OF THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH EACH OF YOU COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. AND TODAY WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE EXAMPLE COLLABORATION WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES PRECINCT 4 AND IT IS A TRUSTED HUB WHERE FAMILIES FIND CONSISTENT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND CONNECTIONS THAT HELP THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, THANKS TO THE PRECINCT INVESTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSTON FOOD BANK, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION WE ARE SERVING HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES EVERY WEEK IN A ACCESSIBLE AREA. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PUBLIC NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ALIGN WITH RESOURCES, FOOD INSECURITY IS REDUCED, CHILDREN AND SENIORS ARE SUPPORTED. 
          >> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> THIS BUDGET IS MORE THAN NUMBERS IT IS A REFLECTION OF LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES SO WHAT EXTENT OF THE VALUES AND URGENT NEEDS OF COMMUNITY REQUIRE INCREASED FUNDING FOR THOSE ENTRUSTED WITH PROTECTION, WE NEED TO ENSURE EVERY DOLLAR SERVES THE PUBLIC GOOD. COMMUNITY UNMET NEEDS EXTEND BEYOND POLICING. FAMILIES ARE ASKING FOR STRONGER AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE ACCESS, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, QUALITY EDUCATION AND IF RESEARCHER THAT MAKES DAILY LIFE SAFER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE. A BALANCED BUDGET MUST REFLECT NOT ONLY SAFETY IN TERMS OF LAW BUT SAFETY IN TERMS OF STABLE HOMES, HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL, I URGE YOU TO ENSURE THESE THINGS ARE NOT OVERSHADOWED BUT PRIORITIZED ALONGSIDE ENFORCEMENT. ABOVE ALL WE ASKED FOR TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND A FIRM COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY SO EVERY DOLLAR IS SPENT WISELY AND EQUITABLY, 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS DARLENE MCKEEVER I LIVE IN PRECINCT 3 BUT I AM ADJACENT TO TERRY HERSHEYPARK . UNDERSTAND EVERYONE SPEAKING ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET AND WORKING THROUGH THIS IS DIFFICULT BUT I ENCOURAGE COMMISSIONERS TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC HEALTH CARE IS A PRIORITY PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO CHILDREN. MOBILE HEALTH AND DENTAL SERVICES, 
          [01:40:04]
IMMUNIZATION AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS ARE CRITICAL FOR CHILDREN IN THE YOUTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO, I AM DOMINIC CARTER WITH INCREDIBLE MESSENGERS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH AND IT IS A VERY AMAZING PROGRAM, THIS BUDGET STUFF I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT, BUT I KNOW I HEAR FLOODING, THAT'S GOOD, POLICE GIVE MONEY THAT'S NOT BAD BUT A LOT OF POLICE DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. IT WILL SEE YOU IN THE CAR, THANK YOU LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY, PULL YOU OVER AND HAD TO STOP BECAUSE THEY ARE POLICE OFFICER. I FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BUT YOU HAVE TO BECAUSE THEY ARE POLICE OFFICER. THIS PROGRAM, I AM A BOXER INVOLVED WITH SCHOOL I BUILT A MINI BIKE, THE PROGRAM IS AMAZING. WHEN I TELL OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT IT THEIR EYES LIGHT UP LIKE HER LIFE HAS BEEN SAVED. THIS PROGRAM REALLY CHANGES LIVES. IF YOU COULD KEEP THE BUDGET THAT WOULD BE GREAT. 
          >> CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THE PROGRAM DOES? 
          >> THIS IS HOW I GOT INVOLVED. MY BROTHER CAME HOME FROM PRISON GOT IN THE PROGRAM. HE SAID GET IN THE PROGRAM. THEY TELL YOU GET ON AND TELL THEM YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE OR YOU ARE LIVING AND THEY WORK WITH YOU FROM THERE. THEN YOU GET A MENTOR, TO GIVE YOU A MENTOR AND WHAT YOU WANT TO DO YOU CAN SET WANT TO DRIVE TRUCKS SO THEY OPEN UP THE RESOURCES AND HAVE A FRIEND HERE AND IT'S FREE FOR YOU BECAUSE HOW MUCH I HAVE TO PAY OR HOW MUCH DON'T WORRY JUST GO IF YOU CAN GO. 
          >> WHAT KINDS OF FOLKS AND OF BEING ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM AND WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD DO OTHERWISE? 
          >> FROM 10 TO 35 IS THE RANGE. OTHER THAN LIKE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. THEY JUST SIT AROUND GETTING DRUNK OR HIGH SITTING AROUND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. WHEN YOSEMITE SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO OR HEY I HAVE FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR YOU IN A MENTAL HEALTH CIRCLE YOU WANT TO GO TO THIS 
          YOU WANT TO KILL YOURSELF. >> THESE ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND MOSTLY MEN WHO END UP FILLING JAILS, COSTING BETWEEN 100 AND $300 PER DAY TO TAXPAYERS TALK ABOUT SAVING ON TAXES. SO I DON'T THINK DEMOCRATS ON THIS COURT CERTAINLY THOSE UP FOR REELECTION, I DON'T THINK THEY RAN ON KILLING THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS, I DON'T THINK THEY RAN ON KILLING NOT JUST EARLY CHILDHOOD PROPOSAL, BUT ALSO A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN. I DON'T THINK THEY RAN ON DEFUNDING THE PAYMENT FOR JUDGES THAT WE NEED A JUSTICE SYSTEM I DON'T THINK THEY RAN ON DEFUNDING THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE SO THEY CAN NO LONGER DO SAFETY INSPECTIONS IN SCHOOLS. I DON'T THINK THEY RAN ON CREATING A DEFICIT SO THAT THEY COULD THEN TRY TO SOLVE IT AND ACTUALLY NOT SOLVE IT BECAUSE THERE IS ONE TIME FUNDING WITH A HIRING FREEZE SO WHEN THEY MAKE PROMISES TO RUN AGAIN, JUST KNOW THEY'VE ALREADY SHOWN THAT WITH A PUT ON THAT CARD, IT AIN'T WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, PRECINCT 1, NAME ] OF NO PRECINCT YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS FAMILY TIES FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES PRECINCT 4. WE COVER FROM KATIE ALL THE WAY ACROSS TO TOMBALL ENTER THE CITY OF WALLER. ALL THE WAY BACK AROUND TO CYPRUS NOT BECAUSE WE WANT TO BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A LOT OF SERVICES THERE. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR HAVING TOWNHALL'S THAT KEEPS US IN THE LOOP AND I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR PULLING TOGETHER A BUDGET. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW DIFFICULT IT MUST BE AND I YOU FOR STAYING AND MAKING IT WORK EVEN WHEN IT IS HARD. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SPEARHEADING THE DPAF FUNDING AND FOR FAMILIES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD. 
          BECAUSE OF THAT WE HAD A KID OVERTURNED TO REGULAR SCHOOL THIS WEEK WHO WAS LABELED AS A ED UNFORTUNATELY SOMETIMES 
          [01:45:02]
          CHILDREN GO THROUGH TRAUMA. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> I APOLOGIZE. I THOUGHT COMMISSIONER GARCIA TOLD ME TO CONTINUE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US IN THE BUDGET. 
          >> HELLO COMMISSIONERS COURT MY NAME IS WILLIE HARRIS THE YOUTH JUSTICE DIRECTOR FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. I WANT TO START BY THANKING YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND JUDGE HIDALGO FOR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITMENT, A VISION NONETHELESS, THE IMPORTANCE OF HEARING FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF IMPACTED COMMUNITY GOES WITHOUT SAYING. UNDERSTANDING THE REASON YOU HAVE TO BUDGET FOR OTHER NONESSENTIAL PROGRAMS IS BECAUSE WE WON'T INVEST IN EQUITABLE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED. AGAIN, HOW THIS BUDGET GETS PASSED HIS THOUGHTFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT REMOVING VITAL COMMUNITY SERVICE WOULD DO TO STRUGGLING COMMUNITIES, THE JAIL POPULATION IS LARGELY MADE UP OF INDIVIDUALS FROM IMPACTED COMMUNITIES FURTHER SPLITTING HOW APPROPRIATE RESOURCES NEED TO BE DIVERTED TO THOSE COMMUNITIES. FOR ALL THE MATH MAJORS IN THE ROOM THAT'S ONE PLUS ONE. WHICH ALMOST ALL THE TIME EQUALS TWO. WHY ARE WE SUBTRACTING THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> HELLO I'M A PROUD CITIZEN OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES, RAMSEY FOR SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO BUILD BETTER FAMILIES AND BETTER DEPUTIES, LET'S BE CLEAR OUR OFFICES HAVE BEEN UNDERPAID FOR YEARS SO HOW MUCH LONGER DO THEY GO WITHOUT? 
          THANK YOU. >> THAT'S RIGHT AND THAT'S WHY PROPOSED A PAY RAISE IN 2022 BUT BECAUSE OF COMICS HERE CANNOT PASS, LET'S CALL ON THESE TWO SPEAKERS AND WILL CALL UP THE SHERIFF AND IF THERE ARE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS LET ME KNOW. 
          GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS NAME ] A PROUD OWNER OF A FAMILY-OWNED RESTAURANT. WE PROVIDE AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD TO THE COMMUNITY OF HOUSTON AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER WE WERE SEVERAL HATS. WE ARE TAKING ORDERS CHARGING, DELIVERING FOOD AND I ALSO I AM LUCKY TO HAVE AN ACCOUNTANT AND WE TALK ABOUT TO CUT DOWN COST OF GOODS SOLD BACK IN MARCH X-RAY 100%, TOMATOES AND AVOCADOS KEEP INFLATING NOT TO MENTION 90% OF CLIENTELE ARE HISPANIC, WE LOST AS A BUSINESS OWNER AND TAXPAYER WE LIVE IN A TIME OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY. 
          SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FAILING THE IMPACT OF TARIFF AND INFLATION AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT BE FUNDED, BUT NOT IS NOT THE TIME TO INCREASE MORE TAXES. 
          >> THANK YOU. REMEMBER YOUR TAXES ARE BEING RAISED BY OVER 3% HERE AND COLLEAGUES VOTED FOR THAT. 
          >> GOOD MORNING COLLECTION . >> RAMSEY DID NOT VOTE FOR ALL 
          OF THAT. >> COLLECTION ACTION FOR YOUTH. 
          I STAND HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS AND WE UNDERSTAND PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPORTANT , BUT SAFETY IS MORE THAN JUST POLICE. RIGHT NOW TOO LITTLE IS INVESTED IN VERY THINGS THAT PREVENT CRIME IN THE FIRST PLACE. OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, IF WE PUT MORE RESOURCES INTO AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, JOBS, TRAINING, MENTOR SHIP AND SAFE COMMUNITY SPACES WE WOULD NOT JUST BE REACHING OR REACTING TO THE PROBLEMS, WE WOULD BE RESOLVING THEM BEFORE THEY START. EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED INTO THE YOUTH IS A DOLLAR THAT BUILDS FUTURE, REDUCES CRIME AND STRENGTHENS FAMILY. WE CANNOT KEEP OVER FUNDING POLICING WHILE UNDERFUNDING HOPE, HIRED TO THE COURT TO PRIORITIZE YOUTH, PEOPLE AND REDIRECT SOME OF THE DOLLARS AND PROGRAMS THAT CREATE REAL SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY AND A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR HOUSTON THANK YOU. 
          >> CHAIR FOR YOU HERE TO SPEAK? OKAY, THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME IF YOU WOULD LIKE. I WAS NOT TRYING TO PUT YOU MORE ON THE 
          SPOT. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH I'M HERE FOR THIS VERY 
          [01:50:01]
IMPORTANT VOTE. I HAVE BEEN ON THE SIDE OF THE DAIS BEFORE IN A DIFFERENT ROLE AND I KNOW THESE DECISIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT, BUT I ENCOURAGE YOU AND REALLY PLEAD WITH YOU TO JUST RECKON IT'S THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MOMENT. IT HAS BEEN FAR OVERDUE FOR US TO MAKE SURE WE TOOK CARE OF HARRIS COUNTY PEACE OFFICERS, THEY ARE DESERVING OF THE RACE , THIS WOULD BE HISTORIC FOR THEM, IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, I DON'T KNOW OF ANOTHER TIME WHEN THERE WAS PAY PARITY BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CONSTABLES AND OTHER AGENCIES AND NOW THE MARKET BEGS FOR US TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS BACK IN THE SPRING WHEN STARTING THE DRAFT THE BUDGET , THIS UPCOMING BUDGET YEAR I RAISE THE RED FLAG THAT WE WOULD SEE A MASS EXODUS IF WE DID NOT TAKE THIS IMPORTANT MOVE , TO REALLY LOOK AT PAY PARITY AND HAVE TALKED WITH COLLEAGUES NOW , ALL AROUND THE STATE AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT HARRIS COUNTY SAYING WE HAVE TO DO THE SAME, OTHER AGENCIES IN THE PAST WE HAD TO BE FOLLOWING NOW THEY LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. I SUPPORT A LOT OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE HEAR ABOUT, A LOT OF THE SPEAKERS HERE. FIRST OF ALL I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER POLICE AGENCY THAT ADVOCATES THIS STRONGLY WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND WE HAVE HELP SUPPORT THE HEART PROGRAM WE WANT MORE OF THAT WITH MORE DEFLECTION. WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT NEED SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. SO WE ARE STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THAT WE WANT TO BE A PARTNER FOR THAT BUT IN THE MEANTIME WE NEED STRONG LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE SEE SOME OF THE VIOLENT SITUATIONS THAT MEN AND WOMEN HAVE TO RESPOND TO ON A DAILY BASIS. HAVE TO PUT THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE EVERY DAY, WE HAVE SEEN IT RECENTLY HERE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY ARE BEING AMBUSHED AND OTHER THINGS ARE OCCURRING AND THEY PUT ON THE UNIFORM EVERYDAY TO PROTECT AND SERVE AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT AND TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT ARE CORE SERVICES AND TO ME WHEN IT COMES TO CORE SERVICES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FLOODING, DRAINAGE, PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICING AND POLICING IN MY MIND RESPECTFULLY WOULD BE AT THE TOP BUT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET THERE IS MONEY ALLOCATED BUT IT IS MONEY SAYING WHAT AREAS COULD YOU REDIRECT OR DO LESS OF NOW UNTIL THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK MIGHT CHANGE A LITTLE BIT AND THEN WE CAN DO SOME MORE THINGS THAT PERHAPS IN THE PAST THERE WAS INFUSION OF MONEY WITH ARPA AND OTHER THINGS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S ABOUT CORE SERVICES AND I WOULD ARGUE WHEN WE TALK TO BUSINESS OWNERS, TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS THEY WANT STRONG PUBLIC SAFETY ACROSS THE BOARD. OTHER THINGS ARE NICE BUT IT IS TIME WE MAKE SURE THERE'S PAY PARITY BECAUSE IF THERE WASN'T AND THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WE WOULD SEE A MASS EXODUS AND IT WOULD SEE TREMENDOUS HARM ON PUBLIC SAFETY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB DEPUTIES AND CONSTABLES ARE DOING A GOOD JOB IT IS TIME FOR HARRIS COUNTY PEACE OFFICERS TO BE PAID FAIRLY AND WELL AND NOW IS THE TIME TO DO IT SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU THAT UP VOICED SUPPORT FOR ALL OF THIS. 
          AND IT IS NOT A LOSS TO ME I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, WE UNDERSTAND MONIES CAN BE TIGHT BUT THIS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, IF NOT WE ARE TRULY IMPACTING SAFETY AND WE CANNOT RETAIN THE PEOPLE YOU HAVE, IT'S TOO EASY TO GO ACROSS THE STREET ALMOST LITERALLY AND SIGN UP FOR THE SAME JOB THE JOB MARKET HAS CHANGED AND TO MAKE SURE WE PAY 
          OUR MEN AND WOMEN. >> THANK YOU SHERIFF AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND EVERYBODY REPRESENT. I SUPPORT THESE RAISES I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THEM FOR YEARS. LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING IN TERMS OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY , WOULD YOU SAY THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO THE WORK YOU GUYS DO? AND THEN DEAR MEMBER JAY WEBB WHEN THE COLLAPSED IN 2022? WOULD YOU THINK MAINTAINING THAT IS IMPORTANT? 
          >> VERY MUCH. >> WHAT ABOUT THE JUDGES IN THE BACKLOG WHEN THERE WAS A BACKLOG AND HAS THE REDUCTION IN THE BACKLOG HELPS YOU GUYS AND IN WHAT WAY? 
          >> IT HAS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY. IT IS VERY COLLABORATIVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE MOVING IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION MAKING SURE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT JUST STUCK IN JAIL WE ARE BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT WHEN WE LOOK AT AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY AND OTHER METRICS THAT WE FOLLOW. 
          >> BEFORE YOU HEAR WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WAS THE POLICE ARGUING, NOT ACTUALLY ARGUING, BUT PUTTING THE COMMUNITY ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE POLICE AND FOR THE MOST PART CERTAINLY MY POSITION 
          [01:55:04]
AND A LOT OF COMMENTS I HEARD AND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THOSE DON'T NEED TO BE AT ODDS. AND IT'S POSSIBLE TO DO BOTH THINGS IN THE BUDGET BUT THE CURRENT PROPOSAL CUTS THE FUNDING TO MAINTAIN JAY WEBB, THE CURRENT PROPOSAL ELIMINATES THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO CONTINUE WITH THE BACKLOG AND THE ELECTED JUDGES, SEVERAL WERE HERE LAST WEEK OR TWO WEEKS AGO SAYING IF YOU CUT THIS WILL HAVE A PROBLEM. THE PROPOSAL ALSO CUTS MONEY FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IT COMPLETELY DESTROYS THE JUVENILES JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND YOU TALK ABOUT FLOODING BEING THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT THING THESE ARE 27 PROJECTS THAT WERE PROMISED IN THE BOND THAT ARE RIGHT NOW NOT GOING TO GET DONE BECAUSE WE'RE IN A $410 MILLION DEFICIT SO WHAT I WANT YOU TO KNOW SHERIFF IS THAT I LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPOKEN HERE AND I CAN SPEAK FOR A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY ADMIRE YOU AND YOUR TROOPS. AND EVEN BEFORE THE FIRE WAS A COUNTY JUDGE MOST OF US HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF CRIME IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND I'M NOT SPARED OF THAT SO I UNDERSTAND BUT BEING HERE THE EXTRA JOBS ET CETERA SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE DAIS WHETHER THE CITY OR THE COUNTY OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHATEVER IT IS I THINK YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE BUDGET , IN OTHER WORDS IF IT'S POSSIBLE NOT TO CUT VITAL SERVICES LIKE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY LIKE JAY WEBB, SCHOOL SAFETY INSPECTIONS ARE BEING CUT BY THE FIRE MARSHAL WITH A REVIEW THE ACTIVE SHOOTER PROTOCOLS AND WHERE THEY DO FIRE INSPECTIONS. I DON'T IMAGINE YOU WOULD WANT TO CUT 
          THAT. >> I HAVE BEEN ON SIDE OF THAT. 
          I WAS MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND I WAS HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE MAYOR TO CLOSE A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR BUDGET GAP AND WE HAVE TO TAKE AND MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO SOME FURLOUGHS , CONSIDERING LAYOFFS, REDUCTION IN SERVICES IT IS TOUGH NOT AN EASY THING. AND WHEN WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR PEACE OFFICERS TO KEEP US SAFE WE SAY WE ARE CUTTING THIS OVER HERE THAT IS A CHOICE, OTHER THINGS COULD BE REDUCED THAT MAYBE WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING. SO WE GIVE YOU A RAISE AFTER CUT FROM THIS CHILD SERVICE OR WHATEVER BUT BEING ON THAT OTHER SIDE I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF SPENDING THAT HAPPENS THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING. IT IS NICE TO SPEND, PROJECTS WE MAY LIKE INDIVIDUALLY, BUT HAVING TO DO WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GREATER GOOD AND AGAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICE THE COMMUNITY DEPENDS ON HIS PUBLIC SAFETY, THE OTHER THINGS THAT'S NICE TO HAVE THERE IS A PUBLIC SECTOR OUT THERE WITH OTHER RESOURCES WE COULD LEVERAGE, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY COULD GIVE TO FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER STUFF BUT THIS IS ONE WITH 
          GOVERNMENT. >> I'M NOT DISAGREEING WITH YOU AND I THINK WE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING THAT THE JUDGES THE JAY WEBB THE SCHOOL INSPECTIONS, THOSE ARE NOT NICE TO HAVE WHAT I AM HEARING YOU SAY IS YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BUDGETS SO YOU CANNOT SAY I WOULD DO THAT INSTEAD OF THIS. 
          WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT NICE TO HAVE, THE POINT I AM TRYING TO MAKE IS I WOULD LIKE AND WE'RE MAKING IT IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LEADER IN THIS I WOULD LIKE FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO WORK WITH US SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO CUT THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT ARE IN FACT , IMPORTANT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ABILITY TO DO THE JOB AND I THINK IN FACT IT IS POSSIBLE . WHETHER THE FIRST SOLUTION NEEDED TO BE TO GO TO THE VOTERS, FOR THE RAISES BECAUSE WE SIMPLY DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY BECAUSE THE STATE REVENUE CAPS. SO WHATEVER REASON THEY WOULD NOT GO AND I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF BUT I THINK BY SHOW OF HANDS HERE WE WOULD KNOW THE VOTERS WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT THIS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE NEED THEM, WE NEED YOU ALL WHATEVER THE SITUATION IS. OKAY THEY DID NOT GO TO THE VOTERS SO WHAT ABOUT WE PHASE THIS IN, CHECK WITH THE VOTERS NEXT YEAR. WHAT ABOUT WE FIGURE OUT HOW WE CANNOT KILL ALL THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS? IF YOU TOLD FOLKS DO YOU WANT TO LOSE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT OR GO HAVE A CHOICE ABOUT IT? SO I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I SUPPORT THIS, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO DO IT WITHOUT 
          [02:00:02]
KILLING ESSENTIAL SERVICES. INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE SUMMER FIGURING OUT WHAT IN THE BUDGET WORKED AND WHAT DIDN'T WE SPENT THE SUMMER FIGURING OUT WHAT TO CUT SO THEY COULD TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT HOW NOT TO CUT ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND I DON'T KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER WAY , THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BUT I WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO TRY TO GET THIS DONE IN A WAY THAT IS NOT UNREALISTIC. WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO NOT GO TO THE VOTERS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO KILL REALLY REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAMS AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO PUT THE COMMUNITY AGAINST THE LAW 
          ENFORCEMENT THAT WE DEPEND ON. >> I APPRECIATE THAT JUDGE. AND I CAN SEE REALLY EXPENSES INCREASED TAKING CARE OF OTHERS IN TERMS OF INCREASING PAY FOR OTHERS AND YOU KNOW WHAT I SUPPORT EVERY EMPLOYEE IN HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD BE WELL COMPENSATED AND REFLECTIVE OF THE MARKET. BUT I DON'T REMEMBER US CONVEYING THAT WE SIMPLY DID HAVE MONEY WE WILL HAVE TO CUT OTHER IMPORTANT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING A CERTAIN GROUP OF HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES A RAISE SO WHY IS IT WHEN IT COMES TO PEACE OFFICERS WE CANNOT SEEM TO WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THAT ESSENTIAL? 
          >> WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO AND HERE'S THE THING. IT IS A MATTER OF DOLLARS AND CENTS SO THE INCREASES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IT HAS BEEN A COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES SO WHATEVER RAISES RECEIVED LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST AS MUCH. I'M PRETTY SURE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS RECEIVED MORE , IS IT ENOUGH NO SIR IT'S NOT ENOUGH AND THAT'S WHY I'M ADVOCATING FOR EVEN MORE SINCE 2022 SO I'M WITH YOU AND THAT'S WHY IT BAFFLES ME WHEN THERE'S 120% PAY INCREASE TO THE TOLLROAD DIRECTOR WERE 60% INCREASE IN I'M SO SORRY YOUR PAYRAISE I KNOW YOU DID NOT ASK FOR IT TO THE ELECTED LAW ENFORCEMENT AND YOU KNOW WE HAVE DOCTORS THAT ARE NOT PAID AS MUCH NOT SAYING WE SHOULD BE BUT IT IS VERY AD HOC AND YOU SHOULD KNOW THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE THAT DOES THE AUTOPSIES ARE LOSING PERSONNEL. JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE FOLKS THAT MEN THOSE JAILS ARE LOSING PERSONNEL THEY ARE NOT IN THE PAY INCREASE EVEN THOUGH I DID ASK. PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT THERE LOSING PERSONNEL THEY ARE NOT PAID ENOUGH I WANT TO PRIORITIZE THIS I THINK THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE SITUATION, I KNOW IT COULD HAVE AND HOW THEY REFUSE TO AS THE VOTERS WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE SO LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. SHERIFF, THERE IS NO RAISE THAT THE EMPLOYEES HAVE GOTTEN BUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS NOT GOTTEN IF ANYTHING YOU HAVE GOTTEN MORE AND IT'S NOT ENOUGH, IT'S NOT ENOUGH BUT THIS IS NOT. I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY BEING A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS WOULD CREATE A $200 MILLION BUDGET HOLE AND SCRAMBLE TO FIX IT WITHOUT REALLY FIXING IT JUST KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD PLUS RAISING TAXES BECAUSE THEY RAISED TAXES OVER 3%. THANK YOU SIR FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND YOUR TROOPS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR 
          LEADERSHIP. >> SHERIFF THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          AND TAKE IT FOR ADVOCATING FOR THE TROOPS IT IS CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND WHEN THE MARKET CHANGES DURING THE PANDEMIC WE SAW NURSES LEAVING HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY AND GOES TO THE WEST COAST. HERE IN RECENT TIMES WE HAVE SEEN LOCAL ENGINEERS SWITCHING FIRMS WHEN THE MARKET CHANGES IT CREATES CHALLENGES AND I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU THAT ONE AREA WE HAVE TO BE AT THE UTMOST RESPONSIVENESS IS PUBLIC SAFETY. IMAGINE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NOT BEING IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY WERE ONCE POLICING AND YOU ARE RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET EARLIER IN MY CAREER LAPD WAS MAKING AN INCREDIBLE OFFER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HOUSTON COPS WERE LEAVING IN DROVES TO GO TO LAPD. I ALMOST DID. I JUST DID NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING TO MOVE. BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT AS YOU BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS DAIS ON CITY HALL, YEAH. WE CAN ALWAYS GO TO THE VOTERS, TO MAKE THE BUDGET DECISIONS, BUT WE ARE ELECTED TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS. IF 
          [02:05:05]
THE VOTERS DON'T AGREE WITH IT, THEY DON'T AGREE WITH IT, BUT GOING TO THE VOTERS FOR A TAX INCREASE IS NOT NECESSARILY THE WORK , THAT'S THE EASY JOB DOING THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE BY MOST OF US AT THIS TABLE IS CRITICAL TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE FOLKS , HERE ARE THE ISSUES, PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, ALL AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, REGARDLESS OF WHERE I HAVE ASKED. IT IS IMPORTANT SO I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND I WANT TO PURSUE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN HERE EARLIER TODAY I DON'T KNOW , APPRECIATE HER BEING HERE, IN SPIRIT AND SOLIDARITY OF HER LATE HUSBAND. SO THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN, APPRECIATE YOUR WORDS AND APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR ALL FOR YOU AND YOUR MEN AND WOMEN OF HARRIS 
          COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> DO YOU SUPPORT FIRING 
          ASSOCIATE JUDGES? >> LOOK, THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT'S UP TO THE DISTRICT JUDGES TO DECIDE HOW THEY WANT TO USE IT. THEY ARE NOT BEING UTILIZED. 
          >> TO REHEAR SAYING THEY CANNOT AFFORD THEM SO THEY WILL FIRE THEM. ARE YOU OKAY NOT CONTRIBUTING? 
          >> I WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THE SHERIFF. 
          >> YOU SAID EMERGENCIES WERE IMPORTANT. 
          >> IF IT IS DISCUSSION BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE COURT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ITEM AND YOU NEED TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OTHERWISE IT'S JUST SPEAKERS NOW BUT YOU CAN DIRECT ANYTHING TO THE 
          SPEAKERS. >> OKAY I APPRECIATE THAT, I'M JUST SAYING IT'S EASY TO SAY SOME WORDS LIKE THAT AND I WOULD ASK COLLEAGUES IF HE SUPPORTS NOT MAINTAINING J WEBB NOT BEING ABLE TO PROPERLY DO INSPECTIONS, SAFETY INSPECTIONS IN SCHOOLS IF HE SUPPORTS THE 3% TAX INCREASE BECAUSE THIS IS ALL THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. AND THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF DOUBLESPEAK BECAUSE WE ARE HARMING JUSTICE SYSTEMS RIGHT NOW. AND WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. YOU DON'T WANT US THE VOTERS ABOUT TAX INCREASE WELL I WOULD SAY TO MY COLLEAGUE, WE ASKED VOTERS AND THEY VOTED FOR A BOND AND WE HAVE FAILED THEM BY FAILING TO DELIVER 27 PROJECTS, IN FACT BY KILLING 27 PROJECTS SO OKAY DON'T GO TO THE VOTERS, SPEND $200 MILLION THAT YOU DON'T HAVE WITHOUT THEIR PERMISSION. BUT WHEN YOU DO GO TO THE VOTERS HOW ABOUT YOU KEEP YOUR PROMISES? THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE AND THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. WE DON'T NEED TO BE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER, GENTLEMEN I AM WITH YOU. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS STUFF FOR YEARS. SOMEBODY HERE WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM WHICH IS WHY WE CANNOT GIVE YOU THE RAISE OTHERWISE YOU WOULD HAVE HAD IT TWO YEARS AGO. 
          THAT'S THE TRUTH. WE SHOULD CHECK WITH THE PUBLIC YOU WANT TO CUT THEM DO BOTH THINGS, WHAT DO YOU WANT BECAUSE THE PUBLIC NEVER SAID, WE NEVER ASKED OF THEM YOU WANT TO CUT THE RAINY DAY FUND SO WE CAN DO THESE RACES NOBODY ASKED THEM THAT, WHENEVER ASKED THE PUBLIC DO YOU WANT TO CUT SCHOOL SAFETY INSPECTIONS. I DON'T THINK THE PARENTS WOULD SAY YES. DO YOU WANT TO CUT EMERGENCY SCHOOL SHOOTER INSPECTIONS? I DON'T HAVE A KID IN SCHOOL, BUT I REALLY DON'T THINK SO. 
          >> SHERIFF GONZALEZ I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING ALL THESE ISSUES WHEN THE AGENDA ITEM COMES UP AND WE CAN ALL ENGAGE, 
          THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. IF WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE CAN AFFORD J WEBB AND OTHER SERVICES THEN WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM IS WHAT IT IS. 
          >> SO WHAT'S THE SOLUTION? IT'S YOUR BUDGET WHY IS AND IS 
          SOLVED. >> IF YOU'RE ASKING THE SPEAKER QUESTION THAT THE SPEAKER RESPOND. 
          >> I DID NOT ASK A QUESTION, IT'S THEIR BUDGET SO THEY HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM I DID NOT PROPOSE THE BUDGET. I DID NOT PROPOSE A UNBALANCED BUDGET WHICH HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS DEFICIT. THAT IS THEIR BUDGET AND THEIR ALREADY CUTTING ALL THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS. INCLUDING THE FOLKS WHO BRAG ABOUT HAVING KIDS. SO THE SPENDING PROBLEM SHERIFF BELONGS TO THE THREE PEOPLE PROPOSING THE BUDGET. OKAY? 
          >> SORRY I'M NEXT IN THE QUEUE TO SPEAK, SHERIFF GONZALEZ THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, EVERYONE HERE TODAY AS WELL AS THE CONSTABLES AND BRAVE 
          [02:10:02]
MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK THERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE I HAVEN'T PROBABLY CHAMPIONING PAY PARITY BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO THE SMART THING TO DO AND THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO TO MAKE SURE UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY IS AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE AND WE ARE NOT LOSING EXPERIENCE OFFICERS FRISKING MASS EXODUS TO SURROUNDING AGENCIES SO LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING IN DETAIL WHEN THE ITEM COMES AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO LOOK AT ACTUAL CREDIBLE FACTS AND EVIDENCE IN THE DISCUSSION AND I HONOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE AND I KNOW TO YOUR POINT ABOUT FAMILIES. YOUR FAMILIES DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO COME HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY SO WE HONOR YOU, WE RESPECT YOU AND WANT YOU TO STAY IN HARRIS COUNTY TWO HARRIS COUNTY AS SAFE AS IT CAN BE. 
          >> I AGREE AND I WOULD INVITE YOU TO SHOW ME THE FACTS YOU ARE DISAGREEING WITH. I WONDER SHE SUPPORTS THE BUDGET? 
          >> POINT OF ORDER. >> SHE SUPPORTS FIRING JUDGES, ENDING SCHOOL SAFETY INSPECTIONS, SHE ALSO SUPPORTS 
          -- >> I SUPPORT ADVANCING THE 
          PEOPLE'S BEST INTEREST. >> SHE HAS BEEN TELLING PEOPLE THAT WE ARE NOT RAISING TAXES WHEN EVERYBODY HERE -- 
          >> JUDGE, JUDGE. >> SOMEBODY IS MISLEADING I HAVE PROOF THEY ARE AND HAVE FAILED VOTERS BY NOT DELIVERING ON PROJECTS THAT WERE PROMISED. OKAY? THERE ARE 27 PROJECTS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE DELIVERED THAT IS TRUE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IF YOU HAVE DATA NUMBERS THAT CONTRADICT PLEASE SHOW THEM NOW IF YOU WANT TO SHOW THEM LATER WHY IS THAT? 
          >> JUDGE, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY HAVE RAISED A 
          POINT OF ORDER. >> YES I KNOW WHO SIDE YOU ARE ON ON THIS, LET'S MOVE ON TO THE SPEAKERS AND SHOW ME THE 
          DATA NUMBERS. >> THANK YOU SHERIFF GONZALEZ. 
          SPY AS I SAID BEFORE RETURN TO DO SNAPPING SO WITH THE OTHER COMMUNITY WANTS TO CLAP I WILL GIVE IT A CHANCE THAT BECAUSE WE DID IN EARLIER. 
          ALL RIGHT THANK YOU. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO HAPPEN WE DO NOT NEED TO BE PITTED AGAINST EACH OTHER. WE CAN STILL SOLVE IT CAN STILL HAVE BOTH THINGS , WE CAN. ALL RIGHT LET'S HEAR FROM THE REST OF SPEAKERS AND PLEASE FOLKS IF WE KEEP THE CLAPPING OUT IF WE CAN DO WITHOUT THAT OTHERWISE EVERYBODY GETS TO HOOT AND HOLLER AND CLAP AND STAND. PLEASE CONTINUE WITH THE 
          SPEAKERS. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, JANE MILLER, ] PRECINCT 4, MARILYN ALLEN PRECINCT 4, ALFREDO DOMINQUEZ OF PRECINCT 1, YOU EACH OF ONE MINUTE. 
          >> I DO WANT TO NOTE MEMBERS STANDING UP RATHER THAN LISTENING TO SPEAKERS WHO POSSIBLY DISAGREE WITH THEM. 
          >> FROM THE BEGINNING I KNEW COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY THANK YOU FOR STAYING SEATED TODAY. AND GARCIA WHENEVER THE ONES I WAS TRYING TO CONVINCE, THEIR POSITION SEVEN CLEAR AND THEIR PREDICTABLE. MY APPEAL WAS ALWAYS HAS BEEN TO THOSE WHO CLAIM TO REPRESENT FAIRNESS, BALANCE AND PEOPLE MOST NEEDED IN THE COUNTY. YET HERE WE ARE THE FINAL BUDGET REFLECTS CHOICES THAT WILL ECHO FAR BEYOND TODAY CHOICES THAT SACRIFICE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN YOUTH AND I MUST SAY DIRECTLY DID YOU CONSIDER PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE LAW ENFORCEMENT ANYMORE AND HAVE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES? OR LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE NOT THE ONLY GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT NEED TO WORK MORE THAN TWO JOBS? COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS A PRECINCT 4 RESIDENT IT'S GOING TO BE A ROUGH ELECTION CYCLE FOR YOU IN 2026. IT SHOWS EXPEDIENCY, POOR RESEARCH AND FEAR OVER COURAGE. HISTORY AND THE VOTERS WILL NOT FORGET. 
          >> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> JADE MILLER. >> THANK YOU. SHE MAY HAVE $3 MILLION BUT CITIZENS AND VOTERS WILL FIND OUT WHERE THAT CAME FROM AND HOW SHE HAS BEEN AWARDED CONTRACTS FOR THREE 
          YEARS. >> IT SHOULD NOT BE COMMUNITY VERSUS CONSTABLES OUR BUDGET PROCESS SHOULD NOT BE HIJACKED BY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND SPECIAL ATTENDERS WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE THE ABILITY TO RESPOND TO FLOODING AND WEATHER EVENTS, IF WE TALK ABOUT A MASS EXODUS LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEXT WEATHER EVENT LIKE IT IS COMING, THE FLOOD BOND PROJECTS WILL BE STOPPED BECAUSE OF THIS RUSHED DECISION DELAY THE VOTE AND FIX THE BUDGET I THOUGHT AUSTIN WOULD DO US IN BUT IT 
          [02:15:07]
LOOKS LIKE WE'RE WILLING TO DO IT OURSELVES. THERE IS ENOUGH TIME TO COMPROMISE, BE TRANSPARENT, DO NOT LET SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS TEAR US APART. SPENDING OVER 1 BILLION ON PUBLIC SAFETY WILL MEAN NOTHING IF WE ARE 10 FEET UNDERWATER, GOD SAVE OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS MARILYN ALLEN WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4. SOME OF YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO USE YOUR POWER THAT LEAVES COMMUNITIES BEHIND. YOU ARE ELECTED TO SERVE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CHOOSING TO EXPAND POLICE BUT IS WHILE NEGLECTING COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS A CHOICE TO IGNORE PREVENTION OPPORTUNITY AND THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE. I URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER YOUR CHOICE, VOTE FOR BUDGET THAT PUTS COMMUNITY FIRST, INVEST IN PEOPLE AND SHOW HARRIS COUNTY REAL LEADERSHIP MEANS INVESTING IN COMMUNITY. NOT ABANDONING IT, THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. NAME IS HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 HIRED YOU TO DEDICATED FUNDING FOR ARTS AND CULTURE. THE ARTS A GOOD BUSINESS IMPROVING STRESS AND SUPPORTING HEALING IF YOU'RE AN ECONOMY ATTRACTING VISITORS WHO SPEND A LOCAL BUSINESS THE ENHANCED PUBLIC SAFETY BY GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES AND ADVANCED EQUITY BRINGING OPPORTUNITIES TO NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE THE FEWEST RESOURCES I ASK YOU CREATE A LINE ITEM FOR ARTS AND CULTURE TO INTEGRATE ARTS INTO HEALTH AND JUVENILE JUSTICE AND ESTABLISH A CULTURAL EQUITY FUND TO ENSURE ALL COMMUNITY BENEFITS WHEN YOU FUND THE ARTS YOU INVEST IN SAFE AND STRONG COMMUNITIES ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. YOU KNOW WHERE WE COULD HAVE FOUND A SAFE SAVINGS TO FUND SOME OF THE PROGRAMS FOLKS ARE PROPOSING OR EVEN TO NOT HAVE TO HAVE THIS DEFICIT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS HAVE A PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGET IN OTHER WORDS TO LOOK AT THE EXISTING FUNDING AND SEE IF IT IS BENEFICIAL IMPACTFUL AND WORTH IT AND DECIDE WHETHER TO CONTINUE OR NOT. THIS YEAR WE WERE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE SPENT ALL THE TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE UP FOR ARTIFICIAL DEFICIT THAT WAS CREATED IF INSTEAD WE HAD GONE THROUGH EVERYTHING MAYBE WE COULD HAVE AFFORDED THIS THAT'S WHERE WE COULD'VE FOUND THAT BUT WE HAD NO TIME FOR THE PROCESS BECAUSE SOME OF US WERE IN A HURRY TO GET AN ENDORSEMENT. PEOPLE ASKED ME AS I ANNOUNCED MY DECISION NOT TO RUN FOR A THIRD TERM WHAT I REGRET AND HAVE EXAMPLES. I AM THINKING NOW WITH THE BUDGET MY TOP REGRET WAS BE LEAVING SOMEBODY'S WORDS WHEN THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY AND WHEN THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE COMMITTED TO TRUTH AND APPOINTING THAT PERSON IS A JUDGE AND REDRAWN DISTRICT FOR THAT PERSON SO THEY COULD WIN BECAUSE I BELIEVED THERE WOULD BE A STEWARD OF TAXPAYER 
          DOLLARS. >> SOMEBODY INTERRUPTS ME THAT TELLS YOU IT'S IMPORTANT WORK. WE WILL HEAR FROM SOMEBODY ELSE. 
          DO WE NEED TO CENSURE THE GENTLEMAN WHO INTERRUPTED? 
          MAYBE. >> GREAT, THANK YOU. I WANT TO START BY SAYING I DON'T FAULT THE CONSTABLES UNSURE OF SHOWING UP, IF I WAS GETTING A 30% RAISE AND WE WERE HAVING TESTIMONY I WOULD SHOW UP IN A SUIT AND TESTIFY FOR IT. SO I DO NOT FOLLOW PEOPLE FOR WANTING TO GET PAID MORE MONEY BUT WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THE CONDUCT AND RATIONAL BY ELECTED OFFICIALS. THE POINTS HAVE BEEN MADE AND WE HAVE TURNED OUT HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND TODAY WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE TURNING OUT SAYING THEY WANT RAISE A STABBING FOR THE FIRST TIME WHICH IS FINE WE ARE OKAY WITH THE PROCESS BUT THE THING IS IT GOES TO SHOW THE WAY IN WHICH COMMUNITIES ARE HELD TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT WE HAVE TO TURN OUT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OVER A MONTH AND A HALF TO GET PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT AND SAY THE CAUSES WE CARE ABOUT ARE IMPORTANT BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE LAST DAY AND SAY THE RAISES ARE IMPORTANT IT'S GOING TO PASS ANYWAY BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE COUNTY IS RUN AND THAT'S WHERE THE PRIORITIES OF THE COUNTY ARE AND IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO ME AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS AND 
          COMMUNITY MEMBERS THANK YOU. >> STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE 
          RECORD. >> ALFREDO DOMINGUEZ. 
          >> WE WOULD DO BETTER EVEN WITH A REPUBLICAN IN THAT SEAT CERTAINLY WITH A DIFFERENT DEMOCRAT THE BUDGET WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AND WE COULD GIVE THE RAISES. 
          >> THE BUDGET WAS STRONGER WHEN WE HAD A REPUBLICAN. WE DID NOT HAVE A HIRING FREEZE WE DID NOT GIVE THE RAISES IN 2022. 
          >> MEMBER SERGEANT BYRON GARY JUNIOR AND WANT TO THANK THE 
          [02:20:02]
COURT FOR LEADERSHIP ON THIS RAISE. THIS DECISION NOT ONLY IMPACTS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUT EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT I CAN NOW PUT ASIDE MY HPD BACKGROUND PACKAGE AND STAY FULLY COMMITTED TO SERVING CARE WHERE MY HEART TRULY IS AT, THIS RAISE MEANS WE CAN RECRUIT AND KEEP GOOD DEPUTIES. IT MEANS FEWER EXTRA JOBS, MORE TIME AT HOME WITH LOVED ONES, DEPUTIES WHO COME TO WORK WILL BE RESTED AND READY TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY WHERE PROFESSIONALISM AND PRIDE. WE KNOW YOU MAY HAVE COMPETING DEMAND AND YOUR COMMITMENT MEANS EVEN MORE FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS RAISE THAT WE DEEPLY NEEDED IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          THREE OF THE COMMISSIONERS HERE RAMSEY, GARCIA AND ELLIS I MET EACH ONE OF YOU GUYS WORKING EXTRA JOB THIS WILL HELP US OUT 
          SO THINK YOU GUYS. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, ALEX CAMPBELL PRECINCT 1, MICHAEL GALLOWAY PRECINCT 1, BRADY LEWIS OF PRECINCT 3, JULIO MEDINA PRECINCT 1, AMY ERICKSON OF PRECINCT 2. CAROLINA CANO OF PRECINCT 1, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS ALEX CAMPBELL WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. I'M A RESIDENT PRECINCT 1 HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION OF THE FY 26 BUDGET, GOING FORWARD I URGE YOU ALL TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY DRIVEN SOLUTIONS THAT TACKLE ROOT CAUSES RATHER THAN TRADITIONAL METHODS THAT MAINTAIN STATUS QUO. THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE SERVE ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO INVEST LONG-TERM IN THEIR FUTURES GOING FORWARD, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> I AM A FATHER OF SIX CHILDREN AND EACH AND EVERY DAY I GOT TO GET UP AND I TELL THEM TO STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND SPEAK WHEN NOBODY IS SAYING ANYTHING. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF 35% OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE FATHERS, THEY DON'T HAVE FATHERS TO HELP GUIDE THEM THEY LOOK TO ME AND OTHER MENTORS AND PROGRAM FOR GUIDANCE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE AWAY OPPORTUNITIES AND HOPE FROM THESE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO END UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM I WAS ONE OF THEM. I DID NOT HAVE A FATHER BUT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE MENTORS SPEAKING AND YOU ARE ABOUT TO TAKE EVERYTHING FROM THEM. ME AS A FATHER IF I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR SOMETHING IN MY KID ASKS I TELL THEM NOT RIGHT NOW, WHEN WE CAN AFFORD IT I WILL DO IT. IN THE SAME MANNER. IF WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW DELAY, DELAY THE VOTE THAT'S IT. 
          >> OR FIND THE MONEY. >> 
          >> STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> IF FOLKS WANT TO RESPOND INCOME TO THE MICROPHONE BUT THANK YOU. IF THEY ARE PROPOSING A BUDGET IT SHOULD NOT CUT JUDGES OR SCHOOL INSPECTIONS OR THE I.T. SYSTEM THAT KEEPS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM GOING. THAT'S A GREAT SOLUTION WHEN NOT CUT THAT AND DO A REALISTIC PROCESS, IF IT IS SO GREAT WHY ARE WE STILL KILLING 27 PROJECTS? I THINK THEY CAN DO BETTER OR OTHERWISE LET'S WORK TOGETHER AND NEGOTIATE AND GET BOTH THINGS DONE AND HAD NOT HAVE THE COMMUNITIES PITTED AGAINST EACH 
          OTHER. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS BRADY LEWIS AND I WORK WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUR NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ROOTED IN PREVENTION CREATING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDING RESOURCES THAT KEEP YOUTH FROM ANSWERING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE FIRST PLACE ADDRESSING GAPS THAT MAKING PEOPLE HONORABLE THE ABSENCE OF MENTORSHIP, OPPORTUNITIES UNMET NEEDS HOUSING INSECURITY AND LACK OF INVESTMENT. THE FUNDS BEING CUT ARE NOT JUST DOLLARS ON THE PAPER THESE FUNDS PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT THAT HELP YOUTH STAY SAFE STABLE AND CONNECTED TO POSITIVE PATHWAYS TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITIZES PREVENTION INVESTING IN SYSTEMS THAT STOP CYCLES TO HARM BEFORE THEY BEGIN RATHER THAN ONLY RESPONDING AFTER HARM HAS OCCURRED AS YOU PREPARE TO FINALIZE THE BUDGET WHAT'S AT STAKE IS CUTTING FUNDS MAY BALANCE A BUDGET BUT IT PUTS YOUNG PEOPLE AT GREATER RISK BY CONTRAST PROTECTING AND SUSTAINING THESE FUNDS MEANS INVESTING IN LONG-TERM SUCCESS IN HARRIS COUNTY THANK YOU. 
          [02:25:04]
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS I AM AMY ERICKSON LONG TIME HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE BUDGET WHICH MEETS CRITICAL NEEDS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH WITHOUT AN ADDITIONAL GENERAL FUND TAX INCREASE INCREASES PROGRAMS LIKE HEART WHILE REDUCING COSTLY LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVENTION. THIS IS ESSENTIAL DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES WITH DCN AUSTIN POLICY TIGHTENING RESIDENTIAL WELL-BEING, THIS BUDGET PROTECTS ESSENTIAL SERVICES WHILE KEEPING THE GENERAL TAX FUND RATE STABLE. UPPITY TAX INCREASES BURDEN MOST INCOME FAMILIES AND RENTERS WHO DEDICATE THE LARGEST PORTION OF THEIR BUDGET TO HOUSING. NOW IS NOT THE TYPE OF FOR THE TAX INCREASE TO STRUGGLING FAMILIES EVEN IF THE WINDOW FOR BALLOT MEASURE WERE OPEN WITH ACCUSATIONS OF MISINFORMATION FLYING OVER TRUST HAS BEEN HARMED MAKING MEASURES UNLIKELY. PLEASE WORK TOGETHER TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION I URGE THE COURT TO PROVE THIS BUDGET TODAY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> I WOULD INVITE MY COLLEAGUES TO DEBATE WITH ME ON THEIR VERSION OF MISINFORMATION AND THE FACTS I BRING I HAVE BROUGHT NUMBERS IN DOLLARS AND CENTS INFORMATION IF THEY THINK THEIR NUMBERS ARE SO RIGHT LET'S PUT THEM SIDE TO SIDE BECAUSE I'M COMPANY IN MIND THANK YOU FOR BEING REAL DIRECT ABOUT THAT, BUT OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU PAY YOUR TAX BILL, YOUR TAX RATE IS GOING UP, HARRIS COUNTY TAX RATE IS GOING UP AND HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT IT IS NOT THEY CHANGED IT AND NOW YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TAXES WORK MOST PEOPLE DON'T OBVIOUSLY. 
          >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO MY NAME IS WILLIAM MEDINA WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITIES THAT I SERVE IN THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT I MENTOR. HARRIS COUNTY IS FACING A DEFICIT OF $200 MILLION TO COVER THE GAP TALK ABOUT CUTS AND FREEZES AND THE DEPARTMENTS THAT SERVE VULNERABLE RESIDENTS PUBLIC HEALTH HOUSING AND EVEN EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. THOSE PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL, THEY PROVIDE SAFE SPACES MENTORS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND WITHOUT THAN THE GAP BETWEEN HAVES AND HAVE-NOTS ONLY WIDENS AND WE KNOW THESE INVESTMENTS WORK EVERY DOLLAR SPENT GUIDING A CHILD TODAY IS FAR CHEAPER THAN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO INCARCERATE THE SAME CHILD TOMORROW. THIS BUDGET SHOULD NOT JUST BALANCE THE BOOKS IT SHOULD PROTECT OUR FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF HARRIS COUNTY LIES IN THE LIVES OF THE YOUTH ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH POLICE , THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS ] AND I'M GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER FOR THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK. WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE GENERAL BUDGET THAT FUND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY CENTER OPERATIONS THROUGH THESE AS YOU KNOW THROUGH COMMUNITY CENTERS WE HAVE OFFERED MEALS FOR SENIORS DISASTER REPORTS AND FEEDING FOR CHILDREN IN THE FOOD PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM THAT OPENED UP IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER. 
          LOOKING FORWARD TO PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU THANK YOU FOR YOUR BUDGET EFFORTS AND THE COMMUNITIES WELL SERVED, THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 2 CYNTHIA CRUZ OF PRECINCT 2, RANDY TREVINO PRECINCT 2, MARIA MENDEZ OF PRECINCT 1 EVELYN BARRON PRECINCT 1 , RUBEN SALAZAR PRECINCT 2, AND MICHAEL DUFFY , YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I STAND HERE TODAY WITH A HEAVY HEART AND GREAT SENSE OF DISAPPOINTMENT. BOTH COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND GARCIA TODAY A BUDGET WILL BE PASSED AND WITH IT A MESSAGE WAS SENT LOUD AND CLEAR THAT A PERSON WHO LOOKS LIKE ME WHO COMES FROM MY COMMUNITY HAS CHOSEN TO INVEST IN POLICE RATHER THAN OUR PEOPLE. AT A TIME WHEN NEIGHBORHOODS ARE HURTING WHEN FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE WHEN YOUTH ARE CRYING OUT FOR ALL JOB OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THE SYSTEM THAT HAS HISTORICALLY HARMED US, YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO FUND PATROLS OVER PROGRAMS PRISONS OVER SCHOOL AND PUNISHMENTS OVER PROGRESS. NOT ONLY DISAPPOINTING IT IS A BETRAYAL A BETRAYAL OF HISTORY, VALUES AND STRUGGLE. PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU, WHO BELIEVED IN YOU DESERVE BETTER. WE DESERVE LEADERS WHO INVEST IN OUR 
          COMMUNITIES NOT POLICE THEM. >> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR 
          [02:30:02]
          THE RECORD. >> MARIA MENENDEZ. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS CYNTHIA CRUZ AND I'M A CREDIBLE MESSENGER WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR YOUTH. AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY DEEPLY FRUSTRATED BY THE BUDGET DEFICIT THAT'S GOING TO BE CREATED BY YOUR DECISIONS. IT IS TROUBLING TO SEE AT THE TIME WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITIES YOU'RE PRIORITIZING MORE FUNDING FOR ALREADY HIGHLY PAID LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE HAVE ALLSTATE YOUR TIME AND TIME AGAIN PLEADING NOT TO CUT RESOURCES FROM CRITICAL PROGRAMS LIKE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHCARE AND INITIATIVES PROVEN TO REDUCE CRIME. THESE CUTS WHILE THE NEGATIVE IMPACT, NOT ONLY NEGLECTING THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME, BUT ABANDONING COMMUNITIES WITH POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH AND HEALING. I WOULD DEMAND OF THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT BUILD SAFER HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES TO EDUCATION PREVENTION AND SUPPORT NOT JUST POLICING, THANK YOU. 
          SPICING THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WAS CONSISTED OF THREE PEOPLE OF HISPANIC DESCENT, I MENTALLY THOUGHT WE HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AFTER GENERATIONS OF STRUGGLE, SACRIFICE AND WORK IN THE SHADOWS LEADERS, PEOPLE WHO LOOK AND SOUND LIKE ME ARE IN THE ROOMS WHERE DECISIONS ARE MADE. THIS IS A MOMENT WE SHOULD CELEBRATE BUT A SEAT AT THE TABLE IS WORTH NOTHING IF YOU FORGET WHO PUT YOU THERE, YOU'RE CHOOSING TO INVEST IN MORE POLICING AND PRISONS, POURING MONEY INTO SYSTEMS THAT PUNISH PEOPLE NOT PROGRAMS THAT LIFT THEM UP THIS IS A BETRAYAL. 
          PUTTING CONSTABLES OF HER COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE GIVEN YOU A SEAT IS A BETRAYAL, LEADING WITH HERITAGE MAKING DECISIONS THAT OPPRESS YOUR PEOPLE IS BETRAYAL, WE NEED, WE DON'T NEED MORE HANDCUFFS WE NEED MORE HELP WE NEED MORE CHILDCARE PROGRAMS WE DON'T NEED MORE ENFORCEMENT WE NEED MORE EMPOWERMENT TO LEADERS I SAY THIS DON'T FORGET YOUR STORY , DON'T FORGET OUR STORY, YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE TO NOT JUST BE SEEN BUT TO SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNHEARD. TAKE INVESTMENT TO COMMUNITIES NOT 
          POLICE. >> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR 
          THE RECORD. >> 
          >> THE CONCERN IF IT WERE PUBLIC SAFETY THEY WOULD FUND RAISERS AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY ADJACENT PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMS PROVEN NOT TO REDUCE CRIME, BUT SOME FOLKS ARE ONLY HERE TO GET REELECTED THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE CARD SHOULD SAY. THE GOAL IS TO GET REELECTED, PERIOD. THEY ARE WILLING TO HAND AWARD CONTRACTS SO THEY CAN GET CONTRIBUTIONS AND WILLING TO SUPPORT WHOEVER OFFERS ENDORSEMENT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY, THEY'VE GOT TO DO IT IN SEPTEMBER BECAUSE THEY NEED THAT ENDORSEMENT, IT AIN'T RIGHT AND I'M GLAD FOLKS ARE NOTICING THIS AND THE BUDGET IS NOT GOING UNDER THE RADAR. I WOULD LOVE TO NEGOTIATE WITH MY COLLEAGUES SO WE CAN DO BOTH THINGS. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND AS EXPERTS IN ECOSYSTEMS EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED AND THE MOST PRECIOUS PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM ARE THE ROOTS, WHERE WE COME FROM. POLICE ARE IMPORTANT. I'M NOT SAYING THEY ARE NOT AND I WISH WE COULD HAVE ALL THE MONEY TO GIVE EVERYBODY RAISES BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR DISTRICT IN PARTICULAR HAS PEOPLE MAKING AS LOW AS $70,000 PER YEAR, $20,000 A YEAR SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT MAKING LOW MONEY MEANS AND I'VE MADE MONEY MORE THAN THAT AND I UNDERSTAND EVEN THEN THINGS ARE TIGHT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS PROPERTY VALUES HAVE SKYROCKETED AND WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT WHILE SAY PLACES LIKE UNINCORPORATED PLACES , THE COMPANIES THAT ENDORSE MANY OF YOU DO NOT PAY TAXES , THEY DON'T PAY TAXES THE WAY WE DO THEIR PROPERTY VALUES GET FROZEN 
          10 OR 15 YEARS AT A TIME. >> RIGHT BUT THEY FUND ALMOST 100% OF THEIR CAMPAIGN COFFERS BECAUSE THEY HAVE CONTRACTS AND AWARDED. SO THAT'S WHY WE HAD EVALUATED AND DESIGNED BY EVERY OFFICE CHILDCARE PROGRAM TO SEE IF THE COMMUNITY WANTED CHILDCARE BUT THEY WOULD NOT EVEN JUST ASK THE VOTERS WHETHER TO CONTINUE THAT. WHAT ABOUT THE FAMILIES THAT MAKE THIS MUCH MONEY? WHAT ABOUT THESE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THAT ARE GOING TO LOSE CHILDCARE WITHOUT OPPORTUNITY FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT THAT OR NOT? I THINK YOU ARE BRINGING A REALLY GOOD POINT AND IT GOES BACK TO TALK AND TALK ABOUT KIDS AND HAVING KIDS BUT IF THEY DON'T DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN WITH A DON'T ENDORSE THEY ARE NOT IMPORTANT TO SOME OF THE PEOPLE 
          HERE. >> THANK YOU. 
          [02:35:05]
          >> OKAY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. IT TOOK LONG ENOUGH TO GET UP HERE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO INTO RAGES FOR A LONG TIME AND WE ONLY GET ONE MINUTE EACH AND IT REALLY IS INSULTING TO US WHO HAVE COME HERE AND SPEND HOURS WAITING TO GET UP HERE, I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 9:00 A.M. AND I COULD NOT GET MY ONE MINUTE AND THAT'S NOT WHAT I CAME TO SPEAK ABOUT BUT I AM FRUSTRATED. PUBLIC SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT IN NEIGHBORHOODS UNINCORPORATED AREAS ARE SAFER TO BE IN BECAUSE OF THE CONSTABLES AND SHERIFFS IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS. IT IS SAID OFFICERS HAVE TWO AND THREE JOBS IN ORDER TO MAKE MONEY. BECAUSE OF THEIR LOW PAY IN SOME CASES THE OFFICERS CAN MAKE AS MUCH OR 
          MORE EXTRA JOBS. >> GO AHEAD AND WRAP-UP. 
          >> THEY ALSO NEED TO WORK WITH FEDERAL LAWS AS WELL AND MAKE SURE ALL OF THIS IS TAKEN CARE OF IN OUR CITY. YOU TALK ABOUT RAISES IN 22 WHITE THREE YEARS TO GET AROUND BRINGING UP AGAIN REMEMBER , THERE COUNTY EMPLOYEES ALSO. THANK YOU. 
          >> SORRY YOU HAD TO WAIT SO LONG TO SPEAK. BECAUSE OF THE RAGES. 
          >> AND SHE NEEDS TO HEAR YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD IF YOU 
          DON'T MIND. >> 
          >> I AGREE THERE IS AN OFFICER AND I WISH I REMEMBERED HER NAME BUT SHE WAS WORKING AN EXTRA JOB ON THE TOLL ROAD WITH HER DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AND GOES TO THE POINT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILDCARE INTO THE EXTRA JOBS THAT'S NOT SAFE ENOUGH, SHE DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT OR THE RIGHT LIGHTS. SOMEBODY GOING AT TOP SPEED ENDED UP CAUSING THIS WOMAN'S DEATH SO I AGREE 
          WITH YOU YES GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING WHEN IT WAS RUBEN SALAZAR RESIDENT COMMUNITY ADVOCATE PRECINCT 2. LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR BRINGING FORWARD A BALANCED BUDGET PRIORITIZING THE MOST NEEDED SERVICES AND PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT RECENT SALARY INCREASES PUBLIC SAFETY AS A CORE SERVICE AND FAIR PAY CENTRAL TO KEEP NEIGHBORHOODS SAFE AND THRIVING. COMPETITIVE SALARIES HAVE OFFICERS WHO KNOW COMMUNITIES TO RETAIN TALENT IN A COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET, PUBLIC SAFETY CHALLENGES ARE VERY REAL HAVING OFFICERS INVESTED HERE STAYING IN THE COMMUNITY HELPS TO BUILD TRUST PROVE RESPONSE TIME AND STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESIDENTS. A SAFE COMMUNITY MEANS MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES BUSINESSES AND THE FUTURE SO THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BRIONES AND RAMSEY FOR GETTING 
          THIS OVER THE FINISH LINE. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND 
          FOR YOUR VOICE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR HARD WORK MY NAME IS HARRIS COUNTY I WANTED TO SIMPLY SAY, EXPRESS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATE FOR YOU GUYS PUTTING PAY RAISES OF THE AGENDA. I WILL SAY THIS AS WELL I FEEL COMPELLED TO SAY SO AS A PEACE OFFICER AS A PUBLIC SERVANT IT IS A SELFLESS SERVICE SO LOT GOES UNRECOGNIZED BUT I THINK WITH THE PAY RAISE THIS IS A TOKEN OF APPRECIATION WELL OVERDUE IN MY 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. SO I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, THANK YOU. 
          >> NAME IS MIKE DUFFY OF CORE BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES A PARTNER SINCE 2017, A BUSINESS AS A SUBSET OF FINANCIAL SERVICES INCLUDING PAYMENT PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS OVER $2.7 BILLION IN Q3 OF 22 THE COUNTY INITIATED A NEW RFP TO REFRESH ITS FINANCIAL SERVICES THE RFP IS IN PROCESS MANY FIRMS RESPONDED PROVIDING THE COUNTY A DETAILED SET OF CAPABILITIES AND PRICE DISCOVERY DESPITE THIS OPEN RFP A DECISION EMERGED IN MAY 2025 DECIDING TO SOLE-SOURCE A DIFFERENT CONTRACT INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE RFP PROCESS TO BE COMPLETED A NEW CONTRACT REPRESENTS $1 MILLION MORE IN CONSTITUENT FEES 
          [02:40:03]
COMPARED TO RFP PRICING. THE ASSESSOR DID NOT BRING CONTRACT BEFORE THE COURT BECAUSE IT USES ZERO DOLLARS FROM THE COUNTY BUDGET THE COUNTY HAS FUNDED DIRECTLY FROM CONSTITUENTS $7.5 MILLION. TOBACCO TAX ON CONSTITUENTS AND STATE STATUTE REQUIRES THE COURT APPROVE CONTRACT COLLECTING PAYMENT 
          FEES. >> WHICH ITEM ARE YOU REFERRING 
          TO? >> AGENDA ITEM 4. 
          >> NOT IN THE AGENDA? >> NOT EXPRESSLY NOT THE MOST 
          APPROPRIATE. >> IF IT IS THIS IS TRANSMITTAL 
          OF APPRAISAL RULE? >> IT IS A NON-AGENDA ITEM. 
          >> IT IS ON THE NON-AGENDA? IT IS NOT SO IT'S NOT UP FOR VOTE TODAY. WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FOLLOW UP TO SEE WHEN IT IS ON SO WE CAN DISCUSS IT AND YOU MENTIONED THE RFP PROCESS FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYBODY HERE ANYTHING THAT GOES THROUGH PROCUREMENT DOES GO THROUGH PROCUREMENT PROCESS JUST LIKE EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT PRIVATE COMPANIES SO THAT'S WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE OBJECTIONS REVIEWED BY THE INDEPENDENT FOLKS. ALL OF THE FLOOD BONDS LIKE THE MONEY PEOPLE VOTED FOR AS WELL AS THE TOLLS THAT PEOPLE PAY, THAT'S THE MONEY MY COLLEAGUES USED WITHOUT AN RFP PROCESS DOING WHAT MY STAFF WAS ACCUSED OF AND DID NOT DO IT WITH A PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DO NOT DO THAT'S THE MONEY THEY SHOULD SPEND TO GET AWAY CONTRACTS I'M NOT EXAGGERATING TO THE PEOPLE THAT TURN AROUND AND DONATE, THIS GENTLEMAN YOU WENT THROUGH THE RFP SO IT'S NOT THAT. 
          >> QUICK CLARIFICATION. WE ARE PART OF A OPEN RFP CURRENT VENDOR TO REFRESH SERVICES AND THE TAX ASSESSOR SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT SEPARATELY AND AWAY FROM THE RFP PROCESS POINTING OUT IT WILL COST MORE THAN 1 MILLION COMPARED TO THE RFP 
          PRICING. >> THE POINT IS YOU GO THROUGH PROCUREMENT THEY DON'T CALL SOMEBODY . 
          >> YES MEN WE DO. IT'S A IMPERFECT PROCESS BUT ONE WE 
          CELEBRATE AS GOVERNMENT VENDORS. >> THERE ARE OTHERS I GUESS THE MAKE A PHONE CALL TO TELL THE DIRECTOR. THERE IS NO RECORD ABOUT WHO GETS PICKED AND WE VOTED TO CHANGE THAT BUT IT HAS 
          NOT BEEN CHANGED. >> YOU SHOULD TALK TO THE 
          PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. >> ALL RIGHT. 
          >> THERE ARE PROCEDURES IN PLACE WHEN IT IS SOLE-SOURCE OR REFERENCED CONTRACT USED EVALUATING COMPETITIVENESS OF THE LANDSCAPE TO DETERMINE IF APPROPRIATE. 
          >> AS IT SHOULD BE. IT IS A HONOR TO SERVE HARRIS COUNTY. 
          THANK YOU. >> THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS, 
          JUDGE. >> THANK YOU. I GOT A NOTE FROM STAFF THAT THERE ARE SOME JUDGES THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME , SO I SUGGEST WE TAKE A LITTLE BREAK OR SHOULD WE TAKE THE LUNCH BREAK? MAYBE A LITTLE BREAK SO THEY CAN SPEAK SO HOW ABOUT WE BREAK FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL 1:10 AND WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS. 
          COLLEAGUES ALSO DELETED MY ABILITY TO HAVE MEDIA AVAILABILITY HERE DURING COURT THEY DON'T WANT ME TO SHARE MY PERSPECTIVE SO I WILL HAVE JUDGES SPEAK AT MEDIA AVAILABILITY SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEY WON'T LET ME DO IT DURING LUNCH THEY VOTED TO SILENCE ME IN THAT WAY LAST TIME. 'S THEY WILL NOT ALLOW US TO VOTE FOR THE JUDGES BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE JUDGES DO NOT LIKE THIS BUDGET IT WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT FIGURED OUT A DIFFERENT WAY BUT I WILL KEEP AND HAVE THEM SPEAK TO THE MEDIA AND MEDIA AVAILABILITY YOU WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO DO IN THE COURTROOM IN ORDER TO SILENCE ME. I AM CREATIVE LIKE THAT. IT IS 
          >>> IT IS NOW 2:27 AND WE HAVE RETURNED FROM LUNCH. ARE THERE 
          ANY MORE SPEAKERS? >> OKAY, SO THE FIRST ITEM IS 
          [Departments (Part 1 of 2)]
          >> OKAY SO THE FIRST ITEM IS ITEM NUMBER ONE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL AUTHORIZED BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND CERTAIN COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. 
          >> MAKE MOTION. >> MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-0. WE 
          [02:45:01]
HAVE DONE THE PUBLIC HEARING CORRECT? 
          >> NOT YET. OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARINGS. 
          >> PARDON ME, COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS COMING. 
          >> GO TO THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF OMB TOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF THE FY 26 ANNUAL BUDGET FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? NO SPEAKERS? WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE , I MOVED TO CLOSE THE HEARING. I MOVED TO CLOSE THE HEARING ON ITEM 2 DID WE VOTE ON THE ITEM NOW? 
          >> YES, THIS ITEM WILL REQUIRE VOTE. A SERIES OF MOTIONS ARE 
          ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. >> WALKING THROUGH COMMISSIONER 
          THE MOTIONS FOR ITEM 2. >> SO THE FIRST ONE IS MOVED TO ALLOCATE $9 MILLION FISCAL YEAR 26 MOBILITY FUNDS FROM EACH COMMISSIONER PRECINCT TO THE COUNTY ENGINEER FOR A TOTAL 
          ALLOCATION OF 36 MILLION. >> THERE IS A MOTION MADE. 
          SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ALL IN FAVOR? ALL 
          OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-0. >> FOR THE NEXT TWO THESE ARE BELT AND SUSPENDERS TO ENSURE WE COMPLY WITH STATE LAW BOTH SB 23 AND THE LAW THAT REQUIRES US TO PAY LONGEVITY PAY FOR LAW 
          ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. >> MOTION THE FISCAL YEAR 26 PROPOSED SALARY AS REFLECTED IN THE PROPOSED LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY SCALE FOR ANY CLASSIFICATION IS INCLUSIVE OF LONGEVITY PAY AUTHORIZED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 150 TO COME UP TO INCLUDING 
          25 YEARS OF SERVICE. >> SO MOVED. 
          >> SECOND. >> MOTION MADE, DISCUSSION? ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 3-0. 
          >> MOTION TO DIRECT OMB . >> I'M SORRY WHO WAS FIRST AND 
          SECOND FOR THAT ITEM? >> MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> MOTION TO DIRECT OMB AND HRT . 
          >> SORRY. SORRY THE JUDGES BACK NOW. SHE WAS HERE WHEN THE ITEM WAS READ SO SHE NEEDS TO CAST HER VOTE. YES, NO OR ABSTENTION 
          I SUPPOSE. >> SO THERE WERE SOME ROUTINE ITEMS. ONE, FOUR, FIVE AND SEVEN. DID WE ALREADY VOTE? 
          [Departments (Part 2 of 2) & Emergency/Supplemental Items]
          >> ONE WAS VOTED ON. >> TRANSFER OF FUNDS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP BUT FOR MY TRANSMITTAL BY ASSESSOR ON CERTIFIED APPRAISAL, FIVE TRANSMITTAL ON TAX YEAR 2025 AND TAX RATE SEVEN PURCHASING APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL RENEWAL OPTION WITH HARRIS CENTER AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ARE THERE ANY OF THESE ITEMS COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS OR CAN WE VOTE ON THOSE? IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS FOUR, FIVE AND SEVEN 
          [Public Hearings]
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY RAMSEY ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. SIX IS EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE THAT ITEMS TWO AND THREE UNDER PUBLIC HEARINGS. 
          WHICH ITEM WHERE WE ON WHEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I WALKED 
          OUT OR HAD NOT ARRIVED? >> GOING TO MOTIONS FOR ITEM 2. 
          >> OKAY TO REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? SO WE SAID AT THIS TIME PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC TWO PAGE 2 AND THEN DID WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. JUST FOR THE RECORD ELLIS AND I WERE NOT HERE THERE WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT HAPPENED SO MINE HAD TO START LATE AND WE COULD'VE STARTED WITH SOMETHING ELSE, BUT THIS STARTED WITH OUR PRESENCE. SO NOW THERE IS DISCUSSION, HAS THERE BEEN MOTION FOR DISCUSSION ONE, TWO AND THREE OR WHICH HAVE BEEN MOTIONED? THE FIRST ONE IS A MOTION TO NOT AUTHORIZE? I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE MOTIONS. 
          HAS A MOTION BEEN MADE? >> MOTION ONE AND THREE HAVE BEEN VOTED ON. MOTION TWO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION, WE WILL COME BACK IN THE OCTOBER COURT WITH A MORE FLESHED OUT PROPOSAL AND MOTION FOUR WAS ABOUT TO BE 
          READ. >> OKAY, SO, OKAY, SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SOME MOTIONS. CAN I MAKE SOME MOTIONS? 
          >> SURE JUDGE. >> I SENT THIS AROUND EARLIER. I AM REQUESTING INDEPENDENT AUDIT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2018 FLOOD BOND PROGRAM DUE TO THE $410 MILLION FLOOD BOND 
          [02:50:05]
DEFICIT AND SO HERE ARE MY MOTIONS. MOTION TO WAIT TO AUTHORIZE $100 MILLION FOR NEW RAISES UNTIL DETERMINED WITH CERTAINTY WITH EXTERNAL FINANCIAL ADVISOR THAT THE FUNDS CAN BE USED AS SOLUTION TO SERVE THE FLOOD BOND DEFICIT AND DELIVER SOME OF THE PROMISED FLOOD BOND PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN STOPPED AND I WANT TO NOTE IT IS ABOUT 240 NOT 100 MILLION COMMITTED OVER FIVE YEARS. SECOND MOTION WOULD BE TO DIRECT THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CONDUCT INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT USE OF FLOOD BOND FUND INCLUDING WHETHER FUNDS ARE USED OUTSIDE AUTHORIZED BOND PURPOSES IN THE PROCESS BY WHICH AWARDED TIMELINE FOR THE ORDER OF CONTRACT AWARDS AND EXPLANATION OF HOW THE $410 MILLION DEFICIT DEVELOPED WHEN IT WAS IDENTIFIED WHETHER IT COULD'VE BEEN REDUCED AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH FACTORS INFLATION VERSUS MISMANAGEMENT CONTRIBUTED WHERE INFLATION IS CITED THE AUDITOR SHOULD EXPAND LIKE DEFICITS OF THIS SCALE ARE NOT SEEN ACROSS OTHER COUNTY AND RESEARCHER PROJECTS, FINALLY MOTION TO DIRECT OMB OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO DEVELOP A DETAILED PROPOSAL FINANCING SOLUTIONS TO CLOSE THE FOR $10 MILLION BOND DEFICIT DEVELOPED WITH EXISTING AND NEW OUTSIDE FINANCIAL ADVISORS AND ALL OF THIS NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 13, 2025 AND I WANT TO OFFER, FOR THE RECORD, THE MAP OF THE 27 FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY NOT TAKING PLACE. I BELIEVE THAT BEFORE WE CREATE A NEW DEFICIT AND CUT JUDGES AND SCHOOL SAFETY INSPECTIONS , AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES OF PUBLIC SAFETY, OFFICES, WE SHOULD , WE SHOULD BE RESPONSIVE TO SOMETHING THAT THE VOTERS DID VOTE ON. THE $240 MILLION SPENT OVER FIVE YEARS WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL IS ABOUT 3/4 OF WHAT TO GET PROGRAMS RESTARTED. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF HURRICANE SEASON AND I URGE THOSE WHO LIVE IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TO PLEASE FOLLOW ALONG I DO NOT THINK IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A $410 MILLION DEFICIT. SO THOSE ARE MY MOTIONS. DO I HAVE A SECOND? OKAY I DON'T HAVE A SECOND, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HEARD ABOUT IT SO WHEN THE PROJECTS DON'T GET DONE, THEY KNOW I DID TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHY AND JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE RAISES AND THESE PROJECTS. OF COURSE COLLEAGUES DECIDED NOT TO ENGAGE IN ANY KIND OF NEGOTIATION LEADING TO CUTS TO VITAL SERVICES. 
          >> JUDGE I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON FLOOD CONTROL. YOU BROUGHT THAT UP TWO OR THREE TIMES TODAY. LET ME PUT IT INTO CONTEXT. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS GOING THROUGH AND SORTING THROUGH, BEING SURE WE HAVE A PLAN GOING FORWARD ON FLOOD CONTROL AND HERE IS THE REST OF THE STORY. 
          IN 2018 WE VOTED FOR A BOND , $2.5 BILLION BOND. AND GOT TO WORK AND WENT OUT AND FOUND ANOTHER $2.7 BILLION IN FUNDS , TO GO WITH THE 2.5. SO THAT IS $5.2 BILLION IN PROJECTS THAT WE WILL BE DOING , ALL BECAUSE THE VOTERS VOTED ON A BOND IN 2018. 
          THERE HAS BEEN $1.5 BILLION THUS FAR INVESTED IN FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT IS DIRECTLY FUNDED COMING OUT OF THE BOND. WHICH IS GOOD NEWS, WE SAW THAT IN MERRILL , HOMES WERE NOT FLOODED BECAUSE OF THAT ORIGINAL, THOSE PROJECTS THAT WERE BUILT, AT OUR LAST MEETING WE HAD A PLAN DEFINED CLEARLY TO DO ANOTHER $3.5 BILLION IN FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AND THAT IS ON THE TABLE. THAT'S GOING TO BE DONE. SO IT IS HISTORIC. THE VOTERS VOTED ON 2.5 BILLION IN PROJECTS, WE WILL END UP DOING OVER 5 BILLION THAT IS ASSURED. THAT IS FUNDED THOSE PROJECTS ARE DEFINED AND WE WILL BID. AND I CAN TELL YOU HAVING DONE A FEW OF THESE IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE THREE PLUS YEARS, 3 TO 5 YEARS TO GET THOSE PROJECTS BID AND IF YOU UNDERSTAND CONSTRUCTION AND YOU UNDERSTAND HOW THAT HAPPENS THEN YOU REALLY 
          [02:55:03]
NEED TO SPREAD IT OUT SO YOU CAN GET GOOD BIDS AND PEOPLE TO COMPETE WITH THEM. I BELIEVE THAT BY THE END OF THE PROCESS OF THOSE 3.5 BILLION WE ARE GOING TO BE BIDDING STARTING SOON, WHEN WE GET THOSE DOWNS WE ARE GOING TO FIGURE OUT THE 400 MILLION THAT IS HERE, THE TERM WAS USED EARLIER TODAY THAT 26 PROJECTS HAD BEEN KILLED, THAT WASN'T WHAT HAPPENED, THEY PAUSED AND THEY WERE PAUSED FOR ENGINEERING REASONS. THERE ARE BUDGET REASONS, WE WILL FIND THOSE DOLLARS, BUT THERE WILL BE A PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT WHICH MEANS 30% DESIGN ON EVERY ONE OF THE PROJECTS AND THEY WILL BE FUNDING PURSUED. SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO WORK OUT IN A GREAT WAY , IN THE COMING MONTHS, IN TERMS OF FUNDING. THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS $15 BILLION SET ASIDE FOR WATER PROJECTS WHICH INCLUDE FLOODING AND OTHERS, THE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT WILL BE OUT THERE IN A SIMILAR FASHION SO I AM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THOSE. SO THIS IS GOOD NEWS, $3.5 BILLION IN FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS ARE ABOUT TO BE BID , I RECOGNIZE FLOOD CONTROL AND DR. PETERSON WHAT SHE HAS DONE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THOSE PROJECTS BECOME REALITY. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 
          >> THANK YOU, TOM FOR SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT. COUPLED ON THE FACT THAT THE MAJOR REASON FOR THE DEFICIT IS BECAUSE THE GL O UNDER COMMISSIONER BUSCH SHORTCHANGED HARRIS COUNTY SO THE FACT THAT WE ARE NOT IN THE HOLE 500 MILLION, BUT 400 AND CHANGE INDICATES THAT WHERE POSSIBLE DR. PETERSON AND HER TEAM WAS ABLE TO STRETCH THE DOLLARS AND GET SOME ADDITIONAL PROJECTS DONE. WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ADDED MORE CONTEXT TO 
          THAT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER 
          ELLIS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AS PLEASED IS WHERE WE ARE WITH WHERE WE ARE WE SHOULD NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT WE DO NOT FOLLOW PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT TO GET US TO BACK UP, I THOUGHT INSTRUCTIONS WERE CLEAR TO BEGIN WITH, BUT AT SOME POINT WE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE VOTERS AND I HOPE ALL THE PROJECTS ARE FUNDED AND I HOPE THE STATE STEPS IN BUT IF WE HAVE TO GO BACK I THINK THE PRECEDENT WAS SET FOR HAVING PRIORITIZATION. 
          WHETHER ANY OF US ARE HERE OR NOT I AM PRETTY SURE THAT WILL BE THE STANDARD THAT THE VOTERS EXPECT AND WHEN WE DO IT AGAIN AND WE PUT PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK IN PLACE , WE DO HAVE TO FOLLOW IT YOU WILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING SUPPORT FROM LOCAL PEOPLE TO PASS IT AGAIN. TOM I DON'T KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT CONSTRUCTION AS YOU DO THAT I KNOW ABOUT FINANCE AND QUITE A BIT ABOUT THOSE VOTERS. I HAD TO DO IT FOR 42 YEARS PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO BOND ISSUES. I WANT TO STRESS THAT I'M GLAD WE BACKED UP TOOK A DEEP BREATH, THE COURT FELT THE COST-BENEFIT RATIO WAS A PROBLEM, THEN THE COURT DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON IT SO I WANT TO STRESS THE GL O WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN WE REALIZED THE GL O MONEY WAS NOT COMING AND WE STILL CAME BACK AND REFUSED TO FOLLOW PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK SO I WANT TO STRESS THAT BECAUSE WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO BACK TO THE VOTERS SOME OF US WILL BE HERE BUT IF NOT ADVOCATES WHO PUT US BACK ON TRACK HOPE THEY REMEMBER 
          WITH THAT SAID. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          >> THANK YOU DR. PETERSON AND TEAM LAST COURT UNANIMOUSLY 5-0 WE VOTED ON MOVING FORWARD QUARTILE ONE PROJECTS FOLLOWING PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK CREATING CONTINGENCY FUND AND MOVING FORWARD ALL PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS AND ONE THINK IT'S AMAZING WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SECURE THE 2.72 BILLION IN PARTNERSHIP FUNDS AND LAST WEEK WE LAST $3.5 BILLION OF PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD AND ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE CHALLENGES WE HAD IN THE PAST I AM THANKFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GL O COMMISSIONER DAWN BUCKINGHAM WHO HAS BEEN COLLABORATIVE AND UNFAIR AND HAS BEEN DRIVING PROGRESS AND I APPRECIATE FIVE OFFICES WORKING TOGETHER IN THE BOND WORKING GROUP WITH DR. 
          PETERSON SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE LOOK FORWARD ON DELIVERING FOR THESE NEXT 3.5 BILLION IN PROJECTS. 
          [03:00:03]
          >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD I APPRECIATE ALL OFFICES WORKING TOGETHER IN MOVING FORWARD PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT YOU CAN TALK , YOU CAN SAY WHICHEVER NUMBERS YOU WANT, BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FINISH BUILDING THESE PROJECTS AND IF THE IDEA OF LET'S HOPE WE GET THE MONEY IS ENOUGH TO FUND SOMETHING THEN LET'S HOPE WE GET THE 100 MILLION, COLLEAGUES AND CALL THAT A DAY. I WONDER IF MY COLLEAGUES MIGHT ANSWER IF THEY ARE SO CONFIDENT ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WHY NOT AGREE TO AN EXTERNAL AUDIT OF THIS? I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE TAXPAYERS, THEY VOTED FOR THIS BOND $410 MILLION IS NOT CHUMP CHANGE THIS IS A LITTLE MORE THAN ALL THOSE RACES OVER FIVE YEARS. WE COULD DOUBLE THE RAISES. IT'S A BIG DEAL, 27 PROJECTS IS A LOT OF PROJECTS SO, COLLEAGUES, WHY NOT DO AN AUDIT TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS HAPPENED? THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING. 
          >> ARE WE TO VOTE ON THE ITEM NOW? 
          >> IT WAS NO SECOND. >> A COUPLE ITEMS WE VOTED ON EARLIER. I WANT TO BE SHOWN VOTING YES ON ITEM 1 AND ITEM 2 VOTING ON ITEM 2 WILL NOT CHANGE THE VOTE SO I ASK UNANIMOUS 
          CONSENT. >> WE PULLED ITEM 2 AND WE WILL COME BACK IN OCTOBER. MOTION NUMBER TWO ON THE LIST. AND 
          NUMBER THREE. >> YOU VOTED ON NUMBER THREE AS WELL? OKAY. AN EXAMPLE OF HOW CERTAIN FOLKS ARE SILENCING THOSE WHO DISAGREE ON THE COURT. 
          >> I WOULD SHOW YES ON ITEM 1 RELUCTANTLY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT GETS US AROUND THE ISSUE WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND 
          I'M VOTING YES ON ITEM 3. >> I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN ABSTAINING ITEM 1, AND THESE ARE FUNDS THAT ARE NOT ADEQUATE IN TERMS OF CONTRACT AND THEN ITEM 3 I WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWN OPPOSING . I THINK WE CAN DO BOTH THINGS WITHOUT PITTING THE 
          COMMUNITY AGAINST EACH OTHER. >> WHAT IS ITEM 3 SO I CAN KNOW? 
          >> ITEM 3. >> I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST IF MR. RAMOS WANTS TO READ THE TWO SO IT'S CLARITY FOR BOTH COMMISSIONER AND THE JUDGE. ONE AND THEN THREE. 
          >> THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FIRST ITEM NUMBER ONE? 
          >> I APOLOGIZE FOR THE RECORD THESE ARE THE MOTIONS RELATED TO 
          ITEM 2. >> NUMBER ONE WAS MOVED TO LOOK AT 9 MILLION FISCAL YEAR 26 MOBILITY FUNDS FROM EACH COMMISSIONER PRECINCT TO THE COUNTY ENGINEER TOTAL ALLOCATION 
          36 MILLION. >> OKAY I WILL VOTE FOR THAT. 
          ANY OBJECTIONS? >> ON ITEM 2? 
          >> ITEM 1. >> THAT ONE I AM ABSTAINING. 
          >> THEN IT WILL BE 4-1? ABSTENTION. 
          >> ITEM 3 MOTION FISCAL YEAR PROPOSED SALARY AS REFLECTED FISCAL YEAR 26 PROPOSAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY SCALE FOR CLASSIFICATION INCLUSIVE OF LONGEVITY PAY AUTHORIZED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 152 UP TO AND INCLUDING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, THIS IS A SPENDER ITEM WHERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PAY LONGEVITY PAY WHEN WE CAME TOGETHER WE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO SUPPLY PAY SCALE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE RECRUITS, FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES, HRT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT TO HAVE ONE CONSOLIDATED PAY SCALE AS OPPOSED TO A BASE SALARY PLUS INCENTIVES BUT WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO INCLUDE LONGEVITY SO 
          THAT LONGEVITY PAY IS INCLUDED. >> WE HAVE NO CHOICE TO VOTE. 
          I'M FINE I WILL VOTE FOR THAT. >> OKAY THAT'S THE ONE I AM FOR IN THE CONTEXT OF A PROPER BUDGET SO I HAVE TO OPPOSE IN 
          THIS CONTEXT. >> THAT WOULD BE 4-1. 
          >> 4-4 ABSTENTION. >> SHE IS VOTING AGAINST. 
          >> NO OR ABSTENTION ON NUMBER THREE? 
          >> I AM NO AND I'M HAPPY. >> THERE WERE JUST CONFUSED. 
          >> IF I COULD RUN THE COURT I WOULD TELL YOU SUMMARY OF THE VOTE BUT I'M HAPPY TO LET MY COLLEAGUES RUN THE COURT. AND THE BUDGET DIRECTOR. ITEM 3 MOTION TO DIRECT OMB AND HRT TO 
          [03:05:08]
WORK WITH ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO REVIEW AND ENSURE ADHERENCE WITH COUNTY PROCESSES FOR POSITION-BASED BUDGETING AND AFFIRM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY UNDERSTANDS THE EFFECTS OF RECLASSIFICATION AND SALARY ADJUSTMENT ON OVERALL AVAILABILITY OF POSITIONS BASED ON PROJECTED BUDGET USE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM OPPOSING IN THE CONTEXT OF A POORLY DRAFTED BUDGET, MOTION FOR HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND. 
          MOVED TO APPROVE FISCAL YEAR 2026 ANNUAL BUDGETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AND ALL OTHER GRANT SPECIAL FUNDS. WHICH INCLUDES A TOTAL PROVISION BUDGET OF $2.769 BILLION FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND AS PRESENTED. 
          MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES WILL NOT DISCUSS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER 
          RAMSEY. >> I THINK I MADE MY POSITION 
          PRETTY CLEAR VOTING NO. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT SAID PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND AND I WANT TO BE SURE WE ARE CLEAR. THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST TRANSPARENT BUDGET PROCESSES HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE TO BE PART OF, I WORKED FOR 50 CITIES IN 20 COUNTIES IN TEXAS AND MR. RAMOS YOU HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB PULLING THIS TOGETHER. A DIFFICULT JOB WITH COMPETING INTERESTS. A LOT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS AND A LOT OF MEETINGS BETWEEN THE COURT OFFICES. SO TO JUST START WITH, VERY VERY GOOD, VERY GOOD JOB. 
          IN TERMS OF THE DOLLARS ON THESE TAX RATES THAT WILL BE GENERATED. A LOT OF CONVERSATION ON TAX REVENUE WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT ISN'T. THE 2026 PROPOSED TAX RATE WOULD GENERATE $4.1 BILLION IN REVENUE. $2.5 BILLION OF THAT WILL GO TO THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND, 330 MILLION OF THAT GOES TO FLOOD CONTROL. $1.2 BILLION IS GOING TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND 38 MILLION IS GOING TO GO TO THE PORT. I SUPPORTED FLOOD CONTROL. WE REALLY DEFAULTED TO THE NO NEW REVENUE UNDER THE GENERAL FUND AS I UNDERSTAND THAT'S PART OF THE TRANSMITTAL. 
          SO THAT NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD, THAT WAS DEFAULT. EVEN WHEN WE DEFAULT TO THE INTERESTING TERM THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS COME UP WITH, NO NEW REVENUE WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO GENERATE $90 MILLION OF TAX REVENUE INCREASE IN THE GENERAL , UNDER THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX PLAN. SO I THINK THAT IS KIND OF A INTERESTING NUANCE, BUT THOSE ARE THE FACTS SO WE WILL HAVE $11 MILLION INCREASE IN FLOOD CONTROL AND THE ONE I VOTED AGAINST, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WE WILL GENERATE ANOTHER $140 MILLION IN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT THIS YEAR, THAT TAX RATE, THAT PARTICULAR ENTITY HAD 100 TAX RATE, THAT PARTICULAR ENTITY HAD $120 MILLION SURPLUS AFTER IT GOT THROUGH WITH LAST YEAR. SO THAT IS KIND OF A OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND OF COURSE THERE'S THE PAY RAISES, LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY RAISES. AGAIN WE DID PRIORITIZE THAT THIS YEAR AND THAT IS A GOOD THING, BUT SOMETIMES WE FORGET TO TALK ABOUT JUST ONE MINUTE OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY DOES, THAT'S WHERE THE SHERIFF'S AND CONSTABLES HAVE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY, UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY AND I APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO EVERY DAY OUT THERE , BUT HERE'S THE RESULTS. THE CRIME RATE IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY IS FOUR TIMES LESS THAN WHAT IT IS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. JOB WELL DONE. SO, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE INCREASES IN JUSTIFICATION AND WHY , THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF WHY. NOW JUST TO BE CLEAR ON SOME THINGS, THE PICK FUND ONCE IT GETS THE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FEDS WHICH WILL BE 350 MILLION, NOW IN 2019 IT WAS 325 MILLION. AND 
          [03:10:04]
IT WAS SPENT WAY DOWN SINCE 2019. A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENED BUT IT GOT DANGEROUSLY LOW SO THE FACT THERE IS NOT A CONTRIBUTION THIS YEAR IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET, NECESSARILY, IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE ACHIEVED A CERTAIN LEVEL IN THERE. THE CUTS THAT WERE REFERENCED, THE FIRE MARSHAL IS NOT BEING CUT BECAUSE IN EAST TEXAS, IF YOU HAVE MORE MONEY THIS YEAR THAN YOU HAD LAST YEAR THAT AIN'T A CUT. SO THE FIRE MARSHAL IS NOT CUT. THE DOWNTOWN BUILDING SECURITY IS NOT CUT. 
          JUVENILE PROBATION NOT CUT, THE DA ISN'T CUT IN FACT THE DA HAS $25 MILLION MORE IN THAT BUDGET. ELECTIONS, NOT CUT. J WEBB WAS OVERFUNDED LAST YEAR SO THERE'S DOLLARS TO DEAL WITH THAT. SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE DETAILS OF IT AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU GET THE FACTS ON THE TABLE IN TERMS OF WHAT IS BEING DONE. AND I WILL TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN REFERENCED MANY TIMES HOW ENGINEERS ARE SELECTED IN THIS COUNTY. WE FOLLOWED , WE FOLLOW THE ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT IN SELECTING OF VENDORS AND OTHER PEOPLE DOING WORK IN THE COUNTY. THIS ELECTION IS QUALIFICATIONS BASED SELECTIONS, IF YOU'RE A ENGINEER WORKING IN THIS COUNTY, IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN ANYTHING THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY AND CLEARLY ETHICAL , YOU CAN GET IN TROUBLE WITH THE STATE BOARD OF REGISTRATION AND I PROMISE YOU THE 1000 ENGINEERS THAT WORK AND LIVE IN THIS COUNTY, THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RISK THEIR LICENSE TO DO ANYTHING. SO THE SMEARING OF YOUR COLLEAGUES JUDGE , YOU NEED TO STOP IT. IT IS NOT TRUE IT IS NOT ACCURATE. 
          I GOT THE SAME EMAIL FROM THE CHRONICLE THAT YOU ARE WORKING WITH ON A STORY. I HAVE ANSWERED EVERY ONE OF THE QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE PROCESS, THE DETAILS RELATED TO HOW SELECTIONS ARE MADE IN THIS COUNTY. AND IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW MORE, ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM CAN GO ON MY WEBSITE AND YOU CAN LEARN A LOT MORE. I ANSWERED EVERY QUESTION THE CHRONICLE PUT ON THE TABLE AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL REFERENCE THAT WHEN THEY WRITE THE ARTICLE. I GUESS THAT'S ALL 
          I'VE GOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT. >> GOING TO JUMP IN HERE, I THINK WE HAVE GONE AROUND ONE'S. TO RESPOND THERE WAS SOMETHING REFERENCED IN TERMS OF WE HAVE $325 MILLION IN THE RAINY DAY FUND IF WE COUNT FEDERAL FUNDING THAT'S GOING TO ARRIVE. IF THAT'S THE WAY WE BUDGET, THAT'S GREAT AND LET'S COUNT THE MONEY THAT'S NOT HERE YET AND MAKE IT PART OF THE BUDGET WE COULD THEN SAVE A LOT OF PROGRAMS. OBVIOUSLY AS FOLKS KNOW, THERE ARE MANY FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENTS WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED AND ESPECIALLY FUNDS FROM FEMA SO THAT'S NOT QUITE THE ACCURATE NUMBER, THE NUMBER $70 MILLION LESS THAN REFERENCED. AS FAR AS THE NOT CUT WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO THE PRESS AND PUBLIC IS TO LOOK WHETHER PROGRAMS ARE BEING CUT . 
          BECAUSE OF INFLATION, KEEPING THE SAME PROGRAMS COST MORE EACH YEAR SO WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS SURE, THEY MIGHT SAY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IS THE SAME, BUT THE PROGRAMS ARE BEING CUT AND IF WE FEEL SO GOOD HAVING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY DOES NOT CUT PROGRAMS THEN HOW ABOUT WE GO TO EVERY DEPARTMENT UP AND DOWN THE COUNTY AND DO THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY AND WE DO NOT INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR ANY DEPARTMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO MOTION THAT AND SEE IF THAT LEADS ALL PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO BE THE SAME, I'M NOT HEARING A SECOND JUST LIKE I DIDN'T FOR THE AUDIT. THE LAST BID I WILL SAY IS ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES VOTED LAST YEAR AROUND APRIL TO CHANGE THE WAY PROCUREMENT IS DONE BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR 50 YEARS SO OF THE PROGRAM AND PROCUREMENT WAS GOOD, WHY COLLEAGUES, DID YOU ALL VOTE FOR THAT? THE PROJECT BIDDING IS PROBLEMATIC AND WE WILL FIND OUT, ONCE THIS BECOMES PUBLIC, BUT IT IS NOT NEW. THE AUDITOR DID NOT AUDIT WHAT FOLKS REFUSE TO DO FOR THE FLOOD PROJECTS, THE AUDITOR DID NOT AUDIT LAST YEAR WHICH FOUND MAJOR MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE WAY THAT CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED IN HARRIS COUNTY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          [03:15:03]
          >> JUDGE I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO FOR TAT OVER THESE ISSUES TODAY. OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR IS HERE? 
          >> I'M NOT SURE. TALKING ABOUT MASTERSON? I'M NOT SURE. 
          >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AT THE NEXT COURT IT WILL BE GOOD FOR ALL OF US TO HEAR DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FACTORS THAT LEAD TO DOWNGRADE IN OUR RATING. I DO KNOW LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT BUSINESS BECAUSE IT'S HOW I MADE MY LIVING. I DO KNOW PUBLIC SPATS GET MOST ISSUES WE TALK ABOUT. ISSUES LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL THE FLOOD BOND PACKAGES. THAT WILL BE THE ISSUE THEY LOOK AT, DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES, SOME THINGS BEYOND CONTROL. SOME FACTORS INVOLVING HARRIS HEALTH FOR EXAMPLE IN THAT PACKAGE. THEY LOOK AT ALL OF US IN THE REGION AND HARRIS COUNTY WILL GET THE BRUNT OF IT. I KNOW DANIEL YOU AND I HAVE A SLIGHT DISAGREEMENT ABOUT IMPORTANT BOND RATINGS ARE. BUT AS A POLITICIAN MOST PLACES WHERE I SERVED AS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR, IT MATTERS AND IT DOES IMPACT NO MATTER HOW SLIGHT THE COST OF BORROWING MONEY MAY BE, RELIANCE ON ONE-TIME SOLICITING OF REVENUE IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM. 
          QUICK CHANGES LIKE UNEXPECTED THINGS THAT COME UP WHEN THE CITY MADE A DECISION AND WE FOLLOWED SUIT, THOSE FACTORS LEAD TO DOWNGRADE BUT I THINK FOR ALL OF US IT WILL BE GOOD IN THE NEXT COURT IN ADDITION TO YOUR MR. RAMOS TO HAVE THE FINANCIAL ADVISORS HERE SO AT LEAST WE KNOW IN THIS DAY AND AGE YOU CAN FIND IT ANYWAY EVEN IF DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT PUBLIC YOU CAN FIND IT WHEN THEY ARE PUBLIC AND ENTITIES THAT ASK THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR IT WILL PULL IT TO YOU QUICKER. I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD. ONCE IT IS BEHIND US WE HAVE TO DO A BUDGET EVERY YEAR. I PLAYED A ROLE I VOTED FOR THIS WILL BE THE THIRD I VOTED AGAINST AND HAVE NOT VOTED ON 25 BUDGETS AND HAVE NOT PASSED ONE MUCH BIGGER THAN THIS ONE. UNANIMOUSLY AND IT DID NOT HAVE EVERYTHING I WANTED IN IT IN A MUCH MORE CONSERVATIVE TEXAS LEGISLATURE. THEN I HAPPENED TO BE AT THE TIME. 
          >> 
          >> MAYBE WE GOT TO ONE ON ONE GO THROUGH EACH ONE AT A TIME. YOU HAVE PROBLEMS AROUND HERE BUT WE HAVE TO BE ADVISED ON THE IMPACT OF THAT, DON'T TAKE IT FROM ME, TAKE ADVICE FROM THE PEOPLE WE 
          PAY TO GIVE US ADVICE. >> WE WILL WORK WITH YOUR 
          STAFFING. >> I HAVE A NOTE THEY ARE AVAILABLE AT 3:00, FOR WHATEVER IT IS WORTH. COMMISSIONER BRIONES -- WE WILL DO IT NEXT TIME, THEN. COMMISSIONER BRIONES? 
          >> I AM PROUDLY VOTING IN FAVOR OF THIS BUDGET, THANK YOU FOR THE COUNTLESS HOURS YOU AND THE OVER 70 DEPARTMENTS HAVE PUT INTO THIS, I THANK THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO CAME TO THE BUDGET TOWN HALLS AND DID THE SURVEYS, WHO HAVE SHOWED UP AT COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND SHOWED UP AT COURT AND CALLED OUR OFFICES AND EMAILED AND THIS BUDGET REFLECTS THE CORE PRIORITIES, WHICH IS PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND DISASTER READINESS. I AM VERY PROUD OF THIS HISTORIC INVESTMENT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING AND WE KNOW THAT WE WERE BEHIND FOR MANY YEARS AND IF IT MATTERS SO MUCH, ACTION WOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN BUT WE ARE TAKING DECISIVE ACTION TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MATCHING HBD IS DOING NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE VALUE AND RESPECT YOUR SERVICE BUT BECAUSE IT IS SMART, STRATEGIC AND RESPONSIBLE. WE HAD HUNDREDS OF VACANCIES, THIS SPRING HBD HAD OVER 1000, WE DO NOT WANT TO MAKE RESPONSE AREAS GO UP, I'M PROUD OF THE INVESTMENT, I AM PROUD UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DIRECTOR BARTON, WE ARE EXPANDING COUNTYWIDE AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT HELPS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVICES AND IT HELPS LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPOND TO VIOLENT CRIME. IT IS SMART BUDGETING, WERE ABLE TO DO THE SAME AMOUNT AND BY DOING THAT HARD WORK, WE ARE SAFER, WE WILL BE HEALTHIER, I WAS SO PROUD TO SUPPORT THE VAR FOR HARRIS HEALTH. THIS IS 
          [03:20:01]
THE BUDGET OF $2.9 MILLION. YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BUDGET THAT PROVIDES A COMMITMENT OF HEALTHCARE TO THE MOST VULNERABLE, HARRIS HEALTH IS IT. I'M HAPPY WERE FUNDING THE ONLY ALL THE WORK THEY ARE DOING BUT ALSO THEIR STRATEGIC GROWTH PRIORITIES THAT THE DR. AND HIS TEAM DISCUSSED, MAKING HARRIS COUNTY HEALTHIER. WE CAN GO ON AND ON TO THE POINT ABOUT DISASTERS, I'M SO HAPPY WERE ABLE TO PRESERVE THE RESOURCES THAT WE CAN BE THE FIRST RESPONDERS TO PICK UP DEBRIS, CLEAR ROADS, MAKE IT SAFER. EVEN IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DID NOT GIVE US REIMBURSEMENTS, AFTER TODAY, WE HAVE $197 MILLION IN THE RAINY DAY FUND. $197 MILLION. FOR CONTEXT, $70 MILLION. WE HAVE $197 MILLION. WE ARE MORE THAN PREPARED AND READY TO RESPOND TO DISASTERS AND FOR FURTHER CONTEXT, HARVEY WAS $66.3 MILLION OUT OF THE PICK IN 157 TOTAL. WE HAVE 197 EVEN IF WE DO NOT RECEIVE THE ADDITIONAL $168 MILLION, WHICH WE ARE WAITING FOR. WE ARE IN A STRONG POSITION FROM A RESILIENCY RESPONSE, WE HAVE INVESTED IN HEALTHCARE, INVESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURE, PARKS, ROADS, DITCH MAINTENANCE, ALL THE THINGS THAT KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER AND HELP US GET HOME TO OUR FAMILIES, ALL THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WE HAVE FOR CHILDREN AND SENIORS, THAT IS REFLECTED AS WELL IS OUR COMMITMENT TO HELPING WORKING FAMILIES. THIS BUDGET REFLECTS THE $20 MINIMUM WAGE THAT HARRIS COUNTY GAVE TO ITS WORKERS AND THE $21.65 TO OUR CONTRACTORS, HELPING WORKING PEOPLE SO ONE JOB IS ENOUGH. THIS BUDGET HELPS SET ASIDE AN ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION FOR PAY EQUITY FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES. WE ARE PREPARED TO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE HELPING WORKING FAMILIES WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS AND ACROSS THE COUNTY AND MAKING SURE WE ARE SAFER, HEALTHIER, AND HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE NEED AND ARE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT STORM. I AM THANKFUL TO THE TEAM BECAUSE THIS WAS COUNTLESS HOURS DIGGING INTO BUDGETS, STREAMLINING, RIGHTSIZING BUDGETS, SOME HAD YEAR OVER YEAR SURPLUSES. MATCHING EXPENSES TO THE RIGHT REVENUE SOURCE WHETHER IT IS FOOD PERMIT FEES, FIRE CODE FEES, THERE WAS SO MUCH WORK THAT WENT INTO THIS. I HOPE THE COMMUNITY WILL KEEP BASING THEIR REACTION ON ACTUAL FACTS AND WILL SEPARATE GRANT PROGRAMS, THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION OUT THERE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU SPOKE TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND THIS BUDGET REFLECTS THOSE PRIORITIES AND I APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BECAUSE ALL FIVE OF US, OUR TEAMS WERE INVOLVED FOR MONTHS. 70 PLUS DEPARTMENTS WERE INVOLVED FOR MONTHS AND DIRECTOR RAMOS, THIS WAS A HERCULEAN EFFORT, WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE HISTORIC MUST NEEDED INVESTMENTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND THIS WAS ALL OF THE ABOVE. WE WERE ABLE TO RIGHT SIZE AND GET IT DONE AND DID NOT HAVE TO GO TO VOTERS TO ASK THEM TO RAISE THEIR TAXES EVEN MORE. WE WILL SOLVE IT, LEADERS SHOW UP, LEADERS DO THE WORK AND WE GOT IT DONE TOGETHER. THANK YOU DIRECTOR RAMOS AND TO ALL OF THE HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS AND MY COLLEAGUES WHO DID LEAN IN AND DO THE HARD WORK. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, DO YOU SUPPORT FIRING THE SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES ABLE TO DO HEARINGS AND ADDRESS BUREAUCRATIC ISSUES WHILE THE FELONY JUDGES TAKE ON THE HARSHEST CASES, FOR EXAMPLE, 
          MURDERERS -- >> I'M VERSED ON THE COURT SYSTEM, WE INVESTED $2.6 MILLION IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKETS AND THAT WAS RECOMMENDED AS A HIGHER AND BETTER USE OF THE FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE CASES WE NEED TO MOVE THAT WOULD BEST IMPACT JUSTICE AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGES AT OUR JAIL. I AM VERY WELL VERSED, I ASK EVERYONE TO FOCUS ON THE ACTUAL FACTS, DO 
          THE HOMEWORK AND HARD WORK. >> YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF FIRING 
          THE SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES? >> IT IS OUR PATH FUNDED. 
          >> THEY ARE GOING TO BE FIRED ON FRIDAY. 
          >> WE WERE VERY CLEAR. >> ARE THERE ANY ARPA PROJECTS 
          IN YOUR BUDGET? >> I'M SAYING SOMETHING 
          IMPORTANT. >> SORRY TO INTERRUPT -- 
          >> I THANK THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION FOR THEIR 
          [03:25:10]
ONE-TIME INVESTMENT. WE WERE EYES WIDE OPEN THAT ARPA WAS A ONE-TIME INVESTMENT. WE WILL HAVE TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO BRIDGE BUT GRANTS, IT'S A ONE-TIME INVESTMENT. WITH THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE BUDGET AND AM READY TO 
          MAKE THE MOTION. >> IF ARPA IS A ONE-TIME INVESTMENT, HOW COME YOUR BUDGET SUPPORTS -- I THOUGHT YOU SAID THAT ARPA SHOULD NOT BE SUPPORTED. THAT IS A REASON FOR FIRING THE SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 
          >> THE HIGHEST INVESTMENT WAS THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKETS, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH DIRECTOR MILLS AND THE JUDICIARY, EVERYTHING IS THE HIGHEST INVESTMENT FOR THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND I RESPECT THAT MOST ARPA PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 2026. THERE IS A NUANCE BECAUSE THIS WAS A BILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT AND I HOPE THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PARTNER AND BE A WAY TO SOLVE PROGRAMS AND SET UP SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WERE CONTINUING TO BE 
          THROWN. >> IF THE JUDICIARY IS FOR FIRING THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES, WHY DID THE JUDICIARY VOTE MAJORITY WITH OVER 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE , PARDON ME HERE BUT THE JOB I POINTED YOU TO IS CIVIL LITIGATION, I MIGHT NOT HAVE FINISHED LAW SCHOOL BUT THIS IS CRIMINAL. VERY DIFFERENT, I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU HAVE CRIMINAL EXPERIENCE BUT CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG. ANYWAY, IF THE JUDICIARY DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS, WHY IS IT THEY CAME TO PLEAD THAT WE DO NOT CUT THIS? DO YOU REALIZE THAT THE STATE HAS FORBIDDEN MAGISTRATE JUDGES FROM BEING ABLE TO SIT ON CASES ? THAT IS 46% OF THE CASES THEY SEE. WHILE THERE IS A HUGE INCREASE IN CASES, WE ARE FIRING THE JUDGES THAT HELP HEAR THOSE CASES. 
          >> WE HAVE MADE GREAT PLANS THAT I WANT TO THANK DRAFT ARE MILLS AND THE COLLABORATION WE HAVE WITH THE JUDGES, I APPRECIATE THE PLANNING WERE DOING, WE ARE AWARE AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MAKING A MOTION ON ITEM NUMBER 2. 
          >> DO YOU SPORT CUTS TO THE CHILD SUPPORT DIVISION? NOTE THE INTERRUPTION. DO YOU SUPPORT CUTS IN INSPECTIONS FOR SCHOOL SO WE HAVE PROPER FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND EMERGENCY INSPECTIONS FOR SCHOOL SHOOTINGS? THAT IS IN YOUR BUDGET, DO YOU SUPPORT THAT? YES OR NO? 
          >> CALL A VOTE. >> WE HAVE THE FIRE MARSHAL HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ENGAGE IN ACTUAL FACTS. BUT WE HAVE MADE A 
          MOTION. >> AGAIN, DID NOT WANT TO HEAR 
          FROM THE PEOPLE. >> NOTING THE INTERRUPTION HERE, YOU SUPPORT NOT FUNDING THESE 26 PROJECTS THAT WERE POSITIVE. 
          >> POINT OF ORDER, MOTION HAS BEEN SECONDED. 
          >> NOTING THE INTERRUPTION, EVERYTHING I MENTIONED AGAIN IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHOW THESE PROGRAMS CONTINUING INSTEAD OF BEING REDUCED, ALSO, DO YOU KNOW THAT OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM WENT THROUGH YEARS OF PUBLIC HEARING ABOUT WELL OVER 100 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED AND YET, WE DID NOT WANT TO ASK THE VOTERS WHETHER THEY WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE OR NOT. BUT WERE WILLING TO CREATE A $200 MILLION BUDGET HOLE BECAUSE WE HAD SOME TOWN HALLS. I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT IS CONSISTENT AND I'M STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THESE PROJECTS THAT MY COLLEAGUES BELIEVE ARE CURRENTLY FUNDED AND GOING TO GO FORWARD. PLEASE TELL ME IF I'M MISSING SOMETHING. ARE THESE PROJECTS RIGHT NOW, DO THEY HAVE THE FUNDING AND WILL THEY BE COMPLETED? SIMPLE YES OR 
          NO? >> JUDGE, CALL FOR THE QUESTION HAS BEEN MADE, IT'S BEEN SECONDED, ARE YOU GOING TO 
          FOLLOW THE RULES OR NOT? >> I THINK THAT PART OF IT IS THE ABILITY TO DISCUSS, NORMALLY THERE IS A MOTION TO SECOND AND DISCUSSION SITE DISCUSSING FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. 
          >> THE QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED. CAN YOU GIVE US AN 
          INTERPRETATION. >> PLEASE DON'T RAISE YOUR VOICE, COMMISSIONER, THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE, SIR. ARE THESE PROJECTS FUNDED? I HEARD YOU SAY THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THIS MONEY AND THEY ARE JUST PAUSE, CAN YOU TELL THESE 27 NEIGHBORHOODS TODAY THAT THEY ARE FOR SURE GOING TO BUILD THESE PROJECTS? THAT IS A SIMPLE YES OR NO QUESTION. COLLEAGUES -- 
          [03:30:05]
          >> JUDGE, I KNOW YOU WERE HERE LAST WEEK WE DISCUSSED FLOOD BOND, WE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR HOURS. AND YOU VOTED IN FAVOR. 
          >> YOU VOTED FOR THAT. >> NOTE THE INTERRUPTION. 
          >> 2026 ANNUAL BUDGET, HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AND ALL GRANT FUNDS INCLUDES A TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET OF $2.769 BILLION FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND AS PRESENTED. 
          >> I'M REQUESTING AN AUDIT THIS WEEK, THAT IS WHAT I'M ASKING FOR. LAST WEEK I VOTED ON FUNDING THE PROJECTS WE CAN 
          FUND. >> POINT OF ORDER. IT HAS BEEN 
          SECONDED. >> WHY DO YOU NOT WANT AN AUDIT? 
          >> JUDGE, THE QUESTION HAS CALLED, MOTION IS MADE AND 
          SECONDED, VOTE NEEDS TO HAPPEN. >> ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> I'M ALSO OPPOSED. 
          >> THE MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY MISSIONARY BRIONES. 3-2. THERE ARE TWO OTHER CORRESPONDING MOTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE, MOVED TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO FINALIZE PAY SCALES AND IMPLEMENT RAISES FOR EQUAL LICENSED PEACE OFFICERS OR OTHER STATE LICENSED OFFICERS IN THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE USING THE $3 MILLION BUDGETED IN THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION FOR THIS PURPOSE AND OTHER RELATED FUNDS EFFECTIVE AS SOON AS 
          PRACTICAL. >> SECOND. 
          >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? I AM A POST, AGAIN. VERY IRRESPONSIBLE BUDGET 
          I'M EMBARRASSED BY. >> THE LAST MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE OFFICE TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH UPDATES ON THE PAY SCALES AND IMPLEMENTATION AT THE NOVEMBER 13TH 2025 COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING? 
          >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ANY IN 
          FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? >> I AM OPPOSED AGAIN. IT WAS NOT SUPPORTED, OVER 100 FOLKS ARE RELEASED FROM THE JAIL, I THINK THAT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. IF MY COLLEAGUES WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER YES OR NO, WHETHER THEY SUPPORT AN AUDIT? AND WHETHER THEY'RE OKAY WITH FIRING SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE OKAY WITH NOT PROPERLY FUNDING THE MAINTENANCE OF THAT PROGRAM, WHETHER THEY ARE OKAY WITH NOT PROPERLY INSPECTING SCHOOLS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE OKAY WITH CUTTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN OUR YOUTH JUSTICE FACILITIES AND CUTTING FUNDING FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM ANSWER THAT. COLLEAGUES? I WILL TAKE YOUR LACK OF ANSWER AS YOU ARE OKAY WITH IT BUT YOU WOULD NOT LIKE TO ADMIT IT. THAT CARRIES 4-1, I AM AGAINST. WE HAVE 
          EXECUTIVE SESSION, RIGHT? >> WE HAVE ITEM THREE, PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING HARRIS HEALTH? 
          >> ITEM THREE, PUBLIC HEARING RELATED TO HARRIS HEALTH , LET ME SCROLL DOWN, HERE. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FISCAL YEAR 23 SIX BUDGET FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, IS ARE SOMEWHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? ANY DISCUSSION? I KNOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION ON THE ITEM? MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DBA HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? 
          [Executive Session]
          >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? I'M OPPOSED. WE WILL BREAK FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND I HAVE A COMMITMENT IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SO I WOULD LET YOU FINISH THIS. 
          >> I'M GETTING THERE, SIR. IS MY SEVENTH YEAR IN OFFICE BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE 
          >> IT IS 3:30. COMMISSIONS COURT IS BACK IN SECTION SESSION AND NO ACTION. THANK YOU ALL UNDER CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB. WE APPRECIATE WHAT ALL OF YOU DO.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.