* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.
          [00:00:10]
          >>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. 
          [Pastor John F. White of Wesley A.M.E. Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 1.]
IT'S 10:10. I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS OCTOBER 16TH MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. WE'LL START WITH THE PRAYER. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. MEMBERS, HE WAS AE POINTED IN 2023. 
          HE HOSTED FROM TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY, FLORIDA UNIVERSITY, AND THE SEMINARY WITH A DOCTORAL STUDIES IN BLACK CHURCH STUDIES. 
          HE BRINGS EXTENSIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE FROM PREVIOUS PASTORS IN FLORIDA, WHERE HE GREW CONGREGATIONS, LAUNCHED AN IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY, A LIST OF INITIATIVES, ESTABLISHED FOCUSED ON HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION AND COMMUNITY GIVING. SINCE ARRIVING AT WESLEY, PASTOR WHITE HAS BEEN IN THE WORKSHOP COMPLEX, LAUNCHED TWO 501 C 3, EMPHASIZED A KINGDOM DIVISION, 10% INCOME TO THE COMMUNITY. ALONGSIDE HIS WIFE, HE LEADS A STRONG COMMITMENT AND FAITH, FAMILY, AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. 
          NURTURING WESLEY'S GROWTH AND ENGAGEMENT IN TRANSFORMING LIVES LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY AS WELL. 
          HE'S ABOUT TO LEAD ANOTHER CONGREGATION WITH OUR DEAR FRIEND WITH HIM KARL DAVIS TO GO TO ETHIOPIA. HE'S WELL KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE RICH HISTORY OF THAT CHURCH OF ETHIOPIA, AND ALSO TO KENYA. 
          WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING YOUR PRAYER, PASTOR. PLEASE JOIN US. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. COMMISSIONER AND COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, LET US PRAY. 
          DISTURB US LORD UNTIL WE NO LONGER OFFER EXCUSES ON WHEY WE CAN'T INSTEAD OF SAYING, YES, WE CAN. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, BECAUSE WE DREAM TOO LITTLE OF A WORLD WHERE VIOLENCE AS ENDED, HATRED HAS BEEN ABOLISHED AND THE IMSMS NO LONGER EXIST. 
          WE HAVE FALLEN TOO MUCH IN LOVE WITH THE WINE OF THE WORLD THAT WE HAVE FORGOTTENEN THEE. DUS TUSH US, LORD, WE HAVE SAILED TOO CLOSE TO THE SHORE NOT BELIEVING ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO CHANGE OUR WORLD. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL WE LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU WORK, SO WE CAN KNOW HOW TO DO OUR WORK. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, SO WE CAN PUT ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES AND JOIN HAND IN HAND AND STOP SETTLING FOR THE WAYS THINGS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN. DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL INSPIRED INDIVIDUALS AND CONCERNED COALIGSS COLLABORATE TO CARE ABOUT THE LEAST, THE LOST, AND THE LEFT BEHIND. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL WE CROWD OUR OUR PEOPLE IN POVERTY ALL OVER THIS COUNTY. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL WE UNDERSTAND OUR LIVES NOT AS PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED, BUT JOURNEYS TO BE TAKEN WITH YOU AS OUR FRIEND AND OUR GUIDE. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, SO WE CAN RID OURSELVES OF THE POVERTY OF IMAGINATION. DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL WE NO LONGER VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND US. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL WE NO LONGER ARE SILENT ON SUFFERING, LOW WAGES, AND IGNORE ISSUES PLAGUING SENIORS AND STUDENTS. PARENTS AND THE POOR, THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THOSE WHO ARE MIRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A MESS. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL WE CLEAN UP OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMUNITIES WE HAVE NEGLECTED, PEOPLE WE HAVE MARGINALIZED, BUSINESSES WE HAVE IGNORED TO SHOW THEM GRACE- INFUSED ACTION IN THESE TRAUMATIC TIMES. 
          DISTURB US, LORD, UNTIL HARRIS COUNTY HAS NO MORE AMBER ALERTS ON OUR DEVICES NEW YORK CITY MORE CODE REDS IN OUR SCHOOLS, NO MORE FLAGS BEING LOWERED BECAUSE OF SENSELESS VIOLENCE, NO MORE COMMUNITIES ENRAGED, AND NO MORE BODIES FOUND IN BAYOUS. USE US TO BRING YOUR KINGDOM HERE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEMPB, AS YOU ARE WAITING TO JUMP AT THE SLIGHTEST INDICATION ON OUR PART TO SKBROIN YOU TO TILT THIS WORLD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. 
          BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU SAID, WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF US? TO DO JUSTICE, TO LOVE MERCY, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR GOD. 
          WE SEAL THIS PRAYER IN THE NAME OF OUR SAVIOR AND KING, AND THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO BE SAID BUT AMEN. 
          >> AMEN. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, PASTOR, FOR THE PRAYER. 
          THANK YOU. OKAY. 
          [Departments (Part 1 of 8)]
          [00:05:03]
SO SOME HOUSEKEEPING COMMENTS. 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS NOT ATTENDING TODAY, SO LET'S BE MINDFUL OF THAT IN TERMS OF QUORUM. 
          WE'LL TAKE AN OUT OF ORDER EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM, PER THE REQUEST OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED, AND THAT IS THE APPOINTMENT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL. 
          SO FOLLOWING THE LUNCH BREAK, WE'LL GO DIRECTLY INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 
          I'LL DO MY BEST TO REMEMBER AND REMIND YOU ALL. 
          AND THEN I JUST WANT TO TAKE A PERSONAL PRIVILEGE WE SEE SOME FOLKS THERE IN THE RED. 
          AND TODAY THOSE T- SHIRTS INDICATE A HARD- FOUGHT WIN. 
          SO LET ME JUST READ THIS VERY BRIEFLY. THESE ARE THE MEMBERS OF UNITE HERE÷÷ LOCAL 23 AND LEADERS AS WELL. 
          THE HILTON AMERICANS HOUSTON SERVICE WORKERS REPRESENTED BY UNITE HERE LOCAL 23 RECENTLY STOOD TOGETHER IN SOLIDARITY TO ADVOCATE FOR FAIR WAGES, IMPROVED LIVING CONDITIONS AND RESPECT ON THE JOB. 
          THROUGH COURAGE, UNITY AND DETERMINATION, THESE WORKERS SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATED A NEW CONTRACT THAT UPLIFTS NOT ONLY THEIR OWN LIVELIHOODS, BUT ALSO SETS A HIGHER STANDARD FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY ACROSS OUR REGION. HARRIS KOTH IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE WORKFORCES IN THE NATION, AND THE DEDICATION OF SERVICE WORKERS AND FRONT LINES HAD POI P PIT TALLTY SUSTAINS THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WELCOMES VISITORS, POWERS LOCAL ECONOMY AND STRENGTHS OUR INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION. 
          AND WE TALK THESE THINGS FOR GRANTED. BUT I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU ALL ARE STANDING UP NOT JUST FOR YOUR MEMBERS, BUT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AND TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY THAT WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT ESSENTIAL WORKERS, WE MEANT IT, AND WE CAN'T FORGET IT. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION. THIS WAS A LONG, LONG SACRIFICE ON YOUR PART. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING THOSE BROADER COMMUNITY INTERESTS FIRST, SO THANK YOU. AND I DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND UNITE HERE LOCAL 23 FOR ADVOCATING FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND AFFIRMING HARRIS COUNTY'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO ENSURING THAT EVERY RESIDENT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE AND LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND FAIRNESS. 
          GOOD WORK, YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS. 
          WE'LL HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A BRIEF PICTURE. 
          >> I JUST WANTED TO GRLGT THEM AS WELL. I KNOW WE PASSED A RELATION RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF WHAT WE WERE DOING. I I THINK A GOOD NUMBER OF US WENT OVER AND MARCHED WITH YOU. 
          I KNOW IT WAS A SACRIFICE. YOU WANT TO KMEPD YOU YOUR UNION N PARTICULAR, BECAUSE THEY HAD TO COME UP WITH SOME RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ALL SUSTAIN YOUR FAMILIES WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON, INCLUDING THE UNION LEADER WHO IS COMING UP TO SPEAK RIGHT NOW. I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU AS WELL. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS. MANY OF US WERE SO PROUD TO BE STANDING OUT THERE WITH YOU. 
          CONGRATULATIONS. I'M SO HAPPY JUSTICE WAS SERVED. ONE JOB SHOULD BE ENOUGH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE. 
          THANK YOU FOR MAKING HISTORY FOR TEXAS. I KNOW WHAT YOU DID IS GOING TO HELP INSPIRE MANY OTHER WORKERS THROUGHOUT OUR STATE. 
          CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXAMPLE OF COURAGE AND I'M SO HAPPY IT WORKED OUT. 
          >> WELL, FIRST OFF, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WE SAW MANY OF Y'ALL ON THE PICKET LINE. IT MEANT A LOT TO THE WORKERS. 
          JUST IN CASE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW, WORKERS JUST WRAPPED UP A 40-DAY STRIKE AT THE HILTON AMERICAS. 
          IT'S THE FIRST HOTEL STRIKE IN TEXAS HISTORY AS FAR AS WE KNOW, SO THESE WORKERS BEHIND ME MADE HISTORY. LIKE YOU ALL MENTIONED, IT WASN'T JUST ABOUT FIGHTING AT THE HILTON AMERICAS. WE'RE LOOKING TO SET IS A NEW STANDARD IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY. AND WE DEFINITELY WERE INSPIRED BY THE LIVING WAGE FIGHT THAT YOU ALL TOOK ON AT THE COUNTY. 
          THIS TIME AROUND, MAYBE WE -- WE 
          [00:10:04]
DEFINITELY FEEL THAT THE WORKERS DESERVE MUCH MORE THAN WHAT WE WON, BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A STEPPINGSTONE FOR THE FUTURE. WE HOPE IT INSPIRES WORKERS TO COME TOGETHER AND DO THE SAME THING. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> STATE YOUR NAME AND 
          AFFILIATION. >> FRANCESCA, THE TEXAS CHAPTER. 
          >> AND 40 DAYS IS A LONG TIME. SO HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO KEEP THAT COMMITMENT FROM EVERYBODY? IT'S REALLY VERY IMPRESSIVE. I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE STRENGTH OF YOUR ORGANIZING. 
          >> YEAH. IT WASN'T EASY. IT WAS HOT. 
          LONG DAYS OUT THERE ON THE PICKET LINE. 
          THE COURAGE AND THE DRIVE OF THE WORKERS TO FIGHT FOR WHAT THEY DESERVE. THAT'S WHAT KEPT THEM OUT THERE. THIS IS ORIGINALLY A NINE- DAY STRIKE. THAT WAS OUR PLAN. 
          NINE DAYS. MAYBE WE WOULD WIN. 
          WE'D GO BACK IN AND KEEP FIGHTING. 
          JUST THE DETERMINATION TO KEEP GOING WAS INSPIRING FOR US. 
          AND I THINK THE WORKERS KNOW IT'S TIME. PEOPLE ARE FED UP. PEOPLE ARE IN CRISIS. 
          WORKING FAMILIES ARE IN CRISIS. THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT ANYMORE. THEY WERE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK. THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP GOING UNTIL WE GOT TO WHERE WE WANTED TO. 
          >> JUST FOR THE RECORD AND THE MEDIA, CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE YOU LANDED AND HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE 
          TO HAVE SEEN? >> YEAH, IF ANYONE WANTS TO JUMP IN, TOO, BUT WORKERS, OUR HOURLY WORKERS, THE HOUSEKEEPERS, DISH WASHERS, COOKS, MINIMUM WAGE FOLKS WAS $16.50. WE WERE NEGOTIATING SINCE JUNE WITH THE COMPANY. THEY ONLY OFFERED 50 CENTS. 
          SO AFTER 40 DAYS, WORKERS WILL NOW BE MAKING $20. STARTING IN JANUARY, WE'RE BEGINNING TO END THE CONTRACT IN JANUARY IN 2028 FOR THE HOURLY WORKERS. 
          OUR HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE GOING TO REMAIN THE SAME. IT'S NOT GOING TO GO UP. 401(K), THINGS LIKE THAT THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE WON. WORKERS ARE VERY CONFIDENT WE WOULD NOT HAVE WON IF WE DIDN'T GO ON STRIKE. 
          OR WE'D BE AT THE BARGAINING TABLE FOR MUCH LONGER. 
          SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT. IT'S AN HISTORIC CONTRACT. 
          IT'S GOING TO BE THE HIGHEST PAID HOUSEKEEPERS AND DISH WASHERS IN THE CITY. WE'RE HOPING IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR MORE HOSPITALITY. 
          >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE COST OF LIVING IN HARRIS COUNTY, IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE HIGH. 
          AND KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS ON THIS RECENTLY. 
          THERE'S ALWAYS AN UPDATE ON THAT, BUT IT SAYS HERE THAT $20 PER HOUR WAGES EQUAL TO $41,000 ASSUMING A STANDARD FULL- TIME WORK SCHEDULE. SO THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS QUITE TIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY. AND TO THINK THAT YOU WERE SO FAR BENEATH THAT. 
          THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT STILL ARE. 
          SO I'M REALLY GLAD THAT YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO FIND AND SECURE THAT WIN. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? 
          >> I GUESS WE'RE GOOD. THEY JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. CONGRATULATIONS. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> OKAY. LET'S TAKE A QUICK PICTURE. 
          SO COST OF LIVING, ANNUAL COST OF LIVING FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR IS $95,000. FOR A SINGLE PERSON, IT'S $45,768. SO IT'S STILL NOT QUITE THERE. 
          SO I THINK IT'S REALLY A BIGBIG IT AT LEAST TO GET TO WHERE WE ARE, BUT WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO. 
          THANK YOU. 
          [00:16:55]
          >> OKAY. SO COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE NOT RESITED THE PLEDGE. SO LET'S DO THAT. 
          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. 
          I HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TEXAS. 
          ONE STATE, UNDER GOD, ONE. 
          [Appearances before court]
          >> OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO NOW WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS, I WILL HAND IT OFF TO TIFFANY. THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. FIRST IS BARBARA DIXON SPEAKING ON ITEM 351. 
          JESSICA COHEN SPEAKING ON 400. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> BARBARA DENSON. I I STAND WITH COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY IN OPPOSING THE DECISION TO SPEND OVER A MILLION DOLLARS, TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON LEGAL DEFENSE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY. THAT MONEY, OUR MONEY, SHOULD BE GOING TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, MAINTAIN OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND HANDLE OUR WATER ISSUES. 
          NOT TO SHIELD THOSE WHO HAVE BROKEN OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS. 
          THIS ISN'T ABOUT LACKING COMPASSION. IT'S ABOUT PRIORITIES. 
          WHEN ANATOMY FAEMS ARE STRUGGLING WITH RISING PROPERTY TAXES AND OUR COMMUNITIES FACE REAL CHALLENGES, WE MUST ASK, ARE WE PUTTING TEXANS FIRST? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS RIGHT TO DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY. WE NEED TO LEADERS WHO WILL STAND FIRM FOR THE RULE OF LAW. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE VALUES THAT MAKE TEXAS STRONG. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONERS, I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE OUR COURT IS CONSIDERING $1.3 MILLION OF YOUR HARD- EARNED MONEY TO RADICAL ACTIVIST GROUPS TO HELP ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FIGHT DEPORTATION. 
          CRIME IS UP. OUR DEPUTIES ARE STRETCHED THIN, AND FAMILIES ARE BEING CRUSHED BY EVERYDAY LIVING EXPENSES. 
          THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH HARRIS COUNTY UNDER DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP. THEY PUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FIRST AND TAXPAYERS LAST. 
          THEY ARE MORE FOCUSED ON DEFENDING PEOPLE WHO BROKE OUR LAWS THAN PROTECTING THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW THEM. 
          IT IS TIME TO END THIS MADNESS. VOTE NO ON AGENDA 351 AND START PUTTING HARRIS COUNTY BACK ON 
          [00:20:02]
THE SIDE OF LAW, ORDER, AND COMMON SENSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. JESSICA COHEN. 
          I WORK FOR PRECINCT 4. I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE EMPLOYEE TO EMPOWER PROGRAM THAT WE USE HERE AT THE COUNTY FOR ALL PRECINCTS. I WANTED TO INTRODUCE TWO OF OUR VALUED PARTNERS ON AGENDA ITEM 400. 
          FST THE RENEWAL OF THE AGREEMENT. THE TWO PARTNERS ARE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND THE CAREER AND RECOVERY ORGANIZATION. JUST WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE INITIATIVE. IT'S MORE THAN JUST EMPLOYMENT. 
          IT'S ABOUT RESTORING PURPOSE. WE USE THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO BEEN PREVIOUSLY UNHOUSED FOR ALL MANNER OF THINGS THROUGHOUT THE PRECINCT FOR PARK PAINT NANCE,EN PAINTING, AND IT'S GIVING THEM A VALUABLE SKILL SET AND A SENSE OF PURPOSE. 
          HANDS- ON TRAINING IN LAWN CARE, THEY GAIN A REAL WORLD SKILL THAT NOT ONLY SUPPORTS THEIR GROWTH, BUT ALSO DIRECTLY ENHANCES THE BEAUTY OF OUR PARKS. WE DEEPLY VALUE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AT PRECINCT 4. 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK. 
          >> NEXT IS THEODORE PEREZ ON ITEM 400. 
          ITEM 400, DEPUTY JULIAN ON ITEM 400. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE. 
          I'LL BE THE ONLY ONE SPEAKING. THE EMPLOYEE TO EM POWER PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN THROUGH THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE ALL FOR THE COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE EACH OF YOU SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM AND THE FUNDING. WE PROVIDE ABLE- BODIED AND SOUND- MINDED INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ARE LIVING UNHOUSED IN HARRIS COUNTY, PROVIDING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO OVERCOME THEIR HOMELESSNESS. THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE LIFE CHANGES FEATURING AN EMPLOYMENT FIRST. LOW BARRIER ENTRY INTO THE PROGRAM, IT'S PAID EMPLOYMENT. WHICH INCLUDES GUIDANCE TO VARIOUS RESOURCES, WHICH ARE RESTORATION, BIRTH CERTIFICATE RESTORATION, SOCIAL SECURITY RESTORATION, THEREFORE, GIVING THEM -- PROVIDING A VIABLE PATH TO A MORE HEALTHY AND ECONOMICALLY STABLE FUTURE. 
          THE MISSION HAS BEEN THROUGH THE COMBINED PARRING ORGANIZATIONS FOR SKILL SETS. 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> GO AHEAD, SIR, IF YOU WANT TO FINISH. 
          >> WE'RE ABLE TO MONETARILY COMPENSATE THEM $15 AN HOUR WHERE THEY BUILD REAL WORK EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS YIELD SELF-GOVERNANCE, BETTER DECISION MAKING PRACTICES, PARTICIPATE AND ENGAGE WITH HOUSING, BANKING, MEDICAL, COUNSELLING AND TOOL TRAINING SERVICES. 
          WHICH PROVIDES FOR A BETTER ECONOMIC OUTCOME, ALLOWING THEM TO NAVIGATE, BUILD AND WORK TOWARDS OBTAINABLE GOALS. 
          THESE ARE UNHOUSED PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS. 
          WE HAVE BEEN SERVICING EACH OF YOUR PRECINCTS. 
          THIS PROGRAM STARTED IN 2021. Y'ALL WERE KIND AND GENEROUS ENOUGH TO THESE INDIVIDUALS TO FUND IT. 
          WE'RE CURRENTLY GOING INTO OUR FOURTH YEAR. 
          SO WE HAVE HELPED QUITE A FEW PEOPLE. 
          WE'RE CURRENTLY SERVING 42. THAT'S OUR MAXIMUM. THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH FOUR DEPUTIES, TWO CASE MANAGERS, AND IT'S ALSO GUESS TO SPEAK TO THE LIAISONS THAT ARE CHOSEN BY EACH PRECINCT IN THE PARKS DIVISION AND MAINTENANCE DIVISIONS. WE HAVE LIAISONS WE COMMUNICATE DAILY. 
          AND WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE REAL WORK TASKS. 
          INITIALLY, THERE WAS SKEPTICISM IN THE PROGRAM. 
          IT'S ALMOST LIKE ARRIVING WITH THE BD NEWS BEARS. BUT THROUGH THESE DEPUTIES, THEY MADE IT POSSIBLE THROUGH THEIR DIY SKILLS, THEIR COMPASSION, EMPATHY AND TREATMENT WITH DIGNITY TO THESE INDIVIDUALS. AND WE'RE ABLE TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE AND EACH WORKS WITH THE DEPUTY, CAREER RECOVERY PROVIDES PEER SUPPORT LEADERS TO ABLE TO PROVIDE EACH PRECINCT IS ABLE TO PROVIDE A WORK SITE PROJECT DOING PAINTING, POWER WASHING, AND THEY ATTEND JOB FAIRS. SO WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN MANY WAYS. I JUST WANT TO FINISH WITH THIS. 
          THE VERY FIRST GROUP FOUR YEARS AGO, THE VERY FIRST GROUP, WE WERE ABLE TO 
          [00:25:03]
GET ONE OF OUR PARTICIPANTS, WHO HAD NO CRIMINAL HISTORY, BUT WAS LIVING UNHOUSED, HE'S CURRENTLY A PRECINCT ONE PARKS CARETAKER. WE COMMEND ALL THE WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING, THE FUNDING Y'ALL HAVE PROVIDED, AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SPEAKER FROM CAREER AND RECOVERY. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD WORK. 
          >> SIR, CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? 
          >> THEODORE PEREZ. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I'M THE CEO OF CAREER AND RECOVERY RESOURCES. THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. 
          IT'S PROVIDED 470 UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS ACCESS TO INCOME AND OPPORTUNITY TO SELF-STABILIZE. 
          I'LL QUICKLY SHARE HOW ONE STORY ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THERE ARE MANY, BUT I'LL SHARE ONE. 
          JUST FOR THE RECORD, THIS PROJECT HAS SAVED THE COUNTY OVER $200,000 IN SERVICES. THROUGH PARTNER WITH THE DEPUTIES WE'RE ABLE TO RECRUIT INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ARE UNSHELTERED AND WE PUT THEM TO WORK IMMEDIATELY. 
          THEY WORK 32 HOURS A WEEK, AND WE PAY THEM $15 AN HOUR. ONCE A WEEK, THEY ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE SELF- SKILLS TRAINING, TOOLS TRAINING, I.D. 
          RESTORATION SERVICES AND HOUSING PLACEMENT SERVICES. WE ALSO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES LIKE RESUME WRITING AND HELPING THEM TO -- 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> GOOD. I LET THE OTHER GENTLEMAN 
          FINISH. >> ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WE HIRED AS AN EMPLOYEE OF CAREER AND RECOVERY RESOURCES. ACTUALLY SEVERAL OF THEM. 
          HE CURRENTLY WORKS AS A WORK SITE SUPERVISOR SUPERVISING OTHER INDIVIDUALS ALSO GOING THROUGH UNSHELTERED -- WHO WERE RECENTLY UNSHELTERED AND ALSO LEARNING THE SKILLS THAT THEY HAVE GAINED. 
          THIS PROJECT HAS HELPED US TO PUT SO MANY PEOPLE THROUGH HOUSING, GIVE THEM INCOME AND GIVE THEM THE INCOME THAT THEY NEED TO SELF-SHELTER, WHICH HELPS WITH THE UNSHELTERED ISSUES THAT WE'RE ALL EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW. 
          >> THANK YOU. WHAT DO YOU THINK IN TERMS OF DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR, BUT FOR YOUNG MEN THAT ARE AT RISK OF ENDING UP HOMELESS OR IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM? THAT'S ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE WERE WORKING ON IS SORT OF CREDIBLE MESSENGER. TRY TO MENTOR THESE FOLKS BEFORE THEY END UP HOMELESS OR IN THE 
          JUSTICE SYSTEM. >> THAT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA. 
          I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE NEED INCOME. 
          IF YOU ARE ABLE TO GIVE THEM ACCESS TO EARN INCOME, PAY THEIR OWN WAY THROUGH THINGS, AND THEN PROVIDE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED, THEY ARE MORE RESEPTEMBERIVE. 
          THEN YOU GIVE THEM A LEG UP. JUST BEING STABILIZED. IMAGINE NOT KNOWING HOW YOU'LL FEED, DRINK WATER, WHERE YOU'LL SLEEP AT NIGHT. SOMEONE IS TELLING YOU TO GET YOURSELF TOGETHER WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THAT. SO SERVICES LIKE THIS AND INITIATIVES LIKE THAT WOULD DEFINITELY SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE IN SEEING THERE ARE OTHER PATHS TO SELF-STABILIZATION. 
          >> THANK YOU. MAYBE WE'LL CIRCLE WITH YOU GUYS. 
          WE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THAT WAS CUT IN THIS BUDGET. 
          IT HAD PEOPLE PLEADING FOR IT TO CONTINUE. BOTH FOLKS WHO HAD BYE-BYE SERVED FOR IT AND SUPPORTING. SO AS I HEAR YOU GUYS CELEBRATING THIS ONE, IT BREAKS MY HEART TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A DESIRE TO KILL THE OTHER ONE. WE'LL CIRCLE WITH YOU GUYS. 
          >> THANK YOU. JUST REAL QUICK. THERE ARE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM. 
          SO IF WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT, THERE MIGHT BE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING SEPARATE FROM THIS. 
          >> I ABSOLUTELY AGREE. I THINK OUR FUNDING PRIORITIES SHOULD BE ON KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL, KEEPING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN GET JOBS. 
          SO I'LL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR US TO CONTINUE THOSE PROGRAMS. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. 
          >> NO, THANK YOU. 
          >> I USED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF CAREER AND RECOVERY. ONE QUICK STORY, JUDGE, TO MAKE YOUR POINT. WHEN YOU GO OUT AND GET DONATIONS FROM A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT'S A REALLY SUCCESSFUL MODEL. AND THE FORMER CEO, HE'S ALMOST LIKE A BROTHER, THIS IS WHAT HE WOULD DO ON ANY GIVEN DAY. HE WOULD GO DOWN TO THE BUS DEPOT AS THE BUS ARRIVED WITH WITH JUST GETTING OUT OF PRISON. 
          HE WOULD MEET THEM THERE, AND HE WOULD ENGAGE WITH THEM BEFORE THEY WENT BACK MAYBEMAYBE THEIR OLD WAY OF LIFE. HE SHOWED THEM A NEW WAY OF LIFE. SO WHAT Y'ALL DO THERE MATTERS. WHAT Y'ALL DO THERE WITH THE DONATIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND WHEN THE COMMUNITY GETS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FUNDING, THEY GET SOME OWNERSHIP. 
          THEY GET SOME INVOLVEMENT. SO Y'ALL ARE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB. THANK YOU 
          [00:30:02]
FOR COMING DOWN. 
          >> I AGREE. PARTICIPATING IN THE FUNDING, WHICH IS MAJOR INVESTMENTS SHOULD GO TO THE BALLOT, BUT I'M GLAD THAT WE VOTED ON THIS IN 2021, JUST AS WE DID IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS BEFORE SOME OF OUR COLLEAGUES TOOK OFFICE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> A QUICK QUESTION. I THINK YOU HAD A GRANT $1. 5 
          MILLION. >> YES. 
          >> INITIALLY, IT WAS ARPA MONEY AND WE MOVED IT TO THE GENERAL FUND. WHEN IS IT SLATED TO END? 
          >> IT'S RENEWING THIS -- IT'S UP FOR RENEWAL TODAY. 
          >> SO YOU WERE IN SUPPORT OF IT BEING RENEWED? 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. 
          >> THERE'S BEEN A DEBATE OF NOT RENEWING EXISTING PROGRAMS. ALL THE PROGRAMS HAD TO DO WITH KIDS ARE THE ONES NOT BEING RENEWED. IT'S KIND OF BAFFLING. 
          >> BUT THIS WAS THE LUCKY ONE. 
          >> AND SUDDENLY WE LIKE PUBLIC INVESTMENT. SO THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> ALL RIGHT. SO NEXT SPEAKER. 
          >> NEXT IS DEPUTY JULIAN ON ITEM 400. 
          425 AND 426, KATIE ON ITEM 425. JACOB KLEMMENS ON 436. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> THIS IS A TALK ABOUT HIS -- >> DISCO 
          . >> THANK YOU. 
          YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> YOU SHOULD HEAR IT. 
          >> WE'RE HAVING FLEET WEEK. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> HOW ARE YOU GUYS STILL BEST FRIENDS? 
          >> YOU KNOW WHAT? WE SHOULDN'T HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU OUTSIDE THE MICROPHONE. 
          DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? 
          >> NO. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> WORK WITH THE TEXAS RIGHTS PROJECT. I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 425. FIRST, WE SHOULDN'T SPEND RESOURCES ON BUILDING A NEW JAIL. 
          A NEW JAIL ISN'T GOING TO STOP THE MEDICAL NEGLECT AND THE DEATHS HAPPENING. IT'S NOT A MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IT HAS NO QUALIFICATIONS TO TEND TO THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION REQUIRE. 
          SECOND, CGL MANAGEMENT GROUP HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN BUILDING MORE JAILS AND THE HISTORY OF CORRUPT PRACTICES TO GAIN THESE LUCRATIVE CONTRACTS. 
          THE ATTORNEY GENERAL LED THE VOVLT IN RACKETEERING. 
          THE ALLEGATIONS WERE IN CONNECTION INVOLVING A STATE CORRECTIONS OFFICIAL. 
          CGL CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO BE OBJECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO ANY OF THESE SURVEYS THAT THEY ARE ABOUT TO CONDUCT SO LET'S MOVE AWAY FROM BUILDING JAILS AND PUT OUR RESOURCES INTO PILDING A PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, INVESTING IN THE CONTINUITY OF CARE TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE 
          [00:35:02]
ARE PROPERLY TREATED. 
          >> THANK YOU. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE CUT THE PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THOSE ISSUES. 
          CERTAINLY, EVEN IF THE FUNDING REMAINED THE SAME BECAUSE OF INFLATION, THE PROGRAMS WERE CUT. SO I HOPE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS. SOME OF US RUN ON MENTAL HEALTH AND THEN WE CUT IT WHEN WE GET ON HERE. SO PLEASE KEEP THAT UP. ESPECIALLY DURING ELECTION SEASON. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I'M KATIE WITH THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER. THERE'S ONE THING I HAVE HEARD FROM ALMOST EVERYONE. WE'RE DETAINING PEOPLE IN THE JAIL WHO DON'T NEED TO BE THERE. 
          WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH CONSENSUS, THE CHOICE SHOULD BE OBVIOUS. THEY MUST USE EVERY TOOL TO DECREASE THE JAIL POPULATION. 
          INCLUDING A STRONG CONTINUITY OF CARE. 
          AND USE INFLUENCE TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. 
          NO ONE KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE WE WOULD BE LEFT WITH IF WE MADE THAT EFFORT IN GOOD FAITH. ITEMS 425 AND 426 REENFORCE A DANGEROUS IDEA TO BE ABLE TO DO TWO THINGS AT ONCE. 
          DECREASE THE JAIL POPULATION AND DO HARM MITTATION. WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE A HAMMER, EVERYTHING SEEMS LIKE A NAIL. 
          COMPANIES LIKE CGL, WHICH VIOLATED RULES BY FAILING TO DISCLOSE A LAWSUIT, MAY FOR THEIR BUSINESS, BUT ARE REALLY STILL ONLY HOLDING A HAMMER. IF WE APPROVE A JAIL FEASIBILITY÷÷STUDY TODAY, WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET DOWN THE LINE. 
          A RECOMMENDATION FOR A JAIL. 
          MANY SAID IT'S A LAST RESORT. IF IT THAT WERE TRUE, THEN IT WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED LAST. THANK YOU. 
          >> NEXT IS BARBARA ON ITEM 454 AND 550,EST TELL LA, ZACHARY ON ITEM 487, LINDA ON 543. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I HAVE ONE MINUTE SO I'M GOING TO BE QUICK BECAUSE THERE'S TWO THINGS I WANT TO SAY. WE ARE RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, BUT I HOPE WE CAN SAY EVERY MONTH IS AWARENESS MONTH. THE COMMUNITY ISN'T A DIRE SITUATION. WHICH MEANS FAMILIES ARE MORE UNSAFE THAN EVER. 
          THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR SPONSORING A CRITICAL TRAINING TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT WAS HELD LAST WEEK. WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO REDUCE THE HOMICIDE RATE. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING IN -- 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> WE WERE A ABLE TO BRING IN AN EXPERT CONSULTANT ON STRANGULATION, AS WELL AS A FATHER OF GABBI, WHO IS NOW PART OF THE FOUNDATION, TO PROVIDE THIS CRITICAL TRAINING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. 
          AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND PROSECUTORS. 
          THIS IS PHASE ONE. WE HOPE TO LAUNCH PHASE TWO IN THIS SPRING, EARLY SPRING AND BRING IN OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS LIKE EMS, FIRE, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. 
          WE CAN HELP PREVENT DEATHS. IF WE DO OUR JOB AND WE DO IT WELL, WE INCREASE SAFETY FOR FAMILIES. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. WHAT'S THE AMOUNT OF THE FEDERAL GRANTS THAT YOU WILL NOT BE REVVING? 
          >> HUD IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST. OUR COMMUNITY STANDS TO LOSE 70% OF HUD FUNDING. 
          WHICH IS ROUGHLY $40 MILLION LOST. 
          >> OH MY GOSH. >> IT'S GOING TO BE DELAWARE DEVASTATING ACROSS THE BOARD TO FAMILIES. 
          IT'S NOT A DONE DEAL, BUT THAT'S WHAT WAS RELEASED LAST WEEK. 
          >> WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT. IF WE PUT OURSELVES IN A DEFICIT, WE SHOULD USE THAT MONEY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE CAN'T JUST GIVE IT ALL TO THE FOLKS THAT ENDORSE ELECTIONS. 
          I'M SO SORRY WE HAVEN'T SET MONEY ASIDE TO HELP YOU WITH THAT. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND YOU HAVE. 
          WHAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF IS THIS COUNTY HAS DONE SOME 
          [00:40:02]
THINGS THAT AREN'T HAPPENING ACROSS THE NATION. 
          >> WE LAUNCHED SOME PROGRAMS AS WELL. 
          ALSO CONTINUING THE ASSISTANCE FUND, SO I'M GLAD WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT. 
          I DO THINK IF WE HAD GONE THROUGH A REASONABLE BUDGET CYCLE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE AND CONSIDER MORE. BUT I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DID FOUR YEARS AGO TO ALLOCATE FUNDING TO YOU GUYS. AGAIN, BEFORE SOME OF US WERE IN COURT. THANK YOU. 
          >> BARBIE BRA SHEER. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS HAS SHARED AN ANNUAL REPORT THAT TELLS THE STORY OF OUR WORK, NOT JUST THROUGH NUMBERS AND PROGRAMS, BUT THROUGH THE PEOPLE AND THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLE. THE REPORT GIVES A SNAPSHOT OF THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND VULNERABLE ADULTS AND IT REFLECTS BOTH THE IMPACT THAT WE HAVE MADE AND THE GROWING NEED THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE IN OUR COMMUNITY. 
          EACH YEAR, WE CHOOSE A THEME THAT CAPTURES OUR MISSION, AND THIS YEAR'S THEME IS GENERATIONS OF HOPE. WHICH TRULY REFLECTS THE SUPPORT WE OFFER ACROSS THE LIFE SPAN. FROM INFANCY THROUGH OUR GOLD YEARS, AND ESPECIALLY THROUGH TIMES OF CHANGE. 
          THERE'S 19 PROGRAMS. SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS, PROGRAM AND SERVICES FOR SENIOR VICTIMS. 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. 
          >> ARE YOU ALMOST DONE? 
          >> YES. 
          BUT THE REPORT ALSO CELEBRATES OUR PROGRESS AND ONE OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT STANDS ABOVE THE REST IS THE COMPLETION OF THE CAMPUS. WE JUST CELEBRATED OUR GRAND OPENING OF THIS ONE OF A KIND SPACE FOR YOUTH AGES 14 TO 25 WHO ARE TRAN SUGGESTIONING OUT OF FOSTER CARE. IT REPRESENTS MORE THAN A BUILDING, BUT A PROMISE THAT NO YOUNG PERSON AGEING OUT OF FOSTER CARE SHOULD HAVE TO FACE ADULTHOOD ALONE. 
          IT SHOWS WHAT'S REALLY POSSIBLE WHEN OUR COUNTY, OUR PARTNERS AND OUR COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER WITH A SHARED VISION AND A HOPE AND AN OPPORTUNITY. SO NEXT, YOU'LL HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR YOUNG ADULTS, WHO IS PART OF THAT VISION AND SOMEONE WHO CAN SPEAK FAR BETTER THAN I CAN ABOUT WHAT THE CENTER TRULY MEANS, BUT I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND OUR PARTNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR YOUR CONTINUES SUPPORT. WE TRULY CAN'T DO THIS ALONE. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> BEAUTIFUL WORK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DONE. 
          AND REMEMBER BREAKING GROUND YEARS AGO WITH THE TURNER AND SOME OF US OVER THERE. 
          THEY SAY CORE MEMORY, I WILL NEVER FORGET. 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH. SEE HOW ZACHARY IS DOING A FEW MONTHS ON FROM THE RIBBON CUTTING. 
          >> MY NAME IS ZACHARY BIRDWELL. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE HAY CENTER AND THE PROFOUND WAY IT'S IMPACTED MY LIFE AND CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS FOSTER YOUTH. MY UPBRINGING WAS DIFFICULT, AND MY TIME WAS ONLY MARGINALLY BETTER. IT WAS THERE THAT I LEARNED ABOUT THE HAY CENTER AND ITS SING ALREADY GOAL HELPING FOSTER YOUTH BECOME THE BEST VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES AFTER FOSTER CARE AND WHILE THEY ARE IN FOSTER CARE. ALMOST 50% OF FORMER FOSTER YOUTH EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS BY THE AGE OF 26. 
          70% OF YOUNG GIRLS BECOME PREGNANT, MANY FINDING THEMSELVES SINGLE MOTHERS WITH NO SAFETY NET. 
          AND 25% OF FOSTER YOUTH HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AT LEAST ONCE BY THE TIME THEY WERE 18. I'M ONE OF THOSE KIDS. 
          THE HAY CERTAIN'S FWOEL IS SO MUCH DEEPER THAN GIVING THESE KIDS A CHANCE TO SUCCEED. IT'S ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE LIKE ME THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO NAVIGATE. 
          >> GO AHEAD. YOU CAN FINISH UP. 
          >> YES, MA'AM. 
          >> THIS MEANS COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING IN AREAS LIKE BUDGETING, APPLYING FOR COLLEGE AND UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITIES OF RENT AND BILLS, AS WELL AS BEING A SINGLE PARENT IN THAT SITUATION. I'M ESPECIALLY THRILLED TO 
          [00:45:01]
SHARE THAT THE HAY CENTER HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION ON ITS NEWEST BUILDING. 
          THIS FACILITY OFFERS MORE SUPPORT NOW THAN IT EVER DID WHEN I WAS IN CARE. YOUTH NOW HAVE THE INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AT THE HAY CENTER IN HIGH- QUALITY APARTMENTS THAT ARE TRULY BEAUTIFUL AND MAKE ME A LITTLE JEALOUS. 
          THIS MEANS THAT FOR A YOUNG ADULT TURNING 18, HOMELESSNESS IS NO LONGER INEVITABLE AND IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FOUGHT. 
          I HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH THEM GROW FROM THREE LOCATIONS TO THIS IMPRESSIVE NEW REALITY. 
          WITH THE DEDICATED FUNDING AND SUPPORT IT HAS RECEIVED, I CAN ONLY SEE THINGS CONTINUING TO GO UP FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH AND CURRENT TOSTER YOUTH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, AND THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR YOUR CONTINUED AND FUTURE SUPPORT OF THE HAY CENTER. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. 
          I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 543, CONTRACTORS POLICY. 
          YOU WANT TO THANK THE STAFF FOR HELPING US ON THIS. 
          CURRENTLY, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY RECORD THAT SCREENS BUDDERS TO ENSURE WE ONLY HIRE CONTRACTORS WITH A STRONG RECORD OF PROTECTING WORKERS. BUT THERE'S A GAP. THE CURRENT POLICY DOES NOT ADDRESS REALTIME SAFETY ISSUES THAT ARRIVED HERE DURING THE ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. 
          RELYING SOLELY ON FEDERAL OSHA, INSPECTORS ISN'T ENOUGH. 
          SO WE'RE SUGGESTING A WORK SITE TO COMPLIMENT THE EXISTING CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY. WHAT REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IS ENFORCE THE. YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST SAFETY POLICY IN THE WORLD, BUT THERE'S NO ONE CHECKING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FOLLOWED. IT DOESN'T MEAN MUCH. ABSOLUTELY. AUD ILTS AND COMPLIANCE. 
          >> PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> ABSOLUTELY. BUT THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW BEST IF A SITE IS TRULY SAFE ARE THE WORKERS THEMSELVES. 
          THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE THERE BEFORE AND AFTER THE INSPECTIONS COME AND GO AND SEE WHAT REALLY HAPPENS. 
          THAT'S WHY ANTIRETALIATION PROTECTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL. IF WORKERS ARE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP, SAFETY PROBLEMS STAY HIDDEN, BUT IF IT THEY ARE PROTECTED FROM RETALIATION, THEY CAN REPORT HAZARDS AND HELP FIX THEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. 
          THIS PROPOSAL THIS MY COLLEAGUES WILL ELABORATE ON AS WELL ENSURES THAT HARRIS COUNTY PROJECTS ARE SAFE, ACCOUNTABLE, AND FAIR, PROTECTING BOTH WORKERS AND TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU ALL. 
          >> THANK YOU. JUST A QUICK QUESTION. 
          DO YOU FEEL SATISFIED WITH WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED TODAY? 
          >> YES, MA'AM. 
          >> HAVEN'T SEEN THE FULL LANGUAGE OF THE EXISTING CONTRACTOR SAFETY LANGUAGE. 
          WE WORKED ON IT. WE WANT TO MAKE IT STRONGER. 
          WE'LL BE REACHING AUTOTO THE OFFICES AS WELL ON THAT. BUT WE WANT SOMETHING TO COMPLIMENT IT. 
          AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TODAY. 
          >> OKAY. I'LL HAVE SOMEBODY VISIT WITH YOU AHEAD OF THE ITEM COMING UP. 
          >> I APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? 
          >> I WANT TO THANK YOU AND ALL YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR THE WORK YOU DID ON THIS. 
          KNOW COMMISSIONER AND MY STAFF IS WORKING WITH YOURS. 
          I WANTED TO PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA, BECAUSE AFTER WE VOTED ON IT AND IT PASSED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE JUST LEFT IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE TO FIGURE IT OUT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE THE ONE, BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY MEETINGS Y'ALL HAVE HAD? 
          >> IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WORK GROUP, ONLY ONE MEETING. 
          >> WHAT I WANT TO SUGGEST IS BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN IT COLTS BACK, WHICH IS THE REAL REASON I PUT IT ON THE COURT, WE WANT THE TO MAKE THIS SOMETHING THAT'S REASONABLE. I THINK WE CAN LOOK AT TRAVIS COUNTY AS A MODEL. 
          I THINK THEY REALLY LED ON THIS. THAT WAS THE INTENT WHEN WE HAD A STAFF WORKING GROUP ON IT. SO WHEN WE COME BACK, IN A COUPLE WEEKS, WE CAN HAVE IT ALL WRAPPED UP. 
          EVERYTHING YOU'LL THE TO SAY. 
          THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO PUT IT ON SO IT DOESN'T GET DELAYED MORE WITH OTHER ISSUES COMING UP. 
          OBVIOUSLY, UNDER OUR RULES, WE CAN ONLY TALK TO ONE OF OUR COLLEAGUES. AT MY AGE, I MIGHT FORGET WHICH ONE I SPOKE TO. SO STAFF COULD TALK, BUT I 
          [00:50:04]
JUST SO WE PASS SOMETHING. SINCE WE WERE STRAND BY THAT, WE CAN CONVENE OUR STAFFS IF WE HAVE TO. 
          MAYBE THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT. HAVE OUR STAFFS WITH YOU. I KNOW THERE ARE A SERIES OF THEM HERE. I WAS HEARING FEEDBACK. 
          I SEE THEM MOVING ON THAT PICKET LINE. 
          THEY WERE OUT THERE 40 DAYS AND NIGHTS. I COULDN'T TAKE THE HEAT. 
          I ROLD UP AT NIGHT TO CHECK ON THEM. 
          BUT YOU ALL WOULD TELL ME THINGS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT A SEAMLESS PROCESS. 
          >> COMMISSIONER? 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND YOUR INCREDIBLE TEAMS. THANK YOU. 
          PALL OF THE TEAM. I SHARE YOUR CONCERN IT'S TAKEN SO LONG. THERE HASN'T BEEN THE DEEP ENGAGEMENT THAT WE ASKED FOR IT WAS JANUARY 2025 UNANIMOUS VOTE. 
          WE ASKED TO CONVENE LABOR PARTNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND KEY DEPARTMENTS. 
          SO WE WANT THIS DONE RIGHT. 
          WE WANT THIS IT TO BE STRONGER AND BETTER. 
          AND TO YOUR POINT, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY, AS I KNOW THE COMMISSIONER DOES SHS NOT ONLY THE WORKER SAFETY POLICY, BUT THE WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY. 
          SO THIS IS A KEY PILLAR. I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. 
          I HOPE WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE MARKED PROGRESS TODAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> WE'RE READY. THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. 
          IT IS IMPORTANT. HAVING BEEN ON A THOUSAND DIFFERENT CONSTRUCTION SITES, WHAT GOES ON OUT THERE IS MORE THAN WHAT'S ON A PIECE OF PAPER. IF I HEAR YOU, WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE REPRESENTING THE COUNTY ON SITE DURING CONSTRUCTION. I'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THAT LATER, BUT AS WE GET INTO THIS, IT'S MORE THAN A PAPER EXERCISE. IT'S MORE THAN A CONTRACTOR FILLING OUT A PIECE OF PAPER. 
          IT'S MORE THAN A COUNTY PERSON REVIEWING THAT PIECE OF PAPER. 
          WHAT HAPPENS ON THAT CONSTRUCTION SITE NEEDS TO BE MONITORING. 
          THERE NEEDS TO BE PEOPLE OUT THERE AND NOT JUST ANOTHER BUREAUCRATIC PAPER EXERCISE. SO THE INPUT THAT WE'LL BE VETTING AND GOING THROUGH, I THINK IN TERMS OF THE DETAILS, WE'LL GET, I THINK, MORE INTO IT. APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS ON IT. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SO JUST THE TO UNDERSTAND YOU GUYS BECAUSE WE HAVE BYE- BYE TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR AWHILE. 
          AND I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR IT TO GET DONE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT -- WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR AWHILE THE FACT THAT WE NEED FOLKS OUT THERE WHO ARE PAID WHO ARE ARE MONITORING THAT THINGS ARE BEING DONE THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. SO I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND. 
          SO THERE IS A POLICY THAT WE PASSED A AWHILE AGO, BUT IT'S NOT SUFFICIENT IS THAT RIGHT? 
          >> THE POLICY NOW NEEDS SOME TWEAKING. 
          WHAT WE WANT, TO MY UNDERSTANDING AND MAYBE PAUL CAN ADD TO THIS, THERE'S NO ON THE JOB SITE MONITORING. AND I UNDERSTAND IT HAS TO DO WITH MONEY, AND WE'RE PROPOSING IN THE POLICY, A WAY TO EMPOWER THE WORKER SO THE WORKER WILL BE OKAY SAYING THAT SOMETHING IS HAPPENING ON THE JOB SITE 
          WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION. >> RIGHT. 
          RATHER THAN HAVING AN OUTSIDE 
          MONITOR. >> NOT WORKING ON THE JOB SITE. 
          >> WE PASSED IT. THEN WE LEFT IT TO DEEO. 
          WE HAVE HAD SOME TRANSITION NOW. SO I THINK WE CAN GET THERE. 
          IF DEEO AND GET SOMEONE FROM EACH OF OUR OFFICES BEFORE IT COMES BACK, WHICH IS WHY I PUT IT ON HERE. WHAT I'M GETTING FROM MY NOTES, WITHOUT REAL CHECKS, SAFETY RULES STAY ON PAPER AND DON'T REACH THE WORKERS MOST AT RISK. 
          AND IT'S BACKED UP. THE CONTRACTORS KNOW THEY CAN'T JUST SIGN A FORM AND WALK AWAY. 
          SO JUST AS IMPORTANT, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ANTIRETALIATION PROTECTIONS TO GIVE WORKERS THE CONFIDENCE TO SPEAK UP ABOUT UNSAFE CONDITIONS. 
          SO I THINK WE CAN DO A LITTLE CUTTING AND PASTING. 
          SO WE DON'T HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL. WE KNOW WE'RE NOT IN NEW YORK OR CALIFORNIA, BUT AT LEAST WE CAN LOOK UP THE ROAD TO TRAVIS. 
          >> I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER THAN TRA VITZ. 
          >> WE'LL SEE. I'M JUST SAYING THEY OUGHT TO GET TOGETHER. 
          WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A VOTE ON IT TODAY. I JUST BROUGHT IT UP. WE NEED THE ENGINEER NOT REMOVING INSPECTORS FROM JOB SITES. 
          [00:55:01]
WE NEED THEM PUTTING INSPECTORS, SO THERE'S A LOT MORE TO THIS THAN JUST A PIECE OF PAPER. 
          >> WHATEVER IT COSTS, WE'LL PAYPAY FOR IT. 
          THERE'S NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN A GOOD WORKFORCE. IF WE HAVE TO GO TO A RAINY DAY FUND, WE HAVE TO DO IT. 
          >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          APPRECIATE YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> NEXT ON ITEM 543. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. 
          >> I'M THE DIRECTOR OF THE BETTER BUILDER PROGRAM AT WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT WE SUPPORT THE PROPOSED VET VISIONS TO THE CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY. 
          AND THE COMMIT THE TO ENHANCING SAFETY MEASURES IN HARRIS COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, BUT DO BELIEVE THE POLICY FOR A SHORT AND OUTLINING A MORE PROACTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY PROCESS FOR WORKER SAFETY. MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS SHOWN US THAT THESE COMMITMENTS CAN BE MEANINGLESS UNLESS THERE ARE ROBUST ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS SUCH AS ROUTINE ON SITE MONITORING, TO ENSURE THESE COMMITMENTS ARE ACTUALLY MET THROUGH DIRECT CONVERSATIONS THAT HELP REDUCE RISK TO WORKERS AND LIABILITY TO EMPLOYERS IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER. WE REQUEST THAT THE COURT ADOPT WORKER-CENTER STANDARDS, LIKE THE PROTECTIONS FROM RETALIATION OUTLINED IN THE WORKERS WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY RECOMMENDED BY LABOR PARTNERS. 
          SO THAT CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> TO REPORT UNSAFE CONDITIONS WITHOUT FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOBS. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M AB ORGANIZER AT WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT. I'M HERE REGARDING THE CONTRACTOR SAFETY RECORD POLICY. 
          WE APPRECIATE THE COURT'S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING SAFETY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND WELCOME SEVERAL OF THE CHANGES CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE WORK BEING DONE. 
          BUT THE REALITY IN CONSTRUCTION IS THAT FRAGMENTED OVERSITE, AND GAPS LEAVE WITHOUT RECOURSE WHEN THE HEALTH AND SAFETY IS PUT AT DIRECT RISK. 
          IN TEXAS, A CONSTRUCTION WORKER DIES EVERY THREE DAYS. 
          FOR THIS REASON, WE ARE URGING THE COURT TO ADOPT A COMPLIANCE-DRIVEN WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY AS RECOMMENDED BY THE LABOR LEADERS. 
          THROUGH OUR BETTER BUILDER PROGRAM IN TRAVIS COUNTY, IT'S LONG SUPPORTED SAFE TU MONITORING, WHICH IS PROACTIVE AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT'S WORKER 
          ORIENTED. >> THANK YOU. 
          YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> WERE YOU ABOUT FINISHED WEREN'T. 
          >> NO ONE UNDERSTANDS CONDITIONS BETTER THN WORKERS THEMSELVES. 
          WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS AND HAZARDOUS HEAT IN THE SUMMER LEFT WITH LONG- TERM KMAKTS ON THEIR HEALTH. 
          >> BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE MEET AGAIN, DEO MAYBE YOU CAN SORT THIS OUT AND HAVE SOMEONE FROM OUR OFFICE THERE AS WELL. 
          I WAS JUST GUESSING KNOWING I COULD ONLY TALK TO MONEY ONE. I JUST GRABBED ONE AND HOPED OTHERS WOULD COME ALONG. THAT WE COULD AT LEAST TO AGREE TO PASS THIS IN UNISON. 
          THIS IS PUTTING THIS ON THE JEBD PERSONALLY. I KNOW MY STAFF HAS TAUDS TO YOU. WHEN YOU COME UP, YOU COULD COLT UP TOGETHER. IT MIGHT EXPEDITE IT. 
          IS THIS A PROCESS THAT MAKES SENSE TO YOU ALL? I THINK I KNOW. 
          YOU CAN GET THERE. I JUST THINK WITH TRANSITION GOING ON, NOT POINTING FINGERS AT ANYBODY, BUT I THINK YOU CAN GET SENSE OF THE COURT. 
          >> I HAVE A DOCUMENT THAT HAS WORK TRACK CHANGES THAT IT'S BY THE WORKING GROUP. 
          >> WE CAN GET INTO THIS NOW. IT'S ON THE AGENDA ALSO. 
          [01:00:01]
          >> I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS COMING ON AND WE CAN GET SOME DIRECTION. I THINK THERE'S SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THIS WORKPLACE SAFETY REVIEW POLICY THAT'S THERE AND SOME OF WHAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THE TABLE LIKE A WORK SITE SAFETY POLL AND I WHETHER THE COURT WANTS US TO MERGE THOSE OR WHETHER WE TWEAK THE SAFETY DRAFT THAT THE WORK GROUP HAS WORKED ON AND THE COURT SENDS US TO WORK ON A SEPARATE WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY OR DOING THAT. 
          >> ONCE WE PASSED IT? 
          >> DO YOU MIND? 
          >> SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE 
          HERE? >> I THINK WHAT THEY WERE SAYING, WHAT'S BEING WORKED ON WAS A DESKTOP REVIEW OF SAFE TU VIOLATIONS FOR CONTRACTORS. THE DEO WOULD GO THROUGH TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE ARE VIOLENTERS IN WORKPLACE SAFETY, THEY DIDN'T GET IT FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. 
          THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL POLICY BEING WORKED ON. 
          THEY HAVE ASKED FOR IS A MORE PROACTIVE WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY THAT INVOLVED MONITORING AND A SIGNIFICANTLY MORE ENGAGED PROCESS. 
          >> I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS ASK FOR YEARS. KNOW WE'RE BUSY WORKING ON A LOT OF THINGS, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S A NEW ONE. AND YOU JUST CAME ON. 
          SO IT DIDN'T COME OUT OF NOWHERE. THEY HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR AWHILE. THE OTHER THING I SEE HERE IS -- AND I'M READING THE POLICY BY THE WORK GROUP. 
          IT LISTS SEVERAL KINDS OF CONTRACTS. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE -- THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF CONTRACTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THIS POLICY. 
          IT'S A COOPERATIVE PURCHASE AGREEMENT. 
          IT'S PURCHASES GOODS, CONTRACTS FOR THE PROPERTIES OF GOODS, CONTRACTS PAID FOR USING FUNDS WHERE CONDITION IS AT THIS POLICY IS PROHIBITED. CONTRACTS UNDER EXEMPTIONS FOUND IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. SERVICES PROCURED UNDER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 2254, PROFESSIONAL AND CONSULTING SERVICES, EXPRESSLY WAIVED DETERMINED TO BE NECESSARY. 
          I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CONTRACTS THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE PURCHASING AGENT WHERE WE'RE LEARNING THE POLICIES PAST A YEAR AGO HAVE NOT YET BEEN IMPLEMENTED. THOSE ARE ENGINEERING AND CONTROL. THAT'S NOT THIS. 
          IN OTHER WORDS, I DON'T KNOW THAT TO BE THE CASE. BUT I JUST DON'T WANT ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT FORS UNLESS RIGOROUS PROCESSES FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTS THAT ALREADY FOLLOW A PROBLEMATIC PROCESS. 
          >> WE'LL TAKE A LOOK. 
          YOU GUYS CAN MAKE CLEAR TO MAKE SOL EXAMPLES ON HERE. 
          WHAT'S THE POINT THERE? GREAT THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, I THINK YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE. 
          >> WHO IS NEXT? 
          >> WHILE HE DOES THAT, YOU MENTIONED THE EMERGENCY FUND. THAT'S A CONCERN FOR ME. 
          I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE WOULD PAY FOR THIS ARE FROM. 
          DAY NOT BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE GONE INTO A DEFICIT BECAUSE LOOK AT THIS FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THEY ARE FACING STRUCTURAL BUDGET ISSUES BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN DRAWING DOWN THEY RESERVE FUNDS. 
          THEY ARE NOW TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO GET MORE MONEY FROM. SO EVENTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE TAXES AGAIN. 
          THEY ARE RELYING ON SHORT- TERM FIXES. 
          THIS WOULD BE A SHORT- TERM FIX. THE CITY FACES PRESSURE TO FIND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. WE COPIED WHAT THE CITY DID. 
          SO I, FOR ONE, WE DID NOT CONTRIBUTE WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO THE EMERGENCY FUND. IT'S ASSUMING THAT FEMA SENDS US MONEY THAT THEY HAVEN'T SENT. WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FUND. TO ME, THAT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE. 
          IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE. IT'S NOT AN ANNUAL SOURCE OF FUNDING. I JUST WANT TO BE DIRECT WITH YOU GUYS ABOUT WHERE I'M GOING TO BE. 
          AND I FOUGHT ALMOST BY MY DAMN SELF, NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE TO MAKE SURE WE HAD MONEY BECAUSE EVENTUALLY, EVEN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IS 
          [01:05:03]
NOT GOING TO HAVE MONEY. 
          SOME OF US HAVE PUT THE COUNTY ON A PATH TO FINANCIAL DISASTER. WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PATH THAT THE CITY HAS. 
          >> MY NAME IS SCOTT. I'M COMING TO YOU FROM THE SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT. 
          DOWN ABOUT TWO HOURS SOUTH OF HERE. WE OPERATE TWO PLANTS THAT POWER THE EQUIVALENT OF TWO MILLION HOMES. 
          AND SO I APPRECIATE YOUR EMPHASIS ON THIS. 
          I WANT TO PAINT A PICTURE OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH OUR CONTRACTOR. OUR CONTRACTOR IS DAN ZIMMERMAN. 
          I'M REPRESENTING THE OWNER. WE HAD A PARTNERSHIP. 
          SAFETY IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US. EACH ONE OF US HAS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IT STARTS WITH THE UNION WORKERS COMING DOWN WITH ALREADY TRAINED AND HAVING THE SKILLS AND KNOWING THE SAFETY POLICIES AND PRACTICES. US AS THE OWNER LAYING OUT THE POLICIES AND HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE. AND ALSO -- 
          >> YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >>. 
          >> QUICK QUESTION. 
          THANK YOU FOR COMING. YOU ARE REPRESENTING THE OWNER OF A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN SOUTH TEXAS. 
          IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU. I WENT TO INDIANAPOLIS TO LOOK FOR A PLANT FOR ELI LILLY. 
          HOPEFULLY WE GET MORE COMING. BUT THEY FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THAT TOO. THAT POSITION IS EITHER THEY PAY NOW OR THEY PAY LATER. 
          >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> SO JUST FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHY IS WORKER SAFETY IMPORTANT FOR YOU AS A PERSON REPRESENTING A POWER 
          PLANT? >> NUMBER ONE, WE CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE. IT SUCKS TO WORK WITH AN INJURY. 
          YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO WORK. OR YOU'RE COMING TO WORK WITH A LIMP THAT'S BAD. 
          LET ALONE A DEATH. WE DON'T WANT NEW OF THAT. 
          BUT THERE'S ALSO FINANCIAL COST. 
          THERE'S LOST TIME ON THE JOB. ALL THESE THINGS IMPACT. 
          THERE'S RISK TO THE STATION. ACCIDENTS CAN CAUSE ENTERPRISE RISK TO THE OPERATION OF THE FACILITY. 
          AND THERE'S PUBLIC TRUST. WE HAVE A FASCINATING TECHNOLOGY THIS REQUIRES PUBLIC TRUST FOR US TO CONTINUE IT. AND THAT TRUST IS ERODED IF OUR WORKERS ARE GETTING HURT. 
          >> SO IF IT COSTS YOU MORE MONEY, WE PREFER TO DO THAT ON THE FRONT END. 
          >> SET STANDARD. 
          YOU COLT OUT AHEAD. PERIOD. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> YOU'RE WELCOME. 
          >> THE ONE I HAVE BEEN WAUTING FOR. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS PAUL. 
          I'M THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE HOUSTON GULF COAST BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL. 
          I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THOUSANDS OF SKILLED WORKERS IN THE LOCAL CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE. THEY TAKE PRIDE IN BUILDING AND MAINTAINING THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT KEEP OUR COUNTY AND REGION MOVING. OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS, WE HAVE CALLED AN APPROACH. 
          THIS IS NOT JUST A CONCEPT. IT'S A PROOUMPB SYSTEM THROUGH THE GULF COAST PARTNERSHIP. WE HAVE WORKED MILLIONS OF MAN HOURS AT THIS COMPLEX JUST LIKE AT THE SOUTH TEXAS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WITHOUT ANY SINGLE LOST TIME ACCIDENTS OR MISTAKES. 
          THAT KIND OF RECORD DOESN'T HAPPEN BY CHANCE. 
          IT'S A RESULT OF TRAINING, LEADERSHIP, AND A SHARED SAFETY CULTURE. 
          THE HARRIS COUNTY CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY REFLECTS THAT SAME COMMITMENT. 
          IT PROTECTS WORKERS, SAVES TAXPAYER DOLLARS, AND IT ENSURES EVERY PROJECT MEETS THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF SAFETY AND QUALITY. JUST AS IMPORTANT IN BUILDING IN COMPLIANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY, MAKE SURE THAT SAFETY RULES ARE FOLLOWED AND THAT INCLUDES ANTIRETALIATION PROTECTION. SO WORKERS CAN RAISE SAFETY CONCERNS WITHOUT FEAR. URGE THE COURT TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND FUND THESE POLICIES BECAUSE WHEN LABOR CONTRACTORS IN HARRIS COUNTY WORK TOGETHER, EVERYONE WINS. 
          THE WORKERS, THE COMMUNITY, AND THE COUNTY. 
          >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER, A BRIEF COMMENT. 
          >> THEN UL GIVE YOU THREE QUESTIONS. 
          ONE, I FAVOR THE CADILLAC VERSION. I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO COST THAT MUCH MONEY. JUST FROM MY EXPERIENCE 
          [01:10:02]
ON PASSING BY 700 BILLS, MOST OF THEM I DIDN'T TRY TO WRITE ON THE FLOOR. THERE'S SOME I DID. 
          THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT END UP BEING REWRITTEN AT SOME POINT. SO I JUST AL SUGGESTING A PROCESS INSTEAD OF US TRYING TO DO IT. AND ON MY PART, I WAS JUST GUESSING. 
          AND IF COULD ONLY GRAB ONE COLLEAGUE, I GRAB ONE IN HOPE THAT WE'LL GET TO THREE. WE GOT TO FIVE. 
          THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD. SO WE OUGHT TO SEE WHAT IT COSTS. I JUST THINK A MORE PRUDENT WAY TO DO IT IS WE TELL THAT ADMINISTRATION THAT WE'RE PAYING GOOD MONEY FOR IT. YOU MEET WITH THEM. 
          YOU FIGURE IT OUT. THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS THAT COME UP BEYOND WHAT WE DISCUSS AT THE TABLE. AT LEAST SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, THAT'S BEEN THE POSITION I HAVE TAKEN ON MOST ISSUES. WE JUST DON'T ALWAYS DOT I'S AND CROSS T'S. WE HAVE TO DO OUR POSTURING AND PANDERING, AND YOU ALL DO YOURS AS WELL. SO YOU GET IN THE ROOM, HERE ARE MY THIRD QUESTIONS. WHAT'S MISSING FROM THE PROPOSED CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY REVISIONS THAT WOULD BETTER PROTECT WORKERS? THAT'S NUMBER ONE. 
          NUMBER TWO, WHAT IMPACT COULD CONSISTENT SAFETY ENFORCEMENT IMPACT LONG- TERM LABOR RELATIONS? YOU FORGET THE THIRD ONE, I WILL READ IT. HOW DOES CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT OF OSHA AND KYR IMPACT UNION AND NON-UNION WORKERS DIFFERENTLY. 
          >> SO WHAT YOU'RE MISSING NOW IS YOU CREATED A POLICY. THAT'S IT. 
          YOU CREATED A POLICY. IT SITS ON THE DESK. 
          THAT'S ALL YOU DID. YOU NEED TO PUT SOME MOVEMENT BEHIND IT. 
          YOU NEED TO HAVE BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO WHERE THE WORK IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING AND NOT JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF PAPER THAT SOMEBODY IS SIGNING OFF AND SAYING WE DID THAT. WE CHECKED THAT BOX OFF. 
          INDIVIDUALS, AS SOMEONE MENTIONED EARLY YERKS IT'S IN OUR REGION HERE, WE HAVE 100 DEATHS A YEAR. THAT'S THREE A WEEK. 
          THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. ONE DEATH IS TOO MANY. 
          I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I BROUGHT OUR PARTER IN BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GIVE Y'ALL AN EXAMPLE THAT IT CAN HAPPEN. THIS IS REAL. 
          THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WISHING FOR. 
          IT STARTS AT THE TOP. Y'ALL ARE AT THE TOP. IT TAKES LEADERSHIP AND DECISIONS THAT CREATE THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT FOR THE REST OF US TO WORK IN. 
          AND THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT HAS COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO ENSURE THAT NOT ONLY THEY ARE PROVIDING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR US AS WORKERS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO PROVIDING IT NOR THE COMMUNITY. 
          IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THAT FACILITY WHAT THE IMPACT WOULD BE FOR THAT COMMUNITY. 
          SO THAT'S ONE THING YOU'RE MISSING IS THE ENFORCE THE. YOU'RE MISSING THE COMPONENT OF EMPOWERING THE WORKFORCE TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO SOMEBODY, I'VE GOT A PROBLEM. I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT IT. 
          YOU CAN'T DO IT WITH THE EMPLOYER BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT ARE TIED TO THE 
          FUNDING. >> SO THIS PROCESS THAT I'M SUGGESTING, IF ONE OF US WENT INTO ROME WITH A STAFFER IN THERE, LEGAL MIGHT SAY WE'RE VIOLATING OPEN RECORDS. 
          SOMEBODY MAY SAY IT. 
          CAN'T WALK IN OR IF ONE OF US, ONLY TWO COULD GO IN THE ROOM UNDER THE STRICT INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW. 
          THAT'S WHAT WE SAID AS AN EXAMPLE WHEN I WAS TRYING TO PULL EVERYBODY'S STAFF SO NOBODY LEFT OUT. 
          SO IF YOU'VE GOT FIVE OF OUR STAFFERS, IF THE PEOPLE WANTED TO DPO IN, SOME SENIOR STAFFER, THE DEEO, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, Y'ALL OUGHT TO COLT UP WITH THIS. 
          >> I WOULD LIKE FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO BE THERE. 
          >> THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE. THEY ARE SCARED ONE OF US MIGHT WALK IN THERE. 
          >> JUST TO ANSWER THE OTHER TWO IS THE IMPACT IS GOING TO BE TO HAVE A ROBUST CULTURE OF WORKERS THAT UNDERSTAND SAFETY 
          [01:15:07]
AS A PRIORITY TO THE COUNTY. THAT'S THE BY- PRODUCT OFOF IT. SO WE COMMUNICATE THIS AT THE NUKE. WHY NOT ZERO ACCIDENTS? WHY NOT ZERO REWORK? SO NO MISTAKES ON THE PROJECT. 
          MISTAKES COST MONEY. IF YOU HAVE A SKILLED WORKER, THE BY-PRODUCT OF THOSE TWO ENTITIES IS PRODUCTIVITY. YOU'LL GET THINGS DONE ON TIME, ON BUDGET, IF YOU HIRE THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR AND ENSURE THAT THE WORKFORCE IS SAFE AND THEY ARE SKILLED AND BEING ABLE TO DO THAT WORK. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> IT'S OPINION MY EXPERIENCE THAT IF YOU HAVE CLARITY IN YOUR BID DOCUMENTS, IF THERE'S AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO AND NOT GOING TO DO, YOU'RE GOING TO GET, I THINK, COMPETITIVE GOOD PRICING. 
          AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A SAFER PLACE TO WORK. 
          FROM MY CHAIR, THE MONEY WE SPENT DOING SOME BUREAUCRATIC PAUPER PROCESS IS JUST A BIG WASTE OF MONEY. SO I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THE IMPACT, THE COST IMPACT ON WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS PROBABLY ON THE OTHER SIDE. 
          WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE A SAY IF WE PROVIDE MORE CLARITY. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE CONFUSION. 
          WE DON'T HAVE CLARITY. WE HAVE CHAOS WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUR BID DOCUMENTS. 
          WE ARE ABOUT TO BID $3.5 BILLION JUST IN FLOOD CONTROL WORK OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. 
          WE NEED TO GET THESE DOCUMENTS RIGHT. 
          WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT THERE'S CLARITY IN OUR COMMUNICATION OF WHAT OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE. 
          WHEN THE CONTRACTORS KNOW WHAT OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE, THEN THEY SHOW UP. 
          YOU GET MORE COMPETITIVE BIDS. AND THE COUNTY, THERE'S WINNERS ON ALL SIDES. SO FROM MY CHAIR, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF EFFORT PUT INTO BEING SURE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, NOT DEEO EVALUATING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS. 
          COMMISSIONER, THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. WE NEED PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND CONSTRUCTION INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW, THAT APPEARS TO BE IN THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE. 
          SO WE NEED TO GET THAT RIGHT IN TERMS OF WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE. DON'T ADOPT SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE TO ENFORCE OR ANY INTENTION OF ENFORCING. SO LET'S GET SOMETHING RIGHT ON PAUPER AND PUT IT IN PRACTICE, BUT WITH PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING OUT ON THE JOB SITE, KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING, AND NOT SHY AWAY FROM IT. THERE'S SEVERAL ITEMS COMING UP NOT IN JUST THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT, BUT OTHER COURTS WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO IS ON THE SITE ACTUALLY REPRESENTING THE COUNTY. 
          THERE'S SOME THINGS WE CAN GET CONSULTANTS TO DO, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO COUNTY BID ITEMS ON THE SITE WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHAT YOU'RE GETTING PAID FOR, YOU DON'T TURN THAT OVER TO THE CONTRACTOR. 
          YOU DON'T HAVE THE CONTRACTOR, MR. CONTRACTOR, WHAT DID YOU GET PUT IN TODAY? WELL, LET ME LOOK. I THINK I DID ABOUT 10,000 YARDS OF CONCRETE. YOU CAN PAY ME FOR THAT. 
          NO, YOU NEED A COUNTY EMPLOYEE OUT THERE VERIFYING NOT ONLY THE QUALITY, BUT ALSO THE SAFETY OF WHAT'S GOING ON ON THOSE CONSTRUCTION SITES. THIS IS A BIG DEAL. 
          AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN GET THIS THING DONE. 
          >> THANK YOU. I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE COUNTY ENGINEER, I KNOW THEY HAVE A SAFETY MANAGER. 
          WHO IS ALREADY DOING AND MAYBE ALREADY DOING SOME OF THIS WORK. 
          >> THIS IS BOOTS ON THE GROUND, COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THE GROUND ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE MAKING SURE WORKERS OUT THERE, THAT EVERYBODY IS ACCOMPLISHING WHAT IS IN THOSE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS. 
          >> COMPLETELY AGREE. 
          >> THANK YOU. TO THE PARTNERS, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH WHAT THEY WERE JUST SAYING. I APPRECIATE THAT IN 2023, WE DID THE WORK OUR CONTRACTOR SAFETY RECORD POLICY, AND NOW I'M HAPPY THAT WE'RE TAKING IT TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL SO THAT WE CAN PUT IT INTO ACTION. 
          AND I KNOW THAT NOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THE TOP TALENT LEADING PURCHASING, WE HAVE OUR PURCHASING A AGENT, WE HAVE OUR NEW DEOO LEADER, AND WITH THE BIG THREE WITH COUNTY 
          [01:20:02]
ENGINEERING AND THEN HE'S BEEN AN MVP HELPING TO CHAMPION ALL THIS, THANK YOU TO THE TEAM. THERE'S ALREADY THESE CHECKLISTS BEING DONE, BUT WITH ADDITIONAL TRAINING, HOW CAN WE CREATE THAT CLARITY, ALIGNMENT, AND CONSISTENCY FOR EACH OF THE WORK SITES. 
          SO I'M VERY ENERGIZED BY WHAT WILL HAPPEN. 
          AND I LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER SO THAT WE CAN WORKSHOP, STRENGTH, AND CREATE THE CLARITY, ESPECIALLY AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SO MANY. 
          IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT TEXT IS ONE TEXAS IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS STATES. 
          LET'S BE THAT LIGHT OF THE PROGRESS IN SAFETY. 
          SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. I APPRECIATE -- I KNOW THE ENGINEERING TEAM IS ALL IN, ALL OF THE TEAM MEMBERS LEADING, THANK YOU. 
          >> JUST A QUICK QUESTION FOR COUNTY ENGINEER. 
          DO WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE THESE PROTECTIONS AGAINST RETALIATION? DO YOU GUYS KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT? 
          >> ARE YOU ASKING IF WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY? 
          >> AS HARRIS COUNTY, ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT -- I'M NOT DESIGNING THIS. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED. BUT ONE OF THE PIECES WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IS, OKAY, IF WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE OUTSIDE MONITORS, AND I DON'T MEAN CONSULTANTS. I MEAN NOT PART OF THE COMPANY. 
          THEN WE'LL RELIEN THE EMPLOYEES, ON THE WORKERS TO SPEAK UP. THEN THE WAY TO PROTECT THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO SPEAK UP IS BYBY PROTECTING THEM AGAINST RETALIATORY FIRING OR RETALIATORY ACTION. DO YOU THINK WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PROTECT THEM? 
          >> THAT'S A DIFFERENT ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE. 
          WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK ABOUT THAT. BUT IT'S RELATED TO A VIOLATION OF A POLICY, ONCE WE ADOPT A POLICY, THAT BECOMES PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, IF THAT'S VIOLATED, THEN THERE'S RECOURSE THAT THE COUNTY COULD TAKE FOR THAT VIOLATION. SO THAT'S WHY THE POLICY WOULD BE REQUIRED. 
          >> OKAY. 
          >> OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS IN THESE CONTRACTS, WE CAN REQUIRE THEM TO FOLLOW THESE RULES AND INCLUDE THAT ENFORCEABILITY. 
          >> JUST A NOTE HERE. WE'RE LOOKING A AT HOLDING THESE CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE, RIGHT? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING THIS ON THE BID. RIGHT NOW, WHAT'S COMING OUT OF THE AUDIT IS EVEN THOUGH WE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SAY THESE -- WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR, I THINK, PAUL. 
          OKAY, WHAT WAS THE SCORING CRITERIA? WHAT WAS THE SCORE? WHO WAS ON THE SCORING COMMITTEE? IS THERE PROJECT- SPECIFIC CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS. A YEAR LATER EVEN THOUGH WE PASSED THIS, IT'S NOT BEING IMPLEMENTED. AND THE ENGINEERING REPORT IS GOING TO COLT OUT. IT'S IN THE AUDITORS OFFICE. 
          I HAVE TO IMAGINE IT'S THE SAME ISSUE. 
          I HOPE WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PUSHING FOR THAT. I JUST HEARD THAT WE HAVE A FABULOUS TEAM IN OUR NEW PURCHASING AGENT, SO I'M HOPE THERE'S NOT RET SANS TO HANDLE THESE CONTRACTS, SO THAT WE KNOW THEY ARE, IN FACT, GOING THROUGH THE STANDARD PROCUREMENT PROCESSES, SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY ENFORCE THIS ON THE CONTRACT. 
          >> TO BE CLEAR, JUDGE, JUST A COMMENT. WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS COMPETITIVELY BID CONTRACTS WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS. SO THOSE ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS. SO OF COURSE, WE WOULD GO THROUGH THE BIDDING PROCESS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. 
          COMPETITIVELY BID, NOT WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS AUDITED LAST MONTH JUST TO BE CLEAR. 
          >> OKAY. TO BE CLEAR, THESE CONTRACTS ARE SUPPOSED TO GO TO BID WITH SCORING CRITERIA AND SCORING COMMITTEES ACCORDING TO EVERY OTHER COUNTY. 
          WE CAN DISCUSS WHETHER OR NOT IT'S OKAY TO NOT HAVE ANYTHING IN WRITING, BUT I'LL REMIND YOU, WE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. ONE PERSON I KAPT REMEMBER IF IT WAS YOU OR ME. 
          TO HAVE PROPER PROCESSES IN PLACE. 
          [01:25:07]
JUST THE TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER WE'RE PROMISING WILL HAPPEN IN PRACTICE. I I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT PUTSING TAXPAYER DOLLARS OR OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AT RISK IN NOT FOLLOWING PROCEDURES THAT ARE STANDARD OR TAKING CONTRACTING OUTSIDE OF AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY THAT'S SUPPOSE D TO BE INSIDE THE INDEPENDENT AGENCY. 
          YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> SO ON THIS ISSUE, THANK YOU. 
          YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE PROCESS THAT I HAVE OUTLINED? 
          >> YES. 
          >> I KNOW AN ITEM COMES UP, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT. 
          BUT YOU NEED THE OTHER DIRECTION NOW? 
          >> I DON'T THINK SO, COMMISSIONER. 
          I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS THAT -- I THINK I'M CLEAR ON WHAT YOU ON WHAT I'M HEARING FROM COURT. 
          WE WANT TO INCORPORATE ON SITE IN THEERS AND MAKE IT MORE WORK SITE AND SAFETY REVIEW. 
          >> WE ALREADY HAVE INSPECTORS ON SITE. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD. WE'RE ADDING THAT TO THIS PARTICULAR POLICY. 
          >> IF Y'ALL MEET, I WOULD SAY ONCE WE FINISH UP TODAY BEFORE WE MEET AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS, HAVE MORE THAN ONE MEETING. HAVE SOME SENIOR PERSON TO HASH IT OUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN COME TO THE TABLE. GO THE CADILLAC VERSION. 
          WHAT YOU WANT YOU TO DO, I WANT TO ASK FOR WHAT I WANT. I'M GOING TO TAKE WHAT I CAN 
          GET. >> OKAY. 
          >> ALL RIGHT. 
          SO THANK YOU. AND TO THE OTHER SPEAKERS, APOLOGY. THIS HAS BEEN PENDING FOR YEARS. 
          SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FACT THAT YOU'RE HERE. 
          SO THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ESSENTIAL WORKERS BOARD. 
          OUR BOARD HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE A WORKERS DEFENSE TO MAKE SURE THE CONTRACTOR SAFE TU POLICY IS IMPLEMENTED THE RIGHT WAY. 
          TO TOO MANY WORKERS ARE DYING ON THE PROJECT SHOULD NEVER BE ONE OF THEM. 
          WE PROVIDED RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP THE COUNTY INTEGRATE THESE STANDARDS EFFECTIVELY BECAUSE EVERY WORKER DESERVES A SAFE AND FAIR WORKPLACE. WE WANT MORE THAN SELF-REPORTING AND OSHA COMPLIANCE. WE THE WANT THE COUNTY TO CONDUCT DIRECT SAFE TU CHECKS AT ALL WORK SITES TO ENSURE THE STANDARDS ARE CONSISTENTLY ENFORCED AND NO CORNERS ARE CUT. I WOULD RATHER SEE COUNTY MONEY THROUGH COLLABORATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY, HARRIS COUNTY IS SETTING AN EXAMPLE FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, ONE THAT VALUES PEOPLE AS MUCH AS PROGRESS. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> GO AHEAD. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS POLICY AND FOR STANDING WITH ESSENTIAL WORKERS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE WORKER MEANINGS TO MOVE FROM PAPER TO PRACTICE. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> NEXT IS SARA REDMOND ON ITEM 428. 
          FOLLOWED BY NON- AGENDA SPEAKERS JOHANNA, RICARDO, MARK ROBINSON, RONALD WHITFIELD. 
          >> AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT'S REALLY COLD? IT'S JUST ME? 
          >> GO AHEAD. 
          >> MY NAME IS SARA. I'M A TEACHER, I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4. I WANTED TO -- I HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ITEM THAT I HOPE Y'ALL CAN MAYBE TALK ABOUT IN YOUR DISCUSSION LATER. 
          ABOUT WHAT ARE THE THE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE POLICE. 
          THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS ONE. AND I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM IS FREE AND ALIVE RIGHT NOW AND GEORGE FLOYD ISN'T. AND I WANTED TO KNOW S THAT WHY ISN'T THERE AN IMPLEMENTED USE OF FORCE POLICY THAT'S BYE- BYE UNIFIED BUZZ THAT WAS ANNOUNCED JUST WEEKS AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S BRUTAL MURDER HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          SO SINCE THEN, THERE HASN'T BEEN AN IMPLEMENTED USE OF FORCE POLICY. 
          TO FOLLOW UP WITH, THAT THIS POLICY -- 
          >> GO AHEAD. >> A UNIFIED POLICY DOESN'T 
          [01:30:07]
END THE VIOLENCE. IT JUST REPACKAGES IT. 
          SO I RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ARE ALL REFORMISTS, BUT NOT HERE AS A REFORMATIVE. THE ACTUAL CONVERSATION THAT CAME OUT AFTER HIS MURDER WAS DIVESTMENT FROM THE POLICE. AND DEFUNDING THE POLICE ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL. SO TO INVEST IN LIFE- SUSTAINING SYSTEMS LIKE HOMELESS HEALTH CARE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT. THAT FOR BETTER PAPERWORK, WHICH IS WHAT THESE REFORMS WOULD DO. SO TRUE SAFETY IS NOT WRITTEN IN POLICY MANUALS. IT'S IN THE HOUSING. 
          AND GEORGE FLOYD'S LESSON WAS NOT ABOUT REFORM. 
          I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT. IT WAS ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMAGINE A WORLD BEYOND POLICING. AND ANGELA DAVIS SAID HOW REFORMS OFTEN FUNCTION LIKE PRISONS THEMSELVES. 
          INSTEAD OF CONFRONTING THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE. 
          I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU DIRECTLY OF WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY? AND EACH NEW REFORM LOOKS LIKE THE OLD SYSTEM. 
          AND POLICING CANNOT BE REFORMED INTO JUSTICE BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER DESIGNED FOR IT. 
          ABOLISH THE POLICE. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> WE HAD THOSE ITEMS THAT WE KEPT BRINGING BACK. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE TO SEEK JUSTICE FOR MYSELF AND A 17-YEAR- OLD GIRL WHOSE LIFE WAS LOST BECAUSE OF THE NEGLIGENCE AND SILENCE IN THE JUVENILE PROBATION DID THE. WHILE WORKING THERE, I WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST , UGH NORSED AND RETALIATED AGAINST AFTER REPORTING SERIOUS MISCONDUCT. HR FAILED TO PROTECT ME OR ACT ON EVIDENCE THAT WITNESS STAUMTS. THEY SILENCED ME BY TERMINATING MY EMPLOYMENT. 
          BUT THE GREATEST INJUSTICE WAS TO THAT YOUNG GIRL, A PSYCHOLOGIST TOOK HER INTO HER HOME A DIRECT VIOLATION OF COUNTY POLICY AND LEADERSHIP KNEW BUT DID NOTHING. 
          THEY COVERED IT UP INSTEAD OF REPORTING IT. THEY ALLOWED HER TO BE LEFT ALONE IN A HOTEL WHERE SHE TOOK HER OWN LIFE. 
          THEY NOT ONLY LIED ABOUT THE LICENSE, BUT HEARTLESSLY SAID FROM SHE WAS GOING TO KILL HERSELF ANY WAY. MY JOB WAS SEEN AS REDUNDANT AS FAR AS DUTIES ARE CONCERNED. 
          I GUESS IT WASN'T REDUNDANT TO ALLOW ADMINISTRATORS TO KEEP THEIR JOBS LONG ENOUGH UNTIL THEY FOUND OTHER EMPLOYMENT. OR EVEN THROUGH THE VOVLT WITH THE WRONGFUL DEATH. THOSE RESPONSIBLE WERE PROTECTED. I WAS PUNISHED FOR TELLING THE TRUTH. I'M ASKING THIS COURT TO PLEASE DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY. LET NO OTHER EMPLOYEE OR YOUTH SUFFER FROM THIS NEGLIGENCE OR SILENCE AGAIN. THIS CULTURE OF OPPRESSION MUST BE ABOLISHED. 
          THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND WE'RE LOOKING INTO IT. 
          AND ALSO TRYING NOT THE TO DEFUND THE DEPARTMENT THAT ALREADY DOESN'T PAY Y'ALL ENOUGH. 
          SO IT DID GET DEFUNDED. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. FOR 25 YEARS, THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN MUTT SECOND HOME. IT'S WHERE I LEARNED TO BE A DOCTOR AND THE ONLY PLACE I EVER WANTED TO PRACTICE MEDICINE. 
          I'M NOT HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU WHAT THE HOSPITAL DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY. 
          THE VOTERS ANSWERED THAT RESOUNDINGLY CROSSING PARTY LINES IN THE 2023 REFERENDUM. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT SPACE. 
          THEY NEED MORE CAPACITY. THAT'S JUST A FACT OF LIFE. 
          THIS MORNING I SPOKE WITH AND EXAMED A PATIENT BEHIND CURTAINS FOR OVER 60 YEARS, THIS HOSPITAL AND THIS COUNTY HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY CAN AND WILL TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE LIKE THIS. IN 2019, I TOOK CHRISTY WATSON FOR A TOUR OF THE HOSPITAL. 
          CHRISTY HAS WRITTEN ABOUT HOW SHE SUSTAINED COMPASSION WHILE WORKING IN THE PUBLIC WANT HOSPITALS OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE IN ENGLAND. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SHE WOULD THINK OF OUR LOCAL SYSTEM, AND SHE DIDN'T HESITATE TO TELL ME. IT'S BEAUTIFUL, SHE SAID. 
          THERE'S SO MUCH SPACE. THE HOSPITALS WERE ALL OVERCROWDED, SHE EXPLAINED, BECAUSE OF UK GOVERNMENTS HADN'T TENDED THE GARDEN, SO TO SPEAK, AND ADDED INFRASTRUCTURE WHEN THEY NEEDED TO. LET'S LEARN. LET'S EXPAND WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. 
          >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM A PHYSICIAN AT THE HOSPITAL AND HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF 
          [01:35:01]
THE PROPOSED EXPANSION PLANS. AND I'M HERE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF. THERE'S BEEN MUCH WRITTEN THAT THE PLAN WILL NEED REMOVAL OF VITAL GREEN SPACE. I PROMISE NO ONE LOVES HUGHES TAN PARKS MORE THAN ME. 
          RIDE MY BIKE EVERY DAY. MY FRONT YARD IS A DESIGNATED NATURAL AREA BY THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. 
          BUT MORE IMPORTANT, IS A FLOURISHING AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY. OUR HOSPITAL FOR ALL RESIDENTS IS BEYOND FULL. WE HAVE PATIENTS WHO SPEND OUR ENTIRE HOSPITALIZATION IN THE HALLWAYS OR SEATED IN THE CHAIR IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOR DAYS. 
          WE ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BALANCE CARE DECISIONS BASED ON CAPACITY, SOMETHING WE SHOULD NEVER BE FORCED TO DO. 
          WE DESPERATELY NEED THESE BEDS, AND I ASK WHEN THE DECISION COMES BEFORE THE COURT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TRANSFERRING THE LAND TO HARRIS HEALTH, PLEASE APPROVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          HAPPY TO HELP IN ANY WAY IN THE 
          FUTURE. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. 
          >> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> YES, MA'AM. 
          NEXT IS RONALD WHITFIELD. ISHNESS NONMERSER. 
          YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> WE LOST QUORUM. SHOULD WE TAKE A BREAK? IT'S 11:47. WE'RE TAKING A BRIEF BREAK. 
          WE HAVE TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE 
          >>> ALL RIGHT. IT'S 11:55 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SPEERKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. 
          AFTER MANY REQUESTS FOR A WARMER ROOM, IT IS HAPPENING. 
          >> YES, MA'AM. WERE YOU NEXT? 
          >> GO AHEAD. JUST MENTION YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> OKAY. SHANNON MERCER. I'M A MEMBER OF A SMALL SELF- GOVERNED NEIGHBORHOOD CALLED HOLLY SPRINGS, LOCATED IN FAR NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY IN PRECINCT 4. 
          THE PURPOSE OF MY VISIT TODAY IS TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH DRAIN ACT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. 
          IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED EXTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT SURROUNDING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, INCLUDING LARGE HOME DEVELOPMENTS AND SHOPPING CENTERS. IN ADDITION, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS DIVIDED BY A MAJOR ROAD, FARM MARKET 2920, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR WIDENING IN 2027. WE DID CONSULT A DRAINAGE ENGINEER, WHO STATED THAT THE ACCESS WATER THAT IS OVERWHELMING OUR DRAINAGE SYSTEM ON THE NORTH SOID OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS COMING FROM FM 2920 -- 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM. 
          >> AS A SMALL, TAX- PAYING SELF-GOVERNED COMMUNITY, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN PRESENTED BY THIS ISSUE. THE COUNTY'S ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, AND WE'RE WONDERING IF PERHAPS WE CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH OR MEET WITH THE COMMISSIONER AT SOME POINT. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF MY ENGINEERS IS COMING DOWN TO SPEAK WITH YOU RIGHT NOW. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JANE DOE AND I'M A JANE DOE OF A HEINOUS CRIME. 
          I HAVE BEEN RELOCATED BECAUSE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. 
          BUT THE INDIVIDUAL WHO DID THIS TO ME, WHO HELD ME AGAINST MY WILL, AND HELD ME AT GUNPOINT FOR NUMEROUS HOURS IS STILL FREE. I HAVE COOPERATED. 
          MY DETECTIVE IS AMAZING. BUT YET, NOT ONE TIME HAS SHE BEEN ABLE TO GET A WARRANT SIGNED OFF ON THIS INDIVIDUAL. HE HAS BEEN PRECISE AND AT THE SAME TIME, HAS USED HIS CONNECTIONS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INTIMIDATE ME. 
          THE WORDS THIS MY MOUTH WHEN I WENT THROUGH FIGHT OR FLIGHT TO 
          [01:40:04]
GET AWAY FROM HIM IS I WOULD KNOW YOU CALLED THE POLICE BEFORE THEY SHOWED UP TO YOUR RESIDENCE. I HAD TO RUN FOR MY LIFE. 
          I SLEEP WITH GLASS IN FRONT OF MY DOOR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID. 
          I CAN'T EVEN CALL THE POLICE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AT MY HOUSE DUE TO HIS TIES TO THE CITY. 
          MY QUESTION TODAY IS ALL THIS MONEY IS GOING EVERY WHICH WAY IT MAYBE NEEDED, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CRIME VICTIMS? WHAT ABOUT THE WOMEN WHO ARE RUNNING AND TO GO TO A SHELTER? MY JOB, I CAN'T WORK IN A SHELTER. I HAVE TO STAY HIPPA COMPLIANT. 
          WHEN I NEED RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH TO JUST HELP ME OUT WHEN DAYS I CAN'T CONCENTRATE, I HAVE A HEART CONDITION AND SET FOR SURGERY. I HAVE CALLED THE MAYOR'S OFFICE 20 TIMES. 
          THE SUICIDE HOTLINE 168 TIMES BECAUSE I BELIEVE AS A BLACK WOMAN, I SHOULD BE PROTECTED IN THIS COUNTY. I'M A CONSTITUENT. 
          I REACH OUT FOR HELP AND TOLD THAT'S A COUNTY ROB. 
          IT'S NOT A CITY PROBLEM. 
          BUT I LIVE IN HOUSTON. THE CITY OF HOUSTON. IT'S AB EVERYBODY'S PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD BE YOUR DAUGHTER, YOUR SISTER, YOUR AUNT. 
          IT'S NOT FAIR. MY QUESTION TODAY IS THE HELP THAT I NEED, HOW CAN I GO ABOUT IT WHEN I CALLED OVER HUNDREDS OF AGENCIES? I DON'T NEED GROUP THERAPY. 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I BELIEVE SHB FROM MY OFFICE SPOKE WITH YOU ALREADY. I'LL MAKE SURE THAT THEY DID DID THAT YOU GUYS CAN DISCUSS. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> 
          >>. >> THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN TEXAS. 
          THIS IS NOT THE EXPERIENCE. I'M SO GLAD TO SEE A NEW JAIL ON THE AGENDA. THE CURRENT JAIL IS HORRIBLY OVERCROWDED, WHICH TAKES ITS TOLL ON GUARDS. 
          THEY HAVE FAILED MAJORITIES OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, THE POPULATION HAS GREATLY INCREASED, INCLUDING A HIGHER PERCENTAGE IN THE -- SORRY. 
          >> -- TO PREVENT ARRESTED LEGAL ALIENS THAT THEY SHOULD BE DEPORTED AND SENT BACK TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. 
          DON'T SPEND THE MONEY OF CITIZENS TO CIRCUMVENT THE LAW AND KEEP PEOPLE TO COMMIT MORE CRIMES TO INNOCENT PEOPLE. 
          >> THANK YOU, MA'AM. 
          YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER, RONALD WHITFIELD, MARY KOCH, JADA DICKENS AND LADONNA LUBECK. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> DO YOU WANT THEM IN ORDER? 
          >> NO PROBLEM, SIR. JUST COME UP AND MENTION YOUR NAME AT SOME POINT DURING YOUR 
          REMARKS. >> GOOD MORNING. MISS BRIONES. MR. ELLIS, BIG FAN, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE SECOND PART. I HAVE NO IDEA WHO DOES IT, BUT WHY ON HEAVEN'S EARTH DO WE AS CITIZENS HAVE TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO GO THROUGH OUR WALLET WHEN WE ARE GOING INTO A COUNTY BUILDING? PLEASE LOOK INTO THAT. I CANNOT FIGURE OUT ANYTHING THAT GOES THROUGH A METAL DETECTOR. 
          WHY DO YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH IT? I FEEL INTRUDED. NUMBER TWO, I WOULD LIKE THE COUNCIL TO PLEASE REVIEW 3802 TEXAS PENAL CODE. 
          READ IT. DON'T AI IT, PLEASE. 
          READ IT, GET WITH YOUR CITY ATTORNEY AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I FEEL THERE ARE MANY GROSS EXAMPLES OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO DO NOT UNDERSTAND -- 
          >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME. 
          >> DO YOU WANT TO WRAP UP? IS THAT WHAT YOU HAVE? 
          >> MA'AM, I HAVE FIVE OFFICERSOFFICERS THAT DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE LAW, AND I THINK IT'S SYSTEMIC IN THEIR TRAINING. SO I AM SPEAKING FOR TRAINING AND PARTICULARLY COUNTY OFFICERS SINCE THAT'S WHAT WE DEAL WITH, SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLES. 
          >> THANK YOU, SIR. 
          >> MR. ELLIS, BIG FAN. 
          [01:45:07]
          >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICE YOU ALL DO. MY NAME IS MARY KOCH. 
          IT'S SPELLED K-O-C-H AND THAT HAPPENS UPON OFTEN. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE HARRIS EXPANSION ABOUT THE UNDEVELOPED AREA ADJACENT TO BANTOP. I SUPPORT THAT, AND I AM REPRESENTING THE METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION TMO WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION MADE UP PRIMARILY OF CONGREGATIONS THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND ADJACENT COUNTIES. I HAVE A LETTER HERE THAT WE SENSE TO DR. PORTIA SUPPORTING THE BOND ISSUE WHICH WE ARE VERY HAPPY PASSED AND WE HELPED DO THAT, KNOCKED ON A LOT OF DOORS AND DID A LOT OF EDUCATION. 
          I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT BANTAB. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM. 
          >> JUST VERY BRIEFLY, THEN. I'VE SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER IN HEALTHCARE AND TEN YEARS OF IT WAS IN THE MEDICAL CENTER. 
          I WAS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WITH TIER LIFE BRIDGE. 
          I KNOW FIRST HAND THETHE OF BENTAB AND HARRIS HEALTH AS A COMPONENT OF TRAUMA CARE. HARRIS HEALTH IN BENTAB PROVIDE A WIDE ARRAY, BUT I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ESSENTIAL SERVICE THAT THIS PUBLIC HOSPITAL OFFERS FOR TRAUMA CARECARE IN OUR EXPANDED COMMUNITY. 
          I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR FAMILY, BUT IN MY FAMILY WE SAYSAY WE'RE IN A TRAGIC CAR ACCIDENT OR WHATEVER, TAKE ME TO BANTAB FIRST. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HAVE THE LETTER THAT WE WROTE TO DR. 
          PORTIA. TO WHOM DO I GIVE IT FOR DISTRIBUTION? THANK YOU. 
          >> YOU CAN HAND IT TO THE 
          OFFICER THERE TO YOUR LEFT. >> OH, OKAY. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS KOCH. 
          >> HELLO. I'M JADA DICKENS, AND I AM HERE TO REPORT A SEVERE CONDUCT, THREE ADMINISTRATIONADM INISTRATION EXPLOITED A STUDENT AND -- THEY WERE DOING SUCH THINGS AS SENDING HER MONEY, ASKING HER TO TRAVEL TO MEXICO AND EVEN GIVINGGIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE WITH ONE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS. THEY CREATED THE FALSE IMPRESSION THAT SHE WAS PROVIDED GENUINE SUPPORT AND INSTEAD SOON NEGLECTED HER. THESE INDIVIDUALS ABANDONED HERHER AND ON THE SAME DAY OF HER GRADUATION SHE WAS PROVIDED WITH THE HOTEL ROOM WHERE SHE TOOK HER OWN LIFE. 
          DESPITE THE CLEAR SIGN OF NEGLIGENCE, MANIPULATION AND ABUSE OF POWER, THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE DEALT WITH NO ACCOUNTABILITY. THOSE RESPONSIBLE WERE ABLE TO WALK AWAY WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE, I CAN SHORTLY 
          ADD SOMETHING? >> GO AHEAD. 
          I UNDERSTAND THAT EARLIER YOU DID MENTION THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS DEFUNDED AND THAT YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING INTO IT, HOWEVER, JADEN DIED ALMOST TEN MONTHSMONTHS AGO. I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE LOOKING INTO IT, BUT IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME. 
          I DON'T WANT TO WAIT ANYMORE, AND I WANT THESE INDIVIDUALS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. 
          >> YEAH. ABSOLUTELY, AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN -- THE LACK OF FUNDING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A WHILE, AND NOW THERE'S GOING TO BE EVEN LESS FUNDING WAS MY POINT. 
          I'M ASKING MY STAFF, AND I'M LOOKING INTO THIS PERSONALLY. 
          I'M ASKING MY STAFF IF THEY CAN VISIT WITH THE TWO OF YOU TODAY. THERE MAY BE A LEGAL REASON WHY NOT, BUT JUST KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A VERY, VERY SERIOUS ISSUE, AND THAT IS MY FEAR IS WHEN YOU HAVE A DEPARTMENT STRETCHED SO THIN WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? WE GIVE A RAISE TO ALL OF THE DETENTION OFFICERS AT THE JAIL, BUT NOT THE FOLKS IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM. 
          ALWAYS THE KIDS GET LEFT BEHINDBEHIND THE KIDS DON'T VOTE. SO I'M REALLY SORRY THIS HAPPENED, AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOPEFULLY I CAN GET THE SUPPORT OF MY COLLEAGUES TO MAKE SURE TO GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND YOU WON'T IF YOU DON'T PAY THEM 
          RIGHT. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO. MY NAME IS LADONNA LUBECK, 
          [01:50:05]
BETTER KNOWN AS DONNIE. I APPRECIATE FOR LETTING ME SPEAK, AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ALL DO. 
          MY ISSUE IS NOT LISTED ON YOUR AGENDA. IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION. 
          I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH TENESHIA HUDSPETH. 
          THIS ELECTION IS HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH GETTING WORKERS NOT ALLOWING PARTY HELP AND THIS BACKS UP BEING ABLE TO APPOINT JUDGES IN SO MANY AREAS FOR ELECTION DAY. ROCHELLE DID DO A TRAINING TO EXPLAIN HOW ALL OF THIS WORKS AND TO PAINT THE -- BUT THE WORKERS ALL HAVE JUST RECEIVED PLACEMENT LETTERS AROUND THE -- AROUND OCTOBER 1ST OR AFTER, AND WORKERS GOT THEIR LETTERS TWO WEEKS LATER. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM. 
          >> THESE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY AUGUST 1ST FOR JUDGES AND WORKERS BY SEPTEMBER 1ST, DAY OF MID- AUGUST WOULD EVEN BE BETTER. 
          TWO WEEKS BEFORE WORK THE JUDGES ARE CONTACTED, AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY HUSBAND GOT CONTACTED ON FRIDAY TO WORK AND STARTS ONON MONDAY. THAT'S NOT A GOOD ISSUE HERE. THE PROCESS IS MAKE MORE. THE PROCESS IS FAILING MORE LIKE 2022 ADMINISTRATOR MESS. 
          LIKE TENISHIA HUDSPETH, AND I HOPE NO ONE IS PUSHING HER FROM BEHIND BECAUSE SHE'S DONE A GREAT JOB. I HAVE READ THE LAW AND THESE THINGS ARE NOT IN THERE. THEY DID NOT COME FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE BECAUSE I'VE READ ALL OF THE NEW LAWS. THEY'RE PUTTING DIFFERENT POLICIES IN THAT ARE AFFECTING, LIKE MYSELF. 
          I'VE BEEN A JUDGE FOR 33 YEARS, AND TO ALL OF A SUDDEN WE'RE WORKING AND SCRATCHING OUR HEADS TO GET MORE WORKERS, AND WHEN I GET THEM MORE, AND I JUST GOT MY LIST TODAY OF MY FINAL PEOPLE WORKING FOR ME WILL BE ON MONDAY AND IT'S NOT AN EVEN NUMBER FROM PARTY TO PARTY AND THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE EQUAL. 
          SO I'M JUST LETTING YOU KNOW. 
          >> I WILL FOLLOW UP. 
          >> OKAY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WOULD HELP AND I KNOW A BIT BECAUSE I'VE LEARNED FROM SOMEONE IN INTEGRITY AND ALSO FROM ROCHELLE THAT THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE APPOINTED, YOU ALL HAVE TO VOTE ON THEM TO GET THEM THEIR APPOINTMENT LETTERS AND WE NEED TO BE DOING ALL OF THAT LONG BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST. 
          WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CAN BE JUDGES AND WOULD BE WILLING IF WE COULD GET THEM APPOINTED. 
          I MEAN, I'M SITTING RIGHT NOW WITH MINE. 
          MY PRECINCT DOES NOT HAVE AN AJ, AND I'M WORKING WITH A WOMAN WHO IS A JUDGE AND WILLING TO BE THERE ON ELECTION DAY, BUT BECAUSE SHE'S NOT APPOINTED, CAN'T WORK. 
          >> WE WILL FILL OUT WITH DIRECTOR HUDSPETH. 
          >> I REALLY RESPECT HER. SHE'S DONE A GREAT JOB. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. 
          >> OKAY, THANK YOU, TIFFANY, AND FOR ENFORCING THE TIME. I KNOW SOMETIMES WE OVERRULE YOU, AND THE PROBLEM IS I ALLOWED SOMEONE TO SPEAK LONGER, AND THEN I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO ALLOW EVERYBODY ELSE. SO I WORK TO BE MORE DISCIPLINED 
          [Public Hearings]
AGAIN NEXT TIME. OKAY. 
          SO NOW WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE HAVE THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE AGENDA, AND WE'LL GO OVER CONSENT ITEMS AFTER THAT, BUT LET ME JUST -- 
          >> OKAY. SO, THIS IS ITEM 458 THROUGH 470. 
          THEY'RE PRETTY ROUTINE. WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 416 IN PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PAGE 54. 
          WE CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE THOROUGH FARE MTFP BY REMOVING AN UNNAMED COLLECTOR IN THE SUBDIVISION IN THE VICINITY OF GRANT ROAD AND CYPRESS ROSE HILL ROAD FROM THE PLAN. 
          IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? 
          [01:55:06]
IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS? 
          >> MOTION. 
          >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? 
          >> AYE. 
          >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THEN WE WILL MOVE TO 469. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO APPROVE THE INTERIM COUNTY THOROUGH FARE AND FREEWAY PLANNED BY RECLASSIFYING UWILL ROAD AND REMOVING LINDSTROM ROAD ON THE PLAN. 
          IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. 
          IS THERE A MOTION? 
          >> MOTION. 
          >> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> SECOND. 
          >> AYE. 
          >> 470 ON THE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PAGE 55, AND PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 355 FOR THE PURPOSE OF RE-ESTABLISHING NUMBER THREE, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE 
          A MOTION? >> 
          SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER 
          [Departments (Part 2 of 8)]
BRIONES. SECOND. 
          >> AYE. 
          >> NOW I WILL GO OVER -- ON ITEM THREE, THE MEETING 2026, REQUEST NO ACTION. 
          >> ITEM 4 ABOUT AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. THE COUNTY ENGINEER REQUESTS NO ACTION ON ITEM 23, PLAT REGULATIONS. 
          ITEM 153 ON INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND HECTARE REQUEST, NO ACTION. ON 59, LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. 
          NO ACTION. 162, TASK FORCE, UNIVERSAL SERVICES REQUESTS NO ACTION. 
          ON ITEM 238, HARRIS COUNTY -- EXCUSE ME, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REQUESTS NO ACTION. 
          241, THERE IS A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO REPLACE FIRST AMENDMENT WITH SECOND AMENDMENT. 
          SO IT NOW READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AN ORDER AUTHORIZING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY, ET CETERA. 
          AND 268, JPD REQUESTS NO ACTION. 
          >> 286. 
          >> 286. THANK YOU, JAMES. 333, PROCUREMENT POLICY MANUAL PURCHASING REQUEST, NO ACTION. 
          >> 358, THIS ISIS  ITEM TOLL PLUS. WE NEED TO REPLACE 121. 83% SO THAT IT READS AT THE END GOAL, CURRENT PARTICIPATION, 28.82%. ITEM 514, CYBERSECURITY UPDATES AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES REQUESTS NO ACTION. 
          AM I MISSING ANY CORRECTIONS, JAMES? 
          >> NO, MA'AM. >> OKAY. AND ANY SO WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION HERE ITEM 510, FRIENDS OF COUNTY PETS. 
          DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? THIS IS A PRECINCT 1 
          APPOINTMENT. >> NO. 
          >> NO. 
          >> WHAT ABOUT 511? VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH 
          ADVISORY COMMITTEE. >> NO. 
          >> 512, WE NEED TO VOTE ON. WE NEED TO VOTE ON ALL OF THEM. 
          DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS 512? 
          >> 513 NEEDS TO BE TAKEN ON. OKAY. 
          WE'LL DO THAT ONE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LUNCH. 
          WE WILL HEAD STRAIGHT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 
          514, YOU REQUESTED NO ACTION SO WE'LL TAKE THAT ONE 
          OUT. 515 DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS? >> 516. 
          THE TP SETTLEMENT TRUSTTRUST ADVISORY. AND THE FLOOD RESILIENCE 
          TASK FORCE. >> NO. 518, HISPANIC CULTURAL HERITAGE 
          COMMISSION. >> NO. 
          [02:00:01]
          >> ALL RIGHT AND THEN THERE IS 519, A REAPPOINTMENT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          528, CIO, DO YOU NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SECTION ON 528? 
          >> NO, JUDGE, UNLESS THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS. 
          >> ANY QUESTIONS, COLLEAGUES? I'LL PUT THAT BACK ON CONSENT. LET'S GO BACK TO ITEMS THAT WERE PULLED. WE HAVE ITEM ONE ON THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE. 
          >> YES. 
          >> TWO, THE HIRING FREEZE. WE'D BOTH LIKE TO 
          DISCUSS THAT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD LIKE TO VOTE VIRTUALLY ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON THAT, AND I'LL MAKE SURE HE'S ON BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT. OKAY. SO ITEM -- HIRING FREEZE, YES. WE'LL DISCUSS THAT ONE. 
          ITEM 7, HARRIS COUNTY INVESTMENT POLICY. 
          DO YOU STILL WANT TO DISCUSS THAT ONE? YOU DON'T? WE'LL PUT THAT BACK ON CONSENT. 
          THAT WAS 7, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY GOING BACK ON CONSENT. 
          THE HECTRA CARD. 
          >> 157, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          160. >> YES. 
          >> 161. 
          >> YES. >> 210. 
          >> YES. 
          >> 220. YES, I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT. 226, COUNTY CLERK, REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> YES. 
          >> OKAY. 
          249. 
          >> YES. OKAY. THEN WE HAVE 250 METRO. 
          >> YES. 254, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          270, HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN. 271, 
          315, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I WANT TO TAKE THAT TOTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO ASK LEGAL 
          ABOUT IT. >> ALL RIGHT. 
          LET ME MOVE THAT OVER TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 
          THAT IS 315 IS GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEN I'LL KEEP GOING OVER HERE. 
          315. OKAY. 321, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AUDITED CLAIMS. 33, PURCHASER REQUEST, NO ACTION. TAKING THAT OUT. 351, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> YES. 
          >> 366, PRECINCTS 3 AND 4, GALLAGHER COMPENSATION. 
          >> YES. 
          >> 400. >> YES. 
          >> PRECINCT 4. 
          >> 415, YOUTH REINVESTMENT FUND COMMISSIONER ELLIS? 
          >> 425, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> YES. 
          >> AND THEN 426? 
          >> YES. 
          >> 428, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? 532. 
          >> YES. 
          >> 543. 
          >> YES. 
          >> 544, RAMSEY. 
          545. >> YES. 
          546. >> YES. 
          OKAY. DID WE NOT ALREADY DISCUSS THE CONTRACTOR POLICY. DO WE HAVE TO TALK MORE ABOUT 
          IT? >> WE HAVE 
          SOME MOTIONS. >> ALL RIGHT. 
          THAT'S 546. THEN RESOLUTIONS. SO THESE ARE THE RESOLUTIONS REQUESTED TO BE PULLED OUT OF ORDER. 
          550 ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. 
          552, HARRIS HEALTH AND THE METOFF FAMILY. 554, JOINT RESOLUTION REGARDING HISS HISPANIC HISTORY MONTH. 
          556, D.J. DANIEL AND 562, BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND ALL OTHER RESOLUTIONS WILL GO ON CONSENT. 
          >> JUDGE? 
          >> YES? 
          >> IF MY COLLEAGUES BRING ME THE COURTESY OF BRINGING THE MEDOFF, THEY'VE GIVEN $25 MILLION TO AN EMERGENCY, I KNOW THEY'RE COMING IN JUST FOR THAT, AND I WANT TO LET THEM GET IN. 
          >> I'VE MADE A NOTE OF THAT, AND IF FOR SOME REASON LOOK LIKE I'VE FORGOTTEN, JUST LET ME KNOW. 
          DID I MISS ANYTHING, COLLEAGUES? I'LL GO BACK THROUGH IT. SO WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION, ITEMS 315 
          [02:05:02]
AND 513. REGULAR AGENDA, ONE TO 156, 157, 160, 161, 210, 220, 226, 249, 250, 225, 351, 366, 400, 415, 425, 426, 428, 532, 543, 544, 545, 546, 550, 551, 552, 554, 555, 556, 561, 562. IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON YET? NO? OKAY, SO I PROPOSE THAT WE -- WE HAVE IT, AND WE CAN JUST WAIT FOR THE VOTE UNTIL HE'S ON, SO, BUT -- 
          >> JUDGE, IF HE WANTS TO VOTE ON IT IF WE PASS IT. 
          ? HE CAN TAKE IT BACK UP. 
          IS HE ALLOWED TO TAKE IT BACK UP? 
          >> I'D RATHER JUST HOLD IT AND MAKE IT EASIER, IF YOU DON'T MIND. 
          >> I THINK IT'S EASIER. JUST CHECK WITH HIS TEAM IF HE'S STILL CALLING IN, YOU GUYS, AND IF NOT -- AND THEN -- BUT YOU GUYS WON'T LET US FORGET TO PASS IT. ALL RIGHT. 
          LET'S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP. EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE IMMEDIATELY AFTER LUNCH. OH, IS IT TIME FOR LUNCH? GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION NOW AND THEN LUNCH? 
          >> OKAY. IT'S 12:25. 
          WE'LL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THEN WE'LL BREAK FOR LUNCH. LET'S SAY EXECUTIVE SESSION TAKES WHAT? 15? 
          [Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]
          >> CAN YOU CALL OUT THE ITEMS FOR 
          EXEC SESSION? >> YES. 
          I WILL DO THAT. WE'RE HEADED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 515 TO 315, ASSUME WE'RE DONE AT QUARTER 'TIL, LET'S RECONVENE OKAY. AM I ON? 
          >> IT'S 1:51, AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. 
          I SEE COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS HERE. SO WE ARE COMING BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO WE WERE JUST GOING TO MOTION THE ONE ITEM, IS THAT OKAY, JAY? 
          >> THE CONSENT AGENDA? 
          >> THE ITEM IN EXECUTIVE SESSION THAT WE NEEDED TWO MOTIONS FOR AND THEN WE CAN GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA? 
          >> SO THOSE ARE -- CAN YOU READ THEM OUT, JAY, ON RECLASSIFYING THE POSITION AND. 
          >> YES, ONE SEC. SO THAT'S 513. 
          >> MOTION TO DIRECT HRT TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2, MANAGE TO SIGN COUNCIL POSITION AND THE SECOND MOTION IS MOTION TO DIRECT HRT TO EXTEND AND NEGOTIATE AN OFFER TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MANAGE TO SIGN COUNCIL 
          [Departments (Part 3 of 8)]
POSITION. 
          >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THERE WAS ANOTHER ITEM THEY WANTED TO ADD TO THE DISCUSSION LIST AND LET ME JUST ASK -- 542. 
          OKAY. 542, I WANTED TO ADD. 542 AND IT'S ABOUT THE START TIME FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS THIS IS THE ONE WHERE HE AND I DO GET OUT, BUT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT LATER. 
          >> YOU WANT TO TAKE IT OFF THE CONSENT? 
          >> YES. AND ADD TO 
          DISCUSSION. >> OKAY. 
          SHOULD I GO BACK? 
          >> JUDGE, JUST ONE MORE ITEM. ITEM 128. 
          ACTUALLY, WE DO NEED TO HAVE THAT GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND MAYBE A FEW OTHERS WANTED TO TALK ABOUT IT. 
          THAT'S ITEM 528. 
          >> JUST SO I UNDERSTAND HERE, WE ARE BRINGING 315 BACK TO TALK ABOUT IT SOME MORE OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE? I'M SORRY. 
          ITEM 528 WHICH WAS MOVED TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, NEEDS TO GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, ANOTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION. MY APOLOGIES ON THAT. 
          SO 528 IS A SETTLEMENT. 
          [02:10:04]
NO. SOMETHING ELSE. 
          >> IT'S THE RETENTION OF A LAW 
          FIRM. >> OKAY. 
          SO 528, I AM PUTTING INTO THE DISCUSSION LIST. SO LET'S -- LET ME JUST READ IT 
          AGAIN. >> JUDGE? 
          >> YES. 
          >> ITEM 315, IT WENT BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION EARLIER. 
          IT CAN GO BACK TO CONSENT. 
          >> CONSENT. 
          >> THANK YOU. ? 
          >> THAT'S THE ONE I TOOK BACK. 
          >> IS THAT AN ACTION ONE? 
          >> NO. JUST CONSENT. OKAY. 
          IT GOES ON CONSENT. 
          OH, RIGHT. RIGHT. 
          RIGHT. RIGHT. SO WE HAVE ITEMS -- WE HAVE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 5 -- 530 -- 528. 
          OKAY. SO EXECUTIVE SESSION 528, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. 
          AND THEN ON THE REGULAR AGENDA WE ARE LOOKING AT ITEM 156, 157, 160, 161, 210, 220, 226, 249, 250, 254, 270, 271, 321, 351, 366, 400, 415, 425, 426, 428, 542 -- EXCUSE ME, 532. 
          THEN 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, AND THEN OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTIONS ARE 550, 551, 552, 554, 555, 556, 561 AND 562. AM I MISSING ANYTHING? IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THANK YOU 562 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED? 
          >> VOTE ON 560. 
          >> WE'LL NEED TO VOTE ON 560. 
          OKAY. LET ME PUT THAT ONE BACK. SO 560 GOES ON THE DISCUSSION LIST . ALL RIGHT. 
          ANYONE ELSE? DID I MISS ANYTHING? OKAY. SO WITH 560 ADDED TO THE LIST, IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 562 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED? COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU MAKE THAT MOTION AND SECOND BY GARCIA? ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 
          ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND SO LET'S TAKE THIS FROM THE TOP, AND JUST AS A REMINDER, WHEN WE START THE RESOLUTIONS WE'LL START WITH THE MEDOFF ONE AND THAT WILL BE AT 4:00. 
          OKAY. THE FIRST ONE IS ITEM 1 AND THAT IS AN OCA ITEM. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE A FEW SLIDES, IF YOU ALL DON'T MIND. 
          TIFFANY, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND BRINGING UP THE SLIDES. 
          THANK YOU. OKAY. SO THIS IS AN ITEM ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN IN ACTION. AS EVERYONE KNOWS, IT WAS APPROVED IN DECEMBER OF 2024 AND CONSISTS OF THE COURT OFFICES WITH SUPPORT FROM OCA AND OMB IN THE LANGUAGE OF WHAT WE PASSED IN 2024, IT ASKED US TO REPORT SEMIANNUALLY ON THE PROGRESS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS. 
          AS WE COMMITTED TO FROM COURT, WE ARE REPORTING ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN. OH, I'M SORRY. 
          GO TO THE FIRST SLIDE, PLEASE, TIFFANY. THANK YOU. THERE ARE THREE FOCUS AREAS HERE. WE'LL GET INTO THEM QUICKLY. I PROMISE NOT TO TAKE TOO LONG, BUT DO I WANT TO SAY ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN, THIS REMAINS THE ONLY POLICY DOCUMENT THAT WE HAVE THAT COMPRISES THE POLICY PREFERENCES FOR ALL OF COURT. 
          I DO THINK THIS STILL REMAINS A REALLY IMPORTANT EFFORT SPEARHEADED BY DEANNA RAMIREZ, IT DOES REMAIN A WORK IN PROGRESS, AND I'LL TALK SOME ABOUT WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE PROGRESS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ALL THE WAY THERE YET, I THINK THAT SIMPLY MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO BUCKLE DOWN AND TRY HARDER, AND THAT MEANS TRYING HARDER AND 
          [02:15:02]
WORKING HARDER TO ALIGN THESE POLICY PRIORITIES OUTLINED BY COURT ACROSS WHAT WE DO WITH THE COUNTY ESPECIALLY WHEN WE LOOK TO BRINGING ON A PERMANENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, I ASK THAT COURT CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR OFFICE TO MODIFY, TO IMPROVE THE STRATEGIC PLAN SO THAT IT REALLY REFLECTS WHERE COURT HAS AGREEMENT ON ISSUES AND GIVES US AND THE DEPARTMENTS CLEAR DIRECTION ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD. FORWARD FORWARD. 
          I DO WANT TO THANK THE COURT AND YOUR STAFFS HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN. THEY BUCKLE DOWN AND GIVE A LOT OF INPUT, AND IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME, AND I WILL TALK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS SHORTLY, BUT I DO WANT TO THANK YOU AND THANK OUR TEAM THAT SPENDS A LOT OF TIME ORGANIZING THE MEETINGS AND IT'S PAPERWORK HEAVY AND WE ARE TRYING TO EXPRESS THE WILL OF THE COURT. 
          DEPARTMENTS, WE HAVE DEVELOPED THE TRACKER THAT HAS METRIC DEFINITIONS. THERE'S A LOT OF WORK HERE, I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO IT, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO. IT'S A RESOURCE OUT THERE FOR US AND FOR US TO TRACK OUR PROGRESS AND LOOK AT THE SUCCESSES WE'VE HAD. AND THEN THE MEETINGS, AGAIN, WE'VE TALKED A LOT IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS, DPMS, GOLD AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS. THIS IS MEETING HEAVY. WE ARE WORKING THIS YEAR TO LOWER THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS, TO DO SOME CONSOLIDATION, TO RESPECT THE TIME. YOUR STAFFS ARE BUSY, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU LENDING THEM TO THIS EFFORT. BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO MAKE THE MOST OF THAT TIME. SO WE ARE MAKING THAT EFFORT. THERE ARE FEWER MEETINGS. THEY ARE CONSOLIDATED OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. WE HOPE THAT -- WE HOPE THAT IMPROVES THEIR EXPERIENCE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO ON OUTCOME-BASED BUDGETING, THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE I THINK WE HAVE THE MOST PROGRESS TO MAKE. YOU KNOW, IF I WAS GRADING US, I WOULD GIVE US, OURSELVES AND BUDGET, AN INCOMPLETE ON BUDGETING AND OUTCOME-BASED BUDGETING. I DO WANT TO CALL OUT -- ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF HOW WE'VE APPLIED THIS STRATEGIC PLAN TO THE BUDGET OVERALL, RIGHT? I THINK WE MADE SOME EFFORTS, WE HAD A LOT OF WORK TO DO. WE HAD A REALLY TOUGH BUDGET YEAR. BUT WE STRUGGLED TO REALLY CREATE THAT ALIGNMENT. I DO WANT TO SHOUT-OUT ALEX TRIANTAPHYLLIS, WHO'S BEEN IN OUR OFFICE, HAS BEEN A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR, YOU KNOW, ALIGNING THE BUDGET TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN. IT'S NOT EASY. THERE'S A LOT IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN. IT'S NOT ALWAYS WHAT THE COUNTY'S DOING. IT'S NOT ALWAYS WHAT'S STATUTORILY ASKED FOR. WE ARE COMMITTED TO REDOUBLING EFFORTS. YOU'VE ASKED FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY INTO WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING AND HOW IT RELATES TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN. WE ARE WORKING ON THAT IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE EVALUATION WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS. WE ARE ACCENTUATING, LIKE, WHERE THOSE STRATEGIC PLAN, WHERE IT OVERLAPS WITH DEPARTMENT WORK, AND WE HOPE TO REPORT BACK TO YOUR OFFICES AT THE END OF THE MONTH WITH SORT OF A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THAT. SO AGAIN, THIS IS NOT DECLARING VICTORY. WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK DEFINING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. WE'VE MADE EFFORTS TO CATEGORIZE SOME OF OUR SPENDING AND APPROPRIATELY ALIGN IT BETWEEN THE BUDGET AND THE STRATEGIC PLAN. MORE WORK TO DO. I'D ASK YOU NOT TO GIVE UP ON THIS EFFORT, RIGHT, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. I THINK WE LEARNED A LOT THIS YEAR. I THINK WE CAN DO A LOT BETTER IN THE COMING BUDGET YEAR, AND WE'RE ALREADY LOOKING AT HOW WE ALIGN THE CALENDAR AND HOW WE START THIS WORK EARLIER SO THAT IT HAS MORE IMPACT COME BUDGET CYCLE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS IS -- REALLY QUICKLY ON THE ANALYSIS MATRIX, SPIA TOOK A LOT OF TIME, WE REALLY CAME UP WITH AN EVALUATION AT THE END OF THE YEAR. I THINK WE'RE STILL A LITTLE BIT -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN CONSENSUS ON HOW OFTEN TO USE THIS AND WHAT USE IT IS, BUT I THINK THE EXERCISE OF GOING THROUGH IT AND LOOKING AT WHAT WE WOULD REALLY DO CREATING THIS MATRIX, IT'S BEEN A GOOD EXERCISE BECAUSE THEY'RE ADMINISTRATIVELY BURDENSOME, AND 
          [02:20:03]
I THINK AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THIS WORK, DOES CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A BALANCE OF HOW MUCH OF THAT WE WANT VERSUS, YOU KNOW, THE IMPACT THAT WE GET FROM IT. SO APPRECIATE THIS EFFORT. WE'VE UPDATED IT. WE'VE DONE THE WORK. I DO THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK ON HOW MUCH WE USE IT. NEXT AND FINAL SLIDE. JUST LOOKING FORWARD FOR NEXT STEPS. I DO THINK, AND WHAT I'VE TOLD THE TEAM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT LIKE 84 ACTIONS IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN. IT'S A LOT. 
          AND I THINK ONE OF THE STRUGGLES WE HAD IN THE YEAR IS IMPLEMENTING THAT MANY PRIORITIES. YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN REALLY CHALLENGING. WE'VE ASKED THE SPIA, AND I THINK I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR IT AND WILL RECOMMEND THE NEXT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR THE SAME THAT WE NARROW DOWN WHAT THE REAL PRIORITY ACTIONS ARE FROM 10 TO 15, THE TOP THINGS THAT THIS COURT REALLY WANTS TO PUT THEIR POLICY WEIGHT BEHIND AND CAN AGREE ON. I THINK THAT'LL HELP THE DEPARTMENTS ALIGN BETTER. 
          IT'LL HELP OUR STAFF AND YOUR STAFFS ALIGN BETTER. I'M NOT SAYING GET RID OF ANYTHING. I THINK EVERYTHING ON THERE WAS HARD NEGOTIATED, HARD FOUGHT, BUT I THINK THERE IS A PRIORITIZATION WE NEED TO DO. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE WANT TO SUCCEED ON AND ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT STILL NEED TO BE WORKED ON BUT MAYBE AREN'T GOING TO GET AS MUCH LIGHT MAYBE RESPECT AS IMMEDIATE AS SOME OF THE TOP PRIORITIES. SO AGAIN, WE ARE ASKING THAT, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONERS COURT AS SPIA COMES UP WITH DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE REALLY -- HELP CREATE THAT INCENTIVE . AND YEAH, WITH THAT I WILL STOP AT EIGHT MINUTES AND TAKE QUESTIONS. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU TO COURT AND THANK YOU TO ALL YOUR STAFFS AND OUR STAFF FOR THE WORK THAT'S BEEN PUT IN ON THIS EFFORT. 
          >> COMMISSIONERS ELLIS -- AND RAMSEY. 
          >> THANK YOU, MR. DIGGERMAN, AND THANKS TO THE STAFF AND ALL THE FOLKS THAT PUT SO MUCH HARD WORK IN THIS AND ALL OF OUR OFFICES. 
          IT WAS A HERCULEAN EFFORT, AND I APPRECIATE DIANA RAMIREZ WITH THE COMMITMENT THAT SHE HAD TO THIS. I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT IT IS SO IMPORTANT GOING FORWARD THAT WE ALIGN OUR SPENDING WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, AND IF NOT, IT WOULD JUST BE A STRATEGY PUT ON PAPER. IT WOULD BE MEANINGLESS, AND I ALWAYS LIKE TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES OF THAT GREAT QUOTE FROM BILL HARVEY. 
          GOVERNMENT'S 90% FINANCE AND THE REST IS POETRY. SO TO FOCUS ON PUTTING THE DOLLARS INTO THAT PLAN IS SO IMPORTANT. AND NOT TO REHASH THE PAST, BUT GOING FORWARD WE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND DO THAT. BUT THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DID. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> SO THANK YOU, ALL OF THE TEAM AND ALL OF THE OFFICES FOR REALLY ADVANCE THE BALL. WE HAVE CLEAR GOALS. WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEASURE RESULTS AND INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY. AND I WOULDN'T AGREE MORE IN TERMS OF I KNOW WE'VE MADE PROGRESS ON THE OUTCOME-BASED BUDGETING AND MAKING SURE IT ALIGNS WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, SO I'M PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS. I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE TRANSPARENCY ELEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC DASHBOARD. I WANTED TO COMMEND YOU ON THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT 1,000 PEOPLE HAVE VISITED IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS SO THEY CAN SEE WHERE THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT AND WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE. I AGREE WITH YOUR IDEA, JESSE, THAT WITHIN ALL OF THE GOALS WE IDENTIFY THE TOP 10 TO 15 THINGS. 
          >> OKAY, MOTION TO EXTEND DISCUSSION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 
          >> JESSE, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT ALSO THAT WE SPENT THIS KIND OF FIRST YEAR REALLY BUILDING IT, THE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO PUT IT INTO ACTION. I'VE SEEN IMPROVEMENT IN THE COUNTY ON THE SILOS BEING IMPROVED. WE NEED TO KEEP CLEANING. I THANK THE DEPARTMENTS THAT KEEP LEANING IN. I KNOW OUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER HOW WE CAN FURTHER BUILD THIS TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE SOME MOTIONS I KNOW OCA WORKED ON THAT I'M HAPPY TO MAKE AFTER MY COLLEAGUES SPEAK. LET'S CONTINUE DOUBLING DOWN SO WE CAN HAVE CLEAR GOALS, MEASURABLE RESULT, AND HOLD ALL OF OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE. I'M HAPPY TO MAKE THE MOTION WHENEVER THE APPROPRIATE TIME. 
          >> OKAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> THANK YOU, JESSE, FOR THE 
          [02:25:01]
SHORT POWERPOINT, IT'S WELL DONE, BUT THANKS FOR THE EFFORT. 
          THIS IS NOT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EFFORT AND A STRATEGIC PLAN IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY ORGANIZATION OUGHT TO HAVE. WHEN I HAD A BUSINESS, THAT'S WHAT WE DID. I PROMISE YOU WE DIDN'T HAVE 83 STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, SO THE FACT THAT WE WORKED AT A YEAR NEARLY AND WE GOT 83, I MEAN, AT LEAST IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAERED DOWN BEFORE NOW. EVEN NINE IS DIFFICULT. 42 MEETINGS INVOLVED ALL THE FOLKS THAT WE HAD. THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF HOURS THAT HAVE BEEN INVESTED ALREADY. I WOULD THINK WE WOULD WANT TO TAKE THAT EFFORT AND BOIL IT DOWN RATHER THAN BEGIN A WHOLE NEW SET OF MEETINGS TRYING TO GET TO SOME PLACE WE'RE NOT SURE WE'RE GOING. SO WE CREATE A WEBSITE, DASHBOARD, GLOSSARY, AND HUNDREDS OF NEW ACRONYMS. SO I THINK WE NEED TO GET FOCUSED NOW ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. TO YOUR POINT EARLIER, THE 22 STRATEGIC GOALS IDENTIFIED AS A PRIORITY IN THE BUDGET ACCOUNTED FOR 0.7% OF THE EFFORT. AND I STILL WILL TELL -- SHE DID A GREAT JOB ON THE BUDGETING, IT WAS DIFFICULT. BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO START WITH, AND YOU REALLY DO, IF THIS DOESN'T RECOGNIZE YOU HAVE TO START WITH YOUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND WORK FROM THAT -- AND I THINK YOU ALSO NEED TO WORK INTO THIS. IF WE WANT TO START DOING SOME THINGS, WE GOT TO STOP DOING SOME THINGS. SO THERE IS A STOP AND START ANALYSIS I THINK WE NEED WHICH RELATES TO COST SAVING. AND JUST AS A THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK AT SOME OBJECTIVES LIKE C, IMPROVED SAFETY AND HEALTH CONDITIONS AT THE JAIL. I WOULD CALL THAT A CRISIS. AND MAYBE A CRISIS GETS DEALT DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER ITEMS, OBJECTIVE H, IMPROVE THE CONDITION, RESILIENCY OF COUNTY TRANSPORTATION, FLOOD CONTROL, AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE. VERY IMPORTANT. THAT COVERS PROBABLY FIVE OR SIX ANY WAY STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY. SO I DO THINK YOU'VE GATHERED ENOUGH INFORMATION NOW TO, I THINK, HAVE TO TAKE THAT NEXT STEP TO GET IT TO SOME NUMBER LESS THAN TEN AND WORK FROM THERE. WILL WE STILL BE USING THE SAME CONSULTANT? WILL WE NEED A CONSULTANT AT THIS POINT? 
          >> NO. >> WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING. 
          >> WE'RE OPERATING INTERNALLY. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DID YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS? OKAY. OKAY, SO AS TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN, YEAH, EVERYONE'S WORKED REALLY HARD ON IT. I THINK WE CAN HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY AND HOW IT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. I THINK THE THING WE CAN AGREE ON, COMMISSIONER, AND I AGREE WITH YOU, SOME OF WHAT YOU SAID AS WELL, IS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN. AND I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT WE ALSO NEED TO FOLLOW THE STRATEGIC PLAN. AND SO THAT WAS MY DISAPPOINTMENT THIS YEAR, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF SPENDING THE MONTHS THAT WE HAD ALLOCATED FOR BUDGET SEASON MAKING SURE THAT OUR PROGRAMS WERE EVALUATED AND THAT THE ONES THAT WE CONTINUED WERE SUCCESSFUL PER THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WE DROPPED A BOMB AT THE BEGINNING OF BUDGET SEASON THAT WE WERE GOING TO SPEND $100 MILLION TO $200 MILLION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SPENT THE ENTIRE REST OF THE BUDGET TIME FIGURING OUT HOW -- WHAT WE WERE GOING TO CUT AND HOW WE WERE GOING TO MOVE THAT WORK. SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK BETTER NEXT YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT BUDGET DECISIONS ALIGN WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN WE'VE WORKED SO HARD ON. LOTS OF FUNDING WAS DENIED THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED THE STRATEGIC PLAN. TWO EXAMPLES, WE TALKED ABOUT THE JAIL POPULATION BEING A CRISIS. JUDGES WERE CUT THAT HELP WITH SPEEDING UP PROCESSING OF CASES. AND THEIR CLERKS WERE ALSO FIRED. THAT HAPPENED. AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT HOUSING BEING IMPORTANT AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE SO THEY CAN KEEP A JOB AND, YOU KNOW, ALL THIS WORK WE DO WITH THE HOMELESS. OUR COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT WAS ASKING FOR FUNDS TO START AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST. ONE OF OUR GOALS IS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE -- 
          [02:30:04]
FROM THE KINDER FOUNDATION TO RICE TO YOU NAME IT, HOUSING IS A VERY BIG ISSUE THAT'S CORE TO ALL KINDS OF NEEDS AND ECONOMIC NECESSITIES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WOULD HELP US THRIVE. SO I'M CURIOUS TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY FOR YOU GUYS TO SYNTHESIZE THE DAM, THAT'S WHAT IT'S CALLED, YEAH? MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S ONE PER INITIATIVE. AND THAT'S A LOT. I DON'T KNOW IF NEXT YEAR SOME WAY THAT WE CAN SEE OBJECTIVELY, AS OBJECTIVELY AS WE CAN, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I THINK THIS ONE WOULD SHOW IF YOU LOOK AT THE VARIOUS AREAS, IT SAYS ALIGNMENT OF STRATEGIC PLAN, EVIDENCE-BASED, YOU KNOW, WE CRITICIZE CHILDREN'S PROGRAM BECAUSE THE INDEPENDENT EVALUATION WAS NOT ENOUGH. THERE WAS NO EVALUATION ON THAT. IMPACT ON OUTCOMES, NO EVALUATION. COST EFFECTIVENESS, I MEAN, GOODNESS, HOW DO YOU KNOW WITHOUT EVALUATION? BUT ALSO WE HAD TO CUT A LOT OF OTHER RELATED PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAMS. EASE OF IMPLEMENTATION. AGAIN, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THAT WAS STRONG. NO COLLABORATION OR PARTNERSHIPS. IT'S ALL COMING FROM US, AND CERTAINLY THERE'S NOT ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY PIECE NOR AN EQUITY PIECE. SO I THINK THAT IDEALLY WE -- WE RESPECT THE TIME THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPENT ON THIS BY FOLLOWING THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE TOUT TO THE COMMUNITY. 
          COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW OCA CIRCULATED MOTIONS, I'M READY TO MOVE FORWARD IF THE TEAM IS. 
          SO THE FIRST MOTION, MOTION TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BEGINNING APRIL 2026 TO PRESENT QUARTERLY UPDATES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, PROGRESS, AND OUTCOME, GOD BLESS YOU -- THAT MERIT PUBLIC RECOGNITION FOR DEMONSTRATING EXCELLENCE AND ADVANCING STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER STRATEGIC PRIORITIES. THE SECOND MOTION IS MOTION TO DIRECT DEPARTMENT HEADS TO COORDINATE WITH EACH OTHER AS APPLICABLE AND WITH OCA TO PROVIDE UPDATES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT REGARDING FIVE TO TEN OF THE 22 FY26 BUDGET GUIDELINE PRIORITIES, CONSISTING OF OPERATIONAL IMPERATIVES AND SELECT STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THROUGH -- AND ANY APPLICABLE GOAL AREA COMMITTEES. AND THE THIRD MOTION, MOTION TO DIRECT ALL OCA REPORTING DEPARTMENTS TO ADD A LINK TO THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND STRATEGIC PLAN AND ACTION TRACKER TO THEIR WEBSITES. THESE WERE THE THREE MOTIONS CIRCULATED BY OCA THIS 
          MORNING. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU GUYS HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? OKAY. ALL IN 
          FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM TWO, THAT'S THE DISCUSSION ON THE HIRING FREEZE. 
          COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> THANK YOU. I WANTED TO GET SOME IMPACT. I KNOW IN THE BUDGET THE HIRING FREEZE WERE TO -- THE ASSUMPTION WAS IT WOULD SAVE US $25 MILLION, IS THAT 
          RIGHT? >> THAT'S THE TARGET, 
          COMMISSIONER, YES. >> AND WHAT WILL THESE 
          EXEMPTIONS COST? >> ROUGHLY $6 MILLION, 
          COMMISSIONER. >> AND HOW WILL WE -- I KNOW WE GOT TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET OR WE'LL BE DIGGING A HOLE FOR THE NEXT CYCLE. THIS IS THE FIRST ITEM I CAN THINK OF, WILL WE DISTRIBUTE THIS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SO HOW WILL WE MAKE 
          UP FOR THIS? >> ORIGINALLY WHEN THE HIRING FREEZE WAS BEING DISCUSSED, THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE POSITIONS WAS, I WANT TO SAY, $36 MILLION. SO THERE'S STILL SOME GREEN GRASS THERE RELATED TO HOW MUCH THE GOAL WAS SET VERSUS HOW MUCH IN EXEMPTIONS WE HAVE AT THIS POINT. WE'LL BE COMING BACK WITH A PROCESS FOR HOW WE'RE GOING TO ACCOUNT FOR THOSE SAVINGS AND BE ABLE TO ESSENTIALLY BOOK THEM SO THAT FUNDING CAN'T BE TRANSFERRED OVER TO NONLABOR OR USED IN SOME 
          OTHER WAY. >> ARE YOU ABLE TO MAKE SOME PREDICTION THIS EARLY ABOUT WHAT THE SHORTFALL WOULD BE FOR NEXT 
          YEAR? YOU KNOW, LIKE -- >> -- THE FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE SHORTLY. 
          >> THAT'LL COME NEXT QUARTER, NEXT MONTH? 
          >> I MEAN, HE'S ASKING FOR, I THINK WE'D RATHER -- USUALLY WE DON'T PROVIDE A PROJECTION UNTIL AT LEAST THE FIRST QUARTER, REALLY THE SECOND QUARTER WE'LL HAVE A MUCH BETTER IDEA. BUT I DO THINK THAT ANYTHING WITHIN THIS FIRST 
          [02:35:03]
QUARTER THE FISCAL YEAR, COMMISSIONER, WOULD BE A LITTLE TOO EARLY TO SAY WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE NEXT YEAR. . 
          >> WHAT I DON'T WANT IT TO DO IS SLIP UP ON US. I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE. I KNOW WE STARTED THIS PROCESS A BIT LATER. I HOPE THERE'S A CONSENSUS IT'S GOING TO START EARLIER. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER. WE ARE CALENDARING AND LOOKING AT HOW TO START EARLIER AND INCORPORATE FEEDBACK EARLIER. 
          POTENTIALLY HAVE BUDGET HEARINGS MUCH EARLIER IN THE YEAR. WE'VE ABSOLUTELY HEARD THE CRITIQUE FROM LAST YEAR. IN A TOUGH BUDGET YEAR, WE NEED TO START EARLIER. AND IN ANTICIPATION, WE 
          NEED TO START EARLIER. >> WHAT FEEDBACK ARE YOU GETTING FROM DEPARTMENTS ON HOW THE FREEZES WILL IMPACT THEIR 
          ABILITY TO DELIVER SERVICES? >> I THINK DEPARTMENTS ARE TIGHT, RIGHT? IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT, ESPECIALLY AS WE ASK THEM TO DO NEW THINGS. BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, ONLY IN MID-OCTOBER, IT JUST STARTED. WE REALLY NEED UNTIL THAT NOVEMBER COURT, ANOTHER MONTH, TO REALLY START TO SEE BOTH THE IMPACT FINANCIALLY AND WHAT KIND OF SAVINGS WE CAN PROJECT AND SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT IMPACTS. SO I'M NOT TRYING TO PUSH OFF TO FAR, COMMISSIONER, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, WE HAVE TO BE ON TOP OF THIS. BUT I THINK WE NEED A MONTH INTO THE FISCAL YEAR OR SO. 
          >> I DON'T WANT TO SLIP UP ON US. I WANT TO KNOW. I HEAR RUMBLINGS. I ALWAYS FOUND AS AN ADMINISTRATOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST FAULTS YOU CAN HAVE IS WHEN YOU KEEP THE BUREAUCRACY FROM SAYING WHAT IT THINKS. AND THEN WHEN IT SLIPS UP TO BITE YOU, THEN YOU BLAME THEM AND SAY THAT ONE DIDN'T KNOW. 
          >> YEAH. I THINK WE HAVE PEOPLE -- PEOPLE HAVE HUNCHES AND GUT FEELS BASED ON EARLY NUMBERS, BUT I DO THINK IT IS WISE TO WAIT TO SEE SOME NUMBERS BEFORE WE COME BACK AND MAKE, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WANT TO ANGER PEOPLE AND THEN TURN OUT TO BE WRONG. 
          AGAIN, NOT SAYING WITH NEED THE WHOLE FIRST QUARTER, BUT A MONTH, SIX WEEKS, WOULD GIVE US A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A 
          BETTER IDEA. >> OKAY. WHAT WAS THE PROCESS? WHAT FACTORS DID YOU USE IN DECIDING TO RECOMMEND THESE 
          EXEMPTIONS? >> OUR -- OUR FIRST CORE WAS REALLY WHAT COMMISSIONERS COURT PASSED. DURING THE BUDGET CYCLE THERE WAS WHAT ARE -- WHAT WERE THINGS THAT COURT IDENTIFIED, DEPARTMENTS THAT NEEDED TO BE EXEMPT. LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS ONE. 
          YOU KNOW, HEART AS A DIVISION WITHIN PUBLIC HEALTH. IT WAS PREFERENCES ON COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THEN DEPARTMENTS CAME TO US AND MADE CASES FOR OPERATIONALLY WHAT WAS NEEDED. A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT LIBRARIES. SOME LIBRARIES ARE SMALL SO THAT A LOSS OF A COUPLE FTES COULD CRIPPLE THAT LIBRARY. 
          WE TOOK THAT INTO ACCOUNT. IT WAS THOSE FACTORS AS WELL AS STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE PREFERENCES OF COURT. 
          >> IN TERMS OF THE WAVE THAT CAME IN HERE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM ARE ONES DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO COURT OPERATIONS, WHICH WE KNOW IF WE DON'T HAVE FUNCTIONING COURTS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A -- WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AN OVERCROWDED JAIL. THERE WAS ALSO A HANDFUL OF POSITIONS WHERE THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE CRUCIAL NATURE OR A CONNECTION TO AN EXISTING EXEMPTION. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CHILDREN ASSESSMENT CENTER AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILY AND CHILDREN. THERE WERE EXISTING EXEMPTIONS. THE POSITION MIGHT HAVE BEEN MISCLASSIFIED OR IN A DIFFERENT PROGRAM SO WEREN'T EXPLICITLY COVERED THAT WE FELT -- WE LOOKED AT IT AND AGREED WITH THE DEPARTMENT. 
          >> I ASSUME YOU HAVE A SPREADSHEET ON WHAT WAS ASKED 
          AND WHAT WAS GRANTED? >> YES, SIR. 
          >> CAN YOU SEND THAT TO US? >> YES, SIR. 
          >> WHAT ARE WE DOING DIFFERENT IN THIS HIRING FREEZE THAN THE 
          ONE THAT THE COUNTY DID 2010? >> MY UNDERSTANDING, AND I WASN'T HERE FOR IT, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS A HARD HIRING FREEZE, THAT THERE WAS NO -- THERE WAS NO EXEMPTIONS WHATSOEVER. I BELIEVE BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COURT OFFICES WERE INCLUDED IN THAT AND THAT -- WHICH IS A VERY DIFFERENT SET OF LAWS THAT WE'RE WORKING UNDER FROM THAT POINT. 
          >> IT WOULD BE GOOD -- I HOPE THERE WERE SOME RECORDS AROUND HERE, I KNOW I'VE HEARD, BUT JUST TO GO BACK AND LOOK, SINCE THAT WAS 2010 WHEN THE COUNTY DID IT BEFORE, SO THAT WE JUST 
          KNOW AND SEND THAT TO US. >> WE HAVE SOME RECORDS, COMMISSIONER, AND THEN WE WERE ABLE TO -- LUCINDA BEING A GREAT RESOURCE WAS ABLE TO PULL DOCUMENTS THEY HAD PRIOR. IT WAS MUCH MORE DRACONIAN THAN THE ONE WE'RE ATTEMPTING TO IMPLEMENT. 
          >> BECAUSE WE MAY GET TO THAT DRACONIAN PERIOD, DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THE UPCOMING CYCLE. SO WHEN YOU COME BACK IN NOVEMBER, I'LL DRILL INTO IT A BIT MORE. I DON'T WANT IT TO 
          [02:40:02]
SNEAK UP ON US. WE HAVE TO START THINKING PROACTIVELY, ASSUMING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FISCAL CHALLENGES AGAIN. 
          >> THAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT, COMMISSIONER, THE LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF THE COUNTY, AND WE'RE WORKING TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AS MANY OPTIONS AS POSSIBLE WHEN THE BUDGET COMES BACK UP. 
          >> AND I DON'T WANT TO SLIP IT IN AT THE LAST MINUTE, BECAUSE AT SOME POINT WE GOT TO START HAVING SOME GOOD, TOUGH CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW WE MERGE SOME OF THESE FUNCTIONS AND DEPARTMENTS. AND IF WE ALL -- HARP ON HOW WE GOT HERE, BUT WE ARE HERE, WE GOT TO LOOK AT MAYBE SOMETIMES ONES THAT WERE CREATED LAST, HOW EFFECTIVE THEY ARE IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU MERGE, NOT NECESSARILY THE LAST TO BE CREATED, OUGHT TO BE THE FIRST TO BE MERGED. WE COULD LOOK AT OLDER ONES AS WELL, BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE. I DO NOT WANT IT TO SLIP UP ON US. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD. >> COMMISSIONER, I THINK EVEN MORE THAN THAT, I THINK YOU RIGHT, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS AND WHERE WE CAN FIND REAL SAVINGS, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK ACROSS COUNTY GOVERNMENT AS WELL. LEAH IN PUBLIC HEALTH HAS STARTED TALKING TO THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THOSE ARE REAL SAVINGS, BUT THEY WILL BE HARD TO ACHIEVE AND WILL TAKE A LONG TIME. SO IF WE DON'T START NOW ON HOW TO FIND SAVINGS WITH OUR OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS, THEY WON'T MATERIALIZE. BUT IF WE DO START NOW, IN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS WE COULD SEE REAL SAVINGS. THAT'S A REAL EFFORT 
          WE NEED TO EXERCISE. >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT IN A GOVERNMENTAL PROCESS, OTHER BIG CHALLENGE IS, WHO GIVES UP CONTROL? USUALLY MY EXPERIENCE WITH OUR FRIENDS DOWN THE STREET HAS BEEN ASKING FOR THE MONEY. THEY WANT TO GIVE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY BUT NOT THE MONEY TO PAY FOR IT. 
          >> LIKE I SAID, THOSE ARE GOING TO BE TOUGH DISCUSSIONS, BUT WE NEED TO MOVE INTO THAT MODE BECAUSE THERE ARE REAL SAVINGS. 
          THERE IS REAL OVERLAP. YOU KNOW, AMONG THESE -- AMONG OUR PARTNER AGENCIES, AND WE NEED TO IDENTIFY THAT AND FIND THOSE 
          SAVINGS. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, I THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. 
          SOMETIMES -- AND YOU ALLUDED TO IT -- SOMETIMES IT'S CONFUSING WHEN YOU CALL WHAT WE DID IN 2010 A HIRING FREEZE AND YOU CALL WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW A HIRING FREEZE. WELL, THIS ISN'T A HIRING FREEZE. WE CAN ALL USE DIFFERENT NAMES. I'D CALL IT STRATEGIC HIRING. IT IS HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE BEFORE THEY MAKE A HIRE. IS THIS NEEDED? IS IT NOT NEEDED? THOSE ARE HEALTHY. I THINK THIS, WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW, ISN'T A BAD THING TO DO GOING FORWARD PERIOD. HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT POSITIONS YOU'RE HAVING AND GETTING THAT VETTED BY SOMEWHAT OF A THIRD PARTY IS A GOOD EFFORT. SO GOING FORWARD, THIS ISN'T A BAD THING IN TERMS OF THIS EXERCISE OF HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE DON'T HAVE. SO I 
          APPLAUD YOUR EFFORTS. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? 
          >> YES, THANK YOU. IN TERMS OF -- SO WHAT IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON THESE REQUESTED EXEMPTIONS? 
          >> WE'D ASK THE COURT JUST -- >> JUST AS PRESENTED OR? 
          >> YES, AS PRESENTED. WHEN WE COME BACK IN NOVEMBER, WE HOPEFULLY WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA. DURING THIS WE PROMISED MORE FLEXIBILITY, AND ONCE WE KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT, WE CAN 
          TALK MORE ABOUT THAT. >> OKAY. 
          >> IS THERE A MOTION TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN 
          FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 
          >> AND ALSO IN THIS STRATEGIC HIRING, WELL, FIRST OF ALL, JUST TO LEVEL SET, IS IT CORRECT THAT AN ESTIMATED $13 MILLION IN ANNUAL PCN VALUE WERE FILLED BEFORE IT TOOK EFFECT? 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> AND IS IT CORRECT THAT THERE'S MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS WITH BLANKET EXEMPTIONS SUCH AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CONSTABLE, PUBLIC DEFENDER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PURCHASING, TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR, ET 
          CETERA? >> THAT IS CORRECT. 
          >> AND THERE ARE CLASSIFICATIONS WITH BLANKET EXCEPTIONS SUCH AS LIBRARIANS, NURSES, AND JUVENILE PROBATION ASSISTANT MEDICAL EXAMINERS, HEART, RISE POSITIONS, ET CETERA, IS THAT 
          CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM. 
          >> OKAY, AND SO THERE'S A PROCESS WHERE PEOPLE CAN MAKE A CASE IF THERE'S SOMETHING WARRANTED? 
          >> CORRECT. >> YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED BECAUSE YOU HAVE VETTED THE REQUESTS, IS 
          THAT CORRECT? >> YES, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> I'M HAPPY TO MAKE THE MOTION TO MOVE AS PRESENTED AFTER MY 
          COLLEAGUES SPEAK, SO THANK YOU. >> SO IF PEOPLE WANTED TO UNFREEZE EVERYTHING, COULD WE AFFORD THAT? 
          >> NO. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY BLANKET EXEMPTION REQUESTS THAT WE RECEIVED THAT WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY RECOMMENDING. SO WHILE WE ARE PUTTING SOME -- WE TRIED TO BE AS JUDICIOUS AS POSSIBLE 
          [02:45:02]
BALANCING, YOU KNOW, THE NEED FOR SAVINGS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WITH CORE OPERATIONS. WE DID SAY NO TO A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF POSITIONS AND, PARTICULARLY, I THINK EVERY DEPARTMENT SUBMITTED A BLANKET EXEMPTION AT SOME POINT DURING 
          THIS PROCESS. >> YEAH, OKAY. SO JUST TO SAY, LIKE, THERE ARE GOING TO BE FREEZES. MONEY'S NOT BORN ON TREES, IT'S JUST NOT. SO WE ARE HAVING TO PAY A LOSS OF OUR SERVICES AND EFFICIENCY BECAUSE WE ARE FREEZING ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS. SO ROUND ONE WAS HIRING FREEZE. ROUND TWO NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT CATEGORIES OF EMPLOYEES. I'M GOING TO READ THROUGH SOME EMPLOYEES THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING CONTINUING TO FREEZE. THE ANM LIFE, THREE EDUCATION SERVICES EMPLOYEES, OUR COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT, BEREAVEMENT SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, FINANCE, IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, BUILDING OPERATION SERVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATERSHED PROSECTION, FACILITIES DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, FINANCE, CHILD AND ADULT SERVICES, FINANCE GROUP SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES, GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES, HARRIS COUNTY YOUTH SHELTER, HAY CENTER, POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTION AND CASE MANAGEMENT, SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT SERVICES, INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, IN OTHER WORDS, THE FOLKS THAT CONDUCT AUTOPSIES, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, DRUG CHEMISTRY, EVIDENCE INTAKE, FINANCE, FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY, FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS, FORENSIC PATHOLOGY, MORGUE, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, AND INTERAGENCY COORDINATION. OF COURSE, THIS HELPS US PROTECT AGAINST ATTACKS BY THE STATE. LIBRARY, BRANCH ADMINISTRATION, MOBILE OUTREACH, PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICATIONS, PLANNING AND INNOVATION, UNIVERSAL SERVICES, CYBERSECURITY, AND I.T. AND SO -- AND OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN'T SAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO EXEMPT ALL OF THEM BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO EXEMPT ALL OF THEM. IN THAT CASE, WHY DON'T WE JUST LIFT THE FREEZE? SO I THINK THAT IT IS -- IT'S ABSOLUTELY A SHAME, COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY. I THINK IT MAKES SENSE, OF COURSE, TO DISCUSS WHICH POSITIONS AND WHICH EXISTING PROGRAMS NEED TO CONTINUE, BUT WE NEED TO DISCUSS IN A PROCEDURAL MANNER DURING THE BUDGET SEASON, NOT AT THE DAIS. SO THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. LET ME TAKE A PAUSE HERE TO LEVEL SET AND MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE. A HIRING FREEZE MEANS THAT IF SOMEBODY LEAVES THEIR JOB BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE CHILD CARE, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE, WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, THAT THERE IS NOT AN ABILITY TO FILL THAT POSITION. SO WHEN THERE'S A HIRING FREEZE, YOUR SERVICES AS TAXPAYERS ARE BEING MADE MORE INEFFICIENT. THE MAJORITY OF COMMISSIONERS COURT CREATED A DEFICIT UNNECESSARILY. THIS WAS NOT A HARD BUDGET SEASON. IT WAS A BUDGET SEASON THAT WAS MADE TO BE HARD AND WAS MADE TO CREATE ARTIFICIALLY A BUDGET FREEZE TO GIVE FUNDING, MORE FUNDING, TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS IS -- FREEZES SHOULD NOT BE USED OUTSIDE OF SERIOUS ECONOMIC RECESSIONS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY IRRESPONSIBLE TO BE IMPLEMENTING A FREEZE RIGHT NOW. SO THIS FREEZE IS A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION. IT'S NOT -- IT HAS LONG-TERM PAIN. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO GET MORE MONEY NEXT YEAR, FROM WHERE, TO END THESE FREEZES. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS ENDS. SO EITHER IT'S A SHORT TERM AND LATER WE CUT SERVICES OR THESE POSITIONS WILL JUST NEVER BE FILLED. AND THE WAY THIS IS BEING DONE IS NOT THOUGHTFUL. OUR OFFICES HAVE RECEIVED VERY LITTLE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BEING MADE, WHO'S MAKING THEM, WHAT CRITERIA ARE BEING USED, AND I DON'T PUT THAT ON THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT, I PUT THAT ON THIS BODY WHICH TOOK THE TIME THAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO USE TO VALUATE EXISTING SERVICES AND INSTEAD USED THAT TIME TO HURRY AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO CUT THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LEAST POLITICAL HARM IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO FUND THESE RAISES THAT WOULD HELP POLITICALLY. AND HERE'S THE BIGGER ISSUE, A LOT OF THAT PATCHING WAS DONE WITH ONE-TIME FUNDING. SO NEXT YEAR SUPPOSEDLY WE'RE GOING TO UNFREEZE THESE POSITIONS, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO LOSE THE FUNDING THAT WAS ONE-TIME FUNDING. SO IT 
          [02:50:03]
IS PROFOUND NEGLIGENCE. I CANNOT STRESS HOW IRRESPONSIBLE THIS IS, AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE HIRING FREEZES OUTSIDE OF FINANCIAL EMERGENCIES. WE DID NOT HAVE ONE IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          IT WAS CREATED EARLIER THIS YEAR UNNECESSARILY. WE COULD HAVE ASKED THE VOTERS. AND THIS FREEZE IN PARTICULAR, EVEN IF WE WERE IN DIRE FINANCIAL STRAITS AS AN ECONOMY, WHICH WE ARE NOT RIGHT NOW, THIS NEEDED TO HAVE BEEN DONE THOUGHTFULLY, BUT IT WASN'T. IT'S RUSHED THROUGH BECAUSE THEY RUSHED $100 MILLION GIVEAWAY THROUGH SO THAT SOME FOLKS HERE COULD SECURE SOME ENDORSEMENTS. SO I WILL BE ABSTAINING FROM THIS AND WILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT HOW TERRIBLY IRRESPONSIBLE THIS IS. 
          AND YOU CAN CALL ME UNHINGED ALL YOU WANT, BUT I THINK UNHINGED ARE THE FOLKS THAT MAKE OUR COUNTY BROKE AND SPEND ALL SUMMER TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR THAT AND THEN PUT THE COUNTY IN A SITUATION WHERE EVERY YEAR WE ARE GOING TO BE PROVIDING MORE LIMITED SERVICES, MORE INEFFICIENT SERVICES, AND DO NOT ALLOW US TO USE THE TIME THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE USING TO EVALUATE PROGRAMS INSTEAD USE THAT TIME TO GIVE AWAY POLITICAL 
          FAVORS. ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS? >> MAKE A MOTION. 
          >> ALL RIGHT, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? I ABSTAIN, SO 
          [Departments (Part 4 of 8) of  & Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 1 of 4)]
MOTION CARRIES, 4-ABSTAIN. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, SO THIS IS ITEM 
          TWO. 156, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> OKAY. 
          >> YEAH. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> YES? >> IF THERE ARE A SERIES OF P 
          CARD ITEMS -- >> YEAH, I'M GOING TO PUT THAT 
          ALL INTO ONE, COMMISSIONER. >> I'LL BE GLAD TO SECOND YOU 
          ALSO. >> SO I'M GOING TO PUT THE P CARD ITEMS 156, 157, 160, 161, 226, 249, 532, AND THESE ARE ALLTHAT I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON. BUT LET ME JUST SAY THIS ABOUT THE P CARDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE VOTING ON. ON THIS AGENDA ALONE P CARD REQUESTS HOLD $200,000. RECENT NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON P CARD PROGRAM NOTED THAT OF THE ROUGHLY 48,700 P CARD TRANSACTIONS, ONLY 88 HAD AVAILABLE ITEM DESCRIPTIONS. PURCHASES WITHOUT DESCRIPTIONS TOTALLED 18 MILLION. I THINK THIS IS NOT A PLACE WE WANT TO BE. WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN THAT PLACE WHERE YOU'RE NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE P CARDS ARE BEING SPENT FOR BY COURT APPROVING P CARD AND OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL BLANKETS, WE AUTHORIZE THE AUDITOR TO PAY FOR DEPARTMENTS TO GO. AND WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THERE'S BEEN -- THERE'S BEEN P CARDS USED TO GO TO CASINOS IN LAS VEGAS, RESTAURANTS, I HAVE A LIST. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM GOING TO DAIRY QUEEN, BUT DAIRY QUEEN WAS NOT ONE OF THEM THAT WAS USED. THE PURCHASING REPORT FROM APRIL TOP P CARD PURCHASES, LODGING WAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER. HERE'S A GOOD SPECIFIC CATEGORY, OTHER SUPPLIES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. 
          HERE'S ANOTHER ONE, BUSINESS SERVICES. THEN THERE'S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. AND THEN THERE'S OFFICE SUPPLIES, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH BUSINESS SUPPLIES. THERE'S MISCELLANEOUS. THAT'S A VERY POPULAR NUMBER. SO I THINK WE'RE GIVING PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE REALLY BAD DECISIONS. WE SHOULD HAVE A LOT MORE CONTROL OVER THESE ITEMS. SO THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO PUT THESE P CARD ITEMS UP FOR CONSIDERATIONS. I 
          THINK THEY'RE ALL PROBLEMS. >> SO, AND I THINK -- I'M NOT 
          SURE I'VE GOT ALL THE NUMBERS. >> 156, 157, 160, 161, 226, 249, AND 532. IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT, COMMISSIONER? 
          >> I'LL MOVE THOSE ITEMS. >> AND SO ARE THESE SPECIFIC -- THOSE KINDS OF EXAMPLES THAT YOU MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? OKAY. OKAY, SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. 
          >> SECOND. >> YES? SECOND BY GARCIA. DO WE HAVE P CARDS AS MEMBERS OF COURT AS WELL? 
          [02:55:02]
          >> I DON'T KNOW SPECIFICALLY. YOU MAY. MOST DEPARTMENTS DO 
          HAVE P CARDS. >> YEAH, WE DO. 
          >> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. I WOULD MOTION THAT WE ALL BRING OUR P CARD INFORMATION OUT IF WE'RE GOING TO CRITICIZE WHAT 
          DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING. >> I'D BE HAPPY TO. 
          >> I'LL DO THAT ONE. >> I'LL SEND THAT TO YOU TODAY. 
          >> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION. >> PUT A MOTION ON THE TABLE 
          FIST. >> I'M GOING TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF IT, BUT I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION AROUND ADDING CATEGORIES AND SPECIFICITY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. 
          FROM THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT AND PURCHASING, COULD YOU ALL WORK 
          TOGETHER? >> IT REALLY IS ON THE DEPARTMENTS, RIGHT? THE DEPARTMENTS ARE REGULATING THESE P CARDS WITHIN THEM, AND SO I THINK IT'S A PLACE, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN GENERAL, ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS, WHERE WE NEED TO HAVE MORE TRANSPARENCY AND POTENTIAL SAVINGS AS WELL. BUT THIS IS ONE WHERE EVERY DEPARTMENT DOES IT ITS OWN WAY. THERE ISN'T A WIDE POLICY THAT GOVERNS THAT. 
          THAT'S BE WE ALL ARE. >> CAN YOU ALL WORK ON CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY IN DESCRIPTIONS FOR CATEGORIES SO THAT ANY DEPARTMENT THAT MAY HAVE A P CARD HAS MORE CLARITY? 
          >> -- ON PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO DEPARTMENTS. 
          >> THANK YOU, PURCHASING AGENT WILLIAMS, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR 
          RAMOS. BUT I VOTE IN FAVOR. >> BUT I THINK HAVING THE, NOT JUST GUIDELINES, BUT SOMETHING THAT'S -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S A DROP DOWN, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? THAT'S MORE -- 
          >> I'M GOING TO TRY TO SPEAK HERE. BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THESE CATEGORIES ARE STANDARD. THEY'RE THE SAME AS ANY CREDIT CARD, WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR CREDIT CARD STATEMENT. 
          >> RIGHT. I'M SAYING MAYBE WE HAVE SOME TIGHTER CATEGORIES IS 
          ALL. BUT YES, DIRECTOR? >> SO JUST TO CLARIFY, WE DO HAVE POLICIES AROUND THE P CARD AND WHEN AND HOW THEY'RE TO BE USED. WE DO REQUIRE CERTAIN FORMS, BUT IT'S ALSO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY'S TRAVEL POLICY, AND I THINK THAT MAY BE PART OF THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. BECAUSE THE COUNTY REQUIRES YOU TO GET, AN AS YOU SEE FROM THE AGENDA TODAY, YOU HAVE TO COME IN ADVANCE AND SUBMIT YOUR TRAVEL REQUEST IN ADVANCE. AND SO I THINK SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, SINCE THE P CARD IS ALSO THEIR TRAVEL CARD, HOW TO EXPEDITIOUSLY HANDLE THEIR TRAVEL WHILE ALSO COMPLYING WITH ALL THE POLICIES. SO WE'RE HAPPY TO LOOK AT THE LIST AND THE CATEGORIES. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT, JUST LIKE WHEN YOU TRAVEL AND SOMETIMES YOUR CREDIT CARD IS FLAGGED FOR SECURITY REASONS, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE SOME COMMODITY CODES AND CUT SOME OF THOSE OFF. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THE COURT APPROVED A HOLD ON I.T. 
          PURCHASES BACK IN SEPTEMBER. SO WE'VE CUT THAT CODE OFF. 
          HOWEVER, THE VENDOR ALSO HAS TO HAVE THE MATCHING CODE. SO THERE ARE SOME THAT SLIP THROUGH, BECAUSE THAT VENDOR'S CODE MAY NOT BE THE SAME ONE AS THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY'S CODE. AND SO THROUGH OUR RECONCILIATION PROCESS, WE ARE TRYING TO LOOK AND SEE HOW WE CAN CATCH THOSE AND DEAL WITH THOSE. WE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT AN A.I. SOLUTION THAT CAN MORE EFFICIENTLY REVIEW TRANSACTIONS, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S ALL DONE MANUALLY. SO THAT DOES LEAVE ROOM FOR SOME ERRORS, BUT WE'RE DOING OUR BEST ON OUR MIGHTY TEAM OF THREE IN OUR P CARD PROGRAM TO TRACK THAT. AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH JESSE TO BRING BACK A FULLER REPORT TO YOUR REQUEST. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I THINK THAT'D BE GREAT. AND I MEAN, THERE'S A FINE LINE, BECAUSE THEN YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE TOO NARROW. SO, AND I HEAR YOU, YOU KNOW, MENTIONING ABOUT THE LIMITED FUNDING THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR STUFF, AND THAT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN THE PAST. I THINK IT STILL IS WITH PROCUREMENT NOT BEING ADEQUATELY STAFFED AND FUNDED, AND IN THAT CASE, THOSE PAYMENTS AND WHATNOT ARE DELAYED. SO I MEAN, IF WE'RE PULLING MONEY OUT OF PLACES, THEY THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ONE IS PROCUREMENT. MAYBE YOU GUYS CAN VISIT TO SEE IF SHE COMES IN WITH FRESH EYES. WE ALL AGREE SHE'S WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. THE LAST POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS WE'RE, I THINK, CORRECTLY EXPRESSING CONCERN AT AN AMOUNT THAT, GIVEN OUR MULTIMILLION, MULTIBILLION DOLLAR BUDGET, IS RELATIVELY SMALL. BUT I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY, THIS $100 MILLION PLUS PROPOSAL TO TAKE MONEY OUT OF EXISTING PROGRAMS TO PAY, INCREASE PAY, WITHOUT ASKING THE VOTERS, THAT DID NOT HAVE ANY BACKUP. THAT DID NOT GO THROUGH ANY CATEGORIES. THAT CAME OUT OF THE BLUE AT ONE COURT. SO SOMETIMES WE SPLIT HAIRS ON THE LITTLE THINGS, AND I JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT SCALES. SO WHATEVER THIS IS, IT IS -- IS SO SMALL COMPARED TO THE ISSUES LIKE WE FOUND WHETHER 
          [03:00:03]
THEY BE IN FLOOD CONTROL, EAGER TO SEE THE ENGINEERING REPORT, AND THEN, OBVIOUSLY, WITH THIS UNEVALUATED PLAN THAT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND WAS NOT WORKED ON WITH OTHER COURT OFFICES AND YET WAS APPROVED. SO ANYWAY, THERE'S A MOTION FOR APPROVAL, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WHO MADE THE SECOND? GARCIA? ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? 
          >> NO. >> I'M IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. SO THAT'S ALL OF THESE. AND THEN, LET ME SEE. SO 
          [Departments (Part 5 of 8)]
WE STILL HAVE 210. RIGHT? SO 210 IS NOT ONE OF THESE. SO LET'S GO TO 210. AND THAT WAS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT THREE. AM I 
          MISTAKEN? OKAY. >> NO, THAT'S IT. I JUST -- I WANTED TO TAKE TWO MINUTES AND JUST BRAG ON CORE. IT IS AN AMAZING PROGRAM. THE CORE WAS CREATED TO FILL THE GAPS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, PROVIDE TRANSPORT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, TREATMENT FACILITIES AND/OR HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THE PILOT FOR CORE WAS LAUNCHED IN 2014. FIRST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE NATION TO HAVE A TELEPSYCHIATRIC PROGRAM FOR PATROL DEPUTIES. -- IN PUBLIC SAFETY. ALL PATROLS ARE EQUIPPED, AND AGAIN, THESE ARE PADS, IPADS, THAT THE OFFICERS HAVE THAT CAN CONNECT THEM WITH A CLINICIAN TO DO SOME AMAZING WORK OUT IN THE PUBLIC. SO THE NUMBERS ARE AMAZING WHEN YOU COMPARE THIS TO OTHER THINGS THAT WE'RE ATTEMPTING TO TRY TO DO. THERE'S JUST NO COMPARISON. SO WITH THAT SAID, I MAKE A 
          MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER 
          BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION -- YES? OKAY, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND THANK YOU, I ECHO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S COMMENTS. ALL RIGHT, SO MOVING ON TO ITEM 220. SO THIS ONE IS BECAUSE OF THE DRY CONDITIONS WE'RE FACING. AND I DON'T HAVE TO TELL ANYBODY IT'S BEEN HOT. SO A SMALL SPARK CAN QUICKLY CATCH FIRE AND WE WANT TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL WITH OPEN FLAMES. 
          WE'VE ALL SEEN THE TERRIBLE OUTCOMES IN OTHER PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY WHERE IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE THAT STARTED A MAJOR FIRE. AND OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVEN'T HAD SOMETHING TO THAT SCALE, CERTAINLY NOT A LARGE SITUATION, IN SEVERAL YEARS, BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE THAT RISK. SO WE ARE ACTIVATING -- I'M ACTIVATING OUR OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO LEVEL THREE, INCREASED READINESS. THAT IS ONE LEVEL UP FROM OUR NORMAL LEVEL OF READINESS, AND WE ALWAYS DO THAT DURING A BURN BAN SO WE CAN BE PREPARED TO REACT QUICKLY IF A WILDFIRE WERE TO START HERE AT COURT REQUESTING THAT WE APPROVE A BURN BAN TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY FROM CREATING A WILDFIRE. SO HERE ARE SOME DO'S AND DON'TS RESIDENTS SHOULD FOLLOW. DON'T PERFORM ANY OUTDOOR BURNING UNLESS IT'S AN APPROVED CEREMONIAL FIRE. ACTUALLY, IS CHIEF REID HERE? HOW ABOUT YOU DO AND DOS AND DON'TS. THANK YOU, GO AHEAD. 
          >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. THE CHIEF IS UNABLE TO BE HERE, SO YOU GET TO DEAL WITH ME. THE DOS AND DON'TS WE LOOK FOR IN A BURN BAN IS REALLY TRYING TO MINIMIZE AS MUCH OUTDOOR FIRE EXPOSURE THAT WE CAN IN THESE HIGH, DRY DROUGHT CONDITIONS. WITH US CONTINUING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN MEANINGFUL PRECIPITATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY, THAT IS WHY WE'RE WORKING THIS. AND WE'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY AS WELL, AS YOU KNOW, DIWALI HAS BEEN ADOPTED AS THE FIREWORKS SEASON, WHICH IS AMAZING. WE HAVE WORKED WITH OUR FIREWORKS VENDORS THAT AFTER COURT APPROVES THIS THE SALE OF STICKS AND FIN, FIREWORKS, WILL BE PROHIBITED. AND THAT IS REALLY NOT TO CREATE A PROBLEM FOR THOSE WANTING TO CELEBRATE THEIR RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS BUT ALSO IT'S REALLY SO THAT THOSE FIREWORKS THAT POTENTIALLY COULD GO OFF INTO UNINHABITED, NONMONITORED AREAS, WE DON'T SEE THOSE HAPPENING. AND SO AGAIN, WE WILL BE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND YOUR OFFICE IS PUTTING OUT MESSAGING AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ON THIS BURN BAN. 
          >> THANK YOU. OH, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER, YEAH. 
          [03:05:04]
          >> HOW MANY FIREWORK SALES LOCATIONS ARE THERE IN HARRIS 
          COUNTY? >> WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT -- THERE'S ONLY ABOUT FIVE, I THINK, FIVE TO SEVEN AT THIS 
          MOMENT IN TIME. >> SO YOU CAN GET THE WORD OUT 
          PRETTY EASILY. >> YES, SIR. IN PREPARATION FOR THIS WE'VE ACTUALLY ALREADY MET WITH ALL THE FIREWORKS HAVE OPENINGS, AND THEY ARE COMPLETELY ON BOARD WITH US, 
          YES, SIR. >> CHIEF, CAN YOU EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT WHAT IS ALLOWED IN THESE DIWALI CELEBRATIONS AND 
          WHAT IS NOT. >> SO WHAT IS ALLOWED ARE THOSE FIREWORKS THAT CAN BE VISUALLY SEEN. YOU CAN MANAGE THOSE. YOU CAN PUT OUT A FIRE. AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT TO FORGET OUR NORMAL FIREWORK SAFETY, MAKING SURE WE DOUSE OUR FIREWORKS IN WATER BEFORE WE PUT THEM INSIDE OF THE TRASH RECEPTACLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GO TO PROFESSIONALLY SANCTIONED LOCATIONS TO DO THAT. UNDER THE BURNING, THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED, AND THOSE ARE FIREFIGHTER TRAINING IS STILL ALLOWED TO CONTINUE, FIRES FOR RECREATION CEREMONIES, WARMTH, AND COOKING, ALL OF THOSE ARE STILL AUTHORIZED. WE ASK PEOPLE TO BE VERY CONSCIOUS WHEN THEY'RE DOING THOSE. AND THEN ANYBODY THAT'S USING FIRES FOR DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE IN AN AREA THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE DEDICATED SERVICES, THEY WOULD STILL BE AUTHORIZED TO BURN 
          THEIR TRASH. >> OKAY, ALL RIGHT, SO FOLKS JUST USE YOUR COMMON SENSE AND BE CAREFUL, BECAUSE THAT ONE LITTLE SPARK COULD REALLY CREATE A PROBLEM FOR OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO AND ALL OUR FIREFIGHTERS AS WELL. SO IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE A COUNTYWIDE BURN BAN PER THE ITEM 220? 
          >> MAKE A MOTION. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, 
          ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 
          >> THANK YOU, CHIEF REID. >> OKAY, SO THEN WE GO TO ITEM 250, PRE-TRIAL SERVICES. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THESE ARE A SERIES OF ITEMS UNDER YOUR OFFICE. 
          >> YEAH, JUST QUICKLY. THIS WAS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO PURCHASE METRO BUS PASSES. JUST WANT TO BE SURE WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON. THIS IS ROUGHLY 3,488 BUS PASSES. I THINK THE INITIATIVE, THE OBJECTIVE HERE, IS WELL MEANING IN TERMS OF PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO GET TO COURT, AND THIS IS ONE WAY TO DO IT. I WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THESE CARDS ARE GOING TO BE DISTRIBUTED. AND SO THERE'S SOME LEVEL OF ASSURANCE THAT AT LEAST YOU'RE ACCOMPLISHING THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE BY WHICH YOU'RE GETTING THESE CARDS, BUT AGAIN, IT'S 3,448 BUS PASSES. AND I'M NOT SURE HOW YOU'RE GOING TO 
          CONTROL THAT. >> WE'LL DISCUSSION WITH DIRECTOR AND COME BACK TO YOUR OFFICE. 
          >> OKAY. >> OKAY. 
          >> IS IT POSSIBLE -- YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> I KNOW IT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN GETTING PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AT COURT, AND IT KEEPS US FROM PUTTING PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM. SO IF YOU CAN GET ON THE LINE, BUT I'M PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION FOR IT. 
          >> I BELIEVE SHE'S ON. >> DIRECTOR, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? WELL, LET'S HOLD ON THIS ONE UNTIL SHE APPEARS. 
          >> SHE'LL COME RIGHT BACK, I THINK. 
          >> IF I CAN MAKE MY QUICK COMMENT, PLEASE? I AGREE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS HAS BEEN HUGELY HELPFUL IN FAILURE TO APPEAR RATES, SO I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE AND HAPPY TO VOTE IN FAVOR. THERE SHE IS. COULD YOU PLEASE WALK US THROUGH HOW THEY'RE DISTRIBUTED? HI, GOOD TO SEE YOU. 
          >> YOU HAVE TO MUTE -- UNMUTE. >> HI, DIRECTOR, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. ARE YOU ABLE TO UNMUTE YOURSELF, OR IS IT US? WE CANNOT HEAR YOU. IT'S US, OKAY. WE'LL WORK ON IT ON THE BACK END IF WE HAVE TIME. LET'S GO TO THE NEXT ONE FOR NOW. ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE NEXT ONE WAS 254. 
          >> YES, WE -- THERE'S SEVERAL BLANKET REQUESTS HERE, OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL. THE LEADING NUMBER OF THESE IS COMING OUT OF THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. BLANKET AGREEMENTS, THE ACCOUNTABILITY, THEY'RE VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH. I'M WILLING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS EXCEPT TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN, 12, 13, 14, 34, 35, 37, 38, AND 
          [03:10:10]
          40. >> I'LL SECOND IT. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER 
          ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THE REST 
          OF THEM. >> I WAS A NO ON THE LAST ITEM. 
          >> OKAY, SO MOTION CARRIES 4-1 ON THE ONES THAT COMMISSIONER 
          RAMSEY LISTED. >> AND NOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKING A MOTION TO APPROVE THE OTHERS. 
          >> OKAY. >> OR DID YOU WANT TO MAKE IT 
          AND I'LL SECOND IT? >> NO, GO AHEAD. 
          >> YEAH, I'LL MAKE A MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKES A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REST OF THE ITEMS. 
          >> I'LL SECOND IT. >> ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? 
          >> NO. >> I'M IN FAVOR. I THINK WE'RE 4-1, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IS THAT RIGHT? NO? 
          >> I'M UNCLEAR, JUDGE. >> I'M NOT CLEAR. 
          >> WHAT THE MOTIONS ARE. >> OKAY, SO IT'S 4-1 WITH RAMSEY OPPOSED. OKAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 270? 
          >> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> I'LL MOVE IT. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THIS GRANT. 
          >> SECOND. >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER 
          BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-1. 271. 
          >> JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> SO MOVED. 
          >> SECONDED. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? 
          >> NO. >> EXCUSE ME. I'M IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 4-1. AUDITED CLAIMS. 
          >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS EXCEPT PFM 
          GROUP CONSULTING. >> SECOND. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER 
          GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 
          >> I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE THE OTHER ONE. 
          >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS MOVES TO APPROVE THE OTHER ONE. GARCIA 
          SECONDS. IS THAT CLEAR, JAMES? >> YES MA'AM. 
          >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO. 
          >> MOTION CARRIES 4-1. ALL RIGHT. WHAT ABOUT 351, 
          COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. JAY, ON THIS PARTICULAR ONE, IS THIS -- WHAT THESE ARE BUDGETED FOR, WE CAN LEGALLY DO THIS? THE ITEMS COVERED IN 351. THIS IS SEVERAL DIFFERENT NONPROFITS ARE INVOLVED IN THESE SERVICES. SO 
          WE CAN LEGALLY DO THIS? >> YES. I MEAN, THAT'S BEEN OUR 
          POSITION. >> OKAY. 
          >> I'LL MOVE IT. >> I'LL SECOND IT. 
          >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- BLESS YOU -- SECONDED BY 
          [Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 2 of 4)]
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? 
          >> NO. >> THESE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE MORE TIME. WHILE COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ON THE LINE AND BEFORE I HAVE TO GO TO MY GROUP THERAPY, I WAS HOPING WE COULD JUST VERY, VERY BRIEFLY GO ON TO 542. IT'S THE ONE ABOUT THE TIME START. AND IT'S VERY BRIEF. IT'S SIMPLY THAT AFTER OUR DISCUSSION LAST TIME, I HEARD FROM MY STAFF AND SOME OF THE SPEAKERS THAT STARTING COURT AT 9:00 MEANS THAT THOSE OF US -- THOSE OF THEM WHO HAVE KIDS WILL HAVE A DIFFICULTY GETTING HERE BEFORE 9:00 IN ORDER TO PREPARE AND THEN, OF COURSE, BEING READY AT 9:00. SO I WANT TO PROPOSE THAT WE NOT PUT THE EXTRA BURDEN ON FOLKS WITH KIDS AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOTION TO APPROVE THAT THE REGULAR COMMISSIONERS COURT AND BUSINESS COURT WILL CONTINUE TO MEET AT THE SAME STANDARD TIME OF 10:00 A.M. AND MAYBE I DON'T HAVE THE VOTES FOR IT, BUT I 
          WANT TO PUT IT OUT THERE. >> OBVIOUSLY, I DISAGREE WITH YOU. I THINK WE OUGHT TO START AT 9:00. PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO COME LATE, AS LATE AS WE GO, THEY CAN SPEAK LATER DURING THE PUBLIC SPEAKER SESSION. BUT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, IT'S AN EXAMPLE LIKE TODAY. IT'S -- WE STARTED AT 10:00 A.M. WE WANT TO STOP, FOLKS NEED LUNCH, I GET THAT. WE STOP FOR LUNCH, AND THEN WE'LL COME IN AND WE'LL GO THROUGH THE RESOLUTIONS. I'M NOT A BIG ONE ON RESOLUTIONS, BUT THEY ARE IMPORTANT, PARTICULARLY TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RECEIVING THEM. HAVE SOMEONE TODAY WHO'S GOING TO DO IT. AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK IN. AND SOMETIMES WE STAY IN UNTIL 10:00 AT NIGHT. AND ALL Y'ALL ARE JUST SUCH WONDERFUL PEOPLE, BUT WHEN YOU GET TIRED, YOU'RE NOT QUITE AS 
          WONDERFUL. >> YEAH. 
          >> SO I THINK THE EARLIER WE START, YOU KNOW, I THINK I WAS THE ONE CAME UP WITH THIS SO-CALLED CONSENT AGENDA TO SPEED IT UP A LITTLE BIT. I THINK WE OUGHT TO START EARLIER. 
          [03:15:07]
IF IT MEANS I'M LATE, YOU LATE, SOMEBODY ELSE IS LATE, SOMEBODY OUGHT TO START IT ON THE NONCONTROVERSIAL ITEMS. YOU KNOW, I THINK WE ALL AGREE ON THE PRAYER. WE AGREE ON THE PLEDGE. SOME OF THAT STUFF WE COULD DO. AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE LATE. I'M NOT AN EARLY RISER. I DON'T GET OUT EARLY. I GET UP EARLY AND START MAKING PHONE CALLS, BUT I DON'T GET OUT. BUT THAT'S WHY I HOPE WE'LL GO WITH 9:00. HEY, I CAN LIVE WITH IT. MY FEELINGS WON'T BE HURT. Y'ALL DRAG ON, AS YOU KNOW RS AT MY AGE, I THINK I'VE EARNED THE RIGHT TO GET UP AND 
          GET OUT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I JOKE ABOUT OUR DIFFERENCES ON THIS ONE, SO I THINK WE'LL VOTE ON IT. MY CONCERN, COMMISSIONERS, WITH THE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE KIDS, ON YOUR POINT ABOUT STARTING, YEAH, I TEND TO ASK YOUR STAFF IS IT OKAY IF I START OR NOT, BUT IF -- AND SO THEY'LL 
          SAY YES OR NO. >> -- 
          >> NO, SAME. MY POINT IS YOUR POINT, LET'S AVOID ITEMS WHERE WE KNOW THE OTHER PERSON WANTS TO VOTE SO WE HAVE TO COME BACK AROUND. ANYWAY, I MADE A MOTION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS A 
          COMMENT. GARCIA MADE A SECOND. >> SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF STARTING EARLIER FOR THE REASONS COMMISSIONER ELLIS STATED AND FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO COME LATE, THEY CAN COME LATE. AND I VERY MUCH, IF WE SAY WE'RE GOING TO START AT X TIME, WE SHOULD, JUST 
          TO RESPECT EVERYONE'S TIME. SO. >> THANK YOU. AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, EARLIER COMING BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE HAD TO WAIT QUITE A WHILE TO START, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A CODED COMMENT, BUT WE OFTEN FIND OURSELVES WAITING FOR EVERYBODY ON THE DAIS. AGAIN, THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE SPEAKERS NECESSARILY, IT'S ABOUT THE STAFF, COMMISSIONER. AND SO I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY STAFF WHO DOES HAVE TO BE HERE WHEN I'M STARTING. AND YOU KNOW, THERE'S A REASON THIS WAS SCHEDULED AT 9:00 A.M. IN THE FIRST PLACE -- 10:00 A.M. IN THE FIRST PLACE. 
          >> LAST POINT I'D MAKE IS THAT IF WE DO START AT 9:00, WE OUGHT TO ALSO BE CONCERNED ABOUT STAFFERS GETTING HOME TO THEIR 
          CHILDREN. >> RIGHT, BUT THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE CONCERN IS MORE THE MORNING, BECAUSE THEY GOT TO DROP THEM OFF, WHEREAS GETTING HOME IS A DIFFERENT THING. ALL RIGHT, I'M JUST TELLING YOU WHAT I HEARD, I'M NOT -- I'M 
          OKAY. I HAVE A CAT. ALL RIGHT. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION. 
          >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT DOESN'T LOOK HOPEFUL, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL RIGHT, WE'RE IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? 
          >> OPPOSED. >> THAT FAILS 3-2. HERE'S MY OTHER IDEA, COULD WE MAKE IT TO WHERE ONLY BUSINESS COURT MEETINGS START AT 9:00 BUT THEN COURT STARTS AT 10:00, MEET IN 
          THE MIDDLE? >> NOPE. 
          >> NO. >> I'M JUST TRYING TO GET OUT 
          OF HERE. >> I'M JUST TRYING TO GET OUT 
          TONIGHT. >> -- BEFORE I'M IN A BAD MOOD. 
          >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE YOUR MOTION? 
          >> I'LL MAKE MY MOTION. >> SO I'M NOT DONE ON MY MOTIONS. SO MY THIRD MOTION WOULD BE -- OR OPTION HERE IS TO AT LEAST START THIS NEXT YEAR SO WE CAN PHASE IT IN. -- BEGINNING JANUARY 8, 2026, AND THAT WAY IT DOESN'T COME OUT OF THE BLUE. 
          >> RESPECTFULLY, NO MA'AM. >> THAT'S VERY KIND OF YOU. 
          I'M JUST GOING TO GO NO. ALL RIGHT, YOU GUYS, IN THAT SPIRIT OF NO, NO, I GOT TO GO TO MY GROUP THERAPY. SO I'LL LEAVE IT 
          TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS. NO. >> OKAY. SO THANK YOU, JUDGE. 
          I'LL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE START THE -- THERE IS A MOTION, WE START THE MEETINGS AT 9:00 A.M. 
          >> SECOND. >> MOTION MADE BY -- 
          >> AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU'RE USING THE OCTOBER 30TH 
          DATE? 2025. >> APPROVE AS PRESENTED. 
          >> OKAY. >> YES, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> ALL THOSE OPPOSED? 
          >> NO. >> THREE AYES, ONE NAY. JUDGE, YOU GOING TO GIVE ME A VOTE ON YOUR WAY OUT. 
          >> NO, I SAID NO. >> THREE AYES AND TWO NOES. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT ITEM, WE HAVE AN ITEM, 528, THAT NEEDS TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE HAVE SOME TIME ISSUES. CAN WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? THAT IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ONE RELATED TO THE RETENTION OF COUNCIL. 
          >> WHAT'S THE NUMBER? >> 528. 
          >> YES, AND MEANWHILE, COULD YOU PLEASE HELP WORK WITH THE 
          DIRECTOR, SO WE CAN HEAR HER? >> 528. 
          [Executive Session (Part 2 of 2)]
          >> THANK YOU. >> THE TIME NOW IS -- WE'LL GO INTO EXECUTIVE 
          >>> SO JAY, WHAT WAS THIS ITEM? >> WELL, WE'RE BACK FROM 
          EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> IT'S 3:35 AND WE'RE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE'RE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION NOW. 
          [03:20:01]
          >> YEAH. MOVE ITEM 528 AS PRESENTED. 
          >> MAKE A MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MOVES 
          [Departments (Part 6 of 8)]
          ITEM 528. >> SECOND. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDS. NEXT ITEM IS PAGE 43, 366. 
          COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND BRIONES, BOTH OF YOU ALL PULLED THIS. 
          THIS IS BENEFIT SERVICES. >> YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?. 
          >> YEAH, JUST AGAIN, THIS IS A CONTRACT TO GALLAGHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH MORE SERVICES RELATED TO PAY EQUITY. STARTS NOVEMBER 1, 2025, GOES THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2026. AND I KNOW WE'VE GOT A REPORT COMING AT THE NEXT MEETING. 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> I'M NOT COMFORTABLE, AT LEAST I'M NOT, COMFORTABLE WITH MOVING ON THIS ITEM UNTIL THEY'VE REPORTED. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. COULD I PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT? 
          >> SURE. >> WE'RE ACTUALLY -- THE EXISTING CONTRACT HAS FOUR ONE-YEAR RENEWALS, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS SIMPLY ASKING THAT YOU APPROVE A RENEWAL. WE DON'T HAVE A PROPOSAL. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING. WE'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF HAVING THAT RENEWAL IN PLACE, SO DEPENDING UPON WHAT YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT DECIDE ON THE 30TH, IF ACTION IS NEEDED FOR THEIR SERVICES TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST IN THE IMPLEMENTATION, THEN THAT RENEWAL IS THERE AND WE WOULD WORK WITH GALLAGHER TO COME BACK WITH THE PROPOSAL, WHICH WE WOULD BRING BACK TO THE COURT FOR YOUR INPUT AND APPROVAL. SO WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANY BUDGET. IT IS ACTUALLY JUST EXERCISING THE FIRST OF WHAT IS FOUR SEPARATE ONE-YEAR RENEWALS UNDER EXISTING CONTRACT. 
          >> WE COULD DO THAT ANYWAY. >> YOU COULD. 
          >> WE DON'T NEED TO DO THIS. WE COULD DO THAT ANYWAY. 
          >> OKAY. >> MY OPINION. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> SO I, FIRST OF ALL, JUST TO CONFIRM, WE'RE GOING TO GET THE ENTIRE PAY EQUITY STUDY NEXT 
          COURT, OCTOBER 30TH? >> CORRECT. 
          >> I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT. TWO, DIRECTOR RAMOS -- THIS WAS PART OF THE BUDGET THAT WE VOTED FOR, CORRECT? OKAY. SPEAKING OF BUDGET, THIS IS THE ENGLISH TEACHER COMING OUT IN ME, IT WAS WRITTEN IN A WAY WHERE IT SAYS AT A COST OF $1.257.500. THIS IS A NO COST EXTENSION AT THIS POINT. 
          >> THAT IS CORRECT. WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS -- WAS THE ORIGINAL COST OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT, THE ONE THAT IS COMING TO AN END, BUT WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ANY DOLLARS, SIMPLY TRYING TO GET AN ADVANCE OF HAVING TO REQUEST THE RENEWAL SO THAT WE CAN GO TO GALLAGHER BASED UPON THE COURT'S DESIRE AROUND IMPLEMENTATION AND THEY CAN DEVELOP A PROPOSAL WHICH WE 
          WOULD BRING BACK TO YOU. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR NEXT COURT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THIS. 
          >> OF COURSE. >> OKAY, SO JAY, THIS ITEM COULD 
          PASS WITH TWO VOTES? >> CORRECT, JUDGE. I'M SORRY, 
          CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. >> ALL RIGHT, IS THERE A MOTION 
          FOR IT? >> I WILL MOVE 366 AS PRESENTED. 
          >> AND I'LL SECOND IT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE. 
          >> AYE. >> ALL OPPOSED, VOTE NO. 
          >> NO. >> THIS ITEM DOES PASS. NEXT ONE 
          IS ON PAGE 47. >> IT'S 400. 
          >> YEAH. ITEM 400. >> SO 400, WE HEARD FROM A FEW SPEAKERS THIS MORNING. SO ITEM 400 IS -- REGARDS EMPLOY TO EMPOWER A CONTRACT RENEWAL, AND ALL FOUR OF OUR PRECINCTS PARTICIPATE. TO ME THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROVEN PROGRAMS WHERE WE HAVE THESE UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PUT TO WORK IN OUR PRECINCTS. AND NOT ONLY ARE THEY GETTING A JOB, BUT THEY'RE ALSO GETTING JOB COUNSELING, HOUSING, SERVICES, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WIN-WIN-WINS. YOU TEACH A MAN TO FISH, AND IT MOVES FORWARD. I'M VERY THANKFUL TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS. AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS. I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN REALLY PARTNERING WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS AND POURING INTO THEM. AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I KNOW YOU HIRED ONE ON ONE OF YOUR PARK STAFFS. SO I HOPE WE CAN GROW THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE'S SUCH A NEED AND WE WANT TO GET FOLKS BACK ON THEIR FEET. I'M PROUDLY MOVING NUMBER 
          400 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND. 
          >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND PROPERLY SECONDED. ITEM PASSES. 
          ITEM 415. I PULLED THAT ONE, AND MR. GONZALEZ, ARE YOU AROUND? HE ON THE LINE? THIS IS SO CANCEL IT, AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS REALLY WORKED. ABOUT $4 
          [03:25:02]
MILLION. IT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE BUDGET, BUT I WANT TO PUT A MARKER DOWN BECAUSE I'M GOING TO PUSH FOR IT NEXT CYCLE. I MOVE THIS ITEM. IS THERE A 
          SECOND? >> APPROVAL TO REJECT? 
          >> YEAH, TO REJECT IT. >> MAKE A MOTION. 
          >> OKAY, AND I'LL SECOND IT. ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. 
          >> AYE. >> THREE AYES, NO NAYS, ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS ITEM, PAGE 60, ITEM 425. WHO PULLED THAT ONE 
          HERE? >> I DID. 
          >> YOU DID, YEAH. >> I KNOW WE'RE LOOKING TO BRING ON MORE CONSULTANTS. AND I THINK THERE'S TWO ITEMS, 425 AND 426 ARE TO BRING ON MORE CONSULTANTS. I GUESS I'M, AS I'VE EXPRESSED, AND THANK YOU TANYA FOR YOUR WORK, IT'S OUTSTANDING, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE GOING OUT FOR ANOTHER CONSULTANT. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF STUDIES DONE THROUGH THE YEARS. WE'VE GOT REPORTS. YOU'VE DONE MORE IN ONE YEAR THAN ANYBODY HAS IN THE LAST TEN, SO TAKING WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED AND WHAT YOU KNOW COUPLED WITH THE CONSULTING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE, IT'S JUST HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD CONTINUE TO DO MORE STUDYING. I WOULD THINK WE'D BE IN A POSITION TO SAY THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO. THIS IS THE NEXT STEP THAT WE WANT TO TAKE, PARTICULARLY IN THIS PARTICULAR ONE RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, OR AT LEAST THE TWO OF THESE TOGETHER. SO THAT'S MY CONCERN. I'M NOT SURE WHY WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH ANOTHER STUDY WHEN WE'VE BEEN STUDYING THIS THING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. IF I REMEMBER, BACK IN 2007, WE HAD A JAIL BOND WE TOOK TO THE VOTERS. $245 MILLION FOR 2,000 BEDS, 2,500 BEDS, SOME NUMBER. IT FAILED. 
          AND AGAIN, I THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WE HAVE ISSUES. WE KNOW WE HAVE ISSUES WITH THE STATE IN TERMS OF CERTAIN CRITERIA THEY REQUIRE, AND WE'RE NOT ABLE -- WE'RE BACK IN GOOD GRACES RIGHT NOW, BUT WE'RE JUST RIGHT THERE ON THE EDGE. 
          WE'VE GOT BEDS WE CAN'T USE NOW IN THE JAIL BECAUSE WE CAN'T HIRE DETENTION OFFICERS. I WOULD THINK THAT'D BE OUR FULL FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS TO GET THAT DONE. AND I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY SUPPORT GOING OUT FOR ANOTHER CONSULTANT AT THIS 
          POINT. >> SO IF I MAY, COLLEAGUE, CAN WE TAKE BOTH TOGETHER, AND DIRECTOR, I'M GOING TO LET YOU SPEAK. WE'RE LOOKING AT SPENDING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT ON BUILDING A NEW JAIL AT SOME POINT. AND AT SOME POINT WE'LL HAVE TO DO IT. THAT MOUSE TRAP IS JUST NOT WORKING THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED TO WORK. BUT WE OUGHT TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE DO IT. AND IT OUGHT TO BE ONE FOR THE FUTURE. MAY NOT HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON. I THINK WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT MAYBE $6 BILLION INVESTMENT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED AROUND THE COUNTRY -- BUT YOU WANTED TO MAKE A 
          COMMENT? >> YOU DID SIR. 
          >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE BOTH. COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDS. THOSE OPPOSED, VOTE NO. TWO AYES, ONE NAY. BOTH ITEMS PASS. NEXT ITEM IS 532? 428, MY ITEM. JUST BRIEFLY, DIRECTOR, CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE BRIEFLY. I KNOW WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUT OF HERE AT A REASONABLE HOUR. WE PUT ABOUT 12 ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S FUNERAL. THE LAST ONE WAS OBVIOUSLY A RESOLUTION. BUT OUR SENSE OF REMORSE OVER WHAT HAPPENED AND COMPLIMENTING THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR NOT RESORTING TO VIOLENCE. BUT WE HAD ABOUT 11 ITEMS. ONE WAS TO DEVELOP A PROCESS FOR ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY IN THE BUDGET FROM THE JUDGE HIDALGO, THIS IS IN 2020. DEVELOPMENT OF A USE OF FORCE DASHBOARD, JUDGE HIDALGO. VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM, ELLIS. STUDY ON ALTERNATIVE RESPONDER PROGRAM, ELLIS. 
          IMPROVEMENT TO INJURY DEFENSE, ELLIS. COUNTY OVERSIGHT BOARD, ELLIS. ALTERNATIVE TO PUNITIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES TO ADDRESS POVERTY, ILLNESS, PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION, ELLIS. REPORT ON IMPOSITION OF CRIMINAL 
          [03:30:02]
FINES, FEES, AND CASH BAIL, ELLIS. REPORT ON RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE COUNTY, JUSTICE SYSTEM, ELLIS. RACIAL PROFILING, ELLIS. MODEL USE OF FORCE POLICY, GARCIA. THAT WAS 11. WE CAME IN AND PASSED THEM UNANIMOUSLY TO BE THOUGHTFUL ON HOW WE DO STUDIES, HOW WE COME UP WITH POLICIES, BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT IF THEY ALL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO COME BACK AND GET A REVIEW ON WHAT HAVE WE DONE FIVE YEARS LATER. NOW MR. FLOYD'S BIRTHDAY, WOULD HAVE TURNED 51 A COUPLE DAYS AGO, THAT'S WHY I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. SO YOU 
          HAVE A REPORT FOR US? >> SURE, NOT NECESSARILY A PRESENTATION, SIR. SO APOLOGIES, THIS WORK LIVED WITH MULTIPLE ITERATIONS. RAD WAS ELIMINATED UNDER OCA, SO MY TEAM BEGAN PULLING TOGETHER SOME OF THE HISTORY AND STATUSES RECENTLY. I WOULD SAY THE ALTERNATIVE FIRST RESPONDER PROGRAM, HEART, STOOD UP WITH PUBLIC HEALTH VERY SUCCESSFUL. VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM, RISE, INDIGENT DEFENSE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, ADDITIONAL MONEY HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE PTO BUDGET TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE 50% GOAL. 
          ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION AND CRIMINALIZATION, NUMEROUS PROGRAMS WERE DERIVED FROM THE PFM REPORT, INCLUDING WEC AND ACCESS. RACIAL DISPARITIES, FINES AND FEES, THIS PARTICULAR ONE TOOK A LITTLE BIT TO GET OFF THE GROUND. THERE WAS SOME HOLDOUT ON DATA, BUT TEXAS APPLESEED WAS CONTRACTED WITH -- WE EXPECT TO HAVE THAT REPORT NEXT SUMMER. RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES WITHIN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, RAND REPORT WAS JUST PUBLISHED. I'LL ALSO ADD JUSTICE INNOVATION TEAM BASED ON A REQUEST LAST MONTH WHEN WE PROVIDED SOME DATA. YOU'D ASK THAT WE LOOK AT A DEEP DIVE IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM SO WE'VE WORKED OR CONTRACTED WITH JUSTICE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE THROUGH OUR SAFETY JUSTICE CHALLENGE GRANT TO DO A DEEP DIVE ANALYSIS. WE EXPECT ANALYSIS IN DECEMBER AND A FULL REPORT IN MARCH. RACIAL PROFILING LAW ENFORCEMENT, THERE IS A DASHBOARD ON LINE, CURRENTLY COMPILED FROM DATA REPORTED TO THE STATE ALREADY. TRANSPARENCY OF USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS, THAT DATA, SOME INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT DASHBOARD, AGAIN, IT'S COMPILED FROM DATA REPORTED TO THE STATE ALREADY. AND THEN USE OF FORCE POLICIES, ALL THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF HAVE POLICIES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'D ASKED IS THAT THE AGENCIES PUBLISH THOSE POLICIES ONLINE. 
          >> MANY HAVE DONE IT. >> INCLUDING THE SHERIFF, THREE OF THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF HAVE POLICIES ONLINE. 
          JUSTICE INNOVATION IS STARTING TO WORK WITH THE CONSTABLES TO GET THE OTHER REMAINING POLICIES ONLINE, AND MOST OF THE POLICIES ARE CONSISTENT. WE COULD CERTAINLY DO SOME WORK TO HAVE A UNIFORM POLICY, JUSTICE INNOVATION IS HAPPY TO CONTINUE 
          TO WORK ON THAT. >> SO COLLEAGUES, LOOK, WE MADE SOME PROGRESS, BUT NOT NEARLY ENOUGH. AND OBVIOUSLY, BUDGET COMES INTO PLAY, THAT'S A PART OF IT. ON THE ALTERNATIVE RESPONDERS PROGRAM, SINCE IT LAUNCHED IN 2022, HEART HAS ADDRESSED 22,000 CALLS IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. 
          THAT'S A NOBLE FEAT, BUT A SIMILAR PROGRAM IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, HAS SPOTTED TO 16,000 CALLS IN THE SAME TIME PERIOD, AND THEY ARE HARRIS COUNTY 16 TIMES THE POPULATION OF DURHAM. 
          SO EVEN WITH HEART EXPANSION THIS YEAR, WE'LL ONLY HAVE ONE RESPONSE TEAM FOR EVERY 107,000 RESIDENTS IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. SO THAT MEANS THAT AFTER LAUNCHING THE PROGRAM IN 2022, WE WERE A LEADER WHEN WE LAUNCHED IT, BUT WE WATCHED CITIES AND COUNTIES ACROSS THE NATION BUILD MUCH MORE ROBUST PROGRAMS THAN WE HAVE. AND THAT'S A BUDGETARY ISSUE, WHICH IS WHY I MADE REFERENCE TO IT DURING THE STRATEGIC PLAN. I WANT TO ASK DR. LARRY BROWN IF YOU ARE AROUND, YOU ON THE LINE, DR. BROWN? HE DIDN'T THINK WE'D BE MOVING THIS FAST. ON VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS, WE LAUNCHED COMMUNITY AND HOSPITAL-BASED VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAMS TO STOP THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. THE PROGRAM HAS DIRECTLY INTERVENED IN 131 INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE BECOME VIOLENT AND ENGAGED WITH THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ON BUILDING TRUST, RELATIONSHIPS. 
          ZERO READMISSIONS AMONG THOSE PEOPLE. ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE, AS YOU STATED, THAT'S BEEN A HOLD-UP ON CREATING A DASHBOARD. AND ON THE RACIAL DISPARITY STUDIES, WHEN WE ASK FOR IT, IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG TIME, AND WHAT DO THOSE STUDIES 
          [03:35:04]
THAT YOU GOT, WHAT DID RAND TELL YOU SO FAR? 
          >> SO RAND HAS PUBLISHED -- THERE WAS DATA THAT -- SO IF YOU'RE -- THE DATA THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET AHOLD OF FOR THE ANALYSIS. A FEW OF THE ELEMENTS THAT RAND HAD REQUESTED AND HADN'T RECEIVED WERE PSA AND PSR DATA FROM PRE-TRIAL, NOT NECESSARILY PRE-TRIAL THAT DIDN'T WANT TO SHARE THE DATA WAS THE COURTS THAT FELT LIKE THERE WAS SOME REASON IT SHOULDN'T BE SHARED. TRAFFIC STOP DATA FROM HPD SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CONSTABLES ORIGINAL CHARGE DATA FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEN POST CONVICTION DATA FROM CSCD WHERE DATA ELEMENTS THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER. THEY WENT AHEAD WITH THE REPORT WITH THE AVAILABLE DATA, AND THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED. TEXAS APPLESEED, IT -- ON THE FINES AND FEES, SORT OF THE SAME THING. INABILITY TO GET THE DATA. WE WERE ABLE TO GET DATA TO THEM MARCH OF LAST YEAR, I THINK, OR MARCH OF THIS YEAR, AND WE EXPECT TO HAVE THE REPORT THIS 
          SUMMER. >> AND SO YOU'RE GOING TO PUT THE DASHBOARDS UP SHOWING WHAT WE HAVE, AND THEN WHEN THEY COMPLAIN IN EACH OF THESE CATEGORIES, YOU'LL HAVE TO SAY, IF YOU'D SUBMITTED MORE DATA, YOU WOULDN'T LOOK AS BAD AS YOU WOULD PROBABLY LOOK WITH THE DATA WE HAVE. 
          >> YES, IF WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE DATA ELEMENTS TO TELL THE STORY, WHAT WE DO HAVE IS -- OFTEN DOESN'T LOOK FAVORABLE. 
          WE'D LIKE TO WORK WITH THOSE AGENCIES SO THAT WE CAN HELP 
          TELL THE STORY. >> OKAY. 
          >> LAST POINT ON THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, WE MADE A COMMITMENT WE WOULD GET IT UP TO 50%, I THINK IN TWO YEARS, AND WE ARE AT, WHAT? 16% OF THE CASES, IS THAT RIGHT? 
          >> 16% TO 18%, YES, SIR. >> I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT'S A LONG WAY TO GO. I'D GIVE US PROBABLY A D IF IT WAS A GRADING SYSTEM ON WHAT WE'VE DONE IN TERMS OF THE REFORMS THAT WE COMMITTED OF THE MR. FORD'S FUNERAL. WOULD YOU 
          AGREE? C MINUS, D, D PLUS? >> D. 
          >> SO THERE'S A LONG WAY TO GO. I WANTED TO STOP AND PUT THAT ON 
          THE AGENDA. >> MR. ELLIS, SORRY, FIRST OF ALL, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA AND KEEPING THE LIGHT SHINING BRIGHTLY, BECAUSE I AGREE. THERE'S STILL SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE, AND WE NEED TO BE RELENTLESSLY IMPROVING SAFETY AND OUTCOMES IN THE MOST DATA-DRIVEN WAY. DIRECTOR MILLS, THANK YOU, YOU'VE MADE US THE C MINUS BECAUSE OF THE DATA YOU'VE BEEN COLLECTING. I CANNOT WAIT FOR OUR PUBLIC DEFENDERS' OFFICE TO GET TO THE AT LEAST 50%. I'M ENERGIZED WITH OUR NEW CHIEF DEFENDER, JUDGE DRAPER, I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT I DIDN'T THE LAST COUPLE YEARS. AND WE MUST, GIVEN PRIVATE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL. THAT'S SUBOPTIMAL QUALITY OF JUSTICE. I'M SO THRILLED THAT WE HAVE JUDGE DRAPER AT THE HELM, AND I'M HAPPY THAT YOU AND I ARE COSPONSORS OF THE INDIGENT COMMISSION. I'M ALSO THRILLED, I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THIS EARLIER, OUR NEW MAC DIRECTOR, WHO I BELIEVE WILL TAKE THE MAC, AND I THANK MR. HARDEN FOR HIS SERVICE AND PORTIA BROWN WILL HELP REALLY TAKE THE MAP TO THE NEXT LEVEL AND HELP US WITH THOSE MISDEMEANOR CASES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT WE'RE BEING GOOD STEWARDS AS WELL AS THE PD. AND SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN IN THE PD'S OFFICE, DONE DEFENSE ACROSS THE STATE, I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN PORTIA BROWN, SO CONGRATULATIONS, PORTIA. ALSO TO YOUR POINT, HEART, ACROSS THE COUNTY, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR BARTON, WE NEED TO GET THOSE NUMBERS UP. 
          >> WE CONTINUE THE STATION. >> CONTINUE, YES. AND THEN RISE AS WELL CONTINUING TO IMPROVE AND CERT AND CORE, ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS, IT'S THIS VERY COMPLEX, INTER-- YOU KNOW, MULTIDIMENSIONAL SYSTEM. THANK YOU, TANYA, FOR KEEPING US FOCUSED ON WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF THE DATA AND WHERE WE NEED TO GO. I DO WANT TO POINT -- THERE'S ONE DATA I'M SUPER PROUD OF. THIS IS FOR OUR YOUTH DIVERSION CENTER. WE'VE REDUCED RECIDIVISM IN YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE YOUTH DIVERSION CENTER DOWN TO 8%. THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE IMPROVEMENT SINCE -- FROM WHERE WE WERE. SO THANK YOU THE ALL OF THE TEAM. 
          AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK TALIA MORRIS AND MY TEAM, BECAUSE PRECINCT FOUR, WE'RE MATCHING A STATE GRANT, $8 MILLION FROM PRECINCT FOUR, $8 MILLION FROM THE STATE, TO DO A CHILDREN WITHOUT PLACEMENT FACILITY AT BAYLAND PARK. I'M REALLY 
          [03:40:02]
EXCITED THIS WILL HELP VULNERABLE YOUTH FROM UNNECESSARY CONTACT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. IN SOME WE HAVE A LONG ROAD AHEAD. AND DIRECTOR, IF YOU COULD JUST CONTINUE TO KEEP US LASER FOCUS ON THE DATA, WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT'S NOT, AND WHY, AND THEN WE CAN BE RELENTLESSLY FOCUSSED IN ENHANCING SAFETY AND MAKING SURE WE'RE ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE HERE. MY BIRTHDAY'S OCTOBER 12TH, SO IT ALWAYS HITS. 
          WE'RE ONLY A FEW YEARS APART. HE WILL NEVER -- WE NEED TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN MEANINGFUL WAYS. 
          SO I HOPE WE'RE NOT HERE, COMMISSIONER, IN TWO, THREE, FIVE, TEN YEARS, I HOPE WE'VE JUST BECOME THAT A STUDENT THAT WE ALL WANT TO BE. AND SO, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MILLS, AND ALL OF THE TEAM, TO HELP US PUSH, PUSH, PUSH RELENTLESSLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR BRINGING IT. 
          >> I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA EVERY YEAR. I'LL DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR. I MIGHT HAVE YOU ASSIGN THAT GRADE. I'D SAY D AT BEST. 
          THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO. OBVIOUSLY, FUNDING WILL BE A BIG PART OF IT. THAT ITEM I PULLED IS ONE THAT WILL HELP WITH JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION AS WELL, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO DO IT. NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT ONE, COMMISSIONER 
          [Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 3 of 4)]
RAMSEY, IS THAT YOU, 532? DID WE APPROVE THAT EARLIER? OKAY, THEN THE NEXT ONE AFTER THAT IS CONTRACT TO SAFETY. I HAVE A MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I WORKED ON TOGETHER. AND I THINK WE SENT IT OUT, AND I'LL JUST READ IT INTO THE RECORD. 
          MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TOLL ROAD FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT DEPARTMENT, ECONOMIC EQUITY AND PURCHASING AGENT AND OPPORTUNITY, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND COURT OFFICES TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON -- SAFETY POLICY ESTABLISHING UNIFORM STANDARDS FOR ALL COUNTY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. AT A MINIMUM THIS POLICY SHALL INCORPORATE FEEDBACK FROM LABOR AND INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS TO BE MODELLED AFTER EVIDENCE-BASED BEST PRACTICES FROM COUNTIES, LABOR AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, BE DESIGNED TO REDUCE WORKSITE INJURIES AND IMPROVE WORKER PROTECTION, ESTABLISH CLEAR SAFETY MONITORING AND INSPECTION STANDARDS, AND INCLUDE TRAINING AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR COMPLIANCE. THAT'S FROM BRIONES 
          AND ELLIS. >> SECOND. 
          >> IS THERE ANY OBJECTION? HEARING NONE -- 
          >> I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WE'VE SET THREE MEETINGS SINCE 
          THIS MORNING. >> GOOD. 
          >> I DID WANT TO ASK YOU THIS, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO COME BACK ON THE NEXT AGENDA, ARE YOU ALL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT OR DO YOU 
          WANT? >> I WOULD TAKE TO THE NOVEMBER COURT COMMISSIONERS BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO SCHEDULE MEETINGS. 
          >> AND YOU HAVE TO PUT IT -- YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE ITEM IN FOR MONDAY? THE WEEK BEFORE THAT MEETING? 
          >> CORRECT. SINCE WE'RE MEETING IN TWO WEEKS, WE'D HAVE TO HAVE 
          ITEMS DONE IN ONE WEEK. >> SO WE'LL TAKE A FRIENDLY ADDENDUM FOR THIS TO COME BACK ON WHICH COURT? 
          >> YOU READ NOVEMBER 13, 2025, DOES THAT WORK, MR. DICKERMAN? 
          >> YES, MA'AM. >> IT WORKS? 
          >> YES. >> OKAY. 
          >> THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT ITEM IS 544, 
          PRECINCT THREE. THAT IS -- >> THERE IS CLEARLY MORE PEOPLE PANHANDLING IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. IT'S JUST AS BIG OF A PROBLEM, AT LEAST, OUT IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. I THINK RECENT LEGISLATION HAS ALLOWED COUNTIES NOW TO PASS ORDINANCES RELATED TO PANHANDLING. AND THERE ARE JUST SO MANY THINGS THAT WHEN YOU PULL UP TO THESE INTERSECTIONS AND THERE'S PEOPLE IN THE ROAD, THERE'S PEOPLE IN NEED, THEY NEED SERVICES. SO I THINK FROM REDUCING TRAFFIC HAZARD TO REDUCING RISK TO MOTORISTS TO REDUCING RISK TO PEDESTRIANS, I THINK WE NEED -- WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND IMPLEMENT IN UNINCORPORATED REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK WITH THE COURT OFFICERS TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE REGULATED , POSE SAFETY RISKS , IMPROVES 
          [03:45:07]
TRAFFIC FLOW AND QUALITY OF LIFE BY CREATING DESIGNATED SAFE ZONES AWAY FROM BUSY TRAFFIC . THE ORDINANCE WOULD MINIMIZE DISRUPTION TO DAILY COMMUTES AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS , FOSTERING A MORE ORDERLY AND ENJOYABLE PUBLIC SPACE WITHOUT IMPEDING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS . ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS THAT PRIORITIZE WARNINGS AND REFERRALS TO SOCIAL SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS , OR ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS . EMPHASIZING COMPASSIONATE SOLUTIONS, COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT OUTREACH IN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS . REGULAR REVIEW AND REPORTING ON THE ORDINANCE EFFECTIVENESS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT. I GET AS MANY CALLS ON THIS ISSUE AS ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS IN PRECINCT 3. 
          THIS IS A PROPOSAL TO TRY TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS VERY REAL ISSUE WITHIN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY . 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD THAT ITEM AND 546 UNTIL THE JUDGE IS BACK. I WOULD LIKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO BE HERE ON YOUR ITEM AS WELL . I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER WE WOULD END UP AS WE TRY TO DO SOMETHING WITH UN-HOUSED PEOPLE WE DO NOT FILL UP THE JAIL, I KNOW THE JUDGE HAD SOME PROPOSED LANGUAGE WHICH SEEMED REASONABLE, MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY OTHER RELEVANT AMOUNT IS TO DEVELOP AND SUBMIT A REPORT TO COURT CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING, DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS AS TO WHETHER AS A PUBLIC SAFETY RISK RELATED TO PANHANDLING AND , SECONDLY, RECOMMENDED SOLUTION OPTIONS IF SUCH ISSUES ARE 
          IDENTIFIED. >> TAKE IT TO THE NEXT COURT IS FINE. THIS GIVES ALL DEPARTMENTS A HEADS UP, PARTICULARLY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THAT YOU LOOK AT THIS , LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION AND LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS US TO DO IT. SO THAT AT THE NEXT COURT, WHATEVER WE DO -- 
          >> TAKE A LOOK AT OTHER CITIES WHO HAVE DONE IT AND WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT . A LOT OF OUR BUDGET DECISIONS WERE BASED ON A CERTAIN JAIL POPULATION. I GET IT, WE WANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR IT ANOTHER WAY . 
          >> MY SOLUTION FOR PEOPLE ON THE CORNERS IS NOT TO PUT THEM ALL 
          IN JAIL. >> WE WILL HOLD THAT ONE AND 546 
          AS WELL. >> NO ACTION. 
          >> RESOLUTIONS? ANY OTHER ITEMS MARKED NEXT TO 545. 
          >> IT IS 4:00. >> THAT IS THE LAST ONE. 
          >> HOW ABOUT 545 REAL QUICK? DO YOU MIND WAITING ? 
          >> WE COVERED A LOT OF THIS IN OUR EARLIER CONVERSATIONS RELATED TO -- THERE ARE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED RELATED TO THE PREVAILING WAGE RATES CONFLICTS . WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED THAT ON OCTOBER 1ST , WE HAVE GONE OUT FOR PROPOSALS, NOW THERE IS CONFUSION AMONG THE CONSTRUCTION FOLKS, PEOPLE TRYING TO BID , WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IT. MAYBE , IN A GENERAL WAY, MAYBE WORK WITH PURCHASING AND WORK THROUGH THE ISSUES I THINK THAT ARE OUT THERE AMONG THOSE WHO NOW ARE SAYING -- SEEING NEW DOCUMENTS . THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH DAVIS-BACON AND THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS , BUT THIS ADD ON APPENDAGE WE CALL THE LOCAL MINIMUM WAGE, IT GETS CONFUSING. AS I SAID EARLIER TODAY, WHEN YOU CREATE CONFUSION AND CONSTRUCTION BIDDING , YOU WILL PAY FOR IT . IF WE CAN MAKE OUR NEEDS CLEAR , OUR EXPECTATIONS CLEAR, I THINK WE WILL ADDRESS IT. WE WILL BRING THAT BACK TO THE NEXT COURT . THE OLD CONVERSATION WE HAD EARLIER ON INDIVIDUAL DAILY REPORTS, THERE WAS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER, RELATED TO THE CONTRACTOR DOING MORE RESPONSIBLE DOCUMENTATION OF WHAT WAS GOING ON OUT THERE. 
          [03:50:01]
I HAVE GOT A REAL ISSUE WITH NOT HAVING A COUNTY EMPLOYEE BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING QUANTITIES AND OTHER THINGS OUT THERE. THAT WAS DISCUSSED EARLIER . WE WILL BRING THAT BACK, TOO . IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT MAY NOT BE WHAT THE COUNTY ENGINEER INTENDED. WE WILL WORK THROUGH THAT ISSUE. AT LEAST COME BACK WITH THAT AND WE CAN BRING THAT BACK IN THE NEXT COURT. I AM LOOKING AT THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE. 
          >> PERFECT . NO ACTION. >> YES, SIR, THAT IS 
          SATISFACTORY TO US. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 250. MOTION? >> I APOLOGIZE FOR BEING VIRTUAL 
          . >> THE QUESTION WAS , HOW IMPACTFUL HAS IT BEEN TO GIVE BUS PASSES TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE COURT DATES IN TERMS OF INCREASING THEIR APPEARANCE RATE 
          ? >> COMMISSIONER , THERE WAS SOME RESEARCH DONE AS PART OF THE CONSENT DECREE . ONE OF THE AREAS OF CONCERN WAS THE ISSUE OF TRANSPORTATION . WE ARE TAKING THAT DATA AND MAKING IT INTO SOMETHING ACTION ORIENTED. 
          WE DO NOTE WHO RECEIVES THESE BUS PASSES IN OUR CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM . IT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR BUS PASSES AND WE ATTACH IT TO A PERSON. WE CAN TRACK IT TO SEE IF IT IS MADE AN IMPACT. WE HAVE SOME PRETTY GOOD DATA FROM 2024 REGARDING NUMBER OF DAYS TO WARRANT , WHICH WE ARE DOING THROUGH OUR NEW DASHBOARDS INTERNALLY . I THINK WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MEASURE, AND SHOW PROOF OF CONCEPT, THAT THIS IS HAVING AN IMPACT. IT IS REALLY A LOW-COST -- I KNOW $50,000 IS NOTHING TO -- $15,000 IS IMPORTANT , IT IS A LOT OF MONEY, I DO BELIEVE IT IS A LOW-COST IMPACT TO WHAT YOU WILL GET OUT OF IT. OFTEN, WARRANTS COST A LOT OF MONEY IF YOU START TRACKING DOWN THE PEOPLE ENTERING THAT INFORMATION, SERVE THAT WARRANT , AND WHEN THE PERSON IS BROUGHT BACK IN, THEY HAVE BEEN PROCESSED THROUGH THE 
          JAIL AGAIN. >> WAS IN A PART OF THE CONSENT 
          DECREE? >> THE REACH -- THE RESEARCH THAT TALKED ABOUT COURT APPEARANCES, ONCE THEY INTERVIEWED PEOPLE, OF WHY THEY FAILED TO APPEAR, TRANSPORTATION WAS AN AREA OF WHAT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT FAILED TO APPEAR OF WHY THEY DIDN'T COME TO COURT . 
          >> I THOUGHT WE AGREED TO DO THIS IN THE CONSENT DECREE . 
          >> WE DID, THIS IS FOR ALL -- TRANSPORTATION, BUS PASSES WERE GIVEN TO THE COURT NAVIGATORS . BUT NOW WE ARE EXPANDING IT TO 
          MORE FELONY -- >> SINCE IT WORKED WELL IN THE CONSENT DECREE, WE ARE EXPANDING IT? 
          >> CORRECT. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. IT AT LEAST SHOWS THERE IS SOME MONITORING OF WHO RECEIVES THE BUS PASSES . YOU ARE STILL LOOKING AT THE DATA . 
          >> WE ARE, WE HAVE GOOD DATA TO COMPARE IT AGAINST AND WE HAVE SPENT ABOUT A YEAR CLEANING UP OUR DATA AND -- I DO BELIEVE IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE WILL BE MAKING A DEMONSTRATION, OR AT LEAST COMING TO COURT, TALKING ABOUT OUR DIFFERENT OUTCOMES AND 
          THE DEVICES WE USE. >> THANK YOU . YOU GOOD? 
          >> SECOND. >> I WILL VOTE. 
          >> TWO AYES. >> I CAN MOVE 546 TO NEXT COURT. 
          >> DO YOU NEED A BREAK BEFORE RESOLUTIONS? I SAW RICHARD AND 
          [Departments (Part 7 of 8)]
GINNI MITHOFF. THIS IS A RESOLUTION, RICHARD , IF YOU AND YOUR WONDERFUL BRIDE CAN COME FORWARD. RICHARD MITHOFF HAS MADE A CAREER FIGHTING FOR CONSUMERS IN THE COURTHOUSE AND HIS WIFE HAS BEEN AT HIS SIDE ALL THESE YEARS. FROM SECURING A $2.3 BILLION TOBACCO SETTLEMENT , WINNING $80 MILLION FOR VICTIMS OF A NURSING HOME TRAGEDY, THEY HAVE WORKED 
          [03:55:03]
TIRELESSLY TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON-HARRIS COUNTY AND THIS ENTIRE STATE AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE IS MATCHED BY THEIR COMPASSION , THEY LISTEN TO CLIENTS, AND HIS WIFE MAKE SURE HE LISTENS TO ALL OF THEM AND GOES BY THE OFFICE ON A REGULAR BASIS, HE TREATS THEM WITH RESPECT AND ELEVATES THEIR STORIES, AND HIS WORK REFLECTS HIS BELIEF IN SUPPORTING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS THAT SERVE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY IN HEALTHCARE. HE AND GINNI CALLED ME TO THEIR HOME AND I THOUGHT I DONE SOMETHING WRONG BUT THEY WANTED MY ADVICE ON DONATING $10 MILLION TO HARRIS HEALTH, AFTER GIVING 10, THEY RAISED ANOTHER $15 MILLION FOR HARRIS HEALTH, WHICH SHOWS COMMITMENT TO THE TRAUMA CENTER WITH THE NAME RICHARD AND GINNI MITHOFF, THEY DID NOT ASK FOR IT, THIS RESOLUTION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT, IF THAT TRAUMA CENTER IS EVER MOVED ANYWHERE, IN THE COUNTY OR IN THE STATE, IT IS STILL BEARING THE NAME OF RICHARD AND GINNI MITHOFF, FOR ONE REASON, THEY HAVE GIVING CARE TO MORE THAN 80,000 EMERGENCY PATIENTS, IF THEY ARE IN A CAR WRECK, OR HAVE AN ACCIDENT , AN EMERGENCY AND LIFE-THREATENING, THEY WANT TO GO THERE FIRST. GINNI AND RICHARD, I WANTED THE COUNTY TO MAKE THIS COMMITMENT, NOT JUST BECAUSE YOU DID IT , BUT BECAUSE I HOPE YOUR NAME SERVE AS AN INSPIRATION TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH. TO SHARE THEM WITH THE PUBLIC AS YOU HAVE DONE. I WILL NOT READ THE RESOLUTION BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW, IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF MY LIFE TO HAVE KNOWN YOU, I MET YOU THROUGH CONGRESSMAN LELAND , WHEN I HAD AS MUCH HAIR AS GINNI HAS. YOU HAVE BEEN GOOD FRIENDS AND CALL ME WHEN YOU AGREE AND WHEN YOU DISAGREE BUT ALL OF US IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. COMMISSIONER BRIONES WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT EMERGENCY ROOM WILL BE MOVED, IF IT IS, IT SHOULD BEAR YOUR NAME. AS A SYMBOL TO OTHERS THAT THEY CAN DO IT, TOO . 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY AND A BLESSING TO OUR COMMUNITY AND FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE AND YOUR HEART AND YOUR TREASURE TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A BETTER PLACE, ESPECIALLY YOUR COMMITMENT TO HEALTHCARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TAUGHT US AND FOR WHAT YOU STAND FOR. 
          THANK YOU. DEEP RESPECT. >> WE WANT YOU TO SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD SO THEY WILL REMEMBER WHEN WE ARE NOT AROUND, THEY WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE HERE. 
          >> RICHARD AND GINNI MITHOFF. WE ARE GRATEFUL AND VERY MOVED BY YOUR KIND WORDS, COMMISSIONER , AND ALL OF YOU ON THE COURT. IT MEANS A LOT TO LET YOU KNOW WE HAVE NOT STOPPED. THE DOCTOR IN CHARGE OF HARRIS HEALTH HAS SECURED OUR HOME FOR NOVEMBER 4TH TO START THE NEXT PHASE OF EITHER THE REMODELING OR THE REBUILDING OF THE HOSPITAL AND TRAUMA CENTER. WE WILL START AGAIN. AND CONTINUE WITH WHAT HAS BECOME A PASSION FOR US. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THAT EFFORT AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR VERY KIND WORDS IN THIS 
          RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> GINNI? >> THANK YOU, I WAS ON THE BOARD FOR A LONG TIME AND MISS IT NOW THAT I'M BACK HERE. WHY DID I EVER GET OFF? IT DO SUCH GREAT WORK AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE A 
          PART OF IT. >> IN ADDITION TO WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM , FOR THE INDIGENT IN HARRIS COUNTY, I AM WELL AWARE OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. WHEN I WALKED INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LAW SCHOOL, YOUR NAMES ARE THERE, PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AND I CALLED YOU WHEN I WAS AT SOMETHING FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF A CASE, THE 75TH YEAR, I TOLD YOU I WAS SO IMPRESSED , TO SEE THE INFORMATION ON THE WALL AND YOU SAID YOU WOULD GET MORE 
          [04:00:03]
MONEY BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO DO A REFRESH AND YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS SOMETHING . ANY OBJECTION? IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY AND YOU ARE THE RIGHT, FOR $80 MILLION , WE WILL STOP AND TAKE THE PICTURE NOW. ANYBODY OBJECT? 
          >> AND, WHAT IS OUR NEXT ONE? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ? WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL HE COMES BACK. 
          WE CAN PASS THE RESOLUTIONS? OKAY. 
          >> IT IS FOR: 22 AND WE ARE BACK IN -- IT IS 4:22, WE ARE BACK IN SESSION, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION? 
          >> THERE ARE SOME RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE CYBER, AND VERY SERIOUS AND THERE ARE FUN RESOLUTIONS AND MY NEXT ONE RELATED TO DEVARJAYE DJ DANIEL, HE IS PRETTY MUCH A SUPERSTAR ANY PLACE HE GOES . I HAD TO GET AN AUTOGRAPH , JUST TO HANG OUT WITH HIM IS A PLEASURE. IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR DAY , SPEND SOME TIME WITH DJ. HE WILL GET THAT OPTIMISM AND POSITIVE LOOK ON THINGS. DJ DANIEL, WE WILL HONOR TODAY FOR 
          [04:05:07]
HAVING WISDOM BEYOND HIS YEARS, BRAVERY, DETERMINATION, DJ WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HOUSTON AREA AND BECAME A SUPPORTER OF LAW-ENFORCEMENT AFTER WITNESSING THE RESCUE OF HIS FAMILY DURING HURRICANE HARVEY . THIS SPARKED HIS PASSION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND STRENGTHEN HIS APPRECIATION FOR THE CRITICAL ROLE. IN 2018, HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE BRAIN CANCER AND GIVEN MONTHS TO LIVE AND THAT WAS IN 2018. BUT DEFY THE ODDS AND THROUGH FAITH IN HIS GOD AND MULTIPLE TREATMENTS, HE USED HIS STRUGGLE TO INSPIRE OTHERS AND HE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE PRESIDENTIAL STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, SWORN IN AS AN HONORARY OFFICER FOR MORE THAN 4000 LOCAL, STATE , AND FEDERAL AGENCIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE, SIX INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES THEM ALL IN THE MEMORY OF THE LATE ABIGAIL, A FELLOW CHILDHOOD CANCER PATIENT AND HONORARY OFFICER WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2019. IT IS A PLEASURE TO HONOR YOU, DJ, WE WILL GET PICTURES LATER, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO, HIS DAD, A GOOD FRIEND, AROUND THIS COUNTY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND SOMEONE I GREATLY RESPECT. DJ, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A COUPLE OF STATEMENTS ? I HESITATE TO GIVE HIM THE MIC. 
          >> SHARE WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND. I WILL CALL UP MY DAD, I AM NOT GOING TO LIE, I DO NOT LIKE SAYING HIS NAME SOMETIMES COME CONGRESSMAN DANIEL. 
          GREAT FACILITY WITH THE BEST COMMISSIONERS I KNOW, YOU MAY PUMP HAD SOMETIMES BUT YOU GET IT DONE. WE WORK WITH IT ALL, DOESN'T MATTER. I WAS TELLING DJ, THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET INTO HIS HEAD, THERE WERE OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME CONSIDERING HURRICANE HARVEY AND HAVING FIVE MONTHS TO LIVE. FOR MY GENERATION X, WE WERE MEANT TO FIX EVERYTHING BUT I HAD TO GO TO DO WHAT I DO BEST, PRAYER, TEXAS CHILDREN'S , DEVARJAYE, WAS UTILIZED FOR THE MEDICINE APPROVED BY THE FDA AND THEY HAVE SIX OTHER KIDS BUT HE IS HAVING SEIZURES NOW. HE IS AT SEVEN YEARS, A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF FIVE AND IS BEYOND THAT AND THEY'RE STUDYING HIM EVEN MORE. HE HAD -- $200,000 WITH JASON ALDEAN THE OTHER WEEKEND AND WE APPRECIATE IT, HE HAS MORE THINGS COMING UP IN MAR-A-LAGO AND OTHERS, TRYING TO SAY THAT, FOR ME, I PAY HIM BACK, PAY IT FORWARD PRAYING FOR MY SON IN HARRIS COUNTY , ONE OF THE GREATEST COUNTIES IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY , IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, I DECIDED TO RUN FOR THIS SPECIAL ELECTION FOR 18 BECAUSE , WE NEED SOMEBODY TO BE PRETTY GOOD. I AM ONE. THERE ARE PLENTY OTHER. YOU HAVE BEEN THERE AND IT TAKES A LOT TO GET THERE AND YOU MOTIVATED ME TO DO THIS. A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THAT AND THE GREAT PEOPLE IN THIS AUDIENCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, TAKES A LOT TO DO THAT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, RAMSEY , BRIONES, FOR YOUR KIND GESTURE. TO SAY THE NAME FIRST. 
          >> THEODIS DANIEL. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> DJ, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION, DJ, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION AND KEEP FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS AND LIVING YOUR DREAMS AND YOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS AND YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION. GOD'S MIRACLE AT 
          WORK. >> WHEN I KNOW SOMEBODY WHO LOOKS AT ME LIKE THAT, THEY WANT A HUG. 
          >> I WOULD LOVE A HUG. >> WE WILL GET HUGS WITH THE 
          PICTURES. >> KEEP IT UP. 
          >> LEO DANIELS WAS HIS GREAT-GRANDFATHER OR 
          [04:10:03]
          GRANDFATHER? >> SECOND COUSIN. 
          >> I KNEW HIM WELL TO ANOTHER CONGRESSMAN FROM THE 18TH. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> ONE MORE. EQUALLY INSPIRING, I WILL START WITH A STORY , ON JULY 17TH, 2025, MIKE MATTINGLY WAS RIDING HIS BICYCLE WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED WET CONCRETE AND THROWN TO THE GROUND, HE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND REQUIRED SWIFT MEDICAL ATTENTION , HOLY CAPACITY, HE CALLED PEOPLE ON HIS PHONE INCLUDING HIS BOSS WHO RECOGNIZED THAT HE WAS IN SERIOUS DANGER . WE HAD A COUPLE OF DEPUTY SHOW UP AND I THINK THEY ARE HERE. MIA AND ERICA, THEY WERE THERE WHEN HE WAS HAVING AN EPISODE . WE TALK ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEY ARE THERE TO ENFORCE THIS COME OUR LAWS, AND MAKE US SAFE , SOMETIMES YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AND IN THIS CASE , BECAUSE OF THE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND BRAVERY , THESE INDIVIDUALS WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA MILE AND INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF THEIR FELLOW MAN , MIKE, HAS MADE A COMPLETE RECOVERY. YOU CAN SEE, A LOT OF TIMES, WHEN YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION, WHEN I PLAYED FOOTBALL IN HIGH SCHOOL, I HAD MORE THAN I -- DON'T START ANYTHING COMMISSIONER ELLIS . 
          >> WAS OUT PLAYING WITHOUT YOUR HELMET ON? 
          >> EXACTLY . THEY INTERVENED AND MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF THIS INDIVIDUAL BUT RESPONDING TO A CLEAR AND IMMEDIATE NEED. 
          THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THAT, CONTINUE TO WHAT YOU DID AND 
          PLEASE HAVE COMMENTS. >> FIRST, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR LETTING ME SPEAK , I HAVE NO MEMORY OF THE CRASH. I WAS DOING MY USUAL CYCLING ROUTINE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU LIKE TO BIKE RIDE, CLOSE TO 100,000 MILES IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. MY WAY OF DEALING WITH STRESS. I CRASHED AND HAD NO MEMORY FOR 75 MINUTES AND THEN I AM IN THE HOSPITAL. WHERE I AM? IT WAS SOME CONCRETE NOT SOLIDIFIED AND I PLOWED THROUGH IT AT 70 MILES PER HOUR AND SMASHED INTO THE CONCRETE . THE ONLY WAY I CAN FIGURE OUT WAS ON MY GARMIN CONNECT. WHY DID I DO THAT? I REALIZED IT IS A BIKE ACCIDENT. 
          >> WAS IT A CITY STREET OR UNINCORPORATED AREA? 
          ] >> UNINCORPORATED , CITY OF JERSEY VILLAGE. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOME CONSTRUCTION STUFF, THERE WAS NOTHING THERE FOR A WEEK. 
          >> IT HAPPENS. I HAD A CRASH TWO WEEKS AGO, I WAS LISTENING TO AN 
          AUDIOBOOK . >> I KNEW I WOULD BE OKAY WHEN I GOT JOKE TEXT FROM MIKE FRIENDS IN PHILADELPHIA. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE CONSTABLES DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO FOR ME , ONE OF THOSE PRIME EXAMPLES OF WHY HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS IS THE NUMBER ONE COUNTY IN THIS COUNTRY , I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT FOR THESE REASONS AND I'M GLAD I MOVED HERE SEVEN YEARS AGO. 
          >> THANK YOU, MIKE. >> SAY YOUR NAME. 
          >> MIKE MATTINGLY AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET . 
          >> TO OUR CONSTABLE DEPUTIES , THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING SO QUICKLY AND FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO KEEP US SAFE. STAY SAFE, 
          PLEASE. >> I DO WEAR HELMETS NOW BECAUSE 
          MY FRIEND SENT ME 81. >> WEAR LIGHTS. 
          >> HANG AROUND FOR PICTURES. >> DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING , DEPUTIES ? THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID. 
          >> OF COURSE. >> THAT WAS 555 AND THE OTHER WAS 556. COMMISSIONER BRIONES? I WILL HAVE TWO. 561, THIS IS 
          [04:15:04]
RECOGNIZING OCTOBER , 2025 AS NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY PERSONAL TO ME , AS EVERY DAY MY AMAZING HUSBAND AND I ARE TRYING TO RAISE OUR THREE DAUGHTERS AND EVERY DAY IS A CHALLENGE, TO BE HONEST. MORE THAN 90% OF U.S. 
          FAMILIES HAVE AT LEAST ONE WORKING PARENT AND APPROXIMATELY 66% OF MARRIED HOUSEHOLDS, BOTH PARENTS ARE EMPLOYED. THIS RECOGNITION, SHOUT OUT TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR SEVERAL THINGS I AM PROUD OF, HARRIS COUNTY HAS UP TO 12 WEEKS OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE . WHICH MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE THAT AS THE LEADING NATION IN THE WORLD . 
          BUT WE DO NOT. WE DO IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE UP TO 40 HOURS OF INFANT SICK LEAVE , WE HAVE BEEN INSTALLING LACTATION PODS ACROSS COUNTY BUILDINGS AND CREATING NURSING ROOMS. SO THAT OUR WORKING PARENT HAVE A SAFE, CLEAN , COMFORTABLE PLACE TO PUMP OR FEED THEIR CHILDREN. WE HAVE STARTED AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS, FREE FOR OUR KIDS AMONG MANY OTHER INVESTMENTS, HARRIS COUNTY MAKES FOR OUR CHILDREN. NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY, AND WE WANT TO HONOR WORKING FAMILIES, WHETHER RAISING MINIMUM WAGE FOR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO $20, WHETHER PAID PARENTAL LEAVE COME OUR PAY EQUITY STUDY AND THE ADJUSTMENTS WE WILL SOON BE MAKING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS WORKABLE FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND ONE JOB IS ENOUGH SO YOU CAN GO HOME AND RAISE YOUR KIDS AND BOND AND UNITE AS A FAMILY. MY HUSBAND MAY BE LISTENING, HONEY, I LOVE YOU, CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOU , THANK YOU FOR MAKING EVERY 
          POSSIBLE . DIRECTOR DOUGLAS? >> THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON , COMMISSIONERS, ON BEHALF OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT, WE WANT TO TAKE PRECINCT 4 FOR LIFTING UP NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH, AS WE OBSERVED NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH , WE ARE REMINDED THAT THE TRUE ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE IS BUILT ON A BALANCE BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND PERSONAL WELL-BEING . SUPPORTING WORKLIFE HARMONY IS NOT ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO BUT A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN OUR PEOPLE AND THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF HARRIS COUNTY . WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE HEALTHY AND SUPPORTED AND FULFILLED, OUR COLLECTIVE CAPACITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY GROW STRONGER. HARRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO NEARLY 20,000 EMPLOYEES WHO KEEP THIS COMMUNITY MOVING, OUR CHARGE IN HR PERSPECTIVE IS SIMPLE, TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES WHILE THEY SERVE . OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR BENEFITS AS WELL AS ECOSYSTEM, EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH COVERAGE, 24-7 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE RESOURCES , PREVENTATIVE CARE, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS ALONG WITH PRACTICAL TOOLS THAT SUPPORT BOTH FINANCIAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING . WE HAVE ALSO INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMS THAT MAKE WORK FEEL MORE HUMAN, INCLUDING THE BOOK CLUB AND THE COUNTYWIDE 5K WHICH HAD A RECORD 2100 REGISTRANTS THIS YEAR , RECORD NUMBER CREATING SPACE FOR CONNECTION , MOVEMENT, AND BELONGING ACROSS DEPARTMENTS AND CURRENTLY OPEN ENROLLMENT IS UNDERWAY AND OUR BENEFITS AND WELLNESS TEAM IS OUT ACROSS THE COUNTY HELPING EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR COVERAGE AND PROGRAMS. WORK AND FAMILY SHOULD REINFORCE AND NOT COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER . THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THESE INVESTMENTS. THAT HELP OUR PEOPLE BRING THEIR BEST SELVES TO WORK AND AT HOME. THANK YOU TO THE MANY DEPARTMENTS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY THAT PARTNER WITH US TO MAKE THESE PROGRAMS REAL FOR OUR WORKFORCE . 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN HELPING TO REALLY MOVE THESE PROGRAMS FORWARD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE JUST HAD ANOTHER PRECINCT 4 BABY, BABY SABRINA , CONGRATULATIONS TO GABRIELLA AND ANOTHER PRECINCT 4 BABY IS COMING ANY DAY , FAMILY FIRST ANY DAY AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO TO SET THAT CULTURE, DIRECTOR DOUGLAS . MY NEXT RESOLUTION IS 562 FOR RECOGNIZING OCTOBER , 2025 AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, MANY OF US ARE WEARING PINK AND WE HAVE SOME TESTIMONIALS IN JUST A MOMENT. THIS IS REALLY PERSONAL TO ME. I LOST MY AUNT BECKY TO BREAST CANCER AND WE KNOW THAT BREAST CANCER ACCOUNTS FOR ONE IN THREE NEW CANCER DIAGNOSES IN WOMEN EACH YEAR . 
          THE AVERAGE U.S. WOMAN HAS A 13% CHANCE OF DEVELOPING BREAST 
          [04:20:02]
CANCER IN HER LIFETIME. AND BLACK WOMEN HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF DEATH FROM BREAST CANCER. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE RATE OF DEATH FROM BREAST CANCER HAS DECREASED 44% SINCE 1989. WOMEN 40 TO 44 HAVE THE OPTION TO BEGIN SCREENING EVERY YEAR AND THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RECOMMENDS WOMEN 45 TO 54 BE SCREENED EVERY YEAR AND WOMEN 55 AND OVER 10 SWITCH TO BEING SCREENED EVERY OTHER YEAR . I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIPS PRECINCT 4 IS DEVELOPED WITH MEMORIAL HERMANN AND SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, WE PROVIDE MAMMOGRAMS AT NO COST AT VARIOUS PRECINCT 4 COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OTHER WELL WOMEN CHECKS. I GO TO MY APPOINTMENTS EVERY YEAR BECAUSE , BREAST CANCER TAKES THE LIVES OF APPROXIMATELY 42,000 WOMEN EACH YEAR AND WE ALL NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES. MANY WOMEN OFTEN ARE TAKING CARE OF EVERYONE ELSE AND NOT OURSELVES. AS A REMINDER, WE NEED TO GET OUR EXAMS AND I WANT TO THANK IN PARTICULAR , SO MANY GUESTS ARE HERE BUT WE WILL HEAR FROM DR. BROWN AND THE GREAT WORK HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DOES . I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE AND THANK YOU TO THE WOMEN WHO ARE HERE TO SHARE THEIR STORIES. IF YOU COULD STATE YOUR NAME AND 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MY NAME IS SHERITA ANDREWS AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE FOR HAVING ME HERE AND ALLOWING ME TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER BRIONES POPULATION OCTOBER AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. 29 YEARS AGO AT AGE 38, WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, THESE ARE THE WORDS I HEARD, WE ARE DEALING WITH BREAST CANCER. IN THAT MOMENT, I MADE THREE DECISIONS THAT I BELIEVED SAVED MY LIFE , THE FIRST ONE IS I DID NOT LET FEAR PARALYZE ME. I ACTED IMMEDIATELY. BECAUSE FEAR CAN KILL YOU . SECOND, I AM BRACED MY FAITH. DEATH WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME. I CHOSE TO BELIEVE IN WHAT GOD HAS DROPPED IN MY SPIRIT , THAT I WOULD BE COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY HEALED . THIRD, I BECAME THE HEAD OF MY HEALTH AND WELLNESS TEAM, I ASSEMBLED DOCTORS, NUTRITIONISTS, HOLISTIC PRACTITIONERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BUT I AM ONE OF THE BLESSED ONES . I STAND HERE AS A SURVIVOR . BUT I ALSO STAND HERE KNOWING THAT NOT EVERY WOMAN HAS THE RESOURCES I HAD . IN HARRIS COUNTY, BLACK WOMEN HAVE THE HIGHEST BREAST CANCER MORTALITY RATE OF ANY GROUP. AND THAT HAS TO CHANGE . WE CAN SAVE MORE LIVES BY MAKING EARLY DETECTION EASIER , ENSURING FAST ACCESS TO TREATMENT . AND ADDRESSING BARRIERS LIKE COST, TRANSPORTATION, AND TRUST . THIS CAN WORK RIGHT HERE AND IS WORKING RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM LIVING PROOF THAT EARLY ACTION SAVES LIVES , LET'S MAKE SURE THAT EVERY WOMAN , REGARDLESS OF HER RACE OR ZIP CODE, HAS THE SAME CHOICE AND THE CHANCE TO LIVE. THANK 
          YOU . >> THANK YOU . 
          >> MY NAME IS KIM, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 3 ESTROGEN RECEPTOR BREAST CANCER AUGUST 19TH OF 2019. WITH ME HEARING THAT, I ALREADY FELT LIKE I HAD BREAST CANCER. I END UP HAVING A LUMP UNDER MY ARM SO I SAID I NEEDED TO GO TO THE DOCTOR, I DID NOT WASTE ANY TIME AGO WITH MY DOCTOR WHO SAID YOU WILL HAVE A BARRAGE OF TESTS RAN AND THAT IS WHAT THEY DID. I WAS BLESSED WITH A VERY GOOD TEAM OF ONCOLOGISTS AND INFUSION NURSES WITH HARRIS HEALTH. I AM GLAD TO BE A PART OF THEIR SYSTEM BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN LET DOWN IN ANY WAY. I TOTALLY APPROVE OF THEM BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE, WHEN THEY HEAR THAT YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH HARRIS HEALTH, YOU ARE BROKEN, DO NOT HAVE ANY MONEY , AND YOU ARE NOT WORTH BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND GIVEN THE HEALTHCARE THAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS ACCESS TO. 
          ANYWAY, I AM BLESSED TO STILL BE STANDING HERE AND MADE MY FIVE YEAR MARK APRIL 1ST OF THIS YEAR . I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE 
          [04:25:05]
COMMISSIONER, MRS. BRIONES , I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING YOU FRIDAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I SAY THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME AND MY CONCERNS AND INCORPORATING BREAST CANCER AT THE FACILITIES. IN PRECINCT 4. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY, HAPPY FIVE YEARS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING 10, 15, MORE. THANK YOU TO OUR HARRIS HEALTH THE 
          MEMBERS . >> I AM TAMIKA BAKER, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TO TELL OUR STORY. I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 2022 OF TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER, STAGE 2, GRADE 2B, AFTER FINDING A GOLF-BALL-SIZED LUMP IN MY BREAST AFTER A CLEAR MAMMOGRAM AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021, THAT IS HOW FAST MY TUMOR GREW. IT WAS VERY QUICK AND VERY BIG. I GOT MY TREATMENT AT METHODIST HOSPITAL IN WILLOWBROOK. THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. MY MAIN CONCERN WITH BEING IN THE COMMUNITY IS ADVOCATE -- ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF , KNOWING A FAMILY HISTORY, AND EARLY DETECTION . THOSE ARE VERY KEY TO THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF YOURSELF AS A WOMAN AND A MAN BECAUSE MEN TEND TO BREAST CANCER AS WELL . JUST LIKE THEY SAY, HEALTH IS WEALTH, GENERATIONAL WEALTH IS KEY, ALSO, YOUR HEALTH IS KEY AS WELL . YOUR FAMILY GENERATION HEALTH IS VERY IMPORTANT . YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR FAMILY HISTORY. ALWAYS ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF IT IS CANCER, DIABETES , HYPERTENSION , ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF, IF YOU DON'T , NO ONE ELSE WILL. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. AMANDA? 
          >> THANK YOU. IF I GET EMOTIONAL, I WAS JUST DIAGNOSED LAST DECEMBER WITH STAGE ONE BREAST CANCER AND I HAD SURGERY FEBRUARY 14TH OF THIS YEAR AND FINISHED RADIATION IN MAY. IT TURNED MY LIFE UPSIDE DOWN, ONE OF THE SCARIEST TIMES IN MY LIFE FOR ME AND MY HUSBAND AND OUR FAMILY. THE SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY WAS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT DURING THAT TIME, I COULD NOT HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT THEM . I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO THIS COURT FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK FOR THE COUNTY, BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS THAT COME WITH THIS JOB, I FOCUSED ON HEALING WITHOUT THE ADDED BURDEN OF FINANCIAL STRESS , SOMETHING NOT EVERYONE IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE . A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND MY CREDIBLE TEAM AT PRECINCT 4 FOR STANDING BY MY SIDE FROM DAY ONE, YOUR SUPPORT HAS MEANT THE WORLD TO ME. I AM PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM AND EVEN MORE PROUD TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT EARLY DETECTION IS. GET THOSE MAMMOGRAMS DONE. THANK YOU. WE LOVE YOU, AMANDA. THANK YOU. DR. 
          BROWN? >> THANK YOU. HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, AS WAS STATED , BREAST CANCER IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF CANCER AND UNFORTUNATELY DEATH IN OUR COUNTRY AND IN HARRIS COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY AFFECTING BLACK WOMEN MORE THAN OTHER RACES IN OUR COUNTY. WE DO HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING EDUCATION , THAT WE ARE PROVIDING ACCESS TO CARE, ACCESS TO EARLY MAMMOGRAMS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. I DO WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT BREAST CANCER AFFECTING MEN AS WELL . THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ESTIMATES THAT 2710 AMERICAN MEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER THIS YEAR AND ABOUT 530 ARE UNFORTUNATELY EXPECTED TO DIE FROM THE DISEASE . AS THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE FOR THE COUNTY, WE WHOLLY SUPPORT EARLY ACCESS , EARLY DETECTION, GETTING THE MAMMOGRAMS AND CERTAINLY TALKING TO HER PROVIDERS, SPECIFICALLY ABOUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY AND WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU. WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS AN EPIDEMIC. WE ARE SEEING DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER EARLIER AND EARLIER IN OUR YOUNG 
          [04:30:01]
MEN AND OUR YOUNG WOMEN. ACROSS THE COUNTRY . EARLY SCREENING IS REALLY THE KEY . WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE EDUCATION AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE FEELING, WHAT THEY ARE HOPEFULLY DOING , THE BREAST SCREENINGS , PROVIDING ACCESS TO CARE WITH EARLY MAMMOGRAMS . I DO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR SHARING THE STORY. YOUR STORIES ARE WHAT HELP US PROVIDE EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND HOPEFULLY HELP SOMEONE WHO MAY FEEL A LITTLE BIT INTIMIDATED AND SCARED ABOUT THE PROCESS, ABOUT EARLY DETECTION , BUT 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP OF DR. BROWN, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES , WE WISH 
          YOU MANY YEARS OF HEALTH. >> AND BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES. 
          RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER ? >> ONE AS PRECINCT 2 WE DID IS A JOINT WITH FREEZING BEFORE AND THE HONOREE IS HERE, DR. RUTH LOPEZ TURLEY, IF YOU COULD JOIN US AS PART OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH , COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHO IS TRAVELING TODAY ARE PROUD TO PARTNER TO HONOR YOU, DR. RUTH LOPEZ TURLEY, WE WERE CELEBRATING, HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH FROM SEPTEMBER 15 TO OCTOBER 15TH , IT HONORS THE INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISPANIC LEADERS ACROSS THE NATION. YOU , DR. RUTH LOPEZ TURLEY, ARE THE EMBODIMENT OF WHAT WE WERE CELEBRATING BECAUSE IT IS AMAZING TO SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, NATIVE OF LAREDO, GRADUATED FROM HARVARD UNIVERSITY AND STANFORD UNIVERSITY , IN 2011, SHE FOUNDED THE HOUSTON EDUCATION RESEARCH CONSORTIUM, A GROUNDBREAKING COLLABORATION UNITING TEN HOUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND LATER ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF EDUCATION RESEARCH PRACTICE PARTNERSHIPS , CONNECTING OVER 80 PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES NATIONWIDE. THROUGH YOUR LEADERSHIP , YOU HAVE GUIDED PUBLIC AGENCIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS WITH RESEARCH THAT FOSTERS EQUITY AND UNDERSTANDING AND INSPIRING YOUR STUDENTS TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC INEQUALITIES IN EDUCATION AND BEYOND. SHE HAS SECURED MORE THAN $80 MILLION IN RESEARCH FUNDING , ENSURING PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE VALUABLE INSIGHTS WITHOUT FINANCIAL BURDEN. IN 2022, SHE WAS APPOINTED TO THE NATIONAL BOARD FOR EDUCATION SCIENCES ADVISING ON PRIORITIES FOR THE RESEARCH ARM OF THE U.S. 
          DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. TODAY , AND ALWAYS, DR. RUTH LOPEZ TURLEY, WE HONOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL EQUITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND YOU REPRESENT SUCH AMAZING LEADERSHIP IN OUR LATINO COMMUNITY , CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO IN HELPING TO DRIVE DATA-DRIVEN POLICY ACROSS THIS NATION. WELCOME AND THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS . 
          >> MY NAME IS RUTH LOPEZ TURLEY, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THE COURT FOR THIS RECOGNITION . I FEEL VERY HONORED. I WANT TO STATE THAT I WANT TO PERSONALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE VERY DIFFICULT TASK THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTY TO IMPROVE LIVES . IT IS PRECISELY FOR THAT REASON THAT WE KNOW THAT THE WORK YOU ARE DOING IS EXTRAORDINARILY CHALLENGING. AT THE TENDER INSTITUTE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESEARCH WE ARE PROVIDING IS TIMELY AND USEFUL AND INFORMATIVE FOR LEADERS LIKE YOU , AND ALSO FOR THE THOUSANDS OF NONPROFITS IN OUR COUNTY THAT ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO IMPROVE LIVES AND WE WANT TO DO ALL WE CAN TO INFORM THEIR EFFORTS. 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          ] >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR, IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL TO GET TO KNOW YOU. INCREDIBLE LEADER. I HAVE A NOTE TO GO BACK TO 555. DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT? 
          >> I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT GETTING OUT BEFORE THE DODGERS START, I FORGOT ABOUT A RESOLUTION, A SCARY MOMENT FOR ALL OF US AND I WANTED TO CONSULT PRECINCT BEFORE AND 
          [04:35:01]
DEPUTIES WHO JUMPED IN AND ASSISTED AND MADE SURE THAT HE GOT THE CARE HE NEEDED. MIKE, WE WILL GET YOU THE LATEST AND GREATEST IN HELMET TECHNOLOGY BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF YOU BEING OUT WITH CONCUSSION ISSUES. I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY STAFF, LINDSAY ANDERSON, SHE TAKES CHARGE OF EVERY SITUATION SHE IS IN AND STEPPED UP IN A BIG WAY WHEN ONE OF HER COLLEAGUES NEEDED IT AND I WANT TO THANK HER BECAUSE THAT SITUATION WOULD'VE PLAYED OUT DIFFERENTLY IF WE DID NOT HAVE THE TYPE OF COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP WE HAVE HERE IN OUR OFFICE. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVE ACTIONS . I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER. ONE OF THEM IS A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER OF 2025 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. I AM WEARING PURPLE UNDERNEATH THIS BLACK JACKET. I WAS A LITTLE COLD. HERE IS THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH COLOR. I HAVE A PINK STONE. SO, WE CELEBRATE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. SO, WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IS A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN EVERY OCTOBER , IN WHICH WE RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND UPLIFT THE NEEDS AND VOICES OF SURVIVORS. THE THEME THIS YEAR IS WITH SURVIVORS ALWAYS , IT EXPLORES WHAT IT MEANS TO WALK ALONGSIDE SURVIVORS IN PURSUIT OF SAFETY, SUPPORT, AND SOLIDARITY AS MORE THAN 12 MEAN PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS ARE AFFECTED BY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN THE UNITED STATES, OVER ONE IN THREE WOMEN AND ONE IN FOUR MEN HAVE EXPERIENCED INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME. HARRIS COUNTY INVESTED $20 MILLION SINCE 2021 TO ADDRESS BOTH THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC ROUTES, HELPING REDUCE THE COURT BACKLOG AND SEE JUSTICE, PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO EMPOWER SURVIVORS . WE HAVE A STRONG NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT SURVIVORS, INCLUDING THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL, THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS LIKE AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC EVENTS AND PURPLE THURSDAY IS RECOGNIZED BY ADVOCATES AS A DAY OF ACTION FOR THE COMMUNITY TO SHOW HIS SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS BY WEARING PURPLE . EDUCATING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUPPORTING THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ASSIST SURVIVORS BY VOLUNTEERING OR DONATING . HARRIS COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AND EMPOWERING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WE HAVE RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATES OCTOBER OF 2025 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. 
          WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE, GO AHEAD. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, I AM A HIGH RISK ADVOCATE WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE . I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH BEFORE WE HONOR THIS MONTH, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOES NOT JUST HAPPEN IN OCTOBER. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, EVERY MONTH, EVERY YEAR I WORK WITH SURVIVORS DAILY AND I SEE THE STRENGTH THAT IT TAKES TO COME FORWARD AND THE URGENCY OF OUR RESPONSE . THIS RESOLUTION TELLS OUR COMMUNITY THAT HARRIS COUNTY STANDS WITH SURVIVORS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DOES AS WELL AS WE FIGHT FOR SURVIVORS, WE FIGHT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OFFENDERS AND TO PERMIT HOMICIDE. OUR OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO A SPECIALIZED PROSECUTOR , TRAUMA INFORMED PRACTICES, AND STRONG PARTNERSHIPS TO ENSURING SURVIVORS ARE PROTECTED AND HEARD . DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MUST BE MORE THAN A MOVEMENT -- MOMENT BUT MUST BE A MOVEMENT AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF IT. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT AND COUNSEL . I WANT TO SAY THESE PEOPLE BEHIND ME ARE AMAZING, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUREAU , NOW A BUREAU, WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD OF THAT, YOU ALL ARE AMAZING. THIS MORNING , WE WITNESSED THE POWER OF COMING TOGETHER . I WANT TO COMMEND EACH OF YOU AND YOUR STAFFERS FOR PULLING TOGETHER FOR A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS SO BRAVE TO COME FORWARD THIS MORNING . SHE IS ON THE PATHWAY NOW , WITH THIS GROUP BEHIND ME , AND THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HIGH RISK TEAM MOBILE ADVOCACY RESPONSE, TO A MUCH SAFER PLACE. PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR 
          [04:40:01]
COMMITMENT , FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND THANK YOU TO YOUR STAFF WHO WORK SO HARD. I APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> THANK YOU, GUYS. GO AHEAD. >> I AM THE FIRST ASSISTANT DA IN THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THIS COURT WAS PRESENTING THIS RESOLUTION . IN MY TIME AS A PROSECUTOR, I HAVE SEEN NOTHING BUT SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS OUTSIDE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO FOCUS EVERY DAY ON MAKING SURE THAT SURVIVORS DO NOT BECOME VICTIMS. COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND MR. RAMSEY , JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE SHOWN US SO MUCH SUPPORT IN THE WORK THAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE DAY . I FIND MYSELF HERE VERY OFTEN THANKING YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE DO AS POSSIBLE . I AM DOING THAT RIGHT NOW . BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT THINK THE WOMEN AND THE MEN OF OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUREAU FOR THE WORK THEY DO EVERY DAY. I KNOW THAT WE SHARE THIS DAY AND THIS MONTH WITH BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH , BUT THE TRAGIC REALITY IS THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO. 
          EARLY DETECTION , IF YOU WILL , IS SO IMPORTANT, COUNCILWOMAN CARTER HAS HER STANCE RIGHT NOW ON , I AM OKAY, ARE YOU ? ASKING THAT QUESTION AND REACHING OUT TO THOSE YOU SEE MAY BE IN TROUBLE OR IN TRAUMA OR IN CRISIS CAN HELP THEM TO GET THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE A SURVIVOR AND NOT A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. I ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO ASK THAT QUESTION TO THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY , IF THEY SEE EARLY SIGNS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WE CAN ONLY DO WHAT WE DO TO PROTECT THE WOMEN AND THE MEN OF OUR COMMUNITY , ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN OF OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE OF THE WORK YOU ALL ARE DOING EVERY DAY AND THE WORK YOU WILL HAVE ALLOWED US TO DO AS A BODY. THANK YOU ALL AND THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU. 
          >> WE HAVE ONE MORE ITEM BEFORE WE TAKE PICTURES. CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH . THE RESOLUTION IS A POSITIVE TIME, OF ALL THESE DIFFERENT ISSUES WE CARE ABOUT , BUT I THINK IT IS ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHERE THE COUNTY'S PRIORITIES ARE AND ULTIMATELY THE WAY WE REFLECT OUR PRIORITIES IS THROUGH OUR BUDGET. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE ADVOCATES AWARE , FOR EXAMPLE, CHILDCARE IS SOMETHING THAT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOLKS SHARED WITH ME IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT GIVES THE MOTHER'S FINANCIAL FREEDOM. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE CELEBRATING A STAFF MEMBER THAT NOW HAS A BABY, THIS COURT FAILED TO CONTINUE AND EVALUATE A CHILDCARE PROGRAM FOR 60,000 FAMILIES, REFUSED TO ASK THE VOTERS WHETHER THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE . INSTEAD, THEY SPENT $100 MILLION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISES, CAUSING CUTS IN OTHER AREAS AND THE CUTS THAT WERE MADE IMPACTED THESE CAUSES AND THEY INCLUDE -- WE HAD A HIRING FREEZE THAT WE DISCUSSED TODAY, IT INCLUDES AREAS SPECIFICALLY ON COMMUNITY SERVICES , CASE MANAGEMENT , RELEVANT HERE, AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN AND ADULTS , GROUP SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES , GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES, MULTIAGENCY PLANNING, WRAPAROUND SERVICES , THOSE ARE POSITIONS NOW GOING TO BE LIMITED AND BEING REFILLED AND THERE HAVE BEEN ACTUAL CUTS TO AGENCIES . PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNICATION , THEY WOULD BE THE ONES COMMUNICATING ON THESE KINDS OF SCREENINGS . WE WILL TALK ABOUT CYBERSECURITY WHICH HAS BEEN CUT. I ONLY SAY THIS BECAUSE , ONE OF THE REASONS I RAN FOR OFFICE IS BECAUSE PEOPLE FELT THAT WE PAY LIP SERVICE SOMETIMES , WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF GREAT WORK ON THIS BUT IF WE DO NOT KEEP ATTENTION TO IT, WE WILL KEEP PRODUCING AND REDUCING THE REAL COMMITMENTS WE HAVE MADE, THE COUNTY IS IN A WEAK FINANCIAL SITUATION AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL STAY ON IT, THE RESOLUTION IS GOOD THAT WE CANNOT TAKE MONEY FROM THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS AND ISSUES AND GIVE IT ALL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, NOT EVEN ASKED THE VOTERS ABOUT THAT AND STILL CELEBRATE THE KID, I WONDER IF THIS NEW BABY WILL HAVE EARLY CHILDHOOD, THOSE OTHER 60,000 KIDS WILL NOT . WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE REAL RESULT. I AM SORRY THAT THE PROGRAMS RELATED TO YOUR WORK ARE BEING NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR 
          [04:45:03]
THEM . BACK TO CYBERSECURITY, VERY IMPORTANT, OBVIOUSLY , ANOTHER AREA THAT WAS CUT TO MAKE ROOM FOR A PAY RAISE THAT COULD HAVE GONE TO THE VOTERS. LET ME READ THAT . OCTOBER IS RECOGNIZED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CYBERSECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY AND THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY ALLIANCE AS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH A TIME TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ONLINE SAFETY AND EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES TO TAKE MEASURES AGAINST CYBERCRIME THE 2025 CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH TEAM -- THE MISTAKES OF ONLINE WHICH FOCUSES ON PROTECTING ONESELF FROM ONLINE THREATS, HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZES IT HAS A VITAL ROLE IN IDENTIFYING PROTECTING AND RESPONDING TO CYBER THREATS, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS ARE INCREASINGLY RELIANT ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL SERVICES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRANSPORTATION, HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES, MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF CYBERSPACE IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IN WHICH EACH OF US HAS A CRITICAL ROLE TO PLAY AND AWARENESS OF COMPUTER SECURITY ESSENTIALS WILL IMPROVE THE SECURITY OF OUR I.T.S INFRASTRUCTURE, DURING CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH, CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT -- TO LEARN ABOUT CYBERSECURITY AND PUT THAT KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE. THE RESULT THEREFORE THAT HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATES OCTOBER 2025 AS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY , RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF CYBERSECURITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO FURTHER OUR COUNTRY'S AND COUNTY'S SECURITY RESILIENCE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. I WANT TO BEGIN BY EXPRESSING MY SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES IN OUR CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVES . YOUR COMMITMENT AND -- EMPOWERS US TO PROTECT HARRIS COUNTY DATA AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WITH RESILIENCE. THIS YEAR, OUR TEAM HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO ENGAGE ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND EMPLOYEES IN EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING THEM TO MANAGE THE CYBERSECURITY STEAK FOR THE COUNTY AND A MORE ROBUST MANNER. 
          OUR GOAL IS TO SAFEGUARD OUR SYSTEMS AND DATA , AS I REFERENCED EARLIER, THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH, WE HAVE A CAMPAIGN GOING, OUR CAMPAIGN WILL ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING, GENERATIVE AI AWARENESS, WHICH INCLUDES EDUCATING OUR STAFF ON OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GENERATIVE AI , CREATING STRONG PASSWORDS AND TURNING ON THE MFA, REINFORCING THE IMPORTANCE OF ROBUST PASSWORDS AND MULTI FACTOR AUTHENTICATION OF ALL ACCOUNTS. UPDATING OUR TECHNOLOGY AND AN EMAIL HAS GONE OUT SAYING WE HAVE DONE ONE OF THE LARGER -- TODAY, SAFE CONNECTIONS USING VPN AND RECOGNIZING AND REPORTING PHISING. WE HAVE HELD OUR FIRST ANNUAL CYBER DAY, THE FIRST EVER TO BRING ON THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND THE DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER. THE EVENT WAS SUCCESSFUL AND WE HAD GUEST SPEAKERS FROM HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS WHO OFFERED INSIGHTS ON CURRENT CYBER THREATS AND THE BEST PRACTICES . 
          I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOUR OFFICES FOR THE PARTICIPATION WE HAD ON YOUR TEAMS. THANK YOU FOR THAT. A FEW MORE ITEMS I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT , OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE HAVE STREAMLINED OUR INCIDENT RESPONSE, WORKING CLOSELY WITH OEM AND OTHER OFFICES . WE HAVE UPDATED OUR CONTINUED THE OF OPERATION PLANTS ACROSS THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS , STRENGTHEN OUR ENDPOINT SECURITY TO THE UPGRADES THAT WERE PERFORMED, AND INTEGRATED SECURITY REVIEWS INTO A PROCUREMENT AND THE OPERATIONS . WE HAVE ALSO ACHIEVED 99.7% OF COUNTYWIDE CYBERSECURITY TRAINING . REVIEWING MORE THAN 100 SYSTEMS OF OUR ENTERPRISE . AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY 
          AND RESOLUTION . >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK AND THAT OF YOUR STAFF AND FOR KEEPING US SAFE. LET'S GIVE 
          [Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 4 of 4)]
HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. 
          , I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU WENT OVER ITEM 546 ALREADY. THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, COMMISSIONER RANDY HAD FLAGGED THAT ONE. I 
          [04:50:08]
DID WANT TO MENTIONED SOMETHING , MY NOTE WAS, WE HAVE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, WE DISCOVERED LAST YEAR THAT MANY CONTRACTS WERE NOT GOING THROUGH A PROCUREMENT PROCESS, WE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY , THE IDEA THAT , THEY SHOULD GO TO PROCUREMENT. 
          THE AUDITOR FOUND THAT, A YEAR LATER, THEY WERE NOT GOING TO THE PROCESS, FLOOD CONTROL , TO THEIR CREDIT, THEY PRODUCED A VERSION OF THE PROCUREMENT -- GUIDANCE, UPDATED OCTOBER VERSION , THAT IS A LOT BETTER, I JUST WANTED TO ASK FOR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO BRING THESE TWO DOCUMENTS TO THE COURT , FOR THE COURT'S REVIEW AT THE NEXT COURT . WE PASSED THE PROPOSAL OF QUARTERLY BID PROJECTIONS ALONGSIDE QUARTERLY BID PROJECTIONS, I AM NOT PICKING ON FLOOD CONTROL, IF IT TURNS OUT ENGINEERING HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTING THEM , WE WILL DO THE SAME THING AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE, PURCHASING? ENGINEERING , FLOOD CONTROL? I WOULD LIKE TO MOTION OR REQUEST A FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SUBMIT ITS LATEST PROCUREMENT POLICY AND RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES AS A TRANSMITTAL FOR THE COURT'S REVIEW AND RECORD, FOR THE NOVEMBER 30, 2025 COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH ANY SUBSEQUENT PROCUREMENT POLICY CHANGES TO BE SUBMITTED WITH FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT QUARTERLY REPORT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CHANGE OF THE POLICY. THAT IS MY 
          MOTION. TO MAKE THESE PUBLIC. >> YOU CAN JUST REQUEST. I 
          REQUEST . >> COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM WHAT 
          I WAS TALKING ABOUT. >> THE POLICIES ON THE WEBSITE. 
          >> THAT IS ALL RIGHT. >> WE SHOULD NEVER BE DEFENSIVE ABOUT A POLICY TO INCREASE ETHICS AND TRANSPARENCY. WITH THAT, I AM A REALIST AND WE CAN CELEBRATE AND WE CAN CRY, BUT SIX ASSOCIATE JUDGES AGAINST THE PLEAS OF THE DIFFICULT FELONY CHARGES WERE LIMITED WITH THE CLERKS, THEY WERE SPEEDING UP PROCESSING OF CRIMINAL CASES IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ANOTHER ATTACK ON OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WORK . CYBERSECURITY, OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM RUNS ON, WE HAVE FIRED TEN EMPLOYEES, POSITIONS ARE FROZEN, IF IT BE FOR LACK OF CHILD CARE, THEY GET A BETTER JOB, WE CANNOT FILL THE POSITIONS , THEY ALSO FACED A LOT OF CUTS. I AM HAPPY TO HAVE UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PROPER PROCUREMENT PRACTICES, I AM NOT GOING TO BE QUIET AS WE CELEBRATE CERTAIN POPULAR CAUSES AT THE SAME TIME AS WE TURN AROUND AND CUT THE SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT THEM. 
          [Departments (Part 8 of 8)]
ANYWAY, I WILL DO THAT AND WE WILL NOW TAKE PICTURES. BACK TO POSITIVE. THANK YOU, GUYS, SO MUCH. 
          [05:15:39]
TO OKAY, COLLEAGUES , WE NEED TO VOTE ON SOME OTHER RESOLUTIONS, 
          [05:15:45]
THAT WERE NOT IN CONSENT. WE NEED TO VOTE YES OR NO . 
          [05:15:56]
          >> FULL-MOTION, SECOND VOTE. >> I AM LOOKING AT IT, ONE IS 
          [05:16:02]
550, 550 BEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. IS THERE A 
          [05:16:13]
          MOTION AND A SECOND ? >> MOVED AND SECONDED. ALL IN 
          FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> IT CARRIES. 551, CYBERSECURITY WHERE DOES . 
          >> MOVED . >> SECOND . 
          >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> CARRIES. 554, JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DR. RUTH LOPEZ TURLEY. MOTION CARRIES. 555, HONORING THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO ASSISTED MIKE MATTINGLY. 
          >> MOTION. >> SECOND. 
          >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> MOTION CARRIES. >> 556 ? 
          >> MOTION CARRIES , 3-0. 560, MOTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 20 DRIVE AS LATINA PEOPLE PAYDAY . 
          >> MOTION. >> DO I HAVE A SECOND? 
          >> YOU CAN SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES. 561, NATIONAL 
          WORK AND FAMILY MONTH. >> SO MOVED . 
          >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. 
          >> MOTION CARRIES. >> RECOGNIZING OCTOBER OF 2025 AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. 
          >> SO MOVED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.