* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning. [00:00:07] >>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING, COLLEAGUES. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. IT'S 9:13 A.M. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE DECEMBER 11TH, 2025 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. THE REASON WE'RE LATE IS BECAUSE I JUST GOT BACK FROM A CONFERENCE THE AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. NOT REALLY A CONFERENCE. A GATHERING OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES FROM THE LRGEEST COUNTIES IN THE NATION. WE HAD SOME WONDERFUL MEETINGS. ALSO LIKE TO MENTION MY OFFICE IS HOLDING A CHILDREN'S BOOK DRIVE. WE HAVE COLLECTED MORE THAN 300 BOOKS AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR HR. IF YOU HAVE BOOKS TO DONATE AGES 2 TO 13, WE HAVE A BOX OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM TODAY. OR YOU CAN DROP THEM OUTSIDE MY OFFICE ON THE NINTH FLOOR. IT WILL BENEFIT THE NEW BEGINNINGS LEARNING ACADEMY. SO A LOT OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE HELPED WITH THAT. AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS. IT'S BEEN A JOY TO HAVE OUR CONFERENCE ROOM PACKED WITH [Reverend Kyra Baehr of Unity Bay Area Houston in League City introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 2.] BOOKS. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR IT. AND THEN LET'S MOVE ON TO THE PRAYER. SO COMMISSIONERER GARCIA WITH? >> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. AN EARLY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE. I'M PLEASED TO INTRODUCE REVEREND KYRA TO GIVE THE OPENING PRAYER TODAY. REVEREND WAS ORDAINED IN 1997. SHE MINISTERED IN ARIZONA UNITY CHURCH OF NASA BAY AREA WELCOMED HER AS THEIR NEW PERMANENT MINISTER IN 2013. CURRENTLY, SHE SERVES AS AT AT UNITY BAY AREA HOUSTON IN LEAGUE CITY. THANK YOU FOR THAT. SHE ALSO SERVED TWO YEARS ON THE BOARD OF UNITY SOUTH CENTRAL REGION. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF YOU. I INVITE YOU TO FIND THAT PLACE WHERE YOU COMMUNE WITH THE FWOD OF UNDERSTANDING. WHERE YOU OPEN YOURHEARTED AND MIND AND BEING, AND WE TAKE A SACRED PAUSE TOGETHER. WE CALL ON THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM, THE SPIRIT OF LOVE, AND THE SPIRIT OF JUSTICE. WE CENTER OURSELVES IN GRATITUDE, FOR THIS DAY AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. MAY THIS GATHERING BE GUIDED BY KPEGTY, COMPASSION AND CLARITY. WE BLESS THESE COMMISSIONERS AND ALL WHO LABOR HERE FOR THE COMMON GOOD. THAT THEIR WORDS BE ROOTED IN TRUTH. THAT THEIR DELIBERATIONS GROUNDED IN UNDERSTANDING, AND THEIR ACTIONS INSPIRED BE BY SERVICE BEYOND SELF. WE GIVE THANKS KNOWING THE WORK DONE HERE REFLECTS THE HIGHEST GOOD FOR ONE AND ALL. BRIDGING DIVIDES, UPLIFTING THOSE IN NEED, SERVING THE CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT COUNTY AND STRENGTHENING THE BONDS OF COMMUNITY THAT UNITE US. AS DECISIONS ARE MADE HERE, MAY LIGHT ILL LIEU MIN EACH MIND AND STEADY EACH HEART. TOGETHER WE WEAVE JUSTICE, MERCY AND VISION INTO THE FABRIC OF THIS GREAT COUNTY. SO WE GIVE THANKS FOR THIS PRIVILEGE TO LEAD, TO LISTEN, AND TO LOVE THROUGH SERVICE, AND WE SAY THANK YOU TO ONE AND ALL THAT ARE HERE THAT CARE TEEPLY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE ARE PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS GREAT COUNTY, AND WE SAY THANK YOU GOD. SO IT IS, AMEN. >> THANK YOU. >> REVEREND, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT WONDERFUL PRAYER. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. LET'S STAND NOW FOR THE PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. [00:05:03] >> JUST SOME HOUSEKEEPING NOTES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS WILL BE JOINING VIRTUALLY. HE'S ATTENDING A FUNERAL THIS MORNING OF A LONG TIME FRIEND AND TEXAS LEADER. OUT OF ORDER ITEMS, THE FIRST POINT IS TO TAKE A PUBLIC HEARINGS. PUBLIC HEARINGS ITEMS. EACH OF WHICH REQUIRES A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING. WE'LL TAKE THOSE FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS. THEN WE'LL PROCEED TO THE CONSENT AGENDA PROCESS TO ACOLT DATE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' COMMITMENTS TODAY. WE WILL TAKE EXECUTIVE SESSION SOME TIME BETWEEN 11:30 AND [Appearances Before Court] 1:30. THAT'S WHEN HE WILL BE BETWEEN FUNERAL COMMITMENTS. SO AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL SPEAKERS TO ADDRESS THE COURT. TIFFANY, I WILL LEAVE THAT TO YOU. >> YES, MA'AM. FIRST IS MARTHAMARTHA ON ITEM 356 OF PRECINCT 3. PATRICK HUGHES, ANN MARIE MCDONALD, 375, AND FARAH, ITEM 379 OF PRECINCT 4. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUING THE CHILD CARE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION. MY NAME IS MARTHA GONZALES. I'M THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR EDUCATION WITH CHILDREN AT RISK. SO AS YOU KNOW, PARENTS HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING CHILD CARE AND EMPLOYERS CAN'T FIND WORKERS, SO THE LEGISLATOR AND MORE THAN A MILLION VOTERS APPROVED A POWERFUL TOOL TO CHANGE THAT. YOU HAVE SUPPORTED THIS BEFORE. TWO YEARS AGO I WAS HERE. AND CONTINUING IT WILL ENSURE CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS CRITICAL RELIEF. AS OF SEPTEMBER 2024, HARRIS COUNTY HAD 274 PROGRAMS THAT WERE TEXAS RISING STAR CERTIFIED AND ELIGIBLE FOR THIS EXEMPTION, BUT 131 OF THESE HAVE BEEN APPROVED SO FAR. SO THERE'S STILL SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITY IN SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR ADDITIONAL PROVIDERS TO SIN SIGN UP FOR THIS BENEFIT. CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE SMALL BUSINESSES, PART OF THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD. >> DID YOU WANT TO FINISH? >> REAL QUICK. I WILL JUST SAY THAT UNDER THIS LAW, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER 50 TO 100% EXEMPTIONS TO THESE LICENSED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. THAT ALLOWS THE PROVIDERS TO RETAIN STAFF, IMPROVE QUALITY AND STAY OPEN SO PARENTS CAN WORK WITHOUT RAISING THE COST TO THOSE FAMILIES, WHICH IS ALREADY HIGH, AS WE KNOW. SO I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW WE'RE LOSING A LOT OF SLOTS BECAUSE OF THE REFUSAL TO PUT EARLY CHILDHOOD ON THE BALL LO LOT. WE JUST RETURNED FROM TRADE MISSION IN TOKYO AND TAIPEI. WE HAVE MAJOR COMPANIES THAT ARE LOOKING TO COME TO HARRIS COMPANY. THEIR BIG ISSUE IS WORKFORCE. SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT NOT ONLY DO PARENTS HAVE TROUBLE FINDING CHILD CARE, PUT EMPLOYERS HAVING TROUBLE FINDING WORKERS BECAUSE PARENTS HAVE TROUBLE FINDING CHILD CARE. HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME AND APPROVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALLOW VOTERS TO SAY WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD AT SOME POINT SOON. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. NICE TO BE HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS PATRICK HUGHES. MY WIFE AND I OWN A CHILD CARE CENTER IN WEST HARRIS COUNTY. AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING CHILD CARE BUSINESS FOR 30 YEARS. 23 IN HARRIS COUNTY ALONE. THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT ARE AFFECTING CHILD CARE COSTS. I'D LIKE TO POINT THOSE OUT. WE HAVE WAIT LIST FOR NEW FAMILIES TO GET APPROVED FOR CHILD CARE FROM TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION. THAT LIST IS ESSENTIALLY STAGNANT OR FROZEN AT THIS POINT. HIGHER INSURANCE COSTS, PROPERTY TAX APPRAISALS, LABOR COSTS, PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE REASON IS WE ARE COMPETING AGAINSTAGAINST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE ESTABLISHED FULL- TIME PRE- K PROGRAMS. SO AS A RECIPIENT OF THE CHILD CARE TAX EXEMPTION, WE'RE ABLE TO COUNTER THOSE FACTORS AND WE ARE ABLE TO NOT INCREASE OUR TUITION RATES FOR THE YEAR OF 2025. >> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WHY DON'T YOU FINISH UP AND THEN JUST CLARIFY THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OFFER PRE-K. >> SO BASICALLY, I IMPLORE TO MAINTAIN THIS EXEMPTION FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS AND TO ENSURE [00:10:01] THE FUTURE HEALTH AND AVAILABILITY, ESPECIALLY WITH PRIVATE LEARNING PROGRAMS IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHAT WE'RE FACING NOW IS YOU HAVE A LOT OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE STARTED PRE-K PROGRAMS. SOME STARTING AT AGE 2. DEFINITELY 3 AND 4. WHICH DIRECTLY COMPETES AGAINST THE CHILD CARE CENTERS. AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT WHEN YOU HAVE -- WHEN YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH THE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THERE ARE CERTAIN DAYS THAT A PARENT WILL NOT HAVE CARE. IN SUMMER, THEYEN WON'T HAVE CARE. NOW THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SITES IN CHILD CARE THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CHILD CARE CENTERS THAT ARE SELLING OR GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. BUT DEFINITELY, THE EXEMPTION IS A BIG PLUS FOR US. I DO APPRECIATE THAT. SO I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE THIS EXEMPTION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M THE CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER FOR THE HOUSTON AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS CHAPTER OF THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION. WE'RE JUST HERE TO ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON ALZHEIMER'S AND DEMENTIA IN PRECINCT 4 COMMUNITY CENTERS AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY. ALZHEIMER'S IS A NATIONAL CONCERN, BUT IT IS IMPACTING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW IN HARRIS COUNTY ABOUT 62,000 RESIDENTS LIVING IN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. AND THIS DISEASE DOESN'T JUST AFFECT INDIVIDUALS. IT AFFECTS OUR ECONOMY, OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, AND OUR SOCIAL SERVICES. SO WE DO APPRECIATE THE CONTINUES SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 AND HOPE TO EXPAND INTO OTHER PRECINCTS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS FARAH. I'M PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HIGHWAY ENGINEERS. WE ARE A NONPROFIT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ORGANIZATION. WE APPRECIATE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH HARRIS COUNTY THROUGH PRECINCT 4'S ADOPT A COUNTY MILE PROGRAM. AND THIS PARTNERSHIP ALIGNS WITH THE MISSION TO SUPPORT SAFE, EFFICIENT, SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THROUGH PUBLIC SERVICE. OUR MEMBERS ARE SIMPLE AND TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THIS REGION AND THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS US TO GIVE BACK IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. WE ARE PLEASED TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTAINING THE SEGMENT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2026. ON BEHALF OF US, THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT IN ALLOWING US TO BE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION AND LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. WHO DO YOU WORK WITH? >> I WORK WITH GFT. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS KARA ON ITEM 499. MARIA HERNANDEZ ON 499 OF PRECINCT 4 AND DR. SIDIKI ON 499. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M KARA WITH TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. I'M THE LOCAL COORDINATOR FOR THE GULF COAST REGION. I'M HERE TO SHOW MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE OUTDOOR RECREATION. AS YOU'RE AWARE, THIS IS THE LARGEST GRANT EVER AWARDED TOTALING $11. 3 MILLION. IT INCLUDES A MATCH FROM THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND. THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT SPEAKS VOLUME FOR YOUR STAFF'S COMPETENCY IN SUBMITTING A HIGHLY COMPREHENSIVE APPLICATION AND SKILL AT WORKING THROUGHTHROUGH A PROCESS, SPECIFICALLY, I WANT TO THANK ANGIE AND COURTNEY FOR THINKER RESPONSIVENESS TO GET US TO THIS POINT TODAY. THE PARK LAPD WILL BE DEDICATED FOR PERPETUITY. BERNETT WILL STAND AS A MODEL. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND INVESTMENT. THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MARIA WP TODAY I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEP [00:15:01] GRATITUDE TO COMMISSIONER LESLY AND HER DEDICATED TEAM FOR THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SECURING THE FUNDING TO TRANSPORT THE PARK. WE ARE ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT FOR THE GENEROSITY AND IMPACTFUL FINANCIAL SUPPORT. THIS INVESTMENT IS MORE THAN A RENOVATION. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE 80 ACRES EXPANSION WILL CREATE A HEALTHIER AND MORE WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL FAMILIES. THIS IMPACT GOES BEYOND THE LANDSCAPE. IT WILL NURTURE AND INSPIRE YOUNG MIEPDS. IT WILL PROVIDE PROGRAMS TO EXPLORE THE CREATIVITY AND DISCOVER THEIR TALENTS AND BUILD CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO EXCEL. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. IT'S ABOUT CONNECTING WITH NATURE, CREATING A BRIDGE PEOPLE PEOPLE AND NATURE, A BRIDGE THAT INVITES EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, LANGUAGE AND STATUS TO FEEL INCLUDED, SUPPORTED AND VALUED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. WITH MORE THAN A DECADE OF WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE COMMUNITY, I HAVE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE TREMENDOUS RESILIENCE OF OUR FAMILIES AND ALSO THE PROFOUND NEED FOR SAFE, ACCESSIBLE GREEN SPACES. THIS 11. 3 MILLION INVESTMENT IS TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE. THE EXPANSION BY NEARLY 48 ADDITIONAL ACRES IS NOT JUST A RENOVATION. IT'S A ONCE IN A GENERATION GIFT FOR A COMMUNITY THAT HAS LONG BEEN UNDERSERVED FOR PARK AND GREEN SPACES. IT'S ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED NEIGHBORHOODS, HOME TO LARGE HARD WORKING FAMILIES LIVING IN LIMITED HOUSING. WE HAVE VERY FEW GREEN SPACES RELATIVE TO THE SIZE AND NEED OF OUR POPULATION FAMILIES OFTEN STRUGGLE TO FIND SAFE PLACES CHILDREN CAN SIMPLY PLAY. THIS EXPANSION DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE GAP IT WILL GIVE OUR CHILDREN ROOM TO PLAY SOCCER, CRICKET AND OTHER SPORTS THAT REFLECT OUR COMMUNITY'S RICH CULTURAL DIVERSITY. IT WILL GIVE FAMILIES A A PLACE TO GATHER. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> JUST A LITTLE BIT. BEYOND RECREATION, GREEN SPACES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MENTAL HEALTH. IN A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE DAILY STRESSORS ARE HIGH AND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS ARE SCARCE. PARKS LIKE THIS BECOME LIFELINE. ACCESS TO NATURE REDUCES ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, FOSTER BELONGING AND SUPPORT HELP CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT. THIS PARK EXPANSION IS NOT JUST ABOUT ADDING LAND. IT'S ABOUT HEALING HEALTH AND HOME. IT'S ABOUT BUILDING A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT TRULY FEELS LIKE HOME. THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONER AND ARE THE UNWAVERING COMMUNITY SUPPORT. THANKS A THE LOT. >> THANK YOU. CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> IESHA SIDIKI. >> NEXT IS JACOB CLE MEN AND LESLIE BURRO. >> HI, GUYS. I GOT THIS PRESENT FROM THE MAYOR. IT'S A CLEAR BACKPACK. IT'S AWESOME TO USE. IT'S REQUIRED TO USE FOR EVERYBODY. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT. YOU BRING JOY TO US. A LITTLE BIT. I WANTED TO THANK YOU ALL FOR SIGNING THE OFFICIAL. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU. >> HELLO, KMIRGS. I'M A 21- YEAR RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. TAXPAYER AND RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY IN SPRING AREA. I'M A MOM OF FOUR, AND A DOG LOVER [00:20:04] AND A RECENT ADVOCATE OF ANIMALS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. WHICH IS WHY I CAME TO SPEAK ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY SHELTER. I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THEIR KILL LIST AND HAVE BECOME A FOSTER MOM FOR THESE PUPS THAT I HAVE PULLED SEVERAL FROM THE EUTHANASIA LIST AND ARE CURRENTLY FOSTERING. I ASK YOU GUYS TO PLEASE START FOLLOWING THE KILL LIST OF HARRIS COUNTY SHELTER AND YOU WILL FIND THAT WONDERFUL DOGS ARE BEING KILLED DAILY BECAUSE OF SPACE AND APPROPRIATE FUNDING. IT IS INHUMANE AND UNACCEPTABLE TO TAKE THE LIVES OF THESE INNOCENT CREATURES. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO FINISH? >> SURE. THAT GOD HAS PUT UNDER OUR DOMINION. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO CHANGE THE POLICIES AND FUNDING FOR THESE INNOCENT CREATURES. I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE START FOLLOWING THE KILL LIST AND CONSIDER MEETING WITH OUR ORGANIZATION HARRIS COUNTY PAW AND ORDER ABOUT OUR IDEAS AND PLANS THAT WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WE'D LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU IF WE HAVEN'T÷÷ ALREADY DONE THAT. AND I AGREE WITH YOU WITH FUNDING. WE SPENT $100 MILLION THAT TOOK $100 MILLION FROM THE BUDGET. THAT KILLS ME AS WELL TO SEE THESE ANIMALS. SO WE'LL JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GET MORE MONEY. >> WE'D LOVE TO MEET WITH YOU. THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS ANTHONY HAYES. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI. >> I'M SORRY. I CAN'T CATCH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. >> CAN I GET A TIME EXTENSION? >> GO AHEAD. >> IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU. BEFORE MY GRANDFATHER HAD SERVEDSERVED 25 YEARS. DID A LOT WITH EVERYBODY. I NOTICED OUR LINES AT A TURN WHERE WE CAN MAKE AN OFFER. BEFORE WE DECIDE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH OUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL AROUND, INCLUDING THE CATHEDRAL AND THE TRINTY CHURCH TO HAVE U.S. REPRESENTATIVES IF WE CAN'T GET THEM IN THE DOOR, WE'LL PUT THEM UPSTAIRS. THE CONFERENCES OF THE WEST COAST. THOSE ARE SIGNS THAT WE'RE USING THAT WE DON'T PARTICULARLY LOOK INTO AS FAR AS FOR OUR ASSOCIATES AND THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICERS. SO AT A MATCHING RATE. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO WRAP UP? >> SURE, IT WOULD HELP FOR THE OTHER HALF OF THE OPENER. THE REST OF OUR COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT TO PUT AN INTEREST IN WITH THE PAST AGENDA. GOING BACK AND FORT TO PLACES. . IT SHOWS WHERE WE CAN HELP IMPROVE WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING. TO GIVE THEM A STRENGTHENING OF THEIR SECURITY. SO IT'S JUST FROM THERE HAVING TO PICK UP OR PUT IT IN DUMPS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> MY NAME IS ANTHONY HAYES. SON OF BILLY DEAN HAYES. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHANDLER RAINES ON ITEM 255. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I'M THE FIST DISTRICT ATTORNEY. WE'RE HERE THIS MORNING TO ITEM AN AUTOMATIC 255 REGARDING THE GRANT FOR OUR VICTIM ADVOCATES AND COORDINATORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS. WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS COME DOWN AND BEG THIS COURT FOR YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO VICTIMS OF CRIME. I HAVE WITH ME OUR DIRECTOR OF VICTIM SERVICES DIVISION AS WELL AS ONE OF OUR TEAM LEADS WHO LOADS A TEAM OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE [00:25:02] COORDINATORS. I WANTED TO UPDATE THE COURT ON SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE THIS YEAR. WITH THIS COURT'S HELP AND ASSISTANCE, WE HAVE CONTACTED OVER 30,000 VICTIM THIS IS YEAR WITH OUR TEAM OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATORS. THEY HAVE BEEN TO COURT WITH VICTIMS OF CRIME ALMOST 2,000 TIMES THIS YEAR. THEY HAVE BEEN IN MEETINGS WITH PROSECUTORS ALMOST 2,000 TIMES. REALLY SERVING THE VICTIMS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE FALLEN VICTIM OF CRIME AND OUR SURVIVORS OF CRIME AS WELL. WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE COURTROOM, IT'S SO COMMON TO SEE, IF I CAN WRAP UP. >> GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. IT'S COMMON TO SEE SITTING THERE HOLDING THE HANDS OF A MOTHER WHO LOST THEIR CHILD OF A YOUNG CHILD WHO WAS A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE. IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS COURT GRANTING US THE ABILITY TO EXPAND THIS TEAM OVER THE LAST YEAR THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO SEE SUPPORT OF VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF CRIME. WE'RE HERE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU, GUYS. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN TO SPEAK ON THIS. I I LOOKED AT THOSE ITEMS AND APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. I JUST WANTED TO SAY IT'S A GREAT WAY TO END THE YEAR TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK YOU'RE DOING. OUR NUMBERS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, DOCKETS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. A NUMBER OF COURTS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THERE'S STILL SOME THAT NEED TO PICK IT UP, BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. PLOOEZ EXTEND MY APPRECIATION TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT. >> KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT CRITICAL WORK. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, GUYS. >> WHAT'S THE NEXT SPEAKER? >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER JULIANNA RAY. SHE WILL BE SPEAKING VIRTUALLY. >> OKAY. YOU CAN GO AHEAD MA'AM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI NAME IS JULIANNA ROBBIE. I'M A THIRD GENERATION. THIS LIST A LLOWED US TO TARGET EFFORTS ON ANIMALS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER. BECAUSE WE KNEW EXACTLY WHICH DOGS WERE URGENT, WE WERE A ABLE TO ALERT RESCUES AND THE PUBLIC QUICKLY. TRANSPARENCY SAVED LIVES AND APPROVED SHELTER OUTCOME. TODAY, HOWEVER, WITH PROVEN RHETORIC IS ABOLISHED. ANY DOG OVER 15 DAYS IS THE AT RISK. THAT'S KBOKT AND IMPRACTICAL. THEY ARE WITHOUT NOTIFYING PUBLIC. TRANSPARENCY PUTS EVERYONE ON THE SAME. IT'S NOT IT'S ESSENTIAL IN SAVING LIVES. I RESPECTFULLY URGE TO RESTORE THE EUTHANASIA LIST. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I'M SO SORRY. WHAT WAS YOUR REQUEST, MA'AM? >> MY REQUEST IS THAT HARRIS COUNTY PETS RESTORE THE DAILY EUTHANASIA LIST. >> OKAY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. AND I'LL HAVE THE TEAM REACH OUT TO YOU AS WELL. ONE OF I MY PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR IS TO WORK ON THE SPAY AND NEUTER ISSUE INTENTLY. AND OBVIOUSLY, ON THIS ISSUE MORE BROADLY. AND ASK THE COST OF THE SKYROCKET. I'M GOING TO ADVOCATE. AND FOR CHILDREN AND COURTS TO PROCESS VICTIMS AND SO ON. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS EXCEPT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING SPEAKERS. [Public Hearings] >> OKAY. GREAT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. SO LET'S MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC [00:30:01] HEARINGS. THESE ARE 391 THROUGH 399. WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR SOME OF THEM. IF YOU'LL LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S SPEAKERS FOR A PARTICULAR ONE. FIRST, A PUBLIC HEARING ON 391 AND THE PUBLIC HEARING SECTION ON PAGE 47. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL ALLOWING THE PROCESS FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAT IN SECTION 3 PARTIAL REPLAT NUMBER 2. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? THIS IS PARTIAL REPLAT. >> I THINK THEY SIGNED UP AND LISTED. JUST NEED TO READ THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED PUCH. >> TIFFANY, WOULD YOU DO THAT PLEASE? >> OKAY. FOR 391 THOSE SPEAKERS HAVE NOT SHOWN UP. >> THEY ARE ALL HERE. I'M LOOKING AT THEM. PETER GOOD AND KARLA GOOD? >> HE SIGNED UP FOR 394. >> OKAY. SO WE HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE FOLKS THAT CAME TO SPEAK. JUST FOR THE RECORD, THESE VOTES TODAY DO NOT RESULT IN IMMEDIATE APPROVAL OF THE REPLOT. EVEN IF THEY WERE NOT HERE, WE WILL FOLLOW UP AHEAD OF THE FINAL VOTE TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND. >> THERE'S NO VOTE TODAY. >> TODAY THE VOTE IS ON -- >> THERE'S NO VOTE TODAY. WE JUST HAD A HEARING. >> AFTER THE HEARING, I SAY IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM. I'M NOT SAYING THAT TODAY. >> NOT FOR THESE HEARINGS, SO ON THAT ONE, I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. THE END. SO LET'S MOVE TO 392. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ALLOWING THE PROCESS FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLOT REPLOT NUMBER 1 TO PROCEED AND THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PLAT. ANY SPEAKERS FOR THAT PUBLIC HEARING? >> NO SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP FOR THAT ONE. >> ALL RIGHT. THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO 393. I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLOT TO PROCEED ON THAT COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED PLAT ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? >> NO SPEAKERS ARE SIGNED UP FOR 393. >> I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. NEXT PUBLIC HEARING ITEM FOR 394. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ALLOWING THE PROCESS FOR THE REVISION OF SUB COMMISSION PLAT ENTITLED CROSSING AT CYPRESS LAKES AT SECTION 2 TO VEED PROCEED AND THAT KMUGSERS COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING UNDER CODE 232. 009, PRECINCT 3. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? >> I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE [00:35:05] VILLAGES OF CYPRUS LAKES. I REPRESENT 945 HOMES THAT SURROUND THE CYPRUS LAKES GOLF COURSE. WE WERE COMPLETELY IN THE DARK ABOUT THIS DEVELOPMENT. AND THE WATER UTILITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN R MUD AND THE DEVELOPER. OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY UPSET. I POLLED OUR COMMUNITY, A MAJORITY OF THEM, AND OVER 9D 97% ARE OPPOSED. I'M HERE TO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS TO KRUT NEWS THIS AND SLOW IT DOWN. IF POSSIBLE, TO STOP IT. OUR OPINION ON THIS IS THAT THE CART IS A LITTLE BIT BEFORE THE HORSE. WE HAVE EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THAT THE ETD ANNEXATION MAY NOT BE COMPLETE, INCLUDING A COUPLE LAWYER OPINIONS ON THAT AND COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY. THEY ALSO DON'T HAVE THEIR MUD APPROVEED OR IF THEY HAVE THEIR FLOOD MITIGATION. >> GO AHEAD AND WRAP UP QUICKLY. >> I WAS JUST SAYING THAT IT FLOWS INTO OUR FLOOD PONDS. THEY ARE PLANNING TO CHANGE THE SUBDIVISION GOLF COURSE AND BREAK IT APART. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO STAND ON THEIR OWN. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE SUPPORT. >> LET ME JUST ACKNOWLEDGE YOU, PAUL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYBODY GET IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING LIKE YOU HAVE. YOU ASKED VERY GOOD QUESTIONS. EVERY QUESTION, EVERY DETAIL, WHETHER IT'S RELATED TO FLOOD, WHETHER IT'S RELATED TO TRAFFIC, WHETHER IT'S RELATED TO THE WHOLE PROCESS IN GENERAL, YOU HAVE BEEN UP THERE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. YOU KNOW YOU HAVE ACCESS TO OUR STAFF TO WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES. WE'RE GOING TO CROSS EVERY T, DOT EVERY I, BE SURE THAT THIS THING IS DONE IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH NOT ONLY THE COUNTY REQUIREMENTS, BUT IN SOME CASES, I THINK THERE'S STILL SOME LINGERING ISSUES WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON THAT NEEDS TO BE VETTED. I KNOW I HAVE TALKED TO OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY. AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT THAT WHOLE PROCESS RIGHT NOW. I THINK THE WHOLE PROCESS HAS BEEN FLAWED. I THINK Y'ALL HAVE NOT BEEN KEPT POSTED. I DON'T APPRECIATE JUST HOW SOMETHING DONE. IT'S NOT A MATTER OF JUST BEING SURE YOU GOT ALL THE BOXES CHECKED. BUT IT'S BEING SURE THAT YOU HAVE DONE THIS THING ACCORDING TO TRANSPARENCY AND STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND BEING SURE THAT WE HOLD TO ACCOUNT THIS WHOLE DEVELOPMENT IN TERMS OF GOING FORWARD, AND WE KNOW THIS IS JUST A STEP IN THE PROCESS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING OUT THE DETAILS. THANK YOU PUBLICLY, PAUL, FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL. MY NAME IS RICK. I LIVE IN THE SHORES. AND I NOTICED THE ELEVATION ON THE CLUBHOUSE WAS ABOUT 10 FOOT ABOVE. AND IF THEY PLAN TO BUILD ACCORDING TO THE EXISTING FLOOD LEVEL, IT WILL SURE FLOOD ALL LOWER SUBDIVISION IF THEY RAISE IT BY TEN FOOT. IF THERE IS THAT, AND ALSO 600 HOMES THAT'S GOING TO PUT CARS ON THE STREET OF CYPRUS WOOD DRIVE. AND THAT'S TOO MANY CARS TO MANEUVER AROUND IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. IF THERE'S EMERGENCY, . >> GO AHEAD AND FINISH UP. >> PEOPLE WILL HAVE A HARD TIME TO GET OUT TO SAVE THEIR LIVES. I WOULD APPRECIATE TO LOOK AT THIS DEEPLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU. IF I'M UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY, YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FLOODING. >> YES, MA'AM. IF THERE IS THAT LEVEL TEN FOOT LIKE IT SHOWS PREVIOUSLY, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE FLOODED BECAUSE WE ARE BELOW TEN FOOT RIGHT NOW. >> ONE OF THE ISSUES I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE FLOOD BOND IS AT A DEFICIT OF -- HOW MUCH IS IT? $400 MILLION. [00:40:04] THERE'S SEVERAL PROJECTS THAT HAVE NO PATH FORWARD. SO I WOULD HEAR YOU ARE EFFECT I HAVE ADVOCATES. I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR AREA HAS ONE OF THOSE PROJECT, BUT I WOULD CHECK THAT IF I WERE YOU. WE'LL SEND YOU THE LINK TO THAT DASH BOARD. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M A RESIDENT OF CYPRUS SECTION 2. THERE'S BULLET POINTS I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE AGAINST THIS. THEY ARE BUILDING TOO MANY HOUSES EXACTLIEN THE GOLF COURSE. IT WILL BE 1500 CARS PER DAY AND ON THOSE STREETS, TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, THE ELEVATION IS TOO AND IT'S TOO MUCH FOR THE PUBLIC. JUST YESTERDAY CAME TO KNOW THAT THE ENGINEERS AND SOME OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM THE MUD ARE ON THE DECISION MAKING SIDE. AND ON THE DEVELOPMENT SIDE. A BIG CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT. THESE ARE THE BULLET POINTS. >> IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. THANK YOU. >> I'M NOT AS TECHNICAL AS MR. PAUL, BUT I'M A RESIDENT THERE FROM 2009. ONE THING I KNOW THAT IT'S A VERY GOOD WATER RETENTION. WE HAVE SEEN ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT WERE SUSTAINED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. AND NOT TO MENTION THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACT THAT WE HAD ONE OF THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTED SUBDIVISION THERE IS, WHICH ARE NOT GOING TO BE THERE. PLEASE HELP STOP THIS. I'M USING THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US A VOICE HERE TODAY. MY NAK IS MEGAN JACOB. I'M A HOMEOWNER WHO WILL BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED IF THE GOLF COURSE IS DEVELOPED INTO ALMOST 600 HOMES. 187 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACE FULL OF WILDLIFE, INCLUDING ENDANGERED SPECIES LIKE BALD EAGLES COMPLETELY DE DESTROYED DUE TO GREED. OUR WATER RESOURCES WILL BE PUSHED TO MAX CAPACITY PUTTING US AT RISK OF CONTAMINATION, LOW WATER PRESSURE AND THE VERY LIKELY FUTURE COST OF WATER FACILITY EXPANSION. THANKS TO OUR MUD, WHO MADE A CROOKED DEAL TO SHARE OUR WATER FACILITY WITH THE DEVELOPER WITHOUT THE TAXPAYERS' INPUT OR INVOLVEMENT. OUR HOME VALUES ARE ALSO AT RISK. AS WE WILL NO LONGER BE A GOLF COURSE SUBDIVISION. THEY ARE OFFERING TO SELL OUR HOMES BEFORE THE MARKET SHIFTS. SO WE'RE GETTING LETTERS TO OFFER TO SELL OUR HOMES SAYING BEFORE THE MARKET SHIFTS AND THIS DEVELOPMENT COMES TO BE, SELL YOUR HOME SO YOU CAN GET MORE MONEY FOR IT. BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO BE MAJORLY IMPACTED. MANY OF US JUST RECENTLY BUILT OUR HOMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR ON THE GOLF COURSE. SO WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER ALL WE HAVE TO SAY. PUT YOURSELVES IN OUR POSITION AS HOMEOWNERS YOURSELVES. AS YOU MAKE THIS VERY IMPACTFUL DECISION FOR THE REPLAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF THIS SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. AND I'LL GO INTO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ABOUT CONCERNS ABOUT FLODING. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. THIS REQUEST IS DENIED APPROVAL CROSSING AT CYPRUS LAKES REPLAT BECAUSE AS PROPOSED, THEY WOULD [00:45:09] WORSEN FLOOD RISK RATHER THAN MITIGATE IT. THE DISTRICT ENGINEER FOR 391 HAS CLEARLY STATED THAT THE EXISTING DETENTION AND RETENTION PONDS HAVE NO ACCESS DRAINAGE CAPACITY AVAILABLE. I ASKED THAT QUESTION SPECIFICALLY. DESPITE THIS, THE CURRENT CROSSING ROUTES DRAINAGE INTO THE SAME HARRIS COUNTYCOUNTY 391 DETENTION/RETENTION FACILITIES EFFECTIVELY RELYING ON CAPACITY THAT DOES NOT EXIST. THIS IS DESIGNED WOULD PUSH DITS STORM WATER INTO A MAXED OUT SYSTEM. >> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD AND WRAP UP. >> AND THAT WOULD INCREASE THE RISK FOR EXISTING HOMES AND BUSINESSES. REGARDING THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL DUTY OF HARRIS COUNTY, I'LL BE REAL BRIEF HERE, HARRIS COUNTY HAS REPEATEDLY EMPHASIZED THAT THE PLAT APPROVALS WOULD NOT ENDANGER PUBLIC SAFETY OR INCREASE DOWNSTREAM FLOOD RISK, ESPECIALLY IN FLOOD-PRONE WATER SHEDS LIKE CYPRUS CREEK, WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE. AND WE HAD FLOODING DURING HARVEY LIKE A LOT OF OTHER AREAS DID NEARBY. SO USES OF DRAINAGE CAPACITY THAT'S BEEN DECLARED UNAVAILABLE BY THE DISTRICT ENGINEER WOULD CONFLICT WITH THE STATED GOAL THAT DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT POSE A THREAT TO THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU. I I APPRECIATE IT. >> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME. >> WOULD YOU MIND STAGT YOUR NAME? >> CHRIS MCWILLIAMS. >> GOOD MORNING, I'M WITH THE APPLICANT FOR THIS ITEM AND THE NEXT THREE ITEMS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'LL VISIT WITH YOU A AS WELL. >> GO AHEAD, SIR. >> MY NAME IS MICHAEL KIM. WE'RE THE APPLICANT HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO 394 TO 39 . >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW? >> SO THAT IS THE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. CORRECT ME IF I'M IN THE WRONG. WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARING FOR 395? >> I OPEN THE WELCOME HEARING FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION CROSSING AT CYPRUS LAKES SECTION 3 TO PROCEED AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PLAT UNDER LOCAL CODE 293. 009 PRECINCT 3. ANY SPEAKERS FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? >> ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE, I CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. NEXT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 394 SECTION ON PAGE 47. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AWE APPROVAL OF ALOUING THE PROCESS FOR THE REVISION OF THE PLAT ENTITLED CROSSING AT CYPRESS LAKES SECTION 4 TO PROCEED AND THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED PLAT UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232. 009, PRECINCT 3. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS, I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 397 ON PAGE 4. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AWE APPROVAL OF ALLOWING THE PROCESS FOR THE REVISION OF THE PLAT ENTITLED CROSSING AT CYPRESS LAKES STREET DEDICATION AND RESERVES SECTION 1 TO PROCEED AND THAT KMUGSERS COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED PLAT UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232. 009, PRECINCT 3. ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. NEXT WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 398 ON PAGE 47 PUBLIC HEARING SECTION. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ALLOW ING [00:50:04] THE PROCESS FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED RANCH TO PROCEED AND THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED PLAT UNDER LOCAL DWOFT CODE 232. 009, PRECINCT 3. IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. TO CONCLUDE, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 399, AND THE PUBLIC HEARING. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AA APPROVAL OF THE ESTABLISHMENT THE OF REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER FOUR IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? OKAY. I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. [Departments] COLLEAGUES, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA PROCESS. FIRST, I'LL GO OVER MINOR CHANGES ON THE LIST. THERE'S A CORRECTION FOR ITEM 18. REVISED THE CAPTION AFTER QUOTE HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT, SO IT NOW READS REQUEST FOR ONE, DISCUSSION OF THE MONTHLY UPDATE OF THE COMPENSATION PROJECT STATUS BY HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT. TWO, APPROVAL TO TEMPORARILY FREEZE THE ACTIVITIES TO EMPLOYEES AND POSITIONS MOVE CHANGES RECLASSIFICATIONS AND SALARY INCREASES FROM DECEMBER 13 TO 2025 TO FEBRUARY 21ST, 2026, AND THREE, DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY. COUNTY ENGINEER REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 152 ON PAGE 17. NO ACTION ON THE BROAD LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION ITEM. ITEM 165 ON PAGE 18. THERE'S A CORRECTION. REPLACE TBD. END QUOTE WITH QUOTE. THE DISTRICT COURTS REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. ITEM 362, PAGE 44, PRECINCT 1 HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION. ITEM 363, PAGE 44, PRECINCT 2 HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION. ITEM 364, PAGE 44, PRECINCT 2 REQUESTS NO ACTION. 369, PRECINCT 2 REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 425 ON PAGE 50. TALLAHASSEE CORRECTION REVISE THE CAPTION AFTER QUOTE LETTER OF SUPPORT SO IT READS, TRANSMITTAL BY PRETRIAL SERVICE OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT. FOR PLANNING FOR $MS. SPEAKER 100. THE INITIATIVE, HARRIS COUNTY REMINDERS AND NAVIGATION TOOL IS ACCOMMODATION OF AUTOMATED REMINDERS TO A COMMUNICATION AND ENABLED CLIENT NEEDS THAT REPRESENTS A PROPOSITIONING APPROACH TO ENHANCE THE SUPPORT WE PROVIDE TO SUPERVISORED. THIS INITIATIVE IS BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY, THE AMERICAN INSTITUTES FOR RESEARCH AND RECONNECT. EXECUTIVE SESSION, 433. OCA REQUESTS NO ACTION. >> 443, JUDGE. >> PAGE 52. OCA REQUESTS NO ACTION. THANK YOU. ITEM 472, PAGE 55. CORRECTION REPLACE LE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. ITEM 473 ON PAGE 56. CORRECTION REVISE THE AGENDA CAPTION AFTER QUOTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SO IT READS REQUEST AUTHORITY FOR APPROVAL OF RATIFICATION OF A JOINT AGREEMENT WITH THE TRANSPORTATION FINANCE CORPORATION AND DBA FOR THE ADDITIONAL TXDOT FULT BENEFICIARY. PER THE TERMS OF THE TOLLING SERVICES AGREEMENT AND THE CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZE EXECUTION BY BENEFICIARIES. AND PROVIDE THEY ARE TRANSMITTED [00:55:09] TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AFTER EXECUTION. 493 CORRECTION REVISE THE AGENDA CAPTION SO IT READS REQUEST BY THE COUNTY JUDGE AND PRECINCT 1 FOR THE APPROVAL OF A JOINT RESOLUTION FOR THE RETIREMENT OF JOSEPH STRANGE FROM THE ATTORNEYS OFFICE. FINALLY, 504 ON PAGE 59. CORRECTION ADD THE COUNTY JUDGE AFTER REQUEST BY AND REPLACE RESOLUTION WITH JOINT RESOLUTION SO IT READS REQUEST BY COUNTY JUDGE AND APPROVAL OF A JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING DECEMBER 5TH, 2025 AS CELEBRATE SHELTER PETS DAY. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. DID I MISS ANYTHING? ALL RIGHT. SO NOW, WE WILL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. LET ME START WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION. THERE'S EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 442. DISCUSSION OF APPOINTMENT TO THE AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION. DO WE NEED TO TAKE THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? THEN WE HAVE 443. NOMINEE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. 445. >> NO. >> ALL RIGHT. WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. 446. DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS THAT. 447. 448? >> NO. >> 449? >> NO. >> 450? >> NO. 451? >> NO. >> 452? >> NO. >> 453? >> NO. >> 454? >> NO. 455? 456? >> NO. 475? >> NO. >> 458? >> 459? ALL RIGHT. SO THAT ONE DOES NOT TO BE DISCUSSED. >> I'M SEEING A TREND HERE. >> OKAY. 460? >> NO. . 461? >> NO. >> 462? >> NO. >> 463? >> NO. >> 464? >> NO. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 464. 460, APOINT THE OF MEMBERS TO THE WORK SITE SAFETY COMMITTEE. 465? 466? 467? >> NO. >> 468. WE DO NEED TO VOTE ON THAT ITEM. DO WE NEED TO TAKE IT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? OKAY. 484? AN AGREEMENT TO HARRIS COUNTY AND ASSOCIATES. >> YEAH, WE NEED TO TAKE THAT. >> OKAY. HOW ABOUT I BELIEVE WE NEED TO TAKE 497 TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> YES. >> ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. >> 201 AS WELL, WE MAY NEED TO TAKE THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. DID WE LIST THAT? >> YES. [01:00:02] >> OKAY. SO ITEM 1 WAS FLAGGED. DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? WE SHOULD, YES. ITEM 3? PROMPT PAYMENT ACT? ITEM 4? THAT WAS REQUESTED BY PRECINCT 2. ITEM 18. 65? LYNCHBURG LIGHTS? 67? CENTERPOINT ENERGY? THEY ARE TOGETHER. 154. UNIVERSAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTMENT. >> YES. >> THAT DOES NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> OKAY. 159. GIFT CARDS FOR CHARITY CARE. 180. THAT'S FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 2. >> YOU NORMALLY VOTE ON THE BLANKET CARDS. . THIS IS ONE OF THOSE. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO VOTE IT. >> WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT. >> WE'LL LEAVE IT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA. 209, I'M THINKING WE TAKE WITH 210, 2211, A LUMP SUM PAYMENT FOR THE STAFF. IS THAT ALL RIGHT? >> WE'LL DISCUSS IT. >> ITEM 231 FLAGEDLY PRECINCT 3. >> YES. >> 307? WE'LL TAKE WITH ITEM 18. 356, FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 4. 387, FLAGGED BY PRECINCTS 3 AND 4. 471, FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 1. MOBILITY FUNDS, WE'LL KEEP THAT IN THE DISCUSSION AGENDA. >> I DON'T NEED IT. I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. 472, OMB, I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. 480 FLAGGED BY PRESINT 2. >> COMMISSIONER, WE'D LIKE TO NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. WE FOUND A WAY AROUND THAT. >> WHERE DID YOU FIND IT? >> PRECINCT 3S AND 4 ARE GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT POSITION. >> IS THAT A NEW POSITION? >> ESSENTIALLY, A NEW POSITION. >> THANK YOU. >> 495 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> 499? FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 4 ON THE WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT GRANT FUNDS. THEN OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTIONS 493. YES, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I HAVE THIS ONE OUT OF ORDER. 503, I HAVE THAT ONE LISTED AS OUT OF ORDER. >> 504, IT'S WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I. SO WE'LL LEAVE THAT OUT OF ORDER. 505. I HAVE THAT ONE AS OUT OF ORDER. AND 506 AS WELL. WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 464, 468, 484, 497, AND 201. WE'LL WORK TO TAKE THOSE WHEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS AVAILABLE IN BETWEEN THE FUNERAL COMMITMENTS. AND THEN IN TERMS OF THE REST OF THE ITEMS OUTSIDE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, ITEMS 1, 3, 4, 18, 65, 67, 154, 159. >> CAN YOU ADD 155, JUDGE? >> YES, JUST A SECOND. [01:05:05] >> 155. THAT IS DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING HARRIS COUNTY OPEN DATA POLICY. I'M ADDING 155 . 159, 180. >> JUDGE, COULD YOU ADD 167 AS WELL? >> ALL RIGHT. 167 IS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS. I'M ADDING 467. OKAY. SO THAT ONE, 180, 209, 210, 211, 212, 214, 231, 307, 356, 387, 471, 472, 495, 496, 499, 493, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, AND 506. IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM. >> I'D LIKE TO MOVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AND LET THE RECORD REFLECT THIS IS THE LEAST I HAVE EVER SAID. >> HANG ON A SEC. I HAVE A COUPLE MORE MOTIONS. >> CAN WE MAKE THAT A HABIT? >> GARCIA SAID THAT. >> SO HERE ARE SOL ITEMS THAT WERE NOT ADDED TO THE DISCUSSION LIST BUT NEED A DIRECT MOTION. PAGE 2, ITEM 2. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN APPROVED AS PRESENTED. PAGE 2 ITEM 5, ITEM APPROVED AS PRESENTED. AND PAGE 21, ITEM 191, APPROVED AS PRESENTED. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 507 WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS? >> SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER AND SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> IF I COULD ASK IF THERE'S SOME ITEMS THAT COMMISSIONER RAM LEE WANTS TO VOTE ON. >> LET'S JUST DO IT. SO WE WILL START WITH ITEM 1. >> I MIGHT BE IN AND OUT. I'M ON THE ROAD TO AUSTIN. SO IF I GET TO A DEAD ZONE, I'LL TRY TO VOTE WHENEVER I CAN GET BACK IN. OKAY? >> SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU'LL VOTE, YOU DON'T WANT USES TO HOLD VOTES? >> I'LL DO MY BEST. I'LL JUST LET YOU KNOW WHEN I COME BACK. IF IT'S A TIE VOTE, SOMEBODY MIGHT WANT TO TEXT ME. THERE'S JUST SOME DEAD ZONES. >> REWE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> YES, I'LL PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR SHOTGUN. >> DON'T WE HAVE THE RULE HE WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS VOTING. >> WHEN I COME BACK. >> ONLY IF Y'ALL NEED ME, SOMEBODY JUST CALL ME. >> SOUNDS GOOD. >> IF YOU NEED MY VOTE, CALL ME SO I GET TO A GOOD ZONE. >> SAFE TRAVELS, COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL START WITH ITEM 1. WE'LL GET THE UPDATE. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. TANYA MILLS, MANAGING DIRECTOR WITH OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. DO WE HAVE SLIDES? I WILL SAY WHILE WE'RE WAITING ON THE SLIDES, THIS WILL BE THE LAST UPDATE OF THE YEAR. IT'S STRUCTURED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. WE PUT SOME FOCUS ON PROP 3, BUT IN GENERAL, GOOD NEWS TO REPORT AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALLUDED TO. WE HAVE THINGS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. NEXT SLIDE. 762. IS THAT OKAY? NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. [01:10:01] IT'S REALLY NOT 762. >> IT'S 16. >> NEXT SLIDE. >> IF YOU COULD JUST GO THROUGH YOUR PRESENTATION THAT WAY WE CAN. >> SO HERE WE ARE. REALLY QUICKLY A COUPLE THINGS I'LL TOUCH ON HERE. ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, THERE'S REALLY TWO ARTICLES THAT WE WERE WATCHING PRETTY QUICKLY. 1707 AND 1703. 1703 IS WHERE THERE ARE SPECIFIC CHARGES THAT ARE LISTED FOR YOU ON THAT PAGE. THOSE ARE CHARGED SPECIFIC. ALL THE OTHER THINGS WOULD BE FOLKS WITH MULTIPLE FELONY OFFENSES, BEEN OUT ON BOND PREVIOUSLY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PRESENTATION, WE STRUCTURED THE DATA IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS. WE'RE SHOWING YOU THE DATA SHOWING YOU THE CHARGE SPECIFIC WHERE THEY WERE AT PLAY. AND THEN ALL OTHER FELONIES ARE WHERE SB 9 CRITERIA WAS MET. SO WHAT WE HAVE ON SCREEN HERE IS SHOWING YOU AT THE TOP LEFT, YOU'RE SEEING THE PREAND POST SB 9. WE MEASURED 65 DAYS BEFORE AND 65 DAYS POST IMPLEMENTATION OF SB 9 TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT WOULD HAVE IMPACTED RELEASES. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING A AT IS RELEASES ON THE BOTTOM. SO THE SPECIFIC OFFENSES REALLY ARE UNCHANGED. THE BEHAVIOR OR THE PATTERN OF BONDING FOLKS IN THE ONE TO THREE-DAY, THOSE ARE RELATIVELY UNCHANGED. THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT WE WEREN'T BONDING A LOT OF FOLKS WITH THOSE CHARGES TO BEGIN WITH. YOU WILL NOTICE THE GREATER THAN 16 DAYS IS CONSIDERED CONTAINED. YOU CAN SEE THE BOND HAS GONE DOWN PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER IT'S ABOUT A 13% DECREASE. SOME OF THAT WAS MADE UP IN THE 4 TO 6 AND 7 TO 9 INDICATING THAT THE PROCESSES PUT THIS PLACE ARE SLOWING THE RATE OF BOND A LITTLE BIT. BUT IN THE END, WE ENDED UP WITH ABOUT 6% OF THAT GROUP STILL DETAINED. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO ALL INDICATIONS INITIALLY ARE THAT SB 9 SHOULD HAVE CAUSED OUR POPULATION TO GO UP A LITTLE BIT. TIFFANY, NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THERE YOU GO. SO LET'S LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE AT. WE CLOSED NOVEMBER AT 8581 AS A MONTHLY AVERAGE DAILY JAIL POPULATION. THAT'S SIGNIFICANT THAT WE CLOSE THE MONTH BELOW 8,600. IF WE ROLL BACK AND LOOK AT FROM JANUARY 2025 THROUGH NOVEMBER, WE HAVE HAD A REALLY STEADY DECREASE IN THE AVERAGE DAILY JAIL POPULATION. IT'S BEING PULLED DOWN BY THE AVERAGE ON THIS DAY. THE LINE IS REPRESENTING THE AVERAGE. Y'ALL HEARD THE CHIEF AND I TALK A LOT ABOUT HOW SIGNIFICANTLY THE CUSTODY LENGTH OF STAY IMPACTS THE ADP. IF YOU ROLL BACK AND LOOK AT EARLY FY 23 WHEN WE HAD AVERAGE LENGTHS OF STAY IN THE 200S, WE WERE UP. SO THIS TELLS US THAT THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS STRONGLY INFLUENCING AND THIS IS DRIVEN BY TIME OF DISPOSITION IN CASES. I THINK I CAN'T STRESS THAT POINT ENOUGH THAT THE COLLABORATION WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, COUNTY COURTS, PRETRIAL SERVICES, ALL OF THE JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS HAVE COLLAPSED AROUND AND FOLLOWED A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH. WE'RE LOOKING AT THE THINGS THAT ARE DRIVING THE JAIL POPULATION, AND THEY ARE RESPONDING AND HELPING IMPROVE THE PROCESSES AND IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO WHY WE HAVE ENJOYED THE CONSISTENT DECLINE AND THE STABILITY AS WE CLOSE THE YEAR IN THE JAIL POPULATION. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO HERE WE'RE LOOKING A AT JUST A VERY HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF WHAT PROP 3 IS. WE KNOW THIS IS COMING AROUND THE CORNER. PROP 3 WILL GIVE JUDGES THE OPTIONS OF HOLDING WITHOUT BAIL EVEN WHEN BAIL COULD HAVE BEEN SET PREVIOUSLY. AN INCREASE IN NO BAIL IS LIKELY GOING TO HAVE UPWARD PRESSURES. SO WE WANTED TO [01:15:06] UNDERSTAND WHAT IMPACT IT MIGHT HAVE. WE LOOKED AT THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD BEEN IN ONE OF THOSE SB 9 SPECIFIC CHARGE CRITERIAS. WE LOOKED AT THE AVERAGE NUMBER THAT HAD BEEN RELEASED. IT WAS ABOUT 23% IN THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF FOLKS, BUT IF WE CONSIDER THAT THESE CHARGE TYPES STAY FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THIS SLIDE IS A COMPOUNDING EFFECT FROM THOSE INDIVIDUALS COMING INTO JAIL. SO THE FOLKS THAT WERE ESTIMATING WOULD BOOK IN JANUARY 2026 WOULD BE PRESENT IN FEBRUARY. THE 281 THAT WE'RE EXPECTING IN FEBRUARY WOULD BE PRESENT IN MARCH WITH NEW INTAKES. THIS HAS US INCREASING IN AVERAGE DAILY JAIL POPULATION BY OCTOBER 2026. WE CAN, HOWEVER, OFFSET THAT, NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. MY TEAM AND I LOOKED AT A PROJECTION MODEL WHERE WE ESTIMATED WHAT IT WOULD BE IF WE ADDED THESE INDIVIDUALS IN. WHAT WOULD WE NEED OUR AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY TO BE IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE JAIL POPULATION. SO EVERYTHING TO THE LEFT OF THE BLUE LINE IS ACTUAL ADP. EVERYTHING TO THE RIGHT IS A PROJECTION. WHAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON IS THE GREEN LINE. IF WE CAN KEEP OUR AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY AT 160 DAYS OR LESS, WE CAN REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE. EVEN WITH THE INFLUX. ALL THREE OF THE PROJECTION MODELS HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL 1900 OR SO PEOPLE IN THE POPULATION. IF WE KEEP OUR LENGTH OF STAY STABLE, WE CAN KEEP OUR POPULATION STABLE. IF WE CAN BRING IT DOWN TO 130 DAYS, WE COULD SEE A POPULATION BELOW 8,000 NEXT YEAR. WHICH IS REMARKABLE. IF OUR AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY CONTINUES TO CREEP UP, IT WILL HAVE A VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR AVERAGE DAILY JAIL POPULATION. THAT'S THE ORANGE LINE WE DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT A WHOLE LOT. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. >> JUST A QUICK QUESTION ON THIS ONE. ACTUALLY, WOULD YOU RATHER I LET YOU FINISH AND COME BACK? SO I KNOW THAT THERE WAS WAS IT THE VISITING JUDGES? THERE WAS SEVERAL THAT WE HAD TO GET RID OF TO MEET THE $100 MILLION. WILL THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THIS OR WILL WE BE OKAY? >> YOU'RE REFERRING TO ASSOCIATE JUDGES? WE HAVE SEEN LITTLE IMPACT TO THE ADP AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES. WHAT WE DID IN THE NEXT SLIDE WILL FOCUS ON THE PRIORITIES THAT WE FOCUSED ON WERE THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKETS AND RETOOLING THOSE TO FOCUS ON LOWER- LEVEL FELONIES THAT WOULD HAVE A BIGGER IMPACT ON REDUCING THE POPULATION AND THOSE CASES. THIS IS THE SLIDE WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE. THESE ARE JUST REMARKABLE NUMBERS. SO THE COURTS DID EXACTLY WHAT WE ASKED THEM TO DO. THE DA'S OFFICE AND THE DEFENSE AND PDO COLLAPSED AROUND AND THIS IS A REMARKABLE FEAT. SO WE LOOKED AT THE SAME 60- DAYTIME FRAME COMPARED TOTO RETOOL EMERGING ISSUES DOCKET. WE SAW 449 CASES RESOLVED, DISPOSED WITH A FULL-TIME DISPOSITION DURING THAT TIME FRAME. THERE WERE 250 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS FOR THAT INCREASE. THOSE ARE BOTH BOND CASES AND JAIL CASES. WE ASKED THE ERDS TO HAVE A STRONGER FOCUS ON JAIL CASES, SO BELOW, YOU CAN SEE WHERE WE'RE BREAKING OUT THE IN JAIL. THEY HAVE GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY TO PROVIDE RELIEF. OF THE 449 CASES THAT WERE DISPOSED, 410 WERE JAIL CASES SPECIFICALLY. OF THE 250 PEOPLE DISPOSED, 231 WERE INDIVIDUALS IN JAIL. THAT'S A 524% INCREASE. CAN I KEEP GOING? >> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND? >> MOTION TO EXTEND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? >> YOU HAVE LOST ME AT LEAST ON THIS ONE. I'M NOT SURE. I'M JUST NOT SURE -- MAYBE YOU'RE GOING A LITTLE FAST. MAYBE OTHER FOLKS ARE A LITTLE CONFUSED TOO. CAN YOU JUST BACK UP AND TRY AGAIN? [01:20:05] >> SURE. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THE CHART ON THE TOP LEFT. WE'RE LOOKING AT A COMPARISON OF CASES DISPOSED BY THE EIDS, AND THEN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE -- >> BEING? >> EMERGING ISSUES DOCKETS. THEY WERE FORMALLY REFERRED TO ERDS. THEY FOCUSED MOSTLY ON TRIALS. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT A COMPARISON OF THE SAME TIMEFRAME LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR. AND PRETTY SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF CASES DISPOSED AND THEN UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS DISPOSED FROM THOSE DOCKETS. >> WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS? >> THE LOWER HALF OF THE SCREEN, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE TYPES OF CASES THAT WERE SET. WE WERE VERY SPECIFIC IN TAKING A DATA- DRIVEN APPROACH. WE EVALUATED A NUMBER OF THIRD-DEGREE AND STATE JAIL PHYSICALNYS IN THE POPULATION THAT WERE REALLY, WHAT I WOULD REFER TO AS AN OVERREPRESENTATION OF THOSE CASE TYPES. THEY WERE STAYING MUCH LONGER THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AT THAT TIME. AND WE WORKED WITH THE COURTS AND THE DA'S OFFICE AND THE PDO TO FOCUS ON THOSE CASES. THEY RESOLVED MUCH, MUCH FASTER. THEY DON'T HAVE TIME PREFERENCE ON THE STATUTORY DOCKETS. THE STATUTORY DOCKETS WILL FOCUS ON CAPITAL MURDERS, CONTINUING SEXUAL ASSAULTS OF A CHILD, THERE'S CASES THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE TIME PREFERENCE FOR. SO THE LOWER LEVEL AS FAST AS YOU'D WANT TO. THE EXTRA CAPACITY FROM THESE ERDS IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE. IT WE'RE USING A TARGET THAT WOULD OTHERWISE TAKE EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS FROM THE ERDS. >> IT'S COLLABORATION. THIRD DEGREE FELONY IS STATE JAIL FELONY. THEY ARE TYPICALLY GOING TO HAVE A PROBATION OR PAROLE OR A DRUG CASE THEY DON'T KNOW THE WEIGHT JUST YET. >> WHAT ABOUT THAT? >> MA IS MISDEMEANOR. IT'S LIKELY A FELONY REDUCED TO A MISDEMEANOR. AND THEN F-1 IS FIRST DEGREE FELONY. WE EXPECTED TO SEE THOSE CASES DECLINE BECAUSE WE WERE WANTING TO FOCUS ON LOWER LEVEL FELONIES. >> THIS IS GREAT. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO THIS FOR YEARS. I THINK PART ILY IT'S THE STAKEHOLDERS DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB IN THAT COLLABORATION WE HAVE BYE- BYE LOOKING FOR FOR MANY YEARS. AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. I TAKE IT THIS IS PART OF HOW YOU WERE A ABLE TO OFFSET THE LOSS OF THOSE JUDGES AND THEN I'M THINKING DID WE NOT NEED THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE? SO THIS IS INTERESTING. >> THE JUTE LIEIZATION IN THE COURTS AND THE JUDGE COULD PROBABLY SPEAK MORE TO THAT, BUT THE UTILIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES WERE CERTAINLY BENEFICIAL. BUT THINK BEING ABLE TOTO -- A BINARY CHOICE, THIS WAS THE BETTER CHOICE. THESE ARE FULL- SERVICE DOCKETS. THESE JUDGES ARE ABLE TO HANDLEHANDLE ANY CASE. AND WE WERE REALLY ABLE TO HIGHLIGHT SPECIFIC CASES TO GO. >> THAT'S GREAT. >> THESE -- WE'RE LOOKING AT NOT FULLY FUNDED. THEY ARE FUNDED FOR LOWER LEVEL FELONIES. IF WE START GOING BACK TO HIGHER FELONY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT RESTORING SOME OF THE FUNDING TO THE DA'S OFFICE. THEY REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT THEY NEEDED BECAUSE WE WERE TARGETING LOWER- LEVEL FELONIES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE FUNDING FOR THE HIGHER LEVEL ATTORNEYS WHERE THEY COULD RUN AUTONOMOUSLY. BUT FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING THIS YEAR, THE DA'S OFFICE HAS VERY GRACIOUSLY AGREED TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE LOWER LEVEL FELONIES WE'RE WORKING WITH THE JUDGES AND STAKEHOLDERS NOW IN WHAT'S NEXT. WE'RE PURPOSEFUL IN RENAMING THESE DOCKETS SO WE COULD SEE WHAT COHORT IN THE JAIL NEEDED THE ATTENTION NEXT AND FOCUS ON THOSE. AND WE EXPECT TO BE KICKING IN UT RATION JUST AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. >> SO THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKET FOCUSED ON -- WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE AGAIN? [01:25:04] >> THEY WERE DEVELOPED AROUND COVID. THEY WERE PAID FOR WITH FOCUSING PRIMARILY ON TRIAL CASES. SO WHERE A STATUTORY JUDGE WOULD HAVE A COLLISION OF TRIALS IN THEIR COURT, TWO COMING UP AT THE SAME TIME THIS, PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET HAD THIS TRIAL HEARD IN ANOTHER COURT. >> THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES WOULD BE DOING SOMETHING WHILE THE JUDGE WAS DOING SOMETHING ELSE RELATED SO THEY COULD MOVE VARIOUS CASES AT THETHE TIME. >> OKAY. THIS ONE IS NOT FOCUSED ON TRIALS. IT'S FOCUSED ON THE TYPE OF CHARGE. >> YES, MA'AM. >> I LOVE IT. THAT'S WONDERFUL. >> WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE BACKLOG FOR MANY MONTHS NOW. AND THIS IS JUST AN UPDATE. THE FELONY BACKLOG, TO BE CONSIDERED IN BACKLOG, IT'S A JAIL CASE OVER 365 DAYS. WE'RE DOWN 51 PEOPLE. THERE'S 829 FOLKS THAT MEET THAT BACKLOG CRITERIA. WE'RE DOWN 51 PEOPLE FROM THE SEPTEMBER REPORT. THERE WERE 185 PEOPLE, OVER 1,000 DAYS. THAT'S PRETTY CONSISTENT WITH THE NUMBER WE SAW IN SEPTEMBER. INDIVIDUALS WITH BACK LOG CASES REPRESENT 14% OF THE JAIL POPULATION. HERE WE'RE SEEING ALL CASES. SO ONE DAY ON DOCKET TO BACKLOG. THE THING THAT I'LL POINT TO HERE IS -- >> JUST A MOMENT FOR THE TECH PEOPLE, ARE YOU SEEING THIS? THE CASES THAT ARE IN THE 180 TO 270 AND 365. IT'S SORT OF THIS MIDDLE LAWYER THAT IT YOU HEARD ME REFER TO BEFORE. THOSE CASES END UP ROLLING INTO BACKLOGS. THAT'S WHY IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE IN THIS PERPETUAL BACKLOG SITUATION. IT'S WHY THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO US IN BEING ABLE TO MOVE THAT MIDDLE LAYER. THOSE CASES THAT ARE THE MID-RANGE. I THINK IT WILL HELP ESCALATE THE RATE WE'RE BRINGING DOWN THE BACKLOG IN COMING MONTHS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SLIDES. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN NEW FELONY FILES AND DISPOSITIONS AND THE CONSISTENT US IS OF THAT IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS OR SO. IT HELPS SHOW HOW ALL OF THIS TIES TOGETHER. FELONY CASE, TIME TO DISPOSITION, AND DISPOSING OF MY CASES THAN WE'RE BRINGING IN HELP US EAT AWAY THE BACKLOG. DOING THAT FASTER HELPS US BRING DOWN THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY. IT GETS TO FINAL DISPOSITION, WHETHER INDIVIDUALS ARE DISMISSED OR GOING TO TBC. WE'RE GETTING TO THAT JUSTICE QUICKER. SO WE ARE MOVING MORE CASES AND WE'RE MOVING THEM FASTER. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING TO SEE. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SEE THAT DISTANCE BETWEEN NEW FILINGS AND FELONY DISPOSITIONS. NEXT SLIDE. I WILL SPARE YOU GUYS THE WRAP UP. EXCEPT TO SAY WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK DILL GENTLY WITH THE COURTS AND THE DA'S OFFICE. WE HAVE QUITE GOOD WORKING GROUPS GOING TOGETHER. A LOT OF STRATEGIC FOCUS ON WHAT'S NEXT. AND HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO KEEP THIS MOMENTUM IN MANAGINGMANAGING JAIL POPULATION AND HAVING THESE INCREDIBLE RESULTS. THAT'S MY UPDATE. >> COLLEAGUES, THOUGHTS? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOLLOWED BY GARCIA. >> DIRECTOR, GOOD JOB. IT'S REFRESHING TO SEE THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL. IT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE WHEN IT GETS DOWN TO THE JAIL, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THE JAIL POPULATION. I THINK WHAT IS OF FOCUS TO US IS THE OUTSOURCING ISSUE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE OUTSOURCING A LARGE NUMBER OF FOLKS. CURRENTLY OUTSOURCING, 1,229 FOLKS. I THINK THAT'S A NUMBER. WE'RE CURRENTLY -- [01:30:02] >> CAN WE EXTEND? >> MOTION. >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> WE CURRENTLY HAVE 814 BEDS OPEN. >> WE HAVE BETWEEN 1,000 AND 1,200 BEDS. WHEN WE GO FROM THE SYSTEMS RATED CAPACITY, AFTER WE BACK OUT CONSTRUCTION BEDS, WE HAVE ABOUT 8,762. CURRENTLY, THE JAIL IS STAFFED TO ABOUT 7,500. SO WE BACK INTO THAT NUMBER OF ABOUT 1,000 TO 1,200. >> THE ISSUE IS THE DETENTION OFFICER. SO IF WE WERE ABLE TO SOFL THAT PROBLEM, WE COULD BRING 814 FOLKS OUT OF THE 1,229, WE COULD BRING THEM BACK HERE. SO I GUESS THE $64 QUESTION OR AS DIRECTOR WOULD SAY, THE $48 MILLION QUESTION, WHICH IS WHAT OUTSOURCING COSTS THE COUNTY EVERY YEAR, IF WE COULD ADDRESS THE DETENTION OFFICERS AND AT SOME POINT, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A FOCUSED CONVERSATION ON THAT. I KNOW WE'RE TRYING TO HIRE, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE TO OUTSOURCE DETENTION OFFICERS AND BRING THEM ON BOARD AT THE COUNTY AND THAT CAN BE DONE RELATIVELY QUICKLY. YOU GET EXPERIENCED FOLKS. YOU PAY X NUMBER OF DOLLARS FOR THAT. AT LEAST THERE OUGHT TO BE AN EXERCISE OF EVALUATING WHAT IT COSTS TO BRING IN DETENTION OFFICERS THAT WE PAY A CONTRACTOR FOR RATHER THAN SENDING INMATES FROM HERE TO MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA AND WEST TEXAS. SO WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME NUMBERS RELATED TO THAT. I COULD GO THROUGH THE DETAILS OF WHAT WE'RE SENDING TO MISSISSIPPI AND OTHERS, BUT CLEARLY, THIS YEAR BUDGET IS $48 MILLION. WE COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IF WE COULD GO IDENTIFY PEOPLE THAT WOULD ASSIST US AND DETENTION OFFICER TUFT AND ADDRESS THE 814 BEDS. SO THAT END, THE MOTION I WOULD MAKE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATION TO HAVE CUTS TO THE JAIL INMATES OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS IN FEBRUARY 26, 2026 COURT WEAN NOW AND FEBRUARY 26TH , IF WE COULD LOOK AT THIS IN TERMS OF WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS AND BRINGING IN DETENTION OFFICERS THAT WE BRING IN UNDER CONTRACT TO FURTHER ADDRESS AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INMATES THAT WE OUTSOURCE, I WOULD APPRECIATE -- I REALLY PICK THAT DATE OUT OF THE AIR. IF THERE'S ONE SOONER OR MAYBE A LITTLE LATER, THAT'S FINE, BUT AT LEAST GETS IT ON THE TABLE THAT THERE WILL BE A VERY SPECIFIC ONE- PAGE POWERPOINT CONVERSATION RELATED TO WHAT WE COULD DO TO HIRE DETENTION OFFICERS, EVEN BRING THEM UNDER CONTRACT AND REDUCE THAT JAIL POPULATION. GOOD JOB. GOOD REPORT. I'LL COME BACK TO MY MOTION WHEN MY COLLEAGUES SPEAK. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT POINT SPECIFICALLY? >> CHIEF, ARE YOU ON? >> YES. >> WERE YOU ABLE TO CATCH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO COME BACK AND PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR HIRING OFFICERS AND THEN A PLAN FOR ELIMINATING OUTSOURCING. >> YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT. COMMISSIONER, WE ARE ABLE TO ABLE TO EXECUTE OUR THIRD STEP IN REDUCTION IN NOVEMBER, SO JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. SO WE'RE COMPLETELY OUT OF MISSISSIPPI. WE HAD 300 INMATES THERE. THAT'S WHAT GIVES THE NUMBER THAT YOU QUOTED AS ACCURATE. SO THE THIRD WEEK OF NOVEMBER, WE FINISH THAT CONTRACT AND BROUGHT ALL THOSE INMATES BECOME. THEY WERE THE FURTHEST AWAY FROM HARRIS COUNTY, SO THAT HELPS WITH MULTIPLE FACTORS. SO THAT WAS THE THIRD STEP. WE'RE REEVALUATING WHAT OUR [01:35:04] NEXT STEPS ARE FOR '26, BUT WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT, IN FACT, WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING BEFORE THE JANUARY 8TH COURT. ON SOME ADDITIONAL STAFFING REQUESTS. TO HELP WITH THE 300 THAT WE JUST BROUGHT BACK AND TO HELP US WITH THE NEXT STEPS FOR REDUCTION IN THE NEXT YEAR. >> COULD YOU LOOK AT WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF WE WERE TOTO OUTSOURCE THE STAFF, DETENTION OFFICERS TO BRING IN CONTRACT DETENTION OFFICERS IF YOU COULD INVESTIGATE THAT, WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES OF THAT IS. >> ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL REVIEW IT. >> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU. TO ALL IN PARTICULAR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, OUR JUDGES, I WANT TO JUST THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING. THIS IS MUSIC TO MY EARS. AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS ALLUDING TO. AND THIS HAS BEEN -- THIS IS A GREAT REPORT DESPITE THE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE HURDLES THAT WE'VE GOT TO DEAL WITH AS WELL AS THE FUNDING CHALK CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE ALL STRUGGLING WITH. I WANT TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO THANK SPECIFICALLY JUDGES BELL, JUDGE NELSON, AND ANDY BIEL FOR HAVING THE COURTS WITH THE LOWEST BACKLOG. AND I JUST HOPE THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES TO HELP THEM PICK UP THE PACE A BIT. BUT CHIEF, I DO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S QUESTION ABOUT HOW WE CANNER ACCELERATE THE HIRING. YOU'RE GOING TO BRING TO COURT. I DO WANT WANT TO ALSO THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THE OLD FRANKLIN JAIL. I WON'T GO INTO IT BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S AN OPEN BID ON THAT, BUT I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THAT SINCE 2009. I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE NOW SERIOUSLY LOOKING AT IT. I THINK STRATEGICALLY DONE T CAN PROVIDE AN IMMENSE WIN FOR ALL OF US. WHETHER ON THE HOMELESS FRONT, WHETHER ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE, I THINK IT CAN PROVIDE US A HUGE, HUGE WIN TO EVERYBODY. I KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE MAYOR'S EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH HOMELESSNESS AS WELL. I REALLY WANT TO APPLAUD YOU FOR MOVING THAT FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, YOU MEAN TO TAKE THE HOMELESS OFF THE STREET AND PUT THEM IN WHAT USED TO BE A JAIL? >> NO, THERE'S A FEASIBILITY STUDY. I WON'T GO INTO IT BECAUSE THERE'S AN OPEN BID, BUT JUST THAT THERE'S A LOOK AT THE OLD FRANKLIN JAIL ON HOW THAT COULD FIT INTO A BROADER PICTURE. >> UFS JUST WONDERING ABOUT THE COMMENT THAT IT WILL SUPPORT THE APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS. >> WE'RE LOOKING AT CARS RATTLE OPTIONS. WE'RE LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN AUGMENT OR LIFT UP OR DEVELOP FUND SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON OUR NEED FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE. BECAUSE THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION IN SOME OF THESE POPULATIONS WITH IF THERE'S ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE COMMUNITY. MORE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH, SECURE HEALTH, MORE TREATMENT BEDS. WOULD THAT THEN OFFSET THE NEED TO HAVE TO BUILD MORE BEDS. SO LOOKING AT THESE THINGS TOGETHER, HELP US UNDERSTAND IF WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A JAIL, WHAT SIZE JAIL WE NEED TO BUILD. SO THE GOAL IS TO WHOLISTICALLY LOOK AT THIS. THE COURT ADOPTED THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IT'S ALLOWING US TO PROVIDE YOU RECOMMENDED SO YOU CAN LOOK AT WHAT INVEST THES WE MIGHT MAKE IN THE COMMUNITY, IF ANY, TO HELP MINIMIZE OR REDUCE THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL JAIL BED SPACE OVER 30 YEARS. AND HOW THAT MIGHT WE'LL BE ABLE TO TIE DIRECTLY TO SAVINGS IN THE ALL-BED DAYS CONSUMED BY THE PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY. >> SO WHAT DOES THAT IS HAVE TO DO WITH HOMELESSNESS WEREN'T? >> HOMELESSNESS IS A HUGE CONTRIBUTE TORE THE JAIL POPULATION. NOT BY WAY OF LONG STAYS LIKE SOME OF THE POPULATIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN THIS REPORT, BUT BY WAY OF MULTIPLE STAYS BACK TO BACK FREQUENT [01:40:04] BOOKINGS. THEY HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE BOOKING AND RELEASE PROCESS. SOME PEOPLE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME SPEND AS MUCH TIME. >> IS THERE A MOTION TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. GO AHEAD. >> SOME FOLKS COULD END UP SPENDING AS MUCH TIME IN JAIL FOR SYMPTOMS OF THEIR ILLNESS, CRIMINAL TRESPASS, THINGS WE OFTEN SEE WITH HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. THEY COULD SPEND THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX MONTHS A YEAR BY WAY OF A LOT OF SHORT STAYS, BUT THEY ARE SO FREQUENTLY COMING TO THE JAIL. IT'S A HUGE BURDEN TO THE BOOKING AND RELEASE PROCESS AS WELL AS SOL JAIL BEDS CONSUMED. >> I WILL PASS ON TO MY COLLEAGUE AND THEN JUST COME BACK TO THIS. I DON'T SEE WHERE MAYOR'S STRATEGY FIGURES. COMMISSIONER? >> THANK YOU FOR THIS DATA AND FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE REALLY DOING TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE PROGRESS. IT'S MARKED AND ENERGIZING TO SEE THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. AND CONSTANT CHANGES. SO THANK YOU. THE DATA IS INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. AND THANK YOU FOR LEADING THIS AMAZING COLLABORATION. THANK YOU TO OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY TIER AND OUR FIRST ASSISTANT CHANDLER WHO IS HERE IT'S REALLY REMARKABLE. OUR TWO PUBLIC DEFENDERS. THERE'S ALIGNMENT. I SEE AND I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR YOUR RECOMMENDATION. I'M SO HAPPY THAT MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE INVESTED THAT $2.7 MILLION IN THE EMERGING ISSUES DOCKET BECAUSE IT'S A BETTER ROI ON THE INVESTMENT AND THE NUMBERS THAT WE ARE SEEING, THE 19% INCREASE AND THE 268% INCREASE IN PERSONS AND CASES IS ENERGIZING. I LOVE WHEN WE MAKE SMART INVESTMENTS. WE'RE BETTER UTILIZING TAXPAYER RESOURCES IN A MORE STRATEGIC WAY. MY QUESTION IS, CHIEF, I'M VERY HAPPY THAT WE WERE A ABLE TO END ONE OF THE THREE OUTSOURCING CONTRACT BECAUSE OF THIS REMARKABLE COLLABORATION. AND I SHARE MY COLLEAGUE SENT THE. I CAN'T WAIT TO END THE OTHER TWO CONTRACTS. AND THE STAFFING PIECE. IN FEBRUARY 2025, THE COURT APPROVED THE $2.8 MILLION FOR 150 DETENTION OFFICERS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THOSE HAVE BEEN FILLED ASK THERE'S ONLY THE 20 TO 30 VACANCIES WITH ATTRITION. SO YOU HAVE SHOWN THAT YOU CAN HIRE UP AND GET THOSE POSITIONS FILLED. I AM GOING TO BE VERY SUPPORTIVE IN JANUARY WHEN YOU COME TO ASK FOR ADDITIONAL DETENTION OFFICERS. AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF EXPLORING WAYS WE CAN SUPPLEMENT THROUGH CONTRACTING OR OTHERWISE BECAUSE I'D RATHER HAVE THE INDIVIDUALS HERE AT HOME IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE CAN START ENDING THE SECOND AND THIRD CONTRACT. SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS THAT IN JANUARY, IF THIS ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IS APPROVED FOR THE 100 BASED ON THE SUCCESS YOU HAVE HAD IN HIRING WITH THE LAST TRANCHE OF INVESTMENT, WHAT SORT OF PROJECTIONS DO WE THINK WITH THE STAFFING RATIO AND THE OPEN BEDS AND THE CURRENT 7,500 CAP. WHEN DO WE PROJECT IF THESE TRENDS CONTINUE THAT WE COULD END THE SECOND AND THEN THE THIRD CONTRACT? >> IS THAT FOR ME, COMMISSIONER? >> I'D LOVE TO HEAR BOTH YOUR PERSPECTIVE . >> SOME THAT GOES IN IN JANUARY. I THINK WHEN IT STARTS IN JANUARY, WE'LL SEE THOSE EFFECTS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD. WE'LL SEE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR SLOWDOWNS. IT'S JUST A PART OF THE ANNUAL CYCLE. WITH COURTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT MOVING INMATES TO PRISON, WE'RE STILL MAINTAINING ABOUT 500 TO 600 INMATES BEING PICKED UP TIMELY. THAT'S JUST A LOT OF INMATES THAT ARE WAITING TO GO TO COURT. WE COULD HAVE THAT BY FEBRUARY. BUT I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT WE'D BE LOOKING AT. YOU'RE LOOKING AT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS CYCLES AS IT GOES OUT, BUT I DEFINITELY COULD TAKE A SUBSTANTIAL BITE IN THE NEXT YEAR TO REDUCING AND ELIMINATING MORE OF THOSE CONTRACTS. AND BRINGING THOSE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS BACK [01:45:03] HERE. >> THANK YOU, CHIEF. BEFORE DIRECTOR MILS, IF YOU COULD PLEASE SPEAK TO THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO TRY TO REMEDIATE THOSE ISSUES SO WE CAN HAVE THE BETTER OUTCOME NEXT TIME. >> ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE STATE COMMISSION. THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROGRESS AND OUR EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE ON THE FIRE PANEL SYSTEM. SO THEM COMING -- OBVIOUSLY THEY CAME A LITTLE EARLY. WE CAN EXPECT TO HAVE THE PANELS REPLACED UNTIL JANUARY. AND THEY CAME EARLY SO THEY MAINTAINED A NON-COMPLIANCE ISSUE ON THE FIRE PANELS. AGAIN, THEY ARE IN THE LOOP ON THAT. WE WERE ON TRACK. WORK HAS BEGUN ON THOSE ON THE INSTALLATION. AND WE'RE STILL ON SCHEDULE BY MID-JANUARY. THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THAT ISSUE WITH THE STATE. THEY DID LOOK AT STAFFING NOT IN HOUSING, WITH Y'ALL'S CONTINUED SUPPORT IN BRINGING THE OFFICERS ON AND OUTSOURCING AT THE TIME, THAT HASN'T BEEN AN ISSUE FOR ABOUT NINE MONTHS WE HAVE HAD THE STAFFING APPROPRIATE IN THE HOUSING LEVELS. BUT THEY DID NOTICE STAFFING AND THE EASIEST WAY IS SUPPLEMENTAL AREAS. SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE SUPERVISION NOT JUST IN HOUSING, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT WHEREVER INMATES ARE. SO IF THAT'S IN MEDICAL OR DURING RECREATION OR ALL THESE OTHER AREAS, THOSE ARE STILL UNDER THE MIN STRAUGTIVE CODE THAT WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THAT. WE CALL IT SUPPLEMENTAL SUPERVISION. WHEN THEY ARE IN ANY OTHER PART OF THE JAIL SYSTEM, SO THEY FOUND SOME ISSUES THERE. AND THAT WAS ADDED TO THEIR ITEMS OF CONCERN THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS. SO WE'RE PUTTING THAT TOGETHER. AGAIN, THAT'S PART OF THE STAFFING REQUEST THAT WE'RE BE GOOD TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SUPERVISION IN THOSE REQUIRED AREAS, THOSE ARE THE ONLY TWO ITEMS. >> THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOUR TEAM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO US PASSING NEXT TIME AN EVER WORKING REALLY HARD TO REMEDIATE THOSE TWO ISSUES, DIRECTOR MILLS, I WOULD LOVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SECOND AND THIRD CONTRACT AND FURTHER IDEAS TO DOUBLED DOWN ON THE E I.D.S. >> THE POLLYANNA PUPPIES AND PIXIE DUST THAT I AM, I THINK A NUMBER OF THINGS HAVE TO GO RIGHT FOR US TO SEE A BANK ON IT, LOOKING FORWARD TO SITTING WITH THE CHIEF AND WALKING THROUGH A PLAN BUT I WOULD SAY INTAKE STAYS CONSISTENT SO THE RATE IN WHICH WERE FOLKS IN, IF THEY STAY CONSISTENT AND WE CAN KEEP THE ACTIVE DOWN, I THINK IT NEEDS TO COME DOWN MORE FOR US TO BANK ON THAT BECAUSE THE POPULATION WILL HAVE TO HELP US WITH THE STAFFING. BECAUSE WE WILL BE BUMPED UP AGAINST BEDS THAT WE CANNOT BRING BACK ONLINE QUICKLY, THE VARIANCE BEDS AND THE CONSTRUCTION BEDS, WHICH WOULD HAVE US FLYING CLOSE TO THE SUN, I THINK A GOAL COULD BE TO ELIMINATE MOST, AND I THINK THE COURTS AND SHE VASQUEZ AND OTHERS WOULD BE HAPPY IF WE CAN GET THEM BACK SO THEY WILL BE LOCAL AND AVAILABLE TO ATTORNEYS AND COURTS BUT, WE WILL HAVE TO PUT SOME NUMBERS TOGETHER AND HELP YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. >> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE PLAN AND THANK YOU FOR THE INCREDIBLE COLLABORATION, WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE QUARTERBACKING IT, AND EVERYONE, THANK YOU, JOE, DR., I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN REALLY DEEPLY INVOLVED, LET'S KEEP UP THE PROGRESS, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MILLS, FOLLOWED UP ON A COUPLE QUESTIONS HERE, ON THE DETENTION OFFICERS, I GUESS THIS GOES TO THE CHIEF, YOU HAD A MULTILEVEL STRATEGY THAT WE SUPPORTED ABOUT SOME SALARIES, ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, WHAT IS THE RUB RIGHT NOW? WHY ARE WE HAVING TROUBLE? I THINK WILL HAVE TO STOP BECAUSE WERE LOSING THE QUORUM, OR CAN WE KEEP DISCUSSING? >> NOPE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. HOW IS THAT GOING? WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED? [01:50:06] >> I'M SORRY, JUDGE, WHAT IS IT? >> WE HAD APPROVED ADDITIONAL PAY AND ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND A COUPLE OTHER STRATEGIES TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT TO DETENTION OFFICERS AND I AM WONDERING, OBVIOUSLY STILL HAVE A SHORTFALL, WHAT IS YOUR THINKING, THERE? >> I THINK THE SUPPORT THE COURT GAVE US WITH ALL THE ITEMS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED GOT US TO WHERE WE ARE AT, WE HAVE THE SHORTFALL, WE WERE ABLE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS, OUR TRADITION GREAT -- >> I THINK THAT IS ANOTHER DISCUSSION, IS THERE A MOTION? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. GO AHEAD, CHIEF. >> OUR ATTRITION RATE WAS CUT IN HALF WITH THE SALARIES AND ALL OF THE STAFF ADDED, WE HAVE MADE THAT PROGRESS, THE VACANCY RATE IS VERY LOW BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN HIRING ON THE STEADY PACE AND THAT'S WHY WERE COMING NOW IN JANUARY WITH AN ADDITIONAL STAFF ASK AND THAT WILL HELP US IN OUR PLAN TO BRING MORE INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS BACK HOME TO HOUSTON SO, ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN WORKING AND WE COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT, THERE IS MULTIPLE KEY FACTORS BUT THE COURT SUPPORT AND CONTINUED SUPPORT IS THE FOUNDATION WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD THIS PROGRESS ON AND AGAIN, YOU ADD IN DIRECTOR MILLS AND DIRECTOR RAMOS, THEIR SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE IN THE COURTS, SO MANY SPOKES ON THIS WHEEL BUT I TRULY BELIEVE IT'S THE FOUNDATION, WHEN YOU TALK SALARIES, GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY WE NEEDED TO GET THE STATE SATISFIED. >> OKAY, WHAT I'M HEARING FROM YOU, AND I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT THAT IF WE NEED MORE PEOPLE, WHAT WE BRING SOME ON CONTRACT? WHAT I'M HEARING, AS YOU ANALYZE, ASSUMING THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION PASSES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU THINK YOU WILL BE REQUESTING HIS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE SAME KINDS OF INITIATIVES THAT HELP YOU SO FAR? >> YES, MA'AM. >> THE QUESTION, WHERE'S ADDITIONAL FUNDING GOING TO COME FROM? ANYWAY. >> ARE REAL QUICK POINT ON THE 150 SO HIRED AUTHORIZED IN MARCH, THE INTENT WAS TO REDUCE OVERTIME AND THEY WERE FUNDED FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OVER TIME AND I THINK IT IS DOWN $11 MILLION, IS THAT RIGHT? MORE THAN $11 MILLION, THOSE STAFF AUGMENTING THE OVERTIME KEPT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FROM HAVING TO, WHAT I REFER TO US FLYING CLOSE TO THE SUN BY STAFFING POST ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY WITH OVERTIME. THAT BECOMES UNRELIABLE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, FOLKS GET TIRED, THEY GET SICK, THEY CALL OUT AND THE COMMISSION REVIEWS I AND WE ARE SHORT OFFICERS. I THINK THAT GROUP THAT CAME, THE 150 HAS HAD A HUGE IMPACT IN REDUCING THE OVERTIME AND BEING ABLE TO FUND THAT, INTERNALLY, WITH OVERTIME. THAT GROUP SORT OF MET ITS GOAL AND IT WASN'T INTENDED TO ADD TO THE OPENING ADDITIONAL POST TO BRING FOLKS BACK, WE HAD TO STABILIZE FIRST. >> OKAY. >> ALSO -- >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> ONE OTHER THING, WE BUDGETED THAT MISSISSIPPI CONTRACT THROUGH FEBRUARY, THERE IS A SMALL SURPLUS THERE THAT WE CAN REINVEST INTO THE STAFFING MODEL. >> OKAY, AND WHAT IS IT? >> 5.6, $1.8 MILLION WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE MISSISSIPPI CONTRACT THREE MONTHS EARLIER THAN WE ANTICIPATED. >> HOPEFULLY THE STAFFING COSTS LESS THAN THAT. THAT'S GREAT, CHIEF, VERY HELPFUL, THANK YOU. DIRECTOR MILLS, THE QUESTION I HAVE, THESE FOLKS HERE FOR OVER 180 DAYS, WHY IS THAT SO STUBBORN? >> THERE ARE A LOT OF VARIABLES TO THAT. THE COURTS ARE WORKING FROM HISTORIC BACKLOG, SO THE DOCKETS IN THERE, THE CASELOADS [01:55:05] ARE VERY HIGH, WE HAVE STEADY INTAKE SO WE ARE CONSISTENTLY ADDING EVERY MONTH, NEW CASES AND I THINK WE HAVE A NUMBER OF VERY COMPLEX CASES THAT HAVE STATUTORY PREFERENCE AND AS WE SAID WITH WHY THE E.I.D.S WERE SO EFFECTIVE IS THERE CERTAIN CASES TYPES THAT DON'T HAVE STATUTORY PREFERENCE. THE STATUTORY COURTS ARE GOING TO HEAR THE OTHER CASES FIRST AND HAVE THAT MIDDLE LAYER THAT STAYS LONGER THAN IT SHOULD OR, WE SHOULD HAVE THAT CASE TO RESOLVE IT. ABLE TO SHIP THAT FOCUS BECAUSE THE COURT PROVIDED THE FUNDING AND THE GENERAL FUND. >> I'M JUST NOT HEARING THE ANSWER, WHY ARE WE HAVING TROUBLE PUTTING THOSE SPECIFIC CASES INTO THE EMERGENCY DOCKET? >> ONCE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE CASES WE WANTED TO MOVE, WE MOVED VERY FAST. >> SO WE ARE REDUCING THE NUMBER -- >> YEAH. >> OH, SO IT'S NOT A STUBBORN NUMBER? >> NO, IT CONTINUES TO ROLL INTO THE BACKLOG, 90 DAYS PASSES WHEN I PRESENT PAST AND THE CAUSES--CASES WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOG WILL BE A BACK CASE. >> OKAY, I KNOW THAT A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE JAIL STUDY AND THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING THIS QUESTION, YOU WERE LOOKING AT THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND, WHAT I AM HEARING YOU SAY THAT IS THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING MAKING THAT FACILITY MORE OF A WRAPAROUND SERVICES TYPE OF PLACE? >> IT IS MULTIPRONGED, WE ARE IN OPEN PROCUREMENT. SO, THE SCOPE FOR THESE TWO STUDIES, ONE IS LOOKING AT THE JAIL AND THE NEEDS IN THE JAIL AND ONE IS LOOKING AT THE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY BASED ON DATA IN OUR JAIL, BASED ON POPULATIONS THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO OFFSET IF THERE WERE SUPPORTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE WILL BRING THOSE TWO TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND WHAT TYPE OF FACILITY WE MIGHT NEED TO BUILD AND HOW MANY BEDS IT NEEDS TO BE FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS WILL BE PROJECTING OUT THE NEEDED BED SPACE. WE BELIEVE AND THEY'RE WORKING VERY HARD, WE BELIEVE THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP OFFSET THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL JAIL BED SPACE, WE TALKED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH POPULATION AND ITS OVERREPRESENTATION IN OUR JAIL POPULATION. >> WE ENDED THE PROGRAM FOR JUVENILES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR JUVENILES, THERE IS VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT DID NOT CONTINUE FOR LACK OF FUNDING, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET FUNDING FOR THESE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS? >> WE HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED THOSE YET. >> I DO NOT UNDERSTAND, WE ARE ALREADY SHORT $4 MILLION ON THE PAY RAISES AND IT JUST STARTED. ANYWAY, I LOVE HEARING THAT BUT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS REALISTIC AND I MAINTAIN MY CONCERN THAT IF WE HAVE TWO FACILITIES, WE WILL JUST FILL THEM BOTH, I AM FIRM THAT I, FOR ONE, WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE JAIL, THE CURRENT ONE USED FOR SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE WE KNOW WERE NOT GETTING USE IT FOR THIS OR TEAR IT DOWN, OR WHATEVER. I'LL PUT THAT OUT THERE FOR YOU, AGAIN AND TO THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, SO, WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS, IN THEORY, TO GO TO THESE HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, OR WAIT FOR THEM TO COME TO US AND DIVERT THEM TO THE RELEVANT SERVICES AND THE TIE BETWEEN THIS NEW JAIL IDEA AND THE HOMELESS STRATEGY THAT THE CITY CURRENTLY HAS IS BASICALLY LIKE, IN THE EVENT WE HAVE FUNDING TO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES? >> I THINK DIVERSION OPPORTUNITIES, I DO KNOW THE CITY IS MAKING SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS , ESPECIALLY, IF WE CAN LEVERAGE ANY OF THOSE, IT WOULD BE GREAT, RIGHT? BUT WE WANT TO LOOK AT DIVERSION OPPORTUNITIES SO WE ARE ABLE TO DIVERT OR DEFLECT INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM WHEN THAT IS NOT THE ROOT CAUSE [02:00:03] OF THEIR ISSUE, RIGHT? >> RIGHT. >> SO IT GIVES US OPTIONS AND THOSE OPTIONS HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE ULTIMATE COST OF THE HARD FACILITY, IF WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT. I THINK THE GOAL IS TO BRING THE COURT OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND A MENU OF OPTIONS FOR ADDRESSING THE JAIL FACILITY IN COMMUNITY. >> WE SPENT ALL SUMMER SQUEEZING MONEY OUT OF PROGRAMS, ENDING PROGRAMS WE WERE GOING TO CONTINUE AND I DON'T SEE, MONTHS OF MONTHS DOING THAT, I DON'T SEE WHERE WERE GOING TO SQUEEZE MORE MONEY OUT OF, WE COPIED THE CITIES IDEA AND PUTTING OURSELVES INTO A DEFICIT AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO DEFUND TO FILL IT . I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'RE IN A BETTER SITUATION. WHAT I'M HEARING IS THERE IS A TAX INCREASE COMING. ANYWAY, I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT THERE. THANK YOU. AND SO, DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS? >> IN THE SPIRIT OF THE MOTION I MADE EARLIER. >> RIGHT, THE MOTION. >> TO THE POINT ON THE MONEY, AS YOU COME BACK IN FEBRUARY WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE CHIEF, CHIEF BOSQUEZ, THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT IF WE WERE ABLE TO, AND AS I UNDERSTAND THESE OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS, THEY DON'T HAVE A MANDATORY, YOU GOT TO USE IT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE DROPPED THE BAR IF WE WANT TO. >> I BELIEVE THERE IS A NOTICE PERIOD, RIGHT CHIEF? >> YES, THERE IS A NOTICE PERIOD FROM THE STAND POINT, YOU WILL LOOK AT THAT PART OF IT AND IF WE CAN BRING IN, THROUGH CONTRACT, THE TENSION OFFICERS AND WE SAY $10 MILLION, THEN, THAT WILL BE PART OF THE DRIVING FACTOR IN US GOING THROUGH THAT DECISION. THESE DECISIONS ARE GOING TO BE MADE WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE COSTS ARE GOING TO BE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHAT THE SAVINGS WILL BE AND I WOULD THINK, NOT ONLY IS IT GETTING THESE FOLKS BACK IN HARRIS COUNTY BUT WE CAN PROBABLY DO THIS MORE COST-EFFECTIVELY THAN PUTTING THEM ON THE BUS AND TAKEN THEM TO THE MISSISSIPPI. MY MOTION IS FOR OCA TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION OF CUTS TO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL OUTSOURCING CONTRACTS ON FEBRUARY 26, 2026 COMMISSIONERS COURT. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? DID YOU CATCH THE MOTION, JAMES? OKAY, THEN WE CAN MOVE ON. LET'S MOVE TO ITEM THREE, THIS IS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 2 AND 3. THIS IS THE HARRIS COUNTY PROMPT PAYMENT ACT POLICY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU, I JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS, I HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR PROMPT PAY SINCE 2019 BECAUSE THE VENDORS SOMETIMES WAIT MONTHS TO GET PAID AND WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS, 90% OF THE COUNTIES ARE PROCESSED WITHIN 30 DAYS AND ONLY ABOUT 2% ARE DESIGNATED AS AGING INVOICES IN THE BACKLOG IN ANY GIVEN MONTH. THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS TAKING CHARGE AND MAKING SURE DEPARTMENTS ARE REVIEWING THEIR INVOICES BUT LET'S BE HONEST, WE HAVE SOME CONTRACTORS DOING BUSINESS DIRECTLY WITH THE COUNTY WEEDING OVER 120 DAYS AND COUNTING TO GET PAID, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE. IT IMPACTS THE SUBS THEY ARE WORKING WITH. AND SO, OUR PROMPT PAY IS IMPROVING BUT, OUR SYSTEM IS STILL NOT WORKING THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD. SO, I WANT TO REITERATE, MY PATIENCE IS RUNNING A LITTLE THIN ON THIS BECAUSE IT ABSOLUTELY HURTS OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, NW B'S. ALTHOUGH WE ADOPTED A PROMPT PAY POLICY, THESE AMENDMENTS ARE ALL ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY SO, WE HAVE THE DATA TO SHOW EXACTLY WHERE AN INVOICE SITS AND FOR HOW LONG. IF A DEPARTMENT HOLDS UP, THAT DEPARTMENT SHOULD SHARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTEREST. [02:05:01] OFFICER SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR DELAYS THEY DID NOT CAUSE IN OUR VENDOR SHOULD NOT BE LEFT GUESSING WHEN THEY WILL GET PAID. SO, WE REVIEWED MORE THAN 1000 INVOICES AND BENCHMARK BEST PRACTICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THESE TIMELINES ARE NOT OPTIONAL, THEY ARE REASONABLE, EVIDENCE-BASED, FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. I STARTED THIS WORK YEARS AGO BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN FAIRNESS AND RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP THIS COUNTY RUNNING AND QUITE FRANKLY, IF THERE IS A LAW IN THE BOOKS, WE ARE TO WORK HARD TO COMPLY WITH IT. I STARTED WORKING TO GET US TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND I JUST HOPE THAT AFTER SIX YEARS? THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THIS JOB DONE. SO, I WANT TO THANK FOLKS FOR THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE BUT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T KEEP SAYING WERE MAKING PROGRESS, WERE MAKING PROGRESS. ULTIMATELY, TRAVIS COUNTY IS LEADING THE STATE IN THIS REGARD BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING BUSINESS COURTS, ALMOST EVERY WEEK SO, I WANT TO CHALLENGE MYSELF AND HOLD MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS. I JUST WANT TO URGE US, AND I THINK WE HAVE SCALED BACK ON BUSINESS COURTS NEXT YEAR. I'M GOING TO BE OPEN TO PROPOSING NOT EMERGENCY COURTS -- IT IS AN EMERGENCY BUT, I WILL BE OPEN TO PROVIDING A NOTICE FOR THOSE COURTS SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THIS ALL WORKING AND MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE I DO GET NOTICES FROM FOLKS WAITING TO GET PAID , THEY DON'T WANT TO COMPLAIN THAT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS IMPACTING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES. I WOULD JUST SAY, I DON'T HAVE MOTIONS ON THIS, RIGHT, GUYS? I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT UP AND SAY, WE NEED TO GET THIS DONE. >> JUDGE? >> YES. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY -- THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- I THINK YOU HEARD ME SAY THE IMPACT ON THE NUMBER OF COURTS OR LACK OF NUMBER OF COURTS WE HAVE HAD, I KNOW THAT LUCINDA HAS WORKED HARD TO GET MORE ON THERE, OCA HAS BUT IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THING WE CAN DO AS A BODY OR YOU COULD DO AS A BODY TO PUSH THIS FORWARD IS HAVE MORE BUSINESS COURTS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR SAYING THAT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID AND BEING A VENDOR IN THE PAST AND WAITING TO BE PAID, I CAN APPRECIATE THE POSITION WE PUT SO MANY OF OUR FOLKS, I WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH HARRIS COUNTY. BUT, I THINK IT IS COMPELLING THAT WE NEED TO GET READY , I DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE READY AND JUST BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE READY DOESN'T MAKE US READY. IT'S KIND OF LIKE DOING MINIMUM WAGE, CONTRACTOR SAFETY, PAY EQUITY, WE WANT TO DO ALL OF THESE THINGS BUT WERE NOT READY. WERE NOT READY ON THIS ONE SO, I SUPPORT THE AMENDMENTS ON THE COURT, THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I SUPPORT , COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION RELATING TO PASSING THIS ONE AS WRITTEN BUT, THIS IS A BALING WIRE AND DUCT TAPE FIX OF A PROBLEM, LET'S FIX THE SYSTEM AND I STILL DON'T THINK WE HAVE A SYSTEM READY TO GO AND IMPLEMENT, SO IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW, WHAT WERE ADOPTING TODAY IS DETAILS RELATED TO ASSUMING THIS IS NOT WORKING SO, THEY WILL BE CHARGES MADE BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS BECAUSE ONE DEPARTMENT IS SLOWING AT CUP -- UP, WERE HAVING TO PAY FOR IT, IT'S BEING IMPACTED, DON'T TAKE THIS PERSONAL, MAY BE IMPACTED BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE AND HE GETS TO PAY FOR IT. THAT IS ROB AND -- ROBBING TOM TO PAY MILTON OR ROBBING MILTON TO PAY TOM, THAT MIGHT BE A BETTER WAY TO LOOK AT IT. I THINK THIS BAND-AID IS FIRED, BUT WHAT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE IS WE ARE STILL NOT READY TO IMPLEMENT AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET READY TO IMPLEMENT? >> I APPRECIATE THAT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I APPRECIATE THE WORK BY YOUR TEAM. I CALL OUT BOTH, MILTON, [02:10:13] UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THE AUDITOR. THE AUDITOR HAS SOME DASHBOARDS COMING IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. THAT TRANSPARENCY, WE WILL SEE WHERE THINGS ARE BEING HELD UP IN THE PROCESS, I THINK THAT WILL HELP US FOCUS AND TRIAGE IN THE DEPARTMENTS AND TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, GET THINGS DONE THAT ARE OVERDUE FOR ME. >> I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS NOT READY. I KNOW FROM OUR LITTLE PART OF THE WORLD IN THE COUNTY, AND PRECINCT 3, WE GET TO MONITOR PROCESSING AND PAYMENTS AND WE ARE NOT READY AND WE NEED TO GET SERIOUS AND GET READY BUT TO IMPLEMENT SOMETHING WERE NOT READY TO IMPLEMENT, THEY WILL HAVE TO HAVE MORE AMENDMENTS AND HAVE MORE BAND-AIDS IN THE FUTURE TO FIX A FLAWED SYSTEM. I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY, IF IT'S MORE BUSINESS COURTS, PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA, AND LET'S DO , WITH THE SPECIFIC UNDERSTANDING THAT IF YOU ADD FIVE, SIX BUSINESS COURTS NEXT YEAR, THAT WILL ALMOST ASSURE 90% CONFIDENCE IN OUR ABILITY TO GET THINGS TURNED AROUND, IF THE PRIMARY ISSUE IS THE LACK OF BUSINESS COURTS, DEAL WITH THAT PART OF IT AND WE CAN, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT'S GOING ON HERE. >> I THINK WE ARE PATCHING A SYSTEM WHERE OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEMS DON'T REALLY TALK TO EACH OTHER, I KNOW THEY'RE FOCUSED ON THAT AND FOCUSED ON LOOKING AT THE FUTURE THAT WILL BE AN OVERALL SOLUTION AND I KNOW SHE'S HARD AT WORK AT THAT, UNTIL WE GET TO THAT POINT, WE WILL STILL HAVE E BUILDER AND INTERACTION BETWEEN THOSE THINGS, AND WHILE WERE MAKING PROJECT, THERE ARE A LOT OF STAKEHOLDERS, IT WILL HARD FOR IT TO BE PERFECT AND SMOOTH UNTIL WE HAVE A SINGLE SYSTEM COVERING ALL OF THE PIECES. >> MY LAST COMMENT, 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS, TWO OF THEM ARE TRYING TO DO THIS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A CLUE INTO HOW DIFFICULT THIS IS BUT, IT MIGHT BE AN INDICATOR, JUST UNDERSTAND, 254 COUNTIES, THERE'S A LOT THAT'S BEEN ON THE BOOKS SINCE THE 80S, THERE ARE TWO COUNTIES, OUT OF 254 COUNTIES TRYING TO DO IT. JUST KEEP IN CONTEXT WHAT WERE TRYING TO DO, HERE. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S COMMENTS, THANK YOU FOR THE PROGRESS BUT WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO BE INCREDIBLY CANDID WITH OURSELVES. I THINK THESE AMENDMENTS ARE HELPFUL IN MOVING US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT PEOPLE NEED TO GET PAID, PERIOD. I'M HAPPY TO HAVE MORE BUSINESS COURTS, ANOTHER PAIN POINT THAT WE HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR IS THE BLACKOUT. AND HOW CLUNKY AND LONG IT IS. THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY TO ADDRESS THAT AND SO, I KNOW THIS IS A MULTIDIMENSIONAL ISSUE AND CHALLENGE AND WE NEED A SENSE OF URGENCY. IT IS SOMEWHAT IRONIC THAT THE PROCESS, AND THIS PROCURE TO PAY PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS. THE SENSE OF URGENCY WHEN WERE LEANING IN AND TRYING TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES BUT THAT WE DON'T PAY THEM? THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. PLEASE, BRING US A NEW CALENDAR, LET'S WORK AS A TEAM TO FIGURE OUT A BETTER BLACKOUT SEASON FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR. >> MOTION FOR CONTINUED DISCUSSION? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND? >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT ABOUT THAT FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND THE CONTRACT SYSTEM, THERE ARE SO MANY PIECES AND THIS DASHBOARD WILL BE REALLY HELPFUL BUT LASER FOCUSED ON PROGRESS AND I APPRECIATE YOU. AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER FOR HELPING BACK THIS. >> I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GOOD INSTANCE OF COORDINATION, THERE IS A STAKEHOLDER, COMMITTEE, THEY MEET FREQUENTLY, THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES HE POINTED OUT, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE WILL RUN AT THIS AS HARD AS WE CAN UNTIL COURT TELLS US TO YOU OTHERWISE, WE ARE TRYING TO GET AS READY AS WE CAN, I THINK THAT WE ARE ON TRACK, THERE ARE ISSUES, DIFFERENT PRECINCTS HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING BUSINESS THAT HAS TO WORK WITH ENGINEERING, I KNOW THAT'S A CHALLENGE, WE ARE FOCUSED ON AND DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN. >> BY THE WAY, I'M NOT ADVOCATING THAT WE HAVE MORE MEETINGS. >> ON THAT ISSUE, I AM HEARING THAT WE NEED MORE BUSINESS COURTS . DID SOMEBODY SAY THAT? [02:15:02] >> YEP. >> OKAY, SO WHETHER IT IS TO BE PRESCHEDULED OR BE A RED LIGHT THAT GOES OFF WHEN YOU HIT WHATEVER POINT, YOU WILL DO THAT? >> WE WILL TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE CALENDAR, JUDGE, I LOOK AT PROPOSING MORE DATES FROM MORE BUSINESS COURTS WHERE WE HAVE PARTICULAR HOLES IN THE CALENDAR AND TRY TO WORK WITH YOUR SCHEDULES AND MAKE THOSE A REALITY. >> THIS 2% THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED, I'M ASSUMING THAT'S NOT COMMON IN OTHER COUNTIES, WE ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE THE 2% PROGRAM--PROBLEM SO WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THIS 2% DO YOU ATTRIBUTE TO THE LACK OF BUSINESS COURTS AND WHAT IS THE REST AND WHAT PERCENTAGE IS THE REST? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD BUT WE WILL GO LOOK AT THAT NUMBER AND COME BACK NEXT TIME WITH BETTER DATA. >> OKAY, BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER WE NEED TO DO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS MENTIONING OR WHAT. AND SPECIFICALLY SCHEDULING MORE BUSINESS COURTS, RIGHT? THE OTHER QUESTION THAT I HAD, IS THIS AN ISSUE OF THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AT ALL? >> WE HAVE A LOT OF PIECES BETWEEN THE PRECINCTS, DEPARTMENTS, AUDITOR AND PURCHASING. THERE IS A LOT OF HANDING OFF THAT GOES THROUGH CONTRACT MANAGEMENT, COMMISSIONER BRIONES POINTED OUT, I WOULD NOT SAY IT'S A PARTICULAR PURCHASING POINT, AT ALL. >> I DON'T KNOW IF DIRECTOR MILLS IS ON THE LINE -- >> SHE IS HERE. >> O, HELLO. MADAM DISTRICT CLERK, ICU AND PLAN ON SEEING , I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU WAITING THERE, I WILL COME TO YOU NEXT. YES, DIRECTOR. >> THE MORNING, JUDGE, GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. >> GOOD MORNING. MY QUESTION IS, HOW FEASIBLE IS THIS SYSTEM THAT YOU ARE BUILDING? DO YOU THAT IS GOING TO PAN OUT? YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, THE NEW FINANCIAL SYSTEM SO THERE CAN BE A FASTER PROCESS AND IF YOU THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE? >> JUDGE, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF THE RFP FINALIZING, THE ERP WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS A VERY COMPLEX SYSTEM, REQUIRES THOROUGH DOCUMENTATION OF THE PROCESSES THAT NEED TO BE CONFIGURED WITHIN THE SYSTEM. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FINALIZING THE VENDOR THAT IS GOING TO COME IN AND HELP BRING ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THE PROCESSES THAT NEED TO BE PUT INTO THE SYSTEM. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STEP ONE, WHICH IS THE FIRST BEING HERE WITHIN THE NEXT, I THINK WE ARE TARGETING THE COURT IN JANUARY TO BRING THAT CONTRACT TO THE COURT AND FOLLOWING THAT, ABOUT SIX MONTHS FOR THE RF P TO BE RELEASED, AND THE ERP IMPLEMENTATION IS GENERALLY ONE TO TWO YEARS. >> OKAY, SO YOU ARE AIMING TO PICK A VENDOR BY JANUARY? >> THE VENDOR FOR THE REQUIREMENTS BY JANUARY AND THE RFP WILL GO OUT SIX MONTHS AFTER THAT. >> WHAT DOES RFP STAND FOR? >> THE FUTURE OF PEOPLE. >> THEY WILL BE BRINGING ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE UNIFIER, THE BUILDUP, THE CONTRACT LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THERE ARE SEVERAL SYSTEMS AND THAT SCOPE. >> SO, THIS IS A LOGISTICS THING. >> YES. >> WHEN YOU SAY TWO YEARS TO IMPLEMENT, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE FIRST YEAR? FRONT LOADED OR, IS IT -- >> GENERALLY, ERP'S GO THROUGH A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS, PEOPLESOFT HAS TAKEN TWO YEARS PLUS TO IMPLEMENT FOR THE COUNTY, IN THIS SCENARIO, BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ERP IN PLACE, ALL OF THOSE, THERE ARE SEVERAL STEPS THAT GO INTO A LIMITATION. THE FRONT LOAD WOULD BE DEPENDENT UPON WHAT THE COUNTY PRIORITIZES AS STEP ONE GOING INTO THE ERP. >> OKAY, THANK YOU, THAT IS VERY HELPFUL. >> JUDGE? >> YES. >> ONE OF THE OTHER PIECES SOME OF THE 2% THAT ARE LONG-TERM, WE [02:20:06] TALK YOUR EARS OFF ABOUT THIS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THERE ARE VIABLE COMPLAINTS AND YOU CAN HAVE ISSUES WITH AN INVOICE AND IF THERE ARE ISSUES BUT THAT IS NOT COMING THROUGH TO THE SYSTEM AND THAT IS SHOWING AS A LATE INVOICE, THAT IS ANOTHER ISSUE I THINK WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH. THE 2% DOES NOT REPRESENT ALL OF THE INVOICES, THERE IS A NUMBER OF DISPUTES INCLUDED IN THERE THAT THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR IN THE LAW THAT ARE ALLOWABLE DISPUTES. I THINK THAT IS THE OTHER PIECE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO WITH QUICKLY. >> WE HAVE MENTIONED THE DELAY IN THIS AND I KNOW IT'S NOT FOR LACK OF DESIRE TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM, DO YOU NEED ANOTHER PERSON TO BE IN CHARGE OF THIS? >> NO. THE GROUP IS WORKING REALLY WELL TOGETHER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA NOT KEEP SAYING THAT WERE MAKING PROGRESS BUT I THINK WE ARE ON TRACK, I THINK WE ARE ON TRACK FOR FEBRUARY, WHICH IS THE LATEST DATE THE COURT GAVE US TO IMPLEMENT THIS, THERE IS WORK TO DO BUT WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE ON TRACK. >> I DON'T KNOW, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IF YOU WOULD BE AMENABLE TO THIS OR IF YOU THINK WE NEED IT BUT TO HAVE SOME REGULAR UPDATES CONTINUE, EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE DONE THE RFP OR WHATEVER? WILL YOU KEEP THAT ? >> YES, WE CAN PROVIDE UPDATES. I THINK THE PROJECT MANAGER DOES PROVIDE UPDATES AND WE HAVE A STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WORKS ON THEIR THOUGHTS. >> OKAY. >> WE HAVE THIS ITEM COMBAT, I THINK, EVERY MONTH SO, WE ARE GIVING UPDATES FREQUENTLY. >> I GET UPDATES EVERY WEEK. >> I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC, ANYWAY, AND THE BLACKOUT PERIODS, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS? >> I THINK WE HAVE RECOVERED WELL FROM THIS BLACKOUT PERIOD, THE TEAM HAS WORKED REALLY WELL TOGETHER, WE HAVE TIME BEFORE THE NEXT ONE, WE HAVE ALL ASK THE SAME QUESTION THAT THE COURT HAS, WHAT IS IT NEED TO BE THIS WAY, I WAS ASSURED THAT WE WILL HAVE A BETTER -- WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE BOOKS FOR THE AUDITOR TO RELEASE THE RPO'S, THE ONLY GLASS FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR ENDS AND THEY HAVE TO CLOSE IT AND REISSUE NEW PURCHASE ORDERS FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS A CONTINUING CONTRACT AND THAT IS THOUSANDS OF CONTRACTS. THAT TAKES AUDITORS SOME TIME, WE HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM HER TEAM AND OTHERS BUT, I THINK WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A BETTER SOLUTION. >> IS THE END OF FISCAL YEAR OR A YEAR, YEAR? >> FISCAL YEAR. >> SO, WE DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVE TO DO THAT? >> NO, THE ISSUE IS, IT USED TO BE A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME BUT OVER TIME IT HAS GROWN AND MAYBE WE ARE A BIGGER COUNTY BUT WHEN YOU SHUT DOWN THE COUNTY P.O.'S , IS A SEPTEMBER 1ST? ESSENTIALLY SEPTEMBER 1ST IN THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER GIVE OR TAKE. THAT IS A PROBLEM. >> IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM. >> SO YOU WILL UPDATE US ON THAT? >> YES, MA'AM. >> I THINK IT'S MULTI-PART, WONDERFUL. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS WORKING ON THIS. I GOT A NOTE, MADAM DISTRICT CLERK THAT YOU ARE HERE FOR A PARTICULAR DISCUSSION BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE COMMENTS, THANK YOU AND WELCOME. ANY MOTIONS ON ITEM THREE? >> MOTION AS PRESENTED. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE THE MOTION, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S GO TO ITEM FOUR, REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I'M GOING TO PULL THE ITEM, NO, NOT PULLED ITEM BUT DISCUSS THIS WITH RAMOS OFF-LINE. >> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE THIS IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS WE BROUGHT AS A PLACEHOLDER TO GET FEEDBACK THAT WE FORMALLY ADOPTED IN JANUARY, WE HEARD YOUR STAFF LOUD AND CLEAR, THE NEXT DRAFT WILL LOOK DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENTLY. >> SECOND. >> THERE IS NO ACTION, COMMISSIONER. ACTION ITEM WILL COME IN JANUARY. >> GOT IT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEMS 18 AND 307 FLAGGED BY ALL OF THE PRECINCTS ON THE PAY EQUITY PROJECT STATUS. >> JUDGE? >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK HRT FOR ALL OF THE WORK BEING DONE ON THIS. [02:25:01] >> THANK YOU. >> APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR GOOD WORK, I'VE BEEN HEARING A LOT OF GOOD THINGS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> I WANT US TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN MOVE BUT THE SENSE OF URGENCY, WE ARE IN THE MOST CRITICAL PHASE OF THIS COMPENSATION PROJECT, THE DEPARTMENTS ARE RAISING REAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE RESULTS AND PARTICULARLY, ASIDE FROM THE DIRECTORS STAFF IS RAISING A LOT OF CONCERNS AND THEY ARE, EFFECTIVELY, BEWILDERED AS TO WHAT THIS PACKAGE MEANS. SOME ARE SAYING MY PAY GRADE HAS BEEN OVER -- LOWERED, SOME THINK THEY WILL GET RAISES FOR 10, 20 YEARS, THEIR JOBS DON'T NECESSARILY REFLECT THE WAY THEY ARE CLASSIFIED, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SEND A LONG, STRONG, LOUD MESSAGE TO OUR DIRECTORS TEAM MEMBERS THAT WE ARE NOT DONE YET SO, PLEASE DON'T MAKE ANY JOB DECISIONS UNTIL WE FINISH THIS. BUT, WE ARE BEING VERY, VERY INTENTIONAL TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS RIGHT AND STAFF IS NOT ADVERSELY IMPACTED. I JUST WANTED TO SEND THAT OUT AND ALSO, I WANT TO ASK OUR NEW DIRECTOR , HOW ARE YOU TRACKING THE DEPARTMENTAL CONCERNS , THE TURNAROUND TIME YOU THINK THAT YOU WILL NEED TO RESOLVE THEM, HOW ARE WE INFORMING THE DEPARTMENTS WITH THEIR ISSUES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND ADDRESSED, SAFEGUARDS THAT MIGHT BE IN PLACE TO PREVENT ERRORS FROM CARRYING INTO THE FEBRUARY 7TH IMPLEMENTATION AND IF A DEPARTMENT STRONGLY DISAGREES WITH THE RESULTS THAT ARE EXISTING, NOW, DO THEY, GALLAGHER AND HRT HAVE TIME TO REMEDY THOSE BEFORE FEBRUARY? AND THEN, SHIFTING TO THE PROPOSED SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION FREEZE, HOW FAR IN ADVANCE IS CONSIDERED FAIR NOTICE FOR DEPARTMENTS SO THEY CAN PLAN STAFFING AND HIRING AND PROMOTIONS WITHOUT ANY DISRUPTION? LASTLY, CAN YOU GIVE THE COURT AN ACCURATE TIME FOR HOW LONG THE FREEZE NEEDS TO REMAIN IN PLACE FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES, HRT AND THE AUDITOR TO EVADE ALL COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION DATA IN PEOPLESOFT WITHOUT RISKING DELAYS OR ERRORS IN THE FEBRUARY ROLLOUT? AND AS I JUST MENTIONED TO STAFF, THE PDQS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN DONE IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY, I'VE HEARD YOU AND I THINK THE DIRECTOR WILL HAVE SOME COMFORTING WORDS FOR US, PLEASE. >> ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE 100% RIGHT, OR THE TOUGHEST PART OF THIS PROJECT WHICH IS THE VALIDATION PHASE. A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK IS GOING TO THIS PROJECT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO A CONSISTENT PAY STRUCTURE FOR THIS COUNTY, IT WILL ENABLE SO MANY OTHER GOOD THINGS IN THE LONG RUN INCLUDING MOVEMENT AROUND AND THINGS THAT ATTRACT PEOPLE ALL, YOU ARE RIGHT, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE BASED ON THE RESULTS YOU'RE SEEING IN THIS STUDY, WERE IN THE VALIDATION PHASE. THIS PHASE HAS BEEN PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE EXHAUSTIVE THAN WE ANTICIPATED, TO BE COMPLETELY FRANK. >> DID YOU SAY EXHAUSTING OR EXHAUSTIVE ? >> A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH, EXHAUSTIVE. I THINK THE PROCESS, WELL SET UP TO WORK WELL, PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER AND COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER. WE REALIZE THAT, NOW. A LITTLE MORE OVERSIGHT, A LITTLE MORE ENGAGEMENT WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES AND LEADERSHIP, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF HR SUPPORT OUT THERE ACROSS THE COUNTY AND EVERYONE HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH US. THE GOOD NEWS IS, AND WHAT HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH US. THE HR TEAMS HAVE BEEN WILLING TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND WORK WITH US. I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS. IN THE PROCESS OF VALIDATION, WERE HOLDING DEPARTMENT MEETINGS WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE COUNTY, WE'VE HELPED 35 ALREADY AND HAVE 25 MORE TO GO. THERE ARE COUPLE NOT SIGNED UP YET BUT WE ARE PRESSURING THEM. THOSE YOU HAVE ENGAGED HAVE VARIED, SOME OF THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN OKAY, GREAT, WE ACCEPT THIS, WE [02:30:07] EVEN HAD ONE OF US AND WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE A MEETING WITH YOU, WHICH IS FINE ALTHOUGH, WE WOULD LIKE TO STILL BE WITH THEM AND TALK IT THROUGH. WE'VE HAD SOME, WE CANNOT ACCEPT THIS. IN THOSE CASES WE HAVE OFFERED TO HAVE WORKING SESSIONS WITH THEM, PARTNERING WITH THE GALLAGHER CONSULTANT, OUR TEAM, THIS IS AMANDA PORTER, OUR DIRECTOR OF COMPENSATION, HER AND HER TEAMS, SOME HERE TODAY, HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED. WE ALREADY HELD ONE OF THEM, I CHECKED IN TO SEE HOW IT WENT, LOOKS LIKE IT IS ON TRACK. WE STILL HAVE FOLLOW-UP WORK TO DO. THERE'S A LOT TO BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND FEBRUARY 7TH. CAN WE DO IT? I THINK WE CAN IF WE PERSIST IN PARTNERS WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE DOING TO DATE, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY AND TO ANSWER YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION, IDEALLY WE COULD PROBABLY GO TO JANUARY 10 TO GIVE PEOPLE TIME TO GET THINGS DONE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN AND WE SHOULD KEEP IT FROZEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 21ST. THOSE OF BE THE IDEAL DATES, CAN WE MAKE EXCEPTIONS SO WE CAN HIRE NECESSARY STAFF AND KEEP THE COUNTY RUNNING AND SERVING OUR VETERANS? ABSOLUTELY. I WILL PAUSE BECAUSE I TRIED TO ANSWER MOST. >> YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB, THANK YOU FOR THAT. I HAVE A COUPLE MOTIONS I WANT TO READ BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, J, IF YOU CAN GUIDE ME ON INSERTING, IF WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE JANUARY 10TH, IS THAT -- >> YES. >> FOR THE JANUARY 10TH EXTENSION, LET ME KNOW IF THAT'S HOW WE CAN INSERT THAT BUT, MY FIRST MOTION IS , MOVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS REGARDING PAY EQUITY STUDY, CURRENTLY BEING CONDUCTED BY GALLAGHER. HARRIS COUNTY SHALL AUTHORIZE A TEMPORARY TARGETED HOLD ON POSITION MOVEMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANT SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE , SOLELY FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSE OF VALIDATING AND RECONCILING JOB CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION DATA EFFECTIVE JANUARY 10TH. TWO FOR EVERY 21ST. WHICH WILL ALLOW ALL DEPARTMENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FINALIZE ANY MOVEMENT, PREPARATION AS THEY AS A SERVICE , EXCEPTIONS TO THIS FREEZE WILL BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY HRT AND LATER SUBMITTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVAL. BLANKET DECEPTIONS MAY NOT BE AUTHORIZE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS PER INDIVIDUAL PCN. HRT SHELL DRAFT IN HAVE GUIDELINES TO OFFICERS EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE AND FUNCTION OF THE POSITION CHANGE FREEZE , HOW THE FREEZE WILL BE EXECUTED AND IMMEDIATE ACTIONS FOLLOWING THE FREEZE. SECONDLY, HRT AND GALLAGHER IN CORRELATION WITH ALL COUNTY APARTMENTS --DEPARTMENT SHOULD INITIATE A DETAILED DATA WALK-THROUGH TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED BY GALLAGHER, INCLUDING REVIEW OF JOB DUTIES BY CLASSIFICATION WITH SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF CROSS DEPARTMENTAL CLASSIFICATIONS. MARKET COMPENSATION DEMONSTRATION WITH DOCUMENTED BENCHMARKS, INTERNAL EQUITY AND COMPRESSION ANALYSIS , AND THIRDLY , ANALYSIS TO BE CONDUCTED ON SUBMITTED PDQS DOCUMENTATION ANALYSIS PERFORMED ON EACH INCLUDING SPECIFIC ELEMENTS REVIEWED ADDITIONALLY AN EXPLANATION OF HOW PDQS DATA WAS COMPARED AGAINST ESTABLISHED CRITERIA FOR JOB LEVELING. A SUMMARY OF WHICH GAIT ELEMENTS DROVE GREAT CHANGES, ESPECIALLY IN CASES OR JOBS WERE DOWNGRADED. CONFIRMATION OF WHETHER YOUR TEAM COMPARED OUR PDQS AGAINST ANY STANDARDIZED JOB FRAMEWORKS AND IF SO, WHICH ONES? THOSE WOULD BE MY MOTIONS . >> I WILL SECOND ALL OF THOSE. >> THANK YOU. >> I KNOW THAT WE HAVE FOUR, FIVE ADDITIONAL ONES THAT WE HAVE WORKSHOP. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT ON THIS ONE, NOW? SO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO, I WILL START AND BE VERY CLEAR, WHAT GALLAGHER HAS DONE IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER [02:35:01] GARCIA? SECOND BY BRIONES? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> YOU AND YOUR STAFF HAVE TO DEAL AT THE INCOMPETENCY OF THAT REPORT. IT IS CLEAR EVIDENCE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DETAILS, IT IS A MASSIVE , FLAWED REPORT IN TERMS OF WHAT HAS BEEN REQUIRED. I DID ALERT FOLKS EARLY ON HOW DIFFICULT THIS IS GOING TO BE TO COMPARE CLASSIFICATIONS AND OUR HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY TO CLASSIFICATIONS IN OUR ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TO COMPARE CLASSIFICATIONS IN OUR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND UNFORTUNATELY, MY WORST FEARS HAVE COME TO BEAR IN THIS REPORT. WERE SETTING DEADLINES ON TRYING TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS EXTREMELY FLAWED AND I THINK IT'S NOT GOING TO END WELL. SO, I'M GETTING A REAL HEADS UP AND WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE, $42 MILLION OF INCREASES. WE ARE ABOUT TO DO $42 MILLION WORTH OF INCREASES BASED ON EXTREMELY FLAWED EFFORT ON BEHALF OF GALLAGHER. SO, THAT IS OUT THERE, THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM. THIS ISN'T ABOUT HR, YOU ALL HAVE WORKED WITH US, YOU TAKE OUR CALLS, YOU PROVIDE MUCH EMPATHY IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW BUT, IT SHOULDN'T BE WHEN WE PAY A CONSULTANT $2.1 MILLION, YOU EXPECT SOMETHING MUCH CLOSER TO , IN TERMS OF PAY CLARITY. WE SPENT A LOT OF STAFF HOURS RECONSTRUCT OUR ENTIRE JOB LIST AND DESCRIPTION JUST TO CORRECT THE REPORT. WE ARE JUST ONE PART OF THE COUNTY, WE HAVE 400 EMPLOYEES AND PRECINCT 3. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE OTHER 15,000 WORTH OF EMPLOYEES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND THE CONFUSION AND CHAOS AND YET WE CONTINUE ON. NO PROBLEM, HERE. I THINK WE CAN MAKE FEBRUARY, WHEN YOU HAVE EVERY DEPARTMENT SAYING, WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING? AND WHEN I SAY THAT, WE HAVE SPENT THIS TIME, THIS IS A BIG IMPACT ON US, IT'S EXTREMELY, I THINK WE ARE DOING THE CONSULTANTS WORK BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A BAD EFFORT, WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND REDO EVERYTHING BECAUSE, HONESTLY, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING. I DID CONSULTING FOR 50 CITIES AND 20 COUNTIES IN EVERY STATE AGENCY YOU CAN'T NAME AND IF I DID THIS KIND OF A JOB, I WOULD BE FIRED. AT LEAST, I WOULD NOT BE PAID. SO, I AM TELLING YOU, THIS IS A PROBLEM, IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS FLAWED. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES. KEY PRECINCT POSITIONS WERE MISCLASSIFIED OR EXCLUDED, MECHANICS PLACED AS ACCOUNTANTS. REALLY? MECHANICS IS A PRETTY POPULAR THING, WE HAVE 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS, ALL OF THEM TAKE CARE OF VEHICLES. THEY KNOW WHAT A MECHANIC IS, THAT'S WHAT COUNTY GOVERNMENT DOES. THEY DON'T DO THAT IN THE COUNTY. ROAD AND BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTERS WERE NOT LISTED. ROAD AND BRIDGE IS THE HEART OF ALL OF THE 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS. AND THOSE POSITIONS WERE NOT EVEN LISTED? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? SO, WHEN YOU START TRYING TO SAY A NURSING POSITION IS KIND OF LIKE A ROAD AND BRIDGE POSITION, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IN THE -- I'M SORRY, HELL, YOU WERE DOING, I MEAN HELL IN THE BIBLICAL SENSE, JUST IN CASE COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS ASKING. DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, I LOOK AT, AT LEAST THREE OF THE FOUR COURT OFFICES, THEY HAVE A DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND WHEN WE SAY THINGS LIKE, WHERE'S HER DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, THEY LOOK AT YOU LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION. DIRECTOR OF PARKS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO YET, THERE IS NO CLASSIFICATION, THERE IS NO DEFINITION, THERE IS NOTHING RELATED TO THAT IN THE PROCESS. DIRECTOR OF ROAD AND BRIDGE, THAT IS THE MOST DETAILED THING [02:40:03] THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE. I NOTICE, ALSO, WE WERE GOING TO APPROVE THE PHILOSOPHY OF THIS COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY, THAT WAS CHANGED TO A DISCUSSION RATHER THAN APPROVAL AND IS PROBABLY GOOD BECAUSE WERE NOT READY TO ADOPT A PHILOSOPHY BUT, HERE IS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES. THE PHILOSOPHY, IF YOU WILL, PEOPLE FIRST. EMPLOYEES ARE ESSENTIAL IN FULFILLING OUR MISSION. THIS REPORT DOES NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PEOPLE DO. DON'T TELL ME YOUR PHILOSOPHY AS PEOPLE FIRST YOU DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT A PARK CARETAKER DOES. THOSE PEOPLE WORK HARD, THEY DO THINGS OTHER PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO AND YOU DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND THAT? IT'S NOT A PEOPLE FIRST APPROACH, TOTAL REWARDS, LET ME READ WHAT THE PHILOSOPHY IS, WE RECRUIT AND RETAIN TALENT THROUGH COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, DEVELOPMENT, RECOGNITION, AND WORK/LIFE BALANCE. THAT IS WHAT WE DO WITH YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COUNTY BENEFITS ARE? IT'S TOTALLY DISREGARDED? COUNTY BENEFITS. I PROMISE YOU, THE TENURE OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES IS MINIMIZED, IT IS SOMEWHAT SPOKEN TO BUT, THE HEART AND SOUL OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN THE TENURE OF OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND WHEN THEY WERE CARE FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS, THAT SHOULD BE WORTH SOMETHING BUT UNDER THIS PLAN, IT AIN'T WORK MUCH . WAS THE WORD? RED CIRCLED OR RED LINE? WHAT IS THAT? THAT MEANS YOU DON'T GET A PAY RAISE, WE MIGHT GIVE YOU THE COST OF LIVING. LET ME GO ON DOWN, THE OTHER PHILOSOPHY ON EQUITY AND IS, OUR SALARY STRUCTURE TO FLEX THE EXTERNAL MARKET WHILE ENSURING TOTAL FAIRNESS, THAT SOUNDS SO WONDERFUL. DID YOU KNOW THEY DIDN'T EVEN GO DOWN AND TALK TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON ON ANY OF THEIR POSITIONS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING? YOU DON'T EVEN GO DOWN THE STREET AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS? THAT IS OUR MOST SIGNIFICANT COMPARABLE POSITION PARTNER IN THIS ENTIRE STATE IT WOULD BE THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND YOU WONDER, I WONDER WHY WE CAN'T COME UP WITH THE CORRECT DETAILS AND FINALLY, ACCOUNTABILITY. ALL DECISIONS WERE MADE WITH TRANSPARENCY AND PHYSICAL RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS THE MOST NONTRANSPARENT PROCESS I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. PEOPLE CANNOT EXPLAIN ANYTHING, THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHAT THE POSITION IS, THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHAT THE SALARY FOR THAT POSITION IS, THEY CAN'T EXPLAIN ANYTHING. SO, I'M SITTING HERE THINKING, THIS REALLY IS NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME. I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED TO PUT A LOT OF QUESTIONS BACK ON OUR CONSULTANT THAT WE PAID $1.2 MILLION WORTH AND HAVE THE EFFORT. MY ONLY MOTION IS SIMPLE, I HAVE ONE, WE NEED TO PAUSE THIS UNTIL WE CAN GET AT LEAST SOME UNDERSTANDING, I APPRECIATE WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HIS MOTION BUT JUST THE LENGTH OF IT, HE MADE FIVE MOTIONS AND I THINK COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS GOING OUT A COUPLE MORE TO IT, YOU HAVE THAT MANY MOTIONS IN TRYING BALING WIRE AND DUCT TAPE A PROCESS, WHY DON'T WE GET OUR CONSULTANT TO FIX WHAT THEY NEED TO FIX AND COME BACK TO US WITH SOME KIND OF REASONABLE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE ARE DOING? THE ONLY OTHER THING I WOULD SAY, THERE IS ITEM THREE ON SEVEN, GALLAGHER CONTRACT RENEWAL, I AM NOT IMPRESSED , I HAVE NO INTENTION OF VOTING FOR THE GALLAGHER CONTRACT RENEWAL UNTIL GALLAGHER GETS THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATES TO US WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THEY SHOULD NOT BE PUTTING YOU, DIRECTOR, AND YOUR STAFF, YOU ARE HAVING TO GO THROUGH AND THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST MONTH IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. LET'S CORRECT IT ON THE FRONT END AND GET GALLAGHER IN HERE AND EARNED THEIR $1.25 MILLION AND GET THIS THING CORRECTED, THANK YOU. >> DID YOU HAVE ANY RESPONSE TO THIS ONE? SPEAK A MOTION TO EXTEND? [02:45:07] >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED. MY HOPE IS AFTER THIS WE CAN GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT BEFORE COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- >> I KNOW YOUR SIGNAL IS GOING IN AND OUT, IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK BEFORE ME, DO YOU STILL HAVE GOOD SIGNAL? YOU CAN GO BEFORE ME IN CASE YOU LOSE IT, I WILL GO NEXT. >> I DO HAVE TWO -- ]. I APOLOGIZE THAT I CAN'T BE THERE. SOME OF YOU MIGHT REMEMBER, HE GAVE ME THE PRIVILEGE -- I WAS AT HIS OLD STOMPING GROUND YESTERDAY OTHER SIDE WITH ME, I WILL KNOW IF YOU'D DON'T SHOW UP. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, EVEN WHAT WE HAVE ON EQUITY IS NOT PERFECT, I JUST WANT TO STRESS, WE DID NOT HIRE A CONSULTANT, WE DID NOT GO THROUGH A BIG STUDY WE MADE DECISIONS ON REWARDING PEOPLE WHO DO GREAT WORK. NOR DID WE GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT PAY EQUITY CONSULTANT, I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD'VE TAKEN THAT LONG, I WAS SO ANGRY THAT EVERY TIME WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DRIVE THE BUS ON THE BACK OF THE BUS, WE HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT. I WILL LEAVE THAT TO THE ADMINISTRATION. PAY EQUITY FOR OUR WORKING-CLASS EMPLOYEES WAS THE FIRST >> COMMISSIONER? HE'S BACK ON, SORRY. >> COMMISSIONER, GO AHEAD. >> WE WAITED LONG ENOUGH TO GET THIS DONE I THINK THOSE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM HAVE WAITED LONG ENOUGH. MY STAFF IS UPSET WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES, AS WELL BUT WE CAN'T JUST STOP DID NOT HAVE A BIG STUDY, WE JUST DID IT. OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHER KEY PEOPLE, NOR DID WE DO IT WHEN IT WAS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, I WANT TO CHALLENGE MY COLLEAGUES. DON'T LEAVE THOSE PEOPLE WHO CAUGHT THE EARLY BUS OFF THE BUS ANY LONGER. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THANK YOU FOR INHERITING THIS STUDY, I BELIEVE SO DEEPLY IN WHAT WE ARE DOING AND I WAS INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN I STARTED DIGGING INTO THE DATA AND METHODOLOGY OR LACK THEREOF, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO MAKE SURE OUR TEAM MEMBERS ARE PAID EQUITABLY AND THE PROJECT MANAGERS FOR THE COUNTY WERE, TO PUT IT NICELY, ABSENT. WE NEED TO BE MANAGING OUR CONSULTANTS AND IS THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM OF MOST CONCERNED ABOUT WHEN YOU DIG INTO THE DATA BECAUSE THEY DID NOT CONSIDER THEM. AND FOR FIGHTING FOR FAIRNESS AND EQUITY AND TO DO RIGHT, ESPECIALLY BY THOSE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAY SCALE, THIS BACKFIRES AND IN SOME INSTANCES CREATE SUB OPTIMAL CONCLUSIONS AND BOXES FOLKS IN. THE LAST THING I WANT, ESPECIALLY AFTER WAITING YEARS TO SIT DO SOMETHING COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO THE VERY PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO HELP AND BE FAIR TO. TO ME, FAIRNESS AND ACCURACY IS NONNEGOTIABLE, I DON'T WANT TO STOP, I WANT TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT'S TOO IMPORTANT TO GET WRONG AND NOW THAT YOU ARE THE LEADER OF TALENT, EVERYONE ON YOUR TEAM, PLEASE NEEDS TO BE CLEAR THAT WE MANAGE THE CONSULTANTS, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS AND MAKING SURE IT'S MISSION ALIGNED WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING BECAUSE THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS HURT OUR TEAM MEMBERS AS OPPOSED TO HELP THEM. WE HAVE LITERALLY IN THIS TIMEFRAME, HAVE FOLKS WHO ARE LIKE, SHOULD YOU EVEN STAY AT THE COUNTY? IF YOU REALLY DIG IN, IT IS DEEPLY TROUBLING AND TRYING TO MEASURE MY WORDS BUT AS A FORMER CHIEF TALENT OFFICER, FLABBERGASTED IS A NICE WAY TO DESCRIBE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE RESULTS. I WANT THIS FIXED AND I WANT IT FIXED WITH PURPOSE AND IN A TIMELY FASHION BECAUSE THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS HAVE A COUNTERPRODUCTIVE EFFORT. I HAVE ADDITIONAL MOTIONS TO ADD [02:50:04] , GALLAGHER NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT AND I'M WITH, WE DON'T PAY FOR SUBPAR PERFORMANCE OR ERRORS. LOOK AT THE METHODOLOGY AND ACCURACY. YOU DON'T SEND OUT A SURVEY WITH MINIMAL ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION, OVERSIGHT AND THE MONTHS ON THE CLOCK THAT WE BURNED AND NOW THEY WANT TO VALIDATE THE SUBPAR WORK? AND BETTER BE VALIDATED BECAUSE ACCURACY IS NONNEGOTIABLE, WE ACTUALLY WANT TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY. I HAVE ADDITIONAL MOTIONS TO ADD AND I'M SAYING THIS IS GREAT PASSION BECAUSE IT'S SO IMPORTANT, IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE GET THIS RIGHT. AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE QUICKLY BECAUSE WE HAVE GIVEN OUR WORD TO OUR TEAM MEMBERS HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY THAT WERE GOING TO DO THIS AND WE HAVE THE $50 MILLION, THANK YOU DIRECTOR RAMOS, WE HAVE SET ASIDE TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT AS WE MAKE IT RIGHT. I'M GOING TO ADD A FEW MORE MOTIONS THAT OUR TEAMS HAVE WORKSHOP WITH YOU, THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR READING THE FIRST ONES BUT THE FOURTH ONE TO ADD TO THE PRIOR ONES READ BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DEPARTMENT SHALL BE FORMALLY INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITTEN CHALLENGES , CORRECTIONS WITHIN THE 10 DAY APPEAL PROCESS AND DOCUMENTATION TO ENSURE THE CONSULTANTS DATA REFLECTS OPERATIONAL REALITIES, THE DOCUMENTATION MUST BE INFORMED OF PDQ OR JOB DESCRIPTION APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR EXECUTIVE CHIEF ONLY. MOTION FIVE, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION SHALL RETURN TO COURT WITH AN UPDATE ON JANUARY 29TH, MOTION THIS ACTION SHALL BE GUIDED BY THREE NONNEGOTIABLE PRINCIPLES OF ACCURACY, FAIRNESS, AND PROTECTION OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES. MOTIONS SEVEN, MOTION THAT HRT SHALL CONTINUE GATHERING FEEDBACK ON HIS PROPOSED COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND RETURN TO THE JANUARY 8 COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH THE FINAL DRAFT FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION. THIS FEEDBACK SHOULD INCLUDE ANY INPUT FROM DEPARTMENTS AND COURT OFFICES SPECIFICALLY FROM THOSE WHO SUPPORT TALENT FUNCTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY. AND MOTION EIGHT, MOTION TO FURTHER MOVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY REAFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT THAT PAY EQUITY IMPLEMENTATION MUST BE BASED ON VERIFIED DATA AND DEFENSIBLE ANALYSIS AND NOT SOLELY ON PRELIMINARY CONSULTANT FINDING. SO, HOW DO YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THESE? COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE SOME AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES MADE SOME, DO YOU HAVE A NO ON WHO MADE WHICH ONES? >> YES, MA'AM. SPEAK WILL VOTE ON THE ONES THAT WISH TO GARCIA MADE FIRST. >> EVERYONE SHOULD EVERY WRITTEN -- RECEIVED THE WRITTEN FORM OF THESE. >> I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR TEAMS FOR WORKING SO WELL AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT YOU ARE HERE. >> ACTUALLY, WE NEED TO HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD WHILE YOU GET THAT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I'M OKAY, I MADE MY COMMENT. >> THANK YOU, I WILL ADD SOMETHING. >> TO ME, BRANDON DUDLEY'S EMAIL DELETING THE KEY POINTS AND NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT, TO ME, THAT WAS THE MOST THOUGHTFULLY DONE AND THOROUGH ANALYSIS AND A SHORT WAY. >> I AGREE. >> THANK YOU, BRANDON. >> I WILL BE HAPPY TO VOTE FOR THE MOTIONS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD ANYTHING, YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING FOR QUITE A WHILE, ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD? >> WE AGREE THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE VALID INFORMATION TO EVERYONE ALIGNS WITH, I FULLY AGREE WITH ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO WHAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO WHICH IS THE EQUITABLE, TRANSPARENT, EVERYTHING THAT YOU READ, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. >> YOU STILL RECOMMEND THAT WE KEEP THE FIRM -- >> I THINK THEY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PARTNER WITH US TO GET TO A GOOD PLACE AT THIS POINT, YES. >> OKAY, COLLEAGUES, I HEAR THE FRUSTRATION I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR, AS WELL. BUT, I JUST DON'T -- I SEE THIS COGNITIVE DISSONANCE BECAUSE WE ARE GIVING THE DIRECTOR A HIGHER SALARY THE ON THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. AND WE ARE GIVING THE ELECTED CONSTABLES HIGHER [02:55:05] SALARY THAN THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND WERE GIVING RAISES TO CERTAIN OFFICERS BUT NOT DETENTION OFFICERS, WERE NOT TALKING ABOUT JUVENILE DETENTION. I GET IT, I AGREE, I THINK THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN BUT, I THINK THE BIGGER ISSUE IS , IS THERE MOTION TO EXTEND THE DISCUSSION? >> MOTION. >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYES. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. I THINK THE ISSUE IS TWO FOLD. ONE, WE CANNOT EXPECT DEPARTMENTS AND CONSULTANTS TO DELIVER SOMETHING THAT WE ARE NOT DOING. THE $100 MILLION SPENT WERE SPENT WITH NO ANALYSIS, NO REPORT, NOTHING. WE BARELY HAD COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I, AN HOUR, TWO HOURS AND IT WAS BROUGHT UP BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THE FIRST TIME. THAT'S $100 MILLION. MIND YOU, THE REASON TO NOT PUT EARLY CHILD EDUCATION ON THE BALLOT IS IT WAS NOT STUDIED ENOUGH BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY. AND THEN, WE HAVE THE ISSUE OF MONEY. BECAUSE, WE ARE SAYING THIS $100 MILLION THAT WE PUT TOGETHER BY THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS HAS ALREADY BECOME $4 MILLION MORE AND WE ARE HOPING WERE GOING TO FIND MONEY TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF DETENTION OFFICERS. WERE HOPING THAT THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE ASSIGNED TO THIS PAY EQUITY STUDY WILL BE ENOUGH FOR THE PAY EQUITY. I DON'T KNOW. AND WERE HOPING THAT THE GENERAL POPULATION WILL BE REDUCED -- I MEAN, I JUST WANT TO PUT THOSE TWO THINGS OUT THERE BECAUSE I, PERSONALLY, DO NOT THINK WE WILL HAVE THE FUNDING TO DO ALL OF THIS AND WERE HOPING WE WILL SOMEHOW PULL UP MONEY FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS, SOME OF WHICH WE CUT. TO PAY FOR THE $100 MILLION. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE EMPLOYEES OR THE PUBLIC FALSE HOPE AND I DON'T THINK THAT BERATING WHETHER IT BE THE CONSULTANT OR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS OR WHOEVER IS FAIR WHEN THE COURT HAS DONE THE COMPLETE OPPOSITE, MORE THAN ONCE, MORE THAN TWICE, MORE THAN THREE TIMES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I JUST WAS GOING TO SAY , I DO WANT TO CUT YOU OFF BUT THE REASON I VOTE FOR THE MOTION IS THIS, I DON'T WANT TO JUST STOP . I ASKED HIM SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT HELPING SOME GROUP AND HE SAID WELL, SON, I'M NEVER GOING TO TAKE A POSITION THAT IS NOT GOING TO HELP ANYBODY. >> COMMISSIONER, YOUR VIDEO HAS GONE OUT. >> I HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT IT. >> I'M GOING TO ASK HIM TO REPEAT WHEN IT COMES BACK. ALL RIGHT. WE WILL HEAR FROM HIM WHEN HE'S ABLE TO RECONNECT. HE WANTS TO VOTE FOR THESE. >> JUDGE, CAN I REREAD -- >> YES, THERE WE GO. >> JAMES, YOU'VE GOT THE WRITTEN VERSION, RIGHT? >> YES, SIR. >> THE ONLY CHANGE IN WHAT I READ EARLIER IS IF YOU WILL GO TO THE FIRST BULLET UNDER THE FIRST MOTION, IT IS TO SCRATCH VIA TRANSMITTAL. IT SHOULD READ EXCEPTIONS TO THIS FREEZE WILL BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY HRT AND LATER SUBMITTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVAL. >> THANK YOU. >> WE ARE WAITING ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THAT'S ENOUGH FOR YOU, JAMES? >> YES. >> DOES COMMISSIONER BRIONES NEED TO REREAD HERS? >> NO, MA'AM. >> ME REDIAL THE COMMISSIONER, THERE IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS. WE HAVE TO STOP YOU WHEN YOUR CAMERA GOES OUT, THAT IS WHY WE ARE INTERRUPTING. >> WE SHOULD TELL THE STATE TO USE THE WI-FI IN CENTRAL TEXAS. GOT YOU. >> I DON'T WANT TO TAKE POSITION, I THINK WE NEED TO GET IT DONE, CLEAN IT UP. I'M FOR [03:00:03] IT. AYE. >> SAFE TRAVELS. >> I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION BUT JUST NOTED WE HAVE EIGHT MOTIONS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS, THANK YOU, AGAIN TO OUR HR DEPARTMENT AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING BUT, IT IS FLAWED AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. I WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION. >> I JUST WANT TO ADD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, THIS IS NOT DIRECTED TO YOU, YOU INHERITED A BIT OF A BEAST. >> MOTIONS -- YES, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> YES, I WANT TO ECHO THAT, THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR ? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> REFLECTED TO ITEM 18. >> CORRECT. >> COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE ONLINE IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD, OTHERWISE I WILL SEND THIS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> I HOPE THAT I'M OKAY NOW, BUT IF NOT, I TRUST YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. >> IT'S 12:14, I NEED TO LIST THE ITEMS HERE ? >> YES, JUDGE. >> THERE IS ITEM 307 THAT I PULLED UP WITH THIS , THERE IS AN ACTION ASSOCIATED WITH THAT RELATED TO AN AMENDMENT, I THINK THE LEAST WE SHOULD DO IS PAUSE ON THAT AMENDMENT UNTIL WE GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING , THEY NEED TO COME IN AND HELP US UNDER THEIR ORIGINAL CONTRACT, I'M NOT PREPARED TO DO AN AMENDMENT UNTIL WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR DELIVERABLE ON THE CURRENT CONTRACTS I'M NOT IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 307 AND I'M FOR ASKING GALLAGHER TO COME IN AND DO THEIR JOB UNDER THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? YEAH, GO AHEAD. >> CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER ROLLIE ? >> IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND APPROACHING THEM I CAN LET US KNOW IF THAT'S OKAY IF IT WILL AFFECT YOUR PROJECT AND SAME THING WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT ? >> I DO NOT HEAR WHAT WAS STATED. >> IT WAS A ISSUE -- >> THE ITEM IS A REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT WITH GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES TO UPDATE THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR COMPENSATION AND PAY EQUITY STUDY WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 1ST 2025 TO OCTOBER 31ST 2026 AND NO ADDITIONAL COST OF THE COUNTY, OF COURSE THIS IS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET. >> YOU ARE RIGHT. >> I AM NOT PREPARED TO FULLY FUND THAT AMENDMENT UNTIL THEY HAVE SATISFIED WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO UNDER THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT. >> I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP OUTSIDE OF THE AGREEMENT THAT WERE TRYING TO GET THEM TO DO, WERE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE READY TO DO THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS JUST PASSED FOR AN AMENDMENT. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL COST HERE, I THINK THAT WILL HELP US DO THE WORK. >> THERE UNDER CONTRACT TO DO CERTAIN THINGS, RIGHT? >> CORRECT. >> THEY DID NOT DO CERTAIN THINGS CLEARLY UNDER THAT CONTRACT I WANT TO HOLD THEM TO ACCOUNT FOR WHAT THEY DID NOT DO AND THEIR ORIGINAL CONTRACT. WHILE WE GIVE AN AMENDMENT UNTIL THEY SATISFY THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT? >> BECAUSE WE THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE IN THE SCOPE TO DO IT THE WAY WERE NOW SAYING, NOW THAT WE ARE ENGAGED IN IS THE FIRST ROUND. WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT BUT I THINK HRT PUT THIS IN PLACE TO HELP US COMPLETE THIS WORK, HEARING THE CRITICISM AND INTEREST FROM COURT, OF COURSE, IT'S ALWAYS YOUR VOTE BUT I THINK IT WILL HELP US MOVE FORWARD ON THIS WORK. >> I'M SURE IT WILL HELP PAY GALLAGHER MORE MONEY. WE GOT A BUDGET, I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT ANY CONTRACT I EVER DID WITH ANY COUNTY I EVER WORKED FOR, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTAIN DELIVERABLES, THEY HAVE NOT SATISFIED THAT DELIVERABLE AND THEY NEED TO SATISFY THAT BEFORE WE GIVE THEM AN AMENDMENT TO THEIR CURRENT CONTRACT. PRETTY [03:05:11] SIMPLE. THAT'S BASIC CONTRACTING. >> I WONDER IF WE NEED TO TAKE THIS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE I WANT TO HEAR THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS AS WELL. >> YOU CAN TAKE US IN THERE. >> DO YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWER TO THIS? >> CERTAINLY. IF MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S TO YOUR SATISFACTION. TO GO FORWARD TO PART WITH THEM IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE THE BODY OF WORK MAP TO MARKET. ASKED DOWN THE QUESTIONS YOU WANT ANSWERED AND DO THE VALIDATION PROCESS AS INTENSELY AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. I FEEL LIKE THEIR PARTNERSHIP IS NEEDED I DO APPRECIATE YOUR POINT THAT WE SHOULD -- >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA? IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ANY OPPOSE? MOTION PASSED. >> I WANT TO GET THE ORIGINAL DELIVERABLE ADDRESS BEFORE WE GIVE AN AMENDMENT. THEY ARE OBLIGATED . WHEN WE SAY THAT YOU HAVE SATISFIED THE DELIVERABLE, I HOPE WE HAVE NOT TOLD THEM THEY SATISFIED THE DELIVERABLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT. UNDER THE CONTEXT OF EVERYTHING WERE TALKING ABOUT, ISN'T WORK IN THE FUTURE, IT'S FIXING THEY DID -- SOMETHING THEY DID IN THE PAST. THEY ARE UNDER CONTRACT, ITEM 307 IS TO GET THEM AN AMENDMENT TO WORK INTO 2026, ALL I'M SAYING IS A NEED TO CLEAN UP THEIR EFFORT FROM 2025 FOR WE TALKED FOR AN AMENDMENT. >> I WILL LEAVE THIS TO YOUR DISCRETION BUT I AGREE IT MIGHT BE BEST TO TACKLE THIS AT EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS COMMENT, I'M SURE WHEN THEY WATCH THIS VIDEO , AND READ WHAT IS IN THE PRESS, THEY KNOW THEY GOT TO GET RIGHT WHAT THEY STARTED OR THEY WILL HAVE A REPUTATION ISSUE GOING FORWARD BUT I'M AFRAID THAT WE HAVE GONE SO FAR TO HAVE TO DROP THEM AND START OVER IS GOING TO COST US MORE MONEY. >> I DON'T WANT TO DROP THEM, I WANT THEM TO COME IN HERE AND TAKE ACCOUNT FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. THERE UNDER CONTRACT TO MAKE A DELIVERABLE AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE IT. >> MAYBE EXECUTIVE SESSION WE WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT LIABILITY THAT WILL BE BUT I THINK WE CAN AGREE WE HAVE GONE SO FAR, IT WILL COST MORE TO HAVE TO START OVER WITH SOMEONE ELSE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE COMMENTS ON THIS ONE? LET'S GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE WILL TAKE THIS ITEM AS WELL. REMIND ME, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IF YOU DON'T MIND, THE [Executive Session] NUMBER OF THIS ITEM? YEAH? >> >> WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 307 AND ALSO, ITEM 464 , 468 , 484, 497, 201 >> ALL RIGHT, IT IS 12:59 AND WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA , SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES ENDLESSLY. WE ARE COUNTING ON FOLKS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO COME BACK BEFORE COURT ENDS. 464 , WE ARE MAKING SOME APPOINTMENTS, HERE. AND SO , ALL RIGHT . SO, TO THE WORKSITE SAFETY COMMITTEE. WE ARE LOOKING AT SEVEN. THE FIRST ONE IS A MOTION TO APPOINT A WORKSITE SAFETY MEMBER FOR A TWO YEAR TERM FOR THE CONTRACT REPRESENTATIVE. SO, YOU GUYS DO NOT WANT ME TO SAY THE NAME? DO SAY THE NAME? MOTION TO APPOINT ALBERTO LOPEZ TO THOUGH WORKSITE SAFETY COMMITTEE AS A CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE. THEN, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPOINT VLADIMIR TO A WORKSITE SAFETY COMMITTEE AS A [03:10:04] CONTRACTOR MEMBER ALL RIGHT. THEN A MOTION TO APPOINT JENNIFER HERNANDEZ TO THOUGH WORKSITE SAFETY COMMITTEE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF UNIONIZED WORKERS. A MOTION TO APPROVE ROWLEY TO THE WORKSITE SAFETY COMMITTEE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF NONUNIONIZED WORKERS AT A MOTION TO APPOINT AMY ZACHMYER AS REPRESENTATIVE OF INTERESTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THOSE MOTIONS? >> JUDGE? >> DO YOU WANT TO NAME HOUSEMAN? >> WAIT, WILL YOU READ THAT ONE? I DON'T HAVE THIS ONE HERE. AS A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT, APPOINT HIM TO THOUGH WORK SAFETY COMMITTEE AND FINALLY, APPOINT TO THE WORKSITE SAFETY COMMITTEE AS A COUNTY SAFETY MONITOR TIKO HOUSEMAN. >> SECOND. >> JUDGE? ALL TERMS WILL BE ENDING 2027. >> FOR A TWO YEAR TERM, RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 468, I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION WITH THE NAME AND EFFECTIVE DATE , ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? OKAY, THAT IS A MOTION TO APPOINT SONYA LOPEZ, FOR THE POSITION OF JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY CIVIL COURT AT LAW NUMBER ONE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1, 2026. >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSE? >> MAN PLEASE SAY A FEW WORDS AND WE HAVE JUDGE LOPEZ HERE AND HER FAMILY, CAN WE PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT? >> OF COURSE. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS, JUDGE LOPEZ. I AM SO THRILLED ABOUT THIS, JUDGE SONYA LOPEZ WAS RECENTLY APPOINTED AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE AND NOW SHE WILL BE THE JUDGE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1ST, HARRIS COUNTY CIVIL LAW NUMBER ONE, THE REASON I'M SO EXCITED, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE A SHE HAS WORKED FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SERVED AS CHIEF OF STAFF AND ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL FOR LONE STAR COLLEGE, SHE'S OUR ASSOCIATE JUDGE, SHE'S A LONGTIME JENSEN RESIDENT A GRADUATE OF HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL, SHE IS A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT, SHE HAS BEEN, I KNOW SHE VOLUNTEERS WITH THE NATIONAL HISPANIC INSTITUTE. SHE IS THROUGH IN THROUGH A COMMUNITY CHAMPION AND COMMUNITY LEADER AND I'VE LOVED ALL OF OUR INTERACTIONS AND I ESPECIALLY, LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER AND LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING FOR HER ONE DAY BECAUSE I KNOW SHE'S FOLLOWING IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS, CONGRATULATIONS AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND WILL DO TO ADVANCE JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> LIKEWISE, SONYA, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND THANK YOUR DAUGHTER AND HUSBAND FOR THEIR SUPPORT, IT TAKES A LOT FOR A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY TO BE IN PUBLIC SERVICE, I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS EASY, TO SUPPORT THE MAN, BUT IT'S SO IMPORTANT WE ALSO SUPPORT THE WOMAN WHEN THEY STEP OUT IN FRONT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO BOTH OF YOU. AND YOU ARE GOING TO BE PROUD TO SEE YOUR MOM SITTING UP THERE WEARING A BLACK ROBE AND AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAYS, ADMINISTERING JUSTICE AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW, THAT IS A BIG DEAL. YOUR MOM IS DOING SOMETHING PHENOMENAL AND SO, BE PROUD THAT SHE IS YOUR MOM, BE PROUD OF HER AND WHEN SHE GETS HOME, GO EASY ON HER. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, CLEAN YOUR ROOM, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU BECAUSE, JUST LIKE COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND HER DAUGHTERS, YOU WILL SEE A LEADER EVERY TIME YOU PUT EYES ON HER, EVERY TIME WE TALK TO HER. SHE IS STILL GOING TO BE MOM BUT SHE WILL BE LEADER [03:15:02] MOM. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS AND YES, THANK YOU, AGAIN. I LIKE TO WATCH THIS, YOU RAN AND YOU WERE APPOINTED ASSOCIATE AND THEN YOU'RE COMING TO THIS COURT AND THAT IS FOR A REASON. I AM THRILLED. WOULD YOU MIND INTRODUCING YOUR FAMILY? >> YES, THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, EMMA AND MY HUSBAND, EMMANUEL. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS. >> SURE, DID COMMISSIONER BRIONES SPEAK? LET ME LET COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKE HIS REMARKS. >> I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU, THANK YOU FOR REACHING OUT, I REMEMBER WHEN HE WORKED FOR HERNANDEZ SEE YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS LIKE GOING TO AUSTIN, I'M SO PROUD AND HAPPY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. >> GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TO THIS GIRL WHO GREW UP ON JENSEN AND KIDWELL. I WAS DOING WHAT I LOVE VOLUNTEERING FOR THE INSTITUTE, AN ORGANIZATION DEAR TO MY HEART. WHILE VOLUNTEERING, ONE MOM ASKED ME WHAT I WAS DOING THAT SUMMER. AND WHEN I WAS GOING TO GRADUATE, THAT LED TO MY FIRST INTERNSHIP IN THIS BUILDING. TODAY I COME FULL CIRCLE FROM BEING THE FIRST INTERN FOR GARCIA TO BEING A JUDGE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT SEE THE CONGRESSWOMAN FOR THEIR YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP, MENTORSHIP AND ALWAYS ANSWERING MY CALL. I HAVE TO THANK MY PARENTS, WHO TAUGHT ME THE VALUE OF HARD WORK, I CAME TO LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM AND I THINK THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT. MY DAD WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION AND MY MOM STAYED AT HOME UNTIL SHE DIDN'T. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHEN I WAS YOUNG BUT AS A MOTHER I DO, NOW. I MOM DID NOT JUST GET A JOB, SHE ROLLED UP HER SLEEVES AND WENT TO WORK WITH MY DAD IN CONSTRUCTION, THEY DID WHATEVER THEY HAD TO DO TO ENSURE THEIR FIVE CHILDREN DID NOT GO WITHOUT. >> LANGUAGE ] THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO CHANGE MY LIFE WHEN THEY URGED ME TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION. I'M THANKFUL FOR MY COLLEAGUES FOR SELECTING ME TO SERVE AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE, THANK YOU TO MY FORMER COLLEAGUES AT THE HOUSTON FEDERATION OF TEACHERS, I'M A BETTER ATTORNEY BECAUSE OF THEM. I HAVE TO GIVE A THANK YOU TO REPRESENTATIVE HERNANDEZ FOR GIVING ME A CHANCE OUT OF COLLEGE. I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT THE LAW AND PUBLIC SERVICE. I AM THANKFUL FOR HER SERVICE OVER THE YEARS. , REPRESENTATIVE AND FRED TWO SHOW ME WHAT IT MEANS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND NEVER FORGIVING -- FORGETTING WHAT I'VE COME FROM. THANK YOU FOR SERVING AS AN INSPIRATION. YOU SHOULD HEAR ALL OF THE SPEECHES THAT KIDS HAVE GIVEN ABOUT YOU. MISHNA RAMSEY, THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF ARE VISITING WITH ME AND GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE HARRIS COUNTY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I HAVE WATCHED AND LEARNED FROM YOU FOR YEARS, I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO TO UPLIFT, ALTHOUGH I DID NOT PARTICIPATE, I WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT THEIR IMPACT. MISSIONARY BRIONES, I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT OVER THE YEARS, THANK YOU FOR OPENING THE DOORS FOR OTHER LATINAS AND OTHER WOMAN BEHIND YOU AND FOR ALWAYS UPLIFTING US, YOU SET THE BAR HIGH FOR ALL MOTHERS WHO WISH TO EXCEL IN THEIR CAREER. THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR EVERYTHING. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, MY OWN COMMISSIONER AND SOME AND I HAVE FOLLOWED FOR MANY YEARS. I'VE SEEN YOU SERVE IN MANY CAPACITIES AND SO GRATEFUL THAT THEY HAVE YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR US. YOUR FOOTPRINT IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT AND WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSISTENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE AND THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR. THE SECOND HIGHEST HONOR OF MY LIFE, THE FIRST BEING THE HONOR OF MY DAUGHTER. SHE GOT TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY SOME SURE SHE'S EXCITED ABOUT THAT, THANK YOU TO MY HUSBAND, PARENTS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY. IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD IN MY VILLAGE IS AWESOME AND HAS BEEN CONSTANT THROUGHOUT MY LIFE, THIS IS NOT ONLY MY A COUPLE SCHMIDT, THIS IS SOMETHING WE'VE DONE TOGETHER. TO HARRIS COUNTY, I PROMISE TO DO IT MY PARENTS HAVE TAUGHT ME, I HOPE TO EARN YOUR TRUST AS IT IS THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK, THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR. >> CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WHOLE FAMILY, I AM SO MOVED, YOU [03:20:08] REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE AMERICAN DREAM ANYWHERE TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR CITY JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE FOR HER SERVICE AND WE HAVE JUDGE THOMAS HERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND TO JUDGE WILLIAMS, ALL OF THE FIFTH FLOOR TEAM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU WILL NEED TO PRACTICE, YOUR HONOR. >> I'M GOING TO BORROW THIS ONE FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SOMETIMES YOU GET THERE AND YOU GET AMNESIA AND I THINK IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. I DON'T THINK THIS WILL BE YOU BUT JUST REMEMBER WHEN YOU PUT THAT ROBE ON, REMEMBER WHAT YOU REPRESENT, WHAT YOU STAND FOR. DON'T FORGET, IT'S NOT FOR THE SAKE OF WINNING RE-ELECTION OR WHATEVER IT IS. I HAVE TO SAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT AND I SEEN IT TOO MANY TIMES, CONGRATULATIONS FOR THAT. ANYTHING ELSE? COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I ECHO THE GRATITUDE , LET'S MOVE ON WITH THE OTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, THIS WILL BE REALLY BRIEF SO WE CAN GO TO LUNCH, THE NEXT M IS ITEM 484, IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS THAT AS PRESENTED? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED ? >> AYE. >> PASS FOR NOW .21, WE ALREADY VOTED ON 21, RIGHT? >> YES, MAN. >> BEFORE THE BREAK -- I SEE. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, GO AHEAD. >> YOU ARE ON A ROLL, TODAY. THESE 9:00 A.M. MUST INSPIRE YOU ALL. DID GARCIA GET QUIET ? >> I AM VOTING NO ON ANYTHING WITH PRECINCT 1 ON IT. >>> COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION SO WE DISCUSSED ITEM 1, ITEM 3. I THINK WE ARE ON ITEM 4. YEAH? HAVE WE GONE THROUGH THE CIP? >> I HAVE ITEM 65 AS THE NEXT. >> THANK YOU I FORGOT TO GRAY THESE OUT. 65, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED THAT ONE. >> THANK YOU. REVIVE TO THRIVE IS A BYPRODUCT OF THE NEIGHBORS AND STANDARDS AND SHE KNEW EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD OUGHT TO HAVE A FEW THINGS IN ORDER TO MAKE THEM BETTER AND ALSO TO HELP MAKE RESIDENTS FEEL SAFER. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS NOT IN THE STANDARDS WAS STREETLIGHTS SO I AM SO EXCITED THAT THESE ITEMS 65 AND 67 WILL INCLUDE 111 NEW STREETLIGHTS FOR THE LYNCHBURG AND L STREET AREAS. I WANT TO THANK CENTERPOINT FOR THEIR WORK. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THEM I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE CENTERPOINT TO DO THE CONNECTIONS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. NOTHING IS BETTER THAN TO HAVE STREETLIGHTS INSTALLED AND TO HAVE THEM WORKING. I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM FOR ALL OF THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK BECAUSE REVIVE TO THRIVE IS ALL THINGS INCLUSIVE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND ASSURING STREETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS ARE WELL LIT BECAUSE STREETLIGHTING DOES HELP PREVENT CRIME AND REDUCE NIGHTTIME CRASHES AND GIVES PEOPLE THE CONFIDENCE TO WALK THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT CONCERN. I MOVE ON THESE ITEMS AS PRESENTED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA BOTH ITEMS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER , COMMISSIONER BRIONES THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE COULD I TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE ON A COUPLE OF ITEMS , THE 1ST ONE IS 167 AND THAT IS RELATED TO THE APPROVAL OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION ORACLE [03:25:06] CORPORATION. THAT'S THE ONE THE COURT WILL ESSENTIALLY FROM THE BOARD ON THAT BUT MY PARTICULAR NOMINEE IS HERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE 1 MINUTE AND RECOGNIZE. SO, NEIL RADCLIFFE STEP UP AND BE EMBARRASSED. AS WE FORM THIS BOARD RELATED TO HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO EXPAND UP TO 25,000, FOR RELATED STARTUP COSTS, THE FORMATION OF THE BOARD IS SO IMPORTANT. NEIL IS CURRENTLY SERVING AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY AND APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ON THIS BOARD AND I THINK THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY LOOKING AT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE. WITH SOME DEGREE OF COMPLEMENTARY APPROACH SO I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK YOU FOR AGREEING TO SERVE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT YOU WILL DO FOR US, COUNTY AND CONTINUE TO DO FOR THE CITY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH COUNTY JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT. I REALLY LOOK UP TO ALL OF YOU, I TOLD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THEIR NEEDS AND CUT THROUGH A LOT OF THE BUREAUCRATIC DIFFICULTIES THAT WE ALL WRESTLE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND TRYING TO GOVERN WELL AND I HAVE BEEN A HUGE FAN OF THE GOOD WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING FOR A LONG TIME AND REALLY HONORED TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY. THANK YOU AND I PROMISE YOU I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS VEHICLE YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED WILL WORK REALLY EFFECTIVELY TO HELP RESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTY AND LOW OR MODERATE INCOME. AFFORDABILITY IS SUCH A PROBLEM AND SO MANY PEOPLE ARE RENT BURDENED AND COLLECTIVELY THE COUNTY HAS DONE A REMARKABLE JOB UNDER LEADERSHIP AND THE TEAM I HAVE HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT WITH A LOT OF TRANSACTIONS THE LAST COUPLE YEARS SO I THINK YOU'RE DOING INCREDIBLE WORK AND I WANT TO HELP YOU TO ACCELERATE THAT AND WE WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU ON THIS. I HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE HELPING TO ANALYZE DEALS, THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY DID TOO MANY TOO FAST AND WE HAVE SLOWED THAT WAY DOWN. DATED OVER 100 DEALS SO WE HAVE EXPERIENCE ANALYZING THESE DEALS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE RIGHT FOR THE COUNTY, FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AS OPPOSED TO SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE A BOONDOGGLE FOR DEVELOPERS IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL SO WE WILL MAKE SURE IT IS NOT ABUSED AND APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK SO MUCH. >> I ALSO AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR THIS ITEM. FOR RECOGNIZING AND PUTTING THEM ON THE BOARD . I WILL TELL YOU I HAVE WORKED WITH YOU AND AROUND YOU OVER MANY YEARS AND SO GRATEFUL, FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. YOU ARE REALLY GOING TO BRING A WEALTH OF INFORMATION AND EXPENSE AT ALL LEVELS, FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO DO THIS AND I WILL BE LEANING ON YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE DEALS THAT COME BEFORE US BECAUSE I DO WANT TO LEARN FROM THE CITY AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T RUN THE SAME ROAD THAT THE CITY MAY HAVE DONE BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE BECOME A MODEL FOR OTHER CAMS A COST THE STATE IF NOT ACROSS THE COUNTRY SO THANK YOU. >> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO SERVE ON THE BOARD WITH US, I ECHO YOUR SENTIMENT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND VISION AND WE KNOW THE NEED ONE IN 4 RENTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY SPEND MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR INCOME ON RENT AND WE ADDED 15,000 MORE COST BURDENED INDIVIDUALS IN ONE YEAR SO WE KNOW THEY NEED AND WE WANT TO BE AS DATA-DRIVEN AND FORWARD LOOKING AND BECOME A PLACE OF INNOVATION AND MODEL FOR THE COUNTRY AND LEARNING FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE SO WE DO NOT DUPLICATE ANY ERRORS. REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PFC BECAUSE IT WILL BE FLEXIBLE AS A TOOL WE CAN REALLY USE TO BETTER SERVE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY , SO I LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THE GOOD WE WILL ENCOMPASS TOGETHER AND THANK YOU FOR BEING IN THE ARENA AND WILLING TO SERVE. >> MY PLEASURE. I HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS 30 YEARS AND HE IS ONE OF THE SHARPEST MINDS IN THE COUNTRY AND RENÉ MARTINEZ HAS DONE GREAT WORK SO YOU HAVE A GREAT CORE IN MY HUMBLE OPINION OF GREAT PEOPLE THERE AND I AM [03:30:02] HONORED TO SERVE WITH THEM. >> THANK YOU. THEY WERE JUST GLAD THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE THE CIVIL ENGINEER ASKING ENGINEERING QUESTIONS. AGAIN, THANK YOU. >> THE CIVIL ENGINEER WASN'T BAD PROBABLY THE AGGIE . >> I WAS A ENGLISH MAJOR. >> I AM A ENGLISH MAJOR TOO. IT WILL BE WONDERFUL TO MORE DEEPLY CONTINUE TO DRIVE PROGRESS AND AFFORDABILITY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. >> 167. >> SO YOU HAS NO ITEM 307, WE HEARD FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO TAKE NO ACTION. ARE YOU GUYS OKAY WITH THAT? OKAY. >> MOTION ON 167. >> 2ND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE , ONE MORE ITEM. JOINING US HERE TODAY , HE HEADS UP THE SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT. ALL SUBSIDENCE WITHIN THE REGION IS HIS FAULT I MEAN I'M SORRY YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE SUBSIDENCE. MIKE, COME UP IF YOU WILL FOR A MOMENT. >> ITEM 496 CORRECT? >> I'M SORRY IT IS FOR 96, ITEM 496. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF GOING TO THE SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT BOARD MEETING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND GETTING AN UPDATE, EXPRESSING HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY SUBSIDENCE IS. IN LESS THAN 1 MINUTE LET ME SAY IT'S ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND FOR ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE LISTENING THAT SAYS SUBSIDENCE IS NOT A PROBLEM, THAT WE SHOULDN'T PAY FOR SURFACE WATER IMPROVEMENTS, SIMPLY PUT, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY. I KNOW THAT AT LEAST IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I, WE ARE PAINFULLY AWARE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW. THERE WILL BE 18,000 HOMES CONSTRUCTED EAST OF LAKE HOUSTON IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. AND MY STATED CONCERN, AS I EXPRESSED TO YOU AND THE BOARD, THERE'S REALLY NOT A CLEAR WELL-DEFINED PLAN FOR SURFACE WATER ON THE EAST SIDE OF LAKE HOUSTON. UNLESS WE GET BUSY PRETTY QUICK WE'RE GOING TO BE IN TROUBLE 10 YEARS FROM NOW. I KNOW WE ISSUE GROUNDWATER REDUCTION PLANS TO ANY DEVELOPER THAT MAY BE COMING INTO THE AREA. I KNOW SURFACE WATER IS PART OF THEIR COMMITMENT, BUT COULD YOU GIVE A 1 MINUTE OR 2, 3 MINUTE OVERVIEW OF HOW CAN YOU ISSUE A GROUNDWATER REDUCTION PLAN WITH NO CLARITY ON SCHEDULE WHEN THE SERVICE WATER IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE? >> ULTIMATELY THE PLAN HAS LIMITATIONS IN THE ABSENCE OF ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY. IN THAT AREA IN NORTHEAST COUNTY WE RECENTLY APPROVED ONE GROUNDWATER REDUCTION PLAN , BUT THEY HAD A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT THEY HAVE WATER RIGHT AND CAN BRING WATER IN BUT IT IS LIMITED. ULTIMATELY, FOR THE DEVELOPMENT IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO GET THERE. AS WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE IN OUR AREA REGIONAL PROJECTS ARE HOW YOU SOLVE THE PROBLEM TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES, REGIONAL PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE WATER EFFICIENCY LIKE REUSE AND DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIES AVAILABLE. THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED TO PERCENT -- PREVENT SUBSIDENCE, WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR 50TH YEAR AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATE ON THE WEBSITE A NICE MAP SHOWING SUBSIDENCE RATES, YOU CAN SEE SUBSIDENCE HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 0 ESSENTIALLY IN THE AREAS REDUCING RELIANCE ON GROUNDWATER FROM WHAT AT THAT TIME WAS OVER 50% TO JUST 10% NEAR THE COAST WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY 10% INLAND DOWN TO 20% IN THE MED CENTER AREA AND SOUTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY. PRODUCTION OF GROUNDWATER TO PREVENT SUBSIDENCE WHICH IS LOWERING OF LAND SURFACE ELEVATION OVER TIME IS HOW YOU SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WATER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO OFFSET THAT NEED. >> SO IT IS IRONIC THAT , WHAT [03:35:04] STARTED THE GULF COAST SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT GALVESTON COUNTY SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT WAS BROWNWOOD. BROWNWOOD IS LOCATED IN BAYTOWN. IF YOU WANT TO GO VISIT , WE HAVE TO GET A BOAT BECAUSE IT IS UNDERWATER. SO WHERE IT BEGAN WHERE SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT BEGAN ON THE EAST SIDE IS THE LAST PLACE WHERE WE ARE GETTING SERVICE WATER. SO IT IS KIND OF IRONIC. AND I WANT TO FORMALLY ASK YOU AS PART OF THIS MEETING, TO GET WITH THE BOARD BECAUSE UNLESS AND I KNOW IT'S COMPLICATED, YOU HAVE A DEVELOPER THAT COMES IN TO BUILD 500 HOMES AND THERE'S NO AVAILABLE SURFACE WATER. NOW THERE IS RAW WATER THERE, MORE CANALS IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY THAN ANY OTHER PART OF THE COUNTY. WE KNOW THERE IS RAW WATER THERE, BUT IS SOMEBODY BEING IDENTIFIED AS THE PROVIDER OF THE SURFACE WATER? UNTIL A GROUNDWATER REDUCTION PLAN IS WRITTEN THAT SAYS OKAY, 22 COMING UP TO PARTNER WITH MUD 42 AND YOU WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME , A SURFACE WATER PLANT. EITHER WAY, SURFACE WATER COSTS 5 TIMES MORE THAN GROUNDWATER. THAT'S WHY PEOPLE WOULD RATHER PUMP WATER OUT OF THE GROUND THEN SPEND THE MONEY TO BUILD A SURFACE WATER PLANT. SO ANYWAY, IT'S KIND OF REDUNDANT. AGAIN I APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP HERE TODAY AND I JUST WANT TO FORMALLY ASK YOU AS PART OF THIS COURT, TO I GUESS REPORT BACK AT THE END OF THE 1ST QUARTER. COME BACK AND TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT CAN BE DONE IN TERMS OF DEVELOPERS. I JUST TOLD YOU THERE ARE 18,000 HOMES PLANNED OUT THERE AND UNTIL THE SUBSIDENCE DISTRICT SAYS YOU CANNOT DRILL A WELL OR IF YOU DO DRILL A WELL IT IS UNDER THE CONDITION THAT YOU PARTNER WITH THESE OTHER 5 AND YOU WILL GO CREATE A SERVICE WATER PLANT. I DON'T THINK IT WILL HAPPEN. YOUR THE REGULATORY AGENT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO VOLUNTEER TO DO IT. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SAY I'VE GOT A GOOD IDEA LET'S GO BUILD A PLANT, CHARGE PEOPLE 5 TIMES MORE THAN THEY WOULD NORMALLY GET WITH GROUNDWATER. SO IF YOU CAN COME BACK WITH A BIT OF A PLAN ON WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL, FOR US, AS WE TRY TO DEAL WITH SUBSIDENCE AND WITH THE SINKING . AND AGAIN, THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE IS THE, GROUND SURFACE DOES SINK. AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO GO TOUR JERSEY VILLAGE WITH YOU. HOW MUCH HAS THAT SUNK? >> REGIONALLY ABOUT 7 FEET. >> 7 FEET. YOU START LOOKING AT THE CEILING AND YOU SAY THAT'S WHERE THE GROUND WAS 50 YEARS AGO. TODAY IT IS 7 FEET BELOW AND WE LIVE IN A FLOODPLAIN. THE PEOPLE NOW THAT LIVE IN THOSE AREAS ARE GOING TO FLOOD. SO IT'S REALLY A FIFTY-YEAR LOOK AND THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU ALL DO. IT'S NOT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN 50 DAYS, IT'S NOT THAT I WILL HAVE A LOWER WATER BILL , BUT I AM THINKING OF MY GRANDCHILDREN, I AM THINKING OF MY GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. BEING SURE WE'RE DOING THINGS NECESSARY THAT, BY SPENDING MONEY NOW , WE'RE GOING TO AVOID CATASTROPHE IN 20, 30, 40 YEARS. >> WELL NORTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY IN PARTICULAR AROUND LAKE HOUSTON IS A PLACE WE IDENTIFIED AS AN AREA THAT NEEDS A HARDER LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY, WE BEGAN A FEASIBILITY STUDY. WE WILL HAVE PRELIMINARY RESULTS SO THAT WOULD BE GOOD TIMING TO BRING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BACK. >> JUST KNOW YOU HAVE A PARTNER IN THE COUNTY. >> WE APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONERS COURT APPOINTS 3 MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE AND APPRECIATE THE CONTINUE SUPPORT . >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK AND THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> ANY ACTION? >> THERE'S NO ACTION. >> LET'S GO BACK 154 UNIVERSAL SERVICES. >> JUDGE, I PULLED THAT ONE AND I 1ST WANT TO MENTION THAT ALL [03:40:03] DEPARTMENTS SHOULD BE FOLLOWING A BIT OF THE LEAD OF THE DIRECTOR ON THIS. LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE MONEY. THIS PARTICULAR ITEM INDICATES HOW UNIVERSAL WORK HAS IDENTIFIED WE CAN SAVE REAL MONEY. OVER 5 MILLION ANNUALLY. BY WORKING TO ELIMINATE UNUSED SOFTWARE LICENSES, REDUCE DUPLICATE SYSTEMS , ALL OF THESE ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD SAVINGS TO THE TAXPAYERS. WE ALL KNOW AND I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE SEVERAL MOTIONS TO TRY TO ELIMINATE THIS, OR REDUCE IT , TO THE LARGEST EXTENT. PART OF IT IS WORKING, BUT WE HAVE MUCH MORE TO DO. WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE , FROM 2 STANDPOINT. OBVIOUSLY ONE IS COST SAVINGS AND THEN 2 WE LIVE IN THE WORLD OF CYBER THREATS. SO WE MUST KNOW WHAT WE ARE BUYING, WE ARE GETTING OURSELVES INTO, WHAT LICENSES WE ARE GETTING AND WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A GOOD CONTROL ON LICENSES IN PARTICULAR. ONE LICENSE TURNS INTO 50. YOU KNOW IT'S NOT BAD IF THE LICENSE GROWS, BUT SO DO THE FEES. SO THIS REPORT GIVES US A PRACTICAL LOOK AT THE STEPS TO STOP WASTE, MODERNIZE SYSTEMS AND AVOID UNNECESSARY COST DUPLICATION. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU DIRECTOR, BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR WORK, I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF MOTIONS. AND THE 1ST MOTION THAT I WANT TO MAKE IS THAT, TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO BEGIN APPLYING INITIAL QUICK WIN FINDINGS FROM THE COMPLETED COUNTYWIDE REVIEW OF DEPARTMENTAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES BY OPTIMIZING APPLICABLE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INTO ENTERPRISE AGREEMENTS AND ELIMINATING DUPLICATE OR UNUSED LICENSES. MY 2ND MOTION IS TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH, BECAUSE THE TECHNOLOGY IS ONE THING. IN THESE LICENSES, I'M LOOKING TOWARD THE FACT THAT MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE NOW EXPLORING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. I KNOW I TALKED TO THE DIRECTOR ABOUT THIS AND I KNOW A FEW OTHERS ARE LOOKING AT IT FOR THEIR OWN FEASIBILITY, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE, MAKE SURE WE HAVE A HANDLE ON THIS SORT DOES NOT SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, THIS IS TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH GOVERNANCE ON THE STANDARDS, ANALYSIS, DEPLOYMENT, MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING OF ALL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOFTWARE AND TOOLS ACROSS DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY'S NETWORK TO ENSURE SECURITY COMPLIANCE WITH ALL FEDERAL AND STATE LAW AND COUNTY POLICIES. SO AGAIN DIRECTOR THANK YOU FOR THIS, THE 5 MILLION IS MUCH APPRECIATED. SO I HOPE YOU COME BACK. AND TELL US YOU FOUND 50 MILLION. THOSE ARE MY MOTIONS. >> I WILL 2ND BOTH. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER MOTION AND I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTS TO MAKE IT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU, THAT IS SPOT ON, A COUPLE OF DATA POINTS. DURING THE ANALYSIS WE WERE TALKING THE OTHER DAY, WE DISCOVERED THE COUNTY SPENT, ON SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE, $431 MILLION. SHOCKING. PRETTY MUCH, EVERYBODY GOES AND GETS WHATEVER THEY FEEL LIKE THEY WANT. AND ALL WE NEED IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS IDENTIFIED. CAN WE ALL GET ON THE SAME PLANE? THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR NOT JUST SAVING MONEY, BUT MAKING REALLY SMART CHOICES. AND WHAT WE DO. I THINK THE OTHER DATA POINT THAT SURPRISED ME, THERE'S 28,000, THERE IS 28,000 UNUSED SUBSCRIPTIONS. SO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THIS IS THE KIND OF MAKE A DIFFERENCE LEADERSHIP THAT'S GOING TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY BETTER, MORE EFFECTIVE, BUT ALSO WILL HELP MR. RAMOS WITH HIS BUDGET GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES [03:45:01] >> DIRECTOR, I WANTED TO ECHO A SIMILAR SENTIMENT. THIS IS LEADERSHIP, THANK YOU FOR BEING PROACTIVE, COMPLETING THE STUDY, 94% SURVEY PARTICIPATION COLLABORATING WITH COLLEAGUES. I WAS STAGGERED AT THE 28,000 UNUSED LICENSES AND WE NEED TO BE SMART AND STRATEGIC AND STREAMLINED OF STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER RESOURCES SO THEY GIVE HER THE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS AND I WANT TO CONTINUE DOWN THIS ROAD AND I LOVE HOW YOU USED A.I. , TO ONE OF THOSE MOTIONS WHICH I LOVE THAT MOTION, HOW CAN WE BE SMARTER AND MORE STRATEGIC AS STEWARDS TO GET GREATER OUTCOMES IN FINDING SAVINGS TO INVEST ELSEWHERE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I HOPE ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS CONTINUE TO BE INSPIRED BECAUSE WE NEED EVERYONE TO LEAD IN THIS WAY. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FEMALE DIRECTOR, ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, IN TERMS OF NEXT STEPS, IMPLEMENTATION, STREAMLINING BASED ON THIS DATA? >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. YOUR SUPPORT DEFINITELY HAS HELPED US GET HERE TO THE POINT WE ARE AT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HAS IDENTIFIED IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, 1 POINT MILLION AND THROUGH THE MOTIONS MADE ON SEPTEMBER 9 WE HAVE FURTHER LOOKED INTO OTHER AREAS. SO I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. BEFORE I GET INTO ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION COMMISSIONER I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE TEAM AT THE INNOVATION LAB. THEY QUICKLY CAME TOGETHER, WORKED WITH MICROSOFT , EXISTING VENDOR PARTNER TO USE COPILOT , THIS IS THE USE CASE THAT GENERATIVE A I CAN HOPE FOR SOFTWARE AND A USE CASE THAT CAN EXPAND IT ACROSS VARIOUS AREAS IN THE COUNTY. SHOUT OUT TO THE INNOVATION LAB TEAM THAT WORKED ON THIS AND THE DATA TEAM THAT DID THE SURVEY. AND CAME UP WITH RESULTS AND WAS ABLE TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION FROM ALL DEPARTMENTS. WITHOUT THEM WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIND THE INFORMATION. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION COMMISSIONER, OUR PATH FORWARD, THERE IS A TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT REQUEST PROCESS THAT WAS ADOPTED IN THE YEAR 2020 OR BEFORE. I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT YEAR. THE PURCHASING MANUAL REFERENCES THAT , ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE FACED WAS NOT ALL OF THE PURCHASES FOR TECHNOLOGY GOES THROUGH THAT PROCESS. WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN CLEARLY IDENTIFY WHAT ARE THE PURCHASES BEING MADE AND IF THERE ARE WAYS FOR US TO UTILIZE LIKE A DEPARTMENT MAY NOT KNOW WE HAVE CERTAIN LICENSES EXISTING SO IT WOULD BE A GOOD WAY FOR US TO EDUCATE THE DEPARTMENT AND SAY HEY WE HAVE THE ENTERPRISE LICENSE. I WILL USE AN EXAMPLE HERE TO MAKE THE POINT. I WILL USE 2. 1ST BEING ZOOM. WE HAVE A ENTERPRISE CONTRACT WITH ZOOM. A VERY POPULAR PLATFORM AND WE HAVE THE ENTERPRISE LICENSE. HOWEVER, NOT ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE AWARE WE HAVE A ENTERPRISE LICENSE. SO THEY GO BUY A SINGLE SUBSCRIPTION USING THE CARD , WE COULD GENERATE SAVINGS IF THEY WERE TO USE THE ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT. ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS SURVEYMONKEY A POPULAR TOOL USED FOR GENERATING SURVEYS. THE VENDOR REACHED OUT AND SAID WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF FOLKS BUYING THESE ONE OFF LICENSES WHY DON'T YOU THINK ABOUT AN ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT? THESE ARE VERY SIMPLE EXAMPLES AND IT GOES BACK TO THE PROCESS WE WOULD LIKE. FOR EVERYONE TO FOLLOW SO WE CAN GUIDE DEPARTMENTS. TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE REQUEST, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AND I WOULD GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE NEW PURCHASING AGENT IN THEIR DEPARTMENT THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH US, THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. THEY HAVE THE DATA WE USED, SO WITH THE HELP OF THE PURCHASING AGENT WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE ALL TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES GO THROUGH THE KPI PROCESS. FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED WAS PROCESS IS NOT TRANSPARENT. OUR GOAL IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS WE WERE BUILDING THIS WAS TO MAKE OUR PROCESS AND TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE REQUEST PROCESS TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT SO DEPARTMENTS KNOW WHERE THEY ARE EXACTLY. SO THESE ARE SMALL STEPS WE HAVE TAKEN. SO OUR , OUR RECOMMENDED PATH [03:50:01] FORWARD IS TO ENCOURAGE THE TPR , TO BECOME MANDATORY FOR ALL TECHNOLOGY. >> YOU LIKE FOR ME TO MAKE EMOTION? >> YES OR. MOTION TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE UPDATED TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT REQUEST PROCESS REQUIRING COUNTY DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE A TPR FOR ALL TECHNOLOGY RELATED PROCUREMENT, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, JANUARY 1, 2026. ALREADY DISTRIBUTED. >> CAN WE VOTE OR DO WE NEED TO EXTEND THE DISCUSSION? >> DO YOU WANT TO VOTE NOW OR WAIT UNTIL THE DISCUSSION IS OVER? >> I THOUGHT IT BEEPED. THAT I MAKE THAT UP? >> OH, THE TIME. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> I THOUGHT YOU WERE DONE. MY APOLOGIES. >> 2 MOTIONS JAMES DO YOU HAVE THOSE? >> THEM NOT BEEN SENT BUT I'M SURE THEY WILL SEND. >> I MADE THOSE MOTIONS. >> 2 MOTIONS BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 2ND? 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. YES GO AHEAD I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS IF YOU DON'T MIND. SO, ON THE 400 HOWEVER MANY MILLIONS . >> 431. >> 430.9. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT? $431 MILLION IN ONE FISCAL YEAR. HAVE A FEELING THERE IS SOME TEXTURE TO THAT. >> THAT'S WHY WE USE THE TERM APPROXIMATE. IF YOU HAVE THE PIE CHART CAN I ASK TIFFANY TO BRING UP SLIDE NUMBER 3. >> I GUESS MY QUESTION SPECIFICALLY IS LOOKING AT THE PIE CHART YOU'RE GOING TO PULL UP , WHAT IS INEFFICIENT AND WHAT ARE THE OTHER THINGS , WHY DO THEY ADD UP TO THAT MUCH MONEY? >> THIS IS TOTAL SPEND NOT TALKING ABOUT EFFICIENCY. HOW MUCH PAYMENTS WERE MADE TO THE PURCHASE ORDER AND CARD. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU BROUGHT IT UP AS LIKE THAT'S A BIG NUMBER , WE NEED TO REVIEW THIS. SO IS IT THE BAD OR WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 2 DIFFERENT THINGS? >> WHAT I HEARD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ASKED WAS TO LOOK AT THE 5.5 MILLION . 430, THE 1ST TIME WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REALIZE HOW MUCH MONEY WE SPEND ON TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES. WE NEVER HAD A NUMBER IN FRONT OF US AS FAR AS COUNTY TECHNOLOGY SPEND. THROUGH THIS ANALYSIS WE NOW KNOW FISCAL YEAR 2025 WE SPENT $430 MILLION. >> CAN YOU GO OVER WHAT EXACTLY EACH SECTION IS? >> SURE, HARDWARE IMPLIES ANY SERVER OR SWITCH OR ANY OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FOR THE COUNTY. WE SPENT A PORTION, 20% ON HARDWARE. >> Y PER YEAR THAT MUCH MONEY? >> SOME OF IT IS DUE TO THE, WE HAVE A DATA CENTER SO WE MANAGE MOST OF THE COUNTY. 80% OF THE COUNTIES NETWORK AND WE ALSO HAVE INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED DATA CENTERS. ALL OF THAT CONSTITUTES THE 20%. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? >> NOT REALLY. MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS 20% OF 430? 180? WHAT IS THAT AMOUNT IT'S NOT ASTRONOMICAL? WHY IS IT AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT TO SPEND ON HARDWARE IN THE COUNTY THE SIZE OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> WE ARE NOT SAYING IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE RIGHT AMOUNT. WE ARE JUST BRINGING THE DATA FROM THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH ON HARDWARE. >> I GET IT. WHEN I LOOK AT THIS AND IF THE PUBLIC SEES THIS, THERE'S $430 MILLION PER YEAR WE ARE SPENDING, ALL THAT JUNK ON HARDWARE AND WE HAVE EFFICIENCIES SO I GUESS THE [03:55:04] BROAD QUESTION , 4 TO 31 MILLION PER YEAR ON TECHNOLOGY AND ALL SECTIONS YOU HAVE IS THAT OKAY FOR A COUNTY OF OUR SIZE? >> GENERALLY, THE INDUSTRY STANDARD IS FROM THE OVERALL BUDGET, TALKING INDUSTRY-STANDARD AND THIS APPLIES TO PUBLIC AND PRIVATE THERE'S 20% OF THE OVERALL BUDGET SPENT ON TECHNOLOGY. THAT'S THE BENCHMARK. IS THAT THE RIGHT NUMBER OR NOT THE RIGHT NUMBER DEPENDS ON THE ORGANIZATION AND THE NEEDS SO CONSTITUENT NEEDS. SO, SOME GO UP OR DOWN, SOME PLACES WE HAVE SEEN 40% AND 20% IS GENERALLY THE AVERAGE. >> WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET IS TECHNOLOGY? >> 1.9 BILLION IS THE BUDGET OR 2.9. >> WITHOUT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT REPORT THIS IS ALL FUNDS. >> THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. SO, WITH THEM AND THE CAPITAL BUDGET AT 6 BILLION. >> WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET IS SPENT ON TECHNOLOGY. I JUST DON'T WANT TO GET THE NUMBER WRONG. >> 15. >> IT DEPENDS, AROUND THERE. >> OKAY SO , THAT'S REALLY WHAT I WAS GETTING IT BECAUSE IT IS A BIG NUMBER SO WE ARE SAYING WITHIN INDUSTRY STANDARDS. I GUESS I WILL GO THROUGH THE OTHER ONES . REAL BRIEFLY GO THROUGH SECTIONS OF THE PIE CHART FOR THE PUBLIC. >> SURE, 20% IS HARDWARE WHICH IS INFRASTRUCTURE AND THEN THE 19% WE FIND ON SOFTWARE WHICH IMPLIES ANY TOOLS SUCH AS PEOPLESOFT OR THOSE TOOLS USED FOR INTERNAL OPERATIONS. ALL OF THOSE FALL UNDER THE SOFTWARE, THE 25% THAT YOU SEE IS FOR SERVICES SO IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES, THEY ARE ADVISORY SERVICES AND ARE AUDITED SUCH SERVICES FALLING TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND UNCLASSIFIED BECAUSE THE DATA IS NOT CLEAN YOU FIND A LARGE NUMBER OF 35% UNDER THIS UNCLASSIFIED . SO WE COULD NOT CONFIDENTLY CATEGORIZE THEM AS SOFTWARE, HARDWARE OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THAT'S WHY THEY ARE PUT UNDER THE UNCLASSIFIED. >> WE KNOW IT'S ONE OF THOSE? >> WE DO NOT. THAT'S WHAT THE NEXT LEVEL OF ANALYSIS WILL INCLUDE 35%. >> AND THEN ON THE DATA PIECE WELL, THANK YOU FOR THIS. ON THE DATA PIECE I KNOW WE KNOW THIS BUT IT IS TIMELY BECAUSE I RETURNED FROM THE MEETING OF THE LARGEST COUNTY EXECUTIVES AND IT WAS AT STANFORD AND THE SCHOLARS AT THE HOOVER TOWER A■RE SO AGER TO HELP THE VARIOUS COUNTIES. WE HAVE HAD SUPPORT IN THE PAST AND IT'S FREE AND THESE ARE REALLY SMART PEOPLE. IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU HAVE THE DATA IN THE FORMAT CAN USE, IT IS SOMETHING ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN WANTING US TO DO FOR YEARS. SO I APPRECIATE THE PROGRESS ON THAT. I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY, THANK YOU. >> I DID NOT FINISH NEXT STEPS, WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE WE HAVE LOOKED AT THE LICENSES , THE DUPLICATE LICENSES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOUR MOTION ASKED US TO LOOK AT COMPLIANCE SO WE WILL BE LOOKING CLOSELY AT COMPLIANCE , TALKING ABOUT THE MOTION FROM SEPTEMBER 9 YET TO COMPLAINTS AND DEFICIENCIES SO WE ARE LOOKING CLOSELY AT NEXT STEPS ON THIS. >> THANK YOU. THAT WAS 154 AND 155 WE MADE MOTIONS ALREADY WHAT IS 159 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THAT WAS BOTH ITEM 154 AND 155 >> I THINK YOU FLAGGED IT SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE ANSWERED ANY QUESTION. >> THIS LOOKS LIKE, WE MADE SOME, WE PROVIDED COMMENTS TO JEREMY RELATED TO IT. THAT IT [04:00:02] WITH ONE ESTIMATED COST AND STAFF ESTIMATED IMPACT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OF STAFF AND MAYBE THIS WOULD BE THAT IT MIGHT BE SUNSET INVOLVED WITH IT SO, WHEN YOU BEGIN TO LOOK AT THE HARRIS COUNTY OPEN DATA POLICY, CURRENTLY RIVER GET IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THERE. BUT, JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. AS YOU IMPLEMENT, IT IS A GOOD THING BUT WE MAY WANT TO LOOK AT THE PARTICULAR SUNSET FOR IT. SHOULD BE THE END TO FIND MORE CLEARLY. >> WE HAVE THE POLICY ANNUALLY. ALL POLICIES ARE REVIEWED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. WE PLAN TO BRING ANY SUNSET PLANS DURING THE NEXT ANNUAL REVIEW ONE QUESTION HAD COME FROM THE OFFICE IN TERMS OF AUDITING OF THE DATA SET SO YOU PLAN TO ADD THAT TO THE POLICY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE, YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT STAFF IMPACT AND RESOURCES ARE NEEDED AT THIS TIME WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ANY RESOURCES. THE OPEN POLICY WAS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT IN 2020. I BELIEVE 2020 AND THEIR OPEN DATA SETS ON THE PLATFORM WHICH IS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE THE POLICY WENT LIVE SO THE REASON WHY WE ARE DOING THIS IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE CURRENT POLICY AND THE DATA SETS ARE BEING REFRESHED ON A REGULAR BASIS. >> MOTION TO MOVE ON IT. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON PAPER? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. >> 159. >> THAT IS A CIVIL ENGINEER OPINION >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> THIS PROGRAM IS DONE REGULARLY AND AS LONG AS IT'S DONE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE COUNTY TO GET BACK. >> IS THERE A 2ND? MOTION AND 2ND ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-1. OKAY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA ITEM 180. >> THIS, WE TRACK THESE BLANKET CUE CARDS AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TRACKS THESE SO I WILL DEFER TO HIM. >> WHEN I LOOKED AT THIS, THIS IS THE 3RD CARD. SO I GUESS I GET IN THE MODE TO VOTE NO WHEN THERE'S MORE THAN 5. I HAVE ONE IN PRECINCT 3 I WILL NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY WE HAVE FOUND IN OTHER AREAS NORTH OF 40 SO ANYWAY I WILL MOVE ON THE ITEM. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ITEMS 209, 210, 211 , 212, 214 , 212 AND 214 ALL RELATED TO APPROVING LUMP SUM PAYMENT SUPPLEMENT FOR THE STAFF OF PROBATE COURTS 125 MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS COMES FROM FUNDS THAT THE PROBATE COURTS ALREADY HAVE. THESE WERE FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I GUESS WE CAN MOVE ON THESE ALL AT ONE TIME AND I'M GOING TO OPPOSE IT. BECAUSE IT IS A BONUS. YOU CAN CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT BUT IT IS A BONUS AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S LEGAL, BUT AGAIN I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING PAYING BONUSES IN THIS CASE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> FOR A VOTE COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR LEGAL ANALYSIS IN RESPONSE >> YOU ARE CORRECT BONUSES ARE NOT PROPER UNDER THE CONSTITUTION YOU CAN STRUCTURE INTENSIVE WE WORK WITH PROBATE COURSE TO MAKE SURE THERE'S RETENTION PERIOD SO THESE ARE BEING PAID OUT IN MARCH THERE'S NOT CLEAR GUIDANCE IN HOW LONG THE RETENTION PERIOD HAS TO BE IT'S UP TO THE COURT TO THE SIDE WHETHER THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT. WE FEEL COMFORTABLE AS PRESENTED. >> LOOKS LIKE A DUCK AND WALKS LIKE A DUCK IT PROBABLY IS ONE. [04:05:05] >> YOU MADE THE MOTION I WILL 2ND. >> 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES BEFORE WE VOTE DOES THIS , IS THIS SIMILAR TO THE INCENTIVE WE GAVE TO THE DETENTION OFFICERS OR IS THIS DIFFERENT? >> NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT ONE. >> ALSO A RETENTION BONUS EVERY 6 MONTHS THEY RECEIVED IT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR. OKAY I AM IN FAVOR AND THOSE ARE 209 THROUGH 214 ITEMS WILL CARRY 3-1. ALL RIGHT, 231 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THIS IS ON THE 2026 HEALTHY TEXAS WOMEN PROGRAM. >> SOME OF AND 2ND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 3-1. NEXT ITEM 387 COUNTYWIDE STRATEGY FOOD INSECURITY COMMISSIONERS 3 AND 4. >> ISN'T 356? SORRY. >> WE NEED TO DO 356. I MEANT TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. SO IF YOU DON'T MIND OR DID WE INCLUDE THAT IN THE CONSENT AGENDA? CAN WE VOTE ON THAT ONE THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION? >> I PULLED THEM FOR DISCUSSION BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING TO BE CELEBRATED SO ARE WE ON 356? THE REASON I PULLED 356 IS BECAUSE LAST YEAR THE COURT UNANIMOUSLY PASSED AD VALOREM BASICALLY 100% PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION TO QUALIFYING CHILD CARE. CENTERS NOW THIS YEAR THE MOTION WOULD MAKE THAT 100% PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION PERMANENT FOR QUALIFYING CHILD CARE CENTERS SO THIS IS A WIN FOR FAMILIES AND THE EDUCATORS AT THE CENTERS THIS SHOULD HELP DRIVE THE SAVINGS TO FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH AFFORDABILITY. I KNOW LAST YEAR SOME OF THE SPEAKERS TALKED ABOUT IT WE SEND OUT LETTERS TO ALL QUALIFYING CHILD CARE CENTERS SO THEY COULD UNVEIL THEMSELVES OF THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, SOME DID AND THERE IS A GAP. THIS IS VERY MUCH, WE NEED TO BE MORE PROACTIVE SO EVERY QUALIFYING CENTER CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS 100% POVERTY TAX EXEMPTION. THANK YOU TO ALL THE TEAM MEMBERS WHO WORKED ON THIS AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WILL CONTINUE THE PROACTIVE OUTREACH AND OVERLY THE SAVINGS ARE PASSED TO THE FAMILIES AND HELP TEACHERS THERE AT THE CENTERS. WITH THAT I WOULD MOVE 366 . >> MOTION AND 2ND. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. I WILL VENTURE TO SAY I'M GLAD WE'RE DOING THIS, THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. WE WILL BE SENDING OUT LETTERS , 387 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4. ON HOUSING AND SECURITY. FOOD INSECURITY. >> YES, THANK YOU TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. HAVE A MOTION IT WILL MAKE, BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND ALL THE COURT OFFICERS. THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN REALLY EXACERBATED FOOD INSECURITY. AND THE REALITY IS THAT NEARLY 40% OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS ARE FOOD INSECURE. THIS IS AN ALL THE TIME SYSTEMIC COUNTYWIDE ISSUE , NEARLY 40% OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ARE FOOD INSECURE SO DURING THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN AND THE STOP IN BENEFITS IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED EVEN FURTHER AND IT IS SOMETHING TO CONTINUE DOUBLING DOWN ON 365 DAYS PER YEAR BECAUSE IN THE MOST PROSPEROUS COUNTRY IN THE WORLD AND HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE DIRECTOR I KNOW YOU HAVE BRILLIANT IDEAS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL WORK THAT THE COUNTY CAN BE DOING AND PART OF WHERE I WAS EXTRA PROUD IS HOW THE COUNTY HARNESSED SO MANY OF THE GREAT COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND NONPROFITS, PLACES OF WORSHIP, SCHOOLS, TO AMPLIFY WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO WHEN WE DO IT [04:10:02] TOGETHER. IF YOU CAN PLEASE GIVE US UPDATES AND SHARE IDEAS AND EVERY MOTION TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO DRAFT COUNTYWIDE FOOD INSECURITY ADDRESSING BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM NEEDS AND PLEASE PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY FEBRUARY 12, 2026. >> CERTAINLY HAPPY TO SHARE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THINGS WE HAVE DONE. YOU WILL RECALL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC FOLKS NEEDED IMMEDIATE RELIEF SO THROUGH SUPPORT , THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT OF THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE 65 MILLION MEALS TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND THEN TRANSITIONED DURING THE ARBOR PHASE TO MORE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS, DOING THINGS LIKE SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT OF THE URBAN FARM REALLY INVESTING IN THE CAPACITY OF SMALLER FOOD PANTRIES THROUGH ADDITIONAL REFRIGERATION, SHELVING, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT, HELPING PEOPLE ENROLL IN SNAP, SUPPORTING SMALL FARMERS THROUGH COMMON MARKET AND PLAN IT FORWARD AND MAKING PRODUCE DISTRIBUTIONS AVAILABLE MORE BROADLY INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE KIDS MEALS FACILITIES AND NOW LOOKING FORWARD I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS MOST CRITICAL 1ST AND FOREMOST AS ALWAYS IS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF FOOD INSECURITY , FOOD INSECURITY IS A SECONDARY EFFECT OF PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR LIVING WAGE JOB OR SOME OF THE OTHER KIND OF STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM BUT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER ACROSS ORGANIZATIONS TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN COORDINATE BETTER. WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ANYWHERE ANYBODY IN THE COUNTY IS ENCOUNTERING SOMEBODY WHO WAS FOOD INSECURE, THEY KNOW HOW TO REFER SOMEBODY TO THE RIGHT RESOURCES AND HOW TO GET THEM CONNECTED TO THE BENEFITS THEY DESERVE AND WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO MAKE THOSE REFERRALS MORE EFFECTIVE ACROSS THE SYSTEM SO WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK NUMBERS OF THE HEALTH EQUITY COLLECTIVE AND WE'RE EXCITED TO BRING BACK MORE IDEAS IN FEBRUARY TO YOU. >> I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND BOLD VISION AND HOW COLLABORATIVE YOU HAVE BEEN WITH PHILANTHROPY, THE CITY, NONPROFIT CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. IT IS FANTASTIC AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO. MOTION TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DRAFT COUNTYWIDE FOOD INSECURITY STRATEGY ADDRESSING BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM NEEDS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY FEBRUARY 12, 2026. >> 2ND. AND COMMISSIONER THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. ABSOLUTELY FAMILIES ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY ARE HAVING THIS CONVERSATIONS WHETHER WE HAVE IT OR NOT SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS PUT BEFORE YOUR. IN PRECINCT 2 WE KNOW THIS ALL TOO WELL AND AS A CONSEQUENCE WE HAVE CREATED OUR INNOVATIVE PROGRAM CALLED HARVEST TOGETHER. AND I WANT TO COMMEND OUR DEL DIRECTOR FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE THINKING AND WORK TO PUT THIS PROGRAM TOGETHER AND IT IS HOW WE ARE BRINGING HEALTHY FOOD DIRECTLY TO SOME OF THE HOUSES IN THE PRECINCT. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT ENOUGH SO WE ABSOLUTELY NEED A BETTER COUNTYWIDE STRATEGY ON HOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT AFFORDABILITY. AND PRECINCT 2 AND PRECINCT 273% OF THE FAMILIES THAT ARE FACING THIS CHALLENGE ARE MAKING UNDER 35,000 PER YEAR AND 73% OF THEM HAPPENED TO BE HISPANIC HOUSEHOLDS SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DRESSING THE ISSUE ACROSS THE COUNTY AND I WILL BE A STRONG PARTNER WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ON FINDING WAYS TO HELP OUR FAMILIES GET HEALTHY FOOD AS WELL AS MAKING SURE WE CAN ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABILITY ACROSS THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> DIRECTOR, QUICK QUESTION. THANK YOU FOR RAISING YOUR HAND AND AGREEING TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THIS ONE. I WOULD THINK THAT THE COUNTIES ROLE WOULD BE MORE OF A FACILITATOR. SO MANY NONPROFITS WITH SO MANY STRETCHES AND THEY LITERALLY WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND SOMETIMES WE DON'T ASK THEM. SO IF WE CAN BE THE FACILITATOR, THE NETWORK. THAT ENTITY THAT BRINGS IT ALL TOGETHER THAT'S WHAT A COUNTY IS, 33 CITIES , 34 [04:15:05] CITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. PROBABLY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICTS WITH ALL KINDS OF NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS OUT THERE THAT JUST AS INTERESTED AS GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS SORT OF THING. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, UNDERSTANDING WE ARE GOING TO HOPEFULLY ENERGIZE AND GIVE OTHER FOLKS OPPORTUNITY TO STEP UP AND HELP BECAUSE I THINK THEY WILL , TOO. >> THANK YOU. I SEE THAT AS A ROLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTY CERTAINLY INSIDE THEIR BENEFITS ENROLLMENTS PROGRAM WE ARE HELPING TO SUPPORT PEOPLE FOLKS MAY ENCOUNTER ACROSS THE COUNTY AND PROVIDE NUTRITION EDUCATION. WE PROVIDED NUTRITION EDUCATION TO 8000 PEOPLE THROUGH THE DIABETES PROTECTION PROGRAM WE WANT TO BE FOCUSED ON WHAT WE ARE DOING BUT OUTSIDE THEIR HUNDREDS OF FOOD PANTRIES , 1600 PARTNERS IN A REFERRAL ECOSYSTEM AND WE NEED TO BE HELPING THEM SO EVERYTHING ALIGNS THERE. >> WE HAD MOTIONS , MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES RIGHT? 2ND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR? ANY A POST MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. A QUESTION FOR THE DIRECTOR. DO YOU HAVE FUNDS SET ASIDE TO PAY FOR WHATEVER COMES OUT OF THE REPORT? >> WE DO NOT CURRENTLY OUTSIDE OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY SUPPORTING OUR BENEFITS ENROLLMENT AND OUR DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM NUTRITION EDUCATION CERTAINLY NEXT YEAR THE ARPA FOOD NUTRITION PROGRAMS WILL BE ROLLING OFF WITH THE FOOD PHARMACY AND FOOD BANK PROGRAM COMMON MARKET SO TO THE EXTENT WE SEE THOSE AS POTENTIAL PRIORITIES FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE PROCESS WE CAN PROPOSE THOSE BUT RIGHT NOW WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD AS MANY LOW COST OR NO COST COORDINATION RECOMMENDATIONS AS POSSIBLE. OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS INTEREST IN UNDERSTANDING WHICH OF THOSE ARPA FUNDED PROGRAMS COULD BE MOST IMPACTFUL GOING FORWARD SO WE WILL HAVE A REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF THEM AS WELL AS POTENTIAL RECOMMENDATIONS. >> I CANNOT REMEMBER WERE YOU ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAD PROGRAMS THAT YOU BELIEVE NEEDED TO CONTINUE BUT YOU HAD TO CUT BECAUSE OF THE $100 MILLION EXCAVATION OF DEPARTMENTS? >> WE DID TAKE THE OFFSET DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS AS WELL AS WE WERE ABLE TO PARTIALLY FUND SOME ARPA PROGRAMS THAT ARE ROLLING OFF. >> I NOTICED TODAY A FEW TIMES IN TERMS OF LET'S STUDY THIS WITH MENTAL HEALTH . FOOD INSECURITY AND I MEAN WE PUT THE COUNTY SITUATION WHERE WE LACK MONEY SO WE HAVE TO IMPLEMENT A HIRING FREEZE. AND THEN THE PAY INCREASE THAT CAME WITHOUT EVALUATION TURNED OUT TO BE AT LEAST $4 MILLION SHORT ONLY 3 MONTHS NOT EVEN NEXT YEAR. AND NOW WE ALSO WANT TO PLAN TO WORK ON FOOD INSECURITY. I AM TRYING TO LAY THIS OUT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK IT ADDS UP. NO PUN INTENDED. I LOVE IT, IT'S OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT AND I DON'T WANT YOU GUYS TO WASTE YOUR TIME ON SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT PAY FOR BUT IF YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS THEN SURE. OKAY THANK YOU. I [Emergency/Supplemental Items] BELIEVE IT THERE. ALL RIGHT, 471 , THAT ONE IS ON , I FLAGGED THAT ONE. 471. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS , THERE WERE SOME FUNDS AND TOLLS COLLECTED THAT ARE SITTING IN AN ACCOUNT COLLECTING INTEREST AND $80 MILLION OF THAT WERE FOUND AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND THE AUDITOR HAD TO EVALUATE TO SEE IF REALLY THAT WAS AN UNEXPECTED AMOUNT. WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL $80 MILLION IN MOBILITY FUND INTEREST PROCEEDS. IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> WE ARE ASKING THE COURT TO ALLOCATE TO THE PRECINCTS BE THE FORMULA. >> OKAY SO THERE IS A FORMULA THAT THE LEGISLATURE REQUESTED OR IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LETTER TO THE LEGISLATORS. IS THIS ONE TIME FUNDING? >> YES, BUT WE HAVE REVAMPED THE [04:20:03] PROCESS SO INVESTMENT INCOME GOES TO A SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND WE WILL DO THIS ON ANNUAL BASIS ALONG WITH THE NORMAL MOBILITY TRANSFER. >> DOES THAT MEAN WE WILL FIND $80 MILLION EACH YEAR? WHAT IMPLICATION? >> AS OF NOW IT DEPENDS ON INTEREST RATES, IN THE BEGINNING OF COVID WHEN INTEREST RATES WERE 2% WE GOT ALMOST NO INVESTMENT INCOME , THE FED CUT THE RATE AGAIN BUT WE WOULD EXPECT BETWEEN 16 AND 20 MILLION NEXT YEAR. >> SO THIS IS A CUMULATION. 1620 1620÷4. I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE SENATORS MAY BE IN THE LETTER THEY SENT, THEY SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US USE AROUND 5 PERCENT'S OF THE MOBILITY MONEY FOR DEPARTMENTS AS OPPOSED TO THE PRECINCTS. RIGHT NOW WHAT PERCENTAGE ? >> AS OF NOW 0% IS ALL GOING TO THE PRECINCTS AND THE PRECINCTS HAVE TRANSFERRED ROUGHLY 9 MILLION EACH TO THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO ESSENTIALLY CONTRACT FOR SERVICES. >> HERE'S THE THING, TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE MOBILITY NEEDS THAT FIT THE CRITERIA , I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US AT LEAST CONSIDER USING SOME OF THE FUNDING FOR THAT SO WE CAN USE THAT FUNDING TO NOT KILL THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROBLEM IN 2026 BUT EXTEND 6 MONTHS TO NOT DELETE THEM ABOUT TREATMENT FOR THE JUVENILES IN THE JUVENILE DETENTION OR TO FUND THE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS THAT THE DIRECTOR NEEDED. I IMAGINE MY COLLEAGUES WHAT THE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES AND THAT'S FINE I WOULD LIKE TO PUT FORWARD IF WE COULD MAYBE PAUSE THIS FOR THE COURT AND HAVE YOU GUYS SEE IF IT COULD BE USED FOR SOMETHING ELSE, SOMETHING ELSE CAN BE USED TO BRING BACK SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT, THAT WERE KILLED TO PAY FOR THE 100 MILLION. YES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN GARCIA. >> IS THIS COMING OUT OF -- >> THIS WAS MONEY INVESTMENT INCOME FROM MONEY PREVIOUSLY TRANSFERRED. TO THE MOBILITY FUND. >> RIGHT. I THINK CONSISTING WITH WHAT WE AGREE TO DO FROM EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND THE DISTRIBUTION AND CERTAINLY THE PRECINCTS THEY ARE PRETTY WELL FOCUSED ON TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND I WILL SAY ARE PRETTY WELL OVERWHELMED WITH THOSE TYPES OF NEEDS. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE CONTINUE AND I AGREE WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATION TO DO IT ACCORDING TO THE FORMULA, THAT WE COMMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE, TO DO. SO I SEE THIS AS PERFECTLY LOGICAL AND FORWARD AND LOOK FORWARD AGAIN TO HAVING MORE FUNDS TO GO FIX A FEW MORE ROADS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU, DANIEL THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WE NEED THIS, WE NEEDED IT YESTERDAY. THIS WILL GIVE THE TEAM A LITTLE BIT MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS WITH DIFFERENT ENTITIES. TO THE IDEA TRYING TO USE THIS ELSEWHERE BEYOND MOBILITY I WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS WITH THAT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE'S ALREADY FORKS AND KNIVES COMING OUT, FOR THE MOBILITY FUNDS , IN TOTAL. SO I DON'T WANT TO GIVE ANY REASON , ANYMORE THAN WHAT IS ALREADY OUT THERE SO I WILL MOVE ON THE ITEM IS PRESENTED. >> I WANT TO TACKLE THE POINT, IT IS VERY CLEAR AND MANY OF US SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS FOCUSED ON THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE THAT GOVERNS MOBILITY FUNDS AND THESE ARE INTERESTING MOBILITY FUNDS AND NEXT IS TRANSPORTATION CODE FOLLOWED STRICTLY AN ALLOCATION FORMULA THAT WE HAD PASSED HERE AT THE COURT WHICH I WANT TO RESPECT SO I WILL 2ND THE MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. >> MOTION AND 2ND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. AS PER THE LETTER WE CAN USE UP TO 5% OF THE FUNDS FOR DEPARTMENTS SO I'M NOT SAYING TO NOT PUT THIS TO THE MOBILITY WE ARE NOT SAYING THE SAME THING, BUT ANYWAY WE WILL TAKE THE VOTE.'S OF THE MOTION AND 2ND ALL IN [04:25:02] FAVOR? ANY POST? MOTION CARRIES 3-1. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 472. I ALSO FLAGGED THAT ONE, THERE WAS A ESTIMATE OF THE FUNDS THAT PASSED AND SAID IT WOULD COST TO GIVE THIS MAJOR RACE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITHOUT ASKING THE VOTERS WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANTED TO SEE CUTS TO OTHER SERVICES. SO THE ESTIMATE WAS , TELL ME THE EXACT NUMBER UNDERSTANDING IS WE ARE FINANCIALLY , IT'S GOING TO COST ABOUT $4 MILLION MORE? >> 4.4. >> THE INITIAL ESTIMATE? >> 104 MILLION ADOPTED IN THE BUDGET. WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING IS 2 THINGS. ONE IS WE FACTORED IN SOME AMOUNT OF ATTRITION INTO THAT NUMBER , BUT WE HAVE SEEN NOBODY HAS LEFT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. SINCE THESE RAISES HAVE BEEN ALLOWED SO ONE, EVERYBODY THERE IS MORE SENIOR THAN WHAT WE INITIALLY THOUGHT BECAUSE USUALLY WHAT HAPPENS THROUGH THE COURSE OF THE YEAR IS SOME FOLKS, THE MOST EXPENSIVE PEOPLE FALL OFF THE PAY SCALE AND THEIR REPLACEMENT THE CHEAPEST PEOPLE SO THE IMPACT IS NOT REALLY FELT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. THE ESCALATOR THAT COMES ON AND OFF BUT NOTHING CAME OFF THE 2ND PIECE OF THIS IS THE CONSTABLES HAVE ADDED THE HEADCOUNT SO THEY ARE NOT JUST FILLING VACANT POSITIONS WITH WARM BODIES, WE BUDGET CONSERVATIVELY, GENERALLY WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTY EXCEPT FOR SPECIFIC INITIATIVES LIKE THE STAFFING WHERE WE HAVE SEEN HUGE INCREASES IN THE HEAD COUNT AT THE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE POSITIONS ARE GETTING FILLED THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE INITIAL ESTIMATE. >> OKAY, SO WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA THEN RAMSEY THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE WORK ON PAY PARITY IMPLEMENTATION FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. NOW THAT WE ARE COMPLETING THE PROCESS FOR OUR AGENCIES , I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A WRITTEN COUNTYWIDE POLICY FOR THE NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT SALARY SCALE BY FOLLOWING THE , THE FOLLOWING COURT , THE FOLLOWING COURT, JANUARY 8TH. SO THE POLICY SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING. CLEARLY DEFINED YEARS OF SERVICE AND LATERAL DEPUTY HIRING PROCESS. EXPLAIN THE PAY STRUCTURE FOR THE HIRING AND PROMOTION OF THE NEW SUPERVISORS. IDENTIFY ALL POSITIONS ELIGIBLE FOR INCLUSION ON THE NEW PAY SCALE. OUTLINE PROCEDURES FOR EVERY APPLICABLE SCENARIO RELATED TO THE PAY SCALE. REQUIRE IMMEDIATE AUDIT FOLLOWED BY CONCURRENT BIANNUAL AUDIT , RATHER ONGOING AUDITS CONDUCTED BY HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT AND THE AUDITOR TO ENSURE THE LIMITATION PROCESS REMAINS TRANSPARENT AND CONSISTENT AND EQUITABLE ACROSS ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. >> THAT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE ON THE RECORD, COMMISSIONER. >> MISSION ARE IS THERE A 2ND? 2ND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> CONSISTENT WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S WITH ISSUES THERE OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME WE LOOK AT THIS THROUGH THE YEAR THERE WILL BE OTHER TIMES WE LOOK AT THIS PRETTY ROUTINELY , PREDICTABLY , MONTHLY EVERY OTHER MONTH AND YOU WILL KIND OF TRUE UP WHERE WE ARE IN MAKING IT GETTING CORRECTED SO THAT'S WHAT THE PROCESS IS ABOUT. AND LOOKING AT THE POLICY YOU PUT TOGETHER MAKE SURE WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL 23 IN TERMS OF NOT PRODUCING LAW ENFORCEMENT WHATEVER WE ARE DOING CONSISTENT WITH THAT SO WE CAN STAY ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW. >> WE WILL WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE MOTION, THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS AND THANK YOU DIRECTOR RAMOS AND MAKING SURE WE GET INTO THE BATTLE AND HOW THAT CLARITY AND ALIGNMENT. I WAS LOOKING AT 472 THIS MADE ME HAPPY AND IT SHOWS EXACTLY WHY WE DID PAY PARITY, WE KNOW FOR YEARS HARRIS COUNTY HAD HUNDREDS [04:30:01] OF VACANCIES AND WE WERE PAYING BELOW-MARKET TO SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS AND THEN THE MARKET CHANGED EVEN FURTHER AS WE KNOW WITH HPD SO WE WERE DOUBLED BEHIND. NOT ONLY AT THE VACANCIES BEEN FILLED, NOW WE ARE HAVING RETENTION SO BASICALLY THIS IS A SIGN OF THE SUCCESS OF WHY WE DID WHAT WE DID AND NOT ONLY WAS IT A FINANCIAL DECISION IT WAS INVESTMENT IN SAFETY AND STABILITY AND RESPECT FOR THE PEOPLE SERVING US IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND KEEPING US SAFE AND WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MORE OFFICERS, NOT ONLY DID WE NOT LOSE THEM BUT WE ARE KEEPING EXPERIENCE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHICH IS WHAT THE RESIDENTS DESERVE SO I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THIS AND THIS IS A NATURAL AS WE SEE RESULTS I LIKE YOUR ESCALATOR ANALOGY. THIS SEEMS AS A REASONABLE OUTCOME OF WHAT WE INVESTED IN . I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF 472 AS PRESENTED AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK I KNOW YOU BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON THIS. >> I MET WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE YESTERDAY, I THINK THIS IS THE LONGEST PERIOD HAVE GONE FULLY STAFFED. THIS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN I 1ST STARTED WAS THERE TRULY TAKING TO HEART PROTECTING VACANCIES SO THEY HAD ACADEMY READY TO GO WHEN THEY HIT THE 40 PERSON VACANCY. SO I THINK WE CHECKED AND IT SINGLE DIGITS IN TERMS OF DEPUTY VACANCIES. >> OKAY TO BE CLEAR. OF COURSE INCREASING SALARIES WAS GOING TO HELP, THAT'S WHY I WAS IN FAVOR AND THAT MORNING I HAD SPOKEN TO THE LEADERS OF THE UNION INTERESTED PARTIES AND I SAID LOOK I AM WILLING TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT INSTEAD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND THEY SAID SOME GOOD AND I SAID I BET YOU THE PUBLIC WILL SUPPORT AND I BET THEY WOULD HAVE BUT INSTEAD WE RAN TO THIS THROUGH UNNECESSARILY, CAUSING DEFUNDING OF IMPORTANT PROGRAMS WE SAY WE BELIEVE IN. WHAT I AM HEARING IS 108 MILLION THAT HAS TURNED INTO 112 IF I GET THE NUMBERS RIGHT WAS PASSED, RAMMED THROUGH WITHOUT A PAY STRUCTURE, WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY, WITHOUT PAY SCALE SCENARIOS, WITHOUT ANY SENSE OF EVALUATION OR AUDIT, THAT IS CRAZY. YOU KNOW WHAT DID HAVE ALL OF THAT? THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROPOSAL AND IT HAD EVALUATION PUBLISHED AND IT HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR YEARS. AND SO YOU KNOW KIND OF WHAT I WAS TALKING TO THE NEW JUDGE AND WE CANNOT BE TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF OUR MOUTH'S AND THIS IS BEING PUT TOGETHER WITH TAPE AND GLUE OR LIKE THE EXPRESSION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY USED EARLIER , DUCT TAPE. DUCT TAPE AND GLUE , TO FORCE $112 MILLION IN CUTS TO SERVICES TO TAXPAYERS WITHOUT EVEN RUNNING DOWN THE NUMBERS. NOW WHAT THIS ALSO TELLS ME IS THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO THOUGHT GONE INTO THIS, THE COURT OVERSHOT IT, YOU OVERSHOT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY NECESSARY. SO BECAUSE THESE FOLKS WILL BE RETAINED ANYWAY. SO LOOK OF COURSE IT'S GOING TO WORK IT JUST DID NOT NEED TO WORK AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COUNTIES FINANCIAL HEALTH AND WE ARE SEEING THE TRAIN WRECK AT THE CITY. WE DECIDED TO GET ON THE SAME TRAIN AND THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN CONTINUE THIS AND CONTINUE SERVICES ALREADY REDUCED WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. SO I MEAN I GUESS THE IDEA WAS TO NOT GO TO THE VOTERS AT ALL THIS YEAR, FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR EARLY CHILDHOOD, GET THROUGH THE ELECTION AND THEN RAISE TAXES NEXT YEAR? I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS. I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING. WHERE DID WE FIND THIS $4 MILLION? WHATEVER IT WAS? >> IT WILL COME OUT OF THE FUND BALANCE AND WE WILL FACTOR INTO THE 1ST QUARTER PROJECTIONS. WE THINK THERE ARE SAVINGS AND OTHER PLACES THAT WE WILL PRESENT IN JANUARY WHEN WE DO THE QUARTERLY PROJECTIONS. >> SO YOU ARE HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH MONEY IN JANUARY TO PAY FOR THIS? >> THAT'S WHY WE DO QUARTERLY PROJECTIONS TO BE OF THE COURSE CORRECT IN REAL TIME. ULTIMATELY, AT THIS POINT, IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY THE IDEA IS WE WOULD BE EXTENDING THE HIRING FREEZE, THE 1ST OPTION. >> WHICH IS INSANE. YOU DON'T [04:35:02] USE A HIRING FREEZE UNLESS YOU ARE IN RECESSION BECAUSE THAT MEANS IF AN EMPLOYEE LEAVES BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE CHILDCARE OR BECAUSE THEY DESIRE ANOTHER JOB OR WHATEVER IT IS , YOU CAN'T REPLACE THEM. SO ANYWAY LET ME LEAVE IT THERE. I DON'T WANT TO SEE CONTINUED DEFUNDING AND WANTED TO PUT THIS, MAKE THIS CLEAR. HAVE WE VOTED? >> MOTION AND 2ND. >> WE HAVE NOT VOTED? >> NOT YET. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? >> FUNDAMENTAL , 472. >> LET'S DO THAT ONE 1ST, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OLD POST? I AM OPPOSED SO THE MOTION CARRIES 3-1 AND I WANT FOLKS TO SEE THE SHIP IS ALREADY SINKING AS IT INCREASED $4 MILLION THAT COULD HAVE FUNDED CYBER SECURITY. >> FOR CLARITY. >> WILL YOU LET ME FINISH BECAUSE I THINK IT COULD HAVE FUNDED MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUVENILE. >> YOUR VOTING AGAINST THE POLICY. >> THAT'S FINE. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE HAD INFORMATION ON PAY STRUCTURE, ELIGIBILITY, PAY SCALES BEFORE WE SPENT TAXPAYER DOLLARS WITHOUT EVEN ASKING THE PUBLIC IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE AND WE CUT PROGRAMS THAT THEY DEPEND ON WHILE SAYING WE CARE ABOUT THE PROGRAMS SO THIS IS STUFF THAT IS THE BASIC DUE DILIGENCE THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE WE VOTE ON AN ITEM AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS A STANDARD WE HAD FOR VOTING AND EVEN FOR JUST PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT. ALL RIGHT WHAT WAS THE OTHER? >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YOU HAVE THAT ONE JAMES. MOTION AND 2ND ALL IN FAVOR? ANY A POST? MOTION CARRIES 3-1 ALSO OPPOSED . THIS IS NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT. DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THE PAY STRUCTURE IS FOR THE $100 MILLION THIS IS COMMITTED TO AND WE ALREADY SEE WE HAVE TO CONTINUE DEFUNDING THE COUNTY SO I'M AGAINST IT, IT PASSES THROUGH-1. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES MADE THE 2ND. >> CORRECT, 499 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> FOR 99 EXTREMELY EXCITING ITEM AND I WANT TO THANK MANY OF MY TEAM MEMBERS WHO MADE A HAPPY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AS WELL THE WHOLE GRAND STEAM, INFRASTRUCTURE, SO MANY, THIS IS AN $11.3 MILLION GRANT FROM THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. IT IS THE LARGEST IN TEXAS, THE 2ND LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE IT IS A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GRANT THAT WENT TO TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. SO THANKFUL FOR MY TEAM IN REALLY BEING BOLD APPLYING FOR THE FUNDING BECAUSE THIS $11.3 MILLION WILL BE INVESTED IN THE MODERN-DAY ELLIS ISLAND THE HOTTEST DENSEST NEIGHBORHOOD AND THIS WILL HELP US BE ABLE TO INVEST IN THE PARK AND MAKE IT THIS GREEN REFUGE IN AN AREA THAT DEEPLY DESERVES IT. SO THANKFUL FOR THE PARK SERVICE, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE FOR THEIR COLLABORATION AND THIS WAS THE FASTEST MOVING GRANT IN THE UNITED STATES I SO APPRECIATE INVESTMENT AND SPEED AT WHICH THEY WORKED WITH US AND ALSO THIS WILL DEDICATE 48 ACRES OF LAND AS PARKLAND IN PERPETUITY IN BURNETT THEY LEND SO TO BE ABLE TO PRESERVE THE GREEN SPACE IN PERPETUITY IS A BLESSING SO ON SO MANY LEVELS I'M GRATEFUL. SPEAKING EARLIER THEY WERE CHAMPIONS AND ALL THE NONPROFITS AND SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES AND OTHER PLACES OF WORSHIP THAT MADE THIS HAPPEN, ALL HANDS ON DECK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING ON IT. THANK YOU TEAM THANK YOU TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. PROBABLY I WILL MOVE AS PRESENTED. >> MOTION AND 2ND ALL IN FAVOR? IN YOUR POST? MOTION CARRIES [04:40:04] UNANIMOUSLY. GOOD WORK AND THIS IS THE MEAT AND POTATOES WORK. SO I'M GLAD YOU ARE DOING THAT. I BELIEVE I MISSED ONE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 495. SO YOU FLAGGED THAT ON THE CONSTRUCTION BID CALENDAR. >> YES AND I THINK DIRECTOR PETERSON IS HERE. JUST A QUICK POINT , RELATED TO HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. DR. PETERSON IS WATCHING WITH GREAT FOCUS, OUR BID CALENDAR. WE KNOW WE HAVE $3.5 BILLION IN PROJECTS TO BE DONE, PROJECTS THAT ARE FUNDED, THAT ARE READY TO GO CONSTRUCTION. SO BEING SURE THAT WE BID THAT IN A VERY CLEAR AND DEFINED WAY OBVIOUSLY WE CAN'T BID THEM ALL IN ONE YEAR BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION CAPACITY OUT THERE. SO, CURRENTLY I THINK THIS YEAR IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS WE WILL DO ROUGHLY 400 MILLION. >> BETWEEN 400 AND 500. ARE YOU ON TRACK? >> WE ARE FULLY ON TRACK, EVERYTHING ANTICIPATED WOULD BE PUT OUT TO BID AND HAS BEEN PUT OUT TO BID AND WE EXPECT SEVERAL ITEMS THAT WERE ANTICIPATED FOR NEXT YEAR TO MOVE INTO THIS FISCAL YEAR OR THIS CALENDAR YEAR. >> I THINK THE POINT TO BE MADE IS YOU DO THE MATH, 4 YEARS, 3.5 IS YOU DO THE MATH, 4 YEARS, 3.5 BILLION. WE WILL BE CLOSER TO 800 MILLION WHERE WE WANT TO GET GOING FORWARD. NEXT YEAR HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE GREATER THAN THE 500 OR SO MILLION THIS YEAR. ANYWAY IT'S HELPFUL TO COME AND KEEP US ENCOURAGED AND ASSURED WE ARE ON SCHEDULE TO GET THESE PROJECTS. >> HAPPY TO DO IT AND WE WERE DIRECTED TO COME BACK WITH A QUARTERLY UPDATE AND WE WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR WITH THE NEXT INSTALLMENT. >> WITH A 1 POINT FOCUS GOING FORWARD IN THE NEXT UPDATE WE NEED ATTENTION TO THE PROJECTS, THOSE BEING COORDINATED THROUGH THE GL OH . EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT THAT'S THE HIGHEST RISK, MOST URGENT THING TO FOCUS ON. SO THERE IS A DEADLINE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT SO I THINK IN THE NEXT COURT WE PROBABLY NEED TO BE SPECIFIC AND IN TERMS OF WE ARE ON TRACK OR NOT ON TRACK , THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY AT RISK RELATED TO THAT. >> HAPPY TO DO THAT COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY TO A FIRMWARE ON TRACK TO BE BID IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> DR. PETERSON. >> THANK YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAMS WORK. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR MAKING SURE WE GET THE REGULAR UPDATES. I KNOW WE ALL FEEL A GREAT DEAL OF RESPONSIBILITY , GIVEN THE INCREDIBLY GREAT NEED AN INCREDIBLY TIGHT DEADLINES SO THERE'S NO ROOM FOR ERROR. WE TALK ALL THE TIME AND ESPECIALLY REPRESENTING WESTERN HARRIS COUNTY WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED AFTER HARVEY AND I'M LOOKING AT FEBRUARY 2027 FOR SPECIALLY ALL THE DEADLINES , BUT I THANK COMMISSIONER AND HER TEAM AND HOW COLLABORATIVE AND OPEN AND SOLUTIONS ORIENTED THEY HAVE BEEN. I KNOW WE DOUBLED DOWN WE NEED TO TRIPLE DOWN BECAUSE THE CLOCK IS TICKING AND I WANT TO THANK PURCHASING AGENT WILLIAMS FOR HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING BUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING IN THE COUNTY THAT WE CAN DO OR ANYTHING WE CAN DO FROM GOVERNMENT RELATIONS OR PARTNERSHIP STANDPOINT TO FACILITATE WE KNOW YOU HAVE A TON ON YOUR PLATE WITH RESPONSIBILITY AND WE ARE COMMUNICATING WITH EXCELLENCE BUT WE NEED 100% OPEN COMMUNICATION SO WE CAN DO OUR PART TO GET IT DONE BECAUSE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY ARE RELYING ON US AND I DON'T WANT TO SEND A PENNY BACK BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE COMPLETED THE PROJECTS AND I'M THANKFUL I KNOW YOU BREATHE IT AND REMIT EVERY SINGLE DAY AND SO DO I AND I APPRECIATE IT. GIVEN THE TIMELINE WE NEED TO FURTHER AMPLIFY THE LASER FOCUS AND WE WANT TO BE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU. LET US KNOW WHAT YOU NEED. >> THE PURCHASING AGENT AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING MULTIPLE TIMES THIS WEEK. SO WE ARE PROBLEM-SOLVING, STRATEGIZING AND WE WILL BE HAVING [04:45:04] CONVERSATIONS TO FLAG WHERE WE SEE OPPORTUNITIES. >> NORMAL COURT PROCEEDINGS IF THEY ARE NOT ADEQUATE TO SUPPORT YOUR OBJECTIVE THEN CHANGE IT. WE ARE HERE FOR YOUR. >> SIMILARLY DR. PETERSON THANK YOU. WE SPOKE ABOUT THE SAME THING AND I WANT TO THANK DR. BUCKINGHAM BECAUSE SHE IS TRACKING IT AND SHE DOES NOT WANT TO SEE ANY MONEY COMING BACK. PLEASE LEAN ON US TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT YOU SO WE CAN GET THESE PROJECTS DONE AND SPEND THE MONEY. THANK YOU. >> DIRECTOR, BRIEFLY HOW MANY OF THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS REMAIN ON PAUSE? CURRENTLY THERE'S NO MONEY TO PAY FOR THEM. >> I BELIEVE WE HAD ROUGHLY 20 TO 25 PROJECTS. >> ADDING UP? >> ROUGHLY 3 OR $400 MILLION WAS MY RECOLLECTION. >> IF THEY DON'T ENDORSE ELECTIONS THE POLICE UNION DOES AND THEY WERE OKAY PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT AND I WORRY ABOUT THIS. THIS IS WHERE $100 MILLION COULD HAVE GONE OR SHOULD HAVE GONE IF IT WAS GOING TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AND CYBER SECURITY AND MENTAL HEALTH ET CETERA SO I APPRECIATE THE WORK AND I'M GLAD WE ARE DOING THIS. IT PAINS ME THAT WE ARE NOT FULFILLING THE RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTERS BY MAKING SURE FUNDING IS THERE FOR THE PROJECTS PROMISED BUT I KNOW THAT'S NOT ON YOU, THANK YOU. DO WE NEED TO VOTE A MOTION ON THIS ONE? >> NO. >> NO MOTION ON THAT ONE. IF I AM FOLLOWING THIS WHEN WE HAVE LEFT IS RESOLUTIONS BUT IT'S POSSIBLE I MISS SOMETHING. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> DO WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL 4:00 OR CAN WE START? >> WE CAN START NOW. >> LET'S START I WILL TAKE THEM IN ORDER. THE 1ST ONE IS JOINT RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE RETIREMENT OF JOSEPH STRANGE , SO LET ME PULL IT UP HERE. >> ALL RIGHT IS HE HERE BY ANY CHANCE? OH, OH, OH, MY GOODNESS. I WAS LIKE I HAVE HEARD THE NAME BEFORE. >> WE KNOW YOU AS JOE. OH, NO. I WOULD'VE REFUSED TO PUT IT FORTH THE WOULD'VE GOT YOU TO STAY. I'M LIKE I WANT NO PART IN THIS. WHEREAS JOSEPH STRANGE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH HARRIS COUNTY 48 YEARS AGO DEDICATING HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND STEADILY BUILDING A REPUTATION FOR INTEGRITY, COMPASSION AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SERVING WITH DISTINCTION INVESTIGATIONS FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, THE HARRIS COUNTY ROBERT HAYNESWORTH LAW LIBRARY WHERE HE BROUGHT STEADINESS AND CARE TO THE COUNTRY'S MOST SENSITIVE COUNTIES AND DEMANDING WORK. DURING HIS TENURE JOSEPH STRANGE TOOK ON ASSIGNMENTS PHOTOGRAPHING AND FILMING VIDEO FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THE COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS COURT AND NUMEROUS DEPARTMENTS FOR 26 YEARS CAPTURING MOMENTS MILESTONES AND PEOPLE WHO SHAPE HARRIS COUNTY CONTRIBUTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF ITS HISTORY. THIS WAS JUST ON THE SIDE DURING HIS TENURE JOSEPH STRANGE EXTENDED PASSION FOR HISTORY AND COMMUNITY AND HIS ROLE AS A MEMBER OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION HELPING SAFEGUARD STORIES, LANDMARKS AND LEGACIES THAT DEFINE THE COUNTY HE HAS SERVED. BE IT RESOLVED JOSEPH STRANGE IS RECOGNIZING AND HONORED FOR LIFETIME OF SERVICE MARKED BY DEDICATION, HUMILITY AND HUMBLE EXCELLENCE THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IN HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR THE LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS HE HAS MADE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I BELIEVE FOLKS THAT CAME BEFORE US WOULD BE HERE ECHOING THOSE WORDS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, I HAVE CHILLS RIGHT NOW JOE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THIS RESOLUTION BE SPREAD UPON THE MINUTES OF COMMISSIONERS COURT THE 11TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025. CLAPP AGAIN. [04:50:15] >> SO WE WILL HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN RAMSEY. >> JOE, JOSEPH, YOU ARE NO STRANGER TO A GOOD HEART , A COMING SMILE AND INCREDIBLE PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. I HAVE SEEN YOU OVER THE YEARS SINCE I STEPPED IN AS SHERIFF AND THROUGH THIS TIME YOU HAVE JUST BEEN A BIT OF COMFORT IN THIS PLACE THAT CAN BE SOMETIMES A LITTLE HECTIC AND I WANT TO THANK YOU. SOME PEOPLE JUST MAY SAY YOU ARE TAKING A PICTURE, BUT YOU DO IT SO WELL THAT THE PEOPLE I HAVE HEARD FROM, THAT HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PHOTOS , THEY ARE JUST IN AWE IT IS SUCH A WELL TAKEN PICTURE OF THEM. SO, THOSE LITTLE THINGS MEAN THE WORLD TO SO MANY. I KNOW SOMETIMES WE RUN A LITTLE LONG HERE, BUT YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE , YOU HAVE ALWAYS SMILED AND TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND ALSO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WEARING THE BADGE , WEARING THE GUN AND HAVING DONE THE EARLIER WORK YOU HAVE DONE TO HELP VICTIMS OF CRIME. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU, MAN. >> JOE, CONGRATULATIONS AND I WISH YOU THE ABSOLUTE BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT AND WE ARE SAD TO SEE HER GO AND WE ARE INCREDIBLY THANKFUL, FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND THE HEART WITH WHICH YOU DO IT AND THE LEVEL OF PRIDE YOU TAKING YOUR WORK HAS ALWAYS MOVED ME THE LAST 3 YEARS SPENT TOGETHER AND THE SMILE YOU GIVE US AND THE WARMTH, YOU MAKE US FEEL AT HOME AND THANK YOU FOR CAPTURING THE HISTORY AND MEMORIES AND THE MOMENTS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING HOW YOU SPEND YOUR RETIREMENT BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU SO I HOPE YOU WILL VISIT US THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR SHARING JOE WITH THE COUNTY WE THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATE YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IT JUST OCCURRED TO ME WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMEBODY TAKE A PICTURE OF YOU. CAN WE USE YOUR CAMERA? >> ALL RIGHT. >> ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR MOVING YOUR TO THE END OF THE MEETING RATHER THAN THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING IT WAS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S IDEA. BUT, YOU DO IT, YOU DID IT WITH THAT USUAL SMILE ON YOUR FACE, THE MOST CONSISTENT AND POSITIVE THING I HAVE EXPERIENCED SERVING ON THE COURT , I STARTED JANUARY 2021, IT'S YOU AND IT IS YOU AS LONG-TERM TENURED EMPLOYEES THAT MAKE HARRIS COUNTY THE BEST PLACE TO WORK THAT I KNOW OF YOU CAN DO ALL KINDS OF STUDIES, GO PAY CONSULTANTS ALL YOU WANT BUT IT IS PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT MAKES HARRIS COUNTY A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO WORK. THANK YOU FOR BEING THAT ENCOURAGING, THE PERSON THAT HAPPENS TO TAKE A PICTURE OR 2, BUT YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR. >> THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> I JUST WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. AND THE PEOPLE WHO SAT IN YOUR CHAIRS BEFORE YOU. THE ELECTED OFFICIALS I HAVE WORKED UNDER AND WALKED WITH , STARTING WITH ALTAR RINK IN CONSTABLE PRECINCT, THE 1ST FEMALE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF HARRIS COUNTY, VINCE RYAN AND KRISTIAN MENEFEE, THERE'S NOT A MOMENT OF ANY OF THIS SERVICE THAT I REGRET. OTHER THAN LEAVING. YOU ARE ALL SUCH A BLESSING TO WORK WITH AND BE AROUND. IF THERE IS EVER ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO FOR ANY OF YOU, PLEASE CALL. >> THANK YOU. WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU, LOTS OF US ARE GOING TO MISS YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT LET'S MOVE ON. AND JOE KNOWS WE WILL TAKE THE [04:55:06] PICTURE AFTER ALL THE RESOLUTIONS. SO LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 501 AND THAT IS AN ITEM THAT ALL OF US VOTED FOR AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT SO JUST , JUST TO READ PART OF THE RESOLUTION. WHEREAS DURING THE 80TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE PASSED SENATE BILL 1145 AND JOINT RESOLUTION 64 TO ALLOW CITIES AND COUNTIES OPTION TO PROVIDE EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXATION FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES. CONTINGENT ON VOTER APPROVAL. NOVEMBER 7 . NOVEMBER 7, 2023 64.8% OF TEXAS VOTERS APPROVED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND IN ORDER TO QUALIFY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS RISING STAR PROGRAM AND MAINTAIN 20% ROMAN CHILDREN RECEIVING SUBSIDIZED SERVICES TO THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION AMONG OTHER CRITERIA. NOVEMBER 2025 149 CHILDCARE FACILITIES SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED THE EXEMPTION ESTIMATED 1167 PROVIDERS THE COUNTY COULD QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTIONS SO WE WILL WORK ON THAT. AND 85% OF FAMILY CHILDCARE EDUCATION IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE INTERESTED IN FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE , THIS WILL ENCOURAGE FACILITIES TO REMAIN OPEN AND SUPPORT FAMILIES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY WORKFORCE THEREFORE BE RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WISHES TO REFLECT THE WILL OF THE VOTERS BY RE-ADOPTING AND REAUTHORIZING 100% PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR QUALIFIED CHILDCARE PROVIDERS. I BELIEVE WE ALREADY VOTED ON THIS ONE. WE WILL VOTE IN A MINUTE. SO, THANK YOU COLLEAGUES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS DOES NOT HAVE RESOLUTIONS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER , WE WILL MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YANKEE. I AM VERY VERY EXCITED AND PLEASED TO WELCOME JIM , CARRY AND KIM WE MAKE YOUR WAY DOWN? THEY ARE A PART IF NOT THE HEARTBEAT OF THE BAYTOWN LITTLE THEATER AND THEY ARE RECEIVING A VERY WELL DESERVING AND WELL EARNED RESOLUTION. THIS , THE THEATER SERVES BAYTOWN AND THE ENTIRE HOUSTON AREA, SINCE 1961. IT HAS PRODUCED OVER 400 PLAYS AND HAS HOSTED OVER HALF 1 MILLION AUDIENCE MEMBERS , THAT IS PHENOMENAL. FOR MOST HISTORY THE THEATER HAS FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED SOLELY, HAS BEEN SUPPORTED SOLELY THROUGH TICKET SALES AND PRIVATE AND BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS. CAST AND CREW AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS OF RECENT PRODUCTIONS OR REPRESENTING COMMUNITIES INCLUDING BAYTOWN, LA PORTE, DEER PARK, PASADENA, SOUTH EASTON, CROSBY, SHELDON, HOFFMAN, CASCA SEDA, SEABROOK, TEXAS CITY, GALVESTON AS WELL AS HOUSTON PROPER. AND THEN EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE BAYTOWN LITTLE THEATER CONTEST PRODUCTION OF TUESDAYS WITH MAURY ADVANCED TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION AND RECEIVED 3 AWARDS SO JUST CONGRATULATIONS . I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE WHEN I WAS CITY COUNCILMEMBER OF DISTRICT H WHICH HAD THE HEIGHTS I ALSO WORKED WITH THE OPERA ON THE HEIGHTS AND THEN THERE IN THERE IS THE AURORA THEATER SO TO HAVE BAYTOWN LITTLE THEATER IN A LITTLE PRECINCT AND THE WORK THAT I DO IT IS EXCITING AND JUST A BLESSING, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. YOU KNOW, BEING IN THEATER IS A LITTLE UNNERVING FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN A ACTOR. AND I REMEMBER, I DID A , A RECITAL OF KING HENRY , OUR BAND OF BROTHERS. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT LOOK I HAVE CARRIED A GUN, CHASED PEOPLE, WALKED DOWN DARK ALLEYS, BUT TO GET OUT ON THE STAGE AND NOT BE ABLE TO SEE ANYBODY, BUT TO KNOW THAT IT IS FULL OF PEOPLE. THAT ONE REALLY TOOK ME BY SURPRISE. LISTEN, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING ARTS [05:00:07] TO THE EAST SIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY, THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING US SO WELL AND THANK YOU FOR PURSUING COMPETITION. IT WAS NO EASY TASK , WE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT VERY PROUD OF YOUR SUCCESS. JIM, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THE FLOOR OR THE MICROPHONE ? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT. I GOT HERE IN TIME TO HEAR YOU GUYS APPROVE THE STREETLIGHTS FOR LYNCHBURG . AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SO THANK YOU, WE NEED THEM >> THANK YOU TOM APPRECIATE IT I THOUGHT YOU WERE PROBABLY INVOLVED IN ALL THAT. THE WILL MAKE OUR LIFE A LOT EASIER WE WON'T GET AS MANY PHONE CALLS SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I WANTED TO MENTION IN ADDITION TO YOU MENTIONED THIS WILL BE THE 65TH YEAR OF CONTINUOUS OPERATION. KIM MARTIN HAS BEEN AROUND 55 YEARS OF THAT. I WILL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED 40 YEARS OF THAT, CARRY HAS BEEN AROUND 35. HE HAS ONLY BEEN AROUND ABOUT 10 YEARS NOW, HE IS THE BABY OF THE BUNCH. WHAT I THINK IS MOST REMARKABLE IS WE ARE ALL VOLUNTEERS, NOBODY GETS PAID. THE ONLY MONEY THAT WE SEE IS THROUGH TICKET SALES AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS. SOMETIMES WHEN WE GO DO THAT. SO WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU ALL, ALL OF YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. >> MY NAME IS CARRIE MCCRAE AND HAD THE PLEASURE BEING THE DIRECTOR FOR TUESDAYS WITH MAURY. I THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT AS WE DEVELOPED FROM SCRIPT TO STAGE GARNISHING MEMBERS AWARDS AND ACCOLADES , STATEWIDE, REGIONAL AND NATIONALLY. THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF A BELOVED SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR FROM THE UNIVERSITY IN THE MID 1970S TO THE LATE 1990S AS TOLD BY ONE OF HIS MOST DEVOTED STUDENTS. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH MLA, SPENT THE LAST DAYS TOGETHER ON TUESDAYS WHERE MITCH CHRONICLED THE LAST WORDS OF WIT AND WISDOM WHICH WAS LATER PUBLISHED INTO A BOOK TO PAY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES. YOUR ACTIONS, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE AND YOUR VISION HONORED OUR EFFORTS AND MESSAGE OF HOPE TO COUNTLESS OTHERS AS WELL AS RECOGNIZING THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY THEATER. LET ME LEAVE YOU WITH ONE THOUGHT FROM MAURY. THE WAY YOU GET MEANING INTO YOUR LIFE IS TO DEVOTE YOURSELF TO LOVING OTHERS, DEVOTE YOURSELF TO THE COMMUNITY AROUND TO ENTER CREATING SOMETHING THAT GIVES YOU PURPOSE AND MEANING THANK YOU. >> BEFORE , I WILL TURN YOU OVER TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BUT I DO WANT TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE , THE AWARDS YOU GUYS HAVE RECEIVED, THESE ARE VERY IMPRESSIVE. 1ST, IT WAS THE TUESDAYS WITH MAURY . THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE FAVORITE SHOW AWARD. AND THEN YOU GOT THE COVETED BACKSTAGE AWARD FOR TECHNICAL THEATER. AND THEN JIM WON THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR FAVORITE PERFORMER AWARD. CONGRATS. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> YOU PROBABLY DON'T HEAR ENOUGH FROM THE COMMUNITY. MANY TIMES WHAT THESE MEAN TO THE COMMUNITY GOES WITHOUT SAYING BUT IT MEANS A LOT. I GREW UP IN A MUCH SMALLER TOWN, CROCKETT. IT'S THEATER IS THE RITZ THEATER. IN FACT IT WAS FORMED IN THE EARLY 1900S. THEY JUST RENOVATED IT. REALLY BOB THORNTON APPEARED THERE 3 WEEKS AGO TO A PACKED HOUSE, 400 PEOPLE. BUT, KNOW THAT MEANS EVERYTHING TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY CAN GO AND WATCH A MOVIE THAT'S NOT NOTHING LIKE GOING TO THE RITZ, OR IN THIS CASE GOING TO THE BAYTOWN LITTLE THEATER. SO THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT, THAT IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE COMMUNITY OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. DO NOT EVER UNDERSELL WHAT THAT MEANS TO BAYTOWN. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATE YOU. IT'S A GREAT ITEM AND I'M PROUD TO VOTE FOR IT. I WILL COME OUT AND GET ON STAGE, NOT AS GOOD OF A ACTOR [05:05:03] NOT AS DRAMATIC AS MY COLLEAGUES. BUT I WILL HAVE A COMMAND PERFORMANCE. ALSO VOTING YES ON ALL THE ITEMS THAT ARE PASSED AND WILL PASS THAT I MIGHT HAVE MISSED. >> IS THAT ALL HE NEEDS JAMES? >> I LOOKED AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> YEAH, THE MOTION SUBMITTED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I DO SOMETHING TO ADD. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS. CONGRATULATIONS, THAT'S SO EXCITING. I AM GUESSING IT IS NOT STILL RUNNING. I WISH I HAD GONE. I READ IT YEARS AND YEARS AGO AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS, BUT I REMEMBER IT WAS AMAZING SO I WISH I HAD SEEN IT BUT I HOPE I CAN WATCH ANOTHER PERFORMANCE . >> AND DIRECTING THE PRODUCTION OF 1776 THIS SUMMER IN HONOR OF THE 250TH SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. I NEED ALL I CAN GET. >> I WILL BE THERE RIGHT BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THAT'S WONDERFUL, GOOD RELATIONS. MY GOODNESS, IT IS JUST GREAT AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> GET A TELEPROMPTER WE ARE NOT AS QUICK ON OUR FEET AS WE USED TO BE. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. NOW WE WILL MOVE TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> LET ME START, I WILL DO 503 AND THEN THE JUDGE AND I WILL DO 504. WE TALK A LOT ABOUT FLOOD MITIGATION, FLOOD CONTROL AND PARTNERSHIPS, THIS RESOLUTION IS MEANT IN THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNICATION, BARRY CLEARLY COMMUNICATIVE WITH OUR NEIGHBORS . TYPICALLY, WHEN I SEE SOMETHING I AM GOING TO SAY SOMETHING. I THOUGHT IN THIS CASE A RESOLUTION WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE SO LET ME COMMUNICATE WITH MY SPECIFICALLY FRIENDS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND THEY ARE MY FRIENDS. THIS ISSUE I AM ABOUT TO DISCUSS, I HAVE MET WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE. I MET WITH MOST COMMISSIONERS. WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS. SO THIS ISN'T A CHEAP SHOT , THIS IS NOT ME SPOUTING OFF, BUT IT IS MEANT TO DOCUMENT KIND OF WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE WANT TO GO. SO WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY LEADS THE COUNTRY IN FLOOD PREVENTION INVESTMENT WITH 3.5 BILLION SPENT ON FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND CALLS UPON MONTGOMERY COUNTY LEADERSHIP TO ADOPT THE MINIMUM DRAINAGE CRITERIA AS PER THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DOCUMENT WHEREAS THE LAND UNDER DEVELOPMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOR THE SCARBOROUGH LANE PROJECT IS SITUATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SPRING CREEK. CYPRESS CREEK. AND THE RIVER. THAT IS THE CONFLUENCE OF SPRING CREEK, CYPRESS CREEK AND THE RIVER NEAR KINGWOOD. HISTORICAL FLOOD DATA FOR THIS TRACT OF LAND CAUSES CONCERNS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROPERTY IN FLOOD ZONE MAY RESULT IN A NEGATIVE IMPACT TO CURRENT RESIDENCE IN MONTGOMERY AND HARRIS COUNTY WHEREAS PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY SHOULD BE REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED FOR FLOOD MITIGATION , FLOOD PRESERVATION AND PARK DEVELOPMENT WHEREAS ANY DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PARCEL SHOULD MEET OR EXCEED THE HARRIS COUNTY STANDARDS INCLUDING THE ELEVATIONS OF THE STRUCTURE IN ANY MITIGATION PONDS TO BE CONSIDERED ONLY OUTSIDE THE CURRENT 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN AND ALL THE FLOODWAY. WHEREAS ANY MITIGATION COMPLETED SHOULD CONSIDER TRYING TO HOLD BACK WATER EARLY IN A STORM , IN ENGINEERING WE CALL THAT WE WANT THE 1ST WATER NOT THE LAST TO BE HELD AND DETAINED IN THE BASIN WHEREAS THE TRACT OF LAND RENDERS SIGNIFICANT AND AFFORDABLE FLOOD MITIGATION OPPORTUNITY THAT WOULD NOT ONLY PREVENT FLOOD DAMAGE, BUT FOSTER WETLAND GROWTH AND GROUNDWATER FILTRATION. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT CALLS MONTGOMERY COUNTY LEADERSHIP TO [05:10:02] TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THESE CONCERNS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE SCARBOROUGH LANE PROJECT. BY THE WAY, THAT IS A 5000 ACRE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. A HUGE DEVELOPMENT LOCATED IN PROBABLY THE LEAST PREFERRED SPOT ON THE PLANET, RIGHT TO THE WEST OF KINGWOOD . RIGHT ABOVE LAKE HOUSTON THAT'S MY MOTION AND I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 2ND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> BY THE WAY THE CITY OF HOUSTON WILL BE ADOPTING A SIMILAR RESOLUTION NEXT WEEK. >> THAT'S GREAT. I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD THE CONVERSATIONS AND I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH THE JUDGE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE? ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE THIS? >> THIS PRETTY WELL DEFINED IT AND GIVES A PATH FORWARD IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU CAN DO. IT'S NOT JUST ME SAYING DO FLOOD MITIGATION, THAT'S VERY SPECIFIC IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY CAN DO. ADOPTING CRITERIA FRANKLY ADOPTING CRITERIA IS NOT COST ANYBODY ANYTHING. BUT IT SURE PROTECTS MY GRANDCHILDREN 20 YEARS FROM NOW FROM BEING FLOODED SHOULD THEY LIVE IN KINGWOOD. >> SO ANYWAY, THANK YOU AND WE PASS THIS WITH ALL DUE RESPECT AND ON BEHALF OF ALL COMMUNITIES. ALL RIGHT AND THEN WE HAVE ITEM 504. >> TO BE CLEAR THAT WAS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION. >> CORRECT. >> 504 AND I THINK JUDGE HIDALGO AND I ARE JOINT ON THIS. WE HAVE SOME FRIENDS, COREY DO YOU HAVE A NEW FRIEND? HE IS A GOOD FRIEND WHAT'S HIS NAME? NOEL? >> PERFECT NAME FOR THE SEASON. >> MUST BE SHY. >> MY GOODNESS, SO CUTE. >> HAS NOEL BEEN ADOPTED? >> NO, NOT ADOPTED AND I BROUGHT PAPERWORK. >> SOMEBODY, THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY. >> SO THE RESOLUTION JUDGE HIDALGO AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND. WHEREAS MORE THAN 1 MILLION STRAY ANIMALS IN HARRIS COUNTY FACE UNSAFE CONDITIONS, HUNGER AND LACK OF CARE , WHEREAS RESIDENTS CAN MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE BY CHOOSING TO ADOPT OR FOSTER FROM LOCAL SHELTERS INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY PETS WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY PETS TAKES IN MORE THAN 9000 STRAY ANIMALS EACH YEAR AND PARTNERS WITH RESCUES, NONPROFITS AND VOLUNTEERS TO HELP APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THESE ANIMALS TO FIND FOSTER OR PERMANENT AND LOVING HOMES WHEREAS THIS YEAR ALONE THE SHELTER HAS PERFORMED MORE THAN 6000 SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES, PROCEDURES TO REDUCE IN THE STRAY ANIMAL POPULATION. WHEREAS PRECINCT 3 AND HARRIS COUNTY SUPPORTS HARRIS PETS BY HOSTING MOBILE SPAY, NEUTER AND FOSTER ADOPTION EVENTS. WE AND THE PRECINCT ARE CONSUMING MORE THAN $1 MILLION ANNUALLY TOWARD SHELTER OPERATIONS FACILITATING WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND POLICY AND PROCEDURE IMPROVEMENTS, ORGANIZING INITIATIVES. OUR CHRISTMAS FOCUS IS CALLED A SANTA PAWS CHRISTMAS DRIVE AND WE ARE COLLECTING . INCREASING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP INCLUDING CHOOSING ADOPTION, SPAY AND NEUTER AND PROVIDING PROPER CARE ARE CRITICAL WHEREAS NATIONAL , THE NATIONAL CELEBRATE SHELTER PETS DAY CALLS ATTENTION TO THE MANY ANIMALS WAITING AND READY FOR A FRESH START. SO THAT IS OUR , THAT IS OUR RESOLUTION. >> WE WILL THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES DECEMBER 5 AS NATIONAL CELEBRATION PETS DAY. THERE YOU GO. >> ONE ITEM AND DIRECTOR AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT . CERTAINLY IN CONVERSATIONS AND WE WILL BE IN MORE DISCUSSIONS SOON. REALLY FOCUS THIS YEAR ON SPAY AND NEUTER. WE HAVE SOME [05:15:01] GREAT PARTNERS WE ARE LOOKING AT CONSIDERING SO WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT BUT I WILL GIVE YOU ONE STATISTIC AND COREY CAN TELL YOU SOME MORE FUN STUFF. IN A SIX-YEAR PERIOD IF YOU SPAY AND NEUTER A SINGLE POP , A SINGLE ANIMAL, ONE ANIMAL , YOU'RE GOING TO PREVENT THE BIRTH OF 67,000 PUPPIES. 6 YEARS. ONE PUPPY. 'S YOU SEE THE URGENCY AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SPAY AND NEUTER PROGRAM SO WE CAN GET THIS UNDER CONTROL BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST IN A CRISIS MODE, AS COREY WILL TELL YOU, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY. IT MATTERS. >> I HOPE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES I WANT TO FOCUS ON MY LAST YEAR IN THE SEAT AND I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO PARTNER AND WITH THE CITY BECAUSE IT IS, I THINK IT HAS BEEN A CRISIS AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. FORGET IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE ANIMALS OR NOT, WHATEVER. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE HAVE STRAY DOGS SO ANYWAY I AM SO GLAD WE ARE PARTNERING ON THIS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN THE DIRECTOR. >> THANK YOU. 1ST OF ALL I LOVE THIS LOVE FESTIVAL GOING ON HERE. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO AND IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, THIS IS THE SEASON. ALTHOUGH COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS ENCOURAGED ME TO GIVE MY WIFE A HEART ATTACK BY BRINGING ANOTHER FURRY FRIEND HOME. I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT, BUT THINK ABOUT IT, A PET DOES MAKE AN INCREDIBLE PRESENT , SO THINK ABOUT IT. WILL YOU PROVIDE BOWS IN CASE PEOPLE WANT TO PICK THEM UP? A LITTLE PLUG FOR THE ADOPTION. ALSO TO SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL TO PARTNER WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON RESPECTIVE SPAY AND NEUTER EVENTS AND WE HAVE DONE OVER 5000 ANIMALS WITH THE EMPTY SHELTER PROJECT AND TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT EARLIER, IT IS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADOPT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS. AND WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO STAY AWAY FROM EUTHANIZING TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN. ABSOLUTELY, SPAY AND NEUTERING IS A PART OF THE SOLUTION. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING US AS WE WORK WITH THE PROJECT. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS AND I ECHO MY COLLEAGUES'S STATEMENTS, THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR SHOWING UP IN THE COMMUNITY. PROVIDING SPAY AND NEUTERING AND VACCINATION, ADOPTION EVENTS IS REMARKABLE. I KNOW WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS AND WE HAVE MORE TO MAKE TOGETHER AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING BRINGING DIFFERENT GROUPS TOGETHER SO WE CAN FIND SYNERGIES AND WORK CLOSELY. MY CHIEF OF STAFF IS THE PATRON SAINT OF CATS SO SHE IS ALWAYS FINDING CATS AND GETTING THEM SPAYED AND NEUTERED SO MAYBE HER FREE TIME SHE CAN JOIN FOR THEIR JOIN FORCES WITH YOU BECAUSE THAT'S THE GREAT LOVE OF HER LIFE. THEY DO MAKE WONDERFUL HOLIDAY PRESENTS AND ADOPT DON'T SHOP AND LET'S DOUBLE DOWN ON THE SPAY AND NEUTERING. I LOVE HOW YOU HAVE COME FORWARD WITH IDEAS AND LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN SUPPORT AND NOEL IS SUCH A DOLL. I CAN WAIT TO PET HER. THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD DIRECTOR. >> THINK VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH HARRIS COUNTY PETS RESOURCE CENTER. I DID BRING NOEL TODAY BECAUSE I USUALLY BRING PUPPIES AND PUPPIES ARE GREAT, WE ADOPT ALL THE TIME COME OVER 450 ADULT DOGS AND CATS ARE AT THE SHELTER. SO I WANT TO BRING AWARENESS WE HAVE GRADE ONCE HERE, SHE WAS CUDDLING THE WHOLE TIME, SHE'S AMAZING. YOU KNOW WE REALLY HAVE AND TO GO ABOUT SPAY AND NEUTERING THAT WAS A FOCUS LAST YEAR AND YOU WERE MENTIONING 6000 WE HAD DONE. OVER 1000 WAS FOR OWNED PETS AND THAT'S WHERE WE MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING IT, THE OTHER PARTIAL TO PETS, GETTING THOSE, MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE AND LOW COST IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. AS FAR AS ADOPTIONS GO, WE HAVE PARTNERED ACROSS FOR EACH ONE OF THE PRECINCTS AND BECAUSE OF US HAVING EVENTS ALMOST EVERY SINGLE WEEK WE DID SEE ADOPTION DRIES BY 5% LAST YEAR SO THAT'S GETTING THE WORD OUT, HAVING RESOLUTIONS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. IT'S BEEN AWESOME. >> THANK YOU, CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT NOEL? JOE, HAVE A [05:20:02] FRIEND FOR RETIREMENT. >> HE IS SAYING DON'T RETIRE. >> TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT NOEL. >> ABSOLUTELY. NOEL CAME IN, BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER, SHE IS FULLY READY TO GO ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD AND WE HAVE GOT HER FROM THE EAST SIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND SHE HAS BEEN AMAZING TODAY. I TOOK HER OUT OF THE KENNEL THIS MORNING TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS CLEAN AND PRESENTABLE AND SHE WAS ALREADY CLEAN. SHE SLEPT IN MY OFFICE MOST THE DAY BEFORE I CAME OUT HERE. A REALLY GOOD DOG, LABRADOR MIX FULLY GROWN AND I BROUGHT ADOPTION PAPERWORK. >> YOU GUYS SERIOUSLY IF I DO NOT LIVE IN AN APARTMENT I WOULD . I ADOPTED MINE AND SHE WAS 2 YEARS OLD. DEFINITELY ADOPTING ADULT ANIMALS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. THEY ARE WONDERFUL. ANYWAY , I HOPE SOMEBODY TAKES HER HOME. >> A DID BRING JOE SUPERVISOR AND USUALLY GOOD AT CONVINCING PEOPLE TO ADOPT. >> JOE, STAND BY THE DOOR. SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS WE WILL BE TAKING PICTURES. WE HAVE 15 MINUTES OR 10 MINUTES FOR SOMEBODY TO GIVE A GIFT TO NOEL AND THEMSELVES. SO ANYWAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH . COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I WAS GOING TO TEASE MY HUSBAND BECAUSE HE WATCHES COMMISSIONERS COURT AND HE KNOWS HOW MUCH I LOVE DOGS. HONEY ARE YOU WATCHING I MIGHT COME HOME WITH A GIFT FOR YOUR. IT UP AT OUR CAT AND DOG. YOU WANT TO BE THE PERSON THAT YOUR PET THINGS YOU ARE. THEY GIVE SO MUCH LOVE AND CREATE A SENSE OF FAMILY. ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT. >> I DON'T KNOW IF WE ALREADY CLAPPED. THANK YOU. >> YOU GUYS WILL STAY FOR THE PICTURES RIGHT? AND FOR THE IMPENDING ADOPTION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I HAVE 2 RESOLUTIONS. 1ST 505 RELATED TO HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH'S GRADE WORK TO CELEBRATE THE ACCREDITATION. DIRECTOR BARTON AND TEAM IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN US. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WAS 1ST ACCREDITED IN 2018. THIS APPLIES THROUGH 2030 AND IT DEMONSTRATES OUR DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS AND COMMITMENT TO ACCOUNTABILITY, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE. THIS IS AN ACCREDITATION BY THE SOLE ACCREDITING BODY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE UNITED STATES, PUBLIC HEALTH ACCREDITATION BOARD AND WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THE HARD WORK YOU DO EACH AND EVERY DAY TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTHIER AND A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. THANK YOU DIRECTOR BARTON AND TEAM AND WE ARE CELEBRATING THE ACCREDITATION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS BRANDON MADDOX PLANNING AND INNOVATION FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. LIKE COMMISSION NOTED THE ACCREDITATION BOARD , THEY SAID STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS NATIONWIDE. WHILE THERE ARE 103 LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN TEXAS, ONLY 9 ARE ACCREDITED . HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WAS CREDITED IN 2018 AND BECAUSE OF THE ACCREDITATION STATUS THAT APPLIES NOW UNTIL 2030. IN PURSUIT OF REACCREDITATION WE SUBMITTED MATERIALS DESCRIBING THE DEPARTMENT, PARTNERS WE WORK WITH, SERVICES WE PROVIDE AND ULTIMATELY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. I WANT TO THANK MEMBERS OF THE TEAM, PLANNING AND INNOVATION WHO ARE HERE AND OUR ACCREDITATION COORDINATOR WHO DID EXTENSIVE WORK GETTING US TO THIS POINT. WE COMPILED 114 DOCUMENTS THAT DESCRIBED OUR DEPARTMENT. THAT COMPRISED EVERYTHING WITHIN THE REACCREDITATION PORTFOLIO AND HAS STEPPED UP TO HELP US REACH THIS MILESTONE. I WANT TO THANK LEAH FOR HER GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION AND ALL OF PUBLIC HEALTH BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ADHERE TO STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE SO WE CAN MAKE THE COMMUNITY HEALTHIER. >> THIS IS HUGE. I KNOW YOU PUT COUNTLESS HOURS INTO THE WORK AND THIS IS A HUGE TESTAMENT SO WE ARE SO PROUD AND THANKFUL. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD I AM LEAH BARTON, INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THIS ACCREDITATION WHICH DOES REQUIRE US TO MEET RIGOROUS NATIONAL [05:25:03] STANDARDS AND ADHERE TO BEST PRACTICE AND PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS. VERY GRATEFUL TO BRANDON, THE REST OF THE PLANNING AND INNOVATION TEAM, AS NOTED THIS BELONGS TO THE FULL PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM SO I AM HAPPY TO INTRODUCE 4 OF OUR EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER WHICH IS A RECOGNITION PROGRAM WE HAVE INSTITUTED. RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING ALL INTAKE AND INVESTIGATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE CASES. THE DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM HELPS PEOPLE REDUCE A1C, BMI, OTHER RISK FACTORS. PROMOTES HEALTHY BEHAVIORS IN THE HEALTH PROGRAMS WITH CREATIVE AND THOUGHTFUL GRAPHIC DESIGN AND YOU'VE ALREADY MET JOE WHO HAS BEEN TREATING OUR SHELTER ANIMALS WITH EXTREME COMPASSION FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS WORK DOES NOT END. WE STILL HAVE TO KEEP ADHERING TO STANDARDS, BUT VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A GREAT TEAM IN PLACE TO DO SO. >> THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS. >> MY 2ND AND FINAL RESOLUTION BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY HUSBAND ALREADY TEXTED BACK NO WITH A LOT OF O'S. I JUST LOVE DOGS, ONE DAY I WILL HAVE MANY. THE NEXT ONE IS ACTUALLY AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT RESOLUTION. ESPECIALLY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS AND I WANT TO THANK ALL PARTNERS AND IF YOU'RE HERE FOR THE IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH RESOLUTION IF YOU CAN PLEASE JOIN ME. WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING, HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND LINK HOUSTON. I KNOW ALL OF US HAVE BEEN TOUCHED IN SOME WAY BY THE IMPACTS OF DRUNK DRIVING. WE KNOW SOMEONE WE HAVE LOST SOMEONE IN OUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THIS IS ENTIRELY PREVENTABLE. THIS IS ABOUT PLANNING AND CHOICES WE MAKE. IT IS STAGGERING, ONE DEATH EVERY 45 MINUTES FROM DRUNK DRIVING. IS ABOUT 32 PEOPLE KILLED EACH AND EVERY DAY. HARRIS COUNTY HAS HIGHER RATES OF IMPAIRED DRIVING YEAR-ROUND NOT ONLY IN THE HOLIDAYS. OVER 30% OF DEATHS ON HARRIS COUNTY ROADS INVOLVE ALCOHOL AND IMPAIRED DRIVING RATE UNFORTUNATELY IS 5% HIGHER THAN TEXAS IN THE UNITED STATES. I WANT TO THANK THE INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION, ESPECIALLY THE TASK FORCE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CONSTABLES, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE HOLIDAY, DWI TASK FORCE. WE KNOW AT THE END OF NOVEMBER THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 570 ARRESTS AROUND THANKSGIVING TIME AND THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, TO THE HOLIDAY PARTIES, NEW YEAR'S EVE AND NEW YEAR'S, WE NEED TO BE CONTINUING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON WHAT WE ARE DOING. SO WE ALL KNOW FRIENDS , WE'RE GOING TO HOLIDAY EVENTS, IT'S UP TO US TO PLAN AHEAD, TAKE UBER HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER. IF YOU SEE SOMEONE AT THE PARTY OR GATHERING THAT NEEDS TO HAVE THE KEYS TAKEN AWAY, TAKE THEM AWAY, THAT IS BEING A GOOD FRIEND, WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. MY OLDEST IS ABOUT TO START DRIVING AND I AM TERRIFIED TO BE HONEST. THIS IS PREVENTABLE THAT'S WHAT GETS ME SO DEEPLY. SO LET'S DO WHAT TEXANS AND HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS DO BEST, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER SO THIS RESOLUTION IS HERE TO HONOR THE AMAZING INTERAGENCY WORK BEING DONE AND AGAIN HARRIS COUNTY TAKES THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AND WE WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE AS YOU WILL HEAR FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY PARTNERS IN A 2ND. BUT 1ST, MS. THOMAS, WORDS FROM THE OTHER DAY WHEN WE WERE TALKING. SORRY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. LET'S PLEASE 1ST HEAR FROM MISS THOMAS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS CHARISSE THOMAS, FEBRUARY 3 OF 2020 MY DAUGHTER WAS COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL. IT WAS 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON, IT WAS NOT A HOLIDAY BUT A CELEBRATION BECAUSE IT WAS THE DAY AFTER THE SUPER BOWL. THE GUY HAD BEEN BINGE DRINKING ALL WEEKEND CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY AND HE WAS CELEBRATING THE SUPER BOWL. HE HAD A HEAD ON, KILLED HER INSTANTLY. HE BROKE EVERY BONE IN HER BODY. FROM THE TOP OF HER HEAD TO THE WAIST. ALL HE DID NOT BREAK WE DONATED, WE DONATED HER SKIN AND BONES TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE. DESTINY WAS A HIGH SCHOOL [05:30:04] STUDENT , SHE WAS GETTING READY TO GRADUATE. IT WAS PROM TIME. NONE OF THAT HAPPENED. INSTEAD OF US PLANNING A CELEBRATION WE WERE PLANNING A FUNERAL. THE GUY WAS GOING 66 MILES PER HOUR ON A TWO-WAY STREET, SHE WAS GOING 6. DESTINY HAD JUST GOTTEN HER ACCEPTANCE LETTER 30 MINUTES BEFORE HER DEMISE TO SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA. I FIGHT EVERY DAY SO ANOTHER MOTHER DOES NOT HAVE TO WALK THE WALK THAT I AM WALKING. I SIT AT A TABLE WITH AN EMPTY CHAIR, HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS ARE VERY HARD FOR ME BECAUSE DESTINY WAS A HARD WORKER. SHE WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO WORKED 2 JOBS AND SHE WAS ACTUALLY A COSMETOLOGIST STUDENT AND DR. KIRK LEWIS IN PASADENA , SHE DID IT ALL. NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT HER. WHAT SHE COULD HAVE DONE WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE AND IT WAS TAKEN AWAY BY ONE SENSELESS ACT. OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL WHILE DRINKING AND DRIVING. I VOLUNTEER WITH MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS, BRIDGES TO LIFE BIBLE-BASED COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS, ANYWHERE ELSE SOMEONE ASKED ME TO COME VOLUNTEER. ALL , FOR FREE. I DO IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYBODY ELSE TO WALK A DAY IN MY SHOES. DESTINY COULD HAVE BEEN HERE, SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE AND THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. THERE'S TOO MANY OTHER ALTERNATIVES YOU CAN USE THAT GETTING BEHIND A WHEEL AND DRIVING DRUNK. NO PARENTS SHOULD HAVE TO BURY THEIR CHILD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT, THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND ADVOCATING. SO SORRY. >> SO SORRY THIS THOMAS AND THINK OF THE ADVOCACY YOU DO TO TRY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS AND THANK YOU TO MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING. NEXT CAN WE HEAR FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE PLEASE? DO WE HAVE THE LIEUTENANT HERE? >> GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS. HERE TO REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO EXPRESS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH. EACH YEAR IMPAIRED DRIVING CLAIMS THOUSANDS OF LIVES NATIONWIDE AND LEAVES COUNTLESS FAMILIES DEVASTATED. EVERY LOSS REPRESENTS A FAMILY MEMBER COME EVERY LOSS CHANGES LIVES FOREVER. BUT THESE TRAGEDIES AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID ARE PREVENTABLE, BY RAISING AWARENESS, PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE DECISION-MAKING AND STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITY WE CAN MAKE ROADWAYS SAFE FOR EVERYONE. MY TEAMMATES AND I ARE FULLY COMMITTED TO REMAINING VIGILANT AND KEEPING IMPAIRED DRIVERS OFF THE ROADWAYS. HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEVOTEES ALONE HAVE ARRESTED OVER 1500 IMPAIRED DRIVERS THIS YEAR ALONE THROUGH NOVEMBER 30. WE REGULARLY HOST AND PARTICIPATE IN INITIATIVES AS WE WILL BE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AND WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO KEEP THE ROADWAYS SAFE. DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO PLAN AHEAD. IDENTIFY A DESIGNATED DRIVER, UTILIZE RIDESHARE, TAXIS, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SOMEBODY ATTEMPTING TO GET IN A VEHICLE, DO SOMETHING DO NOT PUT YOUR LIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE IN DANGER OF LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS. IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION. THE RESOLUTION SENDS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE THAT WE IN HARRIS COUNTY VALUE LIFE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMMUNITY SAFETY. SMALL CHOICES SAVE LIVES AND AWARENESS MAKES A DIFFERENCE. TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP PREVENT TRAGEDIES AND HELP FAMILIES WHO CALL HARRIS COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS HOME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU LIEUTENANT CHIEF. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS INCREDIBLY PRESSING ISSUE. MY NAME IS PETER ECCLES HERE REPRESENTING LINK HOUSTON A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES FOR ROBUST AND EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION SO ALL PEOPLE CAN REACH OPPORTUNITY SAFELY WITH DIGNITY. WE ARE IN A ROW SAFETY [05:35:01] CRISIS IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN 2024, 579 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN TRAFFIC CRASHES. IN HARRIS COUNTY IMPAIRED DRIVING WAS A FACTOR IN 30% OF THOSE. HARRIS COUNTY HAS COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO THE GOAL OF 0 TRAFFIC FATALITIES BY 2030, MOVING TOWARD THE GOAL REQUIRES TACKLING IMPAIRED DRIVING HEAD ON THROUGH DRIVER EDUCATION, SAFE RIDE HOME PROGRAMS AND TARGETED ENFORCEMENT. WE CANNOT STOP THERE, THE DEADLY IMPACTS OF IMPAIRED DRIVING ARE COMPOUNDED BY THE DANGEROUS DESIGN OF IT WAS TOO MANY ENCOURAGE SPEEDING AND PUT ROAD USERS, PEOPLE WALKING BIKING AND DRIVING IN DANGER. ADVANCING VISION DURABLE TICKETING WE'VE GOT. PURSUING MULTIPLE STRATEGIES, EDUCATION ENFORCEMENT AND ENGINEERING TO END THE ROAD SAFETY CRISIS. >> THANK YOU. I COULD NOT AGREE MORE ABOUT FOCUSING WORK AND CONTINUING TO LIVE VISION 0 AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. 1ST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND HIS TEAM. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THE RESOLUTION. EVEN THE TITLE IS POIGNANT. PREVENTION RATHER THAN AWARENESS BECAUSE TRAGICALLY IMPAIRED DRIVING IS SOMETHING ALL OF US ARE FUNDAMENTALLY AWARE OF. I BROUGHT WITH ME THE DIVISION CHIEF OF OUR VEHICULAR CRIMES VISION AND PROSECUTORS FROM THE DIVISION. THE 4 OF THEM ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF A TEAM OF PROSECUTORS AND INVESTIGATORS WHO HANDLE 100% OF TRAFFIC FATALITY CASES THAT HAPPEN IN HARRIS COUNTY. THEY GO ON THE SCENE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT IF THERE IS A TRAFFIC FATALITY ON CHRISTMAS MORNING ONE OF THEM WILL BE LEAVING THE FAMILY TO GO TO THE SCENE. ITS WORK I DID WHEN I WAS IN THE REGULAR CRIMES WITH THE NOW DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE LIEUTENANT AND I HAVE BEEN ON FAR TOO MANY SCENES TOGETHER. THIS YEAR ALONE WE FILED ALMOST 12,000 OFFENSES RELATED TO IMPAIRED DRIVING AND INTOXICATION. ANYONE HAVE BEEN FATALITIES INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER. OF THOSE 31 EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM WAS PREVENTABLE, 31 MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY STOLEN FROM THEIR LOVED ONES WERE TAKEN AWAY TOO EARLY AND YOUNG BY SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT JUST COMMITTING A CENSUS ACT BUT A SELFISH ACT, IT IS INCREDIBLY SELFISH TO CHOOSE TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR AFTER DRINKING, AFTER YOU'VE TAKEN PILLS OR SMOKE SOMETHING BUT IT HAPPENS EVERY SINGLE DAY . TO YOUR POINT EARLIER IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SEE HAPPENING MORE TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR AS WORK CALMS DOWN AND HOLIDAYS PICK UP WE SEE INCREASING AND THE NUMBER OF FILINGS AND INTOXICATION RELATED OFFENSES AND PEOPLE ARE RIPPED AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES BEFORE A TIME OF CELEBRATION AND A TIME OF JOY AND SPENDING HOLIDAYS TOGETHER. THE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT YOU CAN SEE HERE ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF TOO LARGE OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE, MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES TO A 100% PREVENTABLE CRIME. THERE'S NOTHING THAT JUSTIFIES THE SELFISH ACT OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE CAR WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE NORMAL USE OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL FACULTIES, IS NOT DRUNK DRIVING IT'S IMPAIRED DRIVING. FOR YEARS AND YEARS WE ASK MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO PLAN AHEAD AND THINK WHO WILL DRIVE ME HOME IF I'M DRINKING, AND WE ARE BEGGING MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TO TAKE THAT STEP AND THINK ABOUT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO GET HOME. FAR TOO OFTEN WE SEE PEOPLE CHOOSE TO TAKE THEIR CARS SOMEWHERE THINKING I WILL MAKE THE RESPONSIBLE CHOICE GETTING A UBER OR LYFT OR CALLING A RIDE BUT THEY ARE IMPAIRED SO THEY DON'T THEY GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE CAR AND CHOOSE TO DRIVE HOME SO WHAT I'M BEGGING PEOPLE TO DO IS TO NOT DRIVE THERE AT ALL, GET YOURSELF ANY UBER OR LYFT, GET YOURSELF IN A FRIEND'S CAR AND THAT'S HOW YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE CELEBRATING BECAUSE TOO OFTEN WHEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DRINKING CHOOSE TO DRIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO THIS. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP REGRETTABLY THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SEASON OF ALL GOOD THINGS, BUT THERE TOO MANY FAMILIES THAT HAVE FELT THE WORST OF TRAGEDIES DURING THIS SAME TIME. SO TO YOU AND THE FAMILIES PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES CONTINUE TO BE WITH YOU. BUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ALL THE OTHER RESPECTIVE PARTNERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. WHILE WE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH FAMILIES, HOPEFULLY AT HOME, YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO BE WORKING AND YOU'RE GOING TO BE DOING A TOUGH JOB DURING THAT [05:40:01] TIME AND WE NEED YOU TO DO THAT. TOO MANY PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT COMES WITH THE CAR , WHEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING A GOOD TIME. SO I APPRECIATE THE MESSAGE AND SIMPLY TO SAY FOLKS IT'S TOO EASY TO DO THE RIGHT THING. SO DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE AND BRING MORE FAMILIES TO THIS CLUB NOBODY WANTS TO BE PART OF. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU ALL AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR ADVOCACY. I WANTED TO JUST SHARE A LITTLE BIT. I USED TO BE A MEDICAL INTERPRETER INCLUDING AT TEE AND A LOT OF THE PATIENTS I WORKED WITH HAD BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT. AND IT IS AN AWFUL THING TO SEE EVEN IF THERE'S NOT A FATALITY, IT IS A TERRIBLE SITUATION. SO WE HAVE THE DETERRENT OF THE FABULOUS PROSECUTORS IN THE DAS OFFICE WITH EDUCATION THAT COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE WORKING ON AND I WANT TO NOW THAT YOU NEED TO DO MORE, YOU DON'T AND I WANT TO POINT TO WHERE THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE AS WELL BECAUSE THE SHERIFF IS THE ONE WHO WILL REPEAT OFTEN THE NUMBER 1 CAUSE OF DEATH FOR POLICE OFFICERS IS ACTUALLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND THAT IS WHY HE SUPPORTS TRANSPORTATION I KNOW WE SEE THE LIGHT RAIL IT'S NOT USE ENOUGH. AND THERE IS SORT OF A CULTURAL SENSE, PERHAPS OF THE LEGISLATURE A STUBBORNNESS NOT TO INVEST IN OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION LOOK AT I-45, WE ARE REQUESTING A BUS TRANSIT RAPID LINE THAT MEANS WE ALLOW ONE LANE FOR THERE TO BE A BUS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUILD ANYTHING BUT IT IS AN EFFICIENT WAY TO GET SOMEWHERE IN YOUR OTHER WAYS OF FEEDING INTO THAT. SO AGAIN NOT THAT YOU NEED ANYBODY TO ASK ANYTHING OF YOU BUT PERHAPS IF YOU'RE IN CONVERSATION, SOMEBODY ASKS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO, CONSIDER IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY ADVOCATING AT THE STATE LEVEL AND SAY LOOK IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL DO THE SELFISH THING SO LET'S PUT FEWER CARS ON THE ROAD LET'S HAVE LESS WIDE HIGHWAYS IT HAS BEEN SHOWN MANY TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE MEGA HIGHWAYS PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPEED AND MORE PEOPLE WILL FILL THE HIGHWAYS. SO ANYWAY THAT IS MY, MY COMMENT. AND I KNOW YOU HAVE THESE PROGRAMS . BUT I JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AS WELL AND PUT YOURSELVES 1ST, TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, VICARIOUS TRAUMA IS A REAL THING SO I APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH I KNOW WE ALL DO. THANK YOU FOR TARGETING SUCH A DIFFICULT DIFFICULT MATTER. >> I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU, THE LEGISLATURE GAVE US NEW TOOLS WITH REGARDS TO INCREASE PUNISHMENT FOR INTOXICATION RELATED OFFENSES AND WE WILL USE THOSE TOOLS IN PROSECUTING, WE REALLY WANT TO NOT HAVE TO WE WOULD MUCH RATHER CASES BE PREVENTED THAN US HAVING TO PROSECUTE AFTER A TRAGEDY OCCURS. >> DOES THAT INCLUDE DISTRACTED DRIVING ? >> THE NUMBERS WERE ALL INTOXICATION RELATED SO THAT'S HOW WE GOT TO 12,000. >> IF YOU INCLUDE INTOXICATED, PLUS THE DISTRACTED. >> TALKING WITH THE DIVISION CHIEF EARLIER WE THINK IT IS ABOUT 60% OF THE FATALITIES WE INVESTIGATE AND DEAL WITH THE INTOXICATION WHICH MEANS OF THE 31 WE HAVE NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 20 OR 25 NON- INTOXICATION RELATED SO THAT'S A LOT OF DISTRACTED DRIVING, PEOPLE TEXTING. SO MANY STUDIES SHOW A REAL CORRELATION BETWEEN TEXTING AND INTOXICATION. DRIVER TEXTING LOOKS A LOT THE SAME BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR AS A DRIVER WHO IS INTOXICATED. IS JUST AS DANGEROUS. >> THE DEATH AND VISION 0 WE SAY HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE MOST THIS OR THAT IN TEXAS. WHERE THE LARGEST COUNTY SO OF COURSE WE HAVE THE MOST , BUT IT IS PER CAPITA WE ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY. WE HAD MASSIVE HIGHWAYS AND REFUSE TO [05:45:01] INVEST IN SIMPLE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE. SO ANYWAY THERE WAS A REPORT IN THE CHRONICLE BUT IF YOU GOOGLE YOU CAN SEE WE ARE THE WORST IN THE COUNTRY. ANYWAY THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING THIS UP. >> OKAY SO LET'S VOTE ON THESE AND WE WILL TAKE PICTURES. OKAY. JAMES, WHAT MOTION SHOULD I MAKE?'S MOTION FOR ITEM 493, 501, 502, 504 , 505 AND 506. >> ALL THE RESOLUTIONS. MOTION AND 2ND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OUTPOST, THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE WILL NOW TAKE PICTURES AND NOEL IS STILL HERE. SO IF YOU WANT LAB, WELL BEHAVED FOR THE HOLIDAYS STILL THERE. THANK YOU. SHOULD I ADJOURN? * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.