Dec 09, 2019 Commissioners Court Budget Hearing

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>> I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE SPEAKERS BECAUSE THE MEETINGST

[Additional Item]

BEFORE THAT I WANT TO HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

>>. THANK YOU TO ALL MEMBERS OF.

DEPENDING ON WHETHER WE HAVE A QUORUM WE MAY TAKE THE SPECIAL COURT MEETING OR CONTINUE WITH THE BUDGET HEARING.

GO AHEAD. >> I'M A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. AND I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTY. THE PROBLEM BEFORE SUS THAT WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL WHO HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED. THEY ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY LOOK LIKE ME AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD BAIL.

EARLIER THIS YEAR THIS COURT TOOK A MAJOR STEP IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF MASS INCARCERATION. BAIL REFORM WAS WON BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY DEDEMANDED IT. PEOPLE SHOULD BE HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES, WORKING, GOING TO CHURCH OR WHATEVER THEY NEED TO DO TO LIVE FULLY AND FREELY. PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FREE UNTIL THEIR DAY IN COURT, UNTIL THEY ARE FOUND GUILTY.

THEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE THEIR PUNISHMENT.

RIGHT NOW PEOPLE ARE BEING PUNISHED FOR BEING BLACK, BEING BROWN AND BEING POOR. MORE PROSECUTORS WILL LEAD TO MORE PROSECUTIONS. ONE IDEA THAT ASKING FOR MORE MONEY FOR MORE PROSECUTORS, WHAT I HEAR IS I NEED MORE FOLK TO LOCK UP MORE FOLK LIKE YOU. NOT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY AND DRUG TREATMENT FACILITIES.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. I LIVE ON EAST END AND I'M A MEMBER OF TEXAS ORGANIZING. I'M HERE ABOUT MORE PROSECUTORS FOR MORE PROSECUTORS AND POLICE OFFICERS.

[INDISCERNIBLE] SHE'S WORKING WITH PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE. SHE'S ASKING FOR MORE MONEY, SAY

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HE DON'T PUT NOBODY IN JAIL HE DON'T DESERVE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO DO LOAFER SO WE CAN DEEP PEOPLE BUSY. NOW WE ARE GOING TO SAY NO.

WE NEED POLICE OFFICERS. WE DON'T NEED MORE PROSECUTORS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

AND WE'RE CALLING THE SPEAKERS UP FIRST BECAUSE IT WAS POSTED THIS WAY. WE HAVE ROSA, ANGELA, KRISTA AND

CAROLYN. >> I'M GOING HAVE A PACKET PASSED AROUND TO YOU. FIRST OF ALL, GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

I'M A COURT REPORTER HERE IF HARRIS COUNTY.

I WORK FOR THE HONORABLE JUDGE MIKE HART IN DISTRICT COURT.

TIME PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIAL COURT'S ASSOCIATION , THE NEWLY FORMED ORGANIZATION HERE IN FOR THE COURTS. I WANT TO GET TO THE POINT.

ON PAGE 221 OF TODAY'S BUDGET THERE IS A REQUEST FOR $253,000.500. FOR DIGITAL RECORDING UNDER COURT SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPORT. TALKING TO MR. ED WELLS HE EXPLAINED TO META MONEY GOING TO BE USED FOR EQUIPMENT FOR THE COUNTY OFFICIAL COURTS. HAPPEN TOPS, SOFTWARE AND STENO WRITERS. THAT IS GREAT TO HEAR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. DO I WANT TO EVERY PHASE THAT WE ARE AGAINST DIGITAL RECORDING IN THE COURTS FOR THE REASON STATED HERE. WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET OUR RATES FOR OVER 11 YEARS. ALL THE NUMBERS ARE HERE FOR YOU. I HAVE A CHART IN HERE.

I HAVE OUR HISTORY. THE SUBSTITUTE REPORTERS TO GO THROUGH A TEMP AGENCY. NO ONE ELSE IN TEXAS MAKES THEIR COURTS GO THROUGH A TEMP AGENT CITY WORK IN COURTS.

THAT'S HAVING A COURT REPORTER SIGN UP TO CONTRACT WITH SOMEONE ELSE. THAT'S WHAT A FREELANCER CHOOSES TO DO AND NOT GO THROUGH A TEMPORARY AGENCY.

THOSE ARE THE REASONS WHY WE'RE HAVING A SHORTAGE.

WE HAVE GROWN OUR SCHOOLS IN TEXAS.

AND THE NUMBERS ARE INCREASING. WE'VE ADDED TWO SCHOOLS UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND DOWNTOWN ADDED A PROM.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE NUMBERS HERE.

THEY ARE LAID OUT WITH INCREASED ENROLLMENT 81% IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. IT'S ONLY INCREASING.

THE LAST THING WANT TO POINT OUT IS ALSO ON THERE IS A PAGE THEY

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>> THERE IS ALSO A LINE ITEM FOR THE 27A0 FOR 1.3 MILLION DOLLARS I DON'T SEE A SUPPORTING EXPANSION JUSTIFICATION SHEET FOR. THAT I WANTED TO SEE IF WE COULD GET CLARIFICATION ON THAT AND ASK WHAT THAT IS ALL ABOUT.

>> I WANT TO THANK THE REPORTERS FOR WHAT YOU DO.

HAVING BEEN A FORMER JUDGE, DO YOU A LOT MORE THAN JUST TAKE DOWN RECORDS. YOU ARE THAT UNOFFICIAL EXTRA HAND ADMINISTERING THE JUSTICE OF THE COURTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FILES ARE THERE. ALL THE REPORTERS I'VE WORKED WITH, Y'ALL NEVER MINDED DOING HA LITTLE EXTRA BIT OF HELPING HAND OUT THE FILES AND MAKING SURE THINGS GOT DONE.

ALL HANDS ON DECK WHEN IT'S BUSY IN THE COURTS.

I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING US.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT WHEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE.

WE TRIED TO GET A REPORTER TO HELP US HERE FOR A BIT.

HARD TO MAKE IT ALL WORK FOR YOU GUYS.

>> THESE HEARINGS ARE DIFFICULT TO REPORT.

THE NUMBERS ARE INCREASING. IT'S ONLY GETTING BETTER.

AND WE HAVE A LEGISLATION THAT JUST CAME OUT THIS YEAR THAT WAS PASSED WHETHER ADDING PROVISIONAL AND AREPORTERS, SO WE'LL APPROXIMATE HAVING A LOT INNER COURT REPORTERS COMING INTO THE WORK FORCE.

>> >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M ONE OF THE COURT REPORTERS. I'M GOING TO REITERATE EVERYTHING THAT CAROLYN PUT TOGETHER IN HER EXTENSIVE PACKET. I ASK THAT YOU LOOK IT OVER.

I'M HERE TO SAY UPON WORD OF MY OWN JUDGE THIS MORNING THAT ALL OF OUR COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW JUDGES PREFER A LIVE COURT REPORTER OVER DIGITAL COURT REPORTERRING.

WE DO HAVE A LOT MORE ENROLLMENT IN SCHOOL.

WE'RE WORKING TO GET THAT UP. I WILL BE HELPING TO TEACH SOME CLASSES. WE HAVE 25 STUDENTS ENROLLED TO START NEXT MONTH. AND WE HAVE INCREASED AS WELL THE COURT REPORTER EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW. WE HAD A SHORTAGE LAST YEAR.

WE HAD A HAND FULL OF OUR OWN REPORTERS WORK VERY HARD TO RECRUIT SOME REPORTERS TO COME IN FROM THE FREELANCE WORLD AND FROM OTHER COURTING BUSINESSES EVEN THOUGH OUR SAL I HAVE LOW AND COME TRY IT OUT IN COUNTY COURT AND THEY'VE ENJOYED IT AND THEY ARE STAYING. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIMEFUL THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO ASK TO YOU LOOK

OVER THIS PACKET. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I WANTED TO BE HERE FOR SUPPORT.

I CONCUR WITH EVERYTHING CAROLINE PRESENTED TO YOU.

I DID WANT TO ADD WE HAVE FORMED THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER'S ASSOCIATION WHERE HE FELT OVER 90 PLEDGES.

A UNIFIED BODY OF COURT REPORTERS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTY AND ALL THE JUDGES AND LITIGANTS AND LAWYERS.

WE'VE TRIED TO GET ON THE AGENDA TO HAVE OUR PAYROLL DEDUCTION DONE THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY, TWICE BY OUR LOWELL COUNSEL AND TWICE ON OUR OWN. WE'RE HOPING TO GET ON THE HARRIS HEALTH WEES RIOS COUNTY COMMISSIONER ASSIGNEE JAPAN SOON, THIS WEEK OR NEXT WEEK. WE'D LIKE THAT REQUEST RESPONDED

TO. >> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE A SHORTAGE BUT THERE ARE MANY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THAT SHORTAGE. I'VE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES WORKING WITH OUR GOVERNING BODY. THE SHORTAGE WILL BE ADDRESSED IN AS QUICK ORDER AS PRACTICAL. I'VE BEEN A FREELANCE REPORTER FOR 30 YEARS. I'D LOVE TO COME SUBSTITUTE IN THE COURTS TO HELP WITH THAT SHORTAGE.

HOWEVER IT'S MORE LUCRATIVE FOR KNOW GO OUT AND TAKE A DEPOSITION EVERY DAY. SO I WOULD STRONGLY URGE SUPPORT

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THE FREELANCE COMMUNITY STAND READY TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY WE CAN. IT NEED TO MAKE SENSE FOR KNOW GIVE UP A DAY TO COME TO COURT AND HELP WITH.

THAT AND I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO DO SO.

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

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

I'M THE OFFICIAL COURT OF THE 164TH CIVIL COURT.

I WANTED TO SUPPORT THE REPORTERS AND REITERATE

EVERYTHING THAT CAROLYN SAID. >> COULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR

THE RECORD? >> DONNA KING.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND JUDGE BAKER WANTED ME TO LET YOU KNOW IF YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR HER EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRONIC RECORDING IN PRACTICE SHE'D BE GLAD TO RELAY IT.

I WANTED TO SHOW MY SUPPORT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MIKE MILLER.

FREELANCE COURT REPORTER HERE IF HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS.

I'M SPEAKING TODAY INCORPORATING ALL THE COMMENTS MADE UP TO THIS POINT. AS EXFISH OWE I'M A RECENT FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL COURT REPORTER'S ASSOCIATION.

I KNOW SHORTAGE IS A HUGE CONCERN.

ONE THING THAT'S BEEN TOUCHED ON IS THE EFFORT AT THE GRASSROOTS TO BRING PEOPLE INTO THE PROFESSION.

THERE ARE TWO PROGRAMS THAT ARE NO COST TO ATTEND E TEN DEES.

SOMEONE A TO Z PROGRAM. GETS PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE MACHINE, NO CHARGE IT'S A SIX WEEK PROGRAM.

THEY GET TO SEE IF IT'S FOR THEM.

IF THEY LIKE IT, WE FUNNEL THEM INTO U OF H PROGRAM OR ANY OTHER PROGRAM. THERE IS PROJECT STENO.

AFTER YOU GET THROUGH INITIAL PROGRAM AND GET IN, IF YOU SHOW PROMISE THEY WILL FUND YOUR ENTIRE EDUCATION.

SO THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS EFFORTS GOING ON TO ADDRESS SHORTAGES. AS FAR AS BRINGING IN DIGITAL AS A STOP GAP OR AN IMMEDIATE MEASURE TO SURE THIS, WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO SOMEBODY'S LIFE, LIBERTY OR RETIREMENT SAVINGS THAT IS AT STAKE IN A CASE, YOU WANT SOMEBODY TRAINED FOR CREATION OF THE TRANSCRIPT THAT IS GOING UP TO THE COURT OF APPEALS. DIGITAL THERE, IS NO TELLING WHO WILL TRANSCRIBE. THAT WRITTEN RECORD GOES TO THE COUR OF APPEALS. THE IT IS CRUCIAL YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING MAKING THESE TRANSCRIPTS FOR THE LIFE, LIBERTY AND WELL BEING OF THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LET ME CALL UP THE SPEAKERS IN CASE WE MISSED IT.

IS ANYBODY ELSE HERE THE SPEAK ON THE BUDGET?

WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER. >> I HAD SOMEONE COMING IN BUT SHE HAD TO BE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL.

IF I MAY, I CAN READ HER TALKING POINTS.

>> MY NAME IS GRACEY AND I'M WITH TECHS TECH ORGANIZING PROJECT. I'M FILLING IN FOR ANGELA AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AS HER SPEAKING, SHE'S HERE BECAUSE SHE'S FIGHTING TO MAKE JUSTICE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE, NOT JUST THOSE WITH MONEY OR POUR WHICH IS WHY SHE'S ASKING TO YOU VOTE NO ON DISTRICT REQUEST FOR MORE PROSECUTORS.

INSTEAD OF ASKING FOR MORE MONEY FOR PROSECUTORS, DA SHOULD BE SUPPORTING BILL REFORM AND OTHER REFORMS TO REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION. FOR TOO LONG NOW WE'VE BEEN A COUNTY THAT USES JAILS AS SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYTHING.

WE JAIL PEOPLE BECAUSE WE'RE MAD AT THEM FOR HAVING ADDICTIONS OR FOR MANAGE BEING HOMELESS OR HAVING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

I DON'T WANT MY COUNTY TO DO THAT.

I WANT TO HELP MY NEIGHBOR OVERCOME AND LIVE FULL AND FREE LIVES. WE SHOULD BE SPENDING MORE MONEG WITH ADDICTIONS CAN FIND HELP OR HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS AND PEOPLE WHO NEED A SECOND CHANCE. I HAVE FAITH THAT YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND REJECT THE DA'S REQUEST.

THE SAFEST COMMUNITIES ARE NOT THE ONES WITH THE MOST POLICE OR PRESIDENT TRUMP. THE SAFEST COMMUNITIES ARE THE ONES WITH THE MOST RESOURCES. LET'S INVEST IN THOSE RESOURCES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YOU SPEAKING ON THE BUDGET

SH. >> I APOLOGIZE.

IT WAS REGARDING THE COURT REPORTERS.

>> GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

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I'M HERE JUST REQUESTING THAT WE DO NOT DO A RECORDING OR DIGITAL RECORDING OF OUR COURT HEARINGS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO SOMETIMES UNDERSTAND THE LITIGANTS AND THE FAMILY COURTS ESPECIALLY THEY ARE COURTS OF HIGH EMOTIONS.

WE DON'T JUST HAVE ONE PERSON SPEAKING AT A TIME.

NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE TELL THEM PLEASE JUST ONE AT A TIME.

THEY TEND TO JUMP IN, IN BETWEEN OTHER PEOPLE.

AND SO AND WE HAVE LITIGANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

SOMETIMES WE ARE UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM SO WE HAVE TO ASK THEM TO SLOW DOWN SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND THEM.

AND SO IMAGINE TRYING TO TRANSCRIBE AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN TEN PEOPLE SPEAK ALL TOGETHER AT THE SAME TIME.

I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF COURT REPORTERS.

AND THE FAMILY COURTS HAVE BEEN WORK WIDTH AND DEALING WITH IT.

NOW IT'S SET UP DIFFERENTLY THAN WHEN WE HAD THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION. BUT WE NEED THE COURT REPORTERS.

IT IS IMPERATIVE HA WE HAVE THE COURT REPORTERS.

THE OTHER THING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO AS THEY ARE ASKING QUESTIONS, WE'RE ABLE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING. SOMETIMES SINCE WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND THEM, WE CAN GO BACK ON THE LIVE TRANSCRIPT TO SEE WHAT WAS THAT'S THEY ASKED, WHAT WAS IT THAT THEY RESPONDED.

WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THAT, IF WE JUST HAVE RECORDINGS, IT WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE. AND MANY TIMES OUR CASES ARE APPEALED JUST LIKE THE CRIMINAL COURTS ARE APPEALED.

AND THEY WOULD STILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND TRANSCRIBE FIVE, SIX, TEN, A MONTH OF LITIGATION. AND SO THAT WOULD BE VERY IMPOSSIBLE. I'M HERE ASKING WE MAINTAIN OUR COURT REPORTERS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO HAVE A GOOD REPRESENTATION OF LITIGANTS WITH HAVING JUST A RECORDING OR DIGITAL RECORDING OF OUR PROCESS IN OUR COURTS.

WHERE DID THE DIGITAL PROPOSAL COME FROM? WAS IT PROPOSED BY THE COURTS THEMSELVES? IN THOSE PARTICULAR COURTS THEY SELDOM APPEAL.

WHEN THEY DO APPEAL, THEY DO IT AND PEOPLE SELDOM REQUEST A

TRANSCRIPT OF THE RECORDING. >> SO MAYBE AN APPLICATION THAT IS GOOD IN SOME AREAS BUT NOT SYSTEM WIDE.

>> YES I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE COURT SYSTEM WIDE.

I THINK FOR OUR COURTS AND EVEN I RAN INTO ONE OF THE CIVIL COURTS, SHE DOESN'T THINK THEY WOULD WORK FOR THEM EITHER.

BECAUSE WE HAVE LET'S SAY A CPS CASE.

WE HAVE SOMETIMES TEN ATTORNEYS, TEN ATTORNEYS, TEN LITIGANTS AND EVERYONE TRIES TO JUMP IN AND SAY SOMETHING.

SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT WHILE WHEN WE HAVE THE COURT REPORTER IT HAS ATTORNEY ONE OR TWO BASICALLY THEIR NAME AND WHO IS TALKING AND EVEN AT THAT TIME -- EVEN AT THAT SOMETIMES IT IS

DIFFICULT. >> THE DIGITAL RECORDING?

>> NOBODY RECORDED IT. I WENT THROUGH THAT.

>> I ACTUALLY KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

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>> I WANT TO HEAR HOW THIS GOT ON THE BUDGET.

>> WHENEVER YOU ARE READY. >> LET ME SAY ONE THING BEFORE WE DO THIS. WE TOOK THE SPEAKERS BEFORE THE DISCUSSION SO I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN THIS TO FOLKS.

THE BUDGET DECISIONS WON'T BE MADE UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNEW THAT.

>> COURT MANAGER FOR THE COURTS. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, OVER THE LAST YEAR IN THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS IN PARTICULAR, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE VACANCIES FOR COURT REPORTERS.

WHAT THE COURT REPORTERS HAVE STATED REGARDING SALARY IS RIGHT. THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES AND EVEN MANY MUCH SMALLER COUNTIES STATEWIDE PAY MORE MONEY.

THAT AFFECTS US TWOFOLD. ONE IT'S HARD TO ATTRACT PEOPLE, IT'S HARD TO KEEP PEOPLE. WE'VE LOST COURT REPORTERS TO OTHER COURT DIVISIONS. WE'VE LOST COURT REPORTERS TO OTHER COUNTIES. IT'S HARDER TO FIND SUBS BECAUSE THE SUBS BY STATUTE GET PAID THE SAME AMOUNT AS THE OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER, IF IT'S LESS HERE AND THEY CAN WORK SOMEWHERE ELSE AND MAKE MORE MONEY, THAT'S WHERE THEY GO.

THE DIGITAL RECORDING PIECE WHICH YOU'LL SEE IN THE BUDGET IS A REQUEST AND CAROLYN MENTIONED IT EARLIER, IT'S NOT FOR DIGITAL RECORDING. IT'S SPECIFICALLY TO PROVIDE STENO WRITING MACHINES, NOTEBOOK COMPUTE TERSE AND TRANSCRIPTION SOFTWARE FOR OUR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTERS.

THAT'S BEEN OFFERED FOR DISTRICT COURT REPORTERS FOR MANY YEARS.

WE WANT TO DO THE SAME FOR OURS THE HELP KEEP THEM HERE.

>> THEY ARE TWO VERY DIFFERENT THINGS.

IN THE BUDGET REQUEST YOU WILL SEE MENTION THE DIGITAL RECORDING BECAUSE WHEN WE HAD THE VACANCIES ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION I HAD TO TELL A JUDGE YOU CAN'T GO TO TRIAL BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A COURT REPORTER AVAILABLE.

WHAT WE WERE WORKING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE JUST AS A DISCOVERY PIECE RIGHT NOW COULD WE PROVIDE A COURTROOM THAT HAS THAT CAPABILITY IN THE EVENT A COURT REPORTER IS NOT AVAILABLE SO WE CAN STILL GO TO TRIAL AND STILL HOLD HEARINGS.

WHAT THEY'VE SAID ABOUT UNION REPORT 76ERS RIGHT.

ALL OF THE RESEARCH THAT HAS BEEN DONE, A HUMAN REPORTER IS MORE ACCURATE THAN MACHINE BASED.

THAT SAID THE COMBINATION OF THE TWO PRODUCES THE MOST ACCURATE RECORD. I WOULD HOPE MANY OF THE REPORTERS ALREADY MAKE AN AUDIO RECORDING OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND REFER TO IT TO HELP CLEAR UP ANY DISCREPANCY IN THE RECORD.

I'M SAYING IN THE EVENT THAT WE DON'T HAVE A COURT REPORTER, DO WE HAVE ANOTHER OPTION? ALL OF US KNOW ABOUT THE BACKLOGS IN OUR COURTS. THAT DOESN'T IMPACT THE JAIL POPULATION A LOT. BUT IT DOES TO SOME DEGREE.

AGAIN F OUR COURTS ARE GOING TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, ACCESSIBLE, WE HAVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN A CASE IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO TRIAL.

>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE HELPING TO SEPARATE THE TWO ITEMS. ON THE QUESTION OF SALARIES AND MAYBE THIS IS FOR CAROLYN, ON THE QUESTION OF SALARIES, I REMEMBER EARLIER THIS YEAR, IT WAS -- THE COURT REPORTERS CAN SELL THEIR RECORDS. I THINK THAT'S SOME PRACTICE.

AS IF THAT WAS AN EXCEPTION FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

THE REALITY IS ALL COURT REPORTERS ACROSS TEXAS COULD DO THAT BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE PAID BETTER IN OTHER COUNTIES, THEY PROBABLY DO IT AS MUCH IS MY SUSPICION.

SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THAT ITEM TRIES TO BE USED AS A DEFLECTOR FOR WHY NOT TO RAISE YOUR SALARY, I THINK WE NEED TO BE CLEAR THAT BECAUSE OTHER COUNTIES ARE PROBABLY TAKING CARE OF THEIR COURT REPORTERS BETTER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK

FOR EXTRA JOBS TO SURVIVE. >> JUST TO CLARIFY ON THE SALARY PIECE, THERE IS A STATUTE SPECIFICALLY FOR COUNTIES, IT LIMITS IT TO THE AVERAGE FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN THAT FISCAL YEAR. THAT AVERAGE WORKED UP TO BE BETWEEN 2-2.5%. THE LIMIT FOR OTHER COURT REPORTERS IN OTHER COUNTIES IS 10%.

THOSE COUNTIES HAVE GIVEN 10% OR SOMETHING CLOSER AND THAT'S WHY THE SALARY GAP HAS WIDENED WHICH IT'S A LIMIT.

THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES WOULD LOVE TO GIVE A LARGER INCREASE AND THEY CAN'T. IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE

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THEM. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE PRACTICE OF USING ELECTRONIC MEANS HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

JUDGE STARTED DOING THAT IN 1998 SOMEWHERE.

IN THE 90'S. BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE JUDGE, IF YOU HAVE A BUSY COURTROOM WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING, HAVING THE HUMAN ABILITY TO MANAGE YOUR CASE SLOWED CRITICAL. WE DON'T PROVIDE A LOT OF STAFF FOR OUR JUDGES. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE DON'T PROVIDE A LOT OF STAFF FOR OUR JUDGES , THE COURT REPORTER FULFILL ACE LOT OF THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES AS WELL.

TO THAT EXTENT TAXER PIGGY BACK OFF OF WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA STATED, WHEN IT COMES TO SALARY, YOU NEED TO DO APPLES TO APPLES, WE HAVE AWE FEW EXTRA THINGS HERE.

WE'RE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU CAN'T GET A COURT REPORTER WE NEED TO DO WHAT IS APPROPRIATE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET AND ATTRACT THEM. I ALSO DO LIKE THE ABILITY TO HAVE AN ABILITY , THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD THE IDEA TAXER HAVE A PLACE AND ROOM WHERE IF YOU CAN'T FIND SOMEBODY YOU HAVE THE BACKSTOP OF GOING TO THE COURTROOM TO DO THAT EMERGENCY TRIAL. AND YOU HAVE TO -- YOU NEED TO START AND YOUR COURT REPORTER IS OUT AND SHE CAN'T FIND SOMEBODY OR HE CAN'T FIND SOMEBODY. THAT MAYBE A GOOD BACKDROP S.

THAT IN THIS PROPOSAL? >> WE WERE LOOKING AT JUST OUT FITTING ONE OF OUR REGULAR COURTROOMS WITH THAT ABILITY.

AND SO THEN IF ANOTHER COURT COULDN'T FIND OR DIDN'T HAVE AN OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER AT THAT TIME THEY WOULD MOVE TO THAT COURTROOM TO TOLD PROCEEDING. WHICHEVER COURTROOM THAT IS THEY WOULD MOVE TO THE OTHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LIVE REPORT TORE GO

THERE. >> I DON'T KNOW IF I LIKE THAT AS MAYBE THE CEREMONIAL COURTROOM.

I WOULD DEFER TO THE JUDGES AND LET THE JUDGES OPERATE ON THAT.

IF YOU HAVE A PLACE THAT ANYBODY COULD USE.

>> I MADE THE REQUEST AT THE DIRECTION OF MY JUDGES.

SO THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS AT LAWED ME TO MAKE THIS REQUEST.

NOT TRYING TO REPLACE COURT REPORTERS BUT SIMPLY TO GIVE THEM THE OPTION WHICH WHEN A REPORTER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THIS YEAR MANY TIMES A COURT REPORTER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

>> YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR

COURT REPORTERS. >> AND SO AGAIN TO HELP ENTICE COURT REPORTERS TO COME TO OUR COURTS AND HELP KEEP THEM HERE, WE WANT TO PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE THEY NEED TO DO THE

JOB THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO DO. >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT IF THIS IS ONE SINGLE LINE ITEM ON THE BUDGET, IT IS MISREPRESENTATION OF WHAT IT'S ACTUALLY GOING FOR.

IF IT'S FOR EQUIPMENT, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF BECAUSE AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN PRACTICING AND BEEN AROUND THE COURTROOM , THE COURTROOM'S BUY THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT AND NOT BE PROVIDED. I UNDERSTAND THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED TO US TO BE ABLE TO READ IT ON THE MONITORS.

ANYTHING ELSE HASN'T BEEN PROVIDED TO THEM.

I THINK THE ISSUE OF HAVING A COURTROOM WHERE SOMEONE CAN GO.

IMAGINE PICKING UP EVERYTHING TO GO OVER THERE.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN THE FAMILY COURTS, WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER WITH EACH OTHER.

MAYBE SOME OF THE OTHER JUDGES ARE NOT BUT WE HAVE BEEN.

IF I CAN'T HEAR IT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE SOMEONE, INSTEAD OF ME PICKING UP EVERYBODY I SEND IT TO ONE OF THE OTHER JUDGES TO HEAR IT. THERE HAS BEEN TIMES WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO BECAUSE SERVE BUSY. FOR THE MAJORITY THAT'S HOW WE'VE HANDLED IT OR CARRYING IT TO THE NEXT DAY TO BE ABLE TO HEAR IT. TO SAY WE COULD JUST GO TO ANOTHER COURTROOM. IMAGINE ALL THE WITNESSES, ALL THE PARTIES, JURY HAVING TO MOVE OVER AND YOUR COURTROOM IS -- TO IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS GEARING TOWARDS REPLACING THE COURT REPORTERS PERIOD AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO

BE DONE. >> MR. WELLS.

I'M CURIOUS. WHAT DO THEY DO IN THE FEDERAL

COURTS? >> THEY HAVE COURT REPORTERS BUT THEY ALSO HAVE AUDIO RECORDINGS. THEY DO BOTH.

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>> WHAT ABOUT IN OTHER COUNTIES OR COUNTY COURTS IN OTHER

STATES? >> ALMOST ALL COURTS ACROSS TEXAS COUNTY COURTS AND DISTRICT COURTS HAVE AN OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER. THE STATUTE PROVIDES FOR NONE EACH COURT. THE PROBLEM BEING THE SHORTAGE.

AND SO RECENTLY I WAS TEACHING A GROUP OF COORDINATORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE AND I ASKED THE SIMPLE QUESTION HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE FACED AN ISSUE WITH FINDING COURT REPORTERS WHEN YOUR SUPREME COURT NEEDING TO GO TO TRIAL.

2/3 RAISED THEIR HANDS. THAT'S SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SHORTAGE. AS I STATED EARLIER REPORTERS BY FAR ARE MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE SPEAKING.

THEY CAN STOP AND ASK SOMEONE TO REPEAT SOMETHING.

A MACHINE CAN'T DO THAT. HAVING AN AUDIO BACK UP TO THAT

MAKES SENSE. >> MAYBE BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT YOU ALL COULD VISIT IT. I DO KNOW THAT OBVIOUSLY TECHNOLOGY IS AN AREA WHERE THEY ARE ALWAYS UPGRADING.

CLEARLY IT'S BETTER TO HAVE A HUMAN BEING.

IT'S BETTER TO USE TECHNOLOGY THAN HAVE NOTHING.

WITH THE BACKLOG WE HAVE. >> TO CLARIFY ALL OF THIS DURING THE BUDGET HEARING. THE REQUEST IS NOT FOR DIGITAL RECORDING. IT'S FOR THAT EQUIPMENT.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH SOMEBODY FLOATING AN IDEA FOR DISCUSSION. AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE RUN COMFORTABLE WITH HAVING A DISCUSSION.

I THINK PUBLIC POLICY DISCUSSIONS WARRANT THIS.

IT CAME FROM YOU. >> THERE IS A LINE ITEM FOR COURT REPORTERS EQUIPMENT. I THINK THE DOCUMENT HAD

$270,000 OR SOMETHING. >> SO WE FOUND IT.

>> IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE IN HERE JOSH AND NOBODY KNOWS WHERE IT CAME FROM, WOULD YOU MARK IT SO I DON'T HAVE TO READ IT.

>> DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE HAVE ONE MR. SPEAKER. >> I WANTED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE REPORTERS AND OTHER COUNTIES BEING ABLE TO CHARGE FOR THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. THAT'S IN A STATUTE.

WE ARE ALLOWED TO DO. THAT IN EVERY COUNTY.

NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU MAKE ON SALARY, THEY ALL CAN CHARGE FOR THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. I WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

>> IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU.

>> NO. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING BY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE SECTION 42 PROGRAM AND OTHER HOUSING PROJECTS. THIS WOULD CAUSE IT TO MATCH THE STATE LAW REQUIRES FOR SECTION 42 PROGRAM WHICH DOES GIVE STATE REPRESENTATIVES POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE POINTS.

[00:40:01]

REPRESENTATIVES. >> DURING THE SESSION EARLIER THIS YEAR ACTION I WORKED CLOSELY WITH REPRESENTATIVE BUTTON TO FASHION THE FINAL FORM OF BILL 73.

IT TOOK THE TRADITIONAL POINTS NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE POINTS FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVES ON SECTION 4029% PROGRAM AND TRIED TO MAKE ET MORE SUITABLE TO ALL REPRESENTATIVES AND TO THE LOCAL OFFICIALS. IT SAYS IF A STATE REPRESENTATIVE DOES NOT CHOOSE TO WRITE A LETTER ON ANY CERTAIN PROJECTS. ALL THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE POINTS. YOU'VE NEVER HAD NEGATIVE POINTS BEFORE. THIS ENABLES POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE POINTS THE REPRESENTATIVE IN THAT AREA WOULD HAVE HAD WOULD OUGHT GNATICALLY GO TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND CITY COUNCIL AND WHETHER THEY WILL SHOW THEY HAVE THEM. THESE WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE POINTS THAT -- IT MATCHES BILL 1923.

YOU CAN WORK CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES F. THEY CHOOSE NOT TO WRITE LETTERS THEN ALL POINTS ARE ADDITIONAL POINTS FOR YOU. WE FOUND SOMETHING INTERESTING DURING SESSION IS THAT THE DESIGN FOR STATE REPS TO KEEP OR NOT KEEP STATE REPS IS NOT LIMITED.

IT'S NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ADDITIONAL TO SAY?

>> DO I NOT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> REPRESENTATIVE.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU

DO. >> THANK YOU.

>> DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR TO US HAVE THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHER ELECTED FISHLES, IT MIGHT BE COMPLICATED HOW THE ALLOCATE THE POINTS.

>> I CARRIED A BILL MANY YEARS AGO TO TAKE IT OUT FOR BOG.

I WAS TOLD THE BILL WOULD DIE UNLESS YOU LET THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE. PASS THAT ONE NOW, COME BACK NEXT SESSION AND DO THE OTHER ONE.

>> MOST OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS CONCENTRATED.

IT'S THE BEST HOUSING THAT MAY BE IN SOME COMMUNITIES.

BUT IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM. THE SUNSET COMMISSION, YOU MAY BE AWARE RECOMMENDED THAT PROVISION COME OUT OF STATE LAW

[00:45:01]

>> I AM. I'LL TELL YOU SINCE IT CAME UP ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, THERE WAS STRONG BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR KEEPING IT. IT GOT HOT AND EMOTIONAL.

PEOPLE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY.

>> I APPRECIATE THIS. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT BEYOND WHAT STATE LAW REQUIRES. IF YOU ALL IN YOUR WISCONSINDOM DECIDE TO REQUIRE IT, WE'D HAVE TO IMPLY WITH IT FOR THE HOUSING PROGRAM BUT THAT IS NOT STATE LOU NOW.

>> I ELSE THAT. IT GOES ALONG WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW, IF NOT THE LETTER OF THE LAW.

>> DOWN IF THE CITY DOES IT? I'LL LET YOU KNOW LATER.

I DON'T THINK THE CITY REQUIRES IT.

WE GOT A FULL DAY. >> I'M NOT -- MY DISTRICT IS UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. SO THAT IS NOT REALLY BEEN AN ISSUE. I HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE PEOPLE FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THEY WERE VERY GOOD ABOUT WORKING WITH ME ON ANY -- ANYTHING TO DO WITH HOUSING.

>> THANK YOU. THANKS FOR COMING.

>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR BILL. WHO PAYS THIS 4% OR THE 9%?

>> I DON'T KNOW. >> IS AT THIS TIME STATE?

>> I'M NOT SURE. >> I THINK IT'S THE FEDERAL TAX

BREAK. >> FEDERAL MONEY.

>> DOWN TO THE COUNTIES AND ALL. >> IT'S FUNNELED THROUGH STATE.

IT MAKES SENSE A STATE REP WOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.

>> CORRECT. >> THAT'S ALL FOR THE SPEAKERS.

WE'RE GOING TO RECESS THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET HEARINGS.

TAKE SMALL AGENDA WE HAVE AND COME BACK AND HEAR FROM OUR DEPARTMENTS. IT IS 9:51.

AND I THANK

>> SO WE ARE NOW RESUMING THE BUDGET HEARINGS WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF GOING BACK TO

THE AGENDA ITEM OF DISTRICT B. >> WAS JUST A SOME LOGISTICAL COMMENTS.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS WE ARE HOLDING THIS MONTH.

TODAY, TOMORROW AND NEXT MONDAY THE 16TH WE WILL BE VOTING ON BUDGETS TODAY AS I MENTIONED JUST DISCUSSING HEARING FROM THE DEPARTMENTS AND WE WILL VOTE -- THE PLAN AS OF COMMISSIONERS TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON JANUARY 20 AHEAD OF THE FEBRUARY 11 VOTE.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE DEPARTMENTS AND ESPECIALLY TO SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS FOR THE WORK THEY PUT IN TO MAKING THEIR PRESENTATIONS, AT LEAST THE ONES ON PAPER WE HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR ESPECIALLY THOROUGH. I KNOW THAT TOOK A LOT OF WORK AND WE WILL CONTINUE ASKING FOR QUESTIONS TO UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE REQUEST.

BUT IT IS PRETTY OBVIOUS WHERE THE DEPRTMENTS TRULY MADE AN EFFORT TO EXPLAIN THE REQUEST AND PUT MORE DETAILED PROPOSALS FORWARD. THERE ARE THREE FACTORS THAT CONSTRAIN OUR DECISIONS THIS YEAR. THE FIRST IS THE ADOPTION OF THE DEFECTIVE RATE. I'M TOLD THEY CANNOT REMEMBER THE LAST TIME AN EFFECTIVE RATE WAS ADOPTED AND THAT MEANS IT IS DIFFICULT FOR US AS A COUNTY ROADS AND ITS NEEDS GROWTH THAT YET THE REVENUE CAN'T GROW AS WHAT WAS DECIDED THIS YEAR. IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP WITH NEEDS MUCH LESS BE ABLE TO MEET ADDITIONAL GAPS LIKE THE ONES WE LEARNED FROM.

WE KNOW THERE IS A 24 YEAR GAP IN LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE COUNTY.

IT IS HARD TO BEGIN TACKLING THE CURRENT COMMITMENTS AND MUCH LESS FUTURE ESPECIALLY AS WE CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH. COMPELLING THINGS WE HAVE, ABOUT $140 MILLION WORTH OF REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, THOSE REQUESTS WOULD BE SCRUTINIZED AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE ASKING FROM AND DETAILS THEM BEFORE AND WE WILL CONTINUE ESPECIALLY

[00:50:14]

WE HAVE A COUNTYWIDE REVIEW LOOKING AT EFFICIENCIES THROUGHOUT THE MANY TIMES IT WILL HELP US FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE CURRENT DOLLARS WE HAVE.

THAT REVIEW HAS JUST STARTED. THE SECOND REVIEW IS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IT TOOK SOME TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO THE PROCESS AND GET THE CONSULTANTS ON BOARD BUT ESPECIALLY WITH MANY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RELATED REQUEST, THAT REVIEW WILL HELP US LOOK AT EVERYTHING HOLISTICALLY AND FINALLY THERE IS A REVIEW THAT WILL INFORM THE CREATION OR THE MAKEUP OF THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY DEPARTMENT AND INTERACT WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO DO SOME WORK. A FINAL NOTE ON THE GOALS WE DISCUSSED IN JANUARY AT THE SECOND COMMISSIONERS COURT WE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET.

WE MENTIONED BEFORE THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT WE HAD METRICS, WE NEEDED GOALS AND TRANSPARENCY.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MORE DETAIL METRICS AND WE HAVE A LOT MORE DETAIL PROPOSALS IN TERMS OF JUST GENERAL DETAIL BUT THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO TO HAVE A PERFORMANCE-BASED APPROACH TO SELECT METRICS THAT MAKE SENSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED TO UNDERSTAND HOW OUTSIDE FUNDING SOURCES WORK. HOW YOU COMPARED THE USE OF OUTSIDE FUNDING SOURCES ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS TO GET -- AND ALSO THIS IS PART OF THE REVIEW ADJUSTMENT TO LOOK THOROUGHLY AT THE BASELINE BUDGETS WE ARE BUILDING ON AND THAT IS WHAT WILL WE HOPE TO CONTINUE BUILDING ON THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR.

I WANT TO MAKE A POINT. SEVERAL OF THE REQUEST AND WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS IS MORNING WITH THE COURTS, ARE ABOUT OUTDATED DIGITAL SYSTEMS. I'M HOPING ISSUES LIKE DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND MAYBE WE CAN COLLECTIVELY THAT THE COLLECTIVE VIEWPOINTS WILL BE TAKEN. AND THEN I KNOW THAT JIM WILL BE CONVENING IN THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DO IT FOR THESE HEARINGS AND OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS IT WILL BE CONVENING THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE TO BILL REFORM IMPLEMENTATION AND THERE IS A SEPARATE PART OF FUNDING FOR THAT. WE HOPE IT WILL GO THROUGH THEIR ONCE WE HAVE THE BELL MONITORING BOARD AND THAT WILL HAPPEN IN FEBRUARY.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE HAVE A LONG WAY AHEAD. I WILL TRY TO KEEP EVERYTHING ON TRACK. WE HAVE TO GET THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENTS FOR DAY ONE ON DAY ONE SO WE CAN DO DAY TWO TOMORROW. THE THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH

EVERYONE IN THE BUDGET FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS. >> THANK YOU.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER? >> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT YOU ARE RIGHT.

I THINK THERE'S ABOUT 116. >> THAT IS RIGHT. [INDISCERNIBLE] IT REPRESENTS 11 MILLION VERY WHAT YOU ARE SEEING HERE IS DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT ASKED FOR SALARY INCREASES.

>> AND JUDGE, MR. JACKSON, HAVE WE INCLUDED IN THIS THE MONEY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC

OPPORTUNITY, EQUITY AND THE OFFICE. >> WE HAVE SET THAT ASIDE.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE A DECISION ON INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE A COUPLE OF QUARTS BACK. THIS BODY OPTED NOT TO DO THAT. I HAPPEN TO DISAGREE WITH IT BUT WE DID NOT DO IT. IF WE HAD INCREASE REVENUE. I'M ON THE BALLOT AND IT IS NOT A POPULAR THING TO GO OUT AND SAY. I MADE THE COMMENT WHEN DISCUSSION WAS BEING HELD ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE COME UP WITH ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

IF WE HAD, WE WOULD HAVE GENERATED ANOTHER $132 MILLION TO OPERATE THIS COUNTY IN GENERAL REVENUE. WE WOULD GENERATE ANOTHER $12.2 MILLION FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND ANOTHER 77.9 MILLION FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. WITH THAT SAID, WE DID NOT DO THAT. I THINK THIS BOARD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE EQUITY IS A PART OF EVERYTHING WE DO. IN MY JUDGMENT, TO MAKE UP FOR DECADES OF NEGLECT IN A LOT OF AREAS WHERE WE DID NOT HAVE IT AND AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, IT IS REALLY EASY AS I'VE SAID MANY TIMES TO COME AND ADVOCATE FOR MOVING THE CHAIRS AROUND ON THE TITANIC BUT RARELY HAVE I SEEN IN MY PUBLIC LIFE SOMEBODY COME IN

[00:55:05]

BY THE END OF THE DECADE, THE POPULATION PROJECTION FOR THIS REGION WILL BE SOMETHING LIKE 7 MILLION PEOPLE. OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE COST INDEX FOR ALL ITEMS EXCEPT FRUIT AND ENERGY HAVE INCREASED BY TWO PERCENT. I THINK IT MAY BE MORE THAN ONE PERCENT BUT I DID NOT SEE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW CALLING ME SAYING THEY WANT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT DEPARTMENT HEADS BUT I'M NOT LEAVING THEM OUT. BUT I DID SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I'M HEARING FROM AS AQUATIC COMMUNITIES COME DOWN HERE WHEN WE'RE MAKING THAT DECISION AND SAY HE HAVE TO COME UP IN ONE WAY, YOU WANT TO INVEST IN MORE STUFF. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE METHODICAL. I DID A MEETING WITH SOME OF THE COUNCIL CANDIDATES WHO ARE MAKING A LOT OF COMMITMENTS. I WAS WITH THEM LAST NIGHT AND A THE COMMENT THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT CREATIVE WAYS. IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO RAISE REVENUE IT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE EVEN GOING FORWARD FOR THE COUNTY AND THE CITY. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW IS THAT THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO BE FOR PEOPLE EVEN IF WE GO TO VOTERS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SET THE RATE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A, CORRECT? ANALYSIS BUT I CALLED THE FORMER HEAD OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES OVER THE WEEKEND BECAUSE IT WAS TROUBLING ME AND I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

HIS ANALYSIS IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOR WHENEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT EVEN IF THE VOTERS SAY THEY WANT TO INCREASE IT. BUT THAT IS WHY IF WE ARE ON THE PATH WHERE WE PROBABLY WON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL REVENUE ANYTIME SOON, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME AREAS WHERE WE GET COMBINED WITH THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AND OTHER ENTITIES AND FIGURE OUT IF IT MAKES SENSE.

WE HAVE THOSE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE HAVE HEARD 150 MILLION IN SOME PEOPLE WANTED ASK AND DIDN'T ASK FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY. BUT THE REALLY SHE HAS TO BE HOW WE COME UP HOW WE COME UP WITH MORE MONEY. WE OUGHT TO ASK HER QUESTIONS AND PEOPLE OUGHT NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL. IF THEY CAN'T GET WHAT THEY ASKED FOR.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE THE ABILITY TO RUN FOR ONE OF THESE POSITIONS AND SET UP HERE AND THEY CAN GO OUT AND SEE IF THEY WANT TO COME UP WITH ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND ALL COMES UP WITH MAKING SOME MONEY. I'M LOOKING FOR THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR MEETING AT 9:00 IN THE MORNING. I FELT BAD. I RODE MY BIKE HERE.

IT WASN'T THE ELECTRIC BIKES WILL HAVE NO EXCUSE. HE DID MOVE IT UP AND I WAS

LATE AND THAT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. >> MY UNDERSTANDING YOUR HONOR IN LOOKING AT THIS, THIS YEAR WE HAVE 100-3900 $27,000 THAT'S RIGHT 130,000,927, AND HE REQUESTED ABOVE WHAT WE HAD IN LESTER'S BUDGET OR ABOVE THAT RANGE.

WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN OUR AVAILABLE BUDGET TO MEET THOSE NEW REQUEST, ONLY $60 MILLION OVER DATE. SO JUDGE I UNDERSTAND IT IS A TOUGH THING TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE $60 MILLION ROUGHLY. WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION EVERY YEAR AS WE DO IN MY HOUSEHOLD AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE'S HOUSEHOLDS EVERY NOW AND THEN OF WHEN EVERYONE HAS THAT EXTRA REQUEST. BUT ALL THE NEW STUFF. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT CUTTING BACK FROM LETTING ANYBODY HAVE IT BEFORE. THIS IS OUT OF THE NEW REQUEST.

WE CAN ONLY MEET HALF OF THE NEW SPECIAL REQUEST GOING FORWARD THIS YEAR.

I WILL TELL YOU, IT IS NEVER EASY TO DO IN YOUR OWN HOME IT WON'T BE EASY FOR US TO DO TODAY BUT I LOOK FORWARD FOR WORKING WITH THE FOLKS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND I KNOW I HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE FROM SOME OF MY OTHER COLLEAGUES THAT THEY WANT US TO BE ENGAGED IN THE PROCESS OF LIVING ON A BUDGET AND THAT WHEN WE DO HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS OF ONLY $6 MILLION, OUR REQUESTER TWICE THAT THAT WOULD DO THE HARD THING IN THE RIGHT THING AND THAT IS ALLOCATE BETWEEN THOSE DECISIONS GOING TO THE BASIS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HIS OTHER

[01:00:07]

MY COLLEAGUES OVER THESE NEXT THREE DAYS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I JUST WANT TO ALSO REITERATE THAT AT OUR LAST MEETING THAT I TALKED ABOUT WORKING THROUGH THE PRINCIPLES NOT IN THE PUREST FORM BUT IS GUIDING PRINCIPLES THE ISSUE OF ZERO-BASED BUDGETING FOR ALL DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS.

AND THAT WE ALSO LOOK AT THOSE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE TRULY DEFINED COUNTYWIDE RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY, PRIORITIZATION AS IT RELATES TO WHAT THE COMMISSIONER TALKED ABOUT AND HELPS IS ALLOCATE AVAILABLE REVENUE.

THIRDLY, THAT WE LOOK AT THE ROLLOVER AND UNDERSTAND HOW THE ROLLOVER GOES INTO THIS BECAUSE IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WE HAVE ABOUT 140 MILLION IN ROLLOVER AND IN CONTRAST TO THE 60 MILLION OVER OR IN TERMS OF NEW REQUEST THAT THE COMMISSIONER TALKED ABOUT.

THERE ARE WAYS TO MAKE THIS BUDGET REQUEST HAPPEN IF WE LOOK AT ALL AVAILABLE REVENUE THAT IS THERE. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE TRULY DEFINED COUNTYWIDE RESPONSIBILITIES AS A MATTER OF

PRIORITY. THANK YOU. >> YES COMMISSIONER?

>> COMMISSIONER, MAYBE NOW IS NOT THE TIME BUT I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW.

AND OF THE CITY DID INCLUDE SOME ITEM ON THE ZERO-BASED BUDGETING BECAUSE I TALKED TO ONE OF THE CANDIDATES AND HE BROUGHT THAT UP AND THE MAYOR MENTIONED IT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT IT ON THE STATE LEVEL EVEN DURING THE MINUTE I WAS FINANCED YEAR. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I KNEW WHAT IT MEANT.

AND ON THE ROLLOVER THING, I'M CURIOUS HOW THAT WORKS DIFFERENTLY FROM STATE GOVERNMENT. WE HAD A RAINY DAY FUND. WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF PEOPLE? DO DEPARTMENTS RUN OUT THERE AND GO SPEND IT. AND I WON'T TRY TO BRING IT UP NOW. BUT AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, MAYBE THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE BECAUSE I REALLY WANT TO KNOW HOW OTHER COUNTIES. WHAT DO THEY DO IN THOSE TWO AREAS. AND HOW WE ENDED UP DOING IT THIS WAY BUT I WILL DO IT NOW.

I'LL JUST BRING IT UP. >> THANK YOU JUDGE. A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE IS LIKE I SAID. GOING TO THE ZERO-BASED BUDGETING IS A PAINFUL AND VERY TEDIOUS AND LONG PROCESS. WE SHOULD START ON THAT MONTHS EARLIER.

NOT LOOKING FOR THAT. >> BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE A STATEWIDE CAP WE OUGHT TO BE THINKING ABOUT THAT IN BUDGETS GOING FORWARD. IN TERMS OF PRINCIPLES WE CAN APPLY TODAY OUR PERFORMANCE MEASURES. DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES. WHETHER THERE ARE PERFORMANCE MEASURES THAT ARE STATE-MANDATED AND WHETHER THEY APPLIED TO CERTIFICATIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I THINK THOSE ARE AREAS WE CAN REALIZE THAT THEY COME WITH A PRIORITY VERSUS JUST BECAUSE IT'S A DEPARTMENT WE HAPPEN TO HAVE. I COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT IF THERE ARE NEW REQUESTS COMING FROM DEPARTMENTS THEN WE OUGHT TO UNDERSTAND IT AND SEE WHAT THE BUILDUP OF THOSE REQUESTER GOING TO BE AND WHAT ARE THE OUTPUT EXPECTED FROM THAT.

I USED TO TELL MY FOLKS THAT WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE LAYOFF AND THE DOWNTURN IN 09, SO WE MADE IT THROUGH THAT FISCAL YEAR NOT LAYING ANYBODY OFF BUT WITH THE HIRING FREEZE IN PLACE AND ATTRITION OCCURRED AND SO WHEN WE WERE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO REHIRE THEM OR TO HIRE AGAIN, I LOOKED AT WHAT THE OUTPUT WAS AND WE WERE -- THE TROOPS KEPT WORKING AND

[01:05:06]

THERE SHOULD BE A CHANGE IN THE PERFORMANCE MEASURE. THOSE ARE THE THINGS I THINK WE SHOULD BE CHALLENGING OUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS ON IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN CREATE THESE ESTIMATES ALLOCATE THESE ALLOCATIONS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS?

>> IN THAT REVIEW THAT IS GOING ON OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT ON THE TWO ISSUES OF THE ROLLOVER AND ZERO-BASED BUDGETING, MAYBE THOSE OUTSIDE EXPERTS TO GIVE US SOME.

YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT NOW BUT IF SOME POINT GOING IN THE FALL.

>> WE COULD BUT GOING FORWARD IS WHERE WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON.

BEFORE I FORGET, JUDGE, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH BO JACKSON. IT RELATES TO DOCTOR CHARLES REQUEST. I THINK THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE PAYING OUT OF THEIR BUDGET SINCE WE ARE LOOKING FOR TALENT ON A COUNTYWIDE BASIS TO DO WORK ON A COUNTYWIDE BASIS.

BUT I THINK THE WORK OF THE CHURCH FORM SHOULD BE PAID BY US.

I ASKED MR. JACKSON THAT THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED. >> WE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONERS RECOMMENDATION ON LOOKING INTO WHAT ALL WILL MAKE PRACTICES MORE EFFICIENT. WE WOULD BE DOING THIS REGARDLESS OF THE EFFECTIVE RATE. IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO KEEP UP WITH GROWTH AND LONG-TERM. OBVIOUSLY ONE YEAR IMPACT IS NOT THERE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE GRAPH FROM YEAR TO YEAR YOU WILL GET A GAP BETWEEN NEEDS AND REVENUE AND RIGHT NOW WERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THAT.

I AM HESITANT AND I HAVE NOT STUDIED THIS ISSUE IN DEPTH BUT I STUDIED IT SOME, THE QUESTION OF ZERO-BASED BUDGETING IN ROLLOVER AND I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT THE FIRM COMES BACK WITH. FROM WHAT I KNOW, THERE ARE ELEMENTS OF ZERO-BASED BUDGETING BUT WE SHOULD INCORPORATE THEM AND I HOPE WE ARE AND I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT. IT SOUNDS GOOD BUT IT NEEDS TO PERVERSE IN SOME TYPE.

I WOULD HATE TO PUNISH THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SAVING AS OPPOSED TO FORCING THEMSELVES TO SPEND OUT AT THE END OF THE YEAR. I WOULD FUNDAMENTALLY LOOK TO PRESERVE THAT. WE WILL NOT PUNISH FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE SAVINGS.

GOING FORWARD, I THINK IT IS PERTINENT FOR THE FIRM TO LOOK AT THIS.

IT IS A PERFECT QUESTION FOR THEM AND WE CAN LOOK AT IT THOROUGHLY.

>> I WOULD LIKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH EITHER YOU OR PERHAPS OUR OTHER COLLEAGUES BECAUSE I WAS HERE DURING THAT TRANSITION AND EXPERIENCED THE PRE-IMPOSED AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH THE NUMBERS IN A WAY THAT WOULD BE A LITTLE EASIER TO DO THAN OUT HERE AND WASTING EVERYBODY'S TIME DOING SO. BUT I DON'T WANT TO VIOLATE THE ACT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO VISIT ONE OF YOU.

MAYBE YOU WOULD BE THE BEST ONE FOR ME TO DO BUT THAT WOULD PRECLUDE YOU FROM VISITING WITH SOMEONE ELSE. I WILL DEFER TO YOUR WISDOM ON THAT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH SOMEONE ELSE WHO WAS NOT HERE IN THE PRE-DAYS AND WALK-THROUGH HOW

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT SAVED HIS MONEY. >> I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS ARE HERE BUT I KNOW OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT IT LEADS TO SPENDING EVERYTHING DOWN AND SO

IT'S A COST SAVINGS BUT WE HAVE A LOT TO GET THROUGH. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET THIS RIGHT. OUT OF THE 60 MILLION GIVE OR TAKE, YOU SAY THAT YOU HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, THE COURT ANALYST'S OFFICE, AND EMPLOYER

PHRASES. >> NO. >> BUT THE DUDE DECIMATE THREE

DEPARTMENTS. >> THE THREE DEPARTMENTS WERE ACCOUNTED FOR AND AGAIN, IF THE AUDITOR COMES UP WITH A REVENUE LIST BUT THEY WANTED NOT UNTIL JANUARY, THE NUMBER WE CAME UP WITH WAS A TOTAL OF AROUND $80 MILLION. $28 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR THOSE THINGS THAT COME UP DURING THE YEAR. WE HAD $50 MILLION.

SO 60 IS OUR TARGET NUMBER THERE. >> PAY RAISE OF 11 MILLION OF

HIS LEASE ONE PERCENT. >> IF YOU DID THAT. >> IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT EVERYBODY'S REQUEST WAS JUST 115. SO IT WOULD PUT US DOWN TO 49.

>> IF YOU DO IT THREE PERCENT PAY RAISE WOULD BE $33 MILLION. >> IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ABLE TO

[01:10:07]

KEEP UP WITH INFLATION. >> IF INFLATION WAS TWO OR THREE PERCENT IT WOULD BE 32 OR 33. IF WE DON'T DO THAT IN ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES WOULD GET A DEFECTIVE PAY CUT BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE IS MORE EXPENSIVE.

SO THAT WE KNOW THE NUMBER. EVEN IF IT TAKES TIME. MOST OF THE LAST TIME?

>> WE HAVE NOT GIVEN THREE PERCENT ACROSS THE BOARD. IN GENERAL WE GIVE IT A PERCENTAGE HIGHER AND RAISE ALL THE PCM'S IN THE DEPARTMENTS MADE THE DECISION ON HOW THEY WANTED TO GET THOSE RAISES BASED ON PERFORMANCE. WE ADDED THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND HOOKS AND IN EACH DEPARTMENT HOW THE AVERAGE EMPLOYEE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY BETWEEN 25 AND 30 PERCENT SEEN A RAISE IN THE LAST FOR FIVE YEARS AND THAT IS BECAUSE IT

WAS BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND NOT ACROSS THE BOARD. >> I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT COLLEAGUES BECAUSE LET'S SAY HYPOTHETICALLY IF IT IS THREE PERCENT, THAT IS LOVE MILLION FOR EVERYONE PERCENT. IF THAT IS 33. EVEN IF YOU SAY WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU AND YOURS, ASKED. TO GIVE YOU THE DEPARTMENT.

THREE PERCENT WHETHER YOU DO IT ACROSS THE BOARD OR HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT YOU WILL GET THAT IN. IT IS GOOD TO WANT TO GET ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.

[Sheriff’s Department]

BUT ONCE YOU HAVE ARE LEAVE YOU WERE ON THE TREADMILL. >> EXACTLY QUICK THINKING.

LET'S START WITH THE FIRST OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT HERE IS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT OUR BUDGET AND SOME OF OUR NEEDS. THANK YOU JUDGE. [INDISCERNIBLE] IT IS A GROWING ISSUE AND WE HAVE RECENTLY ADVOCATED FOR THE REAUTHORIZATION.

SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE ADVOCATES TO SEE HOW WE CAN PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR BUDGET IS CENTERED AROUND THREE MAIN PHILOSOPHIES WHICH IS TO REDUCE CRIME AND TO MAKE SURE WERE ADVOCATING AND PROTECTING THE VICTIMS AS WELL AS FINDING SOME INNOVATIVE REDUCTION AS WELL. YEARS AGO WE CAN EVER IMAGINE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS REGION WOULD BE DEALING WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HANGING FROM ONE OF OUR MAJOR BRIDGES IN OUR COUNTY IN A SOPHISTICATED OPERATION INCLUDING OUR BRAVE SWAT OFFICERS THAT WANT TO TRY TO GET THE JOB DONE. BUT I KNOW THE ECONOMIC IMPACT WE ASSESS AND MONITOR THE ROLE THEN WOULD HAVE SEEN ATTACKS. THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL INCIDENTS WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE REGION WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE AND THE IMPORTANCE PLAYED IN HELPING FACILITATE RESPONSES. ALSO THE HOMELESSNESS AND ADDICTION THAT GOES BEYOND URBAN TYPE ISSUES AND WE ARE OUT THERE TRYING FOR THESE RESOURCES BUT WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. WE SEE IT INCREASED ADDICTION AND OTHER ISSUES WERE HAVING TO GRAPPLE WITH. RESPONSIBLE FOR 2 MILLION PEOPLE OVER SIX MILES. OUR STAFFING MEMBER HAS NOT KEPT PACE.

THE POPULATION NOW PRESENTS THAT'S RIGHT EXPANDS 2 MILLION. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN OUR BUDGET INCREASE WHEN YOU LOOK OVER THE BASE

[01:15:01]

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COUNTY.

HAVE A RECKON INDISCERNIBLE] NOT THE CASE. EVERY YEAR WE ARE ASKED TO KEEP OUR GROWING COUNTY SAFE WITHOUT INVESTING MORE PUBLIC SAFETY. INCLUDING RESPONDED TO 21,330 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. IN 2018, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES SENT OUR CHILD ABUSE UNIT 15,573 CASES TO REVIEW WITH AN INCREASE IN JUST THREE. THAT UNIT NOW IS A BACKLOG OF 700 CASES PENDING ASSIGNMENT TO INVESTIGATORS. SINCE 2013, THE NUMBER OF ASSAULTS WERE REPORTED HAS GROWN 27 PERCENT. IN THAT TIME THE NUMBER REPORTED OF ASSAULTS IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE 620 18. WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY AND WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS THE DIVERSION PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE WE FIND IS APPROPRIATE CASES TO DIVERT NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS OR WHO HAVE CHRONIC MENTAL HEALTH AND WE GET THEM OVER TO THE DIFFERENT FACILITIES AND WE ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH STATE PARTNERS AND WE APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR AND OPERATION NORTHSTAR. IT IS A PARTNERSHIP IN CONSEQUENCE TO CRACK DOWN ON VIOLENT CRIMINALS. PARTICULARLY ARMED ROBBERY CREWS IN 2017. THE TARGET OF HIGH CRIME NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY'S DAY SO IT LASTED IN STATE TROOPERS WE MADE OVER 834 ARREST.

OVER 1000 CITATIONS AND CONFISCATED 55 ILLEGAL GUNS AND 28 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA AND 990 GRAMS OF COCAINE AND 181 GRAMS OF XANAX AND SEES $35,000 IN CASH.

>> SHERIFF? WE JUST REALIZED RECEIPT DOES NOT HAVE A MICROPHONE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS PROPERLY RECORDED. THE MIND SWITCHING?

>> SURE. >> THANK YOU. >> WITH OUR SECOND INITIATIVE, WE UTILIZED IT IS 600 REST IN THE 148 TRAFFIC CITATIONS THIS YEAR.

A YEAR AGO AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I HELPED LAUNCH THE MULTIAGENCY TRAFFIC INITIATIVE.

THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE SERIES TITLED OUT-OF-CONTROL. THEY ANALYZE THE DATA INCLUDED 640 PEOPLE YEAR DIE ON HOUSTON AREA ROADS AND 2850 WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

THIS MAKES OUR REGION THE MOST DEADLY MAJOR AREA IN THE NATION FOR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AND PEOPLE IN THEIR PATH. BECAUSE THIS IS A REGIONAL EPIDEMIC WE PARTNERED WITH OTHERS TO PERFORM DATA-DRIVEN AND TARGETED ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS.

THEY BEGAN AND JANUARY AND NETTED 510 ARREST AND WE HAVE A DRINKING ISSUE IN THIS COUNTY.

WE EXPECT WE WILL HEAD OVER 15,000 ARREST IN HARRIS COUNTY COMBINED FOR DWIS THIS YEAR.

THESE NORSTAR AND OUT-OF-CONTROL INITIATIVE SHALL WE MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND WERE ABLE TO INCREASE LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE STRATEGICALLY.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE KILLED IN TRAFFIC CRASHES IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY IS DOWN TO 19 COMPARED TO 2018. THAT IS 19 LIFE SAVED AND WE CANNOT PUT A PRICE ON THAT EFFORT. DWI ARRESTS ARE IN ON PACE TO REACH OVER 15,000 ARREST.

THAT IS AN AVERAGE OF 41 DWI ARREST EVERY SINGLE DAY. OVER 41.

THAT IS ONLY THE ONES WERE ABLE TO CAPTURE OUT THERE. THERE ARE MANY THAT WE CANNOT GET TO. THESE INITIATIVES ARE NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SUSTAINABLE ON A DAILY BASIS WITH OUR CURRENT RESOURCES. WHAT WE NEED, 260 DEPUTIES PRIMARILY TO INCREASE ARBITRAL PRESENTS AND WE KNOW THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE HER OWN SAFE ROOM. WHENEVER WE HAD A TITRATION, WE HAVE NO FATAL CRASHES OR MAJOR CRASHES AND THOSE CORE DOORS SO WE KNOW WHAT WORKS. DRIVERS NEED TO SEE TRAFFIC LAWS ARE BEING ENFORCED AND THEY NEED TO KNOW DANGEROUS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. THE REASON THAT IS IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF ROADWAYS THAT CONTINUE TO GROW SUCH AS THE GRAND PARKWAY WHERE A LOT OF TIMES ARE CONTROLLED PRESENCE IS VERY LIMITED. U.S. 90 IS BECOMING A DEADLY QUARTER AS WELL SO WE NEED TO SUSTAIN THAT PRESENCE AS WELL. WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING PROACTIVE IN LOOKING

[01:20:02]

NOT SIMPLY TO ISSUE CITATIONS THAT MAY BE THE ISSUE WARNINGS AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ON THE NEED TO REDUCE SPEED AND OTHER FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO FATAL CRASHES.

IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS IT WORKS PHENOMENALLY WELL. WE WOULD ASSIGN THESE BRO.

SO WE CAN GET THE EVIDENCE BACK AND SEE WHAT IS WORKING AND NOT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING THAT TO UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY WHERE IT DOES NOT EXIST CURRENTLY. WE NEED ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS TO KEEP PACE WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF CASES THAT INCLUDE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HOMICIDE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FUGITIVE APPREHENSION AND CHILD ABUSE. 2.2 MILLION FOR MENTAL HEALTH UNIT AS WELL AND ALSO TO HELP REPLACE OUR AGING VEHICLES. MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, SIX PERCENT OF OUR CURRENT FLEET IS OVER 200,000 MILES AND THAT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE TO MAKE SURE

OUR WOMEN AND MEN HAVE WITH ANY. >> WHAT PERCENTAGE.

>> OVER 250,000 MILES. THAT IS TOO MANY CARS. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO EXPAND.

I MENTIONED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE BEGINNING. THIS YEAR WE LAUNCHED WHAT WE REFERRED TO AS OUR SMART PROGRAM TO PROACTIVELY TAKE A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHERE WE SENT VICTIM ADVOCATES TO HELP THE SURVIVORS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN INVESTIGATOR AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE OUT THERE TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE VOLATILE CASES THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL FACE AS WELL AS THE FAMILIES GOING THROUGH THAT.

WE ARE TRYING TO GROW AND EXPAND THE PROGRAM AS WELL. HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES AND TRY TO BE PROACTIVE IN CRIME SUPPRESSION AS WELL BEFORE THE CASES END UP BEING DOUBLY.

ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF OUR HOMICIDES LAST YEAR HAD A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NEXUS TO THEM. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE PAY RAISES WE ARE GRANTED TO DETENTION OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES THAT YEAR BUT WE MUST DO MORE SO THAT WE MAY REMAIN COMPETITIVE. I WILL SAY I APPRECIATE AND UNDERSTAND THE HEAVY LIFT YOU HAVE IN YOUR RESPECTIVE ROLES. I DID BEFORE WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL AND AS YOU STATED, THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING TO PRIORITIZE AND LOOK AT DIFFERENT NEEDS, I KNOW THAT IS A TOUGH CHORE TO DO. WITH ALL THE REQUESTS WE ARE DOING I WOULD SAY THAT OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PERSONNEL ARE COMPENSATED EQUALLY AND FAIRLY BECAUSE WE MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH AND ATTRACT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO OUR PROFESSION AND WE ARE ALSO MANDATED BY A STATE COMMISSION THAT REGULATES THE RATIO SO I CAN'T JUST FIND EFFICIENCIES. I NEED A STATE RATIO. SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE SOME OF THE LOWEST FUNDING. IT IS VERY HARD TO KEEP THAT PERSONNEL CONSISTENT BUT IS WELL-TRAINED BECAUSE WE CONTINUOUSLY LOSE THEM IN THE STATE SYSTEM STRUGGLES TO KEEP QUALIFIED DETENTION OFFICERS. OUR NUMBER ONE ASSET IS A WOMEN OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THOSE FRONTLINE DEPUTIES OUT THERE SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND THE SUPPORT PERSONNEL TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR DUTIES AND CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL AND DETENTION OFFICERS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WERE BEING COMPETITIVE.

WE LOOKED AT A RAW COMPARISON OF A NEIGHBORING AGENCY AFTER ONE YEAR OF SERVICE, AN OFFICER MAKES NEARLY 7000 MORE THAN IT HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTY.

AFTER FIVE YEARS THE PAY GAP IS OVER $12,000 IN 10 YEARS IT WIDENS TO $18,000.

THE DISPARITIES WORSENS AS THE DEPUTY PERMITS TO SERGEANT. THE OTHER AGENCY, THE SERGEANT STARTED 90,000 AND FOR US IT IS 76,000. A NEIGHBORING LIEUTENANT AGENCY MAKES ALMOST 18,000 MORE THAN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE LIEUTENANT WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE.

I WANT TO STRONGLY ADVOCATE THAT I HOPE THOSE DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE.

I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR THEM BEFORE AND I KNOW IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION THERE WAS AN EFFORT TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS INTO A FAIR ANALYSIS. WE KNOW ALL THINGS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AND WE HAVE VERY GENEROUS AND SOLID RETIREMENT PLAN AND OTHER BENEFITS WE KNOW THAT AS PART OF THE PACKAGE BUT THE BASE PAY IS IMPORTANT. YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT AS WE LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK THAT WE ALSO OPERATE THE MEDICAL UNIT AND IT IS CAN TENTATIVELY PRICE IN THE MARKETPLACE SO MANY DO NOT COME BECAUSE WE DO NOT MEET THE SALARIES AS YOU HEARD DOCTOR TALL SAID AND ALSO BEGIN WITH DETENTION STAFF AND OTHER FOLKS THAT DO VERY DANGEROUS WORK UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS IN DEPARTMENT PAY.

[01:25:07]

THE MORE WE CAN GET TRACTION ON THAT WE KNOW IT WILL BE RETURNED MONIES BACK TO THE

COUNTY IN TERMS OF REDUCED SAVINGS AS WELL. >> THANK YOU JUDGE.

CHERIF, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE A COUNTYWIDE RESPONSIBILITY AND ON OCCASION I THINK YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT TO ALMOST ANY OF THE AGENCIES THAT WE CALL UPON YOU IF NECESSARY. AND THAT GOES TO ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE THINK ABOUT AS WE GO THROUGH VERY TOUGH BUDGET YEAR.

IN THAT REGARD, SHERIFF, YOU MENTIONED THAT SIX PERCENT OF YOUR FLEET IS OVER 22,000

MILES. >> GREAT. >> THOSE ARE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS VEHICLES TO BE HAVING YOUR TROOPS IN. ON THE HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES YOU MENTIONED THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM. I KNOW MADAME DA, I WAS THAT YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR'S GRANT DART AND ARE THESE THE SAME PROGRAMS FOR

THESE DIFFERENT. >> WE MODELED A PROGRAM AND WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEIR SUPPORT, WE SELF-FUNDED OUR PROGRAM BECAUSE WE SEE THE NEED. WE FOUND THE MONIES QUITE SAME PROGRAM BUT OUTSIDE OF THE

GRANT. >> GREAT. THE CARPET SMART TO BE SMART ABOUT IT. IT IS SERVING THE SAME PURPOSE. WITH ALL THE SUCCESS IT IS HAVING AND IT WAS A PART OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S TASKFORCES AS WELL TO REDUCE THE STRAIN RELATIONS PROTOCOLS AND OTHER THINGS WERE DOING SO WE CAN TACKLE THIS IN A ENCUMBRANCE AWAY. THIS IS A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC OCCURRING IN IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND WERE TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE AND IT'S NOT ONLY INCARCERATION, WE ARE AN AGENCY THAT BELIEVES IN USING AS MANY TOOLS AS WE CAN AND THAT IS WHY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS ADMINISTRATION AND ALL OF YOU, WE ARE PLANNING TO GROW OUR GUN SURRENDER PROGRAM AS WELL TO

HELP PROTECT POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. >> AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES FOR BOTH OF YOU BECAUSE THERE ARE VIOLENT CRIMES THAT CAN BE PREVENTED.

IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARENA THIS IS ONE AREA WHERE VIOLENCE CAN BE PREVENTED IF YOUR PLAN A GOOD STRATEGY TO IT. BOTH OF YOU I APPLAUD IN THAT REGARD AND I WANT TO SEE THESE PROGRAMS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GO COUNTYWIDE.

FORGET THE CITY. I WANT TO SEE THIS GO COUNTYWIDE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE MEASURED VERY EFFECTIVELY. I DO HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE ADOPTIVE BUDGETS THAT YOU HAD IN YOUR BUDGET. FY 15, AND FY 16 WERE INCREDIBLY HIGHER.

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE STARTING IN 17 AND 18 WHERE IN 15 AND 16, YOUR BUDGET LOOKS LIKE YOU WERE NOT THE SHERIFF OF THE TIME. IT WAS OVER 400 MILLION AND IN FY 16, IT WAS OVER BUDGET AND IN FY 16 IT HIDDEN ALMOST 450 MILLION BUT THEN IN 17 AND 18 AND 19 WHICH I APPLAUD YOU, HE STAYED MAINLY UNDERGRADUATE. WHAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR

GETTING DOWN FROM 400 MILLION DOWN TO JUST OVER 200 MILLION? >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

THIS IS MY THIRD BUDGET SINCE 2017 WHEN I TOOK OFFICE THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF THE MINIMUM IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE EACH TIME, I BELIEVE BEING A GOOD STEWARD OF THE TAXPAYERS MONEY IN THE MANY DIRECT US. WE HAVE COME UNDER BUDGET THESE TIMES WHEN I MANAGE A BUDGET

[01:30:01]

I WOULD SPECULATE SOME OF THOSE INCREASES HAVE PROBABLY BEEN DUE TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER AND GROWING NEED OF POSITIONS TO MEET THOSE NEEDS AS WELL AS THE INFUSION IN DOLLARS SOMETIMES TO COVER MEDICAL COST FOR INSURANCE PROGRAM AND COVER SOME OF THAT AND ALSO PAY RAISES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. I APOLOGIZE.

I DID NOT INTRODUCE MIKE OUR FINANCE MANAGER WHEN I FIRST SAT DOWN.

THEY WANT TO SPEAK TO SOME OF THOSE INCREASES? >> I'M LOOKING FOR WHAT IS WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE OF THE 400 MILLION AND FY 15 AND 16 IN THE BEGINNING IN 17 YOU'RE DOWN TO

JUST OVER 200 MILLION. >> COMMISSIONER, WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT AS WE SPLIT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE INTO THREE FUNDS. WHEN YOU WERE SHERIFF -- WE ALWAYS HAD THE PROBLEM TO TRANSFER THE BUDGET AND SO PEOPLE WERE NOT GETTING CARS.

SO IS SPLITTED OUT THAT PARTICULAR YEAR AND BECAUSE OF THAT YOU WILL SEE ON THE OTHER TABS, THOSE TWO DEPARTMENTS ACTUALLY WENT FROM ZERO UP. THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE IS ONE TICKET THE MEDICAL IN A SEPARATE BUCKET IN THAT WAY WE CAN SEE IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY WITH A HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO SHIFTED OVER THERE. THAT IS WHY WE DID IT.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT IN TOTAL THERE IS NEVER BEEN AN OVER ALL DECREASE BUT THAT IS IT.

>> ONE QUESTION I DO HAVE FOR MICHAEL AND SHERIFF'S HOW MANY OPEN PCNS DO YOU CURRENTLY

HAVE? >> 400. >> UNDER ALL 400 FUNDED LIGHTS THAT IS AN INTERESTING QUESTION. I THINK THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION. IF YOU LOOK AT THIS AND YOU SEE THE PCN YOU ASSUME IT IS FUNDED. BUT DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE HAVE THE AVAILABLE FUNDING TO HIRE AND FILL THAT POSITION. OF THE 400 POSITIONS WE HAVE OPEN, 300 OF THOSE HAVE A BUDGET MAX RIGHT NOW. YOU MIGHT THINK WELL YOU COULD GO OUT TODAY AND FILL THE POSITIONS. WE COULD NOT DO A BLUER BUDGET BY $5 MILLION THIS YEAR ALONE IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. IT IS A MISCONCEPTION TO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE BUDGET MAX THAT IT IS FUNDED. IT ALL REVOLVES AROUND HOW MUCH AVAILABLE FUNDING DO WE HAVE.

RIGHT NOW WE CAN BUILD 10 PERCENT OF THOSE POSITIONS WITH THE AVAILABLE BALANCE WE HAVE.

>> YOU CAN ONLY FEEL 10 PERCENT OF THE POSITIONS. >> WHAT HAPPENS IN DEPARTMENTS, WE KNOW THE TURNOVER RIGHT NOW IS EVERY NINE YEARS IS THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME THAT SOMEONE STAYS HERE. SOME STAYED 40 AND SOME STATE A FEW WEEKS.

AT ANY GIVEN TIME, YOU CANNOT GET TO ZERO. WHEN YOU BUDGET DEPARTMENTS AT YOU WITH THE MOST DEPARTMENTS HAVE BETWEEN FIVE AND 10 PERCENT OPEN POSITIONS.

THE KEY IS LOOK AT HOW LONG THOSE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN OPEN BECAUSE IT IS LIKE A REVOLVING DOOR. WHEN SOMEONE LEAVES ONE DAY, YOU CANNOT FEEL IT THE VERY NEXT DAY. SO ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEY HAVE WELL OVER 4000

EMPLOYEES WITH ALMOST 5000. >> AS I CHECKED YESTERDAY THEY HAVE 460 OPEN POSITIONS WHICH IS UNDER 10 PERCENT. IT PROBABLY TAKES ON AVERAGE SIX MONTHS OR SO WHEN SOMEONE LEAVES TO GET THEM TRAINED IN BACKUP ON AVERAGE. SO THAT IS WHAT YOU WERE SEEING THERE. YOU CANNOT -- YOU WANT DEPARTMENTS TO HAVE MORE POSITIONS. WE HAVE A FEW THAT ARE OPEN, SIMPLY TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY IF WE HAVE TO HIRE.-ALTHOUGH DEPARTMENTS HIGHER EVERYBODY THAT THEY HAVE POSITIONS? NO. AT ONE TIME WHEN A PROBLEM AND THAT IS BACK IN 2010 AND 2011 WHERE THERE WERE ALWAYS OPEN POSITIONS BUT NO BUDGET BLOCK THAT ALLOWED PEOPLE TO HIRE THEM. ABOUT A BILLION TO 4,000,000,003 BUDGET, YOU CAN GO OUT AND FILL IT THESE OPEN POSITIONS AND WE WOULD GO OVER BUDGET $200 MILLION.

SO WHEN I BECAME THE BUDGET OFFICER, I WORKED IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND EXPRESSED A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE BUDGET OFFICER'S RESPONSIBILITY THAT PEOPLE COME

[01:35:01]

OUT AND HIRING. >> THAT EARLIER YOU SAID YOU HAVE A RATIO YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN BUT WHAT IT RELATES TO, THIS HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM, WHEN IT RELATES TO YOUR CALL VOLUME YOU CITED, HOW MANY ACADEMY CLASSES IN THIS BUDGET.

>> WE HAVE BUDGETED FOR TWO EVERY YEAR AND IT DOESN'T PICK UP ON THE SLEEP.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PCN AND FULFILLING THAT WE HAVE ATTRITION, FOR US THERE IS AN EXTENDED TIME TO TRAIN AND PREPARE SOMEONE TO GET THE CERTIFICATION NEEDED.

>> YOU DON'T GET THE VALUE OUT OF THAT. >> AND THEN EVEN WITH THE MEDICAL POSITIONS, OR MEDICAL SO THEY NEED A QUICK TURNAROUND.

UNFORTUNATELY IT IS HARD IN OUR ENVIRONMENT TO PROVIDE THAT QUICK TURNAROUND BECAUSE WE WORK IN A CORRECTIONS ENVIRONMENT AND SO THEY QUICKLY LEAVE AND FIND ANOTHER JOB SOMEWHERE ELSE. THAT IS WHAT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES ARE.

IN ADDITION, I THINK IN 89 OR 91, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD TO MASS HIRINGS.

THEY ARE REACHING THE RETIREMENT AGE AND WE ARE SEEING A LARGE NUMBER LEAVES SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS THEIR TIME TO MOVE ON. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING COMPETITIVE ON THE OTHER END AND FILLING POSITIONS QUICKLY AND THEN CHALLENGES UNIQUE TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS IN TERMS OF GETTING THE BUDGET BLOCK SOMETIMES IS THAT WE START A NEW BUDGET YEAR THE PROJECTION IS GOING ABOVE WHAT IS ANTICIPATED AT THE END AND WE MAY GET BLOCKED. THAT IS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE SLOW DOWN WITHIN THE YEAR AND HOLIDAYS IN EVERYDAY OVERTIME CONTINUES BECAUSE WE HAD TO HAVE THAT RATIO TO MEET SO IT WILL NATURALLY HAVE AN UPTICK IN THE BEGINNING BUT WE ARE FROZEN FROM BEING ABLE TO SPEND ANYMORE AS YOU MAY REMEMBER IN THOSE EARLY MONTHS AND WE END UP BEING DELAYED AND END UP CATCHING UP WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> WHAT ARE THOSE 6070? >> THE HIGHEST ONE WAS LOW 60S. >> YOU TRY TO GET 60 OR 70 PEOPLE MORE REALISTIC IS ABOUT 45. WE SIMPLY CANNOT KEEP UP.

>> FOLKS ARE LOOKING AT SALARY ISSUES BUT I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEIR TALK ABOUT IN THESE TWO ACADEMY CLASSES, PENDING POTENTIALLY 90 PEOPLE IN THOSE SEATS.

90 IS NOT WHAT YOU GRADUATE. A GRADUATE 20 LESS SO MAYBE 7 SOMETHING ODD.

YOUR RATE OF ATTRITION WHEN I WAS THERE, YOU ARE LOSING ON AVERAGE 10 TO 15 DEPUTIES A MONTH JUST THROUGH RETIREMENT, RESIGNATIONS, TERMINATIONS. AND SO THOSE TWO ACADEMY CLASSES, I ONLY HAD ONE. AT LEAST YOU WERE GETTING TO. IS IT ENOUGH FOR YOU TO KEEP UP

WITH ATTRITION? >> IT IS NOT ENOUGH. THE OTHER DIFFICULTY IS THE MAJORITY OF THE POOL OF CANDIDATES ARE COMING FROM OUR DETENTION SITES SO WE'RE LOSING SOME ON THAT SIDE BECAUSE THEY WANT MORE LUCRATIVE PAY BETTER OPPORTUNITIES.

WE FEEL SOMEONE STAY LONGER AND TRY TO CONSIDER IT AS A CAREER. WE ALWAYS HAVE THAT REVOLVING DOOR. BASE BUDGET REALLY HELPS US KEEP THE TRAINS RUNNING BUT TO REALLY GO OUT AND IMPROVE IT WITHOUT INC. HARRIS COUNTY WILL RETURN, TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND ALL THAT, IT WILL SIMPLY TAKE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. THE COUNTY HAS GROWN A LOT MORE AND IT IS MORE POPULATED IN OTHER AREAS. IT ALSO REQUIRES SOME PRESENCE.

WE WANT FOLKS TO KNOW THERE'S A POLICE PRESENCE OUT THERE SO YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN.

IT IS NOT A RACEWAY. >> AGAIN, THANK YOU, SHERIFF AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TROOPS FOR ALL OF THEIR PHENOMENAL WORK AND I APPRECIATE YOU ACKNOWLEDGING SERGEANT BREWSTER AND THE LOSS THAT WE ARE SUFFERING THROUGH RIGHT NOW. AND JUST FOR WHAT I MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT THE PRIORITIZATION THAT WERE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK THROUGH, HOW

[01:40:03]

BE REPORTED. >> WE ARE THE PRIMARY, WE ARE THE INVESTIGATIVE BODY.

>> SO YOU HAVE TO, WHEN PEOPLE LOOK TO SEE THE SAFETY, THE LEVEL OF SAFETY AND SECURITY THAT CAN BE MEASURED IN HARRIS COUNTY, THAT IS UP TO YOU TO REPORT, GET NOT ALL THOSE

RESOURCES ARE UNDER YOUR COMMAND AND CONTROL. >>, CORRECT?

>> THE SECOND THING IS WHEN FOLKS IN THE COUNTY, WILL ONE, WHO IS A PRIMARY AGENCIES THAT HAS TO RESPOND? LET'S IF IT'S SOMEONE OVER INC. HARRIS COUNTY, IT WILL COME TO US. IT IS A CONTRACT THEY WOULD HAVE THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

>> AND THEN THE CLEARANCE RATES. YOU WERE ALSO MEASURED ON CLEARANCE RATES. HOW ARE YOU DOING ON CLEARANCE RATES?

>> WE ARE DOING GOOD. WE DO PHENOMENAL WORK. OUR HOMICIDE RATE IS OVER 70

PERCENT CLEARANCE RATE. >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> EVEN THOUGH YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS THAT HAVE GROWN LIMITED, WE HAVE HAD TO -- AND WE -- BECAUSE I'VE BEEN IN YOUR ROLE I KNOW WE NEED A BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE RESOURCES WE HAVE.

IT IS SIMPLY NOT. THE VOLUME OF CALLS AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, 15,000+ CPS REFERRALS ARE CASES THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT AND REVIEWED AND IT TAKES PERSONNEL TO DO THAT. AND SO SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL THINGS WERE SENT OUT THERE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS OF THINGS AROUND THE DARK WEB AND CHILD EXPLOITATION IT CONTINUES TO GROW. THERE'S A LOT MORE TECHNOLOGY INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATIONS THAT TAKES PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY VET THAT DATA AND WE ARE BEHIND ON THAT SIMPLY BECAUSE OF VOLUME. SO WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. WE TRY TO BALANCE BEING

PROACTIVE IN OUR EFFORTS. >> THANK YOU. I WILL DESCEND WITH, EVEN EXHAUST ME BY MAKING THE SCENES THAT YOU MAKE. I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT ON OCCASION GAINS A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATOR EVERY SO OFTEN WHEN YOU GET INVOLVED IN THOSE CASES. MY RESPECT FOR YOU AND ALL THE WORK OF YOUR MEN AND WOMEN IN

THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> THANK YOU.

ALL OF Y'ALL HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED OF OUR AGENCY AND LOVING OUT THERE AND WITNESSING THE AMAZING WORK THAT GOES ON. I WORRY ABOUT THE TRAUMA THAT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AT ALL LEVELS SEE EACH AND EVERY DAY, THE CARNAGE AND I FEEL I SHOULD PERSONALLY SHARE IN THAT SO I CAN LEARN HOW WE CAN REDUCE OUT FOR EVERYONE AND HOW WE CAN BE SMARTER IN HOW WE SERVE THE

RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

YES COMMISSIONER. >> MY FIRST QUESTION IS GOING TO INVOLVE MR. JACKSON AND THAT DEALS WITH THE AUTO FLEET. WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES IN IMPROVING OUR SYSTEMS BY MOVING THE PRECINCT FOR EQUIPMENT TO THE FLATLINE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO DEAL WITH INDIVIDUAL AND VEHICLES. AND WE SEE WHAT IS THEIR LIFE EXPECTANCY AND YOU RETIRE A PARTICULAR PORTION OF THAT FLEET EVERY YEAR SO THAT YOUR AVERAGE FLEET IS THERE ANY DELEGATE OF THE UNIT AS OPPOSED TO DELINQUENT WITH INDIVIDUAL VEHICLES WHEN IT DO MY -- WITHIN IT. I DIDN'T REALIZE WE HAD SO MANY HIGH VEHICLES.

WE WILL BE IN TOUCH THIS AFTERNOON TO TALK ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO FIT NEW CARS ON THE STREET. SO FROM OF RISK MANAGEMENT STANDPOINT WHICH IS PART OF MY OFFICE, I NEED TO REPLACE THOSE VEHICLES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT SO WE WILL BE REACHING OUT THIS AFTERNOON WITH THOSE NUMBERS. BASICALLY THE POLICY IS WE DID NOT WANT TO GET MUCH OVER 150 ON ALL CARS. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT TO SEE WHERE WERE AT AND WE WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

>> OUR BUDGET REQUESTS IS TO CHANGE YOUR POLICY SO WE CAN RETIRE THOSE VEHICLES.

>> YOUR HONOR, THE BEST PRACTICE THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY COME UP WITH AN INNOVATION AND WE WERE THE GUINEA PIG AND IT PAID OFF REALLY WELL FOR US IN PRECINCT 4 IS, THE OLD MODEL IS

[01:45:02]

THAT IS WHY THINK, HE CALLED IT THE FLAT LINE BUDGET. >> LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT.

>> UNDER $50000 VEHICLE IT COST ABOUT $10000 PER YEAR FOR THAT NEW VEHICLE. FROM A RISK MANAGEMENT WE DON'T WANT THOSE VEHICLES ON THE STREET AND WE WILL GET TO IT.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS INNOVATION IN THIS BEST PRACTICE THAT WE HAVE RECENTLY BEGUN AND THAT HAS BEEN WORKING WELL FOR US IS BROUGHT TO OTHER AREAS BECAUSE IT MAKES YOUR FLEET HEALTHIER AND IT ALSO MAKES YOUR EMPLOYEES HEALTH HAPPIER TO BECAUSE THAT VEHICLE IS THEIR OFFICE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT. FOR DEPUTIES THAT IS THEIR

OFFICE. >> MY NEXT COMMENT I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS AND THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR CHIEF EDISON BECAUSE I WILL CALL AND SAY THIS DRY GUYS DRIVING TOO OLD OVER THE VEHICLE AND YOU ALWAYS TAKE THOSE CALLS AND YOU TOLERATE THIS COMMISSIONER AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THE TROOPS ARE TREATED WELL. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THOSE CALLS. I APPRECIATE IT.

THIS DOVETAILS INTO THAT. OF THE 19.9, ROUGHLY 20 MILLION OF NEW DOLLARS ON TOP OF THE CURRENT BUDGET OF 230 MILLION BUT THE NEW BUDGET OF 20 MILLION, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS GOING TO GO INTO THE PAY INCREASES? WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR PAY INCREASES UP TO SNUFF.

I KNOW THAT WE NEED NEW PEOPLE BUT A LOT OF TIMES KEEPING EXISTING PEOPLE HAPPY YOU GET MORE PRODUCTIVITY OUT OF THEN INVESTING IN A NEW PERSON. YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE BEEN HAMMERING ON THIS IS THE FIRST DAY IN THE OFFICE.

HOW MUCH OF THIS 20 MILLION OF NEW DOLLARS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO

GO TO THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND? >> I FELT IT WAS AS A DEPARTMENT I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ADVOCATE FOR PERSONAL FOR A PAY RAISE. PART OF THE CRITERIA WITH THE BUDGET TO WHAT WE REQUESTED WAS NOT REALLY TO DELVE INTO SPECIFIC NUMBERS. I DID NOT GET INTO SPECIFIC NUMBERS BUT WHAT I DIDN'T SUCCESSFULLY EXPLAIN EARLIER IS, I KNOW THIS IS -- IF YOU MET EVERY SINGLE REQUEST THAT WE HAD IN ADDITION TO OFFERING PAY INCREASE THEY PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE DOABLE. THAT'S WHY SAID FOR US OUR NUMBER ONE ASSET IS OUR PERSONNEL.

THAT WOULD BE MY BIGGEST PRIORITY.

IF WE COULD PRIORITIZE PAY RAISES FOR ALL PERSONNEL THAT IS WHAT I ADVOCATE FOR MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFFS OFFICE.

WE WOULD CLEARLY TRY TO BE EFFECTIVE IN FIND EFFICIENCIES OF WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE BUT IT IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT WITH THAT REALITY. I HATE TO CHOOSE ONE OR THE OTHER BUT I CAN GET ALL OF THE RESOURCES TODAY BUT IF I DON'T HAVE THE PEOPLE TO COME IN IT WOULDN'T NOT DO ME ANY GOOD.

THAT'S WHY IF YOU GAVE ME ADDITIONAL PEOPLE TO MAKE MORE MONEY BUT IF I CAN GROW MY OPERATIONS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN EVENTUALLY WE ARE GOING TO LOSE MORE PEOPLE IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF SERVICES WILL SIMPLY DECREASE BECAUSE THE COUNTY IS GROWING. IT'S A BALANCING ACT.

IT DOESN'T INCLUDED IN THIS REQUEST.

IF WE COULD DO IT ALL IT WOULD BE THIS PLUS A BUDGET INCREASE.

THAT WOULD MEAN IT WOULD BE FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

SO FOR A FAIR NEGOTIATION I WOULD SIDE ON PAY RAISES.

>> NEARLY ALL OF MY ECONOMIC READING, RETENTION IS A LOT CHEAPER THEN EDUCATION AND TRYING TO ACQUIRE NEW EMPLOYEES AND THESE PEOPLE THEY IT'S ALL ON THE LINE FOR.

>> EXACTLY. >> UNFORTUNATELY IT IS DUE TO

[01:50:02]

IT'S BEEN HARD TO HIRE MILLENNIAL SIN TO OUR PROF PROFESSION. THEY SEE THE SCRUTINY IN SOME OF THE CHALLENGES. IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TRADE NOT ONLY US BUT MY COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY GRAPPLE WITH THIS. SO, WE DO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING EXPERIENCED PEOPLE BECAUSE EXPERIENCE MATTERS. HAVING SOMEONE BEING ABLE TO RESPOND TO MAJOR SCENES AS SUCH AS THE TRAGIC SHOOTING -- YOU WANT THE BEST OF THE BRIGHTEST PROCESSING THOSE SCENES ARE ANYONE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LOVED ONES WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE BEST HOMICIDE DETECTIVES.

FOLKS ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE AND YOU SEE THEY ARE TOP-NOTCH PEOPLE. ALL OF YOU SEE THAT AND LET THEM. IN COMMISSIONER, YOU VISITED OUR FACILITY AND HE SAW THE GREAT WORK HAPPENING THERE.

>> HOW MUCH OF THIS 20 MILLION IS GOING TO THE BOOTS?

>> THOSE ARE NEW BOOTS. BUT THOSE ARE NOT EXISTING BEATS. THAT IS WHY I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. I DID SOME SURVEYS AND I TALKED TO SOME OF THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

THEY LOVE OUR SHERIFFS OFFICE BECAUSE THEY LOVE GETTING SOMEBODY WE TRAINED AND THEN HIRING AWAY FROM US AND THEY ARE EVEN GOING TO INCREASE THEIR PAY TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

AND SO, IT'S A PROBLEM, BIG PROBLEM.

THE OTHER THING IS, YOU ARE TAKEN SOMEBODY WHO STARTED 20 YEARS AGO OR 25 YEARS AGO WHO REALIZED THAT THE VALUE OF RETIREMENT AND MEDICAL BENEFITS AND ALL OF THAT.

THE NEW GROUP THAT WE ARE HIRING, THOSE ARE NOT SO IMPORTANT. SO, WHEN I TALK TO THESE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THEY DON'T HAVE NEAR THE RETIREMENT OR HEALTH PLAN WE HAVE. BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT THE NEW INDIVIDUALS ARE LOOKING FOR. I THINK THE SHERIFF SAID THAT.

I WILL USE THE WORD POACHING. IT IS AN EXTREME PROBLEM RIGHT NOW BECAUSE SOMEBODY WILL JUMP SHIP JUST FOR A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THE LOYALTY IS NOT THERE.

IT IS SNOWFALL TO THE SHERIFFS OFFICE.

IT IS JUST ECONOMICS. HOSPITALS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM TREMENDOUSLY RIGHT NOW NURSES ARE GETTING 5,007,000-DOLLAR BONUS IS SO THEY WILL STAY ONE YEAR I THINK IT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES WE HAVE IN PREPARING THIS BUDGET.

>> COMMISSIONER, IF I MAY FOR ME PERSONALLY IT EMBARRASSES ME AS A POLICE EXECUTIVE THAT MY FRONT-END PERSONNEL, WORKING IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT AT THE JAIL WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN PARKING. THEY DON'T MAKE THE HIGHEST SALARIES IN THE DEPARTMENT. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT JOB.

THEY PROTECT FROM THE FRONT END, SMALL-TOWN OFFENDERS TO CAPITAL MURDER SUSPECTS UNDER THEIR CARE 24/7 INTO IT AT A HIGH LEVEL.

THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR PARKING ON TOP OF NOT BEING THE HIGHEST PAY. AGAIN, IT IS A COUNTY ISSUE.

WE ARE LEANNE TO LOCKED-IN LAND IS OF VALUE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUILD PARKING. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT FALLS ON DEAF EARS, THIS IS A COUNTY ISSUE BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY PERSONALLY FOR ME THERE IS A BREAKING POINT THAT FOLKS DON'T WANT TO WORK HERE ANYMORE WILL GO TO A SMALLER AGENCY, GET PAID MORE, NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR PARKING ITSELF IT JUST IS VERY HARD TO KEEP A WELL WELL OILED MACHINE RUNNING THAT REALLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, MEETS CONSISTENCY AND DISCIPLINE, WELL-TRAINED PERSONNEL ON HAND WITHOUT A LOT

OF TURNOVER. >> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BIG ISSUE.

I KNOW THAT FOR THIS REQUEST, PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW AND HOW EVERYTHING FALLS TOGETHER I AM SURE WE WILL SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS FOLLOWING UP, OR MONTH I GUESS, WITH YOUR STAFF AS FAR AS MY TEAM IS CONCERNED ANYWAY ON WHAT EXACTLY WARRANTS THE MOST SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. I JUST WANT TO ASK, THOUGH, IF YOU'RE NUMBER ONE ASK IS A SALARY INCREASE, INVITE YOU GUYS TO SUBMIT A REVISED PROPOSAL BECAUSE I WOULD HATE FOR US TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME DIGGING INTO OTHER REQUESTS THAT ARE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ONE. I THINK THAT WAS THE INTENT BEHIND THE TABLE. WE CAN'T DO IT ALL.

SOME OF US WE MAY HAVE TO SAY PERHAPS BUT LET'S JUST WAIT UNTIL SOME OF THE STUFF THAT IS MOVING GETS FINISHED.

BUT, IT IS A MATTER OF TIME. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SPEND THE TIME DIGGING INTO WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK THE REQUEST FOR THE BUDGET WAS AGAIN NOT TO DELVE INTO. IT IS TWO DIFFERENT PRIORITIES AND NEEDS. WE CAN PRESENT IT HOLISTIC VIEW OF OUR CHALLENGES AND NEEDS AS AN AGENCY.

AGAIN, I HAVE SHOWN THAT I CAN MANAGE A BUDGET AND WE DELIVER

[01:55:04]

I'M SURE THEY WOULD ATTEST TO THAT.

THE CHALLENGE BECOMES IF WE DON'T AMPLIFY OUR NEEDS WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT.

THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE PROTECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT'S WHY AM OUT THERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE OF BEING HANDS-ON.

IF WE IDENTIFY THESE GROWING NEEDS EVERY TIME WE SEE A FATAL CRASH SOMEWHERE THAT PERHAPS INCREASE PRESENCE WOULD HAVE HELPED THEM I WOULD FELT THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DOING MY DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE AT LEAST ADVOCATING INSANE AT SOME POINT THIS WILL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, SOMEWAY, SOMEHOW.

AND SO, IT IS A BALANCE BETWEEN KEEPING PEOPLE IN REWARDING PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE AND HAVE GONE THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES, AS WELL AS MAKING SURE WE ARE ADVOCATING THAT CRIME

INVOLVES. >> ALL I AM SAYING IS THAT IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR A PAY INCREASE AND NEEDS TO COME TO THIS FRAMEWORK BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE CONSIDERING.

SO, I INVITE YOU TO MAKE AN EDIT TO FADS AND TO THEN OF COURSE THERE IS SOME FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DEPUTIES I DON'T SEE THE AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT.

WE WOULD GO BACK AND DIG IN WITH THAT'S NOT YOUR NUMBER ONE

PRIORITY. >> IT WOULD GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND I WOULD THINK THEN WE WE DO A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND TO REVIEW AND COME BACK.

SO, THAT IS WHY I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT TENANT I THINK IT'S

BEEN SAID. >> COMMISSIONER COME I KNOW YOU WERE GOING TO SPEAK. I INTERRUPTED.

>> WE CAN RESPOND TO THE JUDGES QUESTION.

>> WHILE WE WILL DO IS WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO THE DEPARTMENTS AND ASK THE FACT THAT THERE MAY BE SALARY INCREASES AND ASK THEM FOR THOSE ITEMS. AS FAR AS ACROSS-THE-BOARD, THAT IS SOMETHING THIS COMMISSIONERS WORK DOES AS A WHOLE NOT BY DEPARTMENT. SO, THAT IS HOW WE HAVE DONE IT

WHEN WE DID IT ACROSS-THE-BOARD. >> RIGHT.

BUT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS NOT A 1%.

IT'S DIFFERENT. YOU UNDERSTOOD.

>> MARKET RATE. >> YES.

THAT WOULD BE AN ITEM. I DO THINK THERE IS SOME ON HERE ON THE CORPORATE -- I GUESS THEY CAN GET AN INCREASE BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WHERE DEPARTMENTS ARE ASKING FOR THEIR SALARIES TO BE COMPETITIVE. THAT IS A LINE ITEM.

THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD 1% INCREASE WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO DECIDE TO DO THAT OR NOT. IT IS THE INFLATION QUESTION.

>> THE DEPARTMENTS WERE ADVISED THAT THIS WAS NOT ABOUT THE A SALARY ASPECT OF IT. SOME DEPARTMENTS TO PUT SOME SALARY INFORMATION IN THERE. BUT THE BIG PICTURE WISE THIS WAS NOT ABOUT TO GO FOR INDIVIDUAL SALARIES.

>> JUDGE, SHARE, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

SO, THIS 22 MILLION -- 22,014,000, AND THE 19.9, THE 20 MILLION IS THAT NEW BOOTS. I THINK THAT IS THE PHRASE I

HEARD. >> YES.

>> 16 MILLION OF IT IS FOR DEPUTIES, 2 MILLION FOR INVESTIGATORS, 2 MILLION FOR FLEETS AND A FINAL 2 MILLION PREMEDICAL. THAT IS --

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT THE BROADER POINT THAT WE STARTED WITH THAT GIVE OR TAKE THE FIGURE OF 60 MILLION DOES NOT INCLUDE PAY RAISES. WHETHER IT IS ACROSS-THE-BOARD, PERFORMANCE PAY, HOWEVER YOU EVALUATE IT.

IT IS GOOD FOR YOU TO MAKE THE CASE.

A THINK YOU USE THE CASE AMPLIFY THE PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS BUT I WANT TO REITERATE AGAIN THAT EVEN IF YOU ARE GOING TO GO AND TRY TO MOVE SOMETHING TO HARRIS HEALTH WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AS WELL, FIRST OF ALL WE WOULD HAVE TO GET THEM TO AGREE TO TAKE IT AND IF THEY DO AGREE TO TAKE IT EVEN IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE IN THE JAIL I APPLAUD YOUR LEADERSHIP ON BEING WILLING TO SAY WE OUGHT TO DO THAT.

BUT WE GET TO THAT ISSUE I AM SURE HARRIS HEALTH WILL WANT TO KNOW WHAT WILL WE KEEP GIVING THE MONEY? THEY WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO IT BUT AS WE PAY FOR I WANT TO STRESS AGAIN AS WE AMPLIFY THE NEEDS, WE WALKED AWAY FROM $185 MILLION IN NEW MONEY WHEN WE DID NOT HAVE FOLKS HERE TO VOTE ON IT. THAT WAS $132 MILLION GENERAL REVENUE WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH NOW BEFORE WE GET TO HARRIS HEALTH. AND OTHER AREAS.

WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A CASE TO THE PUBLIC.

WE WILL ALL HAVE TO AMPLIFY IT. AS KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING EARLIER ABOUT FOLKS COMING HERE SAYING, TAKE THE TOUGH VOTES, EVEN WHEN YOU ARE GETTING READY TO RUN AND SAY THAT YOU NEED ADDITIONAL REVENUE, IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THIN AIR.

I JUST WANT TO KEEP STRESSING. WHEN WE DID THAT PAY RAISE BEFORE, RIGHT BEFORE THE LAST ELECTION, HOW MUCH DID THAT COST

[02:00:03]

>> 4%. >> HE WAS 4%.

>> IT IS BETTER TO DO STUFF ON CYCLE INSTEAD OF OFF CYCLE BECAUSE OF PRESSURE OR WHATEVER IT IS.

BUT, THE OPTIONS THAT WE HAVE AS THE FOLKS THAT HAVE TO APPROPRIATE THE MONEY WOULD BE, WE CAN ALWAYS GO PASS IT ON TO OUR CHILDREN. WE CAN ALWAYS GO WITHOUT THE CREDIT CARD. I MADE A PRETTY GOOD LIVE AND BE IN A MERCHANT TO DEBTS, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR.

I'M JUST SAYING. AT THE END OF THE DAY IF WE HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT, WE CAN PASS RESOLUTION, BUT WE HAVE A SHOT. WE MISSED OUR SHOP.

THAT MEANS THE NEXT ONE WILL BE TO WHIP OUT THAT CARD, TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES AND PASS IT ONTO THE NEXT GENERATION, THE NEXT CYCLE. THAT CERTAINLY IS AN OPTION AND I FOR ONE GOING TO SEE IT BUT IF WE FILL IN THE PRESSURE AND DO IT BAD ENOUGH WITHOUT THE CREDIT CARD AND WE HAVE TO PAY A COST FOR THAT. WE ALSO HAVE A COST OF BORROWING THAT MONEY WHEN WE DO IT MY COMMISSIONER COME IF I WOULD, THERE ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO MAYBE IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE SHERIFFS OFFICE. WE COLLECT A LARGE AMOUNT OF DOLLARS TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE COUNTY FOR PERMANENCY OF ALARMS FOR EXAMPLE. IN THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW BUT THE LIMITED CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE IS THERE.

WE BRING IN APPROXIMATELY $3 MILLION.

>> IS THAT A SEPARATE ISSUE IF WE INCREASE THAT FEE?

WHO DOES THAT. >> IF WE CAN GROW OUR CAPACITY WE CAN COVER MORE AREA AND I WOULD SIMPLY ASK I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT BUT COULD WE MAYBE SAY THAT ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING AFTER $3 MILLION GOES TO OFFSET TO MAKE IT GIVES YOU A AN INCENTIVE TO FREEZE. THAT'S NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL WE WILL TAKE THAT TO KNOW. HANDS, THE OTHER THING IS ABOUT SOMEBODY SOME OF THESE SALARIES AND THE WAY THEY'RE LAYERED IN THE BUDGET SINCE THEY'RE LAYERED IN DURING THE YEAR THEY WOULD BE AUTOMATIC INCREASES NEXT YEAR SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BECAUSE YOU LAYERED THESE IN DURING THE YEAR.

WE ESTIMATE THIS ASK WAS AN EXTRA HOW MUCH? 3 - $5 MILLION MORE BECAUSE OF THE LAYERING IN.

>> CORRECT. >> SO, AGAIN, WHAT WE TRY TO DO ON THESE THINGS AS WE UNDERSTAND THAT BUT IF WE GO AHEAD AND FULFILL ALL OF THESE TASKS THAT THAT WE YOU HAVE THIS YEAR WE HAVE AN ISSUE NEXT YEAR THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE AUTOMATIC EVEN IF YOU ARE FLAT AGAIN. SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU'RE LAYERING IN. NOT BECAUSE THESE WERE SAVED MARCH 1 LET'S GO OUT AND GET 240 PEOPLE.

THIS IS LATER REMADE IN AND THEN YOU ARE KIND OF SIGNING UP FOR

INCREASES. >> THEY HAD $19 MILLION FOR THE PERSONNEL SIDE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS.

HOWEVER A FULL COST ON AN ANNUALIZED BUDGET IS ACTUALLY $24 MILLION IF YOU ACTUALLY LOOK AT THE ENTIRE COST.

THERE'S OTHER THINGS AS WELL. IT JUST STARTED, THE PROGRAM FOR THE COMMISSARY SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY DO THE VIDEO AND FOLKS CAN ACTUALLY BUY THINGS FROM THE VIDEO.

HOWEVER THAT POTENTIALLY OFFSETS, THAT GOES TO THE SHERIFFS OFFICE BUT ALSO THE PHONE CALLS THAT GOES DOWN TO ZERO NOW. THERE ARE THOSE BALANCES THAT WE

HAVE TO LOOK AT -- AT. >> HISTORICALLY WE WERE ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL. WE WOULD GO IN AND CHECK UP THE FEES TO GET THINGS WE COULD HAVE PAID FOR WITH GENERAL REVENUE SO WE DECIDED WE WOULD SLAP THIS ON FOLKS, CALL IT SOMEBODY WHO IS IN THE JAIL. MAYBE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO POST BAIL. OR WERE GOING TO WHIP IT UP ON THE COMMISSARY. I GET IT.

EVEN IN STATE GOVERNMENT THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

WE FIGURE BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE COURAGE TO GO AHEAD AND SAY WE NEED MORE MONEY PUBLIC AND YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH IT.

THE COME I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR POSITION ON MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM. OBVIOUSLY IN THE LONG RUN I THINK THAT'S GOING TO SAVE MONEY.

THE QUESTION IS WHERE WILL THAT GO.

THE BIGGER ONE OR MORE CONTROVERSY ONE WILL BE FELONY BAIL. BELOW, I WANT TO STRESS BECAUSE IT'S NOT A ZERO-SUM GAME. I'M REALLY SAY NOT TO YOU BUT WHEN YOU USE THE PHRASE AMPLIFY A THOUGHT ABOUT IT BECAUSE ALL OF THIS COSTS MONEY. AND, IT'S NOT JUST YOU KNOW THAT. YOU COULD JUST COME ASK US IN THREE OR FIVE OF US AGREE TO DO IT THEN WE JUST GO DO IT.

UNFORTUNATELY THEY DON'T LET US WITH THAT OUT.

AND LEGISLATIVE SOLUTIONS. GIVING TO PULL DATA FOR THE CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE COME I CANNOT REMEMBER THE RED LIGHT CAMERA

[02:05:03]

I JUST COULDN'T REMEMBER. I WAS AGAINST IT BUT WHEN THAT PAST BECAUSE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE ASKING FOR MONEY TO GO DO, TECHNOLOGY WOULD LET YOU DO IT.

IF YOU CAN DO IT IT MAKES THE CASE WHEN MY FRIENDS BUT REVENUE CAPS ON US. MILD COLLEAGUES, CAN YOU FREE UP OUR ABILITY TO DO OUR JOB IN OTHER AREAS.

AND I THINK THAT IS PART OF THE DISCUSSION.

>> THANK YOU JUDGE. SHERIFF COME I WOULD JUST AGAIN APPRECIATE YOU ADVOCATING FOR YOUR TROOPS.

AND IT IS NECESSARY. I THINK THE AGENCIES THAT JACKSON HAS TALKED ABOUT, WE -- WHEN YOU HAVE A GOOD CANDIDATE AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE SHERIFFS OFFICE.

THEY WILL GENERALLY TAKE THE PATH OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY SEE WHAT THE PROPOSED SALARY LEVELS ARE UPFRONT. METRO IS NOW GOING TO JACK UP THEIR SALARIES. ALTHOUGH THE BACKEND OF THEIR CAREERS ARE NOT AS LUCRATIVE AS THEY ARE HERE.

SO, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION TO MAKE.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS AS COMPLICATED AS IT NEEDS TO BE, OR WE CAN PRIORITIZE THE SHERIFFS OFFICE SAYS IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.

THIS $18 MILLION SALARY INCREASE I WAS DONE, HE WAS SPECIFICALLY GIVEN TO PATROL DEPUTIES. NOT TO SUPERVISORS, BUT NOW YOUR SUPERVISORS ARE NEEDING TO FEEL LIKE GOING THROUGH THAT TEST AND TAKEN ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES IS MEANINGFUL ENOUGH TO HAVE SOME BUFFER BETWEEN WHAT THEIR EMPLOYEES MAKE IN CONTRAST TO THEIRS. SO, WE HAVE CREATED IN THIS COUPLE YEARS AGO WE CREATED A DISPARITY.

A SALARY DISPARITY IN YOUR ORGANIZATION, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THIS BODY CHOSE TO LOOK STRICTLY AT THE DEPUTIES RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION AND I'M GLAD THEY GOT IT.

BUT YOUR WHOLE DEPARTMENT SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT.

AND, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN -- NOW WE ARE A REAL THOUGHT AS TO HOW THAT SALARIES TO BE GIVEN. NOW WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RIGHT THE SHIP IN THIS REGARD. BUT, SIMILARLY TO THE CONVERSATION WE JUST HAD WITH DOCTOR SHAW.

BILL, I'M GOING TO PUT THIS ON YOUR SHOULDERS THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE A WAY FOR US TO APPROACH SALARY LEVELS SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE SHERIFFS OFFICE BUT THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAS THE SAME CHALLENGES. I KNOW THE DA HAS THE SAME CHALLENGES. WE OUGHT TO HAVE A POLICY ON WHAT YEAR-TO-YEAR SALARY LEVELS OUGHT TO LOOK LIKE BECAUSE THE MARKET DOES NOT STAND STILL. EMPLOYEES OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE AND NOT JUST DO IT BY VIRTUE OF ELECTION CYCLES.

SO, I THINK WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT AND THIS DECISION MAY NOT BE AS DIFFICULT HAD THE TAX RATE VOTES GONE DIFFERENTLY BUT NOW THAT IT IS WHAT IT IS THEN I THINK WE ALL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE A BUNCH OF NEW PATROL CARS THAT NOBODY'S DRIVING. SO, WE HAVE TO FIGURE THOSE ISSUES OUT. SPEAKING OF PATROL CARS, THE SHARE OF HIS HEAD MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS ON PARK PROGRAMS AND I HAD ASKED TO SEE IF THE PATROL CARS WERE INCLUDED IN ALL OF THE CONTRACTS. ARE THEY?

OR ARE THEY NOT. >> YES.

>> THEY ARE INCLUDED IN THEIR. >> OUR INTERPRETATION, OR REVIEW OF THE DOCUMENTATION IN OUR RESEARCH SHOWED THAT WAS A LITTLE VAGUE. THAT THE INITIAL COMMITMENT WITH THE PARKS PROGRAM WAS FIRST CREATED REFERENCE TO BUT IT NEVER REALLY SAID WAS THAT CORRECT?

>> THERE WERE TWO. IN ALL FAIRNESS.

THERE WAS ONE IN WHICH THERE WERE AGREEMENTS ON THE PARTS.

I THINK YOU DID WANTED TO IF THAT IS CORRECT.

SO, IT WAS JUST A HANDSHAKE KIND OF AGREEMENT THAT YOU PATROL THESE AREAS AND WE HAVE MORE MONEY FROM THAT.

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THAT BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SOME FELT THEY WERE NOT IN THE PARKS AS

[02:10:04]

IS CONFUSION. >> WE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT WITH

YOU. >> EVEN THE 2 MILLION ISN'T GOING TO CORRECT YOUR FLEET CHALLENGES.

I DON'T THINK. >> COMMISSIONER, INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL AND OBJECTION OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE -- PROJECTION OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STAY WITH THE WE WERE 20 MILES IN THESE CARS I WOULDN'T KEEP UP WITH IT.

>> THE OTHER CHALLENGES JUST THE WHOLE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

I AM NOT POINTING FINGERS. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WHEN WE MAKE A REQUEST TO COASTER THE COMMISSION PROCESS, THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS, AND WE ARE AT THE WHIM OF THE BIG PRODUCERS THEM BY THE TIME IT COMES BACK THE STRIPING AND ALL OF THE ADDED FEATURES, AT TIMES WE COULD ORDER ONE CAR AND IT WILL BE SIX MONTHS BEFORE WE GET THAT.

WE TRY TO WORK TO EXPEDITE SOME OF THAT PROCESS A NARROW THAT TIMELINE BUT IT STILL TAKES TIME TRADE THAT IS ONE OF THE

CHALLENGES. >> I REMEMBER THE AGONY.

THAT ONLY MANUFACTURE THOSE CARS ON CERTAIN MONTHS.

THE BIG THREE AUTOMAKERS TO SHUTDOWN THEIR FACTORY AND JUST START BUILDING THE CAR. SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT.

WE SHOULD BE SMART ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT SIX MONTHS OR YEAR AHEAD TO MAKE ENDS, SO I LOOK TO SOME WERE GIVEN TO THAT.

AND I WILL JUST AGAIN REMIND FOLKS THAT BACK WHEN I STARTED MY CAREER IN 1980 MY PARTNER LIVES IN CROSBY.

HE INVITED ME UP AND TELL ME YOU WANT TO COME UP TO THE COUNTRY, BY SOME LANDS, RAISE COWS, CHICKENS, AND PIGS.

AS A CITY BOY I KNEW WHAT MY LIMITATIONS WERE.

BUT, THE SAME PLACE WHERE HE LIVES IS SURROUNDED BY REFINERY, IT IS SURROUNDED BY NEW DIVISIONS, NEW SUBDIVISIONS.

IT IS A PLACE OF CONSTANT TRAFFIC AND SO, OUR COUNTY IS NOT THE COUNTY OF OUR GREAT GRANDFATHERS OR.

IT IS AN URBAN AREA. AND, WE OUGHT TO BE LOOKING AT OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS IN OTHER STATES THAT HAVE BEEN VERY THOUGHTFUL AS TO HOW THEY PROPOSE AND PROTECT THEIR URBAN COUNTIES AND WE OUGHT TO BE WORKING TO ACHIEVE THE SAME HERE. YOU ARE PROTECTING THE CITY.

VERY SOON YOU WILL BE PROTECTING THE CITY MUCH LARGER THAN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND YOU WILL HAVE LESS RESOURCES TO DO IT.

SO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT THAT AND THAT WE ARE THINKING TO THE PROCESS OF THIS REVENUE CAP THAT HOW SOME FOLKS DID NOT THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOW ALL OF THIS APPLIES TO IT WE NOW HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF MAKING SURE THAT WE LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AND START TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE THANK YOU, SO MUCH.

SO, IF NO MORE QUESTIONS THANK YOU, SHERIFF.

NOW, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

[Sheriff’s Civil Service]

>> JUDGE. >> CIVIL SERVICE WAS ACTUALLY NEXT BUT THEY'LL HAVE TWO PEOPLE.

BUT IF THEY WANT TO COME UP. >> CIVIL SERVICE COMMANDS YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? SORRY ABOUT THAT.

YES. >> WE ARE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL

[02:15:11]

FUNDS. >> GREATS MAKE THANK YOU FOR COMING BY. THINK YOU GUYS FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. ALRIGHT.

LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. >> CEMENT COMMISSIONERS, THANK

[District Attorney]

IT HAS A BEEN AN INTERESTING MORNING ARE READY, AND I WANT TO JOIN THE SHERIFF AND SAYING YOU HAVE A TREMENDOUSLY DIFFICULT CHOICES OF RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN IT COMES TO DETERMINING HOW THE PEOPLES MONEY WILL BE OF THE PEF HARRIS COUNTY.

WITH THAT IN MIND, WE HOPE THE MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH YOU AND YOUR STAFF AHEAD OF TIME WERE SOMEWHAT HELPFUL.

WE HAD AN EXHAUSTIVE FORM FILLING OUT PROJECT TO DO FOR THE BUDGET BUT IT REMAINS REALLY IN A DRAFT FORM AS WE GET NEW INFORMATION EACH DAY. QUICKLY, OUR MISSION IS SIMPLY TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED PROSECUTION AND EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL.

AS THE TOP LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS INTEGRAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY, GOVERNMENTS AND PRIMARY ORDER, FIRST AT LEAST ORDER BUSINESS.

WE REPRESENT THE STATE, COUNTY WIDE.

IN ALL CRIMINAL CASES PENDING IN ALL OF THE CRIMINAL COURTS OF PIERCE COUNTY. IN 2019 TO DATE, WE FILED APPROXIMATELY 106,974 CASES. 52000 OF THOSE B MISDEMEANORS, 42000 BEING FELONIES. THE CASES ARE ACTUALLY NOT OUR ORIGINAL CASES. WHILE WE WILL OCCASIONALLY HAVE AN INVESTIGATION THAT WE INITIATE COME IN 99.9% OF THE CASES BROUGHT BEFORE OUR OFFICE AND OUR LAWYERS, THEY ARE BROUGHT BY ONE OF THE COUNTIES 86 PLUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THEY FALL IN ONE OF THE 41 CRIMINAL OR JUVENILE COURTS. ALSO, ESPECIALLY COURTS AND DOCKETS AND FIVE APPELLATE COURTS.

SO COME ON LIKE SOME JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY WE HAVE CONCURRENT JURISDICTION AND PROSECUTION OF BOTH ADULT AND JUVENILE CRIMES. AND WE HAVE THE APPELLATE RESPONSIBILITY. WE DO NOT HAVE THE CIVIL RESPONSIBILITY WHICH A FEW AGENCIES AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE. I THOUGHT I WOULD HIGHLIGHTS BRIGHT SPOTS WE CAN ATTEST TO DESPITE SOME OF THE YEARS UNBELIEVABLE TRAGEDIES. WITH THAT, I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD FOR TAKING A MOMENT TO HONOR OUR FALLEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. THAT IS A 32-YEAR-OLD PERSON WHOSE FAMILY EXPECTED HIM TO COME HOME AND HE DID IT.

OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THEM. I AM GLAD THIS BODY RECOGNIZED A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR HIM. A BIT OF GOOD NEWS.

IN JUXTAPOSITION TO THAT. OUR DIVERSITY AT THE DAS OFFICE HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY. WE BELIEVE WE BETTER REFLECT THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY WITH A 91% INCREASE, NOT JUST IN FULL STAFF, BUT IN OUR PROFESSIONAL AND IN OUR PROSECUTORIAL STAFF.

91% INCREASE IN AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

125% INCREASE IN HISPANICS. THE DAS OFFICE IS ASKING FOR A BUDGET INCREASE FOR MORE PROSECUTORS.

IN SHORT, TO HANDLE CASES IN A MORE EFFICIENT WAY FOR THE CRIME VICTIMS AND PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ALSO BELIEVE THIS PREVENTS CASES FROM SIMPLY BEING RUBBERSTAMPED BY THE DAS OFFICE AS A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO ADEQUATELY REVIEW THOSE CASES.

IT CUTS DOWN AT GREAT DEAL OF COST AT THE FRONT TOUR.

THIRD, THE CASES THAT WE WORK NOW ARE FAR MORE COMPLEX THAN THE CASES MAY BE SOME OF THE MANY TALENTED PEOPLE REPRESENTED HERE FROM OUR OFFICE, JIM LIGHTNER, OUR CHIEF INVESTIGATOR, STEVE, CASES TODAY ARE FAR MORE COMPLEX IN TERMS OF THE EVIDENCE THAT MUST BE REVIEWED AND PROVIDED TO THE DEFENSE AND THERE IS MORE COMPLEX MANY TIMES IN THE WAY THEY ARE GOING DOWN. FRAUD FOR EXAMPLE HAS 1 MILLION REITERATIONS AND IS THE MOST COMMON CRIME.

[02:20:02]

WE ARE IN EFFECT THE LARGEST PUBLIC LAW FIRM IN HARRIS COUNTY AND REALLY IN THIS AREA. THE EMPLOYEES THAT REPRESENT THE EMPLOYEES OF TEXAS THAT BOTH SERVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT BRING THE CASES AND SURF THEM THROUGH COUNSEL, ADVICE, SCREENING, REVIEW, PROSECUTION OF THE CASE TO A CONCLUSION. THESE ARE HIGHLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS. ALL OF WHOM CONTRIBUTE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT NOT JUST OF PROFESSIONAL TIME FOR PERSONAL TIME. NONE OF THE EXECUTIVE STAFF IS OF COURSE ON OVERTIME. NONE OF THE LAWYERS ARE ON OVERTIME. I'LL PUT IN WELL OVER THERE 40 HOURS. AND, REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY THAT I THINK YOU ALL COULD BE PROUD OF.

WE ARE FROM FACING TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE DIRECTLY SERVE THE COMMUNITY. ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE CRIME VICTIMS IN OUR COMMUNITY. BUT, WE ALSO SERVE LAWYERS SEEKING TO AFFECT THEIR CLIENTS. EVERYTHING FROM THEIR BAIL TO THE PRETRIAL AND POST- CHARGING DIVERSION PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE.

SO, WE TAKE IN MONEY FROM DEFENDANTS AND PROVIDED BACK TO VICTIMS. THERE ARE SO MANY FRONT FACING SERVICES THAT OUR STAFF DOES IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IF IT'S NOT JUST THE LAWYERS WHO DID THIS BUT ALSO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS WHO ARE A MASTERPIECE OFFICERS. ITS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS ANTIGENS PARALEGALS. WE ARE A SMALL TEAM BUT WE PERFORM A GREAT AMOUNT OF WORK IN A WAY THAT I AM VERY, VERY PROUD OF THESE INDIVIDUALS FOUR. OUR INTAKE DIVISION IS REALLY THE GOLD STANDARD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY THAT OPERATE 24/7 WITH FULL SET OF ATTORNEYS. THAT OPERATES UNDER THE SUPERVISION AND LEADERHIP OF JIM LIGHTNER, A LAWYER OF 30 YEARS. FORMER FIRST ASSISTING IN THE DA AND A CRIMINAL SYSTEM FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

OUR INDIVIDUAL LAWYERS BRING A GREAT DEAL OF DIVERSE EXPERIENCE TO THE TABLE AS WELL AS JUST OUR IDENTITY DIVERSITY.

BUT THE INTAKE SYSTEM WE KNOW HAS SAVED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THAT POLICE CASES ARE REVIEWED BY OUR LAWYERS HAD INTAKE.

WE KNOW THAT IN JUST A FEW YEARS WE HAVE RECORD OF APPROXIMATELY 50000 PLUS CASES. OR AT LEAST SITUATIONS PRESENTED BY POLICE THAT WERE NOT FILED OR WERE ASKED TO BE REVIEWED OR WHEN WE WERE ASKING OFFICERS TO GATHER MORE EVIDENCE THAN RE- PRESENT. WE KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF EFFICIENCY AT THE FRONT-END. OUR DIVERSION PROGRAMS WERE A CAMPAIGN PROMISE THAT OUR STAFF HAS MADE GOOD ON.

WE SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE AND WE BELIEVE LOW-LEVEL VIOLENT OFFENDERS OUGHT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT MAKE THEIR CRIMINAL RECORD WORSE OR NOT GAINED A CRIMINAL RECORD AT ALL THROUGH THE DIVERSION PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM LEAVING THE SYSTEM WITH A RECORD THEY CAN'T ERASE.

THE IDEA IS THAT WORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION ARE THE VERY BEST CRIME PREVENTION WE CAN HAVE.

OUR DIVERSION PROGRAMS IN TERMS OF MISDEMEANOR DEFENDANTS WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED DIVERSION HAS BEEN WENT UP 384%.

THIS INCLUDES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAD NOT BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR DIVERSIONS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ICE BECAUSE OF A PRETRIAL INTERVENTION THAT REQUIRED THEM TO CONFESS TO CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF CRIME. SO, WE ARE PROUD OF THE INCREASE IN DIVERSION. WE ARE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER AND PEOPLE REMAIN IN THE WORKFORCE. OUR LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN DIVERSION HAS BEEN IN FELONY CASES.

THIS IS MOSTLY A REFLECTION OF DRUG POLICY REFORM.

OUR NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS GRANTED DIVERSION TO CHANGE FROM 2015 - 2019 FOR FELONY PRETRIAL DIVERSION IS UP 1968%.

WE HAVE GONE FROM 71 DEFENDANT SUFFERED PRETRIAL DIVERSION TO 1468. IN IN ANNUAL COMPARATIVE.

[02:25:02]

IT IS A PROGRAM THAT WE UTILIZE TO GET PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY THEIR COMMUNITY BACK HEADING-MY CRIMINAL RECORD.

WE HAVE HAD 2060 PARTICIPANTS. 67% B AND RETAIL THEFT DIVERSION WE HAVE MOVED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE SYSTEM FOR SMALL THEFTS. IT IS OUR GREATEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM AND THAT THE RECIDIVISM RATES ARE EXTREMELY LOW. IN THIS PROGRAM.

WE SHOW ABOUT IS 75% MINORITY PARTICIPATION.

MARIJUANA DIVERSION WE HAVE SEEN 11,009,123 PARTICIPANTS GO THROUGH THE SYSTEM. 62% MINORITY PARTICIPATION.

THIS PROGRAM, WE KNOW WE ARE SPENDING ABOUT $20 MILLION PER YEAR PRIOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.

WE BELIEVE WE HAVE SAVED THIS COUNTY NOT JUST IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, BUT IN THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN LOST BY BOTH YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOR ADULTS.

MORE MINORITY OFFENDERS THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST IN HOUSING, EDUCATION, AND IN THE JOB MARKET.

WE BELIEVE THIS IMPROVES THE OVERALL WORKFORCE OPPORTUNITIES AND ABILITY FOR OUR WORKFORCE TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE ECONOMY, THE WONDERFUL ECONOMY OF HOUSTON.

THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE, ONLY COUNTY I KNOW WHERE THERE IS MORE JOBS AND QUALIFIED APPLICANTS.

IT WAS THE LABOR UNIONS WHO REALLY PUSHED FOR RECOGNITION THAT THESE LOW-LEVEL CONVICTIONS IN EITHER THE DIFFERED ADJUDICATIONS WERE HURTING THEIR PROSPECTIVE WORKERS.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM TO TRY TO ENSURE THEY HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT IS ADEQUATE TO MEET THE NEEDS, THE GROWING DEMANDS OF THIS COUNTY. OUR VETERANS COURTS OVERTURE PROGRAM COME I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO ENOUGH FOR THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY. SO ANY AND ALL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAVE TO SEND MORE PEOPLE TO BEDROOMS COURT WE DO IT.

OUR LAWYERS PERFORM THAT SERVICE FOR US ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS WE CAN SEE THAT THE COUNTY GOALS ARE BEING MET SAID THAT MISDEMEANOR FILINGS HAVE DECREASED ABOUT 18% SINCE 2015 ON AN ANNUAL ANNUAL COMPARISON. AND THAT OUR FELONY FILINGS ARE UP BY 4%. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THIS IS PRIMARILY REFLECTIVE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

WE HAVE FILED ABOUT DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASES THAT HAVE EVER BEEN FILED BEFORE AND WE HAVE FILED MANY MORE FELONY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES IN RESPONDING TO THE SHERIFF AND THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND MANY OTHER AGENCIES REQUEST THAT WE TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN TRYING TO REDUCE FAMILY VIOLENCE. I THINK IN TERMS OF THIS COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR D COURSE RATION THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE LOST ON THE COMMISSIONERS THAT FELONY STATE JAIL SENTENCES HAVE DECREASED BY 55% AS COMPARED TO 2015. TDC J SENTENCES MEANING INDIVIDUAL SENSE TO THE PENITENTIARY HAVE DECREASED BY 26%. THESE ARE MOSTLY LOW-LEVEL DRUG OFFENDERS OR THEY ARE FELONY DRUG OFFENDERS WHO ARE NOW RECEIVING DIVERSION. IN TERMS OF OUR OUTWARD FACING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. OUR RESTITUTION CENTER IS RETURNING MONEY TO CRIME VICTIMS PRAY FOR YEARS ON THE NEWS THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, THE DAS OFFICE SEEM TO HAVE TROUBLE GETTING MONEY IN FROM DEFENDANTS, VICTIMS NEED TO BE MADE WHOLE AGAIN. WITH THE HELP OF MS. KING OUR CHIEF OF STAFF AND A WHOLE SET OF WORKERS FROM THE DAS OFFICE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETURN $7.6 MILLION IN RESTITUTION TO CRIME VICTIMS. OUR CONSTITUENTS.

THIS PROVIDES THEM A CONFIDENCE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT I WOULD SUBMIT HAVING A CAR BROKEN INTO REPEATEDLY AND OTHER CRIMES THAT OUR POPULATION SUFFERS ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE TRAUMA, THE INCREDIBLE TRAUMA THAT CRIME CAUSES ON THIS COMMUNITY. WHEN WE CAN RETURN A DOLLAR TO A PERSON IN MAY NOT SEEM MUCH TO OTHERS, BUT IT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE OF GETTING THEIR CAR REPAIRED OR GETTING THEIR DOOR FIXED ON AN APARTMENT THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE VULNERABLE LET'S SAY TO AN EX-BOYFRIEND DORA BATTER.

SO, I THINK THIS IS REALLY COMMENDABLE.

I WANT TO THANK MS. KING IN LITERALLY RETURNING MILLIONS OF

[02:30:01]

OF COURSE ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER HER AND FOR HER.

WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE INCREASE IN THE COURT DOCKETS AS COMPARED TO ANOTHER MIDTERM NEAR 2015. WE CAN SEE A 59% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES PENDING BEFORE DISTRICT COURTS AS COMPARED TO 2015 AND IS 70% INCREASE AS COMPARED TO 2015 IN THE COUNTY COURTS. THIS MEANS THAT OUR CASELOADS FOR OUR PROSECUTORS ARE JUST AT AN ATTAINABLE LEVEL.

A RESEARCH, THE TEXAS SOUTHERN SCHOOL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS CENTER FOR JUSTICE RESEARCH FOUND THAT PER CAPITA WE HAD THE LOWEST SPENDING OF THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN THE COUNTRY. IF WE TAKE MARICOPA OUT OF IT WITH THE NOTION THAT IS NOT A COMPARISON WE STILL FILE MORE FELONIES THAN COOK COUNTY AND WE DO IT WITH LESS THAN HALF THE PROSECUTORS. I WANT TO THANK EVERY PROSECUTOR WHO IS EITHER WATCHING OR WHO IS WORKING IN CORD OR CALLING A VICTIM OR MEETING WITH THE WITNESS RIGHT NOW.

THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, THEY COME OUT OF LAW SCHOOL.

WE GIVE THEM AS GOOD OF TRAINING AS WE CAN BUT THERE IS A LOT OF SYNC AND SWIM IN THE INDUSTRY WHEN THERE IS SUCH A HUGE CASELOAD IN SUCH A FEW NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS TO RESPOND TO IT.

WE FEEL THAT THIS IS INTEGRAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OUR STAFF.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN PROCESS CASES AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. WE TRY WORKING WITH THE LABS, WORKING WITH ALL OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO STREAMLINE EVERY ISSUE THAT WE CAN.

WE CREATED A DISCOVERY TEAM THAT RESULTED IN THE LOWER ASK THIS YEAR THAN WE HAD LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE ARE HANDLING SO AS MUCH AS OUR PROCESS AS WE CAN WITH NONLAWYERS.

BUT THERE JUST COMES A TIME WHEN NUMBER OF CASES THEY ALL HAVE TO GO TO COURT AND OUR LAWYERS HAVE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THAT IS WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES.

SO, WE ARE HERE TO RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR AN INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET. IT IS FOR ADDITIONAL BODIES THROUGH OUR ROLLOVER WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE A PAY RAISE LAST YEAR THROUGH THE SAVINGS WE HAD ACQUIRED AND THE CHANGES THAT WE HAD MADE IN THE FIRST YEAR AND A HALF.

THE ANTS, WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE OUR EMPLOYEES A SMALL PAY RAISE.

BUT, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP IN TERMS OF OUR INVESTIGATORS WITH A PAY RAISE THAT WAS GIVEN TO ALL OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE COUNTY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016. THAT HAS BEEN TOUGH TO EXPLAIN TO OUR INVESTIGATORS. THEY ARE MASTERPIECE OFFICERS.

THEY WORK SO HARD AND THEY REPRESENT THIS COUNTY SO PROFESSIONALLY IN DEALING WITH PEOPLE AT THEIR MOST VULNERABLE WHEN THEY HAVE TO TESTIFY IN COURT, WHEN THEY HAVE TO COME AND FACE THEIR ACCUSERS, WHEN THEY HAVE TO, WHEN THEY ARE NOT WILLING, THESE ARE THE INVESTIGATOR SAID TO IT.

SO, OUR BUDGET WILL HAVE SOME INCREASE FOR THE INVESTIGATORS.

BUT WHETHER THAT COMES FROM ROLLOVER WATER COMES OUT OF IS NOT PART OF THIS TASK. THIS IS FOR PEOPLE.

I AM HERE TO PERSONALLY REPORT THAT THE NARRATIVE THAT MORE PROSECUTORS MEAN MORE PROSECUTION IS FALSE.

WHAT OUR EVIDENCE SHOWS IS THAT MORE PROSECUTORS WORKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION UNDER A PHILOSOPHY THAT WE AGREE WITH, WHICH IS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED PROSECUTION AND EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL RESULTS IN MORE DIVERSIONS, FEWER CONVICTIONS, FEWER PRISON SENTENCES, MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DRUG OFFENDERS WHO MAY BE ADDICTS AND RECEIVE TREATMENT. THE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.

THE SINGLE THING I AM MOST PROUD OF IS OUR DIVERSION CENTER AND THE COST SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY. BUT IT'S NOT THE COSTS SAVINGS I AM MOST PROUD OF. IN WORKING WITH THE HARRIS CENTER AND WORKING WITH THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT WHO THEY SHARE VOLUNTARILY STAFF SECURITY.

WORKING WITH THE MIDTOWN BUSINESS GROUPS.

THIS IS A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE THE HARDEST PEOPLE TO TREAT AND 3800 OF THEM USE TO GO TO OUR JAIL EVERY YEAR.

THEY DO NOT TO. WE HAVE NOW DIVERTED 2200 OF THEM. OUR JAIL IS NOT FULL OF LOW-LEVEL MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE. THAT IS THROUGH A LOT OF WORK WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

WAYNE YOUNG OF THE HAIR CENTER, AND ALL OF OUR PROSECUTORS.

I THINK THAT MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION CENTERS BEING LAUDED RIGHT NOW AROUND THE STATE AND PEOPLE COMING TO LOOK AT IT IT

[02:35:05]

VIOLENT OFFENDERS CONTINUE TO PLAGUE OUR STREETS AND OUR COMMUNITIES. WE REMAIN DEDICATED TO TRYING TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES FROM THOSE VIOLENT PREDATORS.

IT TAKES PEOPLE TO DO THAT, TOO. AND SO, WE RESPECTFULLY HAVE MADE A REQUEST OF YOU JUST BASED ON OUR HONEST NEED AND OUR ASSESSMENT OF MONEY. I LOOK FORWARD TO WHATEVER THIS BODY DETERMINES TO DO WE ARE GOING TO LIVE WITH.

WE ALWAYS OPERATED AND BUDGET. WE BELIEVE IN STAYING IN THE BLACK. AND SO, WE HAVE.

WE THINK THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN BE FAR BETTER SERVED IF OUR OFFICE IS NOT BOTTLENECKED THROUGH AN UNDERSTAFFING THAT DOESN'T SERVE THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS A FULLY STAFFED OFFICE.

THAT IS THE NATURE OF OUR REQUEST.

>> THANK YOU. >> MADAM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. AS I MENTIONED, SEEING THE DARK PROGRAM, YOU'LL HAVE TO HELP ME WITH THE DETAILS.

I KNOW YOU ARE UNDER A GRANT RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF THE GRANT? >> THE LENGTH IS TWO YEARS.

>> IT JUST RENEWED. >> SO, AND WILL YOU BE UP FOR

ANOTHER RENEWAL? >> WE RECEIVED SOME CRITICISM ABOUT OUR MATCHING FUNDS AND ABOUT THE COUNTY TRYING -- NEEDING TO COME ON WITH HIS SUDDEN ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE GRANT FUNDING CAN BE DECREASED. AS YOU AND I ARE FAMILIAR WITH, WE LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO THAT IF OTHER OUTSIDE AND ENTITIES WANT TO GIVE YOU MONEY THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SUSTAINING IT.

THEY'RE INTERESTED IN HELPING YOU START UP TO MAKE WHAT I WOULD LIKE AND MAYBE MY STAFF CAN VISIT WITH YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW WE START THAT PROCESS OF INSTITUTIONALIZING THAT DARK PROGRAM BUT WITH THE CAPACITY TO TRY TO DO IT COUNTYWIDE AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU CAN DEMONSTRATE TO THE OFFICE THAT THANK YOU YOU HELP THE OFFICE GET GOING BUT WE WERE COMMITTED TO IT.

>> IT COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE BOTH BEEN DEDICATED TO TRYING TO ERADICATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALL OF OUR CAREERS.

UNFORTUNATELY WE SEE THE REPERCUSSIONS EVERYWHERE.

AS RECENTLY AS THIS WEEKEND. SO, WE HAVE FOUND MORE CASES AT THE REQUEST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE ARE PROVIDING SOCIAL SERVICES IN-HOUSE, AT LEAST FOR CRISIS THAT OCCUR WHEN PEOPLE COME IN AND ASK FOR PROTECTIVE ORDERS OR IF THEIR FAMILIES HAVE THEM UNDER PRESSURE TO DISMISS CASES. AS YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF ENOUGH LAWYERS IS HOW THE EVIDENCE THAT SHAKES OUT IS NOT ALWAYS THE SAME AS IT LOOKS WHEN PROBABLE CAUSE IS DELIVERED.

SO, STICKING WITH THESE VICTIMS, OFFERING THEM SUPPORT, GOING OUT TO WHERE THEY ARE IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND THE GUN SURRENDER REPROGRAM THAT THIS COURT RECENTLY SURRENDERED OF COURSE REQUIRES PROSECUTORS TO BRING FORTH THE EVIDENCE SO THAT JUDGES HAVE THE ABILITY TO RENDER THOSE ORDERS.

AND TO SURRENDER MORE GUNS TAKES MORE TIME.

WHICH EVENTUALLY FOR OUR PURPOSES REQUIRES MORE PEOPLE.

SO, IN OUR EFFORTS TO SPARE OUR COMMUNITY FROM THE TRAGEDY OF GUN VIOLENCE WE ARE LOOKING AT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WE CAN DO. DART IS JUST ONE OF THE

OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MEET

WITH US. >> THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR.

>> MY TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU FOR

QUESTIONS. >> ALL RIGHT, WE ARE HITTING TWO HOURS. I'M SURE PEOPLE WANT LUNCH.

>> I'M SORRY, IF YOU MIGHT ALLOW ME APPOINT A PERSONAL PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AS I SAW JIM STAND UP HERE.

I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT SAID ABOUT ME AND SANDY. THIS IS THE GUY HERE THAT WROTE THE ACCOMMODATION POLICY AND I WILL NEVER FORGET, JIM, HOW MUCH YOU WORKED ON IT, HOW MUCH YOU PUSH THROUGH IT.

THERE IS A LOT OF OBSTACLES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT POLICY.

BUT I JUST WANTED TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THAT HISTORICAL PIECE OF POLICY WORK.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

[02:40:04]

>> THANK YOU. >> SO, IT IS 12:54.

LET'S ADJOURN FOR LUNCH AND BE TEST. TEST.

[Public Defender]

IT'S 2:05 AND WE'RE BACK IN SESSION.

I'M CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

AND THIS PAST FRIDAY DECEMBER 6TH WAS MY NINTH YEAR WITH THE COUNTY. I SAY THAT EVERY YEAR.

THIS HEARING ALWAYS COME ABOUT THAT ANNIVERSARY.

IT REMINDS EVERYONE THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A PUBLIC DEFENDER OF ANY KIND BEFORE THAT TIME IN 2010.

SO A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN.

WE GROWN QUITE A BIT. MOST OF THAT GROWTH HAPPENED LAST YEAR. WE BASICALLY DOUBLED IN SIZE.

AND I WAS EVEN PERSONALLY SKEPTICAL WE COULD DO.

WE MADE GREAT STRIDES OVER THE PAST YEAR.

WE BASICALLY HIRED EVERYONE WE WANTED TO HIRE.

WE STILL HAVE I BELIEVE 14 OPEN SLOTS AND THE ONLY THING THAT'S HOLDING THAT UP IS SPACE. AND SO THIS PAST WEEK WE PUT THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND THERE'S AN ITEM ON THE NEXT COURT AGENDA TO EXTEND OUR SPACE ON THE 12TH FLOOR SO THAT WE'LL HAVE ALL OF 12 AND 13 AT LEAST ON A TEMPORARY BASIS UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT WHAT WE DO WITH THE CJC.

BUT THAT WILL GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THOSE SLOTS.

I ALSO INTEND TO COME BACK IN JANUARY AFTER DISCUSSING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO ADD POSITIONS WITH MONEY FROM THIS YEAR THAT WE HAVE NOT SPENT. WE SPENT LESS THAN WE THOUGHT TO GET WHERE WE NEEDED TO BE. I WILL BE COMING BACK AND ASKING FOR THAT. WHEN I TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT A BUDGET INCREASE FOR NEXT YEAR. I'M NOT DOING THAT WITH THE INTENT THAT WE'LL HAVE OPEN POSITIONS.

THEY WILL ALL BE FILLED. I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT OUR WORK IS WE DO KEEP TRACK AND WE DO HAVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

WE MOBTER OUR CASELOADS. WE USE NATIONAL STANDARDS.

WE DO TIME KEEPING. WE DO CASE REVIEWS.

BUT I THINK IF YOU ASK SOMEONE ON THE STREET WHAT A GOOD CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER DO AND THEY WENT ON BEHALF OF THEIR CLIENTS. SO I THINK THE OUTCOMES THAT WE GET FOR OUR CLIENTS ARE A GREAT MEASURE OF THE WORK WE DO.

WE DO BETTER THAN THE APPOINTED BAR.

WE DO BETTER THAN THE RETAINED BAR.

THERE WAS A REPORT DONE IN 2013 THAT SHOWED THAT VERY GRAPHICALLY. THAT REPORT IS BEING DUPLICATED AGAIN THE SAME RESEARCH WORKING ON BY THE END OF THE BUDGET PROCESS I'LL HAVE FINAL NUMBERS FOR YOU.

BUTTEN JUST OUR NUMBERS ALONE WITHOUT COMPARING TO THE BAR GENERALLY WE HAVE IMPROVED IN THE OUTCOMES WE DO.

SO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE GROWN HAS ACTUALLY MADE US BETTER BECAUSE AS AN INSTITUTION WE WORK TOGETHER LIKE A BIG LAW FIRM. LIKE NORTON ROWS, OR ANY OF THESE BIG FIRMS THAT RELY ON MULTIPLE LAWYERS OR TO SOME DEGREE LIKE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

IT'S NOT JUST SINGLE LAWYERS OUT FENDING FOR THEMSELVES.

THAT'S WHY I THINK WE DO A BETTER JOB AND WHY WE SHOULD GROW. EYE ASKED FOR MUCH MORE MARGINAL GROWTH FOR NEXT YEAR. I THINK IF I HAD 17 LAWYERS THAT WE WILL SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE OUR CASELOAD.

BASICALLY EVERY TIME YOU ADD A FELONY LAWYER IN OUR OFFICE THAT MEANS WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE 150 CASES THAT THE PRIVATE BAR WOULD HAVE HANDLED. SO I DID A CHART.

YOU DON'T HAVE IT. I CAN GET IT TO YOU.

BUT BASK BASICALLY SHOWS OUR CASE CAPACITY.

BEFORE WE DOUBLED IN SIZE WE WERE DOING OVER ALL ABOUT 8%.

THAT WAS ABOUT 11% OF MISDEMEANORS 6% OF FELONIES, 17% OF JUVENILE AND ABOUT MAYBE HALF OF THE APPEAL.

LAST YEAR I CAN'T TELL YOU TODAY WHAT OUR PERCENTAGES ARE.

BECAUSE I PROMISED THE BUDGET OFFICE WE WOULD STAGGER THOSE LAWYERS OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

BUT THE CAPACITY WE ACHIEVED WITH HIRING ALL THOSE LAWYERS GIVES US AS MANY AS 18% OF THE MISSION MEANORS.

16 FELONY 20% OF JUVENILES AND ALL THE APPEALS.

THAT'S AN AVERAGE OF 20%. WHAT I ASK FOR NEXT YEAR BY ADDING THESE ADDITIONAL 17 LAWYERS, IS THAT OUR CAPACITY WILL THEN GO TO 36% OF THE MISDEMEANORS, 24% OF THE FELONIES, 34% OF THE JUVENILE CASES AND AGAIN BASICALLY ALL OF THE APPEALS. I THINK IT'S ABOUT 3.7 MILLION INCREASE. AS I SAID IT'S VALUABLE THEN IT

[02:45:01]

I THINK OVER TIME YOUR COST FOR THE PRIVATE BAR WILL GO UP ANYWAY. THEY ARE GETTING BETTER.

THEY ARE ASKING FOR MONEY. TAKING LESS CASES.

NO LONGER DOING VOLUME PRACTICES.

IN THE END, THE COST FOR EACH ARE GETTING CLOSER, WE ARE STILL MORE EXPENSIVE. WE'RE A BETTER VALUE.

SO WITH THAT I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> YES. MAYBE SOMEWHAT OF A COMMENT AND A QUESTION. I DO KNOW THAT BIG PART OF THE -- WOULD YOU AGREE A PART OF THE COUNTY'S DEFENSE ON THE MISDEMEANOR BAIL LAWSUIT WAS WHAT WE CREATED THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WE'RE MAKING CHANGES.

IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT? >> I DID HEAR THAT SAID, YES.

>> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT INDIGENT PEOPLE HAVE QUAL QUIT REPRESENTATION. UNFORTUNATELY IN TEXAS ALTHOUGH IT'S CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE IN MANY STATES THE STATE WOULD PROVIDE IT. TEXAS IS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF STATES WHERE THROWN TO THE COUNTIES.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S STILL THEIR MONEY.

THE PUBLIC'S MONEY WHERE IT COMES FROM OUR POCKETS TO GO TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SCHOOL BOARD, OR WHATEVER.

IT IS A CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE. NOW I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF CARRYING THE BILL TO CREATE A SYSTEM TO PUT SOME STATE MONEY IN IT. IT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH, PRIOR TO 2003, BILL PASSED IN 2002. NOT A DIME CAME FROM THE STATE.

I DON'T KNOW. WHAT IS IT NOW? YOU ARE ON THE BOARD. HOW MUCH SIT NOW?

>> HARRIS COUNTY GETS ABOUT MAYBE $4 MILLION IN YEAR.

>> MOST OF THE MONEY COMES FROM HARRIS COUNTY.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S 50 MILLION. WHATEVER THE GOVERNOR PUT YOU ON GIVES OUT. 50 MILLION A YEAR?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

PUTTING A LITTLE GR IN IT. IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE.

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION PRINCIPLES THAT FORM THE FOUNDATION OF DEFINING QUALITY COUPLE FOR INDIGENT DEFENDANTS REQUIRES INDILL GENT DEFENDANT BE INDEPENDENT FROM JUDICIARY.

THAT THEIR BE SOME MEASURE OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SPENDING OF THE MONEY THAT THE GOVERNMENT MANDATES FOR THIS.

SO I JUST WANT TO STRESS. I KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY AND MANY OTHER COUNTIES STARTED THIS SYSTEM OF SOMETHING CALLED CONTRACT COUNSEL. WHERE YOU GO PICK SOME LAWYER AND THE LAWYER WOULD HANDLE YOUR CASES.

I KNOW THAT VIOLATES THE ABA PRINCIPLES AND THE RULES OF THE BOARD THAT YOU SIT ON FOR THE MONEY THAT WE GET.

I ASKED THEM TO PUT THAT IN WRITING.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I VISIT PASS THAT OUT WITH THE UPS.

HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE LEAVING ON THE TABLE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE COUNCIL. I KNOW YOU KNOW BECAUSE YOU'RE

ON THE BOARD. >> HOW MUCH COULD WE GET IN

GRANT MONEY FROM THE COMMISSION? >> I'M SURE WE COULD AT LEAST

GET HALF THE COST OF IT. >> YEAH.

>> THE MISDEMEANORS GOT A COUPLE OF MILLION.

>> A LITTLE BIT OVER A MILLION. IF WE DID IT FOR FELONIES I ASSUME IT WOULD ALMOST THAT AMOUNT.

>> I DON'T THIS THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM.

>> I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT WE OUGHT TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

THERE WAS SOME SPACE ISSUES ON YOU SPENDING THE MONEY YOU HAD

MR. JACKSON. >> WHERE WILL THOSE ISSUE BE

INRESOLVED IN TERMS OF SPACE. >> IT'S ON NEXT COURT AGENDA.

THERE'S A DESIGN TO GET US IN THERE.

HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST SPOTS IN TERMS OF REFORM IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THIS OFFICE HAS CREATED BEFORE YOU GOT HERE. 7 OR 8 YEARS.

IT CAME TOGETHER THAT SAME YEAR IN 2010.

THAT'S WHEN THE GRANTS STARTED. AND I STARTED WITH BASICALLY A CELL PHONE. AND BORROWED OFFICE.

AND NOW WE'RE MUCH BIGGER. >> WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY.

I THINK YOU SAID 11%. AND NOW WE'VE GONE UP.

WE OUGHT TO DO IT AS FAST AS WE CAN.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE THAT I WILL BE SUPPORT TO DO AS MUCH AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN BEFORE WE GET SUED AGAIN.

WE CAN'T JUST GO FIND SOMEONE TO SUE US.

IF WE DID GET SUED OVER THE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE FOR THOSE COURT-APPOINTED CASES, AND SOMEBODY HAD LEGAL DEFENSE MONEY AND ASKED ME WHAT I PUT MY NAME ON IT AS WELL.

[02:50:03]

CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE. >> IN EVERY SEASON ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM YOU GET TWO SIDES BEFORE THE CASE IS RESOLVED. DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH REGARD TO ADDING EXTRA PROSECUTORS TO HELP YOU GET THEM THROUGH THE BOTTLENECK OF THE DISTRICT COURT

AND MISDEMEANOR COURT. >> IT'S AN ADVERSARY SYSTEM.

I HAVE NO OPINION ON THAT. THAT'S THE NICEST WAY I CAN SAY

IT. >> THE PROSECUTORS ON THE OTHER SIDE TO BE ABLE TO PROCESS WHAT YOU ARE DOING?

>> I DO NOT HAVE AN OPINION ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE METRICS FOR THE DEFENSE WERE VERY CAREFULLY FORMULATED. THERE WAS A STATEWIDE STUDY DONE IN TEXAS, VERY SCIENTIFIC. I WOULD CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS DO THE SAME THING FOR THEIR PEOPLE.

I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON WHAT THEIR CASE WORK SHOULD BE.

>> YOU BELIEVE YOUR CASELOAD SHOULD BE 150 PER LAWYER.

ACTUALLY SHOULD BE LESS. WE SHOULD MOVE TO WHAT THE STATE WIDE RECOMMENDS MANAGE TO SIGN COUNCIL WILL ADOPT THE TEXAS STANDARD. WHEN THEY DO WE WILL MOVE TO THOSE TOO. WHATEVER THE STANDARD IS, THAT'S THE SCIENCE, THAT'S THE BEST KNOWLEDGE WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT FOR PROSECUTORS RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS I KNOW.

>> DO YOU THINK IT'S FAIR FOR THEM TO HAVE SOMETHING WITH PARODY. IT'S APPLES AND ORANGES.

IF THEY WERE TO DO A STUDY ABOUT WHAT THEIR WORKLOAD IS AND THEY PUT THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT, I WOULD CERTAINLY NOT OPPOSE THAT.

I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY'VE DONE THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO ASK.

SEEMS LIKE I RECALL WHEN THERE WAS ON THIS BODY TRYING TO GET YOU PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET OUT OF HERE.

SOMEONE CAME IN HERE AND TESTIFIES NOT ONLY APPLES AND ORANGES SAID THAT WAS NO COMPARISON IN TERMS OF CASELOAD NUMBERS ON THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S SIDE AND THE PROSECUTOR'S SIDE.

AM I MISTAKEN. IS A NATIONAL PERSON.

>> I THINK IT'S WELL UNDERSTOOD YOU CAN'T COMPARE THE TWO.

PART OF IT IS BECAUSE GENERALLY ON THE PROSECUTOR'S SIDE THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO LEE YOU SITTING THERE.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S THE CASE HERE ALL THE TIME.

CERTAINLY PART OF IT. LEAVE YOU SITTING THERE LONG ENOUGH YOU COP A PLEA REAL QUICK.

YOU SAY YOU'RE GUILTY. I KNOW THAT FROM MY PRIEST ROLE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY PEOPLE SHELLED OUT FOR PEOPLE WRONG WORRY CONVICTED. IN TERMS OF WHAT TEXAS PAYS FOR PEOPLE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THE TWO ROLES ARE JUST TOO DIFFERENT.

HYPOTHETICALLY THE PROSECUTOR SUPPOSED TO BE READY TO GO TO TRIAL AS SOON AS THEY FILE THEIR CASE.

THAT'S NOT ALWAYS TRUE. BUT WE'RE JUST STARTING O UR -- OUR ORANGE AT THAT POINT. IN THE SYSTEM ONE SIDE ASKED WHAT TEE LEIGH. WHO MORE APT TO GET IT THE

PROSECUTOR OR YOU? >> MY EXPERIENCE AND OUR PRACTICED IN MY JURISDICTIONS IS THE STATE OR THE GOVERNMENT GETS DEFERENCE. THERE'S TIME YOU GO TO COURT YOU SAY YOU ARE NOT READY IN STATE SAID I'M NOT READY.

THAT'S A PRETTY STRONG JUDGE OF WELL I'M SORRY, WE ARE GOING

TODAY. >> IT'S MY EXPERIENCE THEY DEBT DEFERENCE. THAT'S MY CASE GROWING UP WATCHING PARRY MASON. THEY WOULD SEND PERRY A NOTE AND

WOULD DELAY IT. >> IS THIS THE FASTEST -- DOES THIS INCREASE REFLECT THE FASTEST YOU CAN RESPONSIBLY GET

TO POINT WHERE THE PD'S OFFICE? >> I BELIEVE SO.

I'M NOT SAYING WE'RE CATCHING UP.

WE'VE BEEN MOVING SO QUICKLY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE BEST QUALITY. AND THAT WE HIRE THE BEST PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE TIME TO BE EDUCATED AND BE INDEPENDENT INTEGRATED INTO OUR SYSTEM. I THINK THAT IS -- THAT'S A GOOD

BALANCE. >> OKAY.

I MAY BE PERSUADED ON THIS ONE RELATIVELY MODEST INCREASE.

BUT I COMPARE ESPECIALLY TO OTHER PROPOSALS FOR MY PART I NEED ADDITIONAL DATA FROM YOU GUYS.

HOW YOUR COUNCOM AND PROGRESS OVER THE PAST YEAR HAS LED TO BETTER OUTCOMES TO MORE EFFICIENTSY AND BETTER RESULTS.

THERE'S A STUDY CITED A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT'S INCOMPLETE.

I WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE REST IS.

IT'S A LEVEL OF DETAIL. IT'S JUST NOT THERE.

I CAN BE PERSUADED BUT RIGHT NOW THERE'S VERY LITTLE INFORMATION IN YOUR REQUEST. IT MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED IN TIME.

WE'LL HAVE THE NUMBERS IN TIME FOR YOUR TO REVIEW.

[02:55:01]

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS THE COUNTY COURTS.

[County Courts]

>> HI. COMMISSIONER, GOOD TO SEE YOU, AGAIN TODAY. DEPARTMENT 940 THE OFFICE OF COURT MANAGEMENT WE REPRESENT THE 16 COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS AT LAW FOUR COUNTY CIVIL COURTS AT LAW.

WE ALSO SUPPORT THE 16 JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND THE TEN HEARING OFFICERS WITH PROBABLE CAUSE THAT RUN THE 24/7MAGITRATTION COURT. WE'RE RELATIVELY SMALL DEPARTMENT. BUT WE ARE BLESSED WITH GOOD STAFF. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THEM.

I DIDN'T INCLUDE HERE ANY REQUEST FOR INCREASE SALARIES BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT OUR STAFF IS IMPORTANT TO US.

IT MAKES OUR COURT ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY DO.

I THINK BOTH JUDGES HERE WOULD ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THAT.

WE'VE GOT A REALLY -- IF YOU ALL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR BUDGET IN GENERAL. HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE.

WE HAD A FEW OF THE ADDITIONAL REQUEST THAT I WANT TO TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT. FIRST IS A REQUEST FOR A PUBLIC RELATIONS POSITION WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE WANTED TO HAVE FOR SOMETIME.

HIGHLIGHTED BY ALL OF THE LITIGATION THAT TOOK PLACE SURROUNDING BAIL REFORM. OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THE COURTS. THE LOSS OF THE CJC AND IMPACT TO CRIMINAL COURTS AND CIVIL COURTS FOR THAT MATTER.

WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE DONE A BETTER JOB OF PROVIDING SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC THAN THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS POSITION AS A WAY OF BEING COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO HELP EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING AND WHAT WE HOPE TO DO IN THE FUTURE. NEXT IS A REQUEST OF THAT CAME UP THIS MORNING REGARDING THE COURT REPORTER INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S NOT REQUEST FOR DIGITAL REPORTING.

FOR YEARS THE DISTRICT COURTS HAVE OFFERED TO THEIR COURT REPO REPORTERS WRIGHTING MACHINE AND TRANSCRIPTION SOFTWARE IF THEY WANTED IT.

NOT ALL OF THE REPORTERS AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THAT.

YOU HEARD THE JUDGE THIS MORNING TALK ABOUT MANY OF THEM IF NOT MOST PURCHASE THEIR OWN. BUT IT'S THERE AS AN OPTION AND IT HASN'T BEEN FOR REPORTERS IN THE COUNTY COURT.

WE WANT TO EVEN THE TABLE THERE. THE PLAYING FIELD.

AND OFFER THAT TO OURS. I DON'T EXPECT THAT OF THEM WILL ACCEPT THAT OR AVAIL THEMSELVES OF IT.

BUT WE NEED TO OFFER IT. SHORTAGE IS REAL.

YOU KNOW WE HAD THREE COURTS THIS YEAR THIS CALENDAR YEAR SIMULTANEOUSLY THAT DID NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER.

ONE OF THEM FOR MULTIPLE MONTHS. AND WE TOLD THAT COURT MULTIPLE TIMINGS, DESPITE COOPERATION FROM OTHER JUDGES, WE DON'T HAVE A COURT REPORTER AVAILABLE. YOU CAN'T GO TO TRIAL.

AND THAT WAS -- THAT'S A PROBLEM.

WE SHOULDN'T FACE THAT. ESPECIALLY NOT IN THE COUNTY THIS SIZE. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT. THE SALARY ISSUE THAT WE'RE DISCUSSED THIS MORNING ARE A PART OF THAT.

BUT IT'S NOT ALL OF IT. AGAIN THIS REQUEST IS SIMPLY TO MAKE AN OFFER TO HELP KEEP THOSE WE HAVE AND MAKE MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR THOSE COMING IN. ESPECIALLY NEW REPORTERS.

YOU NOTE THE BIG PIECE OF THIS IT'S 263,000.

ONGOING REQUEST ARE 12,000 IN SOFTWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MAINTENANCE. THAT'S IF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF 20 OFFICIAL RECORDERS ACCEPT THAT. WE'RE HAPPY TO WORK BUDGET OFFICE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

NEXT OUR COUNTY COURT SERVICES GROUP REQUEST FOR FULL-TIME POSITION FOR SUBSTITUTE COURT COORDINATOR.

IN OUR COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS. ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT HAS COME UP WITH COURT REPORTERS IS THE FACT THAT WE ASK THEM IF AS COURT COORDINATOR IS OUT TO FILL IN THE THEY ARE NOT IN TRIAL.

WE ADOPTED THAT POLICY BACK IN 2009-2011 WHEN THE BUDGET WAS TYPE. JUDGES AS OPPOSED TO LETTING SOMEONE GO. DID AWAY WITH VACATION DAYS FOR THEM. AND WE ASKED THE COURT REPORTERS TO SIT IN AS COORDINATORS. HAD TO TRAIN THEM AND EVERYTHING ELSE. THAT'S NOT THEIR SKILL SET.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY ARE INTENDED TO.

THEY DO MANY OTHER THINGS IN COURT BUT COORDINATION IS A

[03:00:01]

ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE INCREASING THE RATES PAID TO INTERPRETEDERS THIS YEAR. AND SO WE EXPECT A 25% INCREASE IN THAT COST THAT'S ABOUT 170,000 ROUGHLY.

ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR INTERPRETER COST.

I'VE BEEN WITH HARRIS COUNTY 11 YEARS NOW.

THE COST FOR INTERPRETERS HAS GROWN MORE THAN DOUBLE IN THAT TIME. YOU KNOW IN A YEAR'S TIME WE WILL COME VERY CLOSE TO 100 DIFFERENT FOREIGN LANGUAGES.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE INTERPRETERS FOR.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT THING. THAT COST ALSO INCLUDES INTERPRETERS IN THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS COUNTY CIVIL COURTS. THE PC COURT.

AGAIN THAT RUNS 24/7 WITH EXCEPTION OF SPANISH ALL EMERGENCY RATES. AND THEN ALSO THE JUSTICE COURTS. IT'S NOT JUST 16 COURTS.

THE NEXT IS TRAVEL AND EDUCATION FUNDING.

25% INCREASE FOR THAT. WE GOT A BUNCH OF NEW JUDGES AND STAFF AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR THEM.

THEY ARE REQUIRED TO GET EDUCATION.

BOTH STAFF AND JUDGES. AND SO WE NEED TRAVEL BUDGET TO DO THAT. THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO PROGRAMS WITHIN THE STATE. BUT ALSO AT TIMINGS OUTSIDE OF THE STATE. WE NEED FUNDING FOR THAT.

LASTLY, AND I'LL LET THE JUDGE SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS IN A MOMENT. WE'RE ASKING FOR A PART-TIME INTERN POSITION TO BE SHARED BY THE COUNTY CIVIL COURTS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OUT TO LAW SCHOOLS, HAVE LAW STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE COURTS, IT'S A PART-TIME POSITION NO BENEFITS INVOLVED. BASICALLY A POSITION THAT SHARED BY THE FOUR ROTATING ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

YES, SIR. >> PART-TIME INTERN POSITION? YOUR PRESIDING JUDGE WAS AN INTERN AT MY OFFICE.

HE HAD BENEFITS. THEY PAID HIM.

HE GOT FULL SEMESTER OF ACADEMIC CREDIT.

7500 FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSION. I DON'T KNOW ALL HE DID.

BUT I HEARD GOOD THINGS. >> WE HAVEN'T HAD PAID INTERNS SINCE I'VE BEEN IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> WILL WORK ON GET YOU ONE. I WILL GIVE YOU -- IN FACT START A PILOT PROGRAM IN JANUARY. SOMETIMES I WITH THE COUNTY I PAY THEM ON MY BUDGET. BUT THEN IF THEY GO OVER 40 HOURS, I WOULD HAVE UNDER OUR CRUELS I DON'T KNOW THE STATE PAYS OVERTIME IF THEY WEREN'T INTERN THAT COULD DO THE WORK IN LESS THAN 40 HOURS. I LET THEM LEARN.

>> WE WILL GET YOU ONE. >> I KNOW THE COURTS WILL APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL. WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER --

>> THERE WAS MANY INTERN, BUT NONE OF THEM GOT PAID.

>> MY MAIN THING THAT WE GIVE STUDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY ESPECIALLY AT THE THREE LAW SCHOOLS IN THE HOUSTON AREA WHICH WOULD LIKE TO BRING THEM IN AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE COURTS. IF WE COULD ROTATE AND GET MORE STUDENTS IN. IT'S INSULT TO INJURY THAT WE'RE NUMBER ONE PAYING THEM FOR WORK THEY DO AND THEN THEY HAVE TO

PAY FOR OWN PARKING. >> AND THEY HAVE TO PAY SCHOOL FOR THE INTERNSHIP. THEY PAY MONEY FOR THEM TO COME

WORK FOR US FOR FREE. >> HERE'S THE HEADACHE I FOUND.

IN TERMS OF DIVERSILITY ON CAPITOL HILL.

IT WAS CHALLENGE. OFTENTIMES, THE LOW O-INCOME KIDS ARE KIDS STUDENTS OF COLOR. DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU SHOW UP IN VOLUNTEER, LOOK HUNGRY TWO OR THREE TIMES.

SOME MEMBER OF CONGRESS WOULD FIND SOME MONEY FOR YOU IN THE BUDGET. MY MENTOR STARTED THE PROGRAM.

I DID IT ON THE STATE LEVEL. ONLY TWO LAW SCHOOLS THAT I KNOW OF SO FAR WILL LET THEM GIVE ME A STIPEND.

THEY HAVE TO GET A TUITION. THEN I GUESS YOU GET MAYBE FIVE FOR THE SESSIONER BACK THEN; JUDGE?

>> I DON'T KNOW. BUT WEATE A LOT OF GOOD FOOD.

THERE'S A LOT OF PERKS. THE HEADACHE WHEN YOU ROTATE THEM, IF THEY DO WHAT I DID WHEN I WAS AN INTERN FOR GOVERNOR

[03:05:02]

SOME STUDENTS AT LEAST SOME OF THOSE LAW SCHOOL WITH ME WILL SAY THEY ARE STUDYING FOR EXAM. IF A JUDGE NEEDS SOMETHING DONE.

YOU COUNTRY START SOMETHING AND STOP.

YOU HAVE TO RUN TO CLASS. I H I PUT IN PUBLIC DEPENDER'SES OF. I THINK I GAVE YOU ONE.

>> I PUT ONE IN HIS OFFICE I THINK -- USUALLY IN TERMS OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION. BECAUSE I SIT MOST OF THEM.

>> OKAY. VERY QUICKLY JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS WHAT WE DONE IN THE LAST YEAR.

THIS IS IN THE EASTERLIES. WE SUBMITTED.

BUT WE ONBOARDED 22 NEWLY ELECTED JUDGES.

TWO NEWLY APPOINTED JUDGES. SIX CRIMINAL LAW HEARING OFFICERS. 23 IN NEW COURT STAFF.

21 NEW VISITING JUDGES. WE MOVE THE 24-HOUR PROBABLE CAUSE COURT TO THE NEW JOINT PROCESSING CENTER.

THAT WAS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. OF COURSE IMPLEMENTATION OF RULE NINE AND THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS.

SETTLEMENT AND FINAL JUDGMENT ENTERING IN THE LITIGATION THAT A LOT OF PARTNERS IN THAT, OBVIOUSLY.

IN THE COUNTY CIVIL COURTS OF LAW FOUR OR THREE JUDGES ARE NOT HERE YET. ONE HAD ONLY BEEN HERE TWO YEARS. THEIR CLEARANCE RATE ONE OF THE PERFORMANCE METRICS WE TRACK IS OVER 100%.

LOTS OF GOOD THING HAPPENING IN OUR COURTS.

>> LOOK I WILL SAY THIS. I THINK EVIDENT FROM THIS MORNING WHEN I WAS SITTING ON THE BENCH AND MY PHONE BLOWING UP. THE COURT REPORTER AT COMMISSIONERS COURT THIS WHOLE BUDGETING PROCESS IS A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY. SO I DON'T ENVY YOU ALL.

BECAUSE THE DECISIONS WE MAKE COULD POSSIBLY EFFECT PEOPLE'S JOBS AND FLOODING AND WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT ISSUES.

WANT YOU TO KNOW BE PRODUCT WE PRESENT TO YOU IS AFTER A LOT OF CAREFUL DELIBERATION. AND KEEPING IN MIND THE FUNDS MAY BE LOWER THAN WHAT HAS BEEN EXPECTED OR PROVIDER FROM THE PREVIOUS YEARS. EVERYTHING THAT WE BROUGHT TO TABLE ARE THINGS WE TRULY NEED. BUT IF YOU ALL DO NEED TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO US AND GET US TO CHANGE THINGS WE'RE WILLING TO DO THAT. WE WANT TO DO OUR PART TO ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY PERFORMANCE AT BEST LEVEL.

I THINK THIS THROUGH OF IT CAN FIRMLY STAND ON THE PRODUCT THAT WE PRESENTED TO YOU OR THE THINGS WE NEED FOR EFFICIENCY.

WE CAN'T OPERATE IF WE DON'T HAVE INTERPRETERS.

INTERPRETERS CAN GO OTHER PLACES NOW AND MAKE MORE MONEY.

THAN WHAT THEY CAN MAKE IN COUNTY COURTS.

AND SO WE NEED THAT WHEN THE COORDINATORS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

WE NEED THEM THERE. THEY ARE ESSENTIAL PART OF THE PROCESS IN THE COURTROOM ON THE DAILY BASIS.

WHEN I'M HANDLING MY BUSINESS AT THE BENCH.

COORDINATOR HAS THE LINE IN FRONT OF HER DESK.

SHE'S NEEDED. AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE COURT REPORTERS. WE'RE TRYING TO FIND ANY WAY WE CAN TO KEEP THEM HAPPY. GALVESTON AS YOU KNOW THEY MAKE ABOUT 94,000 WHICH IS OVER 10,000 MORE THAN THEY ARE MAKE HERE HARRIS COUNTY. ANY APPLE WE CAN THROW TO THEM.

OR ANY CARROT. WHATEVER.

WE NEED TO GIVE IT TO THEM TO TAKE EXPENSES OFF OF THEIR PLATE, AND THE TRAVELING. IN ORDER FOR US TO GET IN LINE WITH BEST PRACTICES. WE HAVE TO KNOW THE BEST PRACTICES. SOMETIMES THAT RYE CHOIRED US TO GO THESE CONFERENCES AND SPEAK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE THIRD READING CHANGE AND SOME OF THOSE AREAS WE ARE THE LEADER.

WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE RESOURCES TO ATTEND THE TRAINING.

IT'S WEIRD WHEN ED AND I WENT TO THE PRESIDING JUDGE AND HEAD ADMINISTRATOR CONFERENCE WHERE PRESIDING JUDGES FROM ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY. THEY ASKED ME HOW LONG I HAD BEEN ADMINISTRATOR. BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T BELIEVE I WAS THE HEAD JUDGE. AND SO FOR SOMEONE TO BE IN BY MISSION IS UNHEARD. IT'S HARD TO MENTOR JUST AND I'VE ONLY BEEN A JUDGE TWO YEARS LONGER THAN THEM.

WE NEED THE TRAINING. I'LL PASS IT ON TO YOU.

>> THE COMMISSIONER HAS A COMMENT.

>> VERY BRIEFLY. YOU SAID WE HAVE LESS RESOURCES THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR. SAME RESOURCES PLUS AN EXTRA 60 MILLION. WE JUST WON'T HAVE ALL THAT

EVERYBODY ONCE. >> YES, SIR.

[03:10:01]

>> I'M THE JUDGE OF COUNTY CIVIL COURT AT LAW NUMBER 2 I'M THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE FOR THE COUNTY CIVIL COURT.

WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO POINT OUT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE DONE THE COUNTY CIVIL COURTS I'M REAL PROUD OF THEM WITH JUDGE WILLIAMS AND JUDGE RIAS.

WE OPENED UP SPECIAL COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

WE ACTIVELY SOUGHT TO DIVERSIFY THE COMMISSIONER THAT AWE POINT TO THE HEARING FOR THEM IN A DOMAIN; ON TOM CONDEMNATION CASE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE PROUD OF IS THAT WE HAD A TRAINING PROGRAM TO BRING PEOPLE IN. WE WERE RELIED ON THE EXPERIENCE FORTH FOLKS WHO WE WANT TO KARND A TO REON THE COMMISSIONER'S LIST. ITS WENT OVER WELL IN THE COMMUNITY. MANY FOLKS THAT HAD NEVER BEEN INVOLVED BEFORE WERE ANXIOUS TO GET INVOLVED IN A LEVEL GOVERNMENT. THAT'S SOMETHING WE DID.

I WANT TO TOUCH ALSO THOUGH ON THIS MORNING HEARING AS I WAS ON THE BENCH TRYING TO LISTEN IN TO COURT REPORTERS THAT WERE TALKING. MY COURT REPORTER THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN MY COURTROOM NEXT TO MY TRIAL KOCOORDINATOR.

AS YOU KNOW THERE'S 16 JUSTICE OF THE PEACE CORPS.

THERE'S ONLY 4 OF US. THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMIT IS GOING TO GO UP TO 20,000 FOR THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS COME JANUARY 1. OUR JURISDICTIONAL LIMIT GO UP TO 250,000. MOST PEOPLE FILE IN THE COUNTY CIVIL COURT OF LAW EVEN IF THEY HAVE A CASE THAT'S UNDER THE JURISDICTIONAL LIMIT WITHIN THE JP COURT THEY FILE IN OUT COURT BECAUSE THEY WANT A RECORD. THAT'S A TIG BIFRNS BETWEEN THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE CORPS WHERE THERE'S NO RECORD AND THE COUNTY CIVIL COURT WHERE THERE IS A RECORD.

THEY PURCHASABLY FILE IN YOUR VR OUR COURT TO UP A VOID JP COURT THEN APPEALING. THEY START ALL OVER AGAIN.

MANY TIME IF THEY KNOW THEY WANT TO RECORD.

THEY JUST START OFF IN OUR COURT.

THE COURT REPORTER ARE A BIG. IT'S A BIG PROBLEM.

AS A NEW JUDGE AND A NEW ADMINISTRATIVE I'M SHOCKED TO LEARN WE UNDERPAY OUR COURT REPORTERS.

THAT EXPLAINS WHY WE CAN'T GET SUBSTITUTE COURT.

THEY GET PAID ON PER DIAM. THEY CAN GET MORE AFRICAN THAT COVER IN FORT BEND OR GALVESTON OR MONTGOMERY.

OF COURSE THEY GO THERE. I'M LEARNING THIS THE BIGGER PROBLEM THAN JUST WITH THE COUNTY.

THERE'S APPARENTLY A STATE LAW THAT PROHIBITS THE INCREASE OF THAT WOULD BE WARRANTED. I'M HAPPY TO MEET WITH THE COURT REPORTERS AND CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND WITH MR. WELLS. IT'S A PROBLEM WE HAVE O SOLVE.

WE HAVE TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE. GET TOGETHER I WANTED TO TELL

YOU I'M COMMITTED TO IT. >> MR. WELLS, YOUR PROPOSAL -- THANK YOU ALL. IF YOUR PROPOSAL AS IT RELATES TO ISSUE OF COURT REPORTERS. HAS THAT BEEN TRIED IN SOME OUT

COUNTY IN TEXAS? >> THE REQUEST THAT'S IN THE BUDGET IS SIMPLY EQUIPMENT THAT WOULD PROMOTE THEM DOING THEIR JOB AS THEY ARE TODAY. THE OTHER ISSUE WAS DIGITAL RECORDING. THAT HAS BEEN TRIED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THE TECHNOLOGY IS CONTINUALLY IMPROVING. AS I SAID THIS MORNING, THE BEST RECORD IS COMBINATION OF HUMAN REPORTER AND THE DIGITAL REPORTINGS. AND IN BETWEEN JUSTICE A HUMAN OR JUST A MACHINE HUMAN MORE ACCURATE.

AGAIN BECAUSE THE MACHINE CAN'T SOMEONE TO REPEAT BACK WHAT - THEY'VE SAY. TO MAKE SURE THE RECORD IS

ACCURATE. >> IT'S BETTER TO HAVE SOMETHING INSTEAD OF KNOTTING. THAT'S EXACTLY THE DAY.

JUDGE JORDAN REPORTER HAD TO WORK IN OTHER COURTS.

>> I SUPPORT IT. FROM BEING IN AUSTIN.

ANYTIME SOMEONE HEARS SOMETHING. AND THEY PUT OUT AN E-MAIL AND EVERYBODY SHOWS UP. BEING IN LEADERSHIP SOMETIMES BEING ABLE TO TELL THE PEOPLE THE TRUTH INSTEAD OF TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR. I HOPE YORK WORK WITH THEM.

IF NOT YOU MAKE THE TOUGH DECISION.

YOU WEREN'T HERE EARLIER. I WANT TO WALK THROUGH THE MONEY THING TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND IT.

60 MILLION GIVE OR TAKE. THAT'S THE GUESS.

WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL STATE UNTIL THE BUDGET CERTIFIED.

THE REVENUE ESTIMATE COMES IN. IT MAY BE LESS.

IT MAY BE MORE. THAT DOES NOT TAKE IT TO ACCOUNT INFLATION. OR THE GROWTH IN OUR REGION.

IT DOESN'T TAKE TO IF WE DID IT ALL THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU 3%. THAT'S 33 MILLION.

[03:15:04]

MILLION. UNDER 60.

SIX FIGURES RIGHT. I MADE THE POINT EARLIER.

I WANT TO STRESS IT AGAIN. 115 MILLION DOLLARS.

REALLY 160. 115.6 MILLION DOLLARS IN REQUEST AND I THINK PEOPLE WHO COME INSOFAR WERE SAYING WE TRY TO BE CONSERVATIVE. BUT LOOK WE -- WE ARE NOT COMPETITIVE WHAT WE PAY ENGINEERS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

HOW MUCH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND A WHOLE HOST OF AREAS.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO AGAINRIT ENOUGH 185 MILLION.

AND I'M SOMEONE ON THE BALLOT. WE WILL TELL THE HOLDERS WE WILL TAKE IT FROM YOU. WE TURN THAT DOWN.

IT WAS 132 MILLION IN GENERAL. 12 MILLION FOR HARRIS HEALTH.

77 MILLION FOR FLOOD CONTROL. I WANT TO STRESS TO YOU.

WE HAVE MAKE THE CASE TO THE PUBLIC.

WITH REVENUE CAPS IF WE EVER IN THE FUTURE EVEN WANT TO GO TO VOTERS, AND LET THEM DECIDE, FOUR PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD STILL HAVE TO SHOW UP IN ORDER O VOTE. I JUST WANT TO LAY THAT OUT.

SO IN WAY WE DON'T GIVE YOU IMPRESSION.

IF YOU DON'T GOT SOMETHING YOU ASK FOR.

IT'S NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT.

IT'S BECAUSE WE CAN'T JUST PRINT THE MONEY.

THE MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.

IT'S PAINFUL AS IT IS. >> A FEW QUESTIONS AND FIRST LET ME THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE WORK YOU'VE DONE ON SIGN RELEASE AND MANAGE THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEN THE SANDRA BLAND ACT AS WELL AND FOR YOUR SUBMISSION. THANK YOU.

FIRST ON THE TRAINING QUESTION, JUDGE JORDAN OR FOR ANYONE, IS THIS ADEQUATE. I KNOW AT SOME POINT I THINK MY OFFICE HELPED PAY FOR SOME TRAINING.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME THAT ALL OF THE NEW CROP OF JUDGES RECEIVED ADEQUATE TRAINING. IS THIS ENOUGH TO GO TO WHAT YOU

GUYS NEED TO GO TO? >> WHAT WE DO WE MONITOR THE TRAINING SCHEDULES THAT ARE RELEASED.

DEPENDING ON THE SUBJECT MATTER AND THE LOCATION AND SO RIGHT NOW IF WE HAD ANOTHER DENVER, CONFERENCE, IT DON'T REMEMBER -- DO YOU REMEMBER THE FINAL COST?

>> A LITTLE BIT OVER 3,000. >> YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S A CONFERENCE IN DENVER THAT'S ONE THING VERSES A CONFERENCE IN HORSESHOE BAY HERE IN TEXAS. YOU KNOW, I WILL STAND BY WHAT ED HAS LISTED. AND YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO COUNT YOU AND THE COMMISSIONER AS GREAT RESOURCES WHEN WE NEED TO TRAVEL. WORST CASE SCENARIO WE MAY HAVE TO COME BACK. RIGHT NOW WE'RE TRACKING THE LOCAL WE TRY TO HIT AS MANY LOCAL CONFERENCES AS WE CAN BECAUSE IT IS TEN TIMES CHEAPER THAN PUTTING ALL OF US ON A PLANE. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PROGRESSIVE BEST PRACTICES, WELL THAT'S NOT A CONFERENCE TO GO TO IN TEXAS.

>> RIGHT, ESPECIALLY AS BILL REFORM CONTINUES TO BE IMPLEMENTED. I JUST THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THE JUDGES TO FEEL EQUIPPED AND SO IF YOU IN ANY WAY FEEL THIS ISN'T SNUFF. LET US KNOW.

>> WE FORGET TO MENTION BAIL, OBVIOUSLY.

WE CAN'T PRAISE YOU ENOUGH. >> YOU PUT THE MONEY AWAY --

>> I COULDN'T REMEMBER. THAT WAS LIKE -- IF WE HADN'T CHATTED, THAT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

I THINK IT WAS COINCIDENTAL WE TALKED ABOUT THIS.

I WOULD HATE FOR YOU TO MISS OUT ON OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OF THIS. MY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE EQUIPMENT AND I HAVE THREE QUESTIONS.

THIS IS SECOND ONE. THE BACK TO THE COURT REPORTERS AND THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT AN ISSUE THE JUDGE BROUGHT UP THERE'S EQUIPMENT THAT HASN'T BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO COURT REPORTERS. IS THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH EQUIPMENT. OR IT HAS BEEN AVAILABLE OR THEY DON'T ACCESS IT? I'M TRYING TO SQUARE WITH WHAT

YOU SAID. >> WITH THE DISTRICT COURTS.

AT ONE POINT COURT REPORTERS WERE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A COUNTY PROVIDED STENO WRITING, COMPUTER AND TRANSCRIPTION SOFTWARE. THAT WASN'T THE CASE IN THE COUNTY COURTS. WE'RE TRYING TO OFFER THAT TODAY. WHAT SHE WAS SAYING I BELIEVE IS THAT MANY OF THE COURT REPORTERS ON THE DISTRICT COURT SIDE BUY THAT EQUIPMENT THEMSELVES. PAY FOR THE SOFTWARE.

ALTHOUGH I KNOW MANY OF THEM HAVE THE SOFTWARE PROVIDED.

I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL COMPUTERS OR THE STENO MACHINE. THAT'S BETTER DIRECTED TO DISTRICT COURT. I KNOW IN COUNTY COURT CRIMINAL AND CIVIL, NONE OF THEM HAVE EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. THAT'S WHAT WE TRYING TO DO TO HELP ENTICE PEOPLE TO COME HERE AND TO STAY HERE.

>> OKAY. THEN THE FINAL QUESTION, THE

[03:20:02]

YOU ALL HAVE MENTIONED THE INTERPRETERS.

THE OTHER COURTS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE.

I'VE SEEN THE ISSUE FIRSTHAND. AND THEN THE ISSUE CAME UP EVEN WITH THE ENGINEERS. ENGINEER OR FLOOD CONTROL OR BOTH WHERE THEY SAID THEY WOULD RECRUIT INTERNS FOR OR JUST STUDENTS THAT YOU BILINGUAL. I SAID THAT'S NOT WHAT INTERPRETER IS. RIGHT.

I JUST WONDER IF THERE COMES A POINT AT BY THE COUNTY WE SHOULD CONSIDER HAVING OUR OWN INTERPRETERS SET UP.

I MEAN, OVER YOU KNOW 50% HISPANIC.

FIND OUT AFTER THE CURRENTLY SESSION OR THAT MUCH.

100 LANGUAGES AND WE'RE CONTRACTING OUT AND HALF THE TIME THEY SEND THE INTERPRETERS FROM THE MEDICAL TO THE CRIMINAL OUT WHATEVER. OR THE CIVIL.

IT JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT. I MEAN TO -- AT WHAT POINT PRODUCTIVE TO CONTINUE CONTRACTING FOR THESE THINGS?

>> EVEN IN THE COURTROOM, WHEN I TOOK A LOOK AT IT, WHEN WE CONTRACTING OUT. ITS SO EXPENSIVE.

ED WE VOWELLED HAVE INTERNAL POOL OF INDIVIDUALS SO THEY ARE AVAILABLE. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO DO OTHER THINGS. AT ONE TIME WE GIVE A STIPEND OR ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO SOMEONE THAT HAS THAT SKILL SET.

SO THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE. WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

>> IT'S NOT A LIKE HEY YOU SPEAK SUCH AND SUCH LANGUAGE.

PEOPLE ARE CERTIFIED AND TRAINED AND WHATEVER.

THAT'S THEIR -- IT WOULDN'T BE SIDE GIG.

IT WOULD BE THEIR INTERPRETERS. I THINK IT'S DEW PROCESS MATTER.

>> IT IS, TO THAT END, IN THE COURT WE'RE REQUIRED TO USE LICENSED BY THE STATE COURT INTERPRETER.

100% OF THE TIME IF THE SPANISH IS THE LANGUAGE FOR OTHER LANGUAGES WE TURN TO THEM FIRST. THEN FIND SOMEONE ELSE WHO CAN BE CERTIFY BY THE JUDGE TO PROVIDE INTERPRETING SERVICES.

A FAMILY MEMBER OR SOMEONE LIKE THAT.

BUT THE LICENSE COURT INTERPRETERS, AGAIN, AROUND THE SURROUNDING COUNTY THEY PAY MORE HISTORICALLY IN THE PAST THAN HARRIS COUNTY DID. SO DAY WOULD GO TO WORK THERE.

WE DO HAVE A SMALL POOL THAT WE TURN TO ON A REGULAR BASIS SUCH AS STAFFING ARE MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

BECAUSE IT RUNS 24/7. WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE NEED FOR SPANISH INTERPRET ON EVERY SINGLE DOCKET.

WE HAVE SOMEONE THERE 24/7. THEY JUST WORK IN SHIFTS 7 DAYS A WEEK. BUT FOR THE COURTS, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE AND ONE COURT ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW THAT. WHEN SOMEONE GET ARRESTED, THEY ARE COMING INTO THE JAIL WE DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THEM UNTIL THE CASE IS FILED AND BEFORE THEY GO BEFORE A MAGISTRATE, AND ALL LIKELIHOOD WE DON'T KNOW THEY DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH AND

WHAT LANGUAGE THEY DO SPEAK. >> AND I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAN COMMENT IN THE JAILS SOMETIMES SOMEONE CAN BE THERE FOR MORE THAN A DAY BEFORE YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT LANGUAGE THEY

SPEAK. >> I THINK MAYBE WE COULD CHECK -- DO BETTER CHECK. I WANT TO MAKE SURE ESPECIALLY WITH THE FISCAL LIMITATIONS THAT WHATEVER WE INVEST INTERPRETERS IS GETTING US TOWARD A BETTER SET UP ON INTERPRETERS MORE BROADLY. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TRAINED.

WHEN I WAS INTERPRETER. MEDICAL TREATMENTER I GOT REQUEST TO INTERPRET AT THE COURT.

I DIDN'T TAKE IT. BECAUSE I COULD HAVE.

I COULD HAVE SHOWED UP. I DON'T KNOW WHAT SYSTEM TAKES -- BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEING SMART ON

THIS. >> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. APPRECIATE.

ONE QUESTION. ON THE INTERPRETERS AND ALSO ON THE COURT REPORTERS. WE PROVIDED I THINK LAST YEAR FUNDING IN YOUR BUDGET FOR PARKING.

>> FOR THE COURT REPORTERS. >> FOR OUR OFFICIAL COURT REPORTERS. THAT'S CORRECT.

>> WE MAY WANT TO TAKE LOOK HOW MUCH WE SPEND ON INTERPRETER MAKING SURE THAT IF WE'RE HAVE A LIMITATION BY THE STATE SAYING ONLY PAY X NUMBER OF DOLLAR. WE CAN TAKE CARE OF EXTRA TYPE DOLLARS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE GET

PARKING AND ALL THAT. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. IF I CAN ADD IN IT'S NOT IN OUR BUDGET. I THINK IT WILL BE 547,000 EXPENDITURE ON THAT. AND THE TIDC WILL BE GIVING 1.87 MANY ILLION. I IMAGINE BILL HE ALREADY KNEW THAT. SOMEONE IS TRACKING THAT.

>> SO THE MAC AND THEN ALSO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT'S

CURRENTLY IN MY DEPART. >> I MEANT IN THE MATCH.

>> I HAD FUNDING IN MY BUDGET SINCE THAT IS NOT PART OF MINE

[03:25:03]

FOR MY ROLLOVER. THIS YEAR IT'S 540,000 IN ROUND NUMBERS. THEN ESCALATING EVERY YEAR THE

MATCH SWITCHES. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND THE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS WAS INCLUDED IN THIS CORRECT?

>> NO THAT'S ALL CLUT FUND 941. SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE TOOK THAT OUT OF OUR BUDGET AND MADE IT A SEPARATE BUDGET.

AND SO I THINK EXPENDITURE ON TRACK TO BE --

>> PRETTY MUCH THE COUNTY COURT ON TRACK FOR 4 MILLION.

SOMETHING SEPARATE? >> THERE'S ABOUT 4 MILLION.

THEN THE DISTRICT COURT IS ABOUT 53 MILLION.

>> RIGHT. >> IF YOU GIVE 58 --

>> ABOUT 58 MILLION. >> JUDGE IF I MIGHT.

>> I'M CURIOUS, THAT MONEY IF WE WENT TO MAC SYSTEM.

IT WOULD COME OUT OF THAT MONEY. CORRECT?

>> RIGHT. >> AND OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW IN SOME WAYS IT COULD GO -- WHAT A JUDGE PUTS IN THEY DECIDE ON THE AMOUNT. WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER IT.

BUT IT WOULD MAKE THOSE FOLKS MORE INDEPENDENT.

WHAT ABOUT THE MONEY FOR INVESTIGATORS? DID YOU DECIDE INDEPENDENT OF THAT AS WELL?

>> THAT'S A PART OF THE MAC OPERATIONS.

IF AN INVESTIGATOR IS NEEDED OVER AND ABOVE WHAT IS STAFF BY THE MATCH THAT WOULD COME THERE THAT SAME POOL OF MONEY.

>> WOULD YOU -- I HAPPEN TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO QUESTION OF THE CONTRACT LAWYER. YOU MAY WANT TO ASK THE -- IF YOU WEREN'T HERE EARLY. I'M SORRY.

YOU MIGHT ASK INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION.

I KNOW THE ANSWER. I DON'T WANT ANY JUDGES TO GO AND DO THAT. I KNOW THAT IT VIOLATES THE RULES. AND THEY DON'T KNOW IT.

IF THEY DO AND APPROPRIATE ACTION COME LATER.

I CAN ONLY SPEAK TO COUNTER COURTS.

WE DON'T HAVE CONTRACT LAWYERS. >> IS ANYONE SPEAKING ON COURT

APPOINTED ATTORNEYS? >> I'M HAPPY TO.

THERE'S A SECTION ON HERE. >> HISTORICALLY THERE WERE APPOINTMENTS BY JUDGES FOR INDIGENT OFFENSE.

OF COURSE WITH THE GRANT FROM TIDC THIS YEAR WE WILL BE MOVING TOWARD MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL. THOSE EXPENSES HAVE REMAINED STABLE IN THE COUNTY COURTS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH BUDGET ON THAT.

IN THE LAST TEN YEARS THEY PROBABLY DRAWN FROM OVER 3 MILLION TO 4 MILLION NOW. I EXPECT UNDER THE MATCH THEY WILL GO UP A LITTLE BIT. BECAUSE CASE LOADS WILL COME DOWN. BUT IT ALSO YOU KNOW ATTORNEYS WILL BE GETTING PAID FOR THAT WORK AND SO YOU WOULD EXPECT IT TO GO UP A LITTLE BIT. I DON'T THINK IT'S AN ISSUE.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO COMMENT ON IT FOR THE COUNTY COURTS.

>> IN THE COUNTY COURTS IT'S STABLE.

AND IT HASN'T GROWN. IT'S 12% HIGHER.

IN THE DISTRICT COURTS. AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT IN TOTAL, THE BURN RATE OF THE RUN RATE FOR THE DISTRICT JUDGES IS DOWN THIS YEAR. WHICH IT ALWAYS GOING UP FIVE OR TEN%. NOW IT'S DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

NOW THAT COULD BE TIMING OF INVOICES.

THERE COULD BE A LOT OF REASONS. I'M HOPEFUL THAT WILL HELP PAY

FOR SOME OF THESE TYPE OF ITEMS. >> COULD MORE USE FOR PUBLIC

DEFENDER? >> I ASSUME.

IT COULD ALSO BE BECAUSE THE WAY IT WORKS A JUDGE BASICALLY APPROVES AN EXPENSE. AND THEN THE TIMING OF THAT.

WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WHERE PEOPLE DID NOT TURN THEIR INVOICES IN TIMELY MANNER BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO PAY TAXES ON IT THE FOLLOWING YEAR. WE GET THIS BUNCHING UP IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY. I CAN'T GET TOO EXCITED YET UNTIL I SEE WHAT THAT IS. BUT WE WORKED WITH ED AND CLAY TO MAKE INCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO TURNING IN THEIR INVOICES IN THE

MORE TIMELY MANNER. >> ALSO EVEN IF THEY WERE FLAT AND THERE WASN'T A DECREASE. WE GET BUNCH OF INVOICES TURNS OUT FLAT FROM LAST YEAR. THAT'S A GREAT NEWS STORY FROM STANDPOINT THAT THERE WERE RACES IN THE SALARIES FOR THE COST OF THE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS LAST YEAR.

JUST BEING FLAT ALONE IS GREAT. IT'S A GREAT NEWS STORY.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS THE DISTRICT COURTS.

[District Courts]

[03:30:13]

CLAY BOWMAN DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

PLEASURE TO ADDRESS YOU THIS AFTERNOON.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR US WITH 36 NEW JUDGES TAKING THE BENCH BACK IN JANUARY. THAT'S A RECORD NUMBER OF NEW JUDGES COMING IN FOR A TERM. AND HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT COURTS ADDITIONALLY 12. NEW ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

37 ADDITIONAL COURT STAFF. FOR US SOME PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING AREAS STILL INCLUDE THE ONGOING RENOVATIONS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER. AND THE RESULT ENCLOSURE OF COURTROOMS GOING ON YEAR THREE NOW OF HARVEY RECOVERY.

THEY ARE OUR CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURTS HAVE BEEN IN DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. REALLY FOR OVER TWO YEARS AND WE'RE TOLD TO EXPECT NEARLY ANOTHER YEAR BEFORE THIS WILL IMPROVE. THE SITUATION CREATED THE NEED FOR A WHOLE NEW CLASS OF EMPLOYEES AND THE PRETRIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NAVIGATORS TO ADDRESS THE CONFUSION CONFUSING ARRANGEMENTS AND GETTING FOLKS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO IN COURTROOMS THAT MOVE ON WEEK TO WEEK BASIS.

OUR JUDGES AND STAFF ARE WORKING BASICALLY WITH PORTABLE OFFICES TO MOVE BETWEEN THESE COURTROOMS. IN PARTICULAR OUR CRIMINAL JUDGES ARE ONLY ABLE TO SEE JAIL INMATES. TWO WEEKS OUT OF A MONTH.

WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED I THINK HELP CONTRIBUTE TO HIGH PENDING CASELOADS AND IN BOTH THE CRIMINAL AND OUR CIVIL DIVISIONS. SO WE'RE WORKING WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH JUSTICE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE FOLKS AND WITH THE NEW JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT ON IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE BAIL POLICY JAIL POPULATION WORKING THE JAIL DOCKET AND SO FORTH.

BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE A DIFFICULT SITUATION FOR OUR COURT IN TERMS OF COURT EFFICIENCY AND COURT PRODUCTIVITY BUT MORAL AS WELL. WE HAVE COURT STAFF OFFICING IN HALLWAYS STILL FOR TWO YEAR ALL NOW.

LAYING OFF OFFICE STAFF IS SPREAD ACROSS THREE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS WHICH MAKES COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT LESS EFFICIENT THAN IT COULD BE FOR US.

BUT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THOSE THINGS AND APPRECIATIVE OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT THE ENGINEERING FOLKS ARE DOING.

I THINK JUDGE SCHAFFER SHOULD HAVE INTRODUCED OUR LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR JUDGE, OUR LOCAL JUDGE MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THERE.

OUR JURY ASSEMBLY BUILDING STARTED RENOVATIONS STILL PENDING THEME APPROVAL. THAT CAME AS AN ITEM TO THE COURT HERE A COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK.

YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS FROM OUR ENGINEERING FOLKS AT THAT TIME. SO THAT'S STILL DELAYING THE DELIVERY OF JURORS TO COURTS. OUR ABILITY TO BRING CASES TO TRIAL. AND JUST CONTINUING TO WORK THROUGH SOME OF THOSE THINGS. SO WE SHARE MANY, MANY OF THE SAME CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS WITH OUR PARTNERS IN COUNTY COURTS LIKE WE DO WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE AND D.A.'S OFFICE AND SO FORTH. YOU WILL HAVE HEARD A NUMBER OF -- SOME OF THE COMMON ISSUE THAT WE HAVE.

I HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HIM PRESENTING A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THAN I DO. COURT REPORTERING DISCUSS SNLTD SALARY INCREASE TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.

ACCORDING TO HUMAN RESOURCES, I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL 3.27 INCREASE THIS UPCOMING YEAR.

SO WE WILL BE ASKING FOR THAT, I THINK WHICH IS MAXIMUM ALLOWED BY STATUTE. AT LAST COMMISSIONER COURT WE REQUESTED FOR ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME POSITIONS COURT REPORTER POSITIONED TO HELP STAFF OUR SUBSTITUTE POOL.

AND WE'RE HOPING THAT HELPS A LITTLE BIT.

WE'VE LOST TWO ADDITIONAL COURT REPORTERS IN THE LAST MONTH.

AND WE'VE SEVERAL COURTS NOW WITH NO OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER.

IT IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION. WE FEEL FOR OUR COURT REPORTERS WHO ARE VERY IMPORTANT MEMBERS OF THE COURT TEAM.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN VERY

[03:35:01]

BENEFIT HELPS. >> A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE DO NEED TO ADDRESS. INFRASTRUCTUREWISE THIS YEAR I THINK PERSONAL COMPUTER REPLACEMENT.

DESKTOP REPLACEMENTS FOR OUR COURTS HAS BEEN PLANNED IF OUR ANNUAL TECHNOLOGY FUNDING CONTINUES.

WE HAVE PROGRAM OF REPLACING APPROXIMATELY 25% OF OUR STOCK EVERY YEAR. THAT WE KIND OF TRY TO DO THAT ON ROLLING BASIS IN ORDER TO MAIN TAIN CURRENT DESK STOP CURRENT DESKTOP TECHNOLOGY. SOMETHING THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE PART OF OUR BUDGET FURNITURE FOR REOCCUPYING THE JUSTICE CENTER.

REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF FURNITURE THERE.

ITEMS WERE WORN BEFORE HARVEY. AND IN THE INTERIM ITEMS HAVE MOVED OR DISAPPEARED AND WE BEEN TOLD I THINK BUDGET MANAGEMENT PLANNING TO COVER SOME IN ENGINEERING OUR FACILITIES?

. >> THEY ARE SHIPPING PART OF THE ACTUAL -- QUITE HONESTLY THAT HAPPENED A VJC COULD COME FROM

THE CJC PROJECT ITSELF. >> 100% OF SIDE BY SIDE ITEMS. NOT PART OF BUSINESS WILL BE COVERING IN THE SAME THING I WANT TO ADDRESS THE COMPUTER BECAUSE WE SAID THAT WE DO HAVE

ROTATIONS. >> IS YOUR MIC ON?

>> WE'LL TAKE CARE OF 100% OF CAPITAL ITEMS IN THE COMPUTERS WILL LOOK INTO IT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOUR-YEAR LIFE EXPECTANCY

IS PRETTY GOOD. >> YES.

THANK YOU. JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT OUT AS

THAT IS A COST OF THE COUNTY. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A

QUESTION AS WELL. >> MR. BOWMAN DIMENSIONED CONSTRUCTION ISSUE. WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH THE ISSUE WE HAVE TO WAIT TO GET THE MONEY FROM FEMA.

BECAUSE IF WE PAID FOR IT WE WOULD NEVER GET IT BACK.

IS THAT HOW THEY WORK? >> THOSE ARE THE LONG-BEEN APPLICATION PROCESS WITH THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. UNTIL THEY APPROVE THE PROJECT PLAN AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE APPROVED.

IF YOU BEGIN CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO THAT, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER.

YOU BEGIN BEFORE THAT THERE'S A BIG CHANCE THAT YOU WILL NOT GET REIMBURSED FOR THAT. IF WE START NOW THERE'S A LARGE CHANCE THAT WE WOULDN'T GET REIMBURSE INSTEAD.

THE DIFE THE AMOUNT T MIGHT BE

>> WE'VE ENTERED EVERYTHING INTO THE PORTAL.

>> I WANT TO JUMP ON JURY. IS ERIC IN THE ROOM KNOWS NOT A HAMMER HAS BEEN LIFTED TO REPAIR THE JURY ASSEMBLY BUILDING.

YEAR TWO YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS AFTER HARVEY.

AND EYE BEEN CHAIRING THE TENANTS CJC TENANT COMMITTEES.

WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS. I'M NOT SO SURE ANYBODY KNOWS REALLY WHAT THE STATUS OF THIS WHOLE THING IS.

TWO MONTHS AGO I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 6 TO 8 WEEKS BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN. 6 TO 8 WEEKS LATER I'M TOLD THERE WAS NO ROADBLOCK THAT WE HAD TO DEAL WITH.

I IMAGINE IN 4-6 WEEKS WE MAY HEAR ANOTHER ROADBLOCK.

I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER AND PRO POERS THAT WE HAVE A MEETING OF SOME SORT WITH ANYBODY WHO HAS ANY AUTHORITY OVER WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR MONEY FEMA MONEY TO REPAIR THE JURY ASSEMBLY.

JURY ASSEMBLY A BIG PART OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

IF YOU CAN'T TRY THE CASES, YOU CAN'T MOVE THE CASES TO THE DEGREE WE NEED TO MOVE THE CASES.

JURY ASSEMBLY A BIG PART OF IT. WE CALL HALF AS MANY JURIES AS WE COULD CALL IF WE HAD THE JURY ASSEMBLY BACK UP ONBOARD.

I ASK THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO CELL UP TELEPHONE CONFERENCE.

ANYBODY ELSE INVOLVED IN THIS SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE

PROBLEM IS. >> I DO THINK JUDGE -- I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT. IT'S AN ISSUE TO SEE THE JURORS OVER THERE. IT'S ALREADY SOMETHING WE'RE ASKING OF THEM. MY UNDERSTANDING I THINK YOU DO DESERVE A FULL UPDATE. EYE BEEN ASKING FOR AN UPDID

[03:40:02]

AT WHAT POINT DOES IT MAKE SENSE FROM COST BENEFIT STANDPOINT FOR US TO JUST FRONT THE MONEY. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S TRULY RIGHT NOW ON TRACK. WHERE IT IS 6 TO 8 WEEKS.

BUT I DOES COME A POINT WHERE MAYBE WE SAY IF WE WAIT THE SIX WEEKS. IT'S -- IT HASN'T HAPPENED.

THEN IT COMES TIME TO HAVE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER WE JUST GO AHEAD AND PAY FOR IT. JUDGE, THANK YOU.

YOU READ MY MIND. THAT'S MY QUESTION.

LOOK, WE'RE SEEING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ROADBLOCKS OR RED HAIRINGS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT. ALL OF THE WHILE YOU KNOW THE CITIZENS ARE -- WHETHER THEIR HOUSE OR WHETHER IT'S OUR INFRASTRUCTURE ISN'T GETTING -- IT'S STANDING STILL.

SOED A WHAT POINT DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO EITHER LET THE MOLD AND MILDEW BUILD OR JUST GET IT DONE.

ESPECIALLY AS MUCH THAT WE HEAR THAT 41EDS ARE TAKEN AWAY AND THEN YOU KNOW THE PERCEPTION THE FALSE PERCEPTION OF SLOW RECOVERY BEING THE FAULT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

YOU KNOW AT WHAT POINT DO WE JUST SAY THAT WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO GET SOME OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE BACK

ONLINE? >> I THINK WE CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTYING NEAR TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT LIME IS ULTIMATELY IT'S JUST MAT. HE AT POINT I THINK THEY ARE GETTING CLOSE TO BEING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE OF APPROVAL.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN HELPING A LOT TOWARD THAT.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY THAT IT PROBABLY GOOD IDEA TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA UNLESS AFTER YOU HAVE SOME INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS I WOULD INFLAME THE ISSUE. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS A COST AND A BENEFIT. SO WHAT'S COST OF IT?

>> 100 MILLION. IT'S -- I WILL GET THE NUMBER.

JURY ASSEMBLY AROUND 14 TORE 15 MILLION.

>> 14 OR 15 MILLION. WE ALSO IF DOESN'T LOOK LIKE -- SOME PEOPLE CALL ME FROM MY SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN THEY SAW AN ARGUE ONE SCHOOL IN THE PAPER A FEW DAYS AGO AND THEY WERE SAYING THEN I SAID MAYBE YOU DIDN'T APPLY, MAY IT WAS MY POINT IS IF WE DO GO -- IF WE DECIDE TO DO IT.

WE OUGHT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW. THERE'S A LOT OF US IN -- MAYBE IT'S A GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT OWL STUFF.

AND THEN AT SOME POINT JUDGES HAVE ABILITY TO GO TO TALK -- EVERYONE HAS POLITICAL PRESSURE POINT.

YOU GOT ME WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO TO GO TALK TO. >> I THINK IT'S GOOD TO GIVE THEM THEIR MEETING IN PERSON. SHE MIGHT HAVE HAD THE PRIVATE CONVERSATION AND TALK ABOUT WHO YOU ARE IN THE CALL TO MAKE THE

CASE, YOU KNOW. >> I DO.

ABSOLUTELY. WE JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHO IS MAKING THE DECISIONS. BECAUSE WE'RE NOT TRUR AND I'M N SURE ON THAT BUT NOT POSITIVE.

LAST TIME IT WAS OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT AGENCIES. IT'S NOT SIMPLY A REPAIR.

IT'S A REPAIR AND MIT GAILT SIMULTANEOUSLY.

IT HAS TO GO TO WASH. THAT'S THE STAGE IT'S AT RIGHT NOW. WE CAN'T AFFORD RIGHT NOW JUST TO GO AND PAY FOR IT. JUST TAKING 14 MILLION WOULD BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR US. I GET THAT.

I THINK IF IT CONTINUALLY DELAYED.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST US TO NOT HAVE A FULLY FUNCTIONING ONE.

IT MAY IT DOESN'T CANCEL OUT. IT'S WORTH ASKING THE QUESTION.

BECAUSE I IMAGINE THIS HAS REPER KUPGSS WE'LL WE WILL CIRCLE BACK

[03:45:09]

THIS HAS TO HAPPEN. HERE'S THE PEOPLE OR THE AGENCY THAT HAS TO HAPPEN. THEN I THINK WE CAN GET TO POINT WHERE WE IF WE JUST KEEPING THIS RUN AROUND.

>> FOR MY POINTIST SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS.

IN THE LAST BLOCK BEFORE WE TAKE A CAREFUL LOOK.

>> THAT'S MY CONCERN. >> GOT IT.

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. I SEE THE DOCTOR BACK THERE.

SHE REPORTS TO YOU GUYS; RIGHT? >> NO.

>> WHO DOES SHE REPORT TO. >> SHE IS APPOINTED BY JOINTLY BY BOTH DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURT JUDGE

>> ALL RIGHT. I DO HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY COLLEAGUES ASK THERE'S.

ONE IS ON THE EQUIPMENT. I'M NOT SURE BACK AT THE COURT REPORTERS QUESTION. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS ONE. YOU ALSO ASK FOR EQUIPMENT.

RIGHT. >> NOT FOR COURT REPORTERS.

>> YOU ASK FOR ANYTHING RELATED TO COURT REPORTER.

>> YES, MORE COURT REPORTERS. >> AGAIN, WE WERE JUST APPROVED FORK THE NEED REALLY IN THE BACK UP FOR THE THAIM REQUESTED THE POSITION SHOWED REALLY WE NEED ABOUT 20 ADDITIONAL IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE WE ARE HAVE 60 CURRENTLY ON PAYROLL.

WE HAVE NEARLY 100 JUDICIAL OFFICERS TRYING TO RECOVER WITH COURT REPORTERS. WE MAY NEED.

THE DISTRICT JUDGES WILL BE CONSIDERING THE COURT REPORTER COMPENSATION AT THEIR JANUARY MEETING AND MAYBE COMING BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION IN LINE WITH WHAT THE STATUTE WILL ALLOW

US TO REQUEST. >> I DON'T WANT TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE COURT REPORTER. YOU HEARD ABOUT IT THIS MORNING.

YOU HEARD FROM THE COUNTY JUDGES.

IT'S NO PROBLEM THAT WE NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION TO.

IT'S THROUGHOUT THE DIVISIONS IF WE HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.

>> OKAY. GOT IT.

THEN MY ONLY OTHER NOTE THE SAME ONE I MADE THE POINT I MADE TO COUNTY COURTS ON THE INTERPRETERS, WHICH AS WE LOOK THROUGH BUILDING TOWARD MORE EFFICIENT EFFECTIVE INTERPRETER

SYSTEM. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS THE DISTRICT CLERK.

[District Clerk]

>> HEY, JUDGE. >> JUDGE, SCHAFFER.

I'M SORRY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> I WILL SEE YOU SOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK MY CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO RECORD ALL ACTS AND PROCEEDING IN THE COURT MAINTAIN THE RECORDS FOR SUCH.

WE ALSO ACCEPT ALL CASE FILINGS COLLECT ALL COURT FEES, AND FINE AND WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE JURY SUMMONING PROCESS.

MY DEPARTMENT STRIVES TO PROVIDE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION AND SUPPORT IN THE MOST TECH THAT LOGSCALLY ADVANCE WAY POSSIBLE. I WANT TO THANK YOU TODAY FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE PRESENT TO YOU.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THIS FIRST YEAR THAT I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.

ONE OF OUR BIG. ACCOMPLISHMENT IN FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE CIVIL BILLING PROJECT. WHEN I REPORTED TO YOU BACK IN JANUARY, UPON TAKING OFFICE I LEARNED THAT WE HAD OVER 80 MILLION ON THE BOOKS. AND NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE TO TRY TO COLLECT ON THE FEES SINCE 2011.

AS CPS -- CPA APPALLED UPON THAT.

WE BILL ON MONTHLY BASIS NOW. WE GONE BACK AND BILLED AS FAR BACK AS THROUGH 2017. WE BILLED 18 MILLION SO FAR.

[03:50:03]

AND THE FEES WERE ASSESSED. BUT NO ONE DID ANYTHING TO TRY TO COLLECT THE FEES. WHEN AFTER WE BILL THEM.

AFTER THERE'S 60 DAYS OUTSTANDING.

WE TURN THEM OVER FOR COLLECTION.

I'M ASKING YOU APPROVE MY PENDING RENEWAL CONTRACT WITH LINE BARGER TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS WORK UNINTERRUPTED.

ANOTHER BIG ACHIEVEMENT THAT WE'VE HAD IS WHEN I TOOK OFFICE OUR EFILING REJECTION RATES WERE RUNNING 7% PER MONTH.

WE TOOK SOME STEPS IMPLEMENTED SOME PROCEDURES ABOUT WHAT WAS REQUIRED BEFORE YOU COULD REJECT A FILING.

THAT'S DOWN TO 2% PER MONTH. OFFICE PROCESSES 82,000 CIVIL AND FAMILY FILINGS PER MONTH AND ANOTHER 30,000 CRIMINAL FILINGS.

THE STEPS WE'VE TAKEN ALLOW CASES TO MOVE THROUGH THE COURT FASTER AND WITH BETTER SERVICE TO THEIR ATTORNEYS AND THEREFORE TO THE CLIENTS. IN OCTOBER WE REPORT TO YOU THAT OUR OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING.

WE GOT THAT REPORTING WE YEARMENT DOWN FROM TEN DAYS TO WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF CONVICTION. AND WE FEEL LIKE THIS CHANGE WILL MAKE IT MORE LIKELY THAT THOSE THAT ARE CONVICT ALREADY BE UNABLE TO PURCHASE A FIREARM. WE HAVE ALSO MADE MANY ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY THIS YEAR. THAT INCLUDES THE ELECTRONIC ISSUES OF CITATIONS, PREVIOUSLY ATTORNEY HAD TO SING DOWN TO COURTED HOUSE. NOW WE SEND THEM VIA E-MAIL WHICH GETS THEM TO THEM QUICKER. THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY PRINTING AND POSTAGE. MORE IMPORTANTLY REDUCES THE CONGESTION IN THE COURTHOUSE. WE'VE IMPLEMENTED AN E-HEARING PROJECT WHICH ALLOWS ATTORNEYS TO SCHEDULE THEIR HEARINGS ONLINE 24! 7 WITHOUT HAVING TO CALL AND SPEAK TO A STAFF MEMBER IN THE COURTROOM.

AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS AND WE WILL ADD ADDITIONAL COURT IN THE COMING YEAR. WE'VE ALSO ADDED A REMOTE SIGNATURE FEATURE WHICH ALLOWS ATTORNEY TO CREATE ACCOUNTS FOR THEIR CLIENTS SO THEY CAN SIGN DOCUMENTS.

THIS THE IMPORTANT BECAUSE MANY TIME THEY HAVE TO TAKE A DAY OFF FROM WORK FOR 15-MINUTE HEARING. SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEIR CASE GET TO TRIAL. SO IT'S ECONOMIC ISSUE TO THOSE PEOPLE AS WELL AS THE AGAIN IT REDUCES FOOT TRAFFIC AND ALREADY OVERCROWDED COURTHOUSE. E-NOTICES PROJECT LAUNCHED OFFICIALLY DECEMBER 1ST AFTER BEING IN SEVERAL COURTS ON PILOT BASIS. THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR SENDING OUT NOTICES TO ALL ATTORNEYS OF ANY ORDERS SIGNED WHICH JUDGE. AS OF DECEMBER 1ST THEY GO OUT ELECTRONICALLY. WHICH TRY TO CONVERT THAT AS WELL. THIS REDUCE THE COST OF POSTAGE

AND MAILING AND LABOR AS WELL. >> WE HAVE SEVERAL ONGOING PROJECT. THERE'S ONE THAT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO ME THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT'S THAT I'M EXISTING TO FROM SESSION. THERE'S MANY COUNTY ACROSS STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE THE SYSTEMS IN PLACE.

AND THEY'VE BEEN PROVEN TO INCREASE APPEARANCE RATE TO DIE CREASE COST AND SO DON'T A JURY WHEEL.

IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THIS SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF OUR JUDGES AND WHILE IT BE IN I BELIEVE THE BENEFITS WILL BE WELL WORTH IT. WE ARE PROPOSING IMPLEMENTING THIS IN THREE FACES. FIRST FADE WOULD THEN WHEN THEY COULD GET TO JURY ASSEMBLY ROOM THEY COULD CHECK IN SELF-CHECK IN. VIA KEOSK.

THEY WORLD DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF JUROR THAT WE WILL NEED IN ADVANCE. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE US AN OPTION OF CANCELLING JUROR IF WE HAD MORE THAN WE WOULD NEED.

YEAR TO DATE WE DISMISS 37% WITHOUT THEM GOING TO COURTROOM.

[03:55:02]

PHASE 3 WOULD GIVE POTENTIAL JUROR MORE FLEXIBILITY OVER WHEN THEY SERVE. AS THE SYSTEM WOULD ALLOW THEM TO ELIMINATE DATES WHEN THEY ARE UNAVAILABLE.

THEY WOULD BE GIVEN A WINDOW OF 2-3 WEEKS.

THEY COULD MARK OUT DATES WHEN THEY COULDN'T SERVE AND THEN THE SYSTEM WOULD ELECTRONICALLY ASSIGN THEM TO PANEL OF THE REMAINING DAYS. I BELIEVE THIS SYSTEM COULD BE IN PLACE WITHIN 18 MONTHS. WOULD REQUIRE NO ADDITIONAL STAFF. THERE WOULD BE FUNDING REQUIRED FOR EQUIPMENT NEEDS. OTHER ONGOING INITIATIVE INCLUDE THE BELL REFORM AND SITE RELEASE PROGRAMS. WE WORK WITH D.A. TO MAKE CRIMINAL CASE INITIATION PAPERLESS. WE WORK SHERIFF INTEGRATE OUR DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH THEIR OFFENDER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. WE'RE WORKING WITH SEVERAL AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTY EXPEDITE TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE ORDER. CREATE JUVENILE ELECTRONIC DOCKET AND PLEADS IN CRIMINAL COURTS.

WE ARE WORKING WITH ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AT THE STATE COUNTY AND CIVIL LEVEL TO PROVIDE DATA ANALYSIS AND TO IMPROVE THE FLOW OF DOCUMENTS AND EFFICIENCIES.

THE HANDOUT I GAVE YOU GIVES YOU DETAILS OUR FUTURE GOALS.

WE HAVE 11 DIFFERENT ITEMS ON THERE.

I WANT TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF SELF-EXPLANATION ON FIVE OF THOSE THAT ARE NOT SELF-EX-PLANTORY.

THE FIRST ONE IS THE SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL E-FILING.

IN OCTOBER OF 2016, CRIMINAL EFILING WAS MANDATED.

WE NEEDED 16 POSITIONS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE MANDATE.

AND THERE WERE FUNDS THAT WERE TRANSFERRED FROM THE COUNTY CLERK'S ARCHIVE RECORDS TO FUND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MANDATE AS WELL AS THOSE 16 POSITIONS.

THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING TO RUN OUT PRIOR TO THE END OF THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. THE 16 POSITIONS ARE PERMANENT PEOPLE THAT ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE ONGOING SUPPORT AND MATTERS OF THE CRIMINAL E-FILING SYSTEM.

THERE'S A WAY TO FUND THE 16 POSITIONS NOW THAT THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED UP THAT ALLOCATED PREVIOUSLY FUNDED OUT OF THE FUND 23--O WE REQUEST TO TRANSFER THEM AND FUND THEM IN THE THAT BUDGET. MY SECOND ONE IS MODEL PROGRAM FOR PC-COURT. WE HAVE TWO 24/7 DIVISION.

ONE CRIMINAL INTAKE. ONE PROBABLE CAUSE COURT.

CRIMINAL INTAKE HAS THE PROGRAM KNOWN AS MODEL PROGRAM IN PLACE.

WHAT THAT MEANS SHIFT FOR WEEKEND AND HOLIDAYS CAN BE FILLED BY ANY QUALIFY DISTRICT CLERK STAFF MEMBER AND THEY ARE PAID TIME AND A HALF FOR WORKING.

THE PC COURT IS NOT HAVE THIS PROGRAM.

AND THOSE STAFF MEMBERS HAVE TO WORK WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS WITH NO ADDITIONAL PAY. IT'S MORALE PROBLEM WHEN ONE SECTION HAS IT AND THE OTHER SECTION DOES NOT.

WE ASK THAT WE PUT THE PC COURT INTO THE MODEL PROGRAM.

WE WOULD BE ABLE TO ELIMINATE TWO-FULL-TIME POSITIONS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE STAFF WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS.

AND IT WOULD THE NET COST WOULD BE ABOUT 100,000 PER YEAR.

JURY OPERATIONS INCLUDES MEALS FOR THOSE SERVED FOR MORE THAN A DAY. CURRENT MEAL ALLOWANCE $7 FOR FOOD. SOMETIMES THEY BRING FOOD IN.

SOMETIMES THEY TAKE THEM OUT TO EAT.

BUT THEY HAVE $7 PER M MMEAL -- PER PER JUROR. PARTICIPATE IF WE GET THE FEE UP TO $10. I HEAR FROM THEM FREQUENTLY ABOUT PARTICULARLY THE ONES THAT SERVING ON TRIALS THAT ARE LONG LASTING THAT TRIAL GOES ON THREE WEEKS AND YOU GOT THREE OPTIONS OF WHERE YOU FEED THEM LUNCH FOR THREE WEEKS.

SUBWAY SANDWICH OR BUSINESSA FINE A DAY OR TWO.

IF YOU THERE FOR THREE WEEKINGS IT'S PRETTY OLD.

WE'RE ASKING FOR INCREASE IN THE JURY MEAL ALLOWANCE.

TO INCREASE IT BY $50,000. THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO LET JUROR ON THEIR FOURTH DAY OF SERVICE HAVE $10 ALLOWANCE MOVING FORWARD. AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT CURRENTLY JUDGES ARE PROVIDING COFFEE, WATER AND SNACKS IN THE JURY DELIBERATION ROOMS WITH MONEY OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS.

WE WOULD ALLOW US TO GIVE THEM SMALL ALLOWANCE TO COVER THE COFFEE AND JURY DELIBERATION ROOMS. THE NEXT ONE IS A MANAGEMENT TRAINEE PROGRAM.

[04:00:03]

AND SO MY DEPARTMENT RECRUITS SOLELY FROM WITHIN.

WHILE I SUPPORT RECRUITING AND PROMOTING FROM WITHIN.

WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT WITH AN ENTRY LEVEL WAGE OF $15 AN HOUR WE RARELY HAVE A SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER COLLEGE DEGREE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE WITH MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE.

WHAT I'M PROPOSING THAT WE DO BRING IN FRESH PERSPECTIVE AND PEOPLE WITH OUTSIDE EXPERIENCE TO TRY TO COMBAT THE -- THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE DONE IT MENTALITY. BUT THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN SUPERVISE THESE POSITIONS IS IF YOU TRULY UNDERSTAND THE ROLES.

THEY ARE VERY SPECIALIZED POSITIONS.

WHAT I PROPOSING THAT WE DO IS HIRE FOUR PEOPLE AT SUPERVISOR PAY LEVEL. WE BRING THEM IN AND WE TRAIN THEM IN EVERY SECTION AND DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE. THEY ROTATE FROM DEPARTMENT TO DEPARTMENT UNTIL THEY ARE FULLY TRAINED.

AT THE END OF THE TRAINING PERIOD THEY WOULD BE ASUSANED TO PERMANENT SUPERVISOR POSITION. I BELIEVE IT WOULD TAKE PROBABLY TWO YEARS FOR THEM TO CYCLE THROUGH AND FULLY GET TRAINED IN EVERY SECTION IN THE OFFICE BEFORE THEY WOULD FINISH THE PROGRAM AND REACH A SUPERVISOR POSITION.

AND THEN BELIEVE THOSE POSITIONS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE THROUGH ATTRITION AND JUST CHANGES WITH THINGS LIKE BELL REFORM AND SITE RELEASE THAT COME DOWN THE PIKE. WE HAD NEW POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR THEM AT THAT TIME. WE COULD BENEFIT FROM OUTSIDE EXPERTISE IN THAT AREA. THE LAST ONE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS PRESERVATION PROJECT. I BROUGHT THIS TO YOU IN JANUARY. WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF VERY OLD DOCUMENTS THAT ARE DETERIORATING RAPIDLY AND THERE ARE NO OTHER COPIES OF THE DOCUMENTS.

ONCE THEY ARE FULLY DETERIORATED THIS IS PIECE OF HISTORY THAT WILL BE LOST FOREVER. WE'VE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SEE OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER WE HAVE CASE OF THE MONTH WHERE JUDGE DAVIDSON WRITES. ABOUT SOME OF THESE CASES ARE FASCINATING. AND PEOPLE COME OVER TO OUR CANAL WHERE HOUSE AND LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTS FREQUENTLY.

SOMETHING WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE IN THIS COUNTY.

BUT IT'S PRESERVING THE DOCUMENTS IS A VERY DETAILED METICULOUS PROCESS AND IT'S VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE.

WE HAVE DOCUMENTS FROM 1905 FORWARD THAT WE WANT TO PRESERVE PERMANENTLY. WE CREATED AN INVENTORY LIST EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE PRESERVED.

WE SUBMITTED THAT PURCHASING. IT WENT OUT FORBID.

TO QUALIFIED VENDORS. THE BIDS ARE NOW BACK AND UNDER REVIEW. SO WHAT ASKING THAT YOU ALLOCATE 2 MILLION PER YEAR TOWARD THIS PROJECT UNTIL IT CAN BE COMPLETED. AT THAT INVESTMENT LEVEL I AM GUESSING LIT TAKE ABOUT TEN YEARS TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE STARTED AND THAT WE CAN DO A LITTLE BIT EACH YEAR. UNTIL WE GET THROUGH WITH IT.

WE'RE PUTTING FORTH AMBITIOUS AGENDA.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO IMPLEMENT THE REQUEST IF WE IMMEDIATE THE CHALLENGES BEFORE US AND ADVANCE OUR STANDARDS.

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR THAT THOROUGH REPORT. YOU REQUEST BASICALLY 5.6 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING. FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT.

LOOKING THROUGH THIS. THAT'S DOESN'T ACCOUNT ANYTHING FOR RAISES IN PAY FOR THE CLERKS.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE WITH ME YOUR BIGGEST ASSET ARE THE

CLERKINGS. >> THE SHERIFF THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE MOOCHING HIS PEOPLE EARLIER.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE THE SAME SITUATION IN THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE. WE BRING IN PEOPLE ALL THE STREET AT $15 AN HOUR TO START TRAINING THEM TO BE COURT CLERKS. THE PUBLIC DEFENDER STARTS THEM AT $23 AN HOUR. SO YOU GET SOMEBODY FULLY TRAINED AND THEN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE OFFERED $5 MORE.

YOU WILL LOSE THEM. WE HAVE CONSTANT TURN OVER.

THAT'S ONE ITEMS IN THE PRESENTATION WAS THAT WE WANTED SECOND TRAINER. BECAUSE WE HAVE ONE TRAINER FOR ALL THE NEW COURT CLERKS. IT'S LIKE I SAID A VERY SPECIALIZED POSITION THAT TAKE A LOT OF TRAINING.

WE'RE WORKING HARD WITH IN BUDGETARY CONSTRAINT TO GET THE PAY RATES UP. BUT WE HAVE A LONG WAYS TO GO TO BE COMPETITIVE. JUDGE MADE AN EXCELLENT POINT EARLIER TODAY WITH THE SHERIFF WHICH WAS IN TERMS OF PRIORITIES AND WHERE THINGS ARE SO THAT WE CAN COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES.

BECAUSE WE WILL ONLY HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 60 MILLION THIS YEAR OVER LAST YEAR, TO SPEND BUT WE HAVE ROUGHLY 114 MILLION OF REQUESTS. I DON'T MEAN TO STILL YOUR

[04:05:02]

WOULD YOU MIND SUBMITTING WHERER PRIORITY SCHEME AS WE MOVE

FORWARD. >> I WILL DO THAT.

>> I LOVE THE WAY YOU PHRASED IT EARLIER.

IF THAT'S A PRIORITY TO YOU. THEN LET US KNOW SO WE MAY CONSIDER IT IN THE RIGHT LEVEL PRIORITY LEVEL WITH HOW MUCH IT

WILL COST. >> WELL GET BACK TO YOU WITH NUMBERS. 16 POSITIONS THAT I TALKED ABOUT BEFORE ON THE CRIMINAL E-FILING MANDATE THOSE ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. I HAVE GOT TO GET FUNDING FOR THOSE. ONE-TIME TRANSFER FOR ARCHIVE FEE. SHE HAS PLANS FOR THOSE FUNDS HERSELF. AND THOSE POSITION WE HAVE TO KEEP SECOND TO THAT WOULD BE GETTING OUR COURT CLERK PAY UP.

I WILL GET BACK TO YOU NUMBERS ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BE

COMPETITIVE. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> JUDGE, THANK YOU. DO YOU KNOW IF WE COLLECT DATA ON THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY OF JURORS?

>> >> THERE'S A SPOT ON THE FLOOR.

>> IT'S THERE. >> IT'S ASKED.

JUST NOT ANALYZED. >> THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING.

I THOUGHT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC SUMMONING OF JURORS AND EQUITY ANALYSIS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT AS TECH SAVVY IN SOMETIMES THOSE ARE IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

IF THAT'S HOW YOU CALL THEM. IF WE USE IT AS WAY OF KAING THEM UP. WHAT WOULD DO TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT OVER REPRESENTED. IF WE ARE TODAY BY LACK OF

PEOPLE OF COLOR. >> WE ADDRESSED THAT.

AND NOT ONLY THE MIENLT BUT THE OLDER PEOPLE WHO AREN'T REQUIRED TO SERVE BUT CAN BE CALLED AND SERVED AS THEY ARE OVER 70 ALSO IN THE SAME SITUATION. AND THEY WILL STILL BE ABLE TO DO IT JUST LIKE THEY DO NOW. GET A SUMMONS IN THE MAIL.

COMPLETED ON PAPER FORM AND COME INTO THE JURY ROOM.

IF APPEARANCE RATES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY, THAT'S GOING TO FILTER DOWN TO ALL LEVELS AND ALL PART OF IT.

OUR APPEARANCE RATE ABYSMAL 21%. IF WE NEED 250 JURORS.

WE GOT TO SEND OUT SUMMONS FOR 1,000 PEOPLE.

THAT'S COSTLY. THIS SYSTEM WILL GET THAT APPEARANCE RATE UP IN TRAVIS COUNTY IT'S LIKE 70% OF THEIR JUROR APPEAR. THERE'S SO MUCH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. IF YOU IMPROVE YOUR APPEARANCE

RATE. >> IT WILL FILTER TO ALL LEVELS.

DO YOU NEED TO PAY MORE IN TRAVELIST COUNTY I KNOW I USED.

INCLUDING JUROR PAY. NOT NEARLY ENOUGH SOMEONE FROM VINCENT PUSHING IT. THERE WAS A FAMOUS CASE THEY HAD RACIAL INEQUITIES IN IT. SOMEONE SENT US TO DEATH.

FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THAT FIRM OF SOMETHING THAT WAS LEGISLATIVE PRO BONO POLICY. DO THEY PAY MORE?

>> I'M NOT SURE. >> CHECK ON THAT.

>> WHICH THINK WE HAVE THE OPTION.

I NOTICED IT WASN'T -- IF WE HAVE THE OPTION SOMETIMES THE MEAL HELPS BUT SOMETIMES PAYING I KNOW I WOULD GET COMPLAINTS ABOUT PARKING. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT IS.

>> PAY THEM $6 FOR FIRST DAY UNLESS THEY GET 1401 CONGRESS GARAGE. IF YOU CAN'T GET PEOPLE THERE ON THE FIRST DAY. YOU WON'T HAVE DIVERSE JURY.

>> THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM. YOU COME BACK.

THEN ON THE ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED ON THE FORM.

MAYBE YOU CHECK WHAT HOW DIFFICULT WOULD IT BE IF IT WAS COLLECTED. UNLESS WE REQUIRE.

WHY WE COLLECT IT AND NO ONE RUNS IT.

>> THEY LOOK AT IT DURING VOIR DIRE.

BUT WE DON'T ANALYZE THE DATA. WE CAN'T ANALYZE.

WE JUST COLLECT IT. >> WE COLLECT IT FOR THE ATTORNEY. WE'RE NOT TABULATING THE DATA.

BUT IF WE GO TO ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO TABULATE AND HAVE THOSE RESULTS. WE COULD TAKE A SAMPLE AND DO TABULATION TO SEE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

WHICH WOULD BE GREAT IDEA TO DO. BECAUSE THE BASELINE COMPARE TO WHAT IT IS ONCE QUESTION GET THE SYSTEM IMPLEMENTED.

>> YOU COULD DO. I GUESS YOU CALL IT REGRES -- REGRESSION ANALYSIS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON RELEASE AND BAIL AND ALL OF THOSE. I NOTICED IN YOUR SUBMISSION OF QUESTION ABOUT YOU KNOW MAKING SURE YOU'RE LOOPED IN AS YOU GO

[04:10:03]

BUT REALLY BAIL SO EVERYONE KNOWS THE PROCESS AND IT JUST WASN'T ABLE TO HAPPEN BEFORE HEARINGS.

ON SIGHT AND RELEASE I KNOW WILL BE INCREASING THE FUNDING AS NEEDED PER THE RECOMMENDATION. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THAT AS WELL. JUST A FEW QUESTIONS ON THE -- THE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS PRESERVATION.

WHY CAN'T THAT FALL -- CAN THAT FALL INTO CIP BILL AND FOLKS?

>> YES, I WANT TO LOOK AT IT. IS THAT SOMETHING WE HAVE TO GENERAL FUND MONEY OR COULD WE CAPITALIZE OVER TIME.

CIT A BETTER PLACE TO PUT IT. >> ON THE E-FILING.

THOSE ARE FDE'S THAT ALREADY EXIST BUT THE CURRENT SOURCE OF FUNDING IS GOING AWAY. IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

>> THE POSITION EXIST AND HAVE SINCE 2016.

WHEN IT FIRST WAS INITIATED THE COUNTY CLERK TRANSFERRED MONEY OUT OF THEIR BUDGET TO THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE DARKS 4 MILLION. NOW THOSE FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED UP. AND THERE'S NO OTHER FUNDS MONEY

COMING INTO THE FUND. >> OKAY.

ON THE ELECTRONIC JURY SUMMONS. I DIDN'T SEE LINE ITEM FOR THAT.

THAT WILL NOT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

>> NOT FOR NOW. WE CAN IMPLEMENT THE SYSTEM WITHOUT ADDITIONAL STAFF AND WE WILL WORK ON THIS ON THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR. I PROJECT THE FOLLOWING NEED WE

HAVE NEED FOR EQUIPMENT FUNDING. >> THEN I'LL HAVE MY TEAM FOLLOW UP ON THE CIP FOR HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AND FTE'S FOR EFILING. BROADER NOTE.

YOU MENTIONED SOME DIGITAL SYSTEMS. I THINK PRETRIAL HAS THAT TOO. THERE'S SEVERAL DETARTMENT.

I WONDER BAIL THE CONSENT DECREE HAS SEVERAL DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. THE COMMISSION ELLIS WAS POINTING OUT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE COULD UNDERSTAND THE RACIAL DISPARITIES DATA. AND THERE ARE INEFFICIENCIES AS WELL. I THINK THE D.A. HAD ONE SHE POINTED OUT BECAUSE OF LACK OF COORDINATED AND EFFICIENT DIGITAL SYSTEMS. THAT'S ONE WHERE IT'S GOOD TO DO IT ALL TOGETHER. IF WE INVEST FUND AND IMPROVE OUR SYSTEMS THEY INTERACT WELL THAT IT'S ONE OVERHAUL RATHER THAN A LOT OF PIECES THAT WE HAVE TO COME BACK ON THE BACK END AND FIX IT. THAT'S MY BIAS.

AND I THINK THE NATURAL PLACE FOR THAT COORDINATION TO OCCUR WOULD BE THROUGH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. THAT'S THE LENSE I LOOK AT THIS

THROUGH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU GUYS GOOD? >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS PRETRIAL SERVICES.

[Pretrial Services]

FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR DEPARTMENT.

AND IT'S SECONDLY I WANT TO OFFER MY DIRECTOR'S APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE TODAY. AS MANY OF YOU KNOW HE'S ATTENDING TO THE DEATH OF A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER OUT OF STATE. THE ITEM THAT WE'VE REQUESTED ON THE BUDGET FOLLOW OUR MISSION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND SERVICES TO THE COURTS TO ENSURE APPEARANCE IN COURT AND TO TRY TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE FOR THE COURTS.

WE TOUCH MANY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVED PEOPLE FROM A POINT SOON AFTER ARREST THROUGH CASE DISPOSITION AND IN SOME CASES BEYOND. OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT AND THE BAIL REFORM LITIGATION. PRETRIAL SERVICES SCREENING DIVISION HAS WORKED TO PROVIDE HEARING OFFICERS AND JUDGES WITH

[04:15:02]

THAT'S IN17 PELL ANY CLIENTS INCREASING BY 96%.

AND THAT'S JUST WITHIN THE LAST YEAR.

TO CONTINUE TO WORK AND THE TASK THAT WE WILL BE CHARGED.

WE'RE REQUESTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THREE OF OUR FOUR DIVISIONS. I'M ACCOMPANY BAD I THE DIVISION MANAGER IN CASE YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

I WILL BRIEFLY GO OVER THE ITEM AND REQUEST THEN HAPPY TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. PRETRIAL SCREENING TASK COMPLETION OF PUBLIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT.

COMPLETION OF PRETRIAL INTERVIEWS FOR DEFENDANTS, PREPARATION OF DEFENDANT PAPERWORK FOR EARLY PRESENTATION, AND GENERAL ORDER BONDS FOR THE PROBABLE CAUSE COURT. STAFFING AND PROVISION OF INFORMATION PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING IN THE JAILS.

PROVISION OF INSTRUCTION TO DEFENDANTS BEING RELEASED FROM JAIL. FILING PERSONAL AND GENERAL ORDER BONDS. STAFFING OF ASSIGNED COURT TO PROVIDE THEM WITH REQUESTED PAPERWORK AND FILE ANY RESULTING BONDS. ONE AREA THAT LATE A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION IS THE ABILITY OF 7 ASSIGNED PRETRIAL OFFICERS TO TIMELY SERVE THE NEED OF THE 38 ASSIGNED COURTS.

FOR MANY YEAR PRETRIAL SERVICE NOT ASSIGNED ONE OFFICER TO EACH COURT BECAUSE THE VOLUME OF WORK DIDN'T WARRANT THAT DISTRIBUTION. HOWEVER RECENTLY THE INCREASING NUMBER OF BOND RELEASES THE FEW PRETRIAL OFFICERS AVAILABLE TO SERVE THE ASSIGNED COURTS, AND THE TIME REQUIRED TO MOVE BETWEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER FLOORS AND EVEN BUILDINGS, HAS LED TO HEIGHTENED IN THE ASSIGNMENT OF ONE PRETRIAL OFFICER TO EACH 38 COURTS. IN PREPARING FOR THIS BUDGET HEARING WE EXAMINE THE NUMBER OF POSITION REQUIRED TO MAKE THOSE ASSIGNMENTS. AND IT WOULD REQUIRE THE ADDITION OF 31 ADDITIONAL PRETRIAL OFFICERS IN ADDITION TO THE 7 WHO ARE CURRENTLY SERVING THE COURTS AS WELL AS TWO SUPERVISOR POSITIONS TO SUPPORT THOSE 38 OFFICERS.

INCLUDING COMPUTER EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT THE REQUESTED POSITION WE BELIEVE THE FIRST YEAR COST OF THE EFFORT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 2.5 MILLION DOLLARS.

OR ABOUT 80,000 PER COURT. OF THAT AMOUNT THE STAFFING OF THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS WOULD ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 1.3 MILLION.

WHILE THE REMAINING 1.2 MILLION GO TOWARD STAFF IN THE DISTRICT COURT. THESE POSITIONS WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE EXISTING DELAYS AND SERVICES TO THE COURTS. AND WOULD LEVERAGE EXISTING TECHNOLOGY TO NEED TO HAVE SUPERVISION OFFICERS LEAVE THEIR WORK AND TRAVEL TO WAIT IN COURT TO HAVE ORDER SIGNED OR PRESENT BOND COMPLIANCE. THUS THE SUPERVISION OFFICER REMAIN ON TASK AND DEVOTE MORE TIME TO PROVIDING SUPREMACY SERVICES. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE COURT TO FIND SPACE IN THE COURTROOM FOR THESE PRETRIAL OFFICER POSITIONS. HOWEVER IF WE ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THEM IN THE COURTS, WE BELIEVE WE HAD SUFFICIENT SPACE ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER TO HOUSE THOSE REQUESTED POSITIONS AND SERVE THE ASSIGNED COURTS.

AT THE SAME TIME WE'VE LEARNED FROM ENGINEERING WITHIN THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT WE MAY NO LONGER HAVE THE SPACE ON THE 12TH FLOOR AND MAYBE MOVED TO LOWER FLOOR WHICH WILL SOMEWHAT ENTRENT.

THE DELAY IN SERVING THE COURT IN WE ARE NOT IN THE COURTS DIRECTLY OUR SUPERVISOR ARE OUR OFFICERS WILL BE DOWNSTAIRS AND WE'LL HAVE TO RIDE ONE OR TWO ELEVATORS TO GET TO COURT EACH TIME THEY ARE CALLED. THE IT PLACES US FURTHER AWAY FROM THE COURT. IN ADDITION WE WOULD LIKE TO TRANSITION TO PART-TIME POSITIONS TO FULL-TIME POSITIONS. THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FURTHER OUR SERVICES IN THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER.

AND THEN TO RELINGUISH THOSE TWO PART-TIME POSITIONS WE HAVE.

WE'RE ALSO REQUESTING 24 ADDITIONAL PRETRIAL OFFICERS AND

[04:20:02]

PARTICULARLY WITH HIGHER RISK CLIENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT THE COURT RECEIVE MORE TIMELY NOTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE ISSUES. WHICH IS ANOTHER CONCERN OF THE COURT HAVE EXPRESSED TO US. SEPARATELY WE'RE REQUESTING TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS TO EXIST WITH DRUG TESTING.

FOR SOMETIME WE UTILIZED TWO TEMPORARY POSITIONS TO MEET THE COURT'S DEMANDS. AND THOSE DEMANDS ARE INCREASING. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET DEMANDS AND CLEAR TO US AT THIS POINT THAT THIS NEED FOR POSITIONS WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.

AND JUST AS A SIDE NOTE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO -- IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT PLACING PEOPLE UNDER PRETRIAL SUPERVISION WITH OUR DEPARTMENT COSTS A BIT UNDER $3.50 PER DAY.

AS OPPOSED TO $88 PER DAY. TO KEEP THEM INCARCERATED.

WE'RE REQUESTING THE SECOND SYSTEM SUPPORT SPECIALIST

POSITION >> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT STATISTIC

AGAIN. >> THE COST OF PER DAY RIGHT NOW WITH US $3 PINT 21. COST TO KEEP THEM IN JAIL.

$88 PER DAY. NO PROBLEM.

>> IF THEY DON'T HAVE MENTAL L HEALTH ISSUES I IMAGINE.

>> UH-HUH. >> WE'RE JUST TALKIN ABOUT PLAIN JANE DEFENDANT. DETAINEE.

>> WE'RE ALSO REQUESTING A SECOND SYSTEM SUPPORT SPECIALIST POSITION TO ASSIST WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT COMPUTER EQUIPMENT THE EXISTING POSITION THAT WE HAVE SERVES TO MAINTAIN 155 UNITS, AND 158 UNITS -- USERS I'M SORRY.

SPREAD AMONG FIVE DIFFERENT BUILDINGS.

TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SECURE THE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WE REQUESTED IT'S CERTAINLY WOULD OUTSTRIP THAT ONE PERSON'S ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SERVICES.

IF I COULD I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON JUDGE JORDAN TO SPEAK TO

THE -- >> LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION.

WHICH IS. DOES THIS INCLUDE ANY NECESSARY PAY INCREASES FOR EXISTING EMPLOYEES OR IS THAT NOT IN THIS CALCULATION OF THE REQUESTED 4.5 MILLION.

>> WELL, WE DO REALIZE THAT THE PEOPLE WE EMPLOY ARE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE. THESE FIGURES DO NOT INCLUDE PAY

INCREASES. >> AND TO THAT EXTENT THEN PERHAPS IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT INCREASES YOU MAY WANT TO -- HOW DID YOU PHRASE IT. I LIKE THE WAY YOU DID THE FIRST TIME BEST. RESUBMIT WITH THAT SHOWING THE

PRIORITY. >> WE CAN DO THAT.

IT'S CERTAINLY WORTHY OF A CONVERSATION.

THERE'S AT LEAST ONE ITEM THAT WE BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT WE ARE FLEXIBLE ON. THAT WOULD MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

>> ON THAT SUBJECT. WE BASICALLY ASKED THEM TO BRING BACK WHAT PERSONAL THEY NEEDED AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO CONFUSE THE ISSUE. WE ALWAYS PLANNED TO SEND OUT A MEMO PLEASE ASK ANY KIND OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND TYPE ISSUES THAT YOU NEED TO ADDRESS. IN PREVIOUS YEAR PEOPLE WOULD LUMP IT TOGETHER AND HARD TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

WE ALREADY HAVE IN OUR PLAN TO SEND SOMETHING THAT CONCLUSION

OF NEXT MONDAY. >> OKAY.

I JUST LIKE THE WAY THE JUDGE PHRASED IT EARLIER.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE AS WE GO FORWARD WITH THE $60 MILLION ON 54 MILLION THAT WE SPENT THIS LAST YEAR. AND WE'VE GOT THIS 114 MILLION OF ASKS THAT WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING INTO THAT POT.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD. >> YOU WILL HAVE THE 115 POT IS WHAT PEOPLE ASKED FOR THAT ARE NONSALARY INCREASES.

THEN WE WILL PROVIDE A LIST OF WHAT EEM HAVE ASKED FOR AS FAR

[04:25:01]

AND THEN ITS UP TO YOU ALL IF THERE'S ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT AS LONG AS WE GET THERE AT SOME

POINT. >> AND JUST TO BE CLEAR.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE HERE THIS MORNING.

ACROSS THE BOARD DISCUSSION IS ONE WE'LL NEED TO HAVE IF WE'RE -- IF IT'S 11 MILLION TO 22 MILLION.

33 MILLION. THE OTHER BUCKET GETS SMALLER.

AND IF YOU HAVE OTHER SUPPLY AND DEMAND THINGS DO BRING THEM.

IF YOU DON'T THAT'S OKAY. I DON'T WANT TO IMPOSE THAT.

I ASKED THE SHERIFF ABOUT THIS. HIS HOLD DISCUSSION WAS ABOUT THE NEED FOR PAY INCREASE AND SO YOU KNOW IF THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THEN WE NEED TO SEE THAT.

IF THAT'S YOU KNOW WHATEVER IT IS FOR YOU GUYS.

. >> WE UNDERSTAND.

>> I HAVE TO TAKE OFF IN A MINUTE OR SO.

IF YOU KEEP ASKING YOUR GOOD WE TO OTHER FOLKS AS THEY COME DOWN. I MAY OR MAY NOT MAKE IT BACK.

I THINK YOU WILL FINISH IN TIME BEFORE I GET BACK.

I DO HAVE ONE OTHER QUESTION TO YOU JUDGE TO ASK.

I ASKED EVERY TIME. WHEN WILL BE EL FLOOR PROBATE COURTS BUNCHED TOGETHER LIKE THE CIVIL COURTS.

I ASK THAT EVERY YEAR. THEY JUST TELL ME WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT. I WILL LET YOU ASK THE QUESTION THIS YEAR. JUDGE.

>> THANK YOU. WITH YOUR PERMISSION I WILL BE

EXCUSED AT THIS TIME. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

COMMISSIONER. >> I THINK --

>> GO AHEAD. >> I WANT TO STRESS THAT WE DID COME TO THAT WITH SOME IDEAS THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH STAFF LATER. WHERE WE CAN BE FLEXIBLE ON THIS. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ALLOW JUDGE JORDAN TO SPEAK TO THE COURT REQUEST ABOUT

STAFFING. >> JUDGE?

>> DO YOU MIND IF I ASK? >> IF YOU TAKE A SECOND.

WHAT ARE THE THREE B'S WHEN YOU ARE OUT?

>> BE GOOD? IT'S THE TWO B'S.

TO BEHAVE WHILE YOU OUT AND BE THERE WHEN IT'S TIME FOR TRIAL.

>> TWO B'S. WHAT WE DONE REFORMED THE BAIL SYSTEM AND WE'VE COME UP WITH THE GREAT IDEAS AND THEN WE TOOK A DUMP TRUCK AND DUMPED THAT ON PRETRIAL SERVICES.

NOW THEY NEED ADDITIONAL STAFF. WHAT HAPPENS WITH ELEVATOR.

THEY ARE SUPER SLOW. SUPER NOT GOOD ADJECTIVE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WORD. IT TAKES FOREVER TO MOVE AROUND THE COURT SYSTEM. THE REPRESENTATIVE MAY NOT SHOW UP UNTIL 11:30. MY DOCKET STARTS 8:30.

WHEN YOU HAVE LAWYERS WHO COME IN AND RESET OR RESCHEDULE CASES BY THE TIME THEY SAID THIS PERSON HAS BEEN BLOWING IN THEIR DEVICES. THIS PERSON TESTED POSITIVE FOR COCAINE. THEY ARE GONE ALREADY.

HAVING 7 FOR 38 COURT. 7 PEOPLE.

WE'RE NOT IN THE SAME BUILDING. AND IF YOU COME TO COURT AND I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF HEARING THAT LAST 30 MINUTES.

THEN THAT PERSON FROM PRETRIAL SERVICES HAS TO SIT THERE UNTIL I FINISH WITH THE HEARING. AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE I TRY TO BE RESPECTFUL AND STOP, TAKE A BREAK.

PRETRIAL WILL COME ON UP. I DON'T KNOW EVERYBODY NAME.

I SAY PRETRIAL COME ON UP AND THEY TELL ME THE ISSUE.

BUT IF WE HAD THAT DEDICATED PERSON FOR OUR COURTS IT WOULD MAKE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE BECAUSE WHEN I START THE DOCKET AT 8:30 THEN THEY WILL BE PRESENT IN THE COURTROOM.

I WILL ALREADY HAVE THEY DON'T CALL THEM VIOLATIONS.

THEY CALL THEM COMPLIANCE REPORTS.

I WILL HAVE COMPLIANCE REPORTS AND I CAN BE PROCESSING THAT IN GETTING AN IDEA OF WHAT I WANT TO HAPPEN.

AND WHEN I DECIDE WHAT I WANT TO HAPPEN.

THERE'S SOMEONE THERE FROM PRETRIAL WHO CAN THEN HAVE ME AMEND THE CONDITIONS, OF THEIR RELEASE.

AND THEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT AND GO BACK TO THEIR APPOINTMENT AT PRETRIAL SERVICES AND HAVE THAT CONDITION PUT IN PLACE. SOMETIMES I'M ABLE TO CATCH THEM WHILE THEY ARE PRY TRIAL SERVICES.

THEN THEY HAVE TO COME BACK TO COURT.

REALLY WHEN IT COMES TO EFFICIENCY.

COMMUNITY SAFETY BEST PRACTICES WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR COURTROOMS WHILE WE CONDUCT BUSINESS AND THE DEFENDANTS ARE THERE AND THE ATTORNEYS ARE THERE.

YES. WITH 60.

ALMOST 6 # PERSONAL REQUESTED. I SPEND TIME WITH YOU CIPSTANCE SIDE OF THE HOUSE. HOW ARE YOU LOOKING AT FITTING

[04:30:02]

WHAT'S THE TIME LINE. WHAT THE TIME LINE FOR BEING

ABLE TO MOVE IN. >> OKAY.

WITH THIS SPACE THAT WE HAVE NOW IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER WE COULD ABSORB THE IF WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PLACE THEM DIRECTLY IN THE COURTS, WE COULD ABSORB THE PROVIDE LOCATION FOR THEM ON THE 12TH FLOOR. THE 24 SUPERVISE OFFICERS WE WOULD HAVE TO WORK WITH FP TO SEE IF WE COULD MAXIMIZE THE

SPACE AVAILABLE. >> I KNOW THAT'S NOT YOUR THING.

BUT THE PUBLIC DEPENDER JUST SAID HE'S TAKING OVER THE WHOLE 12 LITTLE FLOOR. .

>> UNDERSTAND. WE FOUND OUT THAT ABOUT THAT

FROM ENGINEERING LAST WEDNESDAY. >> IF YOU DON'T GET THE 12TH FLOOR. OR ANY PART OF IT, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO ABSORB 61 ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS?

>> THAT WOULD DEPEND ON THE ABILITY OF ENGINEERING AT FPM TO

PROVIDE WITH ADDITIONAL SPACE. >> SO FAR ALL WE'VE BEEN OFFERED WAS THE SPACE PREVIOUSLY OCCUPIED BY THE CAFETERIA AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER. WHICH I APPOINTED OUT TO ENGINEERING WAS INSUFFICIENT TO HOUSE THE PEOPLE WE CURRENTLY HAVE ON THE 12TH FLOOR. SO WE'RE SORT OF AT AN IMPASSE AND WHILE I APPRECIATE THE OPTIMISM IN THE TIME LINE HE OFFERED. I DON'T NECESSARILY SEE HOW

THAT'S POSSIBLE. >> UNDERSTOOD.

THANK YOU. TIME LINE IF YOU WERE TO GET THE 61 POSITIONS. HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WOULD

TAKE TO FILL THEM? >> TO FILL THEM WE WOULD

PROBABLY BE LOOKING AT 90 DAYS. >> 90 DAYS.

THAT'S MAY BE A LITTLE BIT AMBITIOUS.

>> SURE. >> WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS IN TERMS

OF -- >> WELL IT'S ONE OF THOSE DIFFICULT ONES. BECAUSE WE CAN'T EXACTLY LEASE SPACE FOR THEM. THEY HAVE TO BE OPERATIONALLY RIGHT THERE WITHIN CJC. WE HAVE TO LEAN ON COUNTY ENGINEER TO LOOK AT IS THERE ANOTHER FLOOR IN CJC THAT YOU OPEN UP THAT YOU PLACE HIM ON. THE PROBLEM IS EVERY TIME WE OPEN UP NEW SPACE NOT TO SPEAK FOR COUNTY ENGINEER IT SLOWS DOWN THE OVERALL REHAPPEN OF THE CJC AS WE GO FORWARD.

THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR HIM TO SOLVE.

THE BUILDING THAT ARE IN NOW QUITE HONESTLY SCHEDULED.

>> ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER WE OCCUPIED IT.

>> SO THERE ARE SOME -- PIEDEN BEST OPTION.

>> THIS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE TALK ABOUT EARLIER IN TERMS OF THE 0-BASE BUDGETING ASPECT. DO YOU HAVE ALL THE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE. AND I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO ANSWER THIS DIRECTLY THESE ARE JUST LIKE I THINK THERE'S OTHER COST ATTACHED TO THIS REQUEST THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE

THINKING THROUGH. >> MY ONLY NOTE IS THAT IN ALL OF THESE REQUEST THAT ARE TIED TO THE CONSENT DECREE.

I KNOW THE MONITOR WILL COME ONLINE IN THE NEXT 2-3 MONTHS.

IN THE MEAN TIME JUST ADVICE TO US BE VERY SORT OF METHODICAL IN EVALUATING REQUEST BEFORE THEN. AND I WOULD ASK BY THE TIME FEBRUARY ROLLS AROUND WE WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE THIS THAT BUDGET WORK WITH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND FIGURING OUT WHAT OF THIS DO WE NEED TO APPROVE BEFORE THE MNITOR COMES ON AND IS ABLE TO FOCUS ON THE BAIL REFORM

[04:35:01]

I DON'T WANT TO DUMP POSITIONS WHEN WE'RE NOT SURE OF THE HOW EFFICIENT IT ALL IS AND WHETHER THE SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE.

AND SO THAT'S REALLY MY ONLY THING.

PLUS THE CONSENT DECREE FUNDS ARE SET AID SIDE SEPARATELY FROM THE BUDGET FUNDS. THE ONLY THING RECOGNITION FOR BAIL IS ALREADY -- BAIL REFORM IS ALREADY UNDER WAY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE DEPARTMENT ARE PROPERLY STAFFED.

I WOULD ALMOST LOOK AT IT FROM WHAT DO WE NEED FROM NOW TO THE

MONITOR. >> WE WORKED WITH THE AUDITOR SET UP SEPARATE TRACKING CODES. SO THAT WE KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH IF THE COURT COMES BACK AND SAID HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND ON THIS.

AND TRACK IT. AND THEN THE PICK FUND WHERE THAT MONEY WAS PARKED. TO HELP FUND THIS.

>> I THINK UNTIL THE MONITOR GETS HERE I PHONE WILL LOOK AT THE JUSTICE AT MINUTE STR STRAIGS -- ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION. WHO ELSE THE COURTS.

>> SURE. FOR THE CONSENT DECREE RELATED EXPENSES. .

>> WE UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE

DOING. >> THANK YOU.

LET'S TAKE A TEN-MINUTE BREAK UNTIL 4:10.

IT'S

>> 4:16. AND WE'RE BACK IN SESSION.

[Community Supervision]

NEXT IS COMMUNITY SUPERVISION. >> JUDGE, HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY. YOU HAVE MY BUDGET PACKAGE.

AND THE GOOD NEWS INITIALLY WE DIDN'T REQUEST ANYTHING ADDITIONAL. HOWEVER THERE IS A SECOND --

>> AMENDMENT COMING UP TO REQUEST TWO POSITIONS.

TO SUPPORT A PROGRAM THAT OUR COUNTY COURT AT LAW JUDGES WANT TO START. SO THAT WILL BE COMING YOUR WAY.

JUDGE JORDAN WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN JUST A MINUTE.

SO THERE'S A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE YEAR THAT I THINK ARE GOOD TO POINT OUT FOR COMMISSIONERS. ONE IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HELPED US DO LAST TIME. THIS CONTINUING IN OUR BUDGET IS TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT NEW CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

AND IN IT HAS LITERALLY TRANSFORMED ALL OF OUR WORK.

GOTTEN RID OF MOUNTAINS OF PAPER, THERE'S NO TELLING HOW MANY TREES WERE KILLED DURING THE YEARS BUT IT ALSO REALLY STREAMLINES SERVICES FOR OUR CLIENTS.

TREMENDOUSLY. WE HAVE TEXTING CAPABILITIES AND IMPROVED COMMUNICATION. CLIENTS DON'T WAIT TO RECORD INTO A RECEPTIONEST WHEN THEY COME.

THEY USED TO WAIT 45 MINUTES IN LINE TO GO AND SIGN IN AND.

NOW THEY SWIPE IN AND IT'S FIVE MINUTES.

IT'S REALLY MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

IT'S TAKEN OUR RESOURCES FOR OUR OFFICERS FROM DOING ABOUT 60% OF THEIR WORK IN STATE MANDATED DOCUMENTATION DOWN TO 20% OF THE TIME. THE OTHER BIG THING THAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR IS THE SPECIALITY COURTS THAT GRANT ADMINISTRATION THE TREATMENT PROGRAMS, THE CASE MANAGEMENT WERE MOVED UNDER FOR RESPONSIBILITY.

THOSE WERE ALREADY FUNDED PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH GOVERNOR'S GRANTS. WE'RE NOT MAKING REQUESTS ON THAT. LASTLY, YOU KNOW LAST YEAR EVERYONE PROBABLY REMEMBERS THAT COMMISSIONER RADICK THREW OUT QUESTION TO ME. AS TO WHAT CAN I DO IF YOU GAY ME A MILLION DOLLARS. HE GAVE ME A MILLION.

SO THOSE DOLLARS ENDED UP TRANSFERRING TO OTHER IN MARCH AND WHAT THAT ALLOWED ME EL TO DO GO AHEAD AND EXPAND COOCCURRING DISORDER PROGRAM THAT OPERATES IN CON DUCKION WITH HARRIS CENTER FUND-RAISER 60 BEDS TO 40 BEDS.

AND IT'S REDUCED THE POPULATION WAITING IN JAIL FOR THOSE SERVICES BY ABOUT 51 PEOPLE A DAY.

SERIOUSLY MENTAL ILL. WE ARE BURNING THE STATE FUNDS.

ANY DOLLARS THE STATE WILL GIVE US TOWARD THAT END.

BEFORE WE BURN ANYTHING ELSE. BUT WITHOUT COMMISSIONER RADICK'S SUPPORT ON THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT. SO WE HOPE THAT CONTINUES.

WE KNOW THAT'S IMPACTED JAIL POPULATION.

THAT KIND OF THE SHORT SUMMARY. I DO WANT JUDGE JORDAN TO TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BEFORE WE

[04:40:01]

I WAS I KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE REQUEST FOR ME TO APPEAR IN COURT AND IT DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT IT UNTIL AFTER I CAME BACK FROM STATE MANDATED MEETING.

HOWEVER I WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXPLAIN -- WELL, JUST TO PUT IT MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL CLEAR. I WAS ASKED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO BE A PUBLIC DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE GPS DEVICES. AND I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN. YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. AND WHAT I WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN AND CLEARLY DIDN'T DO A GOOD JOB OF IT IS TO EXPLAIN THAT WHAT I'M ALLOWED TO SAY PUBLICLY IS DICTATED BY THE FACT THAT I WORK FOR THE JUDGES IN MY CAPACITY. I'M UNDER A DIFFERENT SET OF RULES. I'M NOT UNDER THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT AS PRETRIAL SERVICES WHEN THEY WORK FOR THE COMMISSIONERS. SO TWO DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENTS AND IT REALLY DOES RESTRICT THE CONVERSATION I COULD HAVE. I FEEL TERRIBLE ABOUT THAT.

I OFFERED TO TRY TO MEET YOU KNOW BEFORE HAND AND YOU KNOW I KNOW THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT. BUT I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT PLEASE UNDERSTAND I TREMENDOUSLY RESPECT YOU AND JUDGE JORDAN IS HERE. WE HAD A DISCUSSION I ALSO HAD A DISCUSSION WITH JUDGE RICCI THE OTHER JUDGE AND WE'RE HAPPY TO

MEET, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. >> WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD YOU SAID. I HAVE FOUND YOU TO BE A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TEAM PLAYER. AND JUST DON'T YOUR WORDS HAVE VERY LITTLE CREDIBILITY WITH ME. THAT'S WHAT I'VE GOT TO SAY.

>> SO THAT'S WHAT I CAN DO AT THIS POINT.

JUDGE JORDAN IS HERE WITH ME. I WOULD LIKE FOR HIM TO TALK JUST A MINUTE ABOUT THE PROGRAM THAT THEY ATTEMPTING TO START.

THE REQUEST THAT WILL BE RECEIVING 158,000.

THAT'S STOLELY TO SUPPORT THIS NEW PROGRAM THAT OUR JUDGES ARE WANTING TO CREATE. SO JUDGE JORDAN.

>> >> I GREW UP AS A BAD KID.

GOT SOME MENTORSHIP WHEN MY MOM MADE ME LIVE WITH MY DAD.

IT ALLOWS ME TO STAND HERE TODAY AS THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE ONE OF THE LARGEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS IN AMERICA.

AND SO WHEN I GOT THIS POSITION I IMMEDIATELY ASSEMBLED PEOPLE FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DR. MAY'S OFFICE AND WE STARTED TO KIND OF PUT TOGETHER A SYSTEM TO TAKE THE KIDS WHO ARE AGES 17 OR YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 17 TO 25. THE HIGHEST RISK CATEGORY AND WORK WITH THEM AND PROVIDE A COURSE DIRECTION.

OUR CURRENT SYSTEM -- LET ME TELL YOU LIKE THIS.

WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL I WOULD GET SENT TO DETENTION AND THEY WOULD SAY FOR EVERY THREE DAYS OF DETENTION YOU TAKE ONE LEAVE.

I WOULD GO TO PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE TAKE MY LICKS AND STILL TRY TO GET ON THE SCHOOL BUS BEFORE I HAD TO WALK HOME.

NO LESSONS WERE LEARNED FROM DOING THIS.

WITH THIS PROGRAM SEEKS TO DO TAKE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKING CONVICTIONS NOW AND GOING BACK ON THE STREET WHEN THEY TAKE A CONVICTION THAT MEANS THEY ARE DOING JAIL TIME.

BECAUSE THE JAILS ARE CROWDED THERE'S THREE FOR ONE.

IF YOU SENTENCED TO 30 DAYS IN JAIL YOU DO TEN.

AND SO WHAT LESSONS DO THEY LEARN WHEN THEY ARE SITTING IN JAIL FOR THOSE TEN DAYS. I SUBMIT TO YOU VERY LITTLE.

MY LAST TWO MURDER CASES AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY ONE GUY WAS 17 AND THE OTHER ONE WAS 19. THE FIRST ONE THE 17-YEAR-OLD I WAS HIRED ON HIM THE FIRST TIME AS A MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL, AND HE HAD A GUN IN HIS CAR.

I GOT BOTH OF THOSE CASES DISMISSED.

THE OTHER KID, WAS CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA TOLD HIM TO WEAR A SUIT TO COURT. SHOWED HE WAS A GOOD COURT.

TAKE A DRUG CLASS. NEXT TIME I SAW BOTH OF THEM THEY WERE CHARGED WITH MURDER. AND SO WHAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS TAKE THESE KIDS RIGHT NOW IF YOU LOOK AT THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO VERY CONVICTED WHEN THEY ARE REARRESTED THEY THEIR NUMBERS ARE 2 1/2 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THOSE PRETRIAL DIVERSION.

WHAT WE HAVE SET UP IN A WAY TO DO THIS WITHIN OUR COURTROOMS SO

[04:45:04]

AND IT WILL BE TOTALLY DEDICATED TO THIS POPULATION IN ORDER FOR US TO DO THING IN AN EFFICIENT MANNER AND BASED ON SCIENCE AND ALL THE STUDIES THAT DR. MAY HAD DONE WE NEED THOSE ASSESSORS, SO THEY CAN PROPERLY SCREEN THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE IN THESE PROGRAMS AND THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER PROGRAM WE HAVE GOING RIGHT NOW. THEY WILL HAVE CREDIT RECOVERY.

I DON'T MEAN SO THEY BUY HOUSE. I MEAN LIKE HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT RECOVERY. PARTNERSHIPS WITH HISD.

HCC, LONE STAR TO GET JOB TRAINING.

IT'S BASICALLY LIKE GIVING A KID SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN.

A SENSE OF PRIDE, SO THEY CAN LEAVE THE CRIMINAL LIFESTYLE AND BECOME A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN AND MAYBE STAND HERE 20 YEARS FROM NOW AS A JUDGE ASKING FOR ANOTHER PROGRAM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. THAT'S THE VISION AND WE HAVE PEER COUNSELORS. ONE STARTED THE FIRST STRAIGHT PROGRAM. WE PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THIS. THE ONLY ROADBLOCK NOW IS

$158,000. >> THANK YOU.

HOW WOULD THIS INTERACT WITH THE WORK THAT PRETRIAL IS DOING? WHY HERE AND NOT PRETRIAL? YOU MEAN LIE D.A. PRETRIAL

PROGRAM. >> PRETRIAL SURFACES DEPARTMENT

VERSES COMMUNITY SERVICE. >> THESE WILL BE PEOPLE IT'S POSTED RISK DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM.

WHEN WE MELT WITH THE D.A., NATHAN BEETLE SAID HE WOULD DIVERT AS MANY OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE MEANING IF THEY COMPLETE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM THEIR CASE WILL BE DISMISSED AND THEY WILL QUALIFY FOR EXPUNGEMENT AFTER THE WAITING PERIOD. THAT'S THE CARROT.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO BREAK THROUGH AND GET TO THEM BECAUSE THEY COULD JUST TAKE THE TIME SERVES AND TAKE THE 30 DAYS IN JAIL IN THE WAY DR. MAY LINED UP THE CARROTS FOR THEM SUCH AS BEING ABLE TO GET HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

THAT'S ONE COMMON THING I SEE WITH A LOT OF THE DEFENDANTS IN COURT. WHAT'S THE HIGHEST GRADE.

NINTH GRADE. AND WHAT TO YOU DO EVERY DAY?

. >> JUST HANG OUT AT THE PARK.

>> TO GIVE THEM AN EDUCATION AND THEN A JOB OR JOB SKILLS I THINK IT WILL HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON HARRIS COUNTY AND THE DUE FUTURE. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WHEN YOU START GETTING CAN CONVICTION AT 17. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR JOB.

WHEN YOU WAKE UP AFTER OUT HERE HANGING WITH GIRLFRIEND AND YOU HAVE TWO KIDS AND 21 AND EVERYBODY IS LOOKING AT YOU FOR

RESOURCES WHAT DO YOU DO? >> I THINK IT'S SOUND LIKE AN INTERESTING PILOT. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU COME UP WITH IN HOW YOU MEASURE SUCCESS AND TRACK

PROGRESS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> CAN I GET UPDATED INFORMATION IT WILL HAVE THE DATA FOR YOU. IN TERMS OF WHAT WE LOOKED AT REARREST RATES AND SOME OF THE SPECIFIC DATA THAT JUDGE JORDAN MENTIONED. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE MORE. >> GREAT.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ANYTHING ELSE? >> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD. THANKS.

[Institute of Forensic Sciences]

>> NEXT IS INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES.

I DO WANT TO SAY DOCTOR, OF ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THE MOST WELL ORGANIZED AND SORT OF EASY TO FOLLOW AND SUBSTANTIATED REQUEST. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK.

APPRECIATE THAT. I'M DR. SANCHEZ.

I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER OF THE HARRIS COUNTY INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES.

DALGO, COMMISSIONER, MR. JACKSON, MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET COMMITTEE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT OUR BUDGET NEEDS AND OUR RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF.

JOINING ME TODAY IS DR. ROGER KAHN DIRECTOR OF THE CRIME LIKE.

DUANE WOLF DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL SERVICE, MEDICAL EXAMINER'S SERVICE, THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND WHO WILL BE RETIRING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AFTER 17 YEARS OF OUT STANDING SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT WE HAVE TWO ADDITIONS TO OUR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM -- MANAGEMENT TEAM. MISS JULIE PRINE.

[04:50:07]

DIVERSE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP >>>I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ACCOMPLISHMENTSES THIS YEAR. I'M VERY PRUD OF THOOCHLT WE WERE GRANTED LAST MAY A SERTIFICATION. THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATION.

THAT LOOK AT THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE IN OUR OFFICE.

THAT CERTIFICATION HAS MORE TAN THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY REQUIREMENTS FOR PLANNING, CONTROLLING, MONITORING AND IMPROVING OUR AGENCIES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

THIS ACCREDITATION IS FOR THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND THAT IS PROBABLY FOR US, WAS EASY THE FILL OUT YOUR REQUEST. THIS FORM. WE FOLLOW STANDARDS.

WE HAVE TO HAVE METRICS. WE HAVE GOALS. ALL OF THOSE ARE REQUIREMENTS.

WE MEASURE AGAINST OUR GOALS. SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.

EVERY SINGLE WEEK. WE HAVE A LOT OF METRICS. SOME OF THOSE METRICS ARE ACTUALLY SHARED TO THE COUNTY THROUGH BUDGET MANAGEMENT. THEY GET A REPORT WITH OUR GOALS. USUALLY FROM SERVICE RELATED GOALS LIKE TURN AROUND TIMES AND THE METRICS THAT WE HAVE. THE COUNTY HAS BEEN GETTING THAT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

YOU HAVE A VERY STRONG AND ROBUST FORENSIC OPERATION. VERY PROUD TO TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE A VERY STRONG GROUP OF VERY GIFTED SCIENTISTS AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF.

AS YOU KNOW, THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND THE CRIME LAB ARE BOTH VERY BUSY.

JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME QUICK NUMBERS DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS THE THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICE HAS RECEIVED OR HAVE MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS SERVICE. THEY USUALLY BRING IN AROUND FIVE THOUSAND CASES FOR POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION. A BUSY SERVICE IN THE CRIME LAB. DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS THEY'VE RECEIVED TWENTY TWO THOUSAND CASES. THE CRIME LAB CASE IS COMPRISED OF MULTIPLE ITEMS. EIGHTY FOUR AGENCY SUBMIT EVIDENCE TO THE CRIME LAB.

OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE RUNNING LIKE A REGIONAL LAB. IN TERMSES OF ACCOMPLISHMENT OF WHAT WE DID WITH THE MONEY ALLOCATED TO OUR BUDGET, WE DID A LOT OF THINGS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT. WE WERE ABLE TO FUND AND HIRE ELEVEN FROZEN POSITIONS THAT WE HAD. MANY OF THEM IN FORENSIC GENETICS AND DNA.

WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE 17 NEW POSITIONS. A LOT IN TOXICOLOGY.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE METRICS YOU'LL SEE THEY ARE MAKING ALREADY A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS.

WE'RE ABLE TO TO PROVIDE THE STAFF WITH SALARY ADJUSTMENT AT 5%.

THAT'S ALWAYS A PRI YOUTY FOR US. WE WANT TO RETAIN THE PEOPLE THAT WE HIRE BUT WE WERE INSTRUCTED NOT TO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION RIGHT NOW.

AGAIN, I JUST MAKE IT ALWAYS A PRIORITY FOR YOU ARE O OFFICE. IN TERMS OF OUR REQUIREMENTS OF WHAT WE ARE ASKING. THERE IS A NEED FOR EQUIPMENT. WE HAVE PROVIDED YOU WITH ALL THAT INFORMATION. WE NEED TO REPLACE SEVEN FLEET VEHICLES.

OF THOSE SEVEN, FOUR IS JUST TO TRANSPORT THE BODIES FROM THE SCENE OR THE HOSPITAL TO MEDICAL EXAMINERS. THAT'S A PRIORITY. WE HAVEN'T STARTED THAT PROCESS BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE THE FUND AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR. PRETTY MUCH ALL THE EQUIPMENT INCLUDING THE VEHICLES IS ALL REPLACEMENT OF THE SEVEN PEACES OF EQUIPMENT.

[04:55:04]

REQUESTS? >> YES COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. AND YOU DO HAVE A GREAT TEAM. I HATE TO SEE WHEN YOUR COLLEAGUES RETIRE BUT YOU DO GREAT WORK. YOU'RE ASKING FOR MY STAFF

ANALYSIS ABOUT AN 8.4% INCREASE. IS THAT ABOUT WHAT IT IS? >> IN THE BUDGET?

>> YES, SIR. >> YES. ROUGHLY THAT.

>> IS THAT COMPARABLE TO YOUR REQUEST IN THE PREVIOUS BUDGET CYCLE?

MORE OR ABOUT THE SAME? >> YES. IT'S PROBABLY LESS THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. YES. IT WAS 10% LAST YEAR.

>> OKAY. WHAT'S THE BASIC DIFFERENCE, IF YOU KNOW IT, IF THERE IS SOME DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE OF OUR CRIME LAB.

THE COUNTY CRIME LAB COMPARED TO CITY CRIME. >> WELL, I WILL TELL YOU WE ARE INDEPENDENT, JUST LIKE THEM. WE ARE, ACTUALLY, THE COUNTY, THE LAB HAS NEVER BEEN UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OR THE D-A OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

SO THE COUNTY LAB HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN INDEPENDENT SCIENCE BASED ORGANIZATION.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE FROM THEM IS WE ARE A MEMBER CONSTITUTION OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER.

IN THE GROUND OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER WE HAVE THE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER WHICH HAS BEEN VERY GOOD FOR THE GROWTH OF OUR OFFICE.

OUR ACCREDITATION HAS STANDARDS THAT LOOK AT INDEPENDENCE. AND OUR ACCREDITATIONS VALIDATE THAT THE COUNTY INSTITUTE IS AN INDEPENDENT SCIENCE BASED ORGANIZATION.

>> I ASK BECAUSE YOU MAY HAVE BEEN HEAR. YOU REMEMBER THE CONTROVERSY

OVER THE CITY'S CRIME LAB? >> YES. >> THAT IN PART STARTED AS A RESULT OF COMPLAINTS FOR NONFOR PERIOD OF TIME THAT I WAS CHAIRING THE BOARD OF.

THE INNOCENCE PRNLTH OUT OF NEW YORK. I THINK IT WAS A CASE OF SUTTON THAT CAME TO LIGHT WHERE THEY WERE DRY LABBING. TAYLOR, I CAN'T REMEMBER HIS FIRST NAME. THE CITY, AS PART OF AN AGREEMENT, BROUGHT IN MICHAEL BRONWICH TO DO A REVIEW. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS THEY SET UP A SEPARATE BOARD. AN INDEPENDENT BOARD. OBVIOUSLY, I GUESS THE MAYOR AND COUNSEL MEMBER YOU WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN ME. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS.

THAT WAS A DECADE AGO. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT HERE HARRIS COUNTY, IF THERE WAS A BOARD THAT WE HAD TO POINT PEOPLE TO AND THEN THAT BOARD WAS YOUR ENTITY AS O OPPOSED TO ESSENTIALLY THIS BOARD. THAT IS HOW THEY WOULD DETERMINE INDEPENDENCE.

>> COMMISSIONER, THE CITY LAB HAS TO GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR BUDGET.

IT'S THE SAME PROCESS. >> Z YOU HAVE TO COME HERE? >> ABSOLUTELY.

BUT REALITY IS VERY DIFFERENT. COMMISSIONER, THERE WERE A LAB THAT BELONG TO THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE INSIDE THE SAME BUILDING OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. VERY DIFFERENT WITH A RECORD OF A LOT OF PROBLEMS. SO THERE WERE ACCOMMODATIONS WHERE'VEN TO THAT PARTICULAR LAB THAT WAS PART OF THE HPD, WITH SWORN OFFICERS WORKING INSIDE THE LAB. A LOT OF THEM.

THAT HAS NEVER BEEN THE CASE WITH THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY CREATED AN INSTITUTE THAT WAS INDEPENDENT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT HAD A LICENSED PHYSICIAN RUNNING, INITIALLY A MEDICAL EXAMINER AND NOW THEY INSTITUTE SEPARATE FROM THE D-A, FROM THE CONSTABLE, FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. VERY DIFFERENT REALITIES. SO THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE GIVEN TO THAT LAB, WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE WERE BACK THEN AND EVEN NOW.

AGAIN, OUR ACCREDITATIONS, AGAIN, WE HAVE MORE THAN ANY OTHER LAB IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

THEY RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT SCIENCE BASE ORGANIZATION.

[05:00:03]

>> DO YOU KNOW IF THE WAY YOU ARE STRUCTURED, IS THIS THE WAY IT'S STRUCTURED FOR OTHER

COUNTIES IN THE STATE? >> YES. EXCEPT THAT WE HAVE A LOT MORE

RESOURCES AND ACTUALLY, A LARGER MANAGEMENT TEAM. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU DR. SANCHEZ.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AND DR. KHAN AND TO YOUR TEAM. I WAS KIND OF GO OVER A LITTLE BIT IN THE SAME DIRECTION WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS IN TERMS OF THE, WHERE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE THE CITY OVER CLESER THE TO O OUR DIRECTION. IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT WERE TO HAPPEN, DO YOU HAVE THE THE CAPACITY? AT YOUR EXISTING SITE WOULD

YOU BE ABLE TO ABSORB THAT? >> NO. COMMISSIONER WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY. ALSO THEY HAVE A LARGE, I WANT TO SAY HUGE, CASE LOAD.

WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN WE ABSORBED THE PASADENA LAB, WE TOLD THEM, YOU KNOW, WE PROVIDE YOU SERVICES AS A CLIENT, WHICH I THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

BUT WITH THIS LAB WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE THE CASE LOAD IS VERY LARGE.

I THINK THEY RECEIVE MORE CASES IN THE CRIME LAB ALMOST FOR ALL THE CATEGORIES.

A LOT MORE DRUG CASES. A LOT MORE SEXUAL ASSAULTS. WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY. AGAIN, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF DUPLICATION RIGHT NOW BETWEEN OUR HAS BEEN AND THEN AND THEY HAVE THE SAME CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF CAPACITY.

WE HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL. THE APPROACH I WILL SUPPORT IS WHAT WE DID WITH PASADENA. YES, WE CAN CONSIDER WITH YOUR AUTHORIZATION TO TAKE OVER THE SERVICE AND, YOU KNOW, WE TREAT YOU AS A CLIENT LIKE WHAT WE DID WITH PASADENA.

>> GOT YOU. ONE MORE. AS YOU KNOW THE DNA ANALYSIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A BIG INTEREST OF MINE. ARE YOU AT A BETTER PLACE THIS TIME AROUND OR YET OR ARE YOU IN A BETTER PLACE YET TO EXPAND THE DNA ANALYSIS THAT WE WERE WORKING TO ACCOMPLISH A FEW YEARS AGO? ARE YOU AT A BETTER PLACE YET?

>> YEAH. I'LL ANSWER THAT BRIEFLY. THEN WE'LL ALLOW DR. KHAN.

COMMISSIONER YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH ON DNA TESTING.

WE STARTED AND YOU'RE PROBABLY REFERRING TO THE PROPERTY CRIME EVIDENCE TESTING THAT WE HAVE TO PAUSE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY. BUT WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE.

WE ARE VERY GOOD COMMISSIONER ON TESTING THAT TYPE OF EVIDENCE. WE WERE TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER TIME DURING THE YEAR TO BRING THAT PROJECT TO YOU. WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY.

WE'RE DOING SOME RIGHT NOW IN HOUSE. YOU GAVE US THE COMMISSIONERS COURT GAVE US SOME MONEY LAST SUMMER TO OUTSOURCE AROUND EIGHT HUNDRED CASES.

WE'RE PLANNING, WE'RE ASKING HERE IN THIS BUDGET FOR ANOTHER AMOUNT OF MONEY.

MAYBE SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND TO OUTSOURCE. WE WANT TO CONTINUE OR RESTART DOING THAT TESTING IN HOUSE. OUR PEOPLE REALLY HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND THE EXPERIENCE.

>> HOW MUCH ARE YOU ASKING FOR AND WHEN WILL YOU BE ABLE THE START BACK UP?

>> WELL WE'RE ASKING MANY THIS BUDGET IS MONEY TO OUTSOURCE ANOTHER GROUP OF CASES. WHAT WE WULD LIKE TO COME BACK ANOTHER TIME JUST ASKING THE COURT FOR AUTHORIZATION TO WORK WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND COME UP WITH A BUDGET SO WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THE GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH EQUIPMENT DEDICATED TO DO PROPERTY CRIME.

SO SEPARATE PROPERTY CRIME TESTING FROM THE ■OTHER FORENSIC TESTING LIKE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HOMICIDES. DR. KHAN YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING TO IT?

>> JUST THE SUCCESS WE SHARE IN ENTHUSIASM. WE RECEIVED ABOUT SIX HUNDRED OF THESE EIGHT HUNDRED BACK. 73% [INAUDIBLE] 54% OFFENDER.

EVERY OTHER ONE WE TESTED PRAUSED THE NAME OF THE OFFENDER.

THAT'S ONLY TRUE WITH PROPERTY. >> YEP. >> IT'S THE SAME EXPERIENCE YOU HAD. WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO DO THIS AGAIN.

>> GOOD DEAL. AND BILL, WITH THIS PARTICULAR INITIATIVE, AND THE REASON I

[05:05:01]

I'D LIKE TO KEEP THIS ON THE FRONT BURNER BECAUSE THIS WILL, I BELIEVE, SET HARRIS COUNTY IN THE FOREFRONT IN TERMS OF PROPERTY CRIME CLEARANCE RATES AND SUCCESS IN TERMS OF THE ENVEST INVEST GAYIVE TIVE PROCESS. IT'S DISHEARTENING FOR THEM TO SAY I KNOW ONE IS NEVER GOING TO BE CAUGHT BUT I NEED A REPORT FOR OUR INSURANCE.

THAT NOT THE ATTITUDE OUR CITIZENS NEED TO HAVE OR OUR CONFIDENCE LEVEL THE CITIZENS KNEAD TO HAVE. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S A PARTNERSHIP. WE FUND HERE BUT THE SHERIFF DOESN'T HAVE THE PEOPLE TO TAKE THE INFORMATION AND ACT ON IT. IT'S A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE

TWO AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT. >> AGAIN, WHERE WE DID THAT.

HOW MANY CASES? IT WAS FIVE THOUSAND PROPERTY CASES AT ONE TIME.

IF YOU KNOCK THAT DOWN OR WHERE ARE WE AT? ARE THEY NOT COLLECT IT

ANYMORE? >> THEY ARE COLLECTING SOME OF THEM.

ACTUALLY, WE'RE NOT DOING ANYMORE OF THE TOUCH DNA FOR PROPERTY CRIMES.

WE'RE DOING THE HIGH YIELD. BUT THE AMOUNT OF CASES THAT WE WANT TO OUTSOURCE RIGHT NOW IS LIKE SIX CASE HUNDRED CASES. IT WAS ABOUT $1,000 A CASE. STILL IN THAT RANGE?

>> YES. >> WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS BRING BACK THE CONCEPT FOR YOU TO APPROVE SO WE CAN WORK WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND COME UP WITH A BUDGET OF HOW MUCH IT WILL COST T CREATE. I CALL IT LIKE A SEPARATE CLINIC.

JUST TO DEAL WITH THOSE TYPE OF CASES. PERHAPS WE CAN START DOING SOME OF THE TOUCH DNA AS

WELL FOR PROPERTY CRIMES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU AND TRY TO MOVE THIS ALONG.

>> DO WE NEED TO BUILD OUT MORE SPACE OR WOULD THIS BE IN THE MAIN BUILDING?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL DISCUSS. >> I JUST WANT TO REITERATE.

AGAIN, I KEEP GOING THROUGH THE NUMBERS. I MIGHT ASK FOR A BUDGET REQUEST FOR HEARING AIDS TO MAKE SURE WE ALL CATCH IT. WOULD $115.6 MILLION IN REQUEST.

I THINK WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING. IF WE GIVE EVERYBODY A 3% PAY RAISE AND DECIDE YOU FIGURE OUT HOW TO DIVIDE IT UP. THAT LEAVES ABOUT 28 MILLION.

$28 MILLION WITH THE HARSH REALITY OF REVENUE CAPS. WE COULDN'T COME UP WITH MORE REVENUE THIS TIME. YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOUR PEOPLE THERE IF YOU EVER WANT TO COME UP WITH A HIGHER RATE. IT GETS MORE DIFFICULT POLITICALLY AS TIME GOES ON.

THAT MEANS WE GOT TO LOOK FOR, IF WE CAN'T JUST PRINT MONEY WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME WAY TO DO MORE PROGRAMMING AS WE DON'T GROW. PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING.

SO THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THINGS LIKE PLACES WHERE WE CAN CONSOLIDATE.

PROGRAMS WE CAN ELIMINATE. OR WE CAN KEEP PATTING OURSELVES ON THE BACK AND ACT LIKE WE'RE DOING SOMETHING BUT WE'RE NOT ADEQUATELY FINANCING ISSUES. SO THAT'S WHY I DO WANT US TO LOOK AT VIABILITY OF TRYING TO MERGE THE CITIES CRIME LAB IN THE HOURS.

THERE'S SOME THINGS THEY DO, AS AN EXAMPLE, I KNOW ON THAT WEBSITE, I'VE SEEN IT.

THEY POST ERROR RATES. DO WE DO THAT? >> YES.

>> WE POST IT ON OUR WEBSITE? >> NOT ON THE WEBSITE.

BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY MEAN ERROR RATE. I HAVE TO LOOK WHAT THEY CLAIM

IS ERE RR. >> WHAT I'M SAYING IS IF WE HAVE A CENSUS THAT COMES OUT MORE PEOPLE IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY THAN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

[05:10:02]

WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR WHETHER IT'S THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHETHER IT'S THE CRIME LAB.

I WAS TOLD THE GOVERNORS WAS AN ISSUE BEFORE ON THE CITY COMING IN.

THE OTHER THING I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT MONEY IN. FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THE ISSUE WAS IF WE HAVE DIFFERENT PENSION SYSTEMS HOW WOULD YOU DO IT? YOU HAVE HARRIS HELD BUT THEY ARE DOING THE PREVENTIVE SIDE. THE HUSH REALITY IS.

I DON'T WANT THIS MOMENT TO PAENSZ NOT BE REALISTIC WITH PEOPLE.

EVERY TIME WE COME IN AND ASK FOR MORE MONEY FOR QUALITY PROGRAMMING BUT TO KEEP UP WITH IT YOU HAVE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL MONEY. THAT MEANS YOU KEEP MOVING THE CHAIRS AROUND ON THE SHIP. IT'S EASY FOR SOMEBODY TO SAY GIVE ME MY MONEY AND CUT THAT PERSON. THE FIVE OF US HAVE TO LOOK AT THE YEFR ALL PICTURE.

SOMETHING I SAW FROM THE MINUTE I WAS FINANCE CHAIR. EVERY STATE AGENCY HAD A BRIGHT IDEAEN THEIR PROGRAM. I GOT X AMOUNT OF MONEY. I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU DO IT. A PART OF THAT EFFICIENCY COMING UP WITH MORE MONEY DOES MEAN LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCIES BECAUSE WE JUST CAN'T PRINT MONEY. WE DIDN'T HAVE REVENUE CAPS

BEFORE BUT WE HAVE THEM NOW. >> YEAH. >>>MARY JUST LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR. OF THE 2.8 THERE'S 1.7 THAT'S A ONE TIME COST.

OF THE 1.7 HOW MUCH OF THAT DO YOU THINK HAS AN ASSET ASSOCIATED THAT HAS A LIFE SPAN LONGER THAN A YEAR SO POTENTIALLY WE COULD CAPITALIZE IT?

>> YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LAST YEAR? >> THIS YEAR.

THIS YEARS REQUEST HAD 1.7 AND ONE TIME SINGLE COST. SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND OF IT IS A CONTRACT. WE CANT CAPITALIZE THAT. WHAT PORTION OF THE REST DO YOU

THINK WE COULD CAPITALIZE? >> DO WHAT? >> CAPITALIZE IT.

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT. THAT'S MY TIME REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR AND THAT WOULD BE SPREAD OVER FIVE OR SIX YEARS. THAT'S REPLACING EQUIPMENT.

>> EVEN DURABLES. COULD YOU GET YOUR NEW TEAM UP TO SPEED WITH LISTING OUT THE STUFF THAT MIGHT END UP ON THE C-I-P INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL BUDGET SO WE COULD POTENTIALLY

DO IT THAT WAY. >> THE EQUIPMENT LIST TO GO TO C-I-P?

>> ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE A LIFE SPAN OF GREATER THAN A YEAR SO WE CAN ANALYZE WHETHER OR NOT

IT MAKES SENSE. >> EQUIPMENT. >> YES.

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

[Probate Courts]

>>>THE PROBATE COURTS. >>>GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M JASON COX. I'M THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY PROBATE KURT AND THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY PROBATE COURT NUMBER THREE.

I'M GINNED BY JUDGE OF PROBATE COURT NUMBER FOUR AND PROBATE COURT NUMBER WITH THE.

BEHIND ME I HAVE KIM HIGHTOWER. JAVIER AND WANDA. THEY ARE JUST HERE TO ASSIST US IF YOU HAVE PARTICULAR QUESTIONS. THE BUDGETS PRESENTED BY OUR FOUR COURTS TODAY REQUESTS ON THE INCREASE IS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

SPECIFICALLY, CONDITIONAL STAFF POSITIONS FOR COURTS ONE AND FOUR.

THESE ARE IMPORTANT FOR THESE COURTS BECAUSE THE LAST TIME THAT GENERALLY THE PROBATE COURT HAD A STAFFING ISSUE THEY LOST POSITIONS EIGHT OR TEN YEARS AGO.

SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE HAD A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN CASE LOADS ACROSS PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH. WE'RE ASKING FOR A RESTORATION OF THE STATUS QUO WITH REGARD TO COURT STAFFS. ALL OF THE COURTS SEEK AN INCREASE IN COURT COSTS TO TRACK THE INCREASE IN CASE LOAD FOR PROBATE AND MENTAL HEALTH. IF YOU LOOK AT MY BUDGET IN PARTICULAR, YOU'LL SEE A LARGE REQUEST FOR COURT COSTS. I DON'T WANT TO ALARM YOU BY THE SIZE OF THAT. WHAT THAT IS IS THIS YEARS COURT COST PLUS AN ESTIMATED INCREASE FOR NEXT YEAR BASED ON WHAT WE PROJECT THE CASE LOAD TO BE. YOU DIDN'T SEE IT IN LAST YEARS BUDGET OR THE YAER BEFORE BUDGETS BECAUSE THE ALLOCATIONS CAME IN PART.

WE COULD GET AN ALLOCATION UP FRONT AND THEN AS THE BUDGET WENT INTO THE RED WE GET IN A

[05:15:01]

COURTS ONE, TWO AND FOUR ARE ASKING FOR THIS. WE MET WITH BILL JACKSON NOT TOO LONG AGO AND LOOKED AT THE KS OF RENTING A COUNTY VEHICLE VERSUS HAVING OUR COURT INVESTIGATORS VISIT THE WARDS USING THEIR OWN VEHICLES AND RECOUPING THEIR MILEAGE.

IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS MORE COST EFFECTIVE, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

>> CORRECT. >> SO THIS IS KIND OF A BASIC OVERVIEW.

YOU HAVE THE BUDGET PACKETS. IT'S LATE BUT WAER HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> I WAS JUST WONDERING WE'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MANAGE TO SIGN COUNSEL ON THE CRIMINAL SIDE.

DO YOU KNOW IF THAT MAC LEGISLATION. I KNOW I PASSED IT BUT I DON'T KNOW. WOULD IT COVER COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS IN YOUR COURTS, AS WELL?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S SPECIFIC FOR PROBATE COURTS. >> THANK YOU.

I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN ISSUES FROM TIME TO TIME. I KNOW A FEW BIG NAMES IN PARTICULAR. AT SOME POINT I DON'T WANT YOU TO BE SHOCKED WHEN I CALL OUT SOME OF THEM WHO MAKE A LOT OF NOISE ABOUT BAIL REFORM. THEN I PULL TEAR NAMES UP AND

THEY ARE FAT AND HAPPY. >> I WILL SAY THAT, SO THE LARGEST APPOINTMENTS OUT OF PROBATE COURTS ARE RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH. JUDGE HRORWITZ AND I WENT TO APPOINTMENT LIST AND WENT THROUGH TO ENSURE THAT IT WAS FAR MORE EQUITABLE.

>> GARRET POLLLAND IN PARTICULAR. THE ONE I'M THINKING ABOUT.

WAS THAT PROBATE? >> NO. THAT WOULD BE FAMILY COURT.

>> HE DID RECEIVE SOME APPOINTMENT PREVIOUSLY. >> FROM THE PREVIOUS JUDGES.

>> CURRENTLY NOT ON OR RECEIVE ANY APPOINTMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH.

>> I'M SURE HE'S A FINE GUY BUT HE'S ON MY RADAR. I SEE ON SOCIAL MEDIA HE CALLS MY NAME. I WANT HIM TO KNOW I CALL HIM OUT.

>> THE JUDGE AND I ON THE MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET. WE USUALLY THE GUARDIANSHIP DOCKET TO SEE HOW VARIOUS ATTORNEYS ARE DOING ON HANDLING CASES.

WE THINK THEY ARE COMPETENT AND MOVE THEM IN MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET AND WE ARE MOVING IN NEW ATTORNEYS. NOT NEW IN THE SENSE OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BUT NOW WORKING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PREVIOUSLIEN O OUR DOCKET.

>> AND YOU LOOK AT CASE LOAD STANDARDS? >> WE DON'T LOOK, WELL, WITH REGARD TO MENTAL HEALTH CASES WE MAKE SURE ATTORNEYS ONLY RECEIVE TWO MENTAL HEALTH APPOINTMENTS. WHETHER TWO FROM MY COURT OR ONE AND ONE FROM THAT.

THE CASE LOAD FOR MENTAL HEALTH DOCKETS IS ENORMOUS FOR EACH ATTORNEY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY MANAGE TO COMPLY TO STATUTORY DUTIES. TO THAT END WE HAD A C-L-E FOR NEWLY APPOINTED ATTORNEYS WHERE WE STRESS THE NEED TO COMPLY WITH DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE CODE. WE ARE DEALING WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION IN THE

COUNTY. THE MENTALLY ILL. >> I APPRECIATE THAT.

IT MIGHT BE ISSUES I BRING UP WITH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

IT'S LATE IN THE DAY. IF I TAKE A FEW GRAPES AND GET MY SUGAR FIX.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT HIM CALLING MY NAME OUT. MAY THINK BECAUSE IT'S ELECTION TIME IT CALMS ME DOWN BUT IT DOESN'T. IT RISES ME.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND A LITTLE BIT ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S POINT. IS THERE SUCH A THING IN TERMS OF HOW MANY CASES ARE TO BE ASSIGNED? WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE SIGNED MANAGEMENT COUNCIL PROJECT SOME FOLKS WERE GETTING 150-200 CASES AND THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN EFFECTIVELY SERVE THOSE FOLKS. HOW DO YOU TRACK, UP TO WHAT LEVEL ARE YOU ABLE TO EXPECT

SOMEONE CAN DO THEIR JOB? >> OKAY. THERE'S TWO KINDS OF

[05:20:03]

PROBATE THING, TRUSTS, WILLS AND ESTATES. MENTAL HEALTHS WHERE YOU'RE ASSIGNED TO REPRESENT MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET.

AS YOU MOVE THROUGH THE PROCESS TOWARD A FINAL HEARING ON THEIR INVILLE UNTEAR COMMITMENT.

AS FAR AS TRACKING THE, WE HAVE MANY FEWER ATTORNEYS THAT WE APINT ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE.

WE WANT O MAKE SURE THEY ARE QUALIFIED AND HAVE THE BACKGROUND TO DO IT.

IT'S HARD WORK AND PARTICULARIZED KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR THIS.

ON THE PROBATE SIDE, EACH COURT HAS AN APPOINTMENT WHEEL WHERE WE JUST GO BY RANDOMLY WHEN THE ATTORNEY COMES UP AND THEY ARE APPOINTED FOR WHATEVER SLOT OPENS UP THAT THE COURT NEEDS THEY COME IN. THEY APPLY THIS AND SEND THEIR RESUME AND CERTIFICATION THROUGH THE STATE BAR THEY ARE QUALIFIED TO DO IT AND WE PUT THEM ON. WE LEAVE THEM ON UNLESS

SOMETHING COMES UP AND THEY NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF. >> HOW MANY ATTORNEYS MAKE

UP THAT POOL? >> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

>> PLEASE. >> CERTAINLY. >>>I THINK IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE AN ATTORNEY GOING THROUGH THAT WILL MAYBE COUPLE OF TIMES A YEAR.

IF NOT MORE THAN THAT. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE DOING IS TRYING TO DEVELOP A MENTOR PROGRAM FOR ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE DONE THIS TO MENTOR YOUNGER ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN PROBATE BUT ARE A LITTLE BIT MYSTIFIED BY THE PROCESS. IT'S A UNIQUE BRANCH.

I THINK ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO ENCOURAGE NEW LAWYERS TO FIT IN TO THIS IS TO WORK WITH AN OLDER LAWYER WHO HAS THAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE. SO OUR COURT IS TRYING TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND WE'RE GOING TO APPLY TO THE STATE BAR CLE CREDIT TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM SO YOUNG ATTORNEYS CAN COME IN AND MENTOR TO INCREASE THE DIVERSITY AND THE AMOUNT OF LAWYERS THAT

CAN COME IN AND WORK ON THESE TYPE OF CASES. >> GOOD.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO YOUR QUESTION. THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION DOES COLLECT SOME OF THE INFORMING YOURSELF REQUESTING.

IT SHOULD BE PRETTY EASY TO GET OUR HANDS ON THE NUMBERS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. IS IT JUDGE NEWMAN WHO HOLDS STOCK IN PASADENA AND BAY TOWN.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT. AS WE TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WE'RE THE SIZE OF RHODE ISLAND IN SQUARE MILES. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

>> WE MIGHT ALSO GO TO OTHER CITIES TO LOOK BACK ON SOME CASES [INAUDIBLE]?

>> GREAT. >> WSHGING ON BIKE LANES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU ROLL IT AROUND. I'LL HAVE DEVOTE ON THE RAIL TO GET HOME.

IT'S DARK. I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO RIDE THE BIKE HOME.

I MAY HAVE ANCHORED SOMEBODY. >> WE'LL CIRCLE BACK AS FAR AS FOR MY PART.

MY STAFF WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH REQUESTS. THERE WAS ONE COUPLE OF COURTS ASK FOR SUPPORT FOR TRAVEL AND TRAINING BUT DIFFERENT AMOUNTS FOR EACH.

OF COURSE, WITH THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS THIS IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S SPIEL.

IT'LL BE DIFFICULT TO GRANT EVERYTHING EVERYBODY ASKS FOR. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING PUT TOGETHER AND WE'LL LOOK AT IT CLOSELY AND FOLLOW UP. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE

ALL DOING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[Justice Administration]

>>>JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. >>>GOOD AFTERNOON. DIRECTOR OF THE JUSTICE

ADMINISTRATION. >> YOUR MIKE IS OFF. YOU NEED TO PUSH.

THANK YOU. >>>SORRY ABOUT THAT. GOOD AFTERNOON.

JUDGE COMMISSIONER WITH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND I ALSO HAVE STEPHANIE ARMAND WITH ME. ONE OF OUR SENIOR JUSTICE SPECIALISTS.

I'M GRATEFUL I HAD HER ON BOARD SINCE WHEN I STARTED ON OCTOBER 28TH WITH INSTITUTIONAL

[05:25:01]

JUDGE, WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS ANSWER ONE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS THAT YOU RAISED.

I THINK IT'S VERY INCITEFUL. WHAT NEED AND WHAT PROBLEM IS IT TRYING TO SOLVE.

WE WERE CREATED TO PROVIDE COORDINATION OF THE COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF THE QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DATA TO INFORM COUNTY POLICY DECISIONS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, FAIRNESS, EQUITY EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGHOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND AS EACH OF YOU KNOW, NO ONE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE PROCESS. THE CHECKS AND A BALANCES EMBEDDED IN OUR SYSTEM ARE INTENTIONAL AND NECESSARY BUT CAN CAUSE STRIFE, CONFLICT, INEFFICIENCIES AND SOMETIMES EVEN FIST TO CUFFS. THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT WILL WORK HARD TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNICATION AND IN COORDINATION WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. I HAVE BEEN SO PLEASED I'VE GOTTEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH MANY EACH OF YOU ALL INDIVIDUALLY, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, MR. STUCKY THE DISTRICT CLERK, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT HEADS.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SAUP SAUPER GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME AND KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT THEY ARE PROVIDING OUR OFF. INCLUDING THE DISTRICT COURT, COUNTY COURTS AT LAW.

THERE'S NO WAY THIS DEPARTMENT CAN FULFILL ITS MISSION WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF ALL OF THE JUSTICE AGENCIES. SO AS I SHARED WITH EACH OF THEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HONEST AND TRANSPARENT IN ALL OF OUR DEALINGS. WE'RE NONPARTISAN AND WHAT REPORTS WE COME OUT AND WHEN WE'RE WORKING WITH JURISDICTIONS WE NEED TO BE TRUSTED BY ALL SIDES. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN EASY TASK.

EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH. THE THE VISIBILITY ON THIS PROGRAM AND WHAT HARRIS COUNTY IS GOING IS NOT JUST STATEWIDE BUT IT'S NATIONALLY. WE'VE GOT WITH O'DONNELL FINAL CONSENT DECREE. WE WILL BE GETTING WITH THE OTHER JUSTICE ENTITIES THAT ARE STAKE HOLDERS AS PART OF THE O'DONNELL CONSENT DECREE WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO.

JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON ONE OF THE RECURRING THEMES WHEN I'VE MET WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD OR ELECTED OFFICIALS IS THERE HASN'T BEEN LIKE REAL GOOD COMMUNICATION AMONGST THE DEPARTMENTS. SO IDEALLY WE WILL BE ABRIDGE. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO INITIATE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE YEAR OR PERHAPS EVEN LATER THIS MONTH IS WE'LL SEND OUT A MONTHLY BRIEFING TO ALL OF OUR JUSTICE ENTITIES INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANT THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT TO DO, WE WILL TAKE OUR GUIDANCE FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL.

WE WILL WORK THROUGH THE SUBCOMMITTEES. WE HAVE THE NEXT MEETING IS GOING TO BE IN MARCH. I LOOK AT THAT AS THE BOARD AND THEN WE'LL COME IN AND REPORT IT'LL BE COMING FROM THE ELECTEDS AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS SERVING ON THAT COMMITTEE.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO NEXT YEAR, AND THIS WILL BE WITH AN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM, BUT WE HAVE TO DO STRATEGIC PLANNING SO WE REALLY SET OUT THE PRIORITIES.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE A THE LOT OF THINGS COMPETING FOR OUR TIME, YOUR TIME.

WE WILL ADDRESS WHATEVER ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BUT AT TIMES WE HAVE TO SET ASIDE CERTAIN THINGS IN ORDER TO ADDRESS ANOTHER PRIORITY. WITH A WRITTEN PLAN WE WILL ALSO DO, ONCE I HAVE HIRED MY STAFF ON WE WILL DO INTERNAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING. WE'LL HAVE OUR PERFORMANCE MEASURES TIED TO THE GELS OF OUR AGENCY. WE'VE GOT BACK IN MARCH THE COMMISSION AUTHORIZED NINE NIGHT STAFF AND APPROVED FIVE, FIVE OF THOSE POSITIONINGS. WE HAVE THREE.

WE HAVE TWO SENIOR POSITIONS POSTED. WE WILL BE DOING THOSE INTERVIEWS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. IDEALLY WE'LL HAVE OUR DATA TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR AND ADMINISTRATOR BOTH IN PLACE. IN JANUARY, THE OTHER POSITIONS

[05:30:04]

WITH THAT I WILL, IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS. >> JUDGE.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER I WAS IN OMAHA FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION COUNTY OFFICIALS BOARD MEETING. I WAS SO HONORED WHEN ROY BROOKS FROM TARRANT COUNTY ASKED ME TO TALK TO JUDGE WHITLEY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD HAVE LAWYERS AT THE IMAGINE STRAGS HEARINGS. IT'S NICE WHEN THE CHAIR OF YOUR BOARD ONE OF HIS COMMISSIONS WOULD TELL ME TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THE THREE VOTE AND KNEW I WOULD DO IT IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY.

I SAID JUDGE I KNOW SOME FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO SUE YOU. I HOPE THEY DO IT.

WHEN HE WENT THE TO THE STATE, IT WAS A CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURT COUNCIL.

SOMETHING BRAND NEW. HE WAS THE PERSON THAT BROUGHT IN.

IT WAS JUST A COORDINATING COUNCIL. >> TASK FORCE.

>> JIM, EVEN WITH JUST A SMALL BUDGET OF 1.3 MILLION, A STAFF OF NINE, YOU HAVE FIVE APPROVED NOW. YOU WENT TO THE STATE. HOW MUCH MONEY WAS IT WHEN YOU

WALKED IN THERE? ? >> THE FIRST IT WAS 19

MILLION. >> IT WAS 19 MILLION FOR 20 MILLION PEOPLE.

DIDN'T HAVE 20 MILLION THEN AND WE HAD 1.3 MILLION FOR 4.8 MILLION PEOPLE.

THAT'S NOT BAD. HE'S MY POINT. IN ADDITION TO DOING WHAT, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE TASKED TO DO. YOU HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BUILD OUT THE TABLE. I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY. I THINK THEY DID THE STUDY.

ONCE I GOT HERE HAD A PROBLEM PUTTING ME OFF. JUST CONFLICTS BUT THEY GIVE OUT MONEY. THE ARNOLD FOUNDATION HAS INVESTED NOWHERE NEAR THE KIND OF MONEY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY OR THE CITY THAT THEY'VE INVESTED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY OUT THERE. MACARTHUR I KNOW WE DIDN'T GET THE KIND OF MONEY THEY WANTED TO GIVE US BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK WE WERE SERIOUS.

OF COURSE, I KNOW IF WE DON'T MEET BENCHMARKS THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE WHAT WE'RE GETTING NOW.

I HOPE YOU'LL BE CREATIVE AND LOOK FOR GRANTS OUT THERE AND STUFF THAT WE CAN EVEN FORM OUT TO OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THE RESEARCH ON AND THEY PAY FOR IT AND RUN IT THROUGH YOUR

DEPARTMENT. >> COMMISSIONER WE DEFINITELY WILL BE DOING THAT.

WHEN I WAS IN LUBBOCK WE WERE ABLE TO VEFRJ OUTSIDE RESOURCES. THE MONEY I BROUGHT IN LUBBOCK OVER THE THE TWO YEARS WAS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN I WAS MAKING.

IF WE'RE ABLE TO TRACK THE TALENT POOL THAT WE GOT OUT IN LUBBOCK, I HAVE NO DOUBT WE'RE

GOING TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT INCREDIBLE TALENT. >> EVEN FROM YOUR OLD AGENCY. THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME WAY. I DON'T KNOW OF ANOTHER COUNTY THAT HAS A JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT. MAYBE THERE ARE.

>> IRONICALLY HARRIS WAS LATE TO THE TABLE ON THAT. >> IN TEXAS?

>> DALLAS DOES, TRAVIS DOES, BEXAR COUNTY. ALL OF THE MAJOR URBAN

JURISDICTIONS DO INCLUDING EL PASO. >> TELL THE STAFF TO GET THAT OUT OF MY NEWSLETTER THEN. I'M SAYING WE'RE ON THE CUTTING EDGE.

WE GOT HERE LATE BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO IT IN A BIG WAY. YOU OUGHT TO GET MONEY OUT OF YOUR OLD JOB. I THINK, I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHERE I GOT THE IDEA TO CARRY A MAC BILL FROM. I THINK IT'S BECAUSE YOU WENT SOMEWHERE AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE

MAC. AM I RIGHT? >> YOU'RE CORRECT.

2007. >> I HOPE YOU'RE NOT RESTRAINED BY WHAT DO WE DO? I HOPE WE DON'T CREATE THIS DEPARTMENT OR ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT TO SIT AND WAIT FOR US. I WANT YOU TO BE PROACTIVE. FEELINGS DON'T GET HURT IF WE

DON'T DO IT BUT BRING THE IDEAS TO US. >>>CERTAINLY WILL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THERE ARE SO MANY PROJECTS FOR YOU TO WORK ON.

I APPRECIATE THE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOCUS. I JUST WANT TO ASK HOW THE

HIRING IS GOING. >> THE HIRING WE'VE GOT TWO POSITIONS POSTED.

OUR DATA OF TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR AND FAIRNESS ADMINISTRATOR POSITION.

THEY ARE BOTH POSTED. WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN INTERVIEWS STARTING FRIDAY AND THEN NEXT

[05:35:03]

THE OTHER POSITIONS WE WILL GET THOSE POSTED. I'M NOT SURE WE'LL GET THEM POSTED IN DECEMBER. WE WILL HAVE THEM READY TO BE POSTED IN JANUARY.

MY GOAL IS TO BE FULLY STAFFED AND OPERATIONAL BEFORE THE NEW COUNTY FISCAL ON MARCH 1.

HOPEFULLY WE BEAT [INAUDIBLE] I THINK I'LL BE MAKING AS A DIRECTOR.

MY PREVIOUS WAS WHO YOU HIRE. I'M GOING TO PUT CARE AND ATTENTION INTO THAT AND THIS IS A MARKET THAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE. I HAD MUCH BIGGER CHALLENGES IN LUBBOCK ATTRACTING THE TALENT POOL BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET A GOOD TALENT POOL WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN FOR 25 YEARS I WAS ABLE TO ATTRACT PRETTY INCREDIBLE TALENT. ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO WORK WITH US. THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS. THERE HAS BEEN A PARA DIME SHIFT

AND IT'S EXCITING TO BE A PART OF THIS TEAM. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>>JIM, IN TRYING TO ATTRACT PEOPLE, DO WE NEED TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA TO ALLOW YOU TO FLY PEOPLE IN OR PAY SOME OF THESE EXPENSES? SORT OF LIKE WHAT WE DID FOR

YOU? >> I THINK THAT WOULD BE, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

TO BE HONEST I'VE NEVER HAD THAT ABILITY IN MY PREVIOUS POSITIONS.

BUT I KNOW IT WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL TO ME COMING FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

>> SO HOW DOES IT WORK? PUT ANYTHING ON THE AGENDA? IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU GET THREE

VOTES. AIN'T THAT HOW IT WORKS HERE? >> THE DEPARTMENT HEAD CAN PUT IT ON THERE JUST LIKE ADDING AN ITEM THIS MORNING. BUT YOU PUT IT ON THERE AND THAT

WAY WE CAN MODEST PLANE TICKET HERE AND HOTEL ROOM. >> IT'S GOOD TO VISIT BUT IT NEVER HURT MY FEELINGS. I PUT STUFF ON THE AGENDA THAT TURN ME DOWN.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. I WANT TO RAISE THE ISSUE. >> LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED US IF THAT'S AN ISSUE. RELATIVELY SMALL STAFF. HUGE WORK ON SITE RELEASE AND BAIL. EVEN HELPING US PROCESS BUDGET QUESTIONS.

LET US KNOW. >> I WILL. I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR STAFF.

THEY'VE BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL! THIS ISN'T THE CRIMINAL SIDE BUT COULD THEY DO A MAC FOR PROBATE

OR THE OTHER COURT, THE FAMILY COURTS? >> DEFINITELY COULD BE.

THERE WAS LEGISLATION. >> THE BILL YOU HAD ME, WAS IT MY BILL OR SOME BILL?

>> THE FS YOUR BILL. >> THEY ALL COULD DO A MAC. I ASSUME THE CANNONS ISSUE

INDEPENDENCE COMES INTO PLAY. >> THE CANNONS OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT WOULD COME INTO PLAY.

THE CIVIL INDIGENT SAID IS UNREGULATED. THE CHILDRENS COMMISSION ACTUALLY, I THINK, MADE RECOMMENDATIONS LAST SESSION TO GET IT PASSED BUT NO PROHIBITION

FROM A COUNTY. >> DOES THE STATE COLLECT THAT DATA FOR THEM?

THE BILL YOU PROBABLY HAD ME CARRY. >> NOT TO THE SAME EXTENT THE INDEGENT OFFENSE DATA IS COLLECTED. I KNOW SOME INFORMATION IS

COLLECTED. >> WE KNOW IT. ONCE WE GET ON THIS COMPUTER SYSTEM WE KNOW IT. IT'S THERE. IF I CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THROUGH THAT STATISTICS YOU COULD DO THE PROBABILITY TEST AND FIGURE OUT WHO IS GETTING

WHAT? >> CORRECT. >> I REMEMBER THAT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. FINALLY VETERAN SERVICES.

[Veterans Services]

YES. >> YES. GOOD AFTERNOON.

OR EVENING COMMISSIONERS. MR. JACKSON. THE REASON THERE'S NOT A BUNT SUBMITTED IS BECAUSE THEY ARE IN REDWPING TO HAVE VETERAN SERVICES OFFICER DEPARTMENT.

I WAS INSTRUCTED THAT TO WAIT ON A NEW DIRECTOR BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW BUDGET AND NOT TO HIRE ANYONE AT THAT TIME. THAT'S FROM JIM NEDDER THE PROJECT DIRECTOR.

BASICALLY I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE THUS FAR FOR THE VETERAN SERVICE OFFICE. RIGHT NOW THERE'S ONLY TWO SERVICE OFFICERS AND THAT'S MA DELL RODRIGUEZ THE ASSISTANT AND MYSELF AND WE HAVE ANNED A MINUTE STAY OR THE IN THE OFFICE TRYING TO KEEP THE OFFICE AFLOAT UNTIL SUCH A TIME THERE'S A NEW DIRECTOR APPOINTED UNDER THE

[05:40:05]

I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS ON ABOUT THE NEW LOCATION I UNDERSTAND THIS COULD BE.

I'M WONDERING WHY THE COUNTY WANTS TO PAY FOR A RENOVATION OF A BUILDING, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY WHEN THE COUNTY DOESN'T OWN THAT BUILDING.

ALSO THERE'S A LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE COUNTY TO PAY THE LEASE TO COMBINE ARMS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. IT'S ABOVE MY PAY GRADE, OBVIOUSLY.

I WASN'T PRIVILEGED TO THE LEASE AGREEMENT MEETINGS OR ANYTHING ELSE.

I JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. I'M WONDERING WHY THIS BIG PUSH FOR THIS COMBINED ARMS LOCATION AND WE HAVE COUNTY BUILDINGS AT ANNEX 83 THAT'S BEHIND PUBLIC HEALTH BUILDING, WHICH IS VACANT. A THREE STORY RIGHT ON WEST.

VERY CONVENIENT FOR VETERANS TO GET TO. LASTLY.

SINCE I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY MONEY, AS OF TODAY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAS.

I WOULD LIKE TO DO A RECOMMENDATION. I'M GOING TO GET WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE OUT OF THE CURRENT BUDGET THAT WE HAVE. MR. RODRIGUEZ HAS BEEN DOING WORK ABOVE HIS JOB DESCRIPTION. THE PAYROLLS HE'S AT THE ASSISTANT ROLE AND WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO IS GO AHEAD AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT, I HAVE TO PUT IT IN WRITING AND RUN IT TO MR. JACKSON AND DO THE NUMBERS. I BELIEVE THERE'S ENOUGH MONEY FOR AT LEAST A $10,000 RAISE WHICH IS WHAT I'M GOING TO REQUEST.

I WILL GIVE YOU JUSTIFICATIONS OF WHY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>>DEFER TO BILL. I KNOW THERE WERE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE COMMITMENTS WE MADE PUBLICLY ON THE REVAMPED COMMITMENTS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR

PROMISES THERE. YOU SHOULD GET YOUR MIKE. >> WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF THE SEARCH FOR A NEW DIRECTOR ON THAT. I BELIEVE THE INSTRUCTION WAS NOT HIRE ANYBODY UNTIL THAT DIRECTOR COMES ON. WE DID NOT GIVE INSTRUKS NOT TO

SUBMIT A BUDGET BUT IT IS A VERY SMALL SHOP. >> SO THE QUESTION IS MY PERSPECTIVE IS WE NEED TO KEEP OUR COMMITMENTS AS TO THE FUNDING FOR THE VETERAN SERVICES

DEPARTMENT AND PROGRAMS WE TALKED ABOUT. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHETHER THAT NEEDS TO GO, BE APPROVED WITH THIS SESSION OR WHAT'S THE DEAL?

IS THERE A DRAFT BUDGET YOU CAN LOOK AT? >> BASICALLY, THE BUDGET DOESN'T GET APPROVED UNTIL FEBRUARY. WE FEEL LIKE WE'LL HAVE A NEW DIRECTOR ON BOARD BY THEN AND WORK OUT A NEW BUDGET FOR THEM WITH THE ITEMS THAT THE COURT

WANTED TO SEE. >> WE WILL GET TO HEAR IT BEFORE WE ADOPT IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> OR GET A COURT REPORTER. >> FIND ONE.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND ONE OTHER QUESTION. IS THERE GOING TO BE SAERJ FOR

ANY OTHER BUILDINGS BESIDES COMBINE ARMS? >> JOSH.

>> AT THIS TIME WE'RE IN THE LAST STAGES OF THE POTENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THAT LOCATION. IT SEEMS ABSOLUTELY A PERFECT LOCATION.

YOU GET A LOT OF SYNERGY WITH ALMOST EVERY OTHER VETERAN DEPARTMENT OUT THERE.

I SAY THAT AS A DISABLED VETERAN MYSELF. UNBELIEVABLE SYNERGY WE GET OUT OF THAT LOCATION. IT LOOKS LIKE THE LEASE IS ALMOST DONE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> YES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO THE ELECTION. >> SURE.

LET'S GO.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.