Dec 10, 2019 Commissioners Court Budget Hearing

[Call to Order]

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>> GOOD MORNING ON DECEMBER 10 AND I'M QUEENING THE BUDGET HEARING TO ORDER. TODAY IS THE SECOND DAY.

WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER SET OF HEARINGS NEXT MONDAY.

[Public Comment]

THE FIRST IS ONLY PUBLIC COMMENT IS DAVID GARCIA.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD MORNING. I'M DAVID GARCIA.

BEEN HERE MANY TIMES. ALREADY WE'VE PRESENTED THE ARGUES OF INCLUSION OF HARRIS COUNTY LATINOS AND LATIN CARIBBEANS INTO THE EMERGING TECH MARKETS.

THE QUESTION IS HOW THE EARMARK TANGIBLE BENEFIT FOR CITIZENS TAX INVESTMENT. FIRST LET US THANK THE COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EDUCATION TECH INTERNS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN AS YOU HAVE TWO KEY SITES.

THESE ARE KEY. WE OWE YOU AN APOLOGY.

WE WERE NOT ABLE TO MEET WITH YOU AS OUR MANDATE BECAME MUDDLED. I WOULD NEVER BE DISINGENERALLOUS ABOUT MEETING WITH ANY OF YOU COMMISSIONERS.

I WOULD NEED A MANDATE, A CLEAR ONE.

AFTER I SAID AFTER OUR FIFTH MEETING, YOU ARE FINAL SMART PEOPLE. WEARY V A DUTY TO OUR CITIZENS WHILE BEING SO WE NEED A COMMITMENT.

WHY IS HARRIS COUNTY FOR TWO YEARS RUNNING RATED 90TH AS A SMART CITY ACCORDING TO WALLET HUBS 2019 STUDY? IS THE DISABOUTS REALITY IS OUR EDUCATION RESOURCES LAG BEHIND 89 OTHER SMALLER CITIES. HOW ABOUT THE FACT THAT 14.2% OF HARRIS COUNTY POPULATION AGES 16-24 IS NEITHER WORKING OR IN SCHOOL. THE KIDS RATE THEIR JOB OPPORTUNITIES AS VERY POOR BUT THE CONCERNING PART IS 72% HOLD OUT HOPE OF A BETTER SITUATION IN YEARS AS THEY WANT TO

SUCCEED. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. >> SO BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE

[Additional Item]

FIRST COVERING SOME OF WHAT YOU MENINGED YESTERDAY WHICH IS THE WE'RE OPERATING UNDER THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE WHICH MAKES IT OVER THE LONG TERM AN EVEN ALREADY DIFFICULT TO KEEP ONE THE COUNTY'S GROWING NEEDS BECAUSE OF POPULATION NEED ETC.

MUCH LESS EXPECT NEW SERVICES. WE HAVE $114 MILLION OF NEW ASKS AND WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS.

AND WE HAVE TWO THREE ONGOING STUDIES THAT WILL COLOR THE WAY WE ALLOCATE FUND. ONE IS A REVIEW OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. A SECOND IS REVIEW OF ALL COUNTY SYSTEMS TO LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES AND FINALLY THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES STUDY. THAT'S THE FRAMEWORK WHICH WE'LL

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WE'LL HEAR FROM THE FIRST DEPARTMENT.

FIRST IF DOUG COULD GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THE ELECTION THAT

WOULD BE GREAT. >> BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENED WAS.

>> WE HAD A SERIES OF HEARINGS YESTERDAY.

THE MOTION IS UNDER ADVISEMENT. WE ARE HOPEFUL AT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE SOME FINAL RESOLUTION COULD BE REACHED BY THE END OF THE DAY. SO THE DISTRICT B ELECTION COULD BE INCLUDED ON THE JANUARY 28TH SPECIAL DISTRICT ELECTION CALL BY THE GOVERNOR FOR THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT. UNFORTUNATELY WE WAITED ALL DAY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY JUDGE RECUSED HIMSELF UNDER A STATUTE THAT REQUIRES THAT A DISTRICT JUDGE CAN'T SIT AND IS DISQUALIFIED FROM HEARING AN ELECTION CONTEST FOR ANY OF THE DISTRICT WHERE HE RESIDES, COVERS THE CONTESTED AREA.

APPARENTLY WAS NOT PROPERLY BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION BY THE DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE THAT HE WAS REQUIRED TO RECUSE HIMSELF AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT'S WHAT HE DID.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME IT'S BEEN REFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT.

A NEW SPECIAL JUDGE WILL BE APPOINTED EITHER A SITTING JUDGE FROM OUTSIDE OF HARRIS OR MONTGOMERY COUNTY OR A SPECIAL APPOINTED JUDGE WHO DOES NOT RESIDE WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND THAT JUDGE WILL THEN TAKE IT UP AT A LATER TIME. THE RESULT OF THAT IS THAT WE'RE DISAPPOINTED IN OUR HOPE THAT WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE TO PUT IT ON THE JANUAR. WE'LL HAVE TO ATE WAIT AND SEE WHAT RULINGS THE SPECIALLY APPOINTED JUDGE WILL MAKE BEFORE WE CAN DECIDE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

ORDINARILY IN AN ELECTION CONTEST IF IT'S SUSTAINED THE JUDGE SETS THE NEW ELECTION DAY. IT'S HOPED THIS WILL BE DONE IN AN EXPIEDISHES MANNER AND WE CAN SET IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE'LL CONSULT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE

SET FOR THAT ELECTION. >> CAN WE ASK YOU QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS SINCE IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA?

>> I UNDERSTAND THIS IS BROUGHT UP PURSUANT TO A CONTINUATION OF YESTERDAY'S MEETING WHICH MEANS THAT WE'RE STILL OPERATING UNDER THE SAME AGENDA ITEM THAT COMMISSIONER POSTED FOR YESTERDAY'S MEETING. SO YES YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS

ABOUT THIS. >>

>> WE KNOW ELECTION WON'T BE HELD IN JANUARY BECAUSE LAST WEEK WE WERE TOLD A DECISION WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE BY 5:00 YESTERDAY TO PUT IT ON THE JANUARY BALLOT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. WE NEED ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO

PREPARE FOR WHATEVER ELECTION. >> UNDER THE STATUTE WOULD THE NEXT EARLIEST DATE BE MARCH UNLESS SOME OTHER SPECIAL ELECTION. YOU HAVE TO GET PERMISSION FROM THE GOVERNOR TO HAVE THE BOND ELECTION?

>> THIS IS A SPECIAL CASE IN THE COURT WHO IS HEARING THE ELECTION CONTEST IS EMPOWERED TO ORDER I THE ELECTION DATE.

UNDER CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS THE JUDGE CAN ORDER IT AND IT DOESN'T MATTER ALL THE OTHER STATUTES THAT AFFECT WHEN YOU CAN TIME THE ELECTION. WE WOULD BE PROHIBITED FROM HAVING ANY OTHER ELECTION AT THAT TIME.

>> SO IT WILL BE WHEN THE JUDGE SETS IT PERIOD.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE SAW YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT LAST NIGHT AND I WANT TO SAY THIS COURT WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> TIME GUY YOU SAID ANYBODY WITH 30 YEARS AT THE COUNTY CAN'T COME ONE ORIGINAL

THOUGHTS. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER'S SERVICE. THIS WAS A CASE IN THE LEGISLATURE SOMEBODY WITH AN OPPOSITE PARTY TO BE ABLE TO DO

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SERVICE. >> I THINK PEOPLE WOULD QUESTION

THE SANITY PART. >> THANK YOU.

>> SO IT WILL BE. >> IT WILL BE WHATEVER THE JUDGE

SETS IT. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND CHANGES IN THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK THIS IS A UNIQUE CASE AT LEAST FOR AN URBAN AREA FOR ONE TO BE DRAGGED OUT LIKE THIS. TO THE EXTENT WE SEE INCONSISTENCIES OR PROBLEMS IN THE STATUTE, WE OUGHT TO POINT THAT OUT TO OUR FRIENDS MANY AUSTIN.

>> SO THE JUDGE COULDN'T BE A JUDGE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION,

HOW DID THE JUDGE NOT KNOW? >> WELL , THE MAIN PROBLEM WE'RE HAVING IS THE CASE WAS TRANSFERRED MORE THAN ONCE FROM ONE JUDGE 20 ANOTHER JUDGE. IN MY MIND IT BECAME CONFUSING AS TO WHICH JUDGE WAS HEARING IT AND FOR WHAT REASON.

I DID NOT APPEAR AT THAT HEARING YESTERDAY SO I WAS NOT AWARE THIS THE SITTING JUDGE IT WAS ONE THAT WAS HEARING ALL THESE MATTERS. SO THE A LOT OF THESE PARTICULAR STATUTES ARE VERY SPECIFIC AND THEY ARE NOT ADDRESSED VERY OFTEN. AND THE CONFUSION IN THE TRANSFERRING OF THE CASES FOR EXAMPLE THE OTHER CASE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY FILED SEEK AN INJUNCTION WAS TRANSFERRED AT THE LAST MINUTE TO BE IN THE SAME COURT AS THE COURT THAT WAS HEARING THE CONTEST CASE. SO I THINK THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES REASONING WAS THAT JUDGE COULD THEN HANDLE BOTH CASES OR COMBINE THE TWO CASES AND MAKE ONE DECISION ON BOTH MATTERS.

AND I THINK HAVING DEALT WITH THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT COURTS AND THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT JUDGES AND HAPPENING IN SUCH A RAPID FASHION, THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF INFORMATION MAY HAVE BEEN LOST IN ALL OF THAT. BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I KNOW THAT THE ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS WAS ADVOCATING THE POSITION THAT IT WAS NOT AN ELECTION CONTEST AT ALL.

IF IT'S NOT AN ELECTION CONTEST, THEN THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RECUSED FROM HEARING IT. I THINK THEY WERE DEPENDING ON THE POSITION THIS IS NOT AN ELECTION CONTEST, JUDGE YOU CAN RULE, DISMISS IT AND WE CAN HAVE NO CASE AT ALL AND MOVE ON DOWN THE ROAD. IF YOU TOOK THE POSITION THAT THE JUDGE HAD TO BE RECUSED THEN YOU WERE ADMITTING IT WAS AN ELECTION CONTEST AND THAT WOULD BE CONTRARY TO YOUR POSITION.

THIS IS CONFUSING. THIS IS VERY CONFUSING SITUATION THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE.

BUT THE PARTIES I THINK WERE ALL MOTIVATED TO GETTING AS RAPID A RESOLUTION AS POSSIBLE. THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ANOTHER REASON THEY DIDN'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.

>> WHAT IS THE CITY'S POSITION ON THIS SINCE WE ARE THEIR VENDOR, WHAT ARE THEY INSTRUCTING US TO DO?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT THE CITY IS ACTUALLY INSTRUCTING TO US DO ANYTHING. THE MAIN FIGHT IS BETWEEN THE THREE CANDIDATES. AND THE CITY'S POSITION IS THAT THE TWO THAT WERE CERTIFIED AS THE CANDIDATES FOR THE RUNOFF SHOULD BE IN THE RUNOFF AND THAT WE SHOULD CONDUCT THE ELECTION ONCE THE COURT MAKES A FINAL RULING.

AND OUR POSITION IS WE'LL CONDUCT THE RUNOFF AS SOON AS THE COURT INDICATES TO US WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE BALLOT IN THIS CONTEST IS FINAL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ARE BY STANDERS IN THIS WHOLE FIGHT.

THE MAIN PEOPLE FIGHT WILLING THE TWO CANDIDATES WHO ARE CONTENDING THEY SHOULD BE ON THE RUNOFF BALLOT WITH THE FIRST PLACE WINNER. THOSE ARE THE PARTIES THAT ARE PRIMARILY MOTIVATED TO BRING THIS CASE TO A CLOSE.

>> DID YOU SAY THEY CAN NOT THE JUDGE RECUSED HIMSELF BECAUSE HE IS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> YOU MIGHT TELL THEM THAT'S PART OF HOUSTON FORT BEN COUNTY. THEY MIGHT NOT TRY TO GO TO FORT BEN. ONCE THE JUDGE READS IT AND FIND OUT THERE IS A LITTLE PART OF HOUSTON IN FORT BEN COUNTY, IT NOT THAT DISTRICT. IT'S PART OF DISTRICT D NOT B.

>> I THINK ORDINARILY WHAT THEY WOULD DO IS NOT TRY TO USE A

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>> ONE OF THE LESSONS THAT COMES OUT OF THIS, I TALKED TO COUNCILMAN HAYES LAST NIGHT. HE MAY NOT GET TO LEAVE AT YOU WILL. YOU COULD END UP BEING AROUND

HERE INDEFINITELY. >> I THINK COMMISSIONER REDDICK INTENDS TO SERVE TO THE END OF HIS TERM.

>> THIS MAY DRAG ON FOR A YEAR. >> WHAT WOULD DRAG ON FOR A

YEAR? >> THIS F THIS WAS HAPPENING AND YOU HAVE ELECTION CONTEST, IT CREATES.

>> THE ONLY TIME WE'RE INSTRUCTED WE CAN'T CONDUCT AN ELECTION IS WHEN A RUNOFF ELECTION IS AFFECTED.

THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER WHOEVER GETS THE MOST VOTES IS THE WINNER. THERE IS NO RUNOFF INDICATED.

>> THE PRIMARY IS HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY IN MARCH.

BUT THE RUNOFF IS NOT UNTIL THE FOURTH TUESDAY IN MAY WHICH IS A PERIOD OF NEARLY THREE MONTHS. THAT IS PLENTY OF TIME TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THIS FINALLY DECIDED SO WE CAN ACTUALLY

CONDUCT THE ELECTION. >> REMEMBER THAT WHEN THIS IS

SETTLED. >> WE HAVE SIX WEEKS TO SETTLE ANY KIND OF DISPUTE LIKE THIS SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT

DELAYING. >> THANK YOU.

>> ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOTE, THIS GENTLEMAN ON THE FRONT ROW RIGHT OVER THERE, TODAY IS HIS BIRTHDAY.

>> HAPPY BIRTHDAY. >> LET'S GET STARTED.

[Courts of Appeals]

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE 14TH COURT OF APPEALS. TO MY RIGHT IS CHRISTOPHER PRIME WHO IS THE CLERK OF BOTH THE FIRST COURT OF APPEALS AND THE 14TH COURT OF APPEALS. I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE COURTS OF APPEALS.

AS YOU KNOW, THE FIRST AND THE 14TH SHARE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL JURISDICTION OVER A TEN COUNTY AREA WHICH HARRIS COUNTY SERVES AS THE HOST COUNTY , THE HOME OF THE TWO COURTS.

WE MAKE OUR HOME IN THE 1910 HARRIS COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY. AND EVERY DAY WE GET TO WALK IN AND SEE THAT MAJESTIC PALACE OF JUSTICE, WE THANK YOU FOR FURNISHING THAT LOVELY PLACE FOR US TO WORK AND DO JUSTICE.

THE OTHER COUNTIES IN OUR TEN COUNTY AREA CONTRIBUTE ON A PROPORTIONATE BASIS TO THE EXPENSES THAT THE COURTS OF APPEALS INCUR THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY.

AND CHRIS PRIME CAN GIVE YOU DETAILS ON ANY OF THE BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE. WE'RE PREPARED TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I LIKE THAT REPORT. >> THEY DID SUCH A GOOD JOB.

I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. >> MY ONLY QUESTION IS SO YOU GUYS DIDN'T HAVE ANY REQUESTS AS FAR AS I CAN TELL.

BUT YOU DID MENTION THAT THERE IS ACTIVITY AND DEMANDS THAT CONTINUE TO INCREASE. AND SO WHAT SUPPORT CAN WE PROVIDE TO KEEP UP WITH THAT, IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'LL TAKE A

DEEPER LOOK AT NEXT YEAR? >> ONE ITEM DURING THE

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PARTICULARFULLY THOSE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLACED. AS A RESULT OF THAT WE HAVE A CONTINUING NEED. IT'S A BIG BUILDING, FOR SECURITY IN THAT AREA. AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE SECURITY TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.

IT GOING CONTINUE TO BE A MATTER WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO MONITOR TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ADEQUATE SECURITY.

>> IF YOU SEE CURRENT SECURITY NEEDS, PLEASE BRING THEM TO US THROUGH BUDGET MANAGEMENT AHEAD OF THE JANUARY HEARING.

AND GOING FORWARD KEEP US POSTED.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

[Constables]

>> CONSTABLES. LET'S START WITH PRECINCT ONE.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M CONSTABLE ALLEN ROSEN, HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT ONE.

I WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE THE BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED THIS YEAR AND FOR YEARS AHEAD. I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT GIVEN BY THIS COURT AND THE LEADERSHIP HERE.

WE HAVE AN OFFICE OF 507 WHO TAKE IMMENSE PRIDE THIS SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY AND CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE THEY SERVE ON A GRASSROOTS LEVEL. AS WE SEE FROM THE COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO RECENT TRAGEDIES, I STAND HERE -- I COULD QUOTE YOU NUMBERS. BUT THE TRUE VALUE OF THE WORK THAT OCCURS IN OUR OFFICE IS VISIBLE WHEN YOU LOOK BEYOND THE NUMBERS. OUR OFFICE PROACTIVELY AND REACTIVELY WORKS WITH AND OUR PRIORITY ONE CALLS AVERAGE TWO MINUTES 26 SECONDS. WE INCREASE AGENCY RESPONSE TIME WHEN CONSTABLES WERE FIRST CREATED WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND. OUR CALLS FOR SERVICE HAVE INCREASED 13% OVER THE PRIOR YEAR.

ALL OF THOSE CALLS BY THE WAY RESULTED IN 2,036 CASES BEING FILED. AS AN OFFICE HOLDER YOU KNOW THAT ANOTHER ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF LEADERSHIP IS OUR BUDGET. OUR BUDGET FOR 2020 WAS PETHOUSAND 661. OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE I'VE SAVED TAXPAYERS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. OUR DEPUTY WORK CASE IS WELL BEYOND THE BORDERS OF PRESIXTH ONE.

WE ASSIST THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, POLICE DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL DISTRICT ISSISD'S. WE WORK WELL WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS HERE TODAY SUCH AS THE OTHER CONSTABLES.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE PUBLIC TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND LAW ENFORCE TOM WORK TOGETHER TO PURSUE AND PROTECT EVERYBODY. WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS GO A LONG WAY. AS YOU KNOW JUDGE WE PARTNER WITH YOU FOR THE GUN LOCK PROGRAM WHICH WE'RE HAPPY 20 DO.

LOVE TO DO THOSE KIND OF PROGRAMS. OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH HAS TAKEN ON COUNTY WIDE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH WARRANT, INVESTIGATION OF ANIMAL CRUELTY, ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES, HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THESE ARE UNIQUE PROGRAMS IN WHICH EACH COMBAT CRIME TECHNIQUES HAS INITIATIVES WELL BEYOND JUST OUR BORDERS.

SOME OF THE STATS THAT I WANT TO KIND OF MAKE YOU AWARE OF ARE JUVENILE WARRANT DIVISION HAS SERVED OVER 5,083 JUVENILE WARRANTS. MENTAL HEALTH WARRANTS INCIDENTS TOTALED 24,000 INCIDENTS IN 2018 AND SIMILAR NUMBERS 2019.

ANIMAL CRUELTY CASES FOR 2019 AND 18327 CASES WHERE CRIMINAL CHARGES WERE ACCEPTED. 1282 ANIMALS WERE SEIZED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. FLOOD AND HOMELESS SHELTERS WE'VE OPERATED IN 2017. THAT'S NOT OUR CORE RESPONSIBILITY. BUT WE VIEW TAKING CARE OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION WHEN THERE IS A COLD SNAP OR THERE IS A

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BUT WE DO THAT BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

WE START AID HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM FOR THE DOWNTOWN COMPLEX MAKING SURE THAT OUR HOMELESS POPULATION IS ENGAGED, FIND OUT WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FIND OUT WHERE THEY ARE IN THE DOWNTOWN COMPLEX BECAUSE WE WANT TO KEEP EVERYBODY THAT WORKS HERE AND CONDUCTS BUSINESS HERE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS SAFE WITH THAT AS WELL.

WE ARE SONS CONSTANTLY ENGAGING THIS HOMELESS POPULATION.

WE HAD SOMEBODY THAT USED TO THROW A ROCK THROUGH ADMINISTRATION BUILDING EVERY TIME HE GOT OUT OF JAIL.

WE ARRESTED HIM TWICE. HE'S BEEN THEY MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY FOR 12 MONTHS NOW. HOPEFULLY HE'S GOING TO RECOVER AND GET OUT AND BE A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY.

RESERVE HOURS. WE HAVE RESERVE PERSONNEL THAT DON'T COST TAXPAYERS ANY MONEY. THEY COME GIVE OF THEIR TIME.

THEY ARE LICENSED PEACE OFFICERS LIKE WE ARE.

THEY HAVE GIVEN 15,000 HOURS EACH YEAR.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE 150 UNDERCOVER CAMERAS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND COUNTY FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING WHICH DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THESE CAMERAS ARE REQUIRED BECAUSE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL NOT TAKE CHARGES WITHOUT HAVING VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE CRIME HAPPENING. WE HAD A GRANT FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR $500,000 TO BUY CAMERAS AND I WORKED WITH EACH COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AND THE JUDGE IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES AS WELL TO DEPLOY THESE CAMERAS WHEREVER YOU FEEL LIKE IS THERE I NEED THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WHEN IT COMES TO ILLEGAL DUMPING. IT'S A QUALITY OF LIFE.

A IT'S A HEALTH ISSUE. AND WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL AT FILING THESE TYPES OF CASES.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN IDEA. WE HAVE AN 18 -- WE HAD 359 INVESTIGATIONS THAT RESULTED IN 166 CHARGES.

IN 19 WE HAD 255 INVESTIGATIONS RESULTING IN 149 CHARGES AND WE HAVE 57 INVESTIGATIONS CURRENTLY BEING DONE.

I'M A BIG PROPONENT THAT AS PART OF THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SIDE OF ME WANTS PEOPLE THAT ILLEGALLY DUMP TO GO OUT AND CLEAN UP THE MESS THEY MADE. I'M WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN TRYING TO GET THAT DONE TO WHERE IT'S PART OF A PROBATION PACKAGE THAT THEY WOULD GO BACK OUT AND CLEAN UP THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO OUR COMMUNITY.

MOST PEOPLE DUMP WITHIN THREE TO FIVE MILES OF THEIR HOUSE SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THIS SO IT'S AN EDUCATION COMPONENT OF EDUCATING PEOPLE OF WHERE TO GET RID OF ILLEGAL DEBRIS AND ENFORCEMENT ONE. IN THE COURTHOUSE COMPLEX, WE SCREEN ON AVERAGE 200,000 PEOPLE A MONTH THROUGH THESE BUILDINGS.

WE REMOVE ROUTINELY 4-5,000 ITEMS OF CONTRABAND EACH MONTH.

3-4,000 CALLS OF SERVICE TO COUNTY BUILD IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. 150 MENTAL HEALTH CALLS EACH MONTH IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. WE HAVE CRISIS INTERVENTION DEPUTIES OUT IN THE COMPLEX TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. WE HAVE THREE CIT UNITS THAT HANDLE CALLS IN THE DOWNTOWN COMPLEX.

WE ALSO WERE THANKFULLY DONATED A VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE DONOR TO OUR FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO WE'RE USING THAT VERY WELL.

A PROCESS FOR 2018 WE'RE AT 37,384 CIVIL PROCESS CASES.

THIS YEAR WE'RE SITTING AT 35,716 PIECES.

THIS IS LAWSUITS, TEMPORARY INJUNCTIONS, EVERYTHING.

WE'VE HANDLED 76 HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASES IN 19 IN OUR AREA. OF THOSE 76, 14 WERE JUVENILE VICTIMS. CHARGES WERE FILED IN 57 OF THOSE CASES. I'M A HUGE PROPONENT OF THIS SEX TRAFFICKING IN HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY WE'RE NUMBER ONE AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT DESIGNATION AND IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO WORK TOGETHER TO COMBAT THIS ISSUE.

IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO THE PUBLIC AND TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL. COMMUNITY OUTREACH WISE, WE

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WE BUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUROUT.

THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROGRAMS WE HAVE HERE IN PRECINCT ONE. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE YOUTH BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR FUTURE.

WITHOUT THEM AND WITHOUT PUTTING A NICE WORKING RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER, I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. WE HAVE PROVIDED ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING TO BOTH HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC.

I'M PROUD OF THAT. WE DO HUNDREDS OF THREAT ASSESSMENTS FOR HOMES, FOR COUNTY OFFICES, FOR COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERS. EACH ONE OF OUR DEPUTIES CARRIES GUN LOCKS IN THEIR CARS F. A CITIZEN NEED A FREE GUN LOCK, WE PROVIDE IT TO THEM. AT EVERY OUTREACH DOE, WE HAVE GUN LOCKS THERE. WE HOPE THIS SAVES THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND DOES EVERYTHING IT SHOULD DO.

WE NEED TO PUT THESE PROGRAMS FURTHER OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

I HOPE EACH OFFICE AND COUNTY JUDGE WILL EMBRACE THIS AND PUSH THIS MESSAGE TO ENSURE WE SAVE LIVES OF CHILDREN.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. WE HAD A CASE WE WORKED WHERE A CHILD DIED IN A SCHOOL BUS. WE PUT TOGETHER A BABY IN THE BACK PROGRAM WHERE WE GAVE OUT HANGERS THAT GO BEHIND THE MIRRORS OF CARDS TO REMIND PEOPLE NOT TO FORGET THEIR CHILDREN, ELDERLY OR ANYBODY IN CARS.

WE'VE BEGIN THESE OUT THE DAYCARE CENTERS AND CHURCHES AND ANYBODY THAT WOULD TAKE ONE. IT'S A REMINDER NOT TO LEAVE ANYTHING PRECIOUS THIS YOUR CAR. WE PARTNERED WITH A COMPANY CALLED TOUCH D.N.A. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS 500 PIECES OF EVIDENCE STUCK IN THEIR EVIDENCE ROOM BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHO THE PROPERTY BELONGS TO.

THERE IS A COMPANY CALLED TOUCH D.N.A. THAT WAS FUNDED FOR PROFIT. IT'S BEEN PURCHASED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND THEY ARE GIVING IT OUT FOR FREE.

IF YOU PUT IT ON YOUR BELONGINGS, JEWELRY AND ALL OF YOUR EXPENSIVE ITEMS. IF WE RECOVER IT AND YOU'VE REGISTERED IT WITH TOUCH D.N.A. WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIND THAT TOUCH DON D.N.A. ON THE ITEM AND WE CAN RETURN IT TO THE OWNER.

WE HAD THE MOST IN THE COUNTRY SIGN UP FOR THAT PROGRAM AFTER WE DEPLOYED -T EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR.

IT'S CALLED TOUCH D.N.A. HAPPY TO SEND YOU SOME OF THAT AS WELL AS WELL AS THE BABY IN THE BACK PROGRAMS. PRECINCT ONE HAS BEEN -- WE HOLD FOUR DWI INITIATIVES A YEAR.

THESE ARE MULTIAGENCY DWI INITIATIVES WHERE OUR CONSTABLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PARTNER WITH TO US CONDUCT THESE INITIATIVES.

I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT PRECINCT ONE WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE MAD LAW ENFORCEMENTS AGENCY OF THE YEAR FOR 2014, 2016 AND 2018.

CHILD SUPPORT WARRANT -- IT'S THE OUTSTANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY OF THE YEAR. CHILD SUPPORT WARRANTS FOR 18 WE HAD 368, 19 WE HAD 406. I CURRENTLY HAVE 7 POSITIONS OPEN. SO I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT WE'RE AN AGENCY WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO WORK.

WE HAVE VERY FEW OPENINGS. WE HAVE THREE IN PATROL, ONE IN DISPATCH, ONE IN WARRANTS, WITH THAT I'LL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANYBODY HAS. THANK YOU.

>> GREAT JOB. ALL OF THAT EXTRA STUFF AND HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL FUND WILLING YOU REQUESTING THIS YEAR?

>> ZERO. >> YOU KNOW HOW TO DO A BUDGET.

THANK YOU SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING RUNNING A TIGHT SHOP. I KNOW SOME OTHER CONSTABLES ARE HERE, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR WORK ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE DEATH OF SERGEANT BREWSTER OVER THE WEEKEND.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

>> JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I APPRECIATE THAT AND APPRECIATE THAT ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

>> WHO HIRED YOU WHEN YOU WERE A DEPUTY?

>> I THINK IT WAS WALTER RANKEN. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

[00:35:06]

>> WHO ELSE HIRED YOU? >> GLENN CHEEK.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AFTER 30 YEARS.

>> THANK YOU BUDDY. >> THANK YOU.

>> PRECINCT 2. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US OUT TODAY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR SERVICE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS IN THE PRESIXTH TWO AREA.

THEY APPRECIATE ALL THE RESOURCES YOU'VE INN GO US OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. OUR DEPARTMENT HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH THE RESOURCES.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO GROW THOSE RESOURCES AND BE THE BEST LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I'VE GOT A FEW THINGS I'D LIKE TO GO OVER WITH YOU TODAY.

JUST SOME STATS. TOTAL CALLS FOR SERVICE WAS 47,328. CONTRACT CHECKS IS 11,807.

IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SOUTH BELT AREA WE HOLD THREE MUDDIES TRICKETTS DOWN THERE AND IT'S CONTINUING TO GROW TREMENDOUSLY. THE POPULATION HAS DOUBLES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AND CONTINUED TO GROW.

WE HAVE DOUBLES THANKS TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WE'VE ALMOST DOUBLED THE PATROL DOWN THERE WHICH IS GREAT.

>> I HAVE TO COMMENT ON THAT. >> HE TALKED ABOUT SOUTH BELT.

MY DOG IS BURIED UNDER WHERE SOUTH BELT IS.

IT'S GROWN A LOT SINCE THOSE DAYS.

>> IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH ANY OF YOUR UNINCORPORATED AREAS, A LOT OF THE CITIZENS OUT THERE THAT LIVE WITHIN THE CITY LIMBS HAVE BEEN MIGRATING OUT THAT WAY AND ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY OUT THERE. WITH YOUR HELP YOU HAVE ADDED MANY PATROL DEPUTIES OUT IN THE AREA.

WE'VE PUT TOGETHER A SPECIAL OPS TEAM.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE OVER $10 MILLION WORTH OF DOPE OFF THE STREETS DOWN THERE.

WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD ALSO WITH THE GAME ROOMS, WE'VE SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS OF MANY GAME ROOMS DOWN THERE.

AND SO WE'RE CONTINUING TO BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP AND MAKE THAT BOND. ALSO DOE HAVE OUR CALLS PER DAY IS ABOUT 140 CALLS. CALLS PER WEEK ARE 966.

CALL CREATION ON SCENE IS 311. OUR CONTRACTED DIVISION WE ALSO CONTRACT WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE HAVE ABOUT 10 DEPUTIES HA SERVICE THERE. WE HAVE ONE LIEUTENANT AND A SERGEANT THERE. THOSE SCHOOLS ARE CONTINUING TO GROW. AND WE ALSO NEED YOUR HELP WITH MAINTAINING THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS.

PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT COVERS THE NORTH SIDE OF I10 AND THE SOUTH SIDE OF I10 AND WE SHARE THIS WITH PRECINCT 3.

WE PARTNERED SEVERAL TIMES TO WORK ON MANY OPERATIONS.

WE PULL A LOT OF DRUGS OUT OF THE SCHOOLS.

WE PUT A CANINE TO WORK IN THE SCHOOLS THIS YEAR.

IT'S PHENOMENAL WHAT WE'RE DOING DOWN THERE WITH THE PARTNERSHIPS. WE FALL HAD ALMOST NINE MINE MALL TIS IN PRECINCT TWO. SO WE PARTNER WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES THAT THEY USE US FOR BACKUP ANYTIME THEY NEED CALLS FOR SERVICE OR IF THEY HAVE ANY KIND OF COMMUNITY EVENTS, THEY NEED US TO COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN PARADES, TRAFFIC CONTROL, ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.

DOE HAVE THE EARS OF ALL THE MAYORS AND CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY LEADERS DOWN THERE. SO THEY CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AT ANY TIME AND CALL ME OR CALL MY COMMAND STAFF ON THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON. IF THEY EVER NEED ANYTHING DOWN THERE, THEY ARE ABLE TO GET US FIRSTHAND.

[00:40:02]

OF COURSE I AM A FORMER MAYOR OF ONE OF THE MUNICIPALITIES, SO I UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE ABLE TO CALL YOUR CONSTABLE SO THAT WAY HE CAN GET SOME SERVICE OUT THERE.

ALSO OUR EMPLOYEES OF PRECINCT TWO.

THEY DO A FANTASTIC JOB. THEY ARE FROM THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ARE ROOTED DEEP IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB WITH SERVING THE PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T JUST COME GET A PAYCHECK FROM THE TAX DOLLARS.

BUT THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEY'VE BEEN EMPLOYED FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN THE PRESIXTH AREA AND PRIME EXAMPLE IS DAVE MATTHEWS.

THIS MAN RIGHT HERE HAS GIVEN HIS LIFE TO COMMUNITY SERVICE WORKING FOR THE COUNTY. HOWEVER HE DID RETIRE.

HE WORKED FOR COMMISSIONER LEE FOR MANY YEARS.

SO I TOLD HIM, I SAID DAVE YOU CAN RETIRE BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME BACK TO WORK. THAT WOULD APPROXIMATE A WASTE.

AND SO I WAS ABLE TO GET HIM TO COME ABOARD AND HE DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH WORKING WITH PRECINCT TWO.

BUT WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE SERVICE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ALL THE OUTSTANDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE DO. AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK PARTNER WITH YOU AS A COMMISSIONERS COURT AND OUR JUDGE. BUT TODAY WE'RE NOT REQUESTING ANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US COME OUT AND WE'D LIKE TO WISH Y'ALL A

MERRY CHRISTMAS. >> THANK YOU.

>> [INAUDIBLE] .

>> 289167. IT'S FOR TWO DISTRICT UNITS, AN I.T. PERSON WE DON'T HAVE. A CERTIFIED I.T. PERSON AND WE HAVE A TEMPORARY PART TIME DEPUTY POSITION.

IT'S 289167 WHICH IS 3.1% OF OUR BUDGET.

>> [INAUDIBLE] .

>> YES. >> THE TWO PATROL DEPUTIES WHICH

MAINTAIN CALL RESPONSE TIMES. >> TO HELP WITH CALL RESPONSE TIME AS WELL AS SCHOOL ZONE ENFORCEMENT AND BACKUP FOR OUR SPECIAL OPS DIVISION WHEN WE HAVE A NEED FOR THEM TO SUPPLEMENT FOR INSTANCE WE CONDUCT STINGS AND THE PARK PLACE BROADWAY AREA IN THE SOUTHEAST PART OF HOUSTON, THEY SUPPLEMENT THOSE OFFICES FOR SAFETY REASONS AND ALLOW US TO

DO OUR JOB. >> YOU MAY HAVE MENTIONED THIS, BUT WHAT ARE CALL RESPONSE TIMES, WHAT ARE THEY NOW AND

WHAT ARE THEY TRENDING TOWARD? >> [INAUDIBLE]

. >> ONE THING YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IS WITH OUR AGENCY OUR DEPUTIES PLAY MANY DIFFERENT ROLES. WE'RE VERY SMALL AGENCY.

THERE ARE REDUNDANCY IN PLAYING DIFFERENT ROLES.

ONE DAY THEY MAY GO TO PATROL. THEY ARE TRAINED TO GO TO CIVIL.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE AT.

WE TRY TO USE OUR RESOURCES WISELY AND GET THEM TRAINED IN ALL DIFFERENT ASPECTS. WE JUST DO WHAT WE CAN WITH WHAT WE GOT. AND WE JUST KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

>> WHY ARE WE NOT -- MAYBE YOU KNOW THIS, TO PROVIDE THEM WITH I.T. SUPPORT THROUGH UNIVERAL SERVICES?

>> [INAUDIBLE] .

>> CIRCLE BACK AND SEE IF MAYBE THROUGH WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT WE CAN PROVIDE THROUGH UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

>> WE CURRENTLY HAVE OUR DISPATCH SUPERVISOR IS ALSO OVER I. T. HE'S BEEN PLAYING THAT ROLE FOR MANY YEARS NOW. HE DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB WITH THAT. BUT SOON LOOKING AT MAYBE REVISIT THIS SOON AND SEE IF WE CAN LOOK AT ADDING ANOTHER

PERSON FOR THAT. >> OK.

>> IS THERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING INTO PRECINCT TWO AND BRING IN MORE RESOURCES.

[00:45:01]

BUT WE DO WHAT WE CAN. >> THANK YOU.

I THINK THAT'S THE SPILL THAT COMMISSIONER WAS GIVING YESTERDAY. WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE MAKE DUEDOWN WITH THE FUNDS AVAILABLE AND ALL THE REQUESTS.

DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL IS WHAT HE WAS SAYING.

WE'LL CIRCLE BACK ON ALL OF THIS.

>> WE'RE A BIG PROPONENT ON COMMUNITY OUTREACH TOO.

ALL THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING ON, OF COURSE WE HAVE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.

WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE, WE ACTUALLY FORMED TWO LOCATIONS AT BOTH OF OUR OFFICES AND WE HAVE A BIG NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT AT BOTH OFFICES. SO THAT KIND OF GIVES US A CHANCE TO BRING IN PEOPLE ANDLY AYE LOT OF THE HOA'S AND CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS HAVE CAME IN AND PARTNERED WITH US.

SO IT OPENS UP THAT COMMUNICATION FOR TO US HAVE THAT. OF COURSE, IT BRINGS IN MORE RESOURCES. IT TAKES MORE RESOURCES TO HAVE THAT. AND ALSO WE TRY TO HIT 30 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENTS THROUGHOUT PRECINCT.

IT TAKES A LOT OUT OF US. WE HAVE A TEAM TO DO THAT.

WE TRY TO MAKE OUR CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGS.

ANYTHING THAT MAY HAPPEN, SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO PLAY THIS ROLE AND KEEP BUILDING BECAUSE OF THE NECESSARY RESOURCE NEEDED FROM

THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU.

THE BIG CHANGE THIS YEAR AND NA KEEL WON'T WORKING ON IS PERFORMANCE METRICS ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

WITH THE NEW JUS JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT IF THEY CAN BE HELPFUL OR WE CAN BE HELP INFORMAL COLLECTING THOSE SO WE CAN KEEP TRACK. AND FOLKS HAVE DONE THIS ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS AND DIFFERENT OFFICES.

THAT'S WHAT ALSO WILL HELP US JUSTIFY DIFFERENT REQUESTS.

AS WE COMB WILL YOU THE CURRENT BUDGET WE'LL WORK ON OFFICIAL SIS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE TAX RATE IS.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO POINT TO THOSE.

I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT AS A MOTE.

HOW WE CAN BE SUPPORTIVE IN COLLECTING THOSE AND TRACKING

THOSE. >> AND THE COMMISSIONER COURT HAS BEEN HELP TO FEEL US. IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE PAST YEARS, WE'VE BEEN AT A STEADY DRIP OF GROWTH OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS. AND SO WE'VE DONE REALLY WELL.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING US THAT CHANCE TO GROW. BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE THERE HAVE REALLY SEEN A DIFFERENCE AND THEY COMMENT AND THEY SEND US LETTERS AND THEY CALL US THANKING US FOR EVERYTHING WE DO. BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT

YOUR HELP. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE NEED YOUR HELP. >> PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING SOMETIMES. AND MY PERSPECTIVE DIFFERS A LITTLE BIT THAN SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES.

WE HAVE AN INCREASE OF 54 -- 54 MILLION PLUS 60 MILLION.

WE HAD AN INCREASE OF OUR BUDGET OF ALMOST $114 MILLION.

54 OF THAT WE'VE ALREADY SPENT THROUGH ALLOCATIONS MADE DURING THE YEAR. WE GOT 60 MILLION NEW DOLLARS THAT WE GET TO SPEND THIS UP COMING YEAR.

BUT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF FOLKS THAT HAVE DUG INTO THEIR DREAM CHEST TO SAY WE WANT TO DO ALL OF THIS EXTRA STUFF W. THE 60 MILLION WE'RE HAVING TO FIND OUT WHERE THAT IS GOING TO GO WHEN WE'VE GOT SOME 114 MILLION OF REQUESTS.

THAT ARE COMING IN. AND SO THE QUESTION IS EVERYBODY GETS A LITTLE BIT OR SOME GET NONE AND SOME GET ALL AND A LOT, WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT IS GOING TO BE.

WE WILL HAVE IN THIS EVENT WHERE WE'RE NOT INCREASING THE TAX BURDEN ON THE PUBLIC AN ADDITIONAL $60 MILLION PLUS THE 54 WE'VE SPENT THIS YEAR THAT WILL BE GOING OUT TO ASSIST YOU IN SERVING THE PUBLIC. MY PERSPECTIVE IS MORE OF THE HALF FULL GLASS AS OPPOSED TO THE HALF EMPTY GLASS.

[00:50:01]

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH US IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> I WAS A PROPONENT EVEN BEFORE OF PERFORMANCE METRICS BECAUSE I RAN A PROGRAM AT PRECINCT ONE. AND THAT WAS OUR WHOLE FOCUS WAS MEASURING PERFORMANCE. AND I'VE TAKE THAN SOMETIME CONSTABLE DIAZ AND WE'RE WORKING TOGETHE TO HAVE METRICS MEASURING SO WE GET THE BEST BANG FOR OUR BUCK.

IT'S BASED ON THE FACT WE KNOW PERFORMANCE.

>> WE DID HAVE THREE OPEN PCN'S THAT ARE FUNDED.

SO I DIDN'T KNOW IF Y'ALL WANTED TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT.

BUT WE DO HAVE THREE. >> THANK YOU.

PRECINCT 3. >> WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT PICKS UP ON THE LIVE STREAM OR THE RECORDING.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M CONSTABLE EAGLETON.

OUR DEPARTMENT IS DOING GREAT. BUDGET IS FINE.

WE'RE NOT HERE ASKING FOR ANYTHING.

WE'RE JUST HERE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN KEEP WHAT WE HAVE TO KEEP DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING. I HAVE MY CHIEF CLERK HERE.

SHE'S GOING TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN PRECINCT THREE SINCE WE'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.

>> GOOD MORNING. THE BUDGET PROCESS WAS VERY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR AND WE WELCOME IT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW EVERYONE DOES.

IT'S BEEN EYE OPENING FOR US. LAST YEAR WE ANSWERED 71,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE. WE ALSO CONDUCTED MANDATORY SHOOTERS. WE HOLD THE RESPONSIBILITY OF 52,000 STUDENTS AND IN PRECINCT 3 WITH THESE FIVE CONTRACTS.

SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR US IN OUR PRECINCT. WE'VE DEPLOYED NO DUMPING SIGNS THROUGHOUT OUR PRECINCT AND HAVE A 24 HOUR SURVEILLANCE CAMERA SET UP IN KNOWN ILLEGAL DUMPING SITES.

WE'VE ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH CHILL FACTORS ALLOWS TO US ENGAGE. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORK. IF YOU ARE A SENIOR AND LIVE ALONE, YOU FILL OUT YOUR APPLICATION.

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO HAVE DAILY CONTACT OR WEEKLY CONTACT IF YOU DON'T HAVE FAMILY TO CHECK ON YOU.

OUR CLERK WILL DISPATCH ONE OF OUR DEPUTIES OUT TO DO A WELFARE CHECK ON THE SENIORS. RIGHT NOW OUR ENROLLMENT IS OVER 400 SENIORS AND THAT IS JUST NOT LIMITED TO OUR PRECINCT.

>> THAT'S OUR COST PROGRAM. WE LAUNCHED THAT LAST YEAR AND CURRENTLY HAVE A LITTLE OVER 100 HISPANIC COMMUNITY SENIOR

[00:55:04]

IT'S SOMETHING WE DO TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN.

UPON MAKING OUR DAILY OR WEEKLY CONTACT WITH THE 400 SENIORS, OFTEN TIMES WE FIND THEIR AC OR HEAT IS OUT OR YARD IS EXTREMELY OVERGROWN OR HAVE UNEXPECTED IMMEDIATE HOME REPAIRS.

THIS IS AT NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER.

THE GENEROSITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T EVEN PUT INTO WORDS. THIS IS WHEN WE RELY ON THE GENEROSITY OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

OUR DEPARTMENT HAS DONATED NEW AC UNITS FROM OUR EMPLOYEES.

WE PUBLISH THE SENIORS NEED ON SOCIAL MEDIAN LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS WILL DONATE SERVICES TO THE SENIOR IN NEED.

THE EXPANSION OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS WE HOLD MONTHLY COFFEE. ALL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS ARE COMPLETELY FUNDED BY DONATIONS FROM OUR EMPLOYEES WE ACQUIRED A BLOOD HOUND CANINE FOR TRACKING PURPOSES.

WE ALSO ACQUIRED A BOMB DOG. >> THIS ONE WAS.

THIS WAS JUST -- THEY ARE AWESOME.

WE ACQUIRE AID BOMB DOG AND FULL TIME CANINE DEPUTY.

AT THIS YEAR WE IMPLEMENTED SOMETHING NEW CALLED OUR SHOP PROGRAM. IT A SPECIAL HOLIDAYS OPERATION PROGRAM. WE DEPLOY DEPUTIES IN DIFFERENT AMOUNTS TO THE RETAIL CENTERS IN OUR PRECINCT.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE SUBJECTS IN PRECINCT FOUR IN CONSTABLE HARMON'S OFFICE THEY CAME TO TARGET THE SHOPPERS CHRISTMAS TIME. WE FELT THAT WAS NECESSARY.

WE HAD DEPUTIES WORKING AROUND THE CLOK AT RETAIL CENTERS.

WE ALSO THIS YEAR OR LAST YEAR WE CREATED THE PAROLE SITE OR THE PROGRAM. WE TARGET A NEW PAROLE VIOLATE TORNADOES THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. IT'S RESULTED IN THE APPREHENSION OF 105 PAROLE VIOLATE TORNADOES THIS YEAR AND STILL COUNTING. THIS IS ALSO WITH OUR TIP LINE WHERE CITIZENS CAN CALL IN AND THEY LEAVE INFORMATION ON THERE AND IT'S RELAYED DIRECTLY TO THE DEPUTIES.

OUR DEPARTMENT ALSO BECAME A RECOGNIZED AGENCY FOR THE PLACE CHIEF ASSOCIATION. WE ALSO COMPLY THE TEXAS POLICE CHIEF ASSOCIATION AND INTERNAL AUDIT.

WE CREATED OUR CRIME INTERDICTION UNIT A. SIDE FROM MAJOR CRIME SCENES WE FEEL OUR CIU INVESTIGATES , THE CRITERION SCENES THEY COINVESTIGATE HELPS RELIEVE SOME OF THE BURDEN OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. OUR GUYS ARE ESPECIALLY TRAINED TO DO THIS. THIS YEAR OUR CIU ARRESTED 289 INDIVIDUALS IN CONNECTION WITH CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES. THIS IS RESULTED IN 17 ILLEGAL FIREARMS OFF THE STREET. 84 WARRANT ARRESTS, OVER 50-POUND OF MARIJUANA, COCAINE, CRACK, CURB, METH, AND PILLS.

WE ARE SURE PROUD OF THEM AND THEY RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF SPECIAL RECOGNITION. OUR CALLS.

WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE MONEY BUT WE LIKE WHAT WE HAVE.

WE INHERITED AN AGING FLEET. AND EXISTING CAR NEATS.

WE'RE AT OVER HALF A MILLION. >> OF CAR PAYMENTS THAT WE'RE STILL TRYING TO GET RID OF. THEY WILL BE PAID OFF NEXT YEAR.

[01:00:01]

WE DIDN'T HAVE IT, IT MAY PRESENT AS A CHALLENGE.

>> WE'RE MOVING TOWARD THAT DIRECTION.

>> [INAUDIBLE] LOOKED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO WORK. AS I UNDERSTAND THE NUMBER MONEY IN THE PROGRAM BECAUSE WE'RE SELLING THE EQUIPMENT WHILE IT STILL HAS SOME VALUE AND PUTTING THAT BACK INTO THE FLEET.

AND OUR REPAIR COSTS ARE LESS AND SO THE OVERALL COST OF THIS PROGRAM IS VERY GOOD FOR THE TAXPAYER BECAUSE INSTEAD OF HANGING ON UNTIL IT DIES AND IT BECOMES A LIABILITY ON THE BACKSIDE ON MANY LEVELS WE'RE SAVING THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS BY HAVING A HEALTHIER FLESHER FLEET.

JUDGE TO ME, THAT'S THE WIN-WIN, CHEAPER AND BETTER.

>> ALSO GET A RETURN WHEN YOU GO TO SELL IT AT AUCTION, IT'S NOT A PILE OF JUNK. WHICH HELPS US IN THE LONG RUN.

WE ARE WORKING ON UPDATES RADIOS IN ALL OF OUR BULLET PROOF VEST EXPIRED THIS YEAR. THAT WILL BE A RECURRING COST, MAYBE NOT NEXT YEAR BUT THE COST OF REPLACING 20 RADIOS IS $74,000. IT DOES EAT AT OUR BUDGET.

WITH 150 DEPUTIES WE CURRENTLY HAVE HALF OF THE RADIO REPLACED THUS FAR. I THINK THAT'S ABOUT IT.

ANY QUESTIONS. >> FOR THE RADIO S THAT

SOMETHING THEY CAN CHECK ON CIP? >> WE'LL CHECK ON THE RADIOS.

ALSO MY STAFF WILL CHECK WITH YOU ON THE BULLET PROOF VEST.

WE HAD A PUSH WHERE EVERYBODY HAD A NEW VEST OR THEY WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I LEARNED THAT VEST ONLY HAVE A WARRANTY FOR FIVE YEARS. IT MAY BE AT THAT TIME YOU DIDN'T GET AS MANY VESTS AS SOMEBODY ELSE.

WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT IS COVERED APART FROM YOUR REGULAR BUDGET.

WE DID THAT ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, MAYBE THREE.

AND THESE ARE FIVE YEAR VESTS THAT ARE EXPIRING.

WE'LL GET THAT CAUGHT UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE A VERY SERIOUS QUESTION.

CONSTABLE EAGLETON I NOTED THAT YOUR CHIEF HAD LBJS THAT THE ISSUE IS TO HAVE AN LBJ CATTLEMAN.

>> NO BUT I'LL LET HIM SLIDE BECAUSE HE'S THE CHIEF.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS NICE. I DIDN'T KNOW IF THAT WAS PRECINCT 3 ISSUE. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> PRECINCT FOUR.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM MARK HARMON.

I WANT TO INTRODUCE DONALD STEWART.

DONALD AND I ARE NOT ONLY COLLEAGUE, WE'VE BEEN FRIEND FOR 30 YEARS ALL AT PRECINCT FOUR. DONALD RUNS MY PAY DYE-DAY OPERATIONS. HE RUNS THE BUSINESS.

I'M VERY PROUD TO BE HERE TODAY WITH DONALD.

COUPLE OF THINGS. ANY COLLEAGUES THAT CAME BEFORE

[01:05:01]

IN MY 35 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, I'VE NEVER SEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT SO UNITED. I'M TALKING ABOUT EVERY TIME YOU SEE SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ HE HAS HE'S TALKING ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE CONSTABLES AND THINGS THAT WE DO.

WE'RE IN DIFFERENT TIMES THAN WE WERE 30 YEARS AGO.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN MY HUMBLE OPINION THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT BE UNITED AND BE TOGETHER AND AGAIN IN MY TEN NEURO, I'VE NEVER SEEN IT LIKE THIS.

SO WE'RE VERY FORTUNE IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH THAT ASPECT.

WE AT PRECINCT FOUR ARE IN PROBABLY THE MOST UNIQUE POSITION OUT OF ALL THE CONSTANT IN THAT I HAVE ALL FOUR COMMISSIONERS PRECINCTS THAT COME INTO MY PRECINCT.

ALL YOUR VOTERS ARE MY VOTERS. WE WORK IN ALL YOUR COMMUNITIES.

WE WORK FOR JUDGE'S FOLKS WHICH IS ALL IN PRECINCT FOUR.

AND SO WE IN A SENSE HAVE FIVE BOSSES.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT. WE DO APPRECIATE THE BUDGET THAT YOU HAVE BEGIN US THIS YEAR. AND WE WILL MAKE THAT WORK.

I WON'T GO INTO A LOT OF DETAILS OF WHAT WE DO AT PRECINCT FOUR.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT I'M VERY PROUD TO REPRESENT OVER 500 OF THE FINEST EMPLOYEES THAT A PERSON COULD WORK WITH.

ANY GIVEN MONTH PRECINCT FOUR RECEIVES OVER 2,911 CALLS DIRECTLY FROM THE 911 CENTER INTO OUR DISPATCH CENTER.

WE RUN 60-80 DISTRICT CALLS EVERY DAY HAD WE RECEIVE DIRECTLY IN OUR DISPATCH. IN ADDITION WE HAVE ON OCCASION HAD SHERIFF GONZALEZ HE HAS' TEAM SEND US CALLS TO HELP THEM RUN CALLS. OUR THOUGHT IS AND OUR PHILOSOPHY IS IF SHERIFF GONZALEZ HE HAS IS SUCCESSFUL, I'M SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE WE BOTH HAVE THE SAME MISSION.

WE ARE ENTRENCHED IN HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES IN PRECINCT FOUR.

AND THE PEOPLE OUT THERE LOVE THE CONSTABLES AND THEY LOVE THE SHERIFFS. I KNOW THAT NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST CRIME FIGHTERS, BUT FROM A COMPASSION STANDPOINT, WE DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

HERE RECENTLY QUESTION OPERATION TURKEY DINNER.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS GOT TO PARTICIPATE WITH US THIS YEAR.

WE ARE DOING A BIG TOY DRIVE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT. WE ARE IN HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES ON THAT NIGHT. AND WE'RE JUST EXCELLENT PARTNERS WITH OUR COMMUNITY. I WATCHED THE VIDEO YESTERDAY WHEN SHERIFF GONZALEZ HE HAS WAS SPEAKING ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE. HE MENTIONED OPERATION NORTH STAR WHICH PRECINCT FOUR AND MANY OF THE OTHER CONSTABLE AGENCIES HERE TODAY PUT FOLKS IN THAT AND MADE A HUGE IMPACT.

WE AT PRESIXTH FOUR HAVE A DEPUTY ASSIGNED TO SHERIFF GONZALEZ HE HAS CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN'S TASK FORCE.

I SPOKE TO THE SHERIFF ABOUT A WEEK AGO.

HE IS AGAIN THIS YEAR WORKING OUR BIG PATROL HOLIDAY THAT CONSTABLE EAGLETON'S FOLKS JUST MENTIONED THAT WHERE WE GO OUT AND BASICALLY GIVE OUT CRIME PREVENTION TIPS AND THINGS IN PARKING LOTS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY. THE SHERIFF AND MYSELF AND THE OTHER CONSTABLES WILL BE WORKING A HUGE END OF THE YEAR DWI INITIATIVE TO CONTINUE TO COMBUST BAT DRUNK DRIVERS ON OUR STREET. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHEN DEPUTY DOLLY WALL WAS MURDERED W THAT CALL WENT OUT, THERE WAS HUNDREDS OF POLICE AGENCIES DIDN'T MATTER WHAT KIND OF PATCH YOU HAD, WE ALL WENT OVER THERE. AND THEY ENDED UP CATCHING THE BAD GUY. AND ACTUALLY THAT WAS NEVER COMMISSIONER ROAD DICK'S AREA. PRECINCT FOUR DIDN'T HESITATE TO CROSS THAT BOUNDARY LINE AND GET OVER THERE.

A PRECINCT FOUR OFFICER ACTUALLY ARRESTED THAT INDIVIDUAL AND TURNED HIM OVER TO THE SHERIFF. AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO TOUCH ON IS THAT OUR PRECINCT FOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ARE SECOND TO NONE. WE REACH OUT TO OVER 200,000 CITIZENS EVERY DAY IN THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING FOR OUR

[01:10:04]

>> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO OUR PRESENTATION AND THE JOB THAT YOU DO. AND WISH EVERYBODY A MERRY

CHRISTMAS. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU ARE DOING A FABULOUS JOB. IT'S I APRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR YOUR EFFORT. I KNOW YOU ALWAYS FIND WAYS TO DO MORE WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THE TAXPAYERS APPRECIATE THAT TO TOO RIGHT NOW.

>> WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANY PERSONNEL AND THE ONLY REASON I'M NOT IS WE HAVE 1 OPEN PCN'S. WE'RE SWEARING IN SIX MORE DEPUTIES NEXT WEEK WHICH WILL GET US DOWN TO 13.

I THINK IT'S NOT JUST OUR AGENCY BUT ALL AGENCIES ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH PEOPLE RETIRING. IT'S NOT THE DAYS OF PEOPLE STAYING AT AN AGENCY FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS I THINK THEY ARE OVER WITH. THESE NEW FOLKS COMING IN WORK A FEW YEARS AND MOVE TO SEE IF THE GRASS IS GREENER.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING TO ONE OF OUR STATIONS FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER AND WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO.

>> >> I THINK YOU HAD 50 UNITS COME ACROSS 2 '9" TO AND YOU WERE THERE WHEN DEPUTY WALL WAS MURDERED. IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE PERFORM TONS APPREHEND PERSON.

IT WAS AFAZING. I WANT TO SAY TO ALL THE CONSTABLES. DURING THE FUNERAL Y'ALL TOOK OVER AND Y'ALL WERE LOUD, THE WHOLE DISTRICT TO GO TO THE FUNERAL AND COVERED ALL THE CALLS.

I DON'T THINK YOU HAD ANY BACKUP FOR CALLS.

Y'ALL HANDLED IT. IT SHOW WHAT IS ALL OF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. IT'S THE WAY Y'ALL COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

AND IT'S REALLY CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

TO SEE UNIFORMITY. I HOPE NO ONE INTERFERES WITH THAT. WE FINALLY ARE GOING -- WE'RE THERE WITH THIS COOPERATION. AND THAT'S A NEAT DEAL.

THERE ARE MANY CITIES THAT KNOW THEIR HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT IS THERE TO BACK UP THEIR PEOPLE.

IT'S GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> WE'VE REACHED OUT THE CHIEF WITH THE SERGEANT SITUATION AND WE'RE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY HELPING HIM RUN CALLS IN THAT NORTH AREA YEAR OUR PRECINCT. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO PUT SOME FOLKS TOGETHER TO HELP OUT DURING THE DAY OF THAT FUNERAL.

IT'S ALL ABOUT WORKING WITH EACH OTHER AND DOING THE RIGHT THING.

AT THE END OF THE DAY AND I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE PUBLICLY.

THERE HAS BEEN NO OTHER SHERIFF OTHER THAN ED GONZALEZ HE HAS THAT HAS DONE MORE FOR MARK HARMON.

WHEN HE CAME IN OFFICE I INHERITED SOME PROBLEMS AND HE HELPS US WORK THROUGH THEM. WITH W THAT SAID ED GONZALEZ KNOWS ALL HE'S GOING GOT TO DO IS PICK UP THE PHONE AND TELL ME WHAT HE NEEDS AND HE'LL HE'LL GET IT AND I CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AND IT'S THE SAME. IT'S ALL ABOUT TEAM WORK.

>> THANK YOU ALL. I'D BE REMISS NOT TO MENTION THE COLLABORATION WITH SO MANY OF YOUR OFFICES DURING EMERGENCIES AS WELL. THANK YOU ALSO FOR YOUR SERVICE THERE. EVEN THOUGH THE MAJORITY OF THE

CONSTABLES -- >> JUDGE, YOU PEGGED SOMETHING.

WHEN THE FLOODWATERS WERE UP, WE WERE ROLLING IN OUR DUMP TRUCKS AND WHERE'D ONE OF OUR ROAD AND BRIDGE GUYS DRIVING THE DUMP TRUCK AND WE'D HAVE ON A BUCKET ONE OF THE CONSTABLES AND I'D BE

[01:15:05]

WE WERE ABLE TO GET FOLKS TO SAFETY.

YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT DURING THE CRISIS, THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT RUN TO THE CRISIS AND NOT AWAY. THEY'LL EVEN SIT ON AN UPTURNED BUCKET OF A DUMP TRUCK TO GET THERE RIDING TO THE RESCUE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT REMINDER JUDGE.

>> AND THE CORONATION CONTINUES. THAT'S PART OF THE EFFORT WE'RE GOING THROUGH WITH OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

I THINK OF THE 8 OFFICES ONLY TWO SUBMITTED BUDGET INCREASES.

REMEMBER WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT THE BASE LINE FUNDS MORE GENERALLY THROUGH OUR COUNTY WIDE REVIEW.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL LOOK AT OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

I DO WANT TO THE EXTENT CONSTABLE OFFICES COLLECT INFORMATION ON PERFORMANCE AND GOALS AND METRICS USE ADD CROSS THE COUNTRY, THAT IS THEST BEST STANDARD FOR HOW TO HANDLE

PERFORMANCE. >> I WANT TO BRING UP ONE POINT N. REFERENCE TO THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM.

AND LAW ENFORCE UNTIL THE GENERAL, WE NEED TO GET AWAY FROM ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT ELIMINATING CONTRACT DEPUTIES IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM OR SOMEHOW MERGING THEM.

THESE ARE INDEPENDENT SOVEREIGN ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER. THEY ARE PROVING HOW TO SPEND HOW TAXPAYERS MONEY IS BEING SPENT WISELY.

WE NEED TO ASSURE THEM, ASSURE THE SHERIFF AND HIS EIGHT CONSTABLES THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE.

THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORTS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

I THINK THAT'S HIGHLY IMPORTANT. DON'T THINK FOR ONE MINUTE THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE OUT THERE PICKING AT THEM AND PICKING AT THEM.

THAT NEEDS TO STOP. THEY ARE PROFESSIONALS.

AND WE NEED TO BACK THEM AS WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.

>> PRECINCT FIVE. >> THERE WAS SOME ROOKIE CONSTABLE THAT CAME IN A LONG TIME AGO.

>> IT WAS A GOOD HIRE TOO. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FIRST OF ALL FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TODAY AND SPEAK TO YOU. AND ALSO FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF PRECINCT FIVE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

YOU'VE HEARD A LOT OF INFORMATION.

YOU ARE ABOUT TWO THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH YOUR CONSTABLES.

AND I THINK ONE THING IS EVIDENT.

WE ARE ALL VERY UNIQUE PRESIXTHS.

SOMETHING MORE EVIDENT IS THATTH THINGS WE SHARE IN COMMON.

THE COOPERATION THAT WAS TOUCHED ON IS AMAZING.

BACK IN 193 HARRIS COUNTY'S FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES DIVISION STARTED AND THAT WAS ME BEING SENT UP TO GEORGIA ALONG WITH A RETIRED LIEUTENANT FLECHER.

THE BEAUTY OF THAT IS NOW WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN IS THOSE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN DISPERSED BETWEEN ALL OF THE CONSTANT AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. YOU'VE SEEN SOMETHING THAT STARTED WITH A CONSTANT PRECINCT NOW THAT AFFECTS COUNTY WIDE.

MOST RECENTLY YOU'VE SEEN THE SAME THING OCCUR WITH OUR ANIMAL CRIMES UNIT. THE TASK FORCE WHICH IS PARTNERED WE HAVE AN OFFICER FROM FROM SHERIFF GONZALEZ HE

[01:20:02]

OUR RESPONSIBILITY CONTINUE TO GROW.

YEAR TO DATE PRECINCT FIVE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SERVICES OVER 57,000 CIVIL PROCESS PAPERS MANDATED BY THE COURTS AS WELL AS OVER 13,000 CRIMINAL WARRANTS WHICH WERE CLEARED.

I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED AS COMMISSIONER REDDICK WAS TOUCHING ON THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS IT'S CRUCIAL.

WE ARE SEEING THAT MORE AND MORE NOW THAN WE DID 30 YEARS AGO.

OUR COMMUNITY ORIENTED APPROACH TO LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES JUST THAT. WE ANSWERED OVER 375,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE WITH AN AVERAGE RESPONSE TIME OF UNDER THREE MINUTES. OUR OFFICERS THAT ARE CONTRACTED WITHIN THE COUNTY CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM SERVICE 54 PATROL CONTRACTS WHICH ENCOMPASS 114 3: DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS.

OUR PRESENCE NOT REFLECTED IN OUR CONTRACT AREAS.

THAT IS OVER 85,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE ANSWERED OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTRACTED AREA TO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

OUR PROCESS PATROL ALL OF THIS IS IMPORTANT, OUR WARRANTS.

ALSO WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MOBILITY OF SOME VERY MAJOR TRANSPORTATION ARTERIES WITHIN OUR PRECINCT.

THEY ARE DEPENDANT ON PRECINCT FIVE TO KEEP THAT TRAFFIC FLOW.

IN 2019 PRECINCT FIVE WORKED OVER 4,700 ACCIDENTS RESPONDING TO OVER 4900 MOBILITY RELATED CALLS ON CRUCIAL ROADWAYS.

I THINK ALWAYS, ESPECIALLY IF LIGHT OF THE TRAGEDIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY, I THINK NEED FOR TRAINING WITHIN DEPARTMENTS HAS DEFINITELY BEEN HIGHLIGHTED.

PRECINCT FIVE TRAINING DIVISION DIVISION HAS NO DOUBT STEPPED UP AND ANSWERED THIS CALL. THIS IS EVIDENT THROUGH FACT THAT RECOGNIZED BY T COIL AS A CERTIFIED TRAINING PROVIDER FOR TO US PROVIDE CRUCIAL TRAINING FOR OUR AGENCY AND NUMEROUS AGENCIES WITHIN THE REGION. YEAR TO DATE WE'VE TRAINED 2,169 OFFICERS FROM NUMEROUS DEPARTMENTS.

WE HAVE INSTRUCTORS THAT TRAVEL TO THE SHERIFF'S ACADEMY.

WE HAVE SHERIFF INSTRUCTORS THAT TRAVEL TO OUR OFFICE.

WE SERVICE AS MANY OF THE CONSTABLES DO WE OFFER CLASSES.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN TRAINING IS GET THE OFFICERS TRAINED AND GET THEM BACK ON THE STREET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

FOR TO US BE ABLE TO SEND AN OFFICER PROTECT OURSELF MY PRECINCT DOWN FOR A FOUR HOUR CLASS MEANS OUR DRIVING TIME THERE, FOUR HOUR CLASS, HOUR DRIVING TIME BACK.

THAT'S SIX HOURS YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM COMP TIME.

NINE HOURS OF AN OFFICER WE HAVE TO TAKE OFF THE STREET FIGHTING CRIME TO TAKE A FOUR HOUR CLASS. WHEN WE CAN BRING THAT TRAINING INTO A LOCAL SETTING AND BE ABLE TO DO IT WITH CERTIFIED AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS, THEN WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO IS GIVE THAT QUALITY WHICH SERVES THE RESIDENTS BETTER, ALSO SERVES THE OFFICERS BETTER AND WE CAN GET THE OFFICERS BACK ON THE STREET. YOU TALKED ABOUT MEASURING METRIX AND STUFF AS FAR AS THAT. I AGREE WITH YOU.

I THINK THAT'S THE WAY OF THE FUTURE.

WE STARTED DOING THIS AND WE DETERMINED JUST ANYWAY FEW CATEGORIES WHICH I THINK ARE VITAL, WE'VE SEEN FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR SO FAR WITH ADDITIONAL TRAINING OUR FLEET ACCIDENTS HAVE GONE DOWN. THE COST TO HARRIS COUNTY AND

[01:25:03]

THAT WAS ONE THING. ALSO THE USE OF FORCE IN OUR DEPARTMENT HAS DECREASED FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR ECONOMY ATTRIBUTE BACK TO TRAINING AGAIN.

ONCE AGAIN WE'RE ABLE TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT TRAINING METHODS TO BE ABLE TO USE NONLETHAL FORCE TO BE ABLE TO DEESCALATE AND BE ABLE TO HANDLE SITUATIONS WITHOUT INTERESTING SHOO INTO THAT LAST LEVEL. I THINK THIS SETTING A GOOD PRESS SENT FOR HOW WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE AND HOW WE SEE THIS TRAINING IS VITAL. IN THE MANY YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT , THE 36 YEARS I GUESS IT'S BEEN, 37 YEARS SERVING HARRIS COUNTY, I THINK THE ONE THING THAT IS CLEAR TO ME IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP AS I SAID WITH THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

THAT MEANS BUILDING BRIDGES. THE POLICE OFFICER BEING UNAPPROACHABLE, I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE ANYMORE.

I THINK OFFICERS NEED TO BE APPROACHABLE AND THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO BUILD THE BRIDGES WITH THE COMMUNITY.

OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM VERSUS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB IN DOING THIS. WE HAVE OVER 25 PROGRAMS RIGHT NOW THAT ADDRESS YOUTH, THE ELDERLY, WOMEN AS FAR AS SITUATIONAL AWARENESS THROUGH OUR RAD PROGRAM.

VERY SUCCESSFUL BOOKED UP 7 OR 8 MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

EVERY ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

THERE IS NO CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC FOR THESE.

AND MOST OF THEM ARE BEING CONDUCTED BY INSTRUCTORS THAT ARE WORKING IN ADDITION TO THEIR NORMAL DUTIES.

SO YOU'VE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WEARING MULTIPLE HATS.

IT'S GOING ON AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS A NECESSITY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING.

OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS THE CONSTANT OFFICE HAS DEVELOPED STARTING BACK A LONG, LONG TIME. I THINK THAT'S EVIDENT.

THE REALLY CITY THE CITY OF HOUSTON WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY. BAD GUYS GO WHEREVER THEY WANT TO GO REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE SAY OUR PRECINCT LINE OR JURISDICTION ENDS. WE'RE SEEING THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHICH IS EXCITING. I'VE GIVEN YOU A BRIEF LOOK.

YOU'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THINGS GOING ON IN PRECINCT FIVE.

NONE OF THIS IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE COURT AND NOT ONLY THE COURT BUT ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.

MR. JOCK SON. IT'S BECAUSE OF THAT INCREASE IN TECHNOLOGY BASED ON -- I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR AN INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET SINCE I'VE BEEN CONSTABLE AND I DON'T PLAN ON DOING IT THIS YEAR. THROUGH BETTER TRAINING, EFFICIENT SI, BETTER TECHNOLOGY WE CAN OPERATE AND STILL PROVIDE THE SAME AMOUNT OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC WITH THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE. I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU AND I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> JUST BRIEFLY, I WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE HISTORY HERE.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE. WHAT YEAR WAS THAT CREATED?

>> 1993. >> AND HOW DID WE START THAT?

>> OFFICE APPROACHED AND ASKED SHOULD WE TAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND SEND THEM THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING OR TAKE ENVIRONMENTAL PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM COPS.

THE ANSWER WAS TAKE A COP AND TEACH THEM A NEW TRICK.

YOU IMPLEMENTED AND WE DID ALL OF OUR TRAINING AND CAME BACK AND TRIED TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE ON SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT. ILL LITTLE DISCHARGES.

AS YOU'VE HEARD TODAY A COUPLE OF AGENCIES SPEAK OF IT.

[01:30:01]

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES YOU SEE IN MY PRECINCT MAY BE DIFFERENT THAN YOU ARE GOING TO SEE IN ANOTHER AREA.

THE LAW IS THE SAME. REGARDLESS OF THE PROBLEM , THE LAW IS THE SAME. IT'S HOW WE ENCOMPASS THE

EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT INTO THAT. >> I'M NOT TRYING TO TAKE CREDIT. BUT THE REALITY IS IT WAS DONE IN SUCH A WAY THAT Y'ALL WENT ANYWHERE, WE DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO ANY BOUNDARIES, EVERY PRECINCT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. WITH THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE COURT , THE HOUSTON COUNCIL UTILIZED US TO COVER TO RESPOND TO THE ENTIRE REGION. WE STARTED WITH MONTGOMERY COUNTY. YOU FIND THE SAME THING.

THE PROBLEMS UP THERE WOULD COME TO HARRIS COUNTY.

IT NOT UNTIL WE START ENFORCING THERE THEY GO BACK ACROSS THE LINE. COMPANIES AND THAT ARE DOING TREMENDOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO IS CLOSE UP HERE BECAUSE WE WERE ON TO THEM AND GO TO MONT COUNTY OR ANOTHER COUNTY.

SO THE PROBLEM DOESN'T STOP WITH THE COUNTY LINES.

WE HAD TO BE UNIFIED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO

ADDRESS THE SITUATION. >> NOW THE THING HAS GROWN TO BE

HUGE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND LITTLE OTHER HISTORY FOR YOU IS THAT WHEN JACK -- NOT JACK BUT HAGAN WAS SHERIFF, THERE WAS A BUDGET HEARING WHERE THEY WERE TRYING TO GET THE SHERIFF TO ACTUALLY HAVE A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT. BUT NOT EVERYBODY WAS WILLING TO FUND IT. SO THE ONLY THING I COULD COME UP WITH WAS A WAY TO COME UP WITH A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS TO HIRE THE FIRST TWO PEOPLE.

AND WHAT WE DID IS I MADE A MOTION TO DISCONTINUE SERVING COFFEE IN THE JAIL. WE TOOK A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF COFFEE AND TURNED IT INTO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THING. START OUT WAY LITTLE BIT OF MONEY AND THAT'S GROWN. NOW THE HISTORY I BRING UP.

THAT'S WHEN I PUSHED TO MAKE ALL THE POLICE VEHICLES WHITE BECAUSE THE SHERIFF HAD BLACK CARS , THE CONSTANTS HAD WHITE.

EVERY TIME WE NEEDED CARS THE SHERIFF, HE HAD EXTRA CARS BUT CONSTABLES DIDN'T USE THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE BLACK.

IT TURNED OUT CHECKING WITH PURCHASES WE FIGURED OUT WHEN WE GET RID OF CARS, WHITE CARS SELL FOR $500 MORE THAN BLACK CARS AT AUCTIONS. JOHNNY WAS VERY UPSET WHEN HE BEGAN GETTING WHITE CARS. THAT'S WHY Y'ALL CARS ARE WHITE.

THERE IS A HISTORY LESSON. >> GOOD TO KNOW.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD JOB.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS ON THE USE OF FORCE AND THE ACCIDENTS AND KEEPING TRACK OF THAT. THAT IS FASCINATING.

LIKE YOU SAID, AN INTERESTING SEED HOPEFULLY FOR EVERYBODY ELSE. SO THANK YOU.

>> I THINK THE TRAINING IS OUT THERE.

I THINK ETC. GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO BE ABLE TO DISSEMINATE IT ACROSS TO ALL THE OFFICERS AND UTILIZE THE NEW TECHNIQUES.

>> MEASURING THE PROGRESS I THINK IS THE BIG POINT.

>> I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE EARLY JUDGE, COULD WE TAKE A QUICK TWO

MINUTE BREAK. >> SURE.

>> LET'S TAKE TEN MINUTES. WE'LL BE BACK AT

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. BEFORE I GET STARTED, I DO WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WITH US TODAY.

I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO YOU ALL BEFORE THE NEW YEAR.

IT'S GETTING CHILLY OUT THERE. I'M NOT HERE THE ASK FOR ANYTHING EITHER. I'M GOING TO BE SHORT, EAT AND TO THE POINT. I WON'T GO ANYTHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED TO YOU. I'M THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE OF PRECINCT SIX. WITH ME I HAVE MY LIEUTENANT JOE

[01:35:01]

THESE EMPLOYEES CONSIST OF 51 FULL TIME DEPUTY POSITIONS, THREE PART TIME DEPUTY POSITIONS.

36 CONTRACT DEPUTY POSITIONS, NINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICE 2 NONPAID PRESERVE DEPUTIES. 22 RESERVE DEPUTIES CRICKETED A TOTAL OF 700,000 HOURS FOR 2019 TO DATE PROVIDING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WHILE BEING ONE OF THE SMALLEST PRECINCTS WHEN COMPARED TO THE OTHERS, PRECINCT SIX HAS COME IN FOURTH OUT OF ALL THE 8 PRECINCTS AS FAR AS ARRESTS AND CHARGES FOR CLASS B AND ABOVE ASSISTS.

IN 2019 AS WELL AS 2018. TO DATE PRECINCT SIX HAS HAD 170 ASSISTS. WE AVERAGE A RESPONSE TIME OF JUST OVER THREE MINUTES. IN OUR 46 YEAR HISTORY IT'S ALWAYS SERVED THREE DISTRICKS. ON PATROL TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND WE JUST RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED A FOURTH DISTRICT WHICH WILL PUT DEPUTIES CLOSER TO THE AREA THEY PATROL THUS DECREASING RESPONSE TIMES. WE HAVE ISSUED A TOTAL OF 963 CITATIONS. WE GENERATED 517 OFFENSE REPORTS AND 238 ACCIDENTS REPORTS. THROUGH NOVEMBER OUR CIVIL DIVISION RECEIVED A TOTAL. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH CANINE FOR COPS THAT HAS PROVIDED PRECINCT SIX WITH ITS FIRST EVER SINGLE PURPOSE NARCOTIC DETECTION DOG.

WE CONVERTED ONE OF OUR DISTRICT PATROL POSITIONS TO A CANINE POSITION WHO HAS FOUND NUMEROUS NARCOTICS WEAPONS AND DRUG MONEYS. WE JUST RECENTLY CONVERTED TWO DISTRICT PATROL DEPUTY POSITIONS TO MOTORCYCLE UNITS.

THESE WILL PROVIDE US SAFETY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND TRAFFIC CONTROL THROUGHOUT OUR SCHOOLS AND MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS AND CONTINUE TO RUN CALLS FOR SERVICE AND ACCIDENTS IN BETWEEN. WE HAVE 30 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PROTECT OURSELF N PRECINCT SIX WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON.

WE CREATED OUR OWN PRECINCT SIX SCHOOL RESOURCE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE DANGERS OF DRUGS, WEAPONS AND BULLYING.

THAT PROGRAM IS CALLED FRIENDS IF FOREVER.

THE PRESENCE OF OUR DEPUTY IN THE SCHOOLS WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS FEEL A SENSE OF SECURITY WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL. WE HAD OUR THIRD ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN AUGUST. THAT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.

IT WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMISSIONERS AND OUR COUNTRY JUDGE. SEVERAL OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INCLUDING THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT , THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, METRO , THE BOARD OF HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, NUMEROUS PRECINCT SIX BUSINESSES AND VENDORS, MOST IMPORTANTLY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT CAME OUT WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND SENIOR CITIZENS.

WE HAD OVER 1,000 PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE.

AND JUDGE THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT WAS TRULY AN HONOR HAVING YOU THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN CLOSING I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE PUBLIC SAFETY OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE AT THIS TIME. IF YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OUT OF THAT $60 MILLION, FEEL FREE TO

THROW IT OUR WAY. >> YOU ARE DOING A FABULOUS JOB.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> FOR THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IT WAS WONDERFUL. I HEARD IT GROWS AND GROWS EVERY YEAR. AS WE WORK THROUGH THE ENTIRE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE SHERIFF , THE DA, OUR COURTS, THE CONSTABLES, I WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE CHOOSE AS METRICS IS A WAY TO MEASURE HOW SAFE A COMMUNITY IS.

[01:40:04]

SO I WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT. IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ALL FIGURING OUT. I DON'T THINK THERE IS A COMMUNITY IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAS QUITE FIGURED OUT HOW TO

MEASURE PROGRESS. >> EXACTLY.

I BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE WE WORK SO CLOSE WITH OUR COMMUNITY, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR TEACHERS, OUR STUDENTS , THE BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY, I BELIEVE THAT IS ONE OF THE ATTRIBUTES TO OUR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BEING SO SUCCESSFUL, ALL THE BUSINESSES THAT CAME FORWARD AND WANTED TO PARTICIPATE.

WE GET A LOT OF COOPERATION NOT ONLY FROM OUR PRECINCT SIX EMPLOYEES, BUT ALSO FROM OUR SURROUNDING BUSINESSES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

>> I WANTED TO SHARE A FEW THINGS WE ARE DOING AT PRECINCT 7 WHICH WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR SOME TIME.

OUR MAIN PRIORITY IS LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT IS FOR US IS MEASURED BY THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMITMENTS, AND INFORMATION COMING IN FROM THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE MY DEPARTMENT IS OPEN DOOR. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. YOU CAN COME IN AND TALK TO ME ANYTIME YOU WANT TO PROVIDING IT'S NOT ON MY LUNCH BREAK.

THE COMMUNITY IS USED TO COMING INTO PRECINCT 7 WHEN THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. THEY COME IN WHEN THERE ARE PROBLEMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEY COME IN WHEN THERE ARE NOT PROBLEMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE ARE A COMMUNITY ORIENTED LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

AND WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED MANY PROGRAMS. ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE IMPLEMENTED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS IS THE VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WE FOUND THERE WERE NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF VICTIMS IN PRECINCT 7 AND THEY HAD NOWHERE TO GO. AND BECAUSE WE ARE SO SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT PROGRAM , THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS ASSIGNED AN ATTORNEY AT OUR OFFICE TO HELP SERVE THE CLIENTS THAT COME IN IN THE VICTIM'S ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WE HAVE NUMEROUS GRANTS. WE HAVE THE STEP GRANT AND THAT GRANT WAS IMPLEMENTED ON THE FREEWAYS AND NOW IT HAS BEEN MOVED WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES. AND WE HAVE A TRAINING DIVISION THAT IS OPEN TO ALL THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND FOR THE DEPARTMENTS SURROUNDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WE ALSO HAVE THE COMMUNITY SERVICE DIVISION THAT WILL GO OUT AND TALK TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY ALSO COME AND MEET AT OUR OFFICE.

WE HAVE A SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION AND THE CIVIC CLUBS, THEY HAVE THEIR CIVIC CLUB MEETINGS AT OUR OFFICE.

WE HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICERS THAT GOES OUT AND MAKES SURE THAT WE REMOVED WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THAT PROGRAM WE RECOLLECT REMOVED ABOUT 1500 VEHICLES OFF THE STREET OF PRECINCT 7. AND WE HAVE CONTINUED THAT PROGRAM. NOW AS YOU KNOW, I ON MY FORM TWO, I WAS ASKING FOR SEVERAL THINGS.

ONE MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WAS ADDITIONAL CLERK BECAUSE OF THE NEW SYSTEM THAT WE ARE COMING IN.

AND WE NOW HAVE JUST TO ASSIST THE PAYROLL, WE HAVE ONE CLERK THERE. AND I ALSO ASKED FOR TWO DEPUTIES TO SUPPLEMENT MY NIGHT SHIFT WHICH YOU WERE VERY CONSIDERATE OF GIVING ME SOME OFFICERS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE MY NIGHT SHIFT HAD NO DEPUTIES PATROLLING ON NIGHT SHIFT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ONE THERE.

[01:46:47]

WE ARE THERE TO ASSIST. WE WANT TO BE A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT WORK TOGETHER WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THAT.

>> JUNK. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES IN THE SIZE OF THE BUDGETS.

AND YOURS IS ONE OF THE SMALLER ONES. I WANT TO ASK THE BUDGET OFFICE, WE TALKED ABOUT EQUITY -- AND I KNOW WE ARE SHORT ON RESOURCES AND WE HAD A DECISION TO MAKE WHICH WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IN MORE MONEY. THERE'S TWO WAYS TO USE EQUITY.

MOVE AROUND WHAT YOU HAVE AND YOU CAN LOOK AT CONSOLIDATING OR YOU HAVE TO BRING IN MORE MONEY WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT. I CAN PASS A RESOLUTION, BUT MOST OF THE STUFF, THE COST

MONEY, RIGHT? >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I WANT THE BUDGET OFFICE TO -- I DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE HISTORY AND WHATEVER HAPPENED IN THE 1800S. I COULD INVOLVED IN.

>> WE BOTH GOOD AND. >> WE NEED TO HAVE SOME EQUITY ANALYSIS, WHETHER WE DO ANYTHING OR NOT. I CAN LOOK AT WHETHER IT'S BY POPULATION, BY THE SIZE OF THE PRESENT, THE AMOUNT OF CRIME. I KNOW YOU'RE IN AN AREA THAT HAS MORE CRIME THAN SOME AREAS I GET MORE MONEY.

SO I JUST WANT TO LOOK AT -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FACTORS ARE TO BE.

I HAVE NO IDEA. THIS IS NOT PICKING AT ANYBODY, BUT I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT'S NOT RIGHT. AND SOMETHING LOOK STRANGE TO ME WHEN I LOOK AT NOT JUST YOURS. I SEE OTHERS. THERE'S A DISPARITY IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY. BUT THERE'S A RECENT BOARD I WANT THE BUDGET OFFICE TO GIVE IT TO ME. I DON'T WANT TO JUST BE POLITICS.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE 15 YEARS AND FOR 15 YEARS I'VE BEEN SAYING THE SAME THING.

ONE THING I CAN GIVE TO MR. JACKSON IS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, I WAS ABLE TO GET A LITTLE MORE MONEY BECAUSE PRECINCT 7, FOR MANY YEARS, FOR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE, I PUT MY OWN MONEY IN IT BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE IT IN THE BUDGET.

WHAT I CAN SAY -- OUR FLEET, LAST -- THE YEAR BEFORE LAST, OUR FLEET WAS -- ALL THE CARDS -- COURSE AT 150 TO 200 MILES. ON THANKFUL THAT MR. JACKSON DID ASSIST ME.

AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET SOME NEW CARS -- I MEAN EVERY CAR WAS OVER 150,000.

SO, WE HAVE BEEN IN THAT SITUATION WHERE WE FELT WE WERE NEGLECTED.

[01:50:07]

SPEAKING OUT. >> I KNOW WHAT THAT FEELS LIKE LOOKS OKAY. (LAUGHING).

>> BUT WE CAN OVERCOME. >> I CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT.

AND OVER THE YEARS THINGS HAVE CHANGED AND I CAN SAY -- I GIVE A LOT OF CREDIT TO MR. JACKSON FOR HELPING ME TO INCREASE THINGS THAT I REALLY DID NEED. I MEAN I CAN'T IMAGINE A POLICE DEPARTMENT NOT HAVING A NIGHT SHIFT. NO ONE CONTROLLING ONLY NIGHT SHIFT AND THAT OCCURRED IN MY DEPARTMENT FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.

I COULD NOT GET ANYONE TO HEAR ME. SO I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE HELPED ME IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS. AND I STILL GIVE ALL THE CREDIT

TO MR. JACKSON. >> WILL MR. JACKSON IS A FINE MAN, BUT HE DID NOT HAVE A VOTE ON THE BUDGET (LAUGHING).

>> BUT I WANT TO SAY THIS TO YOU, IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, THAT YOURS IS NOT THE SMALLEST BUDGET. AND I'M NOT SAYING WE CAN JUST GO GIVE YOU THE HALF A MILLION OR WHATEVER IT IS. IT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. WHAT I'M SAYING IS -- AND I SAID THIS SEVERAL TIMES. AND THEY'RE PROBABLY TIRED OF ME SAYING IT, BUT YOU'VE EITHER GOT HAVE MORE MONEY, YOU'VE GOTTA MOVE AROUND THE MONEY YOU HAVE BUT YOU'VE GOT TO FIND EFFICIENCIES. IT DOESN'T JUST COME FROM THE SKY.

AND I POINT OUT TO SOME FOLKS WHO CALL ME I DID NOT SEE ALL THESE FOLKS WHEN I WAS THE ONE TAKING THE HEAT DOWN HERE SAY WE GOTTA COME UP WITH MORE MONEY.

I POINTED OUT THAT WE COULD GET ONE OF THESE SEATS, RUN FOR ONE OF THESE, CONSTABLE WALKER AND I GLOBALLY -- WE BACK TOGETHER. WE WERE IN THE SAME RACE AT ONE POINT SETTING BUT WE GO WAY BACK. WE NEVER -- NEVER HAD HARSH WORDS AFTERWARDS BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE BEEN YOU INSTEAD OF ME. BUT TOUGH DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE. BUT YOU SHOULD SPEAK UP. AND WHATEVER THE BUDGET OFFICE COMES UP WITH, MR. STUCKEY OR MR. JACKSON IS A GREAT MAN. BUT WHATEVER EQUITY ANALYSIS MEANS, I DON'T KNOW. BUT WHEN I SEE THIS CONTRAST BETWEEN VARIOUS -- IT LOOKS LIKE THE SMALLEST ONE MAY BE 9 MILLION. MAYBE I SAW AN EIGHT.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY. AND IS WORTHY, I THINK, YOUR HONOR, OF US HAVING THE DISCUSSION AND MAYBE THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR IT. I WANT TO KNOW.

I WANT TO KNOW BY WHAT CRITERIA ARE MET EQUITY SCALE DECISIONS WERE MADE TO GO FROM 56,000,001 -- AND I'M JUST GLANCING AT IT -- DOWN TO MAYBE 8 MILLION ON ONE THAT I SAW.

YES. 8.6.

>> APPRECIATED. ONE THING THAT PRECINCTS SEVEN APPRECIATES, WE APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE LISTENING TO US. AND WHATEVER WE CAN -- YOU CAN DO FOR US, WE WILL APPRECIATE IT AND IF YOU CAN'T, WE WILL UNDERSTAND THAT. BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND FINANCE.

I DEFINITELY --, BUSINESS MAN I UNDERSTAND FINANCE. SO WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER YOU CAN DO FOR US AND THE THINGS THAT I AM ASKING FOR, FOR PRECINCT 7, THEY ARE CRUCIAL. BUT LIKE I SAID, IF WE CAN OBTAIN THEM THIS TIME, WILL TRY

THE NEXT BUDGET. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER APPRECIATE YOU RINGING THAT UP. I'M LOOKING AT A DOLLARS PER CAPITA. IT JUST GOES BACK TO WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MEASURE OUR PROGRESS AND COMPARE ACROSS IN A WAY THAT IS NOT ARBITRARY, WHATEVER NUMBER WE USE THAT IT SOMEHOW MEASURES AGAINST OTHER JURISDICTIONS.

IT'S EASY TO PICK A NUMBER OR A METRIC. BUT WE HAVE TO PICK A GOOD ONE.

ON THE SPECIFIC REQUEST, CONSTABLE WALKER, -- PERHAPS IS QUESTIONS FOR BILL, THE STORAGE

-- >> YES.

WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. ON SOME OF THE STATISTICS WAS LET ME JUST FINISH MY QUESTION.

SO THAT WOULD BE ON CIP, CORRECT.

>> YES. WE HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO REFRESH THOSE ITEMS. WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IF THEY'LL BE PART OF THAT PROGRAM.

>> AND THEN THE PEOPLESOFT. THERE'S ONE CLERK FOR PEOPLESOFT IMPLEMENTATION.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRAIN EXISTING STAFF ON THAT? ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW SYSTEM? WHAT SO YES. WE ARE GOING TO TRAIN OUR STAFF BUT YOU KNOW, MY STAFF IS KIND OF MINIMAL. I DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE

[01:55:07]

SO I CAN SEE IF THERE'S SOME WAY I CAN MOVE THE STAFF AROUND.

>> AM ASKING BECAUSE WE IMPLEMENTED COUNTYWIDE. PERHAPS SOMETHING I'M NOT

IMPACTING ABOUT PEOPLESOFT. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE TIGHT

ON STAFF. >> THE REASON I WANTED ANOTHER PERSON WAS BECAUSE FOR MY PAYROLL. IN MY PAYROLL SECTION, I ONLY HAVE ONE PERSON. WHEN SHE'S SICK. WHEN SHE'S OUT, THERE'S NO ONE THERE. I WANT TO ADD ANOTHER PERSON TO ASSIST HER.

>> IF SHE DECIDES SHE WANTS TO RETIRE -- SHE'S BEEN NEAR 45 YEARS.

I HAVE NO ONE -- NO ONE IS THERE THAT HAS BEEN TRAINED. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO PAYROLL. SO I'M TRYING TO GET AN ADDITIONAL PERSON BECAUSE I KNOW SHE'S BEEN THERE A LONG TIME AND SHE'S LOOKING AT RETIREMENT.

AND I AM HOPING THAT I GET ANOTHER PERSON SO I CAN ADD TO THAT SECTION, TO ASSIST HER IN

PAYROLL. >> THANK YOU.

>> BECAUSE OF THIS NEW PROCESS, IS GOING TO REALLY IMPACT THE PAYROLL DEPARTMENT.

>> GOT IT. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, WE WILL BREAK OUT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE BIG DIFFERENCES SQUARE MILES, IS PART OF IT, BUT THE BIGGEST PART IS THERE IS A CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM THAT WE NEED TO BREAK THAT OUT. WE GET ABOUT 70 MILLION FROM THE CONTRACT DEPUTY PROGRAM.

IN THE CONSTABLE'S AREA DOES NOT HAVE THAT MANY CONTRACTS. THEY HAVE A FEW BUT IT'S ROLE IN THERE. AND THEN THE OTHER.

>> WHY WOULDN'T SHE HAVE MARQUEE.

>> BECAUSE THE CITIZENS IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE PROBABLY POORER.

>> SO THAT GOES TO THE EQUITY. >> YES.

AND THAT THE OTHER PIECE OF IT IS THAT THE POLICIES OF THE COURT IN THE PAST HAVE NOT PUT A LOT MORE PATROL. THEY ARE PAID BY THE GENERAL FUND IN THE CITY LIMITS.

I MISS WALKER'S AREAS IN THE CITY.

>>. >> AND FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, THAT'S WORTH REVIEWING BECAUSE YOU KNOW THEY LIVE IN THE CITY AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY. AND THE COUNTY AS WELL.

>> WE HAVE BEEN INCREASING BY OVER SEVEN PERCENT, MUCH HIGHER.

ACTUALLY WITH THE CONSTABLE IN HER LATE FIRST ASSISTANT, ONE WHOLE DAY AND I HAD NO IDEA THAT IT WAS LIKE 13 MILES LONG AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY OUT INTO -- YES.

WAY OUT. SO THAT'S WHY THE EVENT ADDING ADDITIONAL MONEY OVER THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS BECAUSE THEY JUST SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET THESE

CONTRACTS. >> SO I'M ASSUMING -- AND I DO NOT WANT TO TIE US UP TODAY, BUT IT MERITS A BROADER DISCUSSION.

I HOPE YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING AS A FRAMEWORK FOR US TO LOOK AT AND HEY, EVERYTHING MAY BE FINE, BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH REVIEWING -- IF WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP DOING EVERYTHING THE WAY IT'S BEEN DONE, I'D STILL BE IN SLAVERY. I WOULD BE SITTING HERE.

SO WE OUGHT TO AT LEAST REVIEW IT AND ASK PROBING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT THE MAJORITY OF MY JURISDICTION HOW THE CIVIC CLUBS. THEY DO NOT HAVE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION IN ORDER TO GET CONTRACTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THEY ARE WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS -- WE HAVE ABOUT 12 CONTRACTS AND THAT'S PROBABLY LOW COMPARED WITH THE OTHER CONSTABLE AREAS.

>> SO WE GO FROM 54.2 MILLION TO 9.1 MILLION. YOU ARE NOT THE SMALLEST.

BUDGET. AND I JUST WANT TO LOOK AT WHY. HOW IT CAME ABOUT? SHOULD IT BE ON THE NUMBER OF SQUARE MILES? SHOULD BE ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE? CAN YOU TAKE INTO THE FACT A NUMBER OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY.

I HAVE NO IDEA. AND I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW IT'S DONE AND OTHER PLACES.

AROUND THE STATE AND COUNTRY. I HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA. SO SOMETIMES JUST A FRESH SET OF EYES AT LEAST YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS. WHAT I DON'T THINK APPROPRIATE IS SOMEBODY TO SAY WILL THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT. BECAUSE AWAY WITH NONSTOP

HASN'T BEEN TOO GOOD. >> WE HAVE 97 POINT SQUARE

MILES. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. NOW PRECINCT 8.

[02:00:07]

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS JASON I'M THE CHIEF DEPUTY FOR PRECINCT AGE. THIS IS STEVE HAYES DISEASE OUR PATROL CAPTAIN.

IT'S BEEN TOUCH ON A FEW TIMES HERE TODAY AND I WILL ECHO WHAT SOME OF THE CONSTABLES HAVE SAID. MIDNIGHT 25TH YEAR AS A COUNTY EMPLOYEE.

AND I CAN TELL YOU WITHOUT A DOUBT, THAT THERE IS MORE COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS THE COUNTY THAN EVER BEFORE.

I HAVE CONTACTS WITHIN EACH OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT WE REGULARLY: IN A: US.

PRECINCT 8 IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT'S MADE UP OF ALL OF PART OF THE 11 CITIES ALREADY -- ALSO.

OVERALL, THE BUDGET SIDE IS BEEN MENTIONED PROBABLY THE SMALLEST BUDGET.

BUT, WHAT YOU'RE PROBABLY GLAD I WOKE UP?

>> SIR? >> YOU'RE PROBABLY GLAD I WOKE

UP. >> BUT WITH THAT SAID, THE CONSTABLE IS BEEN A PROPONENT OF DOING MORE FOR LESS WHICH IS WHAT WE FEEL LIKE WE DO.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ANYTHING NEW THIS YEAR. WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL OF SERVICE AND DEMAND THAT'S BEEN PLACED ON THE OFFICE WITH THE BUDGET THAT'S ALLOCATED TO US. WE WANT TO LOSE ANYTHING EITHER.

SO WE JUST ASKED THAT THE COURT CAN CENTER -- CONSIDER FUNDING IS APPROPRIATELY WITH WHAT WE DO HAVE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE FOCUS ON HEAVILY.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY EVALUATING WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY WHICH WE CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF MEASUREMENT IS AND WE ENJOY A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE GOOD POSITIVE FEEDBACK.

I CAME OUT AND MET WITH A GROUP OF CITIZENS YESTERDAY. IT'S NICE.

A LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY.

ALSO, HAVE AN ADVISORY BOARD THAT'S MADE UP OF A FAIRLY DIVERSE CROSS-SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND WE RELY HEAVILY ON THEM TO GIVE US FEEDBACK ON WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT THE JOB THAT WE ARE DOING. THEY LOOK AT ALL ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT, NOT JUST TRAINING.

WE TAKE THAT FEEDBACK AND MAKE CHANGES IF NECESSARY.

>> THE PACK TO THE COLLABORATION THAT DOES TAKE PLACE, WE ARE A TRAINING PROVIDER. AS WAS MENTIONED, WE HAVE TRAINED EMPLOYEES FROM EVERY SINGLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IN THE COUNTY. AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER A LOT OF THE TRAINING TOOK PLACE IN OUR FACILITY. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE DONE FOR A LONG TIME AT NO COST. SO WITH THAT SAID, I WILL TAKE

ANY QUESTIONS. >> SORRY YOUR BUDGET IS SO SMALL. MAYBE YOU GET SOME INPUT TO THE BUDGET OFFICE IS A WORK TO THIS

EQUITY PIECE. >> AND AS A POLICY, THIS PRECINCT HAS NOT TAKEN ON ANY CONTRACTS OVER THE YEARS AS A POLICY.

>> YOU THINK THAT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD WANT THAT? ANY REASON WHY YOU THINK THAT.

>> AT THIS POINT IN TIME -- WE ARE OPEN TO CONTRACTS. WE HAVE NOT BEEN APPROACHED BY ANY NEIGHBORHOODS ABOUT STARTING THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMUNITIES WITHIN PRECINCT 8 THAT HAVE BEEN GOING WITH PRIVATE SECURITY. BUT TO BE HONEST WE PROVIDE A VERY PROACTIVE PATROL IN OUR PRECINCT BECAUSE OF THAT. THE COMMUNITIES REAP THE

BENEFITS OF THAT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MERRY CHRISTMAS. YOU TWO. THANK YOU.

>> SEVERAL YEARS AGO THERE WAS A LITTLE HISTORY. I PROPOSE -- THERE WAS 100 PATROL DEPUTIES TO BE INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF ACCIDENTS AND

STUFF. >> AND THE PLAN WAS THAT THEY WOULD BE OUT THERE DOING PATROL WRITING CITATIONS FOR FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS AND USE THOSE

[02:05:06]

THE WAY WE DID IT IS WE PHASE IT IN OVER A ONE YEAR. .

EVERY THREE MONTHS, THE COURT AUTHORIZED 25 POSITIONS THE COUNTY JUDGE -- THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGES SELECTED WHAT AGENCY THEY WOULD BE HIRED, WHETHER WOULD BE THE CONSTABLE OR THE SHERIFF, AND WHERE THEY WOULD BE ASSIGNED.

WHICH WORKED WELL.

YOU BROUGHT IN 100 NEW PATROLS AND THEY WERE PRETTY MUCH PAYING FOR THEMSELVES.

AND THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD DEAL.

LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. YOU END UP WITH -- IF YOU DID IT THAT WAY YOU END UP WITH 20 POSITIONS. AND YOU DO IT EVERY THREE MONTHS.

BRING ON 25 PEOPLE. IT WORKED VERY, VERY WELL.

THEN YOU COULD USE THOSE AND PUT THEM IN PLACES THAT YOU -- THINK IT SHOULD BE.

I'M JUST THROWING THAT OUT. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> I MEANT TO MENTION YESTERDAY WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT WITH THE SHERIFF, HE MENTIONED IT AND IT'S THE -- COMING, ONE WAY WE GOT A RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM THAT EXISTS IN THE MAYOR HAS WORKED ON A ZERO CAMPAIGN BUT WE'VE GOT TO STOP MAKING THE PROBLEM WORSE.

WE KNOW THAT PART OF IT IS BUILDING THESE WIDER AND WIDER HIGHWAYS.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO ZERO WITH ARRESTING EVERYBODY OR THREATENING TO.

CERTAINLY, FOLKS THAT ARE DRUNK CANNOT TELL IF THERE'S A COPPER NOT.

>> IT WOULD BE INTERESTING. >> TO BE ABOUT THE END --

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS. >> I KNOW AT SOME POINT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A DIALOGUE -- WOULD YOU CALL IT? ZERO -- WE ADOPTED SOMETHING TO SAY THAT WE WOULD JOIN IT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS.

>> I THINK IF WE COULD TAKE THE ROUNDABOUT PATH OR WE CAN TAKE THE STRAIGHT PATH.

AND THE REALITY IS, HOWEVER YOU LOOK AT THE ANALYSES, THE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE WHITE AND FAST AND THERE'S NO PUBLIC TRANSIT. SO -- FOR WHATEVER THAT'S

WORTH. >> I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT RIDING MY BIKE YESTERDAY. AT SOME POINT WERE GOING TO FIGURE HOW WE CONNECT ALL THESE VALUES ALL OF THE RACING SINCE WE HAVE TRAILS ON COUNTY LANDS ON THE BIOS AND HOW I GET FROM ONE PLACE ELSE I DO ONE ON THE SIDE WHICH SHOULD BE INTERESTING.

I GUESS THEY'LL GOING THE SAME DIRECTION. SOMEHOW YOU HAVE TO GET ON THE STREETS TO GET FROM ONE TO THE OTHER.

>> THE PERFECT EXAMPLE IS BUFFALO BAYOU. THE PROBLEM IS YOU HIT THE TOLLWAY, ALL THE WAY TO SHEPPARD, THERE'S NO -- SO YOU WANT TO BE OVER THERE.

>> I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO WORK IT OUT, BY THE WAY. I'M TOLD -- I THINK THE NEW

CHAIR OF THE PORT BUT MEANT BECAUSE HOUSE. >> (LAUGHING).

>> WHEN HE WAS SELLING IT, I THINK HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN IT. BUT HE WAS SELLING THE HOUSE AND IT FLOODED. YOU DON'T SELL SOMEBODY AND SAY BY THE WAY WE HAVE A TRAIL

COMING THROUGH. >> THAT'S ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC

SAFETY QUESTIONS. >> THERE'S A WAY TO CONNECT THEM ON UTILITY AND THRONE ARE PARKS WHERE YOU COULD USE -- NOW THEY HAVE IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY EXCEPT SOMEBODY IS CRAZY ENOUGH TO CLIMB UP THE POLE.

BUT THAT MAY BE ONE OPTION AS WELL.

>> WILL RICHARD IS A GOOD GUY. >> HE DID A GOOD JOB ON IT.

>> HE CAME BACK AND GAVE 10 MILLION -- GOOD PEOPLE.

[Justices of the Peace]

>> LUTZ MOVED ONTO THE NEXT SECTION. IT'S THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. JUDGE, ON THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE, REPRESENTING 16 DIFFERENT COURTS WHICH ARE 16 INDIVIDUAL LAND SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS.

I WANT TO INTRODUCE A COUPLE OF FOLKS. ONE IS MY COPER CIDER JUDGE DELGADO. A TOUR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE ONE CAN'T FIND.

>> 41 YEARS. >> 41 YEAR EMPLOYEE.

AND SO, SHE HAS. >> I MET JUDGE DELGADO WHEN SHE

[02:10:01]

>> SHE HAS BEEN A GREAT FRIEND AND ENCOURAGER THESE PAST FEW YEARS AS I HAVE BEEN PRESIDE ARE AND AS I CONCLUDE MY PRESIDING JUDGE SHIP, I'M GRATEFUL FOR JUDGE DELGADO.

THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER FOLKS THAT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE. THE INCOMING PRESIDE ARE, FROM PRECINCT 1. INCOMING CO PRESIDE ARE JUDGE HOLLY WILLIAMSON.

>> FROM PRECINCT 3. I KNOW WE HAVE STAFF FOLKS FROM THE SEPARATE COURTS.

IF YOU WOULD WAIVE:AND LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE HERE. I HAVE A LOT OF GREAT FOLKS AT HEALTHY COURTS OPERATE WELL AND EFFICIENTLY.

I'LL BE BRIEF. (MULTIPLE SPEAKERS) RIGHT. AND JANET MARTIN.

PARAG .

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE JUSTICE COURSES THEY CAN BE OF BECAUSE THEY'RE ONLY MISDEMEANORS THE END THERE SMALL CLAIMS COURT'S. BUT I THINK THAT MAY BE A DANGEROUS PROSPECT BECAUSE 90 PERCENT OF THE COMMUNITY, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, AT SOME POINT IN TIME, WILL GO INTO AND PARTICIPATE IN THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES JUSTICE COURT.

AND SOMEONE'S PERCEPTION OF THE JUSTICES, WHETHER IT'S FAIR, WHETHER IT'S A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN BE HEARD, WHETHER IT'S AN HONEST PROCESS, WILL BE FORMED BY THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE JUSTICE COURT. WE SERVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES FOR THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. SO, THE COURTS ARE ALL VERY DIFFERENT, AS YOU KNOW. THERE ARE DIFFERENT SIZES AND COMMUNITIES.

THE LARGEST ISSUE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS OUR STAFFING. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HERE UNDERTOOK TO HAVE A STAFFING WORKLOAD STUDY. AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE STUDY BY THE NATIONAL CENTER ON STATES -- STATE COURT RESULTED IN A SHORTAGE OF 41 CLERKS ACROSS THE 16 COURTS. THE UPCOMING YEAR IN 2020, THE JUSTICE COURTS WILL HAVE A NEW JURISDICTIONAL AMOUNT FOR SMALL CLAIMS WILL GO FROM 10,000 TO 20,000 WHICH WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CIVIL FILINGS IN EACH OF THE COURTS. SO STAFFING WILL BE THE PRIMARY ISSUE FOR MOST OF THE COURTS RELATED TO ANY BUDGETARY ISSUES.

AND SO, THAT IS OUR PRIMARY CONCERN FOR ANY BUDGETARY INCREASES.

THAT'S WHAT THAT RELATES TO. SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE JUDGE WILLIAMSON AND JUDGE DAVID -- IN THE LAST TWO YEARS EACH OF THEM HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS THE JUDGE OF THE YEAR BY THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND CONSTABLE ASSOCIATION. WELL DONE.

WITH HONORS FOR THE FLORIDA HOUSE WITH HURRICANE HARVEY.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> FOR MY PART, THERE'S -- YOU KNOW, I CAN SEE WHY THERE ARE A LOT OF NEEDS PARTICULARLY WITH THE -- WITH THE RAISING OF THE LIMIT, WHICH IS, IN MY MIND GREAT TO OFFER MORE FOLKS ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. WILL NEED TO FOLLOW-UP -- MY STAFF WILL DETAILS WHY FIVE CLARKSON STEAD OF THREE. JUST A HEADS UP TO THE JVS I WILL BE FOLLOWING UP.

WHEN I WANTED TO ASK ON THE DIGITAL SYSTEMS, MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU ARE ALREADY ON SOME DIGITAL SYSTEMS THAT ALLOW YOU TO TRACK AND BE EFFICIENT.

ARE YOU WHERE YOU WANT TO BE YOURS THERE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN TERMS OF THE

TECHNOLOGY? >> IF YOU MEAN BY DIGITAL SYSTEMS JUDGE THAT WE HAVE GONE ALMOST ALL THE COURTS HAVE TRANSITIONED TO PAPERLESS.

THERE IS STILL WORK TO DO IN THAT REGARD IN THE FORM OF E SIGNING.

WE SEE NONE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. WE'RE FOLKS HAVE THE ABILITY TO SIGN AT THE WINDOW SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO PRINT A DOCUMENT AND THEN HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL SIGN IS ONLY TO SCAN IT AFTERWARDS. SO, THAT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT HELP.

AND CERTAINLY, INEFFICIENCY SAY BECAUSE IT TAKES A SECOND TO PRINT ADS WEAR AND TEAR ON

[02:15:01]

WE DO A LOT OF EMAILING WITH THE ADDITION OF E-FILING THAT HAS COME ON BOARD IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO TO THE JUSTICE COURTS, NUMEROUS CIVIL CASES ARE FILED.

AND SO INCREASE IN TECHNOLOGY IN ORDER TO HANDLE THOSE E-FILING'S WILL BE HELPFUL.

AS WELL AS STAFFING. AS OUR CIVIL FILINGS GO UP A LOT OF THE COUNTY COURT FILINGS WILL GO DOWN AND THEY WILL FOLLOW IN JUSTICE COURTS. IT'S CHEAPER TO FILE THERE.

IT CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT AS A PROCESS DEPENDING ON, YOU KNOW, FIRMS IN THE AMOUNTS AND STUFF.

>> THERE IS -- JUST ON THIS POINT, THERE IS A -- CERTAIN DIGITAL REPORTING DATA RECORDING REQUIREMENTS ON THE CONSENT DECREE. AS OF THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT IS WORKING THROUGH THAT WAS SEVERAL OF THE DEPARTMENTS FROM OTHER COURTS TO THE DISTRICT COURTS AND THROUGH TRIAL SERVICES.

I'M SURE THEY WILL TOUCH BASE WITH YOU GUYS IS HOW CAN WE BE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE AND MAKE SURE OUR SYSTEMS INTERFACE WITH ONE ANOTHER. LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE IDEAS.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO TAKE AN OVERALL LOOK AT THE DIGITAL SYSTEMS ACROSS OUR

JUSTICE SYSTEM MORE BROADLY. >> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WELCOME THE CONVERSATION. >> COMMISSIONER ALICE?

>> JUDGE, >> I KNOW EVICTIONS ARE A PAINFUL PART OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN YOUR BUSINESS. I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF WITH ALL OF THE LOSS WE HAD IN TERMS OF HOUSES, WHAT CREATIVE IDEAS THAT ARE COMING WITH TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF EVICTIONS? LIKE YOU KNOW JUDGE JEREMY BROWN HAS PUT TOGETHER A EVICTION PREVENTION PROGRAM. I'M NOT SURE OF THE DETAILS BUT I'VE SEEN IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND IS MENTIONED IT. WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE YOU ALL

DOING OR CAN YOU DO. >> HE DID NOT ASK FOR MONEY I DON'T THINK, I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS ON BUT IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE RADAR?

>> AND LOOK AT THOUGHT ABOUT IT WHEN I RODE MY BIKE DOWN HERE SOME GUYS RECOGNIZE ME.

HE SAID HE JUST GOT EVICTED. I DIDN'T SAY HE USED TO WORK FOR ME.

>> (AWAY FROM MIC). >> I HAVE HEARD A LITTLE BIT -- AND TRIED TO GET THEM TO WORK WITH MANAGEMENT PROPERTIES TO GET THEM ASSISTANCE UP FRONT.

ONCE IT'S FILED, -- (AWAY FROM MIC).

>> SO WE ARE WORKING HARD WITH -- AND HAVING WORKSHOPS TO TRY TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THEY CAN DO. THERE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE MANAGEMENT, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TO SEE HOW THEY CAN FIX THAT. IF THERE IS SOMEBODY OUT THERE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> WELL, WOULD YOU LOOK INTO WHATEVER HE'S DOING AND SOMEONE MADE A BUDGET PRESENTATION THE OTHER DAY MADE A REFERENCE TO THE DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION CONTRACT.

ONE REASON WHY ASKED FOR -- >> BECAUSE OF THE OPPRESSIVE FEES ADDED ON AND IT IS A PAYDAY LENDING SCHEME IS WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT.

SO OUR ROLE IS TO COMPLY. >> WITH THE LAW, BUT ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GIVE THEM ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I'M SURE SOMEBODY -- LOOK AND SEE WHAT

HE'S DOING. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS. >> THANK YOU.

[County Attorney]

>> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> WHO.

[02:20:28]

>> 116? OH 16 MINUTES. LESS THAN A MINUTE A PIECE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HOLDING THIS HEARING TODAY. WITH ME IS ROBERT SEWARD, MY FIRST ASSISTANT AND ALSO, I THINK WE ARE RUSHING OVER HERE, AND THIS IS MELISSA WHO IS OUR TRIAL BUREAU MANAGER AND MARION SEARS WHO IS OUR COUNTY LAW LIBRARY AND.

THESE INDIVIDUALS AND OTHERS WHO MAY SOON BE HERE ARE PART OF THE 200 THESE INDIVIDUALS AND OTHERS WHO MAY SOON BE HERE ARE PART OF THE 237 MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE THE OFFICE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY. WE REPRESENT HARRIS COUNTY AND THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS BY AND THROUGH THESE ATTORNEYS. WE ARE THE LARGEST CIVIL PUBLIC LAW OFFICE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN TEXAS. WE EMPLOY HUNDRED 13 ATTORNEYS IN 124 NON-ATTORNEYS.

NONLAWYERS INCLUDE TITLE EXAMINERS INVESTIGATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE GONE PUBLICITY FOR OUTSIDE COUNSEL FEES RELATED TO BILL BOUND CASES DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE LITIGATION THE NUMBER OF DEFENDANTS, WE REALLY RELY ON OUTSIDE COUNSEL. OUR STAFF RECEIVES CALLS FROM ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT AREAS OF THE LAW FOR WHICH WE ARE KNOWN FOR OUR EXPERTISE. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS 25 DIFFERENT ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEYS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS TO STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS ON AREAS OF LAW IN WHICH OUR ATTORNEYS ARE CONSIDERED EXPERTS.

>> ALSO WITH US ARE MARION SEARS AND JOE LAWSON, WHO IS OUR ASSISTANT LAW LIBRARIAN.

THE LAW LIBRARY, WHICH IS A PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVING THE LEGAL RESEARCH NEEDS OF LAWYERS AND NONLAWYERS, IS A PART OF OUR OFFICE. THE FOCUS OF THE LAW LIBRARY ARE THE LITIGANTS WHO GENERALLY ARE THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY AND FIND THEMSELVES INVOLVED IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE BELIEVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE LEGAL INFORMATION IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF EQUAL ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS MENTION BUT WE STARTED A PROGRAM THROUGH THE LAW LIBRARY AND THE JP'S TO HAVE A SICKLY COMPUTER ACCESS AT THE VARIOUS JP PRANKS THINKS FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. ON THAT PROCESS THAT MARION

MIGHT SPEAK TO IT. >> AS PUBLIC SERVANTS WE ARE NO DEBATED BY KNOWING THAT THE WORK WE DO CONTRIBUTES TO THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. OUR OFFICE HAS A POLICY OF HIRING ONLY PEOPLE WERE MOTIVATED BY HELPING OTHERS AND NOT BY MONETARY REWARDS. HOWEVER, WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMPENSATION SHOULD BE BASED ON A RATIONAL SYSTEM THAT RECOGNIZES PERFORMANCE, JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, EXPERIENCE AND YEARS OF SERVICE. WE HAVE WORKED HIGHER ONLY PEOPLE WHO FIND PUBLIC SERVICE TO BE A HIGH CALLING AND WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. WHILE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS WILL NOT BE PAID AS MUCH AS THEIR COUNTERPARTS THE PRIVATE SECTO , TO ATTAIN AND REWARD COUNTY ATTORNEYS WE MAKE -- WE BELIEVE WE SHOULD PAY SALARIES THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR EXTRAORDINARY WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE HIT HARDEST AT THE 3 TO 5 YEAR LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE IN OUR OFFICE. WE SAW THAT IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS WENT OVER ATTORNEYS AND EMINENT DOMAIN WERE HIRED BY PRIVATE FIRMS THAT MUCH GREATER PAY THAN THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS PAY.

THERE IS A RIPPLE EFFECT ON IN OUR OFFICE AS WE INCREASE PAY TO TRY TO RETAIN NEWER ATTORNEYS. WE NEED MORE COMPENSATION FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN IN OUR OFFICE LONGER PERIOD. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO ADJUST THE PAY SYSTEM FOR LAWYERS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH A FOCUS ON INCREASING THE POSITION MAXIMUMS. IT MAY MEAN THAT THE SYSTEM Ã THE ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEYS WOULD MAKE MORE THAN I DO AS THE ELECTED COUNTY ATTORNEY.

SIMILAR TO DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OTHER SUBORDINATES TO THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT.

NOW, I CAN TAKE QUESTIONS OR WE CAN HAVE MARION SEARS TALK ABOUT THE LAW LIBRARY.

[02:25:01]

>> I'D LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT THE LAW LIBRARY.

>> OKAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> MARION? >> AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE ERRORS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY. NEXT TO ME IS JOE LAWSON, A LIVE -- LAW LIBRARY DEPUTY.

>> IT'S BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE WE'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF ADDRESSING YOU.

THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE WASN'T JULY WHEN WE WERE HERE TO RECEIVE A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LAW LIBRARY FOR THE WORK WE DO ON BEHALF OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT AFFORD ADEQUATE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, BUT THEY NEED ACCESS TO OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

WITHOUT RESOLUTION, THE COURT NAMED A WEEK IN MID-JULY IS ACCESS TO LEGAL INFORMATION WE.

WE WANT TO THANK YOU AND COMMISSION.

>> JUDGING COMMISSIONERS ONCE AGAIN FOR YOUR ACTION ON OUR BEHALF WHICH HAS BEEN IMMENSELY HELPFUL IN DRAWING ATTENTION TO AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY EACH YEAR. BUT TODAY, WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT BUDGETING AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

AS I LISTENED TO YESTERDAY'S HEARING IN THE COURT'S COMMENTS ON THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT LIE AHEAD, I HEARD COMMISSIONER ELLIS MENTIONED THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT ANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT WOULD BE WILLING TO GET BACK GENERAL FUNDS TO THE COUNTY COFFERS.

WELL, A PROVERBIAL LIGHT WENT OFF. THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY MAY HAVE FOUND A WAY TO JOKE JUST THAT AND PROMOTE THE BETTER ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AT THE SAME TIME. SO LET ME EXPLAIN. AS YOU KNOW THE LAW LIBRARY BECAME A PART OF THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN 2011, ABOUT A YEAR BEFORE I CAME ON BOARD AS DIRECTOR. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT AND THE REPRESENTATION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. BUT BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDING COMES FROM A SEPARATE AND DEDICATED SOURCE, AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WE ARE AN ODD DUCK, IF YOU WILL, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR BUDGET. AND THAT IS WHY I AM HERE SPEAKING TO YOU SEPARATELY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. HERE IS WHAT EXCEL IS A LITTLE

DIFFERENT. >> IN ORDER TO FUND ALL COUNTY LIBRARIES IN TEXAS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WAY BACK WHEN, AUTHORIZED COMMISSIONERS OF COURTS TO SET A DEDICATED LIBRARY ON FILING FEE OF UP TO 35 $35.

>> THIS DEDICATED FUND IS A LAW LIBRARY'S MAIN SOURCE OF FUNDING AS IT IS FOR ALL OTHER COUNTY LIBRARIES IN TEXAS.

IN 1990 HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT SAID THE FILING FEE AT $15 PER CASE FILE. TO THIS DAY THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY RECEIVES JUST $15 PER SEPARATE FILING. ÃCIVIL FILING. THANKFULLY THIS IS HELPED LIBRARY MAKE ENDS MEET BY ALLOCATING ABOUT $300,000 A YEAR ON GENERAL FUNDS TO WHAT'S COLLECTED FROM THAT FEE. NOW COMMISSIONERS COURTS AND OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE DEDICATED STATUTORY FUNDING SOURCE BY SETTING THE FILING FEE AT $35 BUT NONE OF THOSE LAW LIBRARIES THOSE OTHER COUNTIES ASSIST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE DO RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 60,000 PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH OUR DOORS AND WERE ON TRACK TO SHATTER

THAT RECORD THIS YEAR. >> MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF OUR PATRONS ARE NOT ATTORNEYS OR JUDGES BUT THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS SEEKING ACCESS TO LEGAL INFORMATION IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY HAS BEEN PERFORMING INNOVATIVE, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SUPPORTING JUSTICE FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. BUT WE'VE REACHED THE LIMIT OF WHAT.

>> WE CAN DO UNDER THE BUDGET IN THE PAST. MAINTAINING A FLAT BUDGET IS NO LONGER A SUSTAINABLE OPTION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A CLEAR PATH WITH THE COURT TO APPROVE AN INCREASE IN FUNDING SIMPLY BY USING -- APPROVING A REQUEST TO INCREASE THE LAW

[02:30:07]

SO YOU MAY ASK, IS THERE ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS TO INDIGENT FILERS IF THE FILING FEE IS INCREASED? THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS AN UNEQUIVOCAL NO.

BECAUSE EVERY INDIVIDUAL PERSON SEEKING ACCESS TO OUR COURTS CAN FILE A FORM CALLED A STATEMENT OF INABILITY TO PAY COSTS. IF THIS FORM IS APPROVED, IT ALLOWS INDIGENT LITIGANTS TO FILE SUIT WITHOUT PAYING ANY FILING FEES.

AND WHERE DO THESE INDIGENT FILERS GET ACCESS TO THAT FORM? WELL, IN TEXAS THEY COME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY BECAUSE WE HAVE SECURED A PARTNERSHIP, A STATEWIDE PARTNERSHIP, WITH TEXAS LAW HEALTH.ORG TO HOST FOUR IS ON OUR WEBSITE.

IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD FROM JUNE 28 -- 2018 TO MAY 2018 THAT FORM WAS ACCESSED MORE THAN 135,000 TIMES. IN EFFECT, BUT DIVIDING THE PEOPLE WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELP WITH ACCESS TO A FORM THAT ALLOWS THEM TO AVOID PAYING FILING FEES, WE ARE WILLINGLY REDUCING POTENTIAL INCOME FOR THE LAW LIBRARY. AND HONESTLY, WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT EVERY DAY, ALL DAY LONG BECAUSE THAT IS OUR MISSION.

OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR EVERYONE, NOT FOR JUST THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT. IT'S JUST THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

IN ADDITION TO HAVING NO NEGATIVE IMPACT ON INDIGENT FILERS, RAISING THE FILING FEE WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON HARRIS COUNTY'S BOTTOM LINE, AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS HOPED.

BECAUSE THE LAW LIBRARY WOULD KNOW LONGER REQUIRING ASSISTANCE.

INSTEAD THOSE FUNDS CAN BE USED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS NEED THEM. OF COURSE, THAT WOULD NOT REMOVE THE LAW LIBRARY FROM THE OVERSIGHT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE WOULD REQUIRE YOUR GUIDANCE ON BUDGETING PROCESS AND OTHER PROCESSES LIKE APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT FUNDS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. THAT'S OKAY WITH US.

BECAUSE WE WANT TO COME BACK AND BE ABLE TO TELL YOU ABOUT ALL THE GOOD WORK WE ARE DOING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY? .

APPROVING AN INCREASE IN THE DEDICATED LIBRARY FEES SIMPLY PROVIDES A STABLE SOURCE WE CONTINUE TO ADD SERVICES IN OUR DOWNTOWN LOCATION. IT WOULD ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER SERVICES TO ALL HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRECINCTS THROUGH OUR LAW POD INITIATIVE, WHICH YOU CAN FIND DETAILS OF IN YOUR PACKET.

THANKS MOSTLY TO JOE LAWSON'S OUTREACH EFFORTS AND HIS CREATIVITY AND HIS USE OF WHAT HE CALLS GUERRILLA MARKETING TACTICS, WE ARE BUILDING PYRAMIDS OUT OF Q-TIPS AND DUCT TAPE. FOR EXAMPLE, WITH ONE ONLINE DATABASE SUBSCRIPTION, YOUR DELIVERING MORE VALUE -- OVER $2 MILLION WORTH, TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THAT'S MORE THAN OUR ENTIRE ALLOCATED BUDGET FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE HAD -- WITH A MINIMAL FINANCIAL OUTLAY ON THE LAW LIBRARY'S PART, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OFFER A SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL E-BOOK COLLECTION FREE OF CHARGE TO EVERYONE IN -- EVERY HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE. WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE. SO IN CONCLUSION, WE ARE ASKING THE COURT TODAY TO ACCEPT THE STATE LEGISLATURE'S INVITATION TO APPROVE AN INCREASE IN THE STATUTORILY AUTHORIZED FILING FEE. WE ARE READY TO GET AFTER IT. WE JUST NEED A LITTLE OF YOUR HELP. THANK YOU AND I LIKE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ANYONE MAY HAVE.

>> YES COMMISSIONER ALEX. >> DO YOU KNOW --

>> HOW DO YOU DETERMINE IF SOMEBODY IS INDIGENT. YOU SAID HUNDRED 30,000 ACCESS

THE SITE ONLINE. >> YES ASSUMING THEY ARE ACCESSING A FORM THAT ALLOWS THEM TO WAIVE THEIR FILING THESE, WE ASSUME THAT THEY ARE

NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THOSE FEES. >> SO ALL 130 -- HUNDRED 35,000

PEOPLE OPTED NOT TO PAY THE. >> THEY LOOKED INTO.

>> SO THEY LOOKED INTO IT. >> SO.

>> WE DON'T HOW MANY. JOE, DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MANY INDIGENT FILERS THERE ARE.

[02:35:10]

>> WE RECENTLY GOT SOME NUMBERS FROM THE DISTRICT CLERK FOR HARRIS COUNTY SPECIFICALLY AND THE NUMBER IS CLOSER TO 2000 ANNUALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT ARE GRANTED.

THE FORM PACKET SAID. REVEREND STARR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXAS LAW HELP SO THAT

135,000 STATEWIDE. >> SO HUNDRED 35,000 STATEWIDE.

>> YES. >> IT'S A GOOD IDEA -- AND I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT. HISTORICALLY, I, PHILOSOPHICALLY, AND THE LEGISLATURE, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THOSE FEES THAT WE TACK ON BECAUSE THEY TEND TO BE FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE AS MAY BE THE CASE BECAUSE MOST FOLKS WILL GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF FILLING OUT THE FORM. IF THERE'S A DEFINITION OF WHAT IS INDIGENT, IF THEY LIE A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT, THEN THEY HAVE COMMITTED PERJURY. SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES USED TO GIVE ME A HARD TIME WHEN I BUNDLED THE FEAR DEFENSE ACT.

>> IT COMES FROM ONE OF THOSE AGGRESSIVE FEES. SO THEN I CAME UP WITH THIS LINE THEM AGAINST AGGRESSIVE FEES UNLESS IT'S FOR A PROGRESSIVE CAUSE.

THAT WAS A FEE BEING COLLECTED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. AND THEY SWEEP THE FUND COUNTED THE MONEY BUT NEVER USED IT. I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW MAY BE FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DID THE COUNTY NEVER RAISE IT? DO YOU KNOW? I WOULD JUST BE CURIOUS TO LOOK AND I DON'T KNOW. YOU SAID YOU GET THE 300,000 BACK? WE TAKE THE 300,000.

>> YOU CAN HAVE THE 300,000. >> IF THE FEE -- IF THE FILING FEE IS INCREASED, WHICH IS THE FEE THAT IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING ALL COUNTY LAW LIBRARIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IF THAT BE.

>> IT GOES TO ALL OF THEM, NOT JUST THIS ONE?

>> YES. EACH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT SETS THE FEE.

>> BUT OUR MONEY GOES TO HARRIS COUNTY.

>> OUR MONEY GOES JUST TO HARRIS COUNTY. BUT, OTHER COUNTIES, WHO HAVE COUNTY LAW LIBRARIES HAVE SET THE FILING FEE AT THE $35 MAXIMUM, ALMOST ALL OF THEM.

ALMOST ALL OF THE OTHER. >> I GUESS THESE ARE CASES LIKE SOMEBODY WANTS TO FILE FOR DIVORCE. AND IF I HEARD SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO FOLLOW ME I WOULD RAISE THE BILL. BUT SOMETIMES IT IS A DISINCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE TO GO AND DO WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO BECAUSE -- WE -- WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, BECAUSE WE DID NOT WANT TO BITE THE BULLET AND HAVE TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY, WE THROW A FEE EVERYWHERE. YOU WOULD BE AMAZED HOW MANY COURT FEES THERE ARE IN THERE.

I THINK IT WAS A STATE SENATOR LUNAR OUT OF BARRETT COUNTY USED TO RAISE CANE ON THE WOOD,

>> THERE ARE A TON OF FILING FEES IN EVERY COUNTY. I THINK IT'S.

>> WHICH IS A DISINCENTIVE FOR SOME PEOPLE TO GO TO COURT. SO I'D HAVE TO LOOK AT NOT JUST -- USUALLY WILL BE GOD TO WORRY WE ARE IS EVERYBODY PUT YOUR PEACE AND NOBODY LOOK AT THE OVERALL PICTURE OF HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO INTO CIVIL COURT FOR WHATEVER IT IS.

>> ALWAYS TELL MY WIFE IS CHEAPER TO KEEP ME. I'LL GET BETTER.

>> AND JUST ON THAT POINT, OF THOSE 90 PERCENT SELF REPRESENTED LITIGANTS THAT VISIT THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY, PROBABLY 80 PERCENT OF THEM ARE TRYING TO GET A FAMILY LAW MATTER TAKEN CARE OF WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF AN ATTORNEY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T.

>> AND I'M GUESSING THERE'S PROBABLY RELUCTANCE HERE, WHICH IS WHY IT WAS PRETTY THOUGHTFUL FOR THE COUNTY TO PUT IN 300,000 BECAUSE I BET A LOT OF COUNTIES.

>> ABSOLUTELY. BUT IF WE CAN OFFER THAT 300,000 YEAR BACK, -- I THINK IT'S A CASE THAT HARRIS COUNTY FILING FEES ARE LOWEST ARE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE STATE.

>> MAY BE FOR THIS. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING -- IN ALASKA LET YOU KNOW, TO GO AND SEE WHAT WE PUT ON -- WHAT FEES WE COLLECT. NOT JUST THE LIBRARY.

THE MONEY GOES STATEWIDE, BY THE WAY. SO THERE IS SOME FEE ON EVERY CASE FILED IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT GOES INTO THE STATE POT. WE GET A LITTLE BACK BECAUSE MOST CASES ARE COMING OUT HARRIS COUNTY.

>> I SEE YOUR POINT. IT WOULD BE GOOD TO UNDERSTAND AS WE MOVE TOWARD THE FINAL DECISION IN FEBRUARY WHAT EXACTLY THE BURDENS ARE TO FILING IT.

WHAT'S THE JUDGMENT WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE. BUT I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IN AS WELL. I WOULD ALSO ASK GOING FORWARD ON HOW WE MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU GUYS HAVE MORE THAN 60,000 NONLAWYERS VISITED

[02:40:07]

AND I WOULD ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INDIGENT FILERS HAVE EASY ACCESS TO THAT INABILITY TO PAY FOR THEM. KIND OF LANGUAGE. I TAKE THE -- FOR US TO SAVE OURSELVES 300,000 ADMIN ASSUMING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL DEFENDANTS WILL BE ABLE TO FILL OUT THIS FORM. WHAT IF THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT OR WHAT NOT.

>> WE POINT OUT THE EVERY DAY TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO COME TO VISIT US.

WE POINT AT -- AT THE LOCATION OF THE FORM TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO VISIT US EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> YOU HAVE ANY SYNERGISM FOR COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH THE CITY LIBRARY SYSTEM, AS LARGE AS WE ARE, TO WHAT DEGREE CAN YOU CALL MINGLE OR WORK TOGETHER SO SOMEBODY IS WAY OUT

NORTH OR SOUTH OR WEST. >> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'D LIKE TO DO WITH THE LAW POD INITIATIVE IS TO COLLABORATE WITH THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTED NATURE OF OUR FUNDING, BECAUSE IT IS A STATUTORY ESTATE -- STATUTORY FUNDING ITEM, FILING FEE, THE OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLABORATE WITH THE COUNTY LIBRARY ARE -- COUNTY LIBRARY ARE THEY ARE BUT WE CAN'T COLLABORATE FINANCIALLY. SO,

>> BUT. >> LET'S ASK IN THE NEXT

SESSION. >> IF SOMEBODY BROUGHT IT UP TO ME I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. BUT WE OUGHT TO ASK EVEN IF IT'S BRACKETED FOR HARRIS COUNTY. IF WE ASK COULD YOU SOMEHOW

COLLABORATE. >> WE ATTEND TO COLLABORATE

WITH THE COUNTY LIBRARY. >> FINANCIALLY.

>> YOU COULD ASK. I DON'T SEE -- WE COULD AS A LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> IS SOMEONE WHO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN OUR COURTS DIRECTLY FOR 12 YEARS, YOU RENDERED GREAT SERVICE, NOT ONLY TO THOSE WHO WOULD BE CONSIDERED INDIGENT, BUT THERE ARE MANY FOLKS WHO I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE DISTRACTED WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY ASSISTANCE IN ANY OTHER REGARD, BUT THEY WERE STRAPPED. AND THE LIBRARY, WAS JUST THE PLACE WHERE THEY COULD GO, THEY COULD PULL DOWN THE FORMS. THEY COULD PULL DOWN THE DOCUMENTS. OFTENTIMES THEY COULD BUMP INTO A LAWYER THAT MIGHT STEER THEM ALONG. AND ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT PRACTICE LAW, YOU DO HAVE REALLY GOOD POINTING SKILLS. AND HAVE HELPED A LOT OF FOLKS AND SO, FROM MY DAYS AS A JUDGE, YOU WERE WONDERFUL IN HELPING FOLKS NAVIGATE THROUGH THE SYSTEM, WHICH MADE IT A LOT EASIER WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO DO OUR JOBS OVER ON THE JUDICIAL SIDE.

I KNOW THAT IT'S EIGHT YEARS AGO BEFORE I MAKE THE THANK YOU BUT I'M GOING TO MAKE THE THINK IS FOR THE GOOD JOB THAT YOU'VE DONE AND I KNOW YOUR IMPROVING YOUR SKILLS EVERY DAY MOVING FORWARD IN SERVING EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY. AND SO, THANK YOU FOR THAT

SERVICE. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

AND TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER, WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS PEOPLE WHO FALL IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE GAPPED. GAP.

THEY ARE NOT INDIGENT, BUT THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE RETAINER AN ATTORNEY WOULD REQUIRE AND WE

SERVE THEM AS WELL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

VINCE I HAD QUESTIONS FOR YOU AS WELL. .

THE BULK OF YOUR -- REALLY, YOUR REQUEST WAS FOCUSED ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE GROUP.

WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN CASELOAD AND THE ACTIVITY THAT WE HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR, IT SEEMS LIKE A MODEST REQUEST, RELATIVELY SPEAKING. IS THIS ENOUGH?

>> WELL ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, YOU COULD NOT GIVE US TOO MUCH.

THERE IS MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY THAT WE ARE SEEING BUT WE HAVE NOT RAMPED UP OUR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY. WE HAVE THREE ATTORNEYS DO FULL-TIME ENVIRONMENTAL AND SEVERAL OTHERS WHO DO A LOT OF WORK IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND AS YOU NOTE IN THE PROCESS AND ALSO THE INFORMATION WE PROVIDE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE ARE TRYING TO BE VERY PROACTIVE ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

>> I KNOW. WE'VE HEARD AND EVEN BEFORE YOU CAME INTO MY OFFICE AND POST

[02:45:04]

SO JUST LET US KNOW. >> WE THINK IN THE INTERIM, THAT OUR REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WILL BE SUFFICIENT AND WE APPRECIATE THIS COURTS SUPPORT FROM THE WIDE RANGE OF EFFORTS THAT THE COUNTY DOES PARTICIPATE IN AND TRY TO MAKE OUR ENVIRONMENT THAT MUCH BETTER.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION, VINCE, ON THE -- YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT SALARIES.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HEARD CORRECTLY. ARE YOU HAVING A NEED TO KEEP UP WITH MARKET RATES ON YOUR SALARIES.

>> YES. IN FACT I USE THE PHRASE DELINKING VERY HISTORICALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE SALARIES OF THE ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEYS ARE LINKED TO WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SALARY IS. UNLIKE MANY OF THE SUBORDINATES OF THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE SALARIES IN OUR OFFICE ARE CAPPED BY WHAT MY SALARY IS. AND WE BELIEVE THAT DELINKING IT TO MY SALARY AND SLOWING IMPROVING THE SALARIES FOR, ESPECIALLY THE CAREER ATTORNEYS IN OUR OFFICE AND IT SAID THE MESSAGE TO THE YOUNGER, LESS EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS IN THE OFFICE THAT YOU HAVE A FINANCIALLY SECURE FUTURE IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

QUITE FRANKLY, MY SALARY AND OFTEN OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS SALARIES ARE SET NOT BECAUSE OF MAY BE MARKET-DRIVEN ISSUES BUT BECAUSE OF THE REALITY OF THE GEOPOLITICAL WORLD WE LIVE IN.

AND AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THE SALARY THAT HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDES ME.

BUT BECAUSE IT IS A FOR PEOPLE IN OUR OFFICE, THE EXPERIENCE PEOPLE -- WE BEEN GOING BACK TO TRADE MAJORS WHO IS OUR NONLAWYER SUPERVISOR AND TIFFANY REEDY WHO SUPER VERSUS ÃSUPERVISES OUR CHILD PROTECTIVE GROUP, THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE, I THINK, SHOULD NOT HAVE -- AS THEY LOOK FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE -- IN THE SUPPLIES TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE 5 TO 10 YEARS THAT THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO GOOD SALARIES.

IN THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW, WHEN YOU GET TO A SALARY CLOSE TO MY SALARY, THAT'S IT.

NO MATTER HOW MUCH HER EXPERIENCES, NO MATTER WHAT VALUE YOU BRING TO HARRIS COUNTY. SO THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST STEP TO DO THAT PROGRAM AND DO IT IN AN INCREMENTAL WAY AGAIN WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, OF COURSE, APPROVING SALARIES.

>> I DID NOT SEE YOUR REQUEST SO I WOULD ASK THAT YOU INCLUDED IN THE TABLE, WHATEVER IT IS THAT YOU NEED TO KEEP UP BEYOND WE NEED THE BEST PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE CREATIVE, AMBITIOUS, DATA DRIVEN PROGRAMS THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE YOU LOSE TALENT -- TALENTED FOLKS. LET US KNOW, THROUGH BILL,.

THE DECISION REMAINS TO BE MADE WHETHER THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION, BUT IT IS SEPARATE FROM THAT AND WITHIN EACH DEPARTMENT WE HAVE TO PRIORITIZE FIRST PRIORITY THESE NEW FOLKS OR IF IT'S A SALARY INCREASE TO KEEP UP, IT'S MORE ABOUT MARKET RATES, NOT JUST THE INFLATION.

>> IT'LL BE MORE OF THE EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THE LEGAL MARKET ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE GRADUATING FROM LAW SCHOOL AND JUST OUT FOR A YEAR OR TWO, THAT IS SIMPLE. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE APPLYING.

BUT WHEN YOU GET TO THE MORE EXPERIENCED PEOPLE WHO ARE COMPETITIVE IN THEIR LEGAL SKILLS WE HAD TO ATTORNEYS JUST IN THE LAST YEAR WHO LEFT FROM OUR EMINENT DOMAIN PRACTICE.

THEY WERE GIVEN MUCH BETTER SALARIES. AND WHILE THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY DAY, IT HAPPENS TOO OFTEN. AND PART OF THE REASON IS BECAUSE OF THE SALARY CAP AND PEOPLE KNOW THEY CAN SPEND 20 YEARS IN OFFICE AND THEY WILL NEVER MAKE MORE THAN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> I ASKED FOR THESE JOB. SO MUCH LIKE AGAIN THE SUPPORT USING THE COUNTY ENGINEER THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE MORE THAN THE COMMISSIONERS AT

THE TABLE. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING BACK WHEN WE WERE ON THE COUNCIL ONCE KATHY WHITMIRE HAD US IN FOR A MEETING AND SHE SAID THAT I WAS THE CHEAP CHICKEN AS ON COUNSEL UNTIL YOU GOT THERE.

>> (LAUGHING) GREG SO I THINK PEOPLE LIKE TO GET PAID WITHIN YOU MAKE TO WORK FOR YOU AND

[02:50:05]

I DON'T WANT THAT ON FOLKS IN OUR OFFICE AS WELL SOMEBODY HAS TO DEAL WITH ME.

THEY ARE TO GET PAID WELL. >> BOARD MEMBERS CAN APPROVE BUDGET MAXES. HOW VINCE'S SHOP IS GOT IT SET UP.

BUT THERE'S NO LAW THAT I KNOW OF THAT SAYS YOU CANNOT PAY YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF MORE THAN

YOU MAY. >> WHAT ABOUT HIS OFFICE? BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR.

>> NOTHING BELOW SHOE Ã PROHIBITS YOU FROM APPROVING SALARY RANGES.

>> IS NOT ASKING FOR MORE MONEY.

>>. >> WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. BUT THERE OFFICE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE, IS MUCH MORE STRUCTURED IN THE SENSE OF PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE. YOU HAVE LEAD PROSECUTORS.

>> THAT GOT A HIGHER -- A MUCH HIGHER STRUCTURE THAN WE DO.

OUR ATTORNEYS HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE COME AGAIN,

>> SO YOU WANT THE ABILITY TO PAY SOME YOUR PEOPLE MORE THAN WHATEVER IS IN THEIR.

>> YES. >> IN THIS PROCESS I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THAT YOU DO IT WHENEVER WE GET TO IT.

>> OKAY. >> THE OTHER QUESTION IS, I SAW THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER THE OTHER DAY. WOULD YOU JUST COME UP WITH IDEAS ON ANYTHING -- THAT NOW I SO WORK CONGRESSMAN WROTE A LETTER TO THE EPA TO LOOK INTO IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> IN FACT, THE SAME ARTICLE ASKED ME DOESN'T CAUSE ME TO ASK ROBERT TO ASK AND SEE IF WE COULD DO ANYTHING AT LEAST BY WHAT THE ARTICLE SAYS, UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS ONE OF THE -- YOU AND I WERE THERE -- THIS IS ONE OF THE CHALLENGES OF HAVING THE BIGGEST UN-ZONED CITY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND AMERICA. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE FEW RESTRICTIONS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ALL, VIRTUALLY, LIVE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THIS.

WE ARE LOOKING INTO THAT BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS THAT RAISED.

>> MAYBE COLLABORATE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUE IN THE CITY.

>> ON THE ISSUE THAT CAME UP LAST WEEK ABOUT MY NAYAR Ã MINORITY OWNED WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS. I JUST WANT TO SEE -- I HAVE NOT BEEN KEEPING UP WITH IT.

WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GETTING A MINORITY ÃMINORITY OPPORTUNITIES SOMEBODY MENTIONED TO ME WHEN COMMISSIONER LEE WAS HERE, YOU HAD THESE FINANCINGS COMING UP TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH CORPORATION BOARD. IS THAT STILL AROUND?

>> BECAUSE SOMEBODY JUST MADE THE COMMENT TO ME. THEY DID -- I DID NOT KNOW I SHOULD ASK BUT I WANT TO GET A BREAKDOWN ON WHAT WERE DOING IN HIS SHOP AND THE OTHERS ANY OF

THESE FINANCING ENTITIES. >> (MULTIPLE SPEAKERS).

>> .THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL FINANCE CORPORATION IS A GOVERNMENT CORPORATION THAT WAS SET UP BY COMMISSIONERS COURT AT SOME TIME IN THE PAST. THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF THESE LIKE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION.

THEY OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THEY ARE IN CHARGE OF CREATING THEIR OWN REVENUE.

>> WE PUT PEOPLE ON THE BOARD? >> WE DO PUT PEOPLE ON THE

BOARD. >> I KNOW A LITTLE BECAUSE BACK WHEN KATHY WHITMIRE WAS POINTING OUT HOW CHICKEN AS WE WERE, COMMISSIONER LEE, WHEN I STARTED MY FIRM I WOULD COME UP YOUR -- WHEN AN ISSUE WOULD COME UP INVOLVING ONE OF THESE HOSPITALS, DOES IT HAVE TO BE APPROVED HERE?

>> HE WOULD GET -- MAKE SURE THEY WERE SENSITIVE TO THE ISSUE.

>> THERE IS A LEVEL OF APPROVAL WILL THEY DO PUBLIC FINANCING. THE WAY IT'S DONE IS THEY DO WHAT'S A PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND. A PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND IS A REVENUE-BASED BOND ISSUED BY ONE OF THESE CORPORATIONS. IT'S DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN AGREEMENT.

>> I KNOW THEY COLORED PANTS. >> DO THEY COME TO US?

>> THEY CAN COME TO US. >> THEY CAN HE.

>> YES. THERE'S A PROVISION IN THE RS CODE SECTION 170 -- IT SAYS WHEN A CORPORATION ISSUES A PRIVATE ACTIVITY BOND, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A TAX-EXEMPT BOND, IT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITY. SO IT HAS TO BE ISSUE --

[02:55:02]

A COPY TAKE INTO THE CITY OF ITS INSIDE THE CITY OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE

CITY. >> WOULD YOU GIVE ME A REPORT ON IT? I WANT TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN TERMS OF GETTING.

>> I KNOW THAT'S INSIDE A BALL BECAUSE I HAD TO BREAK INTO IT AT ONE POINT.

I DO NOT WANT TO BE INSENSITIVE SINCE I AM NO LONGER IN THE BUSINESS.

>> TYPICALLY, THESE THINGS ARE PRESENTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION. >> PUT THEM ON THE AGENDA WHERE I SEE THEM OR SOMEBODY POINTED OUT.

>> COMMISSIONER, I WILL RUN A SCHEDULE.

>> TELL THEM I'M WATCHING. I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT'S GONE THROUGH.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUST A COUPLE COMMENTS. (AWAY FROM MIC) -- WHAT WE DO IN PRECINCT 4 ABOUT THE TIME OF TRYING TO PUT THINGS TOGETHER WITH DUCT TAPE, YOU ARE BUILDING PYRAMIDS WITH Q-TIPS AND DUCT TAPE. SO I'M WITH YOU ON THE DUCT TAPE.

WE DO THAT ALL THE TIME OVER HERE. THANK YOU.

AND THEN, DOUG, AS OUR COUNSEL APPEAR, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ONE AS THIS WITNESS

(LAUGHING). >> THERE'S A LINE ITEM MISSING.

(LAUGHING). >> I KNOW THE QUESTION BUT YOU

WON'T SAY IT THOUGH. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WORKED FOR VINCE FOR 11 YEARS. I WAS AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHEN HE WAS ELECTED AND I WORKED FOR HIM EVER SINCE. THIS ISCOMING TO AN INCOME HIS THIRD TERM AND IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

>> THANK YOU, DOUG. >> THIS IS THE REASON YOU NEED TO DEALING SALARIES TO MY SALARY SO WE REWARD PEOPLE LIKE DOUG.

[Library]

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I THINK SHE MAY CHANGE HER MIND (LAUGHING).

>> LET'S CONTINUE ON WITH THE LIBRARY.

>> WE DO HAVE SOME HANDOUTS, SOME BOOKS THAT WE WANT TO DISTRIBUTE TO HELP WITH THE

PRESENTATION. >> THERE'S A BOOK FOR EACH

PERSON. >> I CAME BACK TO A SIMPLE

TECHNOLOGY. >> HERE.

I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH FOR YOU. THANK YOU. AND ONE FOR PRECINCT 2. HERE

YOU GO. >> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. >> EDWARD MELTON LIBRARY

DIRECTOR. >> LIBRARY DIRECTOR FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AND I HAVE RON LUCIC WHO IS MY CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND AMBER SEELEY, WHO IS MY COLLECTION OF ELEMENT DIRECTOR. IN STARTING OFF I WANT TO USE THIS BOOK AS A TOOL IN ORDER TO WALK US THROUGH IN TERMS OF SOME OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE HAVE DONE WITH THE FUNDING THAT YOU PROVIDED THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE FUNDING THAT YOU PROVIDED FOR US TO DO THE WORK THAT WE DO AND HAS AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

>> ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A LIBRARY. THERE WAS A SYSTEM OF 26 LIBRARIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT ALL STARTED WITH PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY.

IF YOU OPEN UP THAT POP UP, IT WILL TELL YOU THAT WE WORK AT SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS FAMILIES, AND PART OF THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IS OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. OVER THIS PAST YEAR WE'VE ANSWERED 980 -- 988 400 -- 467

[03:00:04]

>> THEY BEGAN WITH LITERACY AND A LOVE OF READING. A FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING A GIFT OF DISCOVERY AND LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES.

SO HERE YOU'LL SEE THAT IT GIVES US STATISTICS WE'VE HAD OVER 1600 CITIZENSHIPS STUDENTS WE'VE HAD OVER 8000 LA STUDENTS ACQUISITION STUDENTS WE'VE HAD OVER 6000 PARTICIPANTS.

JUST LIKE LIBRARY COLLECTION DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW -- THEY EMBRACE TO CELEBRATE EVERYONE'S DIFFERENCES. HERE WE HAVE OVER 30 LANGUAGES IN OUR COLLECTION WE'VE HAD OVER 64,000 OUTREACH PROGRAMS OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATING AND WE SERVED OVER 21,000 SUMMER MALES DURING THE SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM.

>> QUICK STUDENTS LANGUAGES INCLUDE -- (AWAY FROM MIC).

>> WE'VE HAD OVER 7000 PUBLIC COMPUTERS -- I MEAN 700,000 PUBLIC COMPUTERS USED.

WE HAD OVER 12,000 TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS. WE PROVIDED WI-FI ACCESS TO OVER 300,000 PEOPLE. WE HAVE 14 PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE 400 (INDISCERNIBLE) THROUGH LITERACY EXPERIENCES THEY CREATE THE DYNAMIC WORLD OF DISCOVERY AND LEARNING.

IN THE SUMMER OF 2019, WE HAD OVER 116,000 PROGRAM -- PEOPLE ATTENDING PROGRAMS. WE HAD OVER 19,000 REGISTERED READERS AND WE PROVIDED AVERAGE TO 17 SIDES, INCLUDING THE HERD -- HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS IN NEW HOPE HOUSING.

AND AT THE END HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY IS BUILDING A COMMUNITY OF READERS AND LIFELONG LEARNERS PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS TO LIBRARY RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY LEVERAGING RESOURCES THROUGH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, INSPIRING EDUCATION AND SERVING HARRIS COUNTY ONE HUMAN CONNECTION AT A TIME.

>> AND SO, WE HAVE -- THIS YEAR WE'VE CIRCULATED MORE THAN 9 MILLION ITEMS, HAVE CHECKED OUT. WE'VE -- THAT INCLUDES OVER 7 MILLION PHYSICAL ITEMS AND IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL ITEMS WE ARE ONE OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEMS WHO WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN CHECKOUT. WERE ALSO ONE OF THE LEADING LIBRARY SYSTEMS IN CHECKING OUT THE MATERIALS. WE WILL BE -- WE WILL BE THE FIRST LIBRARY SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT CIRCULATES OVER 2 MILLION DIGITAL ITEMS AND WE WERE ALSO THE FIRST SYSTEM TO CIRCULATE OVER MILLION ITEMS. THIS YEAR WE SHOULD REACH CLOSE TO 2.5 MILLION. WE PROVIDED OVER 2500 PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES INCLUDING LITERACY STORY TIMES FOR YOUNG READERS INTERNMENT OF BOOKS FOR TOTAL PARTICIPANT OF 325 -- APPROXIMATELY 325 PARTICIPANTS. WE OFFER OVER 5300 ADULT LITERACY ACQUISITION CLASSES WITH 8572 STUDENTS AND WE HAVE OVER 500 CITIZENSHIP CLASSES. OUR WEBSITE WE HAD OVER 4 MILLION VISITS AND OUR COMPUTERS WERE USED OVER 700,000 TIMES.

OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS, WE HAD 2163 PROGRAMS OUTSIDE LIBRARY WALLS FOUR 32,000 PEOPLE.

AND SO THAT LEADS ME TO THE -- THE PIECE OF PAPER THAT I HAD AT THE -- IN TERMS OF MY BUDGET REQUEST. AS I'VE BEEN HEARING THE BUDGET HEARINGS AND UNDERSTANDING THE

[03:05:02]

AND SO, SOME OF THE THINGS I WANT TO WALK THROUGH IN TERMS OF OUR BUDGET REQUEST, THE FIRST ONE IS SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR STAFF. WITH THE STAFFING, WE ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING BECAUSE AS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE LIBRARY AND WE WANT TO INCREASE OUR CAPACITY, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK IN COMMUNITY CENTERS ALSO IN TERMS OF WORKING IN OTHER AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. WE'VE DONE SOME IMPROVEMENT CONCEPTS WHERE WE ARE WORKING IN PLACES LIKE THE HESTER HOUSE, LINKIN PARK, CREEKSIDE Ã I MEAN LONE STAR CREEKSIDE CAMPUS. I WE'RE LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF COMMUNITY CENTERS IN PRECINCT 2 TO PROVIDE OUTREACH SERVICES. WITH THAT WE WANT TO HAVE DESIGNATED STAFF TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING -- ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING AT THOSE SITES. AND SO WHAT WE FOUND OUT IN TERMS OF SOME OF THESE PROOF OF CONCEPT PROJECTS THAT WE'VE HAD, IF WE BRING IN TECHNOLOGY IN THE MATERIALS, THAT'S ONE BENEFIT. BUT IS THE HUMAN INTERACTION WE HAVE IN TERMS OF BRINGING IN THE LIBRARY AND SORE STAFF TO DO PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION WHETHER IT'S STEM OR MAKE A SPACE PROGRAM OR READING INITIATIVES THAT WE SEE THE IMPACT IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR SERVICES OFFERED. THE NEXT THING THAT WE HAVE ON OUR REQUEST IS FOR A NEW INTEGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM. THUS THE SYSTEM THAT MANAGES OUR MATERIALS.

WITH THAT PROJECT, -- WE ARE IN OUR THIRD YEAR WITH OUR CONTRACT OF OUR CURRENT VENDOR.

AND SO WE HAVE OPTIONS. IF HE GOES OUT TO RFP AND WE HAVE TO MIGRATE TO A NEW SYSTEM, IT WILL COST US APPROXIMATELY $650,000. IF WE STAY ON THE CURRENT AFTER THE PROJECT GOES TO BED IT WILL COST US APPROXIMATELY $100,000 VERSUS $650,000.

WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE WOULD HAVE TO MIGRATE TO A NEW SYSTEM -- WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO MIGRATE TO A NEW SYSTEM BUT WE HAVE TO MIGRATE TO A CLOUD IN TERMS OF THE HOSTING OUR ILS IN THE

CLOUD. >> OTHER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE CENTRAL FOR OUR SERVICES IS OUR WEB ENHANCEMENT, OVERDRIVE FUNDING, MARKETING TOOLS, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE FEEL LIKE THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A PROGRAM TO BE ESSENTIAL. WE HAVE AN ITEM FOR WORLD LANGUAGE COLLECTIONS.

WITH THAT, WE CAN STAY STATIC OR STATUS QUO IN TERMS OF NOT INCREASING THE COLLECTION.

BUT THE THING WE KNOW IS THAT THE POPULATION IS MORE DIVERSE AND WE WANT TO BUILD STRONGER AND STRENGTHEN THE COLLECTIONS IN TERMS OF HOW WE SERVE THESE VARIOUS LANGUAGE NEEDS.

WE ALSO HAVE MAKER SPACE ENHANCEMENTS WE WANT TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGIES. AND SO, I KNOW THIS YEAR WE WILL LOOK AT LAUNCHING MAKING SPACES IN KINGWOOD, BARBARA BUSH LIBRARY, MOD MARKS LIBRARY, AND PARKER WILLIAMS. AND SO, WE CURRENTLY HAVE FOR MAKING SPACES NOW AND PEOPLE ARE COMING IN, WHETHER THEY ARE ENTREPRENEURS, EVERYDAY PEOPLE, IN ORDER TO USE THINGS LIKE PRINTERS, LASER CUTTERS, VARIOUS TECHNOLOGIES TO BE CREATIVE AND EXPLORE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE EASY ACCESS TO. OTHER THINGS WE HAVE IS LIVING LIBRARY'S COLLECTION. THAT'S WHERE WE BUILD OUR COLLECTIONS AND TRANSPORT THEM TO COMMUNITY CENTERS OR VARIOUS LOCATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO OUR

[03:10:01]

WITH THOSE EARLY LITERATURE PROGRAMS WE WANT TO NOT ONLY WORK ON JUST THE TODDLERS AND INFANTS BUT WE WANT TO WORK WITH PARENTS EVEN BEFORE THE KIDS ARE BORN.

THEN WE DO HAVE ITEMS FOR -- PROGRAMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. WE DID PUT A REQUEST IN FOR FURNITURE REPLACEMENT. AND WITH FURNITURE REPLACEMENT, I KNOW WE'VE TALKED AND THAT COULD BE A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT. AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IN TERMS OF OUR FURNITURE REQUEST, AS THE FPM COMES THROUGH AND WE REDO OUR FLOORS, WE ARE GOING AWAY FROM CARPET TO HARD SURFACE FLOORING. WE ARE RECONFIGURING OUR SPACES AND BRING THEM UP TO DATE IN TERMS OF FURNISHINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT OR MAKING SURE THAT THESE SPACES IS REFLECTING A MORE CURRENT LIBRARY. WE ALSO HAVE ITEMS IN HERE FOR INSTANT DIGITAL CARDS.

IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET INSTANT ACCESS TO OUR CARDS. ONE OF THE THINGS WITH OUR OVERDRIVE AND WITH OUR INSTANT DIGITAL CARDS IS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH THE DIFFERENT ISPS. WE JUST MET WITH A COMPANY YESTERDAY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ACCESS TO DIGITAL COLLECTIONS. A LOT OF THESE SCHOOLS ARE ISPS ARE FACING CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF HAVING READING MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THEIR CURRICULUM.

WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE ISPS IN ORDER TO EXPAND THE USAGE OF OUR DIGITAL COLLECTION SO STUDENTS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL OR READING MATERIALS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO OTHERWISE. WITHOUT HAVING THE NEED TO COME TO A PHYSICAL LIBRARY ITSELF.

AS THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE. THEY CAN ACCESS MATERIALS BY DOWNLOADING THEM.

THE GRAPHIC NOVELS AND THE WONDER BOOKS, THOSE ARE A PART OF OUR INITIATIVES IN TERMS OF EARLY LITERACY AND ALSO WORKING WITH THE JUVENILE PROBATION DETENTION CENTERS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALIZED AS WE WORK WITH THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS IS THAT GRAPHIC NOVELS ARE ONE OF THE -- IS A WAY THAT WE CAN INSTANTLY ENGAGE THOSE JUVENILES OR THOSE YOUTH INTO READING BECAUSE IT TAKES THE CONCEPT -- IT TAKES THE BORING OUT OF READING BECAUSE IT'S MORE IN A COMIC BOOK TYPE VERSION.

WE SEE WHEN WE CREATE THESE COLLECTIONS AND CURATE THESE COLLECTIONS OF HIGH INTEREST MATERIALS, WE KNOW THE STUDENTS CAN CONNECT WITH WE HAVE A HIGHER SUCCESS RATE IN TERMS OF STUDENTS WERE PEOPLE COMING BACK TO EXERCISE THE BEHAVIOR RATING.

WITH THE LIBRARY, BECAUSE WE ARE AN INFORMAL LEARNING INSTITUTION THAT'S ONE OF OUR KEY THINGS. WE WANT TO GET PEOPLE INTO ENJOYING THE BEHAVIOR OF READING. IT'S NOT A THING ABOUT WE WANT TO MOVE THE LEVEL IN TERMS OF READING LEVELS. WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THE MORE A PERSON READS AND EXERCISES THE BEHAVIOR OF READING AND ENJOYS IT, THE MORE LIKELY THEY'LL REPEAT THE JUDGMENT BEHAVIOR. SO THAT'S OUR STRATEGY IN TERMS OF HOW WE CONNECT THE READING AND LEARNING THROUGH ENJOYABLE RECREATIONAL READING.

WE ALSO HAVE OTHER RESOURCES HERE IN TERMS OF FREE GOAL, WHICH IS A FREE LEGAL GUIDE.

EXCUSE ME IT'S -- FREE STREAMING MUSIC. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IS WE GOT OUT OF THE BUSINESS OF CIRCULATING MUSIC CDS.

NOW WE WANT TO GO TOWARDS A WAY OF ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO STREAM MUSIC OR AUDIOBOOKS THROUGH THEIR DEVICES. IT MAKES BETTER SENSE. AND THEN IN TERMS OF THE CDS, WE HAD A HIGH LOSS RATE. BUT WITH THE DIGITAL, WE DO NOT HAVE A LOSS RATE BECAUSE IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES BACK TO THE LIBRARY.

[03:15:19]

>> WE HAVE SOME TELEPHONE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT. WE HAD SOME OTHER INITIATIVES LIKE THE OUTDOOR READING ROOMS. WITH THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEEK OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES OR PARTNER WITH THE PRECINCTS TO FIGURE OUT IF THAT'S AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF CREATING THESE OUTDOOR READING PONDS. WE WILL IMPLEMENT PASSPORT SERVICES THIS YEAR. WE ASK FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR THE PASSPORT SERVICES.

BUT WITH THAT REQUEST, WE CAN WAIT UNTIL WE GET OUR REVENUE AUTHENTICATED FOR THIS YEAR AFTER WE PROVIDE THAT SERVICE IN ORDER TO SEE HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL STAFF WE NEED.

SO WE CAN MANAGE IN TERMS OF OUR PASSPORT CURRENT STAFF WE HAVE UNTIL WE SHOW WHAT THE TRUE NEED IS IN TERMS OF ADDITIONAL STAFF. AND HIM (HE QUESTIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU. LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN A CRITICAL COMPONENT GOING BACK ALL THE WAY TO THE LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTH AFRICA WHERE THE SEPTUAGINT WAS CREATED OUT OF ONE LANGUAGE THAT NO ONE READ AND NOW THE WHOLE WORLD WAS ABLE TO READ THE OLD TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE. IN OUR LIBRARIES AND WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS YOU HAVE BROUGHT INNOVATION TO MAKE TRANSLATION OF PRINTED MATERIAL AND EDUCATION CEREALS THERE SO THAT FOLKS CAN BE INSPIRED AND THEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THOSE INNOVATIONS THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT.

AND JUDGE ALL WIND UP WITH THE THIRD INNOVATION WHICH I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT IS A CO INTEREST WITH MY COLLEAGUE FROM PRECINCT 1 WHICH DEALS WITH THE FOOD DESERTS AND THE PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE NOT EATING FRESH FRUIT. YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR PARKS TO WHERE WE LEND TOOLS TO PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO -- THE TOOL LIBRARY WHERE PEOPLE CAN BUILD THEIR OWN THINGS AND GROW THEIR OWN CROPS IS AN INNOVATION THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE. BUT I THINK IT'S FABULOUS BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT ONLY IMPROVING THEIR MINDS, BUT YOU'RE ALSO IMPROVING THEIR BODIES WITH REGARD TO GIVING THEM THOSE EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES. THAT'S IT FOR ME.

>> AND THAT ALSO, WITH THOSE FOOD DESERTS, WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR BRANCHES TO CREATE THESE COMMUNITY GARDENS WERE WORKING WITH FPM TO COURT MADE THAT EFFORT AND SO THAT WILL HELP US TO POSSIBLY EXPAND OUR TOOLING PROGRAM WHERE WE ARE HELPING PEOPLE TO CREATE URBAN GARDENS. THAT'S ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF THAT TYPE

OF WORK. >> A QUESTION ON THE -- THERE IS A COUPLE ITEMS THAT LOOK THAT THEY CAN GO INTO CIP. THE OUTDOOR LIBRARY AND THE LIBRARY FURNISHINGS. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE CONSIDERING?

>> ON THE PASSPORT ISSUE, I UNDERSTOOD YOU WERE ALREADY -- HAVE ALREADY STARTED PROVIDING PASSPORT SERVICES IS THAT RIGHT.

>> WE WILL START TO PERSEVERE. WE BEEN DOING THE TRAINING AND EVERYTHING LEADING UP TO IT.

SO WE WILL START THAT INITIATIVE AT THE FIRST OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.

>> YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH IT. IT'S EASIER FOR US TO BUDGET EARLY ON RATHER THAN -- BECAUSE WE HAVE THAT SET AMOUNT OF FUNDS.

SO JUST THINK ABOUT THAT. THE OTHER PROGRAMS -- I ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE SAID IN TERMS OF COORDINATION AND COORDINATING WITH OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS.

I THINK YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH ACCESS TO READING AND DIGITAL BOOKS THE END AUDIOBOOKS AND LIKE YOU SAID, LIFELONG LEARNERS.

I COMMEND THE WORK WITH JUVENILE PROBATION AND I WONDER IF PERHAPS, WITH PUBLIC HEALTH OR OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHAT COLLABORATIONS THERE MIGHT BE. WE WERE TALKING TO THE FOLKS OF THE LAW LIBRARY. SO THAT'S THE POINT IS WELL.

>> AND SO WE CONSTANTLY LOOK FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITY. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH PUBLIC HEALTH IN TERMS OF SHARING RESOURCES IN DOING EDUCATION IN TERMS OF BEING PROACTIVE AND BEING -- HAVING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES IN TERMS OF HEALTH AND EDUCATION.

SO NOT ONLY DO WE WORK WITH PUBLIC HEALTH, BUT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY OR WE HAVE A COLLECTION THERE. WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO WHERE WE CAN BRING OUT LAW PODS INTO THE COUNTY LIBRARIES.

IT'S JUST BEEN A THING ABOUT COORDINATING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THIS WILL WORK.

>> BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO PARTNER WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

EVEN YESTERDAY AS I WAS LOOKING TO HEARINGS, SOME DEPARTMENTS WANT TO DO ARCHIVING PROJECTS AND EVEN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. THAT'S ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR

[03:20:04]

ALSO. >> I SAW CIRCULATION WAS UP 25 PERCENT. THAT WAS DIGITAL MATERIALS MOSTLY.

AND SO THERE'S SOME DATA THAT YOU PROVIDED FROM THIS BOOK WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL ABOUT THE NUMBERS IN THE DEMAND. THAT'S HELPFUL. JUST AS I SAID, -- THE LAW LIBRARY, IT WOULD BE GOOD AS WE WORK INTO THE NEXT YEAR TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF SPECIFIC PROGRAMS SO IF FOLKS PARTICIPATE IN A SUMMER READING PROGRAM, WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF IT. BUT CERTAINLY, JUST FROM THE DIGITAL BOOKS ARE THE PHYSICAL BOOKS THAT ARE CHECKED OUT, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE HIGH DEMAND.

WILL LOOK AT THIS CLOSELY. IN MY MIND, THE LIBRARY IS A PUBLIC GOOD AND IF WE ARE ABLE TO TRULY REACH ITS FULL POTENTIAL, IT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP US BUILD NOT ONLY LIFELONG LEARNERS BUT ALSO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL ESPECIALLY WITH MY COMMITMENT TO WORK ON EARLY EDUCATION SO I APPRECIATE YOUR FOCUS ON CHILDREN ON THE KINDS OF PROGRAMS THAT WILL ENTICE PROBLEM IS MY CHILDREN TO READ.

AND ON THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND LANGUAGE ACCESS THAT WE NEED TO BUILD ON FOR THESE

FAMILIES. >> ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THE LIBRARY IS WE ARE IN AN INDUSTRY OF CONSUMABLES. WITH THAT, PEOPLE READ AND I WANT TO READ SOMETHING -- WHAT THEY LEARN SOMETHING OR THEY WANT TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

IT'S A CONSTANT DEMAND. EVEN AS WE TALK ABOUT GROWING OUR MARKETING OR LETTING MORE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE PRODUCTS THAT WE HAVE, WHETHER IT'S PRINT MATERIALS OR DIGITAL MATERIALS OR A LEARNING EXPERIENCE. WE SEE THE NEED GROWS AND FOR US, IS HOW DO WE KEEP TRACK IN TERMS OF TRYING TO MEET THE DEMAND THAT WE HAVE.

WE'VE SEEN WITH OUR DIGITAL, YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE ARE INCREASING EXPONENTIALLY.

WE KNOW THAT EVEN THROUGH A LOT OF OUR EARLY LITERACY, WE ARE BUILDING CHILDREN TO HAVE THIS INTERESTING READING. EVEN WITH OUR ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS, SO IT CREATES MORE

STRAIN ON THE DEMAND. >> RIGHT.

SO YOU HAVE ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES. HOW MANY OF THOSE KIDS PEASANT ESL TEST. HAVE YOU HAD TO TURN FOLKS AWAY FROM LACK OF RESOURCES OR TONE

-- TURN FOLKS DOWN. >> ARE ELA AND ARE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES, WE DO HAVE A WAITING LIST OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE AND IT'S ABOUT BUILDING CAPACITY. SO THOSE ADULT PROGRAMS ARE BASED ON ADULT VOLUNTEERS.

WITH THOSE PROGRAMS, IT'S NOT ABOUT GETTING THE VOLUNTEERS, BUT TRAINING TRAINING THE VOLUNTEERS, ACCORDING THE ACTIVITY COORDINATING THE SPACE AND USAGE.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR SPACE TO PROVIDE THE PROTECTION.

THE NUMBER OF INSTRUCTORS THAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO TACKLE THAT TYPE OF SERVICE.

SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BE AT CAPACITY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> SO IT IS 12:37 P.M. -- LET'S TAKE A BREAK FOR AN HOUR. 1/4 TILL -- A QUARTER TILL TWO.

>> I WANT TO -- LET ME SAY SOMETHING, PLEASE. I WANT TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A CONFLICT FOR THE AUDITOR AND THE -- TO BE REQUIRED TO TALK ABOUT THEIR BUDGET. BY STATE LAW, THERE IS A CHECKS AND BALANCES OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE PRESENT HERE, IN FRONT OF US BECAUSE THEIR JOB IS TO KEEP AN EYE ON US.

>> I KNOW THIS WAS KIND OF A PERFUNCTORY -- WAS THE -- YES.

>> (AWAY FROM MIC). >> SHARE SOME INFORMATION FROM

THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE? >> OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A

DIFFERENT. >> WHY DON'T YOU APPROACH THE MICROPHONE JUST SO WE CAN -- THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE NOT BREAKING. >> YOU KNOW THAT'S UNFAIR BECAUSE ONE ARREST FOR TO MANAGE ALWAYS GIVE IT TO ME. MY COLLEAGUE JUST AS FOR TWO

[03:25:02]

MINUTES. >> BUT YOUR OTHER COLLEAGUE

BROUGHT UP A QUESTION. >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP I'M

GOING TO LUNCH. >> BUT I WILL ACCOMMODATE.

>> IF YOU ARE IN A MOMENT OF NEED I WAS GOING JUST THE JUDGE TO ACCOMMODATE YOU.

>> HIM IN A MOMENT NEED. I'M LEAVING. (LAUGHING) ALL RIGHT.

GO AHEAD. >> THE COUNTY AUDITOR, OVER THE YEARS, HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THESE BUDGET HEARINGS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AND WHEN I WAS ASKED TO DO IT, I THOUGHT -- I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD TO COME AND SHARE SOME INFORMATION WITH THE COMMISSIONERS RELATIVE TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND TO GO OVER WHAT OUR PROCESS IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A DIFFERENT PROCESS, STATUTORILY, FOR APPROVING OUR BUDGET.

SO I AM PREPARED AND I BROUGHT KEY PEOPLE WITH ME TO DO A SHORT PRESENTATION.

AND I'M VERY OPEN TO DOING THAT.

>> AND I THINK THAT'S NICE, BUT I THINK THAT IF ANYBODY IS QUESTIONS OF VIEW FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT, THEN THEY CAN ADDRESS THEM TO DO DIRECTLY.

I JUST DON'T THINK -- I THINK CLEARLY IN THE STATUTE YOU ARE CHECKS AND BALANCE IN THE WAY YOUR SELECTED IS VOTED AND HE IS WHAT -- PURCHASING HAS THREE JUDGES AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN INTERFERING WITH THAT. BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS, I'M JUST TELLING YOU MY OPINION. EVERYBODY ELSE CAN, THAT'S HER BUSINESS.

>> ANY LEGAL ISSUES? >> WELL, MIKE IS CORRECT.

THE BUDGET OF HIS OFFICE IS NOT DETERMINED -- DETERMINED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

AND HE CAN DESCRIBE IT IN MUCH MORE DETAIL THAN I CAN.

>> BUT THIS IS A BUDGET HEARING.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. >> THEREFORE HIS BUDGET IS NONE

OF OUR BUSINESS. >> OUT.

>> WE CAN HEAR IT THERE'S NOTHING ILLEGAL.

>> SO BILL, I GUESS, TWO THINGS. LEGAL SAYS IT'S OKAY TO HAVE A

TRANSMITTAL, CORRECT. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND BILL WAS THE -- HOW DID THIS AND IT -- IT WASN'T ME WHO ASKED FOR IT.

>> IT WAS MY OFFICE THAT -- I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA. I'VE NEVER GIVEN ONE EITHER.

>> LET'S GET A TRANSMITTAL AND LOOKS OKAY GIVEN A.

>> ALL OKAY. >> BUT THE THING THAT ANY COMMISSION OR JUDGE PUTTING PRESSURE -- I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT.

>> I'M NOT SAYING THE PUTTING PRESSURE ON MAKING A COMMENT THAT I THINK THEY DO GOOD WORK, BUT WHAT THEIR WORK IS IS THEY REPORT TO A BOARD. NOT TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

>> WE WILL BE EAGER TO HEAR YOUR TRANSMITTAL. AND THAT ONLY PURCHASING

POINTS, >> IS THE SAME THING.

BUT THIS COURT -- ANYTHING ABOVE FIVE PERCENT -- THEY GET FIVE PERCENT AUTOMATICALLY.

[Fire Marshal]

>> I'LL TELL YOU I'VE BEEN HERE 15 YEARS AND HARRIS COUNTY THIS WAS THE FIRST YEAR I UNDERSTOOD

[03:30:04]

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S IN PLAY YOU SAY WHAT YOU DO THAT. WE SAY -- WE STAY IN OUR LANE BUT WITH THE WAY COURTHOUSE IT WAS WE WERE APART -- OUR INSPECTORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AGENTS SO WHEN THEY GO INSIDE OF A FACILITY THEY CAN ON BEAUTY AND WORK AND DO ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE SAME TIME. SO WE REALLY CHERISH THE PARTNERSHIPS AND WE LIKE THE FACT THAT WE GET TO WORK WITH OUR VARIOUS COUNTY PARTNERS.

WE CONSTANTLY MONITOR OUR INTERNAL METRICS AND WE CORRELATE THAT DATA.

WE MONITOR THOSE INTERNALLY AND WE MONITOR THOSE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS FIRE MARSHALS DEPARTMENT. AT THE SAME TIME MANY OF US SURVIVE NATIONAL COMMITTEES. SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE MARSHALS ASSOCIATION BOARD.

THAT ALLOWS US TO TRACK WHAT'S GOING ON AT A NATIONAL LEVEL. WE TRY TO BRING THAT BACK TO DO A BETTER JOB SUPPORTING RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY MAKING IT A SAFER COUNTY.

WE WILL STAY WITHIN BUDGET THIS YEAR AND WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON THE ESTABLISHED BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL PCNS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT EXCEPT FOR WHAT WAS ALREADY APPROVED BASED ON THE GAP ANALYSIS WHICH DISCOURSE Ã COURT -- AND GIVE -- WORKS WITH US.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'D LIKE TO GO OVER IS JUST SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME THINGS WE DID THIS YOUR -- YEAR. WE PARTICIPATED IN THE GAP ANALYSIS.

SOME OF THOSE ANALYSIS ITEMS THAT CAME OUT, THEY ASKED THAT WE START COLLABORATING MORE WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND WE DO THAT. WE HAVE A LOT OF ONGOING COLLABORATION MEETINGS. WE HAVE ONE IN JANUARY WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO BRING THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TOGETHER TO AFFECT -- TO REFLECT RESPONSES.

WE RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ENHANCEMENTS. ONE OF THE INTEREST THINGS ABOUT US AS WE PLAY ON THE FIRESIDE, TOO, -- AS WELL AS THE TEXAS COMMISSION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THESE FOLKS COULD WORK AT A SCHERERS OR CONSTABLES OFFICE BUT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO WORK FOR US THEY HAVE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS.

SOME OF THE ASPECTS THAT WE DO IN TRAINING,, AUTHOR OF ONE OF THE FIRST ACTIVE SHOOTER STANDARDS THAT WAS WRITTEN IN THE NATION. CHIEF ROYALTIES ON THE HAZARD MATERIAL STANDARDS IS THE NATIONAL THAT WE HAVE TO A DOCTOR.

AND YOU KNOW CHIEF REED, HIS ONLY ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES COMMITTEE.

OUR GOAL IS THAT WE PUT OUR FEET MANY THINGS THAT WE PUT OUR FEET IN HERE.

I WILL BRING THAT BACK TO HARRIS COUNTY? WHAT WE DID IS THE LEGISLATIVE TEAM, THEY HELPED US PASS THAT OUR OFFICE CAN PROVIDE TRAINING TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS. THE REASON THAT IS IMPORTANT IS SUCH AS THE IMPENDING -- HOW COULD WE HELP PROTECT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE OUT THERE MAKING SURE WE CAN GET INTO THE SCENE EVEN ON THE ROADWAYS. BECAUSE OF THAT LEGISLATIVE ACTION WE CAN CREATE PROGRAMS, A LOT ONLINE. THEY CAN DO IT FROM THEIR OFFICES, FROM THEIR PATROL CARS. WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE TRAINING.

WE ALSO ARE EXCITED. I HAVE TO GIVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE KUDOS TO THEM. WE SAID WE WANT A COPYRIGHT FOR SOMETHING CALLED BLUE NAMES.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. LAW ENFORCEMENT WE PUT THE WORD BLUE IN FRONT OF IT CHANGED IT TO FIT WHAT WE DO AND IT'S AMAZING AND IT'S BECOME THE

[03:35:05]

IT'S THE FIRST COPYRIGHT FOR HARRIS COUNTY. - EDUCATING CRIMINAL JUSTICE JUDGES. WE ARE THE ONLY COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT REACHES OUT TO OUR CRIMINAL JUDGES AND SAY IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY -- MAYBE THIS IS THEIR FIRST DEFENSE -- OFFENSE. SEND THEM TO US.

LET US PUT THEM THROUGH THEIR PROGRAM AND MAYBE WE CAN REHABILITATE THEM.

WE GET THEM GRADUATED. THAT WAY MAYBE THEY CAN GO ON -- SOMETIMES THEY JUST HAVE EMOTIONAL ISSUES OR CHANGES IN LIFE.

WE WILL ADD PERSONNEL TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HAZMAT TEAM. IN ADDITION, WE'VE ADDED PERSONNEL TO OUR INSPECTIONS GROUP. WE HAVE ADDED PERSONNEL TO OUR INVESTIGATION GROUP. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUT AS WELL, THE POPULATION GROWTH. AS WE KNOW, THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW. WE ARE LIKE NOBODY ELSE.

WE SAY HOW MANY INSPECTORS INVESTIGATORS DO YOU HAVE? ONE OF THE THING WE LOOKS AT IS WHAT IS THE POPULATION HOW CAN WE PUT PEOPLE IN THERE? WE WORK WITH THEM SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS AND GEOGRAPHICS.

WE ALSO ARE USING ONLINE MEDIUMS TO ENHANCE OUR -- MANY OF YOU KNOW OUR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR. SHE IS DOING IN A PHENOMENAL JOB.

WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING OUT VIDEOS WE CAN FIND WITH THE VIDEOS PEOPLE WATCH THEM ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL. WERE PUTTING OUR STATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

HERE'S WHAT WE DO. HERE'S WHAT HER OUTPUT IS AND THEY CAN LET US KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

WHAT'S ALSO WAS INTERESTING IS WITH THESE AVAILABLE PCNS, WE ARE NOT HAVING PROBLEM FILLING THOSE. I HAD ASKED MS. MILLER TO GIVE ME STATS ABOUT HOW MANY APPLICATIONS WE HAD, JUST FOR THE HAZMAT TECHNICIANS. AS YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT TO THAT YOU ASKED -- FOR US TO PUT IN FOR THIS YEAR. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 23 APPLICATIONS.

IN ORDER TO APPLY YOU HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED. WE ALSO HAVE TRAINING SPECIALIST POSITION OPEN. WE HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THAT.

AT ONE POINT, WE HAD OVER 80 APPLICATIONS FOR ARSON INVESTIGATOR.

ONCE WE GOT THOSE DOWN -- RIGHT NOW WE ABIDE THAT WE'VE GOTTEN THOSE DOWN TO.

WHAT IS EXCITING IS WE ARE BECOMING THAT AGENCY YOU WANT TO WORK FOR.

AND WE ALSO LIKE TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. HE ALSO THOSE PEOPLE THAT CAN COME TO US. ONE EMPLOYEE WAS THE MANAGER ON THE STARBUCKS.

>> WHAT IS THE HOW. HE HAS CUSTOMER SERVICE BACKGROUND.

WE BROUGHT THEM IN, TRAIN THEM, GOT THEM CERTIFIED. NOW HE IS ONE OF OUR INSPECTORS THAT'S TAKEN CARE OF PEOPLE.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY ELSE THAT WAS TAKING IN THE EDUCATION FIELD. THEY DECIDED THEY NO LONGER WANTED TO WORK IN EDUCATION. WE HAVE A HOME FOR THAT PERSON. WE WILL EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON FIRE PREVENTION. WE TRY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

THIS IS A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN GROW IN HARRIS COUNTY. I HEARD HIM ASKING HELENA PEOPLE BEEN AT THE COUNTY. I'VE BEEN AT THE COUNTY 15 YEARS AND I SENT OUT THE VOTE OF WHAT WE DID WITH THE DRUMS THAT RECENTLY CAME OUT IN THE CHANNEL.

WELL, BEFORE I WAS FIRE MARSHAL I DO REALIZE THEY DID THAT. I WORKED AT THIS AGENCY 13 YEARS SO ONE OF THE THINGS I'M CHALLENGING OR STAFF IS THAT WE HAVE TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WE CAN DO THIS. DOCTOR BABBITT CONTACTED ME AND SAID LET'S GET OUR TEAMS TOGETHER WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO SOME GOOD WORK ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE.

AGAIN, I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN OUR STATS. I HOPE YOU LOOK AT THE LAST

[03:40:01]

WILLING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. >> GO-AHEAD COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> THANK YOU.

FIRE MARSHAL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CREW WITH THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP DURING ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT WE'VE HAD OVER AT THE SHIP CHANNEL. AND I WANTED TO PASS ALONG THAT I HOSTED A FORM, AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FORM. THIS IS TO YOU AS WELL, JUDGE. THAT FOLKS FROM THE INDUSTRY, WE HAD ONE OF THE PANELISTS TALK ABOUT BEING ON THE CONSULTANCY FOR PINTO, THE GAP ANALYSIS. THAT -- TO HEAR SOMEONE TALK ABOUT OUR WORK WAS ONE THING AND THAT WAS NICE TO HEAR, BUT THE MOST EXCITING PART OF IT WAS THAT YOU HAVE ACTUALLY PRODUCED A REPORT THAT A COUNTY HAS ACTUALLY WORKED TO IMPLEMENT WAS -- WAS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE. I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT TO BOTH OF YOU, JUDGE.

AND DO YOU FIRE MARSHAL, THAT IT'S ONE THING TO DO THE JOB THAT YOU'RE DOING.

I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMITMENT TOWARDS IMPROVEMENT. PERFECTION IS A LITTLE BIT ALLUSIVE, BUT I FIND IN THOSE AREAS THAT TO DO -- TO FIND SOME IMPROVEMENT IS IMPORTANT.

I ALSO DO APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSPECTIVE. WHEN I BECAME SHERIFF THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I IMPLEMENTED AS WELL. AND SOME OF THE FOLKS WERE LIKE WE ARE NOT A BUSINESS.

WHY ARE WE TALKING TO CUSTOMER SERVICE.

>> WELL WE ARE A TYPE OF BUSINESS. AND WE DO HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT WE HAVE TO ATTEND TO. SO I APPRECIATE THOSE THOUGHTS. AND IN TERMS OF YOUR BUDGET, YOUR -- ANY THOUGHTS THAT ARE -- THAT YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE PUT INTO YOUR BUDGET THAT HAS Ã SINCE SUBMITTING IT, YOU MAY HAVE HAD SOME -- YOU MAY HAVE HAD AN EPIPHANY ABOUT IT AND SET I WISH I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THAT IN THERE. IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS IN NEED OF, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

>> ALSO, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION. THE THING THAT I WORRY ABOUT OFTEN TIMES ARE THOSE THINGS WE DON'T WORRY ABOUT. HARRIS COUNTY DID NOT ADOPT A FIRE CODE UNTIL 2005. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? ANYTHING THAT WAS BUILT PRIOR TO 2005 WAS NEVER INSPECTED AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S BEEN BUILT.

WE JUST ADOPTED FOR THE 2018 CODE. WE HAVE OPERATIONAL PERMITS WHICH MEANS WE GET HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ENSURING THEIR FIRE ALARM, AMMONIA SYSTEMS, ALL THOSE ARE MANAGED. IN THE EXISTING BUILDING STANDARD WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE.

I KNOW I'M GOING ADDED A ROUNDABOUT WAY BUT LET ME TELL YOU WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IF YOU ASK ME WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT WHAT DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE MOST, I WILL TELL YOU, IT'S THOSE LARGE OCCUPANCIES SUCH AS HOTELS HOTELS AND APARTMENTS.

THE WAY COUNTIES ARE SET UP, WE DO NOT NECESSARILY -- WE DO NOT HAVE BUILDING INSPECTORS.

WE DO NOT HAVE INSPECTORS TO INSPECT THOSE OCCUPANCIES. WE ARE COMPLAINT BASED NEW CONSTRUCTION BASED. AND THAT'S ABOUT IT. SO WHEN WILL TELL YOU IS THIS, WITH THE OPERATIONAL PERMITS THAT YOU HAVE ALLOTTED US AND NOW BY ADOPTING EXISTING CODE, EXPECT THAT I'M GOING TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR I'M GOING TO LOOK FOR THE REVENUE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A SELF SUSTAINING REVENUE. IT'S GOING TO BE FIRE CODE FUN.

WE WILL COME BACK TO WORK WITH ENGINEERING BECAUSE WE DO SPLIT TO THOSE FEES DUE TO PERMITS AND THINGS THAT COME IN. I MAY COME BACK TO SING OUT ONE ADDITIONAL PCNS BUT I WANT TO SEE WHAT THOSE REVENUES ARE THEY COME IN AND THAT IS SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO IN THE FUTURE. WE HAVE A LOT ON OUR PLATE THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WERE PUTTING ALL OF OUR EFFORTS FORWARD ON THAT.

BUT THAT IS THE ONE THING THAT I WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FUTURE.

WHAT I WILL SAY ON THIS BUDGET IS WE ARE COMFORTABLE. WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE.

[03:45:01]

>> GOOD DEAL. AND I WILL ADD TO THIS. YOU ARE RIGHT.

APARTMENT COMPLEXES ARE OF AN ABUNDANCE. IT WAS AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA THAT I REALIZED THAT HAVE THE CITY OF HOUSTON LIVES IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES OR LIVES IN SOME FORM OF RENTAL FACILITY. MOST OF THAT BEING APARTMENT COMPLEXES.

AND WITH MORE CONSTRUCTION GOING UP, MULTI-STORIES, A LOT OF THESE STRUCTURES ARE BEYOND THE CAPACITY OF A LADDER TRUCK. WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW SAFE THESE STRUCTURES ARE.

BUT I WOULD ASK YOU TO ADD TO YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS THE IDEA OF A INDUSTRY INSPECTION TEAM AS WELL. MY OFFICE IS WORKING ON A PROJECT.

WE WILL SHARE THAT WITH YOU IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BUT ONE OF THE THEMES THAT CAME OUT OF TODAY'S FORUM WAS WHAT MORE CAN WE BE DOING ON THE PREVENTION SIDE?

>> AND SO TOWARD YOUR INSPECTION TEAM, THAT'S PART OF IT, BUT IT WOULD ALSO ASK YOU TO GIVE THOUGHT TO AN INDUSTRY INSPECTION TEAM SO THAT WE CAN HELP OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS BE

AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU DID APPROVE FOR US TO HAVE TWO HAZMAT INSPECTORS. THAT IS A START.

WE WILL ADD THAT TO THEIR TEST TO ENSURE THAT STARTS COMING FORWARD.

>> COMMISSIONER ALLISON? >> MARSHALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AS WELL. I DO NOT WANT TO ADD MORE TO YOUR PLATE, BUT IT JUST GOT MY ATTENTION WHEN YOU SAID WE DID NOT ADOPT A FIRE CODE UNTIL 2005, AND MAYBE JUST SEND US A MEMO. I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF IT.

I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE. DID WE NOT HAVE -- UNTIL 2005 OR BEFORE WE LOSE THIS INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, YOU MIGHT ASK COMMISSIONER RETTIG WHAT WAS IT? I'M JUST CURIOUS. WE'LL RELATE TO THE GAME OR WHATEVER.

>> I'LL PUT IN MEMO FORM BUT JUST IN SHORT, BECAUSE WE WERE COUNTY WE HAD NO ORDINANCE MAKING POWERS PERIOD. WE WERE ELIGIBLE TO ADOPT A FIRE CODE AND THAT'S THE WAY LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 233 AS WRITTEN. A COUNTY CAN ADOPT A FIRE CODE OF 2 MILLION OR ONE ADJACENT TO. SO THAT BEING SAID -- THAT'S HOW I GOT HIRED IN 2004 IT WAS THE FILE MARSH OR IN LAPORTE AND MICHAEL MONTGOMERY SAID,

AND WORK HERE. >> LONG STORY SHORT JOHN BLUNT AND HIS TEAM AT THE TIME -- RAYMOND ANDERSON THERE WERE SOME NAMES THERE.

>> THEY WERE A PART OF BRINGING THAT FIRE CODE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND GETTING THAT IMPLEMENTED IN 2005. WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS TODAY THE WAY THE LEGISLATION IS PWRITTEN, A COUNTY CANNOT ADOPT A BUILDING CODE. IT'S WAY IT'S WRITTEN.

WE CAN GET INTO DETAIL DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. I SEE JOSH SMILING.

JOSH STUCKEY, HE IS A STATUTORY BOOK. HE KNOWS IT WELL.

AND WE WORKED TOGETHER MANY TIMES.

>> IS SORT OF LIKE YOU'VE GOT TO RAISE SOME GAIN ABOUT IT. THAT GO ALONG TO GET ALONG NEVER BEEN -- AS YOU NOTICE, NEVER BEEN MY STYLE.

>> NO, SIR. AND I'LL TELL YOU IT'S INTERESTING THE COMMISSIONER WAS SAYING ABOUT THE LATTER TRUCKS AND THINGS. IF IT WAS BUILT PRIOR TO 2005, MANY OF THOSE FACILITIES DO NOT HAVE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THEY PUT IN A FIRE ALARM SYSTEM BUT THEY WERE NOT HELD TO A STANDARD AND EVEN TODAY, WHEN OUR FIRE INSPECTORS GO WELL, YOU ARE NOT GETTING A PLUMBING INSPECTION, AND HVAC INSPECTION.

AGAIN THAT IS A COUNTY LEGISLATIVE ITEM.

>> PART OF IT IS NOT SO MUCH TALKING TO THE LEGISLATURE, SOMEBODY GIVE ME A LINE ONCE WHEN I WOULD NOT HELP THEM IN THE CAMPAIGN THEY SAID THEY WILL LET THE PEOPLE BRING ME.

SO WHAT HAPPENS DOWN HERE IS WE TALK TO EACH OTHER IN MY HUMBLE OPINION OR WE TALK TO A LEGISLATOR. WHEN YOU MAKE IT PUBLIC, BECAUSE I 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, WHEN I WENT I USED TO CHAIR THE COMMITTEE WHERE THE LOCAL STUFF -- INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. SOMETIMES I'LL GIVE YOU 254 JEHU'S THAT CAN EMPOWER WHICH

[03:50:08]

>> COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, WE -- I GOT THE DISTINCT OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE BUILDING OFFICIAL FOR HARRIS COUNTY FOR A FEW YEARS.

>> AND THE BUILDERS ARE GOING TO FIGHT IT.

>> HERE'S THE WEIRD PART. WE TRY TO BRACKET IT NUMEROUS TIMES.

SAY JUST LET US DO IT BECAUSE WE OPERATE AS AN URBAN COUNTY MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.

THIS IS CITY OPERATIONS WHEN YOU REALLY LOOK AT IT. THERE WAS A LOT OF RESISTANCE FROM EVEN WAY OUT WEST TEXAS THAT WERE NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANYONE TO BRACKET IT.

WE RAN INTO THAT. >> OBVIOUSLY GOTTA MAKE IT -- YOU'VE GOT TO FIGHT THE INDUSTRY. YOU GOTTA MAKE A CASE WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THAT BY THE OTHER COUNTIES WHO MAY NOT HAVE A 10 PEOPLE.

BUT THEY WANT TO ARGUE AGAINST IT.

>> AND SOMETHING THAT CONNECTS BOTH TO WHAT THE COMMISSIONER AND YOU SAID SAID THAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THE BUDGET AS IT RELATES TO THE FIRE MARSHAL, A BIG PORTION OF HER BUDGET COMES FROM THOSE FIRE CODE FEES. UNFORTUNATELY SHE AND I HAD TO LIVE THROUGH THE DOWNTURN OF 2009, 2010 AND BECAUSE A LOT OF THE OPERATIONS ARE TIED TO FEES THAT COME IN ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT SHUTS DOWN IN A DOWNTURN ARE THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FIRE CODE RELATED AND PERMITS RELATED. IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT HER OPERATIONS ARE PROBABLY THE MOST SUSCEPTIBLE WHEN IT RELATES TO A DOWNTURN BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST 50 PERCENT OF HER OPERATIONAL BUDGET.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE THOSE ANYMORE. A BROKEN RECORDING.

>> DIGITAL RECORDING (LAUGHING).

>> YOU LOSE THE BLUETOOTH SIGNAL.

>> OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. SO THAT GOES TO THE ISSUE OF MAKING THE CASE TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL. AND IF THERE ARE EVER FOR PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THE PAINFUL PROCESS BECAUSE YOU DON'T MAKE ANY FRIENDS -- I KNOW MONTEBELLO. I'LL HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT BUT I'M GOING TO SAY YOU WANT THE SERVICES -- I WAS WILLING TO BITE THE BULLET AND SAY WE GO PAY FOR BECAUSE IF NOT, WE HAVE TO PASS ANOTHER RESOLUTION IF ONE WILL HELP YOU BUT YOU BEING A FIRE MARSHAL I DO NOT WANT YOU TO LET IT CATCH ON FIRE (LAUGHING).

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE EXAM WOULD LIKE FOR THE BUDGET OFFICE TO VISIT ABOUT WHAT KEEPS OUR FIRE MARSHAL UP AT NIGHT. IF MY FIRE MARSHAL IS BEING KEPT UP AT NIGHT THAT KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT. SO LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP ON THOSE ISSUES SO THAT SHE SLEEPS PEACEFULLY ON THOSE ISSUES AND COMES UP WITH NEW

ONES TO WORRY ABOUT. >> IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT FOR LACK OF HAVING RESOURCES IS SOMETHING THAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?

>> I I -- I THINK I MADE MY POINT.

>> YES, SIR. >> THIS ISSUE OF ENFORCING THE FIRE CODE EVEN THE NEW ONE, I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IT WOULD COST.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT. IT'S A FAIR QUESTION. I KNOW YOU MENTIONED IT FOR NEXT YEAR. IT'S GOOD TO AT LEAST KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS QUICKSAND -- AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST OCCURRED TO ME. IS THE -- IS THEIR COST WITH INFORMING THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE NEW FIRE CODE?

>> I ONLY ASK BECAUSE FOLKS HAVE COME UP TO ME AT EVENTS AND SAID HEY -- IN FACT I WAS DOING AN INTERVIEW AND SOMEONE CALLED IN WITH A SIMILAR QUESTION.

I KNOW THERE'S A NEW FIRE CODE, WHERE DO I GET INFORMATION.

>> NO. AND SO, IS THERE A COST? SO IS JOSH WAS SAYING, THE FIRE CODE BUDGET, WE ARE PAYING FOR FLYERS. WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE ENGINEERING GROUP LAST WEEK. WE ARE SENDING OUT FLYERS, OUR SOCIAL MEDIA -- I WAS AT THE PARTNERSHIP THE OTHER DAY WE'VE BEEN GOING OUT TO COMMUNITY SERVICES AND GIVING THAT INFORMATION. WE ARE PUTTING AS MUCH AS WE CAN OUT TO THE BUILDER ASSOCIATION. WE GO TO THOSE MEETING. WE GO TO THE ALARM ASSOCIATIONS AND THOSE THINGS. THERE IS LITTLE COST AND THAT IS MORE THE MAILERS THAT WE ARE SENDING OUT BUT IS MUCH AS WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS PHYSICALLY GO OUT AND GET THE INFORMATION OUT AS MUCH AS WE CAN. BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU HAVE SOME OF THE SAME PERMIT RUNNERS. ONCE WE START REACHING THOSE GROUPS WERE ABLE TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT. BUT IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA OR SOMETHING -- AT LUNCH WE WERE JUST HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT USING THE WHITEBOARD, THE LITTLE STICK FIGURE THAT GOES IN WE WERE JUST HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE IS AS I THINK I CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT. THAT'S WHAT I LIKE I LIKE SOMEONE TO SHOW ME HOW IT'S DONE. THERE ARE OTHER IDEAS OUT THERE ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND YOU ARE COVERING THAT. >> YES, MA'AM.

[03:55:01]

>> AND AGAIN, AS HE MENTIONED, THOSE COME INTO THE FIRE CODE FEES.

IT DOES NOT COME IN THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> AND I WELL -- WE TOOK NOTES.

[Court Analyst Office]

>> THANK YOU. >> ANALYST OFFICE GOOD AFTERNOON. A MAN.

>> IS THE BUTTON PUSHED. >> IT IS.

>> I JUST HAVE TO MOVE IT CLOSER.

>> YOU'RE GOOD. >> KATIE SURE WITH THE ANALYST OFFICE. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGING COMMISSIONERS.

I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY TO PRESENT THE PROGRESS OF THE ANALYST'S OFFICE. AND TO DISCUSS THE VISION OF THE OFFICE GOING FORWARD INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

SINCE JOINING THE OFFICE I HAVE MET OR SPOKEN WITH EACH OF YOU AND MEMBERS OF YOUR OFFICE TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION OF HOW THIS OFFICE CAN BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THIS COURT IN COUNTY.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS CONVERSATION TODAY.

AND INTO THE COMING FISCAL YEAR. THE COURT CREATED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ANALYST OFFICE THIS PAST APRIL TO SERVE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THEIR STAFF BY BEING THE PRIMARY PROVIDER OF TIMELY AND ACCURATE REPORTS RELATED NEED TO THE EFFICIENCY OF HARRIS COUNTY OPERATIONS INCLUDING FISCAL AND POLICY ANALYSIS THAT SUPPORT THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING. ADDITIONALLY, AT THE REQUEST OF THE COURT THE OFFICE WILL CONDUCT OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT .

THE ANALYST OFFICE IS THE SOLE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY THAT OFFERS A SINGULAR COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF POLICY AND PHYSICAL ANALYSIS AS REQUESTED BY THE COURT.

WHILE WE ARE GETTING ON OUR FEET WE HAVE MET IMPORTANT EARLY MILESTONES.

TO DATE THE COURT HAS APPROVED FIVE POSITIONS ALL BUT ONE ARE EITHER FILLED OR AN OFFER IS BEING CONSIDERED. THE -- I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THAT THE WORK WE WILL TACKLE ON BEHALF OF THE COURT IS STARTING TO COME IN. CALCULATING THE COST OF AN INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN HARRIS COUNTY, SUPPORTING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON FINES AND FEES, COMPARING OUR COUNTIES PER CAPITA SPENDING ACROSS SOCIAL SERVICES, COUNTY SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY TO OTHER COUNTIES.

AND POSSIBLY LOOKING AT FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CERTAIN REPORTED HEALTH OUTCOME DATA.

>> BEFORE YOU IS A PROPOSAL THAT INCLUDES PROPOSED ONE-TIME EXPENSES FOR THE ANALYST OFFICE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND IT APPROVES THREE NEW POSITIONS.

ONE SENIOR ANALYST AND TWO ANALYSTS.

IN ADDITION TO THAT IT INCLUDES RESOURCES FOR POSSIBLE CONSULTING SERVICES TO ACCOMMODATE AND ABILITY TO AUGMENT STAFF QUICKLY IF NEEDED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF A GIVEN PROJECT.

JUST A QUICK NOTE, THE TOTAL HAS BEEN REVISED DOWNWARD FROM WHAT WAS SUBMITTED EARLIER IN NOVEMBER. THE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO REFLECT THE ACTUAL SALARY AMOUNTS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT IN NOVEMBER.

THE BUDGET TOTALS ABOUT $23,000 LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSED TOTAL.

THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES ARE DERIVED FROM CONVERSATIONS WITH -- THEY INCLUDE -- THEY INCLUDE TRACKING AND A NUMBER OF REQUESTS MADE THE AVERAGE MEDIAN AND FULL RANGE OF STAFF HOURS PER REPORT AMONG OTHER METRICS. IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS, I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU TO BUILD AN OFFICE PROVIDING MEMBERS IN THEIR OFFICES WITH CLEAR AND OBJECTIVE INFORMATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. AND I WILL TAKE ANY CONSIDERATION.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS SUFFICIENT -- I KNOW YOU ARE STARTING UP.

SO IT'S A NEW OFFICE. I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF HOW IT COMPARES TO PEER OFFICES.

ALTHOUGH I THOUGHT I WAS DOING SOMETHING UNIQUE WHEN I CAME UP WITH IT UNTIL YOU POINTED OUT WHEN I ASKED SOME OTHER POINT THAT THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE SIMILAR OFFICES.

BUT HOW ARE WE IN TERMS OF PEER OPERATIONS?

>> YOU KNOW, I DO THINK IT'S ONLY SMALLER SIDE. WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT FOR THE FIRST YEAR I WAS WANTING THE OFFICE TO ESTABLISH THE WORK PRODUCT AND FOCUSING ON GAUGING THE COURTS DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES FROM THE OFFICE. I WAS HOPING TO SCALE UP ON A SLIGHTLY SLOWER PACE SO THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR WHAT THE COURT WOULD REQUIRE.

>> AND HAVE YOU SORTED OUT -- I THINK I MIGHT HAVE MENTIONED TO YOU, WHEN YOU WERE RECOMMENDED

[04:00:05]

>> I KNOW PEOPLE AT THE HOUSE RESEARCH OFFICE MENTIONED THAT YOU USE THEM QUITE A BIT.

>> SOMETIMES I DO IT SO I CAN SEE WHAT ARGUMENT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE AGAINST -- SOMETIMES THAT

AS AN. >> THAT WAS A WARNING

(LAUGHING). >> I KNOW.

IT WAS AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

>> I WOULD ASK THAT WITH THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO JUST SO I WOULD KNOW WHAT THEY WERE THINKING. OUTSIDE THE BOX. AND I -- AT SOME POINT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT PASSING A POLICY WHERE YOU HAD TO GET A VOTE OF THE LEGISLATURE, LIKE OF THE SENATE. SO IT WOULDN'T JUST BE EVERYBODY ASKING.

BUT MUCH TO MY DELIGHT, NOT ENOUGH MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE WERE ASKING.

SO IT BECAME THE EXTENSION OF MY POLICY OFFICE. WHEN THEY LEFT THEY FIGURED OUT THAT'S WHY I PASSED 700 BILLS BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE WAS DOING THE RESEARCH.

BUT HAVE YOU SORTED THROUGH -- OR HOW DO YOUR PEERS DO IT SO RONNIE DOESN'T COME UP WITH THE BRIGHT IDEA NEW CHASE WINDMILLS ON SOMETHING THAT -- AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON HERE ASKS FO ? HAVE YOU SORTED OUT HOW YOU ARE LOOKING -- I BROUGHT UP SOMETHING THIS MORNING IN TERMS OF EQUITY LANDS ÃEQUITY LANDS. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT YOU SO I THREW TO BUDGET NOURISHMENT. HOW DOES THAT WORK.

I STRODE OVER THERE AND THEY THROAT YOU? ASSUMING YOU HAVE A MORE AGGRESSIVE -- A -- HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHEN IS JUST OVERLOAD AND SAY WELL MAYBE THREE OF YOU ALL LIKE TO -- AT SOME POINT WOULD YOU SAY WELL THREE OF YOU WANT TO PASS IT AS A DIRECTIVE INSTEAD OF EVERY BRIGHT IDEA THAT POPS IN ONE OF HER HANDS.

>> I'LL START WITH THE MATTER OF THE VOTE. I THINK I DISCUSSED IT WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES. I WAS AIRING ON THE SIDE OF NOT REQUIRING A VOTE FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY ANALYSIS. ONLY SO THAT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS COULD EQUALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OFFICE AND RESOURCES THE OFFICE HAS TO OFFER. I DO AGREE THERE COULD BE CONCERN FOR THE OFFICE BEING OVEREXTENDED. THAT IS WHY THERE ARE CONVOKE -- CONSULTING RESOURCES INTO THE BUDGET BUT IN -- I DISCUSSED IT WITH YOUR OFFICES BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BUDGET PROPOSAL. I DO INTEND TO COME BACK WITH A MIDYEAR REVIEW AROUND SEPTEMBER WHEN WE DO SEE IT THAT DISCUSSES HOW THE OFFICE HAS BEEN PERFORMING SO THAT WE CAN EVALUATE HOW THE RESOURCES HAVE BEEN UTILIZED.

I ALSO DISCUSSED WITH YOUR OFFICES THAT THERE IS A PROCESS FOR THE REQUESTS THAT COME IN AND I WILL WORK TO PRIORITIZE THOSE REQUESTS WITH INDIVIDUAL OFFICES.

BUT THEN ALSO ENSURING THAT I AM FACILITATING REQUESTS WITH EACH OFFICE THAT IS SUBMITTING A REQUEST. SO -- THAT WILL BE AN ONGOING NEGOTIATION.

>> WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHAT WE ASKED FOR BECAUSE WE MAY BE ASKED TO PAY FOR IT?

>> FAIR. YES.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. AND CONGRATULATIONS, BY THE WAY IN YOUR.

>> THANK YOU. THE -- AND I'M -- I'M REALLY EXCITED THAT THERE WAS SOME THOUGHT GIVEN TO THE CREATION OF SUCH AN OFFICE. BECAUSE OFTEN TIMES WE COME UP WITH GOOD IDEAS FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OFFICE PERSPECTIVE AND THEN WE -- IT IS A GOOD IDEA AND WE IMPLEMENTED THAT WE COME TO REALIZE WE DID NOT THINK THROUGH IT ALL.

AND SO, TO HAVE YOU AND ULTIMATELY, THE RESOURCES THAT YOU HAVE AVAILABLE TO YOU AT YOUR DISPOSAL TO HELP US THINK THROUGH THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF VARIOUS POLICIES, I THINK IT'S CRITICAL. AND AS JOSH MENTIONED EARLIER, WE ARE NOT THE COUNTY OF HER GREAT GRANDPARENTS. WE ARE AN URBAN COUNTY IN OUR WORK AS COUNTY OFFICIALS NEEDS TO BE DONE THROUGH A MUCH DIFFERENT LENS, MORE SO THAN IT HAS EVER NEEDED IN THE FUTURE.

I MEAN -- THE POLICY OFFICE OF YESTERYEAR WAS HOW MANY ROADS WE WANT TO DO AND HOW MANY BRIDGES DO WE WANT TO REPAIR? IT'S NOT THAT. IT'S MENTAL HEALTH.

IT'S PUBLIC HEALTH. IT'S A HOSPITAL DISTRICT. IT'S RESILIENCY.

[04:05:04]

>> BECAUSE I KNOW, BILL, YOU MAINTAIN ENDLESS BUT SHOULD ALICE BE A PART OF THIS OFFICE SO THAT THE DATA CAN BE NURTURED AND WORKED THROUGH. AND I REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW YOU -- IT'S ALL SET UP BUT I'M JUST THINKING THAT ALL THESE DATA SETS REALLY SHOULD BE IN THE POLICY OFFICE. AND WORK THROUGH IN THAT REGARD.

>> MEAN HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING THROUGH WHAT THAT OFFICE NEEDS TO LOOK LIKE AT THE END OF THE

DAY. >> SO, TO SORT OF ANSWER THE QUESTION BUT BACK UP A LITTLE BIT. WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING AS A COMMITTEE I ORIGINALLY SET ON THE COMMITTEE THAT HELPED TO FORM THIS OFFICE AND ALSO THE CONVERSATIONS AND COMMISSIONERS -- SPECIFICALLY IN THE COMMITTEE.

ORIGINALLY THERE WAS A DISCUSSION IN THE ORIGINAL NAME OF THE OFFICE WITH THE OFFICE OF DATA AND RESEARCH. IT WAS -- THERE WAS A CONSIDERATION FOR THIS OFFICE TO HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL DATA COMPONENT. THAT IS A FUNCTION THAT IS CURRENTLY COVERED BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT. THERE'S A DIVISION WITHIN BUDGET MANAGEMENT THAT PERFORMS THAT FUNCTION. THE COURT DECIDED NOT TO SPLIT OFF THAT AND THIS OFFICE JUST TOOK ON THE POLICY ANALYSIS. THERE'S SOME FISCAL ANALYSIS PIECE, BUT THAT SORT OF -- THAT DIVISION WITHIN BUDGET MANAGEMENT IS WITHIN BUDGET MANAGEMENT. . I THINK THAT IN TERMS OF WHAT DATABASES WE NEED ACCESS TO OR WHAT INFORMATION WE NEED ACCESS TO, RIGHT NO ONE PLANNING ON HANDLING IT ON AN AD HOC BASIS AS REQUESTS COME IN. I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO HOSTED DATABASES RIGHT NOW ALTHOUGH IT THAT IS THE DESIRE OF THE COURT ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. I THINK I MENTIONED IT TO ALL THE OFFICES BUT JUST TO REITERATE IT, I THINK THE MISSION AND THE MANDATES OF THE OFFICE SHOULD BE PERCEIVED AS A LIVING THING IS WE ARE ALL MOVING FORWARD AND WE THINK ABOUT HOW THIS OFFICE CAN BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COURT. THERE IS SPACE FOR RECONSIDERATION IF THE COURT SO

DESIRES. >> I APPRECIATE THE THOUGHT.

AND KEEP THINKING THROUGH IT BECAUSE IN MY -- IN MY HEAD, I REALLY HAVE SEEN SOMETHING OF AN OMB TYPE OF MODEL COMING OUT OF YOUR OFFICE. AS WE THINK THROUGH POLICY, WE NEED TO REALLY THINK THROUGH THE DEMOGRAPHICS, THE POPULATION, AND THEN ULTIMATELY, THE POTENTIAL FISCAL IMPACT AND ONE OTHER ASSETS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE TO MAKE POLICY -- A NEW POLICY FULLY FUNCTIONAL.

>> YES. I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION.

I THINK THAT I HAD BEEN SORT OF APPROACHING IT MORE -- IF WERE GOING TO THINK ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AT THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE OR IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ALLUDED TO THE SENATE RESEARCH OFFICE OF THE HOUSE RESEARCH OFFICE.

BUT I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT ADDITIONAL NEEDS THE

OFFICE MIGHT NEED TO FOLLOW. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE A VERY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DID YOU

HAVE A COMMENT AS WELL? >> I'M GOOD, BUT I'M IN FAVOR

OF INFRASTRUCTURE. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE WORKING ON THE HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE AND A COUPLE OTHER POINT TO MENTION.

THE STRUCTURE LOOKS LIKE IT IS IN LINE WITH BEST PRACTICES IN MEETING THE NEEDS THAT WE THINK THE COURT HAS SEE AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO MAKE THIS A PROCESS IN A WAY WE HAD THE DISCUSSION WITH JIM BELSKY EARLIER WHERE HE'S DOING STRATEGIC PLANNING AND I THINK THERE'S A PARALLEL ACROSS YOUR BOTH OFFICES WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF POTENTIAL AND IT WILL TAKE CONTINUED, CAREFUL THOUGHT TO ARRIVE AT THE BEST POSSIBILITY.

I'M EXCITED FOR IT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK NEXT THANK YOU.

[Auditor]

>> YES. >> AUDITOR.

>> AND TO CLARIFY, THIS IS A TRANSMITTAL ONLY.

[04:10:17]

>> I MIGHT POST. I AM THE COUNTY AUDITOR. I WANT THE THREE PEOPLE WHO CAME WITH ME TODAY TO EACH INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND TO JUST BRIEFLY SAY WHAT THEY DO, WHAT THEIR ROLE IS IN THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE. WE WILL START WITH LESLIE.

>> I'M LESLIE. ON THE FIRST ASSISTANT COUNTY AUDITOR.

IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING MIKE IN HIS ROLE AS THE AUDITOR, MY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO OVERSEE THE ACCOUNTING DIVISION OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. AND JUST TO GO OVER THE SEVEN DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE UNDER THE ACCOUNTING DIVISION WE HAVE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PAYROLL, GRANTS AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. WE HAVE REVENUE ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL CONTROLS.

SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES AND OUR ERP SUPPORT TEAM. AND COLLECTIVELY, THAT MAKES UP 146 POSITIONS OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. AND WE DO HAVE SOME PERFORMANCE MEASURES THAT MIKE WILL BE GOING OVER IN A LITTLE WHILE. THAT'S THE MAIN THING THAT I WANTED TO DO WAS TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE ACCOUNTING DIVISION AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, JUDGING COMMISSIONERS. I AMERICA PERKINS ON THE CHIEF ASSISTANT COUNTY AUDITOR OVER THE AUDIT DIVISION. MY DIVISION CONSISTS OF SEVERAL TEAMS THAT CONTACT THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF AUDITS. WE CONDUCT SPECIAL PROJECTS REQUESTED BY DISCORD AND COUNTY DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP. WE ALSO PERFORM RISK-BASED AUDITS OF THE COUNTY. THERE IS ALSO CERTAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AND HARRIS COUNTY ROAD LAW THAT ARE REQUIRED AUDITS THAT WE MUST DO EVERY YEAR.

AN EXAMPLE IS THE CLOSEOUT AUDIT WHEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL ROOT DEPARTS.

I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTERNA AUDITS. I AM THEIR INTERNAL AUDITOR.

I HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTING AND MANAGING THE COUNTY'S NEW COUNTYWIDE ABUSE HOTLINE. WE ESTIMATE THIS YEAR WE WILL ISSUE 160 AUDIT REPORTS.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME. >> GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER.

>> I'M CURIOUS BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED HARRIS HEALTH.

>> YES. DOES THE OFFICE -- BUT DOES YOUR OFFICE DO FLOOD CONTROL.

>> YES. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THE HOTLINE. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT

COMING ONLINE. >> WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> I'M DION.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND SPECIAL PROJECTS WITHIN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND I WORK CLOSELY WITH MIKE DURING THE YEAR TO PREPARE OUR BUDGET. HE'LL GET INTO SPECIFICS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS PRESENTED TO THE DISTRICT JUDGES.

I WORK ON A NUMBER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL.

I'M HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> ONE THING AND DOES EVERY YEAR FOR THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS HE DOES A SALARY SURVEY. HE HAS FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT HE PLUGS INTO SO THAT WE CAN BENCHMARK OUR SALARIES.

IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WE ARE HIRING A LOT OF AUDITORS AND ACCOUNTANTS.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE WE BENCHMARK AND WHAT THE MARKET FOR THOSE POSITIONS ARE.

IN, WHAT I THINK WAS THE BIG PACKET THAT CAME OUT OF THE BUDGET OFFICE, THERE WERE SEVERAL PAGES IN THERE. THERE WAS A FLOWCHART AND THAT FLOWCHART SHOWS HOW WE ARE BROKEN OUT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 210 POSITIONS IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

THE NEXT PAGE IS A -- THAT WAS AN ORG CHART. PTHIS IS A FLOWCHART.

AND THIS IS A FLOW CHART OF THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S BUDGET PROCESS.

AND WE HAVE, BY STATUTE, A DIFFERENT BUDGET PROCESS THAN OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

IT STARTS EVERY YEAR WITH THE AUDITOR GOING TO A COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT JUDGES WITH A DRAFT. AND THAT'S THE FIRST BOX UP THERE, THAT INITIAL PRESENTATION TO THE DISTRICT JUDGES. THAT WILL TAKE PLACE MONDAY MONDAY, DECEMBER 16. SO WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT STOP YOU.

THEN, THE DISTRICT JUDGES WILL ASK QUESTIONS AND PERHAPS, HAVE INPUT.

[04:15:04]

BUT ONCE WE GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS, THEN WE ADVERTISE IN THE CHRONICLE FOR A STATUTORILY REQUIRED BUDGET HEARING FOR THE AUDITORS BUDGET. IN THE DISTRICT JUDGES HOLD THAT HEARING. NOW WE WILL BE ADVERTISING THAT SUBSEQUENT TO MEETING ON THE 16TH. BUT WE'VE ALREADY SET A DATE FOR THAT HEARING WITH THE DISTRICT JUDGES. SO OUR PUBLIC HEARING ON THE AUDITORS BUDGET WILL BE JANUARY 14. AND THEN, AT THAT HEARING, WE MAY GET MORE QUESTIONS IN THE DISTRICT JUDGES COULD MODIFY THE BUDGET EVEN AFTER THAT HEARING, IF THEY WANT.

BUT EVENTUALLY, THEY WILL VOTE ON IT. AND WE WILL PASS THAT ON TO BO JACKSON IS THE BUDGET THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT JUDGES.

NOW, ON THE NEXT PAGE, I JUST HAD SOME GRAPHS. THE TOP GRAPH SHOWS THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. GOING BACK TO MY THING, 2007.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 210. IN THE LOWER GRAPH, IS JUST SOMETHING I KIND OF AM INTERESTED IN. IT'S WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET DOES THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE BUDGET REPRESENT.

AND FOR A LONG TIME WE WERE AROUND ONE PERCENT. BUT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN GROWING IN LAST YEAR, WE WERE 8500S OF ONE PERCENT OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

JUST SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT MIGHT BE INTERESTING. THIS LAST PAGE ARE SOME OF THE STATUTES. NOT ALL THE STATUTES, BUT SOME OF THE STATUTES.

RELATED TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND HIS BUDGET. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS INTERESTING IS THAT IF THE DISTRICT JUDGES APPROVE A BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY AUDITOR, WITH UP TO A FIVE PERCENT INCREASE, AND THAT IS THE BUDGET.

IF THE DISTRICT JUDGES APPROVE A BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY AUDITOR THAT SAY WAS SEVEN PERCENT, THEN COMMISSIONERS COURT COULD APPROVE THAT TWO PERCENT, THE AMOUNT THAT IS ABOVE FIVE, OR YOU COULD DENY IT. SO UP TO FIVE PERCENT SEEMS LIKE THE STATUTES SAY THE DISTRICT JUDGES APPROVE, THUS THE BUDGET. IF THE AUDITOR GETS DISTRICT JUDGES TO APPROVE MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT, THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT. SO, SOME YEARS, WE HAVE RECEIVED A BUDGET INCREASE OF FIVE PERCENT. SOME YEARS WE'VE HAD BUDGET INCREASES LOWER THAN FIVE.

REMEMBER A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO WHEN THE PREVIOUS COUNTY AUDITOR WAS HERE, WE HAD A YEAR WHERE ARE INCREASE IN OUR BUDGET WAS SEVEN PERCENT AND THE COMMISSIONERS DID APPROVE THAT. SO, IT'S NOT AN AUTOMATIC WE GET FIVE PERCENT EVERY YEAR.

IT'S WE CAN GO UP TO FIVE PERCENT WITHOUT HAVING TO HAVE THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVE THAT ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.

NOW, I HAD A HANDOUT THAT I JUST PASSED OUT BECAUSE I THOUGHT OF MORE INFORMATION I THOUGHT MIGHT BE INTERESTING. AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES IS ON THE TOP PAGE.

AND YOU KNOW NOTHING IS STATIC. THE COUNTY KEEPS GROWING. AND SO THESE ARE SOME OF OUR SELECTIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES. BUT IT SHOWS THAT THE VOLUME OF THINGS THAT WE HANDLE LIKE IN OUR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE DEPARTMENT, FOR THE LAST COMPLETE FISCAL YEAR, WE PROCESSED 163,000+ PAYMENTS. THE YEAR BEFORE, WE PROCESSED 153.

-- 153,000. THAT INCREASE SIX PERCENT IN ONE YEAR AS FAR AS OUR VOLUME.

AND YOU CAN SEE WITH PAYROLL, W-2S. ONE THAT I FIND INTERESTING, IS PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUESTS. FROM FISCAL YEAR 18 TO FY19, WE WENT -- AND THESE ARE JUST THE

[04:20:03]

WE END UP WITH QUITE A FEW OF THESE BECAUSE WE KEEP THE BOOKS.

AND PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH WAS SPENT ON ONE THING OR ANOTHER.

BUT OUR PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST THAT WE HAD RESPOND TO ONE OF 37 PERCENT IN THE YEAR.

I THINK IT'S STILL GROWING. AND SO, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAD AS THE GOAL WAS TO TRY TO REDUCE OUR TURNOVER.

IN THE NEXT PAGE JUST SHOWS TURNOVER RATES FOR 18, FY19. AND SO FAR FISCAL YEAR 20.

I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT TRENDING DOWN. THE VERY LAST PAGE -- AT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT, THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE HAS SIX OPEN POSITIONS.

AND FOUR OF THOSE HAVE BEEN OPEN LESS THAN 90 DAYS, TWO OF THEM HAVE BEEN OPEN LONGER.

AND SOMETIMES, TO FIND THE RIGHT PERSON, IT DOES TAKE SOME TIME.

THAT IS OUR BRIEF PRESENTATION. AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Purchasing Agent]

>> I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING AND FOR TAKING THE TIME TO EXPLAIN AND WALK US THROUGH YOUR PROCESSES AND YOUR PROGRESS. THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. PURCHASING.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. BEFORE I GET STARTED I WANT TO INTRODUCE TWO GENTLEMEN WHO HELPED MAKE MY OFFICE SUCCESSFUL. TO MY RIGHT IS DAMON HARRIS.

AND ALSO JACK WHO JOINED US IN APRIL. HE OVERSEES OUR MEDICAL DIVISION. SO THESE ARE THE TWO GENTLEMEN THAT ASSIST ME ON A DAILY BASIS. . THE BUDGET WE HAVE BEFORE YOU IS THE SAME BUDGET THAT I PRESENTED TO THE PURCHASING BOARD.

MY BOARD IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN MIKE'S. I ACTUALLY HAVE ON MY BOARD TO COURT MEMBERS AND THREE DISTRICT JUDGES. THE TWO COURT MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THEY WILL REVIEW AND APPROVE MY BUDGET. I DO NOT GO TO ADVERTISEMENT DUE TO HEARINGS.

I ASSUME IT'S A DIFFERENT STATUTE. I WILL SAY IN THE PAST I'VE ALWAYS PROVIDED MY BUDGET TO COURT MEMBERS PRIOR TO GOING TO MY BUDGET HEARINGS WITH MY BOARD TO DISCUSS THOSE AS WELL AS BILL JACKSON. THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WE ARE PROPOSING IS 9.429 MILLION. IT'S APPROXIMATELY 2.9 PERCENT HIGHER THAN WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR AND I'LL GET INTO THE REASONS -- THE REASON FOR THE INCREASE ON THIS ITEM.

JUST TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE DID THIS YEAR AND WE REACH THOSE GOALS.

ONE OF THE BIG GOALS IS BEEN WORKING WITH FLOOD CONTROL. WE CONTINUE TO GROW ESPECIALLY WITH THE BOND PROGRAM. WE ARE TRYING TO STREAMLINE THE WORK.

WE IMPLEMENTED, THROUGH THE HER -- HELP OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES, -- OPEN TEXT -- IT LETS US CREATE OUR LETTERS FROM A STANDARD PROCESS FROM BEGINNING TO COMPLETION ELECTRONICALLY.

AT SOME POINT WE CAN SUBMIT THOSE TO THE BUDGET OFFICE. IF WE GET ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES DOWN THE ROAD. WE'VE IMPLEMENTED B LETTER TO G AS THE COURT WAS EXCITED ABOUT DOING. WE HAVE THAT UP AND RUNNING. WE ARE COLLECTING DATA, TRACKING PAYMENTS ON SUBCONTRACTORS AND PRIME CONTRACTORS.

AND HOPEFULLY, THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GROW. WE WILL MAINTAIN THE SYSTEM UNTIL THE NEW OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS UP AND RUNNING.

I THINK SOME OF THAT PROCESS WILL FALL INTO THE REALM. AT THE CURRENT TIME MY STAFF IS MAINTAINING THAT INFORMATION AND PUTTING IT INTO THE SYSTEM.

>> WE ALSO USE A SYSTEM CALLED DOUG A SPELL. WE JUST GOT ABOARD THAT A MONTH AGO. IT ALLOWS US TO TRACK AND LOOK AT EXPENDITURES OF OTHER AGENCIES OF SIMILAR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT WE ARE BUYING.

IF A VENDOR IS SELLING A SOMETHING HERE AND THEY'VE SOLD IT TO FIVE OTHER AGENCIES AT DIFFERENT PRICES, WE CAN HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE TO GO OUT AND NEGOTIATE BETTER PRICES FOR THE COUNTY. IT'S JUST ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX.

>> WE'VE CREATED A TRAINING TEAM WHICH JACK'S GROUP IS WORKING ON.

THEY WILL HOST IN-HOUSE TRAINING FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS THAT NEED ASSISTANCE IN PROCUREMENT AND WE WILL TRY TO SCHEDULE THOSE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WELL AS I'M LOOKING AT

[04:25:04]

>> LASTLY WE CONTINUE TO GET READY TO IMPLEMENT THE ERP SYSTEM.

I HAVE A GOOD TEAM THAT ACTUALLY HAS WORKED ON THIS TRANSITION TO THE NEW SYSTEM.

WE HAVE NOT ADDED ANY NEW RESOURCES. WE'VE USED IN-HOUSE RESOURCES AND DAMON AND HIS TEAM IN SEVERAL HAVE ONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO GET THAT TO HAPPEN.

WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE MONEY BY NOT ADDING RESOURCES.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE DO GET REIMBURSED FOR SOME OF OUR SERVICES TOLLROAD, COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE TO REIMBURSE THE COUNTY. I SHOULD SAY ROUGHLY 3.7 MILLION OF MY STAFF SALARY, IT COMES FROM THE DIFFERENT BUDGETS THAT GO TO THESE ENTITIES BECAUSE WE WERE PLOT -- PROVIDE SERVICES. TOLL ROAD HAS DEDICATED STAFF AND THEY REIMBURSE US FOR THOSE POSITIONS AS WELL.

>> THE SALARIES AND BENEFITS IS BASICALLY 96 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET.

WE HAVE FOUR PERCENT OPERATIONS TO INCLUDE MAINTENANCE FOR THE SOFTWARE.

AND THE WAY I LOOK AT IT IS WE ARE A SERVICE ORIENTED GROUP WE SHOULD PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE THAT WE CAN IN THE SPEEDIEST POSSIBLE WAY. WE ARE DOING MORE SAVINGS EACH TIME WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. SO EARLIER I MENTIONED WE INCREASED TO 2.9 PERCENT.

THE INCREASE IS TO COVER TWO POSITIONS THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR.

ONE IS A PROCUREMENT CARD MANAGER. THIS INDIVIDUAL LOOKING TO LIMIT COUNTYWIDE PROGRAM THAT WOULD ALLOW EVERY AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT TO HAVE A CREDIT CARD THEY CAN PURCHASE AT A SMALL PURCHASE AT A STORE OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

THIS WOULD HOPEFULLY TAKE CARE OF THE BLANKET PO'S THAT ARE OUT THERE.

BLANKET PO'S ARE NOT VERY ACCESSIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO KNOWING WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE BUYING AN TRACKING WHERE THOSE PRODUCTS ARE GOING. WE THINK THIS IS A BETTER OPTION THIS INDIVIDUAL WOULD BE A MID TO UPPER LEVEL POSITION A MANAGER AND THEY WOULD COME IN AND HELP US DRAFT THE POLICY WORK ON BEST PRACTICES SO TO GET THE CORRECT PERSON TO RUN THE PROGRAM COUNTYWIDE. RIGHT NOW WE ONLY DO A SMALL PORTION OF PROCUREMENT CARD

THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. >> THE OTHER POSITION IS A SENIOR BUYER. THIS POSITION WILL UTILIZE TO HELP SOME OF THE RECENT CHANGES THAT JACK AND HIS STAFF ARE COMING UP AGAINST ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE PRICE OF ALL OF OUR CATALOGS AND SERVICES. WE PUT ALL THE PRICING THROUGH A DATABASE SYSTEM AND THE POS ARE ISSUED AND WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THOSE PRICES DAILY OR WHEN THE INVOICES COME IN THEY CHECK AGAINST THE CONTRACTS AND IF THEY'RE NOT CORRECT WE GET AN EXCEPTION. IN THOSE THINGS ARE NOT PAID. WE USUALLY RUN 3 TO 400 -- IS A WEEK OR IS IT MORE OF 3 TO 400 A MONTH.

>> A MONTH. RECENTLY WE'VE HAD CHANGES FROM OUR DISTRIBUTOR WHICH THEY BUMPED UP TO ALMOST A THOUSAND A MONTH BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURERS ARE NOT GIVING US UPDATES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THOSE TWO POSITIONS ARE REQUESTED -- I UNDERSTAND THINGS ARE TIGHT AND WILL WORK WITH YOU GUYS AND WE WILL DISCUSS IT AGAIN JUST TO SEE IF THERE'S WAYS THAT WE CAN ELIMINATE THE COST AND UTILIZE OUR FUNDS THAT WE HAVE AFTER WE SEE WHAT OUR EXPENDITURES WILL BE. WE USUALLY TURN BACK MONEY EVERY YEAR.

NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO BUT WE HAVE POSITIONS THAT MAY OPEN UP.

SO THAT MONEY GOES BACK INTO THE BUDGET. I DO MENTION A COUPLE OF THINGS AS FAR AS THE GOALS MOVING FORWARD. WE ARE CONTINUING TO EXPAND THE TRAINING TEAM. THAT STAFF IS BUYERS AND SENIOR BUYERS.

AT SOME POINT I'D LIKE TO BRING A PERSON RIGHT NOW WERE UTILIZING OUR OWN STAFF THE COUNTYWIDE PROCUREMENT PROGRAM THAT'S AN INITIATIVE I'D LIKE TO GET GOING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE. THE AUDITOR IS ON BOARD WITH THAT. I'VE HAD SOME DIFFERENT CONCERNS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SET IT UP THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND MAKE IT RUN SMOOTHLY.

I THINK OTHER THAN THAT WERE LOOKING AT COLLABORATING WITH OTHER AGENCIES.

[04:30:06]

WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH THE CITY AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND WERE TRYING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT TO DO SOME CONSOLIDATION OF PROCUREMENT UNCERTAIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT WILL HELP US GET A BETTER PRICE FOR THE COUNTY.

WITH THAT, I'LL OPEN UP TO QUESTIONS. I KNOW WE DID STATE HONOR INFORMATION THAT BILL HAD PROVIDED THAT WE HAD SIX OPEN POSITIONS.

WE ONLY HAVE THREE OPEN AT THIS POINT. THREE HAVE BEEN KILLED.

TO THE FEDERALLY FUNDED POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE NOT FILLED YET BECAUSE WE ARE MAINTAINING RIGHT NOW WITH THE SERVICES WE HAVE. THOSE WERE SET ASIDE FOR FEDERAL FUNDS. WE HAVE NOT FILLED THOSE TWO POSITIONS AT THIS POINT.

WE JUST HAVE ONE POSITION OPEN THAT WE HAVE NOT BILLED. WE ARE LOOKING AT WORKING THROUGH A TEMP AGENCY TO TRY TO FIND A TEMP THE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN NOT UP TO PAR.

WE CAN'T -- SO WITH THAT, OPEN UP FOR QUESTIONS. THERE WERE SOME MATTRESS IN THERE. BUT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT BETTER METRICS.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY POS. SO WERE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT AVENUES TO MEASURE THOSE PROCESSES AS WELL. YOU WILL SEE SOME METRICS IN THE BACK OF THE PACK JUDGE IT SHOWS THE CONTRACTS WE DO AND HOW MANY AND SO FORTH. THAT'S ALL I HAVE AND I'LL OPEN UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE.

>> YES. >> DWIGHT THANK YOU.

I JUST WANT TO FIRST OF ALL APPLAUD YOUR WORK. THE -- A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALLY -- THEY LOOK TO THIS BODY HERE AS BEING THE FACILITATOR OF PROGRESS.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE CAN LET ALL THE CONTRACTS WE WANT, BUT IF THEY DON'T GET EXECUTED AND PROCESSED TIMELY, IT DOESN'T DO ANYBODY ANY GOOD. I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU'VE

DONE. >> I DID WANT TO -- AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT YOUR ACCESS TO B2B. I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TRACKING THE -- BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE SAME SYSTEM YOU USED TO NOTIFY PEOPLE OF POTENTIAL BID OPPORTUNITIES IS THAT THE SAME SYSTEM?

>> NO. IT COULD, BUT NOT -- AT THAT POINT WE USED -- WE ONLY BOUGHT THE MODULES TO TRACK THE PAYMENTS AND THE MINORITY.

>> OKAY. IF YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. BECAUSE IT HASN'T HAPPENED MUCH. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES -- ONE OF THE THINGS WE TRY TO DO IS IN OFFICES TRY TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE REGISTERED WITHIN THE COUNTY SYSTEM SO THAT THEY CAN BE AWARE OF ANY BID OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY MAY WANT TO COMPETE FOR.

AS SOME THINGS HAVE PROGRESSED, I CHECKED BACK WITH FOLKS AND I SAID DID YOU CHECK WITH FOLKS AND GET AN EMAIL ON THIS? AND THEY WERE LIKE NO, WE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING.

IF YOU COULD MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS BEING -- THAT THAT IS WORKING WELL.

BECAUSE WE -- WE TRY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT WHEN THEY GO THROUGH A PARTICULAR PROCESS, THINGS WILL HAPPEN. THEY SHOULD BE GETTING NOTICES. BUT ON OCCASION, A FEW FOLKS HAVE SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT. THEY DIDN'T RECEIVE ANYTHING.

SO YOU CAN JUST KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

>> WE CAN DO THAT. BUT ALSO I THINK WHEN WE IMPLEMENT PEOPLESOFT, ARE VISION IS TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN PEOPLESOFT. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND HAVE ONE PLACE FOR FOLKS TO REGISTER. NOW THERE ARE THREE PLACES.

SO I UNDERSTAND AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOUR COMMENTS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW OF COURSE WHEN HAVE THESE ISSUES LET ME KNOW SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY'RE ADDING IN THE RIGHT COMMODITIES. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOTIFIED.

WE WANT AS MANY BIDDERS THAT WE CAN. SO YES, SIR.

I APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> TOTAL GRATITUDE WITH THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AND TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT.

MY QUESTION IS ON STAFFING. FOR SOME REASON I GOT IN MY HEAD THAT YOU GUYS WERE NEEDING MORE PCN SETTER SALARIES. IS THAT THE REALITY.

>> I WANT TO LOOK AT THE SALARIES ALL DAY. CURRENTLY THE POSITIONS WE HAVE NOW ARE TWO QUESTIONS BECAUSE THE INITIATIVES WE ARE TRYING TO DO BUT ACROSS THE BOARD SALARIES WERE HARD TO COMPARE TO OTHER SALARIES BECAUSE THERE'S NO COUNTY IS LARGE AS WE ARE. OTHER THAN OUT OF STATE.

[04:35:02]

THERE WERE ONLY THREE OR FOUR. SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE SALARIES.

>> I THINK FOR ME IT'S, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT THE YEAR -- WE ARE PUTTING A LOT ON YOU GUYS WITH SO MUCH THAT -- LIKE THESE ANALYSES THAT WERE GOING THROUGH.

I KNOW IT WAS QUITE THE PROCESS. BUT I HOPE THAT THE REASON DOESN'T COME BACK TO BEING WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED FOR WE DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND SO

THIS IS REALLY THE TIME TO. >> I AGREE.

>> SOME STRUCTURAL OBSTACLES, THAT'S ONE THING. BUT IF IT'S A MATTER OF HAVING THE RIGHT TALENT OR NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THIS IS THE TIME.

>> THE TALENT LEVEL IS WHERE WE ARE HAVING OUR ISSUES OF FINDING THE FOLKS TO COME IN THE WORKFORCE. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH MULTIPLE PROCESSES TO TRY TO FIND THOSE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A -- WE WENT THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT JOHN AND AMUSE.

>> WE FOUND ONE INDIVIDUAL GOT THEM ON BOARD. WE LASTED SIX MONTHS AND DECIDED TO GO BACK HOME. WE LOST OUT ON THAT ONE. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TALENT TRYING TO PLAN OUR SECESSION GOT THE OFFICE AND BRINGING NEW FOLKS OUT OF COLLEGE AND TRAIN THEM FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND TAKEN CARE OF THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE -- THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE STICKING AROUND WE UTILIZE THE TEMP AGENCY LATELY BECAUSE YOU CAN TRY THEM OUT SIX MONTHS BEFORE IT'S JUST TAKEN TIME.

>> IF THEY DON'T WANT TO COME BUT MAYBE WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE INCENTIVE SIDE OF THINGS.

I'M JUST SAYING. >> I AGREE HUNDRED PERCENT.

THE SALARY SURVEY WOULD BE A GOOD THING FOR US TO LOOK AT. I THINK THERE'S SOME AGENCIES THAT HAVE DONE NATIONAL WHITE SURVEYS THAT WE CAN PULL. I THINK THAT OUR SALARIES ARE PRETTY HIGH UP. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE IN LINE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> AND ONE THING THAT HAS BECOME CLEAR IS THAT YOU GUYS ARE AT THE HEART OF OUR ABILITY TO GET THINGS DONE. OUR BEING HARRIS COUNTY IS AN ENTITY.

>> I TOTALLY AGREE. I DON'T HOLD UP THOSE PROCESSES EITHER.

THAT PROGRAM IS NOW IN PLACE. HE'S GETTING THE DEPARTMENT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT WILL PROCESSES AND WHAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW. IT TAKES A LITTLE LONGER.

BUT I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE TRAINING WILL HELP US DO.

>> THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Budget Management]

>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU.

>> BUDGET MANAGEMENT. >> OKAY.

JOSH? >> I'LL GO AHEAD AND START.

OUR DEPARTMENT IS SET UP IN TWO MAJOR SECTIONS. ONE IS CALLED THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE OTHER SECTION IS OUR HUMAN RESOURCE AND RISK MEASUREMENTS SECTION. IN A MOMENT I'LL HAVE JOSH AND JANE GO INTO FURTHER DETAILS ON THAT. IT'S ABOUT A 45-55 SPLIT. 45 PERCENT OF US ARE ABOUT 50 INDIVIDUALS ARE IN THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. WE ARE A VERY LEAN DEPARTMENT.

AND THERE'S BEEN LITTLE GROWTH IN OUR DEPARTMENT OVER THE LAST SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN THERE. IT HAS SET UP VERY MUCH LIKE A CONSULTING FIRM THAT I GREW UP IN, WHICH WAS DELOITTE & TOUCHE. IN THAT WE BASICALLY RECRUIT FOR PEOPLE OUT OF SCHOOL FROM THE BOTTOM. WE USE A LOT OF INTERNS THE END THEN, AS WE GROW THEM UP TO THE LATTER, THEY BECOME A.

I'M HOPING, EVERY TIME I GO AND RECRUIT SOMEBODY OR WE FIND SOMEBODY, THAT THEY WANT MY POSITION. AND IT'S FUNNY, BECAUSE WE HAD SOMEBODY JUST GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL THEY TOLD ME THAT THE OTHER DAY THAT THEY ARE GOING BACK AND GETTING AN ACCOUNTING DEGREE AT NIGHT SO THEY CAN HAVE MY POSITION. I SAID WHAT WAS HAPPY TO JUST MAKE IT THAT YOU QUIT. (LAUGHING).

>> A LOT OF OUR STAFF IS CROSSTRAINED. I THINK YOU FOUND THAT.

THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL YEAR FOR US BECAUSE WE HAD DULY ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LOTS OF CHANGES IN COURT ALL BE READ IN MY WHOLE TEAM IS CUSTOMER SERVICE BASED.

IT'S TRY TO GET YOU BACK THE RESPONSE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. WE WORK VERY HARD FOR THAT.

WE HAVE A LARGE SPECTRUM OF INDIVIDUALS. SO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CPAS, BUT WE HAVE MBAS. WE HAVE MEDAVACED PILOTS, LIKE JOSH.

AND TO OTHERS AND OUR STRENGTH IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A VERY DIVERSE GROUP AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.

AS FAR AS -- AND I'LL JUST GO AHEAD AND HANDLE THIS, JOSH, NOW.

THERE IS A SPECIALIZED GROUP THAT OVERSEES ATLAS AND OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEMS AND OUR AGENDA. THOSE WERE HOMEGROWN INTERNALL .

AS YOU MAY KNOW, BEFORE HE CAME TO THE COUNTY, I HAD AN IT COMPANY AND THAT WAS ONE OF MY SPECIALTIES.

AND SO WE BUILT SYSTEMS INTERNALLY THAT SIT ON TOP OR TAKE TRACKS AND TRACKS THE

[04:40:04]

SO THE SYSTEMS THAT WE WROTE, WE CONSIDER THOSE JUST UTILITY. IN THAT WE DO NOT ACTUALLY TYPE ANY INFORMATION INTO THOSE SYSTEMS EXEMPT THE AGENDA. WE ACCUMULATE THAT INFORMATION FROM DEPARTMENTS, THE U.S. CENSUS AND OTHER PLACES AND WITH 300 DIFFERENT LAYERS ON THAT, THEN WE CAN KIND OF SLICE AND DICE AND PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION.

AND AGAIN, THE TRIP TO THAT IS BEING ABLE TO MANAGE WHAT -- PEOPLE GET COLLEGE DEGREES IN THIS, BUT THEY ARE CALLED ETL. EXTRACT, TRANSLATE AND LOADED SO WHERE YOU CAN CONSOLIDATE THE DATA. IN LAST YEAR WHEN I MET WITH THE JUDGE WE DECIDED THAT WE WERE GOING IN A NEW DIRECTION HERE AT THE COUNTY AND POLICY ISSUES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PART OF HER GROUP.

NOW, IT IS SPREAD AMONG THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. AND SO, THE NEW GROUP THAT HAS BEEN FORMED WILL BASICALLY REQUEST INFORMATION FROM US AND WORK WITH US ON WHAT INFORMATION SHE NEEDS AND THEN WE WILL TRANSLATED AND ALL THAT AND PROVIDED TO HER IN WHAT FORM SHE WANTS. IT DASHBOARDS.

>> MY IDEAL IS BEING A CPA THAT I'M ALWAYS LOOKING FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION THAT'S TIMELY, RELEVANT AND PRESENTED IN A FORMAT THAT'S EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

AND I WILL BUY THOSE THINGS EVERY DAY BECAUSE WHEN YOU BECOME A C -- CBA YOU TAKE AN OATH TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WITH THAT BEING SAID I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO JOSH, I KNEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR TO HANDLE THE BUDGET SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

>> SO MAKE THIS AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE. I'LL GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE DO AN EXTENSION OF WHAT BILL TALKED ABOUT HOW HANDED OVER TO SHANE TO GET THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HOUSE FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT JUST SO YOU HAVE A PERSPECTIVE ON THINGS.

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE TIMELY, ACCURATE AND RELEVANT -- RELEVANT INFORMATION TO SUPPORT INFORMED DECISION-MAKING INEFFICIENT GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO MAXIMIZING THE UTILIZATION OF OUR LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

WE DO THAT THROUGH OUR MAJOR TOUCH STONE AND IT'S BEEN SAID NUMEROUS TIME IS CUSTOMER STORIS ORIENTATED HERE WE TRY TO REMOVE ALL THE ROADBLOCKS AS REQUIRED FOR THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN GET THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNTY DONE EFFICIENTLY.

UNDER OUR SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITY, THERE'S LOTS OF BILLIONS.

BUT OVERALL WE MANAGE APPROXIMATELY $9.6 BILLION AND A LOT OF THAT IS COVERED WITHIN ALL OF OUR DATA THAT WE SUBMIT IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

>> AS FAR AS OUR ORG CHART AND HOW WE OPERATE, AS BILL MENTIONED, BILL IS ON TOP.

AND THE CONSTITUENTS ON TOP OF THAT. I AM THE DECK BEAUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THAT WE HAVE THREE PRIMARY -- WE HAVE THREE PRIMARY DIVISIONS UNDERNEATH THAT EACH WITH THE SENIOR DIRECTOR. ONE BEING FRANK BRUCE WHO COVERS THE FINANCE AND BUDGET. THAT'S FOR ALL OUR BANKING AND INVESTMENTS.

THAT'S WHERE WE DEAL WITH LIQUIDITY. THE SENIOR DIRECTION DIRECTOR, BILL MENTIONED A BIG PART OF THAT IS THAT DATA WAREHOUSING WHERE THE ATL OCCURS AND WE HAVE JIM ROBINSON IN CHARGE OF THAT GROUP AND WE DEAL WITH INTERAGENCY COORDINATION INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY. AS REQUIRED BECAUSE A LOT OF THAT INTERACTION, WE LOOK FOR THE SIGNALS THAT ARE COMING FROM PARTNERS AND COMMISSIONERS COURT AND COMING FROM DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY IMPACT OUR BUDGET SO WE CAN PROVIDE A TIMELY AND ACCURATE INFORMATION. AND THEN THE LAST DIVISION, I'LL LET SHANE DISCUSS.

>> SO HRM HUMAN RESOURCES RISK MANAGEMENT, WE ARE BUDGETING IN FOUR DIFFERENT INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS. IS THE HEALTH INSURANCE FUND RISK MANAGEMENT FUND AND THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND. THAT'S WHERE OUR BUDGET IS SET UP.

WE BASICALLY HAVE THREE DIFFERENT SECTIONS.

THE FIRST SECTION IS HUMAN RESOURCES AND WE HAVE A EMPLOYMENT RECRUITMENT SECTION

IN THERE. >> I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE DO NOT POST JOBS FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS. MOST WE DO.

LIKE SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLES THAT PARTICULAR THINGS THAT THEY NEED ON THE JOB.

[04:45:03]

WE ALSO -- BESIDES POSTING JOBS WE POST THEM EXTERNALLY ON SITES LIKE INDEED AND LINKED IN. IF THERE'S ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR SKILLS IN LANGUAGE TESTING, WE WILL DO THAT FOR DEPARTMENTS AS WELL. JUST GIVE YOU A SENSE OF THE NUMBERS, THIS YEAR WERE EXPECTING ABOUT 170 APPLIQUC) Ã 170,000 APPLICATIONS.

THAT WILL PROBABLY BE ABOUT 1600 EMPLOYEES THAT WILL BE HIGHER TO THIS PROCESS.

ANOTHER PART OF OUR HR SECTION IS THE TRAINING GROUP. WE AUGMENT DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC.

WE AUGMENT THAT THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. AND THIS YEAR TO ABOUT 400 TRAINING CLASSES. THAT WILL COVER ABOUT 8000 DIFFERENT PARTICIPANTS.

SO WE DO THAT FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY AS NEEDED AND THE LAST THING RAINSTORM SECTION DOES HIS EMPLOYEE RELATIONS AND WE ADMINISTER THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

THE SECOND SECTION IS THE BENEFIT SECTION. WE ADMINISTER THE $300 MILLION HEALTH INSURANCE MEDICAL PLAN AND OTHER BENEFITS LIKE DENTAL AND VISION THAT COVER 40,000 OF OUR EMPLOYEES, RETIREES AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. WE PROCESS DIFFERENT ENROLLMENT CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE DO COBRA ADMINISTRATION AND WE ANSWER MEMBERS GENERAL QUESTIONS WHEN THEY CALL. WE ALSO MANAGE THE TEXAS COUNTY DISTRICT RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND PLAN FOR HARRISON COUNTY. WE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT EACH YEAR.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, HARRIS COUNTY, WE ARE ABOUT 20 PERCENT OF ALL THE ASSETS.

WE ARE THEIR BIGGEST CUSTOMER. AND BILL WILL BRING RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU ALL ANNUALLY AND WE TRIED TO PAY OFF HER LIABILITY. WE TRY TO PAY WHAT OUR REQUIRED RATE IS. RIGHT NOW OUR PLAN IS FUNDED ABOUT 88 PERCENT.

IF YOU THROW IN THE RESERVES WE WOULD BE AT 90 PERCENT. AND SINCE WE ARE PAYING HIGHER THAN THE REQUIRED RATE, PAYING OFF HER LIABILITY WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

THE LAST SECTION IS THE RISK MANAGEMENT SECTION. THEY ADMINISTER THE SELF-INSURED WORKERS' COMP PROGRAM FOR HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE LICENSE ADJUSTERS ON STAFF. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS TORT CLAIMS ACT THAT'S WHEN CARS GET IN ACCIDENTS AND VEHICLES ARE DAMAGED THE HANDLE THE CLAIMS. AND LASTLY, WE HAVE -- I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON COMPENSATION.

WE HAVE A GROUP -- SALARY MARKET SURVEYS. SO WE HAVE A GROUP THAT IS IN THE FINANCIAL GROUP THAT PERFORMS THAT.

>> ALTERNATIVE BACK OVER TO JOSH.

>> SO SOME OTHER THINGS AND SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE IS THE CAPITAL SIDE OF THE HOUSE, THE CAPITAL TEAM AND DOES THAT COORDINATION WITH ONLY ENTITIES AS WELL AS AGENDA COORDINATION WHICH IS -- AS ALL OF YOUR STAFF AND YOU KNOW IS EVERY TWO WEEKS.

IT GETS VERY BUSY. THAT TEAM IS AMAZING AND ARE MOVING TOWARD AUTOMATED PROCESS AND AUTOMATION. WE DO ALL THIS UNDER SOME PRINCIPLES IN WHICH WE WANT TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR. THESE ARE TARGETS AND PRINCIPLES THAT WE PROVIDE A RECOMMENDATION IS SOMETHING AFFORDABLE. HERE'S THE PRINCIPLES THAT WE HAVE WORKED WITH YOU ON THAT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THESE CHANGE, YOU CAN BUT THIS IS WHAT WE PROVIDE RECOMMEND BEIGE Ã RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON. IT'S TO MAINTAIN A FINANCIAL POSITION. EVEN IN THE HEADWINDS OF A TAX RATE AND A 3.5 PERCENT.

THE SECOND PRINCIPLE IS TO MANAGE THE DEBT AS IT PROTECTS OUR AAA BOND RATING AND THE THIRD IS FINANCIAL RESILIENCY TO WITHSTAND TWO TYPES OF EVENTS.

ONE BEING AN ECONOMIC EVENT AND THE OTHER BEING A NATURAL DISASTER.

WITH THAT BEING SAID WE ARE NOT MAKING A REQUEST TO INCREASE OUR BUDGET AT THIS TIME.

UNLESS THE DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING. WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE

CORRECTION QUESTIONS. >> YES.

THANK YOU, JOSH AND BILL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THE REST OF YOUR OFFICE.

THE END I APPRECIATE THE WEEKLY CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO TRY AND STAY ON TOP OF THINGS.

[04:50:06]

>> SO, THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS. ONE, SHANE IS HERE SO HERE IS THE FUNDAMENTAL THING.

I STARTED TO DIG INTO MY MEDICAL CLAIMS. $300 MILLION.

IT'S A LOT OF MONEY AND ABOUT 50 MILLION OF THAT IS PHARMACEUTICAL.

AND SO, WHEN I STARTED DIGGING INTO THIS, I FOUND THAT THEY, LIKE ANY OTHER PLACE AROUND THE COUNTRY, THERE WERE PROBLEMS. WITH PHARMACIES THAT ARE NOT LEGIT PHARMACIES CHARGING HIS THINGS AND MOST PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THE BILL. THEY DON'T REALIZE THE COMPOUND IS $2000. SO DON'T SAY. SO INTERNALLY, WE TALKED ABOUT -- WERE GOING TO HAVE SOME PERSONAL RETIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO DO IS TO GO IN AND GET AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT THAT'S AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA AND SAY WHAT DOES, IN MODERN TIMES, WHAT STAFF DO WE NEED THE END HOW SHOULD WE MANAGE THAT?

>> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT FOR ALL MEDICAL AND PHARMACY.

SOME PEOPLE SAY YOU SHOULD HAVE TWO. I THINK WE NEED SOME EXPERT OPINIONS ON THAT. AND IN ADDITION, I WOULD WANT FOR ANYONE IN OUR GROUP, FOR INSTANCE TO HAVE A SMALL INTERNAL AUDIT DIVISION THAT TAKES A MUCH HIGHER LOOK AT CLAIMS. BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS MONEY TO BE SAVED.

A PERFECT EXAMPLE WAS WHEN I LOOKED AT LAST YEAR WE HAD 600,000 PHARMACY SCRIPTS WRITTEN THAT WAS FILLED. SO I PUT THEM IN A SPREADSHEET. I DON'T KNOW WHO THE INDIVIDUALS WERE, AND I -- RIGHT OFF THE BAT SAW THINGS THAT WERE QUESTIONABLE.

AND SO, I STARTED ASKING QUESTIONS. AND THAT I GOT WITH CIGNA, OUR VENDOR AND SAID WHY AREN'T YOU FINDING THESE PROBLEMS? WHY AM I FINDING THEM? AND SO I SAID AND WHY ARE WE USING PHARMACIES THAT AREN'T EVEN CLOSE TO TEXAS? IF SOMEBODY GOES AND LIVES IN HOUSTON AND GOES TO THE DOCTOR USED, WHY IS IT BEING FILLED IN NEW YORK? AND SURE ENOUGH, WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING IN PROVIDING THESE SCRIPTS. AND SO ON YOUR NEXT AGENDA, YOU ARE GOING TO FIND THAT WHEN I WENT TO CIGNA, THEY CHANGED IT. YOU CAN GO TO THE MAJOR PHARMACIES IN WALGREENS, CVS AND ALL THAT AND GET THEM FILLED, BUT IF IT'S ONE OF THESE SPECIALTY ONES, IT WILL TAKE MORE EFFORT SO THAT WE CAN CUT DOWN ON SOME OF THE FRAUD.

>> AND COMMISSIONER -- SORRY. >> AND I WILL BE ON THE NEXT AGENDA. AND WE THINK THERE WILL BE AT LEAST $3 MILLION OF SAVINGS.

>> YOUR QUESTION IS I REALLY WANT A HARD LOOK AT THIS AREA, ESPECIALLY THE CLAIMS. I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB WITH DENTAL HEALTH. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO SQUEEZE OUT WHAT WE CAN OF WHAT WE ARE SPENDING TO DO THAT AND I WILL PROBABLY BE PUTTING SOMETHING TO ASK OR TO AUTHORIZE ME TO HAVE A GROUP THAT SPECIALIZES IN AN AREA TO COME IN AND LOOK

AT IT. >> AND COMMISSIONER.

>> AND I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT I'M ALSO WORRIED, SHANE, NO DISRESPECT INTENDED, BUT I HEAR YOU DOING A LOT OF WORK. AND I'M CONCERNED FOR THAT. I MEAN HE'S THE DIRECTOR.

I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN A YEAR. SO, I'M, YOU KNOW, AND THIS IS THE WORRY THAT THERE IS WASTE OR FRAUD, THEN WHY ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMEBODY TO RETIRE TO ADDRESS THIS? AND SO, ANYWAY, THAT'S TO YOUR RESPONSE, BUT I'M MORE INTERESTED IN HOW WE ARE

[04:55:08]

WORKLIFE BALANCE IS, THE INSTANCES WE PROVIDE THE VETERINARIANS, THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX ON THAT. I WAS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE THEY ARE THE NUMBER ONE HIRERS. THEY JUST DON'T DO AS MUCH ANIMAL WORK MAY BE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF WORK IS VETERINARIANS. HOW YOU HIRE THEM AND BRING THEM ON IS YOU GO TO TEXAS A&M AND YOU SIMILAR PAY YOUR STUDENT LOAN OFF. THINGS LIKE THAT ÃTHE DECISION RIGHTS THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES AND ALSO HOW WE MEASURE THOSE EMPLOYEES.

AND I KNOW THAT THAT'S A BIG THING BUT BRINGING IN THAT TALENT WERE LOOKING AT SOME OF THESE -- ON EVERY EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WE CAN DO TO BRING IN THE APPLICANTS.

THERE ARE SOME SPECIALIZED ONES THAT ARE JUST DIFFICULT TO BRING IN.

WE ARE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX TO DO THAT. EXAMPLES WOULD BE CONTRACTS THAT WERE GOING TO FIND FROM OUR SIDE OF THE HOUSE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN BRING THE TALENT THROUGH THE RECRUITING FIRM. IN FACT, WE ARE SOME OF THE

FIRST ONES THAT DID THAT. >> GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU. >> I THINK THE IDEA OF THE SEARCH IS AN IMPORTANT ONE. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I GOT HERE THAT I DON'T THINK THE COUNTY HAD DONE MUCH OF THAT. IS THAT PRETTY ACCURATE.

>> ABOUT 1/4 MILLION OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

>> I DON'T KNOW. IT'S JUST PERCEPTION BEING ON THE OUTSIDE WAS THAT I KNEW WE HAD ONE OF THE -- ONE OF THE WEAKER NEPOTISM POLICIES HERE, BUT THE PERCEPTION WAS A LOT OF HIRING WAS KIND OF INSIDER STAFF, SOMEBODY LOST AN OFFICE YOU TAKE CARE SOMEBODY'S FRIENDS. THAT WAS GENERALLY PERCEPTION. EVEN NOW THAT I'VE BEEN HERE THREE YEARS SOME PEOPLE GET ANGRY BECAUSE THEY THINK I'M SUPPOSED TO HIRE SOMEBODY -- THAT'S ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE.

I'M TELLING YOU, THE PERCEPTION OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE I HAD A SENSE THAT THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN I SAW. IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE.

I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING AS MUCH WHEN I WAS WITH THE CITY. CLEARLY, NOT AT THE STATE.

I DID NOT WANT TO GET WRITTEN UP AT THE FRONT PAGE OF THE PAPER.

HERE, SOMETIMES, MAYBE THAT'S NOT BEEN AS MUCH SCRUTINY. BUT I THINK THE IDEA OF DOING SEARCH FIRMS AND BREAKING AWAY, I THINK WHEN YOUR PREDECESSORS TOLD ME WHEN I GOT HERE ABOUT CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA. SHE DID A NOTE SAYING SOMEBODY -- SOMEBODY'S RELATIVE THAT SOMEBODY COULD NOT HIRE BUT COULD YOU -- I WAS SURPRISE SHE WAS SO BLATANT.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE BEST PEOPLE WE CAN GET. AND IF WE HAVE TO PAY FOR, WE OUGHT TO PAY TO GET ON. AND I GO BACK TO THE POINT LIKE A DIGITAL RECORDING.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE MONEY. TO GO AND DO IT. WHAT I DO THINK -- HOPEFULLY, WE CAN DO SOME THINGS THAT WILL ATTRACT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST. YOU QUALITY COUNTIES FIND OUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOT JUST IN TEXAS, BUT OUTSIDE TEXAS?

>> YES. >> HE SAID HE WAS IN GALVESTON.

>> I GET THE -- I GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH A LOT OF FOLKS FROM OUTSIDE OF TEXAS ON A REGULAR BASIS. AND YES, WE TAKE THOSE IDEAS AND SODAS SHANE HE GOES TO A LOT OF THE CONFERENCES AND GET THOSE IDEALS. YOU KNOW, NOT SAYING THAT SOMEONE'S -- A FRIEND OR RELATIVE ARE NOT QUALIFIED, BUT WHAT WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE SOMEONE TO DO THAT IF SOMEONE PROVIDE YOU A NAME, THAT'S GREAT.

THEY GET SOME AN INTERVIEW. HOWEVER THAT DOES NOT GET THEM THE JOB.

AND USING THOSE SEARCH FIRMS, USING DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT WILL GUARANTEE THAT HAVE A METRIC BASED WAY OF INTERVIEWING SOMEONE AND GRADING THAT OUT EITHER THROUGH A TWO OR THREE PERSON COMMITTEE IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT.

>> HE IS COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I KNOW WE HAVE OCCASIONALLY LOOKED AT, BUT WE HAVE NOT COME TO A RESOLUTION ON THAT I DO WANT TO KEEP IN THE THOUGHT PROCESS. ONE OF WHICH IS WITH OUR SHERIFF'S AND OUR CONSTABLES AND OUR FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE. WE ENCOURAGE OUR EMPLOYEES TO TAKE A LOT OF EXTRA TRAINING. BUT IF YOU GO AND YOU INVEST AND YOU GET THE EXTRA TRAINING, THERE IS NO EXTRA COMPOSITION FOR THAT. AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS

[05:00:03]

BECAUSE AS JOSH REFERENCED EARLIER, ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAVE IS IF YOU LOSE A GOOD EMPLOYEE, I HAVE TO FIND SOMEBODY ELSE, TEACH THEM TO DO THE JOB ABOUT THE TIME THEY GET THROUGH YOU LOSE THEM, TOO, AND YOU HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

AND WHAT IS DONE IN THE CORPORATE WORLD BUT OFTEN THAT WE DO NOT YET DO -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT REQUIRES. WE MIGHT HAVE TO GO TO MR. ELLIS'S OLD COLLEAGUES TO GET PERMISSION TO DO IT BUT WHAT MANY OF THEM WILL DO IS THEY WILL SUBSIDIZE CLASSES AT A LOCAL COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. WE HAVE LONE STAR ON THE NORTH SIDE.

I USED TO BE ON THE ADVISORY BOARD AND WE HAVE COLLEGE ON THE SOUTH AND EAST SIDE.

WE HAVE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS AND WHAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO TO HELP ENCOURAGE OUR EMPLOYEES IS IF WE -- IF WE WOULD PAY WITH SOME SORT OF BULK CONTRACT WITH SOME OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS AND IF I'M AN EMPLOYEE IS GOING TO TAKE ME SEVEN YEARS TO GET THAT DEGREE, BUT I'M GOING TO STAY WITH THE COUNTY BECAUSE HER HELPING ME PAPERWORK FOR THOSE SEVEN YEARS, THAT SEVEN YEARS THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO TRAIN SOMEBODY ELSE TO COME AND DO THEIR JOB AND THAT MAY END UP SAVING US MONEY ON THE RETRAINING PROCESS AND RETENTION PROCESS. SO THOSE ARE THINGS, JUDGE, THAT WE HAVE SORT OF DOUBLE THAT AND LOOKED AT THE END I -- I'M NOT PUSHING FOR THEM TO BE DONE RIGHT NOW BUT I DO WANT US TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE BEST PRACTICES IN OTHER PLACES AND SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO COULD -- CONTINUE TO LOOK AT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> JUDGE, ESPECIALLY THE COMPENSATION FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE MARSHALS, WHO WE ASKED THEM TO DO THAT EXTRA TRAINING. BUT WE DON'T GIVE THEM ANY

REWARD FOR DOING THEM. >> RIGHT.

>> I SAW SOMETHING THAT MY STAFF HAS GIVEN ME LIKE A PROPOSAL FOR A LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM. DO WE NEED STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO DO THAT.

>> I'M NOT AWARE OF AS NEEDING STATUTORY AUTHORITY.

>> I'D LIKE TO DO IT. I THINK THAT WHEN I TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY WHO ARE COMING OUT, THEY ARE NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT. THEY'RE NOT THINKING.

THEY FEEL GOOD. THEY'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT THEIR HEALTH.

WHAT THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT IS THERE 40 $200,000 WORTH OF DEBT.

THE MILITARY, A LOT OF PEOPLE GET THE MILITARY BECAUSE THEY'LL PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION.

SO AGAIN, AS PART OF OUR COMPENSATION PACKAGE, WE COULD DO -- AND SEE IF IT'S ILLEGAL, BUT SOMETHING THAT WILL -- WE WILL FORGIVE $5000 WORTH OF YOUR DEBT.

>> IT'S GOTTA BE. >> YOU GOTTA GIVE MORE THAN

$5000 (LAUGHING). >> IS GOTTA BE BETTER.

>> (LAUGHING). >> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A

PROGRAM. >> BUT NOBODY KNOWS IF IT'S ACTUALLY -- I WOULD -- (LAUGHING).

>> SO, I WONDER, THOUGH, IF THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT COMPREHENSIVELY AS WELL AND WOULD PSM FALL UNDER THE SCOPE OF.

>> I DO NOT THINK IT'S CURRENTLY IN THEIR SCOPE OF WORK BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT DEPARTMENTS INDIVIDUALLY. WHEN THEY GET TO THE HRM SIDE THEY COULD ASK WHAT INCENTIVES DO WE PROVIDE TO REDUCE RATES. I HOPE IT'S NOT A SCOPE BASED.

>> 30 HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE. BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH THINKING

ABOUT WHO CAN KNOW. >> WE WOULD BE -- VERY HAPPY TO OWN THAT FROM OUR SIDE OF THE HOUSE.

>> BECAUSE I THINK -- WILL HAVE MY STAFF FOLLOW-UP AS WELL BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

THERE'S A LOT OF CREATIVE IDEAS. EVERYONE MENTIONED -- IMAGINE GOING TO THE UNIVERSITIES AND PITCHING US. BUT THERE ARE GREAT PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY AND ELSEWHERE WHO WOULD WANT TO COME AND LIVE HERE.

WE JUST NEED TO FIND THEM. >> (LAUGHING).

>> AND AGAIN, I HAD A GENTLEMAN THAT I HAD RECRUITED 10 YEARS AGO AND I REALLY THOUGHT BEFORE

[05:05:05]

AND I PLAYED FOOTBALL AT BROWN. BUT I ENCOURAGED HIM TO GO BACK AND GET AN ECONOMICS DEGREE IN PETROLEUM ECONOMICS. HE DID. HE CAME BACK AND IMMEDIATELY A MAJOR OIL COMPANY HIRED HIM FOR ABOUT DOUBLE WHAT I WAS MAKING AND PAID OFF OVER $100,000 WORTH OF HIS STUDENT LOANS. AND SO -- AND I SAW HIM RECENTLY AND IS DOING MUCH BETTER THAN THAT NOW. SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE COMPETING WITH.

HOWEVER, IF YOU GET SOMEONE WRITING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, I THINK THAT'S HOW THE BIG ACCOUNTING FIRMS WORK. ONLY ONE OUT OF EVERY 200 PEOPLE THAT STARTING A ACCOUNTING FIRM START AS A PARTNER. THEY HELP YOU WITH YOUR EDUCATION. THEY PAY THINGS SOFT. SO THE COST JUDGMENT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TOTAL COST OF EMPLOYEE, WHEN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE GOES AND TRAIN SOMEBODY AND SPEND SO MUCH TIME AND THEN THEY TAKE OFF AND THEY GO SOMEPLACE ELSE, WE LOST 50,000

BUCKS. >> IT'S TWOFOLD.

I WAS THINKING WHEN YOU ARE ASKING DOCTOR SHAW I THINK ROSSA MATT AND JOHN IS BEEN HERE. THAT'S THE KIND OF SORT OF KEEPING PEOPLE HERE FOR A WHILE, BUT THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS THAT NEED FOLKS RIGHT NOW.

AND SO WHAT WE DO ABOUT THAT? >> SO IT'S -- IT DOES SEEM THAT WE GOT TO LOOK AT BOTH TRACKS. BUT IDEALLY, WE GET TO A POINT IN ITS MOST COST-EFFECTIVE, I IMAGINE TO STARTED OUT FROM THE BEGINNING AND JUST NURTURE THAT TALENT.

>> AND COMMISSIONER ALICE, ONE TIME YOU INTRODUCED ME TO THE FORMER MAYOR OF ATLANTA.

WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AND SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SHE SAID LOOK, BECAUSE OF YOUR BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT ALL THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO GET PEOPLE -- HIRE SOMEBODY THAT'S ABOUT 40 AND BRING THEM AT THAT POINT BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THEY CARE.

WE'VE GOT A FIGURE OUT SOMETHING -- WAS IT.

>> SHIRLEY FRANKLIN. >> ACCORDING TO THE PAPER I GIVE UP BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO BE WITH YOU ALL.

>> SO WE WILL WORK ON THIS A LITTLE BIT. BUT IT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT KATIE'S GROUP COULD HELP US ON. IT COULD BE THAT WE NEED AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT WHO DOES THIS ALL THE TIME AND WORKS ON IT. BUT TO GIVE US A MENU OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO. BUT WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEBODY, WE JUST -- ESPECIALLY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IF THEY TRAIN SOMEBODY UP AND THEY MOVE AFTER TWO YEARS WE PROBABLY LOSE $50,000.

>> AT LEAST. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

AND IT'S AN INTERESTING CONVERSATION BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE SOME MODELS TO LOOK

AT. >> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS WHO HAVE CHOSEN PUBLIC SERVICE SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF YOUR PROGRAM.

AND IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I WAS ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY UTILIZE THE POLICE PROGRAM THAT TODAY, THERE ARE -- I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE NUMBER IS, BUT PROBABLY CLOSE TO A COUPLE DOZEN AT LEAST OR DOZEN TO A COUPLE DOZEN KIDS WHO STARTED OFF AS 14, 15, 16-YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE NOW PATROLLING THE STREETS OF HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE SPECIFICALLY, WE IDENTIFY THEM EARLY ON AND REALIZED THAT THEY WOULD MAKE A GREAT CANDIDATE VERSUS HIRING THEM AS AN ADULT AND THEN RECOGNIZING THEY DO NOT HAVE THE TEMPERAMENT TO DO POLICE WORK.

AND I THINK THOSE KIDS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

I THINK THAT THERE ARE MODELS THAT WE CAN UTILIZE. IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN THE POLICE PROGRAM IS THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA PROGRAM. AND I BELIEVE IT HAS OTHER

AREAS OF DISCIPLINE. >> IT DOES.

>> THAT CAN BE LEVERAGED. AND IT TAKES WORK FROM THE ORGANIZATION.

IF I DIDN'T PERSONALLY BECOME INVOLVED WITH THAT PROGRAM, IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL AS IT WAS. IT WAS THE LARGEST IN TEXAS AND BECAME THE LARGEST IN AMERICA THE INTERIM SHARE OF REALLY DECIMATED IT AND SHERIFF GONZALES IS WORKING TO BUILD A BACKUP. BUT IT WAS -- IT WAS VERY EFFECTIVE PROGRAM AND I THINK

IT'S GOT ENGINEERING. >> ENGINEERING, MEDICAL.

>> AND THEY CALL IT SCOUTING BECAUSE IT'S MALE AND FEMALE. BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE ON THESE BOARDS THAT WE COULDN'T DEVELOP OUR OWN.

>> THE END THOSE. >> AND THOSE -- IN THIS FIRST PROGRAM, COME WITH SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> IS THAT RIGHT? >> YES.

AND SO I'M JUST SAYING THERE'S MODELS OUT THERE THAT WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT.

[05:10:01]

>> COMMISSIONER EVERY ONE OF THESE DEPARTMENT HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND TYPES OF INDIVIDUALS THEY NEED IT'S EXTRAORDINARY SPECIALIZED OR GENERAL SO IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO CREATE A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL BUT I THINK WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS HAND-IN-HAND WE COULD PROBABLY MAKE INTERESTING PROGRAMS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING INDIVIDUALS AND AND AND MOST IMPORTANTLY RETAIN THEM. WE TALK ABOUT THE VELVET HANDCUFFS AND IT'S AROUND THE FIFTH OR SIXTH YEAR MARK WOULD YOU SAY I'M GET A STAY FOR EIGHT AND THEN YOU START DOING

THE MATH. >> THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD IDEAS.

[Treasurer]

>> THANK YOU. HOW ARE YOU ALL TODAY?

>> HI. >> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

IT'S MY GOAL EVERY YEAR TO HAVE THE FASTEST BUDGET PRESENTATION.

FRANKLY MOST DEPARTMENTS GIVE YOU TOO MUCH INFORMATION SO I TRIED TO KEEP IT SHORT.

>> IS YOUR MICON? >> 'SDONKEY.

>> OKAY. YES.

>> WELL, DYLAN OSBORNE YOUR COUNTY TREASURER. FOR THE THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE LISTENING AT HOME, JUST A BRIEF OVERVIEW ÃOVERVIEW.

>> WOULD ONE OF THOSE BE YUR SISTER?

>> MAYBE SO. COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS MET MY SISTER A FEW TIMES.

>> HIS SISTER IS ONE OF THE CHIEF -- AT AN EXCELLENT REFERENCE GRAPHICS ÃA BREAKFAST RESTAURANT SHE GIVES ME THE INSIDE INFORMATION.

>> THAT CAN BE GOOD. >> WE WANDERED AROUND JESSE

JONES IT'S A NICE PARK. >> OUR DUTIES ARE TO DISPERSE AND RECEIVE DEPOSITS FOR GENERAL BOND DOLLARS. WE HANDLE UNCLAIMED FUNDS IN THE GENERAL FUND UNDER HUNDRED DOLLARS. I SIT ON A BAIL BONDS BOARD WE HOLD THE COLLATERAL FOR THOSE. I'M ON THE ERP PROJECT WITH BILL AND MIKE AND OTHERS AND WE TRY TO DO A GOOD JOB JUST KEEPING THE MONEY MOVING IN AND OUT OF THE COUNTY.

A RELATIVELY MODEST BUDGET OF 1.2 MILLION. ACCORDING TO THE DOCUMENTS PER CAPITA COST IS ABOUT $0.27 PER PERSON FOR MY OFFICE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS NEAT.

MOST OF OUR BUDGET IS SALARY. IT'S ABOUT $1 MILLION IN SALARY.

OUR NEXT BIGGEST CHARGES POSTAGE. ALL THE CHECKS THAT HAVE TO BE MAILED GO THROUGH WAS SOMETIMES AT SIX OR 704 JURY CHECKS AND POSTAGE GETS TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A COST. BUT OVERALL, WE HAVE A PRETTY MODEST BUDGET.

WE HAVE ASKED FOR AN INCREASE DUE TO THE ERP WE THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME WORKFLOW CHANGES IN WILL HAVE MORE WORK FOR OUR DEPOSIT SECTION. THAT IS A BIT OF AN INSURANCE REQUEST. WE ARE NOT HUNDRED PERCENT SURE BUT ONCE THE ERP -- ONCE WE GET THE KINKS WORKED OUT AND GET IT LAUNCHED AT THAT POINT WILL BE TOO LATE TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR HELP. SO WHAT I HAVE COMMUNICATED TO BILL AND HIS STAFF AND THEY BEEN HELPFULNESS PROCESSES WITH THOSE TWO POSITIONS, IF I'M GIVEN THE POSITION THAT I DON'T NEED THEM I WILL GIVE THEM BACK AND TAKE THE MONEY BACK NO NEED TO INCLUDE THAT.

OUR CURRENT STAFF, WE HAVE 13 SPOTS I HAVE 11 FILLED. WE RECENTLY HAD SOMEONE RETIRE SO THE FORM YOU MAY HAVE IS A LITTLE INACCURATE THAT WAS A RECENT RETIREMENT.

I'M IN TALKS FOR A PART-TIME OR WERE TRYING TO RUN EFFICIENTLY MAKING SURE WERE NOT WASTING MONEY THAT WE DON'T NEED TO. WE DO HAVE AN OPEN POSITION THAT I INHERITED THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR YEARS AND IT'S NEVER REALLY BEEN USED. I DID NOT WANT TO FILL THE SPOT JUST TO FILL THE SPOT. GOING BACK TO WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS SAYING PEOPLE WANTING YOU TO MAKE HIRES I GOT THAT A LITTLE BIT, JONAH REFUSED TO DO THAT.

WE'VE HAD THAT OPEN POSITION AND IT'S BEEN THERE BEFORE I GOT HERE.

THAT'S BASICALLY THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT. ANY QUESTIONS? I SHOULD INTRODUCE DAVID SHANE MY FIRST ASSISTANT WHO IS HERE WITH ME TODAY.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO REMEMBER THANK YOU MR. OSBORNE. WHAT DO WE DO LAST YEAR FOR A PAY RAISE? WAS IT SOME PERCENT YOU GAVE EVERY DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE

BOARD? >> THERE'S TWO WAYS WE DID IT.

TYPICALLY WE LOOK AT EACH DEPARTMENT AND WE GIVE ANYWHERE FROM A 4 TO 5 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE OVERALL DEPARTMENT. AND THEN THE PCN NUMBERS IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE TO PAY MORE, WE HELP THOSE BUT THEN WE LEFT IT UP TO THE DEPARTMENT BASED ON.

>> IF YOU HAD XML, YOU GOT ENOUGH TO PAY ALL YOUR EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE BOARD OR

[05:15:09]

YOU COULD DO. >> IT'S YOUR DISCRETION.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE FOR SEVEN YEARS. IN THE BOOK IN THE DEPARTMENT, IT SHOWS HOW MUCH THE AVERAGE HAS BEEN FOR THE IMPACT TIRE DEPARTMENT INCREASE IN SALARIES. AND SO -- IF MY MEMBERS -- MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECT ABOUT

11 MILLION PER ONE PERCENT. >> SO WE DID THREE PERCENT, IS

33 MILLION. >> THERE YOU GO.

>> FIVE PERCENT -- SO FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, JUST YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE FACING WHEN I TALK ABOUT A NO MONEY COMPLEX, WE TRY TO MAKE IT MORE INTERESTING. SO THE MONEY -- NO MONEY COMPLEX TO BE IF WE DID WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR FOR FIVE.

>> FIVE PERCENT. >> FIVE PERCENT.

OUT OF THE 60 MILLION GIVE OR TAKE, IT COULD BE HIGHER OR LOWER.

IF WE DO WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR AND I HEARD YOU SAID YOU DID SOMETHING COMPARABLE THE LAST

SEVEN YEARS. >> THAT'S GREAT.

>> SO IF WE DID -- IF WE GAVE YOUR DEPARTMENT FIVE PERCENT FOR ALL YOUR EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE BOARD EVERY DEPARTMENT THAT'S 55 MILLION. THAT LEAVES US WITH FIVE MILITANTS HUNDRED 15 MILLION REQUEST.

>> THAT'S GREAT. THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL A NO MONEY COMPLEX.

I WAS NOT ALL THAT BRIGHT. SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY I LEARNED HOW TO COUNT.

SO JUST MAKING A POINT. JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE HERE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE FACE SINCE WE

CAN PRINT MONEY. >> I UNDERSTAND.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY PREDECESSOR, DID NOT TAKE THOSE BUDGET INCREASES FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS. THAT WAS A POLITICAL POINT.

>> A PAY RAISE. >> FOR PAY RAISES.

SO LAST YEAR I TOOK THE INCREASE IN I GAVE IT TO MY EMPLOYEES AND THAT WAS THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT RAISE ANY THEM HAVE QUITE CAN GIVE IT BACK? OR DID THEY KEEP IT IN THE DEPARTMENT?

>> DID HE GIVE IT BACK. >> YES HE GIVE IT BACK.

>> HE DIDN'T TAKE A LOT OF THAT, HOWEVER THERE WAS MONEY BUILT IN THEIR AND ON YOUR SUMMARY IN THE TREASURY WILL NOTICE SOMEONE IS BEEN YOUR -- THIS COULD MEAN SOMEBODY WHEN OF THE LETTER BUT IT'S BEEN AVERAGING UP UNTIL LAST YEAR, ABOUT 3 1/2 OR PERCENT INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE SALARIES IN THE TREASURER'S OFFICE. NOW LAST YEAR WAS ONLY .80 PERCENT. LECTURES THING THAT WOULD HAVE COME FROM PROMOTIONS? WHAT SOME OF IT WOULD BE PROMOTIONS. SOME OF IT WOULD BE HE GAVE

RAISES. >> FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH,

>> HE DID NOT GIVE MUCH LAST YEAR. IT'S RIGHT HERE IN THE SUMMARY

OF YOUR BOOK. >> AND I WILL GIVE THEM CREDIT.

HE DID NOT TAKE IT FOR HIS OWN REASONS AS I'M TOLD.

>> THE ONE QUESTION I HAVE. >> TO THE COMMISSIONER QUESTION

COMMISSIONER? >> WELL SINCE WE ARE PLAYING THE SAME RECORD OVER AND OVER AGAIN REDUNDANTLY AND REPETITIVELY AGAIN, I FEEL COMPELLED TO THAT WE DO HAVE $114 MILLION INTO THE SYSTEM THIS YEAR.

WE'VE SPENT 54 MILLION OF THAT. WE'VE GOT 60 MILLION TO DECIDE WHAT WERE GOING TO DO WITH IN TERMS OF NEW MONEY. NOBODY'S GETTING A COT, BUT WE DO HAVE 60 MILLION NEW DOLLARS.

WE HAVE 114 MILLION REQUESTS. AND SO,

>> IF WE GET ALL OF THIS EXTRA 60 SINCE WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN AWAY THE 54, AND THAT'S -- YOU CAN LOOK AT AT AS THE GLASS HALF-EMPTY BY BASICALLY SAYING THE WORLD IS GOING TO END BECAUSE I CAN GET EVERYTHING I WANT OR YOU CAN LOOK AT THE GLASS HALF FULL FOR THE TAXPAYERS AT LEAST ONCE IN OUR PRECINCT OF SAID WE BEEN TAXED ENOUGH.

IN OUR HOMES, WE GOT A TIGHTER BILLERICA MAKE A BUDGET. WHAT YOU AT THE GOVERNMENT LEVEL TO TIGHTEN YOUR BELT INTO A BUDGET AND IF WE ONLY QUOTE UNQUOTE SPEND AN EXTRA HUNDRED $40 MILLION OF THE TAXPAYERS -- THAT MIGHT NOT BE SO BAD WE'VE GOT ONLY 60 MILLION TO SPEND THIS YEAR ON ALL THE REQUESTS THAT ARE COMING THROUGH THEIR HUNDRED 40 MILLION.

SO I LOOK AT IT FROM A GLASS HALF-FULL. WE DID NOT HAVE TO INCREASE THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS WE HAVE EXTRA MONEY TO SPEND. THAT'S MY VIEW.

THANK YOU. >> WE WANT TO GO ALL DAY BUT I'M GOING TO SEE IF WE CAN PUT SOME MONEY IN FOR HEARING AIDS AT SOME POINT BECAUSE I THINK OF TRY TO EXPLAIN IT ABOUT AS CLEAR AS I CAN AMANDA TRY ONE MORE TIME.

$60 MILLION IS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> IS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT I'VE ESTIMATED FOR YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THE HUNDRED $50 MILLION

[05:20:01]

WITH THE REQUEST. >> ON THE PAY RAISES ARE IN IT?

>> THE PAY RAISES ARE NOT IN THERE AND THE OTHER THING IS NOT IN AREAS WERE SENDING A LETTER OUT TO DEPARTMENTS TELLING US ARE YOU HAVING A PROBLEM FILLING POSITIONS BECAUSE THE MARKET RATE IS ABOVE WHAT WE ARE PAYING? SO THERE'S THE HUNDRED 15 MILLION THERE IS THE BUCKET SAYING DEMAND FOR SERVICES -- THE SUPPLIES THERE BECAUSE WERE NOT PAYING ENOUGH IN THE OTHER BUCKET IS GENERALLY BASICALLY WHAT YOU WANT TO GIVE IS A COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE. SO YOU HAVE THOSE THREE. LET'S JUST SAY -- I WOULD SAY THERE'S PROBABLY A CERTAIN AMOUNT, MAYBE FIVE OR $10 MILLION WORTH OF MARKET RATE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS. AND IS UP TO AS FAR AS THE COST-OF-LIVING, THE COST OF LIVING IS ABOUT TWO PERCENT. ANOTHER WERE SALARY INCREASES LAST YEAR.

WE DID THE $15 MINIMUM. THIS IS A FLUID. IT'S NOT JUST A POINT IN TIME IT'S OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. BUT THERE IS A LOT MORE DEMAND THAN SUPPLY.

>> SO THERE'S ONE THING I DO WANT TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I SAW IT HERE. YOUR REQUEST FOR MORE POSITIONS BECAUSE OF PEOPLESOFT.

SO WHAT IS THE REASONING BEHIND THAT.

>> SO WE EXPECT JUDGMENT WE ARE STILL WORKING OUT THE FINAL KINGS BEFORE WE GO LIVE IN MARCH. THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME MOVEMENT OF WORK AND SO IS SOME OF THESE -- THE WORKFLOW GETS BROKEN UP IN CERTAIN SECTIONS WE THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS DOING A LOT OF SCANNING AND FAMILY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT HAS EITHER BEEN DONE BY ANOTHER DEPARTMENT OR IS WITH PEOPLESOFT WERE ENOUGH TO ALLOW MORE SCANNING DONE TO UPLOAD TO THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS. AND AGAIN WE ARE NOT 100 PERCENT SURE BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO WORK OUT THE WORK FLOW SO JUDGMENT BUT WE THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME ENTRY-LEVEL CLERICAL WORK THAT'S GOING TO BE NEEDED.

WE THINK OVERALL PEOPLESOFT WILL BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM.

BUT I THINK IN THIS ONE PARTICULAR INSTANCE, IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA WORK ON HER DEPOSIT SECTION COMPARED TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW.

>> WELL WE WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOUR TEAM AND IF WE ARE REDOING -- PEOPLESOFT IS A BIG OVERHAUL. I WOULD HATE FOR IT TO CREATE PROCESSES WHEREBY YOU ARE HAVING TO SCAN THINGS -- SOMEONE MENTIONED YOU GOT TO PRINT THEM SIGN THEM AND SCAN THEM. THIS IS THE TIME WITH THE OVERHAUL TO THE DIGITAL SYSTEMS ON THE TERMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE HAVE TO -- THERE IS PLENTY OF FUNDS THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES REQUESTED. WE HAVE THE COUNTYWIDE REVIEW. AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW OUR SYSTEMS WORK. AS YOU WORK THROUGH PEOPLESOFT THAT IT DOES NOT PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE WE HAVE FOLKS HIRED JUST TO SCAN PAPERS. IT'S NOT ON YOU.

I'VE SEEN AND READ IT FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL. THEY GOT ARMIES OF PEOPLE FOR

SCANNING. >> THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE.

>>. >> WE MET WITH THE CONSULTANT.

>> YOU COULD LOOK AT THAT OR MODERNIZE THE SYSTEM. IN MY MIND, I THINK PROCESSES EXIST IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS EXIST THAT DON'T HAVE YOU PRINT SOMETHING AND SIGN IT AND SEND

IT BACK OUT. >> I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE RULES WE HAVE A LOT OF BACKUP ATTACHED. I'M ON THE ERP BOARD WERE

TALKING ABOUT IT THIS WEEK. >> WILL LET US KNOW WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO COME UP WITH SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN COME OUT OF THIS.

WE MUST COME OUT OF THIS WITH MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEMS.

>> AND JUDGE, WHAT WE ARE DOING -- AND WE WORKED -- WE MEET WEDNESDAYS.

EVERY WEDNESDAY OUR CORE GROUP -- WERE TRYING TO GET TO A POINT WHERE PAYROLL WORKS.

AND THEN WE ARE TRYING TO STABILIZE TO GET EVERYTHING OVER AND DONE IS LIKE A NEW SHIP OR ANYTHING ELSE. ONCE YOU GET IT STABILIZED, THERE ARE GREAT THINGS YOU CAN PUT ON. FOR INSTANCE, MR. GARCIA AND I TALKED ABOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO SCHEDULE AND DO FOR TENS OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE OUT-OF-THE-BOX THAT WE CAN COME AND PUT IN. SO AGAIN, THESE ARE NOT EASY SYSTEMS TO PUT IN. WE FEEL CONFIDENT BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT GOES.

I WOULD SAY BY MIDSUMMER, WE WILL HAVE ABOUT SIX MONTHS INTO THE SYSTEM AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE STABLE LIKE THAT AND THEN WE WILL LOOK FOR THESE OTHER ITEMS. SOME OF THE SCANNING THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT LIKING DISTRICT 1ST, IS OTHER SYSTEMS OTHER THAN PEOPLESOFT. IT'S HISTORICAL RECORDS AND THOSE ARE OTHER TYPE OF SYSTEMS THAT PEOPLESOFT WILL FIX THAT. WE DO THINK THAT THEY DON'T TOUCH PAPER ANYMORE LIKE THE JP'S. PEOPLESOFT HAS THOSE FUNCTIONALITIES IN IT.

[05:25:03]

THE TREASURES BEEN GREAT AS FAR AS LEADERSHIP. WHEN ASKING QUESTIONS THAT WE MAY BE WORN ASKING. IN TRACK NOW.

>> I THINK THIS WILL BE A GREAT SYSTEM. IT SHOULD BE A LOT VISION.

I WAS BLOWN AWAY THAT WERE STILL USING THE SYSTEM AND ALL THE DINOSAUR SOFTWARE THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT. BUT IT IS A BEAR TO PUT IN. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S IN A HURRY TO GET THAT SWITCHED OUT. THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROJECT THAT MOST OF US OVERGROWN IN A FIVE OR SIX YEAR. PERIOD. IT'S NECESSARY AND NEEDED PERIOD.. THIS TIME WILL BE A MUCH BETTER PLACE.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WENT A LITTLE LONGER THAN

[Tax Office]

I EXPECTED. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO IN HELPING SERVE HARRIS COUNTY. THE LAST TIME I SAID BEFORE YOU AT THIS BUDGET HEARING, BEGAN MY PRESENTATION BY DESCRIBING A MONUMENTAL TASK OF REBUILDING. AFTER MULTIPLE WEATHER DISASTERS. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE MADE MUCH PROGRESS, BUT WE ARE STILL RECOVERING. THE TAX OFFICE HAS ONE LOCATION THAT IS NOT BEEN REOPENED DUE TO HARVEY. THE PLAN IS TO HAVE IT OPEN BY MAY 2020.

AS HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, WE ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE CUSTOMERS WE SERVE.

OUR GOAL IS TO MAINTAIN OUR HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE BY INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY AND IN OUR EMPLOYEES. AFTER ALL, HARRIS COUNTY IS THE MODEL FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> WE LISTENED TO OUR RESIDENTS -- WE LISTENED TO THE RESIDENTS THAT UTILIZE OUR SERVICES AND OUR EMPLOYEES. WHO INTERACT WITH THE PUBLIC. WE HAVE MADE SOME POSITIVE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WAY THAT WE DO BUSINESS AND SERVE THE PUBLIC.

TO NAME A FEW, WE HAVE INSTALLED A VIRTUAL QUEUING SYSTEM FOR THE BRANCH OFFICES WHICH ALLOW OUR CUSTOMERS TO HAVE A DEFINITIVE PLACE IN LINE WHILE REDUCING WAIT TIME.

OUR VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRATION TRAININGS ARE IN FOR DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

IN OUR BD OUR PARTICIPATION HAS INCREASED BY 54 PERCENT FROM THIS PAST YEAR WE HOSTED 33 WORKSHOPS THE MOBILE TOWNHALL MEETINGS THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE USING OUR RESOURCES WISELY TO SERVE THE PUBLIC EFFICIENTLY.

I'M GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO SERVE OUR RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

PARAGRAPH WITH THAT, I AM OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.

IN TERMS OF -- I KNOW WE HAD TALKED DURING THE -- THE WHOLE ISSUE OF WHETHER TO KEEP LINEBERGER OR TO CHANGE THAT OPERATION. HOW ARE THINGS GOING WITH YOUR OVERALL PROCESS WITH THAT VENDOR.

>> WE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE SERVICES. WE GOT A LOT OUT OF THEM THAT THE COUNTY DOESN'T -- OR WE ARE NOT REALLY ABSORBING ANY REAL COSTS.

>> OPERATIONALLY, EVERYTHING GOING WELL?

>> EVERYTHING GOING WELL. YES.

>> RESPONSE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS?

>> YES. >> ALL OF THAT IS GOING WELL?

>> ALL OF THAT IS GOING WELL. >> GOOD DEAL.

BECAUSE YOU ARE THE COUNTY FRONTLINE TO THE TO THE TAXES, THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT OUR

[05:30:11]

IS THAT WHAT -- WHAT WAS IT? >>.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY HARRIS COUNTY, WAS THE FIRST TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR THAT WAS NOT A VOTING MEMBER ON THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

-- >> BUT IT.

>>. >> BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

>> TO SERVE ON THE BOARD TODAY? >> ARE NOT ONLY SERVED ON THE

BOARD, BUT THE CHAIRMAN. >> EVEN AS A CHAIRMAN YOU ARE

NOT A VOTING MEMBER? >> NO.

THEY WON'T LET ME BE A VOTING MEMBER. I'D BE GLAD TO BE.

>> THAT BACK I'M JUST ASKING. YOU ARE STILL NOT A VOTING MEMBER?

>> RIGHT. AND WHO -- WHO MADE THAT DECISION?

>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THIS BODY ACTS WOW. INTERESTING.

SO IS THE BOARD CHAIRPERSON, YOU ARE NOT A VOTING MEMBER? INTERESTING.

I'LL PARK THAT FOR SECOND.

AND THAT WAS NOT A BUT WE TOOK THIS YEAR, RIGHT?

>> IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE LATIN -- THE LAST PHOTO WAS TAKEN AS I CAME INTO THE OFFICE IN 2017. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A 2016 BOAT.

>> GOT YOU. CATCH YOU. OKAY.

SO YOU'VE GOT ALMOST TWO YEARS BEING A NONVOTING MEMBER?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

I WILL PARK THAT FOR A SECOND. >> I HAVE DURING THIS WHOLE PROCESS OF UNDERSTANDING OUR TAX RATE AND HEARING A COMPLAINT THAT ARE CAN CITIZENS HAVE THEIR CONCERNED THAT WE WOULD RAISE THE RATE. THE NUMBER ONE THING I HEARD WAS THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT THAT APPRAISALS RUN AMOK. THERE'S A MAGICAL 10 PERCENT ON PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS EVERY YEAR THE CITIZENS DISAGREE WITH THAT THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GO OVER TO THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. IN PROTEST THE PROPERTY TAXES.

WHAT YOU SEE HAPPENING THAT MAGICALLY CREATES A CAN -- CONSISTS -- CONSISTENT INCREASE YEAR AFTER YEAR ON PROPERTIES -- ON PEOPLE'S PROPERTIES?

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT GOING OUT TO 290 IS A DISTANCE I SAID BEFORE I TOOK THIS OFFICE AND BEFORE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT, THAT I HAD THE SAME CONCERN.

THERE IS ONLINE -- THERE IS A WAY TO I FILE IN PROTEST YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

>> NO. I GET THAT. BUT MY QUESTION IS, IS THERE -- FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT, DO YOU SEE ANY -- IS THERE ANY UNDERSTANDING AS TO WHY PEOPLE'S PROPERTY ARE BEING INCREASED 10 PERCENT EVERY YEAR?

>> I THINK THAT'S PRETTY GENERAL COMMISSIONER.

>> ON AVERAGE IS 10 PERCENT. >> ON AVERAGE IS 10 PERCENT.

>> YES. >> AS YOU KNOW, THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT, THAT WE ALL BELONG TO INTERNATIONAL STATE AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

AND SO, THE STANDARDS ARE THERE, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYONE AT THE DISTRICT THAT INTENTIONALLY'S WANTS TO INCREASE PEOPLE PROPERTIES VALUES JUST FOR THE -- YOU KNOW JUST FOR THE EFFECT WE WERE CLOSELY WITH THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

IN HELPING EDUCATE ON HOW TO PROTEST.

>> YOU'RE DOING THAT WORK? >> YES.

>> GOOD DEAL. GOOD DEAL. ALL RIGHT.

I WAS JUST CURIOUS. ONE I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE STILL THE FIRST

[05:35:03]

AND TODAY, YOU ARE THE CHAIR OF THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND YOU'RE STILL A NONVOTING MEMBER. AND I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER IF WE HAD A WOMAN TAX ASSESSOR ASK IF YOU ALREADY WOMAN OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

>> WOW. AND THEY GAVE YOU THE DISTINCTION OF YOU BEING A NONVOTING MEMBER. INTERESTING. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR GOOD

WORK. >> YES.

>> YES, YOUR HONOR. I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THIS AFTERNOON WHY IT FELT SO DIFFERENT FROM THIS MORNING. IT WAS THIS MORNING WAS MISSING THAT ONLY COURT CAN PROVIDE.

>> WE BEEN HERE FOR ALMOST 12 MONTHS. IT WAS -- I'M EXPECTING TO SEE

MOTION BY YOU SOON. >> IN YOUR SECOND.

I APPRECIATE THAT. BECAUSE I ASSUME YOU VOTED FOR TAKING AWAY HER WROTE.

>> WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR SECOND.

>> I DON'T REMEMBER IT. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A MATTER OF TAKING AWAY ABOUT IF THERE WAS SOMEBODY WAS THERE. I BE DELIGHTED TO DISCUSS THIS LATER.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR BOMBASTIC REPERTOIRE.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE BOB MORE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS.

LEMANSKI ABOUT ON YOUR BUDGET REQUEST, THE REQUEST FOR -- AND WILL CIRCLE BACK ON THE OTHER RUSSIANS BUT PARTICULARLY ON VOTER REGISTRATION.

I SEE AND I HEARD YOU MENTIONED THE DVR TRAINING. MY QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU MEASURE THE NEW VOTERS THAT ARE REGISTERED? WHAT WILL YOU DO ALL MORNING -- (AUDIO LOST) --, VDVR I HAVE NOT REGISTERED ANYONE.

>> YOU HAVING? WITH THE HEAVEN. YOU GET THE PACKAGE AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE SO COMPELLED YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT AND THEN YOU DON'T GET AROUND TO IT.

(LAUGHING). >> OH, JUDGE.

WE'VE GOT TO GET YOU OUT. (LAUGHING).

>> LISTEN, WE -- MY DIVISION -- MY VOTER REGISTRATION DIVISION ISN'T VERY LARGE.

AND I WOULD LOVE FOR ALL OF YOU TO COME UP AND LET US GIVE YOU A TOUR.

>> I HAD INDICATED THAT WE INCREASED OUR DEPUTY VOTER REGISTER BY 50 -- 54 PERCENT AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.. WE HAVE 4581 4580 1VDRS BY STATE MANDATE FOR TRAINING.

IN THE LAW ONLY REQUIRES US TO DO ONE PER MONTH. AND THERE ARE COUNTIES THAT ONLY DO ONE PER MONTH. BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHAT PARTY, HAD THE RESOURCES TO GO OUT AND REGISTER FOLKS WHO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.

SO YES, WE'VE DONE HUNDRED 34 OUTREACH EVENTS WITH THE SMALL STAFF THAT WE HAVE, BUT I DO NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS ANY WAY THAT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU OF HOW MANY FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO ACTUALLY BE REGISTERED. THERE'S NO WAY FOR ME TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE ACTIVE. I KNOW WHO THOSE ACTIVE GROUPS ARE.

THEY COME TO US REGULARLY FOR TRAINING AND THEY REQUEST OUR HELP IN VOTER REGISTRATION

EVENTS. >> BULLETS CLEAR THAT IT HAS A GROWING NEED AND WILL HAVE TO WEIGH THEM AGAINST ALL OF THE REQUESTS AND THE FUNDING LIMITATIONS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. I AM CONCERNED ONLY VOTER REGISTRATION SIDE AND ANYTHING THAT YOU GUYS -- I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE OUT THERE, NONPARTISAN WITH BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO

[05:40:04]

WE ARE A DIVERSE COUNTY. I'VE BEEN TO A COUPLE OF NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES.

AND WE SHOULD GIVE EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE,TOO HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE.

>> WE DO. WE WORK WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN ABOUT 12 NONSERVICE GROUPS. ENDNOTES WHERE A LOT OF OUR RESOURCES COME FROM.

WE DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

I BE HAPPY TO HAVE YOUR ASSISTANCE AND I BE HAPPY FOR Y'ALL TO POST AND PUTTING SOME YOUR NEWSLETTERS ABOUT VOTER REGISTRATION, BUT ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THAT THE TAX OFFICE HAS A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR, 20 PERCENT OF EVERYONE IN HARRIS COUNTY LOSE EVERY YEAR. SO THE AVERAGE PERSON MOVES ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS.

WHEN THEY GO TO CHANGE THE VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION, THEY WAIT UNTIL THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. SO WHEN DID ECRU HAVE TO GEAR UP.

AND I HELPED WRITE THE SOFTWARE TO VALIDATE THAT A LITTLE BIT QUICKER.

BUT, WE ARE GOING TO MONITOR THIS QUICKLY. WE ARE GOING TO NEED SUPPORT AND ALL THAT AND WE NEED TO OBJECT ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN THE DEPARTMENT 20 ELECTION.

WE DO HAVE CHAPTER 13 MONEY BUT SOMETIMES THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TO GET THE JOB DONE ON TIME.

MY WORST FEARS YOU DON'T MAKE THE DEADLINES. ORGAN MAKE SURE THAT SINCE THAT WILL OCCUR THIS SUMMER TO CONTINUALLY BE IN CONTACT WITH THEM.

>> WE LOOK AT RATES OF OUR NUMBERS AND VOTER REGISTRANTS, YOU KEEP TRACK OF THAT, RIGHT? YOU RECEIVED THE APPLICATIONS. SO YOU KNOW CERTAINLY -- WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING.

THE VD LETTER VR PROGRAM -- ANYONE THAT WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS IMPORTANT ELECTION YEAR CAN. WE JUST WANT TO KNOW FROM MY EXPERIENCE IT MIGHT BE A PIECE OF IT, BUT I THINK IN TERMS OF IT MEASURING PROGRESS, WE ARE NOT KEEPING TRACK OF THE INCREASING REGISTRATIONS. AND SO, THAT'S JUST A FLAG THAT I HAVE.

BUT I'M EXCITED FOR THE FOCUS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO HEAR ABOUT THE PROGRESS AND APPRECIATE THIS TASK BEFORE YO .

>> IN TERMS OF ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS THAT -- AT LEAST A COUPLE PEOPLE THAT CAME AND SPOKE DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE DAY WERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL EXEMPTIONS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO THEM. WHAT DOES YOUR OFFICE DUE TO THE AVERAGE IN TERMS OF LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT EXEMPTIONS -- IF THERE QUALIFY FOR SENIOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS, VETERANS, DISABILITIES,

>> WE DO PROPERTY TAX WORKSHOPS ALL OVER THE COUNTY. WE TEAM UP WITH HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT, WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. WITH LINEBARGER, AND PURDUE.

WE GO INTO -- WE HAVE BEEN GOING INTO OUR OLDER COMMUNITIES LIKE THE BARRETT STATIONS, THE SUNNYSIDE AREA. ACTUALLY DOING A MOBILE WORKSHOP WILL BRING THE ENTIRE TAX OFFICE TO THE COMMUNITY. SO WE ARE SET UP WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY AND FOLKS WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT AND DON'T HAVE ONE OF THESE FANCY PHONES, DON'T HAVE THE INTERNE

. >> I'D LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU TO DO MORE OF THAT IN A PERSON. THANK YOU.

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

[Legislative Relations]

>> AND FINALLY, LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS. LAST BUT NOT LEAST.

[05:45:26]

>> LAST BUT NOT LEAST. GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS. I APPRECIATE BEING GIVEN THE LAST SPOT.

I STARTED THE DAY WITH ABOUT AN HOUR PRESENTATION BUT IN DEFERENCE TO THE BODY, I WHITTLED THAT DOWN SO WE CAN GET OUT OF HERE IF THAT'S OKAY (LAUGHING).

OUR OFFICE IS A UNIQUE CREATURE AMONGST THE COUNTY OFFICES. WE ARE THE OUTWARD FACING OFFICE, LOOKING AT STATE AND FEDERAL ISSUES. I THINK THAT THIS PAST YEAR, THERE WASN'T A MORE STARK EXAMPLE OF THE NEED FOR THE OFFICE AS ONE THE SPEAKER MADE COMMENTS ABOUT CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN THE ABILITY OF CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO BE A VOICE AT THE LEGISLATURE. YOU KNOW, GOING TO THE MUSICAL, HAMILTON, HAS TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN. SO WE LOOK AT THAT. AND WE SAY, THERE'S NO MORE IMPORTANT TIME FOR OUR OFFICE TO ENGAGE WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE NEWS OF THE COUNTY ARE. AND I THINK ONE THING PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THE MAIN FOCUS THAT WE HAVE IS TO LOOK AT STATE MANDATES AND TO MAKE SURE THE STATE IS NOT PUSHING DOWN MANDATES THAT CREATE UPWARD PRESSURE ON THESE BUDGET HEARINGS.

WE SAW A BILL LAST SESSION THAT IMPACTED ENGINEERING AND CAUSE THEM TO CREATE MORE FTES EVEN THOUGH WE TOLD THE LEGISLATURE WHAT THE IMPACT WAS GOING TO BE.

I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE DO AND BACK WHEN I STARTED DOING LEGISLATIVE WORK FOR COUNTIES, 15 YEARS AGO -- I STARTED AT 10 YEARS OLD (LAUGHING).

>> THEY CAME TO US AND SOUGHT OUT INFORMATION. AND THAT'S CHANGED.

IF YOU ARE NOT ACTIVELY ENGAGING AND LETTING THEM KNOW HOW COUNTIES OPERATE, THEN YOUR VOICE DOES NOT GET HEARD. QUITE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE FACED LAST SESSION WAS THIS COURT ASKED OUR OFFICE TO BE MORE ENGAGED THAN EVER BEFORE AND WE CERTAINLY HAD PROPERTY TAXES AS A HUGE ISSUE, FLOOD RESILIENCY AND FLOOD POLICY ISSUES OR HUGE ISSUES.

AND HARVEY BROUGHT NEW TERRITORY TO THE OFFICE. I WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO MENTION MY PREDECESSOR DONNA SHE REVOLUTIONIZED HOW WE ENGAGE WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND ON FEDERAL ISSUES PRIOR -- I BELIEVE THIS OFFICE HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED AS MUCH ON THE FEDERAL ISSUES. FOR THAT REASON WE DOUBLE AMOUNTS OF HEARINGS WE ATTENDED WE QUADRUPLE THE AMOUNT OF POSITIONS THAT WERE TAKEN OVER PREVIOUS YEARS AND AS YOU ALL KNOW, TAKING A POSITION YOU CAN'T DROP A CARD.

THEY WANT YOU TO WORK THE ISSUES AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT THE IMPACT OF THOSE BILLS WILL BE. WE ALSO DOUBLED THE PERCENTAGE OF BILLS TRACKED SINCE 2013 AND THAT'S WHY BILLS HAVE BEEN INCREASING AND FILED.

>> TO GO BACK AND TALK ABOUT THE STORY OF THE DEPARTMENT, IT'S BEEN UNDER A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT AREAS IT'S BEEN UNDER. IT'S BEEN UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THE JUDGE'S OFFICE. AND SO SOME OF THE STRUCTURE IS A LITTLE BIT -- IT'S -- SO I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THE NEXT PERMANENT DIRECTOR SHOULD BE COMING TO THE COURT TO DISCUSS IS RESTRUCTURING THE DEPARTMENT TO ALIGN ITSELF WITH THE DEMANDS THAT THE COURT HAS PLACED ON THE OFFICE.

>> THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, WE HAD TO GO ABOUT ON THAT DURING SESSIONS BUT I THINK THAT SOMETHING ELSE THAT NEEDS A LOOK AS WELL. IT NEEDS TO BE NIMBLE ENOUGH TO ALLOW US TO MOVE STRATEGICALLY, BUT ALSO TRANSPARENT ENOUGH THAT THE CITIZENS KNOW WHERE THE COUNTY STANDS ON LEGISLATIVE ISSUES. AND I THINK IT'S BEEN RIGHTLY POINTED OUT THAT AS WE ARE ENGAGING MORE IN FEDERAL ISSUES, WE NEED FEDERAL HELP.

WE LOOK AT OUR SIMILAR COUNTIES ACROSS THE NATION. AND YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT NOT JUST THE SIZE OF THE COUNTIES BUDDY -- BE AN INCORPORATED AREA AND THEIR ENGAGEMENT ON A FEDERAL LEVEL. SOME OF THOSE HAVE OFFICES COLOCATED -- SOME OF THEM HAVE

[05:50:08]

THAT'S A CRITICAL ISSUE AND WE WANT TO BE ENGAGED ON ALL LEVELS.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO WORK ON CRAFTING THEIR LEGISLATIVE REQUESTS AND COMMITTEE THAT YOU HAVE ASSIGNED FOR US TO WORK WITH SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THIS

BODY'S PLATFORM IS GOING WELL. >> IN TERMS OF THE FUTURE, IT'S AN INCREASE TO THE ACTIVE INTERIM ENGAGEMENT. I THINK THAT'S A BIG THING THAT THIS OFFICE NEEDS TO BE ABOUT IS GETTING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND ASSIST THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICES AND BEING PRESENT AND THAT IS A TRAVEL DEMAND ON THIS DEPARTMENT.

>> AND I THINK LASTLY I'LL SAY, WE, DURING THESE BUDGET HEARINGS I HEAR SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE AND I THINK IT'S OUR DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO HIGHLIGHT ALL OF THE GREAT STAFF WE HAVE ACROSS THIS COUNTY. WE HAVE EXPERTS THAT ARE BASICALLY GLOBAL EXPERTS IN SOME OF THESE ISSUES AND IT'S OUR JOB TO LET LEGISLATORS KNOW WHERE THEY CAN FIND INFORMATION RELATED TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND THAT WE ARE THE PLACE.

>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I HAVE ANOTHER 45 MINUTES OF MATERIAL BUT I WILL STAND DOWN

AND OPEN TO QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND I APPRECIATE YOU HOLDING THE FORT DOWN IN THE TRANSITION.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A NEW SESSION IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND I THINK WHEN I GOT HERE THERE WAS CONVERSATION THAT WE WOULD START A LITTLE LATE IN THE PROCESS.

ANY THOUGHTS TO WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE DOING AT THIS POINT?

>> THAT'S A FANTASTIC QUESTION. I THINK AS THE CALENDAR TURNS OVER, IT IS CRITICAL FOR US TO GET THAT LEGISLATIVE Ã LEGISLATIVE AGENDA WORKED OUT IMMEDIATELY.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A PLAN TO GET WORKING WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS AT A MUCH QUICKER PACE SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THOSE PROPOSALS IN FRONT OF YOU ALL FOR CONSIDERATION BIGGER. I THINK FINALLY, I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF CAPACITY TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE ITEMS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE TO GET BILLS THROUGH THE PROCESS QUICKLY. THOSE ARE THE THINGS I THINK WE

COULD LOOK AT. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. HOW DID YOU END UP AROUND THE LEGISLATURE, BY THE WAY.

>> BACK IN THE DAY, SOMEONE SAW FIT TO LET ME INTO AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT PERSON REGRETS THAT CHOICE OR NOT.

>> YOU ARE -- THE JURY IS STILL OUT (LAUGHING).

>> YES, SIR. >> I THINK YOU WERE HERE.

I CAN'T REMEMBER, THE POLICY USED TO BE -- I WAS WATCHING TV WELL IS TRYING TO GET MY LITTLE ENERGY BREAK BACK THERE. WHEN THE TAX ASSESSOR WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT BOARD, THE POLICY AROUND HERE USED TO BE YOU ALL COULD ONLY TAKE A POSITION ON A BILL IF IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. THAT POLICY PRECEDED ME.

>> HE PROCEEDED ME, TOO. AND SO, THEN WHEN I CAME THE POLICY CHANGED.

AM I RIGHT MS. JACKSON? AND SO IT HAD TO BE A MAJORITY VOTE OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

AND I REMEMBER THINKING WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE IT I WAS THINKING THAT'S NOT TOO SMART.

AND WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.

>> THE GOING TO ACCUSE YOU OF BEING BOMBASTIC.

>> WHEN IT MOVES SO FAST THIS IS NOT IN A BOMBASTIC SENSE COMMISSIONER CAGLE, BUT BECAUSE THINGS MOVE SO FAST, IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT AND WILL PROBABLY MEAN THAT EITHER WE HAVE TO BE MORE ALERT OR YOU'VE GOT HAVE SOME RESOURCES OR FIND SOMETHING TO GET AROUND THE

[05:55:04]

AND I DID NOT WANT US TO COMPROMISE. IT WOULD BE LIKE REVENUE CAPS.

IT WAS REPEALING THAT DEAL ON A -- ON THE FEES ON YOUR LICENSE TO GET A LITTLE MONEY FOR MORE TICKETS. BUT ON REVENUE CAPS, WE COULD TAKE A POSITION BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO CAVE TO QUICK. BUT THINGS COULD CHANGE. YOU GOTTA MAKE A DECISION.

SO WORK THAT INTO THE EQUATION AS WELL. I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU IN THE A BALL. BUT I SAID IT LIKE A DIGITAL RECORDING A NUMBER TIMES, THIS HEARING -- NOT THAT ISSUE, LISTEN. HAVE YOU -- HAVE YOU ALL BEEN ABLE TO WORK IT OUT SO THAT YOU COULD GET US TO SHOW A BIPARTISAN PACE FOR TOMORROW NIGHT? IS THAT STILL IN THE AIR.

>> I'M TRYING TO GET A DNR SHOW UP BEFORE THE JELL-O MEETING IN TEXAS SOUTHERN ARE NOT.

>> WE ARE STILL WORKING -- WAITING.

>> THIS ISSUE HERE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE -- I'M SINCERE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WE ALL WANT THE MONEY. BUT IF THERE'S ANY WAY -- OBVIOUSLY IT'S BETTER FOR WHOEVER TO GO TO GO WHENEVER THEY CAN GO. I HAVE A FRIEND THAT PASSED HIM TRYING TO HELP HIS FAMILY. I'LL JUGGLE MY SCHEDULE IF YOU CAN GET ONE OF OUR --

>> 6:00 O'CLOCK. >> TSU?

>> P.M. >> P.M. 6 TO 730.

>> I WILL JUGGLE IT. OR IF I CAN'T, JUDGE I KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE HERE.

I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD IF YOU TWO COULD HAVE A KUMBAYA MOMENT.

>> ARE WE OKAY TALK ABOUT THIS. >> IT'S A LEGISLATIVE MATTER.

>>. >> WE NEED KUMBAYA AHEAD OF

TOMORROW NIGHT. >>.

>> ONLY FOR THOSE FIVE MINUTES. >> COMMISSIONER, YURI ANSWERED

YOUR QUESTION. >>.

>> LET ME ASK MY QUESTION BECAUSE I DO HAVE A QUESTION. AND SO, MY QUESTION IS WE TALKED ABOUT THE NEED FOR OUTSIDE SUPPORT IN D.C.. TWO QUESTIONS.

WHAT'S THE LATEST ON THAT. AND THEN THE SECOND QUESTION IS HOW DOES YOUR PROPOSAL OR BUDGET COMPARED TO OTHERS SIMILARLY SIZED, SIMILARLY SITUATED COUNTIES ELSEWHERE.

>> SURE. GREAT QUESTIONS. ON THE FIRST QUESTION, WE ARE READY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT GETTING EXTRA FEDERAL HELP AND I'M READY TO WALK AROUND AND START DISCUSSING NOT RIGHT NOW. WE'VE DONE THE RESEARCH AND WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE AT A PLACE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. I THINK, AGAIN, RELATIVE TO SIMILARLY SITUATED COUNTIES THAT HAVE HIGH UNINCORPORATED AREAS THE MIAMI-DADE'S OF THE WORLD, AND THOSE COUNTIES -- A MILLION POPULATION AND THAT AREA.

WE OBVIOUSLY DOUBLE THAT. SO I WOULD SAY WE ARE WAY DOWN IN TERMS OF STAFFING NUMBERS RELATIVE TO THEM. LA COUNTY LOOKING AT 25 AND IT WHITTLES DOWN FROM THERE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAXIMIZE OUR RESOURCES. WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERS WE NEED TO BE MAXIMIZING RESOURCES TO BE EFFICIENT. I DO THINK THAT THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR SHOULD LOOK AT SOME GREATER CAPACITY ESPECIALLY LIKE WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID. THINGS ARE MOVING QUICKLY. AND THERE ARE DEMANDS ON THE

DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR TO BE HERE. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE -- YOU SAID THIS EARLIER. ONCE IT'S FINALIZED, THE PERMANENT DIRECTOR.

>> I DO THINK IT'S WORTH CHECKING. WE HAD SOME WINS AT THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUT WE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER. AND SO WHATEVER SET UP THAT MEANS, WE DON'T HAVE UNLIMITED FUNDS BUT IT WILL IMPACT THE BIG LOSS IS SESSION IS COSTING US HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OVER TIME WITH A 10 BILLION OVER 10 YEARS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT? SO I'M EAGER ONCE WE FINALIZE THE LONG-TERM DIRECTORSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE ANOTHER

LOOK. >> AT THE STRUCTURE.

WHETHER THAT MEANS DECENTRALIZED ACROSS DEPARTMENTS OR WHATEVER IT IS

[06:00:03]

>> ALL RIGHT. GUYS,

>> WE WILL HAVE TO REAPPLY IT. >> I MAY HAVE SAID THAT.

I'M TRYING TO CONVEY. >> I'M SORRY JUDGE.

I WAS OFF THE MIC. >> FIGURATIVELY.

IT WOULD BE QUITE HIGH. >> A MATURING FOLLOWING YOU.

>> YOU ARE SO TINY, JUDGE. I WILL TAKE THAT AS A COMPLIMENT.

IT'S 4:20 P.M. LET'S ADJOURN TODAY. COMMISSIONER YOU HAVE A

QUESTION? >> I MISSED PART OF THIS WHEN

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT VOTING. >> FIRST OF ALL, THE FIRST NONVOTING MEMBER WAS CARL SMITH. AND THEN IT BECAME MIKE SULLIVAN. SO MIKE SULLIVAN WAS THE VOTING MEMBER ONE AND BENNETT GOT ELECTED AND FOR WELL, I KNOW THAT SHE DID NOT WANT TO BE A VOTING MEMBER.

IF SHE WANTS TO BE A VOTING MEMBER IT JUST TAKES A VOTE OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

SHE NEEDS TO TELL SOMEBODY. IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

>> AND MR. BOMBASTIC, THAT'S WHY MOVED ON THAT. I'M WAITING FOR OR TO PROPOSE THAT. BUT I WANTED TO HEAR WHAT HER THOUGHTS WOULD BE ON THE.

>> SO THEN WHY DID YOU IMPLY THAT THERE WAS SOME SURREPTITIOUS EVIL PLOT AGAINST

HER? >> CAN WE.

>> THAT WAS NONESUCH. >> IF YOU HEAR IT AS SUCH,

MAYBE YOU FEEL IT AS SUCH. >> YOU WERE GOING WOW.

MAKING ALL THOSE NOISES. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THAT -- SHE'S NOT THE FIRST NONVOTING MEMBER.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD IT, BUT IF THERE'S ANY WAY -- I KNOW THEY WERE TRYING TO GET US TO SHOW A BIPARTISAN FACE AT THE HEARING TOMORROW NIGHT. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS SAY WE AGREE WITH YOUR RESOLUTION. IT WOULD BE A STRONG VISUAL.

>> LET ME ASK A QUESTION. MAY ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THAT?

>> GO AHEAD. >> IS KIND OF WEIRD THAT WE ARE GOING TO GO OVER THERE AND TRY TO INFLUENCE THE LEGISLATORS WHEN YESTERDAY YOU ALL RESCINDED THEIR RIGHT THAT YOU HAD BESTOWED UPON THEM EARLIER THIS YEAR.

SO, IN OTHER WORDS, WE WANT THEM TO HELP US, BUT YOU DID NOT WANT THEM INVOLVED YESTERDAY IN THE, YOU KNOW, THE HOUSING MONEY. I'M JUST THROWING OUT TO THAT I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO MEET THEIR BUT I MAKE A COMMENT. I DON'T THINK IT DID IS ANY GOOD YESTERDAY TO VOTE TO SAY HEY, WE DON'T WANT YOU IN OUR BUSINESS.

>> IS A VALID COMMENT AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM MY VANTAGE POINT OF SOMEONE THAT HAS SERVED YOU HAVE TO HAVE THICK SKIN. OBVIOUSLY, I WORK WITH PEOPLE, SOMETIMES I AGREE WITH THEM, SOMETIMES I DISAGREE WITH THEM. IT'S NOT EASY THERE OR HERE. ON THE ISSUE WHERE I AGREE WITH SOMEBODY, IF WE AGREE WITH ONE ANOTHER ON THIS AND I THINK MOST OF OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATIONS ON OUR SHARE OF THE MONEY. IF THEY DON'T I UNDERSTAND AND WE WON'T GET IT. BUT ON ISSUES WHERE WE AGREE, AT LEAST BASED ON MY 26 YEARS, YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT HOW PEOPLE HAVE VERY LITTLE IN COMMON IF IT'S SOMETHING THEY

AGREED ON WE WORKED IT. >> LET ALONE AGREE OR DISAGREE, WE ARE NEEDING FUNDS TO RECOVER POST HARVEY AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT FOLKS HAVE NOWHERE TO LIVE BECAUSE THEY WERE FLOODED FROM HARVEY AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THIS COUNTY BECAUSE OF BROKEN POLICY.

>> THESE RULES ARE COMING FROM THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. WE TRY TO GET OUR FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO HELP US. THESE ARE RULES COMING FROM THE LAND OFFICE NOT THE LEGISLATURE. THIS IS NOT A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE THIS IS THE LAND

OFFICE HAVING ITS EARRINGS. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET LEGISLATORS TO SHOW UP, HOPEFULLY I GUESS YOU WILL TRY TO ORGANIZE A LETTER FOR THEM TO WRITE BUT I BE SURPRISED IF ANYBODY, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, WOULD NOT AGREE THAT WE OUGHT TO GET SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO THAT BILLION DOLLARS THAT OUR PARTISAN FEDERAL DELEGATION THOUGHT THE CITY AND COUNTY AND THEY SENT US THE MONEY.

>> I'M GOING TO BE IN AUSTIN I'M PLANNING TO GO SEE THEM.

>> THAT'S GOOD. THANK YOU

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.