Dec 16, 2019 Commissioners Court Budget Hearing

[Call to Order]

[00:00:05]

>>CHAIR: IT'S 9:02 A.M. ON DECEMBER 16 I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE HEARING TO ORDER.

BEFORE WE START, WE HAVE NOT MET SINCE LAST TUESDAY, I GUESS, AND THAT WAS RIGHT BEFORE THE DEATH OF SERGEANT SULLIVAN. I DO WANT US TO HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HER HONOR. IT WAS AN ENTRANCE -- INCREDIBLY TRAGIC DEATH AND ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT DEATH OF ANOTHER POLICE OFFICER.

SO LET'S OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANKS AGAIN TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO EACH DAY. TODAY WE ARE GOING TO BE HEARING FROM THE HARRIS CENTER COUNTY CLERK ENGINEERING AND FPM TOLL ROAD FLOOD CONTROL COMMUNITY SERVICES, JUVENILE PROBATION PROTECTIVE SERVICES CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER, POLLUTION CONTROL, UNIVERSAL

[Public Comment (Part 1 of 2)]

WE HAVE SOME PUBLIC COMMENTS MEZA, GREGORY TROTSKY AND DAVID GARCIA.

>> GOOD MORNIN. >> MY NAME MEZA.

THE FIRST THING I DID WAS I TOOK METRO AND. AND ON THE ONE AWAY, I ENJOYED IT. A COUPLE THINGS ABOUT THE BUDGET I WISH TO ADDRESS.

NUMBER ONE, MAYBE THE THING WE NEED TO LOOK AT AS A COUNTY IS ZERO-BASED BUDGETING.

START FROM SCRATCH EACH YEAR AND SEE WHERE THINGS NEED TO BE PAID FOR.

SECONDLY, THIS SUGGESTION ALSO OCCURS WITH THE NORTH HOUSTON HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

MAYBE HECTOR SHOULD SELL THE PARTY TOLLROAD RIGHT AWAY FROM NOSTALGIA, DOWNTOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE JUNCTION AT 45 AT THE COUNTY LINE TO TEXDOT AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE I40 5/4 OR SOME OF THEM COULD BE MOVED TO THE HARDY CORRIDOR AND THEN THERE WOULD NOT BE AS MUCH RIGHT-OF-WAY TAKING ALONG THE OLD I40 5/4 AS WE KNOW NOW.

SATURDAY I WAS AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY DOING THINGS FOR REACH ACROSS AMERICA.

I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THE COUNTY AND -- THEY SHARE PARKING RIGHT.

BUT MY THING IS AND IT'S PART OF EVERYBODY'S BUDGETING, IS ALL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAD BUSES THERE. MY THING IS -- AND THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT -- IS THERE'S TIMES WHEN BUSES ARE NEEDED. BUT MAYBE INSTEAD OF EACH COMMISSIONER HAVING HIS OWN BUSES, MAYBE THIS IS THE TYPE OF SERVICE THAT NEEDS TO BE CHARTED OUT? I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER THING THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.

MAYBE ONLY COUNTY DEPARTMENTS EACH HAVE AN AUDIT AND BEST PRACTICES FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE NATION AND SEE WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN APPLY TO THE COUNTY.

MAYBE THINGS IN CORPUS CHRISTI. THEY HAVE METRO CALL TO WHERE YOU CALL 911 AND THE CLOSEST AVAILABLE UNIT, COUNTY OR CITY, GETS TO THE SCENE AND THEY PAY THE BILLS LATER.

CONSIDERING OUR CRAZY BOUNDARY LINES, THAT MAY BE THE POSSIBILITY.

>> SOME THINGS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO GO TO FOR COUNTY EVENTS MAY BE MIGHT BE BETTER OFF GOING WITH METRO, GIVING PEOPLE CUE CARDS INSTEAD OF TAKING A COUNTY VEHICLE.

I WOULD BE WILLING TO HELP THE COURT WITH THAT WITH MY KNOWLEDGE METRO.

LASTLY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT OCCUR IN SOME OF THE -- LIKE THE SPRING BRANCH MULTI SERVICE FOR THE COUNTY. INSTEAD OF THE COUNTY PAYING FOR WHY CAN'T THE CHARITIES PAY FOR IT? WE GOT CHARITIES. WE'VE GOT MILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS MAY BE FOR FIVE YEARS DON'T BUILD BUILDINGS. MAYBE GIVE THE MONEY TO AREAS IN THE COUNTY THAT NEEDED AND THEN --'S TO THE PERSON.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. >> GREGORY TROTSKY AND DAVID GARCIA. ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO SPEA ?

[The Harris Center]

[00:05:04]

>> ALL RIGHT. LET'S GET STARTED THEN WITH THE HARRIS CENTER.

THAT'S GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> I'M JOHN AND I WILL TRY TO BE BRIEF. I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE BEFORE I TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE NUMBERS. SOMETIMES OUR LINES OF SIGHT DO NOT CROSS MUCH GIVEN THAT WE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE COUNTY. WE HAVE SLIDES TOWARD OUR STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVES. OUR YEAR IS SEPTEMBER TO AUGUST SO IT DOES NOT ALIGN TO YOUR FISCAL YEAR. SOMETIMES THE TIMEFRAMES BECAUSE OF MISALIGNMENT.

WE HAVE AN ACHIEVEMENT OF 21 OF OUR 26 PRIORITIES WHICH WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE HAD A CONCRETE STRATEGIC PLAN IN QUITE SOME TIME.

OUR PLAN REVOLVES AROUND SIX PRIORITIES THAT ARE BOARD, WHO YOU APPOINT, SAID FOR US WITH REGARD TO INNOVATION IT WAS DESIGNATED AS A HOPE CENTER. THERE'S LESS THAN 75 NATIONALLY AND WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THAT DESIGNATION.

>> A FEW MONTHS AGO WE ARCHERY -- ACHIEVED ACCREDITATION. THE LEAD SURVEYOR SAID WE WERE ONE OF THE TOP THREE ORGANIZATIONS AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

ON BEHALF OF OUR EMPLOYEES RECEIVE RECOGNITION OF ONE OF THE TOP 20 -- 25 HEALTHCARE INNOVATORS. ACCESS IS ANOTHER PRIORITY. WE HAVE 14 NEW CARE LOCATIONS.

ALMOST ALL OF US ARE SCHOOL-BASED. MOST OF THEM ARE SCHOOL-BASED.

OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WE'VE INCREASED THE POPULATION BY 10 PERCENT.

WE SERVED OVER THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY NOT INCLUDING THOSE WE SERVE THROUGH THE JAIL IN THE CONTRACT. WE HAVE EXTENDED OUR HOURS THAT ARE FOR LOGIX -- LARGEST CLINICS TO BE OPEN ON SATURDAYS. THEY'RE OPEN ON SATURDAYS.

>> THROUGH INTEGRATIVE CARE WE'VE OPENED A COUPLE OF LOCATIONS WHERE WE HAVE PHYSICAL HEALTHCARE INTEGRATED IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE DIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO INCREASING THE LOCATIONS THIS YEAR.

WE WERE RECOGNIZED BY TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IN THE HEALTH COUNCIL AS A BEST PRACTICE FOR INTEGRATING MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. FROM A QUALITY STANDPOINT WE HAVE A SCORECARD WITH OVER 60 ITEMS THAT WE RECOGNIZING REGULARLY TO IDENTIFY HER PROGRESS.

WE'VE CASCADED THOSE SCORECARDS TO A UNIT LEVEL. WE'VE HAD A LARGE IMPACT WITH THE COALITION AND OFFICER REMOTE EVALUATION, WHICH I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT.

THAT'S A REQUEST THAT WE HAD. IT HAS HAD A LARGE IMPACT AND I'LL COVER THAT IN MORE DETAIL.

>> FOUR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE THIS IS ONE THAT IS BEST LEFT FOR OTHERS TO SPEAK TO BUT WE'VE INCREASED OUR FORMAL ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS FROM 23 UNIVERSITIES TO 32 IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. ON BEHALF OF OUR 2400 EMPLOYEES I ACCEPTED THE JUSTICE AWARD.

WE ALSO STRIVE TO BE THE ORGANIZATION OF CHOICE FOR THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AS WELL AS THOSE WHO WORK FOR US. WE'VE REDUCED OUR DAYS -- POSITION BY 10 PERCENT.

REDUCED TO VOLUNTARY TURNOVER BY 20 PERCENT. INCREASED OUR PATIENT SATISFACTION BY SIX PERCENT. SO WITH THAT, TALK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS RELATED TO OUR BUDGET. THE FORMS ARE DIFFERENT. YOU ARE AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR BUDGET YOU REPRESENT ABOUT 17 OR 18 PERCENT.

THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF OUR DOLLAR ZONE DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTY FUNDS.

REMEMBERING SOME OF YOU AS WE HAVE TALKED IN THE PAST, THERE ARE TWO MAIN PARTS OF THE BUDGET THAT THE COUNTY CONTRIBUTES TO. THE FIRST IS ALLOCATED FUNDS WHERE YOU TAKE DOLLARS AND GIVE IT TO US AND PRIMARILY 75 PERCENT OF THE FUNDS THAT THE COUNTY ALLOCATES TO US, GO TO EITHER OPERATING OR THE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. AND IT ALSO GOES TO MATCH THE INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC MEDS. SO THE STATE GIVES THE BULK OF THOSE FUNDS IN THE COUNTY GETS ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT AS A MATCH. THE REST ARE ALLOCATED ACROSS SMALL DEPARTMENTS AND OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES WE APPRECIATE THOSE.

[00:10:05]

>> THERE IS A REQUEST OF ABOUT $335 -- 30,000 INCREASE. THAT COMES IN THE FORM PRIMARILY OF WAGE INCREASES AND MARKET ADJUSTMENT TO SALARIES TO TRY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.

I WILL SAY THAT OFTEN TIMES THE COUNTY WILL LOOK AT WAGE INCREASES ACROSS THE BOARD AND DO THAT SEPARATE FROM THE ROUTINE BUDGET PROCESS BUT RECOGNIZING THAT AS OUR EMPLOYEES ARE NOT COUNTY EMPLOYEES, THOSE ACROSS-THE-BOARD RAISES NEVER MAKE IT TO US SO WE INCLUDE IN HERE AS A SEPARATE PART OF THAT REQUEST.

WE DID HAVE A THIRD PARTY HELP US WITH THAT EFFORT. WE WANTED SOMEONE TO OBJECTIVELY TELL US WHERE WE WERE ADDED THEY THOUGHT THAT WE WERE BEHIND AND SO WE TOOK STEPS TO TRY AND INCREASE THAT. THE OTHER -- THE BOTTOM HALF OF THAT SHEET THAT TALKS ABOUT OUR REQUESTED BUDGET, IT'S IN THE FORM OF CONTRACTING SERVICES. THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE SPECIFIC DISTINCT CONTRACT AND WE PROVIDE SERVICES AT YOUR DIRECTION AND ON YOUR BEHALF.

THERE'S A 1.8 MILLION INCREASE IN THOSE CATEGORIES. IT BREAKS DOWN INTO FOUR MAIN PARTS. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION HIS WAGES THE TOP HALF WAS RELATED TO ALLOCATED FUNDS THIS IS RELATED TO CONTRACTED SERVICES. IT'S IMPORTANT -- I MENTIONED THAT REALIZING THAT REALLY YOU ARE ABOUT 17 TO 18 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WORK IN PROJECTS RELATED TO HARRISON COUNTY AND IF WE HAVE A SERVICE COORDINATOR, AS AN EXAMPLE, WHO MAKES A CERTAIN AMOUNT AND WE GIVE THEM AN INCREASE, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GIVE AN INCREASE TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO WORKS FOR DIFFERENT PROGRAM BUT IN A SAME ORGANIZATION. WE HAVE MANY OF THOSE THAT WERE THE CASE RELATED TO OUR CONTRACTED SERVICES. WE ADDITIONALLY HAVE INCLUDED FUNDS TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL PROVIDERS AT THE JAIL, BOTH IN TERMS OF FRONT DOOR. IF YOU LOOK AT THE FRONT DOOR THAT'S ONE OF THE PRIMARY PLACES OR BECOMES A BACKLOG AS WE GET TRIAGED IN.

AS WELL AS THERE WAS A NEED YOUR APPROVAL FOR THE ADDITION OF ANOTHER COMPANY'S -- COMPETENCY EVALUATOR. WE DO MOST OF THE EVALUATIONS FOR THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND SO WE HAD FAR EXCEEDED THE VOLUME OF COMPETENCY EVALUATIONS THEY WERE BEING CONTRACTED FOR SO MIDYEAR YOU APPROVE THAT. THAT INCREASE IS BUILT INTO THAT REQUEST. WE ALSO HAVE A REQUEST FOR A FEW ADDITIONAL STAFF.

THE JAIL ACCREDITATION GROUP INCREASED THEIR REQUIREMENTS TO REQUIRE THAT NOW AN INDIVIDUAL MUST BE SEEN FACE-TO-FACE WITHIN 24 HOURS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SO WE HAD THE STAFFING TO ACCOMMODATE THAT. WE WERE CLOSE TO THAT THE BIGGEST EXCEPTION CAME DURING THE WEEKENDS. WE DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH STAFF.

>> AND THEN FINALLY, AS YOU HAVE PROBABLY HEARD FROM COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, WE INCREASE THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FROM SIX EVENTS TO 100 BEDS.

SO THERE'S FUNDS TO OFFSET THOSE COSTS.

>> ARE THREE ITEMS THAT ARE LISTED AS NEW OR PROPOSED SERVICES.

THE FIRST IS THE CLINICIAN REMOTE PROGRAM. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN REGULAR PATROL DEPUTIES AND PROVIDED THEM WITH A TABLET WHERE WHEN THEY RESPOND -- DISPATCH BY 91 WERE PART OF THE CALL -- THEY CAN USE THE TABLET AND CONNECT DIRECTLY TO A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICIAN OF HOURS REMOTELY FROM THE FIELD. I'VE GOT A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF A GENTLEMAN SITTING ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK IN THE PARKING LOT AND IS GETTING AN EVALUATION TO HELP THE OFFICER DECIDE TO SEE NEED TO GO TO MPC CAN WE PROVIDE SUPPORT AS HER MOBILE CRISIS TEAM NEED TO COME OUT? IS IT NOTHING RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND IT'S REALLY A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SITUATION? CURRENTLY THE PILOT HAS 20 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THOSE TABLETS. OUR PROPOSALS WOULD EXPAND THOSE FROM 20 TO 100 AND THEN YOU ADD THOSE WITH THE TEAMS. WE HAVE 20 TEAMS WERE THOSE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS ARCO RESPONDERS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY RIDE IN THE CARS.

THAT'S A 1 TO 1 RATIO. THEY ARE MARRIED TOGETHER IN THAT CAR FOR THE SHIFT.

IN THIS SCENARIO WE ARE ABOUT 1 TO 16 RATIO. OUR CLINICIANS CAN SUPPORT MORE DEPUTIES AND MORE OFFICERS AS THEY GO INTO THE FIELD. WE'VE GOT THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS IN THE ARNOLD FOUNDATION EVALUATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN. THEY SHOW A DECREASE IN COST AND AN INCREASE IN TRIAGE CALL IT DECREASE IN TIME ON CALLS. THE DEPUTIES WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR ONE OF THE CERT TEAMS TO SHOW UP WERE NOW THEY CAN GET SOMEONE ON THE TABLET TO COME THROUGH.

I MENTIONED A COMPLETE EVALUATION TALK ABOUT A COUPLE MONTHS.

[00:15:05]

I'M TALKING ABOUT HERE FOR TWO REASONS ONE IS IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY BECAUSE IT INVOLVES US DIRECTLY IN THE SECOND REASON IS BECAUSE I WANTED TO ASSURE YOU THAT THAT PROJECT AND PROPOSAL WAS DEVELOPED IN CONCERT WITH US AND I FULLY SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL. HE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT THIS AFTERNOON.

THE THIRD THING THAT'S ON HERE AND IT'S ON THE AGENDA FOR COURT TOMORROW, THAT IS THE 16-22 EVALUATIONS. AS YOU KNOW IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION DATE CREATED A MANDATE. ANYBODY WITH A REASONABLE BELIEF THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS, MAGISTRATES CAN ORDER MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION -- IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN AN EVALUATION AND A REVIEW. WE TOOK THAT DISCUSSION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL. THAT COUNSELS SMALL -- FORMED A SMALL WORKGROUP TO COME UP WITH PROPOSALS. THE WORKGROUP TOOK THEM BACK TO THE COUNCIL WHERE IT WAS APPROVED TO BE FORWARDED ON. JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION WILL PRESENT THAT.

TO BE CLEAR, I WILL GO INTO EFFECT FOR PART OF THIS YEAR. THE REMAINING TIME PERIOD FOR THIS YEAR BUT WTTW.COM/COMMENTS IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY INCLUDED THAT SO YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE FOR THAT NEXT YEAR.

THOSE ARE ALL THE COMMENTS I HAVE PREPARED BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> YOU DO A GOOD JOB. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> CURIOUS, WILL ARM -- YOU ARE COMMISSIONED TO -- IN ANOTHER COUNTY IN THE STATE AROUND THE COUNTRY I GUESS I'M JUST WONDERING HOW WILL WE ALL -- WHERE WE STAND COMPARED TO

WHATEVER WOULD BE UP HERE. >> SO, IT IS TRICKY.

I WILL SAY FIRST AND I SAID OFTEN WHEN I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCES AND ALLOCATION.

I DON'T KNOW ANY COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY THAT WOULD SAY THEY HAVE ADEQUATE RESOURCES.

RIGHT NOW, OFFICIALLY, IN THE LAST RANKING THAT WAS PUT OUT TEXAS RANKS 49TH.

THEY DISCOVERED THAT THEY DID NOT COUNT OF THE MEDICAID SPENDING.

IF YOU DO SOME KIND OF THE BACK OF THE NAPKIN MATH WE SPEND BETWEEN 35TH AND 40TH AND MENTAL HEALTH SPENDING. I WILL SAY OUR LEGISLATURE, THE LAST FOUR SESSIONS HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK TO IMPROVE THAT. KUDOS TO THEM BUT WE LACK PRETTY FAR BEHIND.

THAT'S ON A NATIONAL LEVEL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT ON A TEXAS PERSPECTIVE, WE -- WHEN I GOT HERE TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE LAST IN PER CAPITA FUNDING. TODAY, WE SAID -- THERE ARE 39 COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND WE SAID IT 36 AND FUNDING. WE ARE NOT LAST.

I THINK THEY INTENTIONALLY DID THAT SO I WOULD QUIT SAYING WE ARE LAST, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. AND THE -- PART OF THE CHALLENGE AND JUST KINDA BE COMPLETED MY DESCRIPTION, IN THE CONVERSATION WE TAKED ABOUT BEING ABOVE OR BELOW THE LINE AND THAT'S THE LINE OF WHAT THE AVERAGE FUNDING IS. IF YOU WANTED TO GET US TO THE AVERAGE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE ALL THE FUNDS FROM THE SMALLEST 22 COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS AND GIVE IT TO US JUST GET US TO AVERAGE. AND THEN THEY WOULD NOT EXIST SO WE WOULD STILL BE BELOW THE AVERAGE. SO, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY

ARE TRYING TO RECONCILE. >> THE LEGISLATURE HAS APPROPRIATED. THEY DO HAVE A DISPROPORTIONALITY PIECE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO USE IN THE FORMULA TO TRY TO SLOWLY BRING THE BELOW THE LINE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS UP TO THE AVERAGE. ALTHOUGH THAT IS A LONG PROCESS AND IT WILL TAKE TIME FOR US TO GET THERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR -- I THINK ESPECIALLY THE WAS SOME PORTIONS OF YOUR BUDGET SUBMISSION THAT WERE EXEMPLARY IN MY MIND, THE WAY YOU PRESENTED YOUR OBJECTIVES AND -- IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN WITH MEASURABLE GOALS AND REALISTIC GOALS. ONLY SIX -- ONLY SIX GOALS MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES REALLY WELL DONE AND AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ONLY TO TRY AND COME UP WITH THOSE CONCRETE GOALS AND REALISTIC MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES.

AND THEN THIS PROGRAM THAT YOU ARE PRESENTING, THE CORE PROGRAM, IT SEEMS TO --

[00:20:08]

I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO. AND I KNOW THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A BIG PRIORITY FOR ME AS WELL SO I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINU TO WORK WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE FEEDBACK. I WILL SAY A LOT OF THIS STARTS WITH GOVERNORS AND LEADERSHIP.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR APPOINTEES TO OUR BOARD THEY DRIVE US AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE US TOWARD EXCELLENCE. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

>> SO, I GUESS THE EASIEST WAY FOR YOU TO GET SOME LEVEL OF PARITY WITH PEERS IN OTHER STATES IS THROUGH MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> MEDICAID EXPANSION WOULD HELP PARTICULARLY WITH OUR POPULATION WHICH TENDS TO BE LOW INCOME UNSTABLE IN EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING AT TIMES.

SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS WOULD HAVE A -- COMPARED TO THE GENERAL POPULATION WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID AT A HIGHER RATE BECAUSE OF THE DEPTH AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THEIR ILLNESS

AND CONDITION. >> I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON SO I DO NOT WANT TO TIE SOME BUT I'D LIKE TO VISIT WITH MY STAFF SO THAT IN THIS PERIOD BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE GOES BACK IN SESSION, WE CAN THINK OF WAYS TO HIGHLIGHT THAT.

IT'S ONE THING THAT WE SAY TO EACH OTHER, BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW WE GET IT OUT THERE IN THE STRATOSPHERE SINCE IT'S UNLIKELY.

>> ORGAN HAVE SEVERE BUDGET PROBLEMS WHEN THEY GO BACK. AND I WOULD SOON IN TERMS OF THE AREA THAT HAS POLITICAL CLOUT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AREA -- BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, WILL BE ONE THAT CARRIES A LOT OF POLITICAL CLOUT.

AND THAT HAS -- IS SUCH A LOGICAL WAY. WE HAVE GIVEN UP ON THAT A LOT OF WAYS EVEN WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN. BUT WE OUGHT TO THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT HOW TO RAISE THAT INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING IT GO BY.

IT'S DURING THE INTERIM THAT IT'S TIME TO RAISE IT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE THE

MONEY WOULD COME FROM. >> I WILL ALSO ADD IF I CAN IN ADDITION TO YOUR COMMENT ANOTHER CRITICAL ISSUE IS -- THAT I THINK IS COMING QUICKLY TO US IN THE INTERIM IS THE POTENTIAL LOSS OF THE 11-15 WAIVER.

THAT IMPACTS ALL OF HEALTHCARE. $3 BILLION ACROSS THE STATE. WHAT I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE REALIZE IS THAT 30 PERCENT OF THE BUDGETS ARE FROM THE WAIVER.

AND SO IF YOU IMAGINE 30 PERCENT OF THE LIMITED EXISTING PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES GOING AWAY THAT WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC.

>> AND THAT'S A LESS POLITICAL PRESSURE THAT DID THE EXPANSIO .

SO WE END UP. >> EXACTLY.

>> ALONG WITH FLORIDA WE END UP WITH ONE OF THE STATES OUT THERE BY OURSELVES NEEDING THE

WAIVER. >> EXACTLY.

>> THANK YOU. >> ONE LAST THING, CAN YOU TELL US WHERE WE STAND RIGHT NOW -- I WORKED LAST WEEK ON THE FINANCING DEPARTMENT SO WE THINK WE'VE GOT THAT TAKEN CARE OF, BUT WHERE DO YOU SEE THAT?

>> SO I THINK WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF TEAS TO BE CROSSED AND EYES STARTED TO GET THOSE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND US TO THE CORE IN OUR RESPECTIVE GOVERNING BODIES. WE HAD HOPED THAT IT MIGHT MAKE IT TO THE AGENDA TOMORROW FOR COURT. IT DID NOT. WE ARE HOPING FOR JANUARY FOR ALL THREE OF THOSE BODIES TO REVIEW THOSE AGREEMENTS AND BE ABLE TO GET THOSE SIGNED SO THAT WE CAN KICKOFF THE IMPLEMENTATION.

>> IT WILL BE ABOUT A 12 MONTH IMPLEMENTATION. IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME BUT WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT AND INTEREST IN THIS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL.

>> COUNTY CLERK. >> SO THEY'VE ADDED SOME FUNDS TO MENTAL HEALTH, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> WE ARE 18 -- WE PUT UP 18. >> YES.

>> MR. JACKSON, THEY DID PUT THE SALARY IN THE ITEM.

>> IN THE RIGHT OF. >> NO.

NOT IN THE INCREASE BECAUSE OF -- THEY PUT IT IN THEIRS AND BASICALLY FROM THE COUNTY, THEY GET KIND OF A SHOTGUN APPROACH WHICH IS ABOUT $20 MILLION BUT THEN THEY ALSO BILL US.

THE BIG TICKET ITEM IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE A $2 MILLION INCREASE.

>> I'M ABOUT TO ASK -- DONE, WE CAN SKIP -- RIGHT.

[Engineering & FPM]

[00:25:03]

>> DID -- ARRIVE. SO WE WILL TAKE UP THE COUNTY ENGINEER THAT -- THEN.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JOHN ON THE COUNTY ENGINEER FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

AS A REMINDER THE POSITION OF COUNTY ENGINEER IS A STATUTORY POSITION.

I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE ENGINEERING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND ANSWER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS REQUESTING A BUDGET OF 97.5 MILLION. THE SAME AS LAST YEAR'S BUDGET. THE MASK FISCAL YEAR OUR EXPENDITURES ARCS PRESENT -- PROJECTED TO BE 108 3,000,003.3 MILLION OVER OUR REQUESTED BUDGET. WE WILL PAY FOR THE EXTRA EXPENSES WITH OUR ROLLOVER FUNDS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2010 AND BECAME DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE COUNTY EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL SHORTFALLS THAT RESULTED IN BUDGET CUTS AND HAVING TO REDUCE OUR STAFF BY 15 PERCENT.

AT THE TIME SALARY AND FRINGE COST REPRESENTED OVER 80 AT THE TIME SALARY AND FRINGE COST REPRESENTED OVER 85 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET. THAT EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME A VALUABLE LESSON AND ONE I CONTINUE TO BE MINDFUL WHEN SPENDING COUNTY FUNDS.

I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE FOR THE 10TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR ENGINEERING WILL FINISH THE YEAR UNDER BUDGET. OUR PROJECTED FISCAL YEAR 20 EXPENSES ARE 92.6 MILLION WERE -- 4.9 MILLION UNDER BUDGET. THIS YEAR 24.2 MILLION OR 26 PERCENT OF OUR EXPENSES ARE DEPENDENT ON VARIABLES BEYOND MY CONTROL. THESE INCLUDE LEASE PAYMENTS, TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE REPAIRS AND FACILITY UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE.

FURTHERMORE, THESE EXPENSES CONTINUE TO GROW AT A FASTER PACE THAN OTHER EXPENSES.

WE WERE ASKED TO EVALUATE ITEMS THIS YEAR INCLUDING ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY TASK DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES, ZERO-BASED BUDGETING, ROLLOVER AS WELL AS OTHER DATA DIFFERENT METRICS. THE ENGIRS WORK TASKS TO MINIMI REDUNDANCY AND DISCONTINUE PROCESSES THAT ARE NO LONGER NEEDED. WE CURRENTLY OUTSOURCE MANY SKILL SETS. INCLUDING WATER, PLAN TO DESIGN WASTEWATER TREATMENT DESIGN AND OTHER SUCH ITEMS. BUT DUE TO A VERY LARGE DEMAND IN OUR SERVICES, THIS YEAR, WE WILL OUTSOURCE OUR CORE COMPETENCY, WHICH IS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT. THIS TYPE OF OUTSOURCING TYPICALLY COSTS AT LEAST THREE TIMES WHAT ACTUAL COUNTY EMPLOYEES TOTAL COMPENSATION COSTS ARE.

OUR CHALLENGE IS TO FIND, HIRE, TRAIN AND RETAIN QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT 244 OF OUR 659 OCCUPIED PCNS OUR NEW HIRES OF LESS THAN TWO YEARS COUNTY SERVICE. THAT'S APPROXIMATELY 37 PERCENT OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN WITH US LESS THAN TWO YEARS. THIS STATISTIC IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT SINCE IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS TO FULLY TRAIN A ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECT MANAGER.

WE HAVE AN INCREASED WORKLOAD BY OUR MAIN CLIENTS, THE CORE MEMBERS AS WELL AS TAKING ON HALF $1 BILLION WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT BOND PROGRAM AT APPROXIMATELY $350 MILLION IN CST ACTIVITIES. TODAY'S YOUNG GRADUATES ARE LESS INTERESTED IN RETIREMENT PLANS AND HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS BUT RATHER FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES, AND SALARIES TO PAY OFF LARGE SCHOOL DEBT. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF STRUGGLING TO COMPETE FOR QUALIFIED PERSONNEL WITH NONCOMPETITIVE SALARIES, THIS COURT RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND AUTHORIZED PAY INCREASES THAT NOW ALLOW US TO OFFER MARKET LEVEL PAY.

HOWEVER, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. UNFORTUNATELY, TODAY, WHEN WE SEE A NEW GRADUATE, WE CAN MATCH THEIR PAY AND THE NEXT THING ASK IS SO YOU HAVE 40 WORKWEEKS LIKE THE REST OF THE ENGINEERING COMMUNITY? NO.

>> YOU GIVE BONUSES? >> NO.

THANK YOU. WILL GO TO THE NEXT ONE. AND THEY WILL WORK OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT SERVICE. I'M NOT PROMOTING THAT WE DO BONUSES, BUT WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES AND OTHER THING TO ATTRACT NEW GRADUATES.

>> WE RECENTLY HIRED OUR OWN IN-HOUSE RECRUITER AND ARE WORKING WITH SEVERAL OUTSIDE

[00:30:01]

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 117 OPEN POSITIONS, WHICH REPRESENTS PROXIMALLY 15.3 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL FULL-TIME PCNS. WE HAVE TARGETED TO FILL ANYONE POSITIONS THIS YEAR.

TRADITIONALLY, TAKES 2 TO 3 MONTHS TO ADVERTISE, INTERVIEW AND HIRE AN EMPLOYEE AND THEN WE START THE TRAINING PROCESS. IN FISCAL YEAR 18, WE IMPLEMENTED DE BILLER SYSTEM WHICH WAS SELECTED MAINLY FOR ITS INTEGRATION WITH PEOPLESOFT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE FULL POTENTIAL WILL NOT BE FULLY REALIZED UNTIL PEOPLESOFT IS ONLINE AND COMPLETELY INTEGRATED. THIS PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PORTFOLIO SOFTWARE IS EXTREMELY POWERFUL WHICH WILL ASSIST IN BETTER PROJECT MANAGEMENT.

WE UTILIZE ZERO-BASED BUDGETING CONCEPTS IN REVIEWING HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY AND HELP IDENTIFY HOW RESOURCES COULD BE USED EFFECTIVELY IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR DEPARTMENTWIDE BEST

PRACTICES REVIEW. >> WE DID NOT REVIEW USING THE GUIDELINES TO HELP DEVELOP A ROADMAP FOR PREPARING THIS BUDGET.

THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERS 13 DIFFERENT SETS OF REGULATIONS APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT AS WELL AS SERVING AS A STATUTORY COUNTY ENGINEER.

AFTER REVIEWING OUR ORGANIZATION WE IDENTIFIED THE NEED DEVELOP A PLANNING DIVISION TO BETTER SERVE THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY WHOSE POPULATION WILL SOON EXCEED THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SUSTAINABILITY RESILIENCY AND EQUITY WILL SERVE AS A FOUNDATION OF OUR PLANNING ACTIVITIES.

WE'VE ALREADY CREATED ONE POSITION AND NEXT YEAR WE WILL RECLASSIFY AS MANY STAFF AS NECESSARY ALL TO BE WILL FILL THAT ROLE. ASHLEY WILL BE WRESTLING ON IT.

OUR ROLLOVER FILES -- OUR ROLLOVER FUND THESE NEW AND RECLASSIFY POSITIONS AS WELL AS ENABLE TO KEEP CURRENT WITH SALARIES. THE LARGE INFLUX OF CIVIL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WILL ONLY CONTINUE A TREND THAT REQUIRES TO BE VERY AGGRESSIVE IN FINDING EMPLOYEES. THIS YEAR WE SPENT OVER TWO OF OUR ROLLOVER FUND TO FUND TRAFFIC SIGNAL REPAIRS, COUNTYWIDE ENGINEERING STUDIES, AND CONTINUED REPAIR AND UPGRADES TO COUNTY FACILITIES. OUR CHALLENGES GOING FORWARD INCLUDE FULLY IMPLEMENTING THE ACCOUNT SYSTEM. IMAGINATION ZONE PLANNING AND COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AND ADOPTING OR GIVING THE COURT TO ADOPT A COUNTY TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

THESE SYSTEMS WILL ENABLE INTERAGENCY COORDINATION AND COOPERATION, PROVIDE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FOUND -- HOUSING INITIATIVES AS WELL AS ALLOW FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTILEVEL PROJECT PLAN. ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL WORK WITH FEMA AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO WORK ON THE HURRICANE HARVEY DAMAGED BUILDINGS.

ONE POINT OF NOTE IS THAT ONCE FUNDING IS APPROVED AND INFRASTRUCTURE WORK BEGINS AT THE CJC, WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND NOISE LEVELS.

WE'VE BEEN OPEN WITH MEMBERS OF THE CJC ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT WE EXPECT COMPLAINTS TO COME.

IN CONCLUSION, ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND MYSELF, WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONALLY THANK THE COURT MEMBERS FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE. I PREPARED PACKETS WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR REVIEW WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE NOW.

>> AM AVAILABLE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. I KNOW I DON'T SAY IT ENOUGH SINCE I'M ALWAYS WHISPERING AND YOU'RE TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION. BUT I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

>> HOW MUCH IS IN YOUR ROLLOVER? CURRENTLY, IT'S RIGHT AROUND

$60 MILLION. >> ONE, SIX OR SIX, ZERO.

>> 16 MILLION. >> AND HOW OFTEN, HOW OFTEN DO

YOU DIP INTO THE ROLLOVER. >> FAIRLY OFTEN.

>> WHETHER IT'S PAYING FOR FACILITY REPAIRS, TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE.

IF THINGS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY FUNDED I USE THE ROLLOVER AND THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN DOING SINCE ROLLOVER STARTED. WE'VE BEEN DOING COUNTYWIDE REPAIRS AND PROJECTS WITH ROLLOVER FUNDS NOT TO BENEFIT MY OFFICE, BUT THE COUNTY.

>> SO IN THE PAST, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU GONE TO YOUR ROLLOVER TO AVOID ASKING FOR AN

INCREASE. >> WE'VE NEVER DONE THAT

[00:35:08]

WE DECIDED TO USE ROLLOVER. >> OF COURSE I'VE BEEN HERE A COUPLE YEARS BUT WILL WISHER INCREASE LAST YEAR? DO YOU REMEMBER ASK MR. JACKSON

MY. >> I DON'T RECALL.

>> THE GENIUS OVER HERE IS PULLING IT.

>> FIVE PERCENT. SO IT'S BEEN HOW MUCH BABY IN THE LAST FOR FIVE YEARS.

SINCE THE DOWNTURN, WHAT WOULD THEY GET JUST ROUGHLY, ENGINEERING.

>> (INDISCERNIBLE) EXAM ONE YEAR? OR FIVE PERCENT EACH YEAR.

>> ABOUT FIVE PERCENT A YEAR. >> WE ESSENTIALLY GOT WHAT EVERY OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENT GOT.

>> AND AGAIN, IF THINGS CAME UP OR LED LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE PUT IN THAT WAS THE FLEXIBILITY OF

THE ROLLOVER. >> SO NORMALLY GO TO ROLLOVER FOR INCIDENTAL ITEMS, FAIRLY MINOR, NOT TO KEEP FROM GETTING THEM.

I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT WHEN IS YOUR GUESS THAT THE ROLLOVER'S GOING TO RUN OUT.

I'M SURE THERE'S A NICER ACCOUNTED WEIGHT IS SAYING THIS BUT YOU CATCH MY DRIFT.

WHEN WILL THE ROLLOVER BE RUN OVER?

>> WE WILL MAKE IT THIS YEAR. I'M NOT SURE WE CAN DO THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PEOPLE WE NEED TO HIRE WITH PLANNING STAFF, HOW MUCH WE HAVE TO INCREASE SALARIES. WE HAVE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO RAISE SALARIES WE HAVE A SALARY RANGE. THE ISSUE IS LAST YEAR NEW GRADUATES -- THE COST OF NEW GRADUATES WENT UP 15 PERCENT IN ONE YEAR. AND I ANTICIPATE THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. AND WE ARE NOT -- YOU MEAN -- AND THAT IS A C GRADUATE FROM U OF H. THAT'S TYPICALLY WHO WE HIRE AND IS TYPICALLY WHO WE TRACK AND I HAVE ENOUGH INTERNS. I KNOW WHATEVER ENGINEERING COMPANY IN TOWN PAYS.

I KEEP TRACK OF THEM. ANYONE UP 15 PERCENT IN ONE YEAR.

>> AND SO -- IF YOU INCREASE THE NEW GRADUATES AND THEY COME IN, THE GRADUATE THAT'S BEEN HERE A YEAR HAS GET A RAISE BECAUSE A NEW GRADUATE IS MAKING MORE THAN THEY DO.

SO IT IS A A LADDER TYPE APPROACH IF YOU INCREASE ONE, HAVE TO RAISE THEM ALL.

TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THEM IN OUR MIND THE COURT -- I STAFF THE ENTIRE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FROM COUNTY ENGINEER ON DOWN. PEOPLE LAUGHED BECAUSE.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO GET TO BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THAT TO ME.

BEING A C STUDENT MYSELF IT'S NOT SO BAD YOU END UP ON THE GOVERNING BOARD BUT I ALWAYS GET A STUDENTS TO WORK FOR ME TO MAKE ME LOOK GOOD. SO WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING WITH YOUR ROLLOVER ARE YOU GOING TO TRY TO GO TO A FOUR-DAY WORKWEEK AT SOME POINT.

>> IN THE POINT WHERE -- CAN WE KEEP THEM.

>> YES. OUR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE DOING SOLELY ENGINEERING, NOT THE PERMIT OFFICER OR THE PLACES WE WILL PROBABLY MOVE TO FOUR DAY WORK WEEKS BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY, IF THERE MANAGING CONSULTANTS, THEY CAN'T HAVE A MEETING ON FRIDAY BECAUSE EVERY ENGINEERING COMPANY IS CLOSED ON FRIDAY.

>> I KNOW IT IS WHAT IT IS, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE AT LEAST YOU SAID -- YOU LET US KNOW THAT YOU SAY WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE IT WAS JUST CUTTING AND PASTING AND CUTTING UP I'VE HEARD YOU SAY -- I KNOW YOU SAID IT'S ME PRIVATELY BUT I THINK YOU SAID IT PUBLICLY BEFORE, I THINK. I CAN REMEMBER SOMETIMES, THAT WE ARE TRAINING FOLKS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. >> ADVERTED PUBLICLY.

>> WE TRAIN PEOPLE. >> I JUST WANT US TO KNOW SO IT IS WHAT IT IS. IS THIS ENOUGH FOR YOU TO HOLD US TOGETHER KNOWING THAT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY THAN EVEN IF WE DON'T GET WHAT WE WILL STILL BE MORE MONEY THAN THE COUNTY HAS SPENT IN A LONG TIME ON INFRASTRUCTURE. CAN WE HOLD THE TALENT?

>> WE CAN HOPE FOR THIS YEAR. NEXT YEAR THIS CAN HAVE TO BE AN INCREASE.

I'M CONVINCED WE CAN. I CAN IMAGINE THAT A WEAPON OTHER 15 PERCENT.

BUT REMEMBER ALL THE WORK IS COMING IN IS SUCH A HUGE DEMAN .

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A VERY AGGRESSIVE INTERN PROGRAM. AND IT'S PAYING OFF.

OF THE FOUR INTERNS SET OF PERSONALLY WORK FOR ME, TWO OF THEM ARE COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND THE OTHER TWO HAVE NOT GRADUATED YET. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF SUCCESS

WITH OUR INTERNS. >> THEY PROBABLY CONVINCE THE MILLENNIALS -- IN MY HOUSEHOLD ARE NOT THAT WORRIED ABOUT -- DATA MIGHT SHOW BIG JOBS, THEY'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> IT DOES NOT RESONATE WITH THEM. BUT WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT IF THEY START IS INTERNS MEET EVERYBODY THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO GO LOOK FOR JOB

SOMEWHERE ELSE. >> I JUST WANTED TO RAISE UP

[00:40:04]

AND WAS REVENUE CAPS, AND A CYCLE COMING IN, IT GETS VERY DIFFICULT.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. >> YES, SIR.

>> COMMISSIONER? COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>>. >> THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY THREE TIMES WITH THE COUNTY EMPLOYEE COST IF YOU OUTSOURCE WERE HAVING TO DO THAT WITH OUR CORE COMPETENCY THE FIRST TIME EVER. AND WE HOPE THAT NEXT YEAR WE

WON'T HAVE TO DO THAT. >> SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> PROJECT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT IS ONE OF OUR CORE COMPETENCIES.

WE DO THAT. THAT'S OUR SPECIALTY. WE ARE HAVING TO OUTSOURCE THAT BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET ENOUGH PEOPLE AND GET THEM TRAINED QUICK ENOUGH.

>> AND IT COSTS MORE MONEY. >> THREE TIMES OR MORE IS THE RATE WHEN YOU HIRE THE SAME EXACT -- WE'VE GOT A GRAPH. IT COSTS OVER THREE TIMES TO HIRE THE SAME PERSON FROM A CONTRACT IF THE RATE -- AND THAT INCLUDES THEIR RETIREMENT

AND OTHER BENEFITS. >>.

>> (INDISCERNIBLE) -- (AWAY FROM MIC).

>> WITH REGARD TO THE FLEX HOURS IN THE FOUR TIMES AND I THINK THEY'VE GOT THAT OTHER THING -- WHICH IS THE 323 OR WHATEVER.

>> WHATEVER THOSE STRUCTURES ARE, IS THAT FULLY WITHIN EACH OF OUR DIRECTORS DISCRETION TO UTILIZE AS THEY FEEL DO THEY NEED TO COME TO US FOR AN APPROVAL TO EMPLOY THAT WAS IN

THEIR DIVISIONS? >> WELL I THINK THEY PROBABLY NEED TO COME TO COURT AND GET THAT APPROVED. WE ARE WORKING ON THAT.

BUT THE PEOPLESOFT SOPHOMORES MORE FLEXIBLE AND ONE OF THE REASON WISH CHOSE PEOPLESOFT IT HAS ALL SORTS OF FLEX HOURS. SO THAT'S A POSITIVE THING.

>> WE'VE LOOKED AT THIS. WE STARTED EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT WAS INTENTION AREA.

BECAUSE YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD RATHER WORK FOR FOUR TOWNS. IN THE NURSING COMMUNITY I KNOW THIS. JUST TO SAY -- STAY ONE MORE YEAR.

AND THEY WORK THREE AND THEY WORK 313 HOUR SHIFTS AND GET FOUR DAYS OFF.

SO THELITY IS WHAT WERE LOOKS W COMPETE AUDIO LOST) -- THE ROLLOVERS WORKING SO LET JOHN

HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY. >> AM PERSONALLY LOOKING AT A LOT OF THESE ITEMS IN THE PAST BUT STRICTLY THEY DON'T ALLOW YOU TO CAPITALIZE THESE ITEMS. WHEN YOU CAPITALIZE THAT YOU CAN PAY FOR IT WITH DAD. AND SO AGAIN, WE ARE WATCHING THIS CLOSELY BECAUSE WE KNOW WILL HIT A WALL. BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT HAVING TO CAPITALIZE IT YOU OUTSOURCE, NORMALLY YOU WOULD CAPITALIZE IT.

BUT IT IS THREE TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE. I DON'T SEE ANY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ANY RELIEF CIVIL ENGINEERS, THAT'S WHERE I WOULD SEND ABOUT JOB IT'S TREMENDOUS

RIGHT NOW. >> WILL KNOW WHEN THE OUTSOURCING. WILL HAVE A PARTNER SYSTEM. WE DO OUR ONLY TRAIL BUILDING, WHICH IS $0.25 ON THE DOLLAR WILL WILL JUDGE, WHAT WERE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE STUFF THAT COMES IN LATER ON, WITH RICK GARD TO THE REPORT THE BUDGETING PROCESS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE TO SELL IT IT'LL GO TO THE HIGHEST PILLAR -- BETTER AND IT'S MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE THAN GETTING THE EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING IT YOURSELF.

THAT'S SOMETHING I LEARNED IN THE ENGINEERING HELPS US WITH THE ENGINEERING WITH SOME OF THE TRAILWAYS LET'S ANOTHER EXPENSE THAT THEY HAD A NOT SO COVERED WITHIN HERE.

IT'S A LOT CHEAPER TO DO IT YOURSELVES AND TO SHIP IT OUT A LOT CHEAPER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

JOHN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU

[00:45:02]

AND YOU'RE WHO WE LEAN ON WILL WE HAVE THE CITIZENS FEELING ISSUES OUT IN THE COMMUNITY WEATHERBY DRAINAGE RELATED OR TRAFFIC RELATED. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU

DO. >> ONE THING I DID WANT TO -- ASKING ABOUT, IS THE PROCESS BY WHICH -- BECAUSE I TALKED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES QUITE OFTEN. AND I'M NOT A BIG FAN OF HANGING OUR SHINGLE ON SO OUT-OF-STATE FIRMS CAN COME TO HARRIS COUNTY. BUT AS I TALKED TO FIRMS IN HERE SOME OF THE CONVERSATION AROUND THE STATE, THAT THE COST OF OUR PROBLEMS ARE GOING UP BECAUSE THE FIRMS ARE OVERWHELMED. AND AS I SPEAK TO THEM THEY SAY WE HAVE MORE CAPACITY. SO, HOW DO WE GO ABOUT ASSESSING THAT TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE RIGHT VALUE FROM THESE PROJECTS AND THEN -- OR FROM THE FIRMS ON THESE PROJECTS AND THEN SECONDLY, YOU KNOW, I KNOW I'VE RAISED ON OCCASION OR TWO THAT P GAL SEEMS TO HAVE ALL OF THE ARCHITECTURE BUILDING PLANNING SPACE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE BUILDINGS WELL. BUT HOW DO WE GO ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE SPREADING THE WORK TO OTHER COMPETENT FIRMS AND NOT JUST KEEP PUTTING IT ALL BACK ON THE ACTS OF OTHERS WHO ARE -- WHO CAN DO GOOD WOR , THEY'VE DONE GOOD WORK, BUT HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT WE ARE EFFECTIVELY SPREADING THE WORD? WHAT'S THE PROCESS THAT SHE USED TO DO THAT?

>> LET ME ANSWER THE FIRST PART COMMISSIONER. WHEN WE LOOK AT TYPICALLY CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRMS, WE DO NOT DO A CURVE, A SIMPLE CURVE THAT SAYS HEY, WE PAY 10 OR 12 PERCENT. OTHER ENTITIES DO. WE USED TO DO THAT.

EVERYBODY HAS FEE CURVES. I DON'T BELIEVE IN FEE CURVES BECAUSE THE PRICE OF CONCRETE PIPE GOES UP, THAT DOES NOT MAKE IT AN INCREASE IN THE SKILL OF THE ENGINEER TO DEVELOP A SET OF PLANS. EVERY TIME AN ENGINEERING FIRM COMES IN TO DO A CONTRACT THEY HAVE TO PUT A -- THEY HAVE TO SHOW US WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE TO DO THE PROJECT, NUMBER OF HOURS, WHAT SKILL SETS ARE GOING TO USE OF WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO USE IT ON.

THAT ALLOWS US TO DETERMINE IF THERE DOING SOMETHING WE DO NOT EED WHETHER NOT DOING SOMETHING WE DO NEED AND THEN WE GO FORWARD THAT WAY. THAT SAVES THE COST ON ENGINEERING BECAUSE OF USE A SIMPLE FEE CURVE AS MATERIALS AND EVERYTHING ELSE GOES UP THE ENGINEERING WILL NOT NECESSARILY GO UP THE SAME. WHERE IS IT MAY OR MAY NOT.

THAT'S OUR LOOKING AT THAT.

THE SECOND IS HOW DO WE GET INTEREST IN OUR PROJECTS? .

40 PROJECT OVER $5 MILLION OF ARCHITECTURAL DOES AN RFQ IF IT'S THE COURT.

THAT'S BEEN IN EFFECT FOR PROBABLY ABOUT THREE YEARS. TRADITIONALLY YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU USED P GAL FOR OUR MASTER PLANNING BECAUSE THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BUILDINGS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY NEED TO DO ALL THE PROJECTS ON THE BUILDINGS.

YOU WANT TO KEEP ONE FIRM FAMILIAR TO DO YOUR MASTER PLAN.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD USE THEM TO DO EVERYTHING. WE HAVE THE -- WE HAVE -- CURRENTLY WILL HAVE PAGER PROJECTS, BUT THE ORANGE ÃBUT THERE'S ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF LARGE ARCHITECTURE FIRMS. NOW WE BEEN AGGRESSIVE AT BRINGING THE SMALL FIRMS FOR

THE SMALLER PROJECTS. >> WILL NOT JUST TALK ABOUT ARCHITECTURE. I'M TALKING ABOUT ENGINEERING AS WELL WHAT'S RIGHT.

WE MEET WITH ALL THE ASSOCIATIONS. WE REQUEST THE CENTER SF 330, WHICH IS THE QUALIFICATIONS, AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH FIRMS NOT DOING BUSINESS -- THEY WANT TO GO ON A FEE CURVE. AND THEY'RE NOT USED TO DOING THAT. SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY WORKING WITH IS THE CITY OF HOUSTON ON THEIR SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVE AND ENGINEERING, WE ALWAYS PARTICIPATE WITH THEM. I THINK TOLLROAD THIS LAST YEAR ACTUALLY WENT AND PRESENTED.

THAT'S ONE OF THE OUTREACH THAT WE DO WITH THE SMALLER BUSINESSES.

>> AND I'M NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT -- I THINK WE HAVE A SPACE BETWEEN THE NATIONAL FIRMS THAT DO A LOT OF WORK IN HOUSTON AND THEN THOSE FIRMS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY -- SO

[00:50:04]

WHAT ARE THEY USING FRENCHTOWN AND HOW ARE WE ENSURING THAT WE ARE REALLY COMPETITION THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONTROLLING THE COST?

>> OKAY. WE WILL SUBMIT A PLAN TO YOU IN THE FUTURE TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE

ARE DOING IN DETAIL. >> GOOD DEAL.

>> COMMISSIONER ALICE AND THEN CAGLE.

>> 02 POINTS. ONE ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA!. AND I THINK IT IS A LEGITIMATE CONCERN. I THINK IT WAS UNDER AT LEAST PARKER THAT THE CITY DID GO AND GET LEGISLATION PASSED SO THAT THEY COULD GIVE SOME POINTS FOR -- WHAT WAS CALLED, HOUSTON FIRST. AND I DON'T THINK THE COUNTY IS DONE THAT.

SO WE WILL LOOK BUT I'M GOING TO SUGGEST WE ADDED.

>> WE WERE TOLD BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WE COULD NOT GIVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT --

TREATMENT WILL A LOCAL FARM. >> WE CAN -- I CAN'T REMEMBER -- BUT WE CAN ASK FOR THE INFORMATION. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT AMOUNTED TO THAT MUCH. WITH AS MUCH MONEY AS WE ARE GOING TO SPEND IT'S A VALID CONCERN TO TRY AND GET PEOPLE WHO ARE LOCAL -- IF THEY ARE COMPETENT AND CAN DO IT.

AND IT'S ALSO VALID OPPORTUNITY TO TRY AND GET MULTINATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL FIRMS TO MOVE YOUR INPUT IN OPERATION HERE BECAUSE PEOPLE TEND TO LIVE HERE GIVE HERE AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT US, IN CASE SOMEBODY IS WATCHING US AND TALK ABOUT GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY AND BEING INVOLVED. BUT WE OUGHT TO TRY TO CHANGE THE LAW TO GO AND SEE IF WE CAN DO THAT. BUT I THINK MOST PEOPLE THINK IF THEY HAVE PRETTY GOOD SENSE, THEY'RE GOING TO OPEN UP IN OPERATION HERE WAS THIS MUCH WORK GOING ON BECAUSE FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE ARE GOING TO SPEND, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY. THE LAST THING WE WANT IS FOR SOMETHING TO GO WRONG. BUT I DO WANT TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO TRY AND NURTURE THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES. AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES OR MERGE SOME OF THE OTHER FIRMS AS WELL. IT MAY BE AT OUGHT TO BE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT.

I KNOW WE'VE BEEN -- I THINK THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WE ARE MOVING FORWARD TO GET THAT DONE. BUT THE SECOND ISSUE IS AND MAYBE MR. JACKSON CAN DO IT.

I'M WONDERING IF YOU COULD GET US A LIST AND SEND IT TO US ON WHAT EVERY DEPARTMENT THAT EVERYBODY HAS A ROLLOVER MONEY. IF YOU HAVE SEEN IT BEFORE. IT MAY BE IN HERE I DON'T KNOW.

BUT SOMETIMES -- YES. SO WE CAN SEE, INCLUDING US. SO WILL KNOW WHEN THE ROLLOVER IS GOING TO GET RUN OVER SINCE I'M ASSUMING THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO

DO TO TRY TO MAKE ENDS MEET. >> IT'S ABOUT ANOTHER HUNDRED MILLION SO IT'S $240 MILLION. AND AGAIN, THAT'S A WORKING CAPITAL THAT WE PAY SALARIES AND ALL THAT. IF WE RAN THROUGH ALL OF IT, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

>> IS THE RAINY DAY OPERATION. >> IT BASICALLY IS LIKE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT. IT GIVES PEOPLE FLEXIBILITY. BUT THE COMMISSIONERS USUALLY USE IT AT HUNDRED PERCENT BUT IT ALLOWS YOU TO MAKE PLANNING AND GO FOR THAT.

BUT, IF FOR INSTANCE IT ALL WENT AWAY AND EVERYBODY SPENT THE ROLLOVER, THAT WOULD MEAN WE WOULD DIP ABOUT $240 MILLION OF BELOW ZERO DURING THE YEAR WE HAVE TO USE IT.

>> AND YOU KEEP A RUNNING TAB ON IT?

>> ALL THE TIME. >> SO WE KNOW -- I WOULD SUGGEST IN THE NEW ERA, I THINK YOU CAN GIVE US A MONTHLY UPDATE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE IT ONCE A MONTH. BUT I WANT TO KNOW, WE OTHER DUBAI CATEGORY. OLD-SCHOOL IF YOU DON'T MIND. YOU CAN KINDA SEE.

BUT WE'D BE HAPPY TO PUT THAT ON THERE AND SHOW YOU WHAT'S IN THERE.

YOU MAY HAVE TO CATEGORIES A BIT SOME PEOPLE WHEN THEY GET THE ROLLOVER THEY TRANSFER TO OTHER THINGS. WILL CHANGE THE PROCEDURES A LITTLE BIT.

>> SHOW AT THE BOTTOM SO WE CAN SEE WHEN THE ROLLOVER IS ABOUT TO GET RUN OVER I'D LIKE TO

KNOW IN ADVANCE. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> YOUR HONOR, THERE IS

[00:55:01]

THE MOVE FROM GOING FROM THE PERCENTAGE FEE TO HER USED TO BE THAT THE ENGINEERING FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL VIEW WAS ÃTHE ARCHITECTURE OF THE WAS A COST OF THE PROJECT THE INCENTIVE WAS TO HAVE BIGGER AND MORE EXPENSIVE PROJECTS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE THE CHEAPEST WANTED SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE AWAY WITH BY THE TIME I CAME INTO OFFICE IT WAS DONE AWAY WITH.

AND THE SHIFT TO THE SCOPE OF SERVICE. YOU MAY RECALL THE PASTOR THAT LET US IN HER OPENING PRAYER IN OUR LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT, THEY HAD A FLOODED BUILDING THAT WE BOUGHT AND ARE TURNING INTO THE GEORGE BUSH COMMUNITY CENTER.

WE DID A CONTRACT WITH A -- I BELIEVE THEY ARE IN NWT, AND ARCHITECTURAL FIRM.

>> TO WEAR, WE SAID THAT WE WOULD RATHER PAY HIM A LITTLE BIT MORE AND ARCHITECTURAL FEES THAN WHAT THEY NORMALLY WOULD BE ENTITLED TO SO THAT THEY COULD REDUCE THE COST OF THE OVERALL PROJECT ON THE BACKEND. THEY CAME UP WITH SOME GREAT INNOVATIVE DESIGNS WORKING WITH THE EXISTING FACILITIES THAT ALLOWED US TO GET A BETTER PRODUCT FOR LESS MONEY.

I KNOW THAT JOHN DID A SIMILAR THING WITH REGARD TO SEVERAL OTHER BUILDINGS AND THIS SHIFT IN THE SCOPE OF WHERE WE ARE TRYING TO GO FOR VALUE ADDED AT THE END OF THE PROJECT INSTEAD OF WHATEVER THAT PERCENTAGE MIGHT BE WHEN AN ENGINEERING PROJECT, YOU ARE PREPLANNING OR YOUR STUDY PACES 80 PERCENT OF THE PROJECT YOUR DESIGN PACES SEVEN PERCENT IN YOUR PLANNING PHASE IS ABOUT 13 PERCENT. SOMETIMES BY INVESTING IN THAT PHASE WE ARE ABLE TO SAVE ON 65 PERCENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND RIGHT AWAY IN OTHER AREAS.

AND SO I'VE BEEN EXTREMELY PLEASED IN TAKING THAT MORE INNOVATIVE MODERN APPROACH OF THE VALUE ADDED IN THOSE SERVICES SO WE ARE NOT JUST PLAYING A -- PAYING A FLAT FEE.

BUT FLIPPING UP SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE PROJECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET AT THE END AND WHERE TO PUT THE MONEY IN THE PROJECT SO WE GET A BETTER PRODUCT FOR LAST COST TO THE TAXPAYER. AND SO I DID NOT WANT TO GO PAST THE JUDGE BECAUSE THAT SAY -- AND INNOVATION ANY BEST PRACTICE THAT OUR ENGINEERING SORT OF STARTED THAT WAS NOT DONE BEFORE AND THAT'S BEEN IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, SEVEN YEARS.

>> AS FAR AS I KNOW, YOU'RE THE ONLY ENTITY THAT DOES THAT BOX IT MAKES OUR PROJECTS:-- COST LESS AT THE END EVEN THOUGH IT MEANS YOU MIGHT PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THAT ARCHITECTURE TO THAT ENGINEER TO GET A BETTER PRODUCT AT A BETTER PRICE BECAUSE WE ARE PUTTING INTO ART HAS THE BEST BANG. AND IT WASN'T MY IDEA BUT IT SURE HAS PAID OFF FOR THE TAXPAYERS. SO I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BRAG ABOUT HERE THAT WE ARE THE BACK -- BEST PRACTICES.

>>. >> YOU DO OUTSTANDING WORKS.

I WANT TO COMPLIMENT YOU ON THAT AND YOUR FINE STAFF. BUT YOU HAVE SAVED THIS COUNTY UNTOLD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BECAUSE YOU ARE AGGRESSIVE. AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE NO PROBLEM GETTING AN ENGINEERING FIRM PRINCIPAL OR WHATEVER IN YOUR OFFICE AND EXPLAINING TO

THEM. >> YES, SIR.

THAT'S TRUE. >> AND I HAVE WORKED WITH A LOT OF -- A NUMBER OF COUNTY ENGINEERS AND I'M NOT TOTALLY IGNORANT.

I DO KNOW THAT YOU COULD MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE. AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE HERE ALONG WITH A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAN MAKE MORE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND I CAN'T OVEREMPHASIZE THAT THAT OBSCENE AMOUNT OF MONEY. AT TIMES THE COUNTY BLOOD MONEY BECAUSE ENGINEERING WASN'T BEING REGULATED. THANKS FOR DOING IT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. JOHN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REMEMBER DEALING WITH WHEN I WAS ON THE COUNCIL WAS THE FACT THAT PUBLIC WORKS WOULD GO OUT AND DO A PROJECT JUST TO LATER HAVE THE CIP CATCH UP WITH IT AND THEN TEAR UP THAT SAME SIDEWALK WITH THAT SAME STREET.

DAD USED TO DRIVE ME BANANAS. BUT I DON'T SEE THAT AS MUCH HERE.

IN FACT I DO NOT THINK I'VE EVER BEEN TOLD THUS FAR THIS YEAR THAT THAT IS HAPPENED.

[01:00:02]

>> WE HAVE A PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE THAT TRACKS EVERYTHING. EACH PRECINCT HAS PRECINCT COORDINATORS THAT TRACK EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T DO THAT.

YOU KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE DESIGNING NEW ROADS AT THE SAME TIME WERE DOING SOME OF THESE TRAINING PROJECTS. THEY'RE GOING TO CROSS EACH OTHER.

WE ARE INTEGRATING THE DRAINAGE PROCESS INTO THE NEW ROAD SO THAT IT COMBINES AT ONE TIME.

IT'S A LOT OF COORDINATION. THAT'S WHY WE PUSHED FOR WITH THIS PROGRAM SO WE CAN COORDINATE. WE DO VERY GOOD INTERNAL COORDINATION, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE SAME COORDINATION WITH TAX ÃTEXDOT METRO.

AND THERE ON BOARD. >> I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON THAT BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE A CONSTANT THING. THE CITIZENS WOULD CALL YOU AND SAY WE JUST HAD THIS STREET REDONE BUT THEY'RE DIGGING IT UP AGAIN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD. AND THEN PUTTING ALL OF THESE PIPE CONNECTORS AND IT WAS JUST -- YOU BE PROUD OF HAVING A NEW STREET AND THEN YOU'VE GOT A BUNCH OF PATCH JOBS ALONG IT.

IT USED TO DRIVE ME CRAZY. IT WAS A HORRIBLE WASTE OF MONEY.

MY COMPLEMENTS. >> JOHN, ONE QUESTION ON THE OSHA 10 AND STANDARDS THAT WE DISCUSSED. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE ARE JUST TWO INVESTIGATORS I THINK YOU CALL IT TO GO AROUND THE SIDE TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS ARE ADHERING WITH THOSE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WORKERS ARE CLASSIFIED IN THE APPROPRIATE BUCKET. WHEN WILL THAT COME BACK TO US, THE INCREASE IN THE INVESTIGATORS AND HAVING AN ADEQUATELY SIZED POOL OF INVESTIGATORS SO THAT FOLKS ARE NOT WORKING IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS OR MISS CLASSIFYING WORKERS?

>> THE -- THE STAFF THAT WE HAVE WAGE RATE COMPLIANCE. THEY'RE NOT LOOKING FOR OSHA 10 VIOLATIONS. THERE IS AN ONGOING DISCUSSION IN THE COMMITTEE THAT'S WORKING ON WHAT THE COUNTIES ARE EVENTUALLY GOING TO ADOPT AND ONCE WE FIND OUT WHAT THE COUNTIES WILL ADOPT, THEN WE WILL KNOW HOW MUCH WE WILL NEED.

WE HAVE POSITIONS WE CAN RECLASSIFY AND FUNDING, BUT IT'S PREMATURE TO DETERMINE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT -- WHERE THE COURT HAS NOT DETERMINED WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO ADOPT AS FAR AS OSHA 10 ORDER OSHA 30 REQUIREMENTS. THERE'S A LOT OF STEPS UP THAT LADDER AND THAT RELATES TO HOW MANY STAFF YOU NEED TO DO THAT. THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT TOO IS INADEQUATE. BUT THE QUESTION IS DO WE NEED FOR? 68 OR 10? AND WE WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL WE GET -- UNTIL THE COURT GIVES US DIRECTION ON WHAT THEY WANT TO ADOPT.

>> OKAY. >> WE ARE PREPARED TO DO THAT.

>> SO THEY ARE STILL CREATING THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING?

>> WHAT THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE. THAT'S CORRECT.

IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING WITH PURCHASING ON THAT AND THE

COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. >> OKAY.

FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT WE WERE AT THE STAGE WHERE WE WERE ALREADY ASKING THE CONTRACTOR, HAVE YOU HAD PAST RELATIONS YES OR NO IS BASICALLY ALL WE CAN LEGALLY ASK FOR, BUT THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO -- THAT'S ON THE SIDE OF WHETHER WE RETAIN A PARTICULAR CONTRACTOR. BUT IN TERMS OF ENFORCEMENT, SHOULD WE JUST HAVE FOLKS WILL

ABIDE BY OSHA 10 AND 30? >> THE QUESTION IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THEM SUBMIT. ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THEM A SELF CERTIFYING AND HAVE INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY CERTIFYING?

>> THERE'S DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THIS. AND THUS FOR WORKING WITH PURCHASING TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE BEST APPROACH. THERE'S MULTIPLE WAYS TO DO IT.

YOU CAN OF THE CONTRACTORS, DEPENDING ON THE DOLLAR VALUE SUBMIT SAFETY PLANS AND THEY HAVE THIRD PARTIES -- THE BIGGER FIRMS HAVE THIRD PARTIES AND ROUTINELY DO THE SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND GIVE THE RESULTS TO THEM IN DOS. THE ISSUE IS WHEN YOU GET TO THE SMALLER BUSINESSES, IT'S MUCH MORE COMPLICATED BECAUSE ARE NOT SOPHISTICATED.

>> RIGHT. >> HAD TO GET ALL THE CONTRACTORS OSHA 10 CERTIFIED IT'LL PROBABLY TAKE CLOSE TO A YEAR.

ALL THE LARGE FIRMS HAVE OSHA 30 CERTIFICATIONS. IT'S THE SMALLER OR MIDSIZE FIRMS THAT DO NOT HAVE THAT. WE ARE WORKING WITH HEC AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ENTITIES TO GET THE TRAINING. WE'VE BEEN TALKING DIRECTLY WITH OSHA ON HOW WE CAN GET ALL THE TRAINING TO ALL THESE FIRMS. THE FIRM SAID THERE WILLING TO SEND THEM TO THE TRAINING AND PAY THE DAYS SALARY TO GO TO OSHA 10, BUT WE NEED TO ASSIST

[01:05:02]

>> IT'S A SEQUENCE. P >> AND IN THE BACKGROUND WORKING ALL THE TRAINING ALTERNATIVES AND OPTIONS WHILE THIS COMMITTEE DETERMINES WHETHER WERE GOING TO REQUIRE JUST 10 OR 10 AND 30.

>> AND THEN WHAT WE NEED TO ENFORCE IT. ARE THEY GOING TO DO IT OR WE

GOING TO DO IT. >> IS FAIRLY COMPLICATED.

BUT WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH HOUSTON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS, ALL THE ENTITIES TO DETERMINE THE BEST WAY.

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

[County Clerk]

>> WE WILL TAKE THE COUNTY CLERK NOW (AWAY FROM MIC).

>> ACTUALLY, WE HAVE TO RISE GRADS.

>> YOU'VE INVENTORIED ALL OF THEM?

>> JUDGE WE ONLY HAVE A GRADUATING CLASS OF FOUR OR 500 PEOPLE YEARS WE HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF THEM BECAUSE WE ARE COMPARED TO TEXAS A&M, WHICH HAS LIKE 40 TO 50 $40-$50,000 A GRADUATE A YEAR. HOW MANY? NOT ENOUGH.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. TO START, WAS OUR DEPARTMENT PURPOSE AND MISSION, WE PROVIDE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY WITH AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE. WE PROTECT AND PROMOTE THE PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE BY CONDUCTING OPEN AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN COMPLIANCE WITH ELECTION LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. WE REPORT EACH VOTE CAST IN AN ACCURATE AND SECURE AND TIMELY MANNER. WE PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE TO ALL THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR ALL OF THE STATUTORY DUTIES THE COUNTY CLERK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.

WE SUPPORT THE COURTS THAT WE SERVE WITH INTEGRITY AND HONOR WHILE ADHERING TO THE STATUTES AND RULES THAT GOVERN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK. SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THIS YEAR THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE RECEIVED THE SECRETARY OF STATE APPROVAL TO UTILIZE A COUNTY POLLING PROGRAM IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE WERE AWARDED A $250,000 GRANT FROM THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT FOR THE COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE PROGRAM OUTREACH CAMPAIGN. WE OPENED SIX NEW EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS INCLUDING CAMPUS IS ON THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. WITH THE COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACES NO PROVISIONAL BALLOTS WERE CAST. FOR VOTERS WHO SHOWED UP AT THE

WRONG POLLING LOCATION. >> WE DEVELOPED TWO NEW TECHNOLOGY FEATURES TO HELP VOTERS FIND THE NEAREST POLLING LOCATION.

WE EXPANDED THE STUDENT POOL PROGRAM AS WELL. AND IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE PROBATE COURTS, HE MOVED TO A PAPERLESS COURT PROCESS. SOME OF THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO DRIVE EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY INCLUDED WE HAD 60,000 ROLLS OF MICROFILM CONVERTED TO DIGITAL IMAGES. OUR CLERKS IN THE PUBLIC ARE NOW ABLE TO ACCESS THESE PUBLIC DOCUMENTS IMAGES THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC INDEX AND WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO VIEW THE DOCUMENTS ON MICROFILM. AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT, APPROXIMATELY 40 ADDITIONAL YEARS OF REAL PROPERTY DOCUMENTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE VIA THE COUNTY CLERK'S SEARCH PORTAL. IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE PROBATE COURTS, WE HAVE INSTITUTED ELECTRONIC WORKFLOWS THAT MOVE COURT DOCUMENTS ELECTRONICALLY FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICES TO THE COURTS AND BACK. AS FAR AS NEW RESPONSIBILITIES THAT OUR DEPARTMENT HAS ASSUMED THIS YEAR, IN MAY 2019, THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THE COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE PROGRAM SO VOTERS CAN CHOOSE TO VOTE AT ANY OF 700+ LOCATIONS IN A GENERAL ELECTION. WE EXTENDED THE VOTING HOURS TO SEVEN TO 7 TO 7 FOR BOTH WEEKS OF EARLY VOTING WEEK INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LOCATIONS FOR ALL IT -- EARLY VOTING ON ELECTION DAY SO THERE WAS A NEED FOR MORE CLERKS AND MORE ELECTION EQUIPMENT.

>> THE COST THAT OUR DEPARTMENT INCURRED THIS YEAR THAT WE WON'T HAVE NEXT YEAR, WE IMPLEMENTED THE HARRIS COUNTY POLLING PLACE PROGRAM. SO THE ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ELECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER HAD TO BE UPDATED AT A ONE-TIME COST OF $300,000. SOME OF THE MEASURES, INTERNAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES THAT WE

[01:10:05]

AS YOU CAN SEE BY THOSE FIGURES OF ALL OF THOSE MEASURES, OUR ELECTIONS DOUBLED LAST YEAR TO THIS AS FAR AS THE ENTITIES. AS FAR AS EXTERNAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES, AS AN OFFICE THAT FILES AND RECORDS PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, THE DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICES IS DRIVEN BY THE PUBLIC AND THEIR NEED TO RECORD DOCUMENTS, HAVE LICENSE ISSUED OR HOLD ELECTIONS.

IN ADDITION TO THE OFFICE WIDE STATISTICS PROVIDED, WE ALSO KEEP THE SAME TYPE OF STATISTICS AT A LOCATION LEVEL AND WERE APPLICABLE ON AN INDIVIDUAL CLERK LEVEL.

WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT SURVEYS WITH THE PUBLIC CONCERNING THE USE OF OUR WEBSITE AND OTHER SERVICES. SO BECAUSE OF THAT EMPHASIS ON DOUBLING THE NUMBER OF ELECTIONS, OUR THREE TOP PRIORITIES IN THIS COMING YEAR BUDGET WILL BE ELECTION PERSONNEL. THE FIRST AREA WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL TWO EMPLOYEES FOR OUR VOTER OUTREACH DEPARTMENT. NUMBER TWO WOULD BE MORE ELECTION PERSONNEL FOR OUR MAIL BALLOT AREA. BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN GROWING STEADILY, BUT FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTIONS, THAT WAS PROJECTED TO BE ENORMOUS.

>> NUMBER THREE, WE WILL NEED AN ADDITIONAL ONE PERSON -- PERSONNEL FOR THE -- THE ELECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER. THE NEEDS THERE ARE GROWING TREMENDOUSLY AND I WILL SAY THAT IN THE ELECTRONIC -- COLLECTION TECHNOLOGY CENTER, WE ARE GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS AND IF WE DO GO FORWARD WITH NO ELECTION EQUIPMENT, WE WILL NEED MUCH MORE SPACE, WAREHOUSE SPACE FOR THAT STORE NEW ELECTION EQUIPMENT AND ALSO, IF WE GO TO A MACHINE WITH A PAPER BALLOT, WE WOULD NEED STORAGE FACILITY FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> OF COURSE, NUMBER FOUR AND FIVE WOULD BE THE NEW PAY INCREASE FOR OUR ELECTION WORKERS. AND THAT, AS YOU CAN SEE, IS QUITE LARGE.

OUR NUMBERS ONE AND 34 ELECTION PERSONNEL IS REALLY NOT THAT MUCH IN THE BIG PICTURE.

ELECTION OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCES, NUMBER SIX, EXPENSES, WE DEFTLY ARE GOING TO NEED MORE EXPENSES. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER RADEK SAID THAT HE WOULD DO EVERYTHING HE COULD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE WHAT WE NEEDED, BUT WE ARE GOING TO NEED THAT GOING FORWARD TO -- TO BE READY FOR THE ELECTIONS THAT ARE HEAD OF THIS -- AHEAD

OF US THIS COMING YEAR. >> OTHER THAN THAT, THAT IS ALL I HAVE. SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS?

>> YES. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> CERTAINLY. >> SO WHAT ARE WE DOING ELECTION FOR THE CITY IN THE PRIMARIES FOR THE PARTIES THEY PAY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO EVEN WHEN WE DO THE MEGA CENTERS, THEY PICK UP THATCUSTOMÁ THAT'S RIGHT.

>> OKAY. AND I WANTED TO RAISE THAT BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT WE WERE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND YOU MADE A VERY BOLD DECISION TO COME IN AND ASK TO START THE MEGA CENTERS, SUPERCENTERS -- VOTING CENTERS.

>> VOTING CENTERS. >> THEY CALLED IT A MEGA CENTER OR A SUPERCENTER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEY COULD HELP GET PAST WE BLOWED UP.

IT IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IT'S THE LARGEST PROGRAM LIKE THIS IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT I KNOW THAT WE -- WE MAKE AMENDMENTS AT THIS TABLE TO MAKE SURE NONE WERE CLOSED AND SO ON ELECTION DAY, NO YOU ARE GETTING CALLS FROM PEOPLE WANTING TO KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD FIND OUT. I DID COME TO THE CONCLUSION WITH OTHERS -- ALSO WITH THE JUDGE ON THIS RECENT ELECTION PNIGHT, AND THE DOWNSIDE OF HAVING THE VOTING CENTERS IS THAT YOU CAN GO PRECINCT BY PRECINCT TO KNOW IF YOU WANT HER LOST.

>> AT RIGHT. >> I GUESS THE COMPUTER DOESN'T PUT ALL THAT IN RIGHT AWAY. IN THE OLD DAYS YOU COULD DO THE PROJECTIONS EARLIER.

[01:15:04]

THEY DO PAY FOR. AND SO WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLE OF THE CENTERS OPEN.

WHOEVER'S HAVING ELECTION HAS TO PAY FOR. IF WERE HAVING A BOND ELECTION, THEN WE PAY FOR. SO WE PUT SOMETHING LIKE THE BOND PACKAGE.

SINCE THIS IS TIED IN AND WERE TALKING ABOUT PAYING FOR ELECTIONS, CAN YOU OR SOMEBODY GIVE ME AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH DISTRICT.

>> IT'S WERE PAYING FOR IT. IF WE KNOW. IF NOT I'LL JUST ASK ME CERTIFIED ELECTIONS. I THINK THERE HAS BEEN NO -- I THINK THERE'S BEEN NO MOVEMENT ON THAT BUT MR. RAY COULD BRING YOU UP TO SPEED.

>> WE COULD DISCUSS THIS I HOP .

>> IT BECAUSE LAST IF WE DO IT SOONER. IT COST MORE IF WE DO IT LATER.

I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT DISTRICT BE LITIGATION -- THE PARTIES ARE DOING ALL KINDS OF LEGAL MANEUVERS IT DOES APPEAR TO ME WILL NEED ABOUT A SEVEN WEEK LEAD TIME IN ORDER TO PUT

ON SEVEN ELECTION. >> IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS NEXT -- THE ELECTION THAT WE RUN FOR THAT SPECIAL ELECTION WILL BE IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

AND ALSO, WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE ALL OF THE COST FOR DOING THE RUNOFF TO BE IN THIS BUDGET.

>> THEY GIVE IT BACK TO US, THOUGH, RIGHT?

>> NOT 100 PERCENT OF THE COST. THERE'S EARLY VOTING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BEAR OURSELVES.

I THINK IF WE HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION WE TRY TO MAKE THEM PAY FOR AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. THE SAME THING IS TRUE FOR THE PRIMARIES.

THE PARTIES WILL REIMBURSE US FOR COSTS BUT NEVER THE EARLY VOTING.

THERE IS SOME CAUSE THAT WE BEAR OR WILL BEAR.

>> DO WE KNOW THE BREAKDOWN? SPECIAL ELECTION ABOUT 700,000 I THINK I READ.

>> I WOULD SAY MORE THAN THAT. >> IT DEPENDS ON HOW -- IF WE HAD TO DO A SPECIAL ELECTION AND IT WAS A COUNTYWIDE ELECTION WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE UNLESS WE HAD A IN A SMALL DISCRETE AREA.

>> I THINK EVERY A SPECIAL ELECTION -- I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO'S.

>> IT COULD BE WHAT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> IS HOW MUCH THE CITY BUDGETED. IT'S NOT WHAT IT ACTUALLY

COSTS. >> COUNCILMEMBER LARRY.

>> RIGHT. >> LARRY GREEN, HE WAS

CITYWIDE? >> KNOW HE WAS THE DISTRICT.

AND WHEN HE PASSED THE WAS A SPECIAL ELECTION. IT WAS ABOUT 700,000.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO NEGOTIATE DEPENDING ON HOW VIGOROUS THE ELECTION WILL BE.

THAT SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO TALK TO THE CITY ONCE THE COURT INDICATES TO US WILL BE LOW.

>> BUT NO UPDATE ON THE LITIGATION RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, THEY HAVE UPDATE ON THE LITIGATION IS THAT THE PARTIES ARE FOLLOWING A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT MOTIONS, TRYING TO FORCE THE COURT TO MAKE A DECISIO AND THE COURT HAS NOT SCHEDULED ANY HEARING TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

>> INDIAN TERMS OF COST, UNDER THE LAW IT WILL BE ON THE BALLOT BY ITSELF.

>> WE CAN'T RUN ANOTHER ELECTION AT THE SAME TIME WE RUN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT DATE THAN THAT DATE.

>> OKAY. >> WHO IS IT IN FRONT OF RIGHT

NOW, WHICH JUDGE? >> WELL, JUDGE BROWN, THE ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE HAS IN FRONT OF HER. SHE IS NOT APPOINTED A SPECIAL JUDGE. THERE'S LIMITATIONS ON WHO CAN HEAR IT.

SO AS OF RIGHT NOW, IT'S BEFORE JUDGE BROWN. SHE CAN HEAR IT HERSELF IF SHE WANTS TO SHE HAS NOT INDICATED WHETHER SHE WANTS TO DO THAT OR NOT.

IT COULD BE SHE'S HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A JUDGE THAT'S QUALIFIED TO HEAR THE CASE AND WILLING TO HEAR THE CASE. IT'S NOT THE BEST SEASON TO DRAG JUDGES IN FRONT OF OFFER MOREOVER THERE HAD TO HEAR SPECIAL CASES LIKE THIS AND THERE MAY BE SOME UNWILLINGNESS TO TRY TO GET INVOLVED WITH A CONTROVERSIAL MATTER LIKE THIS. I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T HAVE TELEPATHY. I WISH I DID DO WE JUDGES MINDS.

>> HOW MUCH WOULD THAT COST US TYING ALL THIS TO THE BUDGET, GIVING YOU TELEPATHY?

>> A DOLLAR 89 (LAUGHING). >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE,

>> YOU SAID THERE WERE NO PROVISIONAL BALLOTS IN THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION.

>> NO PROVISIONAL BALLOTS FOR PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP AT THE WRONG LOCATION.

THE WORD PROVISIONAL BALLOTS, BUT NOT FOR SHOWING UP AT THE WRONG LOCATION.

>> BECAUSE I -- 72 PERCENT OF PRECINCT -- AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UP THINKING THEY WERE GOING TO GET TO VOTE IN THE MAYOR'S ELECTION, BUT

[01:20:01]

>> I'LL TELL YOU I WAS JUST SPEAKING TO A NUMBER OF HER EMPLOYEES WHO ARE AT OR CALL CENTER AND I WAS THE NUMBER ONE CALL. I KNOW THAT I'M IN THE CITY OF

HOUSTON. >> NO, YOU'RE NOT.

>> YES. THAT WAS AN ISSUE.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. MICHAEL FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

GREAT QUESTION. WE GRACIOUSLY TOLD THEM THAT THEY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE AND THAT IF THEY PUSH THE EFFORT, WE ALLOW THEM TO BOAT A PROVISIONAL BALLOT.

SO THE PROCESS IS NO ONE IS DENIED AND YOU PROCESS THEM AS USUAL.

>> OKAY. SO THE COMMENT WAS THAT THERE WASN'T A PROVISIONAL BALLOT FOR BEING AT THE WRONG POLICY LOCATION BUT THE WORD PROVISIONAL BALLOTS FOR NOT

BEING ELIGIBLE. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> DOCTOR, A QUESTION ON THIS INVESTMENT WITH THE HIGH TURNOUT THAT WERE EXPECTING WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, HOW DOES YOUR REQUEST TIME INTO ENCOURAGING TURNOUT AND -- LET ME LEAVE IT THERE ENCOURAGING TURNOUT IN PARTICULAR.

>> SO VOTER OUTREACH IS WHAT YOU'RE AFTER?

>> WILL DEFINITELY YOU SEE MY NUMBER ONE REQUEST IS FOR TWO ADDITIONAL PEOPLE IN OUR VOTER OUTREACH DEPARTMENT. AND ACTUALLY, ONE IS GOING TO BE MY NEW CHIEF DEPUTY, CHINESE

TANISHA. >> (APPLAUSE).

>> SHE IS NOW THE HEAD OF VOTER OUTREACH AND ADMINISTRATIVE HER VOTER OUTREACH AND ASSUMES THE ADDITIONAL JOB OF VOTER OUTREACH FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

SO, WHEN SHE COMES TO BE MY NEW CHIEF DEPUTY, THAT'S TWO POSITIONS OPEN.

AND BY THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, WE HAVE TO FILL THAT. AND RIGHT AWAY.

SO THOSE ARE ESSENTIAL. SO THE ONE TO FILL HER POSITION, BUT ALSO, AS HARRIS COUNTY IS GROWING, WE WILL SOON MOST LIKELY HAVE ANOTHER LANGUAGE FOR VOTER OUTREACH TO FULFILL. POSSIBLY KOREAN. WE ARE NOT SURE.

BUT WE WANT TO BE READY FOR THAT. WE WANT TO HAVE THAT READY TO GO BECAUSE AS I SAY THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, YOU HAVE TO ADHERE TO THAT.

NOT LATER, BUT SOONER. SO WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

AS FAR AS VOTER OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY, WE WILL CONTINUE THAT WITH OUR COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE PROGRAM, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO DO EVEN MORE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR SAMPLE BALLOTS. AND SO WE WILL HAVE A WHOLE INITIATIVE FOR THAT.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? WELL LONG BALLOT. WE NEED TO EDUCATE PEOPLE -- GO TO OUR WEBSITE, PRINT IT OUT AND FILL IT OUT AND BRING IT WITH THEM INTO THE POLLING LOCATION. WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK -- WE HAVE ALREADY MET TENTATIVELY WITH HOUSTON ENDOWMENT FOR POSSIBLY ANOTHER GRANT TO HELP US WITH THAT VOTER OUTREACH.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE AIMING FOR. >> FOLKS WHO ARE AWARE OF THE

BOAT CENTER. >> 75 PERCENT.

>> KNEW THAT IT WAS HAPPENING. >> THAT'S GREAT.

FOLKS TO ASK HOW DOES THIS TURNOUT COMPARE WITH THE ACCESSIBILITY? HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO WHAT WE WOULD EXPECT? IT SHOULD MORE PEOPLE COME OUT THAN USUAL? WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ELECTION, THAT IS NOT INTIMIDATING TO THEM TO COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE.

>> I'M GOING TO LET TANISHA ANSWER THAT. SHE'S THE HEAD OF OUR.

>> AND HOW DO YOU MEASURE THAT? HOW DO YOU KEEP TRACK OF THE YEAR TO WHERE YOU ARE HITTING

THE BENCHMARKS?'S. >> SURE.

WE WILL CONTINUE THE VOTE YOUR WAY CAMPAIGN. THAT WILL NOT DISAPPEAR.

ACTUALLY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENHANCE. THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE WITH BOTH YOUR WAY NOW WILL CONTINUE ON. AS WELL AS PART OF OUTREACH'S INITIATIVES IS TO HOLD ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS. ONE OF THOSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS IS ALL ABOUT VOTING COUNTYWIDE POLLING PLACE PROGRAM. AND THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE GROUPS HAVE ADVISORY MEETINGS AS WELL WHICH TAKE PLACE AROUND THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO WE WILL BE MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE HAVING MEETINGS IN EVERY COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT TO OFFER THE PUBLIC, WHETHER IT'S A LANGUAGE OR NOT TO ATTEND THESE MEETINGS.

WE WILL DO A SERIES OF DAYTIME AND EVENING MEETINGS FOR EDUCATION PIECES AND THEN JUST ALL AROUND SHOWING UP TO EVENTS THAT ARE SUPPORTED BY VOTER EDUCATION AND INVITES.

[01:25:07]

AND SO, WE WILL BE GATHERING BACK WITH THE VOTE YOUR WAY CAMPAIGN.

THAT MESSAGE WILL STILL GO ON. EVERYTHING FOR VOTING BY MAIL. WE TAKE RESERVATIONS FOR THE SENIOR CENTERS THAT WANT TO GET THE VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS. WE ARE GOING TO BE IN HANDBOOK -- ENHANCING THE BALLOT INITIATIVE WITH CONTACTING THE FACILITIES OR THOSE THAT HAVE SENIORS THERE THAT SAY YOU CAN GET THE APPLICATIONS. YOU CAN COORDINATE WITH OUR OFFICE. WE WILL TOUCH A LITTLE BIT OF EVERY TYPE OF VOTER TO THE VOTE YOUR WAY CAMPAIGN. AND SO WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE WITH THE COURT AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR WHAT OUR INITIATIVES ARE FOR EVERY ELECTION.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE A SPECIAL ELECTION IN JANUARY. I JUST MET WITH OUR GROUP THIS MORNING AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SETTING DATES FOR MEETINGS AND CONDUCTING VOTER EDUCATION SEMINARS. ONE MIGHT BE ONE THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING WORKING WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ON. JUST KNOWING YOUR VOTERS RIGHTS.

AND SO WE KNOW WITH THE EURO 2020, THAT'LL BE A BIG TOPIC ACROSS THE EARNED SETTING SEMINARS AROUND THE COUNTY AGAIN. IT'S ALL ABOUT NOTING -- KNOWING YOUR VOTERS RIGHT. I KNOW WE CAN GET TOO MUCH INTO THE WEEDS BUT AS FAR AS THE STATISTICAL DATA, AFTER EVERY ELECTION, WE GATHER THE IMPACT, WHAT VOTERS KNEW OR MAY HAVE NOT KNOWN AND WE GIVE THAT INFORMATION AT THE ADVISORY MEETING SO THEY COME AND GET SUBSTANCE ON HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE VOTING BY SURNAME, AGE GROUPS.

THE TRENDS OF THOSE VOTING FROM 18 TO 20, 40 TO 50 AND WHAT ARE THEY CHOOSING? WHAT WAY ARE THEY CHOOSING THE VOTE. SO THAT INFORMATION THAT WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER CAN ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMISSIONERS. I THINK WE SENT THEM TO YOUR POLICY ADVISORS FOR ALL OF YOUR OFFICES WHEN WE ARE DOING THESE TYPE OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

>> POLICY ADVISOR. >> WILL WE SENT IT TO ELIZABETH

(LAUGHING). >> PRESENTED TO ELIZABETH.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A POLICY ADVISOR JUDGMENT WE ACTUALLY INCLUDED TO YOUR CHIEFS OF STAFF. WE ALWAYS INCLUDE ELIZABETH AND CHERYL AND CONRAD ETC. HAVE

PEITHER ONE. >> WELL WE ALWAYS SEND IT TO CONRAD AND HE LETS US KNOW IF WE NEED MORE OR NOT. I DO UNDERSTAND SOME DON'T HAVE POLICY ADVISORS BUT I HAVE A TRACKING EMAIL THAT SHOWS THAT WE MAKE SURE WE GET IT TO EVERY

OFFICE. >> SO IT WAS A SUCCESS IN TERMS OF INFORMING VOTE -- FOLKS ABOUT THE VOTE CENTERS. YOU MENTIONED YOU COULD TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT THE BALLOT ABOUT STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING YOU COULD TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT USING THE FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION APP OR YOU COULD FOCUS ON TURNING OUT COMMUNITIES THAT DO NOT PARTICIPATE AT THE RATE THAT THEY SHOULD.

>> SO THAT'S MY BIGGER QUESTION. IT'S A BIG, BUSY YEAR.

AND ONE THING IS KNOWING HOW MANY FOLKS DID COME OUT. BUT A DIFFERENT THING IS DECIDING OF ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE COULD PUT OUT, WHAT SHOULD BE THE FOCUS? SHOULD IT BE JUST MAKING SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS THERE'S AN ELECTION AND FOLKS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT LANGUAGE OR ACCESS? MY CONCERN IS SOME OF THESE GROUPS THAT INVITE YOU GUYS -- MAYBE THE FOLKS THAT ARE ALREADY PHYSICALLY ENGAGED.

WHAT YOU DO FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T THAT CAN VOTE BUT DON'T. THAT SORT OF MY BIGGER QUESTION IS IT WOULD BE NICE -- AND I ASK ALL OF THIS TO SAY HOW CAN WE BE SUPPORTIVE? ONCE YOU FIGURE OUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN, SO TO SPEAK, YOU CAN'T BOIL THE OCEAN BUT WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL WORK THAT CAN BE DONE TO ENCOURAGE TURNOUT FROM EVERYBODY NO MATTER THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION OR COMMUNITY? IN LOOKING, BASED ON THE DATA YOU HAVE COLLECTED, WHERE THE FOCUS SHOULD BE? WHO IS TURNING OUT AT LOWER RATES OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THE DATA SHOWS.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S WHAT THE GROUP WILL FOCUS ON THE ENTIRE YEAR.

I THINKS -- I THINK THAT IS WHAT BO YOUR WAYS ABOUT. I THINK WITH THE ADVISORY MEETINGS AND THE DIFFERENT COMMISSIONERS AND COMMUNITY AND NOTIFICATION OF WILL BE A STRATEGIC -- EVERY ELECTION HAS ITS OWN TYPE OF DEAL OR SIGNIFICANCE.

I KNOW THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO GET TO IN THE WEEDS AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR ABOUT NO STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING UNTIL NOVEMBER BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO CONFUSE PEOPLE ABOUT PRIMARIES.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE DIFFERENT IN SOME ASPECT. AT THE TOP OF THE YEAR THE

[01:30:01]

MAYBE THAT MEANS GETTING A COUPLE OF DEMO EQUIPMENT AT SOME OF THE COMMUNITY CENTERS OF THE COUNTY FOR INDIVIDUALS IF THEY ARE INFREQUENTLY IN ANY OF THE PRESENTS.

WE HAVE ENOUGH TO PUT A COUPLE IS SOME OF THE COMMUNITY CENTERS WERE IF YOU ARE THERE FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES, YOU CAN USE THE EAST LAKE MACHINE BUT WE WILL CONSIDER EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE MENTIONED TODAY WILL MAKE SURE THEY WERE COMING DOWN TO THE DRAWING BOARD WERE KEEPING YOUR -- YOUR PERSONAL AND THOSE IN YOUR OFFICE IS INFORMED ON WHAT OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS ARE, WHAT WE ARE DOING AND TAKING FEEDBACK ON OTHER THINGS WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT.

>> YOU MAY CONSIDER AND YOU MAY HAVE HEARD THIS FROM THE SENSE OF FOLKS, INVOLVING THE GROUPS THAT ARE PART OF THE COMPLETE ACCOUNT COMMITTEE. AND THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS ARE ALREADY EAGER TO HELP AND HAVE STRONG CONNECTION AND MAY BE OF USE TO GUYS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> YES. JUDGE, THE LAST WORD I HAVE ON THIS LANGUAGE ISSUE, I WILL BORROW FROM SENATOR SENECA WHO SAID -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> FANCY PERIL HAVE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THAT.

>> (LAUGHING). >> THANK YOU.

>> I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT -- AND MAYBE OUR STAFFS CAN HELP YOU SINCE WILL HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY THAN IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. MOST PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA THAT THEY DO NOT LIVE IN THE CITY. SOME MIGHT LIVE IN THE CITY AND HAVE NO IDEA THEY DO LIVE IN IT. SO MAYBE WHETHER IT'S ON THE UTILITY BILL OR PHONE BILL SOME PEOPLE WILL DO IT, SOME ENTITIES FOR FREE ON THE TAX BILL THAT GOES OUT, IF THEY HAPPEN TO BE A PROPERTY OWNER I JUST CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT'S MORE DEMORALIZING FOR SOMEBODY THAT WHEN THEY SHOW UP TO VOTE AND THEN THEY LOSE FACE AND SOMEBODY HAS TO POINT OUT WILL SORRY, YOU DON'T LIVE IN HOUSTON.

AND I SAW SOME -- EVEN ON ELECTION NIGHT WHO WERE THERE WERE THEY WER FOR OR AGAINST A CANDIDATE. BETTER JUST THINK ABOUT THAT. I THINK WILL BE UNIQUE IN THAT REGARD TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY AND FOR AN URBAN AREA THEN IN UNINCORPORATED IN THE CITY LIMITS. WILL HELP YOU THINK ABOUT IT. WE FIND SOME WAY O LET THEM KNOW. MAYBE IF IT'S ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEAL TO SHOW WHAT CITY. SO WHAT CITY WERE THEY DON'T LIVE IN THE CITY.

>> ACTUALLY IN THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IT SHOWS THE DIFFERENT PRECINCTS BUT IT ONLY SHOWS THE NUMBER IS FAR -- I'M TRYING TO THINK IN MY HEAD.

>> IF IT'S LEGAL. IF NOT WE OUGHT TO ASK FOR IT. BECAUSE I CAN IMAGINE IS PRETTY

DEVASTATING TO SOMEBODY. >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE DO KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT PROBABLY HAVE NOT VOTED SO WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE REEDUCATE THOSE THAT MAY HAVE NOT SHOWN UP OVER TIME AS WELL.

>> IS A BIG JOB. WE HAVE A SMALL TEAM BUT WE WELCOME THE FEEDBACK OF YOUR OFFICES ON MAKING THIS THE BEST PROGRAM WE CAN MAKE IT.

>> I KNOW ON THE STATE LEVEL SOMETIMES WE GET THE UTILITY COMPANY TO PUT SOMETHING IN -- SMOKES -- MOST FOLKS GET A LIGHT BILL OR A WATER BILL AND THEY DO THAT AS A PUBLIC

SERVICE. >> I WAS JUST GETTING READY TO ASK. WAS IT A PUBLIC SERVICE?

>> YES. >> OKAY WITH YOUR OFFICE FOR A

CONTACT. >>.

>> IT IS DEPARTMENT HAS REALLY GROWN OVER THE YEARS. IN ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND FOR INSTANCE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS, WE RECOMMENDED THAT WE BREAK THE DEPARTMENT INTO FUNCTIONAL COST CENTERS.

I THINK WE ARE ALMOST THERE. I'LL WORK WITH THE CLERK, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACTUALLY THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT TO BE A WHOLE SEPARATE FROM YOUR REGULAR BUDGET.

AND BY DOING THAT, YOU CAN ACCOUNT FOR THE REVENUES IN ONE AREA.

>> AND THE EXPENSES FOR THE SIZABLE INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CALCULATING INTEREST IN MORE PAIN OVER TIME AND ALL THESE COSTS GO TOGETHER. SO WILL BE COSTED OUT AT WHAT IT COSTS, YOU SEAL THE COST OF ONE AREA. I LIKE TO GET IT IN EFFECT FOR NEXT YEAR AND WORK WITH THE

COURT ON THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING. I'M NOT AT ALL CONVINCED WE NEED A NEW VOTING SYSTEM.

I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ADEQUATE THINGS WE NEED. I RECENTLY TALKED TO A NUMBER

[01:35:04]

>> SOME INCOME IS DEFINITELY AN INVESTMENT. YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A COUPLE OF THINGS, THE NEWER TECHNOLOGY, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT LIKE THE DIAL, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO FIND THAT GROUP THAT DOES NOT VOTE AND THUS GET A BEER YOUNGER VOTERS.

AND THEY -- THEY, OVERWHELMINGLY, DO NOT LIKE THE MACHINES THAT WE HAVE.

AND THAT'S JUST HER FEEDBACK THAT WE HEAR YOU KNOW, FROM DIFFERENT VOTERS AND USE GROUPS, THAT KIND OF THING, THEY'RE TRYING TO GET OUT THAT BOAT.

THEY ARE FINE AS FAR AS WORKIN . WE HAVE HAD A FEW THAT HAD TO BE REMOVED BECAUSE THEY STARTED SMOKING. PSALM -- WE BOUGHT RIGHT AFTER THE FIRE THAT WOULD BE 2010, BUT WE BOUGHT FROM OTHER COUNTIES AFTER THAT, TOO, THAT WERE MUCH OLDER, LIKE 2002 IN 2003. SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT A SPAN OF ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO, YOU KNOW, 18 YEARS OLD. AND THAT IS GETTING TO BE OLDER. WE CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THEY'LL START SMOKING AT THE SAME TIME. WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARED AND READY TO GO, WHETHER WE DO IT NEXT YEAR OR THE YEAR AFTER, WE NEED A PLAN AND WE NEED DEFINITELY TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE ON THE MARKET. AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP WITH OUR PROCESS THAT WERE ABOUT TO DO.

>> I DO KNOW ONE THING, NO ONE IS EVER GOING TO BUILD A PERFECT VOTING MACHINE BECAUSE

THEY WOULDN'T SELL ANYMORE. >> JUST LIKE ALL TECHNOLOGY.

I MEAN, WHATEVER WE DO PURCHASE, 10 YEARS FROM NOW WERE GOING TO GO WHAT? THIS IS CRAZY. WE NEED TO UPDATE YOUR RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DOING.

>> THANK YOU. >> TOLD ROAD I'M GARY YOUR

[Toll Road & Tunnel & Ferry Operations]

THIS FUNDING MAY BE A LITTLE BIT LESS HELP RELIEVE THE GENERAL FUND OF SOME FINANCIAL BURDEN. ALTHOUGH NOT MUCH. WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 1000 FULL-TIME POSITIONS SPREAD OVER MULTIPLE DIVISIONS. AND I THINK YOU HAVE A COPY OF OUR ORGANIZATIONAL CHART. ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES MAKING AT LEAST $15 AN HOUR AND THE MEASUREMENT WE REALLY TRACK FOR BUDGET PURPOSES IS A RATIO OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE EXPENDITURES IN RELATION TO OUR GROSS REVENUE. WE AIM TO MAINTAIN THIS RATIO AT OR BELOW 33 PERCENT. WE PROJECT THAT WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 840 MILLION IN TOTAL GROSS REVENUE BUDGET THIS YEAR. AND OWEN M EXPENDITURES WILL BE ABOUT 24 PERCENT.

WOULD YOU PLACE A VERY BIG EMPHASIS ON TW I AND WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE ALLOWED TO DEVOTE OUR RESOURCES ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE A TOP

[01:40:08]

EVERY WEEKEND, -- WILL VIRTUALLY EVERY DAY OR NIGHT, BUT EVERY WEEKEND, THE NUMBER OF DWI ARRESTS CONTINUES TO INCREASE. WITH THAT, I'LL ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS? >> MR. ELLIS.

>> YOU MENTIONED DWI. SO WOULD YOU SPEND RESOURCES ON DWI ENFORCEMENT ISSUES?

>> I DON'T REALLY KNOW. IT'S HANDLED THROUGH OUR CONSTABLES.

AND. >> YOU GIVE THEM SOME MONEY.

>> OH YES. >> OH YES.

>> SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE HOW MUCH IT IS AND GET SOME.

>> AND WE CAN BREAK THAT DOWN AND GIVE THAT TO YOU. BUT WHAT'S AMAZING IS THERE ARE MANY TRAFFIC STOPS THAT THEY ARE NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT DWI AND FIND OUT THE DRIVER IS

INEBRIATED. >> CAN YOU ALL USE YOUR MONEY TO CATCH THEM IF THEY ARE DRUNK BEFORE THEY GET ON THE TOLLROAD?

>> I'M JUST CURIOUS. I DON'T DRINK BUT IF I WAS DRINKING I THINK I WOULD GUZZLE UP A LITTLE BIT BEFORE I GOT ON THE TOLLROAD.

>> JUST IF IT'S LEGAL BECAUSE IT MAY BE A WAY.

>> THE WAY IT WORKS NOW IS THE TOLLROAD CONTRACTS HAS CONTRACTS WITH THE CONSTABLES TO ADMINISTER ALL SORTS OF THINGS ON THE TOLLROAD. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN DIVISION THAT HELPS PEOPLE OUT IF THEY RUN OUT OF GAS AND CHANGE TIRES.

SO THE PAST, WE HAVE HAD PROGRAMS WHERE THE TOLLROAD FUNDED THEM TO HAVE A SPECIAL INITIATIVE TO DO, FOR INSTANCE ADDITIONAL DWI, RUNWAY DRIVERS IS ONE SO IT IS ILLEGAL.

>> IT IS WE WOULD NOT WANT TO USE IT AND IT MAY -- WE MIGHT WANT TO USE IT IN MY FREE UP SOME MONEY. I DON'T DRINK. BUT I WOULD ASSUME, IF I WAS A DRINKER, I WOULD DRINK BEFORE I GOT ON THE TOLLROAD'S. YOU GOTTA BE A PRETTY GOOD DRUNK TO KNOW YOU'RE GETTING ON THE TOLLROAD.

>> SOME HAVE FATAL ACCIDENTS. SO, THE TOLLROAD CAN ALLOCATE RESOURCES TO PINPOINT AND HANDLE SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES WHICH WOULD FREE UP SOME OTHER FUNDS.

I THINK I TALKED TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AT ONE TIME AND THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THE SHERIFF WOULD WANT TO USE THE RESOURCES.

>> ON OUR TAX COLLECTION I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF HOW THAT IS GOING THAT IS TIED INTO REVENUE. DO THEY DO THAT OR JUST SOMEONE ELSE DO IT SINCE IT'S BEING

HANDLED -- ARE WE COLLECTING. >> SO THE FINES AND FEES ARE PART OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

>> OKAY. >> WILL THE FINES FOR DWI, THEY GO TO THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR THE CONSTABLE. THEY DON'T COME TO HCTRA PER

SE. >> AMID THE ITEM THAT WE TOOK FROM BEING OUTSOURCED TO BRING IT IN HOUSE.

>> S&LS. AND FROM WHAT I CAN EVALUATE, THE TOLLROAD IS UP THERE AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT USED TO GET TO THE POINT OF BEING HANDLED ON THE FRONT END.

>> SO I THINK IT'S RUNNING MUCH MORE EFFICIENTLY.

>> I THINK IT WAS IN DECEMBER. IT WAS THE LAST COURT IN DECEMBER.

I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF HOW THAT IS GOING AND DO THEY PAY FOR IT?

>> THE TOLLROAD PAYS FOR IT. >> THE TOLLROAD PAYS FOR IT.

>> ANY PROBLEMS? >> I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANYTHING. IT'S WORKING WELL. AS A MATTER OF FACT IT IS SAVING OUR CUSTOMERS A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY THAT WE ARE BEING OVERCHARGED ON ALL THESE FEES.

SO IT'S AN AGGRESSIVE PROGRAM TO INFORM THE PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND THE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT. SO THEY DON'T HAVE THIS HUGE ACCUMULATION.

AND SO I -- I THINK IT'S BEEN AMAZING HOW WELL IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS

INVOLVED IN IT. >> THERE'S A CALL CENTER THAT THEY RUN THAT THIS WHOLE OPERATION USED TO BE CONTRACTED OUT BUT THE CALL CENTER IS BEEFED UP SO THEY HAVE ADMINISTER THAT ENFORCEMENT. THOSE THAT CANNOT BE COLLECTED OR REFERRED TO OUR OFFICE. IN ORDER TO DO THE LEGAL COLLECTION OF UNPAID TOLLS.

[01:45:10]

>> THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DOLLARS WE COLLECT IS PROBABLY LESS BECAUSE WE -- WE HAVE "OUR REGULAR CALL CENTER AND THEN WE HAVE A SEPARATE CALL CENTER FOR FEES AND THINGS -- PEOPLE THAT ARE -- TO GET INVOICES AND BUT WE TRY TO WORK WITH THE CUSTOMER.

WILL GIVE THEM A BREAK WITHIN OUR GUIDELINES. AND THE TOTAL COLLECTIONS, THERE PROBABLY LESS WHICH STEVE ASKED ME LAST YEAR, BUDGETARY, YOU BE JUST HAPPY COLLECTING THE TOLL. THAT'S ALL I WANT. ALL THESE OTHER THINGS, THEY

JUST CAUSE PROBLEMS. >> IF YOU WOULD, JUST GIVE US A REPORT ON. IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT, IT'S BEEN ABOUT A YEAR.

>> YES. >> AT THE END OF THE DAY, MY QUESTION WOULD BE HOW MUCH DO WE GET. I THINK ALL THE COUNTY WAS

GETTING WAS THE TOLL ANYWAY. >> YES.

>> IT WAS APPLES TO APPLES. THE QUESTION WOULD BE ARE WE COLLECTING AS MUCH.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT WE GET, NOT WHAT IS COLLECTED WANT HELP EVERYBODY.

I WANT THEM TO HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

>> I HAVE IMPLICATIONS AND OTHER ISSUES THAT'S WHY BRING IT UP.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER REDDICK.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. GARY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK OVER THERE.

AND I WAS JUST CURIOUS. YOU ARE GOING FROM 48 MILLION ON TOLLROAD CONSTRUCTION TO OVER A BILLION. HOW DOES THAT CHANGE? WHAT DOES THAT AMOUNT APPLY TO?

>> THE CURRENT PROJECTS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW ARE SOUTHEAST LOOP IN PRECINCT 1. IT'S ALMOST THROUGH. EAST LOOP, THE SHIP CHANNEL BRIDGE IN THE TOMBALL EXTENSION. TO THE -- TO THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY LINE.

IN THOSE RIGHT NOW COST US A BUNCH OF MONEY. BUT WE HANDLE THAT.

WE HANDLE IT THROUGH -- WE COME BACK TO THE COURT FOR EACH PROJECT, BUT WE -- WE FUND THOSE THROUGH EITHER BONDS OR MONEY WE HAVE COLLECTED SO FAR. A LOT OF THE TOLLROAD PROJECTS, WE ARE NOT BONDING OUT LIKE THE TOMBALL EXTENSION. THAT'S ABOUT $100 MILLION, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO PAY THAT WITH THE MONEY WE HAD ON HAND.

>> GOOD DEAL. AND -- I KNOW YOU ARE A DIFFERENT ENTITY IN TERMS OF THE ROLLOVER, BUT YOU DO A PRETTY GOOD DARN JOB OF COMING IN UNDER BUDGET.

HOW IS THE -- HOW HAVE THE SAVINGS -- WHAT FUND DO THEY GO UNDER.

>> SO THE TOLLROAD IS WHAT WE CALL AN ENTERPRISE FUND. IT'S THE SAME AS A BUSINESS.

THEY HAVE REVENUES AND EXPENSES. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN DEBT.

AND SO THERE'S NO ROLLOVER BECAUSE IT ALL STAYS WITHIN THE BUSINESS AS IF YOU OWNED A BUSINESS. AND SO, WE -- IN ONE OF THE THINGS IN OUR OFFICE, WE INVEST THE FUNDS THAT THEY HAVE THAT ARE SITTING THERE READY FOR THE PROJECT.

SO WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS WORK CLOSELY WITH GARY AND HIS TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT BORROW ANY MORE MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO. AND THEN THAT REDUCES THE OVERALL COST OVER TIME. CERTAINLY, SOME OF IT WILL HAVE TO BE FINANCED, BUT THERE'S A VERY POSITIVE STREAM OF FUNDS THAT COME IN EVERY YEAR. IT ALL STAYS IN THE BUCKET EXCEPT FOR THINGS LIKE THE MOBILITY FUND COMES OUT. AND WE CHARGE THE TOLLROAD FOR THOSE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. WE DO ALL THE HR AND PAYROLL, AND WE WORK WITH GARY AND HIS TEAM TO GET REIMBURSED FOR MOST OF THAT.

>> GOOD DEAL. AND GARY, LASTLY, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROJECTS THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU ON. ONE IS CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION WITH METRO ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE PROJECT ON THE HARDY TOLL LINE,

[01:50:06]

>> TO LET YOU KNOW, I KNOW IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET ALL THESE THINGS DONE, BUT METRO, WE ARE WORKING WITH AND THEY ARE DOING A STUDY OR SOON TO COMPLETE ONE TO THE AIRPORT.

WE MEET MONTHLY WITH TEXDOT AND THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE IT AND THE BUS LINE AND WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT THE DOWNTOWN IMPACT WILL BE IF WE HAVE THE HARDY TOLL ROAD CONNECTOR.

SO ALL OF THAT STUFF IS CONTINUALLY WORKING. I PROMISE YOU, WE HAVE NOT

FORGOTTEN ANY OF IT. >> GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU. >> AND ON THE HARDY LINE, LET'S JUST MAKE SURE THAT IT BECOMES SOMETHING REALLY ATTRACTIVE FOR OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO USE AND RESIST PUTTING IN 50 STOPS FROM BUSH TO DOWNTOWN. WE WILL RENDER IT WORTHLESS IF

WE DO THAT. >> YES.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IS A REAL AIRPORT CONNECTOR SYSTEM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> BILL? ARE WE STILL FUNDING OUT OF THE TOLLROAD? WE WERE INVOLVED WITH THE DWI COURT AS FAR AS HELPING THEM.

>> I HAVE TO GO BACK TO. >> ALWAYS THINK ABOUT THAT.

>> AT ONE TIME HE FUNDED IT. PETER, DO WE SILL FUND THAT?

>> (AWAY FROM MIC). >> WOW.

THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES IF WE ARE GOING TO REDUCE THE DWI, WERE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PEOPLE AND TRY TO PHASE THEM OUT. THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE THESE REPEAT PEOPLE. AND YOU KNOW HOW THEY ARE.

>> IS A GIFT TO THE DWI COURT. >> WE JUST HEAR WHAT THE DEAL IS OBVIOUSLY. I THINK IT'S INITIATIVE.

>> IN THE OTHER AREA LOOKED AT I FS, THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES TO DO THE PROCESSING OF BLOOD IN ORDER TO COME BACK WITH RESULTS. IT TAKES -- IF YOU JUST GO TO A LABORATORY, TAKES ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MINUTES TO COME UP WITH THAT.

BUT SOMETIMES, TAKES AS MUCH AS 30 DAYS. IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN JAIL OVER SOMETHING LIKE THAT FOR A TEST THAT SHOULD ONLY TAKE A MATTER OF MOMENTS, VERSUS A LOT OF TIME, SOME LOOKING AT SEEING IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BEEF UP THE PROCESSING TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE PEOPLE TAKEN CARE OF AND THEN I HAVEN'T COME TO THE TOLLROAD FOR THAT BUT CERTAINLY, THAT'S ONE OF MY INITIATIVES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THIS IS MORE FOR BILL, BUT JUST AS SAYING MATTER OF GOOD FINANCIAL HOUSEKEEPING, I NOTICED THAT THE BUDGET FOR TOLLROAD IS -- THEY COME UNDER BUDGET. I KNOW IT DOES NOT COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND, BUT THERE'S OVER 200 OPEN POSITIONS OF THAT'S RIGHT AND ABOUT 40 OR $50 MILLION. EACH YEAR THAT COMES UNDER BUDGET.

PERHAPS JUST RECALIBRATING THAT TO OUR REFLEX THE ACTUAL --

>> AND ONE OF THE THINGS IS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS A MORE OF AN ALL EASY TAG, WHICH IS A LOT LESS INDIVIDUALS AN IMMORTAL ELECTRONIC.

[Public Comment (Part 2 of 2)]

>> JUST SO WE HAVE AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF ALL THE DEPARTMENTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

[01:55:01]

>> SO WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER, DOUG, THEY DID NOT SPEAK EARLIER.

I'M OKAY TO CALL HIM UP? AND THEN WE WILL TAKE A BREAK. GREGORY KERENSKY.

>> SORRY. I GOT HERE A LITTLE LATE, EARLIER.

ANYWAY, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING. I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT VOTING MACHINES AND I WANTED TO FIRST -- COMMISSIONER RODDICK SAID WHY DO WE NEED A NEW VOTING SYSTEM. I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST REASON IS THE PAPER TRAIL.

THERE IS NO PAPER TRAIL OR NO ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE MACHINES THAT WE HAVE NOW.

THEY ARE A COMPLETE BLACK BOX WHICH BRINGS UP QUESTIONS OF ACCURACY.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S KIND OF A DONE DEAL THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD URGE THE COMMISSION TO NOT GO TO THE BELLS AND WHISTLES ALL THE TECHNOLOGY GO FOR SOMETHING TRIED-AND-TRUE, THE OPTICAL SCAN SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE THE CHEAPEST AND BEST ONE.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. IN FLORIDA WE REMEMBER THE DEBACLE WITH ALL THE COMPUTER CARDS. THE COUNTIES THAT DID USE OPTICAL SCAN LIKE THE LOOSEST COUNTY WERE ABLE TO DO THEIR RECOUNT LICKETY-SPLIT AND THE NUMBERS WERE THE SAME.

SO THE ACCURACY AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY ARE THERE. NOW WE COULD RETROFIT THE MACHINES THAT WE HAVE NOW, BUT AS THE COUNTY CLERK POINTED OUT SOME ARE STARTING TO SMOKE AND ARE GETTING OLD. SO I WOULD URGE THE COUNTY COMMISSION TO LOOK INTO -- I'M SURE YOU PROBABLY ONLY HAVE THE OPTICAL SCAN TECHNOLOGY WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE BEST WAY TO GO AND I WOULD HOPE THAT IN YOUR WISDOM, YOU COULD COME TO THAT CONCLUSION AS WELL.

THAT'S ABOUT IT

[Flood Control]

>> IT'S 11:12 A.M. AND WE ARE BACK.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. AS YOU CAN TELL I WAS NOT PLANNING ON BEING HERE THIS MORNING. SO MARTY, NOT. I DO KNOW THAT AS A RESULT OF MY FOCUSING ON BEING PREPARED FOR THE TOUR TODAY, MY STAFF WORKED HARD PUTTING COMMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS TOGETHER IN MY ABSENCE. I DO NOT WANT TO RUB.

>> OF THAT -- I DON'T WANT TO ROB THEM. I'LL BRING MY TEAM UP.

>> GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> HOWDY, JUDGE. MATT WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT IS TO PROVIDE PROJECTS AT WORK WITH REGARD TO COMMUNITY AND NATURAL VALUES. THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE OUR NORMAL $120 MILLION ALLOCATION FOR OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES.

OUT OF THAT HUNDRED $20 MILLION ALLOCATION, THE PROJECT $43 MILLION IN PAYROLL.

FOR PAYROLL WE CURRENTLY HAVE 406 TOTAL POSITIONS, 323 ARE CURRENTLY FILLED, WHICH LEAVES CITIES REOPEN. WE PLAN TO FILL 14 MORE BEFORE THE START OF NEXT FISCAL YEAR FOR 337 TOTAL BILLED POSITIONS TO START OUT THE FISCAL YEAR. .

ALSO OUT OF THAT AMOUNT, WE HAVE A $11 MILLION BUDGETED FOR STAFF AUGMENTATION.

THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS 13 DIFFERENT CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENT STAFF AUGMENTATION ACTIVITIES. WE ARE ALSO REVIEWING BILLS BY THE CONSULTING COMMUNITY.

THEN OUT OF THAT, WE PLAN TO -- WE PROJECTED TO TRANSFER A LITTLE OVER $6.8 MILLION TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUPPORT -- THE COUNTY -- COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR FLEEING IT SERVICES, THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FOR SUPPORT FROM THE REAL PROPERTY DIVISION AND THE FACILITIES AND PROP PROPERTY MAINTENANCE DIVISION.

WE ALSO WILL TRANSFER FUNDS FOR CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1. SO WE UTILIZE A LOT OF THE COUNTY SERVICES. SO THAT LEAVES APPROXIMATELY $60 MILLION OF HER HUNDRED $20 MILLION FOR OUR FUNCTIONS WHICH INCLUDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING, REPAIRS TO OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FLEET BILLING SERVICES PAYMENTS AND IT'S A SIMILAR AMOUNT TO WHAT WE HAD LAST YEAR. WE PLAN TO CONTINUE THE SAME LEVEL OF SERVICES AND BUDGET

[02:00:07]

>> WILL JUDGE, YOU KNOW, THEY ASKED THAT I GO EASY ON THEM. IT JUST MOTIVATED ME -- (LAUGHING) -- LISTEN, GUYS. I THINK -- A LITTLE SIMILAR TO THE CONVERSATION THAT WE ARE HAVING. I KNOW YOU HAVE THE SAME CHALLENGES WITH KEEPING TALENT ON BOARD AND THE SALARY CHALLENGES AS WELL. SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING. THANK YOU, YOU AND RUSS, FOR HELPING US TO WORK TO HAVE ALL OF THESE EVER MOVING CHALLENGES WITH GL LOW AND DOING WHAT WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY DOES NOT GET PUSHED BY THE SIDE. I APPRECIATE YOUR WELL-BEING AT THE HEARING THE OTHER NIGHT AND HOPEFULLY, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE A CASE TO THE SECRETARY OF HUD ON WHY, YOU KNOW, HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE THOUGHT ABOUT VERY STRATEGICALLY. BECAUSE IF NOT FOR OUR DAMAGES, WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE IN THE MIX FOR WHOLE LOT OF STUFF. SO APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO.

AND -- AND THEN SIMILARLY, AS I MENTIONED TO JOHN ABOUT THE -- I DO NOT WANT TO PUT ANY SHINGLES OUT FOR OUT-OF-STATE FIRMS TO COME INTO TOWN. BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING MINDFUL OF THE -- HOW TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE CREATING COMPETITION WITH OUR LOCAL FIRMS, AND PUTTING THE FEES ASIDE BECAUSE THE BE TALKED TO IN A DIFFERENT WAY, BUT EVERYTHING FROM OUR MEDIA FIRMS TO OUR -- TIER 1 FIRMS IN TOWN.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY LOOKING -- THAT WERE NOT PUTTING ANYTHING ON THE SHOULDERS OF ONE FIRM ANY MORE THAN WE NEED TO, TO ENSURE THAT THE WORK GETS DONE AND THAT HE GETS DONE AT A COST EFFECTIVE RATE.

>> YES, SIR. AND TO THAT END, THIS YEAR, THE FLOOD CONTROL JUDICIARY STARTED -- IT'S ON -- UNOFFICIAL PROGRAM FOR OUR MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING SERVICES WERE WE HIRED FOR FIRMS THAT ARE VERY EXPERIENCED IN OUR PROJECTS IN EACH OF THESE FOUR FIRMS HAS TO FIRMS UNDERNEATH THEM TO TRAIN TO BE FAMILIAR WITH HOW WE DO OUR MAINTENANCE ENGINEERING PROJECTS. AND ASSUMING THEY LEARN -- LEARN OUR SYSTEM AND LEARN HOW TO DO THE PROJECTS REALLY WELL, THAT WE CAN HIRE THEM THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND REPEAT THE TRAINING PROCESS TO CREATE A LARGER BENCH OF FIRMS OF HOW WE DO OUR -- THAT ARE FAMILIAR

WITH HOW WE DO OUR BUSINESS. >> A JUDGE, TO THAT END, ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH MATTIS THAT YOU KNOW WITH THINGS LIKE THE NORTH CANAL PROJECT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION TO HARRIS COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT ALL NEIGHBORHOODS ARE CONNECTED TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY CAN BE PAND WE ARE CHALLENGING OUR CIT PARTNERS, WHEREVER THEY MAY BE WHETHER IT IS HOUSTON OR OTHER PLACES, THAT WHILE WE ARE DOING -- WHILE FLOOD CONTROL IS DOING THEIR WORK, THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT THERE DOING THEIR PART TO ALLEVIATE NEIGHBORHOOD FLOODING BY MAKING SURE THAT THERE BEING MINDFUL OF THEIR WORK SO THAT THERE IS CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN THOSE PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DELIVERING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> THAT WERE NOT DUPLICATING. >> EXACTLY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I ECHO WHAT THE COMMISSIONER SAYS IN TERMS OF ENGINEERING AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT, THE TALENT THAT YOU NEED AND I JUST WANT TO LEAVE AN OPEN QUESTION FOR YOU GUYS. WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH THE STUDY AS TO WHAT OTHER RESOURCES WERE NECESSARY OR MADE SENSE FOR THE PROJECTS TO GET DONE FASTER, OF COURSE WITH THE ADEQUATE LEVEL OF QUALITY. AND SO, IF THERE IS A RESOURCE NEED THERE, PLEASE LET US KNOW. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING ON HERE THAT WAS ALONG THE LINES.

I BELIEVE THE REPORTS THAT WE PRETTY MUCH ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE COULD AND YOU

[02:05:01]

>> WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING THROUGH A VERY INTENSIVE EFFORT WITH THE SUPPORT OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO UPDATE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO A COMPLETE ÃMY COMPUTER PROGRAM CALLED UNIVAR WHICH IS AN INDUSTRY STANDARD WAY TO MANAGE ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF ASPECTS OF A LARGE ORGANIZATION WHICH WE ARE NOW BECOMING. AND THAT WILL HELP US KIND OF MODERNIZE HOW WE TRACK AND HOW WE PROVIDE SERVICES AND HOW WE TRACK EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE DOING. AND SO THAT WAS A BIG PART OF WHAT RYAN JACKSON REPORTS AND

THAT'S UNDERWAY. >> AND BILL, IS THERE A WAY -- I KNOW THEY GET TRANSFERS FOR THE DEBT SERVICING, THERE'S CONTINGENCY FUNDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THERE'S DIFFERENT TRANSFERENCE TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

IS THERE A WAY TO TRACK THEM CONSISTENTLY JUST SO WE HAVE CLARITY OF WHAT FUNDS ARE --

>> JUST HAVE IT MONTHLY SO THAT YOU CAN SEE IT SO THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM.

>> YES. SO THE PROJECTION, IF POSSIBLE. IT'S SOMETHING THAT -- LOOKING FROM THE OUTSIDE SEEMS A BIT AD HOC. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO JUST UNDERSTAND THAT QUICK SURE. WE WILL WORK WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL AND GET SOMETHING ON THE THAT IS MORE ON A MONTHLY BASIS.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

>> MATT, THE PROJECT FLOW -- IT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> WHICH PROJECT. >> 101.

IT'S OUR DETENTION FACILITY OVERALL,

>> PARISH PARK, YES, SIR. >> SO, JUST AMAZING HOW WELL

THIS WORKED. >> IT'S ALREADY WORKED.

IT'S BEEN TRIAL BY FIRE. IT'S ALREADY RANGE. WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION, PHOTO DOCUMENTATION THAT THE FIRST CELL, WHICH WAS 99 PERCENT COMPLETE IN A MALL THAT CAME THROUGH, HELD UP WITH WATER. IT HELD UP THE WATER LIKE IT WAS INTENDED TO.

FOLKS IN THAT AREA WILL SEE BENEFIT FROM THE PROJECT WHEN IT'S COMPLETED.

>> THE WAY YOU HAVE DONE IT, THERE THANK YOU.

[Community Services]

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. NEXT IS COMMUNITY SERVICES.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CRAIG ATKINSON ON WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES HERE WITH US TODAY TO HELP WITH THE BUDGET TOGETHER.

>> WE HAVE AN EXTRA HANDOUT. -- DOES ANYONE HAVE AN EXTRA HANDOUT.

>>. >> I HAVE NOT.

I PROMISE. >> JUDGE, OUR PRESENTER AS A BUG AND WOULD NOT SHAKE OUR HANDS WHEN HE HAD TO BE A DOCUMENT.

>> GIVEN THE FIRST HALF OF THE BUDGET PRESENTATION TODAY.

>> AND THEN WILL HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

THE MISSION IS FOCUSED ON PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSIT, AND PUBLIC SERVICE NEEDS FOR THE COUNTY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE MOST VULNERABLE.

WE PROVIDE SERVICES THAT ARE UNIQUE AMONG OUR FELLOW -- FELLOW DEPARTMENTS AS WE DIRECT OUR SERVICES TO THE UNDERSERVED OF OUR COMMUNITY, PERFORMING JOBS THAT ARE KEY TO IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH OF THOSE WE SERVE. NEXT YEAR, OUR BUDGET IS EXPECTED TO RUNAROUND $420 MILLION. THAT, OF COURSE, INCLUDES DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING. OUR GENERAL FUND IS ONLY GOING TO BE $12.4 MILLION IF OURS IS APPROVED AND I WILL COME OUT TO ABOUT 2.9 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL FUNDING.

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE 295 POSITIONS FILLED OR IN THE PROGRESS OF BEING FILLED AND NEXT YEAR WE ARE ASKING TO CREATE ANOTHER 21.5 PCNS FOR GENERAL FUND AND 31.5 IN GRANT FUNDS. THE DEPARTMENT IS MADE UP OF FOUR PROGRAM AREAS, SOCIAL SERVICES, OFFICE OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TRANSIT SERVICES, DR, FINANCE -- WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION. IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THEY DELIVER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO OVER 6400 HOUSEHOLDS LAST YEAR.

THEY ENGAGED IN COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, PROVIDE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND HOMELESS PREVENTION AND RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAMS. THEY ALSO HAVE, BREATHING

[02:10:03]

THEY ALSO OPERATE THE COUNTY CEMETERY. NEXT YEAR, THEY HAVE A GOAL TO COLLABORATE WITH HARRIS HEALTH SO THAT THEY CAN LOCATE THEIR EXPANDED OPERATIONS INTO AREAS OF THE COUNTY WHERE PERSONS CAN MORE EASILY ACCESS THEIR SERVICES.

ANOTHER UNIT WITHIN COMMUNITY SERVICES IS TRANSIT SERVICES. AND THEY OPERATE ON A BUDGET OF $926,000 IN GENERAL FUNDS, WHICH ARE LEVERAGED AGAINST AROUND 12.5 MILLION IN FTA AND LOCAL PARTNER MATCHING FUNDS. UNDER THEIR UMBRELLA THEY HAVE RANTZ PARK AND RIDE, BUS ROUTES, NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND NEXT YEAR THEY WILL BE EXPANDING THEIR BUS ROUTES TO FIVE NEW BUS ROUTES IN THE NORTHEAST PORTION OF HARRIS COUNTY IN RESPONSE TO THE LOSS OF VEHICLES FROM THE MOST RECENT DISASTERS.

>> UNDER THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP, THEY INCLUDE H CRC, OUTREACH PLANNING AND DEVELOPING, GRANTS MANAGEMENT, AND ALSO SOME HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WHICH INCLUDES HOUSING REPAIR, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL HOUSING -- HOUSING AND SPECIAL INITIATIVES. AND THEN OF COURSE WE HAVE THE DR UNIT WILL GIVE THEIR UPDATE IN A MINUTE. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO GO OVER THE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR NEXT YEAR, WHICH INCLUDED THE 53 NEW POSITIONS OF WHICH 21.5 OR GENERAL FUND FUNDED AND 31.5 WERE GRANT FUNDED. THE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR 1.19 MILLION THE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR 1.1 9,000,005 NEW FTES TO HELP COVER THE COST OF THE HOUSING RESOURCE AND OUTREACH, MAINLY BECAUSE OF WANTING TO RELOCATE OR:KATE THEIR CASE -- SORRY, RESOURCE NAVIGATORS, AND THEIR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE STAFF IN AREAS WHERE THE UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS CAN ACTUALLY MORE EASILY ACCESS SERVICES.

THE NEXT REQUEST -- GO. I ALSO WANTED TO COVER THE FACT THAT THIS PARTICULAR UNIT HAS RELIED QUITE HEAVILY ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS IN THE PAST.

AND THAT RELIANCE ON THOSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS IS -- IS BEGINNING TO RUN OUT.

AND THAT SOURCE MAY BE LIMITED IN THE FUTURE. AS ALSO UNDER SOCIAL SERVICES, THEY ARE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL 12 FTES HAVING A COST OF 850,000 AND AGAIN, THIS GROUP, TOO, WILL BE COLOCATED WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND OTHER COMMUNITY AREAS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IN COMMUNICATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR TWO NEW POSITIONS UNDER THE PIO UNIT AT A COST OF 100 AT A COST OF $106,000 PER YEAR AND THEN, UNDER TRANSIT, THEY'RE ASKING $419,000 FOR NEXT YEAR IN SUPPORT OF THE FIVE BUS ROUTES THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER. AND FINALLY, THE DEPARTMENT IS ASKING FOR $257,000 PLACEHOLDER IN ANTICIPATION OF A CONCH JUDGMENT STUDIED IS BEING WORKED ON BY DAVID KESTER'S.

AND THAT IS MAINLY TO ADDRESS A EQUALIZATION -- EQUALIZATION TO READ -- ATTRACT AND RETAIN STAFF IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES WORKER GROUP AREA. IN THE NEXT -- I'LL TURN IT OVER TO YOU TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON DR.

>> JUDGE -- JUST REAL QUICK BEFORE YOU MOVE ON. SO, HOW MANY POSITIONS

ALTOGETHER WAS A KEY. >> TOTAL WAS 53.

[02:15:07]

>> 31.5 OF THOSE WILL BE ALLOCATED TO GRANTS. 21.5 WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO

GENERAL BONDS. >> YOU HAVE SPACE AND EQUIPMEN ? I DID NOT SEE THAT IN THE REQUEST.

>> THAT -- CURRENTLY, WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE LEASE -- WE EXPANDED THE LEASE MOST RECENTLY THE NORTHWEST AREA. YES. I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE THE SPACE.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT -- MARTIN DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT?

>> THAT'S OKAY AS LONG AS -- AS LONG AS WE HAVE SPACE. THAT LEADS TO THE OTHER QUESTION WHICH IS IT FOR ADDING THESE INDIVIDUALS LIKE THE ONES THAT ARE PART OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND A LARGE PORTION OF THE CDR'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHY CAN'T THOSE POSITIONS FALL

UNDER THIS NEW GRANT? >> RICHARD RIOS YOUR QUESTION

WARMER TIME. >> YOU'RE SAYING THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUCKET THAT WE HAD IN THE LEGAL FINDINGS POSITIONS IN THE PAST IS GOING

AWAY. >> RIGHT.

>> WHY WOULD THESE POSITIONS FIT INTO THE NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

>> I CAN'T -- OKAY. THAT'S FINE. HIS QUESTIONS WE CAN TALK ABOUT

LATER. >> SURE.

>> THESE ARE STAFF PERSONS THAT WOULD TYPICALLY BE CHARGED TO THE GENERAL FUND.

BUT PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION ALLOCATED THEIR COST TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND.

WANTING TO USE THOSE FUNDS FOR REAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS RATHER THAN

SPENDING IT ON STAFF TIME. >> PERFECT.

THANK YOU. >> HELLO, COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE CHIEF OFFICER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE DISASTER RECOVERY UNIT COMPRISED OF HOUSING PROGRAMS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS. JUST TO RECAP WHERE WE ARE TODAY, ON JANUARY 29 OF THIS YEAR, THEY HAD A CONTRACT FOR THE FIRST APPLICATION OF ABOUT $800 MILLION WORTH OF HOUSING PROGRAM.

>> I'M SORRY. HELLO. SHOULD I START OVER OR?

>> CONTINUE. >> ALL RIGHT.

AFTER THE CONTRACT, WITHIN 90 DAYS WE LAUNCHED THE PROGRAMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR HOME REPAIR AND READ CONSTRUCTION AND FOR BUYOUT. BY JUNE WE HAD OPENED FIVE CENTERS AND IN SEPTEMBER, WE IDENTIFIED SOME SERIOUS CHALLENGES.

WE REASSESS THE PROGRAMS AND SAID -- REVIEWED THE AGGRESSIVE GOALS FOR PRODUCTION.

>> FOR EFFICIENCY WE HIRED A SECOND INTAKE VENDOR. WE HIRED A PROGRAM MANAGER.

WE ALSO HAVE NOW, 10 INTAKE CENTERS OPEN. WE HAVE ALSO SECURED THE SERVICES FOR 15 REPAIR CONTRACTORS IN 22 HOMEBUILDERS. AND OVER THE LAST 90 DAYS, WE ARE NOW WORKING WITH A FIELD OF OVER 900 APPLICANT FILES, ONE-ON-ONE ON THEIR ELIGIBILITY REVIEW. WE HAVE SUBMITTED OVER 60 FILES TO GL LOW FOR THEIR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. WE HAVE ISSUED CHECKS FOR REIMBURSEMENT, COMPRISING OVER $94,000 IN DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO HOMEOWNERS. AND WE ARE CLOSING OUR -- OUR FIRST BIOS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR IN PROVIDING DIRECT ASSISTANCE TOWARD REPLACEMENT HOMES. WE ARE REVISING OUR GOALS TO BETTER REFLECT THE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS. AND WE HAVE ASSESSED OUR STAFFING CAPACITY IN OUR VENDORS. WE ARE MAKING CHANGES TO THE VENDORS WHERE WE ARE TRANSITIONING OFF ICF OF OF OUR TEAM. WE ARE RIGHT SIZING OUR TEAMS SO THAT WE SPEAK TO THE PROGRAM L POLK IN THE CRITICAL DEMAND. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE IN IDENTIFYING AND DEPLOYING IMPROVEMENTS TO -- SO THAT WE CAN MORE QUICKLY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED WHILE WE REMAIN COMPLIANT WITH REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS. AND WE REMAIN FOCUSED ON PROVIDING THE QUICK ASSISTANCE TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED AND WE STAND READY TO SAVE THE COUNTY -- SERVE THE COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. >> ON THIS ONE, I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND WE WILL CERTAINLY CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS TO GET EVERYTHING DONE EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY, THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND NOT DIRECT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MIRED IN RED TAPE BUT THERE'S SOME RESPONSIBILITY LOCALLY. AND WE NEED TO FACE THAT AND DEAL WITH IT, WHICH IS WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING. AND SO WE WILL KEEP PUSHING YOU ONE THAT I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AND I THINK THAT'S NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE GIVEN WHAT WE STAND.

>> WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT.

[02:20:01]

>> YES. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE AND I JUST WANT TO THANK THE TEAM FOR ALL YOU GUYS ARE DOING. ALL THINGS COMMUNITY, YOU GUYS TEND TO BE THE NET FOR ALL THOSE VARIOUS THINGS. BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU STAY LASER FOCUSED ON RECOVERY BECAUSE I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I AM READING RELATED TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND I DO NOT WANT THAT TO BLOW BACK ON US. SO APPRECIATE THE CONVERSATION OF RIGHT SIZING THAT YOU ARE DOING IN THAT REGARD. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS, BUT THIS IS EXTREMELY CRITICAL.

>> IT IS. >> AND I WILL JUST HAVE TO ASSUME THAT IF YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT YOU'VE GOT IT UNDER CONTROL, -- AND ASSUMING THAT THE STATE IS NOT PLAYING POLITICS WITH US, AND -- BUT IF THEY DO PRODUCE EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM -- IN OUR SYSTEM -- THAT I HAVE TO PUT THAT ON YOUR

SHOULDERS. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M BEING VERY TRANSPARENT WITH YOU.

IT'S BUSINESS. WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE -- ANYTIME THEY READ SOME ARTICLE OF THIS NATURE, THE CONVERSATION OF NOT GETTING HELP, THE CONVERSATION OF -- AND I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF INTRICACIES THAT PEOPLE DO NOT OFTEN MENTION LIKE THEY HAVEN'T TURNED IN THEIR TAX RETURNS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. BUT EVEN TO THAT EXTENT, I AM

LOOKING FOR CREATIVE THINKING. >> YES.

>> ON HOW TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES, DATA FOR WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WITHHOLD INFORMATION OF THE TAX RETURNS? IS THERE SOME ELECTRONIC WAY TO RESOLVE THAT INSTEAD OF HAVING THE PEOPLE WHOSE HOME FLOODED, WHOSE FURNITURE GOT THROWN OUT ON THE LAWN, WHOSE BOXES WERE SOAKED, TO BE THE SAME PEOPLE TO GO AS THEM TO GO FIND HER TAX RETURNS. SO LOOKING FOR SOME REAL DETAILED CREATIVE WAYS TO ACCELERATE YOU KNOW, WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WHERE WE NEED TO GET TO.

BECAUSE I AM -- I AM VERY CLOSELY MONITORING THIS CONVERSATION AND I DO NOT WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> UNDERSTOOD, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> I WOULD JUST THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. I SAID PRIVATELY WHEN I MET WITH MR. MELLON AND SOME OF YOU BEEN IN THE MEETINGS THAT THROUGHOUT MY CAREER, THE PEOPLE WHO OPERATE THE PROGRAM THAT YOU ARE OPERATING, TEND TO HAVE MORE HEADACHES, MORE CHALLENGES THAN MOST OTHER DEPARTMENTS. BECAUSE OF THE RED TAPE THAT IS INVOLVED. I UNDERSTAND WHY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT PUT THE TAPE, THE RED TAPE THERE, BECAUSE THEY GET MANDATES FROM BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT. AND I'M ALSO FAIRLY FAMILIAR WITH THE TRANSITION FROM OLD COUNTY FUNDING WHERE HUD WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THAT I THINK IT WAS PEOPLE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ABOUT 1975, WHO WANTED TO GO TO CDBG.

>> THAT WANTED TO GET THE BLOCK GRANT APPROACH SO THEY COULD GET THIS MONEY MANY WAYS TO DO WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO INSTEAD OF WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTED THEM TO DO WITH IT.

I KNOW THAT WELL. BECAUSE THAT WAS WHAT MY THESIS WAS ON THE TRANSITION FROM CATEGORICAL FUNDING THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BLOCK GRANT FUNDING AND THAT ALL THESE EGGS,. I CAN REMEMBER THE NAMES OF PEOPLE WHEN I WAS A COUNCILMEMBER WHO WOULD HAVE TO COME AND GO IN THAT DEPARTMENT BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE ISSUES BECAUSE OUR CULTURE WAS NOT TO GO AFTER THE FEDERAL MONEY FOR HOUSING BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE SENSITIVITY TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO, THE ATTITUDE IS JUST DON'T TAKE IT.

BUT THEN WHEN THE PRESSURE CAME TO TAKE IT, THE CITY DID NOT HAVE THAT SKILL SET BUILDUP BECAUSE IT HAD GONE OTHER PLACES. I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE ASKING FOR WHAT YOU NEED. AND I HAVE SAID PRIVATELY I'M GOING TO SAY IT PUBLICLY, I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE IDEA THAT IF WE CAN'T MANAGE IT, TO OUTSOURCE IT.

AND MANAGE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING IT. LIKE ALL OF IT.

NOW I DO HAVE TO TELL THESE DEVELOPERS WHEN THEY COME IN, IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD

[02:25:04]

>> AND I KNOW WHEN THIS ISSUE CAME UP BEFORE THAT THE ISSUE WAS WHETHER YOU JUST DO IT IN-HOUSE, BRING IN ANOTHER FIRM AND MY ATTITUDE WAS SINCE WE DO NOT KNOW WE DON'T KNOW.

DO ALL THREE UNTIL HE FIGURED OUT. BECAUSE YOU DO WANT TO JUST WALK AWAY FROM SOMEBODY WHO IS OUT THERE. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE.

YOU'RE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN. BUT I HOPE -- AT THE HEARING THE OTHER NIGHT, THE COMMENTS I SAW IN THE PAPER INDICATED YOU KNOW, SORT OF A A TAUNT OF SORTS THERE TRYING TO HIT THE RESET BUTTON. I HOPE THAT IS WHAT'S HAPPENIN .

MAKE SURE YOU'RE ASKING FOR WHAT YOU NEED. ALL OF THE HELP THAT YOU WANT TO GET, YOU NEED TO BRING IN THAT THE OUTFIELD -- OUTFIT THAT NEIL RATCLIFF WHO IS WITH THE GOVERNMENT WAS HELPING US A LOT. HE WAS UP IN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. I HATE E RETIRED.

>> IS ON OUR TEAM. >> YES.

>> WILL HELP YOU USE THEM. I'LL TELL YOU THIS AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN I KNOW I GOT TO MEET MY MAKER, MEANING THE VOTERS, SHORT-TERM, ALL MADE THE OTHER ONES LATER (LAUGHING) AND ANNA WANT TO MEET MY VOTERS AND THE OTHER MAKER SOONER BECAUSE I'M STRESSED OUT.

THEY WILL KNOW YOU ALL. THEY KNOW THESE FIVE PEOPLE AT THIS TABLE.

SO I DON'T TAKE THE POSITION THAT IF I WANT TO CALL SOMEBODY LIKE NEIL THAT YOU HAVE HIS PARTY YOUR TEAM, I WANT TO TALK TO HIM BECAUSE I KNOW HE WAS THERE AND HE KNOWS IT.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, YOU BETTER COME IN WITH THEM BECAUSE IF NOT, I'LL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. BUT JUST DON'T LET IT -- ARE WE ON PACE WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS?

>> THAT'S A GOOD ONE. ARE WE SLOWER THAN THE CITY? I READ THE PRESS ACCOUNTS I HAD TO RESPOND TO PRESS ACCOUNTS OTHER THAN WHEN THEY KEEP WRITING THEM.

>> WHAT ARE WE -- IF WE ARE FARTHER BEHIND, WHY?

>> WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING THE SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADHERING TO THE PROGRAM. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THEM ON FRIDAY AND THEY ARE

SUPPORTIVE OF US. >>.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU NEED THAT YOU HAVE AND ASKED FOR?

>> WE JUDGMENT WHILE WE ARE TRANSITION.

>> OR YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT.

>> WE ARE THINKING ABOUT. THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL COME BACK IF WE NEED TO.

>>. >> IN JUST A WAY.

>> I THINK THIS DEPARTMENT -- I'M SORRY.

>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. >> I THINK THIS DEPARTMENT, HISTORICALLY, YOU WOULD COME I , YOU JUST GOT A PROGRAM WAS MY JUDGMENT, NOT TO ASK FOR SOMETHING. PEOPLE GET UPSET BECAUSE YOU ASK.

I WOULD PREFER YOU GET UPSET BECAUSE YOU DID NOT GET IT.

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> THAT TO TAKE THE HEAT OF US BECAUSE YOU DID NOT ASK. PARTICULARLY WHEN A GOOD BIT OF IT IS FEDERAL MONEY.

>> YOU KNOW, EVEN OF THE STUFF IS NOT FEDERAL MONEY, STUFF WE HAVE TO DO WE COULD HAVE TO DO MORE THAN WE THINK WE HAVE TO DO BECAUSE WE THINK WERE GOING TO BE REIMBURSED.

>> WOULD WE GET, MR. JACKSON IN THAT OUTFIT THEY CAME UP TO FOR FREE AND THE TAB GOT ABOUT UP TO 25 MILLION? WHAT WAS THAT ROLE? IT WAS CALLED SOMETHING ELSE

INITIALLY. >> SO THINK OF IT LIKE AN INSURANCE POLICY. YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT ALL THESE CLAIMS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ARE THE ONES WHO PUT TOGETHER THE CLAIMS. AND THEN THIS WHOLE PROCESS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CHANGE THE WAY THEY DID. YOU GIVE THEM PART OF A CLAIM AND THEY GIVE YOU MONEY NOW YOU HAVE TO PUT THE WHOLE THING IN THEIR AND THAT'S WHAT GOT PAST.

IT WAS BASICALLY -- THEY GAVE US ABOUT 100,000 FREE TIME UPFRONT ABOUT $20 MILLION.

>> WAS IT RFP OR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. WAS IT A FULL RFP PROCESS?

>> I DON'T REMEMBER. >> SO ORIGINALLY, IT WAS AN RFQ AND THEN A GUIDE HOUSE WAS THE ONE THAT CAME BACK TO US AFTER THAT YEAR AND SAID BASED ON THE GUIDANCE THAT'S COMING OUT, WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO A FULL RFP TO GUARANTEE THAT YOU GET REIMBURSEMENTS MOVING ON. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE DO THE FULL RFP PROCESS AFTER WE DO THE INITIAL RFQ. ULTIMATELY THEY DID NOT WIN THE RFP BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING

TO DO. >> AM ASKING WHAT ROLE DID THEY PLAY BECAUSE BEFORE THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA GOT HERE, AND PART -- AT LEAST I

[02:30:02]

>> THEY WERE PART OF. >> AT LEAST IT WAS MY IMPRESSION PRICE WATERHOUSE WAS GOING TO GUIDE US THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

>> CORRECT. >> I GUESS IT WAS PRETTY ACCURATE BECAUSE THEY CHANGE NAME TO GUIDE HOUSE IN THAT HOUSE -- I WANT TO BE HERE WHERE WONDERING WELL, THE HOUSE DID NOT GET GUIDED RIGHT.

>> NO, SIR. BUT WE ARE STILL RECEIVING PAYMENTS FROM LIKE AT THIS POINT. THESE THINGS TAKE A LONG TIME. BUT THE MAIN THING WAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CREATED THIS PORTAL SYSTEM THAT WE ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW.

THE BEST WAY TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE IS WHERE ALL THE SUDDEN YOU WOULD HAVE A WINDOW IN A BUILDING THAT GOT BROKEN OUT. NOW WITH THIS PORTAL SYSTEM WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL PLUMBING, WHAT THE FLOORING IS IN ALL THOSE THINGS WITHIN THIS BUILDING IN ORDER TO GET THE WINDOW PAID FOR. SO IT WAS HELPING US NAVIGATE THROUGH THAT SYSTEM AND ACTUALLY PART OF THEIR FEES ALSO WERE REIMBURSABLE AS WELL.

>> I THINK THE DECISION TO GET PRICE WATERHOUSE COMING IN FOR FREE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS COMING FROM THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT, NOT FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO I WANT TO STRESS THIS.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING THIS STUFF RIGHT.

AND GENERALLY, IT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, THE CHILD, THE BABY THEY DID NOT GET AS MUCH ATTENTION.

IN GOVERNMENT, IN MY JUDGMENT. AND YOU KNOW, LOOK, I REMEMBER IN THE QUIET CONVERSATIONS WHEN THE BOND PACKAGE WAS BEING PUT TOGETHER, IT WAS GOING TO THE VOTERS.

AND I REMEMBER SAYING PART OF THE PRESSURE ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO PUSH SOME OF -- TO PUT SOME OF ITS MONEY UP FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, $20 MILLIO , IN 1991.

WAS SO THAT THEY WERE HAVING ALL THOSE HEADACHES AND I CAN GO THROUGH THE DIRECTORS -- GARRETT JACKSON. I CAN GO THROUGH THE CITY BULK WHO ARE OVER THAT DEPARTMENT WOULD GET RUN OFF. FROM TIME TO TIME. AND ALL THIS REDTAPE AND SOMEBODY CAN FIGURE OUT THAT YOU DON'T GET REIMBURSED. YOU KNOW, AND SO, I WANTED TO TRY TO HAVE A SEPARATE ITEM ON THERE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHERE YOU WOULD NOT HAVE ALL THE STRINGS. AND WE COULD GO GET SOME PEOPLE SOME RELIEF.

BUT YOU KNOW, I DID NOT GET -- THREE VOTES I DIDN'T PROPOSE IT.

THERE OUGHT TO BE A ROLE THAT THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PLAY, BUDGET MANAGEMENT, IN PARTICULAR. BECAUSE I GUIDE HOUSE TILL I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THIS WAS IT. THIS WILL HELP US PUT EVERYTHING IN PLACE AND HERE WE ARE TWO YEARS LATER AND IN A POSITION WHERE WE ARE HAVING TO REACT TO ALL OF THIS.

>> AND I WAS GIVEN THAT IMPRESSION, TOO. AND THE OTHER THING YOU GO OUT THERE AND THEY GIVE YOU THE MONEY AND THEN YEARS LATER THEY START AUDITS.

MAYBE SEVEN, 10 YEARS LATER TO SEE.

>> THE CLAWBACKS. AND SO THE THING IS THE THOUGHT PROCESS, AT THE TIME WAS TO HELP US NAVIGATE THAT AND YOU HAVE A COMPANY THAT WAS GOING TO BE IN BUSINESS SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS FROM NOW THAT THEY COULD EXPLAIN HOW THIS THING GOT PUT IN PACKAGED UP IN A BOW. THAT WAS THE OTHER PIECE OF PRICE WATERHOUSE.

>> AND NOW WE HAVE TETRA CHECK-IN THEY ARE CORRECTLY DOING THIS.

>> SO WE MOVED ON FROM THAT IS THE THING. BUT I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT SO THAT THING DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> AND JUDGE, WANT TO MAKE A POINT TO MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT BECAUSE OF WE DON'T GET -- AS TIME ROLLS ON, YOU ALL END UP BEARING THE BRUNT OF IT.

I REMEMBER WHEN IT STARTED AND WHEN PRICE WATERHOUSE CAME IN, THAT WAS THE PANACEA TO EVERYTHING. AND FOR A WHILE, MAYBE I DID NOT ACT RIGHT, BUT THEY TALKED TO ME AND THEN -- I WAS TOLD THEY HAD GOT MORE DON'T BREAK ME ON WHAT THEY WERE DOING, BUT THIS GO AROUND OF THE PUT ON THE AGENDA. I PREFER TO PUT ON PRIVATELY BUT I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO PUT ON THE AGENDA TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

O'NEILL IS SOMEONE -- PEOPLE WERE ASKING ME TO GO UP -- SINCE I HAD -- I HAD A PRETTY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM BUT TO HELP IT MAY BE DIFFERENT WHAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

I HAD NOTHING TO DO -- I DID NOT KNOW HE WAS WITH THE OUTFIT THAT YOU ARE ALL BRINGING IN, TETRA TECH, UNTIL THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN RECOMMENDED. (AWAY FROM MIC).

>> PLEASE EXTEND MY GREETINGS TO DAPHNE AND MY CARING CONCERN AND I THINK IN HER ABSENCE, YOU'LL DO THE FINE JOB OF PRESENTING ON OUR BUDGET LECTURES.

[02:35:03]

>> THANK YOU. >> BUT BROADER, OUTSIDE OF THE CDBG PROGRAM, BUT JUST MORE BROADLY, TWO THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.

ONE IS, AS I TALKED TO DIFFERENT GROUPS AROUND TOWN, THEY WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE KINDS OF SERVICES THAT YOU GUYS OFFER. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IS HOW CAN WE GET A GRIP ON MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS REALLY KNOW ABOUT OUR RESOURCE ? WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY YOU GUYS. SO JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW WE GET THAT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

SECOND POINT, IS ON EVALUATION. AS WE'VE IMAGINED YOU GUYS IN PARTICULAR TO YOUR PROGRAM, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MOVE BEYOND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SERVED AND ANECDOTES.

AND TOWARD OUTCOMES, YOU KNOW, LONGER-TERM OUTCOMES OF HOW THE PROGRAMS ARE IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY IN THE WAY THAT WE HOPE THEY ARE. AND IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR THE RESULTS TO BECOME EVIDENT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE PROGRAM, BUT IF WE DON'T START MEASURING THAT, THEN WE WILL BE BEHIND WHEN HE GETS TIME TO WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN SEEING

RESULTS. >> IF I MAY, ON THE FIRST POINT THAT YOU MADE ABOUT OUTREACH AND COMMUNICATIONS, THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ACTUALLY ASK FOR THE TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS IN THE BIL IN THE BUDGET.

-- BUDGET REQUEST. ON THE OTHER ITEM, WE DO HAVE A NEW CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER THAT HAS COME ON BOARD AND THAT'S WHAT HE'S BEEN TASKED WITH. NO MORE ANTIDOTAL MEASUREMENTS AND BEEF UP HOW WE ANALYZE WHAT WE DO, HOW WE DO IT AND WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY GETTING FOR WHAT -- WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY GETTING WITH THE DOLLARS SPENT. MAKING SURE WERE LEVERAGING THE

FUNDING AS BEST AS POSSIBLE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I'M WONDERING, MAYBE MR. JACKSON CAN ANSWER THIS WHAT IS THIS DEPARTMENT HAVE SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT IN ROLLOVER COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHERS ON THIS LIST?

>> SO WHEN I LOOK AT THIS COMMUNITY SERVICES.

>> JUST CURIOUS. >> OUR ROLLOVER WAS AROUND $550,000. WHAT WE DO HAVE A ROLLOVER, WE USUALLY PLAN TO USE THAT IS DISCRETIONARY MATCH IN OUR GRANT FUNDS. WE TYPICALLY RUN OUT OF ADMIN DOLLARS BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND SO THE MONEY GOES BACK INTO

ACTUALLY OUR GRANTS. >> AM ASKING TO HELP YOU JUST WHEN I GO BACK, LIKE IN FISCAL YEAR 13, YOU ALL HAD $57 MILLION IN ROLLOVER.

I'M JUST. >> NOTE THAT WOULD NOT BE AS

(LAUGHING). >> THAT'S WHAT I SAID 57,000 --

>> OKAY. >> WHY HAS IT HISTORICALLY BEEN

SO LOW IS MY QUESTION. >> IS PRIMARILY -- (AWAY FROM

MIC). >> GRANT ADMIN FUNDS.

>> THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR WAS TRYING TO -- (AWAY FROM MIC). SO, OVERALL, THE GENERAL FUND

-- (AWAY FROM MIC). >> YES, SIR.

BEFORE DR MONEY WE WERE SITTING AROUND 10 TO 12 PERCENT ANNUALLY.

AND THIS YEAR -- (MULTIPLE SPEAKERS) ÃMET WITH DR MONDAY -- DR MONEY COMING ON BOARD --

>> THE STUFF YOU WERE FOCUSING ON HER FOR THE FOLKS IN OUR COUNTY THAT HAVE THE LEAST.

I'M JUST MAKING A POINT. IT HAS BEEN SORT OF A -- THE KID THAT DID NOT GET MUCH ATTENTION IS A POINT OF MAKING WHEN I RUN THROUGH A LOT OF THESE OTHER BALANCES IN THE ROLLOVER AMOUNT, I WAS WONDERING IT'S BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH ARE BECAUSE YOU HAD SO LITTLE IN GENERAL REVENUE. AM ASSUMING IS BECAUSE YOU HAD

SO LITTLE XES AT. >> THEY HAD OTHER FUNDING.

>> THERE WAS A PORTION THAT GOT PAID TO THEM FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING ANOTHER TYPE -- TYPES BUT NO, IT WAS NOT A HIGH TICKET ITEM.

>> AS AN EXAMPLE, THEY ARE JUST -- THE ADJUSTED BUDGET THIS YEAR IS $1.2 MILLION.

>> FEDERAL MONEY. I GET THAT, BUT WITH THE STRINGS ATTACHED TO IT, MAKING A POINT. SO MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE JUST GOING TO PUSH THE ISSUE AND PUT THAT MONEY ON THE BALLOT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IT MIGHT'VE IMPACTED THE BOND PACKAGE, WHICH IS WHAT I WAS ASKED NOT TO DO IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> ON THE PIO NOTE THERE'S A COUPLE OF CONVERSATIONS THAT WE KEEP HAVING AND OF COURSE, ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND UPDATING OUR DIGITAL PROCESSES AND THE OTHER IS STAFF RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT, WHICH WE WILL HAVE

[02:40:11]

I WANT TO PUT THAT OUT FOR MY COLLEAGUES IS SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT DO IT ALL AT ONCE BUT MAYBE NEXT YEAR, AS WE THINK ABOUT THESE OTHER, MORE STRUCTURAL QUESTIONS, HOW DO WE THINK ABOUT COORDINATING ACROSS THE PIO'S AND THE DEPARTMENT MAKING SURE EACH DEPARTMENT HAS ADEQUATE COMMUNICATION STAFF AND THAT COUNTYWIDE, WE HAVE ADEQUATE MESSAGING AS WELL IN SOME SORT OF SYSTEM THERE. SO I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

>> JUDGE, COULD WE ASK IF JAKE FROM STATE FARM IS IN THE BACK I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT

STRANGE NOISE WAS KEY. >> I MISSED IT.

(LAUGHING) IF SOMEONE KNOWS, LET US KNOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Juvenile Probation & TRIAD-Juvenile Probation]

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUVENILE PROBATION. >> GOOD MORNING, AFTERNOON.

I'M HENRY GONZALES THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT.

WE ARE TASKED WITH PROVIDING PROBATION SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES PROTECTIVE SERVICES, PREVENTION SERVICES, DIVERSION, DEFERRED PROSECUTION RESIDENTIAL CARE, COUNSELING, SUPERVISION AND DIAGNOSTIC CORRECTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SERVICES RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF A PRE-ADJUDICATIVE FACILITY AND TO POST ADJUDICATIVE JUVENILE FACILITIES.

AS OF THE END OF NOVEMBER, OUR DEPARTMENT HAS HANDLED 6092 REFERRALS, EQUATING TO 4472 YOUTH, REFLECTING IN A NINE PERCENT DECREASE FROM 2018. THE MAJORITY OF THE DECREASES IN MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES WITH ABOUT FOUR PERCENT INCREASE IN FELONY CHARGES.

>> SO OVERALL, HARRIS COUNTY HAS LESS YOUTH IN OUR SYSTEM THIS YEAR THAN WE HAVE SEEN A WILD MAKING 2019 A SIGNIFICANT YEAR FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF OUR NUMBERS.

2019 BROUGHT IT NEW COURT JUDGES AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

THE BOARD HAD A ONE 100% TURNOVER WITH ALL NEW MEMBERS INCLUDING OUR JUVENILE BOARD CHAIR.

THIS CHANGE OF INFLUENCE AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS RESULTED IN A SHIFT IN THE WAY JUVENILE JUSTICE IS ADMINISTERED LOOKING AT THE FOUR YEARS PRIOR TO 2019 ABOUT ONE OUT OF EVERY TEN YOUNG PEOPLE GOING BEFORE JUVENILE COURT WAS COMMITTED TO THIS.

SO FAR THIS YEAR THAT IS LESS THAN ONE HALF.

AT ABOUT 4%. DURING THAT SAME FOUR YEAR PERIOD AN AVERAGE OF 840 YOUNG PEOPLE WERE SENT TO ONE OF OUR THREE POST- ADJUDICATIVE FACILITIES.

TO DATE THAT NUMBER IS LESS THAN HAPPIER SO FAR THIS YEAR 14 OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WERE SENT TO PRIVATE PLACEMENT COMPARED TO AN AVERAGE OF 71 OVER THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS.

EARLIER I CITED OUR NUMBERS COMPARING THIS TO LAST YEAR BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW IN THE SAME PREVIOUS TIME.

THE AVERAGE POPULATION WAS BETWEEN 245 AND 262, AND THAT IS

[02:45:03]

IN A 210 BED FACILITY. >> A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE THAT WE WERE ABOUT 300. THE DETAINED INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE ACTUALLY AT THE HARRIS COUNTY SITE JACK.

CENTER PENDING COURT. EARLIER THIS YEAR THE COURT PROVIDED RESOURCES MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO PLACE OUR DETAINED YOUTH DIRECTLY IN A SPECIAL UNIT AT THE HARRIS COUNTY SIGHT DRAFT GREEK CENTER WHERE THEY RECEIVED MUCH-NEEDED SERVICES. NOW THEY ARE IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE SETTING WHERE THEIR NEEDS ARE BEING MET AND FOR THAT I THANK YOU ALL. IN 2019 I WOULD DECREASE REFLECTED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALTERNATIVES.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE WITH THE DIVERSION OF TWO PROGRAMS. THE FAMILY INTERVENTION PROGRAM IDENTIFIES FAMILY VIOLENCE TYPE CASES SUCH AS AMAZON ON A FAMILY MEMBER OR CRIMINAL MISCHIEF WHERE DAMAGE WAS DONE IN THE HOME. BOTH ARE INDICATIVE OF A FAMILY IN CRISIS AND A NEED FOR HELP NOT THE NEED FOR COURT INVOLVEMENT. AND THIS PROGRAM, WHEN WE RECEIVE THIS TYPE OF CASE WE CALL MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES WHO DISPATCH A MOBILE CRISIS UNIT TO OFFER FAMILY SERVICES IN LIEU OF A PETITION BEING FILED. THIS CONNECTS THE FAMILY TO A PROVIDER WHO CAN OFFER THEIR SURFACES AND DEFINITELY AND NOT

ONLY FOR THE TERM OF PROBATION. >> THE MARIJUANA DIVERSION PROGRAM DOES THE SAME THING IT DIRECTLY CONNECTS THE YOUTH AND FAMILY TO THE RECOVERY WILL PROVIDES A CLASS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND WHILE OFFERING THE FAMILY ASSESSMENTS AND TREATMENTS RATHER THAN FILING CHARGES.

WITH THESE TWO PROGRAMS ALONE IN THEIR SHORT EXISTENCE, 488 YOUTH HAVE BEEN DIVERTED FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM THUS FAR. WE ESTIMATE THAT OVER A FULL YEAR THERE WILL BE AT LEAST 1,000 LESS YOUNG PEOPLE ENTERING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THESE TWO PROGRAMS. I STEPPED INTO THIS ROLE SEPTEMBER 1 OF 2018 WITH THE COMMITMENT TO DO WHAT I CAN TO TRANSFORM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INTO ONE THAT AIMS TO SHIFT AWAY FROM THE USE OF PUNITIVE SANCTIONS AND INCARCERATION AND FOCUS INSTEAD ON A MORE FAMILY ORIENTED VISION OF YOUTH JUSTICE.

THE BEST PLACE TO START WAS FOR US TO LOOK AT OUR OWN DATA AND IDENTIFY THE FACTORS IN WHICH WE AS A DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY HAVE CONTROL OVER. I CANNOT CONTROL THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS WE GET I CAN LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS WE GENERATE BECAUSE OF OUR PRACTICES FAIR PRACTICES THAT PUSH YOUTH DEEPER INTO THE SYSTEM SUCH AS THE WAY WE HANDLE TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS OF PROBATION.

THIS YEAR WE DECREASE THAT BY 30% WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING THE PUBLIC SAFETY BY MAKING SURE WE DO NOT SANCTION YOUNG PEOPLE FOR NOT ATTENDING PROGRAMS OR SERVICES THEY DID NOT NEED TO BEGIN WITH. SENDING SOMEONE BACK TO COURT FOR NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL DOES NOT ADDRESS WHY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL. IT IS FINDING THE MOST DISCIPLINARY NON- OPTION FOR THE STUDENT.

PROBATION OFFICERS CASELOADS CONSIST OF ADJUDICATIVE AND NON- ADJUDICATED DEFERRED CASES. WITH THIS PRACTICE IT IS LIKELY THESE TWO VERY DISTINCT POPULATIONS WOULD BE GIVEN THE SAME EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS WHICH SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. WE CREATE A NEW DIVISION AND DIVERGENT BREAKING OUT THE NON- ADJUDICATED YOUTH FROM THE ADJUDICATED YOUTH ENSURING WE DO NOT OVER -- THAT WE ARE NOT OVERDOSING THE KID WITH THE SERVICES OR SUPERVISION.

THIS MOVE HAS ALSO TAKEN THE CASELOADS FOR ADJUDICATED CASES WITHIN THE NATIONAL CASELOAD AVERAGE RANGE.

THE AVERAGE ADJUDICATED CASELOAD FOR PROBATION OFFICERS IS TEN LESS THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR. ONE OF OUR BIGGEST CHANGES, WE MAY BASED ON THE DATA WAS THE CLOSING OF ONE OF OUR THREE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES. OVER THE PAST YEARS OUR THREE POST-IT FACILITIES HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER CAPACITY.

AT THE SAME TIME THE FACILITIES WERE EXPERIENCING STAFF SHORTAGES. THIS P AUGE CLOSED THE REHABILITATION CENTER WHICH HAD A CAPACITY OF 88.

THIS ENABLED US TO BE STAFFED IN THE OTHER FACILITIES TO HELP ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE ISSUE. WITH ONLY TWO POSTED FACILITIES NOW THE POPULATION OF THESE FACILITIES HAVE INCREASED BUT IT IS STILL NOT TO CAPACITY. FOR NOVEMBER, THE AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION FOR THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY WAS 59 WITH THE CAPACITY OF 96. THE HARRIS COUNTY YOUTH VILLAGE AVERAGE OF 75 WITH THE CAPACITY OF 128.

REENGAGED WITH THE FOUNDATION AND AN ALTERNATIVE INITIATIVE

[02:50:01]

WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE REPORT EXPECTED IN THE EARLY SPRING. WE RECENTLY REVIEWED THE RECEIVED A REVIEW AND EVALUATION WHICH I JUST HANDED OUT.

IT IS OF OUR DETENTION CENTER TO PROPOSE SOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND HOW TO BEST UTILIZE SPACE TO ENHANCE YOUTH PROGRAMS. THERE IS A TASK FORCE WITH 50 -- WITH THE OBJECTIVE TO ENHANCE A SUSTAINABLE MODEL THAT PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE. I LOOK FORWARD TO THESE REVIEWS AND ASSESSMENTS AS THEY WILL ASSIST US IN BETTER DEFINING THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SYSTEM. WE HAVE ALSO BEGAN WORKING WITH THE TEXAS POLICY LAB TO HELP US IDENTIFY INFORMATION TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WHAT WE DO THROUGHOUT OUR DEPARTMENT AND TO MAKE BETTER INFORMED DECISIONS. WITH ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING AT THIS TIME.

THAT IS NOT TO SAY THERE IS NO NEEDS.

I JUST WANT THAT TO BE THOUGHT OUT AND WILL PLANT.

WHEREAS I DO ANTICIPATE THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL JUVENILES SUPERVISION OFFICERS TO BRING US INTO PRE-COMPLIANCE.

I WANT TO DEMONSTRATE THE NEED BASED ON THE CURRENT AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION AND ADJUST IT TO CAPACITY SPIRIT AS WELL AS IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES WHICH IN THAT FACT WITHIN THE FACILITIES INCLUDING ON HOW TO BEST STAFF YOUTH FACILITIES.

NATURALLY WE WILL WANT A SALARY STUDY WHICH I SUSPECT MAY BE FAST-TRACK MAY REQUIRE A MORE STABLE TENURED AND EFFECTIVE WORKFORCE TO BETTER SERVE YOU. I WANT TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY FUNCTIONS THAT WOULD BE BEST PROVIDED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE PROUDLY GROWN OUR HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION. AND WE REALIZE HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THIS.

HOWEVER JUST LIKE THE CASE WITH THE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE HARRIS CENTER CAN EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT SOME OF THESE FUNCTIONS. WE HAVE RECENTLY BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HARRIS CENTER IDENTIFYING THE SERVICES THAT THEY CAN'T DIRECTLY PROVIDE. WE HAVE IDENTIFIED GAPS IN MENTAL HEALTH RELATED SERVICES THAT IF WE ADD SCOTT COULD HELP US REDUCE THE NUMBER OF YOUTH IN OUR FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS OVERALL. FOR EXAMPLE, INTELLIGIBLY WORKERS AND TRANSITION COORDINATORS WOULD FACILITATE CONNECTING FAMILIES DIRECTLY TO SERVICES AND THE COMMUNITY WHILE MORE IMPORTANTLY PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED CONTINUITY OF CARE.

THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $960,000.

APPROXIMATELY 560 -- $560,000 WOULD BE REQUESTED.

ONE EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IS PROVING EFFECTIVE IS MULTIAXIS SYSTEMIC THERAPY. IT IS AN INTENSE FOCUS INC.

PROGRAMS FOR JUVENILES WITH SERIOUS OFFENSES AND POSSIBLY ABUSING SUBSTANCES. IS ALSO A THERAPY STRATEGY TO TEACH THE FAMILIES HELP TO FOSTER THEIR SUCCESS IN RECOVERY. CURRENTLY OUR CAPACITY IS 150 FAMILIES. YEAR THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE TREATMENT BUT EFFECTIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO DOUBLE OUR CAPACITY BY ADDING AN ADDITIONAL TEAM.

THIS ADDITIONAL TEAM CAN'T BE CONTRACTED TO THE HARRIS CENTER.

THE COST FOR A FULL TEAM IS A LITTLE UNDER $1 MILLION ANNUALLY BUT SOME CAN'T BE RECOUPED THROUGH MEDICAID BILLING.

WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A GRANT AND IT WOULD MATCH A NEW TEAM WHICH COULD ULTIMATELY TRIPLE OUR CURRENT CAPACITY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THIS BODY AS WELL AS THE BUDGET OFFICE AND OPTIONS TO FUND THIS.

ONE IS BY SUBMITTING A BUDGET REQUEST WHETS OUR ALLOCATION OR EVEN THAT OF THE HARRIS CENTER TO COVER THIS PAIR THE OTHER OPTION IS TO USE OUR ROLLOVER TO COUPLE THE FIRST YEAR'S COST AND REQUEST THE OTHER COSTS NEXT YEAR.

EITHER OUR BUDGET OR THE HARRIS CENTER.

>> ANOTHER AREA WE HAVE LOOKED AT IS OUR CHARTER SCHOOL WHICH IS CURRENTLY FUNDED WITH COUNTY FUNDS WHERE A RECENT SALARY STUDY SHOWS TEACHER SALARIES ARE $15,000 LESS THAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND HARRIS COUNTY. THE SYSTEM FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS WOULD NOT GIVE US THE NEEDED FUNDS TO INCREASE SALARIES.

BEING THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE THOSE IN OUR FACILITY SCOUT THE DECREASE IN THE POPULATION DECREASES THE REVENUE THAT WE

[02:55:04]

FOR THE SUBSEQUENT SCHOOL YEARS. >> ADDITIONALLY GOT THERE ARE CONTINGENCIES ON THE STUDENT POPULATION.

WE DO CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FACILITIES GOT THE PROJECTED COST IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME AS CURRENT ASSESSMENTS ARE PENDING. INDEPENDENT TASK FORCE COULD

YIELD RECOMMENDATIONS. >> PROBATION IS A GUIDE TO SHERRY AGENT FOR THE TRIAD PROGRAM WHICH IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN OUR LOCAL C.P.S. CAUGHT THE HARRIS CENTER AND OUR DEPARTMENT. AND WITH OUR ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILL PRESENT THE TARGET BUDGET ALONG WITH ONE OF OUR

PARTNERS. >>> I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE AFTER BUT THAT IS OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM DEANNA. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT. I AM HERE TO TELL YOU BRIEFLY ABOUT TRIAD AND THE BUDGET FOR TRIAD.

>> THE TRIAD CONSORTIUM WAS CREATED BY THIS BODY IN 1974 IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST BY NHRA NOW THE HARRIS CENTER.

HARRIS COUNTY PREDICTIVE SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS TO SERVE CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX NEEDS THAT CANNOT BE MET BY INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES.

TRIADS AND DIGITAL -- INITIAL BUDGET WAS $595,000 BEAR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE AGENTS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO ORGANIZE A TRIAD FUNDING. IT WAS MUTUALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT NO PROGRAM COP PROJECT OR SERVICES WOULD BE FUNDED BY TRIAD WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT -- AGREEMENT OF THE THREE AGENCIES.

NHRA CHOSE US BECAUSE AT THAT TIME THE BOARD WAS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER BOARD AND BECAUSE THEY HAD THE MOST FLEXIBLE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE. TO THIS DATE TRIAD IS COVERED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SO THE THREE AGENCIES GOT EACH MEMBER APPOINTS AN ASSOCIATE WHO REPRESENTS THE INTERESTS OF THE AGENCY AND MONITORS THE PROGRAM. UP TO 2014 MHR EIGHT SUBMITTED REQUEST TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON BEHALF OF TRIAD.

UNFORTUNATELY THE FUNDS BECAME BUNDLED FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM WITH OTHER MONEY THAT WAS PROVIDED.

WHICH MAKES IT VERY HARD TO KEEP AN ACCOUNTING OF FUNDS.

AS A RESULT IN 2014 THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT BECAME THE FIGHT TO SHERRY AND THE DEPARTMENT CODE WAS CREATED.

BY MY CALCULATIONS IN 2014 THE BUDGET HAS INCREASED BY AROUND $560,000. WITH ONE YEAR ACTUALLY DECREASING. IN FISCAL YEAR 2016 THEY CONTRIBUTED $90,000 TO THE BUDGET, 30,000 DOLLARS TO EACH AGENCY. 90% OF THE EXPENSES ARE STAFFING AND UNRELATED COSTS. CONTRACTS WITH THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MOST OF ITS EMPLOYEES BEAR THROUGH THE YEARS THE HARRIS CENTER AS MADE MARKET SALARY ADJUSTMENTS AND TRY IT HAD TO ABSORB THE COSTS WHENEVER THEY OCCURRED HERE BESIDES STAFFING TOSCA FLEX FUNDS ARE PROBABLY THE NEXT MOST SIGNIFICANT ITEM IN THE BUDGET. FLEX FUNDS ARE UTILIZED BY THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE COORDINATING GROUP TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE COMPLEX NEEDS WITH THE SPECIALIZED SERVICES THAT CANNOT BE PROVIDED BY ANOTHER AGENCY.

THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CORONATION GROUP IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF TRIAD BECAUSE IT BRINGS TOGETHER LOCAL PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WORK WITH PARENTS, CAREGIVERS GOT YOUTH AND ADULTS TO CREATE A SERVICE PLAN BASED ON THE YOUTH AND FAMILY STRENGTH.

TRIAD IS A VERY UNIQUE INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION THAT CONTINUES TO FOSTER AND ONGOING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE THREE AGENCIES. IT PROVIDES COUNTYWIDE SERVICES TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES BEFORE THEY BECOME INVOLVED WITH DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH AND TOWARD THE

JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. >> FOR SEVERAL YEARS THE BUDGET

[03:00:03]

BUT IT HAS MANAGED WITH THE USE OF ROLLOVER FUNDS.

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 THE COST OF RUNNING TRIAD PROGRAMS WILL EXCEED THE COUNTY BUDGET ALLOCATION BUDGET BY ALMOST $71,000 BEAR HOWEVER THE EXECUTIVES ARE NOT SEEKING AN INCREASE BECAUSE THE EXISTING FUNDS ARE SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE DEFICIT. THE PLAN IS TO USE THE FUNDS TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING PROGRAMS. I SHOULD PWN OUT THE REASON WHY THE ROLLOVER COP MOST OF WHAT THE ROLLOVER FUNDS CAME FROM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, THEY WERE UNDER BUILD FOR $200,000.

SO WE HAVE BEEN CARRYING THOSE FUNDS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AND PAYING FOR THE DEFICIT IN THE BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU. >> THINK YOU.

ALONG WITH THE DOCTOR, I HAVE OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR.

>> GOOD DEAL. >> THANK YOU.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU DO.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH PROBATION NOW.

>> 34 YEARS. >> I KNOW.

>> I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME. >> YOU WEAR IT WELL.

>> YOU WEAR IT EXTREMELY WELL. >> IN ALL SERIOUSNESS THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOU HAVE A VERY CHALLENGING AREA OF OPERATION. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR WHATEVER REASONS GET CAUGHT UP IN SOME I GUESS FASCINATING IS THE WORD OR CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEY COME TO OUR ATTENTION.

YOU ARE CHARGED WITH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DIRECTION THEY GO. THEY ULTIMATELY TAKE THIS TRACK OR IF THERE IS A TRACK THAT MAKES THEM COME BACK TO OUR SOCIETY. THAT IS NOT A TASK THAT I WOULD ENJOY HAVING. SO I APPLAUD YOU FOR DOING IT WELL. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND YOUR EXPERTISE. WE SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT ENGINEERS THAT CAN OTHERWISE GO TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

YOU COULD HAVE A VERY LUCRATIVE CAREER IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WE APPLAUD YOU FOR BEING HERE. >>

>> IN TERMS OF ALL OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU YOU HAVE PROPOSED A VERY MODEST BUDGET.

AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE WILL HAVE TO REALIZE, IMMEDIATELY WE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE YOUTH VILLAGE. WHAT WILL BE THE THINGS IN ALL LIKELIHOOD THAT YOU WILL BE PUTTING BEFORE US?

>> I THINK OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS.

>> FIRST OF ALL DECIDING IF WE WILL COME INTO COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE PRISON RAPE INTERACTION.

I WANT A GOOD UNDERSTANDING HOW IN THE PAST WE STAFFED OUR FACILITIES BECAUSE IT CONCERNS ME THAT IF I WAS TO USE TODAY'S POPULATION, TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE I WOULD BE ASKING FOR ABOUT $7 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OFFICERS.

TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE TODAY WITH OUR NUMBERS AT THE 12-1 RATIO VERSUS THE 8-1 RATIO I WOULD STILL NEED MORE STAFF.

I DON'T HAVE THE STAFF THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO MEET THAT RATIO.

EVEN WITH CLOSING THE BRC AND REALLOCATING THOSE WE ARE STILL WAY UNDERSTAFFED. IT HAS NOT POSED ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS BUT THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF.

WHAT DOES THE STAFF AND PATTERN NEED TO LOOK LIKE FOR OUR

FACILITIES. >> THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT. I REMEMBER YOU -- RATHER YOUR PREDECESSOR WE HAD TO WORK THROUGH A COMPLIANCE AND THEY REQUIRED US SENDING BACK SOME -- ARE YOU SAYING THE COUNTY IS NOT YET GIVEN YOU THE DIRECTION IN TERMS OF DIRECTION.

>> WE STILL FOLLOW THE STATE STANDARD FOR THE JUVENILE WHICH IS 12-1. WE KNOW WITH OUR CURRENT BUILDINGS WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO INTO TOTAL COMPLIANCE WITH

[03:05:05]

WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE PRIVACY THAT WE SHOULD.

THE OTHER FACILITIES, IT IS JUST GOING TO BEAT THE RATIO THAT WE WON'T BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEAR I THINK IT WAS IN 2007 WE GAVE UP A LOT OF POSITIONS PARTICULARLY POSITIONS WHERE THE NUMBERS WERE MUCH LOWER. AND I BELIEVE WHAT WE DID AT THAT POINT WAS TAKE IT AND BASED IT ON OUR ACTUAL NUMBERS AND NOT CAPACITY. WITHOUT THOSE POSITIONS, ONCE THE NUMBERS WENT BACK UP IT THROUGH US OUT OF WHACK AS FAR AS COMPLIANCE GOES. AND I CANNOT PROVIDE AN ANSWER AS TO WHY WE DID NOT LOOK AT THAT BEFORE BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT CONCERNS ME NOW. I KNOW WE WILL ADDRESS IT.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS.

I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS UNDER SEVERE PRESSURE AT THE TIME TO BE IN COMPLIANCE. THERE IS SOME RAMIFICATIONS THAT IF THEY WANT TO ABSORB THE PRESSURE.

IT COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

SO, I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS A COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ROLE TO FIGURE OUT BUT I ASSUME THAT COMPLIANCE IS COMPLIANCE.

THERE IS NO HALF COMPLIANCE THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE.

>> CORRECT. SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE UNDERSTAND THIS AND WORK TO GET IN FRONT OF IT.

>> THINK YOU TO CLARIFY FOR RIGHT NOW THE STATE STANDARDS.

YOU ARE NOT OUT OF COMPLIANCE. >> CORRECT WE ARE NOT OUT OF COMPLIANCE VIC THERE IS QUESTION AS TO THE REQUIREMENT FOR A JUVENILE FACILITY TO ADHERE TO BUT IT IS BEST PRACTICE AND EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO, THEY STILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT. WE HAVE A COMPLIANCE AUDIT COMING UP SOON. WE GO THROUGH THE WHOLE

PRACTICE. >> AND YOU POST IT?

>> YES, WE HAVE IN THE PAST. YES.

WE HAVE PICKED. >> I MEAN ALONG THE SAME LINES.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING.

YOU ARE WAITING UNTIL THE ANALYSIS ARE DONE TO PUT TOGETHER A THOUGHTFUL PACKAGE BUT IT IS INTERESTING.

WE VISITED NEW YORK RECENTLY WITH HENRY AND THEY COULD HAVE 25 KIDS UNDER CUSTODY. AND THEIR CRIME RATE IS JUST FINE. IT HASN'T GONE UP OR ANYTHING.

THEY ARE JUST FINDING WAYS TO KEEP TABS ON THEM AND PROGRAMS TO REINTEGRATE THEM AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING THEM DEEPER INTO THE SYSTEM. ONE WAY TO LOOK AT THE RATIO IS WE NEED MORE OFFICERS AND ANOTHER WAY IS WE NEED FEWER KIDS IN DETENTION. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY GO FREE AND THEY DON'T GET ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT JUST MEANS WHATEVER THE SYSTEM RESPONSE IS, IT IS EVIDENCE-BASED AS OPPOSED TO A HAMMER SWINGING LET'S LOCK EVERYONE UP. SO I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE LEGALITY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COMPLIANT WITH EVERYTHING. BUT I WOULD SAY IF THERE IS A NEED TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL STAFF, WE ARE NOT TRYING TO PERPETUATE INCARCERATING ALL OF THE KIDS AND AWAIT THE DATA WILL

TELL YOU. >> EXACTLY.

>> THE OTHER POINT. YOU ARE SAYING THAT YOU GUYS CAN'T YOU GUYS ARE SUBMITTING THE GRANT APPLICATION.

>> WE SENT THAT ALL. >> ARE YOU SAYING FROM WHAT WAYNE WAS SAYING EARLIER YOU NEED FUNDING RIGHT NOW OR IS

THAT IF THE GRANT COMES BACK. >> RIGHT NOW I COULD USE THE ROLLOVER FUNDS TO ADD THAT ADDITIONAL TEAM.

IDEALLY CONTRACT WITH WAYNE AND THE HARRIS CENTER TO BE THE PROVIDER FOR THAT ADDITIONAL TEAM.

THEY ARE CONFIDENT THEY CAN RECOUP THE COST WITH MEDICAID BILLING. WHEN WE DO COME BACK TO THE COURT NEXT YEAR, FOR THAT FUNDING WE WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE. IT STARTED AT JUST UNDER $1 MILLION. FOR THAT IF WE GET THE GRANT WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADD TWO TEAMS AND THEN AGAIN THROUGH MEDICAID BILLING THE REQUIRED FUNDING SHOULD BE LOWER THAN THAT.

[03:10:01]

>> SO THIS WAS ALL TO THINK YOU GUYS WILL BE COMING WITH THIS

NEXT YEAR? >> YES.

>> IN TERMS OF SHORTER-TERM YOU WILL COME BACK TO US WHEN YOU

HEAR BACK FROM -- >> CORRECT.

EXACTLY. >> WE WILL HAVE DIRECTION.

>> OKAY GREAT. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE

DOING. >> ONE MORE QUESTION.

>> HELL OF YOU BEEN DOING? >> GOOD.

>> I -- OUR PLAN FOR THE REHABILITATION CENTER IS TO EVENTUALLY TURN THAT INTO A DAY TREATMENT CENTER WHICH WOULD GIVE US ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE TO PLACEMENT.

SO THE SAME SERVICES THAT ARE BEING PROVIDED IN THE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES CAN'T BE PROVIDED IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE KID GOES HOME EVERY NIGHT. WE WOULD PRIDE BY TRANSPORTATION. -- PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION.

>> KNOWING THE YOUTH VILLAGES NEED REPAIR, SO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY WE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO MOVE THE KIDS OUT OF THE YOUTH VILLAGE AND TO BE BRC WHILE THE REPAIRS ARE BEING DONE. ONCE THAT IS DONE MOVE THEM BACK TO YOUTH VILLAGE. AT THAT.WE CAN BEGIN THE TRANSPORT THEM AND TURN THIS INTO A DAY TREATMENT CENTER.

>> IS THAT WORKING WILL LIKE THE GYMNASIUM QUICKSAND YES.

WE ARE USING IT RIGHT NOW AS A SMALLER DAY TREATMENT CENTER.

THAT IS OUR EDUCATION TRANSITION CENTER WHICH IS A GOOD ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL FOR KIDS INVOLVED IN ANY LEVEL OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE HAVE ABOUT 50 KIDS ENROLLED THERE NOW AND THEY COME AND GO EVERY DAY.

WE USE THE GYM RIGHT NOW FOR THAT PROGRAM.

8 MILLION STORIES IS HELPING US WITH THAT.

>> THERE ARE SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY TO ACTUALLY TAKE PART OF THE PROPERTY AND IT WOULD BECOME -- IT WOULDN'T AFFECT YOU IT WOULD BECOME A DETENTION FACILITY WORKING WITH THE CITY TO PAY US FOR DETENTION.

WE CAN LEGALLY WORK THAT OUT. AT ANY RATE THAT WOULD BE A FACILITY THAT WOULD HELP WITH FLOODING IN THAT AREA WITH THE HOME SPIRIT SO AT THE END IT WOULD BE MORE OF A PARK SETTING WITH WATER FEATURES AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND NOT BEING USED AS IT IS TODAY. THE CITY HAS IT UNDER THE LEASE.

BUT IT IS OUR PROPERTY. >> THAT WOULD ACTUALLY COMPLEMENT WHAT WE ARE DOING OUT THERE.

IF WE CAN CREATE THAT DATE TREATMENT CENTER SINCE IT IS ON THE SAME PROPERTY, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT BEING MORE OF A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR YOUTH SERVICES OUT THERE.

AND SO YOU HAVE WORKED WITH THE COUNTY --

>> 35 YEARS TOTAL. I SPENT EIGHT YEARS WITH THE

ADULT PROBATION FOR THAT. >> I COMMEND YOU THAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED COMING UP WITH ORIGINAL THOUGHTS ALTHOUGH YOU WORK FOR OVER 30 YEARS. SOME PEOPLE DON'T THINK THAT'S POSSIBLE. I ADMIRED THE WORK YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU I APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THINK YOU GUYS HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>> OKAY IT IS 12:20 P.M. IF I CAN SEE THE CLOCK CORRECTLY. LE

[Protective Services]

>>> WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE BUDGET HEARINGS WHERE WE HAVE PROTECTIVE SERVICES OF NEXT. -- UP NEXT.

>>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM JOEL.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE. THIS IS MRS. WHITE.

SHE IS MY PARTNER ON OUR STRATEGY FOR SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES REGION 6A, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM.

SHE IS THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR. WE WORK VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER.

ALSO MY BOARD PRESIDENT OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY BOARD.

OVERBOARD IS THE COUNTY WELFARE BOARD.

THE MISSION OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS IS TO SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES WAS FOUNDED IN 1966.

AS A CHILD WELFARE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN TAKEN UNDER THE WINGS OF WHAT IS NOW THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

[03:15:06]

THAT INCLUDES 18 PROGRAM COMPONENTS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN.

>> I WILL BRIEFLY HIGHLIGHT OUR BUDGET REQUEST I SHOULD SAY.

WE ARE ASKING FOR 3.8% ABOVE LAST YEAR'S ALLOCATION WHICH IS WELL OVER $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT THE ITEMS THAT WE SUBMITTED.

AND I WILL HIGHLIGHT JUST THE TOP PRIORITIES AND YOU HAVE IN YOUR FOLDER ON THE LEFT SIDE YOU HAVE OUR PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS.

WE DO AN ANNUAL DATA REPORT FOR EACH OF OUR PROGRAMS EVERY YEAR.

I THINK THESE ARE OLD-LINE BUT I DON'T THINK THEY MADE YOUR BINDER. WE DO HAVE A COPY FOR YOU IN THE FOLDER AS WELL AS OUR ANNUAL REPORT THAT HIGHLIGHTS OUR

PROGRAM HERE. >> WE ARE ACCREDITED AND THAT IS WHY WE COLLECT SO MANY METRICS. WE ARE ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCIL OF ACCREDITATION WHICH IS A WORLDWIDE ACCREDITING BODY.

WE HAVE BEEN THAT WAY SINCE THE LATE 70S.

IT MEANS THAT WE MEET STANDARDS OF QUALITY SET FORTH BY A ACCREDITING BODY. IT ALSO INVOLVES A SELF REVIEW OF OUR PROGRAMS AGAINST CURRENTLY ACCEPTED BEST PRACTICES. WE ARE ALSO ENTERING YEAR THREE OF OUR BOARD APPROVED STRATEGIC PLAN AND IT WAS IN YOUR BINDER. THESE PRIORITIES ARE BASED ON OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. SO LET ME GET RIGHT INTO OUR PRIORITIES AND A LOT OF THE INFORMATION ON OUR SUCCESS.

>> OUR FIRST PRIORITY INVOLVES OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM.

IT IS TO ADD ADDITIONAL POSITIONS TO THE PROGRAM.

THE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM AS WE REFER TO IT IS A SHARED FUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS WELL AS THE PASADENA POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE HARRIS JUVENILE PROBATION AND MY BROTHER'S KEEPER PROGRAM. THEY USE ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO MAXIMIZE THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES AND POTENTIAL OF EACH STUDENT BY BUILDING UPON HIS OR HER STRENGTHS AND ADDRESSING HIS OR HER NEEDS.

THIS HOLISTIC APPROACH PREPARES STUDENTS TO THRIVE AND ENGAGE CITIZEN IN A DIVERGENCE -- DIVERSE SOCIETY.

DURING THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR THEY PROVIDED CASE COORDINATION SERVICES TO 3,000 STUDENTS AND STUDENTS SUPPORT SERVICES TO 33,956 STUDENTS. OUR REQUEST AS I SAID IS FOR FOR ADDITIOAL POSITIONS IN GOOSE CREEK AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR FOLDER YOU WILL SEE A LETTER FROM THE GOOSE CREEK CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH THE REQUEST. THREE OF THESE POSITIONS ARE ACTUALLY ALREADY IN PLACE. THEY WERE ON A GRANT THAT GOOSE CREEK IMPLEMENTED AND THEY WERE ABLE TO APPLY FOR.

THIS IS A POSITION IN THE GRANT. THAT GRANT, EXPIRES IN JUNE.

SO NOW THE DISTRICT IS ASKING FOR US TO PICK UP THESE POSITIONS ON THOSE SHARED FORMULA.

THAT IS WHY THIS IS OUR FIRST REQUEST BECAUSE IF WE DON'T GET THESE POSITIONS, WE WILL HAVE TO LAY OFF STAFF AND IN THE

DISTRICT. >> AND ALSO, AS YOU SEEN THE LETTER RECOGNIZING THE GROWING NEED OF THE STUDENT POPULATION AND CHALLENGES. THEY ARE ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL POSITION AS WELL AS WELL AS MAINTAINING THE FUNDED POSITIONS. AND ALSO TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE, OUR FORMULA IS NORMALLY 5050 BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THEY HAVE OFFERED TO PAY 6040 TO MAKE THIS REQUEST POSSIBLE. SO THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BUDGET THE POSITIONS AT ONE 100%.

WE WILL RECEIVE 60% IN REVENUE FROM THE DISTRICT FOR ALL

[03:20:01]

IN GOOSE CREEK, HIGH STAFF WORKS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON TRUANCY AND REMOVING THE BARRIERS THAT KEEP CHILDREN FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL.

WITH THE THREE GRANT POSITIONS COUNT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS RECEIVING SERVICES FROM STAFF IN GOOSE CREEK FROM AUGUST THROUGH NOVEMBER 2019, INCREASED BY 59% AND SERVICES PROVIDED INCREASED BY 73% COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2018.

DATA COLLECTED THROUGH OUR INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND REPORTS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS PROVIDE PRELIMINARY SUGGESTIVE DATA SHOWING POSITIVE OUTCOMES AMONGST STUDENTS SERVED IN THE PROGRAM. WE ARE CURRENTLY ROLLING WITH THE TEXAS POLICY LAB AND THEY ARE ANALYZING AND EVALUATING THE PROGRAM'S CURRENT DATA AND HELPING TO REFINE THE COMMUNICATION OUTCOME. NOT A FORMAL EVALUATION TO DATE BUT THE GROWTH AND INCREASING DEMANDS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THIS PROGRAM DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE OF THIS PROGRAM.

>> EVER SECOND PRIORITY REQUEST TO HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU ON FORM THREE. IT IS PRIORITY TO.

IS FOR ADULT SERVICES DIVISION. IT IS FOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THAT DIRECTION TO BUILD AND INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN THE PROGRAM. THIS IS A DIVISION THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GUARDIANSHIP GOT THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER AND THE PAIN PROGRAMS. AN OVERSIGHT HAS GROWN TO 76 SITE STAFF.

IN AUGUST 1991, COMMISSIONERS COURT AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO COMPLETE A STUDY OF GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE STUDY FOUND IT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE -- COST-EFFECTIVE FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ESTABLISH A GUARDIANSHIP OFFICE THE END TO CONTINUE PAYING PRIVATE ATTORNEYS TO PROVIDE GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES.

COMMISSIONERS COURT SIGNED THE ORDER CREATING THE GUARDIANSHIP OFFICE ON NOVEMBER 51991 FOR THE PURPOSE OF HANDLING ALL CASES.

UNDER SECTION 247 OF THE TEXAS PROBATE COURT CODE.

>> IN MARCH, 2003 THE PROGRAM WAS TRANSFERRED TO HARRIS PROTECTIVE SERVICES AS COMMISSIONERS COURT DETERMINED THE PROGRAM WAS MORE IN LINE WITH OUR MISSION.

THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IS APPOINTED BY THE PROBATE COURT TO SERVE AS GUARDIAN TO INCAPACITATED ADULTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN MOST CASES THESE ADULTS DO NOT HAVE FAMILY WHO ARE ABLE OR WILLING TO BECOME THEIR GUARDIAN AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO SECURE THE SERVICES OF A PRIVATE ATTORNEY OR GUARDIAN.

THE PROGRAM SERVES AS GUARDIAN FOR 1,150 WARDS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. AND OUR STAFF ARE ESPECIALLY TRAINED AND CERTIFIED TO ENSURE THEY ARE LIVING SAFE AND SECURE AND THEY RECEIV PROPER NUTRITION, MEDICATION AND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT AND MANAGES FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AND ADVOCATES FOR THEIR PREFERENCES AND NEEDS.

NOT ONLY DOES THE PROGRAM PROTECTS CITIZENS FROM ABUSE, NEGLECT AND FINANCIAL EXPLOIT STATION, BUT ALSO PROVIDES A COST SAVINGS TO HARRIS COUNTY. OFTEN THE ADULT CYCLE THROUGH THE JAIL, THE HOSPITALS AND THE CENTER.

ONCE A GUARDIAN IS APPOINTED IN OUR PROGRAM, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BENEFITS ARE SECURED HOUSING IS SECURED AND APPROPRIATE MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC CARE IS MAINTAINED.

RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THEIR INTERACTION WITH CITY PRODUCTION FACILITY. IT ALSO SECURES REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY THROUGH MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT AND THE REIMBURSEMENT OF COURT COSTS. DURING THIS CALENDAR YEAR CAUGHT 2019 THE PROGRAM AS PROVIDED IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH A REIMBURSEMENT OF $736,000 IN CHANGE.

ALSO WITH OUR ADULT SERVICES WE LAUNCH THE ASSESSMENT CENTER IN JUNE OF 2017. THE CENTER IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN TEXAS AND ONE OF ONLY THREE ACROSS THE NATION.

WE PROVIDE PROSECUTION AND RESTORATION FOR ELDER VICTIMS OF ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION. WE PARTNER WITH SERVICES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL SCHOOL, THE DISTRICT AND COUNTY ATTORNEY IN AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

SINCE ITS INCEPTION THE PROGRAM HAS RECEIVED REFERRALS AND THE

[03:25:05]

DA AS REPORTED 61 CONVICTIONS. >> THEY RECEIVED FUNDING FOR A TWO-YEAR PERIOD FROM A VICTIMS OF CRIME GRANT THAT BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2019 IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.

IT MEANT A GRANT MATCH AND WE MOVED TO POSITIONED TO GENERAL FUND LAST YEAR. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL SCHOOL, IS COMPLETING A THIRD-PARTY OUTCOME EVALUATION OF THE SENIOR ADJUSTMENT CENTER AND WE SHOULD HAVE THAT SHORTLY.

AS THEY CONTINUE TO GROW, WE WILL BE COMING TO THE BUDGET OFFICE TO DISCUSS COUNTY SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE.

>> OUR THIRD PRIORITY AND I WON'T DO ALL NINE I PROMISE.

THIS IS THE LAST ONE I WILL TALK ABOUT FEAR OUR THIRD PRIORITY INVOLVES CAUGHT THIS IN WALLS INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES.

THE CLINIC IS A FOSTER CARE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE BY SUPERIOR HEALTH PLAN. WE PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES, DENTAL SERVICES, PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AS WELL AS CARE MANAGEMENT NAVIGATION, CHILD AND FAMILY ASSESSMENTS AND WE EVEN HAVE A PLACEMENT PREVENTION PROGRAM.

AND C.P.S. INVOLVED CHILDREN IN FAMILIES WHEN CHILDREN ENTER STATE CUSTODY, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A PHYSICAL WITHIN THREE DAYS OF ENTERING CUSTODY. THEN A NEEDS AND STRENGTH EXAM AND EIGHT CARE ANALYSIS. THEY RELY ON OUR CLINIC TO RELEASE THE ABSTRACT REQUIRED THIS.

THANKS TO ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED LAST YEAR, WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR CONTRACTOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF ADDING A PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER. ACTUALLY IT WAS ACCEPTED THIS MORNING TO EXPAND TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF CAREGIVERS IN THE 1ST QUARTER OF 2020. THIS INNOVATIVE HEALTHCARE MODEL FOR C.P.S. INVOLVES FAMILIES. HAS GREATLY INCREASED THE DEMAND FOR CLINIC SERVICES. IN 2018 WE COMPLETED 2,000 MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS GOT 696 DENTAL APPOINTMENTS, 372 PSYCHIATRIC APPOINTMENTS AND SIX T9 FAMILIES RECEIVED KINSHIP NAVIGATION SERVICES. THE FOUNDATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH DID HAVE A THIRD-PARTY EVALUATION COMPLETED ON OUR INTEGRATED CLINIC BUT DR. TONY WITH THE STATE.

THE EVALUATION REFLECTED THE NEED FOR MEDICAL CASE MANAGER, TO SUPPORT THE INTEGRATION OF SERVICE DELIVERY.

MANY C.P.S. INVOLVED CHILDREN PRESENTED WITH MULTIPLE MEDICAL CONDITIONS REQUIRE SPECIALTY CARE.

THIS REQUIRES MULTIPLE REFERRALS THAT REQUIRE LENGTHY TIME IN RESEARCH THAT TAKES MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND THE NURSE AWAY FROM SEEING PATIENTS. THIS WOULD BE THE PRIMARY ROLE FOR THIS POSITION. WE ALSO HAD A PRIORITY ITEM.

IT WAS OUR PRIORITY SIXPACK 48 TERRAPINS.

WE COLLABORATED WITH THE CHILDREN CENTER ON THE STATE GRANT THAT THEY RECENTLY SUBMITTED AND IF SUCCESSFUL WE CAN HAVE THE FULL TIME THERAPIST WITH A 50% MATCH.

>> IN OUR CONTRACT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR PEDIATRIC SERVICES AND PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES WE PAY 10% ADMINISTRATIVE BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF EXAMINING OTHER AREAS WHERE WE CAN ALSO LEVERAGE MEDICAID BILLING.

>> WE DID HAVE A 4TH AND 5TH PRIORITY REQUEST FOR A DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND ACCOUNTING FOR BUSINESS AND SERVICES WITH THE RETIREMENT OF OUR DIVISION DIRECTOR, WE WILL LOOK AT RESTRUCTURING WITHIN THE DIVISION TO MEET THESE NEEDS AND WE MAY BE BACK THERE THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IS MANAGED WITHIN THIS DIVISION. DUE TO THE NATURE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES CAP WE RELY ON MULTIPLE SYSTEMS INCLUDING CASE MANAGEMENT CAN'T CHECK WRITING CAUGHT GUARDIANSHIP FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, ET CETERA ET CETERA. WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH EXPERTISE IN MANAGING THE IT AREA AND IT NOT BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOMES WE HAVE ACHIEVED. I AM INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES ON MOVING CERTAIN IT FUNCTIONS INCLUDING PERSONNEL AND BUDGET TO THIS DEPARTMENT.

I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT LATER THIS WEEK WITH BRUCE AND WE WILL GET

THAT CONVERSATION STARTED. >>> OUTSIDE OF OUR PRIORITIES I

[03:30:06]

WE PROVIDE WRAPAROUND PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH AGES 14-26 FOR THEM TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD. FOR YEARS IT HAS IDENTIFIED THE GREATEST BARRIER TO OVERCOME WAS SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR YOUTH WHEN THEY LEAVE HEALTH FOSTER CARE.

AROUND THEIR 18TH BIRTHDAY THEY ARE USUALLY LEFT TO NAVIGATE ADULTHOOD WITHOUT THE NATURAL SUPPORT MOST YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE. THE CENTER IS THAT SUPPORT.

IN 2016 WE DEVELOPED A BRIDGE HOUSING PROGRAM WITH A LOCAL APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH PRIVATE FUNDING FROM THE FOUNDATION A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WAS ESTABLISHED TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE TANGIBLE NEEDS OF THE YOUTH SERVED AT THE CENTER.

WITH THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS PROGRAM THE CENTER WITH THE SUPPORT OF LEADERSHIP, ERRORS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, HAVE AGREED TO WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A HAZE CENTER CAMPUS WHICH WILL HOUSE A SERVICE ALONG WITH THE 50 APARTMENTS FOR YOUTH AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE. THIS AGREEMENT WAS APPROVED HERE AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ON JUNE 25 CAUGHT 2019.

THIS PAST SUMMER THE HAZE CENTER WAS CHOSEN FOR A PRO BONO PROJECT WHICH HELPED THE TEAM VISUALIZE THE CONCEPT.

THE HAZE CENTER FOUNDATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A COMMUNITY GRANT, DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING.

DURING THE DEPARTMENT OUT OF THE NEED IS A SITE TO BUILD ON.

THE CENTER ALREADY HAS AN ESTABLISHED PROGRAM WITH WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VULTURES FROM THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE SUPPORT OF THE HAZE CENTER FOUNDATION FOR OTHER FUNDS.

WE HAVE FOUND A SITE INCREASING ONE THAT MEETS SITE REQUI REQUIREMENTS. THAT WAS NOT EASY.

THE PLAN IS FOR THE CENTER TO ACQUIRE THE LAND AND TRANSFER INTO HARRIS COUNTY ONCE BOOKED GRANT FUNDS ARE AWARDED.

THE FOUNDATION ALSO PLANS TO APPLY FOR A DISASTER RECOVERY FUND FROM THE CITY SINCE WE CAN APPLY THROUGH THE COUNTY IN THE CITY. WHEN THAT IS RELEASED IT WILL BE THIS WINTER. THEY ARE COMMITTED TO RAISING THE REMAINDER OF THE FUNDS THROUGH CAPITAL.

>> ALSO LAST YEAR I SPOKE ABOUT THE NECESSITY TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE CONFUSION OF OUR NAME WITH THE STATE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AS I HAD AN IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO REPRESENT OURSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY.

THIS HAS BEEN A PROCESS OUR BOARD AND STAFF HAS WORKED ON IN A PRO BONO CONSULTING PROJECT WITH A MARKETING FIRM.

WE LIKE RICE. AT THE BOARD MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH, WE SELECTED THREE NAMES FROM A LIST BASED ON BOARD AND EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK TO FIELD-TESTED LOCATIONS SUCH AS CHILDREN'S FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS CONDUCT FOCUS GROUP WITH STAFF AND STAKEHOLDERS.

AND CLIENTS ON THESE THREE NAMES.

I EXPECT TO HAVE A NEW NAME FOR OUR DEPARTMENT TO BRING TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY THE SUMMER.

I DO WANT TO SAY, THAT CHANGING OUR NAME DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT WILL CHANGE ANY OF OUR SERVICES AND SUPPORT WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

SERVICES ARE STILL PARTNERED AND WE WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER.

AND THEY ARE ALL OUR CHILDREN. AND THERE ARE CHILDREN THAT THE STATE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND ONCE THEY COME INTO IDENTIFY THROUGH THE SYSTEM, THERE ARE SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES THAT THE COUNTY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE BECAUSE THESE ARE HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE SAME FORMAT.WE ARE JUST CHANGING OUR NAME BECAUSE WE HAVE EVOLVED TO SO MUCH MORE WITH OUR PREVENTION ADULT SERVICES AND BECAUSE OF THE CONFUSION.

ALSO I DO WANT TO SAY BEFORE I WRAP UP THAT I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK TODAY ABOUT THE ROLLOVER AND ABOUT STAFFING.

WE HAVE A ROLLOVER OF $4 MILLION.

[03:35:02]

HARRIS CENTER PAYS MORE. THE HOSPITALS PAY MORE.

NONPROFIT AGENCIES PAY MORE. EVEN THE STATES ARE COMPETITIVE SINCE THEY RAISE THEIR -- SO WHEN WE LOSE A PERSON IT TAKES TIME TO FIND SOMEONE TO FILL THAT POSITION AT THE SALARY WE ARE OFFERING. I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE SOMEBODY IN POSITION THEN HAVE THE WRONG PERSON.

SO THAT IS HOW THAT BUILDS OVER TIME.

WE DO NEED TO WORK ON BEING MORE COMPETITIVE OVER TIME.

THE ISSUE IS, THE WHOLE ISSUE OF COMPRESSION IS WE BRING PEOPLE IN HIGHER, WE HAVE TO RAISE PEOPLE ALREADY WITH US.

I KNOW I DID NOT PUT A SALARY INCREASE AS PART OF OUR PRIORITIES BECAUSE I KNOW INSTRUCTIONS WORK NOT TO.

BUT IF IT IS POSSIBLE, I WOULD STILL LIKE TO DO THAT AND WORK OVERTIME TO LOOK AT OUR SALARY STRUCTURE AND HOW WE CAN BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE. WITH THAT I DO WANT TO ASK FOR COMMENTS. THEN I WILL WRAP UP QUESTIONING.

>> THANK YOU JOE. AND TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY SERVICES.

I ALSO CAN'T SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MONICA SANDERS WAS THE REGIONL DIRECTOR FOR CPI WHICH IS THE INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION.

THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED BY HARRIS COUNTY PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE VERY VITAL FOR THE CHILDREN HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE FOUND IT TO BE VERY BENEFICIAL THAT JOEL AND HIS STAFF IN HIS TEAM AND THE CE CENTER, TRIAD, THE CLINIC, THEY ALL GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO MAKE SURE OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE SERVED.

MANY CHILDREN AND FAMILY AS YOU KNOW, DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE BEST SERVICE ALL OF THE TIME. IN HARRIS COUNTY PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICE.

I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT LOOKING ACROSS THE STATE, HARRIS COUNTY AS ONE OF THE BEST CHILD PROTECTIVE PROGRAMS WITH REGARD TO SERVICE PROVISION IN COMPARISON TO MOST PLACES IN THIS STATE. SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR ALLOWING THE FUNDING IN HARRIS COUNTY AS WELL AS JOEL AND HIS STAFF WITH THE SERVICES

THEY PROVIDE. >> THANK YOU AND I WILL TAKE

QUESTIONS. >> I HAVE MIGHT DIVISION DIRECTORS HERE. SO IF I NEED A LIFELINE I HAVE

ONE. >> THANK YOU JUDGE.

JUDGE -- JOEL THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND YOUR TEAM.

WE APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO. I AM GLAD YOU SPENT TIME TALKING ABOUT THE KIDS THAT AGE OUT OF THE SYSTEM.

>> YES. >> IF NOT ADDRESSED, THIS IS A WHOLE NEW BATCH OF POTENTIALLY HOMELESS PEOPLE, YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE ON THE STREETS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

IT WORKS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TRYING TO DO AND WHAT I HAVE GOING WITH THE HOMELESS AND THE JUDGE WITH THE HOMELESS TASK FORCE. SO, THIS IS A GLARING GAP IN YOUR CURRENT PROGRAM SERVICES. THIS IS A GAP.

>> YET SPIRITED YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO

AGE OUT OF THE SYSTEM. >> WE HAVE DONE A LOT WITH THE CENTER TO BRIDGE THAT GAP. WE DO IT MOSTLY THROUGH GRANT FUNDS. IT IS FOR ADULT PREPARATION AND SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. EVENT WITH THE FOUNDATION WE RAISE MONEY TO START A MENTORING PROGRAM.

A TRANSITIONING COACH PROGRAM TO WORK ON THE HOUSING PROGRAMS WITH BRIDGE HOUSING AND HOUSING VOUCHERS.

WE REALLY NEED OUR COMPLEX. WE ALSO DO A LOT OF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS. SUMMER JOB PROGRAMS. IT IS NOT ENOUGH. THE YOUTH ARE SO VULNERABLE.

THEY ARE SO TRAUMATIZED. THEY NEED SO MUCH.

ONE THING THAT HAS HELPED THE TOP WE FIND WE ARE RIGHT WITH THE NATIONAL STATISTICS, ABOUT 30% TO GET INTO CRIMINAL TROUBLE WHEN THEY AGE OUT. A LOT OF IT IS MISDEMEANOR TYPE

[03:40:05]

DRIVING WITHOUT INSURANCE. I WILL SAY THAT ONE THING I AM PLEASED WITH THIS IS AN AREA WHERE BAIL REFORM OF HELP.

WE HAD A LOT OF FOSTER CHILDREN GO RIGHT INTO THE JAIL AND NOT UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE NO ONE TO CALL.

TO GO IN THINKING I WILL SPEND THREE DAYS AND GET OUT NOT UNDERSTANDING THE RECORD THAT FOLLOWS THEM AND THE DAMAGE.

ALSO WE HAVE 17 -YEAR-OLDS, AND STATE ISSUE, WE HAVE 17 -YEAR-OLDS WHO ARE FOSTER CHILDREN IN COUNTY JAIL.

NO FOSTER CHILD SHOULD BE IN THE COUNTY JAIL.

WE HAVE 17 -YEAR-OLDS WHO GET INTO TROUBLE IN FOSTER CARE AND

THAT IS WHERE THEY GO. >> THANK YOU.

I MEAN, IT IS A HUGE AREA OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE AN IMPACT SO WE CAN DO THIS FOR YOU.

>> YES. >> ALSO I NOTICED THAT YOU ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MY BROTHER'S KEEPER PROGRAM.

>> HE HAS APPEARED. >> YOU HAVE IT HERE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON HOW IS THAT COLLABORATION, I KNOW YOU TOLD

ME ONCE BUT REMIND ME. >> WITH OUR YOUTH SERVICES DIRECTOR WE WORK CLOSELY WITH STEPHEN WILLIAMS AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WE HAVE SET UP A CARE TEAM AT THE WEEKLY HIGH SCHOOL THEATER AND BRUCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

WE HAVE TO CASEWORKERS -- AND WE FUND THEM.

WE HAVE THEM WITHIN OUR 50-50 SPLIT WITH THE CITY.

THROUGH MY BROTHER'S KEEPER WE HAVE A PARENT PARTNER, TWO-PARENT PARTNERS AND WE HAVE A COORDINATOR.

SO IT IS AND THE PATTERNS THAT WE ARE DOING THAT WORK.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH MY THAT LEAD INITIATIVE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE COMMISSIONERS WORKING WITH US ON FAT. HE IS FUNDING A FULL-TIME STAFF PERSON AND THIS IS PART OF OUR PROGRAM.

>> AND THEN LASTLY, HOW MUCH OF YOUR OPERATION IS GRANT FUNDED?

>> I WOULD SAY, DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATE?

>> 27 GENERAL AND 43 COMBINED. >> IT IS ABOUT A THIRD PERIOD.

>> AND WHEN YOU APPLY FOR A GRANT DOES THE COUNTY MATCH COMES OUT OF YOUR BUDGET OR DOES IT -- IT COMES OUT OF OUR BUDGET AND THAT HAS BEEN A REAL ISSUE. I KNOW WE SPOKE ABOUT THAT.

STATE HELP US TO FIND THE MATCH. WE DO A LOT OF VOCAL GRANTS.

WE HAVE ONE FOR CHILD TRAFFICKING.

WE HAVE ONE FOR THE SENIOR ADJUSTMENT CENTER.

ONE FOR THE INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE.

WE HAVE NAVIGATORS AND ONE FOR CASE MANAGEMENT.

AND GOD THERE IS A 20% MATCH ON EACH OF THOSE AND THEY ARE VERY STRICT ON WHAT GOES INTO IT. WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHALLENGE

COMING UP WITH THAT MATCH. >> DO YOU INTERNALLY DO YOU FIND YOURSELF COMPETING AGAINST ANY OF YOUR OTHER COLLEAGUES FOR THE

SAME GRANTS? >> I WOULD SAY NO.

WE WORK VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER. ONE THING I SHOULD MENTION I AM THE CHAIR COORDINATING COUNCIL. SO WE MEET QUARTERLY THE SIX DIRECTORS. AND WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON A COORDINATE OUR SERVICES.

WE MAY EVEN COLLABORAT ON A PROGRAM.

THROUGH THE DIVISION WE ALSO CAUGHT THROUGH THE DIVISION WE ALSO HAVE THE FAMILY PROTECTION FEES.

WE SHARED THE MONEY AMONGST OUR STAIRS PLUS WE PUT OUT FOR

NONPROFITS AS WELL. >> GOOD, I AM GLAD TO BE REMINDED OF THAT. BECAUSE, TOO OFTEN NEIGHBORS COMPETE FOR THE SAME MISSION. BUT BILL I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE FACT THAT SOME OF THE MATCHING FUNDS ARE COMING OUT OF THE BUDGET. IF WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THE

[03:45:02]

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR

SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO AND THE NAME CHANGE SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

WE GET IT ALL OF THE TIME SO I KNOW THE JOB IS THANKLESS BECAUSE PEOPLE MISUNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK. I ALSO APPRECIATE THE WORK WITH THE POLICY LAB AND TRYING TO HONE IN ON THE BEST WAY TO TRACK

PROGRESS. >> WE HOPE TO DO LIVE PARTY EVALUATIONS. WE'VE DONE THREE WITH THE CENTER. NOW WITH THE ASSESSMENT CENTER.

WE REALLY LIKE TO DO MORE. THIS COULD BE A WAY OF OUR ROLLOVER. IF THEY AREN'T ABLE TO DO A FULL EVALUATION. WE MAY BE ABLE TO SEE IF THE PARTNER CAN HELP US WITH SOME OF THESE.

>> WE BUDGET THE FULL AMOUNT FOR THESE POSITIONS LIKE THE GOOSE CREEK ONE. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE PAYING FOR

60%. >> CORRECTOR.

>> THEIR BUDGET IS COMING THROUGH ON ANOTHER STREAM.

>> DO YOU MIND IF I ASK A QUESTION.

>> I JUST HAVE ONE MORE NOTE FOR YOU.

ON THE THERAPIST FOR INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES.

I WILL HAVE MY STAFF FOLLOW-UP ON THAT AND A FEW OF THE REQUEST. I THINK WE ARE CLEAR ON THE YOUTH SERVICES AND THE ADULT SERVICES DIVISION.

THE OTHER ONES I WILL HAVE THEM FOLLOW-UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUST ON SOME OF THE POSITIONS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT NOT BEING COMPETITIVE.

WE ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT.

ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THE DELTA BETWEEN WHAT YOU ARE PAYING YOUR FOLKS AND THEIR POSITION MAX. THERE IS A SPREAD.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH AMANDA THE ISSUE WE HAVE IS COME PRESCIENT. WE RECENTLY DID SOME REORGANIZING AND WE WANTED TO BRING THIS CLOSER TO THE MAX.

THE ISSUE WAS THE WHOLE COMPRESSION ISSUE THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPERVISING PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING LESS MONEY THAN THE PEOPLE THEY ARE SUPERVISING.

AND ALSO YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO WOULD COME RIGHT UP AGAINST PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T THERE AT 12 OR YEARS BEFORE THEM IN THAT POSITION. IT WOULD COST A LOT OF MONEY TO ADDRESS THE WHOLE COMPRESSION ISSUE.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO SIT DOWN AND GO OVER IT WITH YOU.

>> I WOULD LIKE THAT TOO. >> IT IS SOMETHING WE KEEP HEARING. WE WILL TALK ABOUT ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCREASES. WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN OR NOT BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED BUDGET.

BUT TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPETITIVE FATE THAT WILL HELP YOU RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE. LED US KNOW AND THE PRIORITY LIST THAT FALLS. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN ADD KEEP US POSTED SO WE CAN WAY THE CYCLE.

THEN LATER WE WILL HAVE TO WORK THROUGH HR.

I WAS AT A MEETING OF COUNTY EXECUTIVES.

AND I WAS THERE THIS PAST WEEK. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT CAME UP FOR EVERYONE. THEY ALL HAD INTERESTING IDEAS.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TALENT. THE SKY WOULD BE THE LIMIT TO WHAT WE CAN DO. WE WILL HAVE TO TURN TO THAT AS A COUNTY AT SOME POINT. IT IS NOT A QUICK FIX BUT DO PLEASE KEEP ASKING THE QUESTION SO WE CAN COME BACK AND

ADDRESSED IT HOLISTICALLY. >> THE NOTES I'M GETTING RIGHT NOW. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AVERAGE PAY IS 22%. I UNDERSTAND THE COMPRESSION CAN

BE EXPENSIVE. >> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH AMANDA BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A COMPLEX ISSUES.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> I DID WANT TO SAY THAT LAST WEEK WE HAD OUR PRECINCT AND CHRISTMAS EVENT.

WE ASKED YOU, FOR AN INCREDIBLE ROLE MODEL.

>> SARAH. >> PHENOMENAL YOUNG LADY.

YOU KNOW I JUST WANTED PEOPLE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND IN THIS SEASON, THAT THERE ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND DEALING

[03:50:05]

BUT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF SUPPORT AND NURTURING AND GUIDANCE THEY CAN BECOME PHENOMENAL HUMAN BEINGS AND HAVE INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES LIKE SARAH IS DOING.

I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND YOU BECAUSE AS I HAVE ALWAYS TOLD YOU AND YOUR STAFF IN OTHER SCOTT YOU GUYS ARE CAUGHT YOU ARE WORKING WITH A HUMAN BEING. AND IT REALLY TAKES A SKILL TO DO THAT. AND SARAH WAS JUST ANOTHER PHENOMENAL EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU GUYS CAN DO IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT RESOURCES. SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> CHILDREN ASSESSMENT CENTER.

[Children's Assessment Center]

>> I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

>> I AM MAD AT YOU. >> I AM PRESENTING MY BUDGET.

>> IF IT PLEASE THE COURT CAUGHT ELAINE WITH THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER. I WOULD LIKE TO INJURES #INTRODUCE SOME OF MY GUEST. I HAVE OUR ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. KATHY OUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND BETSY OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER. AS YOU KNOW WE CONTINUED TO WORK EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY WITH THE ALLOCATED BUDGET WE ARE PROVIDED. THEREFORE NEXT YEAR WE WILL BE ABLE TO MANAGE WITHIN THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING, PROVIDED WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE ROLLOVER DOLLARS TO ASSIST US WITH OUR ALLOCATED AMOUNT. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER AND ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU POSED.

SECONDLY I WILL RESPOND TO THAT REALLY NICE PERSONNEL SHEET YOU PROVIDED TO US. I WAS LIKE 0 MY GOODNESS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE GOTTEN THAT.

LASTLY, SHE WILL SHARE SOME OF OUR NEW INITIATIVES.

SO AS YOU ARE AWARE OF THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER IS AN ADVOCACY CENTER PROVIDING SERVICES TO SEXUALLY ABUSE CHILDREN INHERENCE COUNTY. WE ARE THE ONLY ADVOCACY CENTER IN HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDING THESE SERVICES AND ALL OF OUR WORK IS ESSENTIAL BASED ON THREE CRITERIA YEARS.

FIRST, THE TEXAS FAMILY CODE STANDARD.

THESE STANDARDS ONLY NEED THE MANDATED REQUIREMENTS THAT AN ADVOCACY CENTER MUST HAVE TO BE AN ADVOCACY CENTER.

WE ARE EVALUATED EVERY THREE TO FIVE YEARS BY OUR STATE ASSOCIATION TO ENSURE WE MAINTAIN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TEXAS FAMILY CODE. SECONDLY, WE ARE ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

ACCREDITATION HAPPENS EVERY FIVE YEARS AND IT IS BASED ON TEN STANDARDS. THESE STANDARDS MEET BEST PRACTICES ARE EVIDENCE-BASED AND TRAUMA INFORMED.

AT OUR LAST SITE VISIT IN 2017 THE SITE REVIEWERS INDICATED THAT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER IS AN EXEMPLARY CENTER.

MORE THAN LIKELY THE BEST IN THE NATION.

AND A MODEL FOR ALL OTHER ADVOCACY CENTERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AS WELL AS THE UNITED STATES.

OUR 3RD AND LAST CRITERIA IS SPECIFIC LEGISLATION PERTAINING TO A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM RESPONSE TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.

THESE MAY BE LEGISLATIVE MANDATES OR THEY MAY BE RULINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SET FORTH BY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION. WE HAVE PROVIDED ALL OF THIS INFORMATION FOR YOU AND OUR PACKET.

CURRENTLY THERE ARE 800 ADVOCACY CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND 71 IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. TOGETHER, OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A SEAMLESS MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM RESPONSE FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE DISCLOSED ABUSE. I WORKED CENTER COLLABORATES WITH 54 PARTNER AGENCIES. SOME OF THEM ARE GOVERNMENTAL AND SOME OF THEM ARE NONPROFITS AND PROVIDE BEST PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WHEN A CHILD DISCLOSES SEXUAL ABUSE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND C.P.S. RESPONSE.

THEIR FIRST STEP IS TO BRING THE CHILD TO THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER FOR A FORENSIC INTERVIEW.

AT THE SAME TIME OUR FAMILY ADVOCATES PROVIDE FAMILY INTERVENTION FOR THE FAMILIES AS WELL AS THE NON- OFFENDING CAREGIVERS. THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR A SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAM FOLLOWED BY THERAPY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES ALL AT NO COST SO THAT THE CHILDREN, OUR FAMILIES GOT THEIR SIBLINGS CAN ALL HEAL AND OVERCOME THEIR ABUSE AND BE PROTECTED CITIZENS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS PAST YEAR OUR DIRECT

[03:55:02]

11,000 THERAPY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES.

1,000 SEXUAL ASSAULT EXAMS AND WE REVIEWED NEARLY 12,000 STATEWIDE INTAKES. OUR CHILDREN AT BEEN 27% MALE.

73% FEMALE. 46% HAVE BEEN BETWEEN THE AGE OF 6-12. 35% BETWEEN THE AGE OF 13-17.

18% BETWEEN THE AGE OF 1-5. WE HAVE CREATED A WARM AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SO THEY FEEL SAFE AND PROTECTED AND ALL TIMES AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER. IN 2017 WE EMBARKED ON A FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL OF THE WORK THAT WE DO WITH OUR 54 PARTNER AGENCIES.

I AM HAPPY TO REPORT TO YOU THAT JUST AFTER TWO YEARS, WE HAVE ACHIEVED 75% OF THE GOALS THAT WE SET FORWARD IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN. NOW, REGARDING OUR BUDGET AND PERSONNEL SUMMARY THAT YOU PROVIDED FOR US.

THERE ARE THREE AREAS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT.

FIRST REGARDING THE GRAPH ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF POSITIONS.

THIS INCREASE IS DUE TO THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER FOUNDATION BOARD FUNDING, 34 MUCH NEEDED POSITIONS AT THE COUNTY FAIR BY MOVING THESE POSITIONS FROM OUR FOUNDATION OVER TO THE COUNTY. WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE THESE EMPLOYEES WITH INSURANCE, RETIREMENT AND UPWARD MOBILITY FOR THEIR CAREERS AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER.

IHINK EVERYONE WHO WORKED WITH US ONPROJEC.

>> WE ARE VERY COLLABORATIVE BETWEEN THE BOARD AND HARRIS COUNTY. THIS ALSO SUPPORTS THE FACT THAT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER DOES NOT HAVE EXPENDITURES OVER OUR BUDGET BECAUSE WE ALWAYS WORK WITHIN OUR BUDGET.

THE GRAFT PERTAINING TO OUR OPEN POSITION SCOTT THE CHILDREN'S CENTER WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW AND MONITOR THESE.

IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE OPEN POSITIONS WITH THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN, UTILIZING A PERFORMANCE-BASED APPROACH IN THIS WE WILL MAKE CHANGES TO THESE POSITIONS THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR 2020 WON AS NEEDED. AND LASTLY THE SALARY INCREASE GRAPH IS ACTUALLY A REFLECION OF THE STAFF MEMBERS WE HAVE PROMOTED THIS PAST YEAR. WE LOVE PROVIDING SUPERVISION, COACHING AND TRAINING SO THAT WE CAN PROMOTE WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDE UPWARD MOBILITY FOR EMPLOYEES.

I AM SO PROUD THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS FOR 13 DEDICATED EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR WORK AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER.

IT IS A REALLY GOOD THING. TO CONCLUDE OUR REMARKS, AS YOU KNOW, THE WORK WE DO IS CHALLENGING.

IT IS DIFFICULT. MANY OF THESE CASES ARE HEART WRENCHING. I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT OUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IS COMPLETE. NOT ONLY HAVE WE PROVIDED A WONDERFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN, WE HAVE ALSO PROVIDED AN AMAZING FACILITY FOR ALL OF OUR STAFF AND PARTNERS SO THEY CAN WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION. WHICH PROVIDES EFFICIENT CASE PROCESS WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE BEST OUTCOMES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. WE HAVE ALWAYS PLACED A HYPERREALITY ON THIS AND THAT WE CAN DO MORE.

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

CARRIE WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME NEW INITIATIVES.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME?

>> I FEEL THE SAME WAY. I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

YEARS OF LEADERSHIP AND STRONG VISION AND PASSIONATE COMMISSION TO THE WORK IT SHOWS IN THE RESULTS AND THE STAFF YOU HAVE BUILT AND THE FEEDBACK AND THE CHILDREN YOU HAVE SERVED.

I KNOW TOMORROW WILL BE ABOUT YOUR REPLACEMENT BUT I AM TEMPTED TO SCOWL AS WELL. YOU WILL SURELY BE MISSED.

[04:00:01]

>> WELL IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU.

AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO EVERYONE HERE.

IT HAS BEEN NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

BUT WE DO HAVE AMAZING THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING.

AND CARRIE WILL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THOSE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. NOW THAT ELAINE AS GOTTEN YOU UP TO SPEED ON THE WORK WE ARE DOING AND THE WONDERFUL THINGS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU THE PLANS WE HAVE FOR THE FUTURE.

CLEARLY THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WILL ALWAYS NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FIRST-RATE SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, WE STRIVE TO SEE HOW WE CAN FURTHER MEET THE NEEDS OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN.

I MUST STRESS THAT IN BOTH OUR SHORT-RANGE AND LONG-RANGE PREVENTION IS AT THE FOREFRONT. WE HAVE ALWAYS OFFERED TRAINING TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE AND RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CHILD ABUSE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

WE WANT TO INCREASE OUR EFFORT. WE SERVED 5,000 CHILDREN.

WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THE ONLY WAY TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER IS WITH PREVENTION. WE LIVE IN A TIME WHERE EVERY CHILD HAS A CELL PHONE. IT IS A TINY COMPUTER THAT GIVES THEM ACCESS TO THE WORLD. IT IS BEING USED BY PREDATORS WHO TALK TO OUR CHILDREN, STALK THEM AND LURE THEM INTO TRAFFICKING AND EXPOSE THEM TO PORNOGRAPHY.

I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW DANGEROUS THIS DEVICE CAN BE.

WE NEED TO TEACH OUR PARENTS HOW TO SAFEGUARD THEIR CHILDREN AGAINST CYBER PREDATORS. WE NEED TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ON INTERNET DUES AND DON'TS. IN 2020 WHEEL TO GET THIS MESSAGE INTO AS MANY SCHOOLS AS WE CAN AND TO EVERY PARENT WHO WILL LISTEN. WE ARE ALSO ADDRESSING CHILD TRAFFICKING. AS I WORK WITH THE TEAM WHICH IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF JUVENILES IN THE AREA, WHO HAVE BEEN RECOVERING FROM COMMERCIAL TRAFFICKING. VICTIMS OF CHILD TRAFFICKING ONCE RECOVERED ARE PRESENTED WITH A VARIETY OF UNIQUE NEEDS.

THE ROAD CAN BE DIFFICULT. THE TEAM MEETS MONTHLY TO A DISCUSS THE OBSTACLES AND THE NEED OF THE POPULATION INCLUDING HOUSING, TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION AND DRUG INTERVENTION.

SECONDLY IN JANUARY WE WILL BEGIN A PILOT PROGRAM IN WHICH WE PARTNER WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CHURCH TO MENTOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO GET THEIR LIVES ON TRACK AFTER BEING RECOVERED FROM TRAFFICKING AND COMPLETING THEIR FEET.

THE PILOT PROGRAM WILL BE'S RELATIVELY SMALL AND WILL INCLUDE MONTHLY EVALUATIONS TO IDENTIFY ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND TO TRACK OUTCOMES. IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM CAN BE EXPANDED TO OTHER GROUPS AND THE COMMUNITY SO WE CAN MENTOR MORE PEOPLE TRANSITIONING BACK INTO SOCIETY. IN THE AREA OF JUVENILE JUSTICE WE HAVE TWO RELATIVELY NEW PROGRAMS WE ARE CONTINUING TO GROW. WE DO BELIEVE INVESTING IN THE JUVENILES IS A FORM OF PREVENTION.

ONE INITIATIVE IS THE BASE PROGRAM.

BASE IS AN ACRONYM FOR BUILDING APPROPRIATE SEXUAL EDUCATION.

THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT BEGAN IN 2018 WHERE THIS ASSESSMENT CENTER PARTNERED WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ADDRESS THE SENSITIVE ISSUE OF YOUTH WHO ARE SEXUALLY ACTING OUT. THIS IS A DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR JUVENILES BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10-13 WHO SEXUALLY ACT OUT AGAINST A FAMILY MEMBER OR CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND.

THEY ARE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE A COURSE OF THERAPY AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PROSECUTION. IT IS OUR HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO ADD A LICENSE OFFENDER TREATMENT PROVIDER TO OUR STAFF TO TREAT THIS POPULATION. THE SECOND AREA RELATED TO JUVENILE JUSTICE IS THE HARRIS COUNTY YOUTH COLLECTIVE WHICH IS A PROJECT BEGINNING IN ITS FOURTH YEAR WHOSE OBJECTIVE IS TO EVALUATE THE WEIGHT THE SYSTEM HANDLES JUVENILES WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN C.P.S. BECAUSE ME AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND INITIATE CHANGES TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES.

THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER IS THE FISCAL MANAGER OF THE GRANT AND AS A SEAT ON BOTH THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. LASTLY CAUGHT THIS YEAR WE HOPE TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY AWARENESS. WE ARE LEARNING THAT THERE ARE FEW REASONS WHY WE ARE NOT REACHING ALL OF THE CHILDREN WE SHOULD. IN 2020 WE WANT TO IMPROVE ON THAT. WE HAVE LEARNED FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT CITIZENS FROM CERTAIN CULTURES DO NOT REPORT

[04:05:01]

THIS PAST YEAR REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EXIMBANK CONSULATE AND THE GUATEMALAN VISITED AND SHARED WITH US THEIR CONSTITUENTS WERE RELUCTANT TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE.

AFTER VISITING THE CENTER COP THEY'D LEFT FEELING CONFIDENT THE FAMILIES WOULD BE TREATED PROPERLY AND FAIRLY AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER AND THEY EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR THE COMPASSIONATE WAY WE APPROACH CHILDREN OF ALL CULTURES.

WE WANT TO MAKE IT KNOWN THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER IS CULTURALLY COMPETENT. WE HAVE STAFF THAT SPEAK A VARIETY OF LANGUAGE INCLUDING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.

IF WE DON'T WE WILL BRING AN INTERPRETER AND TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CHILD. WE WANT THEM TO NOTE THAT EVERY VICTIM IS TREATED THE SAME NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE FROM.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO FORM RELATIONSHIPS LIKE THOSE BECAUSE IT IS HEARTBREAKING THIS MAY BE A BARRIER TO A CHILD RECEIVING TREATMENT. THE OTHER WAY WE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THIS IS BY EDUCATING THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

WE CONDUCTED A SURVEY AND FOUND THAT IN ALARMING AMOUNT OF PROFESSIONALS WORKING AT THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER ARE UNAWARE OF WHO WE ARE OR THAT WE ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER PROVIDING SERVICES. IN OCTOBER 2020 WE WILL HOST THE FIRST ANNUAL CHILD TRAUMA CONFEENCE FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. IT WILL DEDICATE TIME INTRODUCING ATTENDINGS AND EDUCATING THEM ON WHY IT IS IN THE CHILD'S BEST INTEREST TO BE REFERRED AND THE REMAINDER OF THE CONFERENCE WILL BE DEDICATED TO INFORMED CARE FOR CHILDREN.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US AND YOUR CONTINUED

SUPPORT. >> YES.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

AGAIN ELAINE, I REALLY AM TORN. TO SEE YOU TURN THAT CHAPTER IN YOUR LIFE BUT OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WE WILL ALWAYS BE IN YOUR DEBT FOR THE PHENOMENAL COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION YOU GAVE THIS REGION. NOT JUST HARRIS COUNTY BUT THIS REGION BECAUSE YOU BECAME A MODEL FOR SO MANY OTHERS.

CARD BEEN IN MANY PLACES WHERE THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER BECAME A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THE PARTNERSHIP THAT GOES INTO IT.

IT WAS ALWAYS A GOOD DAY FOR ME WHEN I GOT MONEY FROM THE BAD

GUY TO DO GOOD WORK. >> I HOPE A SHARE MAY BE LISTENING AND THEY CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

YOU ARE INCREDIBLE. I WILL TELL YOU THIS.

WHAT MAKES YOUR TRANSITION A LITTLE EASIER FOR ME, IS TOO OFTEN, FOLKS DECIDE TO MOVE ON TO GREENER PASTURES AND WE ARE SCRAMBLING WITH WHO WILL DO THIS.

WHO HAS THE SKILL SET. I HAVE SEEN YOUR WORK TO ENSURE THAT IT IS A SEAMLESS AND I HOPE THE GOOD WORK OF THE CENTER CONTINUES. THAT TAKES THE EDGE OFF OF ME A

LITTLE BIT. >> WE JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. WE HAVE A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS AND I KNOW THERE IS ONE NAME I WILL BE HAPPY TO NAME.

OR PUT ON A BUILDING. I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU GOD

BLESS YOU. >> THANK YOU AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, EARLIER THIS YEAR I BECAME A GRANDMOTHER SO IN FEBRUARY I WILL HAVE ANOTHER ONE SO THIS WILL BE WHAT WILL TAKE OVER MY LIFE. I AM HAPPY AND I WILL BE ASSISTING THE FOUNDATION FOR ITS TRANSITION.

>> I WILL BE WORKING WITH EVERYONE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.

[Domestic Relations]

>> >> DOMESTIC RELATIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE. I AM DAVID THE DIRECTOR OF THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

YOUR NET FEST WAS CREATED WITH PROVIDING SERVICES TO FAMILIES.

MOSTLY MOMS AND DADS AND GRANDPARENTS AND AUNTS AND UNCLES, ADULT SIBLI. THIS INVOLVES CHILDREN.

[04:10:02]

THEY ARE PROVIDED TO THE PARENTS FREE OF CHARGE OR ON A SLIDING SCALE. OUR GOAL AT THE OFFICE IS TO ENCOURAGE ALTERNATIVES TO LITIGATION THROUGH CONFLICT RESOLUTION, FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN CAN'T TEACH AND ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR PARENTS AND IMPROVE PARENTING SKILLS AND OF COURSE PROVIDE PERSONALIZED SERVICES IN A COMPASSIONATE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE HAVE MADE THE ENVIRONMENT CHILD FRIENDLY.

WE HAVE ARTWORK ON THE WALL. WE HAVE MANY CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS. SOME OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE, WE DO FAMILY MEDIATION. AND THEY ALL REQUIRE MOMS AND DAD ATTEND MEDIATION IF THEY HAVE A CASE INVOLVING CHILDREN.

WE SCHEDULE SIX OF THOSE. DAY SO THEY ARE HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN OUR OFFICE. WE ALSO DO THE CHILD CUSTODY EVALUATION SO WHEN PARENTS CAN AGREE ON WHICH PARENT WILL BE THE PRIMARY PARENT TO RAISE A CHILD, WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS THAT GO INTO THE HOMES OF BOTH PARENTS AND THEY'D LOOK TO SEE AND THEY DO A FORENSIC INVESTIGATION AS TO WHICH PARENT IS MOST LIKELY TO RAISE A CHILD THAT WILL BE A PRODUCTIVE ADULT.

WE DO ALL OF THE NON- AGENCY ADOPTION AGENCIES WHICH IS ONE OF THE FUN SERVICES WE PROVIDE. THESE ARE VERY FEEL-GOOD THINGS.

WE OFFER COORDINATION AND CHILD SUPPORT COORDINATION AND WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WE HAVE AN EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM.

WE HAVE MET STATE STANDARDS THIS YEAR PROVIDING THAT SERVICES.

HE ALSO PROVIDE POSSESSION AND ACCESS ENFORCEMENT.

WE DECIDE EARLY ON IF CHILDREN WILL HAVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM BOTH PARENTS. WE ALSO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROM BOTH PARENTS.

AND WE ALSO HAVE THE VISITATION CENTER.

WE PROVIDE SUPERVISED GROUP VISITATIONS FROM -- FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS SUFFER FROM MENTAL ISSUES OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES. OR IF THEY ARE ABSENT FROM A CHILD'S LIFE. WE DO THAT AT SEVEN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. WE HAVE OPEN FOR NEWSLETTERS THIS YEAR. WE HOPE TO OPEN FOR MORE NEXT YEAR AS WELL. SO TO DELIVER THIS YOU CAN IMAGINE THE STAFF WE EMPLOY. WE HAVE LAWYERS AND EVALUATORS.

WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

ATTORNEYS AND OTHERS WHO DELIVERED THESE SERVICES.

THERE ARE NINE SERVICES IN TEXAS.

WE PROVIDE THE MOST AND RECENTLY WE WERE VISITED BY HILDA OGLE COUNTY WHO ARE HOPING TO OPEN A DRO THERE AND THEY WANTED TO LOOK AT OUR FACILITIES. SO EVERY YEAR WHEN I PREPARE THE BUDGET I LOOK TO SEE IF WE HAVE ENOUGH POSITIONS AVAILABLE TO DELIVER THE SERVICES WE NEED. I DON'T KNOW IF I MENTIONED BUT WE ARE GOVERNED BY CHAPTER 203 OF THE TEXAS FAMILY CODE.

WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE IS PROVIDED IN THAT CHAPTER.

WE HAVE 75 POSITIONS AND I ANTICIPATE THEY WILL ALL BE FILLED BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

YOU MAY ASK WHAT IS GOING ON THERE, IN JANUARY 2019 WE HAD 24 NEW JUDGES TAKE THE BENCH. THEY HAVE BEEN USING US A LOT.

SO WE HAVE SEEN A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICES WHICH IS IN MY ATTACHMENTS.

WE ARE THRILLED WITH THIS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE A DIVERSION THROUGH OUR OFFICE, HELPS TO SETTLE CASES AND HELPS PARENTS MOVE ON. SO THANK YOU LET THAT'S RIGHT FOR LETTING US DO THAT. BUT DRO IS IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE. OUR BUDGET COMES FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND THE REST COMES FROM ROLL OVER AND GRANT SPARE OUR GRANT FUNDING AS REDUCED OUR DEPENDENCY ON THE GENERAL FUND.

OUR PAST ABILITY TO SECURE FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS HAS BEEN AMAZING. WE ARE EXPECTING FISHER TO COLLECT 66% OF THE CALLS FOR OUR OFFICE TO EXIST.

WE NEVER KNOW HOW IT GRANT WILL BE SECURED SO WE ARE COMPLETELY DEPENDENT ON THE ROLL OVER FUN TO CARRY US THROUGH THE TIMES WHEN THE GRANTS MAY NOT COME THROUGH.

FOR EXAMPLE WE JUST HAD A RENEWAL LAST MONTH OF A SUPERVISOR GRANT FOR $370,000. THAT WOULD HAVE HURT HAD WE NOT RECEIVE THAT RENEWAL WE ARE THRILLED THAT CAME THROUGH.

>> SOME OF THE OTHER CHALLENGES WE FACE IS THE FISCAL YEAR IS DIFFERENT FROM THE STATE'S FISCAL YEAR.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO FLOAT POSITIONS FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY AND THAT MONEY COMES IN HANDY WHILE WE ARE DOING THAT AS

WELL. >> ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS YEAR.

WE HAD INCREASED CASELOADS. 46% INCREASE IN OUR CHILD

[04:15:02]

16% IN OUR MEDIATION SPIRIT AND IT GOES ON AND ON.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS AND WE ARE THRILLED WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT. WE HAVE WON A NUMBER OF AWARDS.

WON I WILL MENTION THAT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED EARLY THIS YEAR.

THE 2019 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY FOR OUR VISITATION CENTER.

WE ARE THRILLED WITH THAT. OTHER THINGS WE DID CAUGHT WE KNOW E-COMMERCE IS IMPORTANT SO WE HAVE ENHANCED OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN APPLY FOR SERVICES ONLINE AND MEDIATION.

YOU CAN PAY YOUR FEES AND DO OTHER THINGS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE. THANKS TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR HELPING US WITH THAT. WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON OUR MARKETING. OUR OUTREACH TO THE SCHOOLS CAUGHT THE BAR ASSOCIATIONS, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

I WAS RECENTLY ON THE RADIO, I HAVE BEEN ON FACEBOOK LIVE IN THE PAST. WE HAVE BROCHURES IN ALL OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEM SO PEOPLE CAN ACCESS WHAT WE DO THROUGH THE WEB AND BROCHURES. WE RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION FAMILY LAW AND THEY ADOPTED OUR CENTER AND DONATED 300 TOYS FOR CHILDREN IN OUR VISITATION CENTER. WE ARE THRILLED WITH THAT.

THAT IS JUST WONDERFUL. >> THE LAST ONE WE MET ALL OF THE STATE STANDARDS FOR ALL OF OUR STATE CONTRACTS.

>> SO THE TRENDS WE ARE SEEING IN THE FAMILY COURT PARTICULARLY IN OUR OFFICE WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE DO IT YOURSELF WORLD.

PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT THEMSELVES. THAT CLOGS UP THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM AND MOST JUDGES AND THOSE PEOPLE TO US AND WE MEDIATE THOSE CASES FOR THEM. WE ARE ALSO SEEN A CONTINUING INCREASE IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH A NUMBER OF NONPROFITS TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THOSE REFERRALS.

>> PRIORITIES FOR THE COMING YEAR.

OF COURSE CONTINUE TO HANDLE OUR INCREASED CASELOADS.

RENEGOTIATE OUR CONTRACTS AND GRANTS FOR OUR VISITATION CENTER WILL ADD FOUR MORE SITES WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

WE HOPE TO BUY A CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

WHERE BEEN WORKING WITH -- AND WORK TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF OUR OFFICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

I'M THANKFUL YOU RECOGNIZE HOW CRITICAL OUR SERVICES ARE.

AND WITH THAT I SAY THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN.

YOU ARE ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT A LOT HAPPENS BUT WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THAT IT IS YOU DOING IT.

SO I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU DO.

AND LOOK, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN FRONT OF US. IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT, IS THERE ANYTHING BESIDES WHAT YOU PUT DOWN IN YOUR BUDGET REQUEST THAT WE SHOULD THINK ABOUT?

>> NO COP THANK YOU FOR ASKING BUT WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE RIGHT

NOW. >> THANK YOU.

>>> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU GUYS ARE DOING.

I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Texas A&M AgriLife]

>> >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. IT IS A PLEASURE TO PRESENT AND SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES WHAT TEXAS A&M AGRO LIFE PROVIDES FOR THE CITIZENS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. AS AN OVERVIEW OF OUR AGENCY, AS YOU KNOW WE ARE PART OF A LARGE NETWORK THAT REACHES ALL 254

CO ACROSS THE STATE. >> WE WANT TO BE THE LEAD FOR URBAN PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE AND HOW WE IMPLEMENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO THE CITIZENS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE PRIMARILY HAVE FOUR AREAS OF EMPHASIS THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO AND THAT IS AGRICULTURAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES. YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

HORTICULTURE AND WE HAVE SOME SUBCATEGORIES WITH EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS. SPECIFICALLY WITH AGRICULTURE WE PROVIDE PROGRAMS TO LANDOWNERS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO HAVE SMALL

[04:20:01]

WE ARE TRYING TO HELP CITIZENS AND TEACH THEM HOW TO PREPARE HEALTHIER MEALS. HOW TO DECREASE THE DIABETES ISSUE WE HAVE. WE HAVE A HIGH PERCENTAGE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE TRY TO MAKE SURE THE PROGRAMS WE ARE OFFERING TO THE CITIZENS, SUPPORT DECREASING THOSE TYPES OF EFFECTS IT MAY HAVE ON THEIR HEALTH.

WE DO CURRENTLY HAVE 46 STAFF MEMBERS.

SOME OF THOSE ARE PAID DIRECTLY THROUGH THE COUNTY WE ALSO HAVE THREE AREAS THAT ARE FUNDED BY FEDERAL FUNDS.

OUR BETTER LIVING PROTECTION IS FUNDED THROUGH FEDERAL GRANTS.

WE ALSO HAVE OUR PROGRAM RIGHT HERE.

ONE OF THE PROGRAMS WE TYPICALLY DON'T TALK ABOUT IS OUR.

REVIEW. WE DO HAVE SIX AGENTS HERE IN THE COUNTY THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT AND WE ALSO HAVE AN EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRA. WE WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER ON PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE CITIZENS.

ONE OF THE AREAS I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT RELATED TO OUR PROGRAMMING IS HORTICULTURE AND SOME OF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR HORTICULTURE PROGRAM. WE RELY HEAVILY ON MASTER GARDENERS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CITIZENS.

OUR PROGRAM IS ONE OF THOSE WE INTRODUCED IN SCHOOLS AND OUR MASTER GARDENERS TAKE FIVE BUCKETS AND THEY CUT THOSE DOWN AND THEY TAKE THOSE TO THE SCHOOL AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN HOW TO HAVE THEIR OWN GARDENS EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE LAND OR PROPERTY. WE REACH ABOUT 80,000 KIDS.

YEAR WITH THIS PROGRAM. THAT IS LED THROUGH OUR HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A MASTER GARDENER BOOTH.

>> WHAT DENNIS? >> OAK GROVE.

>> YES. >> SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU.

>> IT IS VERY POPULAR. WE DO A LOT OF WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULTS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ALSO HAVE A SPEAKERS BUREAU WHERE WE REACHED OVER 2,000 PEOPLE IN 2018. WITH THE HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. ADDING ON TO THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS MENTIONED EARLIER WITH MR. LEVINE WITH YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE WORK CLOSELY ON IS PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH.

ALL FOUR OF THE CENTERS WE HAVE A STAFF MEMBER THAT GOES TO THE LOCATIONS EACH DAY OF THE WEEK. AND ASSIST THEM WITH LEARNING HOW TO PLANT A GARDEN. AND WE FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A SKILL SET ONCE THEY REACH THE FACILITY.

WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF USING OUR MASTER GARDENER TRAINING PROGRAM TO MENTOR TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ALLOW THEM OPPORTUNITIES ONCE THEY LEAVE THE SITES TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF SKILL SET IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE JOB READY.

WE HAVE REACHED 205 USE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR BASED ON THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM IN THIS CONCEPT.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE FOUND IS IMPORTANT.

IN ADDITION IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS SO THEY ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAMS

WE OFFER THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. >> ANOTHER AREA YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH IS WITH ALL OF THE HURRICANES AND FLOODS AND DISASTERS TAKING PLACE THIS PAST YEAR.

TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE WAS CHARGED WITH SUPPORTING THROUGH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE A PROGRAM CALLED REBUILD TEXAS.

WE WERE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE CHARGED TO DO IS INSPECTIONS HERE ACROSS THE COUNTY. WE ALSO PROVIDED NOT AS A LEAD BUT AS AN AGENCY WHO ASSISTED WITH MAKING SURE FAMILIES WERE DIRECTED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. FROM THAT WORK, THIS PAST SESSION GOT TEXAS A&M WAS AWARDED $7 MILLION TO SUPPORT THIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GOAL. SO WITH THAT WE WILL BE HIRING A RECOVERY AGENT WHO WILL ASSIST WITH ON THE FRONT AND PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES WITHIN THE COUNTY. THOSE DOLLARS ARE STRICTLY STATE-FUNDED. WE WILL NOT GET MONEY FROM THE

[04:25:06]

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AS WELL. >> WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO INCLUDE TWO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS THROUGH THE STATE WITH BETTER LIVING VORTEXES AGAIN THOSE ARE FUNDED THROUGH TO SUPPORT BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS AND TEACHING THEM THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING HEALTHY AND

PREPARING HEALTHY MEALS. >> AS A WHOLE, WE REACH ABOUT 18,000 MEMBERS. YEAR BASED THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WE ALSO HAVE SOME HOTLINES WE ALSO HAVE PROGRAMS WHERE THEY CAN CALL IN IF THEY HAVE TREE ISSUES OR QUESTIONS ABOUT CANNING.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

WE HEAVILY DEPEND ON OUR VOLUNTEERS AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO AND THE TRAINING WE PROVIDE THEM TO EXTEND THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER.

>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT US IS HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT DO SIMILAR THINGS WE DO.

ONE THING WE FEEL IS IMPORTANT THAT WE UNDERSTAND IS OUR INFORMATION THAT WE SHARE IS RESEARCH-BASED.

WE DISSEMINATE THROUGH AGENTS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SOUND INFORMATION FOR THE QUESTIONS THEY ARE ASKED REGARDING THAT PROGRAM AREA. SO WE ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THOSE HERE IN THE COUNTY.

WE ARE EXCITED FOR THE COMMISSIONERS VOTE ON MOVING US TO A NEW LOCATION BECAUSE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I CAME ON BOARD IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018, THERE WERE TWO FLOODS PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL. WE CURRENTLY HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO MOVE TO A NEW LOCATION WHICH IS 1301 NORTHWEST FREEWAY.

WE ARE EXCITED TO BECOME MORE SETTLED IF YOU WILL IN A FACILITY AND CONTINUE TO DO THE GREAT WORK WE'RE DOING.

I WILL SAY THAT COMING IN WITH FRESH EYES IF YOU WILL, AS I HAVE SHARED WITH THE TEAM, WE KNOW THINGS HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

IT ALLOWED US TO TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WE PROGRAM DIFFERENTLY.

SO MEANING THE FACILITY ON BEAR CREEK WAS AN EXCELLENT FACILITY FOR PROGRAM AND ALLOW FOLKS TO COME TO THE SITE BUT HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO A NEW LOCATION GOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU ALL MORE OFTEN AND SHARE WHAT WE DO, MADE US GET OUT THERE AND MAKE US BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY AND PRECINCTS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT ALLOWED US A LITTLE MORE CONVERSATION THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND OPEN FOR QUESTIONS AT THIS

TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU GO OVER THE WILDLIFE POSITION REALLY QUICK QUICK STAND YES, I REMEMBER MAY BE A FEW QUARTERS BEFORE, ONE OF THE THINGS COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS CAUGHT HE LIKES TO RIDE BICYCLES. SO WITHIN THE PARKS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME UP WAS THE ISSUE OF NUISANCE ANIMALS.

I VISITED WITH THE WILDLIFE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

>> MR. ELLIS DOES NOT LIKE DOGS. >> I LOVE DOGS.

>> HE DIDN'T LIKE THEM WHEN HE AND HIS BICYCLE ARE IN THE SAME VICINITY AT THE SAME TIME. IS THAT FAIR QUICK STAND THAT

MAKES SENSE. >> SO AS I VISITED WITH WILDLIFE SERVICES, THERE WERE THREE ANIMALS NUISANCE ANIMALS THAT ROSE TO THE TOP. ONE WAS FAIR HAULED SCOTT COYOTES AND SKUNKS. THOSE WERE THE MOST CALLS THAT THEY RECEIVED FROM HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT 24,000 INQUIRIES ABOUT THOSE PARTICULAR ANIMALS IN ADDITION TO OTHERS. THOSE WERE THE TOP THREE BACK.

I SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING SUPPORT AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN THE COUNTY.

THEY SUBMITTED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE 55% OF THE SALARY, A VEHICLE, INSURANCE AND NECESSITIES FOR THAT POSITION.

IF THE COURT WILL SUPPORT THE REMAINING 40%.

>> WHAT WOULD THE PERSON DO? >> THE PERSON WITH ASSIST WITH PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH THE NUISANCE ANIMALS AND IT WOULD BE SOMEONE LOCAL THAT COULD ADDRESS THE ISSUES IN A TIMELY MANNER RATHER THAN CALLING AND WAITING FOR A REQUEST BACK.

[04:30:05]

AS FAR AS SCOTT SCOTT COYOTES AND RACCOONS THAT IS A CONTINUED ISSUE. PEOPLE HAVE ISSUES AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND TOOLS TO ADDRESS THOSE.

>> I OFTEN HAVE RACCOONS AND POSSUMS AS VISITORS, CAN YOU HELP ME OUT QUICK STAND THAT IS WHAT THAT PERSON WOULD DO.

YES, SIR. >> IF IT IS A CALL, YOU CAN CALL ELSEWHERE. I'M JUST STRUGGLING TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT NEEDS TO BE A PHYSICAL PERSON HERE.

>> BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CALLS THAT COME IN, NOW EDUCATION WISE GOT THAT PERSON TRAPPING WOULD BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST WITH THAT LOCALLY. BUT PROVIDING THE PROGRAMS AND BEING PROACTIVE WOULD BE THAT PERSON'S ROLE.

>> I GOT IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

[Pollution Control]

>> POLLUTION CONTROL. >> DID I SKIP ONE?

>> NO. >> POLLUTION CONTROL.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM THE TRUTH AND I'M THE DIRECTIVE OF POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES.

I BROUGHT WITH ME MR. STEWART WAS THE OPERATIONS AND TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLISHES CONTROL SERVICES A DEPARTMENT OF 51 STAFF AND GROWING.

THE JOB IS TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY BY PARTICIPATING IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY MANAGEMENT AND ALLOWED BY THE STATUES OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

HARRIS COUNTY POLLUTION CONTROL WORKS UNDER THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY OF THE TEXAS WATER CODE CHAPTERS SEVEN AND 26.

TEXAS SAFE AND HELP CODE GOT SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL ACT, TO PERFORM REGULATORY DUTIES AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

UNDER THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 573, WE ALSO HAVE THE AUTHORITY UNDER THE HARRIS COUNTY STORM REGULATIONS.

POLLUTION CONTROL ALSO REVIEWS COMMENTS ON PERMITS ISSUED BY THE STATE AS WELL AS RULEMAKING AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE U.S. EPA. THE ENVIRONMENT REGULATORY ISSUES FACING HARRIS COUNTY ARE MOSTLY DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE EXPEDITED ISSUE OF PERMITS BY THE STATE.

FACILITIES THAT REQUEST AMENDMENTS TO PERMITS INCREASE CAPACITY ON BUILDING A NEW UNIT OR GRANTED WITHOUT MUCH HINDRANCE. ADDITIONALLY GOT THE 85TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF 2017, HOUSE BILL 2533 CREATED BARRIERS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO RECEIVE PENALTIES IN LITIGATION ON FACILITIES BY REQUIRING A 90 DAY NOTIFICATION TO THE STATE.

IF THE STATE DECIDES TO LITIGATE THEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN ONLY GET INJECTED RELIEF WITH NO PENALTY SPIRIT OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS POLLUTION CONTROL HAS BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND WE HAVE DONE SO WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR OTHER AGENCIES TO COLLABORATE MORE WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE CALLED THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH. I HAVE LEARNED A LOT AND I'VE GROWN TREMENDOUSLY IN DOING SO. I FEEL THIS HAS CREATED MORE INNOVATIVE THOUGHTS ON HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

POLLUTION CONTROL IS NOT ASKING FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS AT THIS TIME ABOVE WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED.

AS WE ARE WORKING TO FULFILL THE POSITIONS PRESENTED TO US -- THE MISSION PRESENTED. WE ARE PURCHASING NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR MONITORING ANALYTICAL DATA. WE ARE HIRING 29 MEMBERS FOR OUR STAFF OVER THE NEXT 24 MONTHS. WE ARE WORKING TO FOCUS ON THE HIRING PROCESS THAT WILL BEST ALLOW US TO GET THE MOST WORTHY CANDIDATES TO FILL THE POSITIONS.

ALSO WORKING WITH COMPENSATION ANALYST TEAMS WE ARE LOOKING FOR COMPENSATION TO NOT ONLY AT MARKET VALUE COMPENSATION FOR THE NEW POSITION BUT SO WE CAN LOOK AT THE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING POSITION SO WE DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRINGING IN NEW PEOPLE AT HIGHER RATES AND NOT COMPENSATING OUR EXISTING

STAFF. >> IN MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL

[04:35:01]

>>> TODAY TOP WE HAVE HAD A PLETHORA OF INTEREST IN OUR NEW STAFF POSITIONS THAT WE ARE POSTED.

WE HAVE HIRED A COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER BECAUSE WE FELT LIKE COMMUNICATIONS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS WE COULD IMPROVE ON IMMEDIATELY AND BUILD THE PROGRAM.

IN DOING SO WE HAD OVER 30 WELL-QUALIFIED APPLICANTS APPLY FOR THAT ONE POSITION AND THE FOUR POSITIONS TO BUILD THE TEAM WE HAVE HAD AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF INTEREST FOR THOSE POSITIONS AS WELL. WE DON'T FEEL WE WILL HAVE ANY PROBLEMS MOVING FORWARD FILLING THE POSITIONS BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE POSITIONS.

YOU ASKED IF WE HAD SPACE TO HOLD ALL OF THE POSITIONS WE ARE HOUSING, I KNEW YOU WOULD. AT THIS TIME WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH FACILITIES PROPERTY MAINTENANCE AND THEY HAVE CONTACTED US. THEY HAVE CONNECTED US WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WHO HAS GIVEN US THREE OPTIONS TO LOOK AT MOVING FORWARD. WE ARE IN DISCUSSIONS AND WE PARTNERED WITH PUBLIC HELP DIVISION IN THE BUILDING AND WE ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ON SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

>> IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I AM BASICALLY FINISHED.

I HAVE A LITTLE MORE BUT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS I AM READY AT

THIS TIME. >> YES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR HITTING THE GROUND AND RUNNING AS YOU HAVE.

I APPRECIATE YOU BEING OVER AT THE FORM YET THE OTHER DAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TOOK NOTICE THAT YOU WERE PRESENT AND I APPRECIATE YOU BEING PART OF THAT.

>> AND IN YOUR TRANSITION FROM BEING PART OF THE STAFF TO YOUR DIRECTORSHIP. IS THERE SOMETHING WE ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT. I GUESS IF YOU WANTED TO SEE POLLUTION CONTROL, FIVE OR TEN YEARS FROM TODAY, WHAT WOULD

YOUR HOPE BE? >> I HAD LOTS OF THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT. THEY ARE RUNNING THROUGH MY HEAD AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH BUILDING CAPACITY FOR AIR MONITORING AND MOVING TOWARDS MORE ACTIVE PROGRAMS. RIGHT NOW RIGHT NOW WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS BUILDING THE CAPACITY FOR THE MONITORING PROGRAM AND GETTING MORE PEOPLE IN. AND HAVING THE STAFF TO ADEQUATELY DO THAT. HAVING THE COMPLIANCE SECTION STAFF TO DO THAT SO WE CAN WORK WITH THE REST OF THE INVESTIGATION. I NOTE THAT BUILDING THE PROGRAMS WILL INCREASE THE RECOGNITION OUR DEPARTMENT GETS.

I ASSUME IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS WE WILL HAVE TO BUILD CAPACITY EVEN MORE. AS THINGS MOVE I CAN GET MORE

INFORMATION TO YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> YES COMMISSION.

>> >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. I HATE TO THROW ANOTHER ONE ON YOU BUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS HERE AS WELL.

I HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM THAT HAS GOTTEN ATTENTION IN THE GARDEN.

I GUESS A CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICAL USED TO TREAT WOOD BY THE RAILROAD FACILITY. I THINK THEY HAVE ACQUIRED THE FACILITY. HOW DO WE DIVIDE IT IN TERMS OF WHAT THE COUNTY DOES AND WITH THE CITY DOES.

SOMETIMES THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

ANY ROLE WE PLAY IN THAT? >> CURRENTLY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN VERY INVOLVED BUT WE ARE MOVING THEY HAVE HAD MEETINGS THAT WE HAD NOT BEEN APPRISED HIM PREVIOUSLY.

WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN A LOT OF INFORMATION FROM THE STATE ON THEIR PROGRESS AND THE DATA THEY HAVE.

WE HAVE MADE A REQUEST FOR THE INFORMATION AND WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO LOOK AT INFORMATION THAT THEY MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

>> PLEASE WORK WITH MY OFFICE SCOTT WENT SOMETHING LIKE THAT

[04:40:01]

I JUST HEARD SOMETHING THIS MORNING.

I CALLED SOMEONE AND HE COULDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION ON WHAT THEY COULD DO. OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO SHOW CONCERN IT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT IS RESOLVED BY LITIGATION.

SO MAYBE JUST REACH OUT TO THE HEALTH DIRECTOR IN TALK TO WHOEVER WILL TAKE THE LEAD. I REMEMBER A MEETING, MAYBE AS I WAS LEAVING THE STATE JOB WHEN ISSUES WOULD COME UP, WE WERE ASKING, I THINK A LOT OF US WERE ASKING THE STATE TO DO THE STUDY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE COUNTY ASKING. WE ALL SIGNED A LETTER ASKING.

>> WE HAD A MEETING AND A TELEPHONE CALL ON FRIDAY.

TO TALK ABOUT SOME THINGS AND WE AREN'T LOOKING TO ASK FOR

ADDITIONAL STUDIES AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> DR. BEVAN THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

[Public Health]

AS ALWAYS I AM JOINED BY OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS. AS YOU WILL RECALL DURING THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE I WAS STANDING BEFORE YOU RIGHT AFTER MY FATHER PASSED AND I WAS ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO ASSESS HEALTH IN HARRIS COUNTY SO PEOPLE LIKE HIM COULD BENEFIT FROM PREVENTION.

IN MARCH AFTER THE FIRE THIS PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT INCLUDED HEALTHCARE DELIVERY. YOU PUT YOUR FAITH IN OUR DEPARTMENT TO DELIVER ON THIS REQUEST AND WHAT CAME ABOUT AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS WAS A VISION FOR HEALTH THAT WE PRESENTED ON NOVEMBER 12. I DON'T DEBATE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SO I WANTED TO SHARE A FEW RELATED TO THE FACT THAT WE HAD OVER 85 PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE ASSESSMENT.

AND IT RESULTED IN 296 PAGES OVER 150 MAPS AND 700 REFERENCES. WE FORWARDED FIVE TRANSFORMATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AND FOR FINAL VERSION OF THIS REPORT WILL BE COMING TO YOUR OFFICE RIGHT IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. SO YOU CAN ANSWER QUALITY RATING. WHAT THEY HIGHLIGHTED IS WE MUST INVEST IN PREVENTION. IT REALLY WAS A CENTRAL FOCUS ON LOOKING AT HEALTH AND WELL-BEING BEFORE PEOPLE GET SICK.

BEFORE PEOPLE GET INJURED. BEFORE THEY GET INTO THE OVERBURDENED HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. IT ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEERS COUNTY TO ADDRESS INEQUITIES IN THE COMMUNITY NL TO FOCUS ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

AND YOU NOTICE THE OTHER NUMBER AND YOUR ADDRESS, THE DIFFERENCE IN LIFE EXPECTANCY IN ONE PART OF THE COMMUNITY FROM 89 TO 65.

CERTAINLY AT THAT MEETING YOU ALL ASKED US TO COME BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO TALK THROUGH WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT PHASE OF IMPLEMENTATION. OUR GOAL IS TO COME BACK IN THE SPRING WITH THIS PHASE II IMPLEMENTATION.

>> WHAT YOU ALSO WILL RECOGNIZE IS IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT AND THERE WERE ANOTHER FAST-TRACK A NUMBER OF OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS. I WANT TO DESCRIBE THE ANIMAL SHELTER. WE FOR THE FIRST TIME APPLE RECORD LEAVE A LIVE RATE OF OVER 90%.

IN APRIL WE WERE AT 94%. THAT IS UP FROM THE 15-20% WE HAD SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WHICH IS AN AMAZING TESTAMENT TO OUR TEAM, OUR STAFF AND TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED. I KNOW OVER THE LAST COURT SESSIONS WE HAD SOME ROBUST DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SUPPORT FOR

[04:45:01]

WE HELD FOR MOBILE HEALTH VILLAGES IN IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS THAT DELIVERED HEALTH SERVICES TO OVER 1600 RESIDENTS.

IN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AREA WE CONDUCTED OVER 9,000 FOOD INSPECTIONS. IN AN EVER GROWING AMOUNT OF RESTAURANTS AND FOOD THAT IS GROWING.

WE ALSO PUT ON THE FIFTH ANNUAL FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT WITH OVER 300 FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS IN ATTENDANCE AS WELL AS THE LARGEST HEALTH CONFERENCE. IT IS THE 12TH YEAR OF IT WITH OVER 400 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS AND I KNOW YOU JUST HEARD FROM POLLUTION CONTROL, WE RESPONDED TO STORMS SUCH AS TROPICAL STORM ML THE PAIR CONDUCTED A LARGE EXERCISE WITH OVER 100 PARTNERS AND RESPONDED TO CHEMICAL FIRES.

WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO RESPONSE A RESURGENCE OF MEASLES.

WE HAVE HAD FOUR CONFIRMED CASES WHICH IS MEANT 400 CONTACTS FOR THOSE FOUR CASES OF MEASLES. AND ALSO VAPING RELATED ILLNESSES WITH SEVEN CONFIRMED CASES IN OUR JURISDICTION.

>> IS SHORT NOT ONLY ARE WE WORKING FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS ON A DAILY BASIS WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMERGENCY HELP RESPONSE AS PART OF OUR ACTIVITIES.

IN 2019 WE UNDERSTAND IT IS CRITICAL.

TO LET ME PIVOT NOW TO THE BUDGET.

HARRIS CARES HAD A MAIN POINT WE ARE NOT INVESTING IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTION TO THE DEGREE THAT ERRORS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAN'T. AS WE TRIED TO REDUCE THE COST OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY AND REDUCE THE CHALLENGES OF HEALTH ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BUILD A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY.

WE BELIEVE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST MORE.

WHEN YOU LOOK DOWN THE ROAD, A BENCHMARK.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS AS A BENCHMARK NOT THE ONLY ONE.

IT IS THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

HANDLING THE POPULATION WE DO SO WITH A GENERAL FUND BUDGET OF OVER $60 MILLION. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO A HALF MILLION DOLLARS DEPENDING ON SERVICE AND WITH A RAPIDLY GROWING AREA, THE LARGEST IN THE NATION WE PROVIDE SERVICES WITH THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET OF 29 MILLION OR HALF OF THAT.

CAPITA THIS TRANSLATES TO 829-DOLLAR.

PERSON FOR THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

IN OTHER WORDS WE BOTH SERVE ABOUT THE SAME JURISDICTIONAL SIZE BUT WE DO SO WITH HALF THE BUDGET.

ADDITIONALLY IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE OTHER FACTORS AND I KNOW THIS WAS BROUGHT UP THIS MORNING.

NAMELY MEDICAID NON- EXPANSION AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND THE STATES THAT HAVE NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID.

THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT DRIVER OF CHALLENGES AND FINANCIAL RELATED ISSUES. AS WELL AS THE WAIVER THAT IS ALSO A CONCERN OF OURS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF REVENUE AND WITH THE FUNDS THAT WILL BEGIN TO DECREASE, OUR SCHEDULE WILL GO AWAY IN 2022. WE HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT HOW IT WILL IMPACT HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THE MAIN TAKE MAIN TAKE AWAY IS WHILE WE CONTINUE TO SEEK OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING, MONEY IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE DEPARTMENT IN THE WORK THAT WE DO.

IN THIS REGARD WE HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS QUESTION ALL YEAR WHICH IS, WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOU NEED TO DO TO DO YOUR JOB BETTER. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE YOU NEED IN ORDER TO DO YOUR JOB BETTER. IN ANSWERING THAT QUESTION, AN INCREASE WOULD NOT ANSWER THAT QUESTION APPROPRIATELY.

SO WHAT WE DID TODAY WAS WE REALLY ANSWER THE QUESTION MORE ROBUSTLY. WHICH MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS WHAT WE RECEIVED TOMORROW. WE JUST WANTED TO PUT IT ON THE TABLE ABOUT WHAT WE THINK OUR NEEDS ARE.

LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR. WE ABSOLUTELY UNDERSTAND THAT ASKING FOR THE MONEY IS A LOT OF MONEY.

IT WOULD BE CLOSE TO DOUBLE OUR BUDGET.

YET IT WOULD ALSO GET US ON PAR WITH OUR HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT PARTNERS. AGAIN, UNDER -- IN OVER

[04:50:09]

DOLLARS THAT ARE EXPENDED TOWARDS PARK AND THEIR ANIMAL SHELTER AND SPEAR THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL $30 MILLION.

THIS IS FURTHER COMPOUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT IS EXCLUDED FROM THE CDC FUNDING. THE FEDERAL FUNDING AS THIS FAVORS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE OF THE OPIOID GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED WE WERE THE FIRST IN TEXAS TO RECEIVE IT.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN CONSIDERED IN THE RUNNING FOR DOLLARS IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM. WE BELIEVE WE CAN SERVE THE GROWING COMMUNITY MORE AND BETTER IF GIVEN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO DO SO. NOW LET ME WALK THROUGH THE PRICE. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU BECAUSE 2 MILLION OF THOSE ARE FOR ANIMAL RELATED NEEDS. THAT'S RIGHT THEY ARE OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE WERE PLANNING ON ASKING FOR COT $2 MILLION HAS BEEN ADDRESSED OVER THE COURTS. I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER.

THAT LEAVES FOUR REMAINING, AND LET'S MAKE IT EASY FOR REMAINING BUCKETS. THE FIRST BUCKET IS COMMUNITY PREVENTION AND OUTREACH. THE SECOND BUCKET IS INFECTION WITH DISEASE ACTIVITIES. THE THIRD BUCKET IS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. THE 4TH AND FINAL BUCKET IS

CAPACITY BUILDING. >> SO COMMUNITY PREVENTION, INFECTIOUS DISEASE, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND CAPACITY BUILDING. IN COMMUNITY PREVENTION, ESPECIALLY AROUND CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE OBESITY, OUR FOCUS REMAINS ON PREVENTION IN BEING IN THE COMMUNITY.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND EDUCATION CAP MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH COT DISEASE PREVENTION IMMUNIZATION CAP VECTOR CONTROL, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, ANIMAL RELATED, EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND

FAMILY HEALTHCARE. >> DR., AS YOU GO THROUGH EACH OF THESE CAN YOU CONNECT IT TO THE HARRIS CARES VISION AND HOW

IT ALL TIES IN QUICK STAND SURE. >> SOAP THEY ARE --

>> HOW IT GETS US CLOSER. I KNOW OBVIOUSLY, I AM CERTAIN WE WILL BE ABLE TO GRANT THE FULL REQUEST, I DID READ THE REPORT AND I UNDERSTAND THE VISION BUT THE BROADER QUESTION IS HOW DOES THIS GET US CLOSER TO THE VISION.

>> SURE. I THINK THE FIRST THING IS TO REMEMBER THAT HARRIS CARES WE ARE PLANNING ON COMING BACK WITH A PHASE II IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY IN THE SPRING THAT INCLUDES LIKELY DOLLARS THAT WILL BE LINKED TO THAT.

THIS IS JUST GETTING US ON PAR WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE WITHOUT HARRIS CARES. IT IS COMPLIATED BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HEALTH OUTREACH IT ABSOLUTELY MAKES SENSE THAT WHEN WE SAY HEALTH OUTREACH AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HEALTH OUTREACH IN THIS FIRST BUCKET GOT IT ABSOLUTELY GOT THERE WILL BE SOME COMMINGLING AND SOME DUPLICATION OF THAT.

>> HOWEVER WE BELIEVE THAT THE RESPONSE TO THE MYRIAD CONDITIONS OF GETTING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY FOR PREVENTION IS ALIGNED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF INVESTING UPSTREAM.

SO ON THE FIRST BUCKET IT ACCOUNTS FOR 13 A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. SO OF THAT NOW LEFT, WHEN YOU TAKE OFF THE ANIMAL SHELTER NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN FILLED, HALF OF THOSE GO INTO COMMUNITY OUTREACH IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> TRY AGAIN. >> OF THE 26 AND I HAVE -- $26 MILLION ONCE YOU TAKE OFF THE $2 MILLION WE RECEIVED FOR THE ANIMAL RELATED NEEDS, CAP OF THOSE WILL BE IN THE FIRST

BUCKET OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH. >> IN ADDITION TO THAT WE HAVE INFECTIOUS DISEASE ACTIVITIES. THE REAL CHALLENGE WE HAVE AS YOU KNOW WITH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ENDING HIV COT SPARKLE LOCUS, FASCINATIONS CAP MOSQUITO CONTROL EFFORTS INCLUDING A CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE AND GLOBAL HEALTH.

THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE IS THE FEDERAL AND STATE DOLLARS OFTEN TIMES ARE THERE TO CONTROL AND TREAT, BUT THEY ARE NOT THERE FOR PREVENTION AND ROBUST SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS ON THIS SIDE. SO WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT

[04:55:01]

OFF THE ANIMAL $2 MILLION. >> IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH THE THIRD BUCKET GOT WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOOD NUISANCE COT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DISEASE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES.

THAT IS CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLARS.

AGAIN UNDERSCORED IN THE IMPORTANCE OF WHERE PEOPLE LIVE COT LEARN COT WORSHIP AND PLAY. THAT WAS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED IN THE

REPORT. >> IN THE FINAL BUCKET, WHICH MAY NOT BE ADDRESS, BUT I DO THINK IT MAKES SENSE IS CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT. PLANNING COT SCIENCE, ALL OF THE THINGS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE KEEPING TRACK OF THINGS MOVING FORWARD. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL $1.2 MILLION THERE. YOU CAN SEE THE DOLLARS CAN BE ACCOUNTED FOR. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS IF YOU LET US KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO US WE CAN ALLOCATE BETWEEN THE FOUR BUCKETS AS LONG AS THERE IS AN AGREEMENT THE

FOUR BUCKETS ARE OF VALUE. >> A FEW ADDITIONAL POINTS.

WE HAVE $1.1 MILLION FOR PENTA AS WELL AS MONEY FOR OUR ANIMAL SHELTER THAT ACCOUNTS FOR $3 MILLION AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, AND I BELIEVE BILL AND JOSH WILL MAKE SURE THAT IS CALCULATED IN NEXT YEAR'S EXPENDITURE FOR THE BUDGET ALLOCATION. OF THE BUDGET WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY $6 MILLION IN CAPITAL AND ONE-TIME COSTS.

THAT MEANS THESE ARE HUBS COT VEHICLES GOT UPGRADES ET CETERA.

WHAT THE PROCESS, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD THIS, IT DID NOT ALLOW US TO BUDGET IN SALARY INCREASES FOR OUR STAFF MEMBERS.

I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE FOR RETENTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

>> LOOKING BACK AT THE $4.7 MILLION BUDGETED LAST YEAR I AM HAPPY TO REPORT WE ARE ONE 100% HIGHER AND OUR WORK HAS BEGAN IN ONE 100% OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WERE PART OF

THE INITIATIVE GIVEN TO US. >> ON THIS LAST POINT, OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WITH HEALTH CLUB SCOTT WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY REMAINS PREVENTATIVE EFFORTS GETTING OUT OF THE CLINIC AND INTO THE COMMUNITY.

>> AND FINALLY JUDGE, THE BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE HARRIS CARES.

WE RECOGNIZE THERE ARE SOME DUPLICATIONS.

OUR ROLE AS THE STRATEGIST IS WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO BECOME BACK FOR THAT. BUT IT DOES LAY OUT A VISION FOR INCREASING OUR CAPACITY SO WE CAN DO WHAT IS BEING ASKED.

>> LET ME CLOSE BY RECOGNIZING OUR PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM.

>> IF I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

YOU WANT TO DOUBLE THE BUDGET THIS YEAR BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE HARRIS CARES COMPONENT AND YOU WANT TO COME BACK AND ASKED FOR THAT LATER? HOW MUCH WILL THAT BE QUICK STAND WE DO NOT KNOW. AT THIS TIME IT IS HARD TO KNOW BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO RECOGNIZE THERE ARE DOLLARS THAT ARE PART OF THIS BUDGET ALLOCATION REQUESTS THAT WILL CERTAINLY BE A PART OF WHAT THE HARRIS CARES IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY WILL BE. IN OTHER WORDS WE WILL COME BACK AND SAY, LET'S SAY IT IS $3 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH. GLYPHOSATE WE RECEIVED $2 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH OR FOR ONE OF THESE BUDGET ALLOCATIONS. WE WOULD SAY WE ALREADY FEEL WE DON'T NEED THOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS COT WE ONLY NEED $1 MILLION RATHER THAN THE FULL $3 MILLION.

THAT IS AN EXAMPLE. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THANK YOU. I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET AN APPLES APPLES COMPARISON BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.

IF YOU THROW IN THE OTHER SOURCES OF MONEY, HOW DO WE

COMPARED TO THEM? >> NOT SO WELL.

SO YOU KNOW, WE ARE, WHEN YOU TAKE OFF THE GENERAL FUND SIDE, IF YOU TAKE OUR TOTAL BUDGET WE ARE AT 105 MILLION.

IT GOES UP AND DOWN DEPENDING ON WHAT THE ACTIVITY IS.

THERE IS SOME PRESSURE ON THE REFUGEE HEALTH GRANT WHICH HAS

[05:00:03]

IT GOES UP AND DOWN DEPENDING ON WHAT THAT IS.

OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CITY WITH THEIR GRANTS AND THE OTHER DOLLARS, SO THE $105 MILLION IS COMPARED TO 150 MILLION.

SO IT IS NOT THAT THE STORY GETS BETTER ONCE YOU GET PAST THE GENERAL FUND, IT ACTUALLY, THEY ARE PRIVY TO DOLLARS THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO AND WE ARTICULATED THAT, THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BREAK THAT NOT TO REALLY GET INTO OUT THE WEEK CRACK THIS AND GET TO THE CORE OF WE OPEN THE DOLLARS.

WE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL OUTSIDE OF THAT ONE GRANT.

>> FOLLOWING THAT ANALYSIS, I KNOW THERE ARE THINGS WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR.

LIKELY HANDLED THEIR MOSQUITO CONTROL AS WELL.

WHAT ARE THINGS THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT WE DO NOT HAVE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO DO.

I'M JUST MAKING SURE, I AM TRYING TO GET APPLES AND APPLES.

>> SO, ON THE MOSQUITO CONTROL WE HANDLED THE ENTIRE POPULATION BUT THERE ARE ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT THEY MAY BE PROVIDING FOR EXAMPLE LIKE ON THE HIV AND STD SURVEILLANCE.

THEY GET MONEY FROM THE CDC THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY. IN SOME INSTANCES THEY DO THAT WELL AND IN OTHER INSTANCES IT IS UNCLEAR.

>> SOLD THE HIV RESPONSIBILITY WOULD GO INTO UNINCORPORATED.

>> YES. >> OKAY.

>> ANY OTHERS? >> HIV -- HIV AND STD IS REALLY

THE MAJORITY. >> OKAY.

>> IMMUNIZATIONS AS WELL. ALTHOUGH FOR SEVERAL YEARS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE STATE TO GET ADDITIONAL IMMUNIZATION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE. AND IT IS GOOD TO REPORT WE WILL GET THOSE DOLLARS BACK STARTING THIS YEAR.

SO THERE ARE SOME DOLLARS THAT WILL COME TO US FOR IMMUNIZATION. I THINK THAT IS THE MAIN MESSAGE COMMISSIONER. IT IS NOT A DOLLAR TO DOLLAR OR APPLE TO APPLE COMPARISON. INSTEAD OF SAYING IT IS $66 MILLION OR $82 MILLION WE SAY OVER $60 MILLION AND TRY TO WORK THAT OUT. IN ADDITION PARK IS NOT PART OF THAT BUDGET ALLOCATION WHICH IN OUR CASE IT IS PART OF IT.

>> WOULD HARRIS CARES DO YOU INTERFACE WITH THEM OR ARE THEY FOCUSING ON PREVENTION AS OPPOSED TO TREATMENT BECAUSE IT WILL SAVE THEM MONEY ON TREATMENT IF PEOPLE DON'T EAT THEMSELVES TO THE POINT WHERE THEY WOULD NEED THE TREATMENT AS

AN EXAMPLE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND I DEAL WITH THAT ADDICTION MYSELF, OBVIOUSLY.

SO I'M NOT POINTING FINGER. >> MOST AMERICANS DO IF YOU LOOK AT IT LIKE THAT. ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IS THAT WITH SHARON'S HELP, OBVIOUSLY THEY WILL GO THROUGH A TRANSITION WITH THEIR NEW SEAL COMING ON BOARD IN MARCH.

THEY HAVE INVESTED IN POLICY AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT TO LOOK AT PREVENTION AS WELL. THEIR MAIN FOCUS REMAINS THEIR CLINICAL HEALTH SYSTEM. THEY WANT TO DECOMPRESS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS.

FROM OUR STANDPOINT WE REALLY BELIEVE THERE IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TWO ENTITIES TO WORK TOGETHER AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT. THE STUDY HIGHLIGHTS THAT AND WE

CAN DO MORE AS WELL. >> AND THE CITY COULD PLAY A ROLE AS WELL. YOU DO PREVENTION AND HARRIS HELP DOES TREATMENT FOR THEM AS WELL.

>> DEPENDING ON THE SERVICE. THAT -- IN GENERAL I THINK THAT

MAKES SENSE. >> ON THAT QUESTION JUST REALLY QUICK, YOU SAID IF YOU LOOK AT GENERAL FUNDS THEY GET $11 OR

SOMETHING AND WE GET $6. >> THEY GET $29.

CAPITA AND WE RECEIVE $11. >> THERE YOU GO.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE GRANTS WOULD WITH THE NUMBERS BE QUICK STAND INCLUDING THE GRANTS.

>> THE RATIO WOULD BE VERY SIMILAR.

BECAUSE THERE GRANT FUND IS DOUBLE HOURS JUST LIKE OUR GENERAL FUND IS HAPPIER THE ONLY THING I DON'T KNOW IS THE SPECIAL REVENUE SIDE WITH THE WAIVERS WITH THE DIFFERENCE WOULD BE. SO THE NUMBER IT MAY DOUBLE IT MAY GO FROM $11 TO $22. IT MAY GO TO $26.

[05:05:06]

>> IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO LOOK AT IT.

>> UNLESS IT'S THE PROSECUTOR THING WHERE YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED

TO COMPARE. >> THE OTHER SIDE TO ADD, COMPARING WHAT THE CITY DOES UNINCORPORATED PERSONAL WE DO IN THE CITY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO COMPARE IT, WHAT DOES THE CITY ACTUALLY PROVIDE.

WHAT DOES THE COUNTY PROVIDE THAT MAY NOT BE WITHIN PUBLIC HEALTH. AS AN EXAMPLE POLLUTION CONTROL MAY BE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT BUT IT IS $7 MILLION THAT IS NOT PART OF PUBLIC HEALTH. SO WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE PROVIDE SO WE CAN GET AN APPLES TO APPLES.

SO JUST BENCHMARKING, MAY NOT BE THE ANSWER UNLESS WE LOOK AT THAT. AND COMPARE IT TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE IF THE ULTIMATE STUDY WAS TRANSMITTED IN NOVEMBER.

DOES THAT MATCH? >> JUST TO ADD TO THAT, AS PART OF HARRIS CARES WE PUT IN THERE A TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE SERVICES AND DUPLICATION OF SERVICES.

THAT IS PART OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THERE.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH TOOK CARE OF PEOPLE IN THEIR JAIL. THAT IS SHUT DOWN NOW AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. SO THAT WAS ALL PART OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGET. IF YOU LOOK THIS YEAR, IT WENT AWAY. THERE ARE OTHER TYPES OF ITEMS.

>> THEY PROVIDE A LOT OF MEALS. >> I THINK THE IDEA IS TO GET AN APPLES TO APPLES HERE. THE OTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD, IN WASHINGTON AND OTHER PLACES COT THEY THINK THEY ARE SENDING THE MONEY TO US AND THEY ARE SENDING IT TO THE CITY AND THEY HAVE THEIR HANDS OUT AND THEY GET IT.

WE DON'T GET ANYTHING. THEY DON'T REALIZE HALF OF THE POPULATION IS IN AN UNINCORPORATED AREA.

IT IS BIG TO SHARE THAT. THAT HAPPENS WITH HURRICANES AND OTHER THINGS. I HAD A CASE WHERE SOME FRIENDS OF MINE PUT TOGETHER SOME 18 WHEELERS WITH PETFOOD DURING HURRICANE HARVEY. THEY WERE SO EXCITED AND IT WENT TO THE COUNTY FAIR THEY JUST SAID HURRICANE HARVEY.

IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH.

>> I THINK COMMUNICATING IS THE KEY.

WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING.

SO IN TERMS OF LEGISLATION, THEY WOULD NOT KNOW.

IT IS FAIRLY UNIQUE. AND THE REASON I WAS ASKING ABOUT THE APPLES TO APPLES TRANSITION, SINCE WE WILL BE GOVERNING SOMETHING CALLED UNINCORPORATED COP THAT WILL BE THE LARGEST CITY IN TEXAS. THAT IS NOT A CITY.

THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO ASK FOR OR DO WE WANT TO GET AWAY WITH BENIGN NEGLECT. THE HEALTH ISSUES TEND TO

PERMEATE AND TOUCH ALL OF US. >> I THINK ONE THING IS THE APPLES TO APPLES WHICH IS NECESSARY.

ON TOP OF THAT I THINK WE ALSO NEED DETAILS ON OUTCOMES.

IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF SAYING WE NEED TO BE AT THE SAME LEVEL. WHAT IF THE PROGRAMS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE. SO YOU KNOW, I THINK AS WE MOVE INTO JANUARY. IF YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT IT WILL BE EASIER FOR US TO COMPARE AND SEE THE POSSIBILITIES.

>> SHE MADE A REFERENCE TO AUSTIN.

IS THAT ONE ENTITY. >> THERE IS A SUBCONTRACT ARRANGEMENT. AND --

>> WHEN YOU SEND IT THAT WAY. >> THE MAIN ISSUE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING, THEY HAVE WORKED AND THEY

HAVE WORK OUTSIDE OF THE CITY. >> WHAT ABOUT DALLAS?

>> THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY HANDLED BY ONE AGENCY SIMILAR TO THE COUNTY. SIMILAR TO EL PASO.

REALLY IT IS, THIS IS A UNIQUE PHENOMENON WITH A COMMUNITY THIS

[05:10:03]

COOK COUNTY AND CHICAGO ARE THE OTHER TWO THAT COME TO MIND.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE AREN'T MORE COUNTIES LIKE THAT.

MY HOMETOWN OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON ARE TWO SEPARATE COUNTIES. WHEN YOU LOOK AT A COMMUNITY THIS LARGE, THERE REALLY IS ONLY ONE COMPARISON LIKE CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY THAT HAVE TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES.

>> JUDGE, WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW THIS IS A DOUBLING OF THE BUDGET, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID ONE MINUTE AGO. WHEN YOU DELIVER THE METRICS OF WHAT IS WORKING AND COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES.

>> WE HAVE 114 MILLION COMING IN I LOOK AT IT FROM A GLASS HALF FULL FROM LAST YEAR. WE HAVE ALREADY ALLOCATED $54 MILLION OF THAT. YOU ARE ASKING FOR OTHERS WHEN WE HAVE OTHER ENTITIES. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE

METRIC AND THE OUTCOME. >> I AGREE.

>> I DID YOU DID MENTION KING COUNTY BUT I MEANT KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE DON'T PICK UP THE PHONE ANYMORE BECAUSE WE CALL SO MUCH. BUT NOW I HAVE A CELL PHONE NUMBER. SO THEY CAN'T ESCAPE.

>> >> AND REALLY QUICKLY, KING COUNTY AS AN EQUIVALENT TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER.

THERE ARE MANY AND THERE WAS A JOKE THAT USED TO GO AROUND WHERE IF YOU NO ONE ELSE DEPARTMENT YOU KNOW THEM ALL.

YOU KNOW EVERY ENTITY AND HAVE A DIFFERENCE BUT WE AGREE THAT LOOKING AT SERVICE TO LIVERY IT IS CRITICAL TO MAKING A MOVE TO WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE. THAT SAID WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE A GOOD VALUE AND WE BELIEVE WE PROVIDE A GOOD INVESTMENT. THAT INVESTMENT IS SOMETHING WE'D LOOK AT MOVING FORWARD SO THAT WILL ALLOW US TO REALLY IMPROVE THE PREVENTION EFFORTS THAT THE COUNTY IS INVOLVED IN.

>> I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED.

I THINK IT IS BETTER TO ASK AND NOT GET IT MEANT TO NOT ASK FOR IT AND ACT LIKE YOU DIDN'T NEED IT.

SO I THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE. WHAT DID YOU GET FOR PAY RAISES LAST YEAR? WAS A 5% QUICK STAND SO.OUT IF WE HAVE 60 MILLION LEFT OUT IF WE DID WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR FOR PAY RAISES, WE WOULD HAVE $5 MILLION (YOU SAID 11 MILLION?

>> IF IT WAS 5% THAT IS $55 MILLION.

>> SO WE COULD ALLOCATE WITHIN THAT RANGE.

SO 5% WAS IN MY MIND. WAS IT MORE THAN THAT THE YEAR

BEFORE. >> SOME DEPARTMENTS GOT A LITTLE

MORE. >> SOMETIMES --

>> THEY WOULD DECIDE. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT.

IF IT IS NOT ANYWHERE BECAUSE AS WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS, YOU HAVE THE COST-OF-LIVING GOING UP.

AND AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION AND WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING BUT IT IS GOOD TO KNOW WHAT WE DON'T HAVE BUT WHAT

WE DO NEED. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> 1% PAY RAISE COST $11 MILLION, RIGHT QUICK STAND I WAS SAYING THAT SO THE 5% IF WE DID WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR THAT WOULD BE $55 MILLION.

>> MOST DEPARTMENTS SELECTED DIFFERENTLY.

THE POTENTIAL IS THERE. >> WE GAVE EACH DEPARTMENT 5%

AND THEY DECIDED. >> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID.

>> ONE OF THE LADIES WORKING ON THE MANAGEMENT PLAN STUDY IS

FROM KING COUNTY. >> I TOLD HER, I THINK SHE KIND

[05:15:03]

SUPERVISOR OR SOMETHING. >> HOW DOES THIS WORK WITH THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. HOW IS IT WORKING WITH YOU ON

THE BETTER EATING AND STUFF. >> YA HAVE CLIENTS CAP THEY HAVE

CLIENTS. >> THEY ARE WORKING WITH FOOD

PHARMACY SO TO SPEAK. >> HOW IS THAT ALL WORKING.

>> COMMISSIONER THANK YOU FOR THAT.

IT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THIS IS PART OF OUR BUILD GRANT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED. SO, THE CONCEPT IN THE GRANT WAS THE FOOD PHARMACY SO WE ARE HAPPY THAT OUR PARTNERS AT THE HOSPITAL HAVE ADOPTED THAT AS PART OF THEIR WORK.

SO AS FAR AS WE KNOW IT HAS BEEN WORKING WELL.

THE BIG CHALLENGES IN ANY OF THESE FOOD PHARMACIES IS ABOUT HOW DO YOU SUSTAIN THE FOOD THAT YOU ARE PROVIDING.

WHERE DO YOU GET IT BECAUSE YOU ARE -- A DOCTORS WRITING THE PRESCRIPTION. THE COMMISSIONER GIVES IT TO YOU AND YOU GO DOWN TO THE PHARMACY AND YOU GO DOWN AND GET THE FOOD. BUT WE HAVE TO THEN FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE SURE THE SUPPLY OF FOOD IS AVAILABLE SO YOU CAN GET

IT FOR FREE OR AT A LOW COST. >> HAVE YOU TRIED ANY PART OF THE PROGRAM, YOU CAN DO FLAPS TO SEE IF THE STUFF YOU ARE EATING

SHOWS THE DIVIDENDS. >> HAVE YOU DONE ANY LAB TEST? HAS ANYONE BEEN TESTED THAT HAS BEEN PART OF THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY ARE EATING BETTER AND YOU CAN COMPARE TO WHAT IT WAS LIKE BEFORE THEY BEGAN EATING HEALTHY QUICKSAND YOU MEAN IN TERMS OF

THEIR OUTCOME. >> I'M SAYING A PERSON THAT EATS HEALTHY, I HAVE YOU DONE LAB TEST TO SEE HOW WELL THEY HAVE DONE. HAVE YOU SEEN HOW THEY IMPROVED

BY EATING HEALTHY. >> WE HAVEN'T DONE -- TRACK LAB TESTS MAY NOT BE THE BEST. IT MAY BE OBESITY GRAVES.

WHEN YOU GET INTO AN THE FOOD OUTCOME DOES HELP POPULATIONS BECAUSE IT TAKES OFF THE TABLE IT TAKES THE FINANCIAL BURDEN

OFF OF THE MEETING. >> WHAT I'M SAYING IS, A LOT OF TIMES THESE ARE PILOT PROGRAMS NO PROGRAMS THAT -- FACT YOU WOULD LOVE TO DO A PROGRAM THAT ADDRESSES 1 MILLION PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR YOU MAY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FOOD ACTIVITIES OR SERVICES AT LOW COST DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE FAIR WE -- WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES WHEN IT

COMES TO FOOD. >> WE DON'T HAVE ANY STATS OR PEOPLE ARE TRYING. WE CAN GET YOU ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE IT HAS STOPPED AND STARTED A FEW TIMES.

>> PART OF THE CONCERN IS THE FOOD BANK DOESN'T ALWAYS PROVIDE HEALTHY FOOD. SO THE MEASURE OF THE A1C DROP, THERE IS A VALUE TO THAT. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SUPPLY CHAIN THAT HAS FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES AND HEALTHY FOODS. WE MET EARLIER AND WE SET A TIMELINE THAT IS AGGRESSIVE THAT WE BOTH AGREE CAN MAKE THIS

WORK. >> THAT WAS THE FIRST YEAR BUT

IT HASN'T WORKED. >> THERE WERE SOME STOPS AND

STALLS. >> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

[05:20:14]

>> I WILL QUOTE THOMAS CARLYLE. HE WHO HAS HEALTH HAS HOPE AND HE WHO HAS HOPE AS EVERYTHING. THAT WAS FOR YOU AND I'M SURE EVERYONE IN THE ROOM HE WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR CHARLES DICKENS TALE OF TWO CITIES. WE DO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF HELP TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE SEE THAT AS THE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SPPORT AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

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

I APPRECIATE IT. >> NOTED COMMISSIONER.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> SO THE FINAL DEPARTMENT HERE.

[Universal Services ]

UNIVERSAL SERVICES. >> YOU MAY AS WELL STAY WHERE

YOU ARE. >> SO GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US LAUGH. I APPRECIATE THAT.

WITH ME TODAY REPRESENTS THE STRATEGIC TEAM THE OPERATIONS TEAM THE TACTICAL TEAM, THE PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP AND THE FOLKS THAT TAKE CARE OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES. THIS IS MY 11TH TIME TO PRESENT BUDGET SINCE I HAVE BEEN A DEPARTMENT HEAD.

>> DOUG IS IT OKAY FOR ME TOO ASK HOW THINGS ARE GOING WITH THE LAST CYBER ATTACK? IS THAT IN TERMS OF WHAT FUNDING

WE MAY NEED. >> I SEE SOMEONE SHAKING THEIR HEAD BUT I DON'T THINK HE WANTS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

IS THAT -- THERE'S NO SPECIFICS I CAN GET INTO.

>> IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO HIM GENERALLY ABOUT THE IMPACT ON OUR BUDGET PLANNING, THE CYBER ATTACKS IN GENERAL, I THINK YOU

CAN TALK ABOUT THAT. >> THIS IS AN ATTACK ON ANOTHER

CITY. >> I THINK HE CAN TALK GENERALLY ABOUT THE -- BUT THE IMPACT ON THE BUDGET, THAT IS FAIR GAME.

>> I SUPPOSE WE TALK OFF-LINE BECAUSE YOU GUYS, BECAUSE OF THE

SENSITIVITY. >> WE HAVEN'T REALLY NOTICED ANYTHING THAT SPECIFIC. WE COULD SCHEDULE.

>> THE JUDGE IS SAYING I CAN VISIT WITH THEM MYSELF.

>> HAS A GOOD IDEA. >> IF YOU SEE SOMETHING DON'T

SAY SOMETHING. >> IF YOU SEE SOMETHING DON'T

TOUCH IT. >> OKAY.

>> IF IT LOOKS SUSPICIOUS CAN'T LEAVE IT ALONE.

>> PLEASE. >> ALL OF THE SALES COMING THROUGH, DON'T DO IT. IT IS NOT THERE.

>> GO AHEAD. >> OUR SECURITY DIRECTOR SAID

ANYTHING. >> SO JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WE ARE GOING TO MEET OUR BUDGET AS WE HAVE FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS.

WE WILL HAVE A ROLLOVER EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE USED SOME OF THE ROLLOVER. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE WITH THE ROLLOVER BECAUSE THAT WILL HELP US WITH MORE TACTICAL NEEDS THAT COME UP THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES HAVE HELPED US OUT.

AND AND WE HAVE OTHER PROJECTS FOR US TO GO FORWARD.

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL ON THAT. I SENT YOU AN UPDATE TODAY ACTUALLY. WE ARE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY THAN WHAT WAS ALLOCATED TO US AND THE REASON WHY, WE HAVE MORE NEEDS. THEY SHARE WE HAVE ASKED FOR TWICE AS MUCH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT.

WITH THAT IS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT.

THE LICENSING AND THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THE CAPITAL NEEDS.

WITH THAT I WILL HAND THIS OVER TO KEVIN RUSSELL.

HE WILL ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS YOU SUBMITTED.

AND GIVE YOU SOME DETAILS ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH WHAT HAPPENED THIS YEAR WHAT IS GOING ON NEXT YEAR.

>> KEVIN RUSSELL CAUGHT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS BUDGET HEARING.

I HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION. I HAVE REVERSED IT IS 60 NAP MINUTES. AND THERE ARE MORE NUMBERS.

[05:25:04]

A SUMMARY OF KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

SOME INSIGHT INTO BENDING. AND A HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE

BUDGET. >> FIRST I WANTED TO MENTION UNIVERSAL SERVICES BUDGET ALLOCATION IS USED TO FUND CORE SERVICE AREAS AND INFORMATICS KNOWLEDGE THAT'S RIGHT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. AND A PORTION OF FLEET SERVICES.

WHILE THE PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY DIVISION INCLUDES THE SUPPORT AND OPERATION OF THE REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATION NETWORK. THIS IS NOT PART OF THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND NOT PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION.

THE CURRENT COST RECOVERY MODEL FOR FLEET SERVICES ACCOUNTS FOR 92% OF THE FLEET SERVICES BUDGET AND NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION. THE REMAINING A PERSON IS COVERED VIA A TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND IT IS PART OF THE BUDGET DISCUSSION. TWO OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES BUDGET EACH FISCAL YEAR ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO ONGOING OPERATING EXPENSES RESULTING FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AS WELL AS SERVICES TRANSFERRED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AS ENABLED INNOVATIVE REPLACEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITIES IN SUPPORT OF BUSINESS FUNCTIONS WHILE THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN ADDRESSING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS FOR THE COUNTY.

IT IS CRITICAL OPERATIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECTS BE ADDRESSED AS PART OF THE ANNUAL SERVICES OPERATING BUDGET TO ENSURE WE PROTECT THE INVESTMENT AND IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY ASSETS. SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2016 UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAVE TAKEN ON $12.6 MILLION IN ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ONGOING EXPENSES RESULTING IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. THIS REPRESENTS 20% OF OUR CURRENT OPERATING BUDGET. FOR FISCAL 2021 THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL $3 MILLION IN OPERATIONAL EXPENSE THAT WILL BE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

BUDGET EXPANSION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR YOUR NEEDS.

SINCE 2013 UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS TAKEN OVER 11 MILLION IN ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSFER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES FROM OTHER HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT SEEKING TO LEVERAGE OR EXPAND SERVICES.

IT REPRESENTS 18% OF OUR CURRENT OPERATING BUDGET.

FOR FISCAL 2021 THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL $300,000 IN ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF SERVICES TRANSFERRED TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES. BUDGET EXPANSION JUSTIFICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO ADDRESS THIS

EXPENSE. >> COMBINED THE TRANSFER OF SERVICES AND THE ONGOING EXPENSE GENERATED BY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT INCREASE TO UNIVERSAL OPERATING BUDGET SINCE 2013.

TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE BUDGET INCREASE PROVIDED BY ITS UNIVERSAL SERVICES SINCE 2013 WAS TO SUPPORT THE TRANSFER OF IT SERVICES FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND THE ONGOING EXPENSE RESULTING IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. AN ADDITIONAL $3.3 MILLION WILL BE INCURRED IN FISCAL 2021 UNIVERSAL REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT

REQUESTED FOR THESE ITEMS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY DISCUSS TWO KEY CHALLENGES FACING UNIVERSAL CHALLENGES.

WHILE UNIVERSAL SERVICES CONTINUE TO MAKE STRIDES IN ATTRACTING AND RETAINING PROFESSIONALS COMPENSATION LEVELS HAVE BEEN A LIMITING FACTOR IN OUR ABILITY TO FILL OPEN POSITIONS. AT THE TIME THIS PRESENTATION WAS PREPARED UNIVERSAL SERVICES AT 40 OPEN POSITIONS.

TO CONTINUE TO BE COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKET WHERE WE COMPETE FOR RESOURCES INCLUDING OIL AND GAS, HEALTHCARE AND AUTOMOTIVE, IT IS CRITICAL OF THE COMPENSATION BE% EVALUATED FREQUENTLY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN EMPLOYEES. UNIVERSAL SERVICES WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN PERFORMING A COMPENSATION ANALYSIS FOR THE POSITIONS. WOULD INCLUDE INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND RESULT IN A POSSIBLE REFRESH OF THE JOB TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS USED BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE UPDATING POSITION MAXIMUMS AS DEEMED NECESSARY. UNIVERSAL SERVICES PLANS TO SUBMIT AN AGENDA SEEKING COURT MEMBER SUPPORT FOR THE STUDY.

[05:30:01]

FLEET SERVICES IS A SEPARATE FUND WHOSE BUDGET COMES FROM --

>> WITH REGARD. >> I NEED TO FOLLOW UP ON SOME OTHER STUFF BUT PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THERE IS A NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ROBUST TO OUR SYSTEM SPIRIT IS THAT A PART OF THAT AT $10 MILLION THAT WE SAW ON THE AGENDA.

>> IT IS MOSTLY IN THE CAPITAL BUT IT IS TO SUPPORT SOME OF THE OPERATIONS AND THE MAINTENANCE GOT YES.

>> IF THAT IS MY QUESTION JUDGMENT.

>> I HAVE ONE. CAN YOU REPEAT WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE STUDY. I MISSED WHAT THE STUDY IS FOR.

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO AND WHAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES WOULD LIKE TO IS PARTNER WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO GO ABOUT CONDUCTING A STUDY REGARDING BENEFITS.

AS A RESULT OF THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT CHANGES TO OUR JOB TITLES OR JOB CLASSIFICATIONS OR JOB DESCRIPTIONS AS WELL AS

POSITIONS. >> WE STAND READY TO DO THAT

JUDGE. >> WE JUST SENT THIS QUESTION

CAN'T GO ON. >> SO FLEET SERVICES.

IT IS A SEPARATE FUND. THE BUDGET COMES FROM TWO SOURCES. THE FIRST IS THE REVENUE GENERATED BY THE SERVICES PERFORMED BY THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS IN CHARGE OF OUR CUSTOMERS.

THE SECOND IS A TRANSFER FROM UNIVERSAL GENERAL FUND.

TO MEET THE BUDGETARY NEEDS FOR 2021, THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET TRANSFER FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES WILL NEED TO INCREASE BY $200,000. THAT IS 7.4% TO OVER $2.9 MILLION BUT WITH A GENERAL FUND INCREASING EACH YEAR IN THE LABOR RATE CURRENTLY CHARGE FOR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS NOT HAVING BEEN CHANGED SINCE MARCH OF 2016.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO RE-EXAMINE THE FLEET SERVICES RECOVERY MODEL.

THE GOAL WOULD BE TO DETERMINE WHAT IF ANYTHING SHOULD BE CHANGED IN THE COST RECOVERY MODEL TO REDUCE THE IMPACT TO UNIT BURSAL BUDGET WHILE ENSURING THE COST OF FLEET SERVICES REMAINING RATIONAL FOR THE COUNTY.

THE PLAN IS TO SUBMIT -- SEEK SUPPORT FOR THIS STUDY.

>> AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY PROVIDE TEST TRACK.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO DO AN IN HOUSE? WILL PARTNER WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT IF THAT MEANS AND YOU

DON'T NEED PERMISSION TO DO IT? >> NO.

>> ON THESE TYPES OF ISSUES WE MAY GO TO AN OUTSIDE VENDOR TO HELP ON THIS BECAUSE WE MAY NOT HAVE THE EXPERTISE.

>> ABSOLUTE. I JUST WANT TO START WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND GO WHEREVER AFTER THAT.

>> SO THAT IS WHAT WE WANTED TO PRESENT YOU GUYS.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? >> SO CAN'T YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH AND SEE IF THIS FITS IN?

I AM ASKING ABOUT CIP PICK. >> THE THING WITH SOME OF THEM ARE ONE-TIME COSTS. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY A LOT OF THESE ARE THE RESULT OF CIP BECAUSE THEY ARE DONE WITH THE PROJECT SIGNED UP FOR. THEY CAPITALIZE WITH WHAT THEY CAN'T. NOW IT HAS TO GO TO MAINTENANCE.

>> FROM MY PART, -- GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER.

>> NO QUIET PERIOD. >> SO FAR THERE IS LIMITED PERFORMANCE INFORMATION TO JUSTIFY CURRENT SPENDING AND FUTURE SPENDING AS WELL. THAT IS WHAT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS MY TEAM WILL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU GUYS ON.

ONE EXAMPLE AS BEN OFTEN THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD WEBSITES AND BUILD OUT SYSTEMS FOR EVERYONE. IT IS -- I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD WE ARE EQUIPPED THAT WE ARE GOOD TO GO THAT WE ARE READY TO GO BUT THEN, IT GETS DELAYED AND NOW WE ARE HEARING THERE IS ANY.

FOR MY PART I HAVE GOTTEN CONFLICTING MESSAGES AS FAR AS WHERE YOU GUYS ARE AND WHAT YOU DO.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR.

WE ARE GETTING REQUESTS ESPECIALLY FOR US TO DO THE WORK. WE HAVE SYSTEMS IN PLACE THAT ENABLE THE CONTRIBUTORS OF CONTENT TO PUT THE CONTENT OUT THERE THEMSELVES. BUT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT ASSUMING THE RESPONSIBILITY. THEY ARE ASKING US TO BE THE EDITOR AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THAT IS A BURDEN ALONG WITH JUST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT WE SPENT MONEY ON TO GET BILL.

[05:35:01]

AND TO MAKE IT GROW. >> MY OTHER CONCERN IS HOW IT FITS INTO THE BIGGER PUZZLE ON DIGITAL SYSTEMS OF THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE MANY TALKING ABOUT UPGRADING THEIR SYSTEM SPIRIT WE KNOW WE NEED TO DO SO FOR THE BILL IMPLEMENTATION.

I'M HESITANT TO THE EXTENT I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH SOME OF THE REQUESTS PERTAINING TO THIS STUFF.

IT NEEDS TO FIT IN WITH AN UPGRADE OF OUR SYSTEM SO WE ARE

NOT DOING THIS. >> WE TOTALLY AGREE.

AND IT SCARES US TO DEATH. >> WE NEED TO BE WORKING

TOGETHER. >> QUIET PERIOD.

>> BASICALLY, THINGS ARE RAPIDLY CHANGING IN YOUR SHOP.

THERE IS NO QUESTION. A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.

A LOT OF MOVING PIECES. YOU HAVE DEPARTMENT HEADS ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO MAY WANT TO VENTURE OFF INTO THEIR OWN DEAL. THAT WILL BEAT SOMETHING THIS COURT WILL HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN.

I THINK WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IS SCOTT YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY, AND WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY BUT FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, WE WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOME TYPE OF A BASELINE IF YOU WILL WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE GOING.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE. YOU ARE TRYING TO MEET WITH OTHER PEOPLE TO SEE HOW THIS FITS IN.

>> SO, WE NEED TO MOVE. WE NEED TO MOVE AHEAD.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT. >> WE HAVE A PROCUREMENT PROPONENT. EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY COMPONENT.

ALL OF THAT NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN SYNC. I FEEL LIKE I WOULD BE THE HUB OF THAT BUT THERE ARE MANY DEPARTMENTS THAT WOULD HAVE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY WANT TO HOLD ONTO THAT.

>> YOU HAVE TO GET INPUT. I KNOW THAT.

>> THAT IS THE THINK THAT I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN SORT OUT BY JANUARY OR FEBRUARY. I THINK THE QUESTION IS TO WHAT EXTENT CAN YOU PREVENT DEATHS PRESENT A STRONG CASE.

WE HAVE SAID WITH I THINK IT IS HARD TO SEE A WORLD IN WHICH WE COULD APPROVE THIS WHOLE THING. WHAT I AM THINKING IS IF YOU WORK WITH US TO REALLY HONE IN ON THIS ON WHY THIS IS NEEDED AND HOW THIS BUILDS A CLEAN SLATE,.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT AND THAT IS WHY WE PUT TOGETHER THE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEES THAT ARE DRIVING THE BUSINESS.

WITH THE COMMITTEES THAT COME TOGETHER IT IS WORKING WELL.

THERE ARE SOME AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS THAT GO OUT AND DO THEIR OWN THING. IT CAUSES A LITTLE CONFLICT BUT WE HAVE LEARNED TO WORK WITH THEM.

>> I RESPECTIVELY SUBMIT THAT THERE'S NOT A LOT MORE WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HERE TODAY WITH ALL OF THE STUFF GOING ON.

>> YES, THANK YOU GUYS COMMISSIONER.

>> I'M READY FOR US TO ADJOURN. >>) THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

WORK. >> 3:58 P.M. THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO PUT THIS TOGETHER. WE APPRECIATE IT.

THE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.