Jul 16, 2026 FY2027 Budget Hearings

AND THEN RATHER THAN ASSIGNING A SPECIFIC DIVERSION MANAGER, CAN DIVERSION BE HANDLED COLLABORATIVELY BY J.P.D., DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE OR THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WITH AN EXISTING STAFF MEMBER FROM EACH DEPARTMENT TAKING ON

PART OF THE WORK? >> I WOULD SAY NO.

I WOULD SAY FOR THIS MODEL, DO YOU NEED ONE PERSON TO REALLY OVERSEE THIS DIVERSION TO LEAD TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC DIRECTION.

TO BE ABLE TO BE IN THAT DECISION-MAKING CAPACITY, AND THE MODEL THAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS TO HAVE HAVE STAFF FROM OUR

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STAFF AND J.P.D. J.P.D. IS LOOKING AT THREE POSITIONS THAT WE'RE JUST WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE ON OUR OFFSET LIST.

PUT ALL THEIR VACANT POSITION ON THEIR OFFSET LIST.

THREE FROM J.P.D. OVERTIME WE'RE LOOKING AT REPURPOSING ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS TO HELP BUILD MORE POSITIONS THAT-- PRIMARILY HARRIS RESOURCES STAFF TO BE HONEST.

THERE WILL BE COLLABORATING WITH J.P.D. AND THE D.A.

>> OKAY. >> BUT WE DO NEED THAT LEADERSHIP OUT OF OUR DEPARTMENT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

ARE THERE EXISTING OR PROPOSED BUDGET ALLOCATIONS THAT COULD BE ADJUSTED TO INCREASE EVALUATION CAPACITIES SUCH AS ENHANCED CONTRACTS, STIPENDS OR INCENTIVES FOR YOUR STAFF?

>> FOR THE STAFF, WHAT WE WERE DOING ON EVOLUTIONS IS WE WERE CONTRACTING WITH MEDICAID, SUPERIOR WHO ARE ALREADY ON-BOARD WITH SUPERIOR HEALTH PLAN WHICH IS THE HELP THAT YOU HAVE TO BE ON FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO FAMILY TO CALM SO MANY HOURS A WEEK. DO EVALUATIONS.

DO THE REPORTS, AND THEN LEAVE, BUT THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE DOWN TO ZERO BASICALLY. WE'RE BORROWING A PSYCHOLOGIST FOR ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT HAS GIVEN US TWO EVALUATIONS A MONTH BECAUSE WE JUST CAN'T FIND THEM NOW BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF MEDICAID SUPERIOR PSYCHOLOGISTS OUT THERE AND THE MEDICAID RATE THAT WE HAVE TO ABIDE IS VERY, VERY LOW.

>> WITH THAT BEING SAID. I'M OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 1, FIVE MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING.

YOU CAN GIVE US A BREAKDOWN OF WHAT AMOUNT OF YOUR BUDGET GOES TOWARDS SERVING FOSTER YOUTH, AND HOW MUCH OF THAT IS

REIMBURSED BY THE STATE? >> THAT IS A BRIAN QUESTION.

I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ABOUT 5% OF OUR BUDGET, AND VERY LITTLE OF IT IS REIMBURSED. SO WE DO SEE SOME TITLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT WHICH IS FEDERAL FUNDING.

KIDS WHO COME IN UNDER FEDERAL FUNDING PROBABLY ABOUT 300,000 A YEAR THERE, AND THEN SOME FOR YOUTH THAT ARE IN OUR SHELTER, BUT THAT IS LESS THAN 25,000 A YEAR.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

AND THEN ALSO DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT USE COUNTY-WIDE CONTRACTS AND OTHER KIND OF EFFICIENCIES ON MEDICAL SUPPLIES, DENTAL SUPPLIES, AND ANY PUBLIC HEALTH, I.F.S. AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE ALSO BUYING THESE SUPPLIES?

>> WE USE COUNTY PH WIDE VENDORS, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY COLLABORATIVE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO DO THAT, YEAH. THAT IS A GOOD IDEA THOUGH FOR

US TO LOOK INTO THAT. >> I DO WANT TO DISCUSS A COUPLE OF YOUR OFFSETS. YOUR FURNITURE OFFSET, CAN YOU GIVE US MORE INFORMATION ON THAT? IS THAT FURN TOOR FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES, DEPARTMENTS, THE HAYES CENTER, CLIENTS. YOU CAN GIVE US MORE INFORMATION

ON THAT ONE. >> IT'S ACROSS-THE-BOARD.

YEAH. THE HAYES CENTER, WE JUST BUILT SO IT DOESN'T NEED ANY MORE FURNITURE, BUT IF SOMETHING WERE TO COME UP THERE. IT'S GENERALLY ACROSS-THE-BOARD, THINS WE HAVE COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TYPICALLY WE

AGREED TO OFFER UP THAT. >> OKAY.

SO THAT IS A COMBINATION OF EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS.

OKAY. >> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. AND THEN ONE OF YOUR OTHER OFFSETS WAS THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND CAN YOU JUST CONFIRM WHICH ONE OF YOUR OFFSETS OF THE POSITIONS WERE VACANT VERSUS FILLED.

>> THAT PARTICULAR OFFSET IS VACANT.

I HAVE NOT REPLACED BY EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO REPURPOSE ANOTHER POSITION WHERE JEFF AND I SHARE AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, AND I DON'T NEED A FULL-TIME EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO BE HONEST. I'M PRETTY SELF--- TAKE CARE OF MYSELF PRETTY WELL, BUT THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT WAS DOING BOTH BOARD-- REALLY A LOT OF THE BOARD ENGAGEMENT, THE SETTING UP THE BOARD MEETINGS. BOARD RELATIONS HAVE COMMISSIONERS COURT LETTERS. ABLE TO RESIGN THOSE BOTH RESPONSIBILITIES, AND SO WE'RE GOOD WITH THE WAY IT IS RIGHT

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NOW. AND SO, YEAH.

>> THANK YOU. THAT IS ALL OF MY QUESTIONS FOR

THOUSAND. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1.

PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES.

>> THANK YOU. ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA THANK YOU, GUYS, FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE CRITICAL WORK THAT YOU DO. MY FIRST QUESTION IS I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU COULD ELABORATE ON HOW R.C.A. COORDINATES WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NONE PROFITS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONINGS TO AVOID DUPLICATION AND MAXIMIZED

RESOURCES ACROSS THE COUNTY. >> WE HAVE LOTS OF PARTNERSHIPS.

FIRST OF ALL WE WORK VERY CLOSELY, JEFF AND I, WITH JEEV NIGHT PROBATION. WE MEET QUARTERLY OUR THREE DEPARTMENTS TO COORDINATE OUR RESOURCES, OF COURSE WE'RE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME RIGHT NOW ON THE THREE OF THOSE ON THE DIVERSION CONTINUUM OR THE YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAM.

WE ALSO, OF COURSE, COORDINATE WITH 14 STATE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY DETECTIVE SERVICES. BOTH ON THE CHILD PROTECTIVE AND THE ADULT PROTECT SERVICES SIDE. WE COORDINATE WITH MEDICAL, U.T.

MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR OUR CLINIC.

SENIOR JUST ASSESSMENT CENTRE. WE HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS. SAME CARE COORDINATOR WHERE WE WITH BOTH LAW ENFORCEMENT. DEPARTMENT OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SEVERAL N.G.O.S IN THE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING ARENA, AND OF COURSE OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM.

OUR FUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

JUJUVENILE. OUR J.P. COURT PROGRAM THAT WE DO A LOT OF REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY BASED AGENCIES WITHIN THE AREA OF THOSE COURTS, AND WE HAVE A WHOLE IN OUR PLAN AND OUR LOGIC MODELS, WE HAVE ABOUT 500 PARTNERS HERE.

>> THANK YOU. HOW HAS DEMAND FOR R.C.A.

SERVICES CHANGED OVER THE PAST THREE TO FIVE YEARS.

ARE THERE PARTICULAR POPULATIONS OR GEOGRAPHIC AREAS WHERE NEEDS

ARE INCREASING MOST RAPIDLY? >> WELL DEMANDS ESPECIALLY SINCE COVID WE REALLY SEE AN INCREASE ESPECIALLY ON THE YOUTH SIDE.

YOUTH AGING OUT. YOUTH SERVICES.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL IDEATION.

A LOT MORE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS. WE'RE SEEING MORE OF COURSE SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A HUGE IMPACTS. PARENTAL STRESS.

WE'RE SEEING MORE PARENTS CALLING US.

AND SAYING THROWING UP THEIR HANDS AND SAYING, I'M DONE.

NOT WILLING TO PICK THEM UP FROM A PSYCH HOSPITAL, AND C.P.S.

DOESN'T FEEL THAT IS REALLY A REFERRAL FOR THEM, AND KIND OF LOOKS TO US HOW CAN WE INTERVENE IN THESE SITUATIONS.

SO IN THE HAYES CENTER WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE YOUTH WITH REAL NEED BASIC LIFE SKILLS. A LOT MORE SUPPORT IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, IN TERMS OF JUST MOTIVATION.

WE'RE PLAYING A LOT OF OUR YOUTH THAT WE HAVE THESE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS. A LOT OF THE YOUTH ARE LOOKING AT THE GIG ECONOMY, GETTING BY, SO TRYING TO MOTIVATE THEM TO GET INTO THE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, AND LOOK AHEAD.

IT'S BEEN A REAL CHALLENGE FOR US.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT MORE, YES. GEOGRAPHIC, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA

WITH THE-- >> IT'S REALLY ACROSS-THE-BOARD.

IF I WERE TO SAY IF THERE IS LIKE ONE PARTICULAR AREA, I REALLY COULDN'T BECAUSE EVERYTHING JOEL SAID BUT IT'SLOGICAL SPREAD OUT ACROSS-THE-BOARD.

>> THANK YOU. AND THEN MY FINAL QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU GUYS GO ABOUT DETERMINING WHAT SERVICES OR INITIATIVES NEED TO BE PRIORITIZED WHEN RESOURCES ARE

MORE CONSTRAINED. >> WELL WE HAVE AN ENTIRE PERFORMANCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. IT'S TWO PEOPLE, BUT WE'RE ALSO BECAUSE WE'RE ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCILLORRING AND ACCREDITATION WHICH IS AN INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITING BODY FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU HAVE TO MEET ALL THEIR STANDARDS AND BENCHMARKS.

FOUR-YEAR ACCREDITATION COMING UP THIS OCTOBER, AND WE'RE GETTING READY FOR SO WE HAVE AN ENTIRE P.Q. EYE PLAN WITH A LOGIC MODEL FOR EVERY PROGRAM THAT LOOKS AT THEIR OUTCOMES, LOOKS AT THEIR OUTPUTS. RESOURCES.

WE HAVE A DASHBOARD THAT WE PUT TOGETHER FOR OUR TEAM-- LEADERSHIP TEAM AND OUR BOARD WITH THE RED LIGHT, YELLOW

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LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT SO TO SPEAK. WE-- IT'S IN OUR BOARD REPORTS.

OUR BOARD REPORTS QUARTERLY. SO WE LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD.

OF COURSE WE DO A LOT OF LOOKING AT COMMUNITY DATA.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

PRECINCT. PRECINCT 3, 5 MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU, DIRECTOR.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HOW MUCH OF YOUR JOB IS S STATUTE REQUIRED.

>> OF COURSE OUR WHOLE GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM FOR WHERE WE CARE FOR THE WARDS SIGNED BY THE PROBATE COURTS.

OF COURSE WE HAVE STATUTORY THERE.

JOINT CERTIFICATION BOARD AS WELL HAS A STATE CODE AND PROBATE CODE AND THEN ON OUR YOUTH SERVICES SIDE, HOUSE BILL.

531 THAT CAME FROM THE HOUSE BILL 316.

THAT CAME FROM THE 88TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION ABOUT DIVERGENT STRATEGIES FOR YOUTH IN THE J.P. COURTS.

JEFF KNOWS A LOT MORE ABOUT THAT THAN I KNOW.

A FEW WORDS. >> HOUSE BILL 136 REQUIRES MUNICIPAL AND JUSTICE COURTS TO CREATE A DIVERSION PLAN.

AND WE HAVE WHAT WE'VE TERMED J.P. COURT LIAISONS THAT ARE SIGNED TO THE JUSTICE COURTS. THIS HOUSE BILL REQUIRESLET CREATION OF A YOUTH DIVERSION COORDINATOR POSITION.

ALONG WITH THOSE COURTS ADOPTING A PLAN.

WE HAVE OUR STAFF OPERATING IN THAT DUAL ROLE TO DO ANY KIND OF DIVERSION STRATEGY FOR THE COME THROUGH THAT COURT.

>> THANK YOU. OUR COORDINATION GROUP IS STATUTORY FROM 1991 LEGISLATION. THOUGH AS I SAID A LOT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY STATUTORY. A LOT OF OUR YOUTH SERVICES DIVISION WAS DATING BACK TO '78 BASED ON FEDERAL LEGISLATION FROM 1974 THE JUVENILE PREVENTION ACT ABOUT SEPARATION OF STATUS OFFENDER, LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS AND MORE COMMUNITY BASED INTERVENTIONS, AND THAT IS REALLY WHERE OUR WHOLE MODEL STARTED IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES, IN TERMS OF OUR TRIED INTAKE DIVERSION FOR CONDUCT IN NEED OF SUPERVISION, AND THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE ATTACHED TO THAT.

WE'RE ALL REALLY PART OF THAT STEMMING FROM THAT.

YOU MENTIONED THE DIVERSION EFFORTS.

DO YOU HAVE METRICS. ARE YOU ABLE TO TELL HOW EFFECTIVE THOSE DIVERSION PROCESSES ARE.

>> WELL DO YOU WANT TO TACKLE THAT.

IF NOT, I CAN. >> DUAL THING.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NUMBER OF THINGS GOING ON.

FOR THE JUSTICE COURTS, FOR THAT DIVERSION EFFORT, THAT COMES INTO PROBABLY AROUND-- I'M GOING TO GO OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

AROUND 2,000 OR SO KIDS. THESE ARE YOUTH WHO WOULD HAVE GOTTEN TRIEWNSY OR FINEABLE ONLY OFFENCE.

JUSTICE COURT THROUGH THAT HOUSE BILL 136 THAT WE JUST SPOKE ABOUT. ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH JUVENILE PROBATION AS WELL AS THE D.A.'S OFFICE ON.

DIVERTING THOSE CLASS A AND CLASS B MISDEMEANOURS.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE AROUND-- I LOOKED AT SOME THIS MORNING LIKE 1,900 OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS OR SO.

WE WERE LOOKING TO WORK WITH THOSE KIDS TO KEEP THEM FROM PENETRATING DEEPER INTO THE SYSTEM.

BETWEEN 1,000 AND 2,000. >> THEY COVERED THAT WELL, THANK

YOU. >> ALL RIGHT.

YOU CAN COMMENT A LITTLE BIT ON HOW THE PAY EQUITY STUDY HAS

AFFECTED YOUR DEPARTMENT? >> YES, I CAN.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. I WILL SAY FIRST THE GOOD NEWS.

OUR DEPARTMENT 82% OF OUR STAFF SAW AN INCREASE AS THEY HAD TO GO TO THE MINIMUM OF THEIR NEW PAY GRADE WHICH IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE COUNTY AVERAGE. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THAT GIVEN THE HISTORICAL PAY AND EQUITY THAT I'VE SEEN SINCE I STARTED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 1998. WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE LOWEST DEPARTMENTS. WE'RE ALSO OVER 80% FEMALE.

IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF FILES REVISIONS WORKING WITH

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ANDREA AND HER TEAM TO GET THERE, BUT I DO ALSO WANT TO SAY I REALLY APPRECIATE ANDREA'S PATIENCE, SHE LISTENED TO US AND REALLY WORKED WITH US TO REALLY GET TO WHERE WE NEEDED TO GET TO. BUT WHERE THE PROBLEMS ARE FOR US NOW ARE MORE AROUND COMPRESSION.

AND WHEN I SAY. THAT WE HAVE NEWLY HIRED EMPLOYEES EARNING NEARLY THE SAME.

IN SOME CASES MOHR THAN LONG-TERM TENURED EMPLOYEES.

>> OKAY. >> THANK YOU, PREPRECINCT 3.

PRECINCT 4. 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR, AND TEAM FOR ALL YOU DO FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN THE COUNTY, AND I WILL ACTUALLY LET YOU CONTINUE WITH THAT ABOUT THE NEW EMPLOYEES

MAKING MORE THAN THE OLDER ONES. >> YES.

I APPRECIATE THAT. OUR ISSUE THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH IS COMPRESSION. SUPERVISORS EARNING ONLY MARGINALLY MORE THAN THE EMPLOYEES THEY SUPERVISE, WHICH REALLY REDUCES THE VALUE OF THAT PROMOTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, AND WE HAVE MARKET-DRIVEN SALARIES ARE STILL INCREASING FASTER THAN THE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR EXISTING EMPLOYEES.

JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. BASED WITH THE NEW PAY GRADES.

I CAN HAVE A NEW CASE MANAGER SAYING GUARDIANSHIPS START AT 71,000, BUT EMPLOYEE THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 10 YEARS IN GOOD STANDING IS MAKING 72,500. THAT REALLY HAS BECOME A DISINCENTIVE FOR RETENTION, MORALE IN TERMS OF KEEPING TENURED EMPLOYEES. OF COURSE WE NEED THAT FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, OF COURSE THERE ARE PERCEPTIONS.

SO THAT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS STILL EQUITY ACROSS COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. SENIOR COMMUNICATION MANAGER.

AND WE OFFERED IT AT THE MINIMUM PAY GRADE SO NOT TO MAKE IT HIGHER THAN OTHER SALARIES. PEOPLE EXISTING IN THE DEPARTMENT, BUT OUR TOCH 2 CANDIDATES ONE IS IN A COUNTY DEPARTMENT. THE OTHER IS IN ELECTED OFFICE, AND THEY WERE BOTH MAKING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN WHAT WE COULD OFFER. SO WE'RE STILL NOT THERE

INTERNALLY. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I KNOW YOU HAVE YOU A TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE YOUTH DIVERSION PROGRAM AND THE PARTNERS YOU HAVE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR THAT.

YOU CAN TAKE US THROUGH WHAT IMPLEMENTATION WOULD LOOK LIKE IF THE SERVICE ENHANCEMENT GOT IMPROVED, HOW WILL THAT MANAGER

ROLE REALLY WORK. >> YEAH.

WELL WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WORKING WITH JUVENILE PROBATION. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

HARRIS CENTRE. ONCE IMPLEMENTED THE PROGRAM WILL IMPROVE SERVICES WE BELIEVE FOR REALLY HUNDREDS OF YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND ALSO INCLUDE A PATHWAY FOR THESE DIVERTED TO ACCESS THE YOUTH DIVERSION CENTER.

KNOW ONCE IMPLEMENTED OUR TRY INTAKE DEPARTMENT WILL ASSIST BY ASSESSING ALL NEW DIVERSION REFERRALS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

7:00 A.M. TO MIDNIGHT, AND HAS POSITIONS TRANSFER FOR PROBATION OR REPURPOSE POSITIONS. WE WILL TAKE OVER THE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR LOW LEVEL OFFENCES FROM PROBATION OVERTIME. WE'LL SPLIT THAT CASE MANAGEMENT INTO LOW LEVEL CASE MANAGEMENT. WHICH THAT DIVISION OF RESOURCES WILL ALLOW SOME YOUTH TO QUICKLY ASSESS SERVICES AND HAVE THEIR CHARGES DISS MISSED AND OTHER YOUTH TO OBTAIN THOSE SERVICES THEY AND THEIR FAMILY WILL NEED. SO IT STARTS WITH HIRING THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE DISCUSSED FOR THIS TRANSFORMATION.

RETOOL THE FUNCTION OF OUR TRIED INTAKE TO PROVIDE ASSESSMENTS ON DEMANDS. HIRE A TEAM OF SUPERVISORS AND CASE MANAGERS TO IMPLEMENT THIS TRANSITION FROM JUVENILE PROBATION TO OUR DEPARTMENT. CHANGE PROTOCOLS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT JURISDICTIONS, AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND JUVENILE PROBATION TO DIVERT THOSE MISDEMEANOUR OFFENDERS TO OUR INTAKE DIVERSION IF RELEASE TO THE FAMILY IS NOT POSSIBLE.

WE'RE DRAWING OUT A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS YOU CAN SEE. JEFF HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THAT. HE CAN GO INTO FURTHER DETAIL.

>> YOU ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE TRENDS AND SEEING AN INCREASED DEMAND WITH YOUTH AND TRANSITION WITH BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES AND ALL OF THOSE KIND OF GROWING CONCERNS.

WHAT OTHER PARTS OF THE FY27 BUDGET REFLECT THOSE NEEDS.

[00:30:04]

>> OH, A LOT. NUMBER 1, WE'RE SEEING INCREASE IN OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAM.

THIS IS A REAL-- I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IT'S OUR LONG STANDING FUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WE PROVIDE SERVICES ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUSES FOR YOUTH TO IN TERMS OF CRISIS INTERVENTION.

SHORT-TERM CASE MANAGEMENT. RESOURCES.

SCHOOL CRISIS TEAM. WHEREVER THE SCHOOL NEEDS TO US BE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CHILD IN THE CLASSROOM LEARNING AND HELP THE FAMILY, AND EVEN DURING SCHOOL FUNDING CRISIS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, NOT ONLY DO WE NOT LOSE WORKERS, SCHOOLS PAY 50%-- OH MY GOD. WE ACTUALLY GAINED-- NOW WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT THAT. AND THEN OUR WORK WE DO IN THE JUSTICE COURTS, J.P. COURT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

OUR TRIED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM, AND SO WE DO A LOT.

OUR CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING. WE'RE DOING A LOT.

THAT IS OUR LARGEST DIVISION. OUR PREVENTION EARLY PREVENTION

AREA. >> GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4.

REVISIT FOR ANY REMAINING TIME OF WHICH ONLY PRECINCT 1 HAD REMAINING TIME. 1 MINUTE AND 59 SECONDS

REMAINING. >> I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1. THANK YOU TO RESOURCES FOR

CHILDREN AND ADULTS. >> THANK YOU.

>> VUR NEXT PRESENTATION COMES FROM VETERANS SERVICES.

[Veterans Services]

>> NOW WE WELCOME OUR VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THIS DEPARTMENT HAS ELECTED TO SPLIT THEIR OPENING REMARKS WITH THREE MINUTES FOR INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS AND TWO MINUTES FOR THE CLOSING. EACH OFFICE WILL HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTION BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 1.

>> GOOD MORNING. DAVE LEWIS.

I HAVE WITH ME DR. JASONISM. JASON OUR FINANCIAL MANAGER.

I ALSO BROUGHT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSTON AREA SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL DR. CHRISTINA ARMAND IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. HOME TO 150,000 VETERANS.

THIRD LARGEST IN COUNTY AND THE LARGEST POST 9/11 POPULATION.

WE HAVE FIVE PILLARS IF YOU WILL.

CLAIMS AND BENEFITS WHICH IS OUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY UNDER THE TEXAS CODE. WE HAVE AN EXTENSIVE STAFF SERGEANT PARKER GORDON FOX SUICIDE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE V.A. WE WORK VERY HARD FOR OUR JUSTICE INVOLVED VETERANS TO INCLUDE A STAFF ATTORNEY.

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL SERVICES. AND WE ALSO HAVE A VETERAN TRANSITION PROGRAM FOCUSED ON VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES.

SERVICE DISABLED SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE OPERATE UNDER A PHILOSOPHY OF FILLING IN THE GAPS WHETHER FEDERAL OR STATE PARTNERS CAN'T DO ANYTHING WHEN A VETERANS THROUGH THE CRACKS IT FALLS ON THE COUNTY OR LOCAL COMMUNITY SO WE WORK HARD TO PREVENT. PREVEN. WE'RE ON TRACK TO SERVE OVER 3,000 VETERANS IN OUR CLAIMS AND BENEFITS TEAM.

3,000 VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS I SHOULD SAY TO ACCESS THEIR EARNED BENEFITS THAT BRINGS A FINANCIAL IMPACT AND ECONOMIC IMPACT GREATER THAN $100 MILLION EVERY YEAR INTO HARRIS COUNTY. NOT INTO COUNTY COFFERS OBVIOUSLY. THE ECONOMIC IMPACT.

OVER 4,000 VETERANS WILL PASS THROUGH THE J.P.C. THIS YEAR.

JUSTICE INVOLVED. OUR GOAL IS TO IDENTIFY THEM AS THEY COME THROUGH AND ENSURE THEY ARE VETERANS, MAKE CONTACT WITHIN 48 HOURS AND BEGIN WORKING THOSE PLANS TO GET THEM RE-ENTERED INTO THE COMMUNITY WHEN WE GET INVOLVED.

75% TO 25%. OUR CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT IN THE

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JAIL IS CRITICAL. WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT ACTING INITIATIVES WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING THAT VETERAN JUSTICE EXPOSURE AND REDUCING THE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY THE FINANCIAL IMPACT. AS FAR AS ENHANCEMENTS, WE'VE ASKED FOR FISCAL SUPPORT TO THE SUICIDE REVIEW COMMITTEE.

I BROUGHT THAT TO COURT ON JANUARY 8TH FOR OFFICIAL COURT SPONSORSHIP. AT THAT TIME SAID WE WILL NOT HAVE A FISCAL ASK RIGHT NOW IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS. WE TRIED TO BE FAITHFUL TO THAT.

HERE WE ARE WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS ASKING TODAY.

WARE' ASWE'RE ASKING FOR PARKIN. SO WE'RE ASKING, VERY SMALL ASK FOR SOME SIMPLE PARKING AND THREE PCNS THAT HAVE IDENTIFIED TO DISCUSS THAT NEED. LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING YOUR

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS

BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 1. >> GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. OUR FIRST QUESTION IS THE HOUSING LANDSCAPE HAS BEEN CHANGING IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS NEW INITIATIVES THERE. IS ALSO SOME FEDERAL CHANGES.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE IMPACTS THAT THESE CHANGES HAVE HAD ON HELPING VETERANS ACCESS HOUSING AND OTHER BENEFITS.

>> SO WHAT I CALL THE DIRTY SIDE OF VETERAN SERVICES, WE HAVE NOT HAD THE STAFF TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING ISSUES.

WE GET THAT PERIPHERALLY. THERE IS SOME GREAT VA GRANTS HERE. CALLED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES. WE ARE SEEING AGAIN A HOUSING SQUEEZE. WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST AN EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION TO HELP VETERANS TO PRECLUDE EVICTION UTILITY SHUTOFFS, THAT SORT OF THING. THEY CUT THAT GRANT IN HALF THIS YEAR WITH NO EXPLANATION. WE'RE WORKING HARD TO RESTORE THOSE FUNDS. WE WORK ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE HOUSING AREA. I WISH WE HAD THE STAFF TO DO

MORE. >> THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE OFFSETS THAT WAS OFFERED WAS THE CLAIMS AND BENEFIT P.C.N. AND ALSO THERE WAS AN ENHANCEMENT REQUEST.

CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT HOW MANY CLAIMS AND BENEFIT P.C.N.S YOU ACTUALLY HAVE AND THEIR CASE LOAD.

>> RIGHT. WE HAVE SIX TOTAL ON THAT TEAM INCLUDING THE TEAM LEAD. HE WEARS MANY, MANY HATS.

SO SIX BASICALLY FIVE FULLTIME AND THE SIXTH IS ABOUT THREE-QUARTER TIME. THEY'LL SEE 4,000 VETERANS ROUGHLY THIS YEAR. SO WHEN WE BREAK THAT DOWN.

WE GET A STEADY STREAM OF VETERANS COMING THROUGH.

THAT MAKES IT SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES AS WELL AS AN IMPACT. THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT ALSO ALLOWS TO US GET OUT TO THREE OF THE FOUR PRECINCTS.

PRECINCT 2 HAS THEIR OWN VETERAN SERVICES AREA, BUT ALLOWS TO US GET OUT AND MEET THE VETERANS WHERE THEY ARE.

REDUCTION OF ONE OF THOSE POSITIONS MAKES US SIGNIFICANTLY LIMITED ON HOW MUCH WE CAN DO OUT OF THE OFFICE.

WE SERVED OVER 90 LAST YEAR FROM OUR CLAIMS TEAM.

>> MY FINAL QUESTION IS YOU ADDRESSED THIS IN YOUR OPENING.

YOU CAN DISCUSS KIND OF THE PARKING SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE HAD AND KIND OF THE SPLIT ON WHAT SAFETY CONCERNS YOUR STAFF

HAS FACED. >> SO AS FAR AS OUR LOCATION? SO WE HAVE A GREAT OFFICE, AND IT'S A LEASED SPACE.

IT'S A WONDERFUL SPACE. THE AREA IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE OLD GREYHOUND BUS STATION. WHICH REMAINS CHALLENGING.

HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS A LOT OF CHALLENGES ON THEIR HANDS DEALING WITH. THAT WHEN WE HAVE TO PARK ON THE STREET WE SEE EVERYTHING FROM PEOPLE TRYING TO OPEN YOUR DOORS FOR YOU TO ALL KINDS OF THINGS. I TRY HARD TO NOT TO PUT OUR FEMALE EMPLOYEES AT RISK BY HAVING THEM WALK THROUGH THAT ENVIRONMENT. THE PREVIOUS LANDLORD ONLY ALLOCATED NINE PARKING SPOTS FOR A STAFF OF 28.

THE NEW LANDLORD SAYS YOU WANT TO BUY MORE SLOTS, BUY MORE SLOTS. WE WOULD LIKE TO BUY MORE SLOTS IS THE BOTTOM LINE AND IT'S A CONNECTED PARKING STRUCTURE THAT GOES RIGHT INTO THE BUILDING RATHER THAN PARK ON THE STREET

AND WALK. >> THANK YOU.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT #. PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES

FOR QUESTIONS. >> HELLO.

[00:40:03]

COMMERCOMMERCER GARCIA WANTS TOK YOU FOR SERVING.

JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ONE IS WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE PRIMARY SERVICE AT YOUR DEPARTMENT PROVIDES TO VETERANS.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE. HOUSING.

>> STAT INDUSTRY CLAIMS ANDSTD BENEFITS.

NUMBER 1 IS SUICIDE PREVENTION. WE'VE BEEN HEAVILY ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN DOING US. THE OTHER PIECE THAT WAS A LARGE GAP WHEN WE GOT HERE IS THE JUSTICE INVOLVED PIECE, AND SO WE FIND WHEN WE INTERVENE OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO VETERANS THAT ARE IN THE JAIL, AND WE ONLY SERVE THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, WE GETTING A LOT OF REQUESTS TO GO TO OTHER PLACES WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO DO THAT.

WHEN WE GET INVOLVED AND START WORKING THOSE GAME PLANS.

WE LOOK THEM IN THE EYE IF YOU MADE IT THROUGH BOOT CAMP OR IF YOU MADE IT THROUGH YOUR BASIC TRAINING, YOU STILL HAVE IT INSIDE YOU. YOU MAY HAVE HAD ACCUMULATED TRAUMAS ALONG THE WAY THAT OUR SOCIETY DOESN'T ALWAYS UNDERSTAND. WE AS VETERANS, WE BUILD THAT VETERAN TO VETERAN TRUST. T.V.C. GRACIOUSLY PROVIDES US WITH THREE P.C.N.S TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN THE JAIL FULLTIME.

WE COULD USE A LOT MORE. >> I UNDERSTAND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. HOW WOULD YOU SAY YOU'VE SEEN THE SERVICES REQUESTED OF YOUR DEPARTMENT CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE

YEAR. >> SO WHAT WE FIND-- I TRY TO TELL ESPECIALLY MY CLAIMS TEAM UNDERPROMISE OVERDELIVER.

SO WE ARE MAKING SURE OUR REPUTATION STAYS STRONG.

ALSO WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT THAT LINE DOESN'T GET TOO LONG.

VERY FRUSTRATING FOR A VETERAN. THEY MAY HAVE HAD 10 YEARS TO FILE THEIR CLAIM. BUT WHEN THEY DECIDE TO FILE THEIR CLAIM. THEY GET FRUSTRATED.

WE WORK VERY HARD TO PRESERVE OUR REPUTATION AS WELL AS WE DON'T ALLOCATE TIME SLOTS. HEAN OTHER AGENCIES THAT SAYS YOU HAVE 45 MINUTES TO FILE A CLAIM.

IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. I TELL EVERYBODY WE AREN'T FAST.

WE DO IT RIGHT THOUGH. THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THAT GETS THE VETERAN ALL OF THEIR EARNED BENEFITS OR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM. WE'RE STILL KIND OF AN UNKNOWN ENTITY EVEN AFTER SIX YEARS. PEOPLE SAY I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO JUSTICE-INVOLVED THINGS, AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I'VE THROTTENNED BACK OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM. I WORRY A LOT ABOUT GETTING OUT IN FRONT OF OUR HEAD LIGHTS AND ADVERTISING TOO MUCH AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DELIVER ON THOSE SERVICES.

BUT WE'VE SEEN THE DEMAND INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

AND THEN FINALLY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY MAYBE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR 2027.

>> WE HAVE SOME GRANT CHALLENGES, AND I REALIZE THAT IS NOT FUNCHALENGS HERE. A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WHEN WE DID THE PAY EQUITY STUDY.

IT BOUNCED US BOND THE AMOUNTS WE COULD PAY IN THE GRANTS.

DANIEL HAS PROMISED US WE WILL BE ABLE TO COVER THAT.

BUT WE'RE SEEING A CHALLENGING TREND AT THE STATE LEVEL OF NOT UNDERSTANDING THE SCOPE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH HERE.

SO WHEN THEY PUT OUR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANT IN HALF.

WHEN REALLY WE COULD HAVE USED TO DOUBLE IT, JUST BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THAT. AND THE OTHER CHALLENGE IS STAYING OUT IN FRONT OF ALL THE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES.

I HAVE LEGISLATIVE LIAISON ON THERE AS A REQUEST.

LAST SESSION OVER 450, I THINK, BILLS WERE FILED REGARDING VETERANS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THE TAKE CARE OF AMERICA VETERANS ACTS THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW.

110 DIFFERENT INITIATIVES IN THAT BILL ALONE.

THAT IS A LOT ON US TO TRY TO ANALYZE AND FIGURE OUT AND BE ABLE TO REPORT TO PEOPLE. THE SHEER VOLUME OF NEED IS BECOMES A CHALLENGE FOR US. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT CONTEXT.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT.

PRECINCT 3, YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

MY COLLEAGUES COVERED A COUPLE OF THE QUESTIONS ALREADY.

SO IF YOU COULD TELL ME MORE IN-DEPTH ABOUT THE COLLABORATION EFFORTS BETWEEN VETERANS SERVICES, V.A. HOSPITALS AND OTHER LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS IN REGARDS TO SUICIDE PREVENTION.

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

THAT THE CHALLENGE THAT WE SEE I LIKE TO SAY V.A. IS A FIELD OF DREAMS APPROACH. IF YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME.

THEY DO GOOD WORK THERE. GETTING IN THROUGH THE FRONT

[00:45:01]

DOOR AND GETTING ALL THOSE THINGS ADDRESSSIDE NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. SO WE TRY TO FILL IN THOSE GAPS.

SO WE PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT THE V.A. CANNOT.

SOMETIMES THEY CANNOT. WORKING WITH VETERANS IN THE JAIL. THEY DO HAVE V.J.O.S VERY LIMITED IN THE SCOPE THAT THEY CAN DO.

FOR EXAMPLE IF WE HAVE SOMEBODY UTILIZING HARRIS HEALTH BECAUSE THEY'VE GONE THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OR WHATEVER, AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE V.A. LET'S GET THEM SIGNED UP FOR THE V.A. THE V.A. WANTS TO HAVE THEM ENROLLED AND THEY GET ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR HAVING ENROLLED THEM. WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE V.A. ESPECIALLY. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SUICIDE PREVENTION. WE ALL GET TOGETHER AND TRY TO COORDINATE THOSE RESOURCES ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE THOSE EXCESSIVE OVERLAPS AND ESPECIALLY TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE THOSE GAPS. A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN THE FIELD, AND WE LIKE TO SAY WE'RE A FINDER ORGANIZATION.

WE'LL GO OUT AND FIND WHERE THOSE VETERANS ARE AND GET THEM TO THE SERVICES THAT THE V.A. CAN PROVIDE.

I'LL RESERVE MY TIME. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3.

PRECINCT 4 YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND GOOD MORNING DIRECTOR LEWIS.

I APPRECIATE THE OVERVIEW THAT YOU HAVE PROVIDED, AND MINE ARE MORE CLARIFYING QUESTIONS BECAUSE I THINK MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ASKED A THE LO OF THE GOOD ONES.

WHEN YOU MENTION FILLING IN THE GAP, HOW MUCH OVERLAP IS THERE BETWEEN WHAT V.S.D. DOES AND WHAT THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSIONS OR OTHER VETERAN SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE?

>> LITD'LET'S TAKE THE JUSTICE . T.V.C. HAS THREE PEOPLE THAT WORK JUSTICE SHHHS. THE JAILS ARE ALL REQUIRED TO NOTIFY T.V.C. IT IS SOMETIMES MONTHS BEFORE THOSE POSTCARDS GET FILLED OUT AND GET DELIVERED.

IN TEXAS 250 COUNTY JAILS I BELIEVE.

101 PLUS OR MINUS STATE JAILS. 13 FEDERAL PRISONS.

THERE IS NO WAY THREE PEOPLE CAN GET IN THERE AND DO THAT.

SO WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT, YEAH, LET US KNOW THERE IS SOMEBODY HERE, THE REALITY OF THEM BEING ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO GET IN TO A BUSY PLACE LIKE OURS TO SERVE THOSE VETERANS

JUST ISN'T THERE. >> SO KIND OF ALONG THOSE LINES WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE SECRET SAUCE OR THE STRATEGIC OF WHAT V.S.D. DOES VERSUS SOME OF THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

>> SO COMMUNICATION-- MAKING SURE THAT WE DEVELOP THOSE PARTNERSHIPS. WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THERE WAS A LOT OF HEY, YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO DO THE SAME THING WE DO.

EVEN THE V.A. YOU ARE TRYING TO REPLICATE THE V.A. I DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

LET US WORK, FINDING THE VETERANS.

THEY WORKLET RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR EXAMPLE AT THE V.A. OR THE CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PIECES.

THERE IS SOME OVERLAP BETWEEN US, THE V.A. AND CLAIMS AND BENEFITS, AND IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO A MATTER OF CHOICE AS TO WHERE THE VETERAN WANTS TO GO. BUT OUR COMMUNICATION WITH ALL THOSE STRATEGIC PARTNERS REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> I KNOW THE QUESTION WAS ASKED, BUT IT WASN'T CLEAR TO ME ON THE RESPONSE WHERE YOU PROVIDE AN OFFSET OF CLAIMS AND BENEFITS, BUT THEN YOU HAVE AN ENHANCEMENT FOR CLAIMS AND BENEFITS. SO YOUR POSITION REALLY-- I CAN'T AFFORD TO GIVE UP A CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PERSON.

I NEED TO KEEP THEM. >> ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU ARE GOING TOES FOR ME TO TAKE THE 8% COST.

IT WILL COST THE COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

SO MY POSITION IS, WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GIVE UP THAT, BUT THAT IS THE ONLY PLACE REALLY IN THE OFFICE WHERE I HAVE REDUNDANCY. ARE REALLY WHAT I'M ASKING FOR AN ENHANCEMENT. WE CAN SHORTEN THOSE LINES EVEN MORE. BEAR COUNTY FOR EXAMPLE WITH A SMALLER POPULATION HAS 10 V.S.O.S.

WE HAVE SIX. >> OKAY.

THEN THE OTHER THING IS YOU MENTIONED THE LEGISLATIVE-- WHAT IS A RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT YOU ARE HOPING FOR THAT POSITION

TO BRING? >> SO BEING ABLE TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF A LOT OF THIS LEGISLATION, TO BE ABLE TO GET THERE. LAST YEAR, I AM SAD TO SAY BEHIND THE SCENES MANOEUVRE TOOK PLACE THAT TOOK AWAY THE VOICES OF 72% OF TEXAS VETERANS. IT WAS WRONG.

IT WAS LEGISLATION THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE.

WE TRIED HARD TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THAT, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE LEAD TIME TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

SOME OF THEM ARE INTERESTING WHERE THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO GIVE VETERANS ADDITIONAL BENEFITS.

SOME OF THEM ARE CRITICAL FOR VETERANS CARE, AND BASICALLY FALLS ON MY SHOULDERS TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IT'S HOT AND HEAVY DURING THAT SESSION.

[00:50:02]

THAT WOULD BE AN ENHANCEMENT THAT WOULD MAIK OUR ABILITY TO HELP INFLUENCE SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS A LOT BETTER.

>> THEN ON THE OPERATIONAL SIDE. I KNOW YOU'VE TRANSITIONED TO SERVICE NOW. MAYBE IF YOU COULD TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT ARE THE ADDITIONAL COSTS, AND EVEN HAVE WE SEEN A RETURN ON INVESTMENT ON THAT TRANSITION TO SERVICE NOW.

>> YEAH. IT'S ONE I REALLY WANT TO BRAG ON WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES. WE HAD A-- WHO WAS THE V VENN V.

WE TRANSITIONED TO SERVICE NOW. TAKEN THAT SALES FORCE BILL AWAY. WE EVEN PUT IN A WEDGE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW AT THE TIME THAT WE SUBMITTED WHETHER OR NOT WE WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENTS FOR SERVICES NOW.

I THINK THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS.

WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH THE TRANSITION.

A FEW BUMPS IN THE ROAD BUT WE THINK THIS WILL BE

OVERWHELMINGLY SUCCESSFUL. >> YOU MENTIONED IT'S 4,000 VETERANS THAT A-- CASEWORKER, SUPPORTS.

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL STANDARD, AND DO WE EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO

GO UP WITH SERVICE NOW? >> SERVICE NOW ALLOWS TO US REPORT WHAT WE'RE DOING. IT ALSO ALLOWS TO US TRACK WITHIN THE OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO SEE-- FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE HAVE A SUICIDAL VETERAN WHO PRESENTS DURING THEIR CLAIM WHERE HE DON'T WANT TO CREATE BRICK WALLS WHERE THEY TOSS IT OVER AND GO THAT IS SOMEBODY ELSE'S RESPONSIBILITY.

NOW WE CAN ALL SEE EVERYTHING THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THAT. WE THINK THE SERVICE NOW WILL PROVIDE THAT THE C.R.M. CAPABILITY.

FOR THEM TO SEE EVERYTHING. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND BEING HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO MOST OF MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ASKED ALREADY, BUT I DO HAVE A FEW.

YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE GRANTS. DO YOU HAVE-- WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT THE GENERAL FUND. DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT

YOUR GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 27. >> WE ARE IN NEGOTIATING-- SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF-- THEY WERE JUST ANNOUNCED RECENTLY.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY LONG-TERM CONCERNS.

WE DO HAVE IS A CONCERN ABOUT THE ONE THAT WAS CUT IN HALF.

SORT OF PROMISE IS-- WELL IF YOU SPEND OUT YOUR MONEY.

YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND ASK FOR MORE.

WE'LL SEE HOW THAT REALLY WORKS OUT.

BUT RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD AT THE CURRENT SPEND RATE, WE WOULD SPEND OUT ALL OF OUR GRANT MONEY THAT WOULD START SEPTEMBER 1ST BY THE END OF DECEMBER IN FOUR MONTHS WE WOULD HAVE SPENT OUT ALL THE ASSISTANTS WE COULD GIVE.

NOW YOU HAVE A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE, WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO PAY HIM TO DO. WE'LL WORK WITH T.V.C. TO BE

ABLE TO WORK WITH THAT. >> OKAY.

YOU TOUCHED A LITTLE BIT ON SUICIDE WITH VETERANS.

COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE SUICIDE MORTALITY

REVIEW COMMITTEE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE MOVING AT A VERY FAST PACE.

WE'RE VERY BLESSED TO HAVE DR. AND FOLKS.

TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. WE HAVE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD EXPERTISE IN THE ROOM. MOST STATES DO.

THIS TEXAS DOES NOT HAVE A SUICIDE MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE STATEWIDE. WHAT WE'RE ASKING TO DO IS TO ENHANCE OUR CAPABILITY TO GET OUT IN FRONT.

THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF REVIEWING SUICIDES, AND IT'S A GRIM BUSINESS, BUT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND IDENTIFY FACTORS THAT WE CAN GET IN FRONT OF UPSTREAM.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME WONDERFUL SUCCESS STORIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE'RE TRYING TO SET THE STANDARD REALLY FOR TEXAS TO BE ABLE TO SAY, HEY, WE CAN DO THIS.

WE'RE A STATE, RIGHT. 25TH OR 26TH LARGEST STATE AS A COUNTY. A LOT OF THE STATES HAVE MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET TO TRY TO EXECUTEN THIS.

VERY FAST TRAIN. FIVE MEETINGS.

FIVE ACTUAL MONTHLY MEETINGS NOW.

WE'LL COMPILE OUR RESULTS FOR AN INTERVIEW OR REPORT COME NOVEMBER. IT'S A GOOD BUSINESS AND WE'VE GOT THE RIGHT PEOPLE DOING IT. WE JUST NEED THE SUPPORT.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE.

WE WILL NOW REVISIT FOR ANY REMAINING TIME PRECINCT 1, ONE

MINUTE AND 19 SECONDS REMAINING. >> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1, PRECINCT 2, 39 SECONDS

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 2, PRECINCT 3, THREE MINUTES AND 17 SECONDS REMAINING.

>> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 4 NO TIME REMAKE AND COUNTEDY JUDGE'S OFFICE, TWO MINUTES AND 34 SECONDS

>> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE.

WITH THAT YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

>> WELL I WILL SAVE US SOME TIME HERE I'M EXCITED TO COME OUT HERE AND THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING TO US.

WE'RE DOING GREAT WORK. I HAVE A PHENOMENAL TEAM.

WE DO GOOD WORK EVERY DAY. WE GET GREAT SUPPORT FROM ALL THE COUNTY OFFICES. COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE.

[00:55:01]

WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THAT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC DOESN'T REALIZE AND UNDERSTAND.

WE LOAD UP OUR VETERANS. A LOT OF THEM JOIN THE MILITARY WITH TRAUMA TO GET AWAY FROM CHILDHOOD TRAUMA.

VETERANS ARE 30% MORE TO TAKE THEIR LIVES.

JUSTICE INVOLVED VETERANS 300 MORE LIKELY TO TAKE THEIR LYE THAN A REGULAR VETERANS. THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT COST THE COUNTY MONEY, THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WITH SMART INVESTMENT WE CAN GET OUT IN FRONT OF.

EYE' PROUD AND HONOURED TO LEAD A TEAM THAT IS OUT THERE DOING THAT WORK EVERY DAY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU TO OUR VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL COME FROM THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

[Housing and Community Development]

>> WELCOME BACK, COURT OFFICES. WE NOW WELCOME OUR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.

DIRECTOR COSTIS IS ELECTED TO TAKE HER INTRODUCTORY REMARKS WITH 5 MINUTES UP FRONT. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH

PRECINCT 2. >> ALL RIGHT.

GOOD MORNING. THAO COSTIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND I AM JOINED BY CRAIG ATKINS OUR CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER AND AMANDA ROCHA DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

AND POLICY. >> ALMOST EVERY DAY THERE WILL NEWS REPORTS OF PEOPLE'S INABILITY TO AFFORD TO OWN AND EVEN TO RENT. THE RECENT QUICK PASSAGE OF THE ROAD TO HOUSING BILL BY CONGRESS WAS TO LOOSEN UP OUR NATION'S ABILITY TO BUILD MORE HOUSING TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE.

EVICTION FILINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY REMAINS IN THE TOP 3 IN

[01:00:01]

THE COUNTRY ALONG WITH NEW YORK CITY AND PHOENIX.

THEY AFFECT 1-IN-10 RENTERS. MORE THAN 76,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

A STAGGERING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN WHEN THIS OCCURS. ON HOMELESSNESS.

THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT OF OUR REGION SHOWS THAT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AND IN SHELTERS HAVE REMAINED FLAT SINCE PRECOVID WHILE OTHER CITIES HAVE SEEN A RISE IN HOMELESSNESS. BUT THAT STILL UNACCEPTABLE.

LAST YEAR, OVER 7,100 PEOPLE ENTERED HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR COMMUNITY. THAT IS EQUAL TO 1-IN-10.

IS THAT CAUSATION OR CORRELATION.

REGARDLESS HOMELESSNESS SHOULD BE RARE, BRIEF, AND NONRECURRING. AND WE JUST BEGUN HURRICANE SEASON THAT ALWAYS BRINGS ABOUT A HEIGHTENED LEVEL OF ANXIOUSNESS IN ALL OF US. EVEN THIS YEAR WHEN WE HAVE A LOW TO AVERAGE COUNT OF THREE TO SIX HURRICANES.

ONE TO THREE ARE FORECAST TO BE MEASURE.

IT JUST TAKES ONE. THESE ISSUES ARE RELEVANT, AND OUR TEAM AT H.C.D. PAYS ATTENTION TO THE EVERY DAY WEATHER REPORT AND THE NEWS REPORT BECAUSE OF OUR UNIQUE ROLE. OUR ROLE IN DEPLOYING AND BEING THE COUNTY DESIGNEE FOR HUD. URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND FOR TRANSIT AUTHORITY FUNDING. OUR ANNUAL ALLOCATION OF ABOUT 25 MILLION IN HAD YOU HAD FUNDS AND THOSE SPECIAL ALLOCATIONS OF DISASTER RECOVERY MITIGATION DOLLARS ARE TREMENDOUS MEANINGFUL. WE SHARE OUR HOUSING EXPERTISE IN PARTNER WITH OUR BUSINESSES SO WE CAN BUILD HOUSING, HELP PEOPLE STAYED HOUSED AND STRENGTHEN OUR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITY. WE TAKE A STRATEGIC APPROACH IN A LINE TO FULFILL THE COUNTY'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES OF ENDING HOMELESSNESS. REDUCING EVICTION.

INCREASING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSIT TO BUILD RESILIENT NEIGHBOURHOODS.

IN FULFILLING THESE OBJECTIVES. WE WANT TO DELIVER STELLAR PRODUCTS AND SERVICE. LEVERAGE AND MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF OUR FUNDS AND OUR PARTNERSHIPS.

EMBODY VALUES THAT INTEGRITY. TRUST, COLLABORATION, AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMMUNICATION. WE MUST BE NIMBLE AND CONTINUALLY IMPROVE. SO WHAT DO WE-- WE HAVE ACHIEVED EXTRAORDINARY GAINS THESE PAST YEARS.

NOW IT'S ABOUT MOVING FORWARD AND ADJUSTING TO WHAT WE'VE LEARNED AND DOING WITHOUT THE SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE. SO WE WILL BE LAUNCHING OUR HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY. WE WILL BE FINISHING OUT THE DISASTER RECOVERY HARVEY FUNDS AND MAKE THE TIMELY IMPACT PRODUCT SERVICES THAT WE HAD INTENDED.

WE'RE DEVELOPING PLANS IN PARTNERSHIP SO WE CAN BE READY TO GO WHEN THE NEXT DISASTER OCCURS.

IIT ISN'T ABOUT IF, BUT WHEN. OUR PROPOSED SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS ARE ALIGNED TO OUR STRATEGIES.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S CHALLENGING FOR OUR COMMUNITY, OUR COUNTY RIGHT NOW, TO AFFORD IT, BUT WE WANTED TO DECLARE THAT WE ARE COMMITTED IN THE FUTURE, HOUSING TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT THOSE HOUSING GOALS. TRANSIT RESOURCES BECAUSE PEOPLE LIVING OUT THERE NEED ACCESS TO OTHER COMMUNITIES.

AND OF COURSE DISASTER RECOVERY STAFFING.

COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE IT TAKES SKILLED ENGAGED PEOPLE TO DELIVER PRODUCT. HIGH QUALITY EFFECTIVE EFFICIENT SERVICES. SO IN CONCLUSION, OUR HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM IS COMMITTED TO OUR COLLECTIVE VISION THAT BY 2050 HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE SAFE, THRIVING, RESILIENT, CONNECTED, HEALTHY, AND SECURE.

AND SECURE IS THE PRIMARY PIECE OF OUR WORK.

THE WORK THAT CENTERS ON ALL RESIDENTS HAVING QUALITY AFFORDABLE AND SAFE HOUSING, AND YOU AND OUR LEADERS RECOGNIZE THAT THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE STRONG AND

THRIVING. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

AND WELL TIMED. WE WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS FROM EACH COURT OFFICE BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 2.

>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR COSTIS. I WANTED TO START OUT WITH SAYING THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

A.C.D. HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY LEAN AND EFFICIENT DEPARTMENT WHILE CONTINUING TO DELIVER CRITICAL SERVICES DUE TO YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

FOR MY QUESTIONS, HARRIS COUNTY LOST ROUGHLY 19,000 HOUSEHOLDS

[01:05:04]

IN ONE YEAR WITH HOMEOWNERSHIP FROM APPROXIMATELY 55.2% TO 53.8%. WITH THE NEW ROAD TO HOUSING ACT, COULD IT FOCUS THE AFFORDABLE TRUST FUND PRIMARILY ON SINGLE FAMILY HOMEOWNERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT BUILDING BEFORE EXPANDING INTO LARGER MULTIFAMILY LENDING?

>> YES. SO HOUSING TRUST FUND CAN SUPPORT SINGLE FAMILY INITIATIVES AND OWNERSHIP.

IT CAN INVEST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE ROAD TO HOUSING ACT FACILITATES AND ALLOWS MANY COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY THAT HAS ZONING CHALLENGES AND OTHER CHALLENGES.

IN OUR COMMUNITY HERE, HOW WE CAN BENEFIT FROM THAT IS THAT IT DOES ALLOW OUR FEDERAL FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO USE FOR BUILDING NEW HOMES WHEREAS THE TRADITIONAL DOLLARS THAT WE GET ANNUALLY REALLY IS ABOUT BUYING AND REHABBING A HOME, AND THEN ALLOWING IT TO BE SOLD. THE NUMBER WHICH IS WHAT WE NEED. WE NEED MORE SUPPLY OF HOMES, SINGLE FAMILY AS WELL AS MULTIFAMILY.

SO IT CAN BE BENEFICIAL. AND, YES, HOUSING TRUST FUND, WE'RE LOOKING FOR ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO ESTABLISH IT IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. OUR HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION, HARRIS COUNTY HAS PUT IN THE INITIAL 2 MILLION, AND WE WILL WORK TO-- WITH YOU ALL AND OUR OTHER PARTNERS TO TRY TO FIND HOW WE CAN KEEP BUILDING THAT RECH CONSISTENTLY.

>> THANK YOU. MY NEXT QUESTION IS WHAT LEVEL-- FOR CONTEXT, ABOUT ONE FOR EVERY 10 HOUSEHOLDS.

THE 4D [INDISCERNIBLE] SERVED WHILE-- REPRESENTED ABOUT 710 HOUSEHOLDS IN ITS FIRST SIX MONTHS-- BUT HAS OPERATED IN ONLY SIX OF 16 J.P. COURTS. WHAT LEVEL OF SERVICE ENHANCEMENT FUNDING WOULD IT NEED TO EXPAND IN COURT MODEL COUNTY WIDE AND PROVIDE CONSISTENT EVICTION COUNCIL

ACROSS ALL J.P. COURTS. >> YES.

THIS IS ONE THAT WE KNOW THE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN THE EVICTION COURTS IS GETTING TRACTION IS A MEANINGFUL SUPPORT.

CURRENTLY WE HAVE THE OPERATING IN A FEW OF THE COURTS LIKE YOU SAID AT A COST OF ABOUT 1 MILLION PER YEAR.

TO COVER THE ENTIRE 16 WILL BE AT LEAST DOUBLE THAT IF NOT MORE. WE KNOW WE ARE RECEIVING SOME FUNDS FROM THE ALLOCATION. THAT IS PART OF OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR TO ALLOW FOR SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THAT.

SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO NEGOTIATE WITH OUR PARTNERS THERE. AND FIND THE BEST WAY TO MAXIMIZE THOSE RESOURCES SO, YES, WE CAN EXPAND.

>> THANK YOU. AND MY LAST QUESTION IS, COULD H.C.D. SUBMIT A SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUESTED TO SUSTAIN AND EXPAND COUNTY FUNDED IMMIGRATION LEGAL AND NATURALIZATION SERVICES PARTICULARLY LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND TRUSTED NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE FOR HARRIS

COUNTY FAMILIES. >> WE ASK FOR, I KNOW IN OUR SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS, THE HOTLINE FOR THE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES, AND UNFORTUNATELY THE COURT CASE HAS PUT A PAUSE ON US BEING ABLE TO DEPLOY PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR THAT PARTICULAR ACTIVITY SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FACE HE DEPORTATION. WE ARE LOOKING AT REDEPLOYING IT FOR IMMIGRATION SUPPORTS. NATURALIZATION, GETTING HELPING PEOPLE TO FULLY BE AN OFFICIAL-- NOT JUST RESIDENT BUT A CITIZEN,

YES. >> THANK YOU.

NOTHING FURTHER. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT.

PRECINCT 3, YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING. I WANTED TO FIRST SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AND YOUR DEDICATION TO EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF YOUR DIRECTORS.

IT DEFINITELY PASSES DOWN TO THE STAFF AND IT'S DONE ALL DONE

VERY GREAT JOB. >> THANK YOU.

[01:10:01]

>> CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH NOT MAINTAINING D.R. INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE BEYOND

ACTIVE D.R. PROGRAMMING. >> YES.

AS WE ALL RECOGNIZE, WE ARE IN A VERY HIGH RISK LOCATION.

SO IT'S A MATTER OF WHEN RATHER THAN IF A DISASTER IS GOING TO OCCUR. HURRICANE SPECIFICALLY BUT EVEN FREEZES. WE-- BECAUSE OF THE TECHNICAL AND COMPLICATIONS OF HOW FEDERAL FUNDS REQUIRE CONTRACTORS, THE RECIPIENTS WHO ARE CARRYING OUT THE WORK TO UTILIZE THOSE DOLLARS, AND FOR THE COUNTY TO BE GOOD FIDUCIARY STEWARDS, IT REQUIRES PEOPLE WHO HAVE THAT TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE, AND THAT EXPERIENCE TO DEPLOY RESOURCES IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY. SO EFFICIENT BEING FAST, MOVING FAST. BUT ALSO WITH ACCURACY, AND SO HAVING PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE BECAUSE HARVEY, DISASTER RECOVERY HARVEY GAVE US AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF MONEY, AND FRANKLY WE WEREN'T READY.

THE COUNTY FACED MANY HURDLES TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DEPLOY THAT KIND OF MONEY. ALSO TO ADDRESS THAT MAGNITUDE OF THE NEED. SO IT REQUIRED A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS MANY DIFFERENT TIMES OF NEEDS FROM INDIVIDUAL TO A LARGER COMMUNITY BASED FOCUS.

SO THE SNEAR EXPERIENCE OUR TEAS DEVELOPED FROM DISCOVERY RECOVERY HARVEY AND SUBSEQUENTLY MITIGATION DOLLARS ARE CRITICAL TO US BEING ABLE TO OBTAIN, WORK WITH I.G.A., AND OTHER LEADERS TO OBTAIN RESOURCES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO QUICKLY GET BACK ON THEIR FEET BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY, MORE THAN HALF OF OUR POPULATION IS STILL STRUGGLING WITH THE ABILITY TO AFFORD THEIR HOMES, THEIR LIVELIHOOD, SO THEY'RE THE ONES THAT NEED IT THE MOST.

AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING IN THE MOST VULNERABLE PLACES ARE THE LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES.

SO, YES, SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO ACT QUICKLY AND EVERY DAYTIME MATTERS. IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE.

IT'S MORE DEBILITATING TO OUR COMMUNITY, THE LONGER IT TAKES

FOR US TO DEPLOY. >> THANK YOU.

I KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION, BUT H.C.D.S BUDGET IS HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON GRANTS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT GRANTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE IN

THE FUTURE. >> IT'S BASED ON THE FORMULA THAT WAS ESTABLISHED SINCE 197. UNFORTUNATELY THE DOLLARS HAVE NOT RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THESE DECADES.

SO THOSE DOLLARS WE ARE RELATIVELY CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL REMAIN. SO THE OTHER DOLLARS THE OTHER GRANT FUNDS THAT WE OBTAINED ARE MORE IN RESPONSE TO THESE DISASTERS. THE SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS.

SO OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR IS ESTIMATED TO BE 156 MILLION TOTAL. 20.7 OF THAT WILL BE GENERAL FUND BASED ON CURRENT PROPOSAL. MORE THAN EIGHT IS GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. SO WE'RE USE BEING 12 MILLION OF GENERAL FUNDS TO DEPLOY THE 144 MILLION OF DOLLARS.

THESE DISASTER RECOVERY DOLLARS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND MEANINGFUL AND THEY ALLOW US TO REALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE.

WILL WE GET IT AGAIN? WE ARE CONFIDENT AGAIN.

BARREL-- WE CAN BE FIRST IN LINE AGAIN WHEN IF OTHER COMMUNITIES AREN'T ABLE TO SPEND THEIR MONEY WE CAN TAP INTO IT AS WELL.

MEANWHILE WE'RE ALSO BUILDING TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO KEEP CARRY

[01:15:03]

ON OUR MISSION, BUT OUR STRATEGIES WITHOUT THE SIGNIFICANT INFUSION. WE AREN'T COMPLETELY DEFENDANT OBJECT THESE GRANTS IF THAT IS ULTIMATELY YOUR QUESTION IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT OUR WORK. SO WE ARE FINDING WAYLESS TO WAD PROGRAM EVERY TIME BEBUY AND SELL A HOUSE THERE ARE DOLLARS BEING BROUGHT INTO THE COMMUNITY OR INTO OUR ACCOUNTS SO THAT WE CAN REINVEST IN MORE SINGLE FAMILY, MORE MULTIFAMILY.

>> THANK YOU PRECINCT 3. PRECINCT 4, YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSERSHIP THAT YOR DEPARTMENT BRINGS WHEN WE TRY TO ADDRESS THESE PRESSING ISSUES. VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

TO START OFF, WHAT IMPACT HAS THE PAY EQUITY AND COMPENSATION INITIATIVE HAD ON THE DEPARTMENT DETAILS LIKE HOW MANY POSITIONS HAVE BEEN RECLASSIFIED. RECEIVED PAY INCREASES.

>> SO THE ULTIMATE IMPACT OF THAT RIGHT NOW IS FINANCIALLY 580,000-DOLLAR INCREASE CHANGE FROM BEFORE.

OVER 140 POSITIONS WERE ADJUSTED TO GIVE YOU CONTEXT, WE HAVE 219 POSITIONS IN OUR DEPARTMENT. SO ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OR MORE ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PAY HE CAN WITD EXERCISE.

51 OF OUR POSITIONS ARE STILL NEEDING A LITTLE MORE ADJUSTMENT BECAUSE THEY-- THERE WERE MOVEMENTS OF POSITIONS INTO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. DIFFERENT LADDERS, BUT IT ONLY MOVED THEM INTO THE BEGINNING BECAUSE THERE IS THE MIDDLE-- THE EARLY, MIDDLE, AND LATER TRACKS, AND SO BY ADJUSTING THESE POSITIONS INTO THEIR APPROPRIATE CATEGORY BASED ON WHAT THE CATEGORY IS TRYING TO BUILD.

FOR OUR DEPARTMENT TO BE CONSISTENT IT STILL NEEDS FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS. WE ARE STILL NEGOTIATING AND WORKING WITH A H.R.T. ON THIS EXERCISE BECAUSE FRANKLY IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING. IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR OUR STAFF MEMBERS TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAT GORIZATION HAS SHIFTED AND HOW DOES IT COMPARE BASED ON WHAT THE COUNTY IS TRYING TO BUILD. IT STILL FEELS LIKE THERE IS SOME DISCONNECTION WITH THAT. THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH, AND WE KNOW THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONTINUING

PROCESS. >> THANK YOU.

AND PIVOTING TO HOMELESS FOR A SECOND.

AS FEDERAL GUIDANCE CHANGES, WHAT WILL THE COUNTY STRATEGY LOOK LIKE ESPECIALLY AS WE PARTNER WITH THE CITY AND OTHERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING THE MOST OF OUR RESOURCES AND UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR LANE IS AND CONTRIBUTING IN THE MOST STRATEGIC WAY TO THE COMPLEX ISSUE.

>> RIGHT. SO IN OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET.

3.7 MILLION OF IT IS GOING DIRECTLY TO HOMELESS SERVICES.

HOUSING AS WELL AS EMPLOYMENT. OUR COUNTY APPROACH AND OUR COMMITMENT EVER SINCE COVID AND EVEN BEFORE HAS BEEN ON LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO AND CONTINUE TO INVEST AND PUT RESOURCES OF ENERGY INTO PEOPLE BEING HOUSED. AND THAT MEANS NOT OVERNIGHT SHELTER, BUT WHERE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LEASE.

THEY HAVE AGENCY TO BE ABLE TO COME AND GO.

AND LIVE A LIFE WITH SOME SUPPORT.

WITH SOME CASE MANAGEMENT. AND OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING HOMELESS REASONS FACING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AS WELL AS OTHER LIFE CHALLENGES.

SO, YES, OUR STRATEGY REMAINS ON LONG-TERM HOUSING, PERMANENT HOUSING, AND WE ARE PARTNERING, AND WE ARE COMMITTED PARTNERS TO THE COMMUNITY, TO THE CITY, TO OUR PRIVATE NONPROFITS AS WE BUILD THIS SYSTEM. SO, YES, SO AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED AND IS DEPLOYING THE REALLOCATION OF THEIR SUPPORT FOR TRANSITIONAL SERVICES OR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND OTHER SERVICES, WE ARE ALL NEEDING TO AS A COMMUNITY LOOK AT HOW THESE DOLLARS ARE BEING DEPLOYED AND HOW DO WE READJUST

[01:20:02]

SO OUR COMMUNITY MAINTAINS OUR LEVEL OF SUCCESS IN GETTING PEOPLE MOVING FROM THE STREETS INTO HOUSING.

>> THANK YOU. AND AS THE LANDSCAPE OF FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY DOLLARS AND OTHER ONE-TIME FUNDING SOURCES WINDS DOWN, HOW WILL H.C.D. REPOSITION ITSELF ESPECIALLY AS THE HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION. HARRIS COUNTY R.D.A.

SOME OF THESE OTHER TOOLS WE HAVE IN THE TOOL KIT HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED. SO HOW DO YOU ALL SEE YOUR ROLE IN BRINGING THESE TOOLS TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

PROBLEM. >> YEAH.

WE REALLY WANT TO BE THE FACILITATOR AND THE FOCAL POINT BY WHICH THESE TOOLS CAN BE DEPLOYED.

BEFORE DISASTER RECOVERY DOLLARS, OUR HOUSING FINANCIAL CORPORATION ACTIVITY WAS REALLY TO BE THE INDUCER OF BONDS, AND TO FACILITATE OTHER DEVELOPERS BEING ABLE TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WITH THE INVESTMENT OF ARPA DOLLARS, WE HAVE A MUCH MORE ACTIVE ROLE.

WE HAVE BUILT OUT A MECHANISM BY WHICH WE CAN INSTILL A 99-YEAR AFFORDABILITY. WE WILL KEEP BUILDING UPON THAT.

WITH SOME OF THESE PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENTS, WE ARE RECEIVING FUNDS BACK, AND SO AGAIN THESE DOLLARS ARE BEING REDEPLOYED AND REINVESTED IN MORE MULTIFAMILY PROJECTS.

OTHER SINGLE FAMILY PROJECTS AS WELL.

COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS. SO ALL OF THESE TOOLS WE ARE ACTIVATING IN A MUCH MORE ROBUST WAY THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU PRECINCT 4.

COUNTY JUDGES' OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING.

I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING WORK, BUT ALSO I THINK YOU'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB IN THE PAST YEAR ABOUT HAVING BUDGET CONVERSATIONS EARLY AND OFTEN.

YOU KNOW NOT JUST TREATING BUDGET AS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN SEPTEMBER. BUT ABOUT A CONVERSATION WITH COURT OFFICES ON AN ONGOING BASIS.

ON THAT NOTE, YOU HAD ORIGINALLY IDENTIFIED A NEED FOR $6.3 MILLIONS IN NEW GENERAL FUNDS TO SUPPORT HOMELESSNESS WORK FOAS ARPA. COULD YOU EXPAND ON WHAT THAT SERVICE LEVEL WILL LOOK LIKE AT THE LOWER FUNDING AMOUNT VERSUS THE 6.3 YOU ORIGINALLY REQUESTED.

>> YES. I THINK HOUSING IS AN EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION. WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT IT REQUIRES PUBLIC DOLLARS TO FACILITATE, SUBSIDIZE THE COST OF KEEPING PEOPLE HOUSED. AND SO THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS GOING FROM SIX TO TWO, TRANSLATES FOR-- PEOPLE ABLE TO BE HOUSED.

WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED THE FORMER UPLIFT FUNDS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DEPLOY 8 MILLION ALMOST, 7.5 MILLION TOWARDS HOMELESSNESS, AND WE ARE USING THAT TO HOUSE 300 PEOPLE OVER A ONE-YEAR OR MORE PERIOD.

SO TRANSLATING THAT, IF WE ONLY HAVE 2 MILLION.

THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT A FOURTH OF THAT NUMBER.

SO 75. DID I DO THE MATH RIGHT? YES. SO IT'S ALL TRANSLATES INTO HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN WE IMPACT, YES. WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO TRY TO FIND THE BEST WAY TO DEPLOY THESE DOLLARS GIVEN THAT WE HAVE POTENTIALLY RESOURCES THAT THE CITY IS PARTNERING WITH.

THAT WE CAN USE OUR R.D.A. OR OUR HOUSING FINANCE CORP.

DOLLARS. WE ARE REALLY MAXIMIZING THE IMPACT OF THAT. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS, BUT WE KNOW THE REALITY, AND SO WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO STILL ACHIEVE OUR GOALS, BUT MAYBE NOT BE ABLE TO

MAKE AS MUCH OF AN IMPACT. >> THANK YOU.

WE ALSO HEARD EARLIER THIS WEEK FROM JUSTICES OF THE PEACE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR EVICTION DIVERSION WORK IN THE COURTS THEMSELVES AS WELL AS JUST THE NEED FOR MORE FUNDING IN THEIR COURTS. COULD YOU WALK US THROUGH THE VISION FOR TENANT STABILITY AND EVICTION PREVENTION INCLUDING WAYS COMMISSIONERS COURT CAN HELP FACILITATE COORDINATION BETWEEN YOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS.

>> YES. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DEVELOPING A MORE SYSTEMS APPROACH.

RIGHT NOW IT FEELS VERY INDEPENDENT, AND THAT IS THE PIECE THAT WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH.

[01:25:01]

WE ARE INVESTING IN A PLANNING STUDY THAT WILL STUDY OUR EVICTION INTERVENTIONS PAST AND PRESENT TO DETERMINE WHERE CAN BE THE PLACES WHERE WE CAN REALLY INTERVENE AND GET THE MOST OUT OF THOSE INTERRENGSES. EVICTION TAKES A LOT OF MONEY WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT IT FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE.

OUR J.P. COURTS HAVE INFLUENCE ON THIS.

WE DO WANT OUR LANDLORDS TO GET THEIR CONTRACTS HONOURED, AND THEIR RESOURCES, AND WE WANT OUR TENANTS TO HAVE THAT THEIR CONTRACTS HONOURED AS A LEASE HOLDER.

SO OUR J.P. COURTS AS THE ARBITER IN THE SCENARIOS CAN HAVE MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION, INTERVENTION, HELP PEOPLE BUY TIME. TIME IS MONEY.

TIME IS REDUCTION OF STRESS. BEING OPEN TO THESE DIFFERENT INTERVENTIONS IS REALLY CRITICAL.

WE NEED AND WANT OUR J.P.S TO BE INVOLVED IN COCREATING A SYSTEM, AND THAT DOES TAKE ALL OF US.

WHO CAN RECTANGLED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.

>> ALL RIGHT. MY LAST QUESTION WITH MY 26 SECONDS, FOR LEGAL SERVICES, YOU CAN SPEAK TO SOME OF THE EXTERNAL FUNDING SOURCES EITHER PARTNERSHIPS OR PHILANTHROPY THAT YOU ARE PURSUING OR PLAN TO PURSUE.

ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE. >> RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THAT OUR PARTNER IS CONSIDERING AND/OR PERHAPS APPROACH PHILANTHROPY AS WELL. WE HAVE NOT APPROACHED PHILANTHROPY ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR INTERVENTION.

WE WILL EXPLORE THAT AS AN OPTION IN THE FUTURE.

WE ALSO WANT PHILANTHROPY TO SUPPORT OTHER HOUSING INITIATIVES THERE. IS ALWAYS A GIVE-AND-TAKE, AND HOW DO WE APPRECIATE THESE THINGS TOGETHER AS A COLLECTED

OF ANY A SYSTEM. >> THANK YOU.

COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE. PREESSPRECINCT 1.

>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR FOR ALL YOUR SERVICES AND PARTNERSHIP.

TURNING TO PROWR PROPOSED SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST AND CAN YOU DESCRIBE TO US HOW THIS HOUSING TRUST FUND PROPOSAL IS A-- AFFORDABILITY CRISIS THAT YOU RERCHTSED AT THE TOP OF Y YOU REFERENCED. EXPAND UPON WHY IS NOW THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO ESTABLISH THIS FUNDING ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE OTHER BUDGET PRIORITIES THAT THE COUNTY IS FACING, AND THEN SECONDARY IF YOU COULD TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT ARE SOME SPECIFIC OUTCOMES WE COULD EXPECT TO SEE IN YEAR 1.

>> YES. WELL SO HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IS ON TOP OF EVERYBODY'S MIND. SO THE MATTER OF WHY NOW VERSUS LATER IS THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL ONLY GET BIGGER.

LAND PRICES WILL ONLY GET GREATER.

COSTS OF CONSTRUCTION, COSTS OF THE MATERIALS, ALL OF THAT WILL CONTINUE TO GET GREATER. WE GOT TO FINE ALL THE TOOLS THAT WE CAN. FINANCIAL AND LEGISLATIVE, AND POLICY. SO TENANT PROTECTION POLICY.

HOLD PEOPLE IN PLACE AND MAKE SURE THEIR CONTRACTS ARE HONOURED. HOUSING TRUST FUND IS ONE OF MULTILAYERS. WE TALKED ABOUT THE HOUSING FINANCE CORP. AND THE RESOURCES THAT THAT CAN BRING.

BUT THIS GIVES US THAT FLEXIBILITY TO LAYER ON TO WHAT THE HOUSING FINANCE CORP. MAYBE ISN'T ABLE TO MOVE FAST ENOUGH TO DO, OR TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE UNIQUE NEEDS BECAUSE HOUSING TRUST FUNDS GIVES US FLEXIBILITY NOT JUST ON HOW MUCH WE CAN PUT IN BUT WHAT WE CAN PUT IN. WHERE HE CAN USE IT FOR RENTAL SYSTEMS. FOR COMMUNITY LAND TRUST.

FOR MULTIFAMILY LAYERS. OR THE CAPITAL OF THESE PROJECTS. IT DOES THOUGH TAKE US OR REQUIRE A MUCH BIGGER NUMBER IN ORDER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS MORE AS A REVOLVE WILLING FUND AND NOT A ONE-TIME BECAUSE AS SOON AS WE DEPLOY IT FOR ASSISTANCE OR EXISTENCE PREVENTION. WE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO BRING THAT BACK INTO THE FOLD. SO IT'S A CONSTANT NEGOTIATION.

[01:30:04]

SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND WAYS THAT CONSTANT OR CONTINUING CONSISTENT-- I SHOULD SAY, REVENUE IS ABLE TO BE CONTRIBUTED, PERHAPS IT'S SMALL, BUT IF IT'S ONGOING AND BUILDING, THEN WE CAN GET THERE.

SO IN THE BEGINNING I WOULD SAY IT WOULD BE VERY LIMITED WHAT WE CAN DO IN YEAR 1. RIGHT NOW WITH $2 MILLION, IT WILL BE VERY, WE'LL PROBABLY NOT TOUCH IT YET.

WE WILL BE LOOKING TO INVITE PHILANTHROPY TO MATCH THESE RESOURCES. OUR YEAR 1 GOAL WAS TO TRY TO GET TO 5 MILLION AT LEAST. SO WE HOPE THAT YOU-- YOUR LEADERSHIP WILL CONSIDER CONTRIBUTING AS WELL BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A STATEMENT. IT'S A STATEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY THAT OUR COUNTY-- WE ARE INVESTED DIRECTLY.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. >> THANK YOU.

WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW MUCH OF YOUR DEPARTMENT IS THROUGH YOUR HUD ENTITLE GRANT FUNDS AND VERY LITTLE WAS ACTUALLY GENERAL FUNDS. GIVEN THAT, CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT IMPACTSLET PROPOSED OFFSETS HAVE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTS AND SPECIFICALLY POSITIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO ELIMINATE.

>> YES. RIGHT NOW WHAT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT HAS RECOMMENDED IS THAT WE ARE REDUCING OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGET BY $700,000. WHAT WE IDENTIFIED WAS THAT AS WELL ADDS DOLLARS RELATED TO DISASTER RECOVERY THAT COURT HAS ALLOWED US. SO THE 700,000 WAS COMING FROM VARIOUS PLACAL COMPONENTS THAT COBBLED TOGETHER IT INCLUDED TWO POSITIONS. WE FOUND OTHER WAYS TO REALLY MAXIMIZE OUR EXISTING RESOURCES. SO WHAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO BY NOT HAVING TO CUT 1.7 MILLION, BUT ONLY 700,000 IS TO HOLD ON TO THE KEY INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY THAT WE HAVE.

THE STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN DISASTER RECOVERY,

AND MAINTAIN THAT EXPERTISE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 1.

WE WILL REVISIT FOR ANY REMAINING TIME OF WHICH PRECINCT 2, YOU WERE THE ONLY OFFICE WITH ANY REMAINING TIME.

YOU HAVE 18 SECONDS REMAINING. >> NO FURTHER QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 2. THANK YOU AGAIN DIRECTOR COSTIS,

AND TO THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT. >> THANK YOU.

AT THIS TIME COURT OFFICES WE HAVE REACHED OUR MORNING BREAK.

WE WILL RESUME PROCEEDINGS AT 11:45 A.M. WITH A PRESENTATION FROM THE TOLL AUTHORITY. THANK

[HC Toll Road]

>> WELCOME BACK. COURT OFFICES.

IT IS 11:45 AM AND WE NOW WELCOME THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. THE DIRECTOR HAS ELECTED TO TAKE HIS 5 MINUTES UP-FRONT RATHER THAN SPLITTING, AND THEN EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING

WITH PRECINCT 3. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

COURT REPRESENTATIVES. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE TO TODAY. FY 2027 BUDGET OF 485,170,474.

I KNOW COURT WAS PROCEEDED A LAUNDRY LIST OF LINE ITEMS AS TO WHAT WERE THE YEAR TO YEAR INCREASES.

JUST TO KIND OF SIMPLIFY THAT AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS WE GO ALONG TODAY.

JUST TO CATEGORIZE THAT. 90% IS REALLY SOARKTED WITH THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS. COST OF COLLECTIONS.

THERE IS NO COLLECTING REVENUES, COLLECTING REVENUE.

THERE IS NO MAJOR OPERATING INITIATIVE.

WE HAVE EXISTING CONTRACTS THAT HAVE C.P.I. INDEXES.

TOLL OPERATIONS SERVICES OR ASSOCIATED MAINTAINING OUR ROADWAY. THOSE INCREASED THE COST OF-- AND THEN VOLUME INCREASES AS WELL THAT IF SOMEONE GOES THROUGH OUR SYSTEM DOESN'T HAVE A TAG, THERE IS PRINTING COSTS POSTAGE COSTS AND I CAN GET INTO DETAIL WITH THAT AND THEN THE PAY EQUITY, AND THE CONSTABLE PATROL PROGRAM PAY INCREASES THAT ARE IN OUR BUDGET AS WELL. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[01:35:01]

>> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR.

EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 4.

>> APOLOGIES. I'M LOOKING AT THE WRONG PAGE.

PRECINCT 3. >> GOOD MORNING.

DIRECTOR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING. I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR LEADERSHIP AND HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

IT SHOWS BY SOME OF THE RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS BY COURT FOR YOUR SERVICE. TRULY APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

AS YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR INTRODUCTORY REMARKS, YOUR BUDGET IS ESSENTIALLY CONTINUING LEVEL OF SERVICE.

THERE WERE FOUR CATEGORIES THAT KIND OF STRUCK ME OUT ON YOUR INITIAL BUDGET THAT HAS SOME SIGNIFICANT INCREASINGS SPECIFICALLY YOUR TWO TOLLING SOLUTIONS.

YOU WENT UP FROM 56.5 MILLION. 61 MILLION TO ALMOST 80 MILLION FOR ENTERPRISE TOL TOLLING. ALMOST 20 OR 30% INCREASES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT IN A LITTLE MORE DETAIL.

>> YES. SO WE HAVE-- I GUESS A CASH REGISTER OUR BACK OFFICE. PROPRIETARIRY SYSTEM THAT HANDLES ALL THE TRANSACTIONS. ALL TIMES OF TRANSACTIONS WHETHER SOMEONE HAS A TAG OR HAS TO RECOGNIZE AN IMAGE.

SO THAT DOLLAR VALUE-- THE BIG LIFT WAS-- THAT BACKOFF HAS STOOD UP BY AN ORACLE PLATFORM. ENTERPRISE FUND THAT IS STABILIZES ALL THE PROPRIETARY SYSTEMS AND WE HAVE THE BACK OFFICE. A BIG ORACLE SAYING WE HAVE TO UPDATED THE CLOUD THAT WE'RE ON AND THOSE SERVICES.

IT'S A 10 MILLION-DOLLAR HIT, AND THEN THE VOLUME INCREASES.

BRINGING ON THROUGH THE TOLL SERVICE.

IT INCREASED OUR TRANSACTION BY 40%.

SO AS THAT VOLUME GOES UP, CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES IS ANOTHER BIG NUMBER THAT HITS. BUT IT'S DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH A TRANSACTION THAT IS REIMBURSED THROUGH THE REVENUE THAT IS COLLECTED. THOSE ARE THE TWO BIG DRIVERS FOR THAT. BUT THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF INSTANCES WHERE THE OPERATING COST INCREASES DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE REVENUE THAT WE'RE CAPTURING.

>> I APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWER. SECONDLY, YOU HAD A REALLY NICE ONE-PAGE HANDOUT OF SOME HIGHLIGHTS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BUDGET. ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO COMMENT ON IS YOUR LOW TURNOVER RATE.

YOUR TARGETS. LESS THAN 1% TURNOVER RATE.

WHAT DO I ATTRIBUTE TO THAT AND DO YOU HOPE AS YOU START TO GOING INTO SIMILAR ROLES WITH THE COTHE COUNTY.

>> CREDIT TO COURT MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH THE PAY EQUITY STUDY. WE REALLY SINCE WE GOT TO HECKOR. WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE AVAILABILITY PAY FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WHICH IS A LOT OF THE EMPLOYEES WE HAVE. THAT TURNOVER HAS GONE WAY DOWN AND OUR RETENTION RATE HAS GONE UP.

WE'RE ADEQUATELY COMPENSATING OUR EMPLOYEES AND THROUGH OUR H.R. DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD WORK FORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE FOR UPPER MOBILITY OR EVEN OTHER

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AGENCY. >> ONE OF THE BIG INITIATIVES THAT YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN UNDERTAKING THROUGHOUT THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN THE-- HOW IS THAT GOING AS A WHOLE FOR YOU? HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT HAS BEEN A GOOD DEFINING POINT.

>> I'M SORRY THE BARRIER FREE AND THE GIANT TREE REMOVALS.

HOW IS THAT GOING FOR YOU AS A PROGRAM.

>> YES. SO TO ENSURE THAT WE HAD THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES. NOT TO TAKE TOO BIG OF A BITE.

WE KIND OF SPREAD THE BARRIER FREE PROGRAM OUT AS OPPOSED TO GOING AND PUTTING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT ALL THOSE TOLL POINTS. WE'RE PHASING THEM OUT WHICH KIND OF FLATTENS OUR C.I.P. AS WELL WHICH ALSO HELPS WITH OUR DEBT OBLIGATIONS. ONE THING THAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT ADD TO THIS DISCUSSION.

OUR TOLL EQUIPMENT THAT RECOGNIZES LICENCE PLATES AND EASY TAGS IS BEYOND ITS USEFUL LIFE.

LAST COURT. COURT GAVE US PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE FOR NEW EQUIPMENT. SO WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW OF LET'S JUDICIOUSRY REMOVE THE TOLL PLAZAS, BUT ALSO PUT NEW EQUIPMENT ON THERE AS OPPOSED TO PUT THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT AND COME BACK WITH NEWER EQUIPMENT SHORTLY THEREAFTER ONCE THE PROCUREMENT IS DONE.

WE'RE GOING TO LINE UP THIS NEW EQUIPMENT WITH THAT BARRIER FREE PROGRAM AND WE ANTICIPATE THAT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, YOU WILL SEE ALL THE TOLL PLAZAS REMOVED AND WE'LL HAVE A LOT BETTER MODERNIZED EQUIPMENT OUT IN THE LEANLS JYE APPRECIATE IT IT I WILL HOLD ANY OTHER TIME FOR AFTERWARDS.

>> THANK YOU. PRECINCT 3, PRECINCT 45 MINUTES

FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING, DIRECTOR.

FIRST I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP, PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION. GIVEN YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER LOCAL ENTITIES, I BELIEVE YOUR LEADERSHIP IS FELT BEYOND

THE TOLL ROAD. >> THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS.

[01:40:01]

>> I WILL SAY AS I'VE SAID BEFORE THAT THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ONTO TOLL ROAD IS OUTSTANDING AND SECOND ONLY TO PRECINCT 4 ROAD AND BRIDGE CREWS, THANK YOU.

[LAUGHTER] >> THOSE TWO HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON. YOU ARE RIGHT.

>> CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT YOUR TOP 3 PRIORITIES FOR THE

UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR? >> THE TOP 3 PRIORITIES, AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE EVERY YEAR, IS THE COST PER TRANSACTION.

IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE. WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF TRYING TO KEEP THE TRANSACTIONS COSTS LOW.

THE EASY TAG RATE WHICH IS THE BASE RATE FOR ALL TOLLING THAT HECHTORY HASN'T BEEN INCREASED SINCE 2015, YET WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP THE SPREAD OF RECH COLLECTED TO OUR O.&M TO 143% SPLIT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

SO FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO ENSURE THAT OUR CREDIT CARD PROCESSING COST REMAIN LOW SO THAT WAY WE DON'T HAVE TO INCREASE TOLLS BECAUSE OF THESE INFLATIONARY COSTS THAT WE EXPERIENCE EVERY YEAR IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALWAYS WORK ON. WE'RE REALLY PUSHING OUT-- THE NUMBER 1 PRIORITIES FOR US IS TO CONVERT SOMEONE FROM A MAILED INVOICE TO AN EASY TAG BECAUSE MAILED INVOICE YOU SEE ALL THE COSTS ASSOCIATED. PRINTING COSTS, CREDIT CARD PROCESSING COSTS, AND YOU HAVE POSTAGE ALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE HIGHER COST OF TRANSACTION OF HAVING A MAIL-IN INVOICE.

THAT IS PRIORITY NUMBER 1. PRIORITY NUMBER 2 IS REALLY STANDING UP THIS LANE CONVERSION THAT WE HAVE TO DO IN MODERNIZING THE SYSTEM, AND THEN THE THIRD THING IS WE'RE GOING TO START THIS YEAR IS MODERNIZING THE BACK OFFICE AS WELL. OUR BACK OFFICE IS THE STAPLE OF THE AGENCY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE AGENCY.

IT RUNS THE TRANSACTION IN A VERY ACCURATE MANNER, BUT AGAIN THAT IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HASN'T BEEN UPDATED IN EIGHT YEARS WITH TECHNOLOGY NOWADAYS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO START BORROWING ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO MODERN IDENTIFIES IT IN A SAFE MANNER TO WHERE WE CAN OPERATE, BUT ALSO MODERNIZE THE SYSTEMS AT THE SAME TIME. THOSE ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON FOR THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THE SERVICE ENHANCEMENT TO RIGHT SIZE OUR LABOUR BUDGET IS NEEDED GIVEN COMMISSIONER'S COURT DIRECTION ON PAY EQUITY AND SAFETY RECORD

POLICY. >> YEAH.

TO RIGHT SIZE IT, HECHTORY IS NOT-- THE VALUES THAT ASSOCIATED IN THE DISCUSSIONS, THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE-- ANY DECISION MADE BY COURT ARE BEING PAID BY HECTOR TOLL REVENUE.

SO THE VALUE YOU SEE IN HERE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY CHANGES TO THE PAYSTRUCT OAR MADE THOSE DECISIONS.

PHASE 1 HAS BEEN DONE BY H.R.T. WHICH BRINGS PEOPLE TO THE MINIMUM OF THEIR PAY GRADE. THERE ARE OTHER IMPACTS THAT WE ANTICIPATE THIS YEAR TO GET PEOPLE TO WHERE THEY BELONG WITHIN THEIR PAY GRADE. THAT IS THE TOTALS IN THE

DOCUMENT TODAY. >> OKAY.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE ENTER TIGHTS THAT PROVIDE FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY SERVICES ON THE TOLL ROAD.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY DEVELOPMENT ON AGREEMENTS WITH THESE

ENTITIES FOR THEIR SERVICES. >> ABSOLUTELY.

WE MADE REALLY GREAT PROCESSION AT THE DIRECT OF COURT, WE WERE TOLD TO PARTNER WITH EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT THAT PROVIDE SERVICE ON TO OUR SYSTEM. THERE ARE 22 EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICTS THAT PROVIDE SERVICE TO OUR SYSTEM.

OUT OF THOSE 22, WE HAVE GOTTEN RESPONSES FROM 21.

17, WE HAVE A COURT APPROVED DOCUMENT THAT REIMBURSES THEM FOR THOSE SERVICES. FIVE DECLINED FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER. THEY REIMBURSEMENT PHILOSOPHY AND THE LAST REMAINING ONE IS THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHICH WE'RE STILL WORKING ON TRYING TO GET THE CITY OF HOUSTON REIMBURSED.

>> THANK YOU. I'LL RESERVE MY TIME.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW

HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> OKAY.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND WHAT YOU DO. HECTOR IS LISTED AS THE LEAD OR SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT FOR FIVE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE PROGRESS ON THOSE.

>> I GUESS THAT JUST GOT APPROVED BY COURT.

I THINK WITH THIS STRUCTURE IN PLACE, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT BETTER COMMUNICATION IS KEY GETTING IN THE SAME ROOM, AND JUST TALKING CHALLENGES. TALKING ALIGNMENT, AND EFFICIENCIES IS A REALLY GREAT IDEA.

SO I THINK WE HAVE THE KICKOFF MEETING PLANNED FOR LATER THIS MONTH, BUT MORE FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE HA HARRIS COUNTY BETTER.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT INITIATIVE LOOK FORWARD TO KICKING OFF.

NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE. PRECINCT 1, 5 MINUTES FOR

QUESTIONS. >> GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU DIRECTOR FOR BEING HERE, AND HE WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE THE WORLD CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT YOU

[01:45:01]

PROVIDE TO OUR CUSTOMERS AROUND HARRIS COUNTY AND OUTER REGIS.

THE FIRST QUESTION I HAVE, I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT HECTARE OPERATIONAL IMPERATIVES WITH THAT IN MIND YOU CAN GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT AS TO WHY YOU ARE REQUESTING MAINTENANCE FUNDS FOR THE WASHBURN TUNNEL?

>> YES. THE WASHBURN TUNNEL DATING BACK TO 2021 DID A CONTINUE ASSESSMENT ON WASHBURN TUNNEL.

IT IS HISTORICAL FACILITY. ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING IT'S OLD.

SO WE'VE DONE-- WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF MODERNIZING SOME OF THE EXISTING EQUIPMENT. SOME OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND BREAKER BOXES DATED BACK TO THE 1920S THAT GOT MODERNIZED.

FEF FULLY FUNCTIONING CAMERAS NOW TO WHERE WE CAN SAFELY OPERATE IT. UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF THE OLD INFRASTRUCTURE. THEN WE HAD ONE SAFETY INCIDENT HERE RECENTLY WHERE SOME OF THE TILE WITHIN THE TUNNEL STARTING FALLING. ONE OF THEM FELL NEAR A VEHICLE.

SAFETY ISSUE. RIGHT NOW WE'RE WORKING ON TAKING UP ALL THAT LOOSE TILE AND WE NEED TO HAVE A PLAN AS AN AGENCY AS TO WHAT THE FUTURE OF THAT TUNNEL IS.

THE PORT. CRITICAL TO PORT AND FREIGHT MOVEMENT AS FAR AS VEHICLES, BUT THE PORT OF HOUSTON IS ALSO DREDGING IN THAT AREA. THE PLANNED LARGER SHIPS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO GO OVER THIS TUNNEL.

THE BOTTOM OF THAT SHIP IS ABOUT A FOOT-AND-A-HALF OF THE TOP OF TUNNEL WHICH IS NOT A GREAT POSITION TO BE IN.

WE'RE WORKING ON A SCOPE OF SERVICES RIGHT NOW WHERE WE CAN START-- WE WANT TO START TAKING A LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM PLAN FOR THE TUNNEL. IS IT A NEW TUNNEL.

BRIDGE. IS IT THE EXISTING TUNNEL.

DISCUSSIONS WITH PORT. IT'S A BALANCE.

WE WANT TO MAINTAIN GOOD FUNCTIONAL CONDITION, BUT DO WE WANT TO INVEST A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CAPITAL DOLLARS INTO IT WHEN IT MAY NOT BE THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR COUNTY.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS STUDY DONE.

HAVE A TAUPE DIALOGUE WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT AND SAY HERE ARE THE CHALLENGES. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND

>> THANK YOU. HAVE FACILITY ASSESSMENTS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED I KNOW YOU MENTIONED A STUDY BUT HAVE THERE BEEN ALREADY FACILITY ASSESSMENTS.

>> YES, THE CONDITION ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN DONE AND NOW WE'RE USING THAT TO START TARGETING WHAT NEEDS TO GET REPLACED WHEN TO KEEP IT IN FUNCTIONAL CONDITION.

UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF THE TILE, WE HAVE TO IACCELERATE SOE OF THIS REPLACEMENT SO WE'RE -- WE JUST HAVE TO DO IT IN PARALLEL WITHOUT OVERINVESTING IN A FACILITY THAT MAY NOT BE

THE LONG TERM SOLUTION. >> SO FINALLY, ARE THERE ANY OTHER LARGE FACILITY-RELATED CAPITAL OUTLAYS INCLUDING LEASES NEEDED FOR FY27, 28 AND 29 AND ADDITIONALLY, WHAT INDIRECT OR GENERAL FUND COSTS DO YOU ANTICIPATE FOR THINGS LIKE OFFICE FURNISHINGS AND LICENSES?

>> YEAH, SO IF I CAN ANSWER THE SECOND PART OF YOUR QUESTION FIRST, JUST WANT TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT, WE'RE WORKING WITH O&B, WE PAY THE COUNTY COSTS FOR SERVICES THAT HECTOR PAYS WHICH IS AN IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET. WE ARE WORKING WITH MOUS TO HAVE AN AUDITABLE TRACK OF HECTOR SUPPORT THAT TIES BACK INTO THIS CHAPTER 284 TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN LINE AND MAKING SURE WE'RE IN SUPPORT THAT'S MOBILITY RELATED. THE CHALLENGE FOR US THE PHILOSOPHY DONE IN 2022 THAT SAID WE OWED A DEPARTMENT A SPECIFIC DOLLAR VALUE WAS BASED ON EMPLOYEE COUNT HECTOR HAS 1,000 EMPLOYEES AND IT WAS PROBABLY PRO RATED IT'S HARD TO AUDIT THAT AND ENSURE THE SUPPORT IS PER CHAPTER 284 WE RECOMMENDED TO GET INTO MOU TO MAKE SURE THAT -- YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE CHALLENGED AS TO THE USE OF HECTOR REVENUE THAT WE HAVE AN AUDITABLE TRAIL THAT SAYS THIS IS THE AGREEMENT WAS AND THIS IS THE EXACT SUPPORT SO WE WORKED WITH PURCHASING, DEO AND WE'RE WORKING TO GET ALL THESE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE TO GET IT IN LINE AND TO REIMBURSE THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT FOR WHAT'S OWED FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU, I RESERVE THE RE REMAIN DER OF MY TIME.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT ONE. PRECINCT TWO 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD MORNING, DIRECTOR. >> GOOD MORNING. >> I WANT TO THANK FORK KER TH HARD WORK YOU AND YOUR TEAM PROVIDES. WHICH TOLL ROADS SAW THE LARGEST

DECREASES FOR FY27 AND WHAT CONTRIBUTED TO THOSE CHANGING >> THE TOLL ROAD SERVICES.

>> YES. >> YES, SIR. OR CALL WAS THE BIG COST DRIVER IT'S 10 MILLION DOLLARS, THE ORECAL PLATFORM, THE MODERNIZATION OF THAT, THE NEXT

[01:50:02]

BIG UFT ONE IS THE POSTAGE INCREASE AS MORE AND MORE DRIVERS HIT THE SYSTEM WE HAVE TO PAY THE POSTAGE, IT ADDS UP. THAT'S ANOTHER BIG COST DRIVER AND THEN THE THIRD ONE IS THE CREDIT CARD FEES. SO THAT'S JUST DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE NUMBER OF TRANSACTION THAT IS WE HAVE SO THOSE ARE THE THREE BIGGEST COST DRIVERS THAT WE HAVE ON OUR LIST AND THEN OBVIOUSLY WHAT BUILDS UP OVER TIME, OVER SMALL CATEGORIES IS THE INFLATION COSTS, THE COST INDEX INCREASES THAT ARE CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO OUR VENDERS.

>> WITH ROAD AND CITY MAINTENANCE PROJECTED TO INCREASE ABOUT 17.4 MILLION WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY MAINTENANCE NEEDS DRIVING THIS REQUEST AND HOW WILL THE

DEPARTMENT MEASURE IMPROVEMENTS. >> AS FAR AS MAINTENANCE OUR SYSTEM IS DRIVEN BY CONDITION ASSESSMENTS. WE HAVE TO HAVE DETAILED INSPECTION REPORT OF OUR SYSTEM SO WHAT'S DRIVING THAT VALUE IS THE FINDINGS IN THAT REPORT IF THAT REPORT SAYS EITHER PAYMENT JOINTS HAVE TO GET UPDATED AND JERSEY BARRIERS HAVE TO GET UPDATED OR PAYMENT REPAIR HAS TO GET DONE TO KEEP THE SYSTEM IN GOOD FUNCTIONING CONDITION THAT REPORT AND CONDITION ASSESSMENTS DRIVE THEED NUMBER TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT OF MAINTAINING THE SYSTEM IN A GOOD CONDITION.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE I'LL RESERVE MY TIME. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT TWO WE'LL NOW REVISIT FOR ANY REMAINING TIME.

PRECINCT THREE YOU HAD 48 SECONDS REMAINING. >> I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AND I'LL ALLOW MY TIME TO THE DIRECTOR IF HE HAS ANYTHING ELSE TO SHARE.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT THREE. PRECINCT FOUR, YOU HAD 59 SECONDS REMAINING.

>> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT FOUR.

COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE? >> NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S

OFFICE. PRESINKT ONE. >> I HAVE NO REMAINING

QUESTIONS. >> YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES AND 9 SECONDS REMAINING.

>> I KNOW, I HAVE A QUESTION HERE, DIRECTOR AND I KNOW THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE ALLUDED TOED ANSWER ALREADY BUT HERE'S A QUESTION, ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY FROM 56 TO ABOUT 71 MILLION CAN YOU BREAK DOWN THE MAJOR COST DRIVERS BEHIND THE INCREASE AND HOW WILL THESE ENHANCEMENTS IMPROVE SYSTEM RELIABILITY OR REDUCE

MAINTENANCE NEEDS OVER TIME. >> SO THAT BIG COST DRIVER IS THE DATA CENTER.

LIKE UPGRADES TO THE SERVERS THAT THE BACK OFFICES ARE DESIGNED.

IT'S ADDITIONAL SERVICES FROM CONSULTANTS WHO MAINTAIN THAT DATA CENTER OR MAINTAIN THE BACK OFFICE. WE HAVE A VERY THRENTED IT TEAM BUT A LOT OF THE WORK WE GET TO MAINTAIN THE SERVERS AND TO MAINTAIN THE BACK OFFICE IS THIRD PARTY SUPPORT SO THAT'S JUST THE ANTICIPATED THIRD PARTY SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN THAT EQUIPMENT.

IS WHAT YOU SEE IN THAT VALUE. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT TWO AND THAT CONCLUDES THE COURT QUESTION SECTION AND SO THANK

YOU AGAIN DIRECTOR. >> I HAVE ONE COMMENT TO COURT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE COURT MEMBERS THERE IS ONE LINE ITEM IN THE ENHANCEMENTS THAT I WANT CLARITY ON AND WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH O&B AND AUDIT SO AS WE'RE PARTNERING WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO BRING ON THIS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB IN THE COLLECTION PROCESS BUT BECAUSE OF THE QUANTITY INCREASE WE'RE -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE BRINGING ON THIRD PARTY COLLECTORS TO HELP ASSIST WITH THE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY OR VOLUME INCREASE.

THERE'S A 5 MILLION DOLLARS ENHANCEMENT DOLLAR THERE. WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH AUDIT TO SEE HOW THAT'S GOING TO BE CARRIED IN THE BUDGET BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO COLLECT ON OUR. BEHALF AND GOING TO GET A SHARE OF THAT VALUE WE MAY NEED TO CARRY THAT VALUE, THE OVER ALL VALUE IN THE BUDGET AS A LINE ITEM.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 5 MILLION THAT NUMBER MIGHT CHANGE BUT I WANT TO ASSURE COURT AS THEY COLLECT THE REVENUE ASSOCIATE WE HAD THAT IF THAT NOBODY GOES UP THE REVENUE ASSOCIATE WE HAD THAT GOES UP AS WELL. SO IT'S JUST SOMEWHAT LIKE A ES GROW ACCOUNT WHERE THEY COLLECT WE HAVE TO HAVE A LINE ITEM TO PAY THEM THAT IS THERE AND WE'RE STILL REFINING THAT NUMBER WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY NUMBER AND AUDIT O&B. THAT IS THE ONLY CAN NUMBER THAT WILL CHANGE FROM THIS SHEET MORE THAN LIKELY. THAT MAY CHANGE.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD

AUTHORITY. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL COME

FROM THE HARRIS CENTER. >> WELCOME BACK COURT OFFICES

[The Harris Center for Mental Health]

[02:00:37]

WE NOW WELCOME THE HARRIS CENTER DIRECTOR YOUNG HAS ALLOCATED --

[02:00:42]

HAS ELECTED TO USE HIS ALLOCATION OF TIME WITH 3 MINUTES AT THE TOP AND 2 REMAINING FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

EACH COURT OFFICE WILL BE ALLOCATED 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT FOUR.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BUDGET AND SOME OF THE WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING AT THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IED AS A REMINDER FOR SOME WHO HEARD IT BEFORE WE TEND TO THINK ABOUT THE FUNDS THAT COME TO US FROM THE COUNTY IN TWO DIFFERENT BUCKETS ONE WE REFER TO IS ALLOCATION AS THE SPONSORING ENTITY AS THE HARRIS CENTER THE COUNTY PUTS FORWARD TO BRING DONE SOME OF THE STATE DOLLARS AND IT CREATES THE DYNAMIC WHERE THE COURT APPOINTS OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES WHICH IS MY DIRECT BOSS. WE ALSO HAVE A BUCKET OF FUNDS THAT COME THROUGH CONTRACTED SERVICES.

THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THROUGH COURT ADMINISTRATION, JUVENILE PROBATION, PRETRIAL SERVICES, SO THEY ARE ROUGHLY 24 MILLION FOR THE ALLOCATION PIECE AND ABOUT 30 MILLION FROM THE CONTRACTED PORTION OF THAT SO OBVIOUSLY WE'RE SPEAKING MUCH MORE DIRECTLY TODAY ABOUT THE ALLOCATION PIECE OF THAT AND THE HARRIS CENTER IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR LAST YEAR WE SERVED ABOUT 90,000 UNIQUE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS AND VERY LIMITED RESOURCES AND ALL OF THEM ARE COMPLEX LIFE SITUATIONS AS WELL. WE ANSWERED 130,000 CRISIS CALLS FROM OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHERS AND OVER 300,000 CRISIS AND ACCESS CALLS IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING A NEW CLINIC IN THE NORTHEAST WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT IT WILL ADD CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SERVICES TO THAT LOCATION WHEN IT REPLACES THE EXISTING ONE AND WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL MEMBERS OF OUR LOCAL DESIGNATION HELP SECURED ALMOST 11 MILLION DOLLARS FROM PARKS AND WILDLIFE FUNDS TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

WE HAVELESSED A 26 TRANSITIONAL APARTMENT COMPLEX AND MANY OF YOU WERE THERE AT THE RIBBON CUTTING AND EXCITED AND APPRECIATE THAT SUPPORT AND WE HAVE OPERATIONALIZED 419 EMANCIPATION A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY WE OPENED A 22 BED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNHOUSED YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A SUBSTANCE MENTAL ILLNESS BUT A LOT OF THEM DO EXPERIENCE CHALLENGES AROUND THAT AND WE RECEIVED ALLOCATED FUNDS FROM THE STATE TO CREATE TWO YOUTH CRISIS OUTREACH TEAMS, Y COT TEAMS AND MOBILE RESPONSE TEAMS SPECIALLY TRAINED AND FOCUSED ON YOUTH FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND YOUTH DIVERSION CENTER CONTINUES TO RECEIVE ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION WE SEE THREE THINGS PRIMARILY A PART OF THAT AND ONE IS AROUND A SECURITY ENHANCEMENT. WE -- LAW ENFORCEMENT BRINGS CLIENTS DIRECTLY TO NPC AND 6160 AND WE HAVE FOUND SOME FUNDS FROM THE LAST REQUEST TO SUPPORT TWO DEPUTIES IN THAT LOCATION AND THEY ARE THERE AND IN THE FACE OF INCREASING INCIDENTS AND RISKS OF VIOLENCE WE STILL NEED SUPPORT THERE AND WE ALSO REQUESTED AN INCREASE TO COVER COMPENSATION INCREASES.

WE JUST FOR THE PORTION OF EMPLOYEES THAT YOUR MATCH ARE CONT CONTRACTED COVERED AND THEN THERE'S AN OPIATE PROPOSAL. IT WAS AN OUTREACH FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ASKING TO CONTRACT WITH US TO LEVERAGE EXISTING RESOURCES THAT ARE IN THERE AND ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SO I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS

YOU MAY HAVE. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS

BEGINNING WITH PRESINKT FOUR. >> GOOD MORNING, WAYNE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP SCACROSS THE YES AT THIS ORGANIZATION. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU BROKE DOWN THE FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY INTO BUCKETS.

SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE HARRIS CENTERS IS PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ANDAL ALLOCATION THAT THE COUNTY GIVES THE ORGANIZATION IS ONLY A FRACTION, ANNUALLY IT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 24 MILLION.

CORRECT? >> FROM THE ALLOCATION YES AND

[02:05:01]

THEN ANOTHER 30 IN CONTRACTS, YES, MA'AM.

>> SO WITH THAT ANNUAL ALLOCATION IN CONTRACT FUNDS CAN YOU ELABORATE ON WHAT THAT INVESTMENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO FOR THE HARRIS CENTER IN TERMS OF PROGRAMMING OR IMPACT TO

RESIDENTS? >> YEAH.

SO THOSE FUNDS GET -- AS I SAID, THE 24 MILLION GETS ALLOCATED OUT ACROSS THE PROM PROGRAMS ON A PROPORTIONAL BASIS TO TRY AND MEET THE STATE RIGHT FOR LOCAL MATCH IT'S HARD TO QUANTIFY YOU MAY BE PAYING FOR AN ALLOCATED PART OF FTE BUT IT IS SPREAD ACROSS MULTIPLE SERVICES. THE TWO BIGGEST BUCKETS, INTELLECTUAL AND MENTAL DISABILITIES WE PROVIDE SERVICES THROUGH THE LIFE SPAN OF THOSE WHO HAVE INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENT. DISABILITIES INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM A LOT OF THOSE SERVICES DO REQUIRE A MATCH AND A PORTION OF THAT MATCH GETS ALLOCATED ACROSS THAT AND THE OTHER LARGEST PORTION OF THAT GOES TO CRISIS SERVICES.

MANY OF YOU HEARD OF NPC A PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM IF YOU WILL WE OPERATE AND DELIVER THE SERVICES THERE.

WE SERVE ABOUT 15, 16,000 INDIVIDUALS A YEAR IN PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCIES OR NEEDING PSYCHIATRIC URGENT CARE AND ALMOST THAT TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET IS A PART OF THAT ALLOCATED FUNDS AND THEN THE CONTRACTED SERVICES I KIND OF MENTIONED JAIL, GENERAL PROBATION, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE DISCRETE SERVICES BUT THAT'S KIND OF WHERE THE CONTRACTED

PIECE GOES. >> THANK YOU.

REGARDING THE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST FOR THE MAINTAIN RAISE ENHANCEMENT WE APPRECIATE YOU THINKING ABOUT THE WELLBEING OF THE WORKERS AND POTENTIALLY INCREASING THEIR WAGES.

HOW MANY EMPLOYEES WOULD BENEFIT IF THIS ENHANCEMENT WERE

APPROVED. >> IT'S A LITTLE TRICKY BECAUSE AS I MENTIONED WE ALLOCATE IT. SO IT'S IN THE ALLOCATION PIECE IT'S NOT LIKE YOU NECESSARILY FUND AN ENTIRE POSITION.

YOU MAY FUND A PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT OF A POSITION.

SO SPREAD OUT IT'S A LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.

IF YOU CONVERT THAT TO AN FTE SO YOU CAN STANDARDIZE IT IT'S ABOUT 280 FTE THAT WOULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR IN TERMS OF THAT COMPENSATION INCREASE. THE THING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE ABOUT THAT IN 25 WE HAD AN INCREASE AND THE COUNTY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COVER THE COUNTY INCREASE SO WE HAVE CARRIED THAT. THAT'S A PART OF THIS REQUEST.

WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE A COMPENSATION INCREASE IN 26 AND THEN THE OTHER PORTION OF IT IS CONTEMPLATING THE ABILITY TO GIVE ONE IN 27 AND SO THE REASON IS AS MUCH AS IT IS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY COVER THEIR PROPORTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY ON THOSE COUNTY COVERED EMPLOYEES FROM THE LAST

INCREASE THAT WE DID. >> AND FOR THESE PARTICULAR EMPLOYEES, DO YOU KNOW THE LIKE THE RATE THAT THEY ARE GETTING PAID NOW? LIKE THE STARTING RATE?

>> SO IT CONVARIES ACROSS THE POSITIONS SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS MIGHT BE THERAPISTS OR PATIENT CARE TECHS OR SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE DIRECT CARE WORKERS OUR LOWEST PAID EMPLOYEE AT THIS POINT IS 1$17.50 AN HOU AND DEPENDS ON THE LICENSE AND BASED ON THE AGREES AND EXPERIENCE.

SO IT'S A RANGE. >> WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU THINKING ABOUT RIAISING THOSE WAGES.

MOVING ON FOR THE ENHANCEMENT FOR THE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER, HOW

IS SECURITY CURRENTLY FUNDED? >> SO CURRENTLY WE HAVE PRIVATE SECURITY THAT WE PAY THROUGH HARRIS HEALTH.

SOME OF THEM PRIVATE SECURITY OFFICERS ARE THERE THERE'S ONE AT THE FRONT DOOR, ONE AT THE BACK DOOR AND THEY HELP FACILITATE AND ENSURE SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT BRINGS LIKE I SAID A LARGE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE THERE SO I'M HAVING SOMEONE WHO HAS THE ABILITY TO DETAIN, HAS THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AT TIMES LET LAW ENFORCEMENT DROP OFF AND LEAVE AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO STAY THERE AND WAIT FOR INITIAL TRIAGE AND ASSESSMENT IT COULD BE REALLY POWERFUL AND BENEFICIAL FOR EVERYONE. THE VOLUME OF PEOPLE AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUES IF LAW ENFORCEMENT BRINGS THEM TO US IT'S BECAUSE THEY DETERMINED IN THE COMMUNITY THEY WERE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR DANGER TO OTHER AND THAT'S OBVIOUSLY A PRETTY HIGH BAR AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND IF PEOPLE'S COLLATE AND BECOME VIOLENT WE HANDLE IT UNTIL THE POINT IT'S A CRIMINAL ACT AND THEN WE NEED A LITTLE SUPPORT. AT 6160 THE OTHER PORTION OF THAT WE HAVE STATE FUNDS THAT PAY FOR TWO DEPUTIES TO BE ON SITE BUT THAT DOESN'T COVER 24/7 AND WE WOULD NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO GET AROUND THE CLOCK COVERAGE THERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU FOR COMING.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT -- COULD YOU WALK US THROUGH THE MAJOR EXISTING PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE COUNTY AND THE STATUS OF THESE

PROGRAMS? >> I'M SORRY, CAN YOU SEE THAT

AGAIN FOR ME. >> CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE

[02:10:02]

MAJOR PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE COUNTY AND THE STATUS OF THESE

PROGRAMS >> PROBABLY THE LARGEST SINGLE PROGRAM IS THE BEHAVIORALLY HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERED IN THE JAIL. WE HAVE BEEN LONG TIME PARTNERS IN THAT. WE CONTINUE TO TRY AND IMPROVE THE BEHAVIOUR HEALTH ASSESSMENT THE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKING TO BETTER IDENTIFY TRIAGE AND PROVIDE CARE AND ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS. WE'VE RECENTLY CREATED AN INITIATIVE TO TRY AND MORE RAPIDLY IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS LOOKED INTO JAIL WITH DID DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THEY ARE A PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE POPULATION AND DON'T DO WELL IN THOSE SETTINGS TO IDENTIFY THEM AND SEE IF THEY ARE DIVERSION OPPORTUNITIES. THE DIVERSION CENTER IS ANOTHER MAJOR PROGRAM THAT IS FUNDED AND WE CONTINUE TO DIVERT OVER 2,000 PEOPLE A PEER, THE DIVERSION CENTER OPENED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018. AND I LOOKED YESTERDAY THROUGH THE END OF LAST MONTH WE DIVERTED OVER 17,000 PEOPLE ON LOW LEVEL CHARGES THESE ARE TRESPASSING, MISDEMEANOR CHARGES THESE ARE NOT SERIOUSLY OFFENCES AWAY JAIL AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAD A SIGNIFICANT SUBSTANCE DISORDER THAT WAS APART OF THAT DIVERSIONARY ACTIVITY.

THAT PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GO WELL AND SUPPORT SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO GENERAL PROBATION WE PROVIDE BEHAVOR IAL HEALTH SUPPORTS TO USE IN THE CENTER AND WE WORK JOINTLY FOR MST, AN EVIDENCE-BASED MODEL, THE STATE FUNDS A PORTION AND GENERAL PROBATION FUNDS TO PROVIDE AN INTERVENTION TO YOUTH THAT DEFLECTS THEM OUT OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PRIMARILY AIMED AT THOSE EARLY ENTRY OR THE CUSP ON ENTERING THE SYSTEM AND WE HAD TREMENDOUS OUTCOMES WITH THAT PROGRAM AS

WELL. >> AND HOW MIGHT CHANGES AT THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL IMPACT YOUR BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 27.

>> OH MY GOODNESS. SO YOU DIDN'T GIVE ME THAT MUCH TIME. SO THERE ARE SOME INTERESTING THINGS, WITH THE ADMINISTRATION I DO WORRY A LITTLE BIT AS THEY HAVE NOW DETERMINED THAT SOME OF THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE GRANTS THAT ARE FLOWING THROUGH SAMSA THROUGH THE STATE LEVEL AND ULTIMATELY THROUGH US DO FALL UNDER SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT HAVE TO BE PROVEN UP IN TERMS OF ELIGIBILITY AND THEY ARE ENENTITIALMENT BENEFITS IN THEIR MIND AND I WORRY A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE IMPLICATION OF THAT FOR US. AND IN SOME PLACES WHERE YOU BEGIN TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND UNHOUSED, THIS -- THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION IS LEANING MORE TOWARDS A TREATMENT MODEL THAT IMPLIES THEY ARE LEANING AWAY FROM A HOU HOUSING-FIRST MODEL AND I DON'T KNOW WE SHOULD NOT BE TRYING TO DO BOTH THAT COULD LAND MORE RESOURCES.

THE BIG QUESTION RIGHT NOW AND THE MAJOR QUESTION FOR US IS THE STATE BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDING DOES COME FROM THE STATE, ABOUT 45% OF FUNDS FLOW THROUGH THE STATE EITHER IN GENERAL FUND CONTRACTS OR COMPETITIVE GRANT CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE WITH THEM. THE LAST COUPLE OF TIMES THAT THE STATE HAS REDUCED SPENDING THEY HAVE EXEMPTED BEHAVORIAL HEALTH SERVICE FROM THAT I'M A LITTLE WORRIED WE DON'T HAVE THAT EXCEPTION THIS YEAR. OBVIOUSLY AS WE GET LEAD UP INTO SESSION WE'LL START TO SEE WHO THAT LOOKS LIKE THE LARS FROM HSHC ARE DUE ANY DAY NOW SO RIGHT NOW THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF UNCERTAINTY OF EXACTLY WHAT THAT WILL ANY CHANGES ON THAT WILL HAVE SOME IMPACT ON THIS LOCALLY.

>> THANK YOU. NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AT THIS

TIME. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. PRECINCT ONE YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, DIRECTOR, YOUNG I JUST WANT TO TAKE A SECOND TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP OVER THESE LAST 8 YEARS, NEARLY A DECADE. AND THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE IN HARRIS COUNTY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

SO THANK YOU AND YOU WILL BE MISSED.

SO I JUST WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE OFFSETS FIRST, THE PROPOSED 8% OFFSETS IN COUNTY FUNDING YOU MENTIONED WOULD DIRECTLY TRANSLATE INTO AN 8% REDUCTION IN SUPPORTED SERVICES.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE SPECIFIC IMPACTS THIS CUT COULD HAVE ON YOUR C PPCE PROGRAM AND YOUR CRISIS LINE SERVICES.

>> I DID ANTICIPATE THERE WOULD BE A QUESTION OF THAT AND I DID A LITTLE MATH SO I WOULD BE PREPARED.

SO I WOULD ALLOCATE OUT TO ABOUT 1.6 MILLION AT CPEP OR REALLY I WILL TRUNCATE THAT TO NPC BECAUSE THAT'S THE BULK OF THE FUNDS I MENTIONED ARE THE PRIMARY FUNDING OF THAT SERVICE TO REMOVE 1.6 MILLION IT'S A STAIR STEP.

SO FOR EVERY NURSE AND TECH THERE ARE SIX PATIENTS THAT THEY TAKE CARE OF SO IN ORDER TO GET TO THAT NUMBER WE WOULD HAVE TO ELIMINATE 9 NURSING POSITIONS, 9 TECH POSITIONS, ASSOCIATED

[02:15:04]

SOCIAL WORKER AND A PA THAT WOULD TRANSLATE TO ABOUT 4380 PEOPLE THAT WE WOULD LOSE CAPACITY FOR IN THE NPC AND NPC WE ARE ON DIVERSION ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME.

SO THOSE ARE LITERALLY PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN SOMEWHERE ELSE OR WOULDN'T MAKE IT INTO CARE REMEMBERING IF THAT'S LAW ENFORCEMENT DROP OFFS THOSE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE DETAINED BECAUSE THEY WERE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

SO IT'S A HIGH NEED COMPLEX POPULATION.

THERE ARE ONLY FOUR -- SOME PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE FIVE PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY CENTERS IN TEXAS AND NPC IS ONE OF THOSE IT WOULD HAVE A PRETTY DRAMATIC IMPACT ON PEOPLE AT THE MOST ACUTE LEVEL AND THE OTHER WOULD BE AT THE CRISIS AND ACCESS LINE WE TARGETED ABOUT 320,000 DOLLARS FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL OR DEPARTMENT THAT WOULD EQUATE TO ABOUT 5 INDIVIDUALS AT THE RATE THEY AVERAGE CALLS WOULD RESULT IN ABOUT 20,625 CALLS BEING NOT ANSWERED OR DELAYED IN ANSWER. AND AS WE ALL KNOW IF YOU CALL A NUMBER AND IT DOESN'T GET ANSWERED FOR A LONG TIME THE TENDENCY MAY BE HANG UP AND SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE TRYING TO REACH OUT AND ENGAGE IN SERVICES AND SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE CALLING FROM A CRISIS PERSPECTIVE NOW 988 HAS FUNDS THAT HELP ANSWER THE 988 CALLS BUT WE FOR 12 YEARS HAS OPERATED A LOCAL CRISIS LINE IT WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT TO SOME OF THOSE CRISIS CALLS THAT COME IN TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 20,000 CALLS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT'S REALLY HELPFUL.

SO GIVEN THAT THE CRISIS LINE AND ACCESS DIVISION FUNCTION AS KEY ENTRY POINTS INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WHAT RISKS OR SYSTEM-WIDE CONSEQUENCES DO YOU FORESEE IF THESE PROGRAMS ARE SCALED BACK? AND ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE APPROACH THAT IS WE COULD CONSIDER OR ARE THESE THE ONLY

OPTIONS? >> I THINK THESE ARE BOTH CONSIDERED -- YOU KNOW, ONE HIGH CUTETY AND ONE FRONT DOOR AND THEY ARE ENTRY POINTS FOR PEOPLE AT SOME LEVEL OF CRISIS YOU BEGIN TO WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE IN CRISIS OR THAT CRISIS ESCALATING TO THE POINT LAW ENFORCEMENT GETS INVOLVED AND EMS GETS INVOLVED AND THEY SHOW UP IN OTHER SETTINGS AND EMERGENCY ROOM SETTINGS OR THEY DON'T GET HELP AND THEY JUST LANGISH IN THE COMMUNITY IMPACTING THEIR NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY. THERE'S NOT THE ABILITY TO GET THEM INTO THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES SO THE DETERIORATING AND QUALITY OF LIFE AND LANGUISHING FACTOR IS REALLY IMPACTING AND CAN BE PRETTY PROFOUND FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS.

IT'S A DELAY IN CARE THERE'S A DELAY BETWEEN ON SET OF SYMPTOMS AND INITIATION OF TREATMENT. FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON IT'S SEVERAL YEARS SO IF SOMEONE IS REACHING OUT OR THE CARE ESCALATED TO THE POINT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ENGAGING IN CARE TO THEM TO THINK ABOUT THEY'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME AND NOT BE ABLE TO ENGAGE WITH THEM AND PRETTY DISHEARTENING AND CRITICAL FROM AN IMPACT PERSPECTIVE.

>> THANK YOU. AND HOW HAS THE OPENING OF THE EMANCIPATION FACILITY INFLUENCED OPERATIONS, SERVICE CAPACITY OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION ACROSS THE BROADER HARRIS CENTER SYSTEM.

>> IT'S PRETTY KNEW AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR A LITTLE OVER 5 WEEKS.

WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO SOFT LAUNCH AND SOMEHOW THAT MEANT TO BE AT FULL CAPACITY AND KUDOS TO THE TEAM MAKING IT AS OPER OPERATIONAL AND WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE FULL IMPACT OF WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE FROM A SYSTEM AND WE DID LOOK AND THERE'S A FAIRLY LARGE PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS WE DON'T HAVE A SERVICE HISTORY WITH AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR OFFICES TO UNDERSTAND NONE OF OUR EXISTING FUNDS ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF 419. ALL OF THAT IS CITY FUNDING MUCH OF THAT CAME FROM HUD IT'S ABOUT A 14 MILLION DOLLAR A YEAR OPERATION BUT I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO HAVE CONCERNS THAT WE HAVE NOT SUPPLANTED ANY OF THAT FUNDING TO RUN THOSE SERVICES WE MADE IT CLEAR TO THE CITY AND THEY RESPECTED THAT THROUGH THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE NOT REALLOCATED EXISTING FUNDS TO

SUPPORT THOSE SERVICES. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT ONE.

PRECINCT TWO YOU WILL NOW HAVE 5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> HI, DIRECTOR YOUNG AND HARRIS CENTER TEAM THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE CRITICAL WORK YOU GUYS DO.

MY FIRST QUESTION IS HOW ARE YOU INVESTING IN EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING TO HELP MITIGATE THE WORST MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR

OUR RESIDENTS. >> ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS I MENTIONED EARLIER IS THE YOUTH CRISIS OUTREACH TEAM IT WAS DONE AS A PILOT IN A COUPLE OF COMMUNITIES FROM THE PRIOR SESSION. AND IT HAS A DRAMATIC IMPACT IT WAS ABLE TO REALLY HELP DEESCALATE SOME OF THE RISING CRISIS FOR YOUTH. WE ARE THE ONLY COMMUNITY IN TEXAS THAT WILL HAVE TWO OF THOSE DEDICATED TEAMS WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND THEY ARE ALREADY BEING OPERATIONALIZED AND GOING OUT OF THE COMMUNITY TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO YOUTH

[02:20:01]

AND HOPEFULLY PROVIDE THAT INTERVENTION EARLY AND HOPEFULLY CATCH THEM BEFORE THERE ARE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES BEFORE THAT CONDITION DETERIORATES AND I WILL SAY ONE OF THE TRICKY THINGS ABOUT US IS THAT THE STATE DOESN'T OPERATE IN A WAY WHERE THEY BASICALLY SAY WAYNE HERE IS 50% OF YOUR BUDGET GO DO GOOD STUFF EVEN THOUGH WE THINK OF THEM AS GENERAL FUND ALLOCATIONS THEY ARE SUPPORT SERVICE CONTRACTS HERE ARE THE FUNDS AND HERE WHAT SERVICES YOU MUST DELIVER AND THIS IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND THIS IS THE ASSESSMENT TOOL YOU'LL USE AND THE ASSESSMENT TOOL WILL TELL YOU WHAT LEVEL OF CARE YOU CAN PROVIDE AND THAT LEVEL OF CARE IS COMPRISED OF THESE SERVICES AND SO THEY -- AND THEN THEY EVALUATE OUR EFFECTIVENESS AND COMPLIANCE AND THOROUGHNESS IN DELIVERING THOSE SERVICES AND THE IMPACT. UNFORTUNATELY MOST OF THOSE COMM COMMUNITIMAL FUNCTION FINDS, THERE'S SOME EARLY ON SET OF FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS MODELS WE HAVE THE FIRST ONE IN THE STATE WE DON'T HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE WANT TO PIVOT AND LOOK AT MORE PREVENTIVE SERVICES OR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES IT'S PRETTY MUCH AS WE GET DIRECTED BY THE STATE ON WHAT WE DO WITH

THOSE. >> THANK YOU.

MY NEXT QUESTION IS WHERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS COUNTY, PUBLIC HE HEALTH, HARRIS HEALTH AND HOW CAN THE HARRIS COLLABORATIVE BE

BEST LEVERAGED. >> YEAH, I THINK WE ARE WORKING TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THOSE WE HAD PARTNERSHIPS AND STRENGTHS FOR A LONG TIME AND I DO THINK MORE AND MORE WE HAVE A FACE-TO-FACE QUARTERLY MEETING WITH ALL OF US TRYING TO TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE LEVERAGE THE RESOURCES AND WHO'S BEST POSITIONED TO DO SOME THINGS AND I THINK I MENTIONED THE OPIATE FUNDS WE FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AND DO WHAT WE'RE TOLD TO DO BUT THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE WHERE THEY REACHED OUT AND SAID WE GOT THESE FUNDS IT'S NOT A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY THERE'S NOT REPLICATE AND REDO THIS WHAT IT WILL BE APPLIED FOR IS PERMANENT -- NOT PERMANENT TRANSITIONAL SOBER LIVING AND SOBER HOUSING OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO COMPLETED SUBSTANCE DISORDER TREATMENT SO I THINK THAT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO RECOGNIZE WHO HAS WHAT IN PLACE AND THEN WORK TOGETHER JOINTLY TO FIGURE OUT FOR THOSE PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE CLIENT THAT IS ARE KIND OF MULTISYSTEM CLIENT THAT IS ARE SHOWING UP IN DIFFERENT PLACES AND HOW DO WE KIND OF JOIN TOGETHER AND PROVIDE THE SUPPORTS AND UNDERSTAND WHO CAN DO WHAT AND BETTER SUPPORT THOSE

INDIVIDUALS. >> THANK YOU, MY FINAL QUESTION AND I KNOW YOU TOUCHED ON THIS A LITTLE BIT BUT DO YOU SEE ANY AREAS WHERE THE STATE OF TEXAS COULD HELP MEET SOME OF YOUR

FINANCIAL NEEDS. >> I SEE TONS OF PLACES WHERE I COULD I DON'T KNOW IF I'M OPTIMISTIC THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO AND ONE OF THE THINGS AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THE FACT AND YOUR OFFICES WERE INVOLVED IN MANY OF THOSE AND LAST SESSION THE STATE ALLOCATED 100 MILLION DOLLARS FOR CONSTRUCTION RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES AND THAT WAS KIND OF BROAD BUT THEY DEFINED WHAT THEY WERE. WE ENDED UP BEING ABLE TO SECURE 28 MILLION OF THAT 100 MILLION FOR OUR COMMUNITY HERE.

OUR ASSOCIATION AND US AND WE WOULD LOVE SUPPORT ARE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH HSHC AND THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THE OPERATING FUNDS TO OPERATE THE FACILITIES. THE CONSTRUCTION FUNDS MUST BE EXPENDED BY THE NEXT BIANNUAL IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HELP FUNDS SUPPORT SERVICE DELIVERY AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A SHAME TO HAVE THE FACILITIES AND NOT THE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THAT THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THE STATE STEP

FORWARD AND FILL A NEED THERE. >> THANK YOU, NO FURTHER

QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT TWO. PRECINCT THREE YOU WILL NOW HAVE

5 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

WAYNE, EARLIER YOU MENTIONED THAT RESOURCES ARE LIMITED.

I THINK THAT WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

BEHAVORIAL HEALTH AND IED ARE SEVERELY UNDER FUNDED.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR FUNDS ARE A GRANT

>> SO WE HAVE ABOUT 70 GRANTS, I DON'T HAVE THAT EXACT AMOUNT SOME OF THEM ARE VERY TRADITIONAL GRANTS FROM PRIVATE F PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS AND A LARGE PORTION OF THEM ARE STATE GRANTS COMPETITIVELY AWARDED BUT IT GETS TYPICALLY FOR MOST IT GETS MIXED IN WITH THE STATE RESOURCES. FROM A STATE PERSPECTIVE WE GET ABOUT 159, 160 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FROM THE STATE I THINK ABOUT 115 OF THAT IS KIND OF GENERAL REVENUE SERVICE CONTRACTS AND REMAINDER OF THAT WOULD BE COMPETITIVE GRANTS

AWARDED TO US FROM THE STATE. >> AND IS THAT WITHIN INDUSTRY

STANDARDS? >> THAT'S A TOUGH QUESTION BECAUSE THE SAFETY NET SYSTEMS IN DIFFERENT STATES WORK IN DIFFERENT WAYS. AND SO IN TEXAS WE HAVE A PROVIDER AUTHORITY MODEL WHERE YOU SEE US DOING SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PIECE BUT YOU ALSO SEE US DELIVERING SERVICES WE HAVE COUNCILLORS AND CLINICS AND SOME MODELS THEY -- THERE IS AN ENTITY THAT JUST IS AN AUTHORITY AND THEY CONTRACT OUT TO OTHER SERVICES SO THO THOSE OTHER PROVIDERS PROBABLY HAVE A

[02:25:04]

HIGHER PROPORTION OF GRANT FUNDING BECAUSE THAT IS HOW THEY THINK ABOUT THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES THEY ARE NOT DEDICATED EXCLUSIVELY TO SAFETY NET BEHAVORIAL HEALTH THEY IMPACT OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY SO IT'S A HARD DIRECT COMPARISON I WOULD SAY THAT WE PROBABLY DR DELIVER SERVICES WITH FEWER GRANTS THAN WHAT SOME OTHER ENTITIES DO BUT THAT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE SYSTEM MORE THAN KIND OF A DISPARITY.

>> YOUR AGENCY SERVICES ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> 31 CITIES WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY DO THEY PROVIDE ANY FUNDING.

>> THE CITY OF HOUSTON DOES, IN TERMS OF THEIR SPENDING RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT 30 MILLION ROUGHLY. A BIG CHUNK OF THAT IS GOING TO BE THE 419 EMANCIPATION. THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ANY IN TERMS OF MATCH TO HELP BRING DOWN THOSE STATE FUNDS.

THEY FUND PROGRAMS THAT ARE LIKE THE CONTRACT PART OF THE BUCKET THAT THE COUNTY FUNDS. REMEMBERING THAT IN SOME COMMUNITIES THE CITY, THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, HOSPITAL DISTRICTS, ALL HAVE SOME DIFFERENT PROPORTION OF APPOINTING AUTHORITY TO THE BOARDS BUT ALL THAT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALSO ORIGINALLY AGREED TO BE SPONSORS ENTITIES. SO THE ONLY ENTITIES THAT TYPICALLY PROVIDE THOSE MATCHING COMPONENTS ARE ENTITIES WAY BACK IN THE LATE 60S SAID THEY'LL BE AN ENTITY.

>> SHOULD THE REMAINING 30 BE PROVIDING FUNDS.

>> I WILL TAKE FUNDS FROM ANYBODY THAT HAS THEM.

AND ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO HELP SUPPORT SERVICES IN THEIR COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT THE -- FROM A STATE PERSPECTIVE THE TRICKY PART ABOUT THE STATE IS THEY WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY BUT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE -- TO MEET ALL THE BEHAVORIAL HEALTH NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY SO IT IS THEIR EXPECTATION THAT LOCAL ENTITIES, COUNTY GOVERNMENTS AND LOCAL DISTRICTS WHOEVER IT MIGHT BE HELP SUPPORT THE BEHAVORIAL

HEALTH NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. >> OKAY.

ONE FINAL QUESTION, THE HOMELESS POPULATION, HOW DOES THAT IMPACT

YOUR BUDGET? >> SO THE LAST TIME THERE WAS A STUDY WE ACTUALLY QUANTIFIED THAT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I THINK WE SPENT SOMEWHERE AROUND 30 OR 40 MILLION DOLLARS DELIVERING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHOUSED AND PARTIALLY MUCH OF THAT IS BECAUSE THEY OFTEN END UP IN CRISIS SITUATIONS AND CRISES ARE OBVIOUSLY A HIGH COST ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF SERVICES YOU HAVE TO DELIVER THERE. THAT NUMBER NOW HAS GONE UP PROBABLY NOW WITH THE UTILIZATION OF 419 EMANCIPATION THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE A LITTLE BIT.

THE THING THAT EXCITES ME ABOUT THAT IS RATHER THAN JUST A TRADITIONAL KIND OF SHELTERING APPROACH, IT'S A THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT INTERVENTION THAT'S HOPED FOR THERE.

NOT EVERYBODY WILL WANT OR NEED THAT BUT THE INTENTION IS CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE CAN EDGE GAUGE THE MOST COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE CLIENTS RATHER THAN HAVING A LOW BARRIER LOW NEED SHELTER SITUATION THAT THEN WE AS PEOPLE WITH SIGNIFICANT NEEDS COME IN WE HAVE TO FIND A DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE FOR THEM. THE HOPE IS WE'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE THEM AND HELP THEM BEGIN A RECOVERY JOURNEY EARLIER BECAUSE WE'LL BE PART OF A FRONT DOOR TO THE SITUATION IN THAT

SYSTEM. >> THANK YOU.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> APPRECIATE THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT THREE WE WILL NOW REVISIT FOR ANY REMAINING TIME. PRECINCT FOUR HAD NO REMAINING TIME, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE YOU HAD 1 MINUTE AND 11 SECONDS

REMAINING. >> NO REMAINING QUESTIONS AT

THIS TIME. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. PRECINCT ONE YOU HAD NO REMAINING TIME, PRECINCT TWO YOU HAD 50 SECONDS REMAINING.

>> NO REMAINING QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT TWO.

PRECINCT THREE YOU HAD 17 SECONDS REMAINING.

>> I CAN DO IT IN 17 SECONDS. ARE YOU THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN?

>> WE ARE THE ONLY PUBLICLY FUNDED SAFETY NET BEHAVORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM. THERE ARE LOTS OF BEHAVORIAL HEALTH PROVIDERS AND LOTS OF NONPROFIT PROVIDERS WE ARE THE ONLY ONE SPECIFICALLY CHARGED WITH PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH SERIOUSLY MENTAL ILLNESSES WHO HAVE NO RESOURCES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT THREE.

DIRECTOR, YOU NOW HAVE 2 MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT AND THE REASON I ELECTED TO DO THAT I WANTED TO SPEND THE LAST 2 MINUTES THANKING YOUR OFFICE AND THANKING YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT I HAVE FELT OVER THE YEARS THIS IS THE LAST BUDGET PROCESS AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'M SAD ABOUT THAT PART OF IT BUT I'M VERY SAD I'LL BE TRANSITIONING TO DALLAS COUNTY FROM HARRIS COUNTY I WILL MISS ALL OF YOU AND THIS COMMUNITY.

Y'ALL, WHEN I GOT HERE ALMOST 9 YEARS AGO Y'ALL WITH VERY WELCOMING AND EMBRACING AND ALLOWED US TO DO LOTS OF REALLY INNOVATIVE THINGS AND PUSHED THE ENVELOPE IN TERMS OF BEHAVORIAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT AND SUPPORT OF ME AND THE ORGANIZATION AND GRANKLY I FOUND ALL OF YOU TO BE TREMENDOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR BEHAVORIAL HEALTH NEEDS AND THE POPULATION OF OUR COMMUNITY WITH BEHAVORIAL

[02:30:01]

HEALTH NEEDS I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK YOU THE BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY SELECTED KEENA PACE.

AND SHE HAS BEEN HERE ALMOST THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME I HAVE.

AND EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED OPERATIONALLY SHE LEADS ALL OF OUR CLINICAL SERVICES.

SO YOU'RE IN REALLY, REALLY GOOD HANDS.

SHE IS A TREMENDOUS BEHAVORIAL HEALTH LEADER AND SHE'S WORKED IN COMMUNITY BEHAVORIAL HEALTH HER ENTIRE CAREER AND IS EXTREMELY DYNAMIC, VERY TALENTED AND YOU ARE IN GREAT HANDS.

TRUTH US I WAS PROBABLY THE B TEAM.

SHE'S THE A TEAM YOU MAY BE A LITTLE BETTER OFF I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT UNTIL I'M LEAVING BUT APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND I'M CERTAIN THAT SUPPORT WILL EXTEND TO KEENA YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO TREMENDOUS BEHAVORIAL HEALTH SUPPORTS THERE IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE HARRIS CENTER.

COLLEAGUES WE HAVE NOW COME TO THE LUNCH BREAK.

WE WILL RESUME PROCEEDINGS AT 1 1:30 P.M. WITH A PRESENTATION FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

>> WELCOME BACK, COURT OFFICES. IT IS 1:30 P.M. AND WE'RE READY TO BEGIN OUR AFTERNOON SESSION ON OUR FINAL DAY OF BUDGET

[Universal Services]

HEARINGS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. NOW WE WELCOME UNIVERSAL SERVICES, DIRECTOR HAS ELECTED TO USE HER 5 MINUTES UP FRONT RATHER THAN SPLITTING THEM EACH COURT OFFICE WILL THEN BE ALLOCATED 8 MINUTES IN ROTATION BEGINNING WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. DIRECTOR WHEN YOU'RE READY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COURT MEMBERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, BUDGET DIRECTOR, HE'S NOT HERE YET BUT THE STAFF OF THE BUDGET TEAM ON BEHALF OF MY DEPARTMENT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET BRIEFING TODAY.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICE FOR THE COUNTY.

INVESTMENTS MADE IN UNIVERSAL SERVICES ARE NOT DISCRETIONARY.

THEY ARE ESSENTIAL IN PROVIDING CORE SERVICES, STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, CRISIS MITIGATION AND SOURCES OF OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS THAT BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES TOUCHES EVERY HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE, EVERY DEPARTMENT, AND EVERY RESIDENT, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

FROM THE MOMENT MORE THAN 20,000 COUNTY EMPLOYEES SWIPE THE BADGE EXPECTING THE DOORS TO OPEN, LOGON COMMUNITY AND ACCESS THE NETWORK THEY RELY ON UNIVERSAL SERVICES WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE. EVERYDAY MORE THAN 6800 COUNTY VEHICLES START. OVER 93,000 PUBLIC SAFETY RADIOS CONNECT. RESIDENTS ACCESS MORE THAN 70 COUNTY WEBSITES AND THOUSANDS OF 311 CALLS WITH MORE THAN 84,000 CALLS ANSWERED IN THIS YEAR ALONE HAPPENED.

BEHIND IT, UNIVERSAL SERVICES SUPPORTS MORE THAN 600 BUSINESS APPLICATIONS, 4600 NETWORK CONNECTION POINTS AND 3800 SERVERS WHILE MAINTAINING 98% OF THE NETWORK AVAILABILITY.

OUR IMPACTS EXTEND BEYOND HARRIS COUNTY THROUGHOUT OUR SYSTEM AND THE REGIONAL COMMUNICATION NETWORKS THAT SUPPORTS 70 COUNTIES COVERING 20% OF THE STATE.

MOST PEOPLE NEVER SEE OUR WORK AND THAT'S THE GOAL.

EVEN AS A LEAN DEPARTMENT WE MANAGE ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST TECHNOLOGY AND FLEET PART FOIL.

WE'RE KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON MAINTAINING CRITICAL SERVICES AND PROVIDING ENHANCEMENTS OF EXISTING SYSTEMS THROUGH UPGRADES AND MOVING COUNTY MOVING BY ADVANCING TR TRANSFORMATIONAL ISSUES. WE HAVE 19 CYBER SECURITY EMPLOYEES THAT SUPPORT 23,000 END POINTS AND 34 UNIVERSAL TEAM MEMBERS THAT SUPPORT A NETWORK OF 7300 RADIOS AND 133 TOWERS ACROSS 70 COUNTIES. UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS PARTNERING WITH DEPARTMENTS TO DELIVER MODERN SOLUTIONS, RESPONSIBLE AI AND ENSURE COUNTY OPERATIONS REMAINS STABLE AND SECURE.

OUR WORK IN FISCAL YEAR 26 WAS EXTENSIVE AND IMPACTFUL.

ADDITIONALLY WE COSTED ON COST REDUCTION EFFORTS AND REMOVING AN APPROXIMATELY SAVING OF 5 MILLION ANNUALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE TAKEN SIGNIFICANT BUDGET CUTS WHILE KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON AND ENHANCING THE SERVICES.

IN ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC GOALS AND OPERATIONAL AIM PAIRTIVES UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS ADVANCED SEVERAL TRANSFORMATIONAL INITIATIVES LIKE THE WEB ENVIRONMENT MODERNIZEDED ONE -- SUPPORTING 8 ELECTIONS IN 8 MONTHS AND ADVANCING 88 COMPLIANCE, LAUNCHING 4 AI ENABLED PLATFORMS

[02:35:03]

AND WE HAVE EXCEEDED PROMPT PAY STANDARDS THROUGH OUR INVOICING PROJECT, MULTIDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION AND IT HAS REDUCED INVOICE PROCESSING FROM AN AVERAGE OF 45 DAYS TO 6.5 DAYS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND THE PRECINCT COMMUNITY CENTERS NAVIGATORS, OUR ADDITIONAL NAVIGATORS HAVE REACHED 6,000 RESIDENTS THROUGH MORE THAN 450 OUT OUTREACH EFFORTS UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS LAUNCHED TWO WORSE FORK DEVELOPMENT COHORTS AND WE CONTINUE TO PREPARE HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE FUTURE BY EXPANDING OUR GREEN FLEET INITIATIVES WE HAVE EARNED TOPPED RECOGNITIONS FROM -- AS TOP GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP IN GREEN FLEET. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PRECINCT OFFICES WE HAVE INSTALLED CHARGES STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND COMPLETED OUR TELEMATICS PROGRAM AND WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED 311 HOMENESS ENCAMPMENT AND IN COLLABORATION WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO I HAVE AN AND ASSIST WITH ISSUES PERTAINING TO ENCAMP THES IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS AND FUTURE RESOURCES NONE OF THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN ISOLATION.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS THANKFUL FOR THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORT AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE WORKED WITH US ALONGSIDE JUSTICE PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SOLVE THE COUNTRY-WIDE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IDENTIFIED 8% POSSIBLE CUT AND IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE. WE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 WITH OUR PRIORITIES VERY CLEAR, DRIVE AND OPTIMIZE ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY FLEET IN ALL AREAS AS RESPONSIBLE TOWARDS TAX PAYERS DOLLARS AND STRENGTHEN CYBER SECURITY AND RISK MITIGATION FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND DELIVER CRISIS RESILIENCE THROUGH CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND ADVANCE RESPONSIBLY AI THROUGH THOUGHTFUL GOVERNANCE AND INVEST IN OUR WORK FORCE IN CLOSING, UNIVERSAL SERVICES STANDS READY TO SERVE AS THOUGHT PARTNER AND IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFICERS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF IMPROVEMENT INNOVATION AND EFFICIENCY AND MISSION CRITICAL PROJECTS. I AM THANKFUL TO MY TEAM FOR ALL THEIR HARD WORK AND THE TEAM THAT HAS JOINED ME HERE IN THE -- IN PREPARING THIS BUDGET ALONG WITH THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WORK CLOSELY WITH US NOW WE WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE 8 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS BEGINNING WITH THE COUNTY

JUDGE'S OFFICE. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MENIN AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES STAFF FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS DO.

YOUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR MENIN SAW ONE OF THE LARGEST BUDGET CUTTING FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND GROWING LIST OF UNFUNDED COURT DIRECTIVES AND TASKED WITH COUNT-WIDE PROJECTS LIKE COMPENSATION IN PAY EQUITY PROJECT, PROCURETIVE PAY HOW'S YOUR STAFFING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION BEEN IMPACTED THIS

YEAR? >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THE QUES QUESTION, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE.

IT HAS BEEN TOUGH. AS I HAVE MENTIONED DURING MY OPENING REMARKS IT HAS BEEN DONE.

WE HAVE USED THE SAME RESOURCES FOR BOTH KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON AS WELL AS PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING DOWN THE PIPE SO A THOU THOUGHTFUL PRIORITIZATION HAS BEEN ONE OF THE STRATEGIES AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE COURSE OFFICES THAT PARTICIPATE WE HAVE ALL IMPLEMENTED A STRATEGIC HIRING PROCESS IN AS PER THE GUIDELINES FROM THE COURT AS AN EXAMPLE THE POSITIONS THAT WE REQUEST ARE THOROUGHLY THOUGHT THROUGH AND THEY ARE REQUESTED TO SUPPORT THOSE KEY INITIATIVES THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BROUGHT IT TO OUR ATTENTION AS PRIORITY PROJECTS SO WE ARE VERY THOUGHTFUL IN HOW WE ARE MANAGING OUR WORK FORCE.

YES IT IS CHALLENGING AND DIFFICULT OUR TEAM IS WORKING TO ACCOMPLISH MANY OF THOSE PROJECTS AS AN EXAMPLE, OUR TEAM HAD TO WORK MULTIPLE WEEKENDS AND EVENTS AND FOREGO SOME OF THE HOLIDAYS IN OF THE TO XR ACCOMPLISH THE TIME LINE THE COURT PUT IN FRONT OF US AND WE WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE IT HAPPEN IT'S CHALLENGING YET WE ARE ACCOMPLISHING THOSE GOALS TO

MEET THE COUNTY GOAL DIRECTIVE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER'S COURT ALSO DIRECTED UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT A COUNTY WF WIDE TECHNOLOGY AUDIT TO IDENTIFY COST SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES COULD YOU PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE AUDIT AND HIGHLIGHT THE WINS IDENTIFIED TO DATE AND DISCUSS A ROAD MAP FOR IMPLEMENTING THE LONG TERM SAVINGS.

>> THROUGH OUR E TEM PROGRAM, WE HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING THE AUDIT.

WE HAVE ALSO USED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BECAUSE THE TIME LINE TO IMPLEMENT THAT AUDIT WAS PRETTY SHORT.

OUR CO PI PILOT INNOVATION LAB CALLED PRISM THAT CALLED US

[02:40:06]

IDENTIFY THE LONG TERM WINS AND SHORT TERM WINS.

WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THE CHERM WINS -- SHORT TERM WINS AND THROUGH OUR PROGRAM LICENSE OPTIMIZATION HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY FOR US AND THROUGH THOSE AUDITS WE HAVE ALSO FOUND THERE ARE SEVERAL UNUSED -- SO OPTIMIZING THE USE OF LICENSES IS ONE OF THE FIRST PRIORITIES WE HAVE SO THAT WE CAN GENERATE THESE SAVINGS PRETTY QUICKLY AND THEY ARE ALSO LOOKING AT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS TO TURN MOST OF OUR CONTRACTS INTO -- YOU KNOW, IF YOU SEE AN ENTERPRISE OPPORTUNITY WE LOOK AT HOW DO WE BRING ALL OF THOSE INTO ENTERPRISE IN ORDER TO GENERATE SAVINGS AND THROUGH THOSE EFFORTS I'LL USE EXAMPLE OF ADOBE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REALIZE A GREAT AMOUNT OF SAVINGS THERE. SO THE ROAD MAP FOR THAT IS TO CONTINUE BUILDING ONTO THIS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DEVELOPED GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS AND THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE ON -- NOT ON BOARD YET, WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM VERY CLOSELY. WE HAVE WORKED ON MOUS WITH THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAD CHALLENGES IN ACCEPTING THE ETEM PROGRAM AS A WHOLE IT HAS BEEN A GREAT COLLABORATION ACROSS THE COUNTY AND WE'RE GRATEFUL WE HAVE ALL THE DEPARTMENTS IN MAKING THAT

SUCCESSFUL. >> THANK YOU, ADDITIONALLY HOW DOES THE 311 CONTACT SERVICE IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY ACROSS THE COUNTY AND WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR EXPANDING IT'S XAPABILITIES? -- CAPABILITIES.

>> YES, HARRIS COUNTY 311 IT IMPROVES THE SERVICE DELIVERY BY PROVIDING 24/7 ONE STOP PLATFORM FOR NONEMERGENCY SERVICES.

WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT USAGE OF THOSE 311 PLATFORM DURING DISASTER AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

LIKE I SAID DURING MY OPENING SPEECH, WE HAVE SEEN ALREADY 85,000 -- MORE THAN 85,000 CALLS COMING TO OUR 311 CENTER.

IT DIVERTS THE NONURGENT CALLS FROM 911 AND USES UNIFIED SERVICE CATALOGUE TO AUTOMATICALLY ROUTE REQUESTS.

OUR REGION IS TO EXPAND THE ADOPTION OF 311 ACROSS ALL THE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE COUNTY. WE ARE LOOKING AT CONTINUOUSLY ONBOARDING NEW COUNTY DEPARTMENTS INTO THIS SERVICE CATALOGUE AND LOOKING INTO INVESTING INTO CUSTOMER FACING TECHNOLOGIES TO STREAM LINE CASE CREATION AND USING DATA IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY WHERE MOST OF THE CALLS ARE COMING FROM OR ANY OF THE PROBLEM AREAS THAT WE CAN INVEST IN AND THE COUNTY CAN INVEST IN AND LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, DISASTER RESILIENCE SO MAKING SURE THIS PLATFORM IS READY, THE PERSONNEL ARE READY AND THEN WE HAVE LANGUAGE ACCESS ACCESSIBILITIES AND OTHER ASPECT THAT IS WE'RE LOOKING AT FROM A 311 PERSPECTIVE HOW DO WE EXPAND INTO OUR LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY PORTFOLIO.

>> AND MY LAST QUESTION FOR NOW, ONE OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES SERVICE ENHANCEMENT REQUEST IS SOFTWARE MODERNIZATION TOOL CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH OPTIMIZING THESE TOOLS NOW RATHER THAN LATER WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE COUNTY.

>> I WOULD SAY FROM A RISK PERSPECTIVE THE TOP THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS THE RISK. VS. OUTDATED TECHNOLOGY OPENS UP FOR ALL THE CYBER RISKS WE DON'T WANT TO BE APART OF THAT'S TOP MOST AND THE SECOND IS TO GET THE SUPPORT FROM THE VENDOR, STAYING ON TOP OF THE TECHNOLOGY MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE KEEPING OUR TECHNOLOGY UP TO DATE HELPS US GET THE RIGHT SUPPORT FROM THE VENDER AND ADDRESS ANY INCIDENTS IN A TIMELY FASHION.

THAT IS THE SECOND REASON AND THE THIRD THING THAT'S THE BEST PRACTICE TO ADOPT AS A TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATION IS TO MAKE SURE YOUR TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO STAYS UP TO DATE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. PRECINCT ONE, YOU WILL NOW HAVE

8 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> HI, SPENCER LIVELY FROM OFFICER OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS, HELLO, THANKS FOR COMING.

SO BUILDING FURTHER ON THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE SOFTWARE LICENSES, COULD YOU PLEASE EXPAND FURTHER ON THE MAIN HURDLES TO CAPTURING THOSE SAVINGS THAT YOU'RE

EXPERIENCING? >> SOME OF THE -- SO WE ARE A DIVERSE COUNTY. WE HAVE MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS.

WE HAVE ALL CRITICAL FLAVOURS OF OPERATION.

WE ARE CENTRALIZED TO A GREAT EXTENT BUT WE ARE ALSO DECENTRALIZED IN A CERTAIN MANNER.

SO HAVING A COMMON FRAME OF OPERATION IS KIND OF CRITICAL.

THAT'S -- THAT'S ONE OF THE -- SO POLICY -- HAVING POLICY STRUCTURE, A COORDINATED POLICY STRUCTURE THAT IS KIND OF CRITICAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF THAT PROGRAM.

THE SECOND THING I WOULD BRING UP IS ALSO LOOKING INTO THE PORTFOLIO OF SOLUTIONS WE HAVE, WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF SOLUTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THE 600 APPLICATIONS THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES MANAGES.

[02:45:01]

WE HAVE MUCH MORE THAN THAT. SO LOOKING INTO THAT PORTFOLIO AND LOOKING AT THE CANDIDATE -- CANDIDATES FOR ENTERPRISE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENTS IS KIND OF CRITICAL.

SO THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE IN ORDER FOR US TO ACHIEVE THE FULL FLEDGED BENEFIT OF THAT PROGRAM.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. SO MOVING ON TO LIKE AI TECHNOLOGY, YOU KNOW, IT'S BUILDING -- IT'S RAPIDLY EVOLVING IT'S NOT GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON HOW CAN HARRIS COUNTY RESPON RESPONSIBLY LEVERAGE THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT CREATING UNNECESSARY DELAYS FOR

DEPARTMENTS. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, SPENCER BECAUSE THAT'S KIND OF ONE OF THE TOP MOST THOUGHT PROCESSES FOR US IS WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANY KIND OF DELAY TO THE DEPARTMENTS. OUR GOAL IS TO EMPOWER AND EM ABLE THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE SERVICES THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDES TO OUR RESIDENTS. SO WE ARE NOT BOTTLE NECKS AND WE DO NOT PLAN TO BE THE BOTTLENECKS.

SO A THOUGHTFUL GOVERNANCE PROCESS IS BEING DESIGNED IN ORDER TO HELP THE DEPARTMENTS PROCURE AND US BEING RISK AVERSE AND WHEN THOSE SOLUTIONS ARE BEING BROUGHT IN.

SO IT IS GOING TO EXPAND. WE ALL KNOW THAT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS GOING TO EXPAND. IT'S HERE TO STAY.

AND YOU KNOW, THE SOLUTIONS WILL MAKE OUR OPERATIONS IN SOME PLACES BETTER BUT HOWEVER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IS REQUIRED WHEN WE BRING IN THOSE SOLUTIONS SO WE STARTED WITH CO PILOT LAST YEAR WE EMBARKED ON THE JOURNEY OF CO PILOT EDUCATING THE WORK FORCE ON THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF CO PILOT AND ALSO OPENING UP -- YOU KNOW, INNOVATION LAB THAT HAS THE SOLUTIONS THAT COULD GET TRAINED BEFORE THEY ADOPT CO PILOT. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT POLICY AS YOU KNOW WE HAD GONE OUT WITH AN AI GUIDELINE IN THE YEAR 2024 AND THEN FURTHER STRENGTHENED IT WITH BARE, THE FIRST STEP AI POLICY WHICH WAS ADOPTED IN NOVEMBER OF 2024.

NOW THIS YEAR WE ARE EMBARKING ON STRENGTHENING THAT POLICY.

THERE ARE SEVERAL STATE AND FEDERAL MANDATES THAT ARE BEING POSED ON THE AI TECHNOLOGIES SO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATOR AND PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND THE BUDGETING DEPARTMENT TO START -- STRENGTHEN A GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE THAT WILL HELP US VERY QUICKLY MOVE FORWARD. DPR, OUR TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT REQUEST PROCESS HAS ALSO EVOLVED IN ORDER FOR US TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENTS IN A QUICK MANNER. AS AN EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS WAS UNIVERSAL SERVICES LAST FISCAL YEAR THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT WAS UNIVERSAL SERVICES TAKES A LONG TIME TO RESPOND TO THESE TECHNOLOGY REQUESTS.

THIS YEAR THE TIME HAS BEEN SHORTENED.

WE ARE VERY CLEAR DATA. IT IS A TRANSPARENT PROCESS THAT WE HAVE ROLLED OUT THROUGH TECHNOLOGY BUDGET REQUESTS SO WE ARE PUTTING IN ALL THE REQUIRED STEPS IN ORDER FOR US TO BE BE ABLE TO QUICKER, EASIER AND ALSO AT THE SAME TIME HANDLING THE RISK. THERE'S ANOTHER ASPECT WHICH WE ARE LOOKING AT -- AGAIN AND TO LOOK AT MAKING THESE PURCHASES MORE EFFICIENT, LIKE CAN WE GET ECONOMIES OF SCALE BY USING THE SOLUTIONS IN AN OPTIMAL FASHION. SO OUR FORKS IS -- OUR FOCUS IS

ON THAT AS WELL. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

AND WHAT EXPENSES DO YOU EXPECT THAT MIGHT INVOLVE SETTING UP THAT GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AND EVERYTHING ELSE?

>> SO THE COURT HAS BEEN -- I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED FROM THE COURT. SO EARLIER THIS YEAR WE HAD COME IN AND ASKED FOR SOME RESOURCES FOR THE -- FOR OUR AI LAB.

BASICALLY FOR OUR INNOVATION LAB AND FOR THE AI PRACTICE THAT WE'RE BUILDING WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT.

THE COURT WAS -- YOU KNOW, COURT APPROVED IT FOR US, THAT WILL HELP US TAKE THIS THROUGH TO CONTINUATION. AT THIS TIME I'M NOT REQUESTING ANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR AI.

AND FOR THE SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS YOU'VE REQUESTED, WHAT ARE THE MOST CRITICAL FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THIS SAME LEVEL OF SERVICE OR THAT YOU'D EXPECT TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS BEYOND THE COST TO THE BUDGET.

>> SO I CANNOT TALK ABOUT GENERATING SERVICES BECAUSE NONE OF THOSE SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS ARE DIRECTLY GOING TO GENERATE THE SERVICES BUT THEY ARE GOING TO CREATE EFFICIENCEFFICIENCIES AS AN EXAMPLE THE SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR CYBER SECURITY HELPS US REACT FASTER. AND/OR BE PROACTIVE IN IDENTIFYING THE THREATS. SOME OF THE OTHER REQUESTS ARE ENHANCEMENTS AND/OR EXTENSION OF OUR CURRENT LICENSING AGREEMENT.

SO IT WILL ENABLE THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL BE

[02:50:03]

UTILIZING THOSE LICENSES TO RESPOND TO OUR RESIDENTS IN A QUICKER, FASTER FASHION. AND THE SECOND ONE THAT WE HAD PRIORITIZED WAS AROUND THE SECOND ONE WAS WITH -- ONE SECOND, SORRY. TRAINING.

YES. TRAINING FOR OUR WORK FORCE TO RESPOND, AGAIN, THE REQUESTS THAT ARE COMING TO US ARE VERY MUCH FUTURE ORIENTED. THERE ARE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, THERE ARE ALL THESE MODERN TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE BEING REQUESTED OF US SO BUILDING OUR WORK FORCE TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT IS KIND OF CRITICAL FOR US.

SO THOSE TWO ARE OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY AND THE OTHER TWO ARE ALSO CRITICAL AS AN EXAMPLE THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WE HAVE SEEN EXTENSIVE INTEREST IN JOINING OUR DEPARTMENT AS INTERNS, THE UNIVERSITIES AND CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST. HOWEVER WE HAVE NO BUDGET ALLOCATED FOR THAT. SO THAT IS ANOTHER ONE AND THE COMPLIANCE AND ANALYST BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH OF AN AUDIT AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT ASK AND ALSO ENSURING ALL THE FEDERAL AND STATE MANDATED REQUIREMENTS ARE BEING MET WE ARE REQUESTING

A COMPLIANCE ANALYST. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU AND WITH THE TIME LEFT, COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SAVINGS YOU'VE IDENTIFIED IN YOUR OFFSETS SO THE TIME LINE FOR THOSE AND HOW MUCH YOU WOULD EXPECT THOSE TO BE ABLE TO SAVE.

>> WE HAVE IDENTIFIED 8% WITHIN OUR BUDGET, AGAIN IT'S GOING TO BE -- WE ARE A LEAN DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE BECOME FURTHER LEAN BY THE BUDGET CUTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF MULTIPLE YEARS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A STRUGGLE HOWEVER WE ARE DONE OUR BEST PART AND WE UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE THAT THE COUNTY IS IN AND WE ARE APART OF THE COUNTY SO WE WILL DO OUR PART. THE 8% OFFSET YOU'RE SEEING IS THROUGH THE LICENSING OPTIM OPTIMIZATION. WITH ALL THE WORK AND ANALYSIS WE HAVE DONE AND THE DATA THAT'S AVAILABLE, ALONG WITH THE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE COMING UP WE ARE VERY FAIRLY CONFIDENT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT 4 MILLION DOLLARS IN LICENSING OPTIMIZATION AND THE REST WE HAVE IDENTIFIED ALSO WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO REALIZE THOSE SAVINGS. THE SAVINGS WILL HAPPEN, SOME OF THE SAVINGS WILL HAPPEN DURING OCTOBER 1 AS SOON AS THE FISCAL YEAR HITS AND THEN SOME SAVINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WE OPTIMIZE ON THOSE LICENSING S AND/OR THOSE SERVICES SO IT'S GOING TO BE AN ONGOING PROCESS BUT WE ARE FAIRLY CONFIDENT THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE BACK THE AMOUNT

THAT WE HAVE. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT ONE. PRECINCT TWO YOU WILL NOW HAVE 8

MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, IT DIRECTOR AND PRECINCT TWO. DR. MENON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP. TO START OFF DESPITE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS WHICH U.S. AREA HAS SHOWN RESILIENCE IN THAT TRANSLATES TO OPTIMIZATION IN THREB SERVICE?

-- PUBLIC SERVICE? >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

IT IS -- IT'S A VERY CRITICAL QUESTION FOR US.

WE SERVE EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE WITHIN THE COUNTY AND WE ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THE RESIDENTS.

SO WE HAVE DELIBERATELY FOCUSED ON BUILDING OUR CYBER RESILIENCE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY'S TECHNOLOGY ASSETS ARE PROTECTED.

THE SECOND AREA WHERE WE HAVE INVESTED A LOT OF OUR EFFORTS WHILE -- YOU KNOW, DEALING WITH THE BUDGET CUTS IS BUILD UP OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RESILIENCE, AS AN EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE EFFORTS INCLUDING CAT RMS ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS ARE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT READY IN CASE OUR PRIMARY NETWORKS FACES A CHALLENGE. THAT'S THE OTHER INVESTMENT THAT WE'RE DOING. WE ARE BEING A GOOD STEWARD OF TAX PAYERS MONEY. WE ARE LOOKING AT LICENSE OPTIMIZATION THROUGH THE ETEM PROGRAM AND ALSO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE 311, RADIO INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY, ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFULLY DESIGNED IN ORDER TO -- AGAIN, BE RESILIENT, PROVIDE THE SUPPORTS NEEDED FOR THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUSTICE COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENTS AND ALL OF THEM, ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS IN GENERAL, AND ALSO ENSURING THAT -- YOU KNOW, SERVICES STAY AVAILABLE FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. FOLLOWING UP IN ADDITION TO SOFTWARE LICENSES WHAT OTHER RESOURCES IS US MAKING AVAILABLE COUNTY WIDE TO CONTINUE SOFT SAVING EFFORTS.

>> WE PROVIDE -- FLEET IS AN EXAMPLE, WE HAVE FLEET

[02:55:02]

DEPARTMENT THAT IS EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. OUR 311 SERVICES, AGAIN, IS AVAILABLE TO ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER OUR VISION IS TO EXPAND THOSE SERVICES ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE WILLING TO ON BOARD WITH US.

THE OTHER AREAS THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT RADIO -- RADIO SERVICES AGAIN CRITICAL FOR DISASTER AS FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. WE'RE EXPANDING AND WE PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO OUR -- AND DATA CENTER AND ANOTHER ONE WHICH IS UTILIZED BY MAJORITY OF THE COUNTIES SO THOSE RESOURCES ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE. WE HAVE DEVELOPED EXPERTISE IN OUR AI SO THE RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO US ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO UTILIZE AND/OR BUILD SOLUTIONS THAT CAN HELP MOVE THE COUNTY FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. COULD YOU PLEASE TO MEASURABLE GAINS IN SERVICE SPEED, COST EFFICIENCY AND STAFF PRODUCTIVITY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND HOW US PLANS TO BUILD ON

THAT MOVING FORWARD? >> SO I CAN DEFINITELY TALK ABOUT COST EFFICIENCIES. AS WE'VE SEEN A REALIZED GAIN THERE. I CAN ALSO TALK ABOUT THE STAFF TIME, THERE HAVE BEEN -- YOU KNOW, A PROVEN USE CASE WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT WHERE PRISM, THE AI SOLUTION THAT WAS ROLLED OUT, A TASK THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN AT LEAST FOUR ANALYSTS WAS DEVELOPED USING THIS TOOL WITHIN A MATTER OF THREE WEEKS.

THAT TELLS YOU THE STAFF TIME THAT CAN BE REALIZED AS A RESULT OF USING THOSE KINDS OF TOOLS. WE'VE ALSO HEARD FROM SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS, INTERCOP BEING ONE OF THEM THAT FMO WE TALKED ABOUT AND PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TALKED ABOUT AN AI SOLUTION THAT IS HELPING THEM SCAN THROUGH THE VARIOUS PURCHASES ET CETERA, CONTRACTS ET CETERA. SO WE HAVE SOLUTIONS THAT WOULD IN THE FUTURE DRIVE THOSE KINDS OF EFFICIENCIES FOR NOW WE HAVE REALIZED COST SAVING THROUGH THE LICENSING OPTIMIZATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ONE FINAL QUESTION.

HOW MANY -- WHAT PERCENTAGE OF COUNTY DEPARTMENTS HAVE ADAPTED 311. I KNOW YOU BRIEFLY SPOKE ON THAT

EARLIER. >> I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER ON TOP OF MY HEAD BUT I CAN SEND YOU THE -- WE HAVE THE PRECINCTS HAVE ADOPTED IT AND SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS HAVE ADOPTED IT. I CAN SEND THE NUMBERS.

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT TWO. PRECINCT THREE, YOU WILL NOW

HAVE 8 MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, DIRECTOR MENON AND ALSO THE REST OF THE US TEAM IN ATTENDANCE.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES AS WELL AS THE LONG TERM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS THE ERP TRANSFORMATION IS EXPECTED TO DELIVER? AND ALSO HOW WILL THOSE BENEFITS IMPROVE SERVICES FOR THESE DEPARTMENTS AND ALSO PROVIDE SAVINGS FOR THE RESIDENTS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. ERP IS ONE OF THE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS, A MAJOR PROJECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO UNDERTAKE IN THE NEXT YEAR. THIS YEAR WE HAVE STARTED ENGAGING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO COLLECT THEIR REQUIREMENTS AS THE COURT OFFICES HAVE ALSO BEEN APART OF IT AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION AS WELL AS FOR THE INSIGHTS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THE TEAM WHILE THEY DEVELOP THE SCOPE OF WORK.

SO WE DO APPRECIATE ALL THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE HAD SO FAR. THROUGH THAT PROCESS WE HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF VALUABLE INPUTS WHICH WILL HELP US SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ERP. IN TERMS OF COST OPTIMIZATION AND EFFICIENCIES THAT WOULD BE GAINED THROUGH ERP, REMPT.

P -- THE FUTURE OF ERP IS BEING DESIGNED NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE'S SOFT FUNCTION NOT JUST TO TRANSITION THE PEOPLE OFF FUNCTION BUT ALSO TO LOOK AT THE MISCELLANEOUS SYSTEM THAT IS EXIST WITHIN THE COUNTY ENVIRONMENT AND HOW MANY OF THOSE CAN BE A CANDIDATE FOR BEING A PART OF ERP IMPLEMENTATION. SO WE ARE TAKING VERY THOUGHTFUL APPROACH AS WE EMBARK ON THAT JOURNEY.

IT WOULD NOT BE ON PHASE ONE THAT WE WILL REALIZE ALL OF THESE EFFICIENCEFFICIENCIES. AS SOON AS WE LAUNCH, LIKE I SAID WE'RE A VERY THOUGHTFUL APPROACH WE'VE TAKEN AS WE PLAN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ERP. THE FIRST PHASE OF ERP IS TO MOVE PEOPLE SOFT FUNCTIONS INTO THE NEW ERP SYSTEM WHICHEVER IT IS SELECTED. THEREFORE GAPS, WE ARE VERY WELL AWARE THAT PEOPLE SOFT HAS GAPS. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP IN MULTIPLE FORUMS THAT THERE WERE THINGS THAT WERE LOST THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OR SOME FUNCTIONS THAT WERE NOT IMPLEMENTED IN COMPLETENESS. SO THE GOAL IS WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE PHASE ONE, WE GET THOSE COVERED THROUGH THAT.

AND THEN THE PHASE TWO WOULD BE TO LOOKING AT -- LOOKING INTO THESE APPLICATIONS THAT EITHER INTERPHASE WITH ERP OR CAN BE

[03:00:04]

APART OF ERP AND IMPLEMENTING THEM AS PHASE TWO.

SO THERE IS GOING TO BE SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS AS A RESULT OF BRINGING THOSE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE ERP ENVIRONMENT AND ALSO BY RETIRING SOME OF THOSE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT. WE ALSO HAVE AN APPLICATION, REAL REALIZATION EFFORT THAT'S HAPPENS IN PARALLEL WHICH WILL PREPARE US FOR ALL OF THESE -- YOU KNOW, BOTH EFFICIENCIES AS WELL AS COST SAVINGS. THUS PROVIDING BETTER SERVICES

TO OUR TAX PAYERS. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

AND FROM A FUNDING PERSPECTIVE, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE

ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUNDING? >> FOR ERP, WE DON'T HAVE THE ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUNDING AT THIS TIME.

WE HAVE JUST LAUNCHED, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE JUST LAUNCHED THE COLLECTION OF THE REQUIREMENTS CREATING THE SCOPE AND THE RFI TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SOLUTIONS EXIST IN THE MARKET.

NEXT YEAR WE NEXT YEAR, WE WOULD BE WORKING ON DEVELOPING THAT FUNDING REQUIREMENT, AND AT THIS TIME, I HAD NOT ASKED FOR ANYWHERE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THAT PROJECT.

>> ALSO, IN TERMS OF FUNDING FOR ERP, THERE'S SUCH A WIDE RANGE OF POCKETS WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THE CONTRACT IS LAID OUT.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WOULD PREFER TO SPEND MORE ON THE FRONT END AND CAPITALIZE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, VERSUS HAVING AN ONGOING LICENSING, SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE -- VERY PARTICULAR TO BEST AND FINAL OFFERS WHEN WE GET AROUND TO WHAT'S MOST

BENEFICIAL FOR OUR STRUCTURE. >> THANK YOU.

AND THE NEXT QUESTION IS HOW DOES UNIVERSAL SERVICES PRIORITIZE ENTERPRISE INITIATIVES WITHIN THE AVAILABLE AMOUNT OF FUNDING, AND WHAT CRITERIA DO YOU ALL USE TO DETERMINE WHICH PROJECTS WILL BE ADVANCED FROM FISCAL YEAR TO

FISCAL YEAR? >> AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. WE HAVE, THROUGH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTIVE, AND WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR THE DIRECTIVES THAT WE'VE RECEIVED THROUGH COMMISSIONERS COURT.

WE STARTED LOOKING AT DEVELOPING A GOVERNANCE PROCESS THAT WOULD HELP US IN PRIORITIZING. WHEN I WANTED TO AVOID A CHALLENGE WAS US BECOMING A BOTTLENECK, AS I MENTIONED, EARLIER, FOR ANY OF THE INITIATIVES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN.

SO WE RELY A LOT ON THE DEPARTMENTS TO HELP US DEFINE WHAT ARE THEIR REQUIREMENTS? WE LOOK AT A VERY THOROUGH PROCESS, BOTH FROM A TECHNOLOGY, RESOURCE AVAILABILITY TO THE INVESTMENT, PURCHASING. YOU KNOW, ANY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT, ALL OF THOSE, IN ORDER FOR US TO PRIORITIZE THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND TAKE IT THROUGH GOVERNANCE BOARD TO GET AN AGREEMENT AND/OR, YOU KNOW, ANY MODIFICATIONS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE INTO THAT PRIORITIZATION PROCESS.

SO IT'S A THOROUGHLY-THOUGHT-THROUGH PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES THE DEPARTMENTS, ALL THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY WHO WOULD BE A PART OF EITHER PROCUREMENT OR FINANCING OR, YOU KNOW, COMPLIANCE, ALL OF IT.

ALONG WITH THE OCA, IN ORDER FOR US TO BUILD THAT PRIORITY AND MOVE IT FORWARD FROM YEAR-TO-YEAR.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3.

PRECINCT 4, YOU CAN NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, DANIEL RODRIGUEZ.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MENON. I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN A SERIES OF QUESTIONS. I WILL START OFF, FIRST YOU MENTIONED YOU SUPPORTED THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, BUT YOUR DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO A PARTICIPANT, SO COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT IT'S HAD DIRECTLY ON YOUR

WORKFORCE? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. IF YOU GIVE ME JUST ONE MINUTE, WE HAD PREPARED... YEAH.

SO, YOU'VE ASKED ABOUT THE IMPACT ON OUR DEPARTMENT.

>> YES. >> SO THE STUDY REVIEWED 459 POSITIONS, AND APPROXIMATELY 30% OF THE POSITIONS RECEIVED A RECOMMENDED GRADE CHANGE. 21% OF THE POSITIONS RECEIVED AN FLSA CLASSIFICATION, AND WE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN VALIDATING RECOMMENDATIONS, RESULTING IN NUMEROUS DEPARTMENTAL COMMENTS AND VARIOUS MODIFICATIONS.

WAS IT PERFECT? I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS PERFECT.

WERE THERE GAPS? ABSOLUTELY, THERE WERE GAPS.

BUT WE ARE WORKING WITH 4 HRT TO ADDRESS THOSE GAPS.

ONE OF THE -- ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF THE COMP STUDY WAS SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES -- I TALKED ABOUT RECLASSIFICATION. I'LL BRING UP SPECIFICALLY MY

[03:05:02]

FLEET DEPARTMENT. THE CLASSIFICATIONS WITHIN THE FLEET WAS TECHNICIAN 1, 2, 3, AND 4.

WHEN THE CLASSIFICATION -- WHEN THE CLASSIFICATION STUDY WAS DEPLETED, IT TURNED INTO 1, 2, 3.

THE FOLKS WHO WERE ON 4 WERE MOVED INTO 3.

SO THAT CAUSED SOME LEVEL OF UNHAPPINESS WITHIN THE TEAM.

BUT WE UNDERSTAND. WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO THE TEAMS AND WE'LL WORK WITH HRT TO MAKE SURE THOSE KIND OF GAPS ARE ADDRESSED. SO, ALSO WITH OUR TECHNOLOGY TEAM. TECHNOLOGY CLASSIFICATION, THERE WERE SOME CHALLENGES THERE, BUT WE'RE ACTIVELY TALKING TO EACH

OTHER. >> HAVE YOU SEEN ANY BENEFITS YET IN YOUR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO BUILD THE WORKFORCE THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DEVELOP? RIGHT? SO THAT YOU CAN CONTINUE ROLLING OUT YOUR INITIATIVES.

>> NOT YET. >> OKAY.

BECAUSE THAT WAS GOING TO BE MY OTHER QUESTION: IS RIGHT NOW, HOW MANY OPEN PCNS DO YOU HAVE?

>> WE HAVE -- >> 80.

>> WE HAVE 80 POSITIONS THAT ARE VACANT.

OUT OF THOSE, 50 CRITICAL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED THROUGH THE VARIOUS MONTHS FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL.

30 POSITIONS APPROVED FOR HIRING, AND 19 APPROVED OFFICIAL POSITIONS HAVE BEEN KILLED FILLED TODATE, AND 25 CONTRACTOE

BEEN ONBOARDED. >> WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE

IN BEING ABLE TO FILL THOSE? >> WE COMPETE WITH NOT JUST PUBLIC SECTOR. WE COMPETE WITH PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL. AS AN EXAMPLE: I HAVE LOST A FEW OF MY CRITICAL CYBER POSITIONS TO CENTREPOINTE TO, YOU KNOW, SPACEX. THOSE KIND OF AGENCIES, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE A HIGH-CALIBER TALENT THAT IS EXTREMELY MARKETABLE.

AND IT JUST -- IT'S NOT JUST IN TECHNOLOGY.

EVEN IN OUR FLEET OPERATIONS, WE ARE BELOW THE MARKET RATE IN TERMS OF THE COMPENSATION PROVIDED TO OUR FLEET STAFF.

SO OUR CHALLENGE IS -- TOP-MOST CHALLENGE CONTINUES TO BE THE COMPENSATION. THE SECOND ONE, I WOULD SAY, IS ALSO RELATED TO REMOTE -- WORK/LIFE BALANCE.

YOU KNOW. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE COME DOWN THE PIPELINE, BUT VERY MINIMAL ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO THE DEPARTMENT, SO THE WORKLOAD HAS ALSO INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND TECHNOLOGY POSITIONS, MANY OF THEM HAVE ALSO LEFT THE COUNTY AS A RESULT OF THE REMOTK POSSIBILITIES THAT THEY GET OUT

THERE. >> STICKING WITH THE WORKFORCE QUESTIONS: THE OTHER THING IS I KNOW -- LIKE, ARE YOU HAVING -- BECAUSE THAT'S WORK.

I MEAN, YOU'RE SAYING YOU NEED THIS MANY POSITIONS.

THAT'S WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

ARE YOU RELYING ON TEMPORARY WORK, CONTRACT WORK TO PERFORM

THOSE FUNCTIONS? >> YES.

>> AND IS YOUR EXPECTATION, WHEN YOU FILL THEM, THAT WE WILL SEE A REDUCTION IN THE OVERALL LABOR COSTS?

>> I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION VERY MUCH.

WHEN I STARTED, I MENTIONED THAT WE DO STRATEGIC HIRING.

SO WE LOOK AT THINGS FROM A VERY CLEAR ANGLE.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE PROJECT -- RIGHT? WE NEED LOTS OF FOLKS WHEN THE PROJECT IS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE, BUT ONCE THE IMPLEMENTATION IS COMPLETE, WE GO INTO THE NORMALIZATION POINT, AT WHICH POINT, WE DON'T NEED AS MANY RESOURCES. THE POSITIONS WE ARE LOOKING TO BE UNFROZEN ARE RELATED TO THE VARIOUS INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE

COMPLETED. >> I'M MOVING ON NOW TO THE OFFSETS THAT YOU HAD SHARED WITH US, RIGHT? WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LICENSING OPTIMIZATION, AND I'LL ASK SOME SAVINGS THERE, BUT THE FLEET SAVINGS OF 2 MILLION.

IS THIS ALL WITHIN YOUR BUDGET, OR IS IT SAVINGS TO THE COUNTY?

>> IT'S WITHIN THE FLEET BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO US.

>> DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF WHAT THE SAVINGS WOULD BE TO THE OVERALL COUNTY? BECAUSE THE IDEA IS THIS FLEET OPTIMIZATION, THIS FLEET PROGRAM THAT WE'RE ROLLING OUT IS SUPPOSED TO BENEFIT ANYONE THAT HAS A FLEET.

DO WE HAVE ANY NUMBERS ON THAT? >> I DON'T ON TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I CAN. I CAN PROVIDE THAT DETAIL.

>> I KNOW IN YOUR OPENING STATEMENT, YOU TALKED A LOT ABOUT, HEY, WE SUPPORT ALL THESE OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

MY QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU CAPTURE SORT OF THE INNER PRICE SAVINGS, OR DO YOU CAPTURE IT AT ALL?

>> WE DO. WE DO.

ON OUR TECHNOLOGY ASPECT, WE HAVE A VERY STRONG ETEM PROGRAM THAT WAS STOOD UP IN 2024 THAT CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE STRONGEST PROGRAMS WHERE WE CAPTURE THESE SAVINGS.

SIMILAR PROGRAM EXISTS WITHIN FLEET.

[03:10:03]

EVERY INITIATIVE THAT WE UNDERTAKE, WE LOOK AT FROM THE ANGLE OF EFFICIENCY. BOTH FROM A SUSTAINABILITY, AS IN CLIMATE ACTION PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL AS FROM A COST-SAVING

PERSPECTIVE. >> AND SO, THEN, WITH THE LICENSING OPTIMIZATION, AND EVEN SOME OF THE OPERATIONS OFFSET, IS THIS GOING TO HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE THE SERVICE DELIVERY TO E

DEPARTMENTS? >> IF YOU'RE TALKING SPECIFICALLY LICENSE OPTIMIZATION...

THE EFFORT ON E-TIME IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO EFFECTS TO THE DEPARTMENT. SO AS AN EXAMPLE, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN THROUGH OUR AUDIT OF LICENSES IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL LICENSES THAT ARE ON THE SHELF, NOT BEING USED.

SO WE RECOVER THOSE LICENSES AND ASSIGN IT TO THE DEPARTMENTS THAT NEED IT. AND WHEN THE DEPARTMENT THAT REQUIRES THOSE LICENSES COMES IN, WE GO AND PROCURE MOST LICENSES FOR THEM. SO IT IS AN EFFICIENT WAY OF CYCLING THE LICENSES AND ALSO ENSURING THAT WE ARE RIGHT-SIZING EVERY -- EVERY LICENSE THAT WE HAVE AT THE

COUNTY. >> AND I KNOW WE STARTED ON THIS EFFORT LAST YEAR, AND SO WHAT ARE THE SAVINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE WITH THAT PROJECT SO FAR?

>> SO, OVERALL, THAT PROJECT IN THE YEAR 2024 -- 2025, WE HAD 1.9 MILLION THAT WE SAVED THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.

THIS YEAR, WE'VE ALREADY SAVED -- THE FISCAL YEAR 2026, WE'VE ALREADY SAVED 2.4 MILLION THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.

AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO SEE THOSE SAVINGS ACROSS THE

MONTH-TO-MONTH. >> AND THEN I KNOW YOU HAD

MENTIONED -- THAT'S FINE. >> I DON'T WANT TO -- WHEN YOU FACTOR IN SOME OF THE COST AVOIDANCE, IT'S ACTUALLY CLOSER TO 4.5 MILLION FOR SAVINGS FOR FISCAL '25.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4.

WE WILL NOW REVISIT FOR ANY REMAINING TIME.

COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU HAD 1:45 REMAINING.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, BUT DIRECTOR MENON, IF YOU WANT TO USE THE MINUTE AND A HALF I HAVE REMAINING TO HIGHLIGHT ANY SORT OF PROGRAMS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO.

>> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE.

I APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL TIME THAT I HAVE RECEIVED.

I CANNOT THANK THE COURT ENOUGH FOR THE SUPPORT THAT I HAVE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT MY TERM HERE.

IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY BUILT PROGRAMS TO BE TAXPAYER -- BE, YOU KNOW, EFFICIENT AS FAR AS TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE CONCERNED, ASSURE THAT THE COUNTY IS STRONG FROM A CYBER SECURITY PERSPECTIVE. MOVE VARIOUS INITIATIVES FORWARD, IN ANY OF THE PORTFOLIOS THAT I MANAGE, WE HAVE MOVED THINGS FORWARD SIGNIFICANTLY.

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM ALL PARTNERS THAT WE WORK WITH, ALL THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE WORK WITH. WHETHER IT'S THE ELECTED OFFICES OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CONSTABLES, JUSTICE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE BEEN GREAT PARTNERS TO THEM, AND THEY HAVE BEEN GREAT PARTNERS TO US.

THE SUCCESS THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED IN THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THE LAST FISCAL YEAR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE HAD WE NOT HAD THAT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COURT OFFICES, AS WELL AS ALL THE ENTITIES THAT WE WORK WITH. SO I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE IT BY SAYING "THANK YOU" TO THEM, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH THEM TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRESS.

ERP IS A PROJECT THAT I APPRECIATE ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE RECEIVED. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PROJECT. WE WILL NEED EXTENSIVE SUPPORT FROM -- IN MOVING THAT FORWARD. A.I. IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE KEY INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE. AND WE CONTINUE TO GROW IN OUR FLEET, RADIO, 311, PUBLIC SAFETY, TECHNOLOGY, JUSTICE, TECHNOLOGY. OUR I.T. DIRECTOR HAS DONE A FABULOUS JOB OF MOVING -- INTO A SUPPORTABLE AREA. WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO.

THERE'S STILL A LOT TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE WE CAN SAY THAT JRAP IS THERE, BUT THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT COLLABORATION AS A RESULT OF THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE, SO I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE HIM THE KUDOS FOR THAT. AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR ALL THE ADDITIONAL TIME.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, AND THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. PRECINCT 1, YOU HAD NO REMAINING TIME. PRECINCT 2, YOU HAVE 3:18

REMAINING. >> I WOULD LIKE TO YIELD THAT

TIME TO DIRECTOR MENON. >> I THINK IF YOU ALL HAVE ANYTHING ELSE THAT I CAN PROVIDE CLARITY WITH, I'M HERE, BUT IN CLOSE, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I APPRECIATE THIS TIME.

I APPRECIATE YOU ALL PARTICIPATING IN OUR BUDGET BRIEFING, AND THANK YOU TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, BUDGET DIRECTOR, AND EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED US THROUGH THIS

EFFORT. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 3, YOU HAD 2:23

>> PRECINCT 4, YOU HAD NO FURTHER TIME REMAINING.

[03:15:02]

SO, THEREFORE, THANK YOU TO DIRECTOR --

>> CAN I JUST SAY -- ALL THE SUCCESSES THAT I HAVE SHARED WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT MY TEAM.

SO I STARTED OFF WITH THEM. I'M GOING TO FINISH UP WITH THEM: SAYING "THANK YOU" TO EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES TEAM WHO HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL IN, YOU KNOW, DELIVERING HE THINK THAT THEY EY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO SO A GREAT DEAL OF THANKS TO THEM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE UNIVERSAL SERVICES TEAM.

OUR NEXT PRESENTATION WILL COME FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

[Flood Control]

>> THANK YOU, COURT OFFICES. NOW WE WELCOME THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. DIRECTOR STUCKETT HAS ELECTED TO USE HIS TIME SPLITTING WITH THREE MINUTES AT THE TOP FOR INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING.

EACH COURT OFFICE WILL THEN BE ALLOCATED EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 1.

>> ALL RIGHT. MARCUS STUCKETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

GOOD AFTERNOON TO THE COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER TEAMS. TODAY, OUR BUDGET THAT WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS IS $262.5 MILLION, WITH 68.6 MILLION IN LABOR AND 193.9 IN NON-LABOR SPENDING. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, FOLLOWING THE TAX INCREASE IN 2024, WE'VE BEEN SCALING-UP BY INCREASING STAFF, EQUIPMENT, AND CAPACITY TO DELIVER AT SCALE.

WE GAVE $170.6 MILLION TO THE MAGNET FUND, FUND 2891, WHICH EXISTS SPECIFICALLY TO GITCH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE PUBLIC SOME CLEAR VISIBILITY TOWARDS OUR MAINTENANCE DOLLARS AND HOW THEY'RE BEING SPENT. A FEW PRIORITIES FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR IS, OF COURSE, THE $863 MILLION FOR THE CITY GB AND DR. THIS WORK IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BY GRANTS, BUT SOME OF OUR SUPPORT WILL BE USING SOME OF THE OPERATING BUDGET THAT WE HAVE. WE'RE ACCELERATING THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM BY INCREASING OUR CAPACITY BOTH IN-HOUSE AND USING CONSULTANTS. WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THE SAFETY POLICY THAT WAS PASSED BY COMMISSION CURSE COURT BY ADDING TEN ADDITIONAL POSITIONS TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT, AND WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR INTERNAL SYSTEMS, MOVING THE NEXT PHASE OF UNIFY FORWARD, AND TO GIVE OUR ORGANIZATION SOME MORE

[03:20:01]

VISIBILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. WITH THE TWO YEARS THAT -- OF OF BUILD-UP, THIS BUDGET ALLOWS US TO FULLY INVEST IN PROJECT DELIVERY, AND I'LL F TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, BEGINNING WITH PRECINCT 2.

>> FIRST QUESTION, DIRECTOR STUCKETT.

HOW DOES THE BUDGET ALIGN WITH THE LONG-TERM FLOOD RESILIENCE PLAN, AND WHAT ARE THE KEY MILESTONES EXPECTED TO BE

ACHIEVED THIS FISCAL YEAR? >> SO THIS FISCAL YEAR WITH THE FLOOD RESILIENCE PLAN, WE PLAN TO WRAP UP THAT BY THE END OF THE YEAR. THE DISCUSSIONS WE'VE BEEN HAVING INTERNALLY ARE TO INCORPORATE THAT FLOOD RESILIENCE TEAM INTO BOTH OUR PLANNING PROCESS AND OUR PER AND DESIGN TO GIVE THEM SOME GUIDANCE TO MOVE FORWARD ON HOW TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY MORE RESILIENT.

>> WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY DRIVERS BEHIND THE INCREASING THE FINANCING AND PROCUREMENT ALLOCATE FOR FY 27 AND HOW WILL THESE WILL PRIORITIZED ACROSS CAPITAL PROJECTS?

>> TO ALLOW FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO HAVE SOME IT STAFF INTERNAL TO FLOOD CONTROL TO KIND OF HELP SPEED UP THE PROCESS FOR PURCHASING. IT GIVES FLOOD CONTROL A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTROL OVER HAVING SOME OF THE PURCHASING AGENTS

IN-HOUSE AS OPPOSED TO OFF-SITE. >> OKAY.

HOW IS EQUITY BEING ADDRESSED IN THE PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS? PARTICULARLY IN HISTORICALLY

UNDER-SERVED OR HIGH-RISK AREAS? >> YES.

WHAT WE'RE DOING THERE IS WE'RE JUST FOLLOWING THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK THAT HTHATHAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED,O NOTHING CHANGES ON THAT FRONT. --

>> DID TO REMAIN ON TRACK WITH TIMED BUDGETS AND TIMELINES?

>> SO WE ARE INCREASING SOME OF OUR EFFORTS WITH SUPPORT FROM CONSULTANTS. BUT ALSO BUILDING A DASHBOARD THAT WILL ALLOW US TO TRACK SOME OF THESE ITEMS BETTER, THAT WILL BE PUBLIC-FACING AND FOR INTERNAL USE.

>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS AND IMPACT OF THE FEDERAL CHANNEL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, ESPECIALLY REGARDING SIMS BAYOU?

>> SO, FOR THAT QUESTION ON MAINTENANCE, I'LL PASS IT OVER

TO JASON CAHN. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

IN REGARDS TO THE SIMS BAYOU FEDERAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, OUR FOCUS IN THE COMING YEAR IS TO REALLY FOCUS ON CLEANING OF RELIEF WELLS, FLUSHING OF RELIEF WELLS AND OVERALL GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF THAT SYSTEM AT THIS TIME.

HOW WILL THE ADDITIONAL $1 MILLION FOR NATURAL CHANNEL REPAIRS B ALLOCATED? AND WHAT OUTCOMES ARE EXPECTED IN TERMS OF SYSTEM RELIABILITY

AND FLOOD RISK REDUCTION? >> AND, AGAIN, THAT'S MY CHIEF

FINANCIAL OFFICER. >> SO WE ARE LOOKING AT TRYING TO TARGET AN EXPANSION OF DESIGN ON NATIONAL CHANNEL DESIGN PROJECTS THROUGH OUR ENGINEERING GROUP THIS YEAR, BY WHICH WILLD TO THOSE PROJECTS BEING PUT IN THE GROUND IN THE FOLLOWING FY 67 ESTABLISHING NEW PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS FOR THAT SPECIALIZED DESIGN AND DELIVERY IN FY 27 TO COME OUT IN FY 27.

>> 28. >> HOW WILL THE DEPARTMENT ENSURE ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE OF FLOOD CONTROL CHANNELS AND

DETENTION BASINS? >> JASON KRAHN?

>> ABSOLUTELY. SO, OUR FOCUS ON CHANNELS AND BASINS FOR FY '27 WILL CONTINUE TO BE THREE TARGETED MOWINGS ANNUALLY AND REALLY FOCUSING ON EXPANDING ON SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE PRACTICES. TREE PLANTINGS.

EXPANSION OF WILDFLOWER PLANTINGS.

NATIVE SEED MIX INTRODUCTION PILOT PROJECTS AND LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN CREATE MORE SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND THEN REDUCE THAT MAINTENANCE FOOTPRINT IN THE LONG RUN. SO IT'S AN EXPANSION OF ALL THOSE SERVICES. AS WELL AS WORKING AT GETTING IN FRONT OF INVASIVE SPECIES THROUGH HERBICIDE APPLICATION AND OTHER MECHANICAL MEANS TO REMOVE THOSE FROM OUR SYSTEMS.

>> NEXT QUESTION IS IN REFERENCE TO TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION: WHAT SPECIFIC ENHANCEMENTS ARE PLANNED FOR THE FLOOD WARNING SYSTEMS, AND HOW WILL THESE UPGRADES IMPROVE REAL-TIME FLOOD MONITORING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSES?

>> SO WE HAVE A FEW THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.

ONE IS TO UPGRADE OUR SYSTEM USING CELLPHONES.

CURRENTLY, WE'RE USING RADIO, WHICH ALLOWS FOR ONE-WAY

[03:25:03]

COMMUNICATION. THE CELLPHONES WILL ALLOW FOR TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONS AND ALSO GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DO SOME OF THE MAINTENANCE WITHOUT HAVING TO PHYSICALLY GO OUT TO THE SITE, BECAUSE CURRENTLY, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

WE SEE AN ISSUE. WE HAVE TO SEND A TECHNICIAN OUT. HAVING CELLPHONES WILL ALLOW US TO DO SOME OF THAT EFFORT AND SOME OF THE TRIAGES WITHOUT HAVING PEOPLE OUT IN THE FIELD. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT INSTALLING SOME CAMERAS AS AN PILOT PROJECT.

>> HOW IS THE DEPARTMENT LEVERAGING DATA ANALYTICS FOR AD TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE PROJECT PLANNING, ASSET MANAGEMENT, AND

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT? >> SO, I'LL LET JASON SPEAK TO

THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PORTION. >> ABSOLUTELY.

SO, OUR ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IS STILL IN DEVELOPMENT.

WE HAVE ABOUT ROUGHLY 12 WATERSHEDS COMPLETED IN THE MIX AS WE WORK TO GET A BASELINE FOR INSPECTIONS.

DIGITIZATION AND BRINGING ALL THAT INFORMATION IN-HOUSE THAT WE NEED FOR PROACTIVE PLANNING. WE ARE LOOKING AT USING MORE DRONE TECHNOLOGY AS A NEW TECHNOLOGY TO HELP SUPPORT THAT ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. BUT IN SOME INSTANCES, IT DOES REQUIRE MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, GETTING IN THESE AREAS WHERE THERE'S FOLIAGE AND COVERAGE.

SO WE'RE LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGIES WHERE WE CAN.

ADDITIONALLY, WE'RE LOOKING AT USING DIFFERENT ROBOTICS TO LOOK AT ENCLOSED SYSTEMS, TO BE ABLE TO GET IN AND INSPECT IN AREAS WHERE WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO BEFORE AND HAVE A LOOK AT THOSE THINGS. AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN THE POINT IS RIGHT ON THE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ENGAGING WITH ALL OF THE OFFICES OF THIS BODY AND GETTING MORE IN-DEPTH INFORMATION TO YOU ON HOW WE'RE LOOKING AT THOSE PROJECTS, HOW WE'RE TAKING DEFICIENCIES AND TURNING THEM INTO PROJECTS, AND HOW WE'RE PLANNING ON MOVING FORWARD ON

THOSE IN THE FUTURE. >> THANK YOU.

THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE AT THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 2. PRECINCT 3, YOU WILL NOW HAVE

EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, DIRECTOR AND TAM. TEAM.

YOU'RE IN A BIG SLUG RIGHT NOW, TRYING WORK THROUGH PROJECTS.

AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'RE DOING.

WE KNOW YOUR ENTIRE TEAM IS WORKING HARD TO MOVE INITIATIVES FORWARD AND MEET ALL OF THEM OUR TIMELINES.

SO I UNDERSTAND YOU'VE BEEN HERE, LIKE, TWO WEEKS, SO THAT BEING SAID, YOU'RE GETTING YOUR FEET ON THE GROUND.

I RECOGNIZE THAT YOU WERE NOT INITIALLY INVOLVED IN PREPARING THIS BUDGET. DO YOU FORESEE ANY CHANGES, BASED ON YOUR INITIAL OBSERVATIONS, OF WHAT WILL NEED TO BE DONE ON THIS BUDGET BASED ON YOUR OPERATIONS TODAY?

>> AS THE BUDGET STANDS TODAY, THE TEAM HAS BRIEFED ME AND THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS BUDGET THAT GIVES ME REASON TO HAVE

ALARM. >> OKAY.

I UNDERSTAND FOR ALARM, BUT I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, IN PAST YEARS, FLOOD CONTROL HAS HAD A LOT OF STAFF AUGMENTATION.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO SHIFTING FROM MORE STAFF AUGMENTATION TO MORE INTERNAL RESOURCES? WHAT DO YOU ANTICIPATE YOUR LONG-TERM PLAN BEING FOR THAT?

>> SO MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO HAVE EVERYTHING INTERNAL AND USE CONSULTANTS, BUT GIVEN THE INTERNAL MARKET, USING CONSULTANTS IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP THINGS MOVING FORWARD AND NOT HAVING THEM SLOW DOWN BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO HIRE

ENOUGH STAFF. >> OKAY.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME OF THE UPCOMING BRIEFINGS ON THE MAINTENANCE INITIATIVES IN PRECINCT 2 IN THE UPCOMING YEARS. DO YOU ANTICIPATE ON FUTURE YEARS AND BUDGETS -- AND SPECIFICALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT THE IN-DEPTH BRIEFING THAT YOUR OFFICE SENDS, THAT 4-PAGE MEMO, BREAKING DOWN SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE ITEMS. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL THE MAINTENANCE GOING IN THERE, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW MUCH THAT HAVE IS IN-HOUSE MAINTENANCE. YOU HAVE A VERY ROBUST IN-HOUSE MAINTENANCE TEAM THAT DOES A LOT FOR HARRIS COUNTY, AND APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.

YOU HAVE A LOT GO GOING OUT TO CONTRACTS.

OF THE $100 MILLION THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, HOW MUCH OF IT IS IN-HOUSE? HOW MUCH IT HAVE IS ON-CALL?

HOW MUCH OF IT IS CONTRACT WORK? >> THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS, WE'VE REALLY BEEN FOCUSED ON BRINGING IN AND EXPANDING ON OUR LABOR FORCE. THAT'S FOCUSED ON VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, IN-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION, WHICH IS A SMALLER AMOUNT OF THE OVERALL BUDGET. IN YEAR 3, WE ARE FOCUSED ON STARTING TO BRING IN MORE TECHNICAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT MORE IN-HOUSE DESIGN, SO WE WILL SEE A RAMP-UP OF THAT.

BUT AS FAR AS YEAR 3 OF THE PROGRAM, FY '27, IT'S GOING TO BE SIMILAR TO WHAT DIRECTOR STUCKETT SAID ON WHAT WE'RE

GOING TO CURRENTLY UTILIZE. >> OKAY.

[03:30:03]

I KNOW LAST YEAR, TWO FLOOD CONTROLS WERE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THEIR MAINTENANCE ACTS AND HAVING VARIOUS CAMPS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. I HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS ABOUT MAINTENANCE.

I UNDERSTAND WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON OTHER PRIORITIES, BUT AS YOU START TO HEAD INTO THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR, ARE YOU ANTICIPATING STARTING TO CONSTRUCT THOSE CAMPS? IS THAT PART OF THIS BUDGET? WHERE ARE WE IN THE CREATION OF

NEW MAINTENANCE CAMPS? >> FOR THAT, I'LL TURN TO E EYE

ELIJAH WILLIAMS, CHIEF OF STAFF. >> -- PROBABLY ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO AGO. THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE SPACE PLANNING COMMITTEE IN THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER FOR DISCUSSION WITH THAT PARTICULAR GROUP.

DIRECTOR STUCKETT HAS BEEN BRIEFED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE BRIEFED ON THAT EXERCISE. BUT, IN SHORT, THE TEAM HAS IDENTIFIED ABOUT FOUR DIFFERENT QUADRANTS ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH SPECIFIC SITES AVAILABLE AND HAVE DONE A PRETTY THOROUGH REVIEW OF THOSE SITES, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE FACILITIES, AND SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO BRIEF PRECINCT OFFICES ON SUCH.

>> SURE. AS A MEMBER.

SPACE PLANNING COMMITTEE, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT TO DATE. WE KNOW THAT HAVING QUICK RESPONSE TIMES IS CRITICAL TO YOU GUYS, DOING YOUR MISSION AND DOING YOUR OBLIGATIONS. MY NEXT QUESTION IS A LITTLE MORE BROAD-BASED, ABOUT FUNDING SOURCES.

YOU GUYS HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS. YOU HAVE A LOT OF FUNDING SOURCES. WHETHER IT'S REIMBURSEMENTS THROUGH GLO, THROUGH HUD, THROUGH YOUR MULTIPLE TAX REVENUES. HOW DO YOU GUYS SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE TO TRACK ALL OF YOUR BUDGETS TOGETHER AND PROVIDE US A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF BOOKS, LIKE YOU HAVE ON THIS 4-PAGE SPREADSHEET? ELIJAH? OR ROBERT. I'M SORRY.

ROBERT HARRISON. >> ONE IS WE USE THE PROJECT ACCOUNTING OUT OF PEOPLE SOLVE. SO, IN OTHER WORDS, WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT. NOW, FROM AN INTERNAL STANDPOINT, WE HAVE AN INTERNAL PROJECTS SYSTEM THAT WE MANAGE ALL THE PROJECTS IN, AND WHEN I SAY "MANAGE IT," WE MANAGE IT FROM A. TO Z. THROUGH THAT PERSPECTIVE.

ALONG WALLLE OF OUR CONTRACTS, AND IT'S ALL MANAGED FROM THAT STANDPOINT, BUT FROM THE ODM PERSPECTIVE, THE O & M INTO THE PROJECT MODULE. THAT'S THE NEXT PHASE THAT WE WILL DO, BUT WE'RE ABLE TO MANAGE OUR BUSINESSES REALLY IN THE CIP, ALL THOSE OTHER GRANTS, ALL THE PROJECTS GNA, ALL WITHIN UNIFIER, AND THEN WE CAN MANAGE THE O & M INTERNALLY THROUGH THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE TAX DOLLARS AND OUR OWN DOLLARS FROM PERSPECTIVE.

AND NOW, WITHIN THE O & M WORLD, WE ACTUALLY HAVE ABOUT 50 DEPARTMENTS THAT WE GO IN AND TRACK EVERY COST AND EVERY MANAGE. SO, IN OTHER WORDS WHEN YOU ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING ON INFRASTRUCTURE, JUST ON OUR INTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR EXTERNAL INFRASTRUCTURE, WE HAVE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WITH DIFFERENT ACCOUNT CODES THAT ACTUALLY SEPARATES THAT, THAT

CRAHN'S TEAM TRACKS. >> OKAY.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW.

I'M GOING TO HOLD MY TIME FOR LATER IN CASE I NEED IT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4.

PRECPRECINCT 4, YOU YOU WILL NOE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> DIRECTOR STUCKETT, I'VE ONLY KNOWN YOU FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW, BUT IN DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE, WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU. IF YOU'RE GOING TO ACHIEVE THE LOFLOFTY GOALS OF THE COURT, ANI THINK WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE ONLY BEEN HERE FOR TWO -- A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

CAN YOU JUST OUTLINE YOUR TOP PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS, AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR?

>> SO, OF COURSE, TOP PRIORITY IS GOING TO BE CDBG.

THE CBDG PROGRAM AND MOVING FORWARD SPENDING AS MUCH OF THE DOLLARS AS WE CAN BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

ALSO ONE TO JUST KIND OF FOCUS ON: TRANSPARENCY, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, WHY I'M STARTING TO

[03:35:01]

IMPLEMENT HAVING EACH MEMBER OF THE COURT INVOLVED IN A LOT OF OUR CONVERSATIONS AS IT RELATES TO THE CDBG AND PROJECTS, BUT ALSO JUST OUR RESPONSIVENESS AND HELPING KIND OF SHORTEN SOME OF THE TIMES WITH PROCESSING. EVEN THINGS LIKE RESPONDING TO

EMAILS. >> WHAT WILL FLOOD CONTROL DO IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR TO CONTINUE IMPROVING SCHEDULING, IMPROVING COST CONTROLS AND PERFORMANCE TRACKING TO MAKE SURE PROJECTS ARE DELIVERED ON SCHEDULE, WITHIN BUDGET, AND

WITH ACCURATE REPORTING? >> SO, IN TERMS OF SCHEDULING, WE'RE JUST GOING TO CONTINUE ESTABLISHING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE P GENERAL 6S, WHICH IS WHAT WE USE FOR OUR SCHEDULE TRACKING. FOR COST CONTROLS, ESTIMATING GUIDELINES AND STRENGTHENING OUR COMMITMENTS, OUR CONTINGENCY MANAGEMENT AT EACH STAGE OF THE PROJECT TO SORT OF MAXIMIZE THE FUNDS WITHIN THE PORTFOLIO. AND IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE TRACKING, WE'RE TRYING TO SUSTAIN OUR KPI TRACKING WITH OCA AND SOME -- ACROSS THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, WHILE ENHANCING OUR TRANSPARENCY THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT LEVEL

DETAIL. >> IF I COULD JUST MAKE A BROAD RECOMMENDATION, AND THIS -- IT INCLUDES OTHER DEPARTMENTS: OFTEN IN REPORTING, WE'LL GET A VERY NICE REPORT, ONE COURT, AND THEN WE'LL GET A VERY DIFFERENT FORMATED REPORT, ANOTHER COURT, SO CONSISTENTLY IN THE REPORTING FORMAT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL.

WITH RESPECT TO MAINTENANCE -- THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR ASKING AND PRIORITIZING SEVERAL OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD.

SO I WILL -- REGARDING STAFFING: STAFFING SEEMS TO BE A CHALLENGE. FOR MAINTENANCE, WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN COMMISSIONERS COURT DO TO REDUCE SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS

IN STAFFING? >> TO BE HONEST, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S MUCH YOU CAN DO. IT'S A MARKET ISSUE.

WHILST STRIDES HAD BEEN MADE WITH THE INCREASES AND THE DISPARITY STUDY, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE CONSULTING FIRMS. SO I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S MUCH THAT THE COURT WOULD BE

ABLE TO OFFER IN THAT ASPECT. >> OBVIOUSLY IF THERE'S -- IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE CAN DO, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO REACH OUT. CAN YOU -- CAN YOU BE MORE -- A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT HOW WE -- FLOOD CONTROL WILL SCALE UP GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ESPECIALLY INCLUDING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR?

>> ABSOLUTELY. SO, IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR AND BEYOND, THE DISTRICT IS FOCUSED ON CONTINUING TO GROW CAPACITY WITH OUR CONTRACTS THAT DELIVER NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS, SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE PRACTICES.

SO YOU'RE TO SEE AN INCREASE IR TYPICAL ACTIVITIES.

BUT ALSO IN THE COMING FALL, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH OUR STRATEGIC GOAL WITH OCA, WE'RE GOING TO PILOT FIVE PROJECTS.

THEY'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON ECOSYSTEM REGENERATION AND CO-BENEFITS FOR THOSE PROJECTS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON STORM WATER DETENTION BASINS AND ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION, AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMENITIES. THE FIFTH PROJECT IS GOING TO LOOK AT COMING INTO HELP ENHANCE SOME WETLALANDS TO MAKE SURE WEE STAYING UP AND WE'RE COMMITTED WITH OUR PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FROM PREVIOUS PROJECTS FOR WETLANDS, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MEETING THE BAR AND EXCEEDING THE BAR ON WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO FOR PROJECT PERMITS IN THE PAST.

SO THESE PILOTS WILL LEAD TO A BROADER PROGRAM IN FUTURE FYS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND ON THAT ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION

ACROSS BASINS AS A FIRST STEP. >> AND -- THANK YOU, AND YOU MENTIONED PERMITTING. DIRECTOR, CAN YOU JUST -- WE'RE ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN TRYING TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN THE -- WITH RESPECT TO PERMITTING. I KNOW WE'VE HAD SOME INITIAL DISCUSSIONS ON THIS. CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT YOUR PLAN IN THE COMING YEAR TO MAKE PERMITTING MORE EFFICIENT?

>> SO, WHEN YOU SAY "PERMITTING," I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT, WHO REVIEWS, BUT FLOOD CONTROL DOESN'T ACTUALLY ISSUE THE PERMITS. SO ON THAT END, I HAVE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR DEPARTMENT MANAGER THERE, AND THEY ARE HAVING A RESOURCE ISSUE. SO WHETHER OR NOT WE BRING IN ADDITIONAL CONTRACTORS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE TWO CONTRACTORS WORKING ON-SITE IN-HOUSE, AND IF I NEED TO DOUBLE THAT INCREASE TO JUST REDUCE REVIEW TIMES, I'D RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE RUNNING AT ABOUT EIGHT WEEKS ON REVIEW TIMES FOR PLAN SETS AND DRAINAGE REVIEWS.

>> THANK YOU. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4. COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, YOU WILL NOW HAVE EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. WELCOME TO THE COUNTY.

[03:40:01]

THANK YOU 20 YOUR TEAM FOR BEING HERE.

IF THERE'S A PROPOSAL FOR A LOWER TAX RATE FOR FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT THIS YEAR, WHO WOULD BE AT RISK IF THIS WAS ADOPTED.

>> SIMPLY, IT DOES REDUCE OUR EFFORTS FOR -- IT WOULD REDUCE OUR EFFORTS FOR MAINTENANCE. AND IF THE CBDG PROJECTS COULD NOT BE COMPLETED BY THE DEADLINE, EVEN WITH THE REDISTRIBUTION THAT WAS RECENTLY APPROVED, WOULD THE FLOOD CONTROLS BUDGET HAVE ENOUGH TO COVER THOSE PROJECTS?

>> YES, AND WE DO HAVE MULTIPLE SOURCES THAT WE'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED IN THE EVENT THAT WE CANNOT ACHIEVE THE PLAN AS DEFINED NUMBER THE JUNE 11 COURT.

>> OKAY. AND I KNOW THAT THE -- THE COURT HAS PREVIOUSLY ASKED TO HAVE MONTHLY REPORTS SUBMITTED ON THE STATUS OF EVERYTHING. WILL YOU BE CONTINUING THAT?

>> YES. I'D LIKE TO DO IT MORE, BUT I KNOW THE TEAM WOULD HATE ME FOR COMMITTING THEM TO DO THAT.

BUT, YES, WE DO INTEND TO CONTINUE THAT, AND WE'RE ALWAYS OPEN TO PROVIDE AT A MORE FREQUENT LEVEL, IF REQUESTED.

AND IT'LL FOR -- IF ONE REQUESTED, ALL FIVE COURT

MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE IT. >> OKAY.

NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

I'LL RESERVE MY TIME. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL NOW HAVE

EIGHT MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

AND WELCOME, DIRECTOR STUCKETT, AND THE REST OF THE FLOOD CONTROL TEAM. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

APPROXIMATELY 21 MILLION IS NON-LABOR.

HOW WILL THAT 21 MILLION BE ALLOCATED? AND YOU KNOW, INCLUDING HOW MUCH FOR SPECIFIC CAPITAL PROJECTS, VERSUS BROADER DELIVERY FUNCTIONS? SO ABOUT 50% OF THAT IS GOING TO BE ALLOCATED BOTH TO WHAT WE DEFINE AS OUR CIP NORTH AND SOUTH.

OUR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT, AND SOME -- OUR GENERAL ENGINEERING FUNDS, AS WELL AS OUR FEASIBILITY STUDIES.

>> SO, FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR NORTH AND SOUTH?

>> YES, ALL PROJECTS, CONSTRUCTION-RELATED PROJECTS

THAT ARE NON-MAINTENANCE. >> WHAT ARE SOME -- SO I KNOW YOU'VE JUST BEEN HERE TWO WEEKS. SO WHAT ARE SOME OPPORTUNITIES YOU SEE TO JUST IMPROVE SOME OF THE REPORTING AND PROCESSES WITHIN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN MEET SOME

OF THOSE TIGHT TIMELINES? >> SO IN TERMS OF REPORTING: AGAIN, WE'LL CONTINUE REPORTING OUT MONTHLY, AS WE'VE DONE BEFORE. WE COULD INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF THAT. ALSO, JUST MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, EACH ONE OF YOU COURT MEMBERS ARE INVOLVED OR A REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH COURT MEMBER ARE INVOLVED IN SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'RE HAVING TO GET INFORMATION OUT AS A GROUP, AS A COUNTY. AS WELL AS WE ARE LOOKING INTO CREATING A DASHBOARD THAT WILL ALLOW FOR SOME ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY, THAT -- WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW FREQUENTLY WE'LL UPDATE IT. WHETHER IT'LL BE WEEKLY OR MONTHLY, BUT THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST EFFORTS.

>> OKAY. MY OTHER QUESTION WAS ON NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS, BUT THAT WAS ASKED.

SO FOR NOW, I CAN JUST HOLD MY TIME.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1. WE WILL NOW REVISIT FOR ANY REMAINING TIME. PRECINCT 2, YOU HAD 1:27

REMAINING. >> DIRECTOR STUCKETT, HOW DOES THE FY '27 BUDGET SUPPORT LONG-TERM RESILIENCE, AND WHAT METRICS WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE SUCCESS?

>> SO, I THINK IN TERMS OF LONG-TERM RESILIENCE, I THINK WE KIND OF FOLLOW SOME OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN THE PAST.

JUST ON A MORE FORWARD-FACING LEVEL.

AFTER EACH EVENT, WE TYPICALLY HAVE OUR -- YOU KNOW, RUN OUR ANALYSES TO SEE WHAT OUR DAMAGES ARE, AND WE TRY TO EQUATE THAT TO A DIFFERENT STORM EVENT WOULD HAVE A LEVEL OF COMPARISON, BUT THAT'S TYPICALLY SOMETHING THAT WE KEEP INTERIM.

I EXPECT WITH ALL OF THESE PROJECTS ONLINE, STARTING TO INCORPORATE SOME OF THESE NEW DEVELOPMENTS INTO MAPNEX AND HOW IT'S HELPED EACH INDIVIDUAL AREA, WITH IT ALL BEING WITHIN ONE MODEL, AS OPPOSED TO BEING DIFFERENT -- DIFFERENT PROJECTS OR ONE-OFF MODELS. IT'LL BE SORT OF A COUNTY-WIDE

DEAL. >> ARE THERE EMERGING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS OR FEDERAL PRIORITIES THAT COULD IMPACT THE DEPARTMENT'S PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE NEXT COMING

FISCAL YEAR? >> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> YES, ARE THERE EMERGING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS OR FEDERAL PRIORITIES THAT COULD IMPACT THE DEPARTMENT'S PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS FOR THIS NEXT COMING FISCAL YEAR?

>> YES. AND THERE'S ALWAYS -- YOU'RE GONNA ALWAYS HAVE CONCERNS WITH NEPA COMPLIANCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN

[03:45:03]

YOU'RE USING FEDERAL FUNDS, SO THAT'S ALWAYS A RISK THAT WE INTEND THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 2.

PRECINCT 3, YOU HAD 1:24 REMAINING.

>> THANK YOU. JUST TWO MORE QUESTIONS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PRECINCT 3 HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR IS TO KIND OF GET BACK TO THE ROUTINE BUSINESS.

A NON-BOND PROJECT SORT OF THE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS IN QUITE SOME TIME. DO YOU ANTICIPATE FLOOD CONTROL GOING BACK TO INI INITIATING NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE UPCOMING

FISCAL YEAR? >> IN THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, NO. WE HAVE THE MIT, WHICH HAS A MARCH 2008 DEADLINE. THERE MAY BE SOME ONE-OFF PROJECTS HERE THAT WE MAY IDENTIFY AND BE ABLE TO GET TO, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE FOCUS OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE PUSHING FORWARD IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> SURE, AND THAT KIND OF LEADS TOWARDS MY SECOND YEAR: RIGHT NOW, ALL OF US ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO FIND FUTURE PROJECTS. THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF PROJECTS LEFT, AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE ENCOURAGE YOU, AS YOU KIND OF START WORKING ON THAT PROJECT, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING TO FILL THE WELL. SO AS YOU START TO LOOK AT THAT -- YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE'S BOND PROJECTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE PARKED IN DESIGN, BUT DOES YOUR STAFF HAVE A PLAN TO START LOOKING AT THEN, SAY, WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING. SO THAT WE CAN FILL THAT WELL.

>> THAT'S A CONVERSATION THAT I KNOW WE NEED TO HAVE.

IS IT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW? NO.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3. PRECINCT 4, YOU HAD 2:12

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4.

>> COUNSEL. >> YOU'VE MENTIONED TWICE ABOUT BUILDING A NEW DASHBOARD. IS THIS A NEW DASHBOARD THAT'S GOING TO BE PUBLIC-FACING? BECAUSE ISN'T THERE ALREADY ONE

EXISTING THAT'S PUBLIC-FACING? >> I'LL PASS THAT TO ELIJAH.

>> I CAN SPEAK TO THE EXISTING DASHBOARD.

THE ANSWER IS "YES." THE BOND DASHBOARD IS PUBLIC-FACING. I THINK, IN THE FUTURE, THERE'S PROBABLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR DASHBOARDS RELATED TO MAINTENANCE AND OTHER ASPECTS OF FLOOD CONTROL WORK, WHICH I THINK WOULD BE IDEAL THAT THEY WOULD BE MORE PUBLIC-FACING.

I JUST WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS A NEW ONE.

SO THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

AND THEN I JUST WANTED TO ASK IF THERE'S ANYTHING -- IF YOU WANT TO ELABORATE ON ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP YOU SUCCEED?

>> NO. I THINK THE COURT IS DOING THAT NOW. WITH ME BEING THE NEW DIRECTOR AND WITH EVERYONE BEING SUPPORTIVE.

THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND CHIEF ENGINEERS WITHIN EACH PRECINCT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE.

I THINK THAT YOU ARE DOING WHAT I NEED RIGHT NOW.

AND I WOULD JUST ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ME.

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING GOING WRONG, LET ME KNOW, AND WE'LL GET TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND DISCUSS IT.

>> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> PRECINCT 1, YOU HAD 6:09

REMAINING. >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> REGARDING MAINTENANCE MATTERS, I KNOW THERE'S A PROGRAM MANAGER AND WITH TAX, THAT WAS PASSED NOVEMBER OF 2024.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE REGARDING DASHBOARDS OR TRANSPARENCY OR JUST IN TERMS OF, LIKE,ING A SETS THAT HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED DUE TO THE FUND? SO THERE'LL BE SOMETHING PUBLIC-FACING OR VISUAL? AND IF YOU COULD JUST DESCRIBE

THAT. >> ABSOLUTELY.

SO THE PROGRAM MANAGER THAT WAS BROUGHT ON IS IN THE MIDDLE OF DEVELOPING A DASHBOARD, AND WE ARE WORKING TO GET THAT SET UP

SO THAT CAN BE PUBLIC-FACING. >> ALL RIGHT.

SO, PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO TRACK WHAT'S BEING SPENT AND WHAT'S

BEEN IMPROVED? >> THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TRACK THE MAJOR PROJECTS AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT AS WE

MOVE FORWARD. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> MM-HMM.

>> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1. AND WITH THAT, DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING REMARKS.

>> SO I'LL JUST THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE IT. I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE MY TEAM WHO'S HERE WITH ME, AND AS YOU SAW, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, GET THROUGH 20% OF THESE QUESTIONS WITHOUT JASON AND ELIJAH AND ROBERT BEING WITH ME, SO THANK YOU TO THE TEAM.

AGAIN, I THANK YOU ALL FOR COLLABORATING WITH ME GOING FORWARD, AND I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU ALL AND FIND SOLUTIONS THAT FLOOD CONTROL CAN HELP EACH ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL PRECINCTS AND THE COMMUNITY OF HARRIS COY REDUCE FLOOD RISK TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. OUR NEXT PRESENTER WILL COME FROM OUR PROBATE COURTS.

[Probate Court]

[03:56:37]

>> WELCOME BACK, COURT OFFICES. WE NOW WELCOME OUR PROBATE

[03:56:41]

COURTS FOR OUR FINAL PRESENTATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET HEARINGS. TO START US OFF, THE INTRODUCTORY REMARKS FOR THIS PRESENTATION WILL BE SPLIT BETWEEN OUR FIVE PROBATE COURT JUDGES, SO WE WILL BEGIN WITH

JUDGE SIM SIMONEAUX. >> THERE WE GO.

I'M JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY PROBATE COURT NUMBER 1.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF PROTECTED PEOPLE THAT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR AND EVERY GUARDIANSHIP THAT'S IN MY COURT RIGHT NOW.

THAT NUMBER DOESN'T GO AWAY WHEN THE GUARDIANSHIP GETS CREATED.

IT GETS COMPOUNDED, BECAUSE EVERY YEAR, WE GET MORE GUARDIAN SHIPS. THESE GUARDIAN SHIPS COMPOUND, BUT THEY'RE ONLY A FRACTION OF WHAT OUR COURTS DO, BUT I ONLY HAVE ONE MINUTE, SO THIS IS ALL I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

THE COURT HAS TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THESE GUARDIAN SHIPS AFTER THEY'RE CREATED. WE LOOK AT THEIR INVENTORIES.

WE HELP THEM WITH A MONTHLY BUDGET.

WE LOOK AT INVESTMENT PLANS SOMETIMES.

WE LOOK AT THEIR ANNUAL ACCOUNT, WHICH HAS TO BE AUDITED AND VERIFIED, WHICH TAKES A LOT OF TIME.

WE LOOK AT THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH ALL THESE THINGS, AND IT TAKES A LOT OF STAFF MEMBERS TO DO THAT. AM I OUT OF TIME? FOR A $2 MILLION BUDGET, I WISH I HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

NEXT, YOU HAVE JUDGE MEDINA. >> HI.

GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I THINK I'LL PIGGYBACK ON SOME OF WHAT JUDGE SIMONEAUX STATED. WE DO SEE A LARGER STAFF.

OTHER COURTS, IT'S A TRIAL. TRIAL LENS.

EVERYONE GOES AWAY. IN THE PROBATE STATES, A LITIADMINISTRATION COULD GO ON R DECADES.

AS WELL AS PREVIOUSLY-STATED. GUARDIAN SHIPS.

IF YOU HAVE A CHILD WITH CEREBRAL PALSY, THEY AGE 18 BECOME A WARD, PROTECTED PERSON. IN OUR COURT.

THAT PERSON WILL HAVE THAT GUARDIANSHIP.

WE'LL BE MANAGING, WATCHING THAT GUARDIANSHIP FOR DECADES.

SO THAT'S WHY WE DO SEE OF MORE STAFF, HANDS ON.

IT IS PUBLIC SERVICE, WHAT WE DO.

I THINK IT'S ALL VERY IMPORTANT TO THESE FAMILIES THAT WE PRESENT TO THEM VERY WELL AND LOVING AND CARING, BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WHEN I FIRST BECAMEN THE BENCH, I TOLD MY STAFF, WHAT HAPPENS HERE WITH THE STAFF SEEPS INTO THE COURTROOM.

SO WHEN WE HAVE SUFFICIENT STAFF AND BUDGET NUMBERS, IT SEEPS INTO THE COURTROOM. IT SEEPS INTO THE PUBLIC.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

NEXT, WE HAVE JUDGE COX. >> OKAY.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE DOWN HERE, AND I RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE AT THE TAIL END OF A VERY LONG AND ARDUOUS PROCESS FOR YOU, SO I'M GOING TO BE

[04:00:02]

BRIEF. I'M THE JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY PROBATE COURT 2, AND I ECHO MY COLLEAGUES' STATEMENTS REGARDING THE PROBATE SIDE. WE'RE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, THOUGH, BECAUSE WE ALSO MANAGE THE CIVIL MENTAL HEALTH COURT DOCUMENT. WE'VE INSTITUTED FILING FEES FOR CIVIL MENTAL HEALTH PROCEEDINGS. WE'VE BEEN IN THE PROJECT FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. WE HAVE GROSS RECEIPTS OF ABOUT $700,000. I SAY "GROSS RECEIPTS," BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO OWE SOME REIMBURSEMENTS ON MY APPLICATIONS FOR WHICH THE PATIENT ONLY HAD MEDICAID OR THERE WAS NO OTHER KIND OF PAYMENT FUND AVAILABLE TO THEM.

BUT I BRING THAT UP, BECAUSE I'M SURE THAT YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT, AND I'M HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT DURING YOUR QUESTION TIME, BUT THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. NEXT WE HAVE JUDGE HORWITZ.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M PROBATE JUDGE FOR -- IN COURT 4. I'M ENTERING -- FINISHING MY EIGHTH YEAR ON THE BENCH. I'VE HAD SAME AMOUNT OF STAFF THAT I STARTED WITH, AND THE POPULATION IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS PROBABLY GROWN BY 20% IN THOSE EIGHT YEARS.

WE NEED MORE STAFF PEOPLE, INSTEAD OF A BUDGET CUT.

WE NEED ADDITIONAL -- AND I'VE REQUESTED TWO ADDITIONAL STAFF PEOPLE. THIS COURT ALSO HANDLES MENTAL HEALTH DOCKET, ALONG WITH COURT 3.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN AND ANALYSIS OF OUR ISSUES.

I WON'T TAKE UP ANY MORE TIME. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. NOW WE WELCOME JUDGE WATSON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HEARING US TODAY. AS YOU SEE, HOPEFULLY, FROM THE MATERIALS THAT WERE DISTRIBUTED, THAT PROBATE COURT 5 IS ACTUALLY PERFORMING AT PARITY WITH THE OTHER PROBATE COURTS.

WE ALL CARRY THE SAME FILINGS, THE SAME COMPLEXITY, AND WE MAINTAIN A PRETTY STRONG CLEARANCE RATE OF CASES, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, PROBATE COURT 5 IS DOING THAT WITH FEWER STAFF, A SMALLER BUDGET, AND WITHOUT BASIC SECURITY MEASURES THAT THE OTHER COURTS HAVE. PROBATE COURT 5 IS ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY ISOLATED. WE ARE ON OUR OWN ISLAND.

WE ARE SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY WITH UNCERTAINTY.

WE'RE IN A DATED BUILDING, AND, LIKE, I DON'T EVEN HAVE A PANIC BUTTON. SO -- AND AS WE KNOW, THERE WAS AN INCIDENT OF VIOLENCE THAT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE FAMILY LAW CENTRE, SO NOW WE KNOW THAT GAP WITH SECURITY IS NOT THEORETICAL, AND IT ACTUALLY AFFECTS MY TEAM.

IT AFFECTS THE PEOPLE WHO COME IN WITH US AND WHEN THEY COME TO US, WE COME TO US FOR PROBATE AND GUARDIANSHIP, SO TIMES OF CRISIS AND GRIEF. SO ASKING FOR JUST A SIMPLE

BUDGET. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. EACH COURT OFFICE WILL NOW BE ALLOCATED FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS, BEGINNING WITH

PRECINCT 3. >> THANK YOU, I HOPE I'M NOT

MESSING UP YOUR NAME. >> YES, SIR.

>> THESE ARE PROTECTED PEOPLE. WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO VISIT THEM. I CANNOT VISIT 1,855 PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE YEAR WITH THE STAFF THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT IS GIVING ME. I'M ONLY ASKING FOR TWO MORE PEOPLE. THAT'S IT.

ONE MORE TO -- TO HELP ME MANAGE A VISITATION PROGRAM THAT I'M WORKING WITH CHARITIES TO DO, SO I'M BRINGING CHARITIES TO THE TABLE TO DO THESE VISITS FOR US SO THAT WE CAN DETECT WHAT A DOCUMENT CANNOT DETECT, AND THAT IS WHETHER THAT PERSON IS SUBJECT TO PHYSICAL ABUSE, FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION, OR NEGLECT. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO PUT EYES ON THEM. WE'RE NOT IN STATUTORY COMPLIANCE. NONE OF US.

THAT'S THE FIRST, AND THE SECOND PERSON THAT I'M ASKING FOR IS BECAUSE MY COURT IS UNUSUAL. I ALSO SUPERVISE THE OFFICE OF PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR, THE PUBLIC PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR, WHICH IS AN ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROGRAM.

I NEED JUST ONE OTHER PERSON TO DO THAT, BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT I DO FOR MY COURT, I HAVE A MANAGER -- A COURT MANAGER THAT DOES THAT, BECAUSE SHE IS ALSO SERVING DOUBLE DUTY TRYING TO DO THAT FOR THE OFFICE OF PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR, SHE CAN BARELY KEEP TOGETHER WHAT SHE HAS TO DO.

SO I'M ASKING FOR TWO MORE PEOPLE.

THANK YOU, SIR, FOR LETTING ME FINISH THAT.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? >> ARE YOU ANSWERING QUESTIONS

FOR ALL THE JUDGES? >> I WAS FINISHING MY REMARKS.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> OH, YES?

>> WHAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS AFFECT YOU? IF YOUR BUDGET CUTS -- IF YOUR BUDGET IS CUT, IS IT A DOMINO

EFFECT TO ANOTHER COURT? >> IT'S NOT A DOMINO EFFECT TO

[04:05:04]

ANOTHER COURT . IN MY BUDGET IS CUT, THEN I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE HIGH DEMAND THAT WE HAVE ALREADY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING, WE'RE ACTUALLY THE BUSIEST COURTS IN TEXAS. NOT JUST STATUTORY PROBATE COURT. THE BUSIEST COURTS IN TEXAS.

IF WE CUT BACKOON OUR BUDGET, I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE VERY BASIC THINGS THAT I NEED TO DO, WHICH IS PROBATE THE 65 WILLS THAT COME TO ME EVERY WEEK, AND THESE TRIES ARE BIG.

PROBATE COURT GETS PEOPLE IN THERE WHO ARE FIGHTING OVER MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IT DOESN'T DOMINO EFFECT TO THEM, BUT IT DOES MAKE THE OFFICE OF PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR WORK A LITTLE LESS EFFICIENTLY, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO WAIT ON MY COURT MANAGER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE

TIME TO DEAL WITH THEIR ISSUES. >> OKAY.

THANK YOU. >> YEAH.

THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE IT.

>> NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 3.

PRECINCT 4, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE CIVIL MENTAL HEALTH FILING FEES? I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS FOR JUDGE COX OR ANOTHER JUDGE? SO CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IMPLEMENTING THOSE? ANY HICCUPS SO FAR, AND THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW THAT WILL CONTINUE IN

THE NEXT COMING YEARS? >> SURE.

SO WE IMPLEMENTED THE CIVIL MENTAL HEALTH FILING FEE IN EARLY MAY OF THIS YEAR. IT'S BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. IT WAS A PROJECT THAT WAS SPEARHEADED BY OUR COURT AND THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, WITH LOTS OF HELP FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

TO DATE, AS I MENTIONED, WE HAVE GROSS RECEIPTS OF ABOUT $700,000. THAT'S MAY 4TH TO JULY 1ST.

I SAY "GROSS RECEIPTS," BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME REIMBURSEMENTS THAT ARE DUE, BUT I THINK THAT WE PROVIDED SOME PROJECTIONS WHEN WE CAME DOWN HERE ORIGINALLY TO TALK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ABOUT THIS, AND I THINK THAT WE ARE ADHERING TO THOSE PROJECTS THAT WE HAD.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FEE PROCESS HAS GONE SMOOTHER THAN WE ALL COULD HAVE EVER HOPED FOR IT TO BE.

WHEN WE'RE GOING FROM ZERO FEE TO ABOUT A $500 FEE, SO WE CAN'T BE -- IT HAS GONE SMOOTHER THAN WE HAD EVER HOPED.

THAT SAID, WE HAVE HAD SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO US WITH QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROCESSES, BECAUSE THIS IS A PROCESS THAT WE'VE CREATED FROM THE GROUND UP.

WE'VE DONE OUR BEST TO BE RESPONSIVE TO EVERYBODY THAT'S COME TO US WITH SOME QUESTIONS. WE'VE BEEN FLEXIBLE.

WE'VE REVISED WHERE THEY CAN, AND WE'VE BEEN CONTINUALLY LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS IN WAYS THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT AND EASIER ON THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE WORKING ON THE FEES AND ALSO THE OTHER HOSPITAL INSTITUTIONS THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH US AND TAKE ON THESE PATIENTS. AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED -- I'M GOING TO SAY ALSO, WE'VE MAINTAINED AN OPEN DOOR POLICY, AND WE HAD IN SERVICES BEFORE THE FEE EVER WENT INTO EFFECT WHERE WE MET WITH ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO WERE -- WHO HAD AN INTEREST IN THESE FEES TO TRY AND ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS BEFOREHAND, AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED THAT OPEN DOOR POLICY AND ENCOURAGE THEM, IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS, IF THEY HAVE CONCERNS, COME AND TALK TO US, BECAUSE WE WILL WORK WITH THEM

TO TRY AND GET THAT RESOLVED. >> AND THANK YOU, WE HAD HEARD FROM SOME HOSPITALS. I THINK SOME OF IT WAS CONFUSION. SOME WAS QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED. SO WE APPRECIATE THAT OPEN DOOR POLICY. THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION. CAN YOU TALK TO US, TO ANY YOU HAVE THE JUDGES, HOW THE DEMAND FOR PROBATE COURT HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS? ARE THERE SPECIFIC SERVICES WHERE WE'RE SEEING MORE OF THAT DEMAND? AND IN PARTICULAR NOW THAT WE HAVE THE FIFTH PROBATE COURT? HOW ARE CASES BEING DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE FIVE, AND HOW HAVE WE

SEEN CHANGES THERE? >> I COULD JUST ADD TO THE DEMAND. THE CHANGES.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S GROWTH IN POPULATION.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A GROWTH IN THE NEED FOR INTERPRETERS.

WE NEED HAVE -- SEE AN INCREASE IN THAT AREA.

OBVIOUSLY THE OC REQUIREMENTS OF REPORTING.

THAT'S A WHOLE KIND OF NEW ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECT OF THE COURT. SO HAVING A PERSON THAT HELPS US WITH THAT AREA AS WELL, IS SOMETHING MY COURT IS ACTUALLY ASKING TO HAVE APPROVAL ON THAT. LIKE, JUST HAVING THAT REPORTING PROCESS BE SMOOTH AND IT NOT BE ASSUMED BY ANOTHER PERSON WHO ALREADY HAS A FULL WORKLOAD. THOSE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I CAN

THINK OF. >> ANYTHING ELSE?

>> AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT: AS WE SEE THE POPULATION IS GROWING.

PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER. ALSO, WE'RE SEEING FOLKS THAT ARE HAVING MORE ISSUES WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, WITH MORE NEEDS IN ELDER CARE. AND SO AS JUDGE SIMONEAUX SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER, THE GUARDIANSHIPS.

[04:10:05]

ALSO WE'LL HAVE A COURT INVESTIGATOR THAT GOES OUT AND IS OUR EYES AND EARS. EVEN BEFORE A CASE -- EVEN BEFORE A RECOMMENDATION IS MADE. AND AS WE SPOKE ABOUT HAVING ANOTHER -- AND, LIKE, I ONLY HAVE ONE COURT INVESTIGATOR, SO WE NEED TWO COURT INVESTIGATORS. A SECOND PART TO THAT IS WHEN JUDGE SIMONEAUX SPOKE ABOUT THE STUDY, AND THE STUDY IS IN THE MATERIALS THAT WERE SUBMITTED, THAT WE NEED EIGHT PROBATE COURTS. ONE OF THE GOALS OF PROBATE COURT 51 W 51 IS WE WANT TO TAK- WE WANTED TO TRANSFER CASES OVER TO PROBATE COURT 1. PROBATE COURT 5 IS UNDERSTAFFED.

WE SEE THAT FOLKS ARE ASKING FOR TWO MORE STAFF MEMBERS.

WE'RE JUST ASKING TO HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF STAFF AS THE

OTHER COURTS. >> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE THAT. I'LL HOLD THE REST OF MY TIME.

SUCH AS IT IS. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 4.

COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES

FOR QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE COUNTY.

CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE SERVICE ENHANCEMENT AROUND THE

PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE? >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE

PUBLIC PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR? >> YES.

THE ENHANCEMENT THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR THERE IS ONE EXTRA STAFF PERSON IN MY OFFICE THAT SUPERVISORS THE PUBLIC PROBATE ADMINISTRATOR SO THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH THE DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES THAT HE HAS. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN HERE, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE ONE COUNTY ATTORNEY ASSIGNED, JUST LIKE WE DO FOR GUARDIANSHIPS. WE JUST NEED ONE ATTORNEY WHO CAN REPRESENT THAT IN ALL FIVE OF THE COURTS.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S PART OF THE ENHANCEMENTS.

THAT'S A DEAL THAT I'M TRYING TO WORK OUT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, BUT THAT'S THE ENHANCEMENT WE'RE ASKING FOR. AT LEAST FOR MY COURT.

>> OKAY. AND HOW IS THE RETENTION AND

RECRUITMENT FOR YOUR AGENCIES? >> RETENTION IN MY -- I HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO'VE BEEN THERE FOR 30 SOME ODD YEARS.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RETENTION RIGHT NOW.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, NEXT YEAR, PROBABLY ABOUT HALF OF MY STAFF WILL BE RETIRING. THEY'RE ALL ELIGIBLE ALREADY.

THE PEOPLE THAT I'VE HIRED SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE HAVE ALL STAYED, EXCEPT FOR ONE. SO -- AND WHEN WE NEED MORE PEOPLE, IF WE NEED MORE PEOPLE, WE CAST A VERY WIDE NET TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PERSON WHO WANTS TO F APPLY CAN HAVE THE

OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY. >> WE PUT IT ON THE COUNTY -- ON THE WEBSITE TO ENSURE THAT IT'S PUBLICLY NOTICED.

YES, I'VE HAD PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 25 YEARS PLUS.

ALSO HAD PEOPLE THAT LEFT ME TO BECOME A JUDGE.

>> MAYBE.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE PROBATE COURT, IT'S -- THERE'S SO MUCH THAT GOES ON WITH THE COURTS. THERE'S -- THE COURT ITSELF OR A TRIAL COURT. THERE'S OVERSIGHT.

THERE'S LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE. THERE'S CASES THAT THE COURTS 1 THROUGH 4, THEY'RE STILL -- THEY'RE MULTI-GENERATIONAL, SO CASES FROM THE '80S THAT THEY'VE COME ON AND THEY'RE HANDLING, AND WE CAN'T -- THE TEAM MEMBERS -- OUR COURT IS NEWER. BUT THE TEAM MEMBERS, THEY'VE SEEN THE CASES BEFORE WE HAVE -- OR KNOW ABOUT THESE CASES.

AND SO WE CAN'T DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT THE TEAM.

AND WE GET SO MANY COMPLIMENTS FOR OUR TEAM MEMBERS, BECAUSE OF THIS WORK, AND THIS WORK IS HEAVY, RIGHT? THIS IS ABOUT DEATH. THIS IS ABOUT DISABILITY.

THIS IS ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE MOVE THROUGH A SPACE AND HAVIN' TO HANDLE BUSINESS WHILE STILL GRIEVING AND GOING THROUGH TRAUMA. AND SO WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE TEAM HAS ENOUGH RESOURCES AND THE ABILITY THAT THEY'RE NOT SO OVERWHELMED, BECAUSE I KNOW THEY TAKE THIS HOME WITH THEM, AND I HOPE YOU ALL ARE LISTENING, BUT I REALLY THANK

YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. >> MM-HMM.

>> CAN I SPEAK ON THAT? >> YES.

OF COURSE. >> AS -- AS THE PROBATE COURTS REQUEST THE COMMISSIONERS TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE A VIEW FROM 30,000 FEET UP IN THE AIR AND THE REALITY OF HARRIS COUNTY.

OUR POPULATION INCREASE HAS BEEN, IF YOU DIVE INTO THAT, WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION, AND AS PART AND PARCEL OF THAT, MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER.

THEIR BODIES ARE LIVING LONGER, BUT THEY'RE GETTING MORE DEMENTIA. THEY HAVE MORE AND MORE ISSUES.

THEY NEED MORE -- WE NEED MORE GUARDIANSHIP ISSUE CASES THAT COME UP BEFORE US. ALSO, ANYBODY CAN SEE THAT THE UNHOUSED POPULATION IN HOUSTON HAS INCREDIBLY INCREASED, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, A LARGE PORTION OF THAT POPULATION SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS. SO THAT THE MENTAL ILLNESS DOCKET THAT JUDGE COX AND I HAVE, IT JUST CONTINUES AND

[04:15:02]

CONTINUES AND CONTINUES. IT IS GONNA ALWAYS BE THERE FOR US. AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED NOT ONLY NOT TO HAVE OUR BUDGETS CUT, BUT TO GET MORE STAFF.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

OKAY. NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

I'LL HOLD MY TIME. >> THANK YOU, COUNTY JUDGE'S

OFFICE. >> PRECINCT 1, YOU WILL NOW HAVE

FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS. >> JUDGES, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE SO MUCH. JUDGE COX, I KNOW YOU'VE REQUESTED AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT.

AT LEAST THE PAST TWO YEARS. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THE NEED FOR THAT POSITION? WHAT CASE FILINGS LOOK LIKE, AND WHETHER THOSE HAVE INCREASED SINCE YOU'VE BEEN ASKING FOR

THIS POSITION? >> SURE, WE'RE AT ABOUT 20,000 FILINGS PER YEAR. IT'S GROWN AT ABOUT A THOUSAND FILINGS PER YEAR. WHEN I -- I WANT TO SAY WHEN I STARTED IN 2019, WE WERE ABOUT AT 17,000 CASES PER YEAR, BUT NOW WE'RE -- WE'RE INCHING UP, JUST AS JUDGE HORWITZ WAS TALKING ABOUT, WITH THE INCREASE IN THE POPULATION OF THE OTHER THING THAT THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT, COURT 3, DOES, IS IT ADMINISTERS SEVERAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR ASSISTED OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM. IT DEALS WITH WARRANTS THAT COME IN THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THERE'S CONSTANT CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE COURT AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS REGARDING ISSUES THAT MIGHT ARISE IN THE COURSE OF THE TREATMENT OF A MENTALLY ILL PERSON THAT THE COURT NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED IN.

SO THAT THERE'S A LARGE ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENT.

IN ADDITION TO JUST THE GENERAL PROBABLE CAUSE HEARINGS.

FINAL COMMITMENT HEARINGS. MEDICATION HEARINGS.

AND JAIL-BASED COMPETENCY RESTORATION MEDICATION HEARINGS.

SO THERE'S A LOT GOING ON OUT AT THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT BEYOND JUST WHAT YOU WOULD THINK OF AS A COURTROOM-TYPE ACTIVITIES.

SO ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXCUSE ME, ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR JUST THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION WOULD TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF THE PRESSURE OFF OF THE PROBATE COURT, WHICH ALSO HAS THE SAME DOCKET THAT MY COLLEAGUES HERE HAVE AND HELP MAKE THE COURT NOR EFFICIENT. AND THERE'S SOME PROGRAMS THAT WE THINK WE COULD POSSIBLY EVEN EXPAND, IF WE HAD MORE MANPOWER

IN THAT REGARD. >> WOULD YOU CARE TO ELABORATE

ON THAT PROGRAMS? >> SO WE HAVE AN AOT PROGRAM, ASSISTED OUT-PATIENT TREATMENT, AND WHAT IT SEEKS TO DO IS TREAT PEOPLE ON AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS INSTEAD OF BEING COMMITTED TO IN-PATIENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

IT'S GEARED TO WHO WE CALL FREQUENT USERS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. SO WE SEE IF THEY'RE APPROPRIATE TO BE TREATED ON AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS.

WHEN THEY'RE TREATED ON AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS, THEY GET WRAP-ARAROUND SERVICE THE THROUH THE HARRIS CENTRE.

MEDICATION. ASSISTANCE WITH MAKING SURE THEY GET TO THEIR DOCTORS' APPOINTMENTS, AND THEY MEET WITH.COURT PERIODICALLY. SO THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THAT IS IF WE CAN KEEP A PERSON OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S AN EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN THOSE OUT-PATIENT SERVICE, IN THE END, IT ENDS UP BEING LESS THAN WHAT THOSE PEOPLE WOULD BE -- WHAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE PAYING FOR THOSE PEOPLE IF THEY WERE IN-PATIENT, RIGHT? SO RIGHT NOW, THE PROGRAM IS FOCUSED ON THOSE PATIENTS AT THE HARRIS COUNTY PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE. WE'VE HAD INTEREST FROM BEN TAUB. WE'VE HAD INTEREST FROM THE VA, BUT WE REALLY CAN'T EXPAND. WE'RE KIND OF CAPPED AT WHAT WE CAN DO UNTIL WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE FUNDING, MORE RESOURCES.

NOW, THE MENTAL HEALTH FILING FEES, I HOPE THAT THAT KIND OF MAYBE PUSHES US A LITTLE BIT FURTHER DOWN THAT ROAD, BUT THOSE ARE ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'D LIKE TO LOOK AT

EXPANDING. >> THANK YOU.

AND WAS THERE ANY IMPACT TO YOUR STAFF WITH THE FILING FEES WITH THE COLLECTION OR THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS?

>> MORE WORK. IF YOUR QUESTION IS IMPACT -- HAVE THEY HAD -- HAVE WE HAD TO MOVE DUTIES FROM ONE STAFF MEMBER TO ANOTHER? NO.

I CAN'T SAY THAT THAT'S BEEN AN ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU. AND THIS QUESTION IS NOT JUST FOR JUDGE SIMONEAUX, BUT JUDGE SIMONEAUX, YOU MENTIONED YOUR CASELOAD OF OVER A THOUSAND PEOPLE UNDER GUARDIANSHIP.

IS THAT REFLECTIVE OF THE REST OF THE COURTS? AND ALSO IS THE STAFFING THAT YOU'VE REQUESTED ENOUGH TO BRING

YOU UP TO STATUTORY COMPLIANCE? >> SO, THE NUMBER OF PROTECTED PEOPLE IN GUARDIANSHIPS IN MY COURT IS ABOUT THE SAME AS EVERY COURT, EXCEPT FOR PROBATE COURT 5, WHICH IS BRAND NEW, AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED YOU TO HELP HER WITH STAFFING SO THAT WE CAN MOVE SOME OF THOSE OVER AND READ OUT THE LOAD A LITTLE BIT.

BUT I THINK WE ALL HAVE ABOUT -- SOMEWHERE JUST UNDER 2,000.

[04:20:01]

>> YEAH, I THINK I HAVE A -- I THINK I'M AT 2,000.

>> MM-HMM. >> I THINK I'M PASSED...

AND THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE A COURT INVESTIGATOR AT FIRST.

NOW WE'RE AT THAT POINT WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE THOSE VISITS, AND IF WE CAN HAVE THAT SECOND COURT INVESTIGATOR, THEY CAN RUN THE PROGRAM AND WE CAN HANDLE THE CASES COME OVER FROM COURTS 1

THROUGH 4. >> THANK YOU, PRECINCT 1.

PRECINCT 2, YOU WILL NOW HAVE FIVE MINUTES FOR QUESTIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR COMING DOWN HERE TODAY.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THIS QUESTION IS FOR ANYONE, BUT I WAS CURIOUS: HOW HAVE FILINGS AND CASE TYPES CHANGED IN RECENT YEARS? AND HOW DOES YOUR BUDGET REFLECT

THOSE SHIFTING CIRCUMSTANCES? >> I KNOW -- PEOPLE -- OBVIOUSLY THE JUDGES WHO'VE BEEN HERE THE LONGEST CAN ANSWER THAT BETTER, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE -- I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE ON IS THAT NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE MORE CONTESTED CASES, SO WE ARE A TRIAL COURT. WE HAVE ALL THESE FIGHTING OVER MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. BUT WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS, AND SO BECAUSE OF THAT, WE GET CALLS ALL DAY LONG. AND SO WE GET FILINGS AND CASES GET KIND OF STUCK A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF THAT.

AND SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS, IS IN OUR COURT, WE HAVE THESE -- WE'VE HAD TO ADD DOCKETS TO OUR -- TO OUR CASELOADS SO THAT WE CAN COME IN AND NOT GIVE GUIDANCE, BUT TALK TO THE SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANTS, BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME RULES OUT THERE, BUT I WOULD SAY THAT WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN FILINGS IN GENERAL DUE TO THE POPULATION, DUE TO WHAT THE JUDGES TALKED ABOUT. BUT ALSO BENEFICIARIES, PROPOSED BETTERRERIES, THOSE FOLKS, REPRESENT REPRESENTED LITIGANTS COMING. I THINK ONE OF THE COURTS HAS ONE PERSON THAT THEY ONLY ANSWER THE PHONE BECAUSE OF IT.

>> CAN I ADD TO JUDGE WATSON'S COMMENTS? SO -- SO, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS REALLY BENEFITED THE PROSAY PRACTITIONER, SO LIKE JUDGE WATSON, WE'RE SEEING LOTS MORE CONTESTED CASES WITH FAIRLY INSIST A INDICATED PRACTITIONERS COMING IN, SO THAT LEADS TO AN INCREASE IN THE TIME THAT IT TAKES TO DEAL WITH THEIR CASES.

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO APPEAL.

>> MM-HMM. >> BECAUSE ONCE THEY DON'T GET THE RULING, THEN IT GOES TO APPEAL.

THEN IT COMES BACK DOWN. IT'S -- IT'S SO MUCH THAT'S KIND

OF MOVING. >> IF I MAY ADD JUST SOMETHING TO THAT REAL QUICK: IS THAT WITH PROBATE COURT NUMBER 5, OUR FILINGS ARE DOWN TO THE NUMBER THAT WE HAD WHEN WE ONLY HAD FOUR PROBATE COURTS IN 2020, WHICH PRECIPITATED THE NEED FOR PROBATE COURT 5. THAT'S HOW FAST THE FILINGS HAVE INCREASED. WE'RE AT THAT CRITICAL MASS LEVEL ALREADY WHERE WE NEED ANOTHER PROBATE COURT, BUT WE'RE NOT HEAR ASKING FOR THAT. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET SOME STAFF TO DO A STOP-GAP MEASURE HERE SO THAT WE CAN HANDLE THE INCREASED FILINGS AND THE MORE COMPLICATED FILINGS BECAUSE OF A.I. WE WILL PROBABLY BE BACK ASKING FOR A PROBATE COURT ANOTHER TIME, BUT NOT THIS YEAR.